One of my resolutions this year was to make more time to read. I hoped to get through one book per month and surpassed that in January reading these three. Here’s my quick review on each book:

My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, And Insights of a Road Racing Icon by Bart Yasso.

Review: This is a great read and one I’d recommend to runners and non-runners alike. It details his life and career in a series of stories about some of his many different life experiences. He bravely talks about his battle with drugs and alcohol at a young age. He regales readers with stories of some major challenges he faced. He shares stories of some of his more humorous adventures that will have you laughing out loud. I really loved this book and am even a bigger Bart Yasso fan now than I already was!

The Widow File by S.G. Redling

Review: I got this through the Kindle First program that allows Amazon Prime members to choose one of several books a month before their official release date – for free! I couldn’t pass that up. It took me 10 or 15 pages to get into this, but then it was a page turner I didn’t want to put down. It was a fast-paced action/crime mystery that took place in and around D.C., which probably increased my enjoyment of it. As much as I liked this book I felt like it was missing something at the end. It wasn’t a bad ending, it just felt like there could have been a lot more detail and story.

The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom

Review:  I absolutely loved Tuesdays with Morrie, which I read years ago, also by Mitch Albom and thought this book was great as well. Based on the title I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but thought it would probably be focused on religion. I found it more a story of belief and faith – not in any particular religion, but just in general. It perfectly hit on feelings of loss and sorrow. It also had a really interesting plot that centered around more of a mystery as to how these calls from heaven were happening that kept me reading until I’d finished the book in just a few sittings. This one is worth reading for sure.