#2: Body Double (2004)

by Tess Gerritsen
#2: Body Double (2004) cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Technical
  • ID: 5536
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
inspirational 4.50

Choosing to Run is a memoir by Des Linden, the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. The book is engaging and teaches readers about her professional running career, including her struggles and ultimate victory. It's a great read for anyone who loves a good comeback story or enjoys running.

Des Linden's memoir, Choosing to Run, is a compelling account of her journey to becoming the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in over three decades. The book is structured in a way that keeps readers engaged, with a linear narrative of her career interspersed with snippets of the big race. Linden's story is one of perseverance and determination, as she overcame injuries, chronic illness, and self-doubt to achieve her goal. Her memoir is not just for runners but for anyone who appreciates a well-told comeback story. It's a testament to her strength and resilience, making it a must-read for fans of memoirs and sports enthusiasts alike.

Quick quotes

    Written by the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years, Choosing to Run is exactly what I love in a memoir. It was engaging, taught me something new, and made my world a little bigger.

    I loved this structure; it took a good memoir and gave it the momentum to make it great.

    Her memoir made my world a little bigger — in fact, reading it inspired me to become a fan of women’s professional running, and I subscribed to the Fast Women newsletter.

alwayswithabook.com · Unknown · 2013-06-29
great 4.00

The book focuses on Des Linden's journey as a professional runner, particularly her victory at the 2018 Boston Marathon under harsh weather conditions. It highlights her underdog story, her struggle with hyperthyroidism, and her creative approach to running during the pandemic.

Des Linden's memoir, 'Choosing to Run,' is a unique addition to the recent flood of books by elite female runners. The book centers around her epic win at the 2018 Boston Marathon, which took place in extreme weather conditions. Linden's determination and mental strength are highlighted as she overcame the challenging race conditions to secure her victory. The book also delves into her underdog story, emphasizing the hard work and dedication she put into her running career, often having to balance part-time jobs to make ends meet. Linden's private nature is evident as she shares only brief glimpses into her personal life, focusing primarily on her running journey. One notable personal struggle she shares is her battle with hyperthyroidism, which had a significant impact on her running. The book concludes with her creative approach to running during the pandemic, including her record-breaking 50k run. Overall, 'Choosing to Run' is a quick and engaging read that offers a glimpse into the life of an elite runner.

Quick quotes

    Linden proved that much of a marathon is in the runner’s brain and how you deal with poor race conditions, as she gutted it out to the finish line.

    Linden is a private person and there aren’t many personal moments divulged in her memoir, or perhaps not as many as some other elite runners have written about.

    At 250 pages, this book was a quick and easy read and one that I enjoyed.

boofsbooks.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2011-04-14
captivating 4.50

Tanqueray offers a vivid and captivating memoir of a former New York City burlesque dancer, sharing her dynamic history with frankness and wit. The book provides a heartfelt and humorous glimpse into the seedier side of Manhattan's go-go scene, filled with personality and candor.

Tanqueray is a memoir that takes readers on a journey through the life of a former New York City burlesque dancer. The book is filled with vivid anecdotes and heartfelt reflections on the dancer's experiences, from her time performing in midtown adult theaters to her struggles and triumphs. The narrative is both humorous and moving, offering a glimpse into the complexities of the dancer's life. The book is complemented by personal photographs and lush watercolor illustrations, adding depth to the story. It's a tale of human struggle and resilience, providing an insider's view of a bygone era in Times Square.

Quick quotes

    Frank and unapologetic, Johnson vividly captures aspects of her former life as a stage seductress shimmying to blues tracks during 18-minute sets or sewing lingerie for plus-sized dancers.

    Her anecdotes are humorous, heartfelt, and supremely captivating, recounted with the passion of a true survivor and the acerbic wit of a weathered, street-wise New Yorker.

    A blissfully vicarious, heartfelt glimpse into the life of a Manhattan burlesque dancer.

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