Top 6 Books of 2012

First, a disclaimer. These are the top 6 books I read in 2012, with no regard to whether or not they were published in 2012. And yes, yes, I know that most "top" lists are of the top 10 but, while I read a number of very good books last year, these are my absolute favorites. I don't want to diminish their significance by throwing in 4 more just to round out the list. These are the books that I would recommend in a heartbeat if you asked me for something to read. They are also in no particular order, and this is all purely my opinion. You have yours, and I respect that, so please respect mine.

How to Archer by Sterling Archer
- I love the show Archer on FX. I was determined not to like it when my husband first started watching it, but I was quickly converted. The book is a hilarious extension of the show, and it's impossible not to read in H. Jon Benjamin's voice. As an added benefit, it's actually quite informative (it's where I learned the difference between valet (pronounced val-ay) and valet (pronounced val-et)).
**Update** I just found out about the Archer app, and seriously? Best. App. Ever.

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
- I love Morton's writing and this story is intriguing. It took awhile to drag me into it, but once the plot picked up I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of her work.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Such a beautiful book. The story is magical, the characters are lovely...I just love this book. It's one I read while borrowing from the library, but I intend to buy.

Babyproofing Your Marriage by Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill, and Julia Stone
- So many good things are in this book. My feelings were validated, but the authors also made sure to explain the husband's side. Having a well-rounded idea of the trials both partners are going through when they become parents is invaluable.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
- This book was beautifully written and depicted a decade (the '20s) that I adore.

Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand
- It is very unusual for a non-fiction book (and a biography at that) to entertain me. Seabiscuit did to no end. I felt as if I was reading a novel, and the story pulled me along and had me rooting for the underdog.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- Sucked in from page 1, I couldn't put this thriller down.

Tell me, what are the books you read in 2012 that you would push into someone's hands, given the chance?

*links are either to my own reviews or the publisher's or Amazon's website. Links are not affiliate.

Reading My Own Books: An Update

The year is winding down (which is not even possible because my kid still has to turn 1, there's Christmas and parties and...hold me).

Ahem.

With this in mind, I wanted to post a quick update to one of the only challenges I took on this year, and one that I only started in October: Reading My Own Books, hosted by Michelle. You can read all about my exceptions and why I decided to do this here.

I was actually in the middle of The Swan Thieves when I started this challenge, which is partly why I signed up. I wanted reading this huge book I had bought on a whim to count for something. Then I picked Rules of Civility by Amor Towles as my book club pick (I had purchased it on my Kindle when Amazon was running a deal) so I checked off another one! I also finished What He's Poised to Do by Ben Greenman (not reviewed), Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand, and You Suck by Christopher Moore (review coming Monday). I'm also going to count Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn because technically I do own it, even if I did purchase it after I had already started the challenge. (At least I didn't just add another book to my TBR pile, right?)

I've finished a few more books these last couple of months, but they were exceptions to my rules (The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, and The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley (not reviewed)). We'll see how many more I can get to before the year is out and the challenge is over, but so far so good!

Oh, and if there was ever a question that I needed this challenge, let me present to you my bookshelf (my fiction only bookshelf):

Please ignore the bad quality. The bottom two shelves are the books I've read. Those top four, well, I have some work to do. (In my defense, some of those are anthologies that I never expect to actually finish in their entirety, but I couldn't in good conscience say that I've read them, either.) Oh, and this doesn't include the books on my nightstand or on our bookshelf downstairs, or in my closet...I'd better get reading.

Read-a-Thon End of Event Meme

I meant to have this up this morning but, you know, life happened.

1) Which hour was most daunting for you? Well, I didn't get a chance to read straight through, so there was no particular time where I felt I couldn't go on. Even when I went to bed, I still wanted to keep going. But as I am just getting over a cold and am trying not to catch my husband's flu, I thought sleeping was the smart decision.

2) Could you list a few high-interest books for next year? Well, I only read part of my book club book, Rules of Civility by Amor Towles, but it is fantastic. I didn't want to switch it up and read anything else.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-Thon for next year? Nope.

4) What do you think worked really well in this year's Read-a-Thon? I think the cheering was better this year. I got comments when I was still awake. :-)

5) How many books did you read? I didn't finish any this year.

6) What were the names of the books you read? I read Rules of Civility and listened to The Mark of Zorro.

7) Which book did you enjoy most? Definitely Rules of Civility.

8) Which book did you enjoy least? Since I only have two to choose from, by default that would be The Mark of Zorro.

9) N/A

10) How likely are you to participate next year and what role do you think you'll play? I hope to participate again! I'll probably be a reader again, because I don't know if I can commit to the amount of time it would take to do anything else. At least as a reader I can still participate a bit, even if I have other things that need to be taken care of!

And that's it! I didn't get as much reading done as I had hoped, but I got more done than I do on any normal day, so I'm considering it a win!

Reading My Own Books Challenge

I've decided to join Michelle and read only my own books for the rest of this year. (Have you met Michelle yet? You should. She's pretty cool AND has an adorable baby. Go on and check out her blog. I'll wait.)

Are we all back? Ok good. I have 3 exceptions to the only-my-own-books rule.

1) Book club books are exempt because I have no control over them (but there should only be one more book club this year).

2) Audio books (I don't listen to that many anyway, and they're always free from the library).

3) The Casual Vacancy. I know it's gotten terrible reviews but I want to read it anyway. Plus, I'm so far back on the hold list I might not even get it this year.

So. Other than those three exceptions I will only be reading books I currently own. I had to think about this for awhile because I thought I'd feel too restricted; I don't buy books very often and there are SO MANY good ones that I don't own yet. But, surprisingly, once I committed I felt like a weight had been lifted. I don't have to try to keep up with the Joneses, and now I can just focus on the books withering away on my (dusty) shelves. At one point I thought these books were important enough to own, and that hasn't changed just because they're not bright and shiny and new.

Before I had even officially joined this challenge I was still following the basic principles of it. I finally finished up The Swan Thieves (link to review) and am still working on What He's Poised to Do. Next up is my book club pick, Rules of Civility and who knows what else I'll get into during tomorrow's Readathon (squee!).

While this isn't an official challenge, it's still fun to a be a part of the action. Want to follow along? Check us out on Twitter with #RMOB.

My Personal Philosophy

**In an effort to actually do the things I pin, as well as post on a more regular basis, I'm following this list of blog topics found here. Not in order, and not in any sort of time frame, but easy come easy go.**

Maybe it's because it's an election year, but I feel the need to state my philosophy on life. Well, actually, I feel the need to have Will Ferrell shout it at you.



God, I love that movie.

Body Image in a Post-Partum World

**In an effort to actually do the things I pin, as well as post on a more regular basis, I'm following this list of blog topics found here. Not in order, and not in any sort of time frame, but easy come easy go.**

Today seems like an appropriate day to write about this topic because, as it turns out, I just learned I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Not the actual jeans I wore because, like an idiot, I threw those out, but the same size from my favorite store. Cue the party music and happy dances!

Like most women, I don't have the best body image. There seems to always be something to criticize but oh, what I wouldn't give for the body I used to have, the body I used to think needed so much improving (am I right, ladies?)! To be honest, I don't know if I'm really "okay" with my body, but I am much more okay with it than I was pre-pregnancy. Which might sound funny, considering I've got at least an extra ten pounds on me and way more stretch marks and loose skin. But how could I not be proud of this body? It's allowed me to play collegiate-level volleyball, run farther than I ever thought I could, and it's housed my daughter. My body created another person. That's amazing. To quote Katt Williams, "Your body is not ruined. You're a goddamn tiger who earned her stripes."

But just thinking those things isn't enough for me to say, "Hey, my body's been through a lot, who cares if it looks saggy and puffy at the same time?" Knowing what it's accomplished doesn't mean I'm satisfied with where it stands. In fact, because of all my body has been through, I know it can get better. And for the last four or five months I've been working hard, both at the gym and at home, trying to watch what I eat. I'm not perfect. I'll binge. I'll miss a week of workouts. But I always go back. And keep trying. And I won't give up. Because I have a little person who is counting on me to be healthy and fit enough to play with her and be there for her as she grows up. It's not just about me and what I think of my body anymore. It's about my daughter and what she needs from me. And she needs a mom who not only is capable, but a mom who will show her how to love her own body and that it's okay if she's not perfect, because no one is.

So it really does't matter if I think my body is good enough, because in a sense it has to be. Or at least I have to show Emily that I'm okay with it. And if there are times when I'm not, then I will go to the gym and I will watch my portions until I'm happy with my body again. I don't get the luxury of complaining anymore. It's either shut up or take action, and I choose to take action.

An Open Letter to My Ex

**In an effort to actually do the things I pin, as well as post on a more regular basis, I'm following this list of blog topics found here. Not in order, and not in any sort of time frame, but easy come easy go.**

Dear ___,

Sometimes I wonder if you ever think back to those 8 months we spent together. I wonder if they still hold any significance for you, or if you've all but forgotten your first love (although I have my doubts as to whether you really did love me, or just claimed you did). There are times when I wish I hadn't deleted you from my Facebook account because I would like to see how you are doing. But then I remind myself that exes should not be friends for a reason. What good would come of it? You would see that I am happily married with a little girl and I would see...what? The same? Or that you haven't changed? It makes no difference. Sometimes the past should stay in the past, and dwelling on it would only bring about thoughts and feelings better left buried.

Thoughts like "How could you?" and "Why?" and "Did I really mean that little to you?"

Looking back, I think I see now why we both acted the way we did. We were young, inexperienced, completely new to the world and ourselves. And while I cannot forgive you without an apology (one which I never expect to hear, as I doubt you even realize I deserve one), I can understand.

Sometimes when I drive past your parents' neighborhood I wonder if I will run into you, and what I would say if I did. Would I fake a smile in order to hide my surprise? Or would I try to slip by unnoticed? I doubt I'll ever have an opportunity to find out, and that's okay with me. I don't need to validate my life to you, and I don't need to know the details of yours. To me you will always be the first boy I thought I loved, and my first heartbreak. It's what I needed at the time in order to learn and to grow. You are a point in my past, and you will stay firmly there.

Sincerely,

Amy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I am so behind.  I keep meaning to post and comment and write reviews but, quite frankly, it keeps slipping my mind.  Now that I'm not in front of the computer all day, I rarely think about it.  Terrible, I know.

Since my last What Are You Reading post I've read two books: The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (reviewed here) and Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, by Vicki Myron (soon to be reviewed).

The other day I went to Borders because I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket.  Therefore, I decided to see what all the fuss was about, so I bought The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.  I'm about a hundred or so pages in and loving it.  I can tell I'm going to need to read the rest of the series.

I also had a very hard time not buying books I already own.  Why?  Because the new cover art is AMAZING.  I specifically had a hard time saying no to the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition of Wuthering Heights.  Heathcliff is apparently tuning into his inner Edward Cullen.  *love*

Second, though, was Pride and Prejudice.

And even though I absolutely hated reading The Scarlet Letter, I almost bought it anyway.  (I couldn't find a good photo of the back cover, but it's essentially 3 or 4 women gossiping over a fence.)

However, since I did so well avoiding these three unnecessary additions (although I really might go back and buy Wuthering Heights), I felt I deserved something for my troubles.

I've always wanted to read The Three Musketeers.  Maybe the comic book cover will entice me now.

So that's it.  What are you reading?  And have you seen any other new covers for classic books that I must get my hands on?

Don't forget to stop over at Sheila's blog to join in the fun!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I don't have much time today, so I'll be quick about it.

Last week I read and reviewed Water for Elephants and A Homemade Life, and I loved them both.  Click on the titles if you'd like to read my reviews.

This week I'm working on Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World.  Then I'll be reading The Hound of the Baskervilles so I can go to my first-ever book club!  (The library by me hosts a classics book club every month.)

That's it for me!  What are you reading this week?  And don't forget to head over to Sheila's blog to see what others are reading!

Going Bananas

I've been in the mood for banana bread.  Maybe it was the banana nut bread my mother-in-law brought over after we first moved.  Maybe it was the dark brown bananas sitting on my counter.  I don't know for sure.

What I do know is I love making banana bread, and I love the way it makes my house smell.  This is another recipe I found in my Cooking Light Complete Cookbook.

You'll need:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)

1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking spray

Now, for the record, my three bananas did not add up to 1.5 cups.  Also, I couldn't find plain low-fat yogurt, so I bought vanilla-flavored low-fat yogurt, seeing as how I was putting vanilla extract in there anyway, and I'm a big fan of vanilla.

Here's what you do:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Combine flour, baking soda, and salt.

3.  Place sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat with a mixer until well-blended.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add the bananas, yogurt, and vanilla, beating until blended.  Add the flour mixture and beat at a low speed just until moist.

4.  Spoon batter into an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan.  Cool completely on wire rack.

According to this recipe, there are 14 servings, each of which is 187 calories and has 4.3g of fat.  I have no idea what a "normal" slice of banana bread would have in it, but I can only assume this is better than that.

And finally, I know you're looking at that original picture and thinking, "Um, Amy?  There are 6 bananas there.  I know math has never been a strong point for you, but I'm pretty sure you can do basic addition."

It's true, I can.  So, what do you do when you have double the number of bananas you need, but only 1 bread pan?  Make banana muffins, of course!  (I only baked these for about 35-40 minutes, so make sure you adjust your baking time.)

Then, if you're feeling especially generous and brave, you could take those muffins over to your new neighbors that just moved in across the street, because you know you felt welcomed into the addition when your neighbor did it for you.  If I happen to see them out tomorrow and it doesn't look like I'd be intruding, that's my plan.

P.S. Those of you here from Weekend Cooking with Beth Fish Reads might also want to check out my review of A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes From My Kitchen Table, by Molly Wizenberg.  Absolutely fabulous.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  I was planning on posting this morning, but that's what happens when you don't post-date entries and you sleep in.

I just finished Water for Elephants (amazing, by the way; review to come) and will next be finishing A Homemade Life.

I'm keeping this short tonight, but please check out why I changed my blog name, if you haven't already, and have you seen my new reading room?  Have a great week, everyone, and don't forget to check out Sheila's blog to see what others are reading this week!

Aaaaaand Back!

We've officially moved!  We're getting unpacked and settled in and absolutely loving being home.  I would've posted last week, but I got sick (of course) at the beginning of the week.  But now I'm feeling better and really enjoying life.  Here's what's been going on:

I bought and planted my first garden items for the raised beds in our backyard (shade-loving things like hostas and bleeding hearts).  I have never liked yard work, but there's something about beautifying your own backyard that makes it worth it.

We scored a fire pit at the association garage sale.  S'mores are sure to follow!

I'll be starting my new job today (even if it is just an extension of my old job).  As much as I like taking time off, money is an essential part of life.

I went for one of my first runs in our new neighborhood yesterday.  I'm considering participating in our city's 3rd annual half-marathon in September, but I have to gauge whether or not that's a stupid idea first.

We bought our first "real" furniture.  Everything we have is either hand-me-down or cheap, but since we're finally settled (ee!) and adults (eeeee!) we thought we should get some real, adult furniture.  So we bought a very comfy, sink-into-it chair with matching ottoman and two 72" solid oak bookcases.  We should have the chair by mid-week and the bookcases sometime next week.  Oh yes, there will be pictures of my new reading area.

Speaking of reading areas, I have not read a single thing all week.  You'd think being sick would be the perfect time to lounge in bed and read, but when I get sick my eyes burn so there's no point in even trying.  This week, however, and especially when we have the reading area all set up, I will be finishing Critical Care, diving back into The Help (I bought it because I wasn't waiting for the library hold list again!), then Water for Elephants and A Homemade Life.  In essence, everything I've been saying I'll read but not getting around to.

I hope you all had a great week and the current one turns out beautifully!  Don't forget to head on over to Sheila's blog to find out what other book bloggers are reading this week!

What I'm Not Reading and a Little Update

It's a sad day, folks.  I've returned all of my library books, including The Help, because let's be honest: I'm not going to finish it before we move next weekend.  I did, however, place it on hold at the library in my new town, so I will hopefully have another copy soon (after 99 other people have read it - yikes!).

Other than my loss of library books, though, it's not a sad day at all!  I'm in my last week of work and then Friday family is coming into town, Saturday is Keith's graduation, and Sunday is Moving Day!

Keith and I spent the weekend at our new house, getting the feel for it and doing some basic maintenance.  Our first night there we had a terrible thunderstorm (skylights are loud, by the way) so poor Lizzie was not only stressed by the new environment but couldn't get comfortable due to the storm, either.  By the second night, though, she slept like a baby and was chipper and ornery the next morning as usual.  I worked in the yard yesterday, raking up 13 years of old mulch and planting grass seed so we could reclaim part of the yard.  Let's just say I'm a bit sore today, but there's something about working on your own yard and sculpting it so it's just how you want it that's incredibly satisfying.

So, obviously there hasn't been much reading going on, and what little there was has been stopped by the return of The Help.  I do really need to start on Critical Care, by Theresa Brown, though, since I won it through the Early Reviewers program on LibraryThing.  We'll see if I get to it!

Don't forget to head over to Sheila's blog to see what others are reading this week!

Have You Read These?

How about a fun meme for Friday?  Here's a list of 100 children's books I got from Enna Isilee. I've crossed out the ones I've read (49 total) and didn't count those I started but didn't finish and those that I only saw the movie version.  Have fun!

100. The Egypt Game - Snyder (1967)
99. The Indian in the Cupboard - Banks (1980)
98. Children of Green Knowe - Boston (1954)
97. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - DiCamillo (2006)
96. The Witches - Dahl (1983)
95. Pippi Longstocking - Lindgren (1950)
94. Swallows and Amazons - Ransome (1930)
93. Caddie Woodlawn - Brink (1935)
92. Ella Enchanted - Levine (1997)
91. Sideways Stories from Wayside School - Sachar (1978)
90. Sarah, Plain and Tall - MacLachlan (1985
89. Ramona and Her Father - Cleary (1977)
88. The High King - Alexander (1968)
87. The View from Saturday - Konigsburg (1996)
86. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Rowling (1999)
85. On the Banks of Plum Creek - Wilder (1937)
84. The Little White Horse - Goudge (1946)
83. The Thief - Turner (1997)
82. The Book of Three - Alexander (1964)
81. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - Lin (2009)
80. The Graveyard Book - Gaiman (2008)
79. All-of-a-Kind-Family - Taylor (1951)
78. Johnny Tremain - Forbes (1943)
77. The City of Ember - DuPrau (2003)
76. Out of the Dust - Hesse (1997)
75. Love That Dog - Creech (2001)
74. The Borrowers - Norton (1953)
73. My Side of the Mountain - George (1959)
72. My Father's Dragon - Gannett (1948)
71. The Bad Beginning - Snicket (1999)
70. Betsy-Tacy - Lovelae (1940)
69. The Mysterious Benedict Society - Stewart (2007)
68. Walk Two Moons - Creech (1994)
67. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher - Coville (1991)
66. Henry Huggins - Cleary (1950)
65. Ballet Shoes - Stratfeild (1936)
64. A Long Way from Chicago - Peck (1998)
63. Gone-Away Lake - Enright (1957)
62. The Secret of the Old Clock - Keene (1959)
61. Stargirl - Spinelli (2000)
60. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - Avi (1990)
59. Inkheart - Funke (2003)
58. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - Aiken (1962)
57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 - Cleary (1981)
56. Number the Stars - Lowry (1989)
55. The Great Gilly Hopkins - Paterson (1978)
54. The BFG - Dahl (1982)
53. Wind in the Willows - Grahame (1908)
52. The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)
51. The Saturdays - Enright (1941)
50. Island of the Blue Dolphins - O'Dell (1960)
49. Frindle - Clements (1996)
48. The Penderwicks - Birdsall (2005)
47. Bud, Not Buddy - Curtis (1999)
46. Where the Red Fern Grows - Rawls (1961)
45. The Golden Compass - Pullman (1995)
44. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing - Blume (1972)
43. Ramona the Pest - Cleary (1968)
42. Little House on the Prairie - Wilder (1935)
41. The Witch of Blackbird Pond - Speare (1958)
40. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Baum (1900)
39. When You Reach Me - Stead (2009)
38. HP and the Order of the Phoenix - Rowling (2003)
37. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - Taylor (1976)
36. Are You there, God? It's Me, Margaret - Blume (1970)
35. HP and the Goblet of Fire - Rowling (2000)
34. The Watson's Go to Birmingham - Curtis (1995)
33. James and the Giant Peach - Dahl (1961)
32. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - O'Brian (1971)
31. Half Magic - Eager (1954)
30. Winnie-the-Pooh - Milne (1926)
29. The Dark Is Rising - Cooper (1973)
28. A Little Princess - Burnett (1905)
27. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass - Carroll (1865/72)
26. Hatchet - Paulsen (1989)
25. Little Women - Alcott (1868/9)
24. HP and the Deathly Hallows - Rowling (2007)
23. Little House in the Big Woods - Wilder (1932)
22. The Tale of Despereaux - DiCamillo (2003)
21. The Lightning Thief - Riordan (2005)
20. Tuck Everlasting - Babbitt (1975)
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Dahl (1964)
18. Matilda - Dahl (1988)
17. Maniac Magee - Spinelli (1990)
16. Harriet the Spy - Fitzhugh (1964)
15. Because of Winn-Dixie - DiCamillo (2000)
14. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Rowling (1999)
13. Bridge to Terabithia - Paterson (1977)
12. The Hobbit - Tolkien (1938)
11. The Westing Game - Raskin (1978)
10. The Phantom Tollbooth - Juster (1961)
9. Anne of Green Gables - Montgomery (1908
8. The Secret Garden - Burnett (1911)
7. The Giver - Lowry (1993)
6. Holes - Sachar (1998)
5. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - Koningsburg (1967)
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - Lewis (1950)
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Rowling (1997)
2. A Wrinkle in Time - L'Engle (1962)
1. Charlotte's Web - White (1952)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading

This Monday I have a lot to be happy about: I'm into my final two weeks at my current job, we close on our house tomorrow (eeee!), and last night I somehow ran five miles without even meaning to.  And now it's time for Sheila's Monday meme!

Last week I finished Under the Dome and wrote my review.

Now I've started The Help, which I'm absolutely loving, but life has gotten so busy that I can't seem to read more than a few pages at a time.  As much as I don't want to, I may need to wait and read this when I can devote more brain power to it (read: after we've moved).  The good news, though, is that I'm less than a hundred pages in and can already tell I would be happy to spend my money and buy this one.

Maybe it's the rain, but I'm feeling rather sleepy today.  I'm off to get some coffee and enjoy the feeling that in just over 24 hours, Keith and I will be homeowners!  So tell me, what are you reading this week?

Good News, Everyone!

And now the moment I've been waiting for....

I'm moving home in two weeks!  Some of you probably already knew this, but Keith and I are moving back to our home town and I couldn't be happier.  We've bought a house (closing is on Tuesday!) and will be moving right after his graduation.  There's still lots to be done (anyone want to pack for me?) but I can do it all blissfully, knowing we're moving into a house that's really ours, in a neighborhood we like, near friends and family that we have dearly missed.  Two years doesn't seem like a long time until you start counting down the seasons, then the months, then the weeks, then the days.  Two weeks to go!

I feel like I've been bottling up my excitement because I didn't want to say too much until I put in my notice at work (who knows who reads these things, you know?).  But now I have free license to run, jump, and talk about everything that's happened, happening, and will happen.  My tongue has never felt so free.  I can keep a secret but I don't like to, especially not a big one like this.  Yippee!

In other news, please check out my review of Under the Dome.  It's long, but not nearly as long as the book, so consider it a time-saver!

And don't forget that today is the Blog Hop!  Hop on over to Crazy for Books and check out some other great book blogs!

Ahh, it feels good to be going home.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Guys, things are starting to hit home.  I'm feeling a lot of euphoria and having a mild panic attack.  Things are going to start changing very quickly in the next few weeks and, while I'm ecstatic, I'm also a bit nervous because all of the pieces haven't fallen into place yet (not that I expected them to, but I'm just not patient/capable of letting things come in their own time).  And yes, I know it's frustrating to read these cryptic posts, but soon I will tell you everything (maybe as soon as next week, if all goes well).  In the meantime, let's dive into my favorite Monday meme, hosted by Sheila!

I am on page 932 out of 1,072 of Under the Dome.  Almost there!  I'm hoping to be done tomorrow at the latest.  I actually got a lot farther than I thought I would over the weekend, so I'm pretty proud of myself.

After I finish what I refer to as "the beast" I will be starting The Help, by Kathryn Stockett.  I just picked it up at the library yesterday and am really looking forward to it.  After I finish "the beast" and The Help, I'll only have one more book to read on my Spring Reading Thing list!  And I plan to read that one curled up on the couch in my new home.  :-)

Also, in case you missed it, I finally got around to reviewing Of Mice and Men.  I'm hoping to generate a bit of a discussion over there regarding Lennie's awareness of what was happening to him at the end, so stop on by if you're interested!

I'm going to try to be a better blogger this week than I was last, but we'll see how it goes.  In the meantime, tell me what you're reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Another week down, and it's once again time for our favorite meme, hosted by Sheila!

Last week I reviewed The Time Machine, read and reviewed The Lightning Thief, and read Of Mice and Men (which I will review tomorrow, if I get my butt in gear).

Last week I also celebrated my dog's 2nd birthday and posted a recipe for homemade dog treats.

And it's National Library Week!  Visit your local library to see what events they have planned this week.

Unfortunately, I'm too busy to stay longer today; what are you reading this week?

Book Blogger Hop

Every Friday Jennifer at Crazy for Books hosts the Book Blogger Hop.  This is a neat way for book bloggers the world over to connect and find new blogs they'd like to follow.  Want to join in the fun?  Just click the Book Blogger Hop link up there and sign up on McLinky!

P.S.  Did you know it's my puppy's birthday today??  She's two!  Tonight I'll be making her homemade dog treats.  Stay tuned for pictures (and a recipe) later tonight!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's that time of the week again!  Don't forget to head over to Sheila's blog and see what others are reading this week!

Last week I actually finished two books!  I reviewed Better, by Atul Gawande, and my review of The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells, will be posted on Wednesday.

I went a little overboard at the library this weekend and went home with 10 books.  (What can I say?  I don't make decisions when I don't feel well.)  The two I'm starting with are The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, and Stern Men, by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Turns out Under the Dome, by Stephen King, is now ready to be picked up at the library (just hours after I left with 10 other books, of course).  So my new conundrum is going to be: do I start this 1000-page behemoth now, or wait until the last second to pick it up in order to give myself a chance to finish some of the classics I picked up this weekend?  I'm leaning towards waiting.  This is something I think I'm going to need to prepare myself for.

That about sums it up for me.  Before I go, though, I do want to brag just a little bit about the seafood gumbo my husband made last week.  I loved it so much, I posted about it.  Check it out!