lit*chick

Resolve to Read

Not an official resolution, let's call it an intention.

Here is the super loose, rough draft version of my 2008 reading plan. I did a quantity based goal (100 books) last year, this year I'm going for quality. I am compiling a list of specific titles and/or authors to read.  So far the list includes:

• Helene Hanff
• Agatha Christie
• Madeleine L'Engle
• PG Wodehouse
• Bridge of Sighs - Richard Russo
• What is the What - Dave Eggers
• Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky
• The Yellow Lighted Bookshop - Lewis Busbee
• The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak
• The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
• The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
• The Whistling Season - Ivan Doig
• The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman
• The Birth House - Ami Mckay

In the past, I have only tracked books I finished. This year, I want to record the titles of books I haven't finished.  Just to see my reasons (perhaps intellectual laziness?) for stopping.

I encourage you all to either set a reading goal whether it be making a list of 10 you absolutely must read, or trying to read 5 more than last year, or to read a classic each month. Whatever it may be, whenever you decide, please share it here.  I'll do my best to help you toward your goal and we'll have fun along the way. There may be prizes involved too - I love to give stuff away.

Speaking of which, please email me your bookswap list if you are interested in participating. I'll plan to post the list on Thursday.

In July 2007 I started this blog in order to share my passions for crafting, cooking, the kiddos, and most of all reading. Thanks for making these past few months so much fun and sharing little pieces of yourselves with me. It has been a pleasure to get to know people I never would have met otherwise. I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming year.

Happy New Year!!

The End.

Tie Up Loose bookEnds

There are a few books that I need to finish reading. These are books I started this year and just couldn't make it to the end for various reasons.

Excellent Women had to be returned to the library. I'm on the waiting list to get it back. Sure I could have bought it, but I am enjoying the battle between me and the only other person in Howard County reading this book.

Pretty Birds I still want to read but was not in the right frame of mind to read it. I felt the same way about watching Schindler's List, you kind of need to gear up for it. Miss Joni says yes to this one.

Intepreter of Maladies - I love short story collections. The only problem is that you can read a couple, then forget about picking it up again. That is the issue here.

Then We Came To The End - made the NY Times top TEN for 2007.

It read like a literary version of Office Space. I made it through the first 2 chapters, then had to give it back to Mr. Miller (the name of my local library branch). I think the hubs would enjoy this one so we may have to buy it. And I love the cover.

Are there any books you still need to finish (not out of guilt)?  Are there any you are glad you didn't finish?

The End.

Could You Describe the Ruckus?

After tucking in the cherubs, the hubs and I sat down to watch a movie. And we heard the pitter patter, more of a stomp really, of little feet. I sent Dad up to investigate and heard this:

"Dad, Karl's going to turn me into a rabbit!" - The Owen said with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Mostly excitement.

We told Karl he needs to use his new magic set for good, not evil. Like Spiderman.

The End.

The Art of Words

I can't remember where I found this website, but it rocks.  The idea of 20x200 is this - each week they post 2 new limited edition prints in various sizes and prices -  200 at $20, 20 at $200 and 2 at $2000. All in the name of affordable art.

I stumbled upon this site too late to get this for the $20. But I checked out the artist's website here. My front entry wall could use a giant installation like this (click through to the today/tomorrow collection) - it would beautifully satisfy my desire to be completely surrounded by books.

Enjoy.

The End.

Book v. Movie

The latest movie openings: PS I Love You, Love in the Time of Cholera, Charlie Wilson's War, Atonement, the Kite Runner, and the Water Horse have me thinking about the book vs movie issue. I try to read the books before I see the movie version. And I can't help myself, I continue to see the movies in the hopes they will succeed. Although in the cases of Love in the Time of Cholera and Atonement, I regretted reading the books. (I'm in the minority here, so I still encourage you to read and decide for yourself).

A Room with a View is the gold standard for book to movie adaptations, from my perspective. The hubs' favorite adaptation is Sense and Sensibility (the Emma Thompson version). And for some reason the suspense genre is not a total disappontment - i.e. Tom Clancy (Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger); John Grisham(the Firm), Robert Ludlum (the Bourne series). Oh and let's not forget Gone with the Wind...or Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Are there any others that have done the original version justice?  Please add your favorites.

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On Sale

Went to b&n for the Great Book Exchange of 2007. If you have a b&n nearby, run on over - all the Christmas books are 50% off.  The have all of the children's titles I listed in my earlier post. Of course, I picked up a couple extras.

As to how I fared with my booklist - not too shabby. I picked up Life with Jeeves - a collection of 3 PG Wodehouse books in one. I also picked up Reading Like a Writer, The Book Thief, and What is the What. My impulse buy was The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox. The shiny cover beckoned, and an endorsement from the author of Time Traveler's Wife were the only excuses I needed.

Last Night at the Lobster was a shortie (160 pgs) and not on sale. They didn't have a couple other titles I pulled off the NY Times Best Books of 2007 list. Which I find to be a little odd, you'd think they'd sync up somehow.

While planning my reading list for 2008, I'm also tuning up the website a bit. Hope you'll stick around and join in.

The End.

All Roads Lead to Patrick Swayze

me:"Have you ever read Wodehouse?"

hubs: Eyes light up with excitement... and I knew.

me: "Not Roadhouse, hon."

Then we sang She's Like the Wind.

The End.

book exchangepurgeswapmooch

Out with the old, in with the new.

In order to fit new titles on my sagging shelves, I have a stack to giveaway. I'd like to encourage you to find good homes for your used books, so if you are open to mailing them to fellow litchickers, email me your available titles by Dec 31.

On January 1, I'll post a list of available books. If you are interested in any titles, leave your requests in the comments section. Later that week, I'll get everyone the necessary info to fulfill their end of the dealio.

Sound good?

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All Wrapped Up

Eager to read on this rainy afternoon, I decided to post here before diving into my new stacks.

I received the new Nigella Lawson Express cookbook - and while the recipes are short, the recipe notes remain, in her lingo "voluptuous". I also received two food essay collections: Death by Pad Thai - authors write about their favorite food memory, and Best Food Writing 2007. And because he knows me well, the hubs got me Starbucked by Taylor Clark- combining coffee & culture.

I also got a couple of titles which I already own. This is not a problem - on the contrary, I am giddy with excitement to exchange them at the b&n. I'm going to tell you what's on my list so you can have a good chuckle when I tell you what I really bought. I can never stick to it, I get sucked in by all the pretty covers in the store.

My plan is to buy:

What is the What by Dave Eggers

Too Close to the Sun: The Incredible Life and Times of Denys Finch Hatton by Sara Wheeler

Living Simply with Children: A Voluntary Simplicity Guide for Moms, Dads and Kids Who Want to Reclaim the Bliss of Childhood by Marie Sherlock

Reading Like a Writer: A Guide For People Who Love Books and Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan

We'll see if I manage to cross one of these off the list. Were there any books under your tree? What did you get?

The End.

Christmas Time is Here

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

The End.