lit*chick

Up for a Challenge

A book challenge, that is. I'm a classic underachiever so reading challenges usually don't appeal to me. Add my tendency to rebel - as in what do you mean I have to read this book by this date - and it's a no-go. But, Frances at Nonsuch Book is sponsoring one called

This topic had been on my mind since finishing a few translated titles - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Attack, and Chez Moi. So I'm definitely in.  You can read more about the challenge here.

On my list for 2009 - The Elegance of the Hedgehog, the sequel to Dragon Tattoo - The Girl Who Played with Fire, and Crime and Punishment. I'm also open to the many good suggestions that will be shared on the challenge site. Any translated book on your TBR list?

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waving the white flag

I have completely surrendered to being sick - still in the midst of this nasty coughing thing - going on week 3. Taking some stuff that clearly isn't working. And having a crazy couple of weeks. How about a list ? -

 

1. Caleb turned 7 yesterday. He was most looking forward to the ring pop and pencil from his teacher. A lovely reminder to me that simple pleasures are best.  Our happy camper.

2. The Owen is making magnet jewelry for me - including a crown. Now that's something that wasn't suggested in the idea pamphlet. Countdown has begun for his 5th birthday.

3. I have been reading, but haven't finished a thing. I'm about 80 pages into at least 4 books. (The Whistling Season; America, America; Revolutionary Road; and....?)

4. Miji & I took the kids to see Lisa Loeb in concert at National Geographic Live. I had a good chuckle afterward listening to them talk about all the songs she didn't sing...and informed them it happens at mama concerts too.

5. Cough Cough Cough, excuse me.

6. Starting the day after Thanksgiving I'll be posting a fun little etsy/internet find everyday. Maybe even 2 fun things - the list continues to grow. Amazing what you can see & do when you stop blogging for a week.

7. If you're in the area (Olney) tomorrow, and it isn't snowing, our school has their Christmas Bazaar - baked goods, used stuff, books, and fresh from the fryer Oliebollen. If you've never..you really must. Email me for directions.

8. For the month of December I will not be visiting the library. I'm going to try to tackle some of the older books in my stack and they can't compete with due dates.

9. Any favorite Thanksgiving recipes to share? I make a killer stuffing - before I can post it, I have to find the gnarled piece of paper that has all my notes.

Later peeps, the kettle is a'whistlin.

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Sidetracked..

it doesn't take much, you know.

Bookclub questions are finally up. Lookie to your left. Woohoo.

We had our last soccer related event this evening. Whew.

Besides the reviews...I'm also accumulating many fun etsy links etc. Soon.

I finished The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas last night. And all I can say is Wow. I didn't see that coming at all. It only took me 90 minutes to read the whole thing...it's moves fast,  with a razor sharp ending. For those of you who like to sneak a peek at the end, I urge you to exercise self control. E tells me this is a movie - I don't think I can bear to watch. Curious yet? 

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Runnin' On Empty

I'm still here...just worn down from a nasty chest cold and a couple crazier than usual weeks. Bookclub questions for both Olive Kitteridge and Tethered will go up later today. And I'm putting some spit & polish on reviews of The Boomer Burden, Chez Moi, and The Hearts of Horses. 

And check out these happenings around book blogland:

• A new site called the Book Trib - collecting the latest news from book blogs. Fun.

• Booking Mama talks about the new web series Novel Adventurs - where a bookclub goes beyond the discussion. Planning to watch?

• Please read this post at Both Eyes about our good friend Trish. Good grief.

It's not too late to join the Flickr group for One Good Loaf, which enters you to win this:

   which is nice.

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Friday Winners and another Giveaway

First, to all my friends - blog and irl - who voted for Mr. Obama, congratulations. I am not enthusiastic, but I am hopeful.  Not in the man, because pouring hope into any person is bound to disappoint, but that everything will work out as it should. I shall continue to pray for our country, and our President. That never changes despite who is in office. So let's get on with it, shall we?

The WINNERS of the voting day giveaway (chosen by random.org) are:

In the Woods - entry no. 4 - Frances E.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children - entry no. 28 - Rebecca Reid

Congratulations - please email me your addys. :)

It's awesome to see everyone vote and be excited about it. I think that's a real victory.

The linkage for those lovelies who participated in the tagging from what seems like forever-ago but was really last week is here: Trish,Jill (including a bonus pic of jammaster J), and Allison. 

And I have to say thanks to Tracy at Bookroom Reviews for hosting the Giveaway Carnival. It has been so much fun to see all the extra traffic, meet new people, visit new blogs, and it is my sincere wish that you will return to hang out and talk books after the free stuff ends. Although, there is free stuff fairly often around here... Thank you for participating in my giveaway.

If you thought the giveaways were over, you're wrong. I'm happy to be sponsoring a Nigella cookbook giveaway over at Molly's One Good Loaf. So go enter over there for a chance to win (you must join the Flickr group to enter). And linger over her (and all the other loafers) scrumptious pictures of homemade breads.

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Vote & Win

(dontcha love these? - click on them for price)

Lit*Chick the site remains partisan-free. 

However, if you voted today, you are eligible to enter to win these books,having absolutely nothing to do with politics:

In the Woods by Tana French

< Hip Hop Speaks to Children by Nikki Giovanni

You have until Thursday at midnight EST to enter the Lit*Chick Election Day Giveaway. Tell your friends who need something to do while standing in line with their Blackberry :)

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There is a Book Carnival Giveaway - hosted by Bookworm Reviews-  so you can spend your time in the voting line entering to win all kinds of books. Here's the MASTER LIST.

PS - If you are international, please enter - I realize you aren't voting today. And J - since you have eloquently explained your voting void, you can enter too :)