but here I am and here we go again

So I'm trying to get back into the swing of things with my posting. We'll see how that works out for me.

Since January is pretty much over, I thought I'd take the time to recap a bit of 2009 for you. You know, before it becomes too ridiculously late in the new year (keep in mind that ridiculosity is relative). As far as my reading goal is concerned, I didn't quite make the 50 books (unless you count all the kids' books I read to my nieces, which for this purpose, I don't). I really only made it to 41, which compared to the 44 I finished the year before is a tad embarrassing. I was a little bummed about this late in the year, once I realized there was really no way I was going to make up the difference. But, then I got to thinking…. And I realized that with all the new things I took on in 2009, it's really not a bad thing at all. So I read a few less books. I also become much more involved in my church, made two backpacks for my nieces from scratch, spent a lot more time on the road between Chicago and Kentucky/Southern Illinois, hand-made some Christmas presents, and MOVED. All things considered, I think I came out of 2009 pretty well on the productive scale.

As far as actual books read, between Halloween & the end of the year I managed to read all but the last of the Harry Potter books. I also discovered Shannon Hale, a delightful YA author (my sincerest thanks, Corella), and made it through 3 of her stories. Some of my other favorites from the second half of the year were Gentlemen and Players (I adore Joanne Harris, although technically this was an audiobook), The 19th Wife, Beasts of No Nation, Foreign Bodies (this one amazed me. It truly did. But not until about half-way through.), The Angel's Game (definitely not as good as the first, but still worth the read) and The Book Thief, which was my final read of the year and a phenomenal book. The only books I really wish I hadn't spent the time to read were ones I just picked up off the shelves at the library - Having It and Eating It and I Just Want My Pants Back. If you're ever presented with either of these, trust me, don't bother.

So that's my wrap-up. As far as 2010 is concerned, I have decided to re-try last year's goal of 50. I'm doing pretty well so far, since we're still (barely) in January and I'm already a good way through my 5th book. My favorites so far have been How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls (if you ever saw the short-lived CW show Privileged, it's based on this book. Meaning I was never able to picture the twins as redheads nor Megan as anything but a size 2) and Big Stone Gap, which takes place in a rural Appalachian town in western Virginia. I recommend both. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up this pace.

Here's to a better year in 2010.