The resolutions have to wait

What I'm Reading: The Society of S by Susan Hubbard and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

What I'm Working on: I seriously have to remove this question if I continually can't answer it.

The resolutions and goals are forthcoming -- as soon as I get some much needed rest. Yes, I know: I was supposed to rest on holiday. Whatever. That didn't happen. However, I have nothing real planned this weekend, so after some downtime for the brain, I'll post my resolutions.

In the meantime, here are some photos from my trip to London and York for your entertainment.

The York Minster

The London Bridge

The bro, oldest niece and me talking to a Beefeater at the Tower of London

My much-missed nieces

M

The 888 challenge recap

What I'm Reading: The Society of S by Susan Hubbard and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

What I'm Working on: Reacclimating to the eastern time zone. I said I'd start writing again. Yesterday. I got in REALLY late from London last night so I think maybe I should aim to start on Monday. (Seriously. Monday is it.)

Last year about this time, I took the 8 books in 8 categories in 2008 challenge. (The 888 challenge.) I made it. Actually, I surpassed it. I read 67 books in all. Of course, if you're comparing, I made DRAMATIC changes to what I proposed to read, but really, I am nothing if not flexible. The best plan, in my opinion, is one that's easy to change.

In the end, here's what I read last year. What did you read?

888 Challenge*8 books/8 categories*

I. Romance novels:
1. The CEO’s Scandalous Affair (The Garrison’s) by Roxanne St. Claire
2. Seduced by the Wealthy Playboy (The Garrison’s) by Sara Orwig
3. Burning Up by Sarah Mayberry
4. His Style of Seduction by Roxanne St. Claire
5. The Mercenary by Cherry Adair
6. The Sins of His Past by Roxanne St. Claire
7. Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce
8. Driven by Eve Kenin
9. It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

II. Continue 8 series I’ve already started:
1. The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann (starts the Trouble Shooters series – which I read out of order)
2. Blood Fever by Karen Marie Moning (2nd in Moning’s Fever series)
3. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers (3rd in the Twilight series)
4. Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (sequel to Sugar Daddy)
5. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter (sequel to I’d Tell You…)
6. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (4th in the Twilight series)
7. The Hollow by Nora Roberts (2nd in the Sign of Seven trilogy)
8. Faefever by Karen Marie Moning (3rd in Moning’s Fever series)

III. Young Adult/Youth:
1. Raven’s Gate by Anthony Horowitz
2. Over Sea, Under Stone: Book 1 of the Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper
3. Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
4. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
5. London Calling by Edward Bloor
6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
7. Gossamer by Lois Lowry
8. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
9. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
10. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

IV. Book Club books (TBA – of course – as we select them):
1. Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas (Discussion on January 14th)
2. Poison Study by Maria Snyder (Discussion February 10th)
3. Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann (Discussion March 9th)
4. Can You Keep a Secret by Sophia Kinsella (April discussion)
5. I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (May discussion)
6. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (June discussion)
7. The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan (September discussion)
8. Splendid by Julia Quinn (October discussion)

V. Just Fiction:
1. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
2. the Host by Stephanie Meyer
3. Austenland by Shannon Hale
4. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
5. Brothers by Da Chen
6. The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng
7. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
8. The Lonely Crossing of Juan Cabrera by J. Joaquin Fraxedas

VI. Books by Authors I’ve Never Read Before:
1. Madapple by Christina Meldrum
2. Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
3. Runemarks by Joanne Harris
4. How Far is the Ocean from Here by Amy Shearn
5. Lay that Trumpet in Our Hands by Susan Carol McCarthy
6. When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka
7. The Wave by Todd Strasser
8. The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat

VII. Audio Books:
1. In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar
2. The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis
3. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
4. Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
5. The Charm School by Nelson DeMille
6. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
7. The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen
8. The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier

VIII. Non-fiction:
1. Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
2. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
3. Writing the Break-Out Novel by Donald Maass
4. Socratic Circles: Fostering Critical and Creative Thinking in Middle and High School by Matt Copeland
5. What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancy
6. From Bagdad to America: Life Lessons from a Dog Named Lava by Jay Kopelman
7. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink
8. Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream by Adam Shepard

Happy New Year!!!

Wow. Am I tired!!! Just back from the UK. I'll have fun posts later, but I wanted to say Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

I'm leaving for the UK soon. Today. In a few hours. I'll write when I get back. This is a picture of where I'm going -- York, UK. I hope to have pictures of my own to post when I return.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

40

What I'm Reading: It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

What I'm Working On: Vacation. I'm taking off from writing until January 1st, then I have to jump back in.

I turned 40 today. It's really hard to believe that I've been alive for 4 decades. I mean, mentally, I still see myself as about 26. So, when did 40 happen?

Actually, most of my friends have been in their 40's for awhile now. They say the 40's are great, so I'm looking forward to them.

In honor of 40, here are a couple of quotes:

“Women are most fascinating between the ages of 35 and 40 after they have won a few races and know how to pace themselves. Since few women ever pass 40, maximum fascination can continue indefinitely.” Christian Dior

"If life really begins on your 40th birthday, it's because that's when women finally get it… the guts to take back their lives." Laura Randolf

Here's to hoping I get another 40!
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Impending Birthday

What I'm Reading: It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

What I'm Working On: Vacation. I'm taking off from writing until January 1st, then I have to jump back in.

My birthday is tomorrow. In its honor, here's a little blogthing.
(I like being called a "Maverick" -- sort of -- but it doesn't really describe me.)

You Are a Maverick

You're a restless rebel with an unpredictable nature. Bright but unbridled, you tend to seek out wild experiences over new ideas. People are frustrated by your great potential, but you love your unconventional life. You're a heartbreaker. People get attached to you, and then you're gone. Your strength: Your thirst for adventure Your weakness: Not taking time for slow pleasures Your power color: Hot pink Your power symbol: Figure eight Your power month: March

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Cookies make everyone feel better

What I’m Reading: It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

What I’m Working On: Holding it together

You Are Biscotti

You are a very direct, honest person. You don't have time for dramatics or emotional pleas. You feel most comfortable in the intellectual realm, especially with science and technology. You are good at understanding difficult subjects. Understanding people? Not so much.

What Holiday Cookie Are You?

Yep, that's me.