Sunday Salon: Nests of Bests

A slightly cob-webby morning to you all my friends. The husband and I were out late at his Christmas party last night - shut the thing down nearly - so I am experiencing a hoarse voice from too much talking, sore feet from heels I'm not used to wearing, and a foggy brain from one too many glasses of wine. We also had an all-day track meet yesterday prior to the party, so I think today is going to be one where I lobby to sit on my butt.

In thinking about my week, nothing stands out much. A little bit of reading, a little bit of golf, some shopping, and normal drudgery like cleaning the house, doctor's appointments, shuttling kids to places...but you have heard all of that before. The husband went to an event up in New York for a couple of days, at THE PLAZA no less, so I was slightly annoyed that I was stuck here tending to my children who have been slightly rotten. My parents ARE down in Florida now for the winter, sort of. My mom is still dealing with her poor eye, and is recovering from her third detached retina surgery, so she will have to go back to Indiana at least once for a check-up. But it is so nice to have them here.

I've been working on my "best of" lists for the year, and I have noticed a couple of things. First, it seems like it wasn't as hard to narrow them down this year, versus last. I'm really happy with what I have read, but there were fewer five star books. Or maybe I'm just getting picky? And it also feels like I've run into a nest of "bests" here at the last minute. Affinity, The Book Thief, The Lotus Eaters. I've been on a real roll. I'm also going to split my list into non-fiction, audios, YA and regular fiction, just for fun. I am looking forward to seeing everyone's picks, and probably adding fifty more books to my TBR.

I suppose I also need to tie a bow around my year of reading challenges as well. It looks like I will hit about 140 books, give or take a book or two, for the year. I won't finish my TBR Challenge, but I think I will have finished the rest of them. So hear me now. NO. CHALLENGES. NEXT. YEAR. James did suggest that he might double dog dare us to only read what is on our shelves for a few months, and that could be fun. I just want to be carefree, and read what I want. We will see how long that lasts... I have no willpower.

So I did finish "The Book Thief" on audio. While I was out walking. Never a good thing when you're crying like a baby. I haven't written my review yet, because I'm not sure I can. It has to be one of the most PERFECT books I've ever listened to. I can't wait to see what our book club thinks next Tuesday. I also listened to Samantha Bee's "I Know I Am, But What Are You", just for a few laughs after all that WWII business. And I am now listening to "Ape House" by Sara Gruen for January book club.

I am still reading "The Lotus Eaters" for the TLC tour, but I think I'll finish it today. I'd read good reviews about this one, but nothing prepared me for this read. Absolutely. Freaking. Amazing. I just pray that the last forty pages are as good as the rest of the book.

One of the ten billion things I have going on next week is my kids' book fair at Barnes and Noble on Thursday. So if you are pondering a book shopping spree soon, hold out until Thursday and your purchases can count towards our proceeds (you just have to give them the code #10183903). Or if you buy online Thursday through the 14th, that can count too. I have a scheduled post with more info forthcoming on Wednesday, but I just wanted to give everyone a head's up. Any bit of help would be appreciated!

Hope everybody has a nice relaxing Sunday. I have to rest up for next week, as it is going to be busy. Two book clubs, a book fair, an Adult Literacy League meeting, a high school open house, and Lord knows what else because I'm too lazy to get up and look at my calendar. I'll have lots to talk about next Sunday! Have a good one...