so read your books, but stay out late

I set a 50 Book Challenge/Goal as one of my New Year's Resolution and so far I've read seven books. If I base the goal on the year, it averages out to a book a week. Since January 1st, this Thursday would be the 9th week/9th book. I'm reading number 8 right now - I'm about 100 pages in, so I would say I'm on a pretty good schedule. There are 52 weeks in a year, and my goal is 50 books, so that gives me a 2-week buffer. I'm sure some books will be quick reads, so that'll make up for lost time in the very beginning. I'm hoping to surpass my goal and read an insane amount this year. I have time to do it, so why not? I'm really looking forward to the summer, when I can go upstate and just chill on the deck and read a good book.

Here's my progress so far:


1) "Harry, A History" by Melissa Anelli
2) "The Key to the Golden Firebird" by Maureen Johnson
3) "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson
4) "Marley and Me" by John Grogan
5) "Change We Can Believe In" by Barack Obama
6) "The Day the Music Died" by Ed Gorman
7) "Wake Up Little Susie" by Ed Gorman

Right now I am reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. The previous two books, by Ed Gorman, are part of the "Sam McCain Mystery" series, and I enjoyed them so much that I bought his other 5 books in the Sam McCain series. They were unavailable at Barnes and Noble, but I bought them used or like new through the B&N Used Booksellers, each for $1.99 (plus shipping, which is not so bad). I'm determined to read them all. I've become a part of the town already, I know Sam (McCain, as he's referred to in the books), I've been through 2 murders with him already. I love that about books! I can travel anywhere and everywhere, and meet so many new people, and not have to leave my house.

In other news, I purchased a ukulele a few weeks ago, and it has arrived. I've been noodling around with it, and I am in love with Punahele, which is what I have named her. It's Hawaiian for "favorite." I didn't want to name her the Hawaiian equivalent of "favorite" - when I was looking at a list of popular Hawaiian words and phrases, that one stood out. It's so pretty, and then when I saw what it meant, I laughed.






I spent this evening learning the chords to "Mele Kalikimaka" on ukulele....it's one of my favorite Christmas songs, and now I know how to play it! This makes me so incredibly happy. =)

This year is an awesome one over all. I can feel it. I already have a bunch of great things lined up for the rest of the year - great concerts, events, family gatherings and parties, and just general hang-out dates. I'll have to do a concert update one of these days, because I'm going to a bunch of awesome ones in the near future.

Well, that's it for me for now. I must get to sleep.

<3 Kristin