50 in 2011

The beginning of the new year always makes me look back at the previous year and take an accounting of what I've accomplished.  I was a bit astonished when I discovered that I read only 11 books in 2010.  I adore reading.  I love getting lost in different places with fascinating people.  I love exploring different worlds, lifestyles, places in history in the way that you can do when reading a book.  Movies and television shows just aren't the same; You don't get to spend the time with the characters and really get to know them and their surroundings/situation like you can in a book.

I'm usually reading several books at a time.  One is usually fiction, the others are usually non-fiction and thought provoking.  My shortest read in 2010 was The Girl Who Played with Fire which I completed in 5 days.  The longest read was Half the Sky which took me 5 months (each chapter was heavy and took some time to digest.) There were big periods of time when I wasn't actively reading anything which I can't explain.  I'm a bit angry with myself for not more actively engaging in something that brings me such joy.  I've decided that 2011 will not be a repeat of 2010 and will be challenging myself to read 50 books in 2011.

Yes, I realize that 50 books is nearly a book a week.  Yes, I realize that this may be a bit crazy, but I'm still going to commit to giving it my best effort.

Do you think you are up to the challenge?  What to join me?  I've created a private group in Goodreads for friends who would like to commit to the same challenge.  If you are interested in joining let me know by email or by leaving a comment on this post and I will send you and invitation to join the group.

Happy Reading!

Books and Gadgets

One of my favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner, is releasing a new book, Best Friends Forever, today and I can't wait to pick it up. I think it is perfect timing as I have been looking for some good "beach books" to take to Hawaii.

Last week I stumbled across a $1 book sale atop Queen Anne hill a picked up copies of When the Wind Blows and True Believer. I also had a few that have been stacking up including Twilight, Angle of Repose, 3rd Degree and 4th of July. I think that is plenty don't you?

While on the subject of reading, I've been intrigued by the Kindle since it was introduced. Initially I thought it was silly to purchase a device that holds books in a digital form, you know, much the way I thought of iPods and digital music no so long ago. Then I sat next to a Kindle owner on a cross country flight in May and was incredibly impressed. The screen quality is better than I thought it would be and it doesn't have the usual glare of electronic devices. Then I learned that you can change the font size. Oh boy, no more headaches even when I've forgotten my reading glasses.

My current thinking is that I could make room in my purse for a Kindle and just know I would read more if the 9 or so books that remain in permanent residence on my bedside table were with me all the time, or so I believe. The thing that really has been preventing me from taking the leap is the price. Initially the Kindle 2 was offered at $359, yesterday I read that they have lowered it to $299, which is an improvement but I still can't justify spending $300 on a gadget that I may not use. Of course then I get to this part of the argument in my head I remind myself that I had the exact same apprehensions about my first Palm Pilot, iPod, cell phone and digital camera, all of which I love and can't imagine living without. Still the price tag is just a little too high. After all you can get an iPhone for less money and it can help you hang a picture straight, read the Bible, pour a beer and tell you whether or not you are a idiot and a Kindle can't do that. Then again there is no monthly bill with a Kindle.

Decisions, decisions, the debate wages on. Either way I will not be buying a Kindle until the stack next to my bed is read!

Weekend Wrap-Up

It was a busy and productive weekend, here are the highlights:

• Got an early start to the weekend with an early dismissal from work at the conclusion of our annual Summer Picnic on Thursday. I was chair of the picnic again this year so by the end I was cold, muddy and exhausted but glad it was a success.
• Ran home long enough to shower and change into clean clothes and then went to pick up my new dog, Barney. Snapped this pic moments after picking him up.
  
• Headed back home to get Barney settled in and fed and then we were off to my friend Kipp's for dinner along with Barney and Kayla (Kipp's dog) play-time.
• Woke early Friday morning (one of the benefits of dog ownership) and enjoyed a bit of lazy time around the house.
• Ran to Costco, Pet's Mart and Safeway to pick up dog supplies and other items I needed.
• Read my book while waiting in line at the ferry from Fauntleroy to Southworth.
• Loved watching John (the cutest nephew in the world) follow Barney around their yard. They were instant buddies.
• Enjoyed a fun evening and yummy dinner at Kristen and Dave's.
• Completed the usual Saturday morning laundry bit but this time with Barney in tow. He loved meeting all the people and dogs atop the hill.
• Ran to Fred Meyer to pick up some more household stuff including a shelving unit for my utility closet.
• Cleaned everything out of the utility closet, set up the shelves and reorganized it. The before can be seen here, the after seen here.
• Cleaned the rest of the apartment while Barney slept in the sunshine on the deck.
• Decided not to cook the dinner and ordered a pizza. Watched some Olympic coverage and relaxed with Barney on the couch.
• Took Barney to the off-leash area at Golden Gardens on Sunday morning so that he could sniff and play with other doggie friends.
• Made another trip to Pet's Smart (to make an exchange) and a quick stop at Target and then we were home for the rest of the day just in time for the rain to start.
• Relaxed the afternoon away by watching the Olympics and taking a nap with on the couch.
• Grilled up some pork chops and fresh veggies (including tomatoes from my garden) for dinner while Don and Barney got acquainted with each other.
• Enjoyed a good bottle of wine and dinner on the deck in the rain.

Quite the whirlwind. How was your weekend?

Weekend Wrap-Up

Delayed due to the holiday weekend, here are the highlights of the weekend:

• Enjoyed happy hour with Don at Ray's Boathouse on Friday evening while watching the clouds block out the sunset and a few boats scoot by.
• Woke with the roosters (actually before the roosters) on Saturday morning to drive north with Don to pick up Kat and have breakfast at Maltby Cafe.
• Picked up a bunch of necessities at Costco.
• Browsed the beers and wines at Malt & Vine in Redmond so that Kat could try some different beers thanks to her "I want to try some fruity beers" proclamation.
• Played pool with Don at Rock Bottom and was pleased that I actually won a few legitimate games.
• Slept until just after 10 on Sunday morning.
• Over indulged at Sunday Brunch with my friend Barb at Salty's on Alki.
• Wandered aimlessly through the grocery store on Sunday afternoon with Don trying to figure out what in the world we wanted for dinner. Finally settled on Chicken Cordon Bleu, Rice Pilaf and green beans.
• Slept in again on Monday, oh I love holiday weekends.
• Took a walk through the neighborhood and enjoyed the gorgeous 50-degree sunny weather a bit.
• Caught up on reading The Alchemist which is the book club selection for the month.
• Unchecked duplicate songs in my iTunes library.
• Enjoyed dinner of Chicken and Rice at Don's, along with some wine, followed by catching up on episodes of Brothers & Sisters.

How was your weekend?