Happy February! (How did it get to be February?!?!?)
My New Year's Resolution is to read 50 books this year, about a book a week. So how did I do in January? Um, okay... I read three books! Not as much as I was hoping, but I was on a pretty serious deadline for two weeks so I wasn't able to read during that period. When I spend 10-12 hours in front of the computer working, all I want to do when I'm done is stare at a TV and turn into a zombie.
Without further ado, my January reads:
1) Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella - Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite adult "chick lit" authors. Some fun facts: Penny's last name in The Lonely Hearts Club was inspired by the character of Rebecca Bloomwood in Sophie's Shopaholic series (which is also why Mrs. Bloom's first name is Becky). I went to one of Sophie's signings last year for Mini Shopaholic and picked up this book as well. It was so much fun. Basic premise: Lara is haunted by the ghost of her great-aunt Sadie, who makes Lara find her missing necklace before she can properly "rest in peace." The duo continually spar over clothes, guys, family - they don't see eye to eye on anything! It's parts comedy, romance, mystery, and family drama. Highly recommend!
2) Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link - This was my book group's January read. It's a collection of nine short stories. All the stories were very clever and extremely diverse. You have one where a guy accidentally digs up the wrong grave, another where a father and son are stuck in quarantine, then there's one with a magical handbag that contains an entire village inside it. I found myself wanting more at the end of most of the stories, which I think is a test of a great story!
3) Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein - I went to a lecture given by Gabby on 11/11/11. I really believe in putting good intentions/dreams out into the universe. But sometimes I get caught up in the every day that I forget to take time out for myself to reflect. This book was a nice reminder to not give into fear, let go and forgive, not be afraid to ask for help, and to listen.
I'm not going to speculate on the books that I'm going to read this month. I already have five books set aside, but you never know what's going to happen! I'm going to Puerto Rico next week and plan on sitting by the pool and do nothing but read and relax for a few days so I've got my fingers crossed for lots of reading this month. Unless I'm hit with another deadline. Which is bound to happen sometime soon (let's just hope it's not when I'm on the beach!)
That's it for my list. Have you read any good books this month?
XO, Elizabeth