My January Reads

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

Very Superstitious or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Listened to the Music

Hello everybody!

For those of you who have younger siblings, please be careful what you tell your far-too-impressionable siblings because seemingly innocent fibs can have lasting effects. Case in point: I saw Nada Surf in concert on Tuesday night, the same day their new album, The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy, was released. I pre-ordered the album, but was scared to listen to it on Tuesday. Why? you may ask. Don't you know, it's bad luck to listen to a band on the same day you're seeing them live.

Say what?

Um, yes. See, my older sisters took me to two my first two concerts, both in Milwaukee, which is about two hours away from where I grew up. And, for some reason, neither wanted to listen to Debbie Gibson and New Kids on the Block for the entire ride. So they decided to tell their sweet, naive youngest sister that it was bad luck to listen to those acts on the way to the concert. In fact, it was bad luck to listen to them that day at all. 

And I fell for it. Granted, I was twelve and going to my first concert and convinced that Joey McIntyre was going to fall in love with me, so best to not tempt fate.

But here we are all these years later...and I still don't like to do it. Even though I now know why they told me that. And I know it's stupid. I really do, but what if?

So then I had the Nada Surf dilemma, I wanted to hear some of the new album before the concert, but would I be okay if I did? Then I thought, Enough is enough, you know better, don't you? DON'T YOU?  So that morning, I downloaded the album (LEGALLY, paid for it and everything!) and listened...and nothing happened! My day went really well, the concert was phenomenal. The only bad thing was this super tall guy who decided to stand RIGHT in front of me, like six inches in front of me. I kept having to move over and then he moved over. That was annoying, but honestly, that was it. Tall guys at concerts are ALWAYS annoying!

So Eileen and Meg, thanks for the emotional scars, but I have finally accepted the fact that nothing bad will happen if you listen to the band you're about to see. At least, I think I'm finally over it. 

And to you older siblings out there, play nice! Your little sister or brother may one day be a published author and have the power to unfairly portray you in a work of fiction (although I'd never do that...but don't push me!).

XO, Elizabeth

P.S. - For those who are interested in Nada Surf (and you should be!), the concert I saw on Tuesday night at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC is online, you can watch it here. You won't see me though, as I was in the back apparently hiding behind a super tall and rude guy.

Viva la Resolution!

Happy 2012, everybody! I have a good feeling about this year, I just know it! First, Take a Bow will finally be out in the world. Second, um, do I really need another reason? Me thinks not.

Now that we've counted down to 2012, today starts the inevitable New Years Resolutions. Although I always start my resolutions on January 2nd. Who seriously wants to start exercising more on the 1st? I'm still tired from last night. I'm not doing the basic "eat better and exercise more" resolution this year, although I always try to do that. And I'm pretty happy that I was able to stick to last year's resolution of writing more thank you letters, actual handwritten letters.

This year I'm going to do something that'll help me with my increasingly stressful "to-read" pile that keeps growing and growing. My resolution is to read about a book a week: 50 books in 2012. I'm sure most people are thinking, "That's not hard, I read a hundred books a year!" Congrats to you! This, however, would be a big deal for me. I'm always woefully behind (I just finished The Help in October and over Christmas break finally read The Devil Wears Prada). 

So my goal is a book a week. And, to make sure I'm sticking to it, I'm going to blog each month about the books that I've read so I can share them with you. I might even do a giveaway or two, you never know!

I've already got my books lined up for this month. First I need to finish Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl that I started reading on the plane right home, then Spirit Junkie by Gabrielle Bernstein (figured it'd be a good way to start off the new year), Beauty Queens by Libba Bray (told you I'm far behind), The Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, and my book club book, which I can't seem to remember what it is, which may be a problem... Of course I reserve the right to change this up, but these are the books I'm really hoping I get to this month. Oh my goodness, how on earth did it get to be January 2012?

So that's what I'm doing. Any good resolutions you're starting? Any books you recommend I add to my woefully overflowing pile?

May your 2012 be filled with joy and sparkle!

XO, Elizabeth

Best of 2011

What a year! I have to admit, 2011 didn't start out that great for me, but boy did it certainly end up being a good one. This was also a fab year for music and movies. I had a very hard time coming up with my year-end list of favorites, so in a few instances I listed a couple favs, because why not! Having too many good things to choose from is an awesome problem.

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Muppets! I don't think I've ever had a grin on my face the entire time I watched a movie. The Muppets were my childhood. I had a Miss Piggy doll, one of those magnetic books, even a Muppet cookbook! I was so excited for this movie and it did not disappoint! I even brought my Beaker doll to the movie theater. Yep, I brought a doll. This how I roll. The movie had heart, laughter, joy, and the greatest cameo of all time. I couldn't find a photo of said cameo, but this photo will give you a big hint:

I still giggle thinking about Dave's cameo and pretty much the entire movie. I will forever be grateful to Jason Segel for not only bringing the Muppets back for my generation to enjoy, but for introducing Beaker and Co. to a new crop of Muppetheads. 

FAVORITE MOVIE FROM A SERIES: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 I had to include this movie as well because it was absolutely brilliant from start to finish. I cried four times watching the final movie in a series that I have extremely fond memories of. I think it's safe to say that, without question, the cast of this series is the best cast ever assembled. Period. We've watched these actors grow up before our eyes and they've done us proud. I think this EW cover sums it up best.

OTHER AMAZING MOVIES: Crazy, Stupid Love; 50/50; The Beginners; War Horse

FAVORITE NEW TV SHOW: New Girl - I got to see a screening of the pilot this summer. Within the first 30 seconds I turned to my friend and said, "I LOVE THIS SHOW." That's how long it took me to fall for Zooey Deschanel's quirky Jess. I've been looking forward to each new episode and they haven't disappointed. It has some of my favorite lines of a TV show, ever. Just a little sample:

FAVORITE TV SHOW YOU MIGHT NOT BE WATCHING: Parks & Recreation - I'll admit it, I didn't really love this show during its first season. And I think a lot of people gave up on it, but they shouldn't. The ensemble cast is hilarious, lead by a brilliant Amy Poehler. The additions of Rob Lowe and Adam Scott (who is yummerz) last season has made the show even better. And there are days I just want to run up to Ron Swanson and give him a kiss on the cheek, which he would NOT like at all. If you aren't watching this show, watch it. NOW.

FAVORITE BROADWAY SHOW: Book of Mormon - I got to see this in previews before the reviews and Tony Awards. It was hysterical. I spent most of the second half either laughing or covering my mouth in horror/shock. I've seen a lot of Broadway shows this year, Wicked should probably tie for my favorite (can't believe it took me so long to see), and, of course, I got to see Kiefer Sutherland in That Champtionship Season, which was a nice talking point when I met  him! 

FAVORITE CD: I'm doing a three-way tie on this one because I can. Adele's 21, Florence + the Machine's Ceremonials and K. Clark's Stronger. Three amazing women, three amazing albums. Fav songs would be: Adele - Set Fire to the Rain, Florence - Shake it Out, and Kelly - Stronger. Other fav albums of the year: The Black Keys, El Camino; Death Cab for Cutie, Codes & Keys; Foo Fighters, Wasting Light; Foster the People, Torches; Blind Pilot, We are the Tide; Oh Land, self-titled; Bon Iver, self-titled; Marketa Irglova, Anar. 

FAVORITE CONCERT: This one was easy (and shouldn't come as a surprise): Sir Paul. If this wasn't a Sir Paul year, the honor would definitely belong to Foo Fighters who put on an absolutely spectacular show at Madison Square Garden just a few weeks ago. 

I honestly couldn't come up with a favorite book. I read a lot of wonderful books, but to be honest, many are by friends so I feel like I might offend someone if I choose a favorite. So at least for this year, I'm not going to include a favorite book. BUT! I am going to do something special for the books I'll read in 2012, so stay tuned for that.

What were some of your favs of the year?

To a wonderful 2012 filled with lots of good books, music, movies, and memories! XO, Elizabeth