Yes, it HAS been awhile...! (Hasn't it?)

Well, it’s been a spell since the last post went up. Figured it was time to dust off the old gray matter and drop a thought or two down. So, here goes…

…on the book end of things, I’m finally getting around to reading The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. Don’t blame the Oscars, please! I’ve had this book for ages and ages, but for one reason or another, never got around to actually reading the darn thing and…well, hmmm. Okay, I suppose you can blame the Oscars. Publicity machines be damned! What matters is the actual reading of the book.

And no, I’ve not seen the film yet. So there.

Ahem.

Two gems at the top of my ‘to gobble’ list right now:

Drood by Dan Simmons. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into this spooky-boo novel based on actual events in the life of Charles Dickens. AND, this writer is coming to sign at my local indie bookstore at 2/22, so I hope to post some pics up real soon, too.

The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King. Debut YA novel from King about a 17^th century pirate girl who finds herself the victim of a dreadful curse: she must live 100 lifetimes as a canine before becoming a girl again, memories fully intact.

And waiting in the pile on my floor to be gobbled:

Delicate Edible Birds by Lauren Groff

Erotomania by Francis Levy

The Drop Edge of Yonder by Rudolph Wurlitzer

Lark & Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips

Poe by Peter Ackroyd

Angels and Ages by Adam Gopnik

Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud

Fool by Christopher Moore

Last but not least, here’s an extra special treat that I’m currently enjoying in my car: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman on audio CD! Yes! If you have never heard Mr. Gaiman do a read-a-loud, this is your excuse to try him out. He’s just won the 2009 Newbery Award (see below post!) for this smart, witty and extremely touching coming-of-age story about Nobody Owens (aka “Bod”), a boy who has lost his entire family to a mysterious and sinister man. But, being raised in the very capable and loving hands of the neighborhood’s graveyard ghosts certainly does have its perks….

Currently on heavy iPod rotation: Flight of the Conchords, Noble Beast by Andrew Bird, Mama Mia! Original Soundtrack