Book Club Bridal Shower

So I am currently planning my younger cousin's bridal shower, even though I am not in the wedding party. I finally found a theme and the more I work on everything, the more excited I get about it. I am planning her a Book Club Bridal Shower!! I made book mark invitations, created book plate labels for the guests to put in the covers of the books they bring for her, and have a ton of almost new books for the prizes for the games! I am going to serve coffee house type food (along with a sandwich tray, just in case), like coffee, tea, scones, cupcakes, and cinnamon buns. I am making little bags of chocolate covered espresso beans and bookmarks as the favor. I just hope that her friends participate, otherwise it won't work. But I am keeping my fingers crossed!!

Did You know...

The library blocked my account. I didn't even know that they could block an account, but they blocked mine. So I went on Thursday to update my information (and pay my fines) and they gave me a new library card, sending me on my way with the assurance that everything would work just fine. When I got home and attempted to log into my account, it said there is a problem with my login number. The library is closed until Monday, so I can't even call and fix it until then!
While I was there, though, I borrowed Landing by Emma Donoghue, The River Wife by Jonis Agee, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, and The White Queen by Philipa Gregory. And from Goodreads, I got 3 books in the mail yesterday. Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout, Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch, and One Day by David Nicholls.
My reading goal for 2011 is 75 books. I ended up reading 51 in 2010. Nate said I have to pick lighter reads to break it up a little bit. I recently started Outlander, which I have seen good reviews for. But its 850 pages! The last time I read a book this long was when I read The Mists of Avalon in high school! I also have other lengthy books on my to-read list for this year. Books I wanted to read last year but didn't get around to it. Like The Stand, for instance. Or a reread of I Am Charlotte Simmons. And this will be the year I finally make it through the DaVinci Code!! I have tried and tried since I was a senior in college (a good 6 years ago) to read this book, and I have not succeeded. I read Angels and Demons and LOVED IT. I have both of his other books on my bookshelf, waiting to be read.
Happy New Year!

Bunny likes to read, too!

my read shelf:

Nate and I went to Goodwill yesterday. I always love going to Goodwill after not going for a few weeks. It gives them time to restock their bookshelves. We did REALLY well, this time. I got: Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya SisterhoodCold MountainSkinny DipMore than FriendsHouse of Sand and FogA Reliable Wife (giving it a second chance)DryThe HoursThe Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: the Poetry of Jill ScottGirl With the Pearl EarringCelebrity Detox
Nate got:The End of FaithBestialNextThe Hornet's NestMiyamoto Musashi - His Life and WritingsJuiced
18 books for $11! :)And from Goodreads, I recently received You'll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again (also a second chance) and Every Secret Thing.

He works, I read :)

my read shelf:

WIJFR: Room - by Emma DonoghueI loved it. But I found myself starting to think like Jack. (My grammar and communication skills seriously suffered during the 4 days I spent reading this book.) This book was very sad, but interesting. I couldn't stop reading it. I loved and hated Jack's Ma, all at the same time. I loved that she accepted him, regardless of his conception. I loved that she did everything she could to protect him. I hated how she couldn't understand why he was so scared of everything. I hated how annoyed she would get with him, it wasn't his fault (or hers) that he had never experienced Outside. I didn't like his grandmother, either. She had no patience for him. My favorite supporting character was Noreen, the nurse at the Clinic.
After I finish a book, I always have a terrible time trying to figure out what to read next.
my read shelf:

So, I was AWFUL at keeping up with this. I suppose my resolution for this year could be to update more frequently, but who am I kidding? Between teaching, and tutoring, and GAP, I don't really have time. But I will attempt to update more.
I did not reach my goal of 100 books. I read 50 (http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2796897-gayle-c?balloon_cat=true&shelf=2010&view=table). Apparently, 100 books was a little too ambitious. I think that my goal for 2011 is 75 books. Wish me luck!
Luckily, I have some time this week to catch up on my reading due to what my husband calls the "Snowpacolypse". But really, its only about a foot and a half of snow. But roads are icy, as South Jersey may never be fully prepared for ANY kind of snow, let alone this much.

my read shelf:

It has been ages since I posted anything. This summer has flown by, filled with work (GAP), concerts, bar-prep (Nate), packing/moving, and reading. I cannot believe that in a week and a half, school starts up again! I am heading into my (KINDERGARTEN) classroom on Monday to start setting up. I am a little nervous about the switch down to kindergarten from first grade, but I am also really starting to look forward to it.
I discovered a new library a few weeks ago. I started going to the library Nate goes to, and I LOVE it. When you put a book on hold, they will hold it for up to a week before putting it back on the shelf. (My library holds it for two days). And its HUGE. They have multiple copies of books on the shelf and its two floors and amazing. I could spend hours there! I currently have checked out: The 19th Wife, The Maze Runner, Dark Places, Envy, So Long At the Fair, The Drowning Tree, The Lady Elizabeth, Case Histories, You'll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again, Every Friday Night, and The Nobodies Album.
I can't wait to get started!

we had breakfast on at the top of the ferris wheel in Wildwood (this was taken afterwards)

Book Number 2 for SuBC = finished! I read Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn to fit the "read a book with a black cover". I ordered on Goodreads bookswap a little bit ago and just got around to reading it. But I'm glad I did - once I started, I could not put it down.
The plot: A reporter from Chicago returns to the hometown she left more than a decade ago to cover a possible serial killer (targeting young girls).
This book kept me guessing about who the killer really was. I had it narrowed down to two people, and in the last 3 chapters, they arrested one of those people. But right before the end of the book, there was a twist and it was the other person I suspected. The story is very dark and twisted, but written very well.
4 stars/5 stars :)
Next up: Go Ask Alice (book written in a diary form)