Holiday Wishes

Even though this is a library blog, I can still talk about some holiday wishes.  Actually, I should make that holiday WISH. 

My holiday wish is to have time to read.

I know that sounds silly.  I'm a graduate assistant in a LIBRARY.  I am getting my master's in LIBRARY science.  I talk about, write about, think about books all day.  But, I don't really get a chance to read them that much.  I am busy at work, in class, taking care of three awesome babies, and writing papers.  When I'm not doing those things, I would really like to spend time with my wonderful husband.  Finding the time to read shouldn't be a struggle, but it is.  

I have a stack of books next to my bed that is almost impenetrable.  It's also close to toppling over.  Everyday I work here I find more books I want to read.  Every time I go on Good Reads I find more wonderful books recommended by my friends, and then I get sucked into their Listopia section, and I'm just toast.

I've never really thought about my own mortality until recently.  As the list of books I want to read gets longer and longer AND longer, I'm more aware of my lack of time on this plain.  I'll never get to read all of the books I want to read.  That is probably the most singularly depressing thought I've ever had.  I don't like that fact.  In fact, I HATE that fact.

Oh, my.  This was supposed to be upbeat, right?  I mean, I'm supposed to be writing about my holiday wish.  Let me see if I can turn this around.

OK...My holiday wish, or GOAL, is to read three books of my own choosing with absolute joy and abandon.  I will choose whatever I want: horror, graphic novels, contemporary literature, young adult...the sky's the limit.  Knowing me, my choices will probably come from this Good Reads list, "Food on the Cover."  I am so into books that center around food these days!  I don't know...it's a recent obsession.  Memoir, YA, picture books, adult fiction...if it has to do with food, I'M IN.

These books have a really good chance of making my holiday read list:

I hope to report back in January and tell you that I've accomplished my goal! 

Winter Reads

All of a sudden it's winter in these here parts.  We're bundling up, most are cursing the light snowfall that's already occurred (not me!), and it's the perfect time to talk winter reads.  Cause, seriously, what is better than curling up with a good book, a hot cup of something, and a fleece blanket?  Not much, I can tell you that!  (I'm just sad I don't get to do that too much anymore.)

At the beginning of the semester I saw a bulletin board on Pinterest with the title "I Read a Latte!"  Of course, I've had it in the back of mind to use once it got chilly.  I thought I'd save it for January, but it was just too good not to do now.

Here's the method...I found several lists of winter reads--Goodreads, other Pinterest boards, and my own mind (ETHAN FROME!  THE SHINING!  LITTLE WOMEN!).  I used these as a starting point.  After creating a list of chilly reads (that included MANY genres!), I made sure we had the books on the list in our Uni Library.  Then, the real fun began!  I hunted down book covers of the titles, and I got to make them into lil MUGS!  That's right: MUGS!  For lattes...GET IT!?!

Because I was too cheap to buy new border, I just used a book border I already had.  I justified this to myself, because the title is "I Read A LATTE," so a border with a lot of genres present makes sense.  (I do really wish I had a border with snowflakes, though.  But, like I said, not a lot of cash what with kids' birthdays and holidays coming up.)  The final touch was procuring Starbucks cups this morning for the board.  Those were free (as they should be with all the money I spend there). 

This is one of my favorite boards yet.  I hope you like it, too!