Time Again!

It's poll time! I wanted to come up with a good one, but also a fast one. Ha ha. Good one on me. Well, it was certainly quite enjoyable to create. I listed just a few books that I really love. It took longer than I thought because, well, it's hard: "I could no sooner choose a star from the heavens" than to list all the books I love, let alone only some of them. And in this poll I wanted to include some from my recent reading, my all-time favorites, and my childhood.

Of course, we know each book has an automatic vote from me for making it on the list. But I still need to put in some votes just so that, well, there are votes! I'm going to restrict myself and only pick my very top 3. No, no. Make that, uh, 5. OK. I can pare down to 5. I can. Truly.

Here's what you get to do to add to the joy:

1. Vote for the books that you have loved as well.
2. Make comments about the books from the list that you love.
3. Make comments about books that you wish you saw on the list but I either didn't want to put them on or didn't think to put them on.
4. Have fun!

And for those wondering, yes--I love all of the Anne and Little House series. But if I have to pick a favorite within the series, those are the books that ended up on the list. Perhaps next poll will be favorite series.

Here and There

So, apparently you all are happy with me talking about/synopsizing whatever book or movie I so choose. I guess that's a good thing. That, or I lost some of the readers because I haven't been too steady in writing. Sorry about that. I got sick. I know. Again. I wasn't too thrilled about that either. I also have been doing other things that have taken me away from some of the computer time I've previously had.

I would like to make Wednesday nights My Austen Night--but I'm only going to allow myself that if I am being productive at work. Because while I totally can count book-talking (etc) and blog-learning, social-networking as work-related, it's best to make sure I get more library related (specifically my library) work done. Wouldn't you agree?

OK. Well, on to other things. The most recent poll was very low in votes, but we 3 were all unanimous: Norman!!! Best choice for Hannah Swenson--(cookie) bar none. And in happy, related news, I got both the large print and audio copies of the newest Hannah Swenson book today and have enjoyed beginning that. I'm quite excited for some of the recipes, too!

Oh. The Halloween costume? My hair was BIG. Very. It was awesome. I unfortunately didn't get any pictures of it. And with the Harry Potter audio kick I'm on, I had this odd desire of being Bellatrix. But I should have worn my black witch dress for that. And it's not because I like her. I was 1) trying to break my good-girl, princessy motif that I always opt toward. (I know there is absolutely nothing wrong with the good girl, pretty-pretty, but sometimes one just wants something different. I guess that's what the Cinderalla Post Midnight and Princess and the Pea costumes were) and 2) trying to be a character from a book.

Well, that's probably my update for now. I will try to be more consistent. And fun. Until then, I need to get some work done!

Dressing, uh, "Up"

Halloween coming. The only thing I truly like of the day is dressing up--and I love that part. But as I have plans and will be out of town and traveling for part of the day, I'm thinking I'll have to be limited and go the easy route. Red nightgown? That always makes a statement. Especially with the cape.

What do you think? (Sorry--no idea how to turn images on blogs.)

Well, I don't have my beautiful hair right now. OK, I still have my hair. But it's only to my shoulders. That's short to me. And I need to make some kind of statement with it. I'm thinking of teasing it really, REALLY big. And wearing my obnoxiously obvious red lipstick and red nail polish.

The thing is, I like to have a name of "someone" recognizable, though that rarely succeeds.

Elphaba (my best costume ever, I think)

Nicer when it's a literary character, though again no one could tell.

Rilla Blythe

Elizabeth Bennet (attempted 3 times, and so far not quite the thing)

But, of course, it is usually the attempts at something that no one has any idea about. Kind of like the food I make.

A baby

A Hawaiian Princess

Lisa Turtle

Princess and the Pea

Cinderella, post-midnight

So, my question is--what do I call myself this year? Any literary characters that come to mind? (And, no, I will not be a character from Twilight. Besides, technically, I already am a character in the series.)

Oh, if I had a dress even close, I could try Bella Wilfer. Or perhaps someone else. Of course, I've only got 8 hours to come up with something else--and I don't think it will happen. Maybe next year.

What would you like?

I was all geared up to write a synopsis of a book or movie (based on a classic), but had no idea what. I remembered that I had offered to do one for my friend, but can't remember which. And then came up with the brilliant idea (actually, it's rather mediocre) to ask you readers what books/movies would you like Heidi-synopsized?

And believe it or not, but I can do

• Brief
• Short
• Medium
• Long
• Really Long
• Ridiculously Long

A typical Heidi length probably falls into the Long category. Sometimes the Really Long. Depends on how much I love the work and/or if I'm writing the synopsis for a particular purpose. I can be brief. I really can. But it is such a sad thing to do. If you really want brief, then you should try this website which I enjoy getting a laugh from. But if you want long with Heidi comments--I'm your reader/librarian!

Free...almost

A few problems just arose when I, as a librarian, received a free book this evening to be used for Teen Read Week.

1. Teen Read Week ends tomorrow. Everything was already planned--including prizes to award at the events.

2. The author bio on the book flap mentioned the birth year. I would have passed over in a typical "hmm" as I usually do except that I jolted when I realized the birth year was well after mine!

3. Not only does that mean that I've not reached an age when I'm actually older than authors, but it means I really could have been publishing my own works years ago and no one would have said anything to my age.

4. Which leads to the last problem--at least the last that currently comes to mind. I haven't completed any of my own works, yet, anyhow.

Hannah Swenson Poll

In honor of Fluke's new book Plum Pudding Murder, check out the new poll! If you haven't read a Hannah Swenson book, give them a try. They're an enjoyable mystery series and they have recipes, too! Where can you go wrong?

Is it just me...

...or can anyone else see the humor in a murder mystery being written by an author names Kaitlyn Dunnett?

The book does hold a bit of interest for me, as I think Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series has spurred my liking for cozy mysteries. Of course, that series also added the tasty flavor of included recipes. Mmmm....holiday season coming up--time to bake from the Swenson recipes again!

The big question in all this, though, is can I wait for our library to obtain the audiobook for the newly released #12 Hannah Swenson book, or will I cave and go for the large print? I'll have to eventually so I can copy the recipes!!