I think I need some help getting into the holiday spirit. I wish I could be this organized or this organized. I did finally get around to making out a list of people I need to buy for with corresponding ideas for gifts (well, more or less...there are lots of gift cards listed...the lazy shoppers answer to gift buying). I wanted to order an advent calendar, but once again this year that didn't happen. I got out of decorating last weekend, but my niece has pinned me down to dragging out the tree and the various boxes of ornaments and other trinkety things (all stored in inconvenient places, thank you) this coming weekend. I don't think I can face her disappointment again (and completely feel like Mrs. Grinch), so merrily decorating we will be this weekend. Christmas is just a little over three weeks away, so I better snap out of it. Buy some Christmas cards or something. Perhaps Carl V.'s G.I.F.T. Challenge will help put me in a better mood.
"I have decided to call this one the 2006 G.I.F.T. Challenge. Giving Inspiration, Fostering Tradition. I know, it is pretty lame but I had to call it something. What you agree to do, if you choose to participate, is to partake of and/or post on any 4 of the following":
Christmas movies
Christmas novels/short stories
Christmas songs
Christmas poems
Christmas traditions
Christmas memories
So for the next four Mondays in the run up to Christmas, I will see if I can muster up some Christmas spirit. I really don't read Christmas-y sorts of books, but I do plan on reading A Christmas Carol by Dickens this year (it will be my very first Dickens). I'm not even sure what other books are out there. I tend to walk past those gift tables at the bookstore that display these sorts of books. Any suggestions? Next week I am going to Kansas City with my sister (three hours traveling there and three hours back...I am already trying to decide which book to take with me!). Perhaps a day of festive shopping will help? Please just tell me there is a bookstore somewhere in the area?! A needlework store would be nice as well, but that might be asking for too much. I guess it is time to dig out the holiday music and movies!
I have a few links to share as well. I want a bookshelf filled with these, too! Heaven. Look at all those Viragos! That photo and this book review were enough to make me place a wee little order (but it's free shipping...) for a couple UK books. I want my own collection of Viragos...I just wish I could find them used over here. I need to drop by Bookslut more often. They always have all the best book news. The Whitbread Prize shortlist (actually now called The Costa Prize) has been announced. Here is the list of books with a one sentence blurb about each. I haven't read a single one, but there are a few titles on my list (I am waiting for paperbacks or library copies). Also the 100 Notable Books of 2006 as chosen by The New York Times is out. I have read all of one of them (Eat, Pray, Love). Another case of I want to read several but don't want to buy hardcovers! I always wonder what it says about me that I have read so few books that appear on these lists? I am reading lots of books, but I guess they are not terribly mainstream! Hmm.