Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

Whew!!  The 2009 recap!

I have this odd fascination with lists and stats as I love to go back and look at them.  As a result I couldn’t help this massively huge post. 2009 was my second full year of blogging about books.  This year marked a lot of changes in the book blogging community but most notably it marked for me a huge increase in interaction with both authors and bloggers in different bookish events.  It’s been a blast.

I must admit that I’ve felt a bit burned out the past three months.  I keep getting on the computer and then procrastinate instead of just sitting down to write. I’m backlogged about 20 reviews.  But I’ve also learned that it doesn’t matter if I post everyday so I’ve been taking it more easy and trying not to stress when I go a week without anything on the blog.  I’m excited for 2010 and have high hopes of getting that energy back because blogging about books is really one of the most fulfilling things that do.  Blogging about books is ultimately about reading books.  And reading books is what I love!

Here’s what’s happened in 2009!

Fiction

1. The Widow’s Season by Laura Brodie
2. The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
3. Torn by God by Zoe Murdock
4. Searching for Eternity by Elizabeth Musser
5. Every Last Cuckoo by Kate Maloy
6. Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
7. **The Help by Kathryn Stockett
8. Standing Still by Kelly Simmons
9. The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinksi
10. Haunting Bombay by Shilpa Agarwal
11. **Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas
12. A Disobedient Girl by Ru Freeman
13. Wife of the Gods, An Inspector Darko Dawson Mystery by Kwei Quartey
14. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
15. **Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
16. The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
17. The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine
18. Losing Kei by Suzanne Kamata
19. The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris
20. **The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker
21. Down to a Sunless Sea by Mathias B. Freese (short stories)
22. The Mechanics of Falling and Other Stories by Catherine Brady (short stories)
23. **Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center
24. Matrimony by Joshua Henkin
25. **The Only True Genius in the Family by Jennie Nash
26. Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
27. Ruby Among Us by Tina Ann Forkner
28. Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West

Young Adult Fiction

1. Silver Shoes by Paul Miles Schneider
2. Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman
3. Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles
4. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
5. **The Dark Divine by  Bree Despain
6. Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
7. **Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart
8. A Loser’s Guide to Life and Love by Ann Cannon
9. The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer
10. The Debs – Love, Lies and Texas Dips by Susan McBride
11. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
12. Everything is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis
13. Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
14. Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines
15. **Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
16. **Hush by Jacqueline Woodson
17. Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
18. **I Hadn’t Mean to Tell You This by Jacqueline Woodson
19. **Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
20. **Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas
21. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
22. Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
23. Feathered by Laura Kasischke
24. I Know It’s Over by C.K Kelly Martin
25. **Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
26. **The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
27. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
28. Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki, Illustrated by Steve Rolston (graphic novel)
29. Chiggers by Hope Larson (graphic novel)
30. Fade by Lisa McMann
31. Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott
32. **Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
33. Letters from a Slave Girl, The Story of Harriet Jacobs by Mary E. Lyons
34. The Way He Lived by Emily Wing Smith
35. The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
36. Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen
37. The Lightning Thief, Book One of Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan
38. Sister Wife by Shelley Hrdlitschka

Middle Grade Fiction

1. SLOB by Ellen Potter
2. Binky, The Space Cat by Ashley Spires
3. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
4. The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
5. Long Shot, Comeback Kids by Mike Lupica
6. Charlotte’s Rose by Ann Cannon
7. My Teacher is an Alien by Bruce Coville
8. Dessert First by Hallie Durand
9. Secrets of a Christmas Box by Steven Hornby
10. A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck
11. Thanksgiving at the Inn by Tim Whitney
12. **When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
13. The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
14. **Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
15. Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman
16. Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
17. Chess Rumble by G. Neri, Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson
18. Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
20. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
21. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
22. **Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look
23. Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell
24. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
25. Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight
26. Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
27. On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck
28. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
29. The Sisters Grimm, The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
30. **Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
31. Lunch with Lenin and Other Stories by Deborah Ellis
32. Jellaby by Kean Soo (graphic novel)
33. **Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
34. Longhorns and Outlaws by Linda Aksomitis
35. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney
36. The 13th Reality: The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner
37. Holbrook: A Lizards Tale by Bonny Becker
38. My Brother, The Robot by Bonny Becker
39. **The Year the Swallows Came Early by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
40. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
41. The Well by Mildred D. Taylor
42. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
43. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
44. Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
45. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
46. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
47. The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
48. **Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
49. **Shooting the Moon by Frances O’Roark Dowell
50. Savvy by Ingrid Law
51. Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

Picture/Board Books

1. Who Was Born this Special Day? by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Leonid Gore
2. I’ve Seen Santa! by David Bedford, Illustrated by Tim Warnes
3. I Love Christmas by Anna Walker
4. My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed, Illlustrated by Catherine Stock
5. Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
6. Saying Grace: A Prayer of Thanksgiving by Virginia Krull, Illustrated by Timothy Ladwig
7. Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué Rico! Americas’ Sproutings, Haiku by Pat Mora, Pictures by Rafael López
8. Gracias Thanks by Pat Mora, Illustrated by John Parra
9. A Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker, Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
10. Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
11. **The Book That Eats People by John Perry, Illustrated by Mark Fearing
12. A Penguin Story by Antoinette Portis
13. Always My Brother by Jean Reagan and Illustrated by Phyllis Pollema-Cahill
14. **The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
15. **All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, Illustrated by Marla Frazee
16. Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarty
17. Goodnight Goon, A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex
18. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
19. **Where’s My Mummy by Carolyn Crimi, Illustrated by John Manders
20. A Very Hairy Scary Story by Rick Walton and Illustrated by David Clark
21. Dear Vampa by Ross Collins
22. Benny the Baffled Behemoth by Melissa Leembruggen, Illustrated by Trish McKinney
23. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
24. Heroes by Ken Mochizuki, Illustrated by Dom Lee
25. Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully by Julianne Moore, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
26. Crocodaddy by Kim Norman, Illustrated by David Walker
27. **Chicken Butt! by Erica S. Perl, Illustrated by Henry Cole
28. All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Nikki McClure
29. **Always by Ann Stott, Illustrated by Matt Phelan
30. There’s a Wolf at the Door: Five Classic Tales Retold by Zoe B. Alley, Illustrated by R.W. Alley
31. Mary Veronica’s Egg by Mary Nethery, Illustrated by Paul Yalowtiz
32. A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker, Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
33. An Ant’s Day Off by Bonny Becker, Illustrated by Nina Laden
34. The Christmas Crocodile by Bonny Becker, Illustrated by David Small
35. Ella the Elegant Elephant, Ella Sets the Stage, Ella Takes the Cake and Ella Sets Sail by Carmelia and Steven D’Amico
36. Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki, Illustrated by Dom Lee
37. Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine, Illustrations by Kadir Nelson
38. Consider Love, It’s Moods and Many Ways by Sandra Boynton
39. Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Hudson Talbott
40. Snow by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Lauren Stringer

Non-Fiction/Memoir

1. **A Child’s Journey Out of Autism: One Family’s Story of Living in Hope and Finding a Cure by Leeann Whiffen
2. The Mistress’s Daughter by A.M. Homes
3. Cult Insanity: A Memoir of Polygamy, Prophets, and Blood Atonement by Irene Spencer
4. Tone Deaf in Bangkok and Other Places by Janet Brown, Photographs by Nana Chen
5. Picking Cotton, Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo
6. **War Child, A Child Soldier’s Story by Emmanuel Jal
7. **They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein
8. I Am a Star, Child of the Holocaust by Inge Auerbacher (juvenile)
9. First Comes Loves, Then Comes Malaria by Eve Brown-Waite
10. **That Went Well, Adventures in Caring for My Sister by Terrell Harris Dougan
11. **Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad by Waris Dirie and Cathleen Miller
12. Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez
13. An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
14. Surviving Ben’s Suicide, A Woman’s Journey of Self-Discovery by C. Comfort Shields
15. Zlata’s Diary, A Child’s Life in Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic
16. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
17. The Voice That Challenged A Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman
18. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, Illustrated by George Ford
19. Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grime, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
20. Freedom Walkers, The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman
21. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges

Abandoned Books

1. Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
3. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
4. The Scent of Sake by Joyce Lebra

** Favorites of the year

Author Interviews

• Jean Reagan, author of Always My Brother
• Sandra Dallas, author of Prayers for Sale
• Suzanne Kamata, author of Losing Kei
• Paul Harris, author of The Secret Keeper
• Kim Norman, author of Crocodaddy
• Katherine Center by Nicki Richesin, Editor of Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter Bond
• Erica S. Perl, author of Chicken Butt!
• Ingrid Law, Newbery Honor author of Savvy
• Linda Aksomitis, author of Longhorns and Outlaws
• Mary Nethery, children’s author and co-author of Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival
• Bonny Becker, author of A Visitor for Bear and More!
• Carmela and Steve D’Amico, author and illustrator of the Ella the Elephant Series
• Ken Mochizuki, children’s picture book and young adult author
• Kathryn Fitzmaurice, author of The Year The Swallows Came Early
• Joshua Henkin, author of Matrimony
• Jennie Nash, author of The Only True Genius in the Family
• Tina Ann Forkner, author of Ruby Among Us
• Michael Lee West, author of Mermaids in the Basement
• Lisa McMann, author of Wake and Fade

Guest Posts

• Interview with Kaleb Nation, Author of Bran Hambric
• Katherine Center, Author of Everyone is Beautiful and The Bright Side of Disaster, on Finding Her Voice and Writing About What Matters Most
• Author Bonny Becker – Have We Gone Too Far In Stripping Bad Things From Picture Books?
• Author Melissa Leembruggen – Writing With Multiple Purposes
• Kathryn Fitzmaurice, author of The Year the Swallows Came Early- On Quotes and Inspiration
• Carol Hampton Rasco – Parents and Youngsters Together for Stories, Songs, Rhymes, and More at RIF.org
• Marsha Jacobson -  On Reading With Feeling
• Thomas Fortenberry – On Judging Literary Contests
• Hannah of WordLily: Author Recipe, Leslie Patricelli’s Espresso and Cardamom Rub
• Book Chick City -  On Launching a Blog and Her Ever Increasing Obsession With Books
• Cindy of Cindy Loves Books – Author Recipe, Michael Lee West’s Grand Marnier Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Author Recipes

These were the author recipes that I collected during author interviews this past year:

• Radical Spinach Casserole by Jean Reagan
• Kentucky Pie by Sandra Dallas
• Miso Soup by Suzanne Kamata
• Bobotie by Paul Harris
• Roasted Vegetables by Kim Norman (recipe made with photos)
• Gingerbread Cookies by Erica S. Perl
• Close to Perfect Chocolate Pie by Ingrid Law (recipe made with photos)
• Baked Beans and Ham by Linda Aksomitis
• Nonna’s Gnocchi by Mary Nethery
• Chocolate Mocha Pecan Balls by Bonny Becker
• Zanzibar Cake by Carmela & Stephen D’Amico
• Scrambled Eggs by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
• Spicy Cauliflower Simmered in Red Wine by Joshua Henkin
• Kitty’s Mantecadas by Tina Ann Forkner
• Grand Marnier Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Michael Lee West (recipe made with photos)
• Chicken and Sausage Chili by Lisa McMann

These are recipes that I collected in 2008 but I made this past year:

• Mrs. Perez’s DROP-DEAD Delicious Lemon Squares by Donna Gephart (recipe made with photos)
• Butter Bean Cookies by Shana Burg (recipe made and photos (recipe made with photos)
• Zuchinni Soup by Shannon Hale (recipe made and photos (recipe made with photos)
• Espresso and Cardamom Rub for beef, pork and chicken thighs and legs by Leslie Patricelli (recipe made with photos)
• Tomato-Mozarella Pesto Sandwich by Susan McBride (recipe made with photos)
• Breakfast Smoothie by Sara Zarr (recipe made with photos)
• Tomato Aspic by Mary Ann Rodman (recipe made with photos)
• Chocolate Cake by Mary Ann Rodman (recipe made with photos)

And one bonus recipe

• Caramel Apple Pie by Bree Despain

Top Ten Most Viewed Posts of the Year
(oddly – all written last year)

1. Stephenie Meyers’ New Book Release Date Announced
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
3. Read the First Chapter of Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn!
4. Quotes from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
5. Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun on Hold Indefinitely After Illegal Copy Distrubition
6. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
7. The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
9. Quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
10. The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Another Top Ten Most Viewed Posts of the Year
(that were actually written this year)

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (a preview of sorts)
2. The Lightning Thief, Book One of Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan
3. New York Times Bestseller List – March 15th
4. What Everybody Wants to Know about Stephenie Meyer!
5. Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman
6. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
7. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles, Illustrated by George Ford
8. Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey of a Desert Nomad by Waris Dirie and Cathleen Miller
9. Bloggiesta! The Unveiling of a New Upcoming Blogging Event
10. The Sisters Grimm, The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

Some of My Favorite Posts of the Year

• Guest Posting at the Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog: On Blogging Friendships and Utah Bloggers
• Literary Themed Christmas Trees
• The Halloween Pics
• In Which I Finally Blog About the Whole Blogging Thing
• Books I Never Would Have Read Had it Not Been For Book Bloggers
• On Book Borrowing? Do You Lend Out? I’ve Got Questions
• Why Do I Own Books When I Rarely Reread?
• Do Books Make You Cry? Or Am I the Only One with a Heart of Stone?
• Why Read Book Blogs? Three Bloggers Vlog the Answer
• Talking Library Fines. Someone Please Make Me Feel Better
• What Is the Most Horrific Way You’ve Ruined a Book?
• Your Most Embarrassing Moment – Author Style
• Video Chat: Talking More About Book Destruction (A Show and Tell)
• Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
• Chicken Butt! by Erica S. Perl, Illustrated by Henry Cole

Random Stats

• Shortest book title: It’s a tie between Hush by Jacqueline Woodson, Fade by Lisa McMann, and Slob by Ellen Potter.
• Longest book title: The Voice That Challenged A Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman
• Fiction books read: 28
• Young Adult fiction books read: 38
• Middle Grade fiction books read: 51
• Fiction picture books reviewed: 21
• Abandoned books: 4
• Number of books read but not  yet reviewed (excluding Cybils): 26
• Number of review books waiting to be read/reviewed (including non-Cybils picture books): 31
• Approx number of Cybils fiction picture books I want to review: 50
• New to me authors (excluding picture books) 95
• Fiction/Non-fiction ratio: 157 to 21.
  
• Read my own books (excluding picture books):  34
  
• Library books (including picture books):  88
  
• Review copies: 71
  
• New to me genres: none
• Female Authors (excluding picture books): 84
• Male Authors (Excluding picture books):  28
• Abandoned books: 4
• Number of books I was supposed to read for book clubs: 91
• Number of books that I did read for book clubs: 78
• Number of 2009 Challenges: 10
• Number of 2009 challenges completed: 7
• Number of challenges I signed up for in 2010: 16 (!)
• Number of authors I met this year: 50+
• Number of book bloggers I met this year: 35-ish
• First review of the year: Sister Wife by Shelley Hrdlitschka
• Last review of the year: The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck
• Most read author this year: Jacqueline Woodson comes in at six books: Hush,  I Hadn’t Mean to Tell You This, Miracle’s Boys, Locomotion, Peace, Locomotion and Show Way. Totally not surprised.
• Utah authors read this year
  
  • The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
  • The Maze Runner by James Dashner
  • The Dark Divine by  Bree Despain
  • A Loser’s Guide to Life and Love by Ann Cannon
  • Everything is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis
  • Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
  • The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
  • The Way He Lived by Emily Wing Smith
  • Charlotte’s Rose by Ann Cannon
  • The 13th Reality: The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner
  • A Very Hairy Scary Story by Rick Walton and Illustrated by David Clark
  • A Child’s Journey Out of Autism: One Family’s Story of Living in Hope and Finding a Cure by Leeann Whiffen
  • That Went Well, Adventures in Caring for My Sister by Terrell Harris Dougan.
• Compared to 2008: who has time to figure this out?  Not me! This has already taken me long enough.
  

Site Stats

• 305,812 visits from 192 countries/regions since January 1st
  
• Top 5 Countries: United States, Canada,United Kingdom,  Australia,  Philippines (and thus kicking out Italy who made last years cut)
• Least 5 Countries: Togo, New Caledonia, Gabon, Anguilla, Burkina Faso, Réunion, Swaziland, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Samoa, Norfolk Island, Andorra, Afghanistan, Faroe Islands all tied for one visitor each in 2009.
• Top Five Traffic Sources: Google Search, Yahoo, Direct (none), Google (referral), Twitter
• Top Five Referrals: Google, Twitter, Google Images, Blogger, search.mywebsearch.com
• Top Five Keywords: the book thief, midnight sun release date, midnight sun book release date, the alchemist quotes, breaking dawn first chapter

Things That I LOVED This Year

• Going to LA Times Festival of Books!
• Going to BEA in New York City!
• Being on the Book Bloggers Panel at BEA
• Having not one but two different Utah Book Blogger Socials!
• Voted Best Kidlit Blog & Best Challenge Host for BBAW
• Participating in the Blog Talk Radio Show for BBAW
• Reading for 24 hours straight during the 24 Hour-Read-a-Thon
• Participating in the 48-Hour Book Challenge
• Reading for the Nerds Heart YA Tournament.
• Being in three different book clubs.
• Succeeding and failing in reading challenges.
• Hosting Bloggiesta
• Serving on the Fiction Picture Book panel for the Cybils!
• Meeting authors!!
• Meeting bloggers!!

Things that I Learned This Year

• I really love children’s books.
• But I really wish that I had read more fiction geared for adults.
• I still have an odd obsession with reading books about horrible subject matters.
• Sometimes it feels really awesome to not post on the blog for a week.
• And as a result, it really doesn’t matter if I post everyday.
• I really need to find a system that works for leaving comments on others blogs.
• Because while I regularly read and skim my Google Reader, I want to leave a comment on everything but alas, it’s impossible.
• I should not host giveaways anymore because I dread going to post office with two kids in tow and so it literally takes months to follow through.
• I LOVE authors.
• I LOVE talking to authors.
• Authors who live in Utah are really the best of the best.  Sorry folks.
• Going to book events is really fun.
• My husband is really forgiving of the time I spend reading, blogging, and running off to bookish events.
• My husband secretly likes to read and it’s awesome.
• I’m secretly thrilled when somebody recognizes my name when I introduce myself.
• That hearing your struggling four-year-old say his ABC’s for the first time perfectly will make you want to cry with joy.
• I love nothing more than watching my oldest “read” a book to his little brother when they don’t know I’m watching.
• Bloggers are even cooler in real life then they are online.
• Readers rocks!
• I’m incapable of keeping my houseplants alive since I started blogging.

I’ve been having fun reading other book bloggers wrap-ups.  How did you do for your reading in 2009?

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