Best Books of 2013

Books are the second most constant thing in my life (family is first of course!) I cannot think of a day where where I wasn't reading..ever. No matter what else is going on, you can always ask me "what are you reading" and I will be able to give you the answer , probably before I could think of what I ate for breakfast. I read 145 books this year..not quite the 150 I was pushing for but hey who's counting...
In no particular order the 11 best books I read;
Songs of Willow Frost, Jaime Ford http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Willow-Frost-Jamie-Ford-ebook/dp/B00BVJG24C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359206&sr=1-1&keywords=songs+of+willow+frost

The Ocean at The End of The Lane, Neil Gaiman http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-at-End-Lane-ebook/dp/B009NFHF0Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359239&sr=1-1&keywords=the+ocean+at+the+end+of+the+lane+by+neil+gaiman

Luther: The Calling, Neil Cross http://www.amazon.com/Calling-John-Luther-Novel-ebook/dp/B0061Q5PZ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359277&sr=1-1&keywords=luther+the+calling

The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells, Andre Sean Greer http://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Lives-Greta-Wells-ebook/dp/B009NF6ZMU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359317&sr=1-1&keywords=the+impossible+lives+of+greta+wells

Promise Not to Tell, Jennifer Mc Mahon http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Not-Tell-Jennifer-McMahon-ebook/dp/B000SEF4UO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359358&sr=1-1&keywords=promise+not+to+tell

The Lake of Dead Languages, Carol Goodman http://www.amazon.com/Lake-Dead-Languages-Carol-Goodman-ebook/dp/B000FCKLWA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359410&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lake+of+dead+languages

Ordinary Grace, William Kent Kruger http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Grace-William-Kent-Krueger-ebook/dp/B008J2G5Y6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359450&sr=1-1&keywords=ordinary+grace

A Tale for the Time Being , Ruth Ozeki http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Time-Being-Ruth-Ozeki-ebook/dp/B008EKMB82/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359485&sr=1-1&keywords=a+tale+for+the+time+being

The City of Dark Magic , Magnus Flyte http://www.amazon.com/City-Dark-Magic-Magnus-Flyte-ebook/dp/B008EXNMSM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359529&sr=1-1&keywords=the+city+of+dark+magic

Fingerprints of You, Kristen-Paige Madonia http://www.amazon.com/Fingerprints-You-Kristen-Paige-Madonia-ebook/dp/B0061Q5KAC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359604&sr=1-1&keywords=fingerprints+of+you

Mr Penubra's Twenty-Four Hour Bookstore , Robin Sloan http://www.amazon.com/Penumbras-24-hour-Bookstore-Robin-Sloan-ebook/dp/B008FPOIT6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388359664&sr=1-1&keywords=mr+penumbras+24+hour+bookstore

The Sweet Nostalgia

This month my book club gals and I read the classic To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee. I first read this in Ms. Habecker's 9th grade English class. I can still see her one shoe dangeling from her foot and jingling her change softly in her pocket as she read parts of this aloud to 20 14 year old girls. I remember the major plot points from the book from that year, I remember classmates discussing the civil injustice and Amy Schramm reading aloud the line "pork, Pooorkk," with exuberant tones. After this I never thought much about the book, watched Gregory Peck in the movie a few times and then rediscoverd it in a college Lit class. Again, I fell in love with Scout, Jem and Dill and felt sorrowful at Tom Robinson's demise, as well as Boo's solitary nature. I read this book faithfully each year in the summer for a few beach years and then moved onto other books and literary re-reads. Each time I became pregnant the name Scout rang out as a major contender...but as you know I have 3 sons and the name never was used.
Thankfully Teresa in book club picked this as our April selection, the main reason being to revist a classic we had all read...4 book club members also had Ms. Habecker. 25 years later we are tying to find that key to this book.
I wanted to really go back and feel the same sensation as that 9 th grade classroom so I took out of the library the audio version. Sissy Spacek is a fabulous actress and she made these characters come alive. I still enjoyed Scout and Jem and Boo and Dill but a major character made a lasting and first time impression., Atticus Finch. As a parent, so much of what he does in his quiet, unassuming manner could be life lessons. His way of acting in his home as he does upon the street, could be all the parenting handbook we all search for from time to time. He taught his children that a natural education is as important as a structured one. He allowed both children to grown into theirselves with dignity and a chance to speak thier minds. He also had some great advice for just living day to day that resonates in me"before I can live with other folks, I have to live with myself".

Catch up

What a blur the last few weeks have been. The auction was a huge success as was the giveaway. Congrats to my very oldest friend...Anne, seriously we went to kindergarten together! I enjoyed bringing her the basket of goodies to her brand new house and watching the big fat wet snowflakes cover the ground in 30 minutes.

After the auction was my meltdown over the grey,wet,crazy weather. Begged for a trip to Florida, and ended up with one to Houston instead! Yippee for family who loves me enough to plunk me on a plane and let me head out of here. Funny though...a day after that was solidified..sunny skies and beautiful weather which has lasted for 2 weeks..crazy still though since we are enjoying weather in the high seventies in March! so off I go on Sunday to Houston to visit my aunts and grandmother,to soak in the humid heat and to enjoy all the spicy tex mex I can! Pictures of the journey I promise!

In addition to that I have found a new author, Jim Butcher who I am so enjoying! A book to avoid at all costs, The Wolf Gift, Anne Roce, trust me you will thank me for stopping you that heartache.

Crochet wise I have started a theme for the months of Friday deals. This month there were household items. Next month the theme will be ocean . Who knows what May will bring...flowers??? I also have mastered broomstick lace and have made 2 one of a kind scarves each with cotton yarns and different fringe types. sales are steady and there is not much more I could ask for from that!

Big news for another Duncan. Randy opened his own etsy shop. wwww.duncanclay.etsy.com which is fabulous for him..he has so much ready to ship items we are running out of space!!! So yea for him in this endeavor.

So I will post Houston wonders after I return!