New Classes

I started my first Connection class on Tuesday night. The class is title "AIDs: The Modern Plague" and so far I find it fascinating. There are two instructors, both of which are fun and a little off the wall. One teaches psychology and the other teaches socialogy, human sexuality and anthropology. The class lasts for five weeks. At the begining of class they will put a question on the board called a "quick write" which serves as their way of taking attendance. We have to keep a journal and give an oral presentation at the end of class. The first night we watched a video from back in the 80's when the AID's epidemic first was heard off. Our quick write question was "When and where did you first hear about the AID's virus". For our journal we are supposed to put ourselves back into that time frame. Prentend we are just now learning about AIDs. That we aren't as enlightened as we are now. I really can't wait for next weeks class. I'd love to be able to take more classes with these professors.

Tonight I start my second Connection class, "End of Life Issues". I hope that it is as interesting as my Tuesday class.

Stayed Tuned!

Between now and next Wednesday stay tuned for the follow:

1. Eden Fantasys review.

2. Savor Soap review.

3. Introduction to the Biographer's Club.

4. Craft updates.

5. Several book reviews.

This Weeks Reading Pile

This week I'd like to finish the following books:








This layout isn't exactly what I had in mind, but I can't get the plain image links to work.

Wordless Wednesday

Prehistoric Squirrel at the Smithsonian Museum

999 Reading Challenge

I'm taking part in the 999 Book Challenge. Details can be found at J Kaye's Book Blog or the 999 Book Challenge Blog.

I will be reading 9 books each in 9 different categories.

My 9 Categories:

1. Nonfiction
a. "The Action Heroine's Handbook" by Jennifer Worick & Joe Borgenicht 185 pages
b. "The Tao of Willie" by Willie Nelson & Turk Pipken 184 pages
c. "The Great Failure: A Bartender, a Monk, and My Unlikely Path to Truth" by Natalie Goldberg 192 pages
d. "100 Way to Beat the Blues" by Tanya Tucker and Friends 194 pages
e. "Magical Thinking" by Augusten Burroughs 268 pages
f. "The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club" by Laurie Notaro 225 pages
g. "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey 432 pages
h. "The Te of Piglet" by Bejamin Hoff 257 pages
i. "Life on the Color Line" by Gregory Howard Williams 285

2. Vampire
a. "The Last Vampire 6: Creatures of Forever" by Christopher Pike 181 pages
b. "Dead to the World" by Charlaine Harris 291 pages
c. "Secret Vampire" by L.J. Smith 242 pages
d. "Daughters of Darkness" by L.J. Smith 238 pages
e. "The Undead Next Door" by Kerrelyn Sparks 369 pages"
f. "New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer 608 pages
g. "Skin Trade" by Laurell K. Hamilton 486 pages

3. YA Fiction
a. "Final Friends: The Party" by Christopher Pike 212 pages
b. "Final Friends: The Dance" by Christopher Pike 226 pages
c. "Final Friends: The Graduation" by Christopher Pike 238 pages
d. "Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception" by Eoin Colfer 342 pages
e. "Remember Me" by Christopher Pike 230 pages
f. "Spellbinder" by L.J. Smith 238 pages
g. "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman 162 pages
h. "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaimon 305 pages
i. "Remember Me 2: The Return" by Christopher Pike 210 pages

4. 1001 Books to Read Before Your Die
a. "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian" by Marina Lewycka 324 pages

5. Mystery
a. "One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich 334 pages
b. "Devil Bones" by Kathy Reichs 320 pages
c. "One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich 334 pages
d. "Your Heart Belongs to Me" by Dean Koontz 337 pages
e. "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson 402 pages
f. "Strangers" by Dean Koontz 681 pages
g. "Killer Pancake" Diane Mott Davidson 368 pages
h. "Bad Love" by Jonathan Kellerman 483 pages
i. "Two for the Dough" by Janet Evanovich 352 pages

6. New to Me Authors
a. "When the Emporer was Divine" by Julie Otsuka 144 pages
b. "Gods Behaving Badly" by Marie Phillips 292 pages
c. "Smack" by Melvin Burgess 288 pages
d. "The Dogs of Babel" by Carolyn Parkhurst 261 pages
e. "The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club" by Laurie Notaro 225 pages
f. "The Undead Next Door" by Kerrelyn Sparks 369 pages
g. "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey 432 pages
h. "Killer Pancake" Diane Mott Davidson 368 pages
i. "Little Alters Everywhere" by Rebecca Wells 224 pages

7. Books I Own
a. "The Midnight club" by Christopher Pike 211 pages
b. "Fall Into Darkness" by Christopher Pike 213 pages
c. "Last Act" by Christopher Pike 226 pages
d. "Weekend" by Christopher Pike 230 pages
e. "Bury Me Deep" by Christopher Pike 211 pages
f. "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson 402 pages
g. "New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer 608 pages
h. "Hey, Nostradomus" by Douglas Coupland 244 pages
i. "The Giver" by Lois Lowery 180 pages

8. Books from the Library
a. "Life After God" by Douglas Coupland 360 pages
b. "Choke" by Chuck Palahniuk 293 pages"

9. Re-reads
a. "Remember Me 3: The Last Story" by Christopher Pike 244 pages
b. "The Visitor" by Christopher Pike 162 pages
c. "The Eternal Enemy" by Christopher Pike 180 pages
d. "Scavenger Hunt" by Christopher Pike 215 pages
e. "The Lost Mind" by Christopher Pike 213 pages
f. "Whisper of Death" by Christopher Pike 180 pages
g. "Die Softly" by Christopher Pike 248 pages
h. "Spellbound" by Christopher Pike 211 pages
i. "See You Later" by Christopher Pike 226 pages

Spiritual Reading Challenge

I'm taking part in the spiritual reading challenge hosted by Reading Extravaganza. Between January 1st and June 30th I will read 6 or more books in the spiritual category. They can be fiction, nonfiction, spiritual, metaphysical or self-help.

My books are:

1. "The Great Failure: A Bartender, a Monk, and My Unlikely Path to Truth" by Natalie Goldberg 192 pages
2. "Life After God" by Douglas Coupland 360 pages
3. "The Te of Piglet" by Bejamin Hoff 257 pages
4. "The Tao of Pooh" Benjamin Hoff 158 pages

Series Challenge 3 Book Challenge

This challenge is hosted by Secret Dreamworld of A Bookaholic and is perfect for me, because unlike the other series challenge I'm involved in, this one is to finish series, and you don't have to read all the books in the series to complete it.

The Final Friends Series:
"Final Friends: The Party" by Christopher Pike 212 pages
"Final Friends: The Dance" by Christopher Pike 226 pages
"Final Friends: The Graduation" by Christopher Pike 238 pages

The Last Vampire Series
"The Last Vampire" by Christopher Pike 193 pages
"The Last Vampire 2: Black Blood" by Christopher Pike 196 pages
"The Last Vampire 3: Red Dice" by Christopher Pike 193 pages
"The Last Vampire 4: Phantom" by Christopher Pike 179 pages
"The Last Vampire 5: Evil Thirst" by Christopher Pike 179 pages
"The Last Vampire 6: Creatures of Forever" by Christopher Pike 181 pages

The Sookie Stackhouse Books
"Living Dead in Dallas" by Charlaine Harris 291 pages
"Dead to the World" by Charlaine Harris 291 pages (I know this is book 3 or 4 in the series, but I read them out of order and this is the last one I needed to read)

The Bones Series
"Devil Bones" by Kathy Reichs 320 pages
"206 Bones" by Kathy Reichs 308 pages

The Anita Blake Series
"Skin Trade" by Laurell K. Hamilton 486 pages

The Stephanie Plum Series
"One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich 334 pages
"Two for the Dough" by Janet Evanovich 352 pages

The Remember Me Series
"Remember Me" by Christopher Pike 230 pages
"Remember Me 2: The Return" by Christopher Pike 210 pages
"Remember Me 3: The Last Story" by Christopher Pike 244 pages

Broken Teepee Designs

In October Weird Stuff In My Desk hosted a bloggy carnival. I was fortunate enough to win a $50 gift certificate to Broken Teepee Designs. I used my gift certificate to get these gorgeous Rainforest Fantasy earrings.





The earrings feature faceted amethyst kisses and AAA quality Russian Chrome Diospide.

The listing states "Sparkling 7mm rich purple Amethyst kisses are handwrapped to sterling silver "v" hooks. Falling from the "flower" are AAA rich emerald green faceted rondelles of Chrome Diopside. A smooth,clear AAA 7mmm teardrop of the same glorious stone falls at the bottom. All are wrapped with sterling silver to sterling silver chain. These one of a kind lovlies will fall 2" from your lobes."

These earrings are handmade and of the most amazing quality. I love wearring them and have received so many compliments. The stones are very clear and great quality. The light hits them and they have amazing sparkle.

Check out her shop for some wonderful handmade peices of the finest quality. You won't be disappointed. The owner is incredibly friendly and easy to work with.

2009 Reading Challenges Quick Links

Links to all of my 2009 Reading Challenges.

1. New Author Challenge
2. Science Book Challenge
3. Read Your Own Books Challenge
4. Diversity Reading Challenge
5. Vampire Reading Challenge
6. Serial Reading Challenge
7. Horror Book Reading Challenge
8. Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge
9. Young Adult Book Challenge
10. 2nd's Book Challenge
11. 1st in a Series Reading Challenge
12. The 100 Book Reading Challenge
13. Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge
14. Series Challenge 3
15. 999 Reading Challenge
16. Spiritual Reading Challenge
17. Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge

New Author Challenge

I am participating in the new author challenge hosted by Literary Escapism. The purpose of the challenge is to read authors that I have not read before. I will read at least 15 books by authors I haven't read before.

My books are:

1. "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian" by Marina Lewycka 324 pages
2. "Lolly Willowes : Or the Loving Huntsman (New York Review Books Classics)" by Sylvia Townsend Warner 247 pages
3. "The Action Heroine's Handbook" by Jennifer Worick & Joe Borgenicht 185 pages
4. "The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart" by Willie Nelson & Turk Pipken 184 pages
5. "When the Emperor Was Divine" by Julie Otsuka 144 pages
6. "The Great Failure: A Bartender, a Monk, and My Unlikely Path to Truth" by Natalie Goldberg 192 pages
7. "One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich 334 pages
8. "The Undead Next Door" by Kerrelyn Sparks 369 pages
9. "Good Omens" by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman 382 pages
10. "Gods Behaving Badly" by Marie Phillips 292 pages
11. "Smack" by Melvin Burgess 288 pages
12. "The Dogs of Babel" by Carolyn Parkhurst 261 pages
13. "The Te of Piglet" by Bejamin Hoff 257 pages
14. "Little Alters Everywhere" by Rebecca Wells 224 pages
15. "Killer Pancake" Diane Mott Davidson 368 pages
16. "The Te of Piglet" by Bejamin Hoff 257 pages

Science Book Challenge

I am participating in the Science Book Challenge. I will read at least 3 nonfiction books this year that pertain to science.

I will update my books as I read them.

Read Your Own Books Challenge

I am taking part in the Read Your Own Books Challenge hosted by MizB Challenges You. You must read books that you own. They can be books on your shelf, or even books you acquire over the year. My goal is to read at least 25 of my own books this year.

My books are:

1. "Final Friends: The Party" by Christopher Pike 212 pages
2. "Final Friends: The Dance" by Christopher Pike 226 pages
3. "Final Friends: The Graduation" by Christopher Pike 238 pages
4. "The Last Vampire 6: Creatures of Forever" by Christopher Pike 181 pages
5. "Remember Me" by Christopher Pike 230 pages
6. "Dead to the World" by Charlaine Harris 291 pages
7. "One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich 334 pages
8. "The Undead Next Door" by Kerrelyn Sparks 369 pages
9. "Your Heart Belongs to Me" by Dean Koontz 337 pages
10. "Remember Me 2: The Return" by Christopher Pike 210 pages
11. "Remember Me 3: The Last Story" by Christopher Pike 244 pages
12. "The Visitor" by Christopher Pike 162 pages
13. "The Eternal Enemy" by Christopher Pike 180 pages
14. "Scavenger Hunt" by Christopher Pike 215 pages
15. "The Lost Mind" by Christopher Pike 213 pages
16. "Whisper of Death" by Christopher Pike 180 pages
17. "Die Softly" by Christopher Pike 248 pages
18. "Spellbound" by Christopher Pike 211 pages
19. "See You Later" by Christopher Pike 226 pages
20. "The Midnight Club" by Christopher Pike 211 pages
21. "100 Ways to Beat The Blues" by Tanya Tucker and Friends 194 pages
22. "Fall Into Darkness" by Christopher Pike 213 pages
23. "Last Act" by Christopher Pike 226 pages
24. "Weekend" by Christopher Pike 230 pages
25. "Bury Me Deep" by Christopher Pike 211 pages
26. "Gods Behaving Badly" by Marie Phillips 292 pages
27. "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson 402 pages
28. "New Moon" by Stephanie Meyer 608 pages
29. "Hey, Nostradomus" by Douglas Coupland 244 pages
30. "Strangers" by Dean Koontz 681 pages
31. "Magical Thinking" by Augusten Burroughs 268 pages
32. "The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club" by Laurie Notaro 225 pages
33. "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey 432 pages
34. "Two for the Dough" by Janet Evanovich 352 pages
35. "Killer Pancake" Diane Mott Davidson 368 pages
36. "Bad Love" by Jonathan Kellerman 483 pages
37. "How to (un)Cage a Girl by Francesca Lia Block 119 pages
38. "The Immortal" by Christopher Pike 213 pages
39. "Little Alters Everywhere" by Rebecca Wells 224 pages

Diversity Reading Challenge

I am taking part in the diversity reading challenge hosted by Diversity Rocks. For this challenge I will need to read at least six books by authors of color (black, latino, asian or native American).

My books are:

1. "When the Emporer was Divine" by Julie Otsuka 144 pages (Japanese)

January Book Log

1. "Final Friends: The Party" by Christopher Pike 212 pages

2. "Final Friends: The Dance" by Christopher Pike 226 pages

3. "Final Friends: The Graduation" by Christopher Pike 238 pages

4. "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian" by Marina Lewycka 324 pages

5. "Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception" by Eoin Colfer 342 pages

6. "The Last Vampire 6: Creatures of Forever" by Christopher Pike 181 pages

7. "Remember Me" by Christopher Pike 230 pages

8. "Lolly Willowes" by Sylvia Townsend Warner 247 pages

9. "The Action Heroine's Handbook" by Jennifer Worick & Joe Borgenicht 185 pages

10. "The Tao of Willie" by Willie Nelson & Turk Pipken 184 pages

11. "Dead to the World" by Charlaine Harris 291 pages

One of my goals this year is to read and pass on a big chunk of books from my bookshelf. I have way to many at this point in time, and instead of letting them collect dust, I decide to reread and then liberate. I started with the Christopher Pike books from my teenage years because there are so many of them.

I loved "The Last Vampire" series growing up. I don't believe I ever read book 6 until now. It ties all the other books together nicely, and gives Sita a happy ending.

"A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian" is a book from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die List. It was a touching story and very well written. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

I thought "Lolly Willowes" was awful. The book has no chapters and wide margins. Not only is it hard to read, but the story is pretty boring and takes the first hundred or so pages to get to the real story.

I enjoyed "The Action Heroine's Handbook." I learned the proper way to leap from roof top to roof top, how to land a helicopter, and how to drink anyone under the table.

"The Tao of Willie" was an excellent read. We have similar outlooks on many things in life. He is a very intelligent and beautiful person and I recommend his book to anyone.

"Dead to the World" is the only book that I had not read in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Now I guess I just watch True Blood on HBO until the next book comes out.