Books and an Elvis birthday wish...

It seems that everyone has been in a real book craze here lately, myself included, even more so than usual. I guess it's the snow and cold weather that really makes you want to curl up with a good book. I've been reading like a lunatic over the past few weeks because I know I won't have much time when school starts back. I got a few books for Christmas. Plus our local B. Dalton bookstore is going out of business, so everything is 50% off, and I've bought quite a few books from there. Inspired by Natalie and Jenny's most recent posts, I've decided to do a bookish post. I read a lot in 2009, not nearly as much as I wanted to, but a lot. My favorite books that I read last year (as in, I read them for the first time...they didn't necessarily come out in 2009) are: "Jane Eyre," "When God Writes Your Love Story," "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," "Just Between You and Me," "Paperdoll," and Jenny B. Jones' two "Charmed Life" novels.

I know, I was missing out on "Jane Eyre," by Charlotte Bronte. It sat on my bookshelf for nearly a year before I finally started reading it, and when I started, I could hardly put it down until I finished it. It's a rainy day/thunderstorm/fireside kind of book. It's about a young governess who falls in love with her pupil's guardian, until she discovers a secret he has. Creepy but lovely. Sort of Jane Austen, but darker and different in a way. I blogged about it a little here, when my reaction was very fresh. It's a classic that I should have read a long time ago. Now if I can just get motivated to start "Wuthering Heights."

"When God Writes Your Love Story" really opened my eyes in a lot of ways. It's written by Eric and Leslie Ludy, and I think it's probably one of their best. It's very encouraging and gives insight on a lot of things. I'm reading it again right now.

I had heard about "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, on either Natalie or Jenny's blog, so when I saw it at Target, I bought it. First of all, you have to take a breath after you say the title. I was reading it before class one day, and the girl who sat next to me asked what I was reading. Rather than recite off the title, I just closed the book and let her read the cover. Anyway, it's one of those really unusual books that sticks with you for a very long time after you've read it. It's about a writer and a literary society in Europe just after World War II. It's very sweet, bittersweet at times, and has so many memorable characters.

"Paperdoll," by Natalie Lloyd, is a nonfiction book. It's a very inspiring book that focuses around the story of the woman at the well. It questions the world's view of beauty and reveals what true beauty is. This book was so encouraging to me, a couple of chapters in particular, and I'm planning on reading it again very soon.

"Just Between You and Me" is a novel by Jenny B. Jones. This was the first book of hers that I ever read, and it was a great introduction. The story is great, but the characters are awesome. Maggie is a cinematographer who, because of her past, has avoided returning to her hometown. When she has to go back, she has to face her biggest fears. Let me say that Jenny B. Jones is hilarious. Her books can have you crying one minute and then laughing through your tears the next. Her characters are so real. They mention celebrities and listen to the Fray. And the romance in this book is great. I have the biggest crush on Conner.

"So Not Happening" and "I'm So Sure" are two books in "A Charmed Life" series (I think the third one releases later this year). In the first book, Bella, a somewhat spoiled (but likable) New York girl, is forced to move with her mother and new stepfamily to a farm in Oklahoma. This is interesting enough in itself, but then Jenny B. Jones throws in embarrassing secrets about the new family and a sinister plot involving the football team. In the second book, Bella's family is featured on a reality TV show, a past boyfriend makes an appearance, and another conspiracy, this time featuring the prom and prom queen competition. I read these books immediately after "Just Between You and Me," which is considered women's fiction, and these are definitely more YA fiction. But still, they are awesome, hilarious books. Jenny B. Jones' plots are wacky, but they somehow are real, and so are the characters, and everything works together into two great books. Did I mention they're really funny? =)

So, those are my favorite books of 2009. As for music, I would say my favorite albums were "Forget and Not Slow Down," by Relient K, and "Hello Hurricane," by Switchfoot. Both are incredibly awesome and worth the wait. I also like the new BarlowGirl, Hawk Nelson, and Skillet CD's. And for what it's worth, some of the best music that I discovered in 2009, although I technically didn't get the CDs until the beginning of this year, is Eisley. I love "Room Noises" and "Combinations."

I got to visit Joann's this morning. I picked up a couple of fabric quarters and some clearance seersucker, plus some really pretty teal knit fabric. I've been feeling adventurous about sewing over the past few days and think that I just might try something with the knit fabric. I never have sewn knits before, because it's a scary thought.

Believe it or not, I had not planned on a massive post today. In fact, I was only going to post a little Elvis birthday tribute. He would have been 75 today (a very strange thought).

Happy Birthday, Elvis. Thanks for the great music and the fascinating life and for helping me realize my love of old things.

Until next time,
Kristin (missvintagegirl)