Book Club

This is a photo of my library wallpaper in the upper hallway. I still love this wallpaper after many years, and I really love books. I have plenty of those stacked all over my house. Now I've moved on to a Kindle, so maybe I won't have to work with book clutter throughout the house.

I have been a book club member for about a year now, and I just love it. I've always liked to read, but it's fun to share books and discuss them.

If you like to read, think about starting a book club with your friends and neighbors.

We just read Anita Shreve's new book, Rescue. It's probably not her best book, but it was an enjoyable read.

Next book is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, and I've read some good reviews for this one. Shortly, I will download it to Kindle and start reading.

Occoquan, VA

Today I went to Occoquan to visit my favorite stationery store: Hawthorne House, 703-491-5775 located at 404 Mill Street in Occoquan.

They are one of those businesses that you love to visit. Their customer service is fabulous. I always buy stationery there. We even got Courtney's wedding invitations there. I picked up a couple stationery gifts which they personalized. I recommend this shop!

Movies

I really liked this movie: Blue Valentine. It's playing at Shirlington AMC.

Blue Valentine - Trailer

The Last Day of Christmas

It's the 6th of January, so today is the last day for my Christmas decorations. Well, actually, Bob will probably take them down this weekend. Here is one last look at the tree with the glass ornaments. I collected Radko ornaments for several years, but I'm not a purist. I've been given many beautiful glass ornaments from other vendors, and I like them all.

I loved the new MacKenzie-Childs glass ornaments. I received three of them for Christmas/Birthday gifts! Absolutely beautiful! J. Brown's beautiful store in Old Town carried them.

Movie suggestions: My favorite movies over the Holiday were the King's Speech and True Grit. The King's Speech was my personal favorite--don't miss it.

Happy New Year!

I just made up my list of top 10 books for 2010. Many of them are just entertaining and fun to read. Here you go:
- Relentless by Dean Koontz
- Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
- Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
- The Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
- Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell
- Freedom by Jonathon Franzen
- Room by Donoghue
- Half a Life by Darin Strauss
- Life Would be Perfect if I Lived in that House - Meghan Dawn

Notable Mentions:
Charm School, Nelson DeMille (1988)
Watcher by Dean Koontz (1987)
The Gate House - Nelson DeMille
Caught - Harlan Coben
What is Left the Daughter, Norman
Three Cups of Tea, Mortensen
The 19th Wife, Eberhoff
The Widower's Tale, Julia Glass

Happy New Year! Happy Reading! I just switched to Kindle, and I'm liking it!