100+ Book Challenge for 2009

I'm going to try something brand new this year that I really think I will be able to accomplish. It's a reading challenge to try to read 100 books or more in the upcoming year hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. I knew I wanted to do one of these challenges for 2009, so I started counting on January 1, 2008 so I'd know whether or not I'd have a chance for 2009! Miraculously, I was able to read 80 books in 2008, so I think I can handle 100 books for 2009. Plus, it helps that I won't be taking any more college classes in the near future!

While I have NO idea what I'll be reading, I've already got a good idea what will be in my TBR pile. Here's a heads-up:

1. Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy--1/5/09
2. In the Shadow of the Sun King by Golden Keyes Parsons--2/17/09
3. The Voice by Bill Myers--6/8/09
4. The Falcon and the Sparrow by M.L. Tyndall--1/12/09
5. A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell--7/29/09
6. Every Now and Then by Karen Kingsbury
7. Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury
8. Someday by Karen Kingsbury--10/28/09
9. Sunset by Karen Kingsbury
10. Wagered Heart by Robin Lee Hatcher
11. The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher
12. A Nest of Sparrows by Deborah Raney
13. Over the Waters by Deborah Raney
14. Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney--5/4/09
15. Leaving November by Deborah Raney--5/5/09
16. A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney
17. Kindred Bond by Deborah Raney--10/28/09
18. A Time to Mend by Sally John and Gary Smalley
19. Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen
20. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman--5/13/09
21. A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman--5/20/09
22. The Secret of Us by Roxanne Henke
23. Learning to Fly by Roxanne Henke
24. Last Light by Terri Blackstock--6/14/09
25. Night Light by Terri Blackstock--6/20/09
26. True Light by Terri Blackstock
27. Dawn's Light by Terri Blackstock
28. The Priest by Francine Rivers--3/17/09
29. And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
30. Fire by Night by Lynn Austin
31. A Light to My Path by Lynn Austin
32. A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin
33. A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin
34. A Test of Faith by Karen Ball
35. The Heavens Before by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow
36. The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck--2/23/09
37. The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Ewen
38. Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd--8/26/09
39. The Duchess and the Dragon by Jamie Carie
40. Death of a Garage Sale Newbie by Sharon Dunn
41. Elvis Takes a Backseat by Leanna Ellis
42. Doesn't She Look Natural? by Angela Hunt
43. She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt
44. The Face by Angela Hunt--12/29/09
45. Chosen by Ginger Garrett
46. The Outsider by Ann Gabhart
47. Speak Through the Wind by Allison Pittman
48. With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman
49. The Healer's Heart by Diane Komp
50. Your Chariot Awaits by Lorena McCourtney
51. Just Jane by Nancy Moser
52. Mozart's Sister by Nancy Moser
53. The Guy I'm Not Dating by Trish Perry
54. Too Good to be True by Trish Perry
55. Where My Heart Belongs by Tracie Peterson
56. My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer
57. The Bunko Babes by Leah Starr Baker
58. The Road Home by Tommy Tenney
59. The Price of Freedom by Carol Umberger
60. The Mark of Salvation by Carol Umberger
61. The Promise of Peace by Carol Umberger
62. Dreaming in Technicolor by Laura Jensen Walker
63. Daring Chloe by Laura Jensen Walker
64. Reconstructing Natalie by Laura Jensen Walker
65. When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall--2/27/09
66. When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall--3/7/09
67. When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall--3/23/09
68. Leave It to Claire by Tracey Bateman
69. The Begotten by Lisa Bergren
70. The Betrayed by Lisa Bergren
71. Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini
72. The Book of God by Walter Warengin, Jr.--10/06/09
73. Divine by Karen Kingsbury
74. A Bouquet of Love by Ginny Aiken/Ranee McCollum/Jeri Odell/Debra White Smith--1/10/09
75. Whispers Along the Rails by Judith Miller--1/17/09
76. Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me by Melody Carlson--1/19/09
77. Drake's Retreat by Wendy Davy--1/21/09
78. Daring Bride by Jane Peart--1/22/09
79. An Uncertain Dream by Judith Miller--1/27/09
80. Vengeance by Donna Dawson--2/2/09
81. Her Captain's Heart by Lyn Cote--2/3/09
82. Indigo Waters by Lisa Samson--2/10/09
83. A Tale of Three Kings--2/25/09
84. Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell--3/14/09
85. Butterfly Trees by Gail Gaymer Martin--3/25/09
86. Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson--3/27/09
87. Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania by Loree Lough--4/7/09
88. A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher--4/13/09
89. A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick--4/17/09
90. A Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick--4/23/09
91. A Mending at the Edge by Jane Kirkpatrick--4/29/09
92. Searching for Spice by Megan Dimaria--5/2/09
93. Waiting for Daybreak by Kathryn Cushman--5/3/09
94. End of State by Neesa Hart--5/18/09
95. A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman--5/27/09
96. Stealing Home by Allison Pittman--5/31/09
97. Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall--6/3/09
98. Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers--6/8/09
99. Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall--6/13/09
100. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory--6/20/09
101. Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed--6/28/09
102. The Light Across the River by Stephanie Reed--7/5/09
103. The Veil by Diane Noble--7/6/09
104. The Justice Game by Randy Singer--7/12/09
105. A Day with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory--7/13/09
106. Drawing Marissa by Jessica Adriel--7/14/09
107. This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury--7/23/09
108. Return to Love by Betsy St. Amant--7/26/09
109. Not Far From the Tree by Ruth Smith Meyer--8/3/09
110. The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall--8/8/09
111. Forgiving Sean by Jessica Adriel--8/11/09
112. Priced to Move by Ginny Aiken--8/15/09
113. Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake--8/16/09
114. The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y'Barbo--8/25/09
115. Piece de Resistance by Sandra Byrd--9/2/09
116. A Steal of a Deal by Ginny Aiken--9/4/09
117. Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark--9/6/09
118. Chronicles of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery--9/7/09
119. The Art of Compassion by Martin Smith--9/7/09
120. Mohamed's Moon by Keith Clemons--9/10/09
121. A Cut Above by Ginny Aiken--9/13/09
122. In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett--9/16/09
123. In the Arms of Immortals by Ginger Garrett--9/21/09
124. Bo's Cafe by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, & John Lynch--9/23/09
125. Lady of Light by Kathleen Morgan--9/28/09
126. The Red Siren by MaryLu Tyndall--10/3/09
127. Stretch Marks by Kimberly Stuart--10/7/09
128. If Only You Knew by Mags Storey--10/8/09
129. The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall--10/11/09
130. Love is a Battlefield by Annalisa Daughety--10/18/09
131. Seasons of the Heart by Kay Rizzo--10/18/09
132. The Soldier's Lady by Michael Phillips--10/18/09
133. Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh--10/22/09
134. Diamond Place by Robin Lee Hatcher--10/24/09
135. Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray--10/24/09
136. Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove--10/24/09
137. The Parkerstown Delegate by Grace Livingston Hill--10/24/09
138. Abide with Me by Delia Parr--11/3/09
139. White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner--11/7/09
140. The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey--11/16/09
141. C for Victory by Joan Croston--11/17/09
142. Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska by Loree Lough--11/19/09
143. Babylon Rising by Tim LaHaye--11/10/09
144. Stand-in Groom by Kaye Dacus--11/27/09
145. Dad in Training by Gail Gaymer Martin--11/29/09
146. The Secret by Beverly Lewis--12/7/09
147. The Cat That Made Nothing Something Again by James D. Maxon--12/10/09
148. The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry--12/15/09
149. Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl and April Henry--12/21/09
150. Echoes of Love by Elaine Schulte--12/27/09
151. Letters to Darcy by Tracy Ramos--12/31/09

Ok, well, I didn't intend to make a TBR list 71 books long in the first sitting, but at least I have something to work with now starting Thursday! :o) I cannot wait to get started! I'm also planning to use this list to keep track of everything I read this year, even if I didn't post it on the original list. So, #72 til whenever is stuff that's been added or stuff that I've read that didn't start on the list in the first place.

My Ten New Year's Resolutions

1. Spend more time in the Bible.

2. Go on a diet (I say that every year.)

3. Get better organized in several areas of my life.

4. Spend more time with my family.

5. Do more book reviews next year than what I did this year.

6. Read more.

7. Get more involved in jewelry making and try to make a profit!

8. Learn a new craft.

9. Actually use my sewing machine and make something!

10. Slow down and take a breather now and then. :o)

What about you?

Crazy Eights

I found this blog over at Patrick's Place, and I couldn't resist answering these questions myself. And as Patrick said, "If you find yourself reading this, consider yourself tagged! :o)

8 TV Shows I Watch

• Survivor
  
• Bones
  
• 24
  
• Heroes (although I haven't been very interested in this current season)
  
• Lost
  
• The First 48
  
• Iron Chef America
  
• My Name is Earl
  

8 Favorite Restaurants

• Bol a Pasta
  
• O'Charley's
  
• Chick-fil-A
  
• Firebird's
  
• Steak and Shake
  
• New York Pizza Cafe (local pizza place)
  
• Corky's
  
• Steak Escape
  

8 Things that Happened to Me Today (not much has happened to me, so I'm changing this to what I've done today instead):

• I slept in.....something that I've needed all week!
  
• Finished a book
  
• Watched The Bishop's Wife....one classic Christmas movie that I have never seen until today.
  
• Talked to my friend, Jessie, on the phone
  
• Checked my email
  
• Spent far too long playing games on Facebook
  
• Watched a replay of Iron Chef America--a special with Paula Deen :o)
  
• Tried to figure out all of the answers for this blog
  

8 Things I Look Forward To

• Going to see my friend, Jessie and her family sometime tonight
  
• Seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra in town on Tuesday night! :o)
  
• My four-day weekend next weekend
• Christmas Day
• The New Year
• Doing some renovations on my house (next year, hopefully)
  
• Alex being finished with school
• Having a family one day

8 Things I Pray For

• My family
• My friends
  
• To be more like Christ
• Those less fortunate
  
• Patience
• Purpose
• Direction
  
• Safety
  

Book Review: The Shack by William P. Young/3 Stars

About the book:

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!

My thoughts:

After reading this book, I can now see why it is so controversial. While I don't have the same opinions of it as some, I found the majority of the storyline to be completely relevant to the times we're living in today. There were times when I was reading and I just had to stop for awhile to let what I had just read soak in. What spoke to my heart the most was how much I, as a Christian, pass judgment on other people. It's been several days since I read the chapter that deals with that, and it's still not letting me go.

Two things I didn't care for.... 1) I'll admit that I did a double take when I read that God was a woman, but I understood why the author presented God in that way. And 2) I think it was completely unnecessary for swearing to be included in this book. There wasn't a lot, but it was more than I am comfortable reading when a book is labeled as "Christian fiction."

3 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  No

My First Meme.....Saturday Six

I came across this site this morning, and I had never heard of a meme before in my life. But hey, it looks pretty interesting, and I think I'll try it out....

Here goes...
__________________________________

1. Are you more picky about your own appearance, your car’s appearance, or your home’s appearance? probably a little bit of all three

2. When it comes to clothes, at what store do you spend the most on the clothes you wear? Macy's or some other mall store.

3. You are assigned a big project at work: how close to deadline do you generally complete it? I usually pace myself so that I don't have to rush myself a whole lot in the end.

4. Take the quiz: Are You a Perfectionist?

I scored a 53%.....not nearly as much of a perfectionist as I thought I was.

5. After you finish something you are particularly proud of, a close friend makes a comment about an alternative way you could have done the same thing, and you realize that their idea is better. How are you most likely to respond, either to that person or on the inside? Most of the time when something like that happens, I admit to myself, "Why didn't I think of that?"

6. Which do you generally find the easier: finding fault in your own personality, or finding fault in the personalities of those closest to you? Both, unfortunately.

_______________________________

Tough questions, there!! :o)