Well-Mannered Frivolity

52 books in 52 weeks

Finally, a book challenge I think I can finish--52 books in 52 weeks. http://www.read52booksin52weeks.com/

The goal is to read one book (at least) a week for 52 weeks.  The rules are very simple:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.  **
2. Participants may join at any time.
3. All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
4. Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2010.
5. Books may overlap other challenges.
   
6. Create an entry post linking to this blog. 
7. Come back and sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating post" below this post.
8. You don't have a blog to participate.  Post your weekly book in the comments section.
9. I'll be adding a post with Mr. Linky for participants to post book reviews. ***

I'm joining in a bit late, but I'm already almost finished with my 3rd book of the year. I would be further along in my reading if I could just slog my way through Under the Dome: A Novel by Stephen King. I feel compelled to finish it, but, man is it b-a-d bad. Stephen King is like the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead; when he is good he is very, very good (The Stand), and when he is bad he is horrid!

Wendy

I did it!

Somebody give me a cyber-high five! I survived National Blog Posting Month. 30 straight days of pure, unadulterated drivel. I'm going to celebrate by taking the whole month of December off. Just kidding. I'd hate to let down my 10 loyal readers ( hi mom!).

Totally unrelated story- Will has two imaginary friends--Jeff and Peacock. The other day he was playing basketball with them in the driveway. I asked him what they looked like. He replied, "It's like this, Mama, Jeff is a regular guy, and Peacock is an actual peacock." 

As I was typing that James informed me that when he grows up he is going to have 2 wives because, "you never know when you will need an extra wife." Good advice indeed.

I highly recommend life with 6 year old twin boys.

Wendy

Complaining

I have started off a new scheme. Anyone who is near and dear to me knows how much I dearly love a new scheme. I am like the Marmee in that I am ever trying to improve myself. I often do not succeed, but I do have good intentions. Of course, we all know what road is paved with those, but let's not go there.

A couple of days ago I blogged about how I am trying to live more joyfully. Well, my blog posts show up on my Facebook account. So do my tweets, for that matter. I don't know what I did to cause this, but I can't undo it. Anyway, I try to delete my posts from Facebook before anyone reads them. For some reason it doesn't bother me to bare my soul on the blog, but it makes me feel incredibly self-conscious to bare it on Facebook. Lately I have been letting it slide, however. My posts generate more comments on Facebook than they do on Typepad, and I am, after all, an attention whore.  The Joy post created quite a bit of buzz on FB including a link to an article by my friend Heather*. 

The article led me to an organization called A Complaint Free World. The basic gist of it is you wear a purple rubber bracelet (like the yellow Livestrong bracelets) on your wrist. Every time you complain, criticize or gossip (and I have added say a bad word) you have to move the bracelet to the other wrist.  The ultimate goal is to go 21 days without having to move the bracelet.

I started last night. I don't have the purple bracelet, so I am using a black pony tail holder. I've had to move it 7 times so far.  Bill and the children are taking great delight in pointing out to me when I slip up.  I had to lay out some ground rules to them such as:  1. They are not allowed to purposefully make me complain and 2. I am allowed to say 'pretend' cuss words such as darn, fudge and crud etc.

I think only moving my bracelet ponytail holder 7 times in 24 hours is a pretty good start. We'll see how it goes. If you catch me complaining on the blog feel free to point it out to me.

Peace,

Wendy

*Heather was my best friend from 7th grade through midway through 12th grade. Our friendship dissolved because I was mean to her. Now, thanks to the magic of Facebook we are friends again. Heather, if you are reading this, the only thing I remember from 8th grade history is the numerous notes we passed making fun of Mr. P's lack of butt. Good times.

In honor of the upcoming Harry Potter reading challenge

Wendy

Looks like I will be rereading Harry Potter

 

Calling all muggles!  Do you aspire to master the craft of wizardry or witchcraft?  Well if so you can start your research here!

**waves wand**

Introducing the Harry Potter Reading Challenge

<<cough cough>> Dang all that awesome mist and fog is getting me all verklempt.

Anyway, the deets:

What: Read or listen to all seven books in the Harry Potter series

• Sorcerer’s Stone
• Chamber of Secrets
• Prisoner of Azkaban
• Goblet of Fire
• Order of the Pheonix
• Half-Blood Prince
• Deathly Hallows

When: The challenge will run from August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010.  I know we’re all busy with life and work and other such fun things so join up whenever you want, there are no deadlines to the challenge besides the end date above. 

Where: E-to the Everywhere!  Post reviews on your blog, chat about it on messageboards, post vlogs or podcasts, comment on and converse about it in the monthly post I create here on Galleysmith.  It’s entirely up to you, as long as there is some evidence of your having completed each book along the way you are good to go.

If you want to play along you can sign up here

Wendy