Last year's reading list had a couple of highlights. The Help and The Little Book were the two reads that stand out.
This year, I'm off to a good start with The Illumination. I underlined many sections of it for the beauty of the writing. The book was mesmerizing and beautiful and one of those rare books I might consider reading again in a few years.
I have a couple of good things to look forward to on the Kindle. Franzen's latest book, which everyone has said is great, and, of course, the latest epic by Murakami. I'm writing this while on a plane, on my way to a cruise in Costa Rica. Lots of reading time, lots of me time. I've been debating which book to start, as I just finished The Illumination somewhere over Dallas. I may need to flip a coin. If I start the Murakami, chances are I won't finish it on this trip. The Franzen will be more instant gratification. Decisions.
This year, I don't know if I'll get back into writing. No promises. Last year was a bust. During the first half of the year, I read much and wrote as well. I also rekindled relationships with a couple of beloved writer friends, and we started a three-person critique group. Things fizzled out after a short time, though. So much happened in my life during the second half of 2011 that writing barely crossed my mind. I started school at Bastyr, began a new and much busier contract at my job and had a 4-month visit from my younger daughter from September to the end of December. I've settled into the first two and am working hard to recover from the last.
Flying over water now. It's time to flip that coin.
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams..." Arthur O'Shaughnessy