Took me a little longer to read, but I finished another book. Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman was a pretty decent read. Light and fun, the characters and plot were relate-able. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a light read. The Friday Night Knitting Club series was good, but emotionally heavy, as was Memoirs of a Geisha. It was a nice pace from the heavier reads too, like LOTR. I look forward to reading other “light” books from my shelf.

This book will be paid forward to another reader. Let me know if you want to claim it.

Books of 2010 total: 4

Last week, I finished The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer. I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I initially thought the book would highlight penny-pinching techniques, but the main plot surrounding a married couple became far more intriguing. The story was easy to read and interesting; the author opened with a flash forward, offering the reader a nugget of what was to come. The technique definitely encouraged me to read the story quickly. Oh and I did pick up a few penny pinching ideas too!

Books of 2010 total: 3

Reading Memoirs of a Geisha was a real delight. I had seen the movie before, so I was looking forward to reading the original story. I enjoyed it as much as I had expected to. Some of the abrupt scenes in the movie made a lot more sense with the full story laid out. As always, a story in full detail is better than one missing some key points. Memoirs book versus movie was just that way.

I also enjoyed Arthur Golden’s eloquent language. The story was very beautiful and little details were often highlighted, such as the details of each kimono. I thought that was pretty amazing considering how many different kimono were worn and how each one was different from the last. It’s a shame that Sayuri wasn’t a real geisha, but the research involved to craft the book definitely paid off to paint a realistic and amazing story.

Books of 2010 total: 2

My first book of 2010 is a cookbook! I know, it sounds a little silly, but with the exception of reading the steps in each recipe in detail, I really did flip through The Pioneer Woman Cooks from cover to cover. Received as a birthday gift, I spent some time over the Christmas holiday experimenting with some of the breakfast items. Then I wanted to read all of Ree Drummond’s anecdotes, stories and recipe explanations. I made my way through the whole book, lightly skimming the recipe instructions, enjoying stories similar to those I have read on her blog.

If you haven’t checked out The Pioneer Woman, I highly recommend that you do. Witty, funny and always with pizzazz, she approaches life in full color. She also have giveaways, so check back often!

Books of 2010 total: 1

taking a look back

Last year I set out to have realistic and attainable goals I could track. Although I didn’t cross everything off my list, the long-term goals were accomplished, including reading at least 12 books, running in a 5k and knitting at least 52 projects..

• Take digital photos of all the valuable in each room for insurance purposes. This is mostly done.
• Create a “best of 2008″ tally. Whoops, forgot to do this altogether.
• Restack tupperware and sort through items. Completed 01/14/2009.
• Work up to running three times a week. After getting sick in the spring, I got a little off task with this one.
• Pay off bills completely. I’m still working on some of my bills, but a good deal of them are taken care of, including my car payment. Yay!
• Read 12 books from my bookshelf. Completed 10/23/2009.
  
• Run a 5k. Completed 9/26/2009.
• Create an emergency slush fund of four months of expenses. With all my bills, this didn’t happen either but there’s always this year.
• Participate in Stash Knit Down 2009’s 52 projects by December 31, 2009. Completed 12/21/2009.

resolutions for 2010

Just like last year, I will be challenging myself with a few resolutions.

books of 2010. This year I’m upping the ante to 17 books for 2010. This gives me about three weeks per book, which is generally how quickly I can get through a novel if I stay focused. Because I read 14 books last year, three more shouldn’t be unattainable.

stash knit down 2010. For my knitting challenge, I am still striving to reduce my stash but instead of targeting 52 projects, I’m doing something different. Again I don’t want to add to my stash, so I will remain on my yarn diet unless it is necessary for a particular project I need to make as a gift.

The first part of my goal will be to tackle my hibernating WIPs. I have three: Flower Back Sweater, Icarus Shawl and Amigurumi doll. I also have three active projects on the needles: dishcloths, My So-Called Scarf and the Stash Afghan (which is excluded from this challenge). Once these are all finished, I will go through my stash and work on knitting up the skeins I have bought for various projects.

fitness. Workout regularly at least three times a week. An ongoing goal, but this year I’d really like to get back into this. Again, I’ll sign up for 5ks. This year, I’d like to at least do two.

financial. Finish paying off my bills and begin aggressively saving. One goal here is to save up enough money to go to Europe.

explore more of chicago. I’ve lived in the city for about three years and feel like I haven’t really seen it. This year, I want to explore a neighborhood a month. So 12 neighborhoods in the year. I have a few books to use as a reference and I’ll document my explorations.

Here’s to a happy and successful 2010!