Bookish and Non-Bookish Thoughts...

I just finished re-watching all of The Office on DVD and now I can't seem to get this song out of my head:

Dwight and company played it on the front porch of his house.  Have to admit that I wished they had played more Decemberists songs, but enjoyed their version of this song nonetheless.

I'm writing this post and realizing how long its been since I last wrote anything for my blog.  I suppose I've just  been so caught up in the holiday season and every day life, that I've let posting reviews fall to the wayside.  I definitely need to sort that out come the new year.  As for what I've been up to...

• All things holiday.  Shopping and wrapping gifts.  Baking yummy deliciousness to devour.  Listening to Christmas music whenever I can.  Watching holiday movies and loving it.  Writing out Christmas cards.  Planning Christmas lunch.  And so much more...fa la la la la.
• Reading.  Yes, I have been reading even though I haven't written about any of the books.  I read the latest Shopaholic book - Shopaholic to the Rescue.  I love the series and loved getting reunited with Becky and following her on the search for her dad and Tarkie.  I also read the newest book in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series - The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine.  Once again I was solving a case with Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi - loved it!!  I have to admit I will cry when this series ends.  Thanks to NetGalley, I read Dear Thing (talk about complicating a friendship with surrogacy) and The Doll's House (I'm a fan of these Helen Grace thrillers and can't seem to read them fast enough).  Oh, and I'm currently reading Emma, which has been slow-going for me.  I'm hoping it picks up the pace soon.  Classics are not my favorite genre, but I want to read more of them...so we will see how it pans out.
• My dreams have included books lately, which I love.  Lately, I seem to always be shopping in bookstores in my dreams.  Last night's book was one that hasn't come out, but that I requested on NetGalley called, Yuki Chan in Bronte Country.  This morning I found out that the publisher approved my request for it - hurrah!  The other night I was looking through Miriam Toews' books in my dream. I mentioned how I've only read All My Puny Sorrows (which was beyond great), which wasn't true.  In reality, I've read Irma Voth and Swing Low by her as well.  Anyhow, I do plan on reading the rest of her books, as she's become one of my favorite authors.  Still can't get over AMPS.  I have to admit that I always love it when books appear in my dreams - talk about inspiration for new reads.
• I read online that Murakami's old library checkouts were released.  Yep, we can now find out what he read when he was a teenager.  Some say its an invasion of privacy, while others declare it to be of public interest (considering who Murakami is).  What do you think?  I can see both sides, especially as a HUGE fan of his work.  So, I was actually excited to find out what he read.  Of course the information was limited and all we learned was that he read the French writer, Joseph Kessel. In the end, I'm not sure how interesting the library info was, but I also liked learning something new about one of my favorite writers.
• Culling closets and bookshelves.  Yep, its that time of year when I need to let go of the old and unworn and unread.  I have to be honest and admit that I hate letting go of things.  I really do.  But its time.  So, I'll be sorting through handbags, shoes and clothes this week.  As for my books, I'm going to be tough and impartial.  No more clinging to books.  I don't have the space to keep them all and someone else could be appreciating my unread books.  Fingers crossed I get it done.

And now, I'm off to bake some banana bread - yum!  Hope you have a Happy Monday!!