I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I enjoyed time with friends and family. I always have a hard time waiting for Christmas because I want my family to open the gifts that I bought them. The anticipation of watching them open gifts drives me crazy. I badgered my husband so much that he finally relented and opened a couple presents before Christmas morning. Of course, he made me open one for every one that he opened. We'll be married 22 years in May, and it is starting to show. We are beginning to think alike. We both bought each other a CD. We both bought each other books. The funniest thing is the big gift that we got each other. He got a Harley Davidson motorcycle back in August. He's been wanting a HD leather jacket, but they're very expensive. So, I started looking around and found one on eBay for less than $200 with free shipping/handling. It was new with the tags. So, of course I ordered it for him and couldn't wait for him to open it. Little did I know, but he had done the same thing. He ordered the exact same coat (except mine is a woman's) for me. Both of our boys knew what we had gotten each other and couldn't wait to see us open our gifts. It was pretty funny. The boys got me a beautiful piece of pottery and a digital picture frame. Of course, the best part was all being together -- happy and healthy. I'm looking forward to a great 2009! I wish everyone the same thing.
In case you're curious, the books that I received for Christmas are:
If on a winter's night a traveler by Italo Calvino
Serena by Ron Rash
Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman
The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
I've started If on a winter's night a traveler. I really don't know what to expect from this one. It sounds so very strange. However, there is a really nice introduction that has helped somewhat. I love the idea of this book, and I hope I'll actually enjoy reading it, as well.
I finished Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier and really enjoyed it. I"ll be posting a short review soon. I also hope to catch up on my blog reading over the next couple of days. Right now, I'm off to clean out a couple of closets.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
I am glad you had a nice holiday, Lisa! I have a hard time waiting for Christmas too. :-) It's fun to find out what everyone thinks of their gifts.
What a neat coincidence that you and your husband think so much alike when it comes to gifts! The jacket exchange is just awesome!
Have a Happy New Year!
I'm glad you had such a nice Christmas, Lisa. That's so funny about the coats! And that's a great book haul!
I love the idea of If On a Winter's Night a Traveler too, but unfortunately I didn't feel the same way about the book itself :P I should give it another try someday, though. Who knows.
Girl With the Pearl Earring is one of my all-time favourites. I look forward to your review.
I'm glad you had a great holiay! I bet that was great watching you and your husband open your gifts. I loved Blackbird House, so I'm especially excited about your thoughts on that one.
literary feline, Happy New Year!
nymeth, I think Girl with a Pearl Earring will be one of my top picks for this year. I loved it. I'll let you know how I do with the Calvino.
andi, I've really liked the Alice Hoffman that I've read. So, I was pretty excited about this one.
I love your story about the gifts you and your husband exchanged! I hope my husband and I are like that in 20 years :-)
I read The Gravedigger's Daughter and enjoyed it. It's in 3 parts and the first one kind of dragged for me, but in the end I was glad that I stuck it out! I hope you like it too. I want to start reading some of Hoffman's books. Do you have a recommendation on a good one to start with?
That's great about your gifts! Sounds like a wonderful Christmas. I'm still recovering from mine too. I love my family and miss them but at the same time now I crave a bit of "me" time :)
Can't wait to read your review of Girl With a Pearl Earring. I love that book.
Happy '09!
andrea, thanks for the tip about the Oates book. I haven't had much experience with her, yet. I usually don't stick with a book if I don't love it after about 50 pages. So, I'll know to stick with this one a little longer if it starts slow. Practical Magic is probably one of Hoffman's more famous books.
iliana, I know what you mean about "me" time. I'm craving a little of that myself. I can't believe that the holidays are almost over. I start back to work on Jan. 5. Although, the way things are going I know I should be happy to have a job. :)
That's a great story about your Christmas gifts to each other! Very sweet :)
I always get in an cleaning up and organizing mood around the new year. That's what I've been doing today (instead of reading!)
Happy New Year :)
What a great story! After 22 years, you really do know each other (we recently celebrated 23).
Happy New Year!
Hilarious Christmas experience!! happy New Year Lisa!
Becca, unfortunately my cleaning mood didn't last long. I managed two closets before the mood passed. Oh well, that's better than nothing, I guess.
Joann, It's kind of scary, huh?
Heather, Happy New Year.
I know what you mean about thinking alike as we'll also have been married for 22 years in May! (what date are you? we're the 23rd.)
I enjoyed Blackbird House very much, and have had the Calvino on my pile for ages as my husband speaks so highly of it. Gilead is another I'd like to read soon.
Happy New Year!
cornflower, actually our anniversary is May 23! The Calvino is slow going but I'm enjoying it. I can't wait to get to Blackbird House. Happy New Year! And, I like your new blog!
Happy new year and a happy year of reading in 2009!
ex libris, thanks! Happy New Year to you, as well!
Post a Comment