Happy New Year's Eve!

In 2010, I read 51 books. This is slightly disappointing, but then it kinda makes sense. Back in January, I was a long term substitute math/ science teacher, and during that time I did not read at all. I was way to overwhelmed with what I was trying to do with the students that I didn't leave any time for myself. So here, today, I am proposing that as one of my New Year's resolutions, I want to read more than 51 books. If i do (hopefully) get a full time teaching job in September, I want to make sure that a few times a week, I make time to read a little bit.

This is the first year in a very long time that I am actually making a few resolutions. So other than making time to read no matter what, here are the others.

• Get healthier (I eat way to much junk food and I hate vegetables, so hopefully I can find a few I like and stick with it.)
• Write down at least one positive thing a day, either something good that happened or something positive about myself. (I tend to be very negative and I really want to work on thinking positively in the new year.)
• Write every day, either in my journal, on this blog (which has been helping and hopefully it will keep helping) or in my writing notebook. (who knows maybe I can write a book.)

So I really hope I can keep up with these, at least for a little while. I would also really love to hear all of your resolutions, if you have any. Happy New Year everyone!

In's and Out's

Ever since September I have been really into reading blogs and watching Youtube videos. I really enjoy Elle and Blair Fowler (Allthatglitters21 and Juicystar07 on Youtube) as well as a ton more. Even though I mostly talk about books on this blog, I would like to do other things as well and I really like how Elle does In's and Out's every once in awhile, and since it is the end of 2010, I figured I might as well try it.

In's:

My Ugg moccasins...I just got them for Christmas and they are sooo comfy. I have been scared to wear them out of the house, I don't want them to get ruined and I need to do the waterproof spray stuff that I stole from my sister.

My blog... I never thought I would be someone who wrote a blog. I am terribly shy and after being made fun of most of my life for enjoying things that people in my "age group" are not supposed to enjoy (Disney channel, the Jonas Brothers, basically anything little kiddish at this age and when I was younger, I was into adult mystery books) but anyway, I have been trying to change for the better and I really think this blog is helping me. It is a major stress reliever when I actually remember to blog, and I have recently been getting a few comments which have made me feel really good.

My lovely library...I don't know about other states or counties, but my library, at least until January and possibly longer (let's hope) will let you order a book and it will be sent from any other library in the county. I has saved me so much money this past year, except for when I return a book late of course, but still a dollar compared to $10, so much better. I still love my own personal library, but without a real full time job, I just can't afford to go buying books every time I walk into a bookstore.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice...I first saw this movie with the 8 year old boy I babysit, Tommy. He always gets jealous that I spend so much time over the summer with his 2 cousins (which is my job over the summer) so we had a Jen and Tommy day and I took him to see this movie  and we both loved it. I got this as a Christmas present as well, and forced my parents to watch it that night (can you tell how much of a little kid I still am?)

Secrets by OneRepublic...this is my favorite song this year. It was in the movie the Sorcerer's Apprentice which was where I first heard it and fell in love. I love the strings in it and every time I hear it, I just instantly get  happy.

Anna, Will, Tommy, Jenni and Sean...these are my 5 kids that I babysit/ are in my extended family. Each one of these kids has a trait of me in them even though we are not blood related. Anna got my craziness, Will got my temper, Tommy is stubborn, Jenni is a divi, and Sean loves food and is pretty easy going. This kids are my life. I think if I didn't have them I would be majorly depressed. They make me so happy, the love me no matter how crazy I can be, and they don't mind that I act like a kid. Actually they love that I act like a kid, it makes me more fun. And this is a quote straight from Anna's mouth to my keyboard "Jen, I like hanging out with you. You get me...and you make me laugh because your kinda crazy." Thanks to them, I have had a good year.

Out's:

Gluten...about a year and a half ago, I found out I had a gluten intolerance. For anyone that doesn't know, it means I cannot have wheat, rye, barley and some oats. Luckily for me I can have a little and survive, but it is uncomfortable. The reason that it's an out now is because I have been eating it all week. It started on Christmas and went downhill from there. So now it is out again, and I am going to try not to have gluten for a few months at least.

Snow...I usually don't mind snow, but last year our snow blower broke and for some odd reason my dad has yet to bring it to get fixed, so when the blizzard of 2010 hit it kinda sucked and I really don't want to have to shovel again for a very long time. I am still hurting (it was a semi good workout though)


So what are your in's and out's of December or 2010 in general?

Top Ten Tuesday: My Top Ten of 2010

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by the Broke and the Bookish. This weeks topic is Top Ten Books of 2010. I read a lot of series of books this year, so some of my books are in a series as well as the first of the series.

1. Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle... I loved each story on its own, and I loved how each story was connected in some way. It definitely helps put you in the holiday spirit.

2. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard...I loved the mystery to this book, trying to figure out what will happen and who was sending the notes. As well as who can see everything that is going on. I loved getting to know each character on their own and then as a group.

3. Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison...I love that this book was written as Georgia's diary. I loved reading about Georgia's escapades in trying to get Robbie to fall for her and I loved hearing about her crazy cat Angus.

4. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer...In my opinion it's the best book in the series. The suspense of what was going to happen kept me on edge. I ended up having crazy dreams about vampire and werewolves. I also loved seeing how the relationships between Bella and all the other characters evolved.

5. Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie...My favorite genre of books is mystery and that is what first made me pick up this book. But then Victoria Laurie made her main character a psychic, and she really did a great job describing what it would really be like being a psychic (I guess she would know since she is one). Victoria Laurie does a great job writing this book, it really keeps you entertained and her writing makes you want to know more.

6. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz...When I first started reading this book, I was so confused. I don't know what it was, but I had to write down my questions as they came to me because there were so many. I guess that is a good thing since I kept reading. I mean I needed to get my answers. The good part is I did get my answers, all of them. I really enjoyed learning about Schyler and going with her on this journey. I can't wait to get the next book to read, I need to know what will happen.

7. Jingle Boy by Kieran Scott...This book is one of my favorite holiday books. It's the second time I read it and I loved it more now than I did the first time I read it. Reading about Paul and what he is going through really makes you realize what Christmas actually is about. Kieran Scott did a great job writing this book and it's going to be a book that I pick up many more Christmas's to come.

8. Death Perception by Victoria Laurie...I did a review on this book back in November. I was a little slow reading it at first, but then one night, I just kept reading until the end. I was so into the book, I felt like I was there with Abby. I was shivering from the suspense and fear this book gave me. I actually think it might be the best book I have ever read (so far anyway). I have never gotten this reaction from a book, and I have been reading adult mysteries for over 14 years (yes I started young) I think if anyone picks a book off of this list to read in 2011, this should be the one.

9. Are These my Basoomas I see Before Me? by Louise Rennison...This is the last book of the Georgia Nicholson series, and I have to say, I loved the ending. I still want to know more though, and I am a little upset that there will not be any more stories. I have been reading and rereading these books for so many years, that I am really sad it's over. However, Louise Rennison made me laugh out loud, and I have to say, I shed a few tears. Happy tears, and sad tears. This whole series was amazing, and this particular book made the list because of how it ended. I wish I could tell you more, but I really don't want to give anything away.

10. Picture's of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff...I am surprised I haven't read this book earlier in my life. I know I have heard of it when I was younger, but it took me moving to Ct for college and in my last year meeting Patricia Reilly Giff for me to pick it up. I bought this book as well as another and while waiting for a book I ordered to come, i decided to read it. I really liked the fact that the book was written with two narratives, one being the present and the other being flashbacks. I think that it really helps us get to know Hollis and what she went through.

So now I need to know, what are your top ten in 2010? Let's make my to be read list longer (I love the help by the way.)

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas everyone! So in honor of this time of the year, well today, I decided to let you know of some great holiday books. There are only 3 that I have found that I truly love as of right now, but hopefully I will just find more as the years go on. So here it goes...

Let it Snow by John Green, Laura Myracle and Maureen Johnson. I loved this book, it has three stories, and somehow the stories intertwine with each other. I think that is why I really enjoyed it as much as I did. You would meet a character for a second and then in the next story you would find out more about them. I am pretty sure this is my favorite holiday book and reading it every year might even been a new tradition for myself.

Jingle Boy by Kieran Scott. This book came out in 2002, and I read it while I was in high school and loved it. I picked it up again this week and I think I liked it even more than the first time. It is about a guy named Paul who has always loved Christmas, and this year everything seems to be going wrong. He decides to get revenge on Christmas, and we with him on some crazy adventures that makes his holiday go from bad to worse. I really liked the setting of this book, it's one that I can really relate to, not just because the town that it is supposed to take place in is 20 minutes from where I live, but because it doesn't happen in some big city. I also think that the moral of the story is great. All in all, it is a great book whether you are 12 or 24, and I have a feeling that I will pick it up many more times.

Mistletoe by Hailey Abbot, Melissa de la Cruz, Aimee Friedman, and Nina Malkin. This book has four short stories and it was hard to pick a favorite out of the four. This was the first holiday book I picked up this season and with each story I had trouble putting it down. It really made me want to find more holiday books like it.

So, now I need to know, do any of you have a favorite holiday book that I should add to my list? I hope everyone had a great holiday.

Top Ten Tuesday: My Christmas List

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme by the Broke and the Bookish. This is my first Top Ten Tuesday post, since I love making lists, following lists, or anything with a list, as well as books, I figured it would be mighty fun.

So last year I asked for quite a few books and only received two, so this year I only asked for one thinking that someone will have to buy it for me, right? But I still have a wish list of books that I want, and Santa, if you are out there and can hear me, I would love these.

1. Naked Heat by Richard Castle...yes it is the book to the show Castle, I received Heat Wave last Christmas (yay) and it was pretty darn good, so when I saw the commercial for the sequel, it was a must for my Christmas list.

2. Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella...I own all the other Shopaholic books and have loved them from the start, I mean I know exactly what is it like to be a shopaholic, especially when it comes to books.

3. Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares...it's not out until June, so I have time to read 3 Willows which is the 5th book of the Sisterhood. I read the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants a few years ago, it feels like forever though, so now I can reread before this book comes out.

4, 5, and 6. You Just Can't Get Enough, Take a Chance on Me, and Love the One Your With by Cecily von Zeigesar...I own all of the Gossip Girl books, and I hate having so many and not keeping up with my collection.

7 and 8, Size 14 is Not Fat Either and Big Boned by Meg Cabot...I own Size 12 is Not Fat, however I haven't read it yet (hopefully in 2011?) but I really enjoy Meg Cabot's books, so I am sure I will love these.

9. the Lying Game by Sara Shepard...I loved the Pretty Little Liars series (both the book and the show) I cannot wait to read this book.

10. Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle...I borrowed this from the library and just finished this book a couple of hours ago, it is 3 short holiday stories that I think I need to read every year at Christmas time.

Let me know about your Christmas List (aka give me some more books to add to my To Be Read list) and I hope everyone has a great holiday.

Monday Movie Meme

I thought this might be fun since I love movies, not as much as books, but its pretty close. This meme was created by the Bumbles Blog, so here it goes...

This week's movie topic is all about Family Dynamics...

You're only as interesting as the family you come from. Many of us spend a lot of time hiding those "interesting" family moments! The movies are filled with dynamic families creating all sorts of food for thought and sources of laughter. Amy of The House of the Seven Tails suggested this topic to us. Here are some of our favorite families from film. Share on your blog the families the movies portray that struck a chord with you, linking back here at The Bumbles. And don't forget to visit your fellow participants!

so that is what is posted on the Bumbles Blog. So here are my favorite movie families (some of them are not traditional families, but some of the best families are traditional) 

• Susan, Peter, Lucy and Edmund from the Chronicles of Narnia
• the Family Stone
• Harry Potter, Ron and Hermoine (which is better than Harry's uncle, aunt and cousin of course)
• the family from the Christmas Story

And now some ramblings:

I was called last night but Jo, the lady who calls subs usually extremely early in the morning, and I am subbing for the next 9 days for Choir...when I went in today I got the best surprise, we are watching the Phantom of the Opera. It's quite exciting because I don't have to listen to the kids complain about doing work, since they aren't doing work. So lovely. Also, I started reading the Help which I was supposed to read in July for my "book club." BTW my book club was made by my mom'a bff's sister because she wasn't allowed to join the one in her neighborhood since she didn't live on the block, how rude is that?. Well anyways, has anyone read it?

In My Mailbox

IMM is a meme started by the Story Siren (http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox-1000) and is a list of recieved books over the past week. I got all of these books from my library.

Let it Snow Three Holiday Romances
Includes: the Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson
a Cheertastic Christmas Miracle by John Green
the Patron Saint of Pigs by Lauren Myracle

 Lust by Robin Wasserman

       Private by Kate Brian