The Final List for 2005

I am still savoring Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel by Jane Smiley. Here are the books I have finished this year.

1. The Corrections (completed)
2. The Bad Beginning (completed)
3. Rules of Engagement
4. The Last Gift of Time (completed)
5. The Reptile Room
6. The Logic of Wings
February
7. Above the Thunder (completed)
8. Snap
9. Snow Angels
10. The Secret of Roan Inish
11. The Night Country
12. The Celery Stalks at Midnight
13. The Hours
March
14. The Rise of the Graphic Novel
15. We Have Always Lived in a Castle
16. A Prayer for the Dying
17. Reading Lolita in Tehran
18. Because of Winn-Dixie
19. The Speed Queen
April
20. The Tiger Rising
21. Atonement
22. In Fond Remembrance of Me
May
23. Mother of Sorrows
24. Wonder When You’ll Miss Me
25. Blankets
26. Middlesex
27. Confessions of a Teen Sleuth
June
28. The History of Love
29. Embroideries
30. Blackbird House
31. Don’t Kiss Them Goodbye
32. The Last Days of Summer
33. Prey
34. A Year and a Day
July
35. The Lake, the River, and the Other Lake
36. Second Glance
August
37. The Dream of Water
38. Freakonomics
39. Shadow Baby
40. About a Boy
41. My Sister’s Keeper
September
42. Kite Runner
43. A Stir of Echoes
44. The Ice Queen
October
45. I Am Legend
46. The Bright Forever
47. Sideways
48. Judy Moody Predicts the Future
49. Judy Moody Gets Famous
50. The Pilot’s Wife
51. Stink the Incredible Shrinking Kid
52. Judy Moody Saves the World
53. All Rivers Lead to the Sea
November
54. Judy Moody MD
55. Beet Queen
December
56. Judy Moody Declares Independence
57. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
58. Spook

This list does not feature all the children's books I read this year. That would be quite a list. Today alone we read Scaredy Cat and The Gardener, both which I would recommend. I am now working on Rabbit, Run by John Updike, which is the book club pick for January.

And yes, Andrew is write. If I devoted this much time to my novel, I would be done by now.

Top Ten Books of 2005

This is a little premature as I have several books going at once.

1. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
2. The Night Country by Stewart O'Nan
3. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
4. Atonement by Ian McEwan
5. Middlesex
6. Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi (graphic novel)
7. Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman
8. The Lake, the River, and the Other Lake
9. About a Boy by Nick Hornsby
10. The Judy Moody series (Garrett and I have gone through the entire series this fall. We are savoring that last chapters of Judy Moody Declares Independence. Soon we will have to wait for the next book.)

More Books

Still reading






Just finished

On Rejection

"Living well is not the best revenge, writing well is."
--Bob Shacochis from The Resilient Writer

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy came by our house on Monday night as Claudia lost her first tooth. It was a pretty tiny tooth and we were afraid of losing it. Good thing Aunt Jennifer gave us those silver boxes to put the teeth in. The fairy was able to find the tooth and Claudia got a dollar. Two more teeth are loose so she should make some money off of this enterprise.

Don't Name Your Mealworms

The newest member of the household looks something like this. S/he still doesn't have a name but is a Baby Leopard Gecko. Garrett's fish Dragonfish was the latest casualty. We wanted to replace him with a lizard. We ended up with a desert lizard that needs 80 degree temperatures. We are going to get him/her a sweater.

In his usual zeal, Garrett also named some of the mealworms that were purchased for the gecko. The mealworm Jon was eaten last night.

Garrett starts karate today with one of his good friends. As his father said: "Oh, good, let's see who gets the first bloody nose." We are planning on discouraging kicking outside of the dojo.

Making Merry

There were too many people--big people, little people--in too small a space. There were pregnant women in corduroy, little girls in tights and patent leather shoes, and Girl Scouts wearing Santa hats everywhere I turned. Each of the parents seemed to pushing a stroller, wielding a video camera, or both. You couldn't bend over to pick up your daughter's paper antlers without having to apologize to someone. And I thought this--Breakfast with Santa--was a brilliant alternative to holiday madness at the mall.

The previous year, after waiting in line for an hour and half at the Dulles Town Center, I got a very expensive picture of my near-hysterical son on Santa's lap. His bottom lip was quivering so fast that I am still surprised that it was in focus. Halfway through our wait my daughter began logrolling across the floor in all her Christmas finery. It was time for a new plan. I figured at Breakfast with Santa two-year-old Garrett and three-year-old Claudia would have a chance to sit in the same room with Santa, become comfortable with his jolly presence, then naturally gravitate toward him to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. This was my slightly deluded reasoning.

I shouldn't complain really. I did have my own elf. She was a charming Girl Scout of about 10 or 11. I think her name was Lauren, but it was difficult to catch everything she said over the cacophony of Christmas carols and crying babies. She expertly put name tags on my children, showed them to their chairs, and then went to get them the waffles they were having for breakfast as I was juggling their coats, my purse, a diaper bag, and the camera.

I tried to get photos of my kids at this jolly little breakfast, but in the few photos I took, they are awash with misery. In the 40 seconds it took me to slowly pick my way to the other side of the table, they had decided that I was leaving without them. In one photo Garrett is holding his arms out to me; Claudia looks like an orphan.

The Girl Scouts did outdo themselves. There were juice boxes, crayons, and a plastic Christmas mug full of goodies, but both children refused to wear their paper antlers and Lauren the elf looked a little crestfallen. She perked up when Santa arrived, and it was time to escort us up to see him. She even took it in stride in when Garrett wrapped his arms and legs around my left leg and buried his face in my jeans.

"You know, I don't think he wants to sit on Santa's lap," she whispered to me.
I whispered back: “Maybe next year.”

My reward? A photo of a very somber Claudia sitting on Santa's lap. Santa's beard had become detached and is drooping on the right side; Claudia looks like she has been subpoenaed to appear.

My son wasn't the only child who refused to sit with Santa. There was a great deal of crying going on and a fair number of mothers sat on Santa's lap themselves to quiet their kids. Still, if no one gets hurt, we don't have to change our clothes, and we have a picture to show for the trouble, it was a successful trip. Even so I think all three of us were genuinely relieved when we finally made it to the parking lot.

I feel an obligation to make merry. I want them to have good memories of holidays. So far even the mall photo with Santa has been worth something. It has already turned into one of our Christmas stories. Because of their ages, the kids will remember nothing of these holiday follies, except what images they conjure from hearing the stories and seeing the images. But those are the things that will endure.

Thought for Today

It is easier to read a book than to write one.

In Case You Were Wondering...

Charlotte, the spider is Charlotte's Web, does not die...she runs out of string. This is the world according to Garrett. I think she says she is out of strength, but if it makes Garrett happy...

49

49. The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve

I think this is my last Shreve book. I'm not pretty enough or delicate enough to read about these women.

48

48. Judy Moody Predicts the Future

We really liked this one. We are going to read more Judy Moody. Right now we are reading Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly School Bus.

Always a Bridesmaid

I got my November/December issue of Poets & Writers yesterday and found yet another classmate with a book forthcoming. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Part of me thinks it is a good thing because if I know people coming out with books then I must really be a writer, a real writer, not a pretend writer. I know the distinction is probably lost on most nonwriters, but I believe there is one.

I write. Every day. It is a big part of my job. And my writing does get published. Every day. But it isn't the same. There is still a huge difference between me and say Susan Orlean. She writes for The New Yorker. I write for Mason Spirit magazine. Now Susan could write for the Mason Spirit. In fact, if she was willing, I would be delighted (but couldn't afford her). Could I write for The New Yorker? Probably not. I'm still trying to conquer less competitive magazines like Brain, Child, and there the competition (100 essays submitted for every 1 published) is still fierce. That's the distinction.

Now the bad part. When I bought home the last novel published my someone I went to grad school with, my husband asked: "What does he have that you don't have?" I turned the question around: "It is actually, What do I have that he doesn't have?" The answer is kids. Well, Art remains firm: the kids are staying so I need to find another solution. That's the kicker with this last publication. She has kids: three of them, I believe. Now what do I have that she doesn't have? The answer: a job.

Of the women I started So To Speak with, two have books (and children), one has an agent and a manuscript in New York (but no children), and one is writing this blog. No book, no manuscript making the rounds in New York, but Mason Spirit with its circulation of 42,000. Which by the way hit "newsstands" on Friday.

Mount Baldy, Alaska

My nephew Mark on Mount Baldy.
(Yes, he is a dog, but a cute one.)

Another One

47. Sideways by Rex Pickett

My favorite author, Alison McGhee, had a new book released last week. It is called All Rivers Flow to the Sea and is a young adult novel. I ran out to get it at Borders this weekend, using my educator's discount, mind you.

I also bought Zainab Salbi's Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tryanny: Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam. Zainab went to Mason and we have featured her a number of times in our alumni publication. She started Women for Women International while still a student at Mason.

Another One

46. The Bright Forever by Lee Martin

My 2005 Reading List

1. The Corrections (completed)
2. The Bad Beginning (completed) by Lemony Snicket
3. Rules of Engagement by Kathryn Caskie
4. The Last Gift of Time (completed)
5. The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
6. The Logic of Wings by Vanessa Haley
February
7. Above the Thunder (completed)by Renee Manfredi
8. Snap by Alison McGhee
9. Snow Angels by Stewart O'Nan
10. The Secret of Roan Inish
11. The Night Country by Stewart O'Nan
12. The Celery Stalks at Midnight
13. The Hours by Michael Cunningham
March
14. The Rise of the Graphic Novel
15. We Have Always Lived in a Castle by Shirley Jackson
16. A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan
17. Reading Lolita in Tehran
18. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
19. The Speed Queen by Stewart O'Nan
April
20. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo
21. Atonement by Ian McEwan
22. In Fond Remembrance of Me by Howard Norman
May
23. Mother of Sorrows by Richard McCann
24. Wonder When You’ll Miss Me by Amanda Davis
25. Blankets by Craig Thompson (graphic novel)
26. Middlesex
27. Confessions of a Teen Sleuth
June
28. The History of Love
29. Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi (graphic novel)
30. Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman
31. Don’t Kiss Them Goodbye by Alison DuBois
32. The Last Days of Summer
33. Prey by Michael Creighton
34. A Year and a Day
July
35. The Lake, the River, and the Other Lake
36. Second Glance
August
37. The Dream of Water by Kyoko Mori
38. Freakonomics
39. Shadow Baby by Alison McGhee
40. About a Boy by Nick Hornsby
41. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
September
42. Kite Runner
43. A Stir of Echoes by Richard Matheson
44. The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman
October
45. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

If it says completed, it seems I only finished it this year. I have an insane number of books that I start but don't finish right away. Right now I am reading Shizuko's Daughter, Crow Lake, The Turtle Warrior, The Pilot's Wife, and Sideways. Hard to say how it is going to go...

She's a Maimer, Not a Killer

Alice/Muffin/Kitty has developed a penchant for mousies, little tiny ones that she finds in the woods. Garrett is opposed to this...vehemently opposed. He says, "One more mouse and that's it."

That Time Again

Greetings from Anchorage, Alaska

Noreen and Phil

In the Routine

Now that we are in the first month of school it looks like we have our routine down. Some mornings Garrett waits for the bus with Claudia; other days he does not. Claudia now know what days she has PE so we don't wear a skirt or boots although she has run two laps in one of her skirts before.

She also reports that she is faster than the other kids in class and sometimes this one boy tries to keep her from lapping him. She runs around him anyway.

We had Cheddar this weekend, the class's guinea pig. Alice/Muffin/Kitty was quite intrigued by him. She has begun hunting so he was even more fascinating.

Pat & Me

I'm always so happy when Fall for the Book rolls around. I had too much fun this past week. The best part: I got to meet Pat Conroy, author of The Great Santini and The Prince of Tides, before he accepted the Fall for the Book award on Wednesday night. He was so nice and a great storyteller. I believe the "talk" (he mainly told stories for an hour on stage) will be shown on C-SPAN at some future time. Stay tuned.

Garrett's Big Fishing Day

Garrett went fishing with his friend William this weekend and caught a bass. It was a little bass, which we threw back, but he reeled it in all by himself. William's mom has been fishing since she was 5 so she really helped Garrett get his technique down. They were fishing with night crawlers at Lake Royal.

Exciting Times

This weekend was quite hectic and scary. We started the weekend in the emergency room of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital after Claudia fell off of a swing after school and got a wood chip stuck in her cheek. The hole is pretty small and she still looks beautiful. It took several hours to get her checked out though. And of course, it was pizza and movie night. I don't think Art has ordered a pizza since the late 1990s so he was a little at a loss. We finally got it resolved (can you believe he doesn't know Domino's number by heart?!) and pizza was delivered to Garrett's great relief.

On Saturday we went to a friend's 40th birthday party--with a 1940s theme. After much stressing out about what to wear and how to fix your hair (that was me, not Art), then we got to stress about the jitterbug class they had a the start of the party. The birthday girl made no secret of the fact that she expected to dance the night away--and not alone. To ply us she brought a case of champagne and other goodies. We actually had a very good time although my feet were starting to hurt from all the dancing. Art has concluded that it is best to not have too many Irish girls in one room (he called them 'eens), especially when the bartender wanders away from his post. And for the record, that was Kathleen with the champagne bottles, not me.
--Colleen

I Survived the First Week of School

The first week of school has ended and everyone survived. We never missed the bus; Claudia even began going to bed early. We have some forms to still fill out but it isn't a bad as we were expecting. Claudia has already asked if she can wear her boots on Monday. We will have to wait and see.

All Colleen, All the Time

Since you can't read my novel, you can read my nonfiction almost daily on the Mason homepage at www.gmu.edu. The main feature there doesn't carry my byline, but it does if you click through. I just finished my story on Fall for the Book and I am working on one about Hurrican Katrina.

Yes, Let's!

My team gave me this this morning. I think it is perfect.

Another Year Passes

So is anyone upset that they are another year older and still haven't won a Pulitzer Prize. Nah. At least not today.

Methinks It Is a Dragon

Garrett survived his first day in the Kingdom of Kindergarten. There are Jesters, Knights, and Dragons. Garrett is a dragon.

In his own words: "I didn't talk much. I was too tired."

Breaking News

September, 6, 2005, Fairfax, VA, 10:12 a.m.---Reports that Claudia Rich made it safely off the bus and into Room 105 have been confirmed. A unnamed source close to the Rich camp has said that she "looked lovely." Paparazzi were also on hand so photos of the breaking news will be posted as they become available. Additional sources report that first-grade teacher Mrs. Monas began class promptly at 8:20 despite the hoard of onlookers. "She didn't give us a shove, but we got the message," said one bystander and the group began to disperse.

Last Day at the Pool

We went to the pool every day this weekend. One of those days was for Garrett's best friend's birthday party. We also went to see the Nationals on Saturday night. The kids were less than thrilled.

Garrett's take: We sat on our butts for a really really long time. It was boring.

The Nationals finally beat the Phillies at the bottom of the 12th inning. We were on 66 by then.

These Boots Are Made for Walking

Back to School Fashion Show

Claudia in her new outfit

Enough of that Meowing

Garrett has begun a plea for a dog. This morning he told me:

"I'm really tired of all the meowing around here. What we need is some woofing.

Alas, Alice/Muffin/Kitty is old news. She did kiss him today, which is kind of dog like and made him happy.

Claudia is concentrating on Back to School shopping. She won't take off her new boots. Photo is coming...

Watching That Mailbox

Andrew took his state EMT exam right before he left for Virginia Tech. He is anxiously waiting for the results. He IMs/calls me about it at least once a day.

Thought for the Day

I got this in an email today.

"Art is not, by definition, a sure thing. Buying real estate in certain neighborhoods is a sure thing. Being a certain kind of lawyer is a sure thing. Making art is making a conscious commitment to uncertainty, to risk, to unpredictability."
From “The Uses of Doubt” by Stacey D'Erasmo

Time to Face the Music

As another birthday looms, people keep telling me I am not middle aged. According to Terri Hatcher, 40 is the new 30. Maybe for her. I think everyone just can't face it that they are old.

Are They Having Fun Yet?

Hmmmm. Hard to say. Art took this picture one of our last days at the Banks.

The Gang

Here is our little gang at the pool. This was Friday night. The only one missing was Ethan. It is pretty stinkin' hot here. We went again on Saturday. This time we took some of the Salinskys with us. We will probably go again today.

We started our back to school shopping with the purchase of back packs. Garrett got a Spiderman back pack. Claudia's features Lil Bratz. No surprises there. Now we have to concentrate on school supplies and clothes.

Claudia's open house is on Sept. 1. We are still waiting to hear who her teacher is.

See This Movie

For me the greatest compliment for a book or film is "I wish it was mine." I wish I was this good of a writer. I wish I had this woman's vision. Shona Auerbach is a first-time director. Watch this movie tonight. You won't be sorry.

If I only had a maid...

I've discovered from polling my peers that I am the only working mom without a cleaning lady. Why should I clean my own toilets? One wm said, "I think that might be grounds for divorce."

Diving Diva

I got pretty far writing this post and then Garrett touched the mouse. I have no idea where it went.

We had a hectic weekend with a birthday party and our one bathroom situation. Claudia is quite happy showering in the master bath. We may have to kick her out when the leak is fixed.

Claudia began diving on her own this weekend. She said she just figured it out. She and her friends at the pool birthday really put those diving boards to use.

On the Garrett side, he had a huge fight with his best friend and there was a great deal of drama. Although Garrett swore they could never be friends again, they worked it out in roughly 20 minutes.

And if people thought Garrett was overreacting, they should have seen Arthur Sunday night when he couldn't get his stereo to work. NOT pleasant. Turns out someone hit the mute button (who knew stereos had mute buttons!). Who knows who did that. Could it be the boy who touched my mouse. Hmmmmm. He does regularly scale the entertainment center for well... entertainment.

Then Arthur accidently let Alice/Kitty/Muffin out. I suggested he call it a night at that point. She had a grand night out (I saw her briefly harassing toads on the driveway in the dark) and returned this morning. That's more than Andrew did.

We're Back!!!!

The family is slowly recovering from their depression at being home (except Colleen, she was delighted to be home). We were met with a leak in the kitchen that Andrew prepared us for (kind of). We now have a huge hole in the ceiling and a bucket. I am already looking at paint colors! Art says not to get my hopes up--repainting is definitely a winter job. I'm thinking about a melon color.

We are now trying to gently move our minds toward school. Andrew is due back on the 16th. Time sure does fly.

Isn't She Lovely? Beach Tour--Day 7

Well, this is it. We woke to rain and thunder. How nice! So instead of hitting the beach, we headed down to Hatteras to see the lighthouse. It had cleared up by the time we got down there. It was 90 degrees in the lighthouse. Then we ate lunch and shopped, finally hitting the beach sometime after 4. It never really cleared up here, but was pleasant enough. Now it is time to start packing. We need to be out by 10 a.m. tomorrow!

Feeling Crabby? Beach Tour--Day 6

Here's a sand crab the kids have been digging for. It is a lot cooler today and not as hazy. Perfect day for the beach if you like the beach. Andrew told me earlier this week that I am not "beach people." And he is right. Enough of this beach stuff. There is so much to do here beside go to the beach.

Today Garrett went fishing for the first time with the fishing pole he got for his birthday. He went down to Bob's Bait and Tackle in Duck. Bob suggested fishing with shrimp at the Southern Shores Marina. It worked out just fine. Garrett "caught" two little crabs. One of the boys there crabbing tried to help Garrett land the one crab but Garrett pulled it in too quickly. Garrett keeps correcting me that he didn't catch the crab--he just fed it some shrimp.

Back to the Beach--Day 4

Sometimes you just have to go shopping. Which is what we did today. This is the "toy" Garrett chose. A robot claw. It has come in quite handy. We are about to get a storm so I will keep this short. The kids also got hats and t-shirts. And of course we bought a new shell for Hermie the hermit crab. Hopefully he will like this one since he has rejected the other two we've given him.

We also had a surprise visit from Art's parents who are down looking for a house for Thanksgiving. And now of course a storm...

Got Shark Teeth?

Back to the Beach--Day 3

Here's the gang. It is incredibly hot today. The heat index was 102 when we hit the beach at 11. Andrew had to go :-(. That's what happens when you have a job. He took the rest of the crabs :-(, but there is still shrimp.

Beach Tour--Day 2

Claudia and Colleen are supposed to be sharing the chocolate cake dessert. Claudia is hogging it. Andrew turned 20. We celebrated his birthday last night with cake and presents. Today we had crabs and shrimp. Everyone misses our little cat (Alice/Muffin/Kitty).

One Problem Per Day, Please

Bad to the Bone Beach Tour--Day 1

It took us 8 hours to get here. It took 2 hours just to get to Fredericksburg. I hate Northern Virginia. Garrett already broke a clock. We replaced it this morning. Garrett likes the water much better this year. Claudia and Garrett already made friends with the kids next door who are 6 and 4. Claudia and the girl have the very same bathing suit.

Recent and Recommended

I just finished this book this weekend. Dan Chaon's collection of short stories is wonderful. A little dark, but very original. I am currently reading Steve Amick's The Lake, the River, and the Other Lake. It is also quite a book and he makes it look so easy. 

Sunday Bloody Sunday

No blood here. Just bloody is the very best British way. We are on our fifth or sixth day of thunder, which is keeping us away from the beloved pool. We got to take Jorja to the pool on Friday for roughly 5 to 10 minutes. Then it rumbled and the pool was closed. The same thing happened on Saturday although Claudia and her friend Colleen got good and wet for a half hour or more before... rumble... then they closed the pool. Bloody weather.

In the hour and half that we got to go to the pool Saturday eve, Claudia passed her swim test--and jumped off the diving board FIVE TIMES! Garrett has decided to become a scuba diver and is anxiously sitting with his bathing suit on, holding his snorkel, waiting for the latest thunder delay.

While waiting for the summer to clear, Claudia got her hair cut. We think it looks lovely. She isn't so sure.

Now it is raining. Lovely. Brilliant. Bloody weather.

Garrett and Jorja

Claudia

The Sweetest Little Girl

Last Friday we enjoyed a surprise visit from Cousin Jorja. Garrett, photographer extraordinaire, really likes Jorja so he was especially excited to be able to photograph her. Of course, he shot about 5 photos a sec so she didn't get to move around much. And of course they are special photos. Isn't she a doll?

Did You Miss Me?

The laptop has arrived, but it is slow going. I am still in the process of getting all the software I need on the machine. Now I'm trying to figure out how to load images.

Greetings from Alaska

Here are my nieces Paulina and Amy, with Paulina's boyfriend Sam. 

Claudia in the pool 

Jorja with flag 

We learned something about our little camera. Do not take low rez photos. They are REALLY low rez. 

Psychic Readings--Really Cheap

As I predicted earlier this week, Claudia moved up in the swim classes. Today she is swimming from side to side and even made a friend. Garrett got his hair wet (yeah!) and even swam underwater to retrieve a red Starburst fruit chew.

As my predictions are quite accurate, I am not offering my services as a psychic. For $30 I will tell you what I think for 30 minutes. Is that a deal or what?

Not a successful day of shooting, but you can see both kids and their friend Jason (center) in this photo. 

Yes, he got in the pool, but he still didn't get his hair wet. As I expected, Claudia will be moving to the next (and last) level tomorrow 

pensive kitty. Alice is an indoor kitty, which appears to go against her wild West Virginia ways. She frequently can be found at either sliding glass door psychically hunting the cardinals who monopolize the deck.  

glamour kitty. here Alice is posing for Garrett. It was a swiftly moving photo shoot. The photographer got a little ahead of himself--thus, the blurry photos.