Random thoughts while on a crowded bus...

"There are many open seats...do you HAVE to sit by me?"
"Can you not read the sign or hear the announcer? Keep all bags off of the seats to make room for all of those people standing."
"The Moody Church!?! Even if I DID go to church I am not sure I would choose to go to one called The Moody Church!"
"How could you sleep on a loud and bumby bus?"
"I can't believe I forgot to charge Unya (ipod) before I went Christmas shopping"
"Is it rude to get up and move to the open bench at the next stop? For real, why did they have to sit RIGHT by me?"
"What else do I need to get for Christmas? I think everyone is done...well, except for buying for myself!"
"Oh great! 2 screaming kids! How many more stops do I have? Curses to you Unya"
"Did that girl just get on the bus to ride it one block and then get back off? I thought I was lazy!"
"There is no way that guy is really sleeping!"
"My stop. Thank God!"

Well read?

I tend to think of myself as a some one who is well read. With that being said, I know there are books and authors that I shy away from. I have heard more times then I can count that there are certain books I should read. I am not sure why I don't read those books; actually, I am sure that I would enjoy them if I just sat down long enough to give them a chance. Am I intimidated by them? I don't think so, but it could be a possibility. I just need something to motivate me to read them.....

Then motivation strikes in the form of a reading challenge. I never say no to a challenge. Hopefully, this challenge will help me get through at least twelve of the books I have been meaning to read. Kristen is also doing this challenge and we both encourage others to join in. If not for the whole year, at least challenge yourself to read a book or two that you have been putting off.

Here is my tentative list. It is not set in stone so if others have books that you think should be added please let me know what they are and why they should be.

January: I Know This Much to be True: Wally Lamb
February: A Tale of Two Cities:
March: Cat's Eye: Margaret Atwood*
April: Love: Toni Morrison
May: Other Voices, Other Rooms: Truman Capote*
June: Gone With the Wind: Margaret Mitchell
July: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter: Carson McCullers
August: Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austin
September: For Whom the Bell Tolls: Ernest Hemingway
October: The Human Stain: Phillip Roth*
November: Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte
December: The Grapes of Wrath: John Steinbeck *