nightstand notes/ wanna view some reviews?

It's the end of the last month of the year, so that means one last time to take a peek at each other's reading lists care of 5 Minutes for Books' What's on Your Nightstand?  Link up with us to share what you've recently completed or what you're looking forward to reading in the new year.  Or maybe you want to mix it up and share some of your favorite reads from 2010, or highlight some of your reading goals for the new year.

I'm going the traditional route for this month's post, and I'm happy to say that last month's goal of five books by this point was almost met!  Four books were completed, but I'm only about 1/3 of the way through Dinaw Mengestu's How to Read the Air.  Maybe this week will bring me to the end of the book, if I can find enough time (and quiet!) to sit and do some reading.  For the next month, I hope to get to these books waiting on my shelf:

* The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley-- I'm looking forward to this novel about an elderly man who is given a second chance at clarity of the mind, although it comes at the price of a quickly pending death.  That sounds grim, yes, but I'm looking forward to a story that is unique and a bit out of my comfort zone when it comes to characters and setting.  We shall see.

* Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race by Jon Stewart-- What can I say?  I adore this man-- his humor, his intelligence, his ability to grasp the ridiculousness of the times and politics.  And he isn't too bad on the eyes, either, huh?  I loved the previous Daily Show book, America (The Book), so I'm thrilled to have received this in my stocking this year from my lovely hubby.  I know I'll be laughing away while reading this one!

* Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros-- Who needs a little reading that is hailed as light-hearted, tender, and funny with lightning-fast wit?  This girl!  I'm looking forward to this one as an escape... it's actually been a while since I've read some more contemporary women's fiction, so I'm hoping to get to this one very soon.

* Disaster Preparedness by Heather Havrilesky-- A memoir about growing up as the child of divorced parents in the 1970s, this one was sent to me by one of our publisher contacts who was certain I'd like it.  From the descriptions that I've read online, I'm thinking that this particular contact has a great understanding for my taste in books!

* How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One by Stanley Eugene Fish-- The heart of this book definitely appeals to me as a reader and wanna-be writer, and I hope to gain some understanding of the best ingredients that go into a beautiful sentence.  This one promises to be a fun, and hopefully useful, read!




That's what will be happening for my early 2011 reading.  How about you?  Link up with us over at 5M4B's What's on Your Nightstand?

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If you're so inclined, you can check out my reviews from the past few weeks:


* Cybils Nominees to Make Parents Smile-- Some picture books that are sure to make the parents reading them giggle!


* You'll Lose the Baby Weight (And Other Lies About Pregnancy and Childbirth)--  A funny guide to the joys that are pregnancy and early parenthood by blogger Dawn Meehan.


* Cybils Nominees for Snuggly Storytime-- More picture books, this time ones that are perfect for reading with your little ones curled up on your lap.


* Cybils Nominees for Older Picture Book Readers-- Three more complex and sophisticated picture books that are fabulous reads.


* Willow and the Snow Day Dance-- A happy picture book about community, friendship and the love of a good winter snow day!


* Children's Classics Award Winners- December-- I read an amazing nonfiction book that has won tons of awards, and rightfully so-- Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice.  


* I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas-- Lewis Black in all his ranty-goodness, with a touch of tenderness and self-reflection that I didn't expect.  


* Beyond the Pasta-- A fun foodie book/memoir, full of recipes and a wonderful perspective on a month spent in Italy.


* Blackboard Books-- Three little books focused on all those things we learned back in school, grammar tips and history facts, and math rules.  This one is a giveaway open until next week!




Happy to end the year with more love for books,