Best of 2009

Best lessons I have learned:
**If you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect anyone to believe in you?
**Once you're in love, it's hard to not want to be with that person most of the time. And the person I found is no exception. Best man I've ever met who supports me, challenges me, and loves me every second of every day. And not so bad on the eyes either.
**Roller derby is awesome, but I'm a singer at heart.
**Knee injuries suck and continue to suck.
**When you have found something that makes you feel like a rockstar, pour your heart and soul into it, but don’t lose track of life in the meantime.
**People can be so cruel at times, but more often than not it has nothing to do with the person to whom they are inflicting their fury. It has more to do with their own situations. However, that doesn't really make it hurt less.
**I adore my animals, all five of them even though they are exhausting and so terribly irritating. But it makes it all worth it when we all cuddle up.
**There will never be enough time to read all the books I want to.
**While the delicate flower still exists, she is now sleeping under a couple layers of strength. She surfaces every once in a while but this year is proof for me that the old adage really is true: what doesn't break me down, makes me stronger.
**Big sisters make the best friends, confidantes, mentors and all around totally 100% awesome. Especially those with fantastic husbands who make the best brother-in-laws.
**It is scientifically proven that I have the best nieces in the universe. What proof do I have? Just the obvious!
**Having family nearby means everything to me.



Favorite books of 2009:


Not necessarily published this year, just some books I have read this year. It's really embarrassing how few books I've read this year. Of course, the series do count for between 8 and 10 books...but they're graphic novels so they're faster. I guess reading needs to be a priority for next year. Bolded titles are my all-time favorites.


Card, Orson Scott. Ender's games.

Collins, Suzanne. Catching fire.

Kirkman, Robert. The walking dead. (graphic novel series)

Raicht, Mike and Brian Smith. The stuff of legend. (graphic novel series)

Schmidt, Gary D. Trouble.

Shan, Darren. The dark calling. (Demonata series)

Smith, Jeff. Bone. (graphic novel series)

Vaughn, Brian K. Y: the last man. (graphic novel series)



What I am most looking forward to in 2010:


**Participating in the YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Committee. (i.e. ALA AND Mid-winter conferences for 2 years!!)

**Fixing up the house (painting, furniture, etc.)

**The next/last installment of The hunger games trilogy.

**Running the Indy half-marathon with Nadin, Jim and Roger (and the process of getting there).

**Going to Florida with Jim and his family.

**Going to North Carolina with Jim and my family.

**Increasing teen programming at the library.

**Overall continuation of awesome.

Best Books of 2008

In case you're interested, Library Journal published an article in its latest edition of the best books of 2008. (these are mostly adult fiction and non-fiction)

School Library Journal also posted the best children's and teen books of 2008. I have so much to read it's overwhelming. :)

Not to mention the best graphic novels of 2008 also from School Library Journal.

Sigh.