a little of this, a little of that

Dewey's Read-a-thon:

I know I'm not alone in feeling this big old tangled up ball of emotions right now. In fact, Chris just posted about this very thing. Missing Dewey fiercely. Aching over the empty place where she should be. And yet so full of love...love for Dewey, love for all the incredible friends who are feeling just the same as I am, love for books and reading and this wonderful celebration of it all that Dewey began as a gift to us. Chris used the word "bittersweet" and I think that says it perfectly.

I already posted a list of my read-a-thon pile books...but uhhh...I may have some additions. (You know, because the 20-some already on the pile might not be enough. Hahahahahahaha.) See, I went a little crazy at the library today. But I'll get to that later.

Now, as for food:

Feast your eyes on this...

Should I be in need for a little pick-me-up now then, I will look no further than this box of heaven. This enormous box of chocolate decadence was awaiting me on my doorstep when I arrived home from the library today!!! It arrived from this very sweet lady! I did some small thing to surprise her, both because she is just a genuinely lovely person and because she is a friend of the beautiful Pat. All I wanted was to put a smile on her face...but my goodness, look what she sent me. Should you read this, thank you again, Naomi! It was so very unnecessary, and yet is so very much appreciated.
Of course, I guess I can't live on chocolates alone (though I might willing to give it try!), so also in our line-up for the day will be: enormous fruit salad and a coffeecake for breakfast, subs for lunch, order-in pizza for supper, rotel dip and salsa and chips for late night snacking  (all made the night before, of course). And I will prepare a pile of healthy snacks for the boys that they can just grab at will, so I won't have to cut up apples, etc. throughout the day (they are major league grazers).

My coziest pjs are freshly laundered and ready to be donned after my morning shower.

My charity has been chosen. RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network). For a lot of reasons, this just seems to the organization calling loudest to me at the moment. Because of all the heartbreaking stories I've heard this past month. And maybe because of my own story. And well, I just know this is a choice that Dewey would fully support as well. (Thank you, Ana, for bringing this organization to my attention.) Haven't decided what sort of system to go with yet...flat amount, by page, by hour, etc.

*****
Going to be a somewhat book-ish night around here. Rich and Annie are off to see Lois Lowry. And the boys and I are off to the book fair and storytelling event. I probably shouldn't say this, but I think Rich got the luck of the draw this time. But I know the boys and will have fun. And Rich is going to try to get Gossamer signed for me. :D

*****
Library Loot:

Haven't "looted" in a while. Been trying desperately to concentrate on my own books. But this breakdown was inevitable. I've been dying to go out and buy a huge old pile of books...damn this book buying ban. So this is sort of my escape valve. I realize that this isn't a big pile for most people, but I feel so dang guilty for checking all these out when I know I can't possibly get them all read.

Sorry for the sucky picture...guess you can't really even read those titles, can you? Here's what in that pile:

Subject to Debate by Katha Pollitt*
The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara*
I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti*
Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan
Blankets by Craig Thompson*
Jar of Fools by Jason Lutes
Cry Bloody Murder: A Tale of Tainted Blood by Elaine DePrince
Berlin: City of Stones (Book One) by Jason Lutes

(Books with asterisks are subject to blame. See below.)

*****
 And finally, it's been a long time since I've passed out blame. Probably because I've really been quite good at not accumulating so many books. :D  This round is almost over (if I'm not mistaken, it lasts until the end of this month), so there will possibly be one more batch to hand out before a winner/pusher is announced.

Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff. Point for Megan! You know, if I'm not mistaken, this review was one of the very first posts of Megan's I ever read. :D (Book acquired through PaperbackSwap, which is allowed according to the terms of my book buying ban.)
High School Confidential: Secrets of an Undercover Student by Jeremy Iversen. Point for Kara! When she mentioned this book, I immediately added it to my wish list. She does not get off the hook simply because she was nice enough to send it to me. :D
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede. Point for DesLily! Though honestly, I'm tempted to give her four points, as this is technically four books in one! Here's the post that sealed my doom. (Also acquired through PaperbackSwap.)
Subject to Debate by Katha Pollitt. Care to guess? Yep, of course, it was Nymeth! Though technically it was not this particular book she reviewed. First there was this review and then today, there was this review. However, this was the only one of Pollitt's books that our library had on the shelf.
The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey by Ernesto Che Guevara. Point for Jason! I have to admit that I used to be extremely intimidated by Jason. And now that I found out he's just as sweet and down-to-earth as can be, I'm afraid my book accumulation problem is only going to get worse...he reads some awesome non-fiction books. (As far as his fiction reading, well, that pretty much still intimidates me.)
I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti. Point for Eva! Normally, it's she who is racking up non-fiction blame points, but this time it's a fiction read. 'Cause like I could resist after this review...yeah, right.
Blankets by Craig Thompson. Point for Dewey! And you know, I sort of love that I'm wrapping up with a point for her...because, geez, I just love how much she still influences the reading of so many of us. :) Yep, Chris, bittersweet, for sure.