Happy Birthday, Tracy!

Oh, Amy

Just a note about Amy's "challenge" of bringing a typed list of three things we want to accomplish in the next three years . . .

ALL I CAN THINK OF IS STUFF THAT IMMEDIATELY TAGS IT AS "RAHNI" so now I'm torn between truth and striving to make it hard for people to guess. Truth should win out, I'm aware. :o)

Just a reminder what "Marissa Jones" chose:

1. Lose 100 pounds
2. Kiss a stranger
3. Change someone's life
4. Wear sexy shoes
5. Run a 5K
6. Dare to go braless
7. Make Buddy Fitch pay
8. Be the hottest girl at Oasis
9. Get on TV
10. Ride in a helicopter
11. Pitch an idea at work
12. Try boogie boarding
13. Eat ice cream in public
14. Go on a blind date
15. Take Mom and Grandma to see Wayne Newton
16. Get a massage
17. Throw away my bathroom scale
18. Watch a sunrise
19. Show my brother how grateful I am for him
20. Make a big donation to charity

The Classics

You know, when I'm asked to think of a short story, without fail, these 4 come to mind:

The Lottery (Shirley Jackson)
The Ones Who Walk Away From the Omelas (Ursula K. LeGuin)
All In a Summer Day (Ray Bradbury)
The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry)

The Next Thing On My List - Favorite Lines

After a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June Parker finds herself in possession of a list Marissa has written: “20 Things to Do by My 25th Birthday.” The tasks range from inspiring (run a 5K) to daring (go braless) to near-impossible (change someone’s life). To assuage her guilt, June races to achieve each goal herself before the deadline, learning more about her own life than she ever bargained for.

A reader's perspective (from bn.com) . . .

Conversation-starter by WriteWoman
Reader Rating: See Detailed Ratings
November 11, 2009: Had I not been looking for something a little different for my book club to read, I doubt that I would have ever picked this book up. While it definitely falls into the (perjorative?) category of "chick-lit," "The Next Thing on My List" also is a great discussion-starter.

While I found the plot somewhat unbelievable (and a little inconsistent internally), I liked the premise of the book. We had a very lively discussion about our own "To-Do" lists--and it's probably worth it for everyone to think a little bit about what are the things you'd like to do in your life...and how many of them really, truly have anything to do with personal growth or quality of life.

I enjoyed the main character--she's funny and feisty and a bit discombobulated. Some of the other characters are less interesting, but they all do work together to move the book forward.

I'd recommend the book to book clubs, to people who want a relatively fast read, and to those who do want to spend a little bit of time in self-examination.

Happy Birthday, Kim!

My mind is not a Pentium processor, obviously

It took me until today, but I finally figured it out! I thought I read The Inheritance years ago. Not so! I read A Long Fatal Love Chase (written by Louisa May Alcott in 1866, published in 1995). Check out this article in which Stephen King analyzes "Alternative Alcott" works. Muy interasante! Type this into Google ("Stephen King" "Long Fatal Love Chase" Alcott), then click on the second link down--should begin www.nytimes!

Happy Birthday, Melanie!

Out of curiosity, when are birthdays that belong to the rest of you?