Back from my hiatus

I received some exciting news these past few days. One, I have the right connections (one of the perks of dating someone in the physics world) to attend a taping of The Big Bang Theory. Anyone who knows me well knows that I have an affinity for Sheldon Cooper. Well, once I can find some room in my schedule to get to Los Angeles, I can make this dream a reality. This dream: meeting SHELDON. I mean, Jim Parsons.

The other exciting news came through over the past few days and this morning. Nominations for the Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011 list has closed as of midnight last night. There were 191 nominated titles, and I only have 35 left to read. Phew! Given that we have until January 7th to read them, this is a huge load off of my back. I mean, don't get me wrong, 35 books is a lot. But with a little more than 2 months, it is actually manageable. Heck, I might even have time to read some of the adult books I've been dreaming about reading. Like:

In the meantime, I've started the book with the dreamiest author photo ever. Also known as James Franco's Palo Alto: Stories. It's my current bedside book, which means I'm getting through it veerrryyyy sloooowwllly. Also, it means my dreams will probably be filled with violence and disaffected youth. Hooray!

Tonight's book: Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson. I looooved Chains. It's one of my favorite books to booktalk. So many gorgeous passages to from for read-alouds. So moving... but also so exciting. I can't wait to settle on the couch with my kitty and start reading.