2009/2010

Time for the obligatory end of the year post. It's been a tough year. My family home burned down in April and that takes some recovery. That's the house we built ourselves when I was a kid. My childhood was spent half there and half at my grandparents' house next door. But my parents bought a new house and we just had our first thanksgiving and Christmas there, and it was good. it makes it easier to have spent the holidays there, but I still miss the old house where I grew up.

On a happier note; I completed my first novel this year. I've always been very poor at finishing things, but this is proof that I can. And I will continue to do so. I'm finishing my last round of edits now, and then it will go to my betas. I'll edit for their feedback and then it will be time to query. 2010, the year of the query. *Crosses her fingers*

I'm sure I failed most of my goals for 2009 spectacularly, but, as I said, it was a rough year. Between the fire and family health scares, and moving not once, but twice, it's bee hectic, but life is. So here's to achieving more goals in 2010 than I did in 2009. I'll have to compile my list tomorrow. For now, it is time for a run down of my favorites from the year.

Books:

I did a very poor job of tracking the books I read in 2009. I will keep a log for 2010. But here are my favorite books read for the first time in '09. My top 12 authors in no particular order:

1. Ilona Andrews- Magic Strikes
I can't get enough of Kate & Curran. Just saying. Ilona and Gordon, if you could put out two dozen books a year I'd read them all. My Christmas gift card will be promptly spent on your new series as soon as I can get to the bookstore.

2. Lilith St. Crow- Strange Angels/Betrayals 
If I wasn't hooked before Betrayals, which I was, I most certainly was afterward.

3. Jim C Hines- The Stepsister Scheme/The Mermaid's Madness
A new author to me. Saw he had a signing at my local indie, and was on my TBR list so I picked up the first two in this series. With a blurb like: These princesses will give Charlie’s Angels a serious run for the money, and leave ‘em in the dust. How could I not pick it up? Well worth it. Can't wait for more. Plus Hines is a riot at signings. You can bet I'll be picking up his Goblin series. 

4.Caitlin Kittridge- Street Magic/Demon Bound
ZOMG!!! I've been following this author since her first book came out. I enoy her Nocturne series. I LOVE her Black London series. She's taken her writing to a new level with these books, and it shows. LOVE LOVE LOVE this series. Enough said?

5. Justine Larbalestier- Liar
I don't have many words for this, just wow.

6. Richelle Mead- Thorn Queen/Blood Promise/Succubus Heat
Keep 'em coming, please!

7.Devon Monk-Magic in the Blood/Magic in the Shadows
Fell in love with this series after winning a copy of book 1 and the series hasn't let up.

8. CE Murphy- Walking Dead
I am a dedicated CE Murphy fan. Much along the lines of my love for Kate & Curran, I love me some Jo & Morrison. More, please.

9. Bryan Lee O'Malley- Scott Pilgrim Volumes 1-5
A canadian manga my significant other begged me to read for months. I am certainly glad I conceded. Good stuff. Can't wait for Vol. 6 and the movie, though I'm terribly disappointed that they cast Michael Cera at Scott. 

10. Maggie Stiefvater- Shiver
Lyrically beautiful teenage werewolf angst. 

11. Sherry Thomas- Private Arrangements/Delicious
I don't seek out much straight romance, typically. Though I do have a soft spot for historicals. But this. THIS. It's like historical romance crack. Try it, but don't shoot me when you have to have more.

12. Rachel Vincent- Pride/Prey/My Soul to Take
Faythe is certainly coming into her own as a heroine and I'm glad I've stuck with her. Can't wait for the last two books in the Shifter series.
I loved the debut to her YA series. Great new take on paranormal YA.


Movies
also in no particular order

1. Julie & Julia
Love Meryl Streep. Plus, food porn. Always love me some food porn.

2. Up
I have never bawled in the first 15 minutes of a movie. Pixar, I don't know whether I should thank you or tell you to screw yourselves.

3.Coraline
Loved the book, loved the movie. 

4. Whip It
Saw it for my birthday, and I can't think of a better movie to have seen for it. Amazing women. Roller derby. The way friendship and boys were handled. Could someone please go back in time and show this movie to 15-16 year old me? 

5. Fanboys
I'm infatuated with Kristen Bell and this movie just encouraged that. Thoroughly enjoyable.

6. Star Trek
Perfect movie to follow up Fanboys, right? :) 
Great moving. Visually stunning. Few plot holes, but they can be forgiven for sucking me into the story and not letting me go til the credits.

7. Sunshine Cleaning
Depressing as hell and yet slightly hopeful at the same time.

8. Where the Wild Things Are
Also depressing as hell. Also slightly hopeful. Made me so glad I'm not a kid anymore. Also made me determined to remember how infuriating it can be to be a kid and have nobody listen or understand for when I have kids. Someday. In the very distant future. Very. Distant.

9. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Cheesy, I know, but, Fantastic. 

10. Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes=victorian batman=F'ING AMAZING
Can't say enough good things about this. I know some people believe they're disrespecting the source material, but seriously, have those people read the source material? This movie was written by someone with series Holmes love who sprinkled easter eggs everywhere. Went a little light on the addiction, but I can see why, would be easy for the movie to get bogged down if that was explored too much. Must see this movie again. Plus, RDJ dad House-face. Good stuff.

TV
Haven't watched much this year, but:

1. Firefly
Yes, I know I am REALLY behind the times, but I just watched it all this month. WOW! Will be watching that season over and over. It is now up there with Veronica Mars for my all time favorites.

2. Castle
Because I can't get me enough Nathan Fillion. And I love their chemistry.

3. Bones
Because I also love their chemistry.

4. House
Still loving it.

5. Glee
*squee*

6.True Blood
Haven't read the series, but I will be. Enjoying this quite a bit.

And that is the year for me. Happy New Year's all!