Summing up November

Okay, so I crashed and burned at my reading challenge! I am reading two of the books, but I did not really finish anything all month. I am hoping to do better on that in December. I will finish those three books, just in a different month. I hope to try again next year, and maybe I will be a bit more organized! A lot happened in November, though. I had six essays due in two weeks. I had assignments. And today, I had my first final. I broke up with my boyfriend of over three years for good, so that was sad, but I am better now. And, there just seems like there are not enough hours in the day to read! So, while I have not really finished any books, this is what I have started and will hopefully finish in December, as of November 30, 12PM:

108 pages/357 pages in Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb
40 pages/538 pages in Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley
50 pages/359 pages in Black Powder War by Naomi Novik (I made the wall of shame.)
120 pages/447 pages in Deep Fathom by James Rollins
121 pages/235 pages in Never Have Your Dog Stuffed by Alan Alda
30 pages/258 pages in A Sunday at the pool in Kigali by Gil Courtemanche
241 pages/539 pages in The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I also am reading Magic Study by Maria Snyder, but I do not have it near me. And another book that I will talk all about when I get further into it. Oh, and The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop which I could be done, but it is never around when I am reading. I seem to be in a variety mood lately.

I also got one of my "Christmas" presents today. The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly. I am very excited about that!

Lastly, as IF I need another challenge, but, I am joining in anyways:


Carl is having another challenge over at Stainless Steel Droppings, and I have decided to join in. I actually normally complete the challenges I join, the only one I crashed at was my own!

He begins by presenting this quote, which I am so nicely borrowing:

Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.
~Francis C. Farley

And, now, the point for those of you that read my blog and not his:

I have decided to call this one the 2006 G.I.F.T. Challenge. Giving Inspiration, Fostering Tradition. I know, it is pretty lame but I had to call it something. What you agree to do, if you choose to participate, is to partake of and/or post on any 4 of the following:

Christmas movies
Christmas novels/short stories
Christmas songs
Christmas poems
Christmas traditions
Christmas memories

The challenge comes in here: two of your 4 choices must either involve something completely new to you or something you haven’t read or watched in an inordinately long amount of time.

I know that many of you do not know this, but Christmas is my favourite time of year. So! Here is my challenge. I am going to post on each of those things at least once, minus the Christmas poem category (not a big poetry person). As well, I have already posted a list of Christmas books I would like to read in December, so two of them will count as the other half of the challenge.

My exam schedule should allow for this, but if I fail, well, exams are more important!

I just think that the categories are fun and I have lots that I can talk about!