i'm determined...

So I'm a huge fan of the website goodreads.com. I seriously enjoy keeping track of what books I've read, and also sharing my likes and dislikes with friends. I can also keep track of books I want to read, or books friends recommend. Well, around February of this year, I made a goal on the site to read 100 books by the end of the year. I've been pretty consistent in reading at a regular pace until a few months ago. I just haven't read very much in the last two months.

Anyways, I realized a few days ago that I was 20 books away from completing my goal, and I had a little over 20 days to complete it!! I'm determined. It's ridiculous, but I'm going to do it.

So here are the books I've read in the last four days:
1. The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare --the sequel to The Clockwork Angel. I enjoyed it immensely. And when you have read it, let me know so we can discuss it. PS - Will or Jem?? I totally am rooting for Will, although a piece of my heart breaks for Jem when I say that.
2. The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas --I liked it a lot. Subtle twists and turns I wasn't expecting. It's about a group of women in a quilting club during the Great Depression in Kansas who band together during a crisis.
3. Women of Character by Susan Easton Black --I loved this. It was a book of mini-biographies on 100 prominent LDS women. Seriously loved it. It made me realize that I can make a difference in the world with whatever talents I have been given--whether it is service, education, compassion, humor, etc.
4. Proof by David Auburn --this is a script for a play. I enjoyed it. It was intriguing. I didn't expect to like it, but I totally did.
5. Betrayal by Harold Pinter --another script for a play. I didn't like this one. It was about a woman who cheated on her husband. I hate stories like that. Thank goodness it was short.
6. Dinner with Friends by Donald Margulies --another script for a play. This one was about two couples who are best friends--one couples marriage is falling apart, and the other is strong. It was interesting to see how the marriages were portrayed against each other.
7. Corker by Anya Bateman --cute LDS novel, super easy read, and yet, I've read better.
8. Big Ben is Back by Anya Bateman --the sequel to Corker. Ditto to my first comments.

So--12 to go. Not bad when I have 18 days left in the month of December, and over 30 hours of traveling to look forward to. I'm one of those lucky people who don't get car sick when I read. *grin*

So here are a few books I might read to complete the remaining 12:

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Daughters in My Kingdom: the History and Work of Relief Society by the LDS Church
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Inheritance (#4 of the Eragon series) by Christopher Paolini

Any books you recommend for my "end of the year" list??

wow

So, sorry for my disappearance from the blogging world! My sister just sent me a link to her new blog--and I thought, "Oh my gosh! My blog!" Seriously--I am ashamed. I can't believe I haven't remembered to blog! What happened to me??

Well, here are a few updates from the last few months:
1. I got to see all my amazing Sheranian family for my Grandmother's funeral. My grandpa and I are slowly adjusting to a house without my Grandma. It's weird.
2. I almost went on a blind date. Long story short--we talked on the phone for hours, totally hit it off, and then he decided he really liked my friend who set us up and decided not to risk a chance with her by going out with me. So.... lamesauce.
3. I shot a gun for the first time in my life over Thanksgiving. A 12-gage shotgun. I shot me some pigeons. The clay kind. I sported a pretty awesome bruise on my arm for a while.

4. I've been baking a lot--i.e. Today I made the most scrumptious vegan pistachio cupcakes. Seriously to die for. With buttercream rose frosting. My mom made fun of me about these because 1. I made vegan for no reason and 2. I counteracted the whole vegan thing by putting real butter in the buttercream frosting. I don't care. They seriously are the best cupcakes ever. EVER.
4. I am currently deciding between two future occupations.

Ok--let's play a game I like to call "Help-KaRynn-Choose-Her-Future." Haha. But really...

I have narrowed my options down to two I really like.
1. Get my California teaching credentials (through UCLA Extension, or through CSUN). Ultimately, whichever is the cheapest. LOL
or 2. Get into the management portion of hospice care. I'm still looking into that--because I don't think I actually need to go back to school to be considered qualified... and if I do, most likely I will have to take Business Management classes--which is ALSO offered through UCLA Extension. (Oh the blessing of living five blocks from UCLA).

What are your thoughts?

PS - Props to the people who noticed I used two #4's.