I seem oddly incapable of long thoughts lately even though I really need to get back on track in that area as there are books stacked and waiting to be reviewed and reviewing them is weighing heavily upon me. (Some are for the January column and some are for the January issue of Eclectica and with December running quickly past us all, the reviewing needs to take place toot-sweet.)

But alas, long thoughts escape me. So right now, more of the listiness that I am completely enthralled with these days. (Current list in my personal life is filled with things like "wrap gift for Aunt Sue", "print photos for Mom/Aunt Cathy/Aunt Madeleine/Aunt Irene/Aunt Sue...", "pack fudge for all the uncles", "buy dog toys so dogs have their own things to destroy as we open presents" and on and on and on...). A sample list:

1. My new column is up at Bookslut and it is all about books I flat out love and think everyone should be reading over winter break. First and foremost is the wonderfulness that is Dan Eldon: Safari As A Way Of Life. If you don't know about Dan Eldon then I pity you - he was an incredibly talented young man whose life is both to be admired and emulated. The whole world should have wept when he (and his fellow journalists) were killed. If there is a teen (or twenty-something) in your life who is creative and eager to learn more about themselves and the world then you MUST get them this book aimed at teen readers. It is amazing.

2. And oh, there are so many other wonderful titles in my column. Laini's new novel is as great as you have heard - and Twilight fans will likely embrace it so think of it for them. And Chronicles of Harris Burdick - wonderful anthology with some truly outstanding entries (gift book of choice for the 12& up crowd). And FEYNMAN!!!! What graphic novels were made for. And Captain Mac - the explorer practically no one has heard of and you all need to know about and in a great edition with scads of pics. Remember when kids wanted to learn about explorers? My son loved this one and I did too.

3. Robert Wiersema's Walk Like a Man is a mix tape of Springsteen love that is all about growing up and finding your way and the music that accompanies you as you do that. No-brainer for Springsteen fans and yet, and yet, anyone who loves music will want this as well. Stellar.

4. And a book about a guy who takes a toaster apart and then travels all over England to build one from scratch. You have to read it to believe it. (Best college project ever for sure.)

5. AND THEN....I wrote a feature on coffee table books for teens and kids because there were so many full color books that dazzled me in so many ways that I had to write a special piece for all for them. Go.READ. It's about books for 10 year olds and 19 year olds (and some will work even for college kids). I love all of these books and you will too.

6. I love good books.

7. Also at Bookslut Jenny McPhee writes about Muriel Spark & Mary Shelley. I love Bookslut exactly for essays like this one.

8. Oh - and way over at the Paris Review blog we learn about "The Sporting Life" and yet another book I must read. I will never read all the books but isn't longing for them so much fun?

9. Hemingway's Boat is as good as you have heard. I finished reading it last night and it is so lovely. It's not a standard biography at all, even a biography of a man and a boat. It's a book that writes around its subject and still writes about its subject. You learn some about Hemingway but more about people who knew him and were related to him. You learn about those he loved and those who admired him and those who spent time with him. You learn about those who built the boat he loved. It's just such a deep and rich and engaging American story. I adore it, all of it, and can't recommend it enough.

10. My brother bought me Hemingway's Boat for my birthday. What's funny is that I bought it for him for Christmas. We are so the best siblings ever.

11. Today we have a dental appointment for the boy and we get the tree and there is wrapping and packing to do and the boy must practice his guitar for the Christmas program on Saturday and I need to stop by the local bookstore to sign more stock (they have sold FIFTY COPIES OF MY BOOK!!!!) (and mostly to people who DO NOT KNOW ME!!!!) and dinner. What shall we eat for dinner????

12. You see - the list is everything. It's my only sanity. All hail the list!