My favorite thing about the last part of any year is book anticipation. Readers of urban fantasy know that the new year brings with it fresh installments in all our favorite series, and usually, these books arrive in stores (and libraries!) within the first four months of the calendar year. I have a very full reading list this time around as all my favorite authors (Mark Del Franco, Anton Strout, John Levitt, Kim Harrison, Eileen Wilks…) are releasing something new, but there are three books I am especially excited for.
Changes by Jim Butcher. In this newest Dresden Files story, old characters return with grand tidings and terrible secrets. The Dresden Files is one of those very rare series that has actually gotten much better as it has gone on. While most authors have trouble keeping a series fresh after 10 or 15 volumes, Butcher has introduced a whole conspiracy element that is crazy good. I can hardly wait until April 6, 2010.
Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs. This is the new Mercy Thompson novel and I already love it for two reasons: werewolves and faeries. And it takes place in Washington state! This series introduced readers to a rare kind of shape shifter, one that doesn’t have the speed or strength of the traditional werewolf but comes with twice the attitude. Mercy Thompson is a treat, and she will be back on March 30, 2010.
Roadkill by Rob Thurman. Rob Thurman is a woman (no joke) and her Leandros Bros are back in an adventure I know absolutely nothing about, but I still can’t wait. This book will be available on March 2, 2010 and I am so excited! In the last book, Death Wish, Thurman told the story from both brothers point of view. Let’s hope she carries that theme on in this new book because Niko is seriously cool.
I’m sure everyone is as excited about the new book season as I am, but don’t discount the last months of 2009! There are a few books still to come this year (First Lord’s Fury by Jim Butcher for one), but with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) wrapping up and holiday plans kicking off, there is plenty to keep us busy while we wait.
I’ve been to Hollywood… 
After visiting the Moaning Cavern we headed straight up to Redding for the night and looked forward to a day of seeing Mount Shasta’s waterfalls. Sadly, when we woke up the rain completely took over our trip. We grabbed a couple pamphlets from the Motel 6’s lobby and discovered Lake Shasta Caverns! It was decided we would go there instead and so off we went. The drive was a breeze it was the trip to the caverns we were unprepared for; a long walk down to the McCloud Arm of Lake Shasta, a catamaran across to the other side of the lake, a walk up to a small bus, and then bus up the winding and steep roads to 
Feast for Ten
The Most Thankful Thing
Strega Nona’s Harvest
Thanks for Thanksgiving
The Thanksgiving Door
Thank You, World
On Nov. 12, 2009, the City Council Budget Committee unanimously voted to add $860,000 to The Seattle Public Library’s 2010 budget. The additional money means the Library will be able to provide seven-day-a-week service at 11 branches and the Central Library in 2010. Another 15 branches will operate five days a week for 35 hours.
Now I don’t know what I’ll find…
In a wonderful depiction of this event 
100 Days and 99 Nights
Crow Call
At the end of my pregnancy and soon after my second son was born this fall, I noticed that I really wanted to read for plot and character—writing, especially if it’s too complex or clever, is out the window. So what have I been reading? Answer: Teen fiction!
The CQ editors point out that the Bush administration withdrew the United States from signing the treaty. The administration, despite being rebuffed by leading scientists, doubted the reality of global warming and vigorously attacking the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change treaty of 1997. Offering no specific alternatives and emphasizing continued economic growth, the administration chose to delay any action on the part of the United States to deal with climate change. The researcher can draw his or her own conclusions about the administration’s stance.
