2011 Reading Goal

So, one of my goals for 2012 was to read 12 books.  I didn't have any specifics on what kind of books they were, how many pages they needed to be, etc.  Yes, I realize these are big factors, seeing that, at times, one book can be over twice the length of another.  However, I didn't want to get pedantic.

Anyhow.  Drumroll please....

I fell short.  Whop whop.  Eleven books.  Just one shy.  I didn't make it.  I feel like a failure.  I kid.  Oh well.

Here's a list of the books I was able to finish:

1)  Save the Assistants by Lilit Marcus
2)  The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (Editor's sidenote:  This book took me FOREVER - I would like to blame partially for my not being able to meet my reading goal.)
3)  Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
4)  What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
5)  My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
6)  Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
7)  Summer in the City by Candace Bushnell
8)  Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal
9)  Love At First Bark by Julie Klam
10)  If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't) by Betty White
11)  It Was Over When by Robert K. Elder

I THOUGHT about staying home all day Saturday reading to make the goal, seeing that I am already into Mindy Kaling's 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)', and it seemed like a quick read.  However, instead, I just decided to up the ante for this year - I will do 13 books to make up for the missed one this year.  I am thinking I will have more time to accomplish this.

Did anyone else make any reading goals?  Were you able to keep them?  Do you feel my goal was a little weak?  Did you lose respect for me for not making it?  Don't answer that.  

Book Club - Love At First Bark

So, as most of my readers know, I am part of a blogging network, and, through said network, a book club. Well, recently, I participated in a group reading for Julie Klam's 'Love at First Bark'.

**Requisite disclaimer:  I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review, but, like everything found on this blog, the opinions expressed in said post are my own.

Anyhow - moving right along.   The author discusses three separate instances in which she went through moderate to great lengths to rescue/foster dogs in need.  She seems like an easy victim to every dog in need that crosses her path, although that certainly isn't a bad quality.  (No judgment.)

Overall, I found the author's writing style to be direct, humorous, and easy to read.  I imagine that Julie Klam, in real life, is one of those people who cracks herself up.  (Again, no judgment.)  Anyhow, I found it to be a quick, pleasant read based on her writing style.

Two of the biggest challenges I found reading this book were a) the reminders of how people, at times, are pointlessly cruel to animals and b) dealing with the fact that my 15 year-old Samantha is struggling.

But I digress.  In short, this was a good, humorous read about the ins and outs of fostering dogs and all the challenges one encounters throughout the process.  I was reminded that it certainly is not easy to save a dog - Klam clearly outlines all the red tape one might face whilst trying to do a good deed.

More discussions on said book to come.