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It's just about 7AM the morning after Christmas and folks already are headed to the after-Christmas sales. I find it very interesting that bookstores stay open late for the on-sale dates of Harry Potter, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton's books, but I cannot recall any opening early for the release of a book. What book would you get up at dawn to go by at 50-60% off? Good question, eh? After all, there are millions of people heading out to buying wrapping paper at 50% off right now. Now that is a concept that completely bypasses me.



Christmas here was lovely. Just perfect. Okay, the one flaw was the moment when I handed my husband the gift that was meant for my older son to give my younger son. Imagine his surprise opening THE ARTEMIS FOWL FILES! Books were a huge hit all around. My husband got the new Follett and Cussler, as well as the Penguin Encyclopedia of Jazz CDs, which is a tome. My older son got the GOURMET COOKBOOK. I am not sure how many 14-year-old boys had this on their lists. The little one got the Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS, and then cheerfully endured a whole rift from his dad and me on why Dave Barry is soooo funny.



Serious advice for the next holiday --- Amazon Wish lists. Both the boys made them and it made Santa's job much easier, as well as those of Grandmother Elf and Aunt Elf. They were able to earmark just what epiosodes of Lucy on DVD and which Lego traintrack were needed, as well as their choices for books. Also, they wrote comments as to what they REALLY wanted. Trust me. If you can navigate the wishes of 9 and 14-year-old boys without a compass, you are far better than me.



We are leaving for the Outer Banks in a few minutes; the only reason I would be up this early. I packed a BOX of books. Lest my husband comment about the volume of books that I am bringing and that he not buy my argument that we can share, I have artfully placed Christmas cards that need to be mailed atop the books. Let him instead think we are VERY popular. I am hiding here writing until the car is packed.



I stayed up til 2:30 getting things done before we left. About 2:15 I realized that vacation is all about moving what you love from point A to point B so you can have a good time in a new place. I have WAY overpacked considering I will not do much more than sleep and read.



Am reading a GREAT debut suspense/thriller right now called CAST OF SHADOWS by Kevin Guilfoile, which will be in stores in March. Here's the pull quote they are using for it, "How far would you go to look into the face of your daughter's killer?" More on this one to come. Trust me, it's really well done.



Here's wishing you all Happy Boxing Day. I am off to ride --- and read --- for 7-8 hours.