I love the rituals of the Holiday season. I love the gathering of family and friends, the coming together over a shared breaking bread, and the spirit of giving thanks. But I also find that, with the onslaught of tasks that need to be done --- the shopping, cooking, preparing and coming together --- it's easy to get lost in a list of 'must-dos' and forget what the spirit of the holidays is all about. With that in mind, FaithfulReader.com is devoted to providing you with the tools --- the books and the reflections of authors --- that allow you time to contemplate and renew your faith.

Monday night I attended Nelson DeMille's book party for WILD FIRE, which was ---- as any event that Nelson is involved with --- a lot of fun. People in attendance who had read the book were quoting Corey-isms as they walked around chatting. Let's just say that I feel I learn a lot about how men think about women by reading Nelson's books. He also pens one of the wittiest newsletters that I read. You can read and sign up for it here. We have a review of WILD FIRE this week as well, but don't worry --- Kate Ayers, our reviewer, does not divulge the good jokes. Or give away too much of the plot.

In November 1968 the Beatles released the White Album (your trivia for the week) and this week we have "The Blue Issue" at Bookreporter.com. First I am giving an award for Most Fashionable Cover. Okay, 17 years at a fashion magazine is coming through here, but truly, take a look at the cover of Adriana Trigiani's new book, HOME TO BIG STONE GAP, below and let me know if you do not agree that it looks like a magazine fashion shoot. Yes, turquoise IS my favorite color so I had to love the jacket, but that skirt is just over-the-top amazing and just looking at it makes me want to know the story behind that girl.

Anyone with children may be shaking their heads like me at how Halloween as a holiday has grown since we were kids. We had a costume and a pillowcase for trick or treating and at the house there was a cut pumpkin with a candle. This pumpkin was carved with a knife. Really elaborately decorated homes had cornstalks! Now there are these over-the-top displays with spider webs, large size lawn ornaments, orange lights and store-bought bags for hauling the loot --- and complete pumpkin carving kits.

Monday I went to a luncheon where Nora Ephron was the featured speaker. As you know, I loved her latest book, I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY NECK, finding her writing both witty and dead on. The room was packed for her talk and she was humorous, irreverent and smart in her comments. One of my favorite lines was what her mom told her when she was growing up when she would come home upset about something --- "Everything is copy," meaning that you can use everything that happens to you in life at some time or another. I realized how true this is. Some of my most "tragic-at-the-time" moments have gone on to give me some of my best story material. When I tell my kids about some of my "not fun" high school moments I can make the moments where people made me just insane sound pretty funny. Who knew? Think of this the next time you are somewhere and you are not feeling so great about life.