Grimm's Fairy Tales by J.L.C. & W.C. Grimm

I suppose it was not completely accurate to include this book in the picture for How to Talk about Books You Haven't Read since I was actually reading it at the time. Some of the stories in this collection were ones I knew well, like Hansel and Gretel, but most were ones that I had never encountered. The last one in the book, Peter the Goatherd, was freakishly similar to Rip Van Winkle. Also, there were a disproportionate number of stories about cats.

Now I feel like I need to go find some Hans Christian Anderson.

OBIT: Inspiring Stories of Ordinary People who Led Extraordinary Lives by Jim Sheeler

This one was an odd choice for me. The only reason I picked it up was because I was out of town and needed something to read before I could fall asleep. I found this book on the bookshelf in the guestroom and picked it up since it is divided into seven page chapters (perfect for pre-sleep). Sheeler had a good concept, but it was a bit too sentimental for me.

Thanks to Amanda, my future-sister-in-law, for the loan.

Big Blonde and Other Stories by Dorothy Parker

From July through December, this little text was my "waiting" book. Several years ago, Penguin released classics in small, incredible portable books and called them Penguin 60s in honor of their 60th anniversary. This book resided in my purse and was only read when the line at the bank was moving slowly or I was waiting for someone to arrive while at a restaurant. I have only ever found a couple of these books in used book stores, but I always keep an eye out for them. If you spot any, please let me know. Or even better, buy it, and I will pay you back the 25-50 cents it cost you.

See how small and convenient this book is? It hardly took up any prime purse real estate.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris

It seems appropriate to end the year with the author who started it. Books that make me laugh are always checked off in my mental win column. The subject really does not matter. If it makes me laugh out loud, I like it, and David Sedaris always makes me laugh. One of his essays in this collection is titled 'Six to Eight Black Men' and is largely about Christmas traditions in Denmark. It made me laugh until I cried.

Thanks for loaning me another one, Angela!

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

I always knew Chelsea Handler was irreverent, but I had know idea she was quite that bad. Terry lent me this one, and we both agree that the prison story is the best one in the whole book.

Women with Men by Richard Ford

This book just reaffirmed why I do not normally go for short stories. Characters do not get developed fully, there's generally not a lot of complexity, and only rarely do they seem to stay with you. I get the feeling Ford never planned on publishing these three, or at least did not plan on publishing them in the same collection. The characters in the first and last story share a lot of traits and mannerisms. Actually, both seem like sketches that could have been combined to create one, more dynamic character. All three point to the idea that there is a lot of distance between those that are closest to each other. Even if that is true, it is depressing to read about. I do love the picture of Cameron and Fili though.

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

The book is composed of several short stories that turn holidays on their heads. My personal favorite was about the author's time spent performing that special punishment reserved for bad adults, working as an elf in Macy's Santaland.