So, it's come to my attention that 2009 is winding down (I'm nothing if not quick). October is always my warm up for the holiday season; by November, I'm in a full-on sprint until about February. Three of my kids have birthdays this month (even though none of them were due in November), the other's is in January. Then, of course, we have Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas and all the activities that come along with that. It's a busy, hectic time. A fun one, no doubt, but also stressful. So, I thought it might be helpful to decide which books I'm going to finish before the year's out. Based on what I've done so far, I figure I'm reading about 12 books a month (Seriously? Crazy.), but with all that's going on, I'm going to guess that I will only finish 20 more by January 1. Here's what I'm thinking:

This Book Is Not Good For You by Pseudonymous Bosch - reading for the elementary school

Any Other Woman by Monica Kidd - reading for Green Initiative book bonanza thingie

Now & Then by Jacqueline Sheehan - reading for a virtual tour

Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena - because I promised the author I'd get to it before Christmas

The Ball's In Her Court by Heather Justesen - a review book that looks interesting

The Amanda Project: invisible i by Stella Lennon - a review book - I'm anxious to see what all the buzz is about

The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff - because I loved The Kommandant's Girl and because Jenoff is sending me a copy of her new book to review. Yay!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - because it's FINALLY in at the library. Woo hoo!

The Boy Who Dared: A Novel Based on the True Story of a Hitler Youth by Susan Campbell Bartoletti - because I just discovered this author and want to see what else she's written

Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack - because I'm going to hear her speak next week and want to know more about her work

Eyes Like Mine by Julie Wright - same as Kilpack

The Atherton Trilogy by Patrick Carman - because the publicist kindly sent me a set for me and a set to give away and I haven't done it yet. Shame on me.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall - because I'm reading the second book for the school, but want to read the first book first.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall - Like I said above. I'm trying to get the school's books back before Christmas (oh sorry, Winter) Break.

The Christmas Shoes trilogy (I think it's a trilogy) by Donna VanLiere - I have a copy of The Christmas Blessing to give away, but want to read the other books first. Plus, I need a little holiday reading.

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly - because I loved A Northern Light and people have told me the "Rose" series is even better. Plus, eventually, the library's going to want it back.

We'll see how it goes. What are you planning to finish up before 2010 arrives?