Of blogs and books and heated looks

Last December, I was all about gift guides and wish lists. This year it seems much simpler, perhaps because I am too tired to shop. Or to want anything, really, except a little time off and a cup of the perfect hot cocoa (which I had today! --The Aztec blend at Vosges on Madison & 83rd). I'm winding up my projects for the year and yet 2008 seems already in full swing. 2007 feels like it has a little life in it yet, so I might go chase that for a while. I'll return after the New Year with new tales to be told, as always, but before I go:

Oxford University Press blog asked me to name some recently read favorite books, and so I did.

In case you're looking for last minute gifts of the entertaining variety... my 2007 literary projects included innovative publicity campaigns for authors Gayle Brandeis (Self Storage), Jeffrey Frank (Trudy Hopedale), Dallas Hudgens (Season of Gene), Anne Landsman (The Rowing Lesson), Min Jin Lee (Free Food for Millionaires), and Jean Thompson (Throw Like a Girl).    

I can't recommend those books highly enough.

And if you're looking for a good cause this holiday season, look no further than Girls Write Now, a terrific local nonprofit literacy organization that I donated lots of time and money to this year.

Happiest of holidays to you, doves, and I hope you get everything you wish for in coming days and every day. XO.