Where I might start in January

Oh, it's so hard to commit to exactly what I want to start reading for January! I'm going to make myself feel better by saying that I reserve the right to change my mind *at any moment* and pick up something different.

So here goes:

• Water Witches by Chris Bohjalian. A novel! What a concept. I haven't read a novel in a long time. Did you know that my mother is a (very) amateur dowser?
  
• Mao by Jung Chang. This one will be fascinating, I know. I think it was a Christmas gift in 2005. It's about time I read it.
  
• Walden by Henry David Thoreau. What? I've never read this?!? This is where I just shrug helplessly and say, "I'm Canadian."
• Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Another novel, but a Chinese-themed one. I bet I'll dig this one.
  
• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.

And we'll see what else!

Rules for the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge

These rules and the idea for the challenge come from 52 Books in 52 Weeks. Here are the relevant rules:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
2. Our book weeks will begin on Sunday.
3. Participants may join at any time.
4. All books are acceptable except children books.**
5. All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
6. Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2012.

**in reference to children books. If it is a child whose reading it and involved in the challenge, then that's okay. If an adult is doing read aloud with kids, the book should be geared for the 9 - 12 age group and above and over 100 pages. If adult reading for own enjoyment, then a good rule of thumb to go by "is there some complexity to the story or is it too simple?" If it's too simple, then doesn't count.