How are you going to finish 2011 and start 2012? I started 2011 running my first half-marathon, which was an awesome experience; that's not happening this year which makes me a little sad, but I'm still excited about all the things I want to accomplish in 2012 - getting back into running, and more into biking; welcoming my 1st niece or nephew in June; and working on my own little bambino. Plus writing this blog, has fulfilled me and surprisingly, made me more organized in other aspects of my life, and I'm look forward to continuing with it.

Weekly Books Q & A {First & Last}

From TGIF Reads
Q. First & Last: What was the first book you read in 2011 and the last you finished in 2011? How do you feel about these books? Would you recommend them to other readers?

First book read in 2011 - You've Got Murder, Donna Andrews. This is a cute mystery where one of the main characters, Turing Hopper - the amateur detective - happens to be an artificial intelligence. It's light and enjoyable reading - I meant to read more of the series, but didn't get around to it.

Last book finished in 2011: The Scorpio Races, Maggie Shiefvater. Loved it! I'm still thinking about the characters and the awesome story even though I finished it yesterday.

From Pen to Paper
Q. Friday Recommends - Pick a book that you've read, and have enjoyed enough to recommend to other readers.
I feel like I've shared a lot of my favorite books this week with the 10 Questions and Answers on My Favorite Books Read During 2011 {A Year in Reading Recap}, but let me share 2 more books with you that I loved - and were also "first and last" for me this year.

The first "zombie" book I read, and which was really good, Warm Bodies, Isaac Marion. "R" is a zombie that's going through a sort of existential crisis - yes, apparently zombies can go through things too.

The 2nd and last zombie book I read - also amazing - Zone One, Colson Whitehead. This is more about the survivors of a zombie apocalypse, in particular Mark Spitz. Zombies really creep me out - even more than vampires & werewolves - and this book ended up making sure that I will remain weirded out by zombayyys for a long time to come!!!

From Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.
Q: The New Year is here - and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?
Two major goals - Plan ahead! Have posts scheduled and ready to go a week in advance (at least). And blog more about fitness - my running - thankfully I've started up again.

Interesting Bookish Stuff Seen Recently
10 Reading-Related Resolutions for 2012. Have you made any reading resolutions for the upcoming year? My big one is to read more books from countries other than the one I currently live in (US) - this was the inspiration behind The 2014 Winter Olympics Reading Challenge.