I just got books in the mail, my lovely Harlequin's. Why do I love them? Well, they always end happily -- as many of my writing friends say they are HEA's (Happily Ever Afters). They read quick and don't take up a lot of my attention.

I just finished Bob Newhart's memoir, "I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This." A great book, I really enjoyed it. I think I would really love to sit and have a little conversation with him. Though reading the book I'm not sure I would've liked growing up with him and his practical jokes. My Dad wasn't bad, but Bob was really clever. Plus, he says where and when the idea came up for the ending to his 1980's TV show, "Newhart."

I've ordered Carrie Fisher's new memoir, "Wishful Drinking." Ken Levine from the by Ken Levine blog recommended it with a little snippet. I tried to go see her show in Washington DC when I was there this summer, but alas there were no tickets to be had for the nights I had left before going back to Seattle. Bummer. I've always enjoyed listening to her stories on TV and she's hilarious. I wish I had that kind of sense of humor about what sounds l ike a very difficult life.

I got $130 in Barnes & Noble and Amazon gift certificates. I spent it all in one day. I ordered music by Joni Mitchell, Jennifer Warnes, Motown, and Stax, books by Todd McCaffrey, Carrie Fisher, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and more. What a wonderful time I had! If you have a reader in the family it truly isn't an impersonal gift to give.