We gathered at Tom and Lisa’s again today.  Robin and Jason are visiting Donna and Harvey for the holidays so we wanted to get together to visit with them for the first time since the wedding.  I had a chance to visit with and get to know Ryan’s Rachel today too. 

Jane, Annie and Holly came from Bemidji too.

Here is Holly with Grandpa….

The ever-entertaining Lisa and Tom.

Donna and Harvey were there today too, of course.  We had a nice pot luck lunch and a nice visit.

I have had one of the most productive reading years since I was in high school thanks to getting hooked on audio books.  I notice that facial expressions change when I tell people that I am listening instead of actually sitting down and reading the book.  Well, here is what I have to say to scoffers…   Audio books have changed so much in the past few years.  I have found that most often listening enhances the story for you, giving the characters a real voice.  There are some very talented vocal actors out there.  Stephen King is a strong advocate of audio books and says that “audio perfects reading.”  I have been mesmerised by the readers in what might have been a not so interesting or dry read.  I have sat in the garage many times unable to stop listening before I had to go in to work or when I got home.  Sometimes I un-plug the iPod from the car adapter and put my headphones on for the walk into work or the house.  I have even started listening while I am cleaning.  Amazing how that can even make doing chores more pleasant!

Above is a photo of my “reads” of 2006 and I highly recommend the following in no particular order:

• Arthur and George by Julian Barnes
• Bliss by O.Z. Livaneli
• The curious incident of the dog in the night by Mark Haddon
• I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe
• Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Terrorist by John Updike
• Everyman by Philip Roth
• Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem