Let’s finish up 2007 over the next few days, shall we?

Here are my picks for the top ten books I read last year:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J.K. Rowling (2007)

I haven’t re-read the series finale yet, but my first reading grabbed me around the waist and dragged me through the English countryside for two non-stop days. It’s rare that you can feel like you’re part of the literary world, but that’s precisely what Rowling allowed for millions around the world.

2. The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield (2006)

I pegged this novel as being a favorite way back last January and without a kick-ass finale to the Harry Potter series, it would have rated top on the list. If you haven’t read it yet, do, but make sure you have the time to read it in one sitting because it’ll dog you until you finish.

3. Crazy ’08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History, by Cait Murphy (2007)

My favorite work of non-fiction this year. I’d still love to hang out with Cait Murphy to talk baseball.

4. The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan (2006)

Although not as unbelievably amazing as the first Percy Jackson novel, this story is still a fantastic book for kids and adults alike. This series makes me want to know more about Greek mythology since the whole premise lies in that Greek gods have hooked up with modern mortals and that the offspring that came from the relationships are now troubled teens.

5. Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time, by Rob Sheffield (2007)

This memoir devastated me and I can still recall the pathos of some of the author’s writing. Heartbreaking.

6. The Fourth Bear, by Jasper Fforde (2006)

Jasper Fforde is the most creative writer of the last decade. Even the least of his works is so much better than most everything else out there. Jack Sprat, a nursery rhyme detective, is clever and hard-working and misunderstood and utterly endearing in the most recent Nursery Crimes book. I can’t wait to read his latest Thursday Next novel, which I got as a Christmas present from Rudi.

7. The Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale (2005)

This delightful award-winning novel keeps you turning the pages to find out what will become of Miri and her village. A must-read for anyone who appreciates strong girls.

8. The Camel Bookmobile, by Masha Hamilton (2007)

This book felt like nonfiction, so the author clearly did her research on Kenya. This is another book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading it.

9. River Secrets, by Shannon Hale (2006)

Shannon Hale writes such wonderful fairy tales that she merits a second mention on the list. This tale features a young man who comes to discover that what he considers his inconsequential talents are valued highly by everyone he meets.

10. Over Sea, Under Stone, Susan Cooper (1965)

The first in the Dark Is Rising series, this novel sets up the Arthurian legend with excitement and intrigue. The characters feel like real kids, but are compelling enough to keep an adult’s interest.

What were the best things you read last year?

Total books read in 2007: 42 (Five fewer than last year!)

Total pages read during 2007: 13,535 (nearly 1,000 more than last year)

Last night as I was walking to Farragut to meet Rudi for Restaurant Week (another post, I promise), I started to feel a little off.

No matter, thought I. It’s just that I’m outside walking and it’s finally cold again and my nose is running. We had a nice dinner and walked home.

As the rest of the evening progressed, I again started to feel unwell and began to fear that the sickness that had felled Rudi, my folks, and Gramma had finally caught up to me.

No matter, thought I. It’s Monday and I’m tired. I’ll go to bed early. And I did.

When Rudi woke me up this morning, I was in agony. I was woozy and it felt like Rudi had spent all night punching my left side. (He assured me that he did not, and although I’m a heavy sleeper, I’m almost positive that I would wake up to that.)

I ate breakfast. That hurt. I coughed. That hurt. I sneezed. That hurt.

Fine, thought I. I’ll take a hot shower and I’ll feel better.

You can guess where this is going, right?

I did not feel better. I got back into bed and called in sick. Less than five minutes later (after finding a position that was somewhat comfortable to lie in), I was back asleep.

When I next opened my eyes, it was 1:30. I rolled over, found another position, and closed my eyes again. It was after 3 when I next looked up.

Fine, thought I. I’m done being sick now. I’ll go read some email and knit and read the rest of my play. I got up, went out to the living room, brewed some tea. Sitting in my rocking chair hurt, so I moved to the couch. My tea sat half drunk as I slept again.

Rudi called and offered to pick up some of my favorite sick soup on his way home. I went back to sleep. He arrived home and started cooking for me. I went back to sleep.

He gave me ibuprofen and soup and reheated my tea.

Oh, is that what this is?

I’ve been awake for a whole six hours now and will shortly be taking more ibuprofen and going to bed.

No matter, say I. I’ll be fine.

How late is too late to send out Christmas cards?

(Those who have not yet received Christmas cards from me should particularly feel free to weigh in on this topic.)

Rudi and I spent today cleaning house. We hadn’t done a thorough job since our Christmas party back at the beginning of last month, so while it wasn’t the total sty it can be when it goes six months between cleaning, it definitely needed some work.

I now would not automatically throw out food that fell on our kitchen floor.

And while the living room isn’t spotless, it is passably tidy (for us).

And since we’re going to have weekly company until the Jane Austen series on Masterpiece Theatre ends, I predict we’ll have a neat Burrow until at least spring.

And maybe then we’ll come up with a new scheme to keep people visiting us on a regular basis…

Game night…?

Knit night…?

Saturday morning cartoons…?

(Oh, and I’d say that all three of us enjoyed Persuasion, although we certainly had things to say about the legitimacy of the final scenes.)

Part of the ongoing series, My D.C., this shot is taken in front of a Dupont Circle mansion currently under construction. I believe the first floor has been used as a legal firm, which makes the totem pole of what would appear to be lawyers make more sense.

For more glimpses around D.C., please check out these posts by Hillary, Sweetpea, and Rudi. And Mia has shots from just up the road in Frederick.

Time is relative. This week, my first full week in the office in nearly a month, is moving at a molasses pace, yet here it is, already Thursday. How does that happen?

Regardless, I offer you several beautiful things from the last week:

1. Posey and I snuggle together on the couch, me under a wool blanket, her nestled in my lap on top of it. We sit in the darkened living room aglow for one last night with the lights of our Christmas tree. It has been a good season.

2. The last line of The Bucket List causes the theater to erupt in laughter and applause, leaving the audience feeling good about the movie.

3. I have started Twelfth Night and am quite enjoying it so far. I’ve meant to read/watch this Shakespeare comedy for several years running now and have finally dug it out thanks to a read-along on Ravelry. I’ve read most of Shakespeare’s tragedies, but am woefully behind on the comedies. It feels good to be working my way through the list.