A new library to explore, some Christmas shopping and planning, and connecting again with a much-missed Mystery Book Group...

 

Here's a small update on what I've been up to in the last week or two.  First of all, I've been exploring and enjoying visiting the 'new-to-me' library in my area.  I took a quick picture yesterday after I ran in and picked up a couple of holds that were available.  This is a nice library that includes a small cafe (the baked goods look yummy - haven't tried them yet!), a spacious teen area and a separate children's area - all these on the first floor as well as the new book section and a bunch of computers for the public.  The second floor has the adult books and several areas to sit.  It also includes a 'Friends of the Library' bookstore that is open all the hours that the library is open.  I haven't joined the 'Friends' group as yet, nor have I made a decision about volunteering at this library.  I'm leaving that until next year.  However, I give a nice thumbs-up to the Georgetown Public Library.  

We've been doing some shopping and planning for Christmas as well.  We will be hosting our local family members on Christmas Day and we'll enjoy a nice meal together and then do some gift exchanging.  What's a bit different is how we will do the gifts.  Everyone is now 'grown' and so we've decided not to draw names and instead try a 'White Elephant' kind of thing - with whoever decides to participate getting the chance to 'steal' gifts.  We'll see how it goes.  My husband and I are providing a few extra selections and we've said that gift cards qualify, there will be a limit on how much to spend, and you don't have to join in if you don't wish to.  I had fun shopping for some 'random' gifts.  Again, we'll see how it plays out.  Ha!

Lastly, I was very pleased to be able to attend the December meeting of the Mystery Book Group that I was part of here in the Austin area for so many years.  This meeting did not have a specific book to read, but everyone brought their 'best of' lists, a snack to share if they wished, and there was also a table of books that people we ready to let go of.  I was so happy to see several that had been long-time members and I also got to meet new people.  The group is going well and Gayle, who is now the leader/moderator, is doing a wonderful job of keeping things rolling along.  The group will be reading Simone St. James' book, The Book of Cold Cases, for January.  I read it a while back, but I am going to read it again to refresh my memory.  Have you read that one?  

I'll be back next week with a few more 'I'm anticipating' books to be published in the December-March period.  Have a good weekend!