What were the best books you read in 2009?

I've always wanted to belong to a book club, one where the members actually read the books and wanted to discuss them, and would suggest interesting books to read. Sadly, I have yet to find such a book club in the real world. But I am hoping to have better luck online.

So consider this the first meeting of the J-TWO-O Online Book Club -- or book swap. And to get the ball rolling, I made the following list of 10 of the Best Books I Read in 2009 (listed alphabetically, by author, not by order of preference):

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen

Figures in Silk by Vanora Bennett

My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'homme

After the Prophet by Lesley Hazleton

Bitter Is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil

Tomato Rhapsody by Adam Schell

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti

Of course, after creating this list, and seeing it on my computer screen, I immediately thought of dozens of other great fiction and non-fiction books I'd read the last year or nine. However, to spare you (and myself) I whittled the list down to the top 25 best (or most interesting or entertaining or thought-provoking) books I've read since the beginning of 2000 (though if you include the 10 from the first list, it would be my top 35).

Herewith, 25 More Great Books for You to Peruse:

The Lost Diary of Don Juan by Douglas Carlton Abrams

The Language of Baklava Diana Abu-Jaber

The Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Martha Washington: An American Life by Patricia Brady

The Emperors of Chocolate by Joël Glenn Brenner

Casino Moscow by Matthew Breszinski

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella

The Perfect Store: Inside eBay by Adam Cohen

Charlie Wilson’s War by George Crile

Daniel Deronda by George Eliot

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Chasing Kangaroos by Tim Flannery

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Seabiscuit: An Amercican Legend by Laura Hillenbrand

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Bad Girl by Mario Vargas Llosa

French Lessons by Peter Mayle

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

The Book Seller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage

So what were some of the most interesting or entertaining or funny or thought-provoking books you read this year or this decade?

Please share the titles (and authors) of some of the best books you read either this past year or this past decade in the comments. (Note: You don't need to have a blog or a URL or a Google account to leave a comment. You can be anonymous or just type in your name -- or a pseudonym -- in the "Name" space, no URL necessary.)

Wishing you all good reading and a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.

And GO JETS!

ADDENDUM: Just wanted you all to know that I have nothing against The Help by Kathryn Stockett. In fact, I've been wanting to read it for over a month, but there was a long waiting list at my local library and I only got a copy this week. But I am looking forward to reading it -- and putting it on my Top 10 Books of 2010 list. ;-)

What's next, ban all the passengers?

When a friend noted on her Facebook page a couple days ago that the Transportation Security Administration* (whose motto just went from "Your security is our priority" to "Shut up and deal with it") was considering a ban on passengers, I laughed. (She later informed me the line came from this Onion article, which is looking less like a parody and more like a reality every day.) Now I am crying.

As if getting and flying on a plane wasn't arduous and annoying enough, what with the long lines, fees for everything from checking a bag to getting a snack to getting a blanket and/or pillow (what's next, coin-operated bathrooms?), having to remove one's shoes and laptops, not being able to carry on more than a few ounces of liquid or more than one small bag, and being stranded on the tarmac for no apparent reason.

Now, because some lax security screeners in AMSTERDAM (where, as we all know, half the population is stoned) screwed up, we long-suffering, rule-abiding shmucks here in the U.S. of A. are about to (or are being) hit with even more regulations, procedures, and absurd rules, from (and I am not making these up) full-body pat-downs and strip searches (or else full body scans), having one's carry-on bag thoroughly searched by hand in addition to the standard machine screening, not being allowed to carry on or use any electronic device in the airplane cabin (to which I say, let's put all the senior TSA officials on a plane, clearly identified, with only business passengers and children between the ages of 6 and 14 and see how long that restriction lasts), to not being allowed to leave one's seat or use a pillow or blanket one (or two) hours after takeoff and before landing.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

And for those of you, like me, seeking some guidance or clarity, good luck. The "TSA Guidance for Passengers on Heightened Security Measures in Place Following Dec. 25 Incident" is ZERO help.

The really sad part? While this particular "attack" was easily foiled, the terrorists have already won.

*Does anyone else not recall the creation of the TSA? Or think that "Transportation Security Administration" sounds a little... I don't know... Big Brother-y? Whatever happened to the Federal Aviation Administration?

Jets v. Colts: Anyone care to make a wager? (UPDATED)

Gambling911 says the odds opened at Indianapolis -7. (The site also has some very interest stats re the Jets and the Colts. And let me just say it don't look so good for da Jets, Lucy.)

Oddsmakers also predict that tomorrow's New York (Jersey) Jets - Indianapolis Colts game will be among the most heavily bet upon of the 2009 regular NFL season, which ends next weekend.

For those keeping score, the undefeated Colts (14-0) have won twice as many games as the Jets (7-7), but one cannot count out the Jets' mighty defense (or the mighty Flight Crew, which I am hoping will help distract Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning and his offense). And the fact that unbelievable as it may seem the Jets still have a shot of making the playoffs (Giants, too).

Sadly, I will not be able to watch most (all?) of tomorrow's game due to the New England Patriots -- or, to be more exact, certain New England Patriots fans who suggested we meet them at 5 p.m. in the middle of nowhere New England, from where they will spirit away our daughter and indoctrinate her into their Pats and Red Sox cult. (There was also some talk of snowboarding and ice skating and playing Wii, but I think that was just a ruse.) As a result, we will be unable to watch most (if not all) of the Jets - Colts game (as well as the end of the Giants - Panthers game -- go Giants!), though we will hopefully be able to catch some of it on the radio.

As a Jets fan, I have zero expectations. I just want my team to play well (memo to Mark Sanchez: Lose the 'stache, not the ball) and not be totally embarrassed by Peyton Manning and the Colts.

GO JETS! (Giants, too!)

UPDATED: OMG! The Jets won, 29 - 15. Still in shock. Fifteen down, one to go.

Merry Christmas Music

Forget "Silent Night" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." These five J-TWO-O hand-selected Christmas songs will bring you true comfort and joy.

First up: Alvin and the Chipmunks singing that Christmas classic "Christmas Don't Be Late" (aka "I just want a hula hoop"):



[And yes, J-THREE-O and I will be seeing Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel at some point over Christmas break. Oh joy.]

And speaking of animals (or singing animals), these kitties wish you a very meowry Christmas...



[Ahnt dey cuuuute?!]

as do these cute wittle puppies...



And speaking of howlers, if you have not checked out the literal version of Hall & Oates' "Jingle Bell Rock," here's what you've been missing:



[H/T to Rumproast]

Finally, it just would not be Christmas (to those of us of a certain age) without the "Snow Miser Song" and the "Heat Miser Song," from The Year Without a Santa Claus (the original one):



(Had enough? Be thankful I spared you The Jonas Brothers singing "Feliz Navidad.")

Wishing you a very merry Christmas...

How The New York Times Stole Christmas

Leave it to the elitist Liberal Grinches over at The New York Times to destroy Christmas for millions of children.

It's a good thing Virginia wrote that letter to the editors at the New York Sun.

So what's next, New York Times editors? You going to tell us there is no such thing as the Easter Bunny? (Before you do that: Think of all the poor little Peeps and Creme Eggs that would go to waste!) Or that the Tooth Fairy is just a myth? (You are not going to tell me all those teeth just disappeared with no help, are you? And where did all that money come from, Bernie Madoff?)

But that all pales -- pales, I say -- compared to corralling a bunch of supposed "experts" to instruct parents how to explain to their innocent, sweet children that there is no Santa Claus just days before Christmas. For shame, New York Times editors, for shame.

Clearly, somebody got a big lump of coal for Christmas last year.

Anyone know the name of a good exorcist?

I'd like to think I'm not a superstitious person (she said, clutching her lucky rabbit's foot), but I'm starting to think our house may be haunted.

First, our garage door started mysteriously going up on its own, after both the spouse and/or I saw it shut.

Then the spouse mysteriously found himself locked in the garage. (I swear I had nothing to do with it.)

Then my car mysteriously died in same garage -- and every time I put the key in in the ignition to try to start it the headlights maniacally flashed, the wipers started wiping, and the radio blared, even though all those things were off (or had been when I last turned off the car).

Then this morning the stool I was sitting on in the kitchen mysteriously tipped over, sending Felix (my black cat, who was on my lap at the time) and me flying -- with Felix gripping me with his claws for dear life. (Let my just say "Ouch" doesn't begin to cover it.)

I think there can be only one explanation for these mysterious goings on: Poltergeist.

So if any of you knows of a method for safely removing poltergeist or the name of a good exorcist, please let me know. Soon. Before something really bad happens.

Sweet!

Behold the World's Best Blondies (made from scratch with dark chocolate chips and mini M&Ms)!

















Zoom in on the blondies!


















And my* fabulous Dark-Chocolate-Kissed Ginger Cookies...

















In a word: Deeeeelicious!

I just hope J-THREE-O's teachers (all 11 of them) enjoy eating them as much as we* enjoyed making them, from scratch, all day, after one of us shoveled snow and broke yet another nail and nearly burned her hand.

*Technically "our" as J-THREE-O shared measuring, mixing, and baking duties with me -- but, alas, not clean up. :-(