I think it’s time to take a peek at my “Before 30″ list.  It’s been awhile and some things can be crossed off and some things need to be modified.  Here are some notes on some of the things on my list….

Checked off:

• Own a home:  Wahoo!  This was a big one we checked off.  As you probably know, we purchased our little slice of heaven in February.  Now that it’s checked off, I might need to add some renovation goals to my list.
• Plant a garden:  This summer we built 2 raised beds, potted a ton of heirloom plants, started our compost bin and learned SO much!  Next years garden should be even better.  It’s been amazing watching things grow.  I’m far from an expert but we’re loving the journey.  I’m happy to check this one off this year.

Amended:

• Go to Europe:  I’m debating on amending this one.  The opportunity has arose for us to visit Peru in 2013 with some of Jared’s family.  It could be the trip of a lifetime.  I would of course LOVE to go to Europe and Peru before I’m 30, but that may be unrealistic.  We’ll see, I’m going to think about this a little more.

Updates:

• Go to Niagara Falls:  We planned to check this one off this summer and now we’re looking at autumn more likely.  We’ll see though.  We seem to keep pushing it off.
• Find time to enjoy books again:  Still working on it.  Who knew this would be so hard when you are working nearly full time?  I’m currently working on The Hunger Games (I think it’s technically “young adult” but it’s actually very good).  Jared and I picked up a number of books on tape from authors we love to listen to around the house.  I’m taking baby steps…
• Have a real career I can see myself sticking with and loving for years.  I don’t know if this will ever happen, and I might be OK with that.  But that’s a story for another post I think.

So that’s kind of where I stand at the moment.  A lot to think about and a lot achieved (only 2 things, but one is a very big thing!).  I’d like to check at least one more thing off by the end of the year.  Do you have a list?  How’s it going?

Photo of Machu Picchu from National Geographic.

First of all, I just want to thank everyone who took the time to recommend books over at my call for help.  I have so many amazing recommendations I don’t even know where to start! As I was reading and responding to all the recommendations, I thought this was something other people may be interested in.  Now that it’s getting chilly out (it’s snowing as I type this) everyone will be spending more time in and maybe you need a new book for holiday travel.

So I compiled some of the recommendations into a list for you!  Links to all of the amazon listings are at the bottom.  There is such a wonderful variety, there should be something for everyone.

• I read Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs in a DAY because I could not stop reading it. He’s a hilarious writer, and the fact that he tells stories based on his own life makes him so relatable. I own Magical Thinking and also Dry by him and both are great.  (From Megan V)
• Definitely Fingersmith by Sarah Waters! So good. I remember reading that book through all hours of the night knowing I should be sleeping but unable to put it down. It is one of my top five books. Also read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. The Thirteenth Tale (By Diane Setterfield) is also awesome. I could actually go on forever here so I’ll stop before I bore you to death! lol  (From Amy)
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my favorites; it’s science fiction but one of the best science fiction books ever written and it’s not terribly long, either. I also recommend The Art of Racing in the Rain (by Garth Stein), which is told from the perspective of a dog as his life is ending and he’s looking back on his life and his people in it.  (From Christian)
• I second Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. I was thinking about it for weeks afterwards. I’m also a huge fan of historical fiction and my favorite book is Little Women (which I see in your picture!). I highly recommend I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (author of 101 Dalmatians). It has a wonderful female narrator, a beautiful atmosphere to get lost in, and thoughtful period details. A quirky cast of characters, too. It’s an old fashioned book in so many ways but it has a surprisingly modern voice. I really think you’d like it. Huge fan of your blog. Thanks for everything you share!  (From Megan)

• Ken Follet’s Pillars of the Earth and World Without End!! Both are super fantastic and I’ve read them one billion times. Well actually just twice. But you should read them. Medieval love and architecture — super super interesting.I also really liked The Tenderness of Wolves (about the Canadian North — kind of a murder mystery but not in genre). I have many recommendations. (From Dithie)
• I second The Help recommendation and also add The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks and Devil in the White City by Erik Larson if you like nonfiction.  (From Kelley)
• With the holidays approaching, I highly recommend you pick up Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. It’s a collection of holiday related essays of his, and they’re absolutely hysterical. I first heard him read “Six to Eight Black Men” on NPR a few years ago… my husband and I were spending a lazy Sunday morning listening to This American Life, and we were totally cracking up. It’s a story about the myth of Santa Claus… He’s amazing, I highly recommend him.  (From Dana)
• I absolutely devoured The Reader by Bernhard Schlink… I started it as a “something to read during lunch break” book and found myself so wrapped up in it, I was even reading it on the bus. This is a big deal, Lindsey – I get pretty sick when I try to read ANYTHING on the bus, even texts on my phone, but I COULD NOT put the book down! (From Dana)
• I also read Beloved by Toni Morrison this year; it was kind of creepy/chilling but just beautifully written. English major though I may have been, this was my first taste of Morrison, and hopefully not my last!  (From Dana)
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is one of my all-time favorites. It’s historical fiction (by way of the circus) and throws in amazing animals, a great love story and a mystery for good measure. It’s being made into a movie, but read the book first!  (From Lauren)

Links to recommended books:

• Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs
• Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
• World Without End by Ken Follet
• The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
• Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
• Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
• The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
• Beloved by Toni Morrison
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen