Reads for the new year.

I'd intended to write about New Year resolutions...but, really, has anyone ever stuck to one of those? Me, not so much, no matter how sincere my intentions going in. Not being fond of that I'm-such-a-failure feeling, I've long since given them up. So I decided to write about books instead. Because, hey, we're all big-time readers here, yes?

I got to read a lot in December. I won't bore you with the reasons for my sudden free time (HQN!) but depite not planning on it, it was nice to have time off during the holidays. I particularly enjoyed having guilt-free reading time. I'm on one of my usual genre-within-the-genre streaks--this one paranormal--so I read the entire Lynn Viehl Darkyn series before Christmas. Then my sweet baby boy bought me the newest Charlaine Harris "Grave" mystery and the 2nd and 3rd in the Devon Monk Magic series, which I read mostly over the long New Year weekend while snowed in at our cabin. I'm currently reading J.R. Ward's Covet. I can honestly recommend them all--but am particularly pumped over Monk's books. She's got a terrific voice and interesting plots and they're set in Portland, Oregon, which for me just makes them that much more fun.

I'm heading out to get Jayne and Kate's new January releases--after which I think I'll probably be ready to move on to a new genre. Maybe I'll look into historical romance.

Hmmm. I wonder if Suzanne Enoch, Sherry Thomas or Elizabeth Hoyt have anything new. I'll have to check that out.

So what about you? Have any hot recommendations for me for 2010?