You know, for auld lang syne.

Once upon a time (as in, last year and every year before it), I seriously disliked New Year’s Eve. While everyone else thought of new beginnings, I’d mourn another year lost…me getting older…life getting shorter. It was my personal doomsday—hey, I’m a writer. I get dramatic.

But this year, I’m a new person. You heard it here. I no longer dread the new year, because I’ve just witnessed how much coolness can happen over the course of twelve months. Ironically, given that I dreaded 2009 and fretted over a certain milestone birthday for at least five years, I just had the best year since…a really long time ago. I published my first two books. I discovered I can run for miles and will finish my first half-marathon in January (not quite soon enough for ‘09, but still at that certain milestone age. Yay!). I’ve handled some stress (good riddance, insomnia).

Oh, and I saw Nickelback in person—that ought to keep me happy for at least another decade.

I have only one resolution for 2010: to take one day a week to read a book, watch a movie, or play the Wii. I got this for Christmas too (told you I was really good!), because back in the days of original Nintendo, I was quite the Mario master. This time around, the point is not to win the game, but to do something for no reason other than fun. Trust me, I don’t do this. I don’t have time. So my resolution is to make time. Gotta see if I can still find the secret warp zones.

Happy New Year! What are your resolutions?

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…Kindle. Santa thought I was *very* good this year!

This is the coolest gadget I’ve ever held in my hands, and I’ve barely used it yet. It seems so fragile, and I’m waiting for its case to arrive before I start hauling it around and messing with it all the time. I am so excited to own one of these babies. The good news is, I’ll read a lot more. The bad news is…I’ll read a lot more.

It is so easy to buy a book on this thing, it’s not even funny. No computer or credit card needed (assuming you’ve already set up an Amazon account). From the convenience of the Kindle, I go to its store, choose a book and click “buy”—and voila! Book purchased, downloaded, and waiting to be read. I have not spent a bunch of money on books in years. Honestly, I haven’t been an avid reader in years, because I’ve been too busy writing, but a big part of it was also that I didn’t feel like driving to the bookstore or adding a bunch of clutter to a house I’m trying to clear out. (Ah, the advantages of e-books!) I cannot WAIT to read a few books a week again, and there are so many available right now that I want to get. But even at three or four dollars each, that’s going to add up!

Oh, well. I’m officially a digital convert. I was one of those people who couldn’t imagine reading anything but a “real” printed book, but you’d be surprised how much the Kindle screen (and those of all other electronic readers I’ve seen) looks like print. Besides, when you’re into a story, you don’t even notice what you’re reading on. You forget you’re reading at all. And did I mention how much fun it is to play with?

When I hear things like “signature charming characters” in reference to my books, my heart grows three sizes.

Merry Christmas, everyone! May Santa drop unexpected gifts your way as well!

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I’m guest blogging with Dorchester author Elisabeth Naughton today as part of a contest celebrating the upcoming release of the third book in her Stolen series. Check it out.