“True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.”

Badger wanted to know if I planned to further review In the Woods. At first I thought I would, but the difficulty of discussing what bugged me about the book is that it directly affects spoiling it for people who haven’t read it. So – I won’t review it per se. I will reiterate that it was a heck of a good read, and it kept me guessing (in some aspects) right up to the last page. The more straightforward mystery’s solution was obvious, but I think that was the author’s intention. I would definitely recommend it, and I am looking forward to reading French’s The Likeness, which features the most likeable character from this book.

Now to real news: I am going away this weekend. By myself (that is, without children or husband). Some high school friends with whom I reconnected via Facebook are getting together – where else? – down the shore. (Have I mentioned ever how much I miss the ocean, living 400 miles inland?) I have known all of these girls since high school, and a couple since kindergarten. Most of us are mostly SAHMs, a couple working part-time to keep sane, make some money, and keep our hands in our fields. One of us has 2 kids; 2 have 3 kids; 3 have 4, and one supermom has 5. You could check any or all of us into the Motel 8 on the Turnpike and I wager we’d be content.

I am baking a coffee cake and a coconut custard pie, and stocking up on munchies and a breakfast casserole, as we are all chipping in to feed everyone (although we do intend to go out also. Because, hello? The beach? Seafood!). I am very excited, despite the fact that I am not going to get a (much-needed) haircut before I leave. I am anticipating even the six-hour drive – peace and quiet and my music, NOT the Wiggles or “Philadelphia Chickens.”

Suse, dear, I am taking a knitting project (a poncho for my 12-year-old niece in fluffy pale pink yarn), and just in case, extra needles and yarn, in case anyone wants to learn. I plan some morning runs on the beach. I am taking a movie to share (what else? “Twilight.”)

But as always when I go away – what am I taking to read? Well, first, I am taking a bag of books to share – stuff I have doubles of, or stuff I won’t reread. (This still leaves me with approximately 2K-plus books jostling for bookcase space (or in the bedroom, floor space, sigh).)

But to read: I am wrapping up the third Cazalet family volume, Confusion (and hoping book four, Castng Off comes today. Not likely, alas.) I am still stocked, with volume 11 of the Fables graphic novels, War and Pieces; the newest Maisie Dobbs, Among the Mad; Mary Doria Russell’s Dreamers of the Day (someday I WILL read this, I swear, although I must note that this book is more well-traveled than I am), a library book called The Birth House (recommended by my friend who likes reading about midwives. In the to-share bag for her goes Karen Cushman’s The Midwife’s Apprentice and Gay Courter’s The Midwife); and a book lent me by a friend who borrowed my copy of Monsters of Templeton, Ahab’s Wife.

So, you know, when I am not eating or napping or giggling or snoozing or talking or sleeping (sense a trend here?) or drooling over Edward with my other Cullen-obsessed friends, I have options.

Always keep your options open. That’s what I have learned in the 20 years since high school.

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*Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.