Is she still on about Christmas songs?!

I am. But only to ask the writers among us a question. If you're published, go with your most recent book. If you're soon-to-be published, think about that book. If you're working toward publication, consider your WIP...

If your characters were celebrating Christmas right now, what would their favorite songs be?

I think Jacey's favorite song would be Santa Baby, and I'm sure those of you familiar with her would agree. And Noah's song would be Oi! To The World. He'd probably prefer The Vandals' version, but I don't think he'd have a problem with No Doubt's rendition, either. Not only because it's got more of a ska flavor, but I can see him thinking Gwen Stefani is hot.

So... your turn.

Christmas Songs

I have some really strange eclectic taste in Christmas songs. I've been thinking about my favorites and I think I can Top Five them.

Honorable Mention: Oi! to the World by The Vandals.

With lyrics like Oi! to the punks! Oi! to the skins! Oi! to the world! And everybody wins! How can you not love that?

5. Last Christmas by Wham!

I really have no explanation for this. At least not one that would make anyone go "Okay, yeah, that totally makes sense." I just like it.

4. Fairytale of New York by The Pogues (although I like the KT Tunstall/Ed Harcourt version a lot, too)

There's no time like Christmas to tell the one you love just how much you hate them!

3. Mele Kalikimaka by Bing Crosby (with the Andrews Sisters)

This one is sentimental. My stepdad loved listening to Bing Crosby and this was one of his favorites. I do get kind of a kick out of it, but I like that it reminds me of him at Christmas.

2. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt (and Madonna, and this awesome jazz version I heard tonight on NPR that was NOT Cynthia Basinet, but ONLY THOSE THREE.)

My favorite would have to be Eartha Kitt's version because she's so kooky, but the one I heard tonight was really, really great.

1. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

Like Wham! this one is inexplicable. It just makes me really happy.

So what about you? What are your favorite Christmas tunes?

Santa Claus FTW!

This totally made my morning (from Yahoo! News):

PHARR, Texas – A Texas man has been arrested after a 9-year-old girl wrote to Santa Claus asking that a relative stop touching her and her sister.

The Monitor of McAllen reports that a man from the town of Pharr was arrested Friday and is in the Hidalgo County jail.

A criminal complaint says the girl turned the letter in at Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Authorities interviewed the girl after a school counselor reported the letter.

The complaint says investigators believe the molestation occurred over a period of four years.

The man is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child and could face as many as 99 years in prison if convicted.

Another MeMe

I found this on Susan Colasanti's LJ. Since my brain is too tired to come up with anything on its own, I thought I'd steal borrow it.

first memory: shoes

childhood ambition: artist

strange fascination:

retreat: silence

wildest dream: a house in san francisco

soundtrack: my own

proudest moment: scott (but only because he was first)

biggest challenge: procrastination

alarm clock: off

perfect day: writing, reading, old movie

recent impulse buy: vanity fair

first job: pit caller at national rifle matches

indulgence: godiva dark chocolate with raspberry center

weakness: cheese

inspiration: the slackers

The results are in

It's been an exhausting week, because after I started this poll, my friend Karen started her own poll, pitting Jake Ryan against Gilbert Blythe. And then one of her friend started a poll, pitting Gilbert Blythe against Oz (from Buffy). And so on, until someone was actually using Data from the Star Trek franchise as a perfect man. Um. What? And someone else suggested Todd Wilkins of Sweet Valley High fame, but c'mon. That kid was dumb enough to let Jessica dupe him into thinking she was Elizabeth. I realize they're twins, but when you make out with one of them on a regular basis, you should be able to tell the difference.

So here's how it all shakes out:

The overall winner in all the contests was Gilbert Blythe. Apparently no one can hold a candle to Anne Shirley's one true love. However, in my poll, Jake Ryan is the winner. He barely squeaked past the "other" category (which, in retrospect, I should never had added as an option since the point was Edward vs. Jake) but he did defeat Edward Cullen. And that's really all that matters.

The Perfect Guy

Two posts in one day! I know, right? (Scroll down to read the first post and give me your opinions.)

But I just finished watching Sixteen Candles for the eleventy millionth time and it made me think about how crazy girls (and Suz) are over Edward Cullen from the Twilight juggernaut and how it was the same back in 1984 with Jake Ryan. Although I didn't see the film version of Twilight, I read the book and, sorry, Edward just doesn't do it for me. Jake, on the other hand... be still my heart!

I imagine a conversation between them would be something like:

Edward: Girls like me better because I'm a bad boy. Forbidden.
Jake: Yeah, well, I'm the most popular guy at school. Same deal.
Edward: Okay, but I have great hair.
Jake: Um, so do I.
Edward: Beautiful eyes?
Jake: Ditto.
Edward: I'm rich. I have expensive cars.
Jake: Hello? Porsche, remember?
Edward: I don't wear sweater vests.
Jake: Dude, cut me some slack. It was the 80's. Everyone wore sweater vests then. Besides, I wore Doc Martens.
Edward: Fair enough. But I'm the sensitive type. Girls love that.
Jake: I gave Samantha her underwear back and I bought her a birthday cake. Not to mention the fact I dumped my hot, slutty girlfriend for her.
Edward: I watch Bella sleep.
Jake: Yeah, I gotta tell ya. That's just creepy.
Edward: I sparkle!
Jake: Okay, you got me there.

So let me ask you this. If the two of them had to go head-to-head, who would you choose? You can click your answer in the poll, but tell me why in the comments. Or, if there's someone else entirely (like Captain Jack Sparrow totally does it for my mom), tell me who.

Jake: By the way, Eddie, I don't have to be dead to pick up girls.
Edward: Undead.
Jake: Whatever.

Books

With 2008 winding to a close, I've had some time to think about all the young adult fiction I read this past year. I don't think there were many--if any--I didn't like, but there were a few I especially loved.

TOP FIVE FAVORITE YA NOVELS OF 2008:

1. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
2. How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle, and Lauren Mlynowski
3. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4. Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
5. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

My MG favorite of the year was Savvy, by Ingrid Law. It bears mentioning because it's absolutely wonderful and if you have a middle grader or strong young reader, you should buy it for them right now.

With 2009 just around the corner, I'm looking forward to so many new books. And like this past year, there a few I'm particularly excited to read.

TOP FIVE ANTICIPATED IN 2009:

1. Evermore by Alyson Noel
2. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers (officially out this month, but it's close enough to 2009 to count)
3. Stargazer by Claudia Gray
4. As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
5. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

And a special nod goes to Cassie Clare's City of Glass, which ranks high on my daughter's list of books to read in 2009.

What did you like in 2008? And what are you looking forward to in 2009?