I can no longer pretend 2008 is not upon us! There is just too much going on and the world didn’t magically stop when I asked it to, so there’s nothing to do but forge ahead. And so! Some newsy items about Sweethearts, plus a few random thoughts on pop culture fluff since I regaled you with so much Serious Thinking in my last post:

- I updated my public calendar, finally! And you should check in case I am coming to a town near you…for instance, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Phoenix/Tempe. I’ve been excited to post this news, but also scared because what if it’s a dream and by posting it I wake up? But, yes, I have pinched myself a few times and have confirmation that I’ll be a guest at Not Your Mother’s Book Club on February 5th. But first, the launch of Sweethearts at the King’s English on Feb 1st! And hopefully a few more local things to come…

- I didn’t spend every waking moment of last year writing and obsessing over novels. I also wrote a few reviews for The Ultimate Teen Book Guide and it is out! This is a very useful and user-friendly volume that covers over 700 books written for teens as well as books that teens will enjoy. It’s full of summaries/reviews by librarians, teachers, authors, and readers, and also includes features by some of your favorite YA stars. This is a great resource for anyone who has any interest whatsoever in books for teens. You need a copy for your classroom, library, or home shelf! (And for the record, the titles I wrote about are Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack!, Freak the Mighty, and Prep.)

- My new favorite show might be How to Look Good Naked. Like this reviewer, I’m not sure if I’ll like it past two or three episodes, but yeah, I teared up. It’s on Lifetime! So you know it’s good!

- I’m caught up with Project Runway. It bothers me that I have such a visceral dislike for Ricky, who has never done anything to upset or offend me other than insist on wearing those stupid mesh caps. In news of “I’m practically three degrees from being a household word in the Project Runway apartments,” Jack Mackenroth totally reads Alan and Wendi Gratz’s blog, and I totally comment on it, which means a tea date with Tim Gunn is within my grasp.