Happy New Year! I hope you had a terrific holiday. I spent a chunk of Christmas week on the Outer Banks knitting and reading --- often simultaneously. I like this way to multi-task! One quick note: I noticed that when I am reading "the exciting parts" I pick up stitches. I have learned to put down the knitting when I am at those points. At one point I had added TEN extra stitches to a twenty stitch wide scarf!

If you are like me, you are caught up in the holidaze. My lists have lists, but somehow this year is calmer than others. I don't think I am more prepared. I do think I have made a pact with myself to just enjoy the season and not get myself frenzied. So far, with two weeks to go, it's working. Each night I am making time for personal reading, which is something I usually forego as the pace ramps up going into the holiday. It really makes a difference to just give myself those few minutes of escape!

You would think after recommending books to the 1.1 million readers in our Network each month I would find suggesting books to friends to be a snap. But, oh no, this is pressure. In the past months I have found myself sweating my role of what I call, "Book Concierge." I wrote a blog about it last month that has been getting some great reader mail. I thought you would enjoy reading it here. Our poll question asks if you find yourself in a role of recommending books to friends since you are in a book club --- and well-read.

A few months ago I finished reading an advance reading copy of The Divide by Nicholas Evans. Many of you may know Evans from his first book, The Horse Whisperer. I finished this book and immediately wanted to talk about it. I gave a copy to a friend for his birthday and soon we were trading e-mails about the story --- and what it says about the relationships between men and women, as well as those between parents and their children. I have had the opportunity to hear Evans speak about The Divide twice now, as well as reading and watching interviews with him. This is a book that has stayed with me. There is a passion and sincerity in the writing. I know it would make a great book club discussion, which is why we are making it our contest book this month.