BOOKS!

Forever Princess, the tenth and final book in Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries series, will be released this Tuesday, in addition to a special bonus novel, Ransom My Heart.
EEK!!!
I'm a HUGE Meg Cabot fan. HUUUUUGE. Seven years ago, I discovered The Princess Diaries, and it's been all young adult for me ever since. Basically, Meg is the reason why I read what I read, and I write what I write.
And as you know, I'm pretty much all about the reading and the writing. It's kind of what I do.
The series has had its ups and downs, but the last two entries have been her strongest, and the newest promises to be a stellar ending. How can it not be at FOUR HUNDRED pages? That's nearly twice as long as the others! My mind spins at all the wondrous Michael Moscovitz goodness headed my way.
Because OF COURSE Mia is going to end up with Michael.
OF COURSE.
Ransom My Heart is a romance novel (written by Mia, during her senior year) being released the same day. It was printed on recycled paper and all of the proceeds go to -- where else?! -- Mia's favorite charity, Greenpeace.
TELEVISION!
HIP HIP HUZZAH! Thank you ABC for saving my favorite television show! How often does that happen? Um, practically never. But ABC acknowledged the perfection that is Chocolate Bear and Vanilla Bear (and their lovable stuffed dog, Rowdy). Not to mention Dr. Cox's rants, Eliot's freak-outs, Ted's barber shop quartet, Dr. Kelso's addiction to muffins, Janitor's aversion to pennies, and the most rocking soundtrack on television.
Fingers crossed the new network treats Scrubs with the respect it deserves. It starts next Tuesday the sixth. Which is the same day Meg Cabot's books come out.
Clearly there is something magical about January 6th.
I suggest you buy a lottery ticket.
MOVIES!
I can't wait for two films, both of which were supposed to have been released THIS year. Sucky studios.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (obviously)

And Rudo y Cursi.

Rudo y Cursi was directed by Carlos Cuarón, brother of Alfonso (loooove Alfonso), and co-writer of Alfonso's film Y tu mamá también (one of my top ten favorite movies EVER). Which starred Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, who are also the stars of Rudo y Cursi.
See why I'm excited? This movie will be GOLDEN. Upon exiting the theater, I will probably be crying rainbow tears of joy and dancing the Roger Rabbit.
Because it's either the Roger Rabbit, the Running Man, or the Davy Jones. I don't know any others, sorry.
PEOPLE!
And finally . . . I'm thrilled about the arrival of my first niece or nephew.

I will totally be the cool aunt who rents them R-rated movies, drives them to get their first tattoo, and rots their teeth with extra sugar-infused bubblegum.
The mystery baby (BOY OR GIRL? Only the ultrasound technician knows!) is due mid-January, and currently goes by the name Jack Jack.
The mystery baby (BOY OR GIRL? Only the ultrasound technician knows!) is due mid-January, and currently goes by the name Jack Jack.
Since my sister's uterus was exposed to thermonuclear radiation during a Martian mission gone awry, we are expecting Great Things from Jack Jack, such as the ability to fly, voluntary invisibility, or -- at the very least -- earlobes large enough to break a Guinness world record.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Coming soon:
Two more lists! HA! My best books and best films of 2008 (see 2007's book list here and 2006's here). The book list will be hard -- I read many incredible novels, how to choose?? -- as will the film list, but for totally different reasons.
Cinema kind of sucked this year.
Don't get me wrong. I saw plenty of GOOD movies, just not many GREAT ones. Whereas last year, I couldn't even narrow my list to ten. And I had to blog it in three parts! (One, two, three.)
And though the order has changed (Once and Sweeney Todd would be higher up, and Across the Universe would be first), I stand by them all. In fact, I like them so much I own ten of the thirteen! How many films would I buy from this year? Answer: Not many.
So stay tuned, put on your party hat, and drive safely. See you in 2009.