Whew, glad that's over

Questions:

Why is CSI Miami on the air? Not only are the actors ATROCIOUS, but also the writing sucks. Upon what planet do DNA tests and fingerprint checks come back that fast? How many coincidences does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Why oh why didn't I watch more of House this year? I guess I'll have to catch up on DVD. Not that it's not far-fetched too, but the acting is splendid and that makes me forgive much.

Gilmore Girls is ending tonight. I haven't watched it since January. Anything I need to know, or will it be self-explanatory?

Anyone know when the new season of Life on Mars will be coming? Or Foyle's War?

On Books:

I've read several new (to me) books this semester that I haven't talked about here.
The Stranger House by Reginald Hill was outrageously good. Death Comes for the Fatman (also R. Hill) was also wonderful but reminiscent of others of his, including Who Guards the Prince (a must-read).

I read the first in The Series of Unfortunate Events which is good, if dark. Echoes of Dahl anyone?

Speaking of Dahl, we read The Fantastic Mr. Fox to MM. I'd never read it and thought it was a lovely re-telling of "The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night".

Also on the kidlit front, I read Justin Morgan Had a Horse. Nice. Easy read. Sweet. Not much more to say, really.

Back in the adult world, I read the newest Charlaine Harris book, All Together Dead. I like this writer very much, but the earlier books in this series are better. However, it's definitely a good one for a cozy afternoon on the couch. I think I can see where she's going to take the character in the next book.

Dana Stabenow's A Deeper Sleep was good, though somewhat uncomfortable. There're a great deal of guilt feelings floating around the park.

How many times have I told y'all to read Margaret Maron? Her latest, Winter's Child, is one of her best. This series keeps getting better and better. However, you'd probably better start with the previous book, Rituals of the Season, to get a bit of back story. Then, once you're hooked, you can go and read EVERYTHING SHE EVER WROTE.

There. Now that's off my chest. I can settle down and read Middlemarch for the first time. And Jane Austen's Letters. And some other stuff that's lying around.

Plus, I'm going to paint the dining room. No! Really! I am!