Reviewing Whatever

Image via WikipediaNow that I'm at an age where friends are beginning to have children, I've decided that I'm going to be that family friend -- for good or ill -- and try to give the gift of a love of reading.

I'm collecting a list of beloved children's books, from board books through first readers into YA and teen-friendly adult books.  The current list spans from Where's Spot through East of Eden, if you're looking for a range.  I'm especially hoping for books I remember loving as a kid, but have forgotten (but there's a handful of people whom I'll let vouch for a book, if I've never read it).

So your mission is to let me know which books you read until the covers fell off when you were a kid.

Note: if it's a series, no problem, but ideally I'll just pass along the first book unless/until the child expresses an interest in it. See: The Baby-Sitters Club (#1 Kristy's Great Idea); Animorphs (#1 The Invasion); Goosebumps (#1 Welcome to Dead House).

And don't worry -- if I give your child a book she already owns, I encourage you to pass it along to a friend or a charity.  Spread the words!

OK, so the whole premise of this blog is that I'm all over the place, but if you're reading this, there must be a reason.  So what do you like?  What do you want to see in the future?

More full length reviews? Of movies?  Books?  Restaurants?  Tourist sites? Random crap like post offices and libraries?


More quickies?

More "You should know" gossip about my life and friends and what they have to do with the review?

More advice to people who are in the situation I was?

More links to other blogs?

Something else I haven't mentioned?  Something I haven't done yet but you'd like to see?


No polls, because I want to hear (read?) your opinions.

This mission is a little different, folks.

The Situation

See, having discussed e-books, I'm thinking about Kindles. I know for some people, it can save them a ton of money in the long run. For othrs, it's a massive money sink. For some, the portability adds much-needed flexibility. For others, the inability to borrow or lend takes that flexibility away.

Your Mission

Give me your best argument as to why I should -- or should not -- get a Kindle.

Suggestions of alternative e-readers are awesome, too, if you can make a case for them.

I'll share your responses with Chris, and maybe they'll influence his/my/our Christmas shopping this year. Heh.

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The Situation

You know, I don't read a lot of e-books. PDFs just don't feel comfortable when I'm looking to read and learn. But some are totally worth it.

Your Mission

Folks, I'm looking for your suggestions of the best e-books out there (free ones are even better!).

Leave a recommendation -- with the appropriate link -- in the comments below. I'll try as many as I can in the weeks ahead, and give you a round-up with the results.

Thanks!

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The Situation

You know what's great with tapas? Sangria.
For one of my wedding showers, Brian actually made mass amounts of sangria (and mojitos. Go Brian!).

Your Mission

There are a million recipes out there, and while I'm willing to try some, what I want right now is your recommendations of where I can go get the best sangria in Manhattan, Queens, or Nassau County, NY; Philadelphia or Montgomery County; New Jersey; or Dover, DE.
Leave a recommendation in the comments below -- I'll try as many as I can in the weeks ahead, and give you a round-up with the results.

Thanks!

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The Situation

Last time I gave you a mission, it was for French fries. Delicious, but I think we need to combat them by finding some awesome healthy food.

Your Mission

My stomach appeals to you, folks: where can I find the best healthy food in Manhattan, Queens, or Nassau County, NY; Philadelphia, Montgomery County, or Chester County, PA; South Jersey; or Dover, DE?

Leave a recommendation in the comments below -- I'll try as many as I can in the weeks ahead, and give you a round-up with the results.

Thanks!

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The Situation

I've written about burgers in the past. I like burgers. But... where are the fries?

Your Mission

So, folks, tell me: where are the absolute best french fries in Manhattan, Queens, or Nassau County, NY; Philadelphia, Montgomery County, or Chester County, PA; South Jersey; or Dover, DE?

Leave a recommendation int he comments below -- I'll try as many as I can in the weeks ahead, and give you a round-up with the results.

Thanks!

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The Situation

The headers on this blog under the H1 html tag are too big. I'd like to shrink them a little, but I don't know how.

Your Mission

Folks, I'm looking for help with tweaking the HTML in my template so that my primary headings are a bit smaller and less cluttered-looking.

When the situation is fixed, I'll be thrilled to promote the blog of my successful helper! So leave a suggestion in the comments, please.

Thanks!

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We need your help, folks.

In this new feature, I'm going to give you a mission: to make recommendations in the comments section.

The situation

Chris and I are going to Italy for our honeymoon.  Pretty sweet, right?

Your mission

Your mission is to recommend places we should go and things we should see.  And I don't want answers like "The Vatican."  I want answers like "In Rome, on the corner of A Street and B Street, there's a cafe.  You absolutely must try their Dish X." 

We'll do as many as we can, and I'll give you a round-up of the results not long after we get back.  Thanks!