June 8th, 2013, 2:18 p.m. - Annual vacation week book roundup

24. NOS4A2 (Joe Hill)
Probably my favorite of Hill's novels, which is saying a lot, since I liked the other two, too. I hate to compare him to Stephen King, but I sometimes had to remind myself that this was Hill's book, not King's.

25. Bitter is the New Black (Jen Lancaster)
I read Lancaster's memoirs out of order, so it was nice to get the beginning of the story. I don't think I would like her very much if she hadn't gone through everything she details in this books.

26. Jeneration X (Jen Lancaster)
Jeneration X is similar to My Fair Lazy, but better. Also, it includes monkeys riding dogs, so...yeah. Top that.

27. Dad is Fat (Jim Gaffigan)
I wasn't actually familiar with Gaffigan before I read his book, but now I'll have to keep an eye out for his comedy. And hope that he makes enough money for a new place, because freaking A. Seven people in two bedrooms? No. Just no.

Up next: And the Mountains Echoed (Khaled Hosseini)

June 9th, 2013, 1:21 p.m. - Bring on the tough stuff!

So You Think You Can Dance - Memphis auditions: This is going to be a really, really good season. I just wish all the great dancers we've seen so far could make the top 20. Rating: 4 lucky pigs

June 15th, 2013, 6:12 p.m. - Not cool cutting Jennifer Jones, guys

So You Think You Can Dance - Vegas: Is there any doubt that Malece is going to make the top 20 (and possibly win the whole thing)? She's at the top of my list of potential finalists. Also on the list: Jenna, Amy, Jasmine Harper, Fik-Shun (who's KILLING IT), Jade, Curtis, Tucker, and maybe Alexis. I'm hoping we also get Mariah, the krumper who auditioned last year and who I keep spotting this season. I love her. Rating: 5 divas who always ruin group round for everyone

June 16th, 2013, 1:20 p.m. - "You will never say to yourself when you are old, Ah, I wish I was not good to that person. You will never think that"

28. And the Mountains Echoed (Khaled Hosseini)
The best of Hosseini's three novels. It's melancholy, even depressing in places, but well-told.

Up next: The Round House (Louise Erdrich)

June 22nd, 2013, 12:04 p.m. - I mean...striptease!

29. The Round House (Louise Erdrich)
It started out great, and then it went off on a bunch of tangents and felt too disjointed for me to keep up with. Then there was a completely random striptease, and I knew it had lost me forever. I'm not sure why everyone raved about this book. I read Erdrich's Love Medicine in college and liked it, so I was disappointed not to like this, too.

Up next: Eating the Dinosaur (Chuck Klosterman)

June 23rd, 2013, 12:58 p.m. - Let's go with some random thoughts

So You Think You Can Dance - Top 20 revealed:

1. I don't think there's one person in the finals who I don't agree with being there.
2. I was THRILLED to see Mariah make the top 20. I don't know why they didn't mention that she auditioned last season; that was when we got to see how great her personality is. I'm definitely rooting for her.
3. They kind of gave away Jasmine Mason's spot in the finals when Cat announced the other Jasmine by her full name. I just hope that having two Jasmines doesn't affect the voting, and that people are able to remember who's who.
4. Jenna could easily take this whole thing.
5. So could Fik-Shun.
6. I was happy to see that Aaron was the last-minute sub. I vaguely remember him, and I'm glad he got a second chance.
7. Oh, now they have critiques for Malece? Really?
8. Sorry, people who made the top 20 without getting any previous airtime. But remember, Tiffany didn't get any airtime before the finals last season, and she made the final four.