I'm coming a little late to the "best of.." posts, but 2008 was a year of some fabulous craft books.  I've gone through my own acquisitions, choosing several that I'm truly glad I own, then filled out the list with books I haven't yet purchased, but that have gotten lots of buzz or are on my wishlist.  (ht to SisterDiane for helping with that list).

Try to make a point to read from an inspirational book every now and then. I guess they're not for everyone, but over the years, inspirational books have gotten me through some pretty tough times. I have always thought that a big part of better health is better mental health. When we feel good emotionally, we usually feel better physically. For me, better mental health can be as simple as reading an inspirational quote, aspiration, or meditation.

What do you think of when I say "Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder?"  Do you think of summer afternoons reading about little Laura, her family and their adventures on the prairie?  Do you think of the TV show starring Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson?  Do you think Twitter?  Yeah, you heard me, Twitter.  Hold onto your bonnets, people 'cause you remember sweet little Laura?  Well she's a 21st century lady now and that means she's on Twitter.

Before I was asked to be part of a conference call interview with bestselling author Nicholas Sparks, I had never read one of his books. I knew of his books like, "The Notebook," "Message In A Bottle," "A Walk To Remember." I also knew that to speak with a bestselling author would be a treat so I eagerly agreed. With the Warner Bros movie, "Nights In Rodanthe" set to open tomorrow, I figured that was as good a place as any to get to know Mr. Sparks and his work. The book was a quick read and the kind of lovely story that makes you do a little soul searching and maybe a little life altering.

In a time when the conditions in Darfur are worsening, Maw Books Blog is leveraging her more than 20,000 monthly visitors to raise awareness about Darfur.  For the month of September, blogger Natasha Maw will be Reading & Blogging for Darfur.

Recently, I interviewed photographer Rick Smolan, who - along with his wife and creative partner, Jennifer Erwitt - put together the new photo book, “America at Home: A Close-Up Look at How We Live" from Running Press.

Three years of reading blogs seems to have changed the way I relate to books, especially autobiographies.  I've been riveted this week by a book called We Took To the Woods.  It was written over 50 years ago by Louise Dickinson Rich.  It's a smart, funny and conversational read, the story of a woman who, with her husband and children, simply packed up and headed to the remotest corner of rural of Main

I've come to realize that for some reason, there are a lot of booksellers out there who just don't feel it's important to offer a single book on postpartum depression or related illnesses for sale in their stores. I don't know why. I think that's a major disservice to women everywhere.

Every year for the holidays I customize books and give them to about 10 select friends. After making up that year's list, I search for the perfect book (normal binding, not too large or small, with wonderful paper) then paint, dye, stamp, embroider, and/or screen print fabric and make covers for the books.  Each includes a a small pocket for the appropriate marking instrument (writing pen or drawing pencil).

I have heard the name MacArthur Foundation for as long as I have been watching public television and public radio. To be honest, it didn't mean anything to me. Perhaps it was reverse elitism or something.

It's a good month to love crafting in all its various shapes and forms as new programs, books, and web-based activities are coming to tempt you! Let's see what some of the exciting offerings are: TV Quilting Arts moves from magazine to television.  Quilting Arts, one of the premiere surface design magazines in the world, will be adding a half-hour television show to thier offerings through a weekly PBS program.  Click on "station finder" to see if the episodes will be carried near you. PRINT

The slightly sinister amongst us are celebrating.  Nearly 2 weeks ahead of it's official publication date, Amazon is shipping it's first copies of AntiCraft