Sometimes a great opening paragraph is all it takes to sweep you into a book, whether it was something you were planning to read or not, and that’s what happened to me this morning.

I was rushing around as usual and grabbed the first book off of a stack before I headed out the door. Later when I had the chance to see what book I grabbed I did a bit of a cringe and thought oh no a Southern novel.

For a while there it seemed like every novel was a Southern novel. There was the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Ellen Foster, Bastard Out of Carolina, etc. And, I read all of those but I must have overdosed because really, novels set in the south just haven’t been my cup of tea (or should that be glass of mint julep), anymore. I still have some but I’m just finding other books to read first.

So it was with a bit of trepidation that I sat down to read Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, this novel promises lots of charming eccentrics and a closetful of family secrets. I was all set to not like it, but then there was the first paragraph.

“This will be a good weekend for reading.”

Hmm, I’ve said that plenty of times myself. Then as I read further in to the chapter I find out that the most exciting thing that happens for our protagonist is the arrival of the bookmobile.

Okay, I’m hooked.

That’s right, Thanksgiving is over and the shopping rush to find the perfect gift has begun. For booklovers, a gift card to a bookstore or book is bound to do the trick, but if you want to do something just a little bit special, here are some items readers might enjoy. Pssst…. I’m a reader too – just reminding you in case you want to send something my way.

• Reading is Sexy – Make a statement while reading a book. Isn’t it cute?
• Personal Library – You know you want to stamp all of your books.
• Pride & Prejudice anyone? – C’mon you can show off how well you know your Jane Austen trivia with this board game.
• Gorey Mug – The perfect cozy winter setting includes your book, your favorite reading chair and this mug.
• Bookmarks – Finally, why not a subscription to this magazine just to help a booklover add more books to their to be read list.

Also go check out So Many Books. An entry last week had some great gift ideas too.

Last Tuesday I went to the library. I know I had said I would try to go through my stacks of unread books, but it had been a while so why not. The place was practically cleared out as most people were getting ready for the upcoming holiday so I had a run of the place.

I checked out some books and was looking forward to the holiday but wham…. I got home and got sick. Don’t know if it was a delayed reaction to lots of chocolate eaten throughout the day or what. Either way, my reading days were interrupted by my being sick.

Luckily by the weekend I was feeling better. I went to see Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason and did a bit of shopping.

Coming up this week I’ll give you my review of the best books of the year, gift guide for bookaholics, and more book talk to follow.