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Sometimes I try to make soup out of all the leftovers in the refrigerator.  Today's post is blog soup -- all the little notes I've been meaning to mention but haven't had time. 

One of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Books in Shelburne, VT,  was nominated for the Lucille Micheels Pannell Award honoring bookstores that "excel at inspiring the interest of young people in books and reading."  If you've ever been to see Josie & Elizabeth at Flying Pig, you know  their children's section is fabulous, and they have a steady stream of guest authors (I'll be there on April 5th!). The nomination is a well-earned honor!  (Congrats are also in order for winning stores, Books & Books of Coral Gables, FL and Wonderland Books of Rockford, IL. The descriptions of these stores make me want to visit them all.)
      
Laurie Halse Anderson (halseanderson ) and her husband are training tirelessly for the Lake Placid Half Marathon.  They're running with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training to raise money for cancer research.  Even if you only run when being chased, you can click here to contribute to their efforts.

I've been waiting and waiting and waiting...and this Thursday, the Cybils Award Winners will be announced.  I served as a panelist for MG fiction, and I can't wait to see what one of our eight finalists the judges choose.

Kerry Madden (mountainmist) is having a cool school picture contest on her blog, and she's giving away signed copies of Jessie's Mountain.  Here's your opportunity to profit from that 3rd grade school photo where your collar was tucked in and your hair looked like devil horns.

Speaking of contests, don't forget that I'm giving away a signed ARC of Linda Sue Park's Keeping Score.  Check out this post for the details. You have  until 6pm EST on Wednesday to enter.  The winner will be announced on Valentine's Day.

And finally, have you checked out Nonfiction Mondays?  I love the idea of a blogging day devoted to nonfiction.  I missed today's roundup, but I'll be participating next Monday.  I hope you'll stop by to check out my interview with Jim Murphy, award-winning author of fantastic non-fiction titles like The Great Fire, Blizzard,  An American Plague, and most recently, The Real Benedict Arnold.