Excerpted in latimes.com yesterday, in their column called Showbiz 7's!

I'll have books at the show tonight. And when you buy them from me I'll fancy sign to you or any of your giftees plus a free crystal with every book!

You can also pick up copies at the Larchmont Farmer's Market from the soy candle guy. His candles smell incredible, he makes them himself. They are only ten bucks. Just like the book. And this time of year is impossible without candles.

"Did I Wake You?" is also available in store and online at the wonderful St. Mark's Boostore.

"Books by Soft Skull Press look great in terms of production; they're also a lot of fun to actually read. Every holiday season, this little Brooklyn, N.Y.-based publisher brings out a number of great books, and this year, it's no different. Straddling the genres of humor, self-help and haiku, Beth Lapides' Did I Wake You? is drawing much attention for its inspirational power, even if much of her work seems deeply personal. Punk rock yet approachable, Lapides is a commentator for NPR's All Things Considered, and her writing has been called everything from "quick-shit lit" to "haikuzzi." Here's a sample: "Decorate, but don't / spend too much, you'll move again / soon--or you'll die." Or: "Corn or tomatoes? / Can't bear to decide. Nervous / breakdown on aisle nine." Or: "Bad for my skin to / sit in the sun but good to / be kissed by a star." We could keep going, but it's better if you just buy the book yourself." - Tuscon Weekly

DARKNESS AND LIGHT Black and white stripes. When my publisher said that a successful book cover works close-up and from far away as well, I thought black and white stripes. They always catch my eye. Black and white stripes are design's answer to the yin yang symbol.

I am not being glib when I say that I believe that the secret to waking up is falling asleep. And sleeping well. And recently I learned that it is actually healthier to sleep in darkness. That should be no problem this time of year when it is dark almost all the time! Studies show that light at night interferes with one of the body's greatest natural defences against cancer - melatonin, dubbed "the hormone of darkness".

So don't go to sleep with your TV on. Or on the couch with all the lights turned up high. And don't stay up all night and sleep all day if you can help it. This is the hardest for me, a born night owl. As I say in the book:
The early bird gets
the worm but the night owl gets
the starry eyed sky.

As always: When I have to use an alarm clock I use the Now & Zen, which is a beautiful chime that rings in a 10 minute sequence which follows the golden ratio progression. Makes waking up pleasant. Dreamy. Possible.

There is this amazing crysatline energy that is emerging out of what I think of as The Murk. Murky thought, muddy waters, confused feelings. One aspect of this is the next step in the evolution of the human species through humans who are known as Indigo and Crystal Children. You may be one. I am told I am Indigo. Indigo's mission is to be a messenger of light and love now. Whether or not you believe in this, it is really quite lovely to think the thought, "I am a messenger of light and love now".

And of course there's Dr. Emoto, who you know I am in love with. Who has taken the most beautiful pictures of water crystals that support the idea that water has consciousness. Of course we are mostly water and so if water forms more beautiful crystals when we tell it we love it what do you think happens when we love oursleves. And to think of all that time I beat myslef up for bad sets in clubs, misbegotten love affairs or meetings that didn't go the way i though they should.

And then, in this darkest of time there is the magic of the snow crystals. Is it true that no two are alike?

And finally, as if all this isn't exciting enough the absolutely best time waster ever has come into my life! You make snow crystals for charity. I warn you, it is totally addictive.

Please forward this email to your wakey friends by clicking on the link at the end of this email. I'm sure there's a way to put it somewhere else but my IT department is on sabbatical.

Peace, love, namaste, blessings and all that good stuff. xoxo Beth