How many of you have a wish list on Amazon? Whenever I learned about or read about a book that sounded interesting and perhaps wanted to check out from the library, I put it on that list. In the past, I’d write those titles down on backs of envelopes or a piece of scratch paper. Of course there’s been the times when I may lose that piece of paper or envelope, so putting it online has helped immensely.

Of course in scouring the list, I wonder what made me put that book title down in the first place? What struck me about this book? And do I want others to see what oddball books I put on the list? Thank goodness Amazon started a shopping list, which is private. I’ve been putting books on there lately.

But the books on my shopping list are relatively tame. The latest book I added to the list is titled “Searching For John Hughes.” I stumbled upon it when I did a search involving NPR and books.

Here’s part of a description from Amazon: For all fans of John Hughes and his hit films such as “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Sixteen Candles,” and “Home Alone,” comes Jason Diamond’s hilarious memoir of growing up obsessed with the iconic filmmaker’s movies — preoccupation that eventually convinces Diamond he should write Hughes’ biography and travel to New York City on a quest that is as funny as it is hopeless.

For as long as Jason Diamond can remember, he’s been infatuated with John Hughes’ movies. From the outrageous, raunchy antics in National Lampoon’s Vacation to the teenage angst in “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink” to the insanely clever and unforgettable “Home Alone,” Jason could not get enough of Hughes’ films. And so the seed was planted in his mind that it should fall to him to write a biography of his favorite filmmaker. It didn’t matter to Jason that he had no qualifications, training, background, platform, or direction. Thus went the years-long, delusional, earnest, and assiduous quest to reach his goal. But no book came out of these years, and no book will. What he did get was a story that fills the pages of this unconventional, hilarious memoir.

The book just came out on Nov. 29, so there’s no reviews on Amazon yet. Being a child of the ’80s and a fan of John Hughes’ movies, my interest is piqued. One of my favorite Hughes’ characters is Andi from “Pretty in Pink.” I loved her funky style and how she worked at a cool record store. I hope the book is as funny as the description promises. Also, I hope it will soon become available through inter-library loan. I’m trying to cut back on my book buying. Also on my Amazon shopping list are a few memoirs of people who have congenital heart defects. As a fellow CHD’er, I can kind of relate to these folks. Several of these heart patients have gone through more struggles than I have, but it’s interesting to read their stories.

A few months ago, Phil Hamman of Iowa came to the Marshall-Lyon County Library to talk about his and his wife’s book “Gitchie Girl.” It’s about an attack on a group of teenaged at the Gitchie Manitou State Preserve in Iowa. Four of those teens were killed, and the fifth, Sandra Cheskey, survived the attack. The Hammans interviewed Cheskey for the book, who “broke four decades of silence,” according to the back of the book. I like to read true crime books from time to time, and it turns out that this is the January selection for my book club. Now I have a reason to finally dig into it.

And in bringing out the cuteness, I have a book called “Pounce” on my shopping list. Photographer Seth Castell captured photos of cats and kittens as they pounce and jump through the air, up-close and adorable. C’mon, who can resist a cute kitten?

In looking at my wish list Thursday evening, I saw I had a request to update my list. Well, Christmas is coming…now what do I want besides books?