Member: Ireadthereforeiam

Megan, I can't find your 2013 thread! Knowing you, you're on your 3rd already.
*sending up a flare*
Tui

posted by tiffin at 6:07 pm (EST) on Feb 3, 2013

oh my goodness, Megan, you have 5 of my all-time favorite books on your Booker list: 'the sea, the sea,' 'regeneration trilogy,' 'remains of the day,' 'possession,' and 'moon tiger.' 'possession' was one of the last 3 books i was able to read visually, all 3 of which made my 'favorite books ever' list. i've listened to it 3 times since, 'Regeneration' i've listened to probably 6 times, 'remains of the day' 3 times and i'm considering 'moon tiger' as a reread for this year. if you've not read any of them before, i envy you. what delights you have in store. :) oh and if you read audio books at all, Peter Firth's narration of the 'Regeneration' trilogy, and especially 'Regeneration,' is absolutely inspired.

posted by mirrordrum at 3:52 pm (EST) on Jan 12, 2013

About 'Olive Kitteridge' - I'm not normally a short story lover, but these were so inter-related it felt like a full book told from different perspectives - as i am sure you will have discovered by now. xx sweetie - enjoy!

posted by PrueGallagher at 8:54 pm (EST) on Nov 22, 2012

Oooh, Megan - see you have just added 'Olive Kitteridge' - one of my favourites for the year! Great book.

posted by PrueGallagher at 11:00 pm (EST) on Nov 19, 2012

Megan - thanks for the list. I've narrowed it down to either Border Crossing or By George. I'll leave it to you to surprise me. Wow, this is fun.
Kerry

posted by avatiakh at 2:38 am (EST) on Nov 11, 2012

Funny - I was about to send you a PM on how to go about the swap! Gotcha, but I do think that the unlucky fellow with me should be able to send mine by book depository post-free. Thanks for organising this Megan and have a lovely weekend.

posted by PaulCranswick at 1:18 am (EST) on Nov 10, 2012

Hi Megan count me in!

posted by patrickgarson at 2:42 am (EST) on Nov 3, 2012

Forgot to add, I'm spending christmas in Christchurch this year, we're there from the 24th Dec to the 2nd January so if you want to do a meet up, I'd be keen.

Leonie

posted by KiwiNyx at 8:09 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2012

Hi Megan,

I've been planning to come back and give a little update on the busy year we've had.. renovating, europe trip, work, and reading of course so your message was a good reminder.. watch this space!

As to the book swap, I think it's a great idea and you can count me in.

Thanks,
Leonie

posted by KiwiNyx at 8:08 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2012

Hi, Megan.

I've decided I'd like to participate in the book swap - mostly because I've realised that as I drift further and further into the realm of old / obscure books (and having just staggered in with another load of second-hand classics from a book fair), there are some more contemporary works on my shelves that realistically I'm not going to go back to; though parting with books is always painful. :)

So - in! Thank you!

Liz

posted by lyzard at 8:32 pm (EST) on Oct 26, 2012

I'm keen! What condition do the books need to be in? brand new, gently read, or anything goes? You have all the kiwi's I've met on LT so far!

posted by kiwiflowa at 2:36 am (EST) on Oct 23, 2012

Hi Megan, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pike on your wonderful suggestion of a book swap for Xmas! I don't need any more books (really, honestly, I have more than enough to last me the rest of my lifetime!); and I have no time this year, stupid work getting in the way of reading. :(

Best of luck, it's a great idea!

posted by wookiebender at 2:04 am (EST) on Oct 23, 2012

Hi, Megan!

Theoretically I would love to participate in something like this but I'm honestly not sure I'd be able to supply an appropriate list of books. Really the only ones I'm thinking of getting rid of are old text books, and some piles of non-fiction (some of it not just second- but third-hand) relating to some topics of, shall we say, dubious interest. :)

Since I have until November I guess I can scan the shelves and see what the list would realistically look like, but I don't want to be the person who puts a lump of coal in someone's stocking!

Thanks for the invitation - I'll try to get back to you ASAP with a definite yes or no.

Liz

posted by lyzard at 5:37 pm (EST) on Oct 22, 2012

Hi Megan,

Thanks for your Asia-Pac book swap message. It could be a possibility in other years, but unfortunately this year, I'm away from home, and unable to access my collection. Not to say I haven't bought books in the meantime, but I'm carefully keeping them to books I want to hang on to, and making good use of the local library, too.

But please keep me in mind for next year.

Thanks for getting in touch,

Nina

posted by humouress at 5:52 am (EST) on Oct 22, 2012

Hi Megan,

Love the book swap idea! I'd be happy to take part in it - off to see what's on my shelves...

Alana

posted by SouthernKiwi at 4:22 am (EST) on Oct 22, 2012

Thanks for getting in touch - yes, I would be happy to take part in the book swap, so count me in!

Regards
Tim

posted by timjones at 4:01 am (EST) on Oct 22, 2012

Hello megan - what a lovely idea about the book swap!

Yes, trying to rack by brains around other antipodeans: Wookiebender, patrickgarson (who doesn't post in threads but is a dear friend and colleague who introduced me to LT and posts lots of reviews - and I know he wants to cull from his mountain of books).

Can't think of anyone else though who wouldn't be a complete stranger! This will be fun (away to my stash to see what I can part with!) You are sweet to have thought of this. Been a bit of an occasional joiner this past month or two. So so busy at work and I don't take my PC home at night (too bloody heavy to slog up and down the hill with) and weekends have been hectic with getting the farm in order to sell in December. But I try to lurk even if I don't post!

mwah sweetie to your gorgeous self and your irrepressible boys!

posted by PrueGallagher at 11:43 pm (EST) on Oct 21, 2012

Hi Megan - thanks for adding my library. Nice to see another kiwi about the place.

I see you are currently reading Visitation - I'd be interested in your thoughts on it. An intriguing book in many ways.

Oh, and like you I am also trying to read The Bone People at some stage in 2012 too!

zeno.

posted by zenomax at 6:27 am (EST) on Apr 26, 2012

HEY, just cruising around and saw your name. Where i'm from there are LOTS of people with tattooed forearms so i can dig what you're saying... QUITE HANDY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A BOOK!!
Peace, boney.mmmm.

posted by boney.mmmm at 3:26 pm (EST) on Mar 10, 2012

Megan - you are an absolute angel! Thanks so much for the info - I will go through with SWMBO and get her to choose.

posted by PaulCranswick at 9:49 am (EST) on Feb 19, 2012

Hi Megan,

Thank you for your comment on my thread about Andrew Biss' The Impressionists. He is a brilliant writer of short stories and I hope you will take the time to download his collection and read it, as it is definately worthwhile.

Alan

posted by TheTortoise at 10:15 am (EST) on Feb 10, 2012

Thanks Megan for keeping us so much in mind. Of the two trans-alpine destinations which would you recommend the most?

posted by PaulCranswick at 2:08 am (EST) on Feb 6, 2012

Hi Megan, those book suggestions all look so good, I could happily take any of them and I think that a meetup will definitely be on the cards when I come down next. What part of Chch are you in? I usually stay with my parents in Ilam or my big sister in Linwood when I visit although I suspect it will be Ilam for the next trip. Getting excited now although it is a pity the Main Street Cafe and Smiths bookshop are no longer open.

posted by KiwiNyx at 5:58 am (EST) on Feb 3, 2012

Thanks Megan - will get to work!

posted by PaulCranswick at 3:17 am (EST) on Jan 27, 2012

Megan - thanks so much! SWMBO overrode my travel dates and we are now arriving on 29 March and going back on 19 April. Arr and depart both via Christchurch but we do want to do both islands. Very much in the planning stage and I would really welcome your suggestions on good places to visit, thrifty accommodation and car hire etc! Effectively we have 21 days and I thought something like 12 days in the South and 9 in the North?

posted by PaulCranswick at 2:00 am (EST) on Jan 27, 2012

YOu are incredible!

Thanks for sharing your story!

posted by Whisper1 at 7:36 pm (EST) on Jan 11, 2012

Hello Dear Megan

Thank you for your outreach. It means every so much.

Love
Linda

posted by Whisper1 at 8:01 pm (EST) on Jan 9, 2012

Megan I just realised when I have been compiling stats that I have nver sent you a friend request! Embarrasing late and belated request that it is hope you won't snub it.

posted by PaulCranswick at 4:56 am (EST) on Jan 3, 2012

8 is even better! Tim needs to go into work (just found out) so I have to be home by 10. What's your hotel? I'll just show up as soon as I get in - will text you first when I'm leaving Wadestown (about 15 minutes' drive)

posted by cushlareads at 5:18 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2011

I'll text you - but I can come to your hotel and do whatever fits with Lenny. I can even bring coffee to your hotel room if you want! And if he's awake, there is a really nice cafe v near your hotel on Willis St.

Early suits me really well - am up at about 5 am still.

See you soon
cush

posted by cushlareads at 2:45 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2011

Megan

Thank you for being such a loyal follower on my thread! I deeply appreciate it.

posted by Whisper1 at 7:23 pm (EST) on Nov 19, 2011

Haha, right... I'll take that as a compliment. I think. I've been reading through all of Stephen's threads trying to catch up and your name caught my eye - it's always interesting when I find someone who shares some of the slightly more unusual titles in my library. :)

If it's any help, I've not really been around much on the new one recently. The bookshop one's been busy again, though - at this time of year I'm reading more than ever!

posted by elliepotten at 5:37 am (EST) on Nov 11, 2011

Megan, what an atmospheric profile photo! Is it yours or am I supposed to recognize it from LotR?
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:54 am (EST) on Sep 14, 2011

Hi Megan,

I saw a comment you left on Prue's site about the cost of books in NZ. As a (relatively) recent transplant from Texas to NZ, I can so agree. I used to think nothing of buying a book that looked interesting. Now I get 90% of my reading material from the library. This wasn't much of an issue when we lived in Auckland, but now that we've moved to Northland, the NAL (Not Available Locally) notations on my TBR list are beginning to be worrisome. Sending you a friend request.

posted by jeanned at 5:06 am (EST) on Jun 3, 2011

Hello from Australia, Megan! I see you are reading Indepenence Day - love that book; love Richard Ford. Love that sense of driving through the American landscape with him. Hope you enjoy it!

posted by PrueGallagher at 8:26 am (EST) on May 31, 2011

Oh, great. I hope that you like Jasper Jones. I am on the lookout for Rhubarb too!

posted by Lidbud at 9:17 pm (EST) on Jun 11, 2010

Hi again. Thanks for adding me to your interesting libraries. I consider that a big complliment. I'll bet that you are glad that it has stopped raining!

Jillian.

posted by Lidbud at 6:41 am (EST) on Jun 11, 2010

Hey there

I think it was all the "hype" around girl with dragon tattoo. To start with i am not a very big crime person it has to really grab me and i found with this the concept was interesting however it seemed to take forever to get anywhere!!!
By the end of it i had no emotional concetion with the characters it was more the fact that i wanted to know what happened rather then why it happened or for that fact even care why it happened!

Time travellers wife is kinda similar. The whole story was just too confusing to follow and conect with the book as i found myself constantly trying to think back as to what had recently happened! I also read her new book "her fearful symetry" and found i disliked that as well. Maybe its just her style? I don't know.

Sorry about the late reply i have been neglecting the site recently =P

Jess

posted by Jdefaz at 10:25 pm (EST) on Jun 7, 2010

Hi, thanks for the recommendation for Nickel and Dimed, I'll have a look out for this book. Have you read Hard Work: Life in Low Pay Britain by Polly Toynbee, it's similar to Below the Breadline but it is one of my favourite books.

posted by callmybluff at 1:37 pm (EST) on May 30, 2010

Thanks for the note about Yann Martel sending books to Canada's PM. I looked it up - v. interesting!

posted by madhatter22 at 3:39 pm (EST) on May 26, 2010

Hi there. There are a few New Zealanders on LT, but you are the first one from Christchurch that I have seen. I see that you are in the 75 Books group, too. I'm about to put a comment in your thread.

posted by Lidbud at 4:45 am (EST) on May 22, 2010

okay I cannot resist. I also am enjoying mama day vino and am now going on to that website. thanks. i think?

posted by kiwidreadgirl at 2:45 am (EST) on May 9, 2010

yes - Fast Food Nation was a very enlightening book for me as well. Not that I ate much fast food anyway, but since I read the book in 2004, I have not been able to eat at McDonalds since.. I think I have had BurgerKing once and Wendys once since then, and that has been the sum total of my fast food eating, unless you count Subway, Wawa, or Panera, which are more sandwich places than burger places.

Ive never been to New Zealand, though a number of my friends have, and I hear there is quite the sheep production there. Probably a silly question, but are lamb burgers as big there as cowburgers are in the US? Forgive the ignorant Mmmerkin ;)

US food production or not, I think Omnivore's Dilemma a worthwhile read. I had the opportunity recently to hear Pollan speak and interestingly, he mentioned that some who read his book said it was the reason they could no longer eat meat, and some vegetarians said it was the reason they could eat meat again (realizing that there are ways to alleviate their concerns). So take from it what you will, but it's an interesting call to think about food choices in a new way (or at all).

posted by bfertig at 7:13 am (EST) on May 1, 2010

likewise! I didn't see it in your library, but if you haven't read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, check it out. Some food for thought ;) Cheers!

posted by bfertig at 6:48 am (EST) on Apr 30, 2010

I never read those books on that group, either! In fact, I propably spend more time on LT than I read :)

posted by Sandydog1 at 6:45 am (EST) on Apr 30, 2010

Welcome and I saw your great comment over at the 'Snobs.

You should check out these guys as well: Le Salon Litteraire du Peuple pour le Peuple

posted by Sandydog1 at 4:05 am (EST) on Apr 24, 2010

Thanks for adding me to your interesting libraries list. I noticed you joined 'Reading Globally' a little while ago. It is a great group, and the group reads and discussions can be really fascinating.
All the best,
D.

posted by depressaholic at 4:54 am (EST) on Mar 31, 2010