Member: Joycepa

I enjoyed it quite a bit, but I thought the very last part of the book seemed rushed, from the time they left San Diego. I enjoyed the trip on I-70, one I've made a number of times, but the resolution just seemed almost anticlimactic.

Thanks for the link to your blog, I went and looked at the pictures and your description of the two sessions with the children. Very, very nice. I have 4 books set aside for you, but am waiting to see if we have a Scholastic book fair at one of my schools this fall, in which case there would be lots more Spanish books available, before sending them off. Two are new, and two were used bargains but still in pretty good shape.

posted by ronincats at 12:36 am (EST) on Oct 30, 2009

Thanks for the excellent response (and quick, too!) I also generally like to start series at the beginning when possible, which is why I was asking. Thanks again!

posted by PhoenixTerran at 3:43 pm (EST) on Sep 14, 2009

Hello Joyce, I saw your review of Peter Tremayne's The Spider's Web and was hoping you might be able to answer a question for me. I recently picked up a copy of the book not realizing that it was the fifth in a series. I was wondering if you think the books, and The Spider's Web in particular, stand on their own pretty well or if I should start with the first book in the series. Thanks for your help--Happy Reading!

posted by PhoenixTerran at 3:06 pm (EST) on Sep 14, 2009

I just looked at the book page and see that there are no reviews. I think I will have to write one, since this is a really good book.

I read "War in Val d'Orcia" a few years ago and do not have it here, so my memory of details is spotty. I still have the sense of truly enjoying this personal account of life in central Italy during World War II.

Iris Origo was Anglo-American, but grew up in Italy. She married an Italian landowner and they lived on a farm in Tuscany. (in the val d'Orcia). During the war, she protected refugee children and helped escaped Allied prisoners. She wrote wonderful characterizations of the people who lived on the farm and who worked for her and her husband. Her descriptions of the area and culture are vivid. My familiarity with the area might have enhanced my enjoyment of the book, but I still recommend it.

Sorry I can't do better--I will have to get the book out and do a quick reread to do a proper review. I think the book deserves it.

posted by LisaCurcio at 4:21 pm (EST) on Sep 11, 2009

Glad to hear your are "back to normal". I was feeling quite tired of reading legal paper yesterday, so started doing some "maintenance" on my LT catalog which included rating some of the books I have read. I read "1776" years ago--in fact it might have been the first of McCullough's that I read. It, like everything else of his that I have read, was very well researched and written. I am not all that well read in history, but find McCullough to be one of my favorites. Too bad he has not yet tackled the Civil War! ;-) And, thanks for reminding me about the Panama Canal book--I added it to my wishlist so that I don't forget to try to find a good used copy.

The only book by Allende that I have read was "House of Spirits", and I agree with you about her writing. I have acquired "Daughter of Fortune" and "Portrait in Sepia" now, and have added them to the pile.

Any interest in WWI? On recommendation from another LT friend I have borrowed from the library "The White War: Life and Death on the Italian Front 1915-1919" by Mark Thompson. It is a fairly new release and my friend says this account gives a perspective he has not seen in other histories of this war, and that the writing is "eminently readable". I will let you know my thoughts since I am going to turn to it starting tonight.

posted by LisaCurcio at 9:55 am (EST) on Sep 10, 2009

Hi;
Mark and I have been discussing the possibility of another group read in November and want your input. We have narrowed it down to two books at this point. "The People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks and "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. So chat it up with friends or us and let us know if you are up for it and what you think. Probably the same plan as with "Pillars of the Earth" which seemed to work out perfectly for almost all of us.
Think it over and give one of us a shout.
hugs and looking forward to hearing from you,
belva

posted by nannybebette at 11:04 am (EST) on Sep 9, 2009

Hi Joyce,

Nothing to say, really, other than hello. Had a long weekend here, and managed to get some reading done between the chores. I am really enjoying Laurie King.

I ordered a copy of "Christ Stopped at Eboli" since it is one I want to have in my library and I am sure I will reread.

Did your brother find out yet "where you from"?

Hope all of the two-footed and four-footed members of the family are well.

Lisa

posted by LisaCurcio at 8:27 pm (EST) on Sep 7, 2009

You made my day. Thanks for the report!

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 1:14 pm (EST) on Sep 4, 2009

Hi Joyce

I'm thinking about books for the 1010 category challenge for next year. I've chosen the gold rush as one of my categories and started browsing possible titles when I came across "Daughter of Fortune" by Isabel Allende. I found your review from 2 years ago (very short, especially compared with those you've done lately) and saw that you rated the book 5 stars. I know you've read more by this author since then. How do you now feel about the book - do you still recommend it?

I haven't noticed you around here much lately - I hope that means you are finally up and about and completely healed.

Sandy

posted by sjmccreary at 1:18 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2009

Thanks for the encouragement on the review.

I also see that you received The Raj Quartet. I have a beautiful set of the four books in paperback, and every time I look at it I think I really want to re-read it. When you get to them and review them, it will probably push me over the edge.

posted by LisaCurcio at 9:58 pm (EST) on Aug 19, 2009

I always have a difficult time reviewing! The short one I just posted took the better part of an hour. That is why I only review books that I really like or that I really dislike.

I will be looking forward to your reaction to Christ Stopped at Eboli--one I really liked.

I have added Three Day Road to my wishlist, but do not feel as compelled to read it as I did The Given Day.

Alright, I MUST go back to work now.

Lisa

posted by LisaCurcio at 11:31 am (EST) on Aug 19, 2009

Joyce,

That was a very good book. I see that it might be the start of a series, and I do hope so. I agree that the Babe Ruth thing made no sense, but Danny Coughlin and Luther Laurence are two people to love in a book. Although, I kept wondering how Coughlin could survive more violence. That poor guy is not going to feel good when he hits his 50s! I am going to post a review. It seems you and I review differently even though we do like the same things. I hope that my review will add to yours.

I also "mooched" the two Allende books today. I read House of Spirits a few years ago, and really liked that one, too.

It is late for me, so I am going to read a few pages of Welles before I fall asleep. I have gotten back to him again. Or maybe I will read a few pages in Sea of Poppies. Or maybe a few pages in Justice Accused. If only I did not have to get up in the morning!

Regards,

Lisa

posted by LisaCurcio at 11:25 pm (EST) on Aug 18, 2009

Hi Joyce - glad to hear the package arrived - safe and sound I hope. Have you been able yet to get out to the library? Looking forward to the pictures. Keep us updated, especially with specific requests from the librarian.

Sandy

posted by sjmccreary at 9:02 am (EST) on Aug 18, 2009

No problem, I figure if I need to keep spending money on books I should help others do so as well.

posted by sgtbigg at 6:34 pm (EST) on Jul 16, 2009

Thanks, it was definately worth reading.

On another note have you seen Gottfried has a new map book out? It's titled, "The Maps of First Bull Run." One more for me to add to the tbr list.

Mike

posted by sgtbigg at 5:57 pm (EST) on Jul 16, 2009

Hi Joyce,

Just wanted to drop you a note about "Lincoln's Constitution" by Daniel Farber. I have been reading a lot, but just have not had time to post on my threads about what I have read.

Although I thought this was going to be a fairly readable book for the average intelligent reader, I have now concluded that this must have started out as a law review article that the author was encouraged to expand. I found it annoying that the author repeatedly told the reader what he was going to say and how he was going to approach his analysis before he said it and analyzed it.

The book itself is only 200 pages, so it is not long. It spends about three fifths of the book talking about whether secession was a violation of the Constitution and what power the president had under the constitution to oppose secession. The author reviews the varying opinions dating back to Madison (remember that states in the South were threatening secession decades before they actually seceded)and attempts analysis based on original intent.

The other two fifths are devoted to whether actions taken by Lincoln--either personally or through person who reported to him--were constitutional. These include calling up the militia, suspending habeas corpus, the Emancipation Proclamation, the use of military tribunals to try civilians even in northern states and shutting down the "New York World".

Throughout, Farber looks forward as well as back in discussing the issues. I suspect that a careful review of the endnotes would reveal sources that would be more interesting to read, however, as a legal discussion of the issues, it is dry but accessible work.

As always, thanks for the reviews. Cornwell's books are on my list, but who knows when I will get to them!

Lisa

posted by LisaCurcio at 9:49 pm (EST) on Jun 1, 2009