Member: LittleTaiko

Yes, I do like my part-time job, but it's not always fun. When farm animals escape and you have to round them up. When you've just set yourself on fire doing laundry because you were too busy talking to visitors to notice the wind picked up and took your skirts into the fire (okay, only happened once).

When there's a children's day and you spend 7 hours on stilts demonstrating how to use them, or holding them for girl scout after boy scout after not-a-scout (okay, that was only once, too). Or when you're wearing a wool dress in August as you churn butter in weather too hot for it to form well. Or the woodstove won't catch because the wood's too damp and it's October in Wisconsin so you really want that heat.

Wow. I love it. Can't wait for the museum to open for the year. :-)

We carry Bookmarks magazine on the newsstand at my other job, and I did manage to pick up the issue that had the historical fiction article in it. That was actually part two, although part one of the article was more than a year ago, I believe. The author is an LTer: ariadne02. Thanks for the heads up, though.

See you round 999, Renee

posted by ReneeMarie at 12:37 pm (EST) on Feb 21, 2009

TAIKO,
There was another PBS special about the pilgrims and what it was like for them when they came over. They had people who had to live like they did in a special area that had been cordoned off. You might want to look for that one too.
Cheli

posted by cyderry at 10:54 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2009

That sounds like a cool book club and good for you guys that you change it up. I never understood Oprah's book club --which I tried to keep up with, I really did. I just got so sick of all the, "I was abused, I was molested, I'm a dwarf, I have Aids, I'm fat, my mom died, I was abandoned, I'm crazy as a jaybird" books. To me, a book club makes you step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. I was about ready to open a vein with Oprah's picks.

No, I've never read it, may have to put that on my TBR list. My big goal this year is to read a Zane Grey or Louis L'amour. I don't think I've read any westerns ever besides Mitchener's Centennial.

Nice chatting with you. Feel free to drop a note anytime.

Dana

posted by DanaJean at 2:47 pm (EST) on Feb 6, 2009

P.S. -- What book will you be tackling next?

Dana

posted by DanaJean at 12:23 am (EST) on Feb 6, 2009

Well good. Glad to know you stayed in good standings with the club and they won't be hunting you down with pitchforks and torches. And who in their right mind would like Rose of Sharon?--tramp. haha ;-)

Thanks for the update.

Dana

posted by DanaJean at 12:22 am (EST) on Feb 6, 2009

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, how'd the book club go? Hopefully you had back-up.

Dana

posted by DanaJean at 7:47 pm (EST) on Feb 4, 2009

You're in a book club with this story? Well, kudos to you for standing firm with your thoughts. Too often we see people just being sheep, and because it's been said this is one of the best classics ever written, nobody wants to go against that. You know, you were right about the parts that didn't talk about the Joads. Maybe if I could have stayed focused on that, I would have enjoyed the story more. Unfortunately, they got under my skin quickly and I just loathed them. I had my fingers crossed, page after page, that the family would just drive that ol' truck right off a cliff.

Stay strong during the book club discussion! I'll be with you in spirit when everyone LOVES this story.

;-)

Dana

posted by DanaJean at 8:14 pm (EST) on Jan 27, 2009

Hi! Yeah, I was waiting for someone to hammer me on that, so definitely nice to hear you understood my feelings. I'm serious, I just couldn't stand that family. You really can't argue with the mechanics of Steinbeck's writing, but mannnnnn! That story was bor-ing. I may attempt to read it again someday, as I did watch the movie again and started feeling this twinge of something. It might have been sympathy. hahaha!

Being a mom, I felt bad for Ma Joad too, but, she should have eaten her young while she still had the chance. YIKES! ;-) Thanks for dropping the note.

Dana

posted by DanaJean at 6:31 pm (EST) on Jan 27, 2009

They definitely count. If you want to read another bio for them that's okay too.
Cheli

posted by cyderry at 5:35 pm (EST) on Jan 5, 2009

If you read Washington, Adams, and Jefferson all yu need to count those is the book title and mark the thread. You'll be in the lead!
Cheli

posted by cyderry at 8:33 pm (EST) on Jan 4, 2009

Hi, LittleTaiko,
I set a goal of 50 books and I passed the goal, much to my surprise! I agree that nonfiction is harder to read than fiction. I read it much less often, and much more slowly. Right now I am reading a book that is fiction which I think is based on actual events. It is called The Riddle of the Sands. So far, it is pretty interesting. Have a great day!
--BJ

posted by billiejean at 2:46 am (EST) on Dec 6, 2008

LT--

:)

You had some books on "how to" write, so I thought you might like the Breakout Novel Workbook. It's the newest "gotta have" in the writing world.

The Jonathon King book is really intriguing, I believe. And he's a nice guy. A shy guy, but a nice guy.

Hope you enjoy...

Terry B.

posted by terrybanker at 9:09 am (EST) on Dec 23, 2007

Hi LT, thanks for your comment! I've read the first three Clare-Russ books, and I'm especially impressed with the third one. I suspected all along that the source of the mysterious money would somehow be connected to the children's deaths, and she did a great job of showing the evidence of the connection and letting us see it, rather than hitting us over the head with it. As you said, she does a wonderful job of developing the characters and letting us see the growing tensions caused by the feelings between Clare and Russ. I'm taking a break from them now to read some other stuff, and also because I've dropped a couple of hints that paperbacks of later ones would be a great gift. Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

posted by Jim53 at 11:50 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2007

LT--

What were you doing at Bouchercon???

Chuck's books: the first one I read was Winterkill. As soon as he killed the dog, I knew this guy could do anything. :) I have his most recent now and look forward to reading it. I'm in the middle of Time Traveler's Wife.

Regarding Hemingway...out of your collection, I'd say A Farewell to Arms is the best to introduce you. If you had The Sun Also Rises, that's a good one to feel Hem's style. He was the first person to write in what we view as a contemporary style and take for granted these days.

If you're over 50, I'd say get a copy of Old Man in the Sea. And if you're a history fan, I'd start with For Whom the Bell Tolls. It's a great book, but a bit heavy with the Spanish War material in the middle.

How would you describe Julia Spencer-Fleming?

Thanks,

Terry B.

posted by terrybanker at 11:41 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2007

LT--

Looks like you're a big Chuck Box fan, too.

You have a fine collection of books.

Terry B.

posted by terrybanker at 10:14 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2007

LT, thanks so much for your enthusiastic recommendation of Clare Fergusson! I just finished In the Bleak Midwinter and scurried back to the ibrary for Fountain Filled with Blood. I really enjoyed how she hinted at the attraction between the principals before having them acknowledge it. Best, Jim

posted by Jim53 at 9:58 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2007

Great to see another Claire Malloy fan! I've been reading the series avidly since it started, and not at all interested in Hess' "Maggody" books.

posted by Seajack at 12:21 pm (EST) on May 27, 2007

Hi! You're the only other person on here with a Shiba Inu book. Just wondering if you have a Shiba as a pet or not. We have two who we love, despite their stubborness, Shiba screams, etc...

Hi, there! No, I don't have one, though Shibas are one of a few breeds I'm doing research on for possible future ownership.

posted by vermithrax at 11:26 pm (EST) on Apr 13, 2007