Member: cuicocha

Greetings Old Friend,
It has been so very long since we have written and I miss our book talks. You are one of my most interesting friends and share my great love for books! I hope that all is well with you and your family. Since we last wrote we found good homes for all the puppies except for two. Darla and Rae are still with us, as well as the originals, Lyla and Remy. My middle daughter was involved in a bad car accident, falling asleep at the wheel on a long drive home from a night shift. She had emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen, suffered a head gash and was in hospital for about a week. That sort of thing can really shake your world up and change your perspective on things. Since she is recovered now and the puppies are over a year old I will be looking for some part-time work, the only roadblock being lack of a vehicle for me. We are working on it. My wonderful Dodge Durango does not seem to be responding to treatment so we may have to give up on it and buy a small car. My husband naturally will need the truck while I can get by with something smaller but still able to accomodate my dogs for outings. They are wonderful companions, loving, obedient and only occasionally eating their own or the cat's poop! As for my reading, take a look at my profile page where you can click into my 75 book challenge for 2012. I have been reading quite a bit and listening to audiobooks on my walks with the dogs. Right now I seem to be drawn to historical books, usually mysteries. But as always, I am drawn to a good book by a personal reference, the description on the flyleaf, or something I read about in LT. In which case, it can be any sort of book. Recently, I came across the Mark Twain autobiography, the first volume of which is quite massive. It is highly entertaining, but since it was a library book I could not keep it nearly long enough. He talks about everything from his children doing plays at home for everyone's entertainment to the political issues of the day, including the financial status of General Grant. I would love to hear from you, and catch up on what you have been reading and doing. I always looked forward to our correspondence

posted by mmignano11 at 1:19 pm (EST) on Jul 29, 2012

Hi Craig, I hope my library reveals a love of books based on quality of content. I can be attracted to a book for its genre, its authors past output, referrals from other readers,etc, and my library reflects that. There may be some titles that are a bit experimental for me, since I really don't read spy thrillers or crime drama, as much as listen to them on audiobooks in my vehicle when I am running errands. I like to listen to mysteries,spy thrillers, crime dramas and cozy mysteries on audiobook. I feel it is almost like watching television. I have been reading the ER books that I have received from LT to keep up with the book reviews. But as far as what I choose to read in concrete book form, that I can hold in my hand,mark with a bookmark and inhale the sweet smell of, those books are of a wide variety. Some of my favorite books are Lolita,Middlemarch, The Witching Hour,Mark Twain's Joan of Arc,Wicked,The Graveyard Book, to name a few.I have only put about half of my books on LT at this point. Check my pages out in a few days because I am planning on adding books over the next few days. I have a huge house but I am running out of room. My husband has promised me more bookshelves but dammit he keeps having to go to work...I do try to be conscientious about my book buying though because I usually purchase my books at library sales or bookstore reduced price tables. I will however spend for a really special book, first edition, etc. Do you seek out first editions or rare books? Can you suggest a book that would help me to know what books are considered rare finds? I notice that of your LT author list you include David Liss. I just read "The Dress Lodger" by Sheri Holman and the book included an interview by David Liss with Holman. I then decided to read "A Conspiracy of Paper" by David Liss. "Lodger" was great, really a good read, and I enjoyed her next book which I read first, "The Mammoth Cheese" I like the fact that each book was so very different. Holman is a gifted writer I think. In keeping with reading in the time period I have "Conspiracy" on deck. But then I have to at the same time read an ER book "Reputation, Portraits in Power" by Marjorie Williams because I am behind getting my reviews done if I want any other books from the ER program. Then I have "The Power of Two" a memoir of surviving serious illness by Brian and Gerri Monaghan. I have another ER book on the way and I need to be caught up if I want anything from the July batch or any future batch. Then there is always life to contend with. Oh, that I could spend all my time reading...Well, I hope you find my library interesting. I'm taking another look at yours today as it was quite late last night when I wrote to you. Have a great weekend, Mary Beth

posted by mmignano11 at 7:17 pm (EST) on Jul 25, 2009

Hi Craig comment, I read your comment from Feb on TrishNYC's page and I will soon be reading Shadow of the Wind, especially after your high praise. I love books about books, don't you? Mary Beth

posted by mmignano11 at 11:59 pm (EST) on Jul 24, 2009