I'd like to hear what you think of Over the Mountains when you've had a chance to give it a look. Collier does presentations here in Flagstaff every now and then and it is always interesting to hear the wide range of viewpoints regarding his work. Happy reading! - KR

posted by Artemis26 at 3:58 am (EST) on Jul 5, 2008

Hello again!

I only noticed your comment on my profile page now.

Thanks. I take it you like mountains then? My husband and I are ardent hikers and there are so many fantastic mountains in Cape Town to explore!

Seriously, I hadn't noticed that I was such a tough critic ")I must tell you though, I went back and my heart swelled with a warm feeling at every one of those books in my library I had rated with four stars and more. They were all very special and probably merited five good ones... hmmm food for thought.

posted by akeela at 10:42 am (EST) on Jul 1, 2008

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for the compliment!

You have a great library! I enjoyed browsing but have only seen a smattering of your collection. I particularly like the comments you've added - it makes it a very friendly library to navigate.

Happy Reading :)

posted by akeela at 10:22 am (EST) on Jul 1, 2008

hi there. i added you to my interesting libraries because we had 165 books in common and because of your faves from 2007 and 2008. i haven't had time to browse your entire library yet, but i will eventually!

posted by amanaceerdh at 9:52 am (EST) on Jul 1, 2008

Hi Daniel - In response to your question about the Michael Collier book, I'd describe it as a good layman's coffee table book. It comprises a collection of color aerial images of geologic features along with detailed explanations of the features. Definitely a layman's book where the text is concerned, and I've heard many a professional geologist scoff at it for its watered down explanations, but the point of something like this is to appeal to a broad audience. He also gets criticism for not being a National Geographic-level photographer. I gave it 5 stars because it accomplishes its intended purpose and contains some gorgeous images that most of us would never have access to a plane to take.

posted by Artemis26 at 9:56 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2008

If you still think about a book, often - the author had impact. That's probably a success, then. I have never been a big fan of squashy books that don't stir up something, and if you handled Gladden Schrock's quite individual creativity, you are no commonplace reader. He requires a degree of flexible imagination too many intelligent people allow to be browbeaten out of them. You have my admiration, always, for that! I'd not say you missed out, here.

posted by JannyWurts at 12:58 pm (EST) on Jun 22, 2008

If I gave you a wrong steer, I'm sorry - I recommended the book due to seeing you liked some pretty serious classic literature - Schrock's book was nominated for a Pulitzer, he has a stunning command of language, a sharp style, and pretty thoroughly original insights...his books are not for everybody, he's not an author I recommend, except in cases where I feel his crazy wit and metaphors may be appreciated.

He also lives and fished professionally, in Maine, for many years....his depth of experience in that area is exceptional, and given his keen eye, his works are most original.

If it wasn't your cuppa - ? - well, reading taste is very personal, that's the truth!

posted by JannyWurts at 10:47 am (EST) on Jun 14, 2008

"One of these days I want to read up on geophysics. Any good recommendations?"

"Hmmm, only text books. Yilmaz is kind of the standard intro to seismic."

Thanks for the tip. I'll look around and let you know what else I can find. Unfortunately, there are not many good textbooks. I don't why, since textbooks are supposed to help people learn things, but most of the time they are boring, pedantic and arcane. I think most authors/publishers make the mistake of trying to be too comprehensive and then miss the big picture (and thus the students learning from these books will too).

posted by yapete at 5:21 pm (EST) on Jun 1, 2008

Great, thanks for including me as a honorary geologist! Sounds like an interesting job, you have. One of these days I want to read up on geophysics. Any good recommendations?

By the way: Great site and library!

Cheers, Pete

posted by yapete at 12:00 am (EST) on Jun 1, 2008

Thanks for looking at my library. I just started this library thing today while sitting in a hotelroom in Ontario, on my way back to Michigan. Lots of fun. To your question, if I'm into geology. It's more of a hobby. My wife is the serious geologist in the family, she is core-logging in Canada right now. I'm actually a physics professor. But I started collecting rocks when I was 6 years old, if that counts!

posted by yapete at 10:31 pm (EST) on May 31, 2008

Oh, I hope you enjoy it, Dan -- it was really a labor of love. I'd like to do a new updated edition, but I'm afraid there are still way to many of the original copies in stock (such is the fate of poetry collections!). -- Jane

posted by janeajones at 10:33 am (EST) on May 29, 2008

Thanks for the help! I'm going to try it when I get home (at work right now). Hopefully my profile will look as good as yours soon.

posted by beckylynn at 7:42 pm (EST) on May 28, 2008

Your profile is really cool! I like all the knicknacks you have on it. Do you have to have a paid (upgraded) account in order to have all the fun stuff on it? I was wanting to put pictures and stuff on mine, but I don't want to have to pay for an account 'cause I'm a poor college kid :)

posted by beckylynn at 10:19 pm (EST) on May 27, 2008

Thanks, Dan -- I just finished reading the other reviews of DELIGHTFUL COMPENDIUM (I try not to read them until I write my own)-- and was delighted to see yours there too. It seems we pretty much agree on the novelistic and historic qualities of the book -- with an emphasis on the historic. But I have to admit, I'd far rather get my history with a dose of fiction than in a dry tome with lots of footnotes! I guess that's why I teach literature rather than history.

posted by janeajones at 8:14 pm (EST) on May 12, 2008

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm very interested in Florence and am planning on spending 2 weeks there.

posted by imanivrn at 8:25 am (EST) on May 10, 2008

Its ok to sit in a chair. If sleepiness is not a problem, the lying down might work. The thing you want is to keep your back straight, so that you can breath better.

posted by Arctic-Stranger at 12:42 am (EST) on Apr 28, 2008

That is actually a good start. Try to roll feeling uncomfortable into the experience...that is what you are thinking. Focus on that feeling. How does it feel to feel uncomfortable? WHAT are you feeling when you feel uncomfortable?

My feet fall asleep a lot, so I have to deal with that. That is part of the game. You are not meditating to escape reality but to become more aware of it.

posted by Arctic-Stranger at 4:08 pm (EST) on Apr 27, 2008

Well, if you were interested, I would recommend doing it. Let me give this some thought, and I will get a reading list for you. But for now, do this. set an alarm for 20 minutes. get comfortable, but keep your back straight, if you can. Then for 20 minutes do the following:

Breathe--Find a comfortable rhythm for breathing. As you breathe in, your stomach should go out a bit. Do not take deep breaths by expanding your chest. (This will eventually become second nature to you. You can practice by resting your hands on your stomach. When you breathe in, stomach goes out a bit, when you breathe out, you stomach relaxes.

Find a phrase--It can be any phrase. The point is for a part of your mind to be occupied with the phrase, and it works as an anchor to come back to after your mind wanders...which it will. Use the same phrase. The Korean Zen master Song Seung says your phrase can be "coca cola." The exact phrase is not important. One will probably come to you though, after a while.

Watch your thoughts. As thoughts come into your brain they are like clouds passing through. Notice them, but don't try to capture them. As you meditate, you focus on your breathing and your phrase/prayer/mantra, and you realize you are thinking about...well an LT post you want to respond to..say to yourself, "Thinking about LT," then let that particular cloud float away. It may come back. If so, recognize it, name it, and let it go again.

Practice doing this until something comes to you that is really worth thinking about. You will know it when it comes. It may be an image. It may be a memory. It may be a thought. Keep focusing on your breathing, and your phrase/mantra/prayer (pmp) but let the thought go in your head. See what happens. Do this until the alarm rings, then stop. Don't worry about the time. Twenty minutes will seen like a long time. Just make sure at the beginning your alarm is working, otherwise you may be tempted to check your watch. Try not to do that (although I find myself doing that sometimes.)

Start with this. Meanwhile I will look for some good books. But frankly practice is better than any book.

Oh, and if this advice doesn't work, do what does work.

posted by Arctic-Stranger at 12:31 am (EST) on Apr 26, 2008

"You might get some interesting answers in "Pro and Con"... just a thought."

Thank you, Daniel (just realized I called you David in an earlier comment - sorry!). That sounds like a good idea. Point counting sandstones, eh? Woo hoo! Now that's dedication. I hear you on the doubt and frustration, and then when it's over it just doesn't seem like it was so bad, after all. I spent my time measuring fault surfaces in the Mojave in mid-May when it's 105 degF and not a hint of shade in sight. I'm not complaining, though - it was absolutely beautiful. - KR (K is for Kristi, but I've gone by KR since undergrad because there has always been another Kristi or Christy around)

posted by Artemis26 at 1:35 pm (EST) on Apr 20, 2008

I hesitated a long time before putting my "serious" geology books in. I was afraid it would warp my stats :}. But, then I decided I should start adding everything in.
posted by dchaikin at 2:48 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Yeah, I thought twice about it, too. I figure if someone with a passing or professional interest in one of my books finds a new book to love, all the better. Although, I doubt very many people would discover a passing interest in Optical Mineralogy. :)

posted by Artemis26 at 9:18 pm (EST) on Mar 28, 2008

Hi, Nice collection... OK, so I only looked up your geology books - a great list. Have you come across John McPhee's "Annals of the Formal World"? Thanks for marking my library interesting.
Cheers, d,

I've heard of McPhee's geology books but haven't got around to reading them yet (although I have read The Curve of Binding Energy and enjoyed it). I'm in the process of entering "oversize geology" right now so a lot of them are still coming; OTOH I think I got some duplicates in there from my original imports. Library admiration is mutual.

posted by setnahkt at 10:48 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Hi, thanks for the note!

I know that yesterday I added some people who shared some less common authors with me, french poets and the likes, but we dont seem to share anything "uncommon". I suspect you left an interesting comment somewhere and I followed up from there, and thought that since your interests were all over the place like mine it'd be worth watching
Nice to meet you :)
Iphigenie

posted by iphigenie at 4:38 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Oh! Thanks for adding me to your list - I am most flattered. --KR

posted by Artemis26 at 2:36 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Aha, we have some geology in common. Not too many geology-related users here. Welcome to LT!
Cheers,d

Thanks, David. I originally had not planned to catalog any geology here, but it's such a huge part of my life and there are so many wonderful books on the topic that just might spark someone else's interest, I just couldn't omit them. I do find the commonalities interesting, but I also find the differences interesting. Sometimes I find a library interesting because it introduces me to new topics and/or titles. Anyway, happy reading! --KR

posted by Artemis26 at 2:29 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Hi – have you weighed in yet on the next book for Group Reads – Literature? The discussion thread is here. And Irish set up a poll for us here (it can be amended if there’s lots of interest in a book that isn’t on there yet). Hope to see you there!

Terri

posted by teelgee at 1:17 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Do let me know when you start reading again, and most important of all, let me know what you think of Shadow of the Wind when you're done... My "bedside" includes books in my night table, in my car, in my purse and in my bathroom :) Sometimes I read so many books at once that I mix characters and plots...
So, I wish you luck with your books and let me know if anything new happens, ok?
Happy readings!
A.

posted by AleAleta at 9:25 pm (EST) on Mar 20, 2008

Hi!
I know EXACTLY what you mean when your "reading affair" goes to sleep: it has happened to me before and it lasts various amounts of times; but when it comes back, it's a reading frenzy: I devour books as if my mind needs to make up for the time lost...
The other day I was remembering which was the very first book that I decided to read on my own (other than children story books when I was little), out of my own volition to go to the library and check out the book, reading it all the way through and picking up that thread that makes some people love reading and others don't... Funnily enough it was the series Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls. I was around 6 or 7 and I read them all! I remember reading all of them all nice and warm tucked in my bed at night: I was really hooked! They were a series of books that made me use my imagination really well: I pictured everything in them and I remember putting the book down and imagining what life would be like if I were one of them...
Anyway, this comes up because I was rummaging through BookMaster (new & used bookstore) with Mikel finding books for him and I came across the complete series almost like new, and all those memories suddenly came flowing: it was FANTASTIC! Needless to say, bought the series out of sentimentalism; but I do intend to read them again someday :)
José Saramago is a Nobel Prize winner and he wrote, among other things The Gospel according to Jesus Christ (LOVED it), you should check him out, he's kinda dense in some of his work, but it's worth the read... And The Monsters are still there, for how long, I don't know...
Take care!
PS: I'll check out Middlesex first, it sounds intersting...

posted by AleAleta at 2:53 pm (EST) on Mar 17, 2008

Hey!
If I ever find the Little Black Riding Hood book in Inglés, I promise I'll get it for you: it's totally worth it!
One of my favorite books is The Shadow of the Wind: I just loved it! The way its written is beautiful; I think I liked that more than the whole context of the story...
I also loved The Time Traveler's Wife: I KNOW it's corny and all, but I just found it lovely (maybe it's the hormones or something). I also liked The Thirteenth Tale and The Name of the Rose. Now I'm reading The Monsters of Templeton and I can't seem to get into it... It got such great reviews that I thought about giving it a go, but I'm halfway through and ready to toss it (I hate giving up on a book though...)
Another favorite is Marley and Me (you must think I'm a softie): made me cry like a baby. Loved The Pillars of the Earth and The Da Vinci Code (hated all other Dan Brown books, though). I like Stephen King at his earliest, but hated him during his "psychological stage". I'm thinking about giving him a second chance with Duma Key, not sure yet.
So you see, I'll read almost everything and every once in a while I'll dig into something "deeper" like Saramago or so (but not too often or I'll burn too many neurons).
Cheers!
PS: an ALL TIME favorite is PETER PAN: LOVE IT!!!!

posted by AleAleta at 8:54 pm (EST) on Mar 14, 2008

Hi Daniel!
It's funny how Mikel tells me how much he likes a book... When "we" entered his books I would ask him if he liked them a lot, so-so or no-no and after that I just took a couple of his comments on the book and wrote them down (some could be quite explanatory: he's gonna give great reviews someday). There are some books that are my favorites, but he doesn't even think twice about them (basically Shel's).
I think that we, as parents, kinda "push" our favorite books on them (sorry if it sounds weird, I'm a spanish native speaker...) and they end up having as favorites the ones we like too. Although after reading Goodnight and Llama Llama over 1000 times is kinda ruining it for me :)
My freaky story book is from the 1950's and it's originally from Spain. It's about a Grandpa reading his grandchild this book about Little Red Riding Hood, but he keeps messing up the story: he says that it's Little Black Riding Hood and that she is followed by 3 bears in search of a gingerbread house :) What's freaky about it are the drawings: man are they psychodellic and weird: they look like the person who drew them was a pothead (lol) Anyway, Mikel just LOVES it and he laughs so hard every time we read it...
What are your favorite grownup books?

posted by AleAleta at 12:02 am (EST) on Mar 14, 2008

PS:
My library thing nickname is AleAleta

posted by Mikelodeon at 5:33 pm (EST) on Mar 6, 2008

Boynton eh? That's sooo funny :)
I always said: whatever gets them reading, right?
Mikel's favorites are: Goodnight Moon, Brown Bear, Llama llama red pajama and a freaky vintage story book I had when I was little... I love when we read Goodnight.. because he is the one doing all the "reading", can you imagine?
Alex.

posted by Mikelodeon at 5:31 pm (EST) on Mar 6, 2008

Thanks Daniel!
Mikel is just nuts about books and he's only 3 1/2: I'm so proud! :)
Take care!

posted by Mikelodeon at 5:56 pm (EST) on Mar 5, 2008

Hey Daniel!
Thanks for the note on The Ear Book :)
If it's not by Dr. Seuss, who's the author??? I tried to find the book, but Mikel has so many and all over the place that I just don't know where it's at...
Thanks!
Mikel's mom.

posted by Mikelodeon at 3:13 pm (EST) on Mar 3, 2008

What did you think of Measuring the World?

posted by clamairy at 3:43 pm (EST) on Feb 23, 2008

Thanks for the comment. I don't like getting frustrated like that, but sometimes it happens to the best of us. Plus, there are many times where I can't say things which would help everybody understand why I can or can't work on something. We're really open but we still have a few secrets that we have to keep. :)

posted by conceptDawg at 4:21 pm (EST) on Feb 21, 2008

Thanks for the comment! I'm almost done - I have Security, Criminal, and River left. I'm confused about who Ms. Larkin killed...maybe I'll find out later? Or did I miss something?

Thanks, I love that picture, too!

posted by jayceebee at 9:45 am (EST) on Jan 22, 2008

I actually didn't know there was a connection to Lawrence!
I find your mix of books really appealing--your eclecticism seems to run in the same current as mine. I use your library for book recommendations when I go to the KU library, since it's so mammoth it discourages browsing. Plus you have shiny pictures ^^
Look forward to seeing what other great stuff you add!

posted by angrystarlyt at 12:45 pm (EST) on Jan 18, 2008

Hi Daniel - thanks for the compliment on my book reviews - that was really nice of you! I think the reason I write them is that I'm only adding books to my library as I read them. Your library is quite impressive - lots of variety. I love John Graves too - received an autographed copy of "Goodbye to a River" as a graduation gift.

posted by riofriotex at 9:53 pm (EST) on Jan 15, 2008

Thank you so much. Glad you liked my Bel Canto review. I find it's hard to write reviews for five star books. I mean, what do you say? "This is one of the best books ever! isn't exactly a review, you know?

Man, oh man, that was a good book though. I'll have to try some of her other novels.

posted by jseger9000 at 10:13 pm (EST) on Jan 1, 2008

Wow, four and a half stars for Bel Canto. That one has been sitting near the top of my TBR pile. Your review now has it competing with Mutiny on the Bounty for my next read.

posted by jseger9000 at 1:10 am (EST) on Dec 15, 2007

Aww, the alumni events aren't that bad! The one I went to was at a bar - I guess a bunch of them get together for beers once a month or once every two months or something - it wasn't so awful.

I haven't heard of either of the writers that will be at the spring Imprint thing - definitely let me know closer to the date if you're going to be there and I'll try and head out there (also warning: Diverseworks is a serious PITA to find. Myself, Emily Fox Gordon, and her husband spent about 25 minutes wandering around in some random trainyard trying to find the place for the one in October!)

posted by philosojerk at 4:03 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2007

Thanks for giving the specifics on Part 2. I remembered something about it not being finished, didn't recall that he'd actually destroyed it. I guess we don't need to consider THAT to decide on the right original publication date! ;-)

posted by HeathMochaFrost at 10:24 pm (EST) on Nov 27, 2007

Hi - I added a handful more books over the holiday weekend, and found that we now have 44 in common. I think the newest one is Dead Souls by Gogol. I didn't see a date on that in your tags, so thought I'd check for it. I think there are two "Parts" to it, but Wikipedia says the first part was published in 1842. Didn't have time to look any further for the "Part 2" date, but maybe in this instance it's okay to go with 1842? You're right, it's an inexact science!

Here's the Wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Souls

Have a good one!

posted by HeathMochaFrost at 10:59 am (EST) on Nov 27, 2007

Hi again, Daniel - I skimmed through some of your titles last night, and saw at least a few more that we'll have in common once I get them entered in - however many more months that will take. ;-) I saw a lot of your pub date tags too - very impressive, I really might have to do that if the CK field isn't added to our catalogs.

One thing I noticed that I'm compelled to share, is that you listed the date for The Bell Jar as 1971. I'm wondering if that's the first American pub date, or maybe the date of your edition. I'm fairly sure that the novel was published first in England, just a short time before Plath killed herself in February 1963. It originally appeared under a pseudonym, Victoria Lucas I think it was. Plath is my favorite poet, and I read several biographies of her when I was younger (and I own a few of them). You seem to have as strong an interest in knowing and tracking the original pub dates of your "works" as I do, so I hope you don't mind me telling you. :-)

Have a good day!

posted by HeathMochaFrost at 9:08 am (EST) on Nov 15, 2007

Daniel - I can't believe you actually gave me the dates for all 43 of the books we share. I mean, I just can't believe it. I'm basically speechless. All I could think when I saw the list was, "Oh my God, I can't believe he listed all those!" I hope it didn't take too much of your time, I'd feel bad!

Thank you! :-)

Marie
aka HeathMochaFrost

posted by HeathMochaFrost at 11:17 pm (EST) on Nov 13, 2007

Hi Daniel, thanks for all your thoughtful responses over in P&C. By the way, if you're interested, i left a review of TEWWG over in the Books Compared group.

posted by NativeRoses at 6:57 pm (EST) on Nov 9, 2007

Dan -- thanks for the thread -- I added my 2 cents about Hurston -- THEIR EYES is one of those books that keep offering new discoveries everytime you go back to it. Last year I presented a paper on hurricanes in Florida novels, and was amazed at her description of the horrific 1928 hurricane when the dikes of Lake Okeechobee broke. Barnes in his FLOROIDA'S HURRICANE HISTORY described it:

"…in the telling of Florida’s hurricane history, no other hurricane disaster can compare to its toll of at least 1,836 dead in Florida, as well as another 1,575 in the Caribbean. At the time of the catastrophe, many in South Florida said the actual death count there was over 2,300; some say it may have been as high as 3,500.… It arrived on the coast of Palm Beach…and like its predecessor [the “killer hurricane of 1926”] cast its most sinister blow on those who lived on the southern edges of Lake Okeechobee" (Barnes 127-280).

Janie and Teacake "…sat in company with the others in other shanties, their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His. They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God" (Hurston 236).

posted by janeajones at 9:15 pm (EST) on Oct 24, 2007

Dan -- how did you like Their Eyes Were Watching God? Isn't the description of the hurricane harrowing? -- and prescient.... Jane

posted by janeajones at 4:45 pm (EST) on Oct 21, 2007

Hi there

I will have to read the sound of waves first before I can comment.

posted by keren7 at 1:46 am (EST) on Oct 21, 2007

Hi! Thanks for the comment you left on my profile, explaining how to make the URLs live in Talk posts. Now I have it for future reference - and I'm sure I'll be checking it more than once until I get the hang of it!

Have a good weekend!

posted by HeathMochaFrost at 11:08 pm (EST) on Oct 19, 2007

Oh, thank goodness you have a sense of humor, DChaikin! Once I posted that, I realized I had not even mentioned that I'd come across your profile from a thread in the Terry Pratchett group... You probably thought, "Who the heck is this guy, and why is he talking to my dogs?"

posted by buchleser at 6:42 pm (EST) on Sep 27, 2007

Dear Nutmeg and Mace,

Woof, woof-woof, bark bark bark whine. Pricked ears, tongue loll.

-Danny

posted by buchleser at 10:09 am (EST) on Sep 26, 2007

Thanks for the info. I know the Writer's Guide, and have used it for other things. The problem I am having with this essay is that it does not fit neatly into categories.

But thanks for the pointer.

posted by Arctic-Stranger at 5:24 pm (EST) on Sep 20, 2007

Thanks for the comment about The Yearling. It's a good book - hopefully, it will make it to the top of your TBR list one day. I hope to read Cross Creek in 2008 for a book challenge. Cute dogs too, by the way!

=) Jill

posted by mrstreme at 6:25 pm (EST) on Sep 10, 2007

'Way back in Feb. you commented that "Goodbye to a River" was the way I (you'd) want to write. I have it and "From a Limestone Ledge"on my shelf next to John Janovy's three and I cherish them because both authors take me places I cannot, but wish-I-could, go, and do it seemingly without effort! Esta1923

posted by Esta1923 at 3:27 pm (EST) on Sep 2, 2007

Haha, I sincerely hope that Jordan will finish the series, my goodness...

posted by CeolSidhe at 1:29 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2007

What you just wrote about A River Runs Through It was beautiful. i agree completely. i'm also reading 'Brother to a Dragonfly' right now and am loving it. Both memoirs have currents of tragedy and naturalism and beauty flowing through them.

posted by NativeRoses at 9:45 am (EST) on Aug 24, 2007

Hi there -- i just noticed that we both love Norman Maclean.

posted by NativeRoses at 2:00 am (EST) on Aug 24, 2007

Thanks for the compliment! I'm striving right now to write in an interesting and somewhat unique way about reading. Information about the plot of a book and its basic themes is so easy to find; I'm hoping to write effectively about what it's like to experience a book.

I enjoyed your review as well - did you receive an ER copy? What a wonderful thing!

Oh - and if you want the unofficial conclusion to my review, you can read it here: http://katiesbooks.org/2007/07/31/gifted...

posted by ladypeter at 1:18 pm (EST) on Aug 13, 2007

Isn't every bibliophile an aspiring writer? ;-)

Thanks for the group & talk advice. I'm so in love with this place!

posted by Tasses at 10:44 pm (EST) on Aug 6, 2007

Thanks for your interest and encouragement of my review attempts. I'm currently using reviews as practice exercises in the unholy quest of writing command. I don't know why. I seem to have entered some existential period in my life. The last phase was of a more empirical nature.

I've not spent much time considering the 'groups' section of LibraryThing, but see that you have some really interesting ones in your profile. I think I'll poke around there a bit :-)

posted by Tasses at 2:18 pm (EST) on Aug 6, 2007

Thanks, appreciate it. Like I said I was trying for something a little different from the rest.

posted by readafew at 3:51 pm (EST) on Jul 31, 2007

Hi - You found Letters from Alf? Go for it.
The man has incredible insight and gorgeous prose.

posted by JannyWurts at 8:59 pm (EST) on Jul 30, 2007

thanks; I've been hoarding books where I can; I return to Germany in September and I want to take back as many as possible.

posted by southwestpoet at 4:54 pm (EST) on Jul 26, 2007

Thanks. I followed Greyhead's instructions, and it worked!

posted by margad at 3:00 pm (EST) on Jul 25, 2007

There was practically no discussion on The Reading Lounge about Their Eyes Were Watching God. Perhaps it was just the book. I did The Glass Castle on the same web site and we had a good discussion foe that book.

I personally didn't care for Their Eyes Were Watching God that much and didn't much feel like discussing it. I did add a few comments, though, as you probably saw.

posted by SqueakyChu at 8:37 pm (EST) on Jul 24, 2007

Oh, dear. You couldn't possibly be as awkward with these HTML codes as I am! I guess I'll just enjoy the "Currently Reading" postings on other peoples' profiles for now.

posted by margad at 5:10 pm (EST) on Jul 24, 2007

Thanks for the comment! Some of the German history books are more interesting than others. German writers seem to have an absolute gift for the dry scholarly tome. I like the local histories best, because it seems to me they offer deeper insights, much of the time, into the way people actually lived and thought. Perhaps my favorite writer on German history is Steven Ozment. I highly recommend his books!

How do you get the "Currently Reading" feature to activate on your LT profile?

posted by margad at 4:04 pm (EST) on Jul 24, 2007

By the way, your watch doggies -- Nutmeg and Mace? -- are absolutely darling. i foster dogs myself and earlier today one of my charges rolled in something that was the worst smelling i-don't-know-what i've ever smelled. Being a foster dog, and very needy, it of course jumped at me so i also reeked of goodness-knows. We all smell like strawberries now (the dogs are mortified) and it's time to start my evening emails. Thanks for sharing the pic of your doggies.

posted by NativeRoses at 9:49 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2007

Hi there Daniel. Thanks for letting me know about that group -- I hadn't seen it before. It looks like you're as much of a book lover as I am. Bel Canto was one of my favorites, too.

I see you posted a review about Their Eyes Were Watching God. i also did a review of it over in the Books Compared group that you might enjoy.

posted by NativeRoses at 9:43 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2007

Thanks for posting comments about [Their Eyes Were Watching God] on The Reading Lounge. That discussion has gone kind of slowly. I had been hoping to read lots of comments.

All in all, I didn't find that book very absorbing, although I'm glad to have read it being the classic it is. I think the last third of the book picks up a bit, so the best for you is still ahead.

posted by SqueakyChu at 8:06 pm (EST) on Jul 18, 2007

Based on your list, another book you may find curious
It's not listed in my library, but the author is - (I listed only one title to represent my favorites)

Troubled Waters by Daniel P. Mannix

This was a pretty forward thinking book, considering when it was written.

Also, if you can find anything at all by Gladden Schrock.

posted by JannyWurts at 5:17 pm (EST) on Jul 15, 2007

Give me a bit...

For one, given your background, you might enjoy the New View over Atlantis by Mitchell - it's an interesting take on the alignment of ancient sites churches, and neolithic ruins in Britain. He did two books on the subject.

posted by JannyWurts at 12:05 pm (EST) on Jul 14, 2007

Hi Dan, Thanks for re-inviting me on LT (note my new email address); thanks, Jeff

posted by southwestpoet at 1:52 pm (EST) on Jul 13, 2007

List five of your topnotch favorite books.

If any of the "unknown" authors lie along those lines (and provided I know of the stories or topics you mention) perhaps I can offer a steer.

posted by JannyWurts at 7:08 pm (EST) on Jul 12, 2007

Hi Dan -

Well, whether you expected the linked comment informing me, or not, it is quite fun to hear from you!

To answer your question, in brief, when I put in my initial fifty four books - of course, they can't scrape the surface of the actual size of the library here ! First of all, I don't even hang on to a book unless I think I will read or refer to it again. Ones I enjoy only once get donated to my local library. For those that I've posted, I listed as many different authors as I could, straight off the top of my head. Some are "all time favorites" - some, the newest title I have from an author I like, and generally follow, many for their whole careers. Some are books that are old favorites, some are from new authors I've recently admired, and others are a bit eclectic - I included a few of what I consider stellar reference books, encountered in pursuit of some aspect or other I needed for a novel or story in progress.

Many are books I loved, by authors I also know personally.

No book on that list did not strike me in some significant way.

Thank you for your very kind words on To Ride Hell's Chasm. I try never to write the same story twice, never to make the story empty of meaning, and never to keep to predictable patterns or plotlines, even if they begin as a somewhat classical theme. I personally like a book that can be read multiple times, and still reveal new depths and insights. I also like books that generate thinking. If any one of those goals worked, for you, in this case, then you made my day as an author. Thanks for sharing in a good way.

So many books don't stretch enough to make me think! The ones I remember always do. One tries very hard to bring something original and significant to the gift of time any reader's invested.

posted by JannyWurts at 7:45 pm (EST) on Jul 11, 2007

Hi - Wow - I am happily flattered.
Not to mention wondering what caught your eye.

posted by JannyWurts at 1:53 pm (EST) on Jul 11, 2007

Just passing by:

"I'm interested in finding ways to summarize the content of my fiction books, where subject does not really describe why we read these books... "

I've been tagging fiction books by loose themes as well as just genre/subject
so I've tags like: honour, growing up, religion, social comment

Feel free to ignore this idea if it seems of no relevance to you.

Fox

posted by reading_fox at 9:23 am (EST) on Jul 11, 2007

Thanks! And a belated 'appy 'versary to you too!

posted by fleela at 8:48 am (EST) on Jun 27, 2007

Regarding the discussion about Their Eyes were Watching God...

The book discussion does not close until July 29th. You'll be able to make comments to any of the discussion questions (of all three weeks) during that time. Perhaps you can join us at least for part of the time.

posted by SqueakyChu at 9:20 am (EST) on Jun 25, 2007

I saw that we share an interest in poetry. I thought you might get a kick out of my book Anarchy Bell. It's unlike any poetry book you've ever read, I can guarantee it. It's viewable at Suburban Fiction.com

posted by virgingloves at 12:13 am (EST) on Jun 22, 2007

Daniel,

Here's another link you might enjoy: remote imaging of lake trout reefs in n Lake Michigan. No overlay--just as the glaciers left them? I'm no geologist, but lovely to me!

http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/open-file/of0...

Marg

posted by margd at 8:33 pm (EST) on May 7, 2007

You said you enjoyed my review! (of Life of Pi)
That was my first one, I'm all happy!!

Thanks for the link to the discussion, I'll check that one out.

Cath x

posted by cath.doll at 12:23 pm (EST) on May 2, 2007

Dan -- as per your suggestion, I've posted the URL for my FL Lit collection and FL Bibliography on reading the states -- Jane

posted by janeajones at 11:13 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2007

I'm glad to hear you got something out of my Wicked posts. It's one of my favourite books; I find that it provides a lot of food for thought.

posted by xicanti at 4:31 pm (EST) on Mar 26, 2007

Glad you enjoyed it. If you're interested in things Florida -- I have a couple of other webpages: http://faculty.mccfl.edu/jonesj/Flbib/FL... and http://faculty.mccfl.edu/jonesj/Floridia...

posted by janeajones at 2:13 pm (EST) on Mar 19, 2007

I'm next on the reserve queue for the audio download of "Devil in the White City" - hope you're enjoying the story so far. You might look into obataining a copy of "The Very Rich Hours" by Emily Heistand; four separate, well-written essays (about 50 pages each), one of which focuses on the Everglades.

posted by Seajack at 5:40 pm (EST) on Feb 17, 2007

Hi, fellow Houstonian. I've been using the 'comments' section to do pretty much what you're planning. Kind of like a 'note to self.' I've also started giving myself little reminders of which story is which when I have a whole bunch of mysteries by the same author and the titles don't tell you much. Dick Francis is a good example. I'll be tackling all those Sue Graftons next.

posted by Bestine at 2:19 pm (EST) on Aug 10, 2006

By the way, I just re-noticed the comment in your bio section about not discovering Dostoyevsky till you were 30; I might be worse: I'm 51 and currently reading Moby-Dick for the first time. As a geologist you may like the poetry of C.L. Rawlins; he has a book of poems entitled 'In Gravity National Park' that I really like. A Forest Service employee and scientist, a lot of his poems are set in the Great Basin region, or in Wyoming.

posted by southwestpoet at 1:03 am (EST) on Aug 6, 2006

Hello,

I am glad you like A Thousand Miles of Stars. After you mentioned 'Gehenna and the County's Tires,' I went back and re-read it. I can seee where that poem would stay with you; it has some evocative and powerful imagery. I certainly agree that Vietnam is everywhere in McDonald's writing. I once researched his poetry on the web and it took me three days to find it all. He has a particularly haunting poem entitled 'The Gleam of Silver Wings,' but I can't recall which one of his books it comes from. I think you'll like Bedell. I have 'At the Bonehouse' and 'What Passes for Love;' he has a third one out that I almost ordered but decided to get Andrew Hudgins' 'After the Lost War.' It is a book of poems where Hudgins writes from the perspective of Confederate poet Sidney Lanier. If you get a chance, read his poem, 'The Burial Detail,' which is on the web at http://www.eagleacademy.org/burial.htm

posted by southwestpoet at 12:37 am (EST) on Aug 6, 2006