Member: hjjugovic

You can actually count it twice. You're allowed to do that for 9 books, as long as they could actually fit in two categories. :)

posted by leahsimone at 10:53 am (EST) on Feb 22, 2009

Hey Heidi,

So how was the birthday cabin and hot tub weekend? Can you believe it's going to get up to 77 degrees here today? I miss having a real winter. So what do you think of Harry Dresden? He's a mess isn't he? But funny. I have yet to get a hold of a Nightside novel by Simon R. Green. I read somewhere the his novels are like Butcher's but more complicated. What's your take? How does the humor compare? More dark? LT says I will LOVE Something from the Nightside with a high degree of certainty. My library only has the last two in that series. May have to pony up.

I am about half way through American Gods. So far, creepy and disturbing. What are you reading? Oh and yeah. The 5th Kitty novel was kind of boring. I am not crazy about Ben to tell the truth. He lacks a certain dynamic quality, kind of a go-with-the-flow beta male. With Ben Kitty feels safe. Given her background I get that but I miss Cormac. He was all messed up, but there seemed a greater degree of passion there.

~Leah

posted by leahsimone at 2:41 pm (EST) on Feb 10, 2009

The bread book looks very interesting. I would never have attempted bread, but 5 minutes? I want to try it.

posted by leahsimone at 1:57 pm (EST) on Jan 30, 2009

Are you doing a ticker for your 999 Challenge?

posted by leahsimone at 11:00 am (EST) on Jan 30, 2009

Few ways to do it. Go here for some examples. I use the strike /strike tag for line through, the strong /strong tag for bold and the em /em tag for italics, but you could also use the del /del tag for line through, the b /b tag for bold and the i /i tag for italics. We are rather limited on the profile page comments. But there are more options when you post to a topic.

~Leah

P.S. Nice 999 list!

posted by leahsimone at 10:45 am (EST) on Jan 30, 2009

The 999 Challenge is just a goal of reading 9 books in 9 different categories (of your own making) by the end of 2009 (or 9/9/09 if you want). Mine is here.

Glad to hear you've been having lots of fun! So where did you meet this nice person you are dating? Work? Is it a military person? I've heard it's reeealllly cooooold there lately. Feels like spring here.

Off to gymnastics with the kiddos. More later.

~Leah

posted by leahsimone at 5:27 pm (EST) on Jan 28, 2009

Hi Heidi,

I was wondering how you are doing with your work based book group ? Did you get people to sign up, and did you pick a book ? Probably too soon for you to have met yet, but let me know how it goes. Good luck, and Happy New Year.

FicusFan

posted by FicusFan at 10:43 am (EST) on Jan 3, 2009

Hey, how did your Christmas go? Busy and fun over here. Just thought I would check in. Are you going to do the 999 Challenge?

~Leah

posted by leahsimone at 8:46 pm (EST) on Dec 31, 2008

Yeah, I planned on reading the ebook. By the time I got around to it, it was "closed for requests." I wasn't too heartbroken as it was a 450 or so page book right? That's a lot of reading on the computer though and I don't have an ebook reader. But it looked interesting. I will read your review to see what you thought. I haven't been very impressed with what I've gotten through the ER program either to tell the truth. I've certainly never gotten anything I've really wanted. Have you read God's Debris: A Thought Experiment by Scott Adams? It's a free ebook. It's a quick read (only 144 pages) and kind of interesting. I found it more funny than serious as I am not a very religious person. It was pretty easy to pick out what science facts were incorrect, but I wasn't sure on some of the philosophical assertions as I've never taken a course on philosophy. Curious what you think of it.

I tag everything that I've read for this year "R-2008" to keep track. I haven't figured out how to utilize those date fields either, but then again I haven't tried very hard. I just tag away. Good luck on your trip to visit your sister. I've only been once to NC, but I understand it is beautiful there. We are going to Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving and I am looking forward to seeing my family.

Hmmm, I like the idea of baking some cookies. Just get some tins at the dollar store or something, right? Perfect for neighbors and friends. Thanks. Of course, there is still my many and varied relatives. The kids are easy, it's the adults that are a pain in the butt. Do I sound a bit cranky? :)

~Leah

posted by leahsimone at 1:28 pm (EST) on Nov 11, 2008

Hey, just to let you know. I snagged your tickler idea. I tried to resist, but I love it. Very cool. Did you get an early reviewer book this time around? I got three in the past couple months but nothing this time. I feel like I've been kicked out of the club. Ha!

How's the Christmas shopping going? I have entirely too many relatives, so it's slow going over here.

Leah

posted by leahsimone at 10:02 pm (EST) on Nov 9, 2008

I saw you just rated/reviewed the Hotter Than Hell anthology. I am not surprised you didn't enjoy that. Every anthology I've read lately has been a disappointment. However, I just came across a couple anthologies that look pretty good. Powers of Detection: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy and Unusual Suspects: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy both by Dana Stabenow. Simon Green and Charlaine Harris stories are in both. The second one comes out in December but have you read the first one? If so, what did you think?

~Leah

posted by leahsimone at 1:23 am (EST) on Oct 23, 2008

Let's see, I really enjoyed Kushiel's Mercy. Great series. I've read the first two Jim Butcher, Harry Dresden novels both fun reads. Currently I am reading Charlaine Harris' Harper Connelly series. A bit slow going at first, it's getting better each book. At the library I have 3 on hold: the third Harry Dresden, The Reincarnationist (M.J. Rose) and Sunflower and the Secret Fan (Lisa See). I have 10 others on request, mostly paranormal mysteries and Terry Pratchett's Small Gods. My library doesn't have the first several of Simon R. Green's Nightside series. Only the most recent two. Are they worth buying?

~Leah

posted by leahsimone at 1:10 am (EST) on Oct 23, 2008

How's the book club going?

~Leah

posted by leahsimone at 7:26 pm (EST) on Oct 20, 2008

I'm glad to have been of help.
Boy! That is a BAD sentence!

Anyway. Feel free to email me anytime.

Take care.

posted by battlinjack at 12:09 pm (EST) on Oct 14, 2008

Sorry I took a while getting back to you. Haven't logged on for over a week. If you like a thriller with a lot of clever twists and turns (as in Angels and Demons) or a book with a heroic central character (as in Atlas Shrugged) I recommend You think you know me pretty well by David Kessler. It is available only as an eBook as far as I know, but you can get it as a download from Bookstolistento

There is also another thriller there called Binary Justice. The characters aren't as heroic as in the other book (some are heroic, but they are flawed) however it is a devilishly clever thriller, also full of twists and turns.

posted by litterate at 2:51 pm (EST) on Oct 11, 2008

Okay. I see what you mean. Here is a link to a site page that lists a few 'Light Fiction' and only one is an Oprah book!

http://www.bookshopbenicia.com/NASApp/st...

If that doesn't work, just Google Light Fiction and you'll get more than you want.

Of the first list there, I have read Bellwether by Connie Willis and liked it well enough. At first glance it doesn't seem like light fiction, but that is how it's listed. I liked these as well;
Human Punk by John King
Gladly the Cross-Eyed Bear by Ed McBain

Then there are authors that seem to specialize in this stuff which I have also heard described as 'Cozies'. Like it's a good book to cozie up with.
Such as anything by Rita Mae Brown. Ngaio Marsh seems to be listed this way too. And Sharyn McCrumb, whom I like. Her and Brown are good books when you want something quick and easy to read. They are good for a break between the heavier fiction I read.
Then there are Charlaine Harris and Jasper Fforde. Both of which I really like. The Harris books are even relevant right now as there is a new show on HBO called 'True Blood' based on her 'Dead' books.

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse!

posted by battlinjack at 3:49 am (EST) on Oct 10, 2008

Sorry for the delay in responding.
As for a recommendation, I kind of need a bit more info of what you might be looking for. Any specific genre? Violent or not? PG rating or not? That kind of thing. I wouldn't want to recommend certain books for young ones or anything. (grin)

Personally, I just finished reading Leather Maiden by Joe R Lansdale and am extremely impressed, but then, he is one of my favorite writers. It's a murder mystery with offbeat humor, violent and graphic in spots but it's not gratuitous.

If you like, I can recommend a few of my favorite titles that I have read recently or even some of my all-time favorites. My primary genres are science fiction, fantasy and horror. With mystery/suspense and humor a close second.

Let me know. I'd be glad to talk books!

posted by battlinjack at 3:30 pm (EST) on Oct 9, 2008

Last book club I was in the members voted on general guidelines but the hostess (everyone took turns hosting though) got to pick the book. I recommend getting a list together (maybe solicit some suggestions from members) and letting people vote on the books. Mostly what we read were books like Three Junes, The Lovely Bones, White Oleander etc. You could Google the National Book Awards. But that's not exactly light reading. Amazon has a bunch of book clubs, you could get ideas from there too. The only professional books I've read are the ones by Daniel Goleman: Emotional Intelligence and Working with Emotional Intelligence. The second especially applies to the working environment. Both good in my opinion. Anyway, good luck. If I come across anything interesting I will pass it along.

Leah

posted by leahsimone at 3:01 pm (EST) on Oct 4, 2008

Well the strange thing about books groups is that it is often the worst books that have the most discussion. sometimes the good books everybody agrees on and then there is nothing more (about the book) to say. We always try not to blame the person who picks a stinker, and make sure everyone can express their opinion even if its opposite of the rest of the group.

Of course, too many bad books and you have a problem. People stop reading the books, and/or stop coming.

The Confederacy of Dunces book did generate discussion. Some people liked it, some hated it, some enjoyed the humor, other said there was none, and at least 1 person didn't read/finish.

Its hard to say, because while there are some genuinely bad books, a lot of the response depends on the outlook, expectations, and experience of the person reading it. Sorry to be so wishy-washy.

I would say when you pick a book and send it out you may only get those who want to read that particular book to participate (or those who have already read it - but may not remember it). One of the groups that I was in, and that died had that problem. The first book was Memoirs of a Geisha and there were 15 people there. The bookstore person picked the next book: Cold Mountain, and there were only 4 people for that, and the numbers never recovered. If the 15 had been able to come up with something, they may have kept coming.

The idea is to keep people participating month to month, rather than dropping in and out. Its hard to develop chemistry with people you may only see once or twice a year. I probably wouldn't even remember names if I saw someone only 1-4 times a year. How would that foster retention ? Is there a reason you are only meeting quarterly ? I would think actual readers would want more ?

The book/movie thing is cool. We did that in the fiction group with Rebecca, and with another one.

Good Luck,

Ficus

posted by FicusFan at 6:50 pm (EST) on Oct 3, 2008

Hi Heidi,

I belong to 4 RL book clubs.

A SFF Group that I have been in since 1998 (its been going since 96)
A Fiction Group since 2001 when it started (we also do non-fiction)
A Mystery Group for about a year now
An Armchair Travelers Group (read fiction/non-fiction set in different countries, can be by a native of the country or a US Ex-Pat), for about a year now.

Two of them have web sites, though since one is for the SFF group which you say you don't want, I will only give you the one for the fiction group. If you have a question about any of the books on the list (did we like it), let me know. They are marked fiction or non-fiction.

here is the URL: http://www.geocities.com/nhmfrye/ Click on the link for Past Books. Use your browser's back button to return to the main page - its not fancy.

I have to admit that I haven't updated it with next month's book and meeting info yet (bad -Ficus).
You can also find it through LT by going to local and searching for

Nashua, NH

Venue: Barnes & Noble Booksellers
235 Daniel Webster Hwy, Nashua, NH 03060

The LT event does have the information for October. It also has a link to the web page.

LT also has a group called Book Groups or Book Clubs, but it doesn't seem to be very active.

In my experience it helps if the members have an input into the selections, otherwise they tend to fade away. So I don't know if you want to suggest some books and let them pick, or ask them to bring in books they want to read, and then vote. Another method is to let everyone pick a book so that if you have 6 members, you have books for 6 months. That way everyone also has a chance to read the style of book they like.

I will use my fiction group as an example because it is a long standing group, and I have been in it since the start. We really enjoy each other's company and have fun, even if the book sucks or there isn't much to say.
We talk about the book, and all, including other books, but we never try to force the topic to stay on just the book/books, or to keep people who haven't read the book from coming.

In the fiction group we read non-fiction, modern fiction, chick-lit, mystery, thriller, historical fiction, humor, romance, classics, and the occasional SFF even. Even if something isn't your cup of tea, I feel its important to give everyone a chance to read what they like. So we don't read a lot of SFF or romance, but we suck it up when someone wants to.

Since its office related, I don't know how much like 'work' it will have to be like. If the group clicks you will find that it ends up defining and running itself. Too many rules or too much structure can be as bad as too little. Depending on the people you have to find a balance.

My 4 groups meet in the cafe at B&N or Borders, one also meets occasionally in a local restaurant. If you are all really close you could take turns meeting in each other's homes. When we are in the store, if we didn't bring anything of our own to suggest, we comb through the store for options. Bring them back to the table swap, evaluate and vote.

You need to pick books well enough in advance to allow people to order them through book stores (if needed) or get them through inter-library loans. With our store ones, we have to give them enough time to get them into future bulletins.

You probably should meet at the same time, same day, same week, so people can schedule it.
Some of mine meet 12 months a year, some don't meet in December because of the holidays. In holiday months (Thanksgiving and Xmas) we may meet in a different week. Not all holidays, but those that fall on the day of the meeting, or involve lots of travel, cooking, gifting, or company-relatives arriving. For example one of mine is on the 3rd Thursday of the month so for Thanksgiving we may meet the 2nd Thursday. Two of mine meet the 2nd week of the month in December.

Probably more than you ever wanted to know :)

Hope that helps !

Ficus

posted by FicusFan at 6:00 pm (EST) on Oct 3, 2008

WARNING: Shameless promotion of a book follows.

*Smiles brightly*

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See the interaction between mentor and mentee; witness the awe inspiring ease he uses as he takes in his surroundings, the almost instinctual eye for detail he uses to track the happenings around him.

*CRASH*

The... uh, inner clutz that spills his coffee, erm, through the dead lady.

*Shrugs*

I never said he was *perfect*.

Well, if you've enjoyed this little shpiell, be sure to check out Simon Canderous in his very first novel, Dead to Me by the uber-talented Anton Strout. And on sale Feb. 24th, 2009 is Simon's next adventure, Deader Still.

Cheers!
(PS - I can attest to the fact that Dead to Me is quite good, and well worth the read!)

posted by Ricechex at 7:39 pm (EST) on Sep 17, 2008

I saw that you mentioned Anya Bast on Ricechex profile. I've added one series that looks interesting but I haven't read anything of hers yet. What do you think of her? Do you read paranormal romance?

Leah

posted by leahsimone at 10:51 pm (EST) on Sep 15, 2008

'Fraid not - never been to any sort of convention thingy. But Whedon is my God. I am ultra excited about Dallhouse coming out in January!

I haven't read Anya Bast yet, but like so many others, she's on my list! LOL.

Cheers!

posted by Ricechex at 10:01 pm (EST) on Sep 11, 2008

Hey, have you seen this? http://www.librarything.com/thingology/ [if the html didn't work it's the latest post on the thingology blog]. Wow. I had not idea that you could be arrested for not returning library books. After I read that, I immediately thought of you.

Leah

posted by leahsimone at 12:27 pm (EST) on Sep 9, 2008

What would you recommend to an 11 year old really smart boy who LOVED Ender's Game? I saw you've read Eragon and it's sequel, what did you think? Didn't see a review. What about the Artemis Fowl series? Those are more fantasy than sci-fi right? Can you recommend a YA sci-fi series or a novel? This kid saw me as an adult to be tolerated until I recommended Ender's Game. Now he can't wait to talk to me (I am going to have to reread Ender's Game). He wants more recommendations. Help, I can't lose my coolness points. Hahahaa.

Leah

posted by leahsimone at 1:42 am (EST) on Sep 3, 2008

Heidi,

Yeah, I feel the same way about LT. I don't feel the need to buy everything now that I can get it from the library, but putting in my "library" online makes it feel like mine somehow. I'll tell ya, who ever came up with LT is a genius. Isn't funny how people who love to read have interesting little idiosyncrasies? I love brand new books (I don't know why, they just scream untouched potential somehow). I love buying new books and I take care of my books. Part of the reason I wouldn't go to the library. All the books are so abused. But having LT has totally satisfied my need to have everything perfect and in order. Hahaha, how nuts is that?

My sister should be getting back to you soon with a couple used bookstores to check out. She is a wizard resource, seriously.

Leah

posted by leahsimone at 4:36 pm (EST) on Sep 2, 2008

Heidi,

It's been quite some time since I've lived in COS (12 yrs. ago) so I am going to pass your request on to my sister-in-law. She's on LT too (crishaynes). She has lived in the Springs a long time. And she is very resourceful.

I've requested Small Gods from the library. I'm in the #2 spot so I should get it soon. I've recently discovered the library (what? I know). My only excuse is that for the longest time I had to own everything I read. Now I only keep what I like or haven't read yet. My favorite part is the children's section. Mine love it there. We check out b/w 20-30 children's books every couple weeks.

I'm not sure why I am reticent about reviewing books. It would be a good solution to my own memory problem. I read many series as well. So many, in fact, that I often can't remember anything. The older I get, the worse it gets. I'm actually trying to determine how many books I've read this year so far. My goal is to get those reviewed, at least.

I would've loved to have seen the hot air balloon festival. No hot air balloons for us. It's hurricane season down here.

Leah

posted by leahsimone at 2:21 pm (EST) on Sep 1, 2008

Thanks for the recommendations. I've always had the impression (not sure where I got it) that Terry Pratchett was a bit esoteric. However, I will definitely try one. Is there a particular novel/series of his that you think I should start with first? I will certainly check out your other recommendations as well.

At this point, my favorites involve more than just vampires. Urban Fantasy is my current obsession. Some of my favorite authors that I didn't see in your library include: Karen Chance (Cassandra Palmer Series), Richelle Mead (Georgina Kincaid Series & her new one the Dark Swan Series, Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress Series) and Jeanne C. Stein (Anna Strong Chronicles). Most of those deal with vampires. All of these have interesting well-developed characters, involving plotlines and good pacing. Also, the protagonists are all strong women. Btw, don't let the Richelle Mead titles or premise put you off - she's witty). If you have any Q's about specific books, let me know.

The Laura Adrian book you asked me about is paranormal romance and is totally different in that it truly is a traditional romance arc set in a paranormal world. I am very picky about these for several reasons. Mostly, they must have very good world building, interesting characters, an overall series arc (if series) and if sex is involved it must be well written and not all over the place. If you are interested in this genre let me know I have several very good recommendations.

As far as my ratings go, three stars and above is worth reading. Generally, the difference b/w three and five star ratings involve some predictability, slow pacing in some spots or other minor annoyances. Hope that helps. I really need to review my books. Kudos to you. I see that you do and it's definitely inspiring me to get off my butt. :)

posted by leahsimone at 7:09 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2008

Hi, thanks for inviting me to be friends. I would like to read more sci-fi so I am going to check out your library. What's you favorite author/novel/series?

posted by leahsimone at 5:25 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2008

Thanks for adding me.

I had my own Data Base already, so I did the automatic import by text file. Of course that only worked for those that had ISBNs, and that matched. I had to enter the others by hand, and then fix all the imported ones. It was a task, but not nearly like doing it all by hand. Good luck.

It will be fun to watch your library grow

posted by FicusFan at 5:09 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2008