Member: kambrogi

P.S. I don't do any of those Threads or Groups you asked about. And, like you, my reviews rarely fall below 3 stars. If it's that bad, I usually don't finish it. Life is too short to waste time on books I don't enjoy. My biggest problem for the past year or so has been a surplus of good books to read. I haven't been writing much other than book reviews and a journal. But I hope to get back to work on the next "chapter" of my work soon.

posted by TimBazzett at 6:07 pm (EST) on Nov 16, 2009

Hello, Kathleen - I just finished reading (and reviewed) David Lodge's DEAF SENTENCE and noticed your review of the book. We seem to agree on its excellence. Noticed you were a writer and wondered why you don't register as as writer here on LT. Your books look interesting, but I don't find you on Amazon. I'm a "kind of a writer," like Snoopy is "kind of a beagle." I guess I will peruse your library here on LT. Maybe I'll find some more good books. - Tim

posted by TimBazzett at 9:25 am (EST) on Nov 16, 2009

Well aren't you speedy. I think it's been up for less than 30 minutes!
Nice to hear from you !!!

posted by lindsacl at 9:02 pm (EST) on Oct 31, 2009

My dear Kathi;
Don't you know that you will always be "hot" with us???????????????
And sometimes "normal" is very, very, good.
My family would "kill" for "normal" right now.
Chrissy may have to go to a long term care facility if she cannot remain awake long enough for them to evaluate her brain injury and begin therapy. She wakes up, but just for moments and then goes back into the coma. But she is making baby strides and her sense of humor even shines through occasionally which is wonderful because we know she is somewhere "in there" and we are very hopeful.
big hug girlfriend!~!
belva

posted by nannybebette at 11:36 am (EST) on Oct 17, 2009

Totally too true about life interfering with things we love to do.
Right now, I could say: What life? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
But then, eventually it gets more organized and things turn around and I find I do have time on my hands. So I guess it is 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other.
But that's just life, right?
hugs girl,
belva

posted by nannybebette at 12:57 pm (EST) on Oct 13, 2009

kambrogi;
Many congratulations on your HOT REVIEW for "Dracula". It was a good and interesting review. I quite liked it.
So good job, well done, and congrats!~!
See you on the threads,
belva

posted by nannybebette at 11:21 am (EST) on Oct 13, 2009

Hi Kathi,
Thanks for the comment on my Tortilla Curtain review. It's funny how a book can be well-written technically, but you can still not like it very much. I enjoyed reading your review, thanks for including the link!

posted by bookgirl_Isaacson at 8:28 am (EST) on Aug 17, 2009

I don't think I know how to do links. I am just your basic garden variety computer user who really has no skills.
I love all the stuff the rest of you can do, but me.....
..no can do.
I guess I need to do a little more lurking around LT. I didn't there was anything called "club read". I'm gong to have to check that one out.
Thank you,
belva

posted by nannybebette at 9:53 am (EST) on Jun 13, 2009

Hi Kathi, You are welcome to peak around my library anytime you want. You would love the 3 stacks of books that are waiting patiently behind the door! Ah, the ubiquitous TBR pile...the blessing (and curse) of real readers. :-) See you around the Talk threads. ~Donna~

posted by Donna828 at 11:53 am (EST) on Jun 9, 2009

I know that it's just about a year since you left that comment about June Havoc, but I'm not very good about looking at comments. I loved "Early Havoc" and dearly wanted to find out more about her life. I remember vividly her descriptions of the dance marathons and how dreadful they were. It also put an interesting perspective on "Gypsy"! Would you be able to send me the name of the sequel? I would love to track down a copy.

I note that you have added "Passage" by Connie Willis. I found this book so sad that, not only could I not finish it, I had to give it away, so that I wouldn't well up every time I caught sight of it on the shelf. I love many other of her books, which although regularly heartbreaking, have never made me go to this extreme before.

posted by lizzy_bb at 5:55 am (EST) on Mar 1, 2009

Hi Kathi, nice hearing from you. I'm flattered that you enjoyed the blog. I've been known to spend a. lot. of. time writing some of the earlier posts what with research and such. Time which would be better spent doing a different kind of writing probably, though I suppose it's still creative writing to a certain degree. My 50 book thread is titled Smiler69's 50+2 books in 2009. I'm not a very fast reader and watch too much tv so there aren't a tonne of books there yet, but there are several. We'll see whether I hit my goal or not, though I'm more interested in enjoying what I read than the quantity, but having a goal has gotten me to read a whole lot more for the past couple of years. What about you? What is your thread? Looking forward to your comments! :-)
Ilana

posted by Smiler69 at 11:29 pm (EST) on Feb 26, 2009

Thanks, Kathi and I will tell my Mom about the photo order link...Yes, she still lives in Chickasha, in fact, not too far from the college...

posted by DeanieG at 10:15 pm (EST) on Feb 23, 2009

Hey there!! It really is a small world!!! My Mom really wanted to attend the reunion but was unable to because she is not well and most likely won't be able to attend the next one. Even though you don't remember each other you nay have quite possible been in the Student Union at the same time or passed each other between classes...Would you care to have my copy of 'Three Loves'? I actually am not a fan of poetry. I am a romantic however and this book was actually in John's hands and it may have sentimental value for you.

posted by DeanieG at 4:38 pm (EST) on Feb 22, 2009

Hey, Yes I lived in Oklahoma, grew up there in fact, Chickasha, was back there for 2 weeks at Christmas. Did you go to college in Chickasha, it was OCLA when my mom went and worked there, it's USAO now. You may have known my mom too, her name is Lettie Ann...how cool to have poems written about you!!

posted by DeanieG at 10:00 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2009

Hi there! My mom had the book and I ended up with it....I just looked at it and it is autographed by him...."To Mrs. Taylor, Thanks for the autograph party. I sincerely appreciate it. John Graves".....my mom used to work at the college in the town where she lives with a Mr. Taylor...I'm trying to call her now to see if she may have known him...

posted by DeanieG at 5:07 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2009

Whoa, Kambrogi, with flattery as potent as yours, I'd end up giving away baklavas for free, and soon be on the street.

posted by Ganeshaka at 8:48 pm (EST) on Feb 12, 2009

I did review A Mercy on my 50 Book Challenge thread, but your is preferable and better expresses my feelings about it. The only other Morrison I've read was Beloved. I do think it takes a bit to get used to her style.

posted by theaelizabet at 11:50 am (EST) on Feb 6, 2009

Hi Kathi,

I just finished A Mercy and saw your review. I thought it was terrific; one of the best reviews I've seen of the book. Thanks for it.

Teresa

posted by theaelizabet at 10:06 am (EST) on Feb 6, 2009

Kathi:

My Asian fiction group on LibThing rolled over and went all Rip Van Winkle on me a few months back. Then I noted that in Reading Globally, they were selecting Japan for January's discussion hub. I participated and it was interesting and odd in what I have decided is a uniquely LibThing way. We might discuss another time.

Now the selection du jour (or du mois, I suppose), is Africa. That's right, in a change of pace they have gone with a continent rather than a nation. I'm unsure how it is that such a large lasso was thrown this time, or how a single discussion can accomodate it all. I think I'll read Palace Walk by Mahfouz. Nancy speaks highly of it and it's already on the shelf. But it is large!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/52852

Anyway I'm sure you'd be of inestimable value to the discussion, and it might be interesting for us to both be in the same sandbox again after 50 years!

There's undoubtedly more news. We should share a nice cup of coffee one weekend morning.

All my everything always,

-- Gerry

posted by gscottmoore at 1:26 pm (EST) on Feb 1, 2009

Hi Kathi,

Thanks for directing me to your 50 book challenge. I've enjoyed reading your reviews and think you may achieve the previously unimaginable and persuade me to take The Shipping News off the shelf where it's been lurking for years and actually read the thing!

I was interested in your comment about having lived near Kashmir helped your appreciation of The Inheritance of Loss. Unlike you,I am not well travelled but I did live in Botswana for six months and have found that the experience has added resonance to books I have read set in Southern Africa.

You asked about my book challenge. Well, being I.T illiterate, I don't know how to present this in a snappy way, but I think this is the link!...

http://www.librarything.com/topic/53089

Dee

posted by Soupdragon at 7:11 am (EST) on Jan 20, 2009

Hi Kathi,
Long time, no talk! but a happy new year to you. Frigid and nasty here in Iowa, but that makes for wonderful reading time. I look forward to hearing what you think of "A Mercy".
Bonnie

posted by bonsam at 1:24 pm (EST) on Jan 19, 2009

Hi Kathi,

I found your library after reading one of your reviews. I don't remember which one but it led to my reading many of your other reviews. I enjoyed them and noticed that with the books I'd already read, you had similar thoughts to me, although I don't think I'd have expressed them so well. The Inheritance of Loss review was spot on!

I thought I'd better add you to a list so I could follow your other reviews!

I've just noticed you're a member of the 50 challenge, so I'll look out for your thread there. I've recently joined the 999 challenge, though haven't finished a book for it yet (half way through The Idea of Perfection). I've been busy with course work, looking after my kids in the holidays and, er...spending too much time on Library Thing!

Dee

posted by Soupdragon at 5:25 am (EST) on Jan 6, 2009

P.S. I envy you your traveling. I'm such a scaredy cat! I'm trying to decide if I can deal with moving a few miles away from my very special street of outstanding neighbors and friends.

posted by bonniebooks at 11:14 am (EST) on Dec 12, 2008

HI Kambrogi,
Ex Libris... by Ann Fadiman is on my 50-Book Challenge for 2009. Really looking forward to it!
Bonnie

posted by bonniebooks at 11:11 am (EST) on Dec 12, 2008

Hi Kathi,
I do still have some of my alpacas, but they are boarded elsewhere as I now live in a townhouse. I've held on to 4 females as they were from my best lines developed over ten years. I've had them bred and will probably sell them in the spring. I have a four boys left, one of which is my best stud. Ten years raising alpaca livestock was such a great experience in so many ways and I learned much.

Just got home from my oil painting class and am so thrilled that I switched to oil. I finished a piece that I am just amazed I did! I have the benefit of an awesome instructor which makes all the difference in learning to paint with some skill. She is modest and I found out today that she is an accomplished fine art equine artist whose work is stunningly beautiful.

You mentioned a separate library for my art and weaving books--did you mean a totally different page/membership or is it possible to categorize or keep libraries by subject matter on ones page? I searched the help section and really couldn't find this addressed.

Where did you live in Europe? I've been comtemplating living in England--have a good friend there--but visiting is all that I do at this point.
Hope you are having good weather in PA.
Bonnie

posted by bonsam at 6:17 pm (EST) on Dec 11, 2008

Hi Kathi,
I've been busy since last we wrote - am now enrolled in an oil painting class and loving it! I went to the class thinking I'd do acrylics, but after discussing my objectives with the instructor, I switched to oil and I'm glad I did. Ironically, I'm back in the same classroom where I took classes as a teenager at an art center in my hometown.

I don't seem to be getting much weaving done lately - busy season with lots of interruptions. But must get diligent about it this week and make some holiday gifts.

By the way, there is a story on my blog about the Rose Tree Fiber Shop and owner, Rosemary. I'm going to her 20th year anniversary since opening the shop at 60 years old! We are never too old to fulfill our dreams. Rosemary is going strong and I would not be surprised to celebrate her 40th anniversary in biz.

I have lots more books to enter - it's definitely on my to-do list. I've made some good connections here, you included, and Library Thing is my favorite site. I've found resource people here through common interests in book subjects.
Where are you living now?
Bonnie

posted by bonsam at 8:38 am (EST) on Dec 6, 2008

Hi Kathy (I think that's your name?),
Thanks for the tip on ISBN for entering- I did figure that out eventually after entering many. I have lots more to enter, so that will certainly help.

And thanks too, for the compliment on my fiber work. I enjoy it and like also to create with natural fibers. I've been building my fiber biz over the last couple of years and yes, make some income from it and it grows in that respect. It's is wonderful to be able to do something I enjoy and find interesting to make some extra money to supplement my so-called retirement income.

I do enjoy the watercolor and am searching now for a teacher. I've just finished a beginner's class which was fun, but didn't provide basic technique skills. So, of course, I have bought and borrowed loads of books on watercolor. I wonder if I am in the right medium as I really like bold colors, sometimes whimsical themes and Georgia O'Keefe style flowers.

I will check out the 50 book challenge and reading globally sounds interesting too. When I lived in New Mexico, there were lots of private book shops with South American authors rarely found at Barnes and Noble in the Midwest.

I'm off to read Bob Woodward's book about the Supreme Court, which it seems according to Woodward, not quite the esteemed institution we Americans assume.
Bonnie

posted by bonsam at 11:30 pm (EST) on Nov 19, 2008

Hi Kambrogi,
I'm just getting started listing my books. Mine are heavy on history, biographies, historical fiction, politics somewhat, then on to some fiction -- your writing sounds like the sort of thing I enjoy--strong women characters?
Next, I have to have a books, well really books whenever I embark on some new interest, such as watercolor painting.

But my main interest is fiber and I am a weaver, also knit. I raised alpacas for over 10 years getting into that due to my interest in fiber and textiles. I learned to weave a few years ago and continue to take classes, develop new skills and enjoy the creativity and working with natural fibers immensely. I also sell my handwovens and knits online ( good excuse for excess production and nice to have the supplemental income too).

Tell me about your weaving if you would please.
Bonnie

posted by bonsam at 7:21 pm (EST) on Nov 17, 2008

Hi Kambrogi,

I found your review of Dhalgren stimulating and gave it a thumbs up. I read the book a long time ago (mid-70s?) - as a lumpen-escapist sci-fi fan. I remember liking parts of it a lot - the armageddon cityscape for example - and not understanding the rest. Now that I have bit more of a taste for postmodernism, I think I'll revisit it.

Have you read Norman Spinrad's Child of Fortune? It's been some twenty years since I have, but I remember it as a similarly unique piece of sci-fi. The reviews at Amazon provide a good impression of the work. Actually, I'm about to revisit that book, too.

posted by Ganeshaka at 2:46 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2008

Yes, though I haven't quit my day job. I have a freelance writing and editing business, and I receive a regular paycheck for managing a small publishing office. Someday, I hope to have enough freelance work to allow me to quit the day job and just do what I enjoy. I read on your profile that you are a writer. What do you write?

posted by awriteword at 12:26 pm (EST) on May 9, 2008

That's awesome! Thanks so much for the recommendations. I will definitely be picking them up. I'll let you know what I think when I finish them :) I have very ecclectic tastes, so I am sure that I will enjoy your list. For me, as long as the writing is quality, I can dip into pretty much any subject or genre. I only have a tiny fraction of my library up right now. I am waiting on my cuecat to arrive to speed up the process :) Thanks again for your recommendations--I can't wait to get started on them!

posted by awriteword at 10:01 am (EST) on May 7, 2008

No, I haven't read much other Indian, Indian-inspired or Indian immigrant fiction, but I would love to get some recommendations if you have any. I am a big bollywood movie fan and I am beginning to take an interest in the country's history too, so if you have some favorites, please let me know. I'll definitely pick them up :)

posted by awriteword at 3:57 pm (EST) on May 6, 2008

Thanks for the compliment! I just picked up a biography by Vikram Seth, but I haven't started it yet. I love the lyricism of his prose though, and I am hoping that this one has that style as well :) Great to meet another who is undaunted by a book that weighs about 15 pounds!

posted by awriteword at 12:12 pm (EST) on May 5, 2008

Hi again, and thank you for your recommendations. I have added the Fadiman book to my growing list of books to buy at used bookstores and library sales. Children of God is already on that list. I will definitely be checking out the 50 Book Challenge group as well. Last year I read 72 books. Time to get a life! ~Donna~

posted by Donna828 at 10:47 am (EST) on Apr 1, 2008

Hello...I've added you to my interesting libraries list. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your reviews. I am attempting to review every book I read, and it is tough. Really makes one stop and analyze the reaction to a book. Loved how you compared Ex Libris to an empty box of chocolates when you finished it. That is one of my frequent rereads. ~Donna~

posted by Donna828 at 9:19 am (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

Wow! I see the button worked, hooray!! Also, not surprising, we have a lot of the same books on our wish lists.

T.

posted by teelgee at 3:14 pm (EST) on Jan 17, 2008

Ooops, forgot--filming vultures is easy, believe me! They don't move very fast. Worst I've ever attempted is to film monkeys and dolphins. I have a lot of footage of empty trees and empty water! :-)

Joyce

posted by Joycepa at 11:20 am (EST) on Jan 15, 2008

Hi, Kathi!
Thanks for the comment about The Alchemist. and even if it were a perfect translation, you may still have found the book thin--as I mentioned, I'm not a particular fan of the philosophy myself.

Yes, I do speak and read Portuguese, having spent a great deal of time in Brasil living with poor and marginalized people. Howsomever, I can't hold a candle to your experience in living in 10 different countries! I think that's terrific! Which ones did you live in? Why are you back in the US now--a break? For good? I'm afraid I have infinite curiosity when it comes to the topic of Americans choosing to live abroad, particularly women.

Joyce

posted by Joycepa at 11:17 am (EST) on Jan 15, 2008

I've gone casual on my profile picture! I just couldn't bear the thought of LTers picturing me all be-suited ... :-)

posted by lindsacl at 8:34 am (EST) on Oct 29, 2007

Sorry for my tardy response. I am new to librarything (as you noted) and didn't even realize I had a message posted until this evening. It is nice to make a connection with someone with whom I share so many book preferences! I am going to browse your list for ideas. . .

posted by lisaantioch at 8:51 pm (EST) on Oct 4, 2007

Hi Kathi

Thanks for your comment about my wishlist, it is a cool format, although I cant take any credit for that.
The credit belongs to another bookcrosser, cliff1976. It is linked to a bookcrosser's bookshelf and you can do a search on a book that you might like to share with someone to fullfill a wish.
Enables bookcrossers to do RABCK or "Random Acts of Book Crossing Kindness"!

:-)

Cheers
kim

posted by KimB at 2:31 am (EST) on Oct 1, 2007

Kathi, I am excited for you (and us, the reading world) re your book:-) Lois

posted by avaland at 1:36 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2007

Kathi - I think you hit the nail on the head regarding Dorothy Allison's anger. She *does* write beautifully - and I think the anger WE feel is partly HER anger filtering through. The problem with the book for me was it was too real - far too often kids are being horribly abused and there are plenty of adults that see it, but do nothing to stop it. Allison's book was just so frustrating because we see the damage, and we watch the mother just continue on her merry way to get her own needs met with NO regard for the needs of her child. If this novel were to continue on into the future, we would then be watching this child continuing the cycle of abuse with her own kids. Arghhhhhhhh!

posted by writestuff at 12:58 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2007

Kathi - I also loved Fall On Your Knees ... in that book I felt like the sensitive subject matter was handled beautifully. I gave The Bone People a high rating ...more for the beautiful writing than for the story itself which (as you say) was frustrating. I think in that book, however, we were seeing huge cultural differences in how child abuse is viewed. My biggest problem with Bastard out of Carolina was that it was occurring in the USA where our culture is less tolerant...and yet NO ONE seemed to want to rescue this kid! Someone told me that the novel is actually fairly autobiographical and her novel Trash is even more graphic. I think I'll skip it.

posted by writestuff at 12:16 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2007

Hi,

Your review of Spud confirmed my suspicions about the book. I probably would have ended up buying it if I hadn't read your review before I went shopping yesterday. Thanks for saving me some money. ;=)

Isabel

posted by izzybee at 2:38 am (EST) on Aug 13, 2007

Kathi
I've nominated September 1 as the start date for The Lizard Cage discussion. If you can't read it before then, don't read the discussion because it is a really good book and you won't want any spoilers.
Amanda

posted by amandameale at 9:03 am (EST) on Aug 11, 2007

This is my other March post in the Holocaust thread that lists some books I recommend.
I'd like to recommend some books and films that I have found enlightening, moving and important.
Memoirs/Testimony:
Night by Elie Wiesel-There is a new translation by his wife out now
An Interrupted Life by Etty Hillesum - a diary of a dutch woman who was taken
Sala's Gift by Anne Kirschner- the story of a woman's mother who lived through the holocaust
The Lost A Search for Six of the Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn- the search for the remnants of the family that were not able to escape to America in time
History/Documentary:
The War Against the Jews by Lucy Davidowicz
Shoah by Claude Lanzmann (Also a Film)
Films:
Escape from Sobibor , Based on true story- with Alan Arkin
Europa, Europa, Based on True story. in German with Julie Delpy
Judgement at Nurenberg- with Spencer Tracy and marlene Dietrich
The Last Metro , in French -with Catherine Deneuve
The Blood of Others, in French- by Simone de Beauvoir
Fiction:
Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally, also a film ,based on a true story about a businessman who took jews to work in his factory, and then saved them from the concentration camps - with Liam Neeson
The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kozinski, Novel - abook about a little boy who was sent to live with Polish peasants to escape capture
The Journey by Ida Fink , Novel about a girl and her sister, disguised as gentiles, who went to germany as laborers to avoid capture
Traces by Ida Fink, short stories
A Scrap of Time by Ida Fink , Short Stories
Babi Yar by Kuznetsov, , Semi-documentary novel- about the pit in russia where thousands of jews were dumped after they were shot.
Generatons of Winter by Vasily Aksyonov , Novel
the Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Giorgio Bassani , Novel and also a film
Poetry:
Oh the Chimmneys by Nelly Sachs, won Nobel Prize
Poems by Paul Celan
Complete Poems by Czeslaw Milosz, Won Nobel Prize

posted by almigwin at 1:21 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2007

Kathi- This was posted in the holocaust thread, and I thought you might be interested since you mentioned MausI and II.
March post:
I just got a copy of Bitter Prerequisites by the historian Wm. Laird Kleine-Ahlbrandt.These survivors were all members of the Purdue University faculty community, and agreed to be interviewed about their escapes from the areas controlled by the third reich. I lived in that community, and knew one of the survivors personally in the fifties.

The stories are hair-raising, and touching, and true. The survivor I knew had to cross Russia to come to the United States because the Adriatic was closed.

One family posed as Polish aristocrats - (They were blonde, and the mother was sexy),

One woman survived Auschwitz.

The book has amazing stories of bravery, enormous human and material loss, righteous gentiles, luck, suffering, and triumph.

These survivors were extremely intelligent and articulate, and the writer was both sympathetic and scholarly. It is an unusual and wonderful book.
Message edited by its author, Mar 31, 2007, 5:07am.

posted by almigwin at 1:10 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2007

Kathi - I adored the Brothers K - but I'd read a grocery list if D.J. Duncan wrote it. I love his writing. I thought it was brilliant - loved the character development and the way you could see his first person character mature through the writing style. It was definitely a 'boys' kind of book, but so full of poignancy and humor and love. Of course, hailing from the Northwest, I also loved the geography of the novel.

Have you read any of his nonfiction? His most recent book of essays, God Laughs and Plays, is stunning.

posted by teelgee at 1:33 pm (EST) on Aug 2, 2007

Hi again KAthi,

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you are settling in - a huge pain to move.

You can 'get' your own map by just clicking on the right side of the map on my page - where it says get your own map!!! I got it off another LT page.

I am half way through Sophie's Choice - it is excellent. The only criticism so far may be that the writer needs to tone down his sexual frustrations and fantasies and realize it can be distracting. I know he is trying to explore issues of attraction to Sophie, but it is a tad overdone. His writing is superlative.

Nice to meet you.

Karen

posted by kiwidoc at 7:48 pm (EST) on Jul 24, 2007

Actually, you may have told us in the Red Room how you came to be there...I'm a little dizzy with Red Room posts, so I apologize in advance if I'm making you repeat yourself!

posted by avaland at 7:09 pm (EST) on Jun 22, 2007

Thanks for checking out my library, you also have a lovely collection. You are quite the global lady! How do you come to live in South Africa now? I would love to visit parts of Africa one day. Sigh. I will have to content myself with visiting it in books for the time being. Best, Lois

posted by avaland at 7:08 pm (EST) on Jun 22, 2007

I think it was in your profile, or maybe you mentioned it in a thread thingy. It just caught my eye since it has always been a secret dream of mine.
Not sure how I would handle primitive conditions though. I am not camping with my boyfriend next weekend, because his camper is filthy. If he hasn't cleaned the stove in five years, I am not even going to open the bathroom door.
I normally like to camp, and I don't mind honest dirt, but not nasty. So maybe it will just remain one of lifes unfulfilled dreams.

posted by mydomino1978 at 6:54 pm (EST) on Jun 8, 2007

I am a physical therapy assistant on an Indian Reservation right now. I used to do that for the Army and for the Air Force also. Inbetween I went to nursing school for a couple of years, and I need 9 hours to finish a biology degree. I worked in managed care for about 12 years - which qualifies me to be nothing but a bad person, which is why I left it.
I have a few years left before my last child is ready to leave, so I can take my time thinking about it.

posted by mydomino1978 at 10:47 am (EST) on Jun 5, 2007

I am fascinated that you were in the Peace Corps. I was thinking of doing that in my late 20's, getting a divorce and doing it, but I got pregnant, stayed married etc.
I am on my own now and have thought that I might consider it when I retire in a few years.
Please could you tell me about it?

posted by mydomino1978 at 1:27 pm (EST) on May 30, 2007

Oh! I forgot you asked about livejournal. It's a blogging site completely separate from librarything. Mine is mostly about books these days and can be found at http://cestovatela.livejournal.com

posted by cestovatela at 7:01 am (EST) on May 17, 2007

It's so hard to choose a list of favorites. Even though, as you pointed out, I don't rave about books I love, I do love quite a lot of them. This is probably going to be a random sample from my 4.5 and 5 star books:

Five Quarters of the Orange by Joann Harris, for its incredible characterization and complexity, and most of all, for having a dark beginning that works its way to a hopeful ending without oversimplification.

Jacob's Room by Virginia Woolf has a very challenging writing style, but somehow it seems to capture all the significant and insignificant moments that make up life.

Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Because nobody writes complex, believable characters better than Ishiguro. His books are so subtle and poignant and they really have something to say about how to live life.

Lamb by Christopher Moore, for telling the story of Christ's forgotten childhood pal in a funny, irreverant way but still adding something poignant to the relationships and respecting the spirit of Christianity.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck for its simple, beautiful prose and an ending that felt just right.

I could actually choose a lot more than 5, but then I would be typing all night! Really, anything that I gave 4.5 or 5 stars I really love. They're all books that stuck with me.

I'm glad you enjoyed reading the reviews! Which book did you decide you just had to buy?

posted by cestovatela at 6:59 am (EST) on May 17, 2007

Thanks for the comments! I'm absolutely brimming over with questions about our apparently very similar lives. Which part of OK did you live in? And which stan? I'm from the Tulsa area and spent my summer wandering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan plus the part of China once known as Turkistan.

As for the reviews, I actually started them when I was new to LT and didn't understand what the comment field was for. I'm a pretty dedicated reviewer because I hate looking at my bookshelves and finding that I can't remember what I read or what I liked about a book. I put reviews for all my books in livejournal, so it's pretty easy to copy them over here.

You'll have to give me some thinking time before I can answer which books are really my favorite -- there are so many I've loved.

posted by cestovatela at 3:38 am (EST) on May 16, 2007

I really enjoyed reading your reviews in the 50 book challenge community. You're so good about "reading outside your comfort zone." When friends give me detective novels, I guiltily trade them in at the used bookstore...

posted by cestovatela at 1:04 pm (EST) on May 14, 2007

Thanks for finding me... we do share quite a few books and tend to rate them similarly. I'm always happy to find another source for good book recommendations.

Interesting that you point out several South African books. I have a woman from South Africa in my book group, so that has been a source of deeper and personal experience when we read a SA book. I've quite enjoyed a number of them. In general, one of my favorite kinds of books are ones where you visit a culture and become part of their world. I guess the same approach applies to the adventure/"on the ice" books that you comment about. I haven't yet read South, but given your recommendation, will add it to the always growing "list".

I'm reading a book now that I quite like.. A Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb. Takes place in both England and Ethiopia - I'd summarize, but it would be too simplistic and trite. You might want to take a look.

posted by asawyer at 12:31 am (EST) on Mar 28, 2007

thanks for stopping by and commenting. my interests in african-american literature are toni morrison, alice walker, and maya angelou. i also loved my antonia by willa cather and richard wright's books. i took an african-american lit class in college that introduced me to these writers. wish i could go back and take another class now!

posted by amanaceerdh at 9:34 am (EST) on Mar 13, 2007

Hi back to you!
To answer your question, no, our libraries are separate. If you wish to take a look at his, look for 'chapinlibrary', his LT identity.
Our tastes are very different, and he reads much more history and non fiction than I do. At times we find books of common interest, but very rarely (and thank God for that, so we are not going to fight whenever we go to library sales and such).
South Africa....it must be VERY interesting! It certainly is a country I would love to visit in a not too distant future. Australia is as far as I got, and I loved it (as you can see from my not few Aussie books).
I see with pleasure that you own Possession by A.S.Byatt. What do you think of it? If not the favourite, it certainly is one of my favourite books. When I read it I was literally mesmerized by her use of the language. Great writer!
Great talking to you! Your comments will be welcome any time.

Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 10:11 am (EST) on Mar 12, 2007

Welcome to LT!!!!

Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 8:14 am (EST) on Mar 12, 2007