Member: kokipy

Juliet Barker, not Moore. Hard to know where this stuff comes from.

posted by LizzieD at 11:38 am (EST) on Feb 8, 2013

I'm glad to hear your positive take on Pale King. My birthday is next week; I'll get some gift $ and put it on my Kindle! Thanks for your thumbs up!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 1:58 pm (EST) on Oct 5, 2012

I just came by to say that I finished The Bone People, the best book of my reading year so far. I don't know whether it's as good as I think it is or whether it just hit me right. At any rate, it is beautiful and powerful, and I recommend it if you haven't read it!
Take care!

posted by LizzieD at 11:22 pm (EST) on May 9, 2012

Saw you have Wolf Hall. Have you read it?

posted by stellarexplorer at 6:42 pm (EST) on Mar 7, 2012

Yes, I agree on Rudd. Do you think immaturity was a factor in drawing them into the Weathermen? I had always wanted to see it as conviction, which I still think it was, but people's motives and motivators are actually much more complex and veiled than I realized when I first started to think about these people.

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:02 pm (EST) on Jan 9, 2012

Please let me know how the Cathy Wilkerson book is -- I am interested in memoir from this period. The Rudd book was worthwhile, esp if you have an interest. Not a must-read, I'd say.

posted by stellarexplorer at 10:40 pm (EST) on Jan 9, 2012

Just finished Reamde and I loved it, loved it, loved it! I am totally at peace again with the ER program that sent me this one. It makes up for a great number of clunkers including the next one that I have to read now --- Dangerous Ambition: Rebecca West and Dorothy Thompson: New Women in Search of Love and Power. Oh. I already told you about it.
Now I can open the LBJ bio too, so that's all to the good today. Hope your Monday is equally happy!

posted by LizzieD at 4:45 pm (EST) on Oct 24, 2011

I got to read a little *Kraken* today, and it seems more like Tim Powers than CM. I like TP, so that's O.K., but it has been something of a surprise.

posted by LizzieD at 8:33 pm (EST) on Sep 1, 2011

I will do my best to put everything else aside (except *Truman*) when it comes and read it as quickly as I can. No doubt I will be gloating the entire time. I'm pretty sure I'll like it since I like everything else, mostly to the greater extent. I asked only for that one, and I've done all my reviews in the month that I received the book. Virtue rewarded! Excitement abounding!

posted by LizzieD at 1:19 pm (EST) on Aug 31, 2011

Oh! Oh! OH!!!! I won a copy of Reamde!!!! Thrills and Chills!!!!
Squeezing the last drop of summer sounds like a plan to me, and I am rereading Sayers in order with the short stories as they fall. Got to pick her up again too.

posted by LizzieD at 1:05 pm (EST) on Aug 31, 2011

I know that I will eventually read the LBJ biography because I'm enjoying *Truman* so much. I don't see how Caro can be better than McCullough, but I'll be happy to find out!
Is it back to school yet for your crew? I can't tell you how happy I am not to be going!

posted by LizzieD at 10:37 am (EST) on Aug 31, 2011

39th floor! 30 seconds!!! That was enough to be seriously scary. I'm sure that my heart rate would still be galloping. And I see that Robinson's name is actually Robson.

posted by LizzieD at 7:05 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2011

Did you feel the earthquake? I'm still agog although we felt only the smallest of tremors. It was still enough to feel though. And did you get to the Kindle sale on time to get the crop of Heyers? I hope so.
The only Robinson I've read is Natural History, and although I gave it 3½ stars at the time, I had to look at the book page to remember what it was about. I have a copy ofKeeping It Real, but I don't think I'm going to read it anytime soon. On with Bren & Co instead!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:36 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2011

I'm thinking of you often this week because I have been shopping at PBS for *Foreigner* novels and am going to be good through book 9 if they all show up AND because I just downloaded 5 GH's from the current Kindle sale with *GH's Regency World* which I hope will be a decent reference. Yipppeeeeee!
Hope you and yours are well and staying cool!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:01 am (EST) on Aug 18, 2011

Oh my. Did you connect with your inner Southerner?
You know, I have the Cattons - or some of them - too, but they are packed away somewhere.
I spend entirely too much time here and it cuts down on my reading. Oh well.
And I will get to the Johnson bio - I just don't know when. And I hope to live unimpaired for at least another 30 years to get all of this good stuff read. The longevity might be a possibility, but I don't know about the unimpaired part since I feel well on my way to some kind of dementia at least 4 days of every week.
Hope you have a productive day!

posted by LizzieD at 11:16 am (EST) on Aug 9, 2011

I'm looking at S. Foote, but that's such an investment of time! On the other hand, I bought them because I wanted to read them, and I still do.
I'm also laughing about N.C. geography. I'm about 75 miles from the coast right on I-95, exactly half-way between NYC and Miami. Not *Cold Mountain* country, *sigh* sand and swamp instead.

posted by LizzieD at 12:45 pm (EST) on Aug 4, 2011

On mature (!) reflection, I think I'll stick with HST for my program. I have my eye on *Harry's Road Trip* - or whatever the name of that book is since the focus is supposed to be the President's family. (The general topic was my idea, and we're going to get a wide variety of programs this year - everything from Christmas decorations and the china to who knows what.)
Anyhow, now I know about Caro, so that's good.
I was looking to see whether you had done any Civil War reading this year, and I can't tell. That's something else I'd like to get to. I did see *Whistling Woman* which has been under my bed waiting for me for at least a year.

posted by LizzieD at 10:53 am (EST) on Aug 4, 2011

Now you have tempted me. I have the McCulloch biography of HST and his letters to Bess getting in my way every time I turn around. I have to do a program on a President in October for my study club, but if the LBJ bio is that compelling, I may change my mind and go with it. On the other hand, the Truman isn't bad, and I can get it done in one big book. Anyway, thank you for putting Caro on my radar. I can get a used copy for $4.17 at AMP. Hmmmmmmm.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:38 am (EST) on Aug 4, 2011

Wasn't *FS* totally entertaining?
I'm glad to read several things at the time because I don't experience quite the letdown when I finish something good that I would otherwise. On the other hand, they have me locked into a lot that I would gladly let go to read something else that is calling me now (viz. The Young Romantics, a biographical look at Keats, Shelley, Byron, and crew - a leftover from my Shelley engorgement last year). On the third hand, this is the most delightful problem I can imagine.
P.A.

posted by LizzieD at 10:52 am (EST) on Aug 1, 2011

Happy July to you too!!
Yes, I read and enjoyed 2066, but on real paper with no typos. It is not like anything else I've ever read, so I hope you'll continue in some format. Or you might not like it at all.
I'll hope to get back to you soon with one of my reading life updates - the only thing about my life that's interesting, thank goodess!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 9:20 am (EST) on Jul 6, 2011

Ah! So now I will hunt for something else about a teacher from the 30's just because it's an interesting question. I'm not spoiled although reading old books about the classroom does seem a little in the nature of indulging in fairy tales.
It is too hot to be May 24: 97° - and yesterday, and tomorrow, and Thursday. Spring was lovely while it lasted.

posted by LizzieD at 5:22 pm (EST) on May 24, 2011

Just drifting by to speak. I guess I haven't read DWJ because she's mainly YA, right? I'm sure that I'd enjoy her since you do and since she has so many other fans here that I respect. I feel that I have to limit myself somewhere and YA and short stories are what I generally choose to exclude.
I'm reading the second Matthew Shardlake mystery (Dark Fire) by C.J. Sansom and enjoying it even more than the first - and I enjoyed the first. "They" say that the succeeding novels are even better.

posted by LizzieD at 11:05 am (EST) on May 14, 2011

I just came by to express my respect that you're tackling the DFW academic paper. Somebody closed philosophy to me long ago - I ask the wrong questions. On the other hand, one of the wrong questions was about free will, so I might get it after all, but probably not.
Mama loved *GL&PPPS* too. I'm eager to see whether you love *South Riding*. I'm pretty sure that you will, and I have no doubt that you'll have read the 4 or 5 Sansoms before I get into the second one.
We escaped the monster storm here although a couple of tornadoes did set down in the county. Hope it misses you completely.

posted by LizzieD at 7:26 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2011

--- and here I thought that was the job of theology and philosophy. Infinite Jest continues to simmer softly on my back burner. I think the man was a genius.
Is South Riding new to you? I think that you will love it. My mom is also hooked on *Guernsey*. I suspect she'll put it in her book club next year. I find it surprising that those women hadn't read it already.
Off to swim!

posted by LizzieD at 9:44 am (EST) on Apr 13, 2011

1001 since I added Dissolution this morning.
THANK you for recommending *GL&PPPS*! It was just what I needed, and I've passed it on to Mother. I would never have picked it up on my own, but I'm in love with the whole cast of characters and Guernsey too.

posted by LizzieD at 1:24 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2011

Oh! I'm into Evil for Evil, K.J. Parker's second *Engineer*.

posted by LizzieD at 10:58 am (EST) on Feb 16, 2011

I was going to ask whether you read fantasy, and Behold! GG Kay and Robin McKinley. (I read the first and not the second.) I'm enjoying K.J. Parker's first *Engineer* book, Devices and Desires enough to wonder whether you've read it/them and what you thought.
Hope you feel better. Hope you're plowed out. We still have ice.

posted by LizzieD at 8:05 pm (EST) on Jan 12, 2011

I did scan that thread. I mostly thought the one I read fairly carefully was a man being a man who was more interested in technological details than the story, characters, and milieu. That's my recollection anyway, from reading before I had gotten much into Blackout. How's that for dismissive on similar grounds?

posted by LizzieD at 10:38 am (EST) on Jan 10, 2011

Hmm. It was *Towers of Trebizond* you mentioned rather than *Castle*. I had expected to love it too and found that I didn't. I certainly didn't dislike it, but it was not the great treat that I had anticipated. I think it was her sort of bloodless churchiness that I objected to, and I missed Aunt Dot when she disappeared. Just thought I'd say ---

posted by LizzieD at 10:46 am (EST) on Dec 16, 2010

Hmmm. I don't mind saying that I am completely in love with Jamie - so much so that I think you won't find him fainting until book 3. I remember because I lost patience with book 2 which kept them apart for the whole book. I haven't reread it. Actually, I guess the first one is the only one I've reread.
I also think that it's interesting that real romance readers don't like this series very much. And that fact makes me feel a little bit better about my taste.
I'm trying to finish a short little book about a Jewish man in Nazi-controlled Prague, Life with a Star. It is almost unbearable, and therefore, I guess I have to say that it's very, very good. So I'm off to say goodnight to my mother and then back to shower and the book. I'm ready for something girly.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 9:07 pm (EST) on Oct 24, 2010

And I didn't ask how *Echo/Bone* is. (How is it?) I still have a couple to read before I'll feel the need for that one, and I have to say that none so far has been as satisfying as the first one.

posted by LizzieD at 4:40 pm (EST) on Oct 24, 2010

Oh! And I took Kindle with The Dervish House and have read enough to know that I'm going to enjoy it 100%. I'm also enjoying *Quite Ugly* now that I've gotten past the quite ugly first few chapters.....

posted by LizzieD at 11:25 am (EST) on Oct 4, 2010

Yes, a non-fiction book came out about it last year. I thought about giving it to you, but knew that we really didn't want to know any more about it. As I recall there was an article in the New Yorker.

posted by Doey at 4:23 pm (EST) on Sep 27, 2010

No, to Dean Marshall. I'm not sure what I read as a child although I read all the time. Few names linger.
I've started Quite Ugly One Morning. That first chapter knocked me for a loop. I don't think I've ever read anything more disgusting, and that includes the Eaters in *Phlebas*. Second chapter also over the top. So far I'm not laughing as I did at the beginning of *Country of Blind* but I persevere in spite of having a pbs copy that was smoked over. Encourage me!
I've wish-listed 1491. Maybe next year I'll resolve to read more non-fiction. Maybe not.
I'm off to try to finish a Virago/Beacon Traveler that has been hanging unfinished here for way too long. It's North-west by North, and while it does have some interesting travel writing, (5 people - 3 women - sail a cutter from Brisbane to Singapore in 1932) I don't hesitate to say that you can easily skip it. I'm very much in the "You bought it; now you read it" mode.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 6:50 pm (EST) on Sep 20, 2010

I uploaded Jane's cover for Alizant; first time I've added a cover. It's easy when someone else has created the jpg.

posted by arethusarose at 7:58 am (EST) on Sep 6, 2010

Happy Weekend! Hope it's cool where you are --- actually, I hope that it's cool somewhere, anywhere; that would give me a little hope, but for you especially, I wish cool.
I'm relieved that you enjoyed a Banks - it would be one that I haven't read. Neither have I tried any of his general fiction which you can identify because he's Ian Banks without the M. I have one, Crow Road which looks pretty rough. I also see that the other McDonalds that I have picked up in many hauntings of library sales and used bookstores are Desolation Road and Out on Blue Six. They will have to wait. And aren't the titles reminiscent of McDevitt whom I was about to mention anyway?
I agree about Reynolds's place in my hard scifi pantheon: above Jack McDevitt and Walter Jon Williams (both of whom entertain) but below Stephenson and Banks. I don't know quite where to put Ken MacLeod or KSR.....O.K. KSR higher, KML and RMorgan a bit lower. I apparently have more listing mania than I suspected.
With all that I have in progress, I couldn't resist glancing at Discovery of Heaven, so I'm going to finish my bit of *W&P* and go to bed with Mulisch (?) to see whether I can give him up right now.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 11:04 pm (EST) on Aug 20, 2010

Once again, I own McDonald but haven't read McDonald...Macdonald? I do have Dervish House wishlisted at PBS, so I'm glad that I will enjoy it when it finally comes. I got Brasyl from there, but I'm afraid that it's the one of his later efforts that I'll enjoy least. I do believe somebody said something about too many books and too little time. I buy and buy and buy and then try to read them all at once. It doesn't work, but I'm incorrigible.
I am enjoying *War & Peace* in this translation; I find the notes quite helpful since I'm not likely to know who among the Russians is an actual historical figure. I also see that I can read 10 or 20 pages a day and finish before the year is up. I find this reassuring. Anyway, thank you again for making this possible.
Our teachers went back to school today, so this is still one of the best days of the year in spite of heat and humidity. I always said that I was born to retire and I was right. This is just wonderful!
I see that you read Against a Dark Background which I haven't read. How was it? I picked up Absolution Gap instead of a Banks or a Morgan, but I've barely cracked it. I don't mind that Reynolds writes long at all - at least so far.
I wish you cool!
Love,
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:45 pm (EST) on Aug 19, 2010

950 is yet another nice, round number!
Happy Weekend!

posted by LizzieD at 1:07 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2010

I see it came!

posted by stellarexplorer at 8:58 pm (EST) on Jun 26, 2010

Oh gee. Regenesis or Invader? I'm such an idiot that I've started both and have time only for one. I'll be eager to see how it works out.
My middle name is not "Discipline."

posted by LizzieD at 10:49 pm (EST) on May 11, 2010

The Fall Revolution is the series I've read except the first installment. I really, really like the middle 2. My lesser enthusiasm about the 4th may be because it's more dependent on #1.
Shorts and Torts? Better you than me!

posted by LizzieD at 8:35 am (EST) on May 4, 2010

I uploaded a cover for this book if you are interested.
http://www.librarything.com/work/book/59467647

posted by yeremenko at 1:47 pm (EST) on May 1, 2010

Good! I at least have it on my list at pbs. I think I may be missing another one. My newest was The Algebraist which I was not so crazy about. I'm of 2 minds as to what to do with *Blade*. For some reason I keep thinking it might get better or I might like it. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that I could get rid of it immediately at pbs and go on to something better. Might do it. Might do it. Meanwhile, my sore throat and sick feeling have finally turned into a head cold right on schedule. I sound worse/feel better. (The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra-la.)
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:51 pm (EST) on Apr 14, 2010

I haven't read it, but I'm thrilled that you are and that you like it! Really!!! We always want our favorites to like our favorites!!!
I'm trying to read so much that I don't know exactly what I'm doing ---- but The Education of Henry Adams and Learning the World are the 2 constants for the past few days however much I miss Cutting for Stone and *IJ.*
Oh well.
Is Transition new? I'm off to look it up.
Going,
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 9:49 pm (EST) on Apr 13, 2010

You're very good, and needless to say, I'm in no hurry as I have plenty to read. Thank you!

posted by LizzieD at 8:40 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2010

Thank you for that warning. (I generally don't read much in translation for that very reason. A notable exception is the person who translates Murakami.) I had asked my friend from readersplace who earns her bread by translating from Russian what she thought of the Pevear and Volokhonsky translation, but she never replied. I wonder whether that was the one you didn't care for.... Mine is the old Modern Library translation by Constance Garnett which I bumbled through 30 years or so ago. It doesn't have an introduction nor a copyright date, but I'd guess it was quite old.
I'm in no danger of going there yet, but I do appreciate the caveat, and if you liked a different old translation and can send it, I'd be grateful.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 12:22 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2010

Yep.Yep.Yep. About buying on Kindle, I expect I'll put at least the Mieville on there. I assume (as I don't with books) that the offer will still be open when I'm ready for it, and I've pledged myself to finish at least one book there before I buy the next. I think right now that if I ever finish *IJ*, I'll add the newer translation of War and Peace, but I don't count that as part of the pledge.
Hope you're enjoying some real spring. Yesterday felt more like summer here.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:54 am (EST) on Apr 7, 2010

I appreciate the assurances about the Willis......I will probably wait. I would anyway because of the new book prices; they have to come down some or a great number of people have to read them and put them on pbs.

posted by LizzieD at 3:34 pm (EST) on Apr 6, 2010

Now that makes me feel better! I had recommended *TRH* to my dentist, a good guy who usually likes what I do. He got it, read it, and said it was "O.K." Makes me rethink mentioning books to him.
So good for you'uns!
I'm looking forward to *The City+" and to *Blackout* whether it's a good Willis or not. And I'm enjoying both *IJ* and *Cutting for Stone* although the reading time for both is stretching into the infinite for sure.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 3:25 pm (EST) on Apr 6, 2010

A belated Happy Easter to you! You have added 3 as I look at your most recent activity that I covet. Hope they're good!

posted by LizzieD at 11:18 pm (EST) on Apr 4, 2010

Reading between the lines, I think the recommendation came from a person who was pleased to see good arguments made for the idea that we were a whisker away from some kind of totally collapse of the financial system. I don't know what he thinks would have happened next, and i don't know myself. But I think he, as an insider in the system want to support the correctness of the bailout (something I lack the expertise to form an educated opinion about, and lack the desire to acquire such expertise), and sees in the book some justification which he wishes to proclaim.

What do you think of that? Judging from your comments, I think I am more interested in what went through the minds of Michael Lewis' contrarian investors in the new book The Big Short, than in TBTF. I am fascinated by the mindset of financial outliers in general, especially those who have the courage of their convictions and put considerable money on the line. Some of these are people I have professional contact with, and I am always amazed by them, and struggle to understand the connection between this part of them and the rest of their personalities. I must say that the vast majority of people who have made it big financially via investing are wealthy in large part by due to the same issues that engendered my professional knowledge of their situations.

Thanks.

posted by stellarexplorer at 2:03 pm (EST) on Mar 21, 2010

Hi -- just saw you read Too Big to Fail. My B-i-L recommended it, but he's an unreliable source. What did you think?

Are things Ok post-storm?

posted by stellarexplorer at 6:29 am (EST) on Mar 21, 2010

Amen to March vs August. I'm off to try to justify my continued existence.

posted by LizzieD at 11:05 am (EST) on Mar 15, 2010

I saw that SE had been without power and hoped that you were in better shape. Do schools have generators? I'm at a loss to know what they'd do without power - or did they get power to the schools first? Anyhow, I'm sorry. This has been a horrible, very bad winter all around. It doesn't do to anticipate the summer.
I neglected to mention that I'm joining the missionaries as they enter The Gobi Desert, and I have great hopes for it. It's quite a substantial book, so I hope it's good.
Take care of yourself and family!

posted by LizzieD at 10:52 am (EST) on Mar 15, 2010

If I wait to speak until I have something to say, you may not hear from me again. Hope all is well with you and yours! We are.
If I ever finish this very short but very depressing (not the word, but I'm not sure what the word is) The Mighty and Their Fall, I may pick up I'm Not Complaining on the strength of your recommendation. I feel a great need to read something that I actually like a lot. If not that, maybe another Rose Tremain.
Spring looks to be on the way down here. Hope it will make it up your way sooner rather than later.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 5:09 pm (EST) on Mar 14, 2010

One last note to say that I know nothing about the play, but Good Old Girls, a musical by Lee Smith and Jill McCorkle is now playing off-broadway if you want to give it a look. Jill is a local girl made good and one whose short stories I like better than her novels.

posted by LizzieD at 11:45 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2010

Dear Koki,
Today is perfectly lovely, and I ought to be outside again enjoying it because I think today is the only day of warm and clear for the next week or so.
Isn't Rose Tremain wonderful? To think that I had a copy of Restoration here for about ten years and didn't read it. I think I was confusing her with Reay Tannahill (?) for no particular reason. Your reading always impresses me. Meanwhile, in my current batch everything is good but not compelling, so I continue to read 20 pages here, 50 pages there, like Nero Wolfe. AND I'm adding another couple of M. Allinghams that I found on a quick trip to the attic.
(Have you read Ammonite? I liked it enough to read Slow River which I liked less well and none of NG since.)
Hope you're enjoying your weekend!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 3:34 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2010

You are conspicuous by your absence and missed too. I'll check another place and hope that you and family are well AND that real life is more absorbing than cyberspace.

posted by LizzieD at 2:37 pm (EST) on Feb 18, 2010

It's snowing in Lumberton, my hometown! Real, pretty, fluffy snow!! Not ice!!! Accumulation!!!! This almost never happens!!!!! (Just thought you'd like to know.)

posted by LizzieD at 10:09 pm (EST) on Feb 12, 2010

Ah! I am finally back online, and just now over to LT. Thanks for the heads-up, kokipy-ji. Hope all is well with you and yours!

posted by moiraji at 1:13 pm (EST) on Feb 12, 2010

(Thank you. Knee is better; now I'm fussing that it isn't better yet. No daffodils, but first breath of spring is blooming - maybe my favorite floral scent since I can no longer find violets that smell good.)
I don't mind the Abercrombie; I have let it lie for quite a long time though. Never tried J. Wurts; never tried Feist.

posted by LizzieD at 3:39 pm (EST) on Feb 1, 2010

Who knows? 898? 900? 901? 905? We have a bunch of books in common. I see that you have read all of the Abercrombie. I trust that means that you enjoyed them. I also wonder what I have been doing to have read only half the volume that you've polished off this year when you're the one who works, and I'm the one who stays at home.
Do you like Feist or is this a new addition. Another gap in my reading!
Peace

posted by LizzieD at 11:41 am (EST) on Feb 1, 2010

Just checking in to say that I've graduated to a cane today (a quite handsome one bought by my sister in-law to support her hip replacement). In bookish news, I had already ordered a copy of Dhalgren but was able to send one off immediately at pbs. AND my wishlist there from August is finally bearing fruit in more ways than I can keep up with, but I can't refuse them.
AND my hometown friend has exposed me to Bejeweled2, and that is really cutting into reading time. I guess I'm going straight to hell. So much for the well-lived life.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 3:24 pm (EST) on Jan 25, 2010

Thank you, kindly. It is better today and was a lot better yesterday than Sunday, so I progress. I'm also getting to read non-stop except when my bottom gives up. (The knee is happy only when I'm sitting firmly on center: the bottom is happy only when I'm off it. I don't know how people who are confined to hospital manage.)
My copy of Dhalgren arrived today from pbs, but it will be some time before I can start it even with non-stop reading.
Hope your 4-day week goes as quickly as a 4-day week should.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 2:27 pm (EST) on Jan 19, 2010

Evening, Koki.
If you haven't checked by the Virago group today, you won't have seen that this is the anniversary of Richmal Crompton's death and a link to the Just William site: http://just-william.net/richmal-crompton.php.
Enjoy!
Peggy the Liz

posted by LizzieD at 6:32 pm (EST) on Jan 11, 2010

---and I just got a nice copy of The Clothes on their Backs which was originally published by Virago, but mine is not one.
I can't find time to read these days. Something is seriously askew. I have started The Blade Itself, and so far (not very) it is living up to its reputation.
Also, my aunt is being kicked out of Hospice House because she is not dying! They have been giving her pureed food, and she's eating; her heart and lungs are strong; and they got her up today. Amazing! On the other hand, she's more often delusional, but my cousin is planning to take her home early next week. Bless them both!
I see that you have Galileo's Dream. Good for you! --- and a Richard Holmes whose writing I enjoy but can't get back to.
If I were still teaching, I'd be thrilled that schools are delayed for 2 hours in the morning because we have a 50% chance of up to an inch of icy slush. 2 hour delays are the best! Significant time off and no need to make the time up. Retirement is better.
And so to bed!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 11:15 pm (EST) on Jan 7, 2010

Thanks Kokipy,

I'm really enjoying the groundties series, and very glad Jane's been able to find an outlet for the books now.

Happy new Year to you and Yours.

'fox

posted by reading_fox at 11:35 am (EST) on Jan 7, 2010

Oh, I hope you get a Beacon! I love the faces of the authors on the front, and Mildred's is full of character!
Now that is a real compliment which I shall cherish. Thank you!
Love,
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 6:31 pm (EST) on Jan 5, 2010

The book that you're looking for which I'll read as soon as I come down from the Andes is The Gobi Desert by Mildred Cable with Francesca French! I just bought a wonderful copy for almost the price of shipping with my B&N gift certificate; it is a Virago/Beacon Traveler, printed in 1987. Whoo! Whoo!
From the back cover: "In 1026 Mildred Cable and her fellow missionaries Eva and Francesca French passed with their modest caravan of carts through the Gate of Sighs at the western end of the Great Wall of China. Ahead of them lay the vast wastes of the Gobi and Lob deserts, 'the most desolate wilderness the earth can show.' The three English women, whose twenty years with the China Inland Mission had accustomed them to live and dress in the Chinese manner, became the first Western women to cross the Gobi. They did so five times in the next twelve years, tending the sick and distributing translations of the Scriptures, while often shriveled by thirst, taunted by mirages, threatened by brigands, and assaulted by sandstorms and blizzards." There's more, but my typing fingers have to get on to "thank you for your donation."
Wow! There are photos too! I'm excited to be able to give you almost instant gratification.
Later!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 2:13 pm (EST) on Jan 5, 2010

Believe it or not, I still have some out-of-the-way shelves down in the living space that I haven't catalogued yet. They probably don't duplicate anything that you have - or anybody else who has cleaned house in the past 20 years.
Nothing has appreciably changed with Aunt. Any of these return trips to the hospital should have killed her, but so far she has pulled through. I'm relieved that my cousin isn't trying to look after her at home by himself. Today she was totally somewhere else - mixing generations who never knew each other, but she was pretty happy.
I did love Cotillion especially after the first third. I don't think it's my favorite, but when Freddy told the Chevalier that he wouldn't be sitting there if it were Kit who was about to be sold to an old fart, my heart melted.
I don't think that you will love Drood, by which I mean that I didn't love it. It's too long, and Wilkie Collins is pretty despicable. (If you enjoy a really unreliable narrator, you might have some interest in it for that reason.) I had also hoped for more insights into Dickens who can never come off too well as a human being either. I don't regret reading it; I just regret buying it for more $ than I might have spent had I waited.
And so to bed with Dervla and Rachel Murphey and their "mula bonita," Juanna as they walk the length of the Andes. Wow!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 11:23 pm (EST) on Jan 4, 2010

Mailed box today.

posted by romain at 6:04 pm (EST) on Dec 30, 2009

I have found a "footnote" and it's as easy to access as endnotes in a real book. Kindle comes through again! (Just heard on the news that Amazon sold more e-books on the 25th than paper books for the first time.)
My last Drabble was Gate of Ivory and I thought that it was brilliant.
Off and away. (Anniversary was another lovely day, thank you.)
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 1:13 pm (EST) on Dec 28, 2009

No not a Virago so I'll hold that back. Will post in a day or two.

Barbara

posted by romain at 11:08 am (EST) on Dec 28, 2009

Uh oh. I haven't found footnotes in *IJ* yet - looked ahead too at random pages. That is a bummer.....I've read only into the second chapter, so maybe I'll find them?
I own a couple of P.Carey's but have only read a some into Jack Maggs. I've looked at *O&L* so often that I think I've read it. This is a downfall of being totally at the mercy of current reading preferences.
Do you prefer Byatt to Drabble? I seem to have read a thread where people expressed their opinions, but I can't remember yours. While I love Byatt, I adore Drabble.
Good reading to you!

posted by LizzieD at 10:34 am (EST) on Dec 28, 2009

I just came back to say that Sketches by Boz is available (and in my Kindle) free. Again, the formatting is a little lousy and no table of contents, active or inactive, exists - but---- I have it!
And I'm happy to see that Barbara has been here spreading her own special brand of light to you!

posted by LizzieD at 7:27 pm (EST) on Dec 27, 2009

PS - send me your address in a private message :)

posted by romain at 6:49 pm (EST) on Dec 27, 2009

I'll get them off to you in the next few days. Unless I hear otherwise I'll also include The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay.

Hugs - as Belva says!

Barbara

posted by romain at 6:48 pm (EST) on Dec 27, 2009

Do please disregard my request. "Search within Book" is now working, and I am a happy camper! Back to Dickens's Letters!
Moi

posted by LizzieD at 2:46 pm (EST) on Dec 26, 2009

Hi S, I'm very pleased to hear that you like the books. I hear the east coast is getting some bad snow storms; I hope they aren't too bad where you are.
Happy Christmas! :)
sqdancer/B

posted by sqdancer at 11:17 am (EST) on Dec 21, 2009

HALLELUIA!!!

posted by LizzieD at 11:00 pm (EST) on Dec 20, 2009

I'm glad that you love your brother, as you apparently do.
William on audio must be for you what "Wodehouse Playhouse" has been for us on video. Back in the '70's we found the 1/2 hour Mulliner stories introduced by Sir Plum himself and acted by Pauline Collins and John Alderton. They remain stand-bys for us when we get into any kind of rut or doldrums.
Hope you're weathering the storm safely, warmly, and happily!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:40 pm (EST) on Dec 20, 2009

GOOD for you!
(What's the game? I can spend hours at Spider Solitaire which shows my level of expertise.)
We're about to stand the tree up, so I'm off!
Ho Ho Ho
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:38 am (EST) on Dec 18, 2009

Now that is quite handsome of you!
Thanks, Koki.

posted by LizzieD at 6:50 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2009

(Oh well. I do read horror and I do like steam punk, a true gothic bent --- I guess you would loathe Tim Powers! I don't worry about different species on the same world or any other considerations that might occur to a more scientific person. I'm sorry to have gotten your hopes up, but de gustibus still works. If I had had him handy when I read what he did to Lin, I would have hurt him. When I reread it, it will be for the descriptions of New Crobuzon.)
FOUR little girls for the weekend! Bless your heart! The holiday train looks like an adventure, and the American Girl Store must be a great favorite. Enjoy!
I find myself longing for times past when Christmas didn't start until about the 15th and was short and intense. Husband's family didn't put their tree up until Christmas Eve, and then it stayed up for the 12 days. Out of step makes an old person feel older.
Have a merry, safe time!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:13 am (EST) on Dec 4, 2009

Seems a long time since we last spoke - now I see that it wasn't. You read *PSS*? How did you like it?
(Time out to play with kitties.) I can't really settle to much of anything except GH, but I will soon have read Well of Shiuan, so I'll be ready to babble about getting into *Azeroth* maybe in time.....
I'm hoping to spark with Wolf Hall; I like it very much, but I can easily put it down. Drood is so-so. My Virago/Beacon Traveler, Unbeaten Tracks in Japan is pretty good, but I haven't gotten her into the wilds yet. May have to start Maps of Time to justify my existence. Next week will be as wild as it gets here with luncheon on top of luncheon on top of dinner --- I'll put on several pounds even while trying not to. Maybe I should be swimming 5 days a week instead of 3; makes my skin scalier just thinking about it.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Peggy
(What's with the Teutoburg Forest?)

posted by LizzieD at 10:52 pm (EST) on Dec 3, 2009

I see you read Perdido St Sta recently. How did you like it?

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:49 am (EST) on Nov 25, 2009

Whoo! WHoo!!! I've just added book #5,000! When I click on "Your Library," I see that we have 880 in common; the lists haven't caught up. I'm almost through with what's downstairs.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful, joyful Thanksgiving!
Love,
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 6:56 pm (EST) on Nov 24, 2009

I'm over there now butting in, but I'll soon have to butt out because chores must be done.

posted by LizzieD at 11:06 am (EST) on Nov 21, 2009

Thanks for the heads-up on the Faulkner group. I'll be interested to see what transpires.
Happy weekend!
P the L or L the P

posted by LizzieD at 10:49 am (EST) on Nov 21, 2009

Thank you, Koki! K.MacL. arrived safely and I may have to bump him up in the queue. I'm getting antsy for some hard space scifi along with my more ladylike reading.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 2:19 pm (EST) on Nov 10, 2009

You got rid of all your Helen MacInnes too, didn't you? I've been adding some......oh well.
Peggy

(Do you like Michael Chabon? I certainly enjoyed *Yiddish Police* but haven't been obliged to buy the others.......oh well, again.)

posted by LizzieD at 1:22 pm (EST) on Nov 9, 2009

"Downsizing" A concept antithetical to my very bones. I think that when we die, our nieces and nephew are just going to have to make one quick trip through to divide the antiques and then burn the place. I do have a slight hope that the reading niece and her husband will want some of my books.......
If you know Sharpe already, you may not be in any hurry. I would lose him before I lost my Poldarks, for instance. On the other hand, Cornwall also wrote some nifty mystery/thriller types that do for sailing what Dick Frances did for horse racing. I haven't recorded those few yet.
I do need to get back to O'Brian. I think I read only one or two and didn't really get the fever although I certainly enjoyed them. That will be after I finish even one thing that I'm reading officially (because it's in my "currently reading" list) OR A Civil Contract that I picked up last night just because.......And there's also the Barbara Pym that I'm carrying in my pocketbook in case A.Flora goes to sleep while I'm out there. Madness!
Love it!
Off and away.
PLD

posted by LizzieD at 10:20 am (EST) on Nov 6, 2009

Uh oh. I hate to do this to you, girl, but you really should at some point investigate Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels, set on the ground in the Peninsular Wars. I think that they are pretty much the equal of Hornblower or Aubrey/Maturin. If it's the navy that appeals to you, you won't like them as much. I haven't read them all, but I do enjoy them.
Sorry!
Peggy Again

posted by LizzieD at 11:34 pm (EST) on Nov 5, 2009

What a lovely day! (When I click on "your library" it shows 872.)

posted by LizzieD at 1:51 pm (EST) on Nov 5, 2009

I certainly would! The Stone Canal blew me away, and while the other two I've read didn't pack that punch, I definitely enjoyed them and bought more while I was buying a lot of scifi. I find that retirement and LT has dampened my scifi addiction and nearly killed the mystery one.
Thank you, K!
Peggy the Liz with a Grin!

posted by LizzieD at 10:04 am (EST) on Nov 5, 2009

Thanks for the input, definitely welcome. I guess the TBR piles grows ...

posted by Garp83 at 6:19 am (EST) on Nov 5, 2009

Thanks for the input, definitely welcome. I guess the TBR piles grows ...

posted by Garp83 at 6:18 am (EST) on Nov 5, 2009

(I just read your message to Garp. Just so you'll know, I actually liked Blind Assassin too. I didn't think it was up to her usual high standard though.)

posted by LizzieD at 10:51 pm (EST) on Nov 4, 2009

SERIOUS BOOKS? I can't read anything straight through. I do own a Jonathan Spence (The Memory Palace of Matteo ?; good, Peggy Ann), but I haven't gotten to it. (I'm currently exercised because I have hidden my copy of The Siege of Krishnapur from myself. I had it when I catalogued it, thought I'd like to read it soon, and have apparently put it somewhere "more accessible" than where it used to live. I get so tired of myself.) On the other hand, I'm within 100 pages of finishing Gravity's Rainbow. It has been quite a voyage. I doubt that I'll try to reread it, but I'm glad I went along with him the first time.
I have also posted a couple of comments at Almack's just to reprime the pump. PBS promises me a copy of Cotillion in another week. I wish somebody wanted the junk I have on offer there. Oh well.
Bedtime approaches and coherence ebbs.
Goodnight.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:49 pm (EST) on Nov 4, 2009

Ma'am, you probably need to get right on over to Almack's and join the group. They could use some new contributors, I think! (What are you doing with all your spare time anyway?)
Moi

posted by LizzieD at 5:16 pm (EST) on Nov 4, 2009

Let's see - sort of in order. Aunt is not likely ever to be well; she's 90, with sepsis, maybe MRSA again (we are having to wear protective items), with dementia, and with delusions for the past two days. This is better than her demanding to go home and being as miserable as she was last week. On the other hand, she is still her dear self, and I am trying to protect my 88 year-old mother from spending too many hours at the hospital.
I'm enjoying Morgaine - about to finish *Ivrel.* I don't think it's outstanding, but it's quite good. I'm a sucker for fantasy.
Heyer..... I bought most of mine used at the local library sale or at yard sales. Those outlets seem to have dried up, and I'm appalled at the cost of the ones on amp. As you know, they don't show up on pbs either. Since I haven't read all that I have, I don't know why I'm concerned about it. (I did read your conversation about *Cotillion* elsewhere.)
AH! Dorothy Dunnett! Keep checking VMC authors. I've found several this year as a result of the group.
Happy Halloween!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 8:18 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2009

Hope all is well with you and yours.......My aunt is back in the hospital - this time with sepsis, but they're sending her back to the nursing home tomorrow; I have a hard time understanding what they think or if they think.
Meanwhile, by one count we are up to 872 books in common. If I ever get back to recording, I will expect to arrive at the 900, a worthy goal.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 3:23 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2009

*ML* is yours and I'll take it off the duplicates list.
Wouldn't real time conversation and food be wonderful? You both would adore my husband too - and he, you.
I had a lovely birthday and think I need to go read in bed. Retirement is so wonderful that I think I was born to be old!
P the L or L the P

posted by LizzieD at 10:47 pm (EST) on Oct 13, 2009

Kokipy,

Yes, I loved Swallows and Amazons - found most of them in my very small=town library. I have no idea how they got there. When I was in my 20s I bought the whole collection from Blackwells in England; big deal, ordering books from abroad and figuring out how to may for them in pounds. Some time in the 1970s my small-town library burned. I ordered a whole set of the Swallows and Amazons series and presented them to the new collection so someone else can have that serendipitous find as I had.

Coots in the North is the last, incomplete book. I've seen but not read it. From what I know - another LT person told me - The youngest Coots, Joe et al. travel north and meet up with Nancy. It is short, and far from complete. It was published with some other Ransome essays on fishing; unpublished work found by a person going through his papers. That book is out of print now, but can be found, for a price. I searched Amazon.uk; 91 pounds was a popular price. Searching bookfinder.com produced some slightly cheaper copies; a number of them are paperback printings in Canada.

The other LT member also sent me a link to a couple of Ransome sites. I will hunt through my old comments and see if I can find them and send them to you.

posted by arethusarose at 5:22 pm (EST) on Oct 6, 2009

863 what with my Hornblowers and your Tremains and PSS. YAY!

posted by LizzieD at 1:35 pm (EST) on Oct 4, 2009

Yep, your new additions make 853.........I'm not sure that we'll make 900 with what I have yet to add. On the other hand, I'm always buying. (Shhhh)
Pistols for Two --- Oh My!

posted by LizzieD at 1:09 pm (EST) on Sep 26, 2009

It looks like I could pull down one more book so that we could share 850. Maybe next week! S-in-Law did beautifully with the hip replacement, DG! How it will improve her quality of life! She is also looking forward to her time in the extended care facility where they know her from her other surgery; she is my model for genuine interest in other people and making the best of bad situations.
Tomorrow I'm all about good works and looking forward to Sunday when I can rest. I wish you and your family a fulfilling weekend!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:35 pm (EST) on Sep 25, 2009

Looking forward is good stuff.....So is living in the moment. My moments are not my own right now. On the other hand, I'm not getting up at 3:30 this morning to drive to Laurinburg with sister-in-law for her hip replacement surgery. Niece Susan (!) is here and doesn't sound needy, so we'll go later in the morning. And today my Aunt Flora was in a positive mood having played BINGO and on her way to PT. Her pneumonia has recurred, but they have changed her antibiotic, and she seems to be improving. AND my mother, who has been putting up with a stiff neck without so much as a Tylenol unless I badger her, is finally doing better. So all in all, things are calming down.
I do look forward to finishing my history ARC so that I can get back to my own reading. On the other hand, I really, really want 2 from the September ER list, so we'll see.......
I'm just now looking at your "Read in 2009" list, and grinning about all the Honors and Heyers. McDevitt is a favorite - especially the earlier ones. I tend to like Ken McLeod although only Stone Canal blew me away. What do you think of Charles Stross? I tried Accelerando but put it aside as not what I wanted at the time. I think something else might be an easier first one. What do you think? Anyway, there's plenty of stuff for me to explore there when I get exploration time. Oh! And you read A Deepness in the Sky, a real favorite. I am very happy to have more VV to read!
You have a number of welcome messages on the "Duplicate Copies" thread of VMC if you haven't been there.
I'm going to play around here a minute, and then it's time for quality time with Mama Elle, Tully Tubby, and Hilfy Bit.
($0.00 sounds like a bargain price for anything - much less *PSS*! Hope you enjoy it!) When your copy comes and you look hard at the third row, I'll bet you see your mother!

posted by LizzieD at 10:19 pm (EST) on Sep 23, 2009

WOW!!!!
(I don't much care for F. O'Connor either - no surprise there.) But to have your mother's picture in a national publication - that's great! I'll look forward to seeing the book in your library. And speaking of pictures, what is your picture on your profile page? I don't see it.
(Back to the picture, I can only come a little close by having captured my mother on video leaving church on the Sunday morning when Eugene Istomin played a program here on his small town tour, and CBS broadcast it.) (I got to hear Istomin in person here: gorgeous, gorgeous tone quality!)
I had not thought about the possibility of having the classics on Kindle cheaply. That's great. One day the things will be in my price range or we will have sold the place at the beach, and I'll get one. I'm going to assume that *PSS* is also reasonably priced for Kindle. (The other novels that follow it don't compare for me although our nephew preferred The Scar. They're all interesting though.) Be forewarned, if I ever get one, I'll ask whether you'll let me network with yours if they're still allowing that some few years down the road.
Hope all is well with you and yours.

posted by LizzieD at 8:39 pm (EST) on Sep 22, 2009

I'm been VERY, very busy -- as I know you are too, esp. with your recent move! At least my mind is finally starting to heal & I'm actually able to concentrate & read again. It's been a long 9 months, and not being able to focus enough to read anything of substance was been unsettling to say the least.

You would be amazed how often I talk about the wonderful times I had visiting the NYC Association. I'm certain a day never goes by without expressing my love & yearning. I can't wait to visit you all again -- and Steve is threatening to come w/ me, to see what all the fuss is about, lol! Of course, you must come visit us -- isn't this your year to visit WA??

posted by MtnSk8tr at 12:17 am (EST) on Sep 22, 2009

I have absolutely no recollection of an Anne Perry note, but thank you for responding anyway. I'm totally unfocused right now with a lot of volunteer stuff hanging over my head, my aunt continuing not to eat in extended care, and sister-in-law going into a hospital some miles away for hip replacement on Thursday. Thank God for retirement!
I'm glad you have GH for escape.
I like it when you're in touch.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 11:29 pm (EST) on Sep 21, 2009

Dropping in to snoop!

posted by MtnSk8tr at 11:43 am (EST) on Sep 12, 2009

Good Grief! No wonder you haven't been haunting this place!
Hope you are able to take a breath now; and that when you do, the air is good! Actually, you sound like an episode of "House Hunters," my favorite TV show. If you're being broadcast, you should let me know! I hope your whole family remains thrilled with the move.
As to my weekend ---- I did go for an hour or so both Sat. and Sun. and enjoyed the time with those wonderful people very much. My aunt went into the hospital here with pneumonia a couple of weeks ago and is now in an extended care facility, also here. I love her and would have visited often in any case, but my mother thinks that somebody should be with her at least 12 hours a day. If I don't help considerably, Mama will be there. At 87 - going on 88 - she just isn't able to do as much as she thinks she should. Then too, my cousin (son of said aunt) had a colonoscopy today, and I was the "responsible adult" who took care of him. So I'm not getting in much reading either.
I did finish Foreigner and I simply loved it. I won't change the kittens' names, but Invader is trying to jump line. The thing I love about owning books is that I can pick them up and put them down just as I please. Right now it has pleased me to pick up Sea of Poppies again. I'll probably keep on with it now until I finish it and damn the rest of the list including ER ARC's. And I'm carrying around Fifty Degrees Below to read when Aunt Flora is asleep: most enjoyable!
The only other thing of note is that our only night-blooming cereus flower of the summer opened tonight. It is beautiful as it always is and smells better than usual.
More than you wanted to know!
I'm glad to hear from you!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:54 pm (EST) on Sep 9, 2009

I just bought His Majesty's Dragon since I see that you have a bunch of NN's. Looking forward to it! (And that puts us up to 840 or 843 depending on where I look.)
I'm off over the weekend to White Lake for a mini-reunion with my best high school friends and their husbands. MY husband will not be going even though they're his friends too. He says, "I just saw them year-before-last; I don't need to do that again." Oh well. Hope you get to do something fun!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 1:09 pm (EST) on Aug 27, 2009

YAY! You did join VMC, and I trust that you will enjoy meeting those very generous women and finding lots of women's lit that you didn't know. Real life reading groups have gotten in the way lately, but I'm about to finish A Jest of God which is a wonderful Virago title (although my copy is not) and Forty Signs of Rain which is scaring me to pieces and entertaining me royally. THEN I'll get back to *G'sR* and my ER book. I'm afraid it's not very well written, but I haven't read much and am trying to keep an open mind about the scholarship.
Weekend coming up.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 11:04 pm (EST) on Aug 20, 2009

I do know the feeling except for the having small children part. I did realize that if I continued to teach private piano lessons, I would never get to retire. (I could see my last words being, "That's a B flat, dear.") I somehow don't have any worries about your employability. Aren't you glad? (The women at VMC group are lovely and generous. I started collecting those green-spined pb's when our Indian neighbors received a stash of them in their Penguin remainders. For a long time I thought that I was the only one!)

posted by LizzieD at 4:17 pm (EST) on Aug 15, 2009

Just checking in with my resident *GR* guru. The thing that is annoying me most is the promiscuous use of "that" in the Slothrop passages. Is it supposed to be an Americanism? (Our 'local' NPR station has a business manager who consistently tells us to "Pick up that phone....Make that call....Give us that pledge.....Enjoy that sense of responsibilty." [Tote that barge / Lift that bale] I don't know exactly why, but it drives me nuts, and the passages with that Slothrop are even a little edgier because often the "that" could possibly be justified.
Hope your weekend is pleasant and includes a little The Road Home - not to nag.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 8:53 pm (EST) on Aug 8, 2009

Nice to see you! I have to say that I'm a sucker for all that Weber stuff, political and military. I certainly couldn't explain why. I've also enjoyed his non-Honor books set in the Honorverse except for the story collections which I don't do. And oh my goodness - on your random books page I see C.S. Forester, and I haven't put any of those here yet.

posted by LizzieD at 6:07 pm (EST) on Aug 3, 2009

Whooo. That's a very quick turnaround. Hope you catch your breath soon!
Peggy

(And I am, again, a firm believer in global warming.)

posted by LizzieD at 11:28 am (EST) on Jul 23, 2009

AhHa! I mailed Saki off at noon, so he should arrive in a few days!

posted by LizzieD at 3:38 pm (EST) on Jun 30, 2009

801! Laurie King and a random other few finally carried us over the top.
I'm stopping this for awhile and READING!

posted by LizzieD at 12:40 pm (EST) on Jun 29, 2009

I just came by to congratulate you on your good taste in not having any Anne Perry mysteries catalogued. I bought them as she produced them (sort of like a frog) in the 80's, and I've never moved them off the top shelf in my library for something better. Now I may do that. Meanwhile, I'm still looking for our last 10; I know they have to exist!
Wishing you a peaceful and productive Monday,
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:10 am (EST) on Jun 29, 2009

790, ma'am!

posted by LizzieD at 7:16 pm (EST) on Jun 27, 2009

Hope you're well as the week winds down.... I'm curious as to how you would have answered this question if, in fact, you had tagged Angela Thirkell as (gentle, I think) irony?

Aren't the Angela Thirkell books satire rather than irony?
posted by jimroberts at 12:42 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2009 | reply | archive | delete

posted by LizzieD at 10:45 am (EST) on Jun 25, 2009

I ordered Shantaram today - figured that since it came out in pb in '05, it wouldn't get any cheaper. I am fascinated with all things Indian, so I expect to love it! 783!!!

posted by LizzieD at 11:13 pm (EST) on Jun 22, 2009

As you well know, I'm not averse to buying books. I have another several hundred to catalogue, though, and then there are the ones boxed in the attic, so I think we'll get there with out any extraordinary efforts. Still 779 and counting.
(BTW, Shantaram is piquing my interest. I'll be glad to know what you think of it whenever you read it.)
(And I see the Rosses Thomas and Macdonald over in your random books this morning and don't think I've done those.......)

posted by LizzieD at 10:44 am (EST) on Jun 22, 2009

Glad to hear that you're well and Honoring (both your father and Dame Harrington)..... that's really awful, and I apologize.
We're up to 779. I'm determined that we have at least 800 in common if I have to go out and buy some to make the count. Don't really think that will be necessary, but I would have guessed that you had more of Dame Agatha. Hope your loins are girded for a new week.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 11:08 pm (EST) on Jun 21, 2009

I've missed you. I hope it's because you've been reading up on Lev in *Road Home.* Can't wait to hear how you like it......
I've been elsewhere for a great part of the week although I add a few books each day. Unfortunately, the conversation at the other place seems to have wound down. Maybe later.
Hope your weekend is cool and pleasant.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 1:07 pm (EST) on Jun 21, 2009

LOOK, Koki! They've fixed ----- Well, shoot. It's not fixed on your page. My "Members with LizzieD's books" shows you with 772, but yours still shows the 715. Excitement for not nothing, but surely a lot less than complete happiness.

posted by LizzieD at 6:46 pm (EST) on Jun 17, 2009

Evening, K. I'm wondering tonight why you don't collect Virago Modern Classics? (I can't afford the stuff from Persephone Press, so I won't ask about them.) They certainly have published some duds just because they're eager to keep women writers from disappearing, but sometimes I come upon somebody who is really wonderful, like Winifred Holtby whose Poor Caroline is consuming my women's time and other reading time too. I'd never have found her had I not been alert to the possibility of those lovely green-spined pbs. This one is witty and well-crafted and pleasingly thoughtful.
I have also never asked whether you follow the Orange Broadband Prize. Do you? I found it last year, and have read several of the '08 long list. I haven't found a bad book yet although this year's crop is not quite so appealing to me. I'm reminded again how much I love to read and love owning the books!
L the P

posted by LizzieD at 11:09 pm (EST) on Jun 12, 2009

I confess that I have skimmed but not read the Peake bio. What I read made me sad; he had mental and health problems and apparently tried really hard to beat them. Maybe in a year or two when I'm really mellow, I'll try it seriously.

posted by LizzieD at 10:52 pm (EST) on Jun 10, 2009

No, I think maybe the collections deal has interfered with the "members with" lists - don't know why it should, but then I just use the stuff; I don't understand it. We still stand at 715 on my list too, but when I come over here, the books in common shows us at 760.
I'm just a chapter away from the end of *C'sPride.* Enjoying it! I think, though, I may give her a rest and read something different like Alastair Reynolds just to cleanse my palate..... I like Chanur very much although it seems more like fantasy with a futuristic setting than scifi to me....a fine distinction, but my own. I have several other things that are calling to me in very demanding voices. Have you read Denis Johnson's Resusitation of a Hanged Man? I read the first sentences and knew that he was my kind of writer: "He came there in the off-season. So much was off. All bets were off...." That's how I would write if I could write.

posted by LizzieD at 3:36 pm (EST) on Jun 10, 2009

760!

posted by LizzieD at 1:31 pm (EST) on Jun 10, 2009

Isn't it wonderful to have a great sufficiency of books!!??!! I really don't understand people who don't want to own them..... and we're up to 744 with the addition of my Emma Lathens..... I make that out to be about 26% of your total.
Thank you for the scoop on James B. Cabell. I won't seek him out, but if some come my way, I'll grab them. (I got rid of my *Worm Oroborous* (?) trilogy back in leaner years than these. I haven't felt the need to replace them either.)
Back to *GG&S* which I enjoy - just not often enough or long enough.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 5:31 pm (EST) on Jun 8, 2009

You are right about everything! Sometimes I find that series lag in the middle, but I didn't find that true with Honor..... and, unfortunately, you'll want to read the other books set in the Honorverse like Shadow of Saganami and Crown of Slaves. I'm not enthusiastic about everything that Weber does, but I also have enjoyed the *March* series.... March Upcountry, March to the Sea, etc.
I have been browsing in your library from time to time. Since I haven't rated much, and I can't recall whether you have, I guess we should check with each other before we go on buying sprees. I just got rid of some things I hadn't catalogued because I was ashamed to admit that I owned them. I expect could do that with a lot of my stuff. Meanwhile, I'm overwhelmed with CJC and trying to do my other reading too. But who, for instance, is James Branch Cabell?
(I thought that I had put my Nero Wolfes in. Maybe not all of them.... Hmmmmm.)
Hope you've had a happy weekend!

posted by LizzieD at 8:51 pm (EST) on Jun 7, 2009

I'm ecstatic that you're enjoying *BS.* You could so easily not have liked it. AND I went shopping in Fayetteville today with an old friend, and spent way too much money at their only decent used book store. I bought a whole pile of CJC; watch our totals take a leap forward!
I also bought a copy of a Patrick White, The Living and the Dead, which I haven't read and couldn't remember if I owned. I do. So --- look at the reviews to see whether you'd be interested. I'm a great fan of his writing, but we aren't the same person. If you decide you'd like to try it, I'll send it on.
PtheL

posted by LizzieD at 10:55 pm (EST) on Jun 4, 2009

Sheesh, Koki. You don't have anything by R.F. Delderfield, and I thought surely that you would. I've actually read only To Serve Them All My Days but I reread it from time to time because it's such a comfort..... English public school led by a humane headmaster and the safe haven for a shell-shocked soldier who is a born teacher. And he marries. And so on. I'd think anybody who reads Thirkell and wants the story (and he is a story-teller more than a writer) to last longer would enjoy RFD. I guess I should put away *TSTAMD* (which I have on the reread pile) and pick up one of the others just to be sure before I run my mouth to you.
If fact, I should shut up and read. I'm just excited that my total has almost crossed 4,000 though. And we are up to 718.
Hope you've had a good day.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:41 pm (EST) on Jun 3, 2009

Back again. (I thought I was projecting about the teachers and the reading. Maybe not. And, yes, back when I was teaching rather than baby-sitting, I adored to strike chords that resonated in kids' hearts and minds. The joy of teaching, for sure!) If the series picks up after the first 82 pages, I'm going to be incommudicada for however long it takes to read it. I love it! Now!!
(I am also entering the few Allinghams and the one McClure that I seem to have left downstairs..... I grin when our numbers rise.)
Peggy Do

posted by LizzieD at 5:28 pm (EST) on Jun 2, 2009

Oh, Friend, I hear the frustration in your voice as you speak of your daughter's teachers. How difficult it must be to be diffident or reticent or shy as a child today! It was bad enough in the 50's. You are right; the school year is coming to a close, and she will be away from those self-righteous pedants who probably don't find much pleasure in reading anything themselves. I wish you both a happy summer of reading just exactly what your hearts desire!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:45 pm (EST) on Jun 2, 2009

Lovely! Foreigner arrived today, but I can't read it yet because of Chanur. I took a friend to Duke today for a doctor's appointment at very short notice. As it turned out, there was a mix-up about time, so she will have to put in four extra hours on the road to get the treatment she needs. (I hope that I won't have to take her; she talks non-stop all the way there and back......including, "Oh! I've talked so much my throat is sore. I'll get a lozenge. I tear off a strip and keep them in my here they are this one has a tear in it but it's all right I'll use it anyway.") Very frustrating all around! I took *GG&S* but didn't read a lot of it for moving from waiting room to waiting room.
Usually when I have a new author, I buy up as much as I can and then save some so I won't run out. I'm happy to see that I can read Cherryh for a good long time before having that problem.
I'm eager to see whether Honor entertains you. That's what she's for!
Hope your Monday was decent.

posted by LizzieD at 11:06 pm (EST) on Jun 1, 2009

I don't know Brookmyre. Yet another name to add to my growing list. As to Card, I haven't read any of the others after *Ender* or maybe I did read *Shadow* (?). Since he's a Greensboro boy, I have picked up used copies cheaply through the years but never made a commitment to read them. By the time I read *EG* the technology seemed dated. I did enjoy The Lost Boys for its look into Mormon society - always assuming that was at all accurate. It has stuck in my mind as a rather strange little book.
I'll see whether I can find my Allinghams again. I want to like her. I sort of enjoyed the BBC or Granada productions on Mystery years ago. I certainly prefer the later Wimseys, so the same may be true for the later Campions.
I started Pride of Chanur this afternoon, and I am very taken with it. Whereas I was happily familiar with the whole setup of *DbS,* I haven't ever read anything like this. I predict that it will be awhile before I get back to *GG&S,* but maybe not. Happy days!

P the LD

posted by LizzieD at 4:36 pm (EST) on May 31, 2009

In no particular order ----
I FINISHED Downbelow Station. REALLY enjoyed it! LOVE the hisa and the other characters only a little less. Now I can finally get to Chanur!
I have a fair number of McClure, but they are scattered here and there and some are even in the attic. I enjoyed them when I read them a long time ago.
I have a few Delano Ames.
I have a great number of Marjorie Allingham, but I like her a lot less than Sayers, Tey, Christie, and Marsh. I have never been able to figure out precisely why. The whole whimsical (as opposed to Wimsical) atmosphere is off-putting to me. I do like Lug.
I kept the Cadfael on the shelf and boxed Allingham & Peters, my equivalent of letting things go because of space considerations..... de gustibus---.
I see that you have some Orson Scott Card, and I haven't gotten to him yet.
And have you had time to get to *Basilisk Station*?
Happy weekend!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:57 pm (EST) on May 30, 2009

Elizabeth Peters is Barbara Michaels! I'm always surprised, and I always forget. Maybe I'll retain it this time. (And no, I didn't read many A. Peabodys.)

posted by LizzieD at 8:42 pm (EST) on May 30, 2009

What an idiot I am! I have been corrected, but I continue to think that Elizabeth and Ellis Peters are the same woman. Elizabeth writes under another name that I'll look up directly, and Ellis is Edith Pargeter..... I think that's right.
You will eventually notice that we now share 702 books!!!
I'm going to stop this and read!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 8:21 pm (EST) on May 30, 2009

I did add them, and at some point last night the totals corrected themselves. As it happened, I had the box that most of the EP's are in downstairs unloading other things, so I'll keep out a Vicky Bliss just to see what I think. (If I like it, I have no idea where I'll put it. Uh oh.) It may be that EP is my Iain M. Banks!

posted by LizzieD at 1:37 pm (EST) on May 30, 2009

Something is definitely not right. Look at the 677/3819 and then at "Shared" at my place. We actually have 693..... Pfui.

posted by LizzieD at 4:24 pm (EST) on May 29, 2009

Oh my, indeed! Our first major disagreement! I do have quite a number of EP's boxed and in the attic. While I enjoyed the first few, they became too cozy for me. (Maybe I should look at them again.) On the other hand, I do have a great number of Brother Cadfaels which I guess I haven't entered yet and which I continue to enjoy. I even have a few Edith Pargeters.
Meanwhile, something's up with their listing. I entered 11 this morning - J.K. Rowling and Diana Gabaldan. When I come to your site, the "books you share" lists 688, but we both have 677 in our "Members with ____'s Books." I'm about to put in a few Shirley Jacksons, and I'll be interested to see how the numbers change........ I guess I could put in the EP's.......

posted by LizzieD at 3:43 pm (EST) on May 29, 2009

Hooray! I'm tickled to be able to help you enjoy more Heyer!

posted by LizzieD at 10:28 pm (EST) on May 28, 2009

"Wodwo"??? I am able to check my reference books and find that that is a poetry collection, but I don't think I have one word that the man wrote in the house. I'll have a look online. Meanwhile, my poetry addiction has to struggle to get out of the mid-20th century. That's also a result of my college training, I expect. As a matter of fact, those guys and women were hot stuff when I was in college. Hmmmmmmmm.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to get things settled back down in the Pell system. LOVE this book, but CAN'T WAIT to get to the next one. What a life!
P the LD

posted by LizzieD at 11:48 am (EST) on May 28, 2009

I just took a spin through your poetry. I'll be adding almost everything that you have except Ted Hughes. I suppose that I should look at him now.....

posted by LizzieD at 10:36 pm (EST) on May 26, 2009

I don't know, Ko..... I really look like my father, but now when I look in the mirror, I see Mama...... As we say around here, "Where you frum?"

posted by LizzieD at 10:33 pm (EST) on May 26, 2009

You and LizzieD must be long lost siblings: Southern origins and each at the top of the other's "Members with...Books" list

posted by stellarexplorer at 9:43 pm (EST) on May 26, 2009

---- spending the last two days at the UN watching sausages getting made ----

???????

Oh look at the G. Heyer! I'm still reading Frederica at intervals when I want to be delighted without having to pay a lot of attention. Hope you've had a good week. I've missed hearing from you. (Oh! And my volume of the first three Chanur novels arrived yesterday, but I'm still going upabove and downbelow. I think, having looked at it, that I may share your preference; anyhow, I know I'll love it. AND the admin at the other place are being slow to check me out and approve my membership there. Oh well.)
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 12:01 pm (EST) on May 23, 2009

Yes indeed! I confirm my taste by checking your library.
I'm headed away to watch "Guns, Germs and Steel" on PBS. Lucky find!
Liz
(Can't wait for you to try Honor!)

posted by LizzieD at 10:05 pm (EST) on May 19, 2009

That link in my other message doesn't work. It should point to www.arthur-ransome.org .

j.

posted by josiasporter at 5:06 am (EST) on May 18, 2009

Hi kokipy,

The volume, with whatever ISBN I put on atrethusarose's page(!), brought together a variety of Ransome writings, including the first part of his unfinished 13th "Swallows and Amazons" books, where it appears that all the Ransome characters meet up at the Lake.

The Arthur Ransome Society will have lots of details. They have a kind of online bookshop.

Best wishes
josiasporter

posted by josiasporter at 5:05 am (EST) on May 18, 2009

Oh yeah! I just happened to think of Guy Gavriel Kay, and I see that you are well-supplied. Tigana is my all-time favorite stand-alone fantasy. I can do well without Fion?var, but I pretty much love the others - some more than the rest.

posted by LizzieD at 11:12 pm (EST) on May 17, 2009

YEP!

posted by LizzieD at 8:11 pm (EST) on May 15, 2009

Art of War = Use of Weapons? I'm a fan all right. Maybe I need to see a doctor .......

posted by LizzieD at 10:55 pm (EST) on May 14, 2009

Oops. And two more responses.
I think of buying at amp as supporting small, independent booksellers - a salve to my conscience.
And I haven't tried paperbackswap because most of mine are in pretty wretched condition. But I might. I'll check it out.

posted by LizzieD at 4:42 pm (EST) on May 14, 2009

AhHa! You're here!!!!
Oh yes! Richard Morgan is in the second rank of my scifi pantheon.
Although Consider Phlebas was Banks's first scifi novel, I don't think that it's so wildly different from the rest of the Culture novels that you'd like them any better. I did like it although I thought that segment with the Eaters was the most disgusting thing I had ever read. (It's been awhile, but I'm pretty sure you know what I mean if you got that far.) I even wrote a review of Art of War which I was finishing just as I found LT. And speaking of reviews, I laughed out loud at yours. Thanks. And I'll head right over to that group that is doing the group read. Thanks again.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:39 pm (EST) on May 14, 2009

Oh yes indeed, I want to be your friend! You are still at the top of my list of overlapping titles of people with reasonable (I hesitate to use the word) libraries. Only Devinish has more; but then, he's working from 10,000+. We could have almost nothing in common, and he'd still have huge numbers of them. Anyway, I enjoy your comments here and there and look forward to seeing you around for a long time!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 5:33 pm (EST) on May 13, 2009

I need to say hello to you because nobody has as many of my books as you. I don't even think I need to introduce myself since we have so much in common. There's a fallacy in that somewhere. Anyway, ---- lovely library!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 6:32 pm (EST) on Feb 15, 2009

It hadn't clicked for me that you didn't see the play(s). I deeply regret not having done so. What was I thinking?

I am wondering if perhaps you would like Berlin's Russian Thinkers after all. I know I didn't encourage you before, but given your interest, I'm going back firmly on the fence. While the thrust is the philosophy, there is much about the people, the thinkers, the culture, etc.

http://www.librarything.com/work/89655/book/35350017

posted by stellarexplorer at 1:24 am (EST) on Sep 26, 2008

Phoenix, and the infamous Sky Harbor airport! With the equally infamous Green Bus! I was telling someone about it only this morning!

I'm halfway thru an Early reviewers book, a biography.

posted by MtnSk8tr at 12:58 am (EST) on Sep 26, 2008

Hi Kokipy,
It's just me, snooping again in your library! ;)

posted by MtnSk8tr at 10:33 pm (EST) on Sep 25, 2008

Yes indeed. If you are so inclined the story I mentioned is very very striking, especially because it purports to be true.

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:05 pm (EST) on Aug 4, 2008

I came across this book while cataloging: http://www.librarything.com/work/139490/book/34075355

AKA The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices by Xinran Xue.

I wonder if you have read it? It is a series of portraits of Chinese women, often depicting moving and very disturbing traumas. I have been haunted for years now by the chapter "The Girl Who Kept a Fly as a Pet".

posted by stellarexplorer at 5:01 am (EST) on Aug 1, 2008

Indeed! One is most pleased and excited. Be aware that these new ones are among the very last books PA wrote after a half-century of work. It is probably no accident that they feature means of radical life-extension!

Some might prefer his earlier work, though I thoroughly enjoyed the Boat of a Million years, which I think you read recently (Please remind me!) That book and Harvest of Stars should be read before The Stars Are Also Fire,
Harvest the Fire, and The Fleet of Stars.

I liked Harvest of Stars quite a bit, but I'm a little hazy on the subsequent ones.

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:15 pm (EST) on Jul 19, 2008

Exciting to see the new nonfiction entrries!

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:17 am (EST) on Jul 18, 2008

Unless I decide to add the children's books....

posted by stellarexplorer at 2:39 am (EST) on Jul 18, 2008

Perhaps the 6000 or so books in our combined libraries is most important, as we can each borrow any desired volume from the other!

I only have another 200-400 to go (hard to tell exactly).

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:47 pm (EST) on Jul 17, 2008

I have the book too but haven't read it - just haven't gotten around to it. Should I look for the Berlin book as well?

posted by kokipy at 10:13 am (EST) on Jul 15, 2008

Missing those Russians is one of the more foolish things I've done (in my adult life). I have the texts, and the Isaiah Berlin book that helped inspire that work.

I guess, as regrets go, it could be worse.

posted by stellarexplorer at 10:20 pm (EST) on Jul 14, 2008

I just noticed you list tom stoppard as one of your three named favorites. I don't know why this comes as a surprise to me. Not the fact of it, the not knowing. He is one of my very favorites too!

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:57 am (EST) on Jul 13, 2008

Ah, but you all introduced me to Patrick O'Brian .... and G G Kay and Scalzi and...

and as I said that's just the collection as it has survived all these years. The mysteries, regencies and historical and romances were consumed in like quantity but not kept. *sigh*

posted by Aelith at 11:41 pm (EST) on Jun 30, 2008

I completely agree with both comments on Asimov. But I still think I should do a reread check for you, rather than send you to a recommendation I will not feel comfortable standing behind. Cooper was one of my favorite authors, but that was when I was 15.

To send you to him now would be like defrosting something from the freezer wrapped in foil when I invited you for dinner, without being sure exactly what was inside. You deserve a recommendation delivered with more care and intention.

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:26 am (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

No, I seriously think you will find him the kind of old-style offensive sexist SF that drives you away from that era in general. I felt that even then, but overlooked it for the adventure-escapism of his books. But I don't think I could do it now, and I have doubts about whether such a trade-off would be a good exchange for you.

I reread one of the less macho-dominated last year, and I didn't love it the way I once had. I may reread the one that I suspect has the best ratio of pleasure-to-offense and see how it shakes out. Then I'll let you know.

But that'll be after our cape cod trip next week.

posted by stellarexplorer at 10:56 am (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

A lot of new entries. Have you read Gilead yet?

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:26 am (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

At the very bottom of the "your profile" page, there is a scetion called "RSS Feeds". If you go to the page of anyone whose entries interest you, click on the orange "XML" box next to "Recently-added books". You can also do this for your own library, enabling you to review your own recent entries at a later date. To view the feeds, there is usually a "feeds" option associated with your "favorites" or bookmarked sites. This should give you the option to view recent activity on any of thre feeds to which you subscribe. It can also be used to subscribe to certain blogs, columns, or other information sources that are periodically updated.

Too bad about TGWTJGE. Not surprised really; the one I liked best was TLSFE.

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:51 pm (EST) on Jun 11, 2008

And you got The Girl with the Jade Green Eyes too.

Do you know how to subscribe to the feeds which will show all the latest books entered by persons of interest? I subscribe to your feed.

posted by stellarexplorer at 9:51 pm (EST) on Jun 10, 2008

Oh my god! You got A Boat of a MILLION YEARS! Did I influence that? Yay! ANd the Unveiling of Timbuctoo! Too.

posted by stellarexplorer at 10:08 pm (EST) on May 30, 2008

No hurry, I'm still imputing. :)

posted by Aelith at 1:56 pm (EST) on Apr 20, 2008

Kokipy Hi. I just past 200 books 81 of which we share. Is it just me or do you prefere female authors too.

posted by Aelith at 7:44 pm (EST) on Apr 18, 2008

I think your copy of Erich Fromm's The Art of Loving comes up with only two members having it because it is entered funny, er ... funnily.

Who plays volleyball in your tribe?

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:13 am (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

Hi Kokipy Please disreguard the aelithtourblanc account I'm back in my original one now.

posted by Aelith at 3:30 pm (EST) on Mar 26, 2008

Greetings Kolipy ji.

posted by Aelith at 11:30 pm (EST) on Mar 10, 2008

Oh, too bad. I found it in my collection as I was LTing, and remembered someone had given it to me, having liked it.

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:04 am (EST) on Mar 10, 2008

I see you have A Conspiracy of Paper.

Did you like it?

posted by stellarexplorer at 9:52 pm (EST) on Mar 9, 2008

Well met again! :)

posted by Vetch at 1:13 pm (EST) on Mar 8, 2008

oh Kokipy-ji, thank you very much. I regard your opinion most highly. I too would love to sit around the kitchen table and discuss our books; maybe in the future I can aim for a gathering of the Eastern association :D

posted by moiraji at 10:30 pm (EST) on Feb 22, 2008

is it working now? I think it's working now. the site has been running a bit slowly for me; I agree that it must have quite a bit of traffic.

if it is not working now for you, then I shall edit About My Library under my profile and add as the first remark: Kokipy is wonderful and she is my friend. ;)

posted by moiraji at 10:47 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2008

kokipy-ji, my account shows you as friend, and when I click to add or accept invitation just to check, it says I am already your friend.

must be gremlins. gremlins who savor the irony of the person responsible for me being here not showing up as friended.

well, I hereby overrride them. cast them out. begone, gremlins!

posted by moiraji at 4:54 pm (EST) on Feb 20, 2008

Yay, I'm finally here! XD

Thank you so much for your encouragement; I'm sure I'll thoroughly enjoy this.

posted by moiraji at 3:37 pm (EST) on Feb 19, 2008

Or fang (216/2339) at the top of your weighted list.

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:25 pm (EST) on Feb 18, 2008

It's only the weighted numbers that befuddle me. The raw are clear. It's libraries that are listed high under "weighted" when our ratio is greater. A good example is chilperic (226/3014) toward the bottom of your weighted list under "see more" when my number with respect to you would be 228/1720.

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:24 pm (EST) on Feb 18, 2008

I am interested in the "Members with your books" feature. You are high up on the list of members with my books, but I have just barely winked on and off the tail end of your list. I'm not currently on your list at all. This despite the ratio of our books in common to my total books owned being higher than that of many on your list. I imagine it must have to do with this "weighting" thing -- others must have more uncommon books in common with you. Or something. Or else there are fewer people who own my books than own yours? I'd like to understand this.

posted by stellarexplorer at 4:04 pm (EST) on Feb 17, 2008

I'd love to see the precious volume sometime.

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:26 pm (EST) on Feb 13, 2008

Our Shakespeare won't register as mutually owned as your appears to be in a large (one-volume?) collection and mine is in 50 or so individual books (not yet entered mostly)

posted by stellarexplorer at 11:03 pm (EST) on Feb 12, 2008

Congratulations on all the hard work, BTW! I hope you will feel it has been worth all the effort.

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:10 am (EST) on Feb 11, 2008

I loved In Search of Reagan's Brain! You just reminded me that I am not sure where my copy is. It may be in a room of bookcases that is full of kid's playstuffs making access very difficult.

posted by stellarexplorer at 6:53 pm (EST) on Feb 10, 2008

You've been busy, I see. We are developing a large number of books in common, which will likely increase as I enter more fiction. Wasn't it you (or was it Surtac?) who was recommending the last Scalzi book as perhaps more worthwhile than the others? I see you gave it one star only. I note neither of us is in love with Robert Sawyer.

What does one star mean in your system?

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:28 am (EST) on Feb 10, 2008

Thanks! I'm sure by now you've figured out how to rate them, by clicking on the little dots in the "Rating" column on the "Your Library" page. I'm certainly not rushing you to rate before the proper time, just eventually. I believe that you and I have very similar tastes in books and I am shopping around for new authors, not that I think I'm going to have the chance to do much reading for about two years, to be honest.

posted by CyanDag at 10:07 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2008

Thanks. Now I have to get those ABCDE thingies to work properly -- they are not cooperating!

posted by stellarexplorer at 12:46 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2008

Hmmm. You're another one who's not rating their books. How am I to know what's good? Unless, of course, they're ALL good! ;-)

posted by CyanDag at 2:01 pm (EST) on Jan 30, 2008

Hearing you describe your method to sk8er, I fell over in a dead faint!

posted by stellarexplorer at 7:34 pm (EST) on Jan 27, 2008

I do have an extra copy of "Miss Bianca in the Orient" that's looking for a good home...

As far as "Lilith" goes I have read it, about three years ago. I really enjoyed it - it's probably one of my favorite MacDonald books. I wouldn't recommend MacDonald to everyone because sometimes you have to take a long, strange and barely comprehensible journey to get to the goal. It reminds me of the long contemplative journey on foot that you take to get to certain Buddhist temples. Along the way you might see things that illuminate or confuse you or just plain bore you to death. He's a pretty alien writer to me in many ways. One of the best things about my copy was the brief biography of him that was in the foreward. I found his story fascinating.

I would say that "Lilith" is the most adult of MacDonald's books that I've read. Whereas "The Princess and Curdie" or "The Wise Woman" or "The Light Princess" could be read to children because children are the protagonists and they are couched as fairy tales I do not think that "Lilith" can be. The main character is an adult. It reads more like a myth or an epic. In fact, it does remind me of reading "The Iliad".

posted by CyanDag at 11:57 am (EST) on Jan 25, 2008

Kokipy-ji,

One is astounded at the number of books you have catalogued in such a short time!!

I LOVE being able to browse each other's libraries!

posted by MtnSk8tr at 4:35 pm (EST) on Jan 22, 2008

You have really managed to get a lot of books in quickly. And judging from my experience, it isn't due to the CueCat!

posted by stellarexplorer at 2:58 am (EST) on Jan 21, 2008

You are very positive and supportive, I truly thank you. I'm pretty serene about the whole thing. I've been in flux for some time now - it's totally felt like birth pangs (not that I would know - LOL). I feel like that recurring sentiment in "2010" - "Something wonderful is going to happen". It makes my toes curl with happiness and I often start singing in the bathroom.

One word of caution about my reading habits, I do enjoy the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter books by Laurell Hamilton. Especially the earlier ones. They've pretty much devolved but I keep plugging along because I want to see what happens to the characters. Even if they annoy the stuffing out of me sometimes.

posted by CyanDag at 4:14 pm (EST) on Jan 15, 2008

As am I (looking forward to getting reading ideas by snooping through your library)! This seems like an incredibly cool resource. Of course, the big problem for me is that I find myself not reading just now. Almost nothing. There's something going on under the surface of my personality.

posted by CyanDag at 2:19 pm (EST) on Jan 15, 2008

Kokipy! I'm charmed to see how many books we have in common when I've managed to enter so few. This should be a very entertaining and enlightening experience!

Peace,
Suzdal

posted by CyanDag at 1:48 pm (EST) on Jan 15, 2008

Hello! :-)
I see you do some progress with the Cuecat?!
I saw we share more than a few works by Neal Stephenson; that's unusual! A lot of people seems to be disappointed in his Baroque Cycle, and I really enjoyed those books.

posted by Busifer at 4:35 am (EST) on Jan 12, 2008