Member: momom248

Hi Maureen! How are things up Connectitcttututt way? Gorgeous day here, lots of lovely breeze, perfect dog-walking weather. I love Fall.

Sounds like I should give "Sweetsmoke" a miss. Thanks for the warning!

Cheers
RMD

posted by richardderus at 3:15 pm (EST) on Oct 7, 2009

Fixed now, sorry about that!

posted by ablachly at 11:33 am (EST) on Oct 7, 2009

Thanks, Maureen! I think the little shit needs a good bastinadoeing. But it is a little bit sad, and troll-post in http://www.librarything.com/topic/71014 purporting to be me is just flat-out hilarious!

TTFN, off to find that bastinado,
RMD
xoxo

posted by richardderus at 1:07 pm (EST) on Aug 15, 2009

My husband taught at Scranton from 1985-2002. He was teaching Math and Computer Science at that time (when the department split, he went with the CS department). Both my kids and I got degrees from there, too. In fact, I received a Masters in Education in 1988.

Sharleen (aka koalamom)

posted by koalamom at 8:22 am (EST) on Jul 14, 2009

Such a wonderful vacation!! I am so glad you got to see some of the astoudingly gorgeous West. Was it your first visit to Brice Canyon or Zion? What treasures...I lived in Texas for years and would travel to some of the parks in Utah for renewal.

Though Grand Teton remains my absolute, all-time favorite park. *blissful sigh*

Welcome home, at least the weather here is lovely.

xoxo

posted by richardderus at 12:09 pm (EST) on Jul 13, 2009

Greetings Maureen...drive-by hug...haven't run into you in a while, all well there in Connecticut?

posted by richardderus at 11:44 am (EST) on Jul 9, 2009

I am inviting some people to my new thread. This may interest you. Check it out.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/66785

posted by callmejacx at 4:53 pm (EST) on Jun 14, 2009

Glad you got it. Thanks for letting me know.

Cheers,
d

posted by dchaikin at 3:56 pm (EST) on May 28, 2009

I really enjoyed "Tortilla Curtain" as well. It wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be and was all the better for it. I hope you like it.
belva

posted by nannybebette at 12:34 pm (EST) on May 26, 2009

Saw that you're reading Tortilla Curtain, one of my top 10 reads of all time, and probably Boyle's best. Hope you're enjoying it as much as I did. If so, I highly recommend Russell Banks' Continental Drift.

posted by dreamreader at 3:51 pm (EST) on Apr 4, 2009

Thank you for the congratulations, all does seem to be going well at the moment but all prayers and good thoughts are greatfully appreciated.

posted by Jodyreadseverything at 10:22 am (EST) on Jan 6, 2009

Hi
What a small, small world. Yes, I do work at Lehigh. I've been there 25 years and while some days my job feels like glorified babysitting, for the most part, I enjoy what I do.

After living in Bethlehem for a number of years, I now live in Palmer Township (near Easton) only a 1/2 hour away from work and Bethlehem.

Bethlehem is a wonderful place to live.

All good wishes for a wonderful holiday.

LInda

posted by Whisper1 at 11:48 pm (EST) on Nov 22, 2008

Hi Maureen,
I noticed you mentioned moving to a new office building this week---so did I! And, given your locale, I'm wondering if the building is 400 Westchester Avenue. If so, we have to meet!
Carol

posted by CEP at 10:47 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2008

Thanks! I said to them interesting people have interesting libraries anyway, so this works, LOL!

posted by mrgrooism at 3:49 pm (EST) on Jul 9, 2008

Thank you, Maureen! I appreciate the support - and hope you enjoy the book!

- Meg

posted by megwaiteclayton at 4:42 pm (EST) on Jun 29, 2008

My husband is reading Child 44 and really enjoy it. I suggest you read that on his recommendation!

posted by alphaorder at 11:37 am (EST) on May 26, 2008

Hi Maureen, I just wanted to let you know that I received my copy of The Venetian Mask today. Hope you get your copy soon! Erin

posted by Rarcar1 at 8:04 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

Hi, no, I haven't received the [Venetian Mask] yet. From what I have read in the Early Reviewer posts this is not uncommon. I am anxiously awaiting it also! I will let you know if/when I receive it. Take care! Erin

posted by Rarcar1 at 2:51 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

I haven't recieved my copy yet...it should still come. this won't be the first book that's been part of the ER program that's already been released. Publishers still like to try and generate (or re-generate for older publications) buzz about the book.

The books sometimes just take forever to come. I'm still waiting on the book that I snagged in Feb. Others have gotten it already. I'll wait a few more days before contacting Abby about it again.

posted by Irisheyz77 at 12:16 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

Good luck! Hope it gets better for you--if not, maybe it'll make for lively discussion anyway. :)

posted by Medellia at 2:23 pm (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Yes, it's definitely a difficult read. And it may just not be to your tastes--I know several people who just didn't like it. I liked the atmosphere of the book, though, and the political intrigue. As well, I liked the mixture of realism and absurdity in the book. As well, it's very influenced by Kafka's "The Castle"--I think it helped to know that book. (Also another book by Turgenev that I don't know, or so I hear.) I will say that I found myself more or less drawn in from the beginning, so I don't know if it'll get much better for you. Don't know if this helps any--who knows why we like or don't like the books we do? :)

posted by Medellia at 1:42 pm (EST) on Mar 26, 2008

Let me know how Picoult's newest book is. I've read all of hers so far with the exception of The Tenth Circle. She's one of my favorite authors...even if I haven't liked all of her books. I think that they are all beautifully written.

posted by Irisheyz77 at 8:48 pm (EST) on Mar 4, 2008

I was a little annoyed at the ending. To suddenly say the tale was all in Laurel's words doesn't explain whole chapters of action with just her boyfriend and his daughters that take place when she isn't even around. If he'd written the whole thing from her point of view, then I wouldn't have had a problem. Here's what I think happened: I think he changed the ending, and then didn't have the time to go back and edit the story to fit his new ending, probably because of a deadline. So I think he copped out. I did like some of the eye-popping revelations, but I think it could have been handled better.

Now I feel like writing a review, but it was a library book, so I can't! :o)

posted by clamairy at 8:11 pm (EST) on Feb 11, 2008

You'll have to let me know what you think of those books after you read them. Luncheon of the Boating Party and the Reading Group two other books I just couldn't bring myself to finish. Though I did get farther into Reading Group than I did with Luncheon of the Boating Party. I hope that you fare a little better. =)

I see that you are in CT...have you ever been to the Book Barn in Niantic? I swear the place is like heaven for a book addict. My sister and brother and lot introduced me to the place a few years back and I just wanted to pitch a tent and never leave. Its the larges used book store that I've ever seen and just made me tingly all over with number of books. If you haven't been I STRONGLY suggest you do...though you might want to go at a time when you husband is away so he doesn't see the number of books that you've returned home with!

Here is their website --> http://www.bookbarnniantic.com/WeSellBoo... These are bibliophiles with a sense of humor look at the We Sell Books section...and if I recall correctly they have lots of other humorous little signs all over the place. My recall is limited because I've tried to keep myself out of CT so I am not tempted to make any detours to Nianic. For me this store far far worse on my wallet than the slot machines at Foxwoods!!!

posted by Irisheyz77 at 1:22 pm (EST) on Jan 31, 2008

Yes, my poo pile is a list of the bad books. =) Which of the 4 books in my poo pile are on your list? You may very well enjoy them more then I did. For example, I have read many rave's on LT for Crimson Petal. I personally thought that book was 900 pages of agony that went nowhere and said nothing. I only finished it because it was a loaner from a friend so I felt a little obligated.

posted by Irisheyz77 at 8:13 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2008

This is just an update from last spring. I got to spend 3 days in Cleveland, riding the Rapid, eating at a sidewalk cafe, roaming Tower City, and hanging out (and spending money) in a great book store in Shaker Heights. I also spent a whole day at the "Rock Hall" (I'm trying to sound like a native!!). You were right. I had a great time. Gotta go back sometime. Mary Lou

posted by MerryMary at 8:55 am (EST) on Sep 5, 2007

How far is it from Middletown to Simsbury? I have no clue. I've been living in CT for 6 years, and I still have to look up to see where everything is, unless it's in a 20 mile radius of my house. If it's more than an hour drive, I'd say no. But anything under 45 minutes, yeah. It's a very good sale. It's the best I've ever been to, and I've lived in three states.

posted by clamairy at 10:36 pm (EST) on Aug 9, 2007

Hello! Thanks for joining the group. The Pact is my favorite Jodi book. I hope you enjoy reading it. We can compare notes afterwards.... I'll be out of town this weekend but I'm going to take my laptop.

posted by VictoriaPL at 11:15 am (EST) on Aug 2, 2007

I'd suggest reading Camus' "The Fall" first, gives some literary context. That is, as a way to situate the story beyond the contemporary 'spin.' Just thoughts.

posted by danielsumrall at 11:58 pm (EST) on Jun 19, 2007

What did you make of Hamid's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist"?

posted by danielsumrall at 9:44 pm (EST) on Jun 18, 2007

Thanks. I do indeed plan to make it this summer. I'll try to bone up on Cleveland "sights" before I leave. I can't spend ALL my time at the bookstore. (What am I saying??!)

posted by MerryMary at 3:31 pm (EST) on May 16, 2007

THANK YOU for agreeing with me on "Curious Incident ..."! Christopher wasn't a sympathetic, interesting character to me at all.

posted by Seajack at 1:51 pm (EST) on May 9, 2007

I haven't yet read anything else by Phillipa Gregory, if I find her books used I may pick them up, too expensive otherwise.
I've got [My Sister's Keeper] by Jodi Picault. I've read the first few chapters, seems good. I found it at Good-will, if I remember correctly.

posted by AnjilaG at 4:21 pm (EST) on May 3, 2007

The Queen's Fool was interesting.
I don't analyze books too much. Excellent, good, ok, or 'didn't get into it & had to make myself finish reading it' are my qualifiers.

posted by AnjilaG at 12:03 pm (EST) on May 2, 2007

Thank You!
I couldn't believe there were no books in common, so I checked out your list. Lo and behold, I didn't have "The Queen's Fool" listed yet. So I added it, of course. I also have "Cane River" but haven't read it. Is it any good? I bought it on the discount table at Krogers for about $5.

posted by AnjilaG at 3:03 pm (EST) on Apr 30, 2007

Thanks for the invite - I have joined and am looking forward to it.

posted by bookaholicgirl at 5:33 pm (EST) on Apr 27, 2007

I'm so glad you're enjoying [Half of a Yellow Sun] too -- it is far and away the best new book I've read in several years and I just had to keep talking and talking and talking about it.

posted by rebeccanyc at 4:59 pm (EST) on Apr 18, 2007