Karen O. (klobrien2) Reading Heaven in 2011, Thread 1

Hi, everyone! This will be my third year participating in the 75 Books Challenge. In 2009, I read 94 books; this year, I want to hit 150 (I made it to 148!); and who know what I'll read in 2011!

I'm also learning from the past, and I don't think I'll set any specific goals as to which books I will read--I have more fun just taking it as it comes. I am, however, trying to accomplish reads for the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" project, so that may guide my reading a little. What directs my reading more are my friends here on LT, so keep those recommendations coming!

Here's a ticker to keep track of my 2011 reads:



I am trying to read more books from "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die." Here's a ticker to keep track of my progress there:




55. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Georgio Bassani (book 140 of 1001)(ILL) - 196
54. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris - 190
53. Spring Flowers, Spring Frost by Ismail Kadare (Book 139 of 1001) - 188
52. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - 183
51. Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg (ILL) - 178
50. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming - 175
49. Rashomon and Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (Book 138 of 1001) (ILL) - 174
48. Angelology by Danielle Trussoni - 167
47. Jeeves and the Tie That Binds by P.G. Wodehouse - 162
46. Incognegro:A Graphic Mystery by Mat Johnson - 159
45. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson - 157
44. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 153
43. The Willows and Beyond by William Horwood - 149
42. Playing with Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book by Jason Thompson - 147
41. The Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L'Engle - 146
40. The Walking Dead, Vol. 4: The Heart's Desire - 146
39. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Book 137 of 1001) - 139
38. True Grit by Charles Portis - 134
37. Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates (Book 136 of 1001) - 129
36. Cruel Shoes by Steve Martin - 128
35. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - 128
34. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - 125
33. The Walking Dead, Vol. 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman - 125
32. The Walking Dead, Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman - 125
31. The Gallery of Regrettable Food by James Lileks - 119
30. Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling - 119
29. Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess by Matthew Paul Turner (ILL) - 113
28. Toad Triumphant by William Horwood (ILL)- 113
27. The Walking Dead, Vol 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman - 111
26. The Strange Case of the Broad Street Pump: John Snow and the Mystery of Cholera by Sandra Hempel (ILL) - 109
25. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle - 104
24. The Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Discovered the Hidden Gospels by Janet Soskice (ILL) - 98
23. Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe - 90
22. These Three Remain: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan - 88
21. Passing by Nella Larsen - 82 (Book 135 of 1001)
20. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - 77
19. Tik-Tok of Oz by L.Frank Baum (book 8 of 14) - 71
18. Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse - 71
17. Persepolis II: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi - 62
16. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi - 62
15. The Lottery: A Novel by Patricia Wood - 58
14. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - 58 (Book 134 of 1001)
13. Ravel by Jean Echenoz - 55
12. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes - 54
11. All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West - 49
10. Johannes Vermeer by Arthur Wheelock - 46
9. Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics by J.R.R. Tolkien (ILL) - 45
8. Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan - 43
7. Beowulf tr. Seamus Heaney - 40
6. Out of the Blue: A History of Lightning, Science, Superstition, and Amazing Stories of Survival by John S. Friedman (ILL) - 35
5. Body Work: A V.I. Warshawski Novel by Sara Paretsky - 35
4. The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum (book 7 of 14) - 32
3. The Mythology of Middle Earth by Ruth S. Noel - 25
2. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey - 17
1. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger - in post 15

Hi Karen, good luck! I'm really looking forward to it!

Hi Karen! I'd like to read more of the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" books, especially the classics, so I'm interested to see what you pick.

Oooh, Reading Heaven! I'm in! Looking forward to your 2011 reads.

Glad to see you back again, Karen!

I got you tagged for next year, Karen. :)

Hiya Karen! Glad to see you back around this craziness. Have a wonderful reading year, and DO NOT TELL ME if you like any books. I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW.

I'm here, too, eagerly awaiting your choices for 2011.

Gosh, it's great to read all of your messages! Thanks for coming by, and I hope to talk with you again and again in the new year!

Welcome back!

Hi Karen! Whoops I just noticed we both have 'heaven' in our thread titles. Great minds think alike, I guess. :)

12: The word "heaven" was the first word that came to mind when I was trying to rhyme with "eleven"!

I think we've found other points of similarity in our reading this year. And in how much we like to read!

True. Larry Millett springs to mind, for one...

First book finished in 2011! It's a real short one, simple and sweet, graphic novel.



1. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger

This is a beautiful book to read. The artwork is gorgeous; the story is touching and a little sad.

I've got other books "cooking" (ones I was trying to finish last year) so I should have a few more to post in the next few days.

#15: I wish my local library had that one! Several of the group members have recommended it. I am glad to see you enjoyed it too, Karen.

2. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Truth is the daughter of time. (Old Proverb)

This is the quote at the start of this fine, historical mystery. I really liked the history and humor of this book. I had a terrible time, however, trying to untangle the family connections of Richard III and his political enemies. Even the provided family trees didn't help me too much.

This was a fun, intriguing read.

Hi Karen, congrats on reading two books already! Now I'm behind on books and reading threads. ;-)

I have been acquiring a few of Tey's books but this isn't one of them. I think I'll wait a bit when my mind is less muddled so I can deal with the tangled families better. What's up next?

passing through and catching up! :)

Just stopping by to say hi!

Hi, Karen!

Hi Karen, both those books are wishlisted/on the TBR pile. Glad you enjoyed them!

I love The Daughter of Time, Karen. If you get a chance, listen to the audio version some time that has Derek Jacobi as the narrator.

23 (alcottacre): Ooh, I bet that's good--I'm writing it down right now (I know, pretty old-fashioned, but I'll get to the library site and request it).

22 (souloftherose): I hope you like them as much as I did!

curlysue, Kittybee, and tymfos, thanks for stopping by and posting! I'm trying to read everyone's threads this year, but I should post "hi" more--it's so nice to know that folks are actually reading what I'm writing!

3. The Mythology of Middle Earth by Ruth S. Noel

I had started this one last year, but just finished it. One of the hazards (although very beneficial) of working at a library is that you SEE all of these great books, and then must give them a read.

This was one I snatched up, and I'm glad I did. It's a detailed study of the mythological elements in Tolkien's writings. I've recently read The Hobbit, and I just read Letters from Father Christmas, and I've been wanting to read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, so! I feel like this book gave me a great introduction to some of the characters, things, and places in the LOTR.

There's a great glossary of mythological concepts that appear in Tolkien, a bibliography, and an index! I might have to re-check this book out once I get going with Tolkien.

So, this was not an exciting read, but very informative and interesting.

edited to add:

And Beowulf was mentioned several times in this book; I'm participating in the group read of Beowulf, so I feel that will help me to better understand it.

I like books like that.... :)

a manual to the one you are reading or have read

Hi Karen, I ran right over to star you. Daughter of Time is a book I definitely plan to read eventually. I will be reading Miss Pym Disposes next month.

Just wanted to wish you lots of great reading in 2011! Another Josephine Tey book that I loved was Brat Farrar -- which was recommended to me by someone here on LT. (I can't remember now who it was, but whoever you are Thanks!)
--BJ

Brat Farrar was excellent, but I still need to read Daughter of Time - and several other of Tey's books!

I loved Daughter of Time. I liked Brat Farrar and The Franchise Affair a lot too, but Daughter of Time was my favourite. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Hi, everybody! For all of you Daughter of Time fans and wanna-be fans, I did pick up the audio version of it, with Derek Jacobi reading. I usually don't listed to audiobooks, but I think it will be quite interesting to listen to this after having read it. I'll let you know! Thanks, Stasia, as always, for the tip!

4. The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Well, I think this is number seven in the series of L. Frank Baum "Oz" books. I am enjoying this reading immensely. The books are so funny, and sharp, and there's even some nice social commentary.

The hero of this book is the Patchwork Girl, of course, and her character is so much fun. She's bright and outspoken, and loves to have fun. She was created from a patchwork quilt.

Another character tells her, "You're a regular comforter and as sweet as patchwork can be. All you lack is dignity."

"I hate dignity," said Scraps (her nickname), kicking a pebble high in the air and then trying to catch it as it fell. "Half the fools and all the wise folks are dignified, and I'm neither the one nor the other."

Fun, fast read, with beautiful illustrations.

I listened to that audio of Daughter of Time almost 3 years ago when I was really disabled with RA and unable to hold a book. I loved the story, the narration, and found it really easy to listen to. It was one of the reasons I got hooked on audios. I know you'll enjoy it.

edited to fix touchstone.

#31: Wow, that was quick, Karen. I hope you enjoy it!

5. Body Work: A V.I. Warshawski Novel by Sara Paretsky

I've been a fan of Paretsky and her V.I.Warshawki novels for years. Warshawski is a private detective based in Chicago; she, and several ongoing characters are delightful and endearing.

The plots of the books are hard-boiled, sometimes dealing with social justice issues.

Body Work dragged on a little; while I was anxious to find out what happened next, I got a little miffed with the author for stretching the plot so the book is a small chunkster at 443 pages.

If you like Paretsky, you'll like this book; if you don't like Paretsky or haven't read anything by her, I would recommend you start with another of her books.



6. Out of the Blue: A History of Lightning: Science, Superstition, and Amazing Stories of Survival by John S. Friedman

I think it was ellliepotten who read this book and recommended it; thanks, Ellie!

This is a fascinating survey of lightning, and the book touches on many different facets of the phenomenon. The author digs deep, including many first-hand accounts from survivors of lightning strikes.

I still have not read any of the Paretsky books. One of these days!

Too bad my local library does not have the Friedman book. It sounds interesting!

Oh my goodness. I just added three books to the TBR list. I've actually never read any of the Oz books, so I guess I'd have to start from the beginning (in which case, I've just added 9 books to the TBR list... *grumblegrumble*) as you make them sound rather intriguing. And of course I have to read The Mythology of Middle-Earth... how do I not have a copy of this yet? Shameful of me, just shameful.

And as much as I don't like extreme weather, maybe reading about lightning will help me cope with thunderstorms better. Or make me more terrified. Hmm... well, it's on the list now anyway.

Yay! I got dk_phoenix hooked on a number of books! And Stasia is intrigued (well, to be fair, she gets intrigued by a lot of books).

Thanks, you two, for stopping by and posting! What a cool thing LT is!

Hi! Out of the Blue sounds really interesting! I may look that one up. I love to read about weather.

One of these days, I'm going to get around to that Paretsky series, too.

7. Beowulf tr. Seamus Heaney

What a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read of this old, old poem. Heaney did a magnificent job translating. I've got a few books about Beowulf to take a look through now--kind of like the icing on the cake.

Here are three quotes from Beowulf that really grabbed me (I also posted this to the Beowulf Group Read thread):

(The gulf between those without and those with faith of the Christian variety):

"Oh, cursed is he who in time of trouble has to thrust his soul in the fire's embrace, forfeiting help; he has nowhere to turn. But blessed is he who after death can approach the Lord and find friendship in the Father's embrace." (p.15)

(Beowulf, about his father):

"In his day, my father was a famous man, a noble warrior-lord named Ecgtheow. He outlasted many a long winter and went on his way. All over the world men wise in counsel continue to remember him." (p.19)

(The ending of winter, the melting of the ice, another Christian reference):

"...as ice melts when the Father eases the fetter off the frost and unravels the water-ropes. He who wields power over time and tide: He is the true Lord." (p.111)

The wintery references struck me especially hard in the middle of this cold, snowy Minnesota winter.

Out of the Blue goes right onto the wishlist - sounds really good!

Ooh, I went to www.bibliOZ.com, and ran their "Birthday Best Sellers" for my birth date. Here's what came up for my birth date:

Fiction 1 LOLITA Vladimir Nabokov
Fiction 2 ANATOMY OF A MURDER Robert Traver
Fiction 3 AROUND THE WORLD WITH AUNTIE MAME Patrick Dennis
Fiction 4 THE ENEMY CAMP Jerome Weidman
Fiction 5 THE KING MUST DIE Mary Renault
Fiction 6 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO Boris Pasternak
Fiction 7 THE IMAGE MAKERS Bernard Dryer
Fiction 8 THE BEST OF EVERYTHING Rona Jaffe
Fiction 9 ICE PALACE Edna Ferber
Fiction 10 THE TIME OF THE DRAGONS Alice Ekert-Rotholz
Fiction 11 THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING Terence Hanbury White
Fiction 12 STRANGERS WHEN WE MEET Evan Hunter
Fiction 13 CHEZ PAVAN Richard Llewellyn
Fiction 14 SEIDMAN AND SON Elick Moll
Fiction 15 THE WINTHROP WOMAN Anya Seton
Fiction 16 THE BRAMBLE BUSH Charles Mergendahl
Non-Fiction 1 ONLY IN AMERICA Harry Lewis Golden
Non-Fiction 2 INSIDE RUSSIA TODAY John Gunther
Non-Fiction 3 AKU-AKU Thor Heyerdahl
Non-Fiction 4 BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP Gregory "Pappy" Boyington
Non-Fiction 5 THE AFFLUENT SOCIETY John Kenneth Galbraith
Non-Fiction 6 MASTERS OF DECEIT J. Edgar Hoover
Non-Fiction 7 PLEASE DON'T EAT THE DAISIES Jean Kerr
Non-Fiction 8 WAR AND PEACE IN THE SPACE AGE James M. Gavin
Non-Fiction 9 EISENHOWER: CAPTIVE HERO Marquis William Childs
Non-Fiction 10 KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS! Art Linkletter
Non-Fiction 11 DEAR ABBY Abigail Van Buren
Non-Fiction 12 THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Alan Moorehead
Non-Fiction 13 ALL ABOUT MEN Joseph H. Peck
Non-Fiction 14 SNOOPY Charles M. Schulz
Non-Fiction 15 MISTER MUSIC MAKER LAWRENCE WELK, Mary Lewis Coakley
Non-Fiction 16 THE CULTURED MAN Ashley Montagu

I've read a few of the books, and maybe I'll look into a few more of them.

Thanks to Stasia for posting the site on her thread, and to Joanne who posted it in the first place.

8. Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan

This is the second in a series of three books focusing on the character of Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Duty and Desire covers the period of time known as the "silent time" in the book; Bingley, Darcy, and the Bingley crowd have left Hertfordshire (probably not to return), Jane is quite sad, and Elizabeth turns down an offer of marriage from her cousin.

But little mention is made of these characters; the focus is definitely on Darcy and on his quest to forget Elizabeth.

I've read other Austen-wanna-be books, and this series is my favorite. I'm looking forward to reading the final book in the set, These Three Remain. The writing is great; I love seeing Darcy's character and life fleshed out in one possible way, and the book stays true to P and P. I couldn't wait to see what happened next!

#40: I just finished Beowulf in the wee hours this morning too. I really enjoyed my read of the poem.

9. Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics by J.R.R. Tolkien

This small book is the print version of a lecture that Tolkien gave back in 1936, on the Old English poem, Beowulf. This essay was mentioned in the notes to the Seamus Heaney translation that we read for our group read this month.

The essay was well worth the read. Questions had come up during the reading, and I found a few answers here.

1. Why monsters? "The monsters are not an inexplicable blunder of taste; they are essential, fundamentally allied to the underlying ideas of the poem, which give it its lofty tone and high seriousness." (p. 19) "It is just because the main foes in Beowulf are inhuman that the story is larger and more significant...." (p.35)

2. Any differences or similarities in the point of view of Beowulf and, say, a poem like Virgil's Aeneid? In the "southern" mythologies, existence is men against the gods and the monsters. In the "northern" view (e.g., in Beowulf), existence is God and man aligned against the monsters. (pp. 23-26ish)

3. Is Beowulf a pagan tale, with Christianity tacked on, or really Christian at base? "It is a poem by a learned man writing of old times,...he brought probably first to his task a knowledge of Christian poetry...secondly, to his task the poet brought a considerable learning in native lays and traditions." (p.27)

4. Why the big 50-year gap in the poem? "We must dismiss...the notion that Beowulf is a 'narrative poem,' that it tells a tale or intends to tell a tale sequentially...the poem was not meant to advance...It is essentially a balance, an opposition of ends and beginnings." (p.29) "Beowulf is not an 'epic,' not even a magnified 'lay'....if we must have a term, we should choose rather 'elegy.' (p.33)

The essay took some work for me to get through, and Tolkien's use of Old English and other non-Modern English languages are not translated (he assumed his audience would be able to do their own translation). But it was a good read. The author's passion and humor come through, and my reading experience was improved.

10. Johannes Vermeer by Arthur K. Wheelock

This was a TIOLI read, but Linda (Whisper1) had reviewed this book, my library had a copy, so I was all set!

The book was put together for a traveling exhibition of Vermeer works that took place in 1995-1996 (Washington, D.C. and The Hague).

This is a physically big book (the better to show off the magnificent reproductions of the paintings). But there is a lot of great detail, and I took the time to read the fine print--the technical specifications, the pages devoted to each work in the catalogue, and even some footnotes!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting more information about Vermeer and his works.

Thanks to Linda for her recommendation!

46: Well that settles it, I better go see if my library has it too.

I added the Tolkien to my wishlist. Loved the thoughts you posted about it.
--BJ

47: mihess, I hope you like the Vermeer book--I found it really fascinating!

48: bj, I think Tolkien's essay is great. I want to get my own copy of it (I've been a Beowulf fan for a long time). I hope you like the essay as much as I did!



11. All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West

Excellent, wonderful novel! Beautiful story and storytelling about a family matriarch who decides, after the death of her husband, to live life her own way (for once).

While reading, I was compelled to take note of a number of lines that I knew I would want to reread. Here's one:

"...before she could pull up yet another fish of memory on a long line, she recollected a restriction she had placed upon herself, namely, not to let her memory wander until the days of complete leisure should be come; not to luxuriate until she could luxuriate fully and freely. Her feast must not be spoiled by snippets of anticipation." (p.85)

I'll definitely want to read this one again. It's a fairly quick read (if you can pull yourself away from the gem-like prose)!

I'll have to look for that P&P series. I do love a well done Austen spin-off. :)

I really need to get to All Passion Spent. I have owned it far too long!

All Passion Spent has just jumped forward on my to-be-bought-and-read list (I'll get it as soon as my 3 months of not buying books are over).

I fear am not sufficiently interested in the arts to read a whole book about Vermeer, but while living in Frankfurt I wento to the Staedel-museum several times just to look at the painting which is shown on the cover of that book. One of the few really famous originals the museum owned and my favorite.

All Passion Spent sounds really good! I've wishlisted it...

Stasia, Deern, and BookAngel_a--All Passion Spent was such a serendipitous (isn't that a great word?!) find for me--such a treat to read. I hope you get a chance to read it, and that you like it as much as I did!



12. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Sweet little juvie fiction about little girls and bullying. I have a very faint recollection of this book from my childhood, but it was great to reread.

13. Ravel by Jean Echenoz

A strange, little treat of a book. Historical fiction of a kind about Maurice Ravel, the composer. Each chapter is a vignette of him, his past or present. This is a short book, but I ended up with a strong picture of Ravel and his world. There were many fascinating insights into the times, and into the life of the man.

Wow, so many that are already on my tbr or heading that way. I've managed to get a copy of the Tolkien essays so will be reading that. The Middle Earth mythology looks interesting, though I have a few Tolkien books already that I should dip into. I've had a copy of Daughter of Time for ages and haven't read it despite enjoying her other books.
I put Ravel on my tbr list after reading chatterbox's review, so it now has a doubletick.

#54: Linda recommended that one recently as well. I really need to get to it!

14. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

I was thrilled to add this to my "1001 Books" completed list. It was an okay read, but a real slog at times.

Here are some quotes that I'm taking away from the plethora of great writing here:

(If the Dashwoods became rich) “And books! – Thomson, Cowper, Scott – she (Marianne) would buy up every copy, I believe, to prevent their falling into unworthy hands; and she would have every book that tells her how to admire an old twisted tree.” (p.88)

“Mrs. Ferrars was a little, thin woman, upright, even to formality, in her figure, and serious, even to sourness, in her aspect. Her complexion was sallow; and her features small, without beauty, and naturally without expression; but a lucky contraction of the brow had rescued her countenance from the disgrace of insipidity, by giving it the strong characters of pride and ill nature.” (p. 223)

“The whole of Lucy’s behavior in the affair, and the prosperity which crowned it, therefore, may be held forth as a most encouraging instance of what an earnest, and unceasing attention to self-interest, however its progress may be apparently obstructed, will do in securing every advantage of fortune, with no other sacrifice than that of time and conscience.” (p. 363)



15. The Lottery: A Novel by Patricia Wood

Great read, with lots of interesting characters and points of view. I felt like I knew the characters, and I think the author must be a great observer and "auditor" (Perry, the main character, and winner of the Washington State Lottery, considers himself an "auditor," because he listens).

I have to go check and see if the author has written anything else yet (this book was from 2007). If not, I would consider The Lottery to be prime re-read material.

Sense and Sensibility is my least favorite Austen, but I did really enjoy parts of it. I like the quote you chose about Marianne and the books! :)

#54: I remember reading The Hundred Dresses when I was a kid! I haven't thought about that one in a long time.

#58: I know I have already got The Lottery in the BlackHole. Glad to see you enjoyed it, Karen.

Hi, carlym and Stasia! Thanks for stopping by.

Stasia, I started listening to Daughter of Time--Jacobi is great! I lose patience with audiobooks, though--I want to listen at reading-speed, and I think that would be unintelligible!





16. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

17. Persepolis II: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi

I read these graphic novels together so that I could help earn a TIOLI point (another participant had read The Complete Persepolis which is, I discovered, the two novels in one volume.

I'd seen the movie version, and it did seem to stick close to the books. There seemed to be more richness to the books, which is probably the way it goes.

Great stories, both of them. Very moving and memorable.

I have only read the first one (Persepolis). I borrowed it from my daughter. I really loved that the mom made her daughter a punk outfit to wear to a party!
--BJ

Hi, billijean! I just love her parents after reading the books--they were so supportive and loving (and funny!). Thanks for stopping by!

Hi There

I'm compiling a list of birthdays of our group members. If you haven't done so already, would you mind stopping by this thread and posting yours.

Thanks.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105833

Her parents were quite amazing weren't they? I loved this story as well.

I am glad to hear that you are enjoying The Daughter of Time in audio form, Karen! I know what you mean though about wanting to speed through it!

I have also only read the first Persepolis. I'll have to keep an eye out for the second one.

Okay, could resist no longer. I took the Book Quiz, and here is my result...

You're Anne of Green Gables!

by L.M. Montgomery

Bright, chipper, vivid, but with the emotional fortitude of cottage
cheese, you make quite an impression on everyone you meet. You're impulsive, rash,
honest, and probably don't have a great relationship with your parents. People hurt
your feelings constantly, but your brazen honestly doesn't exactly treat others with
kid gloves. Ultimately, though, you win the hearts and minds of everyone that matters.
You spell your name with an E and you want everyone to know about it.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

I guess I need to work on that emotional fortitude thing!

Gosh, I took this quiz and mine is eerily accurate. Will have to post it on my thread. Who knew book quizzes knew so much about you.

18. Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

This is my second Wodehouse, and I just love them. I'm glad to see that Wodehouse was quite prolific! I am a big fan of the Steven Fry/Hugh Laurie series of Jeeves and Wooster, and was thrilled to recognize episodes in the original book(s). Very witty, sweet, like reading with vitamins in it!

I read a Penguin copy of the book, and I thought that this quote from the intro was illuminating:

“P.G. Wodehouse said, ‘I believe that there are two ways of writing novels. One is mine, making a sort of musical comedy without music and ignoring real life altogether; the other is going right down deep into life and not caring a damn.’”

I highly recommend this book for a light, satisfying read.



19. Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum

I'm making my way through the L. Frank Baum Oz books. This one is the eighth of fourteen.

These books seem like little jewels to me; they are literate, witty, and have the kind of writing that anyone, of any age, can enjoy and learn from. Once again, the Books of Wonder recreation of the first edition is a gorgeous, hefty book, with beautiful illustrations (many in full-color) by John R. Neill.

I loved this dialogue from the book:

“You must understand,” said Ann, “that I am the Queen of Oogaboo, and this is my invincible Army. We are busy conquering the world, and since you seem to be a part of the world, and are obstructing our journey, it is necessary for us to conquer you—unworthy though you may be of such high honor.”

“That’s all right,” said Shaggy. “Conquer us as often as you like. We don’t mind.”

“But we won’t be anybody’s slaves,” added Betsy, positively.

I have to mention that I am halfway through Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood and required a pit-stop from glum dystopia--and I found it with Jeeves and Oz.

Yay! I love P.G. Wodehouse! I'm so glad you enjoyed Carry on, Jeeves. :o)

#71: I will get back to the Oz books some time or other!

I second the PG Wodehouse books, they are perfect light reading.

Lots for me to read here! Persepolis and P.G. Wodehouse!

Hope you're enjoying Oryx and Crake - I loved that book. Are you planning to read Year of the Flood afterward?

72: Kittybee: Hullo-ullo-ullo!
73: Stasia: Which of the Oz books are you on? I'm going to go look for #9 at my library later. I feel a little sorry for Baum--I think he was reluctant to have to keep writing Oz stories, but the popular demand was so great, he couldn't resist.
74: KiwiNyx: What ho, kiwi?
75: mihess: I just finished Oryx and Crake. Definitely a memorable book. It was a little slow to get going, but by halfway through, I really wanted to know what happened next (and why those things happened in the first place). And I do plan to read Year of the Flood. How do you feel about that book?

20. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

What a strange and disturbing book! I'm still processing my thoughts about the book. It was fascinating to read about the dystopia that developed when science and commerce ran amok. It makes me very nervous to think I see parallels with American life today (class division, crass popular culture, the glorifying of business, oh don't get me started).

Here's a quote from about halfway through the book, that for me sums up one of the biggest themes of the book--science and business united and out of control:

Why is it he feels some line has been crossed, some boundary transgressed? How much is too much, how far is too far? (p. 206)

I thought that the book really took its time getting started, but picked up in a hurry. Some reviewers have suggested that Atwood might have done a bit more editing in the front half of the book, and I would concur. I gave the book four stars, and that's its rating on LT.

I do plan to read the followup novel to this one - Year of the Flood (ooh, more biblical allusions).

Thanks for the review. I was wondering about that book.
--BJ

#77: I really liked that one. I preferred it to The Year of the Flood, but I am in the minority on that.

77: Yay! I'm glad you finished it. It is a strange book, but one that really sticks with you. Like Stasia, I preferred it to Year of the Flood but I've heard it the other way around a lot. I think the thing is that you can read either one first and the other book still makes complete sense, but since I read Oryx and Crake first I felt more attached to it.

I hope you'll enjoy Year of the Flood. I look forward to your review!

Hello, BJ, Stasia, and mihess! Thanks for stopping by and chatting. It's always a treat to visit LT and see that people are leaving me notes! What a cool thing!

I'm finding that Snowman/Jimmie from Oryx and Crake is sticking in my mind--I find myself wondering if he's okay, if he's found more food and water. Isn't that strange? I suppose it's testament to the power of the book.

I do have Year of the Flood in at the library, so I'll be starting that sooner rather than later, I guess! Why do all my requests come in at the same time?! hehe

21. Passing by Nella Larsen

I read this for TIOLI, and it was interesting to me, and I hadn't read Larsen before. It's the story of the relationship of two black women, friends from childhood, who meet up again in adulthood. The main character of the novel is married to a successful doctor (who is black); her friend has been able to "pass" as white, has married a white man who is horribly racist.

So there are issues of racial identity, racism in the U.S., relationships between men and women, husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends.

To be honest, if the book hadn't been so short and on the "1001 Books" list, I don't know if I'd finished it. Maybe a second read would be better. I didn't much like the book. The characterization doesn't ring true, there seems to be too much navel-gazing, and the ending seems hacky, just tacked on to the end. Nothing is resolved, and that seems dishonest.

I really wanted to like this book more, but there it is. I guess I will give the author's first book, Quicksand by Nella Larsen a read sometime.

#82: Hmmm, I have had that one in the BlackHole for a while now. I imagine I will eventually get to it since it is a book I want to read for my Civil Rights movement reading, but I will bump it down a bit.

82: I always feel conflicted about 1,001 books. I mean, they have to be on there for a good reason, right? It's almost doubly disappointing when they don't turn out to be as good as you had hoped.

But then I think that some of the novels are on the list for historical reasons: because they were important to the development of the novel and/or because they represent a voice that hadn't been heard before.

Also, so much of how you receive a book depends on mood, or how you're feeling, or what's been happening in your life, don't you think? I might read Passing again some day (just not tomorrow!)

Hope you had a happy Valentine's Day, Karen! :)

Thanks, Stephen, it was very nice! My husband and I bought each other boxes of candy (how original!) and, unbeknownst to each other, we went to the same independent candy store. Definite mmm-mmm!

Hope you had a good day, too! And I apologize--I think I spelled your name Steven before--it's Stephen, right?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

22. These Three Remain: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan

This book was third in a series of books that "fill in the blanks" of Pride and Prejudice, but this time, from Darcy's point of view. It's really risky to do that, to play around with such a well-loved novel. Aidan does a terrific job, however, and I've really enjoyed this series.

Aidan is a fine writer. Here's one spot, where Darcy is talking with Elizabeth's Uncle Gardiner about Wickham:

"...As I said, he can be charming and very plausible, especially to females. I, on the other hand, made little effort to make myself agreeable in a society unknown to me. It is a failing of which Miss Elizabeth Bennet has been so kind as to apprise me."

"Oh, dear." Mr Gardiner shook his head. "Lizzy's wit is not checked by as much discretion as I would wish, but she will be the first to admit her fault. . .once she is convinced of it."

Yep, Stephen it is, I have to spell it out every time someone asks for it. My last name too because it is spelled awkwardly as well (a silent K, of all things...)

23. Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

This was a fun read--something completely different. I read this because it was listed in a TIOLI challenge, and I'm glad it was there.

I've read a bit of Shakespeare, but none of Marlowe, Shakespeare's partner in era and place. The play is very dramatic, and I think it would be great to see it performed.

I'll be looking up more of his plays and poems.

#90: I have only read the Goethe version of Faust. I wonder how it differs from Marlowe. . .

I've been wanting to read that one. Thanks for reminding me!
--BJ

I enjoyed the Aidan books, too; this makes me want to reread them.

I like your reading and your writing: starred, and I'm sure you'll see me around.

The Aiden books do intrigue me I must admit. I usually steer away from novels based on classics but there have been an extra amount of P&P rewrites recently mentioned on LT and while I'll go and check them out at the library when I hear about them, these ones are the only ones I seriously might read as I think the character of Darcy is one of Austen's best and I'm interested to reading his point of view, even if it isn't Austen's vision. Plus, these books seem to be universally liked whereas the other attempts seem to irritate most people.

I have Doctor Faustus on my tbr and I am resolved to read more plays this year, so I'll get to it soon, thanks for the reminder. And it will be my first Marlowe text, too. I completely forgot I had a collection of Marlowe works on my shelf.

Going back a bit to Oryx and Crake, I thought I'd join you in reading that one for this month's TIOLI challenge and enjoyed it but did find it a lot darker than The Year of the Flood which I read at the beginning of last year.

It's made me want to reread The Year of the Flood because the stories intertwine so much. Hope you enjoy it!

95:Deern: It's not a long read. I read the Signet Classic version, and kind of browsed through the intro and accompanying essays. Reading plays is a different kind of reading, though, right? There's a lot more visual thinking that the reader has to do, I think.

96:souloftherose: I'm looking forward to The Year of the Flood but it's only 4th or 5th in line. I'm glad that you found Oryx and Crake a lot darker--I grabbed on to every crumb of optimism that I could in O and C!

Thanks to you both for stopping by and chatting!

24. The Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Discovered the Hidden Gospels by Janet Soskice

I was able to fit this book into the TIOLI 12-word title challenge, but I was already reading it anyway. Excellent synchronicity!

Speaking of synchronicity, I just love it when various books I'm reading intersect, in subject, geographical area, or especially in ways that I'd never have expected. I'm also reading The Strange Case of the Broad Street Pump, a book about cholera. Coincidentally, in Sisters of Sinai, the sisters find their travels in Egypt hampered by the dreaded disease. Ta-da!

Sisters of Sinai was an excellent history of two amazing Scotswomen, twin sisters Agnes Smith Lewis and Margaret Smith Gibson, who bucked society and academia, taught themselves multiple ancient and modern languages and text scholarship, and became world-known for their scholarship.

Soskice is a terrific writer, making the sisters and the cast of characters that they interact with, come alive. Here are a few quotes from the book that I marked:

(on the meaning of the scripted Word, which I think applies to written words in general):

Despite tired and frozen fingers, which copyists sometimes documented in marginalia, the literal traditio (passing on) of the holy words, line by line, chapter by chapter, was a pious exercise in itself. For those who first wrote and read the manuscripts at Sinai, the formed strokes of ink that made up the words of the Gospels in a handwritten manuscript, the words laid laboriously letter by well-formed letter on sheets of precious vellum, or the paints laid on wooden boards that were the images of saints, were emblematic of a God who indwelt the physical world as men. (p. 166)

(as a snapshot of the "plot" of the book, and that of the lives of the sisters):

There was romance in the life of the text scholar, a calling that combined the skills of a code-breaker with the danger of foreign travel and childhood fascination with opening long-undisturbed trunks in the attic. It was a heady mix of high scholarship and hard life, of international congresses before the crowned heads of Europe, with learned exchanges in French and Latin, Greek and Arabic, Hindustani and Coptic, and cold nights in the desert with a hard bed roll. It was all Agnes and Margaret could have desired." (p. 203)

I won't have time to read this for the TIOLI Challenge this month, but I've requested it from the library. It looks like just the thing for my Lent reading.

#98: I already have that one in the BlackHole. Glad to see you enjoyed it so much, Karen!

#98 Already on the wishlist so glad to see another good review of that one.

Nice review! I want to read that book now. :)
--BJ

Adding The Sisters of Sinai to the wishlist - sounds great!

Donna828, Stasia, souloftherose, BJ, and scaifea: I hope you like The Sisters as much as I did! I'll be hanging around, hoping to catch your comments on that book (as well as everything else you're reading!)



25. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle

This is a book in the A Wrinkle in Time series (although L'Engle has written a LOT of books, there is some overlapping, and I don't know if I'm reading them in order. Anyway. The good news is that I plan to read more of them!

This one was terrific--lots of time travel, and history, and sheer beauty. And a unicorn! The novel is organized around "Patrick's Rune"--a prayer/charm/poem that protects against the forces of evil and is to be used only under threat of great danger. The prayer is given early in the book, so I don't feel I'm giving away any spoilers by including it here:

(With or At/Name or Place) in this fateful hour,
All Heaven with its power,
And the sun with its brightness,
And the snow with its whiteness,
And the fire with all the strength it hath,
And the lightning with its rapid wrath,
And the winds with their swiftness along their path,
And the sea with its deepness,
And the rocks with their steepness,
And the earth with its starkness,
All these I place,
By God's almighty help and grace,
Between myself and the powers of darkness.

Earth is in terrible trouble, and only Charles Wallace and his sister Meg can save it. The novel stays suspenseful all the way through, although it did seem to bog down towards the end, and then race toward the conclusion. Still, all in all, a very fun read.

"98, Hi Karen, I'm very glad you liked The Sisters of Sinai as much as I did. I hope your review will entice more people to read this wonderful book. I cannot stress enough how much I really enjoyed it. Soskice must have added some secret potion to her words that enthralls her readers :-)

Enjoyed your review of A Swiftly Tilting Planet. My girls have been trying to get me to read that for years. I need to try to read it this year. :)
--BJ

I love Madeleine L'Engle's books! I need to do a reread this year I think. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!

105: JustJoey4, thanks for reviewing Sisters of Sinai in the first place! As I was reading, I kept thinking, "Man, I wish I was there with them!" What a pity that they were limited in what they could accomplish because of their gender, but they made their ways.

106, 107: BJ and Kittybee: I loved Wrinkle in Time, thought that A Wind in the Door was okay, but I really liked A Swiftly Tilting Planet. I'm really looking forward to more L'Engle!

Thanks to you all for stopping by and chatting!

26. The Strange Case of the Broad Street Pump: John Snow and the Mystery of Cholera by Sandra Hempel

I actually finished this book yesterday for the February TIOLI (gasp, gasp). Ape had read and recommended the book (thanks, Stephen), and it sounded really interesting.

I'd learned about John Snow and the story of his medical detecting, but this account is much more detailed about life in London at the time, and the squalor and nightmare conditions in which poorer Londoners lived.

The book includes a Bibliographic Essay, a section on Sources and Background Material, and an Index (yay!)

I was very moved by a comment of the author in Bib Essay, relating to the nature of epidemics. "There turned out to be a tragic irony in my choice of topic," the author states. "While I was writing this book, my husband contracted MRSA in an incision wound while having a biopsy at our local hospital...He died in May 2004 from a twenty-first-century killer bacterium while I was writing about one that was killing people 150 years ago." Very sad.

This book is well-worth your time as a well-researched and documented study of the hunt for the cause of cholera.

Unusual subject matter but your write-up makes me very curious, it sounds really good.

110: KiwiNyx: I think you might like The Strange Case, etc. I've always been interested in how the micro- (bacteria, for example) and macro- (humans) get along.



27. Walking Dead, Volume 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman

I'm not one for graphic novels (usually), but I got hooked on the Walking Dead television series, and so I'm planning to read the books that the series was based on.

I really liked this first volume--it's intelligent and well-written, and the drawing is great.

I haven't been able to watch The Walking Dead yet but as soon as it comes out on netflix I will! It's good to hear you enjoyed the graphic novel. I've just recently gotten into reading them, so I'll have to see if I can track that one down.

Hi, kittybee! I think the Walking Dead books are popular at public libraries (my home system has all of the volumes--and there's 13 of 'em, I think). I hope you like them!



28. Toad Triumphant by William Horwood

Lovely sequel to The Willows in Winter, which was in turn a sequel to the original The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Written in a kind of sweet, old-fashioned prose, with two river journies of very different types. A lot of father/son plot elements. This book was a nice respite for me from the zombies and end-of-civilization of The Walking Dead!



29. Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess by Matthew Paul Turner

I really enjoyed this book, a story of growing up in a fundamentalist Baptist church. I grew up in a very similar environment, so I recognized a lot of what Turner described. It's a mixture of some very funny passages, some quite sad background, with a hopeful and happy ending. I will definitely look for more by this author.

Here are a few of my favorite passages from the book:

The Sunday school class is asked if they know who their worst enemy is.

Of course, we knew who our worst enemy was. We were Baptists, not Lutherans. That information had been indoctrinated into us as fetuses. Most of us came out of the birth canal already feeling passive-aggressive toward Satan.

(It turns out that the answer their teacher wanted was, themselves! They were their own worst enemy.)

And here's a description of a hot summer day:

I met Tuck in the middle of a cornfield on a day that felt like God was giving us a taste of what hell might be like if he installed a humidifier.

Don't you feel exactly what the author means?!

Younggeekylibrarian recommended this book--thanks, thou young and geeky! (But I bet you aren't very geeky!)

#109 That's such a sad story about Sandra Hempel's husband.

#113 Churched sounds interesting Karen but sadly not available at any of my local libraries.

Hi, souloftherose--

I have been using interlibrary loan like crazy--and that's the only place I could get Churched. You've reminded me to go look for other books by the author, though--thanks! And thank you for stopping by!

I really liked Churched when I read it a few years ago. He is a very funny guy!

Hi Karen. I fell behind on a bunch of threads lately during a bit of a book/life-funk, but I'm getting caught up now. I'm glad you liked the Sandra Hempel book. :)

Hi, kittybee! Hi, Stephen!

Ape, I'm glad to hear things are getting better for you. Spring is on its way!

You haven't steered me wrong yet with a book recommendation! I have The Cellist of Sarajevo revving up, ready to be read.

Thanks to you both for stopping by to chat!

I've got a few "small" books to note here. They are "small" only in that they didn't take any time at all to read.

The first I'm not even counting, because it was a kid's book, but a really nice new book:



Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama

Obama pays tribute to his daughters, and to a bunch of noted Americans. It's beautifully illustrated, nicely organized, and it really touched me.



30. Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling

I loved this collection of stories that explain things like, e.g., how the elephant got its trunk, or how the alphabet came into being. Kipling wrote the stories for his children, but their humor and beauty is a treat for children of all ages.

The copy I read was from the great Books of Wonder, and it was beautifully illustrated and well-made.



31. The Gallery of Regrettable Food by James Lileks

Lileks explains that he's long been a collector of those strange little cookbooks and pamphlets produced in the first part of the 20th century. This book showcases some of the best (i.e., worst) offending photographs and recipes. I laughed a lot while reading, and quite often groaned and swore off of food of any kind. A fun look at history and the food industry.

I would be so happy if you posted an example of an offending recipe! That book sounds fun.

Those books all look great. The Obama one sounds sweet and you've reminded me that I need to read the Just So stories. I was given a book similar to the Lileks one which has a collection of print ads from the 50's and the way they sold stuff back then was hilarious.

This kind of stuff: http://www.methodshop.com/picts/ads-1930s/index.shtml

#120, if you look up his Gallery of Regrettable Food online, you can see quite a bit of his oeuvre! It's scary, hilarious stuff.

Here is Lilek's online "gallery":

http://www.lileks.com/institute/gallery/index.html

It looks like there's a whole lot of interesting stuff on his home page.

32. The Walking Dead, Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman

33. The Walking Dead, Vol. 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman

These continue to be engrossing (no pun intended!), and well-done examples of graphic novels. Take this review with a grain of salt, because I'm not an expert by any stretch, but I am enjoying the series.

34. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

This is a reread for me (third time?) but I saw that Mike was reading it for his TIOLI challenge, and how could I resist?! It's pure entertainment, and was just the ticket for me in this sometimes-dreary winter.

32. The Walking Dead, Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman

33. The Walking Dead, Vol. 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman

These continue to be engrossing (no pun intended!), and well-done examples of graphic novels. Take this review with a grain of salt, because I'm not an expert by any stretch, but I am enjoying the series.



34. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

This is a reread for me (third time?) but I saw that Mike was reading it for his TIOLI challenge, and how could I resist?! It's pure entertainment, and was just the ticket for me in this sometimes-dreary winter.

I put The Gallery of Regrettable Food on my wishlist - I just love "special" cookbooks and sometimes buy them just for fun. I've got several from the 60s/70s, when 'exotic' (Italian, Hungarian, Greek, later also Japanese and Chinese) recipes came into fashion but the original ingredients were not available and simply substituted with whatever local stuff you could get that looked similar. You can imagine the results.
And I bookmarked the gallery web site - it's hilarious! Just the laugh I needed today!

Deern, I'm glad you put the Lileks book (and webpage!) on your wishlist. I'm sure you'll like the book when you get a chance to read it. And ain't it the truth about those food substitutions! I was almost grown before I realized that chow mein wasn't really supposed to have ground beef and cream of mushroom soup in it!

35. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy

I just loved this book. Mostly memoir, but in part a hymn to books and a life of reading. I must read more books by the author!

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

Great words, arranged with cunning and artistry, could change the perceived world for some readers. From the beginning I’ve searched out those writers unafraid to stir up the emotions, who entrust me with their darkest passions, their most indestructible yearnings, and their most soul-killing doubts. I trust the great novelists to teach me how to live, how to feel, how to love and hate. I trust them to show me the dangers I will encounter on the road as I stagger on my own troubled passage through a complicated life of books that try to teach me how to die. (pp.10-11)

Books are living things and their task lies in their vows of silence. You touch them as they quiver with a divine pleasure. You read them and they fall asleep to happy dreams for the next ten years. If you do them the favor of understanding them, of taking in their portions of grief and wisdom, then they settle down in contented residence in your heart. (p. 111)

The most powerful words in English are “tell me a story,” words that are intimately related to the complexity of history, the origins of language, the continuity of the species, the taproot of our humanity, our singularity, and art itself. (p. 303)

In a reading life, one things leads to another in a circle of accident and chance. (p. 326)



36. Cruel Shoes by Steve Martin

I read this for TIOLI--it was on the NYT bestseller list when I turned 21. It is quite absurd, sometimes funny, often sweet. I have always been a fan of Steve Martin, and I certainly remember this book from back then. It's a fun read, but it's quite silly.

37. Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates

Very moving and intelligent. The author tells us about an ill-fated car trip, and the two people in the car--one, a young woman, politically aware, and the other, an older, womanizing, unnamed senator.

The story reads like a nightmare, one of those that seem to rewind and "play" again and again in your mind. The writing is top-notch, sleek and elegant, with not a word wasted.

Wow....great reads here. You've hit my guilty button. I too love Steve Martin, and have his latest one Object of Beauty sitting here staring at me (it was my 75 Secret Santa christmas gift), and I desparately want to read it. I must put a neon sign on it that will scream 'pick me pick me' whenever I go past it.

And.............although I recently finished JCO's moving memoir A Widow's Story, I've never read anything in her huge body of work. Black Water sounds like it might be a good place to start.

Oh my... The Gallery of Regrettable Food looks most excellent! I bought a book for my sis a few years back that was similar except it was of regrettable knitting patterns - The Museum of Kitschy Stiches: A Gallery of Notorious Knits. I just requested Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone By from the library and am excited to read it. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the series!

Great review of Black Water, I love your line 'not a word wasted'.

You've been busy reading some good books. :)

I started My Reading Life and then had to stop and switch over to another book for a group read. I've got to get back to it...I know I'm going to love it!

Wow, how nice to stop back and to see all of your friendly, helpful comments! Thank you all for stopping by!

I read another fantastic book--this one is the best book I've read in a long while (and that's saying something!)



38. True Grit by Charles Portis

I may have read this back a few decades, but I sure loved it with this read. I haven't seen either movie version yet, so I was coming to it with only an idea of what it was about.

The characters are terrific, the writing so pure and well-crafted. I'm really looking forward to reading more of Portis's books, and to finally seeing the new movie.

I've been looking forward to the movie but might make a detour for the book first, sounds too good to pass up.

Hi, KiwiNyx--I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie and seeing what the screenwriter did with the book. Personally, I'm glad that I read the book first (I usually find that to be true, I guess).

Nice to see you here!

I'll have to look for True Grit. I remember seeing the old movie a long, long time ago. Haven't seen the new one, but I've heard great things about it.

Are you rereading all of Harry Potter, or just Azkaban? I meant to treat myself to a reread of the whole series once I finished my student teaching, which I did in December. I just haven't found the right amount of quiet downtime I feel I need to properly enjoy it!

Before the last Harry Potter came out, I reread them all--thousands of pages!

Then, before the Deathly Hallows movie came out, I reread that book. Haven't seen the movie yet, so I'm excited to see the DVD.

So, reading Azkaban was kind of a one-up for me, and mainly because MikeBriggs was reading it in the TIOLI challenge.

My reread of the books was great--and I know that you'll really enjoy your reread. It's also good exercise for your arms, because those books are chunky!

39. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Read this collection of classic detective stories for TIOLI (it's also on the 1001 Books list). I don't think I've ever read all 12 stories before. There was something to enjoy in each one, but I had to space out the reading (too much of a good thing!)

If you haven't already seen it, I highly recommend the BBC/masterpiece mystery miniseries Sherlock. It is a modern retelling set in present day London and is fantastic!

The rain woke me up this morning around 2:00 am and I found just that on one of our PBS stations, unfortunately punctuated by pledge breaks.

I think the 'seasons' have three episodes each, right? #1 and #3 were both really excellent; #2 was a bit cheezy.

Hi Karen. I just finished the Sherlock Holmes collection yesterday, and wholeheartedly agree with the idea of too much of a good thing if they are read too closely together. Good to know its in the 1001 collection. I am very slowly making some progress in that group.

>140 Kittybee:: I just checked the DVR to make sure these had been recorded. Yes! I hope I can get to them soon. I also found some Miss Marple episodes from last summer! Thanks for the reminder.

Fantastic effort, is that the whole collection in one volume? That must be one big book.

140-143: Yes! I caught these the first time they were shown on Minnesota public TV. They were a lot of fun, and I have to say I was visualizing Sherlock and Dr. Watson as the actors who portrayed them in the series.

I will definitely be reading more of the Sherlock collection. I've got what is supposed to be the complete collection, and it's two big paperback tomes (with very thin paper!)

Donna828, did you read the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (12 stories)? I've previously read Hound of the Baskervilles but I think that's as much of Conan Doyle that I've read.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by to chat!

40. The Walking Dead: The Heart's Desire (Volume 4) by Robert Kirkman

The fourth episode in the graphic novel. I'm still liking this series a lot. The plot is nearly completely different from the plot of the television series. Things are looking really hopeless for the group of survivors of the zombie plague.



41. The Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L'Engle

I almost quit reading this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I almost quit because of one of the characters, a teenage femme fatale. In fact, whenever she would make a repeat appearance in the story, I would feel like flinging the book across the room!

But I think that my extreme reaction is due to the talent of L'Engle, and I found myself really enjoying the book and planning to look for more L'Engle books to read. This was a short, light read. It was written at the juvenile level, but had a pretty snappy espionage/thriller thing going.

42. Playing with Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book by Jason Thompson

I came across this book while working at the library. It intrigued me and outraged me, all at the same time.

There are, evidently, artists who use books as "found materials" in creating works of art. While these artists are definitely talented and creative, the destruction of books is something I have a hard time dealing with. I can't believe that, however worn or out-of-fashion a book may be, there isn't someone, somewhere, waiting to read that book. Some of the artists made a point of using phonebooks, or books with little use for reading (a book on Windows 95, say).

The book is split into three sections: the first gives an introduction to the tools and techniques; the second, a set of projects with detailed directions; and the third, a gallery of book art from 30+ artists.

I guess I could condone the use of books that were destined only to be thrown out for this kind of art; the upcycling of discarded items is a worthy goal. But in my mind (and even in the minds of some of the artists), books are a far different material than tin cans or glass: "Every time Lisa Kokin takes her craft knife to the tender page of a book, she sees her long-deceased grandfather's face before her. He is not happy. She is committing the Jewish equivalent of a mortal sin, and she feels guilty. So powerful is her drive to rearrange and justapose, however, that she (is) willing to risk the wrath of her ancestors to accomplish her mission." (Artist Profile: Lisa Kokin, from Playing with Books)

This was an interesting book, and the photography is wonderful.

Nice review of an interesting book!
--BJ

43. The Willows and Beyond by William Horwood

I actuallly finished this one yesterday, in time to include it in the March TIOLI.

The last of three books by Horwood that continue the story of the characters in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. I'm sad to see the series end, but I think Horwood did a wonderful job on the series and on the ending of things. Bittersweet and lovely.

Karen, I am not going to try and catch up, just follow you from this point forward :)

Stasia, I'm so glad to see you here! I've been waiting for April, trying to be patient, relying on your saying that you would be back to LT. I'm thrilled to see your post on my thread!

I've had some good reading this year--my favorite so far has been True Grit by Charles Portis. I'm looking forward to your Sunday post!

I just took a look at a book called The Timetables of History. It's a translation of a German work that lists events, developments, etc., all by time period, dividing them into categories (for example, "Daily Life"). It was mentioned in a Madeleine L'Engle book, and I had no idea it was a real thing. It's a huge book (like a phone directory). I think I have to get my own copy! I'm not counting it as a book read, because I just skimmed through. A little skimpy on non-Western and non-male history, but maybe that's to be expected.

I have The Timetables of History too. You are right - it is a huge book!

44. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This one started off slowly for me, but I was determined to stick with it because so many have raved about the series. I found the plot so reminiscent of TV shows like "Survivor" that it made me cringe. I didn't find all the plot elements in this dystopia believable, but I think it will make a great movie. I'm planning on reading the sequels, and I can't wait to find out what happens!

I loved that book, Karen! I am glad to see you enjoyed it as well. Unfortunately for me, the books went downhill from there. I hope that is not the case for you.

153: It's a pretty solid series, though opinion seems polarized on the last book. :) I hope you enjoy them all!

154: Stasia, that's not good, that the series goes downhill!

155: Mihess, I guess I'll take my chances! 8>)

I just made the mistake of reading the first LT review of the third book, and the author was writing spoiler after spoiler! Aarrgh! I read pretty fast, and had comprehended the first few lines in just a second or two, but I'm going to try to forget what my eyes saw. I'm sure I'll forget by the time I get the book from the library. I'm in position 40-something for the second book now. Maybe this year?

Thanks for stopping by and chatting, you two!

45. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Ooh, what a dark, gloomy, thriller! Even the old-fashioned language doesn't get in the way of enjoying this one. Classic look at the good and evil that exist side by side in each one of us. I think I'll reread this one around Halloween time--the book is very atmospheric.

I have been meaning to read that book forever. Nice review! Maybe I will read it in October, too!
--BJ

I think you'd like it, billiejean!



46. Incognegro: A Graphic Mystery by Mat Johnson

Paul Theroux, quoted on the cover of this book, has a great and terse review: "Ingenious, enlightening, and powerful." I certainly agree with that short and sweet description.

The main character, known to the newspapers by his byline, "Incognegro," travels the Deep South to investigate lynchings. He is a black man who is able to "pass" as white. The character is based on a real person, Walter White, the former head of the NAACP. The author started at that point and took this book into a full mystery plot.

The book is engrossing, the drawing is top notch. The book seems a real work of the heart for the author and the artist. It's also the fourth book of fiction for Mat Johnson, so I can include it in TIOLI!

Thanks to scvlad for his recommendation!

#157/159: Both of those are already in the BlackHole. One of these days I will actually get to them!

They both look very good and I'm pleased to read another great review of another classic. I will read them all one day.

47. Jeeves and the Tie That Binds by P.G. Wodehouse

I just love me my Wodehouse! I love the wordplay and the sweetness, the great humor and gentle silliness of the things. Christopher Buckley said, "It is impossible to be unhappy while reading the adventures of Jeeves and Wooster. And I've tried." I agree with that sentiment--I snicker all the way through the books. This is my third Jeeves and Wooster, and I think that there are a bushelful (well, maybe a few pecks, anyway), so I'm content.

I'm almost done with Angelology and this Wodehouse was a nice contrast with that dark and dismal tome.

I love that particular J&W; what a fine entry in the canon it is.

Hi, Cynara...I especially liked the depiction of the relationship between Bertie and his aunt Dahlia. It was sweet and very funny.

Do you have other favorites in the Jeeves and Wooster books? I have no rhyme or reason, other than grabbing any that come my way at the library where I work.

Thanks for stopping by and posting!

You are definitely inspiring me to find my Wodehouse books and reread the wonderful Jeeves.

Oh, so many favourites. Here are a few of which I'm particularly fond:

Jeeves and Wooster:
The Code of the Woosters
Bertie Wooster Sees it Through
Much Obliged, Jeeves

Jeeves and one of Wooster's friends, just hilarious:
The Return of Jeeves (I can't find the novel solo to touchstone it, but I read it in the collection after the link).

I don't know if you've tried any of the Blandings books, but these two are among my all-time favourite Wodehouse novels. There's a subtle poignancy in these two, despite how very funny they are:
Summer Lightning and Heavy Weather.

48. Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

I struggled a little getting through this book. It had an interesting plot and characters, but felt a little bogged down most of the way through. 'Til the end, where the plot wraps up very quickly and left me a little unsatisfied.

Still, it was a fun plot (which I won't get into because I'm really afraid of spoiling the read for anyone).

I did notice some cool techniques, like "layering"--putting an account from an angelologist of centuries ago within letters from one in the 1940s, in a kind of palimpsest of history. The motif of "generations" is used; and there are several underground locations.

I don't read a lot of supernaturally-themed books, and this one is quite memorable.

166: Thanks, Cynara! I will definitely be looking for your favorites. I've read only three of the Jeeves and Woosters (none that you had mentioned), and none of the Blandings--so I have some fun reading ahead of me!

There's no shortage, thank god. They had to pry the Underwood typewriter out of the old darling's hands, and he lived a good long life.

I second the Blandings recommendation! I need to do a reread of a Wodehouse soon!

Yay! Gally and Lord Emsworth and Aunt Julia and the Empress and the redoubtable Beach.

I have only read one Wodehouse to this point and cannot say I was particularly impressed. I am going to have to give him another try!

I hope you do, Stasia. The three I've read so far are very low-key, but I found them very entertaining. I've requested four that Cynara suggested from my library, although part of me wants to treat them like fine wine and "sip" at them. On the other hand, I think I would like a reread just as much.

49. Rashomon and Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa

I read this for a few different reasons: (1) this month's TIOLI Japan challenge, (2) the book is on the 1001 Books list, (3) I love reading folk stories (or modern stories based on folk stories).

This little book was a fine read--it's actually a collection of six short stories, and each one has a different style and feel to it.

50. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming

What a great book! This is a very pleasing mixture of love story, thriller, cozy mystery, ... And the characterizations are top-notch. I'm glad that I joined in the TIOLI "Preposition" challenge for this one. I'm also glad that I can bring this book back to the library because every time I look at it, I start singing the Christmas carol! Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful carol, but it's a real earworm (song that you can't get out of your head).

I'm definitely going to look for the next in the series...

OK, I'll bite. Which christmas carol? I know I'm missing something obvious here but I've not heard of a carol with the same title.

You haven't? Sorry...I had thought of adding the lyrics here, so thanks to you for prompting me:

In the Bleak Midwinter

Text: Christina G. Rossetti, 1830-1894
Music: Gustav Holst, 1874-1934
Tune: CRANHAM, Meter: Irr.

In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

This site is cool--you can hear the tune of the song--
http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh221.sht

51. Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg

I haven't read a lot of poetry, but I really liked this collection. A few of the verses were familiar; they are pretty well-known ("Chicago," with its "City of the Big Shoulders" line, for example). I was pleasantly surprised by the theme of social justice and concentration on working people, as well as by the verses dealing with the natural world. I read an ILL copy of the book from my local university, so I will be looking for my own copy. And, best yet, this was a TIOLI shared read!

Here are two of my favorites (it was hard to choose!).

FOG

The Fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

THEME IN YELLOW

I spot the hills
With yellow balls in autumn.
I light the prairie cornfields
Orange and tawny gold clusters
And I am called pumpkins.
On the last of October
When dusk is fallen
Children join hands
And circle around me
Singing ghost songs
And love to the harvest moon;
I am a jack-o'-lantern
With terrible teeth
And the children know
I am fooling.

I love that Fog poem, coming in on little cat feet, fantastic.

And nope, never heard of that carol, although now I'm discovering there are a whole lot more I've never heard of that seem popular. Another culture difference between countries and hemispheres perhaps?

In the Bleak Midwinter is one of my favorite Christmas carols and I also love the poem The Fog. I should look for that Carl Sandburg book. I enjoyed his poetry in school and would love to read more of it.

179: KiwiNyx, I'm sure that it is just just a regional thing. I bet there are carols that are very well-known in your neck of the woods (or neck of the world) that aren't known up here in the northern USA (Minnesota).

179 and 180: KiwiNyx and Kittybee: Isn't the fog poem so atmospheric? It's in a section of the book called "Handfuls"--also a very descriptive thing.

Thanks for stopping by and chatting!

Kittybee, harmonic convergence is in the air. I just posted on Brenzi (Bonnie's) thread that In the Bleak Midwinter is my favorite Christmas carol.

52. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Excellent, Gothic-ey mystery. This one has been on my list forever (well, since 2007) and I really had a difficult time putting it down (but I had to go to work, I guess).

Very well-written: I felt as if each word had been lovingly considered and chosen.

The Setterfield book was one I'd never have chosen if the book club hadn't picked it to read late last year. I'm so glad I did because I agree with you totally....It was a well-done book which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I love "The Fog" poem! I haven't read any of Carl Sandburg's work, so I'll have to check him out. It's been great seeing all the poetry everyone is reading.(The Thirteenth Tale is a great read too!)

I LOVED The Thirteenth Tale! Glad you did too...

#183 Karen, it feels like The Thirteenth Tale has been on my list forever too. Glad you enjoyed it!

Hi, tututhefirst, Tanglewood, BookAngel_a, and souloftherose! We could probably start a The Thirteenth Tale fan club (oh, wait, there probably already is one!). I'm going to have to go see if Setterfield has written anything else.



53. Spring Flowers, Spring Frost by Ismail Kadare

I read this one for the TIOLI "Spring" challenge, and also because it's a "1001 Books" book. As an aside, it is so helpful to have the "1001 Books" list when trying to find books to fill TIOLI challenges that involve titles! I have the list on an Excel spreadsheet, too, so searching for words is tres easy!

So, anyway, I'm glad to have read Spring Flowers, Spring Frost, but it's one of those books that you have to ponder, to consider, for a while before you come to any conclusions. The book is set in Albania a decade after the Communist regime fell. The book is basically about the clash between old and new, between life under dictatorship and life afterwards, full of confusion and shifting society. It's a love story, too, between the young protagonist and his girlfriend/model (he's a painter).

There is sadness, beauty, even some quite funny bits:

"Renaming the streets, that's another part of the muddle!" the head of music said to him. "Each time the town elects a different party, the first thing the new councillors do is change the street names. Right-wingers abolish names like 'The Three Martyrs' and put back the ancient sign invoking 'Our Immaculate Lady,' and the leftists, when they get back in power, do just the same, only in reverse."

I love the blurb from the cover: "It's a love story for the 'Albanian Spring,' which is still so unsettled that no one can be sure a late frost won't descend and damage the delicate flowers of freedom regained."

This wasn't an easy read, for there are layers and meanings that would take real study to uncover. But this is a book that will stay with me, and I'll be very likely to reread this little gem.

Karen

Your latest read sounds like a good one! I've been reading a lot of Russian history, primarily re. the revolution. I'm struck by the fact that people clammer for revolution (at times necessarily so) but the result and the government that takes over is not always the best option either.

54. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

I've always found David Sedaris to be a real laugh riot. My reaction to this book was no exception: I giggled, snorted, chuckled, and guffawed throughout the read.

Here's one sample from the book. The narrator is in college, and is having difficulty in selecting a major. Keep in mind that the time-frame for this essay is pre-history, thousands and thousands of years ago:

In truth, I had no idea what I wanted to study, so for the first few years I took everything that came my way. History was interesting, but I have no head for dates and tend to get my eras confused. I enjoyed pillaging and astrology, but the thing that ultimately stuck was comparative literature. There wasn't much of it to compare back then, no more than a handful of epic poems and one novel about a lady detective, but that's part of what I liked about it. The field was new and full of possibilities.

I just loved the "Author's Note" (what? you don't read them??):

The events described in these stories are realish. Certain characters have fictitious names and identifiying characteristics.

The book is mostly short essays about the author's life, loves, and travels. I was left feeling that I'd really like to be Sedaris's friend.

190: I LOVE David Sedaris. If ever you get a chance to see him read, do it! He drew a picture of a kangaroo in my copy of Naked - also a fantastic book.

Hi Karen! *Waves* It's been to long since I hit the post button here, so...umm...now I have! :)

That author sounds like a lot of fun.

Hi, keef ashan kitab waide heelooo methlish tamamn

#191: mihess, how cool is that?! I bet he would be great to see/hear read. I've read a few of his books now, and I really see his writing getting smoother, even funnier, or is that just me?

#192: Hi, Stephen! Thank you so much for stopping in. I know you keep so busy with microbial and zombie threats. Your thread is one of the first I go to read--I usually get lots of laughs. See you around!

#193: KiwiNyx, I find Sedaris just hysterically funny! At the same time, he's got a sweetness about him, self-defacing, generous. A nice mix in an author!

#194 krestaaalh, "hi" yourself, and thanks for stopping by. I'm not sure what you were saying, though--what language is this? I could find a translator.

Thanks to you all, I just love getting comments on my thread!

55. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Giorgio Bassani

I read this book both for the "1001 Books" challenge, and for the April TIOLI "Garden" challenge. Unfortunately, I didn't finish the book until today, so it doesn't count for TIOLI. Oh, well, maybe it will fit in one of the May challenges.

The import of this book just kind of snuck up on me--it proceeds along as a memoir of life of members of the Jewish community in Ferrara, Italy in the years preceding WWII. The main plot is a love story between the narrator and Micol, a member of the Finzi-Contini family.

But all along there are reminders that it is a very troubling time to be Jewish in Italy--"racial laws" are passed, Jewish people are expelled from social clubs, from libraries, and have limitations and strictures placed on them.

The book is a powerfully moving story, very evocative of the times, with excellent characterizations.

Basanni quotes I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni before the Foreword:

Of course, the heart always has something to say, for one who knows how to hear it. But what does the heart know? At most, a bit about what is already past.

(Micol, the girl that the narrator loves, is philosophical about how material things pass away):

Just look at that little canoe instead, and please admire the honesty, dignity, and moral courage with which it's managed to draw all the right conclusions from its own complete loss of function. Things die,too, you know. And so, if they too have to die, well there it is, it's so much better to let them go.

Hi Karen, I haven't heard of The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. I should probably take a closer look at my copy of 1001 Books To Read Before You Die to see if there are any other gems I'm overlooking. This one looks like something I need to read.

Thank you for posting the words to "In the Bleak Midwinter." For some reason we don't sing this one in the Methodist Church but it was a staple in the Lutheran Church I attended when I lived in Michigan as a teen. I'd forgotten the beauty of the words. I also have that book on my wish list!

Hi, Donna828!

Something I just found out about "In the Bleak Midwinter"--the composer of the music was Gustav Holst, who also wrote "The Planets," an orchestral work I just love.

And I'm currently reading the second book by the author of "In the Bleak Midwinter" (Julia Spencer-Fleming)--it's called "A Fountain Filled with Blood." I think one would have to have been raised fundamentalist Baptist to know that song (I was!)

Thanks for stopping by and posting! Good reading to you!

That is so interesting, Karen, both about the composer and the second book. I'll have to ask my husband, the ex-Southern Baptist, if they sang Fountain Filled with Blood. He complains all the time about not being familiar with Methodist hymns...and he's been a Methodist as long as I have - 30+ years!

Oh, I 'stop in' regularly! I just don't hit the post button very often, for some reason. The same is true for many threads... I set the talk page thingy to "my posts" so if I've posted on a thread I read it every time there's a new post...but I don't make posts myself on many of them, unfortunately. :(

Donna828, that particular hymn is pretty gruesome with its images. I know what the songwriter (William Cowper) was trying to convey, but it's still pretty gross!

Stephen, There are SO many threads and posts out there! I had lost Stasia's (alcottacre's) thread, and by the time I caught up, I was behind by two whole threads.

I'm like you--I try to keep up with the "my post" group, and then try to read others as time allows. I sure enjoy reading the threads (and yours, as I've said, is one of my faves!)

This thread is getting a little clunky (I do incorporate a lot of pictures) so I'm moving on to my second thread for the year. Please come with me to http://www.librarything.com/topic/115663

Hope to see you there!