This group looks like a good fit for me. I enjoy hearing about what other people are reading. Thanks to kambrogi for pointing me in the right direction.
I have read 19 books in the first quarter of 2008. I'll go ahead and list them so I can be up-to-date with everyone else. I have been writing reviews on my profile page if anyone cares to read them. Here goes -- and sorry for the long post:

1. Lady Susan by Jane Austen
2. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
3. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks*
4. The Giver - Lois Lowry
5. As We Are Now - May Sarton
6. Run - Ann Patchett
7. Out Stealing Horses - Per Petterson*
8. Sitting Practice - Caroline Adderson (ARC)
9. Gardens of Water - Alan Drew (ARC)
10. The Air We Breathe - Andrea Barrett
11. The Maytrees - Annie Dillard*
12. Persuasion - Jane Austen
13. The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
14. Gifted - Nikita Lalwani
15. A Dangerous Age - Ellen Gilchrist (ARC)
16. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (This one took 2 months!)
17. Life and Times of Michael K - J.M. Coetzee
18. Mister Pip - Lloyd Jones
19. Red River - Lalita Tademy

* Favorites, so far

Whew! Now I'm off to start another Jane Austen book. ~Donna~

Message edited by its author, Jun 16, 2008, 10:34pm.

Hi, Donna! I'll be watching your list.

Thanks, Michelle. I stay busy trying to keep up with your blog, LT, BookAwards on Yahoo Groups, and now this group. Its a wonder we find time to read. I have found it fascinating to read some of these threads and see what people are reading. Almost finished with Northanger Abbey.

#20. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

This is the third Jane Austen book I've read this year. I am also enjoying the Austen adaptations on Masterpiece after reading the book. Northanger Abbey was delightful. The actress portraying Catherine did a wonderful job capturing her innocence, and the playful Mr. Tilney was just as I had pictured him in the book.

I've decided to post a quote from each book I read -- to give an example of the author's writing style and a suggestion of what the book is about.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."...delivered by Tilney in a teasing manner to Catherine when questioned about his reading habits.

#4: I like your quote idea! I recently read Northanger Abbey, too, and I remember the quote--it's a good one.

Message edited by its author, Apr 4, 2008, 5:21pm.

Congratulations on finishing War and Peace, what an accomplishment!

Its great to get some feedback!

#5: I think one of the reasons I like Northanger Abbey was its emphasis on reading, even if it did kind of poke fun of the gothic novels of the time. I believe reading for escape and intrigue is as significant as reading for information. Let's just read!

I meant to include this in the above message. I'm new at this.

#6: Thank you, Rarcar, for your pat on the back. War and Peace is only unnerving in its length. I found it to be highly readable and, for the most part, enjoyable. I find myself thinking about parts of it more often than I do the average book I read.

#21. A Free Life by Ha Jin

...work, work, work...write a poem...work, work...long for the old girlfriend...work, work. You get the idea. Actually, I like this author and I liked the book (rated 3.5/5), but just wanted to make the point that it's a bit on the slow side. But the man can write:

"The language was like a body of water in which he had to learn how to swim and breathe...if he didn't try hard to adapt himself, developing new 'lungs and gills' for this alien water, his life would be confined and atrophied, and eventually wither away." (Page 192)

Keep in mind that Ha Jin's native language is Chinese!

Edited for typo and to cancel boldface type.

Message edited by its author, Apr 8, 2008, 3:21pm.

I love the quote idea, would you mind if I steal it for my thread?

Go for it, marvas. It's a lot easier than writing Haikus!

#22. Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat

This memoir was a powerful tribute to the two most influential people in the author's life--her father and her uncle. Its a book about tough choices. Her parents left two children behind in Haiti with relatives to emigrate to the U.S. Danticat is a great storyteller, and she doesn't play the sympathy card; however, I might have liked a little more passion in the telling of this passionate family history.

Her uncle's observation when his school/church compound was overrun by insurgents in Haiti:

"Suddenly he understood the true workings of a mob--one infuriated body morphing into another until they all became limbs of one raging monster."

Book #23. The Master by Colm Toibin

Wow! I'm amazed that I liked this book so well despite my glaring void in my reading history of Henry James. However, I do enjoy well-written and well-researched character studies, especially when they get into the head and heart of a great author...who I will definitely be reading in the near future. I'd welcome suggestions of which James novel to begin with.

I had trouble narrowing my favorite quotes down to two...one near the beginning and the second towards the end of The Master. Touchstone is not cooperating.

"When sorrows and fears and terrors came to him in the time after he woke, or in the night, they were like servants come to light a lamp or take away a tray. Carefully trained over years, they would soon disappear of their own accord, knowing not to linger."

"...each book he had written, each scene described or character created, had become an aspect of him, had entered into his driven spirit and lay there much as the years themselves had done."

http://www.librarything.com/review/29544...

Message edited by its author, Apr 23, 2008, 8:21pm.

Book #24. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Two books for the price of one! The main story is the straightforward behind-the-scenes scrutiny of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. Much detail about the time constraints, engineering problems, etc. bordering on tedium, saved only by the inclusion of the character vignettes that Larson excels in. And then, there is the strange story of the charming psychopath preying on young women alone in the city for the first time. Chilling!

I'm not fond of the juxtaposition of the two stories. The only connection between them was the location and timing of the World's Fair. Seemed like kind of a cheap shot to "tack on" a thriller to sell a perfectly fine historical depiction. Having said that, I did rate it a 4/5...because I liked both narratives...just not side-by-side.

"'I was born with the devil in me,' he wrote. 'I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing.'"

I live in Chicago and took the architectural tour for Devil in the White City and was so disappointed. Many of the buildings are gone and what is left I am very familiar with. His building/hotel is gone.

Have you read his second book Thunderstruck? I enjoyed this much better than Devil in the White City. Maybe I was used to his style.

Thanks, Erin, for the recommendation. Our library book sale is next week, and I'll add Thunderstruck to my lengthy list of books to look for. I also liked Isaac's Storm by Larson. How sad that the White City is no longer intact, but I think it's a good thing that Holmes' hotel is gone.

Great thread, Donna828! You have read a lot that I have either read or have in my TBR pile, I see. I also liked Erik Larson's Isaac's Storm. I found it riveting. I've had his Devil in the White City in my MRS (Must Read Soon) pile for a while ... hope I am not disappointed.

Love the quotations. I always want to do that, but lack the discipline! Also, books I am reading are upstairs, and the computer is downstairs -- lazy, too! :-)

Message edited by its author, Apr 24, 2008, 11:01am.

Thanks for your reviews Donna, and the quotes. The Master is a favourite of mine.

Thank you for checking out my thread, kambroqi and amandameale. Its good to know I'm not alone out here in cyberspace.

Book #25. Three Girls and Their Brother by Theresa Rebeck.

I feel like I've had another bad blind date with an Advanced Reader's Edition. And this is a book that people seem to be liking for the most part. In this book, three gorgeous sisters grapple with sudden fame and each other. This sounded like an interesting premise to me.

However, I soon encountered a serious problem with the mother. She's an ex-beauty queen with more ambition for her daughters than parenting skills.
She ignores their foul language, condones their underage drinking, and turns a blind eye to the sexual abuse of her youngest daughter. For the most part, these icons of beauty show no real heart. Not exactly the fun book I was anticipating. Oh well, we can't always fall in love with our blind dates!

To the author's credit, there was some engaging writing:

"It was really pretty bizarre--Mom would say something and it would sound like we were all going to Disneyland, and then Daria would repeat it, and it would sound like we were being invaded by Iraq."

and, more typical, but kinda funny...

"I swear to God, I had no idea at the time how anybody was pulling if off, but those actors were really good. And I sucked. I mean, I sucked, and then I sucked some more, and then because I knew how bad I sucked? I sucked even worse."

Full review on my Profile Page.

Found your thread by reading kambrogi's thread (love how this site works!) So now I've starred you so I can visit regularly. I think the quotes are such a good idea, I may start doing that too.

Welcome, laytonwoman...I've enjoyed reading your thread as well.

Just finished Book #26...Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris

"Regard. In English it implies respect and admiration. In French it simply means 'a look.' That--to be seen--is all I ever wanted."
(Pg. 279)

My rather short review is on my profile page.

Message edited by its author, Apr 28, 2008, 12:29pm.

27. The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari

Hari writes in an honest candid manner that contrasts with the brutality of genocide. So much has been written about this book on LT that I don't have much to add; besides, it left me rather speechless. I'll let these quotes give an inkling of the writer's style and urge everyone to read this important eye-opening book.

"Babies are usually not named in Darfur until several days or even weeks after they are born, because so many babies die here without doctors or medicine. Those who do not live are considered birds of passage who did not want to stay."

"The women of Africa, as the world knows, have a genius for color, and they decorated this place with themselves, as they always do. The bold colors they had put away before the attacks were now waving from their lean bodies with defiance--the flags of resilient life."

The second quote reminded me of the "beauty for ashes" verse in Isaiah 61.

Donna, this looks very good; I have already got it on my wishlist. I lived in an African village once, and remember how the babies were named so late. Baby showers were never given ahead of time, either. While I was there, a friend lost an infant, and it was a terrible, heartrending event. I could understand that the less investment, the better.

Donna, I'm watching your progress and enjoying reading your reviews. Great list!

Oh yes, you should definitely read this book, kambrogi. With your experiences, it would definitely resonate with you. I'd be interested to read your comments about it.

Thank you, teelgee, for your encouragement. I do try to read a variety of things and really appreciate all the good recommendations I've gotten from LT members. My reading life is richer now that I can network about books.

Yes, I feel the same about LT - I'm reading books I never would have read. And learning sooo much too.

28. Lottery by Patricia Wood

I loved the movie Forest Gump, and this is the book version. Enjoyable, though predictable, read. It will leave you feeling good down to your toes! The perfect antidote to some of the gloomier books I've been reading.

"People like me and they don't even know me at all...It is complicated. That means your feelings have many parts to them." (Pg. 150)

This was my bookclub selection last month and the first book I did not finish. I'll have to go back to it. It wasn't so much the book as it was I knew I wouldn't make the meeting and something else looked better at the time!

Hey, Erin. I'm not saying Lottery was a great book...only that it makes you feel good. I rated it 3.5/5. I thought the characters were pretty one-dimensional and Perry's repetitous speech and his gullibility sort of got on my nerves towards the end. It is a quick read and, like I said, a real upper.

Book #29. The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss

Omigosh...I felt like I was 12 years old again and lost in a book about the waning days of the Old West with a strong but tenderhearted young girl striking out on her own and changing her world. And there is even an old-fashioned courtship to boot! I'm not being satirical....this is the kind of book that made me love to read. I learned a lot about horses in the book but even more about people. The Hearts of Horses is all heart.

In keeping with my tradition, here is a sample of Molly Gloss's lyrical writing.

"When she was out of earshot of the ranch Martha began to talk to the brown horse in a low steady voice, telling him everything they would be doing together in the next days and weeks, and she told him she was sorry he'd been thrown and bull-dogged but he shouldn't take it as a sign of what to expect, and she told him she thought Henry Frazer was someone who wouldn't hurt a horse unnecessarily. The rain had pretty much come to an end by then, and they rode in a cold gray dusk, the horse's ears flicking sideward to catch every word she said."(Pg. 98)

...and...

"The weather turned colder, the ground frozen so hard it rang under the horses' feet. The sky on Christmas Day was Chinese blue, brindled with long streaks of dry cloud." (Pg. 135)

#30. Another winner...The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich

After this book "settles in" with me, it may very well be one of my favorite Erdrich books. Her usual combination of interwoven stories and tangled family bloodlines that with perseverance begin to straighten out and make sense in a wonderful way. She has the lyrical writing style of one of the Annies...Dillard or Proulx...take your pick... combined with a wonderful gift of storytelling. This is only my second 5-star rated book this year.

Two of my favorite quotes (although I'd like to reproduce the entire book!):

"When we are young the words are scattered all around us. As they are assembled by experience, so also are we, sentence by sentence until the story takes shape."

"The wind came off the dense-grassed slough, smelling like wet hair, and the hot ditch grass reached for it, butter yellow, its life concentrated in its fiber mat, each stalk so dry it gave off a puff of smoke when snapped. Grasshoppers sprang from each step, tripped off my arms, legs, eyebrows...I sat there and continued to watch the sky as, out of nowhere, great solid-looking clouds built hot stacks and cotton cones. I was sixteen years old."

Review here

Message edited by its author, May 15, 2008, 10:46pm.

Donna, I love Erdrich -- I was so excited to see she had another book out! I will definitely read it in the next couple of months!

31. The Gathering by Anne Enright

It won last year's Booker Prize, but it won't win a recommendation from me...unless you enjoy endless recountings of bitter memories of family wounds. I do think the writing was superb with a haunting style; I just found the themes too depressing. This is definitely one of those love/hate books. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood to read about sibling suicide and repressed memories of real or imagined family secrets.

"Children were being chucked out all over Dublin. All our parents were mad in those days. There was something about just the smell of us growing up that drove them completely insane." (Pg. 96)

32. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

This was a fast-paced and informative book about the Sarajevo Haggadah which is a very real medieval manuscript and its fictionalized past history. Brooks has undertaken and excelled in this historical novel. The only drawback was the somewhat "cheesy" ending. Rated 4 stars out of 5.

See my review here

Almost forgot my trademark quote:
"I wanted this essay to be different. I wanted to give a sense of the people of the book, the different hands that had made it, used it, protected it. I wanted it to be a gripping narrative, even suspenseful."

Hanna, the book conservator protaganist, is talking here...but I believe these could very well be the thoughts of Brooks herself in bringing this remarkable story to life.

Message edited by its author, May 26, 2008, 4:18pm.

33. The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton, a fellow Library Thinger was a fast, fun, and surprisingly deep book. Set in California in the late 60's and early 70's, five young women meet in the park and decide to form a writing group. As they share their innermost thoughts in their stories and journals, they form the close bond of sisterhood with its ups and downs. Meg is a participant on various LT Talk threads, and I wish her great success with this book.

The literary references were abundant. I think I have a few more books to add to the TBR monster! This is one of my favorite examples:

" 'Between grief and nothing, I will take grief,' " Brett said. "William Faulkner."

"Between William Faulkner and nothing, I will take nothing," Linda said. "Do you have to be from the South to understand him?"

"God took special pains creating the South," Kath said.

"And Faulkner wants to inflict that pain on the rest of us?"

...I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Linda on that exchange.

Message edited by its author, May 30, 2008, 9:52pm.

Shame, shame, Donna. This Linda loves Faulkner, and is offended by the use of my name in such a context. Wait 'til I march over to Clayton's profile and give her a piece of my mind!! *grin*

Hey, LTW3...I knew I would rattle somebody's cage with that particular quote. I doubt that there are too many readers who are lukewarm about Faulkner. Maybe he's an acquired taste?

Donna, you rattled my cage a lot with your recent readings. I have added three of the last four to my wish list! I am a big fan of Erdrich, and so that was an easy choice. I am holding off on The Gathering, although perhaps I would like it -- sometimes I love depressing books, and other times they upset me so much that I can't finish them. Did you read Fall on Your Knees? I loved that, and it sounds a bit similar. I am interested in The Wednesday Sisters, although it seems rather "California," like The Jane Austen Book Club, and I am a huge, huge Faulkner fan. If it weren't for Toni Morrison, he would be my #1 favorite! Perhaps he is not for everyone, but I would think you would like him if you like Erdrich -- maybe you haven't read the right one yet?

Message edited by its author, Jun 3, 2008, 8:15am.

I'm definitely still open to reading Faulkner. I liked As I Lay Dying, but got bogged down with the circuitous writing in The Sound and the Fury. I did write in my journal that one critic stated that reading Faulkner is the difference between literature and fiction. I'm thinking of reading Light in August in August unless I get a better suggestion from the Faulknerites on LT. That is one of the great things about this community. We can share our views without feeling criticized. And I am always open to persuasion. :-)

I think Absolam, Absalom! is his best book, although my personal favorite is The Sound and the Fury. Some people would suggest sticking with his short fiction, if you want something less circuitous. I had trouble with As I Lay Dying, as I find this sort of thing less funny than intended. So maybe our tastes in this regard are different! I am sure laytonwoman3rd will have something to suggest.

-- sorry first touchstone is not loading ...

Message edited by its author, Jun 3, 2008, 9:57am.

#34. The Secret River by Kate Grenville is a well-written work of historical fiction. It is filled with the brutality of colonizing New South Wales using the labor of convicts transported from England. I can almost understand why they would be overworked and mistreated, but it was inconceivable to me to read about how those same men could turn around after their emancipation and brutalize their fellow countrymen to the same extent. And the treatment of the natives was reprehensible. History repeats itself over and over.

Will Thornhill had a very human reaction to his freedom and improved lot in life: "For himself he bought a pair of boots, the first he had ever owned. When he put them on, he understood why gentry looked different. Partly it was having money in the bank, but it was also your boots telling you how to walk."

It is true, unfortunately, that people often imitate their oppressors, when they are in a position to do so. Very unfortunate, but it is surely to some extent about modeled behavior. One theory about the disastrous regimes in Africa is that leaders simply imitated the excesses of their colonial masters, and each African leader then provided a poor model for the next.

Donna, I agree with kambrogi that Absalom, Absalom may be Faulkner's greatest achievement. I've spouted off on this subject so many times on LT that I must apologize for repeating myself, but if you want to enjoy his work, I suggest you do not begin with the books usually tagged as his masterpieces. Unless you're pre-disposed to love him, it's best to work up to the more difficult stuff by reading The Hamlet, The Unvanquished, or some of the short fiction. And As I Lay Dying has never been one of my favorites. I think it's often used as an introduction because it's relatively short, and not quite as obtuse as some. I don't think it's the best one to draw a reader into his world, though.

A little bigger piece of my mind in my review of Absalom, Absalom

Message edited by its author, Jun 5, 2008, 8:59pm.

Well said, LTW3 (love your new nickname). I concur. Btw, your review is not there. You need to click the paper clip icon under your review and then use the url of the page that pops up next.

Message edited by its author, Jun 5, 2008, 12:03pm.

Pretty sure I did that. Let me try again.

ETA: There, I think it's fixed. You'll let me know, I'll bet!
ETA: Crikey. It took four tries! There must be ripples in the force...

Message edited by its author, Jun 5, 2008, 9:00pm.

Brilliant advice from both my Faulkner mentors, and I thank you both, kambrogi and laytonwoman3rd. I hear you saying that Faulkner is an acquired taste, and its best to begin with smaller doses and work up to his masterpieces. I clearly wasn't ready for The Sound and the Fury when I read it several years ago.

I discovered an interesting group called "Deep South" with much the same suggestions about taking baby steps with Faulkner. Someone also recommended The Hamlet. Other suggestions were The Reivers and Selected Short Stories. I'll be sure to take a look at these next time I'm on a book buying spree.

And to think this all started with a humorous (to me) quote from The Wednesday Sisters. :-)

#35. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

I only have one more Austen to read (Emma) to complete my goal to read all of her books. I love her writing, though I seem to be reading the same story of thwarted love over and over. Sometimes I want to just shake those silly little English girls and tell them to get a life. I guess landing the "perfect" husband was their life in those days.

Fanny Price underwent a transformation at her aunt and uncle's estate. When she arrived at the age of 10, she was "small of her age, with no glow of complexion, nor any other striking beauty; exceedingly timid and shy and shrinking from notice." Her gentle spirit did not change; she created for herself a sense of belonging through her courteous listening and by making herself useful. By the age of 18 she had blossomed into a "decided beauty," attracting the unwanted attention of Henry Crawford. She retained her gentle nature along with her steadfast love for Edmund. My kind of girl...just wish she had made a different choice.

I set out to read Austen, too, but saw they should be spaced well, so they would feel comfortably familiar, not repetitive. I have enjoyed them, but have only read two, so far. Emma is next for me, too.

Where is our quotation for that one? :-)

LOL, kambrogi. I sort of cheated and threw in a short quote as part of Fanny's description in the second paragraph. I think I'm getting lazy with the heat and humidity of summer in Missouri.

#36. Songs Without Words by Ann Packer

Sometimes a friendship, especially a longstanding one such as experienced by Sarabeth and Liz, can be of help in the aftermath of suicide with all of its guilt and second-guessing. How can we ever know the pain that is inside another and how it weakens one's resolve to live with an ever-darkening cloud of despair? But, as Packer so poignantly portrays in her psychological probing, we are ultimately alone to work out the wreckage left behind.

If you want to know what not to do when your best friend is going through a life-changing traumatic event, read this book. Even though it wasn't particularly well-written, it had a good message about unresolved grief and its companion, depression.

"She recalled a time when she almost always had music playing, but that was long ago. What would it be like to have the kind of terrible, wasting disease where your mind was entirely intact but you couldn't move or speak? She felt a little like that now, as if somewhere inside her there might be an urge to hear music, but that she lacked the means to bring that urge forward, to feel it.(Pg. 239)

37. The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine

I'm not sure how to classify this book. I received it through the Early Reviewers program, but it's the "real deal"...it was actually released in late April. Kind of strange although it doesn't affect my review.

It's a pleasant book of small-town life in NYC. Schine creates a sense of neighborliness centering around the dog walkers in the upper west side near Central Park. Her writing reminds me a little bit of Anne Tyler as she brings life to her characters and injects a sense of playfulness in even grave situations. Recommended for dog lovers.

Everett was portrayed as an aloof and somewhat cold character until Howdy worked his magic...
"Everett experienced an unfamiliar sensation. He looked into the dog's eyes, and he was suddenly, intensely aware of the room around him, of the soft order of his furnishings and his life, of the soft order outside where day was giving way to night, of the TV sounds and the cold wet of the martini glass, of the smudgy feel of newsprint on his fingers, but mostly he was aware of joy--the wild, clattering joy of being alive. 'Howdy,' he whispered." (Page 191)

Great thread Donna. I'm loving your books and comments.

#38. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Much has already been written about this story of the consequences of allowing society to dictate your future rather than following your heart. I wasn't expecting the quiet humor as Wharton gently pokes fun at the blatant snobbery of late 19th century New Yorkers. One of my favorite classics.

It was impossible to make the confession more dispassionately, or in a tone less encouraging to the vanity of he person addressed. Archer reddened to the temples, but dared not move or speak: it was as if her words had been some rare butterfly that the least motion might drive off on startled wings, but that might gather a flock about if if it were left undisturbed. (Chapter 24)

Thank you amandmeale for visiting.

#39. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

I'm suffering from book grief. I've finished this remarkable debut novel, and have (temporarily) lost my desire to read because I'm afraid my next book won't measure up to E.S. I think its rare to find such fine writing combined with a really good story in a first book. Somebody else hurry up and read this book so I can have somebody to discuss it with.

It's not a prerequisite, however, it helps if you are a dog lover to fully appreciate such passages as the following:

Places, times, weather--all these drew him up inside her. Rain, especially, falling past the double doors of the kennel, where he'd waited through so many storms, each drop throwing a dozen replicas into the air as it struck the waterlogged earth. And where the rising and falling water met, something like an expectation formed, a place where he might appear and pass in long strides, silent and gestureless. (Page 194...feelings of a grieving dog)

Donna, I just found your challenge thread and so I feel compelled to add my two cents to conversations that occurred months ago - feel free to ignore! :-)

I'm adding The Master to my TBR. I love Henry James, and I had no idea this book even existed! So thank you. If you are new to James, I'd start with his earlier work, which is more readable (his sentence structure later on is just completely insane, and he never ever gets to the point, but he's still wonderful. It's just harder. For me, at least.) Do not read The Ambassadors first, but you should read it eventually.

Oh, God, Faulkner. I love him, too (a trend - I like really long sentences, apparently) and second the advice further upthread to start with the Snopes trilogy. The Sound and the Fury is one of my favorite books ever, and is so worth it. I found it a lot easier to read parts 3 & 4, get an idea of who the characters are and whatnot, and then go back to 1 & 2.

Ok. I'll stop hijacking your tread now. It's a great challenge thread, by the way. I really like your reviews and the quotes.

Hi Jennifer...I just checked out your thread as well and found some similarities in our reading. I really want to get into reading more of the classics that I missed in my earlier years. You can be my role model in that regard. :-) Also, we are fellow Missourians...I live in Springfield.

Just wanted to let you know that I was excited to hear that Marilynne Robinson is supposed to be coming out with a new book this fall. I waited 24 years between Housekeeping and Gilead so this 4-year interval seems like a dream come true. Her books would definitely be in that group I would save in a fire!

Stop by and visit anytime.

I just jumped up and down. Really? REALLY? Where did you hear this? I was so afraid I'd have to wait decades after Gilead!

Are you in on the Finn read over in Missouri Readers?

I've put Edgar Sawtelle on my wish list, Donna. Thanks.

I hope you enjoy Edgar Sawtelle as much as I did, kambrogi.

As to M. Robinson's upcoming book, Jennifer. A friend of mine saw in Bookmarks magazine that Home is to be released this September. I think it's supposed to be a sequel to Gilead. I jumped for joy myself when I heard the news. And, yes, I plan to read Finn over the holiday week end and participate in the Missouri Readers' discussion. See you there!

Now, on to my most recent book:
#40. The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
My believability factor was stretched pretty thin by too many mystical creatures. I could take the sea monster (rather liked the old guy) or the friendly house ghosts, but not in combination. But that's just me and my uptight Virgo mind. I do think the author has potential and hope that she writes with a little more subdued creativity in her next book.

And the mother-of-the-year award goes to....Vi:
Willie I lied to you about having three fathers. You only have one, and he lives in Templeton, and he is a prominent citizen, and he has a family of his own. And I don't know if he knows you're alive. Well, I'm pretty sure he knows you're alive, but maybe not his part in...well, the making of you. (Page 41)

Hey Virgo -- takes one to know one! I'm quite a literal reader, though I love magical realism when done well. I think I'll take a pass on this one.

My birthday is August 28 and, yes, I do possess many of those Virgo traits. I'm quite glad to be an organized person, although I have been trying for many years to overcome my desire for perfection. Looking at the state of my house this morning, I'd say that I am succeeding.

I was interested in Monsters of Templeton but think I will pass on it for a while as well.

>61 :o) Me too! My Virgoness does not reflect in all parts of my life. If you saw my desk at work you'd never guess I was Virgo. I'm perfectly content with my own clutter - but not anyone else's!

#41. The Cloud Atlas by Liam Callanan...not to be confused with the David Mitchell book, which is languishing on my TBR pile...

I read this book mainly for the setting of Alaska in anticipation of my upcoming visit. The descriptions of flora, fauna, AND the northern lights were very well done, but I was fascinated to learn about the Japanese encroaching on the west coast with balloon warfare during WWII. Who knew? I really liked this well-crafted book and rated it 4 stars/5.

The title is attributed to Ronnie, a local shaman:

He had a theory that if you sat in one spot long enough, stared at the sky carefully and remembered all you'd seen, you would be the wisest man in the world. All the knowledge of the world was conained in the skies...He was going to write it all down one day, he swore, a book of amirlut, an atlas of clouds, and it would sell better than any bible. (Page 271)

Back from Alaska where I managed to read three wonderful books about that majestic state...mostly in airports and on airplanes.

#42. Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kantner. A coming-of-age story about a Caucasian young man who longs to be Eskimo. In his mind and actions, he is more native than the real thing. The clash between native culture and modern living is not a pretty sight. Gripping subject matter combined with excellent writing earned a 4.5 rating from me.

#43. One Man's Wilderness by Sam Keith. This is the Alaskan version of Walden. Not quite as philosophical, but thought-provoking nonetheless. Based on the journals of Richard Proenneke who built a cabin in a remote part of Alaska and lived to tell about it.

#44. Walking My Dog, Jane by Ned Rozell. Loved this travel memoir in the style of Peter Jenkins subtitled "from Valdez to Prudhoe Bay along the Transalaska Pipeline." The author and his Chocolate Lab Jane meet quirky people along the way, as well as more than a few bears and moose.

Sorry, no quotes this time....I'm still doing laundry!

#45. Finn by Jon Clinch. This was a total change-of-pace for me. From Alaska to the muddy waters of the Mississippi which provides Pap Finn with both his livelihood and a convenient cover-up for his heinous crime.

Clinch ambitiously creates a dark novel from the sketchy details of Pap Finn in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Finn--we are never told his first name--is one of the most unsavory and disturbed characters in literature. His only pleasure in life seems to be "40-rod" moonshine which provides a release of sorts from his wretched existence.

Pap Finn "drags a divisive trail of misery behind him as a mule drags a plow."

Alaska? Lucky! Did you do a cruise?

Alaska was wonderful. It was our first trip and we decided to see it by car this time. Flew into Anchorage, rented a car and drove for a week with lots of stops for hiking and taking pictures, etc. Next time, we'll make it easier on ourselves and do the cruise. Thanks for asking.

My mom really wants to do an Alaskan cruise so I am thinking of taking her for her 60th birthday which is in a few years. Glad you had a great trip!

Huh - my partner and I have talked about doing the exact same thing for my 60th in a few years!

Hmm...a book cruise in Alaska. Let me know when you girls are going, and I'll be glad to go back. :-)

#46. The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

One of my favorite kind of books...a slow introspective read with wonderful lyrical writing. It's a fictional account about a 100-year-old Irish woman who has spent most of her adult life wrongfully held in a mental institution.

I was hooked from the very beginning by this quote from her hidden journal:
I did not know that a person could hold up a wall made of imaginary bricks and mortar against the horrors and cruel, dark tricks of time that assail us, and be the author therefore of themselves.

I'm off to write a review while its still fresh, although this one will stay with me a long time.

Message edited by its author, Aug 9, 2008, 9:22am.

I breezed through these two books for groups at church. Both of them will lead to spirited discussions...sorry, couldn't resist the pun.

47. The Shack by William P. Young
A parent's worst nightmare and the mind-stretching experience that follows it. Many will be put off by the unconventional explanation of the trinity, but I tend to keep an open mind in matters of faith. Much to think about. ...Consider this, when all you can see is your pain, perhaps then you lose sight of Me.

48. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
Piper's "visit" to heaven plays only a bit role. More interesting to me was his pysical and spiritual recovery from his horrific accident.
I experienced more pain that I thought a human could endure and still live to tell about it. In spite of all that happened to me during those months of unrelenting pain, I still feel the reality of heaven far, far more than the suffering I endured.

Now it's on to the challenge of Bleak House.

Message edited by its author, Aug 9, 2008, 9:24am.

49. Bleak House by Charles Dickens

I finished this chunkster last evening just before the Olympics opening ceremonies. Cause for a double celebration. Bleak House was long but well worth the trip. Many quirky characters and much suffering along with the usual biting humor that Dickens does so well.

This is the Court of Chancery...which so exhausts finances, patience, courage, hope, so overthrows the brain and breaks the heart, that there is not an honourable man among its practitioners who would not give--who does not often give--the warning, 'Suffer any wrong that can be done you rather than come here!'

Edited to correct numbers. Hey, I'm one book away from the magic number of "50." Does that mean I get kicked off the island? I am right on track with last year's reading in which I read 72 books. My reading tanks in late fall when I get busy with holiday preparations and this year we have my son's wedding coming up in November. I'll be lucky to get the newspaper read during that time.

Message edited by its author, Aug 9, 2008, 9:30am.

Kicked off the island??? au contraire! You get bonus points now!! It's all gravy after 50.

Just a quick post to update my list.

50. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
A wonderful collection of short stories that I have been savoring for the past two months. I hated to read the last one, but then she does have a new collection out that I've heard good things about. (Rated 4/5)

51. Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate
This was a quick, predictible read perfect for our Colorado sojourn. I rather liked the homespun wisdom of the old lady--named Rose, of course. Some of the journal entries she left out for her granddaughter to read were inspiring. (3.5/5)

52. Pontoon by Garrison Keillor
I don't listen to many audio books, but G.K. could read the phone book and I would be happy. My husband and I were giggling (and blushing) all across Kansas on our return trip to Missouri. (3.5/5)

I have been busy today with laundry, etc. and the most important job of entering my "Books on the Floor" pile into LT, thinking that would inspire me to get serious about making a dent in the stack. I tagged them as "Must Read Soon" because there is no more room on my TBR shelf!

53. Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian

Rated 3.5/5

A series of unfortunate events leads to a terrible accident that shatters a family. Ironies abound here. A staunch vegan and animal right's activist (with a past life as a mass murderer of lobsters!) is shot by his daughter with a deer rifle, and his wife consoles herself with a hamburger. Who said tragedy and comedy don't march together?

Bohjalian is a solid writer in my opinion, but his writing skills leave me underwhelmed for the most part. I believe his greatest assets are his character development and the "sticky" topics that he isn't afraid to explore...in this book they are animal rights and gun control. His books do make me think. I've heard good things about Skeletons at the Feast and plan to read that after I whittle down that pile of nagging books on the floor.

#54. The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

This was a memorable read about the power and grace of music and courage under fire. Based on some true events (there was a brave cellist who commemorated 22 innocent deaths by playing his adagio every day for 22 days under sniper fire), but the author makes it plain that this is a work of fiction. Is anyone aware of the controversy here? No matter, this is one intense book; however, it seemed a bit too contrived and overly-structured to me, which detracted from its overall impact.

I dug back into my reading archives to 1995 when I read Zlata's Diary, sort of the Anne Frank of Sarajevo. This little gem was unpolished, but made the siege of Sarajevo more real to me.

Glass is disappearing from the city. It's either blown up or removed to prevent it from becoming a lethal projectile when it inevitably is blown up. One pane at a time the windows through which people see the world are vanishing. (Page 82)

#55. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger rated 3/5

The book was disappointing to me. I was more disappointed in myself that I succumbed once again to hype when I knew this wasn't the type of book I normally like. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised when I get out of the box, but not this time. The writing was fine; however, I just got too weirded when Henry was interacting with himself at a different point in time. Plus, I thought that the "love" was more like lust than a meaningful relationship that -- sorry -- could withstand the test of time. Too bummed out to look for a quote...

Message edited by its author, Aug 30, 2008, 11:18am.

This has been a hectic month for me with traveling and fall activites starting up again -- and my reading reflects it. I read only five books this month, instead of the usual 7 or 8. I guess it's good to have a life outside of reading, but sometimes I resent it. As I said on my profile page...I'd rather be reading!

#56. Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson...followed quickly by Atkinson's next two books...

57. Case Histories
58. One Good Turn

I'm not a big mystery fan, but I'm a little in love with the character of Jackson Brodie, so I'm excited to learn that K.A. has another book out featuring him.

I am currently totally engrossed in the saga of Kristin Lavransdatter. I got these books from the library, but I am so enamored of them that I will break down and buy my own set for my permanent collection.

59. The Wreath by Sigrid Undset
60. Kristin Lavransdatter II: The Wife by Sigrid Undset

The discussion on Group Reads -- Literature for this trilogy is ongoing and has been enlightening. I have just started Book III in the trilogy. I highly recommend these books.

October's recap:

61. The Cross by Sigrid Undset -- Part III of the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy did not disappoint. Rated 5 stars.

62. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and ANNIE Barrows -- recommended to literature lovers (i.e., most Library Thing members) -- 4 stars.

63. The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville -- a gentle love story between two memorable characters set in Australia -- 4 stars.

64, Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill -- this book about the slave trade deserves a wider audience. Well-researched historical fiction worthy of my 5-star rating.

65. Home by Marilynne Robinson -- the Prodigal Son returns to Ames, Iowa. If you like Gilead, you will probably like this. Slow but moving. 4.5 stars.

66. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry -- I did not like this nearly as well as most of the LT readers. Maybe because the other books I read this month were so outstanding, that this one just couldn't compete. Rated 2.5 stars.

It looks like I will probably read 75 books this year unless I got too bogged down with my son's wedding in November, closely followed by the chaos of the holidays.

Checking in after a long absence, I see you are reading like a wild thing! Wonderful choices, several in my TBR and wishlists, and lots to add to my wish list, too. I think we have very similar tastes. Sorry to see The Secret Scripture is so pricey in the US. Will check the library.

I have to admit, I did enjoy The Time Traveler's Wife. To me, it was a delightful beach read -- yes, definitely more lust than love! -- and I am drawn to anything that deals with time travel. But I didn't go in expecting anything more than light fun.

BTW, keep me posted on that Alaska "book cruise." :-)

Good luck with the wedding, Donna.

Hi Donna, recently joined the group, so I'm catching up on all your past posts. I especially enjoy your quotes, and want to say that I've added the Secret Scripture to my tbr list. It sounds fascinating, the sort of topic I would probably have ignored if I hadn't been led there by your post.

->82...Great to hear from you, kambrogi. The Secret Scripture will definitely be in my Top Ten for the year and is well worth reading. About The T.T. Wife...that was my fault as I pretty much knew that it was not my type of book, and I went ahead with it anyway. Ditto for The Lace Reader. I've been a serious reader long enough to know what I will like in advance, although I have been surprised on occasion.

The wedding was wonderful, but it is a bittersweet experience to see your "baby" get married; although, we have added a lovely new daughter to our family. Thank you for your good wishes. I got very little reading done on our trip to CO for the wedding, but did manage to visit a used bookstore. I bought Children of God -- the sequel to The Sparrow, which is an example of the above-mentioned "surprise" book that I took a chance on.

->83...Thanks for reading my thread. I've gotten a bit rushed (or maybe lazy) the past month or so and haven't been including my quotes. There are so many wonderfully expressive writers who can come up with the perfect words that touch my heart that I just have to write them down. I have a notebook full of wonderful quotes from books that I've read. I will pop over to your library later in the week when I quit walking on clouds after my son's wedding.

Glad the wedding went well. I have three grown boys, but no daughter in law yet!

I loved The Sparrow, and thought that Children of God was a good conclusion to that story. I'll look forward to your comments.

I do enjoy your quotes! Perfect for those of us who rank language and thoughtfulness as essential elements of fiction. I have thought of copying that, but never seem to get around to it.

Message edited by its author, Nov 11, 2008, 8:10am.

Donna...take you time to come down from the cloud. My baby boy married over a year ago, and the aura is still there. In fact, here's one to start on...son and bride had a special poem read for their wedding, so for the 1st anniversary (where gifts are supposed to be paper) we took the 12 lines of the poem and came up with 12 different paper gifts to commemorate the thoughts...there were books, pictures, decks of cards, postal notes, a photo print, even a jigsaw puzzle. The happy couple loved it! and we (parents) certainly had a good time gathering up the items. I know it's off the subject, sorta, but I mention it only because if you want to do something like that, it really takes time (and we didn't leave enough...really found ourselves very tense about getting in done in time to mail.) Anyway enjoy being a m-i-l . I look forward to your posts.

tututhefirst, so clever! And it was "on the subject," because it involved paper, every LTer's favorite substance! :-)

tutu...thank you for the excellent idea...I'm glad I have almost a year to think and prepare. And, yes, kambroqi, we do love our paper. My brother just got a Kindle electronic book. It's a great idea and I can see its appeal for some, but I would so miss turning those pages!

Hard to believe that it's the end of November. Time for a recap of the month's reading:

67. Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. I really "enjoyed" this father's gripping account of his son's meth addiction. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars.

We are connected to our children no matter what. They are interwoven into each cell and inseparable from every neutron. They supersede our consciousness, dwell in our every hollow and cavity and recess with our most primitive instincts, deeper even than our identitities, deeper even than our selves.

68. The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. Interesting historical fiction about Brigham Young's supposed 19th wife paralleled with a modern tale of polygamy. Rated 3.5

Finally, after months of ignominy, Brigham said he was ready to announce me as his 19th wife...yet unlike most wives I did not have a husband in any sense of the word. I was neither maiden, widow, nor even divorcee. I was a plural wife, and this little house, with the cheap runner on the stairs, represented my conjugal purgatory in such fine relief that I felt a piercing to my heart.

69. Under the Banner Of Heaven by Jon Krakauer Rated 4/5

Krakauer quotes Wallace Stegner on page 96...It is almost impossible to write fiction about the Mormons, for the reasons that Mormon institutions and Mormon society are so peculiar that they call for constant explanation.

70. The Trial by Franz Kafka Rated 3 stars. Unremitting bleakness!

Joseph K. was condemned not only in innocence but in ignorance.

71. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson Rated 4/5. I am quickly becoming a big fan of Ms. Atkinson. Mystery/suspense isn't my usual type of book to read, but she does an excellent job of characterization and I find myself eagerly awaiting her next Jackson Brodie adventure.

A coincidence is just an explanation waiting to happen. I liked this quote because these books center on coincidence and a jumble of characters.

I am so excited as it looks like I will break the 75-book barrier this year. I am in the middle of two books right now so even with the holiday madness, I should be able to break last year's record of 72 books. I don't think I'm quite ready for that new 100 Book Challenge; however, I might pop over to the 75 Book Group.

Message edited by its author, Nov 30, 2008, 1:44pm.

Wow, lots of reading here, Donna! I also enjoyed Under the Banner of Heaven, and was especially glad that Krakauer added the response of the Mormon church at the end -- that gave it some weight for me. Interesting that you paired it with The 19th Wife, although it probably gave you added appreciation.

You noted that you "enjoyed" book #67. I know what you mean, as I often appreciate a book and am glad I read it, but don't actually enjoy reading it. In fact, when the library book group wanted to choose a "fun" book for their next one, I couldn't recommend anything! I don't think I read many fun books, although many are deeply enjoyable.

Thanks for the quotations!

Hi, Donna! Thanks for welcoming me aboard. I'm not sure I could manage the 75 book challenge but 50 should be no problem. I wish I could read faster but what are you going to do? Our reading tastes are somewhat close, I also enjoy non-fiction, just as much as fiction. Even though I read it a few years ago, I thought Under the Banner of Heaven was excellent. Have you read any of his earlier work. It's all great and I can't wait to see what he does next. I also loved Beautiful Boy. It was painful at times, my wife cried several times but it was very enlightening! Take care and keep up the good work! Mark

hey donna im looking out for your list. seems you have a very long list of books you've read.

Donna, I meant to tell you that I liked your idea of adding quotes to your commentaries. I tend to be an impulsive buyer--I notice covers, I don't look too much at the back because I usually don't want to know too much about the book--so, often, I'm bringing home piles of books with the knowledge that I'll take some back. (I call it the Nordstrom method.) This means that in practically every book I read I wait for the sentence that makes me think, "I'm keeping this book!" And when it comes, I usually have to turn down the corner of the page--it's a physical response I HAVE to make that says, "You're mine!" (It's a pathological urge that comes from being a an avid childhood reader with no books of my own.) Anyway, I'm thinking I will borrow/build on your idea by adding THAT sentence as my quote from the book I'm reading. It's not usually the first or final "best" sentence, but it's the one that takes me over the edge. What do you think? I always steal my best ideas from other people! (Smile!)

What a cool idea! I might just copy that! Btw, bonnie, have you read Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader? It has something of interest to say in terms of page-folding.

I, too, am an admirer of your quotations, Donna.

I'm happy to report that I just finished book #75. This has been a strange reading month for me. Not much time and some unusual books for me:

72. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. A book I wouldn't ordinarily pick up, I read this for the Missouri Group. I guess it would be classified as a psychological thriller/mystery. It definitely held my attention with disturbing images and a sharp writing style -- sorry, couldn't resist. Rated 3.5

...my first word, slashed on an anxious sumer day at age 13: wicked...my mother's steak knife...cutting like a child along red imaginary lines.

That was interesting...the rest of my message must be floating around in cyperspace. And it was so well-written. :-) I will try again.

73. A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. Flagg's usual predictable yet heartwarming story about small-town Southern living. Rated 3, but no quote.

74. Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa. I was astounded by M.T.'s unwavering faith and service during her 50-year dark night of the soul.

(Pg. 146) Love demands sacrifice. But if we love until it hurts, God will give us His peace and joy...suffering in itelf is nothing, but suffering shared with Christ's Passion is a wonderful gift. Rated 4.5

75. Jim the Boy by Tony Earley. This short and fast read was perfect for a busy time of year. I will incorporate my thoughts on this when I read and write the review for the sequel. Rated 3

I had a quote, but will post it later. I really appreciate the nice comments I've gotten about my quotes. I plan to continue them when I post on the 75 Book Challenge in '09. Bonnie, I think your idea is a really good one. You made me laugh with your Nordstrom method of buying books.

Company coming and staying TEN days. I hope to get some reading time because I would love to read Emma to fulfill my goal to read Austen's works this year. Happy Holidays all!

Message edited by its author, Dec 18, 2008, 9:21pm.

I am exhausted after feeding and cleaning up after family members here for Christmas. At one point we had 8 adults, 3 children on sugar buzzes, and 4 dogs here. The last two left this morning so, naturally, I dived into my book that I have been reading for two weeks in bits and pieces. I'm happy to report that I finished my self-imposed Austen challenge and have now read all of her works.

#76. Emma by Jane Austen. I liked Emma both as a character and a novel. She was a bit of a meddler, but we always know with Austen that things will get sorted out in the end. One last quote...appropriately about reading:

Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. I have seen a great many lists of her drawing up at various times of books that she meant to read regularly through -- and very good lists they were --very well chosen, and very neatly arranged -- sometimes alphabetically, and sometimes by some other rule...But I am done with expecting any course of steady reading from Emma.

I think Emma could have used the motivation from LT members! Okay, I'm off to a new thread on the 75 Book Challenge. See you there.

LOL, boy I can relate to that! I feel like I've spent way too much time planning what I'm going to read in 2009, rather than just reading. And just when I feel like I'm getting to know some of you 2008 50-Bookers--off you go! Boo! Hoo!

No worries, Bonnie, I have your thread starred (along with some others on the 50 Book Challenge), so I'll be in touch with your reading. And, yes, planning -- along with buying and reading about books -- is part of the fun!

Great conclusion to the year, Donna. Please direct me to your new thread, as I want to continue to follow your reading adventures. I am stuck between 50 and 75, having read 62 this year. I think I will stick with the 50's, my old crowd!

ETA: We had 18 people, including 5 energetic kids, and 9 dogs at our Thanksgiving meal, so I can sympathize on the Xmas scene you describe!

Message edited by its author, Jan 2, 2009, 3:35pm.

Hi kambroqi, my new thread is here. Come visit!