Hi fellow Book-of-the-Month-Clubbers!

I hope you're having a good month so far and that you're reading wonderful and inspiring books or, like I am, alternating wonderful/inspiring with light-weight/fun books.

I'm looking forward to our end-of-the-month discussion.

Karen

Hello Karen.

Can't say that I am getting more time to read but at least we finally got some good sun going on up here. Still can't hike because the trails are covered with snow, still can't swim because the water is too cold.... so poor me will have to take the kids to the park and let them play while I sit under a tree and read:)

I tend to read a lot of classics, newer authors that I love, history (because I am a history geek), and a touch of philosophy.

I also look forward to the end of the month discussion.

I'm so glad to hear from this group mid-month. I find I go through a certain book talk withdrawal about a week and a half after we've all posted our monthly reads.

My reading has been very light/fluffy, followed by weighty, etc. Granted my list this month once again won't be crazy lengthy, (I blame this on an 850 pager I knocked out and a 20 page research paper I am working on) I should have a lot to report for June reads. I'll be sunning myself in lovely Cancun, Mexico for a week celebrating my college graduation. Carla - a lot of my stuff this month has been history as well (self proclaimed history geek here too)!

See you all soon! Happy reading!

Work has been quite busy as of late that I cannot seem to finsih a book! I am in the middle of America America by Ethan Canin and The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie. I am sure both will end up on my end-of-month list, if I manage to finish either. I will be gone until next Thursday, so you may not hear from me until then.

Hi there, I'm new to this group. Hollister thought I might like it because we seem to have similar taste in books. After looking through your discussions I can't wait to post mine for the month. My TBR pile just keeps getting longer and longer as I read your discussions!!!

Only just discovered this thread. Hi everyone! So where are we all? 2nd of the month and still no May thread. I'm off to open it now!

Hi gang!

I've been reading some pretty good books this month and one major stinker. I'll enjoy ranting about the stinker at the end of the month! Plus talking up the good ones, of course.

Hope you're all reading wonderful books and having a good September.

karenmarie

I love these mid-month reminders that we're all still around and reading away madly. I've been having some real problems this month with my reading in general - just can't seem to get into anything or concentrate on the same book for long. It may be partly because I've had one real gem early in the month and nothing else really seems to match up to it. I so look forward to hearing all about those stinkers too - recommendations are great but we need to know what to avoid as well (and somehow, people's rants about books they've hated are always more fun than being told about what they've enjoyed - or is that just me?)

Hey Booksloth:

I know how it goes when you can't find books to get into. I've had several slumps this year so far.

You keep picking up and putting down. Eventually you get to something that holds your attention.

Good luck!

And yes, hearing the rants is so much fun. I always imagine fingers flying over the keyboard while thoughts are sending out little lightning bolts of disappointment, irritation, and upset....

Ugh! I feel like the pearly gates have opened and a warm cloud has wrapped me in an embrace. In Ohio we got hit by a terrible windstorm coming off of one of the hurricanes that hit (I want to say it was dear ol' Hurricane Ike). The result was three days with no electricity. At first I was floored and thought it would be perfect for me. No distractions around: nothing but me and my reading. The flaw in the plan? Storms usually mean dark weather, hence no light to read. I suppose after 18 games of Taboo, Cabin Fever is the only term that could rightly be applied to me. But never fear, power is restored in my neighborhood and this mid-month hello is exactly what I needed.

So thank you for helping to contribute to the restoration of my sanity. You have no idea how good it feels. How on earth did people live without electricity? It sort of makes me marvel at them.

Anyways, I am reading a WONDERFUL book right now between my classes. And I think I know a few people within our circle who've read it and adored it. Can't wait to hear everyone's monthly report!

That sounds horrible! At least, it sounded like pretty good fun until you mentioned not being able to read. I bet you fell on those books like a hungry vampire once normality was restored. Hope you didn't suffer any storm damage other than the loss of power. It really is time someone invented a long-term source of good light that isn't dependent on gas or electric to run it (and don't anyone get smug and start advising the use of sunlight - I live in England Apart from two days in the middle of July we haven't seen the sun here since 1963.) I'm thinkng more along the lines of millions of glow-worms in a huge glass jar - do you think they'd mind?

Speaking of the seasons - I've spent this afternoon going round spraying all the upstairs (downstairs tomorrow) with citronella to keep out the enormous spiders that have started invading) aka 'bastards' in our house, as in 'Ray! There's a bastard on the ceiling! or 'Ray! There's another bastard behind the kettle!' If anyone else has any more good spider-proofing tips I'd be VERY grateful to hear about them.

Can't wait to hear about that book, Hol!

ETA - Not completely sure what I did to make that post come up twice.

Message edited by its author, Sep 16, 2008, 11:15am.

Booksloth - you make me laugh. The spiders don't usually make it into the house, but I did spend about 20 minutes going around the outside of the house with a broom and batting down webs, spiders, and egg sacs on Sunday. You have to make sure to squish the spiders and crush the egg sacs. (bloodthirsty, aren't I?)

Hol - sorry about your brush with the hurricane. Being without electricity stinks - we are just so used to it. My husband gets extremely cranky without air conditioning too.

Looking forward to hearing about your wonderful book.

Spiders are probably the thing I am most afraid of. I was expecting my big tough man of a boyfriend to step up and kill any that creep their way into my apartment. Alas, said big tough man of a boyfriend "gets the creeps" from the damn things...

At least with the lights off I couldn't see any. Haha, thank you both for the concern. Luckily, the only thing that didn't go too well was a little spoiled milk and a stubbed toe when I forgot to bring a candle into the bathroom with me.

One day shy of mid-month technically, but I hope everybody's doing well and reading great stuff. I'm NOT reading my ARC and NOT reading an 888 book, but reading a great book anyway.

And, I've been BookMooching like a fiend.

Yo! I love these mid-month helloes! Makes us feel more like friends than just a bunch of people who have to check in once a month. I'm in the middle of Ken Follett's World Without End right now and it's going to take a while so I think my list might be quite a bit shorter than usual this month. I'm a big fan of Pillars of the Earth and am loving this one too. Just before I started this there were a few considerably shorter books that impressed me too and I have a couple I'm very much looking forward to when WWE is done. I think this month could be quite interesting. Hope everyone's well and happy out there!

I am not reading much, unfortunately, due to my busy work scheduled.

Did I, however, mention Fault Lines by Nancy Huston in a previous wrap-up? At the time I read it, ti was not out yet, but it is now and I highly recommend it. Paperback original, which makes it economical in these crazy times.

Tell us some more about that one Alpha - sounds interesting.

By the way - has anyone had any ideas about what we're going to do at the end of the year (I know it's a while away yet but I saw my first Xmas ad on TV last night)? Are we just planning to carry on with recommendations month by month or do something a bit more constructive with the year end. How about something like each nominating our own book of the year then putting all the favourites on a list for us all to try each other's (or maybe even just one of somebody else's) in the new year. Just a vague idea really. Has anyone else given it any thought?

Come to think of it - I'm going to go and start up a new thread for suggestions. Will try and arrange a link when I've done it.

ETA link: http://www.librarything.com/topic/47467&...

Message edited by its author, Oct 14, 2008, 8:33am.

Well, here it is November 17th! I've had a slow reading month because the book I'm reading now, Independent People by Halldor Laxness is wonderful but slow going. Can't rush through it at all.

I've read two other books.

Hope everybody's having a good month, in life and in reading. See you all at the end of the month!

I'm having a wonderful month! Some really great stuff and, so far at least, not a single dud. The one I'm on right now is quite a long one and it's slowing me down a bit (I'm not giving anything away till the monthly round-up!) but it's going to be my hardest month yet for choosing just one recommendation out of all this glorious stuff! Love to everyone!

I am not having much time to read, since life at the bookstore is so busy getting ready for the holidays and trying to convince people that books are the thoughtful (and reasonably priced) gift to give during tough economic times...

Hey everyone! Good to hear you are all good. I've been fighting a cold (that I think has turned to bronchitis) so I'm getting in some good reading! (there's always a silver lining!) Can't wait to hear what you all read this month.

My month has not been a bad one, but I honestly have no idea where it went. This is the end of my first semester in my teaching program, so things have been crazy. I've never had so many tests/assignments due at one time. So my reading has been pretty sparse. December will hold lots of reading time for me! So I honestly can't wait to just relax.

I'll probably save my meager reads to group into my December reads. But I am really looking forward to seeing what all of you have in store! Alpha -- ironically, books are the only ideas that I have for my loved ones, especially since I am in an economic crunch at the moment!

Hope your cold gets better johanna!

While sending out an invite I just noticed we have several members here who haven't posted their own lists. Not that that's illegal or anything and of course people are welcome to lurk - but I just wanted to throw out a plea to them to join in the fun. The more the merrier, surely, and I'm sure the rest of us can't wait to hear what you've been reading.

Cheers! I second that Sloth!

A little past mid-month hello! This month is turning into light mysteries and trashy romances.... so much going on with Christmas and just being at home with my family. So be it. My 888 challenge stands at 54 out of 64. I might get one or two more in if I'm lucky.

I'm off to read a Hamish Macbeth mystery right now.

Best Holiday Wishes to you all and "see" you on the December thread soon.

My mum can't do her own shopping these days so she gives me the money to spend on myself and then she wraps the stuff to go under the tree. Hence, I've had about 12-15 books arrive here that I know are mine but I'm not allowed to look at. Still 2-3 more expected - Christmas is soooooo much fun!!

Seriously - very best wishes to all out there - be you celebrating Christmas, Hannukah, the birthday of the Jolly Green Badger or just a good excuse for a three-day binge. Have a wonderful time all of you. Looking forward to the end of year round-up and all next year's great reads!

Yes I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday with loved ones! I also hope you all make out like bandits with new books to add to your libraries. I know I can't wait to see what the family has found for me this year.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you in 2009!

I can't wait to post for this month. I've accomplished quite a bit, but am having a slump of getting into something right now.

Ever get that feeling like you just don't want to read anything you have in your house at the moment????? (No matter how high the TBR pile is?)

I like that birthday of the Jolly Green Badger idea. What's the date on that one? I can see him now.

Happy Holidays to all! And here's wishing a great reading year in 2009!!!!!

I added a year in review thread. I won't be finishing anything prior to the new year.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/52917

WARNING: SHAMELESS BLOG PROMOTION

Hi all... I am taking a survey on my blog as to which Jane Austen heroine is the favorite. If you're interested, you can vote once a day! Can't wait to hear from you all with your December reads and your year-end reviews!

Here's the link to vote for the Jane Austen character:

http://misshollyslibrary.blogspot.com

Message edited by its author, Dec 27, 2008, 11:51pm.

Oh Hol! I went to vote but found you'd left out my personal favourite, Catherine Morland, from Northanger Abbey - what did she do to upset you?

Wish I'd known in time about the 'wives of Henry VIII' one. I'd have done my best to shake that simpering, wishy-washy little madam off the top spot. Who could possibly like Jane best?

Haha... yes Anne was very close to being the winner. I was so shocked that Jane was voted most popular wife. But the people have spoken (or at least those who visited my site). My guess is that someone voted a few times for Jane.

I am thinking I'll take Jane Bennet off since she's not exactly a heroine... and I'll get Miss Morland up there. :) I'll also keep you posted as to when I change polls. Or just visit me often!

It's that time again, mid-month hello to you all!

I hope you've started the year off with some wonderful and brilliant reads.

I've had a very good month so far, with some very good books.

I've just had a couple of days in London. Came back with 15 new books and found another 2 waiting when I got here. What was all that rubbish about buying less?

Definitely rubbish. Wow! Have fun reading.

Why fight it? It's a healthy sort of addiction.

P.S., I posted the results from the Jane Austen heroine poll! I also have a new one up, so please come visit me and vote!

http://www.misshollyslibrary.info

or

http://misshollyslibrary.blogspot.com

I am reading along, doing OK. Though I have had my first stinker of the new year, I have put it aside, and who knows if I will ever finish. Many seem to love it, but it just didn't do anything but waste my time. One of those that you have to force yourself to pick back up, and often don't.

Reading a good one now and hope to get at least 2 more in before February.

Message edited by its author, Jan 20, 2009, 6:54am.

#38 You've done it again, Hol. Margaret George is the best - unless I'm allowed to vote on the basis on just one book, in that case it would be Michel Faber for The Crimson Petal and the White (unless we count The Hundred and Ninety-Nine Steps as well - do two books constitute a historical writer?)

Slow book month for me. I'm working on two right now...they're shortish. I should finish by the end of the month and then I've got two more on the list.

I know I know... I had about six other authors on there, but it didn't look aesthetically pleasing on my site, so I had to go with the most "mainstream" popular ones... my apologies.

Anywho... my reading has been slow in 2009... not living up to my goal of making time to read. I'm just too darn busy. But still, hopefully I'll have at least a few things to share with you all!

P.S. I did add two more choices... but I reset the poll at the same time, not sure how that happened. So your Margaret George is now on the list!

Message edited by its author, Jan 20, 2009, 6:22pm.

I'm off to vote for her then - before throwing in the possibility of Sarah Waters too (I know! I'm just an awkward so-and-so!)

ETA - Any chance of an un-vote for Philippa Gregory?

Message edited by its author, Jan 21, 2009, 6:01am.

I have had such a funk about reading anything challenging - I went and got a whole bunch of lighter reading stuff - sequels I've been meaning to read, etc. I have to say, I'm enjoying my reading!! But I won't have anything weighty to share.

Message edited by its author, Jan 21, 2009, 10:14am.

That's okay! We understand completely. For me it's hit or miss. Sometimes I just get in a groove of reading a certain genre of book and don't want to get out of it!

Another month! More exciting books to read. I'm in the middle of an ARC called Land of Marvels by Barry Unsworth - I haven't decided yet if I really like it or not and I'm over half way through. But, it's about a subject I adore (archaeology), during an interesting time in history (1914), in a region of the world that once again is of major interest to the major world powers (Iraq).

I hope everybody is having a good month and reading great books.

Hi there KM! It's going to be a bit of a hit and miss month for me. Lots of books in the first half but very little right now due to family problems. And where I'll be or what I'll be doing come the end of the month I have no idea so forgive me if things are a bit hit and miss. I hear good things generally about Barry Unswroth but I tried one of his when it first came out (can't remember the name but it was about a slave-ship) and hated it so much I've never given him another chance. I wonder if I ought to try any more - opinions anyone?

I'm in the middle right now of a book I've always meant to get round to - Rebecca West's The Return of the Soldier. Wish I'd got here before - I'm loving it!

The first part of the month was good, but right now I am in the middle of reading for my RL book groups. Not that the books are necessarily bad, but its required reading which is different than books you pick yourself.

One of the groups changed meeting dates so starting this month I have 3 in the same week, one after the other Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I am about halfway through the Tuesday book, and the others are done. It took me forever to find the Tuesday book in the house, which is why it was the last read. I have another I can read for Wednesday If I have time (that group picks a series rather than a specific book). Then I have one for my final group the week after.

Hope everyone else is doing well with their reading.

Here we are at the middle of a month, again! I'm reading some fantastic books and wallowing happily in some trashy romances.

I just discovered a new author that probably everybody else has heard of - Jim Butcher - his Dresden Files series. I found the first 9 at the Thrift Store for 50 cents each and just finished the first one this morning. They're about a wizard named Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, who lives in Chicago and solves mysteries and crimes. Paranormal, detective, magic - irresistable.

Next up will be a book for my April book club meeting - Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik. Meh. Not terribly interested, but it's short. Then, back to Harry Dresden!

I hope everybody's having a good month - in life and in reading!

I am reading along well. Its been a pretty good month for reading, and hey my job is still alive and I am getting paid, and spring is coming.

I had a couple of so-so books, but the rest were good. Just now I am reading the last book of my required reads for my book groups. It is Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. The book that the play and the movies were based on.

I have Paris to the Moon in my library somewhere, but haven't read it yet.

I have all the the Dresden series in paper (up to #10) and have read up to book 7. I liked a couple books in the middle, but thought the start was watery, and the last couple (up to #7) are smarmy.

I read a bunch of them one after the other and the last couple Harry loses his touch with real every day life, and becomes like a superhero. Shrugs off damage, saves the world 3 or 4 times a book. and lately is becoming a smug gloating jerk. He not only kicks people when they are down, he gloats about it.

Book 10 is in the taller mmpb here, that they charge $9.99 for. If the tone and content isn't any better, it may be my last.

Hope everyone else is doing well too.

Just started the breeze block that is Edward Rutherford's Sarum. There are 1,344 pages and I'm on 106 so don't expect a long list from me this month! It's just what I need at the moment and I'm enjoying it a lot so far. Happy reading everyone!

oooh, I started Sarum once. I never got far, just sort of drifted away. Good luck.

That happened to me with Rutherford's London - mainly because it had been foisted on me by a friend who insisted I read it at a time when I just wasn't in the mood. I am now, though, and Sarum's going okay.

I think I picked the book myself. Its about Stone Henge, right ? I just couldn't get into it. It was also a busy time for me, I was moving. I remember, because it is a book that I somehow forgot to pack and bring with me. oops.

I started London years ago, too. Put it down. I've gotten rid of lots of books I've started, but I have high hopes for this one eventually so it's sitting patiently on my shelves waiting for the right moment.

I snuck in the 2nd Dresden Files book Fool Moon but now I'm in a fuzzle - Paris to the Moon doesn't thrill me, and have picked up The Lost Diary of Don Juan by Douglas Carlton Abrams.

My last group read Anna and the King of Siam is a slog for me too. But I am sticking with it.

Recent reads I enjoyed:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Lucky Girl (due out April 28 in US)

The Wildwater Walking Club (due out May 5 in US)

Sonata for Miriam

Sorry that i have no comments - I am in the middle of shutting down our bookstores, and I am lucky that I can even read!

Mid-month again! Hello from Topsail Island, North Carolina, USA. We're here for just 3 days, daughter on spring break but we have to be back for a Saturday performance of her high school jazz band at a local Bluegrass Festival. We went sight-seeing yesterday, up to Morehead City and Beaufort (pronounced Bo-fort, long O on the Bo, unlike the identically spelled city in South Carolina pronounced byew-fort!). Went to a maritime museum and one of the 3 aquariums in NC. Fun day.

I've been in a Regency period romance phase, but am now going to get back into Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond.

Hope everybody's having a good month of life and reading.

Ah, the coffee's ready, the book and blanket ready, everybody else asleep - heaven!

Hiya! Hope your holiday is going well - Topsail Island has a lovely sound to it.

I've just been tempted to post a review halfway through the month (I usually just adapt my BOTM blurbs, as you'll probably have noticed). I discovered a book called The Dolphin People a while ago in a second-hand bookshop and bought it not really knowing what to expect, but it's been a real joy and it's one of those books nobody else seems to have heard of so I wanted to get the word out there as quickly as possible.

I started off the month with several of the Canongate myths series - all really short books, so it'll make this month's list look longer than it really deserves but it was a way of starting to whittle down Mount TBR (then I went shopping and undid all my good work in a single stroke - ah well, what is life for if not to buy books?)

Hope everyone's having a good month!

Hi all,

My month has been going well. I placed a 16 pound order with Bookcloseouts that is on the way to me now via UPS (which is how I know the weight).

I have been reading mostly good and interesting books. 1 stinker: The Art Thief - avoid at all costs.

I am reading the 3rd of my 4 books due for RL book groups. I got an ER book for February (didn't show up until end of March) and it was very good. I have a March one too and will start that soon.

Its spring and occasionally warmer, with hope of better to come.

Got paid this week, and it was a close thing if the company I work for was going to have money for payroll or not. We live for another 2 weeks.

Hope everyone is doing well and reading great books.

ETA:

I joined the 100 book challenge and have been pasting and posting my books read over there too.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/61719

Message edited by its author, Apr 18, 2009, 1:06am.

Hey Booksloth and FicusFan - good to hear from you! Sounds like things are going well.

We're home from our trip. Daughter's depressed a bit - didn't want to come home and especially didn't want to come home to perform at the Music Festival! They have a lot of new jazz band members this year (this is my daughter's 2nd year) and they're not as good as last year. She's dreading the performance, but I know they'll do pretty well - not perfect, but pretty well. We'll be happy about 5 p.m.

I've really started to get into The Pillars of the Earth. I read it in about 1993 and remember loving it. Our book club will discuss it on May 3rd.

Thanks Karenmarie. I hope you enjoyed your trip. Sounded wonderful. I imagine its actually warm now in NC. Sigh...

I think it will never warm up in NH. We get a 50-60 degree day and then a series of wet, windy, 40 degree days. Not that 40 is really cold, but I am so over the winter and want to actually be warm for more than 5 minutes without huddling in layers.

Without trying to make you feel bad, it's supposed to be 80F today. I'd rather it be cooler since we're going to be out at the Music Festival.

But, while we were out of town we apparently had a frost and lost a little dogwood we'd planted by the barn.

It's starting to be pollen time too - a yellowish-green film on EVERYTHING and lots of sneezing.

As my 15 year old daughter's Honors Biology teacher says, it's trees having sex. My entire 8 acres are x-rated.

That's too bad about your daughter km; jazz bands, if nothing else, are surely for enjoying! Hope it's just a glitch. I love Pillars of the Earth.

Amazing! It's already the middle of May. I've been having a good reading month, hope you all have too. Much light weight stuff, but hey! reading's reading.

Booksloth - Happy Birthday on this thread, too!

See you all at the end of the month. By then my daughter's science project will be over and she will probably have talked me into keeping the two leopard geckos (although she'll have to pay for them), and we'll be starting to get her ready for 4-week camp starting June 21.

Hi all. Same time of month same routine:

I am reading my 3rd of 4 required books for my RL book groups.

We got paid again this week at work, but it wasn't until Thursday that we knew that was going to happen. Really getting dire without any large sales. Economy is still bad and companies are not purchasing capital equipment.

Pretty good reading this month.

Still seems to be raining some part of every week, but it is 60-70 during the day, and cooler at night. Pretty good.

I am over halfway to my yearly reading goal and not yet to the halfway part of the year, so I am pleased. Hopefully I won't slack off during the 2nd half of the year.

Hope everyone else is having a good spring, and good reading.

Looks like collections may soon be among us.

Thanks for that karenmarie! you can bet there'll be lots of additions to my library just as soon as I get to spend all my tokens! I'm on my 6th book of the month right now (or 6th and 7th really as I'm on two at once), which doesn't look good for halfway through the month but I had a bad start and kept picking up books that just didn't hold my attention. In sheer desperation I then went for one of my so-far-unread Wilkie Collins's which I'm loving but you can only get a certain amount of speed going with Wilkie - and anyway, I'm loving taking my time. I don't think it's going to be a massively long list this month.

FicusFan, it must be awful not knowing if or when you will get paid. I do hope things pick up for you soon workwise, though you do seem to be having a good month of reading and that always makes up for quite a lot. Hope everyone else is having a good month.

Booksloth, thanks. I hope they pick up too. I keep trying to see the bright side, if the worst happens, I'll have more time to read. LOL.

It will be bad for my boss though, he and his wife own the company, and he is 82, and probably won't get another job. But he isn't the type to be able to just sit around. I worry about him.

Sorry to hear you hit the reading doldrums. I have managed to avoid them so far this year (knock wood). Wilkie Collins - ugh ! Still scarred from The Woman in White. But if it floats your boat, I hope you enjoy it.

Hi guys. This has been a strange month. I've only finished one book. I'm slogging through John Adams and enjoying it, but have temporarily put it down in favor of the second book in the Justin/Cuddy series by Michael Malone, Time's Witness.

My daughter got her driving permit yesterday which is good but emotional, she leaves for 4 week camp Sunday (8th year so I should be used to it, but always makes me sad), a bookclub friend's husband who was only 52 died suddenly of a stroke, our finances suck, and I'm curiously lethargic and vaguely depressed.

I want to crawl into a hole and hide. Sorry I'm having a pity party but things are just rough right now.

Message edited by its author, Jun 16, 2009, 5:35am.

Hugs to you karenmarie. I say put down the John Adams and read a well-written comedy.

Sorry for your blues Karenmarie. I agree you should find something funny, and light and fluffy to cheer you up.

One of my RL book groups read John Adams. We ended up doing it for 2 months instead of just the one, cause no one had finished for the first meeting. It was good and interesting, but I thought McCullough lost his objectivity. He became a fan.

Things are OK here. It looks like it is going to be a cool damp summer here, which I prefer to heat and humidity. The economy still sucks, but where I work is still limping along. Our last paycheck was delayed by a couple of days, but we got it. We had a sale finally so the company got some money and we squeaked by. Not sure how long it will last though.

Reading has been going slow this month. I was caught up with the collections and posting and playing on-line more than reading. I also got stuck in a densely written book. It was good but not a fast read. I am working on another required read and have 2 more to go for this month.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

hang in there, karenmarie. I'll pray for something to come along and brighten your day, if nothing else. And I echo alphaorder - a good comfort book would be my prescription (but them I'm an addict - when I'm depressed I do nothing but read - the more feel-good the better).

Thanks, guys. The Michael Malone seems to be doing the trick - I'm about halfway through.

I'm reading How I Became A Famous Novelist. That might fit the bill.

Hey Book-of-the-Month-Clubbers!

Here we are, mid-month again. I still have lots of stuff going on but at least I am a bit more perky. I'e read a couple of great books this month and am in the middle of another - Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin.

How's your reading month going?

Message edited by its author, Jul 15, 2009, 4:03pm.

Slowly again, km! I'm still up to my neck in sorting out Mum's estate and it's cut my reading time in half. With luck, it may all be done by the end of this month so maybe in August I'll have a normal-length reading list again. Come September that all goes to hell when I disppear into hospital for spinal surgery so I doubt my concentration levels will be high then!

Interesting you're enjoying Mistress of the Art of Death. I must confess that was one I hated and gave up on half way through, but it could well have been just that I was in the wrong mood. I do believe I'm only on my third book this month - it just isn't good enough!

I always read more when I'm feeling stressed and my husband is out of work again so the stress levels are high in our home. I should be doing things like exercising or finishing all the silly home improvement projects that we never seem to have time to get done when all we have is a weekend. But I just go escape in a book!

Ah booksloth! Major surgery. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Mistress actually has me in a dither. I love reading the mystery part, but am moderately irritated with the modern language in a book about life during Henry II's time. I said the wrong thing when I said it was great - jury's still out.

tjsjohanna - I'm sorry about your husband's being out of work. I know how that goes and hope he finds something soon. Books are a wonderful way to escape.

Thank you,km, that's very sweet of you.
tjsjohanna - so sorry to hear that about your husband. It's always a worrying and stressful time and I do hope he finds somethng else soon. My own other half took the opportunity of being out of work to set up his own business and he's never looked back because he's now doing something he actually loves and is so much happier. Is there any chance of something like that for your bloke, or simply a rethink on what he would REALLY like to be doing? It feels like a huge jump but it sometimes turns unemployment into a real opportunity to go for the kind of work a person can really be happy in. And there's nothing wrong with escaping into a book - beats therapy any day! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

thanks so much everyone - booksloth, I'd love it if he could set up his own business. he'd just have to figure out something he loved doing! he loves to cook, but starting a restaurant, etc. seems pretty risky right now ... we're hanging in there though.

Okay, you can have my idea for someone who loves cooking for free! I always thought it would be a brilliant idea if someone set up a business cooking meals for people who are out at work all day and don't have time for home cooking of their own. People would put in their order a couple of days in advance to allow for shopping, say - for example - can you cook me a steak and kidney pie with mashed potatoes and 2 veg, followed by fresh fruit salad for next Monday? They could then just pick it up on their way home from work - either fully cooked to be reheated or just prepared and ready to stick in the oven. Prices would have to be lower than restaurant prices (but then the overheads would be less). There you go, it's all yours!

Great idea, Booksloth. I'll ask him what he thinks!

That is a great idea Booksloth, I wonder how much interest there would be for something like that in NZ. My husband and i would love to have our own business and be working for ourselves, but its finding the right idea and getting it off the ground.

I am having an average month with my reading. I have just finished a hard week at work and have found it very hard going to read and enjoy anything. Hopefully the rest of the month is better. Looking forward to seeing what everyone has read during July.

Maybe I should have set up a franchise;-) A friend asked me off-thread how that would work considering the numbers of potential customers and she had a very good point so I've now made some refinements to plan A. People who wanted a meal of their choice would have to order early so that the right shopping could be done, though lots of things could be bought in bulk anyway - then on the day concerned, a sign would go up in the window advertising 'cooking tonight . . .' so that other people who weren't too fussy about what dish they had could nip in and say 'If you're doing steak and kidney pie, can you do another for me?' You'd probably also get people ordering in bulk to freeze. I'm sure lots of people would love home-cooking but just don't have the time so you could be their bespoke chef!

Hi all. I finally got my June books up. Didn't want to comment here until I had done that.

Sorry to hear about all the difficulties. I hope things get better for all. Working for yourself would be wonderful if you can find something that you can do and make money. Good luck with the catering idea.

We are still limping along at work, and we are looking at the whole no payroll thing on Friday, so who knows what will happen.

I have been reading OK, but have been wrestling with a book, and then am slogging through another one now.

Why slog ff? IS this something you have to read? If not, it sounds as if it's time to give up and find something you enjoy. Just imagine how much better your life would have been if you'd done that with HoD!

Wrestling and slogging. Sounds painful, FicusFan.

I don't remember from all the threads I "see" you on whether you're an abandoner or a finisher, but if you're an abandoner, you should just go ahead and do it.

I just abandoned Mistress of the Art of Death at page 246. I finally got irritated enough with it to put it down. It's been BookMooched and goes in the mail Friday.

I'm now happily reading The Forge of God by Greg Bear. It's SF, which I read much less frequently than other genres. It's a nice change.

#88 And I pity the poor fool who mooches that little darlin'!

The beauty of BookMooch, eh booksloth?

Things I don't want go to people who actually want them.

Of course, they wonder why I want the books they're giving away.

Not an abandoner. I will try a bit longer to finish.

Hi everyone. Its the middle of the month again. I am having a good book month.

Hi Ficus!

I'm supposed to be reading Uncle Tom's Cabin for my bookclub. One of the women always picks books that are classics or uplifting or are "good" for us, and I very rarely read them. Last year was The Merry Wives of Windsor AND Hamlet. I hate plays.

I really wanted to enjoy Uncle Tom's Cabin because I have a beautiful tooled leather copy with illustrations, by Easton Press, but it's not grabbing me.

Other than the guilt, I'm having a very good reading month!

Hi KarenMarie,

Sorry about the guilt thing. I just got UTC because I have never read it, but don't know when I will get to it.

Hi everyone, I am definitely having an average month. Only one very good book to date. Can only get better.

KarenMarie - I have UTC so can't be much help with the inspiration. Good luck with it.

I ended up getting The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I think someone in this group mentioned reading it, and I put it on my wishlist. Then others talked about enjoying it, so I bought it. Not sure when I will get to it.

Sorry you are having a blah month Diane.

Message edited by its author, Aug 18, 2009, 4:30pm.

Hi everyone!

This has been a slow reading month for me, but I've read two great books, so can't complain.

Hope everybody's having a great month - reading and the rest of life!

Hi all,

I am having a pretty good reading month, though I am on my second Swedish mystery (Kjell Eriksson) and they are slow. But this last one is the best one yet.

I too hope everyone is having a good reading month, and life too.

Wow! It's the middle of October already.

I've been reading a lot of fluff this month, and have read one book of substance.

Dare I start World Without End? My daughter just finished it and wants me to read it so we can talk about it. Good reason. Thick book. Hmmm.

I hope you are all having a good reading month!

Message edited by its author, Oct 15, 2009, 3:59pm.

Have you read Pillars of the Earth? You might as well read them in order, though it doesn't realy matter. Hope everyone's having a happy month. Very up and down for me but I feel I'm settling a bit now.

I've been trying to read books in my house instead of books from the library - most of my house books are books I've been wanting to re-read. I've done pretty good at not bringing home huge stacks ...

Hi booksloth: I've read Pillars of the Earth twice - most recently in April. I loved it the first time and loved the re-read.

Hi tjsjohanna: My problem is the thrift store and Bookmooch - when you can get books for $.50 -$2 each, or free on Bookmooch (yes, I pay postage, but right now have 45 points so don't have to send any to get any) there's not too much motivation to slog through the shelves looking for things.

Although I am reading a book called The Battle of Waterloo that I bookmooched quite a while back.

I am having an OK reading month. Not as many or as good as last month (still not posted).

I am way behind on my LT threads (reading, posting, reviewing).

Life has been busy too. Not ready for this cold weather. Working on getting my car (15 years old) done so it will pass inspection in November.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Hi FicusFan - it's exceptionally cold here in central NC for the middle of October - down to 38F last night! But I like the cold. I pulled out my LLBean fleece robe and it's so cosy.

Booksloth - I saw your post on ForeignCircus's thread about the cover art on Robertson Davies books and noticed that my newest acquisition - Murther & Walking Spirits has Bascove cover art! It is very distinctive, isn't it? I've started reading the book and it is good.

I bought a copy of Fifth Business at the same time (both at the Habitat for Humanity store) because I wasn't 100% sure I had one. When I got home with it, I realized I already had a copy, and kept the Bascove cover art edition and bookmooched the other. You've brought my level of awareness up.

I'm pleased there'll be someone I can talk Bascove to who knows what I'm on about now! If you like 'books about books' her Where Books Fall Open is a lovely thing with her own illustrations interspersed with prose and poetry about the joy of reading. Her website is here - http://www.bascove.com/portfolio_bridges... - and if you love the covers I think you'll love that too.

I do! Just checked it out briefly and wish I had something of hers to hang in my house.

Given our finances (a-hem), I'd be lucky to get a poster.

I know what you mean! I did email the site quite a while ago now to ask if there were any posters of her book covers available but I never received a reply, which would make me rather reluctant to order anything from them in case that also went astray. Not the artist's fault, I'm sure. I have just managed to get a used copy of Stone and Steel which contains many of her bridge paintings and is goreous but I'd still rather have an original on the wall!

Whew! Busy month. I've been reading some good books.

I hope everybody's having a great month, in life and in reading!

Booksloth - I'm reading King's Bag of Bones and really liking it so far. It's my second foray into King.

Lovely to hear of a new King convert - especially as I've just finished Under the Dome, which I thoroughly enjoyed until about 2/3 of the way through then rapidly got rather bored with. I would still recommend King's earlier books to anyone who loves reading but I just can't help thinking the later ones (with odd exceptions) just don't compare. Because I've loved his work so much for so many years, I will continue to buy the books for a long time yet but I would say to anyone who wants to know what all the fuss is really about, shut yourself away with a copy of The Dead Zone or The Stand and prepare to be amazed.

I've had some great ones too this month, though. Looking forward to seeing what everyone's been up to.

ETA Bag of Bones was one of the exceptions.

Message edited by its author, Nov 21, 2009, 9:59pm.