I often wonder where people get the book they are reading. I am sure I am not the only one. Was it a friend who loaned it to them or maybe they found it in a dusty old used bookstore, maybe they bought it online. I want to know.

Why did you pick this book? Did the cover get your attention? Or maybe it was the title? Did someone recommend you this book?

The list goes on...inquiring minds want to know.

First give the title of your book and the author and then try to answer the questions below.

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

1. Where did you get this book?

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?

3. How long has it been on your shelf?

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?

Message edited by its author, Jun 14, 2009, 9:00pm.

I shall start off.

1. My friend had been reading this book. After reading the back of the book I thought it might be of some interest. Plus, I wanted to find out if my friend and I shared the same taste in books.

2. The reason I picked this book now is because I will be moving soon and if I packed this book I may never find it for a long long time. I thought it best I read it before the move so I can return the book to it's rightful owner.

3. I am going to say about 2 weeks.

4. There isn't much I don't like about this book but the small time feel is what I enjoy the most.

5. This book is much better than what I thought it would be.

6. I am on page 203 and have 243 pages to go.

Hi Callmejacx - here goes ...

Ok, I am reading two books right now -

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

1. I got this book at the library
2. I picked this book to read now cause I was in the
mood for pure escapism, and it was recommended by a fellow LTer - jnwelch.
3. N/A
4. This is a story to completely get lost in, as I read, I fall into a new world.
5. I thought this would be a good book, and it is, so far a GREAT book.
6. I am on page 255 - total pages are 471

The Feast of Roses by Indu Sundaresan

1. I bought this book at Bolen's Books in Victoria, B.C.
2. I picked this book cause it's the sequel to The Twentieth Wife, and I wanted to see how the story ended. I should mention that I picked the first book because I really liked the cover.
3. I'm not exactly sure how long I've had it, probably since last fall.
4. For a sequel, it's pretty good, picking up the story right where the first book left off.
5. I think it's better than I thought as so often a sequel doesn't measure up to the first book, and this one does.
6. I am on page 93 - total pages are 381.

This looks like a lot of fun! I'm between books right now, only because I am having too much fun playing in Collections which I am noticing is interrupting my reading time.

bookmarking the post for now as I will be back once I start the next book (which will probably be tomorrow). :-)

>3 -- What book are you reading??

I'm reading:

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

1. I bought this book at Powell's - the Hawthorne Street annex (which is very close to where I live)

2. I picked it for the Group Reads - Literature read.

3. I just bought it this week.

4. I like the way the intrigue is building.

5. It's better than I thought -- rather verbose (1850s English lit, you know) but the story is intriguing and the character development is fairly good.

6. Right now, I'm on page 107; it weighs in at 609. Bit of a door stop.

I reading The Orkney Scroll by Lyn Hamilton

1. I got this book from the Fort Worth Public Library.
2. I read mostly mysteries. This is not the first Lara McClintoch arhaeological mystery that I have read, and I enjoyed the others, so I decided to try this one.
3. N/A - library book
4. the mystery itself is very good, I am intrigued and want to know who did it and why.
5. It is about what I thought it would be, having read others in the series.
6. I am on page 101, and there are 160 pages remaining.

I'm reading The Children's Book by AS Byatt

1. I got it from Mooroolbark Library
2. Because it is Byatt's newest release and I like her writing.
3. A couple of weeks
4. The characters are interesting.
5. Actually, it has been a bit disappointing.
6. 190 of 615

Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson

1. I got it from a user on BookMooch.com. (I mooched it as a "that looks interesting, I have appear to have so many point I can't even dip under 50 right now, may as well.")

2. Because it's on top of the closest stack on my TBR shelf. Which is to say, I keep seeing it (if ony that worked for all of my books).

3. ...two days.

4. The language. For some reason, in my head it's being read as Neil Gaiman read "The Day the Saucers Came" for some Google thing. And a.) I love that poem and b.) it's working for me.

5. I didn't have any opinions on it to start with, so much, much better.

6. I'm on page 1 of 167. So because I haven't finished a full page yet (I've read 4 paragraphs), I have 167 pages left.

I'm reading When The Duke Returns by Eloisa James

1. I bought it new at Target some time ago, but I had it on my shelf -- it's a reread
2. I've been on a romance reading jag recently -- I can read them late at night without too much thought and enjoy them. This book is the fourth in a series, but I started the series in the middle and I recently picked up the first two books, which I hadn't read. Now I'm reading through the whole series in order because I just bought the newest one and I wanted to have all the background before I started it.
3. I think I bought it last fall some time.
4. I'm enjoying following all the parallel stories in the series.
5. N/A -- I've read it before
6. I just started --I'm only on page 10 out of 375

Message edited by its author, Jun 13, 2009, 11:08pm.

#8 Judylou I bought The Children's Book yesterday hoping it would be as good as Possession... Have you read possession and are able to compare the two?

I am reading The Outlander by Gil Adamson

1. I got the book from the public library

2. I chose to read the book now because it's a library book and can't stay on my TBR pile forever... however I got it out from the library in the first place because I saw it mentioned on LT and then I read the synopsis and it sounded pretty good.

3. I have had it out from the library for one week.

4. I like the the description of landscapes, sounds and smells. I suppose this is called prose?

5. Haven't got that far to tell if it's as expected... I'm still reading which is a good sign.

6. I am on page 58 of 387

The Statement by Brian Moore

1. From local library.
2. Needed a change from some non-fiction I've been dipping into. KnowBrian Moore to be a thought-provoking writer and one who can spin a good yarn (metaphorically speaking).
3. Two days.
4. Interesting characters, and issues of moral choices and self-justification.
5. Neutral.
6. 49. About 200 to go.

I am reading The Summer Book by Tove Jansson.

1. I got this book at The Tattered Cover in Denver -- the best bookstore in the Milky Way. It was displayed as a "staff pick", and I was intrigued, as my children and I loved reading Jansson's Moomintroll books.

2. I picked this book to read now because, well, it's summer, or nearly is. Also because it's a collection of vignettes, not really a novel I would have to follow closely. I thought that would be good to read as I have been out of town working with 72 middle-schoolers, and also starting an intensive university class.

3. It's been on my shelf since September.

4. I'm really enjoying the depiction of island life, and the relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter. I also enjoy the subtle humor.

5. It's neither better now worse than I thought it would be. I am enjoying it.

6. I am on page 144 of 170.

I'm reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

1. I bought it at Third Place Books which I thought was the best bookstore in the Milky Way but apparently it is only 2nd best :)
2. I am finally reading it for my bookclub.
3. I bought it a long time ago, at least a year, maybe 2 years ago.
4. This is a memoir and it reads like I am listening to a good friend talk to me.
5. Better then expected, I don't know why but I have a bias against books that get a lot of attention.
6. I am on page 167 out of a total 334 pages.

Ahem. Powell's City of Books? Best. Bookstore. Ever.

Ah...BUT you didn't call dibbs!

Powells is a VERY good bookstore, I'm going to be in Portland for the 4th of July weekend and I plan on making a stop there.

I am reading The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyami

1. I got the book from our local library.
2. It is our June book club pick.
3. It's been around the house for a while, but didn't start seriously reading until 2 weeks ago. (My book club was started by our librarian; so books get to be checked out for a longer period of time. Nice perk. : )
4. What I like best about this book is that the characters are really well rounded and very likable; I find myself rooting for them! I also am enjoying Gail Tsukiyama's writing style and learning about Japanese culture.
5. The worst part of this book for me is that there are quite a few sad events that take place (a major part of the book takes place in WWII Japan); it's a bit melancholy.
6. I'm on page 586 of 662 (a large print edition) and am anxious to finish!!!

I'm reading: Hamlet's dresser now. It helps me to understand more about Shakespeare, his works and his fans.

Hi Callmejacx,
I'm reading -
The Dragon Scroll by I.J.Parker
1. Bought from a market stall in a nearby town
2. Attracted firstly by the cover artwork
3.Started reading it the same day that I bought it.
4. Interested in the fact that the subject is Crime in Ancient Japan.(Fiction I should say)
5.Having read all of Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee books (Ancient China) this looked a good series to continue with and by the way this one is going,that is absolutely right.
6.On page 250 out of 338.

I am reading Dynamic HTML Illustrated by Sasha Vodnik

1. Where did you get this book?
My son bought it for me at a Half Priced Books store.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
Couldn't wait to learn something new.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Just got it yesterday

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
The easy to follow illustations.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Better, it is old and I didn't think it would be useful.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
On chapter 2 have 5 more to go.

#11 kiwiflowa, I am embarrassed to say that Possession has been on my bedside table for about two years now. For some reason I just never seem to pick it up. I'll be interested to see what your reaction is to her new one.

I'm reading Samuel Johnson and the Life of Reading by Robert DeMaria, Jr

1. I ordered this book online from Barnes and Noble at forty percent off the published price.

2. The author recommended this book to me to help identify books belonging to Samuel Johnson. We cataloged Johnson's library on Library Thing, using the auction catalog, but have since found other references identifying additional books.

3. This book has yet to see shelf space in my library. It's been in my hands, on my table in the living room, or on my night stand since I bought it last month.

4. What I like best is discovering that Samuel Johnson is the same type of reader I am. Like him, I read for study at times and for pleasure at other times.

5. This book is better and "deeper" than I thought it would be, as the author explains the different types of reading Johnson did.

6. I'm on page 153 with 92 pages of text to go.

Message edited by its author, Jun 14, 2009, 5:17am.

My current book is The Last of the Mohicans by J. Fenimore Cooper

1. Where did you get this book?
It's part of the Wordsworth Classics range and a store called The Works had a 3 for 'a small amount of cash that I can't now remember'. I was looking to fill out my 999 challenge and this title could fit the bill for a couple of categories I had.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I was in the mood for some adventure.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
A couple of months.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
The sense of camaraderie that grows through the group of main characters.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Better. I thought it was going to be a real slog to get through after I'd read the first two chapters but then it really picked up.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
On page 153 of 330.

I am reading Isaac's Storm

1. Where did you get this book?
Amazon marketplace

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I wasn't sure what I wanted to pick up last night.
I picked up 3-4 and they were not the ones. Then I remembered
Secrets of the Unified Field: The Philadelphia Experiment, The Nazi Bell, and the Discarded Theory. I knew that is what I wanted to read. I reached out to pluck it from where it had been sitting for a year. Not there. There are only two shelves where it might be. I searched each one 10 times. I looked on the other shelves, 10 times. It has vanished. I should have read it sooner. A book about these things was sure to vanish, I guess. So, Isaac was my second choice.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
a few months.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
I am not very far into it. I opened in and a few minutes later my sister called. Then I came in the house and started watching NCIS.It has already drawn me in, but I can't explain why yet, aside from the fact that the subject interested me, which is why I bought it in the first place.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Hard to say yet, but I am liking it so far

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
27 of about 227, There are many endnotes listings of sources, but that is probably where I will stop, at the end of the notes and before the source list.

eta

After posting this, I was once again determined to find the book. I went upstairs to see if it had somehow wandered up there? nothing. I came down and looked on one of the two shelves where it should have been ( again) , and it was not only there, but nudged out a bit. I guess Isaac had to be firs?

Message edited by its author, Jun 14, 2009, 8:10am.

I'm reading A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

1. Where did you get this book?
I bought it from Amazon as the fourth book of buy 3 get 1 free. I bought it because a friend who is addicted to mysteries gave me a big box of books and there were several Brother Cadfael books in it. I thought I might like to read them in some sort of order, and this is the first book of the series.

2. Why did you pick this book to read now?
I am in the mood for a mystery and for a story that takes place in another time and place.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
This book has been around a couple of months but the other Brother Cadfael books have been around for a few years.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
I like the setting, the characters, and the time period.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Better. I am pleasantly surprised that Brother Cadfael has not always been a monk and is quite worldly. I think PBS ran a Brother Cadfael series and I watched one or two episodes and it did not appeal to me at the time. That's why the books have been sitting on a shelf so long.

6. What page are you on now? How many pages left to go?
I only read one chapter. The book is 197 pages and I should finish it sometime today.

I am also listening to State of Fear by Michael Chricton whenever I am in my car.

1. I bought the CD in Barnes & Noble with a gift card.

2. I picked it to listen to now because (a) I ran out of anything to listen to in the car & I am addicted to listening to books when I drive (b) it was on sale and I had a gift card (c) I used to like Michael Chricton but then his books became too much like each other (d) now that he died, I felt bad that I stopped reading him (What can I say!!)

3. It has not been on my shelf for any time at all. I walked out of B&N, and immediately slipped the first disc in my CD player.

4. What I like best about the book is it is completely and totally a thriller. It certainly keeps me from being aggrevated by being stuck in traffic.

5. Is it better or worse than I thought it would be? It's about what I thought it would be.

6. I am on Disc 3. I think there are 7 or 8 discs.

Right now I'm reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

1) I got this book from a big cardboard box of books at work, that were to be thrown away (!).

2) I picked it up because it's a classic I've always wanted to read. In addition, I'm hopefully going to study litterature at Uni next year, and I thought I should read a few classics in preperation.

3) It's been collecting dust in my TBR pile for about a year now.
4) I like how it's so engaging, I have to know what's going to happen next. (And I really like Mr. Rochester too!)

5) Better actually. I was fearing it was going to be boring, but it's not at all.

6) I'm on page 145 out of 333.

I'm reading two books right now.

Mad Ship by Robin Hobb

1. My mom gave me the series for my birthday
2. Finished book 1, Ship of Magic, last week and this is book 2 in the series
3. About a month.
4. I'm not too far in yet, but I like that it picks up exactly where the first one left off.
5. Not that far in yet to make a judgment.
6. On page 35 of 850. I have a long way to go.

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

1. It was given to me by a friend who said it was an important modern classic.
2. I told said friend I'd start it since I wasn't that far into the book I was currently on. That was before I realized what the book was about. See #4.
3. A couple days.
4. I'm not far enough into the book yet. However, after reading reviews I'm now apprehensive.
5. Not far enough into the book yet.
6. Page 7 of 399.

I'm reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.

I haven't had it that long, but can't remember where I got it...probably Chapters.

I'm reading it now because my book club is discussing it on Tuesday.

It's been on my shelf for less than a month.

So far, what I like is the way the flashbacks are stories within themselves, but there is a continuing story of one character throughout.

It's better than I thought it would be. I thought the stories would be connected only by the book that is the subject of the novel.

I'm on page 202, out of 368.

I'm also reading The Scientist, the Madman, the Thief and their Lightbulb by Keith Tutt.

I ordered it from abebooks after hearing about it on LT.

I'm reading it now because my husband chose it from my TBR shelves as the book we will read together on our commute. Since I choose all the books on the TBR shelves, he gets to choose which one to read together.

It's been on the shelf for a long time -- maybe a year.

So far, I like best the personal stories of the scientists who are working on the search for free energy. My husband likes the science.

It's pretty much what I thought it would be; maybe a bit more technical.

We're on page 159 of 263.

Right now I am reading The Disappeared by Kim Echlin.

1. Where did you get this book?
- From the public library. Found it posted on week in the New Arrivals and the title, cover and a quick on-line review search convinced me to give it a go.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
- I have had it out for a couple of weeks and just noticed that it was due back yesterday! Yikes!

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
- N/A as per above answer

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
- The writing style and the story. Echlin wraps the reader in the memories of the narrator's past in such a beautiful way.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
- Better. I had no idea if I would enjoy the book when I placed the hold.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
- Page 39 0f 228.

I'll play. I am reading Lisey's Story by Stephen King.

1. Where did you get this book?
My husband has had it for a while.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
My husband has been trying to get me to read it, even though he hasn't and it's his. Also, I was looking for a change of pace from what I've been reading a lot of lately, books in a series.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Not on my shelf, but it's been on my husbands for a while, I think since it came out as it's a hardcover that I remember him picking up at B&N.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It's pretty early in, but I do like the main character and am interested to see what happens, and happened, to her.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
It's better. I used to be a big Stephen King fan in my youth. After reading The Stand the uncut version though, nothing else of his could measure up, but so far so good with this one.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
I'm on page 30 out of 512. There is a reason I don't teach math.

I currently read Tod aus der Tiefe by James Powlik.

1. Where did you get this book? Someone gave it to my grandma and as she didn't wanted to read it, I thought I could give it a go.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? The summary sounded nice and interesting.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Around one and a half year.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? It's interesting and describes the horror-things happening very good.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? It is describing a lot about oceanography which can be pretty boring at times.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? Page 31 now, 468 to go

thanks for the invite, callmejacx, this looks like fun.

I've just finished a book, so I will start a new one later on today. The book that I've picked out for my next read is The Raphael Affair by Iain Pears.

1. Where did you get this book?
I got this book through Bookmooch.com

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I have separate TBR piles of books around the house depending on genre, and I try to rotate the genres that I read so that I'm not stuck in a groove. I wanted to read this now because I just paid a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts yesterday and felt like reading an art mystery.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
About a year.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
I haven't started it yet, so I can't say ... but I can say that it sounds promising. :-)

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
I'm about to start on page 1 and there are 226 pages to go.

I am currently reading Fantômas.

1.I received this book from the Interlibrary Loan department.

2. I am reading this book now because it has the shortest loan period of all my borrowed books.

3. It came yesterday.

4. Don't know what I like best because I just started it.

5. Page 1

I am reading Asking for the moon by Reginald Hill. It is 16 in the series.

1. Where did you get this book?

I got it from my sister-in-law, we trade books often.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?

I was re-reading some Dick Francis and wanted a change. Susan recommended this book so I decided to give it a try. This author was also a favourite of my mother's. I tried Hill once before and on the first page was put off by Daiziel's manner/attitude/general view of life. This is 4 short stories and I thought it was a good place to try Hill again.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?

3-4 weeks

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?

I am being slowly broken in to Daiziel!

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?

Much better! I will try another.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?

I finished the first story which is about the first meeting of Daiziel abd Pascoe and I am part way through the second which is more about Pascoe. Page 118 of 323.

> 17 I read The Street of a Thousand Blossoms and really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see the war from the Japanese point of view. I recommend Women Of The Silk and The Language Of Threads. A young Chinese girl is sold by her family to become a silk worker just prior to WWII.

good to hear of these recommendations for The Street of a Thousand Blossoms - I'd seen it in the bookstores, but I've been hesitating to pick it up because I wasn't sure if it was going to be any good. Now I'll add it to my wishlist

I am reading Fool by Christopher Moore

1. I borrowed this book from the Durham County Library.

2. I'm reading this now because I love Shakespeare and wanted to read something gently coinciding with Shakespeare for my birthday.

3. It's been sitting on my shelf for at least three weeks.

4. I really like the phrase "heinous fuckery most foul". It sums up the book, too.

5. Not quite living up to what I expected, but not bad at all.

6. I'm on page 271. 23 pages to go.

MissTeacher...Happy Birthday.

Everyone...Thank you so much for joining my thread here. Nice to see everyone is just as curious as I am.

jacx, this is a fun thread.. I love this kind of thread :) thanks for the invite..

Regards From The Dead Princess by Kenize Mourad
1. Where did you get this book?
Was waiting for my friend at the library and it sort of jumped off the shelve at me

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I am loving historical fiction at the present but I wanted something that wasn't Henry VIII's England as I have read about ten of those type books lately

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
It sat on my table for about a week while I finished my other library books

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
I like having India presented to me from the muslim side when they were trying to gain independence, I had only ever looked at what Gandhi did for India

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
I would say better, I wasn't sure if I would like reading history about another country

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
On page 465 and there are 562, so little less than a hundred to go

I am currently reading The Girls buy Lori Lansens.

I got it from Borders.

I am reading it because it is our latest book club pick.

It's been in my TBR stacks for probably a little over a year.

I love the entire story of conjoined twins--something different and how the twins each have chapters back and forth throughout the book.

It is not quite as good as I thought it would be but still a very good story.

I am on page 246 w/ 314 pages total.

Thanks callmejacx for starting this thread!!

I am reading Twelve by Jasper Kent

1. Where did you get this book? Through Amazon.com

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? It keep catching my eye when I browsed my TBR pile

3. How long has it been on your shelf? 3 months

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The descriptions of the War between Russia and France

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Better

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? I am page 374 with 106 to go

But jacx, you still didn't tell us what book you're reading!

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

1. Where did you get this book?
Picked it up at my campus bookstore. I don't buy many books there, but it IS an independent bookstore.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I think it's a likely book choice for several of my friends because of the way the chapters are done (stand-alones) and because it won a Pulitzer Prize.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Never made it to the shelf. I bought it to travel with and immediately packed it.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
I like the way Strout interweaves different characters, with Olive always somewhere in the story.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Better. Her previous book, Amy and Isabelle, didn't do much for me. This is a better read.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
Don't have it in front of me, but I'm about one-third through.

Message edited by its author, Jun 14, 2009, 7:14pm.

Since my last post on June 6, I have finished Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. I have also read Slamming Open the Door by Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno, this is an amazingly raw emotional onslaught in poetry - read it, even if you are not that into poetry. The Tenth Insight by James Redfield. Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher, a book so witty and manic that I laughed outloud and had to keep reading bits aloud to my sister just to have somebody to laugh with. Snow by Maxence Fermine, if you have never read this author's work, do so - it is beautiful. I most recently finished Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, now I want to change the world... but when would I have time to read?

I am now reading Dispatches by Michael Herr

1. Where did you get this book?
Adams County Library System - use your local library, you never when funding cuts could remove them from your world

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I read about it in book of book club selections, the author wrote the narration in the movie "Apocalypse Now" and the screne play for "Full Metal Jacket". It is about the Vietnam War, my dad's war. With Father's Day approaching it seemed appropriate.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
a week

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It leaves out the politics of the war, it is simply the human aspect

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Way better, I can't put it down and I really don't read many war books

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
On page 90. It ends on 243, you do the math - I have a book to finish!

hello
American Rust

1. Where did you get this book?

i got this as an ARC..way back in December..i think

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?...because i live not too far from where this book is set....change Coal Mines for Steel Mills..you got where i live

3. How long has it been on your shelf?

maybe 4 months

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
it's seriously honest about the people i live with...maybe not so pretty..literary...who cares;

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?..............much better..the language of the characters is very real

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? i can't say..i'm reading an ARC

# 39...mckait...Glad you are having fun with it.

# 41... momom248...I found the same thing The Girls by Lori Lansens.

# 43... teelgee...Ummm, oh yeah...ummm. How could I be so silly. My book is At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

It seems we might have a hit thread here. I am enjoying reading all the posts. Very interesting.

I am reading Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman.

1. I got this book used from my favorite bookstore, Bookman's.

2. I am reading it now because it's been a few months since I read a book by Alice Hoffman, and she is one of my favorite authors. It was just time!

3. Thanks to LibraryThing, I know it's been on my shelf for 11 months.

4. I've really been enjoying all the tales of the people who've lived in Blackbird House. They're magical, heartbreaking, and fantastic.

5. It is as good as I hoped it would be. It seems to be a bunch of short stories so far, and I wish that each one was a full-length book instead of the small sample I'm getting.

6. I'm on page 63 and I have 98 pages to go.

I'm in the middle of reading three books right now. But I'll use the one I most recently started for this game. :)

The Sleeping Beauty by Elizabeth Taylor

1. Where did I get it? I got it from a friend as a Christmas present along with 15 or so other Virago Modern Classics.

2. Why did I pick this book up NOW? I was in the mood for reading some Elizabeth Taylor and the description of this one fit my mood the best.

3. How long has it been on my shelf? It was given to me for Christmas 2007.

4. What do I like best about the book? The subtle insights into character.

5. Better or worse than anticipated? About what I thought it would be. I've read books by her before.

6. What page am I at now? 49 out of 266 pages

Currently I'm reading a historical romance, Lord of Fire by Gaelen Foley.

1. I got this book from BookMooch after receiving a recommendation from a fellow LTer.

2. I'm reading this now because I suggested it on the Romance LT group for our monthly read and it got picked for June :-)

3. This book has been on my shelf since January, 2009. Not really all that long considering many of the books in my tbr pile have been there for years.

4. I'm really enjoying these characters. Historical romances have been kind of hit or miss for me, but this is one that I am really happy reading.

5. This is much better than I expected.

6. Right now I'm on page 232 out of 407.

since i'm reading 5 or 6 books simultaneously, i'll just tackle one at a time. :)

a tale of two cities by charles dickens

1. got it from NLS/BPH (nat'l library service for the blind and physically handicapped)

2. i'd been feeling a dearth of the classics, i love dickens and i decided the time was right to tackle totc.

3. i started it when it arrived in the mail, however, since i'm a multiple-books-at-once reader, it's taking me a while and i've had it for at least a month.

4. a) it's CHARLES DICKENS and 2) i love his humor. i can taste and smell and hear and see telfords, for example. and then, too, i'm entranced by his shifts from unbearable grief to marvelous wit.

5. it's as good as i'd hoped though daunting in length.

6. um, i think maybe they tell us the page but i never pay any attention. i'm in the early chapters.

I don't know about this. I tend to read several books at once depending on where I am and the mood I'm in. Right now I am reading at least 5-6 books!
I will mention one I just finished as I think it is an amazing story.

Bone Song by John Meaney
Genre - Fantasy / Urban Fantasy

1. Bought at Borders
2. It caught my attention and after reading a couple pages I simply couldn't stop.
3. I read it the day I bought it and have had it for 3 or 4 days.
4. The author created a entirely new world and system. Nothing new, but what he created certainly is. Imagine a world where energy to run everything is derived from the dead. THAT is what provides electricity and everything else needed for civilization.
5. It is so much better and I am wanting the next book in the series THIS MOMENT! (Black Blood out now in HC)
6. All done.

Now as to what you really asked me to do. -grin- I'll pick the book I am most into right now.

Every Demon Has It's Day by Cara Lockwood
Genre - Fantasy

I've been into Urban or Dark Fantasy for a while and picked this one up at random. While the subject is dark, the story is mostly humor. I don't know if I will read the next one, but this one is fun.

1. From my local library
2. Like any other I read, it caught my attention and I was in the mood to read this kind of book now.
3. 2 days.
4. It is a comedy fantasy and the humor is pretty good so far.
5. The main character is written a bit too dense for me. There are times when I have to yell, 'What the hell!' and wonder if I really want to continue. I'll finish though as I hate to not finish a book.
6. On page 205 of 339.

The Stranger by Max Frei
Genre - Science Fiction

I first read about this book online and have read bits about it in several places for some time. It was released in Europe several years ago. It sounded better the more I read about it and I am thinking it may be a candidate for my permanent library.

1. Library
2. I've been waiting to read this ever since I heard of it, but it was too expensive to buy. It's a best-seller by a Russian author and an amazing story.
3. 2 days
4. The story is quite different and unusual. There is intrigue, humor, mystery and more. It's just fun!
5. It's as good as I had hoped it would be.
6. 86 of 544

One more and I'll stop.

Hellgate: London, Book 1, Exodus by Mel Odom
Genre - Sci- Fi Horror

These 3 books (Exodus, Goetia & Covenant) are based on the video game Hellgate: London which is a pretty fun game. There is a comic book series as well. So I am drawn to the books for several reasons and via several ways. Plus, the author, Mel Odom, is a favorite of mine and I know he writes a good story. Many books based on movies, games or whatever are garbage. But with a good writer they can be great.

1. Library
2. I'm rereading the first one as it has been so long and I need to refresh the story before going on to books 2 and 3.
3. 2 weeks
4. It's a good action sci-fi with horror, magic and the end of the world to boot!
5. Other than slowing down in a few spots it's as good as hoped.
6. 238 of 466

Title/author

1. Where did you get this book?

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?

3. How long has it been on your shelf?

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?

Message edited by its author, Jun 15, 2009, 1:13am.

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome

1. I won it from giveaway on a blog. Unfortunately I can't remember which one at the moment.

2. I picked it because I wanted something funny and I was hoping this would fit the bill.

3. It has been on my shelf for about a month.

4. I like that it is funny just as I had hoped. I love the way the narrator tells the story.

5. So far it is even better than I thought it would be.

6. I'm on page 144 with 41 pages to go.

First give the title of your book and the author and then try to answer the questions below.

The High Cost of Living by Marge Piercy

1. I was locking up the library, and I noticed on old copy sitting in the for sale carrel

2. I thought I had read every novel by Marge Piercy apparently not. I devoured her books, she's one of the most intelligent commentators on human relations and society I've known - this was a real find for me.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? I started reading it within 4 days of filching it.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The witty conversation between the three protagonists drawn into an unlikely menage a trois. The deep connections between the two outsiders clawing their way out of a loveless cruel past

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? I can't put it down- was up all night-- it's exactly what I expect of a Marge Piercy novel- highest standards.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? OK, I just finished it 5 minutes ago. I had to let someone know.

Message edited by its author, Jun 15, 2009, 9:41am.

#28 LynnB, I just noticed that goddessladyj wants to talk about People of the Book on this thread http://www.librarything.com/topic/66904.

Of all the books on this thread People of the Book kind of stood out for me, which is why I noticed it and connected it from the other thread. I liked your explanation of why you liked it.

sigh, I guess that means I have another book for my wishlist...

I am currently reading 4 books with 2 on deck.

Danse Macabre by Stephen King

1. Where did you get this book? I bought it 20 or so years ago.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? King's Dear Constant Reader's group read

3. How long has it been on your shelf? 20 or so years

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? Reading about King's views on horror and his discussion of little known movies and books.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? this is a reread so it's what I expected.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? on page 57 of 411

The Stand by Stephen King

1. Where did you get this book? library

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? 2 group reads, King's Dear Constant Reader's and The 75 book challenge group

3. How long has it been on your shelf? never

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? It's a reread and I'm understanding it better this time around. I didn't appreciate the build up to the end show down as much the first time.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? For a reread, it's better the second time around.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?On page 466 of 1153 pages

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

1. Where did you get this book?A co worker loaned it to me.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Because she said that my world wouldn't be complete until I read the Twilight series.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? 6 months

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The end of it. Not the writing just that it ended.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Worse, my world is still not complete.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? 452 of 754

Lord John and the Hand of the Devils by Diana Gabaldon

1. Where did you get this book? library

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Passed it on the shelf and picked it up on a whim

3. How long has it been on your shelf? 2 months

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? I LOVE the Outlander series and was disappointed when I read Lord John and the Private Matter. This book is composed of three shorts that reveal a lot about Lord John's ersonality that I wished I knew.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? better

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? 189 of 302

At the moment I'm reading Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue.

1. Where did you get this book? My public library

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I think it's the library book I've had the longest.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Since about February I think - a good long while.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? It's hard to say, it's a very dark book. If anything I like the gritty portrayal of London in the 18th century. Very unlike most books which focus on high society.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Worse, actually. I don't like it very much, it's too depressing for me and I don't like Mary Saunders. I could deal better with the gritty story if I liked the main character.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? 196 of 422.

I'm reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

1. I waited a good long time for this book from the Durham library.

2. I'm reading it now because I didn't want to rack up any more late fees.

3. It's been on my shelf for about a week.

4. I really like the author's tone and the grittiness of the story, but much more so because it's written in almost-Spanglish.

5. It is much different than I expected, but is wonderful.

6. I'm on 181 of 335, so 154 left to go.

As usual, I'm reading more than one now:

Annie's Ghosts

1. Where did you get this book? B&N

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Saw a review on LT and it peaked my interest.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Never hit the shelf--started reading immediately.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? I'm most interested in how he does his research and how one thing will sometimes lead him back to something he thought he'd alread exhaused.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? I thought it would be good, but it's better than I anticipated.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? I'm 3/4's finished.

Girl With a Pearl Earring

1. Where did you get this book? Don't remember, but probably B&N.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? 2009 Global Reading Group is reading about Art and this is about a Vermeer.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Okay, now I'm embarassed -- October 24, 2004.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The descriptions paint pictures, really amazing.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? I'm only a few pages in, but I'm enjoying it so far.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? 17 of 233.

I have Girl With a Pearl Earring on my wish list.

If you want it when I'm finished, send me a message with your address (privately, of course).

CarolO, thanx for the tip. I checked out the thread.

Hi C,thanks for the invite.
I have to add, I ocasionally wonder myself where I got this book or that!
*
I'm reading look me in the eye by John Elder Robison
I got it at a yard sale, a whole box of good books , mostly gardening books,all for five bucks,
two weeks ago.
I heard about it on NPR talk show.
Asperger's and autism intrigues me ,I'm always looking for insight into my own at times debilitating shyness,(I think 'normal' is a myth ,anyway.(once you get to know people individually,boy oh boy don't we all have that sybil thing going.)

It's better than I expected,different then I'd expected .He's a real Huckleberry Finn.He went His Own way.I went out and got his brother's book to read next,Running with Scissors,of course they're probably usually read in the opposite order.It's funny-spit out your tea funny-he did what???
@pps217

hey i was just waundering if any of you have read THE HOST by STEPHANIE MEYER. if you have cound you please tell me is it a good book alot.

I'm reading Conversation in the Cathedral by the Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa.

1. Where did you get this book? I bought it at BookCourt in Brooklyn the weekend before last.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I was intrigued by the comment of an LT member (lriley), who described it as possibly the best 20th century novel set in Latin America.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? 1-1/2 weeks

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The structure of the dialogue is quite unique. The two characters are reminiscing in a restaurant near Lima, with interspersed flashbacks, sometimes even within the paragraph. It's a interesting technique, and it's keeping me on my toes!

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? It's very good so far, I'd say it's as good as I expected it to be, given lriley's glowing recommendation.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? I'm on page 91 of 601.

I finished book I posted above in #29 - Great book!

Right now I am reading The Children's Book by A. S. Byatt.

1. Where did you get this book?
- From the public library based on reviews posted in the Globe and Mail Books website and LT. For those of you wondering, the Globe and Mail is a national newspaper here in Canada that has a separate section on their website dedicated to Books, and lots of things about Books.....

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
- I was so excited the book was in and ready for pick-up!

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
- 4 days now, max.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
- That is best described below.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
- I have to be honest and say worse. I was expecting to be wafted away into a world of amazing characters, beautiful writing and a stunning story to enthrall me. So far, no such luck. I feel like I am being bogged down in details to the point where the thread of the plot becomes this elusive hint of something more to come... definitely not what I was expecting.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
- Page 79 of a total of 609 pages.

Note: Unless the book can redeem itself in the pages I read tonight, it will be abandoned.

callmejacx;

Thank you so much for thinking up this thread and also for inviting me to join you all. What fun!~!

>17: avidmom; you cannot go wrong with any Gail Tsukiyama read. All of her work is wonderful and so descriptive. You can smell the scents when she describes them, taste the flavors, see the colors, she is very good at what she does. Read them all.

>#22: moibibliomaniac; I am going to be on the hunt for that Samuel Johnson and the Life of Reading. It sounds fascinating.

>#48: PaperbackPirate; you are one after my own heart. Blackbird House is one of my very favs and I absolutely worship at the feet of Alice Hoffman.

#49: christiquc; What are you talking---15 or so VMCs for Christmas??? Someone loves you lotz!~! Where I live I can't even find 15 VMCs within a 150 mile radius. I know, I have looked!~! Wow!~! Lucky you.

Right now I am reading three books. My book and 2 "tweeners".

I am currently reading: Capote: A Biography by Gerald Clarke
I got it at my local (45 miles away) library branch as I did the other 2.
I am reading it now because a few weeks back I read a book of short stories by Capote that was really wonderful. I swear I knew every single person in each of those stories or I could tell you someone who did. They were that real. And I knew then that I wanted to read a biography on him. What a fascinating personality.
As it is from the library it has not been on my shelf at all; just a little stand where I keep my library books.
The best part of this book has been reading about how hard he worked his craft and also how he worked "people". He really knew "us".
The book is much better than I thought it would be.
I am on page 431 of 550 if you don't count the source notes which in the case of a book like this I will read.

My 1st "tweener"is: What Jane Austen Taught Me About Love and Romance by Debra White Smith.
It is also a library book.
I am reading it now because I saw it on the shelf at the library and it just looked like a fun read.
It has not been on my shelf as it is a library book.
The best part of the book is that I expected it to just be some fluff, but there are actually some interesting comparisons in it and it is a fun read.
It is also better than I thought it would be for the above reasons.
I am on page 95 of 192.

My 2nd "tweener" is Forest Cats of North America by Jerry Kobalenko.
Likewise, I got this at the library. (My library card ran out today and I wanted to get as much use out of it as I could because I am not going to remit the $80.00 they want from me to renew it)
I am reading it now because it was a rec from whitewavedarling. (thank you so much, my dear)
As it was a library book it has not been on my shelf.
The best part of this book has got to be the pictures. We live in the middle of cougar and bobcat territory so a lot of what the author had to say I was familiar with. He said that most of those who study wild cats have only seen them in Africa and India, etc,. that rarely has one of them seen any of the wild cats in North America. I have seen cougars and bobcats many times. My daughter and her husband had a female cougar give birth to her cubs and take over their barn 3 different times. One time we were hiking up above their house on the logging road and my grandson, who was 3 at the time, said: "Look at that dog following us." It was not a dog, it was a cougar. We kind of freaked out!~! But my son-in-law shooed it away. This book has gorgeous pictures in it and the research and writing are well done as well.
It is as good as I expected it to be. I would expect nothing less from a whitewavedarling rec.
I am on page 51 of 122.

And now, after hi-jacking this for quite long enough, I will turn it over to the next party.

Thanx callmejacx. It's been fun.

I was passed this thread by a friend who recommended it ... so here goes.

I am reading Women in The War Zone Hospital Service in The First World War by Anne Powell

1. Where did you get this book? From our library

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I am very interested in the role of women in war, the first world war and it was on the new book shelf in the library when I visited!
3. How long has it been on your shelf? It had been in the library five minutes - it was a brand new book!

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The variety of women and the way in which the collection has been bought together by Anne Powell The fact that so many women were determined to make a difference despite some of the stereotypical views of the time.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? It exceeds expectations.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? It is upstairs and my other half is fast asleep. I will have to come back to edit this one!
Thank you for setting this up !

>64 lagodiva: there are whole groups devoted to Stephanie Meyer, I'd suggest you start there. Of course, they'd probably be biased!

Thanks for the comment and link to this thread, callmejacx!

I'm reading two books right now.

Time's Witness by Michael Malone

1. Where did you get this book? BookMooch

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I just finished the first book in the series, Uncivil Seasons, loved it, and wanted something fairly light to balance John Adams by David McCullough, see below

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Since June 3rd.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The characters are very vividly drawn and it takes place in the Piedmont of North Carolina, which is where I've lived for 18 years

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Better

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? Page 220. 321 pages to go

John Adams by David McCullough

1. Where did you get this book? BookMooch

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I was given the HBO series of the book by a friend about 3 months ago. We watched it about a month ago and all loved it. It seemed natural to pull the book from the shelves and start reading.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Since April 20th.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? It makes me realize how maligned John Adams is, at least in popular history and in my eyes previous to reading this book. He signed the Alien and Sedition Acts because people wanted them. He apparently had quite a few reservations about them.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Much better

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? Page 344. 306 to go.

Message edited by its author, Jun 17, 2009, 4:10am.

Just started on two new books...

Netherland by Joseph O'Neill

1. Where did you get this book?
In a 3 for 2 offer at Waterstones

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I liked the blurb on the back and it really interested me

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Only a couple of days as I picked it up at the weekend

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It's a bit different to my normal reading material. Still in the early stages though to really form an opinion.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
I've enjoyed the start so I'll say it's living up to expectations.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
52 read, 288 still to go.

The Very Best of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

1. Where did you get this book?
The Works in a cheap deal for Wordsworth Classics

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I always try and have a short stories collection on the go where I can just pick up and read a snippet or two to fill up those little 20-30 minute gaps in life. This was the next in line.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Since the beginning of April this year.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
Only read the first story up to now.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Too early to tell but first story was a good start.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
Page 24. 438 to read.

The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith

1. Where did you get this book?

Given to me as a birthday present.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?

I haven't read it before.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?

LT? Not there yet, won't be until I have finished it, then I will both 'Add' and review it.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?

I just love AMcS's gentle comedy, sharp observations, and great characters.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?

It's well up to the standard of 44 Scotland Street.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?

Sorry, I find this an anal question! I'm about 2/3 the way through, which means (if my maths is sound) about 1/3 to go.

Fluisteraars, which is the Dutch translation of Whisperers by Orlando Figes

1. It was last year’s birthday present from my sister.

2. Since I got it I wanted to read it. In my vacation in May I read the novel Sashenka by Simon Sebag Montefiore as a stepping stone to this book.

3. Three quarters of a year

4. The detailed look it gives of the workings of Stalinism on the lives of many, many people. Half way the book I paused: I needed to read about the men who created all this horror, so I read Simon Sebag Montefiore’s Stalin, a very good documented book about this man and his circle, which reads as a soap.

5. It is as I expected (I read two other books by Figes)

6. At present I am on page 455. The book has 683 pages

Hi callmejacx, This is a wonderful thread! I love it!

Ok, I'm currently reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

1. Where did you get this book? I got it from one of my local bookstores called Tecni-ciencia Libros

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I am currently doing a reread of the whole Harry Potter series before the movie hits theaters.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Since the book came out which was on July 16th 2005 (I checked on wikipedia :P) so about 4 years.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? Having finished the whole series I can now appreciate the little details and hints the author gave us throughout the series.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Since it is a reread I already knew it wouldn't disappoint me and it hasn't.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? I am on page 166 out of 652. So 486 pages to go.

Thanks callmeljax

Jane Eyre

1. where did you get book- off my shelf
2. why are you reading now - never read it before and it was about time I did.
3. length on shelf - maybe a year
4. what do you like best so far - The beautiful writing and knowing I am joining the large club of Rochester lovers.
5. better or worse than expected - it's about what i expected
6. Page on, pages to go - I'm on page 93 of 456

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

1. where did you get book- library
2. why are you reading now - My hold for the book came in
3. length on shelf - n/a
4. what do you like best so far - the cuteness of the young lead, and the interaction with her older siblings, very realistic.
5. better or worse than expected - better, not that I expected bad, but so far I'm loving it, I was hooked right away
6. Page on, pages to go - I'm on page 30 of 292

Strikt by Minke Douwesz

1. I had this novel ordered by a local bookstore

2. It was a case of a book calling out and me ad hoc reacting. And at present this book is also a terrific contrast to all those horrible Stalinists (see post 73).

3. It was not so long on my shelf. I bought it in March and started reading immediately. At that time I was also reading about Alexander the Great and the Diadochi, so I didn’t go fast with Strikt. Was savouring it. As it is a beautiful and a heavy book, I didn’t take it with me on my holydays. When back, I picked it up again, together with the books about the Stalin era.

4. What like best about it? Every thing. It is about a smart, unpretentious but strict young lesbian psychiatrist, and the (heterosexual) chaotic red haired cellist (with child wish) she falls in love with, about her friends, her profession, her clients, her colleagues, the health system, her little house with cats and chickens at the river dyke, her trips to her loved ones in Amsterdam, her reading, the movies, the music, etc. etc.

5. Better than I thought it would be. It’s a feast!

6. At page 776. The book has 837 pages. After that I will start with Douwesz second novel, Weg, which is about a forceful lesbian split-up.

I'm reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokav.

1. Where did you get this book? I bought it at a local fleemarked.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I've heard so many great things about this book that I thought it was about time I gave it a shot.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? About 8 months to a year I think.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? I'd have to say the use of the language.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Better. I thought it was going to be a tough read, with difficult and tedious language, but luckily it's not like that at all.

6. What page are you on NOW? How pages are left? I'm on page 45 out of 254. So it's 209 pages to go.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

1. Where did I get it? A library (?) booksale

2. Why did I pick this book up NOW? I've meant to get to it for some time but kept putting it off 'cause it was so long...I finally picked it up because I needed to fill my Recommendations category for the 999 challenge

3. How long has it been on my shelf? over a year, maybe even two

4. What do I like best about the book? The characters are memorable and often very funny

5. Better or worse than anticipated? about the same

6. What page am I at now? 354 out of 950

Thanks for the birthday felicitations everyone!

After quickly digesting The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (please read it!), I am on to my next adventure:

Storyteller by G R Grove
1. I bought it from Amazon because I was lucky enough to win a copy of Flight of the Hawk from Ms. Groves' giveaway, and I wanted to read the series in order.

2. I picked up this book now because I really need to start reviewing the multitude of books I've acquired through member giveaways.

3. This book came to me on my birthday, so I've had it eight days.

4. I'm not very far into the book, so it's hard to say exactly what I like best. Being a linguist, I did immensely appreciate the guide to Welsh pronunciation in the back! God forbid I say something wrong in my head!

5. It's to early to tell, but things are looking good.

6. I'm on page 13 of 236, so I have 223 left!

Hi callmejacx,

I'm currently reading Charlotte in Paris by Annie Bryant.

1. Where did you get this book? I got it from a yard sale in the outside of King Luther Marton Library.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Because the summary is interesting.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? For 1 month.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? About how they start their BSG club.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? better

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? I am on page 41. So 157 pages to go.

Agincourt by Bernard Cromwell
1. Got it at Barnes and Noble in Austin.
2.I just finished two books by him,Lords of the North and Sword Song, I thought this might be a continuation of the story.
3.NA
4.What I like the best is the viewpoint is of one of the soldiers rather than the King as it is another version of this story.
5.It is ever bit as good or better than I could have hoped for.
6.I'm on 187, it runs to451 so not long now.

callmejacx Thanks for the invite. Am a little embarrassed that it took my so long to notice the post.

The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman

1. Ordered it from Amazon

2. Saw it in Barnes and Noble 6 months ago and was intrigued (particularly the cover picture and title) so put under sociology in my 999 Challenge. Since I had yet to read anything in my Sociology category and it was the first one, I ordered it.

3. Perhaps two days between when I received it and started reading it.

4. I like its readable but scholarly approach to ordinary social interaction (including in the work place)

5. It's about what I expected but more "ordinary" social presentations are discussed than the cover picture might imply. (They look like very contrived British aristocracy or transvestites)

6. I'm on page 140 with 115 yet to go.

I just finished the book called Camp Confidential Book 2:Jenna's Dilemma; I'm about to start reading a book called Lucky by Rachel Vail.

1. I borrowed it from the public library

2. It looked interesting

3. About 3 weeks

4. Well, I haven't started but I read the inside of the cover and it sounded like my kind of book.
It's about a girl named Phoebe who has a reputation as a Lucky girl.

5. Haven't started reading it.

6. Haven't started reading, I'm starting today.

I just finished The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyami and am now reading (re-reading) Can't Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg

I got it from my favorite place, the library.

I am re-reading it now because I suggested it as our club pick for June/July. I picked this particular book to read now for our club because I remembered it being a funny and light-hearted read and thought our group would enjoy a "fun" book for a change.

It's not been "on my shelf"; but I brought it home 2 days ago.

What I like best about this book, besides the few parts that had me laughing out loud, is that it reminds me of the small town I grew up in. Some of the characters remind me of some of my relatives.

This book is one of my favorites; but if I had any complaints it would be that some of it is downright silly (but considering the context; that's OK here); and that the author occasionally goes on a few tangents that seem a bit out of place.

I'm on page 272 of 359. It's a really easy read.

The book has recipes at the end; I am planning baking a "Heavenly Caramel Cake." I heard it was good.
: )

Wow!~! 85 posts already. I would say you have received a rousing response callmejacx!

I am reading 4 books at the moment.
The first is: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote.
I got it from the library.
I am reading it now because last night I completed: Capote: A Biography by Gerald Clarke and just knew this one had to come next.
It has not been on my shelf because it is a library book.
What I like the best about the book is Capote's smooth style of writing. The man was a genius.
I knew it was going to be great when I picked it up.
I am on page 125 of 343.

The 2nd book I am reading is: Anna Karinina by Tolstoy.
I got it from Amazon.com.
I am reading it now because it is past the 15th and I can go at it again for the "group read" on the 75 gig.
It has been on my shelf for about 6 years.
The best part of the book is "yet to come".
It is much better than I remember it from the '70s.
I am on page 353 of 817.

My 2nd "tweener" has now become my 1st "tweener": What Jane Austen Taught Me About Love and Romance by Debra White Smith.
It is also a library book.
I am reading it now because I saw it on the shelf at the library and it just looked like a fun read.
It has not been on my shelf as it is a library book.
The best part of the book is that I expected it to just be some fluff, but there are actually some interesting comparisons in it. Between then and now and she also compares emotions, actions and reactions between the book and the Bible which are very interesting. And it is still a fun read.
It is also better than I thought it would be for the above reasons.
I am now on page 131 of 192.

My current 2nd "tweener" is A question of Death: "An Illustrated Phryne Fisher Treasury by Kerry Greenwood.
I bought the book at Barnes & Noble.
I am reading it now because I saw christiguc discussing another "Phryne Fisher" she had just completed and it sounded quite delightful but I didn't want to buy one going in cold so I bought this little treasury just to see what all the shouting was all about.
It has been on my shelf all of 2 weeks.
The thing I like the best about it is FUN, FUN, FUN!~!
I am currently on page 19 of 254.

Message edited by its author, Jun 18, 2009, 6:37pm.

#67...nannybebette...it was my pleasure. I thought of it but you all have made it for what it is. It has been fun reading all the posts. I just wish I wasn't this far behind. Nice to have you all here and sharing your books with us.

#68...Juliette...Thank you for joining this post. I recently read a book about women of war. I found it very fasinating. It might even be by the same author. I do have this book on my LT Librabry. I would look now but I have all these postings to read lol

I'm currently reading Jazz on the Barbary Coast

1. Where did you get this book?
It was a "bread a butter" gift from a friend from SF who came to visit us in Boonville for a weekend.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I generally think it's polite to read gift books relatively soon after receiving them. That plus it looked very interesting.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
For 1 month.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
The fact that much of the book is told via oral histories that the author/researcher dug up, and the fact that the book describes a very interesting topic: jazz in the Barbary Coast red light district of San Francisco from 1900 to about 1920.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Better

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
I'm halfway through. 108 down, 108 to go. In general, I guess I'll post my books on this thread when I get to the halfway point.

The White Road by John Connolly

1. Where did you get this book?
At Strand Bookstore, used copy ordered online

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
John Connolly just came out with a new book in the Charlie Parker series and I wanted to catch up

3. How long has it been on your shelf? 1 year

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It is a real page turner and a lot of action takes place in Maine, where I grew up. I does help to have read the previous books in the series.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? About the same--similar to the previous in the series.

6. On page 160 out of about 400.

Message edited by its author, Jun 18, 2009, 9:01pm.

Thanks for asking me to join the fun!
8th Confession by James Patterson
1. Where did you get this book? the library

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I have been on reserve and my name came up. Plus it was on my TBR challenge.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? It was on reserve since about Jan. I started out about 50th.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It has a lot of action and some unexpected twists. Romance too.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? It is better.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? I am on page 236 of 259. I will finish it tonight.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

1. Where did you get this book? the library

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? This is our kids book discussion connected to our Summer Reading Club this summer. The theme is Get Creative@ Your Library. With the paintings it fits in well with our theme.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? I decided this would be the book we would read in December.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
The pentominoes, the codes and the kids.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? no better, no worse. I think the kids will like it which is important.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? 99 of 254. I hope to finish it this weekend.

Dorothy L Sayers' Busman's Honeymoon.
1. It's a paperback, so probably from my local bookshop - Waterstones. It wasn't recommended as such: years ago, I was staying with a friend; failing to get to sleep one night there were shelves of books on the bedroom wall; I picked out a book of Lord Peter Wimsey short stories, purely because they were short stories; and I've been hooked on D. L. S' Lord Peter stories ever since - Gaudy Night and Busman's Honeymoon being my favourites - and pretty quickly bought them all in paperback.
2. I haven't been too well recently and I regard this book as rather like comfort food - especially as I've read it so often that it's a bit like an old friend. It's not too challenging when I'm feeling depressed and lethargic, but layered and deep enough that I always find it absorbing - a sort of happy medium.
3. Ten or fifteen years perhaps - all the pages are coming loose. Over the years I've been gradually replacing these paperbacks with good condition hardbacks, but it's proving surprisingly difficult to do - especially as all the local second-hand bookshops have gone out of business in the last few years. I'm not really enthusiastic about buying second-hand books unseen on the web.
4. It's quite varied in tone from comedy to quite serious, though nothing off-putting or scary(as I said, comfort food). If you've read the other books it's a very satisfying tying up of loose ends.
5. I'm so familiar with it now that 'so far' doesn't come into it. But when I was younger I, probably quite snobbishly, didn't have a very high opinion of detective novels and I remember being quite surprised and delighted with the Dorothy L. Sayers ones.
6. Just finished it - it's still lying on the desk in front of me.

Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

1) where did i get it?
a second hand book store. i went in looking for westerns and came out with a half dozen books, of which only one qualified. that's why i love those little book nooks. i never find what i'm looking for, i'm always coming home with something i'm not looking for.

2) why am i reading it now?
the post, "Choose a book that you haven't read yet. (4)" (http://www.librarything.com/topic/67150)

3) how long has it been gathering dust on my shelf?
two or three years. or four.

4) what do i like about it, so far?
Just started reading it. it's sad, how she lost her parents. and she's all alone. that sense of abandonment and loneliness. i can relate.

5) reality vs expectations?
i don;t know. i'm sorry, i wish i could offer something clever or snarky or meaningful, but i don't know. i knew it was a bestseller, a classic, loved by many. but is it better or worse than what i expected? i'm not really sure what i expected out of it.

6) what page am i now?
p 10 of 495. and saw the last sentence. damn. is it going to repeat itself?

***********

Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner

1. Where did you get this book?
at a book store, either b&n or borders. one of my favorite teacher was talking about water scarcity, so when i saw Cadillac Desert, that was a definite consideration. but the bigger reason, and a more honest answer would be: i was trying to impress a girl by affecting an air of intelligence and . . . aw, c'mon, i can't be the only one.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
i'd just recently read a National Geographic article about the drying of the West. thought the book'll be more in-depth than the article.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
don't know. a while. a year. or so. two?

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
so far? the font. clear and distinct. and the title. i haven't gotten really far.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
hmm. it seemed outdated. so worse.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
p 3 of . . . hold on. page 3 out of a total of 582 pages. 582? puh-leeze. i can finish it by tomorrow. if-if i really wanted to.

**********

Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Colvin

1. Where did you get this book?
amazon.com. i wish i could say i made my way from the civilized lands of greece, across the shores of night, into the lands of the scythians, where i stole the book from Hippolyta, queen of the amazons, and was thus able to draw upon its wisdom. but the mailman did all that. i just signed for it.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
It was time. i have this pile of books, and then i work my way through them. one page at a time.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
6-8 months.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
the belief that we are not narrowed by talent, nor hindered by lack of talent. that we really can achieve anything, if we work at it.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
worst. i just thought i'd open the first page, and then i'll be a world-class violinist, or international sports star. but i actually have to READ it, then work at whatever it is i want to be. work. oh, how i have the word,as i hate hell, all MarketGurus, and thee.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
page 99 out of 219.

*********
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

1. Where did you get this book?
again, amazon.com. sorry, that's pretty much there is to it. click, ding-dong, open box. no dragons slain, damsels in distress rescued, or evil king dethroned. more convenient, but less exciting.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
dug my way through the pile of books covering it.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
6-8 months.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
surprisingly, it wasn't the zombies. near the front is the list of illustrations, and 6 down is the caption, " 'My dear girl,' said her ladyship. 'i suggest you take this contest seriously. my ninjas will show you no mercy.' " i can only guess it is the Lady Catherine, trying to dissuade Eliza Bennet of any romantic liaison with Mr. Darcy. I mean, NINJAS?! where did that come from? i was expecting zombies, but ninjas? it's just so surreal. with a gift so unexpected, how could i not fall in love?

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
it's a little dry, but those ninjas on page 131 are keeping me going, dangling like carrots before an Iranian/N.Korean diplomat. which brings up an interesting point: why carrots? does the US have a trade monopoly on them? maybe we should tell them that the myth about carrots improving one's eyesight is just WWII british RAF propaganda, to keep the nazis from learning about radar. if those states didnt think that carrots would cure their eyesights, maybe they'll stop acting so rogue-ish so they can score carrots, and we can all live in a shangri-la-la-land. sigh. if only. if only.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
24 out of 319.

Message edited by its author, Jun 19, 2009, 12:15am.

# 92... rankamateur... What a lovely story. Although it is rather late I really am glad I stayed up and read this before my bed time. Thanks for sharing.

The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

1. It's an ER book from LT.

2. I've had it a few months and need to get the review up.

3. Since March 2009.

4. n/a

5. n/a

6. I plan on starting it before bed this evening.

>#93: destinyhascheatedme;
Did you go to school for this? Did you have brownies for lunch? Why are you always cracking me up?????
I never can figure out what is going to come out of that mouth (off those fingertips) next.
What a delightful string of wanna be reads!~!
You must be one of those people who is never bored because you can always entertain yourself. Lucky you!~!:-)
I gotta get me some of that!~!
belva

#93 - Destinyhascheated me -I agree with Nanybebette, your post just cracked me up. Very clever - scythians, Queen of the Amazons, Zombies, Ninjas and all!

My current book:

The Serpent's Daughter by Suzanne Arruda

1. Ordered this book from my local library

2. Am reading it now as I always try to get my library books back into circulation as quickly as I can.

3. Have only had the book with me about a week.

4. This is the third book in the mystery series. The series is good - not earth-shattering good, but good. I enjoy the setting (Africa) and the time period (the 1920's).

5. I loved the first book, was less enthusiastic about the 2nd book, but so far this book is shaping up to be better than I thought.

6. Early days yet, I am on page 42 with 295 pages to go.

#94...callmejacx... Thanks for liking it. As a newcomer to this site, I'm quite pleased that this thread has shown me that I'm not the only one with a stack of unread books lying round. I knew I had two, but as I've been cataloguing I've turned up a stack more, some of which I didn't even know I owned! I suppose I'll buy four or five at some second-hand shop or sale or so forth, and afterwards one will get overlooked and forgotten - my fault for being so disorganised. If I find many more I'm going to have to make a list!

Hi, I was not invited to this group, but I wanted to try it if it is alright with everyone.

I am reading Anna Karinina by Leo Tolstoy.

1. I found this at someone's house I was visiting. And I don't plan on returning it.

2. I started it. It is part of my summer reading, can't believe I never read it.

3. Had the book for months.

4. A classic, something I think most should read, not just see the movie. I like the complicated story best, very much like real life.

5. I like it so far, some people reviewing it say there are some slow parts. But I think maybe it is because it was written long ago and far away and reading was different back then.

6. I am under the first 100 pages with many more after.

:)

#92 rankamateur: Lifeline Theater in Chicago is doing a funny and poignant production of Busman's Honeymoon right now. (They previously did three other Lord Peter's, including Gaudy Night). Busman's Honeymoon is the only one of DLS's Wimsey mysteries that hasn't been filmed or otherwise performed, apparently because it originally was a play that she then adapted as a novel, so there have been goofy rights issues.

Like you, I particularly enjoy the ones with Harriet Vane, and the actress playing her at Lifeline is really good, as is the actor playing Lord Peter. The book and play are fun because you finally get to see them married - naturally, a body turns up in the cellar on their honeymoon.

#100 jnwelch: I'd like to see that - but Chicago's a little far from the English Midlands. I hadn't realised that about the rights issues on Busman's Honeymoon. I have VHS boxsets of an 'eighties British TV series where they serialised Strong Poison, Have His Carcase and Gaudy Night and I've often wondered why they never completed the set with Busman's Honeymoon. Busman's Honeymoon was filmed a few times. There was a 1940 film of the play with Robert Montgomery and Constance Cummings but I've never seen it. It had Robert Newton as Frank Crutchley - which I have difficulty imagining. There were also a couple of British TV productions in the 'forties and 'fifties. Again, I've never seen them. The second was done in '57, the year she died, so perhaps the 'issues issues' (sorry - couldn't resist it) stem from then.

101 Rankamateur: It's worth the trip! :-) Thanks for the additional info on filming; I'd understood that the issues issues had comprehensively precluded any being made. Maybe the lost honeymoons will resurface in dvd form some day.

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

1. Where did you get this book?
Local independant bookshop 'Timeout' at Mt Eden Village, Auckland, NZ as it was on sale for $10.... It's $36 at most major chainstores :D

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
Because it's about the early Mormon church and a modern breakaway sect of LDS. It reminded me a lot of Big Love a TV show I like. Also it's historical fiction, American at that... really this book was written for me even though I've never heard of David Ebershoff and he hasn't heard of me lol.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Less than 4 hours before I started reading it...

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
how it's segmented between the modern plot, the historical plot and then also has articles, speeches, interviews etc mixed in... including a mock up of a wikipedia article! (none of them real).

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Better much much better.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
182 of 520

>96:
That's exactly what my parents said! "Did you go to school for {this}?"

This thread has attracted an interesting group of people!

Hi guys;
Finished In Cold Blood last night and began reading:
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See and the same 2 "tweeners" as my last post.

1. I got this book from the Early Reviewer Program.

2. I chose to read this book now because I really need to get the expected review out there and don't want to disappoint.

3. My notation in the book says I received it on April 6th. (ouch!) I am really late.

4. So far the best part of the book is the closeness of the sisters and how supportive of one another they are. I am also enjoying the different cultures in the book; wartime China, Japan, and Los Angeles with all it's different ethnicities within the city.

5. So far it is way better than I thought it would be. I almost put it down after about 15 pages because it begins so similarly to another one of hers I had read.

6. I am on page 195 of 315.

Oh, I was going to mention:

>msg #99:
cakefriend; On the 75 book challenge they are having a group read of Anna Karinina and anyone can join in and post away on the thread. Here is the link for it:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/58966

Hope to see you there.
belva

Meant to get to this thread before now as I really love this sort of thing, but work has been hopping and I couldn't squeeze it in before now.

Book number one is The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy by Maya Slater
1. Where did you get this book? That's easy - the Early Reviewer program

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Equally easy - Need to get it read and reviewed for the ER program

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Since June 12, 2009

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? It's early days, but so far it seems to faithfully conform to P&P so that has to be a good thing.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? My history with ER books has included some stinkers, so with that in mind, I'd have to say it's better.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go - Am on 84 with 237 left to go.

The second of the four books I'm reading is Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart

1. Where did you get this book? Bought this on Amazon after a rec from the amazing alcottacre

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Felt I needed to be reading yet another book so I stuck my hand onto a shelf at random and voila!

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Since December 22, 2008

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? It seems to be classic Stewart suspense and has got my interest already even though I'm only on page 46

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? N/A - I had no expectations one way or the other with this one.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go - page 47 with 255 to go

Number three is The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

1. Where did you get this book? Was given to me by a friend who was clearing out her late mother's library (actually I had my pick of books and chose it because I didn't have it and it was on the wishlist. Let this be a warning to you... be very careful what you put on your wishlist for you just may get it.)

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? It was assigned to me by the Go Review That Book group

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Since June of last year

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? Nothing! Gawd, how I hate this book! I've been trying to read it for almost three months.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Worse, by far.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go Let me go blow the dust off this sucker.... Page 262 with (groan) 262 to go.

Book number four is Romance, Remedies and Revolution, The Journal of Dr. Elihu Ashley of Deerfield, Massachusetts, 1773-1775 edited by Amelia F. Miller & A.R. Riggs

1. Where did you get this book? It was given to me by my cousin as a Christmas gift.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? No reason. Just pulled it off the shelf.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? December 25, 2007

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? Way too soon to tell.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? N/A as I had no expectations one way or the other

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go Page 34 with 378 to go.

Message edited by its author, Jun 21, 2009, 1:45pm.

Innocence and Arsenic by Albert Borowitz

1. Where did you get this book?
From Strand Bookstore (NY) by mail

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I had read an article about Andy Borowtiz (see www.borowitzreport.com) who is into political satire and the article mentioned his father, who has written studies in crime and literature.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
About a month
4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
Interesting background on various cases involving murder, mystery stories, or suspected muderrs

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Better than I thought.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go
94/170

I've just started Small Favor by Jim Butcher

1. Where did you get this book?

The Dickinson Library which is actually my home town library. I usually go to the library directly across the street from where I work, but I knew they had Small Favor on the shelf and I was driving by.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?

I'm really loving Harry Dresden at the moment and have been obsessed with reading through the series.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?

Never. You have no idea how guilty I feel about that because I have SO MANY tbr books on my shelves at the moment.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?

Despite everything I hate about winter and snow I'm enjoying the opening scene snowball fight. It helps that I have lots of green trees and grass all around my house.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thougt it would be?

Too soon to tell.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?

I'm on page 3 of 420, quite a ways to go.

I'm reading The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway.
1. Where did you get this book?
I ordered it from Amazon because of its positive reviews and also because I am a cellist.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
It fits the June theme read (the arts) for the Reading Globally group.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
About 6 months

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It reads easily.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
It's not what I expected. So far, the author hasn't really had much to say about music, nor has he explored what is going on in the mind of cellist.

6. What page are you on NOW?
I am page 155 out of 235.

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Right now I am reading The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman.

1. Where did you get this book? - From the public library based on the recommendation of a friend.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? - It was next on my TBR pile.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? - 7 to 10 days.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? - The development of interesting characters and setting the period by the author in detail without losing the flow of the plot.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
- Better.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
- Page 68 with 223 pages to go.

Right now, I'm rereading The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery.

According to the stamp in the front, I picked this copy up at The Book Barn, a little used book store in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

I picked this book to read right now because, like the heroine, I recently turned 29.

This book has been on my shelf about 20 years -- it's an old favorite. I'm not sure if this particular copy has been on my shelf that long -- I may have bought it to replace an older and even more battered copy.

It's hard to say what I like best about the book, because I love the characters, the setting, the multiple twists and revelations at the end, the writing style. . . .

As I have read it more times than I have bothered to count, this book exactly meets my expectations! :-)

I am on page 165, with 54 pages to go.

The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

1. It's another library book.
2. There is a group read on another thread which I want to participate in.
3. I've had it for a couple of weeks now.
4. Haven't read much yet, but Atwood's prose is always a joy to read.
5. So far, it is about what I would have expected.
6. I'm on p43 ~ only 520 to go :)

What a great and interesting thread.

I'm reading two books:

By Permission of Heaven: the story of the Great Fire of London by Adrian Tinniswood

1. Where did you get this book?
From the discount shop across the street - only £2!!

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
I have a pile of books at work (from the discount shop across the street) and as I finished my previous book while at work I had to find something for the journey home. This was on top.

3. How long has it been in your drawer at work?
About 6 months.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
The beginning chapers have little maps that show the extent of the fire after the end of each day. Also, it's less than 300 pages long.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
It's a little less engaging than I thought it would be, but i'm not sure why as it's easy to read and uses a good mix of first hand accounts and interesting facts and stories as well as putting the fire into the wider context of contemporary English history.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
126 out of 276. Normally i avoid maths, but this is easy - 170 pages to go.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

1. Where did you get this book?
I picked this up from Borders in York (where the beginning of the book is set).

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
After a couple of non-fiction works I wanted a novel that was long and that I would enjoy. This book seemed ideal.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
About 5 years.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It's very easy to read and I like the author's style of story-telling. Her voice interupts every now and then to give an opinon or snippet of information, as if she were verbally telling you the tale.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
About right.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
150-ish out of about 1000. (I don't have it on me to check)

Message edited by its author, Jun 22, 2009, 11:20am.

Cousin Phillis and Other Stories by Elizabeth Gaskell

1. I got this book as a swap on BookMooch.

2. The Monthly Reading group is doing Gaskell this month.

3. I've had it for about a 10 months.

4. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the character of Susan in "Half a Life-TIme Ago," but I thought that the ending was odd.

5. It's about what I expected. I like Gaskell, but some of the stories are weak in comparison to her novels.

6. I'm on page 112 (just started "Lois the Witch") and have 242 pages to go.

I'm also "reading" an audiobook, Regeneration by Pat Barker.

1. I downloaded the book from audible.com.

2. Barker's "Regeneration Trilogy" has been raved about by many LTers whose opinions I respect. Also, I recently finished Birdsong by Sebastiain Faulks, and I think I wasn't quite ready to leave the realm of World War I just yet.

3. I only recently downloaded the book (within the last two weeks).

4. It's fascinating to me that Sassoon and Owen met in the hospital. I also like the character of Rivers, one of the doctors who has some issues of his own. The structure is also enjoyable; each chapter seems to shift to a different character. And I'm intrigued by Sassoon's struggle between being a conscientious objector (which means a court martial) and returning to his men at the front. Barker also throws in little "bits"--like the fact that Sassoon is a friend of Robbire Ross, who is stigmatized for his part in the Oscar Wilde trials.

5. I'm very much enjoying this--more than expected. And I will probably listen to the other two parts of the trilogy when I finish this one.

6. Can't give you page numbers, but I just finished Chapter 17 and have 57 minutes to go.

Message edited by its author, Jun 22, 2009, 12:17pm.

Hi guys, thought I'd join in the fun :)
Currently reading The Magician's Apprentice by Trudi Canavan

1. Where did you get this book?
Ordered it off waterstones.com ooo i do love that shop

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
Because it arrived on Saturday and I wanted to read it there and then

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Erm i don't think it's actually made it to a shelf yet because it's been living on my drawers since it arrived 2 days ago.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
Hmm well i am rather liking the main characters so far and it's really great to learn about all the history to the troubles between the Kyralians and the Sachakans before Canavan's Magician's Guild trilogy takes place.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Well i am a fan of Trudi Canavan's books and so far it seems like it's up to her usual standard

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
erm well i haven't got the book to hand but i think i'm on page 150ish of 600ish pages.

Thanks callmejacx for the info. on this thread :)

Reading Stiff:The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

1. Where did you get this book? At the Library

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I need to take it back soon and my terrible experience with The Little Friend made me turn to something completely different

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Got it from the library a week ago

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? I like the science part of the book these things do not gross me out (I'am a nurse)

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? It is just about what I thought it would be

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? I'am on page 167 with 125 pages to go

First I want to thank you all for participating in my new thread. If it wasn't for you I know I wouldn't enjoy it as much. Tee hee.

I am currently reading Drawn From Memory by Ernest Howard Shepard. The guy that wrote Winnie the Pooh.

1. Where did you get this book?

I went for a walk and stopped in a small used bookstore up the street a bit from where I live, called "Second Story Books".

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?

It has been sitting on my livingroom coffee table since I got it. It seemed like it would be an easy read. I didn't want anything heavy as I am moving this week and won't be able to spend as much time as I would like reading. Besides most of my books are packed.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?

It didn't reach my shelf. Only got as far as the coffee table. I picked up this book about a week ago.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?

I enjoy the way it is written. It makes you see through the eyes of a child. The sketches make it all that much more enjoyable. I am getting a good feel about the way life was back then. (late 1800's)

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?

I had a good feeling about this book right from when I saw the cover. I enjoy reading about children. I wasn't especting for me to like it as much as I am. A wonderful book. Hard to put down.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?

I am on page 65 and have 110 pages to go.

Message edited by its author, Jun 22, 2009, 2:58pm.

This is getting rather long. How about we start again at:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/67343&...

I have added a few more questions.

I'm reading "Sorcery in the Alleys" by Marise Ghorayeb.

1. Where did you get this book?
Did a book swap.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
Doing my summer reading. Need to unwind from teaching during the school year. Catch up, so to speak, on my reading during the summer.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
Not long. Started the day I swapped it.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It's not bad so far. Kinda of chatty like Jane Austin, but a daring combo of tough street life and magic.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
It's about what I thought. Magic and teenage problems. It's a YA.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
On page 75 now, and almost to the end. Have about ten pages to go. Book is a bit short.

I am reading New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

1. Where did you get this book?
Amazon

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
Because I won't be able to make fun of my mom and sister for being gaga over these books until I read the whole thing.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
A week or so, Tana French's In the Woods was slow going.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
It's an easy read so it won't take long to finish.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be?
Ugh

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
I am on page 247 with 326 pages left.

>122
what book did you swap for it?

I read Twilight

1. Bought it at Borders at discount

2. Very Summer light reading

3. Been around for aome time

4. I like the teasing dialogue best. The kind of things you wish you can think of to say at a moments notice, but you usually end up saying Um alot.

5. It is somewhat better then I thought. She developed the characters better then I have read about. I liked hating the mother and father.

6. I finished it.

I am reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell:

1. Where did you get this book? BookMooch

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Impulse

3. How long has it been on your shelf? 6 months

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? Just started, interesting plot is pulling forward, along with a bit of intrigue

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? On track

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? On page 42, about 650 to go

Two most unlikely places to find a book in which I had a long term interest:

The Friendly Islands Book Store, Nukuʻaofa, Tonga. BOOK (I): "Nothing to Pay", by Caradoc Evans -- the greatest Welsh novel of its time (or,perhaps, of all time?). A "quality" paperback; I had previously seen it as a 1920s hardcover in Harvardʻs enormous Widener Library. If my memory of Widenerʻs owned edition is right, my find isnʻt quite the same text.

BOOK (II): Verneʻs "The Mysterious Island" (LʻIle Mysterieux) in the original French. Large, compact paperback. I knew of it (hadnʻt read it through, and still haven ʻt) in a large illustrated hardcover in a Massachusetts Publlic Library system -- in the 1940s, when I was a child too young to get anything out of some of the books that attracted me. FOUND AT: (On a visit), another, more recent, Nukuʻalofa book store, the name of which escapes me, and which didnʻt exist when I lived there or on my earlier visit. I donated the Verne to the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, and they actually put it in the book collection --which is not their usual procedure with gifts.

I am reading Love Letters From Cell 92: The Correspondence Between Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria Von Wedemeyer 1943-45 by Bonhoeffer and Von Wedemeyer

1. Where did you get this book?
Thriftbooks.

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW?
Because it has been looking at me very patiently from my bookcase while I caught up on my ARC/ERs.

3. How long has it been on your shelf?
5 days.

4. So far, what do you like best about this book?
That is is just flying past.

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? I think I would have to say that at midpoint it is not as good as I had anticipated.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go?
I am on page 215 of 372.

Message edited by its author, Jun 29, 2009, 10:51pm.

#128 I must add this to my tbr list.

To HorusE (m. 109):

The writer you mention, Albert Borowitz, I knew in college; he was, I think, a senior when I was a junior. A summa cum laude in Classics, if I remember rightly. And a great actor in the Latin language comedies we used to put on in the original Latin (Plautus and Terence). I think he played the title role in "Pseudolus" by Plautus. I wasnʻt in it, but began a series of annual Latin comedies later

I was one of the few of that era who stayed in the field of Classics. Another summa cum laude graduate of my class. John B. Rehm, became a high administrator in the State Dept. Albert Borowitz went to Law school following his summa graduation.

Iʻve read one of his detective novels; I donʻt remember the title, but it is about a mystery that came up in a London guided tour, something like "The Jack the Ripper Marvelous Mystery Tour Murder". Of course I went into it with some prejudice in the authorʻs favor, but I found it to be a better than average mystery.

Becoming Gentlemen: Women, Law School, and Institutional Change

1. I got it from the library.

2. I am fascinated by gender and by higher education. I am also interested in law, law school, and the process of becoming a lawyer. I am interested in what schools teach us. So this is the perfect book for me.

3. It came in at the library yesterday.

4. It's a well-considered book, and a book I recommend to any parent who is about to send a child to college. However, I do think it's a little reductionist (Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus type thing) and I also don't think it reflects all co-educational academic experience. At my current school, women seem to outperform men in almost every criteria: leadership positions, Phi Beta Kappa, academic awards, and almost everything else, despite our school being 50/50.

My take on that is that men experience more pressure from families and from each other to become the "breadwinners" and they are pushed into pursuing biology, political science, and economics to be on "traditional" paths to business, law, and medicine. Women, on the other hand, don't experience this pressure to earn a living quite as much based on cultural norms, and the expectation that she will put motherhood in front of a career. As a result, women might be more inclined to pursue paths that naturally interest them, making them more successful at the things they do. (For example, they might be more inclined to pursue arts, theater, religious studies, etc. and if they pursue these out of interest rather than career motivation, they are probably more likely to excel).

That's just my very unscholarly 2 cents.

5. Better.

6. 20/80 ish.

Darkness by John Saul

1. Where did I get it? I have no idea. I tend to acquire books from everywhere. I swear they show up in my house without my having brought them in. Anyhow, someone probably gave it to me at some point.

2. I'm reading it now because I have several books by John Saul and I have yet to read one so I thought it was about time.

3. Having no idea where it came from I also don't know when it arrived but I have probably had it for 10 years or so.

4. The best part so far is that it is fast reading.

5. I don't know what I was expecting so I don't know if it is better or worse. I'll just say that I hope it picks up soon.

6. I'm on page 72, which leaves 301 pages to go.

I wondered where you all went. I have posted the next thread here....

http://www.librarything.com/topic/67343

#1 callmejacx: Just a couple of days ago I started The Outlander a novel by Gil Adamson a woman writer--not sure what Gil may be short for. I'm 70 pages into it and enjoying it.

In 1903 a young woman is fleeing across the west. She is both a widow and her husband's killer. So far, no details about how or why she killed him, though I suspect it will eventually be revealed that she acted in self defence.

I learned of the book in a blog called: Red Room Library. The review convinced me to try it.

I've recently discovered that if you find one blog devoted to books you open a whole world of blogs with the same focus simply by clicking on their "blogs I follow."

Hey Jacx - Thanks for the invite. Only took me two months to get here.

Full Dark House

1. Where did you get this book? Amazon.com

2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? It's been on my wishlist for about a year. Once it arrived, I couldn't keep my hands off it.

3. How long has it been on your shelf? Hasn't been yet. :)

4. So far, what do you like best about this book? The switching back and forth between modern day London to the Blitz

5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? So far, it's living up to my high expectations.

6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? Page 42, 307 to go. I'm trying to savor my books now, instead of devoring them in one sitting.

Devotion by Howard Norman

1. amazon.com

2. it was the next book in my TBR stack

3. a couple of weeks; it was allowed to cut in front of other books that have been waiting longer to be read (some of them for years) because I have a passion for Howard Norman's books.

4. Better, and that's saying something because I expect the very best from this author--finely drawn characters, a certain tenderness of expression, sentences you wind up reading again and again, attention to the natural world (birds--always birds with Norman, and one of his favorite locations--Nora Scotia).

5. I'm on page 20 (out of 190) and trying to read slowly, taking it all in, not wanting it to end. Norman has already sent me scurrying in other directions, which is something I expect from him, something I depend on. One of the characters is reading the works of Anatole France, about whom I know almost nothing so I have to find out more about him (and should I read one of his books?), and he's listening to cello solos by Bach (should I buy the CDs?), and one of his passions is the life and work of Czech photographer Josef Sudek whose photographs I've been studying on the internet today.

I have finished The Elder Gods by David Eddings & Leigh Eddings this week, it was a good read. Last week I finished One good Knight by Mercedes Lackey absolutely enjoyed this book and now am looking for the rest of the series.

I am now reading For the Love of Evil by Piers Anthony
1. Where did you get this book? Second Hand Book Store in Nelson, BC, Canada (long way from home)
2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? I liked the book With a Tangled Skein and have decided to read the rest of the series as I find them.
3. How long has it been on your shelf? I picked this book up in the late spring in a bulk book buy. So it’s taken a while to get to this one since there were so many good books to choose from. I will have this dilemma again after this book since I just picked up 14 more.
4. So far, what do you like best about this book? Too soon to say!
5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Good so far, but haven’t made it too far in yet.
6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? On page 24 and 306 to go!

Also reading with my children Harpy Thyme also by Piers Anthony (on an Anthony kick)
1. Where did you get this book? Second Hand Book Store in Camrose, AB, Canada
2. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Good series to read with the kids.
3. How long has it been on your shelf? Less than a day
4. So far, what do you like best about this book? I like the puns in the series only hit one so far, my kids are a bit young to catch them though, lol.
5. So far, is it better or worse than you thought it would be? Haven’t got that far in, too soon to tell.
6. What page are you on NOW? How many pages left to go? We are on page 22 out of 342 pages. I expect to be reading this one for quite awhile since I’m reading only till their attention span lasts. Then we go on to a picture book.

Message edited by its author, Aug 14, 2009, 9:43pm.

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So very glad to see some of you posting on this thread but....yes there is a but...this one has moved to ....http://www.librarything.com/topic/69879. I am looking forward to seeing you all there in the near future sharing your books with the rest of us.