I have decided that next year, I am not going to read anything. Then, maybe, just maybe, I can get through the entire year on one thread :)

My January thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/51105

My February thread is here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/56421

My March thread is here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/58749

My April thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/61444

My May thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/63947

My June thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/65874

My July thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/67964

My August thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/70159

My September thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/72211

Message edited by its author, Nov 1, 2009, 5:24am.

My memorable reads for 2009 thus far are:

Nonfiction
Bound for the Promised Land by Kate Clifford Larson
Crazy Horse by Mari Sandoz
The Plays and Poems of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Volume 1
The Cobra's Heart by Ryszard Kapuscinski
The Eaves of Heaven by Andrew X. Pham
Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov
Love Letters from Cell 92 by Ruth-Alice von Bismarck and Ulrich Kabitz, editors
The Diary of Mary Berg by S.L. Shneiderman, editor
Lighthouse by Tony Parker
The Good Doctors by John Dittmer
Columbine by Dave Cullen
The Diary of Gideon Welles by Gideon Welles
The Peabody Sisters by Megan Marshall
Dr. Seuss Goes to War by Richard Minear
The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan
The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
Lower East Side Memories by Hasia Diner
A True Likeness: The Black South of Richard Samuel Roberts 1920-1936 by Richard Samuel Roberts

Fiction
Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
Tethered by Amy MacKinnon
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
Maus and Maus II by Art Spiegelman
The Girls by Lori Lansens
The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather
So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
Villette by Charlotte Bronte
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge
The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King

Young Adult/Juvenile
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Treasure of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Summerland by Michael Chabon
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
The Grey King by Susan Cooper

A note about my memorable reads: I am not a book critic. My memorable reads list is just that: books that are memorable to me - that for some reason or other resonate with me. I do not rate books as many people here do for the simple reason that I am a terrible book reviewer! lol

Message edited by its author, Nov 1, 2009, 3:54am.

Woo hoo. I'm first! Always great to see what you have been reading.

And No! DOn't even joke about not reading and only having one thread. We need Stasia's Kitchen!

I don't see what the big deal is about only having one thread next year. I only had 1 thread for all of last year.

If you would have tried it this year it would have been a looooooong thread! :)

Nope, only 2500 or so posts. I do not think that is too bad, since LT will take you to the first unread one.

I think I will add your threads as a book on my challenge list.

I think I will, too :)

#7 Ditto.

Transfer achieved and waiting for Sunday. Although I will be traveling that day and may have to wait to Monday. :(

I am eagerly looking forward next year to all the reviews of Stasia's Threads by Stasia and her LT friends. It might make the NY Times best seller list!

>7 Ha! What a great idea! "The Thread Mistress: An Autobiography" by Anastasia Matilda Shermandweller. So far, I give it two and a half stars....

;-P

#10: I think I am too conservative for the Times, lol.

#11: Obviously you must post more often, Richard, so that the rating rises above 2 1/2 stars . . .lol

I find it very hard to believe that you would manage not to read anything next year! ;)

Starred again, let's see if I do better keeping up than last month...

An hour in and you already have 13 posts...

#13: If not reading fails, I can always just not share what I am reading or flat out lie :)

Since you are in at the beginning of this thread, you should be able to keep up better, right?

#14: Well, if people would stop talking to me, I would not have to talk back :)

#15 That's the plan! ...but I really must fix my home computer... ;)

#17: Yes, I can see how that might be a problem in keeping up with threads!

Starred you again :) If you stop reporting on what you read, we will all have to come to Texas to find out. So to be prepared, you should probably start building another wing on your house for all of us.

#19: Cool! House party!!

>20 We wouldn't be able to get in the door for all the books!

- TT

Starred ya!

I'm here.

Oh no. More books.

Stasia

Your friends here on LT would miss the lively banner. Our tbr piles would be less, but our hearts would be sad.

I've got you starred! Just keep on posting . . .

ah ha... found you and starred you. I second and third Linda's comments ... surely you wouldn't want sad hearts on your conscience now, would you? ;-)

Thought I'd be one of the first to see the books I'm going to add to my wish list, guess I'm a little too early. I'll check back later :)

#27: No, I do not want to suffer that much!

#28: Normally around 5am CT or so, Lynda.

OK, this week's reads:

379. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan - nonfiction; I enjoyed this book quite a bit as far as it went (Ingenuity, thy name is Evelyn Ryan), but wish I had gotten to know more about Evelyn; recommended

380. Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan - young adult; as a homeschooler for a number of years now, I appreciated this book a lot; recommended

381. Jim the Boy by Tony Earley - recommended by Donna828 (thanks!), I enjoyed this book about a boy and the mother and uncles who raised him after the tragic early death of his father

382. The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan - nonfiction; an absolutely terrific book about the Dust Bowl and the circumstances creating it; as far as I am concerned a 'must read'; highly recommended and on my memorable reads list for the year

383. The Land of Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer - young adult; the follow up book to The Sea of Trolls follows the adventures of Jim as he tries to determine his 'sister's' true parentage; recommended

384. The Wood Wife by Terri Windling - Carolyn did a wonderful review on her thread here (http://www.librarything.com/topic/72252, message 159), so I will not elaborate on it other than to say the book was not at all what I expected, but very enjoyable nonetheless; highly recommended

385. The Curse of the Blue Figurine by John Bellairs - juvenile fiction; Storm Raven has mentioned Bellairs' a few times on his/her thread, so I thought I would give them a try; this book reminded me of the old Alfred Hitchcock books I read as a kid and I really enjoyed it; recommended

386. The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti - this book has been recommended to me most recently by Ruth (WomansHeart) and I am glad I finally got around to reading it; highly recommended

387. Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow - young adult; this Nordic retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale was recommended by WilowRaven and is really very well done; recommended

With 3 months left in the year, I need to read 113 books to reach 500, so I think that is pretty much out. My more important goal of reading 150 nonfiction books is still very achievable since I am at 108 already.

I abandoned Slumberland this week. I do not like abandoning books, but I was 40 pages into it and just not getting anything out of it. I know that Browngirl liked it very much. I get frustrated with myself when I abandon a book - what is it about this book that does not work for me? Why am I not understanding what the author is trying to tell me? Anyone else get that way?

Message edited by its author, Oct 4, 2009, 6:07am.

I'm wide awake now and adding The Wood Wife to my wish list. I'm not much for fantasy but my love of the southwest wins out. I'll also look into The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. I don't know why it sounds familiar to me, but it does. Perhaps as an Ohio native I must have heard it in passing but now I'll seriously look it up.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow sounds interesting - I might have to check that out. Thanks!

Starred ya!

I've added The Worst Hard Time to my TBR list--maybe I'll get around to it one of these years!

The Good Thief, The Worst Hard Times and The Curse of the Blue Figurine made it to my wishlist. Thanks for the recommendations, Stasia.

Stasia

I just had to take a peek before I pack up the computer and hit the road. I'll be back to check out the 3 books that I think I want to add to my TBR. Thanks very much for the "plug" about my review!

Count me in on Anna. I think even I can handle that pace! Lots of leeway for discussion, too. When I get home I'll dig out my copy and put it on the "short shelf".

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow sounds right up my alley. I'll have to keep an eye out for that one.

I've already read and enjoyed Surviving the Applewhites, The good Thief and The Land of Silver Apples. Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow sounds interesting and I'll look out for it. I'm almost done reading Tender Morsels which is also a retelling aimed at mature teens.

>31 Carmenere- The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio was also made into a movie. It didn't receive a lot of publicity, but was a good solid movie. We watched it as a family and everyone in the family walked away satisfied.

I've added The Worst Hard Time to my Wishlist! Also, The Curse of the Blue Figurine -- I have a category for juv/YA fic on my upcoming 1010 category challenge.

>39 Cool, thanks for the heads up. I'll be looking for the movie as well as the book.

Like the sound of Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow too...

#31: Lynda, I hope you enjoy both the books!

#32: Luxx, I hope you can find it after baby Max arrives safely.

#33: Thanks, Madeline!

#34: Well, one of these years, I am sure that the book will still be waiting for you, Zoe.

#35: Enjoy, Caroline!

#36: Glad to have you along for Anna Karenina, Carolyn. I hope you enjoy the three books you chose - what are they? I know I am nosy!!

#37: Enjoy, Rachel!

#38: Kerry, Sun and Moon is probably aimed at a younger audience than Tender Morsels from what I have heard of the Lanagan book.

#39: I will put the movie in my Netflix queue. Thanks for the recommendation!

#40: I hope you enjoy them both!

#42: I hope you like it, too.

I've added to my wish list--The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, The Worst Hard Time and The Good Thief.

I limited myself to three because my Wishlist on LT will soon be my second largest category. Wishlist is books I want to read but don't have and To Read is books I have and want to read. If these categories get too big I may become buried in books!

I very much enjoyed The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio when I read it last year! The movie was great, too. I wound up giving a copy to my mother (which is rare for me) as she grew up in "hard times" and I thought she could relate! And, you're right - it would've been great to get to know Evelyn a little bit more!

#47: And your point is? :)

#48: Another good review of the movie - definitely going in the Netflix queue.

I'm doing so much better with my addictions. No books onto the wishlist again!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for not reading what I enjoy.

Stasia

"#47: And your point is? :)"

Oops! Said that on the wrong thread, didn't I! :-D

Message edited by its author, Oct 5, 2009, 4:23pm.

#50: I will get you again before the year is out, I am sure, Jenny!

#51: Decidedly!!

I have gleaned so many books for my wish list from your thread I have maxed out my holds at the library which I have never done before! I think the max is 20 or 25. I was too embarrassed to count. Your thread should be labeled dangerous to the TBR pile.

#53: Now, Amy-Sue, if I labeled my thread 'dangerous to the TBR pile' no one would ever visit me!

#54

But they would. Its an addiction. Addictions lead you to continue on the path toward dangerous things!!

We just know when when we get here that our wishlist will grow and grow and grow.........

Stasia

I'm back from a two-day trip and see lots of posts on your thread. Of course, I'm not surprised. I'm going to add all your recommendations for this week. And, by the way, since I note you are reading more YA books, and that you raved about The Worst Hard Time, if you haven't read Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, I recommend this Newbery award winner.

Since I do not read at your incredible pace, in order to read all your recommendations, I need to a) retire or b) live a very long life.

You are incredible!!!

Linda

I vote for a Very long life!

I don't think it's physically possible to live long enough to ever get close to reading all the books I want to.

Thanks Carolyn.

A long life to us all!

Carrie

I agree! I look at the book shelves and the stacks of books throughout the house and know it will take years to read them all! And, then I go to the library and get more....

I just figure the more I read, the better. The problem is to keep the writers from writing any new ones! I cannot possibly keep up with all of them :)

#59: I don't think it's physically possible to live long enough to ever get close to reading all the books I want to. That is why I know Heaven is FILLED with books!!

I just finished Hunger Games which I got off your memorable list. Wow! That was really good. I have the sequel requested at the library.

Thanks for a great recommendation.

I am glad you enjoyed it, Rowan!

Linda, I vote for retire AND live a long life .... otherwise I had better be going to that Great Bookstore in the Sky.

Stasia : If you have problems keeping up with all the writers, spare a thought for the rest of us who read at about 1/100th of your pace!

If you have problems keeping up with all the writers, spare a thought for the rest of us who read at about 1/100th of your pace!

Well said! Shameless, you are Stasia to complain like that when we will probably take a lifetime to read what you do in a year :P

#60 My wife gets a bit aggravated when I bring home books from the library, with all the books to read already there.

It confuses my husband. He just can't understand why.

I suffer tortures of the damned when I think of all the good books I'll never be able to read because I'll only live to be 120. *boohoo*

Still, if I found a vampire willing to turn me, I'd quick get into great shape and then let him crunch'n'munch...time to read! Whee!

#68: Richard, if you find a vampire let me know!

If y'all find vampires tell them to keep the heck away from me!

Stasia -

I am slowly catching up with your threads. It is delightful, truly.

Whenever I see your "alcottacre" user name pop up on my 75/2009 Challenge thread I always remember your thoughtful and kind welcome to me when I first became a member of LibraryThing, back in the day. Still appreciate it, Stasia.

You continue to be a shining beacon of inspiration and a good LT friend!

With love,

Ruthie/womansheart

#71

Amen!

#71: Thank you so much for the compliment, Ruth. I look forward always to reading your thread as well - and appreciate your recent goad on the Hannah Tinti book.

Hi Stasia! Just wanted to agree with your comment on No Time for Goodbye in your previous thread - wonder if it was the same plot devices that I had problems with... still, it was a gripping read. I'll look out for the other one you mentioned (though I'll have to go back to your old thread to find the title).

still here :)

#75

Glad you haven't disappeared, Susan! :-)

#74: Rachael, the title you are searching for is Fear the Worst.

#75: Glad to see you, Susan!

This week's reads:

388. A Comedy of Terrors by Michael Innes - this is a terrific mystery, recommended to me last year by HorusE (thanks!) and wonderfully enjoyable, kind of a tongue-in-cheek takeoff on the old house party mysteries; highly recommended

389. The Promise by Chaim Potok - the sequel to The Chosen, this book follows Reuven and Danny as they enter adulthood, I did not enjoy this book as much as I liked The Chosen but it is still a very good read; highly recommended

390. The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel - nonfiction; this was a disappointing read for me - I felt that the author of the book inserted herself far too often and did not let the author of the diary come through as I would have liked

391a. The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer - nonfiction; an absolutely terrific gem of a book about the attributes of God that was recommended by CatyM on her first thread (I think it was her first thread anyway); highly recommended and on my memorable reads list for the year

391b. The Grey King by Susan Cooper - the further into this juvenile fantasy series I get, the better I am liking it; highly recommended

392. The Spire by Richard North Patterson - a pretty good thriller about a man who is hired to become the president of the university from which he graduated and resolves to solve the murder of the girl whose body he found; recommended

393. No Bugles, No Drums by Charles Durden - Susan recommended I read this after she had read one of Durden's other books and knowing of my interest in the Vietnam era; this book reads like a grunt's diary, which in effect it is - the language is strong and crude, the circumstances detailed as a grunt would see them; recommended

394. Pursuit by Luis Alfredo Garcia-Roza - a very good mystery/suspense novel, the first I have read by this author; is the doctor the paranoid one? or is it his patient, the psychotic seducer of his daughter? or is another malevolent force at work? (sorry the Touchstone for this book just does not seem to want to work); highly recommended

395a. Lower East Side Memories - nonfiction; when I was a kid, I loved Sydney Taylor's All of a Kind family series of books, and I think my fascination with the Jewish people stems from those books; Hasia Diner references the Taylor books from the outset of Memories and I was hooked; her intent in writing the book was on 'furthering our understanding of how American Jews made sense of their past as they contended with a particular kind of present', Diner discusses how the Lower East Side of New York City has become sacred in Jewish consciousness; highly recommended (although certainly not a book for everyone) and on my memorable reads list for the year

395b. A Reverence for Wood by Eric Sloane - nonfiction; this slim volume of what I would call Americana is just a lovely portrait of the way wood has been used in American history; a big 'thank you' to muddy21 for bringing Sloane to my attention, I will definitely be reading more of his books; highly recommended

396. Lost Languages by Andrew Robinson - nonfiction; there is a very good review of the book on its page here: http://www.librarything.com/work/139285/... to which I can really add nothing; recommended for those with an interest in the subject

I will be out of town this next week helping to my sister and mother to prepare for my niece's wedding on Friday. I have no idea if I will get any reading in at all!

An absolutely wonderful selection of books. What to choose, what to choose. Ok.. all except Languages, Wood and Vietnam.
Have a wonderful time preparing for the wedding and enjoy!

>78: #396 sounds interesting to me. I'll have to look for a copy.

aha! here you are... starred , read and ......

I'm glad that you liked The Promise, and I agree with your assessment entirely; not as good as The Chosen, but still well worth the read. I hope you have a nice time at your niece's wedding, whether you have time to read or not :-)

Lost Languages has been sitting on my TBR pile for ages; thanks for the reminder that I should really get around to reading it one of these days!

Safe travels Stasia. I'm trying so hard not to add more books to the tbr pile, but I'm giving up that unrealistic goal and once again adding many of your read this week to the ever growing mountain.

> 78 - Stasia -

Have a good trip and enjoy the events surrounding your niece's wedding. De-stress when you can!

We hope to hear from you soon ... or especially when you return to your "normal" busy life.

Thank you for your Sunday list, I found some very good ideas for up-coming reads.

With love,

Ruthie

The Timothy Egan book has me intrigued, as does the Lower East Side Memories. I would really like to read those two, plus lots others on your list. Great reading, Stasia.

I hope you have too much fun to do any reading.. enjoy! Books will be there, fun and family are not as easy to find

I've added 3 more to my wish list! My library has two of them--the Michael Innes mystery (already requested) and Lost Languages. Lower East Side Memories I will have to try to hunt down. It might be too new. Good list this week!

Have a great time with your family and at the wedding! We'll be thinking of you.

Stasia, I had much the same feelings about The Red Leather Diary that you had. I had high hopes for it, because I hoped to learn about the New York City that my parents had experienced as young people but, as you point out, it was way too much about the author herself. I also was surprised by how superficial and self-centered the diary writer was.

Stasia - Once again, lots of great reads this week. The Knowledge of the Holy is definitely going on my TBR. Have fun preparing for the wedding!

I appreciate everyone's good wishes for safe travels, but I found out this evening that the wedding has been postponed until January, so I will have reading time this next week after all!

I hope you all enjoy the books you chose from this past week's reads!

I'm sick for a week or so and I come back and you have a new thread with 90+ posts! Whoa. Added a few to my wishlist from your Sunday posts, will have to catch up on all the chatting later!

I'm sitting here with my mouth open. Seriously, how do you read so much with a job and a family? Do you speed read? Do you sleep ever?

I'm in awe, and a little bit of envy. And a little bit of intimidation. Wow. Impressive.

#92: Sorry to hear you have been sick, Marcia. I do hope you are feeling better.

#93: Speed read, no. Sleep, occasionally, but not as much as I should. Thanks for the compliment. I hope you drop by more often.

Once again I gleaned a few books from your list. I controlled myself and only put one book on hold and put the other two in my notebook TBR later. Your lists have a combination of a wonderful and terrible effect on my reading habits!

I hope everyone is health is okay with the wedding being postponed. Enjoy your new found reading time this week. The library must love seeing you come in because you must boost up their circulation numbers so much. I know my librarians smile and I don't do half as much reading as you do, but I do take out the kids books on my card too so we always have an insane amount of books out at one time.

> 91 - Stasia -

Sorry to hear about the change in plans, but, of course, I hope all involved are doing okay. It is a private decision for the two principles.

It will be nice to enjoy your posts here this week and I hope that the change in plans works out well for you and your immediate family, too.

When you have a minute you will enjoy seeing Luxx's picture of the new baby with her and her family on her thread. By the time I have typed this post, you are probably already there and have added your words of kindness and welcome. They are beautiful and make my heart expand just looking at them together.

With love to you -

Ruthie

#95: Amy-Sue, glad to see you found something you like in this week's reading. Yes, all the librarians know me by name (and I theirs for that matter) and we often discuss how I boost circulation numbers, since I rarely have less than 70 books out at any given time - no kids on my card, though.

#96: Everyone involved is doing just fine, thanks Ruth. I am heading off to see baby Max now!

Catching up on posts after vacation. Your thread takes awhile to get through Stasia. 95 posts in 12 days! I've added The Worst Hard Time, Lost Languages and Lower East Side Memories to my wish list. Did you ever see the PBS series The Jews of New York? Highly recommended. Not to be watched when hungry though - food is frequently mentioned, esp Russ and Daughters Deli (yum)

Great list this week, Stasia. I'm going to have to add A Comedy of Terrors and East Side Memories to my wishlist.

I'm sorry to hear of the change in the wedding date...but it does at least give the bride more time for her plans.

70 books at a time - whoa! Do you read one book all the way through or have a few going at once?

#98: Welcome back from vacatioin, VB! I hope you had a lovely time. I did not see The Jews of New York, but I will definitely check it out. If you are interested in the subject, not only do I recommend Lower East Side Memories but Moses Rischin's book The Promised City, which is excellent, as well.

#99: Thanks, Caroline. I hope you enjoy the 2 books. As far as the wedding goes, I think the change of date is a good thing in this case.

#100: Karen, I generally am reading 8-10 books at any given time. I have one book that I will be plowing through and others that I am reading just a bit of at a sitting.

Stasia...You are incredible! I've never known anyone who could read as fast as you can. And, we all benefit because we get to learn about all the wonderful books!

It makes my head hurt to think of juggling 70 books. I usually have around 30 out. The worst is when I have run out of renewals on a book I really do want to read but I have to return it. I once returned about 6 books unread and then the next day found 4 of them on the just returned shelf... yes I borrowed them again!

>101 - Stasia -

I have added both East Side Memories and The Promised City to my TBR cyber-stack. I really appreciate your comments and ideas about good books to read, as always.

You are never going to grow old, Stasia. Your brain cells are continuing to multiple hourly in order to keep up with the exercise you are giving it. Plus, you have so many friends who care ... and that is a treasure in both directions ... yours and theirs/or should I say, ours.

Love,

Ruthie

There are times when I'm reading, or about to read, a book that has run out of renewals. Our library charges 10cents/day, so I sit and say to myself - would you pay 30-50 cents for this book at a used book sale? If the answer is yes, then I keep it the extra few days and READ IT, and then pay the fine. I figure it's my small contribution to the library for being such a great source of books.

Now could I juggle 70 at a time? NO WAY. But coming from someone who works in a library, I'd give my eye teeth for a patron like you Stasia....talk about having great stats to take to the town fathers to up the budget!!!

#101, 105, Stasia and Ruth, Other good books about the Jewish Lower East Side are World of Our Fathers by Irving Howe and A Bintel Brief, which is excerpts from the advice columns of the main newspaper of the Jewish Lower East Side, The Forward. And for anyone who becomes interested in Yiddish from reading any of these books, I can heartily and enthusiastically recommend the utterly delightful The Joys of Yiddish by Leo Rosten.

#103: Thank you for your kind words. I do not think of myself as incredible - just someone who is determined to read as much as possible before I croak :)

#104: I have been known to do the same thing. I have a MS Word document that helps me keep the books straight and it helps immensely, especially given that I can have books out of 4 different libraries at any given time.

#105: Ruth, I hope you enjoy both of the books. They really are terrific, especially Mischin's. I agree heartily about the friends made here on LT - totally irreplaceable in my life.

#106: You want to loan me books across the country? I bet we could work something out . . .

#107: I already have World of Our Fathers (Diner mentions it in her book) and The Joys Yiddish on Planet TBR, but I have not heard of A Bintel Brief. I appreciate the recommendation and will definitely look for it, Rebecca.

Have you read Outwitting History? If not, I recommend that one.

> 107 - Rebecca -

That is so great ... I have one of the books you mention ... The Joys of Yiddish is a favorite. So many expressions growing up, yep, in St. Petersburg, FL were Yiddish, believe it or not.

Many of my best friends are also Jewish and I attend Temple fairly often with them, so, you get the drift here. Close to my heart, my friend.

With love,

Ruth

I am going to pick up The Joys of Yiddish at the library tonight. It has been on Planet TBR for at least 5 years now, and with the glowing recommendations here in the group, it is about time I get to it!

Stasia, I have Outwitting History but it is languishing on one of my many TBR piles. Perhaps I will move it up . . . And you will not be sorry about The Joys of Yiddish.

With all the reading that you do, juggling multiple books at any one time, I think you can rest easy that Alzheimer's isn't going to find a home within your brain.

#112: Rebecca, it is a fairly quick read, so do move it up. I picked up The Joys of Yiddish at the library tonight (finally!).

#113: If I ever do develop Alzheimer's, I will have some really interesting thoughts going through my head, what with reading multiple books and all.

Stasia, someone must surely have shared this with you by now, but just in case not:

A Quest to Read a Book a Day for 365 Days

I felt outraged they'd put this woman in the paper over you ;-) Someone should write and tell them.

> 115 - FlossieT/Rachael -

Hi, Rachael. I thought to myself when I saw that article a very similar thing ... they haven't met alcottacre/Stasia, yet. Stasia rules!

Ruth

Message edited by its author, Oct 14, 2009, 9:53am.

#115/116: I appreciate the outrage on both your parts, but since I do not read a book a day every day, I am not even going to try and compete with the lady in question. I think trying to read at that pace would overwhelm me and feel too much like a job :)

well, you did read 11 (eleven!) books last week so that's even more than 1 book a day!

#118: But I did not begin a book and finish it that same day (for the most part), the way she reads. And no way am I doing reviews!

The article appeared in the local news section of the Times, so I don't think the reporter's editor would have permitted him to venture as far as Texas, no matter how deserving Stasia is!

Did you like Dandelion Wine? Had you read it before?

I like his science fiction but that book just perfectly encapsulates a childhood summer, the same way the wine does in the story.

Stasia : alas, if you had Alzheimer's you wouldn't remember the interesting thoughts that run through your head. I wonder though if the fleeting thoughts would repeat themselves?

#121: Bill, I loved Dandelion Wine - it is on my memorable reads list for the year. I did not care for the follow up book Farewell Summer nearly as much. As far as Bradbury's science fiction goes, I liked Fahrenheit 451 a lot, did not care too much for The Martian Chronicles at all (it reminded me of Twilight Zone episodes), and that is all of Bradbury's science fiction that I have read. The only other book of his that I have read to this point is Something Wicked This Way Comes.

#101, Thanks Stasia. I've added The Promised City to the list. Plus all the books recommended by rebecca in #107. This is a dangerous thread.

Thanks for the post on the reading a book a day lady, Flossie. When I mentioned that to my hubbie, he looked really concerned and said - what about your family, your job, your exercise and me!!. Sigh.....

#124: Almost as big of a danger to me as it is to you, I would wager, VB!

#125: The reason the majority of my reading is done in the wee hours, Karen - family, job, exercise, hubby . . .

You forgot one more thing Stasia ..... that you also apparently have no need of sleep like the rest of us mere mortals.

#127: Oh, I NEED it - I just choose (for the most part) not to get it :)

This week's reads (a kind of MEH week for me, I admit):

397. 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn - nonfiction; a very good book about the happenings inside the Twin Towers on 9/11; highly recommended

398. Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus - nonfiction; a book about the man who won the Nobel Prize through his efforts in microlending; highly recommended

399. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - young adult; this is the first book in a series and I had a good time with it - I already have book 2 home from the library; recommended

400. The Silk Code by Paul Levinson - Boy, this book was a disappointing read for me - something that sounded right up my alley, but took me forever to get through

401. Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin - This book was on Planet TBR for the longest time and Mac's recent review prompted me to pick it up and am I glad I did because it is a very good book; highly recommended

402a. Thale's Folly by Dorothy Gilman - after Baldwin's book, I needed something light and this fit the bill nicely; just a nice, comfortable read for me; recommended

402b. Bone: Eyes of the Storm by Jeff Smith - young adult graphic novel; I am really enjoying the Bone graphic novels and would recommend them to anyone; recommended

403. Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas - I discovered the books of Will Thomas on someone's thread (sorry, I cannot remember who) but wanted to start with the initial book in the series, which I enjoyed very much - a mystery set in the Victorian era - what's not to like?; recommended

My reading is going to slow down over the next couple of months as I have taken up a project that needs to be completed by Christmas (fat chance, I am thinking!), so 500 is going to be out of reach, but still, I think I have had a nice reading year and I want you guys to know how much I appreciate all of your lovely comments on a weekly basis.

Edited because the last paragraph sounded dorky (and probably still does, oh well)

Message edited by its author, Oct 18, 2009, 6:14am.

Stasia

I don't think your last paragraph sounds "dorky." I'm enjoying learning about your YA reads. I am ever grateful to LT and members of our 75 challenge group who pointed me in the direction of YA. I'm hooked!

Of all your reads this week, 102 Minutes stands out. A few years after 9/11 occurred, Will and I were at a bed and breakfast in Cape May NJ. We met a man who was a fireman and one of the last to leave the building on 9/11. I will never forget his story and the feel of his anger and his emotional and physical pain. His lungs are now very compromised. He could not sleep because of flash backs and he deeply mourned and was haunted by the loss of so many of his fellow workers who did not make it out of the building.

403 books! You are amazing!!!!

I am finishing up Jackaroo right now, Linda, and if you have not read it already, give it a try.

City of Bones is on my tbr pile, I'm waiting for book 2 before I start, but there is quite a queue of requests for it at my library. I read somewhere that you'll want to dive straight into the next book...
I read Go Tell it on the Mountain when I was a teenager, but of course it's so long ago that I can no longer remember the content!

Good Luck with your project.

Stasia

I see that Lunacat read and reviewed this book in September. Any book that has a cover that seems to reflect a Veermeer painting has me authomatically hooked.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll see if my library has this one.

Happy Sunday to all!

Passing through and adding nothing thank goodness!
( Cause I won't look at any titles just now)

:)

I think there is punishment involved if you don't reach the 500 mark. You hinted to the book gods that you were going to read that many and they are going to go to high-alert when they find out you didn't get there. Your ticker with 500 on there is damning evidence. I shudder to think of the travails they may send your way. Paper cuts when turning pages. Daily. Bookalanches. Hefty tomes falling off shelves onto your toes. Loss of toenails probable. Reading ennui. And that's just for starters.

Guess you will have to wear a hard hat and steel toe boots, Miss Stasia. tee hee.

The might be time to finish a few more somehow ... time will tell ... the prize is in sight ...

Best wishes in ALL of your special projects!!!

Ruthie

Sounds like a pretty good week! I am definitely adding Some Danger Involved to my wishlist. I've been trying out "new" mystery series lately and so far I am batting 1 out of 3 for finding some to continue. I'm betting the Will Thomas will be a winner!

I remember Go Tell It on the Mountain as being a very powerful book back when I read it years ago. It's probably one I should reread sometime.

Will Thomas is definitely a winner!

OK, Stasia, maybe this is a dumb question, but why are some books lumped together as a single number (i.e., #402a, #402b)? I've noticed that in previous posts, too. If you were to count each book individually, I imagine you'd be close to 500, even with the slow down for the big project.

I noticed that, too. Go back and do a recount--every book counts! After all, you don't count a book that has 500 pages as 2 books, do you?

No matter what--you are way over "A Book A Day" already. :-)

Found you Stasia and now I've got you starred. You've got some great books on your list.

brenzi..
When I encouraged you to join the 75 challenge group, I did not tell you that the most dangerous thread is Stasia's. Be prepared to add hundreds of books to your to be read piles. Also, be preapred for quick, lively banter and lots of warm, friendly comments on her thread. It is akin to pulling up a comfortable chair, warm cup of tea in hand, smiles all around the table and hearty laughter echoing throughout the hosue.

Thanks for the warning Linda. I'm finding it very comfortable around here already. Everyone's been so welcoming!

Stasia - how can it be a 'meh' week when you seem to have read some pretty good books. Needless to say, my wishlist is made heavier after visiting your thread today.

#135: Boy, you are a mean one, aren't you VG? Predicting all kinds of book-related injuries. Yikes! I will do my best to reach 500, you have scared me into it!

#136: Thanks, Ruth. I am pulling out my steel-toed boots right now.

#137: I think you would like the Will Thomas book series, Carolyn. If it has been that long since you read Go Tell It on the Mountain, I would say it is past time for a re-read!

#138: It might have been your thread that I discovered the Will Thomas books on, Jim, I just do not remember. If it was, thank you very much! (even if it wasn't, thanks anyway!)

#139/140: Sandy & Carolyn, I have been lumping smaller books together that way all year long. Somehow, it seemed like cheating to treat things like 100-150 page books the same as the others (not to mention graphic novels). If I count those in, too, as separate entries, that adds 17 more to the count for the year.

#141: Thanks for dropping by, Brenda! It is nice to see you here.

#142: Thanks for the kind words about my thread, Linda. I would point out that it is the people who visit who make the thread, which next year I am thinking of titling 'Sundays on the Acre.' What do you think?

#143: Now, don't let Linda scare you into not visiting my thread, Brenda! There will be lots of books that are of interest to only me :)

#144: You know the saying 'one bad apple will spoil the lot' - I think that The Silk Code managed to spoil the week for me, lol. I hope your wishlist is not too much heavier!

BTW, at Lynda's suggestion, Planet TBR has been rechristined BlackHole TBR from hence forth and forever . . .

Glad you enjoyed Go Tell It On the Mountain!

I, too, am in favor of adding the 17 smaller books to your list in the hopes that you will make it to 500. Just don't pressure yourself about it, though, because reading has to be fun, right?

Good luck with your project, Stasia!

I think Sundays on the Acre is a perfect name for your thread. Though I read it on Mondays, because I try not to use the computer on the weekend.

I, on the other hand, get up 15 minutes before I have to start cooking breakfast on Sunday AM so I can check out the list before I go to church--I have to be there at 8:30 AM. No time to post then, though.

#149: Hey, thanks for dropping by, Mac!

#150: OK, everyone has talked me into adding them. I am not going to pressure myself about making the 500 - it is just a number like 75 - and if it feels like a job, all the fun of reading is gone, which is why I could not do what the lady who is reading a book a day is doing - too much like a job. I need a break every now and again, and generally take off at least 1 day a week from reading.

#151: Thanks, Marcia!

#152: I appreciate the input. Sundays on the Acre it will be next year!

#153: I do not know whether to say I am flattered or astounded, Carolyn!

Hey! It's like "Christmas"--I just can't wait to see what you've read! :-D And Sundays on the Acre is a great title for the thread next year.

Black Hole TBR is a perfect name because it's it can be used by both people like you with a HUGE wishlist, and people like me with a considerably smaller one: after all, it's impossible to tell how big a black hole is, no?

I'm not sure I like the implications of things never coming out again though... isn't that what happens to stuff that goes into a black hole??

hmm..so once a book goes onto the wishlist it never makes it out again? does that mean we'll never get around to reading any of the books on our wishlist and keep adding new ones? oh my!

#155: Thanks, Carolyn.

#156: My thinking exactly, Eliza. Now, I never have to change the name again :)

#157: We are just going to have to set aside the laws of physics for that, Rachael - since it is only a metaphorical black hole, I do not see a problem, lol. (Actually, I am not sure that anyone knows exactly what happens in a black hole, since no one is going to volunteer to find out!)

Good morning, Stasia -

I am stopping to join the growing group of friends who appreciate the clever name for your thread for the coming year ... Sundays on the Acre. Well named, woman.

'Hope that your day goes well.

With love,

Ruth

Surely at some point we are going to have to dive within the black hole to retrieve what we've put there??

Me don' wanna go into a black holeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :(

Message edited by its author, Oct 20, 2009, 1:54pm.

#160: Thanks, Ruth, but I cannot take credit for the name - I stole it from something Belva said once.

#161: It is only a metaphorical BlackHole, Jenny - it will not hurt you :)

hmmm...........promise?

You have my word on it, for what it's worth!

I just hope that once in a while you keep us updated on exactly how many books are inside the Black Hole - I'm going to be curious, lol!

#165: I will let you know once I have them all there what the total number is. Of course, the total number is growing at an alarming rate!

I think Sunday on the Acre is very apropos because my wishlist is steadily growing at the rate of an acre a month mainly from your contributions.

LOL, Caroline!

You did it, Black Hole it is! Your metaphorical black hole is such that books go in it and fabulous recommendations come out as witnessed below......

http://rhokanih.com/yahoo_site_admin/ass...

Hey! Perhaps your new thread could be Sundays at the Event Horizon :P

Message edited by its author, Oct 22, 2009, 5:45am.

Hello again! Boy, I leave for a few days and suddenly I have to get to the END of a new thread. It's all terribly shocking.

Stasia, if I may, you asked a question a while back about abandoning books. Apologies for addressing what might have been rhetorical, but I thought it was an interesting question.

I do feel a lot of guilt about stopping in the middle of books -- I feel like there obviously must be something wrong with me, that I didn't "get" it -- so much so that I almost never abandon them, which means I waste a good bit of time reading junk.

But sometimes I think I should be more like I was as a child. At 12 years old, I put a bookmark in page 34 of Jane Eyre and, because I thought it was boring (yeah, I know -- but I was 12), I put it back on the shelf without another thought. For 10 years. In my mid-twenties, I picked it back up again, read it, and fell completely in love.

So, I think sometimes it just isn't the right moment for a particular book. Don't feel bad about it or yourself -- just stick a bookmark in it and wait. :)

I agree beserene - sometimes good books come along at the wrong moment. Sometimes, though, it is enough to say this is totally not my thing despite others accolades (examples for me would include Chuck Palahniuk,, Charles Frazier, etc)

Message edited by its author, Oct 22, 2009, 12:32pm.

I generally try and give a book a couple of shots before completely abandoning them. I know I am a 'moody' reader - if I am not in the mood for it, it does not matter what it is, I will not read it.

I have only 2 books this year (thus far anyway) that I have abandoned. I will probably try them again next year some time and then we will see, although I suspect in both of these cases, I am still not going to like them.

I abandoned A Case of Curiosities.

Also dropped Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir (who writes superlative non-fiction books about the Tudors, but should stay in that arena away from fiction, IMHO.

I too feel the guilt when I abandon a book, but am getting better about that. I rarely, if ever, go back to a book that I abandoned. I guess I just feel there are so many out there waiting for me that I don't think about trying again. Since being on LT I have had so many suggestions from like-minded people that I have only given up (or even wanted to give up) on one book this year. I hope that streak continues.

#173: I agree with you about Alison Weir, who writes excellent nonfiction (although I disagree with her conclusion as to the guilt of Richard III in The Princes in the Tower).

#174: I hope your streak stays intact, too, Brenda!

Thanks for the heads-up about Weir. I've had Innocent Traitor on my TBR list for awhile, but I've always had a big question mark next to it. I think I'll stick to Weir's nonfiction.

Not here, not looking, no one sees me

#177: I know, you are invisible, just like Linda is on the thread that is supposed to be only for you!

OK, having taken into consideration the prevailing view that all of the books should count and not be labeled 'a' and 'b' due to length, I have renumbered the reads for the year. And so, on to this week's reads:

422. The Vulcan Academy Murders by Jean Lorrah - this book was recommended by lycomayflower on her thread as just being a fun read and so it was; recommended for the Star Trek fans among us

423. Jackeroo by Cythia Voigt - young adult; this book was recently read and reviewed by lunacat, which spurred me to read it (since it has been languishing in the BlackHole far too long); highly recommended

424. The Quiet Game by Greg Iles - this was a pretty good suspense book about a man who decides, after the death of his wife, to make a lengthy visit to the town he grew up in and ends up being embroiled in a 30+ year murder mystery; recommended

425. Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips - while I liked this book a lot, I did not love it like many people have done; still, I would recommend it

426. The Grand Tour Wrede by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - young adult; the second book in the Sorcery and Cecelia series, not as good as the first but still OK; recommended, but really only as a bridge between the first and third books

427. The Mislaid Magician by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - young adult; the third book in the Sorcery and Cecelia series, returning to the epistolary style of the first book and better than the second; recommended

428. The Soloist by Steve Lopez - nonfiction; an enjoyable book about the unlikely friendship between a newspaperman and a schizophrenic musician, who just happened to go to Juilliard once upon a time; recommended

429. Murder 101 by Maggie Barbieri - a bit of fluff that was a perfect rainy day read for me

430. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - young adult; a dystopian novel where the 'Uglies' get prettified, it had a plot twist I did not see coming; highly recommended

431. Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede - young adult; the third book in the Enchanted Forest series and I really enjoyed it (more than the second book any way); recommended

Four Weeks in the Trenches by Fritz Kreisler - nonfiction; I am not counting this as a book because I printed it off the Internet and it was only 20 pages long (I think in book form it is about 50 pages), but it was worthwhile reading about what life as a soldier in thr trenches was really like - thanks Peter for the recommendation on this one; highly recommended

432. The Magicians by Lev Grossman - I know I am going to get some grief over this one, but this book really did not work for me - I felt it was too forced and contrived

433. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - young adult; I really liked this book, which approached some serious topics in a manner that comes across well to its intended audience; highly recommended

434. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard - I enjoyed this rather tongue-in-cheek book (thanks Jim for the recommendation - you can see his 2nd thread for his review or check the book's page); I think it appealed to the slightly absurd side I have; recommended

Edited to try and get the Touchstone for Jackeroo and Cynthia Voigt to work, but no such luck!

Message edited by its author, Oct 25, 2009, 6:16am.

Nice work as usual, Stasia! I'm adding The Soloist to my wish list.

#180: Thanks, Daryl. I hope you enjoy it.

Quite a list Stasia, but thankfully nothing to add to my wish list this week.
Just a note.........The Soloist has been made into a touching movie starring Robert Downie Jr. and Jamie Foxx.

For now, I'm adding The Soloist and will come back and add others later today. I love that you are reading YA! Isn't it great?

> 179 - Stasia -

Happy Sunday morning. Thanks for the great list and the synopsis. Many appeal, but only one entered the cyber-stack, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer. That one sounds too good to miss. Absurd, that's for me. Irreverent, is another favorite style that I find attractive. Pass along any you remember that might be housed in that category, too.

With love,

Ruthie

Message edited by its author, Oct 25, 2009, 8:47am.

Stasia - Lots of great reads this week! I read Lark and Termite earlier this year. I liked it at the time, but it hasn't stuck with me, the way some books do.

Stasia - I read The Magicians too and gave it up after 100 pages. It just didn't work for me.

There was a segment on 60 Minutes where they interviewed the real journalist and the cellist after the movie was made. I haven't watched the movie yet because I'd like to read The Soloist first.

On a tangent, Soloist by Mark Salzman is a wonderful novel about a concert cellist who had to stop performing because he felt he had lost his ear/touch, became a teacher and finds a student who teaches him what it is he had lost.

Looks like you had a good week!

None to add to the wishlist but only because any I would have been interested in are on there anyway. I'm really glad you enjoyed Jackaroo :)

I'm glad you enjoyed Just Listen. It's been languishing on my shelves for a while, but Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite YA authors, so I def will get to it soon with your recommendation. Have you read any other of hers? Dreamland and This Lullaby are particular favorites of mine.

I added The Soloist to my wishlist. Sounds wonderful! I may come back to add more from your latest list when I have more time!

Quiet Game was the one that made it to my wishlist today. Not being aware of the book, we watched the video of The Soloist a few weeks ago - very good.

Quite a week! I enjoyed the Wrede/Stevermer books, but agree with you that the second book is the weakest of the three. Glad you continued to enjoy Wrede's Enchanted Forest books--the fourth book, Talking to Dragons, is probably my favorite. However, that may be because it was the first I read--it was written before the other three and so I was as clueless as the protagonist throughout the story.

I do have The Magicians on my wishlist, but am certainly not going to pay for a hardback version, so am expecting it to be there for quite a while. I've heard good things about Uglies and Sarah Dessen's books. I definitely want to try the Necromancer book. One of these days...

#182: Lynda, I am sorry you did not find anything to your liking on this week's reading list. Thanks for the mention of the movie - I will add it to my Netflix queue.

#183: I am finding a lot to like in the young adult genre. I am currently reading one of Neal Shusterman's books that Prop2gether recommended and it is very good.

#184: There is an undercurrent of sardonic humor that runs through Johannes Cabal the Necromancer that really worked for me. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it, Ruth. If I think of any others that strike me that way, I will PM you.

#185: Hey, Amy! Thanks for dropping by. I do not think Lark and Termite is going to be one of those books that sticks with me, either.

#186: Caroline, I am so glad to know that I am not the only one that had problems with The Magicians! I knew about Salzman's Soloist book only because of the Touchstones here on LT. I did read Salzman's Iron and Silk a while back and liked it, so I will look for The Soloist as well. Thanks for the recommendation!

#187: Luxx, thanks for stopping in. I know you have your hands full right now and I appreciate you taking the time.

#188: Yes, Jenny, I did enjoy Jackaroo and have already picked up the sequel from the library. I appreciate you spurring me to move it up in the BlackHole (see - things do come out of there!)

#189: Marcia, Just Listen was the first of Dessen's books that I have read. I will be looking for others to read as well, and I appreciate your recommendations.

#190: I hope you enjoy The Soloist. You are welcome back any time - the list is not going anywhere :)

#191: Sandy, The Quiet Game is the first book in a series. I have the second book home from the library now. I will let you know how that one is (if you do not get to it before I do, that is.)

#192: Roni, I picked up Talking to Dragons from the library the other day. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did. As for the 'one of these days' sentiment, I daresay all of us readers know exactly how you feel!

Talking to Dragons is great, but Calling on Dragons was always my favorite of the series!

#197: Thus far, Dealing with Dragons has been my favorite, followed closely by Calling on Dragons. We will see about Talking to Dragons!

I read Wrede's The Grand Tour first and really enjoyed it. Took me ages to track down Sorcery and Cecelia and book 3 and I enjoyed both those too.
I had The Magicians home from the library a few weeks ago but didn't get round to reading it before it had to be returned. Not sure if I'll bother to get it out again after reading your comments.
I'm a fan of the Uglies series, such fun to be a teen reader nowadays with entertaining scifi like this.

#199: Kerry, I do not want to scare you off The Magicians. A lot of people really liked it - I am just not one of them. You might just use the Pearl rule on it.

I have the second book of the Uglies series on hold at the library and am hoping to get to it soon. Have you read the entire series? Are the other books as good as the first?

I agree with you about the young adult reading these days. I certainly do not remember anything like it when I was a teenager!

I liked all 4 of the Uglies books. Extras doesn't use the same characters but is an interesting story nonetheless.
I also really liked his Midnighters trilogy, which is set in presentday USA, and features kids who, because of their time of birth, have an extra midnight hour (everything & everyone else freezes for the hour even rain), but only in one particular town.

#201: I bought the 3 books of the Midnighters trilogy and gave them to Catey to read. I am probably going to have to rescue them back!

I also loved Westerfeld's Peeps which is a different take on vampires.

I will keep that one in mind, too, Marcia. Thanks!

wow- I got to message 30 before I realized your goal is to read 500 in a year! I just read an article from New York Times on a woman who is reading 365. They should forget her and talk to you!

Best of luck- you're an inspiration to my reading life.

#205: Thanks, Andrea!

I'm intrigued.....how does one move things round in a Black Hole? You do realise that you could be providing the human race answers to scientific questions that have been puzzled over for a very long time. And you thought you were just obsessed with books ;)

#207: how does one move things round in a Black Hole

With very long arms!! lol

Just saw your reference to Will Thomas (posted quite a few days ago). I liked the first two, but have not caught up with the more recent in his series.

#209: I have the second Will Thomas book home from the library now to read. I am going to try and read as many as my local library can supply!

Stasia, I see at the top of this thread that you mention not reading anything next year....so how does one go from 500 or so books to 0? Major withdrawal symptoms I would assume. I am amazed at how many books you are reading. What's your secret?

>211 Stasia may not read any books next year but that won't stop her from listening to a few hundred! ;)

Stasia

I didn't check your thread in a day and now find 26 posts.

Thanks ever so much for all the wonderful conversations you generate!

#211: The secret is - I do not sleep much, Brenda. I was being facetious, BTW, about not reading anything next year. The withdrawal would be way too bad!!

#212: You have me pegged, Caroline!

#213: I do not do it - my faithful readers do and I am happy to let them sit back and take the reins.

Thanks for posting about The Magicians -- I'd been hearing a lot of gush about that one and suspected that there had to be another side to it. Although, I will still read it, not least because Lev Grossman is the brother (I think) of Austin Grossman, who wrote Soon I Will Be Invincible, which should have been up for "title of the year" awards. :)

By the way, I've been wanting to read the Sorcery and Cecelia books for ages -- now I just want them more! Alas!

#215: Lev Grossman is Austin Grossman's twin brother. I encourage everyone to try The Magicians - it just was not a book I liked, which is of course, only my opinion. I know a lot of people here on LT really enjoyed it. As I tell everyone, not every book is for everybody, and that one clearly was not for me :)

I hope you get to the Sorcery and Cecelia books soon. They really are fun, especially the first one.

Hehehe........can you imagine any of us trying to NOT read next year. I think my brain would explode within a day.

Luna, the whole idea makes me cringe. The only way I would not read is if all the books on the planet suddenly disappeared... oh, man, I shudder to think!

I'd be reduced to the backs of cereal boxes.

:)

Postscript: Has anyone else noticed that the backs of cereal boxes have gotten significantly less interesting in recent years? Or am I reading the wrong cereal?

#218:
I totally agree with you. The backs of cereal boxes have gotten very boring. It is very frustrating!

#218 and #219

Agreed. Don't they have any thought for us readers?

I have not noticed the cereal box phenomenon since I do not eat the stuff. Should we do a sociological study on the subject? The effect of not providing reading material on the cereal boxes in the morning must have an impact on an entire generation of cereal box readers!

Really what are we supposed to do? I can barely lift the spoon to my mouth in the morning. I want to read, but a book is just to heavy. The cereal box is just perfect for groggy reading.

I remember, even as a kid, thinking the back of the cereal box was dull reading - after I'd read it once. I wonder if different brands of cereal have reading aimed at different readers - can that question be included in the study?

My groggy early morning reading is the local paper... it's on about the same level stylistically and substantively as a cereal box.

I no longer even look at the cereal box. I just pad over to my computer with my Hard Rock Cafe cereal bowl and see what new posts have popped up on LT since I checked the night before.

I have to jump in here with the cereal box discussion. Some years ago, when I was teaching 4th grade, I came up with a fantastic (IMHO) idea to have the students use cereal boxes to place stories, pictures and info about a unit we'd been studying about animals. Then we had a special breakfast celebration with cereal, juice, etc. and the boxes were placed on the desks in the student groups and they were able to read about each other's research. It went over very well and everyone had fun but I found out that kids don't read cereal boxes so much anymore; at least not the way we did when we were kids. They didn't really get why I had come up with the idea. Enlightening.

Message edited by its author, Oct 28, 2009, 10:00am.

not only are cereal boxes boring, but the recipe for rice krispie treats was hidden INSIDE the box last time my daughter wanted to make some. why hide the best part? :)

>226: Wait, kids don't read cereal boxes anymore? What?! Oh, wait, that's right -- they are all too busy texting at the breakfast table.

Oh, the humanity -- how far our culture has fallen! I raise a lament to the decline of the cereal box genre.

>227: Don't worry -- the marshmallow bag has the recipe on it. At least one bastion of packaging edification still stands.

:)

>228 Oh right....texting...I was thinking the TV was on non-stop but I'm sure you've probably nailed it.

It occurs to me in the first stages of my recovering my brain/health that it may take a while for human hands and fingers to evolve to use the tiny little qwerty keyboards on cell phones.

Don't you think that there will be something better out there soon for our kids and grandkids (not to mention US, of course)? Strange thoughts must come with the antibiotic territory don't ya think?

Hi, Stasia. Hope you are doing well. Agree with you that there's not much point to boxed cereal. Another place where we each have our favorite morning foods/or non-foods. And, man is it (boxed cereal) expensive per pound! Maybe they should get guest authors to write the copy for us literary types and put a serial cliff hanger-type story on the box to boost sales.

Happy trails -

Ruthie,

a little goofy from meds, but here for a few minutes anyway.

Message edited by its author, Oct 28, 2009, 11:25pm.

#230: Hey, Ruth, thanks for dropping by!

I love the idea of cliffhangers on cereal boxes :)

>230: Actually, those tiny keyboards seem to be just fine for kids. They've got thumb-typing to an art and, even at my advanced age :-), I've gotten so I can type at a reasonable speed on one. I'm comfortable enough that, when using some device (like a Garmin) with a non-QWERTY keyboard on it, it drives me crazy.

I've read the some kids can reach 80 wpm on those keyboards when word-completion is turned on and that's about where I top out on a regular keyboard, so I can't say they're lagging.

There are new technologies out there, however. I've debated buying a laser keyboard for my phone since there are times when I'm away from a computer and would like to enter a lot of text. They project a virtual keyboard onto a flat surface and then read the finger movements to determine the letters. An acquaintance who has one says they work fairly well. I want to play with one first and see how it does on speed and accuracy.

Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 6:40am.

Somtimes technologies abilities scare me, and I'm young and so consider myself pretty unfazed or unconfused by the advances. I am old enough to just about remember time before mobile phones or internet but only just! I certainly can't imagine living my life without them now.

>232 - Tad -

K3wl. Thanks for the heads up. I had a feeling there was something lurking to make things easier ... interesting about the speed of thumbs, too.

Ruth

>232 Amazing! It's like Star Trek. I could see where that could be beneficial. So I'm guessing this device stores your doc until you get to a printer. Is that correct Tad?

>233: I am old enough to just about remember time before mobile phones or internet..

*sigh*

Both seem like relatively new phenomena to me. Our house phones as a kid were black rotary models and at the cabin they were party line with three other houses. General information came from an encyclopedia, not a URL.

And I'm sure there are others here who will call me a whippersnapper.

>235: Actually, Lynda, that's an interesting thought. That particular model doesn't. It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to my iPhone, which has a small word-processing application on it. So, I start typing and the results are stored in my phone, which is in my pocket. I can then print from the phone or upload to my computer later.

Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 11:47am.

#236

General information came from an encyclopedia, not a URL

You mean there existed a time before wikipedia??? ;)

#236 : TadAD - the only problem with the laser keyboard is that you're still looking at your iPhone screen to see what you're typing. I tried it out ... it's ok but like touchscreen kbs, you tend to fat-finger quite often .. or at least i do anyway. For now, I'll stick to my blackberry thumbing since I'm at least quite quick on that.

Talk about multi tasking! I can place the laser keyboard on my husband's back and give a fingertip massage while I catch up on documents.
Actually, I am amazed at how quickly technology is changing. Seems like you buy it, learn it and oops time to buy a newer and better one.

238: Caroline - The fat-fingering was one of the things I was afraid of, along with overrunning keystroke buffers if you typed at any real speed.

I'm not super concerned about looking at the screen...the size doesn't really bother me if I'm reading as I'm typing. I was hoping there was visual feedback when a key was "pressed" the way there is on an iPhone touchscreen. I rarely look at the output when I'm texting or typing on the phone. I tend to keep my eyes on the keyboard and just visually confirm that I hit the letter I intended to hit—a relic of learning to type on a manual typewriter (yes, lunacat, there was a time before keyboards) and the teacher forcing me to keep my eyes glued on the source document, not the output.

ETA: Another concern, of course, is if it's compatible with the iPhone. For all that Bluetooth is a standard, there seems to be nothing very standard about the implementations. :-/

Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 1:04pm.

Wow. You're gonna tell me there was a time before electricity next!

ooooh, laser keyboards!

i do remember swearing i'd never own a mobile phone when i was 18, hmmm. they were brick-like at the time though. and very expensive. i didn't encounter windows until i was 18 either. this was probably a good thing.

Message edited by its author, Oct 29, 2009, 2:11pm.

They've got thumb-typing to an art

On an airplane recently, I saw someone working on a laptop and one-finger touch- typing as if he had only learned to type on a telephone keyboard! It was the strangest thing to watch!

#242

I was very confused then and thought that you meant windows as in glass ones. I couldn't work out how you'd manage to live and go to school and shop without ever coming across a window. Even for a minute it flashed across my mind that you were originally an eskimo or something.

Then I realised what you really meant.............I'm so stupid sometimes!

#244 Actually Jenny, I have window-phobia. I am an honorary eskimo. :)

I see.

How do you get bookshelves to nicely fit inside an igloo?

New thread time (for those who have not already discovered it):

My November thread is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/76166