Terri - teelgee: 75 in 2010

Returning, humbled, from the battlefield that is the 100 book challenge. When I was trying for 50 one year, then 75 the next, I hit 100 easily, both years. But my reading slowed this year, for whatever reason, and I will do well to finish at 85.

75 is a comfortable fit, like an old pair of slippers. Ahhhh.

My plans for 2010 include reading mostly books that already reside on my shelves. This wasn't by design, necessarily, but when I put together my 1010 Reading Challenge, I found I already had just about everything I need to read next year. My pocketbook will be relieved, as will my partner.

My 1010 challenge is for just five books in each category, so there's plenty of room to be spontaneous too. Must plan for spontaneity!

Link to my introduction post on the Intro thread.




12. Possession: A Romance by A. S. Byatt
11. Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym
10. Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips
9. The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
8. The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
7. The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss
6. Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy
5. The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat
4. Peace like a River by Leif Enger.
3. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
2. The Mammoth Cheese by Sheri Holman
1. The Bone People by Keri Hulme.

Welcome back!

Starred and welcome back.

Glad to see you around these parts again, Terri!

haha.. i'm the opposite .... i think i'm too spontaneous and I should like to plan my reads. I may need to be a bit more organized in 2010 if I'm to complete my first 1010 challenge.

Starred! *waves to Terri*

Great to see you here, Terri!

Hi! I'm a Terri, too. I joined LT, and the 75 challenge, this past summer. Glad to see you here!

Glad you have returned to us, Terri! Welcome back.

Consider yourself starred - and I'll catch up on your 1010 too, it's my first attempt at one of those category challenges so I can't wait to get going!

Starred. *puff, puff* 2010 is still weeks away, and I'm already behind on the threads!!!

:)

Hey, Terri! I'll have to take a look at your tbr's to see if we're going to be reading any of the same books. I'm going to continue to use my "best of your best of 2009" list--it's been a great resource! See you next year--maybe in real life too?!

Hi, Terri,

Welcome back!

There's no place like home!

#15: Ain't that the truth?

Hi Terri! Got you starred.

Starred. What a concept...reading the books you already have!

I know - bizarre, isn't it??

"What a concept...reading the books you already have!" I said I was going to do that this year...FAIL.

Hi Terri - found you!

Lurking

Hi Terri - so glad to see you back with the 75ers. Don't think you can hide from us!! Starred and ready.

Welcome also from The Other Terri. I'm really going to try to keep up with more threads in 2010, and yours will be one, just because you have such a great name.

goodness.. If anyone around here yelled Terri, there would be a stampede!

I don't know about that. I can't run. I'd just sit on my tail and holler "What????"

rofl

I can't run either. I'd just rattle my cane and say "Huh?"

All I can say is that it's amazing what you can do if you have to..
but, maybe I should have said a chorus?

*grin*

That I can do! Tra la la!

:)

I can do the chorus, but you probably don't want me to...

Terri--Happy New Year!! Do you think we might actually get together in 2010? It's going to be one of my New Year's resolutions. :) Best wishes, Berly

LOL.... you guys are a riot!

Hey Kim ...great minds think alike ... I was thinking along the same lines. Wouldn't it be such a blast? So far, the only LTer I've met in person is our King Richard

I think I am glad I am the only Stasia in the group! (at least that I know of . . .)

*starred*

Looking forward to enjoying your reading year along side you Terri.
Can't wait 'till you click your ruby slippers and wave your magic wand ;-)

Another Terri stopping by, just saying Hi and Happy New Year! :)

OMG, a world of Terris! Happy New Year to you.

I'm starting 2010 with The Bone People by Keri Hulme. Slow going, but I need to finish it for my book group Monday evening.

~ 10 Terri - I had no idea you were so very fashionable! Looking forward to following you ...

1. The Bone People by Keri Hulme

The Bone People has been on my shelf for years and I've never had enough curiosity to pick it up. I read it for a book group this month, though, and I'm really glad I waited until now to read it. I'm a better reader these days, more willing to suspend my need for rigid writing styles, more eager to explore stories of other cultures and better able to appreciate the poetry of language, which Hulme does so stunningly well in this book.

It was a tough read, though, for the subject matter. Child abuse, graphically rendered, makes for nightmares and soul sickness for a few days. But it isn't gratuitous violence, it is central to the story of the broken lives of (at least) three individuals.

The story takes place in New Zealand, in the small town of Whangaroa. Keriwen Holmes, part Maori and part European, is a strong, fiercely independent woman who builds herself a tower home with a spiral staircase rising through the center. An unexpected "guest" surprises her one day, a young mute boy named Simon, who comes with a label explaining his disability. He also comes with a foster father (Joe) and a load of complications, including vandalism, thievery, physical violence and a mysterious past.

Hulme's writing style is an interesting mix of stream of consciousness and poetic narrative:

...dear soul, imagine if you could pass all memories, but selectively...keep the sweet things, the first flows of joy at colour and shape and sound (chime of tuis, lichen at Moerangi, rich cadmium yellow on black and red rock; the ratpad ticker of the clock that beat time time time to my guitar; rainbows and storm clouds and dragons of the sunset, and mists set in motion by the breathing of the sea....) - page 289

Hulme does a great job of making a parallel between the destruction of people's lives and souls and the destruction of culture (Maori) and environment, not only causally, but metaphorically. That the three main characters had to practically disintegrate down to the bone to heal and transform is, I think, what is likely to be required of Mother Earth.

I am still struggling with the ending. No spoilers - but could this be a dream sequence? It was just too tidy after the chaos of the rest of the story.

I feel like I've experienced this book rather than just reading it. Hulme is a brilliant writer. (4/5)

Link to my review.

I saw The Bone People at the last 2nd-hand book fair but decided I had enough to keep me going (3 bags of books) until the next fair and put it back.
If I can find it again it is going to be bagged the next time ;-)

#40: I had that one out of the library last year but never got a chance to read it. I will check it out again. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Terri!

Excellent review, Terri! Thumbed!

It has been years since I read this book, but it made a lasting impression on me. I agree, she is a brilliant writer! Thumbed!

>40 teelgee:: I've read The Bone People twice now and I still don't "get" the ending. But it's one I'll never forget and may even read again someday. I guess you might say I agree with marise in that it made a lasting impression on me as well.

Nice review Teelgee! Thanks.

I loved The Bone People. It's definitely on my "all-time favorites" list, but now I'll have to go read the ending again, because I don't remember what I thought about that part. I do remember I liked the book because the characters were complex--they weren't the simple "good guys/bad guys" that you see in most books. You really had to think about what you could forgive in both these characters.

Absolutely, Bonnie. I re-read the ending last night and I'm still struggling with it. She doesn't seem like the kind of writer who'd tie things up so neatly.

Loved your review. Onto the pile it goes.

Great review. I tried to read The Bone People several years ago, and couldn't get into it. I'm certainly going to try again now.

Proud to say that Keri Hulme is a New Zealander, but not proud to mention that I have not read the book, yet.

Great review, Terri. Welcome back to the 75ers.

#1 hot review for the day, Terri. WTG!

Yay - well done you!

Edited to add - actually well done to both of you - great reviews and both thumbed!

found you and starred you! Teri, I just gave a thumbs up on your excellent review of The Bone People. I was #15 by the way!

Kudos to you for a job well done!

Thank you Linda and Julie and Tui and Karen and Deborah and Bonie and -- oh wow, I missed some messages here! I've been terrible about writing reviews, some lack of confidence in myself, so this helps me with my intention to write more this year!

Great review, Teri. You've intrigued me sufficiently with your review to add this to my obese wish list.

you go, teelgee...you have a very sympathetic readership here and your reviews will be welcomed with open minds...and wish lists, waiting with anticipation for new ideas!

ditto what maggie said!

2. The Mammoth Cheese by Sheri Holman. The Mammoth Cheese is full of surprises. I expected a light funny read, but this book is chock full of people with common problems and a few not so common. There are many stories taking place in the novel and they all twine together nicely.

Full review is here. (4/5)

Definition of a good review: you made me want to read the book. Good review, Terri.

The Mammoth Cheese was one of my favourite reads a few years ago.

Thumbed you. What a great review, Terri. Definitely one for my wish list.

A great review, Terri! Adding to mount TBR!

Adding The Mammoth Cheese to the BlackHole.

#51 Karen, you beat me to it! Count me as another NZer who has not read The Bone People. I owned it for years, and couldn't even start it (but didn't really try). A very well-read German friend came for dinner, and when he saw it on the bookshelf we gave it to him. He read it on the plane home!

Great review of it Terri, and one day I will try properly.

>59 teelgee: I read The Mammoth Cheese after it appeared in a "ones that got away" end-of-year column - the Grauniad (sorry, Guardian) runs a piece in its Books section where they ask publishers about books they believe should have been more successful (and books they wish they'd published), and someone picked that. I remember really liking it, and your review is lovely.

Cushla - I was never very good at reading on planes, too distracted, too anxious. Now I take a little blue pill and read away for hours - the only problem being I cannot remember a bloody thing at the other side of the book!

Hmm. I do my best reading on planes, especially if the person next to me is also reading. Different strokes etc.

I love reading in planes and in airports -- I almost (that's almost, folks) look forward to delays so I have more reading time.

I love reading on planes : it relaxes me, it gives me a good reason not to talk to my seat companions (unless they're actually friends traveling with me), and it makes the trip go faster (and I take some very long distance flights).

Airports and airplanes---among my favorite places to read.

The Bone People...it is on my shelf as well. Terri, you thread scares me to death.
I always makes my tbr and wishlist grow..

Deffo a plane reader too (for the same reasons, Cameling).

#69> I almost (that's almost, folks) look forward to delays so I have more reading time

Hell, I love it when the bus gets caught in traffic in the morning. More reading time! (I do most of my reading on the commute to/from work.)

So none of you lot are listening for the plane engine pitch or misfires. You are all calm and happy fliers. Lucky you lot.

I personally love train travel. I could live in a train.

Sorry, Terri. Hijacking your thread.

Rather you hijack my thread than hijack my plane.

I am not a calm and happy flier. Books are my tranquilizers. But I do also love reading in trains.

#75 Karen, I'm not a great flier either (with me it was turbulence, not plane noises) but I did a fear of flying course years ago, and it fixed me up 99%. I didn't relax totally on these flights because of my daughter next to me - she threw some huge tantrums that put me on edge, and when she slept I couldn't. I love train reading too.

Terri, just read your Cheese review. Sounds interesting. If I'd just seen it in a bookshop I'd have put it down when I got to the "eleven babies" part of the blurb!

Following the death of my boyfriend in the Turkish airlines crash over Paris I found flying incredibly difficult - and still do.

~78 Poor you - I hope your recent flights were a little more calm.

Juliette, how horrifying and how terribly sad for you.

I'm sorry for your loss, Juliette. If something like that happened to someone I loved, it would definitely weigh on my mind if I had to fly. *sends a big comforting hug*

So sorry to hear about your loss, Juliette. I cannot imagine...

Julie, I'm so sorry to read that.

#79, I am also so sorry for your loss.

I don't really like to fly, either. But I can't read when I travel anymore. It makes me sick. This makes travel hard. I do all my reading after I arrive.

Terri, I liked your reviews. I look forward to reading the others that you write.
--BJ

Very sad indeed, Julie. I'm so sorry.

Julie - I didn't know that about your past. How terribly sad. I'm not a happy flier either, but Ativan is my friend. I used to like to read on planes, but now I mostly sleep. And the entertainment features have really improved, so I usually play around with that too.

3. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. Loved this book. My review is here.

(4/5)

I'm really looking forward to reading this one!

I've got this on my TBR and I'm moving it up the pile given all the rave reviews thus far.

I'm reading it now - what a wonderful book!

I am going to be reading that one some time this year. Who can resist with all the wonderful reviews of it?

I just started Let the Great World Spin yesterday and am finding it almost unputdownable.

As I've said elsewhere, Let the Great World Spin was one of my favorite books of last year.

It's the second time in a couple weeks that I've read a great LT review for Let the Great World Spin ... it's on my wishlist and I may just treat myself to a copy soon!

Yeah, selfish me, I'm starting to regret giving that book to my son without reading it first. That'll teach me to buy my Christmas presents earlier! I just hope he's enjoying it as much as you did. Which reminds me, are you enjoying Peace Like a River?

Bonnie, I am loving Peace Like a River. It has a tone similar to To Kill a Mockingbird. I'm pretty much horizontal for a few days with a bum foot, so will likely finish it today.

Terri,

Loved your review and loved Let the Great World Spin. I know it's early but I think this will be one of my Top Ten books for 2010.

Terri, your reviews are terrific! More! More!

Peace Like A River - goodness, I loved that book!

#97 Peace Like a River is terrific! I am glad you are enjoying it, Terri. Sorry to hear about the bum foot though.

Oh, yay! I don't usually feel it personally when someone doesn't like a book I enjoyed, but I love Peace Like a River so unequivocally, it makes me happy when others love it too!

Again.. dangerous thread. I have looked at Peace Like A River a dozen times and never gave into it.. I guess I may have to now.

4. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger.

My review is here. (4.5/5)

Great review, Terri! You got a good part of the flavor without giving away any of the exciting parts. I'm so glad you loved Enger's writing too! You got your first thumb from me, but I'm sure it's going to be a "hot" review tomorrow morning! And, hey, I read Peace Like a River the same week I read Plain Song (another all-time favorite of mine) so these two go together in my mind. Have you read that one? It's an entirely different book, but the writing, again, is just so good!

I was so miffed at some of the reviews with some major spoilers! Why would someone do that??? That's why I usually don't read reviews or book flaps before I read the book.

I haven't read Plain Song, will look into that! Thanks Bonnie.

I really liked your review of Peace Like a River Teri - I think I'll be adding this one to my list!

Terri, so glad you liked Peace Like A River. I love Enger's writing style and that little Swede stole my heart.

I read his So Brave, Young and Handsome, which I enjoyed too.

You have been reading some great books so far this year, Terri. I've enjoyed your reviews very much. I especially like the way you incorporate quotes from the book into the review. Keep up the good work!

Terri- I loved your review of Peace Like A River. You nailed it perfectly. It was one of my favorite reads of '09. I also have So Brave, Young and Handsome sitting in my tbr. Also huge fan of Let the Great World Spin! You are starting the year on a major high!

Terrific review of Peace Like a River. I love that book. I second Bonnie's recommendation of Plainsong by Kent Haruf. It's wonderful. So is Eventide, which is not exactly a sequel, rather a second book set in the same small town (Holt, CO) with many of the same characters. (Mark, if you've not read those, you would love them.)

Anne- I forgot to mention that in my comment above! Plainsong is easily one of the best books I've read, in this past decade! The sequel is pretty solid too!

Thanks all -- I will definitely be looking for Plainsong.

I have Plainsong on my shelves.....somewhere...

Lovely review of Peace Like a River, Terri. I will have to look for that one.

Terri, Loved your review and loved the book when I read it a few years ago. You're on a roll girl.

Terri, nice job avoiding spoilers in that review. I read this book ages ago and on reading your review had to ask myself, "Is that the book where ...?" Actually the Amazon description was enough to confirm I was indeed thinking of the same book. You did a nice job of making the book sound good without giving much away.

I also enjoyed your review and wanted to add that both Plainsong and Eventide are wonderful.

5. The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat. Review to follow soon. (4/5)

I really need to read more of Danticat's books. So far, I have read only Brother, I'm Dying which was terrific. I look forward to your review of The Dew Breaker, Terri.

I just love the name Danticat. It would so fit some cats as a name, I would think - the neat and tidy ones.

>121 Fourpawz2: yes, but I think it's pronounced more like "damn the cat" than "dainty cat." Which may still apply!

Terri, I read your thread for you wry sense of humor as much as for the reviews of the marvelous books you are reading. :-) I haven't read this one by Danticat, but have enjoyed three of her other books.

Danticat is one of my favorites! I liked The Dew Breakers a lot, but I think she really excels at short stories. Krik? Krak! was one of my favorite reads from last year. And like Stasia, I loved Brother, I'm Dying.

The Dewbreaker has been on my shelf for a while now, so I'm looking forward to your review. I've enjoyed the other Danticat books I've read - and the talk of naming a cat 'Danticat' made me laugh.

Ms. Danticat is Haitian, and (if I remember correctly) her last name is pronounced "don-tee-ka".

She is a fabulous writer! Brother, I'm Dying, as Stasia said, is fantastic, as was The Dew Breaker.

In case anyone wants to look back, our LT Globally Reading group did a theme read on Haiti in 2008. Quite a few of us read books by Edwidge Danticat.

My review of The Dew Breaker is up.

Great review. Thumbed you! I have not had the pleasure of reading any of her works, but I will fix that pronto.

6. Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy.

Delightful book. My review is here.

Thumbed your review of The Dew Breaker. Definitely have to keep an eye out for it

Terri- Funny, this morning in the Chicago Trib, there was an excellent short review of The Dew Breaker. It sounds incredible! I will wishlist this one! And BTW, your review was terrific too!

Terri, I think you should keep writing reviews. I see two of yours are "hot" right now. Kudos!

#130: Thumbs up for your review, Terri!

Thank you all!

Mark - I found the Trib review online, but it was directly linked to Amazon and the Amazon review pages. Was there another "real" review in the paper edition? I did find an article about books set in Haiti. There really aren't all that many. I'm going to find Brother I'm Dying soon and will read Krik? Krak! this week as well.

7. The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss. I LOVED this book. Review is here. (4.5/5)

#136: I do not even like horses and am tempted by that one. Thanks for a great review, Terri. Thumbs up!

Good review, Terri...I'll keep an eye open for that one.

I really enjoyed Wild Life and if this one is even better then I'm bound to love it, too. Thanks, Terri!

Great review! Thumbs.

It seems as though you have a continual hot review. You're never off the list. Congrats again Terri. It sounds like one I'll like too.

Thanks Bonnie and Kim and Christine and Tui and Stasia! I was surprised how much I loved this book and yes, if you liked Wild Life Christine, you'll like this one. Maybe I'm in the mood for "simple" old fashioned lifestyle stories, as I also loved Peace Like a River so much.

eta Bonnie, I've been having to stay off my foot for a couple of weeks, so I've had LOTS of reading and reviewing time!

another eta, for all who recommended Plainsong and Eventide, I stumbled on them both at Goodwill last week, so of course I had to snag them! They're happily sitting on my gigantic TBR shelf.

So many goodies, here, Terri. You're killing my resolve to reduce the TBR pile. Too Much Temptation!! This quote from The Hearts of Horses was enough to make me put it on my wishlist: She cleared a shelf in the tack room, crowding the veterinary goods into other boxes and onto other shelves to make room for the books.

Other stuff must make room for the books, always.

#142: I loved Plainsong when I read it last year, although I have not made it to Eventide yet. I hope you enjoy them both!

Well I adore horses, but tend to avoid horse stories like the plague. I think I ODed in my teenage years.
Sounds like your going to tempt me Terri.
Yep, The Hearts of Horses is going on the wishlist.

What a great review, Terri. Thumbed it and it's whooshed off to my obese wishlist.

Thanks Kim and Caro. I feel guilty for contributing to the obesity of your wishlists.

I tend to be skeptical and picky when choosing horse stories but you've definitely tempted me with The Hearts of Horses. I'll keep an eye out for it -thanks!

8. The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer. A stunning book. I will need to sit with this for a day or so before reviewing. (4.5/5)

#149: If you are giving it 4 1/2 stars, Terri, I am going to start looking for it even before I read your review!

It was really amazing, Stasia. I just can't string the words together tonight.

btw -- do you EVER sleep??? ;o)

I found out my local library has a copy and have put it on hold already. Woot!

Yes, I do sleep. Just not very much.

I have The Septembers of Shiraz, but haven't read it yet, so I'll be eagerly awaiting for your thoughts on it.

--> 149

I can tell that Septembers of Shiraz is right up the alley of the kind of books I love to read, Terri, so I've just wishlisted it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Wow Terri, you are sooo powerful. You haven't even written your review and people (including me) are scrambling to get the book. Amazing. You have read some great books this year.

The Septembers of Shiraz does sound like an interesting book.

I read The Septembers of Shiraz last year and just loved it!

>155 brenzi: Pay no attention to the woman behind the curtain!!! ;o)

I loved Septembers ... also!
I always thought of you more like Glinda, Terri ... :0

Soooo...... you clearly aren't feeling too guilty about adding to my obese wish list because you have done it again! Darn it .... how am I to resist a 4 1/2 starred book?

Thumbed your review. I wonder if my wishlist is ever going to lose weight?

Not as long as you hang around here, Caroline! Thanks for the thumb. You have nice thumbs!

*blush, blush* Thanks .... I didn't know you liked blue, frozen ones.

Actually, would you mind warming it up a little next time? :o)

Nice review; I've starred it, too.

Cripes - all these books are getting onto my urgent TBR list - you are reading at a prolific rate, Terri.

Yes, Karen, it helps to be rather housebound with a bum foot for a few weeks!

Oh - that's a real bummer. Hope you heal soon, Terri. Does that get you out of the housework, too?

Housework? Is there housework?

Not at my house! lol

I think I feel a pain coming on in my foot.... (Hope yours feels better soon!)

Terri- Loved the review of The Septembers! I will have to hunt down a copy of that one!

I read that for my first Orange July a couple of years ago. Loved it and also gave it 4.5 stars. I have been recommending it ever since then for one of my book clubs to no avail. Silly people. There is so much to discuss with the book.

I tripped on the stairs and have a swollen toe now .... does this count towards having a bum foot and being able to stay off it, excused from cooking and housework, and deserving of a prescription to sit on the couch to read for a week?

Oh poor dear. You definitely have my permission!

Cemeling --definitely some serious couch time is warranted. Have fun!

Oh no! Sorry to hear that, Caroline. You should definitely stay off of it.

*writing prescription for bed/couch rest and unlimited pampering by husband and reading*

There you have it - from a doctor even!

Cameling--What a convenient injury! Milk it for everything you can. ;)

>180 Berly: Yeah I think I might just trip over the carpeting here in my office and hope I can squeeze out a week or so of sitting at home curled up with my books. Ahhh sounds heavenly.

Oh and wouldn't you know, now I have a horrible cold and cough and need to stay down for a couple more days. If you'd like, I'll breathe on you.

Uh, as inviting as that sounds, I think I'll pass.

9. The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett.

4.5/5. Another winner!! Review coming soon!

Congrats on the run of great books!

Terri- Glad you enjoyed Narwhal! I read it a few years ago and loved it. I've been meaning to read more of her work. I think I have a couple of hers buried in my tbr!

Dammit, woman! Some of us still have to spend a third of our lives working for a living. *grumble, mutter, gnash*

#184: I have that one on the nightstand ready to read. I guess I better move it up to next in line!

>186 msf59: I read Ship Fever and really enjoyed it - also have another of hers, historical medical fiction about TB, The Air We Breathe. After reading this one, Air will be bumped up Mt. TBR.

Narwahl *check*

Just catching up and loved your review of The Septembers of Shiraz - have chucked it onto my wishlist. Hope your foot's getting better!

Thanks - foot is better, lungs a bit better. I might actually have to do something besides read and nap this week. eeek.

Don't push yourself too hard! ;)

Dr. Stasia thinks that at least another week of bed rest is in order! Along with Berly's prescription, that should seal the deal. Naps and reading again :)

And the review of Narwal is ........ hmm....can't seem to find it ..... I'm sure Terri said she was going to post it ..... surely she can't be *gasp* procrastinating while her eager audience is on tenterhooks?

Aw.. give her a break! her foot hurts!

My mum's just read The Septembers of Shiraz - her amazing local remainder bookshop was selling it. She's going to give me her copy.

She writes with her foot? ;-)

OK, OK! I promise to have a review of Narwhal up in the next two days. I've also just finished Lark and Termite, so now I have TWO reviews to write! I tell you, the pressure of being all powerful....

10. Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips. Review to follow soon! I knocked off a star for a very overwritten character, otherwise a stellar book. (4/5).

No pressure but really look forward to your review of Lark & Termite. =)

Me too! I just bought it and will calibrate my level of anticipation based solely on your review (just a little pressure). I am only one review behind...na,na,na,na,na,naaaah!! ;)

#200: You liked that one better than I did, Terri. I think that there was so much anticipation in reading the book that it just did not live up to my expectations. I am glad you liked it.

Wow, different strokes. I just abandoned this one. I almost stopped after the first chapter but gave up finally after 130 pages. I kept reading thinking it must get better, but it never did, for me. I didn't really care about any of the characters or what happened to them. I even put the book down, read something else to give myself some distance, and then tried again. And just thought, ugh, I have to go back to that book. Glad you liked it though. I would like to read your review to see what made it good for you.

11. Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym. Delightful book; review to follow (really!) (4/5)

#205: That is one of the Pyms I have left to read. I am looking forward to your review (really!)

Looking forward to your review, and must get around to writing my one of Excellent Women!

so now that makes it 3 reviews Terri's going to be writing with her left foot... hmm... impressive ..... *wriggling into a large comfy beanbag with a big bag of potato chips in hand waiting for the show to begin*

Oh you're too funny!!! Hand me some of those potato chips - I've declared today National Review Writing Day. *toddles off to sharpen pencils*

Pencils!!!! I remember those.

Ok, one down. Voyage of the Narwhal review is here.

#211: Nice review, Terri. I am waiting with bated breath for the others. I am opting for tortilla chips though, instead of potato chips :)

#211 Ooh, that was well worth waiting for. Great review!

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about Terri. Great review. Of course I thumbed it. I loved it as well and am starting to think that adventure novels are my thing after also loving recently Sea of Poppies. Maybe I'm not meant to read girlie books. Hmmm.

Thanks you guys. Bonnie, it doesn't have to be either/or, it can be both/and! Or maybe a girlie adventure.

I haven't read Sea of Poppies yet, but have it on my radar.

Terri- I enjoyed both your reviews! I read Voyage of the Narwhal several years ago and loved it. I've been meaning to read more of her work. Lark and Termite was easily one of the best books I read last year, it battled it out with Olive Kitteridge for the top spot! I did not have any problems with this powerful novel. It was pitch-perfect!

Ha ha! All caught up now. Crampton Hodnet review is here.

I'd call you a show-off, but I am caught up on my reviews as well! Nice job. It feels good doesn't it? Now I don't feel guilty running off to finish World Without End and start a new one. Hmmm....which one will it be?

I do not do reviews, which make it very easy to catch up :)

I wouldn't do reviews either if I read as fast as you. On the other hand, it is a nice way to remember what I read when Alzheimer's sets in...Course, I could just the same book over and over and always be surprised!

#221: I keep a book journal with notes on all the books I read, so I do have reminders, but it takes me about 45 minutes a week to do my list as it is. If I did reviews for every book, I would be at it for hours!

Your weekly quickie Yeah/Nays are more than sufficient to do serious damage to my mountain of TBR as it is. Don't change a thing!

#223: I do occasionally do reviews - I did one for The Party last week since I was the only person on LT with the book, plus the fact that it was such a good one, but I do not do them on any kind of regular basis.

I am glad you like my weekly post, Kim. I hope everyone does - I want people to enjoy it.

Excuse while I check to see whose thread I'm on. **scurries off**

Oh Terri's, she of the three hot reviews at the same time.

Good reviews, Terri. Thumbed!

Hot! Hot! Hot! Yup, this is one hot thread. Lark and Termite was a Top Ten read for me last year. I even loved the parts about the Korean War because it gave me some insight into my father who fought in that "conflict." As for Gladdy, she was so irritating that I have little memory of her. I'm pretty good about forgetting characters I don't enjoy. Keep up the good work, Terri.

Even before LT, someone from a fiction listserv to which I belonged convinced me to keep a reading log. I've done so since 1999. What I found it best for over the years has been to use in online conversations with others as a tool to remember my personal reactions to a certain book and the reasons I felt that way. Therefore, even if I choose not to review a book now, I feel almost compelled to jot down a few private notes about each book I read. The difference is that now I use LT to do both reviews and/or private notes instead of my pc.

I've been keeping a journal of my reading since 2001 when I discovered that I really wished that I had done so over the years because I couldn't remember why I loved or hated certain books. Since I've been on LT (almost my 1 year anniversary!) I've written reviews of most of the books I've read. Sometimes I don't really feel like it but I've found that once I start writing, I diwscover so much more about my feelings about the book, many times so much more that I change my rating.

I diwscover so much more about my feelings about the book, many times so much more that I change my rating.

That's interesting. Sometimes when I look back on a book that I read a while ago, I also change my rating. Not a whole lot, but at least to a star rating that more accurately reflects my current thinking about a particular book.

Sometimes I don't really feel like it but I've found that once I start writing, I discover so much more about my feelings about the book,

I'm the same, Bonnie -- I haven't written many reviews until this year, but my retention is so so bad that if I don't at least write the gist of it I won't remember (danger of waiting to review 3 books at once!). I'm striving to review every book I read this year. And by review, I mostly mean writing a few notes, a little of the plot and main characters and some of my feelings about the book/writing.

Thanks all, for the hotties kudos!

You're the hottie, Terri! LOL

Like you, I began writing reviews to improve my retention. Now I also find it influences how I read -- I look out for interesting quotes, and think much more about what I'm reading while I'm reading.

But now of course I write because I want to be hot, like Her Royal Hotness here.

I also write so I can remember whether or not I have read a book down the road, and I have also found that writing reviews has changed by rating of a book in some instances. I actually upgraded Their Eyes Were Watching God because I realized all the cool literary things Hurston had done in her book and got past my difficulty with the dialect. It's interesting to look back at the end of the year to see if my ratings stay the same. I usually have a couple that no longer grab me the way they did initially, but I am not far off.

I often find that a book seems better to me when I've taken the time to sit down and write a review, as I go back to check things and reread some of the more interesting bits etc.

#234 - I agree, elkiedee. Writing about the book has the same effect on me.

>234 elkiedee: and 235

The same for me. I do a lot of rereading as I write my review especially early parts of the book when I hadn't really gotten into it yet and I find some things that surprise me; or things that didn't click early on.

Finally got around to reading your Lark and Termite review, Terri. This sentence you quoted struck me:

"There’s a shape in the air where the car was. He feels the shape hold still before it begins to end. Slowly the air comes back." It made me think of Benjy Compson's section in The Sound and the Fury. And when I get home, I'm going to look at it, and see if there isn't a very similar passage in it.

So, Linda, did you find the passage?

See? I all I needed to do was go away for a few days and I come back to your 3 reviews. Nicely done, Terri. I need to add Lark and Termite to my wish list.

12. Possession: A Romance by A. S. Byatt. I should probably wait a little while to write this review, as it may not be a kind one. I just put this book down after slogging through the last 1/4 of it. I think I'm supposed to love this book, but I didn't. More of my review. (3/5)

whoaaa, "faux erudite"! Well, it would be a boring world if we all agreed. If it didn't do it for you, it just didn't.

Yah, I probably should have waited to write a review. My experience with the sort of ending she gave it is that it ruins everything for me, it's like the whole thing gets painted dark grey and that's all I can see. I can't discuss the particulars because I don't want to spoil it.

#238 Christine...I did not find a particular passage. I think it's just an overall similarity of description of the thought process. Several times Benjy is looking at something, and then "it went away", meaning it moved out of his vision, but he was still looking at the spot where it had been. A candle, his sister in a doorway...

Oh, I liked Possession. But as tiffin says above, it would be a boring world if we all agreed. :)

Oh Terri.....don't make me show you my badge...you know what I'm saying...

You don't scare me!!! You have no jurisdiction here!!! I was waiting to hit 250 - then I will go peacefully.

I liked Possession too, but I will fight to the death for your right to dislike it, Terri :)

It is always a shocker for me when a highly acclaimed book doesn't work, Terri. Well done for finishing Possession anyway.

Great reviews. Lark and Termite is waiting for me, too, but I remember opening it up but not getting past the first few pages. I must reopen it.

Do you ever abandon books, Terri? I find I abandon less since posting on LT - not sure why though.

Karen, that's an interesting comment. I wonder what is behind it? Do you think you're doing a better job of selecting books now? Or do you think that even a lousy book might have something to offer? Or something else?

BING BING BING BING!!!!!!! 250!!!!!!

*wicked evil grin*

Spiteful woman!

I don't want to leave in the middle of this interesting discussion, so will ask for special dispensation.

Karen + Joyce-- I occasionally abandon books, but not nearly so much these days since LT - I think it's because I get such good recommendations from like -minded people. My tastes have changed too and I'm broadening my reading horizons somewhat with LT, so I'm more likely to stick with a book that's really challenging at first to give it a go (e.g. The Bone People). I really did like Possession most of the way through, but got so irritated with the last part of it.

I occasionally abandon books, but not nearly so much these days since LT - I think it's because I get such good commendations from like -minded people. My tastes have changed too and I'm broadening my reading horizons somewhat with LT, so I'm more likely to stick with a book that's really challenging at first to give it a go

I couldn't agree with you more and thank you for not adding to my bloated TBR pile.

#251/252: Generally speaking, if a book does not get at least 3.5 stars on LT, I will not even bother with it. There are just too many good books out there!

Sorry Stasia ... I'm on Terri's side. I didn't like Possession either.

Thanks to reviews by LT members, especially those whose opinions I've come to understand better, I add far fewer books to my TBR tower that I've had to abandon and I generally only add books that garner at least 3.5 stars. Too many books, too little time