Whisper1 (Linda's) 2010 List

How wonderful to be a part of such a lovely group of people. I'm so looking forward to the new year, new books and new lively conversations.

Welcome back!

Hi Linda! I've starred your thread.

Found you and starred you!

I'm looking forward to discovering many more good books in this thread!

I've starred you, too, isn't this fun?

Hello again!

Waving Hello!

Looking forward to your 2010 recommendations.

I knew you would be back, it was just a matter of time!

Hallo!

Hello!

Hey, Linda! I'm starring you right now so I don't lose you. :D

Wouldn't miss your thread for all the tea in China. Starred.

starred starred starred! hi Linda! waves.

Hi, Linda! Here's another star for you!

Hey, Linda! Wouldn't miss your thread for all the coffee in Starbucks!! :0

Hi Linda!

Ah. Here you are. Good.

I'm here too--we;re all going to need new threads after all the hellos when we finally start reading. Lots of fun.

Starred. :) Good to see you're here again next year!

ah found you :-)
Anita

A substantial lurker here, I will try and say more as I pass through this year, Linda. Starred of course!

*waves* Just stopping by to star you and say hello!

Hi Linda. Go ahead, fill up my TBR.

Starred!

Starred and saying hello! I hope the new year is filled with reading for you!

Couldn't let 2010 start without starring your thread!

Hey Linda, guess what! Stasia might be coming to PA this summer for a family reunion! Should that eventuality eventuate, I plan to make the drive, and would be wounded sorely in the vital places if I couldn't also plan to see you! I think Mme Deborah lives there too, maybe we can make a Thing of it!

Oh that would be so great...to get to hug you at last!

Hey Linda,
Happy New Year to you and your family and thank you so much for nudging me into the 75er's. It's been quite a ride;-)

Linda- Got you starred and ready to go! Hope you have a great New Year! (After you know who leaves!)

Thanks to all for stopping by! I'm really looking forward to our 2010 group!

Richard...I plan to make the drive to see Stasia as well. Let's plan on getting together. I am excited!

Yes, I'm in Chambersburg and would love to meet Stasia and all the other lovely LT members.

When is Stasia coming to PA? Where in PA? I'm in MD, not that far.
Stasia was my first "friend" here at LT.

I believe Stasia said she is aiming to be in PA the beginning of July. I'll check with her and let you all know! Oh, this is soooooo great!

Ooh, I wanna come! I'm on the NY/PA border, so it's not a stretch. :D

It is delightfully precious to think of meeting some of my LT friends!

Would this not be a hoot'n'a holler?! An East-Coast Thing!

Let's see how it all unrolls. Does someone have a reeeeally big house? ;-P

Oh, I'm afraid I'll be out of the country in July! I hope there's another meet-up eventually.

Could I hitch a ride up to PA with you, cyderry? I *do* want to meet Stasia!

Maybe you all should consider renting out a stadium for the occasion - you might need it considering all the people who want to meet Stasia

Keep me posted about the East Coast Thing...I'll come if I can! Hmmm, there might not be much time left over for the family reunion...but she already knows them, so that should be OK, do you think?

PS Ooops! Got caught up in all the excitement...hi Linda, nice to see you again!

Hi Linda!

How far is PA from Ontario? This meet-up thing is beginning to turn into quite the party!

Hi Linda! Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to following your thread this next year.

>43 Cait86: Hey could you pick me up on the way? I live south of Buffalo.

Happy New Year, Linda!

*grumps*... I seem to be missing a major party in PA.

#47: Me, too!

Have a good year 2010 with a lot of great books :D

Starred ;)

Happy New Year! :)

Merry New Year! looking forward to what you read this year.

Another star to add to the constellation - how did this get over 50 posts afore I found you;-)

how did this get over 50 posts afore I found you;-)

Because this 75-Books Challenge crew is a mouthy bunch! Thank GOODNESS!!

And because we're all excited about the possibility of a get-together in PA in July.

Cait, it all depends on what part of PA and what part of Ontario. If we meet in Pittsburgh, it will be nearly a five-hour drive for me.

The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell
My first book of 2010 has left me stunned as a deer in headlights while watching an approaching car speed around a corner with little time or space to spare.

This dark, disturbing tale of abuse, incest, Ozark mountain poverty, dysfunction, alcoholism and drug addiction packs a wallop that takes the breath away!

Told from the voice of overweight, mamma's boy 13-year-old Shugg, the writing is terse, tense and powerful. Little Sweet Mister, so called by Glenda his sultry, seductive mommie, never stands a chance to escape the never ending state of craziness as it envelopes him like the fog on the overgrown path, treacherous and filled with snaky people.

The cast of misfits are vividly portrayed in all their evil nature. Red, Shugg's "father", is about as low-life as possible. While switching between smacking him until he bleeds and indoctrinating him into stealing drugs from dying people, Red certainly does not present a positive role model.

When Glenda discovers a possible way out via a large, well-dressed man who drives a Thunderbird, the story quickly spirals into a fast nightmare.

I read this as a discussion spring board for the Missouri Readers group.

Here we go again! I am adding The Death of Sweet Mister to the wishNotebook. Great review!

"abuse, incest, Ozark mountain poverty, dysfunction, alcoholism and drug addiction ".
Sounds like my kind of book! On the list it goes!! Nice job, Linda!

>55 Whisper1: - Great review, Linda! I am planning to come over and check out the Missouri Readers group soon. (I grew up in Missouri and visit my parents there often.) But The Death of Sweet Mister sounded somewhat disturbing. It does sounds well written though. Oh, now I'm on the fence!

>58 porch_reader: Relax, Amy! We're reading The Moonflower Vine for February 1, so you can still join us and not have to deal with The Death of Sweet Mister. But, although very disturbing, it's still a powerful book. And it's short.

Oh, and Hi, Linda! I've been trying to slog through these posts from the bottom up, and people keep posting on your thread & sending it back to the top. But you knew I'd be here eventually!

>60 porch_reader: Thanks, Terri! I have a copy of The Moonflower Vine on the way. I'll be ready for that one!

>59 tloeffler:: people keep posting on your thread & sending it back to the top. You just did that to me, Terri, so I thought I'd get you back. nyah nyah :)

Ummm...ick. I think I have to give this one a miss. Too close to home in some uncomfortable ways, but what a way to start your year of reviews!!

Learning how to navigate the threads again after a month of almost abstention! :-) Great review! I'm envious--I still have 2 books to finish from 2009.

Happy New Year!

I think I might have to pass on this one but on the other hand when I'm in the mood for abuse, incest, poverty, abuse, alcoholism and drug addiction I'm there.

Congrats on yet another hot review.

back to the top i guess --- Linda... :) thxs for the bday wishes on Terri's thread. how do you guys have time to read??? :O - starred you too!

Your review of Sweet Mister was great!

Great review of an icky book, Linda. I echo your thoughts on it. And for those of you adding it to your wishlists, be sure to include Woodrell's Winter's Bone. It's about more Ozarks perversity, but contains a smidgen of hope.

Nice review, Linda. I read this last year and was fairly traumatized myself by it. It was good in a very disturbing way. Definitely needs a warning label on the front I think warning against psychologically sensitive and disturbing content.

Another great review. Onto the TBR mountain it goes.

57: Sounds like my kind of book! -- LOL! Don't know why, but that cracked me up, msf59.

Oh, and hello, Linda! :) Thought I'd pop on over and see how long this thread was. What, only 60-odd posts? Sheesh, you're slowing down, girl. ;)

Little Mister sounds a bit like Push, uncomfortable, sometimes disgusting but compelling

Thanks to all for stopping by. And, many thanks for the kind comments regarding my review.

Message 67: Donna, I read your review of this book and it is excellent. Thanks for mentioning Winter's Bone.

#68, Caroline, I agree about the warning label. After reading the book I felt emotionally drained.

#71: Andrea..would you recommend Push?

>55 Whisper1:: I need to be in the right frame of mind for these kinds of things, but that sounds interesting.

So an LT 'reunion' of sorts LOL in July hmmm?

Hi Linda, just popping by because I hear IOU thanks for recommending The Wednesday Wars, which was an adorable book and a fun way to start off 2010! Thanks for helping us all find gems!

Great review. What a way to start the year!

Thanks to Better World Books, The Death of Sweet Mister is on its way to my house.

Whisp, I'm not touching that one with a barge pole! I don't know how you can read this kind of thing and remain as sweet and nice as you are. I think I'd get bent out of shape for two weeks by the Death of Sweet Mister.

I'm not sure I would. Push was a little to graphic and depressing for me. I think that even though people will tell you that the book is "honest", it went a little far in how many problems the author puts on top of Precious, the main character.

I liked the way it was written, through Precious's view point and words. I read it in a day, but even so, I'm not sure I "liked" it, y'know what I mean?

I sort of feel like a deer stunned in headlights too.

I do feel like it was very similar to the book you described, and if you're ready for more of that, you should pick it up.

Nice review of The Death of Sweet Mister, Linda. It's a bit too depressing for me, I think.

Great review of The Death of Sweet Mister! It's been added to my neverending wishlist. You're off to a good start for 2010! Hope you had a fabulous New Year's. :D

Death of Sweet Mister - sorry, no way, no how, uh, uh. Thanks for the advance notice, Linda. good review.

Hi Linda--I'll be following along--but I think I'll skip Death of Sweet Mister.
A joyous and peaceful New Year to you and yours.

Deborah

Wow, not a lot of takers for The Death of Sweet Mister, but if I come across it while I'm shopping, I'll definitely give it a thumb-through. I'm a tough cookie; I think I can handle it. Thanks for the review, Linda! :)

Got here late to the party, as usual...and my hair is a mess....but you are *starred*, Linda..

Regarding the Stasia Fest..i have a big house..live relatively close to Pittsburgh (in SE Ohio!??!)...but don't know what in hell i'm doing in July.....i will, as they say, keep my ear to the ground..and hope nobody runs over me.

;-}

> oh, Daniel Woodrell is one of my favorites. I have read The Ones You Do, Give Us a Kiss, and Tomato Red...but not .......Sweet Mister...ain't that the way? And i don't mind his Black Humor/Tone one bit....

#55... nice review linda. i've only read winter's bone and it was enough for woodrell's words to set its hooks in me. unfortunately i couldn't find any of his books on this side of the planet. fortunately i visited your side of the planet for christmas and bought ALL of his other books. looking forward to a wicked woodrell year. congrats on that *hot* review.

ghost by Alan Lightman

Thanks to Blackdogbooks (Mac) for recommending this one. At first it was a slow read but as I continued, I kept reading.

Here is a link which lists Mac, Tad and Jim's reviews

http://www.librarything.com/work/3386623/reviews

Mac, Tad (TadAd) and Jim (DrNeurtron) had varying opinions. I'm in the middle, ie I'm not as enthralled as Mac, but not as luke warm as Jim and Tad.

>87 Whisper1:: I thought I was having a flashback to October! ;-)

I love LT---it proves to me that there are readers for almost every book ever written...even tho they may not be for me! While your #1 and 2 are going onto my TBR pile, I know it will be only a short time before one of yours lands with a big plop right on the top!

Just from the front cover and a quick peek at the book's page, Ghost definitely looks like something I'd read (even if it got a 2.97 rating so far). I'll keep a lookout for it when I'm out book shopping. Thanks, Linda! :)

>88 TadAD:: tad i did flashback I'm going to have to read this book now!

Good review, Linda .... and thanks ... this is definitely not something for my palate so I don't need to add it to my wish list.

Hi Linda - the #55 book doesn't sound like it is for me (re. content), but great review. Do you actually recommend the book?

Must look into your second read. Sounds intriguing.

See, another 2010 post that started mid-December!! I am only 92 93 behind here (you are too fast kiwidoc). Gasp. That's okay. I am onto all of you and will not be left behind next year. Hah! Got you starred again and wish you the very best in 2010. :)

Hi Linda - just popping in to say hello and Happy New Year. I'm not tempted by your first two books, but I know that won't last long. Do you have any YA books lined up yet?

Hey, Linda, it looks like you are going to be in the 2-thread club very soon! Keep up the great reading.

Behind on posts (already!), but The Death of Sweet Mister sounds like something I might read in the right mood. Thanks for the review!

Also, I'm in PA (no big house, though)! Depending on the timing, I would love to meet fellow 75ers!

Holy Cow! A PA party in July! I'm on vaction the first week and I'm in South Central PA. Woo Hoo! Does Kath know? She's about 3 hours from me!

Oh and Hi Linda. Nice to see one of my very favorite 75ers again! Looking forward to trying to keep up with your posts again this year. :)

Just realized I haven't said hi yet, even though I starred you a couple of weeks ago. Hi!

Hi there Roni...I love the photo on your home page!

Hi Linda, I've got you starred now. I had brought Ghost home from the library a month or so ago but never got to it. It still sounds interesting so I'll have to check it out again.

Hi! Happy new year! (Sorry I'm late.)

The Death Of Sweet Mister sounds really good, hope I can find it somewhere around here! :)

Holiday Inn by Kevin Kling

Touchstone not working, so here is the link:
http://www.librarything.com/work/9124413#

This is a delightful book of wonderful, down-home, folksy tales of love, laughter and family. If you like Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion fame, then you will enjoy this book as well.

Kling is a commentator on NPR's "All Things Considered."

He writes so poignantly of Minnesota with a humor and love of the state and the people that you can almost feel the crystals forming on the lake and hear the sound of the fish as they are pulled up from the ice. You can smell the summer blueberry pie and taste the country ham while sitting at the table laughing with the crazy, loving and lovable relatives.

If you want to laugh out loud, this is a book to read! It is a keeper!

If you say it is a keeper, then I really must find a copy!

>104 Whisper1: *whew* I dodged that bullet! I'm allergic to Minnesota.

Looks like you're neck-and-neck with the Big Gals (Stasia and Madeline) thread-wise...wow!

Sounds great! I'll definitely look for it -- though the cover kills me. :)

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break by Lensey Namioka

This book represents many things that I love about Young Adult fiction. There is depth of feeling, a large coming of age component, and a seriousness about the subject matter that is relative to all generations.

The setting is China in 1917 when there were incredibly strict social and cultural rules of tradition.
Wise beyond her age, high-spirited, spunky and stubborn five year old Allin is a member of a wealthy family wherein marriages are arranged according to socioeconomic standards.

The Tao family has a unique opportunity to broker a marriage for Allin to a young man from a wealthier family. However, as is the custom, the binding of feet is a necessary requisite to prove class and wealth. Because, only peasants have "big feet."

There is a wonderful weaving of historical conflict of China in great change as Western philosophies are perecieved as either eroding the culture, or moving the country forward from a secluded, claustrophobic nation.

Vehement in her unwillingness to have her feet bound and to succumb to her perceived degradation her grandmother, mother and sister experienced in this process, with her father's support, Allin is successful in averting this occurrence.

However, there is a steep price to pay because this renders Allin unacceptable for marriage to a wealthy family. Thus, the ties that bind the rich culture of the Tao family are riven with anguish. Their daughter and family are now shamed.

Through trial and tribulation Allin literally learns to walk on her own two feet.

Highly recommended!

I have a tendency to read mostly fantasy when it comes to YA, but this sounds fantastic. Thanks for the review!

beserene...

Thanks for being such a loyal follower of my thread!

You are welcome! But, I must be honest, I'm always terribly loyal at the first of the year, but as soon as the semester starts (next week) and I'm teaching again, I have a tendency to disappear. I'm such a fair-weather friend! ;)

Good luck with the semester. I also work in academia and next week will be a different pace for me as well.

Just stopping by to say Hi and thanks for the welcome to the group!

Starred! =)

I think I'll skip Holiday Inn (I wasn't much for Prairie Home Companion either) but Ties That Bind, Ties That Break looks really good! On to the TBR pile it goes :)

Is it bad that I'm too exhausted to read any books or book reviews but I'm hanging around here just for the company and because I missed everyone a lot? lol

hi Linda

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break sounds good and my library has a translation!
So I hope to read it soon.

> 115: Jenny
I don't mind, and I think Linda does not mind either.
Anita

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break is going onto the pile. It sounds very good.

Yet another addition to the ever growing TBR list. I'm glad I will never run out of good books to read.

Your description of The Death of Sweet Mister reminds me of Push/Precious (which I haven't read) and/or The Beans of Egypt, Maine (which I have read). LT says I'll like it--though the certainty is low.

Bonnie

I read The Beans of Egypt, Maine a long time ago. I laughed, I cried. I remember the abject poverty that was portrayed and then when I visited rural parts of Maine I understood.

Linda, another one for the TBR mountain. Thanks

Yes for me on the Holiday Inn happiness. Can't really do the alcoholism, incest, violence thing right now although sometimes I love books like that - I'm looking at you Bastard Out of Carolina.

I am so there for a PA meetup. I'm in Pgh. Perhaps I can hitch a ride or give a ride to some other folks.

I've added Ties That Bind, Ties That Break to the unending wishlist. Thanks, Linda! I've never read it, but Namioka's April and the Dragon Lady was one of my favorite books in middle school.

Oooh, I've been wanting to read Ties that Bind, Ties That Break since I took that YA lit class,but my library didn't have it. I will have to see if I can find it now. I also second April and the Dragon Lady as a good book.

Thanks for noting April and the Dragon Lady. I'll look for this one.

>106 richardderus: - Richard - Allergic to Minnesota? But we're all so darn nice here!

Tracy...
I was wondering why Richard is allergic to Minnesota! Richard????

I was in International Falls once. In January.

It was...memorable.

I was in Duluth once after that, in July. The flies, mosquitos, and general dankness made Texas seem like a tiny slice of Paradise.

Minnesota: No. MinnesotaNS: Sure! Lovely people, when ya can understand 'em.

Smiles to you my friend! How are you feeling? Any better at all?

Dear Richard,

Speaking as a person with an international accent (ha!), I can tell you I cannot understand a WORD of 'New York'.

Popped in to say a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you, Linda. You seem everywhere on the 75ers threads; such energy and devotion!

>130 kiwidoc: Neither me, Karen, I'm from Texas! The hideous honking blatt of a Brooklyn accent has never lost its unmusical din for me.

Linda's a treasure, Karen, much as you are yourself; Linda makes a positive contribution to every thread she enters and always does so with sincere good cheer.

I hate her.

I am adding Ties that Bind, Ties That Break to the BlackHole. Drats. I am supposed to be reading books I own this year!

#131: I know you did not mean that :)

You've read four books already, commented on everyone's threads and got 130+ posts? Argh... *Caut goes back to her under-achievers corner* :D I'll agree with Richard... Linda is a treasure :)

Just stopping by to say hi to "a treasure". Hope your day is spectacular

Gals, don't be fooled by Richard. He isn't feeling well these days. When in pain, there must might be a tendency to hallucinate.

However, I do appreciate the sunny feeling generated from Richard's pain induced comments.

Belated Happy New Year Linda! Great review of book no. 1 - can't decide if I actually want to read it though... #4 on the other hand, shall definitely be added to the wishlist...

#115 Jenny! Happy New Year! Of course it's not wrong - was wondering where you'd vanished to ;o) Hope you start to feel less exhausted soon as the days get brighter...

Stopping by to agree with everyone that Linda is a treasure. Thank you Linda for the message you sent me but I'm back to work now and slowly on the mend. Thanks so much for asking:)

Linda- I agree Richard is in pain or a pain, one of those, but you most definitely are special! Let's make that clear, right now!

I've been gone a week and 100+ messages!
Are you rivallong Stasia?
Speaking of Stasia, wherein PA are supposedly meeting?

The Lady in the Tower The Fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir.

The allure of Anne Boleyn undoubtedly stands the test of time. Lo these 474 years after her beheading, historians still attempt to discern the "truth" of her fascinating allure, her mercurial character, her charismatic charm, her bitterly sharp tongue, her scathing, hurtful nastiness and the abiding fascination she still holds.

Analogous to the present day rumors of her haunting the Tower of London and Hever Castle in Kent, so too are the cloudy, ill formed "facts" of her rise to power in the court and heart of Henry VIII and her consequent nefariously plotted demise.

Weir focuses her historical insights on the details of Anne's swift, and rapid downfall. This extensively researched book cleverly balances the contradicting statements and attempts to shine a light on how a lady raised most high, who became such an obsession with Henry that he split the country away from the Pope and catholicism in order to make her his bride then with equal intensity was wrongfully accused, abandoned and beheaded.

A must read for those who are enamored with Tudor history, but, only if you have read many books prior to this one. The details can be hard to follow and boring if you don't have a previous knowledge base of the characters surrounding Anne.

Cheli

We aren't sure the meeting will happen, but hope it can occur in July. Certainly, I'll keep you posted.

#5 looks like a good one, Linda! Alison Weir is one of my favorite history authors.

#140: As I prefer Weir's nonfiction to her fiction, I will give that one a go. Thanks for the recommendation, Linda!

**waves hi**

Thought I better drop out of lurkdom and say something :)

I really enjoy Weir's nonfiction work as well. Thanks for the review!

Yodeleeewhoooohooo!

Already read that one, whew, but can honestly say that I think Anne Boleyn would be right at home in today's boardrooms.

Thumbs up!

#140

I think this would be right up my street as I've read about her extensively and am always looking for a book that will give me something new on her. Thanks for the review.

> 140 Great review! I am a fan of Weir's nonfiction and looked forward to this coming out. I'm glad it lives up to Weir's standards and I will have to locate a copy soon.

ETA thumbed you!

I do enjoy Kling on NPR, so I think I'll have to keep an eye out for Kevin Kling's Holiday Inn, especially since you've enjoyed it so much.

Hah, re the boardrooms, Richard.
"So, Ms. Boleyn, how did you come to work for {fill in the blank}?"
"Oh, I was headhunted, I didn't have to apply."

>150 tiffin: ...I don't get it...

;-P

Right.

*note to self: DON'T GET SO FAR BEHIND ON WHISPER'S THREAD!!* Crikey.

*note to self* laytonwoman3rd is brilliant, follow her lead

LOL

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

Destined to be one of my top ten favorite books in 2010, this amazing, stunningly complex 2009 Newbery Honor book and National Book Award finalist simply took my breath away!

A big thanks to Stasia for recommending this one!

Journey to the dark recesses of the swampy Louisiana/Texas bayou where you find an alligator who is almost as large as the water that holds him, where you hear the hissing of the cottonmouth vipers and the sucking sound of the quick sand as it pulls and twists people and critters to their death, and where, along the deep forest path you see a lonely, mud caked, starving dog chained for years by a evil man who learned at an early age that to love equates to pain and thus it is better to hurt and maim all who cross your path.

Enter an abadoned, pregnant calico cat who stumbles upon the dog, and let your heart be warmed as together they provide solace to each other and to twin kittens. Watch as these four lonely animals in crisis bond together in the Underneath space of the raggedy house where tension lurks as each day is a challenge.

Mix the cast of bayou creatures, the dog and cats and one very nasty man and you will discover a tale of amazing magic and mythological proportion.

Five stars!

Nuh-uh. Not on your tintype. Nix, nein, nyet, okhi.

I can't read anything else with heartwrenching animal mistreatment!

Hey Linda,

Congrats on whichever of these two (both?) got the Hot Review. I'll have to check out The Underneath; it sounds very good. I guess I don't have enough Tudor knowledge for the other one.

Linda: Sounds like a sobber! Am I going to like it?

I'm heading for the library over the weekend to see if they have a copy of this book. (They better!) I just read every single review of it on LT, and I know I need to check out The Underneath for myself.

Bonnie, Caroline and Linda. I highly recommend The Underneath. Caroline, I didn't cry. I was inspired by the fortitude and the sense of love that existed between the dog and cats and the solace given. Actually, it is one of those books wherein a review is hard to write because there is so much depth.

I hope you are not disappointed.

Dashes in...must add Underneath to my wishlist...dashes out. :)

Ok, Linda. On to the wish list it goes. I generally like animal books ..... even the ones that make me blubber.

Congrats, Miss Linda, for getting a Hot Review on The Lady in the Tower!

hi Linda

I read Ties That Bind, Ties That Break today!
Thanks for recommending :-)

Anita

Happy Almost Birthday Catey

Anita, I'm heading over to your thread to see your comments regarding Ties That Bind, Ties That Break.

#157 - Richard The Underneath was one of my favourite reads last year. You must read it for Appelt's wonderful writing and weaving in of magical folklore.

Absolutely beautiful prose in The Underneath - wasted on the kiddies, I fear, but just gorgeous!

But but but the animals aren't treated well! I can't deal with mean-human stories, they make me go out and kick random passers-by in case they might think about being unkind to dogs. I've been known to stop fancy-schmancy cars whose drivers look especially smug and smack them on principle. I don't think I should read this book, lest I go to jail.

Richard.

I hope you are feeling better today than you have been these last few days.

The Underneath sounds wonderful -- there's another one for the list. Great start to the year -- I already want more books than I can read in 365 days. :)

>170 Whisper1: Thanks, Linda, less pain each day. *whew*

Hi Linda! I finally got caught up on your thread - you are quite popular, and with good reason. :)
Looks like you've started off the year with some very good books.

Hey Linda, Have you read When Christ and his Saints Slept? Nickelini (joyce) just reviewed it and you immediately came to mind. Sounds like a good one.

I have that Penman When Christ and his Saints Slept on the pile to read in the first 4 mos of 2010...it got great reviews by several LTers last year, and I've had it on the pile for awhile.

Wow, it feels like I turn my back for a minute and your thread grows exponentially! I've put Ties That Bind, Ties That Break on my TBR list, but I was really excited to read your review of The Lady In The Tower. I'm on the hold list for it at the library (it's still processing. Come on, library, how long does it take to process!), and can't wait to read it.

Hi to all for stopping by and thanks for the kind comments.

Lynda, and Tina,

Stasia sent this book to me last year and your message prompts me to read it...Thanks again Stasia.

legxleg...I think you will enjoy The Lady in the Tower. I'm not surprised that you are on the hold list at your library. I think it is a newly published book.

Boy Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

A sheer delight of a book! This poignant, funny and at times very sad book chronicles Dahl's early childhood and the reader gains tremendous insights into how his experiences shaped him and became fodder for his wildly imaginative books.

Dahl's parents were Norwegian. Dahl's father became wealthy when, as a young man, he started a very lucrative business in Wales. Before marrying Dahl's mother, his father was a widow with two young children. His loving marriage to Dahl's mother produced five additional children.

While Dahl's life was one of economic privilege, there were many emotional hardships. When he was three, he lost his sister who died of appendicitis and shortly thereafter his father died. Throughout the book we learn of very cruel abusive patterns of the headmasters and teachers at the elite schools he attended. One headmaster in particular slowly, methodically beat the young boys. This man then went on to become the Archbishop of Canterbury. Dahl has some scathing comments about organized religion and the hypocrite who rapidly advanced through the ranks of the church and preached love, grace and forgiveness while terrorizing children. This left Dahl with an extreme distaste for organized religion.

There are some outrageously funny tales as well. At the age of seven he placed a dead mouse in a candy jar of the sour, ugly store owner. Later, he put goat droppings in the pipe of his sister's fiance.

A must read for those, like me, who love the tales that Dahl wove...stories of the twits who were nasty, despicable things, of Mrs. Trunchbull, Matilda's wicked teacher, of Charlie and his chocolate factory, of The BFG (big friendly giant) and The Fantastic Fox!

#178: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Linda.

The Underneath is definitely going on my wishlist. Thanks Whisper!

Wow. 'Boy Tales' sounds... well, it doesn't sound right to say great. Let's settle for fascinating. I had no idea had such an unusual life.

Pam,

I got the sense that he was loved and loving toward his family and felt very positive about family vacations in Norway and loving time with his mother, who kept every single communication he ever wrote. When she died he discovered all his weekly letters to her. But, overall he seemed to focus on the negative that shaped him, ie the very abusive teachers and headmasters and the nasty older boys at the schools.

When he put the mouse in the candy jar, it was to get even with a wicked, grubby store owner. He paid a high price for this because he and his friends were beaten. I think from this tale came the character of Mrs. Trunchbull in the book Matilda.

His books are filled with nasty critters and adults who relish harming children. And, there is a theme throughout that children can and MUST get even.

He tells a delightful tale of the Cadbury chocolate company who sent candy to the academy for the boys to test. From this experience the idea grew for Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Linda - I'm putting Boy: Tales of Childhood on the TBR list. I had never heard of that one, but it sounds like a great way to get some insight into Dahl's creativity. Thanks!

#182,

Linda... my daughter (9) just finished reading Matilda at the end of '09 (and of course I read it over her shoulder). We both liked it, and fortunately she didn't really feel that Ms. Trunchbull was a 'real person', which I figured out meant that she had never been abused by her teachers.

Of course, being my child, she related better to The Twits!

Dahl is always good!

>178 Whisper1: the scene that really stays with me in Boy is when he has his tonsils removed. Ack. Just thinking about it makes me want to inhale a carton of icecream to dull the sympathetic stinging in my throat.

9 days, 7 books read. Wow.

I read Dahl's books obsessively when younger - and his boyhood tales. Thought they were wonderful. I initially hesitated to give them to my kids after reading a child's book reviewer that he was grossly misogynistic - all his female characters being grossly flawed. But then I never realized that Noddy was politically incorrect, either. Really I don't care. I love Dahl's books.

Very interested in your take on the Weir book. I like her non-fiction stuff and that is a book I will look out for. Thanks.

Ha de Ha- Tui!

Matilda is my very favorite Dahl book.

Linda : Boy Tales is definitely something I want to read. I grew up reading and loving Dahl's stories. If you want to continue on with his life story, you should read The Irregulars - it's about his life in Washington as a British spy.

I've had a copy of The Underneath for a long time, and have had it recommended, but haven't gotten to it yet. Will have to move it up the list. If you and Stasia both love it, its destined to be a winner.

#178: Unfortunately, I don't have Boy: Tales of Childhood, but I do have Going Solo, which I think covers some of his wartime years (haven't read it yet). Still, I'm more interested in Roald Dahl's upbringing, since he creates such awful scenarios for his characters. Love 'em though! Thanks for reviewing that one, Linda. :)

#189: Thanks for pointing out The Irregulars, cameling. I'll have to add that one to the Roald Dahl autobiography pile.

ETA: Does anyone know how many autobiographical books Roald Dahl has put out? I checked here on LT and it only lists two: Boy and Going Solo.

Sara

In addition to those mentioned above, Amazon lists the following:
http://www.amazon.com/More-About-Boy-Roald-Childhood/dp/0374350558/ref=sr_1_1?ie....

Oh, awesome! I may look for More About Boy instead of Boy: Tales of a Childhood, since it looks more like an unabridged version of the latter (or at least that's what I'm assuming by the product description). Thanks much, Linda! :)

>191 saraslibrary:: I just read Going Solo and thought it was fantastic. It includes some excerpts from his letters to his mother, but it does nto otherwise reference his boyhood.

#191: I second the recommendation of The Irregulars.

#194: I was planning on reading everything in chronological order--Boy first, then the others as he gets older--but I may give Going Solo a try, since I haven't come across his other autobios. Thanks for recommending it, carlym. :)

#195: And thanks for seconding The Irregulars, Stasia. I'd heard of his others, just not this one. Sounds interesting.

Glad to see you enjoyed Boy and that others have put it on their lists, as it really is very good. Its a long time since I've read it but it was consumed many many times when I was a teenager.

Linda, dropping in to send love and hugs your way, and tell Will he'd best spruce up before July or who knows what might happen....

Linda : You had written on Karen's thread that you were interested in Gandhi after watching the movie. You might be interested in reading Indian Summer by Alex von Tunzelmann. It's was a riveting read for me, and introduced aspects of Gandhi that I hadn't read before.

Just stopped by to say hello -- mostly lurking and catching up on threads . . . :)

Richard...hugs right back at ya!

Caroline, Thanks for the recommendation regarding Indian Summer. I've never heard of this book and thus I'm intrigued. I'll see if one of my local libraries has this one!

One of the best books I've read re. Gandhi is Freedom at Midnight. It is an incredible, detailed portrait of Indian's independence for Britain and the consequent split of India and Pakistan.

If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.

Hi Terri. Thanks for stopping by!

Hi, Linda! *waves*

I have read couple of Roald Dahl's stories but not the one you read recently.. will consider reading it if I ever get a chance to do so....

Reading a Roald Dahl book, especially The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), is like sitting under a tree while slowly eating a large red apple, listening to the hum of the bees and smelling honeysuckle as it gently permeates the air.

Oh, how I love his books!

Oh, I remember the goat's poo tobacco - I remember finding it absolutely hilarious when I was small (hmmm, maybe I was a bit callous?). I'd like to add my support for Going Solo to follow on from Boy.

I loved Roald Dahl growing up, but I don't think I've read any since Rhyme Stew came out in 1989. You made me all nostalgic last year, so I may have to revisit at least The BFG and The Magic Finger this year!

>204 Whisper1:: My granddaughter (in 2nd Grade) absolutely loved the Roald Dahl books I got her for Christmas, esp. The Twits. And I'm so glad to have another family member who likes to discuss books.

#204 Roald Dahl is like eating a big red apple under a tree. Love that image :) 'm so happy that others enjoy him as much as I do.

I used to take Matilda out of the library every other week. My mother and I made weekly trips there when I was younger.

Whew! finally caught up. I agree, you are a treasure.

It's winter, so I need "happy" books--have put in a library request for Holiday Inn.

You introduced me to Roald Dahl last year so I picked up as many as I could find at used books sales and thought I had read all of them. Imagine my delight this weekend when I finally got the mess in my library under control to discover Matilda, which I obviously bought but forgot to catalog in LT last year. I just put it on the BR "short shelf"--something to look forward to!

Hope you are getting back into the "swing" of work. I always find the first week back the hardest.

Someone has tagged Holiday Inn with "Linda thought it worthy."

> 209 I saw that too, but doesn't that say it all?! ;)

#209: I think that's terrific!

I really love the whole idea of tagging books with the user name of the person who recommended them. I keep hoping it will catch on.

>209 carlym: Oh that is just adorable! I love it. Linda, you are legend!

#212 I think it is a wonderful way to recognize a fellow LTer. I've noticed it several times and sure beats a tag like TBR which is normally just about everything!

ah, geez...I'm overwhelmed! What a great group this is!

Linda just wanted to stop by and say Hi and I am once again lurking.. :)

I've always put "recommended by ..." or "mooched from..." in my private comments field. Never thought of tagging books with the name of the person who recommended it to me, though.

elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

This young adult book is a winner! A few of the accolades include the American Library Association Notable Children's Book award, Amazon.com Top 10 Editor's Picks and the Kirkus Reviews Editor's choice.

Many thanks to Marcia (allthesedarnbooks) for coming through once again with a wonderful, compelling book!

"Lizzie", Elizabeth Marie Hall, awakes in a boat on an ocean where things seem dreamlike. Confused, and missing her family, Lizzie slowly realizes she has passed on to another life. 15 year old Lizzie was killed in a hit and run accident while riding her bike.

As the boat docks on "elsewhere" Lizzie discovers that life continues in another realm where patterns of progression are turned upside down. Instead of aging forward, all inhabitants age backward until they once again become babies and begin the process of starting anew.

This unique book is intriguing, well developed, rich in creativity and marvelously profound! Dealing with complex subjects of afterlife, forgiveness, grief, love and ties that bind, Zevin wrote a stunning book full of wisdom and hope.

Highly recommended!

#218: I put that one in the BlackHole due to several recommendations. Looks like I need to get to it soon!

Book #8 sounds great Linda
And even better, my library has the translation YAY!
Anita

Last year, I put a bunch of books on my wish list and then, halfway through the year, I couldn't remember anything about some of the books, including who recommended them. I started tagging every book I put on my wish list and now when I finally read a book, I can go tell the person whose rec got me interested in it and have a discussion with her or him. Also, I'm sort of picky, so if I don't like the book, I like to know the person I'm potentially insulting. ;-)

Another one for the TBR mountain.

I already have Elsewhere on my wishlist but your review makes me want to own it even more. One day.......*sigh*

#223 ditto Elsewhere is on my tbr already too but Linda's review makes me want to read it sooner.

I just got a copy of the Roald Dahl's Cookbook and haven't really had a chance to look at it. There are illustrations by Quentin Blake and lots of family photos and reminiscing as well as the recipes.

#217 I've always put "recommended by ..." or "mooched from..." in my private comments field.

That's what I do, too. I figure 99+% of the almost 1 million people who use LT to catalog -- and many others who visit the site without joining to look up book info -- aren't on the 75 Challenge aren't going to know or care who we all are when they look at the tag cloud on a book. I only tag with data that's relevant to the book itself -- subject, locale, series, etc. and whether it's fiction or non-fiction. Info like recommendation sources & shelving info I keep private.

Hi, Linda!
I just got all caught up on your thread. I am adding Underneath to my wishlist. Although I find animal books often too sad, this one sounds to good to pass up. Happy Reading in 2010!
--BJ

>225 tymfos: I tag with 'recommended' - then in the private comments I put who gave the recommendation. That way I can distinguish between those books that I myself stumbled upon and those that others pointed out to me. And I have to admit, Linda's (Whisper1) recommendations are adding up!

Great review of Elsewhere, Linda!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I just finished When You Reach Me about an hour ago, and am still basking in a joyful glow of a really wonderful read. :)

Marcia..Isn't it great that we have similar reading tastes and like the recommendations we give each other!

I hope you are having a pain free day.

Hugs

>225 tymfos: It's only for the most obscure books that the recommender tag would turn up in the tag cloud anyway--unless they've really done a fantastic job in encouraging others to read the book, which is noteworthy in itself--so I don't think tagging does any harm.

Elsewhere looks very interesting, Linda. Thank you for the review. I also recently finished When You Reach Me. Why weren't YA books this good when I was a YA!

#231: I keep asking myself the same thing!

Joanne and Stasia...how very true! I'm aware that some people are not enamored with this genre, but I am hooked ever since Anita recommended one YA books, which led to another..another..another.

Joanne, I really liked When You Reach Me.

Like >157 richardderus: richard and >226 billiejean: billiejean, I often find animal books too sad. I once burst into tears at the pediatrician's office while trying to summarize the story line of The Velveteen Rabbit and that was a stuffed animal. Having said that, though, it does sound as if Underneath is worth reading, especially since Linda liked it so much. Oh dear....what to do, what to do?

Perhaps afterwards I'll move on to Gordon Korman's No More Dead Dogs, which has been on my Mt.TBR for some time now.

>234 muddy21: muddy21, When my son was younger he just stopped reading animal books, especially dog books, because the animal always seemed to die. He would sometimes have me check the last few pages and if there was a death, he wouldn't read it (and generally there was).

I've read Sharon Creech's Love That Dog aloud a few times and always have tears streaming down my face at the end.

Joanne
I haven't read Love That Dog, but I absolutely loved her book Walk Two Moons. Have you read it?

I haven't read Walk Two Moons but I've meant to. Thanks for the reminder!

>235 Copperskye:, 236 Boy, I will NEVER read anything by this Creech person unless there's a loaded gun pointed at someone I care about.

Linda I have looked at Elsewhere several times and though hmmm now that I have read your review I really have added it to my large pile of wishlists and TBR pile. :)

>238 richardderus:
Afraid you might cry, Richard?
It is a lovely book!
Anita

>240 FAMeulstee: Cry heck, I'm afraid I might wither and die from sheer misery!

Linda,
I have finally found your thread for the new year and just caught up on all the talk. I would like to go back to the "Stasia's coming to PA" topic for a minute and say that if the LT party is going to be anywhere near Pittsburgh we have a farm and could host a pig roast. The house isn't that big, but we like to do picnics here. Just throwing that out there.

LOL Well T&M that sounds fun, but for myself I'm really hoping it's on the other side of the state and that I can be there too. :) We haven't been back to the East Coast since just after our wedding in 2002. So I'm more than ready and have so informed the husband :) However, nothing is even set in jello, much less stone, at this point.

Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life by Roald Dahl

Continuing the quest I began in 2009 to read all of Roald Dahl's books, I found this book tucked away on my library shelf.

This is a book of transition from Dahl's works for "children" to a mature set of tales for "adults."

Dahl enjoyed writing this series of seven short stories which were penned at a pleasant, leisurely time in his life when he was thirty years old and returned from WWII to the idyllic Buckinghamshire country side home of his family, As he wrote each one, he sent them off to American magazines for publication.

The title of the book is the first story and is a rather bawdy tale of a local farmer who breeds his bull with heifers with a 98% success rate of producing heifers.

My favorite is "Parson's Pleasure" wherein a slimy antique dealer attempts to take advantage of farmers by paying little for their treasures which he then re-sells at a much higher amount.

In this book you find various and sundry characters who are out to pull a fast trick and in the end the table is turned. Some stories are rather dark and include tales of rat catchers, greyhound racing, maggots and poaching.

Dahl writes with his usual flair for the absurd and, once again he shines through with his unique ability to poke fun at the not-so nice qualities of human beings.

While I felt some of the stories were mediocre and not on the par of his other books, still, I recommend this to those, like me, who are in awe of the quirky, quacky, creative and intelligent writings of this fascinating man.

Re. Tagging recommendations: When I first joined LT someone suggested tagging books one discovered here with "lt-inspired" which I've done (and I think at least some other folks do as well). On my own, I added the tag "member- xxxxx". I LOVE knowing how many books I've discovered through LT (too many) and who suggested them.

quirky, quacky, creative and intelligent writings

Doesn't that just sum up Dahl? Good review Linda. I also tag books with the name of whoever recommended them to me.

That is a great idea. I usually make a note when I first get the recommendation on my list, but never thought of adding as a tag here. I bet Stasia's name will be popping up on everyone's tag clouds soon.

Long time no see Linda. I just noticed you recommend Freedom at Midnight so I added it to my wish list beause after reading A passage to India I have so many questions regarding the British occupation in India . Maybe it will provide some answers. Have a great weekend.

Ah, I've always tagged recommendations with the user name of the thread I saw it on - I've a truly terrible memory, so it gives me a memory jog of why I added it to my wishlist in the first place! ...of course, the thing that frequently happens on LT is that you read it on one person's thread and then see it recommended on six others, which is when it starts to get confusing... ;o)

#248 I've also got Freedom at Midnight on Linda's recommendation - in preparation for reading The Jewel in the Crown - may take a while to get to either though!

Ah! There's another one I'd like to read The Jewel in the Crown! Thanks for bringing that one to my attention flissp.

248,249,250---I read all of those YEARS ago, and now you have me wanting to read them again. Onto the pile (albeit toward the bottom) they go.

Hello to everyone and thanks for stopping by. I highly recommend Freedom at Midnight. It is one of the books that I read that impacted greatly. It is filled with historical richness of India, Britain, Pakistan, Mountbatten, Jinah, Nehru...

Oh, my, now I must find this book on my shelf and re-read it, and as I sit here Iam looking at my book shelf and The Jewel in the Crown is in one of the front rows of books. I'll take this as a sign to re-read that one as well.

#247..How right you are! My library tags have many, many entries for "recommended by Stasia."

Look at that. Freedom at Midnight has found its way to my wish list. Thanks, Linda!

Great books, The Jewel.. I liked The Towers of Silence the most. The only reason I do not reread them is my big TBR pile. But I may re-view the beautifull BBC series, great stuff at the end of a working day.

William Dalrymple's books on 18/19th century India I found very interesting.

Hi Linda...whipping through to request ever so gently that you consider vrey seriously starting your second thread soon....

what are you reading this year im reading Getting Even

i have sent u a messege that i read your book but you gave no responce

hello again i missed you guys a lot

Time to start a new thread. Here it is:

here