Whisper1 (Linda) Thread #1

Thanks to Richard for letting me know the 2011 75 group is up and running. I'm excited!

Oh thank GOODness! The stars may resume their ordered course. Linda is here.

I am glad you have found your way to 2011 too :-)

Hey Linda! Nice to be here in your thread.

Hi Linda: Welcome to 2011. The group that is, not the year.

Looking forward to lots of great reading and friendly chat in 2011, yet again.

Hi there Linda, here we go again. I have you to thank for getting me started here. How many others fall into that category??

Hi Linda!

Welcome back!

Welcome, Linda! Glad to see you over here! Hope you're doing well!

*waves* Hello!

Glad to see you are with us again for 2011, Linda - as if there was any doubt :)

Hi Linda - what took you so long :)

Hi Linda! I'll keep up with at least this thread of yours... for about 2 days!

*settles in to follow thread*

oh, Lord. Now I'm sure not to keep up.

Hi, Linda, hope you're warm and snuggled in on this cold evening.

I better say hi now as I'll never be able to keep up.

Hi Linda!

Hi Linda. Glad I found you!

Hey there Linda ... just popping in to send a pre-2011 hello.

*Waves to Linda*

**Waves to Linda** Just popping in to get a jump start on the new year. Wanted to make sure I found your thread. :)

*knocks on front door* - "Linda - you in there?"

Hi Linda! Hope you are well.

Glad to see your new thread...I am here and you are ****STARRED***...as usual!

;-}

Waves "Hello!" as he wanders through the 2011 Group, starring threads as he goes. =)

Hi, Linda! A new star for a new year's thread!

*Waves and disappears*

So here you are!! Thought perhaps you were holding out till 12-31-10.

Hooray, Linda! A fresh new year -- maybe I'll actually keep up this time. :)

She's back...........

*waves* Hello! Just wandering through the 2011 group... biding my time until the 1st... haha.

Happy New Year Linda!

Wishing you all the best for 2011, Linda!
--BJ

Happy New Year, Linda!!

Hi Linda! Happy 2011!

Wishing you a wonderful new year, Linda. Looking forward to discovering new books with you!

I feel like I've come late to the party! But I have you starred and loo forward to your suggestions in 2011!

check!

Hi Linda. Found you, starred you, and I'm just checking in to wish you a very Happy New Year. It was so much fun getting to know you here in 2010. Here's to another great year in 2011. And good health to us all!!

Hi Linda

I finally found you. Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Hi Linda

Wishing you a very Happy New Year to you. Thanks for your help and support last year.

Linda- I hope you have a wonderful and healthy New Year!

January 1, 2011? Yes! Okay then, here I am, and Happy New Year, Linda! May it be pain-free!

Happy New Year Linda!

Here you are! I must have missed your thread, but I found you now ~ and starred you.

Just stopping by to wish you a happy and good-book-filled 2011!

Found you Linda - Happy New Year!

Hello and Happy New Year to all.

My resolution for 2011 is to limit my book buying and to read books off the shelf, or to download free, non tangible books on my Nook. The house is filled to the brim and it is time to get serious about downsizing. And, it does no good to downsize if one books leaves the house and ten more come in.

Here is my first book off the shelf for 2011:

BOOK NUMBER 1

Mara's Stories:Glimmers in the Darkness by Gary Schmidt

It is not surprising that I rate this book so highly, given the fact that Gary Schmidt's books The Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy were two of my top reads in 2009.

Once again Schmidt wove magic with his astute understanding of human nature and his fantastic writing ability that hooks you in and keeps you riveted from the first to the last page.

Using Rabbinical stories, tellings of Hasidic traditions, folktales and actual recollections from the concentrations camps, Schmidt uses the voice of young Mara, who from the cold, fearful barracks, weaves stories at night to bring a glimmer to the darkness of the horror all around.

While not an easy book to read, it is indeed a subject that needs to be told again and again. Schmidt's delivery packs a breathtaking punch, while also astounding the reader with stories of hope and the depth of faith and fortitude of six million Jews who died at the hands of an evil power.

When I finished the book, I once again marveled at the strength not only of those who perished, but of those who survive and know the depth and resiliency of a wonderful faith with the supreme understanding that love is indeed the highest power.

Of interest is the back of the book which contains the actual resources Schmidt chose to use as a reference for Mara's stories.

Five Stars/Highly Recommended

First book to wishlist for 2011.
--BJ

Since I read and loved both The Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright and also read Holocaust fiction, it sounds like this is a book I would appreciate. Thanks for the great review!

Happy New Year Linda! Let's hope the New Year brings you good health.

Bonnie

I wish the same for you!

Sher

How special to see you here!

BJ

I do hope to meet you in 2011..perhaps at the Joplin MO meet up in November.

Hi Linda!! Happy New Year! Looking forward to a pain-free year for both of us! Cheers. : )

Cheers Kim!

Are you feeling better?

Hi Linda! It's 2011 and I've made it to your new thread!

Looking forward to another year of great books - many of which YOU recommend! :)

Hello dear Claudia!

I'm looking forward to a new year with old friends and new members.

Hugs!

>44 ronincats: Luxx. is that the one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater?

Happy New Year! Happy New Thread! Wow! You've posted a book already!! I'm glad to be here and look forward to visiting you often.

Happy New Year, Linda....already a review on the first day of the year .. and one that's teased me into adding to my obese wish list.

Happy New Year, Linda! I'm glad that you started out the year with a 5 star read.

Happy New Year! I look forward to following your thread this year.

Mara's Stories sounds fascinating, Linda. I have a book or two by the author on my shelf at the moment, but I hadn't heard of that one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

A wonderful way to start the year. Thanks for the great review, Linda.

Hi Linda -- happy, happy New Year! Your first 2011 book looks terrific, and I so love your recommendations.

I added Mara's Stories to the BlackHole when you told me about it the other day. I cannot wait to read it!

Happy new year Linda! Hope the next book's as good as the first was.

I am with you Linda on not adding. I will take my Vine offerings...
and LTERs, but I plan to really cut down on buying books. I feel the same way..
overstuffed shelves, filled with books that I want to read..but new ones in the door keep stopping me. So.. I will certainly download a few to nook.. but I too, plan for those to be the free or nearly free ones..

I have one or two that I still have to add.. I have been lax... but then I hope for a bit of Library Stasis .. ( LS) .

Wishlisted Mara's Stories, what a great first read for 2011!

Happy New Year Linda! Here's hoping I can keep up with a few of these thread this year...

I actually put down a book at B/N last night, because I was really just buying it to use my gift card. I have things I want to read right now, so I'd rather save the gift card for something I really really want to read.

My book-buying limits didn't work last year, so we'll see how this year goes.

Happy New Year! Glad you had a good book to start the year off.

(Luxx, I admire your restraint!)

Sorry to be so late coming to the party, but how can I play LT w/o starring wonderful whispering Linda's thread? Does your book buying ban include not borrowing from the library? if you're allowed to do the lib thing, (OOO BAD PUN) be sure to check to see if your local library offers downloadable ebooks....you can load them onto your Nook you know.

I look forward to all your wonderful suggestions, I just hope I can restrain myself in my buying, but I know I'm just going to have to be judicious. A total ban would never work for me.

I'm here I'm here finally- your story about Edna touched my heart Miss Linda. Hope you are having a wonderful new year!

Hi Linda, and happy New Year.

I have to laugh at all of us trying to read the books we already own. Let's see how far we get, with all the new recs coming in.

Just saying hello today Linda. Hope your book buying ban has survived into the second day of the new year! I could not manage a total ban myself - just as well because I've already ordered one book online yesterday... but I am going to record the total books acquired on a ticker on my thread, so that I can keep an eye on it and make sure I don't go too crazy!

Happy New Year, Linda! I loved The Wednesday Wars when I read it on your recommendation in 2009, so Mara's Stories is definitely going on my tbr list.

You are off to a great start, Linda. I wish I could join you in the book buying ban, but I know myself too well. Good grief, I ordered some books from the B&N online sale, bought two in Dallas yesterday, and one at Borders (50% off -how could I resist?) today. I do have a problem.

#76 . Amy, Happy Almost Birthday. I hope tomorrow is as special as you are!

#72 Tina, obtaining books from the library is fair game. They get read and returned. I'm simply trying very hard to curb my book buying. Perhaps the money I save can be used to fund LT meet ups this year.

Hello to all and many thanks for visiting!

BOOK #2

Doomed Queen Anne by Carolyn Meyer

I have an obsession with Anne Boleyn. She is my favorite historical figure. She was a complex, vivacious woman who captivated Henry VIII and was instrumental in bringing about the protestant reformation ion England. For some reason if I see a book with her name in the title I think I have to buy it and read it.

This one sat on my shelf for awhile and it seemed like a quick read on a day I was tired. While it was ok, it was not good. While I know that historical fiction takes liberties with accuracy, still, I think this book was filled with too many misrepresentations.

Not recommended.

Oh boo, I was hoping it would be decent. Certainly not picking up that one...

Even though I didn't rate Doomed Queen Anne highly, there may be others who are interested in the book. If so, I'll send it to the first one who expresses interest and posts their address on my LT home page.

Just stopping by to say hi, Linda!

Hi Whisper, well at least that's one less book on your shelves. All the best on your book buying ban, I'm not that strong but have put myself on notice to buy less, borrow less and read more from the shelves.

Oh dear, oh dear I'm late to the party! Adding Mara' Stories to the wishlist (planning to read The Wednesday Wars this month). Not at all interested in Doomed Queen Anne which is refreshing - I'm rarely not adding to the WL.

I'm concentrating on my tbr's too, Linda. 'Course last year I said the same thing and my list doubled in size. ;-) Good luck on your quest! I've got you starred.

My mother loves books about the Tudors, but I think I'll pass on telling her about this one. Hope your next read is better!

This is us sharing a cuppa :) Hope you have a wonderful Monday!

Good morning Linda!

Hope all is well in your world today :)

>79 Whisper1:: My daughter read that for summer reading, I think it was when she was going into 8th grade. She chose it from a list specifically because she likes historical fiction and the Tudor time period. And even at her age, she thought it was lame !!

Hey Linda, I think I'll take a pass on Doomed Queen Anne as your "not recommended" doomed this book.

I've got to give everyone hopping on the book ban bandwagon alot of credit. I don't believe I could ever restrain myself when a good sale hits or the library booksale comes around.

Morning, Linda! I have nothing to say except, "Hope your January 3 is a great day!"

Hi Linda, I just dropped by to wish you a belated Happy New Year and thank you for your warm welcome. I can see I will be back often to check out your books - Mara's Stories: Glimmers In The Darkness sounds intriguing ...

Hello everyone. Judy...welcome again! I hope you enjoy the 75 group. I love it here! It is my fourth year.

Johannes Vermeer by Arthur Wheelock Jr.

While during his lifetime Vermeer made a modest living with his artistry, at the time of his death, he was heavily in debt and sadly under appreciated. It wasn't until the late 19th century that his works were enthusiastically embraced and acclaimed for the exquisite beauty they represent.

This beautiful coffee table book highlights each of Vermeer's paintings, with an in depth study not only of the work, but in addition, the small tidbits known of Vermeer at the time of his masterpiece.

This fascinating book is a joy to behold and I spent hours observing the subtle nuances.

There are only 35 known paintings, one of which (The Concert) was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in March 2007. This work is priceless and may be forever gone.



Vermeer's paintings are infused with a radiance of light. Time stands still on the canvas and we, as observers, feel as though we stepped into a private space wherein the figures freeze mid air with an eloquent motion and if we listen carefully, we can hear the dust quietly settle.

Of the 35 known works, I counted 14 wherein radiant light shone through a window. Here are but a few:


Many paintings contain musical instruments:


And, something I found fascinating was the fact that in four of the 35 paintings the same yellow satin jacket trimmed in white fur was worn.



In further study, I learned that while originally the fur was thought to be ermine, in reality, most likely it is white squirrel or white cat...

I'll end with a high recommendation to read this book if you are interested in art, art history, or simply delight in stunning beauty at the hands of a master.

Great review, Linda! I just love Vermeer's paintings. I think I have to go look for a copy of this book!

Karen O.

Loved your review Linda and the pictures you posted. Sounds like a great book. I also like Vermeer.

Hey Linda - just passing by.....

Great review, Linda!

I'm hoping to read The Gardner Heist sometime this year. It's such a tragedy that so many wonderful pieces of art, icluding Vermeer's "the Concert," were lost in that crime.

I'll have to look for the Vermeer book. Terri, The Gardner Heist was a top 10 book for me two years ago, it's terrific.

Wow. You always find such beautiful artwork...

That Vermeer book looks very interesting, Linda! Serendipitously, I was just thinking I should find a biography of his, as I received I Was Vermeer: The Rise and Fall of the Twentieth Century's Greatest Forger for Christmas and can't help but think I should prepare somehow before cracking that one open.

Wow! What stunning pictures Linda, but then I absolutely love Vermeer. I wonder if B&N ever puts that one on sale.

#94: I love the review and the portraits, Linda!

Lovely review and with pictures, wonderful, thankyou!

Lovely pictures Linda! I wish all the interiors had been like that when I was living in the Netherlands!

I love Vermeer, too. I hadn't realized there were so few of them. I think I have seen around 10 "in the flesh". It would make a good museum tour to try to see at least all the European-based ones. This book looks like a good substitute, though!

The Young Man and The Sea by Rodman Philbrick

I have Stasia to thank for recommending The Young Man and The Sea, and another of Philbrick's wonderful books I read in 2010 titled Freak the Mighty.

With homage to Hemingway, Philbrick took classic literature and modified it to a young adult coming-of-age tale.

Instead of an older man who struggles to accomplish the dream of catching the biggest fish, Philbrick pits boy against nature as young Skiff Beaman is water and food deprived, alone in a tiny, fuel-less boat, surrounded by dark, deep sea and an aggressive, harpooned, behemouth 900 pound bluefin tuna.

Skiff's life is not easy. His mother recently died. His father transferred his love of Skiff's mother to the seduction of booze. While Skiff's family was always poor, it really didn't matter as long as his mother's love sustained him. Now, there is nothing but torment from the richer kids and the neglect of an alcoholic father.

Symbolically when his father's fishing boat The Mary Rose sinks while his father is drunk on the couch and will not assist, Skiff knows that alone he must raise up the ruin and sail on to a better life.

Packed with pearls of wisdom, this is a poignant tale written by a superb author.

Recommended!

I love Vermeer's works, Linda. Have you read A Forger's Spell by Edward Dolnick? If you are interested in Vermeer's art, you may find this a very interesting read. It's about some Vermeer forgeries and the Nazis during WWII.

Hi Caroline.

I started to read A Forger's Spell, but had to return it to the library. Thanks for reminding me that I need to check this book again.

Linda, I liked this book so much I'm keeping it on my re-read shelf. I had thought about lending it out to a friend, who's an art fiend, but remembered in time that he dog-ears, and scribbles in the margins ...even on books that aren't his.

#108 I think I have A Forger's Spell coming to me in the next couple days. I've ordered so many books that I can't keep track of what is supposed to arrive when!

*waves*

Ahh! How was I two threads behind?! Ah well, I found you now. Happy New Year!

Hi Linda. I noticed that you've added The Invention of Clouds. I LOVE meteorology books, though I don't read them as often as I'd like.

I'm adding that one, too. Thanks for the tip.

Linda, You might want to read Richard's excellent review found here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/105843#2421122

Thanks, Linda. It's a good review. I have to look for that one--it's not on Kindle.

>94 Whisper1: OOO that's a must-have! How spectacular! I'm drooling on my keyboard. *rushes off to Amazon*

Hi, Linda. Thinking of you and hoping you have had a good day.

Glad to see you enjoyed The Young Man and the Sea. I am off to the library's website to see if they have the Vermeer book. . .

OK, I have to announce that today I: walked. past. a. bookstore. and. did. not. even. feel. tempted.

That probably has a lot to do with the unmanageable piles of books all over my floors, but hey... :-)

The Vermeer book looks fascinating and I loved The Young Man and the Sea too, I think it was my first Philbrick book.

Hi, Linda! Thanks for following me over to Club Read. I've still got tons of people I'm following over here (you included), so I don't feel really gone yet. The pictures and comments about Vermeer are very interesting. The light really is gorgeous in his paintings, aren't they? The only I know about Vermeer comes from The Girl with the Pearl Earring and the movie. Lol! In other words, I don't know very much, so love learning from my LT friends. :-)

BOOK #

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.

Many thanks to AMQS (Anne) for recommending this incredible book.

This 1945 Newbery honor publication packs a powerful message in a mere 81 pages. Perfectly written and illustrated, there was no need for the author to continue; she was able to send a clear, strong, effective message without exaggerated hyperbole.

Written in 1944, as Europe was reeling from the awful horror of mans inhumanity to man, Eleanor Estes wrote a heart-wrenching book of the evil pursuit and bullying of a small, poor, Polish American immigrant child.

Motherless, quiet, shy Wanda Petronski lived with her father and brother in a shabby, but clean shack on the wrong side of the tracks of small town USA.

Wanda's foreign sounding, unfamiliar name and the fact that she wears the same blue dress to school each day made her the brunt of cruelty from nasty, insensitive classmates.

In particular two girls, Peggy who has lots and Maddie who has little, are the most cruel. Despite Maddie's unspoken concerns that as a child of poverty she too could be a recipient of insensitive remarks, still, because Peggy is popular and her friend, she participates in the unrelenting taunting.

Possessing a conscience and knowing that her behavior is wrong, Maddie remains silent in defense and vocal in hurling derisive comments at Wanda

When Wanda claims that she has 100 dresses in her closet, the girls needle even more.

Wanda fails to appear at school on the day she wins the coveted Room 13 art award, and, as her classmates watch their teacher posts beautiful drawings of 100 perfect dresses.

Too late to apologize, Maddie realizes that Wanda's father moved the family to a friendlier place. Maddie's participation in the nastiness and her silence in support of Wanda is something that haunts her.

Highly recommended!

I already put that one in the BlackHole based on Anne's review. I am going to have to bump it up!

I read that one last year, Linda, and second your recommendation. It is a poignant, direct story that still resonates in youth culture. A special book. Glad you liked it.

Just popping in to see your reads ... looks like a nice one! :)

Wow, The Hundred Dresses sounds like it carries an important, timeless message. I'll keep my eyes open for that one.

I forgot about The Hundred Dresses - came across that one in library school. What a wonderful book, thanks for the reminder. And to add to all the comments, the Vermeer book looks stunning. That one looks like one to own.

Wow, Linda, what an amazing review of The Hundred Dresses! For such a small and simple book, it sure is powerful. My girls actually flinched a few times while I read it to them, and we all were moved to tears more than once. Your review is simply stunning.

Hi, Linda!
I had such a wonderful time catching up on your thread. I love the review with art of the Vermeer book. And I wishlisted the The Young Man and the Sea. I read The Old Man and the Sea last year and thought it was terrific. (But I like books about the sea almost always.) I remember reading The Hundred Dresses when I was a girl. Then I got that book for my girls when they were young. Another great read mentioned on your thread!

Have a great day!
--BJ

94: Love your review and I appreciate the pictures you posted. I love little tid bits of art history goodness! The Hundred Dresses also looks lovely.

Linda, what age would you say The hundred Dresses would be aimed at? My granddaughter is six and we read together alot, but I am thinking she may be a little young for this book yet.

The Hundred Dresses -- yes! One of those amazing amazing books -- that tackles something big and hard but with such a sure touch!
I would say 7-9, with 8 being the bull's eye for most children??

You are downright dangerous, young lady. On the heels of The Old Man and the Sea I think The Young Man and the Sea would be most appropriate for me, so to the wishlist it goes. OK, AND the Johannes Vermeer as well. I just purchased The Forger's Spell, hopefully getting to that sometime soon. Have you ever read The Girl in Hyacinth Blue? I love, love, love that book.

Great review, Linda. I'll have to look for The Hundred Dresses and the Vermeer book and The Young Man and the Sea. You're on a winning streak these days.

Both The Hundred Dresses and The Young Man and the Sea sound like fantatic books. I'll have to see if my library (or Sarah!) has them.

Nice review of The Hundred Dresses - I remember reading that one in school.

Oh The Hundred Dresses is an absolutely wonderful book. It's message still rings true today as we deal with bullying in all its forms. We use it in our school all the time.

Thanks to all for your positive, supportive comments! I love this group...no doubt about it!

Interestingly, after writing the review of The Hundred Dressess, often today I thought about the fact that Maddie was very haunted not only because she was cruel, but primarily because she was silent in her defense of Wanda.

Whether or not the author intended a comparison between Maddie's behavior and that of those who were silent while Hitler persecuted 6,000 million Jews, Gypsies and gays, my mind makes that leap.

Caroline, I was able to obtain a copy of The Forger's Spell from my local library and hope to read it in the next few weeks.

I'm not sure if I should jump for joy, or I should shake my head in sorrow. Five years ago I placed my cottage like house on the market. It sold in two weeks, leaving me scrambling to find a place for my furniture.

Combining two households of furniture was not easy, still Will and I did our best. A kind friend offered to allow me to store all the furniture from my downstairs family room in extra space she had in her house. Today we hired movers to obtain the furniture and bring it here.

Imagine my surprise to discover eight large boxes filled with books that were previously on the shelves in my family room. I'm like a child at Christmas! I opened two boxes and found many art books and Tudor history publications. Me oh my! While I'm trying to get books off the shelf, approximately 200 came through the doors this morning.

As I sort through them, I'll offer many to LT members. I'll post lists and whoever is the first to express interest via a message on my LT home page, I'll send them along.

What a treasure! Have fun sifting through and reliving many happy memories.

How exciting! It must be like Christmas all over again. Except for having to find space for what you want to keep.

>142 Whisper1:: wow, that's really cool. Like finding money in your coat pocket, only better!

Christmas at Linda's on January 6th! Woot!

Linda - what a wonderful surprise, an unexpected treasure trove of books - have fun rearranging your shelves.
I got a copy of One hundred dresses last year but haven't read it yet, I'll have to find time to read it soon.

Kerry

I think you will really like One Hundred Dresses. It doesn't take long to read, but it does stay with you long after you have finished.

That sounds wonderful, Linda. Looking forward to finding out what you're going to be offering to LTers.

If both you and Anne recommend it, Linda, how can I resist?! I recognize the author as the writer of Ginger Pye and The Moffats but I don't think I've ever read this one.

What a fun surprise! What did you think had happened to those books? Did you think you had lost them? Or did you know you had books, but didn't know the titles, because it was pre-LT?

I loved both the Vemeer book and the 100 Dresses. You are off to a great start!!

Wow, I'd love to have a surprise like that. I think my mum had something similar recently when she went up into the attic and found a box of books we didn't know we had. Most of them were my dad's, and had been put up there after he died, so she hadn't missed them.

#142 What a wonderful surprise, Linda! It's like finding a treasure chest. Enjoy perusing your finds.

I can't think of anything better than finding so many books - unless it would be finding a thousand dollars so that I could spend it on a whole bunch of books.

**Waves*** Stopping by to say Hello. :) Thanks for the nice Note.. :)

>142 Whisper1: Wow, Linda. What a treasure trove of good memories. Once in a while I run across a book from the Moving Debacle that I *really* wish I still had on my shelves. They are indeed old friends come home again!

Found you at last, and of course, your thread is now starred. You won't be surprised to learn that I'm also a lover of Vermeer. I have a large coffetable book on his paintings. I read a brief but not very good bio a few years ago, and Vermeer's Hat is sitting around here somewhere. If anyone is interested in Vermeer-related fiction (aside from Girl with a Pearl Earring), you might take a look at Girl in Hyacinth Blue. It's a collection of stories centered on a painting that might or might not be a Vermeer, and the stories go back in time to trace it's ownership, all the way to its creation.

Have a wonderful time reminiscing over your newly found books, Linda.

All those boxes of old books! Exciting! I hope you have fun sorting through them and revisiting old friends.

Awesome! Even better than that crumpled five dollar bill you find when you pull the winter coat out of the closet after a year. Few things are more fun than riffling through a box of books, in my opinion. Enjoy! :)

**Maybe I should have stayed away - my list wouldn't be growing if I'd stayed away, DARN!**

Hi, Linda!
I'm slowly working my way through all the new threads (alphabetically) and have finally arrived late at your party. Now I have more books to add to the "investigate" list thanks to you.

Hope you are taking care of yourself, staying warm, and cozying up with some good books.

BOOKS I'M OFFERING TO MEMBERS OF THE 75 CHALLENGE GROUP

I've managed to go through three of the eight boxes of books that I acquired a few days ago.

Here are some offered to the first person expressing interest. Simply list your name and address on my LT home page:

1) Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
2) A Book of Angels by Sophy Burnham
3) The Angels Within Us by John Randolph Price
4) The Guilded Age: A Tale of Today by Mark Twain
5) A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
6) Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton
7) To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
8) The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
9) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
10) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Wonderful Blast from the past / gift!

BOOK NUMBER


No and Me by Delphine De Vigan

Going out on a limb early in 2011, I believe this will be one of my top reads this year. Thanks to Darryl (Kidzdoc) for sending this incredible book my way!

No and Me is poetically, stunningly, profoundly beautiful and incredibly structured. Originally written in French, it was translated into English.

Introverted, obsessive compulsive, precocious 13 year old Lou Bertignac possess an IQ of 160. Her mind races way ahead as she solves complex problems and tests, tracking variables and patterns until it seems her head will explode.

Ahead of her class, she rarely interacts, except marginally with one lone boy who sits in the back of the room. She and Lucas exchange furtive eye contact.

When she must give a dreaded oral presentation in a sociology class, she chooses homelessness as a subject.

Finding raggedy, dirty and street savvy 18 year old Nolween (No) in a railway station and interviewing her for her class project is a life-changing event for Lou. For the first time in her life, she discovers that not all problems have a predictable solution.

Soliciting the help of her classmate Lucas, they try to rescue No. With compassion, truth, honor and integrity, through No, Lou and Lucas, the author takes the reader on a realistic journey of the pervasive problems of homelessness and the complexity of this issue.

The author superbly compares the home life of Lou and Lucas with the homeless reality of No's struggles. This is written without sappiness and there is nothing trite about the depiction of the cold reality that sometimes good intentions and love are just not enough.

Highly Recommended

Great review, Linda!

That sounds really interesting, Linda! Thanks for the great review; I might have to seek this one out.

Linda, another stellar review! I've added No and Me to my wishlist.

That sounds like another good one, Linda!

How are you? Do you still have time off from work, I hope?

What a fine review! And hello there.

Hi Linda- Good review of No and Me! Hope you are having a good weekend!

Linda, great review. I'm off to WL this one.

Duly noted on my get-it list!

Such a great review, Linda. Now I want to read this one... I'm considering to change my 3 months book buying ban into a '2 weeks per month' book buying ban... *sigh*

Nice review of No and Me - I've added it to the wishlist

Great review of No and Me Linda, I've also added that one to my wishlist.

No and Me has been added to the TBR list. Thanks for the recommendation.

Linda! I've found you again! Please pardon my delay as I struggle to keep up.

Marvelous review and comments on the Vermeer paintings. I've added it to the wishlist, but that would be a book to buy and keep; I love to glom artwork for hours.

The Hundred Dresses is a wonderful work. I used to read it with my third-grade classes each year; it leads to such natural discussions that those little lessons can be simply and pleasantly taught when they sink in most easily. Two or three children made the connection to WW II (each child had a copy to take home and bring back), which led to other, more difficult lessons.

I can't imagine anything that would be much more fun than finding boxes of books I'd forgotten about. Nothing would get done around here for days and days.

I'm looking forward to your threads this year.

I remember The Hundred Dresses from Grade School back in the mid 1950s.....I loved it then..haven't read it since.

Thumbed your review of No and Me which looks like a TBR...

Sorry I've neglected your fine thread..I'll do better, I promise

;-}

BOOK #


The River by Mary Jane Beaufrand

Escaping city life and stress Veronica's family moves to rural Oregon to run a bed and breakfast. While they escaped the treadmill existence of the rat race city life, Ronnie's family learns that rural America is rife with danger.

When 13 year old Ronnie finds the body of her eight year old friend, face down in the swift current of the Santian river, her life is forever changed.

Starting with action, the book winds down to boring middle, then, like the uncertain river and the evil crime perpetrated there, it rapidly swirls, twists and turns.

Guardedly recommended

You got me again Linda, The River is going on my wish list.

Great review of No and Me, Linda! And I'm pleased as punch that you loved it. I'll read my copy of it sooner rather than later.

I bought my copy from a bookshop at London Gatwick Airport just before I returned to Atlanta last September, so I don't know if it's available in the US or not.

I've got a copy of No and Me sitting in a pile of YA books that I'm determined to read this year. Your review is great and makes me want to read it even more.

#180: I think I will skip that one. Nice review though!

So many people seem to have it, No and Me seems fairly available for those of us who shop from the living room chair :)

BUT! it is just on the wish list, as I am holding to my book buying ban...
....so far anyway!

Hi Linda- caught up on your thread- No and Me sounds interesting!

Woah... I got waay behind on your thread, Linda. Just managed to catch up. I loved your review of The Hundred Dresses. Definitely on my obese wish list .. and I think it would be something I'd like to give my 12 year old niece too.

Hi Linda! What a wonderful surprise to find all those old friends/books in the boxes. I hope you find room for the ones you want to keep.

Hi Linda! I convinced my daughter to read When You Reach Me. She just sent me a message saying she finished it and loved it! I wanted to let you know since your recommendation introduced me to the book in the first place.

Neither of my libraries have The Hundred Dresses, but I ordered an inexpensive copy from BWB. You've put several other books on my wishlist as well.

Great review of No and Me. My library has a copy - yippee!

Hi, Linda! Hope you've enjoyed going through those old boxes of books. I found some books my husband had in a box in the attic a few months ago and claimed some of them.

Great reviews! I may see if the library has The River.

*wanders of to check the Library online catalog*

>94 Whisper1:: What a visually lovely review on the Vermeer book. Your observations were much appreciated; although I prefer to think of the white fur as ermine rather than cat hair. ;-)

>142 Whisper1:: Eight boxes of books to pore over. Lucky you! It must be like meeting up with old friends. How nice of you to share the bounty with LT readers. I hope your books find wonderful new homes.

I've started a list of books to buy for Sadie's 9th birthday on Feb. 22. The Hundred Dresses is my first book on it. Actually, I may have a copy in my "teaching" books. I remember it being in my classroom library when I taught 4th and 5th Grades. Maybe I'll take a little trip down memory lane, but I only have one box of books that I kept.

I'm caught up with you now. I got behind in the crush of new threads and so many postings. Happy New Year to you and best of luck as you return to work!

dear Linda
I finally caught up with your thread, I loved your review of Vermeer!
As far as I know The hundred dresses was never translated, but I had the translations of Ginger Pye and Pinky Pye, both adorable books by Eleanor Estes.
Eight boxes of books! What a treasure to get back!
Anita

Hello Dear Anita!

Big hugs to you!

Richard's facebook post regarding the loss of his 54 year old friend, and his message to hug someone you love prompts me to post a photo of three of my grandchildren.

Life is good. Richard is right, hug someone.

Hi Linda. Hope your return to work went okay. :)

Great looking kids, Linda - are you lucky enough to have them living close by?

Wow! They are adorable!

Great picture!

Lovely kids! How was your first day back at work? How is the pain in the neck?!?

beautiful!!!

Hi Linda, Gorgeous grandchildren and I am loving the books you've read so far this year, really cool.

My three grandchildren who live in Ohio are in the photo above. The boys are fraternal twins. Much to the surprise of my daughter and son in law, their spunky sister was born 13 months later.

My first few days back to work are good. I have an incredible supervisor and a wonderful assistant. All my work was neatly organized by my assistant and she did a great job while I was out of the office.

I'm only taking one pain pill at night. Overall, three months post surgery, I've turned a corner and believe I'm on a sure road to recovery.

Life is good.

Thanks to all of you for your kind outreach. It means a lot.

Glad that the return to work is going ok so far. I am sure that everyone is so glad to have you back because you are such a kind and wonderful person.
--BJ

So glad to hear that your transition back to the work world went smoothly, Linda. Sounds like you have a great work family, too.

Such beautiful kids, and what a charming picture!

Darling children! Thank you for sharing that lovely photo. Linda, I am so glad to hear that your pain is lessening and becoming more manageable. After all you've been through, I'm sure it's a blessing to be feeling more like yourself again. It probably doesn't seem like it, but three months isn't really that long. Cheers to you!

Hi Linda, just wanted to let you know that I came by to catch up with all your latest reviews and was prompted to add a couple more books to my wishlist! I'm new to YA books and look forward to delving into them. The Vermeer book looks like quite a treasure too.

I am happy to hear that you are doing okay back a work. I was concerned.
I am also glad to know that the healing continues and that you will soon be in tip top shape and pain free :)

Great picture of your grandchildren! I hope continue getting better.

I'd already added No and Me based on your recommendation. I love, though, your insightful and visual review of the Vermeer book. Great job!

Lovely grandchildren, Linda.

I thought you'd be heading back to work soon. Please do not overdo and ask for assistance when lifting etc. We've got to take care of you!

So happy to hear about your recovery and return to work!

Linda, I am absolutely thrilled to hear you have "turned a corner" in your recovery - becoming completely pain free will be such a huge improvement in your life, and you deserve it! I am sending all my best wishes.

Hooray for efficient assistants and not needing many painkillers!

#213

I'll second that hooray. The feeling you get when you realise you are needing far less painkillers and your body is getting back to something like normal is amazing.

I'm glad you're doing well!

Oh, that's good news, that you are back to work and almost pain-free. I was worried that after all that effort and recovery, you would still have residual problems, but it looks like this was the cure. Hooray!

Linda, You got me with The River. I am adding it to my wish list. Glad that you are almost pain free too.. That is great news..

Linda, I just finished a Newbery Honor book you might like, Rules by Cynthia Lord.

Also, we were talking on another thread about art in fiction books, which made me think of Blue Balliett. His books feature kids dealing with mysteries around artists--the first is Chasing Vermeer, coincidentally enough, and they are very original and entertaining. I think you'd enjoy them.

Limda,
I'm glad that efficiency still survives in the workplace and that your assistants made things go smoothly while you were gone, but I'm sure that they're glad you're back and feeling better.

Grandchildren are wonderful aren't they? I got a new baby granddaughter this morning at 7:16AM.!

>219 cyderry: Congratulations! How exciting. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hi Linda, what beautiful grandchildren you have! Glad to hear you have made a good transition back to work and that you have finally found pain relief. No and Me is going on thew teetering tower.

Linda, your grandchildren are beautiful and you are blessed with a wonderful family. I'm so glad to hear that you are finally on the road to being pain free. Considering how much meds you had to take after your surgery, it's wonderful that you are now down to just the 1 pill at night.

*hugs*

>218 ronincats: I second the recommendation for Rules. As I recall, I liked it better than that year's Newbery Award winner.

Hi Linda!
Took me awhile to get to this point... but I made it finally! After being on vacation a week I feel like I have a full time job catching up on LT friends.
Love your reading choices - I love Vermeer and am soooo tempted to get this book. Your review was fabulous!

Your grandkids are beautiful! Oh, you already knew that! :)
So happy to hear of your progress in the fight against pain and are resuming your work. It seemed such a long haul - and now you have made it to the other side!
Have a good one!

Hello everyone. Thanks to all for your kind comments! I'm back to work and life is hectic once again..in a good way, but I'm having a difficult time keeping up with and responding to posts. Please know I appreciate your comments!

Roni and Mary, thanks for the recommendation re. Rules. I've added it to the tbr pile. Nancy sent a link regarding the 2011 award winners and I must add them to the pile as well.

Time for a new thread..located here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/107367&newpost=1#lastmsg

Just caught up with this thread and it's over already! Will talk to you on the next thread! :)

Yee Gads! I'm new to the 75 group.....and I came here? I must like the view from the rear is all that one can imagine! = )

So be it...hello, Linda! will pop in for thoughts!

Glad to hear about your recovery progressing so well.

Beautiful grandkids you have! So jealous! My prospects of grandparenthood are a bit dim just now, but I continue to hold out hope that one day my daughter will find a good man to marry.

Will pop over to your new thread now, just to say hi and mark it.