Nancy's 2011

Here are the categories on which I'm hoping to focus this year:

1. Are You There God, It's Me Nancy (Religion/Faith/Spirituality)
Marriage and Other Acts of Charity by Kate Braestrup
Quiverfull by Kathryn Joyce
I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming

2. Read Locally (US History/Current Events)
Methland by Nick Reding
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Modern Ruins: Portraits of Place in the Mid-Atlantic Region by Shaun O'Boyle
We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson
You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon

3. Read Globally (Books Set Outside the US)
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson (UK)
The Memory Chalet by Tony Judt (Cambridge, Paris, London, Israel, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia)
Three Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer (The Stans)
When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson (Edinburgh)
All the Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson (London, Yorkshire)
The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone)
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (UK, Yorkshire)

4. Begin at the Beginning (1st in Series)
Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Open Season by C.J. Box

5. Can't Go Wrong (LT-Inspired)
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks (wookiebender)
Salvation City by Sigrid Nunez (rebeccanyc)
Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo (bumpersmom, alcottacre, tymfos)

6. All About ME (Memoir/Autobiography)
A Life Like Other People's by Alan Bennett
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Roseannearchy by Roseanne Barr
Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison

7. Worth Waiting For (Books I've Owned since 2009 or Earlier)
The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo (3/19/09)
Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb (3/11/08)
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (6/20/08)

8. And the Statue Goes To (Award Winners & Nominees)
Just Kids by Patti Smith - (National Book Award)
Radioactive by Lauren Redniss - (LA Times Science & Tech Finalist)
The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown (British Columbia's National Award for Canadian Nonfiction, Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Nonfiction)
Great House by Nicole Krauss (Nat'l Book Award Finalist, Orange Prize Shortlist)

9. We're Here We're Queer We Have Books (GLBTQ)
Blue by Abigail Padgett
Big Sex Little Death by Susie Bright
The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You by S. Bear Bergman

10. Welcome to the World (Released in 2011)
So Many Ways to Begin by Jon MacGregor (ARC)
The Raising by Laura Kasischke (ARC)
Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante (ARC)
Shaken Not Stirred by Tim Gunn (Kindle Single)

11. Expanding Horizons (Genres I Avoid)
The Magicians by Lev Grossman - Fantasy
The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger - Graphic Novel
The Good, the Bad and the Undead by Kim Harrison - Urban Fantasy

Except for the new books, I own many books in each of these. I added the new book category because I'm coming to know my reading Truth and thought I might as well admit that I like bright shiny new things right off the bat this year.

I love to make the categories and lists, but then I dislike actually feeling "forced" to read certain things. I tried to be realistic in my categories while at the same time expanding the boundaries of my reading a bit...

As always, I can't wait to see what we get up to this year. I love this group.

TIOLI Reads - I'm keeping track of 'em here. They can and will overlap with the categories above.
1. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Jan Challenge #8 - Elected Official or Title in the title
2. Marriage and Other Acts of Charity - Jan Challenge #11 - Less Than 10,000 on LT Popularity Index
3. Crooked Letter Crooked Letter - Jan Challenge #3 - Duplicate Word in the title
4. A Life Like Other People's - Jan Challenge #9 - Brain Anomaly
5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Popular on LT 2010

First Quarter 2011

January
1. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson-(Library/Nook) - 4.5 stars
2. Marriage and Other Acts of Charity by Kate Braestrup -(Library/DTB) 4 stars
3. Crooked Letter Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin- (Library/Nook) - 4 stars
4. Methland by redingnick::Nick Reding -(Library/DTB) - 4 stars
5. The Magicians by grossmanlev::Lev Grossman -(Library/Nook) - 3.5 stars
6. A Life Like Other People's by Alan Bennett - (Library/DTB) - 4 stars
7. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot - 5 stars (Library/Nook)
8. Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane - (Library/Nook) - 4.5 stars
9. The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks - (Library/DTB) - 3 stars

February
1. Modern Ruins by Shaun O'Boyle - (Library/DTB) - 3.5 stars
2. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - (Library/Nook) - 5 stars
3. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger - (Library/DTB) - 3.5 stars
4. Quiverfull by joycekathryn::Kathryn Joyce - (Mine/Kindle) - 4 stars

March
1. Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman - (Mine/Kindle) - 4 stars
2. Soulless by Gail Carriger - (Mine/Kindle) - 3.5 stars
3. So Many Ways to Begin by John McGregor (ARC Gone/DTB) - 4 stars
4. The Raising by kasischkelaura::Laura Kasischke (ARC/Nook) - 3.5 stars

Second Quarter 2011
April
1. Just Kids by Patti Smith (Mine/Nook) - 5 stars
2. We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson (Mine/DTB) - 5 stars
3. The Good, the Bad and the Undead by Kim Harrison (Mine/Kindle) - 3 stars
4. Turn of Mind by Linda LaPlante (ARC/Nook) - 4.5 stars
5. You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon (Library/Nook) - 3.5 stars
6. Salvation City by Sigrid Nunez (Library/Nook) - 4 stars
7. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (Library/Nook) - 4 stars

May
1. The Memory Chalet by Tony Judt (Mine/Kindle) - 4.5 stars
2. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo (Shelf/DTB - Donating) - 4 stars
3. Three Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer (Online/PC) - 5 stars
4. Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb (Shelf/DTB - Donating) - 3.5 stars
5. The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson (Shelf/DTB - Donating) - 5 stars
6. Brave New Knits by Julie Turjoman (Library/DTB) - 4.5 stars
7. When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson (Shelf/DTB) - 5 stars
8. Radioactive by Lauren Redniss (Library/DTB) - 5 stars
9. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Shelf/DTB) - 4 stars
10. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (Shelf/DTB) - 4 stars
11. Blue by Abigail Padgett
12. Open Season by C.J. Box
13. All the Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson (Mine/Kindle) - 4 stars
14. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo (Mine/Kindle) - 4.5 stars
15. Roseannearchy by Roseanne Barr (Library/DTB) - 2.5 stars

June
1. The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Library/DTB) - 5 stars
2. Big Sex Little Death by Susie Bright (Mine/Kindle) - 3 stars
3. The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown (Mine/Kindle) - 5 stars
4. Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (Library/DTB) - 4 stars
5. Great House by Nicole Krauss (Library/DTB) - 4 stars
6. Look Me In the Eye by John Elder Robison (Library/DTB) - 3.5 stars
7. Shaken Not Stirred by Tim Gunn (Mine/Kindle) - 3 stars
8. The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You by S. Bear Bergman (Mine/Kindle) - 5 stars

Third Quarter 2011

Fourth Quarter 2011

Welcome back!

Thanks, Jim. There is nowhere I'd rather be on any of the internets.

My faves for 2010:
Fiction
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Room by Emma Donoghue
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
Faithful Place by Tana French
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Already Dead by Charlie Huston
The City and The City by China Mieville
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace

Nonfiction
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Gluttony: The Seven Deadly Sins by Francine Prose
The Forever War by Dexter Filkins
Rescuing Da Vinci by Robert Edsel
The Lives They Left Behind by Darby Penney
Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick
Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield
Nurture Shock by Po Bronson
Asylum by Christopher Payne
Tinsel by Hank Stuever
Chasing Goldman Sachs by Suzanne McGhee
Woody Guthrie: American Radical by Will Kaufman

Glad to see you back with us again, Nancy!

#7: What a great summary! Looks like you had a great reading year in 2010. I hope 2011 is just as good for you.

Found you! Your 2011 categories look interesting.

Hi Nancy .. I love your categories for 2011. I'm still trying to work out what I want to try and focus on for next year. I might steal a few of yours .. ;-)

I also like your categories and having done some stats on my current year of reading I have to declare that I also like those bright shiny new ones as well!

I'm looking forward to following your thread again this year, and your list for 2010 is great. Mountains beyond Mountains and Chasing Goldman Sachs just missed out on my top books list, and I have wanted to read The Imperfectionists since I started seeing great reviews on here, but I can't get it in paperback yet. (And my new book buying has been out of control!)

Hey there folks. I'm so delighted to start the year with visitors.

>>8 alcottacre:. Stasia - I've had a really good time with my reading in 2010 and especially here at the end of the year where I've been on a tear. I hope that it continues as we move into 2011.

>>10 cameling:. Caroline - Steal away.

I'm looking forward to a delightful 2011 with the 75ers.

Hi Nancy, I've got you starred. I can't wait to see what all you find to read this year (although my TBR pile will suffer most certainly)!

Of course, you are starred. It would not be the same without you! ditto what debbie said in message #14

Found you! ( Thanks to the wiki :) )

Faithful Place by Tana French... I just finished catching up ( a little) with your last thread.

I have that one on my TBR pile, I loved her other two.. and bought this one immediately when it came out. I have no idea why I haven't read it yet.. but it will move up on the pile now for sure.

I'm considering giving Tana French another shot. I read In the Woods and couldn't go past 50 pages. It just didn't grab my attention.

#18: I am rather surprised at that, Caro!

Me too! Hopefully if you do try her again it will go a bit better.

I just made an appointment to have my cat, TC, put to sleep tomorrow afternoon. He had a stroke last year and recovered fairly well, but he is now starting to fail - not getting out of his bed, eating only from a spoon, etc. He does still purr when I pet him or feed him canned food. He is about 20 years old and has been with me longer than almost anyone or anything in my life. I'm very sad.

Here is a picture Jack took of TC on Christmas morning.

*tears*

I am so sorry, my friend.

I'm so sorry, Nancy ... that's a really difficult decision. *sending hugs and a shoulder to cry on*.

All of us who are cat people are feeling your pain tonite. Thank you for being such a good owner for TC. Memories of your time with him will keep you warm in the days to come.

I'm very sorry to hear about TC.

Nancy, I'm so sorry. Pets are an integral part of our family

Hugs to you my friend.

Nancy, I'm so very sorry about TC.

((Hugs))

(((more hugs)))
I'm so sorry about TC, Nancy.

I'm very sorry to hear about TC, Nancy.

sympathy from the dog people too - a beloved pet is a beloved pet - and I'm so sorry to hear about TC

Oh I'm so sorry; such a hard sad time. I'm be keeping you in my thoughts.

Thanks everyone. LT is such a place of respite and care. I'm so grateful for your warm thoughts.

TC went quietly and peacefully at the vet's office yesterday evening. Jane and I petted him and he was purring.

I am very, very sad. He was with me through the most tumultuous years of my life and never judged or complained. I'll miss him very much.

Now back to books. My first book of 2011 is done. It was a great way to start the year. Charming, gentle and wise.

1. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

My observations: I finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand which I really, really enjoyed. Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali are compelling characters that have you rooting for them through the book. I was surprised at the sly observations and wittiness in this novel. I also like a character that does the right thing in spite of themselves and Major Pettigrew struggled with doing the right thing a lot in this one. This book is light and it is about love, but it also explores the underside of multi-culturalism, intergenerational conflict and aging. Highly recommended.

Why I read it: It was on many 2010 Best Of Lists on LT. It fits the TIOLI challenge for Elected Official or Title in the title.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Not too much in the reader's "ear-shot" but behind the scenes conversation is implied.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Gossip perhaps. There is certainly friendship and animosity between women in this one, but that is not the story's focus.

Charming, gentle and wise. What a perfect way to describe one of my favorite books of 2010 Major Pettigrew. I wish that one would turn into a series, or at least a good made for TV movie....every character in there was believable and I absolutely loved the way the story resolved.

Glad you had such a good start to your reading year.

I'm glad you enjoyed Major Pettigrew, Nancy.

So sorry about TC.

Nancy

Your expression of your love for TC and the return you rec'd. from your beloved cat, is so true. I wish I could wave a magic wand to wave away the pain you are feeling.

not a very nice start to the year..... by the sound of it you were doing what was best for TC tho. :-( Lets hope some reading can distract you from sad thoughts :-)

I am very sorry to hear about your cat TC. I lost two pets (one cat, one dog) in the last 18 months or so and I know it is a very upsetting time. Stay strong and remember all the happy memories you have of TC.

So sorry to hear about your TC. It's something we all know is going to happen when we take a pet on, but just the same, it is always an awful day when it comes. Twenty years is a good run - you must have shared a lot of good times.

2. Marriage and Other Acts of Charity by Kate Braestrup
She is a Unitarian Universalist minister, but although she is somewhat inclusive in her religious language, I'd say she falls on the Christian side of that religious tradition. This is called a memoir and there is personal information included, but I'd say it is more a series of stories, observations, teachings or even sermons about the nature of love. This is the second book of hers I've read and I find her wonderful.

Why I read it: On the shelf at the library. Fit into the less than 10,000 Popularity TIOLI. Loved her first book.

Nancy
I agree with you re. Kate Braestrup. I read Here if you Need Me and loved it. I"m adding Marriage and Other Acts of Charity to the tbr pile and hope that my local library has a copy.

Linda - I got mine from the library or I would send it to you.

Here is a particularly lovely paragraph:

God is love, John's Gospel tells us. That's a whole theology in three words. The practical application... is nearly as simple. Be as loving as you can, as often as you can, for as many people as you can for as long as you live. Why should you do this? Because.

#44: Oh, I love the truth in that paragraph, Nancy! Thanks for sharing the quote. I read Braestrups's Here if You Need Me several years ago and now am off to see if the library has the book you quoted from too.

3. Crooked Letter Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
A mystery that is really a look at racism and the effects of secrets over time. Both Larry and 32 are interesting men. The solution to the mystery is not really a surprise, but the outcome of the relationships is what really matters in this one.

Why I read it: It fits the TIOLI challenge for a Repeated Word in the title.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? No
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? No. This is a definitely a male book exploring the male psyche and relationships among men in a realistic and thought-provoking way.

Nancy
You are off to a great start with three excellent books. Again, I'm so sorry that TC is no longer with you. I send gentle hugs to ease the pain.

#46: I have seen numerous good reviews of that one. I sure hope my local library gets a copy in soon.

Kate Braestrup. .. I read and enjoyed her first book.. did NOT like the second.
I also felt that the first was misrepresented regarding what it was. I expected one sort of book and got another. *just me* I suspect.. but I enjoyed the parts about her life and kids.

Hi Nancy- I'm not sure if I visited you yet! It's never to late, right? I'm glad you liked Crooked Letter. I did too! I like your reading choices. Hope you are having a good weekend!

Hi Nancy - just visiting your thread to catch up and am sorry to hear about your cat.

Hi Mark and Kerry! Welcome! I love visitors. Thanks for the sympathy about TC. We are missing him but doing okay. Amazing how much space a little old cat takes up in a home.

4. Methland by Nick Reding
A look at the devasatation meth has wrought on the small midwestern towns. Reding uses the stories of the individuals affected by the drug to illustrate the socioeconomic and political factors of this epidemic. Readable and important.

Why I read it: It was on Suzanne's (chatterbox) Best of 2010 List, and I found it appealing as soon as I read the synopsis.

Nancy- I've had Methland on my WL since it came out! I think I'll try it on audio.

Mark - I think it would work on audio. It isn't dry at all, but there are stats and technical descriptions. I really enjoyed the way he connected the big and the small.

I'm not a big audiobook person - although Jane and I had to turn off In Thin Air to look at the Blue Ridge Parkway because we were so enthralled with the book we weren't paying attention.

Did you mean Into Thin Air? That's one of my all-time favorites!

Of course I did (should have checked but I was too rushed/lazy). We loved it too. Did you watch the Everest climbing doc on Discovery? I think it was called Beyond the Limit. It was amazing to see the things Krakauer described.

Nancy

I've added Methland to the tbr pile. Interestingly, I just finished a book regarding a meth lab located in rural Oregon.

Methland certainly looks interesting! I'm adding it to the wishlist...

Hey Nancy! What school district are you in? Are you delayed again?
yesterday we totaled 12 students in the building, most from districts that had been on strike so ..

more delays today... brrr!

We are in Mt. Lebanon. It looked like a delay again (the elementary is across the street from my house). Jack's daycare was up and running though. I drive through Bethel Park which had a long strike this year. Looks like they were delayed too.

I am sooooo not a snow bunny.

I really need to get to Methland too. Thanks for the reminder, Nancy. It looks like my local library finally has gotten a copy.

5. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
One of the LT reviews called this Quentin Tarantino does Harry Potter and Narnia. I love Quentin Tarantino, and I liked this book. What if your childhood fantasies came true and life sucked anyway? I didn't love it, but I enjoyed it enough that I'm likely to read the sequel.

Why I read it: My real-life friend Poppy liked it. It was available as a library ebook.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? No. This is not a feminist book.

Stasia - I'll be interested in what you think of Methland. It is sourced, but not footnoted, and I'm afraid it may bother you. I still think it is absolutely worth a try especially from the library.

New Meme Stolen from Roni (ronincats)

Bestsellers on your date of birth:

Fiction
THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA Robert Crichton - Italians Hide Wine From Nazis - Never read or heard of
CAPABLE OF HONOR Allen Drury - Political look at US Senate and 'liberal media' - Never read nor heard of
VALLEY OF THE DOLLS Jacqueline Susann - Women take drugs - Read
THE BIRDS FALL DOWN Rebecca West - 1001 Books. Virago Modern Classic. Historical fiction of a train journey filled with spies and intrigue - Never heard of. Would like to read.
THE MASK OF APOLLO Mary Renault - Historical Fiction set in Ancient Greece - I probably read this. My mother had a lot of Mary Renault around, but I mostly remember The Persian Boy because of the gay stuff.
ALL IN THE FAMILY Edwin O'Connor - National Book Award nominee about Irish American experience - Never heard of
TAI-PAN James Clavell - Follow up to Sho-Gun. - Yeah, I remember reading this after Sho-Gun. Again it was just laying around the house, and I had no book budget so I read it. I think it may be responsible for me having to force myself to read books set in Asia.
THE CAPTAIN Jan de Hartog - A shipping/tugboat story set in WWII. - Ummm no.
THE FIXER Bernard Malamud - Unbelievably (given that I just learned these words this week), about Blood Libel set in Kiev. Fiction based on true events. - Won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer - I've just added this to my Wishlist.
WAITING FOR WINTER John O'Hara - Short Stories. The only thing I can discover about them in a quick look at LT and Amazon is that someone tagged the book 'booze' - Never heard of and never read.

Non-Fiction
EVERYTHING BUT MONEY Sam Levenson - Comedian's memoir - Never heard of and never read
RUSH TO JUDGMENT Mark Lane - Critique of the Warren Commission - I've read books on the topic. No idea if this was one.
THE JURY RETURNS Louis Nizer - A lawyer's memoir of his cases - Never heard of and never read.
PAPER LION George Plimpton - Plimpton trains with the Detroit Lions - I've long wanted to read this one.
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY Eric Berne - Transactional Analysis of relationships - Never read. I've heard of Transactional Analysis, but know little about it.
WINSTON S. CHURCHILL Randolph S. Churchill - A biography of WC - Never read. I'd like to say I will read it, but I probably won't.
HOW TO AVOID PROBATE Norman F. Dacey - A book about avoiding probate - Never read. Crazy that this was a best seller, but Roni had a bunch of books about canasta so go figure.
THE BOSTON STRANGLER Gerald Frank - An Edgar Award winning look at the case - I read several books on this crime. This may have been one of them.
THAT QUAIL ROBERT, Margaret A. Stranger - A quail joins a family. - I'd totally read this.

#63: My reputation as 'Stasia, the footnote fiend' has gotten around, I see :)

interesting and exhausting looking meme .. :P

#66. It was both, but I had fun doing it. I love data and research and rarely get a chance to play with them since I'm out of school

#65. Yep, Stasia, your footnote fiendishness is well known around these parts!

#67: LOL

Went to the library's Two Bits sale and got the following:

Larry's Party by Carol Shields
The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer
Regeneration by Pat Barker
Wonderland by Joyce Carol Oates
The Sky, the Stars, the Wilderness by Rick Bass
The Man Who Smiled by Henning Mankell
How Starbucks Saved My Life by Michael Gates Gill
Stuffed: The Adventures of a Restaurant Family by Patricia Volk
The Kiss by Kathryn Harrison
Familiar Spirits by Alison Lurie
My Lobotomy by Howard Dully
Dog Years: A Memoir by Mark Doty
All Souls: A Family from Southie by Michael Patrick MacDonald
From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas L. Friedman

Nancy- That's quite a haul! Good for you!

nice!!

>69 nancyewhite:: WOW, that's all I can say.

Wow! What a terrific haul, Nancy!

Great books!! I loved Regeneration and From Beirut to Jerusalem.

Oh great, Cushla. I was concerned that From Beirut to Jerusalem might be dated, but one of the library folks running the sale told me it was readable and helpful so I bought it. I'm glad to hear you liked it.

I read it about 10 years ago and I might even re-read it. It's probably dated, depending on which edition you found, but it will still be excellent for explaining most of how things got so bad. I'd never heard of Friedman till 2000 or so, but now read his op-eds most days in the NYT and also liked Hot, Flat and Crowded.

Nice haul, Nancy!

Yet again, I am jealous of library sales. Yes, I can walk to 10 bookstores, but none of them have lots of very very cheap books every time I go! Nice shopping, Nancy.

I love the library sales, but they are in no small part responsible for the 1000+ books I haven't read loitering around my house.

6. A Life Like Other People's by Alan Bennett
A memoir of his family, but focused less on himself and more on his Mam, Dad and two Aunties. His family is fraught with depression, suicide and dementia all of which he portrays honestly. He is also disarmingly honest about his shortfalls as a son and nephew (all of which are eminently forgivable). This is a sad book, but also funny and sophisticated which isn't a surprise coming from this talented writer.

Why I Read It: Alan Bennett wrote it. I'm a fan of The Madness of King George and like almost everyone on LT of The Uncommon Reader.

Nancy, I like your addition at the end of each book: "Why I Read It." I would think that would be a useful note for a reading journal. I never thought of doing that, but I think I'll start.

#79: I will look for that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Nancy.

I finally caught up on your thread. Whew. Sorry to hear about TC. It sounds like a long and happy life, and which of us can hope for more?

It looks like you're in for some wonderful reading. I'll have to stay tuned to get the scoop.

It is your birthday!


I am blessed to count you as my friend! Happy Birthday to a very special lady!

Happy Birthday Nancy!

Have a great birthday, Nancy!

Happy birthday, Nancy! from another January baby.

Felicem Natalem!! Happy Birthday, Nancy!!

I missed you Birthday yesterday, I hope it you had a great day.

Thanks everyone! I had a nice day indeed even though I'm coming down with a sore throat and cold.

Belated happy birthday, Nancy!

Another happy belated birthday! Hope you feel better soon.

ok.. you inspired me to go and get hooked up to borrow books for nook.
I spent a fair amount of time cursing.. did you hear it?
I now have a library book on nook. I have no idea what it is, and I feel like
I have gone three rounds with Mohammad Ali.

A belated happy birthday! I'm happy to see The Blind Contessa's New Machine was one of your top reads for 2010. I've been eying it for a bit.

Thanks for even more birthday wishes!

Kath - I did hear the cursing. I didn't know it was you though.

Tanglewood - I learned about it from Richard. It was dreamlike and lovely. I enjoyed it.

7. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Amazing. Scary. Touching. Smart. Compassionate. It made me cry. A lot. Blah, blah, blah. There is nothing more to be said about this one.

If you haven't, please read this book. I'll never complain about my HIPAA forms again.

Why I Read It: It was the 75ers top Nonfiction book of 2010. I first learned of it and heard raves for it from Darryl (kidzdoc).

lol Nancy :)

Henrietta Lacks .. a good one for sure.. I just loaned it to someone at work. ..and made her day :)

Nancy- Henrietta Lacks was one of my top reads of last year. Loved it. Did you get my PM about the G.R.?

Hi There! I hope you are warm and snug on this winter night. And, I hope your cold is gone away.

I did, Mark. I can't figure out why I couldn't find it. I went to the existing threads and the Wiki. Must be like when the ketchup is on the shelf right in front of you but you just don't see it.

Linda - I am warm and snug. My cold is apparently also very, very happy in its cozy environment. Went to the doc yesterday. She took 2 strep tests she was so convinced it should be positive. Nope, I'm just the lucky girl with "The worst case of viral sore throat" she's seen in a long time. Yay! Hope you are relaxing and healing from all your recent trials.

8. Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Kenzie and Genarro revisit their most famous case and the chickens of Patrick's decisions then come home to roost now. For my money, Lehane is the best in the business at writing this kind of hard-boiled mystery novel. I prefer this to both Shutter Island and The Given Day

He can switch from sharply funny like this:

"Vice-free people conflate a narcissistic instinct for self-preservation with moral superiority" OR "I'm thinking how I've never had the impulse to hit a woman in my life, but you get me in an Ike Turner frame of mind."

to timely and spot-on observations about the current state of public interactions like this:

You asked a simple question lately or made an innocuous aside and suddenly you were the recipient of a howl of loss and fury. We no longer understood how we'd gotten here. We couldn't grasp what happened to us. We woke up one day and all the street signs had been stolen, all the navigation systems had shorted out. The car had no gas, the living room had no furniture, the imprint on the bed beside us had been smoothed over."

He does this without inducing whiplash on the reader. He is truly gifted at writing these noir-ish, thoughtful books that take place in a moral vacuum and simultaneously have strong moral underpinnings.

WHY I READ IT: I've got the sore throat/cold from hell and I was switching back and forth between Cloud Atlas (too complex) and The Reformed Vampire Support Group (too light) when I opened this up. Just right.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Nope. Patrick and Angie talk to each other.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? No.

Edited for clarity

So sorry you still are not feeling well..sore throat/cold from hell sounds very painful!

I'm adding Moonlight Mile to the tbr pile

Feel better...SOON!

Yeah, Nanc... what Linda said.

Happy belated birthday!!

I wandered over here after seeing you were reading Moonlight Mile which I read last month and loved. I enjoyed your review and am glad to see you liked it, too. It was my first Lehane and now I just finished A Drink Before the War and plan on continuing the series in the proper order. I also though Crooked Letter was pretty good, not to mention Major Pettigrew. We seem to be tracking similar (and good) books!

I was so very sorry to read about your cat. My own little kitty is approx 17 and has been suffering on and off with age related issues. They can break your heart.

Happy Belated Birthday, Nancy. Sorry I missed the big day :)

I hope you are feeling better.

>>103 alcottacre: Thanks for the (even more) birthday wishes, Stasia. I feel like crap. I've had a razor-like sore throat for a week today. The doc said if it continued for a week after my visit to come back. I hope I'm better by then (Tuesday).

>>102 Copperskye: Hi Joanne - Welcome to my thread. I credit all of the improvement in the quality of reading to LT and learning about good books here (as well as which to steer clear of). I hope you like the rest of the Lehane books. It is a fantastic series.

I hope your cat gets to stay with you for a long time to come. I know I miss my guy...

Nancy - Your comments about Henrietta Lacks make me want to pull it off my bookshelf right now. I borrowed it from my mom at Christmas (after buying it for her as a birthday gift). I hope your cold is better soon!

>106 porch_reader:: did your mom get a chance to read it first? :)

Yes! Although I might have called her once or twice asking if she was done yet! ;)

9. The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
Vampires are not brave and sparkly. Vampires are pathetic and sickly. They survive on guinea pigs and support group meetings. Someone kills one and hijincks ensue. They get out, act brave and meet new people.

This had moments of dry funniness and witty observations and the concept was really great. It was older YA in my opinion with some salty language. I can imagine a teenager (especially one who feels like an outsider) really enjoying this.

WHY I READ IT: I wanted something light to nurse my never-ending sore throat (which finally did end). I learned about this from wookiebender's thread and heard about it in many places on LT.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.
Hooray for my first novel with a passing grade this year!

100% of the books I've read in January have been from the library. This is better than buying new books but not as good as getting rid of books I already own.

#109: I enjoyed that one as a fun read too, Nancy.

Glad to hear that the never-ending sore throat is finally gone!

#109 hmm might have to check that one out - I'm very specific about what kind of vampire stuff I like, so I can't always predict what I like... (Generally speaking, my favorite vampire stuff has been Sunshine and the short-lived TV series Moonlight... well and I did like Jane Bites Back just because all the literary references and who was vampires was entertaining in a very fluffy sort of way)

Vampires have not appealed lately.. that almost kept me from reading
Passage.. but I forged ahead with that.. and found.. well.. no vampires.
Not real vampires. That one sounds sort of fun though..

"100% of the books I've read in January have been from the library. This is better than buying new books but not as good as getting rid of books I already own."

Agreed, but do give yourself credit for not bringing more to add to the piles on the shelves.

Are you feeling better? Sore throat and cold gone?

I am feeling better, thanks. I noticed on Sunday that swallowing was only a little painful. Sweet relief.

I seem to be going around LT commenting and creating conversation on controversial topics which has me nervous but which I can't seem to prevent myself from doing. For some reason, LT non-book threads seem to be trending on things I'm passionate about.

comment away my dear! This is a supportive, open minded group. I've stuck my neck out a few times. It wasn't chopped off.

Glad you are feeling better. I was concerned.

Hang in there March and New Orleans are a short time away.

>114 nancyewhite:: I've seen at least one of your passionate comments and felt you made it in a purposeful way. Of course, I also agreed with you :)

I loved and appreciated your comments on my thread, and I completely agreed with you.

Nancy, I went to Darryl's thread to see what you had commented on. I agree with you completely about Ben, and also the Rooney's failure to do what I believe would have been the right thing. I am not a football fan, Steelers or otherwise, but I have heard stories about Ben's arrogant behavior for a long time. Things like not paying in restaurants and being generally disagreeable to fans do not a so called hero make. I would be happy to never see him on a football field again. But as I said, I care nothing for football.. so ...

As for Michael Vick, I disagree.. and think that if he had not been caught, he would still be doing what he had been. I think that anyone who so casually takes life for sport is pure evil. I was disgusted when he was picked up by a team when he came out of jail. I feel that instead of proving himself and having found redemption, he is simply smart enough to behave, for now.. much like Ben.

I am glad that you are feeling better..

eta

a :) so this looks less like a grumpy post and more like the simple comment I meant it to be..

Hi, Kath. Hi, Darryl. I love having you visit here and appreciate your comments re. Ben and Vick.

10. Modern Ruins: Portraits of Place in the Mid-Atlantic Region by Shaun O'Boyle
A book of photography of crumbling structures which have outlived their usefulness. The book is split into sections entitled Institutions, Steel, Coal and Arsenal each accompanied by an essay. The photos in Institutions are of asylums and prisons, Steel are of steel mills, Coal are of coal mines and the towns that surrounded them and Arsenal weirdly of a large structure built for an ammunitions magnate to store ammunition and to live in. Most of the pics are in B&W with a few in color which I enjoyed because it is less typical than the B&W. They are both macro and micro views which I also liked.

The photos are beautiful and the documentation important. However, the book left me strangely cold. Perhaps this is because these are 'normal' sights in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania where I grew up and continue to live. Perhaps because many of us here are eager to move beyond what these ruins represent. I'd love to see every structure here destroyed and the land re-purposed into something that could serve us now.

Please in no way take what I'm saying as my not recommending the book. My partner, Jane, loved everything about it, and I don't think that anyone could read it and not find worth in these haunted images.

Good article about how Skloot and 'the book' is helping the Lacks family.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/05/books/05lacks.html?ref=books

nice link.. ty

Nancy

Regarding steel structures, as someone who works in Bethlehem and lived there for many years, I have an opinion about the rusty, ugly steel structures I drive past every day.

The Sands casino is a bright, shining new building amid the ruins.

There was/still is a huge controversy regarding keeping the old, worn, ugly structures. There was/still is a controversy regarding replacing rotted buildings with legalized gambling.

My take -- tear the damn ugly things down. They provided a viable income for years, but they are an eye sore and will never, ever be usable for the same purpose again.

My feeling is this, no one is forcing anyone to gamble. The building is a hell of a lot nicer than what was there rotting away for years.

I'm simply saying I'm on the same page as you re. this issue.

Hugs!

Every time I pass buildings that are not being put to use I think 'what a waste!' Surely something could be done with the buildings we already have as opposed to constantly building new ones that sit unoccupied.

Linda... I agree with you... and with Nancy, about moving on. As someone who lost a home and in fact an entire way of life when the steel mills closed, I was very happy to see them come down. There are plenty left along the river though. I feel differently about the Civic Arena though. I do wish they could use it for something else.

>123 alcottacre:, Stasia re: wasted buildings....since the earthquake here 5 months ago there are a lot of empty spaces where buildings used to be. Some enterprising people have started using these spaces (with permission) to do great stuff like planting temporary flower beds but also for arts spaces where they decorate the area with fake grass and flower pots and so things like have public bowls games, outdoor movie showings and have bands play. Its great to see the inner city spaces used like that.

hi Nancy btw....sorry for crashing your thread :-)

#125: Its great to see the inner city spaces used like that.

I agree with you, Megan!

Hmmm. I agree but with reservations. In blighted neighborhoods here, we often see community gardens, art space etc go in for a year or two. Then when the organization disbands, loses funding etc. The 'stuff' that went into making that space usable (fencing, benches, sculpture etc.) stops being maintained and quickly becomes part of the general ugliness of the area. I have seen a few community gardens become self-sustaining but very few. I wonder how that could be done differently. Part of the issue, of course, is the large number of blighted lots/structures in our urban area.

PS. Totally not a thread crash. Great converation about topics I'm interested in sprung from a book I read. Completely what LT is about for me.

PPS. Kath - For some reason, I have no sentimental attachment to the Civic Arena. Ugly interior, bad handicapped seating, small aisles. For me, make it go away and give the folks of the lower Hill something they can use like a GROCERY STORE! I know I'm in the minority on this one.

11. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
Some writers, for better or worse, just ring your bell. Conroy dangles from the rope and swings for me. I loved this look at his life through the lens of being a reader. I'm prejudiced in his favor, but this is definitely a five star for me. If you dislike flowery humid writing you probably won't enjoy this. Otherwise, give it a whirl - it is short and full of love of the reading life that should speak to most of us here.

12. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger
A woman discovers a bookmobile that contains everything she's ever read. It doesn't come when she wants or needs it to. She chases it and reads more and more to the detriment of her life. I'm ambivalent about this book. It's so short, you can decide for yourself.

I was ambivalent about The Night Bookmobile as well. I thought it was brilliant idea but the execution wasn't as great as what I'd expect from someone with Niffenegger's impressive literary talent.

>127 nancyewhite:, wow, I'd never thought of the decay of the stuff that is supposed to make vacant lots pretty again.....the projects going on here are only on for 4 weeks or so at a time then are packed up and moved on to a new space. All the lots will be rebuilt on (relatively?) quickly with their new buildings as are only vacant from earthquake damage, not general inner city decline. We are lucky enough to have very few derelict buildings here in central Chch. There sure are a lot of ugly "modern" buildings though :-(

The Night Bookmobile sounds a strange read indeed! I might have to pass, I'm probably in a minority by saying I really didnt enjoy The Time Travellers Wife either :-/

#128: I have really enjoyed both of the Conroy books I have read, Nancy, so I guess he rings my bell too.

13. Quiverfull by Kathryn Joyce
A feminist looks as objectively as possible at the extreme right-wing of Christian conservatism where the women are raised to be owned by first her father and then her husband bearing as many children as possible to fill God's quiver with arrows. I just hated the men and both pitied and hated the women who willingly subject themselves and their daughters to this. My eyes teared up when I read about a pastor positively discussing a 9 year old girl who couldn't read but knew how to take care of the garden and her younger siblings. This exploration will certainly raise the hackles of any feminist.

WHY I READ IT: Nickelini mentioned it (maybe in Girlybooks) and I was captivated by it as I often am by explorations of extremism of any sort.

I was out of town for about a week and came home to chaos in the lives of two of my dearest friends. Sorry I've been largely absent from LT as I've tried to handle this. It hasn't helped that I do the majority of my LT posting from work which has been super-busy to boot!

Hugs to you dear friend. I'm so sorry about the chaos in the lives of two of your friends. I know firsthand that you take friendship seriously and are committed to kindness and outreach.

I'm also sorry it has been so super busy at work.

#132: Yikes. That does not sound like a book I want to read--too stressful!

Nancy, it's great to have you back, but please remember that friends and family come first, and they are so lucky to have you worry for them. While we're all friends here at LT, we understand if those 'on-site' take precedence. We will be here when you need us, and when you need a break.

#132 if I didn't have way too much to read I'd probably read it out of that insane curiosity that the Duggars seem to inspire in most of us (they are quiverful even if they don't come out and say it on the show) - I just feel so bad for those girls... (well all of the kids really - a lot of them don't let the boys go to college either, so?)

Hopefully life is becoming more even. I've missed LT and hope to be back more regularly now. I've been updating the uppermost couple of messages, but not keeping the running list. So, I'm eager to get back in the swing of things.

14. Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman
The first in a series that I knew I'd like. A laid-off reporter is asked to follow a friend's fiance and ends up being an amateur detective when someone is murdered. A lot of fun, well-written and with a real sense of place in the streets of Baltimore.

Why I read it now: I've been wanting to for a long time and wanted something engaging but not emotionally challenging.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.
Not only that, but there is a feminist bookstore. Oh, how I miss Pittsburgh's.

15. Soulless by Gail Carriger
A very fun steampunk romp which a charming protaganist, interesting characters and fun world-building. This is a great example of how mood and book interrelate. I tried this once before and set it aside as fluff after about ten pages. This time I started it and found it a delightful and amusing confection.

Why I read it now: It was a gift from an LT friend. I know plenty of folks around here that loved it so I wanted to give it another chance.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.
I'm on a roll now...

16. So Many Ways to Begin by Jon McGregor
A lovely melancholy character study. Here is my review.

Why I read it now: An LT Early Review ARC.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? The main character is a man and the book is largely focused on his journey, but the women characters definitely have broad and important lives.

17. The Raising by Laura Kasischke
A campus gothic. Here is my review

Why I read it now: A Netgalley ARC. I'm a fan of contemporary gothics.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes. I don't feel this writer particularly liked young women (especially those in sororities), but generally the female characters were fully realized.

18. Just Kids by Patti Smith
Having had the tragic task and utter privilege to help someone I love die of AIDS in the late 1980s, I have absolutely no ability to be objective about this book. A love story about a couple of scared and determined kids who through grit, belief, romance, talent and a bit of craziness found their way. A story about the transformational power of art and poetry. A story about love that crosses all of the constructs society generally places on it until the ugliness of the AIDS plague brought it to a stop for now. Five stars.

Why I read it now: It won the National Book Award. Friends of mine loved it. I had a Groupon for Barnes and Noble so I could get it for the Nook.

Hi Nancy- I've had Just Kids high on my WL, since it came out. Glad you loved it. My wife read my copy of Soulless and enjoyed it so much, she knocked out the other 2. I plan on getting to it, at some point. But don't we all say that?

Nancy
It is so good to see posts from you!

Five stars is a high recommendation. I'm adding Just Kids to the tbr pile.

Hello folks. As a reminder, I did say I had no ability to be objective about Just Kids. That being said, give it a go she is decent and kind in her revelations and recollections.

Mark - Soulless is one of those rare books that manages lightness without being saccharine. I'm eager to read the others fairly soon too, but didn't want to get tired of the tone too quickly since I already had trouble with it once.

Linda - I'm glad to be posting. Hope to be doing even more reading soon.

19. We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
A book that tells the story of the Negro Leagues in the form of innings rather than chapters. It is for YA/older children and written as if it was an oral history by someone who played in the league. While the folksy style is warm and immediate, its real strong point is the absolutely gorgeous and amazing artwork Nelson produced commemorating the league, its owners and the players. The book won a bazillion awards (among them NYT Illustrated Children's Book of the Year, Coretta Scott King Award, Robert F. Sidel Medal). All of them are well deserved as this is a proper tribute to these baseball pioneers who faced many hardships to play the game they loved. I'm proud of the role the Pittsburgh area played in the Negro Leagues and this lovely book is getting put away until Jack is old enough to treat the book and its subject matter with the warranted respect. Another 5 star read for April.

Why I read it now: In honor of the start of baseball season.

I am way behind on threads, Nancy, so I am not even trying to catch up. Hopefully I can stick with you the rest of the year though!

We Are the Ship sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation. I will see if I can locate a copy.

Hi Stasia! I've missed everyone. I'm also not even trying to catch up. I never wanted to be a person who just checked up on friends, but for now I'm going to read the What Are We Reading threads and hop in on folks as I can.

We Are the Ship is fantastic. If there is a local bookstore with a good kid's section, you could probably get through it right in the store.

#146: I already checked and my local library has We Are the Ship so I will get it from there.

I am glad someone else is behind on threads too. I do not feel so badly then :)

Just stopping by to say hello!

Just chiming in to say that I've had Just Kids on my TBR for a while. Your comments make me want to get to it soon.

>> 148 & 149 Hello folks!

>> 149 I hope you enjoy Just Kids. I think it is worth a go at least to see if it is your cuppa.

20. The Good, The Bad and the Undead by Kim Harrison
The second in a light urban fantasy series. I like the action-adventure-magic-snarky parts and skip the romance-sex-DoIWantVampiresToBiteMe parts. Three stars

Why I read it now: No idea. I just started and kept on.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes. There is a lot of conversation about whether the main character should become the 'possession' of her vampire roommate.

21. Turn of Mind - Alice LaPlante
A woman with Early Onset Alzheimers is suspected of murdering and mutilating her best friend. Her disease makes her an unreliable but very, very compelling narrator. Here is my review. 4.5 stars.

Why I read it now: A NetGalley ARC.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes. I'd say this one is definitely a book with a meaningful female perspective.

A very dear friend of my friend Meg's (who some of you may know better as Ben's mom), Jerry McGillis, has had his self-published book reviewed by Lorrie Moore in the NYRB! He's asked people to share it, and I'm delighted to do so. Here is a link. Jerry's book is the last one Moore discusses.

If any of my friends with large LT followings would share it (you know who you are), I'd be thrilled for him. Meg calls him Jer-Bear and I think he is a really great guy and Scrabble player.

#152, wow, thats great, and good at scrabble too ! :-)

22. You Know When The Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon
Barely linked short stories that focus on Fort Hood in a time of deployment. Individually the stories were beautifully written, emotionally satisfying and filled with believable detail. Fallon is a soldier's wife, so she knows of what she writes. The focus is primarily on the women left behind and that brings something to life that is largely missing from the war canon. However, the collection itself feels a little slight. A few additional stories as good as these would have made the book an entire meal instead of just the first course.

Why I read it now: I found it in the NYT Review and thought it sounded interesting. The library had the ebook available.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? No. Maybe other wives, but that is the same as talking about men in my opinion.

154: I read and liked that one too. It was a pretty slim book though. Perhaps she'll write more.

Simply stopping by to say hello!

I heard an interview of Siobhan Fallon by Terry Gross on NPR's "Fresh Air" several months ago about her book, which sounded interesting. I'm sorry that it was a bit disappointing.

>>155 RosyLibrarian: / 157. It is definitely interesting and well-written. I hope she continues writing on this topic.

23. Salvation City by Sigrid Nunez
A sparely written post-pandemic dystopia. By focusing on the experience of a teenage boy in what seems to be the very near future, Nunez keeps the story of a 1918-like flu simple while amplifying its horror. The protagonist, Cole Vining, goes from living with literary, well-educated atheist parents to foster care with Evangelical Christians after a stop at a hospital and scary orphanage. To her credit, both groups the urban academics and the rural religous come out looking like flawed but essentially decent people. I do feel like it sputtered out toward the end, but overall this worked as both a character-driven novel and subtly terrifying armageddon scenario.

Why I read it now: It was mentioned on LT somewhere and I was in the mood for a good 'the world is ending' book after the May 21st Rapture people drove around our city for a day or two with big truck billboards.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.

>159 nancyewhite:: I agree with you about the sputtering, Nancy, but like you enjoyed this book.

24. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
A funny and snarky memoir about her attempts to raise her daughters in what she calls the "Chinese Mother" style of parenting in which the parent's authority supercedes any desires the child may have. She freely admits this approach did not work well for her younger daughter, she is very self-deprecating, her love of her daughters shines through every snarky word, and this is by no means intended as a parenting manual.

The non-instructive nature of the book notwithstanding, I do like her idea that parents can assume strength, capability and resilience over the weakness and fragility often assumed in Western culture and then behave accordingly when their child disappoints them. The book was good as a memoir, but its audience may be somewhat limited by the privilege this family enjoys - the problems she describes are very definitely first world.

Why I read it now: It popped up as available in my library's ebooks when I was trolling around. I must have gotten it right when they added it because now there is a 17 person waiting list for the ebook.

Happy Friday to you my friend!

The end of the semester is here and I'll have more time for LT then.

For now, I'm thinking of you and hoping you had a great time in New Orleans when you were there in March.

Hi Linda! I had a fantastic trip to NOLA. It is truly a wonderful city where music bubbles up from the streets and the food is amazing. Have you been?

Anyway, just wanted to share a cool thing that happened here recently. Fantastic mystery writer, KC Constantine, came out of the closet here in Pittsburgh the other day after years of insisting on hiding. If you haven't read his Mario Balzac series, I highly recommend it.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11123/1143638-44.stm

Wow! How about that !

I really wanted to go to that mystery fest.. Louise Penny was there... !

Oh, I know, Kath - Louise Penny and KC Constantine - a dreamy day for a mystery bookwork. But I'm so shy. Next year let's go together. It looks like such a great time.

Hi Nancy- I had a hard time opening the link for some reason. Actually, I read at least 2 or 3 Mario Balzac books in the 80s and remember really enjoying them. Does he still write the series?

You are so ON Nancy! That is what kept me.. sort of..
I am struggling with getting out of the house.. working on it.. but
I was SO desperate to see Penny.. and I just couldn't do it.. even with my son..
Maybe after all of this mess from the last months are sorted I can do better.

I haven't read any Constantine, but will have a look at his books. I wonder ho will come next year?

>>166 msf59:. Sorry about the link. I checked it and it is working for me. There are 17 books in Constantine's Rocksburg sereis. The most recent few don't focus on Balzac as he ages with the books. I have genuinely loved every book of his that I've read and feel Constantine captures working class Western PA better than anyone else ever has.

>>167 mckait:. It's a date! Penny says she begged to be invited back this year after having such a great time last year so perhaps she'll be there again next year and we can tell her about the LT Three Pines bus.

25. The Memory Chalet by Tony Judt
I just finished The Memory Chalet by Tony Judt. The book is a series of essays he wrote while suffering with ALS, but his illness is not the focus. These are an odd and intriguing combination of nostalgia and reminisince with opinion and sharp observation. There is nothing forceful or screechy here, but what he sees and the way he expresses himself make this insightful and very worth reading.

I particularly enjoyed the essay called 'Identity' in which he laments the current focus. He points out that with the academic acceptance of identity studies we end up studying ourselves which is contrary to the whole point of being educated. I learned about this one from chatterbox and kidzdoc and am grateful to have had it brought to my attention.

Why I read it now: I downloaded it around New Years with the intention of reading it right away but just got around to it recently.

26. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
A dark thriller/procedural set in Norway in which WWII haunts modern day Oslo in a string of connected murders. Harry Hole is a compelling detective in the melancholy, hard drinking tradition. At first I had a hard time connecting to the plot perhaps because of the narrative jumping between the war's front lines and Harry's political assignment. Soon though I was completely engaged and flew through this in a very short time considering its length.

Why I read it now: For Mark's May Murder & Mayhem thread.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? No.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man?

yep! it's a date !

Nancy

I'm heading to New Orleans for a publications workshop. I'll be there with five students during the first weekend of June. I'm taking them on the bus tour of the areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. We will visit the Ninth Ward and St. Bernard's Parish. The tour also provides a wonderful back drop of the history of New Orleans. Of the group, I'm the only one who has visited there.

I'm looking forward to seeing the city from their perspective.

Check my thread if you have a minute. I'm trying to arrange a meet up in Bethlehem next April.

Hugs

*Waving* hello, Nancy :)

Hello everyone...

Linda - I considered that type of tour, but no one else I was with wanted to do that one. Jane and I walked up past Rampart in the Marigny and saw the Katrina house check marks on the houses. That was tough even though the neighborhood looks largely recovered. Have a great time in my 2nd favorite city. (I will get to your thread in the next day or two. I'd love to meet up)

27. Three Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakauer
A sad examination of Mortenson and his CAI charity. It is clear that he has not been as fiscally responsible as he should be. I feel confident he started out with good intentions but also agree with Krakauer's conclusion that he needs to be removed from the charity if it is to continue doing good works. I hope that if he goes the heartfelt apology route he can beg the public's forgiveness and still somehow do good by the young women he sought to help, but I'm not sure if that is possible.

Why I read it: I read the first book and own the second.

28. Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb
The fourth in the Eve Dallas series. A light but still good enough spec fiction mystery. This one has way too much sex so I just skipped those parts as I cruised through the book. The mystery also was very easily solved and I'm not a person that tries to guess whodunit. Nonetheless, I like the characters and the setting so I'm sure I'll continue the series.

Why I read it: I've owned it for a few years, it fit the Murder and Mayhem challenge that Mark is doing this month and it was easy, peasy to read on my car trip from St. Louis to Pittsburgh.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.

One of the things I like about this series is that it is sexy romance/mystery/sci-fi that is light and easily-read but still has strong women characters that interact and have complete personalities and relationships with men and with each other.

You skipped the sex in an '... in Death' book???? Is that the one where Dallas... oh, I forgot, you skipped it.

Perhaps skimmed is a better word than skipped :-) I'm not a prude (at all), but it was a bit much (they're newlyweds y'know)!

29. The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson
A noir classic. This is one creepy and twisted journey through the brain of a serial killer as he rationalizes and explains his actions. Fantastic and disturbing.

Why I read it: As someone who enjoys crime fiction, I'd heard about this one for years. It seemed fitting for the Murder & Mayhem challenge.

Not even going to bother with the Bechdel Feminist Test. This is decidedly not a feminist book.

30. Brave New Knits by Julie Turjoman
Profiles of hand knitting designers who made their name via blogging and the internet. There is a design by each about half of which are sweaters. These folks didn't become well known for no reason. Most of the designs in this book are interesting and gorgeous. Highly recommended for the handknitter or person who likes knitting porn.

Why I read it: It was on the 'New Nonfiction' shelf at my library and seemed to be the perfect offset to The Killer Inside Me.

31. When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
The third in the Jackson Brodie series. As always, it is intricately plotted, extraordinarily observant and very funny. I adored this one for its warm, vulnerable heart. The introduction of teenager Reggie as one of the main characters who has been done wrong at every turn but still has a bright, hopeful outlook made this one the best in the series for me.

Why I Read It: The newest Jackson Brodie is out, and I wanted to be caught up in preparation. Conveniently it fit with the M&M Challenge.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.

32. Radioactive by Lauren Redniss
An extraordinary graphic biography of the Curies and the history of their discovery. I've never read anything like this. Simply wonderful.

Why I read this: Mark, again. When I read his review, I immediately reserved this at the library.

>179 nancyewhite:: I'm looking forward to reading that one, Nancy. Glad to hear it's so good!

#178: I have had that one in the BlackHole forever! I really need to get hold of a copy.

#179: I am currently reading that one. Glad to see you liked it.

#180: Already in the BlackHole.

Ooh, I need to read book 2 in the Jackson Brodie series - I have it here and loved the first one. Glad you liked it so much!

Atkinson always seems to get the nod around here.. I have a couple of her books, and hope I can get to them soon..

Nancy- I'm so glad you loved "Radioactive". It's such a special book, isn't it? It once again it proves what can be done in the graphic format. Amazing!
I'm also a big fan of the 1st 3 Jackson Brodie books and looking forward to the 4th, which has been getting some positive reviews.
Back to graphics, another one I highly recommend is Britten and Brulightly. It's terrific.

All - I'm trying to stop myself from buying the most recent Jackson Brodie until i comes down in price. You aren't helping me in that quest :-)

>>>185 msf59: Mark - 'Special' is the perfect word for Radioactive. It is delightful and a definite work of art. I loved it. I keep seeing Britten and Brulightly mentioned so it is likely to be the next on my graphic wishlist. I don't love the genre so I'll probably wait a little while or else I may be oversaturated.

33. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Another success in this great series. The formula of social justice issue, murder, small town life, religion and angsty yet grown-up love story has grown a tiny bit tired for me this time. Note that even though I say that, I gave this book four stars. I love Russ and Clare and the other folks that populate these novels. And after a great conversation on Joyce's thread, I was especially appreciative of a book that mixes religion and a secular plot gracefully and without preaching but also without de-emphasizing the religious concerns of the characters.

Why I read it: Murder & Mayhem is giving me a great chance to visit mystery writers that I love.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.
Clare is absolutely a feminist character (as are many of the other women in this series) and these are definitely books with a feminist perspective.

>186 nancyewhite:: la la la, not reading that review! I've only read books 1-3 so far. But this thread has just inspired me to juggle my reading plans and read the 4th JSF mystery just as soon as I finish my current book. I need a fix.

Ack! I keep forgetting I need to get back to the JS-F series so that I can review the ER book I have in it.

#174 I was so sad when I heard about this issue! I really didnt want it to be true. I heard about it on our National Radio and when I looked it up on LT it was mentioned here too. Sad.

Hello Everybody! I've been on vacation so I got a bunch of reading done.

34. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Classic 'locked-room' mystery except it's set on an island. Watching the characters get picked off one by one was a lot of fun.

Why I read it: Murder & Mayhem

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.

35. Blue by Abigail Padgett
A murder mystery set in the desert with a lesbian feminist twist. An atypically well-written lesbian mystery with the interesting social psychologist Blue as the amateur detective. It pleased me a great deal to see feminism dealt with explicitly and by someone who knows enough to be sympathetic and funny about the political subculture. There are romantic and familial subplots that are also fairly compelling. This was slated for my 2008 challenge so I'm just a little behind. I liked this well enough to download the next in this series and the first in her other series to the Kindle.

Why I read it: Well, it seemed about time since it's been waiting for such a long time.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.
This is an explicitly feminist book

36. Open Season by C.J. Box
The first in the Joe Pickett series in which a taciturn forest ranger goes Dirty Harry when his family is threatened. I liked the wilderness setting and the family portrait. The mystery itself was too easily solved. I'll continue the series as I encounter it.

Why I read it: I lost my Kindle on the airplane! While I waited for another one to be over-nighted, I got this from the library in my mom's community clubhouse.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Not really.
The only women I remember are Joe's wife and her hateful mother. They talk about more than men but largely it's about class with the subtext that Joe isn't a good 'provider'. That being said, Joe's daughter is interesting and brave when she is placed in a terrible predicament.

37. All the Colours of Darkness by Peter Robinson
I love this series. I love Banks. I love the secondary characters. I love the Yorkshire locale. This one which involves terrorism and spying is not my favorite in the series, but (guess what) I loved it anyway as it is always great to get caught up with the engaging and growing people populating these books.

Why I read it: See above. Murder and Mayhem is being very, very good to me.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.
Robinson's female characters are well-rounded, interesting and very well done.

I hope you had a great vacation, Nancy! Glad to see you got some good reading done!

And Then There Were None is the only Agatha Christie novel I have ever read. We did it for school in junior high and I really enjoyed it, but I've never really gone back to Christie's mysteries. I really should. Thanks for the reminder!

>>192 alcottacre:. Thanks, Stasia. It was great to have uninterrupted reading time here and there over the week.

>>193 MickyFine:. Christie is definitely worth seeking out. I can take no credit for the reminder though because I read her due to other folks on LT.

38. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo
I really enjoyed this mystery set in Amish country. The main character, the chief of the local police, was raised Amish and now lives outside the faith. She has to face her difficult past when a serial killer becomes active using an identical MO to one who killed 16 years before. The characters were great, and it was a real page turner.

Why I read it: Three LT members discussed it on their threads and made it appeal to me: AlcottAcre, BumpersMom and Tymfos all can take credit.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.

39. Roseannearchy by Roseanne Barr
This disappointed me. I agree with her politics and find her funny, but this was written in a style I just didn't enjoy. It was disjointed and weird.

39. The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna
For 'deep' books, I often like small stories because I feel they give the writer an opportunity to get to the heart of things I care about (think Room or Olive Kitteredge). This Orange Prize nominee is a many-charactered story traveling in time to both before and after Civil War in Sierra Leone with many flashbacks to the war itself, but it certainly manages to get to the heart of things. It explores the nature of love, personal responsibility and the human ability to survive the unthinkable. Every character comes alive on the page as does Sierra Leone itself.

Absolutely stunning. Run to the nearest bookstore. Dance your fingers over the keyboard as fast as lightning. Do what it takes, but GET THIS BOOK.

Why I read it: It is definitely because of Darryl (kidzdoc). And I owe him one for finding this one for me.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.

I was going to suggest the Forna book to my reading group, but my track record with them has not been good, so they can wait. I will not wait any later than the paperback printing, however. You AND Darryl - I can't pass this one up.

>195 nancyewhite:: Darryl convinced me to read this too. I haven't yet but I will soon enough -- for Orange July.

I haven't heard anything good about the Roseanne book..
the others do look good though.

195: When I hear the words "absolutely stunning" in a review, I can't help but shove it onto the wishlist. :)

40. Big Sex Little Death by Susie Bright
I love her essays. I love her passion and chutzpah. I admired her during the Lesbian Sex Wars of the early 1990s. I really didn't enjoy this memoir. It was disjointed and, more unforgivably, flat. If you are interested in the Socialist/Labor movement of the late 1970s or the sex radical movement of the 80s/90s or the history of On Our Backs, it's worth getting for an overview, but generally, I'm sad to report this just wasn't very enjoyable.

Why I read it: Longtime interest in the subject matter and like of the author.

41. The Boy in the Moon by Ian Brown
Now this is how you write a memoir. An elegantly written story of being the parent of a child with a rare severe genetic disorder. Brown reveals intimate thoughts and feelings while still rationally discussing the historical, governmental, religious and cultural response to disability. The palpable love for his son shines through every word. Gorgeous in every way and highly recommended.

Why I read it: New York Times book review made it sound like something I would like.

>195 nancyewhite: You don't owe me anything, Nancy; your glowing comments about a book that I am passionate about is more than enough thanks for me! I'm very happy that you enjoyed it, too.

>201 nancyewhite: And, I'm doubly glad that you also liked The Boy in the Moon; I also bought it after reading the review in the Sunday NYT, and read it last month. I don't think I've written of a review of it, though.

I have seen a couple of good reviews of The Boy in the Moon. I hope my local library gets a copy of it soon!

42. Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
Newest in the Jackson Brodie series. As usual interconnected characters with many twists and turns before the conclusion. Her gift is the heart and compassion with which she imbues her writing and her characters. One of my favorite series.

Nancy-You have been reading some terrific books! The Memory of Love sounds wonderful. I heard Ian Brown on the NYT Book podcast, a couple weeks ago. What a horrible disease.
I hope to get to the latest Jackson Brodie, sometime this year. Glad you enjoyed it.

Hey Mark - The Memory of Love is wonderful as is The Boy in the Moon. I can't imagine those two not being on my 'Best of 2011' list.

43. Great House by Nicole Krauss
I liked this but I'm not at all sure whether I loved it. Krauss writes beautifully and it felt like she was truth-telling (which is very important to me), but I also felt her in it the whole time. It seemed a little like an exercise rather than stories in which I could lose myself. None of the characters seemed completely real to me.

I'm just not sure about this one. I think I may need to let it steep a little while and see if it ends up resonating with time. Please don't take my odd ambivalence as any indication not to read this book. It is very much worth reading for the exquisite descriptions and for its ideas and just to see for yourself what all of the fuss is about.

Why I read it: Orange Prize shortlisted.

Bechdel Feminist Test:
Are there two or more women in it and do they have names? Yes.
Do they talk to each other? Yes.
And do they talk to each other about something other then a man? Yes.

#204: I cannot get my hands on that one yet, but I am looking forward to reading it when I finally do. I am glad to see you enjoyed it, Nancy.

Hi, Stasia! I love it when you stop by.

44. Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robison
An interesting look into the life of a man who spend his formative years and a good part of adulthood with undiagnosed Asperger's Syndrome. He was most fascinating when he described the way his mind worked such as wanting to be sure he picked the best mate of a group of three sisters. The mid-section sometimes didn't hold my interest completely, but still well worth the read for insight into folks with Asperger's.

Why I Read It: I liked his brother's books. I have a dear friend whose daughter was diagnosed recently as a teenager with Asperger's.

I like books about real life too, this one looks interesting

45. Shaken Not Stirred by Tim Gunn
A very short (Kindle Single) look at life in the 1950s with his FBI Agent father and then his father's progression through OCD and eventually Alzheimer's.

Why I read it: I was fascinated when I learned that Gunn's dad was J. Edgar Hoover's right hand man.

46. The Nearest Exit May Be Behind You by S. Bear Bergman
A series of essays largely about being queer and transgendered but also entirely about creating a connected, empowered and empathetic life. Highly, highly recommended.

Why I read it: Bear is an acquaintance and someone in my chosen family's boyfriend.

#210: I had no idea his dad was in the FBI! (How awesome would it be to be "Agent Gunn," by the way?) I'm going to have to read that one. Gunn is such a cool and classy guy.

Hi! Just passing through and catching up! :)

#208: I have had that one in the BlackHole for a while now. I need to get it read! Thanks for the reminder, Nancy.