YoungGeekyLibrarian's thread

Deleting my thread because I can't seem to find the time to stay on here much - if I have the time to wander around here, I have time to read and I'd rather be reading...

Welcome to the group! Good luck with your reading goals for 2011.

We have an introductions thread if you want to stop in and meet the rest of the group: http://www.librarything.com/topic/104688

Moving disrupts life for soooo long, doesn't it? When I moved from the east to west coast of the US it was something like a four-month process, or so it seemed. Good luck in 2011!

Welcome!

I adored The Historian. I felt Kostova's descriptions were wonderfully rich. Hope you enjoy it too!

I read this book last summer and maybe I blocked out the memory of the epilogue in an effort to make the book better. Since you did enjoy this one I'd recommend Kostova's other novel The Swan Thieves. Very different subject but still a great read.

Welcome!

I own The Historian but have yet to read it. I suppose I'm a little intimidated by its size. I thought The Thirteenth Tale was a lot of fun and hope you enjoy it.

Loved The Thirteenth Tale, hated The Historian with a vehemence that manifested itself in physical abuse of my copy of the book. Heh. Anyway, looks like your reading is off to a good start this year!

>15 YoungGeekyLibrarian: I'm glad that I didn't purchase Booth's Sister and got it the free Kindle download on that one also. That was one of my last books to finish up in 2010.

>14 YoungGeekyLibrarian: I totally respect your dislike for general YA fiction. It's not for everyone. I have to admit that I liked Paper Towns although it's definitely not the literary love (or like) of my life. I think maybe just the concept of paper towns fascinated me more than anything else in the book.

Of the books you have reviewed here, I have read both The Thirteenth Tale and The Historian. I very much liked them both, but favored The Historian over The Thirteenth Tale. There was not much about either I did not like, but I agree, the epilogue in The Historian was not a positive addition other than to learn some small bit about the girl as an adult. Regarding The Thirteenth Tale, I loved its dark, gothic nature. For a long time I struggled to identify the time period of the novel, it could easily have been in the 1800's if not for automobiles and modern forms of communication.

I think the author purposefully left the time period in The Thirteenth Tale vague. It could be any time in the 20th century.

I don't recall the author offering the exact time period the novel was set in. Yes, the author created a time period that was both modern and not modern. Trains and cars were available, but much of the setting evoked an earlier time, well done by Setterfield!

Sounds like an interesting read. Think I'll stick the title in the ever-growing list of books to try. :D

Wow! Your reading year is off to a flying start! Congratulations.

Sounds like an interesting read, but I'm one of those people who find anachronistic language a real turn-off, particularly if the author is trying to sound period and fails miserably. However, there are occasions where I'm willing to overlook it if the narrative is good enough. Maybe I'll skim this one and see which category it falls into.

#26: I am glad to know that is a good one. I downloaded it for free to my Nook a while back. Thanks for the review and recommendation!

#28 I hear you on that. I do like the Keira Knightley P&P but there are many points in the film where I am forever muttering about how Elizabeth Bennet would NEVER do that. However, I get caught up enough in the plot that I can let it go. Of course, watching the one with Colin Firth is another option. :D

#31 I really liked The King's Speech also. And totally agree that Colin Firth should get a chestful of awards.

#32: I hope to get to that one and some of Norris' other books this year. I have neglected them far too long.

I'm a bit late here, but I have to chime in with agreement about the contemporary YA fiction thing. I also like YA fantasy and science fiction, but find myself frequently disappointed with general YA when I try to read it (though of course, there are some exceptions). I've read both Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, and was underwhelmed by both of them, so I don't think I'll be picking up Paper Towns anytime soon.

#35: I will have to look for that one. It sounds like the author and I are much in agreement. Thanks for the recommendation!

#39 I spotted that one in the stacks at work last week and put it on my mental TBR list. How was it?

I'm definitely going to look for book #8. Maybe I can still grab it on NetGalley!

#41 I think I will definitely give it a try then. Thanks for your comments!

#45 Lol. So many silly songs that I enjoy:

"Everybody's got a water buffalo,
Yours is fast but mine is slow
Oh where do you get them I don't know
But everybody's got a water buffalo-ooooooooooooo!"

Oh wheeeeeeere is my hairbrush?

I gave it to the peach, 'cause he's got hair. :D

"Could that be Santa? Could that be him? Could it be the one who
brings presents for a cucumber like me, a good cucumber like me?"

"We are the pirates who don't to anything.
We just stay stay at home and lie around.
And if you ask us to do anything,
We'll just tell you...

We don't do anything!"

That's similar to my experience. I found Veggie Tales when I was 13 or so and my love for them endures to now. And I am definitely without progeny. :D

*mind boggles at potential Princess Bride references to make and then explodes* :D

You are reading some great books!

Love all the Veggie Tales talk! I am a fan, even at my advanced age :)

#59: That is good to know! :o)

#61: Another one I will have to look for. Thanks for the recommendation!

#61 Sounds like an interesting read (and an interesting project) but I think I'll pass.

Sorry this one wasn't everything you wanted. Hope your next read is better.

I'm making a concerted effort to compile a list of the 75 challenge group member birhtdays.

If you haven't listed yours, would you mind heading over to this thread to do so. Thanks.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105833

#67 I always find it hard to be objective and give succinct descriptions of books I really enjoy. I really liked The Hunger Games so maybe I'll give this one a try. I might wait until the sequel comes out though so I don't have to do all the waiting.

#67: I really wish my local library would get a copy of that one!

I'm really looking forward to Matched, but I suspect I'll have to wait until it's out in paperback, or be really lucky to chance upon it at the library!

#76: I love An Uncommon Reader too. I am glad you discovered the book! Now, I will have to look for the couple that Barbara Bush wrote. . .

Regarding Anne Lamott, some of her books are good, others fall flat for me. At times I feel side swiped by her opinions, ie I don't find it necessary to read her political views that she intersperces with her spirituality.

That's just my opinion, I know others like her because she intertwines her politics with her spirituality.

#78: Adding The Spiral Staircase to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation of that one!

A Mister Rogers Reading List (taken from "An Informal Bibliography" in I'm Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers by Tim Madigan)

Works by Mr. Roger's friend Henri Nouwen
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming
The Wounded Healer
Can You Drink the Cup?
Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader
Sabbatical Journey: The Diary of His Final Year
The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey
The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom

Works by Others:
Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations with Frederick Buechner
No Man is an Island Thomas Merton
Zen and the Birds of Appetite Thomas Merton
The Asian Journal of Thomas Merton
The Cloister Walk Kathleen Norris - READ
Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith Anne Lamott - READ
Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom
Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living John McQuiston II

#82: I am going to see if my local library has that book. It sounds very special.

#83: Thanks for that list!

82: I'm too old to have grown up with Mr. Rogers, and I doubt I'll read the book, but that's a really sweet review. Thanks.

#86: Caty recommended one of Wright's books last year. I am going to have to see if I can find any of them. Thanks for the reminder!

Nice review of the book about Fred Rogers. I gave your review a thumb. And, I really like the reading list. Thanks for posting it.

Nice review. You can tell it's good as you went from getting it to reviewing it in two days. Hope your next read is equally awesome.

You have been busy reading these last few days!

#108 Sounds like an interesting subject - a shame it was not as deep as you hoped it would be.

Somehow I managed to get 20+ posts behind. Hopefully I can keep up better with you the rest of the year!

#112: I hope your project is over soon and you can do some enjoyable reading for a change!

One of the surprising things I remember from that book is that the Hutterite services use the same sermons over and over, and there are only about 300 of them.

#115: I do not believe I have heard of that book before. I will have to see if the local library has a copy. Thanks for the recommendation!

I'm glad you discovered my library so that I can discover yours! I have to chuckle at the similarlity in our reading tastes. However, you are far, far and away a better reader of spiritual content. I'm tickled you read Surprised by Hope. That has been a formative book for me. That and The Great Divorce.

Good to meet you.

#118 She does seem to be struggling with her spirituality and with religion, something many, including myself, have done and are doing. It is nice to know we are not alone in this search, great review.

I read some Anne Rice back when the movie version of Interview with the Vampire came out, maybe I read the first 3, but can't remember. The content was not too objectionable, but that is subjective. I would not recommend it to readers who don't like dark or blood. It is more dark, than violent. It does involve a child, which is difficult for some. I would say they are not risque in the way the Anita Blake books are, more darkness and evil, but that is my impression.

#123 Spoiler Ahead: Anne Rice's vampires are not into sex...but a child is turned into a vampire by one of the vampires in the 1st book which involves bringing the child close to death, no abuse in the traditional sense, but stealing a girl's humanity. Although they are not into sex, somehow the books are very sensual. Rice has a way of writing about the wanting a vamp has for human blood making it similar to the desire for sex. I don't recall sex scenes, but it is very sensual, lots of desire and guilt. The desire creates a moral dilemma.

Yes, I would read some plot summaries. She is an amazing writer and it is very much worth reading at least the first novel. The Interview with the Vampire is especially good.

Regarding the spiritual crisis thing, mine did not happen until I was in my 40's and I never saw it coming. My family and friends thought I was the very last person they thought it would happen to. I think I might need to read Rice's book!

#118: Thanks for the wonderful review of Called Out of Darkness. I will see if I can locate a copy.

That one sounds like an interesting read. Onto the TBR list it goes.

>130 YoungGeekyLibrarian: I have that one sitting on my shelves and I will read it eventually. I really loved one of his other books The Library at Night, which is a really enjoyable read.

Sorry your latest read wasn't what you hoped for. Wishing you a better book in the near future. :)

#137: I think I will be giving that one a miss even though it sounds like a book in which I would normally be interested. The overall rating of 2.81 stars does not encourage me though.

I hope your next read is a better one for you!

I'd be very interested in the section on female pastors in history. I think the only ones I've ever learned about were Pentecostals. LOL. I'm always a bit wary of books dealing with feminism from a biblical perspective, because Feminist theology tends to get... uh... how can I put this nicely... well, it often turns into over-the-top, non-scriptural proof-texting. And some of it is simply crazy. But, this book sounds more like it deals with history and basic issues, rather than trying to read into the text something that's (in my opinion) blatantly false. I'll keep an eye open for this one.

#145 I found the Eyre Affair slow to get into, but the second in the series didn't have that problem for me - I hope you find the same when you get to it.

Deleting my thread because I can't seem to find the time to stay on here much - if I have the time to wander around here, I have time to read and I'd rather be reading...