Mark's Reading Place: Booked Solid Part 3

Wow, this year is really taking off! Books everywhere and friends to share them with! Can you ask for anything better?

Last year was a fantastic reading year. These are just a few highlights:

**My favorite books of 10**
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
Blindness by Jose Saramago
Columbine by Dave Cullen
Walking to Gatlinburg by Howard Frank Mosher
Small Island by Andrea Levy
WAR by Sebastian Junger
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

Books I've read so far: * OTS is Off The Shelf

January

1) Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson 4.3 star (OTS)
2) Grandville by Brian Talbot 3.8 rating (graphic)
3) The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan 5 star (audio)
4) The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney 3.8 (OTS)
5) A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger 4 star (audio)
6) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand 5 Star
7) Chew (Omnivore Edition)- John Layman (graphic) 4 star
8) Angelology by Danielle Trussoni 3.7 stars (audio)
9) Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell 4.7 stars (Group Read) (OTS)
10) Howards End Is on the Landing by Susan Hill 4 stars
11) Sense And Sensibility by Jane Austen (audio) 3 stars
12) The Tiger by John Vaillant 4.8 stars

Hi again, Mark. I think I had the last word on Thread #2 and will have the first word here. Am I a stalker now? In response to your question about how I liked the ending of Ch. 1 in Cloud Atlas. I've suffered through abrupt endings before but not to this extent. I was very tempted to thumb through to the ending chapters to see if the diary picks up where this one

ends! I resisted temptation and will read it like Mitchell intended.

Hi Mark. Yeah, I saw when you rated Pride of Baghdad. I'm glad you liked it. :)

Donna- You can stalk me anytime! My copy ended mid-sentence at the end of the page. I thought a page was missing. I stopped at the library on my way home and checked their copy. Too funny! Where is this book going? I have no idea but I'm loving the ride.

Stephen- Thanks again! I started a graphic series called Chew. Wow, this one is a trip! Check your library.

Mark: Wow, I'm surprised. My library actually has that one! Neat, I've added it to the wishlist. :)

Hi Mark. I'm also looking forward to your review of Unbroken. No pressure!

Starred!

Stephen- That's great! It's a bit gruesome, but I like it!

While, I was at the library I picked up the audio of The Graveyard Book. I've heard this was amazing on audio. Please do not tell Richard. He gets very agitated. I also picked up the audio of Sense and Sensibility. Maybe I can join the Austenathon after all.
I did not intend to pick up any regular books, but (There's always a but, right?) A book came in that I requested months ago. It's called Howard's End is on the Landing. It's a new book about books. This is from the back cover:

"Early one autumn afternoon in pursuit of an elusive book on her shelves, Susan Hill encountered dozens of books that she had never read, or forgotten she owned, or wanted to read for a second time. The discovery inspired her to embark on a year-long voyage through her books, in order to get to know her own collection again."

C'mon, that sounds good, right?

How about how the 1st part ended?

That will actually make perfect sense later on. Just keep that page marked.

"Early one autumn afternoon in pursuit of an elusive book on her shelves, Susan Hill encountered dozens of books that she had never read, or forgotten she owned, or wanted to read for a second time.

Actually that sounds like my life ;-)

#8 That sounds great, Mark. Now I'm off to see if my library has it.

Oh, I've been eyeing off Howards End is on the Landing for the longest time! But it's still out in hardback only in Au. A beautiful edition, but $35! Owie.

I had to pop in and say I'm halfway through Revolution and enjoying it immensely. Thanks for the recommendation!

Hi, Mark! Howards End is on the Landing sounds excellent! Going to wishlist it and maybe reserve it from the library. Also wishlisting Chew.

Hope you enjoy the audio of The Graveyard Book as much as I did. Is Neil himself reading it?

P.S. Why would Richard get agitated?

Bonnie- I will bookmark that page! Thanks!

Pat- I hope they have it! It took my library quite awhile to get it.

Wookie- I'm going to try squeezing in Howards End is on the Landing, while I'm doing the Group Read! I'm so glad you are enjoying Revolution. Everyone seems to be enjoying this book. Makes me proud!

Mary- Chew is funny, disturbing and quite original. Yes, it looks like Gaiman narrates The Graveyard Book . Richard detests this book and the author.

Mark, my library does have Howards End in on the Landing but it'll be a short wait because it's already checked out.

I'm hoping to get to Howard's End Is on the Landing sometime soon.

Some great games today but I was so nervous watching the Packers than I read half of a football book, about the Packers and my undergrad college (where the Packers train). I would love to see a Packers/Bears NFC championship game.

#15: I would love to see a Packers/Bears NFC championship game.

Me too - I would be rooting for the Packers though. Don't tell Mark.

#16 Shhhhh, not a word.

Truth be told, we are going to see Capitol Steps next Sunday. The show starts at 3 and, no doubt, we'd be at the venue while the game was on.

#17: I am not sure what time the game is scheduled for next Sunday, but I suspect you are right.

There's probably an intermission and sometimes, those group watches of a game are fun (though we'd be in the minority in rooting for the Packers).

Go Bears (at least on Jan 16th).

Well, I hope you have a good time regardless.

Go Bears (at least on Jan 16th) lol

Mark, saw Chew at the library last week put it on my GN list.

Whew! still nice and quiet here.. thank goodness!
I plan on stealing your idea for the thread picture you know.
I just have to stop being lazy and do it.

I am guessing that these are your own shelves that appear
on your threads? Maybe later I will take a few pics for my next thread:)
great idea!

6) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand 5 Stars

Louie Zamperini began life as a fleet-footed juvenile delinquent. After a healthy nudge from his older brother, he finds himself in high school track and is quickly smashing state records and suddenly qualifies for the 1936 Olympics. He performs honorably, with his sights firmly on the ‘40 Olympics and then World War II intrudes and Louie finds himself in the Air Corps. He becomes a bombardier and in ’43 his B-24 plane crashes into the Pacific, stranding him and two others, on a skimpy life-raft, for over forty days. Finally, rescue comes but from the Japanese Navy. Off to a hellish POW camp.
This amazing story finds Louie battling sharks, sadistic inhuman prison guards, starvation and later, alcoholism. Somehow this man continues to survive.
Hillenbrand came on the scene in 2002 ,with a little book called “Seabiscuit”, not only introducing us to a wonderful racehorse but giving the non-fiction world a real boost. She does it again here, with her irresistible narrative style and sharp eye for detail. Another winner all the way!

#23: I already have that one in the BlackHole. I am looking forward to reading it. Glad to see you found another winner, Mark!

Hi, Mark!
Both Unbroken and Howard's End is on the Landing landed on my wishlist. I have company for the weekend, so I haven't started Cloud Atlas yet. All the comments about it have certainly whetted my appetite!
--BJ

That one sounds great. I enjoyed Seabiscuit.

Linda & Stasia- Go Packers! Go Bears! Game starts here at noon. Yah! Yes, a Packers/Bears NFC championship game would be incredible!

Cindy- I'm glad your library has Chew, but beware this one is super gruesome.

Kath- Yes, that is another picture of one my tbr shelves, part of the "M's". I was re-organizing my shelves this morning. Wow, it blows me away, the amount of great titles I can look forward to. If I ever ended up homebound, I would be set for a long, long long time!

Stasia- You will love it!

BJ- Looking forward to your thoughts on Cloud Atlas. I hope to get in at least an hour of it, before game time.

Tad- Good to see you! Unbroken is amazing!

Hi Mark, glad to see your review of Unbroken. Always good to get a 5 star recommendation from you for a book I already own. :)

I finished The Invention of Hugo Cabret last night and loved it. Thanks for recommending that as well.

I'm off to thumb your review. Have fun watching the game.

Now that's a great (and enticing) review. I'm hoping to get to it next month Mark. Thumb. Oh yes....I also loved Seabiscuit.

Just to be clear:
Go Bears!! * ** ***

* Go Bears, today, Jan 16
** Not on Jan 23
*** Go Bears on Feb 6, should they get so far

Mark, do you get off for the MLK holiday? If so, enjoy your day off tomorrow, too.

That sounds like a winner Mark. Just clicked it onto the wishlist!

#28 Hugo Cabret was warmly recommended to me by Kerry too (aviatakh) so I'm glad to see another person who also loved it. I'll be getting that one soon I think.

Hi Mark, giving you a solid thumb for your review of Unbroken. I started this one last night. I didn't like the beginning about Z as a youth, but I'm glad he discovered (with the help of his brother) a purpose in life. I think running was the perfect choice for him. After training for hours he was simply too tired to raise a ruckus! I'm certain he will turn out to be a great person when he is tested by war -- I would hate for my "wild" youth to be held against me so I'll give Louie a break and let him grow up.

Pat- Hugo Cabret was amazing, right? I need to find a copy of that for my collection. I heard Martin Scorcese is doing a movie version of it. Could be interesting.

Bonnie- Thanks! That means a lot coming from one of my LT idols! Can't wait to see what you think!

Linda- Thanks for being so precise on the Bears wins! LOL. Yes, I'm off tomorrow. It's supposed to be very cold here at the end of the week, so I need my rest.

Ilana- Please find a copy of Hugo Cabret! It's one of my top graphics!

Donna- I'm surprised the beginning started slow for you. The narrative of Unbroken grabbed me like a bull terrier and never let up. I think this is so great that you are reading it now! The Bonnie Prince is very pleased.

Hi. Just de-lurking to say I think you and all the others who mentioned it will really like Howard's End is on the Landing and will probably find yourselves adding yet more books to your TBR piles! Personally, I found Hill a bit "up herself" as we say here, as she recounted all the authors she knew personally, but other readers really liked that element of the book. I'll be interested in seeing your reactions.

Just finding your current thread -- I got behind.

Hi, Mark! *waves*

This is an interesting nugget from Howard's End is on the Landing:

"The internet can also have a pernicious influence on reading because it is full of book-related gossip and chatter on which it is fatally easy to waste time that should be spent actually paying careful attention to the books themselves, whether writing them or reading them."

"book-related gossip and chatter"? Surely, that can't be us?

Alert: Bears 21 Seahawks Zip Halftime

Go Bears!

See, that's not book-related gossip and chatter. So that can't be referring to the likes of us.

Unbroken sounds like a good one. I'll be interested to hear what you think of HEIOTL.

Marky-Mark, you must be having a good Sunday with the Bears leading and looking very like a win is a probability and not a possibility. My boys start playing at 4.30pm

Bears are dominating, 28-3 in the 3rd quarter! Though the Seahawks just got an interception while I was typing this. :o

#36 Book-related gossip and chatter? Where did she get that idea?

I've been burning the candle at both ends lately, feeling really run down. During the second quarter, I talked to my sister for quite awhile and then to my little nephew (age 7). I think I fell asleep right before halftime. Woke up with 5 minutes left to go in the game.

A Packers-Bears NFC championship game will be one for the ages. And I'll be in Skokie at the Capitol Steps show, which starts at 3 pm.

Woo-hoo! NFC Championship game against the Packers at Soldier Field! Fantastic!

>36 msf59:,Regarding, Howards End is on the Landing, I thought the same thing when I read that part, Mark. Unfortunately, as Susan Hill recounts her year of reading off the shelf, I find my self helplessly writing down titles and authors that I'd like to try. Her chapter on ereaders confirms for me that I won't be finding her books in that format anytime soon. (But I do agree with her.)

A Packers-Bears NFC championship Game!! Yah!! Da Bears! Can't wait for next Sunday!

Linda- Hope you can get some more rest in, sounds like you could use it. What's the Capitol Steps Show?

Joe- It was a sweet win! They look primed and ready!

Joanne- I'm not familiar with Hill. Have you read her other books? Any good?

Caro & Stephen- Big waves!

Hi Buddy

Thanks for your kind post on my thread. I'm stopping by to thank you for the recommendation of Revolution. I finished it and enjoyed it tremendoulsy.

I really, really, really want to read Howard's End is on the Landing. Will be looking forward to your thoughts on it! :) Hope you are having a great Sunday!

Mark, I'm yet to read any of Susan Hill's other books, but I do have The Various Haunts of Men on Mt TBR, which got some very good comments over in the Crime & Thriller group. (I think that's the same Susan Hill, there seem to be several authors with that name! And I don't trust the author split on LT all the time, I've come across a few attributions elsewhere that were wrong.)

And I stayed up late finishing Revolution. I believe it's all your fault. :) But I couldn't put it down! Read the whole second half last night in one fell reading swoop.

Mark, nice job on Unbroken. This is the second thumbs up I've given in one week for the same book. Seems like I need to pick this book up next!

Naturally, a big Thumb for Unbroken...and, lest you think i read entirely "out of the box", i did order a copy of this from Amazon...with the last of my Gift Cards.

;-}

Mark, Unbroken} will have to be put on my list. Chew thanks for the warning, will have to give it a looksey. I'm not too squeamish.

Joanne- I'm not familiar with Hill. Have you read her other books? Any good?

Well, Mark, since you asked... :)

Her Simon Serrailler mystery series is a favorite of mine. It starts with The Various Haunts of Men. Also The Woman in Black and The Man in the Picture are nice creepy gothic ghost stories. She's an author who is not afraid to shake things up.

Another nice review, Mark! I really need to pick up Unbroken. It's upstairs pouting because something else always comes first...

Re: Chew discussion- Grant has read that- a little too gruesome for me ROFL.

Linda- Good to see you up and about! Glad you enjoyed Revolution.

Angela- I'm only a few pages into Howard's End is on the Landing but I'm enjoying it.

Wookie- Yes, it looks like that is the same Susan Hill. I'll have to keep her in mind. And another Revolution convert! Yah!

Regina- Thanks for the thumb! It's a great book!

Mark, I just got a note in my Facebook page from my cousin: "what was that book you recommended?"

I think we've got another convert for Revolution. :)

Cindy- You will love Unbroken! Were you a fan of Seabiscuit? I read a nice chunk of Chew today. It's violent but fresh and entertaining.

Joanne- I remember you reviewing the Simon Serrailler mysteries, it just never clicked. Now I know. And please don't let your poor copy of Unbroken pout upstairs, bring her down and show her some attention.

Tam- Chew is not for everybody! That's for sure! So is Grant a big graphic fan? What are some of his favorites?

Good night all! See you in the A.M.!

Sleep tight, Mark!

I am hoping I get the Bears-Packers game. That one is going to be a dandy! I may forgo sleeping to watch it.

Mark, I haven't read Hill's Simon Serrailler mystery series yet, (I have the first installment waiting ont he shelf) but I've read several of her stand-alone books, both ghost stories: The Woman in Black and The Man in the Picture. They were both rather short -- more like novellas -- but I enjoyed them both.

So guess what? I finally decided to jump in and try out audiobooks on my iPhone! More about that on my thread because I'm too zonked to type it here all over again and didn't think to copy/paste.

Hugo Cabret will be promptly ordered with the next batch of books. Right now I'm waiting for a shipment to come in with lots of other YA goodies!

I've been wanting recently to find out what people I know thought about Hugo Cabret. As popular as it was I somehow can't seem to find anyone (in person) who's read it! (Scorsese is making a film of it, which is why I'm suddenly curious.)

Love the title Howard's End Is on the Landing. Sounds great - even though it also sounds like one of those books that will end up adding not only itself but dozens of others to my wishlist and tbr piles.

#59: Shauna, I will join Mark in praise of Hugo Cabret. I loved it!

Howard's End Is on the Landing does sounds good.. it makes me smile..
but I won't be adding it.. I am standing strong.

Morning everyone! Enjoying the MLK holiday! Yah!

Pat- I slept great but I get up way to early, especially on my days off. What's up with that?

Stasia- We are planning to have a few people over for the game. It's going to be pretty exciting! I'm sure this will be televised everywhere!

Terri- Thanks for the Susan Hill info! I might have to check out her other work.

Ilana- I hope the audiobooks work for you! I'm flat out addicted. I'm starting to wish my route was longer, so I could keep listening. I know, that's pretty disturbed.
Are you ordering Hugo Cabret to own or borrow?

Shauna- I read Hugo Cabret way back last April and it quickly became one of my favs. I can't believe anyone not liking this one. Thanks for the visit.

Kath- Howard's End Is on the Landing is no fluff piece. She's got a nice edge to her. I love the praise she heaps on the Harry Potter books, mentioning, that at one point, everyone in her home, including her older husband, were in separate rooms, reading a different HP book. How often does that happen?

Speaking of audios. I added these to my iPod yesterday:
Sense and Sensibilty
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius Do not tell RD. A hissy fit with ensue.

noooooooooooo do not taunt~

I finally posted a "Fantasy February" Thread! Please join us. It should be a lot of fun. Right Here

Kath- Cute cow! Enjoying that day off? Snowing here, with rain moving in later. Good day to be in.

Hi Mark! Good review of Unbroken. If at all interested, you should read "A Sudden Illness", it was eye-opening to say the least.

Seems like I am the only person in the world not to like Revolution! Ah well...

>63 msf59: Mark, I know just what you mean! I no longer have my long commute to school, for which I am grateful on some accounts, but I no longer have long stretches of time to listen to audio books. I really miss them! I need to figure out a way to work them into my schedule somehow -- maybe while doing chores/laundry/dishes?

Hope you enjoy the audio of Sense and Sensibility. I listened to that one last fall, and ended up switching narrators mid-way through.

Lisa- Thanks for sharing the article by Hillenbrand. That's a brutal illness.

Anne- I hope I have the right audio. My S & S is being read by Wanda McCaddon. Not familiar with her.

I read a nice chunk of Cloud Atlas and will be moving over to Howards End.

Ooh you're listening to Sense & Sensibility? what a treat you're in for, Marky-Mark. Are you on a Austen roll? I remember you read P&P last year.

By the way, thanks again for Major Pettigrew. I started it last night and I love it! I was late for work by 10 mins today because I just had to read a bit more this morning and forgot I had a 9.30am conference call. oops...

Mark, Looks like it will be awhile before I cam get Unbroken from the library. Looks like everyone wants to read it.
Chew will have to wait. I've got 4 GN from the library right now. I read them as a between book. Right now I am reading The New York Four by Brian Wood. Blurb from back of book.
"Experience Manhattan through the eyes of Riley, a shy almost reclusive straight-A student who convinces
three other college freshman to join a research group to earn extra money."

Caro- I will be listening to S & S soon. I just downloaded a new book from my library called The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival, which is supposed to be terrific. That might bump Austen. But first I have to finish Angelology and I have a long way to go.
Glad you are enjoying Major Pettigrew.

Cindy- I like Brian Wood. I loved his book Local and the DMZ series is also very good. Let me know how this one is.

Another nugget from Howards End is on the Landing:

"There is no reason why most of the books I own but have never actually read should be more or less in one place. Maybe they quietly gravitated into the sitting room one by one, to sob and huddle together for warmth."

Mark, I'm liking these quotes from Howard's End is on the Landing. I own copies of both Angelology and The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival (which I haven't read) so I'll be interested in what you think of them.

Bump Austen?! Bump Austen?!!!! What a cad! No respect for the great JA, that's what this is.

*stomping off in a huff*

>71 msf59: I have that same quote on the first post of my Book Off the Shelf Challenge thread, Mark. I love it. The poor, neglected dears...

#71> Love, love, love the quote!
--BJ

Excellent quote indeed! I completely understand what you mean about wishing your route was longer Mark. Suddenly today, I was really happy about the commute to my art class which afforded me a good 20 minutes of Oliver Twist read by Peter Wickham (doesn't ring a bell, have you heard of him?). That was three whole chapters! Ok, maybe two.

I'm thinking there are probably many many many... COUNTLESS out of work actors (as the vast majority of them are) who manage to make a less meagre subsistence thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of audiobooks.

>68 msf59: The one I preferred was read by Nadia May, who, upon searching for her on Google, proves to be the same person as your Wanda McCaddon, who is also the same narrator as Donata Peters who read my favorite Austen to date:Emma. Not sure why the pseudonyms, but I think you're in for a treat!

I'm tempted to snag that quote for my Books off the Shelf thread, too -- love it! Except that my unread books are all over the place . . .

>78 tymfos: I prefer to think of them huddled together for warmth, regardless of where they really are!

Thx for the invite to the fantasy thing -- we'll see what I can do :)

Mine are everywhere too.. and now they are also clinging to the insides of my nook. :-/

Hi Mark. I'm enjoying the quotes from Howards End is on the Landing and the discussions about audiobooks.

I have decided to try out some audiobooks from the library and have started listening to Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer on my way to work. I'm not sure I would be able to concentrate on anything heavy on my commute but this one has me chuckling away at the bad jokes.

Pat- That's great you have copies of those! I'm still less than half-way through Angelology. It's very entertaining.

Caro- Sorry about the dis on Jane! Please don't take it personal!

Joanne- I'm enjoying Hill. I'm not familiar with many of these authors but I love the way she describes them.

Ilana- I hope this is the beginning of a long fruitful relationship with audios! Once you get over that hump, you will never look back!

Anne- Yah! I'm so glad it's the "Right" narrator and I'm not stuck with the "dud".

Terri & Kath- My tbr shelves are in one location, (so I can keep a close eye on them), but I do have some over-flow on some closet shelves.

Susan- You are welcome! Love to have you over there. You know your stuff!

Heather-I'm glad you made it over to the "Fantasy February" thread too! I knew you would love it. Half Moon Investigations sounds fun.

I'm not looking forward to work. The day after a holiday, can be rough. The price you pay. Hopefully, it's not to icy. Adios guys!

I bet it is rough Mark.. first just having to go back , and then the extra mail..
I think my mailman is thanking god that I am not ordering books right now. I am sure he appreciates the break :)

The UPS guy probably thinks I moved or died or something.
Well.. this is Vine week.. and I will give one or the other of them something to deliver.. I figure it is basically okay, since I am not technically "buying".

Anyway.. stay safe.

( looks to me as if I liked Angelology more than you are liking it?)

Hi Mark! I shouldn't have started Revolution while I'm trying to read Cloud Atlas. They are both good books... but Revolution is stealing me away from everything... just, everything. I will finish it today! 100 pages to go, don't know what the ending is... but regardless, this book is getting a 5 star rating from me! I don't give those away lightly.
Have a safe walk today - though I've always wanted to be one, this is one of those days I'm glad I'm not a postal carrier. Spring is coming! :)

One of the fun parts of LT is seeing good books like Revolution and Major Pettigrew get picked up and enjoyed by more people.

Be careful out there with the icy roads and sidewalks, Mark!

Mark, I heard the forecast for Friday. I think they should cancel Friday and let everyone stay home.

Going outside in such frigid weather ought not to be allowed.

Kath- Today went okay! The front-end, (my business stops) was heavy but it lightened up as the day went on. Icy though and the temps dropped into the 20s.

Claudia- I'm so glad you loved Revolution and are enjoying Cloud Atlas. I'm over 200 pages.

Joe- Yes those two are getting well-deserved attention. And now Unbroken is really starting to heat up. I love that!

Linda- I wish you were making the decisions. Some cold weather coming up. Single digits Friday! Yuck!

Mark, Finished The New York Four. Nice story, ended like it should have maybe been a series. Read a review said that the publisher went under. What I really liked about the book was how the author described different neighborhoods (like GN footnootes)(I'm not sure how else to describe it) of New York when they pertained to the story line. This is like a YA GN.

I actually heard about Howard's End is on the Landing last year on someone's thread. It was out in the UK quite a while ago. Enjoying the quotes too Mark.

I'm getting a new project started to get together great recommendations for books by themes. I've called it Books By Themes (BBT) and I'd love to have your suggestions! Here's the link.

Cindy- Thanks for the report! I will keep this GN in mind. Try to find Local. It's amazing. Still plugging away with Chew. It's a double volume, so it's long.

Bonnie- You will love Howard's End is on the Landing. She's in her late 60s and is English, so a lot of the books and authors she mentions I'm not familiar with, but I'm enjoying her writing.

Ilana- Thanks! I will drop by after work.

Today starts a cold stretch. Low 20s and then goes down from there. Boo.
I'm still enjoying the audio of Angelology, should be done with it on Friday. Cloud Atlas is a trip!!

I was going to wish you a happy day.. now I am weeping with the fruitlessness of trying to read only the books on my shelf.

Must be strong. Howard is on the wishlist for future consideration :)

Kath- I never intend for you to cry, unless it's for tears of joy! "Must Be Strong"! Another one of our mantras!

Very icy today! Sidewalks, driveways & stairs bad. Fortunately the sun came out in the afternoon and melted some of that nasty stuff.

Last night, the company parking lot was bad. Another woman and I locked our arms together so we wouldn't fall. Today, not as bad.

There's been a lot of interesting reading about the Bears/Packers. I never knew the Pack gave the Bears a loan during the Depression so the Bears could meet payroll. Never knew that Halas campaigned in GB to get the voters to pay for Lambeau Field.

Whew! It's been a whirlwind of activity for me this week so far! The BBT idea seems to be taking off! I look forward to seeing what people do with it. I just thought I'd drop by before retiring to my quarters with a couple of good books before calling it a night.

Linda- Thanks for the Bears/Packers tid-bits! Yes, the city is heating up! Yah! Not looking forward to tomorrow. They are saying 9 degrees.

Ilana- Thanks for stopping by! It's been quiet over here!

Where are the books? Good question. Actually I got 4 going and will be wrapping up most of them in the next couple days. I'll be finishing up Angelology tomorrow. It's been a fun ride. The Group Read is going very well too!

Mark, I am 163 pages into Revolution. Does that tell you what I think of it? Would not have ever thought of reading this if you and the other weren't praising it.

Fantasy February sounds like it'll be fun. How's about Mystery March?

Thought I'd stop by for a quick 'hi' again. I'm participating in Deborah's read-a-thon today. Those things sure are addictive. The truth? I spend most of my time reading anyway, so may as well make it official!

Cindy- I'm hoping you will join the ranks of the "Revolutionaries"! LOL. At that pace you will be done with it quickly.

Linda- Good idea! Actually, I've been thinking about that. March is going to be catch-up month for me, it's already packed solid but how about May: Murder & Mayhem? You know I love that genre!

Ilana- I hope the read-a-thon goes well! How are those audiobooks working out?

Send me many warm thoughts today! I'll be watching for them. Single digits. Coldest day of the winter for us. Brrrrrrrrr!!

Sending warm thoughts.. they are coming out as ice cubes though.. as I am still freezing from digging out the car..
:(

I'd be up for a little Murder and Mayhem in March or May.

I'm up for Fantasy February ... drats, I don't have any Fantasy books with me though right now. Should have remembered that you had mentioned this, and brought some with me on my trip. Hmm... none on my Kindle either. Boohooo... I may have to do Light Fantasy February with you only after I get back home in mid Feb.

But I'm all for Mystery 'March' and Murder & 'May'hem ... I should make a note to be more well organized the next time I pack books for my trips.

Stay as warm as you can, Mark! Everybody's hustling today to get from point A to point B as fast as possible, and to get inside to recover from this frigid cold. I look at the poor traffic cops, hoping they get reasonable breaks to warm up. I hope you do, too!

I survived the frozen tundra! I encased myself with my Gore-tex rain-suit. It's lightweight, warm and keeps the wind off me. It was zero on the way to work and 10 on the way home.

Kath- Thanks for the warm thoughts! Every one counts! Did you have to work?

Joanne- It'll be "May Murder & Mayhem". My March will be catch-up month, since February is all fantasy related reads.

Caro- Where you calling in from? Can you download books straight to your Kindle, no matter where you are?

Joe- Thanks! I made it! Tomorrow might be closer to 20, which will feel a bit better. Boy, I'm looking forward to that game on Sunday! Go Bears!!

I think the Murder & Mayhem in May sounds good. Like you I am going to try to read fantasy in February. I have three lined up Gormenghast and Game of Thrones, and Cat's Eye on the list for February. I wonder if Walking to Gatlinburg would count as fantasy? Or is it just surrealist?

Glad to hear you stayed warm today, Mark. I just have the walk from the parking lot to the office and I didn't think it was as bad as I'd expected. Cold, certainly, but the wind chill wasn't horrible.

The nice bright sun helped and I'm sure it'll be worse when I leave soon.

Mysteries in May sounds good to me.

We tried to exchange our Capitol Steps tickets (show starts at 3 pm on Sunday) but couldn't do so. I'll have to listen to the beginning and the end of the game in the car. (Go Pack!!!)

Capitol Steps performs songs that were rewritten in a humorous way to poke fun at politicians and others. Always clever and always hilarious (even when they're poking fun at Dems--our entire group is Dem-leaning but we can laugh anyway).

Glad you were able to stay warm Mark. It's pretty cold in these parts too, but nothing unusual.

The read-a-thon went ok but I've learned once and for all that I can't push it. My regular bed-time is already a very late one, and if I try to push beyond that, I'm just ruined for at least a day or two after that (which is the case today, hopefully I'll be better tomorrow). The fun part is getting so much reading done, though I'm chagrinned about the fact that 2 mins/page is the best time I seem to be able to get, if that. Makes me feel so dumb! Probably doesn't help that I keep going over parts I've just read all the time.

Benita- I'm glad you'll be joining us on "Fantasy February" and you'll be reading A Game of Thrones, one of my favorite books of the past decade I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
I wouldn't count Walking to Gatlinburg as fantasy, although it does have some surreal touches.

Linda- When you first mentioned the "Capitol Steps", I had no idea what you were talking about, but now I remember these guys. I think I heard a tape of them, at some point. Pretty funny! That stinks that you'll miss most of the game. Are you DVRing it?

Ilana- Glad the read-a-thon went well. I plan on starting the audio of Sense and Sensibility soon.

I finished the audio of Angelology. It was a good read. I just started a non-fiction audio called The Tiger, about the hunt for a man-killing Siberian tiger and it's been terrific. I can't wait to get back to it.
I'm also loving Cloud Atlas, which Claudia refers to as another one of my "oddball" choices. Hey, I'm proud of that!

Catching up on you Mark :)

May Murder & Mayhem sounds good! I am in :)

I will go check out the Feb. Fantasy thread and see what's going on over there :)

#107 : I'm in currently in Singapore, Marky-Mark and yes, I can download books here since I've got the latest Kindle, but I'm going to try and only download free books on the Kindle since I can't really do much with them (unless I find some lendable ones) after I download them. I've been looking to see if there are any good free Fantasy books I may like reading, but so far, nada. Will keep looking though .. after all, one never knows, does one? ;-)

I've not read anything from Ann McCaffrey in a long long time, so I'd like to see if I can pick something up of hers in Feb.

Hope you're keeping warm today.

Hi, Mark!
I am definitely in both for February and May. Stay warm!
--BJ

Hi Mark-

Grant loves Dark Night Returns,Walking Dead, Dawn (He also has an extensive collection of Dawn shirts that I steal!), and Watchmen.

Hi Mark, just wanted you to know I'm about halfway through Every Man Dies Alone and completely immersed and loving it. So good.

Kara & BJ- "May Murder & Mayhem" is already taking off and we got a few months to go! I love it! Plenty of time to prepare!

Caro- You could buy them for your Kindle, couldn't you? Of course, free is better. I'm not familiar with Ann McCaffrey. Any good?

Tam- Are these all graphics?

Bonnie- I sense another 5 star book coming! That one blew me away. I REALLY need to look for more of Fallada's work.

Hi Mark, I was reading through your thread and the book The Tiger caught my eye. Sounds really good and I am adding to the ever growing wishlist.

The "May Murder and Mayhem" sounds right up my alley as well!

Judy- Good to see you! You know I'm a huge crime fiction fan, as well, so I'll be right at home and since I have a multitude of crime on the shelves, it'll be perfect.
Yes, I will be singing the praises of The Tiger. His descriptions of the Siberian outback are wonderful.

I'm off to breakfast and then off to work. Oh joy! Have a good day, everyone!
Go Bears!!

Caro.. I didn't know that you were looking for fantasy, but I posted a link on your thread for a fantasy book that I loved :) It isn't free though :(

I am looking forward to Fantasy Feb. stay warm Mark!
warm vibes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

goretex is a wonderful thing

Kath- Hey, the warm vibes worked! Not bad today, although the coating of fresh snow hid the sinister ice. I nearly slipped once or twice but did not go down, you know like "Rocky".

Susan- Yes, Goretex is wonderful. My work boots are Goretex too!

I'm having problems with the audio download of The Tiger, so I was only able to listen to a few minutes of it today, which sucked. I deleted it out of my iPod and will re-load it, with some adjustments. I hope it works this time. It such a good listen. My wife is stopping by the library and picking up the book.

8) Angelology by Danielle Trussoni 3.7 stars

Our young beautiful heroine, is Sister Evangeline. She is a nun, at a convent in upstate New York and one day discovers some correspondence, revealing a few shocking dark secrets, involving her family, a group that calls themselves Angelologists and of course the Angels themselves.
No, these are not our usual chubby-cheeked, harp playing cuties but these are of a more majestic variety. Big, blue-eyed, vermillion-winged beauties, with evil tendencies and bad attitudes. They are called the Nephilim, the off-spring of human and angel pairings.
They have incorporated into society, keeping their identities hidden, patiently waiting for their moment to rise. The Angelologists are there to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Evangeline suddenly finds herself caught between these warring factions and the excitement and tension ensue.
The book is structured like The Historian, with a healthy nod to Dan Brown
and like those novels, the characterizations suffer under the immense detail. It is still an enjoyable read and I admired the world that Trussoni created.

I couldn't help but wonder how they manage to keep their identities hidden, what with the vermillion wings and all...

What do you know .... I took a closer look at the 34 books I had downloaded onto Kindle before I left for my trip and Avempartha, book 2 of the Riyria Revelations by Michael Sullivan is on it. Whoopee... so that means I can get started with it for Fantasy February while I'm traveling.

Yep, they are graphic novels to my knowledge. Great review of Angelology!

Hmm, not sure about anything that's a mixture involving Dan Brown!!

But I adored Howard's End is on the Landing; ever since I read it last year I've been challenging myself to cut my own library down to only 40 volumes that I could live with happily -- and with no other books -- for the rest of my life! I admit the list changes almost weekly, usually after I trip over something and wonder how I could have overlooked it. And I usually want to stick the Kindle in as "a book". Well, it is around the right size... :-)

40? No. Not possible. I am with you on kindle counting as one, as you say the size is right :)

I would like to cut my library down to what will fit in the living room ..
and my tiny bedroom shelves. I am serious about that..and who knws, maybe someday :)

Glad you managed to stay on your feet yesterday Mark!
I am anxiously awaiting the sequel to Angelology .. I liked it more than you did :)

Ilana- They like strap 'em down, with this harness thingy! I thought you knew!

Caro- You'll be joining us! Yah! I'm not familiar with the Riyria Revelations. So you read the first one? They got very good reviews.

Suzanne- Thanks for stopping by! Good point about Dan Brown! Hopefully, I can finish Howard's End is on the Landing today or tomorrow. Have not added books to the list but could have.

Tam- Thanks! I liked your review better!

Kath- I didn't realize she was working on a sequel to Angelology. It looks like a book, people loved or hated. I'm somewhere in the middle.

Go Bears!!

I know I mentioned this last spring but BOTNS is having a "Book Retreat Weekend", this April in Manchester Vermont. I think there is only a couple of us from LT attending, which is to bad. They finally listed the authors who will be there.

* Chris Bohjalian, Secrets of Eden
* Jon Clinch, Kings of the Earth
* Wendy Clinch, Fade to White
* Matthew Dicks, Unexpectedly, Milo
* Susan Gregg Gilmore, The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove
* Steve Himmer, The Bee-Loud Glade
* Ellen Meeropol, House Arrest
* Elizabeth Stuckey-French, The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady
* John M. Thompson, The Reservoir

I've only read Bohjalian, Skeletons at the Feast but I've had Clinch's 9675080::Kings of the Earth on my WL, since it came out early last year. Now I plan on reading it before I attend.
A couple of these are newer authors but is anyone else familiar with any of these other authors?

ETA: Go Bears!!

rofl re: Bear Bum in my thread :)

Go Pack Go!!

Should be fun today, Mark.

I'll be thinking of you today, Mark. Good luck in other games but not this one, Linda! Fight on, Chicago Bears!

My Super Bowl choices:
1. Packers v Steelers
2. Packers v Jets
3. Bears v Steelers
4. Bears v Jets.

Choice #3 would be a tough one for me, though civic pride would probably win out in the end though it'd be a close call. In all other instances, my preference would be obvious.

Not even making a pretense of catching up, Mark. Just dropping in while I can :)

Kath- Lots of Bear Bums today! Yah!

Linda- I like your Super Bowl choices! You guys have the edge, no question, but we will see! I'm just hoping for a Good Game! Beautiful day for a ballgame! Cold with plenty of sunshine!

Joe- Are you staying home to watch it? We toyed, going to a bar with friends to watch it, but it's cozier here and cheaper. Any thoughts on the outcome? Go Bears!!

Stasia- I've really missed your visits. How's the saying go, Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or something like that. Well it applies here!

I was just thinking of all those people who paid $1,000 for the right to sit outside today. Brrrrr.

My prediction: Packers 35 to 14

If the Pack is off, it could be just as lopsided the other way. It worries me that the ref from the first Packers/Bears game, who called all those penalties on the Pack, is also the ref today.

Yes, I'm at home, Mark. A bar sounds like fun. Unfortunately, I'm getting a new left hip on Tuesday, so I'm not too mobile right now. I am going to have a gathering here for the Super Bowl, a yearly tradition. Sure would be nice to have the Bears in it.

If that darn GB quarterback would just find something better to do today than show up at Soldier Field, I'd be much more optimistic. My guess is it's going to be very close, and I'm just hoping the Bears find a way to come out on the right end of it.

Hey Mark;
How is my bestest L.T. buddy?
I just had to pop over intending to catch up on your reading and what to I see but the same thing that is going on here at my house. We are all calling the games.
I am looking for it to come down to:
the Packers vs the Steelers.
And belva is hostessing a taco/enchilada feed on Superbowl Sunday. That is probably our biggest holiday of the year. LOL!~!
Good Reads Mark,
hugs,
belva

I finished listening to Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician yesterday and thought it was a very good book. The author is from Alabama so I figured it was time that I read something by him. This book had good reviews but didn't get much attention and I thought it was pretty good. Oh well, sometimes it takes the public awhile to get it and sometimes they never get it. The major problem with the book was that the writing was good but the main character didn't suck me in and make me like him that much. This novel was structured much like Cloud Atlas in that it was a series of stories. Strange how sometimes you get clusters of books with the same characteristics and you don't really plan it that way.

We finally had a day of sunshine yesterday. I think we have only had three days of sunshine here since the first of January. Highly unusual for this area.

I live in Steeler country.. not a fan, but..

Hi Mark, hope your team wins. The Bears, right? ;-)

I'm glad you liked Angelology. I raced out and bought it as soon as I read a good review of it last year but have still not read it. Did you ever read her memoir Falling through the Earth? It's about her experience growing up with her father who was a tunnel rat during the Vietnam War. It was a tough childhood but I loved the book.

if Bears win, and Steelers win...do they play each other?

Linda- 35 to 14! The Pack- I hope not! I want it a lot closer than that!

Joe- Sorry to hear about the hip replacement! Wow! Well, I hope this brings you some relief. You'll be out of commission for awhile, huh? Good luck!

Belva- What a pleasant surprise! It's so good to see you! Hope all is well. The Super Bowl party sounds good! What time can I be there? Hugs!

Benita- I just finished Cloud Atlas. It was an amazing read, but it's going to take some time, for mind to sort things out. Thanks for your keen insights.

Pat- You got it! It is the Bears! You are a sharp one! I'll be curious to see your thoughts on Angelology and thanks for sharing Falling through the Earth. It sounds very promising.

Kath- You got it, my friend! And Go Bears!

It's a nice treat to watch the Blackhawks on a Sunday morning, too, especially in a rematch of the Stanley Cup finals.

Since none of the teams remaining are "my teams," I decided to look at their rosters and decided which teams to cheer for based on the number of former Tennessee Vols players on the rosters. The Packers and the Steelers win my cheers for the day. Both teams have former Vols players; neither the Jets nor the Bears had any.

I actually like the Bears but for Jay Cutler. The Broncos have been so pathetic in recent years that I rarely watch football anymore.

This game must be infuriating for you, Mark! Bears can't get anything going. :( Well, at least their defense has held up, so it's not over yet...

Hanie!

My goodness, Mark, but you are popular!!!! I've just finished Motorcycles and Sweetgrass - and I'm beginning Jar City at last! Ohh your book retreat looks like fun!! Enjoy! I really loved Skeletons at the Feast - and couple of others by the same author.

Well, at least the Bears improved in the second half, but just not enough. Commiserations.

Nice review on Angelology! bumping this one up on my list :)

sorry about them bears :(

Close, but no cigar, Mark. Too bad the Bears didn't play that way on both sides of the ball in the first half (well, without Hanie's interceptions!).

I've got Jar City on my list, but am still digging out from holiday books.

#131 Sounds like an interesting weekend, what is the programme? Can't say I've heard of any of those authors. I got scared when I saw all these new messages here and then realized... 'oh, football'. Never watched it, probably never will, but enjoy you guys! They'd certainly have to pay me lots of money to spend any more time than is strictly necessary outdoors today (-21 C/-6 F here right now brrrrr...)

We in Atlanta know the pain the Packers can inflict-- so sorry

You know, the Bears made a game of it! The offense didn't come alive until the 4th qtr, (Go Hanie) but the defense did an excellent job keeping it close. Bottom line: The Bears had a terrific season!

Lori- Nice to see you!

Anne- I'm a big fan of Cutler, since joining the Bears, but I understand your pain. Cutler was pretty much out of this game anyway. Always next year!

Stephen- Thanks for the update!

Deb- Thanks for the visit! I'm enjoying my Canadian pals! Let me know what you think of Jar City. BTW- I plan on starting The White Lioness tomorrow!

Caty- Thanks for the condolences! It turned out to be an exciting game! The better team won, barely.

Joe- I'm not to disappointed! That defense was great. A great, unexpected season.
Once again, good luck with your surgery. Keep us updated.

Kara- Thanks!

Ilana- Have you listened to the Books on the Nightstand podcast? It's my favorite podcast about books! I'll return with the link.

Jenny- I appreciate it! At least I can now watch the Super Bowl with a neutral attitude.

Mark... I don't know if I should admit to this, but I've never really listened to podcasts before. :-O

>159 msf59: At least I can now watch the Super Bowl with a neutral attitude.

Wow! You're either the most non-committal fan in the world or you're good at faking it Mark. Talk about getting lemons and making lemonade;-)

ah......................I'm away from your thread for a few days and there are many, many posts. It is no small wonder you are popular!

Hugs

Ilana- You should give it a try, BOTNS podcast: http://booksonthenightstand.com/
This reminds me so much of this place and you will be turned on to many good books.

Bonnie- Yes, I'm just a faker and you found me out! Are you familiar with any of the authors in msg #131?

Linda- How about visiting more often and saving yourself such a daunting task. Just saying! :-}

What happened to Cutler, Mark? Was it a close game?

As the show started, I knew the Pack was winning 14 to 0. Right after, we knew it was 14-7 and we checked my friend's iphone and followed along.

I'm hoping for a Packers/Pittsburgh Super Bowl.

Linda- I'm sure you found out by now! Cutler was out with a knee injury. Some fans are pissed at him. I ended up really liking the game.

I'm finally starting The White Lioness, the 3rd Kurt Wallander book. I was hoping to squeeze a crime novel in before "Fantasy February" kicks in.
I also read a big chunk of Persepolis yesterday. Another terrific graphic memoir.

Have a good Monday, everyone!

Thanks Mark, listening to the podcast now and have subscribed to future episodes. Just want to say... Gee, thanks, just what I needed. MORE suggestions to fill up my wishlist! :-)

The White Lioness was a great read, or so I thought, Mark. I think you will truly enjoy it! So far, so good with Jar City.

brrrr keep warm mark!

Bundle up, Mark. It takes only 10 minutes for frostbite to attack exposed skin, so says the weather guys and gals all morning.

Persepolis was the first graphic novel I read years ago when it first came out. I do not even think the books were called 'graphic novels' yet.

Have a great day!

Backing up to the 40 books discussion...
I could live with only 40 "real" books, only if I was allowed to count my Kindle as one of them, lol!

Sorry your team lost, Mark. Like you, I'm also looking forward to watching the Superbowl with a neutral attitude and lower stress.

We've had a superbowl party at our house every year for the past 5 years, so I'm looking forward to it!

I could live with only 40 "real" books, only if I was allowed to count my Kindle as one of them, lol!

Isn't that kind of like making your third wish for three more wishes?

172- Yep, it is - but it sure does save shelf space! ;)

What can I do to move you from neutral to rooting for the Steelers?

Hi, Mark! Just catching up.

Great review of Angeology. Still not sure if I want to read it, though.

>163 msf59: The only one I know, Mark, is Chris Bohjalian; I've read a couple of his.

I finally finished reading End of the Hunt by Thomas Flanagan. This book is the third in a trilogy that Flanagan started writing back in the 1970's. The first two of these books were very good and gave me a great background into the history of Irish rebellion against parliamentary Great Britain that I put to good use when I began to meet people from Ireland. I expected this book to be the same. It was good, but it was also disappointing. This book starts in 1919 after the Easter Rising and the first hunger strike death and covers the complicated history of the Rebellion and the Civil War that ended in 1923. Perhaps the difficulty in reading the book is due to the difficulty in the subject matter? The book tells the story of the rise of Michael Collins and the development of the Irish Republican Army. The legacy of guerrilla urban warfare that this period left in Irish history is indisputable and so very sad. The author uses fiction as a vehicle to tell this very complicated history and I would say that to a large degree he succeeds. However, the author was unable to establish an emotional connection between the reader and so few of the major characters that the book seemed ponderous most of the time.

This book is much more of a learning experience than was Redemption by Leon Uris, and much less emotionally engaging than Trinity by Uris. I was sucked in to the earlier books in this series but it was much more difficult to get emotionally involved in this book. It is definitely more history than the books by Uris, but much less emotionally engaging. Still, for anyone who wants to learn about why Ireland is the way it is today, this series is a must read. It probably sacrifices sympathetic characterization for historical accuracy and that's not a bad thing. It makes me wonder how authors walk that line between historical accuracy and sympathetic character development and create something that we want to read?

Time for the drum roll because next up on the nightstand is - get ready for it - and here it comes - Walking to Gatlinburg. And now I can change my e-mail signature line. I think some people have been thinking that I am a very slow reader, but hey, this book was 630 pages!

Ilana- Yes, BOTNS will add to your WL, but the joy of talking books, is always worth it to me. Check out this one too, my 2nd favorite:http://bookrageous.podbean.com/
These are young Canadians and they know their stuff!

Deb- Glad you are enjoying Jar City. I couldn't start the Mankell today, I plan on cracking it tonight.

Kath & Lynda- Thanks! It wasn't to bad today!

Stasia- I'm really enjoying Persepolis. The only reason I put this book off, was that I saw the film version a couple years ago and wanted a bit more distance. The film was excellent too!

Angela- Thanks for stopping by and have a good time at your Super Bowl party!

Nancy- I might be persuaded to lean toward the Steelers, just don't tell LindaP!

Terri- Thanks! I'm giving Angelology a soft recommendation, if it looks like your cuppa, go for it!

Bonnie- Opinion on Chris Bohjalian seems to be mixed. I liked Skeletons at the Feast but I'm not to excited about trying anything else by him.

Benita- Shamefully, I've had Flanagan's Tenants of Time on my shelf for many many years. Maybe one day. I did read Trinity back in the 80s and remember really enjoying it.
BTW- I saw you mentioned reading A Game of Thrones for FF. Yah! This is such a great book. I can't imagine you being disappointed.

#179 I heard that!!

Sounds like Cutler has a strained MCL. Never heard of an MCL but I figure it must be like an ACL.

Hi Mark!
Condolences! But there's always next year. That's what we (Patriots fans)say around here.
Good thing Cloud Atlas is a group read - I'm pretty stubborn about finishing a book, but THIS is a real challenge! Plenty of encouragement from the group. :)
Angelology sounds interesting, not that I need any suggestions any time soon!

GAAAK where did this thread come from?!? *pants desperately from trying to keep an eye on Mark*

I'm still having difficulties listening to the library downloads. I thought I had it figured out and once again The Tiger froze up on me. Sh**! So I switched to the hardback, (this is a terrific read) and then started the audio of Sense and Sensibility. It's okay so far. Unfortunately, the White Lioness got bumped. So the Tiger knocked out the Lion. I need to knock these out and clear the way for FF!!

Linda- What did you think of the backlash against Cutler? Ridiculous or what? Burning his jersey? Come on! Fans can be pretty scummy sometimes!

Claudia- I hope you can hang in there with Cloud Atlas. I know, me and my oddball books. Sorry it's such a challenge. No question, it can be a bit demanding.

Don't be sorry about a challenge, Mark. I love them!
I just visited the thread for the last half of the book as I'm well into it now.
Wow! How nice to have all these intelligent LTers researching and commenting on their own ideas. Heady stuff!

Mark, you should squeeze in Midwives by Bohjalian before the retreat and have him sign it. I thought it was excellent. The other two I've read of his--Skeletons and Secrets of Eden I didn't like nearly as much.
And hurry up and get to Kings of the Earth--no one on LT will read it-- it's been really popular on the other sights. :o)

Thanks for the new link Mark. Will check it out soon, but right now concentrating on reading for yet another read-a-thon. Have been looking at The Arrival and I just love it when a book exceeds my already high expectations. Sorry you've been having trouble with your audios. Bummer. May it be the worst thing that happens to you this week!

Oh, and while I do clear out books I know I won't read again as I go along, there's no way that I would limit myself to 40, kindle or no (not that I have one). That would just be torture as I have at least twice that many art books alone!

Mark and other BookMoochers: I'll be listing books on my thread tomorrow before listing them on BM so anyone interested just let me know and I'll reserve them for you. Only caveat is that I won't be able to send them for another couple of months as already have a couple of batches to send out. So if you're not in a hurry, you're welcome to mooch them! I'll come back to provide a link when I've posted the list.

Hi Mark, I've finished The Guards, have posted a review on my thread. I'm sure it's no surprise to you that I loved it and gave it 5 stars!

I agree with GCP Midwives was quite good..

Richard- GAAAK, yourself! Good to see you, stranger!

Claudia- Actually, this has been one of my favorite G.R.s! A book to analyze and discuss is perfect. I'd like to do another Mitchell book G.R. later in the year.

Lisa & Kath- With strong recs for Midwives, from 2 people I respect, on the list it goes. I would like to read it before April, but we'll see. I'm really looking forward to Kings of the Earth. I can't believe none of the gang has read it.

Ilana- I'll be stopping by your thread after work, to view the goodies. Glad you are enjoying The Arrival. It's a real gem!

Judy- That's great! Wait, until you read the next few books. It's an amazing series. Jack Taylor is a great literary character. 5 stars all the way! Yah!

>189 msf59: Delurking for a moment to add my two cents about Bohjalian: I really enjoyed Midwives but thought his Before You Know Kindness was even better. But since you don't know me from Adam, the opinion probably doesn't mean much! Note to self: lurk less, post more...

Angelology for Feb. fantasy for me????

Hi Mark!! I've read most of Bohjalian's books and liked them.

Mark, not sure if you read baseball books but they're having a Spring Training reading group here on the 75ers.

Also, did you see that the state of Illinois is going to start selling Cubs license plates tomorrow? I'm tempted.

Hi Mark and friends, I've posted a message about the books to give away on BookMooch. on my own thread. By all means encourage anyone you know who is also on BM to come have a look!

Mark, yes Midwives is excellent. I think it was his first book and I don't think he's been able to maintain the same level of excellence since.

Anyone see jude?

Hi mark! Bonnie does have it right...It was the best. Still, I have enjoyed all that I have read by him..

rdear is going to show up any time and tell you what he thinks of Bohjalian :))

I had a few things to do after work today, so I'm running late getting over here. I'm loving "The Tiger" and S & S has been improving.

Katie- Yes, please visit more and post more. Thanks for the Midwives rec.

Kara- That's a good choice! Glad you will be joining us, over on FF. Looks like a nice crowd.

Tammy- Good to see you! Keep in mind the Chicago Meet-up, we have planned.

Bonnie- Now, I have to read Midwives. You just sealed it, my friend. Like I mentioned earlier, I really enjoyed Skeletons at the Feast.

Kath- I saw her posting on her thread! Jude only comes by here every blue moon or so. Are we due one of those soon? Hoping so!
LOL- on RD & Bohjalian! I forgot about that! Hissy fit time!

Okay, you peeps

JUDE is in the/her house...waddaya wanna make of it?

Jeesh, i'm cold and old and tired...and i think i forgot how to read! find me a support group!

;-p

Mark, I put up my books to peruse especially for you! Also, Donna tells me you're the one to talk to about a group read for Jacob de Zoet sometime this year? Would you be into that, because I would!

Ok, now I get it, you didn't go look at the collection I created for giveaways in my library did you? I think I've clarified that in the text now. I just thought if I did that it would allow people to see the edition they'd be getting, etc. and I could also update it easily to reflect which ones are available as they get reserved. See what I mean?

And here I thought I was in Mark's thread!
Must be the weather..

Keep warm Jude.. and Mark too..

Linda- Sorry, I missed you last time! Yes, I saw the Spring Training thread, thanks. Actually, I haven't read many baseball books. I'm sure there is some good ones out there. I loved Moneyball.
Cubs license plates, huh? Hmmmmmmm...

Jude- Well, it must have been a blue moon after all! Good to see you, my friend!
"i'm cold and old and tired". I think you just need some serious stimulation. Get out of those winter doldrums! What ever support I can give, let me know! :-}

Ilana- Sorry, but I still don't see that list of books. Point me in the right direction. And yes, I plan on doing a G.R. of Thousand Autumns at some point. Maybe summer?

Morning Kath- Happy mid-week. I have a 3 day weekend this week (I get them every 6 weeks), so I'm pumped about that. Yah!

I know many of us are on a Book Buying Ban but I couldn't resist The Invisible Bridge. It just came out in paper. 8 bucks at Amazon. Come on! Also grabbed The Lotus Eater for the same price. That one's been on the WL forever. Then I added a cd, "The Arcade Fire", to put me over 25, for free shipping. Yah!

BTW- I miss Stasia!

*disdains to mention the dreary, talentless Bohjalian*

Where is Stasia, anyway?

Mark...read Crazy '08! I loved that book a lot, and it made my maternal grandmother's extreme Cubbies fandom make sense. She vowed not to die until the Cubs won the Series again, since the highlight of her life (as she, mother of three and grandmother of seven, put it, tactless soul) was watching the Cubbies win the '08 Series. Didn't make it, needless to say. She'd be 119 now, still waiting....

A friend of mine highly recommended Buffalo Soldier by Bohjalian. She had it on her best books of all time list for several years. I listened to Midwives years ago and really enjoyed it and would not hesitate to endorse it. I have Skeletons at the Feast in my house but not real plans to read it yet. Many people I have talked to about books say that Bohjalian's later work has not been as good as is first books. However, others say that they are just as good. When I hear this kind of contradiction I often wonder if it is because the author is constantly exploring new territory or themes that are unexpected by the readers? I generally find that readers tend to want more of the same and resent an author moving in a direction that is different than their expectations.

Anytime is good for me as far as Jacob de Zoet goes, since I don't have a copy of it yet. Let me know if there's anything you're interested in on my giveaway collection as I wanted to give you first dibs, and then I'll broadcast the giveaway a little bit more. Maybe I'll list them on my thread anyway, if you had a hard time finding them, chances are others might find them difficult to find too.

What a deal on Amazon Mark! I really liked The Lotus Eaters and The Invisible Bridge.....well......you know.

Richard (Bohjalian hater!)- Yes, I remember you read Crazy '08 and I forgot to wishlist it. I will do it now.

Benita- I have not heard of Buffalo Soldier but I did read and enjoy Skeletons at the Feast. I just ordered Midwives from BM.

Ilana- I didn't see anything at this time, but let me know when you add something. I'll need to find a copy of The Thousand Autumns too. I'll have to find out when it comes out in paper.

Bonnie- Well, you were one of the main reasons I selected those two! I agree. Great price!!

**I placed some update info, on the Chicago Meet-up Thread. Right Here
Stop by, if you are one of The Chosen.

Hi Mark - just running thru with a wave!

10) Howards End Is on the Landing by Susan Hill 4 stars

I’ve described this book once or twice already and for a “real” review, check out Joanne’s, but I enjoyed following this author along, as she spent a year reading books from her multitude of shelves. I was not familiar with many of the books or authors, she mentioned, but her passion of the printed word is nearly palpable. She also reminded me to get off my duff and read more Dickens. Yes, ma’am!

“All through the house, the books are murmuring, turning over in sleep like pebbles on the shoreline as the tide recedes.
But when I reach the stone-flagged hall and stand for a moment, listening, everything falls silent. I hear the comforting, inhabited, friendly silence of a house full of books.”

I've got this book on hold at the library, Mark, and am looking forward to reading it. I loved that quote.

Wish I could make it to the Chicago meetup but my husband's planning to have knee surgery in March.

Ok that's fine. I'll see if anyone here from the 75ers is interested in anything and if not, I'll just list them little by little on BM. I see there are paper versions of Jacob de Zoet coming out about a month from now. In that case, do you think we could do the group read before the summer?

I finished reading Philosopher Fish tonight and thought it was very good. This author went a step further than did Kurlansky in Cod in that he tried to tackle the desire that drives the poaching of these fish and he didn't sound pedantic while doing it.

I was inspired to read this book because of my Thanksgiving day escape to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga where I was surprised to learn that we had sturgeon in most of the rivers of the U. S. and fished them almost to extinction by the 1920's. There are only pockets of sturgeon left in the U. S. due to our greed, and of course it is our greed for caviar that is driving the over fishing of the wild stocks of sturgeon around the world. If you have time to read another book of fish and fishing you might try this one. It is enough different than Cod that you won't feel like you are reading the same book.

Will start Walking to Gaitlinburg tonight! I can hear you cheering all the way from cold Chicago!

Claudia- Waves back!

Pat- Glad you would consider coming to the Meet-Up, especially from that distance and only for a day! I'm sure it'll mostly be locals and a few from our neighboring states.
Maybe we'll set up a web cam! LOL!

Ilana- Maybe that will work. We'll see. Remind me.

Benita- Philosopher Fish sounds good. I never did a review of Cod, (I do not remember why) but I really liked that book. Have you read anything else by him?
And yes I'm cheering for you, from the frigid tundra.

Amur Tigers!

Just waving as I head through the threads, Mark :)

awww tigers! pretty!

three day weekend eh?
That is a great thing to look forward too, isn't it?
Kinda keeps you going through the other weeks. WE have one in Feb...
President's day. It gives you a target of sorts :)

Hey Mark! Finished Jar City. It was very bleak - but I gave it 3.8 stars, and have started on the next book in the series - Silence of the Grave. Hope you are enjoying the White Lioness.

Stasia- Good to see you, my friend! Miss you!

Kath- These are incredible looking animals aren't they? I'm nearly finished with The Tiger and it's been another fantastic NF read.
Yes, I make it through today and then I'm off to Monday! Yah!

Deb- Unfortunately, my reading schedule got messed up this week and I barely cracked The White Lioness but I will knock most of it out this weekend. I hope. Silence of the Grave is terrific. Enjoy!

Does anyone know how to post pictures, side by side?

BTW- I'm nearly finished with the audio of Sense and Sensibility. It's been a bit of a disappointment.

Hi Mark, I finished reading The Bells last night. Really enjoyed it. Will be posting my reviews in the next couple of days I think.

To post pictures side by side, just put your html tags on the same line. Or at least, that's what I do.

I look forward to your comments on S&S.

>216 msf59: Oh, beautiful tigers! :)

Hi Mark

I'm adding The Tiger and Howard's End Is On The Landing. It is a rare thing not to add books to the tbr pile when I visit here.

Looking forward to your comments on The Tiger, since I own a copy I need to get to, and on Sense and Sensibility, since I'm not into it and can't decide whether to keep going or not.

Nice pictures Mark, I love tigers! they are beautiful and powerful creatures :)

enjoy your long weekend, you deserve it!

I read Salt: A World History by Kurlansky which was interesting but not as passionate as Cod. He has a new book out called Food of a Younger Land that I do not have a copy of, but that has had very good reviews.

Philosopher Fish was very good and the author tried to tackle some deep underlying problems (desire for caviar by rich westerners) that is driving our destruction of these living creatures. Man is still the world's best predator. When I saw those fish in the Tennessee Aquarium I thought they were beautiful and strange looking. I was so surprised by what the docent had to say about them that I just had to learn more. I remembered that I had this book on caviar at home in one of my piles of books so dug it out and read it. Now I have an old National Geographic article on the Caspian Sea to read and several other articles on caviar and sturgeon. The reading connection just never stop.

I think I will be the first person to write a review of the book for LT. I am surprised as this is an important subject and the book was very well done.

Ilana- Looking forward to your thoughts on The Bells. It sounds very good. Thanks for the pix info. I'll give that a try. S&S was just okay!

Linda & Pat- The Tiger was excellent! Narrative non-fiction at its best!
As far as S & S goes, I'm glad that wasn't my first Austen. I might have dragged my feet, to start another one.

Kara- After reading The Tiger, my admiration and respect for these incredible beasts has grown ten-fold.

Benita- I have to put Salt on the WL and Philosopher Fish sounds equally good. Thanks for the recs!

drive-by hug

Hi, Mark!
Just wanted to mention that I thought the Bears did well considering their first string QB was out. And how about that third string QB? That is what makes watching football so much fun!

Stay warm. Still wishing some of the snow going around could come to Tulsa!
--BJ

Howards End is on the Landing..is the story of my Life

Thank you, my bestest bud...for reminding me

;-}

Is tomorrow your first of 3 days off. ?
wild and crazy weather, eh? Good to stay in when you can .

Rd- Hug Back!

BJ- At least the Bears made a game of it. The defense was awesome and kept the game within reach and yes, that 3rd stringer, Hainie did a good job! I just didn't like the Cutler backlash. That was ridiculous!

Jude- OMG, the collection Hill has. There must be thousands, maybe tens of thousands of books she owns. And in no order. Wow!
I'm happy with my much more modest collection.

Kath- They asked me to work tomorrow, so I'm going in. The money is to good to pass up. I hope they don't ask me to come in Saturday, I'll have to decline. Man needs a break.

I hope you'll still take time to review S&S Mark... I'd be curious to read it! I wrote you a comment about The Bells, and will ask my gf if she wants to read it asap so I can have some idea of when I can send it your way.

Hi Mark!
Just thought you should know... Cloud Atlas is becoming a favorite for me! Can you believe it? Hope I'm no speaking too soon. Not finished yet... stay tuned.

Hi Mark, I have Salt on my shelves that I picked up at the used book store a few months ago. And it looks like several people didn't care for Sense and Sensibility so I'm kind of glad I haven't picked that yet. Persuasion is the next Austen I'm planning to read.

Ilana-I got your pm, I'll be in touch!

Claudia- Did you hear that sound? That was my jaw hitting the floor! Wow, that's great news! How much more do you have left?

Bonnie- Salt is now on my audio WL. Have you read Cod? That was also terrific. I think Persuasion will be my next Austen too, but later in the year.

Mark, you do know we'll be reading Pride and Prejudice as a group read for the Austenathon sometime in March right?

Mark, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Sense and Sensibility more. I re-read it last year (last time was probably over 20 years ago when I was a teenager!) and thought it was delightful. But I do remember being less enamoured of it on first reading, I think this was one story I had to grow up and into, if that makes sense. :)

I'm still (very slowly, I'm not really a great listener!) listening to Northanger Abbey which is a nice silly one of hers. (Nicely read by Anna Massey.)

I think I've got Salt (unread) on my shelves. Or it could be Cod. Must catalogue the non-fiction and cooking shelves!!

Mark, I just finished reviewing The Bells. It's a historical fiction novel about a young man who is blessed with both exceptional hearing and singing voice and becomes one of the most famous musicos (or castratos) of his time. The review is here, and I've also included a link to a recording of a modern-day male soprano to give a sense of what they must have sounded like.

I have enjoyed several of Kurlansky's books, Mark, so I hope you enjoy them when you get to them.

Well, it looks like I'm working today, after all. Sad Face! At least I have books to keep me company. I'm back into The White Lioness and I'm also going to try another library audio DL, Composed, by Rosanne Cash. I've been a big fan of hers and of course her father is a music God.

Ilana- I listened to P & P last September. I loved it. I'll be checking out your review of "The Bells".

Wookie- I've been hearing great things about the series of Northanger Abbey, that's currently running. I need to check it out. Have you read the Kurt Wallander series? I'm on the 3rd one. The guy's good!

Stasia- It's a pleasure to see you. I listened to Cod, not that long ago and I loved his style. I will be checking out more of his work.

Sorry to hear you are having to work today, Mark. I hope your day goes swiftly!

ooooo bummer. :( sorry about the long weekend not happening.

Stasia & Kath- The day went fine, no complaints. We even got a little sunshine. At least I'm off the next 2 days. Yah!

A bit quiet on the threads tonight! I'm really enjoying both The White Lioness & Composed. The former is over 400 pages and I want to finish it before FF begins!

This is a classic from Ms. Cash: right here
with a little help from her friends. Wow, what a line-up!

Enjoy your w/e Mark! I'm off to burry myself in a couple of books again. ttyl!

Glad it was a pretty good day for you :)
AND glad you have some time off :)

9) Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell 4.7 stars

Six loosely linked stories, spanning the mid-19th century to hundreds of years in the future. All told in different writing styles, contrasting voices, a serpentine blend of genres and like magic, it somehow all works. Yes, this book is a puzzle, a mind-bender. Yes, it’s a challenge but the rewards at the end of this literary rainbow are bountiful.
“Air in the chateau clammy like laundry that won’t dry. Door-banging drafts down the passageways. Autumn is leaving its mellowness behind for its spiky, rotted stage. Don’t remember summer even saying good-bye.”
This is my first book by Mitchell and what an impressive introduction. He has just landed another happy disciple.

I'm so glad you had such a great read! :)

I am very happy that so many people Liked Cloud Atlas. It has been very interesting reading everyone's thoughts on it, and I cheerfully removed it from my list due to having reached Critical mass. A huge relief!

Bet you were glad to write THAT review, Mark! Don't know if I will actually do a review... don't know what else I could say! We'll see. :)

Susan- Nice to see you! Have you read Mitchell? If not you need to! Have a good weekend.

Kath- This book is not for everyone but if you enjoy bold, innovative writing, this is one worth giving a shot. Hope your Saturday is going well.
We've been out a few hours, doing breakfast & shopping and of course a side trip to library.

Claudia- It's a tough book to describe and I wanted it to be as vague as possible. When I opened CA, I had no idea where I was going and that worked for me. Can't wait to hear your final thoughts.

Mark, I'm so glad you loved Cloud Atlas and I'm sorry I couldn't read it with the group but I will definitely be consulting the GR thread when I get to it. (Thumb from me.)

Nice review of Cloud Atlas, Mark! I really enjoyed reading all the analysis/comments on the GR thread about the structuring of Cloud Atlas, but was really glad that I read the book first.

Pat- It would have been nice to have you along! I always enjoy your opinions. I plan on having a G.R. of The Thousand Autumns, mid-June or July. Maybe you can join us for that one.

Bonnie- Wow, you just made my day! I've missed your visits. And yes, the Group Read of CA was incredible. It's a one of a kind book, no question.

looking for the thread police that should be stomping through your thread soon, Marky-Mark

The Thread Police have been a bit lax, in the New Year, but I'm not taking any chances: New Thread

Caro- Big wave! Stop by again when you have more time!

..........pssst, what she said above.....

*drive-by wave* until the switch over

;-p

Hi there Mark!! I see you finished the White Lioness and enjoyed it! I did too! I did finish Jar City and while I enjoyed it - I found it just a wee bit bleak. But - now I am about 90 page into Silence of the Grave and the characters are fleshing out a bit and I'm not finding to bleak at all! In between those books - I read myself the biography -William and Kate: A Royal Wedding! What fun read!

Just waving hi! :)