Donna828 is Overbooked: Ch. 3

Why are we reading, if not in hope that the writer will magnify and dramatize our days, will illuminate and inspire us with wisdom, courage, and the hope of meaningfulness, and press upon our minds the deepest mysteries, so we may feel again their majesty and power? ~Annie Dillard

Welome to my new thread. I love nature and its suprises...hence the heart cloud in the sky. What better quote to go along with it than from one of my favorite nature writers?

Books read in January:
**My favorite book of the month; the numbers in parentheses refer to thread numbers.

1. The Defector - Daniel Silva. 3.5 stars. (audiobook) - (1)
2. Freedom - Jonathan Franzen. 3.3 stars. - (1)
3. The Siege - Helen Dunmore. 4.5 stars. - (2)
4. The Betrayal - Helen Dunmore. 4.2 stars. -(2)
5. Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand. 4.5 stars. - (2)
6. Cloud Atlas** - David Mitchell. 4.5 stars. - (2).
7. Washington Square - Henry James. 3.8 stars. -(2)
8. East is East - T. C. Boyle. 3.7 stars. - (2)
9. Gweilo - Martin Booth. 3.1 stars. (3)
...3,554 pages read in January...
Four of these books are owned by me.

Books Read in February:
10. The Color Purple - Alice Walker. 4 stars. (3)
11. Nobody Said Not To Go - Ken Cuthbertson. 3.8 stars. (3)
12. The Country of the Pointed Firs** - Sarah Orne Jewett. 4.6 stars. (3)
13. A Monstrous Regiment of Women - Laurie R. King. 3.6 stars. (3)
14. Girl in Translation - Jean Kwok. 3 stars. (3)
15. Reading the OED - Ammon Shea. 3.4 stars. (3)
16. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - Grace Lin. 3.8 stars. (3)
17. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert Pirsig. 4.8 stars. (favorite reread) - (3)
18. Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl - Harriet Jacobs. 3 stars. (3)

...2,748 pages read in February...
Six out of these nine books are owned by me!

First one here! Yay!

Second one here! Yay!

Book No. 9: Gweilo by Martin Booth. 3.1 stars.

This is the book I found in my mailbox a few days before Christmas. I was sorry to miss a visit from my young friend who lives in Hong Kong but I'm so glad she gave me this book.

Gweilo means 'White Man" in Cantonese. This is the memoir of a young British boy named Mah-Tin who spent some of his formative years in the post-WWII colony of Hong Kong in the 1950s when he was 8 -10 years of age. Martin was precocious and observant. His unbounded curiousity lead him into areas of Hong Kong where foreigners weren't usually welcomed. He experienced the contrast of cultures on his daily escapes from his upscale apartment to squatter's shanties, opium dens, and the seamier side streets where prostitutes and unscrupulous merchants accepted him because of the good luck that his golden hair brought them.

This was a time when children had more freedom, especially in Martin's case where his parents were so intent on their bickering that he was largely ignored. I didn't enjoy that part of the story, although it was his reality and he thought nothing of the fact that his mother was blatantly turning him against his father with the constant belittling and nasty comments. He made the most of a situation that allowed him free rein in a land that he loved.

Visitors! Hello to Porua and Lynda. Next time stay longer. ;-)

Found you again, Donna!

Donna- Hey, nice New Thread! I see you went for a nice light read after CA. Totally, understandable.

Hi Donna: Stay safe. The Weather Channel was talking about Missouri and how it might be an ice storm first, then followed by a blizzard.

Gweilo looks really interesting--adding it to my wishlist. I hope you stay warm and snug with a pile of books!

Hey there... Kara, Stasia, Mark, Linda, and Carly.

Light reading is all I'm good for these days. Well, my current book, The Color Purple, isn't exactly light but it is a fast read...and I've read it before so I know what to expect. It's for my Thursday night book group which may very well be canceled if we get the ice and snow that is predicted for tomorrow.

Warm and snug sounds good to me. The Springfield Public Schools have already canceled but Missouri State is staying strong. Guess I'll have to get up early to see if I have class or not. I'm such a nerd about my new status as student that I hate to miss. Not only that, but my Michigander blood kind of likes a blizzard now and then.

Donna, the weather is really fighting you on getting to your class. My money is on you!

Found you! Stay safe out there!

Hi, Donna!
All the schools here canceled classes before the 10:00 news. That is pretty unusual for my girls' former school! No snow here yet, just thunder sleet. Sleet pouring out of the sky like rain. Just different! Love your picture of clouds in a heart shape on the top post. Enjoy all your reading in the snow!
--BJ

Hope you class is cancelled today, Donna, and you are snug as a bug.

EVERYTHING is cancelled in St. Louis. The news is reporting what's open instead of what's closed.

Springfield, Missouri is officially shut down! My husband is staying home today which rarely happens. We woke up to heavy sleet which quickly turned to heavy snow. I'm glad we escaped (so far) the freezing rain which caused a debilitating ice storm here 4 years ago. We spent a week huddled around our gas log fireplace with a battery-powered radio and lots of candles to provide "ambience."

Thanks for the encouraging words everybody. I hope our LT people in the eye of this storm are all able to stay home and 'enjoy' the blizzard from a warm house. We're expecting 12 inches here which is half the fun Chicago and points north are anticipating.

12 inches?! Hope you all stay warm and safe.

Love the quote in msg 1.

Thanks, Heather.

Wind is picking up and visibility is lessening. I think Oklahoma's weather has now reached Missouri. I'm off to clean up the kitchen and decide on which book to snuggle up with. I usually don't read in the morning, but today will be the exception.

Stopping to say Hi and to check up on you!! We haven't gotten it as bad as the weatherman predicted. Most of the storm is to the east along Lake Michigan. Schools there were closed by 5am this morning which is unusual for central WI. Most of the time they wait until 6am or daylight and then decide. Hope you find a good book and stay warm!!

stay safe and warm you and your family :)

Well doesn't it just figure; my first day back on the job and we may have a snow day tomorrow? That means I may have to stay home tomorrow again? Well, it's a tough job but somebody's got to do it ;-)

Thanks for the weather update, Donna. The news here is we'll be getting your weather tonight through tomorrow evening. Enough, already! Stay cozy warm.

found and starred! Stay safe and warm!

Yesterday was a day to stay inside and watch the swirling snow fall and blow. Today is one of those crystal clear pristine days where I have to be out in it. Besides, if I ever want to get out of my driveway, I'll need a path through the 8 or 9 inches of snow we got. It's a long driveway so I'll be in and out all day. My husband is doing the bulk of the heavy work but I like to go out and encourage him from time to time. Taking the chili out of the freezer was his best motivation!

>21 tjblue:: Tammy, we lucked out too. They got close to 20 inches not too far from us. We got the perfect amount imo. Now I'm ready for spring.
>22 curlysue:: Thanks, Kara. It's hard for you to relate to snow I'm sure. It is beautiful.
>23 brenzi:: Bonnie, I'm glad the weather is helping with your transition back to work. More time for reading!
>24 Carmenere:: Lynda, I hope you escaped the brunt of the storm.
>25 mckait:: Thanks, Kath. Same to you. Is your school canceled? I need to spend some time on LT checking on friends.

Book No. 10: The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 4 stars.

This is a reread for tomorrow night's book group. I'll be surprised if we meet, but since I'd already started the book I decided to stick with it. I'll let the 4-star rating stand. I don't really remember when I first read this but it made a big impression on me. I'd like to see the movie again because I can't remember how they handled the African part of the book on the big screeen...or even if they tried to convey that part of it.

I liked this quote: I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.

Hi Donna! We're having our second snow day, though it's more like a freeze day since there's very little snow. It was -14 when I got up, though, so it's a good thing kids aren't out waiting for buses. Stay warm!

Ice day for us too. Freezing drizzle all night long then temps up to 49 this morning, then nose dived to the 20's and more snow. Please stop this ride, I want to get off!
glitter-graphics.com

Beautiful picture Donna!!!

Oh I remember snow! I am originally from upstate NY, and went to Paul Smiths College by Lake Placid :)

I do miss it.....especially when I see pictures like the one you posted :)

I love the picture! I also loved The Color Purple, although I haven't read it since the 80s. I'm also a big fan of the film version. Very emotional.

Beautiful picture Donna. I love brilliant sunshine and blue skies with new snow on the ground. Good luck with getting the driveway cleared.

For some reason, we've had a relatively mild January. No snow at all (unless I'm forgetting some at the very beginning of the month). Hopefully we'll sail right into Spring.

I've never read The Color Purple. Hope your book group doesn't get cancelled.

Lovely photo! I am enjoying the view out my window as well. Just beautiful.
--BJ

The Color Purple by Alice Walker was wonderful!
Was it really the 80's when it came out Mark? wow...

Hi Donna!
Nice winter picture! And I love the cloud heart! :)

Wow... hard to believe "The Color Purple" came out that long ago. I remember I had placed that book on my desk and on my way to bed that night, I picked it up for a "few minutes" to see how it started. After about 15 minutes of reading, I decided to sit down. It was so good I just couldn't put it down.

>28 AMQS:: Hi Anne, it got up to 12 degrees here today. It actually felt balmy when I was out working on the driveway. Turns out that there is no school for me tomorrow but it's still a good thing to have an easier way out of here when I succumb to cabin fever.

>29 Carmenere:: Lynda, your Ohio weather does sound like a real roller-coaster. We've had it easy here compared to other parts of the country.

>30 curlysue:: Snow is beautiful, Kara, but so are beaches!

>31 msf59:: I'd like to see the movie again, Mark
.
>32 phebj:: Pat, I'm shocked. Boise, Idaho and "mild January" don't seem to go together. Darn, school canceled tomorrow so library will be closed and no book group. Sad Face.

>33 billiejean:: BJ, the view is wonderful from the inside, isn't it?

>34 mckait:: Time does fly, doesn't it, Kath? The story was so memorable that it didn't seem like a 20+ year-old read.

Time for me to do some reading for the Missouri Reader's group. It's back to Nobody Said Not to Go for me. I spent too much time watching "Downton Abbey," a PBS Masterpiece series, today. I can't believe I'm watching something that wasn't based on a book. Blasphemy!

The book came out in '82 and the film came out in '85. Spielberg did a great job!

Hi Claudia, we cross-posted! I just read a bit earlier that you were getting some pretty snow. I like the white stuff - it's the nasty blackish slush that I dislike.

I totally agree that The Color Purple is unputdownable. I wasn't too excited with that choice for book group since I had already read it, but it's the kind of book that stands up to a reread very well. I'm not sure if we'll have a make-up session or just discuss two books at our regular time next month.

Hey, I missed "Downton Abbey"! I heard it was a wonderful series. Anyone know when they might re-broadcast it?

Hi Donna, What a pretty view! Makes the snow worthwhile. :) I hope your not getting the cold, below zero, weather now.

I also read The Color Purple back in the 80s but I don't remember much of it. I should probably watch the movie again for a bit of a refresher. From what I do remember, though, it was quite a book.

Oh Mark, you missed a good one. I don't know when it will be on again but it is to be continued. Viewers were left on the brink of WWI with words something like...."The continuation of Downton Abbey is in production." Ackkkk! I want it NOW!

Hi Joanne! It is supposed to be minus ten degrees in the morning. I think that is the main reason they canceled school because I think the main roads will be in decent shape. Has it warmed up to zero yet in Colorado?

Great picture of the snowy wonderland Donna. And thanks for reminding me of The Color Purple which I really enjoyed back in the 80's. I'm not familiar with "Downton Abbey" but it sounds like I should be. Maybe the library will have it on dvd at some point.

As it happens, it's zero right now, but it's sinking fast. I think it got up to about 4 today. Double digits tomorrow - a heat wave!

Our schools were closed for two days because of the cold morning temps. There was concern about the kids waiting for their buses.

Downton Abbey - I'll have to check that out.

Stay warm!!

>39 msf59:, 42: You can watch all 4 episodes of Downton Abbey online until February 22!
They are available on the PBS Masterpiece site. It was a wonderful series. And Donna, I've heard the second series will air in 2012.

#26 Great picture - it really was a beautiful day today, wasn't it? Our schools are cancelled tomorrow for the 3rd day in a row. Maybe because of the cold temps (I just got home from picking up my son from a friend's house and it's down almost to zero already), but they made the announcement just after lunch, so I wondered if maybe the snow was the problem. Busses not able to get through, or school parking lots not cleared yet, or something. Maybe both. The city streets are in good shape, so I will probably go to work tomorrow and leave my son home to enjoy the snow day by himself.

Phew! I almost missed a thread change, fortunately I caught it just a few days after. ...But look, 45 posts already, so I guess I sitll didn't catch it in time!

>44 lauralkeet:: That's good to know about Downton Abbey, Laura. Do check it out Bonnie and Joanne. It is a warm and funny look at the gentry and serving class living in the same house, er castle...or maybe estate is the word I'm searching for.

>45 sjmccreary:: I hope you didn't have trouble getting to work today, Sandy. My husband said the highway going down to Aurora (30 miles from here) wasn't in the greatest shape. I guess people are staying home if they can. We got down to -9 degrees this morning. The sun is out again so I may take the dog out for a quick walk.

>46 Ape:: Well, you're here now, Stephen, that's the main thing. Such important stuff going on here. ;-)

One of our furnaces is out! My cold and grumpy repairman just left with the bad news that it can't be fixed until they can get the part in next week and it will cost $900! Of course, we have the option of getting a new unit for $3,000. It will still be next week or longer if we decide to go that route. Some choice. Our house is big and we have several heating zones so I can always retreat to the warm part of the house. Unfortunately, my snuggery is now in the cold! *going off to look for a new reading nook*

Glad you've still got a warm zone, Donna. A few year ago, as I was prepping for a colonoscopy (ahem), our furnace went out on a November's night. I was doubly miserable.

Do KC schools close often? Chicago public schools hadn't closed since 1999 and were closed on Wed and today but are reopening tomorrow.

I went to kindergarten in a Chicago public school the year of the big blizzard of '67 and I understand that schools closed for 5 days back then. Sadly, some kids these days only get to eat at school (some serve b-fast, lunch, and dinner with weekend backpacks) so it's a big hardship for some when the CPS schools are closed.

Oh no! No heat in the snuggery--that's serious in this weather.

I remember our furnace breaking on a cold December night and my husband being unconcerned because he liked it as cold as I'd allow for sleeping. But I was not happy about it getting down below 60 and waiting till the next day. Of course, the guy who showed up at midnight said it needed a new part that "luckily" he had but it would be $450. We paid but I always felt we'd been ripped off.

What a time for your furnace to go though. Hope you find a good replacement for the snuggery. I love that word.

Donna, I was thinking about the furnace going out, and how bad that would be, after I saw our neighbor - a heating and AC guy - digging his truck out yesterday morning. I'll bet he hates this weather! I'm glad you've still got warm rooms. We had zoned heating in our last house and let the builder talk us out of it in this one. Our next house will be zoned for sure.

Linda, schools here close at the drop of a hat! I think today is our 8th or 9th snow day so far this year. The KC-MO district has a lot of low income children, like Chicago, and there was something on the news about that being a downside to closing school for several days - little or no food for those kids. Here in the suburbs, that is less of a problem although we do have some kids on free or reduced lunches.

Donna, I can't believe I managed to lose track of you, but I've found your new thread so all is well! :-)

Oh no what a time for the furnace to go. If only the furnace would break down in the summer and the air conditioning in the winter but it never happens that way. Hmmm I wonder why ;-)

I have never read The Color Purple, a defect I really need to rectify!

Sorry to hear that the furnace in your Snuggery is out! I hope you can get it repaired quickly.

>48 lindapanzo:: Being cold and sucking down that devil's brew must have been dastardly, Linda. You bring up a good (but sad) point about how much kids depend on the schools for food.

>49 phebj:: Pat, I found a lovely place to read on the upper level in one of the guest bedrooms. I was overlooking the lake in back with the sun streaming in the window. Very peaceful, but I spent more time surveying the scene than reading my book!

>50 sjmccreary:: I think our repairman was not too happy today. Our unit is for both heating and cooling and is outside. He had a hoodie and some light gloves and looked very cold. I told him I was sorry, but I don't think that helped.

>51 Smiler69:: No worries, Ilana. I'm always losing and finding people around here with the thread changes.

>52 brenzi:: Bonnie, with a combination unit, there really is no good time for a breakdown. The heat exchange element is cracked. I thought it seemed reasonable that the subzero temps had something to do with it, but he said it was age. Do you think they want us to buy a new unit? It concerns me that its twin is on the other side of the house!

>53 alcottacre:: Oh yes, Stasia. You must read The Color Purple. Why not do it this month and count it on the TIOLI Challenge No. 6 for a shared read.

Our heat went out right before a 20-degree weekend, but we got lucky - it ended up being a breaker problem, and my electrician father popped in and fixed it while I was at work. Brr, that could have been bad.

I hope you're fixed up soon - and with limited cost! These systems aren't cheap...

I hope your furnace gets fixed before too much longer. Yikes! It's cold!
--BJ

#54: If I can ever get to the library, I will pick the book up, Donna!

Thank goodness you have two furnaces!

>55 London_StJ:: These systems aren't cheap...

You are oh so right about that, Luxx. We found out this morning that a new unit like the one we have will cost over $6,000. That makes the $900 repair for the old one a no-brainer. I'm surprised that the affected area stays as warm as it does; temps have been in the low 60's in that part of the house. Good air flow I presume. We don't want to overtax the working furnace so have ordered the new heat exchange unit and will have it installed next week.

Thanks, BJ and Joanne for your 'warm' thoughts!

Stasia, I'm pretty certain you will enjoy The Color Purple.

Our group didn't meet last night. I hate that there is no make-up session for this book. We'll discuss it at our regularly scheduled meeting in March along with East of Eden. That happened one time last winter, and I remember thinking that discussing two different books in one 90-minute session was very unsatisfying. *sigh*

Well, that puts the repairs in perspective. It. $900 still isn't easy to swallow.

>54 Donna828: I found a lovely place to read on the upper level in one of the guest bedrooms. I was overlooking the lake in back with the sun streaming in the window. Very peaceful, but I spent more time surveying the scene than reading my book!

If you were trying to make everyone jealous Donna, I do believe you succeeded.

Hi, Donna! Loved your opening picture and quote: And I do not envy you the snow. I'm praying we wont have another go of it this winter, but I guess that would be like believing in Santa Claus. Well, at least we don't have any snow atm:)

I hope you are doing just fine in the snow. Good excuse to stay inside and read a good book;)

#61: I am with you, Bonnie! I think she did that deliberately :)

>61 brenzi: I was trying to figure out a way to become a guest! :)

Sending warm thoughts your way, Donna.

Your new snuggery must be looking over the landscape you posted earlier this week. No wonder it distracts you from your book. Just gorgeous!

>60 London_StJ:: This house is a money pit, Luxx. It's been awhile since we've had a major expense, though. I hope this isn't the start of more things falling apart.

>61 brenzi:, 63: *heh heh*...That's one 'heh' for Bonnie and one for Stasia.

I'm just looking for a cozy place to read. Not my fault if it involves a lovely view! If it makes you feel better, the pond in my back yard is covered with algae for 4-5 months of the year. ;-)

>62 Apolline:: My thread is feeling better now that you've paid a visit, Bente. For some reason I haven't gotten as much reading done as I'd like to. Too busy looking out the window at the snow!

>64 -Cee-:: I'll reserve a spot for you in the new lookout, Claudia, once the furnace is back to work and I can go read in my little library again.

>65 Carmenere:: Thanks, Lynda. Warm thoughts right back at you. More snow for us tonight!

Book No. 11: Nobody Said Not To Go by Ken Cutherbertson. 3.8 stars.

Emily Hahn was educated as a mining engineer in the 1920s but her real love was living life to the fullest and writing about it. She was an eclectic writer with over 50 books to her credit ranging in topics from angels to zoology. She lived in a variety of intriguing and sometimes dangerous places. Her uninhibited way of life and plain-spoken writing style assured that her travel memoirs on China, England, and Africa were eagerly read.

The rest of my review is here. I'm so glad I read this one for the Missouri Readers group. I would never have picked it up otherwise and would not have learned about this extraordinary woman.

I just read your review and thumbed it, Donna. This sounds good and I'm going to look for it in the library.

#67: I have already added that on to the BlackHole due to Terri's review and recommendation. I am glad to see you liked it too, Donna!

Drat! I forgot about Downton Abbey! I saw the first one only..
Houses really are money pits, aren't they? I was just saying that I need new doors.. Also a new countertop in the kitchen. Then the bathroom......

Morning Donna- The Emily Hahn book sounds very interesting. I might have to check that one out. I was able to download the 1st couple Downton Abbey episodes on my computer. Looking forward to them. Hope you have a nice Sunday.

Hi there Donna, so while admiring the view you've still managed to read eleven books? Wow, imagine if you were paying attention;-)

Thanks, Pat and Stasia, I hope you both like it. I'm looking forward to the conversation with the small group that is reading it. There are many interesting things to discuss.

When we moved here at the end of 1999, we did a lot of updating with new carpet, wood floors, countertops, painting, etc. Now it all needs to be done again! You still have time to see Downton Abbey on the computer, Kath. It's worth it.

You have a nice Sunday, too, Mark. Hubby and I will watch the Super Bowl together. I got out and went to church this morning while he worked some more on the driveway. It is slick out there!

>72 brenzi:: LOL, Bonnie.

Hi Donna, just de-lurking to say hi!

Oh, Donna, I lost you for a while!

I have you starred now!

Are you getting more snow this week? We are. I am amazed at this winter. My doggie is getting used to the snow now. At first, she did not want to go outside at all. Of course it has been warmer these last few days. Be careful on the roads. :)
--BJ

Hi Donna, I haven't chatted with you in a while. I'm the 107 hold out of 15 copies for Downton Abbey. :( It sounds a little like Upstairs, Downstairs, which I loved.

Hope your furnace install is uneventful this week. And hope your ice melts soon!

Hi, Ilana, hope you had a good week-end.

Terri, I'm glad you found me. Thanks for the star.

I think we're getting that same storm system again, BJ. We had flurries this morning and are expecting 3 to 6 inches on Tuesday night or Wed. morning. Lucky (our Lab) loves the snow (see profile pic). He's been right out there while my husband has worked on our driveway this week-end. He and I both miss our walks; it's just too dangerous out there now. Our street is full of icy ruts with no place safe to walk.

Hi, Joanne. You will love Downton Abbey. Something to look forward to. No word on when our furnace work will get done. I'm guessing the bad weather in the forecast will delay things. Hope all is well in your world.

Yes, houses are money pits.

And I've added Nobody said not to go to Mt. TBR.

Passing through to ............

> 66 Wow! I got a reservation!!!! Cool.

* off to dig out my biggest suitcase to pack for Donna's retreat!*

We bought our house in 1999 and (like you) feel the need to re-do! Spring is coming!

Hello and welcome to my new visitor, Ardene!

Doin' the wave with Kara, and

Getting Claudia's room ready. I'll put you in the warm side of the house. ;-)

: The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett. 4.6 stars.

This is another of my books read for my American Realism in Literature class. We haven’t begun to discuss it yet but I wanted to write some of my thoughts before they got influenced by academia. I’ll be adding additional comments after my classes this week. I got so caught up in this entrancing book, that I read beyond my assignment and included the four related stories at the end of the book. I want even more!

Coastal Maine is a glorious scenic area, and Jewett conveys the awareness of peace and sense of place wonderfully well through the voice of the unnamed narrator who spends an enchanted summer in the fictional village of Dunnet Landing. She was a writer who found plentiful material in the sights, sounds, and smells of the seaside and the hardy people who called it home.

I’ll let our narrator’s words express the love and admiration she has for this idyllic setting:

As we looked upward, the tops of the firs came sharp against the blue sky. There was a great stretch of rough pasture-land round the shoulder of the island to the eastward, and here were all the thick-scattered gray rocks that kept their places, and the gray backs of many sheep that forever wandered and fed on the thin sweet pasturage that fringed the ledges and made soft hollows and strips of green turf like growing velvet. I could see the rich green of bayberry bushes here and there, where the rocks made room. The air was very sweet; one could not help wishing to be a citizen of such a complete and tiny continents and home of fisher folk.

My "thoughts" turned into a full-fledged review which can be found on the book's page as soon as I can transfer it over there! I didn't include the longish quote in the review. That's for Claudia and Tina and other Maine residents and admirers - of which I am one!

ETA: That's strange...my Book No. 12: before the title of the book doesn't appear even though it's in my copy of the message. *scratching head*....I'll try to fix it later.

The Signet Classics edition of The Country of the Pointed Firs.

I am so tired and soooo confused. This is the book I read. There is only one review listed which is the one I just posted. The same book, but different editions, have either 7 reviews or 11 reviews, depending on which book you choose. My question is....why aren't these books combined? Is this something I can fix? I don't want to put my review under another edition. Am I just being stubborn? Going to bed now. I'd love to know how to fix this problem, even though it is a small deal in the larger realm of LT.

I would fix the problem if I knew how, Donna!

Great review of The Country of the Pointed Firs!

Donna, as far as I can tell there are at least three different editions of Jewett's book at LT

1. The Country of the Pointed Firs and Other Stories (Signet Classics). That one has one review--yours.

2. The Country of the Pointed Firs and Other Stories. That one has 11 reviews.

3. The Country of the Pointed Firs. That one has 7 reviews, one of which is mine. This one includes a portfolio of photographs of coastal Maine during Jewett's time. The touchstone at #82 links to that one.

These are three distinct editions of the same book, so they shouldn't be combined. Hope this helps.

Looks like there's a fourth one as well: The Country of the Pointed Firs and Selected Short Fiction (Barnes & Noble). That one has 3 reviews.

Found your review and thumbed it, Donna. The book sounds great. I'll be interested to hear what your class thinks of it.

This book sounds wonderful!

Have you been having class? The schools here have been closed for a week and will close tomorrow. Plus more snow coming. I can't figure out why they closed for tomorrow except that I did see on tv that Tulsa lost up to 30 water main pipes to the subzero temps. Or maybe they closed because the neighborhood streets are still a mess. But we have had some nice days to melt some of the snow. I am taking my Toyota out tomorrow. Wish me luck!
--BJ

A book by any other name...or ISBN. Still sounds good Donna.

I envy you your class.

Lovely review, Donna! I am loving the book as well.

Me too! I think the book is terrific. Makes me want to pick up and move to Maine! (not that it would take much convincing on my part, I admit)

Hi Donna, as much as I try to keep my wishlisted books to a minimum a book comes along that just can't be ignored so The Country of the Pointed Firs is now added. Everyone's classes sure make me want to take a course. But naaaa! I'll just continue to take them vicariclassly. :P

That would have confused me too!

Good morning to all! No time to chat because...I have class today. Yay! I was really bummed when both classes were canceled last week. I would have gladly braved the elements to talk about our new book, The Country of Pointed Firs.

>85 labwriter:: Thank you, Becky, for your research and explanation. I'm going to take a quick look at all the reviews on all the different links. I thought I was losing my mind last night and was certain that I'd lost my review.

Great review, Donna. I was trying to remember if I had read that book yet or not. I know I had wanted to a long time ago - and now that I read your review, I remember that I did indeed read it. I loved it, but it was awhile ago and though I don't normally re-read books I just might get this out of the library again.

I'll never be considered a true Mainer since I was not born here, but I am so in love with this state. It will always be home in my heart.

I combined some of the Country of the Pointed Firs books, but some of them have that "and other stories," so I don't think they can be combined--who knows whether they all have the same other stories.

ETA: I see the bit about the "and other stories" editions was explained above. There were still several separate works that needed to be combined.

I've never heard of the book or the author but already your class is messing with my teetering tower Donna. Thumb for that review, regardless of the edition, as it sounds too good to pass up.

Lovely quote and nice review!

Good luck with class today :)

The gremlins in my computer wouldn't let me post on my thread here last night. I also had trouble accessing my email. A night of 'shut down' for both me and the computer seems to have worked wonders.

>94 -Cee-:: Claudia, I am a transplanted Missourian. I feel like this is home, but I miss the Great Lakes and pointed firs of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which I consider the home of my heart. Where are you from originally?

>95 carlym:: Thanks, Carly. I'm sure this happens frequently on LT with all the different editions of books out there.

>96 brenzi:: I hadn't heard of the book or author either, Bonnie. That's one of the reasons I'm loving this class.

>97 curlysue:: I think I'll need the good luck for tomorrow's class, Kara. It's snowing here again. It looks like we got 2 or 3 inches overnight and its still coming down. A good day to stay home and read - right after I get a little housework done.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, fellow students. Pull up a chair as I muse over yesterday's notes on The Country of the Pointed Firs.

Most of our discussion centered around the unnamed narrator who was a visitor to Dunnet's Landing and whether or not this worked as opposed to a narrator who was rooted in the area. Some of the comments (that I agreed with) were that she achieved a practical function as "translator" of a regional area with lots of local color. As a spectator in the community, the narrator had a wider perspective about the "mystery" of the area and had less bias against the quirky characters.

I don't want to get too in-depth here. I'm glad to have this opportunity to dig deeper into some books with this group of young minds that seem to enjoy literature as much as I do. I'm also glad that in the revised syllabus (because we lost two days of class last week), this particular discussion has not been shortchanged.

Loved your review (and I love this book as well. Glad your discussion in class did not get shortchanged.

Hi Donna...
I was born in MA. Moved around that state and CT for most of my life.
Rather than missing and feeling nostalgic about my past homes, I feel drawn, comfortable and rooted to my new one. Maine has always been calling me. So, here I am! :)

#98: Thanks for sharing the class discussion with us, Donna!

Greetings to Ardene, Claudia, and Stasia.

It's been a long day for me. I'm going to pull some leftovers out to be reheated and put up my feet for the rest of the evening. I'm sure there will be a book involved.

Just a few comments from my class today: We talked about the lack of dramatic plot but agreed that there is plenty going on in The Country of the Pointed Firs, even some conflicts. In general terms, we had a discussion of Land (the encroaching "new") vs. the Sea (an "old" imperiled way of life). On the few journeys the narrator took to some of the surrounding islands, the further she got from Dunnet's Landing, the further she moved away from 'modern' civilization.

Solitude is a major theme of the book. It was interesting to see how many different connotations between solitude and isolation there are. We are digging deeply into this book where on the surface very little happens -- and I am enjoying every introspective minute of it.

One more day in Maine next Tuesday...then on to Huckleberry Finn.

You're really making me want to read The Country of the Pointed Firs, Donna. It's great that you're spending so much time on each book. I'm looking forward to the class comments on Huckleberry Finn. I recently bought a nice illustrated copy of it after reading Becky's comments about the book.

:( Hate it when the computer fails ....!

My sister posted a picture of their back yard in Abilene, KS, yesterday, Donna, with the path dug out for the dog between the back door and the garage door! Brrr!! But I hear it's going to be 50 on Monday--that's when they are driving my mother to Kansas City to catch the plane.

The Pointed Firs book sounds like great reading. Huckleberry Finn should also spur some fascinating discussion.

I've fallen hopelessly behind, but I thought I'd at least say hello and congratulations on the hot-hot-hot review! :-)

Donna, I must ask, do you have the new Huck Finn with the improved language?

#102> I second this. The more I hear about this book, the more I want to read it.
--BJ

#102: I agree with you and your classmates about Solitude as an overarching theme of the books. I had not considered the 'Land' vs 'Sea' aspect though. Thanks for giving more to think about as I read through.

Today is the day I will "catch up" with my LT friends. I know, it's an impossible task but I'll give it the ol' college try. ;-)

>103 phebj:: Hi Pat, I really like digging into a book occasionally. I wouldn't want to do it with everything I read, although I do like to think about my books. The reviews I write are mostly a way for me to clarify my thoughts about a book before moving on to the next one.

I have an illustrated 1996 edition of Huckleberry touted as "the only comprehensive edition," whatever that means. According to the flyleaf, it contains "for the first time omitted episodes and other variations present in the first half of the handwritten manuscript, as well as facsimile reproductions of thirty manuscript pages." I'll be reading that edition along with the PB Dover edition I had to buy for my class so that we would all be on the same page. I'm looking forward to doing the bulk of my reading from my HC with the pictures and more reader-friendly print!

>104 mckait:: I suspect my problems stemmed from the huge file my aunt in Michigan was sending to me. But, yeah, I hate when the computer acts up because the only remedy I know is to shut it down for a bit.

>105 ronincats:: Hi Roni, it's good to see you here. I'm looking forward to that warmer weather that is predicted for the midwest. Have a great visit with your mother. Maybe winter will be over when she has to return to Kansas.

>106 Smiler69:: I was hot and I missed it! I thought I felt a fleeting sense of warmth and wondered where it came from. ;-)

>107 brenzi:: I don't think the improved version will be allowed on campus...or in my home!

>108 billiejean:: Hi, BJ. If you do read the Pointed Firs book, it will be like taking a mini vacation from the cares of everyday life. At least it was for me.

>109 alcottacre:: I'm so glad you're reading along with me, Stasia. I wish you could sit in on the class as well. Can you tell I'm enjoying myself?

Just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your reviews but I also enjoy hearing about your class discussions regarding the book of topic :)

always insightful :)

good luck with your reading of Huck Finn.....I think I read that one...will have to check :/

Hello Donna, I'm pleased to see you rate Pointed Firs so highly. Lucy (sibyx) recommended this book to me recently - I had not heard of it or the author before. I haven't read your comments or review properly, because I want to read the book first, but I'll come back and look up what you've said later.

>111 curlysue:: Thank you for those kind words, Kara. I don't want to overdo on the "class notes" and scare people away from my thread. I last read Huckleberry Finn in high school (I think) so am overdue for another look at it.

>112 gennyt:: Pointed Firs was a new book to me, too, Genny. I'm so glad I read it. I'm looking forward to seeing how you liked it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Confession Time! I am a book snob. I don’t judge others for what they read, but I consider myself a discriminating reader. I have avoided mysteries and books in series for hazy reasons until I became a “believer” after succumbing to all the testimonials for the Louise Penny books. Now, I am venturing into an 11-book (so far) series and liking it.

Book No. 13: A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King. 3.6 stars.

This is the second book in the series, following the allure of The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, which I read last summer. It could be tagged “Religious scholar meets mystic” and is very much Mary Russell’s story with her mentor Sherlock Holmes playing a supporting role. Though Mary comes of age and forms her own identity, they are linked through the understated romance portrayed by the ‘sweet’ rather than the ‘sexy’ approach. Much can be made about the sizable age difference between the retired Holmes and a young woman of 21, but I find this becomes irrelevant as I get to know the characters. To use an overworked term, they are indeed “soul mates.”

The mystery angle seems weak to me, a non-mystery reader. I most enjoy the excellent character developments and the inside look at England in the 1920s. You might say that I have become hooked on this series!

I'm adding A Monstrous Regiment of Women to the tbr in 2011 list.

Hello to you dear one!

Donna- Most of us are "Book Snobs", but in the most positive way! LT has molded us into better readers, more versatile, that's for sure!
I also read The Beekeeper’s Apprentice last year and look forward to continuing the series. Glad you liked the 2nd one. It's very tough keeping up with these series books. It might be my biggest chore!

Oh yeah, The Beekeeper's Apprentice....forgot about that....it's sitting on my shelf along with a bunch of other books I haven't read yet. Help!

LT has molded us into better readers, more versatile, that's for sure

What LT had started doing for me, in just three months, the 75ers group with you brilliant lot are doing absolute wonders for my appreciation of literature in all it's many forms.

>114 Whisper1:: Hello, to you, dear Linda. Don't forget to read the first in the series, The Beekeeper's Apprentice before this one if you haven't already done so.

>115 msf59:: Hi Mark, it is tough to keep up with books in series. I was half-heartedly hoping that I wouldn't like this second book so I could cross it off my list. No way!

>116 brenzi:: "Help" is right, Bonnie. Be sure to keep in mind that The Beekeeper's Apprentice will lead you down the path to ten more books.

>117 Smiler69:: Well said, Ilana. I'm glad you are now part of that "brilliant lot." We all add to each other's appreciation. It's a win-win situation, especially for the booksellers.

I hope everyone has a great week-end. The weather is looking better for us. I hope we can resume our daily walks when some of the ice ruts melt off the streets and sidewalks around here. Thank goodness I had the company of good books while I was hibernating during the recent cold and snow.

"Thank goodness I had the company of good books while I was hibernating during the recent cold and snow."

I agree Donna! It is a cold, icy winter and it seems more difficult this year than others.

#110: I wish you could sit in on the class as well. Can you tell I'm enjoying myself?

Yes, I can, and I wish I could sit in on the class too!

Donna, I don't want to speak for other LTers, but if you ask me, I don't think you can overdo the class notes. I'm reading Pointed Firs along with you (or more accurately, hopelessly trailing along behind you), so that I can enjoy your class vicariously. I plan to enjoy your class even with books I'm not reading. I really appreciate you sharing.

what AMQS said! :)

Hey there, Linda, Stasia, Anne, and Kara. I'm glad the class notes aren't driving you away. It's been quiet around here today, both on LT and at my house. The melting snow has been soothing background noise for my evening reading.

I know most everyone on LT seems to have an ereader of some sort. I'm one of the holdouts; thus far anyway. Here is an interesting passage from Reading the OED in favor of real books. He is comparing the OED in book form and reading it online:

You cannot drop the computer on the floor in a fit of picque, or slam it shut. You cannot leave a bookmark with a note on it in a computer and then come upon it after several years and feel happy you've found something you thought you had lost. You cannot get any sort of tactile pleasure from rubbing the pages of a computer.

Reading on a computer screen gives you no sense of time or investment. The page always looks the same. When reading a book, no matter how large or small it is, a tension builds, concurrent with your progress through its pages.

I've never sat down at a new computer and, prior to using it, felt a deep and abiding need to open it up and sniff it as deeply as I can, the way I have with many a book. Sitting down at a computer has never provided me with that delicious anticipatory sense that I am about to be utterly and rhapsodically transported by the words within it.

Great quote, Donna! I'm a holdout, too, though I recently read an article comparing e-readers in The Denver Post. The opening lines gave me a vision of my future this summer when we travel to Europe:

"A novel, three magazines, two newspapers, an MP3 player and a bag of trail mix just fit into the seat pocket in front of me. I shoved my briefcase, which still contained a laptop, about 3 more pounds of work reading and a backup novel, under the seat with my foot.

A man came down the airplane aisle, motioned that he was in the window seat next to me and sat down. In his hands he carried nothing but a slim case with a set of headphones attached, and he spent the four-hour flight reading and listening.

Meanwhile, I shuffled and juggled my reading materials until the end of the trip, when I loaded it all back up again and lugged it all off the plane as he sauntered casually behind me, carrying what looked to be the weight of a half-pound cheeseburger — only much less messy.

And thus I experienced my first case of e-reader envy."

Still, when I ran this by my husband, he reminded me that an e-reader would be unlikely to survive a trip to Cyprus with the extreme temperatures (it can get up to 120 degrees) and the very fine sand on the beach where we'll be every day. So to books I will be true, and I'm glad. For now :)

I am still a book person, too. But I saw on tv that a high school in Florida has given all of its students the option of a school kindle with all the textbooks on it instead of tons of weight in the backpack. Almost all the students took the kindle. Seeing what my girls carried in their backpacks, I think I would take the kindle, too! :)
--BJ

Despite having a Nook, I am still very much of a 'dead tree' book reader. As of right now, I have read 56 books this year. Four have been on my Nook :)

Donna, I totally agree with your post except when it comes to 800+ page books. Since I take off my glasses when I read and have to hold the print close to my eyes, there I can really see the advantage of e-readers-- not to mention the stress on my wrists.

>124 AMQS:. Not sure that I would agree with your husband's assessment of the ereader not surviving heat or sand. And what about water? You can get a waterproof case for the Kindle.

Hi Donna,
I agree with Anne & Kara - love hearing about your class. Thanks for the "notes"!
Have a great day! :)

The hubster and I just had a lively ereader debate over breakfast, thanks to this discussion and a change to the NY Times best seller lists that now integrates ebooks and print. Both of us prefer dead tree books but can see the potential utility of the ereader in certain situations. He's really not a gadget person at all, and I'm only mildly one. I suspect I will take the plunge someday. But right now I am heavily reliant on used books and the library, and they meet my needs very well.

Hi Donna, just want to say that I so enjoy your literature class postings! I had never heard about The Pointed Firs, but put them on my watch list now - tbr once I am buying again. :-)

Re e-readers: I quite used to my Kindle now, but still prefer real books, especially when the book is 'big'. I am reading War and Peace right now and am constantly paging backward to check something. Bookmarks on the Kindle are not the same. And I would take neither the Kindle nor a 'good' real book edition to a sandy beach, only paperbacks. The Kindle is great for long flights or train rides and I like the free test chapters.

>131 Deern:. Very good points. If I'm going to read a book where I need to be paging backward and forward, looking in the back at notes, etc., then I wouldn't use the Kindle. Also, my DH won't use it for his technical books because often the images of tables are too small to read. I'm also not sure I always get all of the illustrations in a book on my Kindle. So I'm discriminating in what books I'm willing to read on the Kindle. E-readers aren't perfect. But I also think that these are issues of a developing technology that will eventually be solved.

I also use the free test chapters to see if I really want to buy a book. For me one of the best things about the Kindle, though, is when it's late at night and I've just finished a novel and I want something to replace it. The Kindle store is always open.

Having said that, I'm the type of person who enjoys the physicality of the book.

Wow, what a great discussion. I'll respond in depth later today. I just got home from early church and have to run out and buy some gift cards (Best Buy this time) for my great nephews' birthday party at noon. One is 23 and the other is 18. They're not my littlebuddies anymore. *sniff*

Hope everyone has fun at the party Donna!

Adding my two bits on the ereader discussion, I'm a holdout too as I also prefer paper books but also, if I'm to get one, since I'm a Mac addict, I would want to get the iPad. But I can't justify the cost of it at this point as haven't been traveling like I used to, so I'm content to just wait for now. That said, I wouldn't mind ANY kind of ereader when it comes to large volumes—I like to read in bed and they always threaten to drop on my face!

I feel like here we go again with the e-reader discussion. And I think I'm being wooed by them at last. As the price continues to decline, I'm likely to buy one at some point in time, but I really love having a book in my hand, one I can look at on my shelf if I choose to keep it, hand off to a friend, etc. But I can see the practicality of an e-reader, especially for travel.

>124 AMQS:: I thought that was a great rebuttal quote, Anne. Having one small device on a trip sure beats the books I have to carry along with me. First of all, the main book, something I'm already into and know I like, and then the 'crap shoot' of the books that I think I will like. I end up spending as much time on my book selection as I do packing!

>125 billiejean:: I hadn't heard that before, BJ. That is such a great thing for those students. I can see why they chose the Kindle option.

>126 alcottacre:: If and when I get an ereader, Stasia, it will very much be a supplement to the dead tree books!

>127 GCPLreader:: Bad on the wrists, Jenny, but think of the svelte arms you will have if you keep holding up those tomes!

>128 labwriter:: Becky, the waterproof case sounds like a must-have for a beach destination.

>129 -Cee-:: Thanks, Claudia. I'll continue to post highlights from my class. It helps me to pick out the most important and interesting bits of the discussions.

>130 lauralkeet:: Laura, I suspect many of us 'holdouts' will be owning some type of an e-reader in the future. I'm waiting for the price of the ipad to drop.

>131 Deern:: You raise some good points, Nathalie, especially about taking the older paperbacks to the beach.

>132 labwriter:: The Kindle store is always open.
Ah, there lies temptation. I would have to train myself to turn out the light and go to sleep.

>134 Smiler69:: The party was so much fun, Ilana. The "birthday boys" left early; one to work and one to meet up with a friend. We played a silly board game where we had to take turns guessing who gave what answer. I also ate too much...and then we got stuck in the snow. Fun times!

My niece, who hosted the party, has both a Kindle and an ipad. She prefers reading on the ipad. I guess the Kindle sits in a drawer.

>135 brenzi:: Ah, Bonnie, the voice of reason. I agree with everything you said...as usual.

Wow.. has it been that long since I was here?
You have been a busy woman!

I will only say that like stasia, I have my nook and enjoy reading books onit. I still read more "real" books.. I doubt that will ever change. One of the biggest reasons is the hand off to a friend bonnie mentions.

Sounds like good times were had by all Donna! :-)

I'd want the iPad over a Kindle because there's so much more you can do with it of course. And having full colour resolution is quite nice to if like me, you appreciate book covers and nice graphics and such. I wonder if the prices are ever likely to drop significantly? I've been an Apple fan for... well since they came out basically, and one thing I know is that most of their hardware is NOT priced for bargain hunters!

Hi Donna - I'm hopelessly behind but love scanning through the erearer comments. I enjoy my NookColor but much prefer the tactile sensation of a physical book. I can't picture ever paying $10-$15 for a book I don't really own. I will pay a dollar or two for a classic or a special buy. I love borrowing library books, especially mysteries which are bulky in hard cover but too small as mass market paperbacks. And I've recently tried netGalley for new books.

My husband is shocked, shocked I tell you! to discover that I still want/need to buy used books at the library store!!

Oh and I just bought The Country of Pointed Firs for my Nook - the library didn't have it so...I couldn't resist!

You just inspired me to get The Country of the Pointed Firs (plus a few others) for my Kindle, Joanne. $0 Gotta love it! It'll be a re-read for me. The first time I read it I took it out of the library - years ago. Now I own it. Cool.

Hi Donna!!

#139: My husband is shocked, shocked I tell you! to discover that I still want/need to buy used books at the library store!!

So is mine :)

>137 mckait:: Hi Kath, it hasn't been long at all since you visited. Sounds like the Kindle/ dead tree combo works well for you.

>138 Smiler69:: You are probably right, Ilana, about the ipad prices remaining stable. I don't have a particular loyalty to Apple so I might be tempted by a copycat version. My son-in-law has a Samsung Galaxy (I think). I'll be sure to ask how he's liking it when we go to KC for my granddaughter's birthday party on Saturday.

>139 Copperskye:: Oh, these husbands! Yours probably thought he was being so clever in thinking he had found the perfect replacement for the TBR mountain. I hope he has gotten over his shock. ;-)

Joanne, I think you've hit on the perfect solution in using your Nook for free and/or cheap books. I'll have to tell my SIL about Pointed Firs as she showed an interest in reading it yesterday. My copy has tiny print making it undesirable as a loaner.

>140 -Cee-:: I'm glad my thread was useful for you, Claudia. It does seem like a resident of the great state of Maine needs to own Pointed Firs.

>141 alcottacre:, 142: Wow! What a precious bear. Bears are near and dear to my heart since they are the Missouri State mascots. I am drinking coffee out of my bear mug right now. Thank you, Stasia. I love having you and other LT members in my life!

And now, a little Valentine for you all...blatantly "borrowed" from my last email from The Tattered Cover in Denver. Happy Valentine's Day!



Edited to resize the monster book heart down to a more reasonable level!

Book No. 14: Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok. 3 stars.

This was a fast read that entertained but didn't delve deeply into the immigrant experience. After coming to NYC from Hong Kong, a mother and daughter lived in an unheated, roach-infested apartment and had to work long hours in a garment factory. Where was the emotional pain of a 6th-grader not fitting in and an adult sister being teated so poorly by her sponsor-sister?

You can read more here..

Edited for typos.

Happy Valentine's Day, Donna. I read and thumbed your review. I've seen Girl in Translation mentioned several times on LT but don't remember anyone raving about it. Sounds like one I can safely pass on.

Happy Valentine's Day, my friend! I've had a copy of Girl in Translation for awhile now, but since the response has been a bit lukewarm, I keep moving it down the stacks.
I left you a reply over on my thread, about your noted absence. Stop by! :-}

Hi Donna, I read Girl in Translation as an early review book. I liked it more than you did but didn't love it. I didn't like the ending at all.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hey Donna! I read The Beekeepers Apprentice last summer too and I enjoyed Russell's relationship with Holmes as well. I look forward to reading the series but it won't be anytime soon.

I recently had a conversation with my local librarian regarding dedicated e-readers. She had attended a conference recently where all discussions seemed to revert back to e-readers. Consensus was, they are just a passing alternative to dead tree books and multi-use devices are more advantageous because of its many uses. Although, I've looked at Nooks, Kindles and the like, I think I'll hold out till the price of the iPads drop.

I haven't been able to read everything, but I saw plenty of class discussions and another ereader debate. I'm actually assigning a research paper today, and one of my topics is whether or not schools should switch to ereaders.

I use both; my ereader has made me more willing to "branch out," and I save my paper purchases for books I know I'll actually want to use again. I guess I use my Kindle like others use the library; I pick things up that look interesting, read through them, and don't mind if I don't come across them a second time.

I just started allowing my students to use free etexts instead of purchasing textbooks. College textbook prices are out of control, and there are only so many library copies available.

>144 curlysue:: Thanks, Kara. Hope you had a good V-Day.

>145 Donna828:: Wow, two typos in one message. Someone was in a rush! I wanted to start the readathon on time and "slapped" out that review pretty quickly. I ended up reading 4.5 hours and finishing two books....one I had already started and the other was juvenile fiction. I'll post more on them tomorrow.

>146 phebj:: Pat, don't be too quick to pass over Girl in Translation. Others have liked it more than I did.

>147 msf59:: I'll be glad when you get over this fantasy thing, Mark, although my kiddie lit does qualify for it. Lots of talking animals and such.

>148 Copperskye:: I actually reserved GIT at the library when you reviewed it, Joanne, That's how long it took me to get to it! I thought the book was miscategorized. It screamed "Young Adult" to me! Nothing wrong with YA, just not what I was expecting.

>149 Carmenere:: Hi Lynda. I've talked to somebody who has an ipad copycat that runs off the Android network. Not sure what it's called, but they are happy with it. Oh yes, and it's quite a bit cheaper. I'm not in a rush.

>150 London_StJ:: That is so cool about the etexts, Luxx. I'm sure your students appreciate your understanding. You are so right about the price of college textbooks. Outrageous! I'm glad I didn't have to buy any...just the PB versions of the books we'll discuss. I got off cheap.

Hi Donna, like Joanne, I liked Girl in Translation but didn't love it. The idea of being able to adjust the size of the print with an e-reader is very enticing. I feel like I don't need the large type books in the library but some print is just too small. Hmmm an iPad or one of its competitors is sounding more and more alluring to me.

I had Girl in Translation in the BlackHole. Sounds like I can just take it right back out again.

oooooo~~ Donna.. do you have a larger version of that "valentine"?
I would love to have it for a background image for my nook...

I rec'd. a nook for Christmas. I confess that I've only read one book on it. Maybe I haven't had time to learn all the fun things about it, but I think it is more of an issue of all these tangible books staring at me from the shelves..oh, and all the library books I keep checking out.

I love visiting my local library. The folks are now my friends and I so enjoy the book chats and the camaraderie.

>152 brenzi:: I know what you're saying about the small print, Bonnie. The cheapo editions of the books I had to buy for my class all seem to be with tiny print. I'm in big trouble if I forget my glasses when I go to class. I don't wear them all the time, but they're a necessity for small print.

>153 alcottacre:: It's not the I disliked GIT, Stasia. I just thought it could have been so much more than it was.

>154 mckait:: Hi Kath, I sent you the link for "My book and heart shall never part." I hope the TC doesn't have a copyright on it, although I'm sure they could keep me from copying the jpg code if that was the case.

>155 Whisper1:: Hi Linda. I have that same "problem" with books on the shelves. I also love my library. That's where my book group meets once a month, and I've met the nicest book people there. Have a great day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun is shining and I have a dog here eagerly anticipating our walk. I am so out of the habit with all the snow and ice that we've had. I've even been walking up the four flights of stairs to my classroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays to get more exercise. We have a treadmill that I call the "dreadmill" - I feel like a hamster whenever I use it!

Oh, yea, the furnace man is coming today to replace the heat exchanger. With the warmer weather, I've been able to use my snuggery for reading again, but I have a hunch there's still quite a bit of cold weather in our future.

Hi Donna! Life is good.... books, dogs, walks and furnace repair! Have a good one!

I'm glad to see your furnace will be repaired today, Donna. You are quite right, plenty of cold weather ahead. I am so looking forward to pleasant weather and energetic walks through the neighborhood. Working out indoors does nothing for winter accumulated blubber.

Life is good, Claudia. The no-personality repairman is here working away. I can see him being glum when he was working in the extreme cold and snowdrifts a couple weeks ago, but it is very pleasant outside this morning. The temps are moderate and the birds are chirpity! What's not to smile about?

Lynda, I actually worked up a sweat on our 'energetic' walk this morning. Being overdressed could have been the real cause, however.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There isn't much to report from yesterday's class. We did a close reading of the first two paragraphs of Pointed Firs. Now, I understand that the first paper due in a week or so is on a "close reading" of the student's chosen passage. I'm auditing the class so I won't be doing said paper which made the 'modeling' of what a close reading consists of somewhat boring to me. When I overanalyze something, it loses its freshness and impact on me. I look forward to reading the first 50 pp. of Huck Finn for tomorrow's class later today.

Book No. 15: Reading the OED by Ammon Shea. 3.4 stars.

This cover amused me, as did the book. The subtitle is: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages. I would not have the desire or patience to read through a 20-volume set of definitions, most of which are for words I had never heard of or would use in ordinary speech. I personally think Shea's passion bordered on obsession, but it made for a clever book.

I tried to be equally clever with my review. However, I spared the curious reader who clicks on the link and only used ten of these obscure words in writing about the book. My review is here.

Loved your review Donna! Very clever. I was quite proud of the fact that I recognized all of four of the obscure words you used. And it reassures me greatly to know that I'm not the only one who suffers from acute onomatomania when writing reviews. In my case this condition is also present when writing emails, post-its, messages on threads, blog entries... and never mind trying to write fiction. Oh my.

I thought the review clever too, Donna!

Great review Donna,and the book sounds good too! (And I knew none of those words...)

Thanks Ilana, Stasia, and Cushla. I won't say I learned a lot of new words from the book because there are very few that I would use in speech and the kind of writing that I do. They probably wouldn't work for Scrabble, either, because I doubt if too many of them are in the Official Scrabble Dictionary. But it was a quick, fun book to read.

I'll pass it on to my son who used to read the World Book Encyclopedias as a youngster. Now I can see doing that because at least the articles are interesting, but to sit down and read a voluminous dictionary? No way! Too many good books out there that I want to read.

>164 Donna828: but to sit down and read a voluminous dictionary? No way!

Agreed! Total waste of time and energy. It's the way in which words are arranged in sentences/paragraphs etc. that make the reading of them worthwhile. I can't imagine doing that.

Thumb for the review Donna.

Wonderful review, Donna. You have a great way with words and duly thumbed.

Loved your review Donna. I had never seen most of those words and the few I had I'd have a hard time pronouncing because I never hear anyone use them.

That was a great review, Donna. The book looks interesting and suitably offbeat.

About the Maine book: Many people in Maine like or seek out places where they can be alone and enjoy that solitude. Of course such places near the ocean are becoming more and more rare. I grew up in MA in a coastal town and somehow that feeling one gets from the ocean just never leaves. I miss it terribly, but I wouldn't go live there now---I need a warmer climate!

I was wondering as I've been reading along about your class whether you might get to a point of feeling that the books were being overanalyzed. I see that a bit of that has happened, with the "close reading". I agree with you: some spontaneous pleasure is lost that way. I mean, I like to understand what I'm reading, I like to know the author's background and how it influenced his writing, I like to know some of the references being made. But I don't like pulling it completely apart. That was one aspect of lit. classes that just turned me off completely.

Sorry for the soapbox. I'm dying to get your reactions to Huck.

Your review is a hoot, Donna! Thanks for the entertaining read.

Hi Donna! What Joanne said! fun...

Donna- Very clever review! Great job! Sorry, still on "Fantasy"!

Hey there Bonnie, Lynda, Pat, Gail, Joanne, Claudia, and Mark. Whew, I didn't know so many people read my thread! I've been under the spell of early-spring fever with this fantastical (*nod* to Fantasy February and Mark) weather. I've been outside as much as possible which is cutting into my LT time. Thanks for appreciating my hokey review. I'll blame it on the fresh air. ;-)

Gail, I'll tell you about Huck tomorrow and will also post a short and run-of-the-mill review of my juvenile (as in Children's Lit) fantasy book.

Book No. 16: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. 3.8 stars.

I feel a bit like a "cheater" with my last two books reported here. I finished both of them on Monday during Ellie's readathon. I'm spacing the reviews out a little because who knows when I'll ever get through reading my philosophy book? It is messing with my mind which makes my fun OED book and this one, a children's book, much-needed oases in my trek across the desert of deep thinking.

This may be the shortest review I've ever done. It's here in its entirety and doesn't deserve any thumbs, but do go to the book page and read some of the more eloquent reviews on this magical book. And, don't you just love this book cover?

This charming book is based on a host of Chinese folk tales that slowly release their mysteries and magic during Minli's quest to change her family's fortune. There is plenty of adventure to satisfy the most imaginative child. The delightful color illustrations make this a visually appealing book that will become a treasure in a lucky child's library.

Donna, I had already included this one on my WL recently when I saw it mentioned on Kerry's (avatiakh) thread as one of her favourites of 2010. I've already added that you also recommend it in my notes and will see if they have it at the library.

ETA: they have several copies actually, yay! :-)

Donna, your review of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was thumb-worthy to me!

You have a way with words--loved the phrase the desert of deep thinking.

#173: I am glad to see you enjoyed that one, Donna. I loved it.

I like the phrase the desert of deep thinking too. Makes me wish I had one.

#173 I've had that one on the wishlist for a while, glad you enjoyed it. Also looking forward to your thoughts on Huck.

Hi Pat and Stasia. You, too, can be in the desert of deep thinking if you read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It's a little about a father-son motorcycle trip across the Dakotas, Idaho, etc. but it's much more about the "high country of the mind" with its philosophical ramblings. I love books like this and am taking my time with it.

Hi Heather. We didn't get very far into our discussion of Huck Finn on Thursday. Mostly we talked about the "lies" in the book and the idea that they weren't lies per se but more the longings of young boys with adventure in their hearts and the folk beliefs of slaves. We are reading the "N" version of the book but I probably won't be using it here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We're off on our own adventure today. We're driving up to Kansas City for our granddaughter's basketball game and the early celebration of her 9th birthday. Fun times, although it's a long drive (almost 6 hours round trip) for a way too short visit. My rule is that we have to spend at least as much time there as it takes to drive so it will be a long day!

Have a great time, Donna! Travel safely. Wish Sadie a happy birthday from me. I hope she enjoys the books.

Wow, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a real blast from the past. I must have read that over 30 years ago and don't remember it well except that I liked it. Your mention of the Idaho connection makes me think I need to try it again. Is this the first time you've read it?

Hope you have a great trip. Sounds like Zen would make a good road trip book on CD.

Have fun Donna. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is another one in our school library that I'll have to check out.

I also read Zen and the Art... more than 30 years ago. What I remember is that one of its messages was to focus on what you were doing at the moment, and do it as well as possible, no matter how small or trivial a task it was (usually in the context of various repairs or adjustments to the bike). I wonder how this goes down with young adults now, in a world where this is a much more alien concept than it was then?

have a safe trip!

I love long titles this month. I just saw you added Zen and the Art on Madeline's challenge. I have this one on my shelves and look forward to reading it. If I weren't already stupendously overbooked I'd gladly join you, but I guess it'll be for another book, another time. Hope your trip is going/went well.

I'm back and behind as usual on LT chat. We had a safe trip and fun time. It was Sadie's last basketball game yesterday (her first season and the first game I've witnessed, although Grandpa got to see one at our last visit). She scored four goals as she so sweetly put it: 'one for each of her grandparents.' Awww, I love those heart-melting moments. She's a good little athlete with the emphasis on little. She was by far the smallest player on the floor - and maybe the fastest. Sadie started walking at 8 months and hasn't slowed down since. Her sister Audrey takes after me and has a more sedate approach to life.

Okay, back to books...Pat and Janet. This is my second reading of Motorcycle Maintenance. I too read it back in the day (mid 70s) and was blown away by the ideas presented. I'm still intrigued with Pirsig's background and his deep thinking. I told my oldest son I was reading this again, and he got dibs on my copy of it and the Guidebook to it which I may or may not read. We're going to have a mini book discussion about it next time I visit Denver.

Stasia, Sadie did like the books. I'm a little surprised she hadn't heard of the Boxcar Children. I'm looking forward to her reaction. She'll probably want to read all 125 or so of the series! Thank goodness for libraries.

Mountain Meets the Moon is a quick but lovely read, Bonnie. A little bit of synchronicity here. There is a retelling of the greedy monkey story in both this children's book and the philosophical Zen/Motorcycle book. Am I supposed to be learning a lesson about 'letting go' here?

Hi Kara: I was sort of dreading the trip because I didn't plan ahead and get an audio book for us to listen to. We had a combination of music - a little country and a lot of oldies - and some conversation. We saw some wild turkeys and deer and one Amish vehicle on the road. We made good time with an emphasis on the good.

Hi Ilana. When you do get to ZMM, I suggest that you allow plenty of time for rumination. It will either make you think...or drive you crazy. ;-)

>168 Matke:: Bear with me as I go upthread because my rumination statement reminded me of Gail's overanalysis comment. Yes, books can be overanalyzed imo...and so can ideas. I think Pirsig does a lot of repetition of his thoughts on Quality in ZMM. But maybe that's a good thing because those philosophical concepts don't come easy to me.

Cake + Entertainment = Fun Time!

That is Griffin and his 14-year-old cousin Madison singing some current pop song with Sadie and Audrey as back-up.

It sound like the birthday celebration was wonderful - at least if the pictures are any indication!

Glad you had a nice trip - even without audio books - and that you made it home safely.

#186 - Oh, how absolutely adorable!! Glad you had fun!

Love the pictures, Donna! Thanks for sharing them. Looks like a good time was had by all.

Fabulous pictures!

Glad you had a great time Donna!

I love the picture of the kids singing on the fireplace :) My sister and I used to do that all the time! Stand on the fireplace and sing Muskrat Love from The Captain and Tennille...at least Madison has a microphone, we used a hairbrush :)

Yeah, I remember those singing days when we were little!
Glad the fun continues in your family, Donna.
Grandkids are the best! And yours are beautiful!
They take after Gram! :)

Good morning to Sandy, Joanne, Stasia, Luxx, Kara, and Claudia. Surprisingly, the "entertainment" wasn't bad, especially when they got off the fireplace hearth and Sadie and Audrey got to show off some of their synchronized dance moves. They are big fans of Just Dance on the wii. I hate to say this, but they are better dancers than singers! ;-)

I'd better get busy and do something constructive around here before I curl up with Huckleberry Finn on this rainy Monday. A perfect day for reading!

Thanks for the pictures, Donna. Your grandkids are adorable. Next time you'll have to post a video so we can see their dancing skills!

Rainy days are great for reading. I'm eager to hear what you think about Huckleberry Finn. I bought a copy recently after Becky loved it. I haven't read it in about 40 years so it's definitely due for a re-read.

Lovely photos, Donna! And what a terrific granddaughter to score a goal just for you!
--BJ

awww! love the pics!

Nice b-day pics, Donna. The cake looks especially yummy!
You had to bring up Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maint didn't cha?! I've wanted to read that book forever, must make concerted effort to get my hands on a copy.

That party looks like it was a fun time! Your grandchildren are adorable. Always enjoy your posts.

Looks like you had a great time Donna and were properly entertained. Lovely.

Howdy to Pat, BJ, Kath, Lynda, Regina, and Bonnie. How nice of everyone to stop by with nice things to say about the grands. They are pretty grand!

I've been AWOL here today. I ran lots of errands after my class and came home determined to finish my Motorcycle Maintenance book! I succeeded...now the hard thinking begins.

You've been reading such great books! I think I lost track of your thread somehow, so I am very glad you stopped by to say hi.

T.C Boyle is one of my favorite contemp. authors. East is such a send-up of writers.

#160: I like "jocoserious"!

Book No. 17: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. 4.8 stars.

I read this one when it first came out and was blown away by it. I still have that feeling, although I do understand it better this time around. I may have to enroll in a Philosophy course to appreciate it even more. I think this is one book that fits into the category of either love or hate. I loved it!

From my review...
What would you do if you woke up in a hospital with no memory of what brought you there? What if you learned that you had become a new person because the old one had been annihilated by a court order and a series of electroshock treatments? Well, Robert Pirsig took a long motorcycle journey with his 11-year-old son Chris and wrote a book about it.

The rest of my (Ha!) lofty thoughts can be found here.

>201 sibylline:: Hi Lucy, I still have some of the older T.C. Boyle books to read. He's one of those authors that never disappoints me so I want to save some of his books for those "picky" days. He also has a just-released book that I know little about.

>202 carlym:: I liked 'jocoserious' too, Carly. It's one that is easily figured out so it might work in everyday conversation...depending on the group one is talking with. ;-)

I'm finally caught up with you, Donna, and soon you'll probably be making a new thread! :) I always enjoy coming here and seeing what you're up to.

Great review of The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Donna, and a thumb from me. I also read this in the 70s and know I enjoyed it but have very little memory of what I read. I passed my copy on ages ago but I'm going to look for a nice copy in one of my local used bookstores.

Oops! Got impatient and posted twice.

I read ZMM when I was in high school and after reading your review I realize it went almost entirely over my head !

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is one of my all-time favorite books. One of my favorite scenes is where the narrator is teaching an English class and the girl is distraught because she's trying to write a 500-word paper on the history of the United States (something like that--anyway, something 'way too unfocused and impossible) and she can't think of a single thing to say. The scene goes on for several days. Finally, out of complete frustration, he tells the girl to go write about one brick on the front of one building on main street. She bursts into tears, saying if she can't think of anything to say about the whole United States, how will she come up with something to say about one brick? He tells her--just go do it. The next day she comes back, all smiles, and hands him 10 pages or something and says, "I don't know what happened. I was sitting there and started writing about that brick, and all of a sudden, . . . ." The power of Focus. I used to read that passage when I taught about "focus" to my students in my freshman writing classes.

There are so many scenes from that book that I remember--like the guy repairing the motorcycle while listening to the radio. When I remember a book like that, I know it's really hit me where I live.

Nice review, Donna. What made you read the book again?

Excellent review, Donna! I've got it calling to me on my shelves...

and your grandchildren are charming!

I love Where the Mountain Meets The Moon. It was one of my top books for 2010.

I love the birthday photos.

OK... confession time. I stopped at a bookstore to buyWhere the Mountain Meets the Moon for my grandkids on the way here. I paid an outrageous $16.99! That in itself is unheard of - for me. But I wanted them to have it. Then.... oh dear... on the way to the checkout counter was a table of bargains. I was walking as fast as I could to avoid it. Sorta like that bridal walk down the aisle... measured steps with purpose but lingering. And, well... there was Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance calling out to me! :P Yeah, I got that too. I'm so bad. hehehe ;-)

Lovely review Donna of a book that I've never read. I know! It looks like I'm the only one. Terrific review, BTW, you've piqued my interest so I'll look for it.

Lovely review Donna of a book that I've never read. I know! It looks like I'm the only one. Anyway, you've piqued my interest so I'll look for it.

>205 BookAngel_a:: Thanks for visiting, Angela.

>206 phebj:: Thanks, Pat. I think I read the "surface story" back in the 70's and glossed over the meaty parts. I got much more out of it this time.

>208 lauralkeet:: I think many books went over my head in high school, Laura.

>209 labwriter:: That writing exercise was a great part, Becky. I'm sure his students really related to him once they got over the idea of his no-grades experiment. Glad you could use it in your situation.

I thought the trip Robert and Chris took up the mountain was memorable -- and it gives me a chance to plug in another quote that I loved: "Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire."

Oh, the reason I read it? See my response to Claudia.

>210 Matke:: I have books that call to me, too, Gail. How do they know our names?

>211 Whisper1:: I can see why it was a favorite, Linda. It is a very special book.

>212 -Cee-:: Oh oh, I'm responsible for your impulse purchases, Claudia. I bought ZMM for the same reason. There it was on the bargain rack calling to me. I had recently reluctantly weeded out my old, yellowed PB copy and here was a shiny new HB tempting me. Got it home and, lo and behold, it fit a TIOLI Challenge - and I was off to the races!

>213 brenzi:: Check the bargain bins, Bonnie. I got mine at Borders a month or so ago.

Oh, Donna! You made me want to go downstairs and grab my copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance right now. But I've got way too many books started right now. This is my weekend for finishing! Soon, though, I'll get to it!

Don't you love the way books you read quite a while ago transmogrify themselves while seeming to sit quietly on the shelves? Because of course, it's not ourselves who change ;>)

Many books know my name and where I live, Donna. They call me, they whisper to me in the dark of night, they beseech me to read them next...kinda scary!

#209 I love that story about the power of focus. I guess it's another way of saying "small steps" and that the approach of "one brick" can be applied to many things, but I'm sure that image will stick with me.

>216 porch_reader:: Hi Amy, enjoy your week end of finishing books. I've got a couple that I'm working on, too. It's always nice to start a new month with a clean book slate.

>217 Matke:: Yup, I have that creepy name-calling phenomenon going on at my house, too, Gail. Some of my neglected books have become real nags and may end up in the dreaded box in the basement if they're not careful!

>218 Smiler69:: Hey Ilana, don't ya just love it when you read something that you can actually apply to real life? I think the one-brick story is a good reminder of how to get "unstuck" (a Pirsig word) from many of life's overwhelming situations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now, a little catch-up from my Huckleberry Finn discussions from this week's American Realism classes...

Mark Twain spent eight years writing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and made many revisions to get the voice of Huck just right, both in his language and his personality. Although he is low on the social hierarchy and has little education, Huck does have a unique and evolved sense of morality.

He sees stretching the truth as a universal condition and is nonjudgmental when others do it because it gives him license to use his vivid imagination. However, he is faced with a real moral conflict when he realizes that Jim intends to free the rest of his family. He is torn between honoring society's conventions and his personal valuation of freedom as a right for all people.

We spent half a class period discussing the raft as a place of sanctuary for both of them. As long as they kept moving in the liminal "safety" of the MS River, Huck could avoid his conscience until he had to make his big decision about Jim. I have a hunch that next week we'll get more into the irony of them missing the turnoff to freedom and floating further south away from emancipation.

Donna, it is so interesting to see how your discussions of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are going. I have always loved this book and have considered it as a novel that helps to defines America for me.

Great posts and discussions. Motorcycle is a great great book, I'm glad to hear it is aging well, sometimes those books don't.

Donna- Thanks for sharing your Huck Finn class notes! Great stuff! It brings back many fond memories. I think we read and discussed it during my sophomore year in H.S.
Hope you have a nice weekend!

Donna you're really making me want to read Huck Finn again :)

Same here. Will add it to the WL. Only have a very dim memory of reading it as a kid.

>220 DeltaQueen50:: Judy, I know I didn't appreciate Huck Finn when I read it as a young 'un. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to reading it again. Was I ever wrong. I'm enjoying it immensely.

>221 sibylline:: Hi Lucy, I always begin a reread of a beloved book with a sense of trepidation. I've been disappointed a few times, but not with ZMM.

>222 msf59:: Mark, at least you remember when you read it! I just know it was sometime back in the dark ages of my high school years.

>223 brenzi:: You won't regret it, Bonnie.

>224 Smiler69:: I read it so long ago, Ilana, it is like reading it for the first time this go-round.

I'm going to revive my thread with a touch of Sunday Spirituality. Please feel free to ignore me if this is not your cuppa tea! I got the idea from my friend Becky (labwriter) who makes it a point to read from one of her spiritual books on Sunday.

I bought this one at a library booksale last year. John Shelby Spong is quite a liberal Christian who messes with my traditional faith, but I respect his thinking. In the preface to A New Christianity For A New World he says he is uncomfortable in the theological "straitjacket" of current Christianity. In Chapter 1, "A Place to Begin: The Old Is No More; The New Is Not Yet," he states that he is a Christian believer who can not believe in the traditional content of "the irrelevant religious sideshow" that our mainline churches have become.

He clearly states the goals of his book to promote a new Christianity without the "interpretive myths and explanatory legends of the past." He wants to free Christianity of its "exclusive claims and power-needs, which have totally distorted its message." At the same time Spong retains his core beliefs:

I will remain rooted in my conviction that the word God stands for and points to something that is real. In some way, I will continue to assert that the Christ-figure was and is a manifestation of the reality that I call God, and the the life of Jesus opened for us all a way to enter that reality.

This is pretty heady stuff! I can only read Spong is small doses. I'll share more next Sunday.

Donna, you're a brave woman to deal with Spong's writings here! He is, indeed, far to the "liberal" end of the Christian spectrum. I personally think it's healthy to read theologians who come at the faith from a variety of directions. It's interesting to find the common points and the places where someone "messes with my traditional faith." (Of course, I'm probably a little to the left of center to begin with, but Spong is even more liberal in some matters.)

The talk about freeing the Church from its "power needs, which have totally distorted its message" resonates a little with the Douglas John Hall book I read recently, The Cross in Our Context. I'd say Hall is a little less radical than I understand Spong to be, and retains more church tradition, but he insists that the church's message has been distorted by its proximity to/coziness with the world's power structures.

Hi Terri, my first introduction to Spong was in a Methodist church book group in Colorado Springs under the direction of the Associate Pastor's wife who was in seminary at Iliff in Denver. I was a relative newcomer to organized religion at the time and didn't know what to think about him. We read Born Of A Woman and Resurrection: Myth or Reality, both of which shook my shaky faith.

I'm a stronger Christian now and less apt to be afraid of Spong's liberal opinions. In fact, I'm strangely attracted to his writing. We'll see how it all pans out over the weeks. I plan to read only a chapter a week. That's all my mind can accept at a time!

I am not religious, or a christian.. but seriously.. this is your thread. You post what you want to no worries about anyone's "cup of tea". Each of us to our own, right?

And who knows ~ something you post.. or I post or whomever, may help someone along the way. Read on...and share what you will.

besides without the "interpretive myths and explanatory legends of the past." sounds interesting to me..

Book No. 18: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs. 3 stars.

I'm not certain of why I didn't like this book more. I was slightly repelled by the author's writing and tone. At one point she was referred to as "her ladyship" by Mrs. Flint, the wife of her nemesis Dr. Flint, and mother of her young owner. From her actions and her writing, I'd have to agree with that depiction. She came across as one who thought herself to be better than her fellow slaves. She wrote her story in very formal language yet wrote in the negro dialect when quoting other slaves.

I abhor the institution of slavery as much as anyone else, but "Linda" brought her worst punishments on herself. She was the one who took a white man as a lover and bore two children by him to thwart the spoken advances of Dr. Flint. Granted, he was a creep in the worst way, but he didn't force himself upon her. It was her decision to not run away to the north but to stay "holed up" in her grandmother's storage shed attic for almost seven years. For the life of me, I could not understand that intolerable situation.

I know others have gotten much more out of this book than I did, and I'm puzzled at my reaction. I tried to empathize with the author - and I did sympathize with her lot in life - but I don't agree with the decisions she made. Frankly, I'm glad to return to The Invisible Bridge.

Hi Donna. I'm not religious but I've been enjoying the comments of LTers like you and Becky about the topic. I know alot of people who are religious but it seems to be something that everyone shies away from discussing in RL.

I've seen other people reading Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl recently. I see it was originally published in 1861 but I don't remember hearing about it before.

Hope you like The Invisible Bridge. It was one of about 20 books I started and didn't finish in February. Not because it wasn't good but I think I've had a bit of the book funk that's been going around.

>229 mckait:: Hi Kath, what gets posted on my thread stays on my thread, right? I think the book will be interesting and challenging to me...that's why I'm reading and talking about it.

>231 phebj:: Hi Pat,

Religion... seems to be something that everyone shies away from discussing....

I learned from Becky's experience to keep controversial topics on my own thread. I also gave the 'warning' and 'permission' that a spiritual topic was coming up and could be skipped over. I'm trying to keep my comments about the book, but, of course, my own personal views will be apparent.

And then, I had to diss a book that most people seem to like. Oh well, maybe I'm in a bit of a book funk myself...or just having a crabby day. ;-)

I AM loving The Invisible Bridge, however. It is shaping up to be a 5-star book for me.

Twenty books started? Wow, that's quite a letdown. I hope March (and spring) brighten your reading outlook!

#226 In my opinion, the quote you chose, Donna, does not seem liberal to me at all. Unless I'm more liberal than I thought. I am very curious as to which "irrelevant religious sideshows" he is referring. Think I need to check the library for a copy of this book.

ETA: They've got it and I placed a hold on it. Oh, I am so overbooked lately too!

>226 Donna828:: I like Spong, Donna. Thanks for sharing that quote.

>226 Donna828:: Hmm. I've never read Spong, but the quote you chose doesn't seem all that liberal... however, the description you posted of him does. Is he emergent? I may want to find a copy of this as well to better dialogue with the inevitably interesting conversations that may pop up around it...

Hi Donna!
I keep seeing the title Invisible Bridge and wondering - what good is a bridge you can't see?
So, out of curiosity, I just might have to get that book! lol
I already have this wishlisted and LT thinks I will "LOVE" it. Duh... that's not going out on much of a limb since most who have read it do seem to love it. :}

I read the quote from the Spong book and scratched my head at the idea that it was controversial. What am I missing Donna? I think his core beliefs are my core beliefs. Maybe that's why I don't get the controversial idea of it.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is looking like something I will easily be able to forego. Thumb for your excellent review which really nails why you didn't like it. I find reviews for books I didn't like to be so much harder to write than reviews for books I love.

ETA ok so you didn't post your review.

>235 dk_phoenix:. Donna and I were discussing John Selby Spong on my thread. He's a retired Episcopal bishop (Newark diocese) and yes, he's very much a liberal and has been in the lead of liberal thought in the church for many years (I'm a lifelong Episcopalian who has walked away from what's going on in the church today, so the issues surrounding Spong are close to my heart). As you may imagine, I don't agree with him very often, but I respect him and his writing. I've read a couple of his earlier books and keep them on the shelves in my library: Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism and Liberating the Gospels: Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes. I haven't read his latest book (2009) Eternal Life: A New Vision: Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell, but it sounds like a summation of his life's work. He's been called a "reinterpreter of Chrisitianity for the doubtful." His writing is very lucid--he's very readable.To give you a feel for what he's writing about, this is from Rescuing the Bible, 1991

My purpose in this volume is first to rescue the Bible from the exclusive hands of those who demand that it be the literal truth and second to open that sacred story to levels of insight and beauty that, in my experience, literalism has never produced.

What he has to say there may sound rather tame, but his books and lectures have had the effect of pushing the conversation 'way to the left. Which is great, if the goal is a secular society. If you somehow were to find yourself in a group of conservative Episcopalians (who are becoming as rare as hen's teeth), people there speaking his name, Spong, might sound like they were spitting. My comments here don't do justice to the inflammatory nature of the controversy created by this man in the Episcopal Church.

Donna I like the religion discussion here (and on your thread too Becky).

I'm enjoying your discussion of John Spong's work. I read his autobiography, Here I Stand, a few years ago and enjoyed it very much. I might try to read some more of his writing. I'm an ex-Catholic wavering between agnostic and atheist, so am coming at it from a different angle from you. One thing I remember that annoyed me though, he got very name-droppy and near the end it read like a list of who he'd met and had lunch with! It sounds like the one you just finished would be the best general one to read? What do you think?

>239 cushlareads:. I haven't read his latest one, have you Donna? --Eternal Life: A New Vision. I imagine it would be a good place to start if you're interested in his writings, because it sounds like a summation as well as an update.

Who opened this can of worms? Ha Ha...I just wanted to see what Bishop Spong was up to these days because it's been over a decade since I made his acquaintence.

>238 labwriter:: Thanks, Becky, for the "inside" information. I'm a United Methodist who goes to a very traditional service and I fear the name of Spong wouldn't be very well received in my church. I like his respectful writing and I admire his courage. I haven't read his latest book. I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to seeking the truth; however, I don't have the background to be considered educated in this area. I've always considered myself more spiritual than religious.

>239 cushlareads:: Cushla, I am only in Chapter One of my book, A New Christianity, copyright 2001. I'm planning to read this book slowly. To be blunt, he scares me a little--yet as I said upthread, I am strangely attracted to his progressive thinking. Here are some provocative questions (from the flyleaf) that he will be addressing in this book. These are the kinds of "controversial" topics I was referring to:

*What does God look like beyond theism?

*Who is Christ when traditional concepts such as incarnation, atonement, and the Trinity no longer communicate any meaning?

Pages 4-6 list many of the things Spong does not believe in while defining himself 'first and foremost as a Christian believer.' A short list of his "nonbeliefs" include: Jesus raising people from the dead, virgin birth, resurrection of Jesus, and original sin. Controversial enough?

>235 dk_phoenix:: Faith, I'm not familiar enough with the term "emergent" to say whether he fits in with this type of theology. He seems to go beyond this trend, but I am pretty ignorant here.

Here is the wikipedia article on Bishop (Ret.) Spong - for what it's worth. It's pretty vague. After reading it, you will know as much about him as I do. I'll continue to read the book a chapter at a time on Sundays and post my feeble impressions.

Just thought I'd say hi Donna. It's pouring rain here in Montreal; bad news in February, next thing we know we'll be slip-sliding away when it freezes up again.

swinging through!

Hi, Donna. Meant to comment earlier on how happy I was that you had read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon--I thought it outstanding! And then you introduce Bishop Spong!

I have read The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's texts of hate to reveal the God of love several times through--it's the sort of book that you can't grasp everything in one read--and recently picked up Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism. I'll be interested in your thoughts. I was brought up Catholic as well as cmt and am in much the same place. When I read Spong, I have to think, "You know, I COULD be this kind of Christian!" So I'll be interested in your thoughts as you read it.

Hmmm...I can think of lots of reasons why the author of Incidents of a Slave Girl would have stayed where she was even under very adverse conditions. Now you've got me curious, so on to the wish list it goes.

>242 Smiler69:: I hope your slippery weather didn't materialize, Ilana. We had thunderstorms overnight, hail on our morning walk (which turned into a *huff puff* run), and a sunny afternoon. March is supposed to start off like a lamb tomorrow.

>243 curlysue:: That is such a cute gif, Kara. I can't watch it too long, though. I'm susceptible to motion sickness!

>244 ronincats:: Hi Roni...another closet Spong reader comes out! Some of his ideas are difficult for this Billy-Graham-type-of-girl to wrap her head around. Do you have your dates for KC yet? I could probably miss a class w/o too much trouble. I'm auditing so my non-grade won't be affected. ;-)

>245 bonniebooks:: Hi Bonnie, I've missed you around these parts. Last time I checked you were AWOL on Club Read, too. I hope it's because you're busy reading.

Ms. Jacobs had a great story to tell, but the telling fell flat for me. Most people liked it better than I did. Story of my reading life. I'm often at the unpopular end of the scale.

Could you tell me again when to plant moonflowers? Is it after the last freeze date? (Tax day here, although it doesn't always hold true.) Our garden did not do well last year, so we are taking a year off the vegies and working on other projects this summer. But I want to plant the flowers.
--BJ

Hi BJ, I'm not sure what to do with those Moonflower seeds. Last year's Moonflowers came right from the nursery in small pots! I'm going to try to start some in the house in peat pots near the end of March. If that doesn't work, I'll plant the rest in the ground in mid May when the ground warms up. You might find some more information online. Good luck!

Thanks!
--BJ

I started my moonflower vines from seeds last year. I got a late start, not planting them into little pots until sometime in April.

This picture shows my seedling in the pot, set outside, on 23 May. My notes say we had a cool, wet spring and the seeds got off to a slow start. You want to start them in pots like this and then wait to transplant them until you have two or three sets of leaves showing. Mine were so slow, but then they went gangbusters! Good luck.

P.S. What I observed last year about these moonflowers is they love heat, the more the better. So I guess it doesn't surprise me that they started out so slowly if we had unusually cool weather.

Thanks, Becky! Good to know about the heat. I was going to plant them on the cool side of the house. Now I will put them in the sun.
--BJ

Thanks, Becky, for your help. They also like lots of water, BJ.
I hope we all have beautiful Moonflowers this summer!

My new thread is over here. I'm all set up and ready for visitors!