TLOeffler 2011--Part Two

Richard is absolutely right. I completely lost track of how long it was getting, and I couldn't download it my ownself. So here is Part Two.

Carried over from the last thread:

BJ, I also think you would like the Pratchett book. Do it on audio--the narrator is fabulous.

Thank you, Richard. I've been so absent lately that I didn't even realize it until it took ME many seconds to download it also. Please accept my sincere apologies. I will try to improve.

Oh, stop it, Linda. Do you have any idea how many books you have recommended that I HAVE liked? And how many more are on my list? The last thing I need is more recommendations! But thank you anyway. You are a sweetheart, and I miss you.

34. Regeneration by Pat Barker. In 1917, poet Siegfried Sassoon was sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital after a public protest about the war. While there, he was treated by Dr. W. H. R. Rivers, a neurologist and social anthropologist, and he formed a friendship with another WWI poet, Wilfred Owen. These facts are the basis of this fictionalized account of that encounter, the first in a trilogy of books.
It was difficult to remind myself that this was mostly fiction. The story was well-written, and if the events did not happen this way, they could have. Here was a different perspective on how the war affected those who fought in it. I'm not sure we realize sometimes how very brutal WWI was, but a lot of it comes through in this book. It's not an exciting book, nor an eventful book, but it is very powerful in a low-key sort of way.

35. The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum. A fascinating book! Blum divides the book into 11 chapters, each one focusing on a different poison, starting with chloroform in 1915 through thallium in 1936. Along the way, she chronicles the efforts of Charles Norris, chief medical examiner, and Alexander Gettler, toxicologist, as they work to get support for their office, solve many poison murders, and encourage education in the forensic sciences. Highly recommended!

36. Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure by Matthew Algeo. Read for the MO Readers group April read. Loved it!

starred

*Waves* *Stars* *Hugs*

Getting ready to begin Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure this weekend. Glad to hear you liked it.

>3 tloeffler:, 6: And my copy is waiting at the library for me. This one should be much easier to read (well, lots shorter anyway) than the McCullough Truman.

Hi, Kath! Hi, Stephen! Hi, Sandy! Hi, Donna! Good to "see" all of you!

(3 weeks, Stephen, until I'm in Ohio for a weekend! Another week, and I'll be in Kansas City with Donna & Sandy! Kath, you need to get closer!)

PS Stasia said to tell all of you "HI!"

Another star for you, Terri. Sounds like your last three books were good ones.

Have a great weekend!

Thanks, Terri! I think I was due!

You've got me curious about The Poisoner's Handbook, Terri ... I think I'll add that to my obese wish list. I might get it to read during breaks at work .. maybe having it on my desk will give some of my staff to reconsider some of their shenanigans.

3 weeks!? Where's my shovel!? Ack, there is no time to dig out a hiding place. *Buries head in a bowl full of pretzels*

I think you'll enjoy it, Caroline. I kept it sitting around the house for a while, but my son isn't very scared of me.

Unlike Stephen...

Oh, I'm scared of everyone. Except poisoners. They're likely to be the quiet type. Much less awkwardness.

*whew* Loaded in under a second. The Universe is back on an even keel.

Just watched a movie called "Shadow of the Vampire" starring John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. For some reason, all the way through the strange, eerie, and plain unsettling thing, I thought "TLo would *love* this." ...?...

That's a great movie!! Very wry and unexpected, in addition to being creepy.

It's rather stately of pace, though, Mac. It's not the thrill-fest the title would lead others to expect, and I suspect that's why it never went on to major-hood.

Hmm. I'd probably love the John Malkovich & Willem Dafoe parts of it...

Speaking of movies, I have (once again) fallen in love with Colin Firth after "The King's Speech." Just sayin'...

Found your shiny new thread! :)

37. Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt. An interesting novel about a large black dog that is a link between Esther Hammerhans, a recent widow, and Winston Churchill in the weeks before his retirement from Parliament (1964). A short book, easily read, and recommended.

38. The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt. Berendt arrives in Venice 3 days after the fire that burned La Fenice Theater. As in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, he uses the investigation into the fire as a springboard into the lives of several prominent Venetians. It turns out to be a montage of several interesting stories about some interesting (although not particularly likeable) people. By the end, I really didn't like anyone. It was a fascinating book, but it was about a way of life that sours me.

Okay, I was adding things up and realized that I missed a book in February.

39. Mary Poppins, She Wrote by Valerie Lawson. This was a biography of P. L. Travers, who wrote the Mary Poppins books. It was a poorly written story of a not-particularly-likeable woman. No wonder I forgot it.

missing you terri...I think of you often and hope that work is getting better.

Hi, Kath! It will get better, but probably not for another month. We've managed to fill all of our vacant positions, but the new folk don't start until April 18, and then I'll be awash in training. Right now, it's more just busy than anything else. Not as stressful, especially since I learned I'm not alone in my opinion of a young nemesis of mine. For awhile there, I thought that maybe I was the problem. Not a chance. It's good to hear from you, and I hope things are going well for you!

My Quote of The Day:
I just read this in a magazine today, and it sums up my thoughts when I'm reading about World War I:

"A generation goes off to war and acquires much experience and wisdom, none of which can really be passed on, and then the next generation will have another war and learn it all over again." --Gore Vidal

*Waving* at Terri!

Here you are! Don't know how I lost track of you but you're starred now. I enjoyed Barker's trilogy when I read it a few years ago. It made me much more aware of what the war did to those fighting it. Have you read Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden? Another very interesting look at WWI from a unique viewpoint that I think you'd like Terri.

I haven't, Bonnie, but it's high on my list. As is the other Boyden book you recommended.....

*waving back at Stasia!*

I lost you, too. Realized it had been too long since I had seen you and went looking!

#26: *waving back at Terri!* (I wonder how long we can keep this waving up?)

Love the Vidal quote. How true! (And how sad!)

Hi,Roni! Looking forward to KC! I booked the hotel for Stasia & I this morning, so we're set!

*waving back at Stasia* (probably until KC if we want to)

Isn't it a great quote, Terri? The more I read, the more I keep saying to myself, "Why would anyone start a war after seeing this?" I think Vidal's quote answers my question fairly accurately.

Terri- Big wave! Thanks for stopping by my thread, it's always nice to hear from you. Hope your books are treating you well. Looking forward to the Russell book!

*waving again* Kansas City here we come. . .

40. The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright. Someone (Linda, probably) suggested The Four Story Mistake, and when I started that one, it turned out to be second in the series, so I had to go back to the first one. Fun little old YA story about a family of 4 children who decide to combine their allowances and allow one of them each Saturday to use the money to do what they want.

41. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. This has been my "purse-book" for a while. I suspect everyone knows the story. I got a little irritated (as I generally tend to do) with all the "I'm nothing without a man" nonsense, but for the most part, mildly entertaining.

#33: I really enjoyed The Four-Story Mistake. Unfortunately my local library does not have The Saturdays.

*waves at Stasia*

42. Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. An interesting, very different kind of story about a family of alligator wrestlers in Florida. The star of the show is the mother, Hilola Bigtree, and when she dies, the attraction (and the family) start to go downhill. At first I thought it was going to be an amusing story, but it turned darker as it went along, and got rather intense towards the end. I'm glad I read it, but it left me vaguely disturbed.

oh, no, "vaguely disturbed" is not a good feeling. Hey, if you are going to be disturbed, why not go all the way into totally disturbed? Hugs to you my friend. How I wish I could join you, Stasia, Roni, Donna, Sandy and the rest of the crew in Kansas City.

I love your "I'm nothing without a man" reference to Bridget Jones's Diary. I watched the movie and had the same reaction. Plus, I was a tad upset when I learned that Rene Zellwiger (spelling?) gained weight ffor the part and she was considered FAT at 140 pounds. Yikes!

Linda, there are those who would say that I am already "all the way into totally disturbed."
I wish you could join us in KC too, but we'll see each other again soon, I'm sure.
And if 140 pounds is fat, then I am in enormous trouble!

And I just finished another one:
43. Carry On by Coningsby Dawson. I don't often read online books, but this was short, and it was all letters, and it was very good. These are letters that Dawson wrote home when he was fighting in World War I. Although many of them are just chatty, he certainly has a way of hitting home with many of his introspections about the war. The saddest part was when he was talking about how they were fighting so that there would be no more war. Sigh. That didn't work.
Anyway, very excellent read. Thank you, Peter!

#35: I already have Swamplandia! in the BlackHole. I am sure I will get to it one of these days.

#36: It just will not be the same without you there. It is like the Three Musketeers without a musketeer :(

#37: Adding Carry On to the BlackHole. I know I will like that one.

Checking in to see how you are doing... you have been in my thoughts..

Just stopping by to say hi.

Stasia, Carry On would take you no time at all to read, and since it's on line & public domain, you wouldn't even have to worry about whether or not your library has it!

Hi, Kath! I'm doing well, thanks. I hope you are too.

Hi,Terri! Hope all's well in your neck of the woods!

44. The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright. The second in the series of YA books about the Melendy children, written in 1941 or thereabouts. I enjoyed it, but I doubt if I'll continue the series. No real substance, and there are too many other things to read.

Hi Terri- It looks like you've been cranking out the books. I have a copy of Swamplandia! and plan on getting to it soon.

I am glad to know that you at least have down time to read :)

#41: since it's on line & public domain, you wouldn't even have to worry about whether or not your library has it!

Good point!

Hi, Terri. I've already got Swamplandia on the wishlist. I'm not taking it off because of your comments, but I feel as though I've been given permission to take my time getting around to it. I hesitated to add it to the list in the first place. You mentioned that you thought it might be humorous - I was worried it might be similar to the books by Tim Dorsey. (Florida Roadkill is the one I read, but there is an entire series.) Are you familiar with him? What do you think - any comparison to this book?

Phew....trying to catch up......Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure keeps popping up and waving "pick me pick me" so I'm going to have to go find that one.

And, like Sandy, I too seem to have a hunch that Swamplandia might be too much like Tim Dorsey's books--and those are definitely NOT for me. I find them crude, poorly plotted and juvenile (other than that I don't feel strongly).

Hope to stay more current, but only time will tell. Enjoy your spring reading.

Hi, Mark! I've been traveling quite a bit and knocking out some short audio books. It seems years since I've finished a proper book--I have 8 or 9 going, and they never seem to end! I only finished Swamplandia so quickly because it was due back at the library and was unrenewable!

So, Kath, I wouldn't exactly call it "down time." Outside of the car, I seem to only get my final hour of the evening to sit in my chair with my feet up! Probably why those 8 or 9 books never seem to end.

*waves at Stasia!*

Sandy/Tina, I've not read any Tim Dorsey (and it doesn't sound like I will ever want to!), so I wouldn't be a good one to compare. I don't think I'd call Swamplandia "crude, poorly plotted and juvenile." It was just...different. Not happy. The cute little picture on the front of the book is not very representative.

Thank you all for stopping by! I do try to read threads as often as I can, but I'm nowhere near caught up, and if I don't have anything to say, well, then I don't say it. But I've not forgotten any of you~!

Just saying Hi! *Hugs*

*Secretly places a tracking device on Terri that sounds an alarm in his house if she passes into the city he lives in*

*Pats shoulder* Hope you are having a nice day. :P

I am having a lovely day, Stephen. That's me in the black convertible you see passing back and forth. Amazing the number of audio books you can finish when you're stalking someone...

And you will all be amused to hear that I got hopelessly lost in downtown Dayton today, even with my GPS. It took me an hour and a half to get from Englewood to the Air Force museum at WPAFB, and by the time I got there & saw the crowds, I turned around and came back (took 15 minutes). Go ahea, laugh. I'm glad I can afford you some amusement.

And I finished a couple of books:

45. The Infernal World of Branwell Bronte by Daphne du Maurier. I think I expected this to be a fairly straightforward biography of Patrick Branwell Bronte, brother to Anne, Charlotte, and Emily. However, it did not come off that way. I usually love Daphne du Maurier's writing in general, but this book was too flowery, too much conjecture, disjointed narratives, and very confusing to follow. If you know nothing about Branwell (like me), it's an interesting overview, but the writing went way over the top sometimes, and if I wanted to know more about him, I would have looked for a different book.

46. Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby. I listened to the audio book on the way to Dayton, narrated by 3 different people. For this book, the multiple narrators worked beautifully. A great story about a British couple (Annie & Duncan) in their late 30s: she is curator of a small sea-side museum, and he is a self-proclaimed "Crowe-ologist." Tucker Crowe is a singer who disappeared one night in 1986, and a huge cult following resulted.
Annie is starting to question her relationship with Duncan (duh. He's a real jerk), who has fallen into an affair with a co-worker. Inadvertently, Annie begins an email correspondence with Tucker Crowe, and the story goes on from there, told from three different perspectives, but always in the third person. I really, really enjoyed this book.

I'm definitely comforted by your lack of navigational skills. :P

Sorry you got lost though!

I knew you would be, Stephen. But if you had let yourself be found, I would have taken you to dinner last night with my son and his girlffriend (who BTW has my wholehearted approval!) at Tumbleweed Southwest Grill, which has fabulous food.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention that Music City Mystique is going into the finals tonight in First Place, so it looks good for the Gold Medal! I can't wait to see the show--I got so see part of the rehearsal last night, and they sound fabulous.

I'll have to leave an hour early though to make sure I allow enough time for navigational difficulties.....

See what you're missing!

Sounds horrifying. And no, I'm not talking about the getting lost part. ;)

Hope you have a nice time, Terri.

Hi Terri, I've decided a GPS is only useful when you already know where you're going;-)

I don't know, Stephen, the getting lost part was pretty horrifying. I was NOT in the good part of town.

And Bonnie, I think you are absolutely right. I have to tell you that I finally abandoned the GPS, and figured that if I stayed on a major highway long enough, there would be signs pointing me to the museum. And there were!

You're right Kath--missing out on spending time with me is a real bummer. Ask anyone who has ever spent time with me (except my ex-husband). Especially when I'm with my Craig and his delightful girlfriend. We had a wonderful time.

Teri- I'm so glad you were able to enjoy Juliet, Naked on audio! I did too and loved it. It's one of my favorite audios and all three narrators were great. Every time I think of the word that rhymes with Tucker, the way it's used here, still has me chuckling.

Stasia...Richard...Terri was lost? Lost without us? Oh my!

Hugs to you dear one! And, by the way, Dayton is not easy to navigate through. My daughter lives in Beavercreek and the first few times I drove there I was hopelessly lost.

Oh, Terri, I hope you won't get lost when you come to KC next week. You must promise to call me if you do - I will talk you through it. I've done that lots of times when my hubby has had business meetings in different parts of town and then couldn't find his way home. Can't wait to see you again, BTW.

Well, it would help if my GPS was just a little clearer. And if someone told her about the recent road constructions.

Are you sure, Sandy? Because I'll be arriving around 1 or 2 a.m......I'm pretty sure I won't get lost getting to KC ("Remain on the current road for 250 miles..."). Once I'm there, though. Look out.

I really did enjoy it, Mark. Especially when the 6 year old boy said it! And I'm glad I did the audio. Sometimes when I listen to a book, I can just tell I like it better on audio than in book form. And sometimes, I know I'll like the book, but the audio isn't working. Very funny how that works out.

How dare you get lost without Linda and me along! The audacity, sheer audacity of it!

So many get togethers and I can't go to any of them.. sigh

When do you head for KC?

Stasia, I should think you would be glad that I can get lost without you two. That means it's probably all my fault!

Hey, Kath! Next Monday (day after Easter), Stasia & Catey are driving up & securing our room. I'll leave after work Monday night and get there around 1 or 2 am. Then I guess we're going to the bookstore bright & early Tuesday, spend Tuesday night recovering, and we'll leave on Wednesday morning.
Now it turns out that I have to catch a plane at an ungodly hour on Thursday & fly to Oklahoma City for work, spend one night, and fly back Friday afternoon. And in June, I have to drive my son to Columbus OH in a one-two day trip. Couldn't I just go some place and stay there for a full week???

Oh dear!!! Columbus!? That's like...an hour away! Wahhhh!

I admire all of you traveling women..
Oklahoma City for a day? you are beginning to sound like Caroline, you know..

47. The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry. The first in a series of Victorian mysteries involving Charlotte and Thomas Pitt. Although she is Charlotte Ellison at the beginning.
Someone is garotting young ladies on Cater Street, and when it happens to the Ellison's maid, Inspector Thomas Pitt becomes an unwelcome but frequent visitor to the house. Everyone is suspected, and family secrets are revealed as no one knows who they can trust. I enjoyed the book, but I found the romance story to be very abrupt, even though I knew from the start that it would be happening. One minute she hates him, the next minute they are engaged, and I didn't buy into it. I suspect I'll like the later books since they will already be a couple!

Believe me, Kath, if I had my way, I'd be in Oklahoma City for more than a day! I love my cohort down there, and we begged for more time to work together, but they'd only pop for an overnighter, so there I am. I'm sure it will be fun, though. I suspect there will be adult beverages in the evening.

Well, have fun! ( I could use and adult beverage myself, today...)

Hey... how are you? All safe and sound?
My son's show was last night, and the last thing
he posted was tornadoes.. haven't heard from him . . .
nor have I seen a post on FB... St Louis really did take a hit..

Also concerned about you re: the tornadoes. Hope you are OK.

Yes, Terri, I'm serious. Call me if you get lost in KC, even at 1 or 2 am. I won't be in town, as you already know, but I'll be glad of the chance to talk to you by phone - especially since I won't be there in person. You know, you could drive to OKC from KC on Wednesday for your meeting Thursday - it's only about 6 hours or so - and have more time to spend with your friend there. Plus, if we are very lucky maybe we could meet on the road, as I will be in Wichita that day before heading home. Of course, it'd be a killer drive back home on Friday. But you'd have the entire weekend to recover!

I've been thinking about you this weekend after hearing about the tornadoes that hit St Louis Friday night. Did you have any damage? I hope all is well for you there.

I don't think my house sustained any damage (it's hard to tell what was storm damage, and what was just a crappy house to start with), although it was a very scary storm Friday night. I was almost as nervous as Cleo the Dog. But less than 5 miles down Highway 70, the devastation was huge. You all probably saw the airport on the news, but as you drive down the highway towards St. Louis, you can see the path the storm took. Parts of it look like there was a fire. Warehouses with walls missing, the dealership where I have my car serviced is closed for the week, they've closed St. Charles Rock Road (a pretty busy thoroughfare) for a 2-3 mile stretch. It was kind of frightening. My Dad's brother & sister are both without power. My uncle came outside to find a huge White Castle sign on his front lawn! My nephew works for Ameren UE & didn't come home all weekend.

Very sobering. I hope I can still get my flight out on Thursday.

And Sandy, I thought about driving too. However, it was less expensive for work to fly me down there than it would have been to pay me for mileage!

Anyway, thanks for the concern, all!

Very scary. I have never lived in a tornado-prone place (well, if you don't count last year in NYC). I can imagine being both awed and terrified - I'd probably be silly enough to want to watch - once.

It is scary, isn't it Terri? My are isn't supposed to be prone to tornadoes, but over the past couple years it seems like we've had a lot of tornado activity. :(

I have to admit, Judy, I spent much more time looking out the window than I should have.

That tornado in Ohio 2 weeks ago was just me driving through, Stephen. No worries.

And I just heard that they are closing Highway 70 in both directions late tonight between Highway 270 & Highway 170 for the electricians to do some work. That's pretty big. Luckily, I'll be going in the opposite direction tomorrow morning!

48. Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin. Historical fiction about the life of Alice Pleasance Liddell Hargreaves, the inspiration for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I enjoyed it, but I should probably avoid historical fiction. It makes me too anxious to look up the real story, and I'm always disappointed when I can't find all the information I want. It was very good, but I'd like to know how much was really true.

I felt that way too! I really enjoyed this one, but I want to know how much was real and how much was invented (though the author gave us a bit of a clue in her afterward). I hope to track down a biography of Lewis Carroll one of these days... I'd like to find one that's objective and presents all the sides of the controversial elements.

I'm glad to hear that you and your home weathered the storms OK, Terri!

thinking of you today and hoping you are having a wonderful, wonderful time with all the great LT members who are there.

I'm ever so glad you are safe!

hmmm, the news says more bad storms from where you are..passing Stephen, and all the way to here..

crazy weather.. stay safe..

49. Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy. Connie Ramos is a thirty-something Chicano New Yorker who is institutionalized by her niece's pimp because she smashed him in the face (deservedly) with a frying pan. She is perfectly sane, but in the maddeningly primitive mental institutions of the 1970s, nothing she can do will prove this.
Connie does, however, have an interesting quirk. She is able to communicate with the future (2137). She clings to this future life and her friends there as a means of trying to escape before the institution doctors use her in a brain control experiment.
A very, very good book.

50. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. A great YA/science fiction book about a young crippled orphan girl named Kira, who is sent to the Council Edifice to use her talents with cloth to maintain the robe of The Singer. She learns much about how her village is run, and has to make a decision when everything she believes turns out to be wrong. Another great book.

51. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. I listened to the audiobook, and I don't know if it was because of the reader (who was totally uninteresting) or if it was the book itself, but I didn't care for it much at all. A story of two young girls whose mother has driven off a cliff into a lake, and whose grandmother who was raising them dies, leaving no one but their drifter aunt Sylvie to care for them.

Here is a story that should amuse you.

No, I did not get lost coming home from Kansas City. I visited the WWI Museum, and found it to be absolutely fascinating. I was on the road by 1:00 pm, with just a few stops for beverages, gas, and potty breaks. I arrived home around 4:30, just in time to change clothes & go to school. I came home at 10:00 pm, sat and chatted with Keith for a while, then decided to start re-packing for my Oklahoma City trip the next day on a 6:00 a.m. flight. The last thing I looked for was my checkbook/debit card. Nowhere to be found. Keith looked. Nothing. I used it to buy gas somewhere out of KC, but I remembered sitting in the car & writing the amount in, so I knew I had it then.
Then I looked at my caller ID, and earlier in the day, there had been a call that I didn't recognize. I listened to the voice mail, to hear that Gaspers Service Station in Kingdom City MO had my checkbook, which had been found on their lot by another customer. This was a relief, but also a dilemma. Kingdom City is a 1-1/2 to 2 hour drive away. It's 11:30 at night, and I have to leave for the airport at 4:00 a.m.

So I got in my car, after a day of museum, driving, and teaching, and drove to Kingdom City and back. I got home at 2:00 a.m., slept for one hour, got up, showered, went to the airport, flew to DFW, then OKC. I was running on fumes all day. Luckily, they reserved a suite for me and I spent the evening luxuriating.

I just can't take a trip without some kind of adventure....

Wow, that's impressive Terri! I guess if Stasia needs a break from being the 75er robot mascot we know we have a backup! :)

I'm glad you made it through all that though, it sounds like it would have been rough. I'm also glad someone honest found the checkbook, that must have been a relief at least.

Omigosh, Terri, you must be exhausted. It was a busy, busy week for you without that extra aggravation. So glad you got your checkbook back.

What are you going to do next week for excitement?

>82 tloeffler: Ouch about Housekeeping. I think it might have been the reader, because it's one of the most affecting books I've read in many years. Maybe one day in the future you can try it on paper (or e-reader) and see if it is better on the page.

TLo darling, what is this loose talk I hear about you having a blog that you have FAILED to mention to me before?

Ditto what Judy said about Housekeeping Terri. It's my favorite of all of Robinson's books.

I'm just wondering how in the world you had the energy to drive back to that gas station?? Unbelievable :)

OMG! I'm glad you had a chance to enjoy the museum, but so sorry to hear about the checkbook escapade. I hope you have recovered by now from your lack of sleep that night!

Gosh, what an adventure. Amen for honest people!

I hope you can rest this weekend.

Hugs

Hi Terri. Your checkbook story made me laugh . . .sorry! Glad things worked out alright and that your trip to OKC included some time for rest. Are you having a calm weekend, at least?

Stephen, it certainly was a relief that someone turned in my checkbook. They probably looked at the balance and decided it wasn't worth keeping!

What am I going to do next week for excitement, Donna? I really hope...NOTHING.

Judy & Bonnie, I do plan to keep Housekeeping in mind to read in paper some day. She really was a bland reader, and I can't help thinking that may have been part of the problem. I loved Gilead, so I'm certainly not giving up on her altogether!

Blog? Do I have a blog? Am I even sure what a blog is? I suspect, Richard, that someone is spreading vicious rumors about me. This here is as close to a blog as I get. I hardly ever even post on Facebook--just keep an account so I can see what's happening in my son's life, since he never comes home or calls or writes, now that he has a girlfriend...

Bonnie, I did NOT have the energy to drive back to that gas station. But I didn't really have a choice. Thank heaven for highly-caffeinated beverages. I find that it's really amazing sometimes what you can do if you just don't allow yourself to think about it.

Roni & Linda, I think if I have a normal sleep night tonight, I will feel caught up. And I really do have a relatively quiet week coming up.

Don't be sorry, Brenda--I'd have laughed if it had happened to someone else! So far the weekend hasn't been too rough. I coached my niece for her speech meet last night (which she "only" got a blue ribbon for--she wanted a gold), went to my goddaughter's First Communion this morning and party this afternoon, then came home and sat on my rear end the rest of the evening. My sister & cousins are taking our mothers out for brunch in the morning, then the rest of the day is mine. I'll be all recuperated just in time to go to work Monday morning. Woo. Hoo.

LOL at Terri and her latest adventure :)

>92 tloeffler: Oh. Well, that's all right then. I was feeling distinctly put out at being the only person who didn't know about it. Since you didn't know about it either, a whole new light is cast onto the matter. Whoinahell is "TLO" then? How dare that person, place or thing take your handle!

Terri- Glad everything worked out with your checkbook. Yikes, kind of scary. I was considering trying Housekeeping on audio, now I will stick with the book. I loved her next 2 books!

Going back quite a way, but "you're welcome" on the Dawson book. Glad you enjoyed it :)

Now I've joined the ranks of Kindle owners, I've been loading up with some more titles of this ilk, but I'm totally hooked on Decision Points at the moment, so they'll have to wait their turn.

Oh my gosh, Terri! I'm starting to value the word "boring" just a little more--which your life sure isn't! Hope you're enjoying your day of rest. I loved Housekeeping too, it had a very sad, depressed tone that would have been very hard to listen to, I think.

Terri, so glad you found your checkbook although sorry you had to do all the extra driving. I hope this week is quieter for you!

52. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Pearl and May are sisters living in Shanghai in the mid 1930s. They are lavish and spoiled, doing as they please, working as "beautiful girls" posing for calendar paintings, then staying out all night partying with friends. Until the morning they come home and find out that their father has gambled away all of their money, and to pay his debt, he has arranged marriages for them. As they look for ways to avoid going to America with their husbands, Japan begins bombing their city, and they are forced to escape, ultimately ending up in America. This was a great story of sisterly love (and hate), and a mini-history of that period of time through the 1950s. Can't wait to start the sequel!

Thanks for visiting, everyone!

Oh, Stasia, you would be so bored without my adventures. Admit it.

Richard, I am also very upset that someone has stolen my identity. Perhaps it was the person who found my checkbook?

Mark, I plan to read Housekeeping in paper form some day. It may have just been the reader. She didn't have a lot of inflection, and I can see how that would have improved the reading.

Peter, I will have to put Decision Points on my list to read if I ever make it to Bush. He's a long way from Jefferson!

Bonnie, I consider it a badge of honor that I can truly say I have NEVER been bored. Or at least, not for very long!

Hi, Heather! I am with you in hoping this is a calmer week. I guess we'll see!

opps, what did I miss? Someone stole your identiry. How can that be? There IS only one you.

So sorry for the hastle this has caused you. Drat...I take back my statement about AMEN for honest people

Hi, Terri! Hope you're getting rested up from all your driving -- planned and unplanned! :)

Relax, Linda. Richard & I were talking about someone somewhere who referred to TLo's blog (of which I have none). That was the identity we were referring to. You can still be happy--people are very honest.

I am getting rested up, Terri. It's not the driving that gets me down, though. It's the lack of sleep! My nephew told me the other day that he learned in one of his classes that if you fall asleep in less than 20 minutes after you've gone to bed, it means you are sleep-deprived.
Moi?

It probably varies from person to person. I've never struggled with falling asleep (no insomnia or any such thing) and I can fall asleep within 20 minutes whether I'm exhausted or well-rested. *shrug*

Oh Terri.. ack!

I am so glad it is all done and over.. even if you did get to luxuriate bit..

I am having trouble sleeping the last few months..
I don't like it.

What a hectic week! Too bad Keith doesn't drive and could have fetched the checkbook for you while you slept for a few hours. Lack of sleep doesn't seem to bother the kids as much as it does us parents. Glad everything turned out alright in the end and that you had nice accomodations in OKC to rest up afterwards.

So, what did you think of the WWI museum? Did you get to see everything, or will you be coming back soon to finish it up? One of my favorite things is the elderly male docents. They are so knowledgable about the exhibits and the war in general and love sharing what they know. Our son, a gun nut, got a big kick out of talking to them about the different weapons on display when he went there last summer.

53. The Life Before Her Eyes by Laura Kasischke. I just don't know what to make of this book. At first, I thought it was dull, then it seemed as thought the main character was slowly descending into madness, then it just got weird and ended. The writing was very descriptive, and I really liked it when I thought I knew what was happening, but it fell apart. Too bad.

I'm generally like you, Stephen. When my bedtime comes, I go to sleep. Very rarely do I stay awake long after I've gone to bed. Out like a light.

I know what you mean, Kath. I've never had trouble sleeping, but right after my surgery last summer, I couldn't sleep at all. I would cry from frustration at not being able to sleep. Until the visiting nurse told me to take Tylenol PM....

Oh, Sandy, don't you know I was thinking the same thing about Keith???
And I LOVED the museum!! I think I saw most of it (I even went up the elevator to the top of the Memorial!). And I flirted shamelessly with the docents. They were delightful! It really was a great experience. I wouldn't mind going through it again sometime.

#107: I think I will give that one a pass. Sorry it was not a better read for you, Terri. I hope the next book is an improvement.

I'm not even going to count these, because they were 5-minute reads, but I'll put them down:

Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day. I laughed out loud. An absolutely riotous story book with almost no words. Everyone needs a copy for those days when you can't find your happy place.

St. Louis Architecture for Kids by Lee Ann Sandweiss. Photos of St. Louis landmarks from A-Z (photograhy by Gen Obata), accompanied by little rhymes and cartoon characters. It's great, but several years old, and it made me sad to see things that are no longer there (Old Busch Stadium, the National Bowling Hall of Fame).

Paper Dolls Inspired by the Clothing Collection of the Missouri Historical Society with text by Angela K. Dietz. Too beautiful to cut up for paper dolls.

So yesterday, I went on the Inaugural St. Louis Indie Bookstore Alliance Cruise. A very nice bus took us to 4 independent bookstores in area, where there were signings by local authors. Each store gave us ARCs, we had a yummy lunch at Duffs, and we played St. Louis literary trivia games on the bus. It was a marvelous time.
However.
I was destined to win second place in 3 of the 4 games, and second place won 2 ARCs from a box. So in addition to the books I actually bought, I came home with quite a stash. I would rather go read something than sit here and type up the names of all of the books, so here is a snapshot:



Envy me.

Terri,
That sounds like an awesome cruise. I'm impressed by the size of your stash, even though I know nothing about the quality of it!

*vibrates with loathing and envy*

I fully expect you to apprise me of when the next such tour is taking place. I will be there with bells on!

Terri, my glasses aren't strong enough to read all the titles, but that's an impressive book "tower." I'm with Stasia...they may have to take several busses next year! *going off in search for a magnifying glass*

Trust me.. I envy you :)

Sounds like a fun time!

I can't afford to envy you - no bookshelf space left! The apartment is sinking, s-i-n-k-i-n-g.

*Jaw drops*

I envy you too...

considered yourself envied...AND loved!

Impressive.

Hi Teri. What a great stack of books! Your Saturday excursion sounds like the ideal way to spend a day to me. . . Too much fun!
Missed you at today's mini meet-up. It was great meeting Sandy and seeing Roni again. No books purchased, just good conversation. Next time . . .

Hah! I love your book stack... and your comment about wanting to go read something rather than typing up all the book names. :)

I'm simply stopping by to say how much I admire your spunky spirit -- always on the go and ready for adventure.

Great stack, although I could read only two of the titles! Sounds like a lot of fun. I posted a few new pictures on the KC Meetup thread today, now that I'm home and finally got my pictures downloaded!

LOL! Here I sit with my browser display magnified and my nose to the monitor trying to read your book titles . . .

Quite a stack of books! Enjoy!

111: Oooh! I love seeing the pic--I have a few stacks like that around the house myself. And I like the idea of that kind of traveling. We've got some great independent bookstores; I wish our city did that--especially since I don't have a car right now.

If you're really interested in what books I got, check out my library. Everything added on May 8 (except the Brightwell & the DePoy) is stacked up there, plus a few that I got to give away (Prep, signed by Curtis Sittenfeld for my niece; The Wrong Side of Memphis, signed by Claire Applewhite for my son's girlfriend; My Daddy and Me, signed by Amy Sklansky for Zoe, and The Kingdom Keepers, signed by Ridley Pearson for my grandson David).
Check out their website: http://stlindiebook.com/
I think it's a marvelous idea, and they plan to do the cruise again in the fall. I am SO there.

Oh, and I also bought Harmonograph: A Visual Guide to the Mathematics of Music by Anthony Ashton for my son the music teacher.

#128: I am SO with you if you tell me when!

And I finished some books, too!

54. The Silent Boy by Lois Lowry. I seem to be on a Lois Lowry kick lately. A very good and very sad book of a young girl's friendship with a young man who is "touched" during 1910 & 1911.

55. Ouija: The Most Dangerous Game by Stoker Hunt. A strange little book about the use of the Ouija board. First, he tells stories of extremely positive results with the board. Then, he tells stories of extremely negative results with the board. He takes it from a religious standpoint, and from a psychological standpoint, then a spiritual standpoint. I can't say that I've ever read such an even-handed book. It was kind of weird, though.

#131: Adding The Silent Boy to the BlackHole! Thanks for the recommendation, Terri.

Book #55 sounds good.. I have stories of my own, that would curl your hair.. I have to hunt that one down..

I had a deathly fear of Ouija Boards as a teenager when they were popular with my friends. Can't say as I ever touched one!

>133 mckait:: I'd love to hear some of your stories, Kath! Sounds like my fears may have been justified.

ETA: You got some interesting books on your 'cruise' Terri. The Meet Me book about St. Louis authors looks like it might offer more possibilities for the Missouri Readers group.

That's one very impressive stack of books, and that bookshop cruise certainly sounds like a wonderful day.

*envious sigh*

56. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry. That woman can go from the sublime to the ridiculous in nothing flat. And do it well. This was a silly, fun story about four children whose parents are so horrible, that they set out to be orphans. A sensible nanny, a baby in a basket, a reclusive tycoon, and a Swiss postmaster. Just what I needed to cleanse my palate.

You'll like The Silent Boy, Stasia. And it's not very long.

I thought of you when I was reading it, Kath. I know you've said before that you have some great stories.

Donna, I goofed off with the Ouija board when I was a teenager, but nothing ever really happened, and we just got bored with it. After reading this, I'm not sure if I'd do it again.

Donna, I have the MO Readers to thank for 2 of my free books last week. One of the contests was to guess a book & its author from her reading the first paragraph. I remembered King of the Hill starting with the lock on the neighbors door, so I got that right, and it put me in second place! I'll let you know what I find to add to our collection!

Caty, it was an unbelievable day. I don't know when I've had so much fun. Except when wine was involved...

I have read The Willoughbys twice now and enjoyed it both times. I am glad you liked it, Terri!

uh oh.. that one sounds good ( # 56)

It's short, Kath. Go for it!

57. The Bayou Trilogy by Daniel Woodrell. This was an Early Reviewer book from a few months back.
This book is actually a reprint of 3 short stories written by Daniel Woodrell in 1986, 1988, and 1992. The stories involve Rene Shade, a policeman in St. Bruno parish in Louisiana. This is not a place you want to be found after dark. And it’s always dark in a Woodrell story.
The first two stories, "Under the Bright Lights" and "Muscle For The Wing," read like noir crime novels. You can imagine a young Humphrey Bogart playing Shade in a movie. St. Bruno is rough, and no one seems overly affected by the violence. Woodrell is a great writer, even though his subject matter falls short of Disney. I have read several of his other books set in the Missouri Ozarks, and although the actions of the characters make you cringe, like a train wreck, you have to keep watching. These stories follow that same pattern.
“The Ones You Do” did not impress me as much. Although there was crime, and violence, and sex, it was more of a story revolving around Rene’s family. He has been suspended from the force, and is less of a player. I think the story suffers from that.
Overall, I would recommend these stories. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but interesting anyway.

Hi Friend

I read The Death of Sweet Mister and you are right -- Woodrell's books are indeed dark...dark as the back streets of New Orleans.

I really enjoyed The Willoughbys. I read it way back when Stasia recommended it.

Hi, Terri! I just now caught up on your thread. You have a lot going on! I was interested to see the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was based on an actual person, so I wishlisted that one. Congrats on winning all of those books. Sounds like the visit was a blast!

#139: Well, rats. It does not look as though my local library has that one.

Woodrell is a great writer, even though his subject matter falls short of Disney. - heh - that's an understatement!

Nice to hear that the MO Readers gets credit for part of your haul on the book cruise. Have you discovered any new titles for us?

I thought The Willoughby's was very clever - I enjoyed it, too.

I added that one to my list...

58. The Most Beautiful Book in the World: 8 Novellas by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt. Eight of the most wonderful stories I have read in a long time. Each a little different, but all concluding on a lovely, sometimes poignant note. I felt just like the woman on the cover as I read: up in the air, oblivious to everything except my reading. Loved it!

Hi, BJ! Good to see you again! Hope things are going well for you!

Relax, Stasia. It hasn't been out that long. Give them time.

Sandy, I'm still plowing my way through everything, and don't have anything new to add to the list yet. Not that we need to add anything--we still have a good 20 books on there we haven't gotten to yet.

Hey, Kath! How is your life going? Always nice to hear from you!

My heart sank when I saw the destruction in Joplin on the news this morning. I hope everything is okay in your area, Terri.

#145: I have that one in the BlackHole already, I know I do.

#147: I have not seen the news yet. Off to see what is going on. . .Hope you are OK, Terri!

drive-by *smooch*

Terri

I'm watching the news regarding Joplin, MO. How close are you to there. Is everything ok in your area?

All is well. We are 5 hours northeast of Joplin, so nothing in my area (except bad storms last night & today). But what a mess it is down there! I tried to see if our little bookstore was still around, but nothing was recognizable.

So sad.

I gave a big sigh of relief when I saw you screen name pop up here, Terri. I'm glad you are okay! It is indeed sad, what will become of the Joplin meetup?

#152 Ditto Terri. Glad to hear you're ok.

Glad to hear all is well with you!

145: That's quite the courageous title, isn't it? Sounds like it deserved it. Glad everything is OK in your neck of the woods. The destruction sounds never-ending throughout that part of the country. Is there no structure that can stand up to those kinds of forces?

Stephen, maybe we'll move it to Ohio...

Thanks Heather, Mary, Bonnie! Yesterday was interesting. I spent over an hour sitting in the stairwell at work while severe storms & tornado sirens sounded all around us, but no real damage except the occasional tree, and the aggravation of sitting in a stairwell for so long. Minor compared to Joplin. And my siding is still holding up. Sigh.

59. Homer and Langley by E. L. Doctorow. I really did not enjoy this book at all. It is a HIGHLY fictionalized account of the Collyer brothers in New York, whose house was found to be full of booby-trapped stacks of everything you could imagine, included the bodies of the brothers, one of whom was killed in his own trap, and the other one, who was blind, and who died of starvation waiting for food. I need to stop reading "historical fiction" because it makes me want to find out more of the real story, and in this case, the book bore very little resemblance to the real story. Very disappointing.

Oh, Ohio, sure...well, all the lovely little bookstores are in the northwest corner of Ohio. Way way way up there, far far away from southeast/central Ohio. Definitely none in my area. Nope. So I don't have to worry. *Laughs nervously*

Actually, there really aren't any bookshops in my town, and the only one I know of in the surrounding area are your national chains and whatnot. Of course, I haven't had a chance to really search for any, considering I'm broken and it wouldn't make any difference anyway! :P

> 156 I love you Terri!
ROFLMAO

Move to Ohio...

On a serious side..
Stay safe..
Now I worry about you AND Craig.. oh~ and Sonia too of course!

I'm glad to hear you're safe and sound Terri. The devastation from this storm is incredible.

Hi Terri. . . drove through your neck of the woods on our way to Ohio last week. Glad to hear you are safe and sound - what a stormy week you've had! I'm anxiously awaiting any news about Joplin and our planned meet-up there.
Wanted to chime in on the Ohio used book sellers discussion: We just moved our oldest daughter and her new hubby to Akron and were pleased to discover great libraries, one of which houses the used book store for the system (Main Street Branch in downtown Akron). I found a good supply of books for a very reasonable ($1.00 hardback and $.50 paperback) price. Definitely a place I will be visiting often as we spend time in Akron. Lucky folks there . . .

xoxo for aching knees from stairwell-sitting

#156: Sounds like that might have been the same storm system that rolled through here late Tuesday. Glad to know you are safe.

#157: I was disappointed in that one too.

#151 Donna said her SIL lives in the same general area of Joplin as the bookstore and had no serious damage at her house, so we can be hopeful that the shop survived. What a terrible tragedy that has been, but the outpouring of support here has been tremendous. As I'm sure it is in StL, as well. So far, everyone I know with loved ones there has gotten good news.

Stephen, sorry to tell you that I won't actually be in Columbus next week. It's Granville, by Denison University. Am I getting warmer?
And having a bookstore is only a bonus. I'll bet we could have just as much fun on your front lawn.

I love you too, Kath!

I know, Bonnie, it's awful. I hope it ends soon.

Brenda! You should have stopped by.

xoxo to you too, Richard, for no particular reason.

I heard that it was the same system, Stasia. Nastiness, all. And I'm glad to hear you didn't care for the Doctorow. It seems to me that I heard great things about it, and that always makes me feel a little bit guilty about not liking something.

I'm glad to hear that, Sandy. I know, very selfish of me. One of those problems with tragedies--you're hesitant to express gratitude for what did survive, for fear of sounding insensitve to what did not survive. So many fund-raisers up here are turning over their funds to Joplin, that it kind of regenerates a little faith in humanity.

D'oh! Forgot that I read some books!

60. The War Poems by Siegfried Sassoon. I could only read a few at a time. But what a talent for expressing the conflict between pacificism and a sense of duty, not necessarily to country, but to those who have died. Very thought-provoking and wonderful.

61. A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George. I loved the Inspector Lynley mysteries on PBS. It stands to reason that I would love the books they are based on. Another series added to the list.

>166 tloeffler: #60 ?!?!

#61 Aha! Can't get me on this one! Already readin' 'em! Ha!

Nope, sorry Terri, you're going in the wrong direction. :P

Richard. Would I try to convince you to start another series of books? What kind of cruel person do you think I am? I'm so glad that I couldn't tempt you.
(*good thing I've got 30 more series to try with...*)

Stephen, wrong for me or wrong for you??? 8-o

I'm south of Columbus, and Granville is futher north. You are going in the right direction if you were heading Jude's way though. :)

#166: I have had Sassoon's war poetry in the BlackHole for a long time now. I really need to get to it some time.

As far as the Elizabeth George series goes, I think I have read them all but the last, so I can dodge that particular BB.

Hey, Terri, just waving hi as I pass through!

Hi, Terri! Just another drive-by wave!

I am not, no not, going to be tempted by the Elizabeth George series, no no . . .

Terri???

echoing Roni's query - hope all is well there. We're missing you over in the MO Readers discussion this week.

yep... missing you here, too

I'm sorry, I don't mean to worry anyone. Life has just been hectic, and I haven't had any computer "play time" this week. Not like a year ago when I wasn't working ANY jobs & sitting around with my feet up. I sure do miss it. Wonder how bad my other knee is?

Stephen, I took him to Granville, then spent the night in Heath, so I probably wasn't too far. One of these times, I'm going to put all the clues together and drop in on you (an hour south of Columbus....).

Stasia, I had to read The War Poems a few at a time. Too intense to read more than one or two a night. I suspect it will take me quite a while to catch up with you on the Lynley series.

Hi, Roni, Terri, Sandy, Kath! Thanks for stopping by! I put my two cents worth in the MO Readers just a few minutes ago. Might as well add it here...

62. Private Life by Jane Smiley. Read for the MO Readers June Discussion. I liked it. Nothing exciting, a few geography errors, but overall, an interesting story of the life of a Missouri woman born just after the Civil War, and her life, her marriage, and, well, her private life.

nice to see you here.. wish you had more play time though.
lol @ the stricken look on Ape's face :P

just a note to say I miss you!

xoxo

I have a car now, Terri. I'm mobile...YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME! :P

stealth...all it takes is sealth. Terri is stealthy.

#182: The problem is Terri needs some directionality to her stealth. I will have to come along to direct her. . .

The mind whirs with possibilities....

Oh, Stephen, you would be surprised. I'm liable to find you by accident. And Kath is right. I can be very stealthy.
Unless, of course, Stasia and Linda are with me. You'll hear us giggling from miles away and have plenty of time to escape.

xoxo to you too, Richard!

63. Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. This popped up in my random choosing of my next WWI book, and I read it along with Stasia. It was a chunkster (another reason I've been scarce). The first 3/4 of the book was fascinating. It showed the War from a different point of view than I had thought of it before. Brittain tells the story as she lived it, losing her brother, fiancee, and several friends to the war. She talks of the loss of a whole generation, and how WWI was the turning point of just about everything.
However, after the War was over, the last part of the book became tedious. I got tired of hearing her whine about her book not being published, her lecturing and political activities, her blithe attitude towards marriage. So probably, like Stasia, I'd have to give it a 4.5. She should have stopped while she was ahead, and put the remainder into another book which I wouldn't have had to read.

Stasia has a point. I think I would be safest if I actually gave her my address and directions, she'd never find her way here then. :P

Ooh, do you know what I just realized??? Columbus OH is almost exactly the midpoint between my house and Linda's house. I'm thinking meet-up with a purpose....

Ah, well, I don't have to worry about that. I despise driving in big cities and avoid them like the plague. You definitely will never find me there! So yes, I encourage any Columbus meetups. :P

"With a purpose" means our purpose would be to meet up and then go find you together.

*snerk* Count me in! And I have a *good* sense of direction....

Packs Garmin and Tom Tom and dowloads Ape seeker app onto iTouch

It's good to see you back here, Terri, along with your sense of humor. Oh wait, I think the "Stephen Search" is dead serious! You are dead meat, Stephen, with Terri, Linda, and now Richard on the hunt!

Terri: Pfft, there's a lot of room for you two to get lost between Columbus and my town... ;)

Donna: I'm not worried. With Terri and Linda getting eachother lost and Richard calling for a pit stop so he can take a nap every few hours, they'll never get here. Even if they do, Kath's cats will have hidden all the cameras so there'll be no proof they were ever here. :P

You're probably right, Stephen.

193: ...

...

...and just when a guy starts feeling comfortable...

#191: Hey! What about me? I am hunting for Stephen too. . .

Oh yes, Stasia. She'll need to bring so many books to read she'll wear the suspension and brakes out on the car. Plus the gas mileage will be so poor lugging them all around you'll go broke from buying gas long before you ever find me! :)

She has a nook, you know.. she can bring dozens of books..

See? This is the problem with that blasted electronic book technology. Booo!

*cackles loudly*

Uh oh, someone needs to adjusts Kath's antenna, reception is a little fuzzy...

Terri, I followed Brittain's book with one by her friend Winifred Holtby, South Riding. It covered politics and life in a British town after WWI. Quite good I thought and I think you'd like it. For me Testament was just so powerful that I could overlook the less compelling last part of the book.

Stephen, I'm sure there was supposed to be a wonderful emoticon in #194. We must have scared it away.

Dear Stasia, you know you are always welcome. If we can get you to St. Louis, the rest will be a cinch!

You should come too, Kath! Can you just imagine it: Terri, Stasia, Linda and Kath on the hunt for Stephen? Poor boy won't know what hit him.

Brenda, I thought about reading one of Holtby's books. Maybe I'll pick that one up (or at least add it to the list). You're right, it was a very, very powerful book for the most part.

Let me know when, Terri.. I'm in :)

Hmmmm, it was an innocently smiling smiley sitting there all happy-like only to have a big scary monster come from behind and eat him. It's not working now though! :(

And I have finished some books. Mostly audio. One more week of this teaching 4 nights a week, and I'll be back to a semi-normal life.

64. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. I've liked the Thursday Next book that I've read, and I think Jasper Fforde is an absolute riot, so when I ran across this on the library's audio shelf right before my drive to Ohio, I grabbed it. Once I got the "colorocracy" down pat, I found it extremely enjoyable.

65. On My Honor, I Will by Randy Pennington and Marc Brockman. I have no idea when or where I got this book, but it is signed by the author & personalized, so I must have bought it sometime in the past. It ended up being one of my random-number-generated books off my shelf. It was interesting. The authors took the Boy Scout oath and broke it down, explaining how each part of it can be linked to the business world to help one "lead with integrity." I finished it while waiting for my car to be repaired. Again. Can you tell I just got it paid off?

66. Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer. I think this came from Linda's YA list of books. It was okay. I have to say that part of it really bothered me. When the "bad" mayor got the newspapers to print a statement from the hospital that GT's leukemia was worse than he was making it out to be, my head screamed "HIPAA!!!" so loud that I nearly ran off the road. Even though it was a lie. The story just didn't ring true enough to me.

AND once again, I have to announce that I have some of the greatest sons in the world. Keith & Craig bought me a computer for my birthday, and gave it to me 2 months early because Keith couldn't stand watching me use the one I had for another minute. Plus, he's really bad at keeping secrets.

Woo Hoo!

Woo Hoo indeed!

Terri. How wonderful that your very special sons came through for you again!

Regarding the road trip to Ohio, Stephen is forgetting that I know how to get to Ohio...I can indeed find him. We can rent a van with a gps system and track him down.....

Stephen..don't go hiding on us. You won't want to miss the fun!

How wonderful of your boys, Terri! They are keepers :)

*waves*
Hello from WI!
Trying to get a little caught up on threads...

Yay for good sons! WOO HOO for new 'puter!!!

ditto 210

207:

You do, indeed, have the best of sons. Of course, how could they have turned out differently with such a mother? Congratulations on raising such a fine crop of men. (And yippee for the new computer!)

Hi Terri. Adding my congrats on the new computer and the thoughtful sons . . .

Thank you all for the congratulations! I'm sorry I've been so absent. I'm teaching less starting this week, so I'm hoping I have a little more time to play on the computer.

Speaking of having raised the right kind of sons: Keith watched the Tony Awards because he is a South Park fan and wanted to find out a little more about The Book of Mormon. Before the show was over, he had downloaded the entire score, and listens to it all the time. We were joking around Friday night about going to see it on Broadway. Saturday he called me from work. "We're on," he said. He decided that we were going to "blow the wad" and go to New York to see The Book of Mormon on Broadway. So, Keith & I will be in New York on August 17-19. I love having spontaneous children!

And I've been reading some:

67. Stand Tall by Joan Bauer. I guess I just don't care for Bauer as an author. Again, unrealistic situations, characters who don't seem to act true to form. Oh well. Each to his own.

68. Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson. An excellent story of two women, one old, one young, who become unlikely friends. In getting to know each other, they get to know themselves, and it was told well (I listened to the audiobook which was done awesomely).

69. In Pursuit of Reason: The Life of Thomas Jefferson. A very good biography of Thomas Jefferson. It may not be the most comprehensive, but it is readable, and touches on the high points. Very fairly presented, also.

Oh no! You're coming to New York on the weekend Jim and I will be in Boston! RATS!!!!

Terri...Any chance we can meet up in August? I can easily take a bus into the city.

I think you will love that show! I too, listen to the score and enjoy it ... thanks to the Tony's ~
Have fun, take pics.

WOW! A new computer and a trip to New York. Super Moms have super sons! What a good time is in store for you. I'm going to have to check out the music to The Book of Mormon. I missed the Tony Awards because my nose was stuck firmly in a book!

Coolio!!! I want to meet up with y'all so please schedule me in...maybe a dinner at my old haunt Steak Frites?

Two blocks away! (moan)

*drips with green envy*

NICE . . .!

Sounds like a fantastic trip!

Judy! You're breaking my heart!

Linda, that would be lovely. Right now we have no plans for the evening of 8/17 (unless Keith finds out that The Motherf**er With a Hat extends its run till then). How fun would it be to meet with Richard at Steak Frites? I hope to cram as much into those 3 days as I can. And I'd love for you all to meet Keith. You'll understand my stories so much better!

Kath, why does it not surprise me that you would enjoy the music? We are probably more alike than either of us could imagine.

Donna, that's what a DVR is for. I couldn't watch it in person because we were celebrating my Dad's birthday, but if I hadn't recorded it, Keith probably wouldn't have watched it, and this Bucket List item would not be getting checked off. I go down on my knees every night in gratitude for those boys.

Richard, see above.

Hi, Brenda & Jim! Thanks for stopping by!

70. The Whole Shebang by Suzanne Rhodenbaugh. A book of poetry by a St. Louis author. Interesting subjects, but not great poetry. It just didn't read right. I have to read poetry aloud, and I can't explain it other than to say it just didn't read smoothly.

That's all for now! Hope to be back soon!

We just might be!

Just a quick pop-in to say hello and Happy Fourth!

Hi, Laura! Same back at you!

71. Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham. Fictional stories about Ashenden, a WWI British spy, apparently based on Maughams own experiences. Very interesting reading.

72. A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter by William Deresiewicz. William Deresiewicz is a testament to how reading can change your life. Having read "Emma" as an assignment, he begins to learn that Jane Austen has a lot to say about the best ways to find love while just living your life. He takes six novels of Austen, and spends each chapter discussing one book and how it related to his life at that particular time. I found it fascinating, and easy to read. I did feel an undercurrent throughout the book that "Everything has a happy ending if you only follow the steps" that I found mildly irritating, but that is probably based on my own prejudices, and doesn't make his insights any less interesting. Highly recommended.

... that one sounds pretty darn good....

Hi, Terri! Have a good day!


glitter-graphics.com

Kath, it's one of the best books I've read in a while. Go get it.

Hi, Terri! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

73. Bobby Darin: A Life by Michael Starr. Before reading this book, I knew very little about Bobby Darin, except for "Mack the Knife." After reading this book, I know more than I ever wanted to, and yet, less than I feel I ought to.

I was not a fan of the structure of this book. It read like multiple unending interviews with multiple people, and it was difficult to connect the dots to come up with a cohesive "biography." It didn't seem researched as much as it did thrown together.

And frankly, I came out of it with a real dislike for Bobby Darin. He sounded like a sexist, egotistical jerk, and the "but under it all, he was a great guy" didn't ring true for me. It might be interesting at some point to read a regular, dispassionate biography of him, but I just didn't end up liking him enough to want to put out that effort.

74. A Little Love Song by Michelle Magorian. It is 1943, and Rose and Diana are spending their summer holiday in a cottage in Salmouth. Their father was killed in the war, and their mother is entertaining the troops. When their chaperone is called up, they choose not to tell their mother, and stay in the cottage for the summer. This is a delightful (if predictable) story of love, growing up, and secrets, and I finished it in one sitting.

Just passing through, Terri. *Waves*

230- I've gotta wishlist that one! Sounds good...

Hi Stephen! I've missed you!

Yep. Do it, Angela.

And now (drumroll): my 75th book!!!

The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. The Spellmans are a really bizarre family. The family business is a private investigation firm, and they are always on the job. The story is told by daughter Isabel Spellman. I found it a little bit disjointed and confusing at the beginning,which I suppose was caused by all the background stories. But once I hit the middle, I couldn't put it down. There is a lot wrong with it from a literary standpoint, but it was a fun romp, and I'm anxious to see how she handles the next book (oh. Did I forget to mention, it's a series?), now that all of the flashbacks will be finished.

And just to keep things tidy, I'll start a new thread for my next 75 before I post another book (but not tonight. I'm tired.).

Heigh-ho, everyone!

I love the Spellman series - it gets better with each book. Congratulations on 75 books!

Is there such a thing as a stand alone book these days? Everything has a sequel or becomes a series.
Impossible, that;s what it is, impossible.

Good choice for #75! Congrats!!

The Spellman Files is easily a stand-alone book, but fair warning, you probably won't want to stop with one. :)

Congratulations on your 75 books, Terri. If I didn't spend so much time lurking on these threads, I could possibly keep up with you.

Congrats on completing the challenge! :D

Hi Terri. Congrats on your 75!

Congratulations on reaching the 75 book mark, Terri!

Congrats on the 75 mark!

Congrats on 75. I'm currently on 7.5 :)

Hurray! Congrats on reading your 75th book!

Congrats, TLo! The Spellman Files has been sitting on my shelf and staring at me for years now. Perhaps I should finally pick it up!?!?

Congrats on 75!

Congratulations, Terri!

Happy day! But no new thread?

I'm late to the celebration, but congrats on book #75, Terri!

Thank you, Everyone! Here is the link to my next thread, such as it is. I was just waiting to hear from Richard.......

http://www.librarything.com/topic/120894