Mark's Reading Place: The Man Who Likes Everything #9

"All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they really happened and after you are finished reading one you feel that it all happened to you and after which it all belongs to you."
- Ernest Hemingway

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

March:

24) My Dead Body by Charlie Huston 3.6 stars (OTS)
24) Fool Moon by Jim Butcher 3.6 stars (OTS)
25) Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield 4 stars (audio) (OTS)
26) Vietnamerica by GB Tran 3.8 stars (graphic)
27) Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sides 5 stars (OTS)
28) A Big Boy Did it and Ran Away by Chris Brookmyre 4.2 stars (audio)
29) The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter 3.7 stars
30) My Reading Life by Pat Conroy 4.3 stars (OTS)
31) House Arrest by Ellen Meeropol 3.8 stars
32) The Siege by Helen Dunmore 4.8 stars (OTS)
33) Blind Descent by James M. Tabor 3.8 stars (audio)
34) A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway 4 stars (audio)
35) Midwives by Chris Bohjalian 3.8 stars (OTS)
36) Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton 4 stars (audio)

April:

37) Savage Season by Joe R. Lansdale 3.5 stars (audio)
38) Kings of the Earth by Jon Clinch 3.9 stars (OTS)
39) Faithful Place by Tana French 3.8 stars (OTS)
40) The Paris Wife by Paula McLain 3.7 stars (audio)
41) Ape House by Sara Gruen 2.5 stars
42) A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 5 stars
43) The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie 3.8 stars (audio)
44) Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss 4.8 stars (graphic)
45) Swamplandia! by Karen Russell 3.8 stars (OTS)
46) The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick 3 stars (audio)

Love the polar bear reading!

love the polar bear!!! Good morning to you !

Love the picture at the top, Mark!

39) Faithful Place by Tana French 3.8 stars

Frank Mackey and Rosie Daly, both in their late teens, plan to escape. Leave Dublin, a bad economy and a deeply oppressive family. They want to get married and start a new life. On the day of their rendezvous, a cold night in December, Rosie never shows up, leaving Frank hurt and terribly confused. She is never heard from again.
Twenty years later, Frank, newly divorced, is a cop in the undercover unit. After that fateful night, he also never returned home, but suddenly he receives a phone call from his sister. A suitcase was found, in an abandoned house, behind the Mackey house and they think it belonged to Rosie.
This incident draws Frank, not only back into his broken family, but into a new investigation of Rosie’s disappearance, which is beginning to look like murder.
This is a well-written trip through a haunted and damaged past, exposing Frank to old wounds and new ones, bumping heads with his mean, alcoholic father and domineering mother. This is French’s third book and her most “Irish”. She can really transport the reader to a particular place and time. I’m looking forward to where she will take us next.

ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! must read soon... must read soon..

Oh, I love the polar bear, Mark!
Nice review - and if I was a Tana French fan, I would be enticed. Too many other books I want to read.
Have a good one!

Cute picture, Mark. My sister loves Tana French but not an author I've ever read.

Any talk at the USPS about the mishap with the statue of liberty stamps? I have a roll of the flag/statue of liberty stamps and we all thought it looked like a modern representation. I guess we were right--turns out it's the one in Vegas on the real one.

Just noticed the title of your new thread. Cute! and true! lol

>5 msf59: Mark, nice review of Faithful Place. I just picked up a copy of The Likeness so I can continue my love affair with Tana French :-)

ahahaha I didn't notice the title.. very cute and funny :)

Morning everyone! I wasn't sure what picture to post at the top and I stumbled on that one, while cruising around. I like bears and of course I like books. Nice match.

TW- Nice to see you and good to see you are #1!

Stasia- Big wave!

Kath- I would like to see you give French a try. I'd like your thoughts on her writing.

Linda- I saw that about the Liberty stamps but did not read the story. I'll have to check it out.

Claudia- I added the topic heading just for you! Aren't you special? LOL

Katie- Looking forward to your thoughts on The Likeness. There is a major leap of faith in that book but if you can get past that, (I did) it will be another enjoyable read.

Love the polar bear pic, Marky-Mark.

I've still not recovered from my bad experience with Tana French yet, but your review of Faithful Place is tempting me to give her another shot.

Another person who I was wondering why no one was responding to, and you just made another thread. I don't know how you handle it, because I would be going crazy with everyone responding to everything you say. But I'm going to repeat everyone else, and say, nice polar bear. It's cute.

ETA: I just saw your title. Hilarious.

Hi Mark, love the title of this thread and love that you included the Hemingway quote about books.

I've never read anything by Tana French but I keep seeing LTers reading and liking her books. I'll have to try one sometime. Off to thumb your review!

Mark.. I read her first two.. and loved them.. bought them in hardback for "keepers" I do love her writing.. I just haven't gotten to #3
:)

Good morning, Mark. Great picture and quote. But your thread title? Didn't I just read on your last thread that you weren't too thrilled with Gruen's Ape House? I think you need to qualify it to read 'the man who likes almost everything!'

>5 msf59:: Great review of Faithful Place. This wasn't my favorite book by French. I actually missed the "police procedural" aspect of it, although I'm a sucker for psychological probing. Maybe her next one would be a good fit for a group read since she leaves so much to the readers' imaginations.

Caro- It's interesting how In the Woods has irritated some readers, some vehemently. I loved it. Maybe you can try the current one or The Likeness. They are all told in different styles.

Nathan- Tending to this thread is a big joy to me. It's like having my own blog or something and if people take the time to stop by and say hi, I have to respond. Glad everyone likes the reading polar bear. He's pretty serious, I like that.

Pat- I plan on writing up my review of The Paris Wife today too! It's great that we've been reading these. How's the Hemingway bio coming?

Kath- I'm sorry, I keep forgetting you read the 1st 2. Duh!!

Donna- "'the man who likes almost everything!'' LOL! I can't change the topic heading now but maybe next time. Yes, Ape House is a slog and it makes it tougher knowing I have a good one coming up: The Handmaids Tale.
I have still not got any answers to my questions in Faithful Place. Like you said, maybe there are none.

Mornin' Mark, (well, here on the west coast it's still morning). I am another big fan of Tana French, and I agree with you on how she tells each of her books in a different style. I am looking forward to Faithful Place, you've made it sound really good.

The Hemingway biography is going well. Some of it's good but most of the time it's excellent. The time period it covers is December 1921 thru February 1926. I'm up to about page 150 when it's August 1923 and Hemingway and Hadley are just about to leave Paris for Canada so Hadley can have the baby there.

I remember in The Paris Wife, it saying they didn't want to have the baby in Paris or the US because they couldn't have the baby in a hospital in those places. I asked my MIL about that (she was born in 1922) and she said she was born at home. I never really thought about people my parents age being born at home until I read that.

Looking forward to your review of The Paris Wife.

hi Mark! couldn't agree with you more about Ape House-- what a mess-- I gave it 2 stars. Gruen really missed an opportunity to write beautifully about the bonobos.

Breaking news! Breaking news! (teletypes chattering). Mark finished a book and he didn't like it. Shocked? Who isn't? Okay, all you nabobs and naysayers, put that in your pipe and smoke it. Ape House 2.7 stars. Yahoo!

Judy- Good to see you! Yes, add Faithful Place to the pile.

Pat- I'll have to read that bio, at some point. I can't wait to hear your thoughts, as you read deeper into it.
I think I read that in Midwives, but babies being born in hospitals, didn't become commonplace until the 40s sometime, at least here in the states.

Jenny- I wish she would have stuck to a story about the bonobos, everything else came across pretty damn shallow. Disappointing.

Mark, I am shocked - SHOCKED! - you didn't like a book. In truth, Ape House had zero appeal for me but props to you for giving it a whirl.

Good morning, just wanted to say I love that polar bear picture.

40) The Paris Wife by Paula McLain 3.7 stars

“Love is a beautiful liar.”
E.H.

Hadley Richardson was born and raised in St. Louis. She was a shy, reclusive child, made worse by her father’s sudden suicide and the ongoing pressure of an over-bearing mother. In December 1920, while visiting an old roommate in Chicago, she meets a dashing young man named Ernest Hemingway, eight years her junior and her life is abruptly changed forever.
This well-researched but fictionalized account, follows Hadley’s marriage to Ernest, their move to Paris in early 1922, Ernest’s struggling effort to establish a writing career and their introductions and eventual friendships with many of the more popular writers of the day, including Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
This becomes the best period in both of their lives and then, seeming to coincide with Hemingway’s blossoming fame, he has an affair with a mutual friend, Pauline Pfeifer and everything is turned upside down.
Much of this material was covered in Hemingway’s memoir A Moveable Feast but this time the story is told through Hadley’s eyes and what a fascinating glimpse it is.

I so need to read this book, Marky-Mark. Everyone I know who has read it, has loved it. Thanks for the good review.

*ponders adding Faithful Place to obese wish list, while popping some pizza flavored goldfish*

Katie- Sorry I shocked you! I was pretty shocked myself. Yes, what a misfire, glad to see I'm not alone.

Kiwi- Big wave!

Caro- Thanks! I read and loved A Moveable Feast first but however you do it, try to read them close together. A terrific 1- 2 punch! How's the pizza flavored goldfish?

Wow Mark you're really cranking out the reviews. Excellent reviews i might add. I have The Paris Wife on the pile already and I still have to read the first Tana French which I do actually have but, well, you know...

Hi, Mark! I found you and starred you.

I enjoyed the audiobook discussion on your previous thread. Through our district library, we now have audiobooks available to download through the Internet. I must say that few of our patrons who favor/need audio format are really tech savvy enough to deal with them easily -- also, the visual impairments that cause them to need audiobooks often get in the way of their being able to read instructions or browse for the books from home. (Whereas, with the "hard copy" CD's and cassettes, I could be their eyes and just help them pick out something from the shelf.)

While I've managed to use the downloads without too much trouble, I'm seeing a lot of confusion, and a lot of people facing incompatibility issues. I try to help people out with them as much as I can. Part of the problem is that the majority of the downloads we have available through Overdrive and Net Library are in WMA (Windows Media Audio?) format, rather than mp3. And many people have portable players that play mp3 only.

ETA to add And, Mark, I really LOVE the polar bear!!! :)

Mark! You ARE human! There's a small crack in your saintliness - very cute. And all we had to do for confirmation was ask your wife and watch her eyes roll! LOL

Glad to know there is at least one book I never, never have to think about. If YOU don't like it, I don't want any part of it. Now what was it called? Nevermind, I let it go already. :)

Oh, and thanks for the space on your thread re audibooks. It was not wasted. I, for one, learned a lot and thank those who joined in. The term "mp3" by itself gives me no clues as to what it's all about.

Love your polar bear !!!! I want to chime in and say how glad I am that you did not like Ape House!!! I have had no plans to read it, despite the rave reviews that so many have. At my regular bookstore - when I asked about it - the clerk looked at me with a frown - and said she had disliked it , and did recommend it to anyone unless you really liked circuses.:)

The Paris Wife is one I have considered -but for now - it will go on the in my mind wishlist!

I've finally finished Sidetracked by Henning Mankell. I think that is the 6th or 7th in the Kurt Wallender series. 4.25 stars! I swear they get better with each book! I've just started Long song By And rea Levy.

I have to mix up my crime novels with books with a little more cachet, to keep up my reputation on LT!!;)

But actually - I am quite drawn in by Long Song so far!

Wow, Mark, you shocked a lot of people with your 2.7 rating of Ape House. I liked Water for Elephants quite a lot, but I guess authors are entitled to their misfires. Shake that one off, Mark, and get back to those 4-star and above books!

Mark, I'm glad you liked The Paris Wife. I just thumbed your review. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I finish the Hemingway biography of the Paris years. I'm really loving reading about this time period in Paris before the Depression and the second WWII.

Count me in among your polar bear fans! Gotta come back to read reviews, lots to do before setting down in front of the boob tube. ttyl!

Bonnie- Thanks! I think you would really like The Paris Wife.

Terri- Good to see you! Thanks for your comments on audios & mp3s. Whenever we can steer someone into trying something different, audiobooks or e-books, I think that's great. Glad you like the polar bear. He's my buddy.

Claudia- "There's a small crack in your saintliness". But just a very fine crack, almost hairline. LOL. And yes, if my wife had read that, serious eye-rolling would have ensued. Did you ever make it to the library, to ask for help?

Deb- Did you read Water for Elephants? It really was a good book. I'm glad you liked your latest Wallander. I will be on the 4th one, whenever I get to it.
I also have The Long Song waiting in the stacks. I loved Small Island. Did you read that one?

Donna- Yes, it's my shock & awe day! And yes, I already shook it off and since I'll be starting a fan favorite tomorrow, I'll be right back on track.

Pat- I mentioned this on your thread but I do find Hemingway's life very interesting and I'm quite curious how he spent the rest of his life, after the Paris years. Thanks for the thumb!

Ilana- Yes, A Game of Thrones starts in just 40 minutes here. My wife and son are also looking forward to it. I'm recording it too, just in case it deserves a re-watch.
BTW- I'm starting the 3rd Sandman book, Dream Country. I know you were disappointed with Doll's House. Let's hope this one picks it up a little.

Just watched A Game of Thrones. I think it's a pretty good bet I'll be tuning in next week too. What were your impression?

Glad you enjoyed The Paris Wife. Don't know if it'll be available for me to borrow before the end of the month, but I do plan on getting to it soon.

I'll wait to see your comments on Dream Country. For myself, I'm in no big rush to continue with that series for the moment.

Oh, Mark, what a sweet picture! I loved your comments about The Paris Wife. I have A Moveable Feast on reserve from the library, and The Paris Wife looks like a great companion. Have a great week!

Murder and Mayhem in May you say! I'm so there!!! :) Thanks for stopping by my thread!

Morning everyone! Woke up to cold and rain. Yuck! Not a good way to start the week. I'll be starting Handmaids Tale, hopefully that'll keep me focused.

Ilana- I thought episode 1 of Game of Thrones was terrific. I think they set everything up very well and kept a nice easy pace. Good acting too! How about that closing scene? Wow! I can't wait for next week.

Anne- Good to see you! I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on The Paris Wife.

Deb- I'm glad you can join us. I'll be posting the thread, sometime this week.

Hmmm I should have saved the Jo Nesbo book for May!

Hmmm, so much to cover, where to begin, at the beginning of course.

#1 Looks like the coca-cola polar bear has discovered books. Excellent substitute, mr. bear.

Fitting Hem quote to start off your new thread, as well, Mark.

Your review of The Paris Wife is spot on and deservedly earns the thumb which I bestowed.
I was really taken aback at how much of A Moveable Feast makes up The Paris Wife. Had I read MF first, as you did, I think I would have dropped a star from my rating.

Hi Mark!! I first heard of BOTNS on your thread last year. Yes, I added Something Missing to my wishlist. I always find interesting things on your threads! Are you guys going to get nasty weather in the middle of the week? I hope it misses you while you are doing your route!! We are supposed to get snow again that should stay a few days. Yuck!!!

try to stay dry
chilly and rain predicted for here.. not new..
sigh

Still reading White Rhino Hotel and those of you who read Mark's posts had better be aware that reading or participating in his threads will only add to your TBR pile. I am not finished yet with White Rhino Hotel but it is certainly worth the read, and now I have to add Cafe on the Nile and Devil's Oasis to my list of books to read. I am also reading another of Mark's recommendations Devotion of Suspect X. That too has proved very interesting.

I do have to say that I was not even remotely attracted to reading ape House. I got burned on Burning Bright because it was a Tracy Chevalier book and even though I didn't think it sounded that interesting decided to listen to it because it was her book. I didn't get sucked in by Ape House because I learned my lesson with Burning Bright - just because an author has one book you liked, if it doesn't sound interesting don't waste your time there are other books out there.

I agree re Burning Bright - very disappointing - but, for what it's worth, she's back on her game in Remarkable Creatures.

Mark, I laughed when I saw the title of your thread...very funny...and of course I love the polar bear too. :)

Hi, Mark!
I finally got all caught up on your threads. Sounds like your trip was a tremendous amount of fun. I am so glad. I enjoyed your last two reviews and added both books to my wishlist (not counting the Ape book here).
--BJ

better late then never!!!



ETA your bear reminds me of the Coca Cola polar bear :)

Aww, your polar bear is so cute...i have an afghan he could wrap around himself...

Can't keep up with your reading...but...I finally got my DSL and subscribed to the BOTNS podcast...now, i need me an iPod......any suggestions??

;-P

The closing scene for A Game of Thrones definitely convinced me to tune in next week! Of course, having not read the book it's a whole new experience for me in every way. I had hesitated about whether I should watch it for that reason, but I'm glad I did. Great stuff.

I was bundled up today! It got a little better in the afternoon, the sun came out but there was still a cold wind blowing through.
I started and am loving Handmaids Tale. I knew my people wouldn't steer me wrong.

Kath- Funny, I'm kicking off May with Nesbo's 1st book The Redbreast. I've been meaning to get to it, for nearly a year. Some areas, mainly north, got snow this morning. Come on!

Lynda- I didn't even realize that was the Coca-Cola bear. Maybe I need to get my head out of the books.
Thanks for the thumb. I think Mclain's book is worth it, just for Hadley's perspective.

Tammy- I plan on reading, (my signed) copy of Something Missing next month. You should join us for May: Murder & Mayhem. Yes, the weather doesn not look very pleasant for the rest of the week. Boo!

Benita- I'm glad you are enjoying my recs. The author of Suspect X is actually a very popular author in Japan. I'd like to try more of his work. I have never read Tracy Chevalier.
What snagged me about Ape House was the interesting premise.

Angela- Good to see you! I try to spread joy wherever I can. Ok...start the eye-rolling.

BJ- Nice to see you too! Yes, the Retreat was a blast! Everyone who had attended has been raving about it.

Kara- Big Wave! BTW- I love your taste in movies too!

Snow? Oh boy, poor Marky-Mark ... hope you were done with work by the time the flakes flew in? I saw on the evening news that you were hit with about 3"? Isn't the weather just plain wacky these days? Sunny but chilly for me today but I can't complain... at least it wasn't raining or snowing. Plus I had a day off because of Patriots Day. :-)

I was about to start a Josephine Tey this morning but remembered Murder & Mayhem May just in time, so I'm going to read The Madonnas of Leningrad instead.

Jude- Great news about the DSL. Long time coming. Actually, you don't need an iPod to listen to BOTNS. Just go to their website and listen straight from there.

Ilana- I was raving about Game of Thrones at work today. A couple people had it recorded but hadn't seen it yet. I'm glad you felt the same way. I can't wait for next Sunday.
Did you ever finish up "Mildred Pierce"? If so, thoughts?

Caro- It really didn't snow much, where I was at, just wet & cold. I have The Madonnas of Leningrad in the stacks. It seems to have gotten a mixed response over here. Maybe I'll see which way you go on it.

I did finish Mildred Pierce. For some reason, they had programmed the 4th and 5th (and final) parts back-to-back, which I didn't appreciate much. For reasons I can't explain I wasn't quite so taken with it by the end, but I think it had more to do with the story itself than the production. I just got tired by then of all the abuse Mildred was willing to suffer from her heatless daughter. It really is quite a depressing story when you think about it.

Good morning! I am about to finish my Nesbo.. then on to ?

Thought I would chime in on Game of Thrones too. I thought the episode was great, love the weathered, worn down look of the North. Casting is superb as well. It even prompted one of my non-reader friends to borrow a copy of the book from me. Yay!

I ended up watching the last two episodes of Mildred Pierce on demand and my thoughts about the mini series did not improve. Spoiler I thought it made it especially sad that her sweet, younger daughter died given how narcissistic and unloving her older daughter was.

Looking forward to your Murder & Mayhem May. Of the over 300 books on my TBR shelves I am sure almost two thirds of them are mysteries, so I have a lot to choose from. I see you are starting with The Redbreast and since I have had that one on the shelves for awhile, I will try to dig that one out for sure.

#58 I completely agree with your comment about Mildred Pierce. Throughout the whole thing, while I listened to the audiobook and then watched the mini-series (not to mention years ago, when I saw the movie with Joan Crawford), I could never make out what the source of this obsession with Veda could be. In fact, it's quite clear that her obsession is similar to that one might have for a lover, though of course there is no sexual component to it. Very very strange. I guess that's what makes the story so memorable (to me, anyway).

#59 I too look forward to May Murder & Mayhem. For some strange reason, I haven't read a single crime mystery this month, very unusual for me, but I'm saving them up for next month now.

What an ugly day here! It never left the 30s, windy and rainy, just a lousy one. Needed a hot shower when I got home just to shake the chill.

Ilana- I'm glad I bailed on Mildred Pierce. That's to bad, there was a lot of talent attached to that project.

Kath- I need to swing by and check out your review. Hope it was a positive one...

TW- Let's hope the rest of the series of A Game of Thrones, is just as strong as the first one. Wow! Sean Bean is wonderful!

Judy- Glad you can join us on the mystery read. Actually, I have at least 3 Scandinavian crime books to get to. Have you watched the new series "The Killing", on AMC? It's fantastic.

Mark, I am PVRing "The Killing" and haven't started watching it yet, but the previews I saw sure made it look good. Something to look forward to.

I don't get HBO so I am green with jealousy over the people that are watching "Game of Thrones", even though I haven't read it yet (hopefully this year sometime). I guess I will have to wait until it comes out to rent eventually.

"I sink down into my body as into a swamp, fenland, where only I know the footing. Treacherous ground, my own territory. I become the earth I set my ear against, for rumors of the future."
This is from The Handmaid's Tale, a book I am enjoying immensely.

Judy- Let me know when you start watching "The Killing" and do try to squeeze the book A Game of Thrones in. It's incredible.

I love the Handmaid's Tale. It is one of my favorites of hers. Well, I missed a whole thread of yours, so I am off to catch up!! Hugs.

Hey Mark! Hope things are going well with you. As usual, you are blowing through your books and threads..haha Love the title of your new thread and of course the polar bear is as cute as cute can be!

Dear Mr. Popular

I love visiting here! Great photo of the polar bear reading a book! And, congratulations on your hot review!

Kim- It's great to see you! I don't think I've had the great privilege of a Berly visit, in quite some time. Yah!
Many of my pals here have raved about Handmaids and it's easily living up to the hype.

Valerie- How's your reading coming? Still working on Mists? I have not read that one yet. Yes, I'm the man who likes everything...well almost.

Linda- Good to see you too, stranger. Hope you are doing good!

Ilana- Sorry, I missed you up there! Glad you'll be able to join us for May: Murder & Mayhem. I'll try setting up the thread in a day or 2.

#55 : Finished The Madonnas of Leningrad and liked it lots, Marky-Mark.

hmmm I might have to try to find something for M&M month.. we will see how things play out for me..

I'm in for M & M month, Mark. Mysteries are a staple in my reading diet.

I'm planning to read Dissolution for M&M month. So many LTers seem to love this series and I have this book sitting in the pile next to my reading chair.

Great Hawks game last night, Mark. 7 to 2. They should play so well all the time.

Looking forward to May Mystery Mayhem. I don't need to be told twice to read a mystery.

Don't laugh at me, but all this talk about M&M is making me crave chocolate! I think it's because I'm really hungry and lunchtime is almost here. :)

(I love mysteries and I will try to read a few in May.)

Angela...Now, I'm hungry for chocolate...Mr. Goodbar is my favorite...

I lost some weight, so now I can rationalize one tiny little choc. bar...right?

"The Killing" is good! I have only seen the first one, the other is still on the DVR...I like how they are doing one case for the season instead of a new case every episode...lets you get to know the main characters and the see how the murder effects the family members.

http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-killing is AMC site where they have a suspect tracker :) I checked it out and it looks pretty fun

Jane and I have decided to make The Killing our post-kid return to episodic television. We are loving it too. Well done tv for sure. I understand it is sticking very close to the original.

Kath- I'm sure you have a few mysteries waiting in the stacks! Don't we all? Are you going to read anymore in the Harry Hole series?

Joe- Nice to see you! Did you watch Game of Thrones? I think they did a terrific job!

Pat- I've seen so many LTers read and enjoy the C.J. Sansom books. I need to track this one down.

Linda- I'm so glad you got to see a quality win from the Hawks! Maybe they can pull off another one too! We'll see! Listening to the Cubbies, tied in the 10th.

Angela- Keep reminding yourself, M & M stands for murder and mayhem, not an addictive candy. Glad you can join us.

Linda- I think you are allowed one tiny little chocolate bar. What the heck, make it a medium sized one. You deserve it!

Kara & Nancy- We watched the 4th episode of "The Killing" and it just keeps getting better. The show is like a big puzzle and each show adds a couple pieces. I still tear up every time Rosie's parents come on. It's so emotional.
Thanks for the link Kara, I'll check it out.

#73 : LOL, Angela .... I was just waiting to see how long before someone made a comment about M&M and chocolate.

Not craving chocolate but darn I could really use a potato chip or 6!

We don't get HBO, Mark, so we'll have to Netflix Game of Thrones when it comes out on dvd. I'm a big Sean Bean fan from the Richard Sharpe dvd series based on the Bernard Cornwell books, and I hear he's good in this one.

I finished listening to Given Day by Dennis Lehane and thought it was an average book. (3 stars) I know it is not a typical Lehane book, but I think it was over ambitious. So much so that it lost its focus. It won't keep me from reading him again and I am anxious to try one of his mysteries.

I will start listening to Cathedral of the Sea tonight on the way home from work. It is a Spanish translation and I am curious to see how it stacks up against Pillars of the Earth in the historical epic category.

I am glad to hear that Game of Thrones is such a fine production. They are even talking about it in the newspapers. Apparently the number of viewers for the first episode was through the roof. A friend of mine is going to watch it later this week. It is in the same time slot as Showtime's The Borgia's and he opted to watch that show instead of Game of Thrones. He was a big fan of The Tudor's and says that the Borgia's is of the same ilk. It is nice to see all of this history on TV right now. Mining the past for stories and transferring them to the small screen works. (Remember "Roots" and "Shogun?" also mining books and transferring them to the small screen works!) So while you guys were paying to watch Game of Thrones and The Borgia's I was watching the new Upstairs/Downstairs for free on PBS. That too is a fine show. Maybe you can Netflix it later and watch it.

As for Murder & Mayhem in May - Strange, but I have two Jo Nesbo books at home and thought I would try to read them during May. I am also reading Devotion of Suspect X and by the time I get that one done it will be May. I also thought about Silver Swan by Benjamin Black, and I have one of the C. J. Sansom books at home as well, but the Jo Nesbo books have already been moved to the top of the TBR pile. So come May it will be those two.

Glad you are liking Handmaid's Tale. I have liked the two Margret Atwood books I have read, and have just started Cat's Eye but am not far enough into it to make a judgment. I did think that Blind Assassin was better than Oryx and Crake and already know that since Oryx and Crake was not a favorite I won't be reading The Year of the Flood, as I read somewhere that is a prequel to Oryx and Crake.

#80

I too have been a Sean Bean fan back from the Richard Sharpe days. The reviews say that his performance in Game of Thrones is outstanding. If people want to Netflix a good series try the Richard Sharpe series. Or read the books. They are very good and are easy reads. The first in the series is Sharpe's Rifles.

I went to the bookstore to get the second book in the Song of Fire and Ice series and they were all sold out. The public library has a very long waiting list for the books so guess I may have to get it on my Nook.

Hi Mark, Good news - I saw today that HBO has already renewed Game of Thrones for a second season.

Mark I just heard that co-director of Restrepo, Tim Hetherington was killed in Misrata Libya by an RPG :(

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/20/libya.journalists/index.html?hpt=T1

Caro- Big wave! Hope you found some potato chips!

Joe- I admire your discipline. If I didn't have HBO, ( I only keep it for their terrific original programing), I would have subscribed just for this series. The good thing about waiting for dvd, is you can watch it at your own pace.
I also liked Bean in the LOTR's films.

Benita- I plan on getting to The Given Day in the next couple months. I've been putting it off forever. Sorry, you didn't like it more. You may have already seen the film, but I highly recommend his Mystic River. It's amazing.
I have Christine Falls in the stacks. I've heard good things about it. As far as Atwood goes, I am so impressed with Handmaids, I plan on reading all of her work. Blind Assassin is high on my list.
BTW- I heard today that they are developing American Gods for HBO, with Gaiman writing and Tom Hanks producing. Cool.

Joanne- Thanks! I heard that too! I would believe they will make the 2nd season, the 2nd book of the series. Makes sense, right?

Kara- Thanks for sharing that! How sad! I thought highly of Restrepo and of course Sebastian's WAR. It looks like this guy stayed in the thick of it, his whole career.

Has anyone have any thoughts on the whole Greg Mortenson debacle? I'm not sure how I feel about it at this point, since I've been hearing so many conflicting things. One thing is for sure, it is very sad that his honorable cause, building schools in the Middle East, could be stopped or delayed, because of this.

It's a shame if what they are reporting is true about the charity because I think many people make donations because they believe their money will put to good use.

I didn't see the 60 Minutes piece but I have read Krakauer's work. I am not sure what to think about it, but I am also equally sure that 60 Minutes won't put stuff on without being sure of their sources. Especially after they got into trouble ten years ago reporting things that were not thoroughly researched. You know, the once - bitten twice shy kind of thing. But even with that thought in mind I am going to be cautious on this one and wait and see what other news sources have to say. Eventually the truth will come out. Sort of like what happened with Doris Kerns Goodwin, Stephen Ambrose, and Joseph Ellis. Each of them were very respected historians who got caught plagiarizing or flat out lying about themselves. As somebody said to me the other day that they are a firm believer in "what goes around, comes around."

It is a very interesting phenomena that we humans, seem to want heroes and will create them rather than wait for history to let us know which ones are for real.

I just finished reading the chapter about the arm wrestling contest in White Rhino Hotel! Boy oh Boy can this author write tension filled scene. This book is so good I will be sorry when it ends! Where was I when these books were published? Surely this one was a best seller? I already know that I have to put in an inter-library loan request for the next in the series. I am so disappointed that our library doesn't have book two.

Hi Mark... I went to my library before I went to CT and it was closed. Only open 1/2 day Sat. Missed it by about 20 minutes. So while I was visiting the kids I picked their brains on mp3-vs-iPod. Will probably try the library again tomorrow morning, now that I am back and going to doctor office in the same area. I have a feeling I'll be getting an iPod. We'll see.

Just quickly skimmed all the messages I missed while gone. Think I'm ok to carry on from here... so busy on this thread! :)

OMG, how did I fall this far behind already??

I've already put a bunch of books on my planned reading list for May for (what I'm labelling as) M3. Lots of optional extras too, though considering how large my lists get by the time TIOLI challenges are announced, I rarely get to fit in extras, unless they're audios...

I'm really glad you're loving Handmaid's Tale. Definitely one of my favourites by Atwood.

I'll have to hurry up and read American Gods so that I can read it before they air it on HBO, but I'm guessing I still have a little bit of time to do so since they've just announced it. Hopefully they'll do an awesome job with adapting The Graveyard Book too!

Morning everyone! I get through this one, then I'm off the weekend! Yah!

Caro- I totally agree about the donations. Let's just hope most of it went to a good cause.

Benita- I'm taking the same stance. Let's see what unfolds on the Mortenson affair, before making any judgments.
I'm so glad you are loving White Rhino Hotel. You are inspiring me to move the 2nd book up in the stacks.

Claudia- Good to see you! It sounds like you enjoyed your time with the "kids".

Ilana- Yes, you can fall behind, quick around here. I also have many books lined up for May. It's crazy. You have plenty of time on reading American Gods. I'm sure it'll be a year or more. I heard they are releasing a new audio for that one too, with several narrators reading it.

*WAVES***

Add me to the list of those who are utterly uncharmed by The Tigers Wife...
ugh!

I started reading a little mystery from the library on my nook last night..
Glad you are off the weekend!

drive-by hug

Mark - I know re. Rosie's parents. They are doing a stellar acting job. Jane cries every episod...

Regarding Mortenson - I read Krakauer's piece. I didn't watch the 60 Minutes episode, but I read other follow-up articles including one which explained how author royalties work and detailed how even in his defense he grossly underreported what his royalties are. Krakauer names names in his quotes and includes lengthy emails and letters from people who were very involved in CAI as well as people on the ground in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I think there is very little doubt that he both exaggerated or outright lied about some of what happened to him and was deceptive internally and externally about the financial doings of the charity. I'm kind of pissed but not surprised. People with the sort of personality to get the things done that he did (especially early on) aren't likely to respond well to demands for detailed spending reports etc.

Like Caro I'm concerned about the impact this will have to efforts to educate girls in impoverished places - especially after learning about the same sort of scenario with Madonna's Malawi educational charity. I hope that folks learn that building schools without considering local needs and longterm financing of teachers, materials, etc. results in 'ghost schools' like some of those CAI/Mortenson built. Thinking of those empty buildings broke my heart.

You are right that I am loving White Rhino Hotel. Thanks for making this book so attractive that I had to read it. It is one that I would not have known about if I hadn't read about it here. I am going to request book two, but won't get it read until sometime this summer. I plan on reading Redbreast and Nemesis for your murder and mayhem in May read. If I get around to during May I will try to work in the Benjamin Black series but am not thinking I will get that much read. It will some time before I can request Cafe on the Nile but I will get to it because this is a story worth reading.

Yup! I am stilling working on Mists of Avalon. If I am lucky I should be able to finish it up by the end of the long weekend. It's a good book but I will be glad to finish it and move onto the next book just because its taken me almost a month to get through this one and spending so much time on just one book makes me all antsy. :)

Yo! are you still alive? Or did this freak Winter get the best of you?

Hi Jude- I'm here! I was checking the threads and then my cousin called and we spent an hour talking politics. As you know, I can get fired up about that subject. I'm having a beer and cooling down.

RD- Big wave! Miss seeing you around!

Nancy- Thanks for the Mortenson info. I'll have to check out the Krakauer article. Looks interesting.

Benita- I'm glad to see you are planning to read a couple Nesbo books. I plan on kicking it off with The Redbreast. I also need to get to Fossum's 2nd book.

Valerie- I'll be watching for your thoughts on Mists. Opinion on that one, is a bit divided around here.

Enjoy a relaxing long weekend, Marky-Mark!

We had a freak weather day here and I thought about you when I got caught by a hail storm! Hope you have good weather and a great weekend Mark.

I just got the audio for The Tiger's Wife recently, the premise sounded good to me... I hope I enjoy it more than Kat did.

Morning everyone! Not a very pleasant Good Friday here. Cold and rainy. Glad I am off. Yah! I will be finishing Handmaids and will be sorry for it to end. What a fantastic introduction to Atwood.

Caro- I hope you have a pleasant weekend too!

Ilana- Wow, a hailstorm, huh? A mail-carrier's worst nightmare. I'll be watching for your thoughts on Tiger's Wife. I won't give up on it yet.

41) Ape House by Sara Gruen 2.5 stars

At a university research center in Kansas, there is a program featuring a group of bonobo apes, who have learned to communicate, through sign language. Leading this research is a scientist named Isabel Duncan. After a sudden bombing, at the facility, which seriously injured Duncan, the bonobos come up missing. Once Duncan recovers, she starts to search for her precious apes and soon learns they are being used in a new reality show, similar to the “Big Brother” series.
This interesting, if unlikely, premise may have worked, if Gruen had stayed focused on the apes, but instead she keeps padding that story, with and endless array of meth-dealers, strippers, pitbulls and botox treatments, all of which, feel bloated and dull.
I liked her previous book, Water For Elephants but this was a misfire.

Hi Mark!
Another fun day on tap with the kids... flying kites at the beach, arts and crafts later... Daddy coming this evening with Great-Grandmother! Luckily the kids like to read and we all bought used books yesterday at the library store - so I'm getting a little quiet time too. Glad they got that reading gene.

Hope you get the good weather predicted for you this weekend. :)

It does my heart good to see you not like a book very well.. lol
You make me feel like a meanie at times! I didn't read "Elephants" either.. despite the fact that it kept following me around and showing up at my door.. :P
Just one of those things..

Hey.. I got mail today... whats up with that? I thought it was a no mail day?

The May: Murder & Mayhem thread is up and running. Stop by if you are interested. Love to have you!
Right Here

Claudia- Sounds like you have a wonderful day planned! Enjoy!

Kath- No, it's not an off day for the P.O. It just happens to be my day off and I'm very pleased with that. I like to make you happy, so I'll try to read another stinker. LOL.

I'm sure that you won't have to try very hard to eventually read a stinker. You might have to try hard to write down a bad review. I'm on a roll this week. I finished two books and started two others. I started listening to Cathedral of the Sea. This is a book translated from Spanish and is said to be very much like Pillars of the Earth. It will be interesting to compare and see how alike or different they are. I also like to read books that were first written in other languages for other cultures just to get a wider view of the world. So far the first chapter was very interesting and the reader is good, but White Rhino Hotel is still holding all of my reading interest. I should finish it this weekend. But first, there is a concert of Mozart's Requiem Mass tonight. I am looking forward to hearing it. A long evening of choral music and coffee with friends afterward. That is a great way to spend a religious day - remembering, and sharing with friends.

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Ape House Mark! Both of her books I haven't read yet but they are sitting on my shelf. I picked up Water for Elephants because I heard great things about it and picked up Ape House because the premise sounded interesting. Too bad it didn't live up to its expectations.

Mark, trying to get caught up with you, whew....I loved Christine Falls and the second book in the series The Silver Swan and I have the third one on my wishlist. They would be perfect for you Murder and Mayhem thread. I'm going to try to knock off my second Kate Atkinson and second Julia Spencer-Fleming during May so I starred the thread.

Water for Elephants is one of my all-time favourites, and I was really looking forward to Ape House, because the premise, which you outlined here again sounded so darn appealing to me, and this on top of the fact that I love reading fiction where animals are an intrinsic part of the story. I do trust your judgment though, especially since you tend to be so nice about almost everything you read!

So yeah, weather here is being... rather unpredictable. Today we've been having gorgeous sunshine and blue blue skies all day, with reasonably warm weather too. Warm enough not to have to wear a coat, anyhow. Now who knows what tomorrow'll bring!

I don't like apes, so I wasn't intending to read Ape House. Nonetheless, Marky-Mark, I'm sorry you finally read a book you didn't like, but at the same time, I'm glad it's terrible so I'm not tempted to read about animals I am not fond of.

Hope your next read's better to make up for the disappointment of the last.

I finished A Handmaid's Tale. All I can say is WOW! My friends here did not steer me wrong. A perfect antidote to the mediocre Ape House. Next up is Swamplandia, last book before May: Murder & Mayhem kicks in.

Benita- I hope you had a nice time at mass last night! Enjoy your weekend.

Valerie- Please read Water For Elephants. That one is a lot of fun. Ape House, read at your own risk.

Bonnie- I'm glad you'll be joining us for M & M. Also glad to hear you liked Christine Falls. I wish I had time to squeeze that one in too. I'm not sure a book-horn would work on that one.

Ilana- Hope your weather improves for the weekend. It's actually supposed to be pretty pleasant here for the next couple days. About 60 and dry.

Caro- What's your problem with apes? Bad experience? And yes my latest read, easily wiped away any lingering effects of the Gruen book.

How nice of you to offer to read another stinker... May I recommend
The Tiger's Wife?

Murder and Mayhem eh?
I don't imagine China Bayles will qualify?
She has murder, but no mayhem...

Glad you liked The Handmaid's Tale, Mark! Looking forward to your review. Hope the weekend's treating you well.

Hi Mark! Thanks for stopping by my thread! Oh! I recommend that you put Andrea Levy's Long Song on your wishlist! But, I also understand how huge that can get!

I see you are reading Swamplandia! I've seen that around -but so far have not really looked at it. I'll be very interested in what you think of it!

I noticed on your main page, The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo is your next book for Murder and Mayhem... I think I have that in my TBR - maybe I'll join you in reading it once I am finished Small Island. I have a couple of books that I put on hold at the library - so I'll see if what I need to read first. Happy Easter Weekend!

Hey - I've also got The Likeness by Tana French. I'm well prepared for murder and mayhem! I also picked up a Karin Fossum book from the library - so I'm really set! I'm expecting non murder and mayhem books from both the Book Depository and Amazoon ca next week - so I really have a mountain of books! :)

I'm so glad that you enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale, Marky-Mark. I don't think I know anyone who's read it and didn't like it. I think it's her best one yet.

I've never been fond of chimpanzees, gorillas and apes ... their hands and feet kinda creep me out, and I don't know why but I always think they're covered in fleas. The odd thing is ... I kinda like orang utans and some monkeys...the small ones only.. and only from a distance.

Kath- Thanks for the offer, you are sweet! LOL! We'll do murder or mayhem, or a mix of both. We are a fun easy-going bunch, aren't we?

Joe- I'm trying to get my thoughts together for a review on Handmaids. It's one of those I'm leery of divulging to much.
My weekend is going fine. I actually got out and cut the lawn for the 1st time today, even though it was still wet and muddy in spots. I won't have anytime tomorrow and then I work 6 straight next week. Might as well knock it out.

Deb- Wow a double post! It's funny how many people will be reading a Nesbo book. Hey, we can compare notes. Hope you enjoy The Likeness. I did. Which Fossum did you pick up, the 1st?

Caro- So far Kath is the only one, who said she couldn't get into Handmaids, although she is a fan of Atwood.
Thanks for the ape explanation, I thought maybe you fell into an ape enclosure, as a small child and never recovered. :-}

Mark, I've read The Handmaid's Tale two or three times over the years, but you're reminding me that I want to read it again!

Glad to hear you're getting decent weather. Over here we're back to cool and blustery for today. But I can't complain—it's always really cozy here at home.

Happy Easter! I hope everyone has a great day, wherever you are! I'm reading and loving Swamplandia! and started a fascinating graphic biography called Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout. It's about Marie & Pierre Curie and their discoveries, involving radium. Terrific stuff!

Ilana- I will be reading more Atwood! That is for sure! You have a good day, my friend!

nope.. not a fan of Atwood.. never tried anything but Handmaids... didn't like it.. but may try another one in the future..

Maybe i will joinin with the final French ? And China ...
maybe? I got those from the library.. and am feeling the pressure to read before they vanish into the ether..

42) A Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 5 stars

“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.”

Offred is a Handmaid. Concealed in a long red dress and white bonnet. She lives in the home of a military commander and his wife. Like all women, in this darkly repressive society, she is here to obey and serve and most importantly, follow the Handmaid’s vocation, which is to procreate with her aging Commander.
This brilliant dystopian tale, set in a near and very plausible future, is heart-breaking, horrifying and exceptionally well-written.
“Behind me I feel her presence, my ancestress, my double, turning in midair under the chandelier, in her costume of stars and feathers, a bird stopped in flight, a woman made into an angel, waiting to be found.”
This was my first Atwood and what an amazing introduction.

*Loose translation to above: “ Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

>124 msf59: I just picked up a copy of A Handmaid's Tale and am looking forward to reading it. The only other Atwood I've read is Alias Grace, which I loved. I am considering a re-read of it for May: Murder & Mayhem...

Mark, that was a fantastic review of A Handmaid's Tale and a book I will definitely read after seeing you gave it 5 stars.

I'm off to check out that new graphic book you're reading.

Hi Mark! Ya wore me down on this one. I've been resisting - but onto the WL it just went! Have not read anything by Atwood. Are they generally all good? Or don't you know yet?

Have a nice day! It's super warm here - in the 60s! Sweet!

Kath- Sorry, I got mixed up. I thought you had read other Atwoods. Glad you'll be able to join us on M & M!

Katie- I'll look forward to your thoughts on Handmaids. I can't wait to read her other works.

Pat- Thanks! And Radioactive: Tale of Love and Fallout is truly engrossing.

Claudia- This is my 1st Atwood. You have not read her either, huh? I thought I was the only one. Nice here too! Partly sunny, high 50s.

I'm off to the family outing. Hopefully good food & good beer. Fingers crossed.

Mark, I just put Radioactive: Tale of Love and Fallout on my library list. Now I just need to pick up the books I have on hold so I can get it into the queue.

Have a great time with your family today.

Mark, great review of Handmaid's Tale (thumbs up!) and I have to agree with your 5 star rating too—that's the rating it's consistently gotten from me too—I'll be due for a third or fourth reading soon!

Hey Mark - Hope you had a fun day. Glad to see you liked The Handmaid's Tale. Horrific story. You've got some more great Atwood books in front of you.

Enjoy Swamplandia!!

I had a very nice long weekend, now I have to do my 6 day penance. Oh well. I have Swamplandia to keep me company.

Pat- I think you will love Radioactive: Tale of Love and Fallout. It's so informative, a lovely blend of science and history.

Ilana- Yes, Handmaids even surpassed my expectations. Great stuff and speaking of great stuff, another terrific episode of Game of Thrones. Yah!

Joanne- You'll have to stop by again, with a couple more of your Atwood favorites.

I'm adding Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout to my wishlist. It looks like it has a very unique artistic style.

I should have known you'd be watching 'The Killing', Mark. Excellent program! My whole family's watching it. Check out 'Party Down' on dvd sometime.

My second favorite Atwood is Cat's Eye but you might prefer The Blind Assassin. Both are wonderful.

So you're listening to Swamplandia!? Interesting. I may revisit it on audio in a few years.

Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie sounds good, Mark. I'll try the library.

Re: The Handmaid's Tale......I told you!!!

;-}

I'm glad you thought highly of The Handmaid's Tale, Mark. You saw something in it that I didn't and that's a very good thing. After reading and disliking THT, I did not give up on Atwood as I had initially wanted to do. Instead I read The Blind Assassin and enjoyed it very much. I have since purchased a few others which I look forward to reading sometime in the future.

BTW: hope you can get your hands on a copy of the NYT's Sunday Magazine. There's a really good article on Shaun Tan.

Mark, I may have to reread The Handmaid's Tale at some point as I read it such a long time ago. I've been hearing good things about Oryx and Crake which may be the next Atwood I read. She is such a good writer that I want to explore all her works. Until I do that, The Cat's Eye will remain my favorite.

Hi Mark! I've been wanting to read The Handmaid's Tale as well since I've never read any of Atwood's works yet, but the only copy of the book at my bookstore is the one with a girl and it looks like her lips are stitched up...anyways, I found the cover rather creepy so I think I'm just going to wait and purchase a different cover online. :)

I read both Oryx and Crake and Blind Assassin and liked Assassin much better than Oryx and Crake. I have Cat's Eye on my close up list of books to read very soon. I think Atwood is a good author and even a book by her that I didn't like all that well is still a pretty darn good book.

I finished reading White Rhino Hotel and loved it! Thanks so much for talking about it in such glowing terms that I had to read this one. This is a grand adventure story, and I will be reading the sequels to this book. I want to find out what happens to these people. I will be waiting until the end of May before I order Cafe on the Nile through ILL, so will start working on at least two books for the May - Murder and Mayhem read. I started reading Redbreast when I finished White Rhino and I think I fell into another really good book. I had trouble putting it down last night when it was time to go to bed. And thanks for extending my TBR reading list by another three books because now that I have finished the first in this series I now have another two to read. I think reading them will be a pleasure.

TW- I'm only 70 pages into Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout but it looks to be a real find and it just came out, earlier this year. Like I mentioned above, I think it's classified as a graphic but there is a lot of text and all of it fascinating.
Are you watching Game of Thrones?

Joanne- Funny, you mentioned "Party Down". I just finished season 1, a few weeks ago and really loved it. I like the dark turn it took, in the last couple episodes, starting with his high school reunion. Wow! I'm looking forward to Season 2. I think I noticed this before, but you have a slightly bent sense of humor. I love it.
No, I am reading Swamplandia, although I think I'm going to finally start The Last Stand on audio. FINALLY!

Joe- Yes, please check out "Radioactive." I can't wait to get back to it. How about those Hawks?

Jude- Yes, you did my friend! Thanks!

Lynda- It's interesting how Handmaids rubbed some readers the long way. I wonder why that is. It worked completely for me, of course.
I'll have to check out that Shaun Tan article. Thanks.

Donna- Maybe I'll do an Atwood Group Read, at some point. Handmaids would have been perfect! The Cat's Eye is on the List.

Valerie- Creeped you out, huh? LOL. Yes, please try another cover. I loved the one I featured in my review, which was the one I read. Very cool.

Benita- Yes, the Atwood recs are piling up. I can not wait to get back to her work. I'm so glad you enjoyed White Rhino and I have a feeling you will inspire me to finally get to the 2nd book, which I do own.
Glad you are enjoying Redbreast. I plan on starting it at the end of the week.

Yes, I'm watching Game of Thrones. I could barely watch the end of the second episode, though, knowing what was coming. Looking forward to next weeks episode!

Big wave to you, Mark! :)
Will wave again when you next lap me! Can't keep up.

Love your loose translation of The Handmaid's Tale, Marky-Mark. Did you get to work off all the Easter goodies on your rounds today? ;-)

Hi Mark, hmmm, I haven't read The Handmaid's Tale yet and maybe this would be a good time to jump on board. But what about the other ten million books clambering for the top of the pile, knocking everything else out of the way?? Decisions, decisions. **sigh**

TW- I think they are doing a very good job with Game of Thrones. Lets hope it continues.

Claudia- Big wave back! I guess that's a benefit of being a mail-carrier. Strong leg muscles, good for lapping folks.

Caro- I'm sure I walked off some of the goodies. Monday's are always a bit heavy too and me being off Saturday, they left me a bigger mess than usual.
Actually, that loose translation was just that: kind of a mock Latin, I guess. I loved it too!

Bonnie- I think you would really like Handmaids. Are you an Atwood fan? If so, any favorites?

I agree they're doing a great job with Game of Thrones. I haven't read it yet, but the series sure is making me want to!

I posted a link to that Shaun Tan article on my thread this weekend. If you'd like to get it I'll be happy to post it here for you.

Another rainy day here! Oh joy! On audio, I finished a long fantasy novel, the 1st of a trilogy, called The Blade Itself. It was a good solid read. Starting next on audio, will be The Last Stand. I've been wanting to get to this one for awhile.

Ilana- I'll just stop over on your thread and read it. Thanks. Have a good day!

Hi, Mark! Just skimming by trying to catch up a bit . . .

I'll be joining in the "murder & mayhem" read.

#115 She has murder, but no mayhem...

Is Murder and/or Mayhem acceptable for one or two titles? I have a few in mind which have one, but lack the other. ;)

Go Hawks! Wouldn't a win be something after going down 3-0?

While juggling some other books, I picked up Love in the Time of Cholera, which I wasn't sure of at the beginning, but now I'm getting quite caught up in.

Based on all the positive comments, I also plan to ride the White Rhino at some point. It doesn't seem to be easily available; maybe all this word of mouth will change that.

Oh my.... all these books. I may try to jump into may with the French book..
if I get off the Bayles kick!

Just a quick hi, Mark! Hope you're doing well.

Hi Mark: Hope all is well. I'm coming down with a cold and feeling pretty miserable. I need to feel better before my vacation next week.

Hi Mark, I hope you didn't get too wet today. After seeing your discussions with Benita, I have started The White Rhino Hotel, it's grabbed me right away. Just what I am in the mood for, a real action adventure story!

I will be interested in reading your comments on your next read. I love to read about the American West and Custer's Last Stand in particular shaped so much policy about it's devlopment and the treatment of the Indians. I have visited the Little Bighorn Battle Site three times, and I find I get such a sense of history there.

And I know you, Joe and Linda will all be rooting for the Blackhawks tonight, but I have to add a small wish for the Canucks. Personally I think the momentum has swung to the Hawks tho'. Either way it promises to be quite a game!

#151 jnwelch

I hadn't heard about the Bartle Bull books either. Until Mark wrote about White Rhino Hotel and put it on his best of the year list. I looked it up on Amazon and the blurb about it was very interesting. To my surprise my library had the first and the third in the series, so I got both of them. Even so, it took me a year to get to the first book - White Rhino - , and I am so glad I did. Lots of fun reading in it. The copy I had was copyrighted in 1992 and I wonder if they were best sellers back then, or if they were overlooked for some reason? I hadn't heard of them so don't think they made much of a splash when they were published. Did any of the readers here read any of this series back then, or are we the vanguard of a new wave of popularity for these deserving books?

I'm stopping by to see what you are reading. I read A Handmaid's Tale a long time ago. It is a marvelous book. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Terri- You read what ever you want, although it does make sense, if it does contain either murder or mayhem. Not much point if it lacks either! LOL! Glad you can join us!

Joe- I like how you alternate on your classics. I need to do that more often. I've had a copy of Love in the Time of Cholera sitting in the stacks. Maybe your enthusiasm, will cause me to bump it up.
Yes, Go Hawks! I think they said that only has happened once or twice before, winning after being down 3-0.

Kath- I'll look forward to your thoughts on Faithful Place. I plan on starting the Nesbo later this week.

Karen- Good to see you! As you can see, there has been much interest in White Rhino Hotel lately. I'm pretty sure you were the 1st one to turn me on to that one! Isn't LT great??

Linda- Sorry to hear you are coming down with a cold! Bummer! Plenty of Chicago sports on tonight, maybe that'll cure ya! I know you like American history. I think you would enjoy The Last Stand.

Judy- Glad you jumped into White Rhino. I have the 2nd one Cafe on the Nile. I might have to slot that one in somewhere.
The Last Stand has been pretty good so far, it breaks no new ground though, as far as Custer, although I like the Sitting Bull perspective. If you are interested, try Son of the Morning Star. That was excellent.
BTW- I visited the battlefield once myself. I love that stuff! And yes, Go Hawks!

Linda- Good to see you! I am finally an Atwood fan, about time, I know! What are your other favorites?

After looking at the book A Handmaid's Tale, for a long time without knowing anything about it, I checked it out, and I just realized it's by the same author who writes Oryx and Crake which I want to read. Hmm...maybe if I like Oryx and Crake I'll realed A Handmaid's Tale.

#158 - Yes, I noticed the interest in White Rhino, and yes, I was the one who turned you on to it. I love Bartle Bull's books.

I don't know what I'd do without LT - it's my only social networking site! I do have a facebook account, but haven't gone there in about a month and was actually thinking about closing my account. Just don't care about it at all.

just popping in to keep up..

:)

a rather soggy drive-by wave...my friend!!

Nathan- Oryx and Crake is also on my list. I can not recommend Handmaids any higher!

Karen- I can look myself but is Bull still writing? Those books were written quite a few years ago, I believe.

Kath- Pop in any time, I love having ya! Hope you are still planning on reading the French book.

Jude- Yes, it looks like many of us are soaked. Not to bad today, rain off and on, mainly I stayed dry. More of the same tomorrow. April showers...

Mark, I highly recommend The Penelopiad.

Phew, that was a marathon! But I am caught up post-vacation, and glad you've been having lively discussions about books you did and did not enjoy.

I would add my voice to the chorus of praise for The Handmaid's Tale, but that would be superfluous. Instead, I will say that I didn't care much for Oryx and Crake, which I read over my vacation. I felt the book was predictable in places and rather bland. I kept waiting for the "meaning of the story" or some philosophical discussion, which never happened for me. And I hate books that end by not ending. Draw your own conclusion books don't work for me. Wow, I just outlined my review. I should run off and write it before the mood fails!

>141 msf59: - Really, just slightly bent?? I'll have to try harder. :) My son just picked up season 2...

The Last Stand really doesn't shed any new light, except as you mentioned, Sitting Bull's perspective. It's been over 20 years since I've read Son of the Morning Star that it was almost all new again to me anyway. I loved the narration, too. I've also been to the Battleground. A very spiritual place.

I noticed you had some bad weather there today - stay dry!

Add me to the list of those intrigued by The White Rhino Hotel. I looked it up at the library, Amazon, and BookDepository and... no luck! So I guess I'll add it to my newly limited BookMooch wishlist where I may have some luck if the gods are smiling upon me.

I've finally decided, to restrict my activities on BM to trading books with friends and to mooching rare or hard to find books. BM never made much sense for me financially, which wasn't a real issue because I like the idea of trading and the good karma it creates, but now that they've changed the points policy for international trade, which reduces the ratio for the amount of books I can mooch, it's just tipped that already precarious balance and I see it's just kind nuts to spend a bunch of money sending books to strangers when it would cost the same (or less sometimes) to buy brand new books! The only thing is I hate to think of all those books I know I probably won't read again accumulating in huge piles here once I've read them, which is why I'll still gladly trade with friends, and I guess I'll be donating to the local library quite a lot too!

I see Linda just mentioned The Penelopiad which I've had sitting on my shelf for at least a couple of years. I guess I'll have to include it to the list of books I want to read this year to give it a fighting chance of being read sooner than later!

As I mentioned on the M&M thread, I've currently got two audiobooks which would have fit perfectly for that theme, namely, The Fall of the House of Usher: The Pit and the Pendulum and Other Tales of Mystery and Imagination and The Devotion of Suspect X, though I'm very nearly finished with the former and will no doubt finish the latter before the end of the month since I'm entering it as a shared read in this month's TIOLI in the challenge I created this month.

I have lots of stuff coming in from the library, some of which I picked up today (the others are currently in transit from other libraries around the city), and I'm getting to really love that feeling of knowing a bunch of great books will be awaiting my retrieval... almost as much as I love getting books in the mail, but not quite. :-)

Whew, just saw how wordy that message was... sorry, I tried to edit without much success, so there you have it! ;-)

eta: just remembered I had meant to mention another thing about The White Rhino Hotel which is that it's resurgence in popularity might also have something to do with the fact that it's mentioned in Book Lust to Go, which is something I realized when I did a search for White Rhino and had that title come up as a result.

Morning everyone! Yes, I'm waking up to more rain. Isn't this fun? Brace yourself for a barrage of praise for my current graphic bio, Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout. This is just a fantastic book, period!

Linda- I'm not familiar with The Penelopiad. I'll have to slap it on the List.

Lisa- Nice to see you back. I still plan on getting to Oryx and Crake, at some point. I have so many of hers to read.

Joanne- My deepest apologies! I will rephrase- Your totally bent sense of humor! LOL! I like the narration of The Last Stand too. George Guidall, right? I'm just a bit underwhelmed by it, overall, but then again, I have a long ways to go.

Ilana- Wow! Thanks for the essay! LOL! Yes, I recommend White Rhino for everyone. It's fun and accessible. And yes, BM does not seem like a good fit for you, anymore.

In my current fram of mind... those books all look so...
difficult.. lol

I am not sure what I will pick up today...but wanted to say sorry for being here so late these days :)

I'm on another Bartle Bull Quest -

I just broke down and bought Shanghai Station and already have China Star, its sequel.

However, I cannot find a copy of another of his books, looks like his first, called Radleigh's Choice for love or money. In fact, it's not even coming up with a touchstone here at all!

We're expecting thundershowers here today. Had some last night too. I love thundershowers. So dramatic!

You don't happen to have a copy of White Rhino to exchange by any chance? Just thought I'd ask. Not like I don't have anything to read though, as you well know. ;-)

Hope you're having a great day! :-)


(just thought these cute little guys might make you smile.)

Too bad about the Hawks, Mark. Good fight, but not meant to be. I remind myself that folks in Vancouver and fans like Judy are feeling good today.

The Bulls, on the other hand, had a happier outcome. Finally played well, even though they'd been winning before this. The United Center crowd was unbelievable. On to the next round!

Glad you're getting such a kick out of Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie. I'm requesting it at the library.

Very disappointed with the Blackhawks outcome. If they'd played well and still lost, I'd be feeling better, I think. They were lucky to be even in that game last night.

Oh well, now that the Hawks are out, I usually root for the other Original 6 teams.

Hi Mark,
I finally finished a couple books including The Tiger's Wife which I think you might like. Of course - that might not be considered going out on a limb! ;-)

Just catching up with you, Mark! :)

Can't wait to read your review of Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie. There are only three reviews in LT so yours will be especially appreciated. It seems well received by all though.

you are a busy man! and I am soooo far behind on your thread.....

so I will *wave* and say have a good day :)

Hope you are avoiding these enormous storms! Spring is here!
--BJ

Marky-Mark, I'm just itching for Murder & Mayhem month to start. It's been an interesting waiting period for me. Question ... do the books have to have both murder and mayhem in them, or is just one or the other sufficient to qualify for the month's theme? I'm a stickler for rules, don't you know? ;-)

Ah, Mark.... how do you know if the book contains mayhem before you read it?

I wouldn't worry too much Caro - Mark doesn't really have any hard and fast rules. He's good with just about anything. That's why we love him! :)

Kath- You don't have to be sorry about your later visits. I would sleep in, if I could. In the old days, I could log in with my first cup of joe and you & Stasia would be here to keep me company. Hope you found something to read!

Karen- I'll have to check out those other Bull titles and watch for your thoughts. You are my Bull Barometer! Are you joining us for May: Murder & Mayhem?

Ilana- Actually, I think I got White Rhino from the library. I have a copy of the 2nd book, A Cafe on the Nile. I might be able to hook you up with that one, once I get to it. Yes, I like your "cute little guys". Are those rats or mice?

Joe- How do you think the Bulls will do against Orlando? And please request "Radioactive". This is such a good read. I can't stop thinking about it.

Linda- Not a big NBA fan, huh? Actually, I'm not either, but I do like the Bulls when they're in the post season.

Big waves to Angela & Kara!!

Lisa- Take my word for it, Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout is a Must Read! I haven't steered you wrong yet, have I? I hope to finish it tonight!

BJ- Nice to see you! No "enormous storms", just a pesty rain. It feels like I'm living in the Northwest.

Caro- Like, Claudia so kindly pointed out, no rules for M & M, other than the most obvious. I liked the title, so I used it. Also, see if you can request Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout. This is the graphic format at it's absolute best!

Claudia- Thanks for picking on me again. See what happens when you are nice? Are you joining us for M & M? I sure hope so. I need someone to keep me in check.

That's ok, thanks for the offer Mark, but I'd really prefer to start with the first book.

I'm guessing those are mice. And I only say that because most people agree that mice are cute, whereas rats... not so much. ;-)

I put a hold on Radioactive: a tale of love and fallout today!

I'm sorry, Mark. Was I picking on you again? :(

I think I'm gonna skip M&M in May - you are free to go wild! Not my best genre - don't want to get started with all your great recs either! Have got more than enough on my plate. But thanks for asking! :)

I don't mind murder and mayhem much.. lol So I might join in.. waiting to see what happens.

Ilana- Yes, I figured you would want to start with the 1st one, I just thought I would let you know I had the 2nd. And yes, we'll go with cute mice!

Lisa- I finished "Radioactive". It is truly an excellent book.

Claudia- Yes, you were picking on me a little, but I'm a big boy, I can handle it. Sorry you can't join us for M & M. Maybe next time.

Kath- I know you dabble in M & M occasionally. Sounds like some freaky sex thing. LOL!

Wow, Mark! If you don't like Ape House, I probably will like it even less--though I know sign language and am very interested in the idea of teaching sign language to chimps. (in the past there was controversy over whether the chimps were clearly signing, but I don't think that's the case anymore.) I liked Water for Elephants, so eventually I'll pick up the book and read a couple of chapters at the book store, but you're not the first person to give the story line a negative reading, so it won't be real soon. Glad you liked Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale--bet you'll like some of her other books even better.

Hi Mark -- I'm just passing through. Hope you're having a good week!

A cool day today, barely 50 but I didn't here rain mentioned, so that's a big plus! I plan on finishing Swamplandia. It's been good but overshadowed by "Radioactive". On audio, The Last Stand, has been just okay, which is to bad, I love this period of American history.

Bonnie- I haven't seen you over here, in forever! Thanks for the visit. I'm really looking forward to reading more Atwood. What are your 2 favorites?

Anne- Nice to see you too! Big wave!

Mornin' Mark!
Foggy here this AM - love the fog!
I got At Home by Bill Bryson on audio from the library... now I have to figure out how to upload to my computer. Hubby can help me with that. I like Bryson's books so this will be a good test of whether audio and I will get along.
Have a good one! :)

Though I've enjoyed all of Atwood's books, my favorite is Cat's Eye, but because that book centers on the repressed memories of a woman's childhood, it probably won't have the same effect on you.

#183 Hi Mark: Don't know what the May: Murder and Mayhem read's about. Your threads get so long that sometimes I skip around! Let me know. The timing might be right because I'm finishing up Smilla's Sense of Snow and need to plan my next read.

Glad to hear you're intrigued by the Bulls in the post-season, Mark. Atlanta's actually up by a game in that series over Orlando, so it may be them the Bulls play. I hope so! I'd rather play them than the Magic.

The Bulls get a much-needed rest until next Monday.

Love in the Time of Cholera is turning out to be really good. I loved his One Hundred Years of Solitude, and liked Autumn of the Patriarch and Chronicle of a Death Foretold, but wasn't sure about this one.

Hi Mark. I've got Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout on hold at the library and should get it at the end of next week. I know you don't do TIOLI but one of the challenges for May is to read a graphic book and this is going to be my choice.

Tee hee.. very true...

I think it will work out for me to get this book done and then
get started on the French in time .. I may only read the one,
but who knows?

Claudia- I also have the Bryson book on audio. I plan on getting to it next month. We'll compare notes. Hope the audio works for you.

Bonnie- I'll add Cat's Eye to the List! Thanks!

Karen- I gave you the link to M & M over on your thread. Hope you can join us. I know you like your mysteries.

Joe- I have some catching up to do, with Marquez. I have a nice copy of Love in the Time of Cholera, maybe I can book-horn it in somewhere.

Pat- "Radioactive" is such an excellent book. I can't gush enough! I'm glad your library had it.

Kath- Only read one? Come on, you can do better than that!

Mark, I discovered Atwood when I was maybe 16, which is *some* time ago now, so there are books of hers (thanks to that incredibly unreliable memory of mine) I can't remember whether I've read or not. Cat's Eye is one of them, but regardless, I've got it sitting and waiting on a shelf for me. Another one of her books that made a strong impression on me was The Robber Bride, which I heartily recommend.

eta: touchstones.

I second The Robber Bride.....oh yes!

Wow, it supposed to be sunny and 62! Did I wake up on the wrong planet? I hope they have books there.
I finished Swamplandia and will be starting The Redbreast for M & M. I didn't realize it was such a chunkster, hopefully it reads quickly. Nearly finished with The Last Stand and it's been a bit of a slog.

Ilana & Jude- Thanks for more Atwood recs. I hope I can read a couple of her books a year, to try to get caught up.

Hi Mark, I'm glad the day will be a nice sunny one for you - and me. We have gotten over 6 inches of rain this week and the weeds are looking like Jack's beanstalk! I'm heading outside in a bit to do some damage control.

I still have Son of the Morning Star to read so I can safely pass up on The Last Stand. I have a few books in mind for your May Murder & Mayhem forum. The library has a copy of Dissolution on its way to me, and I've had Child 44 on my MRS pile for way too long. What are you planning for June?

I'm on the same planet, Mark, and so far the books are plentiful!

I'm glad folks mentioned The Robber Bride; I had completely forgotten that one, and am putting it on the tbr.

Looking forward to getting out at lunchtime on this beautiful day!

Well I came over here looking for a review od Swamplandia but......maybe tomorrow. 'm hoping to get to Dissolution this month which will fit into the M&M theme nicely.

I really liked Robber Bride as well--truly excellent writing and great story--but I wish I had read it when it first came out, as it felt just a tad bit dated when I read last year. I think Mark might like it better than Cat's Eye, but I bet he'll like Blind Assasin even more. To solve this question, you're going to have to read all three, Mark! ;-)

Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout is now on the tbr list.

Happy Friday to you Mark.

#173 smiler69

Can you get the White Rhino Hotel and its sequels using Inter-Library loan? That is what I am going to have to do to get Cafe on the Nile because my library doesn't have it.

My May Murder and Mayhem started a little early. I have had the last two days off due to the tornado visiting town. He was a bad guest and left mayhem in his wake when he departed. I have no electricity so read using candlelight. I finished Redbreast and it is a winner! I can't wait until the rest of those who said they are going to read it start, because I want to hear what they have to say about it. The translation is so smooth and totally without that clunky dialogue that sometimes appears in translated books. I am now starting Nemesis by the same author and anticipate that it will be as good as the first one. Redbreast was so good I gave it 4 1/2 stars. Imagine that! I gave two books that many stars in the same month. They are both worthy books. Very different in style but equally good.

After getting up at 1:30 am to watch the royal wedding, I slept a bit and am now enjoying this absolutely gorgeous spring day in Chicago (and on my day off too, no less). I had my sunroof open for one of the first times this season today.

Mark, we deserve more nice weather days like this.

#208 Thanks Benita, that's nice of you to suggest that. Our online library system is set up so you can automatically search the entire inter-library catalogue, which is the option I always use, and I had no luck at all finding that title. I suppose I could suggest it as a possible purchase for them, though I don't know where they'd find it either since it seems to be out of print. But I guess it might be worth a try.

#210 Linda, was it worth it getting up to watch the royal wedding? I didn't bother this time around, but it was a different story altogether when Charles and Lady Di got married!

The only Atwood I've read (I'm such a bad Canadian ;) is Alias Grace which I highly recommend.

M&M countdown .... this is more exciting than the royal wedding!

Yo..all this Wedding stuff is making me nervous..

Where's Mark, is my question??

Jude, he's probably catching up on sleep ....tired after all the wedding revelry, no doubt. ;-)

@212- I'm not sure I've read a single Atwood - though I do have Alias Grace on my TBR pile. I think Good Canadian's like myself need not like Margaret Atwood! ;) I read plenty of other Canadian fiction! :)

Anyway - hi to Mark! :)

I worked late today, by force, so got home later than usual. Then a shower & dinner and viola, I am here. Wow, what a gorgeous Spring day. I shed my jacket, after 12 and went in shirtsleeves. I'm sure I got some sun on my face. I need to get rid of this pale complexion anyway.

Donna- It's good to see you! I was disappointed in The Last Stand. I might give it 3.5, due to the fact I did like the Sitting Bull perspective, but there wasn't enough of it. Yes, please go with Son of the Morning Star, probably the definitive book on Custer.
If you remember, I'm a big fan of Child 44, so go with that one! As far as June goes, I have the Group Read of Thousand Autumns lined up. Haven't thought about anything else, besides working on that pesky TBR pile.

Joe- Glad we are on the same planet and there are books! LOL! I read the Dream Country chapter in the Companion guide today. Wow, that's invaluable.

Bonnie (Brenzi)- I'll work on my mini-review of Swamplandia over the weekend. I gave it 3.8. Actually I should just point everyone over to your excellent review. I know, that would be cheating.

Bonniebooks- What is this, your 3rd or 4th visit, this week. I'm honored and I've added all these Atwood titles to the List. I really need to make an effort to read one of hers, every 2-3 months. Won't be easy, here in LT World, it's never simple.

Linda (Whisper)- Yes, request "Radioactive" from your library system. That's the review, I am working on. What a fantastic book!

Benita- I read the 1st 50 pages of The Redbreast. Good stuff, pretty ambitious for a first novel and a nice & smooth translation. What do you think of the translation of Suspect X? I've heard some complaints but I didn't mind it.

Linda- Hope you are feeling better. It's nice you had the day off and a nice long weekend to look forward to. My wife is off on Fridays and my MIL came over and they watched a recording of the wedding. Me, I would rather read.

Micky- So nice to see you! Thanks for the Alias Grace rec, duly noted. And my rec is Handmaids Tale. Amazing book.

Caro- "M&M countdown .... this is more exciting than the royal wedding!" No wonder, you are one of my favorite LT pals! LOL! I'm getting a head start on M & M and dug into The Redbreast.
Do you subscribe to Shelf Awareness? There was more praise for the BOTNS Retreat over there today. I love how excited the authors got over it.

Jude- I'm here! No worries, I don't care a whit about the wedding, rather talk books!

Deb- Well, I think you should try out Handmaids Tale! Are you getting geared up for M & M?

Mark, I'm rather relieved that The Last Stand didn't quite live up to expectations, I think I'll pass on that one. I have read Son of Morning Star a few years ago and remember is as being quite good.

I am thoroughly enjoying The White Rhino Hotel and now I have got my husband clamoring to read it as well.

Hi Mark. Like your review of The Handmaid's tale and it makes me want to read it immediately.

Hey, it's supposed to another nice day! About 70! Yah! I make it through today and then I'm off til Tuesday.
On audio, I'm going to try Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. It's pretty short and it's read by Fey, so it should be fun.

Judy- It's nice to hear from another fan of Son of the Morning Star. There are many positive reviews of The Last Stand, so it might just be me. Glad you are enjoying "White Rhino". I have the sequel waiting in the wings.
*Touchstones being a pain!

Gautam- Nice to see you and hope you get to "Handmaids" quickly.

Oh, Bossy Pants - I'm waiting for my turn with that one, but I think I have a couple more weeks to wait. It sounds like fun. I'm finally listening to The Wave which is just barely holding my attention, but it may be just as much me as the book.

Hey, Marky Mark -

Thanks to you and one of your posts, I found The Worst Hard Time at the Main Branch of my County Library.

I found it to be astounding and outstanding in the telling of the "Dust Bowl" stories. (Excellent writer).

With all of the recent weather stories of destruction on the nightly news (Japan & USA) it was interesting to me to go back to read the events and struggles of the farmers in what was the area of the Great Plains, where the Native Americans had lived and were supported by the wide ranging herds of buffalo that ate the nourishing grass.

I'm hoping to post this title and a few more that I have read over on my thread, which I am currently visiting only intermittently. See my dusty, cobwebby thread here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/107159

You are in my thoughts and my heart - Ruthie

Mark...Forty Words for Sorrow...read immediately if you haven't...fantabulously intense, exciting and addictive.

I fin that compared to Redbreast the translation of Devotion of Suspect X is not as good. In fact it is clunky and the dialogue is wooden in places. Not true of Redbreast. Even though the translation of Suspect X is suspect it wasn't enough to put me off of reading that one. I am within 50 pages of finishing it, and hope to get it done this weekend.

Just wanted to let all of you know that things are really bad here in Tuscaloosa. This tornado was a killer. It will take months to get the city back to normal. For once you can believe the pictures. My apartment is four blocks from the main commercial corner (15th and MacFarland) and I am classed as being in the extreme damage area. It will be late next week before I get electricity.

As food for thought, think about what you can't do if you have no electricity. Start with no water and work your way from there. Tomorrow I get to clean out my refrigerator and freezer. I hope my monthly paycheck gets deposited. It's all electronic. The grocery stores are asking people to pay with cash or checks because the card readers don't work without electricity. (The stores are operating on generators, and that keeps the food and cash registers going, but doesn't keep the phone lines working.)

>226 benitastrnad: benitastrnad, Oh my god, that's where you are. Just on the news the devastation looks dreadful. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be living through. It sounds like your apartment is OK and by extension, yourself as well? And your friends? My thoughts are with you all down there.

>226 benitastrnad: benitastrnad, I'm adding my thoughts and wishes to Joanne's. The devastation is just unbelievable, and I am heartsick. Take care.

Benita- I'm so sorry to hear that you guys got hit so hard by the tornado! I'm glad you are okay. The devastation is staggering.
And yes, how are you managing without electricity? Wow! We sure take a lot of granted, don't we? Sending you my best, along with a virtual HUG!

Joanne- I listened to nearly 2/3rds of Bossy Pants today and it's been a lot of fun. Sorry, "The Wave" isn't working for you. I really enjoyed that one!

Ruthie- You never know, who will just pop up around here! Great to see you! We miss you. Glad you liked The Worst Hard Time. It is one of my favorite books, that I've read this year. Please drop by again, always makes my day.

Richard- I read that one a couple years ago and really enjoyed it, but for some reason, I never continued the series. Might have to work on that one.

Benita, I'm sorry to hear you've been hit so hard. I'm glad you are okay and unharmed, and that you are safe in your place.

We had a major ice storm here in 1998 and many areas around Montreal were hit very hard. My parents went without electricity for a month. Some people had to do without for longer, all this at the worst of a very cold winter. Nature sure can be a bitch.

I wish for your sake that things return to normal as soon as possible. Sending positive thoughts your way.

Just adding my well-wishes to the others Benita. It looks just awful on the news. We were w/o electricity for three days once and I thought I was going to go crazy so I have real sympathy for those who are trying to get along w/o it. Than goodness you are safe though.

I can't even imagine what things must be like for you Benita, and especially those who have lost their homes and loved ones in the process too. I'm glad you're safe, Benita.

Benita, I'm glad you're safe too, I've only caught the news once or twice over the weekend, but I did see the devastation. Shocking stuff.

Mark, it's taken several days (well, snatches of time over several busy days) but I've finally caught up! Glad you liked The Handmaid's Tale, I'm looking for a copy of Radioactive, and I watched the second episode of "Game of Thrones" instead of the Royal Wedding. (It actually screened in prime time in Australia, and four of the five major stations were screening it. Talk about overload.) I haven't even actually seen the dress, which as far as I'm concerned, is the most important part of the wedding. (Caught up with old chorister friends this afternoon, and they reckoned the music was more important. Harrumph. :)

44) Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss 4.8 stars

I had heard the name Marie Curie, but I did not know much about this pioneering scientist. Wow, what an eye-opener. She was born in Poland in 1867 and moved to Paris in 1891, to study science at the University of Paris. A couple years later, she meets Pierre Curie, an instructor at the School of Physics and Chemistry. They soon marry and begin blazing a path, that will bring both wonder to the world and incredible destruction.
This all will launch, with their discovery of polonium and radium, which sets off a long list of breakthroughs, leading to “radioactivity”, a term they both coined. I think we know where this is heading.
I am not much of a science geek, but I do not think there has ever been a pairing, in the history of science, that has reached these monumental achievements. The couple ended up winning the Nobel Peace Prize for physics and eight years later, Marie earned a second one for chemistry.
Yes, this wonderful graphic biography, is a love story and a scientific history lesson but it is also explores the horrible repercussions: “The Fallout” part of the title. Hiroshima, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl make appearances, along with a few lesser horror stories featuring the evils of radiation.
I cannot express how perfect this all comes together, with simple illustrations and a vibrant palette of colors, all held together with a strong narrative drive. Find this book!

>234 msf59: Thumbs-upped your review!

Finally, a book that comes clean about how toxic love really is.

Hahaha! Funny RD!

Thumb from me too, Mark. Looks like a great book!

Happy May 1st, everyone! Does this mean more warmth and sunshine? I sure hope so. I hope Benita is able to stop by and see the support that is coming her way. Like Ilana said, "Nature sure can be a bitch"!

Wookie- I'm glad you're able to watch Game of Thrones. Some critics have been a bit tough on it, but so far I think they are doing a very good job. Can't wait for episode 3. Reading the 2nd Jack Taylor, huh? That's great! I love Bruen!

Richard- It's so nice to have you posting and thanks for the thumb. This is an amazing book and it's no puff piece. Have you watched any of the Game of Thrones series?

>238 msf59: Officially, no. I don't have HBO. *ahem* However, I am reliably informed that the series is a little bit of a pacing fiasco, while the dialogue is very faithful to the intonations of the original, and it's visually *glorious*.

VERY reliably informed. Closer than a brother, this informant.

Enjoyed the review, Mark, and a thumb from me! The library says Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie is "in transit."

Added Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie to my wish list, "Mark-So-Fine-at-59." (This what I have to chant when I want to remember what comes first--the "s" or the "f"--when I'm tagging the book with who recommended it.) It sounds like the perfect blend for me. And I'm always here, Mark. There's just so much action on your thread(s) that it's easy for 178 unread postings (which is what happened recently) to slide in there since my last visit.

Richard- You forgot to mention a strong cast, as well. I like the pacing. I appreciate a series, taking it's time, slowly unfolding.

Joe- I'm glad you were able to find a copy. Downers does not even own a copy, they had to get it from Oak Park. That's a shame. Now, I'm anxious to see what everyone else thinks.

Bonnie- ""Mark-So-Fine-at-59." Sounds good to me, although I am several years younger than that. Just wanted to make that clear.
I think "Radioactive" would also make a fine introduction to the graphic scene. It clearly shows how flexible this format can be.

Mark

Can it be that Richard the thread cop visited and did not remark that it is time to start a new one?

My library does not have "Radioactive" - BUT I did request it and it is coming from somewhere in the great state of Maine! :)

Big thumbs up from me on your review of Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout. Looking forward to reading this! Happy May!

Hi friend! I actually scoped out Radioactive a little while ago, since you're been recommending this book all over the place for a while now. They have it at the library here! Woo Hoo! I'll be borrowing it for June, because, as you know, my May reading pile is... ahem... (a bit ambitious?)

There's a really good selection of pages from the book shown on Amazon, and I have to say projects like that make me totally jealous. Or rather, I should say, really inspire me, because it's the kind of book I've often thought of making on my own chosen topic and in my own style (all those years of doing magazine layouts and taking art classes weren't for nothing, I hope!), which would be a project I know I'd be totally passionate about. Now if only I could get myself disciplined enough to take on something like that...

Linda- Yes, I think Richard is mellowing in his old age, unless he just figures we are all adults here and should know when to start a new thread, which I plan on doing very soon, thank you very much.

Claudia- I'm glad you were able to land a copy. I plan on checking around and to see what this book is going for, full price. It really is a keeper.

Pat- Thanks for the big thumb! Hope your copy comes in soon. Like I mentioned above, now I'm anxious to see what everyone else thinks.

Ilana- Glad you were able to find a copy too! Hopefully, I'm not going overboard on my enthusiasm. Come on, I get excited. Yes, the author's style is very fresh and original and it really opens up what can be done in this graphic format.

Mark, I was just over on Amazon looking at the comments on Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout. People loved it but one person said it was very hard to read because of the lack of contrast between print color and page color and size of font. Did you have any problems with it?

Very interesting,though im a book archive and a blog critic and i say good so far.

Pat- That is a legitimate complaint. On a few of the pages, there might have been light text on a darker page, but I did not find it a problem. It's pretty minor, IMHO!

Mary- Thanks for coming by...I think?

New Thread
See Linda, I am a man of my word!