Donna828 is Overbooked: Ch. 6

Taken through the glass door going out to my deck on 4/23/11.

A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

Second Quarter Books, continued...

Books read in May:

42. I Shall Not Hate - Izzeldin Abuelaish. 4.2 stars.
43. The Killer Angels - Michael Shaara. 4.6 stars.
44. The House of Mirth - Edith Wharton. 4 stars.
45. An Unfinished Marriage/A Walk on the Beach - Joan Anderson. 3.2 stars (average).
46. Dissolution - C.J. Sansom. 3.8 stars.
47. The Red Garden - Alice Hoffman. 3.75 stars.
48. The Black Tower - P. D. James. 3.4 stars.
49. Wesley the Owl - Stacey O'Brien. 4.2 stars.
50. Mr. Chartwell - Rebecca Hunt. 3.8 stars.

Books read in April: (Thread #5)
30. A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan. 3.5 stars.
31. Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure - Matthew Algeo. 3.8 stars.
32. McTeague - Frank Norris. 2.7 stars.
33. Gods and Generals** - Jeff Shaara. 4.1 stars.
34. The Dress Lodger - Sheri Holman. 3.6 stars.
35. A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemingway. 3.25 stars.
36. Started Early, Took My Dog - Kate Atkinson. 3.8 stars.
37. From Battlefields Rising: How the Civil War Transformed American Literature** - Randall Fuller. 4.3 stars.
38: The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane. 3.4 stars.
39. Any Human Heart** - William Boyd. 4.1 stars.
40. How to Read Novels Like a Professor Thomas C. Foster. 3.7 stars.
41. The Gendarme - Mark T. Mustian. 3.9 stars.

I read 3,622 pages read in April.
8 books owned by me.

First Quarter Books...

Books read in January:
The numbers in parentheses refer to thread numbers where book was discussed.

1. The Defector - Daniel Silva. 3.5 stars. (audiobook) - (1)
2. Freedom - Jonathan Franzen. 3.3 stars. - (1)
3. The Siege** - Helen Dunmore. 4.5 stars. - (2)
4. The Betrayal - Helen Dunmore. 4.2 stars. -(2)
5. Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand. 4.5 stars. - (2)
6. Cloud Atlas** - David Mitchell. 4.5 stars. - (2).
7. Washington Square - Henry James. 3.8 stars. -(2)
8. East is East - T. C. Boyle. 3.7 stars. - (2)
9. Gweilo - Martin Booth. 3.1 stars. (3)

I read 3,554 pages read in January.
Four of these books are owned by me.

Books Read in February: (All on Thread #3)
10. The Color Purple - Alice Walker. 4 stars. (3)
11. Nobody Said Not To Go - Ken Cuthbertson. 3.8 stars. (3)
12. The Country of the Pointed Firs** - Sarah Orne Jewett. 4.4 stars. (3)
13. A Monstrous Regiment of Women - Laurie R. King. 3.6 stars. (3)
14. Girl in Translation - Jean Kwok. 3 stars. (3)
15. Reading the OED - Ammon Shea. 3.4 stars. (3)
16. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - Grace Lin. 3.8 stars. (3)
17. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert Pirsig. 4.4 stars. (favorite reread) - (3)
18. Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl - Harriet Jacobs. 3 stars. (3)

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

Books Read in March: (Thread #4)
19. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn** - Mark Twain. 4.5 stars.
20. The Invisible Bridge** - Julie Orringer. 4.5 stars.
21. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon. 4.1 stars.
22. The Sign Of Four - Arthur Conan Doyle. 3 stars.
23. Red Sky At Morning - Richard Bradford. 3.5 stars.
24. He Who Fears the Wolf - Karin Fossum. 3.4 stars.
25. Don't Look Back - Karin Fossum. 2.9 stars. (audio)
26. Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter - Mario Vargas Llosa. 3.7 stars.
27. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Arthur Conan Doyle. 3.3 stars.
28. A Woman In Jerusalem - A. B. Yehoshua. 3.7 stars.
29. The Portrait Of A Lady** - Henry James. 4.5 stars.

I read 3,952 pp. in March (avg. of 359 pages per book).
9 out of the 11 books I read are owned by me.

My latest acquisitions to my library were bought at today's library book sale. It was half-price day!

My most expensive book was $1.50:
My Own Country by Abraham Verghese,

Here are my dollar books:
A Walk on the Beach - Joan Anderson
Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood
Restless - Wm. Boyd
Letters of a Portuguese Nun - Miriam Cyr
The Unfinished Clue - Georgette Heyer (my first book by her)
Surprised by Joy - C.S. Lewis
West with the Night - Beryl Markham,

And, my treasure amongst the "trash", for 50 cents...
The Water is Wide - Pat Conroy.

I'm off to do some shelving!

Hi Donna! LOVE your owl! Wish I had been there.

Hi Donna, Restless is my favorite William Boyd. I think you'll like it too. And well I think you know I loved West With the Night. Nice haul.

Sounds like you are having a great weekend. You picked up some great books - I am planning on reading West With the Night at some point in the future. That is one handsome owl!

Oh wow - that's quite a visitor!

Last summer, while walking the dog on the trail, an owl flew, very low, right past us and landed up in a nearby tree. It was very startling as they are so quiet when they fly.

eta - Nice stack of new to you books!!

Donna, I love that picture. Do you often see owls? It's so exciting now when people start new threads. I'm always eager to see what picture they have posted to start their threads.

Library book sales are the best and you did great for half price day. I've never been in a position to do that because I've been here for our sales and always go on the first or second day and then figure I've done enough damage to my TBR list.

I thumbed your review of The Gendarme and wishlisted it. I don't think I've ever heard of it but it sounded good.

Wonderful owl. Was it daytime? I thought owls were night birds.

Donna, I love the pic of the owl. How lucky you are, to have a visiting owl. Does he come over regularly?

Oh good, lots of visitors...I should start a new thread more often. Not! Too much work...I'd rather be reading. ;-)

>4 AMQS:: Hi Anne, he took me by surprise as I was running around getting ready for the KC trip. Luckily, my camera was still handy.

>5 brenzi:: Bonnie, you were my influence for the Markham book. I'm glad you liked Restless. I also have Ordinary Thunderstorms (from the Borders haul) on the TBR pile. Although, I don't have a pile anymore with my books so neatly shelved. ;-)

>6 DeltaQueen50:: Thanks for the visit, Judy. The rest of the week end will be spent reading. A cold rainy day is forecast for tomorrow.

>7 Copperskye:: Hi Joanne, I've had that happen to me - and it is scary!

>8 phebj:: Pat, we used to have Great Horned Owls, but these Barred Owls (I think that's the species) have moved in this spring. They have a series of 7 or 8 hoots that is...well, a HOOT. Lol.

I was out of town for the preview sale. I was pleasantly surprised to see some good stuff left for me! I hope you enjoy The Gendarme. I learned a lot by reading it.

>9 arubabookwoman:: Hi Deborah, I'm not sure when these owls sleep. They hoot back and forth both day and night. I suppose I should read up on them if they're going to pay me visits.

Edited to fix numbering problem!

>9 arubabookwoman:: Oops, we crossposted, Caroline. That was the only time I've seen him perched on the deck. He's usually in a tree close to the house, but it's getting harder to see him now that the leaves are out.

Maybe if you start leaving some food out for him, he'll come visit more often, Donna. I think it's so cool you have a visiting owl. Me? I just get the blue jays, cardinals, robins, tits and a family of hawks up a tree looking to eat all the squirrels and chipmunks running around my yard.

There, starred!

I like the owl poem Donna, who is it by?

Marvelous owl pic, Donna. I'm an incorrigible birdwatcher, and I long to see an owl in the wild. No luck yet...although the swallows continue to try to come in the front door, apparently hoping to eat up all the spiders...

The Water Is Wide is a wonderful little book. Very moving, and very funny at the same time. I read it eons ago when it first came out, and I was a young teacher myself. A terrific experience.

Happy week-end, what's left of it.

Thanks for starting a new thread, Donna, I was having a tough time loading the last one for the past few days. The owl is beautiful, and yay for library book sales!

Donna- Love the owl! How cool is that! I've never seen an owl in the wild and I always wanted to. They are such interesting animals.
Liked your review of The Gendarme. I remember Jude liking the book too, so it's been on the List!

As I am currently reading Hoot, your pic in #1 is perfect. Six more days till my huge library booksale....I can't wait!

What a great owl. And how lucky you are to have captured it in a photo!

>13 cameling:: Lots of squirrels for the owls to eat. I just ask that they don't do it in my backyard!

>14 Smiler69:: The author of Wise Old Owl is that very famous poet, Anonymous, Ilana. It's an old nursery rhyme that I remember reciting to my children...esp. when I wanted them to listen to me.

>15 Matke:: I think the owls are making the mama songbirds nervous, Gail. There was a lot of anxious twittering in our yard when they were moving from tree to tree today. Turnabout is fair play I guess because the crows torment the owls. Between the raucous cawing and the nervous chirping, it was a noisy afternoon!

I loved the movie Conrack based on The Water is Wide and I adore Pat Conroy. I have been looking for this book for quite some time. Now I need to save it for the perfect time to read it. Maybe when my tutoring sessions (after over 3 years with the same student) come to an end this summer.

>16 Ape:: Sorry, Stephen, the new thread was overdue. It was just so tempting to get a month's worth of reading on one thread. Besides, I've been extra busy this week with my travels and then getting caught up around here.

>17 msf59:: I feel very blessed to have these magnificent birds around, Mark, but I'm worried about our swans who are nesting right now. Those cygnets would probably make a tasty snack for the owls.

>18 Carmenere:: Lol, Lynda. I'll have to check out Hoot. Library sales are the best. I love the thrill of the hunt!

>19 lauralkeet:: Thanks, Laura. I wish my brother would come over with his expensive equipment. He is a wonderful photographer with the patience of Job. My little point-and-shoot camera didn't do that pose justice; not to mention the fuzziness of a dirty glass door to shoot through!

Love the photo, madam!

Hi Donna. Checking up on you . . . Congrats on your 250th review! That is amazing.
I enjoyed looking at your list of library sale finds. You did well. . . I read the Beryl Markham book last month and loved it. Weren't we just talking about Dennis Fitch-Hutton (excuse the misspelled name)? Or maybe Robert Redford as DFH? Anyway, I hope you have a chance to read West With the Night soon. . . . A great book.

Hi Donna, I love the photo and had to look twice when I realised it was taken at your house. What a gorgeous view and you are so lucky to have such stunning wildlife at your doorstep.

Your owl photo is a big hit, Donna! And for good reason... it's a great shot.
I've seen owls in the trees around here, saw one flying off into the woods with a chipmunk *sniff* - but not an owl right on the deck! I have never heard that poem. Love it!

Lucky day for the book sale. Great haul! and for cheap! :)

ETA: I just realized that part of what makes that shot great is he landed on the corner of your railing. How accomodating! More interesting than in the middle of a straight rail... lol

>21 London_StJ:: Thanks, Luxx. I just paid you a visit. Lots of neat stuff happening over there. Congrats on almost getting through another semester. I'm going to miss my class so much...boo hoo.

>22 brenpike:: Hi Brenda, maybe that's why West With the Night jumped into my book bag! Another excuse to follow up a book with Robert Redford. :-)

Thanks to you, Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly is (*screech* - that sounds awful) waiting for me at the library. I have a busy month of reading lined up. Always a good thing!

>23 KiwiNyx:: Lisa, we do have a lovely view...until our pond starts growing algae, which won't be long now. If I squint really hard, though, I can pretend that water lilies are growing out there instead of pond scum!

>24 -Cee-:: Yes, Cee, we have a very accommodating owl. I should say owls because there are at least two, and it sounds like more when they "talk" about whatever it is that owls talk about.

Today is bag day at the book sale. Just think, if I were totally over the edge, I could go back and get even more books that I don't have time to read! Luckily, it is raining and I am going to be cozily tucked under a blanket with a book in my snuggery.

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I'm off to think about my ER book and write a review. I've been on an ER fast since last August when I got Great House. I wasn't tempted until March when I scored I Shall Not Hate. What can I say that hasn't already been said about this powerful story?

And my luck continued in April. I'm getting The Storm at the Door. Richard's review made this book sound like one I had to have! I'm so weak when it comes to books these days.

"Hatred is an illness. It prevents healing and peace."

Book No. 42: I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish. 4.2 stars.

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
If all people in the Middle East adopted the mutual respect philosophy of Dr. Abuelaish, it would become a land of peace rather than a hotbed of festering hatred. The author writes about life in Gaza, a 25-mile strip of land controlled by Israel where "promises are broken and opportunities are lost." It is also a place where lives are claimed by war and disease. He grew up in a Palestine refugee camp there, a time where he was always hungry and tired from working long hours. But this didn't deter him from excelling in school. That was the only way to escape unrelenting poverty. Through his hard work and determination, the title of Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology was earned and gave him the chance to live in Cairo and London until strong family ties pulled him back to the danger and humiliation of life in Gaza.

You can find the rest of my review over here.

It is my favorite kind of day to spend reading...a gentle rain is falling making seductive rhythmic pitter-pats on the roof. I'm heading off to begin The Killer Angels and perhaps take a mini nap while I'm huddled under my blanket. I hope everyone else is having an equally lovely Sunday afternoon.

Donna, a thumbs up from me! I also won this as an ER book but, true to form these days, I started it and then put it aside. I must get back to it.

I loved your description of your plans for the day. Reading and a nap with a gentle rain in the background. Doesn't get any better.

>26 Donna828: Thumbs-upped this lovely review, Donna! Hope you enjoy The Storm at the Door, too. xo

Donna, thumbs up from me too on I Shall Not Hate. It's a topic I'm quite sensitive to, being an Israeli myself (I have dual citizenship) and I don't delve into it much because it just seems to me like it's such a desperate situation. So I know from having seen numerous reviews on this one that it must be a really great book, but I'm not sure I can *go there*, if you know what I mean (?)

That great poet, Anonymous sure came up with quite a few pearls of wisdom, didn't he?

Another thumb up from me - a beautiful review.

Hi Donna- Another fine review! This must be at least the 3rd of 4th glowing review, I've read of this book, by my LT pals. It looks like a Must Read!

Hi Donna. I've passed over your review of I Shall Not Hate as I'm still trying to finish my review off but I will be back to read it through when I'm finished.

And congratulations on your book haul from the library sale!

Thank you, Pat, Richard, Ilana, Luxx, and Mark.

Heather, I'll look for your review soon...and also Pat's when she gets back to the book. It's difficult to review a book that has had so many glowing reviews, as Mark said! It may not have the best writing but you can tell it is written straight from the heart.

What a fine review, Donna. That sounds like a very interesting book.

A great review - a great book! I loved it. Abuelaish's intentions do not pave an easy road to peace - but it's the only way that I can see working.

This looks like a very interesting book Donna and one I'll be adding. Thumb for the excellent review.

Lovely review, Donna!

Hi, Donna!

"A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?"

My favourite rhyme! I myself am a person of few words. People often ask me why I don't talk much. I quote this rhyme to them.

When I was a kid one night an owl flew in through our living room window and planted itself on the chair right in front of me. I was scared out of my wits. Now I wish someone had taken a picture of it.

Thank you Laura, Claudia, Bonnie, and Joanne. I know it's probably not very realistic to expect people to let go of their longheld doctrines, but the Beatles had it right: "All We Need is Love"! I also thought it was interesting how similar the Jews and Muslims are. Why not focus on the similarities rather than the differences?

>38 Porua:: That is quite an owl story, Porua. I'm glad somebody else is familiar with that poem. There is a lot of wisdom in listening rather than talking all the time.

> 26

I loved your review of Dr. Abuelaish's book. Thumb's up to you!

That book was truly inspirational. It was among the finest of those I've been lucky to have won on LT's ER program.

I once worked at the hospital in Be'er Sheva (Israel) at which Dr. Abuelaish did his residency. I was there long before he was, though. LOL!!

> 29

I don't delve into it much because it just seems to me like it's such a desperate situation.

I so totally agree. After following Israeli politics for years and years, I try to avoid doing that now as much as I can. I much rather follow the day-to-day lives of individuals I know and love in Israel.

Drive-by wave.... Hi Donna!

Hi Donna - it would definitely stop me in my tracks if I saw that owl on our back porch! How wonderful to see a bird like that up close. Very cool.

Very nice review!

Also love the owl. I have a special fondness for owls. What is it about their big eyes that makes them so adorable?

I have finally gotten all caught up on your threads. I was worried about missing the Infinite Jest read, but I think my daughter is going to make me wait until she can read the book first. (Technically, it is her book, but who bought it for her anyway?) She finishes her finals this week. Yea!

>40 SqueakyChu:, 41. Thanks, Madeline. With your experiences, I'd say you are a better judge of the worthiness of Dr. Abuelaish's memoir. Pretty cool that you were at the same hospital. I like your philosophy to 'follow the day-to-day lives of individuals I know and love in Israel.'

>42 katiekrug:: Hey Katie, how's it going in Houston?

>43 BookAngel_a:: Angela, I did a quick double-take and then ran for the camera!

>44 billiejean:: Hi BJ, I like how owls can turn their head almost completely around. I used to be able to do that when I was a teacher! Yea for the end of finals. Double Yea for spring weddings!!!

What a wonderful surprise to check your thread and find an incredible photo of an owl!

Thanks for the smiles!

For all you owl lovers, if you have not read Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien I would heartily recommend it. Non-fiction story of a young woman who raises and studies an owl. Very touching and interesting!

Hi Linda, I'm glad you weren't spooked by my owl friend.

Oh sHOOT, Claudia, now I'm going to have to read some owl books. ;-) Okay, will look for Wesley the Owl and Hoot (suggested by Lynda) at the library. Thanks for the tip!

What an amazing owl photo! And amazing you were able to get to a camera in time.

# 39 I wish I could show you a picture of that owl! I was scared at that time but now I think it was beautiful. It was a barn owl, partially snow white with a face that looked like it was wearing a mask.

I much rather follow the day-to-day lives of individuals

that's probably a more reliable way of getting the "real" picture since the news, as we know, don't always give it to us straight, and that goes for anywhere in the world.

By the way Donna, I finally... finally... FINALLY posted my review for Apollo's Angels. I can't tell you how relieved I am. That's the longest it's ever taken me for a review, and I bet you all that work wasn't even worth it! But I enjoyed searching for photos and such. You're more than welcome to visit the version I've posted on my blog (if you have time) but I must warn you that it is... well, long. :-)

#44 - Hi - glad to see you say you are not quite ready to read Infinite Jest yet, because you know, I want to join in, too, but although I thought I'd be ready by May I think my brain needs more time to get stronger! June 1 maybe?

>49 AnneDC:: Hi Anne, I was getting ready for KC and had the camera out so I wouldn't forget it. I think I'll just leave it out on the bookcase so I can grab it for those rare shots.

>50 Porua:: You have your mental picture and the memory of it, Porua. I was amazed at the variety of owls in the world when I looked in the bird book. I shouldn't have been too surprised as we have a collection of porcelain owls given to us over the years by a good friend.

>51 Smiler69:: Congratulations, Ilana! I'll check it out after my class today. I know how you agonized over that review. I'm glad you can move on now. ;-)

>52 JanetinLondon:: Hi Janet, good to see you posting again. We all need to power up our brains to read Infinite Jest. We might have better luck starting a Book Procrastinator's Group! I'm so in on that one.

June sounds better to me, too. I hear it is a great read.

A Book Proscrastinator's Group--I love it! Count me in too.

Infinite Jest GR?? I'd be interested but probably not until much later in the summer.

I'm just stopping by to catch up, Donna, and find this marvelous owl photo, and a list of some great book bargains . . . . Oh, and congratulations on your 250th review!

We're going to a great book sale on Saturday. I can hardly wait!

>54 billiejean:: We must be listening to the same people, BJ.

>55 phebj:: Oh good, let's set one up....next month. ;-)

>56 brenzi:: Bonnie, I'm not sure who is in charge here, but late summer would be good for me, too.

>57 tymfos:: Hi Terri, have fun at your book sale this week end. I think it's mandatory that you list book titles afterward so we can all be Jealous happy for you!

I think Sibyx was also interested in a group read of Infinite Jest??

Thanks so much for you visit Donna, it was really very much appreciated. Looking forward to your review and general thoughts on The House of Mirth.

Hi Donna- I thought I would stop by and mention this, since you are an American history fan. Tomorrow night, (Wed) on the History channel, they are featuring "Custer's Last Man: I survived Little Big Horn". I thought it sounded very interesting and I've set my DVR.

Late summer is good for me, too. Then the book will be available I am sure.

>59 JanetinLondon:: Oh good, Lucy can be our leader?! I always learn so much in any group where she's involved.

>60 Smiler69:: My thoughts on House of Mirth will be forthcoming...probably on Friday. I have class tomorrow, but am planning to see "Water for Elephants" that afternoon and have my book group at the library in the evening.

>61 msf59:: Thanks for thinking of me, Mark. I would have missed this otherwise. One of these days I'm going to have to watch some of these programs on my almost-full DVR.

>62 billiejean:: BJ, I think it's cool that you and your daughters share some reads. You'll have to let us know what she thinks of the book. I can't believe I don't have Infinite Jest on my shelves. I'm glad I still have some credit at the used bookstore!

"What a piece of work is man...in action how like an angel!" ~Shakespeare

Book No. 43: The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. 4.6 stars.

This story of a 3-day battle in a 4-year war ends in tragedy for both sides at the bloodbath in Gettysburg, PA that is considered the turning point of the American Civil War. No one knows the thoughts of men going into battle, but Shaara captures the emotions behind the thoughts so well. The waiting and the terrible knowing what lies in store most certainly must be the most terrifying part of war. No matter which side one is on, the feelings of fear mingling with the hunger, thirst, and exhaustion are a common bond. It’s almost a reprieve when the fighting begins…when the emotions shut down and the relief of action takes over.

The focus is on the leaders of both sides rather than the common soldier. As in all wars, mistakes were made at the top and result in the huge losses of loyal men. Shaara explores the tactics behind the battles in detail giving insight into both the motivations and the outcomes. It helps me to understand history by delving into the minds and hearts of those who make it. This is a book that delivers on both a literary and historical level as it portrays the honor and desperation of the brave men on both sides.

Thanks to all the LTers who have recommended this book. I'm sorry I waited so long to read it.

Yup, that book was a favorite of mine, Donna. I'm not a war buff, but this book took me back so vividly to the place and time. It made our visit to Gettysburg so much more meaningful. Really and truly, I was filled with wonder and awe for both sides - what kept them going? Where did all that dedication come from? Why did it have to happen at all? Glad you enjoyed reading this :)

That was a great review of The Killer Angels, Donna. I'll have to look for it. Did you post the review? I went to give it a thumb but didn't see it.

yeah, Donna, whassup with that? I've been waiting.... :)

I remember when reading The Killer Angels we were on a camping vacation. SO and grandson kept telling to get my nose out of the book. Just couldn't put it down.

>65 -Cee-:: Those are some great questions, Claudia. Shaara does his best (as you know) to give us the answers as he writes about the dedication of the men on both sides.

>66 phebj:, 67: Sorry, busy day - and I was slow about putting up my review.

>68 cindysprocket:: Hi Cindy, I've missed your visits. And I certainly understand why you couldn't put it down. I had the same reaction.

A rating system with a tick size of 0.05! Impressive and weird too I guess.

I see you agree with me Donna, The Killer Angels is even better than Gods and Generals; a great one-two punch at any rate. Great job on the review.

>70 PiyushC:: Hi Piyush, I'm glad to have another visitor from India. Please visit me again. I'll be checking out your thread soon.

So, you're 'impressed' with my rating system, huh? I started it to help me put my books in order. The really weird thing I do is list my books at the end of the year according to how much I liked them. If I end up with 30 or so 4-star books, I can use the decimal system to list them accordingly. Of course, I always reserve the right to change my mind and make adjustments in my ratings.

>71 brenzi:: Bonnie, I always usually agree with you! I'll soon make it a one-two-three punch when I read Jeff Shaara's Last Full Measure. Have you read that one? I'm so glad you made a Civil War TIOLI challenge, though I wish the month were longer so I could fit in all the books I want to read.

I will definitely keep track of your thread. This is something I just can't get myself to do, no matter as much as I really want to, that is changing the ratings later, since I use my ratings to consider the change in my reading habits. There are some books I would really like to change my ratings for, thankfully they are few in number and I have learnt to live with them.

Donna, Thumbs up from me for your wonderful review of The Killer Angels. This book is long overdue to be moved up to the top of the TBR pile.

>73 PiyushC:: Piyush, I change very few ratings, and then it's usually only by half of a star. Maybe women change their minds more easily than men do?

>74 Whisper1:: Linda, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has put off the reading of The Killer Angels. I think you will like it.

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Not much reading got accomplished today, but it has been a bookish day nonetheless. We had our final discussion of The House of Mirth in my class this morning; we're going to watch the screen adaptation next Tuesday for our "meaningful course terminating activity" in lieu of a final exam!

My friend Nancy and I went to see the movie "Water for Elephants" this afternoon. We both gave it a thumbs up! And then we went to our evening book group. Tonight's discussion was on Freedom. Most of the others were disappointed in it along with me. We did find some positive things to say, however, about the excellent writing, strong male friendships, and...well, I'm certain there must have been some other favorable comments about it. ;-)

#1: That is so cool! I love that picture :)

#64: I love that book! I am glad you liked it too, Donna.

That for all that welcome love, Stasia! I'll send some right back to you.

I have to shop for a baby gift for a shower tonight. I'll be back later with some comments on The House of Mirth. I think I've read too many looking-for-wealthy husbands books this year. They're all starting to run together in my head!

"The only way not to think about money is to have a great deal of it." (55)

Book No. 44: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. 4 stars.

I know...4 stars without any decimals...how boring. It seems I've read this book twice before so I will let my previous rating stand. I see Ilana (Smiler69) is the last to have reviewed it. She captured the essence of the book so well, I'll just add a few comments from my class notes.

I learned that the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses" was originally coined in reference to Edith Wharton's family. She knows what she talks about in her books about the American aristocracy. While she felt that the U.S. was an intellectual wasteland, she also poked fun of the upper crust society that she was part of. After her divorce, she lived in France until her death.

Lily Bart was a tragic figure. She was brought up to be in the top echelon of society, but her father died leaving the family with little money. She was supposed to use her great beauty to land a wealthy husband, but she made the mistake of falling in love with Lawrence Selden who also had little money. What's a poor (pun intended) girl to do?

As the book goes on and she spurns her rich suitors, her desperation grows and her expectations decrease. Much to her surprise, even her fallback guy bales on her. Mr. Rosedale was hoping to use Lily to gain his own foothold in society. He had the money required but the fact that he was Jewish held him back. However, as Lily became more estranged from the pack, she no longer had appeal as a wife to him. It was sad to see the demise of Lily.

We spent much time in class discussing the word "speculation" in relation to this book. Lawrence had a "vision-making faculty" and the "zest of spectatorship." He played a role in scene-making as Lily schemed to present herself in the best circumstances throughout the book. He tried without success to unlock the door to her "prison-house of fears" which consisted mainly of her visions of dinginess and poverty. Lily is only a representative of most of the other characters in the book to whom nothing is worse than being alienated from society.

As I said in my last message, I am tiring of these women who are trapped in their lives of dependency on men. Only the lovely writing saved the old 4-star rating I gave this book when I last read it a decade ago.

Oh I so hear you on that one! I started House of Mirth a while back but wasn't in the mood for another desperate damsel. Maybe another time....

4 stars and a good write-up but I'm also not in the mood for damsels in distress at the moment. I'm finding I'm thriving some good solid action or history, must be the no-carb diet I'm on. ;)

You're reading such wonderful books, Donna, and have such thoughtful things to say about them. Sometimes I feel like quite the light weight (in my reading, not in actual poundage). ;)

>79 PrueGallagher:: Agreed, that timing is so important with the books we read.

>80 KiwiNyx:: LOL, Leonie. I never thought of correlating what I want to read with my diet. I've been craving sugar after getting a little taste of it at Easter so maybe I should be reading romances! I like the idea of action or history much better, though.

>81 Copperskye:: Joanne, my "highbrow" books and comments will come to an abrupt end now that I don't have my professor feeding me with lofty thoughts.

Btw, I got The Red Garden (finally) from the library and have enjoyed the first few stories. I also have Mr. Chartwell waiting for me. They don't seem like lightweight books to me, but I'm definitely following in your footsteps these days.

Donna, really enjoyed your notes on House of Mirth. I too tire of damsels in distress sometimes, but this one resonated with me. My biggest fear has always been to end up destitute, and while I've never depended on a man to secure my future, I know well how paralyzing that fear can be. But I also know that what we fear need not become our reality (as some would have us believe.)

On a lighter note, I appreciated your comments on your rating system. I didn't understand the decimal system either at first when I saw a few people here using it, but started using fractions myself when I hit on a whole slew of books that deserved a 4 star rating (i.e. I loved it and thought it was very good) so that I could prioritize them somehow. The only problem with fractions is they're not as clear-cut as decimals are, so I may give in and switch over to your system too. That being said, only books that make the 4 1/2 star cut (meaning I loved it a whole lot and it's close to being an all-time favourite), get listed as favourites, no matter how much I enjoyed them.

I also enjoyed House of Mirth but I can understand how you might not if it was part of a long string of 'damsel' novels. I just happen to really, really like Edith Wharton.

Don't get me wrong, I liked The House of Mirth; however, it probably should have waited awhile longer after reading The Portrait of a Lady and Middlemarch.

Ilana, I have quite a few 4-star books, but like you, when they reach 4.5 star status, they become "keepers." I reserve the word "treasure" for my infrequent 5-star book. Whenever I'm tempted with that rating, I ask myself how it compares to Jane Eyre or To Kill A Mockingbird or My Antonia...and so on.

Laura, oh yeah, Edith Wharton is a wonderful writer. I need to check out more of her books...when I'm in a Wharton-mood. Age of Innocence is my favorite Wharton novel of the few that I've read.

"Love needs space around it in order to grow."

An Unfinished Marriage is the second book in this trilogy of Cape Cod books. After a year of living solo and searching for meaning in midlife in A Year by the Sea, Joan is joined by her now-retired husband Robin as they seek to find the key to wedded bliss in the later years. The sequel lacks the freshness of the first book wherein the author was forced to rely on her inner strength and her wits in order to make year-round living on the Cape a rewarding experience. This one seems more like a marriage manual to me. The best advice for marriage and most of life in general was this: “I’m finding the best way to handle my expectations or desires is not to have any.” (125) 2.9 stars.

I’m considering these two books as one - because they are so short and because I read them one right after the other with barely a breath in between. I was delighted to find a “real” word (walk) to connect with a previous 5-word title for the #1 TIOLI challenge this month. This is a more difficult feat than it would seem to be! It also forced me to read the middle part of the trilogy which has languished on my shelf too long. I’m not surprised to learn that this is an Oprah recommended author. While I loved the beach descriptions in all three of the books, I quickly tired of the self-serving vein, reminiscent of Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love.


"We must be willing to begin again and again over the course of a lifetime."

Book No. 45: A Walk on the Beach by Joan Anderson. 3.4 stars.

Part 3 of Joan Anderson’s retreat to the ocean to find herself is more of a paean to a life coach and dear friend than the other two books that focused on the author’s identity crisis. How ironic that this friend turns out to be Joan Erikson, wife of the famous psychologist who coined that term. Joan E. is in her 90s yet has no trouble keeping up with the other Joan who is 40 years younger than she as they spend hours beachcombing the Cape Cod shoreline and sharing their thoughts on life. Inspiring ode to living life with vigor and joy as well as a guide to aging gracefully.

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I'm trying to master the art of the short review! It helps when one feels kind of 'meh' about it. ;-)

Good job on the short reviews, Donna. That's something I'm hoping to do too. I usually start out with that intention and then look back at what I've written only to find 4 or 5 paragraphs!

I've heard of the first Joan Anderson book but didn't realize there was a trilogy. I'll probably pass on these. I too love beach descriptions but I've never been able to read Elizabeth Gilbert's books and I tired of Oprah's recommendations awhile ago.

I'm glad I had a break of at least a few weeks between House of Mirth and Portrait of a Lady. But then again, I've always harboured an unhealthy attraction to tragic 19th century heroines.

When it comes to giving books that I've really enjoyed scores of 4 stars and above, I ask myself a few simple questions:

- Would I read this book again? If "probably not because there are so many other great books out there", then it's an even 4.
- If yes, then how many times, and is it worth keeping on my shelves semi-permanently? If A: "twice or more" and, "sure"! then it's probably a 4.5
- Does it make me wish I could live till 120 so I can read it dozens of times, along with all the other books I hope to read someday? And, am I willing to keep it on my shelves permanently? If yes all around, then I MIGHT give it 5 stars, but that depends on what mood I happen to be in.

Simple, right? Having a limited amount of shelf space is a great incentive for being tight-fisted with those high scores, as you can imagine.

eta: and yes, I spend far too much time thinking about these things! LOL

Wow you are just cranking out the books Donna. Good job. I hope to get to Edith Wharton later this year. I have a couple on my shelf so...

One of these days I will get to The House of Mirth. Just not now. . .

Donna- I really enjoyed your review of The House of Mirth. It's been quite a few years but I recall, really enjoying it. This is another firm reminder for me, to squeeze in more classics. I've been bad at that.

>87 phebj:: Hiya, Pat. Short and sweet. We'll see how long I can continue this trend in reviewing. I liked the first book of the Anderson trilogy the best. There seemed to be a lot of repetition in the other two.

>88 Smiler69:: Ilana, I love reading about how people think about and rate their books. I like your questions especially 'Does it make me wish I could live till 120 so I can read it dozens of times, along with all the other books I hope to read someday?' That made me laugh but also gave me something to ponder. I'm already going to have to live to be a ripe old age to read all the new stuff I'm piling up.

>89 brenzi:: Edith isn't going anywhere, Bonnie. You have plenty of time. Most of hers are on the short side - unlike Middlemarch.

>90 alcottacre:: Stasia, see my response to Bonnie! Sounds like your plate is pretty full these days. I'm glad you got that killer of a job app turned in. Good luck on getting the new job.

>91 msf59:: Hi Mark, I'm not ignoring you these days. I'm busy trying to catch up with your reading! Maybe some of your current books will be classics if you live long enough. ;-)

Maybe some of your current books will be classics if you live long enough.

That comment made me smile.

Nice reviews Donna

Happy Mother's Day Donna! Hope you have a special day planned!

Happy Mother's Day, Donna!

>93 Smiler69:: Glad I could make you smile! That reminds me, I love your screen name, Ilana. We can never have too many smiles.

>94 mausergem:: Thank you, Gautam. I'm glad you're still reading my thread. Here's a smile for you today... :-)

>95 msf59:: It's going to be a quiet Mother's Day around here, Mark. I've gotten flowers, candy, and some cool garden stakes that are supposed to "twinkle" at night. I wonder what my owl will think? Thanks for thinking of me.

>96 -Cee-:: Oh, what a beautiful bouquet, Claudia. It's kind of a bittersweet day with none of my kids around to hug. Oh well, I get to see them fairly frequently so I'm not complaining. They will call as the day progresses so that will give me an excuse to stay home with my nose in a book! I may move my reading outside today so I can soak up some springtime.

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I'll share my Mother's Day flowers that I got from my daughter. I think Mother's Day, Father's Day, Friendship Day, etc. should be every day. I hope everyone in the LT community has a lovely day. Take time to stop and smell the flowers -- even if they are metaphorical ones!

Beautiful flowers, Donna! Have a happy Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day, Donna--beautiful flowers. I enjoyed your review of House of Mirth. I have a re-read of The Age of Innocence on my plate for this month but I don't think I've ever read The House of Mirth now that I think about it.

I love this discussion of rating systems. I am thoroughly impressed by you folks who manage very detailed ratings scales. I sometimes think I would be happier with a simple "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" for myself. Almost all my books end up as 4s, and the ones that don't are either 4.5 or 3.5. I think after a few months have passed, or at the end of the year, I would like to go through them all and decide which of the 4.5s merit a bump-up to 5, and how to sort out all those 4s. I have no problem with changing ratings later--sometimes a book has to sit with me for a while, and sometimes it helps to compare it with other books.

Hi Donna. Hope you have a great Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day, Donna!

Hope you had a nice Mother's Day Donna.

About my screen name: an ex-boyfriend some years back nicknamed me Smiler from the first day we met because apparently, I tend to have an easy, big and sincere smile on my face a lot of the time. So he said. I guess it depends who I'm speaking to! lol. He was British (still is I suppose) and with his accent it really sounded very cute. I'd never been given a nickname before and I kind of liked it, so I kept it even after we separated amiably. It sure is better than "Frowner", right? :-)

Thanks for the Mother's Day wishes Joanne, Anne, Pat, Katie, and Ilana. I'm glad it's over so I can quit waiting for the phone to ring. I'd much prefer my doorbell to be ringing!

>99 AnneDC:: Anne, my ratings are highly dependent on comparisons with other books I've read. I used to have a much simpler rating system when I merely listed the books I read and noted my favorites with a star. Those were the ones that I wanted to keep in my permanent library to either read again or pass down to my kids. Ah, the good ol' days.

>102 Smiler69:: What a cool nickname to have. I can see why you've kept it.

Good morning! I'm trying to catch up, but I keep getting behinder on the threads.

I'm so glad to see that you enjoyed The Killer Angels so much!

#58 I had a great time at the book sale, Donna -- and at dinner with friends afterward (one of whom is a librarian, so we shared some great book talk!) My haul is all listed over on my thread.

Hi Terri, thanks for keeping my thread alive. I saw your haul and was so impressed that you made a 5-hour round trip to go to a book sale. I know, you did some other things while you were gone, but, admit it, the books were the primary draw, right?

I have a few more Civil War books lined up for the next few months. I made the mistake of dipping into Confederates in the Attic. What a fun book! I have a few library books that are begging to be read first, but I look forward to getting back to Tony Horwitz and his adventures with those "living historians." Have you read that one?

Donna- I loved Confederates in the Attic. Horwitz has a really good style. He was amusing at times but there was also a nice edge. I really need to read more of his work.

Hi Mark, coincidentally, I read today that Horwitz is married to Geraldine Brooks. I've liked her books and plan to read her newest, Caleb's Crossing. There seem to be quite a few authors married to each other. I suppose another author would have more understanding about the artistic life than a layman...or woman.


"You untangle a knot with slow teasing, not sharp pulling."

Book No. 46: Dissolution by C. J. Sansom. 3.8 stars.

The dissolution of Roman Catholic monasteries was an integral part of reformation in 16th century England. One of the commissioners under Thomas Cromwell is murdered while carrying out the investigation of a remote monastery in southern England. Matthew Shardlake, put on the case by Cromwell, has to overcome the discomfort and superstition he encounters due to his misshapen body. He and his handsome young assistant, Mark Poer, discover the victim has been beheaded which brings back Shardlake's gruesome memories of the demise of Anne Boleyn.

I'm trying to write shorter reviews; the second (and final) paragraph can be found here.

Donna- Good review of Dissolution. I gave you, your 1st Thumb! I've been seeing this guy mentioned, many times lately. I'll have to check him out.
Yes, I knew Horwitz and Brooks were married. Interesting match. I'm also looking forward to Caleb's Crossing.

Sounds like a great book Donna, I'll have to add it to the WL and thumb your review. I never found any of your reviews very long Donna, so I wouldn't worry about that. I always set out to write short reviews, but then find that I haven't said all I want to say in just one short paragraph for most books I've read.

Back to Dissolution, I still have a lot of reading to do about the Tudors to get a better understanding of the times and the personalities at play, so do you think this book could be read prior to that, or is it better to wait until I've got more background?

Just thumbed your review of Dissolution. I hope to read that this month but the time seems to be slipping by and I still have three books to finish plus Matterhorn and The Lacuna to get to so I'm afraid it may have to wait. :(

Thanks for the thumbs, guys!

Mark, I can't believe I beat you to a crime book.

Ilana, I don't think you need much background for this book. I kind of wish I had read this before I read Wolf Hall so I would have had a clearer idea of what reforms were going on in the monasteries during this time.

Pat, I read the comments on your thread urging you to read The Lacuna. It was one of my favorites from last year. So glad that you are going to go for it. I didn't have a bit of trouble getting into it! Time is slipping by, isn't it? I picked up four more books at the library today!

Whew!! That's me skidding in here, trying to catch up with you Donna. Yes, I managed to pick up a copy of Dissolution from PBS a month or so ago; yes I've wanted to read it since Cushla was raving about the series way back sometime last year; yes I thought I could get to it this month for the Murder and Mayhem month AND TIOLI; and yes it's all looking like less and less of a probability. Gah!

I'll skip your review for now on the off chance that I do get to it sometime in that vague netherland......soon;-)

Hey, Donna! Enjoying your thread and reviews as always. Dissolution looks fantastic; I'm going to see if I can mooch a copy...

Um, what did I say about not getting more books? Whatever it was, either I was not in my right mind or I was just plain lying.

Hi Bonnie, for a non-mystery reader, I seem to have started quite a few series books in that genre. They're becoming more seductive than chocolate these days.

Good to see you, Gail. You'll get no disagreement from me about getting more books. I'm one of those book enablers who encourage others to acquire more books so my own habit doesn't look so out-of-control.

My goal was to read Dissolution this month for M&M May. However, the library seems to have other ideas. I put a request in on a copy I thought was available, but now they are saying I have to wait. Oh, well. Glad to know it's good...whenever I get to read it. :)

Glad you liked Dissolution too Donna. Now you have to read the next 4!

For anyone looking at the review page for the first time, the review below Donna's has a big spoiler, so if this bothers you, don't be tempted to keep on reading the other reviews!

Glad to know The Lacuna was one of your favorite reads last year, Donna. I should be starting it soon. Of course, I have 3 new books waiting to be picked up at the library today and yesterday I got Erik Larson's new book In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Berlin which Suzanne raved about.

Hi Donna!
I read Dissolution awhile back and loved it. I have no great background in the history of this time - and still found it a good read. Actually learned a thing or two - but IMO the murder mystery aspect of the book would have been good all by itself. Good review - belated thumb...

I posted a couple of new pictures on the KC meetup thread!

>115 BookAngel_a:: Dissolution will be worth the wait, Angela. And I'm sure you have plenty of books to read in the meantime. That doesn't seem to be a problem around here.

>116 cushlareads:: Cushla, how could I not read it with you and some others raving about this Shardlake guy. Now I know what all the fuss is about and will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

>117 phebj:: I'll be requesting the new Erik Larson book when our library gets it. I haven't been disappointed in his books yet. I remember Suzanne's comments on it and am looking forward to more good words from you.

>118 -Cee-:: Cee, you are one of those other 'raving readers' I mentioned in Post 118. Maybe historical mystery will be my new favorite genre!

>119 ronincats:: Thanks, Roni, I'll check them out. I read on Brenda's thread that your hubby had everything spic & span for your arrival home. You've obviously trained him well. Maybe you could make your trip to the midwest an annual thing.

I'm in favor of Roni making an annual spring excursion to Kansas (including compulsory LT meet-ups, of course). . what do you say, Roni?

I loved Confederates in the Attic! I think I read it my first year on LT -- one of many books I discovered because of LT posts!

I'm hoping to start Dissolution very soon...so I only skimmed your review. Glad to hear you liked it.

>121 brenpike:: On second thought, I wouldn't mind a book excursion to San Diego if Roni can't make it back here. Do you have your husband "trained" to hold down the fort, Brenda? Mine does pretty well now that he's discovered the dishwasher can hold so many cereal bowls!

>122 tymfos:: LT has certainly influenced my reading life, too, Terri. Confederates is on hold while I read my pile of library books.

>123 AnneDC:: I'm already looking forward to the second Shardlake book, Anne, but I'm going to try to pace myself.

Count me in as one of the Confederates in the Attic fans. I really enjoy Horwitz's books for the most part. I discovered Geraldine Brooks through him, rather than the other way around.

Donna - Just stopping by on your thread. I Shall Not Hate is already on my TBR list, but it is quickly moving to the top because I think it will be an excellent book to use in the class I will (probably) be teaching next year on recent history in the Middle East.

Donna, My husband is absolutely trained to hold down the fort . . . as a matter of fact, there are some chores he is way better at! and, I've never been to California . . . just saying!

Just passing through to say hello! Wait...is somebody training husbands here?? :)

>125 alcottacre:: Stasia, I'm eager to get back to Confederates, but for some reason, the library wants their books back so they have to come first.

>126 weejane:: Welcome, Brit. That should be an interesting class to teach (and take). I'm sure the daily newspapers will be your best source of recent happenings, although we only know a tiny piece of what is really happening there. I was glad to read a book from the Palestinian perspective. Good luck with the class.

>127 brenpike:: My husband has his strengths, too; unfortunately the kitchen is a low priority for him. California is a great state to visit. My son used to live in San Diego...and it quickly became one of my favorite cities.

>128 Copperskye:: Hi Joanne, my training is more for myself accepting those things which cannot be changed. ;-)

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Heavy rains last night decimated my peonies. I'm going to be doing some damage control (cutting off the droopies) in much more pleasant weather this morning. I owe a review for my latest book. I can't keep up with myself these days of reading shorter books!

#129: Darn these libraries!

"Blackwell was deep in Berkshire County, where the weather was mysterious and the people equally unpredictable..."

Book No. 47: The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman. 3.75 stars.

Blackwell, Massachusetts is a mystical place where these stories take place over a 250-year period. The motifs of bears, bees, and black flies flow as smoothly through these connected tales as do the eels in the local river. Apparitions and anomalies of nature abound so it is best to suspend realistic expectations while reading this book.

Anyone familiar with Alice Hoffman knows that magical things happen in her fairy tales for adults. As in most story collections, there are variable effects on the reader. For the most part, I fully engaged in this enchanted history of the descendants of a young Englishwoman who had the fortitutde to ensure survival of the small group of settlers so that there could be a town with its wonderfully woven stories.

>131 Donna828: I am very much looking forward to reading The Red Garden, Donna. I've read a few books by Hoffman and enjoyed them all. Plus, I grew up near the Berkshires and always love to read stories set in familiar landscapes. Nice review!

I really need to get to some Alice Hoffman books! *sigh* So many new authors, so little of me. . .

Haven't read anything by Alice Hoffman yet, but I am definitely intrigued... especially as I am passionate about well told animal tales. Is The Red Garden a good place to start? Short stories aren't my favourite format though, so suggestions for novels are definitely welcome too.

Sounds as if I liked The Red Garden a bit more than you did, Donna. Did you read Blackbird House? They are similarily structured. I was so happy that I liked it after being so disappointed by her (imho) dreadful The Story Sisters.

>132 katiekrug:: Katie, you are in for a treat if you want a nostalgic trip to the Berkshires. This is very much a book about place. I was intrigued by the eels in the river. Is this a common thing there?

>133 alcottacre:: Hi Stasia, I know what you mean about all the authors to read. Hoffman is a little too far on the fantasy side for me, but I liked this book pretty well. I guess I was in the mood for a little magical realism.

>134 Smiler69:: Ilana, I wouldn't exactly call this a book about animals because they were definitely in the background. The first story relied heavily on the bear theme, which kept popping up in later segments. These are stories, but they're so connected, the book reads more like a novel. It was interesting to see how the town evolved over time.

I'll be reading Wesley the Owl this week end. It's touted as 'Marley and Me with wings.' It came highly recommended by Linda (Whisper1) and several others on LT. I'll let you know how I like it in a few days.

>135 Copperskye:: Hi Joanne, 4 stars is my "Great" rating. I reserve 4.5 and 5 stars for those life-changing books that I want to have in my permanent collection to reread someday. Alice Hoffman is a little too fanciful for my tastes, although this one reminded me of why I used to read her books. I did read Blackbird House, but skipped some of her more recent offerings including The Story Sisters.

I continue to follow in your reading footsteps, Joanne. I have Mr. Chartwell on deck, and Howard's End is on the Landing is waiting for me at the library. Keep up the good reading!

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Company coming tonight which means housecleaning for me today. It's chilly here this morning (back to a hat and warm jacket on my morning walk) so it will be a good day to stay inside. But I'd rather be reading. ;-)

I really liked Wesley the Owl so I hope you do too, Donna!

I've actually never heard about eels in the rivers... *shudder*...

I haven't read Marley and Me, and for some reason, have been resisting that one. Maybe because the movie version (which I didn't watch) was with Jennifer Anniston? I have nothing against her really, but I just find she's not much of an actress and that most movies she's in aren't really my cup of tea. Except for the one with Clive Owen, but that was just because Clive Owen was in it. Anyway, that made me question whether MaM would appeal to me.

I just can't "do" sad, sad dog books. My dear black Lab, named Jack, is 12 years old and having health issues. Sigh. I also told DH that I will not watch dog movies (having "Marley and Me" particularly in mind), because the endings are predictably sad. Can't do it. Don't ask me. Did you ever watch (or read, for that matter) Old Yeller? No, no.

I read Wesley the Owl a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed it. What a touching relationship they had. Enjoy!

Waving hello. I lost your thread for a bit. You've been reading some good books.

I'll be waiting to see what you think of Mr Chartwell, Donna.

I'm afraid there's probably more cold and wet weather heading your way. You're more than welcome to it. :)

>137 alcottacre:: My own personal 'like-O-meter' says there is a 100% probability that I will love this Wesley the Owl. I'm pretty sure we have a nesting pair of Barred Owls in our yard. Exciting stuff!

>138 katiekrug:: Eels in the river may have been one of Hoffman's 'magical' techniques. It gave me the shudders, too.

>139 Smiler69:: Marley and Me...complete tearjerker. We saw it at the Christmas opening several years ago with my oldest son and his wife. Mike made the comment that he's never been in a movie with so many people sobbing around him. Btw, I wasn't one of them...I try to keep my emotions under control in public, but I was crying inside.

>140 labwriter:: Gentle hugs to Jack...and you, Becky. Our Lab Brandy lived to be 14. She survived a severe stroke at about age 11 and required lots of TLC in her last years. I try not to even think about Old Yeller -- movie or book. Too sad.

>141 AMQS:: Anne, am I the last person on LT to read about Wesley. I wish I had more time to devote to it today. We're going to a graduation party for my great-nephew this afternoon.

>142 nittnut:: Hi Jenn, always glad to have you stop by for a visit.

>143 Copperskye:: Mr. Chartwell is on tap for later in the week. The premise totally intrigues me. I actually prefer the cold, wet weather to that heat and humidity we had last week. I was tempted to turn on the AC - and it's too early for that.

ETA: I just noticed that my three CO people showed up in my last 3 posts. I hope we can get together this summer!

"He felt ill-equipped to return to the noisy playground of the world." (11)

Book No. 48: The Black Tower by P.D. James. 3.4 stars.

"Here the poor dears don't know whether they're in a nursing home, a commune, a hotel, a monastery or a particularly dotty lunatic asylum." (89) Thus begins Adam Dalgliesh's introduction to Toynton Grange, a small care facility in Dorset by the sea, where he has gone to visit Father Baddeley. He finds the good priest is dead and decides to stay on a few days both to convalesce after his own recent health scare and to find out why he was summoned by his old family friend.

The rest of my short review can be found here.

Don't mind me Donna. You may be over booked but I'm totally over posted. I cannot for the life of me keep up with threads. I had no LT time this weekend leaving me hopelessly behind and catching up not even a slight possibility. Anyway, I've never been an Alice Hoffman fan and haven't read anything by P.D. James although your review has me tempted so it may get added to the pile. Have a great day!

Oh cool! I'm so happy you are gonna read Wesley the Owl... love the toilet scene! and so many others....

Hi Bonnie, I'm having the same trouble keeping up. I'm not really what you'd call an Alice Hoffman fan, even though it looks like I've read a bunch of her books. I guess her style sort of intrigues me, and this last one came highly recommended. Sometimes I need a break from the heavy stuff and she fits in those 'in-between' times nicely.

P.D. James is an acquired taste. She writes beautifully but her mysteries aren't always that exciting. I read her more for the development of the characters and story rather than for some edge-of-your-seat excitement.

>147 -Cee-:: Claudia, I think Wesley and I are going to bond. I'll have more time to read beginning Wednesday so I'm going to finish up all these books I've started and begin anew.

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I had an interesting beginning to my day. I went to make coffee as usual, and discovered an influx of ants in the kitchen. There have been a few here and there recently ...those must have been the scouts... but this was a full-fledged invasion. I hate to use bug spray in the kitchen, but this was an emergency! I've been decontaminating the coffee pot for hours with a thorough vinegar cleaning. hot sudsy water, time in the morning sun, etc. I think I'm ready to brew a pot of coffee...hopefully there won't a protein surprise for me!

I almost sent my husband out for some delicious McDonald's coffee, but he offered to spray outside before going to work so that sounded like a better deal.

those must have been the scouts...

That is so funny, Donna. I sympathize with you as we have the return of the ants every April. They once were the small kind, another year the big guys, this year we've got both. Could be the rainy weather that's bringing every kind of ant into my living space making me want to spit nails :}

I'm so looking forward to reading Dissolution sometime in the near future. It sounds very intriguing.

Hi Lynda, you have my sympathy about the recurring ant problem. This is something new for us. I hope it's been nipped in the bud! I'm not freaky about insects...until they come into the house. I wonder if I can rent an anteater somewhere?

Dissolution was so good. I want to gobble up the series but am exercising restraint. I'll try to wait until June to read Dark Fire.

Donna, there is an orange oil product which kills ants but is safe to use in food preparation areas--it's called Orange Guard. www.orangeguard.com It's all I've used for a couple of years now.

Thanks, Roni. Orange Guard is available here in a store waaay across town, but it might be worth the trip. I'm going to try the Ace Hardware closer to us, as that is an alternate carrier. Does it smell like oranges? I think my ants are attracted to the smell of coffee. I couldn't find anything else that they were coming in for. I keep a clean kitchen! ;-)

It does have a citrus-y smell. I actually became aware of it because we had such a bad ant problem in the bungalows at one of my schools, and we couldn't use any of the regular bug sprays because of the children and health regs, but needed something effective. Actually, Windex works pretty well too, and white vinegar will eliminate their scent trails.

Ours come in for the water during dry spells, and to get out of the water during the rainy season.

Hi, Donna. I wanted to thank you for your recommendation of The Dress Lodger. That was the title I chose for my prize in April's Striking Cover Art contest. Can't wait to get started on it!

Sorry to hear about the ant invasion, we used to get quite a few visits when we lived in the city, but there don't appear to be as many ants by the beach which is good. It always seemed to get worse after a big rain as the critters don't like to get wet. My problem now is paper wasps and I can't decide which bug is worse.

ew, ants. I dislike bugs of any kind, really. Pennsylvania has been visited by a plague of stink bugs which find their way into our homes who knows how, and proceed to buzz around and die all over the place. I did have the pleasure of finding one in my coffee once, Donna, so I can relate. Blech.

Lost and found

beautiful, gorgeous! Outstanding pic!
eta

loved Wesley The Owl and Love Alice Hoffman!!

Stink bugs are satan

Horrid, horrid ant invasions. I have a vivid memory of awaking last year to dh saying, "Look at the ants. Look at the ants." When I staggered out, there was an enormous parade/invasion force working its way across my kitchen counters. I keep bait trays out in some hidden areas at all times now, and that seems to be working. We had a big problem in FL as well. Clean has nothing to do with it, I believe. Errrggg....

I find it hard to convince my husband that the bait is better than spraying the whole kitchen and smelling it for days and days. I can live with ants for a while until the bait gets back to their nest and everyone succumbs to the poison. While they are visiting I am persuaded to keep a cleaner kitchen so they have nothing good except the bait.

Oh, I have ants too. Tiny little ones. They come every spring, drive us insane, and then disappear. So far I don't have the parading ant swarm, just wandering solo ants, but it usually gets worse before getting better :(

#140 My sympathies to you and Jack too Becky. I didn't realize Marley and Me was a sad story, so now I'm doubly staying away from it.

Donna, I too have been having a recurring ant problem. Rather large ones at that. Only thing is, I find it almost impossible to kill bugs. Must be some kind of Buddhist thing that rubbed off on me as a child or something, but I just feel horrible about taking a life... even a bug's life. Kinda ridiculous, I know. My cats usually like to feast on the occasional critter that wanders by, but ants leave them completely indifferent.

Ants - when we were in graduate school at Cal, we put up our poor student Christmas tree, complete with cute little candy canes. We went home for a few days for Christmas and when we came back we had a full fledged ant tree. Just crawling. Still gives me the creepy crawlies.
We are big fans of the bait.

I'm loving the ant stories. Our last battle with the tiny critters centered around control of an opened bag of M&M candy. . . Obviously, we lost that one. I assume future generations of young ambitious ants will hear the history and make the pilgrimage to our kitchen cabinets! We are armed and ready . . .

>154 countrylife:: I hope you like The Dress Lodger, Cindy. Lots of dark atmosphere in that book. So glad you were a winner! That was a fun challenge and contest.

>155 KiwiNyx: - 162. Wow, I didn't realize that ants were such a universal problem. Thanks to Leonie, Laura (ugh, stink bug in the coffee), Kath (more stink bugs), Gail, Mamzel, Anne, Ilana, and Jenn for your visits and your empathy. Jenn, I can't even imagine how gross that must have been to have your Christmas tree covered in ants! I'm going to try the traps until I can get the Orange Guard that Roni recommended. There will be one more round of spraying before bed tonight. I don't want anymore early morning surprises!

I'm up late (for me) because of my great-nephew's high school graduation. All five high schools use the facilities at Missouri State and our "luck" of the draw was for the 9:00 p.m. ceremony. It was worth it, though, to see those 328 smiling faces!

Hi Brenda, I took too long composing my message and missed yours. I can see the M&Ms being a draw for ants, but a coffee pot? These must be some hard-up ants. I guess they take what they can get.

I'll say . . . : /

I'm currently battling the ants as well. I get the tiny ones, find them wandering around on my counters. I haven't been able to identify what they are after but they drive me crazy! I will have to find out if that OrangeGuard is available in Canada.

The ants are invading here too. At this rate, it will not be long until they take over the world! :)

Hi Donna!
Unless they eat mosquitos, the ants had better stay out of Maine! Or at least my house. We did have some carpenter ants - but got rid of those suckers! (I hope).

Years and years ago we had an ant infestation that my husband discovered when he went to take a bite out of a Fig Newton. (He still can't eat them:( Anyway, Malathion was legal at that time and he proceeded to spray all around the exterior of the house with it while we used the traps in the house. We haven't had an ant problem since and no one has died from the use of the now illegal (and unavailable) Malathion.

The ants are getting more talk here than my books. There were a few dead ones in the sink this morning, but that's about it. I think the word is out that this is a non-friendly environment for them. Stasia, has a valid point about them taking over the world.

I'm glad these are the teeny-tiny guys. Judy, mine started out as lone rangers until they banded together for yesterday's invasion. I've heard that those carpenter ants can do some serious damage. You can keep them in Maine, Claudia. I get that aversion to Fig Newtons, Bonnie. I wonder if Brenda still likes M&Ms?

I hope to finish Wesley the Owl today. He has stolen my heart, although I've pretty much decided that barn owls must be the most high-maintenance "pets" I've heard of. Feeding time for them is a total gross-out.

>170 brenzi:: I've never liked Fig Newtons but still, I'll never look at one the same way again !

Sorry to hear about your ant problem Donna. Also enjoyed your reviews of your latest murder mystery reads. I'm halfway through Dissolution and really enjoying it.

I actually really disliked The Black Tower when I read it. I love P. D. James' books but I didn't read them in order and The Black Tower was actually one of the latest books I read so perhaps I was just expecting too much. Anyway, I think the series definitely gets better as it progresses. A Taste for Death and Death in Holy Orders were my favourites I think. One of these days I will reread them in order...

Hi Donna!

I don't think I've had the pleasure of visiting your thread before! I kept seeing your name pop up in many of the threads that I visit so it was just a matter of time before I moseyed over here to check out what's going on. :)

Sorry to hear about the ant situation. I HATE ant infestations. I think I was traumatized by it as a youngster so even the thought of it gives me goosebumps. That and mice are enough to send me screaming in the other direction like a lunatic!

I agree with Stasia (about the ants taking over the world). We've got ants up here too but so far I haven't seen any in the house but they're getting pretty close. :(

ETA: Is your class over yet? And will you be taking anymore?

It would take more than a few ants to change my opinion of M&Ms, or Fig Newtons, for that matter!

>173 souloftherose:: Hi Heather, glad you are liking Dissolution. I am reading the P.D. James books in order for that very reason. They are supposed to get better as she progresses with the series. I was kind of "meh" about the first couple of them, but her quiet way of progressing the story is beginning to grow on me.

>174 jolerie:: Welcome, Valerie. It's good to see you here. No ants on this thread anymore. Did you say 'mice'? Eeeek! I'll take ants any day of the week, thank you very much. Mice squeak and poop and eat strange things.

>175 phebj:: Pat, *sob* my class ended last Tuesday. I'll most sign up for another class for the fall semester, depending on what is still open on the last day of registration. I had a great time in my twice-a-week book group - at least that's what it seemed like to me since I didn't have to write any of the assigned papers.

>176 brenpike:: I'm a big fan of M&Ms, too, Brenda. Knock on wood...I've seen very little ant activity today.

>164 Donna828: - It was gross, but the real challenge was how to get rid of it. Just where do you grab a tree that is covered in ants? Bleh.

Yikes, how did I get so far behind. 100 messages since I check last..

Happy Spring!

Ants! Yuck! We often have an invasion of ants in our bathroom. Makes my skin crawl just to think of it!

I am a huge fan of those ant traps.. Whenever I see more than one or two of the buggies, I stick one under the fridge and one on the porch, outside the kitchen door.. seems to do the trick.

>178 nittnut:: LOL, I hadn't even thought of that aspect of the situation. Christmas trees are tricky enough without becoming ant farms!

>179 Whisper1:: Linda, I think I'm probably that far behind on your thread as well. This is a busy place. Thanks for stopping in... I'll be over soon.

>180 Porua:: Hi Porua, more tricky ants. They're everywhere, they're everywhere!

>181 mckait:: I'm off to WallyWorld (Wal-Mart) today; ant traps are on the list.

"To that which you tame, you owe your life." (18)

Book No. 49: Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien. 4.2 stars.

Did you know that owls smell like maple syrup? That a barn owl consumes approximately 28,000 mice in its lifetime? That owls are the only birds that are completely soundless while in flight? These are just a few of the many things I learned about these magnificent animals.

Author Stacey O'Brien is a biologist who learned The Way of the Owl through trial and error. She learned that feeding an owl is expensive and messy. She found out the hard way that once owlets have imprinted with their "mother," they don't take kindly to strangers. Most importantly she learned that a relationship built on trust can be established and maintained between people and wild animals. This is a heartfelt love story of lifelong commitment. Wesley charmed Stacey when he was a 4-day-old bundle of fluff that would never be able to survive in the wild, and he continnued to captivate her for 19 years. He also stole my heart as I read about his antics and devotion to his best friend.

Good review, Donna. Glad you liked it. Wasn't it fun learning about owls? I thought so. :)

But wasn't Wallyworld a fun place? I'm not sure I would describe Walmart in those terms. Have a good time, anyway.

Did you read this because you have an owl in your yard or did the owl come into your yard because he saw you reading the book? Inquiring minds want to know Donna.

I am glad you enjoyed Wesley!

Great review, Donna. This sounds like a good read.

>184 -Cee-:: Thanks, Claudia. I knew owls were really cool and interesting birds, I just didn't realize how much fun it would be reading abou them.

>185 msf59:: Mark, have you ever looked around in Wal-Mart? It's a great composite of America. I think the fun part kicks in when one qualifies to shop in one of the electric carts. It was like a go-cart track in the store today.

>186 brenzi:: Lol, Bonnie. I just hope one of those owls doesn't become incapacitated because I don't have it in me to be an owl "mother."

>187 alcottacre:: It was a neat book, Stasia. Thanks to you, Claudia, and all the others who recommended it.

>188 phebj:: Thanks, Pat. I'll add my recommendation to the others. I'll add the caveat that it's a book about an animal, and we all know that these books can get emotional. Have a hankie handy if you decide to read it.

Have added Wesley the Owl to the WL over on the library's website. I already have an animal book lined up for June—The tiger : A True Story of Vengeance and Survival which is waiting for me at the library as we speak, but Wesley will be high on my priorities of animals to read all about. And yes, I ALWAYS have hankies at the ready with those books, for some reason, I'm more emotional about animals than just about everything else... which is saying a lot, believe me!

>190 Smiler69:: Animals really get to me, too, Ilana. I think it has to do with their unconditional love for their owners and their dependence on us. And with tigers in the wild, just their beauty and wildness is enough for me.

My recent book features a dog, but this isn't your typical dog story. He's a huge, slobbery figment of the imagination that takes on human characteristics when he decides on a victim. It's hard to feel sympathy for this particular animal.

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" 'I don't negotiate.' Black Pat held his gaze level, cutting into Churchill's tolerance."

Book No. 50: Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt. 3.8 stars.

Mr. Chartwell is a bully. He barges in where he isn't wanted and settles in with his rude, boorish ways. He selects his victims indiscriminantly. In this case, one is an eminent English politician and the other a timid librarian.

I liked this debut novel about a difficult topic that plagues many of us for unknown reasons. Ms. Hunt is not afraid to name the elephant in the room. Call it the Black Dog, Black Pat, or Depression, it can come unbidden and stay until its weight of possession becomes a familiar presence. The author takes a dark subject and brings some light to it with her fresh and quirky approach. I'm looking forward to what she'll tackle in her next book. I'll be reading it!

For me, when it comes to animals, I guess I have just always respected them as living creatures and have always thought them to be just as important as human beings. After all, we humans all too often forget that we're animals too. I don't really understand organized religion, but I do have my own spirituality and believe, much like the native indians, that animals can teach us a lot of important life lessons.

Mr. Chartwell sounds quite interesting. Think I'll add it to the WL.

I've had a long-held curiosity about Churchill that I've yet to satisfy, and this book sounds like I might enjoy it. I have wishlisted quite a few non-fiction books about Churchill that I plan to get to eventually. He's a fascinating character, because of his aristocratic background and political life, but also his private life as an artist, and of course his ongoing battles with depression through it all. I guess he was what we'd call a Renaissance Man nowadays.

eta: they have Mr. Chartwell at the library, yay! :-)

Hi Donna - I'm so glad you liked Mr Chartwell!!

Hi Donna- Good review of Mr. Chartwell. I remember Joanne enjoying this one, as well. I'll have to slap this one on the List!

Do it Mark!

Mr. Chartwell is already in the BlackHole. Nice review, Donna! I hope my local library gets a copy soon.

Great reviews, Donna! I'm glad you enjoyed Wesley the Owl. I enjoyed your review of Mr. Chartwell. I'll look for that one. Have a great weekend!

I think I'm going to have to try Mr. Chartwell...

Sorry to hear about your ant problem! We have them too and we don't know what to do about it. Almost all of the poisons are dangerous for my dog. I might have to set ant traps, up on the kitchen counters where Barkley can't reach.

Mr Chartwell has just moved up on my wishlist.

>192 Smiler69:: Ilana, you expressed my feelings about people and animals very well. I would also like to learn more about W. Churchill. I'd forgotten he was an artist until it was mentioned in the book.

>193 Copperskye:: It was your comments, Joanne, that lead me to this book. Thank you once again. Next up, another coppers rec...Howard's End is on the Landing.

>194 msf59:: I'll echo Joanne and tell you to read the book, Mark. I think it's quirky enough for you. ;-)

>196 alcottacre:: Stasia, your library needs a Friend's group like we have here. We raised another $100,00+ at the spring book sale. I can't help but think that's a big boost to their budget.

>197 AMQS:: Hey Anne, I hope you have a great week end, too.

>198 BookAngel_a:: Angela, I highly recommend the ant traps. It may be coincidence...or the magic of chemistry...but my ants are *knock on wood*....GONE!

>199 Deern:: Hi Nathalie, glad you stopped by. Mr. Chartwell was certainly a different take on depression. I'm glad I have a white dog!

Great reviews. I have Wesley the Owl in a pile around here somewhere. I'll have to find it.

Hi Jenn, we cross-posted. I've gotten behind on the threads once again. I think you and Wesley will bond nicely.

You are hard to keep up with, Donna!

I just added Mr. Charwell to my wishlist from someone else's thread, so I am glad you liked it too.

I am so excited--today Boden and parents begin their cross-country trip for their move here. They arrive Thursday, just in time for our 40th anniversary. What a gift!

Hi, Donna; just dropping by to say hello...and getting caught by your two good reviews: two more on the WL! Both Mr. Chartwell and Wesley the Owl sound fantastic.

>203 arubabookwoman:: That is wonderful news, Deborah. You must be so very excited! I'm happy for you. Boden is at such a fun age learning new things every day. Happy Anniversary!

>204 Matke:: Hi Gail, I'm having a good run of books lately. Of course, I only read good books...no time to read the less than worthy ones. ;-)

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

Now for my excitement. I was reading in the snuggery and kept hearing this soft screeching noise. I turned off the lamp I was using (it is dusk here) and looked up into a tree that is just outside the window and saw..........

THREE BABY OWLS!!! I couldn't believe it. I called to my husband and by the time he got upstairs there was only one baby on the branch. I had a hunch that we had a nesting pair. I'll be outside with my camera tomorrow for sure. That is one sight I won't forget for awhile.

Wow! Three baby owls. You're going to have to keep us updated on them Donna. And great review of Mr. Chartwell.

Oh, that sounds so exciting Donna! I'd love to see that with my own eyes, but since that's not likely, I sure hope you catch a good shot or two or the three owls together.

HOOT!!! (How could I resist...LOL) Three baby owls! How exciting!

I am excited about the baby owls too. Last year about this time, I started watching Molly and McGee - owls out in San Diego - the people who owned the land set up live video feeds of the owls so everyone could watch all the time. It was fascinating.

Oh that's fabulous, Donna! I hope you are lucky enough to get photos but even just watching and listening must be a delight.

Agree with #210...

3 baby owls! How cool is that. By chance, did you see this video, The Owl and the Cat?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqmba7npY8g&feature=youtu.be

Donna, hope you are watching the sky and ready to head for cover. That tornado that just hit Joplin is heading your way. Be careful!!!

>213 ronincats:: Thanks, Roni, I'm pretty comfy down in the basement. It got very windy and rainy, but the dangerous storms went south of us. It looks bad in Joplin, and I heard there were multiple fatalities.

>212 msf59:: Mark, I watched the video with the barn owl (another Wesley) and the cat. It looked like they were having fun together. "My" owls are quite a bit larger than that one and don't look as friendly. Thanks for the smiles.

Greetings to Bonnie, Ilana, Joanne, Stasia, Laura, and Kath. The owlets say hellooooo. I walked outside a few times with my camera handy but no luck with a picture. The babies seem to come out in the late afternoon. Maybe for hunting lessons? I heard them coo-whooing after the storm went through. I was worried that they would be blown off their perches with the strong winds.

Scary Donna, Glad you were well out of harm's way. I noticed Roni's post earlier and admit that the first thing I thought of was your owl family...

#215 Same here. Glad everyone, including the owls, is doing fine.

Hi Donna, I came to your thread to check on you -- couldn't remember if you live din Joplin or not. So glad to hear you're okay! And so jealous -- BABY OWLS???!!?? Wow. Hope you're able to get photos. Hope your little ones don't get blown away.

Donna, we've been watching the news and have seen pictures of the damage in Joplin from the tornado that went through there earlier today. They're reporting on the news here that the hospital was hit and at least 2 dozen people were killed. I'm glad to hear that you didn't hit Springfield, but instead it seems to be headed across the state along the Arkansas border. Do we know yet whether the bookstore is in the damaged area?

Wow, was going to speak about how cool it is to find baby owls out the window but now I want to make sure you're okay in your stormy corner of the world. (Still looking forward to baby owl photos if they arrive though..)

Same question from me, I just saw the pictures on the news. I hope you (and everyone) are allright?

Donna, just saw the devastating remains of the Joplin area. First thought was to check here to see if you and your family are alright.

Glad it missed you, Donna. This has really been a "duck and cover" tornado season around here. I feel so badly for those people in Joplin. I've been through tornado season in Nebraska while working in a hospital, and it ain't fun to have to try to evacuate people to a safe area. I really feel for them all, and I'm very glad you're safe.

Donna, I'm glad to hear you're OK. I heard about the damage in Joplin on NPR this morning, and while I knew you lived in Springfield I also had a vague memory of Joplin being mentioned before ... must have been a meetup. Are there other 75ers from the area? It sounds pretty bad.

It's very bad--89 reported dead from Joplin this morning. The pics look like an atomic bomb hit the city. The tornado hit the center of town.

Joanne, Ilana, Anne, Sandy, Leonie, Nathalie, Lynda, Becky, and Laura....thanks for thinking of me. We live about 60 miles from Joplin and the worst storms went south and east of us. We had a few branches down but the owlets seem to be fine. One woke me up before 6:00 a.m. this morning. They like to perch in the trees close to the house and I had a window open last night.

Here is the aftermath of our part of the storm. I wish the people in Joplin had gotten off this easy. My heart goes out to them. Still waiting to get word on my SIL who lives there.

Hi Donna -
Yikes! Wild weather this year... beautiful pic above!
So glad you are safe. Poor Joplin. So many casualities :(

I'm so glad the storm missed you Donna. It looks like it was a terrible one with so many casualities. I hope you SIL comes out of it OK.

Glad you are well. I hope all is well with your family.

Donna, it's good to hear you and the owls are OK. I hope you get good news about your SIL soon.

That's a beautiful picture of the double rainbow. I've never seen that before.

Terrible weather this year, I hope that your SIL is safe and sound

Oh, I didn't realize you had family there Donna. I will keep you in my thoughts today and hope everyone is all right.

I am glad to hear that you are safe!

I'm relieved to hear that you are safe and hope that your SIL is too. My heart goes out to everyone whose lives were changed by this round of storms.

Glad to hear you're safe Donna and hope you get (good) news about your SIL soon.

Claudia, Bonnie, Jenn, Pat, Kath, Laura, Stasia, other-Laura, and Heather....thank you so much for your good wishes. Right now I am getting fed up with Mother Nature. It's bad enough that there was devastation in Joplin, now they have to deal with severe thunderstorms during the aftermath. Enough already! My husband is trying to find out about his SIL. No word yet.

It looks like it may rain all day here. I might as well buck up and write the review of my latest book while I'm waiting for word that may not come today. I figure that no news is probably good news....but that doesn't help the many people that are receiving bad news about their friends and family members in Joplin who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Please keep up posted about your SIL, Donna, as you can. I hope you hear some good news soon!

Thanks, Stasia, I'll be sure to let you know. I'll be gone most of the afternoon as I have to tutor at 3:00 and then go dowtown to help feed the homeless teens...in the rain.

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

I want to be sure and thank Brenda (Brenpike) for her recommendation of my most recent book. My review can just touch on some of the major happenings in this wonderful biography. Unfortunately, this is not my favorite genre because of the 3rd person 'reporter' style of writing, but I still recommend it highly.


"I consider you my best living friend." (Mary Todd Lincoln referring to Lizzy Keckly)

Book No. 51: Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly by Jennifer Fleischner. 3.9 stars.

Two babies were born in 1818 not far from each other but under very different circumstances. Mary Todd was a member of the southern aristocracy in Lexington, KY, while Elizabeth (Lizzy) Hobbs was born into slavery near Petersburg, VA. Despite their polar opposite social standings, they both could be considered victims of their times because they lacked the freedom to do what they wanted. The author goes into great detail about the contrasting backgrounds of the two women who didn't meet until the day before Abraham Lincoln's inauguration in 1861. It was at this point, well into the second half of the book, that the story launched for me.

The rest of my review is here.

Sadly Mother Nature seems to have it in for us this year. So many natural disasters all over North America. Glad that you are ok and my heart goes out to those who have suffered the brunt of this storm.

Glad to hear you are safe, Donna. I know you guys meet up in Joplin but I couldn't remember how far you are from there. What a tragedy, especially that hospital.

Donna, thumb from me on your latest review. Another book I would never had heard of if not for LT.

Hi Donna- I was thinking of you, through the day, hoping everything was alright with you and your family. Glad it passed you by but so sad for the unfortunate ones.
Love the rainbow photo! Nature is beautiful one moment and then....

Good news!!! Our sister-in-law is safe and sound. More good news...she lives in the same general part of Joplin where the Changing Hands bookstore is so maybe there'e a chance that they escaped damage. That's the place where we had last fall's meet-up and we were planning to go back there. I guess we'll see how quickly Joplin recuperates from this blow.

I'm exhausted from a busy day with lots of worry. I look forward to going to bed early tonight with a good book. And it's still raining...

>238 DeltaQueen50:: That's so true, Judy. This is shaping up to be a big weather year.

>239 lindapanzo:: Hi Linda, I'm about an hour and ten minutes away from Joplin. We lived there for two years in the 1970's; my youngest son was born at the hospital that didn't collapse.

>240 phebj:: Thank you, Pat. I wouldn't know about it either except Brenda told me about it in KC when we were talking about Civil War books.

>241 msf59:: Thanks for thinking of me, Mark. "And then..." is so right. I have so much more respect for tornadoes than I used to. I rarely got up in the middle of the night for sirens but I may be sleeping in the basement on stormy nights from now on!

So happy for your family, that everyone is safe.

Glad to hear that your SIL is safe, Donna. This morning, I spoke to a young woman I know whose family all lives in Joplin. She said it took 3 hours to make contact with them, but that they are all safe and sound, with their homes intact. The last I heard, the death toll is over 110 - in a town of 50,000. What a terrible tragedy for so many people. And now they're getting more storms. The worst part is that this wasn't the only one. Our news ran for an hour last night because, in addition to Joplin, there were 2 other big tornado systems that were active in our area over the weekend. None as deadly as Joplin, but lots of homes destroyed and families disrupted.

Glad to hear of your family's safety, Donna!
What a horrible, devastating blow to Joplin... and it's not over for them with the folowup bad weather.
It's so hard to imagine the shock and tragedy of the residents. :(

I'm so glad your SIL is OK Donna. Hope you get a good night's rest.

What a relief, Donna. Sleep well ...

>243 cindysprocket:: Hi Cindy, and thanks for stopping by with those kind words.

>244 sjmccreary:: The big storms get all the news coverage, Sandy, but you are absolutely right. There were other storms and other lives were disrupted. I'm glad your people are safe, too. Yikes, more bad weather in the forecast for tomorrow.

>245 -Cee-:: I know what you mean, Claudia. I had to take a break from watching the news coverage. So much suffering.

>246 phebj: and 247: Hey there, Pat and Laura. Sleep is very much needed here. I hope the storms in the night don't give me nightmares. And I also hope those blasted sirens don't go off!

So glad that you and your family are safe!

Woot! Great news!!

Glad to hear the reports of loved ones being safe. The news reports are just so awful and I know the tv screen cannot depict the true horror of the situation.

All I could think about today as big thunder storms rolled through was where they were headed. I hope things settle down out east of here very soon.

So glad you and your family are okay and that the owls are unharmed! My heart goes out to the people of Joplin.

I'm so glad you're ok Donna. I saw the news this morning and thought you lived in Joplin, and have just found an internet computer at the airport to see if you're all right. Glad the owls are ok too!

Good morning Brit, Stasia, Joanne, Jenn, Porua, and Cushla.... The sun is shining here and in Joplin this morning. They plan to have all areas searched by early afternoon before the next round of thunderstorms rolls in. I got a good night's sleep but am still sad for all the destruction and lives lost in Joplin.

>254 cushlareads:: Your "extra" concern is so sweet, Cushla. I loved seeing you in the pics at the London meetup. I feel like I know my European friends better now. I'm glad everyone had a good time.

I see it's new thread time. I was hoping to get to the end of the month. Oh well, I'll think about it. Have a great day, everyone, and thanks again for the concern for this part of the country.

So glad to hear everyone is safe and sound Donna. I feel like I was out of the loop last night because I had a meeting that ran quite late. Oh well not much longer for that to happen :)

I'll do better with your new thread, Donna. Promise! (One made more to myself than to you.) DH is currently reading Confederates in the Attic. "How is it?" I ask. "Up and down but mostly good." Wonder what that means!
I checked with Stasia yesterday to be sure that you were all right. Looks like the same area is set for more bad storms. Stay battened down!

The tornado in Joplin is horrific, and the ones yesterday in OK looked pretty bad as well, but I'm glad your SIL is ok.

Glad to hear everyone is safe around you. We don't get tornadoes here (but plenty of violent storms) and they seem terrifying. I'd be sleeping in the basement too if I were you!

>256 brenzi:: Good luck with staying 'in the loop', Bonnie. I haven't been able to manage that, but not for lack of trying.

>257 LizzieD:: I finished Confederates in the Attic, Peggy. I'd agree with your husband, although I'd turn around his critique like this -- "Mostly good with a few ups and downs."

We have some suspicious looking clouds building as it heats up here. Getting ready to batten down once again!

>258 arubabookwoman:: Thanks, Deborah. When I look at the pictures of Joplin, my little worries are put into perspective.

>259 Smiler69:: I've got the air mattress blown up and ready to go, Ilana. Hubby can have the lumpy sofa. ;-)

New thread day...

Setting up summer camp over here.

Come see the pretty flowers!

Glad to hear that everything is okay Donna!

Thanks, Valerie.

The new thread is up and ready for company.

Uh oh! The link is wrong, Donna dear. Here it is, for anyone looking for it.

Thanks, Stephen, I'm one step behind you! I think I fixed the link in Msg. 261. That makes three links directing you to my new thread. No excuses.

P.S. Quit messing with me, Stephen. You deleted one of the links! My work is done here.