Karen O. (klobrien2) Reading Heaven in 2011, Thread 2

Welcome to my second thread for 2011! I incorporate a lot of images, so I wanted to make this move before the thread got even more bulky.

Here's one of my favorite images to start us off:



Look at the guy on the far right, biting his shield because he's so worried! I got this picture from Archeology magazine.

This will be my third year participating in the 75 Books Challenge. In 2009, I read 94 books; in 2010, I made it to 148!); and who know what I'll read in 2011! I'm aiming for 150.

I'm also learning from the past, and I don't think I'll set any specific goals as to which books I will read--I have more fun just taking it as it comes. I am, however, trying to accomplish reads for the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" project, so that may guide my reading a little. What directs my reading more are my friends here on LT, so keep those recommendations coming!

Here's a ticker to keep track of my 2011 reads:



I am trying to read more books from "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die." Here's a ticker to keep track of my progress there:




Here's where I'll list the books I read, starting with number 56:

115. The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White - 200
114. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman - 196
113. The Wind's Twelve Quarters by Ursula K. LeGuin (ILL) - 195
112. Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing by Elmore Leonard (ILL) - 193
111. Bossypants by Tina Fey - 192
110. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - 187
109. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming - 186
108. All Mortal Flesh by Julia Spencer-Fleming - 184
107. Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart - 179
106. Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith - 176
105. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin - 173
104. Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan (ILL) (Book 147 of 1001) - 172
103. Stylized: A Slightly Obsessive History of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style by Mark Garvey (ILL) - 171
102. Among Others by Jo Walton - 166
101. Soul Clothes by Regina D. Jemison (LT ER) - 158
100. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachan - 154
99. The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse - 153
98. Moab is My Washpot by Stephen Fry (ILL) - 146
97. To Darkness and to Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming - 145
96. State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy - 144
95. Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler (Book 146 of 1001) - 140
94. Julia's Kitchen Wisdom by Julia Child - 138
93. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat - 137
92. Serenity: Better Days by Joss Whedon - 135
91. The Stranger by Albert Camus (Book 145 of 1001) - 126
90. Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale by Joss and Zack Whedon - 124
89. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett (Book 144 of 1001) - 121
88. Bertie Wooster Sees It Through by P.G. Wodehouse - 118
87. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott (ILL) - 115
86. The Walking Dead, Vol. 13: Too Far Gone - 114
85. The Walking Dead, Vol. 12: Life Among Them - 114
84. The Rabbi's Cat (Volumes 1-3) by Joann Sfar - 108
83. Heart Beat: My Life with Jack and Neal by Carolyn Cassady (ILL) - 96
82. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo - 96
81. That Leviathan, Whom Thou Hast Made by Eric James Stone - 95
80. The Moon Over Lake Elmo by Steve Thayer - 94
79. The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith - 90
78. China: Land of Dragons and Emperors by Adeline Yen Mah (ILL) - 89
77. The Code of the Woosters by P. G. Wodehouse - 81
76. Israel for Beginners: A Field Guide for Encountering the Israelis in Their Natural Habitat by Angelo Colorni (LT ER) - 73
75. Where Angels Fear to Tread by E. M. Forster (Book 143 of 1001) - 69
74. Out of the Deep I Cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming - 69
73. The Walking Dead Volume 11: Fear the Hunters - 67
72. The Walking Dead Volume 10: What We Become - 63
71. On the Road: The Original Scroll by Jack Kerouac - 60
70. On the Road by Jack Kerouac (Book 142 of 1001) - 60
69. Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers - 58
68. The Walking Dead Volume 9: Here We Remain by Robert Kirkman - 52
67. Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien - 51
66. The Walking Dead Volume 8: Made to Suffer by Robert Kirkman - 47
65. The Walking Dead Volume 7: The Calm Before by Robert Kirkman - 47
64. Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd (Book 141 of 1001)(ILL) - 43
63. Radioactive: Pierre and Marie Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss (ILL) - 34
62. The Walking Dead Volume 6: This Sorrowful Life by Robert Kirkman - 32
61. The Walking Dead Volume 5: The Best Defense by Robert Kirkman - 32
60. Return of Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse (ILL) - 27
59. Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman - 22
58. Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman - 18
57. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter - 17
56. A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming - post number 3

In my first thread (http://www.librarything.com/topic/105184), I reported on my reading of these books:

55. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis by Georgio Bassani (book 140 of 1001)(ILL) - 196
54. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris - 190
53. Spring Flowers, Spring Frost by Ismail Kadare (Book 139 of 1001) - 188
52. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - 183
51. Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg (ILL) - 178
50. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming - 175
49. Rashomon and Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (Book 138 of 1001) (ILL) - 174
48. Angelology by Danielle Trussoni - 167
47. Jeeves and the Tie That Binds by P.G. Wodehouse - 162
46. Incognegro:A Graphic Mystery by Mat Johnson - 159
45. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson - 157
44. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 153
43. The Willows and Beyond by William Horwood - 149
42. Playing with Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book by Jason Thompson - 147
41. The Arm of the Starfish by Madeleine L'Engle - 146
40. The Walking Dead, Vol. 4: The Heart's Desire - 146
39. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Book 137 of 1001) - 139
38. True Grit by Charles Portis - 134
37. Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates (Book 136 of 1001) - 129
36. Cruel Shoes by Steve Martin - 128
35. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - 128
34. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - 125
33. The Walking Dead, Vol. 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman - 125
32. The Walking Dead, Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman - 125
31. The Gallery of Regrettable Food by James Lileks - 119
30. Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling - 119
29. Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess by Matthew Paul Turner (ILL) - 113
28. Toad Triumphant by William Horwood (ILL)- 113
27. The Walking Dead, Vol 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman - 111
26. The Strange Case of the Broad Street Pump: John Snow and the Mystery of Cholera by Sandra Hempel (ILL) - 109
25. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle - 104
24. The Sisters of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Discovered the Hidden Gospels by Janet Soskice (ILL) - 98
23. Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe - 90
22. These Three Remain: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan - 88
21. Passing by Nella Larsen - 82 (Book 135 of 1001)
20. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood - 77
19. Tik-Tok of Oz by L.Frank Baum (book 8 of 14) - 71
18. Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse - 71
17. Persepolis II: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi - 62
16. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi - 62
15. The Lottery: A Novel by Patricia Wood - 58
14. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - 58 (Book 134 of 1001)
13. Ravel by Jean Echenoz - 55
12. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes - 54
11. All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West - 49
10. Johannes Vermeer by Arthur Wheelock - 46
9. Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics by J.R.R. Tolkien (ILL) - 45
8. Duty and Desire: A Novel of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan - 43
7. Beowulf tr. Seamus Heaney - 40
6. Out of the Blue: A History of Lightning, Science, Superstition, and Amazing Stories of Survival by John S. Friedman (ILL) - 35
5. Body Work: A V.I. Warshawski Novel by Sara Paretsky - 35
4. The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum (book 7 of 14) - 32
3. The Mythology of Middle Earth by Ruth S. Noel - 25
2. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey - 17
1. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger - in post 15

56. A Fountain Filled with Blood by Julia Spencer-Fleming

This is the second in the series of the Revered Clare Fergussen mysteries. I LOVE these books! I'm so glad that there are more of them (I've got the next one requested at my library).

The relationship between the Reverend Clare and the police chief of Miller's Kill (where the books are set) is delicious. The books are thrilling, there is usually a theme of social justice (I've only read the two books, but in scanning the reviews of the succeeding books, there is a trend), and lots of humor and wit. Clare's religious bent is treated with intelligence and respect. Police chief Russ Van Alstyne is such a good counterpart to Reverend Clare; he is married, mostly unhappily, but these two were meant for each other. They both respect their vows and remain just friends (but in book 3?)

This is one of my favorite selections from the book:

She had known several priests and seminarians who liked to use the early-morning hours for private prayer and contemplation. She got the same results from running. Rain or shine, hot or cold, at some point during her five-mile run, the worries and questions that swarmed around her head like blackflies always blew away and she could feel that simple, bell-clear connection to the world around her, the weather, the working of her body. Being in the moment, that was being with God. One of her seminarian friends told her she should have been a Buddhist. One of her army buddies had pointed out that her spiritual experience was more likely the result of endorphins kicking in that opening a channel to the divine. Clare didn't care. She would take whatever peach and certainty she could get. And run with it.

I would highly recommend this series to any mystery buffs. Or for that matter, to anyone who wants to read a book that they just won't want to put down.

*waves hello*

Hi Karen,

I used to track down the 1001 books too in 2008, but then they started coming up with subsequent versions and I kind of dropped the list. Which version are you following?

Hi, Piyush!

I'm sticking with the one published in 2006 in America, since that's the book I started with. I also keep track of the books I've read on a couple of great spreadsheets by "Arukiyomi"--both the 2006 and the 2008 lists.

*Waves* Hi Karen. What ~are~ those things in the picture? At first glance I thougth they were wood carvings, but they look waxy (and I know nothing about wood carvings.) Regardless, they're pretty neat looking. :)

They're made of walrus-tusk. Here's the description from the picture (which is really difficult to read):

Some of the walrus-tusk chess pieces found on the Scottish isle of Lewis. Each piece has a unique personality, from the battle-mad rook biting his shield to the diminutive queen seemingly deep in worry. By the 11th or 12th century, when the pieces were carved, chess was well on its way to becoming the dominant board game in Europe. But old habits die hard: the king is likely inspired by the Viking game tafl, in which a seated king-piece probably represented Thor, the Norse God of Thunder.

Whatever, they just crack me up!

Oooh, chess pieces, that makes sense! That's really cool! I suck at chess, but it'd be a lot more fun to play with pieces like that. :D

Yes, it would! hehe

I'd love to see the rest of the pieces. They're in a museum someplace.

Here they are!
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_mla/t/the_l...

Wouldn't you know that the British Museum would have most of them!

Aw, I wish I could watch the video, but I have this blasted dial-up internet...

I've been quietly enjoying following your reading, Karen. Looking forward to continuing along with you.

delurking to express my WOW at the cool chess figures....quite impressive.

I love the chess pieces, one day I will have a designated sunny corner, two comfy chairs and a table permanently set up with a chess game. Now those pieces would be perfect..

Hi Karen! I'm in awe of how many books you've managed to read so far this year. Oh, and the little guys in message 1 make me laugh... :)

Hi, everyone! Thanks for stopping by and delurking! I'm having a great reading year, and it doesn't show any sign of slowing down.

My library system has just installed Overdrive technology for book downloads. I just used it to download The Land of Painted Caves and Port Mortuary. I'm way down the list to get those books in paper format, but I'll get to read them right away on my computer. Sweet! Or, as Stasia would say, cool beans!

57. Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

Another classic for my second-childhood reading. This book is as warm and comforting as you'll ever read. It was recommended in a LT ER book I received, 365 Thank yous by John Kralik. He came across it and read it, almost accidentally, and was impressed by the strong personal philosophy of gratitude and "glad" thinking.

I really enjoyed the reading, and I'm going to try to make a case for including this in the TIOLI "Alternative Motherhood" challenge, because Pollyanna come to live with her Aunt Polly after being orphaned. It is a children's book, but there are some serious themes, and it truly asks "what is a parent?" and "what is a family?"

A very sweet book!

58. Maus: A Survivor's Tale: Vol. 1: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

I've had the two volumes of this graphic novel masterpiece for a number of years, but haven't read them until now. They are difficult to read--the horrors of the Holocaust are emotionally draining to read about. The graphic nature of the book, as well as the artist's skill makes the horrors come alive.

The writing is top-notch; I love the rhythms and phrasings, especially of the father. I love the way the timeline switches back and forth from the past to the present. I so admire Spiegelman's courage in creating the books, and dealing with the "ghosts" from his father's past, and his own past.

I'm already into Vol. 2; this month's TIOLI "Graphic Novel" challenge calls for reading the complete Maus set.

17/18: What two totally different books you read! I agree that both are excellent reads for two very different reasons. Pollyanna is very sweet and I forgot that Kralik referenced it in his book. Maus is well done, but hard to think about what all those people went through.

Have a great weekend!

Hi Karen. I also love the picture of the chess figures. Being in the fortunate position of living near the British Museum (sorry) I will make sure I look out for them next time I'm in London.

#18 I'm hoping to read Maus for this month's TIOLI challenge too although I'm going to make sure I have something lighter to read as well.

#18: I loved both Maus and Maus II, Karen. I am glad to see that you enjoyed the former and hope you do so with the latter too!

Hi, souloftherose and Stasia! Maus has definitely been worth the read! But I think the idea of having something lighter to switch over to is a good one! Thanks to you both for stopping by!



59. Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Speigelman

These two graphic novels are truly heartbreaking. Spiegelman used such inventive means to write his story and, as a result, he conveys so much. The books will stay in my mind and heart for a long time, I'm sure.

I am glad to see that you enjoyed the second Maus book as much as you did the first, Karen.

Well I went off to order the maus'es from the library and ended up ordering about 8 Speigelman books in total. He does look like a very accomplished author/artist so I'm looking forward to that wee haul.

Just chiming in to say that I also love those chess pieces. :)

Hi, Stasia, KiwiNyx, and billiejean!

Kiwi, thanks for the "heads up" on Spiegelman--I'll have to look for more from him.

Billiejean, those chess pieces (well, the British Museum in general) is yet another reason to visit GB, right?

Thanks to you all for stopping by! Good reading to you!

60. Return of Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse

Another lovely Wodehouse read. This one was recommended by fellow fan Cynara, and it was a good one. This one is Wooster-less, but Jeeves has found new funny characters to interact with. Return of Jeeves is a light, romantic comedy, almost farce in nature, but always good-hearted. It would be a great film!

The dialogue in Wodehouse books is always poppity-pop-pop...Here's a sample (one of my favorites from this book).

Mrs. Spottsworth is explaining her spiritual philosophy to fellow houseguests.

Mrs. Spottsworth shook her head with an indulgent smile.

"No, no, I didn't mean that I had been here in my present corporeal envelope. I meant in a previous incarnation. I'm a Rotationist, you know."

Rory nodded intelligently.

"Ah, yes. Elks, Shriners, and all that. I've seen pictures of them, in funny hats."

"No, no, you are thinking of Rotarians. I am a Rotationist, which is quite different. We believe that we are reborn as one of our ancestors every ninth generation."

"Ninth?" said Monica, and began to count on her fingers.

"The mystic ninth house. Of course you've read the Zend Avesta of Zoroaster, Sir Roderick?"

"I'm afraid not. Is it good?"

"Essential, I would say."

"I'll put it on my library list," said Rory. "By Agatha Christie, isn't it?"

#27 You have done it! I need to read a Wodehouse now, can't resist any more!

27- Lol...

The dialogue in Wodehouse books is always poppity-pop-pop.

Ha ha, this made me laugh. I too need to read a Wodehouse book.

But, mihess, you saw what I meant? It's that real quick, witty, don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-something kind of dialogue. I love it!

Piyush, I'm glad you're going to give Wodehouse a shot. I just read an article about Wodehouse, and the author of the article recommended Joy in the Morning by P. G. Wodehouse--it was his favorite.

I haven't read one that I haven't liked, yet. But he really seems to be a matter of personal taste. Some people (can you believe it?) don't care for Wodehouse at all.

61. The Walking Dead Volume 5: The Best Defense by Robert Kirkman

62. The Walking Dead Volume 6: This Sorrowful Life by Robert Kirkman

This series of graphic novels is very entertaining, but very graphic, indeed. The living folks in the series (with exceptions) continue to get out of scrape after scrape. Not for the squeamish or sensitive.

I wish my local library had those graphic novels. I would like to give them a try.

63. Radioactive: Pierre and Marie Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss

What an amazing book! I gave this one a five-star rating, with no hesitation.

In my eyes, this book is unique; it's something different from anything else I've seen.

I can call it "graphic novel" but it is more-- a work of art; beautiful cyanotype prints, gorgeous colors to make your eyes water at their beauty, even an artist-designed typeface to suit the narrative of the book.

The narrative, itself, is so many things--history, biography, science, love story. It is the story of the beginning of the nuclear age, and of some people who were there at the birth. It is also the story of the relationship of Marie and Pierre Curie, and their lives before and after their time together.

Malcolm Gladwell calls the book, "sheer imaginative genius," and I concur. I've never seen anything like this, and I think I'll have to get my own copy (I read an ILL copy). I'd very highly recommend this book to anyone.

33:Stasia, oh that's awful (that your library doesn't have them). My tale of woe is that a patron had #5 and wouldn't bring it back! The nerve! He racked up a bit of a fine on it, that's my consolation.

There is a compendium of the first 8 volumes which is kind of interesting, but it is fun to read them as they were published (one at a time).

Any chance of ILL-ing the series? I think I remember that your library's ILL is really slow, right? Poor Stasia. Are graphic novels available electronically?

Thanks for stopping by! I'm always thrilled to see you visit!

33: Me too. :( My library's website says they have the first issue, but...I've never seen it.

Radioactive sounds terrific, Karen. I wish my library had that one too!

I feel so lucky in my library situation--and I send my sympathy to you both, Stasia and Stephen!

Karen

I love the chess pieces and the link re. the circumstances under which they were found. Thanks for posting this.

Regarding your book #63, everyone seems to be raving about this one!

38: I know! I thought it sounded interesting, and it was on TIOLI, so I thought I'd give it a try. Wow! It just blew me away.

Thanks for stopping by!

Adding Radioactive to the BlackHole.

Unfortunately, my local library just does not carry a lot of graphic novels so in order to get my hands on them I have to buy them. Since I have a book buying ban going this year, I will not be getting to them any time soon!

I know I've read a great review when I go straight to the library website and request the book. Good review, thanks for the heads up, and I'm looking forward to reading Radioactive: Pierre and Marie Curie.

I hope you both love Radioactive as much as I did (when you get a chance to read it)!

64. Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd

This book is both a kind of historical fiction and detective novel. There are two temporal settings, in 18th century London, and in late 20th century London, but that's the thing about this novel--time shifts, and identity changes; every other chapter (the 18th century) is written in an archaic English vocabulary and style; these chapters are interspersed with chapters of modern English and modern events. History is continually repeating itself, though it might be just a little different.

Nicholas Dyer is an architect who has been an apprentice to Sir Christopher Wren, and whose special assignment is to build several churches in London. He has a pagan agenda in their building and there is a terrible sacrifice required for each of the churches.

Meanwhile (and time is not linear in this book), Nicholas Hawksmoor, a police detective, searches for the killer of several children and transients in modern times.

I found most interesting the concept of time: the author uses shifting tenses, phrases ("all in good time," "what time is it now?", "time will tell"), and interweaves the two temporal settings so that one is never completely certain when one is, if you can see what I mean.

This makes the reading a little disconcerting, and it isn't a light read, but it's well worth the effort. The history of the 18th century and of the building of the churches is fascinating. The writing is superb and imaginative.

Bits of songs and poems appear frequently: here's one of my favorites (and its theme, Time):

Tho' the Years sail away on a Wherry,
Be merry, my friends, be merry.
And tho' Time may spill from the Cup,
Drink it up, my friends, drink it up.

#43: Well, rats. No luck at the local library with that one!

Looks good, I quite enjoy dual timelines in stories, especially if London is involved. Thanks for the heads up.

44: Stasia, you need a better local library! Sorry, there's not a lot one can do about that, is there?!

45: Kiwi, "time" in Hawksmoor is really messed up, but if you like that kind of "time travel" stuff, I'm sure you'd like this book. And the sense of place (London in the 18th c.) is very cool. I have this urge to research these old churches and other places. The book is almost like a travel book in that way.

Good to chat with you both!

Okay, so I'm halfway through On the Road and needed a break from it (OMG, mindless, much?) so I read the next two volumes of...The Walking Dead (eek!)



65. The Walking Dead, Vol. 7: The Calm Before by Robert Kirkman



66. The Walking Dead, Vol. 8: Made to Suffer by Robert Kirkman

Oh, man! Things keep going from bad to worse for the survivors of the zombie apocalypse. The creators have kept the story inventive and compelling. The drawing is still pretty great, although very gruesome (again, I am always thankful that this series is drawn in black/white).

There are 13 volumes of The Walking Dead; I have the next two in at the library, and have requested the last three. Maybe I will finish them all by the end of the month, and I'm putting them all in the TIOLI graphic novel challenge--haha!

I am so totally hooked on The Walking Dead series, I just keep ordering the next two from the library. I could very well finish all thirteen by the end of the month. I think black and white was a very good idea, if they were in color they would be quite garish - all that red blood or maybe zombie blood is green??

I have to say that as interesting as you’re all making the Walking Dead series sound, I’m just not all that interested in Zombies – no matter what color their blood is.

However, I noticed, Karen, that you had Hawksmoor down for TIOLI Challenge #6 and since Ackroyd is at my 1,1 spot, I think I’ll join you in reading it - especially since I enjoyed your review. I’ll start reading it tonight.

BTW, I am constantly thankful for the excellent library system to which my community belongs. There are thirty some libraries over four counties which share books – my library gets deliveries four days a week. Not every branch lets every book circulate (especially new books and paperbacks) but it’s a wonderful resource. I happily pay my library tax.

48: DeltaQueen50: Yay! That would be great, if you could get through the WDs (Walking Dead). I would love to be able to join MikeBriggs in reading the final one. It looks like I'll have to wait in line for the final two, so that might not happen for me. I'm so glad that you're enjoying them--I am, too!

49:Dejah_Thoris: I enjoyed reading Hawksmoor even if it was a little challenging. Lots of layers there! It would definitely be worth a reread or two. And it would be so great to have this be a shared read for TIOLI! I'll be very interested to hear what you think about the book.

I love my libraries here in Minnesota! My county system has seven branch libraries, but our library association (MELSA) joins up the seven-county metro area. Our MnLINK ILL system is the best! I've started keeping track of how many ILLs I get, and it's a good number. Hooray for public libraries!

Great to have you both here! Good reading to you!

67. Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien

I was a little leery of this book, but had read such good things about it on LT that I finally got around to reading it. I'm glad I did! The book is well-written, emotionally moving but not sappy, intelligent, and often hilarious to read. Very much recommended!

Here are a few of my favorites from the book:

Wesley had been my constant companion; my teacher, and my friend. I now made the decision to honor this little body with the huge soul, and to see him through it to the end. I had promises to keep. It was the one thing that I could still do. It's the Way of the Owl. You commit for life, you finish what you start, you give your unconditional love, and that is enough. I looked into the eyes of the owl, found the way of God there, and decided to live.

We outlive our animals. There's no way around this. So we choose whether or not to take the pain with the joy. I know people who have decided it's too hard and have given up living with animals. But to me there's no question that it's all worth it.

68. The Walking Dead Volume 9: Here We Remain by Robert Kirkman (touchstone not working)

I think the series is getting better with each installment; the tension is definitely building.

Oh, I don't like this new LT format! Touchstones aren't working, I'm having to add steps to get the post to where I want it. Grrr.

Oooh, I remember when Ellie read Wesley the Owl, it looks interesting!

Touchstones are supposed to be getting fixed with the new format.

#51: I am so glad you ended up liking Wesley the Owl!

>51 klobrien2:: Another one here that enjoyed Wesley the Owl. I like the quotes you chose from the book. Since I finished it a few weeks ago, our baby owls have fled the nest and now we have five owls flitting around our yard. I'm still trying to get a picture of the owlets, although they may be grown before I succeed!

Donna828, how cool! to have owls in your yard! I have a new appreciation for those critters after reading Wesley the Owl. I would really like to read more about owls--may have to go on a safari!

Stephen and Stasia, I remember reading posts about LTers reading Wesley the Owl, and I don't think I read any negatives. I was really impressed by the book, and I hope the author writes more books!

Thanks for stopping by, you all (I'm from the North)!

69. Whose Body by Dorothy L. Sayers

Tasty little mystery! I'm so glad that others were reading it for the TIOLI Same-letter-in-all-title-words challenge. I haven't read Dorothy L. Sayers before, but I'm sure I'll be looking for more of her books.

The book started slowly for me; Lord Peter Wimsey is eccentric, very intelligent, funny, but can be a little hard to take. I grew to really like his character and really, all the characters in the book. I adore his mother. She gets talking, and she can't be stopped--just hilarious:

"So handsome, I always think," whispered the Duchess to Mr. Parker; "just exactly like William Morris, with that bush of hair and beard and those exciting eyes looking out of it--so splendid, these dear men always devoted to something or other--not but what I think socialism is a mistake--of course it works with all those nice people, so good and happy in art linen and the weather always perfect--Morris, I mean, you know--but so difficult in real life. Science is different--I'm sure if I had nerves I should go to Sir Julian just to look at him--eyes like that give one something to think about, and that's what most of these people want, only I never had any--nerves, I mean. Don't you think so?"

Another character describes Lord Peter and his style of communication:

The friend (Peter) was embarrassing; he was a lord, to begin with, and his clothes were a kind of rebuke to the world at large. He talked the most fatuous nonsense, certainly, but in a disconcerting way. He didn't dig into a joke and get all the fun out of it; he made it in passing, so to speak, and skipped away to something else before your retort was ready.

I did finish Hawksmoor and reviewed it on my thread. You were right; it's not an easy read, but it was very much worth reading.

BTW, I love the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. Lord Peter's character really develops over the series -- I hope you give them all a chance.

Hi, Dejah_Thoris! I just got back from your thread (I "starred" you). I definitely will keep Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimseys on my TBR horizon!

And, now for a couple of books that I've been reading for it-seems-like-forever:





70. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

71. On the Road: The Original Scroll by Jack Kerouac

Kerouac originally wrote this classic Beat Generation road novel on sheets of paper (single-spaced) which he made into a 120-foot-long scroll (the back cover of the scroll volume shows hiim partially unrolling the scroll). I worked my way through both of the books by first reading pages from the published version, then reading in the scroll version. There are some real differences between the two versions: the published version was edited, both for conciseness, and to remove what was seen as extraneous obscenity. The scroll version uses the real names of characters; the published version uses phony names.

There were some changes that seemed wrong or unnecessary. For example, the first sentence, for goodness' sake--in the original scroll: I first met met (sic) Neal not long after my father died. In the published version: I first met Dean not long after my wife and I split up. I don't know why the sentence was changed, but I got a totally different feeling about the book right away from that first sentence. It's almost two different novels.

Except that it is striking how much stays the same between the two versions; maybe it's because so little changes that the differences are more apparent.

The scroll version has four essays about the book, as well as a list of suggested further readings. Very helpful--I plan on reading further.

I can see why this book is seen as a classic. I really enjoyed Kerouac's writing, some of which is just beautiful (see below). But almost as frequently as I found myself just loving the reading, I'd find myself annoyed with the road buddy, Dean Moriarity (fake name)/Neal Cassady (real name)--his drinking and drugging, his self-centered ramblings, his poor treatment of women, ... Sometimes I was sure I was watching Maynard G. Krebs on the old Dobie Gillis show (do you remember that?) but that's due to my own early immersion in TV-land.

Here are some lovely snippets from one or the other of the versions:

He had no place he could stay in without getting tired of it and because there was nowhere to go but everywhere, keep rolling under the stars, generally the Western stars.

And before me was the great raw bulge and bulk of my American continent.

All things tied together all over like rain connecting everybody the world over by chain touch.

He knew the road would get more interesting, especially ahead, always ahead.

The air was so sweet in New Orleans it seemed to come in soft bandanas; and you could smell the river, and really smell the people, and muds, and molasses and every kind of tropical exfoliation with your nose suddenly removed from the dry-ices of a northern winter.

It was as hot as the inside of a baker's oven on a June night in New Orleans.

#60: I tried reading On the Road several years ago and made it about 50 pages in and gave up. You almost tempt me to try it again, Karen. Almost, but not quite.

Ha! I decided to slog through, Stasia, and I'm glad I did, but I understand completely.

Reading the book has encouraged me to read more of the "Beat" Generation--I've got Off the Road: Life with Cassady, Kerouac, and Ginsberg by Carolyn Cassady coming my way via ILL, and A Different Beat coming to me from my very own library system!

Thanks for stopping by!

72. The Walking Dead, Vol. 10: What We Become by Robert Kirkman

These graphic novels are getting better and better! Only three left after this; the Vol. 11 I have in hand, the last two I'll have to wait for because some other patrons are reading them. Oh, well, it's probably better to pace one's reading of these.

I'm finding that they are getting better and better as well. The cliffhanger endings are also getting more and more intense! I think I have finally caught up to the demand for these books from the library. I am now being put on a waiting list to get Volume 8 and beyond.

I am getting more and more curious about these The Walking Dead books. I normally stare clear of zombies but you are persuading me to try these books out.

Hi, DeltaQueen--I hit a bottleneck at the library with Vol. 5, but have been getting them quickly after that. Now I'm waiting for Vols. 12 and 13, but I need a break, anyway.

KiwiNyx, I hope you give The Walking Dead a try. They read so fast, so you're not committing a lot of time to them, and you might like them! The zombie parts are pretty gross, but it's all black and white, so they're not too gory. To me, it's more interesting to consider the emotional and spiritual effects of living in a situation like that.

Thank you both for stopping by for a chat!

73. The Walking Dead, Vol. 11: Fear the Hunters by Robert Kirkman

Okay, I'm done with the Walking Deads for a while (until the last two volumes are in at the library).

These things are like potato chips--you just can't stop reading them. I can't, anyway. And they are a very small time commitment, so I don't feel guilty at all!

The crew has gotten themselves out of so many scrapes, I think I'll be a little devastated at the end. Wait, maybe they're not done with the series? I will check that out.

Enjoyed hearing of your very varied reading. I'm glad you enjoyed the first Sayers Lord Peter mystery - do continue the series if you liked that one!

I'd not heard of The WAlking Dead before - you seem to have really got into them - I like the comparison with potato chips, certainly some things you just can't stop once you've started!

74. Out of the Deep I Cry: A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming

This is the third book in the series. The author has found a nice format and pretty much sticks with it. Great characters (the Rev. Fergusson and Police Chief Van Alstyne are especially compelling), a social justice issue, and the fish-out-of-water-ness of Clare Fergusson (she is from the South, and now lives in the Adirondacks). Snappy, funny dialogue, too.

Out of the Deep I Cry added a plot twist--actually the twist is having two plot lines, one from the early 20th century, and the usual current plot line.

This is turning out to be a wonderful series for me, and I can't wait to get the next book in the set!



75. Where Angels Fear to Tread by E. M. Forster by E. M. Forster

This novel, Forster's first, was a treat to read. A young British widow travels to Italy and meets a young Italian man, marries him on the spur of the moment, and dies in childbirth shortly after.

I don't think I gave away any spoilers there--that all happens in the first part of the book, and it's all listed in the back cover blurb.

The majority of the book deals with what happens after that: the English in-laws of the deceased mother, and the culture clash between the English and the Italian, the North and the South. Forster excels at dialogue, and at painting pictures in the mind. For instance:

At that moment the carriage entered a little wood, which lay brown and sombre across the cultivated hill. The trees of the wood were small and leafless, but noticeable for this--that their stems stood in violets as rocks stand in the summer sea. There are such violets in England, but not so many. Nor are there so many in Art, for no painter has the courage.

The reality that Italy is not so Romantic a place to be if you are a woman is made clear:

Italy is such a delightful place to live if you happen to be a man. . . .In the democracy of the caffe or the street the great question of our life has been solved, and the brotherhood of man is a reality. But is accomplished at the expense of the sisterhood of women.

This is a book that I'm sure I'll read again--it's a love story, a travelogue, a study of cultures.

#69: I am currently re-reading the JS-F series too, Karen. I am glad to see you are enjoying it.

I will have to give the Forster book a try. Thanks for the recommendation!

>60 klobrien2:

I just wanted to say how impressed I am that you got through not one, but two versions of On The Road. Beat authors tend not to be my cup of tea...

It's been a long time since I read Where Angels Fear to Tread. Your review makes me think it's time to revisit it.

One of these days I'll work up the energy to write what I think happened at the end of Hawksmoor.....

edited for incorrect touchstone

#71: Beat authors tend not to be my cup of tea...

Me, neither, Dejah! I'm especially proud of those reads, because I really did have to discipline myself at times to get through them. I had extra incentive because the book is on the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" list, and I'm trying to make some progress there. (I'm at 143 now!)

Thanks for stopping by!

76. Israel for Beginners: A Field Guide for Encountering Israelis in Their Natural Habitat by Angelo Colorni

Just finished this, just in time for the May TIOLI. Too pooped to write anything about it now, but I will tomorrow.

Disclaimer: I received this book free as part of the LT Early Reviewers program.

I really enjoy the concept of this book: it is to serve as a guide to Israel for visitors and potential residents, and also serve as a humorous look at the nation, its peoples and culture for those already there.

The book is divided into sections: Israel: The Language, :The People, :The Lifestyle, :The Land, and :The Flip Side of the Coin. The first four sections are quite self-explanatory in scope; the last one is mysterious in intent, and I think it was probably added as an afterthought (more about that, later).

The author’s style is heavily based on wordplay and an unbelievable number of puns. Some of the puns were quite clever, but the sheer volume of them got to be a little annoying (and I like puns!) I did experience frequent and substantial chuckles throughout the book. Each section is preceded by a verse from the Old Testament of the Bible. I grew up immersed in the Bible, and I found the verses in relation to what was being discussed funny and illuminating.

The written parts of the book are accentuated by some really excellent drawings by one Avi Katz.

The author, while not Israeli-born, has lived there for decades. He seems to be in a advantageous position to be able to describe the nation, the people, the culture—as one who was new to the country at one time, but has been able to observe and take note. He demonstrates a love for those he’s teasing; he’s poking fun at modern people behaving in a normal fashion.

I was a little blindsided by the final section of the book, where the punning and wordplay ceases and the book gets political. The author discounts the Palestinian people, and ridicules “peace-mongers who wrap themselves in the rainbow-striped peace flag so popular these days in Western Europe.” Personally, I think this section might have been written by another author; regardless, it feels as if it was tacked on the end of the book and the book is not a coherent whole for it. I had been enjoying the reading of the book until that section. Now I’m just angry and have a bad taste in my mouth for the book.

My recommendation for those who want to read this book is to read just the first four sections; but to leave the “Language” section for later on. It’s a little slow-moving at times, and maybe better appreciated after the other sections.

Hello! I just had to stop by and see how you had enjoyed On The Road since it was a shared read. I finished up just before midnight last night and I have to say I really struggled to get through it at all. (I too read the Original Scroll, but didn't realize until half-way through that there was a different version.) Your comments make me feel a little bit better about my reaction.

And now that I'm here, I might have to look for Where Angels Fear to Tread. I've read a fair amount of Forster but not that one--your review is compelling.

> 73

I'm sticking around to see what you have to say about Israel for Beginners... :)

I am curious too. . . :)

Congratulations on hitting the 75 books mark, Karen! I enjoyed your comments about and excerpts from On the Road; I'll have to pick it up soon.

Congrats!

Congratulations on reaching 75!

Thanks, everybody, about the 75 benchmark! It was kind of a surprise to hit it--although I keep such careful track. I'm aiming for at least another 75 by year-end (I made it to 148 last year).

75-76: Israel for Beginners--I have to get my review out there, but still wondering what to say about it. I'm mostly offended by the last sections, which got so political after a whole book of puns and wordplay. Kind of sneaky!

I enjoyed much of the book, even with the omnipresent puns and slower sections.

6/3/11: My review is up at message 72, and also on the work page for the book - Israel for Beginners: A Field Guide.

77. The Code of the Woosters by P. G. Wodehouse

Another tasty Wodehouse. This one was recommended to me by cyderry (thank you!). The storyline revolves around a silver cow creamer and two separate romances involving friends of Bertie Wooster. Confusion and mayhem ensues, but everything works out in the end (of course).

Bertie is a good friend. In the middle of all the uproar, Bertie and one of the young lovers are talking:

"Bertie, surely you aren't going to be difficult about this? You're much too good a sport. Didn't you tell me once that the Code of the Woosters was 'Never let a pal down'?"

She had found the talking point. People who appeal to the Code of the Woosters rarely fail to touch a chord in Bertram. My iron front began to crumble.

A reader has to pay attention with these Wodehouses--the dialogue proceeds apace.

"It just shows you how true it is that one half of the world doesn't know how the other three quarters lives."

One more lovely line--not originally from this book, but quoted by it and very appropriate for this time of year:

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn:
God's in His heaven—
All's right with the world!
(Robert Browning)

Excellent review of the Israel book Karen, I gave you a thumbs up, and I agree with your sentiments about the way the book finished. That kind of biased opinion would have driven me nuts as well and has no place in a book meant to be an introduction to the people and country. I didn't even read the book but I have a bad taste in my mouth also.

Thanks for the review of Israel for Beginners, Karen. I think I will give it a pass.

Stasia, I think that is a wise decision!

Too bad about it though. I really would like to learn more of the country.

Belated congratulations on finishing 75!!
The Forster book sounds more than interesting, it goes directly on my wishlist.

Hi, Deern--I think you'll like the Forster book! I had never heard of it, so I felt like I discovered a hidden treasure! Thanks for stopping by!

78. China: Land of Dragons and Emperors by Adeline Yen Mah

Thanks to KiwiNyx for mentioning this book! I found it to be a very interesting, though I'm sure very simplified, account of China's history. Designed for younger readers, I found it a great fit for holding my interest and giving me many "aha!" moments.

Terrific photos, design, and writing. My only complaint about the book is that the type is sometimes too closely packed; it seems the goal was to avoid breaking words at the end of lines; the end effect is what seems to be words like "Lidied" (Li died) or "firstmechanicalclock."

China's history was at times very bloody and gruesome. The author warns the reader (probably a younger person) at one point, telling them that they might want to skip the next two paragraphs. Although probably realizing that no kid could resist reading on, it was still a classy thing to do.

The book provides a timeline chart, a list for further reading, and an index (very helpful to students of China, no matter their age).

KiwiNyx had mentioned that the book does not describe more recent history in China, explaining that China has put constraints on any discussion of current events. The author does describe her intent in writing the book:

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that this land of dragons and emperors will be a superpower in the twenty-first century. But exactly what kind of society it will be is harder to predict....As the world changes, 'hybrids' like myself who were born in China but live in the West can only hope that the new generation of Chinese leaders will seize their moment and make their mark in history with honour and justice....for East and West to get along, they must know and understand one another's history. I hope this book will make a small contribution towards that understanding."

79. The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith

The latest in the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series. The series follows one Mma Precious Ramotswe, who is the owner of the detective agency in Gabarone, Botswana. I am a real fan of this series (actually, of all of McCall Smith's book--and he is quite prolific!)

To my mind, the best thing about this series is the beauty and dignity with which the heroine, Precious Ramotswe, carries herself. She finds worth and value in the simple things of life, and is quite the philosopher.

I just realized that my previous paragraph makes it seem as if I think Mma Ramotswe is a real person--in fact, McCall Smith's skill makes the characters and the location come alive. Here he describes the boundary between the developed, modern world, and the rural:

On one side lie the works of man--streets and pavements, storm drains, buildings--on the other is nature, and the transition can be so sudden, so sharply delineated. Here the tar and concrete just stopped without warning, and were no more, their place taken by trees, undergrowth, anthills. And the smells were different too: on one side the acrid odour of cars and hot road surfaces and wafting cooking vapours, which on the other side became the scent of dust and grass and dried bark, and cattle somewhere not far away.

Here's another gem: a client is describing a difficulty he is having with a neighbor:

And I had to take a big breath because I was so angry that I had forgotten to breathe and all my oxygen was gone. He is a man who makes you use up all your oxygen when you are with him, Mma. It is not just me, I assure you. There are many people who have run out of oxygen when arguing with that man.

The author always demonstrates his love for Africa (he was born in what is now Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana). That depth of feeling definitely comes through in these books.

Funny, I didn't notice the type too close issue but I'm pleased you enjoyed it and you are so right, it gives many 'Aha' moments - I like that description - because to me a great day is a day where I learn something new.

#90 Oh good, I hadn't realised there was a new one out in that series... Must seek it out at once! I agree, the character of Precious is one of the best things about the series, and her/McCall Smith's love of Botswana too.

Piling on in my praise of this series by Alex McC Smith....I'm not as fond of some of his others, but they are also growing on me. I think it is his pure descriptive prose- an example of which you used really well above-- that sets these apart. You truly do get to know these characters - sometimes in almost irritating detail.

I especially enjoyed Cordoroy Mansions when that book was podcast every evening in the UK...wish we could have books produced like that.

Hi, everyone!

Jennyt and tutu, I love how "quiet" the books are--do you know what I mean? There are practically no chills and thrills, just though-out situations and dialogue. I'm glad that you are fans, too!

80. The Moon Over Lake Elmo by Steve Thayer

I've had this one out from the library for a long time, so I'm happy to be able to use it in a TIOLI challenge--the "read a book set in your locale" one. I don't actually live in Lake Elmo (Minnesota), but it's really close.

This book was a bit of a surprise, but I'm so glad I read it. It's built around a diary kept by the author's father, during and just after WWII. The little diary tells the story of the breakup of the father's marriage, and although the man was dealing with the loss of his wife and money troubles, his love for his children shone through.

Another third of the book consists of letters from the "author" to his daughter, who is left motherless shortly after birth and who lives with the maternal grandparents in LA. The grandmother is abusive, and the 10-year-old girl is unhappy, even contemplating ending her life.

A third portion of the book is letters/diary entries of the the little girl, documenting her life and providing the final generational journaling--all three generations have discovered this need to not let their "thoughts...pass into oblivion."

So, this is a book about parents, and children; about generations; about passing on recollections. This is a book about love. I highly recommend it.

81. That Leviathan, Whom Thou Hast Made (Novellette) by Eric James Stone

It felt great to be reading some science fiction, and in such a small chunk (did you see how many pages Game of Thrones is??)

This was a really interesting story of contact between worlds/species, involving a Mormon church leader on Sol Central, a group of beings called Swales or Solcetaceans ("Sun Whales"), and a scientist who studies the Swales. It's also a story of the conflict of the religion of the Mormon narrator, the Swales, and even the non-religion of the lovely lady scientist.

MikeBriggs put this on TIOLI for the "short work" challenge, so I though I'd match him to gain a point. I read the novellette online, at the author's blog (how handy!). It's here, if you'd like to join in-- http://www.ericjamesstone.com/blog/stories/that-leviathan-whom-thou-hast-made/

It's a very quick, very enjoyable story.

p.s. Oh, but this cover! This would be a strong entry in the "ugliest cover" challenge!

82. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Thoroughly enjoyed this, maybe the third book by DiCamillo that I've read. I included this for TIOLI, as a "short work." I can't believe that it's taken me this long to read it!



83. Heart Beat: My Life with Jack & Neal by Carolyn Cassady

After reading On the Road I've developed an interest in the "Beat" phenomenon, so I'm planning to read more, probably emphasizing the point of view of female participants. Carolyn Cassady was married to Neal Cassady, and Jack Kerouac, of course, was Neal's friend and partner in the road trips described in On the Road.

Heart Beat is a short, shallow look at the relationship between the three, and others in their acquaintance. Nobody comes off looking very good, least of all Neal Cassady. At the end of the book, he leaves Carolyn and their three kids for weeks on end, tells her it's because he works for the railroad and the railroad is making him stay on the road. Yet the last words of a letter he writes to her indicate that he has been busy in a different manner:

Just remember this: I have solved our sex problem. Don't forget to remind me to tell you about it when I get home.

I don't know why the author chose to end her memoir there. I've got another of her books, Off the Road (no touchstone), in at the library; I'll give it a shot, but Cassady has come across as so flaky and nutty in this book, I might not finish it.

Good news, though, is that I have A Different Beat to read, and that should prove more enjoyable and interesting. It's a collection of writings of female Beats. I'll get to that one, soon.

Hi Karen Just checking in on your thread. Congrats on 75. I used to work at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh which has several of the Lewis chessmen. The guy chomping on his shield is a Berserker and he is chewing cos he is worked up in a frenzy for battle. He is my favourite too.

Hi, Kirsty! Thanks for stopping by. I would love to see the gamepieces in real life someday. Thanks for the information on the crazy-eyed guy (the knight?). I just don't get tired of looking at these guys.

Very cool, that you worked at the Museum! Some of my favorite places are museums (next to libraries!).

I'm glad you liked Because of Winn Dixie. It is one of my favorite Newbery books!

#95: My local library has a couple of Thayer's books but not that one. Rats.

100:Whisper: Have you seen the movie version of Because of Winn-Dixie? If so, what do you think of it? I might go ahead and track it down...and thanks for stopping by!

101: Hi, Stasia! Wouldn't you know?! I don't think I've read any other Thayer books, but based on this one, I wouldn't be adverse to reading more. Thanks for coming by and "chatting"!

#102: Thayer has written one called The Weatherman that looks pretty good so I am going to give it a try in the near future. It is one of the two by him that my local library actually has.

Stasia, The Weatherman does look pretty good--might have to give that a shot.

On the other side of things, I started reading Jean Auel's The Land of Painted Caves and I don't think I'll be finishing it. It just hasn't caught my fancy yet (100+ pages in), it's a chunkster, there are seemingly hundreds of characters introduced, and it just isn't doing it for me. I really like to finish every book I start, but reading this one would keep me from reading a lot of other books that I'll probably like more.

Have you read any of the series? If so, what do you think about them? Have you read this last one? (I'm casting about for some reason to keep going.)

Karen, my sister recently finished the Auel book, she only kept reading because the series was a huge part of her teenage years, but she thought it was terrible and gave it 1 out of 5 stars. I've decided to avoid it completely.

I never could get into the Auel series. I tried when the first book came out years ago and it did nothing for me, so I never read past that one.

I'm another one who faithfully read the series, even though it never quite reached the heights of the first book (IMO). But after all the negative reviews I have seen around LT and my utter lack of interest in continuing with the series, I am not going to bother with The Land of Painted Caves.

Thanks, everyone, for helping me with the Land of the Painted Caves decision. I had a paper copy of the book, and I returned that to the library. I had an e-book, also from the library, and I gave that back.

What a relief! I am sad because I really enjoyed the earlier books in the series. Maybe I'll reread Clan of the Cave Bears instead!

84. The Rabbi's Cat by Joann Sfar

This is a graphic novel that showed up on the TIOLI challenges this month. It was a truly delightful and delicious read. The drawing is funny and beautifully done. The colors are gorgeous. The text is witty and well-thought-out.

The main characters in this novel are a rabbi in Algeria and his cat. In the first installment (the omnibus version I read contains the first three episodes), the cat eats the rabbi's parrot and so gains the ability to talk (and to argue; and he has always known how to read). The cat decides he wants a bar mitzvah.

The master thinks I'm a bad animal, that I lie when I shouldn't and tell the truth only when it's hurtful. I tell him that I've been hurting too, ever since I started talking. I tell him that I've gained a power that I'd gladly do without, because when I was mute, I could spend days getting petted. I tell him that I'd do anything to see my mistress again. I add "Meow!" Meow! Meow! I don't talk anymore, I meow, I pretend I'm still a normal cat.

Volume 2 is subtitled "Malka of the Lions"; the rabbi's cousin comes to visit. The rabbi is encountering difficulties with his work, and takes a journey to an ancestor's grave to clear his thoughts. He meets up with an old Arab, and they travel together (and the cat and the old Arab's donkey converse together). This section is a beautiful illustration of people of different religions living together in peace: it made my heart feel good.

Volume 3: Exodus has the rabbi and his cat journeying to Paris with the rabbi's daughter and her new husband in order to meet the in-laws. They experience some real culture clashes there and it's all very funny and touching.

There are two more volumes in print; I don't know if they've been translated to English yet. I very much recommend this graphic novel.

I am reading and enjoying The Rabbi's Cat right now also, and have finished the first two volumes. I thought the part where the Arab's donkey and the cat get into a fight over whether Messaoud Sfar was an Arabic Sufi or a Jewish rabbi was hilarious.

Karen ...good decision about Land of the Painted Caves and I especially like the maybe I'll reread Clan of the Cave Bears instead What a terrific idea! I did so love that one (in fact I thought the first 3 were wonderful) but it's been quite awhile. I wonder if they're as good the second time around?

I have had The Rabbi's Cat in the BlackHole for at least 2 years now. I live in hope that my local library will eventually get it!

110: chinquapin: I thought that was so funny, too (the Arab's donkey and the cat fighting over the religion of their common "ancestor"). I was so impressed by the drawing of the book--in that panel, the cat is all zigs and zags, and the effect is so true to what a cat looks like when it's p.o.'ed.

111: tutu: In my case, it's been so long since I read the first books, that I think it would almost be a first read (not quite, but close). I think they would hold up to a second read.

112: stasia: The Rabbi's Cat is terrific! I will anxiously look for the 4th and 5th volumes, myself. I hope you get the chance to read them, soon!

Thanks to you all for stopping to chat!

85. The Walking Dead, Vol. 12: Life Among Them by Robert Kirkman



86. The Walking Dead, Vol. 13: Too Far Gone by Robert Kirkman

These two graphic novels came into the library last night, and I have read them both already. Now I'm caught up with the series, and I've really enjoyed the books. They are very graphic, violent, but sweet and sad at times, too. Volume 13 says that the story will be continued, so I'll be watching for Volume 14.

87. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott

I jumped in on this one for a shared TIOLI read (Short Work). This book is a memoir of Alcott's brief stint as a hospital nurse during the Civil War. There are a lot of interesting characterizations and allusions which made this an interesting read.

Does Alcott have a tendency to wordiness? I don't remember that from Little Women (the only other Alcott that I've read), but I really noticed it here. For an example, I began to run across some really long sentences around p. 28 of the edition I read. Just for the heck of it, I counted lines; both sentences were 12 lines long. Just now, I counted words; the first extended sentence has 119 words; the second, an amazing 140. These are extreme examples, I'm sure, and I don't remember being too aware of long-running sentences later on. The writing loses some of its sharpness when sentences go on this long--my brain needs a little rest, I guess!

Alcott provides some very evocative descriptions of people and places. Description of man on the train to Washington, D.C.:

His moral neck-cloth, virtuous boots, and pious attitude availed him nothing, and it was well he kept his eyes shut, for "Humbug!" twinkled at him from every window-pane, brass nail and human eye around him.

Isn't this a great line? Alcott is describing a fellow worker's coffee--"a fearful beverage"--which is "guiltless of cream."

The sketches in this memoir are very moving. Alcott's (or Nurse Tribulation Periwinkle, to be accurate) description of the reception of the January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation moved me to tears:

As the bells rung midnight, I electrified my room-mate by dancing out of bed, throwing up the window, and flapping my handkerchief, with a feeble cheer, in answer to the shout of a group of colored men in the street below. All night they tooted and tramped, fired crackers, sung "Glory, Hallelujah," and took comfort, poor souls! in their own way. The sky was clear, the moon shone benignly, a mild wind blew across the river, and all good omens seemed to usher in the dawn of the day who noontide cannot now be long in coming.

Even though she encountered great horrors and sorrows among her patients, Alcott keeps a cheerful tone throughout the book. She claims the words of Sir Thomas More: "believing, with good Sir Thomas More, that it is wise to 'be merrie in God."*

*The closest I've come to this quotation is from The Life of Sir Thomas More by William Roper:

Then took Sir Thomas More his boat towards his house at Chelsea, wherein by the way he was very merry, and for that was I nothing sorry, hoping that he had gotten himself discharged out of the Parliament Bill. When he was come home, then walked we two alone into his garden together, where I desirous to know how he had sped, said, “Sir, I trust all is well, because you are so merry.” “That is so, indeed (son Roper) I thank God” (quoth he).

Hi Karen, congrats on completing the (currently available) Walking Dead series! I ordered Vol 7 & 8 and only 8 came. I am still waiting for 7. Hopefully it will arrive soon. Of course, I had to take 8 back and will have to reorder it later, sigh ...

It's great to hear that the series won't end with 13!

#115: I enjoyed my recent read of that one too, Karen - but then I would, wouldn't I? lol

116: Deltaqueen, sorry about the timing problem. The books really do have to be read in order. But this will extend your fun with them!

117:Stasia, it would be very strange if you didn't like that Alcott book!

88. Bertie Wooster Sees It Through by P.G. Wodehouse

Lovely romp involving pearl necklaces, lovers changing partners, the very funny Aunt Dahlia, and happy endings all around.

Bertie, talking about his reading habits:

"Well, what with one thing and another, my reading has been a bit cut into these last days, but I am in the process of plugging away at a thing called The Mystery of the Pink Crayfish."

. . .

A look of pain came into her face.

"Please!" She sighed. "Oh, dear," she said, "I'm afraid it's going to be uphill work fostering the latent potentialities of your budding mind."

"I wouldn't try, if I were you. Give it a miss, is my advice."

Here's another selection: Bertie and Jeeves are talking about another guest at the house:

"His name's not Lemuel?"

"I fear so, sir."

"Couldn't he use his second name?"

"His second name is Gengulphus."

"Golly, Jeeves," I said, thinking of old Uncle Tom Portarlington, "there's some raw work pulled at the font from time to time, is there not?"

"There is, indeed, sir."

I will return to Wodehouse at some future point. My one and only encounter with him thus far did not endear me to him.

89. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett

A very enjoyable "hard-boiled" detective story, featuring Nick and Nora Charles and a cast of thousands (not quite!) This one kept me guessing until the end. Great dialogue, interesting characters, and lots of snappy wit.

This was a "1001 Books" book, and also a shared TIOLI read--a winner all around.

I laughed at your Wodehouse quotes. I've read 2 Jeeves & Woosters so far. I liked them a lot, but I personally need to space them out a bit between readings. The scrapes Bertie gets into are really incredible. I really should read my next one, so thanks for the reminder! :)

122: BookAngel_a: Glad to be of assistance, especially in book matters!

90. Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale by Joss and Zack Whedon

I came across the Firefly TV series, and the follow-on movie, Serenity, almost by accident, but they're some of my favorite shows-to-watch-again-and-again now. What you have in Serenity is the story of cowboys and outlaws in space. It's a whole imagined universe (in the parlance of the show, you'd say "'verse").

The creator of the series, Joss Whedon, has written three graphic novels to expand on the plotlines of Firefly and Serenity. The first of these graphic novels was Serenity: Those Left Behind. The Shepherd's Tale is the second, and there is one more: Serenity: Better Days.

The Shepherd's Tale tells the story of Shepherd Book, who was a wandering missionary/pastor on the ship Serenity. His was a mysterious character; his past was never explained, but just hinted at.

This novel explains his past, a very complex and turbulent story. The novel proceeds by moving backwards in the Shepherd's life, kind of pivoting on major incidents. It makes for a fascinating read.

The drawing is very good, but the story is amazing and involving. As soon as I finished, I wanted to read it again!

>90 klobrien2:

I love "Firefly" and "Serenity" -- I wish there were more of them.

I haven't gotten my hands on Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale but I have enjoyed Serenity: Those Left Behind. I've been looking forward to learning more about The Shepard....

Joss Whedon is great!

91. The Stranger by Albert Camus (The Outsider)

I read this both for a TIOLI challenge (father or grandfather's name) and because it is a 1001 Books book (The Stranger is the title of the book known as The Outsider in Europe).

I'm feeling that this is one of those books that need to stew in your mind for a while before you can wrap it up in neat sentences. I might never be able to get past some general observations about the book, so here I go.

The "hero" of the book is a young man, an officer worker in Algiers, who gets drawn into a senseless murder while on a weekend holiday.

Although this book is short, it's not a very easy read. The reader is constantly encountering harsh, blinding light, both natural and human-made. It's always blisteringly hot, with little relief from discomfort, physical or emotional.

The book is supposed to be about man facing the absurd; conquering meaninglessness by creating one's own meaning. So, when you come to a decision point, "you could either shoot or not shoot." And, again, "to stay or to go, it amounted to the same thing."

Our hero has "a strange impression ...of being odd man out, a kind of intruder." But I think that the "outsider" or "stranger" is really all of us; we are all strangers to each other. We are all judged by appearances and seemingly unrelated actions.

I know my review here is very disjointed, and I don't know exactly what I'm trying to convey. I am glad that I read the book, however, and I would love to read what others have to say about it. I think my next stop is LT reviews!

125: Dejah_Thorus--I think Whedon is great, too! He's got such a good imagination. I hope that you come across The Shepherd's Tale, and that you like it as much as I did.

#126 I undertook The Stranger aka The Outsider with very high expectations, but while the book was more than a decent read, I wasn't overly impressed, probably because the theme was too close to The Trial, an absolute masterpiece.

Amongst the two Albert Camus's works I have read, I liked The Plague much better.

I've already got some Camus on my wishlist but I love the look of those Serenity novels and will definitely be watching for that. It's a shame the Firefly show was cancelled but at least the movie was made.

Piyush--I'll be getting to Kafka's The Trial and Camus' The Plague if I stick with the 1001 Books list. Thanks for the recommendation for The Trial--I'll have to read that sooner rather than later!

Kiwi--I don't think you could find two books that are less like each other than anything by Camus and the Serenity graphic novels! Variety is the spice of life, right?

Thanks to you both for stopping by to chat!

Karen, which version of 1001 Books are you following? The original 2006 one or one of the later ones? While I no longer pick my books from the list, I do keep count.

I started with the 2006 version (and own the book!), so I'm sticking with it, although I do keep track of the 2008 book count too.

The 1001 Books process has really helped me expand my reading horizon. It's a little extra incentive for me (kind of an OCD thing, I guess).

My tally, as per the 2006 list is 77 I believe; haven't checked the 2008 list in a while, but I am guessing the count there would be in the 60s.

Edit: I also have the 2010 list. which while may need a little bit of updating, but it shows the count at a meagre 56!

I'm at 145 on the 2006 list and 121 on the 2008 list. I should go get the "arukiyomi" spreadsheet for the 2010 edition, or maybe I'll just let it go. I'm happy kind of holding to the 2006 list, since I read a lot of books that are current as well. I pretty much read whatever strikes my fancy at any given moment.

I have a question for you--do you read more than one book at a time, or do you focus in on one until you're done? I am of the multiple-books philosophy. I try to avoid books that are too similar, because then I get confused (even more confused than normal!)

92. Serenity: Better Days by Joss Whedon

The last of three graphic novels for Serenity. A very enjoyable read, but it seemed disjointed and had a couple of new characters that were similar enough in looks and activities as to be a bit confusing. I ended up reading the novel twice to clarify the plot in my mind (when reading a graphic novel, that really isn't that much of a time commitment!)

The main theme of the book was, what would the shipmates do if they were suddenly wealthy? It was a lot of fun to see in Whedon's imagination the dreams and plans of the characters.

I like spending my time on 1 book. If I get into a good book that way, it sort of dominates my thought while I'm reading it. If I were, say, reading an apocalyptic/dystopian novel of some sort, the mood of that book will really sink into me, and it gives the book more depth when it is the 1 thing I'm focusing on.

That's just me though, I see the benefits of reading multiple books to. When I get into a book I don't like, for example, reading can almost feel unfun for a couple days, and the amount of time I spend reading will decrease drastically when I'm not that into my book.

93. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

I read this because several others were reading it for the Caribbean TIOLI challenge, and it sounded promising. It was a good read, but sad. I would have liked to see more change and growth on the part of the characters, but maybe that's how life is. I would definitely read other books by the author--her writing is very evocative of place (Haiti, NYC).

Here are a few snippets from the book that really struck me:

Listening to the song, I realized that it was neither my mother nor my Tante Atie who had given all the mother-and-daughter motifs to all the stories they told and all the songs they sang. It was something that was essentially Haitian. Somehow, early on, our song makers and tale weavers had decided that we were all daughters of this land.

I come from a place where breath, eyes, and memory are one, a place from which you carry your past like the hair on your head.

136: Hi, Stephen (and I spelled your name correctly!)

I like the way that you leave the decision (to read one or more books at a time) open--some books seem to require your full attention, and some books play well with others.

I remember reading two very similar books at the same time, and it didn't work too well for me. I would confuse characters and events into a kind of book stew.

94. Julia's Kitchen Wisdom by Julia Child

I love this book! I'd bought it back when the Julie and Julia movie came out, not wanting to commit to Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but reminded of how much I liked Julia Child.

This book is like an introductory seminar to all types of food products. The subtitle of the book is "Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking" and it really is. The author's personality comes through again and again. She is enough of a friend to warn you about technique (and you just know that she learned the hard way). For example, she warns against stuffing a Thanksgiving turkey in advance, since "the stuffing could start to sour and spoil inside the bird--goodbye, happy holidays." And, again, "It behooves us to choose eggs carefully and to treat them right."

Her warm and friendly way of writing lasts all the way through this exceedingly helpful book. At the end, she comes clean and tells us that she almost forgot to include "Biscuits"! She felt that a section on Biscuits must be included, so she and her editor added it as a "P.S." The recipe looks great, by the way. The biscuits recipe may be the first one I try. Or, maybe the Eggs Baked in Ramekins. Or Chocolate Mousse. Or....

There is an excellent index, and individual tips and techniques are clearly marked throughout the book. Some fun pictures of Child cooking are interspersed. This would be an excellent resource for any cook, beginning or advanced.

I read the first 4 words of your review and was convinced that I need to read this book, it does help that I love cooking and Julia Childs was such an innovator. And I just love that word - behoove!

95. Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

Wonderful hard-boiled detective story with evocative location descriptions and interesting characters. The plotline kept me guessing until the end. Very intelligent drama with touches of humor and pathos.

I read this for the TIOLI "low" challenge, but it's also one of the "1001 Books" books. Bonus!

Here are some of the phrases I marked as keepers. I'd list a lot more, but the book is full of fine phrases and I would run out of room here. These are some of my favorites:

He was a big man but not more than six feet five inches tall and not wider than a beer truck.

The woman's eyes became fixed in an incredulous stare. Then suspicion climbed all over her face, like a kitten, but not so playfully.

"Okay, handsome. A guy that buys me a drink is a pal." She reached for the bottle and set up Number 4. "I shouldn't ought to barber (sic) with you. But when I like a guy, the ceiling's the limit." She simpered. She was as cute as a washtub.

I got up on my feet and went over to the bowl in the corner and threw cold water on my face. After a little while I felt a little better, but very little. I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun. I put them on and went out of the room.

Terrific stuff!

#134 Ordinarily, I read 4-6 books at a time, before I joined LT, I thought of myself as abnormal (none of my RL friends read more than 1 book at a time), one more reason I fit right in, in this group :)

I finally counted the books as per Arukiyomi sheet (2010 edition), the tally as per that sheet is 68 and not 56 as I previously assumed.

Hi, Piyushetc: 8>)

I think that's a really good number (68)! I'll have to go get the latest list and see how I do.

96. The State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy

Others were reading this for TIOLI, and it had been on my TBR radar for a while, so I gave it a shot. It was a fun read, but the characters didn't read completely true to me (snarky characters were inexplicably so; the heroine seemed quite stupid at times). But it was a fun read, and I would recommend it, with a few quibbles.

I will look for the second from the author--I'm sure I'll like it much more.

97. To Darkness and To Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming

I think that this is the fourth in the series of Rev. Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mysteries. The lead characters are still as likable and honorable and still as hopelessly in love with each other. As always, the book has a social justice subplot going on--this one concerns the loss of traditional jobs in logging and the local paper mill due to ongoing real estate development in the area. Lots of humor, drama, and romance of the chaste (so far) variety. I'm off to find the next in the series!

I just love this character description:

He was tall, several inches taller than Russ, which put him in the six-and-a-half-feet and up camp. However, his bones and flesh were afraid of heights; he stooped forward, arms dangling, while his jowls and eyelids and earlobes sagged toward the safety of the ground.

And I love this prayer (from Book of Common Prayer):

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for you love's sake. Amen.

98. Moab Is My Washpot by Stephen Fry

An interesting autobiography by the English comedian, author, actor, ...well, he's done a lot of things. He's one of my favorite comedians, and is becoming one of my favorite authors.

This book covers the first 20 years of his life, and it was a somewhat troubled childhood and youth. The book gives great insight into the English boarding school way of life, and the struggle to become an adult and leave childhood behind.

Fry is a master of words and kept me alternately crying or chuckling throughout (well, the book did drag a little in the middle, so I wasn't always doing one of those things).

Here are a few samples, bits that I wanted to keep for posterity:

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will always hurt me. Bones mend and become actually stronger in the very place they were broken and where they have knitted up; mental wounds can grind and ooze for decades and be re-opened by the quietest whisper.

Applying logic to English slang is never a sound idea.

This book is written in a very "English" style--the above quote is very applicable, as I didn't catch some of the slang and idioms. Fry obviously loves language and plays with it again and again. An example; while telling us about a person named Peter Pattrick:

Peter Pattrick was pleased as punch, and punched me pleasedly and proudly on the arm to prove it.

I am a big fan of alliteration, especially the alliteration that just pops up.

The author can be completely serious, and it can break one's heart. In the following quote, Fry tells us of celebrating his 18th birthday alone, in trouble, and missing home:

When August the twenty-fourth came round however, when it was my birthday, my eighteenth birthday, so Jo (his sister) tells me, my mother was inconsolable all day, weeping and sobbing like a lost child, which, I am afraid, how I am weeping as I type this. I am weeping for the shame, for the loss, the cruelty, the madness and again the shame and the shame and the shame. Weeping too for mothers everywhere, yesterday, today and tomorrow, who sit alone on the day of their child's birth not knowing where their beloved boy or their darling girl might be, who might be with them or what they might be doing. I am weeping too for grown-up children so lost to themselves and to hope that they squat in doorways, lie on beds, stare in stupors high or wired, or sit alone all eaten up with self-hate on their eighteenth birthday. I am weeping too for the death of adolescence, the death of childhood and the death hope: there are never enough tears to mourn their passing.

I was Stephen. I was always going to be Stephen. I would always be that same maddening, monstrous mixture of pedantry, egoism, politeness, selfishness, kindliness, sneakiness, larkiness, sociability, loneliness, ambition, ordered calm and hidden intensity. I would cover my life with words. I would spray the whole bloody world with words. They were still all that I had but at last they were getting me places.

(This one is actually Oscar Wilde, of whom Fry is a big fan):

It is much more difficult to talk about a thing than to do it. In the sphere of actual life that is of course obvious. Anybody can make history. Only a great man can write it. There is no mode of action, no form of emotion, that we do not share with the lower animals. It is only by language that we rise above them, or above each other--by language, which is the parent, not the child, of thought.

I'm glad that Stephen Fry was able to "talk" about his early life in this book.

Checking in, Karen, after a too long absence :)

I need to see if my local library has the Fry book.

Hi, Stasia! Thanks for stopping by. Visiting everybody is nearly impossible, isn't it?! Great to see you here!

Nice review of the impressive Mr Fry, it's already on the list but possibly deserves to be added twice.

#148: Visiting everybody is nearly impossible

Nearly impossible, no. It Is impossible! lol

#148 with ref. to #150 But she still does a pretty good job, doesn't she?

Stasia does a fantastic job at getting around LT! I know I think of her as a mentor, and I know many, many others do, as well. You're the bees knees! (Sounds kind of Wodehouse-ish!) And, Piyush, you're pretty wonderful, yourself!

Thank you both for stopping by and chatting!

99. The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

Possibly my favorite Wodehouse yet! This one has Bertie trying to help out his friend Bingo with affairs of the heart. Bertie's cousins Claude and Eustache make a few appearances. Some charming vignettes of country life (of course, they are fictional).

Here are a few of my favorite spots from this book.

In this one, Bertie is feeling a little taken-advantage-of: It's this sort of thing that ages a chappie, don't you know, and makes his youthful joie-de-vivre go a bit groggy at the knees.

Here, Jeeves has advised Bertie's pal Bingo on how to win back a young woman's heart:

"One is fighting a losing battle, I fear, sir, but I did venture to indicate to Mr. Little a course of action which might prove of advantage. I recommended him to busy himself with good works."

"Good works?"

"About the village, sir. Reading to the bedridden - chatting with the sick - that sort of thing, sir. We can but trust that good results will ensue."

"Yes, I suppose so, " I said doubtfully. "But, by gosh, if I was a sick man I'd hate to have a looney like young Bingo coming and gibbering at my bedside."

"There is that aspect of the matter, sir," said Jeeves.

100. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

What a little gem to mark my 100th book of the year! This juvenile fiction, a Newbery winner, reads like poetry and is so evocative of the Western farm and town where the story takes place. I can't believe I'd never read this before, and I'm so glad that I finally did read it.

#154: I can't believe I'd never read this before, and I'm so glad that I finally did read it.

That is how I felt about the book too, Karen!

Congratulations on hitting 100 books for the year!

100 books! Congratulations!!

#153 Karen, I think I will get around to reading this one next month, good to see you liked it so much and many congratulations for reaching the 100 books mark!

Thanks, Stasia, Kiwi, and Piyush! I'm having a very good reading year, and it's mostly due to you and other LT 75-bookers!

101. Soul Clothes by Regina D. Jemison

I received this book for June ER, and I've finished it already and am ready to write my review! Please see my review here: http://www.librarything.com/work/11358002/reviews/75589819

I'd love it if you would give me a "thumb"!

Thumbs up from me, Karen!

Thumbed and wishlisted. I am always grateful for poetry recommendations.

Thumbs up for Soul Clothes Karen!

Belated congratulations on reading 100 books and also on finishing an ER book so promptly. I have one languishing in the pile next to my bed and, probably because I know I need to read it, I just haven't felt like picking it up..

Also glad you enjoyed The Inimitable Jeeves so much and Sarah, Plain and Tall has gone on the wishlist after recommendations from both you and Stasia.

Thumbs up for your review of Soul Clothes -- and a belatd congratulations on 100 books!

I've got to get around to reading some Wodehouse and Sarah, Plain and Tall even though I don't read many children's books. Thanks!

souloftherose and Dejah_Thoris: I can't say enough good about either the Wodehouse or Sarah, Plain and Tall. Thanks for stopping by!

102. Among Others by Jo Walton

Another terrific read--I'm doing really well going with LT recommendations!

This was one of those books that you almost wish you hadn't yet read so that you could be reading it for the first time. It's a book about books, and the love of reading, and the reading of science fiction in particular. It's a book about growing up, and having to deal with bad situations. And it's about magic.

The heroine is a young Welsh girl, sent to boarding school, who searches for a family, a group to belong to. There is an underlying plot of magic which the heroine shares with us in tiny tidbits; the effect is to keep the reader guessing and wondering.

The heroine is also a bibliophile, and there are enough titles listed in the book to provide a great introduction to science fiction. I've read some of the titles, and I've TBRed quite a few more.

Great quotes, mostly dealing with books and libraries:

I have books, new books, and I can bear anything as long as there are books.

A brilliant phrasing: "straggle of trees"

Interlibrary loans are a wonder of the world and a glory of civilization. (I SO feel this way!)

Libraries really are wonderful. THey're better than bookshops, even. I mean bookshops make a profit on selling you books, but libraries just sit there lending you books quietly out of the goodness of their hearts.

Excellent book! I almost gave it five stars, but I felt that the reading was a little boggy in the middle, so I gave it 4 and 1/2. Very, very good read!

While working at the circulation desk at my library, I noticed that the Friends' bookstore had a cart of "classics" for sale for 50 cents a piece! Sure, they're pnly paperbacks, but...50 cents!

Here's what I got:

The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass
The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge
Typhoon and Other Stories by Joseph Conrad
Greek Tragedies, Vol. 1 (Agamemnon, Prometheus Bound, Oedipus the King, Antigone, Hipploytus)
The Portable Oscar Wilde ed. Addington
2500 Anecdotes for All Occasions by Edmund Fuller
The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
Euripedes' The Bacchae and Other Plays
The Best Stories of Anton Chekhov ed. John Kulka

Okay, I don't know why the anecdotes book ended up as a "classic," but it could come in handy.

The Friends had moved in a new cart, this time with cookbooks!

#167 Congratulations for the deal Karen, I thought I knew about most of Conrad's works, but hearing for the first time about Typhoon.

#167: Nice haul, Karen. I would have to be wary around the cookbooks cart - it would get me in trouble in no time!

Okay raced to add Among Others to my list, only to find it is already there, you wrote a great review for it though. And congrats with more lovely books, I only know of the 2 Greek ones but they all look pretty good.

103. Stylized: A Slightly Obsessive History of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style by Mark Garvey

This book had been on my TBR list for a long time, and the opportunity came up to read it for TIOLI (a 13-word title). It was such a treat to read; I would recommend it highly for anyone who likes reading "books about books" or, for that matter, anyone interested in a book about writing.

The author provides a history of the "Little Book" (The Elements of Style) with primary source material--letters from Strunk, White, and others involved in the publishing of the book, but also a survey of modern authors on the book. It makes for fascinating reading! And it's funny - I chuckled my way through the book.

I got my own copy of The Elements of Style back in Freshman Comp in college. I liked it then, but knowing more about the book's history makes it even more valuable to me.

The book itself is very well designed, and Garvey is a very readable writer himself. The book includes quite a few photos, witty letter excerpts, and a bibliography.

...the Strunkian equivalent of the Golden Rule: "Omit needless words." (yes!)

Why all the fuss? Because sloppy usage drives out meaning. (Jack Case)

In a way, when I read disordered prose I think, Okay, this is written by somebody whom I can't trust. Because the writer isn't willing to do the work to make clear what he or she wants to say and to say it well. (Alec Wilkinson)

The approach to style is by way of plainness, simplicity, orderliness, sincerity. (E.B. White)

Never miss an opportunity to shut up. (Will Rogers)

Easy writing is vile hard reading (Richard Brinsley Sheridan) (ain't it the truth?!)

104. Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan

Slim, disturbing novelette set in summertime France where the narrator of the story (Cecile, a 17-year-old girl) is on vacation with her single, playboyish father. She meddles in her father's love life, and there are tragic consequences.

I read this for "1001 Books" but it really seemed lightweight and easily skippable. I did pick up a good impression of the time and place, and it was chilling in its portrayal of Cecile, an amoral, hedonistic young woman. It is a small book (in a few ways), and didn't take long to read.

105. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

Terrific murder mystery, set in the American Deep South of Mississippi (the title comes from a children's spelling trick for the state name - "M, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, humpback, humpback, I.")

This book is very atmospheric, with the language (especially that of the dialogue) very authentic and almost poetic. The writing is very musical--I thought the author had a very good ear. The accents and word choices are definitely of the South, but they aren't annoying or difficult to translate as dialogue written regionally often is.

There are two time settings for the plot, present time and twenty-five years ago, and murders have happened in both timeframes. The main characters in the book are two men who were friends "back then" and who are thrust together once more in the present day.

Great themes of friendship, racial relations, and second chances.

Here's one sentence I just loved:

Daylight crept through the trees like an army of crafty boys

I read this for the TIOLI Edgar Memorial challenge, and I'm so glad that I did. I'll definitely look for other books by the author.

173- Nice review! :)

#171: Adding that one to the BlackHole.

#172/173: Both already in the BlackHole. Whew! Dodging book bullets is hard work :)

106. Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith

The first in a new series by McCall Smith, featuring a set of characters living in a London apartment house of the title name. McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors, and with this book, I've found a new set of characters to enjoy.

The author has a way of inserting philosophy and fairly deep thoughts into his stories. On the other hand, some dialogue reminds me of Wodehouse, kind of silly and eccentrically witty. I definitely will now go find the second book in the series - The Dog Who Came in From the Cold.

Here are some samples that I thought were particularly tasty:

She was usually the first to arrive in the morning, coming in even before the cleaning lady, who emptied the wastepaper bins and vacuumed the floor, and then, her duties done, was to be found in the waiting room reading unsolicited manuscripts over a cup of tea. She had a good eye for a promising script, Barbara and her colleagues had found, and they encouraged her to note down her verdict on a piece of paper and pin it to the front page of the manuscript. "Promising," a note might read, or "A bit sentimental, I think," or simply "Rubbish." And sometimes these notes would be accompanied by a request for fresh cleaning supplies, as in: "A good romance--credible characters--and please order more liquid soap for the toilets."

One of the characters, a young woman, is talking with her roommate about her ex-boss, Oedipus Snark:

"Did he ever. . .did he ever make any moves? You know. . ."

Jenny frowned. "Moves?"

Dee explained further. "Did he ever make a pass at you?"

Jenny looked up at the ceiling. She could not recall Oedipus ever doing anything like that; he had shown no interest in her, she thought, as a woman. She had assumed that this was because he had that girlfriend of his, Barbara Ragg, but it could equally well have been because he was so narcissistic that he could only think of making a pass at himself. What had somebody said of him in a newspaper column somewhere? "If Snark were to be found covered in love bites they would surely be self-inflicted."

The author ends quite a few of his books with a poem, worked into the narrative of the book. Here are lines from the poem at the end of this book--I think they are clever and true:

Friendship is a guise of love,
And love is friendship
Dressed up for a night out.

I'm just thrilled that I will get John Katz's Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die for July Early Reviewers! I've read the author's book, A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me and really liked it.

Our "little girl" cat, Alyce recently passed away, so this will be a timely read for me. Alyce isn't the first pet I've had to say goodbye to, and won't be the last (our other three current cats are getting on in years). Can't wait to see what Katz says in his book!

Sorry to hear that you cat passed recently, that book would be very interesting as we are losing a member of the family when our pets die and it is really hard. My dog is my best bud, thankfully he is still young so I don't have to go through this again soon.

107. Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart

Stephen/Ape had recommended this book, and I've had good luck with other titles from him. I enjoyed this read--it was very interesting (I'd find myself saying to myself, "Well, I didn't know that!" all the way through the book). Great insights into ecology, biology, botany, and even history.

The book seems well-designed, and is a pleasure to hold and read. However, there is no index (what?) and I wish there were illustrations of all of the plants described. I think that the book fulfilled its intent, and maybe any more depth would kill the flow of this little book.

I am looking forward to getting my hands on Wicked Plants and Wicked Bugs one of these days.

Yeah, if I had any problem with the books, it was the lack of depth, but that's why I described the book as 'bite sized.' Nice, quick, pleasant (sort of...) little tidbits about various plants and insects that had odd characteristics I had no idea about.

Oh, and the book could have used an epilogue or something. It just kind of ends all of a sudden, you know? Wicked Bugs is the same way. Still, I really liked both of 'em. :)

I bought Wicked Bugs for the aesthetic appeal of the cover, not expecting anything beyond a superficial quirky survey, so I doubt I'll be disappointed. But I'm waiting for January, when everything around here is dead.

182: qebo: Good idea (waiting until you can just read about bugs without worrying about running into them in real life). After reading Wicked Plants I find myself looking at weeds and wondering if they are deadly or just dangerous.

Thanks for stopping by to chat!

108. All Mortal Flesh by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Another terrific read in this series. I'm trying to pace myself, because there are only two books remaining for me in the current makeup of the series. Reverend Clare and Police Chief Russ are such wonderful characters: intelligent, loving, honorable. Neither one has let me down yet.

And so much for pacing myself. Within five minutes of finishing this book, I had the next one requested at my library.

#184: And so much for pacing myself. Within five minutes of finishing this book, I had the next one requested at my library.

LOL!

109. I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Another delicious installment in the Reverend Clare Ferguson and Russ Van Alstyne saga.

I loved how the author began the book six months in the future, then backs up to bring the story forward to that point. This technique really sets the stage for events of the book.

I've decided to read the last book in the series as soon as I can get it from the library. These books are good enough to read again if I need a "fix" of the characters and the style; I may need to get my own set!

110. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

This was a reread for me; I first read Jane Eyre in my youth (a long time ago!) I am so glad I did the reread, because I read with different eyes, and maybe a little more wisdom. What a great love story!

Here are some passages that really stood out for me, this time (the first really impressed me the first time, as well):

(preface) Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last.

You are my sympathy--my better self--my good angel--I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wraps my existence about you--and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.

I know no medium: I never in my life have known any medium in my dealings with positive, hard characters, antagonistic to my own, between absolute submission and determined revolt.

And, then, a quote by Virginia Woolf, off the cover of the Modern Library edition:

So we open Jane Eyre...The writer has us by the hand, forces us along her road, makes us see what she sees, never leaves us for a moment or allows us to forget her. At the end we are steeped trhough and through with the genius, the vehemence, the indignation of Charlotte Bronte...It is the red and fitful glow of the heart's fire which illumines her book.

#187 I do so very much want to read Jane Eyre, maybe next month I will be able to squeeze it in my reading schedule.

Some very nice recent reading, Karen!

Piyush, I hope you get to "Jane"--it's easy reading (for a "classic"). And what a story! What made it terrific for me this read was realizing that Edward Rochester was a real person, full of passion and vitality. When I read the book as a girl, he seemed so...grandfatherly (hehe!) Now that I'm a lot older, I realize that he was an attractive, vibrant, passionate, grown-up MAN.

If you get a chance, the Masterpiece Theatre mini-series is wonderful--Ruth Wilson as Jane, Toby Stephens as Rochester (yum!) Great acting by them, by all characters.

Hi, Stasia! Great to see you here. And I have had some really fun reading and I know that you have, too. Your thread is one my "required" list--you have provided so many good leads ("reading leadings"?)

111. Bossypants by Tina Fey

Smart, funny read from one of my favorite funny people.

The book gives us a peek into Fey's life, especially her work as writer and comic actor.

Don't get me wrong, there are serious topics in the book, including gender bias in politics. There is an achingly beautiful "Mother's Prayer for Her Daughter." This chapter manages to combine serious concerns and humor in a lovely mix that brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face.

I was chuckling throughout the book, often laughing aloud. This is a book I would read again, to make sure that I didn't miss anything.

Here's a sample, one of my favorite paragraphs.

When pondering whether to have a second child:

It seems to me that the fastest remedy for this "Women are Crazy" situation is for more women to become producers and hire women of various ages. That is why I feel obligated to stay in the business and try hard to get to a place where I can create opportunities for others, and that's why I can't possibly take time off for a second baby, unless I do, in which case that is nobody's business and I'll never regret it for a moment unless it ruins my life.

112. Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing by Elmore Leonard

I came across a mention of this book in Stylized: A Slightly Obsessive History of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style.

The Leonard book is a short-and-sweet guide to writing by a writer who certainly knows something about it. The book was originally published as an essay in the NYTimes (2001).

This book is terrific! I'm not a professional writer, but I am a voracious reader of books, and the rules ring true (I'll list them below). The book has some terrific drawings by Joe Ciardiello. It was a true pleasure to read and, if I WAS a writer, I would periodically read this book to keep the rules fresh in my mind.

Here are Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing. I don't feel as if I'm giving out too much here, because Leonard expands one each rule, and talks about other writers and their writings to illustrate each one. Even the book design (e.g. the creative spacing of paragraphs in the book) gives humor and clarity to the words. This is a very fun and interesting book to read.

That said, here are the "rules":

1. Never open a book with weather.
2. Avoid prologues.
3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said."
5. Keep your exclamation points under control.
6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly (yes! --my comment).
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

Leonard ends it all with one additional rule. "My most important rule is one that sums up the ten. If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go."

#193: I love the additional rule!

113. The Wind's Twelve Quarters by Ursula K. LeGuin

This collection of fantasy and science fictions by the great LeGuin was identified as "the best collection of science fiction stories ever" by the main character in Among Others by Jo Walton. So I had to see if it was true (although I haven't read a lot of SF since my young adult years).

It WAS a great collection, although a little heavier on the fantasy side than on the science side. But the author is quite clear about that--that she doesn't write a lot of what she calls "'hard-core' or wiring-diagram science fiction." There are a lot of beautiful, complex stories here, and each one is introduced by the author and set into context. I found this very helpful in getting into each story and coming to an understanding about it.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the stories or from the introductions:

"The Masters" was my first published genuine authentic real virgin-wool science-fiction story, by which I mean a story in which to to which the existence and the accomplishments of science are, in some way, essential. At least that is what I mean by science fiction on Mondays. On Tuesdays sometimes I mean something else.

Life loves to know itself, out to its furthest limits; to embrace complexity is its delight. Our difference is our beauty. All these worlds and the various forms and ways of the minds and lives and bodies on them--together they would make a splendid harmony.

It seldom works that simply. I sat down and started a story, just because I felt like it, with nothing but the word "Omelas" in mind. It came from a road sign: Salem (Oregon) backwards. Don't you read road signs backwards? POTS. WOLS nerdlihc. Ocsicnarf Nas...Salem equals schelomo equals salaam equals Peace. Melas. O melas. Omelas. Homme helas. "Where do you get your ideas from, Ms Le Guin?" From forgetting Dostoyevsky and reading road signs backwards, naturally. Where else?

The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist: a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain.

114. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman

A wonderful gem of a book. It's a tiny thing (6.5" by 4.5"). It's a novel, but also reads like philosophical thinking about time, and is also kind of exercises for one's brain. I thoroughly enjoyed this book--it was so clever and thoughtful and unusual.

The main character of the novel is Albert Einstein (good old TIOLI "unusual name" challenge!) and we are presented with a series of dreams about time, that Einstein might have had at the time he was researching and writing about time early in his career. In a few "Interludes" we read about Einstein, the character, but we probably learn more about him through "his" dreams.

For the past several months, since the beginning of April, he has dreamed many dreams about time. His dreams have taken hold of his research. His dreams have worn him out, exhausted him so that he sometimes cannot tell whether he is awake or asleep. But the dreaming is finished. Out of many possible natures of time, imagined in as many nights, one seems compelling. Not that the others are impossible. The others might exist in other worlds.

My favorite "dream" was this: "Imagine a world in which there is not time. Only images." The rest of the chapter consists of beautiful image after image; here are a few, to give you an example:

A child at the seashore, spellbound by her first glimpse of the ocean. A woman standing on a balcony at dawn, her hair down, her loose sleeping silks, her bare feet, her lips.

Some of the images are sad: A woman lying on her couch with wet hair, holding the hand of a man she will never see again.

There are pages of these images, and my brain felt quite exercised in the re-imagining of the images. I was also overwhelmed by the beauty that could be seen in what might be perceived as mundane images: A coiled rope. A yellow brush.

The LT reviews seem to have come from high-schoolers who may have had difficulty with the book and thought it was strictly a science book (?). I'm going to post my review to the work page because I don't come across many books that I will give five stars to, and this is one of them.

Wow, that Einstein book looks excellent, I've never heard of it before so thanks for putting it on my radar.

I read Einstein's Dreams 2-3 years ago and loved it! I do believe I gave it 5 stars, actually. Just yesterday I checked out another of his books (Good Benito) and reading your review makes me want to get to it sooner! unfortunately I have 3 other books I need to read first...

ETA: Nope, I gave it 4 stars, but I remember it like a 5-star book. *Shrug*

Kiwi, I'm sure you'd love Einstein's Dreams--I hope you get a chance to try it.

Ape! I should've known you liked this one! It's the kind of book that stays with you, isn't it?! I'm going to have to look for Good Benito, too!

Thank you both for stopping by and chatting!

115. The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White

Doing some more reading-books-that-I-should-have-read-as-a-child. This book was a lot of fun, and I'd recommend it to any pre-teen or pre-teen wannabe. It was almost funny how I kept waiting for something bad to happen, but although problems occurred, nothing terrible happened. I love a happy ending!

#195: Adding The Wind's Twelve Quarters to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Karen!

#196: I very much enjoyed Einstein's Dreams when I read it a few years ago. I am glad to see you enjoyed it so much. Off to give your review a 'thumbs up!'

I'm always happy when I can recommend a book that you haven't read or don't already have IN the BlackHole, Stasia! I don't think you'll go wrong with this one.

And thank you for the 'thumbs up'!

#202: I am in luck as my local library has The Wind's Twelve Quarters. Hopefully, I can get to the book soon.

Hi there! De-lurking to say that I am also a big P.G. Wodehouse fan! I love the Jeeves and Wooster stories, but my favorite 2 Wodehouse books are The Small Bachelor and A Damsel In Distress. They are stand-alone novels, I believe.

I also read with interest your comments on Bonjour, Tristesse. I've not read the book, but I have seen the film version and I loved it. Jean Seberg's portrayal of the girl didn't strike me as amoral, but more as a young girl who fancies herself jaded and sophisticated and realizes that she really knows nothing of love and pain at all. I'm curious now to read the book. The film is quite beautiful.

Sandy K

Hi, Sandy K! I'm making note of your recommendations (the Wodehouses and the Bonjour, Tristesse film). I love seeing film adaptations of books that I've read and comparing my impressions of them. And I adore Wodehouse!

Thanks for stopping by and chatting!

Please join me at my NEW THREAD, here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/122919#

Hope to see you there!