sjmccreary reads in 2011, part 3

time for a new thread - part 2 is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/110271

For me, it is Chrome > Firefox > Opera > Safari > IE for Windows based systems. For my MacPro, Safari performs better than Opera, but Chrome remains my favourite there too.

I'm here! This time I vow to do more than merely lurk....

I'm here... ready to lurk or talk or just wait for you to post again. I'm glad to see that it's a few degrees hotter in KC than it is here, but when you get up in the 90s, it's just plain hot!

Hi Sandy: How was the Cubs/Royals game? My friend occasionally gets tickets for the first row at the White Sox ballpark. She is taking me next Wed afternoon, July 6th, and I just realized that it's the Sox vs the Royals. I will be rooting for the Royals.

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Black Ships--it is sitting here in my TBR pile. I did participate in the group read of the Aeneid last year, and need to read this before I forget it!

The Royals have been here the last three days--it was the Padres' first sweep of the season!

#2 I'm probably exposing my own lack of technical abilities and even awareness, but the fact that I'm even familiar with 3 different browsers is making me uncomfortable. I just want an "internet" icon - I don't want to have to think about which browser will work best for the computer I'm on or the sites I want to visit. I wish I could label the Chrome icon as "LibraryThing" since that is what it represents for me right now. Everything else gets done on IE, just because that is what I'm familiar with. But I guess I really need to consider Firefox. Maybe if I don't spend too much time reading threads tonight I'll get it downloaded. Thanks for the nudge.

#3 Lurk away, if you want to. But it's nicer when you say things.

#4 I'm in Wichita since last night - for the rest of the week. It was 100 degrees here today. Ugh. 90 is too hot in my book. How much longer until October?

#5 The Cubs game was fun - nearly a sell-out - lots of Cubs fans, and not all from Chicago - there are a lot of people here who like them. Cubs fans are much nicer than Yankees fans, and more laid-back than Twins fans. Both those teams also draw big crowds here. It was a close game and both teams had plenty of good plays. Saturday's win broke a 6-game losing streak for the Royals. But, according to Roni, it sounds like they're working on another one. I hope having you cheer for them in Chicago will be lucky. How is the vacation so far? Nine games altogether? Are you tired of baseball yet? ;-)

#6 What is the Aeneid like? Is it hard to read and understand? Now that I've been exposed to the story, I'm anxious to seek out the "original" - in a modern English translation, of course - and maybe some other versions, too.

I think most of us read the Robert Fagles translation--it is considered to be an outstanding modern translation. No, I wouldn't say it was hard to read and understand. There was some excellent discussion in the thread where people helped explain how Virgil was relating his poem to current events in Rome.

After checking the library's catalog, I see that there are several different translations. I made sure to specify the Fagles translation on my wishlist. Looking forward to it. Do you have a link to the group read discussion?

Yes, it is at http://www.librarything.com/topic/91596

Thanks - I started reading the thread just down to the point where the discussion really got started on the content. It looks like a great group - I'm sorry I missed it.

Hi, Sandy! I have you starred again.

Me too. Another star from me. :)

Hope you're enjoying your 4th of July holiday, Sandy!!

Actually managed to finish a few books recently:

Book #43



The Lost City of Z by David Grann

A modern journalist becomes the latest in a long line of people fascinated by the account of British explorer Percy Fawcett who was last seen in 1925 when he set off for the last in a series of trips into the Amazon wilderness. His son, Jack, and Jack's friend were his only companions - none were ever heard from again. Fawcett was obsessed with the tale of a lost city - known as "Z". Perhaps it was the fabled golden city of El Dorado, perhaps something else, but Fawcett was convinced that he would find evidence of a large, complex civilization in the Amazon jungle and he refused to stop looking until then. In the decades since, dozens of people have set out to discover what happened to the small party - and perhaps find Z at the same time - many of them were also never seen again. Using every modern tool and convenience available, Grann made his own trip to the Amazon to learn what really happened to Fawcett, and the truth about Z.

Thanks to Stasia for this recommendation. I kept forgetting that this was not a novel - a fantastic story told in a very readable manner. 4 stars.

Book #44



Empire of the Summer Moon by S C Gwynne

It's rare for me to get 2 great non-fiction books back-to-back, but I managed it this time. This book tells the story of the Comanche tribe during its waning days in the 19th century. These fierce warriors had controlled the southern plains for many generations - driving back the Spaniards, the Mexicans, and all the other Indian tribes before being faced with Texans & Americans who wanted to settle the area. Gwynne presents the conflict from both sides - the Indians and the whites. He does not sugar-coat any of it. It was a brutal time - atrocities were committed by both sides. There were no noble savages here - the Comanches were ruthless killers. The whites were just as bad. Especially highlighted is Quanah Parker - the last great chief of the Comanches who was still a young man when he surrendered and moved his people to a reservation in present-day Oklahoma. Quanah was the son of a powerful chief and a white woman who had been taken captive as a young girl and adopted by the tribe. Cynthia Ann Parker was fully grown when she was recaptured and returned to her family against her will. Her small daughter was with her, but she was forced to leave behind her 2 sons (Quanah, the elder, was only 12), her husband, her home, and her entire community. She spent the rest of her life trying to escape back to "her people".

Recommended for anyone with an interest in American history - especially Western history. Gwynne does a fabulous job of explaining the how's and why's behind the tragic story that many of us are already too familiar with. 4 stars.

Hi Sandy. I loved The Lost City of Z. There is also an interesting book of diaries and letters compiled by Fawcett's son . . . I'll have to get back to you with the title! I just added Empire of the Summer Moon to my list, requested it from the library, and am looking forward having it available. Sounds like a fascinating story . . .

Exploration Fawcett: Journey to the City of Z Percy Fawcett
is the book mentioned above.

Book #45



Haunted Ground by Erin Hart

An Archaeologist is called from Dublin to western Ireland when a farmer discovers a woman's remains buried in a peat bog. He is joined by an American pathologist who is convinced that they will be able to identify the woman and determine how she died - despite the fact that it is only her decapitated head that is buried, and that she died more than 300 years earlier. While in the country, the pair get involved in investigating the disappearance of a local woman and her son. The husband is widely suspected but there is no proof. Not flawless, but a nice beginning to a series featuring the same two characters. 3-1/2 stars.

Book #46



Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer

Before LT, I used to read historical romances by the dozens. But I'd never read Georgette Heyer before learning about her here. She is wonderful. The specific plot doesn't really matter - the hero is handsome and kind and, of course, a perfect gentleman. The ladies are beautiful and charming. This is a funny story - as the characters find themselves in one situation after another requiring more and more outlandish fibs to explain away their unconventional and possibly scandalous appearances. Highly recommended. 4-1/2 stars.

NOTE - if you get the same PB edition I have, with a foreword written by Linda Lael Miller, be warned that the foreword contains tons of spoilers. She starts off by telling what a wonderful book this is and then proceeds to summarize the entire book in 8 pages. Skip the foreword and read the book for yourself.

#16 Hi, Brenda. Have you read the Fawcett book? I recognize the title - it was mentioned lots of times in the Z book. It didn't even occur me to see if I could actually find it. Our library online catalog goes offline every night at midnight, so I'll have to try to remember to check tomorrow to see if they have it. Or maybe on WorldCat.

I hope you enjoy Empire of the Summer Moon - I'll be looking forward to your comments.

Glad to see you enjoyed The Lost City of Z, Sandy!

ETA: I am adding Empire of the Summer Moon to the BlackHole. It looks right up my alley. Thanks!

Hi Sandy, I am going to add Empire of the Summer Moon to my wishlist as well. Last year I read Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson which was the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, and one of my favorite reads of the year. It would be interesting to read the actual, true, probably less romantic story of the last days of the Comanche.

Great to see you enjoyed your Geogette Heyer read!

PBS is airing a program on Fawcett on July 20th on Secrets of the Dead.

"What happened to famed adventurer Col. Percy Fawcett who went looking for a city of gold? He started searching for the Lost City of "Z" in 1925 and disappeared in the jungles of Brazil forever."

Sandy- I know I haven't been by in a long time but I see you are still reading some terrific books. I'm a huge fan of The Lost City of Z and as a matter of fact, my current read is The River of Doubt, which reminds me a lot of that book.
Funny, a friend just recommended Empire of the Summer Moon to me, so I had just put it on the List.
Hope all is well!

Hi Sandy. I read the Fawcett book right after finishing Lost City of Z. I loved both books. I would also second #22 recommendation of The River of Doubt. All three of these books are on my favorites list. I am thoroughly fascinated by exploration/adventure stories . . . that kind of passion for discovery is intriguing to me.

Wow, you've posted some great reviews lately. Must. Not. Open. Amazon.

#19 Stasia, I think you'll enjoy Summer Moon - most of it is set in Texas, so you'll probably have a better understanding of the places being described than I did.

#20 Judy - you've managed to do it again. Even when I can get you to add a book, you STILL manage to give me one, too! Sprig Muslin was your suggestion, as I recall. I'll be looking for Ride the Wind now - Cynthia Ann Parker's story is fascinating. Is it nonfiction or a historical novel?

#21 I'll check the listings - hoping for a repeat airing (my local PBS station does that sometimes - or is it a network thing?) since I won't be home on the 20th and won't have access to TV. Can I watch the broadcast online?

#22 I'm a little surprised that more people haven't been reading Summer Moon - it's been out for a year now. I hope you will like it. I'll be checking out River of Doubt - thanks for that!

River of Doubt is excellent, Sandy. I hope you get a chance to read it.

#23 Well, that clinches the deal on adding River of Doubt to the wishlist. Hope the library has it.

#24 I don't think Amazon is open this late in the evening, so it wouldn't do you any good to try to log on. (Does that help?)

I've been on a bit of a binge this week and finished another book today:

Book #47



Hippolyte's Island by Barbara Hodgson

I found this one to be un-put-down-able. This tells the story of Hippolyte Webb, a 30-ish single man living in Vancouver who marches to the beat of a different drummer, so to speak. He is a writer and a traveler and makes his living by combining them. For years he travelled west - circling the globe at about the 50th parallel - right back home to Vancouver.

After playing with an old globe, he notices a group of small islands in the south Atlantic. These islands are unusual in that the old maps - from the 18th and early 19th centuries - show the islands as the Auroras, located between the Falklands and South Georgia. But on more recent maps, there is no trace of any islands there. Some of the accounts he reads are of explorers and sailors trying to find them but being unable to do so. Because of these repeated failed attempts to locate and explore the islands, the later map-makers decide they do not belong on accurate, modern maps. Hippoltye decides to go there and see them for himself.

The first half of the book is the story of Hippolyte's preparing and then making the long trip to the South Atlantic. He is totally absorbed in his project. We see him largely as he sees himself as he deals with the problems that arise during the trip by way of excerpts from his detailed log book. The weather, problems with the boat, the birds on the islands, the plants, the shape and formation of the landforms, his own small injuries and mishaps - all this is chronicled in the log. The second half of the book takes place after his return. He had contacted an old school friend who is a publisher in New York about a book deal which was accepted. Hippolyte spends most of the rest of the book in New York working with Marie, an editor who is highly skeptical of Hippolyte's story. Interestingly, other people do not see him the way he (and we) sees himself. Who is right? Hippolyte is forced to confront the reality that he must convince others of the truth of his story when Marie insists that he do additional research and provide proof for his assertions. She, on the other hand, becomes drawn into his story the longer she works with him, despite her serious reservations.

So totally not my usual thing - I loved this book but, according to some of the reviews, not everyone else did. Still, I give it 4 stars and will recommend it.

#27: I already have that one in the BlackHole or I would add it again. I just wish my local library would get a copy!

#28 I wish they would, too. It is beautifully illustrated, in addition be being a dandy story.

#29: That's it, rub it in! lol

Well, I think you just got me again with Hippolyte's Island!

Ride the Wind is a historical novel, so probably somewhat romanticized, but she's an excellent writer and the story just sweeps you away.

Book #48



Kill the Messenger by Tami Hoag

I received this book in the SantaThing book exchange - in 2008 - and have finally gotten around to reading it. I've never read this author before, although I've seen her books around for years. Truthfully, I wasn't expecting much from it and was pleasantly surprised to find it pretty good.

This is a nice fast-paced mystery-thriller about a bicycle messenger who gets caught up in something sinister when a delivery he is supposed to make takes him to a vacant lot with no one around but a large black car with dark glass. He doesn't wait around to find out what is going on but listens to his "gut" and takes off as quickly as he can. But before he can get completely away he is shot at and nearly run down. The next day he learns that the person who had hired him to make the delivery was murdered and he fears that he will be the police's primary suspect.

The story is told in the alternating perspectives of the street-smart kid who will go to any length to protect what is dear to him and the world-weary police detective who has finally learned that the job isn't everything but finds he has nothing else to live for. Very nice, with a surprise ending. 3-1/2 stars.

#32: I have read several of Hoag's books including that one, although it has been a while. I am glad you finally got around to reading and enjoying your SantaThing gift, Sandy.

I've got a SantaThing book from last year just waiting to be read. Maybe it will fit one of the TIOLI challenges in Augsut!

Christmas (of 2008) in July... and I thought I was overbooked. I haven't read a Tami Hoag book in ages.

It looks like River of Doubt will be going on my WL, too. Oh, these people and their suggestions!

Stay cool, Sandy.

I've been hearing so many good things about The Lost City of Z; I really need to get around to it one of these days.

Empire of the Summer Moon and River of Doubt have also just been added to my wishlist. Sigh....

just popping in to say hi! So busy I can't keep up.

Try to stay cool!

I think I finally finished verifying that all the recommendations that were made as follow-ups to Lost City of Z and Empire of Summer Moon are available at the library and have gotten them added to the groaning wish list. Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone.

Roni, thanks for the heads-up about the PBS program about Fawcett - I just watched it online and it was interesting to see pictures of some of the places mentioned in the book. Actually, much of what was said in the program was in the book and I had to double check the name of the guy in the show to be sure he wasn't the author of the book, since their research stories were so similar. The book is better, and I'm glad I read it first. There is so much more background and details not included in the program, but the show is only an hour, and the book takes much longer to read than that.

Book #49



Hush by Kate White

Lake Warren is a woman in the middle of a divorce and working for a New York City fertility clinic as a marketing consultant. Even though she has been advised by her attorney to behave modestly until the divorce is final and the custody settlement has been made, she sleeps with a handsome doctor she barely knows after an office dinner party. While he slept soundly in bed, she restlessly spent the remainder of the night in a lounge chair on his terrace and woke in the morning to find him dead where she left him - his throat cut. Fearing the repercussions it might have on her divorce, she slips out of the his apartment and returns to her own home, vowing not to tell anyone that she had been there. Even though it had been announced that the doctor would be joining the practice as a partner, he had privately told her that something had happened and that those plans might be in jeopardy. However, she did not have time to ask him to explain further before he was killed. Now she wonders whether the murder was related to the problem that might have stopped him from joining the practice. She is also worried about the meaning of a series of strange and disturbing incidents aimed at her personally - are they related to the murder? to the unknown problem at the clinic? to the divorce?

This book ought to have been very good - and most of the reviewers here though it was. But for me, it fell flat. I disliked it from the very beginning. Everyone acted suspiciously. There were so many red herrings that it was beginning to smell like fish. There was almost no character development - even Lake was little more than a cardboard cutout. I will admit that it improved as it went along, but the pace felt more frenetic than suspenseful, even at the end. The ending was ridiculous - there were no clues leading to the culprit. (I guess I should have known to suspect the one person who DIDN'T act guilty.) And the cover is dumb - I don't get what that silver heart is supposed to represent, it certainly doesn't pertain to anything brought out in the story. It just didn't work for me, although the premise was very good. An overly-generous 3 stars.

Sorry to hear that your latest book was not a good one. I hope the next read is, Sandy!

That's the great thing about books, if one falls flat - there's always another one waiting to be picked up and explored!

Book #50



Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett

This is the first time I've actually been able to complete a Terry Pratchett book. My husband and sons have loved this series for years, and I've seen lots of delighted reviews about them here, too. But before this, I just could never stick with one long enough to finish it - I WANTED to like them, but I just never "got" them. I think it was Caty M who suggested this one as a good starting place - not the first book in the series, but the first book in the popular Watch sub-series. The Watch happens to be my husband's favorite set, too, so I decided to give Mr Pratchett one more chance. If it still didn't work, I would stop trying and not feel any more guilt.

I can't say I loved it, but it is very clever, very funny. I won't attempt a synopsis of the plot - I'm certain I wouldn't do it justice. The imaginary world - the Discworld - is so clearly and completely described that it seems like a real place. The magical elements, the very different laws of nature, the strange creatures that inhabit the world - all these also seem perfectly ordinary when written by Pratchett. "Did you like it?" my husband eagerly asked after I'd finished, "will you read more of them?" Yes, I liked it. And, yes, I'll read more. I don't know whether I'll seek out the entire series (about 20 books, Hubby informs me), but I'll dip in and out of it and read a few more of them - as long as they continue to be as enjoyable as this one is. 3-1/2 stars.

You can stick with the Watch ones--that's only 8 or 9, and they are my favorite subset as well--although the DEATH and the Tiffany Aching books run a close second.

Hubby likes Death, and he also mentioned Wee Free Men - is that Tiffany Aching? He loves Captain Vimes, but my favorite character was The Librarian. I also liked Carrot.

Wee Free Men is Tiffany Aching - it's one of his YA series. Very fun.

My hubster loves Watch books best, with the industry books running a close second. I prefer the industry books overall, although I love Death and Watch books, too. The Witches are hit or miss for me, and I'm not very fond of the Wizards at all...

It's certainly not a "series" one would have to read in order of publication. I started with The Truth and fell in love, but Michael usually recommends Guards! Guards! first.

I think at least half the fun of this series is noticing everyone's reactions to it, and comments about it. Just knowing I was reading the book this week caused Hubby to begin responding with "Oook?" to surprising or unexpected comments or situations. At least now I understand what it means!

Book #51



Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard

Roanna has been in love with her (distant) cousin Webb for as long as she can remember, but he marries Jessie instead. Roanna and Jessie are first cousins who were both orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident and both girls went to live with their grandmother in the family's ancestral home. When they were married, Webb moved into the house and took over the family's business affairs. As she approached adulthood, Roanna's feelings for Webb remain unchanged - he is the one person in the large household who cares for and about her. When Jessie is found dead in their room after a loud argument everyone suspects Webb of killing his wife, but there is no evidence against him, so he is never charged. As soon as he is able, he leaves the small Alabama community and starts over with a cattle ranch in Arizona. Ten years later, Grandmother's health is failing and Roanna has taken over much of the business management. Grandma wants to make peace with Webb before she dies and sends Roanna to Arizona to ask Webb to come home, which he agrees to do.

Turns out, 10 years haven't dimmed Roanna's feelings towards Webb. It also turns out that those feelings are mutual. A half-hearted attempt to write these as star-crossed lovers didn't work well and they quickly acknowledge the attraction. That is all very predictable. What earned it an extra half-star from me was the careful way she dealt with the still unsolved mystery of who killed Jessie. Linda Howard has been writing romantic suspense for years, but it is the older books like this one that are her best - nothing she has done in recent years is worth the paper they are printed on. I gave this one 3-1/2 stars.

#41: I enjoy Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series too, Sandy, so I hope you will give it a try some time.

#47 Thanks, Stasia, I'm sure I will. I've wanted to enjoy Pratchett for so long and I'm very pleased that I've finally finished one. About the Tiffany Aching books, Chris told me "they're kids' books, but they're still pretty good". How can I go wrong with a recommendation like that? :-)

Book #52



High Crimes by Joseph Finder

Finder is becoming one of my new favorite authors. I think this is the 3rd book of his that I've read in the last 12 months. The others centered around plots of corporate espionage, but this one was more of a legal thriller. Claire is a law professor at Harvard, and quickly becoming a celebrity defense attorney after getting an accused rapist off on a technicality. While spending Saturday afternoon at the mall with her husband of 3 years and 5-year old daughter, they are surrounded by federal marshalls who address her husband by another name, causing him to take off running to evade capture. When she is finally able to piece together what has happened, she learned that her beloved husband Tom is believed to have served in the army's special forces during Viet Nam and into the 1980's, and that he is accused of murdering 85 unarmed civilians in El Salvador in 1985. He deserted the army, changed his name, and started a new life. Claire immediately went into action, taking charge of the defense team to represent Tom during his court martial. They uncover disturbing evidence linking the current general in charge of the Army, soon to become the next member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was the colonel in charge of the mission in El Salvador in 1985. It looks like Tom is being framed to protect the career of the General. Claire struggles with the unfamiliar military justice system on the one hand, and the impressive evidence being presented against her husband on the other - after all, after being married only 3 years, how well does she really know him?

The kind of book I found myself picking up at every chance - just to read another page or two. Plus, it has an unexpected little surprise at the end. 4 stars.

Hi There!

WOW! You are really zipping along reading lots of great books. I've added Hippolyte's Island and Empire of the Summer Moon to the tbr list.

All the best to you my dear!

Book #53



Just in Case by Kathy Harrison

Subtitled, "How to be self-sufficient when the unexpected happens", this book serves as a firm reminder that many of us are not prepared to handle any kind of disruption to normal life. If the electricity were to be out, how long could most of us live comfortably in our homes? Heat, water, cooking - these things often require electricity. If the outage is widespread or long lasting, we might not be able to get gasoline for the car, access the money in our bank accounts or purchase food at the grocery store. Harrison provides guidance on how to build up a store of food and other supplies needed to sustain a family for several days or weeks (or months, if enough of a stockpile were gathered). She also talks about the kinds of emergencies that might happen and how to be prepared for each of them. One point I had never thought of was that some crises are personal - an illness or injury in the family might prevent someone from being able to leave the home to get food and supplies for an extended time. Since we can't know what sort of situation might arise, it pays to have an attitude of general preparedness.

She points out, "The world has always been a scary place, but this is the first generation that has allowed itself to become totally dependent on a fragile web of interdependent systems. If one piece goes down - whether food, transportation, communications, finance, power, workforce, fuel or weather - the whole system will collapse in a domino effect that could bring our usual lives to a screeching halt." (pg 230) The more self-sufficient we are, the more different skills we have, the better prepared we are generally, the easier time our families will have in an emergency situation, and the less burden we will be on community relief efforts. Very thought-provoking. 3-1/2 stars.

#49 Hi, Linda! Those are good ones and I think you will enjoy them. You were in my thoughts the other day - I hope all is well with you.

#48: I am going to have to give Joseph Finder another look. I think I have only read one of his books. Thanks for the reminder, Sandy.

#50: I will have to check that one out too.

Thanks for the recommendations, Sandy!

Book #54



The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys

"In its long history, the river Thames has frozen solid forty times. These are the stories of the frozen river." And so begins the book which is, indeed, a collection of 40 short vignettes drawn from documented historical events. Many similarities between them - the cold weather, coldest in memory or coldest ever were frequent descriptions; song birds falling from the sky - frozen to death; the frost fairs that were set up on the ice; the death from starvation or cold of both humans and animals; the danger of drowning in the freezing water when the ice begins to break up. Many also contain hints about what was happening in English society at the time - kings and queens, taxes, laws. Contains some illustrations, but I would have liked more.

Despite the glowing praise in the cover blurbs, this book fell flat for me. In order to remain focused and engaged with the book until it was finished, I found myself computing statistics on the frequency of the freezing of the river. Of the 40 times, the first was in 1142 and the latest in 1895. Forty times in 753 years. An average of about once every 18 or 19 years - often enough that no one should think that any particular incident was the first-ever time. However, I noticed that the river froze 12 times during the 17th century - an average interval of only 8 years - and 10 times in the 18th century. The longest ice-free period was the 72 years from 1434 to 1506. At the other extreme, the river froze in consecutive years in 1795 and 1796. Reading and thinking about all that ice and cold was pleasant given the heat we've endured here the last several weeks, but otherwise this book didn't have a lot to offer me. I guess I'm just not one of the "thoughtful readers" that one blurber insists will love it. 2 stars from me, but it is short, so don't hesitate to give it a try if it seems interesting to you.

ETA - even though I only gave it 2 stars, the LT average rating is 4+, so please don't let me talk you out of it.

Sandy, The Frozen Thames may have fallen flat for you, but your statistics were interesting and informative. I wouldn't mind reading a book about snow and ice during August to help me through another month of projected hot weather.... but maybe not this one. ;-)

Hi, Donna - as I said, most readers have loved the book and I think you would probably like it better than I did. After all, you are a more "thoughtful" reader than I am!

This heat is becoming tiresome, isn't it? Poor Stasia down in Texas where it is REALLY hot and REALLY dry. And BJ in Okla, too. I read in the paper the other day that the drought in the southern plains - Texas, Okla, and southern Kansas - is the worst since the 1930's. No crops growing and no forage for livestock. It said ranchers near Dodge City are selling off their cattle because they can't afford to feed them - 4 times as many animals going to auction as normally would this time of year. Maybe the silver lining for the rest of us will be lower beef prices for a while.

We should all be looking for snow and ice and cold books to get us through the rest of summer!

Sandy, The Frozen Thames sounds terrific, though the fact that you didn't like it gives me pause.

I think I'll put it down as "for later."

Linda, don't let my reaction sway you - I am definitely in the minority here.

Hi, Sandy!

I may try to find the Finder book. Great review!

Book #55



Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

The very substantial (over 900 pages in print or 42 hours in audio) examination of the political career of Abraham Lincoln. It begins with Lincoln's nomination as the Republican party's canditate for president in 1860, but then flashes back to examine the political paths that led Lincoln, and his 3 rivals for the nomination, to that point. It ends after Lincoln's death, but an epilogue briefly describes the life and accomplishments of those who had been closest to Lincoln until their own deaths.

The key point - at least in my mind - was that Lincoln was a natural politician. He had the innate ability to get people to do what he wanted them to do by making them believe that they also wanted the same thing. He was reasonable, always willing to listen to opposing viewpoints, but always making his own decision. He was a master at diffusing tense situations and potential scandals. He was humble, but not weak. He was generous whenever he could be. He was willing to give nearly anyone the benefit of the doubt in a given situation. He had the rare ability to see the strengths of men he disliked or disagreed with and was willing to give them appointments to high and powerful positions in the government if he believed they were the best men to serve the interests of the country.

I'm sure the book is not flawless and that a more learned historian would be able to point out inaccuracies. But I give the book 5 stars for its ability to make the political atmosphere of the day, the problems facing the nation and its people and its leaders, clear and easy to grasp by ordinary but interested readers. Highly recommended.

Sandy- Excellent review of Team of Rivals. This one has been on my WL forever. I might try it on audio. I heard a film version is being made.

Mark, I'm skeptical of a film version of this book - a miniseries might be a better format than a feature film. I had the audio version, read by Susanne Toren who is excellent. I think you will enjoy this one.

Great review on Team of Rivals! But when I went to thumb it, ALAS!- it wasn't posted. I hope you'll do so; its well worth reading for others who are considering the title.

#62 thanks for the very kind comment - I've lazily not been posting "real" reviews for several months now, but since you asked I'll post my comments for this book.

Agree. A great book. One of my favorites.

#53: I did not love The Frozen Thames either, Sandy. I was expecting the book to be nonfiction and I think that was part of the problem for me, but like you, the book just fell flat for me.

#59: I loved that book when I read it so I am glad to see it has found another fan.

Team of Rivals has been on my WL for a long time now. I was hoping to get to it or Truman for a long, lazy read this summer. Alas, it hasn't happened -- yet!

Are you getting any of this lovely rain? I've woken up to thunderstorms the past two mornings. Rain is a wonderful wake-up call... although the total has just been slightly over half an inch!

#65 re: Frozen Thames - I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one!

#66 Donna - have you gotten you husband settled in back home yet? Yes, I'm sitting here typing to the background sound of thunder rumbling in the distance. Lots of very nice rain and mostly cloudy sky all day yesterday. I say "lots" of rain, but I'm too chicken to go check the rain guage to see just how much. Probably the half inch you mention is about right. Still, I'll take it with pleasure!

A very nice review of Team of Rivals! I've got that one on my shelf, but the length is daunting. I'll have to get to it soon!

#69 Thank you. Consider the audio version, if your local library has it. I looked at a print copy at the bookstore, and I agree - it is intimidating.

#70 - The audio is a great idea! Nonfiction usually works well for me on audio. That could go great with my plan to start riding our stationary bike more. Getting in shape and learning about Abe Lincoln!

#68: Send some rain my way!! My sister posted a picture of a Texas Rain Gauge on Facebook today. It was a bottle cap :/

#71 Getting in shape and learning about Abe Lincoln! - sounds like a plan!

#72 If it were up to me, the entire lower plains would get a long soaking rain, enough to fill up all the lakes and ponds. Today we're paying for the little bit of rain we got - very hot and steamy. It was nice while it lasted.

And hear I sit, listening to the rain pounding down during one of our daily aguaceros (downpours). :-)

Hi, Sandy! Team of Rivals has been on my radar for a while. I may bump it up the reading list, as it's available at the county library.

Great review!

Book #56



Big Spring Autumn by Bonnie Stepenoff

Read for the Missouri Readers group - discussion to begin Mon 8/15. I'm still uncertain about my reactions to this book.

A history professor from Southeast Missouri State University takes a sabbatical and spends a fall semester studying the history of the Big Spring area and the development done there in the 1930's by the CCC. However, this book is not about her reseach. I sort of wish it had been. Rather, this book contains excepts from her journal entries during the time she spent in the national park. Tidbits about the park and its development, but more about her own childhood spent in a similar landscape of the Pennsylvanian hills, her observations about the people she has met during her years in Missouri and more lately in the Van Buren area near the springs, and her musings about culture, poverty, and ecology. A very rambling narrative that never really came to a point as far as I can tell.

I got the distinct impression that this is not a happy woman. While she never said anything specific, it seems that her childhood was not a pleasant one, although she seems to have fond memories of her grandmother and her father, at least. There were no real insights into her new acquaintances, and she really doesn't even make them seem very interesting, although I think she found them to be. The aspect that grated on me the most, however, were her rants about social ills. These were the kind of comments we all indulge in with friends and family while relaxing over a table or with drinks. You know the kind - where we identify all the problems with the world and then proceed to fix them to suit ourselves. Briefly, tourists are boors who are content to go and see a place without really experiencing what it is to live there, and who, in fact, offend the natives with their disrespectful behavoir. Humans don't understand what they are doing to the earth by insisting on trying to mold nature to suit themselves - things like building a levy to keep the river from submerging the impressive Big Springs so that tourists will have something interesting to come look at. And killing wolves that kill livestock. Her only mildly interesting comment, in my opinion, was that poverty is what binds us together and makes us human. Poverty is a worldwide phenomenon which compels people to rely on one another and themselves and doesn't let sufferers forget who they are. Rich people, on the other hand, are independent and aloof. They forget their connections to the rest of the planet. But she is opposed to the hunger and disease that come about as a result of that poverty - she says that in a wealthy nation like ours those things should not happen.

The thing about this kind of rambling at home is that everyone in the group gets to have a turn to make their own comments and then it gets left behind when it's time to go home or go to bed. We don't write it all down and then publish it for everyone to see. The parts I like best in the book are those about the history - and the actual research she was doing. Not surprising since that is her area of expertise. I think she ought to stick to history for publication and leave the personal observations for the bull sessions with friends. 3 stars.

Hmm, I had that book in the BlackHole, but on second thought, I think I will just give it a pass.

Book #57



The Hunted by Brian Haig

A nearly too-long thriller about Alex Konevitch, a capitalist kicked out of Moscow University after being caught running an extremely profitable construction company from his dormitory in the late 1980's. That just gave him even more time to devote to his business interests and make even more money. He bankrolled Yeltsin's bid for presidency and, when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990's, he was poised to take full advantage of the newly opened business opportunities. After becoming obscenely rich, he made the mistake of hiring a former KGB general as head of security when several employees were murdered in an obvious attack on Alex and his companies. Turns out, the former KGB guy was part of a high level conspiracy to steal Alex's business empire, and then frame him for the theft of millions of investors' money. Alex and his wife manage to escape Russia and flee to the US where high level American government officials are duped into helping persecute Alex for the crimes he allegedly committed in Russia.

The book started off slow but gradually picked up steam as it went. As it raced towards the end, it was nearly impossible to put aside. The ending was perfect. The entire effort was crowned by an author's note which revealed that this book is based on a true story. I loved it. 4-1/2 stars.

#78: That book sounds right up my alley! I will give it a shot. Thanks for the recommendation, Sandy.

That's sounds good!

Out of order, but recently completed:

Book #59



The Wrong Kind of Blood by Declan Hughes

It seems like I've been reading this book forever. I'd put it down and forget to pick it back up. I'd find other things to read instead. Not high praise for a mystery/suspense novel.

Ed Loy returned to his native Ireland from Los Angeles for his mother's funeral. After he got there, he got wrapped up in several other matters. Ed is a private detective in LA and that news quickly spreads. A local man has gone missing and his wife ~begs~ Ed to try to find him. (Not exactly the distraught, faithful wife. Well, maybe a little distraught.) That is what gets him mixed up in a very tightly woven web of connections. Gangsters, drugs, corrupt public officials, and bodies buried in basements. (OK, only one body was buried, but it was in the concrete foundation of City Hall - the others were found simply lying about.) All the families involved, including his own parents, came from the same working class neighborhood a generation ago. Are are somehow connected, and the key to everything points back to that old neighborhood.

In the end, it was a pretty good book, and I'll plan on going ahead with the series, but the fact that I found it so slow going lost it a star from me. 2-1/2 stars.

Book #58



Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

This one I loved. According to the reviews posted here, Half Broke Horses doesn't quite measure up to Walls' earlier book, The Glass Castle. But I liked it for all the reasons that others didn't. It is told simply and plainly. Lily Casey Smith, the author's maternal grandmother, was born in 1901 and spent her entire life in the desert southwest, except for a half dozen years in her 20's spent in Chicago. Her father raised her to be independent and self-sufficient and she became the kid that he relied on to help him with the farm/ranch, even more than her brother. She left home at 15 to take a job teaching in a one-room school (the one constant love of her life) which required a 4-week journey on horseback - alone - across the desert. She broke wild horses, flew airplanes, helped her husband manage a ranch in the desert in the 30's - successfully, and raised and supported her family. Her life story seems almost mythical - too much for one person to have done. Still, I thought it rang true for the time and place in which she lived. We've got characters like her in our own family tree who traveled to amazing places and did crazy stunts in airplanes, so Lily doesn't shock me so much as delight me.

I had an audio version, read by the author, which was wonderful. 4 stars.

Sandy, I loved Half Broke Horses and The Glass Castle. Such interesting lives they led . . .

Book #60



The Truth About Grief by Ruth Davis Konigsberg

I got this book from the library on Saturday in a moment of desperation. As many of you already know, we've been dealing with grief on a very personal level this year. Our oldest son was killed in a traffic accident in December, followed by my Mother-in-law in January of general old age and declining health. One was not unexpected and in many ways was something of a relief. We miss Maxine very much, but do not mourn her passing in the same way as we do for Bill. Our son, Bill, was only 24 when an out-of-control car came over the curb and hit him as he was walking on the sidewalk. He was killed instantly. We felt the loss of our son to our very core - and still occasionally experience sudden waves of emotion and tears. That is what was happening last week. And it was from that anguish that I sought some kind of reassurance which led me to this book.

The subtitle to the book is "The Myth of Its Five Stages and the New Science of Loss". We've all heard of the 5 stages of grief and some of us even know that it was first written by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (I didn't, but some people do). But what most probably don't realize is that the 5 stages were intended to describe the loss that a person who is dying faces. It was only later, after the public had hijacked them and applied the theory to the grief suffered by survivors, that Kubler-Ross also used those 5 stages to describe the loss of a loved one. Of course, now folks try to use stages to describe reactions to all kinds of losses, not just deaths. Konigsberg talks a lot about how different societies react differently to death, and emphasizes how modern American culture has become so resistant to the idea that a person can recover quickly - or ever - from the loss of a spouse or child, or even a parent. Our society, far from not allowing us enough time to grieve our loss, now doesn't want us to be able to recover from that loss. At least not without intervention from grief counselors.

I've long been skeptical of parents who, after the death of a child, declare that they will never get over it. They keep the child's room exactly as it was when they died - for years and years. I'm also leery of people who, anytime they experience something traumatic or momentous, act as though they are one of the few to ever have the experience. Weddings and childbirth are common examples of what I mean. And people who, whenever something bad happens, honestly expect to be able to blame someone else. There was a young couple on the TV news the other night who had just lost their baby to SIDS. Tragic, for sure, and my heart goes out to them. Why it was news worthy of TV broadcast, I have no idea. The baby died in a home-base child care setting. The parents plan to establish a memorial fund to provide training to child care providers so that this will never happen to anyone ever again. Huh? I understand that the parents, and maybe the grandparents and other extended family, are simply not thinking beyond the pain they're feeling, but why did the producers of the 10 o'clock news allow the story to air? This is the mindset that our society has developed - one in which no one should experience any pain. So it seems we've gotten to a point where pain is unacceptable and anyone unlucky enough to experience it ought never to be able to recover. According to Konigsberg. And much of her argument rings true for me.

She claims that what little research that has been done actually shows that most people will recover from the grief of the loss of a loved one in about 6 months, maybe less. That means that the person is able to live a normal day-to-day life that is unimpaired by crippling grief. She never said that the person will forget the one who died or that they will never feel sad or lonely or yearning to have them back. And interestingly, most people make this recovery in the same 6 months regardless of whether they received grief counseling or not. A minority of people do not recover from the loss so easily and may benefit from counseling or other intervention. But most people are resilient. I found it interesting that this term needed to be introduced as though it were something novel. But, looking around our society and watching the stories on the 10 o'clock news, I guess maybe it is.

As for us, we are doing well. After checking out all the options, and deciding against a very highly recommended organization of parents who've lost children supporting other parents (I was put off by the thought that some of these people are still involved after many years - I wanted to recover from the loss, not wallow in it), we did go to family counseling for a couple of months, and I think it was helpful. They helped us to see that we still have a strong family structure, that none of us mind talking about Bill - and especially not with each other - so none of us should be afraid to mention him. They helped us realize that we sometimes wear "masks" - presenting one face out to the public while feeling something else inside. Not a bad thing, really, as long as we are aware of it. It helped my husband and I rest our minds from worrying about how the kids were coping. They are doing fine. They have all made positive adjustments to their own lives as a result of losing their brother so suddenly. After losing our son, Chris and I have become much closer than we had been for many years. That is why, when someone commented that losing a child is the worst thing that could happen, he corrected them. "Losing my wife would be worse" he claimed, "at least with Bill, we have each other to lean on. If she were gone I'd have no one."

I guess the book served its purpose for me. I was able to see past the current wave of pain, and the over-the-top media reactions to personal tragedies, and be reassured that I will make a full recovery. Life without Bill is our new normal, and it sucks sometimes, but it will still be a life worth living. I never wanted to become "THE woman who lost her son", and am feeling better that I can still choose to be simply "A woman who has lost her son". While obviously I had a very personal reaction to the book, I think it might have some appeal to others who are interested in the subject of grief generally. She gave a lot of anecdotal examples of 9/11 survivors, as well as more individual stories of people who had lost spouses. I found it to be a very welcome wake-up call that, while grief is suffered personally, it is very culture-driven and we need to be sure that our cultural expectations are not harming ourselves. 3-1/2 stars.

Bravo to you and your family, Sandy. I am touched that you felt secure enough to have shared your feelings here. I am also proud of you for dealing with your grief in such a productive manner. You will be in my thoughts . . .

Life without Bill is our new normal, and it sucks sometimes, but it will still be a life worth living.

What a moving testimony, Sandy. I'm glad to hear that Bill's brothers and sister are doing well. I thought what Chris said about you was about the sweetest (for lack of a better word) thing I've heard. I'm so glad you have each other to lean on. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers.

Sandy, you and your family remain in my prayers. Thank for sharing how you're feeling these days. It's good that this book was able to help (serve its purpose) somewhat for you.

ditto all the supportive, loving comments above. you are loved!

I'm impressed with your comments and insights, Sandy. And I agree completely with your stance. Perhaps it's the idea that just about everyone in American society has become a victim of something and the loss of a loved one serves that very well. I think also that Americans have this idea that nothing bad should ever happen to them because they're American and therefore somehow immune. The fact of the matter is that almost no one gets away from bad experiences. The rest of the world understands this. I've read many times that somehow a parent never expects to lose a child, that somehow the parent is supposed to die first, that it isn't natural for a child to die first. That flies in the face of too much of the world's experience, where the young are particularly vulnerable.

Sounds like a good book.

I'm glad to hear you're doing well, Sandy. I particularly admire your attitude about "recovering rather than wallowing".

Thank you for all the very kind and supportive comments. I'm sure that much of the credit for our successful recovery goes to the wonderful friends and family we've been blessed with - all the love and support we've gotten has left us feeling very safe and secure.

Joyce, I think the belief that parents ought never outlive their children filies in the face of America's experience, too. Our society just ignores it, but now that I've been sensitized to the question, I suspect that the percentage of people who have lost a child is higher than most realize. I'd love to see some real statistics, but my stab-in-the-dark guess is around 10% of American parents (or would-be parents) have lost a child.

I have no clue myself, Sandy. But even 10% is a pretty low percentage compared to most of the world.

Sandy....Just catching up....

Your comments generated by the Konigsberg book are spot on for the rest of us, and I think you are a courageous and loving person to share them with us. We all face disppointment, disaster, pain, grief, i.e. UNPLEASANTNESS in many forms, and you are right to point out that's not really news worthy. We just have to 'pull up our big girlies" and get on with life.. the book does look like one I want to investigate to put on our library shelves.

I haven't read the Declan Hughes series yet, but several of my patrons love his books....and I often find that the first of a series isn't enough to judge the rest. Often seems to take some writers a while to pick up steam. I look forward to your comments on others in the series.

And Half broke Horses in audio was one of my best memoirs of the past year (even if she does claim it's fiction). I have Glass castle loaded on my MP3 to start on once the Y opens the pool again (It's closed these two weeks for annual cleaning.)

Hugs to you and yours, and here's hoping we all have more good news than bad in the future.

Sandy, what a great post! I agree that your comments are spot on, and know that the reason your children have adjusted so well is that you and Chris have faced it head on. When I was doing grief counseling with elementary school children that had lost a parent, the biggest thing for them was feeling like they couldn't talk about it to anyone, especially the surviving parent because they were afraid of hurting the parent by doing so. Your children haven't had to hold things in for that reason. And what a wonderful comment by Chris! {{{{hugs}}}}

Book #61



About Grief by Ron Marasco and Brian Shuff

This is the other book I requested at the same time I got the last one. I'm glad I read them in this order. While The Truth About Grief talks about grief and grieving in general terms, this book is focused on the individual. It consists of more than 2 dozen short essays which look at grief as experienced by individuals over time and in different situations. This is very good stuff. Not everyone's experience is the same, and not all the essays "spoke" to me personally. But many did, and they were absolutely accurate.

Beginning in the book's introduction, where the authors were explaining what their objectives were in writing the book, and how they'd gone about it, right on page 6 there is a short poem by poet Donald Hall who lost his wife, Jane Kenyon (to cancer, maybe? I think it says later in the book), when she was 46 years old. "Distressed Haiku":

You think that their
dying is the worst
thing that could happen.

Then they stay dead.

This so perfectly captures the very worst moment we experienced when Bill died. We got the news late in the afternoon, and that evening was a flurry of terrible activity and worry. Lots of calls to make, sitting on pins and needles waiting for the kids to arrive safely home from their college towns, people coming to the house bringing food and condolences and hugs. Many sleepless hours in the dark. But the worst was the next morning when we woke up to a bright sunny day and a quiet house. And realized that we were still here. And Bill was still gone.

The main body of the book is divided into 4 sections which address the immediate grief - during the first few days and weeks; the period of facing the truth about what happened and the person it happened to; ways of consoling yourself and getting your mind off your loss even if only for a few moments; and the different ways people have of expressing their grief depending on cultural, religious, even gender- based differences.

Some parts were laugh-out-loud funny. At least I thought so. When they hit so close to the truth of such a painful subject, you either have to laugh or cry. In fact, they devote an entire essay to the subject of humor. Heh. Funeral humor! But, I remember that we laughed quite a bit and made jokes through our tears. One of the stories that will be repeated at my Dad's funeral will be about Bill's funeral. We had Bill cremated, and his urn was delivered by the funeral home to the church for the visitation. Then we had 2 memorial services - one the next day here, and another the day after that, followed by a burial, in Chris' hometown. So, we were back and forth quite a bit and the family just naturally took turns being in charge of the urn. After the first memorial service, when we were getting ready to head out of town to go "back home", we were scurrying around getting bags packed and the cars loaded, hotel reservations made, and the house closed up. A sort of orderly chaos going on, when my Dad's voice chimed out above it all, "Don't forget Bill!", referring to the urn. We all stopped what we were doing and laughed and laughed. As if we COULD forget Bill, who was the cause of everything we were going through!

These are the kinds of authentic details that are in this book - the part about laughing, the part about the family dynamics when relatives get together who haven't seen each other, the part about going back to work, the part about knowing who to trust even when it's not the person you love best, the part about feeling guilty for trying to escape the pain. Even more than the last book, this one brought me the comfort of knowing that my feelings and experiences are really no different from anyone else's who has been in the same situation. This is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend. Tina, see if you can get THIS one for your library. 4 stars.

This is a fantastic review, Sandy. The haiku and your story are priceless, unforgettable.

Please post this review on the book's page.

#92 - pretty low percentage compared to most of the world - that is probably why Americans think they are exempt - I'd still love to know the real percentages, if anyone runs across that information.

#93 I agree about series openers, and have decided not to give up on this one yet. I've give the next book a chance and see how I like that one.

#94 Roni, I'm so glad those kids at least had you to talk to. Even though our kids ought to know better, that was one of the things that came out in our family counseling - they were reluctant to say anything to us for fear of making us feel even worse. When they understood that that couldn't happen, they began to open up a little. We aren't generally a tell-all kind of family, so any talk is good. We've only been married 30 years so far, but I'm thinking Chris may be a keeper!

#96 Thanks for the lovely compliment, Joyce. I'll have to give some thought to how I'd need to polish up these comments in order to post them as a stand alone review, apart from the context of the discussion here.

Sandy, I've been away from LT for most of the summer, so I jumped in on this thread. Along with getting hit with many BBs, I have been touched by your beautiful writing. You and Chris are both blessed to have each other. Thank you for sharing so intimately with us and opening my eyes to new thoughts on grief.

*wiping the tears from my eyes*

Joyce, I cobbled together a review and posted it to the book.

Regina, I hope everything you ever learn about grief comes second hand.

*passes a tissue to Carrie*

Hi Sandy, I am glad that you are able to share with us here on LT. I would certainly agree that your husband is a "keeper". This quote seems to stress the importance of talking to friends and family about your grief. "Sorrow can hold you down, if nobody speaks to you." So glad you have a network of family and friends that are there if and when you need them.

These are wonderful posts. Thanks so much for sharing. I'll tell you that every time I see your name here, the thought I have is, "I hope she's doing well."

Sandy, Another great review . . . Thanks again for sharing your experience, thoughts and feelings. Your writing is beautiful and poignant, and will stay with me.
Hugs . . .

What everyone else said, Sandy. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

Sandy, I loved reading your thoughts on the two books about grief and I'm so glad you are doing well most of the time.

I have had Team of Rivals on my book radar for ages, but it looks so dense and I don't want to start it till I have time. And I'm adding Half Broke Horses to my wishlist after your review - loved The Glass Castle.

The review is perfect, Sandy. It's the sharing of the personal details that make it so very special. Blessings to you and yours.

Amen, Joyce. I'm always drawn to those reviews that share the personal in relation to the book. But your review, Sandy, just had me sobbing. I can't begin to imagine what you've gone through. Because I consider you one of my LT friends and because I've been on the site so sporadically since we moved, that I didn't even know about your loss, so even though we've never met, I felt as though I wasn't there for you. But I'm praying for you now.

Justifiably, it's a hot review now. Good. Maybe more people will know about the book because of its review status.

Congratulations, Sandy, on having the No. 1 Hot Review. Not only did you invite us into your grief process but you gave us a good recommendation for a book that might actually help someone going through the agony of grief.

I think we all need to know that we are not alone when we are hurting. We're here for you when you need a listening ear or a virtual hug.

Sandy, unfortunately no one who lives for any extended time escapes suffering grief. When I lost my infant son many years ago, I was pressured by many people to talk about it, but I didn't want to. Because of how I felt about talking about it, I am always unsure about talking to others when they are grieving. There is always the fear of saying the wrong thing or making people sad when they may have been relieved from their grief for a short time and you remind them of their loss and renew their pain. I guess it was actually your family counselor that assured your children that it was ok for them to talk to you about Bill. Anyhow, I do appreciate your bringing these books to our attention and am anxious to read them myself.

Regina, I'm very sorry to hear about your son, and that the people around you made you uncomfortable. It has never bothered me to have someone mention Bill or even to ask questions about his accident, but I know that isn't the case with everyone. There were times when I was glad not to be reminded that I was supposed to be suffering and it was nice sometimes to be around people who didn't know (this is the subject of another of the essays in that book). I don't know what the best advice is to give someone about bringing up someone else's loss. I guess the intro I appreciated most was "does it bother you to talk about him?" That gave me the chance to say "no, I don't mind" but it would also have let you say "yes, but thanks for remembering" or some such. I hope that nothing I said offended you, and I apologize if it did - I was speaking purely for myself and without regard to anyone else.

Everyone: thanks for the wonderful, supportive comments. I wrote those remarks only because I read those books, and I always share my books here with you. It served a selfish need, but if my comments are helpful to just one other person, I'm glad I shared them. I think I'm ready to go back to regular reading again for a while. But on talking several others in the family, I learned I'm not the only who's been struggling lately, so maybe it's not done yet. I'm not sure what is stirring up the emotions, but I think we're all ready for them to calm back down again. Regina, maybe you can give me an idea how long to expect these waves to continue.

Sandy

Thanks to all for these incredible posts re. grief. Thanks for sharing sounds like a corny phrase, but I appreciate your honesty, which in turn allows others the freedom to share.

After the loss of my beloved grandmother, I attended a hospice sponsored workshop. It was very helpful. I was experiencing incredible, kick in the stomach pain. One of the things that helped was the facilitator asked us to list comments that well intentioned people said that did not address our pain.

One of the comments I heard over and over again was "Aren't you so lucky that you had her so long!" "You shouldn't be so sad!"

What I wanted to say in response was the fact that I had such a long, loving relationship with her equated to years and years of memories that brought joy and pain, a tear and a smile. There never would have been enough time, even if she lived to be 100!

I think of you often and send many good wishes to you my dear!

Sandy, just wanted to drop by and say how much I appreciated your recent review. I actually saw it on the homepage as the "hottest" review and the title of the book caught my attention so I clicked to read the full review and I am so glad that I did. Thank you so much for you willingness to share and be honest about your grief. I couldn't help but feel so touched about what you wrote and really can't say how strong of heart I think you are.

ditto what Valerie just posted!

Sandy, I'm sorry, it's been 28 years now, so I'm afraid I couldn't say. The circumstances are so different also. I guess the two things that I have never gotten over are the guilt I feel when people ask how many children I have and I only mention my daughters and also with my husband coaching a male sport people always act stunned that we don't have any sons and I just go along with their statement. I never minded people expressing condolences, but it was always the gap afterwards where they were waiting for me to tell them about it that made me uncomfortable or even people saying "You know you can talk to me about it". You didn't say anything to offend me at all! I think everyone has been overwhelmed by your ability to open up about such a deeply personal tragedy and we are grateful for your candidness. Along with many others, I think of your family and lift you up in prayer. God bless you, Sandy.

#113 LInda, I guess we were lucky (or oblivious) not to have heard those inane comforts like you did with your grandmother. I was teasing my husband's cousin and his wife who came to sit with us for several hours the day after the accident. They lost 2 newborn babies in one year, back in the 70's. I told her that I was glad not to have heard the comment I was sure she heard far too many times - "you can always have another one". She laughed and said that, yes, she heard that one a lot. As it turned out, she never was able to have another baby. (Bill is buried next to those babies.)

#114 Thank you, that's very kind

#116 Ah, yes - how many children do you have. We've already run into that one. So far, I've gotten along with "I had 4 babies" and "when the kids were little, the 6 of us..." in a story-telling mode. It's a little harder when someone tries to pin me down about how old they all are now or when they come right out and ask how many do I HAVE. Any advice? I admire your husband's strength in coaching boys sports. I'm sure he would have loved to coach his own son, and it must be hard for him sometimes. I will also remember you in prayer - thank you for sharing your story, too.

Abandoned



Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome by Anthony Everitt

Normally, I love historical nonfiction about the ancient world. Especially on audio. I plug them into the player and absorb the general gist of the book almost by osmosis. I do not read/listen carefully, as one would for a class. I cannot recall names and dates afterwards, usually. I enjoy the narrative as one would any story. And even though I don't have the names and dates on the tip of my tongue, I do have a lasting understanding and appreciation for a certain aspect of our civilization's history.

I've gotten more than a forth of the way into this one - on audio as usual. But I'm finding myself switching off the CD player every time I get into the car and then deliberately switching it back on again. Or, I'll realize that I have absolutely no idea what they're talking about and have to back up 2 or 3 tracks. Or I'll find that the monologue of my own thoughts is more compelling than the narrative of the story. I think - hope - it is just a symptom of my distracted emotional state of late. I am going to mark this one as a "try again" and maybe come back to it later.

For those who might be interested in it, it is a biography of the life of Hadrian - the famous Roman emperor and constructor of Hadrian's wall. In fact, he built walls and barricades and barriers of all sorts on much of the Roman frontier. Since most were made of wood or other degradable materials, they aren't as visible to us as the stone wall across England. The book seems to be well organized. Much of his childhood isn't specifically documented, so the author has written about Roman life in general during those years, and the events that are likely to have come to Hadrian's notice, or his family's in particular. This is all clearly disclosed. Since I've got an audio version, I don't know how well footnoted the book is. I am probably giving up just as things are about to get good, since I'm leaving him as a new officer in the army on the Germanic frontier.

I feel guilty for not sticking with this one, but my thinking brain just isn't working very well these days.

#118: I cannot do nonfiction in audio form. I like to make notes, read the bibliography, etc. so the audio format just does not work for me for nonfiction.

I hope you enjoy your next read better than you did the Everitt book, Sandy.

Book #62



The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

I'm not thinking well enough to get through a historical nonfiction, but I did just fine with this thriller - reading it from start to finish in about 36 hours.

Michael is a high school student who was traumatized as a young boy. We don't find out what happened when he was 8 until near the end of the book, but we know that he has been mute ever since. Not a word, not a sound. We do know that, as a result of whatever it was, he was taken in by his bachelor uncle and has lived with him ever since. After his uncle replaced a sticky lock on the back door to his liquor store, Michael took the old one and took it apart, examining its inner workings. It was a thing of wonder - and Michael began collecting old locks and learning how they work and how to open them. Then combination locks. His skill became public knowledge when he opened a gym locker for the quarterback of the football team after he'd forgotten the combination. From then on, Michael felt swept along by events, unable to stop or change course. Even though he admits to knowing that he could have walked away at any time, or reported his cohorts to the authorities, he went along with each successively bigger break-in. First back doors, then safes. Along the way, of course, he meets a girl that he can't get out of his mind.

The entire book is told in first person, in two alternating series of flashbacks. We know that he is in jail, but until the end we don't know how he came to be there. One set of chapters leads up to his current place in prison, the other set explain how he came to be a lock-pick/safe-cracker in the first place. A very quick read, very satisfying. 4 stars.

Sandy, glad you found a good read after Hadrian. Adding The Lock Artist to the wishlist.

I'm going to have to investigate The Lock Artist.

I am looking forward to fitting this book into my reading. The Lock Artist won the Edgar Award for Best Novel this year, beating out the likes of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter and Faithful Place.

I found Antony Everitt's biography of Cicero hard work, in a really boring way. I finished it but it was a struggle. I'm glad your next book was much better!

#121, 122, 123 - I hope you will all enjoy this one. I also thoroughly enjoyed Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight series, set in Paradise, Michigan - a real life town on the bank of Lake Superior that we actually drove through on our trip up there last summer. The first book is called A Cold Day in Paradise. Loved it.

#124 Thanks for making me feel better about quitting on Hadrian! I'm not a stickler for finishing every book I start just for the sake of doing it. I'm willing to work at something that is worthwhile, but I don't get the same satisfaction that my husband does in "not letting it beat me" when I plow through to the end of something awful or boring. But I may still give it another try someday, just to be fair.

I've been a church-goer my entire life. I didn't even drift away during college as many people do. I've done more Bible studies than I can count. I've probably read more than 90% of the Bible. But never cover-to-cover, even though I've always wanted to. So, I decided that this would be the year. This is what my favorite Bible looked like when it was new when I bought it in September 1987. These days the paper dust jacket is more tape than paper, but I keep patching it because it still protects the hard cover. I'd love to buy a "real" Bible cover - made of leather with a zipper and pockets and everything - but the book is oversized and I can't find one to fit. Even the "extra large" styles are too slim for my 1600+ pages. But I like it better than anything else I've looked at, so I'll continue to make due with what I've got. I definitely wouldn't consider making this commitment with any other Bible.

I found a read-the-bible-in-a-year schedule and will use it as a guide and hope to finish up Revelation by the end of 2012. Please help hold me accountable to the commitment. I'll comment on my progress from time to time, but feel free to question me if I go too long without mentioning anything.

So today I read Genesis chapters 1-3, where God so lovingly created the world, the plants and animals, man and woman and placed them in Eden. Then Adam and Eve promptly disobeyed the one rule they were given and were expelled. And so begins the history of the world!

>126 sjmccreary:: You go, Sandy! I was gung-ho on reading the Bible for about 7 months and fizzled out. Let me know when you get halfway to your goal and I'll join you. The schedule I followed was pretty cool as it had me reading from different books each day.

I just finished One Hundred Years of Solitude and read the New York Times review of it which called it the "South American Genesis." They broke a lot of rules in the Marquez book. ;-)

My husband read and enjoyed a Steve Hamilton book during his "back surgery vacation" (as he calls it). I think it was set in the U.P. so must have been part of the Paradise series.

I've read it through many times (several different translations). Some plans go straight through; others use a bit of both testaments daily. I've used both, but I find it easiest to start at Genesis and go through Revelation.

Nice going, Sandy! I started once and got about half-way through. I'd like to get a different translation from the one I'm currently using, just simply for comparison, but that's impossible here (at least not in English). I've been thinking about starting again, but may wait until Advent for the beginning of the liturgical year. But it's an idea that has been getting stronger recently.

>129 Joycepa: You may want to look at http://www.biblegateway.com/ which offers several versions online. I have the YouVersion application on my iPhone that offers many versions. I just looked, and they also have a Web site that offers the translations at http://www.youversion.com/.

Thanks for the tip, Lori. I will check them out.

#127 I thought I already had One Hundred Years of Solitude on my wishlist, but discovered that I didn't - I'll be watching for it now. For another Genesis-based novel, try Infinity in the Palm of Her Hand by Gioconda Belli - tells the creation story from Eve's POV. Also South American, interestingly.

#128 I found several different plans at BibleYear.com, including reading in the order the books were written, and reading in the order the events took place. But like you, I chose to start with Genesis and read straight through to Revelation. I think that will be easier for me and eliminate the distraction of flipping back and forth. Maybe next time I'll try one of the others.

#129 Joyce, part of the reason I'm so attached to my old bible is that all the translations available now are overwhelming. It used to be just 2 or 3 choices of translation, but the big decision was what color cover? Now the possibilities are nearly endless. Do you have a translation in mind that we can ship to you?

Book #63



The Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Fruits and Berries by Karen Szklany Gault

Yet another gardening book - this one picked up at the library when I had to go to the DMV a couple of weeks ago and realized I hadn't brought a book with me. The library and the DMV are in the same strip center, so it was easy to just pop in and grab a book. This was especially appealing because we've begun to look at houses, with the thought of moving next year after our youngest graduates from high school. We want a smaller house on a bigger lot, and I will FINALLY be permitted to have some fruit trees. Chris never let me plant any before because he didn't want fruit dropping onto his carefully manicured lawn. With a bigger lot, I will be allowed to plant apples and peaches and cherries along the fringes where they won't litter his lawn close to the house.

This was an excellent introduction to all the aspects to choosing, planting, and caring for a variety of fruit trees, berries, and melons. An entire chapter was devoted to different growing conditions around the country and lots of references were made throughout the book about which varieties were better suited to different regions. I'm keeping this one in mind to be re-checked when we finally get a place, and will also be watching for a copy to buy. 4 stars.

Sandy, let me check it out. I have several in mind, but need to see which one I really want. Thank you for the offer!

#13 - Sandy, how exciting a new house and room to have fruit trees. I just hope you don't have racoons where you are. Our plum tree was coming along nicely this year with lots of plums that would be ready later on in September, but the racoons dropped by the other night and completely stripped the tree. I hope they get a bellyache from eating unripe plums!

I smiled all the way through your last review, Sandy. Every time we move, I have to plant an orchard. (The munchki hate that because they're the ones who get stuck watering.) And then we move again, before my trees mature, and somebody else gets the fruits of our labors. Now that we're landed at the place that will be our retirement house, the soil is so horrible, that I don't even know if I'll get to plant here! (Now I'm going to have to blame you for that last 45 minutes that flew by while I googled all my old houses to see if my orchards showed up on google earth. Amazing how different the views are - some get closer, some are more fuzzy. Nice memories, though. I'll blame you for that, too!)

#134 Let us know what you decide. I think I still have some children's books to send you, too.

#135 We do have raccoon here (doesn't everyone?), and the advice in the book for discouraging "furry" pests is simply to keep the groundfall cleaned up. Not really very helpful, I don't think. Had to laugh at the thought of the raccoon getting a bellyache! Serves them right!

#136 I hope their new owners have kept the trees you planted and are enjoying the fruit. The first place we found already had some fruit trees planted, but when we got out there to look, we found them to be so puny that I couldn't be sure what some of them were (pears, it turned out) - hardly any fruit set on at all - apples the size of apricots and full of worm holes. Pretty discouraging, but I'm hardheaded enough to have to give it a try myself before accepting that the site may be impossible for raising fruit trees. I'll accept the "blame" for your forced trip down memory lane!

Wanted to share this story the lady at the library checkout desk just told me. She insists that it is true. A woman found herself in a small town in southern Missouri and nearly out of gas in the car. There was no ATM in the small town, and she had no cash or credit card with her. She asked if they would accept a check, but the station owner said they did not take them. She explained that she had no credit card and needed gas in order to get home. When he asked what kind of ID she had, she pulled out her wallet to see what she could show him and he saw that she had a library card. Since she was the kind of person who had a library card, he told her, he would take her check after all!

I moved from my house in WA state the first year that my apricot tree was absolutely loaded down practically to the ground with fruit. Naturally, all I saw were the unripe fruit! i thought that moving to the tropics I'd have a lot of fruit trees. Problem was, I moved to a place where the major crop is volcanic rock (we live downhill from a major volcano). My bananas are doing fine--so fine that we almost dread when a new stalk shows up because there is no way we can even begin to keep up with one stalk of bananas, never mind the two we seem to get at once! My guava and guyabana (I think those are soursap) produce but just before I can get to them, somebody gets to them first! The birds around here are ferocious fruit predators, as you might imagine. We do get oranges, and absolutely the best limes I have ever tasted in my life, Persas, they're called. We also have either a bread fruit or a bread not tree that will produce its first fruit here shortly (and thus telling us which it is). I planted two mango trees 7 years ago that are gorgeous trees, but they take 8 years to even think about producing, so have to wait one more year at least.

Oh yes, and how can I forget my maman chino tree, that is growing quite well but looks to be years before it'll produce.

Ooh, Joyce, that sounds heavenly! How about posting a picture in the Porches, Decks and Gardens thread?

Neat story, Sandy. But I'm afraid he'd be in the minority!

That's a great story, Sandy. I'd feel the same way. Library users are good folks.

It's great that you're aiming to read the whole Bible. I've read many parts many times but never the whole thing, in its entirety.

I'm not sure about heavenly, Cindy, but let me see if I can get some decent pictures. The mangos and maman chino are young trees; one of our banana "trees" has a stalk on it, and I'll see if I can get a decent picture of the bread fruit or bread nut fruit, whatever it is. I think the lime has fruit on it.

#138: Love the story, Sandy. Thanks for sharing it.

Book #64



The Basic Book of Digital Photography by Tom Grimm and Michelle Grimm

I picked this one up at the Borders going-out-of-business sale earlier in the summer. I bought my first-ever digital camera last year in May - a DLSR - and have been slowly learning how to operate the SLR camera, while mostly ignoring the specifics related to the digital. While I know I've got much left to learn about how to use the camera to get the shots I want, I've not had any trouble finding resources to help with that aspect. But I've been really stumped at how to handle digital images - how to save them, edit them, share them, print them, archive them, pretty much everything! This book is about the only one I've found that goes into any specific details about how to do that stuff. That is what attracted me to it, and that is why I'm rating it 4 stars. But I don't want to give the impression that the chapters on general photography, and camera features specific to digital photography, were lacking in any way because they are not. This is a solid, all-inclusive guide to digital photography, from choosing a camera all the way through producing and sharing edited images. Recommended.

That fruit tree book looks really nice and I love the stories about what everyone has (especially yours Joyce - my 4 year old would LOVE a banana plant!) We are away from our house in Wellington in Switzerland till the end of this year (and sadly without any garden, and missing it badly) but in 2009 my husband went wild and planted a couple of apple trees, pears, a funny citrus one that I will have to look up starting with z, and two avocado plants. Wellington is really windy and we don't know if they'll have survived - and the avocado was optimistic even with gallons of love and attention... Wellington's not known for its tropical climate! There's a gardening group on LT somewhere with pictures.

#145 I did a double take at the mention of Wellington. I had to verify that you're from New Zealand, because it was too unlikely that you would be from either of the Wellingtons we know: a small city in Kansas where we used to live - about 8500 people - and an even smaller town in Missouri not far from Kansas City. The only citrus trees or banana plants that grow around here are in pots that come inside for the winter. Can you grow avacados in a pot? Having them in the garden sounds wonderful. You'll find out soon how well they've survived your absence - keeping my fingers crossed for you.

The avocado trees I'm used to are huge, beautiful trees; I'm not sure if there are any dwarf varieties. I can't grow one here--soil is too rocky. but up in the pueblo, there is a geographica band of absolutely lovely soil. Our friends have a sitio (actually, it's been in Ricardo's family for generations) and their neighbors grow avocados. We have one from their tree ripening in our kitchen right now.

#147 *drool*

I can't remember the name of the typical avocado you get in the states--it's the common one in CA. There are at least 3 different kinds. The one we have is HUGE and has a rather hard rind. You have to pick them with the stem on because the only way you know if they're ripe is if the stem comes off easily.

The Hass is the most common type because it ships well. We also grow the Fuerte here, which most of us think tastes better, but it has a thinner skin and is hard to ship, so you don't see it in the stores much. But we can get it at the farmers' markets.

I'm not sure I've ever seen the Hass here, and I'm not familiar with the Fuerte. It's hard to tell. One of the big adjustments I had to make growing things here is that there are almost no hybrids. I've grown my own passion fruit from seed from fruit I bought at our favorite fruit stand, same with other fruit and vegetables. So I have no idea what the varieties may be; they'll all have local names anyway.

... just wandering through, catching up, waving hello ...

Sandy I didn't know there was a Wellington in Missouri or Kansas. Funny! I think our avocado's a Hass too - that's the main kind we get in New Zealand but if local ones are available they have usually been grown in the much warmer northern tip of the North Island. We'll see soon... The funny citrus fruit is a yuzu.

I've read the Bible through in a year at least 3 times, but it's been several years since I last did it. I used the reading guide in my study Bible (NASV) with OT and NT readings each day. I think it worked well for me to do it that way. It kept me from getting bogged down in some of the OT books full of lists (like Leviticus and Chronicles).

Its been many years since I've read clear through. I was inspired by Sandy's post (@ 126) to do a fresh read. I'm using the beginning to end chart here. I'm thinking of it as kind of a shadow read, since its not a group read.

You know I never thought of the Bible as a book to be read from beginning to end. I have this beautiful leather bound Bible my parents gave to us for other first wedding anniversary. Maybe I need to consider that for 2012.

We get the Hass avacados here in the stores - but since we're hundreds of miles from the growing regions, it makes sense that we'd only get what can be most easily shipped.

Hi, Caty!

Those OT books that are full of lists are pretty intimidating. Even the comprehensive Bible studies I've done skipped over most of that material. A big part of the reason I decided to go public with my plan and ask for help in maintaining motivation is to get through the boring parts. Cindy, that's the exact same place I found the schedule I'm using. Had you ever seen those other plans before? I like the sound of "shadow read".

Cheli, I think of every book as one to be read from beginning to end. I can't tell you how many times I attempted to do just that with the World Books when I was a kid!

The Bible is a fascinating piece of literature just in that respect. I was fortunate enough to know some--I wouldn't call them scholars but priests who had delved into the history, especially of the Hebrew Testament. As a result, I have a few good books on the subject.

Like everyone else, I suppose, I have my favorites. Not everyone is as fond of the Book of Job as I am, but it and Psalms are my favorites.

Joyce, feel free to chime in anytime with insights that you've gained, and history you've learned.

I watched this program on the history channel (I think) and it was talking about the gospels and how we ended up with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and how there were possibly other gospels by the remaining apostles that have been lost. It was fascinating.

I've often wondered how and why we came to have the exact collection of books that we do. In our protestant Bibles, we don't even have all the books that you Catholics have - why is that? Who decided? I had to go buy a separate volume to get those "missing" books. Fortunately, it seems that some of those "missing" gospels are now becoming more available for us to read. That might be an excellent project after this one.

Sandy, you're giving me far more credit than I deserve, believe me. I have no original insights, but have read a good deal and listened to others who do know what they're talking about.

What struck me about the Book of Job is that until it was written, the going theology was that if bad things happened to you, then you were a sinner and God punished you for it. Job's friends get a lot of bad press, but in reality, they are the mouthpieces for the then prevailing wisdom. Job refuses to give in to the idea that somehow he deserves this--and he "wins". It was a way to get the idea across that bad things happen to good people, and God pretty much is not responsible. You can believe in Satan or you can just believe that life is exactly that, life, and God is there as a bulwark against despair. Not one original thought here. As I say, one of my favorites.

I've often thought that the Bibles of the Victorians, the Puritans and today's fundamentalists, many of them, are missing the Book of Job.

One of my parish priests in Wa and I were sort of an underground theology cell, and he used to pass on books to me. There are several I can recommend:

Reading the Old Testament by Lawrence Boadt

ETA: I should mention that this a work of a Catholic scholar. For probably most of the book, that makes no difference whatsoever, given what the author does treat. The history and geography of the Palestine region alone make it worth reading. But Boadt does go into the differences between the Protestant and Catholic versions; the Protestant and Jewish Testaments are the same, 39 books, while the Catholic version has 7 more books. Boadt explains why, and it's a good history lesson. There should be no problem with anyone readng this book--just skip that sections that don' pertain, but I would recommend reading for the explanations.

The Four Witnesses by Robin Griffith-Jones

and a very, very thought-provoking book

Constantine's Sword by James Carroll

I've never done it, but I've always wanted to read the Bible in the order "written"; it's my understanding that the Book of Judges was the first, and I think it would be a fascinating exercise in the development of the Judeo-Christian theology to read, in order, and watch it unfold.

The link to the reading schedule that Cindy posted above at .... #155 also has a schedule for reading the Bible in the order written. That would be very interesting. Now, I'm off to try to find the books you cited.

ETA - all those books look great, and all are available at local libraries. I've gone ahead and put a hold on Reading the Old Testament, and made note of the others for later.

Okay, I posted shortly after Joyce earlier today, but it has disappeared. A good book for the New Testament is The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings by Bart D. Ehrman. It does a good job of showing why some writings were incorporated into the New Testament while others were not, and is very readable.

I'm enjoying the conversations regarding reading the Bible. I'm currently reading a book on the art work of Rembrandt and I had no idea that so many of his paintings were of events depicted in the bible. The only two of his paintings I've ever seen are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

I am pleasantly surprised to see such beautiful renditions of important biblical stories.

Here are a few:


The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, located at the Hague, Mauritshuis

This is a stunningly beautiful painting taken from the Gospel of Luke where he tells of Simeon, an elderly sage who was told he wold not die before he saw the Lord.


Christ Driving the Money-changers from the Temple
located in Moscow, Pushkin Museum

#161: If you are at all interested in the history of the King James Version of the Bible, I would recommend God's Secretaries by Adam Nicolson, Sandy.

#162: I've never done it, but I've always wanted to read the Bible in the order "written"

There actually is a Bible called The Chronological Bible, but I believe it follows the chronology of events, not the order in which the text was written. I will see if I can locate my copy to verify.

You know, it used to be that if you had any pretensions at all to being educated, you had to have studied Greek, Latin--and the Bible. Art, poetry, some of the greatest literary works--you can't really appreciate them until you understand the many references to classical mythology AND the Bible, all of it.

Roni, thanks for the link on the history. The book, Reading the Old Testament, has a brief history but I am extremely interested in how these things happened. In my experience, my reading of the Bible has been far, far richer for understanding how it evolved and the context in which it developed. It gives me a greater understanding, Again, referring to Job: there are three friends, all trying to talk Job out of his presumption. Why? Because in the days when most people did not read and the stories were told orally, repetition was a big teaching device. What is remarkable is how the recorder varied the examples in such an interesting--and therefore memorable--way. I've never found the Bible dull!

I borrowed my friend's bible a few years back, King James's version, but I had to return it within a couple of weeks. Maybe one of these times, I will get my own copy and go through with it, any recommendations on which version should I go for?

For myself, I find that it's nice to use the version that your preacher uses in his sermons; it just makes following along easier. For home study, I use the NIV, and the KJV for pure reading. One idea would be to go to CrossWalk.com (or a similar site) and choose a verse or two to read in several different versions, then pick the the version you'd like to keep reading from.

I do not like the new NIV that has just come out. I do like the 1984 version. Our pastor uses the New King James Version which I like fairly well. The NKJV came out in the 1980s. Holman Christian Standard is a recent version also. As countrylife suggested, got to a site and compare a few versions and see which you like best.

Since there appears to be some interest, two more fascinating books are Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, also by Bart Ehrman, and In Discordance with the Scriptures: American Protestant Battles Over Translating the Bible by Peter Thuesen.

Descriptions:

When world-class biblical scholar Bart Ehrman first began to study the texts of the Bible in their original languages he was startled to discover the multitude of mistakes and intentional alterations that had been made by earlier translators. In Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman tells the story behind the mistakes and changes that ancient scribes made to the New Testament and shows the great impact they had upon the Bible we use today. He frames his account with personal reflections on how his study of the Greek manuscripts made him abandon his once ultraconservative views of the Bible.
Since the advent of the printing press and the accurate reproduction of texts, most people have assumed that when they read the New Testament they are reading an exact copy of Jesus's words or Saint Paul's writings. And yet, for almost fifteen hundred years these manuscripts were hand copied by scribes who were deeply influenced by the cultural, theological, and political disputes of their day. Both mistakes and intentional changes abound in the surviving manuscripts, making the original words difficult to reconstruct. For the first time, Ehrman reveals where and why these changes were made and how scholars go about reconstructing the original words of the New Testament as closely as possible.
Ehrman makes the provocative case that many of our cherished biblical stories and widely held beliefs concerning the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, and the divine origins of the Bible itself stem from both intentional and accidental alterations by scribes -- alterations that dramatically affected all subsequent versions of the Bible.

The story of the translation of the Bible in America begins with the King James Version. In fact, many Americans thought of the KJV as the foundational text of the Republic, rather than a cultural inheritance from Anglican Britain. In the nineteenth century, however, as new editions of the Greek New Testament appeared, scholars increasingly recognized significant errors and inconsistencies in the KJV. This soon led to the Bible revision movement, whose goal was the uniting of all English-speaking Protestants behind one new, improved version of the Bible. Ironically, as Peter Thuesen shows in this fascinating history, the revision movement in fact resulted in a vast proliferation of English scripture editions and an enduring polarization of American Christians over versions of Holy Writ. The recurrent controversies over Bible translations, he argues, tell us less about the linguistic issues dividing conservatives and liberals than about the theological assumptions they have long held in common.

Roni, many thanks for those book references. I had a very good friend who was a Free Methodist minister AND something of a Biblical scholar herself, who could read Greek, anyway--can't remember the other language. She, too remarked on the differences and just the cultural assumptions made by translators or others who didn't really know the original languages.

The Ehrman book is on Kindle--just bought it! :-)

Oops! How embarrassing. I just wrote a post to the wrong person. Sorry!

#169 Cindy, I am not a Christian (I am a Hindu by religion) and hence no sermons for me, though I very much doubt if I would have been a regular church goer even if I had been one. I liked the website suggested by you, it is quite rich in auxiliary reading material too.

#170 Lori, I concur with you, I have placed my order for KJV, expecting delivery within a couple of days.

#171 Roni, thanks for sharing the information, it will be some time before I look for these books though.

I'm blushing over my mistake, Piyush. Please forgive my assumption that someone asking about Christian Bible versions would necessarily be coming at it from a Christian background. I should know better!

#175 Piyush, I hope you will find the KJV of the Bible to be enjoyable and enlightening. Personally, I find it difficult to read and prefer the NIV (not the new one), but I know that a lot of people like King James best. As you read, will you share your thoughts and reactions with us?

#176 A very gracious apology. I can't imagine that it won't be gladly accepted.

All the book recommendations look interesting - some are more available to me than others but I have made note of all of them and will attempt to locate them. But not all at once. For now, I'm waiting for Joyce's Reading the Old Testament. (Well, not her book, of course, but her suggestion!).

#165 Linda, the paintings are beautiful, and I concur with Joyce that a classical education must include the Bible in order to understand the innumerable references to it in art and literature. I would also suggest that music be included in the list, since much of our greatest music was composed for the church. Thanks for sharing them. Feel free to share others.

This has been a busy holiday weekend for us and I haven't done a lot of reading, but hope to finish up one book today. We got a delightful break from the heat when a storm came through Saturday bringing beautiful fall weather with it. I know it's too much to hope that fall is here to stay, but we're loving it right now. We have a couple of outside home improvement projects happening, so my house is filled with the sounds of hammmers pounding and dust coming in on the bottoms of shoes. I often work at home, but this week I'm taking any excuse I can to go somewhere else. So, it's time to pack up the laptop and head out.

I've started rereading Reading the Old Testament (it's been a good ten years since I read it). I'm in the chapter on People and Lands and am just reveling in the really well-=written and presented summaries of information about the different civilizations of the Middle East and a timeline for them. Plus it's those lovely little pieces of info--most likely it was Sethi I, the 1st pharaoh of Dynasty 19 who enslaved the Israelites and Ramses II was probably the pharaoh during the actual Exodus. For me, information like that makes everything so much more real and alive.

You're going to love the book, Sandy. But I had forgotten--it is a textbook, but that will not bother you a bit, it's so well written.

You know, I should have said, " a classical Western education". I'm sure Piyush could tell us that a classic Indian education, for instance, would include quite different topics. As a matter of fact, why don't you tell us, Piyush? I for one would like to know.

Textbooks don't bother me - I'm looking forward to the book.

And I completely agree, I would love to know what a classical Eastern would include. I wonder how much - if any - overlap there is.

Your thread is becoming an educational place to visit, Sandy. I'm so used to thinking of the western world, that I forget there are other rich traditions that I know little about.

I'm loving this "fall" weather, too. I would also love to hear the sound of hammers around the house. This ol' house is falling apart and needs a few fix-up projects.

#179: forgot to add my 1.5 cents here: I doubt that there would be any overlap. Indians have a rich, rich literature. Plus the oldest recorded religious texts. And various types of poetry that I've only learned existed through reading modern novels by Indian authors. Who knows what else.

Joyce, I think you're right - I doubt we'd see much that is familiar in a non-western classical tradition.

Donna, I somehow doubt that your beautiful home is "falling apart" around you, but it certainly seems as though everywhere you look there is something that needs doing when you own a house, doesn't it?

I had a colleague in WA whose favorite saying along these lines was "S/he whose house is finished, dies" and we agreed that we would live forever.

#176 Cindy, you are embarassing me by giving an apology where it is really not needed. You meant no harm by assuming me to be of Christian background and am yet unable to see why should it even offend me. Therefore, please rest easy on this account.

#177 I have received my copy today, and while I would take my time by probably reading 3-4 pages a day, I will post my thoughts as and when I end any of the books, Book 1: Genesis.

#178-182 There hardly are any overlap between the western literature and the Indian one and I am assuming for the very same reason Joyce pointed out, the Indian religious texts predate the western ones by quite a margin.

Hindu religion is not governed by any single book or set of books, neither does it prescribe any fixed way of living, the followers of the faith are expected to find their own way by interpretation of the texts about the lives of characters like Rama and Krishna (both of whom are very very different, almost contradictory characters).

The oldest Indian texts are the four Vedas with Rigveda being the oldest, but apart from the scholars and priests, no one actually reads them or knows its contents in any depth whatsoever.

The classic epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata are the most popular in India (not the least owing to the televised series aired in the 80s) and while a very small fraction actually reads the texts themselves, the stories and general contents are quite well known, even among the kids, who gain their knowledge from their elders or from comics like Amar Chitra Katha.

Then there is the Bhagwad-Gita (English translations can be found at http://oaks.nvg.org/bhagavad-gita.html), an offshoot of Mahabharata, which is book compiled to be what is believed to be the speech (teachings if you will) given by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield when the later refuses to fight against his cousins, even for what he himself perceives to be a just cause. Bhagwad-Gita is one book with hard-hitting quotes, here is a preview of the same:-

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/bhagavad_gita/

Many thanks, Piyush!

But I would also like to know what is considered classical Indian literature? Is Tagore too modern to be considered part of the Indian classical canon? What about poetry?

The problem with Tagore's writing is that he originally wrote in Bengali, a regional language confined to one state and while he enjoys immense popularity amongst Bengalis, his works aren't much read by others. Having said that, everyone knows about him and most people would even be able to name a few of his works, despite the fact that they probably wouldn't have read anything written by him other than the national anthem of India (Tagore also wrote the national anthem of Bangladesh, a Bengali speaking country).

Amongst the majority of Hindi speaking population, the works of Premchand are better known and his short stories are quite good.

There are, similarly, noteworthy writers who have written in various regional languages and hence have not gained the appreciation they deserved even within India.

Last, but not the least, I may be digressing from the topic, but I think it is relevant to the discussion, India isn't really known for its reading habits and it pains me to write this, but most parents would not only not cultivate reading habits amongst the children, but they would actively discourage them from reading anything other than their school books which will give them tangible short term results. I would like to say times are changing, but they still aren't changing fast enough.

Book #64



King Solomon's Mines by H Rider Haggard

First published in 1885, this is the story of 3 English gentlemen who venture into the South African interior in search of the brother of one of the men and the fabled diamond mine he had been in search of. Among those accompanying them is a Zulu man who has his own reasons for wanting to travel to this remote region.

This is a terrific story. Lots of adventure and intrigue. An evil king and creepy witch. Hidden treasure. Large, well-developed society hidden in the wilderness. I was worried about the way the African natives would be portrayed in this book, and was pleasantly surprised at the positive descriptions I found. They are not "savages" or "ape-men", they are not "child-like" or "innocent". They are intelligent people, fierce and brave soldiers, well-organized, sensitive and with a full range of emotions. Just like the Englishmen themselves. The women are described as lovely, fair, caring, well-formed, devoted. Even the subject of inter-racial relationships was not presented with disgust or condemnation. Just an almost sad reckoning of the fact that blacks and whites may not mate - it is simply not done. The only really cringe-worthy element was when the Englishmen claimed to be "from the stars" and having superior knowledge and power. They have "tubes of death" (guns) and the ability to control the heavens (an atlas forecasting a lunar eclipse for that very night) which they use to influence events. Although it was never confirmed, I suspected that the Africans were not fooled by these claims and went along with them just to humor their guests.

Loved it. 4 stars.

Book #65



The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

Not a novel so much as a series of short stories about the small town of Blackwell, Mass. Through the series of stories, which begin in the early 1700's with the founding of the town when its original settlers were stranded in the mountainous region by winter weather on their way west, we are introduced to the town and its inhabitants. Certain landmarks and names and important historical events show up repeatedly throughout time, sometimes changing as the facts of one generation become the legends of a later generation and the tall tales of still later generations. Pretty interesting in places, but some of the stories are so short that it is hard to make any real connection to those people or that time. My other complaint is that the earlier stories skip several generations at a time, so that a character in one tale might show up in the next referred to as someone's great-grandparent. However, in later stories, there may be only a few years difference so that a single character might be in several stories, first as a child - then grown to adulthood - then as an elderly person nearing death. I thought it showed a lack of effort on the author's part to discover historical events to anchor tales to. The 20th century begins before the mid-point of the book.

I didn't enjoy it as much as King Solomon's Mines, above. But then, I nearly always prefer my books to have a lot of plot in them. 3 stars.

Piyush, thanks for enlightening us. And what an interesting observation about the way parents don't encourage their children to read as much as they should. I think that is not unique to India.

Coincidentally, I picked up a book at the library this evening that I had requested before this conversation began. It is called India: A History by John Keay. I'm very excited about it, but it looks like a straight political history - all names and dates and places. Unfortunately for this discussion, it doesn't appear to include any examination of the development of culture - art or literature. The photos of buildings or sculptures or other artistic creations seem to be included only as illustrations for the text, e.g., this city was built by that ruler, or this painting depicts that battle, things like that.

Sandy

Usually Alice Hoffman writes incredible books, but I fear that like many other authors who publish almost every year, there is a sense of formula and rushing simply to bring in the $.

All the best to you!

Sandy, if you are interested in African history, I highly recommend the 10 part series of films, Shaka Zulu. It is a superb recreation of the rise of Africa's greatest warrior king of that name. It is extremely interesting to see the way the encounter with the British is handled. I can not recommend it highly enough. the actor who plays Shaka, Henry Cele, gives an outstanding performance.

Piyush, thanks again. And yes, Sandy is correct about parents not encouraging children to read except for short-term gains (if that) to be more widespread than in India. In just about all of Latin America, that's true. Some reasons are that books are so expensive, libraries are poor and poorly run, TVs are everywhere, and sports have been the traditional way for Latinos to get out of poverty. As a result, the cultures simply don't provide any support for reading.

Sandy.... I have one of the original 1885 King Solomon's Mine which we inherited from Bob's Auntie whose late husband had a set of gorgeous leather bound books from his childhood. They have a place of well-dusted honor on our shelves, but I almost can't bring myself to to open and read them....I'd be afraid of damaging them. Sounds like a good book to pass on to my son though, and maybe (I should be so lucky) to any grandson who may come along.

Sandy, just catching up after far too long an absence from your thread... I want to add my thanks and appreciation rather belatedly for your two very honest and open reviews of books about grief and for your sharing of how you and your family have been dealing with your loss of Bill.

And I want to add my encouragement to your plan to read through the Bible - and what a great range of supplementary reading has been recommended by various people too. I don't know any of those particular titles, but they do sound as if they will do a good job of opening up the background and helping to explain about the different versions and translations etc.

I'd like to recommend a different sort of book that is also bible related - one that I read just last month after a couple of strong recommendations from others here: Sisters of Sinai. It's the true story of two remarkable twin sisters from the mid nineteenth century who were able linguists and whose reaction to the death of their beloved father was to take a trip up the Nile. That was just the beginning of a life-time of travels in Egypt and the Middle East, mainly in search of early copies of bible manuscripts, for which they also taught themselves yet more languages and - despite lack of formal academic background -became renowned experts in the field of biblical scholarship. The story is fascinating and the book is extremely readable. Do give it a try if you can find a copy.

Every time I see a mention of King Solomon's Mines, I think about the reference question that came into the corporate library in the movie Desk Set starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn.

#190 Linda, this is the first Alice Hoffman book I've read - which of her others do you recommend?

#191 Joyce, that series is available on netflix, so I've added it to my queue. I don't have a TV when I'm traveling, but can get netflix on the laptop, so this will be good to watch. (And probably meatier than my current favorite series, Shaun the Sheep.) Thanks for the additional comments about the lack of emphasis given to reading in Latin America. Even in the US, while I doubt many parents actively DIS-courage reading, I'd say an equally small number encourage kids to read more than is required for school. I've gotten more comments than I can relate from my son's teachers over the years about how well-read he is, even though he is far from being a book-worm.

#192 Tina, what a treasure! Even if you can't bring yourself to actually read them. This is such a short book, though, that you should give it a try. It's hard to imagine that your son won't be pleased to receive the books as part of his inheritance.

#193 Genny, thank you for the warm words, and the encouragement. I passed the mid-point of Genesis today. Still easy going since I've read it so many times before. Next month, after I've finished Exodus, is when I'll begin struggling, I think. Sisters of Sinai is available at our local library, and it looks very interesting. I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for the recommendation.

#194 I don't think I know that movie - what was the question?

I need to move King Solomon's Mine higher in my TBR, I already have plans of reading She next year.

Ooh, that one looks good, too.

Hi, Sandy ~ Just dropping by for a look-see at what you've been up to reading-wise. Have to say I agree with you wholeheartedly about Team of Rivals. It's maybe up there in the top 10 nonfiction I've ever read, and in the top 50 of any type of book. I haven't read King Solomon's Mine yet, but I did read Haggard's She when I read it a half decade or so ago. Not sure it will have held up over time, but I loved it back then.

Book #66



Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz

I've had this book on my wishlist for a couple of years, but was apprehensive about reading it. The only other book I've tried by Tony Horwitz was A Voyage Long and Strange about the European exploration of North America in the 15th and 16th centuries. I thought that one was tedious and too long and I don't think I even finished it. So when I picked up Confederates, I was making deals with myself about how far into it I had to go before allowing myself to give up before I ever even started reading. I shouldn't have worried. I enjoyed this one very much.

The book examines several issues related to the civil war and the confederacy and how they are viewed in the modern South (the book was written in the mid 1990's). For example - the Confederate flag: what does it really represent today? Do southern whites still identify themselves as belonging to the confederacy? How does the flag make southern blacks feel? Is it really necessary for this flag to be flown over public buildings? Don't southerners realize that the war is over - and they lost? That last question is one that comes up several times. The answer seems to be "maybe not". One comment he made in the book is that, for northerners, the war is over. But for many in the south, it is merely half-time. Several of the people he talked to believe that modern southerners are different from "Yankees" - they have deeper roots, closer connections to their land, and stronger traditions than northerners. You almost get the impression that southerners believe they are stronger, handsomer, and are better cooks, too, but that wasn't in the book. Perhaps one reason that the civil war is still alive in the consciousness of the south is that so many of the major battles were fought there. It is easier to forget a fight when it wasn't in your own backyard, especially if you won. Most modern civil war re-enactors choose to portray confederate soldiers, even those from the north. There is something romantic about the confederate south - and their undying belief in a "lost cause" (a term that was mentioned frequently).

Having grown up in a "union" state, I could never understood the south's obsession with the civil war. Many of the questions raised in the book were ones I wondered about, and I was glad he asked them. The answers weren't very enlightening, however. It seems that there are as many opinions about the confederacy in the south as there are southerners. Still, I appreciated "hearing" some of the explanations. Recommended. 4 stars.

Book #67



Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

My first-ever Agatha Christie book. I wasn't bowled over, but I liked it well enough to read more of her books. Very logical, very neatly laid out. I love Miss Marple. I found it to be a little dated, but that is my problem and not the book's. Next time I will expect that and be better able to appreciate it. The only disappointment about this book was that it wasn't one which held my interest for more than a chapter or two at a time. Maybe a bit of a let-down after seeing everyone else go one about how much they enjoy Agatha Christie, but I still give it 3-1/2 stars.

Progress report: I finished Genesis this weekend. So far the going has been easy, as Genesis is chock full of familiar, action-packed stories. All the old Sunday School and Vacation Bible School favorites are here, including my childhood #1 favorite Bible story of all time: Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors. We recently saw a production of the musical "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat" for the very first time and loved it, so it was fun to read the Genesis story again. My study bible is full of foot notes and text notes and all kinds of other references and explanations - most of which I tried to ignore this time in favor of simply enjoying the storytelling. I didn't dwell on any of the symbolism or deeper meanings in some of the more obscure passages, and I especially tended to skim over the "begats". I know they're important somehow or they wouldn't be there, but I just don't have the temperament to dwell on these things without external guidance.

On to Exodus - another exciting story. I hope to finish this book by the end of the month.

Murder at the Vicarage was my first Agatha Christie, too. I read it last year in the midst of packing moving boxes and never got around to reviewing it, but do remember liking it very much.

I'm hoping to get to Confederates in the Attic within the next few months. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Sandy.

I, also, am going to read Confederates in the Attic for a RL book group . . . The bug must have been going around!

I loved Confederates in the Attic. I've loaned it out and hope it makes the journey back home to Mama. You are one Agatha Christie book ahead of me. Shameful that I haven't read her before.

Yay for Genesis. Double Yay for the upcoming Exodus. Good luck with Leviticus...and Numbers. I must admit to some skimming when the tribes are listed and everyone is counted. I think it's neat that you're keeping us updated, Sandy. Best of luck to you.

One of the things I love the most about reading the Hebrew Testament is that it can be read on so many levels: as religious instruction, as literature, as cultural information--and unique among those religious writings of which I am aware, as history, too. one can read it from a different perspective every time and always be engaged.

I hope all of you enjoy Confederates in the Attic. I don't know whether I'll read another Tony Horwitz book - I've had one hit and one miss and wouldn't know what to expect from a third book. Any recommendations about which of his others are especially good?

Joyce, Reading the Old Testament was waiting here for me from the library when I got home last night and I promptly sat down and read chapter one. Loved it. I fanned through the whole book and began calculating how much I'd need to read each day in order to have it completed by the time it will be due back. (Got it on an ILL, so no renewals allowed). There simply isn't enough time to do the book justice, so I got on AbeBooks and ordered a copy for myself. Very unusual behavior for me. While I was ordering, I also got a copy of Maps of Time, another too-big book to read successfully from the library. This was very late last night - about 11pm - but I'm so excited about both these books that when the doorbell rang at 8am today, my first thought was that maybe my books were here already!

I finished 2 more books in the last few days, and will be posting comments about both a little later.

I am so happy, Sandy, that you're enjoying the book. I'm on ch. 6 right now--haven't done any reading since I've been here alone and naturally the usual and normal crises occurred (latest being cows stepping on an exposed water pipe leaving us without water, which I had to fix). but Mary is back, so I have more time and plan on doing my part-of-a-chapter reading every morning. When you get to ch. 6, that's when there's the recommended reading of the Bible along with the more expanded explanations.

Maps of Time looks so very, very good!

I'm thinking about borrowing Becky's (labwriter) habit of doing "spiritual" reading on Sundays. With football season getting started, my husband will be spending Sunday afternoons glued to the TV and the laptop as he monitors his fantasy teams, leaving me with hours of uninterrupted free time every week. That will be a perfect time to read a chapter or two of Reading the Old Testament slowly enough to grasp the points being made and do the the recommended reading.

If you decide to get a copy of Maps of Time, maybe we could plan to read it at the same time and discuss it as we go. I'm thinking after the first of the year, after finishing Old Testament, not right away.

Good--give me time to get the book here! And no, I'm not ready right now, either. There are a couple of heavy-duty books I want to finish up, as well as Reading the Old Testament. but yes, let's plan on reading it together! What fun.

I do best with religious/spiritual reading if I do a little every day. Otherwise, it's too easy for me to get sidetracked.

Well, I have no idea how long it will take to get a copy of that book all the way to Panama. It's been more than 12 hours since I ordered, and it's still not here yet. :-) I'm really looking forward to this!

Ah--I do need a bit more time than that! :-) However, 3 months ought to do it.

Which edition are you getting, Sandy? There are two, and I'm going to get the later one.

I got the earlier one, but surely there isn't enough difference to matter so much for our purposes. In fact, the differences between our two books might make for interesting observations.

Book #68



I am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells

I found this to be a seriously creepy book. Not the good, tingly creepy when a serious bad guy is being tracked by the cops and eventually captured. This one is the weird, skin-crawling kind of creepy. In this book, John Wayne Cleaver is a 15-year old boy who lives in the funeral home owned by his family, works in the embalming room with his mother and aunt, and is fascinated by serial killers. He studies them and writes school essays about them. He has emotional problems and has been seeing a therapist. John has diagnosed himself as a sociopath, and this was recently confirmed by the therapist, much to John's pleasure. The pleasure was at being right, not at the diagnosis. Rationally, he knows that this is a bad thing, but emotionally he seems to revel in the lack of feelings that he experiences and the ways that he is different from normal people.

When a particularly gruesome killing occurs in town, the body is delivered to his mother's funeral home after being released by police. John is very excited. He speculates about the motives and mental state of the killer. When a second murder takes place, he is convinced that a serial killer is active and is able to understand aspects about the killings that the general public do not want to consider. He decides to challenge himself to discover the identity of the killer and stop him. Even if that means that he (John) must kill the man himself. But he is willing to risk unleashing his own inner "monster" in order to stop the evil that has already been unleashed.

What disturbed me the most about this book was not the fact that there was a serial killer, or that he did terrible things. What really bothered me was that John was telling the story and so we are able to know his thoughts and feelings. He is attracted to the subject of death and the bodies that he comes into contact with. The inner workings of the funeral home, and especially the technical aspects of embalming, are graphically displayed, which made me uncomfortable. But it was John's excitement - bordering on giddiness - at being a part of this work that bothered me most of all. He is not repulsed by seeing the results of the killings up close, he is intrigued - fascinated. In a couple of scenes, he says or does things which make the people around him nervous or afraid - people he is fond of, his mother and the cute girl from school. He does not react by becoming ashamed or contrite. Rather, he is pleased - emboldened - satisfied. He wants to do it some more and only by shear force of will does he back down and apologize.

The book is well-written. It certainly generated an emotional response from me. I liked the story - the plot - quite a bit and I would have had a different reaction if it had not been written in a first person voice. Reading the reviews, some people liked it very much, so I'm not sure why my response was so different. There is a supernatural element that some reviewers mentioned, but that did not bother me at all. I see that there is a sequel, but I'm not planning to read that one. I gave it 3 stars, and will not make any recommendation one way or the other.

Book #69



Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! by Fannie Flagg

This is for the Missouri Readers group read, to be discussed in October. I didn't expect to like it, and I didn't expect to get through it very quickly. But I did.

Short synopsis:

Dena Nordstrom was the daughter of Gene Nordstrom, a native of Elmwood Springs, MO who was killed in WWII shortly after he met and married Dena's mother in San Francisco. Dena never knew her father. She spent the first four years of her life in Elmwood Springs living with her grandparents and then her mother packed them up and left suddenly. They spent the rest of Dena's childhood moving from city to city, never settling down.

Dena grew up to become a famous TV network news broadcaster in the 1970's, part of the first wave of women in the business. When sudden health problems put her in the hospital, the doctors told her that she must reduce the stress in her life or it would kill her. She returned to Elmwood Springs to heal and contemplate what to do next.

Loved it - looking forward to discussing it in more detail with the rest of the group. 4 stars.

I read I Am Not A Serial Killer and I thought it was a worthwhile read. I was however a little thrown by the supernatural aspect of it, I thought it was a bit of a cop-out on the part of the author. He was willing to go so far to the dark, inner workings of John's mind and I though it was going to be a study of an evolving serial killer, but I felt he threw the supernatural part in to lighten things up and give John a good side. But I was certainly engrossed with the book while reading it and I do plan on reading the next one. I guess I want to know what John is going to do next.

#217 I'll be interested to see what you think of the next book - maybe you'll be able to change my mind about not reading it. Hope you're enjoying your trip.

Thanks Sandy, and I will let you know about the next book.

Sandy and Joyce, I got Reading the Old Testament from the library, but unfortunately I got Pagans and Christians at the same time and am reading it with Lucy (sibyx), so may not get to it right away. Glad to hear you are finding it worthwhile.

Roni, I am reading Reading the Old Testament so slowly--maybe 3-5 pages at most per day--that you will catch up with ease, at least with me. Sandy, I'm not so sure about. :-)

Not breaking any land speed records here - now that I know my own copy is on its way, I've lost the urgency to read quickly. Maybe not as slowly as Joyce, but I'm taking it slow enough that you'll be able to catch up.

ETA - Roni, Pagans and Christians looks good, too. But too much to take on right now. Later.

Sandy, I'll be getting Maps of Time later and I agree, having two editions might prove interesting, comparing differences.

Book #70



Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith

I'm afraid I don't have the words to adequately describe this book or my reaction to it. First published around 1950, it was later adapted into an Alfred Hitchcock film.

I'd read the synopsis on the cover, so I knew the basic plot before reading. Two men meet on a train and begin talking. One hates his wife, the other hates his father. It is suggested that they might help each other by murdering for one another. There would be no reason for anyone to suspect a total stranger who had absolutely no connection with the victim. A few weeks later the wife is killed. But the husband was never really serious about the arrangement and becomes plagued with feelings of guilt and panic - especially when his travelling companion contacts him and begins to pressure him to fulfill the other side of the bargain.

The book is told in a very calm, matter-of-fact tone. No non-essential information or descriptions. No excitement, no panic. The drama and tension are completely within the husband's mind as he wrestles with what has happened and is happening and his own reactions. Very creepy - very scary - very good. 4 stars.

Book #71



Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

Looks exactly like the bedtime books we read to our kids. Only 30 pages long - full color illustrations - short rhyming verses on each page - cute pictures of animals sleeping, sunsets, cuddly babies curled up in bed - the usual thing. But this is strictly for parents. The title phrase is used on every page. It succinctly describes the utter helplessness felt by parents trying to put their darlings down for the night. They want water, they want another story, they want to go to the bathroom, they are hungry, they are not tired, they need their teddy - the list seems endless. So clearly reminded me of the exhaustion that came with parenting small children. I don't miss that part. Hilarious. 3-1/2 stars.

The finest parenting advice my mother ever gave me was: "Never feel guilty that you're glad they're asleep for the night."

I read that book and forgot to include it on my list. I loved it. I can remember those nights where we just prayed that they would just stay in bed!! A friend at work brought it in to show the soon to be parents that we work with. They were appalled. We decided that they didn't understand.....yet!

Joyce, I think I would like your mom!

Carrie, I can imagine that not-yet-parents would definitely NOT appreciate that book - they are still in "my kid will be an angel" fantasy-land!

When I requested the book, I had my 2nd son, Mark, in mind. He was the worst. Every night we had the battle. It escalated until he finally ended up crying - from frustration or from a swat on the behind, it didn't matter. Only after we made him cry would he lay down and go to sleep. Every night.

Yes, well, I advised my older son and his wife in the same manner; she listened thoughtfully, and he sneered (naturally--after all, what does Mom know)--until they had their first.

I enjoyed that book too, although I'm not a parent. I've knpown enough struggling parents desperate for their kids to sleep to appreciate the sentiments. I listed to the audio version narrated by Samuel L Jackson which was very well done!

Glad to hear you are enjoying your Old Testament reading so far.

Yes, the Samuel L Jackson audio is great. Even my kids had listened to it and told me about it when they saw I had gotten the book.

The OT is getting off to a great start. In my Bible-in-a-year effort, I'm half way through Exodus. Moses has just received the 10 commandments on Mt Sinai. In Reading the Old Testament, I'm still in chapter 2, mentioned by Joyce above (post #178), about people and places. It is discussing the development of civilizations in and around the "fertile crescent" region of Mesopotamia, c 3000-2500 BC. Coincidentally, the other book I'm reading about the history of India (India: A History by John Keay) is talking about the development of civilization in and around the Indus River valley at the same time. He (Keay) has described how many earlier researchers just assumed that the Indus civilizations must have been an offshoot of the Mesopotamian civilization. Another example of West-centric thinking we are so often guilty of. As it turned out, of course, the Indus civilization arose independently of those in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Isn't it interesting how our reading so often intersects in interesting and illuminating ways - totally unintentionally?

Isn't it called something like serendipity? :-) Hard to believe in coincidences when it happens, as you say, so many times.

I loved Confederates in the Attic, too. I just got another Horwitz book from the ER program, Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War. We'll see how that is.

I read I Am Not a Serial Killer a while back. I thought it was both fascinating and creepy to see how a sociopath's mind might work -- from the inside. Like Judy, though, I was thrown by the supernatural aspect. Mind you, I read paranormal fiction all the time, but I didn't expect it in this book and thought it was honestly a little over the top.

Glad you're enjoying your reading of the Bible.

Terri, I think it was you who prompted me to add I am Not a Serial Killer to my wishlist. I don't normally read anything with a paranormal aspect to it, so I might not have had any interest in the book if I'd know about it. But when it popped up, it didn't bother me. I don't know - I felt like my whole reaction to that book was odd. At the very beginning, his descriptions of all the processes that they go through in the embalming procedure nearly turned my stomach. I usually would not have expected that, either.

Looking forward to your reactions to Midnight Rising. John Brown was a character we learned about in school growing up in Kansas, since he was involved in the "border war" there in the 1850's. There is a huge mural featuring him inside the capitol building in Topeka - a very scary looking guy!

Trying to post a picture of it:



Ok, that worked pretty well. Brown is, of course, the maniacal-looking guy in the center. One detail I'd forgotten about - since it's Kansas, there HAS to be a tornado in the background!

I've received Midnight Rising as well, and will stat it soon. How was Brown portrayed in your schooling, Sandy? Depending on your viewpoint he was either a dedicated crusader or a crazy fanatic. I lean toward the latter; his actions after the Lawrence Massacre were extreme even for that time and even for Bloody Kansas. Of course, he was one of the reason why it was Bloody Kansas!

Book #72



I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali

This is short (185 pages) and easy to ready - written by a 10-year old after all. Nujood's story is compelling - forced into marriage to a man in his 30's by her father when she was only 10, she was subjected to immediate and repeated sexual abuse by her husband (he had promised to wait until she reached puberty before "touching" her, but consummated the marriage the very first night). She was also taken far from her own family to live with her in-laws in a remote village in northern Yemen with no electricity, no running water and no telephone, so no calling home. Nujood had not been permitted to attend school long enough to be able to read and write more than her own name, so she couldn't even write to her mother (who is also illiterate and wouldn't have been able to write back in any case). She was also subjected to physical and emotional abuse by her mother-in-law and adult sister-in-law. She was kept isolated from the other children in the village even though she begged to be allowed to play with them - as a "married woman" she had responsibilities and her husband's honor to consider - it would have been unseemly for her to be seen cavorting outside. Finally, her husband took her back to the city to visit her family where she escaped and found her way to the courthouse. She had heard that a judge could give her a divorce and she was determined to get one. Fortunately, she found sympathetic people - judges and a women's rights attorney - who came to her aid.

All of this took place only a couple of years ago in Yemen. Nujood's story is heartbreakingly sad. But what is even worse is that the only unusual thing about it is that she got out. The book reports that 13 is the usual age for girls to be married, even though 15 is the current age of consent. Of course, these girls are not given any real choice in the matter. Nujood tells us that girls are taught to never say "no" even if they are asked, which she was not. As a result of the press coverage of her situation, she met 2 other girls who had both also been forced to marry men in their 30's. One had been 12, the other only 9. After hearing Nujood's story, they both had also sought and received divorces. She said she was "proud" that her story had given them the courage to rebel against their husbands.

There is an eplilogue by Nujood's co-author as well as several notes explaining terms and cultural references. Recommended. 4 stars.

#235 We learned about John Brown, the hero. I was an adult before I was able reconcile the story about him at Harper's Ferry with the "dedicated crusader" at Lawrence. Of course, now I realized that "crazy fanatic" is probably a more accurate description!

#236...I have a granddaughter that age! I've just put this on reserve at the downtown library and plan to make a special trip downtown. Obviously, it won't be an 'easy' read, but you make it sound so compelling that it's jumped the queue. Sandy, you always come up with such incredible books--my reading has expanded exponentially since joining groups where you are posting. Keep it up!

236 Sandy, it's so awful that little girls (and that's what they are) can be used that way! I'm glad she managed to find help and get out. Not sure I could handle reading that. I'm thinking about it.

233 I had a hard time reviewing I am not a serial killer when I read it. I didn't want to include spoilers, so I wasn't sure what to say about the paranormal aspect. I did, well I can't exactly say enjoy the character, but I did find him very well and creepily done -- enough so that I didn't quit when the story got weird. Well, it was always weird, but you know what I mean. I just suspended disbelief on the one part, because I wanted to see how the character behaved and continued to develop. I'm still toying with reading the next one in the series, but it really doesn't beckon me now that I'm away from the first book. (I gifted it to someone who, as I recall, despised it!) I would love to see a book about the same character dealing with a, well, less bizarre situation.

Starting a new thread for the 4th quarter, here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/124493