Donna828 is Overbooked - Ch. 9

Chapter 8 of my thread is here

Best of the bunch so far in 2011:
The Siege - Helen Dunmore
Unbroken - Lauren Hillenbrand
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The Invisible Bridge - Julie Orringer
The Portrait of a Lady - Henry James
The Killer Angels - Michael Shaara
Confederates in the Attic - Tony Horwitz
Anatomy Of A Murder - Robert Traver
The Road Home - Rose Tremain
The Memory of Love - Aminatta Forna

Books read in July:
65. The Road Home - Rose Tremain. 4.5 stars.
66. Dark Fire - C. J. Sansom. 3.9 stars.
67. The Storm at the Door - Stefan Merrill Block. 3.7 stars.
68. English Creek - Ivan Doig. 4.1 stars.
69. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde. 4.2 stars.
70. Howard's End is on the Landing - Susan Hill. 3.25 stars.
71. Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay. 3 stars.
72. The Wind-up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami. 4.1 stars.
73. Bird Cloud - Annie Proulx. 3.25 stars.

I read 3,210 pages in July. I own 7 of the 9 books I read, and all of them were read for different TIOLI challenges. It was a good reading month!

Books read in August:
74. The Memory of Love - Aminatta Forna. 4.5 stars.
75. After Life - Rhian Ellis. 3.1 stars.
76. A Novel Bookstore - Laurence Cosse. 2.8 stars.
77. The Sisters Brothers - Patrick deWitt. 3.7 stars.
78. A Cupboard Full of Coats - Yvette Edwards. 3.9 stars.

"Until it is read a book is a dead thing; it must be resurrected every time it finds a new reader."

Book No. 70: Howard's End is on the Landing by Susan Hill. 3.25 stars.

On page 10, the author makes a case for the rhythm of a seductive title and has a list of her favorites. I would nominate Hill's own book for this list. It sounds good and it makes me smile.

This book was entertaining and informative. Hill is opinionated and truthful about her reading. She even admits to being bored by Jane Austen! She extols the virtues of slow reading and makes a case for "The Book" vs. e-reader. This is a must read if you enjoy reading books about books. Wouldn't that be just about everybody on LT?

First? Am I really first? Howard's End is on the Landing is on a side table piled high with books, but I'll put it on the August TBR where it has more chances of being read sooner than later.

eta: If she's bored with Jane Austen, there's a good chance we might agree on a few titles at least! And yes, her book does have a great title, much agreed.

If she's bored by Austen then our reading interests probably wouldn't mesh, but it sounds interesting nonetheless!

Happy New Thread, Donna! I love Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler mysteries, so I'm confident that I'll eventually get to *HEiotL*. I'll disagree with her about Ms. Austen and move on.

Hi, Donna! Glad to have found your new thread!

Susan Hill got bored by Austen? I'm not going to say anything about that!

Well I have this book on my nightstand right now Donna, but then so are a bunch of others; doesn't guarantee anything, unfortunately, except maybe that I always have high hopes :)

I love your Christopher Morley quote--how true! I enjoyed the Hill book last year, even when I didn't always agree with her.

Hi Donna, I missed about 100 posts, because the star on the old thread disappeared. How does this always happen?

Some great reviews again. I read Dorian Grey 22(!) years ago, it's clearly time for a reread.

Love the quote!

Hi Donna, love the quote, am I a bigamist/polygamist(?) falling in love with so many books at once I wonder?

Hi Donna. One of these days I'll actually get around to reading Howards End is on the Landing. I had it out of the library a couple of months ago but never got to it before the due date.

Hello, Donna! I've missed chatting with you. I'm allowing myself one hour of fun on the computer before I start attempting the "must-dos" on my list. Glad you were close to the top!

Checking in Donna!

Stopping by to say hello . . . Hope your craziness straightens out soon!

Hi Donna- I like the New Thread! Nice job. I also enjoyed Howard's End. I'd like to read some of Susan Hill's fiction. Glad you are enjoying the Murakami.

Hi Donna - Howard's End Is on the Landing sounds like a good one. I put another book about reading on my TBR list today - Tolstoy and the Purple Chair. I love books about reading!

Hi, Donna. I have you starred now.

Hello to the new thread. I haven't read Howard's End is on..., though I have read Howard's End! Another one to look out for...

Ilana - you are indeed first. Sorry there isn't a prize for you!

Luxx - "interesting" is a good word for the book. I didn't agree with all her favorites, either, but did write down a few authors to look into.

Peggy - "disagree and move on" works for this book and life as well!

Porua - no comment, huh? Sometimes that's the best way.

Bonnie - it would make a good in-between book; short and an easy read.

Roni - I may have used that quote before... and I may use it again because I like it too.

Nathalie - I've had some disappearing stars, too. I wonder what's up with that? Maybe we should check out Stasia's immense Black Hole!

Leonie - thanks for the laugh. Book Polygamist. Too funny but also too true!

Pat - I also sometimes get overloaded at the library. Hey, free books! Why not take plenty?

Terri - I'm glad I was on top so you could drop in. Staying cool up there in St. Charles?

Stasia - Thanks for checking in. I promise not to complain about the heat to you, although misery does love company!

Brenda - I think the craziness will subside with cooler weather. Life's hurdles always seem worse when one can't breathe outside because it's so hot!

Mark - I hate to put the Murakami on hold, but I don't think I'll do it justice on our long weekend in Denver. I'll jump in on Book 3 when we get back Tuesday.

Amy - Books about reading are the best, aren't they? I'll be looking into the Tolstoy book.

Terri - Hello, and thanks for hanging in here with me. I've been lax in keeping up lately.

Genny - the original Howard's End is an awesome book. I liked the movie as well.

Come on down to Texas, Donna! We can be miserable together :)

Hi, Donna - just letting you know I'm still here, lurking. I'll miss the picture of you and Haley at the top of the thread, it made me smile each time.

just saving a spot for me..

Hi Stasia, Sandy, and Kath... I'm here in Denver enjoying some non-humid air. It will get hot today -95- but I can do dry heat.

I'm looking forward to seeing Joanne, Jenn, and Anne later today. We're meeting at a used bookstore in Littleton that will be new to all of us.

I liked reading Our Mutual Friend on the plane except for those no-electronic takeoffs and landings. Like a good reader, I had a dead-tree book handy!

Have fun at your meet-up and with your family. . . I'll be thinking about you as we're sweating it out in Kansas today!
Eager to see pics from the meet- up . . .

Hope you enjoy your meet-up Donna. As well as the title of Susan Hill's book I really love the beautiful books pictured on the cover.

Have a great time in Denver, Donna. Looking forward to hearing about the meet-up.

Hope you have/had a lovely time at the meet up.

Have a good time and safe travel.

safe travels :)

#24: Oo, another LT meet up! I hope you post pictures!

I love Susan Hill - definitely one for the WL. Sigh. Hope you are enjoying your break.

Rocky Mountain High greetings to Brenda, Heather, Pat, Genny, Kath, Kara, Stasia, and Prue. I am enjoying this break - a time to relax, refresh, and renew family ties and friendships.

We liked our little bookshop meeting yesterday. Unfortunately Jenn got busy with a swim meet and life so wasn't able to make it. Next time! Anne shared pics from Germany and Cyprus, and Joanne had pics from Maui.

Of course, a few books were purchased. I got Surfacing by Atwood, Brat Farrar by Tey, and The Whistling Season by Doig. I can't seem to find the brackets on my iPad to do the touchstones. Alas, I won't be able to post my pictures until I get home.

Can't wait to see the pictures -- and to hear all about everything! Have a safe trip home. :-)

Yes, I'd love to see photos! Happy Sunday to you Donna.

I just saw some pictures on Anne and Joanne's thread. Glad you guys had a good time. Hopefully, I'll be able to make it the "3rd Annual Rocky Mountain LT Meet-up."

Hi Donna, sounds like you're having a great time out west.

Now I wish I had an iPad just so I could tell you where the brackets are! LOL

Sounds like you're having a great time. Please take in big gulps of fresh air for me, will you?

I spent a few months in Colorado Springs some years back - had the Best Time...what a fabulous place! Hope you are enjoying yourself!

Another fun day in beautiful Colorado. We spent the day hanging out with Mike and Rebecca and the two grand dogs. R's parents came up from The Springs to join us for dinner. Mike is always happy to fill in our movie education - this trip we watched Avatar. Sorry we missed it in 3-D.

Hi Nancy, Linda, Pat, Bonnie, Ilana, and Prue.

We'd love to have you join us next year, Pat. Anybody else? We'll try to plan ahead and do some publicity next year.

Brenda came to my rescue with the iPad. Silly brackets were hiding on another screen!

I love Co. Springs, Prue. We lived there for much of the 90's and have fond memories of Garden of the Gods, Pike's Peak, etc. We'll be in Golden part of tomorrow. My husband will check on our business, and I'll check out the independent bookstore!

glad you are out of the humidity for a while! We used to go to Colorado for our vacation about every other year when I was young--had a great-uncle who had a cabin above Evergreen, and cousins in Littleton.

Hi Donna,

I lost your thread somewhere back in, oh, March I think? But I've found you again and hopefully I can keep up with your threads for the rest of the year!

Ta Da! I'm here!
Hi Donna - sounds like you are having a nice trip!
Can't wait for pics! :)

Donna - glad to hear you're in "Colorful Colorado" instead of "miserable" Missouri. The humidity here is still brutal - we went to see the new Harry Potter movie last night and came out of the theater into what felt like a sauna. Ugh. Roni - your childhood memories are similar to mine - my grandparents lived in Denver and we drove out there every summer and spent 2 weeks. My Grandpa took us all over the place up in the mountains, and my Grandma took us all over town. I loved it. I still have lots of aunts and uncles and cousins littered about out there.

Looking forward to the pictures.

Wait. Is Colorado heaven?
Have fun, Donna, and safe travels and happy book shopping!

I'm back... with pictures:


In front of our bookstore meeting place in Littleton, CO.
Anne (AMQS), Joanne (coppers) and me. We hope Jenn (nittnut) will be in next year's picture.

Two more pictures...



The picture on the left looks a lot like the ones Anne and Joanne posted. I took the other picture of Joanne and Anne admiring vacation pictures that Anne showed us of her recent trip to Europe - Germany and Cyprus. We sure had a wonderful time looking at vacation pictures and chatting about books... along with some actual book shopping of course!

Love the photos, Donna - thanks for posting...sounds like you all had a wonderful time!

Delightful pictures of you three! Wish CO was a little closer...

I see you had to congregate at the "loading zone" to wait for your purchases???? ;-)

ETA: You all look like teens!

And now a few pictures from my mini vacation in Colorado, otherwise known as "heaven." I spent a few hours in downtown Golden while my husband had a business meeting. The Clear Creek Bookstore is now a yogurt shoppe. So sad. I spent about an hour reading my book on a park bench along Clear Creek which is adjacent to the small shopping area in Golden. Very cool, in more ways than one.



Welcome to Golden! The smaller sign is advertising Buffalo Bill Days which begin tomorrow. The first picture of Clear Creek is taken towards the west. The M on the mountain stands for Colorado School of Mines - my youngest son went there one year before he decided that he didn't care for engineering. Looking toward the east is the Coors Brewery. The last picture is of Table Top Mountain. I'm not sure what those round shadows are - either UFO's or a spot on my camera lens! All of these pictures were taken pretty much from the same position, just different viewpoints. I think I did cross the street so I wouldn't get the bridge railings in the creek shots.

What great pictures. I wish I were there with you!

Roni, I think Colorado is prime vacation country for people from our neck of the woods. And it was great to get out of the humidity for a few days.

Cait, I am so glad you found me again. I'll be over to see you soon.

Sandy, it was an awful feeling walking out of the airport and breathing (or trying to breathe!) that suffocating air.

You nailed it Peggy. Colorado is heaven to me!

Hi Prue, we did have a good time. It's wonderful to meet in person the people you've been talking to online and find that you don't run out of things to talk about.

Claudia, you are too funny. I might have bought more books if we hadn't been flying. I'll definitely go back to this cute little bookstore. Teens, huh? Thanks for including me in that description of Joanne and Anne. I found out that Anne is the same age as my oldest son!

Me, too, Sandy. Want to drive out there with me next year?

What great fun it looks like you gals had!

Nice pictures Donna :)

Great pics, Donna. What a nice get-away for you both!

Loved the pictures, Donna. Wish I could have been there!

Looks like a wonderful trip :)

Well don't you all look like you had a great time and doesn't Colorado look like it's only missing one thing---me;-)

Hi to Kara, Brenda, Pat, Kath, and Bonnie.


"I'll come back for you later. I promise."

Book No. 71: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. 3 stars.

Yay! Over 300 reviews on this one so I don't have to add another one. The truth is, I am of two minds about this book. The story of Sarah and her family is gut-wrenching and dreadful in the "full of dread" sense. But the story of present-day Julia, the journalist reporting on the horrific events of the factual Vel d'Hiv wherein thousands of Parisian Jews were rounded up by the French police for deportation and ultimate death was dreadful - in the usual sense. Too many coincidences and too much drama made this part of the story read like a soap opera. I do not want to see this movie!

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It's good to be home and even better to get back to the quirky Wind-up Bird Chronicle. I also got about halfway through Bird Cloud while I was gone. Annie Proulx is building her dream house in Wyoming and making lots of dumb decisions, but it's still Annie Proulx so I can't wait to get back to it. I'm glad I don't have anything scheduled in my life until Friday.

Welcome home, Donna! I was just about to tell you a movie of Sarah's Key was coming out but obviously you know that. I've seen this book around alot but never felt compelled to get it. Good to know I haven't missed anything fantastic.

I'll be interested in what you end up thinking of The Wind-up Bird Chronicle and Bird Cloud. I read The Wind-up Bird Cloud about 6 or 7 years ago after my sister-in-law recommended it. I probably wouldn't have gotten far if not for that. In the end I was glad I read it but never really knew what was going on but that seemed to be part of its charm. I've never read anything by Annie Proulx but have always wanted to.

Hi Donna- Thanks for sharing the photos! What a good-looking bunch! I love Colorado too. I lived there for about a year, back in the late 70s.
Sorry to hear you didn't care for Sarah's Key. I got the impression it was a pretty good book.
I finished The Wind-up Bird. Mixed feelings about it, my friend.

Hi Donna, It's always nice to get home no matter how much you liked where you were.

I liked Sara's Key more than you did but did find some of it to be contrived and over the top. The movie, and not just because of the review I read, is one that I'll be avoiding.

Love the pictures, Donna. Thanks for sharing them.

Loved all the photos Donna, I just love seeing how LibraryThing makes the world a bit smaller.

woo hoo, Donna! Good thing I search hot topics and discovered you have started a new thread. Hope all's well with you. I'm going to scroll up and see what pictures everyone's talking about. Have a great day!

Yes, those are great pics. So nice to see LTer's get together and enjoying each others company. "Heaven" aka Golden looks lovely, must Google Earth and check out its location. Glad you had a nice trip!

About the only good thing I can say about yet another day in the 100-degree range is that I am getting lots of reading done!

Pat, I totally agree with you about Wind-up Bird in that I didn't know what was going on most of the time. At least my other Bird book (the Annie Proulx memoir) is easy to understand.

Hey, Mark. I liked much of Sarah's Key. The ending (last third of the book) brought its rating down.

Oh yeah, I'm glad to be home, Joanne. I just wish I could have brought some Colorado air home with me.

You're welcome, Stasia. Try to stay cool!

Leonie, it is a small world after all. ;-)

Hi Lynda, I should have mentioned that Golden is a suburb of Denver up in the foothills. I like their slogan: "Home of the 2 Hour Vacation"!

Hi Donna, yeah I have to agree with you completely about Sarah's Key which I read a couple of years ago and found to be (borrowing a phrase from another LTer, Deborah) pedestrian fluff. Trite, in other words.

Making a mental note to pass on Sarah's Key ... I certainly don't need trite, pedestrian fluff!

Hi Bonnie and Laura. Thanks for that phrase, Bonnie. And Laura, there are too many wonderful books out there - as you well know - to waste time with the so-so ones.

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"The best way to think about reality...was to get as far away from it as possible--a place like the bottom of a well." (231)

Book No. 72: The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. 4.1 stars.

Ah, what to say about this lyrical labyrinth? There's an alternate title floating around - "Dude, Where's My Cat?" - which is both funny and apt. The book starts out with a lost cat, then a lost wife, and ultimately ends up as a search for self. A philosophical book with some Japanese history and many surreal dream sequences. It's a book about fate and the absurdity of life which I found strangely compelling. I wasn't able to connect all the dots, but I had fun trying!

I'm lovin' this skipping a formal review thing! Wind-up Bird would be a tough review to write because I'm not certain I "got" the book. In fact, I'm certain that I didn't. It's one of those books where you just have to get into a zen-like state (or maybe it puts you in one?) and enjoy the magical mystical journey. It definitely makes you think and that is one of the primary reasons that I read!

Donna, I had already read fair to middling reviews of Sarah's Key on here and you've confirmed that it should not go onto my wish list. Thanks! Windup Bird also sounds like it does not have my name written all over it in big letters.

Hope it cools down a bit today for you.

Donna, I like your reflections much more than a formal review. Doesn't it feel good to not pressure yourself to write for the general public, but just for your friends? I'd love to try some Murakami sometime.

Lovely meet-up photos, Donna.

I had Sarah's Key out from the library a few months ago but had to return it unread because too many books were demanding attention (and I hadn't yet figured out that I could do renewals online). Glad to see I didn't miss something fabulous. I love your dreadful/dreadful comments.

Donna, those are great photos! Thanks for posting them. What a nice time we had. Can't wait for next year, with Jenn and anyone else who would like to come. Please come visit -- the weather's fine, and I live only a stone's throw from Golden!

thought the same as you regarding Sarah's Key...the ending crushed it for me

Hello Donna - also love the pics of Golden! Looks like heaven indeed...I am told that some of Murakami's other books are more accessible - I never really felt I understood Wind Up Bird Chronicles either. Bird Cloud goes on the WL. Sigh

Hi Donna, I really liked your mini review of The Wind-Up Bird and it makes me more interested to read it. I kinda like those philosophical novels although I don't always get them either, but they do keep you thinking for days and days which I appreciate.

Hi Donna - Not sure i will ever get to The Wind Up Bird Chronicle but I liked your reflections on it. I am feeling less and less like I HAVE to do a long, formal review for every book I read. Some of them move me to it, but others I don't think it's worth the time or effort or I have nothing to add to others' comments on it. So liberating!

Donna- I liked your thoughts on Wind-Up Bird too. It is a hard book to describe. I'm glad you were able to join us on the Group Read. Now, I'm waiting for others to give their reports.

Oh, it's been ages since I've been to Golden, and I'm sure I was too young to taste the samples at the brewery. Lovely country, though!

Cushla, I think the cool down is coming in September!

Jenny, Murakami writes unconventional books, but I've been intrigued by the two that I've read thus far.

Hi Anne in DC...I'm glad you enjoyed my dreadful comments. ;-)

Anne in CO, it was a good time. Thank you for coming. I know you must have still been a bit jet-lagged. I'm glad I got to see your pictures while they were still "fresh."

Kara, Sarah's Key could have been a wonderful book instead of a meh book.

Hi Prue, I understand there is a guidebook to Wind-up Bird. I wonder if it is worth the price to find out what the author intended...or if it would even give that kind of enlightenment.

Leonie, I'll be thinking about Wind-up Bird for some time. The sign of a good book imo.

Katie, I think I'll only read books from now on that have plenty of reviews so I can take the easy way out and just blab about what I read here. Although, I doubt that many people have reviewed Bird Cloud so I'll have to start my new plan after I finish that one.

Hi Mark, don't wait too long to chime in on the group read thread. Lisa and I have already started talking about it.

Roni, I took the Coors tour when Ben started college at School of Mines in Golden. He was 18 and I don't drink so the tasting was wasted on us, but I did enjoy seeing the brewery.

Donna, formal or informal, I loved your review of The Wind Up Bird.

Kind of amazing, because I read it so long ago now, and I have such a terrible memory in general, but the quote you've used was a sentence that jumped out at me when I was reading the novel too, and just now it brought the story back to mind in a very immediate sort of way. I completely agree with your take on the novel by the way. Somehow, I don't think there's anything to 'get'. As you say, there's something zen-like about it, and zen, as far as I understand it, isn't about finding answers so much as posing questions. I'd say this is the complete opposite of Western thinking, but also very liberating.

Basically, this novel is probably 'about' connecting the dots in any way that works for you.

Or not? ;-)

I enjoyed my read of The Wind Up Bird Chronicle with BJ last year. I am glad to see you enjoyed it too, Donna.

Wow! Did not have time to join the GR for Wind up Bird but I am totally intrigued by the comments. It will NOT be slipping to the botton of the pile, gotta get to it soon!

I've kinda slipped into impressions/comments rather than revews. Less pressure - more fun - just as good if not better!

I liked Sarah's Key Did NOT like the ending.
I think I reviewed it ...
Wonder how the movie will be..

Hey there, Ilana, Stasia, Cee, and Kath. It's good to have some visitors!
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"Driving from Laramie to Centennial on a windy day when the sky was filled with stretched-out laminar wave clouds I saw to the west, in the direction of the distant property, one cloud in the shape of an immense bird, the head and beak, the breast looming over the Rockies. I took it as a sign that I would get the property and thought Bird Cloud should be the new name for the old sheep ranch."

Book No. 73: Bird Cloud by Annie Proulx. 3.25 stars.

This memoir of a favorite author was a mixed bag for me. It was chock full of geographical information, family research, and the difficulties of building a dream house. I feel like I know Annie Proulx better after reading Bird Cloud - and that's a good thing.

I would recommend the book to fans of Annie, or someone moving to Wyoming, or those interested in architecture and building. Towards the end of the book were some fascinating thoughts about Native Americans and birds of the area. She did much research for the book and her keen eye for nature transfers well to the written page. I much prefer her fiction books, but her writing is top quality no matter what her subject. Bottom line: I'm glad I read it.

Hi Donna, I am intrigued by the different views about the Murakami book. I had read Kafka on the Shore some time back and had mixed feelings about it.

The brackets on the iPad are accessed by tapping the #+= key in the numbers keyboard.

I'd wondered about Bird Cloud . . . Sounds like I should read some more of her fiction pieces before trying this one.

#84: I think I will give Bird Cloud a pass.

Hi Donna. I'm so glad to read about Bird Cloud here on your thread. I enjoy memoirs and I love Proulx's writing. It's obvious I live under a rock, since I hadn't heard about the book--ha.

Oops! I should have realized that you had started a new thread already! Hopefully I can keep up on with you here on out Donna. :)

Hi Donna,

Loved your thoughts on The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.

>85 mausergem:: Thanks, Gautam. I'm still in the learning curve with my iPad. I plan to read Kafka on the Shore at some time. I like Murakami but want to space his books out. They kind of mess with my mind. ;-)

>86 brenpike:: That's what I would advise, Brenda. I enjoyed Bird Cloud, but it was not the type of memoir I was expecting. It even had footnotes!!

>87 alcottacre:: Stasia, I don't think you wil miss it - too many other books to read.

>88 labwriter:: Becky, it's probably cool there under your rock! This book didn't make much of a splash when it landed. More like a plop.

>89 jolerie:: Hi Valerie, that's what happens when you have a busy summer. It's so easy to get behind on LT. Glad you found me.

>90 nittnut:: Hi Jenn, thanks for the kind words. Have you read Wind-up Bird? Hope your summer is going well. I was sure disappointed that you couldn't make the meet-up, but I know there will be other times we can get together.

I know what you mean about spacing out Murakami books. It's exactly the same for me. :-)

I added Bird Cloud to the WL as it fits my 50 states challenge - thanks for the insightful reviews, Donna!

Hi Ilana, I do enjoy the Murakami books in a twisted sort of way. They make me think!

Prue, Bird Cloud will give you lots of information about Wyoming. It's probably about as much a nature book as it is a record of the difficulties of building a house in a remote area. I wanted to know more about Annie Proulx's writing process, etc. Maybe she'll do a literature memoir like Pat Conroy did. I've been a fan of hers since I read The Shipping News in the early 90's.

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I'm currently reading two books... The Memory of Love and After Life. Both are giving me good reason to stay inside and read. My husband goes into the hospital tomorrow for back surgery so I will have ample opportunity to read while he is in la-la land. He'll spend a couple days in the hospital and will have at least a 2-week recovery at home. Maybe this period will give me an indication of what it will be like if he ever retires. It should be interesting.

Hi Donna- I'm a big fan of Shipping News too! And Close Range also. I've heard so many glowing reports on The Memory of Love. I might have to request it from the library.

Hope all goes well with your husband! Sending positive vibes...

BTW-Finally left some comments on the Wind-Up Bird Thread. Bad Mark. But boy, is it dead over there.

Hi Donna! Adding my wishes for a speedy recovery for your hubby.

Thanks for helping me find you again Donna!

Saying prayers for Mr Donna's successful surgery and recovery. Hopefully, the waiting room TV won't be so loud that you'll have trouble reading - I hate when that happens.

Hope all goes well, both with the surgery and with the recovery!

Hope all goes well with the surgery Donna. I'm a big Annie Proulx fan too although I haven't read anything of hers in awhile. But I loved The Shipping News and Postcards and I have Accordion Crimes and That Old Ace in the Hole on my shelf.

We'll be thinking of you and your husband, Donna! Hoe everything goes well, and he gets some relief!

Hi Donna!
I'll be thinking of you and your hubby in hosp tomorrow and hope all goes smoothly. :)

Thinking of you and your husband as he goes into surgery!

Sending positive vibes to you and DH for a successful surgery and recuperation. . .

Hi Donna, I'll be thinking of you and your husband and hope the surgery goes well and the recovery is quick. Best wishes to you both.

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery and a pleasant pre-retirement sampling to you both.

I've only read Proulx The Shipping News so far and greatly enjoyed it. Funny, but I never made the connection that this was the same E. Annie Proulx of Brokeback Mountain fame. Wouldn't mind reading more by her, but not sure where to start. I'll have to add that goal to my 2012 wish list as I've got plenty of books I want to read this year on my list already, as you probably know!

eta: just checked the library catalogue, and they have a shockingly small selection of her books. Go figure. and found a decent selection when I tried Annie Proulx minus the 'E.'

Thinking of you and hubby - hoping for both a quick and painless (relativbely) recovery. I hope he is one of those males who is a good patient! (and if he is, consider yourself extrememly fortunate - I don't think there are too many of them!)

Hi, Donna! Wishing your husband a speedy recovery.

Hi Donna, I hope your husband's surgery goes well.

I am going to read The Memory of Love soon but am trying not to buy anything!

Donna, I really hope the surgery goes well for your husband.

#105 - hi, Ilana, just chiming in to say my favorites by Annie Proulx (other than Shipping News) are Postcards and Close Range - that one is short stories, and includes Brokeback Mountain.

Thanks to all of you for the good wishes for DH and I... that's Dave... although I do like "Mr. Donna!" It is 5:00 a.m. and 85 degrees already. It's supposed to reach 105 today. A 'good' day to be in a cool hospital. We're off in a few minutes, I just wanted to check email first and thought I'd stop by to see who else is up this early! I almost wish my brother wasn't going to be waiting with me so I could take a nap. Maybe this afternoon.

Hope the surgery goes well today Donna. I was feeling rather sorry for myself because we're having a very warm and muggy week here but it's probably not even going to hit 80 degrees. Hope the hospital is nice and cool and you manage to catch up on your sleep later.

Good luck today Donna!

I actually have had dreams about having an iPad 2 and reading books on it..
terrible!

Sending good wishes for the surgery to go smoothly and the healing, as well..

I'm taking a pass on Sarah's Key as well, I don't even care for the movie trailer so that tells me something too.

I could kick, kick, kick myself for passing up a copy of wind up bird on the book exchange shelf at the resort we stayed at last year. But as I had no book to exchange yet I obeyed the rules.............next time rules be d*mned.

Hi, Donna. I'm thinking that Dave is in surgery now and sending a good prayer for success and ease and one for you because the waiting room is not a good place to be. I'm sure that you'll both handle recuperation just fine.
*W-U Bird* knocked me out when I read it in the 90's, and it is one that has stayed in my mind. (Just ask me about Malta and Creta!) I didn't think that *Kafka* was quite as good, but I greatly enjoyed it too.

Hi Donna!! Thinking of you and hubby!! Hope all goes well today and sending wishes for a speedy recovery!!

Thanks for the suggestion Janet.

Donna, here's thinking of you and your husband also today. (((hugs)))

Just checking in. Hope everything is going will for Dave and for you.

Hi Donna, just sending my best wishes for a quick recovery for Mr Donna.

Thank you for ALL the get well wishes. Dave has a post-op temp of 101.6 tonight. They say it's nothing to worry about, but that's my job! It has been a long day. I appreciate all the support I've gotten here and locally. For some reason, I didn't get a lot of reading done today. Maybe tomorrow?

Sending hugs your way Donna. Get as much rest as you can.

((Donna & Dave)) Hope recovery is going well. You are allowed to worry all you want Donna- just take some time out for rest & sleep. People say worrying doesn't help... but I'm not sure that has been proven.
Signed,
Professional Worrier!

Thinking about you and hoping both of you are doing well today.

Just checking in for an update--best wishes!

Thanks for checking in, Valerie, Cee, Brenda, and Roni. The recovery process is going slow but steady. The reading process has accelerated. I finished one of my books and will give my book report tonight after I get home. It's much easier to do images, etc. on the laptop.

I'm glad that the surgery went well, and sorry that the temperature was up. I'd worry too. AND I think because the reading process has accelerated that the temp is probably coming down. Hope so! Take care of both of you!

"This urge to order memories arrives with age. A final sifting and sorting and cataloguing. To leave things in order before we go.

Book No. 74: The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna. 4.5 stars

It is a real pleasure to read a book where the language and story flow smoothly to create a soul-satisfying reading experience. Ms. Forna writes about a memorable place and time in her native country of Sierra Leone. It’s a perplexing time for Dr. Adrian Lockheart, a psychologist, when he arrives to help disturbed patients and finds his services superfluous. He is able to connect with the dying Professor Cole, who wants to unburden himself of his past, and “crazy” Agnes, haunted by spirits and compulsive wandering, but most of his patients wanted medicine rather than psychotherapy. His evolving friendship with Kai, a talented young African surgeon, and his infatuation with Mamakay, a captivating clarinet player, make up for the disappointment he had of making a big impact on the lives of people ravaged by war.

The author focuses on these characters as she artfully tells the story of a country broken by a decade long civil war at the end of the 20th century. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is so common it is considered more of a way of life than an ailment. Forna shows us the thin line between healing or burying the pain. This is a country where everyone is a victim of terror and greed and the memories of love and atrocities are released slowly, allowing the reader time to reflect on the festering wounds below the surface. Have your tissues at hand while reading this book. It’s impossible to read it without making an emotional connection to the people of Sierra Leone.

Worrying is our lot in life, Donna. Hope the fever is down and the healing continues smoothly. How long did they anticipate Dave's recovery to be?

Everyone seems to be loving The Memory of Love and I enjoyed your review. Maybe one day I'll get to it!

How cathartic it must have been - reading an emotional book and going through an emotional time with Mr Donna. Another wonderful revie of The Memory of Love - might have to bite the BB. Thanks Donna (I think)

#128: I am reading that one in the near future. I hope that I enjoy it as much as you did.

I hope Dave is doing better!

Nice review!! And best wishes to Dave for a speedy recovery.

Peggy, there is a definite correlation between lowered temp and increased reading!

Joanne, Dave's recovery will be in stages. Two weeks of pain & suffering at home; then he may be able to drive and return to work part-time for two months. It will be six months before he can resume all his regular activities like vaccuuming the basement!

Memory of Love was a very cathartic read; maybe I was more emotional about it due to the circumstances.

Can't wait to see what you and our other TIOLI friends think of the book, Stasia.

Thanks, Laura, I remember that you loved the book as well.

It looks like we will be going home today!!! Fever is gone and anti-nausea patch is in place. I know he's better because he's reading the Wall Street Journal.

Congratulations! Great step in the right direction!!

Yay! Best recovery wishes to Mr & Mrs Donna!

Donna, just adding my recovery wishes as well. I was just skimming through the threads, trying to catch up after my vacation. Great news that he is able to come home today.

I have added Memory of Love to my wishlist. This month I am going to be reading A Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich at some point, I believe she is a favorite author of yours.

Thanks for the update Donna! Hopefully you and the Mr will get lots of time to rest and just spend quality time with one another. :)

Another great review for Memory of Love so I definitely have to look for that one.

Donna- Good luck with the recovery process. I hope it goes smooth. Excellent review of The Memory of Love. I think I will have to reserve a copy, maybe next month. I can't let this one get by me.

So glad to hear that Dave is doing well enough to go home. How lucky he is to have you around to care for him and worry about him. I hope he will be a good patient for you. Had to laugh at the WSJ!

Hi Donna. Just catching up. Hope things are going well on your husband's first day back at home.

I don't think I've heard of anyone who didn't like The Memory of Love. That book is definitely on my radar.

Hi Donna, excellent review of The Memory of Love

So glad to hear that Dave is on the road to recovery. Back surgery can be tricky so I hope you can convince him to take it easy. Vacuum the basement?? Nope.

Hope all's going well with Dave, Donna. Don't forget to take care of you, too.

Great review as always Donna. But I'll keep that one in mind for later down the line.

All the best to you and hubby.

fusion is a difficult surgery and long recovery...sending prayers to you and Dave.

Hugs!

Hope it's been a good day. And here's to a little more cheerful reading!

Hi, Just checking in to see how Dave is doing - and how you are too. Taking care of the invalid can be pretty exhausting too.
Take care!

Hi Donna , lovely review and quote. Hope you and hubby are recovering speedily.

Glad to hear that Dave is doing better, Donna.

Donna, I'm really glad Dave is getting better. but you might want to hide today's WSJ and maybe the TV remote as well, in case the sight of tanking stock prices sets him back a day or two!!

I think my wishes and comments have already been covered by others, so just....me too!

So many messages of encouragement... you guys are the best! Thank you one and all. Both patient and nurse had a decent night's sleep. It will be another quiet day around here. Quiet except for the TV, that is. Cushla, we have a steady diet of Bloomberg, CNBC, and Fox News, so DH is keeping up with the wobbly stock markets. He could do without food before he could do without financial news!

I am going to give Dave his bell to ring and hide away in the snuggery with a book... right after I catch up with LT friends. I'll be paying return visits to all of you in the next few days. That's my therapy!

I'm very far behind in threads but hope your husband's recovery is proceeding well.

I'm so glad you weren't disappointed in The Memory of Love--and congratulations on a hot review!

Sounds like you have a great system in place Nurse Donna! Hope you are able to find some time to rest and relax for yourself. Take care my friend. :)

Hi Donna! Hope the recovery is still going well. Loved your review of The Memory of Love! That one is definitely on the TBR.

Donna, over on Cushla's thread you said you were "bonkers about Booker" this year ... so I thought you might be interested in the recently-formed Booker Prize group. Drop in and set a spell!

Hi Anne, I'm trying to get caught up on threads as well. It's a full-time job.

Valerie, it helps that my husband is a very good patient. I think he feels too poorly to be much trouble. I would rather he felt better and complained about the poor service.

Hey Amy, I hope you enjoy The Memory of Love when you get to it. Recovery is on schedule.

Laura, I've signed up for Darryl's Booker group, but I haven't had a chance to contribute much yet. Just wait until I go to the library tomorrow and load up on some Booker nominated books. I have 3 waiting for me.

I got caught up on the local newspaper for the last few days. With school starting in a few weeks, we have to have a story about banned books. It seems a man without children (!) demanded that the school board in a neighboring suburb take Slaughterhouse Five out of the school library. In response, the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library has offered free copies of the book to students of the high school that request them. How cool is that?

Donna, the school board didn't really take the book out of the library, did they?

The description of your husband feeling too bad to be trouble reminds me of when the kids would get sick when they were little. On the one hand, I was glad when they began feeling better. On the other, I missed them being quiet and keeping out of trouble.

#156: Kudos to the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library!

That's an excellent story about Slaughterhouse Five. I'm raking my brain trying to remember what there is to ban about this book and coming up blank. Why people are so obsessed with banning books in the U.S. is beyond me.

I'm sure your husband would never complain of the service because I don't doubt that you are the best nurse, ever.

eta: and yes, staying on top of the threads is indeed a full time job.

#159. You are right . . . I just recently read Slaughterhouse Five and there is nothing about it which should get it banned . . . Maybe the complainant doesn't believe the holocaust happened?! And yes, kudos to the Vonnegut Library. Very cool!

Hi Donna :^). Hope you've had a good day.

Glad to hear your husband is recovering well, Donna. Yea to having a good patient! Make sure the nursing staff gets frequent breaks and doesn't forget to take care of self. :)

I saw something on HuffingtonPost about the Slaughterhouse Five dust up. Ridiculousness, truly. But it's not the death and violence (of course), it's the sex. It (banning) always seems to be about sex.

I think it's a great book for high schoolers to read and discuss. Our high school's AP Lit class reads it every year. I encouraged my son to read it when he was 15 and it's one of his top 5; Vonnegut is his favorite author. And good for the Vonnegut Library!!

Wow, did the man even try to justify his stupidity? That's so ridiculous, but I like the response. Is the article available online? I'd love to read it (and share with my own students).

Continued well-wishes for both Mr. Donna and yourself.

>156 Donna828:: I can't wait to hear about your Booker reading, Donna!

Glad to hear that all is well in your family :)

Luxx, I'll try to link you to the article:

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110804/NEWS01/110804025/Vonnegut-Memorial-L...

I hope it works!

For those who don't want to read the article, the crackpot citizen's justification was that Slaughterhouse-Five taught principles contrary to the Bible. Makes you wonder if he's even read the Bible.

Sandy - yes, they removed it and Twenty Boy Summer from the Republic, MO High School library. They decided to let Speak - the third book contested - remain in the library.

Stasia - I wanted to jump up and cheer when I read what the memorial library is planning to do.

Ilana - I was the same way. I couldn't think of why it would be so offensive, but it's been 45 years or so since I read it.

Brenda - The article made me want to reread the book. My days are getting better.

Joanne - Frequent breaks for sure. I need to escape from the constant TV noise to read in my little snuggery. I'm close enough to check on Dave frequently and can easily hear his bell - which he hasn't had to use yet. Glad to hear Chris liked S-F. I think my kids read and liked it, too.

Luxx - be sure and let me know your students' reactions.

Laura - I'm not sure which one I will start first. I'm going to have lots of reading time for at least the next ten days or so. I have completely cleared my schedule except for my monthly card game on August 11. We'll both need a break from each other by then!

Kath, thanks, recovery is slow but steady.

Thanks, Donna! It opened on my phone, so I think it'll open on my computer. One of the research topics I offer is on censorship, so I like to have contemporary sources.

Hmm...Haven't read Slaughterhouse-Five. Maybe I should.

Glad to hear your husband is recovering well!

Hi Donna!
Sounds like you and Mr Donna have an agreeable routine already. Hope the recovery is steady and complete.

My husband never watches tv during the day - UNLESS the stock market is floundering. Then he is glued to the tube. I guess it's like 911 - a tragedy you don't believe is happening and figure if you watch it long enough someone will finally say - "Just kidding!" Or maybe, if everyone all together watches the numbers at the same time, and wills them to rise, it will happen! ???

Maybe (?) there is a slightly good outcome to banning books - makes kids want to read them! So, that's cool that the Vonnegut Library is providing the books. YAY!

>167 London_StJ:: Glad I could help, Luxx.

>168 Porua:: Hi Porua, I think we should all read Slaughterhouse-Five to counteract book banning.

>169 -Cee-:: Cee, we've been through enough ups and downs in the stock market that I don't worry about it anymore. We'll never take our money out - although I guess we could lose everything. Thank goodness our house and cars are paid for. I also have a lifetime supply of books to read. ;-)

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


"I understood the true horror of the world: it is that once a thing is done, it can never be undone...The past is fixed and unalterable, a tyrant, and none of us has any power against it."

Book No. 75: After Life by Rhian Ellis. 3.1 stars.

This is a mystery with a twist. We know from the beginning who died and who is responsible for that death. What we don't know is why it happened. As interesting as the psychological exploration is, the real peculiarity lies in trying to keep a secret in a town filled with mediums. What irony. This town is called Train Line, but think Lily Dale, a spiritualist community in New York, as the model for the setting.

Naomi Ash is an odd character...overweight, unkept, unmotivated - the sort of girl who would read her boyfriend's private journal. Yet she had a sweet, wistful side that at times overshadowed her self-destructive behavior. We never really find out what makes Naomi "tick," but I was fascinated by this truly unique individual who is haunted by her actions. I probably would have liked this book better if I had any confidence in spiritual mediums. I will remain skeptical until I have a visit with someone from the Afterlife.

After Life caught my interest and after reading both yours and Whisper's reviews, I think this a book I most definitely want to read.

Hey that was #75! Congratulations Donna. You're there and the year is only 7/12 over. Yay!

Hi Donna, glad to hear that Dave's recovery is going well. Best wishes to you both. I don't think I've ever read Slaughterhouse-Five, but I did read Twenty Boy Summer recently. Yes, its removal is definitely about sex. If you ask me, banning it is the best way to get kids to read it.

#173. I agree about banned books being more sought after, in fact I still routinely look to banned books lists for reading material!

Donna, Congrats on #75. Hope you and Dave have had a good day. And, of course, you know, if you lose everything you have hundreds of friends who have thousands of books to share . . . :^)

I love the idea of group readingSlaughterhouse Five as our mini protest.

Look at you trying to quietly pass 75 without any fanfare. You can see we won't let you get away with it!

Congratulations Donna!

Congrats on 75, Donna!

Congratulations on passing the 75 book mark! Hope all continues well with the recovery.

Judy, I told Linda (Whisper1) that I can't get this book out of my head. Perhaps I was too harsh in my rating of 3 stars; I just couldn't buy the whole "medium" thing, although I know many people who do. I'm "open" to it but nobody wants to talk to me from beyond. ;-)

Thanks for noticing, Bonnie. I knew my astute friends would pick up on that number...
including Brenda, Stasia, Laura, Heather, Katie, and Roni. Thanks, guys!

Anne, I loved your comment: If you ask me, banning it is the best way to get kids to read it. So true.

Congrats on your 75 books, Donna! :-)

ON *75* !!!!!

Congrats!

Congratulations, Donna! Hope you and your patient are doing well.

Hi Donna! Congratulations on reaching 75 books!!!

Thanks for the very interesting article about Slaughterhouse-Five. Whenever I read about people wanting books banned I have to wonder if they realize that what goes around, comes around? It's not as though you have to read it. Even in high school I understood that if I was offended by a particular book, I could go to the teacher with a list of alternatives and read something else. Good grief.

Hi Donna - Congratulations on hitting the big 75!! Great effort to get there in August. And have been catching up but absolutely fascinated by the Vonnegut banning article and discussion. I love how the books are being offered free to anyone who is interested, it just goes to show you can't keep a good book down.

Wow, it's a party over here! More thanks to Porua, Claudia, Jim, Pat, Jenn, and Leonie for all the congratulations for something I love to do. Here's to reading!

Oh, and a quick update on "Mr. Donna." The patient is feeling much better today. He took a minimum amount of pain killers and got on his laptop to check email and even paid a few bills! He made it down the seven steps to the master bedroom to sleep in a real bed tonight. Yay! I hope he makes it the rest of the way downstairs to his "man cave" so I can clean up the "nest" in the family room. Things are looking up around here.

Congrats Donna!! We knew you could do it! Thanks for the update on "Mr. Donna". I'm glad he is improving, so well.

Good news about "Mr Donna" and congratulations on reaching 75! I guess I wasn't very observant as I missed that until someone else pointed it out.

Good to hear Dave is doing well . . .

Hi Donna - So glad to hear that Dave's recovery is going so well! I'll bet the excellent 24 hr nursing care he is getting from you is a big part of it.

And 75 books! YAY!!!!! Congratulations!

Congratulations Donna, 75 books by August is awesome!! Glad the patient is on the mend and he makes it to his cave today.

I really have to read Slaughterhouse Five now.

Great news about Dave ... Hooray!

Woo Hoo's abound for, Dave and you reaching your goal! Wishing continued success for both of you!!

congrats on 75! :)

Bravo on reaching your first 75 Donna. Can a second batch be far behind? :-)

Glad to hear Mr. Donna is doing better. And that your house and car are paid for ;-)

If I hadn't read Slaughterhouse Five so recently (2010), I'd join in a group read of it just out of principle, knowing that it's been banned. Sheesh!

More visitors...I love having company! Greetings and more thank yous to Mark, Judy, Brenda, Joanne, Cushla, Laura, Lynda, Kath, and Ilana. I'll have to read my second 75 really fast so I can get more pretty graphics and congrats. Let's see, that will be about March of 2012. For this year, I'll be happy to match last year's total of 109.

I got out and ran a few errands this morning. We had another early morning shower and the cloud cover is keeping the temperature down. Maybe the end of summer will be a pleasant segue into fall. Sure do hope so.

It's true! You can't judge a book by its cover.

Book No. 76: A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse. 2.8 stars.
"You have just confirmed to me that one of the most fortunate purposes of literature is to bring like-minded people together and get them talking."

Members of the secret Good Novel committee are being attacked. They are the authors who choose the books that will be in the new specialty bookstore appropriately called The Good Novel in which only good novels will be for sale. Now I love great literature as much as everyone else on LT, but I have never considered it a dangerous pursuit. The "mystery" was left hanging while the author went on a 300-page convoluted explanation of how to start a bookstore. There was so much furtiveness and dissembling in establishing this Utopian bookstore that I couldn't take it seriously.

Despite my disappointment, I'll be keeping this book in my permanent collection for three reasons: 1)very cool cover, 2)I'm a fan of Europa editions, and 3)there was a 3-page manifesto written by Francesca, the owner of this unique bookstore, that expressed many of my feelings about the books I collect. Strangely, one of her conjectures applied to this book in a contradictory way: "We have no time to waste on insignificant books, hollow books, books that are here to please." (279) I started this book with high hopes, but it turned out to be one of those pedestrian books that would never make it to the shelves of The Good Novel.

Too bad about A Novel Bookstore, but yay that I don't have to add another book to the WL.

Now... I've been too embarrassed to ask about this on other threads, but I feel more comfortable asking on yours: I've never come across any Europa books, and I know very little about them (other than people like them and what I've quickly gleaned from their site). Could you tell me what makes them favourites among LTers?

Oh, and that quote you left me from this book was really good too. Pity. And I know nothing about Europa books either so will wait for your reply to Ilana with interest.

Hmmm. I have A Novel Bookstore in my collection of Europas (they are all shelved together because I love the spines!) but I guess I won't be rushing to pick it up. Yours is not the only so-so review I've read of it.

Well it had to happen eventually Donna....a book that disappoints. I mean after having already read 75 76 of them it was bound to happen. I'm just happy to have one that I can ignore. Finally.

>199 Smiler69:: Ilana, don't completely rule out A Novel Bookstore. I think it would mean more to someone with a French background. Many of the books they talked about were ones I hadn't heard of; i.e., books with French titles.

I don't know much about Europa editions, but I did find this older article from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/books/26europa.html

The other Europa book I own is The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I like them because of the cool end "flaps" and the heavier paper they are printed on. I feel like I've had a quality reading experience even if the book didn't do much for me.

>200 KiwiNyx:: I liked that quote so much, Leonie, that I used it over here too. I think it describes LibraryThing chat so well.

>201 katiekrug:: Katie, some people loved the book. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts. I'll be looking for more Europa books at used bookstores and library sales. My two look so lonesome!

>202 brenzi:: Well, it did have some good points, Bonnie, but I just couldn't connect with these characters. I didn't even mention the dreary "love" affair.

It's telling that I use both love and mystery in quotation marks. I think this would be a great book to read if you were thinking of opening a bookstore, but don't read it thinking you're getting a book mystery or a believable love story.

A Novel Bookstore does not sound like a book I will rush right out and read, but if it comes my way some time, I will give it a shot. Nice review, Donna.

I am glad to hear that Dave is getting around a bit better. I am sure that is a relief to the both of you.

Congrats on passing the 75 book goal!

Glad to hear that Dave is recovering well.

That's a good plan regarding A Novel Bookstore, Stasia. I like to make up my own mind about books most of the time, too.

Thanks, Terri. It's good to "see" you again.

I am in Booker Mode for awhile. I have four library books that have been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Right now I am chuckling my way through a western about hired gunslingers. Quite an experience and a good diversion for me. Oh yeah, the book is The Sisters Brothers.

just catching up with you :)

congrats on 75 Donna!

After Life looks interesting...might check that one out!

I am just waiting for The Sisters Brothers to come in at the library, hopefully before the end of the month. I have seen nothing but favorable reviews for it.

Whew! I don't know how I got so far behind, but I finally caught up.

Glad to hear your husband has been recovering well, and I hope that continues. CONGRATULATIONS on reaching 75! And I didn't particularly care for A Novel Bookstore either. I think I gave it the 50-page rule before returning it to the library. It does have a nice cover, though! :)

Donna
I'm stopping by to say hello and to check to see how your husband is doing.

Phew! I'm finally caught up on your thread. Belated congratulations on reaching 75 Donna! Here's to another 75! ;)

A Novel Bookstore doesn't sound like anything I need to feel guilty about ignoring. Thanks for the helpful review. On the other hand, The Sisters Brothers is a book I first noticed on the library's forthcoming books lists a couple of months ago and I thought it sounded interesting. I'm excited to see so many favorable comments about it.

Glad to hear that Dave is recovering nicely. How long will he need to stay home from work?

Glad you're enjoying The Sisters Brothers after a flop. It's a shame about A Novel Bookstore - I enjoyed another novel by him that was a random library find, A Corner of the Veil. I won't be racing to find A Novel Bookstore now.

Boo Hoo, I just brought home A Novel Bookstore from the library for Suz's challenge. As I already read a Europa Edition this month I won't rush to get to this one. Bummer when the story fails the excellent cover.

Hi Kara, and thanks. Let me know what you think if you read After Life. I need to see if there are any recent books by this author. This was her debut novel and very well written.

Judy, I'm getting ready to compose another favorable review of The Sisters Brothers.

Mary, it's great to see you here. I know that "behind" feeling. Thanks for the congrats, get well wishes for DH, and for reinforcing my negative comments about A Novel Bookstore. It wasn't a bad book -- but it could have been a great book imo.

Linda, Dave is doing better each day. His goal for today is to walk to the end of our (75 ft.) driveway without the walker.

Sandy, I think you might like The Sisters Brothers, especially if a little gore doesn't bother you.
Dave will have x-rays and see his surgeon on Monday to determine how soon he can go back to work. He sits behind a desk most of the day, but I'm concerned more about the 50-minute commute.

Hi Cushla, I might look into A Corner of the Veil as I read another good comment about it. Btw, Laurence Cosse is a female. I was surprised to discover that in my after-book research.

Lynda, it is a great cover isn't it? You might like it. I notice that Suzanne gave it 4.5 stars so maybe you can just ignore my review and comments. I'm beginning to think it was all the "Frenchness" that I didn't care for - although I loved The Elegance of the Hedgehog which was also translated from the French. There were certain phrases -- like "fish in water" (as opposed to "fish out of water") -- used 3x - that got under my skin!

Having surgery - and being a caretaker - does have its advantages...


"Give me books, fruit, French wine, and fine weather..." ~John Keats

Three out of four isn't a bad ratio. We don't have any French wine around here!

Hi Donna , congrats on completing 75 books.

Wow! Nice fruit basket! :)
And love the quote... just change "fine" to "cold" and it could be my mantra. ;-)

Hope you and "Mr Donna" have a good day - achieving all your goals.

You are having fine weather? In August? Oh dear, climate change IS for real. I think you can substitute the chocolate for the French wine--that's allowed.

75 books down, hurrah! mmmm the fruit looks lovely! Sending healing thoughts to yr hubby

Claudia, it seems "cold" by August in Missouri standards!

Roni, It is 73 degrees at 1:25 p.m. CDT. Hard to believe that a week ago today the temp at this time was 105 degrees! I love the chocolate covered strawberries; not so sure about the pineapple/chocolate combo. Hubby doesn't like fresh pineapple so that part of it is all mine!

Thanks, Kath. Those healing thoughts are helping for sure.

"You put a wage behind something, it gives the act a sort of respectability...it feels significant to have something as large as a man's life entrusted to me." (Pg. 139)

Book No. 77: The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt. 3.7 stars.

Have gun(s) will travel! Brothers Charlie and Eli are hired to kill Hermann Warm. It's their job, but they approach it in different ways. Charlie is the shoot-and-ask-questions later type of gunslinger while our narrator, Eli Sisters, is a kinder, gentler sort. For a cold-blooded killer, he shows a warm heart for his old nag Tub, for some of the characters they cross paths with, and for all the "ladies" he meets.

They meet up with some memorable individuals - and even a big red grizzly - on their journey to Sacramento to carry out their latest job. Charlie spends much of his time getting drunk while Eli embarks on a self-improvement program of oral hygiene and weight loss. It was good to have a little lightness in this book about a greedy time in our country's past where the lust for gold caused men to treat life cheaply and go to any extreme to strike it rich. They don't call it the Wild West for nothing! Although the book was often violent and sometimes bawdy, it was always entertaining.

Just catching up on your thread after a hiatus from LT. Glad to hear your husband has come through the surgery well. Remember that the caretaker needs some rest and TLC too!

Too bad about A Novel Bookstore. I have it, and will still get to it (one of these days).

I'm skipping your review of the The Sisters Brothers Donna as I have it on reserve at the library and am looking forward to another good western. That fruit basket looks like one I got when I had my shoulder surgery from Edible Arrangements. Mmmmmm.

Donna- I loved your review of the sisters brothers! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I love it, when a worthy book catches fire and sparks this kind of interest. Funny, Doc was like that too!

I don't know if you saw my comments on A Mercy, the book you rightly coined "wordy", but I listened to it on audio and unfortunately this was not the right format, for me, for this kind of book. I missed way to much. Now, I need to track down the book and give it a more focused try. She is an incredible author, but I think the printed page will work best.

I love that fruit basket! Yummy!

Donna, I didn't realize A Novel Bookstore was originally a French novel. You'd thing the author's name would have been a giveaway, but I'm slow on the uptake like that sometimes. Even so, I don't know that I'm all that taken by the premise, so won't be seeking it out in French either. Which is fine by me, leaves room for other books.

Besides which, if I want to explore Europa books, I'll have to look out for books by non-French authors obviously. Any other titles you've read by that publisher you might recommend?

I've got The Sisters Brothers on reserve at the library right now and looking forward to reading that one in September. Glad you enjoyed it—something tells me I will too.

Don't blame you for skipping the review, Bonnie. I try not to give spoilers, but I have to say something about the book. ;-) Yes, this is an Edible Arrangement...and very edible indeed!

Mark, I didn't make myself clear I guess - which doesn't surprise me at all. I didn't mean that A Mercy was particularly wordy by Morrison standards. It reminded me of her earlier books which were not as abstruse. Paradise was a puzzlement to me! I really liked The Bluest Eye and some of the early ones the best. I put A Mercy in that not as wordy category. Clear as mud?

Ilana, I've only read one other Europa book: The Elegance of the Hedgehog which I liked very much. Oh yes, there are so many other books out there to read and enjoy; don't waste time on one that doesn't appeal. I hope you like The Sisters Brothers when you get it, although there is one scene about Tub the horse having eye "surgery" that you might want to read with one eye closed!

Donna- Actually, I think "wordy" describes a Mercy perfectly. It's not necessarily negative, her choice of words is jaw-dropping at times. Have you had any problems listening to audios of heavier literature, or is it just me? Inquiring minds...

I'll keep that in mind about Sisters Brothers Donna. I always like to use the opportunities to test just how thick my skin is...

As for Elegance of the Hedgehog, I have that one in French sitting on my shelves. Another one I won't be reading in the Europa edition, but thanks.

Donna & Ilana, Muriel Barbery also wrote Gourmet Rhapsody for Europa Books. I think fans of Elegance of the Hedgehog may also like this as it is about the same characters in the apartment building, but revolves around and is told from the perspective of the food critic.

>228 msf59:: Mark, I have trouble listening to audiobooks in general. I have always been a visual person. I'm also a compulsive note taker. Writing things down helps me internalize what I hear. I only listen to book on road trips when I am a captive audience and would never consider following our 'wordy' Ms. Morrison in anything but a print version. I like 'jaw-dropping" to describe her prose. I am in awe of that woman.

>229 Smiler69:: Hi Ilana, I just thought I'd better give you a heads up as I know what an animal lover you are.

>230 brenpike:: I've heard of this book, Brenda, but didn't realize that it featured the same characters. Good to know. Thanks for that enlightenment.

Hi Donna!! Looks like your moving right along!! Congrats on passing 75!! I thumbed your reviews for Afterlife and The Memory of Love and wishlisted them. Lately I seem to be drawn to stories of Africa and like you I'm a skeptic regarding mediums and such, but I still find the subject rather interesting.

I'm really glad to hear Mr. Donna is doing well!!! Hoping and wishing his recovery continues smoothly!!!!

Hey Donna! Just adding my congratulations at reaching 75! So glad Mr Donna is really on the recovery road. Sisters Brothers seems to be garnering many fans around the threads - it's on the WL! I have also looked up Europa Editions on BD - drool. Not much to add to discussion as I have read none of the books in recent discussion, but always a pleasure to stop by!

Hi Donna. I'm glad to hear Dave is making good progress. I plan to read The Sisters Brothers soon. My library has it and surprisingly there don't seem to be any holds on the one at my local branch.

I'm glad to hear that Mr. Donna is mending and moving, and i hope you're taking advantage of his progress and getting back to your own "normal." Sending good mojo your way.

#230 Thanks Brenda. I was hoping to get suggestions for non-French authors published at Europa because I always read the original French versions when I can...

Donna, I know that's why you warned me about it and I appreciate it. I think my tolerance to those things depends on how the topic is broached but also on my own mood at the time, so I'll just have to see when I get there.

I wish my local library had The Sisters Brothers. Ah, well. Some day.

Hi, Donna. We think alike (@ 231) in our reading styles. I'm also a compulsive note taker, for the same reasons you state. We recently moved and have to downsize in every way. I thought I could listen to books as I tackle boxes, which works ok for me, except that I really miss the visual word, and don't find myself stopping what I'm doing in order to capture the thought as I go. It almost feels as though I've cheated myself of the 'whole' experience of the book.

So not a note taker... put a pencil in my hands and I doodle.. :P
Also not a listener... I just muddle along with my books..
Good morning to you! and wishing you a happy and healthy weekend!

Sorry guys, I pooped out last night. Not so much from my caretaking duties (which are decreasing each day), but because I had lunch out and played cards with the girls. I haven't socialized in over two weeks and forgot how taxing it can be for an introvert like me. ;-)

>232 tjblue:: Hi Tammy, I'm so glad you stopped by. I hope you like the two books you wishlisted. The Memory of Love will be on my top ten books for this year.

>233 PrueGallagher:: And it's always a pleasure to have to have you drop in, Prue. Would you care for some fruit? In addition to the lovely - and delicious - fruit arrangement pictured above, we received two boxes of fruit and assorted goodies from Harry & David yesterday. Hubby is in heaven (except for that ouchy back!).

>234 phebj:: Pat, I'm usually pretty lucky with reserving my kind of book. It's when I get into popular fiction like State of Wonder that I encounter a long wait. SofW will be old news by the time I get to read it.

>235 London_StJ:: Mojo is gratefully accepted; it must be working because things are right on schedule here - even with a new routine.

>236 Smiler69:: Hi Ilana, I envy you being able to read books in the original French. I think even good translations affect the nuance of a book.

>237 alcottacre:: Stasia, I am so glad for an up-to-date library. Even when a book isn't available, it is easy to get it through ILL. I love my library!

>238 countrylife:: Cindy, I love your last sentence. That's exactly the way I feel. I hate to "cheat" on my ARDs!
ARD = Antique Reading Device. I stole borrowed that acronym from one of my book emails this morning.

>239 mckait:: Good morning to you as well, Kath. And I think you "muddle" along quite nicely with your books! Glad to hear that your pup is better. You guys had quite a scare.

Good afternoon, Donna. So glad to hear that all is going well there, even the weather!

"Most stories are like that bowl of soup you eating now, a whole heap of ingredients put together at the proper time... You have to start with the things that need to go in the pot first."

Book No. 78: A Cupboard Full of Coats by Yvette Edwards. 3.9 stars.

Jinx lives up to her name. We find out on the first page that she killed her mother 14 years ago. Life since than hasn't been kind to her. She has a strained relationship with her 4-year-old son who lives with his father... "the capacity to hate and hurt was bigger inside me than any capacity to nurture." (Pg. 35) I did not like Jinx in the beginning of this book, but I felt sorry for her and was glad when family friend Lemon reentered her life bringing hope with his patient ways and his stories.

Ha! It looks like mine is the first review of this Booker nominated book. That's a scary thought! You can read the rest of my thoughts over here.

>242 Donna828: - Great review, Donna, I am more interested in this book now. I'm in the middle of The Sisters Brothers right now, so it was good to read your thoughts on that one too.

Enjoy your weekend!

Nice review, Donna -- thumbed! This book sounds pretty interesting.

Huh. The LT Oracle (that I continue to play with even tho it has the accuracy of a weather forecast)says I will LOVE this book. Interesting. From your review, Donna, I'm not too sure. Great review - thumb for you. But... not sure about the book itself???

Very nice review of A Cupboard Full of Coats, Donna! I'll probably read this next week.

Great review Donna! I can imagine that this would be a tough book to read but sometimes the outcome is worth a bit of discomfort. But I find for myself that after a really heavy book, I do have to turn to something a bit lighter to balance it all out. :)
Hope you and Mr. Donna are doing well!

Nice review and a thumb from me too Donna.

About translations, I can tell you from personal experience as one who at one point was fluent in three languages that each language has specific words to describe things and sometimes a good equivalent can be found, but not always. Then there are the various idioms and wordplays and so on. No matter how good a translation is, there is always something lost along the way, which is why I wish I could read Russian and German, and maybe Italian and Spanish too while we're at it!

When I re-read Grapes of Wrath last year, I couldn't help but think about the fact that this book had been translated into so many languages and that only a North American could truly appreciate the "Okie" dialect. Sometimes I read books written in English from places like Scotland or Australia and so on and wish I had a better understanding of the regional subtleties which are also lost to us, if not in translation, then in regional differences.

What a busy thread! Belated congratulations on reaching 75! And I'm glad to hear your husband is slowly mending - may he continue to do so.

Thumbs up from me too! I already have the book in the BlackHole, just waiting on my local library once again.

Thumbs up from me on your latest read. I've added A Cupboard full of Clothes and Brothers and Sisters to the tbr pile.

Happy Saturday. I hope it is a good day for you.

oh, goodie, so happy to hear I have a good Booker read ahead of me! thumbed

Hey, Donna! Congrats on the #1 Hot Review for A Cupboard Full of Coats!

Hey there Cait, Laura, Claudia, Darryl, Valerie, Ilana, Genny, Stasia, Linda, Jenny, and Porua. Thanks for the kudos. I think it's interesting that Cupboard got so much attention and the Sisters Brothers was snubbed. Was it something I said? ;-) You know I'm kidding, right? I love when people comment on my reviews; the thumbs up are just a bonus as I write them mainly for myself. Selfish me!

Please come visit me on my shiny new thread.

Hi Donna!

think I will pass on The Cupboard...good review tho!

I'm back and forth about Sisters Brothers........I do like westerns but........