Bahzah/ Cee's Comfy Corner Series - Book 11

OK. You all want ART? Here you go! (No offense to all the fine art out there!)



"Anyone Can Do It !"




Best of January
Fiction: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell *5 stars*
Non F: The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller *4.5 stars*

Best of February
Fiction: Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier *4 stars*
Non-F: Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss *4.5 stars*

Best of March
Fiction: The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys *4.25 stars*
Non-F: Sophia Tolstoy by Alexandra Popoff *4.5 stars*

Best of April
Fiction: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell *4.5 stars*
Non-F: The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell *3.75 stars*

Best of May
Fiction: Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner *5 stars*

Non-F: It's a really, real tie! Sorry. I can't choose.
Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss *5 stars*
and
Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell *5 stars*

Best of June (not much reading this month)
Fiction: No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod *4.5 stars*

Non-F: - not a one finished!

Best of July
Fiction: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell *4.5 stars*

Non-F: White Heat; The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson by Brenda Wineapple *4.5 stars*

Best of August
Fiction: The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna *5 stars*

Non-F: The Wild Blueberry Book by Virginia Wright *4 stars*

2011 Books read:

JANUARY
#1 Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende (3.5 stars)
#2 Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (4 stars)
#3 Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (5 stars)
#4 The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller (4.5 stars)
#5 A Lonely Death by Charles Todd (3.5 stars)
#6 Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (5 stars)
FEBRUARY
#7 The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (4 stars)
#8 Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss (4.5 stars)
#9 The Crown Conspiracy by Michael Sullivan (4 stars)
#10 Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien (4stars)
#11 My Own Country by Abraham Verghese (4 stars)
#12 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (4.25 stars)
#13 Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier (4 stars)
MARCH
#14 I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish (4.5 stars)
#15 Room by Emma Donoghue (3.5 stars)
#16 Winter's Bone: A Novel by Daniel Woodrell (4 stars)
#17 On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers (4 stars)
#18 A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny (3.5 stars)
#19 Sophia Tolstoy: A Biography by Alexandra Popoff (4.5 stars)
#20 The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys (4.25 stars)
APRIL
#21 The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (4.75 stars)
#22 The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S Lovell (3.75 stars)
#23 The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht (4 stars)
MAY
#24 Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (5 stars)
#25 Lavender Lies by Susan Whittig Albert (3 stars)
#26 In Earshot of Water: Notes from the Columbia Plateau by Paul Lindholdt (4.25 stars)
#27 Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss (5 stars)
#28 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (4.5 stars)
#29 Cogslea Revisited by M Juanita Taylor (3.5 stars)
#30 Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm (4 stars)
#31 Gandhi The Man How One Man Changed Himself to Change the World by Eknath Easwaran (4.5 stars)
#32 Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell (5 stars)
JUNE
#33 No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod (4.5 stars)
#34 Cleopatra VII by Kristiana Gregory (3.5 stars)
#35 The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White (4.5 stars)
JULY
#36 Blueberry Chowder by Rose Whitney Smith (4 stars)
#37 The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (4.5 stars)
#38 Still Alice by Lisa Genova (4 stars)
#39 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (5 stars)
#40 White Heat; The Friendship of Emily Dickinson and Thomas Wentworth Higginson by Brenda Wineapple (4.5 stars)
AUGUST
#41 The Wild Blueberry Book by Virginia Wright (4 stars)
#42 Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett (3.8 stars)
#43 Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz (4.5 stars)
#44 The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (5 stars)
#45 Flush: A Biography bu Virginia Woolf (4.25 stars)
#46 Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley (4 stars)
#47 The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead by Paul Elwork (3.5 stars)
#48 The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley (4 stars)
SEPTEMBER
#49 Three Day Road by Joesph Boyden (4.5 stars)
#50 Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (4 stars)
#51The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny (4 stars)
#52 Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres (3 stars)
#53 Hinges: Meditations on the Portals of the Imagination by Grace Dane Mazur (4.5 stars)
#54 Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (2.5 stars)
#55 I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelsohn (4.5 stars)

found

I barely made it before you!

Welcome to my "Anyone Can Do It Thread!"

(trying to convince myself I can make it to 75! Ha!)

I have no doubt.. you can do it!

Hi Claudia, are you kidding me? That elephant can probably do as well as some of the modern artists that I've seen at the art gallery.

And yet I bet the elephant will produce a much better piece of art than I ever could, Cee.

Love the painting pachyderm

Hi Claudia- Like the new thread! And love little Dumbo! You can do it, my friend!

Good Morning!

75 is gonna be tight, Kath. I know it's only a number...
but it's also a goal. There's just so much I want to read!

Bonnie, I agree. But then, I'm not educated much in art appreciation. :(

I KNOW that would be true for me, Caro. All my t-shirts are plain.

Hi Mark - I thought this little pachyderm was cute! Looks like he is having fun.
If I make 75 this year, I'll be shocked. I just don't know how you guys all do it.

I need a reading vacation! Time I can just grab some books and hole up someplace in the mountains by myownself. Preferably, with a blizzard, fleece blankie, and a fireplace... hot cocoa and kahlua!

Any book lover who has not read The Haunted Bookshop needs to... pronto! What a delightful book!
And funny.

And yet I bet the elephant will produce a much better piece of art than I ever could, Cee.

Ditto!

And now to follow the pretty blue words...

starred!
love the opening picture Cee!

and as far as the 75 goal, I'm right there with you...maybe a book or two less then you :)

#48 The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley

A book to delight booklovers! How many who have read this book want to time-travel to Brooklyn and hunt for this early 20th century used bookstore? Count me as one. The plot is a somewhat preposterous mystery, but the commentary throughout is priceless! The characters are humorously entertaining.

Roger Mifflin, the lovable and chatty bookseller, dreams of elevating the status of bookseller to a highly honorable profession. He is passionate about books and strives to become a renown pioneer in spreading the knowledge of great books to the common man! His mission is to bring the love of reading to the world.

What avid reader cannot identify with his rambling musing?
"Did you ever notice how books track you down and hunt you out? They follow you like the hound in Francis Thompson's poem. They know their quarry! ... they follow you and follow you and drive you into a corner and MAKE you read them ... Words can't describe the cunning of some books. You'll think you've shaken them off your trail, and then one day some innocent-looking customer will pop in and begin to talk, and you'll know he's an unconscious agent of book-destiny... That's why I call this place the Haunted Bookshop. Haunted by the ghosts of books I haven't read."

This sequel to Parnassus on Wheels is a worthy follow-up, but could be read strictly on its own.
Highly recommended for fun! (4 stars)

Oh my goodness, I love that pic of the elephant SO MUCH! I think I am having a cute attack.

Sandy K

I just picked it up for $0.95 for the Kindle...

Good review, Cee.... and thanks for the tip, Luxx... I went and picked one up for the Kindle too.

Hi Sandy - I thought it was cute too! Elephants are amazing creatures. I'm thinking of making a point of reading more about elephants in September - but I'll have to borrow Mark's book-horn!

Hi Luxx and Caro - my copy is on the Kindle too. It was impossible to go back and find the quotes I really wanted to use. I'm going to have to learn how to mark locations - or whatever you call it.

One quote I wanted to find went something like - Roger refused to read 'King Lear" which he truly desired to read. The reason - if he fell critically ill and was about to die, he would know he still had to read that book and would hold off death to do it!
:)

Horrible day. Fervently hope yours was better.

Sorry. That's one hope that is not happening.
Horrible day here too... really horrible. :(

everyone ok?

yeah

that's something anyway

wonder what the heck is going on..
everyone is having a bad time of it..
mother earth is in league with the universe and tehy are kickin' ass
I don't blame them, but , I am on their side!
:(

I know.
I don't know.
I know.
I think so.
I know.
:(

Well.. here we are, another day.. lets hope this one is a good one for everyone!

sending positive good day thoughts your way cee!!

Yes, another lovely day. Thanks ladies for that puff of wind beneath my wings! :)

Soldier on....

Which reminds me, I am reading Three Day Road - a harrowing experience but so well written.
This book is yanking my head out of the sand.
It was so much easier (albeit boring) to read the bloodless history books in school.
But it's not fair to those who went thru this hell for us to just whitewash it
and continue on our destructive path.

"When will we ever learn?" :{

Are you packing?

I'm so glad you enjoyed the Higginson-Dickinson bio too! Zoet is the next book in my line-up of fiction.....

Lucy, you have not failed me yet... I have loved all the books you rec. My problem is I can't keep up with them all! A common problem around here - but a good one!

Kath - you know it! I am packing for a night at a B&B with my daughter. I'm psyched! I always feel guilty when my loved ones sacrifice for my sanity, but it reminds me how special they are. And I'm gonna try to just relax.

>29 -Cee-:: I am packing for a night at a B&B with my daughter

That sounds absolutely lovely. Enjoy!

yep... sounds perfect!!

I am so lucky - I know. We're cutting out of here tomorrow afternoon.
Free til Sat afternoon. Sweet!
Just knowing I am going - and have that to look forward to - is so energizing...

Started Death Comes for the ArchBishop which I have never read before.
Love Cather's writing... It's been so long, I had forgotten.
Still intrigued by Three Day Road... I hope it has a satisfying ending?

Still haven't read either.. Or maybe read the Cather a zillion years ago

Glad you have this to look forward to!

A little getaway to a B&B - sounds grand. What are you escaping?

Escape planned for.... oh, wait. I can't tell. I might be apprehended!
Let's just say tomorrow afternoon when the world least expects it!
Mwah hahahaha!

Oh, I just picked my favorites for Aug - plenty of good fiction this month (plus I have 2 more I am currently reading). BUT, I now realize - not much in the NF category.

I need to go pick out a really good NF - after all, summer is nearly over.
hmmm - what to pick????
;-)

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind ?

That thought just flashed into my mind! I should.

The Good Good Pig

Have a wonderful time at the B&B with your daughter, Cee!

>39 cameling: I have The Good Good Pig lanquishing unread on my shelves. I should give it a look.

*waving* at Claudia. . . Have a great Friday!

>39 cameling: Caro! That book sounds great... for me, anyway! On my WL. You did your review on that 2 months before I joined LT (I was wondering why I missed that one). Thanks!

Thanks, Joanne. It's gonna be great! Read Caro's review of The Good Good Pig. You'll want to read it, too :)

Thanks, Stasia! I so hope your back gets better soon. Do you have any PT friends that could give you targeted exercises? You might be able to get rid of the spasms and inflammation temporarily with rest and meds - but I fear you may need to be more proactive and strengthen those muscles or learn to use them properly or use different ones. Your job doesn't look like it's gonna change right away - nor your computer time at that. :(

Doing the Happy Dance! Going AWAY for the night!!!! YAY!

I thought you would be away already! No down time yet.. cleaning.. laundry.. you know the drill.

later. Then shower and book. 90+ here today.

Have fun! Stay long..

massage!

Waiting for B to arrive - then off we go!

Safe trip! speedy too!

Have fun on your trip, Claudia!

Sandy K

Have a relaaaaaaaxing time!

Have a great getaway! Cee u when you get back! Hugs!

It sounds like a lovely time Claudia. Have fun!

Have a wonderful trip, Claudia!

Hope you are not on your way home yet... ! Better to be still having your time off..

Good! No Cee seen... must mean that you are still enjoying time with your daughter... somewhere!

Ah yes.... my Bridget is the sweetest! We are having a great weekend - got home yesterday around 2:00 - then, B took Mom out for ice cream and I had MORE time (peacefully alone in my own home) to feel good about my own self. That kid knows just the right things to say and do! She's amazing! She's so full of good energy and it's rubbing off on me. :)

Thanks for all the good wishes Kath, Sandy, Megan, Mark, Bonnie, Stasia!
All your good vibes came shining through!
We walked through old Wiscassett, ate lobster and blueberry bavarian cream puffs and gormet breakfast, relaxed, chatted deep, slept peacefully, read, raided a health store for food and essential oils, and B did "hot yoga" (gross).
I never heard of that before - she went into a 90 degree room w/60% humidity and sweat in copiuos amounts while exercising.
Ye gods! Glad I didn't try that. But she loved it!

She'll be going home later this evening to her family that's missing her... I am soooo lucky!
Finished Three Day Road. Not sure quite what to say about it. Will have to think about this one a bit more...

Claudia- Thanks for the update! Sounds like you are enjoying your family! Hope the rest of your Sunday goes well.

Glad you are safe home.

I just spent two days w/my teenaged daughter at a b&b while we attended a family gathering and so I know just how sweet the experience can be! Glad you're home safe.

#49 Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden

Here is a stark view of WWI in the trenches of France. It’s bloody and graphic. Instead of glorifying the violence, however, the tone is tragic, reflective, and sad. Xavier a young Cree Indian from Canada struggles with the meaning of the war, his unknown enemies, army life, and their impact on his psyche. His best friend, Elijah, from the same tribe is caught up in the killing for its own sake, the competition, and the heroic reputation it brings him. Though seemingly cut of the same cloth in boyhood, their developing adult personalities and desires elicit heartbreaking conflict and test their deep loyalty.

The two orphaned boys are raised and influenced by a beloved old Indian woman, Auntie, who teaches them the Indian ways of respecting the earth, hunting, survival, spiritualism, becoming an integral part of nature, and facing fear. She is the one essential to Xavier’s story. She passes on ancestral Cree values and specialized skills which enable him to conquer his demons.

Boyden writes a novel that takes you further than you want to go - but you are compelled to walk down his road. He explores what it is to be human. I am generally one of the sensitive types. I cringe at any kind of violence or hurtful behavior. Still, I found I could not stop reading this book.

Boyden pushes you deep inside yourself to meet the tragedies of the dark and frightening aspects of living. You will find this story fearsome, ugly and painful – as well as poignant, captivating and loving. 4.5 stars

Guardedly recommended based on the violent deaths of animals and loved ones.

hmmmmmmmmm

Now that is one excellent review of a book that I loved Claudia;

Now quick, move on to Through Black Spruce by the same author.

Claudia- Terrific review of TDR! Much better expressed than mine. Hats off, my friend!

Sorry, Kath. I would not have recommended it to me... and I know I sent it to you. Don't feel like you have to read it. I didn't know what it was about really. But to tell you the truth, it was a very good book. This will have to be your very own decision.

Why, thank you Bonnie! Coming from you... that means a lot. Is TBS a little less violent? Pls say yes.

Thanks, Mark. It was hard to know what to say about this book. It's oxymoronic - a "beautiful tragedy". I guess you could say that about many lives.

>53 -Cee-: I cant deal with hot yoga either, I prefer a church hall and a pair of trackies for my yoga (and a way smaller price tag!)

How did you read it and send it to me, too?

I have to think on it.. staying away from it for now anyway.. till
things simmer down in my life.. which will happen any minute..
( please goddess!)

Hot yoga.. ugh!

>53 -Cee-:/62: I've heard mixed things about hot yoga... some people love it, but other fitness experts seem concerned about the safety of exercising in a hot room before actually warming up your muscles. I guess some people push themselves too hard to the point of injury because they assume being in a "hot" room means warmed up... but I suppose like any form of exercise, the safety element comes back to the instructor leading the class. It's up to them to ensure participants aren't injuring themselves. Either way... I can't say I'll ever try hot yoga!!! LOL.

Hi Megan, Kath and Faith! Nice to see you all...

Actually, Bridget is a yoga instructor herself. So, she knew what she was getting into. She is nearly always warmed up, does a lot of running, is very fit, and knows how to take care of herself. After the hot yoga, she drank lots and lots of fluids - including coconut water to keep her body in balance. She discouraged me from doing it - for which I was thankful! I think it was good for her though. She enjoyed it and had 2 days of relaxation to follow.

Anyway, my kind of yoga is slow & soothing. I do mostly easy stretches, hard balancing tricks and mind relaxation... Bridget on one end of skype in her yoga room - me on the other end in my bedroom. Soft music and personalized encouragement. yeah, I know. I'm spoiled! *grin*

Good morning, all! I think I was supposed to read about 400 pages of War & Peace for my book club today. I've only read about 50 pages. oops. The group decided they wanted to watch the movie along with reading the book. It's being broken up in thirds for the next 3 months. I really don't want to watch the movie - I think it will spoil the book for me. But, to be sociable, I'll give it a try. Just doesn't seem right...

Sweet, cool rain here. Thanks to whoever sent it over! :)

Nice here too... the weather anyway..
grey, rain, cool.

Good luck with W&P :P I am so glad I don't
have to do it. Come to think of it, I wouldn't .
THAT is why I don't belong to a book circle. I
don't read well with others.

and stuff.

Hot yoga, what will they think of next!???

Kath - Our book group is good... if I don't want to read the book, I don't. Actually, I DO want to read W&P. After reading about Sophia Tolstoy (Leo's wife), I've become much more interested. She HAND WROTE the whole book 4 times for various revisions to submit to the publisher. If she can handwrite that book 4 times, I should be able to read it once!

Lucy - whatever they think of next, you know it's gonna hurt! :}
I'm mildly concerned I might go to hell and find it is hot yoga for eternity... I could be in deep trouble.

ok... we watched about 2 hours of W&P to get the feel of the characters, story and place. Now we read the first 400 pages for Oct. (Whew! Got 50 of them done already. Thought it was for this month.) We might watch more of the movie as a group later - after we read more. I dunno. I just do whatever they want. It's an agreeable group.

Agreeable is good..

I need to work on that.

I read War and Peace several years ago. It really was an enjoyable read. I was playing the Wicked Witch of the West in a production of The Wizard of Oz and I had quite a bit of down time during rehearsals, so I read it sitting in the auditorium or green room. The war portions were slow for me, but I would just put my bookmark under each line of text and move on down the page. A pleasant memory.

Sandy K

Hi, just popping in to say that I see you read Flush in August - and you seem to have enjoyed it: good! I've got it on my list, was hoping to read it last month, maybe I'll get to it this month instead.

Popping up for a breather and taking advantage of my break to catch up on your thread, Cee.

Putting in my two cents against hot yoga ... I found out only after I tried it, that I wasn't supposed to stop and drink during the blistering session. Sweat pouring out from every single pore in my body, I really thought I was going to shrivel up into a human raisin if I didn't hydrate. And my feet and toes turned an alarming shade of puce! Never doing this again!

Why didn't someone tell you... ?!
See, that is what happens when people are afraid to speak up..
Grrr..

That would never happen to me.. because I would never, ever, ever, try it in a million years..
but it is good to know just the same :)

Actually I wonder why the instructor didn't say anything! Isn't she supposed to make sure her students don't keel over? Not sure she could have done anything about my swollen puce feet and toes though.

I would think the instructor would for sure..I know I would!
sheesh!

Hi Sandy, I'm hoping I'll get to the end of W&P with my reading group's pressure encouragement.

Genny, I only seemed to enjoy Flush? I loved it! I love just about any book on animals, esp dogs :)

Caro... yikes! that sounds terrible! At least Bridget knows what's right/wrong for yoga stuff - and she sizes up the instructors pretty quickly. Still, I think I'll let her know my concern based on your experience.

And Kath... I'll concentrate my worries for you on throw rugs and furkids. :{

ETA: Tomorrow 2 plumbers in my house all day replacing pipes almost everywhere. Starting early. No water. Barking dog. Confused Mom (Can I flush? No, Mom. etc, etc). Ron at work. $$$$ out the window. Gotta do it.
Can hardly wait. *groan*

Oh no, what a mess. Sending serene wishes your way.

Claudia- I'm envious of you tackling W & P. Good for you. I have never read it but plan on getting to it, maybe next year. I think if you consider yourself a serious reader, these are the types of books you have had to have read.
Good luck with the plumbing tomorrow!

Whew! I've already read War and Peace. There is no way in hell or out of hell that I'll be trying Hot Yoga. And, knock on wood, no plumbers in my future. Gee, life is good for me these days. Still knocking on wood because I know things can change in a New York minute. ;-)

Enjoy your new pipes, Cee. And also enjoy the W&P experience with your group. I think the movie was a good way to set the atmosphere for reading the book. I was worried at first that you were going to watch the whole thing.

Hi Cee! Sorry to be away so long but I finally caught up with you - you have been busy! :)

Hope you get through the plumbing mess with a minimum of discomfort...!

#77 I only said 'seemed' because I think you gave it 4 stars - wasn't sure how strong a rating that is for you. I'm glad to hear you really loved it! I like books with animals in too.

Hey Cee, just found your new thread and Pablo Elephantcasso is a great start to it.

Sorry to see the plumbing issues you have ahead of you. So many things/people piling up on you makes me think of the Emergency Broadcast System saying "This is only a test" Hang in there, sweetie :)

Hi Luxx, Lately when I think my house couldn't look much worse - it does. (col) Frig in DR now (so they can cut out wall behind where it goes :P) and under-sink stuff tucked in everywhere cat and dog can't get to it. Fun... glad I don't have 3 little boys right now!

Thanks, Mark. I'm looking forward to W&P instead of dreading it now. :) I'm so glad you are having cooler weather and enjoying it. I'm sorry. I can't read your blue words for awhile. Well, maybe a peek or two.

Hi Donna! I was reluctant to watch any part of the movie first - but it did serve a good purpose.
And...I think I will enjoy my new pipes more than most people... when this is over. Tired of pinhole leaks popping out at odd, inconvenient times. er... I guess there is no convenient time for a leak!

Hi Angela! Good to see you here... I think you have been the busy one, too. I'm impressed with all the prep you are going through for your child. I applaud you and your hubby.

Hi Kath! Whoever said retirement was relaxing???? Better than being bored, I guess. :}

Hi Genny, Trying to rate books on a five star system is tough for me. 1 star has to be for very bad, 5 stars has to be for extraordinary impact - so that only leaves 2,3,and 4 for any type of discrimination. 4 is really good for me.

Oh, I'm so glad my elephant has a name now, Lynda! Pablo. Perfect.
I'm a good test-taker overall... but I do get weary of them after awhile.

So... today. I am happy to have LT friends!
tomorrow's another day.... will deal with it when it gets here. :}

Good luck with the plumbing woes. I am all sympathy.

Thanks, Lucy! I appreciate it. It's just one of those things you have to push through and get it behind you. :P Water is like fire - they need to be contained to be useful!

Your own personal yoga instructor- NICE! ( I need one too)
Agreeable book group- EXCELLENT (Ours is a "do what you want" group too)
Plumbers- ICK ($$$)

Plumbing - DONE!
No leaks (at the moment).
All's well and it was relatively painless. Haven't gotten the bill yet! lol

Got a bunch of books (7) in the mail today - most were on my WL. :) :) :)

halleluiah! praise the plumbing god..!

books are good.. what did you get?

Louise Penny was just on a local channel. Here is her interview:

http://www.wcsh6.com/video/1146178930001/49743021001/Author-Louise-Penny

(hope this works)

So... I got
A Dog Year by Jon Katz
Little Chapel on the River by Gwendolyn Bounds (a fav of Stasia's)
Chosen Forever by Susan Richards
A Backward Glance by Edith Wharton
For The Love Of a Dog by Patricia McConnell
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier (have read before - didn't own - want to re-read)
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (it's coommminnng!) ;-)

And yesterday I got:
Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres (yes, yes, I love books about dogs!)
Hinges: Meditations on the Portals of the Imagination by Grace Dane Mazur (looks amazing and I want to dump all others to read this one first... but I'm big on delayed gratification)

All free due to my credits on amazon visa.... mwaaahaahaahaa! All free!

oooooooooooooooo! thanks for that .. I will listen..

Little Chapel on the River is fab

Those look good! Did you buy them for you or did someone else?

I bought them for me! Cool, huh?
(of course, they were free... no guilt)

VERY cool.. well done!!

Take pics at the wedding.. some of you too.

love this interview!!!

>95 mckait: :P (fergitit - no pics)

>96 mckait: :)

I'm gonna call Ron

Now I have to look at books by her fave authors..
Julia Spencer Fleming ( I think I have one or two )
and Deb Crombie ack!

>98 mckait: not scared ...

mistake ..

so.. what time are you going out to the store tomorrow? :)

Not going to the store.... hehehe

One was a Soldier by JS-F was an ER book that many liked.
A quick check shows her books are getting avg ratings of 4+ on LT

soldier sounds sad

of course that won't stop me from adding it to my wish list

Oh, wait... she wrote a series that began with In The Bleak Mid-Winter. Good title!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_10?field-keywords=one+was+a+soldier&amp...

free for kindle !!! run!!

drat.. that was letters to a solder.. I should stop clicking between tabs so fast.

gotta go. laptop is talking to me. saying plug in or I will shut you down!

night!

Got it! You're exhausting me... says it has a free preview of "One Soldier" which is the last in the series - so far anyway...

Hi Claudia- Nice book haul! I don't see any dark disturbing books in there. What's up with that, my friend?
Glad all the plumbing problems are taken care of.

Hi Cee! 49 new messages - yikes!

Glad the plumbing woes seem to have been repaired quickly. Love the new book titles - I wholeheartedly recommend A Dog Year and For the Love of A Dog. Oh, and A Christmas Memory. All wonderful books!

Glad there are no disturbing books there for a change, Mark! what the heck?

Dog books.. look so good but they always get ya in the end!

Hi Mark, Time for some relief from the dark side. I need to smile more :)

Sorry, Joanne. It was Kath's fault!
;-)
She was whirling me around on a merry-go-round!
Usually when there is a lot of activity on someone's thread, there are pictures, an illness or a birth.
Not this time. (thank goodness)
I've been thinking it's time for more "dog" reading... always makes me feel good.

Mornin' Kath... yeah, they do. Just like your own pets. But, that's all a part of the love...

So - house back in order. Now to prepare for a wedding weekend trip. Looks like the weather will be nice :) Mom is always questionable, but we are taking it slow and keeping it simple. She is the one who wants to go the most. Hope it is fun for her. The biggest concern is - she is thinking of Nathan (grandson-groom) as a 4 year old romping thru the woods with her. Not sure she will even recognize him now. :(

pictures

when do you leave and when home and ? where ya goin'?

Ack! I clicked too quickly .... and downloaded the Soldiers Kindle book too. Oh well, I'll keep it for a day when I want a good heart-wrenching read to clear my tear ducts.

Ditto Kath's demands, Cee .... pictures!

oh dear :( sorry...

OK - for all you techies out there (and I will repeat this on a more popular thread):

We did a video camera recording of a wedding from 2 years ago.
* recorded on 8mm metal particle tape cassett*
When viewed in the video camera - or hooked up to a tv -
the picture appears in a negative mode (i.e., white=black, black=white).

The whole video is like this. What's wrong?
or - How do we make it right?
Has anyone ever heard of this happening?

Ron has tried all the buttons on the camera, but can't change anything.
He tried converting it to a dvd - but that comes out like a negative too.
We have contacted a few places that we thought might know - but
they never heard of this before.

Any ideas? Poor bride (my neice) never got a video of her wedding cuz somehow
we or the camera messed up. Would be so happy if this could be fixed.

Will pay for any techie secrets that will fix this! ;-)

Claudia

I checked and discovered that I added The Haunted Bookshop to the tbr pile back in 2008 when I first joined the 75 group...Looks like it is time to read it eh?

Now THAT's a unique wedding video ... and actually pretty cool, IMO. But I hope you do manage to get it fixed, Cee. Sorry, no useful tips from me on how to do that though ... but I'm sure you'll be inundated with real help from one of our many marvelous LT techies. I wonder if you can keep a copy of the negative version and have a regular version too. How's that for a challenge techies?

o, for col!

Leaving tomorrow mid-day - driving to CT. Oh, what fun it is to ride... lalala! :)

Wedding is Sat night (not enough light for pictures) heh!

Returning on Sunday. All I pray and hope for is peace and everything going smoothly with Mom. It's gonna be a challenge for her, therefore, us.
If any pictures come out decent I will try to post.
Geeze! Such demanding friends!
You may get a picture of me curled up under the table with a BIG glass of wine -tablecloth for a blankie, Ron's jacket for a pillow and crying my eyes out!
The bride will be beautiful and I'll try to smile :)

Oh dear, why do I have a visual of Cee in a drunken (but smilingly happy) Baccanalian feast complete with toga?

Safe travels, my dear.

Oh my heavens, Linda! Read it! Read it! It's short and so entertaining...

Caro, I feel so bad we never could get this video fixed. My niece had little to no money for anything but still managed to pull off a very nice wedding - small reception in the church basement. This was a special favor we were trying to do for her - but it didn't work out. :{

I would expect Luxx would LOVE the video as is - the bride was wearing black!

Claudia- You've been really cracking me up lately, my friend. I love it. Have a great time at the wedding and yes, WE WANT PIX!

I think Cee has started on her wedding wine early

Hi Cee, Thanks for posting the link to the Penny interview!

And have fun at the wedding!

Hey Cee, happy and safe travels to CT. Hope all goes well with mom and then everyone has a good time.

Hinges looks to be an interesting book. Can't wait to see what you think.

Big travel day! Have fun at the wedding..
Any rain expected for the trip?

We will wait patiently for pictures ...
or wine

Safe driving, and have a wonderful time.

Hi Claudia!! Trying to get caught up!! Looks like you've been busy!!!

Trying the unending job of getting caught up. Thanks for the Penny interview. That was great. Have fun at the wedding.

Safe trip home! Hope a good time was had by all...

:)

HI Mark, Kath, Joanne, Lynda, Lucy, Tammy, and Bonnie!

Traveling is over... weekend was fine... nobody got hurt or lost... weather was perfect.

Sorry, no pictures. This was the weirdest wedding I have ever attended.
Most of my time was spent protectively at Mom's side.
There was a maid of honor and a matron of honor, 2 best men, 2 cute little flower girls, and a gaggle of other attendants. (slightly overdone ?)

The toast for bride & groom consisted of 5 people reading their speeches (mostly about theirselves). Halfway through, they suggested we all sit down as it was getting quite lengthy. :P Some interesting secrets came out though that the parents were unaware of.... :\

Left waaaaay early as Mom was getting overwhelmed... but she looked beauteous and had a lovely time till the loud music started.
Food was great. I had ZERO drinks! Now that's a weird experience for me!

Looking forward to my own bed... and getting Loki home tomorrow. :)

At least the food was great...! ;)

Right, Joanne! They had the best salad I have seen in a long time. Very artistic and tasted yum :)

I love a good salad when I'm out. My husband teases me because I hate making salads at home.

Hooray for not getting lost, for getting to the wedding on time, for getting to the RIGHT wedding, and for having a good time, even without alcohol, Cee.

What kind of salad did they serve?

Bummed that you weren't able to take any pix. Was it because you were still traumatized from the b/w video experience? Surely your camera wouldn't dream of playing such a nasty trick on you too?

I'm not sure what the salad was called... it filled a dinner plate, veggies and fruits were sliced and scuplted in surprising ways, very colorful and lots of texture. They should have made a special dressing for it - something very light. But they served Italian and Ranch dressing! Really? On that truly awesome gourmet salad? Oh well... it was delish anyway.

To tell you the truth, Caro, it was a very overwhelming affair. Pictures were the last thing on my mind. I'm not much of a photographer anyway. sorry.

ahh well, I can't fault you, Cee .... I'm terrible about taking photos during events myself. I kick myself for not remembering to bring my camera all the time.

Good job describing your salad! Im with you on the lame dressing.
And nice work on the 7 free books too :)

When I did ARE functions ( bookseller) I would go to a little inn in Youngstown Ohio. Their specialty
in warm weather was strawberry soup, strawberry salad and a strawberry vinaigrette dressing..
Although I am not a fan of strawberries, I loved their food! Sadly, both the inn and my bookseller days for the ARE are both over.

sigh

Glad you had fun... I guess your mom just wanted some new clothes?
Hope it wasn't anything pricy or new :(

Well, Caro... Ron took his camera and I have yet to see the pictures he took. I asked if he took any of me and he said "No - you don't want me too." (Good man!)

Hi Megan! I do love my free books from Amazon... some of the best fun I have!

Mornin' Kath! Yum! Strawberry soup is probably one of the things I would ask for as part of my last supper if I were about to be executed. Geeze - typing that out makes me wonder if I could eat anything under those circumstances. I think NOT!

Anyway, Mom's clothes were not irreplaceable - 2 pairs of favorite jeans, 3 tops that were her best looking and a fleece. I really should have checked more closely. I still (at times) trust her to be able to do more than she can. I'm learning...

Hope everyone has a splendid day! I have a ton of wash to do. :P

catching up with you :)

glad you had fun at the semi strange wedding?

agree about the salad dressing choices :/

no pictures :(

strawberry soup sounds gack!

remember..... Cinderella was the prettiest when you tackle that laundry ;)

Wild blueberry greetings, Miss Cee! *smooch*

I had strawberry soup for the first time this summer. It had a creamy texture, almost like melted ice cream. It was still a little tart, not too sweet, very good. But I love strawberries!

Sandy K

One of the restaurants we like had an 'all strawberry' special on the menu this summer -- you know -- steak with strawberry reduction bla bla and strawberries with..... avocado or something.... the only really good thing? STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, duh. Some things are just best left be. But it was enjoyable as an experiment of course.

a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com">

It sounds like the wedding was a good experience... except for the clothes left in the closet. Will the hotel send them to you? Usually they're pretty good about that sort of thing.

I hope you have a restful week after your busy weekend.

Hi there, Kara... I have a large mirror in my laundry room. So, I took a peek. It definitely was not the woman with the glass slippers!

RD! Wow! You're here! I'm honored... Wild greetings returned w/ *smooch*!

Sandy - thank goodness someone else loves strawberries! One of my favorites! Cold soups are much more pleasing to me than hot soups- maybe that's cuz it's always way over 70 degrees in this inferno house. :P

I agree Lucy - some things just can't be beat... and why bother? But really, strawberry soup is delish!

Linda! Thanks for the cute gif... always on the lookout for extra happiness! Hope you are well.

Donna, As it turns out Mom is missing her checkbook. We discussed it before leaving last weekend and I put it in her purse - AT HOME. On the chance she snuck it out, we called the hotel to check. They found the clothes and are returning them. But no checkbk. I believe it is somewhere around here and will turn up. At least the clothes are coming home. :)
The worse part of all this - Mom feels really bad she can't remember anything and is losing everything. And she is trying very hard not to accuse anyone of stealing. I feel so bad for her. I hate this disease! (think I said this before)

Yeah, I need a rest. Gotta get back to reading! :D

Glad to hear that you will be getting mom's clothing back..
Hope you find the checkbook .. yikes!

Hi Claudia- I'm hoping things settle down for you too! Hugs!

Claudia, this is truly a Good News/Bad News thread lately. Let's hope the good news wins!

#50 Death Comes For The Archbishop by Willa Cather



The settling of the West was a privilege of discovery as well as a supreme test of character for all the pioneers - including men of faith devoted to their God and evangelical mission. With a brilliant sense of place, Cather has written a simple tale of unflinching faith and purpose. She embodies in her main characters a bold love and respect for a new, unknown world.

The characters in this novel are beautifully and clearly drawn. They are heroic and humble. Many lives are personally enhanced and spiritually impacted as they all become inextricably intertwined within an era of historical significance for the Mexicans, Indians and conquering Europeans.

The descriptions of the landscapes are stunning. You become immersed in the natural wonder and beauty of an unspoiled environment. It's been a long time since I've read a book by Willa Cather and had forgotten her style. This was a reminder of her great ability to portray a lifestyle and a land at once severe and miraculous in their unique ways.

4 stars

ETA picture of cover to celebrate book #50! It worked! :)

Hmmm. Maybe I have been sharing a bit too much of my roller coaster life lately.
Everyday is good news/bad news around here.
I refuse to let the unexpected and unwanted become dominant though.
I just have to figure how to even things out better.
It can get frustrating and stressful sometimes.
After awhile, some of it even seems kinda funny... or maybe I'm losing it?

I love the hugs and good feelings I get from all of you.
Thanks. ;-)
My trials are quite flimsy compared to others.
Sorry to be whining so much.

Great review of Death Comes For The Archbishop. I need to get to this one, pronto! The only book I've read by her, is My Antonia, which I loved.
I don't think you are whining at all, my friend. I think it's nice to have a place to vent a little.
Congrats on book 50!!! Yah!

Oh, happy day!

Checkbook, found! Hidden in sock drawer - very craftily. Took 2 attempts in said drawer to see it.

Electricians here today. Installing ceiling fans in dining room, living room and guest room. We just don't need a/c here - but there are times the air needs to be moved when it gets warm. Anyway - I figure as soon as they are done it'll get nice and cold outside. :D
Please don't ask me why we didn't do this in the beginning of the summer.

I hope this is the end of home repair for a long time. Furnace, pipes and ceiling fans - they do say things come in threes.

Thanks, Mark for your kind words.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Whew! checkbook found, clothes coming home.. so a blip is calmed.

I love my fans.. I love my fans and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my fans..
and I am sure that you will too!

Yeah for the missing checkbook now found!

right behind you sister with the 50 mark ;)

What a great book cover to post for your fiftieth! I liked the book when I read it a few years ago, but My Antonia remains firmly entrenched in first place for Cather books. I still have a few I haven't read which I'm saving for awhile because we all know she won't be writing any more of them. ;-)

Cee, I don't think you are a whiner. I think you're very good about sharing the ups and downs of your life in a humorous way. Your thread always brings a smile to my face, although reading about your mother's decline means I'm sometimes smiling through my tears. AD is a terrible thing.

"I love my fans.. I love my fans and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my fans.."

Me too, now. If I turn all the fans in the house on at once, maybe we will fly away to a magic land!
They are all installed - all working - all wonderful!

So you are, Kara, so you are - just 2 more to go for you! I still feel I've slipped behind my goal though. It'll be a minor miracle if I reach 75. It's been a rough summer for reading around here :{

Donna, I liked My Antonia better too... but Archbishop was simple and a little gem for me. Most of the books now are crafted in strange and unusual ways (imho) and this one was straightforward - developed in a straight line which was refreshing. (And thanks for the comforting words.)

sometimes it feels that way, once I get two or three of them going at once. I put on the a/c toda.. hopefully for the last time. Also hopefully for just part of the day.

Yah on the checkbook, Yah on the checkbook! Don't you like these little victories?

Now that I have my fans, Kath, there's no doubt it will cool down around the country.

To tell you the truth, Mark... after these hard-won "little victories" I feel I need a few months in a military hospital! 0r maybe an asylum... :} but yeah - there was a smile on my face when that checkbook surfaced. :D

I'm in the middle of a Penny book - forgot the name (took the cover off) - the one where the body kept getting moved. This one is a stumper for me... crazy-enough-to-murder characters everywhere. And the food is great!

eta the name of book The Brutal Telling

Congrats on finding the checkbook and for having working fans, Cee. I've always felt that it's easier keeping warm than it is keeping cool.

I'm already finding it (thankfully) cooler in the evenings.

Happy reading Brutal Telling. Is your town a little like Three Pines? I remember you saying you lived in a nice little town.

I was thinking about this the other day, Caro...
Many LTers LOVE Three Pines and can't seem to get enough.
I love the setting too - but not swooning so much.
Then I realized - I live in Three Pines - sorta.
I get filled up every day...
We have more ocean, less snow - but it's out of the way, scenic, quite cozy, great people, lots of art, and I'm in love indeed. Just wish we had that bistro... mmm mmm mmm
No murders here (yet) but we have several drownings (suicide, swimming, boating, etc).
Does that count? :(
I will continue reading her books - they are def getting better all the time :)

Brutal Telling is really good...I am glad that you are continuing with the series..
You are eight ... you do live much closer to Three Pines than the rest of us.
With ya on the bistro ...!

Mornin' All!
Been playing the game "How long can I go before I HAVE to go shopping?"
Game is up - I lose. Gotta do it today. :P

September could very well be the sweetest month of the year around here.
Hope you are all having a pretty day today... with time to read!

I agree, Kath. Brutal Telling is a good one! :)

I have to go out this morning too..
we still need a new insert for the fireplace..
I don't wanna go!

Have fun shopping!
:)

Glad your liking the Three Pines books Cee...

no swooning from me I'm afraid....

Fairly stops me old heart to think of someone not pining for Three Pines ....
my shopping is done, and it was successful... more or less..
How about yours, Cee?

CPR needed? you Penny pusher you :P

Ahhhhhhhh........
Blood shed.
Apple Pie stuffed French Toast for brunch.
Shopping done.
Fan on.
Feet up.
Fresh, pure, ice cold well water in a fancy glass.
Book right here...
Life is good!

oh yeah! you're a nurse! good thing
..
"And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive. "

Blood shed? Whose blood? Where from? Are you ok?

If I ever get to retire can I move to your town, Cee? I'll start a bistro. ;-)

Brutal Telling I think? The book with the wandering corpse. ( Loved it )

*sigh*
penny again

Oh The Brutal Telling was one of my favorites; actually, come to think of it these last three were all very, very good. Brutal Telling, Bury Your Dead and A Trick of the Light all so very good.

Kath - you're a crazy woman! One of the things I love about you...

Caro - no worries! That's just another way to say we (Mom & I) had fasting blood tests this am (left arms) followed by brunch out at Mae's Cafe. Great place!
And... if you retire to our town and open a bistro, you will be greeted with a parade of boats and fireworks over the water! ;-)

Sorry, Kara. *sigh* I am also reading a great book about passing thru boundaries to other worlds - like the world of the dead and the world of reading fiction... both of which take you away from the world of the living.

oops... cross-posted, Bonnie!
It's been awhile since I read the last Penny book, but I can tell this one is FAR better.

I haven't bought Bury Your Dead yet. Hoping I can find it used someday at a good price.

which book is that Cee?

I am reading .. or trying to..
Bury Your Dead was my least favorite..
not enough Three Pines in my Three Pines in that one..

Crazy? hmm I do believe I have heard that before..

Hinges: Meditations on the Portals of the Imagination by Grace Dane Mazur

Rec by Lucy (sibyx)

Oh Cee! I don't know how it happened but your thread became unstarred. But it's back again, so are you and so am I. All is right with the world.

I've wishlisted Death Comes for the Archbishop because I enjoy a good novel of the wild west and I also enjoyed My Antonia so very much.

Congrats on reaching 50, yippee!!

Hi Cee! Congrats on 50!

Catching up .. keeping current .. nothing at all to say..
boring couple of days .. thank goodness! I plan to read as
much as possible today.. and feel cool air coming though the
windows :)

So what is your plan?

Hi Lynda! Good to see you here... thanks

Hi Joanne - thanks I know it's not about numbers on LT - but it still feels good to reach a goal. Now for 75 :}

Hi Kath, I just sent you an email and now realize I should have put this here... I'm getting so tech advanced! lol This should keep you busy for awhile... Would love to go see in person!

http://www.muralmosaic.com/Cochrane.html

That is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing it..
:)

#51 The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny


Huh? Srsly? This is how it ends? I don't believe it for a minute!
Since I don't believe this is the real ending, I'll look for it in the next book...
which I may have to read sooner than later. Phooey.
Wanted to stretch these books out.
This book was better than previous ones by Penny. But - really??? really???
Nah.

Grudgingly giving this one 4 stars - it's missing the real ending!

mmmm hmmmm

I felt the same way too when I finished this book, Cee. So i can only assume that the next one will answer some questions for me and also allow someone to be redeemed. ;-)

Fireworks over the water and a parade of boats ...now THAT's motivation for me to actually work towards retirement..... or consult a tarot card reader.

Whew.. finally some down time.
Running around to do errands and cook for dunkers..

So what are you reading now that you have finished that one ?
Great book.. sigh.. I do love Three Pines :)

Caro - Quite a little trick Penny is pulling here!

Kath - I picked up Red Dog for a quick read. About half way thru it and I'm not getting carried away yet. So? dunno.

#52 Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres



You know me, I love books about dogs... and cats... and well, all animals. This one was ok but kinda disappointing. It was too short. The story was a good one, but the writing itself was somewhat bland (until you get to the end). A complilation of what people remembered about Red and his travels, there was no intimacy or detail to bring brilliance and shading to the story.

Red Dog was certainly an individual and lived a unique life for a dog. He did not have one owner or spend much time in one place. Because he was such an extrovert, he caught the attention and care of nearly everyone... despite his faults. Everyone loved his enthusiasm and independence. When he got in trouble, everyone wanted to help him - and did. Red lived a rough life - but never backed down from it. I believe all animals have something to teach us... including Red Dog.

3 stars

Kath - DO NOT read this one!

I will not read that one... thank you :)

Did you go to the beach?
Whats on for today?
I put some ribs in the oven on very low..
So a little laundry is all that is in my future.. that and a book or two ..
I hope.

Yup, went for a long walk along a road that runs through the wetlands near the beach.
Kinda boring walk for wildlife sighting - saw 2 butterflies, 1 duck, 1 seagull.
Where IS everybody? So quiet.
Beautiful day though - may try that one again today.

Gotta do some work at the GHS - updating the membership base.
Also want to go into town to pick up various things and stroll around.
This fall-like weather makes me want to get outside and breathe deeply...

Agreed.. Love the cool weather and have flung open the doors to invite it in!

OTOH new fireplace gas logs coming on Monday....

OTOH?

only taking one helping?
one thing on hold?
over the orange hump?
on top of hill?
ode to open hearth?

Wait! Wait! I got it!
On the other hand... whew! tough one.
need more coffee.

LOL

sorry.. I hate those things for the most part.. but they do come in handy for the lazy..
that would be me today..

OTOH I did put lemon muffins into the oven just now.. right next to the ribs.

#53 Hinges: Meditations on the Portals of the Imagination by Grace Dane Mazur



How do we move from one room to another in our imagination? The actions of mental hinges allow you to go back and forth in different worlds. How do you recognize these hinges of the mind and heart? What comes of looking where we shouldn’t? Are the consequences devastating or do they impart wisdom? Grace Dane Mazur offers interpretations of classical writers, famous painters, and her own.

This book takes you to the World of the Dead. You will follow Gilgamesh, Odysseus, Orpheus, Jesus and others on their journeys to Hades asking the “Traveler’s Questions: Where have you come from? How did you get here? Why have you come?”

Not a long book, it nevertheless is stuffed with edgy, quirky and wonderful ideas. The author’s view is that of a writer, but I find this fascinating as a reader. There’s plenty to contemplate as you follow where Mazur leads you from classical mythology to personal anecdotes; from the work of creation to the earth’s shadow on the horizon at sunset.

“Borders and thresholds – these are the terrifying places where I am most at home even while I find them puzzling, doubt-engendering, and loaded with possibilities of choice and danger of permanent exile. My favorite people inhabit the margins. Dawn and twilight make me shudder.”

4.5 stars

Thanks to Lucy for bringing this to my attention. Cool book! If I read this again, I might give it 5 stars.

Hi Claudia- I hope you enjoyed your day! The ribs sound marvelous. Hinges sounds very interesting. OTOH, I'll take a pass on Red Dog.

BTW- "over the orange hump" is my favorite!

The book sounds interesting... not sure I will read it any time soon...someday maybe, though.
I have some things I want to read before I reread Hummingbirds Daughter in November.

Whatcha doing today?

Didn't you love Mazur's wildflower escapade?

Don't know what today has in mind for me. We might go for a ride - north - just because.
It's so nice to have Ron home on a weekend! :)

Went for a ride in the country - nice day, nice outing.

Went to Union (Maine) to check out the area as I have read a book called Come Spring about the original white settlers there. We ate at the Come Spring Cafe - quite an experience. I want to take the once-a-year heritage tour (july) to see many of the sites that are now private property and only accessible on that tour. May have to re-read the book before then...

Sounds like a nice Sunday. What was the cafe like?
I didn't do much. Some reading, Cory had a friend by, one that I like a lot. It was
nice to see him ..

Today? Logs are being installed. :)

Cafe - crowded, no customers under 60, waitress very "down home", food great, Mom ordered bowl of peas for a side and insisted on using fork (instead of spoon) to eat them - they went everywhere, and we got in just before closing and homemade desserts were running out so people were grabbing choices quick... fun!

Today? My day to go out and run errands... by my own! YAY!

Hi, C

On the subject of beets..i found this link the other day, and intend to make this recipe as-soon-as:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Baked-Veggie-Chips

Store bought veggie chips are way to expensive!

Regarding The Woman in White vs The Woman in Black....the Wilkie Collins is the older book...more long-winded w/digressions...but a helluva story..it's a thick book but well worth the time spent...the Susan Hill is a shorter read but just as creepy..more contemporary...I'd start with her...just for Time Spent..then do the Collins...and also try The Moonstone

lecture/hectoring over

Have a good day, matey

;-}

Hi Cee!

What did ya buy.. ?
Did you get any books?
Whats for dinner?
Send Ron over here.. Chix and rice!

Good info jude.. So The Moonstone is good too? I have to put that on my short stack of books..
I have had it since reading The Woman in White :)

I am curious to see The Woman in Black film, just to see how Daniel Radcliff does when he is not Harry.
I may drag myself to a movie theater to see it.

Loved the review, Cee ... so tempting to add it to the obese wish list. Then again... nothing wrong with adding it right.. after all, they all need new friends to keep warm in the coming cold months.

Hi Jude - those chips look good but I'm gonna wait to see if you have good luck with them. Two reviews were conflicting. :}

Well Kath, I bought 3 books. One I already have, dang it. Forgot. :{

Here on Earth by Alice Hoffman (this was the one I had - if anyone wants it let me know. It's yours! Free... I will send.)

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

I was looking for The Woman in Black... but no luck there.
Dinner is stuffed peppers - so you just might find Ron on your doorstep. He hates peppers.

Went to the library to pick up a book - once again forgot they are closed on Monday! :P
Will have to wait till I go to the dr on Weds now.
I'm taking over all my Mom's finances now - so had some stuff to do at the bank. Done.
Did a small amount of groc shopping - to pick up things I forgot to put on the list last week.

Looking for a med sized black purse.
I have a small one but I'm carrying too many things for Mom... it won't all fit.
And I DID find one I like! $134 :P
I'll keep looking.

Hi Caro - thanks. All I can say is thank heavens the WL is free! :)

Stuffed peppers ? YUM well done :) I think I will make those next week. Stew on Wednesday here..
tomorrow is hajaja

Did you look at Kohl's or Marshal's for a purse?
I like hobo bags myownself.

Hope you find The Woman in Black.. I think I gave mine away ..
catch and release you know :)

Hi Kath - Kohl's?? Marshal's?? LOL what are those?
oh... stores in the city???? :P
I'm not driving 100 miles r/t for a purse!
I'll use a plastic grocery bag first!

I'll probably give in and get The Woman in Black on my Kindle.
It's not real cheap though - ah weel

OK... I'm probably about halfway through Case Histories and I am not impressed yet.
The characters are just not likeable and way too wacky.
Even Jackson Brodie seems like a loser... worries about his 8 y/o daughter, but doesn't have a clue how to be a parent.

I'm getting reeeeeal tired of parenthetical musing every other sentence.
I guess that's supposed to be the humor - but it's not all that funny to me and very disruptive to my train of thought.
Kinda boring and I keep wishing I was reading a different book.

Maybe reading it at night is part of the problem -
I've been tired and cranky from lack of good sleep.
Anywho, I sure hope it gets better.
Maybe just not my cuppa.

Internet dear...

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/shoes.jsp

http://www1.marshallsonline.com/tjx/about-us.asp

http://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb/Department.bos;jsessionid=yhNy37LpHB00N1wEf...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?field-keywords=handbags&url=search-al...

for starters..

Back from the store.. needed bread. Why do I always need bread?!?!
Anyway.. making stew and crescent rolls but cory will want a sandwich..

Nothing much going on.. woke with headache and PIA .. both still
thriving. :-/

Whats on your agenda for today?

Did you look at the links?
If I didn't shop online I would be mostly naked...

Hi Kath!
Thanks for the links! I did look at them and found a few possibilities at Kohl's. Amazon is too overwhelming! Do you have a Kohl's near you? Is it a good store? I just might take a trip to Portland to check it out someday - on a day to myself. :)

Sorry about the aches and pains - me too - need vacation and massage! Where shall we go?

I wish I had an agenda. Not that organized anymore. :(
Dr today - double appt for Mom and me. We have the same dr and finally got our appts together for a change. Don't know if this will work though. We'll see.

Started another book. I Was Amelia Earhart. Very cool book - very different.

Kohl's has the only jeans in the world that fit me right.. my sister found them.
Yes.. kohl's is good.

I LOVEDx3 I Was Amelia Earhart. Loved it.. you are in for a treat :)

Hope you plan to have lunch out ???
lobster roll? lobster salad? lobster pot?

# 54 Case Histories by Kate Atkinson



I'm afraid I am in the minority on this book. Wasn't impressed - or even much interested in this one - but stubbornly pushed through to the end. So glad it's over! :)

Way too much going on to make a whole lot of sense, way too many dysfunctional characters, way too much murdering, fighting, and bickering. I found this one too superficial and annoying. I didn't like any of the characters very much. It was all just a bit too wacked; too coincidental. The writing is nothing special, imho.

I have no desire to put off reading potentially good books by contining to follow this series. Too bad because I love the titles of the rest of the books in the series. Ah well... not my cuppa.

2.5 stars

Hello :)
Sorry to hear this book was a bust for you. Hopefully your next book is much better!

Hi Chelle! Nice to see you here!

I really thought this would be a book I'd like - since so many others did. It's kinda good to know... I still have a mind of my own! ;-)

Yes, it is nice to be an individual! I want to love all the book prize nominees that everyone mentions but most of the time they are just not my cup of tea.

Oh well, read the titles and move on! :)

#217 - I've read two of the Kate Atkinson mysteries and thought they were pretty good (I think I gave them 3 stars.) However, I really love her non-mystery novels (Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Human Croquet, and Emotionally Weird) and wish she would get back to writing them. I've been following her since the late 90s and it was really strange and (and sort of shocking) when she started writing mysteries. I should point out that I'm not being a snob about the mysteries genre or genre fiction in general, because I love sci-fi. I just prefer her earlier work.

Sorry you didn't like Case Histories Cee. I've found myself on the fence with her work. Some I like, and others not so. She's one of the authors I classify as inconsistent. I'll read her books if they're there and I have nothing else to read, but I no longer seek her works out.

Good to see another point of view.. I think maybe Atkinson is just one of those
lover or hate authors? I have heard good and bad for years.. which has made it easier for
her books to languish on the shelf. To many other books that are actively drawing me in.

What have you moved on to? I read not a word yesterday... to much "stuff" happening here :P

Hi Chelle! Just wonder sometimes what criteria they use for book prizes...Some books really are great; others meh. By the way - have you set a date for your wedding? Was reading your thread and hope you make it toi the east coast! It's gorgeous. :)

LOL, Joanne! That's the lightness I need to add to my serious head. :)

Hi there, Kerri! Welcome. Gee - you just never know who's gonna pop up! A librarian in the making? Cool.
Thanks for your comments on K Atkinson. Perhaps someday I will try one of her earlier books. Just too many other books I'm dying to get to.

Hey, Caro! Frankly, her writing drove me nuts in this book - too many asides and jerking around. This might have worked better if read straight thru in one sitting, but that's not possible for me anymore. Every time I picked up the book I was wondering who the heck she was talking about. Her characters drove me nuts, too. Too many weirdos in one book.
So... how's the other side of the world? ;-)

Hi Kath, I'm finishing up I Was Amelia Earhart and loving it! I'm working on War and Peace and I'll be starting a book I've wanted to read for about a year+ now Owls Do Cry. Finally got it at the library.

I forgot about Amelia.. loved that one..

This book may appeal to schizophrenics perhaps, Cee? ;-)

Other side of the world is holding up quite well I think. Cool but smoggy. Hoping the air clears by the weekend because I'm going on a boat trip on Sunday with some friends. I'm so looking forward to it and hope we see some pink dolphins and flying fish. It'll put me in the right frame of mind (unless I get fall overboard and bitten by a shark) for my Monday meetings.

Pink dolphins? Very cool!
DO be careful of those sharks, Caro! ;-)

Hi Claudia. We are hoping for November 2012. Pending approval for vacation once we get moved to the new military base. It's a waiting game right now, hopefully I can start making plans in February.
Thanks for the good wishes, we are keeping our fingers crossed :)

I will, Cee ... i'll throw one of my other friends overboard first to see if they're hungry before i leap into the water.

Here's more about the pink dolphins of HK: http://www.hkdolphinwatch.com/

lol Good thinking!

*gulp...dashing over to see if I am one of Caro's "friends" on her profile page*

You're safe, Cee ..... because you won't be on the boat with me! *muahahahahaha*

#230 ooooo pretty! Thanks! You beat me to the pink dolphins. No surprise there :)
#232 yeah. well. It would seem I'm only safe till you return! *make note: NO boat rides w/Caro! Ever!*

>217 -Cee-:: Sorry you didn't like the Atkinson book, Cee. I'm another one who has a mind of her own and not afraid to say what I think about a book. I went against the tide here on The Time Traveler's Wife, Never Let Me Go, The Lace Reader, and most of Anne Lamott's books... Oh, and I see that I rated Case Histories with the so-so rating of 3 stars yet I consider myself a big fan of the Jackson Brodie series. They must get better!

Hi Donna,
This first Brodie book seems so introductory... as a matter of fact, that's all it seemed to me (plus a lot of goofy stuff). So maybe it does get better... but, unless her writing gets better I'm not going any further.
Every once in awhile I feel like I am wasting precious time reading a book that's not worth it. I'm getting too old for that - too many books, too little time ya know.
Sometimes it's just cleansing to have a different opinion instead of trying to figure another way to say what everyone else is saying. :)

#55 I Was Amelia Earhart by Jane Mendelsohn



An absolutely delicious book! A bold look at life, independence, love, ambition, eternity... wrapped in the story of a woman who will always remain a mystery. A very different kind of book - one that will grab, impress and linger.... I loved it.

Beautifully written - I will have to see if J Mendelsohn wrote anything else...

4.5 stars

Hi, C!

Kate Atkinson? Haven't read any of the mysteries, but have to agree with #222.....start with those three titles..they are small gems...quirky but not offensive

I loved Amelia Earhart......Innocence was a bit Goth-y...Vampire-y......different, for sure. I only read it once and was kind of underwhelmed...but haven't done a re-read...so don't take my word as gospel

I try not to stick with books that don't grab me, right off the bat.....too many others clamoring for my attention/reviews..it's never a crime to set a book aside for a later try.....who knows, the 'set aside" may become a serious favorite ...down the line. It's happened to me before

;-}

Yeah, I know, Jude... I'm just so damned stubborn and hate to give up on anything. Maybe I'll try Behind the Scenes someday. And Noooo - no stupid vampires! Thanks for your notes of advice. Some I will take, some not. All worthy. :)

I'm not sure if "Vampire-y" was the right word...but things get a little....not sure if "paranormal" is right, either....adolescent girl...with all the trappings/baggage...a whole stew of youth!

I found a copy on PaperbackSwap......once i re-read the darn thing...i'll have a whole new opinion!

Hi Claudia- I think your stubbornness (which I love), sometimes pays off. I recall at least a couple books you were not sure about early on and ended up loving them.
Sorry, it didn't work for Case Histories. I can't comment specifically because it's been a few years since I read it but I did love it and I think she's been incredibly consistent in the 3 Brodie books I've read.
I Was Amelia Earhart sounds really good!

DO NOT SPEND TIME ON BOOKS YOU DON'T LIKE!! There are too many books and not enough time. That said, I can't get enough of Kate Atkinson because I love her writing. That's what makes every one of us individual readers. And that's why there are books for all of us and not always the same books.

Adding I Was Amelia Earhart and Hinges: Meditations on the Portals of the Imagination. Thanks Claudia.

Good advice from bonnie.. I am still dazed by Emily.. I should have put that one down..
I was just mouth agape and so deeply into the pit of gloom.. it just didn't cross my mind to put the nasty thing down.

Hi Jude - Innocence still doesn't sound like anything I'd like. Too bad. I really liked Mendelsohn's writing...

Mark, you're right. Sometimes when I push through, I wind up loving the book. Trouble is... I can't tell when that will happen til I'm quite a ways into it. Maybe I should read books backwards???

I know, Bonnie. I really do know. Apparently my head does not always rule my heart. :(

Mornin' Kath. I wanted to try Emily Alone - but I think you are saving me from another book I won't love. Thanks. There's plenty more.

Even though my book club is reading War and Peace, I've come to realize, I really don't want to read this one either. At least not now. I'll plug along a while longer... but I see me running out of fuel for this one.

Hope everyone has a good day!

Cee.. I would be happy to send the book to you if you want it..
( although I like you way way too much to subject you to it)

I hope that you do stop reading W&P if you really don't want to read it.
Life is just too short..

I am reading The Brief History of the Dead page 50 and so far so good.
You know how much I like quirky

Don't work too hard!

No thanks, Kath. I'll take your word for it. If the book is that gloomy - I don't need it.
AND
I'm pretty much decided I'm gonna leave W&P for later - way later. I need uninterrupted time to read big chunks. Can't do this in small pieces.

Work is done till the Tide comes in and we put it all together. Took me most of the day - but I left feeling happy it's all caught up and looking good!

NEW THREAD:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/124096#