Vancouverdeb's 3rd Thread for 75 books in 2011 - thread 3

A shiny new thread!



*A Favourite

Januray 2011
The White Lioness by Henning Mankell 4stars
The Man Who Smiled byHenning Mankell 4.5 stars
The Heart Specialist by Claire Holden Rothman 3.8 stars
Gold Diggers:Striking it Rich in the Klondike Charlotte Gray 4.5 stars
SweetGrass & Motorcycles Drew Hayden Taylor 5 stars and a favourite for me!
Jar City Arnaldur Indridason. 3.8 stars.
William and Kate : A Royal Love Story 3.5 stars and a very fun read! :)

February
Silence of the Grave Arnaldur Indridason 4.2stars
Voices Arnaldur Indridason 4.5 stars
The Draining Lake Arnaldur Indridason 4.5 stars
Arctic Chill Arnaldur Indridason 4 stars

March
The Good Man of Nanking :The Diaries of John Rabe 3.7 stars
Bride of New France Susan Desrochers 4 stars
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Aspberger's by John Elder Robinson 4 Stars
The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields 4.25 stars
The Bookshop by Penelope Lively 3.00 stars
Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indridason 4 stars
After River by Donna Milner 4.5 stars

April
My Soul to Take by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 3.5 stars
Atlas of Human Rights by Andrew Fagan 3.5 stars
The Beggar's Garden by Michael Christie 3.5
Sidetracked by Henning Mankell 4.25stars
Long Song By Andrea Levy 4.75 stars Favourite!
Small Island by Andrea Levy 5 stars Favourite!

May
Mennonites Don't Dance by Darcie Friesen Hossack 4 stars Favourite!
84 Charing Cross by Helene Hanff 3.5 stars
The Water's Edge by Karin Fossum 3.7 stars
Memory of Love Aminatta Forna 4.75 stars
Grace Williams Say it Loud by Emma Henderson 4.25 stars
Love You More by Lisa Gardner 3.5 stars
Room by Emma Donoghue 3.75 stars.

June
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe 3.25 stars -but 3.5 by LT
Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum 4 stars.
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym 3.5 stars
Coventry by Helen Humphreys 4 stars
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet / David Mitchell 3 stars
He Who Fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum 4.00 stars
William and Harry by Katie Nicholl 3 stars

July
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson 3.8 stars
Bird Eat Bird by Katrina Best 3.2 stars
One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson 4.5 stars Favourite!
Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill 5 stars * Favorourite!
When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson 3.75 stars
Where White Horses Gallop by Beatrice MacNeil 5 stars *
Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson 4.25 stars

August
Far To Go by Alison Pick 4stars
The Sisters Brothers/ Patrick deWitt 5 stars*
The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai 3.8 stars
Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan 4 stars *
Comedy in Minor Key by Hans Keilson 4 stars
The Accident by Linwood Barclay 4 stars
Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman 4.25 stars
A Cupboard Full of Coats by Yvvette Edwards 4.35 stars.

September
Our Spoons Came from Woodwards by Barbara Comyns 3.9 stars
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson 3 stars
Outrage by Arnaldur Indridason 4 stars
A Handmaiden's Tale by Margaret Atwood 2.5stars
The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje 3.4 stars
When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum 4 stars
Touch by Alexi Zentner 5 stars *
Clouded Vision by Linwood Barclay 3.5 stars
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford 4 stars
Stitches:A Memoir by David Small 4 stars

October
Tell it to the Trees by Anita Rau Badami 4.5 stars
Remembering the Music,Forgetting the Words by Kate Whouley 3 stars
Two Generals by Scott Chantler 3.5 stars

A new thread! Please stop by and visit and I'll do the same for you shortly!!

Currently reading -nearly finished A Handmaiden's Tale - image to follow!

*starred*

Thanks Gogs!!! And thanks for your encouragement re my kindle- or it's imminent arrival! :) Thanks for starring me!

Hi Deb- I love the "shiny new thread"! I'm anxious to see your final thoughts on Handmaids.

Starred, Deb!

Thanks everyone! I'll be visiting you shortly. My husband is trying with great frustration to set up our new digital cable box. I'm leaving it to him -and walking the dog and other things. It's too complicated for me. I'll have to try to keep him calm! ;) He was working with it last night with no success. Honestly, the instructions really are complicated. Maybe we will have to get the Cable Guy in!!!!

Deb found your thread - hope you avoid the travails your husband is going through with the cable box. It is a constant source of irritation to my wife that all "masculine" household chores (such as fixing curtain rails, painting, hanging pictures and so on) are left to her trusty hands to undertake. She doesn't care for my definition that DIY stands for Don't Involve Yourself!

Great discussions on feminism Deb. I must say that it is not something I am very knowledgable about since I was born in the early 80's, so a lot of the "big" stuff was happening before I was born or while I was enjoying Sesame Street and such. :)

Anyways, I'm here to drop of my star!

Hi Deb!

Hi Deb, I went through the whole e-reader thing earlier this year, and I decided on a Kindle as well. It has worked out great for me, except that I can't use the Kindle for library books, so this summer I bought a cheaper e-reader (a Libre) at Best Buy and that has worked out well for library books. I also just recently downloaded my first audible book to the Kindle and it works great for that as well.

The only problem I see is that it's just so darn easy to buy books with a push of a button and before I knew it I had over 50 books on my Kindle!

Good luck with yours.

Enjoy the Kindle! I've read a few books on my iPad and it was remarkably easy, I actually kept on forgetting I was reading an ebook and kept on trying to physically turn the page. But I'm reading mostly dead tree editions at the moment anyhow, because I keep on succumbing to book greed at the library. (And with the online library catalogue. Another three books to pick up this weekend! Oh help.)

Well, while I'm visiting I might as well post. Hi Deb! :)

Hi Stephen! Great to have you on my thread!! Thanks for visiting!

As to discussions about topics that are bound to be challenging - things like feminism, religion, etc- perhaps those topics are best discussed in depth on an off topic thread, rather than a 75 book thread. I know I love a good discussion, but when we get to far into a heavy topic - I think that is better taken to it own thread.

People have varying views on religion, feminism, politics etc and feelings are bound to hurt if we get into a heavy discussion.

So while I very much welcome discussion and chit chat on my thread, I might ask that long heavy discussions be left off this thread.

I've had input from others that they are not comfortable visiting my thread because of the heavy topic being discussed here. So, in light of that, I would ask that if one wants to discuss feminism etc - perhaps they could create an OT thread.

Thanks so much! Perhaps my own strong feelings about things created the discussion on my thread -but I would ask people create an O/T thread if they are so inclined.

I love my the visitors to my thread, and I don't want my thread to be off putting to anyone!!!

Well - now we know why Margaret Atwood's Books are among the most discussed! ;) I will give Atwood the benefit of that!!! :)

Thanks again everyone!!!

Hi Deb, do you have your Kindle yet? I like my iPad for reading books better than I thought I would. I've yet to pay for a book as most of the classics can be downloaded free, and I do want to keep trying to catch up with those books I missed earlier in life.

I don't blame you a bit wanting to keep intense subjects on a separate thread. It's good not to have ruffled feathers lying around one's personal reading record. ;-)

Well, it won't be to long until I get my kindle - and there is yet another topic of discussion -one which I had with myself!!!! Kobo or Kindle? I'd love an Ipad but they are pricey for me. Can I read book from an electronic device? I hope so!!! As my younger son, aged 21 ,said to me- you'd better be able to read from a kindle after spending that money!!;)

Kids - they keep you honest and on your toes!

Apparently the kindle that I've ordered has a somewhat primitive ability to function as an audio book - so we'll see if I can experiment with that too.

Nearly finished that Handmaiden's tale. I probably give it just a number value as a review. For now, I'll just say Margaret and my world view are different in several ways. That said, I'll be more open to looking at a book by Atwood in the future - though I am in no rush. While dystopian fiction is still not something I enjoy - I won't avoid it like the plague - but again - I'm in no rush to read dystopian Lit.

I suspect I will give the book a 3.5. My average rating for books is a 4 . I cannot say I came away from the book with my beliefs challenged or changed,but it's allowed me to look deeper into Atwood's world view, having watched several brief interviews on Atwood on you tube.

So - that's it for me and Margaret for now!;)

Thanks Donna... no that Kindle is not here yet. I expect to get down to the US on Saturday to pick it up from Point Roberts,which too far from me. I did not want to order it into Canada, where I live because there was no information on brokerage fees/ taxes etc on Amazon com's site.

Interestingly, while books can purchased from Amazon ca, which is in Ontario Canada, the Kindle can only be ordered from Amazon com . So, a bit more of a wait for my Kindle.....;)

Hi Deb, I can't wait to hear how you like your Kindle (I know I've said that before). It will take some getting used to, but I do think you will very much like it once you've logged a few hours on it. The Kindle is now available at Canadian Staples stores, which surprised me - but there it is.

I think your post at #16 is very well expressed - respectful and honest. I agree that intense discussions, which are bound to stir varied, intense opinions, are best discussed on their own threads.

Good on you for finishing The Handmaid's Tale; I know Atwood is not so much your thing, but you persevered. Well done!

Yikes @20 - to think I could have just popped into my local Staples!!!! Argh! But I did get some sort of "Special Offer " promotion from Kindle, so perhaps it will be worth it. They had a a Kindle 3 G - Wifi for 40 dollars less than usual because it comes with a screen saver with yes.. advertising on it. But I like the the 3 G with no data plan idea - and to have a screen saver with an ad on it won't bother me.

Hi Deb- I thought the discussions & thoughts on Handmaids went very well! I didn't think it got out of hand.
It must be a book that stirs up emotion. I loved the book. It's goal was to be disturbing and it did exactly that! Maybe, your next book choice will be on the lighter side.

Hi Deb. Sorry if I offended. I truly thought my comments were about the book and the context in which Atwood wrote it. A Handmaid's Tale is, to me, so intensely context-bound that to understand it absolutely requires thinking about time and place. I certainly didn't mean to lead us off topic.

Wishing you fun times with your new Kindle (she said with just a little bit of envy)!!

Hey Deb! I may be in the minority but I feel like those intense conversations are what makes the threads so interesting, but I can see why some people would not enjoy them as much. But it is your thread and you have every right to control what content you want to see on it. At the end of it all, I am just all the more curious to check out Atwood's book for myself.

Hi Deb - Enjoy your Kindle when you get it! I've had a Nook since last Christmas, and I'm sorry to say that the piles of books around the house, along with my book buying, have not diminished. :)

I enjoyed reading The Handmaid's Tale discussions. I'm not a fan of dystopian fiction but it's one of my all time favorites. Go figure.

Oh, please, no one think that they have offended me. Not at all. I like a good discussion - perhaps too well! :) Certainly I like to discuss a book -but I've argued current events etc on another social media site in the past. Over time I came to see on that site that people got offended , and that really no one ever changed their minds about topics, including me. I've gotten to the point that I rarely comment on that site, such is the animosity as people discuss in a circular fashion. That's made me a bit more cautious than perhaps I need to be.

I promise you I'm a great debater - even in real life- but at least in real life , one can read people's signals as to when someone is getting uncomfortable.

So - please , no one think that I was offended. I just think that maybe when a discussion gets really going - which this one was - it's best to go O/T if you wish.

I do miss my dad, who was a fabulous debater. The apple does not fall from the tree in that case. My dad and I got along very well -but we held very different world views in many ways -and eventually our debates would end in a draw . My dad would tell me that his blood pressure was going too high -and I'd eventually feel like - let's end the debate - I've got life to attend too ;) Every now and then we'd have to apolgize to each other for going too far with our debates.

Ah, I love the description of your debates with your dad, Deb. I remember some similar conversations with my own dad, even though we tended to bail on the debate long before anyone's blood pressure got elevated. Sometimes I wish we'd pushed just a wee bit further, just to know (now) more about what he thought. :-)

@ 27 Thanks for your kind remarks! I think my dad pushed me quite a bit - and I learned to push back . The two of us knew the score on what we thought. But in the end, we both appreciated that sometimes had different viewpoints that could not be reconciled - except by agreeing to disagree. My dad always told we kids to think for ourselves -and I really appreciate that about him .I lost him to cancer 4 years ago, and he as he knew time was growing short, he sure told me a lot hilarious and somewhat scandalous stories of his youth and adulthood. As difficult as it is to lose someone slowly- my dad and I really got to know each other on a much deeper level. I still wish he was here to discuss more of what is happening in the world. I used to go into Bookstores and think - oh - dad would have loved a particular book. While he was undergoing chemo and radiation , he would always have a book to read, saying he could escape into another world - how true!

Stayed up much too late -and I am 40 pages into The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje. It's the first book that I have read by Ondaatje, though I saw the English Patient as a movie.

So far, it seems to be a thinly disguised memoir/ autobiography of his life as young adolescent boy, traveling by ship from Colombo to England , after the divorce of his parents. Ondaatje declares that the book is completely fictional -but I have my doubts.

The story, so far, is told in vignettes , and to a certain degree, jumps around in time.

I found in the " Rapid Read" Section of my local library and since it is on the Giller Longlist - I thought I take a chance on it. I'll have more to say once I am further into the book.

@25 - I'm afraid I may find myself in the same situation as you, Joanne! An ereader - plus piles of books - why, I've got two books in the mail to me right now!;)

Deb- the Cat's Table sounds fantastic! I'll be watching for your thoughts. I loved The English Patient, both the book and film but have not read much of his other work.

Thanks for sharing about your dad, Deb. Sorry to hear about your loss, but it sounds like you guys had a special relationship. :) It's great that you were able to express differing opinions and have those conversations with him because I find so often you learn more about the other person when they are disagree with you instead of always agreeing.
Good luck with the Kindle. Maybe one day I'll cave, but right now I just love the feel of books too much to cave into the electronic trend.

Yes, thanks for sharing, Deb. I lost my own dad (who was an English professor and definitely influenced my love of reading) when I was just 33 ---- too young, frankly, to have delved into those deeper conversations. I'm glad you were able to do that with your dad in the last years.
Take care --

Morning, Deb, most interested in your comments on The Cat's Table; that one's on my list but I haven't actively pursued it yet - picked it up as a rec from another LTer. I very much enjoyed the movie The English Patient but did not enjoy the book so much. I'll be waiting to hear more ...

Hi Deb. Hope you like The Cat's Table. That one is on my gigantic wishlist!

Certainly I like to discussions a book -but I've argued current events etc on another social media site U= the past. Over time I came to see on that site that people got offended , and that really no one ever changed their minds about topics, including me. I've gotten to the point that I rarely comment on that site, such is the animosity as people discuss in a circular fashion. That's made me a bit more cautious than perhaps I need to be.

Ha ha ha--whatever are you talking about? Personally, I haven't been to that site in months. I just can't do it anymore. I just like the people and conversations at LT so much more. (And for anyone who isn't sure what I'm talking about, Deb and I met at that other site).

Good to hear you're enjoying Cat's Table. I'll eventually get a copy. I thought the English Patient was pretty good, but I just loved Anil's Ghost.

Hello Deb - I have thoroughly enjoyed your feminist debate that raged on your earlier thread...Just great to read your posts on debating with your dad, too. I'm sorry you didn't get more time with him. I was bemused to see that my local supermarket here in Warrnambool is selling Kindles! How weird is that! (It doesn't sell other electronics, just toasters and small kitchen appliances). "Let's see, I need milk, and 2 cans of tomatoes, oh, and a Kindle". Soreley tempted to get one if only to take on holidays. It's just that ebooks are about the same price as a paper book from BD...Will have to think on it.

Never been tempted to read The English Patient but I look forward to hearing your thoughts on The Cat's Table.

Oh drat! I just created a reply for each of you on this thread -and touched something - a key on my computer -and lost all of it!! I'll be back later to reply -and visit you on your threads.

I will say that this is my first read of an Ondaatje - and I've never been drawn to his writing -but this Cat's Table seems more accessible than his previous works , which I've barely glanced at, feeling that Ondaatje's work weren't my style.

I'm still not far in - 55 pages- but I am finding the book to be very readable and even humourous at times.

Okay - off to do a few things around the house and maybe get a bit of grocery shopping in. Oh it's the life!!

I absolutely loved the Ondaatje with the nun flying off the bridge in Toronto and being caught be one of the (I think?) engineers..... that's my favorite. The English Patient was a bit too romaticky for me. I love his memoir about his family in Sri Lanka too.

I love his memoir about his family in Sri Lanka too.

Yes! Running in the Family it was called. I had to read it for uni and at the time didn't quite know what to make of it. I like the description of it being a "literary scrapbook" (Deb, you should appreciate that!). Years later, I still think about it quite often. I sold my copy back to the university and now I regret it.

Okay! Sorry for the delay in reply to all of you. I"m at page 120 of about 265 pages of The Cat's Table . This is the first work of Ondaatje's that I have ever read, so it is difficult for me to compare it to his other works. It's been my impression that his previous works have been " inaccessible" - code word for difficult to understand, and that they include a lot of hard to follow stuff and he waxes poetic. I'm finding Cat's Table quite accessible. Though Ondaatje denies that this is in any way a memoir or autobiography, it is so far the tale of an 11 year old sailing by himself from Colombo to England, and the narrator, the young 11 year old boy goes by " Michael." The Cat's Table does strike me as reminiscing by Ondaatje. There are a number of intriguing characters so far. The tale does go back and forth in time somewhat, but not in a difficult way. At some points I've felt it's suffered from a bit of inertia - this book so far is not plot driven or anything driven, so far as I can tell. Perhaps that is why Ondaatje chose to tell the story aboard a ship - that goes nowhere fast. That said, the book is picking up in both small adventures , and more fleshing out of the characters. I've noted certain passages as either interestingly insightful - or outright laugh out loud funny. I do understand that at some point in the book - there is some sort of shift. I've not gotten there yet.

So - though I'm just about halfway through the story - I'm not sure whether to recommend it. I can say I'm enjoying it in a leisurely way, and as someone who has never read an book by Ondaatje I'm pleasantly surprised.

So - the jury still out whether you must rush and get this book -but I'm enjoying it in a slow , pleasant way.

@ Mark - well - there you have my comments -so far - on The Cat's Table. If you are looking for a book that is in any way plot driven - look elsewhere - though I know that you read a huge variety of books and love them all!! I wish I was as good natured!

@ Valerie, yes, my dad and I did have a great relationship - but you know - we had our moments of anger with each other too. As for the Kindle - I'm a bit anxious myself as to whether I can read a book from a Kindle. I'm the sort that has to flip back and forth and think -who was that again? What happened exactly? I know I can do that with a kindle - but will it be that easy? I think I've already chosen my first Kindle book - once the Kindle gets here tomorrow. I can't remember the title off hand-but apparently it's a well written literary thriller about a woman with Alzheimer's who may have murdered her close friend, but she can't remember if she did or not.

@Ellen - oh! 33 is just too young to lose your dad. I'm so sorry! I was 46- that does make a difference. How fabulous to have a dad who was an English Professor! My dad was an avid reader, but certainly no English Professor.

@Chelle - thanks for visiting! Yes, The Cat's Table was on my wishlist, and how lucky I was to find it in the rapid reads of my local library!

@Joyce - yes that other site!! Ugh... I admire you for reading The English Patient and Anil's Ghost. I'm not sure I could get through them. Maybe I'll be braver when I get this Ondaatje under my belt. I do remember the Seinfeld Episode where Elaine Benis had to watch The English Patient as a movie - twice -and by the second time she was shouting at the guy in the bandages - " Just Die Already!". I saw the movie too - and I could picture myself as Elaine!!!! ;)

@ Prue! Glad to see you!! I've never been tempted to read the English Patient either. It made an okay movie;)

@ Nancy Lit Chick - I got you out of order! Well - here you have my inconclusive comment's on The Cat's Table but maybe they will help you out a little.

@Lucy - yeah - I'm not a romanticky reader either.

Okay! I'll try to get to your individual threads either now or a little later

Thanks for visiting my thread!

Really enjoying your comments on The Cat's Table, Deb. It's on my list, but I'm so far not tempted to rush it to the top! (And we both are keenly aware of your powers of persuasion, hehe)!

I have a solicitor over at my thread, grr. Would appreciate a drive-by (or a few) to flag post #249. Thanks : ).

Flagged, Nancy. I saw post on your thread earlier and wondered about it.

And as to The Cat's Table I'd say no rush to read it -so far.

Morning Deb- Thanks for your thoughts on The Cat's Table. I'll have to wait for the final verdict. Have a great Saturday.

Sorry I'm taking so long . I had family over today -and in between - I powered up the kindle and downloaded two books!!! Wooot!! Still learning just how to use everything. Not much time to play with my kindle today -nor to read!!!!

I downloaded Turn of Mind by Alice Laplante -a literary thriller about a woman who is suffering with Alzheimers and may or may not have killed her closest friend. I also downloaded The Sense of an Ending.

However, I'm still reading Cat's Table- just 50 pages to go - and I think despite the kindle I may go to a mystery after the rather slow moving Cat's Table. Still no final verdict. It's a slow read- interesting , and okay -but to my mind - nothing exceptional.

Stayed up late to finish up The Cat's Table. I gave it 3.4 stars. There is no rush, or need, really , to read The Cat's Table. Not much happens, it moves slowly, it's more or less a memoir from what I can tell. It does not delve into any particular character or produce some new insight into life. It's mildly interesting in spots, but that's about it.

I'm no book critic, but I think if this book had landed on table as a manuscript for a publisher as debut novel - it would never have been published as it simply is not very interesting.

I think this book is only on the Giller List because the author is Michael Ondaatje. It's an okay read. Nothing special. If you chose to skip riding it, you will miss nothing.

Morning Deb- I had a feeling The Cat's Table was going to land in that range somewhere. I'll move it back down the list a few slots.
Enjoy your Sunday!

Morning Deb
Too bad that The Cat's Table was so slow for you. I think I'll skip it after all, since I have so many on my wish list and not enough time to read them all!
Hope your next book is more interesting!

Appreciate your comments on The Cat's Table, Deb. It's one I won't rush to read. To be fair, I've only read The English Patient, but I also found it a bit of a slog in places to even get through. Also appreciate your observation that I think this book is only on the Giller List because the author is Michael Ondaatje. I'm not surprised by this - disappointed, but not surprised.

Hi Mark, Chelle and Nancy!!! The Cat's Table was readable- but really quite slow. I kept waiting for some sort of insight to take away from the book, or for the book to get moving -but it simply never happened. It was a like a series of vignettes, held together and somewhat interesting. Ondaatje denies at the end that any of the events are true , but I simply do not believe that . The name of the narrator is " Michael " and it essentially the trip from Colombo to England that is covered. That certainly seems like a memoir to me. Not that it matters.

I'm not sure what my next book will be as yet. My last two reads have not been especially enjoyable. I need a good page turner that really draws me in....

#51 Hi Deb, The Cat's Table certainly sounds like a memoir. You do need a page turner : ). Speaking of which, I am hoping to finish Silence of the Grave later today. Now that's a page turner!

Delighted you've already downloaded a couple of books on your Kindle. I think you are going to love!

I think I'm going to read When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karen Fossum next. It's been my place holder in my" currently reading" book spot on my profile for months now.

The two books I downloaded for my kindle are not page turners! I did see a novella by a mystery author that I like for 99 cents on Kindle. I might just try that for fun. Good introduction to reading on a kindle.

Yes! I need a page turner!! Glad you are enjoying Silence of the Grave. Raidergirl - Elizabeth is a great person ! I see that she was visiting your thread, Nancy.

I hope When the Devil Holds the Candle sucks you in and doesn't let go. I've never read it ---- I'm just relating to the feeling of "okay, now I need something that is a really good read." We have to have those now and then!

Sorry that The Cat's Table wasn't a better read for you. I've been eyeing it off in the shops, but I do see the library has a gazillion copies, so I'll just wait until a copy appears on the shelves. :)

I hope your next read is a ripsnorter! I know the feeling of *needing* a really good read, and it's great when that itch is finally scratched.

My current read When The Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum.



Karin Fossum is one my favourite Scandi mystery writers.

Ellen - I hope your next book is a rip-snorter too! I surely know the feeling!

Tania - Wookie - thanks for the good wishes!! I sure do need a ripsnorter!!!! Once you start pining for the start of the new fall tv season, or wondering if reading 4 People Magazines might count as one book, it's time to find a rip - snorter of a read.

Nancy, great review of Silence of the Grave. Indriason's books just get better and better, or so I found. I had no idea of the influence of things like Hitler Nationalists that was touched on in Silence of the Grave - at least I think it was. Another great book that explores that part of history is Dogs of Riga by by Henning Mankell. That was a great story. It just swept me away into an earlier time in Latvia and spies and spooks! Oh it was fun!

Argh! I've had Dogs of Riga on Mt TBR for too long now! And Silence of the Grave for far less long, picked that up from the library just a couple of weeks ago...

Bother. Too many recommendations!

Deb - you're probably not in any hurry to read Ondaatje again, but I have to put in a plug for Anil's Ghost--it was one of my top reads in the last 10 years for sure. I don't think you'd find it a difficult read at all.

Here's another vote to your next book being a rip snorter, Deb! Woot, I haven't heard that expression since forever! It's a good one : ).

Here is my review of The Cat's Table. Since there are very few reviews, I felt compelled to make my views known.

http://www.librarything.com/work/edit/78021829?editreview=1&referpage=http:/...

Tania, I know, so many books, so little time!

Joyce, thanks for the recommendation. I may get to Anil's Ghost yet - but not anytime soon! ;)

Nancy, yes, I've not heard the expression rip snorter for a while either -but it's a good one!

Thanks for visiting everyone!! I always appreciate visitors!

Thumb for a well thought out review of The Cat's Table, Deb.

Deb- I was hoping to try squeezing in When The Devil Holds the Candle for S & S. I will get to it soon. I'm going to try the 4th Wallander book next. How in the world do we keep up?? Huh?

I agree Mark, how do we keep up? I didn't get much reading done today....

Hi Deb! Just trying to catch up on all the action here on your thread. I see that you've got your Kindle and are plowing full steam ahead on it. Let me know what you think of it once you've settled down with it. :)
Your review of The Cat's Table reminds me a lot of other "award winners" or classics that I read and I wonder why in the world they are labeled as such or have gotten awards because I slog through them and come out on the other end thinking what's the big deal???

Hi Valerie! I just felt that while there was plenty of potential in the book - yes it had some interesting characters, nothing was really developed, Not the characters, not the "plot" , not there was a much of a plot. It was okay, but I felt just kind of bored by the book.

Anyway, When the Devil Holds the Candle my Karin Fossum Scandi mystery has really taken off. The first 75 pages or so the book kind of plodded - and then it took off - at least I think so. I'd forgotten how much psychological insight Karen Fossum uses in her myseries/ thrillers. So, I've been roped into the book, which is fabulous!

I'm looking forward to reading The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes - just to see how it compares toThe Cat's Table but that won't be my next book.

Hi Deb, glad you've got one on the go that is a grabberin When the Devil Holds the Candle.

@66 - you know Valerie, I'm realizing I'm real sucker for prize lists! :) But you know, it helps read outside my comfort zone and often get a quality book read that I might not have known existed otherwise. But, yes indeed, there a lot of Prize winner that make think - why did this win the X prize?.

I am such a sucker, that I picked up Meagre Tarmac from my local bookstore today, because I had read such good reviews about it. It' on the Giller Prize Long List. It' a book of short stories about the Indo- American immigration experience by a Canadian author. It looks like a dense but fairly short read and interesting too.

@69 - Yes! I'm so glad to have a fabulous ripsnorter! Ohhh it took such a unexpected turn!!!! I can't tell you in case you might want to read it. And I think it's about to take another unexpected turn!!!!!Hurrah!

I'm just going to link up a blog I pop onto every now and then for a Canadian perspective on books.

http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/

Kevin from Canada writes a quite a good blog and writes about the Bookers, the Giller and takes a lot input from others. I think he's either a retired English Prof or maybe a journalist. I find him to be intelligent and unpretentious and very willing to look at other's views on the books he reviews. Interesting fellow and Blog.

He is responsible for my picking up Meagre Tarmac today. He also " caused me " to purchase Touch ,another Giller Long listed book. That guy owes me some $$$$! Really! The nerve of him!;)

Deb, thanks for kevinfromcanada's book blogger link! I had added a couple of books to my list which are on this year's Giller LL - A Good Man by Guy Vanderhaeghe and Little Shadows by Marina Endicott. They both look excellent based on the remarks in the book blog. Endicott is new to me, don't know any of her work. But I read Vanderhaeghe's The Last Crossing a few years ago and LOVED it. Sigh, another couple of books I must get to ... don't have time to work and keep house anymore!

Even in Australia, we have heard of Kevin From Canada. :) I don't read his blog, but several readers in my (online) Australian bookgroup do, and they all have praise for him.

The first Karin Fossum is available at the library... must... resist...

ETA: #72> I read Endicott's Good to a Fault last year, and it was rather good. A very interesting story.

I've got Good to A Fault on my shelves - but because I lost my dad to non hodgkins lymphoma four years ago, I just could not quite read it. He was just 65 when he passed -and though he had nearly two years with chemo and radiation and endless blood transfusions - he just did not make it. He wished to die at home , so as a family we were able to do that. But it took a lot out of everyone, most especially my dad. Palliative care is rewarding, but exhausting.

Glad you found Kevin from Canada to be helpful , Nancy !

And Tania - oh Karin Fossum is so good!! Cave cave - give in! ;)

You are a danger, Deb! :) Thanks for the link. I've got it bookmarked to read later.

Ha! Joanne! Glad you found my recommendation helpful. Always glad to enable a friend!;)

#74 Your bittersweet story about your Dad brought a tear to my eye Deb especially as I may be embarking on a not dissimilar path myself soon. Hope you enjoy and get something from the book.

Yes, I am glad I read Good to a Fault before my mum was diagnosed with cancer, not after. (She's doing fine, has just finished all her chemo, hurrah!)

I can't cave on Fossum just yet, someone has helpfully already borrowed the book. ;)

And best of luck, Paul, cancer is no fun for anyone.

HI Deb! Thanks for the link to Kevin from Canada. Just what I need, another site to show me new books to buy!! ;)

I'll be honest that I suffer from the same bias towards award winners. When I'm browsing the shelves at a bookstores, if the cover doesn't have some sort of stamp of an award or some remark about being a bestseller, then I'm hesitant to purchase the book but, of course those labels should have no bearing on whether I am going to enjoy a book. Every book starts off having none of those accolades until someone picks it up and decides to read it.

I've stopped by several times, but I can't seem to think of anything to say! How rare! But mostly you are reading things I don't know about. I'll have to check up on Kevin.

@Paul - so sorry about your father. I hope that the lunch with your mom that you were planning went well -and you time with your dad. Yes, it's a bittersweet time. Many hugs to you. I hope you can find a book to escape into while you are in the UK. I hope very much too that your family feels unified in the choices etc that you might have to make.

@ Tania - you know I do my best to tempt!;) Cave Cave I say! ;) I'm so glad your mom is doing well. That's great!

@Hi Chelle! Glad if that link is of some use. I find his reviews to be helpful in enabling me!;)

@Valerie. Oh! I'm glad that I'm not the only one that is sucker for prize books! :) Not that I'm calling you a sucker -that's what I call myself. Yesterday at Chapters - where, embarrassingly the entire staff knows me well, I think they must think I'm the most odd reader. I pass by an entire table of vampire books and pick up some odd looking volume called The Meagre Tarmac. Actually, the manager there, a young guy, has quite interesting taste himself. I don't even wait for the winners - I grab the books on the list. What you say is very true. Every book starts out just a book until someone picks it up and notices the value.

@ Lucy - I think I've stopped by your thread and found the same - that we are reading very different books for the moment. Thanks for stopping by anyway! I always enjoy company !

Is this a support group for prize book junkies? Count me in.

Deb, love the tale of the entire staff of Chapters knowing you. Once I went in to my local bookshop and gave my name when ordering a book, to be given a wide-eyed stare and a "I know you, you're *infamous*".

That was at the height of my book buying (the library gets most of my custom now, and I just don't have time to make it to that bookshop much any more, *SOB*). I used to get thank yous of evenings in the bookshop with champagne and nibblies with the other insane book fans. Sigh, those were the days. And it's amazing how many books one can buy after a glass or two of bubbly.

Deb, Thanks so much for the lovely comments - overindulged at the bookshoop certainly and worried about too heavy luggage but overall spent good time with both parents (separately by necessity) and very slightly elder sibling c/w/ niece and nephew. Didnt see much of my younger sister this time and a bit guilty about that but should be back in December. Strange travelling without Hani, my wife, as this is the longest we have been apart in 16 years of marriage - but I'll make i up to her in the duty free handbag shops!

Tania - lol your support group funny. It is strange how easy it is to unburden yourself to great people with shared interests and how much comfort can be drawn from the universally kind and supportive responses. The best thing I did in 2011 was sign up to LT.

Tania and Paul, thanks so much for visiting my thread.

Yes, Tania, most certainly I run a support group for prize book junkies. It's one where I suffer from the problem just as badly as you do - so please feel welcome here! I know the " pain." of the prize winner reading!;) Hehe, and Chapters here, while it is my local bookstore, it's also kind more or less Canada's Big Box Book Store, so all the more embarrassing for me! I'd like it if I could get myself to give my local library most of my custom -but I'm doing better than I used. Stages of recovery... ;)

Paul - Oh! I can't imagine the fun of going to a bookshop in England. I'm so glad that you've had time to spend with your parents and sibling etc. That's so important. Try not to feel guilt about what you can and cannot do . It's a very challenging time . I am sure that travelling across the world to see your parents brought them great comfort, and your presence is/ has been completely comforting to them. Sorry you had to travel without your wife, but I can understand how expensive such travel can be - and I've no doubt that the handbags will be a wonderful gift to your wife ! My son is dating a young woman originally from Hong Kong -and her parents just had to make a sudden trip to China, as the paternal grandmother's health is very much failing. Last time just her father went - so expensive! This time both were able to make the trip as they had discount with the airline.

I have to agree - joining up with LT in 2010 was one of the best things I have done.

I finished up When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum. What a great read! It really met my requirement of ripsnorting good book. I'll say more later as I must get ready to get to an appointment.

I'm just starting a Giller Prize Contender Touch. In the first 29 pages it has already corralled me into it's thrall ;)

The Giller Prize is Canada's big Literary Prize.

What an interesting book so far! I'm not quite sure what to expect . I'll say more later, as I do have to get to that appointment!



Intriguing book -and very Canadian so far.

Hi Deb, thanks for commenting on my thread yesterday. As much as I love visiting the Indigo store downtown (so airy and pleasant), I don't get there all that often, for one because I don't get out of the house much, but also because I try to avoid going to that area of town, where I'm always likely to seriously overspend, with Indigo being one of my biggest downfalls, not so much for the books funnily enough, since I almost always purchase them from their online site (I also give lots of business to BookDepository for unbeatable pricing and FREE shipping on any order) but because they have such an amazing lifestyle section with loads of beautiful knickknacks for the home. As a matter of fact, I have to march myself right back there before the 14 days are up to return a bunch of items that were completely compulsive and unreasonable purchases. Although so lovely. *sigh*

You've reminded me that I should pay more attention to Canadian literary awards, since I search out and tag books accordingly for both American and British awards, but haven't been minding what's going on in our own backyard, so to speak, though I do read Canadian authors quite regularly. I think. :-)

Regarding your and Paul's comments about joining LT, firstly, though I usually look up when people have joined when I look at their profiles, I hadn't realized you were both so recent, so either I skipped over that part or forgot after the first time I'd checked. I had quite a different experience with LT because I joined back in 2007 and didn't get involved in the social aspect of the site much until I joined this group in December. I had taken part in the 50 book challenge a couple of years in a row, which was nice, but as you can imagine, there were not nearly as many interactions there as there are with this bunch! I keep wanting to branch out and check out other groups, but this one takes up so much of my time already that it seems almost an impossible task to look anywhere else. That being said, I joined the 11 in 11 challenge and have just signed up for the 12 in 12 challenge as well, though I've made sure to have categories that allowed me to fit in whatever books I happen to be reading anyway.

Hi Deb- I'm glad you enjoyed When the Devil Holds the Candle. It looks like Fossum is 3 for 3! Yah! I hope to get to this one next month.

Deb, I love the cover of Touch! Definitely Canadian looking, hehe. And that woman looks like she can no doubt swing a very mean axe.

Trying to catch up this evening. Your review of The Cat's Table makes me less than anxious for its arrival at my own local library (it's on order). I want to investigate Karin Fossum (never heard of her) and Touch sounds interesting. Giller Prize..... I admit that this is new for me. Oh, the things one learns on LT!! :-)

Oooh Deb, you had me at 'corralled into its thrall' - can't wait to see what you have to say about Touch - and I agree with Nancy - great cover.

Hi Ilana! Thanks so much for visting my thread! You know - today I had to pick up something from the mall - really I did -hairproduct for the frizzies -and I managed to pop into Indigo Spirit.... ;) Well I saw a must have book - but then my new kindle saved me money. I told myself I could wait a little while for the book -and if I couldn't wait - I could always download the book with my kindle.. By my math, I just saved a little over $20. 00 my kindle. Like my math? :) I also am guilty of ordering from both the Book Depository and also Amazon ca. Very bad. So, I do really understand.

Yes, I have no idea what LT was like back in 2007. I've been very fortunate here on LT in that a virtual friend of mine invited and befriend me here on LT. Then I joined the Canadian Cross Country Read - and I got to know some very friendly LT'ers. I had no idea that the 75 readers was going to be such friendly place when I choose to try the challenge in January. I just felt that 100 books would be a goal I could not reach and that maybe 50 books was not enough of a challenge. But yes, the 75'er's are such welcoming and sociable group.

Hey Mark and Ellen - Karin Fossum is actaully 4/4 because I read my first Fossum book out of order! Can you imagine! She is quickly becoming my favourite Scandi author. She uses very plausible male Ispectors/ Dectectives - a young guy in this thirties and amore staid guy in his mid fifties as the team. Something for everyone;) Her books are psychological thriller/ mysteries with many layers. In some ways, Karin Fossum reminds me of Kate Atkinson in that she brings together seemingly unconnected strands of one story with such finesse. However, her books are much darker.

Ellen - yes, there simply no end of prizes are there! In Canada, the Giller is likely the Biggest Prize - maybe it's $50,000. - plus the prestige and books that you sell. There is also the Governor Generals Prize for books in Canada. Both are Canada wide. It's never ending!

Nancy and Prue - thanks for visiting! Yes - Touch is shaping up to a great read - but it's still early in the book.

I'll try to visit everyone's thread tomorrow - But thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it very much!

Deb / Ilana - Considering the somewhat mixed reviews of most of the Booker contenders this year - maybe it's a good idea to look at the Giller. Touch is definitely on the wishlist immediately. Canada is well represented on LT and I'm out in support as my Dad has a holiday home two hours drive from Toronto!

Agree with the comments that it would be difficult to take in many more groups given the distinguished array of contributors here which keeps one in contented occupation. The only problem is when one of the starred threads doesn't surface because you have so many already starred - a full weekly review of group page (note to self).

Also agree that Karin Fossum is right up there. Still put Mankell/Wallender top and Nesbo/Hole next but I think sometimes that Hole's perverseness should give more credit to the groundedness of Inspector Sejer.

BTW - the Giller Prize is $50,000 CDN dollars, not $50,00 as I initially posted.

Yes Paul, I'm focussing more on the Giller - partly because I've already read about 6 books off the Booker LongList -and now that I've got a feel for the Booker Prize books - onto the Gillers!

That's cool , Paul , that your dad has a holiday home outside of Toronto. My brother and family live about 1 hour north of Toronto - in Barrie Ontario, but my brother works out of Toronto.

Well, Touch is coming along. I've just been a bit busy and today is warm and sunny. I might need to get out and enjoy that while I can. Touch has some both startling and hard to forget imagery! It's amazing in it's way. I'm only halfway through though. The story is fascinating, and takes a bit to follow it because though it's told in a sense from the son's perspective - often it goes off on a tangent time wise to either his father's time, or his grandfather's time -and finally last night I had to make a family tree!;) to keep track of who is who. It's an intriguing book, where to some degree you will have suspend your belief - but on the other hand, given the setting and time and tone of the story, some of the events and bits of first nation imagery just seem to fit. I'm really enjoying Touch. This guy knows how to tell a story.I'd say more but I don't want to spoil the plot. Three generations of family. Intriguing.

#96 Good strategy, Deb! I've also had to do the same on occasion. And with particularly long classics, e.g. Bleak House, I kept a page from SparkNotes bookmarked as I read/listened. Found the summaries really helped. Actually, the audiobook I'm presently listening to, The Return of the Native (Alan Rickman rocks it!), is another one I've needed to bookmark and use summaries for.

HI Deb
Touch sounds pretty good, I'll be interested in seeing your final thoughts on it
Enjoy your nice sunny weekend!

#96 & 97: A family tree. Not a bad idea, Deb :) I have done the same as Nancy several times. A bookmark at sparknotes while reading the book. Not only Dickens but also Dostoeveky is hard to follow sometimes with the three surnames and a russian nickname for each character.

#99 Dostoevsky is hard to follow sometimes with the three surnames and a Russian nickname for each character. LOL, I'm lost already! Well said, Carsten : ).

Hi Nancy! I often have to write out a bit of a list of character's to keep track of the characters - but in this case, I think it is essential. It makes reading Touchglide along so much more seamlessly. I stick use Post - it Notes on the pages of books as I read along but this time I have run out of them.

Chelle - Touch is just beautiful, tragic, magical - I'm not yet certain just how to describe it. There is certainly an element of magical realism in the story - but somehow it fits in seamlessly. I've still got about 65 pages to go - and it's going to be hard to write a review. I'd say that the magical realism - or whatever one wants to call it fits in for several reasons.

the beauty of the authors writing

the story takes place largely in the freezing cold in a frontier area of BC - so it's easy to understand that one might imagine things or be hypothermic at times, or so isolated you begin to loose track of reality a little bit.

it's also the the memories and retellings of others family member's stories by the narrator and in doing that, family memories become both a truth and perhaps a part of a mythology.

There is also both the Catholic religion and the Anglican beliefs slightly present - and so we have a kind of faith - be it traditional or non tradition

There a First nations people in the story

The best way to read it is to be swept along with the story.

it's so beautifully told - so striking and so unlike anything I ever read.

I'm partly writing this here for myself so that when I go to write a review I'll have something to capture on paper.

Hi Carsten! Thanks for visiting my thread! Great to see you! Yes, those foreign names can be especially difficult - especially as you read along and have no idea how to pronounce them in your head as you read! I know that I make a decisive choice on how a difficult name will be pronounced in a book I'm reading - and I don't care if I'm right or wrong. Russian names -yes , I can imagine!

I hope to finish the book later today -but when that review will be done - a day or two maybe?

Honestly, I could see this book winning the Giller - but hang on until I'm finished.

Although I love Touch - I could imagine how the magical realism in the book -which I find beautiful and seamlessly done could pose problems for some people. It's not that dominant, but it's definitely there. I've read that some people think it reminds them of a Grimms Fairy tale. Not for me it all. It's all to easy to imagine the experience and the thinking.

The stories of the three generations alone are just stunning.

For me , the Giller Long List books that I have read -

Sisters Brothers which I LOVED!
Beggar's Garden which was fascinating and well done
Cat's Table mmmm.... okay...

This is going to be my favourite of the Gillers- though Sisters Brothers is fantastic in a completely different way.

I've also got Meagre Tarmac on my shelf. I must say that the Giller List this year contains a large variety of books that are hard to compare, they are so different

Morning Deb- Touch sounds very entrancing. I'll have to slap that one on the List. Watch some of the touchstones you've created, they point toward a different book.
Hope you have a great day!

My goodness, Mark, I should have guessed that you were a fast reader of my long winded blurb there! Hmmm - I'm hoping that all of my Touch references point towards the book by Alexi Zentner , and not some bodice ripper!;)

#103 bodice ripper! Coffee choker alert!!!! Thanks, Deb : ).

Well, Nancy, truthfully, when you pull up "Touch" on LT - a lot of bodice ripper sort of books pop up as possiblities!;)

Hi Deb! I'm looking forward to getting to Touch. Hmmm, first one that pops up on the touchstones is by Elmore Leonard. That's preferable to a bodice ripper, for sure! :-D

Okay, here is my best try at a review for Touch

"Touch" is an entrancing tale, hauntingly told, of three generations of the Boucher family and those that were intertwined with their lives.
The time span of the story takes place between sometime in the mid to later 1800's up until WW2. Though the wars play essentially no part in the book, they help to ground the timeline.

The story is crafted beautifully , almost poetically at times. It is most evocative. Touch also has the most startling and vivid word imagery. For a seamless read, I suggest creating a family tree of the characters early on in the story.

Touch is the most fascinating story I've read in some time. It can be a bit challenging to follow because though it is essentially told from the perspective of 40 year old Vancouverite Paul, the story very often goes off on a tangent timewise and narrator wise to Paul's father and grandfather and their memories and stories.

I won't recount the story, but I wanted to address the mention of the "supernatural " or "Grimms Fairy Tale" aspect of this book.

Though the element of magical realism is present, I found that it flowed most naturally in Touch. This element can be easily understood as a part of the hypothermia suffered by frontiers man Grandfather Jeannot or by the lonely imaginings that emerge from isolation of a long cold winter . The magical realism can also be taken at face value, or as part of the flawed memories or re-tellings of family memories which become a part of both a truth and a family mythology.

As grandfather Jeannot explains of he and his wife's isolation of winter on page 203 : " It was the sound during the those months... that was hard to get used to. At first they had the wind and and the pelting snow... but after a while even that disappeared, leaving them with a hush and ..imagined whisperings."

Though I am addressing the " magical realism " in the book , the story is very grounded too.

This is a beautiful,tragic ,quintessentially Canadian story. If it wins the Giller , which it longlisted for, I won't be be surprised. Though it is very Canadian, Touch will also be published in the US, Italy, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Israel, Korea and the UK. Read it!

5 stars

I found Touch to be really challenging to review, because it covers so much territory and also is a most unusual book. Because so many reviews have mentioned that the book seema to be a fairy tale, or finding it to be a challenge due to the " supernatural " elements, I guess I focused on trying to explain that element, more than anything else. I did put it on the main review page, but I never know how to link it up. I really did not find the ? magical realism/ mythology, etc to be off putting because it really was beautiful read and well grounded too.

I'm not quite certain of my next read. It may be a novella on my Kindle, which I've downloaded. Time to take the plunge....

Great review Deb! Sounds like a book I should try!

Well done, Deb. You sold me with This is a beautiful, tragic , quintessentially Canadian story. Thanks for that : ).

It is really a fantastic book, and one of my favourite books that I've read this year. Touch is well worth the read. I don't think I did the book justice with the review.

Ditto Nancy - it's on my BD wishlist - only something like 170 days to go before the paperback edition is published in the UK! (Just can't bring myself to pay double by ordering the hardback now - or the paperback from Amazon and pay postage). But I will really look forward to it!@

Yes, Prue, and the image on the front of the book is so much nicer than the Canadian Hardcover version that I have.

I have to say that the book is full of love as well as tragedy -and perhaps love is one of the strong themes despite the many tragedies. I think there is a great deal of symbolism - and this would be a wonderful book to read with a group of people. I definitely think that Alexi Zentner is a gifted writer.

Okay - the monsoon rains have parted, so I must get the dog out for a walk. Fall has arrived with a vengeance . Vancouver usually gets constant drizzle and overcast -but today it has been literally pouring!!! There has been a " rain warning" which gives me the giggles because it rains here so often. But what it means is that there will be a vast amount of rain and potential for flooding in some areas - not mine.

We had to turn on the furnace today!!!! Arrgh!!!!

Thanks Chelle, Prue, and Nancy for saying kind things about my review. I do try, but I don't always succeed the way I would like to with my reviews.

Just caught up with your last thread and this. Very interesting discussion on feminism; and I loved the review of Touch (I won't try to touchstone it in case I come up against those bodice rippers!).

We had to turn on the furnace today!!!! Arrgh!!!

I refuse to turn on the furnace before October (or put on the fireplace). Today was the first day I'd felt chilled since .....? ..... and I just dug out a sweater. September is my favourite month in Vancouver, and this one has been spectacular. The big wind they predicted today didn't show up here--was it windy in Richmond?

edited to add: spoke too soon! Just went out to talk to my husband who is reseeding the lawn. It's getting blustery out--still very mild, but feels autumnal.

Thanks Genny! Do read the other reviews about Touch . I think it's one of the most beautiful and beautifully written books that I've read lately. That said, all of us have our loves and our dislikes when it comes to books.

Joyce, I refuse to let the calendar dictate the " Turning on of the Furnace". LOL! My parents were like that and it drove me mad and I was often too cold when I lived at home. I remember wearing jackets and mittens and toques in the winter in my parents home when I was in my studying days. I vowed to live differently than my parents . My form of rebellion. Yes, we had an enormous rain fall and winds here earlier in the day - just dreadful! Since we have a dog who is to delicate to use our backyard as a place to do her " business" instead I am out about 5 times a day , rain or shine, or snow, or blustering cold walking the dog! Of course my husband helps with that too -but I tell you, what it does to my hair! For me, fall is the most depressing of the seasons. Long nights, short days, rain etc.. By the time we hit Dec 20, then I'm on the uptick thinking fabulous -we are reverting back to longer days each day.

Hopefully you can turn the furnace off again!
We had turned ours on at the beginning of September when Southwestern Ontario had a chilly couple weeks but I turned it back off a couple days ago. It's been in the 20's here, which would be lovely if it would stop raining! Oh well, it's better than snow for now. Winter will be here soon enough

Yes, Chelle we can certainly turn the furnace down again. My husband likes to replace the filter and vacuum out the furnace etc before we turn it on for the winter, which he did yesterday. He has 4 days of 11. 5 hours this week, so I had wanted him to turn on get the furnace in working mode again. It's supposed to go down to 14C this week- with a high of 16 on one day - so I did want to know that I could turn the furnace if needed. I think he might even turn off the pilot light of the furnace over the summer -though I'm not sure. I leave those " man' activities up to him.

Yes, I saw on the news that you have had some very warm weather in Southwesten Ontario. I've got a brother and family in Barrie On, and a BIL in Ottawa, so I've heard them crowing about the weather! ;)

I heard on tonight's weather cast here in Vancouver that our current weather can be attributed to some Typhoons in Japan that happened about week ago. We've had some really strong winds and heavy rain today.

That said - I think it seems to be warming up this evening. I'll visit your thread soon -thanks so much for visiting!

Well, finally I've started a novella on my new Kindle! :) It is Clouded Vision by Linwood Barclay. I chose it for my first read on my kindle to gain some confidence in reading books on my kindle. Linwood Barclay is a Canadian author who writes mystery/ thrillers -and seems to have become popular in the US as well as Canada.

Anyway, I had intended to just get a wee start on the Novella - just 100 pages long -but I've read half -way through already! Great story and a great way for me to get accustomed to my kindle.



Ohh it's fabulous and only cost 99 cents.

#120 Wahoo! First novel(la) on the new Kindle! I predict you will very much enjoy, Deb : ).

#107: Good review, Deb. Made me look it up on an online bookstore here in Denmark, and it was heralded this way: Alexi Zentner builds a magical world as distinctive as a grown-up Narnia. Whether it be true or not I'm intrigued.....

#120: It took me awhile to get used to the Kindle. Now I'm so happy to be able to just download a new novel or classic novel and begin to read instantly...no waiting a week or two for an overseas delivering. Great! And your novel: A chilling story of double-dealing, violence and murder. It's a must :)

Carsten, I replied on your thread. Thanks for your encouragement re the kindle! I do encourage you to read Touch as I thought it was a most beautiful read. I agree with the your words - no waiting a week or two for overseas - or even right here in North America shipping!

The kindle is wonderful!

Nancy, thanks for your encouragement re the Kindle! I'm quite delighted with it at this time!

I finished up Clouded Vision by Linwood Barclay and I found it to be an intriguing and fun read that moved along quite quickly. 3. 5 stars.

I enjoyed reading from my Kindle so much - I've begun a book that I have wanted to read ever since I first saw it a couple of years ago.

So, I've begun Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. I'm only 10% into the story, but it promises to be an interesting read about a romance between a young Chinese boy and young Chinese girl during WW11. I don't know a lot about the story, except that I've wanted to read it for some time -and I also though it would be a relatively uncomplicated read on my new Kindle.

Hi Deb- Boo, at turning on the furnace! It's been very rainy and cool here. I think it warms up a little later in the week. I've heard good things about Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I'll be watching for your thoughts.

I listened to Hotel earlier this year -- it was quite good.

I'm caught up with you again, Deb. You are a busy reader these days. Autumn has arrived here in Missouri as well. It is cool in the mornings but warms up enough during the day that I haven't had to turn the furnace on... yet. I did dress in cold weather gear for my walk today, despite the fact that many of the runners are still wearing shorts!

You made Touch sound so very compelling. What an intriguing cover. I'm also going to check out the Giller list.

I'm behind you in reading the Karin Fossum books. I read He Who Fears the Wolf and then listened to Don't Look Back in March. It's time I got back to Norway to see what Inspector Sejer is up to. Thanks for the reminder.

Agreed with Donna that you are a busy reader these days, Deb! I'm excited to hear more about your present adventure with Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. You are already getting along marvelously with Kindle : ) - so much for a learning curve!

Hi Deb. Whew, I had fallen behind on your thread. I love your review of Touch; I got it from my library and it's on top of the stack...... I read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet last year. It was prior to my discovery of LT so I didn't review it but I'd probably have given in 3.5 stars. I enjoyed that it was set in Seattle; I love Seattle's International District and it was interesting to imagine it as it was then.

No furnace here, yet, but I can tell it's getting close. Hard to believe.

I heard on tonight's weather cast here in Vancouver that our current weather can be attributed to some Typhoons in Japan that happened about week ago. We've had some really strong winds and heavy rain today.

I hadn't heard that! My daughters will love it--very cool. It turned out to be quite nice last night--Nina had soccer until 10PM and we enjoyed the fresh, blustery air. (For the most part I was in my car reading Possession and listening to Tonic on CBC2).

Deb - a while ago you recommended Can You Hear the Nightbird Call, and I bought it (it's high in my TBR, but so many books, so little time!). Did you know that LT's own Cait86 featured Anita Rau Badami at Bellatrista?: http://www.belletrista.com/2011/Issue%2013/features_1.php

OMG, so far behind already that there's no hope of catching up, but hi Deb!

Brrr to a Canadian winter! Never been there, but they look COLD.

We're heading into Spring in Sydney, so I spent yesterday planting a flower garden with Miss Boo (she helped to water and scatter seeds, and made herself scarce for any actual digging as we were digging up part of the lawn and it was pretty back-breaking work; I'm hoping that this will be the site of a future little vegetable garden). I hope our silly cats don't dig up all the seedlings! And I must get some snail bait, last time we planted marigolds the snails got to them all first. Harrumph.

Deb, Touch sounds great! I'll keep my eyes open for a copy. (Oooh, you do get some bodice rippers in the touchstones, don't you!) I've seen Linwood Barclay in the bookshops, didn't realise he was a Canadian.

It's been busy, so I'm very slooooowly reading Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon, but it's a good read. Just what I need when slumped on the sofa with a cup of tea after digging up the garden. :)

Brrr to a Canadian winter! Never been there, but they look COLD. hehe! Depending on where one is in Canada, winter can certainly put hair on the chest!

@125 - actually, Mark, it warmed up and I was able to turn off the furnace and open the windows again. That said, it's cooling off again and raining.... You know what they say - if you don't like the weather - just wait a minute or so... sometimes that can be true. Living right on the Pacific Ocean - about a 1- 2 miles away, we get a lot of different weathers systems that pass through.

@126 - Lucy, good to know that you enjoyed The House on Bitter and Sweet. I'm enjoying it too - but I've just barely made a dent in it so far.

@127 Donna! Great to see you! Yes indeed, do read Touch - it's really excellent. I do enjoy my Scandi mysteries too - I'm sure you will enjoy visiting with Inspector Sejer and his sidekick Skarre. Either way, do enjoy!

@128 - Thanks Nancy for your encouragement re my Kindle. I've daringly debuted it to the kitchen table as I am one to read while I eat my meals - and so far - so good!;) My husband work unusual hours and my son is rarely home for dinner, so it's just me and my delicate dog and the kindle!;)

@129 - Ellen - I so glad that you've got Touch from your library. I hope you really enjoy it!Do let me know what you think of it! Glad to hear that you enjoyed my current read.

@130 and @131 -Joyce, I'm delighted to pass on a bit of info to your daughter. I usually watch the late news - that Michael Kuss is such a cute meteorologist. As far as Can You Hear the Night Bird Call - yes - that was a wonderful read . It was part of UBC 1st year CanLit assigned books that my son's girlfriend read for school , which is how I caught onto to the author. In my frequent travels to the bookstore I saw her new book Tell it To The Trees and I've got it in my hot little hands as I type. But yes, after purchasing the book, I did notice that Bellestria had reviewed the book and had a favourable review of the book! Thanks for that! Oh! and it's Cait86 - I'll have to check out here thread!

@ 132 Ilana - I keep meaning to catch up with you on your thread too! I'll do so soon! I've been reading your thread -but just getting a chance over the past couple of days to make a proper landing!

@133 Tania, actually where I live our winter's are quite moderate, but I'm sure that they are colder than those in Australia - or are you in New Zealand? Smack me now, because I cannot remember for certain. We don't often go below 0 C all winter - and some winters we do get a month of snow -but that's extremely rare - and other winter's - February can be summerlike. It's very variable.

And yes, Tania, finding the right touchstone for Touch is really frustrating! There are so many choices and it takes forever to find the correct one. Enjoy the bodice ripper that you might accidentally land on... ;)

Thanks everyone, for visiting my thread! I am so honoured! I've visited some of your threads already, but I'll be visiting you all again soon!

Brrr to a Canadian winter! Never been there, but they look COLD.

Well, yes, lots of Canada gets very cold in winter, but here in Vancouver, not so much. I've been colder in Bowral, NSW in October (sleeping in 3 layers of clothing plus 5 thin wool blankets and freezing cold! Have you heard of heating buildings?). Along the same lines, I had a friend visit from Sydney in March, and it was 9 C/48 F (pretty typical for that time of year) and she was beside herself how cold it was. It's all perspective, but most North Americans and Europeans think that's pretty usual for late winter and early spring (whatever month it may fall).

I'm in Australia (never actually even visited NZ, shame on me). In Sydney, we have lovely mild winters (and then horrible hot humid summers; expect lots of warm weather whinges from me in Jan/Feb).

Joyce, no, we haven't heard of heating. We're a warm country, remember? :)

In Melbourne (which is further south so colder than Sydney) they're much better at heating their houses. In Sydney, we just add another layer of clothes and whinge about the cold snap, because we know it's never going to get bitterly cold. (I had a friend visiting from Melbourne once and she turned up in a nice shirt and then had to wear her coat throughout dinner because we couldn't work out how to turn on the heater. It was a new house for us, but still...)

I'm in Australia (never actually even visited NZ, shame on me)Nothing to be ashamed of! It's still really far away, and it's not like you can just hop on a bus or train to get there. ;-)

Nickelini, you and Deb are lucky in Vancouver. I have heard wonderful things about the nice mild winters there! I'm a little jealous actually! I'm in Southwestern Ontario and while it's not as bad as other places in Canada, we do get a whopper of a winter sometimes.
Fall is beautiful here though!

Yes, Chelle, I have to agree that we are very lucky to live in the nice climate of Vancouver. Although I know some prefer the snow and the sunshine - I've got Manitoba relatives who say they prefer 4 proper seasons and the cold and sun to Vancouver's many many overcast day who say just they prefer their weather to ours. So - they you go!

Tania - what you do is what they do in Hong Kong . My son has traveled to Hong Kong at least twice - I've lost track -and he tells me that while everyone has air conditioning, they don't have a heating system , and the last time he was there they had a brief cold snap and everyone just bundled up. He said he was freezing for a couple of days :)

Oh wow am I behind on your thread :P So glad to see you did read The Handmaid's Tale! The Hotel on the Corner is buried in mount TBR for me, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts :)

First I'll just mention a bit about my current read - Hotel on Bitter and Sweet which I am finding both an easy read plus really quite interesting. It's a story that takes place both in 1986, and also in 1942. It's very easy to follow, but really quite interesting. It involves the friendship of two 12 year children during 1942 - WW2 - and they live in Seattle. One of the youngsters is of Chinese Descent and the other of Japanese Decent, but both are born in the US. Both are bullied because they are Asian. Then along comes the proclamation from the US government that all Japanese are to be rounded up and taken off to interment camps - or something like we had in Canada - but it's a really interesting perspective as the Asian 12 year olds regard themselves as Americans . I'm only halfway through, but it's prompted me to order the Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang.

I"ve read The Jade Peony and other's by Wayson Chan - but the mix of the Japanese and Chinese experience during World War 2 is something I could know more about, and it interests me. I've also read The Good Man of Nanking : The Diaries of John Rabe - the Diaries of a German man in WW11 who lived in China from? 1915 on -and so when the Japanese/ Chinese war began, John Rabe did not really understand WW22 and bravely flew the Nazi flag in China to save his Chinese compatriots from the Japanese. John Rabe had little communication with Europe at that time, so he really had no idea what Hitler and the Nazi's stood for. Anyway, that along with another book I read - The Promise of Rain - another book that dealt with the Canadian Forces in Japan in WW2 has prompted me to gain a better understanding of the war between Japan and China.

So yes, for a fairly light but thoughtful read - I recommend Hotel on Bitter and Sweet. But wait until I'm finished! ;) just 1/2 way through.

It's amazing how one book leads to another!

@142 Hey great to see you Janice! I do believe I've been visiting your thread lately - thanks for popping up on mine! It's always great to see you! Yes, I did read the Handmaid's Tale and it got a good spanking from me with a rating of 2. 5. ;) I did not like it. Initially I was going to give it a 3 or 3.5 as it was of some interest - but then I found the ending to be so without hope - I sunk it down to 2. 5 day later. I guess dystopian novels are just not my thing and me and Margaret Lawrence simply share a different world view.

But - on the plus side, I did give good old Marg a chance -and I may yet read Alias Grace - but it's not on my immediate list!;)

#143 Great post, Deb. Have you read Snow Falling on Cedars? It is a great story which deals with the history/timeline you are referring to - WWII, Japanese internment camps. Put it on your wishlist if you haven't read it! (I'm not as PC about persuasion - your tactics are much more refined!)

Hi Deb,

I'm waiting for my turn with a library copy of Touch and so I'm glad to see you loved it!

Have you read When the Emperor Was Divine? Or Tallgrass? Both also deal with Japanese internment and are very good (especially the former).

We haven't had to turn on the furnace yet this year, but my husband has put the fireplace on once or twice on some cold mornings. We've had temps in the mid 80s all week and it should continue through the weekend so it's more likely that we'd put the air conditioner back on before the furnace.

Glad to hear you like your kindle! It is kind of nice to have all those books right at your fingertips. I chose to get a nook so I could borrow ebooks from the library but now you can do that with your kindle, too. I love going through my library's website to look for new ebooks and now have quite a large wishlist there, too.

Deb - not really a big fan of Ms Atwood but Alias Grace would be my favourite of hers.
Nancy - Snow Falling on Cedars is a good read and the film was half ok too.
Joanne - Thanks for the tips - these will go on the TBR mountain as the subject matter is a natural for good fiction.

@ 145 I"ve not read Snow Falling on Cedars as yet, but I think if I read another book about Japanese internment camps I would probably read the Canadian - and British Columbian Obasan by Joy Kogawa. I actually know of a few families that were put into camps during WW11 and received settlements from the Canadian government. We have a quite a large Japanese community here where I live - and most of them were here before WW11. I think my interest lies more in why did the Japanese attack the Chinese? I think I can get an idea of that on Wikipedia.

@ 146 - Joanne, I"ve probably answered your question re the Japanese Internment camps -but I'll have a look at both your and Nancy's suggestions.
Joanne, turns out the weather turned sunny and not too bad - so I've actually just had the furnace on one day so far. It's supposed to be sunny today, but a little cooler. Yes, I'm rapidly getting very used to my kindle, I'm happy to say!

@147 Yes, Paul, I'm not an Atwood fan either. I think I may have read Surfacing too, by Marg, as I like to call her. I know that she has many fans and no doubt is talented as a writer - she's just not my type.

Thanks for visiting my thread!

Once I finish reading The Hotel on Bitter and Sweet I'm looking forward to reading my first graphic novel, Stitches which a number of people on LT suggested to me as a good start to graphic novels. That will be a new experience for me - the GN...

>143 vancouverdeb:: I like how one book leads to another, too. I got The Rape of Nanking off the shelf in hopes of reading it for the prime color Sept. TIOLI challenge. Didn't happen. Maybe I'll get it read in October? I want to read it before the new Ha Jin book on the same subject is released on Oct. 18 - Nanjing Requiem

I think it would be fun to do an entire month of reading based on one book following another. I might just try it sometime!

Stitches was my first experience with a graphic novel. I hope you like it. I don't care for that format for the most part. I guess I'm just too much of a word nerd.

LOL, Donna! A Word Nerd! Well, until I"ve read my first graphic novel, I can't say whether I will take to that format or not.I do think it's a type of book that might appeal to people that are not word nerds - reluctant readers of any age - so that's a good thing. And from what I seen, a lot of LT'er have enjoyed graphic novels, so I want to give it a try or two. I'm enjoying my kindle - which I was rather anxious about - but there you are!

I do a lot of reading where one book leads to another!;) I think that's why stay in the 75's rather than confine myself to say - 11 in 11 . I do get off on prize reading tangents too.

I'll have to look into Nanjing Requiem. That's sounds interesting, Donna, thanks!

Hi Deb- Hey, I'm a Word Nerd too! Aren't we all? Try to add Snow Falling on Cedars to your list. It's an excellent read.

Hehe Mark! I"m a word nerd too! ;) As you say, aren't we all, here on LT? Okay, bowing to the pressure - I'll consider adding Snow Falling on Cedars if you all add Touch.

Maybe I'll retitle my thread " Let's Make a Deal." You read this, I'll read that! ;) LOL!

#152 I'll consider adding Snow Falling on Cedars if you all add Touch. Deb, there's that persuasiveness taking hold again! hehe

Hi Deb
Hope you enjoy your new GN! I see a lot of people around LT love them! I tried one a while back and found it wasn't for me, but I guess everyone can't love everything eh!

Love your book deal making skills!!

Hi Deb
I'm simply stopping by to wave hi and check the books you've read.

Hi Deb. OMG, I can't keep up. Couple of things, though: it's been several years, but my memory is that Snow Falling On Cedars was a wonderful, marvelous read. When we were in New Denver, BC, in August, we went to a museum dedicated to the Japanese who were interned in the area. It was so moving and so heart-wrenching.
From my perspective, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is less outstanding as literature, but still a story that needs telling. Both are worthwhile reads.

@ Nancy - you know me all too well!

@Chelle- yes, I am looking very forward to my first graphic read! Ha! Yes, I am not bad at making book reading deals!;)

@Linda - thanks for stopping by!

@Ellen - yes, I agree that Snow Falling on Cedars would definitely be the more literary read. One of the reasons that I chose Hotel on Bitter and Sweet is because I felt it would be a relatively straight forward read - and it's my first full book read on my kindle!

I very much enjoyed Hotel on Bitter the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. I'll say more later, but I gave it 4 stars. It's a very engaging and interesting read.

I will start my first graphic novel later today -

Stitches . It's a memoir and has been much recommended to me. So - here goes my first venture into a graphic novel.. wish me luck!:)

Deb, I'm thrilled you enjoyed your first Kindle book! Well done! Awesome that you are stepping into the graphic novel experience. Something I have yet to do - will be anticipating your remarks.

Good luck with your first graphic novel. I'll be interested to hear how you like it. My first gn was also a sort of memoir, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, and I loved it.

Hi Deb, glad to see your first venture into Kindle-reading is going well. It didn't take me long to love my Kindle as well.

Now you are venturing into graphic novels - good for you. I think you have chosen a really good one for your first, I am looking forward to reading both how you are taking to graphics in general and your thoughts on Stitches in specific. I read my first graphic earlier this year and was hooked immediately.

Thanks for visiting my thread. I really loved Stitches by David small and gave it 4 stars. It's the the memoir of a young boy, growing up in an abusive family . He gets cancer in his early teens, and loses his vocal cords. The fear that he feels from both living in abusive family - and then losing his vocal cords is amazing well portrayed through his drawings in the graphic novel. Ultimately it's a redemptive story, but it's very moving.

I was amazed at how much can be told through illustrations and so few words. I had read up on the author too - and he mentioned that Stitches was cathartic for him to write and illustrate this memoir . I found it to an gripping and emotional read.

I really recommended it to anyone with an interest in Graphic novels. I'll be on the look out for more graphic novels. It's really true that sometimes a picture can tell a thousand words.

@ Nancy - yes I both very much enjoyed my graphic read -and I'm loving my new Kindle, which is not to say that I don't still love good old fashioned books too! Don't hesitate to try a graphic novel - especially Stitches. I'll certainly be looking for others!

@ Ellen - yes indeed, I loved my graphic novel -and I'll take your advice and keep a look out for Fun Home. That sounds right up my alley.

@Judy - thanks for your encouragement re the kindle and the Graphic Novel! I'm glad to hear that you enjoy them too.

Thanks everyone for visiting my thread. I just had a very busy day yesterday -and it looks like today might be busy too.

I'll get over to your threads soon -and also write a bit more about The Hotel on Bitter and Sweet a little later .

I've about 30 pages into Tell it To the Trees by Anita Rau Badami and I'm really pulled into the gripping and well told story. I had read one of her previous books, Can You Hear the Nightbird Call so when I noticed that she had a new book out , I picked it up right away.



It's a fascinating tale so far.

Deb, delighted you enjoyed Stitches; thanks for both the comments and the encouragement. Tell It to Trees is on my wishlist, along with Tamarind Mem by the same author. Great you are enjoying so far.

Hi Deb! I loved your review of Touch. I need to look for that one. I've had Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet in my pile for a long time, too. Hope you're having a great weekend!

I've just put Stitches on hold at my local library, Deb. I'm looking forward to it!

Well, I created a short review for Stitches here - http://www.librarything.com/work/8354417/reviews/78578348. At least I think that is where it is.

Anne, I'm glad if my review of Touch - I really loved the story!

Ellen, I hope you enjoy Stitches as much as I did.

Oh , Nancy, got you out of order! Tell it to The Trees is wonderful - and I'm going to have to get Tamarind Mem on my wishlist too. Don't forget about Can You Hear The Nightbird Call by the same author. It's was required reading for my son's girlfriend in her CanLit course in 1st year at UBC, which is how I came to be aware of Anita Rau Badami. The book is really not that political at all, nor is it so much about the Air India bombing, it's much more about settling into Vancouver in the 1930's for those from India, and it does help explain the schism that developed in Canada / Vancouver as far as the small faction of Sikh extremists came about, and were largely rejected by the larger group of Sikhs who were delighted to settle in Canada. I found it to be a great read.

#124: hi Deb, looking forward to your thoughts on Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I like war-love-stories - although many are bitter-sweet, this one I guess is no exception....no surprise there...

Thumb for review of Stitches, Deb. Thanks for that : ).

Deb,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for recommending Touch by Alexi Zentner. I LOVED this novel!!! I gave it an enthusiastic 4.5 stars. Wow.

Ohh @172 - Ellen! I'm so EXCITED that you have read Touch - and I'm so glad that you loved it. Somehow I don't think I able to portray what a wonderful , beautiful magical story that it was. I'm so glad that you took a chance with it! I really think it should get Canada's Giller Prize. Thanks Ellen! I'll look for your review!

@171 - Nancy - thanks so much for the thumb on my review of Stitches. I did really enjoy it! I hope you will too!

@170 - Carsten - I did write up a little mini review of my thoughts on The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet on your thread. I really think you - and many people would enjoy this lovely story. Maybe later I'll try to write a proper review.

Hi Deb- I started the behemoth known as A Dance With Dragons. It is great to return to these beloved characters but does it have to be for nearly a 1,000 pages. Whew!
Hope you are enjoying your day.

@175 - Wow Mark! I looked and A Dance with Dragons is 1000 pages or so! That really is behemoth of a book!

Hi Deb, you've been doing some good reading here. I'll and you've got me interested in Touch which I will add to my teetering tower.

Here is my review of Tell it To the Trees by Anita Rau Badami. It's on the main review page as well.

Tell it to the Trees is the disturbing and compelling story of domestic violence and psychological abuse within a family.

It is winter as the story opens and Anu, a single woman who has been renting the " back house " from the Dharma family for several months, is found frozen to death close to the front door of the Dharma home.

The Dharma family is composed of five secretive and troubled people: family matriarch Akka, father Vickram,his second wife, Suman,Suman's young stepdaughter Varsha, who lost her mother very early in life , and five year old son Hemant. They live in a small town in northern BC.

Anu, who arrived several months earlier,has been witness to the screams and cries from the Dharma home .She has also noted the bruises and black eyes on more than one of the members of the Dharma household. Anu decides to do what she can to better the life of Dharma family, particularly for Suman and her young son, Hemant.

Narration takes place from many viewpoints and we get a glimpse into the frightened and damaged people that make up the Dharma family, as well as Anu's thoughts.

Tell it to the Trees is a haunting, tense tale that grabs you from the start and never lets you go.

4.5 stars.

Morning Deb- Great review of Tell it To the Trees. Sounds very dark. I have not heard of this one before.

@179 Thanks Mark! It was a fabulous and all too real story! I loved it!

@ 177 Bonnie, thanks so much for visiting my thread. Yes, I've seem to have been reading like crazy. I never dreamt that I would get this close to 75 books this year - I really had no idea but the closer I get to my goal -the more I want to read !

Deb - yikes yet another for the TBR lists - you are on a recommendation roll if there is such a thing.

Great review, Deb. Sounds so enticing: we get a glimpse into the frightened and damaged people that make up the Dharma family. Tell It to the Trees has been moved up the list!

Hi Deb. Great review. Not sure if it's one I would want to read but I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Hello Deb - thank you for your enthusiastic recommendations - they are proving irresistible! Tell it to the trees is going on the WL..

Deb, good on you, Miss HOT Review!

@181 , @182, 183, 184 - Thanks for your kind words - I'm telling you it's a fabulous read and so well done!Chelle, depending on your tastes, yes it's fairly dark, but not that dark. The thinking of one of the abused is really enthralling. I don't want to say to much so as not to spoil all of the book. I think Tell it to the Trees is well worth the read. It's unique in that we are able to see how perhaps an abused child turns into an abusive adult. One reads about that idea in psychology books -but Anita Rau Badami gets right inside the mind of a one of the abused and we see how that person becomes abusive in trying to defend him/ herself against the family abuse.

It really a gripping read! I really recommend it highly!

@185 hey, HOT_lit _chick - right back at you! :)

Had to change books plans due to receiving an early review book in the mail .

I'll try to pay a visit to your threads a little later! :)

Hi Deb- It sounds like you are on a killer book roll, over here! I'm impressed.

Oh- Change in book reading plans. I received an early reviewer copy of a book today, so I'll get reading that book right away

It sounds really promising - the memoirs of a daughter who looks after her mom, who is in the early stages of Alzeheimers. It promises to be a humourous and touching book- so I'll start on it right away!

Remembering the Music, Forgetting the Words by Kate Whouley

Tell it to the Trees sounds compelling! I love novels set in our part of the world. :-)

Early Reviewers book sounds promising, Deb. Will be following along, of course : ).

@189 Mark - yes, somehow I seem to be on a book roll!

@191 Ellen! I really loved and enjoyed Tell it to the Trees. It truly a well told and insightful tale. It takes place in British Columbia in a non existent town called Merritsville. While reading it, I picture the story taking place somewhere further north and fairly isolated. Maybe Terrace, or 100 Mile House. Or ,even more likely - Stewart BC. But I'm sure that there are no end of small towns in BC. This one was a mining town. I really enjoy good book by a Canadian author.

@192 Thanks Nancy. Yes, I think Remembering the Music looks to be very promising. I got busy with other matters tonight, so I've just read about 30 pages. Thanks for following along!

Deb, I went looking for Tell It to the Trees today. Thought I'd download it to the iPad, but it's too pricey for my tastes. So I've reserved it at my library, but I'm 26 or 27 in line. Obviously, it is picking up steam! So, thanks for the "persuasion," hehe.

Hi everyone - still reading Remembering the Music and I'm about 1/2 through . For once I'm going to wait til the end until I start making comments.

I think I've visited most of your threads.

Two days in a row now my community mailbox has been left unlocked! I've spent quite a bit of time on the phone with Canada Post yesterday and today. I hope they can solve the problem and quickly! It leaves all of the mail of 33 households open to theft. Kind of ticks me off that it happened two days in a row. Maybe a problem with the lock on the door of the panels of the boxes. Both days I've rec'd parcels - so it does not appear to be theft. If you don't live in Canada, community mail boxes are located in both urban, and suburban areas , and some of us get door to door mail delivery, but places that are less than say??? 20 something years old usually have a community mailbox a short distance from your home.

Sigh. Complaint over!:)

@194! Nancy, that so exciting that Tell it to the Trees is picking up it steam!! I really think it's great story and so well told. Wow! I'll have to check if they have a line at my library. I've been waiting for Family Fang for several months now! I know what you mean - sometimes an ebook can be gotten at a very good price, but if it's new and it's selling I think the price for the ebook can be quite high.

Community mailboxes? *sigh* We still get our mail delivered to a box about 1 kilometer up the road (shared with a neighbour). But all the other houses on our country lane have it delivered to their houses....

@197 - yes, community mailboxes. I don't mind too much. Ours is a very short walk and our weather is never that bad. I do know that some people in the snowy areas of Canada - ie one of my brother's and SIL - do not bother going to their community mailbox everyday because they feel it's too much bother in the snow. Me - I get my share of second hand books and other such goodies via the mail -so I am mailbox regular!;) I'm personally keeping Canada Post in business, I think!;)

#195: If you are waiting for a book you must be one frustrated reader-in-spe.

...aaaaaaaannnnnd that's the beauty of the Kindle. Instant delivery :)

Hi Deb
That sucks about your mailbox! When I was at home with my parents their house was in a neighbourhood that used community mailboxes. I didn't mind it but it was a pain in bad weather as their's was all the way around the block from their house.

When I bought my house it's in an older neighbourhood and we get our mail delivered to the door. But if I'm not home then they take any packages to the local canada post and I have to wait until the next day to pick it up :(

Hi Deb! I could only skim your thread since I've last been here and there about new 100 messages to catch up on. :/
Although I did take a closer look at the books you've been reading to make sure I didn't miss any gems. I am especially interested Tell it to the Trees and will be adding that to my wishlist. You've done some great reading and here's to the rest of the year being the same, if not even better! :)

@199 - Hi Carsten! Yes indeed - the beauty of the kindle - instant delivery! Surprisingly -sort of, though the mail box has been wide open two days in a row , I've received a book in my mailbox both on Monday and Tuesday!!!! I am not sure what is going with the mailbox, though yesterday they told me that they were sending out an emergency team to look at it and the locks etc. I've yet to get to the mailbox today - I'll do that shortly. There was message on my answering maching from the Post Office re " the ongoing investigation" and that I could call them directly - so I'm not sure what that means. Have they fixed the problem or what is up. I'll call them a little later.

@200 - Yes, at least the post person can usually use the mailbox to leave parcels. Chelle, I for me it's not much of a distance. Anyway, I hope today the mailbox panels will be closed and locked!!!!!

@Hi Valerie! Thanks for visiting!! I really thought Tell it To the Trees was well done - I hope that you enjoy it! Thanks - I hope I can fit those final 10 books in and meet my goal.

I've finished off Remembering the Music by Kate Whouley - now you'll have to give me a little time to come up with a review. It was a interesting memoir of woman struggling with her mom, who develops Alzheimer's relatively early in life. I have to think on that book for bit before I create the review.

Let's just say I need something light and fun after several kind of dark reads. I enjoy them -but every now and then I need a palate cleanser!;)

Deb, time for some more Scandi suspense! It's hard, for me at least, to read about Alzheimer's. I read Still Alice last year, and I still think about it - tough subject. Will anticipate your review.

Hi Deb- Yes, that sucks about your unsecure mailboxes. I hope they get it fixed pronto. We can't have you missing any books. Oh, the horror!

Okay- I've got my Early Reviewers review done for Remembering the Music by Kate Whouley.

"Remembering the Music, Forgetting the Words " is a quick and accessible memoir of a daughter's struggle to cope with her mother's battle with Alzheimer's.There is a fair bit of information on Alzheimer's Disease and how to understand and cope with it, which was most helpful .

The strongest, most honest passage in the memoir was this , from page 126, "I am not caring for my mother because we are in close enviable harmony. No. In choosing to now care for my mother, I am choosing to to do what I hope a kind hearted person might one day do for me."

Like many of us, author Kate Whouley has had a complex, less than positive relationship with her parent. I appreciated Kate's brutal honesty as something I can take away for myself when dealing with older relatives in my life.

My one caveat: I found the portions of the book devoted to author Kate Whouley's life to be quite dry and uninteresting.

3 stars

I'll be back later to say hi to all of you who have so kindly visited my thread - just have to have supper yet -and walk that dog!;)

Nice review of Remembering the Music, Deb! I avoid literature about Alzheimer's, I live in too much dread of having to deal with it in my parents as it is! (They both still have all their marbles, although obviously aging in other ways.)

@204 Nancy, I wish I had read Still Alice so as to be able to make a comparison. Now that will have to go on a far off wishlist . Nancy, I enjoy a dark reads , and and memoirs and as you know , my Scandi Mystery reads, but at this time I'm looking for some read humour, so I bought Extreme Vinyl Cafe for my kindle!

@205 Yes, Mark, it's just crazy that the community mailboxes have been open two days in row!!! Thankfully today they were locked... I guess the three calls I made to Canada Post paid off. I think it must have been a problem with the locks as I can't imagine that the post person could forget to lock the great big main panels two days in a row. In happy news on that front - both days I got my parcels and mail safe and sound. Yes, how outraged I would be with Canada Post should book go missing! Perish the thought!

@208 Thanks for your kind words, Tania re my review. I found it kind of interesting reading about Alzheimer's. Never mind my mom losing her marbles, I was beginning to tick off possible symptoms in myself!;)

So, here is my current read, a book of short humourous stories by a well known Canadian author
Extreme Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean.

Very nice review of Remembering the Music, Deb. Oh, I'm sure you will enjoy Extreme Vinyl Cafe : ).

Dropping by.... one thing I do not miss is dealing with a city post office to mail packages. I love our little P.O. and the people who work there, so it is fun to go and mail things. (We have a P.O. box there).

Thank you for your review of Remembering the Music Deb. I don't personally know anyone who has struggled with the disease but just from the books and movies I've seen, it looks like an extremely difficult and painful journey to lose not the physical person, but what makes them who they are.

#210: I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Extreme Vinyl Cafe, Deb. It better be a funny review :)

#214 - But no pressure, Deb.

I hope that Extreme Vinyl Cafe is providing some needed light relief after your previous reads on rather dark subjects - thanks for all the reviews.

I think you have really earned something 'lighter' - hope that Extreme Vinyl Cafe is fitting the bill!

Thanks everyone, for visiting my thread! I had typed out a personal response to each of you - and then somehow I bumped the computer and boom - it was all gone! I have to go for the moment, but I'll be back in a bit to reply to all my wonderful visitors! Sorry I bumped the computer and lost my response. I'll be back. Sorry about that!!!!

78 posts behind here and more threads to catch up on that is possible tonight, so will just say hello for now Deborah. Your thread is a happenin' place! Took note of your latest reading; sounds interesting. I believe Stitches is already on my WL. If not, it definitely will be.

eta: just checked and yes it's there. Ever since we had a graphic novel challenge on TIOLI where quite a few people were reading it.

Okay! I'll try again, and let's hope this time I don't bump my computer as I type!

@211 Nancy, thanks for your kind words re my review -and yes indeed, I'm enjoying Extreme Vinyl Cafe . I had read all of his previous books -but this is one I had not gotten to read as yet and it's very funny!

@212 Actually, Lucy, in Canada they have privatized the post office outlets - so they are found in drugstores and convenience stores, so it's not too bad to go into a post office here, most of the time! :) It still gets busy though, depending on the time of day.

@ 213 Hi Valerie! Thanks for dropping by and your kind words re my review. I've not had personal dealings with someone young with Alzheimers, just my one of my great grandma's when I was young -and then my own grandma developed dementia in here early 90's. She did not know anyone except for my dad, her only child, for the last few years. I had always been close to my grandma, but I was okay when she did not know me , or thought I was my mom. She had a lovely care facility and we visited her frequently - most especially my dad. I never minded going to visit her and help feed her, or sit and read to her, or thumb through old photographs with her - which sometimes jogged her memories. I think she just knew we were with her , even if she had lost her ability to speak most of the time. She did live until 96, and I felt okay that she sensed that she was loved. We would sometimes just sit and hold hands , and I think whether she could express it or not, she felt loved.

@214 Carsten, Extreme Vinyl Cafe is really funny so far! I'm loving it! I might be too lazy to do a review of the book - but thanks for asking!;)

@215 Yes, Joyce, you guessed it, I've written up quite a few reviews lately and I'm ready to just read book! I'll come and visit your soon in Club Read.

@216 Oh thanks Genny, for your kind words. Yes indeed, I did need something very light right now. I'd read a book about domestic abuse, another book filled with tragedies and love - and then this last book on Alzhiemers'. I had The Siege by Helen Dunmore - a book about Lenigrad in WW2 or Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. I decided to opt for something fun.

@217 - Prue, indeed, Extreme Vinyl Cafe is providing the light read that I was looking for. The current short story involves some elementary aged kids who hear that their beloved janitor is going to be " cut" and they take that literally - so you can imagine where that is going!

@219 - Hi Ilana. Thanks so much for visiting! Stitches, though somewhat dark - was a really interesting graphic read and I just inhaled it. I had read the back of the book before reading the memoir, and the author described the graphic memoir as being cathartic and healing for him and he is now in a good place in his life, so that made it less of dark read. I am so amazed at how much can be portrayed by well drawn graphics.

Thanks for visiting everyone! I'll try to get to your threads individuallly a little later!

and yes indeed, I'm enjoying Extreme Vinyl Cafe . I had read all of his previous books -but this is one I had not gotten to read as yet and it's very funny!

Really? Wow, aren't there a lot of them? I haven't read any, although I own some. I just can't seem to get to them for some reason. Maybe because I can just listen to him on the radio? Just hearing his voice now makes me laugh--really, he could be reading the phone book and I'd probably laugh. Are the stories in the books the Morley and Dave stories we hear on the radio, or something else? I must pull out one of these soon . . . I know it'll be a good read.

Do you listen to him on Saturday mornings? My kids and I have such great memories of some of his stories . . . "remember the time we were driving through Queen Elizabeth Park on the way to the dentist, and he was telling that story about the kid getting his first French kiss?"

edited to add: my 14 year old ("really, Mom, I'm 15!" "not until December 31st") daughter came home from school and told me about the conversation she had with one of her friends "your mom listens to CBC too?" "Isn't it boring!!" "Except Vinyl Cafe" "Yeah, Vinyl Cafe is pretty funny"

221 - Yes, indeed, Joyce, I've read and I think own all of Stuart Mclean Vinyl Cafe books. I began reading the first one when it first came out back in 1995 and it's still in great shape on my shelves -along with the others. I've found so many people enjoy them - my dad , my mom , my husband - nearly everyone that I've lent them out too.

I confess, I rarely listen to the radio. If I'm driving in my car, then yes - but only to music. I'm not sure why I am not keen on the radio. I've read a few books on learning styles and I think I am a visual learner -and one of my sons I think I could identify as much more of an auditory learner. He was an avid reader, but he also loved to listen to books on tape from the time he was three til he was in early high school. My other son had zero interest in books on tape -but I'll never forget him announcing to me in kindergarten that he planned to read all the way through his children's bible - and he did!

I so enjoyed my kids now -and as young children. Boy , I did have a lot of fun with them. I remember my youngest, William , playing monopoly ' against" himself . It makes me cry with laughter . And I was an enthused Hungry Hippo player - worse than my kids! And if you think I would lose a game to them because they were younger... well - sometimes I did. But not often. Kids are fun!!! :) Even when they are teens and now young adults. They crack me up.

My parents - especially my mom - was one of those sorts that had to listen to talk radio all the time . Drove me nuts in the background all day long!!

Deb when I was in UK I used to like the radio fairly late in the day especially as a companion in my student days when the luxuries of TV were out of our reach. a sensible mix of speaking with good music can be very soothing but you are right talk radio does becoming annoying fairly quickly.

Deb -- that's why I like CBC2--hardly any talking and no ads (and when they do say something, it's usually intelligent). When they talk to much, off it goes.

Your curly hair dilemma over on Nancy's thread gave me a chuckle. What you call your cross, I call my thorn of envy. :)

Yikes, way behind. Just checking in to say hi. Extreme Vinyl Cafe sounds interesting..... Oh boy, checking others' threads is dangerous to the bank account and/or the exploding library hold list..... :-)

@ 233 Paul, I'm glad that you enjoyed your mix of music and talk. BTW - we are called Vancouverites - not Vancouverans, but I forgive you. I mean, really , how could you know? Vancouverans' does sound kind of cool.

@224 - Joyce, where is CBC2 on the dial? And I'm guessing that it's FM of course?

@225 - Valerie - you set me thinking hard about my curly hair dilemma -and I came up with this BRILLIANT IDEA.......

I should write some dystopian speculative fiction in the manner of Margaret Atwood about a world where everybody has curly hair, spends eons trying to straighten it every day - puts product in hair, does the blowout, and uses a straightening iron and then after all that -they walk out into the damp - and zing - the straightened hair poofs into a bunch of curly mops.

And then those people have to wear sacks over their heads with small openings for their eyes because curly hair is not acceptable in this dytopian world. Let's go one better................. a holocaust type scenario where those with curly hair are sought out and put into " camps". Straight haired people dare to hide curly haired people from the enemy. Oh yeah - I've got a blockbuster of literature on my hands now.......

Curly haired pets are banned. Yes, the wood is really burning today in my brain.

Margaret Atwood - who I note - does not even attempt to disguise her curly hair - look out - Vancouerdeb is on her way! ;)

See Margie - that's all it takes to write one of your books...

@226 - Hi Ellen! Yes, I've been having a lot of laughs from Extreme Vinyl Cafe, thank you! Indeed, checking out other peoples threads is dangerous - maybe even more dangerous that actually stepping into a book store - so many great books and ideas! I know I got one from Smiler69 - Ilana's thread today......A book by Muriel Spark - but not one that I have.

You've got next year's Giller in the bag, Deb! Start writing!

I also want to know where CBC2 is on the dial (love that you use the same expression as I do, Deb even though radios have not had dials for years, hehe); not sure if the call # would be the same here in the Okanagan, but do post and let us know, please Joyce.

You can dial up (ha ha! I didn't even notice that) CBC2 at 105.7 in Vancouver, and 89.7 in Kelowna (and for anyone in Victoria, it's 92.1). Yes, FM (this is real music, after all). You can also listen on your computer: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/

I don't like a lot of what they play on the weekends (except the mornings), so if you tune in this weekend, don't judge by that. If you listen on your computer, you can listen to what's on the radio on any time zone in Canada (I often start listening to Tonic when it comes on in Atlantic Canada, which is late afternoon here, and then I keep refreshing until it's over here at 10 PM. Yes, I'm listening to the same program several times over, but I just walk past the computer now and again, so I rarely hear the same part twice. Sounds strange now that I write it down.)

Or you can pick Classical, Jazz, Canadian composers, or Canadian songwriters, and get no-stop, no-talk music. I use those for background music a lot.

Exactly Nancy, I've got next years Giller in the bag!!! That wasn't hard

Nancy, I've got a fun retro radio with a dial - so I jest not! Though we do have a more convential machine with a call number!

@231 - Thanks Joyce for that info for the number on the dial!

Must run to write my errr - pastiche/ ouvre. Actually I must go shopping.

No offence to anyone with curly hair -mine just drives me crazy. My sisters' have been whispering " Grandma " into my ear since we were in our twenties, bless their straight haired hearts.

PS - with the Giller I plan to write - I plan to use speculative, dystopian grammer and spelling just as I do here. ;)

Thanks, Joyce! The computer has a new favourite, and the car has a new FM station in memory : ).

Deb, there's no sense writing a book if you can't use dystopian grammar and spelling - where would be the fun?

Deb - thanks for the info on the proper name for Vancouverites - mine was more science fiction wasn't it?
If your looking for a publisher for your intended Giller winner "The Poodle and the Bad Vancouver Hair Day" I'm sure we have the requisite resources on LT to help.
All the talk of radio stations is interesting will try to listen up to Joyce's suggestion as the stations here Suck.
Nancy I'm glad you didnt have a coffee choker when Deb announced her intention to sweep Canada's literary prizes.

Paul - are you really in Kaula Lampur? How exotic! I think the internet links I gave above should work for you. If you want some publicly funded Canadian talk radio, go over to CBC1. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's a snore.

Oh boy, now in addition to books with which I can't keep up, I've got a new radio station to listen to! I am so very glad to have a job, but I wish I had more free time, too.....

@223 Exactly, Nancy, what would be the fun if you can't use dystopian grammar and spelling? In fact, I may go post modern with my proposed literary ouevre and forgo all punctuation, grammar and spelling of words. Why stop at simply leaving out quotation marks for speech? That's so pedestrian, so overdone!!!

Oh I'm feeling so highbrow! ;)

I think my nose might be growing a little longer, metaphorically speaking.....

234 Why, thank you Paul, for offering to be my agent. I knew the publishing houses would knocking down my door with the announcement of my proposed novel, but since your such a kind friend, I will allow you to be my agent. That title you've mentioned will never do!! Really, Paul! Such tripe. Let me think on it.

@235 - I can vouch for Paul living in Kaula Lumpur, Joyce. Thanks for the info on the radio stations. One thing is sure, it's never a snore on my thread... unlike CBC1

@236 - Thanks Ellen for visiting and putting up with my nonsense. I have a overgrown sense of humour! You know what they say - growing old is inevitable but maturity is optional.

But - the novel is real . I plan to win the Giller next year! ;)

#238 Really, Paul! Such tripe. Let me think on it.
Well, then, can't wait to hear the title of your novel, Deb. I agree the quotation-mark-less format is pedestrian, overdone all ready. Go for broke. (I'm not drinking coffee because it's very late here, but I am laughing silly).

#239 Nancy, I'm going to have to ponder on the name of my novel.. it may take a while for the a catchy title to come to me, but I am sure that it will!;) Just give a little time. Imagine winning the Giller simply for pondering the difficulties of my hair. When I was in my teens , I tried to grow my hair long -and only grow so long - and then it grew outwards at the bottom and one my friends called me "pyramid head" because of the shape of my hair. I've always had a good sense of humour and that did not bother me, but I cut my hair.

Thus I propose

The Pyramid's Tale as a working title for my novel. Catchy? :)

Now, less about me and more about books.

I popped into my local bookstore and after looking at a number of books I picked up

Two Generals by Scott Chantler. It's a graphic novel that based on the memoirs of a fellow who fought in World War Two as part of Canada's Highland Infantry. I'm only on page 43, but once again I am amazed at much can be gotten across from both words and pictures in graphic novels.

Joyce will send some snaps of the city!
Deb it is often the case that the poor agents ideas get short shrift but for a decent commission I'll be fine with coping with my new clients bout of temperament!

@242 Great, Paul, I'm sure that you will enjoy Joyce's snaps.

I've loaded up an old picture of me with my very curly hair when I was younger, as well as picture of Daisy the Dog, and also a recent picture of my husband, Dave. Its on my profile page.

Bouts of temperament? Me? I will pay you handsomely in Canadian Dollars.

Deb - honoured indeed!

I love the old pic with the curly hair!

@243 Honoured by what, Paul? Being my agent, or the pictures that I loaded up. By the way, I very much enjoy looking at your pictures. What a lovely family you have. I'll have to dig up some pix of my sons. As they get older - it's more difficult to get them to pose for the camera.

@245 Thanks so much for visiting , Genny! See what I'm up against with my curly hair?

I'll try to visit you all later today.

Deb comments were about my undeserved agent status as it was before I had the pleasure of viewing your photos. You are every bit as fortunate as me by the look of your family all well endowed in the looks department- your dog looked extremely comfortable also!

Deb, LOVE your new profile pics! "The Pyramid's Tale" is a perfect working title for your new dystopian novel! Very much enjoyed your comments on Two Generals; you've "persuaded" me that I must venture into the world of graphic novels.

Hi Deb, just stopped by to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

All this talk of curly hair makes me remember when my wavy hair was the bane of my existence. Growing up in the sixties, we all wanted super straight "surfer' girl hair. Solution .. we ironed our hair. I remember many times leaning over my mother's ironing board, iron steaming away, a towel between the iron and my hair!

Hi Deb!
Just popping in to wish you a great Thanksgiving weekend! :)

Great photos! Thanks for sharing them. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

@ Paul - thanks for your kind words. How did you get the information on your photo's? One of my photo's includes my younger son's girlfriend ,and that picture of them was taken in Hong Kong. They've been dating for 3 1/2 years, so I consider here as family. The other small family grouping includes my mom, who is just 69, but lost my dad / her husband to cancer just 4 years ago. We take her out for dinner every now and then.

And - now you see how curly my hair actually is!

@248 Nancy, glad you like my new working title for my novel. "Going Forward" that may change. Don't you love that silly phrase - going forward? So overused. As for the Two Generals by Scott Chantler, I very much enjoyed it. They had Maus which looked very interesting,but of course I prefered the Canadain Tale. While not as perfect as Stitches, it's an interesting story. My grandma served as an officer during WW11, in the trenches, and he was in Italy and I know not where else during the War. I think though the characters were not that well rounded nonetheless it helped me understand what it might have been to be right in the War. This story involved the Invasion of Normandy. It included some interesting details of an ordinary soldiers life. Somehow the Two General's reminded me of my grandpa. My other grandpa also fought in WW11, but he passed away of a stroke in his early 40's so I never knew him. I'm pretty sure that ' Maus can be had at my library so I'll look for that. Some of those graphic novels are very pricey!

@249 Judy - Happy Thanksgiving to you too! So you too know the rigors of wavy hair!!! Wow, you were brave to have your mom iron your hair, and much faster on the ball than I was in managing your waves!

@ 250Chelle, thanks for popping by - and do have a wonderful Happy Thanksgiving!

@251 Anne, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanks for your kind words about the photos.

Well, I'm still reading Extreme Vinyl Cafe and very much enjoying it. Perhaps the humour in it touched off my bout of silliness.Stuart McLean really is a Canadian Jewel!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! As usual, I'll try to get around to your threads - but with the Thanksgiving weekend, we have a dinner or two on the menu.

Hello Deb - you never fail to crack me up! Happy Thanksgiving! I love your curly hair - very Flashdance! May I say you look every bit as lovely as you seem to be from your postings..

Hi Deb, great info on the graphic novels you've explored. Particularly enjoyed your comments re Maus and Two Generals. Loved Prue's remark that your curly hair is very Flashdance, hehe. We are dating ourselves, ladies, and it's great!!

Flashdance? What is this thing that you speak of, you elderly folk?;)

(psst--Deb, no one under 35 uses the word "folk"--you've been caught!)

shhhhh Joyce.... you never miss a trick, do you! :) Cough cough, I was merely trying to communicate with the older folks.....it's not like I'm over 36 or anything like that.. shhhh...

Ah, I see. You're so tricky.

Hi Deb!
I hunted you down to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Alas! All kinds of new blue words over here!

Love the pictures in your gallery - even the curly hair!
Don't know who is more cute... you or Daisy? lol In your own ways, of course.

I'm finally starting to lose some of my curls. I used to iron my hair, roll it up at night on large orange juice cans, etc. Never could get it to grow long either.

Have a great weekend!

Stuart McLean on your kindle! I am very jealous!! I did manage to grab a couple of his newer books at second hand shops, but I may have to splurge and get the extreme one on kindle :P

And thank you for the review of Two Generals, for some reason it didn't click that this was a Canadian tale, I may have to keep an eye out for it now!

I also have Snow falling on Cedars buried in mount TBR (possible winter reading?) so I was happy to see it getting such wonderful endorsements here.

Sorry you didn't like The Handmaid's Tale, I know it is not for everyone. One of my friends who is in Ethnography and studies Feminism actually didn't even really start the book when I lent it to her :P So not for everyone I guess lol.

Enjoy your Stuart MClean! I have an autographed CD of his (I saw him perform when he came to town!) that I am slowly listening to in bits and pieces. I should put that on tonight! :)

Ah yes, so tricky, Deb : ).

ps- You may have just motivated me to try to put pictures in my thread.... :P

Happy Thanksgiving Deb!

I'm off to go check out this curly hair pic. :)

Deb - the repartee between you ladies is great stuff - I wont interject too much but am impressed by Joyce's detectve skills - she got you bang to rights and on the use of language on a librarythng thread by the next Giller winner!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Deb!

I loved your pics! Daisy is adorable. You hair doesn't look all that curly to me. (Said the woman who lives in a dry climate and straightens her hair with the blow dryer every morning. I look like a different person in humid climates. And not in a good way.)

@ 259 - Joyce, yes I'm so tricky and stealthy :) I'm sure I've got everyone fooled!!! LOL!

@260 Claudia, thanks so much for seeking out my thread! I so appreciate all of the visitors to my thread. Heavens, I think Daisy the Dog is far more better looking than me. It's so wonderful to find out that I'm not the only one that suffers with curls. I've never tried the orange juice can trick. Hmmmm.

@261 Janice, my kindle copy of Extreme Vinyl Cafe was not cheap, but I was in need of some nice light fun reading and Extreme Vinyl Cafe has really hit the spot. Oh I so envy your autographed CD by Stuart McLean!! Wow. You had a chance to see him in real life about a year ago, didn't you? I think I remember that. Thanks for understanding my inability to appreciate dystopian lit. I totally get that it's one of your favourite genres. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

@262 Nancy - oh yes, you've got my number all right....;)

@ 263 Janice - your thread looks fab with the new book graphics on your thread.

@264 Happy Thanksgiving, Valerie! Enjoy that gorgeous straight hair of yours. :)

@265 Thanks for dropping by Paul. I'm glad that you and Joyce have "met." I think you both have a love of travel in common. I serve merely as Tourism Vancouver...

@ 266 Hi Joanne. My hair does not look that curly to you? hmmmm.... well, it could be even curlier yes, and then maybe it would be more controllable -but I don't know. It seems like a lot of us - including you - struggle with our curly hair. I'm feeling less alone!

I'm still reading Extreme Vinyl Cafe, but after reading the graphic novel, Two Generals by Scott Chantler, I could no longer put off reading All Quiet On the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. I'm about 70 pages in. What an a thoughtful , intelligent and heartbreaking look at War, told by a German man. It's been on my TBR pile for far to long. Amazing how one book leads to another.



With it being the Thanksgiving Weekend, I may not be on LT much tomorrow.

Deb, so glad you are reading All Quiet on the Western Front. It is so beautiful and so powerful - I wept at one point. Was a five star read for me; hope you will enjoy as much.

Hi Deb, I'm returning your visit to my thread! I bought Touch on your recommendation, and look forward to reading it. I bought a bunch of the other Giller nominated books too - hopefully I can read them this fall!

Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy All Quiet on the Western Front, a fantastic book.

Five stars for sure. The best novel on war I've ever read - from the foot soldiers perspective - I was so sad but it all rang so true.

3 days and 54 posts behind. How does that happen exactly? You sure are one popular lady Deb! I've had All Quiet On the Western Front on my wishlist for a very long time and it's a sure bet I'll get to it eventually soon, especially as it's such a slim tome, though jam-packed with incredibly thoughtful prose, I'm sure. I remember seeing the movie at some point in my youth and being incredibly moved by it. Just noticed it's not 'officially' on my LT wishlist, I will remedy to that right away though it's been there on bookseller sites for far too long...

Chiming in with more praise for All Quiet on the Western Front, it's a true masterpiece.

@269 Nancy, I'm enjoying All Quiet on the Western Front very much! It's even more touching because it's written from a German point of view. There really are no winners in a war, imo.

@270 -Happy Thanksgiving Cait, I really hope that you enjoy Touch as much as I do!

@ 271, Thanks Carsten, another endorsement for All Quiet on the Western Front - thank you!

@272 - Ilana - thanks for visiting! Well, you are ahead of me , in that you have seen the movie, which I have not! I've had it on my TBR list for too long!

@273 - Tania, thanks for visiting me and thanks for yet another recommendation for All Quiet on the Western Front

I have to run right now as it Thanksgiving Dinner time, but I realize when I get back on LT, I will need to start a new thread. Thanks for visiting, everyone!

Hello Deb - ditto on All quiet on the western front

Happy Thanksgiving Deb! I've been away a few days, so I'm hopelessly behind. It looks like a flurry of interesting activity over here. BTW- Two Generals sounds promising. It's one I've never heard of.

Looking forward to your new thread, Deb -- see you there!

Hi Deb - and Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Deb!

@276 Hi Prue! Another recommendation for All Quiet on the Western Front - Thanks Prue!

@277 - I've missed you Mark! So glad to see you back!

@278 Anne! I'll be creating my new thread just now! Thanks!

@279 Hi Ellen! Great to see you!

@280 @ Hi Genny!

Thanks everyone for the thanksgiving wishes. I'm just going to create my next thread.

Hi everybody! Please come to my new thread here - http://www.librarything.com/topic/124929.

This was getting a little too long!