tymfos tries for second batch of 75 books -- thread 2B

Welcome to my thread! I like to chat about the books I've read and other topics that may come up, so stop by any time and comment. All visitors are welcome! (except for spammers)

I finished my first batch of 75 sometime in July, and have been working on another batch. I probably won't finish another 75, but we'll see how many I can read.

Here is the final thread for my first 75 books:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/117241

The the first thread for my second 75 attempt is here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/120897

The titles of all my books for this year are listed at the beginning of that thread.

A word about my ratings system: I don't have one. It's all a knee-jerk, flying-by-the-seat-of-the-pants effort. Each time I go through my library and note relative ratings of one book to another, I realize how arbitrary I am in granting stars. And if my average rating is rather high, it's because (except for more recent reads since I joined LT) I'm rating the books that are memorable -- and the good ones tend to stick with me! (Some books are memorable because they are truly awful, but I am fortunate to avoid reading many of those!)

Oh, since I'm running out of places to add bookshelves, I'm also doing the Books Off The Shelf Challenge:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/106328

I am also doing the 11 in 11 Challenge.

current thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/121816

first thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/97388

These are my categories:

1. Pregame
2. Play Ball!
3. Leadoff
4. On-deck
5. Phantom players
6. All-Stars, MVP's, & Other Awards
7. Foul Play Territory
8. Fireballers, Rainouts, Steals, & Errors!
9. Away Game Travel Day (Cars, trains, boats & planes, etc.)
10. Team Physician & Front Office (Doctor, Lawyer, Indian chief)
11. Team Chaplain
extra category: Utility Players

The titles are all baseball related, but the books are NOT. There are all kinds of books.

This year, I have decided to simply give my categories names and NOT define them, and be free to use any books that can in any way fit the category name. I did a pretty good job of staying with my categories in 2010, but I was constantly tweaking the "definition" of what was included in several of them.

My plan was to do at least 7 books in each of these 11 categories -- a 7-11 challenge -- for a total of 77 books. (Thus I'd need just 2 more books than the goal for my 75 challenge, if I manage to fit all the books here that I read.) I've reached the minimum of 7 in each category, and now I'm aiming for 11 in each.

I also have monthly themes. This is the list (subject to revision):

January: "Cold white snow & ice of January"
February: "Black History Month"
March: "Spring Training / Mystery March"
April: "Autism Awareness Month" and "Support Your Library"
May: "May Murder & Mayhem -- & Motorsports"
June: "Justice (and injustice), Journeys, and Jazz"
July: "Big League Cities"
August: "Anything Goes"
September: "Series & Sequels"
October: "Halloween Horrors"
November: "Fill in the Blanks"
December: "Winter Holidays and (other) December Disasters"

Like my categories, a book can fit a "theme" any which way it can: by subject or by words in the title or by setting . . . if there is any even tenuous link, it "fits."

I will try to include most of the following information into my book posts:

Challenge Book #
Title:
Author:
Copyright/Year of original publication:
Genre:
Subject:
Setting:
Main Characters:
Series:
Dates Read:
Number of pages:
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?:
Category for 11 in 11 challenge:
How does it fit the category?
Alternate Category:
Theme of the Month:
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How?
My Rating:
Notes:

Books Read in July: from the first 75:

72. Darkness, Take My Hand by Dennis Lehane
73. A Morning for Flamingos by James Lee Burke (AUDIO)
74. Iron Lake: A Cork O'Connor Mystery by William Kent Krueger (AUDIO)
75. Jade Visions: The Life and Music of Scott LaFaro by Helene LaFaro-Fernandez

Books read in July -- 2nd 75:

1B. Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman
2B. Flip Flop Fly Ball by Craig Robinson
3B. Triangle: The Fire that Changed America by David Von Drehle
4B. Indian Summer: the forgotten story of Louis Sockalexis, the first Native American in Major League Baseball
5B. Murder at Fenway Park by Troy Soos (AUDIO)
6B. A Welcome Grave by Michael Koryta
7B. Cemetery of Angels by Noel Hynd

temporarily(?) abandoned
Faithful by Stewart O'Nan and Stephen King (non-fiction)

Books read in August:

8B. Ghosts of Boston Town by Holly Mascott Nadler
9B. A Stained White Radiance by James Lee Burke
10B. Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans? edited by David Rutledge
11B. The Eternal Now by Paul Tillich (devotional)
12B Nine Ghosts by R. H. Malden
13B The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the end of America's Childhood by Jane Leavy (AUDIO)
14B The Ship and the Storm by Jim Carrier
15B 33 Men: inside the miraculous survival and dramatic rescue of the Chilean miners by Jonathan Franklin
16B In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead by James Lee Burke
17B Home by Marilynne Robinson
18B Nemesis by Philip Ross (AUDIO)
19B The Eyes of the Amaryllis by Natalie Babbitt

Books read in September:
20B. Dancing Made Easy by Phillip DePoy
21B. Nemesis by Jo Nesbo
22B. Sacred by Dennis Lehane
23B. Devil Bones by Kathy Reichs
24B. Among the Heroes by Jere Longman
25B In the Woods by Tana French
26B The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (AUDIO)
27B Midwinter of the Spirit by Phil Rickiman
28B Charm City by Laura Lippman
29B The Silent Hour by Lincoln Perry (AUDIO)
30B Trains of Discovery by Alfred Runte
31B Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
32B Lethal Legacy by Linda Farstein (AUDIO)
33B A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

Abandoned:
Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood by Jame Richards

Books Read in October
34B The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
35B The Summer Game by Roger Angell
36B Me, Myself, and Bob: a true story about Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables, by Phil Vischer
37B Blackman's Coffin by Mark de Castrique (AUDIO)
38B Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
39B The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff
40B City of Masks by Daniel Hecht
41B Midnight Rising by Tony Horwitz
42B I'll be Watching You by Charles de Lint (Halloween List)

books in progress:
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (audio fiction)
Scottish Ghost Stories by Eliott O'Donnell (e-book)
Addiction and Grace by Gerald G. May (ministry related)

Books Read in November
43B Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
44B Scottish Ghost Stories by Elliott O'Donnell
45B Addiction and Grace by Gerald G. May, M.D.
46B The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
47B Growing Up Lutheran by Janet Martin
48B Once Upon a Fastball by Bob Mitchell
49B Bull Run by Paul Fleischman
50B The Chalk Girl by Carol O'Connell

Today was a busy day, but one which worked well for listening to an audio book -- with a long walk and lots of mindless housekeeping chores.

Challenge Book #29B
Title: The Silent Hour (audio)
Author: Michael Koryta
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2009
Genre: mystery fiction / PI
Subject: A deserted house, an old murder, obsession, and burnout
Setting: Cleveland, OH and environs; the Florida gulf coast
Main Characters: Lincoln Perry, PI
Series: #4 in Lincoln Perry, PI series
Dates Read: finished 9/24/11
Number of pages: N/A (audio)
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, library download from Overdrive
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Next in series
How does it fit the category? Next (and last!) in series
Alternate Category: Foul Play Territory
Theme of the Month: September Series & Sequels
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, part of series
My Rating: 3.65 stars
Notes:

I really like Michael Koryta's writing and I like this series. I may have liked this one the least of the lot. There was a lot less action and a lot more introspection -- almost too much, at times. But it was an intriguing mystery, and a serious look at how obsessiveness and an ax to grind can cause a good investigator to lose perspective, make mistakes, and eventually hurt people.

An unusual and valuable property is abandoned by its owners, who disappear but leave a trust set up to pay the taxes. A paroled murderer comes to Lincoln Perry for answers. Someone eventually turns up dead; another PI, a cop, and an obsessive FBI man get involved; another body turns up; and there are mob connections, too. It's all very peculiar and complicated, and Lincoln waffles between wanting to sort it out and wanting to get out of Dodge and keep his loved ones safe from harm.

Well I guess I'm, first. I've got the Tana French book on my shelf and I look forward to reading it Terri. I loved The Lincoln Lawyer movie with Matthew Mcconnaughey (sp?) but I've never read anything by michael Connelly. Hmmm, maybe I should.

Hi, Bonnie! Welcome to my new digs!

I think I had read one other book by Michael Connelly, long ago, which was pretty much a police procedural as I recall, whereas this one was more the legal thriller. I haven't seen the movie and how they managed to portray what happened in the book. Listening to the audio book, I liked the moral complexities and ambiguities he explored regarding legal ethics and confidentiality and the conflicting demands of different clients. It was all pretty effective.

just came by to star you :

drat.. that one looks good.

I've got you starred too.

I've added my star, and I find that I'm pretty well caught up. *pats self on back and leaves with a smug grin*

Hi Terri: I was cleaning my car today (in anticipation of selling it) and found some books in the trunk, including the fourth Laura Lippman, In Big Trouble. Maybe I will read it soon.

14. Hey, Kath! Yes, good.

15 Hi, Lori!

16 Caught up, Peggy? I'm not sure I ever can say that on LT.

17 Amazing what a person can find cleaning out a car, Linda. ;)

Found and starred your new thread. :)

Hi Terri, I've placed my star, I already have added the Michael Koryta to my wishlist from your 11 in 11 thread. Looking forward to seeing what spooky reads you get to in October.

Woefully behind on your last thread, but I have decided to catch up on that one later and stay current with your new one!! Starred. : )

I'm finally caught up. You have been reading some great looking books!

19 Hi, Angela! Glad you stopped by.

20 Hi, Judy! I like that series by Koryta. That's the 4th and last one (and I don't know that he plans to write more in that series; he's switched publishers since then, I think.)

21 Hi, Kim! Believe me, I've done the same with a lot of threads lately. So hard to keep up!

22 Carrie, I've really been enjoying my reading. There was a moment or two of indecision between books, when I thought I just might be headed into a reading funk, but I plowed ahead and got into a good story, and I was cured!

Currently, I'm reading the first Maisie Dobbs novel by Jacqueline Winspear; listening to an audio of Legal Legacy by Linda Farstein; till stumbling along in The Summer Game by Roger Angell for my non-fiction read; and doing a ministry-related read of Addiction and Grace by Gerald May.

And I finally ordered A Trick of the Light. I was going to wait and buy it when I could get to a real bookstore, but I needed use Amazon for a couple of harder-to-find titles, and needed another book to qualify for Super Saver shipping.

Challenge Book #30 B
Title: Trains of Discovery:Railroads and the Legacy of Our National Parks (Fifth Edition)
Author: Alfred Runte
Copyright/Year of original publication: this revised & expanded edition 2011
Genre: non-fiction
Subject: The role of the railroads in the development of the National Parks; railroad's possible role in continued preservation
Setting: All across America
Dates Read: finished 9/26/11
Number of pages: 150 plus sources and index
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: Yes, LT Early Reviewer book, ERs always count as off the shelf
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Pregame
How does it fit the category? ER book
Alternate Category: "Away Game/ Travel Day"
Theme of the Month: NA to ER books
My Rating: 4 stars
Notes: Many beautiful color illustrations

In Trains of Discovery, Alfred Runte brings to life both the public and behind-the-scene role that America's railroads played in developing our National Park system. Who knew that the railroad barons were among the early preservationists? Runte makes a convincing argument that this was a case of enlightened self-interest -- the railroaders wanted beautiful SCENERY for their passengers to view out the windows of their trains, not an ocean of billboards. The lure of marvelous scenery was used to promote travel on their railroads -- but all that promotion also popularized the establishment of the National Parks which have, in turn, preserved some of the most stunning landscapes in our nation.

Runte also comments on the present and possible future role of railroads in preservation, protecting vulnerable parks from the crowding, emissions, and acres of parking lots that accompany ever-increasing motor-vehicle traffic.

The book contains plentiful and beautiful illustrations, many in color, including period railroad posters, post-cards, dining car menus, and magazine ads, as well as paintings and photographs of some of America's most scenic spots.

Runte's earlier volumes had focused on the Western US, where the railroads had the most interest and influence in the development of the parks. But this volume includes information about sites in the East, too -- particulary in Pennsylvania (of great interest to me!) and New England.

At around 150 pages with many pages of illustrations, this was a quick read. But I'm sure I'll look back over it again and again to enjoy the wonderful illustrations.

Oh, goodie! I've snagged an ER copy of Robert Massie's biography of Catherine the Great. His Nicholas and Alexandra is one of my all-time memorable books, so this should be good.

I've been extremely fortunate with LT's Early Reviewer program. I've received books most months that I've made requests, and most of the books have been good reads for me.

Nice review on Trains, although I think I will skip it. I would much prefer to read your ER snag of Catherine the Great!! Enjoy.

Thanks, Kim! I suspect I'll find the Catherine the Great bio to be the better of the two. :)

This is a weird evening in baseball: Red Sox fans actually have to root for the Yankees ;) -- to beat Tampa Bay, with whom the Sox are tied for the AL wild card.

That must go against every reflex a Red Sox fan has.

Phillies aren't having a good evening so far -- regardless of the well-wishes of Cardinal fans who want them to knock off the Braves.

Ah, the last day of the regular season -- and it's starting to look like both leagues will need an extra playoff game tomorrow for the wild card spot.

Go Red Sox! (Having lived in MA 5 separate times....gotta root for them over Tampa Bay).

I only lived in MA two separate times, but at one time, I lived almost within shouting distance of Fenway Park. Go Red Sox! (Go, that is, until such time as they come up against the Phillies again! ;)

I see the Red Sox have gone ahead now in their game. And the Yankees are beating Tampa Bay big time. Can the Sox hold onto their lead?????

I requested the Catherine the Great book knowing that I likely was not a good match. I was a bit hopeful that I'd snag a copy. They had an exhibit years ago in Memphis that had a lot of treasures from her reign. It was interesting, and I have enjoyed reading things about her periodically ever since. I will see how those of you who won the book enjoy it before I add it to my TBR list. I did manage to snag a copy of the Charles Finch book though.

Baseball is crazy tonight, isn't it? At this point Atlanta and Philly are tied in the 13th! The Phils are NOT making it easy for Atlanta. And TB came back from being down 0-7 in the 8th. Just amazing...

Angela, I can't believe the Rays came back and won that game! And the Phillies managed to win their game, too. So it's all settled. I'm sorry that the Red Sox are out of it.

Lori, I'll be sure to post my comments here on the thread regarding the Catherine the Great bio, as well as formally posting the review, after I've read it. I hope you enjoy the Finch book!

What a great baseball night last night.

That train book sounds terrific. I need to check and see whether our library has it.

You're right, Linda, that train book does look interesting, but I don't remember seeing it in the ERs. My husband loves trains and I always stop to at least look at books about trains just in case he might like it. Darn, wish I'd seen it. I'll have to check the library.

Found your new thread! I keep hearing good things about Tana French; there's another series I'm going to have to investigate...

Hi Terri, I'm glad you got the Massie book. When will you read it? I don't think I'll get to mine until early November.

34 Linda, it was an amazing baseball night. Hope your library has the book.

35 I'm thinking it was in July's ER batch, Cheli. Hope your library has it. Glad you stopped by!

36 Hi, Genny! The Tana French book was good; I highly recommend it. I just bought a book that I think I learned about from your thread.

37 Hello, Bonnie! With the Massie, a lot will depend on when I actually receive the book -- they just told me that I'll be getting it. (I'm still waiting for a book from October of 2010.) But I suspect that early November is a likely time for me, too.

Package from Amazon arrived:
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny
Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About God, Dreams, and Talking Vegetables by Phil Vischer (founder of Big Idea Productions, AKA "Veggie Tales")
Vulnerable Communion: A Theology of Disability and Hospitality by Thomas E. Reynolds

I'm already almost halfway through the Penny; my husband has read almost all the way through the Vischer (and told me most of what I have to look forward to in it . . . ;).

Challenge Book #31 B
Title: Maisie Dobbs
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2003
Genre: historical mystery fiction
Subject: Former nurse turned PI's war experiences impact post WWI investigation; societal changes brought about by WWI; horrors of war & aftermath
Setting: London and Kent, England before, during, and after WWI; an army medic unit in France during WWI
Main Characters: Maisie Dobbs, Maurice Blanche, Lady Rowan, Billy Beale, Captain Simon Lynch
Series: Maisie Dobbs #1
Dates Read: finished 9/29/11
Number of pages:294 plus reading guide
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, loan from friend
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Leadoff
How does it fit the category? first in series
Alternate Category: foul play territory
Theme of the Month: September Series & Sequels
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How?
My Rating: 4 stars
Notes:

I'm having a hard time figuring out how to describe this book without spoilers, so I'll stick mainly with my impressions.

I've had people recommend this series to me for a while, and I put off reading it. Frankly, I think the name put me off a bit. "Maisie Dobbs." Sounds rather lightweight and peppy. Not so -- indeed, near the very end, the book brought me to tears. Maisie's put out her PI shingle, and handles a serious case in a serious way -- with intelligence, skill, and respect for local law enforcement. And in the process, she faces the ghosts of her past as an army nurse in WWI in an unexpected way. The subject matter covered -- the horrors of war and the damage that lingers long after the guns stop firing -- is somber indeed, but Maisie's rise beyond her humble origins is inspiring. A very good and worthwhile book. I shall read more of Maisie's adventures!

I read Maisie Dobbs recently as well and I was quite surprised by how much I liked the book. Not a straight forward mystery, and certainly not as light-weight as I also thought it would be from the name. I am looking forward to seeing if she keeps up the high standard she set with this first book. (She gets so many rave reviews from Lter's that I think she does keep up the excellence).

Oh yes, vulnerable communion - i still have not read that one, mind you. A friends gave it to me for Christmas and has highly recommended it, so I trust it will be good.

40 Yes, I've heard plenty of good comments about those books here, Judy.

41 It looks really good to me, Genny. I just skimmed the introduction, and it resonated. We shall see.

Challenge Book #32 B
Title: Lethal Legacy (audio book)
Author: Linda Farstein
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2009
Genre: mystery fiction
Subject: murder and rare book/ map theft
Setting: New York, especially the New York Public Library
Main Characters: Alex Cooper
Series: Alex Cooper #11 (?)
Dates Read: finished 9/30/11
Number of pages: n/a (audio)
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, download through Carnegie library Overdrive system
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Fireballers, Rainouts, Steals & Errors
How does it fit the category? deals with rare book/map theft
Alternate Category: foul play territory
Theme of the Month: September Series & Sequels
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, part of series
My Rating: 3 stars
Notes:

I love that a good bit of this book is set at the NY Public Library, and enjoyed all the details she included about that institution, and rare books & manuscripts and the work of rare book conservators. Some of it hit home. Who knew how much damage is done to library books by Post-it notes? Apparently, the invisible trace of adhesive that lingers is damaging to the paper, especially if the Post-it is left on for very long -- it thins the paper, makes lots of work for book conservators on routine volumes when they'd rather be dealing with real treasures.

Despite all that neat stuff, I didn't like the actual mystery much. It just seemed convoluted. They had to spend a whole chapter explaining it at the end, in dialogue with the chief detective, and I was still confused about who, what, when, where, why, and how -- and how it all fit together.

I listened to this on audio. I'd like to get hold of the actual book. Fairstein typically includes NY landmark properties and/or institutions in her books, and she usually includes an author's note about those landmarks and delineating the fact from the fiction about them in her story. But no author's note was included in the audio. I'd like to see if there is one in the printed volume, especially since she was dealing with the NY Public Library in this story.

Gladd you liked the Maisie Dobbs. I've read a couple of them during the past few years and love this series. There's a lot more depth or something than I'd expected.

I've never read Linda Fairstein before but I liked the sound of all the library matters in this one so I picked it up a year or two ago. Still haven't gotten to it yet though. It's disappointing that the mystery itself wasn't so good but I think I'll still read it for all the library stuff.

It's worth a read for the library stuff, if nothing else. And I might have done better with the mystery if I'd actually read it from hard copy, rather than trying to follow it on audio. I think it's probably a good one to be able to look back at a bit.

btw, our library doesn't have that train book. I see it's available on Kindle but it sounds like the photos were an important part of the book and those don't come across too well on the Kindle.

ETA: I put in a loan request through worldcat.

Challenge Book #33 B
Title: A Trick of the Light
Author: Louise Penny
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2011
Genre: "village mystery" fiction
Subject: contrasts of light and dark, sobriety and addiction, revenge and forgiveness
Setting: Three Pines, Quebec, Canada
Main Characters: Armand Gamache and the usual suspects :)
Series: Three Pines Mysteries #7
Dates Read: 9/29/11 through 9/30/11
Number of pages: 336
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, received yesterday from Amazon -- never made it to shelf!
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Foul Play Territory
How does it fit the category? murder & deceit
Alternate Category:
Theme of the Month: September Series & Sequels
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, part of series
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Notes:

Enough has been said about this book here in the 75 Challenge group; I have little to add. I will say it left me feeling quite unsettled. Some have suggested that these books might be considered cozies -- I beg to disagree. This book certainly didn't leave me feeling cozy. But it was very, very good.

The Vischer book looks good, especially since my kids all loved Veggie Tales and I can still sing many of the songs! I really must try a Louise Penny soon!!

>46 tymfos: I think the first couple might have been classified cozy, but it's certainly become less so as the series goes on, hasn't it?

I can't believe that the one time I went for the Yankees they blew a 7-0 lead. Just sayin'. And now I am done bellyaching about baseball, at least for today. :)

47 Kim, I'm eager to get reading the Vischer book. My husband really liked it. We don't have a lot of conversations about books (except along the lines of, "How many did you buy this time?") but this one he was quite keen to talk about. And I know what you mean about the Veggie Tales songs! They've stayed with me. And do give Penny a try!

48 Mary, I see your point about the early Pennys. The books certainly have gotten much deeper as the series has progressed.
And I couldn't believe the Yankees blowing that lead, either.

Sony Reader Store sent me their periodic "Crime Picks" promotional e-mail. This month features James Lee Burke making the picks and commenting -- all books that are available for Sony Reader, of course!. Given how I love Burke's books, his opinions carry some weight with me.

Of course, the heading shows Burkes own latest, Feast Day of Fools, but his list of choices is quite interesting. He includes his daughter Alafair's latest, Long Gone, with a bit of genuine paternal pride. There's a Lehane, Mystic River, which he believes is the best crime novel he's ever read; Michael Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer (which I just finished); also Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen (which he calls the best " allegorical and supernatural thriller" he knows of); and The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George V. Higgins. What an interesting mix!

#46 - I have A Trick of the Light waiting on my nightstand. Your comments piqued my interest! I must get to it soon.

50 It's definitely worth getting to soon -- enjoy! Glad you stopped by.

This one was a VERY short and quick read!

Challenge Book #34 B
Title: The Stepford Wives
Author: Ira Levin
Copyright/Year of original publication: 1972
Genre: speculative fiction? horror?
Subject: something sinister seems to be happening to women in a small town
Setting: Stepford, a small town full of secrets
Main Characters: Joanna and Walter Eberhart, Bobby Markowe
Series: NO
Dates Read: 10/1/11 - 10/2/11
Number of pages: 145
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, a library patron's inter-library loan that was returned before it had to go back to the other library
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: not sure
How does it fit the category?
Alternate Category:
Theme of the Month: Halloween Horrors
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, creepy and horrible
My Rating: still thinking
Notes:

OK, I read excerpts of this book when it was first published in the 70's. Was it Ms. magazine that carried them? The subject matter certainly would fit that publication, and I was card-carrying radical feminist at the time, so that would have put it on my reading list. But that was a long time ago, so I can't be sure.

This is one where the hype on the dust jacket was prophetic: . . . there is a certain kind of woman who, from now on, will be known as a Stepford Wife. I think for many women -- in my generation, at least -- that is true.

It's a surprisingly short book -- the edition I read was 145 pages -- and goes by quickly. Two sittings of about an hour each finished it off for me. The chilling main premise was very timely for when it was published -- probably the height of the feminist movement, a time when women were still fighting for the most basic forms of equality -- and quite creative. I honestly don't think it seems that well written. But it's very effective.

I guess the strangest thing about it is that this story was written by a man. Given the horribly negative view of men -- seemingly all men -- that the book's premise implies, that seems a bit startling.

omg! Ira Levin! stepping back n time :)
It has been a while since I read one of his..
At least, I think I read something of his... ?

Three Pines.. cozy with zing?
I love that place!

>17 lindapanzo: I just raced out to the car to check the trunk for forgotten books: no luck. Oh well.
Terri, I think that you have talked me into Maisie Dobbs. A nice person at PBS sent me #4 with a book I ordered from her, but I like to start at the beginning. I'm intrigued by J.L. Burke's suggestions too... I really enjoyed Mystic River although I don't think it's the best crime novel I've ever read. I don't know what is, but I wouldn't have thought to put it near the top. That is an interesting mix.
Ira Levin indeed! WHoa!
ETA: Mariette in Ecstacy is $2.99 on Kindle. Snagged it!

52 Hi, Kath. Cozy with zing? Not bad. I kind of like that!

53 No buried treasure in the trunk, eh Peggy? Enjoy Maise and Mariette!

Challenge Book #35 B
Title: The Summer Game
Author: Roger Angell
Copyright/Year of original publication: compilation of articles written 1962-1972
Genre: non-fiction
Subject: baseball
Dates Read: Started August, 2011; finished 10-03-11
Number of pages: 320
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, newly purchased this year at the Book Rack
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Play Ball?
How does it fit the category? baseball
Theme of the Month: holdover from Anything Goes August
My Rating:3.3
Notes:

This book is a collection of baseball themed articles Angell wrote for The New Yorker between the years 1962-1972 There is some very good writing in this book. There were also some sections that I found less than engrossing, which is why it took me so long to get through it. At his best, Angell is witty and insightful. Always, he is a true fan of the game. I like the general commentary about the state of the game and the personalities better than a lot of the play-by-play descriptions he includes of key games -- but that's a general preference I personally have regarding sports writing.

Challenge Book # 36B
Title: Me, Myself, and Bob: a true story about God, Dreams, and Talking Vegetables
Author: Phil Vischer
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2006
Genre: memoir
Subject: the rise and fall of Vischer's company Big Idea Productions (creator of Veggie Tales) and what Vischer learned from his experiences with it.
Setting: Chicago, IL
Dates Read: 10/4/11 -10/5/11
Number of pages:260
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, brand new from Amazon
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Team Chaplain
How does it fit the category? faith issues
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? NO
My Rating: 4.2 stars
Notes:

I love the Veggie Tales videos, so when I saw comments about this book, I had to read it. For one thing, I really had no idea what had happened behind the scenes with the Big Idea Productions company, nor how it turned out.

Vischer was a true pioneer in the field of CGI, breaking ground in what computers could do in the field of animation. He also wanted to do great things for God with his vidoes promoting Christian values -- he wanted to keep doing bigger and bigger things. But sometimes big ideas can get too big to handle. I learned a lot reading about Phil's lessons via the school of hard knocks.

Vischer writes with good humor about the rise of his company and the troubles that followed, until the point where humor could not be found. Then, in the aftermath of disaster, he shares the insights gained when he was able to be honest with himself and God, and to learn and grow. This is a fascinating read for anyone who loves Veggie Tales; it's an important read (and cautionary tale) for Christians who have big ideas of serving God.

My son has gone and got himself suspended from school for three days. To say that I am unhappy with him is an understatement.

NOT good news - for any of you! Sorry to hear that.

Thanks, Genny. I'm starting to question whether mainstreaming in public school is the best thing for my son. Ever since the state took his TSS (therapeutic aide) away, I've questioned whether he's had close enough guidance/supervision in the mainstream setting, given his disability level.

And yes (for any disability law folks reading this) I know there are supposed to be special procedures to avoid suspension in dealing with discipline issues for kids with developmental disabilities, but I strongly feel that there have to be consequences for behavior infractions. That's just basic parenting, plus ABA therapy is built on the idea of reinforcers -- positive rewards for good actions, negative consequences for bad. Though, now that we've gotten through the scene at the school office, I'm not sure how much he sees suspension as a negative consequence. He's starting to speak of it as "getting some time off." (sigh) We've upped the consequence at home by taking away his computer privileges for two months -- a previously unheard-of, almost draconian, punishment in his world. We've taken computer away many times, but never for over one month. (The one exception to the ban being if he has school work that must be done on computer -- and the assignment is verified with the teacher in question.)

Anyway, in front of our son, I'm determined to present a united front with the school, while trying behind the scenes to see if there are steps we can take to deal more effectively with schooling and the special issues of his autism. I am a bit livid that there were signs of trouble over a week ago, and no one told me until it escalated to this point -- even though I have said, time and again, that I need to know right away of issues that arise so I can work with him at home, and I've provided everyone I can think of at school with all my contact information to facilitate that.

GAH! no TSS? That really ticks me off..
They pass our nurses and wraparounds like pretzels on an airplane ..

OFTEN for kids who would be better off spending those 4 hours with family ..
instead of shut in a room with a stranger. Someone like your son, who was SHINING in school..
they take it away . * interlude for loud cursing*

FIGHT it! get one back.
seriously.. Don't let them do it!

( yea I know.. you are fighting. I am just mad)

Kath, thanks so much for caring. When the managed care group took over rationing the state behavioral services in our county, I did the full gamut of appeals on the TSS thing. We bought some time to gradually wean him from the services, rather than having him cut off completely, all at once, at the start of middle school (can you imagine?). That's all we could get. He actually did pretty well for a while afterward, all things considered . . . but now???

I received a very kind and helpful e-mail from the autistic support teacher this morning. I am feeling a bit better.

Had an eye doctor appointment this afternoon. The dear boy went with me, waiting quite patiently. (He got his glasses adjusted while we were there.) The doctor is prescribing new glasses for me with a stronger bifocal, so maybe reading will be less of a struggle once I get them.

Oh Terri, sorry you have so much on your plate right now. It's never easy dealing with bureaucratic authority! Hugs to you and to your son, who is, I'm sure, dealing with issues of his own over this matter. (No computer for two months - Ahhgg!!)

Here's hoping things turn around for both you and your son very soon Terri. And yay for new bifocals if they make reading easier for you!

Thanks, Judy and Bonnie!

For all my frustration at this particular moment, our school has been very good to work with regarding our son's needs. I just wish they'd alerted me at the first sign of trouble a couple weeks ago.

Challenge Book #37B
Title: Blackman's Coffin (audio book)
Author: Mark de Castrique
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2008
Genre: mystery fiction
Subject: Iraq war vet investigates one current and one very cold murder case
Setting: Asheville, North Carolina, USA
Main Characters: Sam Blackman, Nakayla Robinson
Series: Sam Blackman #1
Dates Read: started 9/29/11; finished 10/8/11
Number of pages: n/a (audio)
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, library download from Overdrive
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Leadoff
How does it fit the category? first in series
Alternate Category: foul play territory
Theme of the Month: holdover from last month's September Series & Sequels
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes (for the month I started it), first in series
My Rating: 3.9 stars
Notes: Audio; narration pace was a bit quick in some portions/for some characters.

This is one of those rare titles (these days, anyway) that I chose on a whim without a recommendation. It was very good. I like the main character. Sam Blackman is an Iraq war vet who lost part of a leg; we meet him as he is about to be discharged from the VA hospital in Asheville, NC -- to which he'd been banished after he helped blow the whistle on horrid conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington. He becomes involved with a mystery in Asheville that involves the Biltmore Estate; an unfinished manuscript by Thomas Wolfe; gold and emeralds; and murder. I love how he used the history and sites of the Asheville, NC area and the literary tie-in with Ashville native Thomas Wolfe. (Now I need to read Look Homeward, Angel!)

Sorry to hear of your son's schooling issues. I hope this coming week is better.

The Penny books are getting less and less cozy-like. Did you notice how the first couple (2, maybe 3) Three Pines books were subtitled "A Three Pines Mystery" and now they've changed to "A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel"?

I have the first few Maisie Dobbs books and I really need to start that series.

Wolfe is a polarizing author. So many think he is a pompous, wordy pulp hack. I am in the camp who likes him a great deal. You Can't Go Home Again was a favorite of mine.

Terri.. I always spring for a second pair of glasses, with just my reading Rx..for when I sit down to read.
Trying to find the "sweet spot" in trifocals is just no fun.

I am still stewing about your son's school issues.
It always really ticked me off when preschoolers
went home and were met by a TSS who spend the
entire evening with them... I always felt that some
time with the family would not hurt. I still feel that way..
But your situation, where a TSS in school makes such a difference..
THAT is where they should be... not babysitting pre-schoolers.

I watched families that were given nurses by the state...
who were really no more than baby sitters. The kids didn't need
a nurse in school, or on the bus, but the parents knew how to work
the system. So instead of paying for a baby sitter, a qualified one.. of course..
we paid for a nurse for 2-3 times what that sitter would cost.
The families who managed this were always those who could well afford to pay
for child care themselves. The fallout from this is that less savvy families did not get the nursing
for kids who needed it. And families like yours, where a TSS is clearly making a difference
instead of providing child care ( which is what it often amounted to with the little ones )
don't get what they need. It just makes me crazy. I hope that someone sees the light and
that your son gets the help he needs to continue doing well..

66 Thanks, Joanne.
Yes, I've noted that as the series has progressed, the books have gotten weightier -- and the change of series name is curious.

67. I've never read him, but I've had Look Homeward, Angel on my shelf for years. I'll have to look for You can't Go Home again.

68. Kath, really, I'm not sure a TSS is the answer now. But I really appreciate your concern. Please don't stew over this. I'll PM you with more on the subject when I can get my thoughts together.

I'm having a hospital test/procedure tomorrow that I'm quite nervous about. It's supposed to be quick and painless, but I have to be sedated for it. Not something I look forward to. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to doctors and hospitals.

Challenge Book #38B
Title: Full Dark, No Stars
Author: Stephen King
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2009
Genre: short fiction / subtle horror
Subject: The evil of which human beings are capable
Dates Read: finished 10/9/11
Number of pages:
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, from public library
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: foul play territory
How does it fit the category? lots of foul play / evil of various kinds
Alternate Category:
Theme of the Month: Halloween Horror
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, it's part of Mac's Halloween list
My Rating: 4.2 stars
Notes:

This is heavy stuff. Well written. Dark. Tales from the dark fringes of human behavior. Only one of the four stories has a definite supernatural aspect; another allows you liberty to decide what (of the seemingly impossible parts) is real and what is madness; the other two are strictly about the dark aspects of the human heart -- which is the main subject of all the stories here. It's all compellingly written.

Good luck on your procedure, Terri. Hopefully, it'll go fine and be over before you know it.

Thanks, Linda!

I have my annual mammogram on Fri. Quick and just a bit of pain but I always worry anyway.

I know, I'm the same way. Worrying is one thing that I'm good at!

Oh dear, Terri. I missed the procedure news, but I wish you well. I wish you and your son well too. I'm sorry the situation escalated especially when he had been doing so well. I do know how often kids tend to look at a suspension as "time off." I'm glad you're not letting your young man get away with that. I'm sorry you had no heads-up about the situation. Oh gee.
I've put Blackman's Coffin on my reminder list. I've spent so much lately on books that I can't quite see buying it now when I won't get to it this month, but I will; I will.

Thinking about you today, Terri, hope all went well with your procedure.

Thanks, Peggy and Judy.

The procedure went OK. I am still a little loopy from the anesthesia, so I'm not writing much tonight. Thanks to all who expressed support!

Glad to hear it went ok, Terri. Hope you're not so loopy today.

Not so loopy today, Linda, thanks!

Of a mind for some spooky brain candy.

Challenge Book #39B
Title: The Harrowing
Author: Alexandra Sokoloff
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2006
Genre: horror
Subject: college kids conjure up ancient evil
Setting: Mendenhall residence hall at "Baird College"
Main Characters: Robin, Patrick, Lisa, Martin, Cain
Series: NO
Dates Read: finished 10/12/11
Number of pages: around 240
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: Yes, purchased at Book Barn
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Phantom players
How does it fit the category? supernatural
Alternate Category:
Theme of the Month: Halloween Horrors
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, spooky
My Rating: 2.9 stars
Notes:

I've read books by Sokoloff before, so I had high hopes for this one. But this was her debut novel, and I don't think it quite measures up to some of her later efforts. Or maybe it's just my mood, or a matter of comparison -- the fact that I just read an especially masterful piece of horror by Stephen King

The initial elements of The Harrowing are somewhat time-worn but promising. Five students alone together in a huge, creepy dorm over Thanksgiving break. Big storm. Power failure. Candles. Ouija board. The atmosphere is well drawn: Sokoloff, a screenwriter, sets the scene vividly. There are definitely some chills in this creepy book. And I found it interesting how Sokoloff draws upon ancient Jewish mysticism, coupled with Freudian and Jungian psychology, for inspiration -- some fresh angles are explored. But I can't say it all quite works for me. The potential for subtle, sophisticated horror (inherent in the mysticism and the psychological angles) is eventually swamped by more sensational elements as the story moves toward its climax. That just wasn't what I was looking for, and there was an "eeeewwww" factor involved (for me) in part of the plot. In the final two chapters and epilogue Sokoloff attempts to draw it back to subtlety, but it wasn't very effective (IMO), with the epilogue coming across like a carbon copy of so many other horror story epilogues, names changed to protect the innocent.

I feel like I'm on the edge of a book funk. I'm not getting into my fiction read, In the Night Room by Peter Straub. It has potential -- the idea of e-mail from dead people is seriously creepy -- but the rest of the mix isn't drawing me in so far. The last scene I read sounded downright stupid. Some guy with wings flying around. A Direct TV commercial, maybe??? ;)

On audio, I've been trying to listen to Erik Larson's Thunderstruck. But I've come to the conclusion that I want to see hard copy on this one, so I ordered it through ILL. (I rarely do well with non-fiction on audio.) Plus, if I finish it on audio, I won't have time for the fiction audio that I downloaded when it became available -- and I won't be able to renew either of them because other people are waiting.

My non-fiction book, Midnight Rising, is very good. But I'm just not feeling in the mood to read it. But I have to, because it's an ER book -- and I have the chunkster Catherine the Great book waiting in line to be reviewed, too.

>51 tymfos:: Hi Terri, thanks for that trip down Memory Lane with The Stepford Wives. Real life sometimes generates the most authentic horror stories, doesn't it?

>57 tymfos:: Oh no. I'm appalled that your son doesn't have an aide to help him through the difficult labyrinth of public schools. Do you watch Parenthood, Terri? It's one of my guilty pleasures. One of the side stories is about Max, a 5th grader who has autism and has recently been mainstreamed. He's having a tough go of it and I wondered how true to life his situation might be?

Good luck with the book funk. This too shall pass!

In the Night Room was just okay. I really didn't like the ending much, as it turned the concept into something I didn't like. I want to like Straub, and I've given him several chances. Ghost Story was the only one I read and ended up liking all the way through...except, of course, his collaborations with Stephen King, which are amazing.

Terri- Funny, non-fiction works very well for me on audio. I listened to Thunderstruck and quite enjoyed it. I also have Larson's latest on audio but having a hard time squeezing it in. What's new right?
I can't wait to get my mitts on Midnight Rising. Sounds great.

Mac- Ghost Story remains one of my all-time favorite horror books. Never was to crazy about his other books though.

Terri, hoping this doesn't erupt into a full-fledged book funk for you. I think the same thing is happening to me. I had a lot of waiting around time downtown on Sat (between the ballet and the hockey game) and just didn't feel like reading.

otoh, it was nice and sunny and the people-watching was great.

81 On the plus side, Donna, our school district is so small, it's not too much a labyrinth. He does get a lot of individualized support. His Autistic Support teacher has been particularly helpful. And I will say, his ability to function independently has really blossomed since he was weaned from having a TSS. It's just that now, as a teenager, a less welcome kind of "independence" is kicking in! ;)

82 Mac, I've abandoned In the Night Room. Life is too short to spend reading things I'm not enjoying -- especially 500+ page things, now knowing that the ending may be even less satisfying.

83 Mark, I'm enjoying the listening to Thunderstruck. It's just there are times when I want to go back and check something that zipped by earlier and wasn't fully processed by my brain . . . I suspect that the problem is 1) I get very little uninterrupted listening time and 2) the reverse function on my mp3 player doesn't work.

82, 83 Ghost Story was a favorite horror book of mine, too. I guess it was a hard act for Straub to follow.

84 Here's hoping all book funks are banished, Linda!

I started the fiction audio book, City of Masks: A Cree Black Novel. It's about a paranormal investigator dealing with a nasty haunting in New Orleans. So far, so good. It has an element that I'm less than comfortable with (for me, a major "eeewwww factor" -- a lot of that in recent ghost stories) but so far has been dealt with gently enough to not really bother me.

(Kath, if you can get your hands on hard copy of this one, I think it's one you might like!)

OK, I'm hearing all kinds of noises and I'm alone in the house. I've either got a ghost, a burglar, or the wind has kicked up again. (I'm betting on the wind -- what's it throwing around or tearing off the house now?)

No, I just looked out the window, and there's a beautiful cat sitting on the back porch next to an overturned planter. Mystery solved -- except whose cat is it?

Glad your noise problem was easily solved. Of course, now you have the mystery of whose cat it is!

I have no idea, Judy -- I've never seen this cat before. His face has very distinctive markings.

I am seriously bummed out. I was so looking forward to getting my new glasses. Went into Wal-Mart Vision to get them. The lady there had me read fine print -- clear as a bell. She adjusted them to my face, gave me a sample of glasses cleaner.

Then I stood up and looked at the world all around me. Dizzying. Blurry. Horrible!

The lady proceeded to tell me about all the different kind of no-line bifocals in existence. Needless to say, these ones weren't a bit like my old ones. And Wal-Mart doesn't have the kind of lens I've been using. I guess I don't adapt easily.

I took advantage of their 60-day no-hassle warranty and got my money back. I'll try again somewhere else. The Vision center lady suggested I go wherever I got the old ones, as they'll have what I'm used to. I think that was LensCrafters -- nearest one is quite a long drive away.

They were very gracious about refunding my money, so I tried to be very nice about it all, but I was very disappointed.

There's been a horrible 15-car crash at the Indy Car race this afternoon at Las Vegas. One driver, Dan Wheldon, was airlifted to a hospital -- sounds very serious. Grim.

ETA to add Wheldon died of his injuries sustained in the wreck. So sad.

#88 I didn't hear about the accident til later. Very sad, very tragic. All these car crashes happened in front of him and he couldn't stop in time, sounds like, and he slammed into another car.

My sister was watching the race but stepped away for a bit and (fortunately) did not see it live.

We had the race on, though I was in the next room when the wreck started, but saw most of it. When Weldon hit the car in front of him in the melee, his car went airborne into the catch fence (the metal/cable fence above the energy-absorbing SAFER barrier) -- cockpit first. As soon as I saw what was happening -- it looked like a war zone with all the wreckage, smoke, and flames -- and, later, that they'd put a tarp over Weldon's car in the clean-up process, I had a real bad feeling.

What freaks me out is that next Sunday the NASCAR drivers are at Talladega -- the massive high-banked, super high-speed track best known for huge packs of cars, massive multi-car wrecks, and (occasionally) cars going airborne into the catch fence. I know the heavy stock cars are safer than the open-wheel, open-cockpit INDY cars, but it's still creepy timing.

Terri, I'm sorry to hear that you're even suspecting that you might eventually be book-funky. Lucky you to get Catherine the Great! Maybe you should just dive on into that one as being different enough from your October spook show to jerk you right out of it.
And I'm sorry about the glasses. What a disappointment!

This is probably a good time for a book funk, Peggy. My in-laws are coming to visit this weekend, and the house is a mess. I'll probably get a lot more cleaning done if I'm not buried in an un-put-down-able book! ;)

Actually, my current fiction audiobook is working for me pretty well. This is good, as I often listen as I houseclean. With headphones and sufficient volume, I can even listen while I vacuum!

With too much to do to even think of driving one-and-a-half hours to Lenscrafters, I decided to give a nearby independent optician a try -- someone with a very good reputation around here. I'm paying more than at Wal-Mart, but it sounds like these glasses will be much more suitable to my needs. Glasses are too important to "settle" for something that doesn't work for me!

We had a meeting at school. The Special Ed director suggested that we have a set of textbooks at home full-time to make it easier for me to keep up with what my son is studying and to help him with it -- apparently they do this for a number of special needs students. My son is really struggling in his Environmental Science class in school, so that is the first book they provided for me, Environmental Science by Karen Arms, and I'm adding it to my reading list. I'm playing catch-up now to the point where they've already read, and then will follow along through the year. I've read the first chapter and into the second (as well as part of Chapter 5 where the class is now) and it is very interesting. I especially appreciate the emphasis on critical thinking when reading about environmental issues -- though that may be one of the harder concepts for my son to master.

BTW, I had good news today -- my biopsy results were negative. :)

Good news, Terri. Glad to hear it.

Great news, Terry. And good luck with the environmental studies.

Thanks, Linda and Judy!

Just catching up here. Sorry life has been stressful lately, but glad the biopsy news was good. My daughter had some learning differences and she just started high school this year and they are using different technology, so that has been (and still is) an adjustment. It is so hard, because I want her both to succeed and be independent, which is just not happening yet. It will when we get this worked out and in the meantime, she is getting better at advocating for herself (with a little coaching from moi). Have fun being in school again!!

Great news to have a negative biopsy!! You sound like a very busy woman, so I'm not going to be concerned about your book funk after all. Somehow, things have turned positive for you in my mind. I hope it's so in RL!

98 Hi, Kim! Oh, that transition into high school is hard, even without technology issues. (My son is a freshman this year in a school system that is pretty seamless in its structure.) I hope your daughter gets through the adjustment period and flourishes soon. And it's great that she's learning to advocate for herself! We are working on that with our son.

Independence is so elusive. Sometimes I wonder if he'll ever get there -- many folks with autism really don't. But I see hopeful signs. He's to the point of handling most of his coursework without my input. I never even see his algebra homework, and he has a 97.8% average in that class. He's loving History. He's even doing OK with English. But science seems to have him totally stymied this year, and I'm not sure why, as he had a B+ in his science class last year. I want him to work through it himself as much as possible, but he can't afford to fail the class (which is a real possibility right now).

99 Hi there, Peggy! Thanks for the good wishes.

I keep popping onto LT when I should be doing other things. (Is this love of LT or avoidance of housework?)

I really need to shut down the computer and get going!

Great news, Terri.

Terri;
I just wanted to pop over, check out your thread (s)
& assure that any Edith Wharton is well worth the time you put into it. I have yet to read one of hers that I did not appreciate. She is a wonderful author.
hugs,
~belva

102 Thanks, Lori! I appreciate you stopping by.

103 Hi, Belva! Thanks for popping over! Do you have a particular favorite by Wharton?

Interested in the answer. I have been meaning to read Wharton but I am not familiar with her.

Highly recommend Age of Innocence, cal8769

I love Edith Wharton! I'd recommend Age of Innocence, Ethan Fromme, and House of Mirth.

I just downloaded Age of Innocence and Ethan Fromme from epub.com. Now I just got to get them read. Thanks!

We read a collection of her ghost stories/gothics last year for the Halloween read. They were wonderful.

Hi Carrie, Mac, and Kim! I was one of those who read the Wharton ghost stories last Halloween, and they were quite remarkable. I've been meaning to try something else by her. It definitely sounds like Age of Innocence gets high marks. Perhaps I'll try that sometime.

I haven't had much time for reading or LT-ing the past few days, as we've had family visiting. I do have one book to post, an audio I mostly "read" in the car and while housecleaning, but had to stay up late last night and listen to the end before the library loan expired. Maybe I'll get it posted a bit later. I'm in the middle of a bunch of other books, and just not getting to them.

Challenge Book #40B
Title: City of Masks: A Cree Black Novel (audio book)
Author: Daniel Hecht
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2003
Genre: paranormal fiction
Subject: ghosts and family secrets
Setting: New Orleans (pre-Katrina)
Main Characters: Cree Black, Lila Warren, Paul Fitzpatrick
Series: Cree Black #1
Dates Read: finished 10/24/11
Number of pages: n/a (Audio)
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, download from Net Library
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Phantom players
How does it fit the category? spooky
Alternate Category:
Theme of the Month: Halloween Horrors
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, scary story
My Rating: 2.7 stars
Notes:

This first-in-series novel showed a LOT of early promise. It had a great, atmospheric setting -- a haunted old mansion in New Orleans. It had an interesting protagonist. Cree (short for Lucretia) Black is a former skeptic turned parapsychologist, with a PhD in psychology and who is a "sensitive" but tries (and largely fails) to bring some semblance of scientific method to her investigations. Her fellow investigator is Edward, who takes a totally scientific approach to investigating paranormal phenomena. I wish we'd seen more of Edward and his scientific instruments, but he appeared only via long-distance communication -- and in one somewhat out-of-place snippet set at the site of his own investigation in Gloucester, MA -- until the very end. And then his function was mainly as part of the "personal" angle of Cree's story.

Lila Warren tried to move back to Beaufort House, the historic family mansion, but is driven out and nearly to madness by something horrible. She calls in Cree to investigate, over the objections of her family and her psychiatrist Paul Fitzpatrick. And the adventure begins, with some genuine creepiness and also some "ick" factor, too. The whole thing just got too wrapped up with Cree's personal issues for my taste. She started out as a very interesting character, but by about halfway through I was getting very impatient with her -- and with the author for taking such a promising story and bogging it down in so much drivel and yuckiness. The "solution" to the mystery didn't ring true to me, either.

The problem with audio books is that you can't throw them across the room when they go bad -- because you'd break the equipment you need to listen to the really good ones.

ETA to add I may be selling this book a bit short due to some subject matter issues. But, for whatever reason, I walked away feeling much less than satisfied with this book.

1 a.m. and I can't sleep. The world has gone crazy. It's only October, and already people are arguing over the "Christmas" vs. "Holiday" terminology. I've encountered it twice today ETA I mean, yesterday -- it's tomorrow now ;). Already.

For those Christians offended by "happy holiday" greetings, the anger seems quite un-Christ-like to me -- fuming over genuinely offered well-wishes, however they are worded.

And what you call the tree should be a non-issue. I've been a Christian all my life, am active in church, married to a pastor, have a degree in theology . . . and I don't care if you call it a "holiday tree" or a "Christmas tree." Having studied church history, I can honestly say that there is nothing inherently Christian about "Christmas trees" -- the tree tradition has its roots (no pun intended) in pagan practice, borrowed and, er, "transformed" by Christians seeking to convert Europe long ago. And Christmas is a holiday, hence I don't mind "holiday" greetings at all -- especially since holiday has its roots in the phrase "holy day."

Personally, I like the inclusiveness of "happy holidays." I'm a Christian, but I know that not everyone is; but most everyone has some kind of holiday to celebrate toward the end of December, even if it's only the upcoming New Year's Day. It also works for those of us who are serious about observing the season of Advent in the days leading up to Christmas -- not supposed to say "Merry Christmas" yet, according to the liturgical calendar, not until Christmas Eve. So what do we say? 'Appy Advent? Nah.

It's gotten to where 1/3 of the people are offended if you say "merry Christmas," 1/3 are offended by "happy holidays" and 1/3 don't care, but nobody knows who is which or what to say. Pretty soon we'll all be intimidated into stopping altogether the offering of well-wishes as the Christmas/New Year/Holiday season approaches.

Bah, humbug.

OK, I feel better now. Humbug rescinded for now.

I find myself fretting a bit about the state of the world. I saw a piece on the news about how the identities of the jurors on the Casey Anthony trial were released and they've been subjected to this hate campaign of harassment and threats . . . one had to quit her job and sell her house and move out of Florida. I doubt that any of the people doing the harassment were in the courtroom to hear all the testimony and see all the evidence. Many of them probably don't even understand the concept of "presumption of innocence" and of having to determine guilt on a specific charge "beyond a reasonable doubt."

Americans today seem to lack understanding of such basic legal concepts, and it worries me.

ETA to add I hate it when I have insomnia! Why does the world seem so much bleaker at 3 a.m.?

ETA to add Even bleaker at 4 a.m. Ah, well, they say that "It's always darkest before the dawn," right?
(Though I once saw a bumper sticker which disagreed, stating, "It's always darkest before it's pitch black !" ;)

At 6:50 a.m., as my son was preparing for school, he informed me that he needed to wear plaid today. They are doing special "dress-up" things for Red Ribbon (anti-drug) week, like they do for School Spirit (homecoming) Week, and the theme of the day is "plaid." Monday was camouflage, Tuesday was "60's" (tie dyed t-shirt), Wednesday was sports regalia (he wore the Roberto Clemente shirt he bought in Cooperstown), and today is plaid.

He owns not one scrap of plaid except for winter pajamas. Not going to school in those.

I have some plaid shirts, but he wasn't going to wear a "girl" shirt. I had to pull an old plaid shirt of his father's out of seasonal storage -- the only plaid HE owns except for winter pajamas -- with no time to iron, let alone launder.

So he is wrinkled and a little musty, but he is PLAID. :)

ETA to add: BTW, I hope Red Ribbon week is more effective against drugs than School Spirit week was for preparing for Homecoming. Our home team was DESTROYED in the homecoming game. :(

I just have to jump in on the Edith Wharton love. My professor said yesterday that she is THE most underrated American author. He has stated over and over that she didn't write a bad book, and I'm inclined to agree with him. The Age of Innocence remains my favorite, closely followed by Summer and The Custom of the Country.... unless I'm in a different mood and choose Ethan Frome and The House of Mirth for runners up.

So glad to hear the good health news, Terri. I get bah humbuggy this time of year too, although mine is more related to the commercial aspects of the season. I really don't want to have my Christmas shopping done before I've had my Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. And I'm still trying to figure out a way to remove all the adults from my list and just shop for the kids!

Sorry about the insomnia, Terri. It was in the air last night (Mama didn't sleep well either) although mine wasn't bad enough to take me out of bed - just 45 minutes or so of circling no-thought and music. I will say, "Merry Christmas" if I feel like it to everybody except those who I know don't celebrate Christmas. I won't start shopping until the middle of December except that I will provide for my adults with a visit to our church's Alternative Giving Fair. I can do some good and make my folks happy at the same time.

Well thought out rants, Terri. Personally, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas when doing so verbally (at least for people I know to be Christian, though I do knew quite a few Jewish people, Muslims, as well as a few atheists) but for greeting cards etc, I always include a happy holidays phrase.

Even so, I do trip up. Last year, as I was racing out the office door on our last workday before Christmas, I casually wished an old friend a Merry Christmas. She said she's an atheist (who knew?) and didn't celebrate it but that she appreciated the sentiment nonetheless.

I was lying awake far too long last night as well. The "holiday" terminology does pose problems for most people, but I personally don't think people should be offended by seasonal greetings. I offer up a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" as a wish for goodwill not as a religious challenge. I also think we North Americans have generally commercialized all our holidays. Halloween is a perfect example.

I know at seven am, it was probably anything but funny, but I have to admit getting a little chuckle at you having to search the house for something "Plaid". My grandkids have Pajama Days at school at least once a month, and I find that weird.

Terry, I hope you are able to sleep tonight or perhaps get a nap in today at some point.

I can see clearly now, the rain has gone;
I can see all obstacles in my way . . . "

Well, the rain hasn't gone -- it's still coming down -- but I CAN see clearly now. I just got my new glasses and they are WONDERFUL!!!!

I'm still getting used to them a bit, but I drove home; fine. I read some from a book; SOOOO much better! And the biggest surprise is how much easier it is to SEE THE COMPUTER SCREEN!!!

I'm doing a happy dance and praying God's blessings upon my optometrist, and all the wonderful folks at the optician's office!!!!

116 Thanks, Donna. BTW, the commercialism drives me crazy, too. But I've been sick of that for so long, I've given up rants on the subject for the most part.

117 Hi, Peggy! I admit, I do buy a few things early -- mainly when one of those train videos that I know my son will love goes on sale, as they are otherwise dreadfully expensive -- but I hate the thought of actual "Christmas shopping" in October or early-to-mid November.

118 Glad you like the rant, Linda! I feel a bit sheepish about it now, though.
I remember one year (ninth grade, I think) it seemed like I forgot to wish all my teachers Merry Christmas -- except for the one who was Jewish. He didn't seem to mind.

119 So, Judy, you were a fellow insomniac last night, huh? Here's hoping each of us gets a good night's sleep tonight.
The plaid thing wasn't so bad, all things considered. In elementary school, they had some of those "pajama days" -- at least one during School Spirit week each year. I thought it was weird, too. Though I thought it was kind of neat in Kindergarten or 1st grade, when they did it in conjunction with a reading of The Polar Express, complete with hot chocolate and cookies.

ETA trying to fix the touchstone for The Polar Express, but it seems to be defective. So here's a link to the work page: http://www.librarything.com/work/46538

Hey there! You weren't kidding that your thread was having a similar discussion re : the whole Holiday thing. Well, when the time comes, I will be sure to wish you Happy Holidays. : ) So glad you have your new glasses. Happy reading and good luck sleeping.

Kim, thanks for putting up with me and my opinions over on your thread. And, by the way, I myself am actually happy to accept most any kind of Christmas/Holiday/New Year's/etc. greeting anyone wants to offer.

I wish people would get upset about hunger, abuse and violence the same way they get upset about wording. Not you, Terri, I agree with your rant.

Good thought, Carrie. That reminds me of another pet peeve of mine. I feel the same sort of way when I read letters in the self-help columns (Annie's Mailbox, Dear Abby and such) complaining because so-and-so is wearing white shoes after Labor Day, or "what do I do with my sister whose purse never matches her shoes," etc. Like, "is this all you can see in the world to write a letter and complain about?" or "Maybe she's too busy trying to make a real difference in the world to color-coordinate," or "in a world where millions of people are starving, maybe she has better uses for her money than accessorizing," etc.

ETA to add As it turned out, dialogue brought forth some enlightenment and understanding, I think, in the case of one of the holiday wording incidents. In the other clash of wording, not so much. (Of course, the sensible one was an LT-er. :) The less sensible one was a local know-it-all.)

Enough of that. What do you think of this weekend's weather?

For those in far-away places who don't know, Pennsylvania is getting a very early-season snowstorm this weekend. Where I live was probably among the earliest sites in the state to see snowfall -- we started getting a dusting around 6 or 7 p.m. The street still looks clear, but there is snow on the grass and laying heavy on the trees -- especially the ones that have leaves left. This is the kind of snow likely to bring down power lines: wet and heavy snow. Which reminds me, I think I'll plug in the battery-operated Coleman lantern to charge before I go to bed.

Well the World Series is over. The St. Louis Cardinals, who came back from the brink of elimination several times in Game 6 to win that game in the 11th inning, won with a bit more breathing room tonight to take the championship in front of the home crowd.

Baseball season is over, but baseball reading is not. I'm planning to read at least one more baseball book this year, a biography of Roberto Clemente.

I've got a number of items going on the book front. I've been somewhat stalled for a while (partly due to visiting family in the earlier part of the week) but am starting to make progress now that I have my new glasses.

In progress:
I'll be Watching You by Charles de Lint (writing as Samuel M. Key) for Mac's Halloween read. Good, suspenseful read, but I'm not quite in the mood for it. However, it's an inter-library loan -- plus I want to get it read by the end of the month for the Halloween read.

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz (non-fiction/LT Early Reviewer copy) This is quite good, but I need to read it and get it reviewed; thus I'm inclined to not be in the mood for it. But I'd like to finish it by the end of the month to meet my off-the-shelf goal. (ER books always count, even though they're new, so that I don't neglect them for regular off-the-shelf books.)

Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (non-fiction.) I started this on audio downloaded from the library, but ran out of time on the loan; am finishing with an inter-library loan copy. I'm more in the mood for this, and need to finish it by Nov. 14 (should be easy) but feel I ought to finish the ER book first.

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd (audio downoad; juvenile/YA fiction)

Addiction and Grace by Gerald G. May. This is a ministry-related read I've gotten a bit bogged down in. Good book, though.

I just finished I'll Be Watching You last night after the baseball game; it wasnt' at all what I expected - there was much less supernatural than the others I've read by DeLint. But I really enjoyed it. The theme of abuse that ran through the whole book was very accurately portrayed - DeLint tapped into an issue that is hard to understand.

128 Mac, my big disappointment of the month is that I've had Odd Thomas checked out of the library almost all month (2 week term and a renewal) and haven't gotten to it. That was one on the Halloween list that I've really wanted to read.

Our internet was down for a while this morning, but is working for the moment. We are really getting snow. I asked my son what he thought of the October snow, and he just said "Rare."

Snow?!? Wow. Enjoy. I always like the first few storms but, after New Year's, I don't.

I've been looking to read that Roberto Clemente bio, too. Not sure if I'll get anymore baseball reading in, though, til I start 12 in 12.

Snow?! Too soon! Loved the Odd-Thomas series. Stay warm. : )

130 Yeah, Linda, snow. I am so not ready for winter.
I still have room in my "play ball" category, so the Clemente bio fits 11/11 challenge OK.

131 I agree, Kim -- too soon for snow!
I'll get to Odd Thomas someday.

Penn State scored a touchdown to take the lead over Illinois with about a minute left in the game. Then the Illinois kicker missed a 42-yard field goal with time expiring, giving Penn State a 10-7 win -- Joe Paterno's 409th, making him the winningest coach in NCAA Division One football. This has markedly improved my mood.

I do strive to stay out of controversy, but I seem to have gotten into one on another thread, regarding library funding and services. It has rather ruined my day. For the moment, I've blocked one LT-er on the thread who had harsh words for me so I won't see further comments and be tempted to respond again and escalate things more, and apologized on-thread and via PM to the thread holder. Not sure what else to do.

I didn't think it such an insult to suggest that people lobby their lawmakers for improved funding for libraries, and donate if able, and to point out that libraries offer many FREE services, and that maybe it's not such a big deal to have to WAIT for books now and then.

Some people have such a sense of entitlement to have everything THEIR way. Yes, tax dollars pay some portion of most libraries' costs (including, perhaps, a portion of my minimum-wage pay -- for the scheduled hours I get paid for), but that doesn't make up for the fact that most libraries don't have enough funds to give everyone everything they want, exactly when they want it -- and local libraries often have some matters that are, to some degree, beyond their own control, such as district or state-run computerized catalog systems or e-book lending systems.

Tax dollars also pay for my son's disability services, but I have to run the gauntlet to get the basics to which he's entitled by law -- and am made to feel like a beggar when I do so. We would never put our library patrons through that kind of hassle.

I'm so glad that most of OUR library's patrons are wonderful, kind, thoughtful people who appreciate us and all our efforts.

Penn State is having a good season. We were doing yardwork etc and I didn't put the game on til Penn St was about to score. I hardly ever watch college football but Notre Dame beating up on Navy was no fun to watch so we switched over to the Illinois game.

I went to a small liberal arts college so I usually watch for Illinois, Wisconsin, Northwestern, or Notre Dame.

We lived in Happy Valley for a while, so I tend to follow Penn State. Sorry it was your Fighting Illini they had to find a way to beat today!

I'm not a real fan of theirs. Just my home state team. When I went to the Northwestern/Illinois game at Wrigley Field last year, I cheered for Northwestern.

Let's see -- Summer is my all-time favorite Wharton. I can't even use bifocals so I'm one of those people fumbling around with a glasses case in fact I'm about ready to put my 'long-distance' glasses on a chain so they just stay with me. The time I waste looking for my glasses.... when I could be reading!

136 Glad the loss wasn't too diasppointing, then -- like it would have been to me if Penn State had lost!

137 Thanks so much for stopping by! My old glasses, I was constantly losing, and spending ages trying to find. My husband said I should put them on a chain. Fortunately, these new bifocals work for me. They are the first glasses that really have worked wearing full-time since I hit middle age. Sorry you can't do bifocals.

This was one of those days when I just kept slipping back to LT to see what was going on. Between this and my family stuff, I didn't get nearly the reading done that I'd intended. I may not make my Books-off-the-Shelf Challenge goal this month! I'd better spend some time offline tomorrow.

Just trying to catch up and say hi. So how much snow did you get?

I enjoyed reading your Christmas/Holiday rant. With so many real problems it is so ridiculously petty to have such a non-issue get any press.

Hi Terri- I'm glad you are enjoying Midnight Rising. that's one I NEED to get on my WL. I read his Confederates in the Attic a few years ago and loved it.
I also enjoyed Thunderstruck. I'm glad it's working for you too!

Hi Terri, so apparently you're getting the snowy weather that we've come to expect in October here in Western NY. Just kidding but snow is not unheard of in October as a matter of fact, a few years ago, we had a storm and of course the leaves were all still on the trees for the most part, causing power outages over a large part of WNY. Since then it's been known as the October Surprise.

I recently read my first two Whartons - Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence and loved them both. I'm looking forward to the rest of her novels.

140 Hi, Joanne! I'd say we got about 4 inches here in town; closer to 8 out on the mountain.
The holiday rant only happened because I was having kind of a bad day, and the same issue came up more than once in that bad day -- and only October yet!

141 Good to see you, Mark! I LOVED Confederates in the Attic. Midnight Rising is not the same kind of experience, but it's quite good.

142 Hi, Bonnie! I've heard stories about the weather in Western NY and the havoc it can create -- my father-in-law grew up in that area, and worked for the Niagara Mohawk power company for many years. Actually, we've had October winter storms before here in the PA mountains, too, but this early it is usually ICE (which plays even more havoc with power lines!).

It was beautiful driving to church this morning. The sun was shining, and as I went up the mountain the snow-covered trees glistened in the sunlight. The roads weren't bad -- just a few slick spots, but mostly clear. The church parking lot was horrible, however. Not sure what happened to our hired snowplow driver, but I don't think he'd been there.

Challenge Book #41 B
Title: Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War
Author: Tony Horwitz
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2011
Genre: non-fiction / history
Subject: Life of John Brown, culminating in his raid on Harper's Ferry and subsequent trial and execution
Setting: pre-Civil War US
Dates Read: finished 10/30/11
Number of pages: 290 plus notes, etc.
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: Yes; LT ER book (they count as off-the shelf)
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Pregame
How does it fit the category? ER book
Theme of the Month: Halloween Horrors
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? n/a (ER book) (Though Brown was convicted on Halloween, 1859!)
My rating: 4.3 stars
Notes: : LT ER book, bound uncorrected proofs

I received a free Early Reviewer copy of Midnight Rising through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program, and my review will be based on that copy. Let me note that this copy was in the form of bound uncorrected proofs: while this copy included endnotes, they were not yet numbered nor referenced in the text itself, thus I could not really refer to them and cannot comment on their final form or usefulness. There was no index in this copy, but the Table of Contents indicates that an index will be included in the final published edition.

Horwitz's account of John Brown and his famous raid on United States armory at Harper's Ferry is detailed but not overwhelmingly so. The character of the enigmatic man, John Brown, comes alive through excerpts of his own writing and that of contemporaries who knew him.

The book is divided into three sections. In the first, we learn basics of his upbringing by a sternly religious abolitionist father; his failed business dealings as a young man (presaging how lack of financial common sense would plague his anti-slavery work); and his increasingly radical abolitionist views. We follow him as attempts a utopian project in upstate New York, battles in Bleeding Kansas, and lays the foundation for his audacious attempt at insurrection.

The second section focuses on the final months of preparation and the actual raid on Harper's Ferry. We see Brown again struggling with the "business" end of his endeavors. Organizational issues, dissension among his men, and the struggle to avoid detection are key parts of the drama leading up to the raid. Quite interesting to me were the roles of his daughter Annie and daughter-in-law Martha in keeping his endeavors hidden from prying eyes. Of course, the raid itself is the centerpiece, and Horwitz provides plenty of interesting detail here.

The final section details the aftermath of Brown's raid: the interrogations, trials, executions, and impact on public opinion. This was actually my favorite section of the book, because Horwitz skillfully made me realize the impact Brown's supposedly "insane" act had on events shortly thereafter which significantly shaped our country. Horwitz examines the turning tide of opinion regarding Brown in the North, and how it impacted Southern actions. Horwitz also briefly follows some figures on both sides of the events -- and even the town of Harper's Ferry itself -- into the Civil War and beyond. And he examines the question: what, really, was John Brown's plan all along? Did what he said about his plan and what he did match? What was he thinking? While acknowledging that we can never really know the man's mind for sure -- beyond his desire to strike a blow against slavery -- Horwitz offers insights about how Brown's self-identification with certain Biblical figures may have figured into his thoughts.

Midnight Rising was an interesting, insightful book that I enjoyed reading and heartily recommend.

Today was a rare Monday off work for me; a co-worker asked me to trade shifts, and I happily obliged. I've also picked up some extra work, starting tomorrow, covering for someone who is ill, so I may not be on LT much the rest of this week.

This weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the massive Atlantic storm which swallowed the swordfishing vessel Andrea Gail and its crew, as well as claiming the life of a crew member from the Air National Guard rescue helicopter which ran out of fuel during a rescue attempt, unable to manage an in-air refuel due to the weather. In remembrance, I fired up the Blue Ray and my stereo and watched my disc of The Perfect Storm.

I've had my big ol' Cerwin Vega Speakers for 30 years now, but they can still shake the floor when I crank them. The floor wasn't the only thing moved by the movie. I needed a whole bunch of Kleenex to get through it.

The DVD also has a track with author Sebastian Junger doing commentary on the movie made from his book.

Now I'm thinking I'd like to do a re-read of Junger's book.

Challenge Book #42B
Title: I'll be Watching You
Author: Charles de Lint, writing as Samuel M. Key
Copyright/Year of original publication: 1994
Genre: criminal suspense/horror/thriller
Subject: abused woman meets insane stalker
Setting: "Newford" -- de Lint's fictional city
Main Characters: Rachel Sorensen, Lily Kataboki, and a photographer with many names
Series: not exactly, one of several novels de Lint set in Newford
Dates Read: finished 10/31/11
Number of pages: 351
Off the Shelf? (pre-2011): No, inter-library loan
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Utility Players
How does it fit the category? doesn't fit other categories
Does it fit the Theme of the Month Yes
How does it fit the theme? on Mac's Halloween reading list
My Rating:3.9 stars
Notes:

I was unsure, well into this book, whether I was going to like it. That is not a comment on the quality of the writing, merely on how it fit with my reading tastes. I didn't think I liked where it was going, and so I moved forward a bit reluctantly in my reading of it.

Well, somewhere along the line it drew me in and didn't let me go. This was a really clever tale of suspense, full of dark twists. It is a violent story, that's the nature of the tale, but I didn't think that the descriptions of the violence were overdone -- though the crimes were quite unpleasant. (But, then, is murder ever pleasant?)

I thought the characters got a little soap-boxy about women's issues -- abuse, society's pressures upon women to be beautiful -- and some of that dialogue didn't feel quite natural to me, but de Lint put his money where their mouths were, so to speak, and SHOWED us the damage and the issues his characters were talking about.

This was not my typical kind of Halloween read, but it certainly had its own kind of horror.

ETA to add I'm told that de Lint wrote several "darker" novels under the Samuel M. Key pen name during the 90's, and that they are quite unlike his usual work. Looking at the tags on most of his other works, I can see that.

Terri- Good review of Midnight Rising. I need to get this one on the WL. Have you ever read Cloudsplitter? It's a fictionalized account of Brown. I have not read it but it is in the stacks.
I'm also a big fan of Junger's The Perfect Storm. The movie was okay.

Good review of I'll Be Watching You. I'm a big fan of all things creepy and De Lint has been recommended to me before. Haven't had a chance to pick up any of his books though

148 Thanks, Mark! No, I haven't read Cloudsplitter. I should check it out sometime -- our library has it.

149 Thanks, Chelle! This was pretty creepy, all right.
Glad you stopped by!

I had the unaccustomed duty of closing the library tonight. I was pleased that the local police officer on the beat this evening stopped by around closing time to make sure all was well. I appreciated the added sense of safety; wiith all the crime fiction I read, my imagination can run away with me sometimes!

*waves*
trying to get back into the groove of things Terri :)

I worked in my college library (Paul Smith's in the Adirondacks) and had to close on occasion, I would call campus security to walk me back to the dorm.
Many a bear or other wild critter could be heard in the woods..... was a beautiful place to go to school but mighty creepy at night :)

*waves back*
Good to see you, Kara!

I'm somewhat familiar with Paul Smith's College -- the Adirondacks being one of our favorite vacation destinations. We've hiked the trails at Paul Smith's VIC many times! Beautiful area, but I imagine night could be creepy on campus.

I'm happy as a clam -- I was awarded Carol O'Connell's new Mallory novel, The Chalk Girl, through the LT Early Reviewer program.

#153 That's good. I've never read any of these but maybe I'll look for the first one. I think it's Mallory's Oracle.

I got that one too, Terri. I haven't read O'Connell before. It sounds good.

Hi, Linda and Carrie!

Mallory is one my of favorite series -- and one of the few series where I've actually read all of the books and won't need to play catch-up before I read the new one!

Yes, Mallory's Oracle is the first. This is a series that gets better as it goes along. I read one of the later ones first, Winter House, not realizing at first that it was part of a series. I almost put it down -- I was slow getting into it -- but then it pulled me in and I loved it! So I went back to the beginning and eventually read them all. Mallory is a very different kind of character. She takes some getting used to. NOT cozy, not at all.

I think one of the reasons I was slow getting into the first one I read is that I was jumping into the middle of the series. So, Carrie, give Mallory a chance if you don't like her at first. She's not really a likeable character, especially on the surface, but she's a fascinating character and the stories are complex. (I also like the fact that O'Connell will occasionally drop something inexplicable into the mix in her plots -- just some spooky little touch, not too much, and not every book, but sometimes.)

Terri, I've been catching up - snow and all!
I have enjoyed O'Connell a lot too but haven't ever finished even what I own of the series. I don't know how to account for my changing tastes, but I started Killing Critics, and while I liked it, I never finished it. Someday!
I laughed out loud when I read, "I need to read it and get it reviewed; thus I'm inclined to not be in the mood for it..." That is so me! And you did read and review it in the end and got a thumb from me. Thanks!

I laughed out loud when I read, "I need to read it and get it reviewed; thus I'm inclined to not be in the mood for it..." That is so me!

Oh, so you're as contrary about "must reads" as I am , eh? ;)

Thanks for the thumb, Peggy!

Fellow contrarian here! Mallory sound interesting...

Hi, Kim! Yes, I can't think of any other character quite like Mallory. . .

congrats. Terri on your ER book!

put me on the "contrary" wagon :) I have been lucky tho, it seems like most of my ER books have ranged from decent to good.....

I think the problem I seem to have is the pressure/fear of just starting it because I "have to" and hoping that the "have to" read turns out well in the end.

I think that's my problem too, Kara! And I, too, have been very lucky with what I've received.

Re: Wharton. Little late, but had to add she is one of my favorite authors. My favorites are Ethan Frome and The Custom of the Country. I hope you get to something by her soon. You won't regret it.

So lucky to get the Horwitz as an ER!

I've shied away from the de Lint horror category, but maybe I would like them.... maybe not....I've read all the others.

A little late to the discussion about John Brown. Cloudsplitter was a bit of a disappointment for me. I rated it 3 bones but only because of the author's prose. The story gets very bogged down and is over-indulgent. The prose is beautiful but you have to slog through a lot of it.

Glad you liked I'll be Watching You from this year's Halloween list. I was surprised by how this one by De Lint was devoid of any fantasy or supernatural aspects.

163 Hi! Glad you chimed in. I really must try Wharton. I did read a collection of short stories by her, but I want to do one of her novels soon.

164 I think the one I read, while there was real violence, the main horror was more the psychological aspect; the antagonist's twisted mind. Also a good study of victim mentality, too, and how women are victimized in many ways within our society.

165 The prose is beautiful but you have to slog through a lot of it.
Thanks for the warning, Mac!

I am getting so far behind on threads! We are very shorthanded at the library, due to a mix of vacations and the sudden illness of a co-worker. I have been working crazy odd hours, and coming home tired. It's not that there are so many extra hours, it's just the logistics of covering all the hours the library is open, and working alone during many of them. (The director is one of those on vacation -- we're having to "wing it" on our own.) Fortunately, we've had some beautiful fall weather this week and most patrons must be enjoying the great outdoors -- the library hasn't been very busy most of the time. The library is closed tomorrow, so after church I am going to be a couch potato.

Hope you enjoyed being a couch potato today! :)

Thanks, Chelle! I did! :)

I did some reading -- still enjoying Thunderstruck -- and watched the NASCAR race on TV. Now I'm watching the Steelers game.

I did manage to get some laundry done today.

Between my reading time, my TV time, my LT time, and, of course, my nap time, I find it hard to fit housework in at all.

LOL, Judy!

The problem with housework is that it is never done. The minute I think I've got something done, someone comes along and messes it up again!

Go Smoke! :)

Thunderstruck is on "the list" already...glad it is a good one!

171 Go Smoke! :)
Hi, Kara! Did you see the race yesterday? Smoke is really smokin' the competition since the Chase started! I am happy as a clam. The only problem is that we have a church dinner scheduled for Nov. 20th at 5:30, and they'd like the pastor's wife to show up! ;) But and I'm thinking that's around the time the final race at Homestead will end, and -- as close as the point standings are -- I think the championship may well hinge on the final laps of that race. How could I possibly enjoy dinner if I don't know how things turned out?

I missed the race....well, I saw the end on the news :) he won because someone ran out of gas right?

what if you tape the race then do the dinner thing and come home and catch up?

he won because someone ran out of gas right?

Kara, I'd hardly call it a fuel mileage win. Smoke dominated the race -- had a really fast car and led the most laps. Yes, Jeff Burton ran out of gas four or five laps from the end, but he didn't realistically have enough gas to even make the attempt -- no one else who pitted when he did attempted it. (Though a few did wait a while before pitting to see if a caution would come out and let them conserve a bit more fuel under yellow.) Burton wasn't a front runner until he tried the futile fuel-mileage tactic.

what if you tape the race then do the dinner thing and come home and catch up?

Oh, I'll record it. But it's just not the same. :(

I'd hardly call it a fuel mileage win. Smoke dominated the race........ see, the news didn't say any of that...haters! ;)

see, the news didn't say any of that...haters! ;)

So what's new?

I should say Stewart and Edwards dominated the race. It was a beauty of a battle. But Stewart led the most laps. Biffle and Kenseth led some too. (Which leaves me with the title "Smoke and the Rousch-keteers" bopping around my brain! ;)

Smoke and the Rousch-keteers I like that! :)

Challenge Book #43 B
Title: Thunderstruck
Author: Erik Larson
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2006
Genre: non-fiction/history
Subject: the development of wireless telegraphy by Marconi; a murder in London; the connection of the two
Setting: London and elsewhere, including the Atlantic Ocean
Dates Read: finished 11/7/11
Number of pages: 392 plus notes & sources and index
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: library download (audio); Inter-library loan (book)
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Away Game Travel Day (cars, planes, boats & trains)
How does it fit the category? importance of shipboard wireless and the significance of one special Atlantic crossing
Theme of the Month: Fill in the Blanks
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Need for 11 in 11 category
My Rating: 3.95 stars
Notes: started this book on audio; switched to hard copy

Erik Larson does it again. This is the third book I've read by him, and they've all been winners. Here he uses somewhat the same formula as in Devil in the White City -- taking a great historical milestone and pairing it with a famous true crime of the era with which it has some connection. Here, the historical milestone is Marconi's development of wireless telegraphy -- the "true crime" angle is the story of a doctor named Crippen. I don't think this book succeeds quite as well as Devil in the White City, due to subject matter: while the story of the wireless is interesting and highly significant, it's not quite as fascinating as that of the "white city" Columbian Exposition of 1892. But it's a fine story told well.

ZOOOOOOOOOOOM! (That was me speeding through your thread emulating Smoke!)

LOL, Kim! Let's hope the thread police don't have a radar gun to trap speeders!

LOL at Kim!

I need to get to Thunderstruck, why did you switch from audio to book?
just curious....I have not done any audio yet

Partly due to time constraints on the library audio download. (There had been a waiting list, so knew I wouldn't be able to renew.) But I generally do better with non-fiction in book form. I like to refer to the notes. I'm glad I made the switch: the end-notes contained some gems of information that Larson couldn't fit into the narrative, but that were too good to leave out entirely!

Election Day! I hope people voted today. I made a point of it. I wanted to vote against one candidate whose negative campaign ads really made me mad. I wanted to vote against another candidate who we've had to take to court more than once for long-overdue library materials. If someone can't take care of their library books properly, how can you expect them to handle your tax dollars?????

#183 Good point.

I had an overdue book once and owed a dime in fines. I was mortified as the head of circulation is an old family friend.

I am eager for our primary, which I think IL has moved to March. My Congressman is the accused, so-called "deadbeat dad" who is said to owe over $100K in child support. My state senator was just accused of using her influence to get the cops/states attorney not to investigate after her husband made a 911 call after she (the state senator) allegedly hit him on Christmas day.

184 Ain't politics grand???

Our D.A.'s campaign was running ads slamming his opponent because she is a Public Defender, like "She spent the past 20 years putting sex offenders and drug dealers back out on the streets," complete with illustrations of crime scene tape and sleazy-looking characters. (When called out on this negative campaigning, he said he was simply trying to "educate the public" about the "experience and qualifications" of the candidates. Yeah, right.)

Since the presumption of innocence and right to appropriate representation is fundamental to our legal system, I found the whole thing thoroughly maddening, and proceeded to write letters of complaint (all of which were ignored) to the Republican State Committee, the County Republican Committee, and the editor of the local paper. Then I voted for his opponent.

It's really sad, because in the past I've always crossed party lines to vote for the man and probably would have again this year, if not for these sleazy ads. My husband sat next to him at a community event once, talked with him, and thought he seemed like a decent guy -- not someone who would resort to these kinds of tactics.

I kept slipping back onto LT today. (What I do on my day off.) I really need to just stay away from the computer and get more housework done.

Time to go pester my son about his studying . . .

G'night, y'all.

Couldn't sleep, decided to go online and check the final election results. The DA with the sleazy ads got trounced by his opponent. The library scofflaw lost, too. Maybe I'll sleep better now.

I'm glad you got the election results you wanted!

I've just bought Erik Larson's Midnight in the Garden of Beasts - is that the second one of his that you've read? Thun derstruck sounds really good. (erg, silly iPad keyboard wants me to write "the derstruck"..and now the space won't go away!)

Cushla, I haven't read that one yet. Isaac's Storm was the other one I read. It was about the famous and terrible 1900 Galveston hurricane, and it really made the events come alive for me.

As for your "silly iPad keyboard", don't you just hate it when machines think they're smarter than you are? Some of the substitutions my computer's spell check/auto correct wants to make are absolutely hilarious, taken in context.

Somehow, I un-starred my own thread last night. There was a moment of panic when I couldn't find it. Then I remembered -- the "started by you" option and the group's Wiki. Knew I'd find it one way or the other.

Ha, I'm glad I'm not the only one who loses their own thread! I have a link to the current thread on my profile page which I have to use on a regular basis.

I've like everything I've read by Eric Larson. Looks like I need to read Thunderstruck... and his most recent one about Hitler.

politics can get so "slimy".....makes me think that that is what the person doing the ad is really about (sliminess). I have changed my vote a couple of times because of them.

In the process of starting a "new" thread I have lost it because I didn't star it and I didn't put the link on my profile..... I found it like you with the Wiki :) never thought about the "started by you" what I duh I can be :)

191 Hi, Donna! The new Larson was staring at me from a display shelf across from the circulation desk today. I didn't check it out because I just started my ER edition of Massie's Catherine the Great mega-biography, and that will keep me busy for a while.

192 Well, in the end, it was the DA who got "slimed" -- actually, the news anchor commented that he got "spanked" in the election, lost by a landslide.

I keep forgetting to put the fresh links to my challenges on my profile -- I don't think the link to either challenge is on the current thread.

Hi Terri, they say that candidates use negative ads because they work! Really? I always veer away from candidates who use them but that's getting harder and harder to do because practically all of them use them. Grrr.

I know what you mean, Bonnie. Even the person I voted for was somewhat negative -- but when she criticized, she focused on the quality of the job the incumbent was doing as DA -- and it wasn't the dominant tone of her campaign. To me, that's reasonable. (Now let's see if she does a better job!)

Good morning! It is snowing a bit here in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania, USA.

Today is Veterans' Day in the US. I'd like to say a "thank you" here to all who have honorably served my homeland in the Armed Forces.

The history of observing Nov. 11 as Veterans Day is rooted in observing the "Armistice Day" that marked the end of fighting in WW I. So, my question to LTers outside the US is whether any other countries observe this as a special day?

It's the rare holiday when my son is in school but the library where I work is closed.

Someone posted a link on the "interesting articles" thread to this Publishers Weekly Best Book list for 2011:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2011#book/book-1

I'm putting it here because I'm reading one of them now -- Robert Massie's bio of Catherine the Great -- which is, so far, well, great!

There's a main top 10 and a group of genre lists. I think the only other book I read so far on any of the lists is Louise Penny's A Trick of the Light from the mystery list -- though there are many that are already on my Ever-Expanding List of things I want to read! Oh, and I've read a bunch of the picture books, from my work in the library.

Blackout is a special favorite of mine among this year's picture books that were on the list.



And I think I'll be adding some to my own Ever Expanding List. . .

Morning Terri! Thanks for sharing the PW link! It was an amazing year for books. I don't think I've read as many new books as I have this year and I have several more to get to.

>196 tymfos:: my question to LTers outside the US is whether any other countries observe this as a special day?
Terri, I'm not outside the US now, but lived in England for a few years. The answer is very much YES.
It is known as Remembrance Day and is a very solemn occasion, to remember the those who died in the line of duty. There is a very moving service held in London, usually on Remembrance SUNDAY (i.e.; this Sunday). Every village I've ever visited has a World War memorial to their own fallen soldiers. The scope and scale of loss is hard to imagine.

I am not familiar with practices in other European countries like France & Germany, but have to believe there are similar events. This week I've been reading All Quiet on the Western Front, which really brings this all home.

Here in the Midwest, it's now 11:11 on 11/11/11, a particularly solemn moment.

Hello! I'm in Canada and in my town we call it Remembrance Day. Moment of silence at 11am.
My fiance is in the military and they were involved in a parade today. It's considered a statutory holiday here.

198 It has been a great year for books, hasn't it, Mark?

199 Laura, I suspected that, given all that they went through in both World Wars, the British would observe the day. Thanks for the details!

200 Linda, those kinds of convergences of date and time can be eerie, especially on a day such as this.

201 Hi, Chelle! Thanks for the info. My regards to your fiance for his military service!

I've finished another book.

Challenge Book #44B
Title: Scottish Ghost Stories e-book
Author: Elliott O'Donnell
Copyright/Year of original edition publication: 1912
Genre: folklore (probably embellished)
Subject: haunted places in Scotland
Setting: Scotland
Dates Read: finished 11/11/11
Number of pages: 110 plus credits/copyright material
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: e-book from Project Gutenberg
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Phantom Players
How does it fit the category? ghosts
Theme of the Month: fill in the gaps
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, needed for 11/11 challenge
My Rating:
Notes:

As I understand it, author Elliott O'Donnel was an Irish writer and ghost hunter who collected stories of real hauntings. These stories, as I understand it, have their basis in actual claims of hauntings. An article I read suggested that the tales as O'Donnell published them were embellished a bit. Certainly the writing style is rather dramatic. He sets the scene well, and builds up the suspense nicely.

These stories are, naturally, rather old-fashioned in style. There are some issues in discussion of class and ethnicity that mark them as products of their time, but nothing too horribly offensive, IMO.

This was not a great read, but there were some good spooky stories. One had a particularly startling ending -- I could see it coming, but didn't think it would really end that way.

glad to hear Catherine The Great is good, that one is already on my list :)

thanks for the link! some I have already on my list and some I might look a little closer at :)

Hi Terri, thanks for posting the link to the Publisher's Weekly Top Books. I added several to my wishlist. Hope you enjoying your long weekend.

Hey, there, Kara and Judy!

I did finally finish a book I've been nibbling at for several months. It's one I read for a class years ago, but the tribulations of a couple of friends made me pull it out again for insight.

Challenge Book #45 B
Title: Addiction and Grace
Author: Gerald G. May, M.D.
Copyright/Year of original publication: 1988
Genre: non-fiction / religious
Subject: spirituality and addiction
Dates Read: finished 11/14/11
Number of pages: 181 plus notes, index
Off the Shelf? (pre-2011): Yes, had since a class I took in the early 1990's
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Team Chaplain
How does it fit the category? faith-based
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? Yes, helps fill in a blank in my 11/11 challenge
My Rating:3.7 stars
Notes:

This book looks at addiction of all kinds -- the heavy-duty chemical addictions and even the less dramatic and recognizable attachments which can sometimes take over our lives -- from a spiritual standpoint. It deals mainly from a Christian standpoint, but does recognize the theme of detachment as prominent in eastern religions. I was very impressed with it when I read it for class, maybe a little less so now, but there are some good insights.

May argues that all human beings suffer from addictions of one kind or another (who, me? like to books maybe?) and that true liberation from attachments/compulsions (as opposed to merely substituting other addictions) comes only by the grace of God (thought some who experience this may not recognize the source of the gift). At least, I think that's a fair summary of what he says.

I just need to vent. I drove two hours to Pittsburgh for my son's doctor appointment -- all that time, all that gas, all that wear and tear on my car and my nerves, plus turnpike tolls -- only to find it cancelled. I can understand the doctor having a family emergency and having to leave. But they left a phone message on my home machine ten minutes after I left the house -- and they NEVER called my CELL phone (which I made sure they had the last time this happened). No sign of a voice mail nor even a missed call.

And then they had the nerve to charge me for the parking anyway, even though I made the trip for nothing!!!!! (That was kinda the last straw....)

I don't blame you Terri. That was just incompetence and the fact that you indicated that this has happened before clinches it. Can you change doctors because this one needs to be fired?

Really, Bonnie, it's not the doctor, it's the office. Big city hospital clinic. Doctor herself has been wonderful.

I understand family emergencies. I'm sure she told the staff to notify me and expected them to do it properly.

As for the parking charge, well, she had nothing to do with that. I think that dollar made me angrier than anything. Just the principle of it!

I listened to this via audio book while driving and doing housework. I think it was Stasia who recommended this unusual and delightful story.

Challenge Book #46 B
Title: The London Eye Mystery (AUDIO BOOK)
Author: Siobhan Down
Copyright/Year of original publication:
Genre: YA
Subject: A special young man and his sister attempt to solve the disappearance of their cousin
Setting: London, England
Main Characters: Ted, Kat, and their parents; Aunt Gloria and Salim
Dates Read: finished 11/16/11
Number of pages: n/a (audio)
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, audio download from library
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: utility players
How does it fit the category? doesn't fit other categories
Alternate Category:
Theme of the Month: Fill in the gaps
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? No, don't need for 11/11 challenge
My Rating: 3.9 stars
Notes:

This is a unique YA take on a "locked room" mystery. Ted and Kat's cousin Salim seenms to disappear from The London Eye, a giant sky ride, in mid-air. Ted, whose mind "works on a different operating system" (the narrative suggests that he has Asperger's Syndrome, though his "syndrome" isn't named in the story), methodically explores facts and theories in an effort to solve the mystery. But adults around him refuse to take his ideas seriously.

This is a lovely story which reminds us that "different" doesn't equal "less able."

Oh, lucky day! There was actually no waiting list for the online audio book of The Sense of An Ending! I've checked it out.

ETA to add Now if I can just find the connector cord to link my mp3 player to the computer . . .

No way I am catching up....
The Cree Black ( is it?) looks interesting...
Erik Larson's Thunderstruck is a wonderful book.. did you ever read it?
thanks for giving me your link :)

Glad you found me, Kath! You're welcome for the link.

The Cree Black story had a lot of promise, but ultimately didn't deliver for me. You may love it, though. I may try another one some day, to see if she tones down the personal melodrama. There were hopeful signs of that at the end.

I love Erik Larson! I've read Devil in the White City, Isaac's Storm, and most recently, Thunderstruck. He is such a great storyteller, he makes history as easy and interesting to read as a good novel -- and he includes good notes, too.

Terri- I read and enjoyed all 3 of those Larson books too! I also have In the Garden of Beasts loaded up on audio and hope to get to it real soon.
Hope you are having a great weekend!

I liked all thrree as well.. they are keepers for me. I have the new one as well, but haven't read it yet.

Hi, Mark! Yes, had a good weekend.

Hello, Kath!

I hope you both enjoy In the Garden of Beasts, and look forward to comments.

Wet, rainy, soggy, dreary day. It was the kind of day for which I bought my son a new waterproof hooded jacket -- which he stubbornly left on the hook this morning, despite my pleas, and wore a lesser jacket instead. Teenagers!!!!! (At least he wore a jacket!)

Today was my regular day off, and I've been trying to catch up LT a little bit while catching up laundry at the same time. It is a losing battle -- the laundry and the LT both, actually.

In the past week, I've managed to finish off two short, quick, easy books.

Challenge Book #47B
Title: Growing Up Lutheran
Author: Janet Letnes Martin & Suzann (Johnson) Nelson
Copyright/Year of original publication: 1997
Genre: non-fiction; humor
Subject: see title
Setting: mostly US mid-west
Dates Read: finished 11/21/11
Number of pages: 227 (including illustrations) plus authors' note
Off the Shelf? (pre-2011): No, library (ILL snared when the patron returned it early!)
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Team Chaplain
How does it fit the category? church-related
Does it fit the Theme of the Month Fill in the Gaps -- yes
How does it fit the theme? needed for Team Chaplain category
My Rating: ?? Not sure I can rate this one.
Notes:

OK, this should really be called "Growing Up Scandinavian-Lutheran in the Rural Mid-West During the 1940's Through 1960's" as it mostly focuses on the variety of Lutheranism which fits that description. There are token mentions of German Lutherans (usually poking fun at them) and a few observations about changes since that time, but it is rooted in that general vicinity of time and space and ethnicity.

Mind you, I didn't grow up Lutheran, and my adult exposure to Lutheranism (with a 1-year exception) has mostly been since the mid-1980's among congregations of German background closer to the east coast, but I've heard stories. So I think this is pretty on-target for the sub-group of Lutherans upon which it focuses. Certainly some of it pertains to Lutherans of the era in general, and a bit carries over into churches I've known.

This is not great writing. It's gentle, homespun humor with lots of "in" jokes and satire. It includes lots of period photos, and such novelties as: Sunday bulletin excerpts; hymn titles with the page numbers from three different Lutheran hymnals included; church cemetery diagrams and satirical "examples" of cemetery association minutes, etc.

I needed a dose of gentle humor, and this worked well enough for my purposes. Recommended only for those with an affinity for the subject matter.

Challenge Book #48B
Title: Once Upon a Fastball
Author: Bob Mitchell
Copyright/Year of original publication: 2008
Genre: fiction; sports/ magical realism
Subject: historian and avid baseball fan Seth Stein travels back through time to significant moments in baseball and the life of his missing grandfather
Setting: Boston, San Francisco, and New York
Main Characters: Seth Stein, Gram Elsie and (the missing) Papa Sol Solomon
Dates Read: finished 11/22/11
Number of pages: 212 plus acknowledgments
Off the Shelf? (pre-2011): No, from public library
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Play Ball!
How does it fit the category? about baseball
Does it fit the Theme of the Month Yes
How does it fit the theme? fills in gaps, needed in Play Ball category
My Rating: 3 stars
Notes:

This pleasant story tells the tale of Seth, who is pining for his missing grandfather -- with whom he shared a passion for baseball. But an unusual gift left for Seth by Papa Sol seemingly transports him through time -- to moments of import in baseball history and in Papa Sol's life. Along the way it explores the nature of history and our understanding of it; the nature of passion (particularly the passion of the rabid sports fan); issues of how well we really know the people around us (even our loved ones); and a number of odd quirks of numbers and words. It seemed a bit corny to me, but there was some food for thought and a decent amount of simple pleasure for the reader -- especially one who is fond of baseball.

I've been trying to move about the threads to spread holiday greetings, but I'll never have time to get to everyone's threads.

Let me say here that I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!


glitter-graphics.com

Sweet graphic, Terri!

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

Thanks, Joanne! I hope you do, too!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, too! terri :)
I thought of you today.. wanted to share a library story....lol

Happy Thanksgiving, Terri

Happy Thanksgiving, Terri!

Happy Thanksgiving Terri!! (see how the messages have progresses...you are up to two exclamation points now)

So did you have a nice Thanksgiving? What is on for your weekend?

Hi Terri, hope your Thanksgiving was a happy day for you.

Have you listened to The Sense of an Ending yet? I plan to read it this weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving, Terri!

Terri

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!

Just trying to not lose you....!

Hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Terri!

Hi, Kath, Linda, Darryl, Kim, Donna, Caroline, Linda, and Bonnie!

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! I'll try to get to your threads reasonably soon to see what you've posted over the weekend.

We took a little trip for the holiday weekend. While many of you were slaving over hot stoves, we were driving to Virginia. Our Thanksgiving dinner was the buffet at a Golden Corral near Richmond, VA. (And it was very good, too!)

Rather than grapple with Black Friday crowds at shopping centers, we spent the weekend chasing history. We walked the battlefields at Fredericksburg and Cold Harbor. We visited a variety of Civil War museums. We did a tour of Monticello. We worshiped at St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, a National Historic Landmark site, where Patrick Henry uttered those immortal words, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

It was a good trip, marred only by a last-minute dispute with our hotel -- the Wingate Short Pump in Glen Allen, VA -- which tried to deny us reward points to which we were entitled. Yes, we got a sweet bargain rate, as the hotel folks on-site insisted -- but the stay was booked through the hotel chain's corporate Wyndham Rewards site, and when I went over their heads to the Wyndham Rewards customer service people, they said that it was still a "qualified rate" and that the stay was a "qualified stay." The representative said that I will get my points! So all is well that ends well, no thanks to the management at the Wingate in Short Pump, and many thanks to a very nice Wyndham Rewards customer service rep named Ben.

Stuff like that really ticks me off. I was ready to recommend that hotel to anyone headed toward Richmond until that dispute happened. Why in the world, with this economy, would they choose to alienate customers over something that dumb?

ETA to add: I recieved an e-mailed apology from the General Manager of the hotel after I filled out an online survey from the hotel chain about my stay.

We all listened to this book in the car during our trip.

Challenge Book #49B
Title: Bull Run (Audio Book)
Author: Paul Fleischman
Copyright/Year of original publication:
Genre: YA historical fiction
Subject: the early days of the US Civil War, as told by different people affected by the war
Dates Read: 11-24-11
Number of pages: N/A (audio)
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: No, download from library
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: utility players
How does it fit the category? doesn't fit other categories
My Rating: 3.8 stars
Notes:

This book features a variety of narrators sharing the experiences of different folks affected by and participating in the US Civil War in its early stages. It represents experiences of civilians and military personnel, men and women, African Americans and caucasians, slaves and freedmen, native citizens and immigrants, young and old, wealthy folks and poor folks, educated folks and those lacking education. The audio was particularly effective because it used multiple narrators in the production. I think it gave a great sense of how many different people were affected in a variety of ways.

Challenge Book #50B
Title: The Chalk Girl
Author: Carol O'Connell
Copyright/Year of original publication: ER -- release scheduled for January 2012
Genre: mystery fiction / police procedural
Subject: grisly murder with a history
Setting: New York, NY
Main Characters: Mallory, Riker, Charles Butler, and "Coco"
Series: Mallory mysteries
Dates Read: 11/27/11 through 11/29/11
Number of pages: 373
Off the Shelf (pre-2011)? Source?: Counts as off the shelf -- LT Early Reviewer book
Category for 11 in 11 challenge: Pregame
How does it fit the category? ER copy
Theme of the Month: Fill in the blanks
Does it fit the Theme of the Month? How? needed to finish 11/11 challenge
My Rating: 4.3 stars
Notes:

Oh, what a treat to get wrapped up in a good mystery that's almost impossible to put down. Carol O'Connell has done it again, revealing even more facets of her amazing Mallory character while spinning a delicious, complex mystery that spans a decade and a half of pure evil. A brutal series of crimes in Central Park are more than a modern-day whodunit; they carry echoes of the past and whispers of conspiracy. Where will the evidence lead Mallory and her partner Riker?

The story begins with an almost surreal (and icky) scene of swarming rats. (Rats -- both the animal and human types of vermin -- are a theme throughout this disturbing but compulsively readable mystery.) There is the bewildering image of it raining rats and blood, and mysterious quotations -- from a journal, maybe? -- at the head of each chapter. O'Connel begins bringing it all together just as the reader is wondering what it can possibly all be about. Then there is the charming and compelling character of young Coco, a child with Williams syndrome. I knew little about Williams going into this book, and meeting Coco was an education in itself.

In many ways this book is about ongoing relationships -- those that nurture, those that are strained, and those that are patently toxic. The investigation reveals a web of deceit that stretches back over fifteen years in time, to the highest levels of New York's power structures, and involves a vast cast of characters linked by greed, self-preservation, power, money, and fear. Where will it all end? Who will pay, and how? Mallory is something of a law unto herself, defining and attending to justice (as she sees it) via any route her calculating mind can envision -- and her mind is nothing if not creative -- but can she avoid all the landmines in her path?

This was one roller-coaster ride on the dark side of life in New York.

Trying to catch up with everyone :)

your doing Thanksgiving today? right? thought I saw it somewhere. I could see the Virgina mountains from the cabin in NC, if I had known I would have waved and sent a little holiday cheer your way to ease the hotel dispute :)

how about Smoke taking that title!

Hi there! Chalk Girl sounds like a must-read. Thanks for the great review.

236 Hi, Kara! Yes, we did the turkey thing today, after an enjoyable trip over the weekend (despite the hotel dispute). Hubby even made a fresh loaf of rosemary bread to go with the bird, instead of plain old dinner rolls.

Smoke was amazing in that last race. Thanks to the rain delays, I actually got home from the church dinner in time to see the end live in real time -- watched the rest later, delayed, from the DVR. But I can't quite wrap my brain around him firing his crew chief.

238 Hi, Kim! I loved that book -- it's one that I'll be thinking about for a while.

Progress report: I have three books left for my 11 in 11 category challenge, which I hope to complete by December 12 (so I can start the 12 in 12 category challenge):

Catherine the Great by Massie (over 2/3 of the way done);
The Echoing Green by Prager (just started); and
Tinder Box : the Iroquois Theatre Disaster 1903 by Hatch (also just started).

I'm also listening to The Sense of an Ending on audio (about 4/5 of the way through).

I'm glad that Chalk Girl lived up to your hopes. I bought Mallory's Oracle so I would know a little bit of what was going on. I really enjoyed it. I may try and get another book or two in from that series before I read Chalk Girl

Carrie, I've found that, for the most part, the Mallory series just gets better and better as it goes along. I read some of them out of order, so I can't swear that it's a steady progression, but the last few have been especially impressive.

Oh Terri i hope you like Catherine the Great as much as I did. It sounds like you had a fun Thanksgiving. Was it spur of the moment or had you been planning it for some time? I don't remember you mentioning it. The Chalk Girl sounds really good. Great review.

Bonnie, I generally don't talk a lot about plans like that ahead of time, because when I do it tends to "jinx" them. I could tell you stories . . .

*sigh*

Speaking of stories, I'll be starting a new thread late tomorrow night, for December. My theme of the month will be "Holiday Dinners and other December Disasters." The title is inspired by childhood memories of the Great Turkey Oven Fire, and the Thanksgiving Eve that our refrigerator went on the blink . . .

Aren't holidays great? ;)

Sounds like lots of fun! I can think of some stories to contribute, I'm sure we all can!

Actually I have been fortunate with my holiday cooking. Now if my regular cooking was as good as the holiday meals!

I didn't know he fired his crew chief...I missed that
found this, that it was a decision made before the chase.....weird now that he won

http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/Tony_Stewart_says_crew_c...

Holiday Dinners and other December Disasters sounds fun :)

243 Hi, Lucy! I guess most of us have stories like that . . . except Carrie, it looks like . . .

244 Hi, Carrie! So you're one of the lucky ones?

245 Thanks for the link, Kara!

Now that sounds like a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving... well done~
`

Hi, Kath! We had a great time.

AND NOW I'M MOVING ON TO A NEW THREAD! COME JOIN ME!