Mark's Reading Place #3: The Winter's Tale Continues

Chicago lakefront. The photo looks like it was taken in front of the Alder Planetarium. That's the Shedd Aquarium to the far left and of course the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) right in front of the young lady, who could possibly be very attractive if we could only get her to turn around.

Currently Reading:



Audiobook:



Graphic:


Books Read So Far...

1) Habibi by Craig Thompson 3.8 stars (GN)
2) The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux 4 stars (audio)
3) House of Prayer No. 2: A Writer's Journey Home by Mark Richard 4.7 stars
4) The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey 3.5 stars (audio)
5) Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff 4 stars (audio)
6) The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer 4.2 stars (OTS)
7) The Shotgun Rule by Charlie Huston 3.8 stars (OTS)
8) The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson 4.7 stars (audio)
9) Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill 4.2 stars (audio)
10) The Secret River by Kate Grenville 4.5 stars (OTS)
11) Life Itself: A Memoir by Roger Ebert 3.8 stars (audio)

Hi Mark - great photo!

I have The Secret River waiting for me on my nook - it looks like a good one!

Sorry to read about your wintery weather. I always think about people who work outside when the weather's bad. We have a cranky mailman and I think he fishtails his truck on purpose every time he pulls away from a mailbox when there's snow on the road. (He never makes eye contact and rarely says hello. A shame, too, since we've had some wonderful, friendly carriers through the years. Lately he's been making his deliveries on our street between 6-7 pm. That might add to his grumpiness. It would make me grumpy, having to work that late...)

Anyway, enjoy your book!!

eta - Wait...I'm first?? Huh..

Brrrr. No wonder I don't stop by very often. Cold.

Just popping in while I can keep up with the unread posts!

Stay warm!

Etta James passed away today. Here's one of her most memorable tunes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsSS9VcMidA

And this might be my personal favorite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVBPSD9-_H4

I had seen the news about Etta James. The links you provided were a nice remembrance.

We are recovering from a week of snow and ice here, outside Seattle. Despite a foot of snow and the fact that our neighborhood never gets plowed, our postman has been a real trooper. We got our mail every day. When we lost power it was nice to get mail and feel connected to the world still. And in true Seattle style, he wore his trademark shorts. Yea for postal carriers!

Wow mate your view of Chicago lakeside captures an outsider's impression (mine) of the windy city especially at this time of year.
Congrats on third thread and sad news about the now late great Ms. Etta James.

Have a great weekend...keep warm and hope you can curl up with a good book.

>1 msf59: bbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

*hugs dog closer and puts on sweater and wraps up in shawl*

That is one amazing winter photo at the top of your thread Mark! Very sad news about Etta James passing......

I also love your amazing photo! I was fortunate enough to get to visit the Shedd Aquarium during my one and only trip to Chicago quite a few years ago. I loved it.

Sorry that it has taken me so long to catch up with you this year. I love seeing all that you are reading. I especially like to get graphic novel suggestions from you for my daughter who loves them. She wrote chapter one of a graphic novel for her zombie class last semester. I am hoping she will finish it this summer.

Im looking at that lake and thinking, you dont want to fall into that - ever. There's ice bergs in there!
It looks a little familiar to me....I was once in Chicago for a 6 hour stopover on my way from London to Mexico City. So (being pre 9/11) we were stamped into the USA and took a train into the city to have a beer. I got "carded" which was hilarious to my travel companions.

Gorgeous photo up top, Mark! I want to be there :)

The morning weather reports are stating that we received about 9 inches. The good thing is, most of my customers should have things shoveled, by the time I get out there. Don't get me wrong, I would still rather stay here with you guys or cuddle up with a book, but thems the breaks.

Joanne- Numero Uno, my friend! Or is it Numera Una? Hmmmm... Do not understand cranky mail-carriers. Do not understand cranky people but I don't think he's fish-tailing his vehicle to just spite you. LOL.
Yes, you will like The Secret River. Have a great weekend.

Terri- Maybe, I should install a couple space heaters? I'll think about it but only if I know you would stop by more often. Good to see you!

Lisa- Wow, a foot of snow, huh? That's more than a lot places around here and back East. Hope you are handling it well and have a good weekend.

Paul- Glad you liked the photo. That is some wicked looking ice though. No curling up today but that is what tomorrow is reserved for.

RD- Getting hit with a cold blast, huh? Well, we knew this mild stuff wouldn't last forever. It'll be back to 40 tomorrow.

Laura- Thanks! Enjoy your weekend!

BJ- Great to see you, stranger! You should join us for The Wayward Bus next month. I'll also be hosting Fantasy February, if that tickles your fancy.
And yes, expect many more GN recs.

Megan- "you dont want to fall into that - ever. There's ice bergs in there!" I agree, that's some nasty looking stuff jutting out. Thanks for sharing your Chicago stop-over story.

Stasia- Good to see you, my friend. Chicago would welcome you with open arms!

Wow, that's a lot of snow. It looks like we got about 2-3" overnight here, about 1 hour southwest of Philadelphia. Hope all goes well on your route today, Mark!

Best wished on your route today, Mark! Gosh, I miss a day on LT, and look what I have to catch up with!;)

Our snow washed away with freezing rain yesterday, which turned into rain.

Take care my friend! I am so glad to see our RAIN back!!! I never thought I'd say that! Mark, btw - I got lots of mail over the past couple of days - my post person is back!:)

ok, now THAT looks cold, Marky-Mark. I heard a snow storm's on its way to MA,... and I shudder to think what I may be coming home to next weekend.

We got about 7 inches of snow on Wednesday but it's been raining ever since so now it's only visible in the mountains which is just how I like it!

My husband and I have been talking about visiting Chicago for the last couple of years but that picture up above reminds me that it definitely has to be at the right time of year.

Stay safe out there, Mark!

Hey Mark!!! Sending warm thoughts your way! Hope the work day goes fast!!

Mark, I absolutely love that picture. Chicago is beautiful in the winter. In spring, summer, and fall, too, but especially in winter.

We need to get Stasia up here and take her to a Cubs game!!!

Great pic of our icy city, Mark! I walked to Navy Pier last night (for theater) from near the Sears Tower (Willis, Schmillis). Challenging, but fun.

Looks like your reading year is off to a great start!

Hey Mark! Just catching up - trying to at least.

9 inches of snow? Here I was whining about a thin sheet of ice. Although I'd rather drive on snow than ice. Ah, well, I'm not usually given a choice, and I'll work with what I've got. I'm glad I got out of Pennsylvania before the snow, though...

Did I ever tell you that my husband and I had our first date in Chicago? Fortunately it was summer, or we might not be married today. I was working at IU in Bloomington, IN and Bill was living in Seattle. Bill's half sister lives in Geneva, IL. We might be visiting her this summer and going to Swedish Days.

I worked a little extra today, because we were short handed again. It's funny how guilty I am about calling in maybe twice a year, when so many others call in regularly.
Actually, it didn't look like 9 inches, maybe 5-7 but enough for me to go around on shoveled walks, whenever possible, which does seem to add more mileage.

Laura- Yes, it's enough snow to make it a hassle. We are expecting milder temps in the next few days, maybe most of it will melt away. Fingers crossed.

Deb- Thanks! This is why you can't miss a day on LT! You get to far behind! Glad you got all your mail. Yah!

Caro- This is why I rarely go downtown in the winter months! No way buddy! I think of you guys on the East coast and how awful your winter was last year. You are getting a well-deserved break.

Pat- Summer and early fall are the best times, to enjoy Chicago in all it's beauty.

Tammy- How much did you guys get hit with up North? More than us or less?

No snow here, but it rained all night and that meant ice this morning....needless to say, I avoided my walkway and driveway....solid sheets, both...No mail delivery out my way either...a good thing, since, when I walked to the end of the driveway, before dark, I saw my mailbox was completely covered in ice...wish I had taken my camera...what a sight!

Glad you survived your day! I like Chicago but not in winter. I'd send you some homemade veggie soup...but it would freeze en route

;-}

Oh, thanks for posting the "other" Etta James tune!!

Hi Mark! Glad you are surviving our first big snow of the season. I felt like such an @ss this morning when I left for work. I was sick yesterday and my sciatica was acting up (still is, dagnabbit) so no shoveling my front walk for my mail lady. Thankfully it was only a couple of inches of snow, but I always feel awful not having it ready and salted for her to safely walk on.

I think I'm going to give Fantasy February a shot - the 12-12 group is doing Fforde Ffebruary and I think that Jasper Fforde counts as Fantasy, so *fingers crossed* I'll be able to participate! Hope you're having a nice, toasty evening with a brewski nearby.

Wow, what a photo! Nice new thread, Mark!

I finished the epic The Warmth of Other Suns. This is a Must Read and should be taught in schools everywhere. I learned many important things from this book and the only reason I did not give it 5 stars, was the last 100 to 150 pages needed some editing, IMHO.
My next audio, something much lighter, is a real joy. It's Thirty-Three Teeth, the 2nd Dr. Siri Paiboun mystery, set in Laos. I'm sorry this has taken me so long to get to.

Linda- Glad you liked the pic. I know Joe is a Sox fan but if Stasia came in, I'm sure he would join us in a Cubbies outing.

Joe- What play did you see? Anything good? I may not make it to the Cafe tonight, we are heading out in a few, to meet friends.

Brit- Good to see you! Big wave!

Terri- I'm with you. I would rather drive in snow, than on ice. Ice is scary!

Lisa- Thanks for sharing your Chicago story. Very heart-warming. I'll have to stop by and see what you're reading.

Jude- Ice may look beautiful but it's nasty and dangerous stuff. A mail-carrier's worst nightmare. I would rather take on an unruly dog, at least I know what I'm dealing with.
Glad you liked the Etta James tunes. Funny, I first saw a video of Cindy Lauper, in a ballgown, doing a version of "at Last", which was not bad but you can't beat Etta.

Hi Mark, I dropped by shortly after you'd created the new thread, but most have been too out of it to comment. So hi again!

I hope I can join you for The Secret River this month, though that'll depend on a few factors. I've got Zola's L'Assommoir going right now (excellent book, have you read it? and if not, you must) and three of the other four books I hoped to get to this month are all recommended by you, though its very doubtful I'll be able to fit them all in, if any, so what's a gal to do?

Hi Mark. First of all, that picture looks so incredibly COLD. I mean, brrr. I lived 2 hours south of Chicago for about 8 years and I don't recall the lake ever looking that crazy cold. Yikes.

I'm glad you enjoyed The Warmth of Other Suns and I love your idea of requiring it in schools. I learned a lot from it and it was one of my top reads in 2011. I suspect it will be a while, but I'll be on the lookout for anything else by Isabel Wilkerson.

I guess you get tomorrow off. Enjoy!

Happy Saturday evening, Marky-Mark. I'm already on Sunday morning here and a glorious warm and sunny one it is. I'll be thinking of you as I sip a cool beer with some pals this afternoon by the beach.

I was so sad to have missed your first two threads (they just flew by) that I just went back and skimmed through all 500+ posts! You've been reading some interesting books. I think we had similar reactions to Habibi, but boy the artwork was impressive. Invisible Bridge was not the best historical fiction I've ever read, but like you I hadn't much knowledge of Hungary's role in the war, so that was interesting. Have Lost in Shangri-La and the Secret River on my list. ...I can't believe I caught up!

Your picture has it's own stark beauty, but certainly gives one the feeling of cold, ice and wind coming in off the lake. Makes me chilly just looking at it. But Chicago has a wonderful skyline, I would love to visit it one day.

Thank heavens our weather has turned mild again, all snow melted and/or washed away with the rain. But this afternoon, the sun came out for awhile and I really appreciated all the greenness we have here.

Sad news about Etta James. She is one of my favorites, perhaps I'll put a couple of her CD's on tonight and celebrate her talent.

drive-by hug

Hi Mark -- yes, yes, yes about TWoOS-- exact reason why I docked mine half a star, too. but so very good otherwise!
I'm reading All Quiet on the Western Front now. amazing, as well, but I'll definitely need some comedy soon to balance out all this tragedy.
stay warm, my friend. -- Jenny

Morning everyone! Sorry I didn't have a chance to visit any threads in the last day or 2, I barely kept up with responding on my own, but I plan on making the rounds today.

Okay, where did I leave off...?

Laura- Taking good care of your mail-person, makes my little heart soar. Glad you will join us on FF. I'll get the Thread up & running later this morning.
What is "ss"?

Anne- Big wave!

Ilana- Sorry to hear you've been struggling lately. Sending warm healing vibes your way, along with a virtual hug or 2.
The Secret River has been excellent!

Ellen- I had to show a realistic portrait of what a Chicago winter could look like. It's been a fairly mild so far this year, so I don't think the lake has frozen up like that.
It looks like The Warmth of Other Suns, took the author many years to write. She started interviewing in the 90s. Enjoy your day too!

Caro- Sun? Beach? Beer? You have a cruel steak in you, my friend. Do you head home next week?

Lisa- Wow, that is a faithful visitor, to want to wade through 500 posts, of me chatting about weather and stuff. LOL. the Invisible Bridge could have used some tightening, here and there but I still think it was a good book and I would love to try her story collection, which I've heard is wonderful.

Judy- I hope you can make it to Chicago one day. It is a great place to visit. I'm lucky if I make it down to the lakefront once or twice a year.
Hope you had a chance to listen to a little Etta last night!

RD- Big wave, sir. Enjoy your day.

Jenny- I'm wondering if Wilkerson felt we had invested so much time with these 3 wonderful people, that she couldn't let them go at the end. Every time, I thought the book was finishing, it went on another 50 pages. But the Warmth of Other Suns is a triumph in every other way.
I've sadly never read All Quiet on the Western Front. I did see the excellent silent film. I NEED to find a copy and get to it this year.

Oh Mark, you must read All Quiet on the Western Front . I finally read it last year and it still stays with me. It's much easier of a read than I anticipated. It's fascinating and heartbreaking and truthfully I could hardly put it down. You will love it, I think!

Have a great Sunday!

The last time I stopped by here, you were just setting up your new thread (LOVE the picture, btw, but then you knew that) I did not write a message cuz I didn't know if you wanted another space. So I held off. Now, I'm here!
Lovely thread so far - lots of snow and ice talk ;-) *grin*

I am about halfway through TWoOS and I agree with your assessment - this stuff should be taught in schools.Unfortunately, history in school is still a distillation of bare facts, dates and events. IMO, it needs to be more personalized so that kids can make a real connection to their past.

Have a good day off - you earned it! :)

Happy Sunday, Marky-Mark. I head home to the cold and icy next week ...for a couple of days and then I'm off to Orlando for a conference for 3 days. ;-)

Well, I have the Fantasy February Thread up and running: Here
I'm sure everyone could come up with a title or 2, to participate. This is a WIDE-open field.

Deb- I will find a copy of All Quiet on the Western Front. I am on a mission.

Claudia- Next time, just leave a message. No gray areas. LOL. I'm glad you are enjoying TWoOS. I'm so glad this worked for me on audio, otherwise it would have taken me forever to read. It's a monumental work, worthy of the Pulitzer.

Caro- Have a safe trip back home. And then on to Orlando? Nice.

Green River Killer by Jeff Jensen 4.2 stars

During the 80s and early 90s a monster killed scores of women in the Seattle/Tacoma area. His name was Gary Leon Ridgway, aka The Green River Killer. Told in illustrated form, this thorough and totally fascinating account, focuses on Detective Tom Jensen, as he doggedly pursued this heinous butcher, through 2 frustrating decades.
Yes, this is a bleak, lurid subject, but if you are interested in true-crime stories, you can’t get any better. An added bonus, the author is Jensen’s son, who witnessed first hand his father obsession with capturing Ridgway.

Hiya, Mark... That opening picture makes me glad to have a stay-at-home day. It's another cold, blustery day here in the heartland.

I've been on a mission for several years to locate All Quiet on the Western Front. Only two more months until the spring library book sale. That's where I find most of my treasures.

Mark, I have some questions. Unfortunately, you've sucked me in, despite my resolve to minimize new books added to my TBR.

Question #1: Did you listen to The Warmth of Other Suns on audio or read it in paper? My library has the audio, but if there are a lot of pictures in the paper book, I'd rather do that. If not, I prefer a book that size in audio. But you've convinced me that I have to read it one way or another.

Question #2: Is Green River Killer a graphic novel? I think my son would do backflips for a graphic novel about a true-crime serial killer book.
Okay, probably not backflips. But he might smile...

>43 tloeffler: Hold out for backflips. Don't forget the video camera.

I'm afraid that if he did backflips, I wouldn't need a video camera. The TV stations would all be here to cover the earthquake...

Plus, when you're 6 inches from the ceiling to start with, it's hard to get momentum.

Definitely a Thumb for the review....a GN about a real, live serial killer, and his pursuer???? Can't get much better than that!

;-}

Question: Is the comic panel in #41 to large? Is it take time to load? I could make it smaller but I wanted the text to show, since it's so effective.

Donna- Good to see you! Let's make a plan to read All Quiet in the next few months. A date?

Terri- I listened to the Warmth. It was fantastic on audio. I would suggest grabbing the book too, something I haven't done yet. I would like to see some photos. There are a few on her Amazon page.
Yes, Green River Killer is a GN. Your son should be pleased.
And careful with the backflips...yikes!

Jude- I appreciate the Thumb and I thinks GNs are a terrific format for true-crime and would like to see more.

Let me know if you guys are going to read All Quiet on the Western Front sometime. It's on my list and my shelf, and I'll be glad to have a good excuse to pull it off!

Killing time while I try to buy tickets to "The Book of Mormon" in Denver in August. "Too Many Concurrent Users" it says. If this fails, our next stop will be Chicago in December!

>48 tloeffler: Me too, Terri! Very frustrating. I don't have another city to try as a recourse.

Here's an NPR link about three True Crime GNs...of which Green River Killer is one...... I am intrigued by the other two titles...

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/27/142312054/graphic-content-3-comics-based-on-real-c...

;-}

All Quiet on the Western Front is very good!

Hi Mark. All our snow is gone. Back to rain puddles. I am saving up books for Fantasy February -- it is one of my favorite genres! Happy Sunday.

The panel didn't take too long for my 'puter to download. I want to find that graphic true-crime story. It looks great (even though I don't generally like true-crime stories that make me more fearful to go out and about on my own at night and in the city!). And now I'm adding All Quiet on the Western Front to my list, as well. Rats.

I already have Green River Killer in the BlackHole or I would be adding it. Sadly, my local library does not have the book yet.

Stay warm, Mark!

I'm glad to see that you rated The Warmth of other Suns so highly Mark. I won't get to it this month; too many other books pushed it out of the way, but soon Oh and BTW, All Quiet on the Western Front was a favorite from last year.

Okay, who loves their public library? Raise your hand. I had to make a library run, (like I don't have enough books in my personal library, okay, lets not go there) and I was passing the audiobook section and lo and behold, on the highlight shelf was The Orphan Master's Son. So I snagged this beauty, plus the audio of Nothing To Envy, both book and audio, (thanks to Ilana for the rec), So I am all set to be immersed in the dark world of North Korea.
I also picked up a GN and a better reading copy of The Wayward Bus. All in a days work!

Terri- It might be a couple months until I get to All Quiet, but I WILL be reading it. Maybe, if you come to Chicago for the play, we'll join you. We are way overdue for one.

Jude- Thanks for the link. Funny, that's where I heard about those titles, on their weekly podcast. Did you see who made the recs? Our favorite Polish crime writer, Duane Swierczynski.
I have a copy of the terrible Axe-Man from the library.

Laura- Good to know!

Kim- Nothing but puddles huh? Glad you'll be joining us again on FF. It will be the place to be. Well, other than here and The Wayward Bus G.R. So, those 3 places.

Ellen- Yes, I think the GN format for true-crime is just right. Reading a complete book on such awful stuff, can be overwhelming and may prevent regular sleep.

Stasia- It's to bad you are at the mercy of your libraries. You must have one heck of a waiting list over there. One as big as...well...Texas.

Bonnie- I know if a book gets the Brenzi Approval Stamp, (the BAS), it's gotta be a winner.

I'm hoping to read the Remarque book this year, too. Glad to hear that you liked The Warmth of Other Suns, Mark. That's another on the list.

I've got those same two from my library - crazy! I'm going to let you read the Orphan first and see how you like it. I've tried about 70 pages and I'm not digging it -- but I'm no quitter!

*raises hand* 80% or so of what I read comes from the library. Seems like I'm always reserving something or picking up something! :)

Green River Killer is definitely on my obese wish list, Marky-Mark. Thanks for the recommendation.

HI Mark! Your thread really got away from me this weekend! 70 posts behind, geeze!
I'm caught up now. Sounds like you got some heavy snow this weekend! Hopefully you don't get any more for a bit! Have a good week!

My hand is UP!!!! I've got Green River Killer on hold. and All Quiet on the Western Front. and The Night Circus. and......

Hey, Mark!
Your library was OPEN today? My library is closed from noon Saturday to Tuesday morning. Carzy!
Of course it is a bit better than the one in my little town which is closed from October to May.
I didn't mind giving up the malls, traffic and crowds when I moved here... but I sure do miss an accessible library! I must not complain as I am warm, well fed, and can request books online from the Bath library. Just need to be patient to pick them up ;-) Not that I am book-starved!

Mark - looks like you have unearthed another one. Green River Killer duly rushed to the hitlist.

Glad to see all the hands up! The last couple years I've been using my library system, primarily for audiobooks & GNS, with the occasional book, here and there. My priority, like most of us, is reading off the TBR shelves, a losing battle if there ever was one, but what a sweet old battle it is.

Linda- I'm sure you will love the warmth of Other Suns. It's loaded with American history and one of the principals, featured in the narrative, ends up on the south-side of Chicago.

Jenny- It might be a few weeks before I get to The Orphan Master's Son. I have a serious audio backlog, plus I would like to read/listen to Nothing to envy first.

Jim- Good to see you! Big wave to a library lover!

Caro- It's amazing how many GN titles are out and coming out. The only problem is finding the right grapevine. BTW- I mooched a copy of Iron and Silk, with very little arm-twisting, although it does burn a little.

Chelle- It never warmed up today, as they predicted, so the snow will be with us for awhile longer. Enjoy your week too!

Elle- Yah, another library lover! It looks like you are keeping 'em busy. Could you imagine being a faithful LTer and having no library access? Unless, you were filthy rich, that would be purgatory.

Claudia- We are very fortunate, our local libraries, are open 7 days a week. They do close on 5 on Saturday and are open 1 to 5 on Sundays. Bless their little bookish hearts.

Paul- Do you read many GNs? If you have told me, I have forgotten. Dying brain cells and all that.

Oh! I love my libraries -we have 4 of them in my part of the city of 200,000. Vancouver proper is different system!

I use mine all of the time! Our libraries are open EVERYDAY! Even Sundays from 10 - 5 pm. Their usual hours are 10 am to 9 pm. Besides the fab selection of books, one has a " Living Room" with chairs, couches and a gas fireplace and a vending machine. All of them have public access computers - one has about 50 public access computers. And yes, they have audio books and DVD's and CD's . Just lately they have an e book service both for audio books and e-books, but I have not looked into it that closely yet.

Our libraries are so busy that they started flashing the lights off and on about 30 minutes before closing time!!! You should see the lineup for the self check outs!!! I try to use a less busy library. I love my library!

Mark sorry mate my brain cells have dissipated more rapidly than yours - GN's??

GNs are Graphic Novels...

what used to be called Comic Books...until real Artists got involved in the Process

I have been a Fan...since before they became Popular

.........ask Mark for his recommends

oops, i stepped in where I don't belong.....somebody forgive me????

I thinks GNs are a terrific format for true-crime and would like to see more.

I agree! And I'm off to check out Jude's link.

ETA: Jack the Ripper! Lizzie Borden!

I remember someone famous being quoted as saying that libraries are the cornerstone of democracy. Access to information is access to freedom and self-determination. It's just one of many reasons I love my local library system. I love my local indie booksellers, too, and since I have no children for whom I must save for college, I do my best to support them, but still.

I ♥ Seattle Public Library.

My daughter and I spent the afternoon at two libraries, as she has two research projects going right now. It was just as wonderful to use the library for business as it is for pleasure, which we do about twice a week!

Marky-Mark - There's a great GN store in Cambridge, MA where I'll lurk and find new GN titles I've not heard of before. The problem is, scanning them makes most of them almost irresistible and the sneaky little devils somehow find their way into my basket by the time I've reached the check out.

I'm thrilled that a friend has informed me he's found the entire series of Elfquest for me. I used to love that series, but with nimble fingered nieces and nephews, I've lost some of books. So now I am looking forward to receiving volumed compilations in the mail in the near future as a birthday present.

Forgiven Jude....and thanks....Kyran loves his MANGA books which I guess must qualify as GN. Must get him to coach his old man on them.

Morning Everyone! Happy Monday! We have weird mix of weather today. There is a light rain out there now, which is great because it washed away the snow from the driveway and sidewalks. Nice timing.

Deb- It sounds like you people in Vancouver have an incredible library system. I like the sound of the "living room" areas. Our libraries do not have comfy reading areas anymore, due to the fact of the homeless, taking up their stations in these spots. You have issues with this there?

Paul- Glad Jude straightened you out. Maybe, my review doesn't make it clear that it's a graphic novel, My bad.

Jude- You step in anytime, my friend. Any reason to get you to stop by.

Luxx- GNs are really spreading themselves out. There is a genre and style for just about everyone. And we are the beneficiaries! Hey, that sounds like a song!

Ellen- With all the reading we do, can't BUY every book. Where do you get the little heart symbol? Is it on your keyboard?

Anne- A family affair, huh? That's great and what a perfect place for it.

Caro- OMG, a GN store? How sweet is that? I have a very small collection of GNs in my personal library, but will eventually add to it.

Good morning, Mark! Iron and Silk sounds intriguing; I may have to look for that one. I finished Habibi, and it was more meh for me than I hoped, but still worthy of a lot of respect.

I've been to the GN store in Cambridge, MA that Caro mentions, and it is a lot of fun. My son's in college nearby, so that's a regular stop when we visit him.

Mark, I use a Mac at home and the little heart is under "Edit," then "Special Characters." Ilana introduced me to this feature. The only thing is that I can't seem to make the smiley face or heart any larger. Oh well. ☺♥

Ellen, thanks for that info! I always wondered how to do those things and just thought I was too dense to figure it out. :)

Hi Mark. In my part of Vancouver, we do not have much of a problem with homeless people, so no, honestly I have never seen a homeless looking person in the library, though I do see the occasional one in a strip mall. In downtown Vancouver, where there is more definite problem, Vancouver has kind of solved the homeless people/ library problem but using a old library - The Carnegie - here is a link - http://www.vpl.ca/branches/details/carnegie_branch. It caters to the homeless in that they need not have the usual ID that is needed to obtain a library card, and a person can only get out 4 library books at a time. It's also attached to a community system that would cater to homeless people and their needs. I suspect other libraries in Vancouver would do the same - more the inner city libraries. But even our inner city is a small area, and I'd feel safe walking there in the daytime.

Oh I'd love to read another GN!

>47 msf59:: Mark, I don't think my husband would object to a book date with you, especially if Terri is sitting in the back seat.

*Both hands up and waving in honor of public libraries*

I'm here........70 some posts later but better late then never right? :)
love the chilly looking picture up top, especially when you said.......... the young lady, who could possibly be very attractive if we could only get her to turn around.
she probably can't turn around, she's stuck to the railing she's holding :P

*raises hand* 80% or so of what I read comes from the library. Seems like I'm always reserving something or picking up something! :)
ditto what Jim said in #59....that's why my BOTS are now BWETF (books where ever they fit) ;)

I love my public library Mark. And the book I'm reading right now I picked up on Saturday. Since I read Nothing to Envy about a year ago and it's stayed with me the library book I'm reading right now is The Orphan Master's Son. Compelling. Very compelling.

All this great library talk reminds me of a beautiful German film from the late 80s, called "Wings of Desire". It's about Angels on Earth, watching over civilization and their favorite place to "hang" is the libraries. Since they can't read themselves, (What??), they soak in the joy of others reading.



The Angel is on the right!

That's a great movie, Mark. One of my favorites. Love the still from it.

Joe- I love Wim Wenders films. I'm not sure what he's been up to these past few years. Didn't he do that doc about Cuban jazz players?
I may have liked Habibi a bit more than you but I was not blown away, that's for sure. You didn't buy it did you?

Ellen- I don't have a Mac. I guess I'm cheap. I have an HP. Hey, it gets me by.

Hi Laura- What am I? Chopped liver??

Deb- Of course I don't have anything against the homeless but they can ruin the library experience. Some can smell pretty bad and they sleep in the chairs and stain the seats with...oh never mind.
Thanks for the link. What great libraries. That Carnegie Branch is quite a stately building. And 10 to 10 on Sundays. Sweet.

Donna- Sounds like a road trip! Yah!

Kara- "she probably can't turn around, she's stuck to the railing". LOL. 70 posts, huh? These people keep coming by, what can I say?

Bonnie- You always stay a step ahead of me! Double Drat! I'm hoping to get to Nothing to envy in 2 weeks and Orphan Master, the 1st of March.

*belatedly raising both hands also in favor of public libraries!*

I belong to the Friends of the St. Charles County Library AND the Friends of the St. Louis County Library!

Wait. Back seat, Donna? Hmm. I always saw myself as a front seat kind of gal.

Mark - interestingly we went for dinner with two business partners yesterday and met the wife of one of them for the first time. It turned out that she was doing an educational Phd specialising on the use of the graphic novel as an aide to better learning. She also put on a great meal for all of us ~ vegetable pakora, chicken biriyani and a trio of deserts including a durian cheesecake which was surprisingly edible! Oh and as much red wine as my sensibilities could muster!

85: No problem, Terri. We'll make Mark sit in the back seat!

Hi Mark!
Nothing interesting to say - but here's a big warm HUG! :)

Mark, one of these days I will learn to ignore the blue letters and suggestions for tv shows/movies from my LT friends because, you see, I get addicted. I managed to find Series one of Downton Abbey ... and I haven't gotten off my couch in hours. Even the dog got bored of me and went off in search of toys to amuse himself with.
ciao for now, off to watch episode #3 ;)

I didn't record DA. Sad Mark. It's recording later tonight. Boo.

Terri & Mark- Since I'm the youngest of the bunch, I guess I'll sit in the backseat. Is there a DVD player?

Paul- See, cool people are into GNs. Did you talk to her about any specific titles? The food sounds fantastic.

Claudia- I love the warm hugs! I will take them at anytime.

Chelle- Yes, this place can be very hazardous! No question. But don't we have incredible taste? I'm glad you are enjoying DA. Season 2 has been very good so far too.

I just listened to the BotNS episode today where both Ann and Michael recommend The Orphan Master's Son. Like Bonnie, I read Nothing to Envy last year and was blown away by it (good NNF, BTW). I'm going to put the OMS on hold right now.

Sorry for all the acronyms!

Loved All's Quiet. I read it last year (I think).

Interesting about Wings of Desire. I wonder if City of Angels borrowed the concept from the earlier film.

Our library system (KCLS) was named Library of the Year in 2011. It was also the busiest. It seems odd to me that a library system can be a Library of the Year, but there you have it.

ETA: I'm 76th on the list for 11 copies of the Orphan Master. You snooze, you loose!

Me, me, me! Love libraries! I read tons from my local library.

>86 PaulCranswick: wow, there are some amazing research topics *adopts doddery voice* these days

I would be lost without my public libraries.

I am afraid of my library .... too many books there seem to want to keep coming home with me, and when I do take some home, the ones that I've had to leave behind for another day cry out to me piteously. Then when I get home, the books in my TBR Tower glare at me for introducing rivals into the house, especially rivals with a time stamp in them.

I will be wrapping up both the secret River & The Thirty Three Teeth today. Loving both.

Lisa- I heard that BOTNS too. Always good recs on that show. I'll be getting to Nothing to Envy soon. I don't know if City of Angels, (Nicholas Cage?) is a remake a the German film but if it is I can't imagine it capturing the magic .

More library love! Yay to Stasia & Joanne!

Caro- Sounds quite torturous. Sure, my TBR books squawk a little when I bring home library books but I shush 'em and they settle down.

Say there, Mark, I used to work downtown and so I know more than a little about homeless people. But they don't seem to be a problem at the libraries here. Enjoyed Interpreter of Maladies very much. Have a great day - and I''ll look forward to you comments re The Secret River and Thirty Three Teeth .

#96 Isn't that true? I just watched Shop Around the Corner, the original movie that You've Got Mail is based on, and it was wonderful. I especially loved the shop owner, who was a much more complicated figure than the role played by Mr Fox II. And Jimmy Stewart. *sigh dreamily*. This was his first movie after Mr Smith Goes to Wash.

>84 msf59: I didn't realize Wim Wenders did the Cuban jazz players movie, Buena Vista Club, Mark. I loved the cd, but never did see the movie. That's probably a "shame on me." His newest one about the German choreographer Pina just got nominated for an Oscar.

I got Habibi out of the library. I do that in particular with the GN chunksters, and ones I'm not sure whether I'll like. Now I've got Logicomix, which I expect will be challenging, but at least it's lighthearted in tone so far.

Oops, I've been a wee bit behind lately. Great pic of Chicago skyline, Mark.
Angels are cool and all that but the thought of them peering over my shoulder at the library kind of freaks me out.
The title Thirty three Teeth really intrigues me. Looking forward to finding out what it's about.

Hi guys!

I am back from the ALA conference in Dallas and full of more knowledge about e-books than I can really comprehend.

I'm excited because while there I snagged the newest of the David Downing books Lehrter Station. But I am now deep into Clash of Kings so will be reading that first. I also got one of the Colin Cotteril books. the first one - so will be there with you on the reading of that. I heard lots of good buzz about The Orphan Master's Son so you are right up there with those in the know.

Night Circus won best fantasy novel of the year from the ALA. At least that is one of the top awards I have read - other than that I found that I hadn't read much of what was being discussed. I need to read more!

The weather in Dallas was fantastic. In fact it was very warm. For those of you who like libraries, I am happy to report that I met some young librarians and am very impressed by what I heard them say. I think our public libraries will be in good hands with them. If we can just keep the libraries open and functioning.

Okay, I have just 10 pages left in The Secret River, (it ran just a little longer than I thought) and then I have to meet a good friend for a beer and a bite to eat and then we are going to finally see War Horse. This is all possible because I'm off tomorrow. Yah! I WILL be back with my responses. Hugs to all!

Hi, Mark! I'm enjoying all the library talk here. Of course I raised my hand, since I work at my local library. But I loved it long before I went to work there, and even before my library volunteer days.

We are 10-7 weekdays, 10-5 on Saturday. (Sorry, no Sunday hours.) And we still have a "living room" area for comfy reading.

Our library is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. I remember it when it was just a little storefront.

To celebrate, we have this little card thingy. If I visit the library 60 times in 6 months, which will be quite a challenge, I get a prize.

I love my local library. I joined the City of Sydney library system, the catalogues are online so I can browse as soon as a recommendation is made that sounds too intriguing to ignore. I always have too many library books out! All the branches (there's ~6 of them in the city and inner city suburbs) are open every day, except public holidays.

No problems with homeless people there, but Sydney weather is much balmier than Chicago! Although we're settling in for a rainy patch, and it's Australia Day tomorrow. Might be a soggy celebration in Sydney! (I have friends visiting from Melbourne, they're going to pop by for lunch and I'll make scones-with-jam-and-cream for afternoon tea.)

I love Wim Wenders, too, Mark! "Wings of Desire" was simply gorgeous (and, yes, "City of Angels" was based on it but I'm refusing to see it because there's no way it'll match the original), and I also saw "Pina" in 3D and it was excellent use of 3D, gave such a sense of physicality to the dancing. Fascinating choreography too, but I am a minor fan of modern dance. I wouldn't really recommend "Pina" to anyone who isn't at least okay with watching 2 hours of modern dance. :)

I'm intrigued by the idea of a graphic novel shop. We've got a couple of comic book shops in Sydney, but they stock the individual issues, which I believe are still called comics, as well as graphic novels and more collectibles than you can poke a stick at. And the Sydney branch of Kinokuniya also has a good GN collection. They're so expensive though! I usually get them through the library, except for Sandman. I have to own Sandman. :) And the manga series Lone Wolf and Cub, that was a keeper too.

Ohh enjoy War Horse!! Let us know what you think!

Mark, War Horse is next on my agenda, hope you enjoy it. I'm sure you heard that Hugo was also nominated for the Oscars? Haven't seen it yet either, but it's just a matter of days or a few weeks.

Sounds like you have a great evening planned. Enjoy your day off tomorrow!

eta: I started on Unbroken today. Just listened for maybe 20 minutes so am at the very beginning...

Mark - I didn't discuss any particular titles with her as I would have amply displayed my complete ignorance of the subject! (You ought to have been there to help me along). Food was very good and it was a great evening all told. Other reason was to introduce them to SWMBO so should could do her usual double take and advise me whether to proceed with them in business (she gave the thumbs up on that too!)

Looking forward to what you think of War Horse, Mark. We saw "The Artist" yesterday and it was fantastic.

Enjoy your day off tomorrow!

>109 phebj: We just got home from seeing "The Artist". I thought it was utterly charming and is my new pick for best picture!

I really liked "War Horse" too, Mark, and hope you did too!

On a completely different topic, I just finished reading and commenting on some Peter Sís "adult picture books", and I posted a question that you may be able to shed light on as my graphic novel expert. I would love your opinion, if you have time to stop by.

I have to own Sandman

I hear you, Tania ... that, Watchmen and my Elfquest series are GNs I re-read and therefore must own.

So easy to get so far behind in your thread!

Mark - I also hope to start The Orphan Master's Son soon, as I plan to attend a talk by the author in February and would really like to have finished the book by then. There was a review recently in The New York Times which I wish I hadn't read, as it wasn't quite as enthusiastic as I had hoped it might be.

I love libraries and am trying to use mine more, but am jealous of those who are from larger, better funded systems!

Morning everyone! A little late getting on. Okay, I saw War Horse and thought it was fair at best. I love quality movies and Spielberg still remains one of my favorite directors, but this one just didn't click with me. It felt a bit soulless. It worked much better in book form.

I finished both The Secret River and Thirty-Three Teeth. Loved them both. On audio, I started the Roger Ebert memoir Life Itself. It has a nice start.

Lisa- Another film lover! Yah! I love James Stewart too and Shop Around the Corner was fantastic. I like the dark themes. How did Stewart end up in so many great films? The Hitchcock collaboration was amazing.

Joe- I love Cuban jazz too and also own "Buena Vista Club". See if you can find the film.

Terri- Yah, another library lover! That's pretty decent hours too!

Linda- Good luck with your "little card thingy". 60 visits in 6 months could be a challenge. What's the prize?

Tania- Another Wim Wenders fan! Yah! I would love to go back and re-watch some of his earlier films. It's been many years for me. Glad to here, he's still making films. I also love Werner Herzog. Are you a fan?
I finished The Secret River. It was so good. I saw at the back of the book that she did a memoir, Searching for the Secret River, which sounds really good. Have you heard of this one?

Deb- I thought War Horse was just okay. Was hoping for more. Others seem to really like it, so maybe it's just me.

Ilana- Nice to see you, stranger! I haven't even seen the list of Oscar nominations yet. Since they changed the format to 10 film nominations, it really ruined it for me.
I did love Hugo. War Horse, not so much.
Enjoy Unbroken. It's an incredible read.

Paul- Next time you have dinner with them again, just invite me along. LOL.

Lynda- I really enjoy your visits, so try not getting this far behind. Thanks. The Colin Cotteril series, is really a must read series. Smart, funny, colorful and mystical, with an amazing lead character.

Benita- Hope the conference went well and it was worthwhile. I think you would love the Cotteril series. See my comments to Lynda ^. I hope you are enjoying A clash of Kings. It's been many years now but I recall that being another excellent read.

Lisa- Sorry, got behind over here and on the threads. I'll be by for visit, a little later on.

Caro- I read the 1st 4 or 5 Sandman books. I like them, even though they are challenging and I'll have to get back to them.

Kath- I'm behind with everyone! It's daunting!

Linda92007- Another Linda! Its the invasion of the Lindas. Thank you for stopping by. I want to get to nothing to Envy first. It's a NF account of North Korea, before I tackle Orphan Master. I might not get to the latter for a few weeks.

>105 wookiebender: Tania, I love the Lone Wolf and Cub series! Maybe we can convince Mark to take a look at that some day.

Interesting to hear your reactions to the Hugo and War Horse movies, Mark. I definitely want to see the latter when the schedule opens up.

You've intrigued me, too, with the Colin Cotterill series.

8) The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson 4.7 stars

From 1915 to the mid-1970s nearly six million blacks migrated from the American South, to points in the North and in the West. This epic and vastly under-reported phenomenon, is painstakingly chronicled, in this Pulitzer prize-winning book, written with love and a brutal frankness, that will keep the reader, crying, angry and fascinated, sometimes all at the same time.
The genius of Wilkerson’s approach is that she narrows these millions, into three individuals, putting a face and a personal slant on this story. First, there is Ida Mae Brandon Gladney, a sharecropper's wife, who departed Mississippi in 1937 for Milwaukee and ended up on the south-side of Chicago. Next up, is George Swanson Starling, a citrus picker, who in 1945, fled Florida, after nearly being lynched and settled down in Harlem NY. And finally, Robert Joseph Pershing Foster, a young physician, leaves Louisiana, in 1953, for sunny LA, where a different type of racism, still persists.
The author follows this trio, through their long lives, touching on every triumph and every painful, heart-rending bump.
The only reason I did not award this book 5 stars, was the last 100-150 pages could have used some editing. It began to drag but this is a must read and I feel it should be taught in every high school in the US.



A migrant man studying a map

Nice review of The Warmth of Other Suns, Mark; I should finish it before the end of the month.

I'm eager to talk about this book with my mother and her two sisters (who are all still alive). Their mother and the girls migrated from Troy, Alabama to NYC in the early 1940s, and their father joined them several months later. They never moved back to the deep South, although I did accompany the three sisters to their childhood home in Troy about 20 years ago. I'll post more about this experience when I review The Warmth of Other Suns next week.

Good review, Mark. You convinced me. Onto the tbr it goes.

I look forward to hearing more about Darryl's experience.

I have to go get to that Isabel Wilkerson book soon.

Besides fantasy february, I'm aiming for a lot of baseball reading and some nonfiction reading in February.

I have no idea what my 60 visits in 6 month prize will be at the library but they say that it'll certainly be worth my while.

Hi Mark - don't want to read your review quite yet as I am in the middle of this one...

Have a great day off!

Good review Mark! Sounds like a book worth reading!

I second that Chelle.....

Joe- I will give Lone Wolf and Cub a try. If you recommend it, (and Caro) I will always give it a shot. And yes, try the Cotterill series, I cannot praise it enough.

Darryl- Thanks! One thing I did not mention in my review is that Wilkerson sprinkles a few nuggets in the narrative, highlighting some notable African-Americans, that had migrated to the north, like Bill Russell, Jesse Owens and John Coltrane. She really did a thorough job.

Linda- I'm sure you will love TWoOS. A lot of fascinating and frightening American history. Another chilly gloomy day, but I heard tomorrow will be nice.

Claudia- I hope you are enjoying tWoOS! And I hope you are having a good day too!

Chelle & Megan- Thanks! And yes, it is very worthy!

>125 msf59: Cool, Mark. It's a terrific series. Warning: if you get hooked, you're in for a long, fun ride. (Of course, I just wish there were more!) I look forward to checking out Cotterill.

It might be gloomy, my friend, but at least it's not below zero.

Plus, we're another day closer to spring.

Do you read the Evanovich books? I note that One for the Money opens on Friday (based on the Stephanie Plum character).

I LOVE those books and we're planning for dinner and a movie that night.

Clash of Kings is very very good, and I can't seem to stop reading it. Even when I should. I am starting Left Hand of Darkness for my book discussion group. This is an old book, but was suggested and so we thought we would give it a shot. The next book on the list after that is Warmth of Other Suns. I know it is a long one so I need to get busy and start on it.

Did anybody notice that 2012 is the 50th anniversary of the publication of Wrinkle in Time? The publisher is throwing a big party in New York City and they are having a one day symposium on the book as well. I would love to attend, but can't. Wrinkle in Time was one of the first Science Fiction/Fantasy books published and to think that it is still being read 50 years later is amazing.

Thumb for your review of The Warmth of Other Suns Mark. I'm not sure when I will get to it but eventually I certainly will since I already own the book. I don't know why I buy books and then let them sit so long. I still haven't read Unbroken and I've had it for more than a year. Sheesh!

I started The Revisionists. This is going to be a treat. A smart time-travel thriller. Mullen has quickly become a diverse and consistent new author.
I'm going to read a few more minutes and then finally watch this week's DA. Anyone else seen it?

Joe- I will check my library system. Guaranteed, they'll have it. And yes, seek out The Coroner's Lunch.

Linda- Point taken! Yes, it has been a superb winter. No I have not read the Stephanie Plum books, they look to light for me but my wife has got back into them and is reading book 6.

Benita- Martin has sucked you in again, huh? He does that. I have not read much Le Guin. I think I've read the 1st Earthsee book and that's it. And I don't think I've ever read Wrinkle in Time. I know, it sounds like I don't read anything. Have you been keeping up with DA?

Bonnie- I think that happens to all of us. We get so excited to get a title and there it sits, lonely and neglected. Sad, really.

Hi Mark!

"I don't know why I buy books and then let them sit so long."

I know why I do it -
When I hear of a good book here on LT, I need to get it when it is available for a good price and while I remember. If I don't buy it, I may never read it as I may forget all about it. If I have it on a shelf (or somewhere in the house), there is a good chance I will read it someday - or give it away to someone who wants it.
BTW, I really doubt any of our books are *LONELY*! LOL!

Hi Mark!!

I definitely buy books because I know I want to read them and just putting them on a wish list will do nothing except keep me in lists.... It's not a sane system I have, but it's fun. :-)

Meanwhile, I'm anxious to hear more about The Secret River as it's sitting on my bed-side shelf. You say you loved it; that's a good start. Should I move it up to the top or next-to-top of my stack?

Cee's comments are seconded by myself Mark. Your review of The Warmth of Other Suns is a magnet towards the subject mate. Being from a mixed race marriage I am very much interested in the evolution of more tolerance in society. I grew up in a Northern England wherein the influx of immigration was localised (Asians largely from Pakistan in Bradford, West Indians in Leeds) and many of the villagers had never seen an Afro-Carribbean or Asian, hence extremes of prejudice and ignorance. As the dispersal of the various cultures and creeds has become more widespread and education made an impact, I have found less overt racism and more tolerance every time I have gone back "home".

I live here in the "Deep South" and the racism is still here. I often say that if you dig to the bottom of the problem you bump square into the race issue. That said, Warmth of Other Suns is on my book discussion group's list. We will be reading it for our April book. One of the members gave the book to her mother-in-law to read. This woman was born and raised in Alabama. She read the book with great interest, but said that there were some things with which she disagreed. She thought that most of the book was correct in its conclusions but she said told me that those people weren't chained to the land, they could leave anytime they wanted to. The just didn't want to. She said that it was the War (WWII) that caused them to leave. Technically she is correct about that, but I think that there were other strong reasons for the migration as well that she doesn't want to admit.

What is this??????
buy/acquire books, because I am an addict.....better "books" than "crack"

When most children had a teddy bear......to sleep next to their pillow....I had a Book

;-}

I buy and borrow books because I think that I will read them - someday and am afraid that if I don't acquire them now I won't be able to do so when I might want to read them.

I had a teddy bear and books. Lots and lots and lots of books. Still do, but no more teddy bears.

Another terrific Downton Abbey episode. Thoughts:

Some surprise disappearances and some returns
Mrs O'Brien and Thomas brought down a peg
A nice moment with Mr. Bates and Lord Grantham
Love that Mrs. Patmore
A rousing singalong
Lovely Sybil, just want to give her a hug



Is there just one more episode left? Nooooooo! Whew, false alarm. It's scheduled through Feb 19th. Yesssssss!

Hey Mark - Coincidentally, I just started on The Revisionists, too. I'm only about 30 pages in but so far so good. It's my first Mullen, but his other books are on my WL...

Claudia- "I really doubt any of our books are *LONELY*!" LOL, lonely was a poor choice. We all love collecting books, whatever the reason.

Ellen- Move The Secret river up! Most definitely. I'll try to post a review in a couple days.

Paul- thank you for your thoughts on race. Yes, we have seen an increase in tolerance. Obama moved this up a notch or two but he also showed that our nation is still rife with racism. I see it in my own family. Truly sad.

Benita- Actually, according to TWoOS, the migration began during World War I, when the North needed laborers and coaxed the blacks up, with the promise of jobs. In regards, to the blacks having the choice to leave at any time, there is a section in the book, where the southern states tried to prevent blacks from leaving, which was causing them a major shortage of cheap labor.

Jude-"better "books" than "crack"" Amen, sister! Maybe we should make up T-shirts.

Linda- Ahhhh...teddy bears and books!

Katie- That's great! I'm only 50 pages in. A love his crisp & fast prose. I read firefly Brothers a few months ago. It was terrific. I also have his 1st book waiting in the stacks.

I missed last weeks Downtown Abby so hope that I won't miss this weeks. I just have to get into something and watch the missed episodes. Even though I can figure out what happened without seeing them there is just something about watching them that is so delicious.

Great review of The Warmth of Other Suns. Thumb up from me. Sorry you were not as keen on War Horse as you expected to be. That happened to me when I went to see The Help , and yet others raved about it. It's personal taste. Who can say?

My books are never lonely either. I just wish that they could " get together " and reproduce to form another book from say, Helen Dunmore or Gerbrand Bakker, who wrote The Twin. No such luck as yet. Maybe they need an aphrodisiac of some sort? Chocolate? Black netted stocking book covers? I dunno.

I just wish that they could " get together " and reproduce to form another book from say, Helen Dunmore or Gerbrand Bakker How funny! What if they were to commingle with books from other shelves? What funny combinations you could get!

Mark, are you going to one of the BotNS retreats again this year?

Love Mrs. Patmore. :-)
The Secret River duly moved. It might be my next read, but it will be my next-to-next read.
♥

Hi Deb- Thanks for the Thumb! I just hope I can inspire a few people to give the book a try. Mating books? I love the idea, as long as they are good books and they should be considering their genes.

Lisa- No BOTNS Retreats for me. I hope they have one in the Midwest next year. It's hard to believe the Manchester one, is coming up in April.

Ellen- I can't wait to read more Grenville. I think The Secret River is part of a loose trilogy, plus there is a memoir based on her researching that book. Nice.

Have a great day everyone! See you on the flipside!

Mark, A thumb for The Warmth of Other Suns. Definately, sounds like a must read.

DA's season ends Feb 19? Ugh, that's still not long enough!

mentions of Le Guin always make me want to go back and reread and read more of her books.

Here Marky Marky Mark! Here boy here boy, here's your bone! LOLOL

You megathreader you, like you need to see *me* around just to make things interesting! You're about as much a little guy as Darryl with his fifteen threads in seventeen challenge groups plus GoodReads!

Plus I already thumbed and liked your The Warmth of Other Suns review. So there nyah.

Hi, Mark. We're just starting on Downton Alley, so we've got a lot of good viewing ahead of us.

I can't keep up with you!
*sigh*
But I will keep trying :)
Have a great day Mark and nice review on The Warmth of Other Suns!

Hi Mark!!! Just checking in. I think you guys got more snow than we did. Now we are getting sleet and mist on and off. The weatherman keeps promising a warm day here and there, but the warm days are gloomier than the cold sunny days.

Finished House of Prayer No. 2 yesterday and liked it.

Hope you're having a good week!!!

Since we are talking about the weather - it has been too warm here. In fact I am sitting in my office sweltering. The winter has been much warmer than it should be and our old building doesn't have AC or even the capabilities to blow cooler air in from the outside. It makes everybody feel lethargic.

I just noticed, I had a word misspelled in the 1st sentence of my review. It was just a typing error but how embarrassing. Of course I reread it several times before posting it. Grrrrrrr! Anyone notices it, in the future, please let me know and save me the...just let me know. Thanks.

I am really enjoying The Revisionists. Mullen really pours a lot into his books, with nice clean prose. I've listened to a nice chunk of Life itself, Roger Ebert's memoir. Yes, he is a very fine writer but this is another one that could have used some editing. I've listened to a 1/3 of the book and he is just getting ready to finish college. It's great that he can remember his past in such vivid detail, but do we need a lengthy discourse of his lifelong love of Steak & Shake? He even recited every ad jingo the restaurant had. Or went on and on about his favorite shops in London. That's swell and all but keep it to a couple sentences.
I did enjoy his early years, after joining the Chicago Sun-Times and working with some colorful characters, including the mighty Mike Royko.

Lynda- Thanks for the Thumb! Much appreciated. Good point about DA, but I was worried it only had a couple more episodes left.

RD- Thanks for the bone, sir! Yes, it was all said with tongue firmly in cheek. To be honest, this is about all I can handle right now and keeping up with everyone else, is virtually impossible.
Hope you are enjoying the latest King tome.

Kath- Big wave! I need to get to more Le Guin.

Joe- Did DA suck you in immediately? It sure has that ability and you have some very fine viewing ahead of you.

Kara- Yes, the 75ers have been insane so far this year. I can't believe I have over a 150 posts on my 3rd thread and it's still January. It sure is nutty. But folks keep dropping by and I keep greeting 'em.

Tammy- Same here, we were supposed to have a couple nice days with some sunshine, but it never materialized. Oh, well, it's been a great winter so far.
Glad you liked House of Prayer No. 2. What a terrific writer he is and what a life he has lead. I'm really looking forward to reading some of his short stories.

Poor, Benita, just sweltering down south! The no A/C has to be very tough. What should your normal temps be?

Mark, I don't know whether you get the state of the thing emails but, in the one that just arrived, the comment was made "the LTers are up to it again."

We sure are, aren't we?

Mark, so much to catch up on here!

About War Horse, the movie, I was just talking to my dad about movies we want to see and he'd read a review that pretty well said the same thing as you did about it, which decidedly cooled my ardour about it. Still haven't seen Hugo though, and it's either that one or The Artist. We've been talking about going to the cinema for ages, but still haven't gotten 'round to it. I'm also supposed to go see the latest Cronenburg movie, Dangerous Methods with a GF soon. Any thoughts about that one.

I watched the latest DA on Monday when it became available on iTunes. Liked it, but can't say I was blown away either. I wish Mary would just start acting on her feelings already instead of being so stuck on keeping up appearances, or whatever she might think she's doing! Can't say I'm a Mrs. Patmore fan, sorry. She's very clever in some ways, but in other ways, kind of dense, no? Can't put my finger on it, but she gets on my nerves mostly. I don't know that I'm attached to any of the characters, come to think of it, but I'm still hooked.

eta: if I had to choose, I'd say Sybil is my favourite too. She's got drive and goes for what she believes in. I just hope she doesn't turn around and do something stupid. And how come the driver hasn't been fired already after that nonsense he was up to in the dining room?

Happy Friday, everyone! About 40 today, (nice), with some sunshine later, which they've been forecasting for the past 2 days and nothing has transpired but gloom.

Linda- Yes, I do get the State of Things e-mails. Actually they specifically pointed out the 75ers, as one Red-Hot Group. Now why would they say that? Hmmmm....

Ilana- Good to see you! My next film to see, will be "The Artist", maybe in the next week or so. Dangerous Method does sound very good too, although I'm not sure if it's still playing around here.

It looks like DA hasn't clicked for you, like it has for me. There are several characters, I fully admire, like Robert, Anna, Matthew, Mary, (who can be frustrating at times) and Mr. Bates.
I agree with you about the Irish driver, he would have surely got the boot. Did the help really rally around each other like this?

>156 Smiler69:, 157: I can't figure out why people get fired, and why they don't. They sacked the maid who was cavorting in the closet, but they didn't sack the chauffeur?

I haven't noticed anyone mentioning Red Tail as a film they would like to see...
that is the only one that interests me right now..

Until Woman in Black comes out!

Hiya Mark - just de-lurking to add a DA LOL. My Mum doesn't watch it but was looking at a large main cast photo in the paper the other day. Suddenly she blurts out that the housekeeper (cook? you can tell I don't watch it either) looks familiar - sure enough it's a friend of hers from school. Bless Mum she looked so confused when she couldn't work out why the woman was familiar!

Oh and just giving my little 'I love libraries' flag a wave (about 80 posts late I know...).

Catching up on 48 posts is hard work, Marky-Mark. I'm parched..... *off to search for something liquid and cold*

Yes, you do have to get back to The Sandman. I thought it just kept getting better as it went along and Volume 10, although the final in the series, was my favorite of the lot.

>161 cameling: Ditto re The Sandman. What Caro said.

@mckait - we're going to see Red Tail tomorrow. We have a nephew visiting who's a real WWII buff and he's been begging to go. Oh, and I picked up The Woman in Black at the library yesterday to prep for the movie - I'm already 60 pages in.

Hi Mark, I hope you are having a good day. I sure hope you are still planning on a group read of David Cooperfield in April as I have mentioned it to a couple of people who are interested in joining in.

We are planning on a movie tomorrow night as well, but I haven't really looked to see what is playing right now, we might try Red Tail as I can see my husband would be interested in that one.

Well, we did get sunshine and 40! That's always good. It looks like it will be cloudy (and colder) for the next few days, so the timing was good.

Laura- So why they have the chauffeur do what he did at the dinner? Just for heightened suspense? And then just move on?

Kath- I love the story behind Red Tails but the few reviews of the movie, (by critics I really admire), mentioned it was quite an empty-headed exercise, all action and nothing else. I really liked George Lucas in his early years but he is quite the boor now.

BekkaJo- That's a great story. You'll have to find out who it was for sure and come back and let me know.

Caro- Sorry you have to deal with such grueling heat. Poor thing. And yes, I will return to the Sandman books. What does the Boston weather look like for your return?

Joe- If you hadn't presented me a copy of The Sandman's Companion I may not have continued. So thank you...again.

Jim- Make sure you let me know what you thought of Red Tail the book. BTW- I'm reading the Revisionists. This might be a title for you. Very smart.

Judy- Was "David Cooperfield" a sequel or something? LOL. Yes, I do plan on still doing a G.R. of David Copperfield in April. Thanks for spreading the word!

I really miss Mike Royko. What a writer! I also miss Molly Ivins. What a writer! Haven't found a new columnist who has captured me the way those two have. Not even Thomas Friedman or the economist guy (I can't remember his name right now).

Normally the weather here should be 50's in the day and 30's at night. Until yesterday it was about 70 - 40. I think I have run my furnace about three days so far this winter, and starting the first of February the days will start warming up. The problem with our building is that it is one of the old buildings on campus and the temperature is controlled at the facilities headquarters. We have no automatic AC. It has to be turned on by them and they won't do that until in April when the temperature has reached 75 for 4 days in a row. We can't even get outside air blown into the building. And most of our windows don't open. Those that do in our workrooms have fans sitting in them. The large reading rooms are just SOL.

I have been reading lots of memoirs in the last couple of months and, like you, I have to wonder about those people who can remember such detail about their early years. I found it amazing that Frank McCourt could write a whole book about his early childhood. I can remember small portions of my early life and those are usually the extremely happy or the extremely tragic events. I did like McCourt's books and ended up reading all three of them, but I do wonder about the authenticity of his early memory. Right now I am listening to Oh the Glory of It All. I am doing so because I decided that my memoir education wouldn't be complete without reading a celebrity memoir and I just couldn't bring myself to read My Booky Wook. Besides I had both the print and the recorded version of Glory so decided that I would "read" that. I am determined to finish this one, but I am on page 125 and the author is still only 12 years old! How can a person remember all of that stuff? Especially when I know that a 12 year-old didn't keep a written diary or keep a daily log. After-all its not as if he thought he was going to be somebody famous?

I have had my eye on The Revisionists and put it on my wish list. Lucky you, to be reading it.

Did the help really rally around each other like this?

Downton Abbey: All I know about these things I've learned either from movie or tv shows or books, but I would surmise that there probably was always some sort of general feeling of unity in the servant's quarters as the 'inferior' caste, but beyond that, it must have really depended on the individuals and whoever was running the show. For instance, Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson are both very decent at heart, but I doubt people in their position were always quite so fair and kind. That Mrs Hughes threw out Ethel was within the realm of her responsibilities and doesn't in my mind diminish my impression of her as softhearted.

I guess it's not true that I'm not really attached to any of the characters. I really like Anna and Mr. Bates for instance, AND Mrs Hughes and Carson too I guess. Less so the 'Upstairs' lot somehow. Don't know why, since I usually identify more with the gentry, big snob that I am! lol :-)

Movies: So it's decided, I'm going to see A Dangerous Method tomorrow evening with my GF whom I haven't seen since before Christmas, and next week, seeing The Artist with my dad. And by the way Mark, ADM has only been out for 3 weeks here, but then maybe it wasn't such a hit in the States? Really looking forward to both. Did you know The Artist is a silent movie? I hadn't realized that—how cool!

9) Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill 4.2 stars (audio)

“Hot, isn’t it?”
“Damned hot!”

Lao greeting

Dr. Siri Paiboun , the National coroner of Laos, returns for his second adventure. He is a widower, in his early 70s, still quite sharp-minded but looking to retire. He is also a shaman, so he has vivid and prophetic dreams and can see spirits lurking in the shadows.
Our setting once again, is the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos, mid-70s. A country in transition.
The story begins with Siri investigating several mysterious deaths, but the one that truly baffles him, is multiple bodies being found, mangled by a large carnivorous animal, which are not common in this South-Asian country.
Cotterill writes masterfully. His prose is quick, smart and occasionally very funny. All of his characters are richly textured and he also evokes Laos with amazing clarity. Highly recommended and I can’t wait to get to book 3.

>165 msf59:: So why they have the chauffeur do what he did at the dinner? Just for heightened suspense? And then just move on?
Yeah, I thought that was weird too. A thread of suspense that kind of went nowhere!

Benita- I read Royko from the mid-80s to his passing. Ebert mentions in his book, that he always wondered how Royko knocked out, without fail, his column 5 days a week, when he spent so much time drinking. I used to occasionally read Molly Ivins in the Tribune too and really liked her stuff. (She really detested Bush Jr). I would like to read more of her work.
Funny, you mentioned McCourt and his excellent recall, Ebert had vivid memories from 3 years old. Hmmmmm...

Ilana (the control freak & Big Snob)- I'm glad you found a few more things to appreciate about DA. I also like Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson too.
I'll be watching for your thoughts on the Cronenberg film. I've been a big fan of his for many years. His last few have really been good. and yes, I did know "The Artist" is a silent film. I hope to see it soon.

Laura- Yes, it's one of the minor flaws, in an otherwise terrific show.

Hi Mark, pretty much lurking and speed reading these days. De-lurking to say I love the review for Thirty Three Teeth and hope you have a great weekend!

Hi Mark, I am a terrible speller, but I think that particular mistake was my lousy typing! Anyway, glad to hear the David Copperfield group read is on.

And, awk - just got hit with yet another interesting mystery series that I need to move up my wishlist. A mystery series set in Laos sounds like something I would enjoy.

Did someone mention a David Copperfield GR? I love this book and if the timing works out, I'd like to join you for this.

#165 It's Lesley Nicol - Mrs Patmore. Also Mrs Beaver in the BBC adaptation of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe :)

Lori- Thanks! If you haven't tried this Laos series, please give it a try.

Judy- Yes, I was just teasing. God knows, I've made my share of spelling errors. Try the Laos series. It's nearly perfect on every level and I think they are all less than 300 pages. Added bonus.
Yes, I plan on doing another "May: Murder & Mayhem" month.

Caro- Yes, we are doing D.C. in April. Glad you are thinking of joining us. I've never read it before. Utterly shocking, I know!

Hi BekkaJo- Thanks! I'm curious if she's been an actor, all these years.

I'm a David Copperfield fan, too! It has been so many years though... I wonder if I would still
feel the same if I read it today?

#175 I just imdb'd her - yes she has, but mostly bit parts in UK dramas (police/medical soapish dramas etc).

David Copperfield is brilliant - read it last year... no, year before now. Oops. Must read some more Dickens this year.

Gosh, so much going on here, Mark! I'm looking forward to the David Copperfield read.

You and I were just talking about Colin Cotterill! Nice review. The first in that series is next up for my mystery reads.

I'm glad the Sandman Companion is helping you stay interested in the series. It's such a great one! I saw at the store that they've now come out with an Annotated Sandman, picking up on the idea that it helps if people understand some of the underpinnings and nuances. Unfortunately, it's expensive, in black and white, and readers don't seem happy with the quality. Apparently a good idea, poorly executed. So reading it with the Companion still seems best.

Quickly convinced Mark - the Laos series will be ordered shortly!

Stopping by to say hi! Thirty Three Teeth sounds fascinating, Mark! Hmmm I might just have to put that on my wishlist.

Murder and Mayhem in May! Ah... looking forward to it!

I have The Coroner's Lunch sitting on my TBR shelf . . . I hope I get to it before the local library's copy of Thirty Three Teeth wears out . . .

159, 163 I'm also interesting in seeing the movie Red Tails.

I'm glad to see that you're doing another May Murder & Mayhem. Does anyone know if there's going to be a Mystery March again? (I think that's what it was.)

Hi Kids! It was windy and cold today, but we were blessed with mostly sunshine, which always helps. We are staying in tonight and relaxing, we are planning to watch "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", which has gotten pretty good reviews, from critics and friends.
Always enjoy my Sundays, but the wife is putting on a big 75th (nice number, huh?) birthday party for her Aunt, so that should take up most of my afternoon. Okay, it'll be a nice time.

Kath- You should join us for D.C.! We are taking the whole month of April, to tackle it.

Bekka- Good to hear that you enjoyed David Copperfield last year. We will also be doing a G.R. of Oliver Twist next fall. There should be many different G.R.s of C.D. this year, it being the 200th year of his birth.

Joe- You will enjoy the Cotterill books. They are so darn smart and damn funny. Enjoy your weekend.

Paul- Yes, start hunting down The Coroner's Lunch. Top-notch stuff.

Deb- Murder and Mayhem in May! Sounds beautiful doesn't it? It's incredible how crazy this next few months is going to be and I plan on loving every minute it. Wasn't that a Loverboy song? That was a Canadian rock band.

Terri- I think you'll have to ask Judy about Mystery March. I think she's the one who hosted it and it was quite a success.

With regard to #170, I'm thinking that perhaps the ability of people who can remember a lot of detail from when they were very young might be an indication of extreme self-involvment. I offer, as Exhibit 1, moi. Like Ebert, my first memory dates from when I was 3 when my aunt allowed me to hold her newborn baby for the first time (actually, it was the only time, now that I think of it) and I remember the experience very vividly - down to the way poor, defenseless little Mary Lou felt (warm and solid) and the way she smelled (pretty good). I can remember, too, my aunt and my mother both hovering on either side of the couch where I was sitting with the new cousin on my lap, looking for signs that might indicate that I was on the verge of dashing my new competition to the floor.

Oh rats, another bullet. The Laos series looks like one I have to find. I'll be at a bookstore tomorrow......

I agree with some of the discussion about the maid in the closet getting sacked and the chauffeur not. I'm thinking the chauffeur also would have found himself on the street, but it may be that, in historical context, there would have been a double standard.

The movie I hope to see this week is "Albert Nobbs." It's not getting lots of stars on Rotten Tomatoes, but the critics are raving about Close's performance. Besides, it's showing at my favorite theater. :-)

Hi Mark!
Still working on The Warmth but had to put it down for awhile. Hope to get back to it tomorrow.
Not cold here at all... nice and sunny - no snow. Sounds like weather you would enjoy!
Have fun at your party tomorrow! ;-)

I finally got on the bandwagon and watched the first episode of Downton Abbey tonight. I am so hooked! I rarely watch tv, but this was good. Thanks to you and everyone on your thread for cluing me in.

>186 labfs39: Lisa, you wrote "cluing me in," but my eyes read "LURING me in" which, come to think of it, is pretty accurate too!

Well, we watched "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". A very good sci-fi thriller and the CGI, with the apes, is incredible. A nice reboot to the series.
I hope I can squeeze in some reading, through the morning and before the party. Yesterday was a poor showing.

Charlotte- "extreme self-involvement" is a good way to put it. Ebert has always had inflated ego issues. The good thing is, Life Itself really picks up in the 2nd half, where he lets his favorite actors and directors, take center stage. Some incredible stuff there.

Ellen- It's nice having this discourse on DA, it's such a worthy show for it. Yes, jump into the Laos series and proceed better than I did. I read and loved The Coroner's Lunch and then let it sit for a couple years. Bad approach.

Claudia- I'm glad you are hanging in there with The Warmth of Other Suns. If I would have read it in book form, it would have taken me twice as long. We are having the party at my Aunt's church, so no alcoholic lubricants, but I'll muddle through.

Lisa- I'm glad I rarely steer you wrong. DA may not be always perfect but it's "brightness" is really refreshing and what a cast!
These are very short seasons, so you'll catch up in no time. Enjoy!

Hey, RD! Good to see you! Are you joining us for a book or 2, for Fantasy February? Love to have you!

10) The Secret River by Kate Grenville 4.5 stars

“It was a sad scrabbling place, this town of Sydney. The old hands called it The Camp, and in 1806 that was pretty much still what it was: a half-formed temporary sort of place.”

London was a brutal place in the early 19th century and William Thornhill, trying to support a young family, in the boating/shipping trade, had to resort to theft, just to survive. He was caught and sentenced to die. A deal was struck and his sentence was reduced and he was transported to New South Wales, (Australia) with scores of other convicts, to live out the rest of their lives. The most interesting part of the “deal” was, he is able to bring his family along.
The rest of this intoxicating story, is how the Thornhills survive in this “alien” environment, trying to delicately coexist, along with an Aboriginal tribe.
This book is a fictionalized account of the author’s ancestor’s, as they struggled, to make a new life, in a new land.
Yes, Grenville is a female author but the first word that comes to mind, to describe her writing style is robust. Her prose is sinewy and scrappy and the narrative moves along at a nice clip. This is my first book by this author and I cannot recommend it high enough.

Well, that one is now moving up the TBR pile.....

Loved The Secret River and love Downton Abbey. I try to save up several episodes to watch at one time. Maybe I'll get "lurked into" a good book tonight instead of getting a DA fix. Are there any books you can recommend, Mark? LOL.

Have fun at the 75th birthday party for Dear Aunt. Sounds young to me ;-)

Oh Mark, I must read 33 teeth, but do I need to start the series with the first?

Red Tails = Good story done badly. It wasn't worthy of the Tuskegee Airmen's amazing abilities. I met a few of them at one of the Memorial Day parades I attended many years ago. Very cool guys.

What a surprise! I rewatched the first season of DA and I must have completely missed the season finale. A lot of what happens explains so much like O'Brien's change of heart.

Great review! Added to the wishlist!

Please do not be afraid to throw a Thumb, at my reviews. This, of course, if only you think it's worthy. This gives me a gauge at how the reviews are clicking and if they may need more refining. I appreciate it guys and I try to do the same with all of your reviews too.

FYI- A new HBO series starts tonight called "Luck", by the creator of the outstanding "Deadwood" series. Good cast too: Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte and Joan Allen. It takes place around the horse-racing world. Looks promising.

Katie- Yes, The secret River is a terrific read and part of a "loose" trilogy, so much to get caught up with.

Donna- "Are there any books you can recommend, Mark?" Sorry, my friend, I can't think of one. LOL. I'm sure you will find something. Have you tried any other Grenville books?

Lynda- In regards to the Laos series, I don't think it's completely necessary to read Book 1 first. He catches you up pretty good in Book 2. I love reading series books in order but if you can't find it, go for it.
And that's what most of the reviews of Red Tails expressed too. Of course Lucas thinks this is finally the film, which gets it right, on the story of Tuskegee Airmen.
And glad you saw that Season finale on Season 1! Made a big difference, huh?

Chelle- Thank you! It's a great read.

Good review of The Secret River, Mark.

Thanks to you and others raving about it, we watched the first season of Downton Abbey. Loved it!

Oh, I've read about The Secret River -- great review, Mark!

Looks like Secret River is another book I need to move up the wishlist. I thumbed your review, as it makes this book sound irresistible, and one I want to get to soon.

It takes place around the house-racing world

What could house-racing possibly be? Have I blown several important brain cells? Cannot conceive of such a sport. Or game. Or whatever it might be.

Oh, wait - is it supposed to be horse-racing?

Our DVR is set to record Luck tonight Mark. We LOVED Deadwood so we're hoping for something nearly as good. Great review of The Secret River. I have The Lieutenant on my shelves and one of my desert isle books is Grenville's The Idea of Perfection. She's onmy Favorite Authors list.

Bravo for The Secret River review!

A friend told me this would be a great prequel to The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes....a history of Australia's founding...and one of my Favorite books!

;-}

Mark I must get around to the Kate Grenville sometime soon. Your reading this year has got off to a great start mate.

Grenville is one of my favorite authors, too! I need to read her latest, Sarah Thornhill.

Okay, the surprise birthday party went very well but boy was it a lot of work, especially during clean-up, which was massive. It is better to be a guest, who eats, visits and leaves.
I am glad to be home. My reading has suffered this weekend, so I'm hoping to get some in this evening.

Joe- Thanks! The Secret River is one I'm sure you will like. I'm so glad you enjoyed DA. How are you going to watch Season 2. Wait for them to repeat on PBS?

Anne- Thank you. I hope had a nice relaxing weekend!

Judy- Thanks for the Thumb and sorry I keep adding to the ungainly WL. But, I do think you will love this one.

Charlotte- OMG! What a space case! At least it wasn't in a review. Thanks for pointing it out. House-racing, could be interesting, especially a demolition derby version.

Bonnie- I never thought you could move up any higher, on the throne you currently reside on, but a big fan of "Deadwood" too? You are da Queen, my friend!

Jude- Thank you! Funny, I've had Fatal Shore on my mental WL for 15-20 years and I've now had a nice softcover of it languishing on the shelves for 2 or 3. What's my problem? No time to get into all that!

Paul- Yes, I have been hitting it pretty good on books lately, knock on wood. And hopefully the trend continues for a few months longer. Digits crossed.

Laura- Another Grenville fan! Hooray. Is Sarah Thornhill the last of the colonial trilogy? Where do you think I should go next with her? I would love to try Searching for the Secret River.

Hi Mark. Just letting you know I was here. :-)

*waving as I head off to read with my daughter*

Hi Mark -

Secret River
Glad you enjoyed it so much,
BUT, but, but - I can't do another trilogy for awhile
Oh woe :{

Thumb from me too on The Secret River. One day I'll get to a Kate Grenville! You know me and my " tasty" titles!;) I'm not sure just where I dig up some of my books. I'm always on the look out for Canadian authors and something "different." I also don't care for sci / fi, fantasy, vampires, err - no wonder my titles are often different. Now, murder and mayhem..... :)

Mark, you are a great encourager of others re what they are reading, and encouraging others reviews! Thanks for that! You are a special guy!

Great review of The Secret River, Mark. I just thumbed your review.

You guys are really driving me nuts about Downtown Abbey. My library doesn't have Season 1 and I cancelled my Netflix subscription a couple of months ago. Now I'm thinking I need to reinstate it just so I can watch this.

OK. OK.
OKAY!!!! I succumb to the masses!

I submitted a request for Downton Abbey at my library. There are a few on hold in front of me then it needs to be transferred from another library... So this might take awhile...
(What am I getting myself into???)

You'll love Downton Abbey, Cee .... you won't be able to resist getting Season 2 when you're done with the first season too. :-)

Hey there Marky-Mark, just got home and stopped over to say hello.

Mark... no way I am catching up... so just asking.. is there a Fantasy February thread?

We're going to wait for Netflix for this season of DA, Mark. We've done that with others, e.g. Eureka, which we get a kick out of. It takes patience, but has the advantage of our being able to watch several in a row if we wish. That's what we did this weekend, and it was a blast.

Oh, I'm so happy. I'm an idiot and was misspelling Downton (as Downtown) Abbey. My library does have it although I'm number 66 in line. That's what I get for trying to speed read through the threads.

No Pat, I'm sure it wasn't your speed reading. I know many times while my mind was thinking Downton my fingers insisted on typing Downtown. Glad you figured it out and you're able to get it from your library!

I've been missing out and have to see Downton Abbey (I keep spelliing it/thinking of it as Downtown Abbey).

I've reserved it at the library. When it comes to movies, it usually takes about 6 months.

I too got sucked into the whirling vortex of excitement surrounding Downton Abbey. I bought the first episode from Amazon for $1.99 and then succumbed and bought the first season for $9.99. The episodes can be watched on your laptop, but I just hook my laptop to my tv and watch them on tv. If you have TiVO you can also have them go to your tv through that, or if you have a certain type of tv, Amazon can send it to your tv. I was also able to get the uncut UK version, and I can watch the episodes as often as I want without repaying. This may be old hat to everyone else, but it was the first time that I tried it and thought I would share. I was 174th on our library hold list.

The sisters!

Hey, it's becoming DA Central over here. I love it! I also had a problem with the Downtown thing too! Once you hear it enough, it starts to click. Just think Down-Ton, Down-Ton. And for you newcomers, I don't think you have anything to fret about. I've not see anyone over here dislike this series.
I hope to watch the latest episode tonight. I need to read a few chapters first. Reading took a hit again today.
I did finish Life Itself, the Ebert memoir. I ended up really liking it, more on that later. Needed something light(er) and something for FF, so I started Grave Peril, the 3rd Harry Dresden book, which fits the need perfectly. The audio is terrific for these books.

Ilana- Have you heard of the watercolor artist, Edward Lear? He was mentioned in the Ebert memoir. I'll check him out later. I would like to return to highlighting paintings on my new threads. I really enjoyed that!

Lisa- I like the DA's following being called "a whirling vortex of excitement", but this could frighten Claudia a way. She's really not into whirling thingy's

Claudia- I appreciate the Thumb! The good thing about The Secret River is, it's just over 300 pages and the trilogy sounds like a very "loose". So you should be fine, with reading it alone...for now.
"(What am I getting myself into???)" Claudia, Claudia, Claudia, when will we be able to earn your trust? Another 6 months, a few years? Just let us know.

Deb- "Mark, you are a great encourager of others re what they are reading, and encouraging others reviews!" That's a nice thing to say, but isn't this why we are all here, to get excited about books and get rewarded with getting others to read and love the books you admire and vice a versa?

Caro- Nice to have you home! I agree, DA has a wicked way of sucking you in. Hey, BTW, I just received my copy of Iron & Silk. Yahoo. And it's a shorty. Double yahoo!

Never! I don't trust anyone who actually LIKES Blindness! LOL!

Pat- Thanks for the Thumb! Yes, the air is filled with DA and I think restarting Netflix for a month, would be worth it. You can squeeze a few movies in too. I stopped mine in September too!

Kath- Yes, Fantasy February is up and running. It's over on the 75, of course. I'll try to post the link on your thread.

Joe- It might not be long for DA Season 2 to come out. It wrapped up in England, in December I think. I started the 3rd Harry Dresden book.

Lynda & Linda- Hey, that sounds like a sitcom! I had problems initially, with Downtown too. You get over it quick.

Claudia- But if you are blind, you won't be bothered with the whirling vortex. See??

Yahoo indeed, Marky-Mark .... I'll keep my eyes peeled for when you announce that you've started to read it.

Sneaking in to say Ive never seen Downton Abbey, but have heard about it a lot on LT!

Mark, I was not familiar with Edward Lear before, but I just googled him to get an idea of his work. He does some pretty incredible landscapes, which I'm sure will appeal to a lot of people, but I'm partial to his pen and ink drawings. Very funny.

eta: I'll be watching the latest Dowton Abbey tonight as well.

Okay, my thoughts on the latest DA:

"This is always what happens when you give these little people some power."
- Lady Dowager

Mrs. Vera Bates- Evil witch!
Mary- Such a lovely expressive face. Always looks great in re
Major Bryant- Dirtbag!
Poor Lavinia, Poor Daisy!
A surprise wedding engagement. A surprise wedding.
Lady Dowager- I want her on my team.
A River of Tears!

A fine episode!

Mark, you gotta finish Maggie Smith's line: "...It goes to their head like strong drink." Oh yeah.

This was a terrible, awful, wonderful, horrible, perfect episode. Mrs. O'Brien has met some come-uppance, finally. Mrs. Vera Bates is, yes, absolutely evil without redemption. Although I'm starting to worry about Mr. Bates' eternal "it will get better" statements..... like, take that bull by the horns, man!
I'm not sure what you think Lady Mary looks great in, but I say what in the world does she not look great it??? That woman is drop dead gorgeous.
I didn't cry, but I don't know why not.

Mark, I can't wait to get to The Secret River. It's on my shelf and I want to get to it the first half of this year.....

♥

I'm so glad The Secret River is being bumped up everyone's reading lists! It was one of my favourites from last year.

Mark, I'd love to read Searching for the Secret River, I'll have to track down a copy.

Wah, I'm so behind on DA! Haven't even finished watching season 1!

It's January 31st! It's January 31st! And it supposed to be nearly 60 today! What?? I might even kick my heels out there today, but probably not, we don't need an injury.

Caro- I have to keep Iron & Silk in sight at all times. If I put in on a shelf or on a stack, it's sucked into the wasteland.

Megan- Is DA available anywhere in NZ?

Ilana- Make sure you return and let me know your thoughts on DA. I hope to check out Edward Lear's work tonight.

Ellen- I loved your thoughts on DA, especially "Mr. Bates' eternal "it will get better" statements". That is so true. Anna hasn't called him on that yet but I think she will. I didn't cry either but it was an episode tailored for it. I did start to well a couple times.

Tania- That is the special magic of LT. Is spreading the word, and getting folks to pick up copies. Sometimes, it takes a few tries by different people, but we get there.
How far have you made it, in the Dresden files?

Marrrrrk, I didn't cry because I was in drop jaw disbelief! Both Sybil and Mary are be u ti ful! Perhaps, Edith came from a different father.
58 for the forecasted high here. Yippee! Happy dance!

Thanks Mark, I will look for it.

Loved the DA episode, but it was so emotional. I didn't cry but like Mark, I "welled up." Agree about Bates' eternal statements. I am sure he won't turn bad but Anna needs to knock some sense into him.

>220 msf59: It would be great if DA Season 2 came out on Netflix sooner rather than later, Mark. I'm ready for more! Good to see the sisters photo - makes me smile just to see it.

I'm glad you're reading the third Dresden. As you know, I'm a sucker for that series. In some ways, I wish I was on #3 so I had all that good reading ahead of me. Now I'm in the position of impatiently waiting for the next one (and the next one and so on).

I wondered about Fantasy February and started reading Clash of Kings for that reason. I also have Left Hand of Darkness lined up for February reading. I will look for the posting regarding said month of reading.

I just have to take time to brag and add to the discussion about why be on Librarything. I have been BIG on the David Downing John Russell series, and was talking about it here at work last fall. This started a colleague reading the series. She has just finished the last published book Potsdam Station and said she couldn't wait for the new on Lehrter Station to come out. I told her she didn't have to because I had scored an ARC at the recent ALA conference. I gave it to her to read and told her to "please" not correct the mistakes (it is an uncorrected proof) as I can't stand it when somebody writes or marks up books. I politely asked her to ignore the grammatical and spelling errors and to return it to me when she finishes reading. Maybe I will get it back in time for May's Murder and Mayhem reading? I have to say that I was very pleased that somebody else liked my recommendation. That's why I am here to spread the word about good books and share with others what they like. Oh, and to catalog my huge home library as well.

Since there is a Fantasy February, I will take the time to remind everybody that February 2012 is the 50th anniversary of the publication of Wrinkle in Time. It is so nice to celebrate such a wonderful book! And it will make perfect reading for FF.

On the way home from work, it was 57. It wasn't a bad day, don't get me wrong but it was mostly overcast and blustery, which kind of sucked the "Spring" out of the air. Hey, for Jan 31st, not shabby at all.

Lynda- Yes, it might be difficult to cry, with your jaw hanging open, although I'm sure many women and a healthy group of men still manage to openly weep in those conditions.
"Perhaps, Edith came from a different father." That's priceless, but I have liked what they have done with her character, since the farm-working incident. Softened her a bit.

Kath- Big wave!

Laura- You know, Anna may not be a raving beauty, but there is something about her, maybe a strong inner-strength, that I find very appealing.

Joe- I'm sure glad I don't have to wait months, for DA. That would be cruel. I'm nearly at the halfway point in Grave Peril. This might be my favorite, so far.

Benita- Good to see you! You've been missed. I hope you found the FF thread, okay. I've already started my 1st, on audio, the 3rd Dresden files book.

Enjoy the rest of your January mate!

I love this photo of the "DA Sisters", along with Matthew hitting the town! They all look so young. Sigh!

#234> LOL! It's February here, and I'm nowhere near prepared for Fantasy February!

Maybe I should catch up a bit with Harry Dresden this FF, I've read the first six now. Don's read them all, and is champing at the bit for me to catch up!

Oh, and I'm not sure who to thank for the Blankets recommendation, was that you, Mark? Got it out from the library on Monday afternoon, finished it Tuesday night, loved it. Left it on Don's side of the bed for him (he was working an evening shift last night), and found him this morning, nose buried in it. Once you start reading, it's hard to put down! Very compelling story, beautifully done.

Hi Tania- I'm kind of opposite on FF. I have 4-6 ready to go. Whenever, we do one of these Genre months, you start realizing how many you have to get too. I'm starting to make a list of crime/mystery titles for May. I'll be lucky to get to 2 or 3 % of what I have.
I read Blankets in 12/10. I hope it was my rec that put you over the top, but I am tickled you ended up loving it.
Another Aussie (Do you mind that term?) author I've been dying to get to is Tim Winton. Like, Grenville, I've had a couple of his in the stacks, FOREVER!

Aarrgghh! I have to do so much skimming on your thread because I'm about 2 episodes behind on Downton Abbey! I need some time to just watch it!

Love the show, adore Mary, absolutely drool over Matthew.

I seem to be the only one who shed a tear at the end of DA when I watched it last night after downloading it from iTunes.

I thought it was just awful all the pressure everyone put on Daisy and completely agreed with her perspective on things. But she bore it out like a trooper.
Vera is disgusting. I want to tear her eyes out.
Mr Bates is kind of... where's his backbone??
Agreed Mary is gorgeous and wonderfully expressive in such a subtle way.
I'm trying, but I can't sympathize with the ex-maid Ethel. How stupid could she be?
The driver. Ugh! I wish he'd just get fired already.
I fear for Sybil. God forbid she actually took a real liking to him. Ugh!
Lavinia is rather exquisite. My idea of an English Rose.

I love this place: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/season2_characters.html
there are some short videos with some of the actors discussing their roles too.

That photo of the girls and Matthew hitting the town is quite a shocker. Don't think I was ready for that. Edith is completely unrecognizable. There is something to be said for early 20th century dress, even though women did have to wear corsets to achieve that look...

Oh Mark...I suspect my visiting privileges are about to be suspended...I tried, really really hard I tried, but Habibi has defeated me. I simply cannot help myself, I put Richie Rich's face on the men and Veronica's on the women. Graphic novel remains, for me, a term of art without substantive affect on my vision. To me, they're comic books, and I didn't ever like comic books.

So sorry. I'll go now.

Mark

A friend called me to tell me that I should read A house of Prayer #2. Now, realizing you also read this book inspires me to see if the local library has a copy.

I love your beginning photo!

Paul- See you over at the Animal shelter! LOL.

Terri- I tried to be very vague on my DA postings, without trying to give anything away for the folks who are behind. It's just fun to chat about it, right after watching it.

Ilana- Thanks for all your great thoughts on DA. I forgot to mention the "ex-maid Ethel" scene. And is that just a huge newborn or has more time passed than we thought?
And thanks for the link. I've messed around over there before.

RD- You never ever, have to apologize for something, that doesn't work for you, at least over here. Hey, if GNs don't work for you, that space can easily be filled. "I put Richie Rich's face on the men and Veronica's on the women". Funny, as hell!
I just watched and loved the pilot for HBO's "Luck". A terrific start. Is it on your radar?

Hi Mark, I've got Tim Winton's Dirt Music sitting on my shelf. It's been there a long time but not as long as some others. I'm determined this year to get some of the books I've had the longest off my shelf.

I'm waiting for "Luck" to hit Hulu...then I'll give it a whirl.

That is quite a photo, Mark. For me, the unrecognizable one is Sybil. Mary, well, I like to think I'd know her anywhere......

I'm a bit worried about how attached I'm getting to DA. I know they're going to end it and I'll be bereft.

It may be January (and it's still kind of cold in Seattle) but I heard the Chickadee's spring song yesterday morning. I love the Chickadee's spring song. :-)

Just butting in rudely to add that I am most of the way through Lost in Shangri-la that you finished up-thread. I've had a few BBs from you lately!

That DA photo is really something. I like seeing them in "real life"! Now I'm curious how old they really are. Did you know Dan Stevens (Matthew) is one of the Booker Prize judges this year?

Morning, kids! A quick book update. I'm still reading my ER The Revisionists. It's been a good solid read but for some reason, it's taking me forever to complete. I thought I might be able to squeeze another book in before The Wayward Bus, which will not happen. I NEED to stop thinking.
My audio is still Grave Peril, which has been fun.

Bonnie- I have a couple of Winton books in the stacks. I think I have Breath, not sure about Dirt Music, although that is on my WL.

RD- The "Luck"pilot was directed by Michael Mann, giving it a nice stylish, burnt orange look. I hope it keeps that tone.

Ellen- I like the contemporary photo of the DA actors too, since they are so tightly encased in the early 20th century on the show. Yep, 3 more episodes left. Weeps quietly...

Megan- "Just butting in rudely". You are never doing that, my friend. Welcome anytime. Hope you are enjoying "Shangri-La". Of course, I loved it.

Laura- I think someone else mentioned that about Dan Stevens and the Booker. Interesting. I wonder what his qualifications are?

Linda- Sorry, I missed you up there! How are you stranger? I hope you are enjoying House of Prayer No 2. It reminded me a lot of rick Bragg.

Oh dear. Oh, deary deary dear.

My SIL had a few show recommendations recently: Sherlock and Downtown Abbey.

Hubster and I watched Sherlock, and were largely pleased, although we favored 1 and 3 over 2.

And yesterday I realized that Downtown Abbey is on Netflix.

Oh dear.

Don't you all realize that there are important things to be done? Like laundry? It's hard to remember that when the siren call of instant streaming period loveliness calls from my laptop...

I think I watched three episodes yesterday.

Trying to keep up .. so I don't miss the thread transition...

I think you will really enjoy Tim Winton, Mark. I read Dirt Music and Cloudstreet some time ago and very much enjoyed both. Breath and The Turning: Stories are sitting in my TBR pile. Thanks for the reminder that I should pull them out.

>248 msf59:: Apparently Dan Stevens studied English Lit at Cambridge. So he's no slouch.

252> That just makes me envious of him. That's one of my favorite alter-realities (but only if it could be as romantic as I imagine it to be and as long as the hundreds of fictional amateur sleuths who seem to find dead bodies in the area stay far, far away).

DOWNTON ABBEY fans...i found this link today, for those of you with a NOOK......just saying

I watched DA...what's available on ROKU.....recognized a lot of character actors from other British series.....:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/The-NOOK-Blog/Spotlight/ba-p/1276987?cm_m...

;-}

Hi Mark,
So, what IS this Downton Abbey? A soap opera? Comedy? Tragedy?
I never was big on soap operas - but I do like some of the Brit shows (in moderation). We watched "The House of Eliott" for awhile (from Netflix) that was a British tv series. Looked forward to each succeeding episode - and then they must have cancelled it. It stopped suddenly and we were dismayed :(

I have to say... Fantasy makes February a lot more exciting. This was a good idea...

Hope our temp does not exceed 40. It's so pretty around here :)

Thanks for the Downton Abbey suggestion! I got my hands on both seasons and the Christmas special and I lazed about yesterday and finished them. SO GOOD!

That picture is great, Dan Stevens is purdy (And the british accent doesn't hurt either! ;)

Breath is the only Tim Winton book I've read but I really liked it. Somewhat dark but I know you like that Mark and I remember it as being a quick read. Hope you get to it soon.

Hi gang! Luxx mentioned Sherlock on PBS. I've been recording Masterpiece and I now have 3 Sherlock episodes recorded. Are these the new batch? I never saw the previous season. This might be perfect, when DA leaves us...okay, moment of silence.

Oh, deary deary Luxx- Good to see you! What a wicked world we live in, right? When one can't even do laundry! Pretty freakin sad.
Okay, we are done with the gloom. How were those 1st episodes? Did they draw you in?

Kath- I'll start the new thread later or tomorrow for sure. Time seems to be very limited lately.

Linda- So good to see you! I appreciate the Winton feedback. I just checked the stacks and have to correct myself. I DO NOT have Breath but have the Turning & Dirt Music. Books being lost on the shelves. Whoever heard of that?

I'll be back after dinner. Ciao!

Hi Jude- Thanks for the link. I'm pretty sure the Roku streamed the whole 1st season of DA. So what did you think? Hooked?

Claudia- I guess DA could be called a soap opera. But one at a very high level. Please don't let that stop you. I guess it could be called high drama, with touches of tragedy and comedy.
Have you ever seen the excellent film "Gosford Park"? Another period drama. The writer and creator of DA, was a writer on that film.
"Fantasy makes February a lot more exciting." Amen, sister!

aaah, Tim Winton, what a lovely writer, I must read more of his.

Laura- Well, hopefully Stevens knows what he is doing. LOL.

Chelle- That's what we do around here, we suggest things, to enrich the lives of fellow LTers. Load of crap? Probably.
Glad you are enjoying DA. How does the Christmas Special work, though? Is this a stand-alone or part of the 1st season? I need help here!

Pat- I made a mistake: I DO NOT have Breath but have the Turning & Dirt Music. Bad Mark. I'll keep looking for Breath. Yes, me and dark books get along nicely. Ask Claudia!

Megan- what are you favorite Winton books?

Bemused a little by the DA discussion as I haven't seen it yet - the TV is not my domain as it is conquered by the female members of the family. I will have to drop a few hints and see if they'll let me watch it! Loved House of Elliott when it was released in the UK 20+ years ago.

Mark, perfectly happy to be called "Aussie"; Australians (*ahem*, or "Aussies", as I should be saying) are the masters of shortening names and giving nicknames. I wouldn't be much of an Australian if I minded being called "Aussie"! :)

(Urban legend has it that we do it to keep our mouths closed more, to stop flies flying in.)

Tim Winton is more beloved by other readers than me (I've just never quite clicked with his books, although I don't diss them), but The Turning and Breath have both given me the chance to start changing my mind, they were excellent reads.

ETA: The "Sherlock" first season was great fun! Loved it, the second is yet to screen in Australia.

Did they draw you in?

Ahem. Yes.

I watched the last of the first season tonight.

My google search stated that the Christmas special went at the end of season 2. Don't watch it before, it will ruin S1&S2 with spoilers.
(And it was delightful!! So glad I downloaded them! Thanks!!)

Picked up Revisionists today at the library. Not sure I will get to it in February, with all the other obligations, but will try to do so. I wanted to get Doomsday Book by Connie Willis but it is missing from the shelves. Another of those "lost" library books that just never found its way back to the library. Looks like I will have to get that one on my own. Inter-library Loan here I come!

Hey Mark. I'm keeping up. Barely! ;-)

Paul- Does your wife enjoy quality TV? she might want to watch DA with you. I'll have to look into "House of Elliott".

Tania- I forget how tough-skinned you guys are and I just read The Secret River too! Duh! Winton is on the Must Read Now List. I NEED to watch Sherlock One.

Luxx- I thought so! Just checking. Have you been recording Season 2?

Chelle- Thanks for the head up! They should show it right at the end of Season 2, correct?

Benita- I can't wait to see what you think of The Revisionists. Slot it at the right time, it can be a little dense at times. I'll finish it today and onward to Mr. Steinbeck.

Ilana- Here, sit down and relax. No, not on my lap, we have some comfy chairs. ;}

I'll get the new thread up tonight!

My google search stated that the Christmas special went at the end of season 2.
Thanks for the info, Chelle! I was wondrin about that, too. Something to look forward to then. :)

Now, back to Mark............

Cee.. Don't feel bad.. I have only seen one episode of Downton Abby.
I think I would like it.. so I have to figure out where to find it to watch..
Now I hear something about Sherlock Holmes? Where are these things to be found, I wonder?

265> I really liked Doomsday Book..

I thought

#258 OOOh - the recent BBC Sherlock is about as perfect as you could possibly want an adaptation to be. Loved it. Benedict Cumberbatch is brilliant.

>271 BekkaJo:: I have the newest episodes on DVR, I'm also a Benedict fan but they've been airing concurrent with Downton Abbey and I can't handle both at the same time. I'll catch up during March when the PBS stations have pledge drives and there are no scheduled Masterpiece programs. Although I bet they'll be re-running Downton as a fundraiser.

#269 check your local PBS channel, Kath.

>270 jnwelch: Oops, pretty inscrutable comment. I was so focused on getting the underlining right that I must have deleted the rest. And now I can't remember what it was about! Oh well. Hope you're having a good one, Mark!

Thanks Lynda! I was feeling pretty stupid Joe.. glad it isn't me missing something

Hi Mark, hope your day is going well.

I know somewhere recently on your thread there was talk of a Mystery March. Just want to let people know I am going to start a thread for this toward the end of the month.

I've been recording DA and haven't watched any of Season 2 yet, but I think I am getting ready to binge!

Hey, everyone! I'll reply to everyone on the New Thread. Follow me here...