brenzi's 2012 Reading - LXXV and Beyond - Part 5 - Meandering My Way Through the Month of May

These little darlings return every year at this time to the five bluebird houses around our property. Now, I can't get close enough to take a picture myself so this is just a stock picture.



A book which is left on the shelf is a dead thing but it is also a chrysalis, an inanimate object packed with the potential to burst into new life. ~~~Susan Hill, Howard's End is on the Landing








MY ORANGE JANUARY THREAD

MY NON-FICTION CHALLENGE THREAD

OTS - Off the Shelf (purchased at least 6 months ago)

L - library book

NF - Non-fiction

Books Read in 2012

36. The Spoilt City - Olivia Manning
35. The Great Fortune - Olivia Manning
34. I Shall Not Want - Julia Spencer-Fleming - L - 4.5 stars
33. Bring Up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel - UK - ER - 7 stars
32. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - Anne Fadiman - NF - OTS - 4 stars
31. Salvage the Bones - Jessmyn Ward - L - ebook - 4.5 stars
30. Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier - OTS - 4.6 stars
29. Broken Glass Park - Alina Bronsky - Germany - OTS - 4.1 stars
28. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green - L - 4.2 stars
27. A Wreath of Roses - Elizabeth Taylor - UK - 4 stars
26. The Leopard - Giuseppe Di Lampedusa - Italy - OTS - 3.7 stars
25. The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller - Greece - L - 4.6 stars
24. Voyagers of the Titanic - Richard P. Davenport-Hines - NF - ER - 4.2 stars
23. Binocular Vision - Edith Pearlman - 4.3 stars - L
22. Sovereign - C. J. Sansom - UK - 4.6 stars - OTS
21. There But For The - Ali Smith - UK - 3.5 stars - L
20. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - Laura Hillenbrand - Japan - 5 stars - NF - OTS
19. All Mortal Flesh - Julia Spencer-Fleming - 4.3 stars - L
18. A View of the Harbour - Elizabeth Taylor - UK - 4.5 stars - OTS
17. Gillespie and I - Jane Harris - Scotland - 4.8 stars - L
16. How to Breathe Underwater - Julie Orringer - 3.5 stars - OTS
15. The Artist of Disappearance - Anita Desai -India - 3 stars
14. Silk - Allesandro Baricco - France/Japan - 4 stars - OTS
13. Emma - Jane Austen - UK - 4.3 stars - OTS
12. Inferno: The World at War 1939-1945 - Max Hastings - 5 stars - NF - e book - L
11. The Frozen Thames - Helen Humphreys - UK - 4.5 stars - L
10. Bleak House - Charles Dickens - UK - 5 stars - e book
9. Bossypants - Tina Fey - 3.5 stars- audio - NF
8. The Scapegoat - Daphne duMaurier - France - 4.5 stars - OTS
7. The Orphan Master's Son - Adam Johnson - North Korea - 4.3 stars - L
6. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader - Anne Fadiman - 4 stars - NF - L
5. Old Filth by Jane Gardam - UK - 4 stars
4. The Observations by Jane Harris - Scotland - 4.5 stars - OTS
3. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff - Egypt - 4.2 stars NF - OTS
2. White Teeth by Zadie Smith - UK - 4.3 stars -OTS
1. Sorry by Gail Jones - Australia - 4.5 stars

CURRENTLY READING:

April Summary

Sovereign by C. J. Sansom – another Tudor adventure with Matthew Sharlake and his assistant Jack Barack. This is the third in the series and, IMO, quite possibly the best mystery I’ve ever read, which means that it won’t be long before I pick up Revelation.

Binocular Vision by Edith Pearlman – the book that should have won the Pulitzer prize for fiction in a world of sane people. This short fiction collection is outstanding for its finely crafted sentences which had me holding my breath, page after page.

Voyagers of the Titanic by Richard Davenport-Hines – a new book on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic was more a study of the groups of individuals who were involved in the tragedy: shipowners, shipbuilders, sailors, first-class, second-class, third-class, and officers and crew. He delves into each group in great detail as he explores their role in what is known as the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – based on Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad, Miller tells the story of God-like Achilles and his loving friend, Patroclus. It was a particularly moving and poignant story that was hard to put down.

The Leopard by Giuseppe Di Lampedusa – the classic story of the unification of Sicily and Sardinia with Italy in 1860 and the decline of the upper class, this book fell flat for me.

A Wreath of Roses by Elizabeth Taylor – my second Taylor but not my last, this portrait of life just after WWII in the English countryside, was touching as Taylor honed in once again on the themes of loneliness and isolation.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – told the gut wrenching story of Hazel and Augustus, teenagers with cancer. You can’t help but admire their plucky bravery dealing with their terminal illnesses and Green’s ability to make them so human, open and courageous.

BEST BOOKS OF THE FIRST QUARTER

29.



Broken Glass Park by Alina Bronsky 4.1 stars

The only word that comes to mind when I think about Russian author Alina Bronsky is audacious. I’m not sure how old she is but this, her debut novel, is the second novel I’ve read (apparently, I’m reading her works in reverse order of publication) and she is definitely a risk-taker. Daring, bold, impudent, whatever adjective you choose to attach to her name, her writing provides for a remarkable look at the lives of Russian immigrants in modern-day Germany. And you can count on a unique and inimitable voice. In Broken Glass Park, that voice belongs to seventeen year old Sachsa Naimann and the book’s first paragraph provides an introduction to this brash teenage girl:

”Sometimes I think I’m the only one in our neighborhood with any worthwhile dreams. I have two, and there’s no reason to be ashamed of either one. I want to kill Vadim. And I want to write a book about my mother. I already have a title: The Story of an Idiotic Redheaded Woman Who Would Still Be Alive If Only She Had Listened to Her Smart Oldest Daughter. Or maybe that’s more of a subtitle. But I have plenty of time to figure it out because I haven’t started writing yet.”

So now you know what the book is about. Sachsa lives with her younger brother and sister in a Russian ghetto. They’ve all been left orphans by the murder of their mother and the incarceration of their father. And if she weren’t so darn smart, she’d realize that her dream should be to get out of that ghetto by marrying a rich man like her friend Angela does.

But Sachsa keeps her eye on the prize and in the meantime, we learn what life is like for her, her siblings and their friends. And when she becomes infatuated with a handsome and caring older man, Sachsa’s life takes a dangerous and violent, turn.

I can’t say enough about the language, which is startlingly vivid and stark.

”The window shatters into a thousand glittering shards. For a fraction of a second they all hang in the air, a giant, weightless piece of art. Then they all plummet to the asphalt and break into even smaller pieces.” (Page 206)

Nothing left to do now except wait impatiently for Alina Bronsky’s next effort. Highly recommended.

Love the bluebird photo, Bonnie! They are sweet birds.

Bonnie - Nice new thread. I really enjoyed reading through your April summary and could not agree with you more about Binocular Vision.

Ah, the elusive bluebird of happiness. I'm glad they like your yard, Bonnie. We have only rare sightings here...and they are the Missouri state bird. It should be the cardinal which we have in abundance.

I haven't heard anything about Broken Glass Park. Those audacious quotes you chose make me want to read it -- but then I want to read everything you do. ;-)

I agree with Donna: your reviews are just too darn enticing! I'm still catching up on your last thread, so it was nice to see the best of the first quarter. Added two to my TBR.

Hi Bonnie- Congrats on the new thread! Great review of Broken Glass Park. Sounds very interesting.
BTW- Finally got the Under the Skin review up. Needed to find the right time.

Count me as follower #3. Bronsky sounds really good!

Bonnie congrats on your latest thread. Love the colours on the bird; bluebirds are so vivid.
The guys are right also you do write very persuasive reviews.

Hello Laura, Mamie, Donna, Lisa, Mark and Peggy, and thanks for visiting.

>4 lauralkeet: They are sweet birds Laura and also they have the sweetest song ever. We love having them move in every year.

>5 Crazymamie: I knew you would appreciate that Mamie since you just wrote that excellent review of Pearlman's book:)

>6 Donna828: Well then it's the Missouri state bird AND the New York state bird. Couldn't these states have been a little more creative Donna? How could you want to read everything I read when I'm usually following you around?

>7 labfs39: Oh Lisa I would say that turn about is fair play but I know you read a lot of translated work and this is a Europa edition so it may just be up your alley.

>8 msf59: I'll look for the Under the Skin review Mark. And, from the last thread---not sure when I'll get to White Rhino and thanks for the offer. I may just take you up on it:)

>9 LizzieD: Follow along Peggy. Bronsky is good, very good.

>10 PaulCranswick: Greetings Paul, and thanks for the visit and the compliment.

Hey, hey, hey look what I won today through ER:



Oh yeah, Bring Up the Bodies, Hilary Mantel's follow-up to Wolf Hall. I will be reading this baby as soon as it arrives since the first book was my Book of the Year in 2009. Did anybody else get lucky??

You won, too! I just arrived here from Peggy's thread, and she's equally thrilled! Now we can "read" Bring Up the Bodies with both of you!

Did you win too, Nancy?

>3 brenzi: Thumbs-upped your review!

Lovely bluebird picture! I don't think I have ever seen one in RL

>16 richardderus: Thanks Richard!

>17 ChelleBearss: You'd know if you'd seen one Chelle. They're vividly blue, just lovely little birds.

>13 brenzi:: you too?! you, Peggy, and Linda (laytonwoman3rd). I haven't requested an ER book in so long, I didn't even look this time around. That'll teach me.

Oh Laura, I would have mentioned it to you had I known. It's actually nothing short of a miracle that I won, considering the odds. Lots of people didn't win, that's for sure. I always look at the offerings, although I seldom find anything I want to opt for.

Excellent review of Broken Glass Park, Bonnie.

Congratulations on winning Bring Up the Bodies! I didn't select it as an ER book, as I wanted the UK edition, but I should get it from Amazon UK in about two weeks. I'll read it ASAP.

No, I didn't win, Bonnie. I'm just excited for you and Peggy! Can't wait to hear from both of you about Bring Up the Bodies.

I wish we had bluebirds - so pretty!

Congrats on winning Bring Up the Bodies, Bonnie! I remember how much you loved Wolf Hall.

Beautiful birds, Bonnie. I've not read Wolf Hall , but I'll be interested in what you have to say about Bring Up the Bodies. Great win!

Great review of Broken Glass Park. That sounds like a very interesting book!

Oh, by the way, I settled on White Nights for my next read. Bit of a page turned, but calm enough :)

Congrats on winning Bring up the Bodies Bonnie. I've just ordered mine from book Depository - can't wait. (Ive also reserved it from the library, but was #13 on the list...)

Hello Bonnie, just a fly by hi for now :)

Congrats on winning Bring Up the Bodies, Bonnie. I am so jealous, but the odds did not work in my favor on that one, so I will just have to buy it. But I did win The Hunger Angel (no touchstone yet) by Herta Muller. My sense is that she is not an easy author and gets very mixed reactions, but I am interested in exploring her works.

Bonnie, I didn't put my bid in for the new Mantel book, but rest assured that I will be reading it sometime this summer. I caved at the last minute and requested (and scored) the latest Ridley Pearson thriller. He's the author I heard talk last week. I hope his book is as entertaining as he was in person!

>21 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl. We should probably be setting up a thread for Bring Up the Bodies. I think a bunch of 75ers will be reading it at the same time.

>22 lit_chick: OK Nancy. See above comment.

>23 Copperskye: Yes they are the prettiest little birds Joanne. We look forward to them every year.

>24 vancouverdeb:, 25 Thanks Deb. Not read Wolf Hall? Get to it. You won't be disappointed.

>26 cushlareads: So many people can't wait to get Bring Up the Bodies Cushla and judging from Suzanne's review I don't think we'll be disappointed.

>27 LovingLit: Hi there Megan **waves**

>28 Linda92007: Oh Linda, I haven't read anything by Muller so I'll be looking for your comments.

>29 Donna828: Congratulations on getting the Ridley book Donna. Enjoy!

>30 brenzi: I agree, Bonnie; we should set up a thread for Bring Up the Bodies. When should we do it?

Woohoo - I'm caught up, Bonnie!

Since I had half of your last thread as well as this new thread to read through, you got several thumbs up from me today. You've been writing great reviews!

And congratulations on getting Bring Up the Bodies - enjoy!

Pretty, pretty, pretty little bird.
I am not caught up..but I have at least found you...
sorry to be so in attentive.. my plan is to try harder.

From our Virago group both Elaine and Deborah, but she's also a 75er, won a *BUtBs* too. I'm still grinning!

Bonnie- Congrats on Bring Up the Bodies. Yah. Sadly, I have not yet read Wolf Hall. What's my problem? Who knows. I did snag an ER book but a crime one. Looks good.

Bonnie - too cool that you won a copy of Bring up the Bodies. It's causing quite the stir. I have not read Wolf Hall which everyone seems to agree was good so I guess I must add it to my WL.

>32 kidzdoc: Oh I really think you're good at that sort thing Darryl;-)

>33 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks Dejah, glad you're all caught up now and it's good to see you again.

>34 mckait: Aren't they the prettiest little birds Kath? Good to see you.

>35 LizzieD: It's exciting isn't it Peggy? I wonder if Jeremy would give us a list of all the 75ers who won?

>36 msf59: Hi Mark, what? Haven't read Wolf Hall? It's a great book! Especially if you love killing and torture;-)

>37 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie, in 2009 Wolf Hall was one of those books like The Night Circus or Gillespie and I and The Song of Achilles....everybody was reading it. And I think most of us really loved it and that's why we've all been waiting with bated breath for Mantel to come up with what was originally going to be a sequel and what she announced about a year ago on her website, would be a trilogy. You could just hear the collective cheers:-)

>38 brenzi: Got it. ;-) I'll create a thread early next week.

Hi, Bonnie! Congrats on getting Bring Up the Bodies. I haven't read Wolf Hall yet, but I have it on my TBR shelf. There a group read of it planned for June, over in the 12 in12 Category Challenge Group, so I plan to read it then.

Bonnie: Ditto congrats. I didn't even request a book this month. I am behind, and I haven't even gotten my book from last month yet.

>39 kidzdoc: :)

>40 tymfos: I hope you get to read it in June Terri because then I know you will want to read Bring Up the Bodies;-)

>41 BLBera: Oh I'm really sorry to hear that Beth. I'm hoping to get my book any day now. I don't want to have to wait.

I'd never heard of Alina Bronsky but will be looking out for her now.

Congrats on your Mantel success!

>43 Soupdragon: Hi Dee. I think you'd like her writing style.

30.



Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier 4.5 stars

MY REVIEW

Thanks to Suzanne and Joanne for recommending this one.

Remarkable Creatures? More like remarkable characters. I really didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did, but Chevalier brought to life two of history’s forgotten figures and although I know little about fossils or paleontology I found the narrative utterly compelling.

Mary Anning has had a special gift ever since being struck by lightening as a baby. She sees things that to others, remain unseen. This is a skill that comes in very handy on the windswept, rocky coast of England in the early 1800s where, even as a child, she is able to find fossils that others can’t see. She is befriended by Miss Elizabeth Philpot, a London spinster who, along with her two sisters, comes to live in Lyme Regis in order to face a future with diminished fortune. When Mary finds a remarkable fossilized skeleton, it’s the beginning of a new way of scientifically looking at fossils and their meaning that delights scientists and frightens the religious-minded residents while it leads to the early discovery of a theory about the history of the world. As Elizabeth explains to her young nephew:

”When Mary discovered that ichthyosaurus, she did not know it at the time, but she was contributing to a new way of thinking about the world. Here was a creature that had never been seen before, that did not seem to exist any longer, but was extinct---the species had died out. Such a phenomenon made people think that perhaps the world is changing, however slowly, rather than being a constant, as had been previously thought…At the same time, geologists were studying the different layers of rock, and thinking about how the world was formed, and wondering about its age. For some time now men have wondered if the world isn’t older than the six thousand years calculated by Bishop Ussher. A learned Scotsman called James Hutton even suggested that the world is so old it has ‘neither a beginning nor an end,’ and that it is impossible for us to measure it.” (Page 256)

So I know what you’re thinking. Fossils? History? Borrrinnnng! But I was mesmerized throughout. Chevalier did an excellent job conceiving a narrative that included both historical figures and creations of her imagination and using them to tell the story of these two women whose important role in history and scientific development has been overlooked. Especially interesting was how difficult it was for a woman at this time to be taken seriously. The barricades put in their way are fairly substantial and make the accomplishments of these two women all the more, well…remarkable.

Thumbs up on the great review of Remarkable Creatures, Bonnie. I remember hearing about this one, but never got a hold of it. Thanks for the reminder.

Bonnie: Remarkable Creatures sounds good. I have had mixed feelings about Chevalier and after two in a row I didn't like, decided to give this one a pass. Maybe I'll have to rethink that...

>46 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks Dejah, I'm happy to provide a reminder for a book I had low expectations for but really ended up liking.

>47 BLBera: Hi Beth, I felt the same way about Chevalier. I wasn't bowled over by The Girl With the Pearl Earring but Suzanne and Joanne gave this one high marks so I picked up a copy at the Borders closing sale.

Great review, Bonnie, Thumb up from me. As you mentioned in your review , the idea of fossils does sound boring, but I may have to re-think that now. Thanks for that!

Thanks Deb. I know! When I picked it off my shelf for a TIOLI challenge last week I read the back and said to myself, "Why in the world did I buy this?" I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

Thumb up here, too, Bonnie. As Deb has said, I may need to rethink my position on fossils, LOL!

Thanks Nancy, fossils are not on my list of absorbing topics either but, hey, I found it all very, er, remarkable.

Thumb from me, too, Bonnie. But my WL is a bit disgruntled with you!!

I've been anxious to see how you'd like Remarkable Creatures since I noticed you were reading it. I'm so glad you liked it - yay! And a thumb from me, too, on your great review. The fossils definitely take a back seat to the friendship and determination of the two women in a time when women had a particular place that didn't include rocky beaches and museums.

I have a few of Tracy Chevalier's books that I've yet to read but plan on getting to at least one of them this summer. I'd been considering The Girl with the Pearl Earring but you've got me reconsidering that choice. Maybe Burning Bright instead.

>45 brenzi: So I know what you’re thinking. Fossils? History? Borrrinnnng! But I was mesmerized throughout.
lol, you had it right there, but I am interested in this one thanks to your excellent reviewing skills :)

eta: oooh, and she wrote The Girl with the Pearl Earring, I loved that film

>53 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie, I'm afraid disgruntled WLs are the name of the game around here;-)

>54 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne. You never steer me wrong. (Three Pines comes to mind!) It really was a book I couldn't put down. Well don't put too much stock in what I said about The Girl with the Pearl Earring. I read it quite a long time ago when my reading tastes were, IDK, different.

>55 LovingLit: Thanks Megan! Oh there was a movie? I didn't know that. Must see about that. I did love the concept of writing a book based on a famous painting.

Bonnie- Excellent review of Remarkable Creatures. I wasn't sure I wanted to read this one either. As usual you set me straight. You are becoming quite the force over here.

Remarkable Creatures had me wondering, too... but your review makes it look really good.
I enjoyed the The Girl with the Pearl Earring film, too.

Thumbs up from me for your remarkable review of Remarkable Creatures

>58 msf59: Thanks Mark, You are becoming quite the force over here. Well let's not get carried away now. But I do like to review books that speak to me as this one did.

>59 mckait: Hi Kath, you may just like it.

>60 Whisper1: Thanks Linda, oh, I see what you're trying to say;-)

Love the review, Bonnie! I'm another fan of Remarkable Creatures. It's an amazing story for all the reasons you identify, and she does a great job of telling it. I also loved The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Burning Bright was a disappointment, though.

Thanks Joe, it is an amazing story. I loved how she let the two characters alternate chapters, telling the story from two points of view. And such distinct voices!

Great review of Remarkable Creatures, Bonnie!

So you'd recommend Alina Bronsky's second novel as well? I had already owned Broken Glass Park but hadn't read it when #2 came out, and I just have never gotten around to it.

Remarkable Creatures was the first Chevalier novel I had read, and I liked it. So I was disappointed to be disappointed by The Girl With the Pearl Earring.

Bonnie - as always you provide a very thought provoking review. I have read one of Chevalier's and didn't really enjoy it but looks like sh may be worth another try.

>65 Chatterbox: Yes Suzanne I really liked Alina Bronsky's The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine. The unreliable narrator (apparent from page one) is like no other. I think you'd enjoy it.

> 64. Thanks Paul, it sounds like this is the only book by Chevalier that people have collectively enjoyed.

>63 brenzi:. Thanks Darryl

Bonnie, you've moved my copy of Remarkable Creatures from somewhere at the bottom of my tottering TBR pile to near the top! I'm now wondering if I'll have time to read it this month. I'm sure someone's reading it as a TIOLI challenge. Or was that you, Bonnie?!

Great review of Remarkable Creatures, Bonnie. I haven't felt drawn to read any of Chevalier's books, but this one does sound interesting.

By the way, a recent issue of The New Yorker had an article on Hilary Mantel's historical fiction which can be accessed online and might interest you.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2012/05/07/120507crbo_books_wood

Well, Bonnie!
I think what I might do... is just print off your list of books read and use it to make future choices. I've read a handful of them and agree with your assessments, so how can I go wrong?
Your reviews always punch my "Gotta Read This Next" button. Many of these books are already on my shelves.

I've been hanging back on Wolf Hall due to its size. Maybe I should get brave :}

>68 Soupdragon: That was me Dee. It was for the Biographical Fiction.

>69 Linda92007: Thanks Linda. And thanks for the New Yorker article about Mantel.

>70 -Cee-: Very funny Cee, you always come up with the most humorous comments. There's no question that Wolf Hall is a door stopper but it's a surprisingly fast read, at least it was for me, probably because I couldn't put it down.

Bonnie: I'm with Cee; I'll just copy your books read -- at least those that you recommend -- and use that as my TBR list. Thanks for reminding me that I have Wolf Hall still to read.

Bonnie, Remarkable Creatures has been on my WL for so long that I almost feel as if I'd read it. Must carry out that feeling one of these days!

I've been enjoying your review, Bonnie. And thanks for the nudge on Remarkable Creatures. That's been in my TBR Tower for almost a year now ...time to move it up the rungs and plan it for a June read, I think.

>72 BLBera: Well I do believe I've gotten more than a few books from you that could have come from your list of books read Beth. Do give Wolf Hall a try!

>73 Donna828: I know what you mean Donna. I have more than one book crammed into my shelves that I've gotten a glimpse of and thought, "Is that still there?"

>74 cameling: Thanks Caro, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Just thought I'd say that I'm reading Salvage the Bones by Jessmyn Ward which won the National Book Award last year. Oh my! Has anybody else read it? This may be my book of the year. Can you picture gritty and yet beautiful prose in the same sentence? Hard to put down too with heart pounding action. Just a snippet of what I expect my review of it to say:)

Bonnie, you're killing me with all these good books. I've started The Song of Achilles, which I love, and will start Gillespie and I next week. Now it looks like I'll need to seek out Salvage the Bones. You're like Mark--you never read a bad book!

But Pat isn't that sort of like killing you with kindness?? Oh I've read bad books, just not recently. I suffered through the dreadful Nat Tate last year as well as the horrid Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor. Then there was The Slap by Chris Tsiolkas. You can look up my review for that one if you're interested in a book to avoid (IMO, others liked it). But this year I've been on pretty much of a role thanks to all my friends here on LT. Life is good. Especially reading life.

Bonnie- I did see someone recently praising salvage the Bones. I'm so glad you are loving it. I've had it on my radar for awhile.
Did you see they were offering the new Demick book as an ER? Nice.

Well, I'm going to ignore your review of The Slap, although I'm sure I read it at the time, because I own a copy of that book and feel obligated to at least try it at some point.

And yes, it is like killing me with kindness! :)

Bonnie: I read Salvage the Bones when it first came out and was really happy it won the award; it was by far my favorite among the ones I read. Gritty is an excellent description. Ward is an author to watch.

>79 msf59: I've already requested it Mark:)

>80 phebj: Oh definitely give it a try. You may not agree with me Pat.

>81 BLBera: Oh Beth, I'm glad to hear you say that. After I wrote about it in #76 I hoped I wouldn't regret it with a change in direction in the novel.

So you've sold me on Broken Glass Park and Remarkable Creatures and I suspect Salvage the Bones is soon to follow (although that one I think is already on my list.) However what I'd really like to do is join you in reading The Balkan Trilogy, although I can't imagine when I will ever get to it.

Hi Anne, well I'd love to have someone to read along with, although I know your reading rate and don't believe I could keep up;-) It's been on me TO Read list for the last few months but with the TIOLI Challenge I think I might actually get to it this month. So please, do join me.

Bonnie - I have to say your review of The Slap has me pushing it further down my TBR Tower. I'm sure I'll get to it at some point since I already have it in my possession, but I'm not feeling rushed to read it as yet.

This thread is getting worse every day ( so many enticing blue words)

Stop it. Just stop it. I just bought Salvage the Bones, Gillespie and I' and The Song of Achilles, and am planning to read all three very very soon but I really want to get through a few other books first. Why? I don't know. But Bonnie, you are making it awfully difficult!

I'm in agreement with Pat, Kath, and Laura. You are reading too many excellent books, Bonnie. I had already decided not to read Salvage the Bones (because of animal trauma?) and now I know you are going to make me want to read it. I AM SO WEAK!

>86 cameling: Hmmm well you made me go back and reread it Caro and as I breezed through the other reviews one thing was very evident---I wasn't alone in my opinion. I see I gave it 2 stars which was actually pretty generous. Lots of people gave it 2-3 stars but some people loved it. Its actual LT rating is 3.3 stars so proceed with caution.

>87 mckait: Don't tell me you're going to start wearing blue filtering glasses too Kath?

>88 lauralkeet: Wow if you read those three one after the other you'll be on some high by the end Laura!

Oh hi Donna, we cross-posted. I'm almost at the halfway point and so far no animal trauma but I know there's going to be because all indications point to it. We're all fairly weak when it comes to being nudged to read otherwise I wouldn't have these groaning shelves.

>90 brenzi:: Bonnie, I used a birthday gift card to buy the books, AND it was my 50th birthday, so I think a "book high" is in order!!

The "new" Demick is actually a reissue -- still cool, I'm glad she is getting more attention. But I think I'll get the library copy...

I confess I was one of those who liked The Slap. The characters weren't likeable, and sometimes were destructive -- but that's kinda like the real world. Uncomfortably fascinating and IMO well written.

Oh dear, now I have to try Salvage the Bones? Sigh.

>92 lauralkeet: Book highs are definitely one of the pleasant side effects of being a reader and actually the reason we can recover from the bad books that pop up every so often Laura:)

>93 mckait: Hmmmm, I told Cee and I'll tell you, embrace the blue Kath. Don't run from it;-)

>94 Chatterbox: Yes Suzanne, I knew it was a reissue. Did I learn about that on your thread? Can't remember. Usually, you're one of my best book recommenders but we'll have to just disagree on The Slap. What's one book among so many?

Whew! I am all caught up. Hi, Bonnie!

Congratulations on a terrific ER win! Bring up the Bodies will definately be a book I'll get to faster than others, because Wolf Hall blew me away. Hope this one is just as good if not better.
Great review of Remarkable Creatures another one on my radar.

Hi Bonnie!!! Thumbed your review of Remarkable Creatures. I read it awhile ago and really liked it.

>96 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! Good to see you.

>97 Carmenere: Thanks Lynda, Another Wolf Hall fan! Yay!

>98 tjblue: Thanks Tammy! I was surprised how much I liked that book.

31.



Salvage the Bones by Jessmyn Ward 4.5 stars

Well I don't think it will be my Book of the Year but it was mighty good.

MY REVIEW

A hurricane is building over the Gulf but the poor, hardscrabble residents of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi have seen it all before so they know what to expect. The only difference this time is the name: Katrina and she’s barreling towards them like a speeding freight train. Much like the pregnancy growing inside fourteen year old Esch, that consumes pretty much her every thought and keeps bringing to mind her favorite Greek myth about doomed lovers Medea and Jason.

And this is Esch’s story to tell. Her older brother Randall, is hoping desperately for a look from basketball scouts that would assure him a college education and her younger brother Skeetah’s main devotion is to his fighting dog China and her newborn pups, and six year old Junior was last born and all that remains of his mother’s pregnancy, as she died shortly after his birth. Thoughts of their beloved mother are never far from their thoughts as she is missed terribly. Their father vacillates between drunkenness and anger and provides little to no fathering to his brood.

Ward manages to vacillate between grittiness and soulfulness. And brilliantly the narrative fluctuates between thoughtful reflection and driving momentum until the hurricane passes. The prose is poetic but the subject matter, for the most part, is stark and unsentimental. Esch longs for the father of her unborn child, Manny, to love her and dreams of a loving relationship with him but knows, in reality, that will never happen. Randall sees his dreams of a basketball scholarship go up in smoke and Skeetah realizes his chances of having half a dozen pups to sell are diminishing by the minute and he foolishly forces the lactating China to fight. This might be a good time to mention that if you’re squeamish about dog fighting you might want to skip this book. I’m a dog lover and I thought the depiction of China killing her own pup was more disturbing than the dogs fighting, but for others the dog fighting might be too distasteful.

But although this is a book of metaphors and hidden meanings it can certainly be enjoyed on the surface, for what it is: a story about poverty in the rural south during the time of a devastating hurricane. The themes of the nearness of death and the love of brothers are powerful indeed and are presented with distinct aplomb. And the devastation of Katrina will not be forgotten.

”I will tie the glass and stone with string, hang the shards above my bed, so that they will flash in the dark and tell the story of Katrina, the mother that swept into the Gulf and slaughtered. Her chariot was a storm so great and black the Greeks would say it was harnessed to dragons. She was the murderous mother who cut us to the bone but left us alive, left us naked and bewildered as wrinkled newborn babies, as blind puppies, as sun-starved newly hatched baby snakes. She left us a dark Gulf and salt-burned land. She left us to learn to crawl. She left us to salvage. Katrina is the mother we will remember until the next mother with large, merciless hands, committed to blood, comes.”

Highly recommended.

Bonnie: As always, wonderful review. I did like the book, too. I think it might be one that gets better with rereading...

>100 brenzi: Thumbs-upped another top quality review from you!

Excellent review, Bonnie!

Oh man, I'm trying to pretend I didn't see that.

Bonnie- Your killer roll continues! Great review. Another one, I have to get to soon.

Killer roll, indeed! Thumb for another great review, Bonnie. I don't think the devastation of Katrina will ever be forgotten.

Repeat message #88 :)

Thank you Beth, Richard, Linda, Mamie, Mark and Nancy!

Laura, if I recall correctly, wasn't #88 some kind of whining complaint?;-)

>108 brenzi:: HA HA HA HA!!!

Bonnie, I think I'll skip Salvage the Bones for now; I'm still devastated by The Bone People, and from your excellent review, I see one reason for bones in the title of both of them. On the other hand, if you're recovered enough for *BP* by July, I may be ready for *StB* then too.

Excellent review of Salvage the Bones, Bonnie! I'm glad that you also enjoyed it.

ETA: Let me know when you decide to read The Bone People, as I might join you.

Bonnie - Salvage the Bones confirms to me that you are definitely one of my favourite reviewers in the group. Beautifully written with just enough about the book to have us intruiged and not enough to spoil to plot. Insightful, and wise.
Disappointed about The Slap as I have this as a planned read and hoped to get to it petty soon.

>109 lauralkeet: :)

>110 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, well it definitely will nto be for everyone and I guess you have to decide if it will be for you. As for me, I will certaqinly be reading The Bone People in July. I have the book and I'm going to read it!

>111 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl. I will read it during Orange July.

>112 PaulCranswick: Oh my Paul, I'm flabbergasted. Thank you so much. There are certainly people who liked, even loved, The Slap, including our own Suzanne, so there's certainly the possibility that you will like it too.

Last week our little Buddy got his summer haircut. Here's the before:



And here's the After:

>93 mckait: lol, Kath that is hilarious!

>114 brenzi: oh my goodness, someone is going to be cool for summer! What a difference. Like a little teddy bear now....(((Buddy)))

Buddy is too sweet! And rocking a new do for summer - what fun!

Noooooooooooooo! I like all the winter fur *much* better!
Oh, poor Buddy. Don't let him look in a mirror! waaaaaahh!
Oh hugs and hugs for poor Buddy!
Well... maybe a crew cut is more masculine???
Summer stinks! Right, Buddy?

Oh, thanks Kath! You found my blue filtering glasses!
(or... did you steal them?) LOL
They are required on Bonnie's thread!

Aw, sweet Buddy!

Aw, both the before and after are too cute for words.

I ventured into a bookstore today having resolved to purchase Bring Up the Bodies and horrors! they were temporarily sold out. So I consoled myself with some other books, one of which was Salvage the Bones. I'm holding you responsible...

>115 LovingLit: I know Megan! He's just like a little teddy bear. Such a little ball of fir.

>116 lit_chick: Very fun Nancy! Now all we need is some summer weather.

>117 -Cee-: Calm down Cee! We have him sheared down every year and one thing I can tell you for sure...it grows back. And Buddy loves summer but hates the heat. I thought those glasses were yours. That Kath!

>118 lauralkeet: Very sweet Laura.

>119 AnneDC: Hi Anne, well I am refusing to accept responsibility;-) I'm glad you were able to console yourself though.

Ok. Calmed down since you promise he will grow all his beautiful fur back! He hates heat too? Smart dog.

I love Buddy's makeover. He'll be much more comfortable with less fluff this summer, and he's still gosh darn cute!

I'm putting Salvage the Bones on the "might read someday" list. I know...I'm a wimp. My excuse is that I have quite a few other books highly recommended by Bonnie that I need to read first!

>122 -Cee-: Yes Cee somehow he prefers to stay in in the air conditioning just like his owner haha.

>123 Donna828: I have many books on the "might Read someday" list myself Donna. Those are the ones that often get picked up at the library book sales.

Bonnie, great review of Salvage the Bones. I'm adding it to my list!

Buddy's summer look is adorable! He looks like a little artic fox. A real cutie!

The summer heat is tough on our furry dogs. And maybe you get less hair around the house? I'd like that.

>122 -Cee-: there there :) It'll grow back, lol

>125 tymfos:. Thanks Terri. I hope you like it when you get to it.

>126 Copperskye:. Hi Joanne, it definitely cuts down on the shedding which is a pretty big bonus.

Awww buddy is so cute either with hair or without! I prefer the winter look too like Cee but I can understand wanting to be cool for summer.

Buddy is a sweetie. Our Cubbie was the only dog we ever needed to relieve of hair for the summer, and the cut embarrassed her so much the first time that we never did it again.

>129 ChelleBearss: Well I actually would prefer the short cut year round but I don't want him to be cold in the winter Chelle.

>130 LizzieD: Oh Peggy, poor Cubbie. Was it the other dogs who made her aware of her owner's faux pas?;-)

Bonnie - another view (closer up) of Lake Tekapo as requested from Megan's thread:

> 132 Such pristine beauty...

Woo, beautiful . . . I can feel myself calming down just looking at that one.

>132 PaulCranswick: Oh Paul you mean my whining paid off. I've got to play that card more often. How stunningly beautiful. I love it. Thank you.

>133 Linda92007: and 134 Hi Linda and Joe, yes I was over on Megan's thread whining because Paul was posting beautiful pictures there and well, you see the result. Crybaby power!!

sweet puppy!

I gave Dunkers a trim, too.. I am not good at it!

Hope life is being kind to you!

>136 mckait: Oh I would never attempt to do the trimming myself Kath. I can't imagine what Buddy would end up looking like LOL.

32.



The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman 4 stars

MY REVIEW

This book broke my heart. It made me angry. It enlightened me. I came out of the reading of it a different person. And it had me scratching my head, once again, at the inept handling of an immigrant issue by the United States government.

On the surface, the book is about the care that Lia Lee, an infant Hmong immigrant in the early 1980s, who suffers from severe seizure disorder, received at a California hospital. But, more deeply, it investigates and reveals the long history of the proud Hmong people. And what Fadiman does so brilliantly is to make clear how that history affected the plight of one family.

First, a little bit about that history. The Hmong originally hailed from the mountains of China, but over centuries of being forced out of the lands they settled in they finally end up in Laos. In the 1960s and early 70s they fight on behalf of the U.S. against the Communist regime. In exchange for bearing arms for the Americans specifically as agents for the CIA:

”Every Hmong has a different version of what is commonly called ‘The promise’: a written or oral contract, made by CIA personnel in Laos, that if they fought for the Americans, the Americans would aid them if the Pathet Lao won the war. After risking their lives to rescue downed American pilots, seeing their villages flattened by incidental American bombs, and being forced to flee their country because they had supported the ‘American War,’ the Hmong expected a hero’s welcome here.” (Page 201)

Needless to say, they didn’t get what they expected. Instead here’s what happened: the U.S. government removed people from Laos who spoke no English and who were self-sufficient farmers from mountain regions. They plopped them into urban areas where they had no way to make a living therefore, forcing them to accept welfare. American neighbors immediately resented these immigrants for “eating welfare.”

Enter infant Lia Lee and her parents Foua and Nao Kao. As welfare recipients, they are entitled to Medicaid for Lia’s care at the hospital. The fact that they don’t speak English and the hospital doesn’t employ any qualified translators spells trouble. Throw in the fact that Lia’s case is very, very complicated and add to that a clash of cultures: western medicine versus Hmong customs and mores. The storm that ensues leads to a tragedy that is heartbreaking.

Fadiman’s narrative makes it easy to empathize with these parents and the plight of the Hmong. Even dedicated, well-meaning doctors cannot overcome severe communication problems and the daunting challenge of bridging the culture gap. Highly recommended.

Wow, I've not even heard of this one, Bonnie. Per usual, you make it sound almost impossible NOT to read. Thumb!

Great review, Bonnie. I read my first Anne Fadiman this year and loved it. Like Nancy, I'd never heard of this one, but you sure make it sound good.

I do not want my heart broken, but I do want to read this book. Another wonderful review, Bonnie - a thumb! I am especially interested in it because I have been enjoying the Colin Cotterill books starring the irresistible Dr. Siri which take place in Laos just after the war referred to above which the Communist regime won. The Hmong people feature prominently in these books.

>139 lit_chick: Thanks Nancy, never heard of it? I thought I was the last one to read it.

>140 jnwelch: Thanks Joe, this is an entirely different book from Ex Libris; not much humor here but still very good.

>141 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie, now you have me wanting to get to the Colin Cotterill books, which were already on my teetering tower but I didn't realize the time frame. Thanks for that info.

re>136 mckait: With Dunker's Addison's always a worry, and his separation issues..
I never even tried to have anyone else groom him. Now that his is losing his site,
it is much harder to even consider handing him over to be afraid with strangers..
so we muddle along. I have never really gotten the hang of clippers though!

Finally rated it btw ... Gillespie and I

>143 mckait: Oh clippers. Shudder. Buddy's pretty sociable and isn't afraid of much. I'm sorry Duncan's losing his sight along with his other health problems. Better to keep him close Kath.

Believe me Bonnie.. it is terrifying to both of us..heartbreaking to me, but
I have kept him safe so far. I need to learn to be a little more attentive
and he will learn to navigate a little differently. I know that I don't
have him forever, but as long as it is in my power, I will keep him safe
and well and, as you say :) close. And yeah.. Duncan and I have the same
shuddering reaction.. oh that undercoat, though! sheesh!

Happy Mother's Day, Bonnie! Great review of the Fadiman book. Sounds like one I would like. I will have to slap it on the hefty WL.
And yes, please read the Coroner's Lunch. You will be grabbed immediately.

Bonnie: As usual, great review. But I have read this one. And I saw Anne Fadiman discuss her research for this one. It was fascinating. Years ago, when I worked as a medical interpreter, this issue was always central.

>145 mckait: I hear your pain Kath. We just love our animals so much it's hard to see them suffer.

>146 msf59: Thanks Mark, I look forward to being, er, grabbed.

>147 BLBera: Thanks Beth, oh I would love to hear Fadiman speak. Her research was so extensive you just knew she knew her stuff. How interesting that you were an interpreter. What language?

>138 brenzi: Two trembling thumbs up, Bonnie. I think I'll move them to my ears and go "alalala" for a while.

>149 richardderus:. Thanks Richard, but there's no need to tremble or put fingers in ears. Be brave;-)

Excellent review of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Bonnie. I have seen other good reviews of this book, but yours has tipped the scale for me. For a country built on its immigrants, we have learned very little about how to help people assimilate with dignity and without surrendering their unique cultural identity. Having spent my entire working career in the public social welfare system, this is far too familiar a story. Heart-breaking indeed.

Bonnie, I've owned a copy of "Spirit" for several years now. I must have been saving it so I could refer people to your stellar review! It is on the Must Read Soon list. Did you see the movie "Gran Torino"? I believe the immigrant family were Hmong. Powerful movie.

>151 Linda92007: Hi Linda, my hubby fought in Viet Nam Linda and knew about the Hmong from his experiences there, but it was all new to me. And Fadiman was just so good at laying it all out in very readable language and connecting it all to this one family. So well done.

>152 Donna828: I don't know what made me pick this book up at this time Donna. I had no intention of reading it this month but I have a habit of perusing my books at bedtime and choosing one to review before sleep overtakes me and once in awhile, if I don't have another book going at the time, I end up reading the book. I think that's what happened here. Anyway, another one off the shelf. Yay!

I did see Gran Torino but remember absolutely nothing about it except Clint Eastwood.

Ok I have a confession to make. My copy of Bring Up the Bodies arrived on Saturday. I was still working my way through The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down so I just set it aside. Then last night I was just going to peek at the first page because I think I (very stupidly) told Darryl that I would wait until June 1 to start it and I did suggest he start a thread for all those who would be reading it which he very kindly did. But I thought, "Well I'll just read the first page and see what it's like".......................................................................................................... I wanted to wait; I meant to wait but, what can I say. A hundred pages in and it's s-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o good. Even better than Wolf Hall which was my Book of the Year in 2009.

When I read Wolf Hall I was working full time so it took me at least two weeks to plow through it but now well, I can read and read and read so there's no opportunity to get bogged down or lose track of the thread of plot line.

One thing I will say, I keep expecting Matthew Shardlake to step out of the shadows and have a word with Thomas Cromwell;-)

I'm sorry Darryl. I wanted to wait but I just didn't have the backbone. I'll definitely contribute to the thread though.

I will too! I'm so glad that you're reading it now, Bonnie. I REALLY like it, and I wasn't all that crazy about *WH*. Oh, I respected what she did in it, but I didn't ever love it. Now I'm wondering whether I shouldn't reread. And you are so right about looking around for Shardlake!
Off to see what's going on at the Darryl-begun thread if I can find it.

Peggy doesn't it just exceed all your expectations. The writing is just so good. You're probably further along than I am but I love the way Mantel sets things up.

hehehe.....

enjoy!

This thread always makes me think of that scene in When Harry Met Sally, where the woman in the restaurant says, "I'll have what she's having." But for me, it's "I'll read what Bonnie's reading!" You are so dangerous to my TBR list.

I can't blame you for starting Bring Up the Bodies. I can't wait to get my hands on that one. And The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down has been on my TBR list for a long time. Your review makes me think I need to bump it up. Luckily, I've read Salvage the Bones (and loved it), so I dodged that bullet.

I'm reading Shardlake right now, since I *sniff* don't have a copy of the Mantel.

>157 mckait: Thanks Kath, and I certainly will, even if a little guiltily.

>158 porch_reader: Hahaha, that's hysterical Amy. I'm glad you were able to dodge one.

Love the pic of you buried in Bring Up the Bodies, Bonnie! Priceless!

>159 lauralkeet: Oh you must be reading Dark Fire right Laura?

>160 brenzi: Haha thanks Nancy.

*tsk* Such turpitude, starting early.

>162 brenzi:: yes, Dark Fire it is! And I'm moving along at a pretty brisk pace, considering how long it is.

Dark Fire is up later this week for me.

Ooooo, Bonnie! You have me quivering in anticipation of the general release of Bring up the Bodies! Mmmn, off to check my library, perhaps a can reserve it before they receive it..............zooooom

ETA: It's in, It's in! I'm fifth on the reserve list!!!

I read The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down years ago. It is tragic how difficult it is for our medical system to communicate with people of different cultures, given the HUGE number of cultures we have in America! Hopefully things have gotten better since this book was published, I'm not sure of that....

Wow, your copy of Bring Up the Bodies arrived quickly, Bonnie. Last night I broke down and bought it for my Kindle - along with a few others... But I am holding off on starting it as I have too much else going on right now. Maybe by June 1 I'll be ready and can participate in the GR.

Great picture of you with your book! I haven't read Wolf Hall yet but I keep seeing great comments about it so I guess I better get to it sooner or later!

Absolutely love that picture! I'm #15 on the library reserve list for Bring Up the Bodies. There are 4 copies on order which should move the list along fairly quickly. I'm in Tudor England with Matthew Shardlake. Heartstone is shaping up to be another good one!

>170 Donna828:: Donna, I'm with Matthew too right now, but earlier (Dark Fire)!

Marvelous review of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Bonnie! I read it several years ago -- a member of our local book club mentioned she had it shortly after someone here on LT (Darryl, I believe) had mentioned it on his thread. When I expressed interest, I got to borrow it. What an amazing book!

Hello Richard, Laura, Lori, Lynda, Rachel, Linda, Chelle and Donna, thanks for visiting.

>163 richardderus: Yes turpitude indeed Richard.

>164 lauralkeet: They're all chunksters Laura. Sansom never uses one word where twenty will do.

>165 thornton37814: I really liked it Lori. I hope you do as well.

>166 Carmenere: Yay Linda, it's turning out to be a fairly fast read too.

>167 The_Hibernator: I know what you're saying Rachel. But Merced, California has a large Hmong population so it seems to me that they should have been better prepared. I think it has improved in the intervening years.

>168 Linda92007: It's hard to shoehorn in all the good books out there Linda, isn't it?

>169 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle, yes definitely read Wolf Hall.

>170 Donna828: Oh you're up to Heartstone already Donna? Hmmm I have Revelation up next in that series but I'll probably hold off a bit. Don't want to OD on Tudors.

>172 tymfos: Thanks Terri, I noted in my tags that you were the one who recommended The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down so thank you for that.

Where is the willpower, Bonnie? Where's the willpower? LOL. I NEED to get to Wolf Hall. Hopefully I can squeeze it in, in the next couple of months. Why does it have to be so darn long? Huh?

The willpower is in someone else's body Mark LOL. Yep, you're right Wolf Hall is a doorstopper alright. How about in audio?

I've been thinking about that!

>154 brenzi: I'm sorry Darryl. I wanted to wait but I just didn't have the backbone. I'll definitely contribute to the thread though.

Hmph. Some people have no self control.

I hope you're not too upset with me Darryl but if your copy has arrived and you have not started reading it yet you are a better person than me. Actually, you're probably a better person than me anyway but just wait til you get to it. You're going to love it!

Hi Bonnie- I was listening to the current NPR Book Podcast this morning and they had Hillary Mantel on there. She is very interesting to listen to and the new book sounds fantastic. Check it out if you can.

My copy hasn't come yet. I probably should leave it in the mailer, to avoid temptation, but I strongly suspect that I won't be able to make it until June 1, either. :-)

>180 msf59: Thanks Mark. I will certainly look for that.

>181 kidzdoc: Aha, just as I suspected Darryl. Anybody can resist temptation when the temptation isn't actually.....there. Haha. I've got about a hundred pages left and this is easily going to be 7 stars;-)

>182 brenzi: Just so you know, Bonnie, I have it nicely sitting on my Kindle and have not even peeked yet. Some of us do have willpower and discipline!

Just stopping in to catch up and say hi. Hi.

Hi Bonnie. I'm checking the mailbox as soon as I get home from school every day and I saw piles of copies in one of my favourite independent bookshops here on Monday (and felt guilty!). I picked it up but put it straight back down...

>183 Linda92007: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....that's a low blow Linda. It's not like I can't leave a book sitting on a shelf. My groaning shelves are a testament to this ability. I certainly possess it. It's just that this particular book...well, enough said.

>184 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie!

>185 cushlareads: Well Cushla, when it shows up we'll just see how much self-control you have.

Hilary Mantel was interviewed this morning on NPR on the Tom Ashbrook show. Its probably still available on the website but anyway, it was just excellent. I had to laugh when she said she "didn't want to cast aspersions on her fellow writers, but most are quite lazy." This was in response to a question re: her use of primary sources. She also pointed out that although Bring Up the Bodies explores the downfall of Ann Boleyn both it and Wolf Hall are primarily about the life of Thomas Cromwell and she bemoaned the fact that there has not been a seminal biography written about him.

33.



MY REVIEW

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel 7 stars

Those Tudors are at it again! And Hilary Mantel’s follow-up to her Man Booker Prize winning Wolf Hall is just the vehicle to put them on display at their conniving, scheming, devious worst. But then again, this isn’t a story about the Tudors, per se, but rather a character study of Thomas Cromwell who is easily one of the most complicated characters in history. He’s Henry’s man, the cunning Master Secretary, and any kind of sordid activity the King wants done, Thomas can accommodate him..

This second volume of a planned trilogy concerning Cromwell’s life is incredibly well written and really, Mantel has outdone herself in this volume which tells the ins and outs of the downfall of the king’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. But it’s Cromwell, again and again that we come back to, and although he’s aged since WH, he is actually aging (and prospering) quite nicely:

”Thomas Cromwell is now about fifty years old. He has a labourer’s body, stocky, useful, running to fat. He has black hair, greying now, and because of his pale impermeable skin, which seems designed to resist rain as well as sun, people sneer that his father was an Irishman…(Thomas) never spares himself in the king’s service, he knows his worth and merits and makes sure of his reward: offices, perquisites and title deeds, manor houses and farms. He has a way of getting his way, he has a method; he will charm a man or bribe him, coax him or threaten him, he will explain to a man where his true interests lie, and he will introduce that same man to aspects of himself he never knew existed. Every day Master Secretary deals with grandees who, if they could, would destroy him with one vindictive swipe, as if he were a fly. Knowing this, he is distinguished by his courtesy, his calmness and his indefatigable attention to England’s business. He is not in the habit of explaining himself. He is not in the habit of discussing his successes. But whenever good fortune has called on him, he has been there, planted on the threshold, ready to fling open the door to her timid scratch on the wood.” (Page 6)

And as realistic as Mantel’s description is, Cromwell is a hard man to figure out. On the one hand he takes in orphans from the street and feeds and educates them. He is the picture of altruism and gains great sympathy when he ruminates about his family, lost to the plague a few years ago or when he lovingly considers his surviving son, Gregory. On the other hand he is capable of questioning certain subjects of the king in a way that is both chilling and understated in order to get the information he seeks. Whether or not that information is the truth is of no importance to him and won’t obstruct him from his goal.

That goal, in this case, is producing the evidence that will prove the queen’s adultery and thereby enable the king to move on to wife #3 who may succeed in producing a son for him. He needs an heir. Desperately evidently.

It may just be me, but I thought this book was, for lack of a better phrase, “dumbed down.” I know some people complained about WH and Mantel’s use of the pronoun “he” whenever she referred to Cromwell, without using an antecedent, and that’s pretty much gone in this volume. But beyond that, the narrative just seemed to flow so easily that I wondered what made that so. Being “dumbed down” was all I could come up with. Don’t get me wrong, the writing is spectacular but something made it different from WH.

I don’t know how to begin to describe Mantel’s uncanny ability to put you there in 1536 in the castle as well as in the courtroom. It’s quite daunting yet she does it with such skill that you come up from being immersed in the narrative in a fog and it takes some time to adjust to the phone ringing way, way in the background. Wait, the queen is about to testify, what’s going on here?............

A thumb for your great review, Bonnie! I'm #3 on the library hold list for that book, but even though our library has ordered four copies -- they've been "in processing" forever!! Maybe I should drop by and see if they could use some help? :-/

Ha, Ha!! I just looked at your review again and noticed that you really did give it 7 stars! I don't know how much longer I can wait!

I love that you gave it 7 stars. I had to scroll back, just to be sure it was on a 5-point scale.

>188 Nancy618: Thanks Nancy, yes definitely go to the processing unit and give them a push. It's probably taking so long because they can't stop themselves from reading it haha. It really is unputdownable.

>190 lauralkeet: That's right Laura 7/5 stars haha. I remember when I read Wolf Hall I said in my review that I would give it more than 5 stars and this time I did. It far exceeded my expectations.

A thumb from me too, Bonnie. That's a very helpful review, and I see that we agree from beginning to end. WHAT a book!!!!! I loved it!

Bonnie, thumb for another fab review. Just thumbed Peggy's, too! How delightful that both of you seemed to finish just at the same time - quite a ride apparently!

Thumbs upped my first-ever seven-star review!

Seven Stars!!!!! wow! Glad to hear it :) Thumbed of course~

Bonnie, I literally laughed out loud when I saw your "7 stars" rating. Hard to top that! I think you've convinced me but I'll have to start with Wolf Hall. Thumb for the fab review!

>192 LizzieD: And I thumbed your review too Peggy. I was completely immersed from the first page.

>193 lit_chick: Thanks Nancy, it would have been better if we had been sitting next to each other haha.

>194 richardderus: Thanks Richard, happy to provide a first for you LOL.

>195 mckait: Thanks Kath, I couldn't hold myself back. What can I say?

>196 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne, I'm glad to have made you smile today. And yes, read Wolf Hall.

Loved your review of Bring Up the Bodies, Bonnie! Although I was sorry to hear that you think it may have been "dumbed down" some. Mantel is far too good a writer to succumb to such pressures. And about 183 - I hope that you do know I was just kidding...

Only 7? I think I'll take a pass on that stinker. I will come back and read you review properly, once I get to it. Like Joanne, I have something called Wolf Hall to get to first.

>198 Linda92007: Thanks Linda. Well I used "dumbed down" but I'm not at all sure that's what I meant. I just remember WH being more dense than this book was. And yes, that "he" business is gone, although I didn't have a problem with that at all. I'm going to have to ask Peggy what she thought. Re: #83 of course you were kidding. I knew that.

>199 msf59: Oh Mark I think you'd like Wolf Hall what with all the torture and stuff haha.

I'm reading a story collection you might like, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank : Stories. It's about the Jewish experience and doesn't seem to be as dark as other collections I've recently read.
Who says I like torture? Well, what kind are we talking about here?

Bonnie - I think yours is the first review of the new Mantel and what a standard to set for everyone else! Have a great weekend.

Bonnie

I reserved a copy of Salvage The Bones. I'm able to obtain it from the library tomorrow. I'm heading back to New Orleans at the end of the month and I'm anxious to see how the recovery is progressing post Katrina. I was very impressed last year when I was there.

One of the tour guides said that New Orleans was impacted by the lack of government planning, whereas Mississippi was the state impacted by hurricane Katrina.

Thumbs up for your review of this book and for the latest Hilary Mantel edition of the Tudor period of history. Because Anne Boleyn is my favorite historical figure, I'm very anxious to read Bring Up The Bodies.

All the best to you!

>201 msf59: I've seen that one advertised and I did love Englander's The Ministry of Special Cases so it probably is a good one Mark. I just picked up a collection by one of my favorite writers The Tiger in the Grass by Harriet Doerr. Hey when's that short story thing?
Who says I like torture? Well, you're fairly fond of dead bodies aren't you?;-)

>202 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul, there are actually a few other reviews including Peggy's excellent one.

>203 Whisper1: I hope you enjoy Salvage the Bones Linda. (You know about the dog fighting, right?) I don't know much about Anne Boleyn except what I've read in the two Mantel books. She doesn't come off in a very good light I'm afraid.

Bonnie- The Short Story Challenge is ongoing. Readers just chime in when they are reading one: http://www.librarything.com/topic/136708
Glad to hear you have enjoyed an earlier Englander. I see that he has written several books.

Bonnie - I am sorry that your last read was so bad that you had to give it two additional stars! A thumb for your wonderful reviewing abilities. I already have Wolf Hall on my WL, but now you make me want to get to it sooner rather than later since the second book is so excellent. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Hi Bonnie. As usual, great review. I, too, have to read Wolf Hall first. I'll add it to the teetering pile of summer reads. This does sound like historical fiction at its best.

Hi Bonnie! You are enjoying retirement, no?

I got a BIG chuckle out of the 7 star rating too! LOL
Since I have yet to read Wolf Hall (sitting impatiently on my shelf - and I can read the name of it from across the room!), I'm feeling the push to get going!
If you were my neighbor, I'm sure I would do nothing but read to try keeping up!
Your reviews are so consistently excellent. Thanks for taking the time to tempt us :-}

Seven stars! You are a trend setter, Bonnie. I'm glad that Bring Up the Bodies has been dumbed down a bit. That means more people will be reading it. I'm looking forward to getting my number called at the library, although I'm much further down the list than Nancy. I just finished Heartstone so I probably need a little break from the Tudors.

My question is, what do you read after a 7-star book? Oh I see...Harriet Doerr. I have the tiger stories yet to read. Like you, I have loved her other two books.

Hmm...none of her books appear in my library. I read them well before LT time and I guess they got lost in the shuffle. Looks like some good opportunities for rereading this summer!

Hi, Bonnie. Great review! (Thumb!)

>205 msf59: Thanks for that Mark. You should probably read The Ministry of Special Cases. It's very, very dark and I know how you love the dark.

>206 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie, the unfortunate thing about a 7 star read is trying to find a follow-up book. Yikes!

>207 BLBera: Thank you Beth, I hope you get to Wolf Hall this summer. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it.

>208 -Cee-: Thanks Cee, I'm more than happy to keep tempting you as that means I'm reading something good. Enjoying retirement?? What do you think? Is it possible to not enjoy it? I suppose that's possible, just not for me;-)

>209 Donna828: Well I don't know about trend setter Donna but I'm still on a reading high from Ms. Mantel's work. And you guessed right. It's very hard to find something to read. After attempting a long WWI non-fiction that I had planned and yet could not get into, I'm now reading the next book in the Julia Fleming-Spencer series so I'm hoping a little fluff will do the trick to get me over the hump.

I read Harriet Doerr's two novels back around 1990. Then I reread Stones for Ibarra a couple years ago. I'll read the other two books that she wrote later this year. With only three books to her name I have to spread them out in order to savor them. What a talent!

>210 tymfos: Thanks Terri!

Well, there is a bio of Cromwell that I actually have here, by Thomas Hutchinson. Am not sure what "seminal" means; I suspect it means chunkster. Which makes sense, given Cromwell's critical role in transforming England at a critical time in its history.

I swear, I was doing a happy dance the whole time I read BUTB. Not because of the story, just because it was so well told. Utterly fab.

Re the Fadiman book -- if you're interested in reading more about the Hmong and their ties with the Americans during the war, I really recommend Shooting at the Moon by Roger Warner -- it's the tale of the clandestine war that spilled over from Vietnam and whose consequences Laos is still grappling with today. I will say that Laos is one of the most fascinating and friendly places I have visited. The contrast with Vietnam (where it felt as if everyone had their hand out, because of course, I'm a rich Westerner, and they all want to sell you something, or introduce you to their brother who is looking for an American wife, or....) and Cambodia (where to this day there is a palpable sense of tragedy and post-traumatic shock on a national level) is striking. More poor, more isolated, true, but...

7 stars. Chortle. I don't think I've every gone beyond 6!!

Only 7 stars???

>212 Chatterbox: That's a good synopsis of the feeling while reading Bring Up the Bodies Suzanne; doing the happy dance really captures it quite well. And utterly fab sums it up nicely too. It's not often that a book gets those juices flowing, hence 7 stars;-)

Not surprisingly, I know very little about the clandestine war in Laos and will look for Shooting at the Moon. I was so sympathetic to the Hmong and their sad history.

>213 kidzdoc: Well Darryl, it wasn't pluperfect;-)

Bonnie - A little fluff to cleanse your reading palate is probably just the ticket!

>215 Crazymamie: Oh yes Mamie although I'm still kind of just drifting from page to page.

34.



I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming 4.5 stars

While not in the ether world of Bring Up the Bodies, this was a good follow-up. Just fluffy enough to get my mind off of Thomas Cromwell.

The saga of the Rev. Clare Fergusson and police chief Russ Van Alstyne continues in this, the sixth book in the series. And Spencer-Fleming has ratcheted up the suspense for this one.

Is there a serial killer lurking about in Miller's Kill? All evidence points in that direction as first one and soon three Latino men are found murdered in the same manner. The investigation gives a young police recruit and a brand new officer the opportunity to demonstrate their investigative skills as they get to the bottom of what exactly is going on.

And it looks like Clare and Russ will finally patch things up and possibly, move forward with their relationship. Along the way there's plenty of excitement, tight spots, suspense and romantic interludes to satisfy all of the series' many fans. The series continues to get better and better as it moves on.

I do not need another mystery series, but I actually have one of the Fergusson/V Alstynes, so I guess that it's inevitable eventually. I sigh.

I've GOT to get to Julia Spencer-Fleming, Bonnie. You make this one sound SO good!And Spencer-Fleming has ratcheted up the suspense for this one. Yay!

>218 LizzieD: I know exactly what you're saying Peggy. I only have one more to go with this one and then I will be waiting for her to publish like I'm waiting for Louise Penny (August can't come fast enough!). I hear about other series that sound interesting but I just can't have any more of them going.

>219 lit_chick: Go ahead Nancy, dive in. I doubt that you'll regret it.

Hi Bonnie- Even when you switch to the mystery genre your killer roll continues. You go girl! Make sure you mention this on M & M.

Oh Mark I completely forgot about the thread. I'll go look for it now.

Very nice review - I really need to start that series. I have had the first book in my TBR for the past couple of months, but haven't gotten to it yet.

I've held off reading the 7th Clare/Russ. I thought the 6th was terrific, as you did Bonnie. And I really don't want the series to end! Before beginning this series I would have told people, "I don't read mysteries". I still don't read them often or indiscriminately, but I've come to appreciate well-written series recommended by LTers I trust. Clare/Russ and Matthew Shardlake are my friends!

Tempting review of I Shall Not Want, Bonnie. So many good series that I have not even started. I haven't read anything by either Julia Spencer-Fleming or Louise Penny. Then there are the Andrea Camilleri and C. J. Sansom series, and countless others, I'm sure. Oh my.

Yes, yes. I've been lurking. Every review I read knocks me over and I have to keep picking myself up, dusting off, and patting myself on the back in sympathy for being unable to keep up with all your great reading.
You remain THE most dangerous reviewer to me. I think you should freelance and do some professional reviewing. You're so dang good at it!

*pats Cee on back* She's right, Bonnie - you are dangerous!

Brava on the Spencer-Fleming review! Well done indeed, o temptress of the bookstacks, to have lured so many new appreciators to their book-doom.

I am not reading the review. I am afraid of it. I do not need another series...
( I think I have 2 of her books though) I need reading time.. too busy. ugh~

So... just saying hello and hope all is well :)

Bonnie: Nice review of I Shall Not Want. Her latest (I can't remember the title) was one of the best in the series. I think "Soldier" was in the title. Did a wonderful job of exploring issues of returning vets and PTSD. You do great reviews -- what everybody else says :)

>223 Crazymamie: Thanks Mamie, I'm only a very recent reader of mysteries but have found this series to be very compelling.

>224 lauralkeet: I hear you Laura but let's not forget Jackson Brodie. He's definitely in the mix.

>225 Linda92007: Oh yes there are plenty of series out there for you to try Linda. I can't even tell you how many I own and could start at anytime if I wanted and I will at some point but I don't want to have too many going at once.

>226 -Cee-: Whew that is a hard compliment to live up to Cee. Thank you very much. I doubt that anyone would actually pay me to review books because I put too much of myself into my reviews instead of referring to the anonymity of "this reader" or something like that. But I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

>227 Crazymamie: Thanks for helping Cee out Mamie. I hate the idea of her getting knocked over on my thread.

>228 richardderus: Well thanks Richard but that's not really a review. They're just comments which is why I didn't post it in the reviews. Sometimes I just don't feel the urge to write a review but I want to say something.

o temptress of the bookstacks, to have lured so many new appreciators to their book-doom. My oh my Richard, you certainly do have a way with words.

>229 mckait: Hi Kath, no need to be afraid. This is a series of fast reads but I hear what you say about series in general.

>230 BLBera: Thanks Beth. In trying to find Julia Spencer-Fleming's website (it's down, BTW) I came across something suggesting that the next book she publishes in the series will be the last. Boo hoo!!

I think she addresses a different social issue in each book. This one dealt with the treatment of illegal aliens. Interesting.

Here are all the mystery series I own. I will soon choose one of these to start as I have only one left to read in the Jackson Brodie series and the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series and two more in the Matthew Shardlake series. These have all been recommended by someone here on LT, usually more than one person:

1. Andrea Camilleri - The Shape of Water
2. Ariana Franklin - Mistress of the Art of Death
3. David Downing - Zoo Station
4. Carola Dunn - Death at Wentwater Court
5. Tana French - In the Woods
6. Susan Hill - Various Haunts of Men
7. Laurie R. King - The Beekeeper's Apprentice
8. Henning Mankell - Faceless Killers
9. Jo Nesbo - The Redbreast
10. Josephine Tey - The Man in the Queue
11. Martin Walker - Bruno Chief of Police
12. Qui Xiaolong - Death of a Red Heroine

Now recently I have found myself being nudged towards the Dr. Siri series too. So fellow LTers, which series should I start next??

OMG, that's a daunting list! I'm torn between In the Woods and the Redbreast, I think I'll give the latter the edge, since you like your history and there is a great back story in that one. Have fun!

I'm a big fan of the Camilleri series, Bonnie, although I loved The Beekeeper's Apprentice and Death of a Red Heroine. Not to mention our friend Dr. Siri.

My vote: Camilleri. You ask, "which series should I start", and the series is terrific. But you'll have a great time whichever you choose among these.

I'll cast my vote for the Susan Hill series - the mysteries are secondary to really good character and psychological studies. Beautifully written and intelligent - I think you'll like them!

>234 msf59: One vote for The Redbreast uh huh, duly noted Mark. And I know since you recommended it that it's very, very dark.

>235 jnwelch: And one vote for the Camilleri series; gotcha Joe.

>236 katiekrug: And one vote for the Susan Hill series, thanks Katie. It looks like there isn't going to be a consensus.

I'll second the Susan Hill series and add Henning Mankell and Josephine Tey just to make it interesting. You really should read Tey both for the excellence of the writing and for her place in mystery history!

I'll second Mark's vote for The Redbreast.

Well Bonnie, since you asked, I'm a big fan of Susan Hill's series. As Katie mentioned, they are more character studies than mysteries and she does throw in different social issues as well. So I'd start with The Various Haunts of Men.

I plan on reading both The Shape of Water and The Coroner's Lunch next-ish. And now you've reminded me that I also want to try Bruno Chief of Police. Oy.

I read In the Woods, and liked it, with reservations, but didn't continue with the series. I started the second book but didn't finish. I may try the third.

I think your best bet is to just read faster... :)

One vote for the David downing books! But I also really like the camilleri series, and the Bruno chief of police one, and the Wallenberg that I've read (the second in the series) and liked Mistress of the art of death...

Well, the Downing books are very good, but they are quite different to what you have read and liked. So here are my suggestions:

Dr. Siri: because it's history, a unique setting, very witty and utterly distinctive.

Bruno, Chief of Police: like Russ/Claire, it's all about a small town community, and there are underlying romantic plot elements. There are also lots of fun details about the Perigord. It's also a short series so far (4 books) and so you can get on to something else.

The Susan Hill novels: You really can't go wrong with these. There are rich characters, gripping, suspenseful and sometimes dark mysteries. Simon Seraillier is as memorable as Jackson Brodie, in his own way -- a loner, but with important family ties. I can't wait for the next of these.

I admit I am still battling my way through The Redbreast. Sigh. I liked Camillieri, but haven't been motivated to pick up book #2; I guess the charm wasn't strong enough. I REALLY liked the first four of Qiu Xiaolong's books, but the series weakens after he left his former publishers. I now have two to read, and will do so, but am not in a rush.

Dr. Siri. Definitely.

Well dang, I didn't know we could just throw out suggestions that weren't even on the list! In that case I would have to agree with Suz, Richard, and Joe and point to Dr. Siri!

>230 BLBera:: let's not forget Jackson Brodie. He's definitely in the mix.
Shame on me for forgetting Jackson!!

... and I have Tana French In the Woods on my TBR too ...

>238 LizzieD:. That was actually the reason I picked up the Tey mysteries Peggy. That and the fact that I kept seeing her name pop up here and there with some regularity. Another vote for the Susan Hill series.

>239 Crazymamie:. Thanks Mamie, duly noted.

>240 Copperskye:. And another vote for Susan Hill. Thanks Joanne. And I guess I hadn't heard anything about the follow-up books to In the Woods so maybe others feel like you do.

>241 cushlareads:. Sooooo....votes for all of them, eh Cushla. Haha I get that.

>242 Chatterbox:. I'll take that as a vote for Susan Hill, Dr. Siri, and Bruno, Suzanne. And "battling my way through Redbreast" doesn't bode well for me since I'm usually in agreement with you on most books. Hmmmm.

>243 richardderus:. Got it, Richard, Dr. Siri is rising.

>244 Crazymamie:. Wait a minute, didn't you already vote Mamie? Haha.

>245 lauralkeet:. Yep I still have one more JB to read Laura.

Another vote for Camilleri.

Hey, I'm from Chicago. Our motto is, "Vote early and vote often". Even dead people have been known to vote here.

LOL!

For some reason I thought you'd vote for Dr. Siri Joe but your vote for Camilleri is noted. I've actually heard about your Chicago motto; other than a few questionable local elections around here, I think we only vote once.

>249 Crazymamie: :)

Susan Hill always gets my vote!

Bonnie- I didn't think The Redbreast was a struggle at all. It worked perfectly for me. Of course, I have no problem with you picking the Dr. Siri books either. You will fall in love with those characters.

>252 mckait: And now Hill rises to the top. Thanks Kath.

>253 msf59: And here comes The Redbreast, closing the gap along the rail. LOL Mark!

Have I steered you wrong? Don't answer yet, let me rephrase: I haven't let you down to often, have I?

And another vote for Dr. Siri. I'm wearing a different outfit, and this isn't really me.

You can't go wrong with either Inspector Montalbano or Dr. Siri.

>255 msf59: Oh no, Mark, never. Never steered me wrong. Or let me down.

>256 jnwelch: I'm starting to figure out how Rahm Emmanuel got elected mayor Joe ;-)

Well, the only one of those series I've actually started is In the Woods, which I liked, and I liked the next one The Likeness even more. I'd just note that they're not a series in quite the conventional way--they're pretty loosely related.

I have Faceless Killers and The Redbreast in my TBR pile too.

So on another subject, will you be starting The Balkan Trilogy anytime soon? I think I'm ready when you are...

I started it yesterday Anne. I've read about a hundred pages. It took a bit to get into but now I'm hooked and really quite enjoying it.

lol
Just catching up to see the 7 star rating for Bring Up the Bodies. Love it.
Must see if I can get hold of a copy of Wolf Hall.....

We have differed on a few books, Bonnie, and I'm quite prepared to admit that Nesbo may prove to be one of those authors. Alternatively, while I currently appear stuck with 23% of The Redbreast read, I may yet break through and finish the sucker.

If I had to boil it down to two, though, I'd give the nod to Dr. Siri for mystery mixed with wit and whimsy, and Susan Hill for the darker and more intense stories. But you've got a good shortlist there!

Wow, Bonnie, you got a lot of opinions. I would vote for Hill or Franklin. The Mistress of the Art of Death series is short -- only 4 books, I think, and they are great historical mysteries. I just read the first Hill and will definitely be moving on. I read the first Camilleri and wasn't thrilled enough to move on with the series.

Bonnie, you have opened a can of worms here. After reading through the May Murder & Mayhem thread this morning, I have put Dr. Siri on my radar. Confirmed by Suzanne's msg. #261.

Of course, your choice of the next series will be my biggest influence! I'm pretty certain that I will also be following in your footsteps in reading The Balkan Trilogy sooner rather than later. Why oh why can't you read shorter books? Lol.

>260 LovingLit: Well I don't know what else I can do to convince you that Hilary Mantel is the best living writer in the English language, Megan. Bar none.

>261 Chatterbox: We have differed on a few books Yep agreed. And I did really enjoy the Steig Larsson books so The Redbreast may just be what the doctor ordered. Dr. Siri that is. And Susan Hill. It's looking like I should start both of them.

>262 BLBera: Didn't the author of The Mistress of the Art of Death die Beth? Yes it's looking like I'll be starting the Hill series at some point in the not too distant future.

>263 Donna828: I guess I don't mind opening the occasional can Donna. I got a lot of great suggestions so I'm not complaining. Why oh why can't you read shorter books? Uh that is quite a statement coming from the person who recently tackled Infinite Jest;-)

Hi Bonnie! Long overdue stop at your thread and you have me rollling! 7 stars for ButB!!! Now if that doesn't make me stop all other activities nothing will. Need to check where I stand with my library request.
Have a wonderful Sunday!!

Yay! I bet you love Susan Hill's books...
I might have to read Hilary Mantel one day

Hope all is well and cheery :)

>265 Carmenere: Hi Lynda, I do hope your request pops up soon because that is one terrific book. I'm still thinking about those characters. **sigh**

>266 mckait: Yay! I bet you love Susan Hill's books... I'm starting to think so too Kath. At any rate, I'm looking forward to finding out:)

So, Bonnie....any plans to read A Place of Greater Safety or have you already read it? (Speaking of big books.) (And do you know the story - if you do, you should probably tell it so that it comes out right - of Gibbon dedicating a volume of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire to a Duke - Clarence, maybe? The noble response was something along the lines of, "Another damned square, fat book. Always scribble, scribble, scribble, eh, Mr. Gibbon?")

>268 LizzieD: I am planning to read A Place of Greater Safety but I don't know when. It's another long one so it won't come right after The Balkan Trilogy and since I'm planning on another Dickens in June (which is automatically a long one) I'm thinking the next time I get to mantel will be July. I didn't know that Gibbon story. Thanks Peggy.

>264 brenzi: Ok Ok, Ill def get onto my copy of Beyond Black....this year. I promise! Im having a severe case of book queueing lately. All jostling for number one position, they are so demanding!

Ack, Bonnie - Thank goodness I don't have to decide on a series!
Lots of votes for Susan Hill. If you read that - and review it - I'm sunk :-)
Well, go ahead... I'm ready!

The Gibbon quote was from William of Gloucester, younger brother of George III and elder brother of "butcher Cumberland" (the duke who put down the Jacobite rebellion of 1745). I think that's the only thing he is famous for -- well, that and his controversial marriage to an illegitimate commoner that annoyed the king no end. yup, queen of trivia, that's me...

Thank you, Suzanne. Somehow, that doesn't seem trivial to me....

>270 LovingLit:. Ah yes Megan, I'm very familiar with books jockeying for that number one position. Only the strong survive.

>271 -Cee-:. Well Cee I'm not really into series reading like some people. I only have a couple going but yes it looks like I'll add the Susan Hill one and possibly Dr. Siri too. I'll be sure to let you know what I think of them;-)

>272 Chatterbox:. Queen of Trivia?? I consider you to be more a Master of Vitally Important Information Suzanne:)

>273 LizzieD:. You see what I mean Suzanne?

I don't mean to brag or blow my own horn but I have to say that with the selection of The Song of Achilles as the winner of the Orange Prize I think I am starting a record of picking winners. Haha just joking but I'm glad if Gillespie and I couldn't win, since it didn't make the short list, that another book that I also loved, could come out the winner.

"I'll be sure to let you know what I think of them"

I'm sure you WILL, Bonnie! I'll put on my useless armor and wait for the BBs.

The Song of Achilles YAY! Must break down and buy that one.

I'm just passing through and catching up...
Hope all is well ~

Hilary Mantel is the best living writer in the English language
Well if you think so I guess I better move Wolf Hall up on my list!

Just keeping an eye on what is going on over here. Hope you have a lovely Friday!

>276 -Cee-:. Yes Cee you definitely need to make room for The Song of Achilles.

>277 mckait:. Hi Kath, all is very well but I'm deep into a 924 page tome and only coming up for air occasionally.

>278 ChelleBearss: Well that's just my opinion of course Chelle. But I'm sure there are others who would agree.

>279 Crazymamie: Yep pretty good Friday Mamie. I hope yours is as well.