Mark's Reading Place #11: A Dialogue of Books

Red Poppies at Argenteuil- Monet



Marilyn Monroe Reading Ulysses’, Long Island, 1954

Currently Reading:



Audiobook:



Graphic:


Books Read So Far...

March:

23) Raylan by Elmore Leonard 3.6 (audio)
24) What It Is Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes 4.7 stars (audio)
25) The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach 4.4 stars (OTS)
26) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King 4.5 stars (audio)
27) The Betrayal: A Novel by Helen Dunmore 3.5 stars
28) The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck 3.8 stars (Group Read)
29) The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson 4.7 stars (audio)
30) Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo 5 stars
31) Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell 4.5 stars (OTS)
32) Below Stairs by Margaret Powell 3.8 stars
33) The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss 3.7 stars (audio)
34) In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin 4.5 stars

April:

35) Priceless: How I Went Undercover by Robert K. Wittman 3.8 stars
36) The Expats by Chris Pavone 3.7 stars (audio)
37) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 4.7 stars (audio)
38) Dancing After Hours: Stories by Andre Dubus 3.7 stars (OTS)
39) David Copperfield by Charles Dickens 4.2 stars (OTS) (Group Read)
40) Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 4.3 stars (audio) (OTS)
41) Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson 4.8 stars
42) Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed 4.5 stars (AB)
43) Hope: A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander 4 stars (ER)
44) Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher 3.4 stars (audio)
45) Under the Skin by Michel Faber 4.5 stars (OTS)

May:

46) Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson 3.7 stars (audio)
47) Zoo Station by David Downing 4 stars (OTS)
48) You Are Not a Stranger Here: Stories by Adam Haslett 4.5 stars (OTS)
49) Alice In Sunderland by Bryan Talbot 4.2 stars (GN)
50) Drift by Rachel Maddow 4.3 stars (audio)
51) The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri 4 stars (OTS)
52) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater 3.5 stars (audio)
53) Voices: A Reykjavik Thriller by Arnaldur Indridason 4 stars (OTS)
54) The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg 3.7 stars (audio)
55) The Woman in Black: A Ghost Story by Susan Hill 3.8 stars (OTS)
56) Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill 4.3 stars (audio)
57) What We Talk About When We Talk About A. Frank by Nathan Englander 4.5 stars
58) Iron Lake-(Cork O'Connor) by William Kent Krueger 4 stars (OTS)
59) Defending Jacob by William Landay 4.2 stars
60) Hell and Gone by Duane Swierczynski 4 stars (OTS)

Cream of the Crop '12:

1) Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick 4.8 stars (audio)
2) The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson 4.7 stars (audio)
3) Stay Awake: Stories by Dan Chaon 4.6 stars
4) What It Is Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes 4.7 stars
5) Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo 5 stars
6) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 4.7 stars (audio)
7) Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson 4.8 stars

Group Reads 2012: (I am shamelessly stealing this from Ilana. She loves me, so it doesn't matter)

May: Murder & Mayhem, Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez (12/12)
June: River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh (75ers) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (12/12, tutored read), Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)
July: East of Eden by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon), Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks (12/12), Angel by Elizabeth Taylor (Virago Modern Classics)
August: The Red Pony by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon), The Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
September: In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)
October: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)
November: Travels With Charley and The Pearl by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)
December: Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)

I could post here and interrupt your reserved places......
OK - I will!
(couldnt help it sorry Mark)
Hooray for #10!

Hi, Mark! Love your photo! Happy Summer (almost)!

Hmmm I guess I'm among the firsts. Cool art work as usual.

Thought I would drop in here first - before it looks too intimidating with a bazillion messages ;-)

Now it's back to see how your last thread ended...

I'm so very far behind, but I'm glad I got here in time to see the picture! Awesome!

Mark - signing up for round 11. Glad to see that Camilleri made it to 4 stars for you. Love the Monet but enjoyed the meet-up photos more even though am envious of the margaritas!

Just a quick reminder: River of Smoke Group Read is June 15th. If you haven't snagged a copy, you still have a few weeks.

Lynda, (Carmenere), is hosting a G.R. of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for August. Since, I've never read it, (okay, no laughing) I'm thinking of joining. the Red Pony is also that month, but it's a shorty, bless Mr. Steinbeck.

I'm also thinking of doing a G.R. of 1Q84 in October. Let me know if anyone is interested. Need my Murakami fix!

Megan- You were super fast. I'm glad I reserved that 2nd spot. LOL. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes posting my pictures/photos.
And it's hooray for Eleven! Just saying...

BJ- Wow, it's really nice to see you stranger! It's been awhile. You'll have to join us again on another Group Read.

Bonnie- You are an LT Goddess, so you are always among the firsts.

Claudia- You made it in the top ten again. Impressive. And there are not a "bazillion messages" over here! A million is a long way from a bazillion.

Terri- Great to see you!

Paul- I love that Meet-Up photo, so I had to include it again. I am holding an empty glass, after emptying a healthy shot of Don Julio. Smooth stuff.

Nice new thread, Mark! Congrats on #11!

>10 msf59: oh drat, I was trying to be too clever and looked at the thread that you continued from. Happy #11!

Hey Mark, cool digs here. Love the poppies. That's a flower I don't see too often around here except for a grouping in one of the yards we pass every morning on our walk. They make me happy every single day!

Count me in for the River of Smoke G.R. I keep hoping it will be out in paperback soon. I'm not going to commit to 1Q84 quite yet, although I do want to read it sometime.

Back again - love the Monet!

and from the other thread, #255 - wookiebender, I just finished reading Fforde's Shades of Grey, and a client saw it and asked exactly how dirty the book was. I had to nicely explain that this was not, in fact, Fifty Shades of Grey and erotic literature, but a dystopian look at a color-ranked future UK. She didn't seem to believe me, as she gave me a strange look, but she didn't ask any more questions! :)

Hi Mark! Lovely Monet. One of my favorite painters.

Lovely new thread, Mark. I am looking forward to the GR of River of Smoke next month. I started The Last Werewolf and I am really enjoying it - it's both smart and funny and a very enjoyable read.

Also should be starting Zoo Station tomorrow, looking forward to this one.

Oooh, looking forward to River of Smoke, I have my copy already. Need to find a good refresh of Sea of Poppies, or just dive in headfirst... I'll probably skip on 1Q84, I've got enough to go on with at the moment!

I'm glad you're joining in the A Tree Grows in Brooklyn group read, I read that for the first time a few years ago and it's a great read.

#14> Laura, LOL! That's too funny. :)

Mark, I believe you are a fan of Doc. I am really enjoying it! I've had an awfully good run of books lately. I was/am hoping to start Zoo Station but I tried to renew it and they wouldn't let me. Someone else has it on hold. Hmph. I may have to put it on hold again and hope to get it when I have a bit more time (ha).

GR of River of Smoke in June? Is that what I'm hearing?

Happy Friday (for some people)! It's going to be a beautiful day. Sunny mid-70s. I should be wrapping up the Scorpio Races and I'm toying with starting the Power of Habit, which I've been hearing very good things about.

Mamie- Big wave!

Megan- You were first, that is the main thing.

Donna- Glad you'll be joining us for the G.R. It's such a nice looking copy. That trilogy is going to look mighty fine on the "keeper" shelves.

Laura-That's a great story. Sue is nearly done with the 2nd Fifty shades of Grey. Can you believe it? I love it when she gets in these reading modes. You can barely get her attention.

Joanne- Big wave! You might like the Scorpio Races. Perfect audio for the car.

Judy- Glad you'll be joining us for the G.R. Isn't the Last Werewolf good? It was a highlight for me last summer. And good timing for you, because the new one comes out soon. You'll enjoy Zoo Station.

Tania- Glad you'll be hanging out with us on River of Smoke. I'm hoping to get another Murakami in this year too, a SS collection.
Did you see they are making a film version of Under the Skin? Pretty daring.

Ellen- Isn't Doc wonderful? She launched onto my favorite author list with that one. And she's writing a follow-up? How perfect is that?
Sorry to hear about Zoo Station. Maybe next time.
River of Smoke, mid-June. Be there or be square.

I'll be with you on both River of Smoke and IQ84. I will get my copy of River next week.

It is not that I didn't like the first installment of Sherlock, but he just seemed so overly obnoxious. There is one scene in there where he really cuts down the woman who the audience was led to believe was his love interest in last season. He was so over-the-top in his attack on her that even Watson and the housekeeper jumped him about his behavior. It really jerked me around in my chair, and I was only watching it on TV. I can't imagine a person in real life doing that, but the truth is that I have seen things like that in real life, so perhaps that is what bothered me. It really was viscous and it caused me to wonder why I am watching this, when he had encouraged her last season, and now cut her down. It was a bad scene. Last season I thought that this new take on the character of Sherlock Holmes was refreshing, but now I wonder if it was just like so many of the comedy shows I see now with their snappy slap-downs of other people. The mystery part of the story was very good. I just can't think what the original story by Canon-Doyle might have been. I hope somebody else out there has seen it and knows, because I sure don't.

Love the Monet, Mark!

I'm another fan of The Last Werewolf, as you know. I'm having a good time with another bizarro tale of paranoia from Philip K. Dick, Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said.

Hi Mark - what are the screen names of these other Chicago people in the photo? I'd like to find their threads. You know, Chi-town solidarity and all that.

The Monet above is the same as the screen saver on our kitchen computer! Love Monet! Like Benita, I will join you for both River of Smoke and IQ84. Skipping over her Sherlock stuff because I have not watched the new one yet.

Joe - "bizarro tale of paranoia" - I'm in!!

Mark - Aren't you working this Saturday? I have to work too, and alas, it is upsetting as I am unemployed! Craig is safely ensconced in Georgia so I will have to deal with the POD people, the men coming to break up and repour the patio cement, and the realtor - YIKES!! At least Sunday will be in my honor, and the children are brewing something which, since they are now quite competent in the kitchen, I do not have to be afraid of! Hope today was a good one.

Nice day today, plenty of glorious sunshine. Working on getting some color on these white legs. Funny, I like my literature dark but I prefer my weather mild & bright.

I finished The Scorpio Races. It was a fun, diverting listen, but a little thin on story, not sure I would continue on subsequent books. I started the Power of Habit. Some interesting stuff, especially about marketing and how they can turn their product into an everyday habit, like selling toothpaste.

Benita- I love your devotion to my Group Reads. You haven't been disappointed yet, have you? I sure hope not. I hope you'll be done with DC by the time River of Smoke starts. LOL. I'm getting pumped about that one.

Joe- I need to read more of Dick...wait that didn't sound good. Is this a full length novel? I'd like to try his short stories, which I heard were terrific.

Kerri- Joe is directly above you in msg #21. His daughter Becca, is seasonsoflove. Linda is lindapanzo and Laura is laurabrook. All of them would love to hear from you.
Yes, a big shout-out to that "Chi-town solidarity".

Mamie- Sounds like you have a busy day tomorrow. Thank god, you don't work. LOL. Yes, I'm working on Saturday. My sixth day. We are having our national food drive tomorrow, hosted by our union. This is the 1st year we are supplying bags to each home. We should get a nice quantity or we should.

Anyone else have the food drive in your area?

Thanks for reminding me about the food drive. I haven't gotten any literature on it from my mail carrier, but there may be something in the box today.

as to the group reads - well remember I read Sea of Poppies with you and finished it about two weeks after you and everybody else was done. I didn't finish Wind-up Bird Chronicle until about a month after you did. It took me a year to read Jane Eyre - another of your group reads, and I am still not finished with David Copperfield. The only book you ever did for a group read that I did not finish was Midnight's Children - and I intend to finish it someday. I just can't seem to get back to it. I was more than half done with it, it seems a shame to not finish it. I like being able to talk about books with others, and LT allows me to read at my own pace and make comments even when the group read is over. Sometimes people monitor the threads after the group read is over and they will make comments from time-to-time.

I had to renew Volume 1 of David Copperfield today. I have only been reading a page or two a day so still have about a hundred pages to read in volume 1. But I am still working on it.

I have a few days off next week and will be spending three days in New Orleans. It is fairly close so the drive won't be very long. That means more time to read while there. I hope to spend a nice morning drinking coffee at Cafe Du Monde reading and watching people. And there is a used book store close to the French Quarter so maybe I will bring back a book.

We have the food drive.

Happy new thread Mark!

I snagged the new Jack White CD and I must admit that I was disappointed with it. I loved Icky Thump and this one just doesn't hold up. I found it quite slow. How are you liking it?
However I just discovered Of Monsters and Men so I am listening to that quite a bit. I think they are pretty great

Chelle - I also bought the Jack White CD, Blunderbuss and loved the first four songs after which it declines a bit but overall I thought it quite good.
Mark wishing you a very happy weekend.

From your last thread:

They are calling it Mommy Porn! I'm glad to see people reading but can you imagine the wave of soft porn crap we are going to get hit with in the coming months?

Oh goody! just can't wait... /end of sarcastic remark

I'm seeing so much talk of Sherlock here. I've been mostly ignoring it, because I have yet to crack open Volume 1 of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. Haven't read anything by SACD yet. Would that be recommended first? I see they have season 1 in our library system.

Haven't gotten my copy of River of Smoke yet. Just when I was saying I'll have to cut back on book expenses (because of upcoming major vet expenses) it looks like I'll have to already break my word! But yes, I want to join in. Also want to join in for 1Q84. Already have the audiobook standing by for that.

Congrats on #11 by the way!

eta: I see there are lots of copies of River of Smoke available at the library, so guess I won't be purchasing that one after all...

I came through a while ago, got distracted, and never said how much I love "Red Poppies at Argenteuil"! It is a serene, happy image for me, one that leaves me more able to face the world smiling than I was before I looked at it.

Benita- You have a good memory about my Group Reads. Midnight's Children was my least favorite. I just didn't connect with that one, although much of the writing was amazing. Have a nice time in New Orleans. Sadly, I've never been.

Mamie- I'm sure there are a few items you can clean out of your cupboards. LOL.

Chelle- Good to see you. Sorry the Jack White didn't click. I also liked Icky Thump and that's an amazing title track. I'm not familiar with Of Monsters and Men. Isn't there a supergroup called Monsters of Folk?

Paul- I'm glad you enjoyed some of Blunderbuss. It really worked for me. Have a great weekend too!

Ilana- Always enjoy your visits. I don't think you have to read the Sherlock Holmes books to enjoy the show. They are quite different.
Glad you'll be joining us on a couple more G.R.s! I know, it's been a busy reading year and I love it!

RD- Glad you liked the picture. Just scanning through Monet's work, there is so much beauty there.

I'm outta here guys...off to tackle day 6.

Jimmny Cricket!!! It's hard to keep up with you!!! Stopping to say Hi, so I don't have to search for you amongst the starred threads.

Are you going to read Grapes of Wrath? I haven't started it yet. Sadly I can't seem to get into David Copperfield, but I am determined to whittle it away a bit at a time. Right now I'm working on Wouk's Marjorie Morningstar and enjoying reading about New York in the 30's.

Hope you have a light load and sunny skies!!!!

I am beginning to see that you are a group read/challenge mega tempter, Mark! Short Stories, River of Smoke (reminds me I need to get busy with Sea of Poppies), and now IQ84, which I do indeed own. I'm in!

I'm in for both River of Smoke and IQ84....both are standing by in audio. I loved SOP so I'm more than primed for ROS, but I know the only way I'll get thru is to commit to the GR. Separate threads up yet?

>24 msf59: Philip K. Dick's short stories would be perfect for your short story thread, Mark. Entertaining and thought-provoking, a little bit of this and a little bit of that, kind of a tapas reading experience.

Yes, his Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said is a short novel. My review's on the book page and in the cafe.

Hi Mark! I'd love to follow along on the 1Q84 GR. I am currently taking a 6-week class on it and LOVING it!! We read half a book a week (originally published as three), so about 150pgs. Mother's Day weekend is spectacular here! Sunny and in the 80's. Perfect! xoxo

It looks like the food drive was a big hit. I don't know if I mentioned it but this year we gave each resident a paper bag to put the food in and it really sparked more interest. It was a lot more work for us, humping bags up and down stairs in a light rain, but at least it was for a worthy cause. I'm tired. We are going out with friends tonight, otherwise I would be in bed early. Now, I'm off for 2 days! Yah!!

Tammy- "Jimmny Cricket!", huh? Sorry I made you swear. No, I'm not joining in Grapes, although I know I'll probably regret it, but I've read it 3 or 4 times already, so that's my lame reason.
Hope you can hang in there with DC! And you have a nice weekend too!

Linda- Yes, I am a bit of a "group read/challenge mega tempter", although I prefer G.R. Guru. I guess I like sharing the reading experience with my pals. I don't have anyone in RL who would read them with me, so I go to the next best thing.
Yes, please get to SOP, I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Tina- I'm glad you'll be joining us for both Group Reads. Now, Lynda mentioned doing one for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for August, so I might join on that one too, since I've wanted to read that one forever.

Joe- Hope you are enjoying your weekend and relaxing a little. I'll be stopping by the Cafe, shortly.

Kimmers Here, Kimmers Here- Sorry I can't help myself. I bet that is a great way to follow 1Q84. I'm jealous. I'm waiting on the super cool 3 volume softcover set. It ships on the 15th.

I know..i've missed a lot, here.....

THE KILLING......i watched the First Season on Netflix

WOW!

and, once i caught my breath..i can say it reminds me of PRIME SUSPECT......intensity etc

;-}

Our mailman handed out bags for the food drive too. And I was nice to him. I mostly put things packaged in plastic or cardboard and only two little cans of soup.

I'm also interested in the IQ84 GR, my big push this year is to get through Don Quixote, but am sure I can also fit in some Japanese lit as well. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is also on my tbr pile but I don't want to over commit...

I don't watch Saturday Night Live anymore but a friend told me about a recent skit, involving Fifty shades of Grey and it is a hoot:
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/amazon-mothers-day-ad/1400037

I'm a little underwhelmed by the Power of Habit. I thought it would really grab me. Some really interesting ideas but it seems to be slanted more toward the business minded, a more motivational guide.

Jude- Great to see you. I've missed you over here. Glad you liked The Killing. I loved the 1st half of the 1st season but it became unmoored in the 2nd half. That's to bad, because they had something special going there. I'm not watching the 2nd season.
I am a huge fan of Prime Suspect too. That was a perfect series.

Tammy- Taking care of the mailman and donating food. Perfect. Hope you have a great day.

Kerry- Good to see you. And I'm glad you'll be joining us for 1Q84. It should be an interesting G.R. My 3rd Murakami G.R. too.

Hmmm Can't turn my back for a minute, or you start a new thread!
I think I am about to start on Picture This, an LTER.. it looks like a nice light read for s rainy Mothers day.

>41 msf59: My Walls looked a lot like that for years... at least Adam's room did. I no sooner got it
cleaned then he would start with a nice fresh new canvas :) Anything he could reach by standing on
or climbing under.. was drawn on. There was no stopping him. And believe mem there was plenty of paper available! Who would think I'd miss those days :P

I never watched the Americanized Prime Suspect, did anyone else?

I had almost exactly the same experience of The Killing, Mark, I was enthralled and then...wasn't.

Very quiet on the threads today! Hopefully, everyone is enjoying their Sunday, especially all you wonderful mothers out there. The wife wanted to see The Avengers, so we are off to see that and then dinner.

Kath- So, Adam was quite the artist, huh? Cool, although I'm sure it wasn't fun for you.

RD- I did not see the American version of Prime Suspect, although I do like Maria Bello. Actually I heard it was a pretty good show, just not enough viewers, everyone must have been watching reality TV or something.
Yes, they really blew it with The Killing. That could have been a hell of a show.

Hi Mark, LOVED Prime Suspect, vintage Helen Mirren. I've watched the whole series three times.

Bonnie, guess what? So did I !!!
Were we separated at birth? LOL ...

Adam is still an artist.. graduated after 4 years at Atlanta College of Art..
which in it's 100th year, when he was a student advisor there.. sold to SCAD.
He still does a fair amount of art, but also works at a university as an advisor
in the college of art.. so... yeah... Artist he was and is...

I'm glad you provided a link for the SNL/Fifty Shades of Grey skit, Mark. It was a good one. In fact, that entire night's show was actually pretty funny which is really rare these days...

Sometime when you're looking for a quirky little movie, try "Jeff, Who Lives at Home". I was surprised by it.

Morning Mark! How was the movie?

It looks like a great day to be off, (like, Duh!). Sunny, mid-70s. Perfect for the outdoor chores I need to do. And as usual, try to get some reading in. I should finish voices today.

Bonnie & Laura- I'm due to re-watch the original Prime Suspect series, if I could somehow squeeze them in.

Kath- It's nice to have talent in the family, isn't it? I'm sure you are very proud.

Joanne- There was also an Ellen episode too, of her narrating the audiobook of it, not as funny but amusing.
Thanks for the movie rec, I always appreciate those. I finally saw Tiny Furniture, the indie-film from the writer/creator of HBO's Girls. She has amazing talent.

Hi Mark - Have a lovely day off! It sounds like I should watch the British version of Prime Suspects, based on this discussion. I'll see if they have it on Netflix streaming.

Hiya, Mark. It's a beaut of a day out there - enjoy!

I'm another fan of Helen Mirren and Prime Suspect. Great series. I need to watch the later ones.

Mamie- You know I'm really losing patience with these big loud action films, but this one worked and was a lot of fun. Each of the heroes did a good job and each had their own distinct charms. Kudos to Joss Whedon.

Kerri- What a gorgeous day, huh? You are in for such a treat with the Prime Suspect series. Helen Mirren has created an iconic TV character. One of the best I've ever seen.

Joe- I agree, it's going to be a dandy of a day. I need to get out there and start getting my stuff done. Just spent over an hour on the phone, upgrading my cell.
The later Prime Suspects were like 2 hour stand-alones, if I remember correctly.



Loves me some Scarlett, aka Black Widow!

>47 lauralkeet: Were we separated at birth? Gee I hope so Laura. That would mean I'm a lot younger than I thought I was. Sweet!

Hi Mark!

>55 brenzi:: tee hee!

I finished Voices, the 3rd Inspector Erlendur book. This is a very solid series set in Iceland and I highly recommend them.
Next up, is the Woman in Black. And it's a shorty! Yah! Thanks to Deb (wherever she is), for this one.

Hi Bonnie & Laura!

There was an American Version of PRIME SUSPECT.....with Maria Bello(from ER)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Suspect_%28U.S._TV_series%29

i saw a few episodes on Hulu.....pretty good

;-P~~~~~

PRIME SUSPECT...w/Helen Mirren???

I have the entire series on DVD...don't let it out of my sight...grrr

>54 msf59: Scarlett: my old boss used to have a crush on Scarlett, had a picture of her in a fitted dress (very fitted) as her screen saver. For some reason it was ok for her to go on and on and on about Scarlett, probably because she was a her, and not a him!

Mark, I got to tour a restored old sailing ship while in San Francisco. It was called the Balclutha, built in 1886 in Glasgow, and used initially in the grain trade and later in the salmon trade. It was a wonderful tour! I kept thinking of Sea of Poppies and it revived my interest in reading River of Smoke......

I paid $2 fine on Zoo Station today, but I didn't turn it in. I guess I should just buy the darn thing......

Another nice one, sunny and 80, with storms moving in tonight. Perfect scenario, huh? I should be wrapping up the Power of Habit. It's not as good as I was hoping. I think I will visit Dr. Siri next...

Jude- Thanks for the American Prime Suspect info. It got cancelled early on, right, after 5 or 6 eps? I like Maria Bello. She was terrific in The History of Violence.

Megan- I've been following Scarlett since she was a teenager, in films. Loved Lost in Translation. She hasn't been doing very much impressive work, of late but I think she's a better actress than most give her credit for, plus she's a beauty.

Ellen- Thanks for sharing the "Balclutha" experience. Very cool. Do you have your copy of River of Smoke? Sorry, to hear about Zoo Station. It is a quick read, if you get started on it.

I agree about Scarlett - she seems to be underrated as an actress, and I love her unconventional looks, by which I mean unconventional for Hollywood - she's not rail-thin, which, to me, makes her even more lovely.

Hmm No idea about Scarlett..or Prime Suspect...
I am very bad at this sort of trivia.. I will often have Kelly Live on tv on after GMA in the mornings..
Not really watching it, but going about my business... I rarely have a clue about anyone who is on
the show. I dislike Kelly.... I think she's an idiot. Why don't I just turn it off? No idea...

btw

Mark.. that picture makes me think of places I walked with my grandmother..
rd no age cracks.. got it?

mmmf mmmmmf grmmfflll mmmmf

*flees before age crack inevitably comes out*

Loved Lost in Translation! I work with a guy who just didn't get it, but I thought it was great - as was our friend Scarlett in it.

Gorgeous day! I sure don't mind low to mid-80s, if there is no humidity. Makes all the difference.
I also came home to my copy of Graceling. It's a softcover copy, in like-new condition. Now, to find time to wedge it in somewhere. Where's that bleedin' book-horn? Always getting misplaced.

Amber- I wish she could find better dramatic roles. I think she has the talent for it. She did work on a couple Woody Allen films, that were pretty good but not heavy enough.

Kath- It makes no difference if you know these people or not but I do think you would like the original Prime Suspect shows, with Helen Mirren. This is very smart TV.
Glad you like the painting at the top! It's a beauty.

Run RD, Run!!

Joe- Sophia Coppola is an interesting film-maker. Lost in Translation is her best to date. Bill Murray is terrific too!

noted.. I will look into it :)

Wow, is it quiet over here, (and on the threads). 'Sup with that? Tired of my daily weather reports?
Since I wrapped up the audio of The Power of Thinking, I'll be going to Laos to see Dr. Siri in Disco for the Departed. I am also enjoying The Woman in Black, which has a nice old-fashioned feel to it.
On the GN front, (Yes, I'm still reading them), I finished the Tree of Life: Charles Darwin. This is my 3rd Sis book and I've enjoyed each one. And this also has sparked interest in my reading a proper Darwin bio, which of course, I have had on the shelf for a decade or so.

#66: Agreed about Bill Murray - he can do no wrong in my book. And I thought the pairing of the two in Lost in Translation was brilliant casting. Such a great movie.

I'm glad you enjoyed The Tree of Life, Mark. It's true, many GN's encourage further reading on subjects that I've taken for granted. I rememer reading On the Origin of Species a gazillion years ago. Oh! Excellent work.....................for insomniacs!
Hope The Woman in Black is casting its spell on you.
ETA: in total agreement with Amber

Lynda: *snork!* I completely agree about On the Origin of Species; I'm still proud of myself that I made it through that thing! Ugh.

I have been thinking the same.. quiet.. here..
ok.. time for me to be off.. see ya later..

Morning Mark. Nothing to report, just checking in.

Where's that bleedin' book-horn? Always getting misplaced. Oh, the agonizing truth of that!!! :-D

I'm glad you enjoyed The Tree of Life. Of the three I've read by Sis, it was my least favorite, but that means I just liked it a lot instead of loving it! His work is so multilayered and beautiful --- and varied between them, as well.

I've got to get back after those Sis books, Mark. I missed picking one up at the library because we were traveling, and that threw me off. Thanks for the reminder.

Mark, am I going to have to start a wishlist for DVDs you recommend now? Let's see... "Prime Suspect" with Helen Mirren. That one looks too good to pass by. I think I'll see if the library has it.

I like your daily weather reports. ;-) What I really like, though, are the cool mornings we've been having. It makes my walk even more pleasant than usual. I dread the hot, humid days coming up. I am so not a summer person.

Mark, I know I've asked this a dozen times and you've answered it two dozen but for which month are you planning the GR of River of Smoke? I've put it on hold at the library but will suspend it for the beginning of the month. I'm thinking it's June, but.....??

I read and enjoyed a stand-alone short story by China Mieville called Covehithe, and reviewed it in my thread...post #142.

The title's a link, because I don't know how to add a single story manually, but Mark...you really must spend the ~10min to read this. It's wonderful!

Hey, there's a bit of a spark over here! Yah. And no one said they disliked my weather reports. Double Yah! Lots of sun today but cooler, mid-60s. Wore shorts, left my hoodie on.

Amber- Did you ever see Rushmore? I really liked Murray in that one too.

Lynda- I'm really enjoying The Woman in Black. Not much M & M at this point but a solid ghost story.
I never read On the Origin of Species but I would love to read a good bio. I have one around here someplace but I can't find it. Drat!
What other Sis books have you enjoyed?

Big Waves to Kath & Mamie!

Ellen- What were your favorite Sis books? I just requested Conference of Birds. The Group Read of River of smoke begins June 15th. We have a month. Add it to your day planner.

Joe- This is my 3rd Sis book and it looks like there are a few others left to enjoy. I think I enjoyed the memoir the best, so far.

Donna- You should make a DVD list, because I forget them too. I can't imagine anyone, (with good taste anyway) not loving Prime Suspect.
And yes, the mornings have been cool, perfect for walking. It looks like we have a nice stretch coming up. Yah!

RD- Thanks for thinking about me. I will check it out later. Mieville has a new one coming out any day now.

I'm back from New Orleans and all that wonderful food. This was a foodies road trip delight. I got to eat at Old New Orleans restaurants (Brennan family establishment) and new New Orleans (John Besh) as well as eating at just plain folks grills and oyster houses. I am more and more disappointed with the French Market every year. Instead of it being the flea market and food and produce place that it was when I first went there twenty years ago, it has turned into a real dump. It is full of cheap Chinese made souvenirs. How many ways can you sell a stupid alligator with its mouth open? Do people really buy that crap? I want the nice old stands that where there. Canal Street is just as bad. There were two bright spots. One was the hat shop on Decatur Street. A wonderful place where I spent the most money I have spent on a single item of wearing apparel. And I did finally make it out to Chalmete to see what is left of the battlefield from the 1814 Battle of New Orleans. Got to do some reading in dear old Andy Jackson one of these days. It seems that whenever I do one of these trips I come back with my interest piqued in something or other and then have to dig out some books I want to read about it. The weather was great on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday was typical summer in New Orleans, hot, still, and humid. Drove back today and am now at work doing the night shift.

I managed to read about 120 pages of Started Early, Took My Dog and like it so far. I will let you know what I think of it when I finish. I am getting lots of reading done this May, but not much in David Copperfield. :-)

53) Voices by Arnaldur Indridason 4 stars

Christmas in Iceland. Lovely hotel, snow-covered boulevards. Sounds seasonably romantic, unless of course a hotel employee, dressed as Santa Claus is found stabbed to death in a basement room and then…well, not so much.
Inspector Erlendur is called in, with his team of investigators. At first glance, this quiet doorman/handyman is a complete blank slate, even though he has worked and resided at this hotel for over twenty years. Who is this guy? Slowly, Erlendur begins to peel the layers back, and mysteries begin to unfurl, like the petals of a tainted rose.
Erlendur has much in common with another popular Scandinavian detective, Kurt Wallander. Both are middle-aged, grumpy loners, dealing with difficult daughters. They are also both excellent police officers.
This is the 3rd of a terrific series. Yes, the tone can be somewhat gloomy but there is enough humor and suspense to keep the pages turning.

Hi Mark!
Missed a lot here (mostly blue!).
Just enough time to say ... sleep well tonight! I sure plan to!

Mark - thoroughly agree with your appraisal of Voices. Erlendur is exactly the Icelandic Wallender - middle-aged, grumpy loners, dealing with difficult daughters. They are also both excellent police officers.
Good review of a good book in a good series.

>81 msf59: Thumbs upped your completely misleading review. "Somewhat gloomy" my lily-white one! It's as grim and gray as it's possible to be and not be subject to civil lawsuits by the Iceland Tourism Authority.

Hi Mark, I just had a nice used copy of Jar City delivered yesterday. I'm looking forward to starting this series!

Listening to BOTNS yesterday, they talked about the Concord Free Press. A publisher that gives away books, (good ones too) and only ask that you make a charitable donation and pass the book on. I requested Round Mountain and it's a story collection. Castle is an author I've been meaning to read too. Check out the Home Page:
http://www.concordfreepress.com/

Benita- Glad you had a good time in New Orleans, despite the tacky commercialism. I still NEED to get there one of these days.
Also glad you are enjoying the Jackson Brodie books. She really knows how to juggle multiple storylines.

Claudia- Good to see you! Hope you slept well and have a great day today.

Paul- Thanks! RD accused me of being misleading and he's probably right. LOL. Have you read the entire series?

RD- Guilty as charged. Certain books, like this and the Wallander books, although this has a better sense of humor, don't strike me as gloomy, but I do like to keep this type of book spaced apart. How many of this series did you read?

Joanne- There seems to be more mixed opinion on Jar City, compared to the others in the series but I was a big fan of it. Hope you "enjoy" it.

Glad you are finally getting to Woman in Black..
hmmm wonder if the film is on DVD yet?

I've read three GN's by Sis, Mark. The Wall, Tibet and The Tree of Life I enjoyed Tibet the most. Like Ellen, I liked The Tree of Life the least. Don't get me wrong they're all very good, but some more so. I hope to check out a few more of his in the future.

ETA: Voices looks very good and added to wishlist

#79: I have seen Rushmore, and Murray is the only thing I liked about it. In general I am demonstrably not a fan of Wes Anderson's movies, but I'll watch if Murray is in one.

Amber! you're getting me on a Bill Murray kick now!! So many great movies. Broken Flowers is a quiet little movie but sooooo good in a Murray sort of way. Meatballs, The Razor's Edge, Caddyshack, Groundhogs Day, even The Life Aquatic has its redeeming moments. Must stop at library and pick some up! Better yet, I bet some of them are in the $5 bin at Walmart :0)

>79 msf59:, 89: Oh, I loved Rushmore. It's a family favorite. My husband loves all of Wes Anderson's films; I like some of them. He has a new one out this week that looks like it will be in the "like" category for me.

>86 msf59: What a wonderful idea to give books away in exchange for a charitable donation.

Your review of Voices has the series calling to me, Mark. I am in the perfect mood for dark, gloomy and grumpy!

Good Morning, Mark! Nice review of voices. As you know, I have already added Jar City to my list and am looking forward to it. Can't believe it's Thursday already - where did the week go? The weather has been so wonderful here that we have gotten to enjoy the deck a lot; I love to read outside.

Lynda: Groundhog's Day is an annual tradition here in the Scaife House, and Caddyshack, well, what can one say about that movie? Classic.

>86 msf59: I made it through two: Voices and Jar City. I ain't a Scandicrime boy. There's bleak, and then there's soul-killingly sunlessly despairing. I can do bleak.

I love Groundhog Day, too!!

We wonder why the Post Office is heading down the tubes.This morning we were given our weekly safety talk given by our illustrious branch manager. This one focused on what to do during a hurricane. Me, being my usual smartass self, asked her: Why is this necessary for us? She gave me her famous vacant hooded stare and replied. "Well, you never know, do you?" Wow. So, I'm battening down the hatches just in case.

Kath- Finished and enjoyed The Woman in Black. Need to find out when it comes out on DVD.

Lynda- I have Conference of the Birds waiting for me at the library. Yah. Speaking of GNs, I just started the Rabbi's Cat and it's very good. Funny and edgy.

Amber & Laura- I like Wes Anderson, although he can be hit or miss. Loved Rushmore and the Royal Tennebaums (sp?). I didn't care for the next 2 but LOVED The Fantastic Mr. Fox. and I've been hearing very good things about his new one.

Lynda- Broken Flowers is definitely overlooked. I really liked it too. Did you see his turn in Zombieland? OMG, was it great!

I put River of Smoke on suspended hold so I should get it right on the 15th of June. :-)

Regarding Peter Sis' works, Tibet: Through the Red Box and The Conference of the Birds both got five stars from me. Hard to say which is my favorite. I love them both although the physical edition of The Conference of the Birds was/is stunning. It may be one of the most visually and tactile-ly(?) beautiful books I've ever held.

The Tree of Life was also good, but those first two were near perfect. Those are the only three I've read by him so far.

Life's small pleasures, huh? I got home and there were a couple packages. Nothing puts a smile on my face faster. I finally got Oryx & Crake from BM. This now makes at least 4 Atwood books sitting on the shelf. I try to avert my gaze as I saunter past. I also had a present from Amazon: Insurgent, this is my 2nd copy and it goes to my daughter and then, drum roll please...a deluxe 3-volume softcover edition of 1Q84. And wow, does it look sharp. $15 smackeroos. Not to shabby.

Linda92007 (sorry lots of Lindas)- Yes, please try Jar City or Silence of the Grave first. Are you planning to request a title from the Concord Press?

Mamie- Yes, the week is moving right along. What a gorgeous day today, huh? And we, in the Midwest, are in for a long stretch of nice weather. Yah!

RD- "I ain't a Scandicrime boy". I completely understand. They are not for everyone. You like Fossum though, right? She is much less gloomy.

Mark - I am up to Hypothermia and have read the five in the series that were published in English before it. RD is right that they are sometimes on the suicidal side of elegiac but I enjoy reading crime novels with a good sense of place and which has heroes who are less than superhuman. Most of the scandicrimesters fit that bill. Knutas Mari Jungstedt and Van Veteeren Hakan Nesser are also good swedish examples of the genre without being quite as down as Erlendur and Wallender.

Hi Mark! Yup. Slept well. Yup. Good day!

How big is the print in that 3 vol set of IQ84? Or should I say, how small?

>87 mckait:, 97 Kath and Mark, According to Amazon, May 22 for the DVD.

Glad you liked The Woman in Black, Mark. It's a favorite of mine. I really liked Susan Hill's The Man in the Picture, too. I thought it was very creepy.

Morning kids! Another beauty today, sunny & 80. Finally getting some color on these pale legs. I'll be wrapping up my Dr. Siri book today and then I start on a story collection, which I've been meaning to get to. I will also be starting Iron Lake for M & M. This time we go to the wilds of Minnesota.

Ellen- Hope the timing for River of Smoke works out. I liked the Tibet book by Sis too. I think my favorite is his memoir. You haven't tried that yet, right?

Paul- I think the humor and characters keep the Erlendur books from being a downer. I'm looking forward to continuing the series. Have you read Three Seconds? I was going to try squeezing that one in for M & M, but it is now looking doubtful.

Claudia- Yes, the print does look smallish but it's a cool looking set and carrying around one slim volume, compared to a 1,000 page tome, will be nice.
Have another good day today!

Joanne- Thanks. I liked The Woman in black. You also liked her inspector series, correct?

We are serious Bill Murray fans too - Meatballs is a big favorite - also the one where he follows his shrink to Maine - What About Bob? If you haven't seen that one, well, you are in for a big treat. He also starred in one of the worst movies I've ever seen, about an elephant, saving it, of course. Just so bad it was almost unbelievable.

#103 - Good morning, Mark! I just reserved Iron Lake, so I'll probably get to that in the next couple of weeks.

Have a nice weekend, and I hope you don't have to drive on a Chicago expressways or go downtown (NATO meeting)!

>104 sibylline:: not to mention "Scrooged," which was also awful.

sibyx: What?! You didn't like Operation Dumbo Drop?! Sigh.

I just have to jump in here and say that "technically" the Peter Sis books are not graphic novels. They are illustrated children's books. He has been around for a long time and his body of work is impressive. He has several Caldecott honor books on his list of accomplishments. We have most of his books in our library and I find them a hard sell. The later works are very complicated and are not read-aloud friendly so teacher's don't like to use them in class. They require good sequencing skills so they are not very suitable for use in grades 4 and under so I have to try to get teacher's in older grades to use them. Even they find them difficult to sell to students. This is an author/illustrator that the critics love and the reading public doesn't.

Got my copy of River of Smoke so will start reading it when the time comes. I just hope it doesn't take as long to read as did Sea of Poppies.

While reading through short on-line version of "Booklist" I found some interesting information about Sean Bean. He is the guy who played Ned Stark on Game of Thrones. In an article titled "That's Using Your Bean" I learned that Bean has signed a contract to play the South African Detective Benny Griessel in a film based on Deon Meyer's Devil's Peak trilogy. I don't know from the article if there is going to be one movie or if there will be three and I don't know if it will be film or TV but I can guarantee that if it has Sean Bean in it that I will probably watch it at some point. I say that because I purchased the entire first season of the BBC production of the Richard Sharpe series and I didn't even own a video player just because I was so taken with that hunky looking actor. (Only time in my life that has ever happened, as I am not usually so impressed with hunky looking actors.) If I had a DVD player I might even watch Game of Thrones just to see him.

Me, being my usual smartass self, asked her: Why is this necessary for us? She gave me her famous vacant hooded stare and replied. "Well, you never know, do you?"
That's right, just as you never know when the earth will go spinning crazily out of its orbit and land all the people in Chicago on Mars. Wow.

Great review of Voices Mark but for now I've sworn off starting any new series since I have the first books of several sitting on my shelf and several others that I've already started; got to put the brakes on somewhere.

108> Yes, I would think of Sis' works as illustrated children's books, but (like Bugs Bunny?) with complex layers that make them, in some ways, more appropriate for adults. Very interesting about how hard they are to "sell" -- and I'm sorry to hear that because I think his work is beautiful.

Mark, I'll be looking for his work that is something of a memoir. What is its title?

Hiya, Mark. Just found out Becca's school where she teaches will be closed on Monday because of NATO protests in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, way away from downtown. Where I work downtown is closed today and Monday because of the NATO meeting. Jeesh.

Our timing was good - we're out in Boston (Medford), helping to get Mr. Jesse packed up and ready for graduation.

What a perfect day! Sunny, mid-80s, no humidity. I finished the marvelous Disco For the Departed. This has quickly become one of my favorite mystery series. And I have the next 5 saved on audio. Dr. Siri Rules!! On audio, I started What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories. I listened to the 1st 2. The 1st, the title story was fantastic. Anyone read Englander before? I also started Iron Lake, which I have a feeling I will also enjoy. Big stretch, huh?

Lucy- I like Murray's comedies but I prefer his dramatic or semi-serious turns, like Lost in Translation and Rushmore. And his cameos are priceless: Ed Wood & Zombieland for instance. Both major hoots.

Kerri- Yes, this NATO Summit is a major deal. Many world leaders will be attending plus most of our big guns. I hope the protesting doesn't get out of hand. Fortunately, I don't have to go anywhere near it.
Iron Lake is tailor-made for me: I like the outdoors and rural America, I like Native American culture and a crackling good mystery.

Benita- You are correct, my friend. The Sis books are not GNs, but it's a generic term I use. They are illustrated biographies and are really not structured for children. I really liked his Darwin mini-bio, even though that was difficult to follow at times. It sure boosted my interest in Darwin.
Bean was perfectly cast as Ned Stark. I am not familiar with the Deon Meyer books. Good?

Bonnie- Let's face it, our branch manager is an idiot. If she would have winked and agreed with me, that would have been different. I've given up asking her anything.
I understand your hesitancy on starting a new series. It does get nuts.

Joe- I hope you guys are having a good time at the graduation. When do you fly back? Hopefully, after this NATO business.

I have not read any Deon Meyer either but a quick Amazon search showed that he has written lots of mystery/thrillers. And he has a cooking/cookbook/memoir co-authored with his wife. To my surprise (because I don't remember getting this book) I have Devil's Peak in my collection. I am going to find it and pull it out. Maybe it will make another May M&M read. But I doubt it.

54) The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg 3.7 stars

The title says it all. Our lives our habit driven, if we realize it or not. The author calls it the “Habit Loop”; brushing our teeth, tying our shoes, reaching for that piece of chocolate or second glazed-donut, if we really need it or not. Replacing the bad habits with better habits is key and that’s what I found the most useful in this book.
Duhigg expands and examines this habit system for all facets of our lives, from social movements, to alcoholism, gambling, religion and of course marketing, which is built on our habitual backs. This was all interesting stuff but I mostly wanted more guidance for “me”. Selfish? Probably. Maybe that’s another habit I should shake. Ooh, look… cookies!

Mark - not read Three Seconds yet but it is crying to me from the shelves.
Benita - agree that Sean Bean (a fellow Yorkshireman) is a major draw for a film or TV series.
Mark - does The Power of Habit say anything about LT?!

I will NEVER catch up with you!!!!! *sigh*
but I'm glad you liked The Woman in Black :) that was a nice Gothic read!

Murray- my favorite is Stripes :) and pretty much anything he did on SNL.
Have a great weekend Mark!

Happy Saturday! It's going to be a warm one, near 90. I received a copy of the Fang Family. I've had this one on the WL forever. Anyone here read it?
I also picked up Are You My Mother? from the library. I'm really looking forward to this one, since I was such a big fan of Fun Home.

Paul- It doesn't look like I'll be able to squeeze in Three Seconds this month but I hope to get to it soon.
Yes, there should have been an entire chapter on LT in The Power of Habit. LOL.

Kara- It's good to see you. It is hard to catch up on the threads, when you fall behind. Have you seen the film version of The Woman in black? Joanne mentioned it will be released on DVD on the 22nd. Hey, another Murray fan! Yah! Have a good weekend.

I agree, very busy thread here.. I am thinking that Woman in Black will be a good film..
I thought Daniel Radcliff had the perfect look for the part. I am sure he has more in him than just Harry Potter.

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

This time we go to the wilds of Minnesota. Wow, Mark, I didn't know there were wilds in Minnesota! Is that with or without snow?!
Have a great weekend and hope you can fit in plenty of time for cold beers and books.

>99 msf59: Unfortunately, I only had time to take a quick peek at the Concord Free press website. I will need to go back and look more closely.

Nope, have not seen the movie yet. 22 of may? I will look for it.

Aww all those poor Atwood books sitting on the shelf all lonely. Poor baby books ;)

>114 msf59: Thumbs-upped that one, Mark, and loved the way you ended it...nice commentary.

Whew, it got hot! Fortunately the humidity was low but it still crept into the low 90s and for May that qualifies as HOT.
I am thoroughly enjoying What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories. These are beautifully constructed stories.

Kath- I'm looking forward to the film version of The Woman in Black. It could make a nice old-fashioned ghost story, which you don't see anymore.

Lynda- Yes, there are some definite wilds in northern Minnesota, an area called the boundary waters. There is a lot of Native American lore in this too, which is a subject I like.
"cold beers and books". Bless your heart, these are 2 of my passions. And I think I found a new thread heading. Thank you.

Linda & Kara- Big waves! Have a great weekend guys.

Chelle- Good to see you! You know, I read my first Atwood, last Spring, The Handmaid's Tale and thought I would have started reading her regularly, but....didn't happen.

RD- Thanks for the Thumb! It was a shaggy review but I wanted to post something. Most reviews of The Power of Habit were stellar, I was less so.

We are heading out to have dinner with friends! I'll see you guys in the A.M.

Mark, I'm four stories into What we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank, and loving it. I haven't read Englander before but we did use the New American Haggadah by him and Jonathan Safran Foer this year at Passover, does that count?

Good morning! I haven't been getting out and about as much as I might like..
but I see that nothing has changed here... many blue spots...
hope all is well?

Another warm one today! High 80s. I plan on putting my tomatoes in. It's time. I'm sure I'll work up a bit of a sweat.

Susan- What we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank is fantastic. Englander is an amazing talent and I can't wait to try more of his work. I'm not Jewish but it sure seems like he nails the Jewish experience from many different angles.

Kath, (my Sunday morning partner)- We have some shopping to do and some outdoor chores but I also hope to get to my books too. Can't neglect them.
I remember you were a big fan of Defending Jacob. I plan on starting that tomorrow.

Benita -- this is for you -- btw Bean plays Boromir in LoTR, so you might want to catch him there. Sorry Mark for the invasion!

Save Sean Bean

Stay cool today, Mark. Fortunately, I'm in the shade at the ballpark. Enjoy your Sunday!!

EIGHTIES *shudder* oh no oh poop oh dear summer is coming *weeps*

Well, it was an expensive morning! Spent a ton at Sam's and Home Depot, but bought a very nice gas grill, (we were overdue) and picked out patio furniture, also way over due. It's all going to look very sharp. Any LTers in the area come by for an icy cold one and a brat.
It's very hot & muggy out there but I need to put these plants in...oh joy!

Lucy- Invade anytime. I also loved Bean in LOTR. A perfect Boromir.

Linda- Have a great time at the game. Hopefully they can avoid the sweep.

RD- Funny, tomorrow will be in the high 60s. I wish it was today. It would have been ideal for the gardening tasks.

#128

I checked out the Save Sean Bean site, and what a hoot! So funny.

My LT account said that I had a copy of Devil's Peak since 2008, so I looked on the shelves. No luck. Then started looking through the stacks on the floor in the spare bedroom. Eureka! (Unlike Archimedes - I did not run naked through the streets with the announcement that I had found it.) I added it to the "on deck" list for May. And yes, I do have piles of books in my apartment. This book will literally be off of a to-be-read pile, when I get around to reading it.

I don't do tomatoes, but do moon flowers. Got mine planted two weekends ago, then had to make war on the chipmunks that love to dig in my pots. Some chicken wire purchased at Home Depot cured the problem and saved my moon flowers so that I can enjoy them for many nights this summer and fall. So far this summer my herbs are doing well. Nice looking basil and for the first time my oregano looks good. I don't think that herbs like pots very well and that is all the soil I have for growing - what's in the pots.

Hi Mark, sounds like you are having a busy weekend. A new gas grill and patio furniture - sounds like you are ready for summer! I am having a good weekend,celebrating my mother's 91st birthday and catching up with various family members. My family likes to pass books along and one of the one's I've been given is The Woman In Black, so I was happy to hear you enjoyed it.

You get the idea!

Now we're talking! Perfect way to end a Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

134> Love that picture.

I've been struck. Like that's unusual. Adding What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank to the Hold list at the library....

Ah, Mark... Chicago is calling me again. If it wasn't so dang hot there - I'd be better tempted. We ate outside tonight on the back deck - glorious! The entertainment tonight was birds - shorebirds, warblers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers - quite a symphony. No hermit thrush yet though - they are my fav!

Have fun with the gardening, grill, outdoor reading, and patio stuff... it's your season coming up! Where's the picture of the legs???

Benita- I cannot believe you were not running around naked after finding Devil's Peak. Isn't it hot enough down there for you?
I'm not familiar with moon flowers. Can you eat them?

Judy- The grill won't be assembled until Wednesday and we'll go back back and get the patio table & chairs sometime during the week. All in time for the holiday weekend coming up. Yah!

Lynda- Yes, I've had a couple of beers but my reading has been sidetracked here and there. Still a fine day off.

Ellen- I'll be finishing What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank. It has been excellent and it's a fairly quick read, which is always a bonus.

Claudia- Always a pleasure to see you! I would LOVE to join you on your back deck one of these days and listen to that wonderful bird song and gaze at that lovely view.
Yes, my legs are finally getting some color. I have to take a picture on the route one of these days.

>134 msf59: I'll be right there with some chips and guac.

Low 90s yesterday, high 60s today! Wow. Always interesting in the Midwest. I'll be wrapping up my story collection today and next up on audio will be Defending Jacob, for M & M. I've heard good things about this one.

Joanne- Sounds great! Wish you could make it one of these days.

Hot here yesterday, too. Slightly less so for today.
I am just happy that the weeds are pulled for this week!
Unless they popped up again overnight. Totally possible.

Pls push the hot southward! Don't let it drift northeast :P
Glad you will get some relief - high 60s are nice :)
Come join us on the deck anytime!

Hi Mark! Do you know about the Chicago Craft Beer Week events (http://chibeerweek.com/)? There's stuff in the suburbs as well. The only big thing we're going to do is the grand opening of Revolution Brewing's new facility. It should be fun.

Oh, I'll have to check that out, too, Kerri. Crafty beer drinking is always good.

Becca loved The Woman in Black. We missed the movie in the theater, so we're going to watch a rental together.

Moon flowers are not edible. They are a member of the nightshade family. Same family as morning glories and tomatoes. Moon flowers are a big white flower that looks like a morning glory. They grow on a vine and only bloom at night. They bloom for one night and have a sweet aroma something like gardenia but not as cloying. The leaves are large and heart shaped and are usually a bright lime green color. The vines grow very fast and I train them on bamboo trellises so that the form a living screen between my small patio space and the place next door. It makes a living green privacy screen. (I need that so that I can go running naked through the house after I have found a book in a stack someplace.) I have three big pots (about 20 inches across) that hold the trellises and the plants. I plant four plants in the corners of each pot. I do have to fertilize them heavily because there isn't much room in those pots, big as they are, for four plants. But the heavy planting and those big leaves makes a great screen. The scent from the flowers and the blooms are an added bonus.

I got the idea for them from watching Martha Stewart. She told about using pole beans and zucchini and other squash and gourds to make green screens because these are quick growing plants. Some of these plants will grow as much as 12 inches in a single day. The produce is an added bonus.

I am not home much during the day and have a small apartment sized patio. (Room for two chairs). I plant light green things and the moon flowers so that I can see them at night. My patio faces east so by four o'clock in the afternoon my moon flowers are in the shade and they start to bloom soon after that time. When I get home at 7:00 p.m. they are fully open. A nice glass of pinot gregio and some crooners music and I am good to go. If I was home early in the morning I would use morning glories instead of moon flowers. Morning glories bloom as soon as the sky is grey in the east. A nice cup of joe and the morning NPR news, or the newspaper, and my day would be made. (Unless the news had some more nasty antics by our current conservative congress on it.)

>145 benitastrnad: I love the idea! We have a half acre, but I still want to hide the neighbors...think I'll try the zucchini idea. I love ratatouille.

>145 benitastrnad:: that's an excellent idea!!

zucchini ? green screen? interesting......

I finished the wonderful What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories. What a terrific collection and what an amazing talent this guy is. I started Defending Jacob and this is quickly shaping up to be another winner. I haven't read a good legal thriller in quite some time.

Kath- Turned out pretty nice here today. Cool breeze but lots of sun in the afternoon. Warm the rest of the week. Really enjoying Defending Jacob.

Claudia- Hope you are having a good day! May has been pretty good so far.

Kerri- "Chicago Craft Beer Week"? Ooh, sounds delicious. I'll check out the link. Thanks! Tell me more about the Revolution Brewery. I'm not familiar with it.

Joe- Welcome home, Belgian Beer Drinker! Love that crafty beer. So you have not read The Woman in Black? If not, it's just your cuppa and I can pass on my copy to you.

Benita- Thanks for sharing the moon flower/morning glories info. Both sound wonderful. I don't have much of a green thumb but I might have to look into these.
I love your timing for your evenings. Sounds lovely.

Hi RD or Mr. Ratatouille!

Working my day off today! Boo! More money for books & such..Yah! I'm still making my way through Iron Lake. It's a good solid mystery, just a big boy.
I heard about a promising new memoir on a NPR podcast, called Let's Pretend This Never Happened. It sounds very funny. Anyone else hear about this one?

Have a good day everyone!

#149 - Revolution brew pub and restaurant opened a few years ago in Logan Square (right before we moved from Logan Square to the suburbs! Grrr.) The beer is great and the food is good too. Anyway, they are opening a new brewing facility in the city, because I think they are going to bottle or can now (I think?, but it's too early to fact-check) and that's where this event will be held. It's going to be a mini beer fest, with lots of tastings. I believe beer from other local breweries will be there as well. And there will be mystery entertainment. My husband is convinced it will be Tom Morello, but I'm not sure.

Morning, Mark! Bummer about working your day off. Haven't heard of that memoir. Think I have to add the What we Talk About When.. book to the WL. It was in the NYT Book Review a while back and sounded interesting, but with your endorsement I'll add it. Hope you have a great day!

Hope you like Jacob :)

Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir) sounds interesting..
the author is clearly nuts... that could be good...

One more thing about the moonflowers. My mother had a huge trumpet vine that she had winding around her deck. That thing was huge, but there was no way anybody would see what was happening on that deck because that trumpet vine was literally a sold wall of dark green and huge orange flowers. The down side as that the bees loved those flowers and in the daytime there were lots of them hanging around those flowers. But then it was too hot to be out on the deck in the day time anyway. Eventually my mother had to cut that vine down because it grew so big and so heavy that it was causing problems with the wooden frame of the deck wall.

Just a word of caution about using zucchini for a screen ----- they are tremendously prolific! They are, indeed, fast growers, including the produce. I'll leave a zucchini in our p-patch on Wednesday, thinking it needs to be just a wee bit larger, and by Thursday it's over-sized and good only for freezing into "zucchini smush" (which we add to soup all winter).

Still, I want to screen our view of the back of our rear neighbor's garage, so I'm going to look into the Moonflower idea......

Just wanted to pop in and say hi! Back at work after Boston, and getting ready for our school's big Spring Concert tonight.

Okay, here is something bizarre: I was skimming the Obits in my daily Trib and stumbled across Zeppelin II Led, formerly known as Henry somebody, recently passed. Is that a trip or what? This guy was born in '47, so he was about 22 when this classic album came out and he loved it enough to change his name to the album title? Wow! Personally, I would have picked Led Zeppelin IV, but that's me. Crank it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbJQT2eDseA

Kerri- "Revolution Brew Pub" sounds great. Let me know if you hear anything about the "opening". I would LOVE to attend.

Mamie- Working the day off went well. It was beautiful weather-wise and I had my books to keep me company. What We Talk About is excellent.

Kath- I'm really enjoying Defending Jacob. I'm surprised this book hasn't become more of an LT hit. It deserves it.
The woman who talked about Let's Pretend This Never Happened said she couldn't read it in public, since she was continuously busting out laughing. That's good enough for me.

Benita & Ellen- We have to be careful with these vines. Didn't you read The Ruins? Very creepy stuff.

Becca- Welcome back! And good luck with your Spring concert. Won't teacher be proud?
Looking forward to going with you guys to Printer's Row, in just a couple of weeks.

I'm not a big beer drinker but that place in Logan Square. Sounds like a great place.

I hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather. Could not ask for better.

I will be both proud and giggling uncontrollably, as my adorable munchkins are singing Little Old Lady from Pasadena while doing The Sprinkler.

I mentioned the Concord Free Press last week. Well, I already received Round Mountain, the free book I requested. It looks like a promising story collection. One I may try to fit in next month. I also made my charity donation. Once again, anyone interested, stop by their website. It's a very cool idea.

Linda- Maybe you could get a margarita there? Me and Sue are already talking about going downtown to visit this place. Yes, it was a gorgeous day and another one tomorrow.

Becca- OMG ,that's funny. Stop back and fill us in.

Hey Mark! I can't believe how long it's been since I dropped by! I don't know where my days go by, but I can't seem to keep up in these parts for sure. Oh well, not like you don't have plenty of visitors already eh? ;-)

I finished The Worst Hard Time and The Maze Runner, and I don't know if it's because you were so darn enthusiastic about both, but I was underwhelmed. It's bound to happen with the amount of books we all go through here right?

Hope all's well.

Another promising collection Mark? You do snatch those up don't you? Too bad you had to work on your day off. That just, well, sucks.

>61 msf59:/65 (yes, that is how many posts I have to catch up on!)
Scarlett was great in Lost In Translation, I loved that film. The first picture I saw her in was one with Thora Birch as well, called.....*off to google it*.....Ghost World. Scarlett was a bit "gawky teenager" in that one, but I loved its kookiness.

I should be wrapping up Iron Lake today. I will miss the bitter Minnesota winter. Keeps me cool on the route. Next up, another M & M, (I've had a killer month in that regard), called Hell and gone. I love this guy.

Ilana- Yeah, but none of these visitors compare to you. LOL. Sorry, The Worst Hard Time didn't quite work for you. It just pushed all the right buttons for me and it ended up being my favorite read of that year. The Maze Runner was much lighter but I found it very entertaining. I have the 2nd book waiting on audio.

Bonnie- I'm supposed to pass this Concord Free Press book on and it might just be you. See, the joy that gets spread around here? This is another dark New England collection. These seems to be a mainstay for you guys.

Megan- I loved Ghost World too, although it's been many years. Quirky little film. Scarlett's not a "gawky teenager" anymore! Making a leering expression.

Mark, even with extra work, you've been moving through the books at a healthy clip!
I've never read The Ruins but it sounds like a fun one. I'm waiting in the queue for What We Talk about When We Talk about Anne Frank.

Ilana, I, too, am sorry you didn't care for The Worst Hard Time as much as Mark and I did. I know we all get excited about a book (now and then) and recommend it highly and of course not everyone is going to enjoy every book equally.

You're going to love Insurgent, Mark. Looks like you're on a roll with reading good books.

I have to admit I'm a Led Zeppelin 2 guy - all those Tolkien references. :-) Hmm, food for thought: if you were going to change your name to an album title like this, what would it be?

The prob with Led Zep 4 for me is the vast right wing conspiracy to overplay Stairway to Heaven. It's great, but not for the 8 bajillionth time.

I have morning glories and moon flowers as a screen. I am intrigued by the idea that I could plant zucchini
and have it climb. That might keep the groud hogs from eating ALL of the blossoms..

I have not read The ruins but I have read the Bible. Remember the story of Jonah at Nineveh? He hated the idea of having to go there to preach that he sat out by the gate and refused to go in. It got so hot that he was about to die. God caused a gourd vine to sprout and grow. It grew overnight enough to shade him and in three days time he was completely shaded. Is that anywhere close to the story line of The Ruins?

I am currently reading Worst Hard Time and so far I like it. I am not far into it, just about 75 pages, but it has been good so far. I am from Kansas and taught school in a southwest Kansas town that was predominately German Mennonite. I have a college degree from Fort Hays State University which is in Ellis County, Kansas. All the natives of that area are German and up until the 1970's many of the people still spoke Volga German (not the same as modern German) in public. I have been to the towns of Munjor, Victoria, Schoenschoen, and Liebenthal. All that being said for that reason alone I am interested in what the author has to say about farming in southwest Kansas. So far he is right on target with his observations and his history. Right down to the importation of Turkey Red, the ancestor of all of the modern hard red winter wheat.

Mark and Ellen, I really enjoyed (not the right word, but you know what I mean) The Worst Hard Time in the beginning, but I guess I just had a problem with it becoming a bit repetitive after a while. Those dust storms sounded horrific, but at one point reading about them on every page made me lose interest I guess. What I DID appreciate about the book is how it clearly puts the responsibility on human folly and the message of warning it sends out. On the other hand, I find it discouraging that here we have seen such dramatic consequences to exploiting nature 80 years ago and yet still haven't learned the lesson, with conservancy continuing to be a major struggle. Very dispiriting, that.

#158 - Hi Mark! I responded about the beer stuff on my thread.

I had reserved Iron Lake at the library and it came in yesterday! I'll get to it pretty soon. It's guaranteed to be better than the mystery I'm listening to now (The Devil of Nanking)!

Hi, Mark! Glad to see you've gotten to Iron Lake. Hope you're enjoying it!

Okay, wrapped up Iron Lake. I like Cork O' Connor and look forward to following him on more M & M. So, moved from frigid northern Minnesota to wicked L.A., in Hell & Gone. I'm also on the homestretch of Defending Jacob. A top-notch legal thriller and an excellent audio.

Ellen- the Ruins is a very creepy horror book but Smith's 1st novel, A Simple Plan was a terrific thriller and made into a good film.

Joe- I'm going to try squeezing in insurgent after my River of smoke G.R. I'll probably be up for something lighter.
I agree about the over-playing of "Stairway", although I don't listen to classic rock stations very often, (BORING!). The good thing is most of the other songs on IV are rarely played.
I finished the Rabbi's Cat. I really enjoyed it. There was a slow middle section but it began and ended very strong. Looking forward to Book 2.

Hi Kath- Mean old blossom-eating ground-hogs!! We had one living under our shed when we first moved in but have not seen one around here in years.

Benita- LOL. There is nothing remotely similar between that bible story and the Ruins. The vines in the latter book are devious and flesh-eating. Very dark & creepy.
Hope you continue to enjoy the Worst Hard Time. It's an amazing read and I'm glad you are getting to it.

Ilana- No problem, my friend! Shit happens. I thought the Worst Hard Time was one of the best examples of narrative non-fiction that I've read.

Kerri & Terri- Yes, I really enjoyed Iron Lake. I loved the frigid wilderness setting and the Native American lore and plus there was M & M aplenty.

Glad you liked The Rabbi's Cat, Mark. No worries, Insurgent will wait. I just know you'll enjoy it when you get to it.

56) Disco for the Departed (Book 3) by Colin Cotterill 4.3 stars

Dr. Siri Paiboun, our favorite Laotian coroner returns. It’s 1977 and this time he is summoned to northern Laos, to investigate a body, buried in cement and joining him on this trip is his faithful nurse Dtui. The mystery in this story, however well it unravels, is secondary to these wonderful characters. They are smart and witty and oh so engaging.
There is also just the right amount of eastern mysticism , with Siri having the gift of “vision” and being able to speak with the dearly departed. This leads to one of my absolute favorite scenes, involving Siri, a shuttered disco and the discovery of dance. I still break into a smile thinking about it.
If you haven’t tried this series, do yourself a big favor and track these books down.

BTW- I did not know you could eat bats and they taste like duck!

Lastly, read both Joe & Richard's reviews of this one. They do better justice than my shabby ramblings.

You are a reading machine.

Hi Mark!
Glad to see that you are still liking the Colin Cotterill books as I am starting the first one next month!

I think I would skip the bat entree though!

57) What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories by Nathan Englander 4.5 stars

This is a collection of eight stories, with the Jewish experience being a major theme in nearly every tale. There are two couples having a cultural and religious showdown, a man trapped in a “peep show”, an aging author, making the rounds to various book signings, where no one attends, a group of boys trying to rally against an anti-Semite bully and, my favorite, a visit to a Jewish elder hostel, starts funny and becomes very dark. I’m not Jewish and I know little of Judaism but I was drawn into the lives of these richly-drawn characters. This was a fine introduction to an equally fine writer.

Oh boy, yeah I'm not going to be able to pass this one up Mark. Onto the teetering tower it goes.

You've been busily reading away here, Mark. I'm glad you enjoyed Iron Lake, I think I liked the next one even better. I need to get to both the Colin Cotterill and Duane Swierczynski series, will have to bookhorn them in at some point!

Nice reviews, Mark. I have to agree with Ellen - you ARE a reading machine! You are really on a roll this month.

Ellen & Mamie- The M & M books have really beefed up my numbers this month. I've read/listened to 13 books so far, with a week left to go. I'll be closing it out with a chunkster though, 11/22/63.

Chelle- I haven't seen anyone not like the Cotterill series, so you are in for a treat. And they are nice quick reads, which is a bonus.

Bonnie- I'm not sure my mini-review was effective but Englander is a heck of a writer. I'm sure you will enjoy this one.

Judy- Hell and Gone is the 2nd book in a trilogy (I believe) but the rest of his books are mostly stand-alones, which in this genre is refreshing.
Yes, keep that bookhorn handy. I always have it, within arm's reach.

>179 msf59: Nice review of Englander's short story collection, Mark. Another one for the wishlist!

Mark, I just finished Arcadia and it was wonderful. The tale spans many decades, but concentrates on the one characters point of view. Exquisitly written, this tale of how childhood affects you the rest of your life. It was a quick read, I highly recommend.

In keeping with your M&M I just picked up Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante. It stars off with a bang, a murder and a suspect with dementia, told so far from the point of view of the woman with Alzheimer's. We only know what she knows, or what she doesn't know/remember.

Mark - You will LOVE 11/22/63!! That was my first Stephen King book, and I could not believe what a great writer he is. He certainly has a way with words, and his characterizations are wonderful. I need to read something else by him.

OK Judy and Mark - What is a bookhorn?

Hi Mark!
Came over to get inspired - not so much to read (I don't really need inspiration for that!) but to FINISH something! I'm needing to settle down now. I think...

Hope you are not too hot - but then you don't want winter. Funny, I always thought Chicago was cold - but I am learning differently. What happened to the "windy city"? Can't you scare up even a nice breeze?

March on, my fav carrier ;-)

Good morning, Mark. I looked at What We Talk about When We Talk about Anne Frank at the book sale yesterday, but stuck to my near-absolute ban on buying hardcover books. It looks like an excellent collection.

I have Englander's book Ministry of Special Cases on my great pile and have wanted to read it for ages. Maybe later this summer. Thanks for reminding me of Englander. But then Paul reminded me of Fred Vargas and somebody told me that Sean Bean was going to be this South African detective in books written by Deon Meyer and I have been wanting to get to Honorable Schoolboy, etc. etc. and so it goes.

>186 Crazymamie: Mamie, a bookhorn is the implement one uses to jam *yet*another* must-read-now book onto your TBR list/shelves or into your head. Like a shoehorn, only less smelly.

Hi, Mark. I agree with Ellen, you're a reading machine these days! I got the same kick out of Disco for the Departed that you did. I'm already trying to figure out how to bookhorn in (love that!) another in that series.

Mark has the lovely habit of making up the appropriate word to fit the situation - therefore "bookhorn" - something most of us here on LT have to do regularly. I also saw him call himself "book busy" which is another great phrase for us LTers.

Disco for the Departed... catchy title!

Diary of Anne Frank! I read it many times. While I am sure that What We Think Of is good..
I think I will let that one go...

I haven't opened a book in days, again. I have been ridiculously busy doing I know not what.
Stuff. I think I will have another dry day or two ahead? or maybe I can get in a few chapters tinight. Dinner will be late though and that never helps.. :P

oh well!carry one Mr Machine :)

Lots of sun today, pushing 90, with a healthy breeze, which helped me stay somewhat comfortable. Finished the terrific Defending Jacob.

Linda- Thanks! Add it to your SS WL.

Susan- I'm so glad you loved Arcadia. It helped confirm my "book instinct" on that one. Now, I have to decide if I want to request it from the library or just buy the darn thing.
I have not read La Plante. Is she related to the author who wrote the Prime Suspect series?

Mamie- I start the King "Monster" tomorrow. What were you considering next for Mr. King?
Please read RD's post #190 for a perfect definition of a bookhorn! He nailed it.

Claudia- Yes, we had a very mild winter but don't think Chicago is a lightweight in the harsh winter department. We don't compare with Minnesota but we get our fair share.
Plenty of wind today, it's been blowing pretty good all day.

Ellen- Good luck with that "near-absolute ban"! It must take some discipline. I'm sure you could get the Englander collection from the library. It was fairly short.

Benita- LT continues to pull us in so many directions. We are like book Gumby's. Have you been listening to BOTNS? I saw that you added a couple titles that they mentioned. BOTNS is also a dangerous place.

RD- That's perfect! Thank you, sir. We'll have to add that one to our LT Dictionary.

Joe- My book total for this year my be a record breaker. And I love it. The crime/mystery reads are typically shorter, so that helped a lot.

Judy- I'll tell you, that bookhorn has been working overtime. It was worth every imaginary penny.

Kath- You should give the 1st Dr. Siri book a try. You might like it. It's more of an upbeat mystery series, which you don't see that often.
Despite the title, this collection didn't really have much to do with Anne Frank, although in the title story, they were playing the Anne Frank Game, where you guess what friends and neighbors, would hide you if there was another holocaust.

176: Huh, and I always thought bats tasted like chicken. Sorry, Mark, couldn't resist. Your comment brought me out of lurk mode.

Richard - Thanks much for "learning" me! I marked your definition as a favorite because it tickled me so. I just love this crowd - I am trying to soak up the local color and learn the language because I think I might like to retire here!!

Mark - Everyone assures me that I must read The Stand next, so that is probably just what I'll do. Not in June because I plan on sitting a lot - preferably with an alcoholic drink in one hand.

No one has asked for bat yet at the cafe, Mark, but I'm sure you're going to inspire somebody.

You're killing me with these great books, Mark, reminding me of what I have waiting on the shelf! The new King is supposed to be great, I'm thinking about making it a fall read. How many audio CDs is it?

I have reached a new record high or low, depending on one's perspective. I have, as of now, forty-eight books out from the liberry.

Forty.

Eight.

And in today's mail, I received a surprise package of Adam Haslett's short story collection, courtesy of Our Host here. I read fast, and I Pearl Rule liberally, but does anyone have any ideas on how I can get ~6hrs added to the reading day?

Especially when Some People insist on being Satanic tempters.

Yes, I'm FINALLY starting the monster, 11/22/63. I'll be both reading & listening to this bad boy, although I have a couple days left with Hell & gone.

Donna- I thought the same thing. LOL. Thanks for de-lurking. I'll try to make more creepy animal refrences.

Mamie- You can't go wrong with The Stand. It still remains one of my favorite King books and it was his 1st whopper.
"preferably with an alcoholic drink in one hand." That's my girl!

Joe- You could be a trend-setter. Bat Burgers! Remember, don't knock it until you try it!

Joanne- This year is shaping up to be another fine reading year. I received 11/22/63 for Christmas and intended to squeeze it in 3 months running, with no luck. And the bookhorn was useless on this baby. I believe it's 29 parts! Wow!

RD- 48!! That is staggering. You might as well get 2 more and have one for each state in the union. How do you keep track?
I'm glad you received the Haslett book. Looking forward to your thoughts. I thought it might make a good fit for you.
Those "Satanic tempters"! This place is full of 'em!

Hey Mark! Enjoy your Friday and have a memorable Memorial Day Weekend. Hope you're off Saturday for a 3 dayer.

Enjoy your holiday weekend, Mark!

Happy Friday, Mark! Hope you have a great weekend - that King whopper will take up some of your time, I'm sure.

Richard - 48? I have 40 out from the library, and think that is high. I have read three out of that stack this month, so am doing fairly well. 48? Let us know how you fare with them.

Mark - What holiday weekend? Does somebody have a holiday? Not those of us who are in the over-worked and under-payed part of the public sector. Must be nice having one of those OTHER kind of public sector jobs. You know the ones who are under-worked and over-paid.

Yes, I HAVE to work on Monday. It is not a holiday at The University of Alabama. If I worked for a state bank or a state institution I could have the Confederate Memorial Day off. For those of you who don't know - that is the last Tuesday in April.

I will be going to supper on Sunday with friends, but not on Monday.

>200 richardderus: does anyone have any ideas on how I can get ~6hrs added to the reading day?

If you find out Richard, do let us know will you? That would come in so handy. I added about ten hours a day reading time by retiring but I don't know where it went. It doesn't seem like I added anything. And you're right, "Satanic tempters" are everywhere!

Oh BTW Mark, I'm reading a thousand pager myself right now.

Glad to see that you enjoyed Jacob.

I read 11/22/63 in about one day.. it is that good.

"And to think I wasted one of my beers on you!"

"That beer sucked," Hardie said.

-Hell and Gone

What a beautiful late Spring day! The cool breeze was to die for. The King "Monster" immediately pulled me into it's wonderful embrace. The audio version is terrific and I managed to knock out the 1st 100 pages. I am pleased.

Lynda- Sadly, I work tomorrow. It will be like a ghost town. I'm off Sunday & Monday, work Tuesday and my regular day off next week will be Wednesday. So that's not to shabby.

Ellen & Joe- You guys have a great holiday weekend too!

Benita- Sorry you have to work Monday! Memorial Day is a big federal holiday. Hey, who you calling "under-worked and over-paid"? I wish.
I can not believe you have 40 books out from the library? Wow! Do most of them get returned unread? Funny, if I have 4 or 5 out at once, I start getting nervous.

Bonnie- Even if you are not reading as much as you thought you would after retiring, do you think you are still reading "more"? How is that 1,000 page chunkster?

Kath- I really enjoyed Defending Jacob. I'll try drumming up a review on Sunday. I am loving 11/22/63. You DID NOT read it in one day, come on! It'll probably take me, close to a week and that's listening & reading.

I love Ellens "near-absolute ban' on hard cover books. Sounds like my kind of rule.

Good luck with your doorstop hefty tome, aka, bad boy, aka 11/22/63 Mark!

Mark - I hope you manage to find a nook to hideaway and make inroads into your King tome. Have a great weekend.

Yep one day...there should be some proof somewhere. On that thread. I might try to find it tomorrow if I have time. I have to help prepare for Owen's baptim. Probably kid wrangling .... But ?

Eta

Thread 8.

Happy Saturday! Day 6 for me and a warm one too. Looking forward to 2 days off. We did pick up our patio furniture, so that needs to be assembled one of those days and it's going to be HOT.

Megan- At least it's a fast-moving "hefty tome, aka, bad boy". That always helps. Are you a King fan?

Paul- I'll be wrapping up Hell and Gone today, (good crazy fun) and then I can focus completely on 11/22/63. It'll be a nice way to wrap up M & M.

Kath- Wow! That's impressive. My wife is like that. If she is locked in, she will keep reading until she's done. I need breaks. My little brain can only take in so much. I guess.
Sounds like you'll be busy this weekend. That's good, right?

I have been too easily distracted in recent months.
I have a lot on my mind. Most of the time, that is what keeps me from focused reading.
A word, a phrase... or just a thought, takes me away and ?

I get to keep books for a whole semester so usually end up turning in everything I haven't read at the end of the semester. I do put them in LT if I have checked them out. Sometimes I actually go back and read some of them. Like White Rhino Hotel.

Hey everyone! Quiet on LT today. I can hear the tapping echoes of my keyboard. It got very warm here in the afternoon and will stay that way until Tuesday. We are attending a friend's anniversary party tonight and maybe a little pool-side barbeque tomorrow. Sounds like the perfect place to be. It's supposed to be mid-90s.

I am LOVING 11/22/63. I am happily flying along.

Kath- Hope your day is going well! It sounds like you're busy.

Benita- Hope you get some quiet time in this weekend and can knock out some reading.

Have fun tonight, Mark! Perfect weekend for parties and pool-side bbq's. Glad you're flying through 11/22/63.

Hi Mark! Looks like you've had a few excellent books in a row. I loved 11/22/63 - I won't read horror, so never thought I'd read Stephen King, but that book was fantastic!

Glad to hear you're enjoying the Stephen King book. I loved it...one of my favorites of the year.

We are in the cold sector. My sister was telling me that, I the western suburbs, it was close to 90. Up here only in the mid 60s (and only an hour or so away).

Sunny and 70 in Portland. Yay! Love Stephen King, but haven't read 11/22/63 yet.

Hello Mark - I got a bargain price copy of 11/12/63 - think I will have to bump it up the list!Some great books you are reading there...

Mark, it's great that you could listen to audio books while working. Now, when I see Mail Carriers without earbuds I think of all the walking miles wasted.
Mmmmm, perhaps if I become a dog walker I could get a few more books into my schedule.
Have a great couple of days off!

We had a nice time at the party. The beer selection was very limited, (didn't they know I was coming??) but they did drag out some Newcastle, which saved the evening.

The same anniversary couple is also hosting the pool BBQ this afternoon. It's gonna be a scorcher!

I am busy lately, that is why not much reading. Frustrating at times... but what can you do ?
Have a nice weekend!

Joe- Have a nice day with birthday girl! Hopefully you guys will stay somewhere cool. Are you giving her any books?

Mary- Great to see you over here! Yes, I've been on a nice book roll and I can see no reason why it shouldn't continue.

Linda- I hope you stay in the cold sector today. That will be the place to be. At the party last night I was talking to a couple friends who also have recently read 11/22/63. It's a fun book to talk about.

Kim- You just made my day! So good to see you! Sounds gorgeous in Portland.

Prue- It's so nice to see you stop over here! I received 11/22/63 for Christmas, (that's my favorite bargain price) but I think it's sheer bulk prevented me from picking it up. It's such a fast read, though! It's great to see Stephen King so late in his career churning out such quality.

Lynda- Audiobooks have been the Mother Lode for me. Reading print books is my preferred method but like you said why waste "all the walking miles". I think you should be a dog walker, although if you start a good book you might walk their little legs off.

58) Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger 4 stars

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep. “

-Robert Frost

Cork O’ Connor’s life is a mess. He was not re-elected as sheriff of a small burg in northern Minnesota. His marriage has collapsed and he’s living in a rundown Quonset hut. He is out of shape and smokes like a fiend. Things need to change.
When the town judge is found dead, of an apparent suicide, Cork finds himself pulled into a tangled, deadly web of deceit, greed and murder. I don’t think this was the change old Cork was hoping for.
The winter setting, the deep woods atmosphere and the Native American lore, are all perfectly realized. This is the first in a series and I’m looking forward to re-visiting Cork in the beautiful boundary waters.

>225 msf59: Thumbs-upped your review! I'm overloaded now, so I refuse to add it to my list. REFUSE. I. Will. Not.

*sighs defeatedly, orders from liberry*

I had to post this whole gorgeous poem:

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

That is a beaut, Mark. Fun to read it and imagine that scene while sitting on the porch in May!

I'm giving Becca a couple of light, fun books, among other presents she's getting from us. I better not give the titles because she's been known to stop by here. :-)

I love Frost! I have a book of his poetry....
That book looks way too tempting Joe :(

59) Defending Jacob by William Landay 4.2 stars

A fourteen year old boy is found brutally murdered in a park. Andy Barber is an assistant DA in Newton Massachusetts and is promptly put in charge of the case. A short time later, Andy’s son, a classmate of the murdered boy, is arrested for the crime. That is all the plot I am revealing. Sorry, Charlie.
This is a terrific, emotionally-charged legal thriller. It’s a page-burner but I also turned each page with a bit of fear and dread, as the story unraveled, with a few wicked twists.
As the father of a son, who got into his share of trouble, I could really relate. Fortunately, my bouncing baby boy kept to minor misdemeanors. Whew!

I am not all that into poetry but that Robert Frost one is a favorite.

"Hey, Ozzie," I said softly. "I'm coming for you, you fuck."

-11/22/63

Yes, I've been reading the "monster" and loving every second. I've had to read it, propped on a cushion, to avoid a hernia.

RD- Thanks for the Thumb! Hey, you already have 48 books out, what difference will one or two make?

Joe- Once again, have a wonderful day with your daughter. I miss mine. She comes in, in July. Yah!

Kath- Did you call me Joe? I might pick up a book of Frost's poetry. I'm not sure I've read much of him.

Laura- Most poetry escapes me too! Once in awhile, something speaks to me, thanks to Iron Lake, where it was referenced.

Finally caught up here - leaving the house during showing is seriously cutting into my LT time!! I think I have to add both Iron Lake and Defending Jacob to my WL. LOVE Robert Frost! Sounds like you are enjoying your weekend - we are having a scorcher here, too. 95 today - YIKES. At least we also have a nice breeze.

I've got Iron Lake sitting on my Nook--freebie download several months ago==and keep meaning to get to it. Now, you're pushing me over the edge. I'm just afraid I'm going to love it, and have ANOTHER SERIES to which I will get addicted. Of course, I'm just about finished the Dr. Siri's so maybe this won't be a bad thing?

Ok, I just looked....local liberries seem to have almost all of Cork O'Connor on audio, so I guess I'm plunging in...

Notes on 11/22/63: I love when Jake goes to a drive-in, showing "The Long Hot Summer" & 'Vertigo". Now that's a double feature! I wonder what audiences back then thought of "Vertigo" when it first came out? It's such a dark, twisted film.

I also like the word- sensayuma (sense of humor)

Mamie- Where do you go, while you kill time? And how long? It's like an oven out there right now.

Tina- I plan on trying the next Cork O' Connor on audio. With the right narrator, it should work out fine.

We are heading out in a few minutes...into the blast furnace.

Hi Mark! I'm trying to catch up here! I already have Iron Lake, based on your review, and I might put Defending Jacob on the wishlist as well.

I hope you're drinking some good beers this weekend!

>212 msf59: not really a King fan I confess, i might read his book on Writing one day though

>222 msf59: Newcastle Brown Ale! Yum-O

Yes, I think some beer is in order tonight. I have been reading for hours today, but it hasn't been anything fun. Gobs of piles of papers...But my piles are all gone!! Yay me. : )

yep. I sure did!
that what comes of rushing from thread to thread.
Where are you in the King book?

The pool party went well. The water was wonderful. Standing, knees bent, water to my chin, sipping a brew. Life is good. It was HOT! No cookout, they had a lot of food from last night. Everything was tasty.
Now, as soon as my son gets home from work, we will watch the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones.

Kerri- I've been drinking some decent beers but nothing earth-shattering. I did pick up some Chimay yesterday but haven't cracked it open.
Hope you guys are having a good weekend.

Megan- This King book I'm going to press on everyone. Non-fans, included.

Kim- Let me know what beers you are trying! Sorry not interested in mass-market domestics. Yes, I'm a beer snob.
Glad you made it through the piles, hopefully you can start reading something fun.

Kath- You can call me Joe, just not Richard. LOL. I'm right at the 280 page mark of the King book. Not bad, for me, after 3 days.

Glad to hear that you liked the William Kent Krueger book, Mark. I read the first three in the series and really liked them but seem to have forgotten about them. Blood Hollow would be my next one, I think.

Mark - They book anywhere from 1/2 hour to a full hour. We have been going to a local park that is just around the corner from our home. Lots of trees, so lots of shade, and we take the dogs' water bowl - we just hang out. Hopefully it will sell soon before the summer really sets in because I can see it getting old quickly.

Hi Mark, sounds like you found the perfect way to beat the heat today. You got me with Defending Jacob. I already have the Stephen King on my wishlist, and I've read the first two Cork O'Connor's. We had a lovely warmish early summer day here, looks like you mid-westerners have jumped right into full summer!

Hey Mark, that was a pretty intense episode of Game of Thrones wasn't it? Poor Coco was stressed out the whole time, and I found they did a great job adapting the intense battle described in the book. Just one more left, boo! Then I'll have to fall back on book 3, not so bad altogether!

Had to add Defending Jacob to the wishlist....Love the line from the King book...

Hi Mark, Glad to hear you're having a fun weekend. I have Iron Lake hiding on my nook. Happy to see that this freebie was good!

227> One of my all-time favorite poems, Mark.

I'm glad you're enjoying a weekend with some beer, 11/22/63, and some nice weather!

Happy Memorial Day! I'm not sure if there are any vets that visit here but if so, I salute you. I was in the army from late '79 to mid-'86. Fortunately, all during peace-time. Reagan was making sure we stayed safe and spent some big bucks to prove it.

It's also our wedding anniversary. 23 big ones!

Of course, I'm deeply immersed in 11/22/63 but I also started Are You My Mother?, because it's due at the end of the week. It's a graphic memoir, her 2nd, of course this one dealing with her mother. It's beautifully done.

Linda- I will definitely follow Cork O' Connor, for at least a few more adventures .It sounds like the books are fairly consistent. Enjoy the holiday.

Mamie- Fingers crossed for you! I hope someone bites soon. At least, you are having showings, keep 'em coming.

Judy- I don't read legal thrillers much, but this one was a keeper all the way. Very emotional. And yes, it feels like the dog days of August, although it cools off nicely tomorrow. Yah!

Ilana- Believe it or not, my wife bailed on me for Thrones. Double Boo! So, we'll have to watch it tonight. It's good to hear it was another winner. Sorry Coco got stressed. Poor little guy.

Prue- I'm surprised there wasn't more LT buzz on Defending Jacob. It's one of those titles that can get readers talking.

Joanne- Freebies are good. I think I'll try the next book or 2, in the series, on audio and see how that goes. You guys have a great holiday too!

Ellen- Yes, that's a nice combination, although it could be about 15 degrees cooler for my taste. It looks like it might dip into the 60s by Wednesday. Crazy.
Like, I mentioned above, I started Are You My Mother?. She is such a talent.
Have a great holiday!

Oh dear...

60) Hell and Gone by Duane Swierczynski 4 stars

Charlie “"Unkillable Chuck" Hardie is back, after barely surviving the epic shootout with the devious Accident People in Fun & Games. If you thought that was a sinister rollercoaster ride, just tighten your grip on the crash-bar, because you are about to take a wicked plunge, tumbling along with Charlie down the rabbit hole.
I’m not sure anyone is writing crime novels, with such crazed and inventive audacity, as
Swiercynski. These books are smart, funny and mind-blowing. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for the final book in the trilogy. I’m leaving my flak jacket on, just in case.



Hopefully sometime this year!

Happy Memorial Day, Mark! I thought I remembered you were a vet. Thanks for being on the alert for us all. Were you as big a reader back then? Was it hard to get your hands on books you liked to read?

I'm glad you read and liked Hell and Gone. I really enjoyed Fun and Games, but some readers who liked that one had reservations about Hell and Gone that I couldn't quite decipher. Now I'll go find it.

Wish you a relaxing Memorial Day and a happy anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary and Memorial Day, Mark!

Story that may amuse you: We've discussed my son Keith before. He warned me yesterday that on Monday, he would be watching his recording of Game of Thrones. His habit is usually to do it when I'm still at work, but since I would be off today...well, he turns the volume up to almost max, and eats a DiGiornio Meatball Marinara pizza, and he apologized, but he really couldn't put it off beyond today because it was the big battle scene. Lucky for me, my father invited me to dinner, and he is going to be able to watch it alone. Although, I suspect I'll hear it anyway, as my father only lives a block away...

Anyway, thought you'd get a kick out of the obsession!

Have a great day!

Happy Memorial Day, Mark! Authors should be paying you for all the great advertising you do...

Yooohoooo... I'm baaa-ack! Have a great day, Marky-Mark. I've only just caught up on your thread. whew!

Joe- Yes, I've been an avid reader since my early teens. I'm sure I didn't read as much in the military but I never stopped.
Hell and Gone is not as consistently good as fun and Games but more than worthy.

Joanne- Thanks! I hope you are having a nice holiday too!

Terri- Great story! Yes, your son sounds like a rabid fan. We are going to watch it tonight and I heard it's a good one. Only one more left after this one. Sad Face!

Kim- Thanks! Wouldn't that be nice to be paid? I could quit my job, read and hang out here. Cool.

Caro's back! Caro's back! Yippeeeee! I hope you are staying put for awhile.

"Because the past is sly as well as obdurate. It fights back."

-11/22/63



The Lindy-Hop



1955 Ford Sunliner



Marina Oswald

I know, i've been playing hookey here, lately....and?

Thumbed your review of Iron Lake.....i have it on one of the eReaders, and was saving it for Hot Weather...which we're having now, in spades. I might have to turn on the AC in a couple of hours...and dread the electric bill to follow.

Yes, Hell and Gone....back to the weather reference!

All those fine beer photos...and all I have is Millers...*sob* It's too hot anyway..

You've been doing some fine reading lately, and that's a good thing....feeding my Wishlist and all

I started a Sci Fi "Golden Oldie"....Stand on Zanzibar....and boy, did Brunner nail "the future".....the beginning is LOL funny...but, it's kinda slow going. The whole set-up of the book takes some getting used to...it's jumpy and sometimes disconnected, but i'm beginning to see a "pattern"...or else it's lulling me into submission

Stay cool.....

>252 msf59: Thumbs-upped ya!

I'm so glad you're enjoying 11/22/63, Mark, since it was a very favorite of mine, too. I am vicariously enjoying it afresh as you enjoy it.

>260 jdthloue: That fractured pattern sense is part of my fond memory of Stand on Zanzibar, too, Jude.

>261 richardderus: I can't believe i never read Stand on Zanzibar before.......but i am thoroughly enjoying the whole glorious mess

;-)

Ahh...I can't do Stephen King anymore, but I'm glad you're enjoying the read, Marky-Mark. And yes, I am staying put ...for a few weeks anyway.

Caro... this one is different.. I promise.

Happy Anniversary and Best Wishes for many more!!

>249 msf59: Are you My Mother is the only Are you My Mother book that I know of :) I had it read to me and I now read my old copy to my own littlies.

It nice to have books pushed on me, Im serious. I like it. Its great when people like something enough that they really really want people to read it too.

What is going on here Mark? Are you somehow reading while you sleep? Or aren't you sleeping? I have no idea how you're reading so many books. You must be challenging Suzanne at this point;-) My Stephen King days are long gone but I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Happy Anniversary and Happy memorial Day!

Jude- Yes, you have been playing hookey over here but it's good to have you visiting again. Always puts a smile on my face.
What are you doing with Millers? I'll drink an MGD in a pinch but I won't buy it. Snobby, I know. You might like Iron Lake. Maybe a bit conventional for you but the setting is really nice. Stand on Zanzibar sounds interesting. I'll keep an eye out for your thoughts.

RD- I appreciate the Thumb! And yes, King is at the top of his game here and I'm enjoying posting the stray image or quote.

Caro- Listen to Kath! This King is one for non-King fans. We would I pull your chain?

Get 'er Kath!

Tammy- Thank you! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Megan- If you can find a copy of Fun Home. Try that one 1st. Very dark and creepy and superbly rendered. Bechdel is a fine illustrator but her writing is also very strong.

Bonnie- No question, I've had a good month. I sometimes bunch my reviews, due to time and mood, so it might look like I'm churning them out faster than I am. Also, these M & M books are quick reads.
Please reconsider 11/22/63. This is not your typical King book and it does have a nice chunk of American history too!
Thanks for the kind wishes!