DorsVenabili's 75 in 2012 (Part Three)

The homebrew tap system at Kerri's place, courtesy of husband Joe.

***CURRENTLY READING***



Read in January:
1. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running - Haruki Murakami (audiobook)
2. A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan (ebook)
3. The Gospel Singer - Harry Crews (print book)
4. The Orange Eats Creeps - Grace Krilanovich (print book)
5. Eating Animals - Jonathan Safran Foer (audiobook)
6. Diary of a Bad Year - J.M. Coetzee (print book)
7. Hand Me Down World - Lloyd Jones (print book)
8. The Kinks' The Village Green Preservation Society (Thirty Three and a Third series) - Andy Miller (audiobook)

Read in February:
9. God on the Rocks - Jane Gardam (print book)
10. Velvet Underground's The Velvet Underground and Nico (Thirty Three and a Third series) - Joe Harvard (audiobook)
11. The Good Terrorist - Doris Lessing (print book)
12. The Optimist's Daughter - Eudora Welty (print book)
13. Life and Times of Michael K. - J.M. Coetzee (print book)
14. American Salvage - Bonnie Jo Campbell (print book)
15. Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion - Janet Reitman (audiobook)
16. Zoo City - Lauren Beukes (ebook)

Read in March:
17. County: Life, Death and Politics at Chicago's Public Hospital - David Ansell (audiobook)
18. The Enormous Room - e.e. cummings (ebook)
19. Woman on the Edge of Time - Marge Piercy (print book)
20. Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea - Barbara Demick (audiobook)
21. Lost Memory of Skin - Russell Banks (print book)
22. The Lives of Animals - J.M. Coetzee (print book)
23. Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems (The Blackwell Philosophy Series) - James B. South, Ed. (audiobook)
24. The Old Man and Me - Elaine Dundy (ebook)

Read in April:
25. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother - Amy Chua (audiobook)
26. The Pride of Chanur - C.J. Cherryh (print book) Not Rated
27. Bad Intentions - Karin Fossum (ebook)
28. City of Night - John Rechy (ebook)
29. Library and Information Center Management - Robert D. Stueart and Barbara B. Moran (print book)
30. Information and Records Management: Document-Based Information Systems - Robek, Brown, and Stephens (print book)

Read in May:
31. The Warmth of Other Suns - Isabel Wilkerson (audiobook)
32. The Caller - Karin Fossum (audiobook)
33. Jake’s Thing - Kingsley Amis (print book)
34. The Flatey Enigma - Viktor Arnar Ingolfsson (audiobook)
35. The Roots of the Olive Tree - Courtney Miller Santo (print book) (Booklist, July 2012)
36. A View of the Harbour - Elizabeth Taylor (print book)
37. The Keeper of Lost Causes - Jussi Adler-Olsen (audiobook)
38. In the Heart of the Country - J.M. Coetzee (print book)
39. The Bookshop - Penelope Fitzgerald (print book)
40. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood - Marjane Satrapi (print book)
41. On Writing Well - William Zinsser (print book)
42. The Day of the Triffids - John Wyndham (audiobook)

Read in June:
43. The Prisoner of Heaven - Carlos Ruiz Zafon (print book) (Booklist)
44. Hyperthought - M.M. Buckner (audiobook)
45. The Red House - Mark Haddon (print book)
46. The Crossing Places - Elly Griffiths (audiobook)
47. Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey (audiobook) Not Rated
48. Illywhacker - Peter Carey (print book)
49. The Children of Men - P.D. James (audiobook)
50. The Siege of Krishnapur - J.G. Farrell (ebook)

Read in July:
51. Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995 - Joe Sacco (print book)
52. Jar City - Arnaldur Indridason (audiobook)
53. Waiting for the Barbarians - J.M. Coetzee (print book)
54. Schroder - Amity Gaige (print book) (Booklist)
55. Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert A. Heinlein (audiobook)
56. The Quest for Christa T. - Christa Wolf (print book)
57. Generosity: An Enhancement - Richard Powers (audiobook)
58. Bicycling Magazine's New Cyclist Handbook - Ben Hewitt (print book)
59. Elizabeth Costello - J.M. Coetzee (print book)
60. Last Letters from Hav - Jan Morris (print book)
61. Ride Your Way Lean - Selene Yeager (print book)
62. Thomas Hardy: The Time-Torn Man - Claire Tomalin (audiobook)

Read in August:
63. Skios - Michael Frayn (print book)
64. Narcopolis - Jeet Thayil (print book)

Saved

I always save one more than I intended to save. Oh well.

Hi Kerri - nice new thread:)

Look--a new thread! I bet you could think of something to fill the space in #4. I always run out of spaces myself.

#6 and #7 - Hi calm and Anne! Thanks for visiting.

Hi Kerri: Nice new thread. I'll be anxious to hear what you think about the Carey book. I keep meaning to pick up one of his. I enjoyed Crossing Places, but the combination of mystery and archeology is a winner for me -- and in this case I also found Ruth to be a great character.

Hi Kerri,
Your set up is looking very familiar to me! Apart from the...that's not a freezer is it?....but the records, the beer, the books, the bottles, the guitar...it looks like our place! (Ill show the brewer and get his opinion)

Hi Kerri! Hope you're enjoying your Friday!

Hi Dors, tell us about the photo - it looks like a wooden panel, sandwiched between the base and lid of a chest freezer, with three beer taps mounted on it - is that close? what does it dispense, beer or wine?

Kerri- When can I come over and try that tap? It looks like a nice set-up! Congrats on the new thread!
Enjoy the show, I've heard they've been doing a good job adapting the latest album.

Hi Kerri! That's an interesting home brew system!

#9 - Hi Beth - This is my first Carey book and so far, so good. I'm reading it for my Booker 1978/1985 challenge, and I'm at page 40 or so. Only 560 to go!

#10 - Hi Megan - That's us - books, beer, and records! That's the upstairs room, which is supposed to be the master bedroom (we don't see the need for a huge master bedroom), but we're going to turn it into a den, with TV, couches, and perhaps a small bar. And my electric piano is up there as well. It's kind of a weird room.

#11 - Thanks, Laura! I hope you have a lovely Friday as well.

#12 - Hi! Since I blab about beer all the time here, I thought I'd post a picture of my husband's system. There are three kegs of homebrewed beer inside. Right now it's a vanilla stout, and then there's a rye IPA, and a Belgian blonde that are not quite ready yet. It's made from a converted freezer.

#13 - Hi Mark - Anytime! Yeah - it's nice and it's even nicer that I don't have to help him bottle anymore. That was a pain in the butt. I will give a Radiohead update Sunday. They're always awesome and manage to pull that stuff off.

#14 - Thanks, Chelle! He makes it, and I drink it. It's a good system.

*************************************

In general, I'm much more robot, than dragon, but I just started Dragonflight, so we'll see how that goes. Someone from the 12 in 12 group recommended it, I think.

...I see, neat idea, so does the freezer keep the beer chilled (or frozen) ??

...and, I have fond memories of reading Anne McCaffrey when I was younger but I think it's the sort of thing you grow out of TBH, though I've noticed stuff like The Hunger Games and The Book Thief are pretty popular so maybe it's just me turning into a BOF (boring old fart).

Hi Kerri - that looks like a serious home-brewing system.

#15 I read Dragonflight earlier this year as my first McCaffrey book and thought it was a little bit dated but pretty good. I've been meaning to get the next book in the series out from the library. It's actually sf rather than fantasy so hopefully it will appeal to the robot lover in you :-)

Kerri, congrats on your new and, mmm, sober, thread - With that on tap in the house I think I would be too sozzled to get any reading done!

Like Peter Carey and have Illywhacker on the shelves, interested to see how you get along with him.

#16 - Hi feca67 - There is actually some sort of temperature regulator attached to it that turns it into a refrigerator. That's about all I know.

I'm approaching Dragonflight with an open mind, so hopefully it will be a pleasant experience. I'm on a roll with books that I had low expectations for, but then they ended up being quite good (The Red House and The Day of the Triffids).

#17 - Hi Heather - Yes! I started the very beginning (audiobook) and there was some mention of a faraway bizarro planet. Excellent and unexpected!

#18 - Hi Paul - Ha! We do try to keep it to weekends. The kegs last quite a while.

This is my first Carey novel. I haven't gotten much farther with it, as yesterday was a busy day and today will be as well.

Still hoping to join you reading Illywhacker later this month. Must try to read a few of the libraries books first though:)

#20 - Hi calm! No worries - I think I'll be at this one for a while. I'm guessing you'll catch up at the rate I'm going.

Hi Kerri - just catching up and love the home brew system in the photo. One of my brother's is into home brew but he bottles is - not a keg system on tap like assuming your husband does!

Hi Lori! I am so thankful for the tap system, as it means I no longer have to help him bottle. I'm a fan of drinking the beer, but not so much a fan of helping with the brewing : ) I'm also thankful that he no longer brews on the stove indoors and has moved on to a gigantic Bunsen burner thing in the garage.

A brief note on Dragonflight: I'm listening to it as an audiobook and it's definitely not helpful that three of the characters have similar names - F'lar, F'nor, and Fax. Anyway, I found a character list on a Pern website, so that should help a bit. I think it has the honor of being the most difficult book to follow on audio that I've encountered so far. Lot's of rewinding going on.

Hi Kerri. I don't care much for dragons, so I'll pass on Dragonflight. Good luck with the audio; it sounds like a challenge.

Hi Kerri- Hope you had a great time at the show! How was it?

#25 - Hi Beth! - I took the day off from Dragonflight, as I'm tired from getting very little sleep last night. I'll get back on that horse tomorrow. I haven't given up yet!

#26 - Mark - It was FANTASTIC (as usual)! We were very close, the sound was wonderful, and the band was amazing. My two highlights:

*"The Gloaming" - Not my favorite Radiohead song, but it's always great live, for some reason
*"Give up the Ghost" - Part of one of the encores. Magical.

They also played a couple brand new songs too: "Full-Stop" and "Identikit"

You saw Radiohead? wow, there's a band I haven't seen but would love to. Glad you had a great time.

#28 - Hi Megan - Yes, they played in Tinley Park, which is a south suburb of Chicago. There's an outdoor amphitheater there. It's a slightly crappy venue, but the show was still great!

Love, love, love Radiohead! I've seen them live twice but years ago now (at Southampton in 1995 and Bridlington in 1997).

Glad you had a great time! I NEED to see these guys, once before I die or they do.

#30 - Hi Dee - that is fantastic! I only got really into them in 1997, so the first time I saw them was in 1998...and every time they've been around since then.

#31 - Hi Mark - Thank you and yes you do, although I hope all of you continue to live for many more years : )

It's been a busy (and somewhat stressful) week at work, but I'm still plugging away at Dragonflight and Illywhacker. I'm a bit over half-way done with Illywhacker and I'm quite impressed - great story, funny, touching, and superb, delightful writing.

Dragonflight is another story. I nearly gave up (again), but I'm now on CD 7 of 8, so I'll keep going until the end. It's well-written and I'm sure a good story, but I just don't seem to be a fan of dragons and vaguely medieval settings, despite my preteen obsession with Ronnie James Dio and Rainbow (something I discussed in more detail on my 12 in 12 thread a few months ago). And my husband wants to start watching Game of Thrones! I'm not sure I can handle it, at this point. On the other hand, it could also have nothing to do with dragons and vaguely medieval settings, and have more to do with my aversion to action-adventure stories and stories that revolve around the preservation of honor. I really don't know.

Now I'm off to visit some threads.

#33 Boo to the busyness and stress. Glad to hear Illywhacker is good (I really, really need to read some Peter Carey), sorry you're not enjoying Dragonflight more - if you're not in the mood for dragons and a mediaeval setting then I can see how it might not appeal.

Not sure what to suggest about A Game of Thrones. I think it's more about power and the associated backstabbing and intrigue that accompanies that than about the preservation of honour so it's not your typical quasi-mediaeval fantasy but it is still a quasi-mediaeval fantasy...

Glad to hear illywhacker is good. I've never read Carey, so I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts when you're done. I don't get dragons, so I applaud you for sticking with this.

Also glad you'r enjoying Peter Carey. He is a favourite of mine. Trust your weekend is going well over there.

Kerri - My husband finally got me to start A Game of Thrones and I am really enjoying it, though it's outside my comfort zone. So far, no dragons... it reads like well-done historical fiction.

#34 - Heather - Yeah, thinking more about it, I believe it has more to do with the fact that it's an action-adventure story. I normally don't have strong opinions about settings or subject matter. I'll pretty much take anything, as long as I feel it's good, but I rarely embrace action-adventure.

#35 - Beth - It's a great story, and I recommend it. It is, however, the longest thing I've read in a while, so I don't think I'll get as many books read this month as I was hoping. My copy has 600 pages, but the type is quite small and there are MANY, MANY words on each page. I just want to finish it by Thursday, when I leave for a conference. I'm trying to only use my Kindle on the trip, so I don't have to cart around a bunch of books.

#36 - Paul - What is your favorite Peter Carey? I have a feeling I may want to read more from him.

#36 - Hi Katie - Good to see you! That helps. I'll probably give it a try, I know it's supposed to be really well done. A zombie show and a show about a chemistry teacher who manufactures meth didn't sound promising at first either, but I'm glad I gave them a shot. Also, I've apparently lost track of your thread, so I'll have to re-find it.

Kerri: You've convinced me; Illywhacker goes on the list. I don't know when I'll get to it -- I have some other long ones that I want to get to this summer. Have fun at your conference. Where is it? What are you thinking about taking to read?

Hi Beth - It's in dreadful Anaheim, home of Disneyland and every chain restaurant you can imagine. While I'm there, I hope to get through The Siege of Krishnapur and possibly Binocular Vision. I'll be working during the day, but usually have time in the evenings to read...if I don't pass out from exhaustion. And then there's a good 8 hours of plane-reading. I will have to bring one print book for the turn-off-all-electrical devices times, so that will probably be some sort of writing advice manual, but I'm not sure which one.

ETA: Oh, good grief. Please tell me none of my LT friends love Anaheim. It just happens to be my least favorite conference destination. Sorry.

Kerri- Binocular Vision is very high on my WL. I really hope to get to it this summer. Hope you stay cool until you leave for your conference. At least it should be more comfortable in SoCal.

Kerri: At least you have good reading for your trip. Both are on my wishlist. I hope the conference and the weather are worthwhile.

We had our annual conference in Anaheim a few years ago - I was not a fan :)

Hi Kerri, hope things are slowing down for you around there.

Re: 8 hours of plane reading? awesome

Kerri - I would choose Jack Maggs as my favourite of his. I haven't read Oscar and Lucinda though which won a few awards for him.

#41 - Hi Mark - I'm definitely looking forward to that one as well as some other short story collections. And, yes, the weather in Anaheim right now is far more pleasant than Chicago - 70s and dry, so that's one good thing.

#42 - Thanks, Beth! I'll survive, I'm sure.

#43 - Hi Katie - I wish they could all be in Chicago or DC, which are my favorite locations for large conferences, but oh well.

#44 - Hi Megan - I know! Although, I often get a bit sleepy on planes, so I might not get the full 8 hours.

#45 - Thanks, Paul! I'll put that on the wishlist.

Brief book comments. I have one proper review coming for The Red House and then I’ll be caught up…until I immediately fall behind again.




Title: The Crossing Places
Author: Elly Griffiths
Publication Year: 2010
Format: Audiobook
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• 12 in 12: Challenge 6 - Newer stuff - fiction published in 2010 or later
• TIOLI #18 (June 2012): Read a book by an author with a four letter first name that includes two letters that are the same
Stars: Four

I’ve read several good reviews of this lately, so I won’t plot-summarize. Although I’m somewhat new to the mystery genre, this one seems to focus on the personal life and inner thoughts of the main character a bit more than others. And Ruth Galloway, an archaeologist who becomes involved in a murder investigation, is incredibly likable and easy to relate to. The mystery is solid as well – missing children, a creepy yet beautiful setting, and mythology. I’ll probably read more from this series. Also, I suppose this is a “cozy mystery” (right?), which I didn’t think I’d like, but apparently do. Go figure.


******************************




Title: Dragonflight
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Publication Year: 1968
Format: Audiobook
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• 12 in 12: Challenge 8 - Female-authored science fiction
• TIOLI #14 (June 2012): Read a one word titled book by a female author
Stars: Not Rated

Oh, my. This just wasn’t for me. Taking place on a faraway planet, dragons and dragon men must fight off the Threads that rain down from a planet with an abnormal orbit. However, because of the long time period between Thread attacks, public support for the dragons and their craft wanes, making it difficult to fight properly when the threads actually appear. The story contains dragon mating, teleportation, a feudalistic social structure, and multiple power struggles. This was a torturous read for me and I probably should have abandoned it. As I said in my previous comments, I think I just have an aversion to action-adventure stories with minimal attention paid to character development. And that’s basically what this is. However, I know people love this series, so clearly it’s just me and my preferences. Therefore, I won’t rate it. I recently made the same mistake with a C.J. Cherryh novel. Will I ever learn?!

Kerri: Thanks for steering me away from the Dragon book; it doesn't sound like my thing either. I'm glad you liked The Crossing Places. I think Ruth is a great character. I hope you're enjoying your conference. It's about 110 degrees here today, so 70s are sounding pretty good right now.

#48 - Thanks Beth! I actually don't leave until Thursday morning and then I return on Monday night. Sigh. Since I'm bringing my Kindle Fire for books, I'll have a way to check LibraryThing in the evenings, although typing might be annoying.

47: Ruth is great, isn't she and that relationship becomes increasingly interesting as the books go on.

Did you know Elly Griffiths's real name is Domenica de Rosa and that she's written romantic/chick lit type books with that name? I've read one of them, Summer School which was predictable but sweet and had a certain charm. I quite enjoyed it

#50 - Hi Dee! I did not know that, although I suppose it makes sense now that you say it. I'm not such a romance novel/chick lit person, but I suppose I didn't mind the chick lit characteristics within a mystery and in this case, it was certainly well-done.

Kerri- Have a safe trip to SoCal! It looks like things will finally be cooling off for us here. Yah! Looking forward to getting together next month and for beer. Double Yah!

#52 - Thanks, Mark! Looking forward to the beer event too!

*************

I'll be leaving shortly and probably won't do much LTing in the next few days, but I'll try to check in.

Have a good trip!!

Safe travels, Kerri!

Kerri: Have a great trip.

Thank you Chelle, Darryl, and Beth!

************

So. Typing on my Kindle is a pain in the butt. Therefore, I'll probably just read threads until Tuesday. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Have a great trip Kerri.

#58 - Thanks, calm!

*********************

I'm back! I finally finished Illywhacker on the plane to Anaheim (review to come), and I've read about 40% of The Siege of Krishnapur, which I did not realize is somewhat satirical (I think so, anyway). I like it.

I'll try to visit threads later today or tomorrow.

Welcome home!

Glad to see you back safe and sound too Kerri. Peter Carey followed by J.G. Farrell is pretty impressive reading.

>57 DorsVenabili: you can get the internet through a Kindle? Am I plain dumb, or is it not just me who thought that a Kindle just bought and gave the facility to read books through Amazon, and that was it.

#60 - Thanks, Katie!

#61 - Thanks, Paul! Yeah, you know me: impressive.

#62 - Hi Megan! I have a Kindle Fire, and you can get wireless internet access on it. It's slightly less annoying than looking at LT on a smart phone, but only slightly. I normally bring my laptop on trips, but I thought I'd try just using the Kindle this time. As it turns out, the typing is too time-consuming.

Kerri- Welcome back! You were missed! Learn anything interesting at ALA?

#64 - Hi Mark! Well, I work for them, and the particular department I work for holds a meeting that lasts all day Saturday and Sunday and half of Monday. So, I'm basically in one hotel meeting room the entire time. On Friday, we have some training sessions too. Therefore, I don't get to see much of the conference or go to any fun programs (wah, poor me). I did find some lunch in the exhibits on Sunday, but didn't have time to stop and look around very much.

Kerri: Welcome back. Did you get any interesting reading done?

#66 - Thanks Beth! I did finish Illywhacker, which was good, but I never seem to get as much reading done while work-traveling as I think I will. It seems like such a great opportunity, but then I'm always tired at the end of the day. Oh well. June was not a great reading month (amount-wise), but I have high hopes for July!

***************************

Here are my insanely ambitious TIOLI challenges for July. Of course, I won't get to them all, but at least a lot of them have low page counts, so there's hope.

Print and ebooks:
Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee (Challenge #9)
The Tree of Man by Patrick White (Challenge #6)
The Quest for Christa T. by Christa Wolf (Challenge #5)
Elizabeth Costello by J.M. Coetzee (Challenge #2)
Enormous Changes at the Last Minute: Stories by Grace Paley (Challenge #8)
Last Letters from Hav by Jan Morris (Challenge #10)
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (Challenge #17)
The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch (Challenge #11)
Binocular Vision: New & Selected Stories by Edith Pearlman (Challenge #14)
Palestine by Joe Sacco (Challenge #3)

Audiobooks:
Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason (Challenge #7)
Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke (Challenge #10)
Generosity: An Enhancement by Richard Powers (Challenge #4)
Thomas Hardy: The Time-Torn Man by Claire Tomalin (Challenge #2)
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell (Challenge #15)

I know what you mean. I've definitely over-committed myself for July too. There will be lots of "leave its." I have 4 must reads in July and will probably fit in about 8 to 10 more. I'm going to keep on adding things that I might possibly read and then choose the ones that I am in the mood to read at the time.

Kerri - glad to see you polished off Illywhacker. I'm sure that The Siege of Krishnapur is also a quirky ironic tale in keeping with the other stuff I've read of his. I think you will like Jar City as Erlendur is very much in the world-weary mold of Scandi lore.
In any event wishing you a lovely weekend.

Your July TIOLI list is indeed ambitious, Kerri, but also very interesting. There are several books on it that I have not read but would like to, especially the White, Murdoch and Pearlman. I'll look forward to seeing your reviews.

#68 - Hi Lori - I also make good use of the "leave it" part! Although, I actually have a few days off this month, so who knows?

#69 - Hi Paul - I'm glad to read your endorsement of Jar City, as I can't remember why I decided to read it in the first place. Perhaps it was your recommendation? Or maybe Mark's?

#70 - Hi Linda - I'll probably read the White after the Coetzee that I just started. Hopefully, I'll get to all three. And, yes, reviews! I have a couple coming up shortly. I started a few and then never finished them. I've really had a review-failure this summer, for some reason. I have to get back on track.

Title: The Red House
Author: Mark Haddon
Publication Year: 2012
Format: Print book
Challenges:
• 12 in 12: Challenge 6 - Newer stuff - fiction published in 2010 or later
• 75 Book Challenge
• TIOLI #8 (June 2012): Read a book with a title that has equal or more letters from the second half of the alphabet than from the first half
Stars: Four and a half

Following the death of their mother, siblings Richard and Angela bring their wildly dysfunctional families to a rented house in the Welsh countryside for a week-long getaway. Initiated by Richard, the apparent goal of the trip is to repair the strained relationship between the two siblings that has suffered from a years-long lack of communication. Once there, the various personalities of the family members clash.

While nothing fancy or groundbreaking is going on here, I loved this novel and was drawn into the lives of the often incredibly unlikable, yet fascinating and multifaceted, characters (even the sometimes hateful and always exasperating teenagers). The book is divided into days, and the point of view of the narration alternates between the various characters, sometimes for only a page or less. Their interactions are dominated by misunderstandings, secrets kept for years, and vastly different memories of the same past events. In the end, little gets neatly resolved, but some important insights are made. In short, this is an excellent character-driven story, very well-told. It sort of reminds me of a (not quite so working-class) Mike Leigh film.

Kerri- Good review of The Red House. I've been hearing such glowing reports. I NEED to find a copy.
BTW- You are my type of person: You love books, music, movies & beer! Whenever you get tired of your husband, shoot me a PM. LOL. I LOVE Mike Leigh films. I need to do a marathon one of these days.
I think you got Jar City from me, just saying! Wink, wink.

I am trying not to look too hard at your July list because I can see that there isn't a lot of overlap there--and all I need is ideas for more books! (I might also read Faceless Killers though.

The Red House sounds very good--than you for the review.

#73 - Ha Ha Mark! And I love Mike Leigh films as well. My favorite is Career Girls and I probably watch it at least once a year (and cry like a baby each time). It might be my favorite movie of all time. I also love Nuts in May and Secrets and Lies.

Now that I think of it, I did get the Jar City recommendation from you. It's pretty good so far.

#74 - Hi Anne! I'll probably get to Faceless Killers as an audiobook this month. I suppose I can't get enough of this bleak Scandinavian stuff!

Title: Illywhacker
Author: Peter Carey
Publication Year: 1985
Format: Print book
Challenges:
• 12 in 12: Challenge 1 - Booker Prize short-listed works from 1978 and 1985
• 75 Book Challenge
• TIOLI #2 (June 2012): Read a book with a goofy, whimsical title that makes you think to yourself "what on earth is THAT about?"
Stars: Four

According to a brief Google search, in Australian slang, “illywhacker” means either a con man or a stick for hitting children. I suppose both meanings could apply here. The story is told by Herbert Badgery, a 139-year-old man lying in a bed being poked and prodded by medical personnel. He states that he’s a liar, but a terrible one, and proceeds to tell his life story and that of his son Charles. He’s been a pilot, a car salesman, and a show business personality. He loves building impromptu houses on land he doesn’t own and he has a thing for quirky, outspoken ladies. Despite the fact that Herbert keeps telling us he’s a terrible person, he appears to be a warm, likable fellow with a good heart. But then he’s a liar, so who knows? Later chapters focus on Herbert’s son, Charles, who unlike his father, is morally upright, earnest, and hard-working.

Incredibly well-written, very strange, sometimes rather touching, and often quite funny, this is an enjoyable read and a page-turner. From what I understand, some of the novel’s major themes involve Australian history and Australian national identity, but I’m afraid some of this went over my head, due to lack of background knowledge. Nevertheless, it’s very good and well worth the time (it’s quite long). Recommended.

Kerri- I go way back back with Michael Leigh. I loved his early films, "High Hopes" & "Life is Sweet" but his later films "Happy Go Lucky" & "Another Year" are also terrific. And I agree with you on "Secrets & Lies". I did see "Career Girls" but do not remember it well. Maybe I need to re-watch it.
Not familiar with "Nuts in May". Is that early British TV?

Thanks for the review of The Red House, Kerri. I heard Haddon interviewed on NPR a couple of weeks ago and added this one to my WL right after.

#77 - I've definitely watched Life is Sweet and all the more recent ones, but I don't remember High Hopes, although I think I've seen most of the made for BBC ones, so I may have seen it. Nuts in May is one of the old BBC TV movies. It's actually really funny, as opposed to jump-off-a-bridge depressing, as many of his films are (and I have no problem with that). Career Girls is the one where the two college friends get together several years after the end of college and have a difficult time connecting. The college flashbacks include a fortune-telling game using Wuthering Heights, if that rings a bell. And I forgot to mention Bleak Moments, Meantime, and Vera Drake, more of my favorites!

#78 - Hi Katie! I'll have to find that NPR interview. I was really impressed with this novel, especially since I wasn't a huge fan of The Curious incident. I would be thrilled if gets picked for the Booker longlist, but who knows? I'm also looking forward to reading Spot of Bother, the novel before this one.

Great review of Illywhacker Kerri.

Nuts in May was great:) I also love Abigail's Party.

Thanks, calm!

Abigail's Party is another one I liked. All this talk of Mike Leigh films makes me want to do a marathon as well.

wow you are on a roll! Two great reviews there and you made me want to read both! Crap my wishlist is getting long! ;0

Hey Kerri! Just checking in and do a quick scroll through. Ooo, The Red House looks like one I need to wishlist. I really enjoyed The Curious Incident so I know I'm in for another good read.
Love the home brew set up!

Ooh, didn't know Mark Haddon had a new book out! I just bought and read A Spot of Bother within days of reading Heather's review of it and this one sounds good in the same sort of way.

#82 - Thanks, Chelle! I'm actually really behind in my review-writing. Summer laziness, I think.

#83-84 - Hi Lynda and Dee - I hope you both enjoy The Red House! I loved it, but I just read another bad review on LT. Eek! I think people who can't enjoy a novel unless they "like" the characters will hate this. I, on the other hand, have no such requirement. And anyway, while no character is at their best in this novel, they're realistic and complex enough that I felt sympathy for them as humans in their various predicaments.

Hi Kerri, I'm with you on not finding likeability a necessary requirement for a book's characters. Realistic and complex sounds good to me!

#72 + #85: I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and liked it much. This one sounds promising, too! Especially the part about not-likeable characters and the part about "realistic and complex".

I'm playing catch up on reviews too, and LT visits! The sun makes me want to spend more time with my books outside and less time computing

Oh, a lot of reviews here since I last visited (had a long brake from LT) - very interesting to catch up with your reading - see you have tackled some sci-fi-classics and scandi-crimes. Glad you liked Day of the Triffids - it's one of the best sci'fi's I've read in a long time (read it last year).

And of course I loved Keeper of Lost Causes also. Have the second one in the series in danish, waiting for me as a summer read. Looking forward to it.

#86 - Hi Dee - Yeah, but then my favorite Downton Abbey character is Thomas, but perhaps that's just because he's freakishly handsome. : )

#87 - Hi Kathy - Good to see you back! I know many people love The Curious Incident. I think I just tend to not be a fan of the child narrator.

#88 - Exactly, Chelle!

#89 - Hi Carsten - Nice to see you! I wish I could read Danish, but I think there is an English translation of the second Department Q book in progress.

I just finished Jar City and thought that was excellent as well. It looks like most in that series have been translated, so I'll be able to read them.

Kerri- I'm so glad you loved Jar City. The good news is, the next book is even better. Enjoy. Have a great 4th!

Kerri - I really want to read Jar City. Sadly, I did not take advantage of a previous opportunity to get a cheap Kindle version!

#91 and #92 - Hi Mark and Linda! - Jar City was excellent and I look forward to more from the series. Brief comments are coming up on some of my recent reads. I'm so behind on reviews!

Hi Kerri! Sounds like The Red House was really good, was wondering about that title. Will add it to my TBR for sure. Hope you're having a great holiday so far - anything exciting planned? I'm just at home, reading and doing the occasional chore, but since it's so hot and muggy outside I'm happy to be here. :)

#94 - Hi Laura - I'm really just relaxing today. Reading and getting caught up on LT. I think we might grill later on, so I have some prep work ahead. I think I'm going to make some black bean burgers. I hope you have a lovely holiday as well!

Some brief book comments:




Title: The Children of Men
Author: P.D. James
Publication Year: 1992
Format: Audiobook
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• 12 in 12: Challenge 8 - Female-authored science fiction
• TIOLI #23 (June 2012): Read a book whose title contains the word "of"
Stars: Four

The human race has lost the ability to reproduce. Great Britain is ruled by an autocrat who believes he’s doing his best to make the lives of the remaining inhabitants comfortable and safe. Theo, the main character who also happens to be the cousin of the ruler, gets involved with a group of revolutionaries. While I thought the ending fizzled out a bit, this is my sort of sci-fi – smart, introspective, and character-driven. I realize P.D. James is primarily a mystery writer, so I suppose I’ll have to get to her mysteries eventually.


******************************




Title: Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995
Author: Joe Sacco
Publication Year: 2000
Format: Print book
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• 12 in 12: Challenge 10 – Graphic Novels
• TIOLI #18 (July 2012): Read a book where the author's Surname is also a Place name
Stars: Four and a half

In this graphic novel, journalist Joe Sacco gives an account of his time spent in Gorazde with ordinary citizens during the Bosnian War. It also gives a fairly comprehensive history of the entire conflict, and I now have a better sense of the origins of the war and the various positions of the major players than I had ever received from any newspaper or magazine article I’ve read on the topic. This is truly amazing and manages to convey the horror of war from the perspective of ordinary citizens. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because there are some clunky transitions between the novel’s sections. Everyone, please read this, even if you think you wouldn’t enjoy a graphic novel.


******************************




Title: Jar City
Author: Arnaldur Indridason
Publication Year: 2000
Format: Audiobook
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• TIOLI #7 (July 2012): Read a book of *more than 300 pages* with *a multiple word title*
Stars: Four and a half

Neighbors find an old man murdered in his dank basement apartment with a cryptic note left on his body. This is an extremely compelling mystery, with just the right amount of attention paid to the back story of Inspector Erlendur, the world-weary detective with ample problems of his own. It also deals with the topic of rape in a surprisingly respectful way, without sensationalizing the crimes or adding gratuitous details. Very impressive and I look forward to other novels from this series.

arrrgh Im freaking out at all the books you have read lately. You are a speed reader? Surely :)
Jealousy will get me nowhere, I know, but I still succumb.

#97 - Hi Megan - I actually feel like a slow-poke compared to a lot of people in this group!

Kerri- I've seen and loved the film Children of Men but have never read the book. I might have to give it a try at some point.
I also really enjoyed Safe Area and I agree, it wasn't always a smooth narrative but regardless, it's a heartfelt and ambitious work.

Kerri - I am pleased to see that Indridason's Inspector Erlendur met with your expectations. The series gets better still IMO. Happy 4th of July!

#99 - Hi Mark - I loved the movie of The Children of Men as well. There are actually a few significant differences between the book and the movie - it wasn't a completely faithful adaptation. The book is definitely worth reading. And regarding Joe Sacco, I plan to read Palestine this month too. Have you read that?

#100 - Hi Paul - That's what I've heard. However, the next couple of books in the series are not available in audiobook format, which is disappointing, as I've grown used to reading my mysteries and crime novels, via audiobook. Oh well. I'll just read them in print at some point.

I did survive the 4th of July and more importantly so did Geezer. I was a little ho-hum about the ThunderShirt on Mark's thread, but I think it actually helped quite a bit last night. He was actually sleeping during the major noise.

Hi Kerri. I'm another Inspector Erlendur fan though I have to be in the mood for that Scandinavian bleakness!

You've made me really want to read Safe Area Gorazde. I feel horribly ignorant about what went on in the Bosnian War and it sounds a good way to find out more.

Hi Dee - Yes, it's an excellent introduction to the topic and it clarified things for me quite a bit. He cites several sources at the end, and I may even read one or two, now that it's not so overwhelming. I should also probably point out that Sacco appears to be coming from a left perspective politically, but the graphic novel is not completely dominated by political opinion. However, I could see where right-wingers might not embrace his work quite as much (although this is probably more the case with Palestine, from what I've heard).

Safe Area Gorazde and Palestine are now both are on my wishlist. I have no problems with a left wing political perspective ;)

#104 - Nor do I, clearly : )

Kerri, I am STAR struck! Looks like you've read a lot of great books this year so far. :)
Hope I can keep up with you here on out.

#106 - Hi Valerie!! What a wonderful surprise! It's great to have you back on LT!

Hey Kerri! I have also only seen the movie adaptation of Children of Men and I liked it very much. The book seems to be worth being read: smart, introspective, and character-driven And I like books with an eschatoligcal tone, so I think I will give this one a try.

I have read an Inspector-Erlendur-thriller (Engelsstimme/Voices) and I was quite disappointed. I don't know if it was the translation, but it was very poorly written. The case itself was ok, but the writing style was less than simple. How's that in Jar City? I don't expect every thriller to be a poetic piece of art, but still... And maybe it depends really on the translation and the English one is better. But I liked that the characters' names sounded as if they originated from Lord of the Rings. :)

Morning Kerri- No, I have not read Palestine but I'm sure I will at some point. Another scorcher today. Keep cool.

#108 - Hi Kathy! Yes, The Children of Men is definitely worth reading, even if you've seen the movie.

Regarding the Inspector Erlendur book you've read, I haven't read that one, but I wonder if it wasn't a bad translation (I assume you read it in German, right?) While my literary greatness expectations are a bit different when I read a mystery or crime novel, I still think this was well done. The prose is clear and concise, rather than fancy, but I think that works in this case and it definitely lends itself well to audiobook listening. I'm fairly new to this genre, but I've been lucky not to have run into anything really dreadful yet. Except for The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder, which was so bad that I had to stop listening.

*******************************

I've started Stranger in a Strange Land because I'd like to tackle the major sci-fi classics. All I can say so far is that I'm glad that I've been desensitized to "the male of 1960" through watching Mad Men prior to reading this. Ugh. I will carry on though!

#109 - Good morning, Mark! I missed your post there. You keep cool as well. I'm ready for this heat wave to end.

I forgot to post this earlier:

June 2012 Reading Statistics

Number of books read: 8
Average rating: 3.6
Number of pages: 2,661
Favorite read: The Red House by Mark Haddon
Least favorite read: Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

Decades (published in):
• 1960-1969: 1
• 1970-1979: 1
• 1980-1989: 1
• 1990-1999: 1
• 2000-2009: 1
• 2010-2019: 3

Fiction/Non-Fiction:
• Fiction: 8
• Non-Fiction: 0

Owned/borrowed (from human)/library:
• Owned: 3
• Borrowed (from human): 0
• Library: 3
• Weeded (ARC): 2

Format:
• Print book: 3
• Ebook: 1
• Audiobook: 4

Author country:
• Australia: 1
• Ireland: 1
• Spain: 1
• United Kingdom: 3
• United States: 2

Author gender:
• Female: 4
• Male: 4

Literary prizes/book lists represented:
• Booker Prize winner: The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G. Farrell
• Booker Prize shortlist: Illywhacker by Peter Carey
• Philip K. Dick Award Nominee: Hyperthought by M.M. Buckner

Kerri- It feels nice out there this morning. We are going for a bike ride. Enjoy your Sunday.

The Red House sounds like it might be a good book-group choice. I like your monthly summary and might steal it for my thread!

#113 - Hi Mark - have fun! We just received two bikes yesterday from my brother-in-law who is an avid cyclist. He's loaning them to us for a year and if we like them we'll either purchase them, or buy new ones. Let me know if you have any good trail suggestions in the area. I intend to get hardcore about the whole thing : )

#114 - Hi Carly - Good to see you! Feel free to steal my summary, as I originally took it from other people as well.

A bike ride? Would love to join in. Have been watching the Tour de France and wouldn't mind pacing you Chicagoans up a few cols.

#116 - ...pacing you Chicagoans up a few cols
Hmmm. I am not hip to the lingo yet, Cranswick. : )

Before I get started, I have a list of things to purchase, most importantly, a helmet. I'm off from work tomorrow, so I can hopefully get to a sporting goods store. I'm going to hold off on fancy outfits, padded underwear, and clip on shoes for now. Cycling is so much more expensive than running! Good grief!

********************

I'm off to visit my childhood friend and then we're going to the Wilco/Andrew Bird concert this evening. It should be a good time. I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!

Kerri- I LOVE Wilco and have seen them several times! Yankee Hotel Foxtrot & Summerteeth. Does it get any better. Have a great time. It should be a gorgeous evening.
And yes, buy the padded underwear. It's a must!

I hope you have a great evening Kerri, it sounds like you will!

#118 - Hi Mark - The concert was great and the weather was awesome! And they even have good beer at that Kane County Stadium (Lagunitas and Two Brothers). I've seen Wilco a bunch of times too, especially in the early 2000s - I bet we've been at the same shows.

I will keep padded underwear in mind, even though it sounds silly.

#119 - Thanks, Dee! It was wonderful.

I notice your June reads are very nicely spaced across decades. Was that on purpose?

It looks like you enjoyed Jar City I read that last year (and liked it too) but for some reason I have not gotten around to the next book. Thanks for the nudge.

Kerri: After catching up on your thread, I have added several books to my wishlist. The Red House, Illywhacker, Safe Area, and Jar City, to name a few.

You have an ambitious July planned. I just picked up Binocular Vision but am working my way through Our Mutual Friend so I don't know when I'll get to it.

Has it cooled off there? I spent last week in the Outer Banks, where it was hot, but we could jump in the ocean. My daughter, who couldn't go, stayed in Minnesota, and it was just as hot but no ocean :( It seems cooler today.

Hi Dors, how's Stranger going? I'm willing you on - you can do it!

>117 DorsVenabili: Hmmm. I am not hip to the lingo yet, Cranswick. : )
lol!
That's all I have to add today :)

#121 - Hi Anne! - No, I wasn't going for that at all. I actually used to try to plan my reading using a decade plan, but haven't done that this year.

I loved Jar City and wish I could get the next one as an audiobook, but it's not available : (

#122 - Hi Beth - Welcome back! Yes it's cooled off, finally. I think it's supposed to be in the 80s all week.

I'm glad I could help fatten your wishlist. I'm going to be reading Binocular Vision slowly, as I recently had a revelation about me and short story compilations - I don't enjoy reading them straight through, so I plan to just dip in here and there.

#123 - Oh, it's ridiculous, isn't it?! At least the story is not quite as mind-numbingly boring as Dragonflight, but it's horribly sexist, plus being constantly hit over the head with libertarian philosophy is a bit much to take. But I will persevere.

#124 - Hi Megan! Thanks for stopping by.

Laughing at your description of Stranger in a Dark Land. It reminded me that I still have a copy which a fellow (male) student leant me when I was at university. I never read the book or returned it as I was kind of put off both book and guy when a friend told me that he had a habit of lending that particular book to women and then trying to convince them of the advantages of the polygamous society apparently advocated within the pages!

Kerri: I know what you mean about short stories. Hmm. Maybe I should start Binocular Vision as I work through Our Mutual Friend...

#126 - Hi Dee - Your fellow student sounds like a charming young man. Ha! Yeah, the book is almost so bad that it's funny. I do realize that it was published in 1960, but then Asimov published during this time (and before) and manged to avoid being such a complete pig. This is actually worse than Rogue Moon, something I thought was impossible.

#127 - Hi Beth - I should make clear that the stories in Binocular Vision are wonderful, I just tend to enjoy them more when I don't try to plow through the whole collection at once.

**************************

I'm hoping to visit threads this evening or tomorrow. I'll be quite busy at work for the next two weeks, as I start a new position (at the same organization) on the 23rd (yay!!!!!!) and have to get things wrapped up at my current position.

I totally agree about short story collections. I like to take them one story at a time, however long that takes.

Congrats on a new position Kerri!

Kerri - So what is the new job? Congratulations. Change is good. I always think if I keep a short story collection by my bed, I will read one each night and actually finish some of them. So far, it hasn't worked that way. But taking one story at a time is a good plan.

Congratulations on the new position Kerri!

Kerri- Congrats on the the new position! Most excellent! I read the review of the Wilco show, in the Trib this morning. It sounds like a winner. The venue was good too? You would go back?

#129 - Hi Anne - That does seem to be the best way. Problem solved for me!

#130 - Thanks, Valerie!

#131 - Hi Beth - It's association work - mostly planning and supporting meetings.

#132 - Thanks, Peg!

#133 - Hi Mark - It was the Kane County Cougars stadium. I'm not usually a huge fan of outdoor shows, but it's a nice (and newer) venue. The parking was a mess though, but that's pretty typical.

I just picked up The Tree of Man, by Patrick White, from the library, but I'm not sure if I'm in the mood for another freakishly long, epic novel. Therefore, I'm going to start The Quest for Christa T. by Christa Wolf, a Virago Modern Classic from the late 60s and written by an East German writer. Perhaps I'll get to the Patrick White next. It doesn't look like anyone else is waiting for it, so I don't feel too guilty.

Also, I'm off from work today and my husband and I are going to take the train to the city for a bit of fun. I think we'll stop at The Map Room, a wonderful beer bar, then go to Myopic Books and a used record store or two, then to Piece Pizza and brewery. It's a belated birthday celebration for him and should be fun!

I hope you're having a fab day off, Kerri. Congrats on the new post!

Kerri: Have a fun day off and a great birthday celebration.

Sounds like a great way to celebrate a belated birthday. :) Have a great weekend Kerri!

#136, #137, #138 - Thanks Dee, Beth, and Valerie! We had a lovely time!

*********************************

And I had a very successful trip to Myopic Books (a used book store) yesterday and purchased the following from my wishlist (I actually restrained myself quite a bit and could have bought more, as they had so much that was on my wishlist.)

*The Man in the Wooden Hat by Jane Gardam (for next year when I plan to read a bunch of Jane Gardam novels)
*Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga (for next year's Sub-Saharan African fiction challenge)
*The Master of Petersburg by J.M. Coetzee (for this year's Coetzee challenge)
*Madame Sousatzka by Bernice Rubens (I wanted this after reading Heather's review)
*Family History by Vita Sackville-West (for this year's Virago challenge and one of the lovely green paperbacks in mint condition)
*Unfinished Business: South Africa, Apartheid and Truth by Terry Bell (for next year's Sub-Saharan African non-fiction challenge)

And the following were purchased online over the last two weeks or so:
*Last Letters from Hav by Jan Morris (for this year's Booker shortlist challenge)
*The Quest for Christa T. by Christa Wolf (for this year's Virago challenge)
*Enormous Changes at the Last Minute: Stories by Grace Paley (for this year's short story challenge)

ETA - And wouldn't it be lovely if I got caught up on reviews this weekend? I'll definitely try.

Kerri - Great haul. I love Jane Gardam. Have you read Old Filth? I read it with The Man in the Wooden Hat, and they went together very well.

Sounds like an excellent day to me! Congrats on so many book scores! :)

#140 - Thanks Beth. I know a couple of them are related. It looks like it's those two. I'll plan to read both.

#141 - Hi Laura - Yes, it was lovely! We had a little rain, but it wasn't too bad.

#139: Nice haul, Kerri! Good thing that Myopic Books is far away from me!

Hi Kerri! Looks like you're having a nice summer in Chicago and high fives for the new position!

Morning Kerri- Nice book haul! I'm not familiar with many of those titles but I'm sure you will enlighten me. Myopic Books sounds great! I'll have to get down there one of these days.

Great pick of books Kerri - Have a few of them but only read the Coetzee.
Favourite Wilco album would be their 1996 Being There effort - very earthy and real.

Btw A col is what the french call their mountain passses.

#143 - Hi Stasia - Thank you and good to see you!

#144 - Hi Lynda - Thank you! Five more work days at my current position. I'm really looking forward to the new department. Yay!!

#145 - Hi Mark - Myopic books is a good one, although a bit cramped. I probably wouldn't go during a really busy time. But it's near Piece Pizza, which is a really good pizza place and brewery, partly owned by the Cheap Trick guitarist whose name escapes me right now.

#146 - Hi Paul - Being There is probably my favorite as well, although it has the double-album messiness thing going on. Summerteeth is also great and is probably a bit more solid and focused.

Thanks for explaining A col! We actually went to the shop to buy our basic gear yesterday and will probably go on our first ride (with our new, borrowed bikes) today. It probably won't take me long to start signing up for organized rides, because that's how I roll. Although, my brother-in-law was telling me that it's different than running in that you need a license to enter many events and there's not a lot for amateurs as far as races go. But "rides" are different and you don't need a license for them? All I know is that I like to train for specific events, because it's a good motivator.

Nice haul! That sounds like a good bookstore.

Rick Nielsen! I saw Cheap Trick in the late 70s, in their heyday. I think it was at the old Ampitheater, (sp?) Terrific band. Rockford's own.
Have you heard the new Japandroids cd? It's hard-rocking but amazing.
If this track doesn't get you up and rockin', something is seriously wrong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGDy3CeRa1w&feature=fvwrel

#148 - Hi Carly! Yes - it's a good one.

#149 - Thanks Mark - I will check that out. I do like that old Cheap Trick stuff. I saw them recently at Taste of Chicago, but that's so not nearly as cool as seeing them in the 70s! Joe is from Rockford (the 815, as he says), so he has a place in his heart for them as well. I think all Rockford residents do.

Hi Kerri! Congratulations on the new position! New challenges are needed from time to time.
Great purchase! Have you already started with Christa Wolf? When I learned about her death last december, I put her books on my to-read-list. Maybe I can tick the one or other book off this year.

Hi Kathy - Thank you!

I just started the Christa Wolf, but did not realize that she recently died - how sad. I'll let you know what I think.

Nice list of books you found, Kerri. I think it is very difficult to exercise restraint in good used bookstores. You mention a Coetzee challenge and Sub-Saharan African challenges that sound interesting. I'll have to look for them. Especially the Coetzee, as I will have an opportunity to attend a talk he is giving in the Fall.

Nice haul, Kerri. I enjoyed my one trip to Myopic Books several years ago, when I visited a good friend of mine in Chicago. I hope to get back there later this year.

Hi Kerri, just delurking once again.
Looks like it was a successful trip to the second hand book shop. There is nothing like bringing home a tonne of books and looking through them all, savouring their very being ;) sigh

I haven't heard of any of those books on the list, but buying books, any books puts a smile on my face. :)

#153 - Hi Linda - Coetzee is one of my 12 in 12 challenges this year. Next year, I don't plan to do the 13 in 13 challenge, but I'll have 2 or 3 challenges of my own. One will be another author challenge (Iris Murdoch and Jane Gardam - 6 each, I think) and the Sub-Saharan African fiction and non-fiction challenge. If other people are interested, perhaps we could set something up in the 75 group. I think Darryl expressed interest a while ago, but I'm not sure.

#154 - Hi Darryl - I hope you get to go to the Hyde Park bookstores on your next trip to Chicago, Those are my favorites. I think I may have blabbed about them on your thread a while back.

#155 - Hi Megan and Valerie - I love new (to me) books - cataloging them here too! But I've been pretty good this year about keeping my book-buying to a minimum...I think. But I'm not counting Audible when I say that. Even so, I've really been using the library a great deal.

Nice book haul. I see you're already planning ahead for next year.

I've never read anything by Jane Gardam but am currently listening to Old Filth and quite enjoying it.

I don't count my Audible books or my Kindle books when I tally my book-buying. I just pretend they don't exist. And you can't really see them so...

#158 - Hi Anne - You know. Now that I think about it, I'm not keeping my book spending down at all! I wasn't even thinking about ebooks! Ha! At least I'm able to avoid most of the Kindle Daily Deals, because the books usually don't interest me, or they're mysteries/thrillers that I'd like to get to in audio format, rather than ebook format. Oh well! But I do like your idea of pretending they don't exist, because you can't see them. : )

#72 Nice review of The Red House Kerri - I'd really like to read this one but I'm trying to wait until it's out in paperback because I feel like I've bought a lot of hardbacks over the last few months. Not sure whether I'll be successful or not!

Somehow I'd never come across Mike Leigh before but I've added Career Girls to my rental list. Don't know how I've managed to miss all his films if they were on British TV but there you go!

#96 As a big P.D. James fan I'm also really pleased you liked Children of Men as I always think her books are underappreciated!

And the Joe Sacco graphics have gone on my wishlist too.

Congratulations on your new role!

#139 Fantastic book haul! I keep seeing recommendations for Jane Gardam's books so she's an author I really want to try. I hope you enjoy Madame Sousatzka :-)

I read Nervous Conditions a couple of years ago and thought it was a great book although I found it made me feel really angry about a lot of things. Angry at the circumstances the narrator had to overcome rather than angry because it was a bad or poorly written book though.

#157 "another author challenge (Iris Murdoch and Jane Gardam - 6 each, I think) and the Sub-Saharan African fiction" Me, me! I'd be interested! Although I don't have any unread books by either of those two authors so it won't help my TBR pile but they're both authors I'd like to explore more. We have quite a few books by authors from sub-Saharan Africa as my husband spent quite a bit of time there before we were married and picked up local books whenever he could. Of course, some of them are in French but there are still a fair few in English I haven't read and it's an area I'm interested in reading more about.

#160 - Hi Heather! The Mike Leigh BBC movies are mostly from the 70s and 80s, so perhaps you are too young to remember them (I found them a bit later after seeing his other films). Career Girls is an actual film from the mid-90s. He also had a new one out recently that I just received from Netflix, so hopefully I'll get to that this weekend.

So maybe we can figure something out with threads for the challenges next year, if several people are interested. I'm not exactly sure how that works. I would be happy to organize it. I sort of see the Sub-Saharan African challenge as something like Mark's short story thread, where people casually report on what they're reading. For one or both of the authors (Murdoch/Gardam), maybe do a poll to see which books people are interested in and then have group reads - like the Steinbeck thing that's been going on?

Where did your husband spend time in Africa? It sounds like you can help with book suggestions!

So it appears that I missed Colson Whitehead at the Chicago Public Library yesterday!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Moron. Moron. Moron. I clearly have to do better in keeping up with scheduled author appearances.

http://www.chipublib.org/events/details/id/88738/

Anyway, I hope to get caught up with threads and reviews by this weekend. It seems like it's been quite a busy week, for some reason. I think it might be the cycling that has been occurring after work, which I feel I'm becoming slightly obsessed with. I'm not sure I talked much about running last year on my thread, but I've had to take a break from it, due to my neck problems. I've switched to biking and I think I like it even more. I'm using a road bike so I'm sitting upright. I think a racing bike would be bad for my neck. But I ramble!

Hi Kerri! I also don't think i will be doing the 13 in 2013 next year as it's just too many books. I like the idea of the categories though so I might do a personal challenge just on my own 75 thread.

Hi Chelle! Yeah - I'm enjoying the 12 in 12 challenge and it's allowing me to get to some challenges I've been interested in for a while (especially the Booker shortlist one), but even plan-oriented me would like a little more freedom, so I'll just do a couple of my own challenges next year.

Hi Kerri - the bike riding sounds fun for you.

I will probably be doing the 13 in 13. I like having the categories to keep my reading varied:) Although I am terrible at posting on (or even reading) other category challengers threads. I definitely spend more time (usually lurking) in the 75ers:)

Kerri: I think your idea of going through the works of a single author is brilliant. I'm trying to decide which one -- that is the hard part. I have enough trouble keeping up with posts here, so I'll probably not join any other group to do it.

I am in awe of the people who can maintain 2 threads at once! I have trouble just keeping up with this group, I can't imagine joining another one, but it's always fun to see the categories that everyone comes up with! I can't believe we are talking about 13 already...yikes!

#165 - Hi calm - Thanks! I'm terrible about keeping up with threads over there too, although I try. I'll probably try this weekend, in fact.

#166 - Hi Beth - I'm enjoying the Coetzee reading this year. I was originally going to focus only on Iris Murdoch next year, but I fear that her 500-plus page books will keep me from being consistent, so I added Jane Gardam and plan to alternate them each month.

#167 - Hi Valerie - Yeah - it's a bit much keeping up with two big threads. I believe I've been thinking about 2013 categories since January. (That's somewhat insane, right?)

Not insane Kerri:) I've been thinking about my categories since I set up my 12 in 12!

Kerri - I like the idea of alternating months. Hmm. But which authors to choose? Murdoch is good. I might do Faulkner, too. I'll have to look at my TBR pile to see...

Hahaha! Not insane. We just love LT that much. :)

#169 - Thanks, calm! I even have a special spreadsheet where I keep track of category ideas. Eek!

#170 - Hi Beth - Faulkner is a great idea. I've read all the show-stoppers, but I still have some of the less-famous works to read, plus most of the short stories . Maybe I'll do that at some point.

#171 - Thanks, Valerie! I'm glad to have everyone confirm my sanity today!

Dare I ask...but is the 12 in 12, 13 in 13 etc when you make up that many categories for yourself and then read a book each month that fits into them? Im not sure I have hit the nail on the head with that one, but someone will fill me in Im sure :)
*novice*

Kerri- Getting ready to take off in a couple minutes. Looking forward to the Meet-Up!

Megan, I think they pick 13 categories and read as many books that fit into those categories. 13 because it corresponds with the year. This year would have been 12 in 12. Anyways, they can choose whatever categories they want as well. I could be completely wrong about it works since I've never done it myself, in which case, you can ignore me. :)

Kerri - trust that you have had a great time in your meet-up with Mark and hope to see the photographic evidence shortly!
Maintenance of one thread is difficult enough but more than that is beyond me to be truthful. I have a thread over in 12 in 12 which is sadly neglected.
The premise of 12 in 12 has a nice symmetry about it - 13 in 13 is probably a step too far.
Have a lovely weekend.

#173 - Hi Megan - Valerie explained it well. For 12 in 12 - it means 12 categories in 2012. Some people try to read 12 books in each category, but it's not necessary. Some of mine have only 4 books required, for example.

#174 - Hi Mark!

#175 - Hi Valerie! Exactly.

#176 - Hi Paul - we had a lovely time and photos were taken. I think Mark's turned out better, as he used a real camera and we just used a phone, but I'll try to post them later today.

I forgot that you had a 12 in 12 thread. I think I decided that if an LT friend had a thread on both groups, I would just choose one of them to follow, since there is so much overlap.

Morning Kerri- We had a great time! And Joe was a lot of fun to talk to. Music, beer and books! Nothing better. Enjoy your Sunday.

#178 - Hi Mark - Music, beer, and books are pretty much the best! I'll see if I can post the pictures today. I think they have alien eyes, so I'll try to touch that up first.

I love my 12 in 12 categories and the concept of categories, and will definitely be keeping on with it in 2013 (in fact jotted down a list of possible categories just the other day), but I almost never post over there, on my thread or on anyone else's. The 75 group is tough enough to keep up with! I am pretty meticulous about updating my list of books read, but that's almost the only thing I do in the 12 in 12 group.

I like coming up with the categories and slotting my books into them but having a 2nd thread is kind of a pain. I am thinking of just posting categories on my thread here in the 75ers and keeping track that way... And I, too, am already thinking about possibilities for the 13 categories :)

Hi Kerri - How nice that you had a meet up. The 75ers are an active group. I don't even try to keep up with another thread. But Katie and Anne are right, it is fun to come up with categories and plan reads. Although I am nowhere near as organized as you all are.

#180 - Hi Anne - It's been a lot of fun. I think I made my categories a bit more specific than a lot of others, so I feel a bit restricted (but definitely not enough to abandon the project). However, at the same time, I'm really enjoying it and I'm reading stuff that I've wanted to get to for a while.

#181 - Hi Katie - Yeah - that's what I'm going to do next year. I'll have a few categories and just keep track of them here.

#182 - Hi Beth - The meet-up was great! Mark and his wife are lovely, fun people. We do have a decent number of LTers in Chicagoland, which I didn't even know until a couple months ago!

Kerri - I'm not so far away. Next time I'm planning a trip to Chicago, I'll let you know. Maybe we can meet in a bookstore somewhere:)

Some brief book comments:




Title: Stranger in a Strange Land
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Publication Year: 1961
Format: Audiobook
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• TIOLI #7 (July 2012): Read a book of more than 300 pages with a multiple word title
Stars: One and a half

Wow. Awful. Dirty old man writes a sci-fi novel. Horribly sexist, doesn’t stand the test of time, not visionary in the least bit, and full of eye-roll-inducing libertarian philosophy. I wouldn’t be so offended if this wasn’t held up as a classic work of science fiction. How anyone could name this in the same breath as the Asimov Foundation novels is beyond anything I can comprehend. Horrible. One good thing is that I never have to hear this again: “You’re a sci-fi fan, but you’ve never read a Heinlein novel?!”


******************************




Title: Generosity: An Enhancement
Author: Richard Powers
Publication Year: 2010
Format: Audiobook
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• 12 in 12: Challenge 6 – Newer Stuff
• TIOLI #4 (July 2012): Read a book with a title that suggests sharing
Stars: Three and a half

This work of metafiction starts out strong, but fizzles out a bit towards the end. It involves the apparent discovery of the happiness gene, but explores much more than that (the art of storytelling, science and the market, ethics and genetic research, the 24-hour news cycle, the mental health industry, etc.), which might be the problem. I think it's trying to accomplish a bit too much and doesn't satisfactorily resolve much of anything. It is set in Chicago though and contains many wonderful local details, so that's fun, and all-in-all it's well-written and entertaining. I would definitely read this author again.



******************************




Title: Bicycling Magazine's New Cyclist Handbook
Author: Ben Hewitt
Publication Year: 2000
Format: Print book
Challenges:
• 75 Book Challenge
• TIOLI #14 (July 2012): Read a book whose title begins with a 'B'
Stars: Three

A decent introduction to cycling for beginners (like me), but appears to be a slapped together collection of magazine articles rather than a well-planned, cohesive introduction to the sport. It also could benefit from more graphics and diagrams, especially in the bicycle tune-up section. And I still don’t have a good grasp of shifting, but it was a free ebook download for Amazon prime members, so no harm done really.

#184 - That's right! You're in Minnesota! Definitely let me know when you're in Chicago. Also, I've always wanted to visit Minneapolis, so that's a possibility too, although I'm not sure how close you are to the city.

Bang, bang, bang, 3 reviews done and out of the way. :) Interesting array of subjects! I think I can safely say pass on them, but thanks for the concise reviews that help the decision making that much easier!

#187 - Bang, bang, bang is my new thing for some books, since my reading volume has increased a bit. I do have three more to post (and write) that deserve a bit more attention though. Perhaps I will get to them today.

Kerri & Mark! LT Meet-Up 2012

Good reviews. Remind me to never read Heinlein. Ewwwww!

#189 - Thanks, Mark! That came out much better than our phone pictures.

Kerri, I saw your smiling face on Mark's thread. I see your name on various threads and TIOLI so I thought I'd drop by and say Hello! I can see why you and Mark had instant rapport with your own home-brewing system. I think Mark likes his beer almost as much as he likes his books. ;-)

#191 - Hi Donna - thanks for visiting! It was a lot of fun and all four of us seem to be big beer fans!

Hi Kerri - Great picture; it looks like you were having fun. I'm an hour from Mpls., so let me know if you make a trip. A meet up would be fun.

Nice reviews. I read Heinlein years ago, and I don't remember disliking it that much -- but I also know that I didn't pursue him. Good reminder not to revisit; I suspect I would have much the same reaction you did.

Three more reviews! You've been busy.

#161 A casual thread for the sub-Saharan African reads sounds good to me as do your suggestions about voting on the Murdoch/Gardam books. I haven't joined in with the Steinbeckathon this year (although it looks really interesting) but that way people could join in for some of the reads or all of them depending on the schedule and which books they could get hold of.

My husband has spent time in various parts of Africa during his student years doing various bits of voluntary work/gap year stuff. Sometimes working with a local church or other organisation, sometimes teaching English - that kind of thing. He was in Zimbabwe on his gap year just as the troubles there all started so the team he was with were pulled out pretty quickly and relocated to Swaziland. Then he's spent a summer teaching English in Senegal (he speaks very good French) and I think he helped at some children's camps in Kenya one summer. Like me, he's a bit of a books nut so he picked up quite a few books from the places he visited. We have some Zimbabwean books and some Senagalese books (unfortunately for me the latter are in French). My husband's sister did 6 months voluntary work as a lawyer in Uganda and has just got married to a lovely Ugandan chap so I've been meaning to ask them for some recommendations of Ugandan authors because I can't think of any.

#185 I love your comments on Stranger in a Strange Land! He's an author I've been meaning to read because, well as you said, “You’re a sci-fi fan, but you’ve never read a Heinlein novel?!”, but I think I'll stick with Starship Troopers which I have a copy of and my husband quite enjoyed. If that's also a dirty old man writes science fiction book then I can blame him!

#189 Lovely photo!

Looking good guys! Glad you had a successful meet up! :)

Hi Kerri, love that pic of you guys, you both look so happy!

Great picture of you and Mark!

I've read most of Richard Powers's books, as he is one of my favorite contemporary writers, but I was also a little unimpressed by Generosity. My favorite is The Goldbug Variations, which is a tome, but is absolutely amazing. Shorter favorites are Galatea 2.2 and Operation Wandering Soul. I also liked another tome of his, The Time of Our Singing.

Love the picture! Makes me almost wish I lived down in the States so I could join you guys in all the fun. ;)

#193 - Hi Beth - I see a meet-up in one or the other location at some point in the future. Yay!

I had a strong reaction to Heinlein, didn't I? I think there was added bitterness, because it was rather long and I couldn't wait to finish. Plus, the politics - it was almost like reading Ayn Rand, but worse, if that's even possible (...ok, maybe it's not). It was just a perfect combination of stuff to make me nuts. And the word "Grok"!! I won't even get into that.

#194 - Hi Heather - I will revisit the 2013 thread issue in November or so and figure out what to do. I'm so glad others are interested.

Thank you for sharing your husband's experiences. I imagine being in Zimbabwe at that time was pretty intense! I would be interested in the Ugandan titles from your brother-in-law, as I don't think I have any on my list.

Good luck on Starship Troopers. Is it supposed to be less awful? Bless your heart.

#195, 196, and 198 - Thanks, Chelle, Megan, and Valerie! It was a lot of fun!

#197 - Hi and thank you! I appreciate the Richard Powers recommendations and will definitely put The Goldbug Variations on my wishlist. I wasn't familiar with him until recently, but he's clearly a talented writer and I'm very interested in trying something else by him.

Morning Kerri- Hope you have a good week and keep cool. Looks like another hot one.

Mentioned over on Mark's thread already Kerri, but I'm casting slightly envious and decidedly anticipatory glances at the beer and looking forward to joining you all next year to polish off a few of those nice brown bottles.

It's been a very long time since I read Heinlein-- I started but never finished Stranger in a Strange Land, and I imagine its strongest characteristics will only become more painfully awkward in future years.

If you ever decide to try Heinlein again (you know, after you've tried waterboarding and the rack for variety), I'd recommend sampling his early juveniles like Tunnel in the Sky or Have Space Suit, Will Travel which are also dated, but in a more appealing way.

I like Starship Troopers also, but it does tend to drag in places with lectures on the glories of militarism.

#200 - Hi Mark! Wow, it was bad out there today, although I somehow managed a bike ride after work. Yikes!

#201 - Hi Paul! I'm looking forward to your visit next year! America does craft beer really well, so you're in for a treat. We will hook you up with good beer.

#202 - Hi Swynn! I'm pretty sure I can't take anymore Heinlein. The most desperate conditions would have to be in place, but if I do, I'll be sure to read one of the early ones. I actually don't mind cheezy, campy stuff.

Great photo!

#204 - Thanks, Joe!

>157 DorsVenabili: I would definitely be interested in participating in a sub-Saharan challenge, Kerri, especially one that is somewhat informal and not too time limited! (Sorry for being a bit behind the curve at the moment.)

Stranger in a Strange Land is mentioned as THE Heinlein-novel but so far the size of it has kept me a little hesitant. However I can recommend The Door into Summer by Heinlein - which is not that long, and quite funny - a sorts of time-travel sci-fi. There's a very good audio-book version of it, if you're into that.

#206 - Hi Linda - That's wonderful! It seems like at least a few people are interested. I'm going to be participating all year (2013), so it definitely won't be too time limited.

#207 - Hi Carsten! If I ever find that I've survived the end of the world and it appears that all of the books are destroyed, but then I find an underground bunker with a Kingsley Amis novel, Atlas Shrugged, and The Door into Summer, I will definitely read The Door into Summer. Ha! In all seriousness, thank you sincerely for the recommendation, but I'll probably stay away from Heinlein.

Morning Kerri- Hope your week is going well and you are keeping cool enough. And yes, that was an excellent BB episode. Go Mike!!

#209 - Hi Mark - Yeah - it's been brutal out there, although I'm certainly not out there for as long as you are. Hang in there!

***********************************

I'm looking forward to reading from this year's Booker Prize longlist. My goal is to read 6 to 8 of them at least.
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/news/2012-longlist-announced

I've reserved the following at the library (a couple have waits):
*Skios by Michael Frayn
*The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
*Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil

I ordered the following from Amazon UK:
*The Teleportation Accident by Ned Beauman
*The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng

Beyond that, I'm not sure. I'll have to see how it goes. I probably won't get to Bring Up the Bodies, unless I'm able to get to Wolf Hall, which seems unlikely, but you never know.

Hi Kerri - I'm going right now to check out the Booker list. I was waiting for it. None of the titles you mention are familiar to me.

#211 - Hi Beth - I think only four are out in the U.S. at this point. The three I reserved at the library and Bring Up the Bodies.

Hi Kerri! Just trying to stay somewhat caught up on your thread! Great picture of you and Mark!

Kerri - None of them were available at my library :(
I thought The Garden of Evening Mists looked good, too.

HI Kerri! The booker list would be challenging for me this year as I haven't even heard of most of them. I've read Bring up the Bodies but that's it.

I think the only one I've heard from that list is The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Thanks for the list though and probably thanks in advance for a couple more books I will add to my WL after I look up what all these new titles are about!

Great picture! Somehow I envy you for the easiness of meetups in the States.
Interesting reading list in #210! I've got a copy of the Harold-Fry-book, too, and I'm already curious of how it will be. Somehow the basic story reminds me of Forrest Gump...

#213 - Hi Britt - Good to see you and thanks for stopping by! Go Seahawks! I feel good about this season...if Lynch can stop getting DUIs.

#214 - Oh no, Beth! Do you not have an inter-library loan system? My actual library never has anything I want to read either. I get everything through ILL.

#215 - Hi Chelle - I haven't heard of a few of them either, but I typically enjoy Booker books, so I think it will be fun this year. Plus, would Cousin Matthew steer us wrong? I think not.



#216 - Hi Valerie - Several of them look pretty good, but a couple I'll probably stay away from...or maybe not. I'm not sure yet. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry seems rather popular, judging from the longish wait at the library. I just checked my account online and the other two are already in transit, so I'll be able to get started pretty soon.

#217 - Hi Kathy - Thank you! I had the exact same thought about Forrest Gump. Great minds think alike.

ahhh cousin Matthew. So purdy

Kerri - I spoke too soon. Skios and Pilgrimage are both on order. I put my name on the list for both. The Eng book looked interesting, too. I haven't had as much luck with the Bookers as with Oranges, so I'll wait and see...

#219 - So true, although truth be told, I'm partial to Thomas:



And that's all I'll contribute towards Downton Abbey eye candy this evening. I should also point out that Cousin Matthew is on this year's Booker panel. Apparently he's quite the smarty-pants in real life.

#220 - That's great, Beth! I haven't read nearly as many Oranges as Bookers. Next year I'd like to read a few in January. I've certainly come across a few Booker duds, but, in general, they tend to be my thing. It's fun.

I'm glad that you'll be reading 6-8 books from this year's Booker Dozen, Kerri! I'll read the entire longlist this year, and I'll start with the four books I ordered from AbeBooks on Wednesday: The Yips by Nicola Barker, The Teleportation Accident by Ned Bauman, The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng, and The Lighthouse by Alison Moore Swimming Home by Deborah Levy.

#222 - Hi Darryl - I didn't think to check Abe Books for those that aren't out in the U.S. yet. I'll have to do that today.

The other ones I'm interested in are Swimming Home and then maybe Philida and Umbrella when they come out. The Yips didn't seem interesting (probably because I tend to be quite anti-golf), but I'll see what you think of it and perhaps I'll read it. I'll be starting on Skios this weekend, as it's waiting for me at the library right now.

And I've also been reconsidering my earlier decision, and might read Wolf Hall and then Bring Up the Bodies after all. I'll be off on stay-cation for half of August, so I can probably get quite a bit of reading done, if house projects don't get in the way too much.

Yay, Booker longlist! This should be fun.

Oops. The fourth book I ordered from AbeBooks was Swimming Home, not The Lighthouse. I'll almost certainly read Swimming Home next month.

#224 - I just found Swimming Home on Abe Books and ordered it too. Darn! I wish I would have thought to do that with the others. This one was free shipping and $16.99, which isn't too bad, since it's coming from the UK.

I have a computer whiz friend who was telling me that you can buy a UK IP address and download Kindle books from Amazon UK. (I wonder if you'd have to have a 2nd Kindle though.) At least I think that's what he was saying, plus sometimes he's a talker, so you never know.

Title: Last Letters from Hav
Author: Jan Morris
Publication Year: 1985
Format: Print book
Challenges:
• 12 in 12: Challenge 1 - Booker Prize short-listed works from 1978 and 1985
• 75 Book Challenge
• TIOLI #10 (July 2012): Read a book by an author whose surname could also be a first name
Stars: Four

The narrator, who also happens to be the author, writes letters from the decaying, vibrant, and somewhat wacky city of Hav. Located in the eastern Mediterranean region and quite difficult to access, Hav is on the brink of a major catastrophe and the author happens to be there to capture its glory before time runs out. By the way, Hav is not a real place and this is not a traditional novel. It’s more a travel piece…about a place you can’t visit, but that’s ok, because it’s actually quite good.

Morris describes her experiences in the city and the colorful characters she encounters during her six-month stay. She also dips into the rich, multicultural history of the place – influenced by the Ancient Greeks, the Arabs, Imperial Russia, the French, and more. And then there are all of the city’s famous inhabitants throughout the years, from Wagner to Trotsky to Hemingway and possibly Hitler. Even the young Freud was there in 1847, “…to search for the testes of the eel.” By its nature, the book is made up entirely of description and short, often clever, episodes. It’s all so beautifully done that I wasn’t disappointed at the complete absence of plot, and I’m happy to have read it. Recommended if you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Jan Morris writes well on history and travel so your review doesn't surprise me Kerri. It is on my shelves too but don't know when I'll get to it. Thumbs up for a very good review btw.

>226 DorsVenabili: I'll post the same comment I just made on your Booker Prize thread:

Nice review of Last Letters from Hav, Kerri. That story sounded familiar...and it was. Last year I received an Advance Uncorrected Proof of Hav from New York Review Books, which consists of Last Letters from Hav (which I didn't realize was shortlisted for the Booker Prize) and Hav of the Myrmidons: Six Days in 2005, which was written 20 years later. According to the back cover of my copy of Hav,

in the chapters written in our post-September 11th world, she brings the story up to date. In this final section of Hav, Morris looks at an almost unrecognizable land, stripped of its chaotic and contradictory splendor, renamed, and rebuilt. The place which was the culmination of history has become a simulacrum and a troubling symbol of our uneasy future.

I'll move Hav a bit higher on my TBR list.

>225 DorsVenabili: I'd love to hear more about the possibility of buying Kindle books from Amazon UK! And, I'm sure I'm not the only one who would be interested in this.

#210 I thought the Booker longlist looked more interesting this year than last year's did. I've got The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Bring Up the Bodies was one of my favourite reads so far this year.

I liked the fact that there were quite a few independent publishers on the longlist - The Garden of Evening Mists was one I had my eye on so I'll look forward to your review.

Morning Kerri- It's a perfect morning out there. I should be drumming up the energy to go for a bike ride but it's been a LONG week and just hanging out in my man cave is a nice option.
We wife just told me, that my daughter has just been devouring DA. A friend of hers gave her the 1st 2 seasons to watch. I can't wait to talk to her about it. Now, Sue needs to get caught up. She never watched it with me.
Enjoy your day!

Nice review of Last Letters from Hav, Kerri. Sounds like a book I'd like to get around to some day. I love well done travel narratives and a fictional travel narrative would be intriguing. Since she references historical figures, is there a strong element of fact interwoven?

#227 - Hi Paul - I was impressed with it and I'm interested in checking out her straightforward history and travel writing as well. Such a wonderful writer!

#228 - Hi Darryl - I read about the 2nd book and am interested in reading that one too at some point.

I'll find out more about this UK IP address business. Who knows? Like I said, my friend likes to blab. Also, I wonder how much on the up and up this would be. I meant to figure all of this out before the longlist was announced, but never got around to it.

#229 - Hi Heather - The longlist does look good, doesn't it? And, like other people have mentioned on other threads, it's not dominated by the usual suspects, which makes it even more interesting.

Yeah - the more I think about it, I think I'm going to read Wolf Hall and then Bring up the Bodies. I'm sort of in the mood for that sort of thing right now anyway. I have a couple more on the way at the library and then I'll probably purchase Wolf Hall for the Kindle.

#230 - Hi Mark - That sounds like a great plan! That's basically what I did yesterday. Other than going for a bike ride and grocery shopping, I just read and read.

I love DA and actually got Joe to watch it too. We just finished the 2nd season a few weeks ago, and I can't wait for the 3rd to start.

#231 - Hi Linda - Yes, it's all based on a factual foundation and then the Hav details are woven into real history. So, for example, Trotsky stopped in Hav on his way to Mexico. Then there's the mention of St. Paul's letters to the Havians. That sort of thing. Very clever.

Hav definitely looks good. It's in the spare stock section of my local library so I should be able to get hold of a copy.

#233 - Hi calm - So it seems that the one called just Hav, includes the original and the sequel. The sequel sounds good as well, and I'll probably get to that eventually.

******************

Off to prepare for a BBQ at my sister's. I must give the dog a bath first, since he's coming along as well and is quite smelly this week, for some reason. I suppose it's the weather and rolling around in the grass.

I hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!!

Hi Kerri - Nice review of Hav. Another goes on the list.

#235 - Thanks, Beth!

*******************************

Here's my crazy list for August:

Print and ebooks:
Skios by Michael Frayn (2012 Booker longlist)
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (2012 Booker longlist)
Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil (2012 Booker longlist)
Swimming Home by Deborah Levy (2012 Booker longlist)
Family History by Vita Sackville-West
Good Behaviour by Molly Keane
A Five Year Sentence by Bernice Rubens
The Master of Petersburg by J.M. Coetzee
A Death in the Family by James Agee
Border Country by Raymond Williams

And perhaps I'll finish Binocular Vision as well.

Audiobooks:
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell
Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
Palimpsest by Catherynne Valente
The Preacher by Camilla Läckberg

Kerri - As usual, you are very ambitious -- rushing to get in books before school starts :) A Death in the Family is one of my all-time favorites.

#237 - Hi Beth - I know, I never finish them all, but there is some hope this time, since I'll be off on vacation for nearly half the month.

I'm glad to hear that A Death in the Family is one of your favorites! I've been wanting to get to it for some time.

A Death in the Family - also one that I've planned to read soon. Well, august is perhaps a good month :)

Hi Kerri, Well done for finishing Stranger, though not all his books are that bad. I'd recommend The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag if you ever feel like giving him a second chance. I see you have Good Behaviour coming up, I'll be interested to see what you make of it as I read it a while back. I'm also looking forward to your reviews of the Booker titles as I always find it hard to get excited about the nominations, in fact I've not read any of the winners, do you have a favourite?

#239 - Hi Carsten - A Death in the Family seems to be getting a lot of votes. I'll definitely try to get to that one this month.

#240 - Hi feca67 - Thanks - it was long and dreadful, but I did it! I honestly can't see myself reading him again. There are just too many books out there and too little time.

Did you like Good Behavior? I'm guessing 'no' for some reason.

Yeah - I've read a decent number of Booker winners and shortlisted books over the years and would like to eventually read all of the past winners. The reason I became interested in them in the first place is because two of my favorite books of all time are Booker winners (The Sea, The Sea and The Bone People). I actually haven't read many of the more recent years' winners, and none from last year (which, from what I understand, is a good thing), but some others in this group read from the longlist last year (particularly Darryl) and it seemed fun, so I thought I'd give it a go this year. I actually have all my Bookers listed here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/135654.

I like big lists! It only means you have lots and lots of options. :)

#242 - Hi Valerie! I actually think I'll finish them all this month. No, really! A lot of them are short, and I'll have lots of time. I might have problems finishing the audiobooks though, since I'll be on stay-cation so much and won't have the train walks, which is when I usually listen to audiobooks.

I actually think I'll finish them all this month I wish I could read that fast! I've starred your Booker thread so that I can follow along.

Hi Kerri- Good luck with that mighty list! Did you see BB? Another good one, but boy is Walt a manipulative scumbag!

I thought Good Behaviour was OK, it's quite funny and would make an excellent film, but I did get a bit frustrated at the characters' ridiculous naiveties.

I've added The Sea, The Sea to my TBR list, looks good ta.

#244 - Hi Linda - It should be fun! I'll post them all here too.

#245 - Hi Mark - Yeah, Walt has turned a corner, that's for sure. Poor Jesse Pinkman. He's going to be a mess!

*****************

I finished my first 2012 Booker longlist book last night - Skios - and am trying to get my thoughts together. It's very well done and funny, but I have minimal experience with farce in novel form, so I really have nothing to compare it to in my head. Anyway, I'm going to give it four stars for now, but I doubt it will end up on the top of my list.

I'm off through Monday, so I'll probably get quite a bit of reading and review-writing done during this time. I'm going to start Narcopolis this morning, also from the 2012 longlist. I assume this will be much heavier than Skios.

#246 - Hi! I missed your post. I think we were typing at the same time. I hope you enjoy The Sea, The Sea. I think it's fantastic anyway.

Speaking of Booker winners that you might like, have you read How Late it Was, How Late? When I was looking at my list last night, I thought, "I bet feca67 would like that one."

July 2012 Reading Statistics

Number of books read: 12
Average rating: 3.6
Number of pages: 3,312
Favorite read: Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995 by Joe Sacco
Least favorite read: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

Decades (published in):
• 1960-1969: 2
• 1980-1989: 2
• 2000-2009: 5
• 2010-2019: 3

Fiction/Non-Fiction:
• Fiction: 9
• Non-Fiction: 3

Owned/borrowed (from human)/library:
• Owned: 5
• Borrowed (from human): 0
• Library: 6
• Weeded (ARC): 1

Format:
• Print book: 7
• Ebook: 1
• Audiobook: 4

Author country:
• Germany: 1
• Iceland: 1
• Malta: 1
• South Africa: 1 (read 2 books by same author)
• United Kingdom: 2
• United States: 5

Author gender:
• Female: 5
• Male: 7

Literary prizes/book lists represented:
• 1001 Books to Read Before You Die: Elizabeth Costello by J.M. Coetzee , Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee, Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein, and The Quest for Christa T. by Christa Wolf
• Arthur C. Clarke Award Shortlist: Generosity: An Enhancement by Richard Powers
• Booker Prize shortlist: Last Letters from Hav by Jan Morris
• Booker Prize longlist: Elizabeth Costello by J.M. Coetzee
• James Tait Black Winner: Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee
• Hugo Award Winner: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
• Philip K. Dick Award Nominee: Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee

well done on the longlist start!
Youre a braver woman than I. (or at least a faster reader)
Looking forward to your verdict on the rest

Terrific and ambitious August list Kerri. Enjoy.

Shwew! puff puff puff!Kerri, I'm finally brought up to date on all your latest news.Nice meet up pic. Thanks for the DA hottie pics. A nice reminder that Cousin Matthew is still out there. I hadn't realized he's such a whiz kid till I saw he was on the Booker judges list.
Hope you enjoy some biking this weekend :0)

#250 - Hi Megan! A review of Skios will hopefully be posted today (by me). I started on Narcopolis yesterday and it's good so far.

#251 - Hi Peg - Thanks for visiting!

#252 - Hi Lynda! Thanks! Yes - I can't wait for DA to start again, but at least Cousin Matthew has had something to do in the meantime. Bless his heart.

I'm about to go out for a 12 mile ride and hope to get to 15 miles by Sunday. I'm really enjoying it - so much more pleasant than running. Why didn't I think of this sooner?!

***************************

I suppose I'll start a new thread...