Morphy Gets Her Groove On - Part 4

Minnehaha Falls

This is my second 75 Books Challenge. I read about 250 books a year, so I'm not worried about meeting the challenge!

First thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/130083
Second thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/132781
Third thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/137054

I mostly read fantasy, preferably urban, but also enjoy general and genre fiction, historical romance, classics, popular non-fiction, and will honestly try any genre at least once.

I have more challenges and lists than I know what to do with and am not going to list them here except as notes to the books I've completed.

My best books of 2011 are:

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by McKillip, Patricia
Bridge of Birds by Hughart, Barry
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Wells, Rebecca
Garden Spells by Allen, Sarah Addison
Soulless by Carriger, Gail
What I Eat by Menzel, Peter and D'Aluisio, Faith
Ready Player One by Cline, Ernest

My favorite books from the last five years are:

Essential Spirituality by Roger Walsh
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
The Stand by Stephen King
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Katherine by Anya Seton
Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

My 12 in 12 challenge categories:

1. Family Science Fiction Read
2. TIOLI Most Popular Books
3. Prior Year Challenges
4. 1001 Fantasy Books to Read Before You Are Turned into a Newt
5. US 50 State Challenge
6. Around the World in 80 Sleuths
7. Reading Romances Challenge
8. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List
9. LT Recommended
10. Off the Shelf
11. Nonfiction
12. Most Popular Books by Year by GoodReads

http://www.librarything.com/topic/127722

I stole this from someone else at LT and tweaked the last few ratings. I can't give credit because I don't remember who I copied it from! Since I started using this I've noticed I've been handing out more 6's and less 7's.

My rating system:

10 stars - The book completely enthralled me. Could not put it down. Got something more out of it than just entertainment -- it enlightened or educated me in some way. Can definitely see myself reading it again. Will keep forever and never loan it out.

9 stars - Not quite perfect but almost so. I will actively push this book on my friends and family.

8 stars - A really great book in all respects with perhaps some minor flaws. Highly recommended.

7 stars - Better than average but with some flaws. Recommended.

6 stars - Average. An entertaining read but probably forgettable. Will not reread. Recommended for entertainment value to readers with similar interest.

5 stars - Slightly lower than average. Some aspects of the story, characters or writing troubled me. Probably will not recommend.

4 stars - Finished but did not like. Would not recommend.

3 stars - Had some redeeming qualities or else I couldn't have finished it. Nothing to recommend it though.

2 star - I can't believe I finished this book. What am I? A masochist?

1 star - No book ever gets this rating. If it's a 1, I can't finish it.

Places I've read through June 2012:


visited 9 states (4%)
Create your own visited map of The World


visited 22 states (44%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

Hi there, Morphy! :)

Hi Morphy - looking forward to seeing what you read next:)

I like the picture of the falls. I grew up in the Twin Cities and used to go to Minnehaha all the time. :)

Some of the place names are so attractive in the US - Minnehaha is priceless and look gorgeous - so is your new thread Morphy.

Details rating system! Having a scale like that would probably help with some of my inconsistencies. :)

That's a great picture of Minnehaha Falls, Morphy. I've visited it only once but if ever I'm in MN again, I will definitely return to the park for another visit.

delurking to star. Happy reading :)

Checking in on the new digs, Morphy. :)

Happy new thread!

Thanks for stopping by everyone! Here we go with books read!

155. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Genre: Children's

Notes: TIOLI #8 (Initials - BS), 1001 Fantasy (12 in 12)

Summary: An illustrated tale of a young boy living in a Paris train station

Opinion: The story was simple yet kept my interest and the line drawings were absolutely delightful. The illustrations almost told the story all by themselves. I'm not quite sure why this was called fantasy though as there really aren't any fantasy elements to it.

Rating: 7

156. Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #10 (surname - first name)

Summary: Illustrated memoir of New York doodler

Opinion: I was expecting more out of this. I thought it would be more philosophical or "how to" rather than a short and simplistic memoir. The drawings were very nice though.

Rating: 5

157. Whispers by Dean Koontz

Genre: Horror (more thriller)

Notes: TIOLI #19 (complete canon), to complete bibliography

Summary: A screenwriter kills her attacker - then he comes back to attack her again

Opinion: Koontz does well at keeping you turning the pages and his characters are always interesting. I'm reading his bibliography in published order and he is beginning to hit his stride here.

Rating: 7

158. Tricked by Kevin Hearne

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #18 (surname is place - Hearne, TX)

Summary: When vengeful Norse gods come after a 2100 year old druid, Coyote helps him out but the aid is a mixed blessing

Opinion: In the previous book, I was questioning Atticus' morals and wondered if I even wanted to finish the series because I really disliked what he did but in this one, he realized what the repercussions were and showed show true regret and maybe some character growth. There was also more humor and plot.

Rating: 7

159. Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Romance

Notes: TIOLI #19 (complete canon), Ultimate Reading List (12 in 12), to complete bibliography

Summary: A 30-year-old spinster hires a man to get rid of her virginity in 1800s London

Opinion: It was okay. While the story was interesting and the characters multi-dimensional, I didn't get emotional at any point - a requirement for a good romance for me. You gotta make me weep! Or laugh! Or something. Anything.

Rating: 6

160. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Genre: Historical Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #17 (girl or woman in title), WCC Book Club (12 in 12)

Summary: Sisters leave Shanghai in the 1930s and try to adjust to being wives in arranged marriages in Los Angeles

Opinion: See is fabulous when it comes to pulling you into a time and place. I learned so much about the culture of 1930s - 50s China and Chinatown and the mindset of the people. I would have rated this book higher but it was so very depressing.

Rating: 7

161. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #7 (300+ page, multiple word title)

Summary: The story of a race car driver told from a dog's point of view

Opinion: I zipped through this book in a couple of hours, it was so compelling and I loved the dog's voice. Yet I couldn't help but feel manipulated at times with so many unpleasant events happening at once. It felt like the author asked himself, "What other horrible things can I possibly do to this person?"

Rating: 7

162. Pawn of Prophecy
163. Queen of Sorcery
164. Magician's Gambit
165. Castle of Wizardry
166. Enchanters' End Game by David Eddings

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #8 (author's initials form abbreviation - Delaware)

Opinion: I'm not reviewing these. I think I've re-read this series more than any other. The last time was about four years ago and this time will probably be the last. But that's what I said last time too...

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings

On Deck:
Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is on my to read list at some point and I loved Shanghai Girls. Very curious to see what your thoughts are on Outlander when you get around to it. I really liked it, but I read it a LONG time ago (like in high school) so the details are all fuzzy.

The falls look so cool and inviting. That is the perfect introduction to a summer thread. I can't even imagine reading 250 books a year. Go, Morphy!

I read and enjoyed Hugo earlier this year. I'm hoping my name for the film comes up by the end of this month when my 3 oldest grandkids visit. I love watching movies with them as they are so quiet. The rest of the time they are whirlwinds!

Have you read Dragon Prince yet? That's one of my favorites! I hope you like it. I also need to get into Naomi Novik's series someday soon. Next year maybe? :)

Found you again.
I read the Eddings series once, and I am trying to gather courage to dive into them again (first and last time was 10 years ago). I am hesitant to do it because I know I'll be compelled to read them all (both series + prequels) and there is so much new stuff to read too...

jolerie, I read Outlander decades ago and don't remember a thing. We'll see how it goes.

Donna, I saw the movie Hugo first and it was pretty good. The kids should love it.

Kassilem, no. I haven't read Dragon Prince yet. It's on my to be read soon list as it's due back at the library.

divinenanny, they are like literary crack, I agree!

***

I'm currently listening to Waiting to Exhale while stitching. Also, slowly making my way through A Prayer for Owen Meany. Has anyone read this? Does it continue on with banalities or does it get interesting? I'm so bored with it. I'm bound and determined to get finished up with The Arabian Nights in the next month or two. I've been trying get through it for a year or so now.

I lost 6 pounds this week and am creeping up on a new major milestone in my weight loss journey. Go me!

Obligatory pet picture (click on picture to see larger):



Maia isn't sure about this picture taking stuff

Maia expresses her opinion of having her picture taken

Awww, Maia is a a cutie!

And I'm a huge Eddings fan - I should re-read those again soon...

Congratulations on the continued weight loss! It's so impressive that you've lost almost 150 pounds.

I enjoyed Shanghai Girls but hated the cliffhanger ending! Will you read the sequel? It's on my 'sometime' list, but haven't gotten around to it yet. So many books, so little time. SMBSLT.

Cuuuute pupppy! :)

Cuddles to Maia! Super, super cute! :)

Adding my awws for the puppy. :)

I love that Maia is sticking her tongue out at us :)

streamsong, yes, I plan on reading the sequel. But it's going to be awhile. While I really like the rich culture and place that See sets, her books are depressing overall. I need a break before I tackle another.

29, 30: I almost always "delurk" when the adorable furkid, real kid, or grandkids picture pops up. Maia would be the perfect companion to cuddle with while reading. She is very photogenic despite being camera shy.

Lol, Owen Meany is one of my all-time favorites, Sorry that you find it boring, Morphy. It's probably just not your kind of book. Irving writes about quirky characters and is not for everyone.

I'll add my congrats to the weight loss. That would be the hardest thing for me to do as I love to eat. We had pizza and cake here last night for a family gathering, and that lemon cake is calling out to me right now!

Another six pounds Morphy - you are continuing to amaze. What is the total in the last two months?

Fifty pounds for a total of 148 pounds.

That's awesome Morphy and utterly inspiring to boot! Are you just watching what you eat and working out?

That weight loss is incredible, Morphy! Congratulations!

Looks like you've been having a lot of good reading, too. I need to try C.J. Cherryh.

That's fantastic Morphy!

And some better living through pharmaceuticals. My doctor put me on a medication that has helped me with my binge eating disorder. I haven't had one binge in the two months I've been taking the med.

Good for you, Morphy! I always think that pharmaceuticals in the right context can be a godsend. (I've lived with a man for 30 years who avoids taking *anything* and then demands immediate results when he deigns take a prescription. He thinks it should work like magic rather than be a gradual process. You -- by contrast -- have mastered the concept that these things can and do take time before you see the results.)

Morphy in metric you've lost more than 67 kilos and that is incredible. Are you managing to get to the pool nowadays?

Congrats on the weight loss, Morphy! So glad the doctor found a med that works for your binge eating disorder. But even with that medical help, it takes a lot of will power to lose as much weight as you have. (I'm the classic case of "I keep trying to lose weight, but it keeps finding me!")

Ooh, I love the photos of Maia! Adorable dog!

I may add the Koontz to my list. Our library has most of his, so I probably have access to it!

I'm a little frustrated as I gained a few pounds this week even though I'm not doing anything differently. I'm hoping it's "my little friend" causing it. We'll see next week if things get back on track.

Current list of books out from the library:

Darkover First Contact by Marion Zimmer Bradley (to read Bradley bibliography)
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan (audiobook)
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (currently reading)
Feed by M. T. Anderson (LT Recommended)
The Creative License by Danny Gregory (old 888 Challenge)
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (for a challenge, can't remember off hand)
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin (ditto)
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum (NPR Killer Thrillers)
The Complete Bible Handbook by John Bowker (trying to finish after my Bible reading)
20000 Years of Fashion by Francois Boucher (old 888 Challenge)
Dog Tricks and Agility for Dummies by Sarah Hodgson (to teach Maia some tricks)
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann (Around the World in 80 Sleuths)
Demon Mistress by Yasmine Galenorn (series MrMorphy & I are reading)
Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik (need to read before the next ER book)

Also at hand (owned):

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (couple of challenges)
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh (same)
Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik (ER)
150 Pounds Gone Forever by Diane Carbonell (ER)

Whew!

Haha, that's quite a list! The due date slip gets pretty big at my library with just 7-8 checkouts, I think that one would be trailing behind me as I walked out.

I really liked Feed; it kept me thinking long after I'd closed the book. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it.

Bitterblue stood out for me. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did in my house.

Yup, the friend can do that to you. Extra water and bloating. It's all fun stuff! I'm sure you will be back on track before you know it. :)
Great list of books as always.

Hey Morphy! I've also noticed the "friend" weeks are weeks that I don't lose so hang in there, next week is bound to be better

For some reason, in high school my friend and I started calling that particular 'friend' "Erma", and so she's been ever since for me. As in, "Ugh. Erma's coming for a visit next week again."

If I had a little 'friend' I'd name him Carl.

We're talking about hamsters, right?

:P

*snork!*
I was thinking as I typed that last post, "Man, Stephen's going to be mighty uncomfortable with this conversation..."

I've heard the friend called "TOM" - I'll let you figure that one out.

Nope. I grew up with a single mom and a sister. My mom's favorite thing to do was to embarrass me whenever she could, in public if possible, and this particular topic was obviously a popular choice. I'm over it. :)

Morphy: *SNORK!* I'm so telling Tomm about that one!

Stephen: Oh, you poor thing. But at least it doesn't bother now, eh?

My best friend in college and I call it a party. As in, "it's almost party time" or "the party's next week" or "can we stop by the store? I need to buy party supplies." We try to be optimistic.

I've heard it referred to as Aunt Flo, but I like the party idea much better!

In Shanghai Girls, they called it Red Sister.

62: That's hilarious. I'm literally giggling a little at the thought of a guy asking if he's invited to the party. XD

Well, I had to weigh-in preparatory for my visit to my weight loss doctor this afternoon and I've lost two of the three pounds I gained, so I assume the guests will be leaving my party. :D

“A combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness” is how an international team of chemists describes the unique odor of old books in a study.

Found this on Facebook

Hi Morphy! I love the picture up top of Minnehaha falls. I have been to it many times and last saw it two years ago on a trip back to visit my family. Check out the fall pictures from Portland on my thread, about midway. Great summertime hikes.

Congrats on the weight loss. Wow! You have lost a whole person at this point. You are amazing!

Aunt Flo made me laugh, and I like shopping for Party Supplies. I am going to share those with my girls.

#67 by @Morphidae> "To many of course, these various bookish odors mean nothing. But to an avid reader and collector like myself, these smells are as magical as the bouquet of a great wine is to a connoisseur - a sort of literary terroir. These scents mean Excitement, Adventure, Discovery, Enlightenment and Knowledge. Of course my deep love of reading is exactly what lead me in the first place to begin capturing the scent of books and of the libraries where they live. That's what this perfume is all about." - description from CB I Hate Perfume's In the Library

167. Guardians of the West
168. King of the Murgos
169. Demon Lord of Karanda
170. Sorceress of Darshiva
171. The Seeress of Kell by David Eddings

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Rereads

Rating: 7

172. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #18 (Surname/place name)

Summary: Diana and Matthew go back in time to 16th century England to find an important book and a witch to teach Diana

Opinion: This was a little draggy and disappointing after A Discovery of Witches. I still like her writing and the main characters, but there were too many secondary characters and the plot was plodding. Not a lot happened. With any luck, the last book in the trilogy will make up for it with more action.

Rating: 7

173. Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #15 (carried by wind - dragon), Reading Romances (12 in 12)

Summary: Fantasy/romance in a desert setting

Opinion: I had a hard time summarizing the book in just a few words. There was a bit of fantasy, a bit of romance, a bit of political intrigue, some battle, a little bit of everything really. I didn't really like or dislike any of the characters. None stood out. I kept wanting this to be just a little more than it was. I was left with a feeling of "meh" when I was done.

Rating: 5

174. Lover Reborn by J. R. Ward

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: TIOLI #19 (author canon), next in series

Summary: Tohrment must love again so his wife and son can be released from purgatory

Opinion: This book didn't sit right with me. Tohrment went through 90% of the book fighting against loving Autumn/NoOne and I didn't see any reason for her to love him. The new group felt thrown in just to give Ward more men to give love stories to. There was little emotional resonance with me in this story and I was disappointed. About the only thing I liked was the Quinn thread. Probably my least favorite of the Brotherhood novels.

Rating: 6

175. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #10 (surname/first name), US50, LTMP, Off the Shelf (12 in 12), TBR Next

Summary: Two boys, one a dwarf with an odd voice, grow up in New England in the 50s and 60s

Opinion: The first half was very slow going and I nearly gave up a couple of times. I found it banal and boring. Eventually though I got to the point where I had to find out what happened next. Mostly this is a book of odd characters and vignettes about them.

Rating: 5

176. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #14 (starts with "B")

Summary: Queen Bitterblue has to figure out why her kingdom is still struggling after her evil father was killed ten years ago

Opinion: Oh yes. I liked this book. Sometimes I wanted to smack her for being Too Stupid to Live, but mostly that was just her being a teen and she grew throughout the story, so I forgave her. While disturbing in parts, overall I gave a happy little sigh when I done. It's not a happy-ever-after by any means, don't get me wrong. But it's real and it's relatively upbeat. Makes me want to go back and read Graceling.

Rating: 8

I was dissapointed with Lover Reborn as well. I think I've heard that Ward is tackling Quinn's story next but I'm not positive. If she is, I have high expectations for that one. Can't wait! :( And sorry you didn't like the Dragon Prince as well as you expected to.
Happy reading

177. Belgarath the Sorcerer
178. Polgara the Sorceress by David and Leigh Eddings

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Rereads

Rating: 7

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

On Deck:
Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik
The Creative License by Danny Gregory
Demon Mistress by Yasmine Galenorn

It's pouring rain with thunder and lightning this morning which means the dog is hiding under the ottoman. She has refused to go outside to do her business. I don't know how she manages to hold it. Poor thing.

Today I have an appointment with my therapist. It's my second one. The first was an intake appointment about my history and such so this will be my first "real" appointment. I'm supposed to bring in an object that represents me. My husband said I should bring in "Lovey," a stuffed bear because I'm "soft and cuddly." I thought I should bring in my malleable eraser because I'm an "ugly, grey blob." So I'm bringing in both for discussion.

Hmm...still waiting for Bitterblue but your review makes me excited to read it! I remember I enjoyed Fire more than Graceling. That's sweet what your husband said. Hope your therapy session is a gooder!

Love love love the Belgariad series.

I am awestruck by your incredible weight loss progress, Morphy! Well done! Apart from the diet, are you also working out regularly?

>80 jolerie: Yeah, I had a good session. It's nice to have someone else validate that maybe, just maybe, you are a decent person.

>81 cameling: Yes, I do "chair dancing." I try to do it daily, but at least 4 - 5 times a week.

Glad you liked Bitterblue, Morphy!

Like Valerie, I'm waiting my turn for the library's copy of Bitterblue but I'm glad to see you liked it, Morphy!

179. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Genre: Romance/Historical Romance/Time Travel/Etc.

Notes: TIOLI #1 (rolling rainbow - indigo), Reading Romances (12 in 12)

Summary: Claire goes back 200 years in history and meets up with a Scottish outlaw

Opinion: It took me about 200 pages to warm up to Claire. She seemed a bit of a cold fish. Otherwise for a huge book, it seemed to zip right along. Nice mix of romance, historical fiction and adventure.

Rating: 6

180. Demon Mistress by Yasmine Galenorn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #19 (author canon)

Summary: Ongoing adventures of the D'Artigo sisters

Opinion: Urban fantasy fluff. Interesting series and I like the characters but nothing special.

Rating: 6

181. Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #15 (carried by wind)

Summary: Laurence and Temeraire are transported to Australia

Opinion: While Novik's books are depressing, they are usually interesting. Not this one. With the usual set of unrelenting bleak events, add a boring trip across the Australian continent. Supposed there are just three more books in this series. We can only hope that that is a non-bleak (we can't expect happy after all) ever after for the twosome - someday. Or maybe she'll just kill them off? Ugh, just writing this review is bringing me down. Someone please shoot me!

Rating: 5

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
The Creative License by Danny Gregory
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

On Deck:
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik
150 Pounds Gone by Diane Carbonell

I had to Google 'chair dancing' because I didn't know what it was. Found some youtube vids ... and I think I just found one way to keep myself 'active' while I'm at my desk at work! :-) Thanks for the tip, Morphy.

I Googled chair dancing too and ahem, wow, some of those videos. Well, they aren't EXACTLY what I do. LOL.

If it's any encouragement, I found Crucible of Gold a marked improvement over Tongues of Serpents, which does seem to be the low point of the series thus far.

And I didn't care much for Clare or Jamie when I read Outlander, so I never continued with that series.

90: Haha! And here I was picturing you giving energetic lapdances to empty chairs. :P

I started Outlander once...got about 200 pages in and gave up. I figure I'll pick it up again some day, but it hasn't happened yet!

I liked Outlander fine but the second book in the series left me with mixed feelings about tackling the next book in the series.

I HATED Outlander. But then I generaly hate romance.

>91 foggidawn: foggidawn, I know. While they had their moments, I never really warmed up to either myself.

>92 Ape: Stephen, I don't do ANYTHING energetically.

>93 The_Hibernator: Hibernator, 200 pages in was my make-or-break mark too, I kept going though and made it through.

>94 MickyFine: Micky, I think I'll try the second one... eventually.

>85 Morphidae: Jean, I'm curious as to why you would pick it up if you hate romance. It's usually shelved and marked as such.

After reading a lot of LT raves, I read Outlander without knowing its Romance inclinations. I liked the storytelling, but I'm not enough of a romantic to try another.

Morph, well, I saw so many good reviews on it, I didn't realize it was so romancy. I also have a friend who was pushing me to read it. I've since learned to check out her recommendations and filter out the romance ones.

I'm not averse to some romance in a book, but I'm far more interested in a plot and character development than most romance gives you. Not to say all romance isn't, I'm just twitchy about all of it now.

I also enjoyed Crucible of Gold a lot more than Tongues of Serpents, although there was one part that irritated me.

I'm an Outlander fan and have read all the books except for the most recent book. I liked some books in the series more than others. I just wonder where she is taking the story. I mean it's been more than 4 books now and they are each monsters in their own right, so no clue how she is going to wrap everything up. I started the series in high school, and that was a long time ago....so no matter what I'm sticking with it to the end to find out what happens to Claire and Jamie.

No matter what I'm sticking with it to the end to find out what happens to Claire and Jamie.
That pretty much sums up how I feel about the series, Valerie! I can't help thinking there is a good trilogy lurking inside the SEVEN books and counting. But I'm in too far to quit now. :-)

>100 jolerie: & 101 You two aren't helping! :D

Another vote for Crucible of Gold over Tongues of Serpents - I think Crucible is the best Temeraire in some time.

All this Temeraire talk is driving me crazy -- in a good way! I am waiting on Victory of Eagles on hold at the library. The good news is I am next in line!

#103 Agree!

And we will squash anyone who disagrees, Laurence.

another vote for Outlander here! I think I'm on the 5th book now. I should get around to finishing it

My plateau is over and I lost 7 pounds this week for a total of... drumroll, please...

152 POUNDS!

Congratulations Morphy. That is amazing! Well done.

woo hoo

Yes!!!!!!!!

Congratulations! I'm especially happy for you because that should eliminate the pressure for surgery. You can absolutely do this on your own.

Way to go, Morphy! That's amazing.

Well done. You should be very proud of yourself.

That is quite an achievement, Morphy! Congrats! Well-done.

Very cool!

That is an accomplishment worthy of continued celebration Morphy and extra kudos on getting over the plateau!

Congratulations, Morphy!

Thanks, everyone!

I'm late to the congratulations party, but I'm here! Yay for you!

*delurking* to say - I am also an Outlander fan. I managed the first 6. Although, the last one did not grip me as much. I am still going to read number 7, eventually.

Huzzah! Way to go, Morph!

108: That is FANTASTIC, Morphy. You must be literally floating on air. ;-) I would tell you to have a root beer float in celebration, but perhaps another good book like Owen Meany would be more appropriate. I just had to put in a plug for one of my favorite books. So glad you ended up liking it, too.

I'm late saying congratulations for getting off that plateau. Your total to date is inspiring.
Regarding the Outlander series, I really liked the first book but couldn't get through the second one and gave all the books back to my mother who loved the entire series. Yet to try the Novik series but I think I'll like them when I do.

Let me add more belated congratulations for your weight loss achievements!

Okay, finally catching up on books read. It's been a horrid couple of weeks with dental bills (MrMorphy), truck repair, job loss (MrMorphy), friendship loss (MrMorphy) and acute depression (both MrMorphy and me.) In 22 years of marriage, I think this has been the worst of the "for better or for worse."

We are both ready for a break. You hear that Universe?

*shakes a fist*

182. The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: Reread

Summary: The first story in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series

Opinion: Comfort food

Rating: 8

183. The Creative License by Danny Gregory

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: 888 (12 in 12)

Summary: Giving Yourself Permission to be the Artist You Truly Are

Opinion: Encouraging enough for creative types, artists and journalers, that I've put it on my Amazon wishlist to own one day. Lots of good ideas and inspirations and filled with Gregory's sketches of slices of life.

Rating: 8

184. The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

Genre: Thriller

Notes: TIOLI #1 (Literature Map - Stephen King), LTMP, Ultimate Reading List (12 in 12)

Summary: Thriller about an amnesiac trying to find out why people are trying to kill him

Opinion: The main character is a jerk and the heroine is too stupid to live. The story was brutal and the plot was frantic. I don't get the appeal.

Rating: 4

185. Beauty by Robin McKinley

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #17 (imbedded name - Beau), 1001 Fantasy (12 in 12)

Summary: Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Opinion: The first half of the book got a 9 and the second half sort of petered out to a 5 or 6. The story was appealing, gentle and interesting but it didn't go anywhere. There was build up but it didn't really ever hit a peak. I might not be explaining it well. It was sort of "that's it?" Don't get me wrong. I liked it and am glad I read it. But it was missing something in the end that would have made it a great story.

Rating: 7

186. Darkover First Contact by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: To complete bibliography

Summary: Two books from the Darkover series: Darkover Landfall - colonists crash land on Darkover and Two to Conquer - politics in the time of The Compact (to only use weapons that have you within arms reach of who you are fighting.)

Opinion: Bradley writes so well. I lose myself in her stories. You don't always like the characters you are reading about but I certainly get absorbed in the books. The world-building and characterization is fantastic.

Rating: 8

187. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Genre: Fiction

Notes: 50 State (12 in 12), WCC Book Club

Summary: A retelling of Hamlet. A mute boy living with his kennel-running family in Wisconsin thinks his uncle killed his father.

Opinion: Everyone in my book club HATED the ending. Absolutely hated it. Reviews of the rest of the book varied from didn't like to absolutely loved, but the vote was unanimous on the ending. I was middle of the road on the first 90% of the book. It could have been trimmed by 100 pages certainly. But I loved the descriptions of the kennel workings and the dog point of view chapters. I liked the parts with Henry, the helpful soul. The ending sucked.

Rating: 5

188. Bone Magic by Yasmine Galenorn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #3 (alternate Earth - non-humans and magic), next in series

Summary: Continuing saga of the D'Artigo sisters

Opinion: Brain candy

Rating: 7

189. Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: TIOLI #3 (alternate Earth - wereanimals), reread

Summary: BBW and a werewolf

Opinion: More comfort food

Rating: 7

190. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #17 (imbedded name - Grace), reread

Summary: A young woman graced with a killing ability refuses to obey the king's abusive orders and sets off on a different path

Opinion: Comfort food III

Rating: 7

191. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

Genre: Mystery

Notes: Around the World in 80 Sleuths (12 in 12)

Summary: A mystery from the point of view of a flock of sheep

Opinion: I liked the concept of the book but the execution fell flat. The author needed a lot more clarity when writing this book. I'd think I'd finally be catching on and then she'd go off on some weird tangent. Nothing pulled together.

Rating: 4

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

On Deck:
Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik
150 Pounds Gone by Diane Carbonell
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King

#136 by @Morphidae> Concur. The idea was great, the sheep were WONDERFUL, but the execution left me scratching my head. It just got too trippy and forced plot-wise.

So sorry to hear that the past two weeks have been rough for you and MrMorphy. Hang in there!

Way to go on the weight loss, Morphy! You continue to be an inspiration to me.
Sorry to hear about all the "for worse" in your life right now. Hopefully the universe will right itself soon and send you and Mr. Morphy some "for better" soon!

Thanks for all your concise reviews. Many on that list that I have on my TBR mountain waiting to be read. And thanks to you, some I can safely pass. :)

Congrats on the weight loss Morphy! You rock!

Books are books and you are a maestro at ploshing up huge swathes of them dear lady. So sorry to hear about Mr. Morphy's travails of the past week - I trust that with your warm heart and support the worse part will soon give way again to the better. Hugs to both of you and an extra big one to you for your exploits in shaving off 150+ pounds - genuine heroine!

Ha! I liked Three Bags Full. Perhaps it wasn't quality writing, but I got a few good laughs out of it. It was silly. :) It was a book that I bought when I was stuck in an airport for plane problems once. Back before the days of my Wi-fi Nook. :)

Three Bags Full unfortunately fell flat for me, too. I was looking forward to it being much better based on the premise.

I get back from a week away from here and I come back to you and MrMorphy heading to warmer climes in a hand-basket! I sincerely hope that things are looking up for the both of you.

*arranges armload of peonies in a vase (with marbles at the bottom so the cat can't knock it over)* Sorry for the tough times for you and Mr. Morph and huge HUGE congratulations on the weight loss! I've glanced over your thread to see what you've been reading but haven't read in detail yet.

I hope you both have a much better week next week. It's weeks like this when the universe pulls a U-turn and brings wonderful news right? We can always hope. :)

MrMorphy talked with the temp agency yesterday. They told him he was top on the list for the next available job and that it probably wouldn't take more than a week. So keep those fingers crossed and thumbs held.

fingers crossed for MrMorphy.

Fingers crossed!

Good luck to Mr. Morphy

Everything crossable is crossed for you, Morphy!

We have a possibility for a job that starts Monday. Keep them crossed!

Here are the series I'm reading in general priority order:

Author, Series, Number I've Read/Number in Series, Next Book to Read

My Precious
Andrews, Ilona, Kate Daniels, 5/6, Gunmetal Magic
Briggs, Patricia, Alpha and Omega, 3/3, TBA
Briggs, Patricia, Mercedes Thompson, 6/7, Frost Burned
Bujold, Lois McMaster, Miles Vorkosigan, 13/14, Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
Butcher, Jim, Dresden Files, 13/14, Cold Days
Galenorn, Yasmine, Otherworld, 7/14, Harvest Hunting
Hamilton, Laurell K., Anita Blake, 21/21, TBA
Hamilton, Laurell K., Meredity Gentry, 8/8, TBA
Harkness, Deborah, All Souls Trilogy, 2/3, TBA
Harris, Charlaine, Sookie Stackhouse, 12/13, Dead Ever After
Harrison, Kim, Rachel Morgan, 10/11, Ever After
Hearne, Kevin, Iron Druid, 4/6, Trapped
Kenyon, Sherrilyn, Dark Hunter, 22/23, Time Untime
Lackey, Mercedes, Collegium, 3/4, Redoubt
Lackey, Mercedes, Elemental Masters, 8/8, TBA
Lackey, Mercedes, Five Hundred Kingdoms, 6/6, TBA
Murphy, C. E., Walker Papers, 7/8, Mountain Echoes
Robb, J. D., In Death, 9/35, Witness in Death
Rothfuss, Patrick, Kingkiller, 2/2, TBA
Singh, Nalini, Guild Hunter, 4/5, Archangel's Storm
Vaughn, Carrie, Kitty Norville, 9/11, Kitty Steals the Show
Ward, J. R., Black Dagger Brotherhood, 10/11, Lover at Last
Ward, J. R., Fallen Angels, 1/4, Crave

High
Andrews, Ilona, Edge, 1/4, Bayou Moon
Armstrong, Kelley, Women of the Otherworld, 9/13, Frost Bitten
Arthur, Keri, Riley Jensen, 4/9, Embraced by Darkness
Asimov, Isaac, Foundation, 1/7, Foundation and Empire
Atherton, Nancy, Aunt Dimity, 2/18, Aunt Dimity's Good Deed
Bujold, Lois McMaster, Sharing Knife, 2/4, Passage
Butcher, Jim, Codex Alera, 2/6, Cursor's Fury
Card, Orson Scott, Homecoming, 4/5, Earthborn
Clare, Cassandra, Mortal Instruments, 1/5, City of Ashes
Cronin, Justin, Passage, 1/2, The Twelve
Davidson, MaryJanice, Queen Betsy, 10/11, Undead and Unstable
Evanovich, Janet, Stephanie Plum, 13/19, Fearless Fourteen
Feehan, Christine, Dark Carpathians, 2/23, Dark Gold
Ferris, Monica, Needlecraft, 6/16, Cutwork
Fforde, Jasper, Thursday Next, 1/7, Lost in a Good Book
George, Jessica Day, Princess of the Midnight Ball, 1/3, Princess of Glass
Harper, Karen, Amish Home Valley, 1/3, Return to Grace
Harper, Molly, Jane Jameson, 1/4, Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men
James, E. L., Fifty Shades, 1/3, Fifty Shades Darker
Jance, J. A., Joanna Brady, 7/14, Devil's Claw
Jemisin, N K, Inheritance, 2/3, The Kingdom of Gods
Johnson, Jean, Sons of Destiny, 1/9, The Wolf
Karon, Jan, Mitford, 2/9, These High, Green Hills
Lackey, Mercedes, Shadow Grail, 2/3, Sacrifices
Lisle, Holly, World Gates, 1/3, The Wreck of Heaven
McGuire, Seanan, InCryptid, 1/2, Midnight Blue-Light Special
Moning, Karen Marie, MacKayla Lane, 1/5, Bloodfever
Nix, Garth, Keys to the Kingdom, 2/7, Drowned Wednesday
Patterson, James, Women's Murder Club, 2/12, 3rd Degree
Penny, Louise, Chief Inspector Gamache, 1/8, Dead Cold
Priest, Cherie, Eden Moore, 1/3, Wings to the Kingdom
Quinn, Julia, Bridgertons, 1/8, Romancing Mister Bridgerton
Sanderson, Brandon, Mistborn, 3/4, The Alloy of Law
Singh, Nalini, Psy-Changelings, 1/12, Visions of Heat
Wilks, Eileen, Lupi, 2/9, Blood Lines
Yolen, Jane, Pit Dragons, 2/4, A Sending of Dragons

Medium
Barry, Dave, Peter, 1/5, Peter and the Shadow Thieves
Braun, Lilian Jackson, The Cat Who, 1/29, The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern
Cabot, Meg, Princess Diaries, 1/10, Princess in the Spotlight
Caine, Rachel, Weather Warden, 1/9, Heat Stroke
Chance, Karen, Cassie Palmer, 1/5, Claimed by Shadow
Cole, Kresley, Immortals after Dark, 1/12, No Rest for the Wicked
Colfer, Eoin, Artemis Fowl, 1/8, The Arctic Incident
Galbaldon, Diana, Outlander, 1/7, Dragonfly in Amber
Gilman, Laura Anne, Retrievers, 1/6, Curse the Dark
Harrison, Harry, Stainless Steel Rat, 1/11, The Stainless Steel Rat's Revenge
Harrison, Kim, Madison Avery, 1/3, Early to Death, Early to Rise
Herriot, James, All Creatures, 1/5, All Things Bright and Beautiful
Hill, Sandra, Viking II, 1/10, The Last Viking
Lowry, Lois, Giver Quartet, 2/4, Messenger
MacAlister, Katie, Aisling Grey, 1/4, Fire Me Up
Marillier, Juliet, Sevenwaters, 1/6, Son of the Shadows
Mead, Richelle, Vampire Academy, 1/6, Frostbite
Montgomery, L. M., Anne Shirley, 1/8, Anne of Avonlea
Oke, Janette, Love Comes Softly, 1/8, Love's Enduring Promise
Patterson, James, Alex Cross, 2/20, Jack and Jill
Snyder, Maria, Opal Cowan, 1/3, Sea Glass
Stroud, Jonathan, Bartimaeus, 1/4, The Golem's Eye
Turner, Megan Whalen, Attolia, 1/4, The Queen of Attolia
Warrington, Freda, Aetherial Tales, 1/3, Midsummer Night
Wells, Rebecca, Ya-Ya Sisterhood, 1/3, Little Altars Everywhere
Wrede, Patricia, Cecelia and Kate, 1/3, The Grand Tour

Low
Alexander, Lloyd, Prydain, 1/5, The Black Cauldron
Baum, L. Frank, Oz, 2/14, Ozma of Oz
Dart-Thornton, Cecilia, Bitterbynde, 1/3, The Lady of the Shadows
Davidson, MaryJanice, Fred the Mermaid, 1/3, Swimming without a Net
Forsyth, Kate, Witches of Eileanan, 1/6, The Pool of Two Moons
L'Engle, Madeleine, Time Quintet, 1/5, A Wind in the Door
Sandford, John, Lucas Davenport, 1/22, Shadow Prey
Sparks, Kerrelyn, Love at Stake, 2/13, Vamps and the City

HOLY MOLY! I've only heard of 14 of those. Of those 14, I've read maybe 4. You blow me away time and again.

So many good series on that list, Morphy!

I wish I could sit down and organize all the series I have read, are reading, or are wanting to read at some point, but the task just seems too daunting!

#156 by @jolerie> Here's a shortcut that LT provides: http://www.librarything.com/profile/jolerie/stats/series. Sometimes I look at my list and realize that a book I read was part of a series I didn't even know about. It's fun... although, like many aspects of LT, I wish it didn't include my wishlist books.

Yikes! That is a lot of books! I've actually checked out that feature before and it's pretty cool. I think the work actually comes afterwards where I'd have to sort through all those and figure out the ones I've read/want to read/don't even own yet kind of deal. :)

I also have my fingers crossed for both you and Mr Morphy. Love your lists, love the highest ranking - 'my precious.' I think I'll have to work up my own list too. We don't have many matchups, but I've always meant to read something by Juliet Marillier and still haven't.

I didn't use the LT series list. I think it's too cumbersome and not very accurate when it comes to what it counts in the series. I used my own databases and the Fantastic Fiction website.

For series I use fictfact.com.

I lost five pounds this week! That's a total of fourteen pounds in the last three weeks. After that horrid three week plateau, I'm so thrilled!!!

*does happy Snoopy dance*

Morphy - wonderful there are 111 on my active series list and I count 93 on yours and we share....1! The Lucas Davenport. The James Herriot series is not on my active list as I finished it but the other 91 I haven't read.

Data freaks

>163 PaulCranswick: & 164 LOL to both!

(-:

Congrats again! On the weight loss and the series list.

Thanks for the inspirational weight loss. Helps keep me motivated!
Your list making was also the catalyst to get me starting on my own. :)

Congratulations again!

Oh Morphy! I am sad to hear that in 22 years of marriage, this has been the worst one for you and Mr Morphy. Great job on the weight loss and I've got my fingers and toes crossed for Mr Morphy and a new job! Tough year - I am sorry!

I'm so sorry that you and Mr.Morphy have had such a rough stretch lately. I've got my fingers crossed that life will improve soon! Good luck to Mr.Morphy with the job possibility, and congrats on continued weight loss!

Hi, Morphy. I lost you a few threads back, and now I found you again. Actually, I was just wondering about your thread (and book bullets) when you popped up on mine. Sorry to hear things weren't going well; hope they're better now.

Very well done on the weight loss. I'm jealous. I'm still carrying a tummy, though my no-longer-toddler is fast heading for his fourth birthday. If I could shift 10 kilos, I'd be happy. Ecstatic, even. I hurt my foot back before Easter, and the doctor told me to go easy on it. Naturally, I took this as a good excuse (hah!) to drop what little exercise I was already doing, which didn't do me any favours. Now, if you could only share a few tips ...

>172 humouress:

#1 Track your food. Calories, points, exchanges, anything. You become much more aware of what you put in your mouth. And you'll be shocked at how calorie laden some "diet food" is.

#2 Don't drink your calories. Get rid of pop, fruit juice, booze, etc. Drink water instead.

#3 Add fruits and vegetables. Minimum should be 5 servings a day. I try to eat 1 serving with each meal or snack.

#4 Don't deprive yourself. I allow myself full fat cheese, chocolate, pasta, etc. - just in reasonable portions.

#5 Patience. You need to be consistent with a calorie deficit over a long period of time to succeed. Sucks, but it's the only way to do it in a healthy manner.

Great advice! Thank you. I've become more conscious about no. 2 myself. I wish I didn't love milk so much.

Drink your milk, eat your yogurt, and take in the calcium you need for strong bones (don't get the osteoporosis I have). Just track your food. You can eat the calories you want if you eat other good things. It is moderation, and balance, that you are looking for; and Morphy is 100% right: Track your food. You need to know exactly what you are eating and somewhat naturally you will begin to know where to cut back.''

I just want to chime in here. Morphy, you are an inspiration to me, and one of the people who (unknowingly) have inspired me to start losing the 100lbs I have to lose to get healthy. I have lost 18 so far, and all by tracking + exercising. I use My Fitness Pal (a free website) but there are more websites out there. I have a slight calorie deficit every day. Other than that I try to:
- Eat yoghurt every day (not only for calcium but also because I read that yoghurt makes you lose fat easier)
- Eat fruit every day (yeah it is sugar and calories, but healthy ones, and I feel better for it)
- Eat vegetables every day
- Drink only water (I didn't drink alcohol anyway, and my drink of choice was Pepsi Max, 0 cal but still no good)
- Plan my meals. When I decide what to eat when I am hungry, I'll reach for that burger
- Nothing is forbidden, but I have to count and track. Reading the nutritional info in restaurants has shocked me into not wanting any burgers for a while.

I read an article on Lifehacker that changed the way I approached it. You know how you say that you "can't have" something like a piece of cake when you are on a diet? Don't say (or think) that, say I don't want that. I don't want that piece of cake, I want to lose weight, get healthy, feel better. That turns it from a negative thought (and a negative diet-association) to a positive thought. I don't want that, and that is a good thing :D

BTW, sorry to high-jack your thread like that. :|

#173 by @Morphidae> As to #2 and #4, the best advice I can give is to, first and foremost, AVOID fake sugars. Fake sugars are nasty things, which are now being linked to all kinds of health problems, not the least of which is weight gain even thought they "have zero calories." What happens is that your body waits for a real sugar, from your good healthy fruit maybe, and then stores it away like a crazed squirrel because it's been deprived. If you cut fake sugars, you can actually eat things with natural sugar in them (in moderation naturally) and be much better off. So, if you want to slowly work your way down to no soda, start with a real sugar soda, such as Jones Cane Sugar Soda or Mexican Coke, which is made with cane sugar as well. Then, ween yourself off those.

Same with all the goodies people deprive themselves of for the sake of dieting. Like Morphy said, don't deprive yourself of the yummy stuff that you love, just make informed choices about it. Look for pastas and breads and cheeses that have the fewest ingredients and are naturally prepared. These will usually have vastly lower amounts of sugars and carbs and crap from fillers and preservatives and be much better for you. And easier to digest which means easier to flush bad stuff from your system. And dark chocolate- the real stuff- is actually quite good for you, in moderation.

PS: Avoid fake cooking oils/margarine as well, like "veg oil" and those sprays. You are better off eating olive oil, butter, and lard in small amounts than hydrogenated fats. Fats are good for you, if you are smart about them and pick biologically correct ones.

All good advice; but first I have to get rid of my 'maybe tomorrow' and 'just this once' (every time) attitudes.

Well, I have a recipe book with meals counted and planned for four weeks. I've been looking at it for a while, so maybe I should start to use it. Oh, the hardest part is getting started.

SparkPeople.com has also been a ton of help. Trackers and a great community.

ETA: Also has a good "get started" program.

#179 by @humouress> "first I have to get rid of my 'maybe tomorrow' and 'just this once' (every time) attitudes."

The thing that worked for me was that once I started eating real, whole foods I realized that everything I was eating was not only better for me but tasted WAY better. I actually enjoy food so much more now because I'm never just eating whatever because I'm hungry, I'm eating specifically to fuel my body and it's damn tasty! If you approach it like that, your meals become a joy and a nourishment so you rob the power of those other junk=reward behaviors. I will say, however, that I changed my eating habits more out of a lifestyle change than specifically to loose weight and that I haven't actually had any significant weight loss being that I have severe hypothyroidism, but if I can ever get my hormone levels under control, I'm in a good place to start loosing the weight now.

When I have a hard time getting started, I use a "soft start"... like just write down what you are eating. And sneak up on changing things, one small change at a time. No hurry as long as you are on a path....

Oh boy. I've been bad. I have a ton of books to post. I think I need to start posting books as I read them or I get way behind. MrMorphy is still out of work and I'm a nervous wreck. I gained 4 pounds last week which was frustrating as all get out. The last two mornings I had to fast - yesterday for an ultrasound for gallstones (no water even!) and this morning for some blood tests. Blaaaaargh!

192. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #13 (word rearrange - foist), LT Recommended (12 in 12), Random

Summary: A teen girl with cancer goes to a support group and falls in love with another attendee

Opinion: I was reluctant to start this one. Not another angsty YA. And I just knew there would be a sappy ending. Ugh! But it wasn't like that at all. It was very real, sympathetic and touched my heart. Best book I've read so far this year.

Rating: 9

193. Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Genre: Children's

Notes: 50 State (12 in 12), Ellie's (Poetry)

Summary: Children's book about the journey of life in rhyme

Opinion: Meh. Too much build up for this one. Don't know why it's such a popular gift for graduates. I would think they would feel talked down to. Too simplistic.

Rating: 4

194. Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #3 (alternate Earth), Off the Shelf (12 in 12), ER, next in series

Summary: The adventures of Laurence and Temeraire in South America

Opinion: While I love the dragon personalities and the world-building is done well, after seven books of constant misery, I'm not going to read any more books by Novik. Her plots consist of one tragedy after another and I'm no masochist. I like a little hope and humor in what I read. Her novels read like a laundry list of trauma, "What else can I do these people?" No, thanks.

Rating: 4

195. Feed by M. T. Anderson

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #16 (boring, brown cover), random

Summary: YA dystopia where everyone's brains are hooked up to the "Feednet" run by corporations

Opinion: This YA, on the other hand, *was* too angsty and sappy. The language and characters are aimed strictly at teens. About the only thing going for it was the interesting take on what might happen if we continue on the path of corporatocracy and being "hooked in" to the Internet. What if we are actually physically hooked up?

Rating: 5

Hi Morphy. I spent all morning posting back books. I thought I was all caught up and then discovered another one yet to do! Oh well. Progress. I loved TFinOS and the Seuss. : )

I am also enjoying all the weight loss advice. I put on about 25 after my last surgery. All that bed rest. Ugh! And I am ready to do something about it. Just drew up my excercise plan. Now for the food!

196. Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King

Genre: Fiction

Notes: To complete bibliography

Summary: Dolores explains how she did not kill her aged employer... but did kill her husband.

Opinion: Solid entry into King's canon. I found the chapterless format somewhat distracting but the characterization and story-telling was absorbing, as usual.

Rating: 7

197. 150 Pounds Gone Forever by Diane Carbonell

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #18 (monetary unit), Off the Shelf (12 in 12), ER

Summary: How I Lost Half My Size and You Can Too

Opinion: Meh. While most of the book had good information - no fad diets, no strict rules, healthy balanced eating, encouraged exercise, small slow changes - I found her negative attitude about her weight issues off-putting. She lacked compassion, often referring to herself as a whale or to waddling, for instance. I felt as if we met face-to-face, she would feel as disgusted with me as she once obviously felt for herself.

Rating: 5

198. Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Genre: Children's

Notes: Calendar

Summary: A recently orphaned girl goes to live with her maidenly aunts until her uncle comes to take over her care

Opinion: While a nice story, it was too preachy and saccharine for me. Doesn't come near up to the level of Little Women. A disappointment.

Rating: 5

How do you post them that fast? My message is sandwiched between speed reviews. LOL

199. Witness in Death by J. D. Robb

Genre: Mystery

Notes: TIOLI #15 (life or death), next in series

Summary: An actor is murdered mid-play on opening night

Opinion: Numerous books in there isn't a lot to say. I thoroughly enjoy the series and this is a solid entry.

Rating: 7

200. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #21 (mid-length), Ultimate Reading List (12 in 12)

Summary: A couple move into an apartment and an elderly couple take an unhealthy interest in them when Rosemary becomes pregnant

Opinion: I like straightforward writers that tell a story without a lot of flowery detail and Levin fits right into that sphere. Maybe a little TOO simple, perhaps. Straightforward story. I wouldn't call it horror, more suspense, even with the supernatural elements. It was more creepy than scary. At times I felt Rosemary was simply TSTL (Too Stupid To Live.)

Rating: 6

201. Harvest Hunting by Yasmine Galenorn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #17 (embedded first name), next in series

Summary: Delilah begins training as a Death Maiden and the fight with Stacia Bonecrusher comes to a head

Opinion: Again, not a lot to say. Enjoy the series, solid entry. I like that Delilah seems to be coming into her own.

Rating: 7

202. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Genre: Fiction

Notes: GoodReads Popular (12 in 12), LTMP, Ultimate Reading List, US50

Summary: A teen fights for the right to not be a kidney donor to her ailing older sister

Opinion: I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. On one hand, it was panned as over-rated. On the other hand, it was very popular. I wasn't sure what to expect. I ended up scarfing it down pretty quicky. Picoult really tells a great story even if you know what is coming. She keeps the emotional tension taut without it being too much.

Rating: 8

203. The Warlock in Spite of Himself by Christopher Stasheff

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #4 (alternating letters), LTMP, TBR 2007

Summary: A combination of science fiction and fantasy where an agent for a lost colony confederation attempts to create a stable government in magical world

Opinion: Shows its age. This might have gone over well back in the 70s but now it feels too, I don't, arrogant and stuffy. The over-competent hero with his amusing side kick comes in to fix everything and gets the girl with no effort at all. Yawner.

Rating: 5

204. My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #15 (life or death), Calico

Summary: White trash living in a dump of a trailer with her father wakes up in ER as a zombie

Opinion: I'm not into zombies and certainly not into reading about white trailer trash. So I wasn't expecting to like this book. But I did! I did! It is surprisingly a story of redemption. I will be looking into other books by this author for sure.

Rating: 7

205. Crave by J. R. Ward

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Notes: Next in series

Summary: Jim tries to save the second soul. Isaac is a special ops soldier trying to leave his old violent life behind and Grier is his public defender.

Opinion: Not up to par with the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but certainly works to tide me over while waiting for the next book to come out. It has the same "guys working together against evil" thing but lacking most of the "we're family" feel.

Rating: 7

206. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Genre: Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #17 (embedded name - Hal), to complete bibliography

Summary: A retelling of Grimm's fairy tale

Opinion: Just didn't do it for me. I thought the heroine was wishy-washy and reactive rather than proactice. All the secondary characters were cardboard and two dimensional. A disappointment after liking The Princess Academy so much. I wonder if it's worth trying another Hale.

Rating: 6

207. The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes:

Summary: Behind the scenes and historical look at the show I've likened to crack

Opinion: Yum yum yum. Lovely pictures. Lovely thick, smooth paper. Lots of good information on the history and culture and fashion. Would have liked to have seen a diagram of the house and when they talked about a fashion, an appropriate picture should have always been with it. But otherwise, fun.

Rating: 8

208. Kitty Steals the Show by Carrie Vaughn

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #9 (Summer Olympics city - London), next in series

Summary: Kitty and Ben head off to London to attend a paranormal studies conference

Opinion: Another one of those series where I don't have much more to say. It's the tenth book and still going pretty strong. Perhaps too many characters but that's too be expected at a conference, I suppose.

Rating: 7

209. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #3 (alternate earth - Fae, magic)

Summary: October is reluctantly pulled back into the world of the Fae after having been transformed into a koi fish for fourteen years

Opinion: Meh. I'm not sure why I didn't get into this one. It's right up my alley. Perhaps because the heroine is sort of a borderline personality - depressed, anti-social, avoids responsibility, no sense of humor, etc. I might try the next one. Not sure.

Rating: 6

Berly, it's all a matter of copy and pasting. I have everything set up in a database including the cover link and a text document with my basic form that includes the html. So it's a lot of Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V!

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Athena by Susan Deacy
Undead and Unstable by MaryJanice Davidson

On Deck:
The Secret Language of Symbols by David Fontana
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
New Woman by Jon Hassler

Some nice reading that you are doing, Morphy. I really liked We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I hope you enjoy it too.

Re: #191. I agree that Eight Cousins has its preachy bits, but the whole thing is redeemed at least in part by what goes on in Rose in Bloom. Not quite so good perhaps as Little Women, but even reading it as an adult, I was captivated one weekend. After all, I wanted to see if Louisa May Alcott kill off Doctor Alec the way that she killed off John Brook in Little Men?

I haven't read Little Men so didn't know she did that. Bit of a spoiler there. :)

So happy to see you liked TFiOS, Morphy. That's a book I've been trying to get everyone I know to read. :)

Well done Morphy for whizzing past the 200 book mark.

*lurking*

Wow! I'm running way behind on my thread, too. Glad you liked The Fault in Our Stars -- opinion seems divided on it, at least in the threads and reviews I've read, but I liked it as well.

I agree with what you said about Oh, the Places You'll Go as a graduation gift -- it does seem a bit patronizing. But I think it works better with little kids, as is the case with most Seuss.

I'm still hoping for a happy ending for Laurence and Temeraire, but I can understand getting bogged down in the unpleasant aspects of the series.

Eight Cousins was one of my favorite books growing up, and I still love it and the sequel, Rose in Bloom. As a kid, you don't see so much of what comes across as preachiness to us grown-ups, I guess. I just remember being fascinated with Rose's adventures with the boys, and with the great bedroom and box of treasures from Uncle Alec.

I only read The Goose Girl once, though I went on to read all of the sequels as well. Can't remember if I found them better or just on par with the first book -- I know I enjoyed all of them, but none of them seem to have stuck in my memory. Speaking of Hale, did you know that the sequel to Princess Academy is out? It's called Palace of Stone, and I have it on my shelf of library books to be read.

I'll have to see about getting my hands on The World of Downton Abbey -- it sounds fascinating.

Still to read The Fault in our stars, I'm finding John Green a bit hit or miss - don't love everything he's written but really liked several.
Like foggidawn says, the Dr Seuss works quite well with preschoolers though I've never understood the appeal for giving it to graduates.

I've only read Hale's Book of a Thousand Days and the first GN, Rapunzel's Secret, liked them well enough.

>206 alcottacre: Stasia, it started off a little slow for me but it's getting more interesting now.

>209 MickyFine: Micky, I was beginning to wonder if I was going to have a 9 star book this year. It took me until August to get one!

>210 PaulCranswick: Thanks! I think I'm running a bit behind on my goal of hitting 300 this year though.

>211 maggie1944: Lurk away, love!

>212 foggidawn: foggidawn, I'll probably end up finishing the series as I'm a completist. But dang, I'm glad they come out a year apart.

>213 avatiakh: Kerry, yeah, I wasn't at all impressed with Looking for Alaska. I may try Book of a Thousand Days.

re: #208. For the record, I would argue that my comment about Uncle Alec and John Brook was not a spoiler because I didn't say exactly what happened in context of the story itself. (But neither did I mean to *really* spoil it for you and hope I didn't do that.) You would still need to read the book(s) to know exactly what happened. I might be prone to hyperbole. (You happened to hit on the author that I focused on in my senior year of college when I was seriously focused on English Lit and Social History. I LOVED that project and I aced it big time. )

To further add to the whole discussion, I actually prefer Little Men to Little Women.

Oh, I don't mind spoilers at all. After all, I read the last chapter first! But others might consider being told who dies as a spoiler if they haven't read the book.

HI Morphy! Congrats on the continued weight loss! Gotta love it when a plateau ends eh!

Glad you liked The Fault in Our Stars so much, Morphy. Me, too.

210. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Genre: Horror

Notes: TIOLI #18 (Publisher series), 50 State (12 in 12)

Summary: Two young women retreat into their home after their family is poisoned

Opinion: I struggled at first. I found it slow going but by mid-book, I could barely put it down. Still, I was left feeling empty. I thought I could relate to Mary at first, but then as the story went on, you realize how very off she was. And by the end, you understand that Constance is too. Not so much horror as creepy. Very, very creepy.

Rating: 7

I've been wanting to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but it's one of those books that I always think about reading and never actually read.

I love seeing different peoples reactions to books. I thoroughly enjoyed The Goose Girl, as I found the prose much better crafted than a lot of YA. A little simplistic perhaps, but it was a re-telling of a fairy tale.

>220 The_Hibernator: I waffled between giving it a 6 and a 7. A 6 because nothing really good happens. I ended up giving it a 7 though because Jackson so successfully creeped me out in the end.

>221 lunacat: I don't mind simplistic so much. But I was left with a "meh" feeling about all the characters.

#219: I agree with you - not quite horror, but very, very creepy. I am glad to see that you ended up enjoying the book after the slow start.

>223 alcottacre: Thanks for stopping by, Stasia. How's school going? I just started up again myself and am loving it. I'm taking Computerized Applications in Accounting. It's about QuickBooks and Peachtree. I'm happy as a clam. It took me until I'm near 50 to find out what I wanted to be when I grew up!

I love Jackson but have never read that one. She is indeed very good at the creepies.
I'm excited to for and your class - I miss starting new classes in the fall. Sigh. I loved school. (What a geek! Ha!)

211. Undead and Unstable by MaryJanice Davidson

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Notes: TIOLI #16 (published 2012), next in series

Summary: The vampire queen, Betsy, continues to flounder through undead life

Opinion: The plot was meandering and made little sense. There was no character growth for Betsy - she continues to be a self-centered ditz except for one or two fleeting moments. I was able to make it through because of the fun secondary characters and the occasional bit of humor. I don't know why I continue with this series other than compulsion to complete. However, if my rating ever drops to a 4, I'm done.

Rating: 5

I am such a grouch. I look at the picture on the cover of that book and I think, "who would put on such a disguise? Hiding behind dark glasses, and distracting red lips - ugly". I am not normal, am I. I am not surprised the book was not so good, either.

>227 maggie1944: : Well, apparently you judged that book accurately by its cover.

>227 maggie1944: Actually, it fits for the character, but, yeah...

>229 staceywebb: Ack! I've been spammed! Flag that puppy!

Staceywebb has been very promiscuous today.

And I have been throwing flags, right and left! Spammers: Be Gone!

Wow, thanks for pumping out all those reviews!

I still want to get my hands on the library copy of The Fault in Our Stars being seeing how popular it is, I may have to wait a bit.
Glad to see that My Sister's Keeper was a pleasant surprise for you. I actually really like Picoult even though she is kind of formulaic after you read a few of her books. You always expect that there is a twist at the end, but I like the fact that she tackles some controversial issues and her characters always find a way to burrow into my head.

>232 maggie1944: Yeah, I went through and systematically flagged all of the ones I could find. It took a while. She hit (at least) the 75ers, The Green Dragon, and 12 in 12 groups.

#233

I really really disliked the twist at the end of My Sister's Keeper. I much preferred how they did the film. It is one of the only occasions that I thought the film was much better than the book.

>235 lunacat: I haven't seen the film, but I thought the ending of the book was horrible. It avoided actually dealing with the basic question that was the premise for the whole book.

>233 jolerie:, 235, 236 I knew what the twist was before I read the book. This time it wasn't from me read the last chapter first but because a year or two ago, I read a spoiler somewhere. So it wasn't an awful surprise for me. I'm actually reluctant to watch the movie because I saw that they really changed the ending.

#236

The film switches the ending so that it ends as it 'should'. Still avoids the basic issue to some extent, but not nearly as much as it does in the book. It was such a cop-out.

212. The New Woman by Jon Hassler

Genre: Fiction

Notes: TIOLI #4 (anticipation - expect, page 3), WCC Book Club

Summary: An elderly lady in small town Minnesota reluctantly moves into senior housing

Opinion: I wanted to like this more than I did but I found the main character difficult to relate to and the plot was episodic in nature. I was left with a feeling of "that's it?" I did like reading about the various secondary characters and how it was to adjust to living in senior housing after being independent all own's life.

Rating: 6

#224: School is going just fine, Morphy. I hope you continue to enjoy it too!

Well, I guess I should read The New Woman. Seems to go with my current intention to downsize radically and to interview senior housing options.

>241 maggie1944: You just may like the main character. She's a cranky retired teacher. Heh.

heh! So, I looked to buy it for the Nook and B&N is charging 11.95 or 12.95 for it. I think $13 is too much for this book, especially since I can not turn around and sell it as a used book. I might look again and see if there is a used copy I could get for a reasonable amount and then I could sell it again. I am just not willing to spend this much right now.

Yeah. And it's a short book, too. About 200 pages. Certainly not worth that price.

213. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Genre: Children's

Notes: TIOLI #8 (portrait), 1001 Fantasy (12 in 12), LTMP

Summary: Ella tries to escape the fairy "gift" of being obedient

Opinion: An absolute delight. While certainly aimed at the pre-teen set, I enjoyed it thoroughly. The heroine was proactice and amusing, the secondary characters were delightful (even the bad guys) and the world-building was interesting. I wanted to hug the book when I was done. Too bad I hear the movie was awful.

Rating: 8

Oh, I keep meaning to add that one to my wishlist, and with your positive review, it's definitely going on there now!

~~~~~

Currently Reading:
The Arabian Nights by Sir Richard F. Burton (SantaThing)
Downbelow Station by C. J. Cherryh
Athena by Susan Deacy
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
The Ages of Chaos by Marion Zimmer Bradley

On Deck:
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
The Wrong Kind of Blood by Declan Hughes

Morning Morphy! Just popping in to say Hi! Loved Ella and I am a Piccoult fan. I know about the formulaic endings and I still love them I read the Wolf one not too long ago and enjoyed it.

Sounds like I need to look for Ella Enchanted, too.

214. Athena by Susan Deacy

Genre: Nonfiction

Notes: TIOLI #18 (Publisher - Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World), Nonfiction (12 in 12)

Summary: Study of the Greek goddess

Opinion: A bit dry but otherwise a decent scholarly introduction to Athena. Could have been cut by a third. Each section was preceded by "this part is about" and then ended with "in summary, this part was about." All of which could have been deleted.

Rating: 5

I enjoyed Ella Enchanted too, Morphy, as did my wife and daughter.

I'm a fan of Ella Enchanted too and though the film is quite different I quite enjoyed it in a lighthearted sort of way too (I'll watch Hugh Dancy in most anything).

#245: I enjoyed Ella Enchanted too, Morphy, even though I am decidedly not in the age group for whom it was written.

I loved Ella Enchanted. I also really liked The Two Princesses of Bamarre and Fairest, though Ever wasn't really up to scratch.

We've moved!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/142093

>254 The_Hibernator: Good to hear. I was so thrilled with The Princess Academy by Hale and then was disappointed by another book of hers. So I'm happy to know that maybe there is another good book by a similar type author when I've liked one. It's made me leery!