Joanne's (coppers) Chap 5 - Waning Days of Summer

Napili Bay, Maui, early morning. This is my favorite beach. It's unpretentious and fun, and holds an ocean of good memories.

January 2012
1. Tomatoland by Barry Estabrook
2. Cake Wrecks by Jen Yates (nook)
3. Hush, Little Horsie by Jane Yolen (nook)
4.I Thought My Father Was God edited by Paul Auster (audio, reread)
5. Blizzard of Glass by Sally M Walker
6. The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar (Shelf #1)
7. Awkward Family Pet Photos by Mike Bender (nook)
8. The Walking People by Mary Beth Keane (Shelf #2)
9. Flights of Fancy by Peter Tate

February 2012
10. 22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson (sony)
11. The Betrayal of Trust by Susan Hill
12. The Odds: A Love Story by Stewart O'Nan
13. When Parents Text by Sophia Fraioli
14. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt (audio)
15. Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo (sony/nook)
16. The Invisible Ones by Stef Penney (LTER)

March 2012
17. An Available Man by Hilma Wolitzer (sony/nook)
18. The Hangman by Louise Penny (sony)
19. A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (Audio, reread)
20. Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum (Shelf #3)
21. Why Read Moby-Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick (Audio)
22. Force of Nature by C.J. Box (LTER)
23. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Bolton (Shelf #4)
24. The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths

April 2012
25. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith (Shelf #5)
26. The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith
27. He Who fears the Wolf by Karin Fossum (Shelf #6)
28. The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler
29. Lost Kingdom by Julia Flynn Siler (audio)
30. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (Shelf #7)

May 2012
31. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
32. When the Devil Holds the Candle by Karin Fossum
33. In a Dog's Heart by Jennifer Arnold (Audio)
34. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen (LTER)
35. Outlander by Diane Gabaldon (Shelf #7)
36. Loud and Clear by Anna Quindlen (Audio)
37. The Lion's Game by Nelson DeMille (Shelf #8)
38. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

June 2012
39. Trophy Hunt by C J Box
40. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
41. Stories from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean (shelf #9)
42. Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cottterill

July 2012
43. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
44. Ernie's Ark by Monica Wood
45. The Work of Wolves by Kent Meyers

August 2012
46. Safe from the Sea by Peter Geye
47. The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
48. Bruce by Albert Payson Terhune
49. The Builders by Maeve Binchy
50. The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings (audio)

September 2012
51. The Copper Beech by Maeve Binchy
52. The Odyssey of KP2 by Terrie Williams
53. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson (audio)
54. Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill
55. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell
56. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

October 2012
57. A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

Love the picture up top, Joanne!

46. Safe from the Sea by Peter Geye

Noah returns home from Boston to care for his ailing father in his northwoods Minnesota lake cabin. Their relationship has been strained for years, ever since the Lake Superior shipwreck that has been a defining before and after event in all of their lives. Olaf has never told the full story of the wreck and it is told here as a story within a story.

This will be one of my favorite books of the year – another wonderful gem. It is a story of reconciliation, love, and understanding, with a gripping survival narrative thrown in. The setting is well described and the characters drawn with heartfelt warmth. The descriptions of Great Lakes ore shipping was fascinating. (I couldn't help, sometimes, humming The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.)

This is the author’s debut novel and he's just published another. I can't wait to read it.

Stasia! Hello!! Thanks! So nice to see you here!! I've noticed you posting every now and again - I hope your summer is going well!

Oops, overdid the !s...but it is nice to see you again! :)

Joanne- Hey, stranger! Welcome home. Love the Napili Bay photo and the new thread. Gorgeous. Safe from the Sea sounds good. On the List it goes.

Lovely new thread you have here! Your first book goes nicely with your header pic :)
Hope all is well in your world :)

I love the picture up top!!! Very beautiful. Nice book haul! :)
I'll bet the puppy is a lot of work!!! We actually got a dog to foster in early July, we are adopting him Sunday. (I can't believe Mom hasn't mentioned it on her thread!) He is a big brindle greyhound named Whistler. He's a retired racing dog so he's thin as a fence post and very sweet (a fast runner though). Hopefully I can post pictures soon! :)

Joanne, you sold me on Safe From the Sea. The good news is that our library has two copies. I'll wait a week or so before I request it so I can read it next month. As usual I'm overbooked right now!

Hi Joanne - Wonderful picture. I'm also sold on Safe from the Sea. What's next? It's always hard to find something when you've read something you loved. How's the pup?

Safe From the Sea is safely atop my teetering tower Joanne. That beach is to die for:)

Wow! Great reviews on this ER - sounds good!
another temptation *sigh*

Waving

Hi Mark, Thanks! It is a good book - I don't read a lot of nautically themed novels and this one hit the spot.

Hi Kath - I didn't notice that - good catch! My world's going ok...considering...

Hi Callia, Thanks! Skye had her first puppy class tonight and now she's pooped. A tired puppy is a good puppy. And congratulations to you and your family - that's great! I have a couple of friends who have adopted greyhounds and they are very sweet. I love the name Whistler. I can't wait to see pictures!

Hi Donna, I hope you like it whenever you get to it. I think the overbooked problem is just going to get worse - lots of good books coming out in the fall, including a new Erdrich and Kingsolver. Such problems... :)

Hi Beth, My current read is The Virgin Cure which I know Deb loved when she read it earlier in the year. I'm about halfway through and I really like it. Pup is good, thanks! She was the youngest at the above mentioned puppy class and so was the most distracted and well, puppyish of the puppies. Also the cutest but I'm probably slightly biased. :) I'll post some more pictures next time I'm here.

Hi Bonnie - I hope you like it as much as I did. It is a lovely little beach...

Hi Cee, I didn't realize it had been an ER book until I finished it and noticed them all. Most seem pretty darn favorable! A good temptation!

Hi Carrie - I'm waving back!

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I'm really liking The Virgin Cure. It's a pretty quick read and I love the main character, Moth.

From looking at my reading log both this year and last, I noticed that my summertime reading rate is really, really low. Even though I tend to obsess much more about what I'm going to read during the summer months, I don't seem to get a lot done and hadn't really noticed it before.

Joanne - My daughter always says that about her Lola - a tired Lola is a good Lola. She's only about 8 months old and is very naughty when she has energy -- chews the bed, carpet, etc. Digs up the garden...

It's not the quantity, it's the quality, and you've had some great reads recently. I have The Virgin Cure on my WL.

Joanne- Whistler is not really naughty...he only sleeps all day :) It's amazing to me how docile they are! you can play with their ears and toes and brush their teeth and they just don't care! Skye is so adorable :)

Joanne -holds an ocean of good memories.
Lovely phrase to start a new thread!

Happy New Thread, Joanne!! Napili Bay looks too good for this world! Happy Reading!

I liked The Virgin Cure, but didn't love it. I did love The Birth House her first novel...

Another gorgeous pic reminding me that views of peoples' legs through my office window is not all that is available in the wide world we live in...

OK, back to my books.... (that view is pretty damn good...)

Hi Beth, Oh those teen-age years. Puppies do take a LOT of patience. I really have read some books this year that I really loved. Nothing too weighty, but that's ok, I don't necessarily like weighty.

Hi Callia - People are always surprised about how sweet and calm greyhounds are. It's not like they race around the house all day (although they might like that!). Be careful though, everyone I know with greyhounds have wound up with two! :)

Hi Paul, Why thank you, that's kind of you to say!

Hi Peggy - It is a nice spot. Happy reading to you as well! I need to stop by your thread and see what you've been up to. I've been missing a lot lately.

Hi Kath, I know I can get The Birth House as an ebook library loan. My turn came up with The Virgin Cure and it hooked me right away. I like it although it's a bit disturbing.

Hi Suz - LOL. Our books afford us some pretty darn good views!

Sleepy crew. (Skye is the blonde lump in the kennel.)



A better view of the littlest one.



And believe it or not, the cat is usually the instigator...

Oh, wow, that last photo is priceless!

>24 Copperskye: Oh I don't find it at all hard to believe that the cat is the instigator Joanne. Love the pic, priceless haha.

I LOVE the photos Joanne!!! Especially the last one... Very cute! It took months and months of convincing to get my mom to agree to a dog so we'll see how it goes!!!!!

Hi Joanne - Great pictures, especially the last one.

Oh yeah! no problem believing the cat is a bit of a rabble rouser :)
My cats are still on cloud 9 with their new stuff.. I can't wait to get the shelves up for them to lie on ..
Beautiful furkids you have there Joanne.. :) thanks for sharing their pics.

My son posted on FB yesterday.. A pic of his new buddy Seamus.. ( Maine Coon) who has all sorts of great stuff. Seamus is pictured in his fancy cat bed with his favorite toys lined up in front of his nose.. guess he wants to keep one eye on them while the other eye naps.. lol

Great pictures. You have such cuties at your house!

I love the contrast in the fur family photos--all quiet and peaceful, then smackdown!

Hi Joanne! I love the photos of your fur people, and have no trouble believing that the cat is often the instigator of trouble:) I also loved your review of Safe from the Sea, and will look for it immediately -- your recommendations are like gold.

Fairly safe to say that we are a strictly one-dog family, and Callia is right -- it took a LOT of convincing to get to that point!

Love the photos, Joanne. You got me with more blue text . . . added Safe from the Sea to my list. Sounds good!

All great pictures! I love the one in the middle.
Skye - sleepy or sad??? Either way, very sweet :-)

Nice new thread, Joanne!
I adore the pics of the furkidz. Copper and Skye and .... (not remembering...). What a crew!

#7: Adding the Peter Geye book to the BlackHole. Too bad the local library does not have it yet.

Of course the cat is the instigator??? :-)

Well, yes, the cat would be the instigator. And then would walk off with a haughty expression, communicating something along the lines of: "Hmph. This diversion was hardly worth my time."

Looking forward to your thoughts on the Ami McKay work. Her other novel, The Birth House is a treasured favorite of mine. Virgin Cure was good, but I just couldn't connect with it in the same way.

Those were such great pics of your pets!

>39 L-Anne: I know, I was so disappointed! After such a long wait, and it didn't touch me the way The Birth House did.. oh well, such is life ..

Joanne... It just made me smile again this morning :)

#38 LOL Well said, Ellen.

Our cat does the same thing... and just when Loki is getting wound up she stalks away leaving him wondering what went wrong! Many times Loki just keeps tearing and jumping around while she sits and watches with disdainful amusement.

Good entertainment for the whole family :-)

Cute puppies and kitty. Nice that they are getting along. :) Ready for my pups to go back to school!

47. The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

I liked the first half of this book, about a young girl growing up in poverty in NY's lower east side in the 1870s, much better than the second half. Young Moth is an engaging character and her story was interesting to follow to a point. Had the second half concentrated on Dr Sadie, apparently based on a relative of the author, I would have liked it more. Unlike my previous book, which left me feeling uplifted at the end, this one just left me wanting to take a shower. Still, an interesting look at the social issues of the poor, women in particular, of the time. 4 stars.

Hi Katie and Bonnie - I feel like a referee sometimes.

Hi Callia, Thanks! Getting a dog is quite a committment so I'm not surprised it took your mom a long time to decide. You'll all have fun!

Hi Beth - Thanks!

HI Kath, Window shelves for your cats? Boomer is still small and skinny enough to sit easily on the window sills. They do like to sit up high and survey their domain! Maine Coons are so pretty - sounds like your son is treating Seamus very well (just like he deserves!).

Hi Carrie - Thanks! They are a handful (or two).

Hi carlym - I hadn't noticed that!

Hi Anne, Thanks! It took us a few years of mulling to finally get Copper. So have you officially adopted Whistler? I think you'll like Safe from the Sea.

Hi Terri, Thanks! It was a good book - I hope you like it!

Hi Cee - Thanks! More the typical look of a golden when they aren't "smiling". It's how they get their way, including additional treats!

Hi Ellen - Thanks! Boomer is the cat and my little cuddlebug and shadow. We all get their names confused...

Hi Stasia, Safe from the Sea is a couple of years old so I have a feeling your library just didn't buy it. The author has a new book called The Lighthouse Road and it was Unbridled Books' talk of that that led me, happily, to this older one.

Hi Suz, Yes, I know. I shouldn't be surprised. I worry about her getting hurt but she always has a place to escape to.

Ellen - That's a familiar routine. All haughtiness disappears when she start meowing pathetically at the door when we go outside without her.

Hi Louanne and Kath, As you can see, I did like it, but I didn't really love it... I am still looking forward to The Birth House. It's been on my list for a while. Always happy to get a smile, Kath! :)

Cee - They are very entertaining. So far (knock on wood) nobody's gotten hurt (although Boomer's whiskers on one side of her face are a little shorter than the other). How old is your cat? I wonder how long this will go on...

Hi Jenn, They mostly get along - with supervision. The kids will be off to school in just a week or so I guess - are they all on a traditional schedule?

Uh... well, Woolly is 15. She's an old lady but still likes to get the dog wound up. I don't think that will ever end - til she does. She can still shake a leg!

Ha! Just like my kids. They get along with supervision, mostly. They are sort of traditional. My 8th grader goes Tuesday, the other two are at a charter school and they start the 23rd. Don't ask me why we're starting on a Thursday.

Hi Joanne- Love the puppy pictures! OMG! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

#45: OK, I will look for The Lighthouse Road instead and see if the library has it. Thanks for the mention, Joanne.

Actually... not window shelves... wall shelves. Square wall shelves I want to put in steps. Of course, I need to count on Dan to get them up there.. so just not sure when it will happen. We disagree on where to put them, despite the fact that we "discussed " it several time, he acted astounded to hear where I wanted them. He disagrees, so it is his way to just simply not do it . I may have to ask my nephew.

I predict that you will like The Birth House more than the latest one...

I think that having school start mid week is a good thing. After so much time off.. it eases the kids ( and staff) into the swing of things again...

>50 mckait:, That's what a lot of teachers feel. My younger daughter will start this Thursday, and the rest of the district starts the following Monday. Marina's teachers feel lucky! The first week is tiring for everyone, even if it's short.

15? Well Cee, I like that they're friends which is good since it looks like they'll be at it for awhile! Our cat Smokey used to wait in a doorway for Copper to pass by so he could turn tail and run through the house with Copper at his heels.

Hi Jenn, Starting midweek makes sense to me. Everyone gets to ease into the routine. Starting school in the middle of August, (before Labor Day!) has never made sense to me.

Hi Mark, Thanks! A quiet weekend here, which is kind of nice...

Hi Stasia, My library doesn't have the new one yet. I hope they do get it.

Oh wow, what an interesting idea, Kath! A good high place to survey their domain! The Birth House looks more up my alley.

Hi Anne - Are you teaching this semester?

Hi Joanne! I hope you had a great, relaxing weekend!

Hi Callia, I did, thanks! It was nice that it was a little cooler today. Have a great week!

Shelves not an original idea.. I watch Jackson Galaxy.. :P

Thanks Joanne! :)

Cats do love to be up high. If there is a book sitting on the sofa, Tigger invariably will sit atop it, even if it just raises him an extra inch or two, and even if there's a much softer surface upon which to sit.

Orignal or no, it's a creative idea, Kath. Jackson Galaxy?

Maybe some cat furniture made from books is in order, Suz...

I keep seeing this and thought I'd share. What a great looking garage door!



From Robert Crais - Another reason I love LA is because people like this live here. They painted their garage door to look like book shelves. My kinda people. (I took this pic on a recent walk, and, yes, this is a garage door. Feel free to share with your book-loving friends.)

Stopping by to say hi! You have read a number of books that I have read! Great minds think alike and all of that! ;)

I'm glad that you enjoyed The Virgin Cure. I did too, last year when I read it. She has an even better book, The Birth House if you are interested.

Oh! That garage door is just too much fun! Love it!

Awww, puppy pics. Makes me sad we won't have any baby animals round here for quite a few years. We've reached our limit, but little balls of fluff are so cute and irresistible.

Love the garage door!!It looks like a big project... and was beautifully done :)

I love the garage door.
How is Skye doing? And Copper and Boomer, of course. :-)

I love that garage door Joanne and thought about posting it myself. I showed it to hubby and he scoffed, "Who in the world would do that? " uh, me for one:)

De-lurking to say that we don't have any pets (well we HAD fish at one point, but that's a whole other story), but your babies are super, super cute. :)
I just purchased The Virgin's Cure a couple of months of ago and look forward to reading it...at some point.

Joanne- Just swinging by to say hi! Hope your week went well. I still haven't seen this week's BB. I heard it's another good one.

Hi Joanne. I totally agree - starting school before Labor Day makes no sense at all. Especially since August is such a lovely month.

Love the garage door! Love to see how it would play out in my covenant controlled neighborhood too. LOL

Joanne - trust you have a lovely weekend.

Hi Deb, Nice to see you! I've keep meaning to read The Birth House. It's been on my list longer than The Virgin Cure. Not sure why I read that one first...

Hi Jenny - Thanks! The little fluff balls are cute but there's a LOT to be said for mature pets!

Hi Kath - I'm not sure it's something I'd want but it does look pretty cool!

Hi Ellen, They are all well, thanks! Well, poor Copper has a pretty big hot spot on her chest but it's improving with antibiotics. Skye is finally able to go out for walks. Boomer continues to be my little cuddlebug.

Hi Bonnie, Your husband sounds like my husband who wondered why they didn't fix the crack in the driveway...

Hi Valerie, I'm glad you de-lurked to say hi! We just had our fish go back to college yesterday (no, not a smart fish). His life had been in danger since the cat discovered him.

Hi Mark, Ahh, BB was good, as usual! Weekend's OK...I took my son back up to school yesterday and that makes me sad. :( I'll adjust. Hope your weekend is a good one!

Hi Jenn, The covenant police would be there before the paint dried!

Hi Paul, It's a quiet weekend, three and a half days worth. I'm adjusting to the empty nest again (which has been filled as much as my husband would tolerate with furkids!). I hope your weekend is going well!

48. Bruce by Albert Payson Terhune

Bruce is the story of an ungainly collie pup who arrives at Sunnybank as part of a case of mistaken identity, matures into a beautiful dog, is donated to the war effort and serves heroically in France as a WWI courier dog, and returns home.

The real Bruce was Sunnybank Goldsmith, a show dog and sire of many Sunnybank collies. Buried on the grounds, the stone above his grave reads simply “Bruce The Dog Without a Fault”. He was one of Terhune’s favorites.

As a child who loved dogs but could never have one because of my brother’s allergies, I was thoroughly in love with all of Albert Payson Terhune’s Sunnybank books. I’m happy to say that reading Bruce as an adult was delightful and a wonderful comfort read. Dated sure - it was written in 1920 - but regardless, dog lovers should love this story.

Here's a picture of the author with some of his collies. Bruce is the dog on the left being petted. Terhune's most famous dog, Lad, is the dog on the far right.

Sounds like a winner to me, Joanne!

Aw, that sounds like a great doggie book! Bruce's epitaph is perfect.

Love the garage door photo, Joanne! Whoever painted that had some talent, as well as an obvious love of books.

I don't like that the kids go back before Labor Day here. But it does make for two shorter weeks to ease into the school year. They go four days next week, and four days the week of Labor Day.

What a cool garage door. I would probably drive through it trying to read book titles!

School started here last week -- the earliest ever. I'm glad we are having a relatively cool August. Some of the AC in older schools is not very effective.

Joanne, I'm glad you are able to have pets now. Growing up with a dog in the house taught me a lot about unconditional love.

Oh Joanne, as soon as I saw Albert Payson Terhune the name rang a bell so I had to check him out and sure enough, Buff: A Collie was a book I read and remember from sixth grade.

I love that photo with the dogs...

Hope all is well in your world?

Hi Cee, It's a sweet little book, YAish, I guess, and available free as an ebook. Oh, and the best news is, he doesn't die at the end of it.

Hi Julie, I thought it was perfect, too!

Hi Terri, It is always so hot still in late August and since back to school signals the end of summer, I'd rather have that happen later rather than sooner!

Hi Donna, I'm glad, too! Not that I didn't manage outdoor cats and well, horses, but they don't stay in the house. Thankfully. :)

Hi Bonnie, I'm not sure if I've read Buff: A Collie or not. I have it on my nook but the free edition has a lot of odd characters so I don't know if I'll read it or pay a few dollars for a better copy. I think I'll reread Lad: A Dog next.

Hi Kath, Hectic, but good. Thanks for asking!

My current reads are Disco for the Departed and the audio of The Descendants. I also read a very short Maeve Binchy , The Builders, which was pretty good.

Saw this tonight on FB and thought it was fitting for many of us:

Love the little graphic story you found on FB. So true.
And I love the pics of Terhune with his collies. Kinda makes me want one (but I persistently want a dog!!).

Hi Joanne- I'll be watching for your thoughts on The Descendants. I thought the film version was outstanding.

I have had dogs almost constantly for over 20 years... They do take work, but they are wonderful company and good friends ..Dunkers is my third dog over these years.

Funny little graphic story :)

Hi Joanne - I hope your furry baby is fine and that her siblings are getting used to her. Great "Stray Books" cartoon -- true!

I saw that today, too. Is that from Naked Books? They post the most wonderful things.

Hi Ellen, Sometimes ,wanting is easier than having! :)

Hi Mark - I LOVE listening to The Descendants! I only have a few minutes left and it's been great. I also loved the movie.

Hi Kath, I bet it would be hard for you to imagine not having a dog. I know it would be hard for me.

Hi Beth - Kids are good! I thought the Stray Books was kind of fitting.

Hi Anne, I think the Tattered Cover. Now I have to check out Naked Books!

A friend posted a terrific photo on my wall, telling me, "I'm sure you've already discovered this page..." and I hadn't!! Once I visited, though, I knew I had to "like" it to see all of their posts.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Books/303600809716417

oo! oo! Thanks Joanne. I just ordered "Bruce" for my Kindle ;-)

oh! cool link, thank you ..
Hi Joanne!

Sorry to be so absent... just so busy :P

Take care :)

We are on our second dog and yes, Joanne, there is much to be said for mature pets. Our Daisy is 13, and while she has slowed down a bit, she makes a wonderful affectionate companion.. she is such a joy!

LOVE the stray books feature...

Love the stray books. I don't think I would be able to set them free...

What a cute book story. I kind of wondered how books had taken over my life!

Like! Thanks for the link Anne.

I hope you like it Cee!

Absent Kath? I often consider you my most faithful visitor. I hope you had a restful weekend you busy, busy woman you!

Hi Deb! Each stage of their lives bring joy!

Hi Suz, Nice to see you, as usual!

Jenn - I know a lot of us have a problem letting them go...

Hi Donna, We are all just too kind-hearted to let books go homeless...

49. The Builders by Maeve Binchy (an elibrary loan)

The Builders was written as part of Ireland’s Open Door Series which was designed to enhance adult literacy. “…these books affirm the truth that a story doesn’t have to be big to open the world.”

With that in mind, this was a lovely little story of a woman finding herself after raising her children. Sweet, maybe a little predictable, but with surprising depth.

I pondered whether or not to include this little book in my count and decided, why not – I already added the Louise Penny book that was written for Canada’s literacy program. In for a Penny, in for a pound…

Ahh Maeve..I haven't read one of hers in a long time.. no idea why...

Hi Kath - I always thought that I had read Binchy before, but looking at her books recently, I don't think I have. I'm reading The Copper Beech right now and it's a good read.

50. The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings (audio) 4.5 stars

Bittersweet, heartfelt, and surprisingly funny, the story of Matt King and his two daughters as they struggle through the few days following a boating accident that has left Joanie, their wife and mother, in a coma. Wryly humorous and the narrator on my audio edition was wonderful.

I tried reading the book several years ago but it wasn't the right time and couldn't get into it, but I loved the movie (with George Clooney) and thought I'd give the audio a shot. I'm glad I did and I'm sorry it ended.

I'm sorry it ended There's no higher praise you can give a book! I've neither read the book nor seen the movie, but have now added this to both my reading wish list and my "movies to watch" list. Thanks, Joanne!

Hmm- I might look for The Builders by Maeve Binchy. I used to really love her books when I was younger, but since she has recently passed away, I wouldn't mind reading a short book of hers, sort of as a tribute, but also because I loved many of her books.

As far as The Descendents go, isn't it funny how we can try to read a book -but it's just not the " right time." I know I tried a couple of times to get into Half of Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and finally this July I read it , plus another book by her. Sometimes the way in for me is start with an audio book.

Hi Joanne- I'll have to give The Descendants a try. I loved the film as well. I haven't seen this week's BB yet. Shooting for tonight.

Hmmm. Your book #50 sounds good...

How is life treating you?

Anne - I don't know about reading the book, but the audio was great as was the movie!

That's why I read The Builders, Deb, as kind of a tribute when she died. I always thought that I had read some of her work but maybe I had her confused with Belva Plain or somebody... I wouldn't buy it though as it's pretty short and on nook, at least, it's kind of expensive. Frankly, and this is probably a bad example since I know you don't care for them, but the only way I could get through the first couple of Louise Penny books was on audio... :)

I think you'll like it, Mark! Enjoy BB.....

It was good, Kath, but I can only speak for the audio which I know you don't do. Movie is excellent - George Clooney and Hawaiian scenery. Life is going good, son's coming home this weekend (he went to see Obama today on campus), dogs are starting to play together, it's my busy budget time at work but it buys the books! :)

Stopping by to wave hello and to say that the book about Bruce the collie touches my heart!

Oh I loved the George Clooney movie too Joanne.

Hi Joanne!
I am reading "Bruce" by ((Albert Payson Terhune)) - just started.

Just finished Wild Dogs by Helen Humphreys. Did you read that one? I liked it because of the way the author writes - but the chracters are truly dysfunctional and hard for me to relate to. Still - it was disturbingly good. (Can that be?)

I'm pretty much ignoring anything audio as I am not able to do that... much to my dismay.

Hi!

Adding The Descendants to my pile. I haven't seen the movie yet, and I prefer to read the book first...

*waves hi*

I love seeing all the dog pictures and stories! Being a brand-new dog owner is so great! I adore my Sherlock :)

The picture of your kitten attacking your puppy is priceless! Thank you for sharing!

Where oh where has our Jo-anne gone, oh where oh where can she be?

Hi Joanne, I'm another fan of The Descendants - movie, that is. I don't think I've seen a George Clooney movie I didn't like. He comes across as one of the few Hollywood Good Guys.

I hope you are having a restful weekend before another busy work week.

The Descendants sounds great - both book and movie.

Hello Linda! Bruce is a touching book, but Lad:A Dog will always be my favorite.

Hi Bonnie - I don't think I've seen a Clooney movie that I didn't like...

Hi Cee, I loved Helen Humphries Coventry and The Frozen Thames but I haven't read Wild Dogs. Linda had recommended it a while ago but I wasn't sure it was for me. I just wasn't comfortable with the whole lost dogs thing. I do have her The Lost Garden here to read.

Hi Jenn, That's generally my preference, too. If you read the book and don't like it, I still recommend the movie. I forget if you do audio books or not...

Hi Becca *waves* Nice to see you. Sherlock is a cutey!!

Hi Pirate - They are pretty cute together, even as Skye just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Hi Kath - LOL! That made me smile - thanks for checking in!

Hi Donna, I'm a fan of Clooney, too. He seems like a genuine nice guy. The weekend's been mixed...

Hi Beth - I recommend them both, in fact, we just watched the movie again this weekend.

So last Wednesday night, just before bed, Skye swallowed a stuffed cat toy. Just grabbed it out of a room that's normally behind a closed door, ran down the stairs, and gulped. We went right to the animal ER where they induced vomiting, twice, but no stuffed mouse.... That was followed by an xray which didn't show anything but we weren't surprised because it was a stuffed toy. We got home around 3:30am not sure when or if she'd start getting sick if it got stuck in her intestines. Back to the vet the next day, still no mouse but, thankfully, not sick either. (It's small enough that it might just go through.) We've been sifting through a LOT of puppy poop. We're starting to think it's still rolling around in her stomach. I watched her swallow it, so I know she did although we did search for it. Fun, fun, fun... These puppies...she puts everything in her mouth. We're working on "leave it" and "drop it" quite a bit now.

And of course, my plans to see Louise Penny at the TC on Thursday were squelched and although it was easy to not even think about it last week, I'm pretty disappointed about that. Small potatoes, really - my author event plans tend to get preempted alot and I'm not sure why!

Hi Joanne- Wow, it sounds like you've had a busy couple of days. Poor Skye. I hope everything "comes" out okay!

Hi! Sorry about Skye's eating adventures. Hopefully she will learn...

51. The Copper Beech by Maeve Binchy

When Maeve Binchy died recently, I took a look at the books she had written, certain that I had read at least a couple. But I couldn't find any that sounded familiar, so maybe not and I choose this one to read. It's the story of a small town in Ireland and the small stone school in front of which stands an old copper beech tree where the kids have all carved their initials through the years. Each chapter of the book follows one character's perspective, beginning in the 40s and continuing into the 60s. I really liked it and the way it was written with a lot of warmth and wry humor.

That's one of my favorites. Glad you enjoyed it. :)

Hi Mark - Yes, we are hoping it all comes out in the end! :)

Hi Jenn, Unfortunately she has a tendancy to grab and dash with anything. We have a lot of work ahead of us or we'll need a punch card at the ER!

I'm glad you liked it too, Jenn! I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

Don't count on Skye learning anything about swallowing inappropriate things. I read about a dog that swallowed a long, sharp knife for slicing meat. Took it right off the counter. X-ray, surgery, recovery - then the dog did it again! OK. I know what you aqre thinking about the stupid humans - but....

Poor baby Skye! Hope there are no complications.
Good idea to teach "Leave it!" For whatever strange reason, that was the command Loki learned the quickest. "Down" was the tough one!

Poor Skye and poor you! Hope you all had a quiet and healthy weekend.

Thank you, Joanne. All those cute pictures of Skye, both alone and hanging out with Copper and the kitty, were making me think it might be time to think about being owned by a dog again. Now I remember why I am currently pet-free. :-)

Wow, Cee - a knife!!!!!???? Good lord, that sounds scary. I have a friend whose lab ate her watch. She got it back, had it cleaned and it (and the dog) were fine. At the ER, they were telling us about a rottie that came in with intestinal problems - turns out he had a bunch of toys, including a child's shoe, in its stomach. The kids in the family were trying to see what he'd eat. Apparently anything...

Hi Anne, I hope you had a good long weekend, too! I love that it's cooling down at night now.

I'm very happy that they are all getting along. Boomer wisely stays out of it when Copper and Skye start to play:

Hi Julia - :) They are still very much worth the trouble!

Oh, I know. I'm just pretending I don't!

Smart move. ;)

A child's shoe, Joanne?? Wow! My son has two black Labs and the younger one is very, very rambunctious, to say the least. Anything that's left within his reach, and I mean anything, gets either chewed up or eaten. Slippers, pens, headphones, phones make a tasty treat for him. He's seven years old and you would think he'd have outgrown that kind of stuff by now. But no he chews his own toys and then starts in on anything carelessly left within reach.

Oh dear! I hope all is well with Skye! Thankfully as dangerous as Daisy gets is chewing on pieces of paper, like an piece of Kleenex, or an old gum wrapper that she knocks out of the bathroom garbage container. And she is 13. Luckily she seems to spit out her paper " chewies" once she is done with them.

Hi Joanne! Love the picture of Skye getting beat up by the cat!
Hopefully the stuffed toy passes easily. Our Jax has swallowed many pieces of stuffed animal over the years and he usually ends up with brightly coloured poop.

Adding The Descendants to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation of that one, Joanne!

I love the garage door! I want one.

Any updates on the puppy? Hope everything is okay :) And not just with Skye, with everything !
Take care

Hi Bonnie - Seven? I'm still hoping this is just a puppy phase....she wants to put everything in her mouth and swallow most!

Hi Deb - Thanks! Copper is good about spitting things out, too. SHe has spoiled us...

Hi Chelle, The cat has to get a few good ones in every now and then!

Hi Stasia, I'll be interested in your thoughts when you get to it. I seem to have lost your thread - I need to find it!

Hi Kath, So far so good. No mouse but no illness either. We are off to the vet on Friday for more shots so we'll see what he says.

I keep meaning to spend more time here and read through some threads but it doesn't seem to be happening...my apologies...

My current reads are Faceless Killers and on audio, Why be Happy When You Could be Normal?

Sorry to hear about Skye! Did you find out what happened to the mouse toy?

Just had to say that my child is like a fur-child in so many ways. He was going through a phase where everything was going into his mouth! I turned around for one minute and he had sifted through my purse, popped some pills out of a plastic wrap and had already stuffed one into his mouth. I screamed and didn't know whether he chewed the darn thing or not so called poison control. Was on hold waiting for them when I found a now melted antihistamine pill under the couch. I learned my lesson and the purse is now safely out of arms reach....

Is the mouse toy out yet?

Isn't pet ownership fabulous! We currently have a cat with recurring cystitis. Horrible to watch, as she walks around shouting her head off, and then sitting in the litter tray for half an hour at a time. Unfortunately, she has also taken to weeing on my bed. Such fun.

A friend of mine who is a trainee vet nurse had a dog in yesterday who had eaten a pack of 16 aspirin. They had to force it to vomit and then make it take charcoal. Apparently it was a nervy dog, and the force-feeding didn't make things any better! It's going to be okay though.

Hi Valerie, Kids and pills are very, very scary. I'm glad you found the antihistamine before any more time had passed!

Hi Jenny, No, no mouse yet... :( But, oh, your poor kitty - and painful for you, too. One of the vets was telling us about a colleague whose lab consistently ate rocks and now has to wear a basket muzzle when he's outside.

Pills are scary Valerie. So glad you found it!
My oldest son used to swallow all kinds of things, and he was a choker. I was a pro at back blows and I think we went through a phase where I called poison control nearly twice a week for awhile. The things he ate! Thank goodness poison control doesn't keep a record. I always felt so incompetent. He never ate any actual poison, I did have that securely put away. More like ordinary inedibles like diaper ointment and lotion and scotch tape.

I hope Skye is still okay. Our cat has been to the vet and is now on medication for a month, and had to have a scan on her bladder so she's very cross because they shaved her tummy for it. She keeps licking it as if she hopes the fur will grow back quicker with the attention!

She's pretty happy now, on the painkillers and anti-inflammatories. And she gets extra meals of tuna to put the meds in, so that is cheering her up too!

Yipes kids and pets putting things in their mouths that they shouldn't - hope that all are fine and that no lasting harm has been done. Monica Lewinsky on the other hand put something in her mouth.....erm yes well that's another story entirely isn't it?
Joanne hope you have a lovely restful weekend and I trust that Skye is now in tip-top shape.

Morning Joanne- I like your current reads. Faceless Killers is a nice introduction to Scandi-Crime and I really enjoyed Why be Happy When You Could be Normal?. I'm looking forward to reading Winterson's early novels.
Hope you are having a great weekend.

Hi Joanne - I'm trying to catch up here. I hope Skye is OK. I've never read Binchy. Maybe it's time to give her a try...

So... how is Skye?

Pills.. I know a daycare that twice in one month had incidents where kids found pills belonging to staff.
In one case the parent was told. Parent chose to leave child in that daycare, even after a few eeks later she found her 2 yr old alone indoors when others were outside. #ThingsSchoolDoesn'tMention & Parent of the Year ... sigh ( mama is a psychotherapist )

Labs are usually the worst when it comes to eating bad things .. in my experience.. but all dogs will do it..
most do grow out of it.. fingers crossed..

I hope the mousie found the exit!

I had an Australian Shepard-ish dog who loved to eat, even icky stuff. One day he got into somebody's garbage. Later that day he puked on my carpet. In the puke... unopened ketchup packets. (He was already in trouble for other stuff that day. It was a very memorable day altogether. Sigh... I miss that trouble-maker.)

Jenn - It really is funny what kids will get into - usually what you'd least expect.

Hi Jenny - I'm glad to hear that your kitty is feeling better. Extra tuna should help! I wonder if their skin itches as the hair grows back? I had a medium haired cat as a teenager and when I went away for a summer to work at a camp, her fur got all matted because nobody brushed her. My mom took her in to get groomed and they shaved all her hair except on her head, her legs and the tip of her tail. She looked like a pathetic little lion. My mom felt so bad.

Hi Paul - LOL, yes, totally different story there... Lovely weekend is over way too soon, as usual.

Hi Mark - I like both of my current reads quite a bit. I've watched the Wallender episodes on PBS and liked them as well. I read The Passion years ago but I need to find a copy of Oranges are Not the Only Fruit. What a mother!

Hi Beth - Good luck with that catching up thing! :) I'm glad I read a Binchy finally, and I'm looking forward to more.

Hi Kath - Pills, daycare...oh my. There's no excuse for that. Yeah, labs and goldens are both mouthy types. I walk down the street with her and every other step it seems like I'm saying "leave it!".

Hi Carol - I'll bet the ketchup packets smelled just like fast food burgers. And why do they always manage to get to a carpet!

No mouse, no illness. We saw our vet on Friday and he's not concerned, he's sure it'll pass through eventually, especially as she's gotten a bit bigger in the last week. 5# gained and at least an inch taller since. We are getting a little tired of looking through puppy poop but still expect pieces of it at this point!

Skye went for her first swim today and she took to it like, well, a water dog to water! Splashed in and when she ran out of bottom, just started swimming and retrieved her tennis ball. Then we took a long walk out on the dock to where our boat is slipped, just to get her used to that a little bit. I know that can be scary for dogs but she was a trooper. I'm sure Copper being there helped a lot.

Here she is. (That black line floating by her is just her long line so we didn't lose her!)

Great picture of Skye! What a sweetie! I noticed on some other thread that you have The Birth House on your kindle / or maybe the book. Looks like you've got some great reads going on, but I have to tell you that I really loved The Birth House .But I know better to nudge books. I follow my own crazy non - schedule of reading and no amount of nudging will get me off my own path :)

Although I liked The Virgin Cure , The Birth House is definitely her better book and a totally different topic .

52. The Odyssey of KP2: An Orphan Seal, a Marine Biologist, and the Fight to Save a Species by Terrie Williams

This was a very engaging story of a Hawaiian Monk Seal and the marine biologist who studied and cared for him. KP2 (Kauai Pup 2) was abandoned at birth and survived but soon took to hanging around people too much. Circumstances soon dictated that the best place for him would be the marine lab at UC-Santa Cruz under the care of biologist Terrie Williams. The book is informative and very readable. Science without being sciencey. Anyone with an interest in endangered species, marine biology or conservation would love it. There are probably less than a 1000 Hawaiian Monk Seals left on earth, and despite the precariously low numbers, the book still ended on a hopeful note. And happily, KP2 lived on at the end. Highly recommended!

We were extremely lucky to find monk seals dozing on the beach a few times on Maui (same beach as the one up on top). This was taken about seven years ago. They really are unique and beautiful creatures, or "pinnipeds" and their loss would be tragic.

Hi Deb - Thanks! I know what you mean about following your own path. What I intend to read and actually read are usually two different books! (Since it's Series and Sequels Month, I'll probably read very few series or sequels!)

I've been meaning to read The Birth House for a while and so I think I'll get to it in the next few months... Everyone seems to love it!

Love Skye.
Love Copper.
Think Boomer is very, very wise.

Hi Ellen - LOL! Yes, I agree with all of the above, especially the last one!

Hope all is well with you and your world - have a great week!

Love the photos! We are discovering that Whistler likes to chew, and sometimes eat strange things. He loves decks of cards, for some reason. He ate part of Callia's doorstopper. I enjoyed your review of The Odyssey of KP2 -- sounds like something Callia would enjoy. Hope you have a great week, Joanne!

Hi Anne! Thanks! Maybe Whistler wants to be dealt into the next hand? :) I think Callia may like KP2 and would encourage her to give it a try!

I hope you have a great week too!

Glad to hear that Skye is still doing okay, and what a lovely picture of her. It makes me chuckle how some dogs are utter water babies and others aren't.

Our first dog, Blossom, was a border collie and she adored water. Could swim in it for hours, and it was a struggle to get her out. The dog my mum has now is a terrier and she can't stand water. We made her swim a few weeks ago and the tortured expression was a sight to behold!

#142: Adding that one to the BlackHole, Joanne. Thanks for the recommendation!

I love the picture of Skye in the water. It reminds me of the golden retriever I used to have many years ago.

Hi Joanne. Skye is a beauty and looks like a natural in the water. We had to strongly discourage Lucky from swimming in our pond because of the algae and snapping turtles. He's a big boy, but we have some big turtles out there!

Hi Jenny, Thanks! Some dogs just don't like the water... Maybe they need little swimmies on their front legs to help them along!

Hi Stasia - Oh, I hope you like it!

Hi Donna, We sometimes think that having a pond in the yard would be great but the thought of trying to keep them out of it changes our mind! I guess a fence and gate would help. Snapping turtles! You're smart to keep Lucky out. Not to mention saving him from a green algae tinge.

53. Why Be Happy When you Could Be Normal by Jeanette Winterson (audio)

I liked this so much more than I thought I would. Writer Jeanette Winterson recounts her tale of growing up with her abusive, end-times believing adoptive mother (referred to as Mrs Winterson throughout), her salvation through literature, education, and writing, a breakdown, and a search for her birth mother. Mrs Winterson was a piece of work - telling her child "the devil led us to the wrong crib", and arranging an exorcism when she discovered her with another girl. The title of the memoir is also one of Mrs Winterson's gems. Surprisingly, there's not a lot of anger here, and the writing is gorgeous. And I loved the added bonus of listening to the author herself read her book to me.

"A book is a door. You open it. You step through." Literature proved to be her escape and salvation.

That one sounds pretty good...

just popping in to catch up :)

"the devil led us to the wrong crib"? So this woman would not be nominated for parent of the year, I guess, Joanne. Wow!

I'm glad to hear that Skye is doing well even w/o the er, emergence of the mouse. Love the First Swim pic.

Just stopping by to say a quick hello.... Hello!

Joanne- Good review of Why Be Happy When you Could Be Normal. I loved it too and look forward to reading her early novels.

Hi Kath - It was pretty darn good!

Hi Bonnie - Terrible mother and very unbalanced...raised a very good writer, though.

Hi Katie - I'm glad you stopped by!

Hi Mark - I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I almost expected to listen to half a cd and give up. It was great though! I read The Passion years ago, but I really want to find a copy of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.

My current reads, although I'm only a couple of pages into each so I'm not too committed, are Ivan Doig's newest The Bartender's Tale and The Dog Stars by Peter Heller.

Will be interested to see your thoughts on The Dog Stars as that is one I've recently added to my WL.

Hi Valerie - I'm not usually drawn to post-apocalyptic storylines, but The Dog Stars has been getting a lot of attention here because the author is local (Denver), as is the setting (Colorado). I've only read a couple of pages, but it's already holding my interest.

54. Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill 3.7 stars



55. Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell 3.7 stars

Two series books, the first starring Dr Siri and the second Kurt Wallander. Both were very good outings with somewhat damaged detectives. I feel like I'm late to the party on both and feel sure everyone knows what they are! I've got the next Wallander book here just waiting for me.

Hi Joanne - I've read some Wallender, which I liked. The Winterson book sounds wonderful. Glad to hear Skye is OK -- good luck with keeping non-food items out of her mouth.

Hi Beth, Thanks - we need all the good luck we can get. :) The Winterson book was really good...

I'm watching Faceless Killers with Kenneth Branagh as I type. I've seen it before but it's been awhile and I wanted to do a comparison. Big surprise - the book's better.

I love The Dog Stars.

See, and I'm quite the total opposite. My husband says that I have an unhealthy fascination with death, doom, and destruction. I love end of the world movies and books! :)

LOL. And I kind of like my books to end on a happy note (or at least have a chance to). These "the world has almost come to an end books" don't give the old happy ending much of a chance....

That said, have I mentioned that I'm really liking Dog Stars? :)

Joanne;
Dr. Siri versus Kurt Wallender
I would award my vote to the wintry Wallender because of the change of seasons.

Have a lovely weekend.

I too, like happy books better. Having said that, I read my share of others, and post apocalyptic among them. Dog Stars does look good!

Hope all is well in Joanne land !

I've placed Dog Stars on my library hold list, thanks to you. There are 50 people ahead of me, so it will be a while.

The Monk seal book looks interesting, and I'm trying to ignore some of the others because I just got 5 books from the library... alright, I'll just add them to the list. Who am I kidding?

Wallender and Dr. Siri -- two series I want to read more of.

Hi Joanne- Glad you liked both the Dr. Siri and the Wallander. I just finished and enjoyed Anarchy and Old Dogs. The next 2 Wallander books are even better. And keep in mind, dogs of Riga is on this weeks Masterpiece, on PBS.
I've heard good things about Dog Stars.

Hi PAul, I have to read a few more Wallander books to see if it's the cop or the doc I prefer. I'll bet you miss the change of seasons, no?

Hi Kath - Too busy in Joanne land. We got a deadline extension at work from Friday to Monday. Now I have to work the weekend. Boo!

Hi Julia - Sounds like a long wait - it's worth it!

Hi Jenn - We are all terribly weak...the monk seal book is a treat.

Hi Terri - Me too!

Hi Mark, And lucky me - I just happen to have the next couple Wallander books, thanks to our annual Friends sale! I missed this week's PBS show...forgot until about 15 minutes in. If you don't already have The Dog Stars on hold at your library, I suggest you get to it! I think you'll like it.

Hi Joanne!
:ppp~~~ for working on the weekend!
Hope your work is completed early and you still get some time for yourself.

Cannot jump into the Wallander books yet. No. Not yet.

Yeah, getting sucked into another series...probably not a good idea, but come on in, Cee, the water's fine... :)



56. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller 4.8 stars

Nine years have passed since a flu pandemic wiped out 99% of the population. Hig and his dog, Jasper, have somehow managed to survive, living under the stars at a small regional airport just north of Denver. Hig gardens, hunts and fishes, flies reconnaissance missions over the perimeter of their safe area, and helps the Mennonite families who live nearby who suffer from a blood sickness. Hig’s airport neighbor is Bangley, a well armed survivalist type who is a good counter-balance to the generally nice guy Hig. Their teamwork is one reason why they have managed to survive. Many animals and fish have been wiped out, drought and heat are the new normal, and the small remaining human population is vicious and not to be trusted. But Hig still sees the beauty of the land around him as he grieves for his wife and the life he no longer has. He is the everyman forced to live in a new, dangerous world. A faint transmission from the Grand Junction airport, heard three years previous, is a temptation he finally feels the need to follow and so he soon sets off on a flight from which he may not return.

The writing is spare and clipped. A sentence may end with "and.” but it’s rhythmic and soon feels perfect for the narration and the conditions in which Hig lives. We know what he is about to say. He doesn’t need to spell out everything. But it is also lyrical and several pages had me near tears. Where most apocalyptic fiction seems to take place in a desolate world, Hig’s world is still beautiful and recognizable – from Coke trucks to beetle killed pines, the action is not so far in the future that it feels unlikely. A delightful, horrifying, heart-breaking apocalyptic page turner!

I don't typically read post-apocalyptic fiction, but The Dog Stars sounds good. On to the wishlist it goes!

I really like the sound of The Dog Stars but any book with an animal as a main character makes me suspicious as the authors invariably kill it off.

Can you drop me a PM here to let me know whether I need to avoid it or not? I don't deal well with animal deaths! (People are fine though :P )

You got me with that review, too, Joanne. The Dog Stars sounds like a really good one. Onto the tbr it goes.

Quite good review, Joanne! Very tempting. Sounds like I should put this on my WL :)

Yup, I definitely made the right choice by adding that one to the WL! My ever growing obsession with the end of the world thus continues. :)

Catching up on your thread Joanne. Yikes, I'm sorry to hear that your puppy gave you a scare.

Our seven month old Lilly is fascinated and obsessed with paper. I found one of my pill bottles on the floor. The bottle wasn't opened, but all the label was chewed. She randomly goes into our three bathrooms, finds the end of the toilet paper rool and then pulls and runs throwout the house.

The Dog Stars is now on my tbr pile.

All good wishes to you!

It's been way too long since I visited your thread. Love the pictures. Glad Sky is doing ok!! I no longer have the patience for all the naughtiness and potty training. I've vowed only middle agers or oldsters for us.

Stopping by to say hi! I was looking at The Dog Stars earlier today at the bookstore, but I don't do well with post-apocalyptic fiction, but I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

Hi Joanne- I loved the Dog Stars review! You gotta Thumb! It does sound like something I would love. I also suggest you try the audio of Shine Shine shine. It's also terrific.
Hope you are having a great weekend.

Hi Carol - I too, tend to avoid post-apoc books but this one was a little different.

Hi Jenny - I'll drop you a PM.

Hi Joe - It's really good - I think you'll like it!

Hi Cee- Well, we do seem to have similar tastes in books... :)

Hi Valerie - Yup, yup, yup! It's a good one - enjoy!

Hi Linda - Oh, thank goodness Lilly didn't crack open the pill bottle! I've yet to have a dog or cat that went after the toilet paper but I know that's pretty common - in fact our dog trainer was telling the class about her dog that did just that.

Hi Tammy, Yes, they do take an awful lot of patience...

Hi Deb, I don't either but this one was a little different, imho. Thank goodness there are plenty of other books out there! :)

Hi Mark, I'm looking forward to your opinion of The Dog Stars when you get to it. And thanks for the thumb! I'll take a look at your audio rec, thanks! Enjoy your Sunday!!

I think, sometimes, we all feel like the black sheep...

>185 Copperskye: Is that you reading a post-apocalyptic novel Joanne? LOL Anyway, I seldom read those kind of books either Joanne but you certainly make it sound good. Very tempting review.

LOL! Perhaps, Bonnie... :)

Great review of The Dog Stars, Joanne. I was completely drawn in by his writing. You are right - it felt like it fit the story perfectly.

>185 Copperskye: love this!!

Hi Amy, Thanks. I'm almost sorry that I even mentioned that The Dog Stars was post-apocalyptic since I know a lot of people (including me sometimes) will see that and say, nope, not for me, thinking it would be too sci-fi-ish or something. I really love the way it was written.

Hi Anne - I thought it was pretty cute!

Joanne - glad you clarified, because I don't usually read those types of books. But have added Dog Stars to my wish list.

So much to read! Recently finished Where'd You Go, Bernadette, which I loved. Was going to start The Light Between Oceans, but decided to read Mortality first.

I meant to post this here in my previous post but forgot so I copied it from the What are you reading now thread...

I'm not sure if it's a book hangover (from the wonderful The Dog Stars) or work stress that's keeping me from reading and concentrating on any of the good books I've got going. Or maybe I've got too many books going...whatever, I've started The Bartender's Tale, Everything Matters! and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. All are keepers.

Hi Nancy! Oh, it's a good one, I think you'll like it!
I've had my eye on The Light Between Oceans and keep hearing good things about Where'd You Go, Bernadette. Sounds like I have another book to add to the impossibly long list!

I recently finished reading The Light Between Oceans with my book club. We all thought it was just o.k. I felt like the characters were too underdeveloped.

I'm also considering The Light Between Oceans as a next read. Probably in audio. The Audible reviews are very mixed, with people either loving or hating the narration. I listened to the sample and didn't hate it.

Hi Pirate - Good to know. The story sounds interesting to me but I have seen some mixed reviews. I'm sure I'll get to it eventually. Have you read The Dog Stars yet? (I feel like a book pusher...:))

Hi Carol - LOL, You didn't hate it doesn't sound like a great endorsement but I know what you mean about narrators. Hopefully, you'll love it. I'll be interested in your thoughts.

> 190 yeah.. That's the trouble with labeling people and things.. they tend to end up being not so good for most purposes. IMO

RE: The Light Between Oceans, imo it gets better as you go along. I think that the middle of the book was a little hard to get through...but the ending ...I liked. So all in all I liked the book a lot.

Hi Kath - I thought you had read and liked The Light Between Oceans. It's on my ever expanding list!

Besides the too many books mentioned above that I'm reading at the moment, I'm also listening to Brideshead Revisited, narrated by Jeremy Irons. Anne (AMQS) recommended it and it's great!

Hi Joanne. Boy was it fun catching up with your thread! Skye is just adorable and you take some really great pet photos. I forget, is Boomer a new member of your family?

First Anne, and now you, recommending the audio of Brideshead Revisited. How can I resist?

I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. I've been hearing good things about it.

Hi Joanne - Hope all are well. My library copy of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry just became available, so I will be picking that up soon. I am anxious to hear what you think of it.

Hiya Pat - Nice to see you again! Thanks, Boomer the kitten/cat is also a new addition, We got her in late June. I think I've resolved a few of my empty nest issues... :) Jeremy Irons "reading" Brideshead is a real treat - it's more of a performance.

Hi Beth! Harold Fry is interesting. I'm only about 70 pages in, but I think you'll like it.

Joanne - caught up and stopping by to wish you a lovely weekend. btw I do indeed miss the autumn colours and windswept days freshening my cheek as I rake the leaves.

Hi Joanne -- so glad you're enjoying Jeremy Irons reading Brideshead Revisited! I also thought it was less like a narration and more of a performance. Such a treat.

Joanne, I loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Maybe a bit of a lull in the late middle but, in general, one of my more favorite reads this year.

TadAD: The same reaction to Harold. Loved the book, but got bogged down a bit in the late middle (I assume we are talking about the same thing, but won't mention it here for those who still haven't read it.) Still, certainly recommend.

I'll pile on with a definite endorsement of Harold. It's going to be on my Top 10 of the year list for sure.

Hi Paul, We did have a lovely weekend - too short, as usual, however. My guess is you don't miss raking those leaves... :)

Hi Anne, Thanks so much for the rec! And now I'm looking forward to watching the PBS program again. I'm sure I didn't see it all when it was on in the 80s and Jeremy Irons is in it, too.

Hi Tad, Glad to hear you liked Harold Fry. I haven't reached any lull yet, except one of my own making.

Hi Nancy and Tina, I've missed Harold for a few days but I'll be getting back to him tonight. I'm glad you both liked it!

57. A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

The 4th entry in the Ruth Galloway series and another entertaining mystery.

This was a library book that got away from me - I was halfway through when the due date came up. I was going to renew it but didn't realize there were 20 holds on it! I'm still only #11 on the list for the physical book, but my ebook copy became available last Thursday. I figured I'd better finish it while I had the chance.

I just started the Ruth Galloway series--about 1/2 way thru the 1st one. I'm really enjoying this one, so I guess I'm now going to be hooked on another series. SIGH.

Well Tina, there are only 4, so far! I hope you like Ruth and her cast of supporting characters as much as I do.

Hi Joanne- I'm glad you are enjoying Harold Fry. I liked it too but agree with Nancy that it "bogged" down somewhere in the middle. Hey, others loved it completely, so maybe you'll be one the latter.
Thanks for your kind comments regarding Bailey! Much appreciated.

I do enjoy Ruth Galloway books... I haven't gotten to that one... I will though.

Hi Mark, I'm not sure that I'm going to love Harold Fry but I certainly do like it! Still only about half way so I'm not sure if I've gotten to the slow part yet. We'll see.

Hi Kath, Ruth is such a great character - I really like her and her odd group of friends. You'll like this one when you get to it.

Per Louise Penny's newsletter, Nathaniel Parker will be playing Armand Gamache in the movie version of Still Life. I'm not familiar with him and when I first saw his picture, my first thought was that's not Gamache. But now that I look again, I think he's growing on me. He looks too young, though, but maybe it's more my age getting in the way there. Everyone is starting to look too young...

I haven't read The Dog Stars but I'm considering it because of you!

"Everyone is starting to look too young."
Oh yeah, I hear ya, Joanne.

I'll be reading Harold Fry in the near future thanks to hitting the mother lode at the library. I'm glad to hear so many people liked it despite the 'slow' part. Looking forward to your comments.

I agree, movie Gamache is too young.. they all are. Kind of irritating. Older is fine in print, but not if you have to actually look at them? *grump*

Everyone is starting to look too young... Truer words were never spoken Joanne. You don't think Nathaniel Parker looks like he could be a grandfather???

Hi Pirate - Oh good, I think you will really like it!

Hi Donna - I'll be very interested in YOUR thoughts on Harold Fry. :)

Hi Kath and Bonnie - Maybe they'll try to make him look a little older..I don't think I've seen him act - maybe he pulls off mid 50s well. According to IMDb, he was born in 1962, so at least he's in his 50s, if only just barely.

58. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

Well, I liked it but I didn't love it.

Harold, newly retired and caught in a long, angry, and silent relationship with his wife, receives a letter from a co-worker telling him that she has cancer. Harold quickly pens a short note and walks down the street to post it. But as he passes one mail box after another, Harold decides that his note is not enough and so he starts his long pilgrimage to see Queenie. As he walks, he thinks back on his life and slowly, very slowly, details are revealed and the reader discovers how and why Harold is at this place in his life.

I really wanted to love this, and everytime I did start to love it, something in the narrative would slow and I'd start to get bored. There was a long section of 50 or 60 pages where I almost stopped reading. But I'm very glad I muddled through that part because I did like the way it ended, even though I'd guessed some of it.

But hey, most people seem to love it and I can see why - some parts were brilliant. 3.7 stars

Hi Joanne - Nice review of Harold Fry; I won't feel too bad if I don't get to it right away.

I had Harold Fry home from the library but couldn't get to it before it was due back. Now I don't feel so bad!

I haven't read Harold Fry, but based on your review, I'd say my reaction to the book would probably be quite similar. I think I can hold off on purchasing that one since the WL is already ridiculous as is... :)

Joanne -

There seem to be a number of us that got bogged down there in the middle. I still really enjoyed the book.

But not like I enjoyed Bernadette!

Hi Joanne- Good review of Harold Fry. It looks like we felt the same way about it. Good, not great. Hope the next book is better and have a nice a weekend.

Hi Beth, No, no reason to feel bad if it waits a bit. It was still a worthwhile read and lots of people loved it.

Hi Pat, Oh, that happens to me so much! I probably return more books unread than read.

Hi Valerie, My copy was from the library which was perfect. Good enough to read and finish but not something I'd want to own. Still, it had its moments!

Hi Nancy, Yup, I agree. I'm going to have to give Bernadette a serious look. Lots of good buzz on that one.

Hi Mark, Next book is excellent, Everything Matters!. Very Vonnegut like. Cold, wet, snowy weekend here. Brrrr! Hope your weekend is good!

eta, I have to brag briefly. My son just texted that he won the poetry slam he competed in tonight (and $60 - which is almost a week's salary for him). He did it one other time over the summer in Denver and he came in second but there were less people that time. It's not something I'd ever do but he seems to like it!

Well done to your son, Joanne! I cannot imagine performing my poetry in front of a crowd — he should win a prize just for that!

Joanne, I enjoyed your review of 'Harold Fry' and to be fair I have seen almost as many lukewarm reviews as rapturous ones. I will buy it and read it though when it arrives here in parperback form.

Have a lovely weekend as the leaves turn the colour of your moniker and the name of your lovely pooch, in the Colorado autumn.

Joanne, big congratulations to you son! I know Joe always talks about poetry slams but I've never been to one.

And you're having a snowy weekend!? Somehow, I find that alarming. We just recently started having fall like weather after a very hot (and unfortunately a very smoky) summer.

Hi Joanne! I agreed that I thought Nathaniel Parker looked too young for Gamache. I think Gamache is only in his early 50's but I visualized him looking a bit more Grandpa like. Nathaniel Parker is 50 but he looks like a young 50. Maybe if they added some more grey to his hair?

Congratulations to your son Joanne! And I ended up sending Harold Fry back to the library unread. The reviews really have been mixed.

WOOT! good on your son :)

Congratulations to your son Joanne! What a wonderful accomplishment!

Hi Joanne!
Glad to hear your son won the poetry slam and some $$
Congrats on raising a talented young man!

I can't remember if Harold Fry is a debut novel of Rachel Joyce?? If so, her writing does show promise but perhaps not enough finesse quite yet. I don't remember getting bogged down in my reading. Was it when his journey got somewhat sidetracked? That part annoyed me, but it made a point.

#218: I have that one in the BlackHole already. One of these days I may even read it!

*waving* at Joanne - I hope you enjoy your next read more!

>225 rosalita: Thanks Julia, I can't either!

>226 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, waiting is good - it did have its good moments. And yes, lots of gold and yellow tones around here. White will soon be added to our distant vistas as soon as the low clouds clear. Today was a good day to stay close to home in a comfy chair with the fireplace going.

>227 phebj: Hi Pat, I've never been to one either but they do have a fan base. We are having more freezing rain than snow and somehow that's worse. I'm looking forward to temps returning to the 70s next week! I'm sure you had a much smokier (sp?) summer than we did. We had hazy remnants of your fires here. Let's hope next year is better.

>228 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle, A little grey hair would help! His demeanor will make all the difference. I'm really looking forward to the movie.

>229 brenzi: Thanks Bonnie. It did have its good moments but I'm surprised it was long listed for the Booker. It might still be worthwhile to check out from the library sometime - it was a quick read.

>230 mckait: Thanks Kath! He'd be embarrassed that I mentioned it here but what he doesn't know... :)

>231 Whisper1: Thanks Linda!

>232 -Cee-: Aw, thanks Cee! I think Harold Fry is a debut and she does show a lot of promise. Plus a lot of people really loved the book. It was the Pilgrims that got to me. They felt superfluous...

>233 alcottacre: Hi Stasia! Nice to see you!

I have Harold Fry sitting on my bedside table, fresh from the library. I do plan to read it this month and thank you for the review. It sounds worth reading and worth finishing, if not as wonderful as we'd hope.

I hope you are well, Joanne.

Good for Chris! Congratulations to him -- I'm impressed!

>235 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, Harold Fry had some very lovely moments. I hope you like it!

>236 AMQS: Hi Anne, Thanks! I hope you enjoyed this beautiful Sunday!

>234 Copperskye:: I didn't mind the Pilgrims at first but it became a bit of a bore toward the end of that section and the beginning of Howard's reaction to them...the "lull" I referred to earlier. I was able to overlook it in the general sense, however, and still loved the book. Sorry it didn't work as well for you.

Yep - so we did have the same reaction, TadAD.

Just a quick pop in to say hello....and to look for more pics :P

Joanne, I got tired of Harold's groupies too. I also felt let down when the dog left him.

Good news about Chris! I admire those who can get up like that in front of people. Oh well, the audience plays an important role in poetry slams.

I hope your weather is more fall-like these days. Way too early for snow imo!

Just catching up - Hooray for the poetry slam winner! That is absolutely the coolest thing I've heard all week.

That's way cool that your son won the poetry slam!

Hi Tad, I felt the same. I still liked the book, I just didn't love it, which is probably what I was hoping!

Hi Nancy!

Hi Kath, I probably should post some pics soon...time for a new thread anyway!

Hi Donna, Chris surprised me so much when he did his first slam in Denver this summer. I just didn't picture him getting up in front of an audience. Go figure... I was hoping the dog would have more of a role, too. She could have put him to better use. Raining today, my shopping is done. Time to hit the books (and LT, of course)!

Hi Jenn, Thanks. Last he texted me a day or so ago, he was still pumped!

Hi Terri - Thanks!

I've been in a bit of a book slump. I've had three books going for a while. I like them all, but none are really calling to me. So, I started another, The End of Your Life Book Club. It's really grabbing me, so I'll probably finish it before the others. My audio book, Brideshead Revisited, is wonderful, and I'll be finishing it soon.

Hi Joanne- I requested the audio of The End of Your Life Book Club. It looks like a winner. I know you like a good YA yarn, I'm nearly done with the audio of every day, which has been very good. Keep it in mind and have a great weekend.