Mark's Reading Place #20

Berthe Morisot-1873



CONSTANTIN HANSEN 1826



This has become my motto!

Currently Reading:



Audiobook:


Graphic:


Books Read So Far...

July:

74) Island of Vice by Richard Zacks 3.7 stars (audio)
75) The Odds: A Love Story by Stewart O'Nan 4 stars (audio)
76) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 4.5 stars (OTS)
77) Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury 4.5 stars
78) Train Dreams by Denis Johnson 4.3 stars
79) Cross by Ken Bruen 4.2 stars (audio)
80) Insurgent by Veronica Roth 3.7 stars (OTS)
81) A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories by Flannery O'Connor 4.5 stars (OTS)
82) Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward 4.8 stars (audio)
83) Every Man in This Village is a Liar by Megan Stack 4.7 stars (audio)
84) Any Human Heart by William Boyd 4.5 stars (OTS)
85) The Foreign Correspondent by Alan Furst 3.4 stars (audio)
86) The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker 3.3 stars (audio)
87) Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie 4.5 stars (OTS)
88) Terracotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri 4 stars (OTS)
89) The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson 4.2 stars (OTS)

August:

90) Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne 5 stars (audio)
91) Binocular Vision: New & Selected Stories by Edith Pearlman 4.7 stars
92) The Giver by Lois Lowry 4.2 stars
93) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 4.5 stars (audio) (G.R.) (OTS)
94) Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson 4 stars (audio)
95) Canada by Richard Ford 3.3 stars
96) Graceling by Kristin Cashore 3.9 stars (audio)
97) An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro 3.8 stars (OTS)
98) The Red Pony by John Steinbeck 3.7 stars (OTS)
99) The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo 3.9 stars (audio) (OTS)
100) Tenth of December: Stories by George Saunders 4.2 stars
101) Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 3.8 stars (OTS)
102) The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian 3.6 stars (audio)
103) The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba 4.7 stars (OTS)
104) The Impostor's Daughter: A True Memoir by Laurie Sandell 4.3 stars (OTS)
105) The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce 3.8 stars (audio)

September:

106) The Lost Ones by Ace Atkins 3.8 stars (ER) (OTS)
107) Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan 4 stars (audio)
108) Midwinter Blood by Mons Kallentoft 3.2 stars (OTS)
109) The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 3.4 stars (audio) (OTS)
110) The Long Walk by Brian Castner 4.8 stars (audio)
111) The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers 4.6 stars (OTS)
112) Anarchy and Old Dogs by Colin Cotterill 4 stars (audio)
113) In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck 5 stars (G.R.)
114) The Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire 4.5 stars (GN)
115) Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld 4 stars (audio)
116) Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer 4.5 stars (audio)
117) Logavina Street by Barbara Demick 4.8 stars (ER)
118) Death Without Company by Craig Johnson 4 stars (audio)

Cream of the Crop '12:

1) Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick 4.8 stars (audio)
2) The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson 4.7 stars (audio)
3) Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne 5 stars
4) In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck 5 stars
5) What It Is Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes 4.7 stars
6) Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo 5 stars
7) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 4.7 stars (audio)
8) Every Man in This Village is a Liar by Megan Stack 4.7 stars (audio)
9) The Long Walk by Brian Castner 4.8 stars (audio)
10) Logavina Street by Barbara Demick 4.8 stars

Group Reads 2012:

September: In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)
October: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)
November: The Pearl by John Steinbeck,Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
December: Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck (Steinbeckathon)

Mark - hope this makes me first up. Congrats on yet another thread, top man.

Nice, calming pictures you have chosen for the start of Fall, Mark. And thanks to you mid-Westerners for finally sending some cooler weather to your eastern friends!

I probably missed it in the discussion, but what network is showing the Wallender series? Probably one that I don't get, as seems to be the case with many of your favorite series.

New thread?

108) Midwinter Blood by Mons Kallentoft 3.2 stars

“Winters here are the devil’s work.”

The body of an obese man is found hanging in a large oak tree, like a grotesque art piece. He is stripped bare and horribly disfigured. It is mid-February and brutally cold. Malin Fors is the police detective in charge. She is in her early 30s, an over-worked single mother, living in a rural town in Sweden. The murder investigation takes her down a long convoluted trail, filled with a frigid nastiness.
This is the 1st of a series and for me, it was flawed. The author jammed to many Scand-crime tropes into the narrative and there were multiple view points, including the “voice” from the victim, which I just didn’t “get”. A much tighter story would have helped immensely. According to the other reviews, some readers really enjoyed the book, so maybe it just didn’t work for me, but at least it’s a series I do not have to continue which is a small triumph.

Just checking in. I finished The Sandcastle Girls yesterday and liked it.
Hope you have peaceful, restfull Sunday.

Paul- Yes, you are first! And speaking of top men, you are king, my good friend!

Linda- It's great to see you! The weather this week has been excellent. Nice sunny days and cool nights. Glad it's going your way.
The Wallander show is part of the Masterpiece series on PBS, so you should be able to get it. This is the 3rd running of this series, you should see if your library system has the 1st 2 seasons.

Lynda- I love my seal of approval! Yah!

Tammy- Good to see you! I'm glad you liked The Sandcastle Girls. Some important world history there. Enjoy your Sunday too!

109) The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 3.4 stars

“The whole of Barcelona stretched out at my feet and I wanted to believe that, when I opened those windows, its streets would whisper stories to me, secrets I could capture on paper and narrate to whomever cared to listen...”

David Martin is a young man, an author of pulp novels. Living in Barcelona during the early part of the 20th century. He’s a loner, with a troubled past. He tolerates his work, but does not feel challenged and pines for much more. One day, a wealthy eccentric, approaches David and offers him a literary deal of a lifetime but this quickly begins to feel more like a pact with the devil and David is plunged into a dark gothic world, of deception and murder.
Like many other readers, I adored The Shadow of the Wind, Zafon’s first book in his The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. And I loved the 1st half of this story. His lyrical prose is a joy to read but then the narrative begins to bog down, becoming muddled and repetitive. I think a tighter, leaner approach would have worked much better. I did not dislike this book but I was still disappointed.

Nice new thread, Mark! Lovely artwork, thoughtful reviews - sorry those last two books weren't up to snuff. I have heard good things about Underwater Welder, so I'll be anxious to see what you think of that one. I started on In Dubious Battle, too, but I am not very far in yet. Hope you have a great Sunday.

I like the artwork very much on your new thread - esp the seal of approval.

I've had a flurry of book acquisitions, worth mentioning:
Shine Shine Shine An audio from the library. I've heard good things.
The Snow Child Another audio and LT fav.
the Sportswriter I finally landed a copy of this one and hope to read through the trilogy, in the next year. I read Independence Day decades ago.
We Others Another promising story collection. I have 2 of this guy's books in the stacks.
Beautiful Ruins I'll be picking up the audio of this one later today. I know a couple of my LT pals were underwhelmed by this one but I like this author and will give it a shot.

Hi Mark!
Nice thread :-)
I want to read The Snow Child soon. But, I'm waiting to find it cheap. Of course there is always the library... I don't even know what it is about. I'm hoping something to do with SNOW!

If I were able to read all the books you read, I'm afraid they would all get blended in my mind. It sucks getting old. So, I guess it's good I read slower. I do envy you zipping through all these books though. Carry on!

Anyone interested in either The Angel's Game or Midwinter Blood, (the latter is nice new hardback), send me a PM. I like spreading the joy (or in this case middling-joy).

Mamie- I'm getting ready to crack open Underwater Welder. It looks like a stand-alone. Have you tried the Sweet Tooth series? In Dubious Battle looks to be another great Steinbeck.

Lucy- Glad you like the new thread and the seal of approval. LOL.

Claudia- Actually, I'm not a very fast reader but I'm steadfast and my audios definitely beef up the numbers. If I was only relying on print books I would feel woefully behind.

It is tempting when one reads multiple 75 Book Challenge Threads to feel the stirrings of competitiveness.... must read more books just like ____________ (fill in the blank). But, thank goodness, I resist. I read as much as I can while I'm doing other stuffs, too. Just like this morning. It is a lovely cool and foggy morning with the sun struggling to burn off the damp mists. I've pulled all the stones up from the first try at patio building and have measured a couple of straight lines from concrete pad to 7 feet so I can re-lay the stones in something which will more closely approximate a straight line both long-wise and wide-wise. Hopefully, I won't sit on the porch and look at the patio, all finished, and go "dang, it is crooked".

I'm going to take a break and read a little bit, hoping the Niece and the Greats will arrive, and perhaps they can help me put stones back down. You know one 4 yo and one 6 yo will do very well at laying stones straight-wise. Don't you think?

I'll be reading The Night Circus still.

Mark, do you listen to the audio while you're doing your routes?

Karen- I hope no one feels the need to be competitive on reading. If it's a race, it's no fun. I love the fact that everyone reads at their own pace. The only thing that drives me is my TBR stacks and my wishlists and of course trying to read what my LT buddy has recommended. Okay, that was more than one thing...oh whatever! I'm having a blast, so does it really matter?
Yes, I do listen to audiobooks while walking the route. It really propels my day and of course helps me put a bigger dent in my stacks. Good luck with the patio building. I hope you get some assistance.

Yah! I just downloaded another 2 audiobooks:



Tell the Wolves I'm Home I love this cover.

And The Red House by Mark Haddon. I need more hours in the day.

I am anticipating some assistance today. Fingers crossed.

Hi Mark! Nice new thread. Hope you're having a good weekend!

Dropping by for a "hi" and to mention oh-so-briefly that Scandicrime is the Devil.

Cheers!

Hiya, Mark! Liking the new thread. Looking forward to hearing more about Underwater Welder and In Dubious Battle.

>12 msf59: oo ooh ooh I love The Sportswriter, that book began my love affair with Richard Ford. As it were.

Off to check out The Long Walk A Story of War and the life that follows to see if is anything to do with the one I think it is.

And...no, it isnt :) The one I was thinking was a Siberian one.

Excellent new thread, Mark!

I wanted to share with you this:
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Stamp-Sort-Mailbox/dp/B002IPGXVA/ref=sr_1_1?s...

We got it for Charlie for his birthday, and now he has spend the majority of that last two days pretending to be the mailman and delivering all sorts of letters and packages. I thought you'd like to know that you have a 4-year-old fan. :)

I picked up a couple things from the library, crossed the parking lot, armed with a coupon and hit the bookstore and picked up Diaz's latest. I spent more than I normally do but it's for a good author and helps out a small bookshop. My daughter tagged along too! She's about halfway done with Gone Girl.

Karen- I hope your afternoon is going well.

Anne- Great to see you! Hope your weekend is going well and you are finding some time for reading.

RD- Mr. Crabby Pants in the house! Wolf whistle!

Joe- Yes, both of those books have been terrific. I'm also on the homestretch of Anarchy and Old Dogs, which has been a lot of fun. I picked up my daughter Fun Home because she really liked the Imposter's Daughter.

Megan- I have no idea why I never got around to the Sportswriter. It's ridiculous. At least I have a copy in hand now. The Long Walk was outstanding. One of my top reads of the year.

Amber- You just made my day! That is so cool! Charlie the mail-carrier! Yahoo. Sadly, by the time, he is an adult, the post office will be a whole different entity.

Afternoon has gone well. Painting is almost done - maybe 85%. The patio was pulled apart, straightened and put down again in part. Still need to do a bit more with gravel between the stones I think. But progress has definitely been made!

Lovely new digs Mark. The Long Walk looks like something I would like and if you're recommending it well......

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend so far, Mark! Looks like you have been busy pumping out those reviews and acquiring more books.
Everything is looking perfectly right in your world! ;)

Read This!: Handpicked Favorites from America's Indie Bookstores. I know, I know, just what we need a book with nothing but book recommendations. There are hundreds of them here. I learned about this demonic gem through the latest Books on the Nightstand podcast. So blame those guys. I picked up my copy from the library, while I was there.

"There is no greater joy for a bookseller than introducing a reader to a book they will love for the rest of their lives. Those of us in this business are, after all, matchmakers at heart. So consider this little book you now hold in your hands a sort of catalog of matchmakers.”—Ann Patchett

Patchett does the introduction.

uh oh, danger Will Robinson, too many book recommendations.

Karen- Sounds like the patio is nearly finished. What time is the fire and refreshments? I'm ready to go.

Bonnie- I cannot praise the Long Walk high enough. I wish I had your ability to write a good enough review to match it's merits. I'll give it a try anyway. This book NEEDS to be READ.

Valerie- It's been a very good Sunday! Thanks! I hope yours is going just as well.

Megan- I'm surprised you know the Will Robinson reference, being such a young Latvian woman. I'm impressed.

Mark, my son is looking for a "palate-cleanser" audio book to break up Lord of the Rings, something less than 10 hours, but not a series. You seem to have similar tastes, so I wondered if you had any good suggestions. I'm going to scan your books above, but if you think of anything off the top of your head, we'd appreciate it!

Hi Mark! Happy new thread :)

Terri- It's actually kind of tough to recommend a stand-alone like that. How about The Age of Miracles, which is Sci-Fi YA or the Giver. The latter did have follow-up books but I think they are very loosely related.
How old is your son?

Chelle- Good to see you! Hope you had a nice weekend.

Wow Mark rocking start to your latest thread. I have heard that the third in the Carlos Ruiz Zafon series is a return to form and I also loved the first one.
Books about books are always good fun and there is a whole section in Kinokuniya about nothing else!

Phew, only about 80 messages behind. I think you all must spend your weekends online far more than I do! (I keep getting bumped so the kids can play MineCraft, or Club Penguin, or Moshi Monsters, or etc.)

Had a lovely weekend, spring is springing in Sydney. Jasmine is out in abundance, days are suddenly much longer, and it's lovely and sunny. (Well, potential thunderstorms predicted for this afternoon, but it's *currently* sunny...)

Can't remember what I wanted to say from the last thread... oh yes! Sporting underdogs! I'm not a sports watcher, but I do cheer on the South Sydney football team (we're talking Rugby League here, which is HUGE on the east coast of Australia; there's a Kiwi team or two; and,um, I'm not entirely sure if it's played anywhere else...). They're the Rabbitohs, or Bunnies, and they're in with a chance to win this year. Huge YAY because they almost got disbanded a few years back, only Murdoch lost the battle because of the public outcry. And anything that annoys Rupert is a Good Thing in my book. :)

Don said on the weekend: there are only three teams in Rugby League we need. Manly (the Sea Eagles) so everyone can have a team to hate; Cronulla (the Sharks) so everyone can have a team that's lower on the ladder than they are; and the Bunnies, so everyone has an underdog to cheer for. (Go the bunnies!)

Popping in to say "Hi"and read all your latest acquisitions and recommendations... : )

Even Latvian New Zealanders got reruns of Lost in Space, Mark. But only at the weekends :)

I'm eager to get your take on This Is How You Lose Her, Mark; I'd like to read it this fall, but it may have to wait until early next year, due to other book committments.

Monday, Monday...I'll be wrapping up anarchy and Old Dogs and continuing In Dubious Battle and Underwater Welder, both of which have been terrific. Still deciding on my next audio-Behemoth maybe?

Paul- The praise for the 3rd Zafon book is what finally got me to read the Angel's Game. I'm looking forward to The Prisoner of Heaven and it's a shorty! Yah!

Tania- Sunday is my busy online day, although I try to manage my time as best as possible. Me and my son ended up watching a film so that bit into my reading time but that's okay. Films have taken a backseat lately.
Nice explanation about your rugby teams. I'm not sure if I have ever seen it played. Glad you had a good weekend.

Kim- Thanks for the drive-by! Always a pleasure.

Megan- You have put me in my place! Thank you! I need that once in awhile. I probably haven't watched that show in 40 years.

Darryl- For me the Diaz was a splurge but I loved his first 2 books and I've been on a story collection kick lately. It's only about 200 pages, so I hope to bookhorn it in by the end of the month.

#9: I still have not gotten around to finishing The Angel's Game. I got bogged down in the middle. One of these centuries I will pick it back up again just to say that I finally finished it.

Happy Monday, Mark!

Flying by to say "hi"!

110) The Long Walk by Brian Castner 4.8 stars

“Don't be scared of the soft sand."

A soldier, decked out in full bomb gear, an 80 pound Kevlar suit, making the “long walk” toward an armed bomb. Is there anything more desolate or terrifying? Brian Castner served three tours in Iraq, as part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit.
This is the story of two journeys: the adrenaline-fueled, blood-soaked world of the combat soldier and the equally difficult return to a “normal” life.
This is a raw, emotional memoir, filled with riveting prose. Castner describes the everyday intensity and horror of a EOD soldier, disarming bombs and cleaning up the aftermath. Collecting “right hands” to count the casualties. Placing a soldier’s personal info in their boots, because feet “pop” off in an explosion.
And then Castner’s long painful recovery back home. The fear, the paranoia. While grocery shopping, he scans the crowd for potential insurgents and targets, clutching a non-existent weapon. Crying, while putting his son’s hockey gear on, which reminds him of donning his bomb suit.
Castner vividly places the reader in each of these situations and has created one of the best books on war, that I have ever read. I cannot recommend it higher.

I almost always avoid violence, death, and mayhem in movies; I sometimes avoid it in books; however, your review makes me think I should read this book. It sounds like this is an important book which could help me understand something which I believe is incomprehensible. I ran to your review on the book's page and gave it a thumb up! Good writing, Mark. Thank you.

Mark - The Long Walk sounds fantastic mate. I can empathise with Karen's comment in that some of the gratuitous violence in war films also set my teeth on edge but it's realities are something that we should all read with care and take heed of.

>27 msf59: ...the damnedest thing...that ONE post I just...can't...make...out....

>41 msf59: Big thumbs-up for that review!

Stasia- Almost at the halfway point in the Angel's Game does become bogged down and it becomes unfocused. I still suggest you finish it and like me can move onto The Prisoner of Heaven.

Karen- Very well said! This might turn out to be the most important book on the Iraq war experience. Harrowing. I also loved WAR, which I read a couple years ago. I also just finished The Yellow Birds which is a novel about the Iraq war.
Appreciate the Thumb! I'm happy with that review.

Paul -See my comments to Karen, about the Long Walk. You might also want to track down the Yellow Birds. Have you read The Things That They Carried?

RD- LOL- I have only glanced at the book so far. Just read Patchett's intro. Yes, it could get dangerous.
Thanks for the Thumb! I hope I can start a wave of interest on that one.

Morning Mark! Nice review of The Long Walk - thumb from me, as well. So Monday off, huh? I know you will do it justice - have a good one, my friend!

The Long Walk looks really good, Mark. Onto the tbr it goes! Hope you're enjoying your day off.

Great review of The Long Walk, Mark. It sounds like a must-read. I've heard great things about another book with a similar title: The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz. Have you read it?

The Long Walk has to go onto the TBR list. Next year, I've got a war/military category for 13 in 13 and this one is perfect.

That book recommendation book sounds like one I need to look for at the library, too.

Back to Wallander......(I know it was a while back!)
I am not sure if anyone has mentioned the Swedish DVD's of the (Wallander) Mankell books. They are wonderful. Released by MHz and I think there are at least 1 to 13 episodes. I would highly recommend them!

I hope to get the DVD's of the Wallander series as I have missed the first two of this season and all of the episodes that were aired last season. I did get to watch the last half of the Dogs of Riga last night, but found that it didn't make much sense to me. Probably because I missed the first half.

I am enjoying Damned Good Show and for my non-fiction I started Everything But the Coffee.

I am all moved out of my apartment home that I occupied for the last 18 years. I walked out and left the washer and dryer because I couldn't get them out. Oh well, they were given to me for free so I guess the next person will get them. I am done with that place and now need to move into my new house. I have boxes stacked and piled everywhere, but I am gradually going through them and putting things away. I filled up all the book cases, and the one I moved from the old place. Tomorrow I will be purchasing a new TV. Then I get to get the living room and dining room cleaned up. I like the new house. However, it is not nice to be told that you are a hoarder. I don't think that I am, but do admit that i save lots of stuff. Books mostly.

London Library post-Blitz, c. 1940.

Joe & Mamie- Thanks! I appreciate the thumbs. I haven't had a hot review in awhile. The Long Walk is an important read.

Anne- Thank you. It is a must read and the Yellow Birds is an ideal fictional companion piece. Someone else mentioned the other "Long Walk" boo too. I'm not familiar with it. Will pursue.

Linda- Along with WAR, these are my favorite NF books about our current conflicts. And "Read This!" looks like a lot of fun and dangerous too!

Mary- Thanks for the visit! I've seen the Swedish series of Wallander mentioned and was curious about it. Glad to know you liked it. I hope it's available on Netflix. Hope you can drop by again.

Benita- Glad you finally got moved in. Hooray for the Hoarder! As long as it's book hoarding, I'm a fan. I hope to watch Dogs of Riga later in the week. Hope you can catch up on the first half.

Excellent review, Mark. Thumb from me too.
Will I read it? Probably. Someday.
It does concern me how combat soldiers are supposed to blend back in to a "normal" life at home after all the horrors of war. The psychological damage is a high price to pay.

Thumbing your review as soon as I leave here. I am not keen on war books, but this one sounds too good to pass on.

I'll be interested in your thoughts on This Is How You Lose Her, Mark. I plan on purchasing it when I attend Diaz's author talk in October, but for now, will be reading his other collection: Drown. My stepson saw him speak in NYC recently and said he was fabulous. He was lucky to sneak in at the last moment, as it was apparently a mob scene with many more people showing up than could be accommodated. I hope that doesn't happen here!

Oh dear, A Long Walk sounds pretty tough reading. Im so glad the personal perspective is included as well. The back to normal life stuff. So much of that stuff is reported to factually, when the emotional side of it is what people can relate to.

And the fallen down library. Talk about anti-book-porn!

Well I see you managed to write an excellent review of The Long Walk forcing me to add it to my teetering tower Mark. You know how I love your (NF especially) recommendations. I will have to squeeze this one in soon. Off to see how long the library queue is for it. Thumb!!

This is the library I used to take Wilbur to for story time...it has remained closed since Feb 22 last year (no one was hurt in there thank goodness).
As a synchronistic aside, my elderly neighbour lived in London during the Blitz, and he said that living here throughout the earthquakes was worse a experience for him. I wonder how much his age has to do with that take though, as bombs seem pretty terrifying to me.

Besides the books, I do lots of cooking, so I have lots of equipment. And of course, cookbooks. My kitchen is a real mess right now, but that will soon change. I just have to start putting stuff away. I don't think I am a hoarder, but I do admit that the more hours a person works the harder it is to keep things clean. That, however, is a different problem than hoarding.

Claudia- Thank you! Like I mentioned to you earlier, The Long Walk would make a nice choice for your DH too!

Kim- Thanks for the Thumb! Yes, this is a tough & gritty war memoir but I think it's an important one. We NEED to be reminded, what these poor soldiers are going through, EVERYDAY they are stuck over there.

Linda- I loved Drown and Oscar Wao and look forward to his latest. I plan on bookhorning it in, this month. I'm sure you will have a great time at his "talk".

Bonnie- Thanks! That always means a lot coming from you. You know you are one of my LT idols!

Megan- Yes, there is plenty of the author's personal like in the book. His struggles are heart-rending. Just keeping a marriage together is monumental work and his kids were little too!
Wow, what a shot of your library. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I like the spirit in the photo of the bombed out library. People are still checking out books. Yah!

So, I'll be your Behemoth pusher. Did you start it yet?? Did you? Did you??

Happy Monday, Mark! :)

Funny, I was just over on your thread mentioning the fact that I'll be starting Behemoth tomorrow. You pusher you!

Hahaha! I'm that good. ;)

Okay, YOU HAVE TO READ KAY. Tigana is my all time favourite stand alone fantasy book, hands down.

Valerie- It looks like the deal is done!

Just bought a copy of The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows for my Nook. Will be looking at it as I try to finish The Night Circus and make progress in 1492 (which I, the history lover, am loving).

Hi Mark, you have been reading a great assortment of books lately. Of course, I will be on the lookout for Jeff LeMire's The Underwater Welder, and now I am adding The Long Walk and Yellow Birds to my wishlist. In fact, I might just try and get those two war books for Christmas presents for my husband. I am planning on reading Things They Carried next month.

>61 msf59: true!
Geezer #1 *looks about impatiently* "Ummm, where is the librarian when you need one, I'd really like to take this book out"

Woot! 5 stars for the The Long Walk and a great review! Thumb up, Mark! Hmmm - must check out This is how You Lose Her.

Another thumb for your review of The Long Walk, Mark.

Phew, I've only managed to dodge the book bullet that is The Long Walk by it being currently unavailable in Australia. :)

I enjoyed my back to back days off, always nice. Cool today, low 60s. I'm sticking with my shorts. Hate to give 'em up. I'm deep into In Dubious Battle and it's been excellent. Mr. Steinbeck at his finest. I'm going to start the audio of Behemoth, (I have the print book along as well for the illustrations. Aren't I a smart one?). I've dragged my feet on this one for months and I loved Leviathan too!

Karen- Yah, for the Long Walk! You might want to break that up with a lighter book, once you start it. It can be pretty intense at times.

Judy- Thanks! You will love all those books and yes, they would make perfect gifts. The Things They Carried is an absolute treasure.

Megan- LOL. Yes, those geezers can get quite demanding! Imagine if RD was one of those fellows?

Deb- Thanks! I hope my rating and review inspire a few people. Good to see you. Hope the weekend went well. I hope to get to the Diaz book by the end of the month.

Ellen- Thumbs welcome! Than you! Great book.

Tania- It's a 2012 release, maybe it'll eventually find it's way to your shores. Did you read any of the Westerfeld books? I forget.

Thumbs and then more thumbs for the review of The Long Walk. Bravo for Castner for making the effort to put his story down so eloquently.

The blizt/library picture is one of the strangest but most illustrative ever - a weird 'normalcy' amid the chaos. Esp. the guy in the far left who has pulled a book out of the shelf. The nonchalance of it (apparently, only, I know).

I'm with Jolerie that Tigana is exceptional.

Morning Mark! You have a hot review!! I love the photo of the library that you posted- Lucy is right, it has a strange normalcy to it. It speaks volumes.

Mark, thanks for the suggestion. It had occurred to me that "something completely different" probably was being called for.... so I picked up Louise Penny's A Rule Against Murder for the Nook, too. I believe it is #4 in that series of happy murder mysteries.

Today is "mail carrying Dad's" day off hence for me, too - off to do a respiratory test at the local clinic and maybe some shopping for clothes for the 50 year high school reunion this Saturday. *shudders*

Have a great day!

Good morning, Mark! Hope it's a good one for you today. Lots of positive buzz about The Long Walk going on!

Hi Mark, those are some pretty somber library pictures you and Megan posted. I hate to think of my book friends being injured!

I'm enjoying In Dubious Battle despite reading it in small bits betwixt and between feeding and entertaining company. I hope to finish it today.

Isn't this late summer weather great? Shorts would have been too cool for the 50's we had this morning. I had to dig out a light jacket.

Just being sociable, impossible to catch up :)

Hi Mark - this thread is even more dangerous than normal! Far too many excellent-looking books to add to my TBR (and, Read This!? OMG). Glad you had off yesterday, though sorry to hear about Son's root canal. Hope today wasn't too painful, being back at work. :)

Ew, root canal. Don's up for that this Friday. I don't think he's looking forward to it much.

I have read Westerfeld's Leviathan, but haven't gone on as yet. I enjoyed it, but I didn't *love* it like others.

Hi, Mark. We've crossed on many other threads, so I thought I'd come over and visit. Ducking book bullets all the way - my TBR books are getting restless!

I knew it was going to be sunny and in the low 60s, but did not expect such a cool breeze blowing all day. I wore a light jacket. Wimp, I know! There were only a couple of us that wore shorts today. Long pants would have been the better choice.

I know I made a comment last week about reading 2 similar books. Not having the same problem now. Steinbeck and Steampunk! How is that for variety?

Lucy- Thanks for the Thumbs! Castner did a fantastic job and I hope more readers give this book a whirl. Glad to hear another plug for Tigana. Valerie and I have a deal going, so I plan on reading it early next year.

Mamie- I was overdue for a Hot Review and I'm glad I got it on such a terrific read. As soon as I saw that London photo, I knew I had to share.

Karen- I have only read the 1st Penny book. I may return to the series at some point.
What is "mail carrying Dad's" ? I know I'm one but what do you refer to?

Joe- I hope the buzz on The Long Walk continues. It's worthy. Now, I have to start pulling together a review of The Yellow Birds.

Donna- Yes, the London photo is somber but it also has the right spirit too! IMHO. I am loving In Dubious Battle. This might be my 2nd favorite Steinbeck.
And yes, it was a little cool today for shorts.

Great review of The Long Walk. I can actually get my hands on that one! Thanks for the recommendation.

Hi Kath- Good to see you. Thanks for the drive-by.

Laura- "more dangerous than normal!" I should have used that as a thread heading. Damn it. We are so glad my son got this root canal taken care of. He was in such pain and discomfort. He's been gone all afternoon, so he must be feeling better.
I'm been afraid to open "Read This!". Talk about danger...

Tania- Poor Don! These are never any fun, unless it brings major relief, which it did in my son's case. I liked Leviathan but did not think it was a world-changer, (actually it was, but that's another discussion). So far I think Behemoth has been a better, more consistent read.

Judy- Good to see you! Thanks for making time to drop by.

Stasia- That's good news! I know your library system doesn't always get copies of certain books. Yah!

Chiming in late, cause I've been early-to-bed all week and no computer time:

>32 msf59:. Don't I know it. He's always asking me, but he & I really don't have the same taste in books. Your list was great. He's 24 by the way.

>52 msf59:. I can't even LOOK at that picture without crying.

Glad you are taking on Behemoth, Mark. I love that series!

I am slowly getting back to normal and will start following your thread with more attention. I promise. I went out and bought a new TV today. I wanted an LED TV and somehow got a big honkin' LCD instead. I had purchased one yesterday and went to set it up only to find out that it was not a 1080 pixel, only a 720. Not good. Took it back today and got the 1080. Spent $50.00 more and didn't get the LED TV. Not going back tomorrow. I'm tired. Besides why do I need a TV when I can read?

Terri -I'm always available for recommendations. It's part of the Big 3: Reading books, talking books, recommending books! It always helps to hear a few likes & dislikes first.
Sorry, I made you cry!

Katie- I'm enjoying Behemoth more than the first. It's a smoother narrative. Did you also read Goliath?

Benita- It'll be nice to have you back to normal. I always enjoy your comments. I still can't get over: 800 TBR books! Yikes!
Hope you got the TV you wanted.

Mark, yes, I completed the trilogy. The third is just as good.

Mark, I had kind of written off In Dubious Battle given how crazy my September is to be, but you are making me reconsider that decision.... Truly not sure I can get to it this month, but I can always put it on my list for an upcoming month.

I snagged a copy of A Killing in the hills, by a Pulitzer-winning journalist, who was also the book editor for the Chicago Tribune. This is her first mystery and it's been getting solid reviews. Love winning books, (especially good ones!).

Katie- I'll try to get to Goliath early next year. Glad you liked it too!

Ellen- Yes, I am raving about In Dubious Battle. I only have just over 65 pages remaining. Keep it high on the to-do list.

**Alert-Keep in mind folks: The 1Q84 Group Read is coming up on October 1st. Clear the decks. You will have to. This is one "big boy"! I'll get the thread up soon.

Not a bad idea, huh? I would really look forward to my shower each day!

(-:

I am a happy captive too!

ETA: except when having to read my textbooks. I am not nearly as happy then.

I think I'd come out of the shower still dirty because the wall is too distracting!

I see you gave In Dubious Battle a five star! Way to get back to form. You never disappoint, Mr. Mark. :)

Loved your review of The Long Walk and have made a note of the title. I'll recommend Beaufort for an interesting war novel worth looking out for, the movie is pretty good too.
Also keen on the Diaz short story collection.

>92 msf59: Hear! Hear!

>93 maggie1944: ah ha- the controversial "other side" smiley face. For some reason it surprised me, I guess Im so used to seeing them this way :-).
Just a little observation.

Hi Mark, saw your chat about Kafka on Pauls thread, glad to see I have The Trial awaiting me. Doesnt it just feel so good to know that we have a world of reading ahead of us?
(you know, if I said that to any of my in-laws, I would receive a very odd look in return- Im so glad for a receptive audience in the 75ers)

Hm, now where might your review of In Dubious Battle be?

I finished In Dubious Battle. WOW! Nothing subtle here, but talk about hard-driving. Moving on to a different conflict, Logavina Street: Life and Death in a Sarajevo Neighborhood. Nothing to Envy was one of my favorite reads, from earlier this year, so I'm really looking forward to this one. Plus it's a E.R. title.
I also finished Underwater Welder. Another treasure from Mr. Lemire, a GN master. I'm also sailing along with the Behemoth, which has been fun.

Karen- As long as your happy! ....I think!

Stasia- Yah, to a fellow captive! At least we have lots & lots of company.

Valerie- LOL. Yes, our water bills might show a significant increase but it would be worth it. Actually, that is my 2nd 5 star read in a week, along with a strong 4.5! A shiny comeback.

Kerry- Thanks! I will keep Beaufort in mind. Always enjoy a good war rec.

RD- Big Waves!

Megan- Yes, Karen can be beguiling, can't she? That was not me, discussing Kafka with Paul. It may have been Joe. I have not read Kafka. Pretty shallow, right?
I just finished in Dubious Battle last night, so the review will come in a couple days. I still owe one on the terrific The Yellow Birds.

Things seem to be rolling along as usual here !

Morning Mark! Just stopping in to keep up over here. That shower is something else, but no titles on the books! Thanks for reminding me to keep IQ84 where I can get to it.

Hiya, Mark! Hope you're having a good one today. I'll figure out a way to get my hands on Underwater Welder.

I am so unschooled, I had no idea that (-: and :-) had any controversy involved. I think they both mean "I'm smiling happily".

1Q84 was a birthday book. I don't think I have the fortitude to read it. It's like Cloud Atlas, shouting "I'm a FranzenFosterWallaceMitchellAusterling!" at me whenever I approach with fingers outstretched.

Mark, is that book you snagged by Julia Keller? I read about it and want to read it, too. I liked her as the Book Review editor. I had occasion to contact her a few times. She was very responsive and pleasant to email. I hope she does well.

All caught up again! It took a while, but was well worth it! I was almost relieved when I was one day late to pick up some reserved books at the library (which they usually hold longer than the official 3 days), including In Dubious Battle and discovered they had gone again. But yes, I must get to it. I reserved it again as soon as I discovered it was no longer available. Don't know if I'll be able to fit it in this month, but I'll get to it eventually.

On the other hand, I'm all set with my audio version of 1Q84!

I have only 100 pages left on Damned Good Show, and then it is on to IQ84. I am actually about 100 pages into IQ84 already as I had started to read that pre-move. I am getting settled into my house, but I can say that if I had that shower I would feel even more at home. What a neat idea.

>99 msf59: woops, must have been Joe, Ill go have the Kafka conversation with him now then. And dont go saying you are shallow, Mark, I happen to reckon that you are deep enough to fit in a LOT of high quality boutique beer!

>103 maggie1944: There is a chance that any controversy is in my head. There's nothing like a drama queen to spice up conversation a little ;)

Whew, been out car shopping. We are getting the wife a new car. We've never bought a foreign car but we are definitely leaning in that direction. Should make a decision tomorrow.



I started Shine Shine Shine on audio and it's a very nice surprise. It's one of those new books that have been getting some great buzz but I knew nothing about it, which has added to my pleasure. And I love the sly humor.
And of course, Logavina Street is excellent. Big shock, right? Demick has quickly become one of my top NNF writers.
I did finish Behemoth, which was a lot of fun and better than the 1st book.

Kath- Big hearty wave!

Mamie- Funny, I thought that too about the bath tiles! Where are the titles? But then you might get bored with looking at the same ones over and over.
I'm so glad you'll be joining us on 1Q84. It should be a blast.
BTW- Long pants for the weekend! Boo!

Joe- If you can find Underwater Welder for a good price, pick it up. I'm considering purchasing a "keeper" copy. It would like nice sitting alongside Essex County.

Karen- Hey, you got the drama queen stirred up and that was worth it. As long as you bring along smiles, I don't care which direction they are in.

RD- I wish you would reconsider joining us for 1Q84. We haven't had you along on one of my G.R.s in quite some time. And you already HAVE the book!

Linda- Yes, it was Julia Keller. I should have put her name down. I used to enjoy reading her "book talk" in the Trib. She had very good taste and she sure liked her crime/mystery books.

Ilana- Funny, I was planning on listening to In Dubious Battle. I had the audio discs but I was having problems copying them to my iTunes, so I snagged the book instead and I'm glad I read the print version, although I did listen to snatches of the audio and it was also very good. Great book. Great author.
I was toying with listening and reading 1Q84 but I think I will stick with reading the print version, since I own such a nice copy.

Benita- I'm looking forward to starting the Group Read and you are already a 100 pages a head of me. When has that ever happened? LOL.

Blue filtering glasses firmly in place.. ahhh there we go!

Hi Mark! Love the shower. Looks like any color towel will go nicely :-)

Hi Mark! Just started Nothing to Envy, and so far it's very good! Reading Pyongyang a couple of weeks ago made me pick it up finally - and Joe is right, it's right up your GN alley! I'll have to seek out a copy of Underwater Welder and the new one from the gal who did Britten & Brulightly.

Are we sure no one has found a legit six-figure job where you can just read and nap all day?

Here's a flower for decoration:

Have a great evening, and TGIF!

Claudia- Aw, leave the glasses on! You will miss something for sure. Glad you like the bath/shower stall. Very clever.

Megan- How is my favorite drama queen doing? Are you saying I'm only deep enough for BEER? Okay, maybe you're right. Shuffles to bed...

Laura- nothing to Envy is excellent. Enjoy and then hunt down The orphan Master's Son. A perfect companion piece.
Great news about the follow-up to Britten & Brulightly! Do you know what it's called?

Karen- Perfectly lovely! Good night, my friend.

Okay, Orphan Master's Son is on my library list for tomorrow. The Britten follow-up is called Adamtine, it came out this past July. For some reason, Amazon only has it available used, and my library doesn't have it at all - WAH! This may be one I order from AmazonUK and end up sending around the States once I'm done with it.

Have you read Anya's Ghost? Or Bootleg? I'm also picking those up tomorrow too. Have a great Friday, Mark!

But...but...it's MURAKAMI. That's never good. For me. His stuff is translated by people who luuurve all those interchangeable bore-writers.

*ngurmph* Maaayyybe.

Gasp! Mark! You and your wife have never owned a " foreign car."?! Is this a case of xenophobia! I've always owned a so called foreign car! My husband calls Ford's " Fix or Repair Daily". Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, Mark, that's were it's at , my friend!

And did I read on someone's else's thread that you have yet to read All Quiet on the Western Front.

* faints with shock over the whole situation* - where are the smelling salts.... ;)

Rainy and 54! What? Yep, long pants and a jacket. What's the world coming to? Glad I have such good books keeping me company.

Laura- Thank you! I always appreciate the GN recs. It's been getting thin. And yes, I have read and enjoyed Anya's Ghost but have not heard of "Bootleg".
This is a non-GN but have you heard of Shine Shine Shine? It's my current audio and it's very good.

RD- Hey, think about it. You always bring a colorful approach, even if Mr. Crabby Pants rears that old head.

Morning Deb- I didn't mean to be xenophobic. We've just always bought US models, but I'm looking forward to giving it a try. It will most likely be a Nissan.
Hey, I drive a Ford Explorer! Talk about a low blow, Tonto!
And yes, shamefully, I have not read All Quiet. Bad Mark.

My dad, a mechanic, loves Fords, because he claims that they keep him in business... I'm a Jeep gal, myself, but I've my eye on a Nissan Maxima for my next car.

Yep, rainy and cool here this morning, too - hoping you can stay relatively warm and dry today!

Just kidding , Mark, about the xenophobia! :) and the Ford's!

Not such great weather that you are experiencing!

We have sunshine and temps in the low 70's! It is quite wonderful!

I want your rain and temps, Mark. We had a brief taste of cool last weekend but it's back to 95F here.

I may soon be car shopping myself - ugh. I'm interested in the Honda Crosstour; I currently drive a Santa Fe which I refer to as the Hyundai P.o.S.... NEVER again!

I've got 1Q84 in the three volume paperback set but not sure I'm ready to commit to reading it in October. I'll be traveling for half the month and may need something lighter...

Have a great day, Mark!

*whispers* Subaru

I love my car. It is raining here today, too. The trees and other living non-humans are glad, I do not doubt.

Have a great day!

*echos* Subaru. Love mine too.

I'm heading over to Michigan, Mark, and Ann Arbor usually gets Chicago's weather a day later. Cool is fine with me. I love this weather.

I'll probably go Laura's route - Pyongyang is getting me interested in North Korea. Like you, I enjoyed Anya's Ghost, and I haven't heard of Bootleg, so we'll have to see what Laura says about that.

The Garden of Evening Mists is as good as I had hoped. the Japan vs. China war gives me an awful lot to wrap my mind around, as it does the characters in this book.

>122 maggie1944:,123: Reminds me of the old ad. "Subaru: it's as much fun to say as it is to drive."
I adore my Prius and am now spoiled by 45+ mpg

Colorful? Me, the whitest of the white men? This is the second time I've been accused of that today. And all because I said I wanted to drown a wet, gormless character in lukewarm armpit sweat.

I mean, one does, doesn't one?

I'm in for the group read of 1Q84. I'm just hoping that doesn't end up being the only book I read in October.....the sheer size of that monster.....

I just have to brag on my foreign car. It is a Chrysler Sebring made in that most foreign of cities - Detroit, MI. (I loved the Emmien commercial and thought the Clint Eastwood one stank to high heaven.) I have always owned Chrysler products. My car get 40 MPG's on my trips home to KS. That figure surprises most people when I tell them that. It is a big car and it is wonderful on the road. Of course, in town, the mileage is about half, but I still get 27 to 30. I have put on 85,000 in five years and nary a problem with the car.

I already have my eye on ml next car purchase. I want to buy one of those Cube vans. They are so cute, but I know they wouldn't work where I live. They don't have enough clearance. The underside of my car is all busted up from hitting ruts in the road - to say nothing of the snow drifts that I can't drive through with the Chrysler. One of those Cubes wouldn't even begin to make it through a small snow drift. So I will be sensible and stick with my American car. I would urge you to try one of the American made vehicles. I know it is not always possible to buy one, but I think you can find one that fits your needs.

Damp and cool today! Drizzled most of the afternoon but not terrible. I am loving both of my current books and they are completely different, which is my ideal. I love Shine Shine Shine. This is so refreshing! She has created such indelible characters. We need to start an LT stampede on this one.
Logavina Street is terrific too but boy can it get heart-rending. What those Sarajevo people endured. It's mind-boggling.

Amber- Sounds like your Dad is a smart man. I love my Explorer and have had it for 6 years. I've had a variety of American makes and models over many years and never really had a problem with any of them.
It looks like we are going with the Nissan Sentra. A sporty compact. Unless the wife changes her mind last minute.

Deb- I feel much better now! Thanks! Your weather sounds great. We are getting back to that next week.

Katie- Wow, it sounds like you guys are cooking. I definitely don't miss the hot stuff. We really liked the Hyundai Sonata, classy car, just a bit out of our range.
I wish you could reconsider on 1Q84. I own the 3-volume set too and it's a beauty.

Karen- the wife looked into getting a Subaru too! I'm not sure why she decided not to. You know women!

Linda- Big Wave to a Subaru lover!

Joe- Have a great time visiting your Dad! As usual, I love getting GN recs. And you guys are my best resource.

Laura- Prius lover, huh? Nice mpg too! I'm not sure if my wife looked into Toyota or not. She's the boss, you know!

RD- Well, of course I mean "colorful" in the most positive way. And you are not only a member of the LT Royalty, you are a colorful member of the LT Royalty.

Hi Mark: What a soggy day. I like a bit of fall weather but this is too much too soon.

I've owned a Dodge, several Chevys, and my previous car was a Pontiac. Got to about 140,000 miles on it. Then, last year about this time, I bought a sporty Toyota Corolla. Well, sporty for a 4-door sedan, that is. Love it. Built in Canada. Ontario, I think.

The Dodge was a big hassle. One thing went wrong after another, it seemed and I never went back but I have had good luck with GM cars. Alas, they don't make Pontiacs anymore.

4 stars for Behemoth sounds about right! I think I gave the exact same rating. :)

I'm more a foreign car kind of gal. Toyota all the way at our home.

Just checking in...i am so far behind on Book Reviews...maybe i should spend my time here, rather on the threads of Others....

Hi Mark, I'll bet you are going to love the Demick you've got lined up. I may have to take it out of the library. I opted for something else at the time that was more what I was in the mood for, Juliet in August which I ended up loving. I hate looking for cars. We've had a few Nissans as a matter of fact the Maxima we had was the sweetest ride ever but total crap in the snow, which is a fairly big deal around here;-)

Mark - In Dubious Battle was also one of my favourite books of a couple of years ago and strangely overlooked when considering his best work.
'The Happy Captive' would be a great title for a novel and describes perfectly the situations a reader finds him/herself in on frequent occasions.
Have a great weekend mate.

*waving* at Mark

I hope you have a great weekend!

car talk car talk
*scrolls down*
Oh good, book talk ;)

I will be off to the library in the next few weeks to get In dubious Battle, while its former is still fresh in my head.

Mark, I didnt think you were only deep enough for beer, I said boutique beer. You know, the fancy stuff. That makes you high brow, like me :)

We bought the Nissan Sentra! Nice sporty compact. Long evening though and I ate late, which never sits well with me. I know! Wah!

Valerie- I'm so glad you are joining us for the 1Q84 G.R. I'm reading the print book too and I'm giving myself 3 weeks. Fortunately, I should be able to squeeze in 3 or 4 audios too.
I think 4 stars for Behemoth was perfect. I did like it better than the first one.

Benita- I always liked the Sebring. We ended up with a Dodge Intrepid, the last time around but the Sebring was also a top choice. I've been buying American vehicles for over 30 years. We'll give this one a try.

Linda- It's been a soggy evening so far too! I guess it supposed to end sometime in the morning but it will remain cool. We had luck with our Dodge, overall, although the last few months we've issues here and there.

Jude- Big loving waves! I try to keep the book talk and reviews churning over here. Hey, that's our glue, right?

Bonnie- OMG! Logavina Street is excellent. You will love it. Just like, Nothing to Envy, it focuses on a group of individuals as they deal with these horrific events. Demick is the real deal!

Paul- In Dubious Battle is a neglected classic. And what a perfect precursor to Grapes. And you are right, we are all Happy Captives!

Stasia- Thanks! You have a great weekend too!

Megan- Yes, you know I love my "boutique beer". And yes, find a copy of in Dubious Battle. Mine was a library copy too but I WANT a "keeper" copy.

LT royalty? Widdle biddy me that no one notices? *blush*

Megan...high brow...Megan...*muffled guffaws*

scuse me gotta go

Happy Saturday, kids! Another cool & damp day, plus the mail will be heavy. I'll muddle through. I am chillin' tonight though. And, once again I'm behind on a few mini-reviews. How does that happen so often? Huh?
Have a great day everyone!

RD- No picking on Megan! She's my pal and Lenny's precious Mom.

Now for the important stuff.............So what color did your wife choose, Mark?

The Long Walk sounds like a Matterhorn type read but I'll surely wishlist.

Thanks for your comments re: In Dubious Battle. They've motivated me to put the other books aside and finish it up.

Hope you have a good day despite heavy mail and that a nice hot toddy is waiting for you when you get home.

A good morning from the pac northwest. Cool, and a little bit cloudy/rainy here this morning, too. My Subaru brought with it an unexpected perk: going to the Seattle Storm games, I find that if I have one passenger, and am driving a Subaru there is free parking in one of the garages right by the Arena. Cool! Great game last night, all players well and on the floor. We won. Playoffs next week. A mixed season with several injuries slowing us down, but I think we are good to go, for the Play Offs! Today, I'm combining some house cleaning with some book reading! Whoo hoo!

And oh, yeah, gotta go to the High School Reunion tonight. But all in all, it is a good life!

Whew!!! Made it through 133 messages. The sun is shining here. I'll try to send some your way!!!
Love books about books, but I'm afraid to look at them!!

Hi, Mark! Trying to catch up. You got me with your review of The Long Walk. Another thumb for you!

Ohhh a Nissan Sentra! That looks sporty and very classy, Mark!

Cool, breezy day, with lots of sunshine. Long pants, jacket and a cap. Not a bad day and I finished Shine Shine Shine, which I didn't think I would. Expect many raves. This is an absolute GEM and an author to really keep an eye on. She will make you laugh, think and possibly cry.

Lynda- I meant to include the color of the Sentra and spaced it. It's white, which really looks sharp on that car.
The long Walk is a MUST READ, along with In Dubious Battle and I'll throw in the Yellow Birds too.

Karen- Glad you had fun at the Seattle Storm game. I'm looking forward to watching the Bears tomorrow. They need a major boost. Have a great time at the reunion. Give us full details.

Tammy- Good to see you! Hope you are having a great weekend and keeping warm.

Terri- Thanks for the Thumb! The Long Walk NEEDS to be read by everyone.

Deb- Thanks! I couldn't find a good photo to post. You really started quite the discussion with your "boobs" comment. You go girl!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Public Announcement:



The Group Thread is now up on 1Q84. Okay, no more gawking, get over there and star it. Arribe, Arribe!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/142496

I would love to join in the group read, Mark, but not right now! Why couldn't it be going on while I am on break??

* faints away as I see that you have finally loaded up The Keeper of Lost Causes*

As for the innocent boob conversation, well, I was thinking that if we women think we have it bad , you guys and your " packages"...

*runs away quickly before causing a stir *

111) The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers 4.6 stars

“You’re nothing, that’s the secret: a uniform in a sea of numbers, a number in a sea of dust.”

Private Bartle and Private Murphy become friends in boot camp and in 2004, deploy to Iraq together. A bond is formed and strengthened further by Bartle’s promise to Murph’s mother that he would make sure that nothing happened to her son. This is never a good idea, especially in a war zone.
In this powerful story, told in lush prose, we follow these soldiers, as they trod through a dangerous and alien landscape, dodging horror and death. We also see the sad return of Private Bartle, as he tries to adjust to life back home, a disconnected existence, filled with guilt, fear and loneliness.
There have been several excellent nonfiction books written on the war experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, but this is the first novel I’ve read, that has captured that “feel” and I give the credit to the author who served as a machine-gunner in Iraq for two years. I think fans of The Things That They Carried, will make a strong connection here.
Here is an example of this book’s potent writing:
“We walked in alleys. Saw the remnants of the enemy where they lay in ambush, pushed them off their weapons with our boots. Rigid and pestilent, the bodies lay bloating in the sun. Some lay at odd angles with backs curved slightly off the ground and others were wrenched at absurd degrees, their decay an echo of some morbid geometry.”

Congrats on the new car, Mark!!

Chilly day at Wrigley today. One last game tomorrow and I'm done for the season.

Hi Mark! I am off to star the IQ84 thread in a moment, but wanted to say congrats on the new car purchase and nice review of The Yellow Birds. I will root for your Bears tomorrow just for you!!

Stasia- Are you sure you can't bookhorn this one in? I haven't had you join us on a G. R. in a blue moon.

Deb- Yes, I plan on getting to The Keeper of Lost Causes on Monday, just for you! I have to throw Tonto a bone occasionally.
So what's this about "packages"? Tonto, you and your frisky mind.

Linda- Thanks! Good luck with the Cubbies tomorrow. Keep warm.

Mamie- Thanks on all fronts. The wife is at a birthday party, so I'm having a couple brews and messing round LT. I hope I can successfully spread the word on The Yellow Birds. Try to locate a copy of Shine Shine Shine.

Already starred 1Q84 -- can't wait to talk about it again!! Congrats on the new car. And the book reviews. Have fun messing around on LT while the wife is away!

I'll echo Megan's comment from yesterday:

car talk, car talk
*scrolls down*
Oh good, book talk ;)

Heh. I've starred the 1Q84 thread. Not an easy book to squeeze in, so don't be cruel to Stasia, there'll be other GRs! My attendance at GRs lately... well I don't think my track record is that great, so good thing we're not getting graded on it, but I promise to keep it in mind and visit when I can.

>138 richardderus: *muffled guffaws* Dont muffle on my account RD, Im open to raucous laughter in my face. Even if it is totally misplaced, as my high brow status is well established by now. I mean, I read Dickens, what more proof do you need? ;)

>139 msf59: thanks for having my back Mark ;)

113) In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck 5 stars

“In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven”

An anatomy of a strike. Jim Nolan is a smart, restless, young man looking for a “cause”. He meets Mac, a union organizer, who quickly places Jim under his wing. They immediately head to Torgas Valley in northern California, to orchard country, where the apples are ready to be harvested. The timing is good, because the pickers have just received another pay cut and are angry and disheartened.
How Mac and Jim set this in motion, is the story, told in the tough, scrappy Steinbeck style. The spirit of these men is honorable, especially in the face of such a powerful and violent opponent.
I consider this novel part of Steinbeck’s holy trinity: In Dubious Battle, Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath. Does literature get any better?



A mobile picket line! The sign on the first truck says: "Don't Scab".

When I was at the University of Washington I had a class in American history where the professor emphasized original sources. I borrowed from the University library some "rare books" which gave first person accounting of labor organizing in the woods of the northwest, and of the general strike in Seattle, which resulted in some people calling Washington State The Soviet of Washington (or something like that). I seated a great love of history in those days, and especially the history of ordinary folks trying to make their way through tough times. I love Steinbeck's contributions to understanding those folks, and I somehow missed In Dubious Battle and must make up for that. Thanks for a good review and the extra photo. Gives reality to a movement we should not forget.

Kim- I can't wait for you to stop by the 1Q84 G.R. and comment. I'm sure you will have some interesting things to share from your class.

Ilana- I'm glad you are considering joining us for the Murakami. Maybe you'll do better with the audio than trying to tackle the print copy.

Megan- I always have your back, my friend. I was going to include something else but I don't want to get to licentious. LOL.

Bears vs. the Rams in 30 minutes. Guess where I'll be?

Go Bears!!

And what variety of libation is in your hands?

Hey, Mark. I've starred 1Q84 for the discussion.

Debbi's taping the Bears game for me. I'm training my way Chicagoward, as we're about to pull into the station at Kuh Kuh Kalamazoo. Go Bears!

Hi Mark! I'm trying to get caught up here. I'm glad you've had so many good reads lately. I must get to In Dubious Battle. I do love Steinbeck.

So, in theory, I should be cheering for the Bears right now, since the Rams are in our division. Hmm.

Mark, if you have a laptop you can watch football AND catch up on LT, like I'm doing right now. So is there some kind of competition going on for reading 5 star books? You are reading them at a tremendous rate. In Dubious Battle is already on the pile after Donna's review and The Yellow Birds sounds good too. Great reviews!

Bears Win! Bears Win! 23-6!

Congrats to the Bears!! Unfortunately, the Colts lost today, but we deserved to lose - ARGH!!!

Mamie- See you helped! Bears Win! Last time I looked, the Colts were losing. Boo.

Kim- I've been drinking beers from a local brewery, called Two brothers. Bitter End and Prairie Path. Top-notch brews.

Joe- I'm glad you'll be able to check in on the Group Read and I'm glad you had a nice visit with your Dad. Did you go alone?

Kerri- Good to see you! Yes, track down In Dubious Battle. It's a classic. I've been on a nice tear lately.

Bonnie- I could use my wife's lap-top but I was browsing through Read This! and was taking extensive notes. LOL.
No competition on 5 star books but after reading a couple middling books, I've been knocking out some big guns.

Just stopping by see what sort of trouble you have yourself into now! :)

I'm thinking of starting a new Scandicrime , Black Skies by Arnaldur Indriason. I've read all of the others in the series - maybe time to dip into some crime?

Go the Bears! (??@!##??)
And Go In Dubious Battle! 5 stars- woohoo!

Morning, kids! Hope everyone had a dandy weekend. I should be wrapping up Logavina Street today. It looks like it might be another 5 star read and another shiny GEM from Ms. Demick. On audio, I plan on starting The Keeper of Lost Causes, which I've had on the to-do list forever...just ask Deb!

Deb- Did you see my words immediately above? Yes, finally. I'll be joining you for a little Scandi-Crime exploration. I have to get back to Indriadson. I've read the 1st 3.

Megan- We call 'em da Bears around here! LOL. Yes, I've been on a nice 5 star or close to it, run lately. Let's hope it continues. Have a good week.

Good morning, Mark. I am awake exceedingly early for west coast but of course my LT friends are here to keep me good company. I am still working my slow way through The Night Circus and 1492: The Year the World Began. Both books are worthy of careful, and sometimes slow reading, and my schedule has been such that I don't have long stretches of reading time. I feel as if I've been at these two forever. But they are both very good, so certainly there are worse fates.

I hope your weather is conduisive to a pleasant day for you!

Mornin' Mark! We woke up to the second straight frost here this morning - hope you stay warm today on your route!

Adding The Yellow Birds to the BlackHole. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Mark!

I have Keeper of Lost Causes in hardcopy. I ran across it yesterday while unpacking a few boxes. However, I won't be joining you for that read. I have cracked IQ84 and as soon as I am done with my last September series book will be reading the Murakami behemoth in earnest. I am starting to feel like I have moved in. I went and made some home organizing purchases on Saturday while the rest of T-town was at the football game. My bank account is really feeling this move so I will be slowing down now on buying the storage boxes. I felt enough at home that I made a batch of muffins yesterday afternoon. Then this morning I discovered that I have a mouse in the house. When I woke up this morning I had a hole in the plastic bag in which I had my muffins and one of the muffins had been chewed on. Now I have to go get a mousetrap. I suspect that Mr. Mouse came in while they were getting the house ready for occupation as I noticed that for several weeks there was no cover on the dryer vent. Now I have to get rid of him. Also will be bombing for roaches, (the scourge of the South) this week. Oh the joys of having a house. I miss being able to call apartment maintenance and having them take care of the problem. But I like the house.

The weather here turned cool and fall like on Friday. It is amusing to me that with the day time temps up to 80 that people have their coats on this morning. What? It is pleasant in the morning and warm in the afternoon. No need for a coat yet, but these people have thin skins. I love this weather.

Big game for Da Bears next week, vs the Cowboys on MNF. I'll be rooting for Jay Cutler and the boys.

Hmm, throwing me a bone by reading The Keeper of Lost Causes , are you Mark:) Or listening to it on audio...well, I hope you can follow the complex thread of the story! So you are reading IQ84 as a group read. Well, Mark, I'm afraid that's just out of my league. 1000 pages and that crazy writer;) Well, Lone Ranger, you are one your own with IQ84 , though I know you are having a great group read! I'll poke my head into your group thread here and there just to keep an eye on you, friend!

On the way to work this morning, it was chilly. 37 or 38. Brrrr! But it warmed up nicely to about 71, sunny and breezy, so I'm glad I wore the shorts after all.

I'm continuing to have problems with my digital audio downloads from the library. It freezes my iPod up, so I only made it a short distance in The Keeper of Lost Causes and had to give it up. Bummer, dude! And it sounds like a good one too! Never one to wallow in self-pity, I immediately went to Death Without company, the 2nd Walt Longmire book. Man, I like this series!

And the best for last, I finished the remarkable Logavina Street. Demick has become a master of the NNF form. She also, FINALLY, made me understand what that Bosnian conflict was all about. The horror. If you have not read this one or Nothing to envy, get BUSY!

Karen- It turned out to be a fine fall day. No complaints. How far along on The Night Circus are you?

Amber- I think it's been staying just above freezing here. It'll catch up with us, that's a fact Jack! Love those cool nights for sleeping.

Stasia- Thanks! I hope more folks give the Yellow Birds a chance. It's an important work.

Benita- I only got about an hour into the audio of The Keeper of Lost Causes, but I think I'm going to like this series. Have you stopped over at the Group Read and dropped a star? Sorry, to hear about Mr. Mouse! Ewwwwwww!

Darryl- The Trib really slammed Cutler today in the paper but I thought he did a decent job. There were several dropped passes that I'm sure hurt his numbers. I will agree the defense ruled that game.
Looking forward to the Cowboys match-up.

I have The Keeper of Lost Causes out from the library on audio, too, Mark! I am doubting that I'll get to it before I have to return it though - they frown on people moving to other states with their inventory. Go figure! I am currently reading March Violets which I am really loving so far. Also managed to finish The Last Werewolf which was a fun ride.

Gasp! You forget to acknowledge my post in 176. Now I'm getting a complex, Lone Ranger! :) Throw me another bone! LOL! Must have a been a long day at work.

Deb- I meant to get back to you and got distracted. LT is a Major Time Hog! please forgive me, Tonto. Bummer about The Keeper of Lost Causes. I'm going to check with my library online and see if I can find the actual audiobook.
How was that bone?

Mamie- How do you listen to your audiobooks? Just from the cds? I copy and transfer them straight to my iTunes/iPod. This way you could save it and then return the actual audiobook.
I plan on getting to March Violets next month, while deeply immersed in 1Q84.

I mentioned this at Joe's Cafe too. My daughter landed a job at a brewery in downtown Chicago:



"Celebrate good times! Come on!"- Kool and the Gang

I'm starting my monster tonight! Eeeek! :)

Your daughter landed a job at a brewery- how perfect is that for you?!

Usually listen to my audiobooks on my iPod or if on CD, then in the car. You're right, I could copy it and transfer it, then delete it when I am done. Our library only has CDs, no downloads of any kind. I am hoping Georgia has downloadable stuff.

Hi Mark, I thought I'd let you know that I read the first few pages of City of Women and it grabbed me right away. Hopefully, it manages to keep up the pace. I picked up The Keeper of Lost Causes when it was a Kindle Daily Deal; don't know when I'll get to it though.

I know, I know ... I've been remiss at contributing to your always entertaining and exciting thread, Mark .....mea culpa, mea culpa ...but I think my time is mine again ....for a spell .....and therefore.... i'm baaaaaack!

I couldn't help but chuckle when I read the bit about your daughter getting a job at a brewery. Talk about destiny! Guess I know what you're getting for your birthday and Christmas.

Yay your team won! Yay good beer! Yay your daughter can serve you beer!!

Woohoo, your daughter will be able to get you a family discount at the brewery! This could spell trouble. ;)

Valerie- Glad you are getting a head start on the monster! Good luck. You seem to be a fast reader. You'll do fine. I won't be getting to it until early next week. I have 2 print books to finish first.

Mamie- I have nearly a dozen audiobooks, possibly more, copied from discs, waiting in the wings. I just copied Beautiful Ruins and have Broken Harbor next in line.
Yes, I hope Georgia has the digital library. Fingers crossed.

Bonnie- I also have City of Women waiting in the stacks. It'll be my next ER book to read, although that might not be until November. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

Caro- I was beginning to wonder if you didn't love Marky-Mark anymore. Great to see you and I hope you are feeling better. Daughter works in a brewery. Dad Happy.

Kim & Megan- This brewery is only 2 years old. I had not even heard of it. I'm looking forward to Bree bringing me home a "growler" soon.
Bree moves into the city next week and I'll be helping her. I hope to stop by there then.

Wow, the Packers are really struggling against the Seahawks!

Okay, 20pp in to 1Q84 and already I'm angry. Quit showing off, Haruki.

Ohhh so excited for you and your daughter, Mark! The perfect job and I suspect you will yield some side benefits . Sorry about The Keeper of Lost Causes - it's out in paperback now you know. It is good and I tell you, Jussi Adler-Olsen really ratchets up the tension in The Absent One... I tell you Mark..... :)

>188 richardderus: I get that RD, I feel the same about Michael Chabon (but have yet to attempt 1Q84)

oh, you said Seahawks. They've been so poor recently that I'm used to never seeing them in LT discussions of football. Even though I hold some unpopular opinion about the game (*whispering* I think it should be banned as too dangerous) I do have "home town loyalty" stupidly. I like it when they do well. The Niece's Husband is a huge fan and has season tickets.

OK, enough of that from me.

Day off today! Yah! I have errands to run and some yard-work to do but I hope I can squeeze in some reading. I'm going to something lighter after my last read, I'm starting ship Breaker. My son and I plan to go see the film "The Master" later this afternoon. This has been getting stellar reviews and it's from one of my favorite modern directors. "There Will Be Blood" is an American masterpiece. IMHO, of course.



Go RD! Go RD! I think Murakami either works for you or he doesn't. I personally don't think he over-writes. I admire that you gave it a shot anyway.

Deb- Yah! I called the library last night and will be picking up The Keeper of Lost Causes and hopefully will jump back in by the end of the week. We may not always read the same books, but I like your taste and trust your opinion.

Megan- Chabon works for me too! I've only read 2 of his books but plan on reading them all, including his latest.

Karen- I just checked the sports scores and see that the Seahawks pulled off the upset. Wow. Impressive.

Oh, I didn't even know. Well, that is what happens when you disconnect the cable and stop watching TV, including news. I get some news occasionally in the afternoons when I am over at the Niece's house. They have two TVs so the kids can have one, and I the other. I usually fall to sleep on the sofa. LOL

114) The Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire 4.5 stars

Jack Joseph works as a deep-water welder, on oil rigs, off the coast of Nova Scotia. It’s dangerous and demanding work but Jack feeds off the challenge and the isolation. He is happily married but begins to feel the pressure of the impending birth of his first child, stirring up troubling memories of his own father.
This is vintage Lemire: spare, reflective and haunting. His illustrations are expressive and evocative. His characters leap from the page. This one fits in perfectly with his brilliant Essex County collection. He is easily one of the master’s of the GN format. Highly recommended.

Hiya, Mark. You know I'm interested in Underwater Welder! Nice review.

Yes, I went alone on this visit to see my dad (who was healthy and sharp by the way - great visit). Because it was combined with my high school reunion, Walklover decided to take a pass. People she doesn't know, talking about old times she wasn't involved in - hard to figure why she didn't find that appealing. But my dad loves her, so we'll probably go together next time.

A bonus from my point of view: in the next year and a half or so, the Amtrak railroad line between Chicago and Ann Arbor will convert totally to high speed tracks and trains, which they say will shave 2 hours off the current 5 hour travel time.

#195
I love high speed trains. I traveled on one in Germany and it was great. The seating was marvelous. The chairs swiveled and there were desks for work. It was great. I so want them here in the U. S., but I can't seem to even talk about high speed trains here. I guess there isn't a frame of reference for people.

Mark,
I finished reading Damned Good Show by Derek Robinson. All I can say, is if you want to read about the Desert War in North Africa read Bartle Bull. I wanted to read this series, the RAF series, for so long, and I am so disappointed by them. They certainly didn't live up to my expectations. I think I learned my lesson - read all of the series you can because they might not wear well over time. So get your library to get you the rest of the Bull series while you still like Anton Ryder and company. Do an Inter-Library Loan if you have to, but get to reading on them before they go cold on you. One good thing I learned while reading this series, is that I certainly don't have a romantic view of the equipment from WWII anymore. Those planes were crap. The more reading I do about that war the more convinced I am that the best piece of equipment was the Jeep. And it wasn't invented for use in war.

What is better than a trip to the library? Well, I'm sure there our several things but since this is a family-friendly thread, we'll stick to that one.
The library swag:
The Keeper of Lost Causes, audio. See, that didn't take long to replace? I hope Tonto is seeing this. I'm copying the discs as I awkwardly type.
Pyongyang A GN rec from Laura & Joe!
Locke & Key: Clockworks The latest installment of this creepy GN series.
The Lost Art of Reading I saw this mentioned in the "Read This!" book and it looks interesting. Anyone read it yet?
the Destiny of the Republic, audio. I have an advanced print copy of this one too but I figured I would get to it faster on audio.

Karen- I went to bed before the Packers game was over so I didn't know until this morning. Sounded like a crazy finish too!

Joe- Thanks! I'll eventually pick up a copy of Underwater Welder for the keeper shelves. I'm glad they are installing those high-speed railway lines. 2 hours is a big difference. Glad your Dad is doing well.

Benita- I traveled on trains in Germany too but I don't think they were the high-speed variety. It's a pleasant way to travel, although I've never done it stateside.

Congrats on your daughter's new job at the brewery. Does she get a discount?

The Lost Art of Reading sounds terrific. I keep meaning to get to The Destiny of the Republic, too.

I should have more time for reading, now that I'm boycotting watching the NFL after yesterday's debacle. The game has become a joke.

Didn't watch the game yesterday, but that's all I heard about on the radio this morning. Stinks.

Mark, great news on daughter working at a brewery! Probably the only thing better for you would be if she worked at a bookstore! My library doesn't have a copy of Underwater Welder (booooo!), but I'm putting in a request for it. And, FYI, I picked up Anya's Ghost, Mercury, and The Orphan Master's Son yesterday - they all look good! I also grabbed Bootleg - it's not a GN, BUMMER! You can cross that one off of your list.

It's a beautiful, breezy, sunny day, about 65 degrees - perfect! Hope it's the same down by you too. :)

Linda- Yes, she does get a decent discount. Yipee! The Lost Art of Reading is a slim volume, less than 150 pages. I did not see the end of the Packers game. I'll have to check it out.

Laura- Yes, the only thing better, is if my daughter was working at a bookstore/brewpub. That would be sweet. I liked the books you picked up. Not familiar with "Mercury", though.
I was paging through the dangerous Read This! and saw the Boswell Book Company mentioned. Are you familiar with this store?

On the last play, the Seattle QB threw a Hail Mary. The Packers player intercepted in the end zone but, on the ground, the Seahawk took the ball away. One official signaled touchdown, the other signaled interception. Not sure how they reconciled it.

Earlier, I heard (didn't see, since I was watching Dancing with the Stars) that the ref meant to place the ball on one 47-yard line but placed it on the other 47-yard line. Amateurish.

The Packers didn't play well enough to win. However, they would not have lost without the officials miscalling that play. Even on their review, they should've at least asked what the other official saw but they seem to have disregarded him.

I did see several re-plays of that last pass/pass interception/touch down flub! I also heard an earful about how bad the officiating was during the entire game. NFL HQ review upheld the touchdown. What a mess.

I saw the Packers player grab the ball and pull it into his chest, with the Seahawks hand on it, too. Simultaneously. (I live in Seattle, do not follow the Seahawks, but probably am prejudiced). A sorry state of affairs. The regular officials need to settle the contract and get back into the game.

>192 msf59: I read a not that great review (euphemism alert!) of Chabons latest in the Sunday paper her last weekend. The reviewer was quite good at taking my nebulous thoughts about his writing style, and whacking them down in an ordered and coherent fashion. Imagine my surprise to see that the reviewer had got inside my head!
I will still read that Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay though, as I have heard good about it. And, oddly, I still feel like he is the kind of author I would like. Weird.

Lost Causes huh?

116) Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer 4.5 stars

“Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone”
-Elton John

Sunny, is a young housewife, struggling to keep up appearances, while her life is sliding out of control. Her son, Bubber, is autistic and she is pregnant with her second child. She wears a variety of wigs, to disguise the fact she was born bald and remains so. Her mother is dying from cancer and her brilliant scientist husband is currently heading to space, on a rocket, to assist colonizing the moon with robots. The marriage was on shaky ground before his departure and it looks like Sunny is left to handle it all alone.
This is a beautifully written story about helplessness, identity and making tough choices. It also contains a razor-sharp wit, causing this reader to break into a smile on a few occasions. Think of a cross between Anne Tyler and the film directors, Tim Burton and David Lynch, with a warmer, more optimistic under-coating.
Netzer is a fresh, engaging new talent and this turned out to be one of the most pleasant literary surprises, I’ve experienced this year.

Great review, Mark! Will add my name to the waitlist at the library for Shinex3. I hadn't heard of "Mercury" either, but on my library's website it came up on the suggestion list on the "Anya's Ghost" page, so I figured "eh - what the heck".

Yes, very familiar with Boswell Books. It's an old Harry W Schwartz Bookshop location (RIP) with the same logo and much of the same staff, same shelves and same feel. They've got a lot of great author events and (dangerously) it's just a few miles from work when I'm on the North side of Milwaukee. That reminds me, I should call and request an autographed copy of a couple of books for events this week. I think you'd like the store (well, who wouldn't, it's full of books), and it's attached to a coffee shop and in the next couple of blocks are an indie movie house, hip little stores, and a yummy restaurant full of imported beers, excellent fries and delicious food, very Austrian cafe feel.

Just over halfway through Ready Player One, and am totally digging both the book at Will Wheaton as narrator. Rad!

How could you even doubt I love you, Marky-Mark?! Well, ok .. the recent neglect deserves a smack on the wrist. Mea culpa ... RL sometimes has an irritating way of interrupting my LT time.

I'm waiting to see what you think of the movie. I watched it on Friday with the hubster and was not impressed. Oddly enough, before we watched it, the hubster read rave reviews about it, but the minute we got out, he checked movie sites and the reviews had changed to negative ones.

My goodness Mark, the hits for you still just keep on coming! Can't wait to get my hands on Underwater Welder, and both Logavina Street and Shine Shine Shine sound intriguing as well. Luckily I already have Keeper of Lost Causes on my wishlist.

Great to see Benita's love for the Bartle Bull trilogy. I am currently reading number two, The Cafe on the Nile and really enjoying it. Has anybody read his other books? Shanghai Station and China Star - I liked both of them but not as much as the African ones.

#207 Laura, I think I used to go to a Harry Schwartz book on Blue Mound. What's that...Brookfield? Anyway, it was near Brookfield Square Mall. Haven't been there in years but no doubt it's closed.

210: Linda, yes, that was also a Harry Schwartz - actually, that's my favorite store of all time, regardless of being a bookstore - and yes, it's closed. (There were also locations in Mequon that became Next Chapter Books, and abruptly closed last week, one in Bay View only lasted a couple of years, and in Shorewood.) However, Half Price Books has taken over that spot (the fireplace is still there), but it feels so cold - the walls and floors are white instead of that cozy blue color, no carpeting, it's echo-y. Very much not the same. We may have run into each other there over the years, I was there at least a few times a month. And yes, that's Brookfield. I'm amazed and impressed at your Milwaukee/Waukesha County knowledge! Honestly, you are often better at remembering where things are than people who have lived here their entire lives - yikes! :)

#211 I remember when the B&N was a tiny little store on the north side of Blue Mound. Used to go there all the time.

In the mid 1990s, for about 5 years, I used to go up to the IFEBP building on Blue Mound several times a year on business. Used to love the Kopps there, though I liked the one by Southridge much better.

My college roommate lived just north of downtown for awhile so I got to know that area. Then she moved to an area near Southridge so I learned about that area, too. I think she lived in West Allis but I'm not positive.

So, I guess I know parts of the area but certainly not all. Not too clear about the northern suburbs or the close-in southern suburbs.

The call that ended the Green Bay-Seattle MNF game was possibly the worst one I've ever seen in an NFL game. The ball was clearly intercepted by the Green Bay defender, but, worse than that, the Seattle receiver obviously and egregiously pushed a Green Bay defender away from him before the ball came down. He should have been penalized for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game with a Green Bay win. I cannot understand how the referees looked at the videotape for 10 minutes and missed that obvious penalty.

kidzdoc, I know next to nothing about football, and I also saw the mess that was that ball catching by multiple peoples, but I also heard on the radio that although the offensive interference was obvious on the tape, it is not a reversible error. I guess if the officials did not see it, it did not happen.

Mark - got my first win as a Bears fan, yipee! Also saw the Packers-Seattle controversy and have to say that the call looked way off but aren't Green Bay supposed to be our main rivals or something so doesn't that mean we should be happy that the call went against them?

Okay, we went to see "The Master". I liked the film but was not blown away. The 2 leads, Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, were excellent. I enjoyed the L. Ron Hubbard comparison. Unless, you enjoy difficult and challenging films, I would not recommend it. Funny, there were less than 10 people in the theater and everyone else was both baffled and disappointed. One lady stated, that this was the last time she went to see a 4 star film, only 3 1/2 and lower from now on. LOL.

Karen- I appreciate all your info regarding the Packers game! Not bad for someone who dislikes football. LOL.

Megan- No question, there are authors who divide opinion and Chabon seems to be one of them. I usually let my instinct take over in these cases and it mostly works for me. I've only read 2, including Kavalier and Clay and have enjoyed both immensely.

Kath- Good to see you! The Keeper of Lost Causes, (it is a great title) begins very well but I haven't got far enough into it, to recommend anything yet.

Laura- I'm so glad you are enjoying Ready Player One. It's such a fun and inventive read. I figured you knew what Boswells was. Sounds like a cool store. Maybe we can meet up there some time.

Caro- I feel much much better now. Thank you! And I would never slap my pal on the wrist, maybe RD, if he was especially naughty but not you.
I'm not surprised you were underwhelmed by "the Master", most people would be. I admired the depth and ambition, even though it was not completely satisfying. I love Anderson's films and think he is one of the best of the modern wave.

Judy- I've been on a nice tear and my 2 crime books Death Without Company & The Keeper of Lost Causes also hold promise. I loved Cafe on the Nile and I hope you do too. I NEED to get to book 3, the title escapes me at the moment.

Look at the big brain on Linda! LOL. That was a line from "Pulp Fiction". I admire the fact you have such a good memory. I am jealous.

I'm too far behind to keep up properly but I'll add Shine, Shine, Shine to my audio list! I'm getting a little overextended there, too.

Congrats on your daughter getting a job at the brewery, but I'm not sure who I'm congratulating - your daughter or you?? Both I guess!!

So how was the movie?

Hey I am happy for you got your replacement audio on Keeper of Lost Causes. I think that you will really enjoy it! You library does a lot better than mine in the audio department. Shine, Shine, Shine sounds good too - I will put my name in at the library.

Happy Hump Day! I like having Tuesday or Wednesday off. It breaks up the week nice. Besides my current crime book(s), I'm also enjoying Ship Breaker which is a perfectly fun read after my visit to Sarajevo.

Darryl- Thanks for the comments concerning the Packers game. How frustrating! Especially if you were a Pack fan. It sounds like they are going to have to wrap up this officiating problem soon.

Paul- See, you brought the Bears luck by being on board. And yes, the Packers and Bears are in the same division so that helps us too. You are learning, my friend.

Joanne- I should have also mentioned in regards to Shine Shine Shine, that it was an excellent audio. Her name escapes me but the reader did a stellar job.
See post #216 for my thoughts on the film. It might be 3 stars but I was totally expecting a 4 star.

Deb- I'm nearly finished copying Keeper of Lost Causes to my computer and should be getting back to it in a couple days. You know the Lone Ranger doesn't mess around.

I'm not a Packers fan, Mark, particularly after I lost a bet to nurse Amy in Super Bowl XLV last year and had to wear her cheesehead at work (the sordid photo is on my LT profile page). However, I'm distressed that any team, even the reviled Cowboys, would lose a game due to a bad call from a referee. This has become an embarrassment for the NFL, and the regular referees need to be reinstated ASAP, preferably in time for this weekend's games.

Hi Mark! I thought I'd chime in this morning about football, even though I should be working. As you know, I'm a huge Seahawks fan, but I do agree that that was a bad call on Monday night and I wish things had gone differently. HOWEVER, I will add that I watched the entire game and the Packer's touchdown was made possible by a dreadful PI call that went in their favor, but that hasn't been getting mentioned much on television. Go figure.

Also, a little history to put it all into perspective: Seahawks fans tend to not think too highly of the "real refs" either, as we have suffered horribly as a result of awful calls. See:

*Super Bowl XL: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/08/06/four-years-later-bill-leavy-apol...

*The Testaverde phantom touchdown (largely responsible for bringing back instant replay and kept us out of the playoffs that year): http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/18/sports/sports-of-the-times-just-thank-testaver...

Phew! Got that off my chest! I just had to represent for the underdog. Yes, I have a complex. : )

One more thing: I think what is annoying Seahawks fans the most about this situation is that we are hearing way more about the poor, cheated Packers (in a week 3 game!!) than you ever heard about the horrible calls at Super Bowl XL (and that includes at least four awful calls, one of which was a touchdown that wasn't a touchdown).

>221 DorsVenabili: I know, Kerri. People are acting like the regular refs never made horrible calls. Of course they did. I've got a co-worker who's still mad about a blown call that helped the Packers beat the Bears decades ago.

BTW, to clarify, I do not dislike football, the game, and I enjoy watching from time to time; however, I believe it to be unreasonably violent, and potentially killing to the players. More importantly, those games and players act as role models to millions of boys, and young men, who run the same risks of bad injuries. And when a kid has a brain damaging injury they do not have a million dollar contract to help them with their recovery.

Back to Seahawks. I can't help but cheer for them. I have two young boys, in my life, who love to go to the football games with their Dad.

Thanks, Joe!

I did go off on a slightly bitter Seahawks fan tangent up there, but I guess my two points are (1) The media coverage of this is terrible, incomplete, and biased and (2) The "real refs" are awful too, although admittedly slightly less awful than the replacements. And I just read that they are probably coming back Sunday, so now we can look forward to less awful incompetence, but that's about it. {Just used good judgement and deleted a few more sentences of ranting.}

Alright, I'll shut up now. Due to a self-imposed rule, I'm not even supposed to be on here until the weekend!

The Packers are America's small town team. Chicago has neighborhoods that are larger than Green Bay. Speaking as a lifelong Chicagoland resident who went to college in Green Bay, I can appreciate both teams.

I was reading my Green Bay area-college blog this morning. An econ professor talked about the financial impact this bad call could have on this small community.

Though the Bears and the Packers have been bitter rivals for forever, they've also done quite a bit for each other. When Green Bay couldn't get a new stadium, famous Bears went up to GB to help drum up voter support for the new stadium.

One year, when the Bears couldn't meet their payroll, the Packers loaned them the money.

*drive-by hug*

I kinda feel bad for the substitute refs...they must be feeling so bad. They none of them have the experience in pro-games and I suspect they're all nervous when refereeing these games. Everyone makes mistakes, even pro-refs. I The Packers call was the worst but their call being upheld later after the tape was reviewed was ridiculous.

*do not throw things at me!*

#227 I feel bad for them, too. Not to worry.

One problem, I think, is that the players were taking advantage of them. The officials know the rules but don't have the experience at dealing with those shifty players whose livelihood depends on the games and on how well they do.

It sounds like the strike is all but over. I hope that's true.

I do love Elton John...

Caro, I think you're safe. No one threw anything at the refs, right? I just saw on fb that it looks like things are being sorted out with the real professional refs?

oh.. Hi Mark!

When I think back to this NFL refs strike, the picture that'll remain in my mind is that one official signaling incomplete while, in the same pic, the other official signalled touchdown.

Now if we can get the NHL players and the NHL teams to get together and settle the labor dispute, I'd be one happy lady.

>220 kidzdoc: the sordid photo is on my LT profile page

so it is Darryl, so it is *snerk*

Wow, lively little discussion over here. The Packers and Seahawks game has caused quite a stir. It's nice to see both sides chime in too! I do not see any books mentioned in the nearly dozen posts, though? Even Elton got a shout out but no authors?
I am enjoying both Ship Breaker, a dystopian YA and Mr. Longmire in Death Without Company. Should finish the latter tomorrow.

Darryl- LOL. Loving the image with you wearing the Cheeshead, while making the rounds. You didn't scare any kids did you? Hey, we get to play the reviled Cowboys next Sunday.

Kerri- I'm so glad you chimed in on the MNF discussion (especially while at work too!) and put a Seahawks fan spin on things. I completely understand why Seattle fans are also not pleased with the way this was reported. Hey, the Seahawks played a very good game and stymied the Pack. That's the bottom line.

Karen- Thanks for the clarification on your feelings about football. Now, I know. I bet those little guys liked that win, huh?

Big Waves to Joe & RD!

Linda- I love your thoughts on Green Bay. People do forget that it is small town USA. I've always been impressed how often they have put a stellar team on the field, these past decades. Big City Chicago should be taking notes.

Caro- My favorite substitute ref fan! Yah! You are courageous, my friend.

Kath- An Elton John fan! An Elton John fan! I haven't cared for him in nearly 30 years but boy did he release some great music in the early to mid-70s!

Hi Mark, What's so interesting about all this hoopla about the replacement refs is that people seem to forget all the blown calls made by the regular refs over the years. I seem to recall a playoff game where they botched the OT coin toss and people were up in arms about that. I do feel badly for any team that deserves to win and gets the game snatched away from them. (I can't say whether GB deserved to win or not.)

I'm reading while waiting at the dealer's service waiting room. Does that count?

I love checking LT on my phone.

Just catching up here, Mark. I finished March Violets, and it was very good. Now I can't decide if I should go directly on to the next one or take a brief detour. I hear Jack Taylor calling my name!

OK! I'll chime in with my opinion of the MNF debacle. The Packers deserved to lose. They played liked stinkers. It is unfortunate that they lost due to a botched umpire call, but that doesn't negate the fact that they played like stinkers!

As for the umpires and the owners - In my opinion, the owners are getting just what they deserve by locking out their experienced officials. It is time that fans, real fans, started telling the owners to start behaving like lovers of the game instead of money hungry, green-back grabbing, robber-baron capitalists. And there you have it. The fault is not in the players or the umpires, but with the owners. They continue to whine about losing money and then sell sports franchisees for billions. That is billions of dollars. I got so aggravated years ago that I stopped watching professional sports, including college and high school sports, long ago in a general boycott. Instead I watch Iron Chef. NOT! (only if forced to do so and the Weather Channel is off the air.)

Bonnie- Good points, my friend!

Linda- No matter what you are reading or where, it counts.

Mamie- Jack Taylor! Jack Taylor! I'm glad you enjoyed March Violets. I read it a few years ago but want to revisit and continue the series. I'll get to it next month.

Benita- Please don't hold back. LOL. I agree the Packers didn't play well but they are a good team and will come back strong.
Go Iron Chef! Go Iron Chef! (never watched it!)

Where have owners like Wellington Mara and Art Modell gone? (Although I have to admit that Art Modell moved the Browns and in that he was a real stinker too) How about Al Davis and Lamar Hunt? Oh what am I saying? All of those guys were in it for the money. Whose kidding who here? The Chiefs are a stinker of a team and they are valued at 1 billion! 1 Billion? Who would give two cents for them?

And while I am at it - what about those pansy fans who have to sit in air conditioned or heated comfort in indoor stadiums? What is that? Give me a real fan. I want to see one. Somebody who watched the Ice Bowl! Now there was a fan.

Benita- Did you go to bed last night? LOL. Hey, sometimes we have to get things off our chest. I see the NFL and officials came to agreement at least. That's good.
"Somebody who watched the Ice Bowl! Now there was a fan." You must be from Kansas!

I should be wrapping up Death without Company and I really enjoyed hanging out with Walt and the gang. Then I can get back to the Keeper of Lost Causes, (I keep wanting to type Lost Souls for some reason).

Cooler today, about 66, but I'm sticking with the shorts.

Am I the only Iron Chef fan on LibraryThing???? In days gone by, my Saturday night would not be complete without watching it.

Got to skim lots of football talk, phew, because I was over 90 messages behind...

Looking forward to 1Q84!

I loved the Elton John verse as well, Mark. I was a huge fan right up to his disco period and it just wasn't right. It's nice he's still relevant in today's market and found another niche.

Lots and lots of blue letters were duly ignored.

So you have no opinion whether or not I should return to Jack Taylor next?! LOL! I am picturing you in the dead of winter, walking you route with all your winter gear on - but still in shorts! Don't give in, Mark! Do they make snow shorts?!

Now I can add the rich umpires to my list of reasons to not partake of the professional athletics banquet. I about fell out of bed this morning when I learned that the part-time umpires are now making $104,000 per year and by 2018 will be making $200,000 per year. For a part-time job? Who are they kidding? Of course the lock-out wasn't over salaries, it was over benefits. Now the umps will have full medical coverage. And did I forget a pension plan? Geez, and people I know actually pay to go to those games. What a bunch of chumps we are. And all for the love of the game. Right?

And no, I didn't go to bed last night. I got off of work at 11:00 p.m. Lots of people in the library. It is test time in the Business School, and I had to answer questions about how to make software do what it is supposed to do so kids can hand in work. All this for professors who didn't load things in correctly or used software gimmick and gadgets that aren't compatible with our new system. And did I mention that those professors did go to bed last night? Of course starting at the end of this week they will have to grade all that stuff. Payoff time. But wait - they have their grad students to do the grading. Oh the world is a unjust place. (do I sound like I am whining or ranting?)

Aren't you glad I don't really go off on authors and books? :-)

*gently tiptoes into Mark's Minefield*

Hooray for real referees!

*backs out slowly and carefully*

Too much for me to comment on -- but I love the shower with the book tiles - and I did stop to attentively read the review of Underwater Welder. Might have to WL that one.

Just popping in to say hello and see what's happening in Mark Town :) so.. Hello!

Hey, Mark. Hope it's a good one for you today. I'm getting near the end of The Garden of Evening Mists and it's a special one.

A cool fall day. Partly sunny, mid-60s. Not bad. I finished up, as promised Death Without company and now I'll be back on The Keeper of Lost Causes, since I have a better audio copy. So far, I'm enjoying it.

Tania- Good to see you! I miss when you are away. I never watched Iron Chef or any cooking programs, so I can't comment on any of them. I do like to eat though and you know, I like to drink a time or 2. See you over at the 1Q84 read. I should be starting it early next week.

Lynda- Elton John has not wrote a great song since the late 70s but boy did he crank them out in those early years. I saw him in concert in the mid-70s. He was always a good showman.

Mamie- Actually, I'm not that tough. Once the temps start hitting the low 60s and high 50s, I'm putting on the long pants. I guess I relate shorts to warm weather and I just don't want to let it go.
Go Jack Taylor! Go!

Benita- Those damn umpires! Shaking my fist! Sorry, you didn't get much sleep. Hopefully, tonight will go a little easier on you.
"Aren't you glad I don't really go off on authors and books?" You've had your moments. LOL.

Darryl- I was trying to tip-toe around too but it's a bit harder on your own thread.

Lucy- Great to see you! Yes, add Underwater Welder toy your GN wishlist.

Kath- Everything is going well in Mark Town. The only cloud on our horizon is our old lab is having a rough time. Her hips are shot and she had a really bad day yesterday but she's doing a little better today. We have to keep her in the kitchen, so she stays off the stairs. She tumbled down the 5 or 6 stairs into our family room last night.

Joe- I saw Bonnie's glowing review of The Garden of Evening Mists and now your endorsement has rocketed it on to the LIST.

>244 benitastrnad: Lets see, for 200k, a pension plan and medical benefits (is that terminology correct?), I think even I could be an umpire. Now, I used to umpire netball back in the day, Im sure there is a lot of cross-over. What sport were you talking about? Football? OK, Ive seen it before. Where do I sign up?

Great reviews, Mark!

You snagged me with the Lemire one especially! I think I have you to thank for opening my mind to the whole GN genre. It started with Blankets and I haven't stopped since. Besides being great number padders, the combination of storytelling with drawings is just fantastic!

Love the anecdote from Linda about the Packers loaning money to the Bears. That would never happen in British soccer. Glasgow Rangers and my club Leeds United have both had much publicised falls from grace in the last decade. In both instances their fellow clubs voted to impose ridiculous and unfair penalties on the clubs for the want of money. Leeds were given a 15 point penalty (otherwise they would have been promoted back up a division immediately) for having the taxman scupper their rescue plans due to the Leagues own rules and Rangers were voted to be relegated to the bottom division of Scottish football as a pay back for their swaggering and staggering successes of the last 100 years (I would more naturally follow Glasgow Celtic but the league there needs both clubs in order to make ends meet).

Hi Mark, the conversation you were having about library audiobooks made me smile, because I've lost track of how many audiobooks I've got copied on my HD and ready for me to load onto my iPhone when I'm in the mood for any one title. What can I say? I'm moody (as you probably know by now) and like to have plenty of options on hand! lol

Megan I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who has issues with Michael Chabon. I read Kavalier and Clay a few years back and really wanted to like it, but I just felt Chabon was way too pretentious. In fact, he got on my nerves so much the last line of my very short review reads "The story had all the elements of a great saga but I was too caught up with hating Chabon to enjoy any of it." I have another of his books on my TBR, but am in no great hurry to get to it.

Hey, is anyone else keeping up with the current Wallander series on PBS? We just watched the Dogs of Riga episode and I think they did a great job. They packed a lot into 90 minutes. This one one of my favorite books in the series, so I'm glad they handled it so well. Baiba Leipa is still one of my favorite names.

Megan- Big wave! Even though you weren't really talking to me.

Valerie- I am so glad you are enjoying those GNs. As you know, I'm crazy about them too. My current read, Ship Breaker might be one you would enjoy. Keep it in mind.

Paul- Thanks for sharing your soccer story. Wow! That must have stirred up some trouble.

Ilana- Yes, we are all a little book crazy. I've been copying audio discs like crazy. I, of course had to do the whole 13 discs of the Keeper of Lost Causes and now I'm nearly done with Broken Harbor (17 discs). This will be the 1st one of her books I've listened to. I've read and enjoyed her 1st 3 books.
So far, Chabon has worked for me.

Mark, I apologize but I forget if you were one of the lovers of The Night Circus. I have finally been able to finish it and I wrote a little about what I think here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/142479#3615484

Hi Mark! I have zero to say about umpires, and hate Wallander, and won't read another graphic novel absent an UZI pointed at my pooch, so guess I'll be a-moseyin'.

Thanks in part to your wonderful review, I've added shine shine shine to my list.

2 more days and then vacation time. Yah! A few things planned: moving my daughter into the city, (yes, she's leaving us again, but not very far), is the big one. I love having another family member to pass books on to. She just finished and loved Blood Red Road and before that was crazy about Gone Girl. I'll have to lay a couple more books on her before she leaves.

Maggie- I enjoyed your review of the Night Circus. Glad you were such a fan.

RD, aka Mr. Crabby Pants- And you still find time to comment over here? This is why you are so beloved! Are you taking a respite from the political books?

Terri- Thanks. I think you will love Shine shine Shine too. It's also a fantastic audio.

*waving* at Mark

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Mark, you are fortunate to have your daughter living nearby. So many parents live hours away from their adult children! Sad. The kids I hang with have grandparents but they only get to see them maybe once or twice a year. Not enough, IMHO.

I think we should start a movement pulling extended families back together again!

Mark - It's Friday! ANd last night's game was free of controversy! So great that you are enjoying your daughter being back home again - and you get to experience the joys of helping her move this weekend! What are you doing October 10th? Don't panic, just kidding - we have a moving company, thank goodness.

Hope today is a good one!

I love it that the refs/umpires in American Football are just as useless as those in soccer. Have a great weekend mate.

>260 maggie1944: NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I do NOT want my sisters anywhere remotely near me!!!! MY FATHER oh nonononononononononono

My daughter, OTOH, would be nice to have nearby. Grandkids, son-in-law, yeah.

Richard, that's so funny that you say that because I was thinking the same thing! Let's leave Mother right where she is, thanks!(And four out of five sisters can stay where they are as well.)

>254 msf59:: Wallander! Yes, we've been watching here. Thank goodness we have 3 different PBS affiliates all within viewing range. Our usual station was having a pledge drive and delayed broadcast to this coming Sunday when they will show 2 episodes back to back. We were able to watch them on Wednesday nights on a different station. It's been a very good series as usual.

>254 msf59: Megan- Big wave! Even though you weren't really talking to me.
I was talking to you, just via Benita :)
Have a great weekend Mark, Im already at the start of mine. Woohoo, the whole weekend ahead of me.

eta: watched Rocky last night, so saw steps of the Philadelphia Art museum! Just one question....did Rocky win the fight at the end or did Apollo? (Yes, you can file that question under WHAT THE?)

Hiya Mark! Yes, I'm really liking the current series of Wallander, and I'm looking forward to discovering what all of the raves for "Call the Midwife" are about. Plus, Downton season 3 starts in January! Man, I love PBS Masterpiece. :)

Hope you had an easy Friday!

A steady breeze from the lake, made it seem cooler than 68 but overall not bad. I am nearly finished with Ship Breaker, 25 pages left. I know Joe and Ellen were fans, but it still caught me by surprise how good this book is. I'm also halfway done with The Keeper of Lost Causes. This has been really good too but I'm wondering if those crazy Scandinavians are getting paid by the word. Fossum seems to be the only one who keeps her books at a reasonable length.

Stasia- Big wave! Hope you have a great weekend.

Karen- Actually my daughter Bree has been out in your part of the country for 2 years. She was staying near family in Salem Oregon. It's great to have her back. We treasure her company.

Mamie- If the timing worked out, I would be glad to help you out. On the 10th, I'll be returning to work. Yep, the big day is coming up for you guys.
I did not watch the game last night but did catch up on one the Wallanders.

Paul- You have a good one too! I'm really enjoying The Keeper of Lost Causes. I love it's sense of humor, which you don't see in much Scandi-Crime.

RD- I understand your pain. Actually, I get along pretty well with my sister but there is so much drama in her family, that sometimes I'm glad she's 2,000 miles away. A nice cushion.

Laura- Thanks for chiming in on the Wallander series. "Dogs of Riga" was one of my favorites so far. We just have "Before the Frost" left to watch.

Happy weekend, Mark. We have our family reunion this weekend, about a half hour from the Dells. Looks like it'll be a nice one.

So glad to see the pro refs back on the field again. :-)

How long will you be on vacation, Mark?

Megan... or should I call you Ump? I adore you, I do. You make me LOL every day :)
I would certainly pick you! Oh.....hi Mark

Megan- I loved the 1st Rocky film and 2nd one was pretty good too! The rest were dreadful. I'm sure Rocky lost the fight in the first movie but stayed the course and did not get knocked out, which of course was a triumph for him.

Laura- We still have the last Wallander episode to watch. I really like the way they adapted these books. Did you watch the updated version of Upstairs Downstairs? I have not seen either but they are having a marathon of the 1st season of Sunday.

Linda- It looks like you guys picked a perfect weekend for a reunion. It supposed to be gorgeous. Have a great time.

Caro- I'm off until the 9th, starting Monday, which is very sweet.

Kath- Big wave! I like Megan too, not as much as you, but quite a bit.

New thread is up, kids. Be there or be square!