Mark's Reading Place #21

In honor of the 1Q84 Group Read, here is a little Japanese art.

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)
119) Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi 4.2 stars

October:

120) This is Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz 5 stars
121) The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen 3.8 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) This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz 5 stars
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
11) This is Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz 5 stars


Group Reads 2012:

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)

Ok, I didn't want to be square, so here I am. Nice new thread, Mark!

Go Mamie! Go Mamie! You will never be square in my book!

I asked Laura this on the last thread. Has anyone seen the newer version of Upstairs Downstairs? I have not seen the old or the new! It looks like they are having a marathon of the 1st season on Sunday, in preparation of Season 2 coming out. Should I record it?

As usual I cannot beat La Mamie (I remember she always pipped me to the post with the cinema quiz - much missed by the way)
Congratulations on a continually rocking thread to Chicago's magnificent mailman!

I have the latest Wallander and "Dogs of Riga" to watch yet - I'm saving them for when I need a break from cleaning and being productive - and I haven't seen the new "Upstairs Downstairs". I tried to watch the original, and I just couldn't get into it. Eventually I'll rent the new ones (since I like Keeley so much), but I'm not in a rush. You should record "Call the Midwife" though; it's gotten great buzz in the UK and it's on right before Masterpiece on Sunday.

We watched the first series of the *new* Upstairs, Downstairs when it aired the first time. It was OK but it had tough competition in Downton Abbey, and didn't compete with my memories of the original.

Okay, Paul, my friend! Here's a tough one. Film & actors?

Happy New Thread mate!

A NEW Upstairs Downstairs? Really?? Where? How I used to love that show in the old days. But yes, it must indeed have a tough challenge with DA being such a smash hit. I'd still love to watch it.

Thread toppers: I really love the second image Mark, the first one... not so much. No idea about the above film still, I'll leave the pros to figure it out!

I echo Ilana's words Thread toppers: I really love the second image Mark, the first one... not so much. No idea about the above film still, I'll leave the pros to figure it out!

(thanks for taking the words from my mouth Ilana!)

Hi Mark, I have never seen Upstairs Downstairs, and never heard of the new version of it. So needless to say I am useless in this conversation. But I hope not to be useless eternally, so shall return for more conversation later!

eta: thanks for clearing up my confusion about the ending of the Rocky film, I actually hate boxing, really hate it, so was pushing myself to watch the film. But bar that last fight there was hardly any boxing in it!
That would be why I sort of missed the crucial part of the film :)

Japanese art is nice. Actors unknown to me. Thread launched quite nicely I see! Happy Saturday.

Laura- Thanks for the "Call the Midwife" suggestion. I saw the program mentioned somewhere! You should love "Dogs of Riga".

Laura (lindsacl)- Good to see you! Of course I'm a big fan of DA too, so I'm not sure if I want to watch another show so similar. I DO want to watch the original series at some point.

Ilana- I never watched the original "Upstairs". I've been meaning to get to it. TV has been taking a back-seat lately. Glad you liked the 2nd Japanese picture. I just liked the colors and the wavy nature of the top one.

Megan- I don't think you're "useless" in any conversation, my friend. You always manage to liven it up somehow. That Latvian Touch!

RD made it! RD made it! Thank you sir. Have a great weekend too!

Good night, gang! See ya tomorrow!

Thread toppers! That's a new and wonderful name to me. I wish I could figure out to put a " thread topper " into my thread! :) Both of yours look just great!

Mark - I have pm'd you the answer which I think is correct. 1945 film right?

I agree with Laura - the new "Upstairs Downstairs" was OK but nothing to get too excited about. "Call the Midwife" is much better. I do like the pictures at the top of your thread especially the first one: the bath with the bamboo is just lovely.

I've just bought Ship Breaker as well - so it's nice to see that you're enjoying it so much. I heard some really good things about it.

I'm outta here early today, to meet a couple co-workers for breakfast. Have a great Saturday everyone.

Deb- I just thought my revered name was a "thread topper". I'm really enjoying "Lost Causes".

Paul- You da man. I think that was a tough one and you nailed it.

Rhian- Great to see you. I will take a pass on the current "Upstairs" and TRY to watch the original. I only have a few pages left in ship Breaker and it's a lot of fun.

Morning Mark. Stopping by your new thread and wishing you a relaxing weekend.

Have a good weekend, Mark. Enjoy the beautiful weather.

I think you have finished off quite a nice group of books over the last few months. It seems like you are a tough marker so I feel the books with 5 stars or close to it should be on my TBR list. (Yay and darn it all, at the same time!) Have a great weekend! (during which I hope to catch up on my book reviews)

I'm free! I'm free! Yah! I finished Ship Breaker. This was first rate YA. Lots of adventure and smartly written. And speaking of smartly written, I started This is How You Lose Her. I LOVE this guy's writing. Clear, crisp prose, filled with lyrical slang, that packs a punch. Any other Diaz fans? This should be my last book before starting the behemoth called 1Q84.
I still have over 2 hours of Lost Causes to listen to, but since I'm off work, I might have to find reasons to listen to the rest of the audio. I hate to wait, until I get back to work to finish it. It's been very entertaining.

Beth- It's good to see you! I hope you have a great weekend too!

Lynda- Are you ignoring the blue words again? LOL. I hope your current books are treating you well and your weekend is relaxing.

Mary Beth- Another wonderful appearance. Thanks for the visit. I'm usually very happy with my book choices but in the past couple weeks, I've been hitting on some incredible titles. Hey, don't be a stranger.

Wow, it's quiet on the threads! Everyone must be preoccupied.

Nice new thread Mark and I love the images at the top also. Have a great weekend.

Hi Mark,
Yup... it's me! Almost forgot who I was there, eh? Sorry 'bout that. I haven't been doing so hot on threads of others and barely keeping up with my own.

Looks like you have read twice as many books as I have... and have accumulated twice as many threads so far this year. And that doesn't count your full time job and multiple vacations! Don't know how you can do it :}

Good news about Bree! Will she still have her job when we all converge on Chicago next year? Hope your wife loves her new car. If I had been around at the time I would have voted for a Subaru too. May she drive many happy and safe miles in her Nissan.

Great reading on your part - I'll check back when I need ideas. Most of what you read is appealing to me too. I'll have to squeeze in In Dubious Battle.

Mark - yesterday was strangely quiet on the threads - I spent most of the evening stuffing my face in our favourite Japanese restaurant and was surprised this morning that I am not hopelessly behind as I try to get across starred threads.
Cee - I would join Mark in recommending In Dubious Battle - I honestly don't know why it isn't higher up in the pantheon of Steinbeck's canon.

Wow, it's quiet on the threads! Everyone must be preoccupied.
that's what I thought too!
What is it, the full moon?

Hi Mark, my weekend very nearly over now, hope the remainder of yours is swell.

Stopping by to say hi!!

*waving* at Mark

Happy Sunday! My favorite day of the week. After a quick hello, I need to buckle down and knock out a review or 2.

I'm in a bit of a pickle: I requested In the Shadow of the Banyan about 8 weeks ago and what do you know, it came in. I want to finish the Diaz collection and then start the leviathan known as 1Q84. Maybe, I'll see how long I can take out the library book and make a decision. I sure hate to send it back unread. The life of a book geek, huh?

Bonnie- Thanks! I'll have to stop by and see how you are coming with City of Women. I hope you are enjoying a fine weekend yourself.

Claudia- Hey, come around whenever you can, no problem but I always enjoy your visits. I'm not sure where Bree will be working next summer, but I'm assuming she'll continue to live in the city. So far, our little Nissan is a hit!
And try to track down In Dubious Battle, it's great stuff.

Paul- I hope you had a great time stuffing your face and had a nice and relaxing weekend.

Megan- I didn't get home until nearly 4pm yesterday but I immediately saw how quiet it was on the threads. My 1st indicator is a low message count with the big guns, the LT Royalty. I think Saturday's are busy for a lot of people. Have a good week.

Big hearty waves to Tammy & Stasia!

20? Your threads move very quickly! No way to keep up....sigh but Hello!

117) Logavina Street by Barbara Demick 4.8 stars

“I knew the street I wanted to write about the first time I walked up it. Even battered by war, it was a beautiful street…”

Logavina Street is a marvel. A hard-hitting, unflinching look at the two years Demick spent on this “six-block long history lesson”. She followed along with several families, in this Sarajevo neighborhood, as they led their daily lives, under a terrifying siege. Sniper fire and mortar-attacks came in a flash, leaving carnage and destruction. Dealing with food shortages, lack of electricity and water. Burning anything they could find, to keep warm. Despite this bleak and forbidding existence, the spirit and determination of these people is triumphant.
This is also the best book on the Bosnian conflict, that I have read, giving me a much better and detailed understanding of what happened in those war-ravaged countries. It also reminded me, how poorly the American response was to this atrocity. Funny, the US seems to go to war at the drop of a hat, these days but in the 90s, we sat on our hands, while genocide swept this area of eastern Europe. That's tragic.
“To know Logavina is to know Sarajevo, and to understand what this city once was, and what it has become. To know Logavina is to witness the strength and ingenuity that ordinary people can muster to survive.”

Logavina Street sounds like a definite one for the wishlist. Thanks for the review, Mark!

Don't faint Mark, but I started a new thread with a PICTURE on the top! Yes!!!! I finally figured out how to do it!

Black Skies was indeed a fabulous read and I much enjoyed it! Nice dark stuff ....just right!

Glad to hear that you are enjoying The Keeper of Lost Causes - he's a great author too!

Great review of Logavina Street . I really know very little about the Bosnian conflict and Canada was there - maybe as peacekeepers? Or maybe we were in combat? I"m not sure. But thumbs up and onto my wish list.

Mark, you got me with your Logavina Street review. I am so weak. I would love to be reading 1Q84 with the group but the timing is not good for me. I'll read it at some point and look into the group discussion when I do.

I am a fan of still life paintings and love the Japanese art that opened your thread . Congrats on Thread #21. It's remarkable to me how well you keep up with your people and maintain such interesting threads.

Btw, I enjoyed the new Upstairs, Downstairs -- but it is no Downton Abbey!

Morning Mark! You got me with your review of Logavina Street - adding it to the obese WL!

Kath- Yep, these threads seem to take on a life of their own. Like a literary organism.

Linda- Like her last book, Nothing to Envy, Logavina Street is a MUST read. She has quickly become one of my top NNF writers.

Deb- I didn't faint completely, Tonto, just felt a little woozy. I'll be over to check you out shortly. Please read Logavina Street. I was never really clear on what the Bosnian war was about either but Demick did a perfect job explaining it.

Donna- You just made my day. I've missed seeing you over here. LT has become such an essential part of my everyday life and keeping up a thread and visiting LT friends, makes life just a little shinier. Sorry, you can't join us on 1Q84. I always love having you along on my group reads.
I think I'll take a pass on the new "Upstairs". I have so many other shows to keep up with right now.

*Sunday drive-by hug*

I just finished, (actually I gave it a thorough browse) Read This!. OMG, I'm always floored by how many good books I have not read or have not even heard of. This little book is chock full of them. I listed nearly 20 books and that was only picking the ones that really stood out and I did not include the ones currently on a WL or in my TBR collection. Here's a few and I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts about any of them:
Reasons to Live by Amy Hempel- She is supposed to be a stellar short story writer. Anyone read her?
Letter to an Imaginary Friend by Thomas McGrath
Where Rivers Change by mark Spragg
Everything Matters by Ron Currie Jr.
The Raw shark Texts by Steven Hall
Canoeing With the Cree by Eric Severid
Airships, Long Last Happy by Barry Hannah Another SS writer I'm not familair with.

I'll list a few more later...

Woo, catching up, Mark. Love both the paintings up top - maybe you said, but who did them?

Logavina Street sounds excellent - different, but makes me think of The Cellist of Sarajevo. I'm glad you liked Ship Breaker. Me, too. What an interesting author he is - smart writing, as you say.

Hope you're having a crazy and bawdy Sunday -

Mark,

I loved Read This! too. Brought me back to my bookselling days, as many people featured were colleagues and friends. (I was the marketing director at Schwartz Bookshops in Milwaukee for 20 years.) So I started putting together my 50 off the top of my head. Here is what I have so far: http://pinterest.com/nancyquinnmke/some-of-my-favorite-books/ The books I have included here are from when I started as a bookseller (1989) and beyond (bookshops closed in 2009).

How many of the bookshops featured have you been too?

BTW - Glad to see you liked Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, one of my favs.

Meant to say I am curious to know what your 50 books would be...

Hi Mark, Wow, it's quiet on the threads! Everyone must be preoccupied.

I am willing to bet it's the TIOLI effect. Madeline started the October thread on Thursday afternoon and that means skads of people were scouring their shelves to line up their books for October for the past three days.

Great review of Logavina Street. I am looking forward to it.

Loved your review of Logavina Street.... like Joe, it made me think of the Cellist of Sarajevo too. I'm definitely adding this to the obese wish list.

There is an end of summer Read-A-Thon happening, too. I'm ignoring it and reading threads but I'll bet some are doing the opposite.

Hi Mark! Hope you're having a good weekend. I enjoyed your review of Logavina Street.

I am LOVING This is How You Lose Her! I get totally lost in this man's writing. This could end up being my favorite of his books. Everyone, start searching for a copy: bookstores, libraries, Kindles & Nooks. Shoplift, if you have to, it would be worth jail-time.

Joe- I thought of the cellist of Sarajevo too! It would make a perfect fictional companion to Logavina Street.
My Sunday is going swimmingly! Feeling lazy. Reading and watching football.

Nancy- You'll have to come down for next year's Chicago LT Meet-up. Thanks for sharing your book list. Very nice. There are several that are catching my eye, like The Laws of Evening. I love story collections. What are your 3 or 4 favorite books off the list?
Are you a fan of Boswell bookstore? I saw that mentioned in the book.
And no, sadly, I have not been to any of the bookstores mentioned in the book. I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle 50 book recommendations. LOL. I'll think about it.

Bonnie- You will LOVE Logavina Street. I'll get it out to you very soon. Good point about the "TIOLI effect". I need to try that one, one of these months. My October will be, mostly 1Q84.

Caro- Thanks! Both of those are great, MUST READ titles. Also, keep an eye out for the new Diaz collection.

Karen- I always, forget to join these read-a-thons. I have been reading today. I'm alternating between the Diaz book and a GN. I might also crack open 1Q84 and have a taste.

Anne- Thanks! Hope you are enjoying a fine Sunday, yourself.

LOVE that first quote!!

Mark -

Laura has mentioned joining you in the Chicago meet-up. Would love to!

Boswell was a Schwartz Bookshop that was taken over by our buyer, Daniel. I worked with Daniel my whole career at Schwartz. He is a real book guy. Stacie - the one in Read This! - and I worked together for years. Saw them both last week. Daniel and I read more of the same books than Stacie and I do, though.

One of my all time favorite bookshops is 3 Lives in NYC, so if you ever have a chance to go there, you need to. Good old-fashioned bookselling. And I am a big fan of Square Books in Oxford as well.

Oh, so you can't put together a list of your top 50, but you are asking me to narrow mine down to 3 or 4? :) Will get back to you on that. Certainly if you haven't read Crossing to Safety or Stoner, I recommend those.

I am a big story reader myself. Might need to pull The Laws of Evening off the shelf for a re-read.

I also added Logavina Street to my wish list!

Oh, showing off with your ability to put pictures on your thread, are we Mark! ;) Now that I have sort of figured it out (not the sizing part) how to create a thread topper - I'm that much more aware of pix on threads.

I've looked at This is How You Lose Her. I'm glad to know that you are enjoying it.. I've been curious about it , but never really looked at it. Now I will, next time I'm in the library/ bookstore.

>45 msf59: COOL quotes!

This is the film in post #8. "Detour"- 1945- Tom Neal & Ann Savage. Paul answered it all correctly and Mamie was a very close second. I need to add this to my Netflix queue. I hope it's on DVD.



I love this publicity shot of Ann Savage.

I've been watching the Packers and Saints game! A pretty exciting game. The Pack leads by one with about 2 minutes left.

Loving Wave to Mamie!

Nancy- I hope you can make my next Meet-up. Probably late next Spring. I've really enjoyed your visits. I've read Crossing to Safety and loved it. I NEED to read more Stegner. I have Stoner in the stacks.
Good point about my lack of ability to name my top 50. I just wanted to narrow your list down to a couple I could sink my teeth into.
Logavina Street is a Must READ!

Deb- It's good to see Tonto in the 21st Century. Yah! The Diaz book is fantastic.

RD- Big Wave!

The Packers won!!

>44 msf59: Shoplift, if you have to, it would be worth jail-time.
LOL, Mark, Id never have picked you for inciting that kind of behaviour!

*waiting for review before committing crimes*

Happy Sunday! What a great thread you have!

"Not only do I take other people's recommendations for books to heart, I have been recommending them myself for as long as I've been reading. The desire to share books is the natural outcome of loving them, which is why working in a bookstore is such a pleasure."
-Ann Patchett from the introduction to Read This!. Nicely put, Ms. Patchett!

Happy October 1st, everyone!

Megan- Sometimes you do what you have to do, for the greater good. LOL.

Linda- It's so nice to see you, stranger. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

You're a Packers fan?

Morning Mark! Stopping by to send positive mojo to your Bears for the game tonight. Go Bears!

Go Bears! Go Mamie Go! Go Mark!

Good morning, Mark! Looks to be some nice weather today. I hope you've recovered from partying all weekend and enjoy the day.

ETA: Go Bears!

Nancy- I should not have put the exclamation marks after the Packers. LOL. No, I'm not a Pack fan, they are strong rivals with the Bears, which are my team. But the Packers and Saints game was very exciting and the Pack came out on top.

Mamie & Paul- Thanks for the Bears mojo! We can use all we can get. I'm so glad I'm off tomorrow, so I can watch the entire game with no problem.

Joe- I hope a few errands to run in a little while and then some house chores. Not a lot going on here. Tomorrow will be the busy day, moving Bree into the city.

We have sad news. We have to put our lab, Bailey, down later this afternoon. She's 12, nearly 13 and has had a very rough few days. She's not drinking and eating very little. She can't get up on her own. We do not want her to suffer anymore. The daughter said her goodbyes before she left for work and Bree was a wreck.

Oh gosh, I'm sorry, Mark. I remember Bailey, and she's a great dog. My condolences. I'll bet Bree was a wreck.

Strength to you and yours on a very tough day, Mark. It seems to me 13 is a grand age for a Lab; I hope she's had good innings up to now. Saying goodbye to those four-legged companions is never easy.

Oh Mark, I'm so sorry about Bailey. You are doing the right thing; you do not want her to have to suffer. I know it will be so heartbreakingly hard. I will be thinking about your family today, and wishing for you peace and acceptance. Such a difficult moment. Hugs for you.

Oh Mark so sorry to hear about Bailey. I am sure that you gave Bailey a lovely home and life. Enjoy the wonderful memories. We did the same with our beloved chocolate lab Mack 2 1/2 years ago, and although we knew it was the right thing, it wasn't easy. If it is not too tough on you, sometime could you post a picture of Bailey in your photo library? Love to see her.

Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.

Mark - I'm really sorry to hear about Bailey. Thinking about you and your family.

On a lighter note - I was surprised to see the exclamation point too, as I figured your are a Bears fan. My husband and I both grew up outside of Green Bay, so we are die-hard Packers fans. Interestingly, our daughter couldn't care less about football. She even read a book during their last Super Bowl.

Safe journey home, Bailey. Thank you for staying as long as you could. Go now, girl, fetch!

Awww, Bailey was a great, sweet dog. Loved her both of the times I met her. Sorry to hear this sad news, Mark.

Mark, I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey. Thinking of you and your family today.

Oh, Mark. I'm so sorry to hear about Bailey. I know how difficult it is. Take care. Hugs.

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. It means a lot. I know many LTers are pet owners/lovers and once again we have the perfect community for support.

My son and I just took Bailey outside. We have to lift her into a standing position. She walked around tentatively and went pee but then just froze and could not move any further. I think she was just to weak. We coaxed her inside to her bed but she couldn't bend her legs to lay down, so we carefully laid her on her side. I think it's time. Poor girl.



Bailey at about 8 weeks.

So very sory about Bailey, Mark. You and your family are in my thoughts.

My sincere condolences regarding Bailey. Our fur family members are so beloved and so vulnerable; hugs to you all for your loss.

The greatest gift you can give your beloved furkids is to know when it is time to let them go. She has counted on you for everything, her whole life long, and she counts on you to say farewell, when it's time. She will be with you in spirit, until she meets you again, when it's your time to go. My deepest sympathy for losing a beloved member of your family.

Mark, I'm so sorry to hear about that sweet girl Bailey. What a lovely pup! I count myself lucky to have met her a couple of times, such a darling girl. My heart aches for you, Sue, and the kids.

This is from about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Bailey loved a car ride. The shepard is my daughters. His name is Reese.

Oh Mark, you have my condolences for your dear Bailey. It's never easy to let a pet go so I am so sorry for your family.

{{{Hugs}}} Mark... I'm so sorry that Bailey's health has deteriorated so quickly and that the time's close at hand for you and your family to bid her farewell. It's never easy when a family member who has shared so much of your life and unconditional love has to take off on a new journey without you. You are in my thoughts, dear friend.

Poor old Bailey! What a sad day in your household. I hope you are able to shower her with love in her final hours. Not that she wont already know it.
:'(

Can I quote Ray Bradbury in Dandelion Wine?

A long time back, she thought, I dreamed a dream, and was enjoying it so much when someone wakened me, and that was the day I was born. And now? Now, let me see....She cast her mind back. Where was I? she thought. Ninety years...how to take up the thread and the pattern of that lost dream again? She put out a small hand. There...Yes, that was it. She smiled.

Thanks again everyone! You are all very special and I appreciate it. She went quickly and peacefully. We were very sad but she's somewhere safe and comfortable, chasing rabbits, although in reality she would have been afraid of a rabbit. We had a parakeet at one time and when it would get loose and flap around, Bailey would hide under the table.

Megan- Thanks for the wonderful quote, from such a lovely book.

Mark, I saw the first posting where you said you needed to let Bailey go today, and I'm in tears with you. We all love our furry friends so much, and it is so hard to say good-bye, and yet we must. You all just give each other an extra hug, and another "I love you" tonight, and say "this is from maggie! or Karen, and her puppies, too".

Thank for posting nice pictures and sharing this family milestone with us.

Bears vs. the Cowboys! Go Bears! Go Bears!

Karen- Thank you! My wife was able to be there too, for the farewell. She wasn't sure she could get off work in time and finally her boss said-"Go Go!"

I am so grateful there are many people in this world who do understand the bonds between people and their pets.

Mark, I'm really sorry you had to say goodbye to Bailey today. Whoever decided dogs should live such short lives wasn't thinking straight. I mean, they're man's best friend, so shouldn't they stick around for the duration? But then when I get worried about eventually having to say goodbye to my furkids, I remind myself that I'll just have more opportunities to give other animals a good life too. They sure give it back to us in droves don't they?

I've added Logavina Street to the wishlist. I've had The Cellist of Sarajevo on my shelves for so long now that it's frankly indecent. I just know I'll love it when I get to it so what gives? Oh right. All those other books.

Mark,
The two pictures you posted of Bailey were so telling in such a simple and obvious way. First, the gangly puppy, shiny like a new penny, with her whole life ahead, looking just a little overwhelmed and confused and then her smiling face, showing so clearly all tge happy times she has had in her floppy tongue and still shiny eyes, saying "Well, let's go, what are you waiting for?" So obviously well-loved and loving! It is so hard to watch them suffer that as difficult as the decision is, there is the relief of knowing she could count on you all to know what she needed, as you always have. I will love my pack up extra good tonight in memory of Bailey. She will be meeting my Nylons, our Chinese-crested, who is sorely missed, too.

So sorry to hear the news about your beloved dog, Bailey.

Bears 10 Cowboys 7. Halftime. Close game.

Is there anything better than our LT friends?? What would we do without this wonderful circle of love and support?

Ilana- Thank you for your kind words and yes, find a copy of Logavina Street!

Mary Beth- Thanks for the lovely words. You nailed it all perfectly. Yes, the final decision became even tougher, when we got to the vet and she perked up and became more active but I think it was just her adrenaline kicking in.

Thanks Kerry. The girl will be missed.

Oh Mark, I'm so very sorry to hear about Bailey. Our pets bring us such joy and love but then such inadvertent sorrow, it's heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing her puppy picture and her very distinguished older look. Our Copper has a pretty white face now, too.

Bailey is pain free tonight and well loved and remembered by her people. She was a lucky dog.

Hugs to you and your family. I'm so glad your daughter was close by to say her good-byes.

Go the Bears?
(thats the right team isnt it?)
;)

Bears Win! Bears win! 34-18. Sweeeeeet!

Thanks everyone for your out-pouring of support. Big hugs to all! See you in the A.M.!

Megan- Yes, it's Go the Bears!

Finally caught up with you and your lightening fast thread Mark, only to read the very sad news regarding Bailey. {{{hugs}}}

Sorry to hear about Bailey, she was a lovely looking dog, and I know you all loved her very much. She will be sorely missed, I am sure.

I've only read one Diaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and I wasn't a great fan. I'll keep my eyes open for his new one, though.

I've got to finish my current read (The Hippopotamus Pool), then a bookgroup read (Autumn Laing), and then it'll be 1Q84!

Sorry to hear about the sad news re your dog Mark. The photo of the two dogs in the back of the car off on a jaunt is one you should keep and remember Bailey as he was when well and figure that sometimes it is better to avoid unnecessary suffering. Puts the enjoyment over the Football into perspective a little too.

Oh, Mark, I'm so sorry for you and your family in losing Bailey. It's hard to let them go.

Okay, where are the books you ask? Nothing but pets and football? Sadly, I did not start 1Q84 but I plan on cracking that behemoth today. I should finish This is How You Lose Her, which has been outstanding.
It's also moving day. We are going to help move my daughter and her friend into the city, so I'll be busy with that, off and one through the day, until probably late tonight.

Lori- Thanks! And I appreciate the HUG!

Tania- Yes, she will be missed. She was a quiet, low-key dog but she was also a comfortable presence. See you on the Group Read. Yah!

Paul- Thank you, sir. There is sadness lingering but also a bit of relief that her suffering is over. And yes, you need to stay on the Bears Bandwagon! they were awesome last night.

Amber- Thank you! Much appreciated.

Good Morning, Mark, and company. Good luck with the "moving" of daughter to the City. I imagine you know you've raised her well and she will not be "corrupted".... you know how big cities can be. Right?

In any case, have a great day, and I hope you get to your reading.

Mark, I am so very very sorry that dear Bailey became so unwell so suddenly and that you had to let her go. Such a heartbreaking decision, but one that has to made at times for the sake of our dear fur babies. ((((((((((hugs)))))))))

Oh Mark, I'm so sorry I missed the whole thing with Bailey. ((((Mark)))) I am one who definitely understands how deeply you feel the loss --- know that you and your family are in my thoughts, my friend. I love the picture of her and Reese --- you can see how happy she was and what a great life you gave her. xo

I've added Logavina Street to my hold list at the library, thank you very much.

I think your Bears won last night, right?

Hah! Good one from Mr. Twain, Mark. If you haven't already, you should tell Caro that one. She's been listing banned books over at her place.

Love the photo of Bailey and Reece. I know he had a good life with all of you. Great story of him hiding under the table because of the terrifying parakeet. I'm sure you'll be thinking about him a lot.

And way to go, Bears! In Dallas, no less. They played well on both sides of the ball, but that tenacious defense was something else.

>100 msf59: HA!! I love that one!

Yah, I finished This Is How You Lose Her. Another 5 star book. This is a treasure. READ IT. I'm still hoping to start 1Q84. Fingers crossed.

Karen- We just picked up the truck are getting ready to run around and pick up boxes and furniture from different locations.

Deb- Thank you! It's very kind.

Ellen- Good to see you and thanks for your thoughts on our Bailey girl. Yes, find a copy of Logavina Street. It's excellent.

Joe- Yes, I'll mention the Twain to Caro! And yes, Bailey was a very gentle soul. She liked things tranquil. Go Bears!

RD- Big hearty wave!

O.k, o.k-I'm adding This Is How You Lose Her to the damnable Mountain! stalks off, muttering

>103 msf59: This is a treasure. READ IT. So you're saying to beg borrow or steal it, read it over anyone's shoulder....or at the book shop in as many chapters as you can get away with it without buying it, ask someone who has the book to email you a few sentences each hour til you have read it all?

OK! You convinced me.

{{Mark}}...so sad about your sweet Bailey. You are so right not to let her suffer, but I know it was excruciating to say goodbye. I am thinking of you and your family.

On a happier note, congrats to your Bears. That and a 5-star book will help ease your loss.

So sorry to hear about Bailey, Mark. The love and happiness that a pet can bring into our homes is unlike any other and you did your best by her in knowing when it was time to let her go.

I've been away from LT a fair bit in the last couple of days, spending time doing some actual reading, I am loving Doc and now want to rush out and get everything else Mary Doria Russell has ever written. Once again one of your recommendations has outdone itself!

Oh Mark, just adding my hugs over Bailey. Gosh, my Dandie Dinmont, Chewey, died more than 5 years ago and I can still barely bear the pain of thinking about her. Now we have three dogs of varying breeds and ages and each of them is so precious. Commiserations, my dear.

Is Russell also the author of Sherlock Holmes mysteries or do I have her confused with Laurie King's Holmes sidekick?

Current Holmes mysteries, naturally.

Whew! What a whirlwind yesterday! We didn't get back home, from the city, until 11:30, which is late for this old fart. Driving a 16 foot moving truck through narrow and bustling city streets was no picnic either. But for the daughter, we will do anything, so she is all moved in and despite being a bit bleary and sore, I'll be fine. All I have planned today, beside meeting a cousin for lunch, is reading and chillin'. Did I say books will be involved?

Mary Beth- Sorry I added to your "damnable" mountain. That's life on LT! No, Mary Doria Russell is not the same writer of the current Sherlock Holmes series. That's Laurie R. King. Her character is Mary Russell. I have only read 2 of MDR's books, the Sparrow & doc but both were 5 star reads. She is amazing. You'll have to add to the "damnable" MT. again.

Megan- Have you read Diaz? I loved his 1st 2 books but this one is my favorite so far. He is an amazing writer. If we were neighbors ,you would have it in your hands right now!

Donna- Thank you! We will miss her but at least we don't have to watch her suffer anymore. We can feel her absence every minute. The house has suddenly got very quiet, especially with the daughter and her big old shepard gone.

Judy- Thanks! Much appreciated. I am so glad you are lost in Doc. It's such a fantastic read. Try The Sparrow next and revel at this woman's amazing literary range!

Prue- You just made my day! Thank you! I'm sure Bailey will linger in our thoughts for as long as Chewey has been in yours. Great to see you!

Morning Mark! Bree must be so excited to be settling into her new place - what a great Dad you are to help make that happen! Sounds like you have earned a day of kickin' back and taking it easy. I absolutely cannot imagine driving a 16 foot moving truck through your Chicago streets! WOW!

Hi Mark. Just wanted to send my belated condolences on Bailey. Although it didn't give you much time to prepare emotionally, the suddenness of his deterioration was probably a blessing for both him and you.

LOVE that!!

>114 msf59:. Oh, that is funny!

So Mark, reference my comment on Lucy's thread. I thought I'd better come over here and read about what's going on, etc. Ach. You lost your dear dog and also just moved your daughter. Ditto me, only mine is a son.

In February, I lost my oldest dear black Lab, Jack--12 years old, best guess he probably had liver cancer or some such, but I didn't put him through a lot of tests to find out. Such a hard, sad time and I still miss him terribly, but I also remember him with a great deal of happiness and good feeling. He and Docker, my still-with-us Lab are half-brothers--same mother, different fathers. Jack was the brains and Docker was the best follower ever. I worried how Docker would do without Jack, but he has adapted to "only-doghood" very well. Docker is 11 years old (but acts like he's 2--he's that kind of Lab), so I know that soon I need to get him a companion, since I don't see myself living without a dog.

Then last month we helped my son pack up (again) and move to Colorado (we live in Missouri). We're originally from Colorado, and he surprised us one day by saying that he missed the mountains, missed lots of things about Colorado, and he was moving back there. He was only 8 when we moved here, so that surprised me a little, but I can't say that I'm not pleased. He drove his car out there and the aging parents dragged the trailer packed with his stuff. My husband and I got back from the 5-day trip to move him out there just about half-dead, but as you put it, for the son, we will do anything. That's just the way it is.

Books, you ask? I'm currently reading Clarissa which I completely love. If I could, I would sit and read it all day long. Since I can't, I'm hoping to be finished with it by about July 4, 2013.

114: I'm a little slow on the uptake, but once I 'got' it, that was one hilarious post. Thanks for the laugh, Mark. I hope you're not too sore today.

Morning Mark! Ai yi yi, that sounds like quite a move with Bree. I wouldn't want to be driving a truck through the streets of Chicago, either, but like you, we'll do what the kids need. Glad you got it all done and you can relax by just going to work. :-) (You probably hear the same thing, but we do have parents who are relieved to come to work because life at home with young kids is so demanding).

You were right about Mamie's take on the Jack Taylor books. Right on the money. I'm trying to encourage her to post it.

I'm liking the Wong Fook Hing bookstore, too. Still trying to find his bro Wite's store.

Morning Mamie- We all worked hard yesterday! My son Matt, big and strong, worked the hardest. I'm so glad it was his day off too. He was a lifesaver, with the heavy stuff.

Funny story (actually, not so much) we got down there, about 8 o' clock. Double-parked the big truck in front of Bree's apartment and quickly realize we were locked out. The cleaning people forgot to leave the door open and left the keys inside!! I almost passed out! The landlord lives over an hour away in the far western suburbs, so the mad scramble began, while I sulked, (not really). Luckily enough, Bree got a hold of the realtor, who thank the Gods, had a key.

Donna- LOL. I was very slow on the uptake too, on the "Wong" Bookstore. I think my brain is still recovering.

Joe- It still is nice having Bree, relatively close and it will give us more excuses to get into the city and see the sights & the pubs and the food. We will have to meet up with you guys, especially since you are so close.
LOL, I've been looking for the "Wite" one too!

Linda- Thank you! I keep looking around for Bailey, in her usual spots! At least she won't be huddling in the bathroom anymore, during rain and thunderstorms.

Becky- It's so nice to see you! I take it, that's your labs on your profile page? They are adorable. You really can't top a lab for a family dog. I love the name Docker! We do not plan on replacing our beloved pooch, (we still have one anyway!) but if we did, I might steal that name.
My daughter has been on the go, since she was 18. First to college, then moved to Iowa and then Portland OR and then Salem OR and then back to Chicago. She's getting to be a veteran at 22.
Thanks for the visit!

>114 msf59:: *SNORK!!*

Hiya Mark...avoiding writing a review so I wandered in to see what's goin' on.

Loved the bookstore pic, Mark ...one of my friends found that and posted it on his fb page a few months ago. Wouldn't surprise me to find that in HK somewhere.

I also loved that Mark Twain quote and pic ... absolutely ...censorship is just baloney IMO. It's narrow minded idiots who are afraid of opposing opinions and ideas that take them out of their teeny tiny comfort zones who try to get things censored. grrr.....

I saw that Timothy Egan has a new book, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis out. I know there are many LT fans of his and this looks like another winner.

Amber- Big wave!

RD- Still avoiding that review? Tsk, tsk!

Caro- I hope you are feeling better, my friend. This banned books thing is a joke, especially glancing through some of the most recent titles. I thought we were supposed to advance as a civilization?

>123 msf59: Horrors! Enjoy it?! HORRORS!

Mark, I am one big fan of Timothy Egan. Thanks for bringing his new book to my attention. History + Photography + Timothy Egan = joy for me!

You probably know my team did not make it through play-offs. Seattle Storm lost to the Minnesota team by one point after Lauren Jackson missed a 3 point field goal attempt. Well, there's always next year.

So nice of you, Mark, to leverage the sad news about Bailey with the Chinese lesson. What a hoot! Seriously, My sympathy's go out to you and your family, especially Bree. Your memories of your beloved friend brought a smile and I hope you are all feeling a bit better now.

OK, thanks Mark! Did you know that Amazon is bribing people to get their VISA card by giving the $50 gift certificate! Woo hop

I ran right over, spent the $50, and ordered the Egan book, plus new book by Alan Furst, one on birds in Hawaii, and (oh crap, I forgot). ETA: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

I obviously am in deep grieving over the Storm loss, and have lost my good common sense!

ETA: But $50 - how could I resist.

Where were you when I moved? My move was so traumatic that I nearly sat down in the middle of the floor and cried. And I didn't have to worry about maneuvering a truck through the Chicago streets. I just needed strong arms, backs, and legs.

Sorry about Bailey. It is very hard to make that decision.

HI Mark. So sorry to hear about Bailey. It's never easy to lose a member of the family and that's totally what our pets become! Hope you and your family are doing ok.

My pooch got to meet his first skunk yesterday ... it didn't go well!
Skunk 1 : Jackson 0

Hi Mark, I hope you've recovered from the big move. We helped our daughter and SIL move backache involved. I saw that Egan had a new book. I read a book a few years back by Marianne Wiggins called The Shadow Catcher that was a novel based on Edward Curtis' life. I quite enjoyed it.

RD- Sorry, to scare you!

Karen- I've only read the Worst Hard Time but it made me an instant Egan fan. I've been sitting on the audio of The Big Burn since the end of last year. Time to blow off the dust and get started on it.
Nice haul from Amazon. I loved Persepolis! Are you a GN fan?

Lynda- Thank you! As you know, with any death, you are going to have moments of sadness and a rush of fond memories.

Benita- Good to see you! You've been missed. We did not move and have no plans to move, unless the Republicans get in there and we'll leave the country. LOL. No, it was just my daughter moving into the city. Thanks for your kind words about Bailey.

Chelle- Another friend I have missed. Great to see you! We are hanging in there, on the Bailey issue. Thanks!
Poor Jackson! Ewwwwwww...!

Bonnie- That might make a perfect companion piece to the new Egan book. I'll have to keep that one in mind. I know you're a big Egan fan yourself.

Mark, read the Big Burn! It is not difficult and is quite gripping. If you'd like a semi-personal connection, my father was born that summer in Kellogg, Idaho, I think. I do not have any family lore about the big fire, which surprises me, but I really did not get much information on his family before he died when I was in high school. His family also lived in Coeur d'Alene which is one of the most beautiful places in the world, IMHO.

I bought Persepolis because someone here wrote a very persuasive review.

Belated *hugs* to you, my friend on the news about Bailey.

On a lighter note, that 114 picture made me snort my tea... So unfortunate when the actual Chinese is bland and normal in comparison to it's English translation...haha!

>111 msf59: I havent read Diaz before, Mark. I must have been looking in the Wong Fook Hing Book store ;)

>131 ChelleBearss:: Skunk 1 : Jackson 0
uh oh. That happened to our lab Woody several months ago. It's awful isn't it?! I found a product in our local pet supply shop, Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover, that worked well although it took two bottles to completely eliminate the odor.

Kurt Vonnegut on censorship of his books (and in general):

“All these people talk so eloquently about getting back to good old-fashioned values. Well, as an old poop I can remember back to when we had those old-fashioned values, and I say let’s get back to the good old-fashioned First Amendment of the good old-fashioned Constitution of the United States — and to hell with the censors! Give me knowledge or give me death!”

Bang a gong or crash those cymbals, I started 1Q84. Less than a 100 pages but you have to start somewhere. Murakami drew me into his strange, creepy, unsettling, yet fascinating, world immediately.

Karen- Thanks for sharing your "semi-personal connection", about your father and the "big fire". Maybe I can squeeze the audio in this month, once I return to work next week.

Valerie- Thanks for the hug! They are always welcome here. It's a hugging place. Sorry to make you snort tea from your nose but it is damn right funny. What is the actual translation?

Megan- First big chuckle of the morning! LOL. Thank you. If you can't get your "hot little hands", (remember those?) on the new one by Diaz, try to find Drown, which deals with the same characters.

Morning Laura- Thanks for the skunk advice. We occasionally have issues with those fragrant pests around here too.

I'm sorry to hear about Bailey, Mark.

I loved the Ban a Book cartoon, which I just posted on my FB page.

Great Vonnegut quote! I also liked your words on censorship, Mark, in Post #125. It does seem like we are regressing rather than advancing in our tolerance levels. I don't understand why some of those books made the list. Makes me want to read them!

120) This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz 5 stars

“The half-life of love is forever."

We first encountered Yunior, a Dominican-American kid, back in ‘97, in the stories Drown and then he made an appearance in the Pulitzer prize winning Oscar Wao. He returns for the third time, growing into adulthood, in this amazing collection, which I think is his best.
This is an ode to love, in all it’s various guises. A steaming kettle of heartbreak, infidelity, joy, pain and laughter, told in rich, razor-sharp prose, sprinkled with the spicy rhythms of a Spanglish tango. Here are a couple delectable nuggets:
“You, Yunior, have a girlfriend named Alma, who has a long tender horse neck and a big Dominican ass that could drag the moon out of orbit. An ass she never liked until she met you. Ain't a day that passes that you don't want to press your face against that ass or bite the delicate sliding tendons of her neck. You love how she shivers when you bite, how she fights you with those arms that are so skinny they belong on an after-school special."

“The newest girl’s name is Samantha and she’s a problem. She’s dark and heavy-browed and has a mouth like unswept glass-when you least expect it she cuts you.”

114> OMG LOL!!!!! (how's that for e-speak?)

I also love the Ban a Book cartoon. Will try to post it to my FB page but may not do the steps correctly...

Adding This is How You Lose Her to my list...... sigh. Although perhaps I should go back and read Drown which I missed along the way.

I hope you're doing well, Mark. It's been a crazy and, I know, painful time for you ---- I hope you have a peaceful, reading-filled weekend in your near future.

Another 5 star read! You are on a roll, Mark. :)

The literal translation:

Wong=Chinese last name, but can also mean Yellow
Fook=something along the lines of blessing/luck
Hing=to rise, to flourish
Shu=book

In other words, great Chinese name full of meaning, but literal translation of English sounds, not so much. :)

Very sorry to hear about Bailey, but it sounds like she had a happy life.

Great review of This Is How You Lose Her, which I picked up at the National Book Festival last month. (wow, five stars!) Unfortunately I didn't get to hear Diaz talk there--the crowd was spilling out of the tent and I opted to secure a seat for Mario Vargas Llosa at a later session instead of joining the crush. But I've enjoyed the first bit I've read from the book. And I adored Oscar Wao.

See you over on the 1Q84 thread.

Hi Mark! I just read your review of the new Junot Diaz book on the Short Story collection and gave it a thumb. Then I came over here to see what you've been up to. I'm very sorry to hear about Bailey but know she must of had a very happy life with you as her dad. In happier news, you must be thrilled to have Bree so close.

I'm planning on doing The Team of Rivals group read and see you are too.

With Diaz' new book, do I need to read Oscar Wao first? I have a copy but of course haven't read it. I did read Drown and loved it.

Dogs do not live nearly long enough. Still they manage to pack so much fun and love into their years we are so grateful to have them in our lives.

Sorry to hear about the hole Bailey has left in your heart. She looked like a sweet and happy girl ;-)
Hugs.

Sounds like another really good Diaz read for you, Mark. Hope the day's treating you well.

passing through... glad to hear that your reads are good ones...!

>142 msf59: Upgethumbed and avoided like it gots the cooties.

What a gorgeous day here! Sunny, high 70s. We had vinyl siding installed last October, so I spent a few hours power-washing the whole house. It looks good, with one added benefit, I listened to over 2.5 hours of the Keeper of Lost Causes. I only have a few minutes left. Yah! Audios come to the rescue again and make the most mundane chores, speed by.
Now, I'm showered and ready to hunker down with 1Q84, at least until I meet a friend for dinner later.

Last thing: Anyone see the debate last night? Was Obama on medication? Dabbling in the White House beer to much? Romney seemed to have the upper-hand the entire time. WTF! That was not how it was supposed to go.

Darryl- Thank you! Have you read Diaz? If so, are you a fan? His latest better win some literary awards. It's incredible.

Donna- The book banning is just ridiculous. Is this Nazi Germany? If you find a book incredibly offensive...DON'T READ IT! Duh!

Ellen- Honestly, I don't think you have to read the Diaz books in order. I can't even remember his appearance in Oscar Wao. But if you have Drown handy, I would read it first. Sadly, I gave away my copy. Nice move, Marky-Mark!

Valerie- Thanks for the translation. Actually that sounds like a pretty name for a bookstore. LOL.

Anne- Thanks! I'm glad you have a copy of the latest Diaz. It's a treasure. See you on the Group Read.

Pat- How are you stranger? I haven't seen you around these parts in a dog's age. I appreciate your thoughts on Bailey.
And yes, I will see you on Team of Rivals. Back to back monsters for me.

Claudia- Thanks, my friend! We will miss the old girl but she had a good doggy life, at least when it wasn't raining or thundering.

Joe- Have you read Diaz? I can easily see why he is not for everyone but if he clicks for you, it can be fantastic, much like......................Murakami.

Kath- Yes, I've been on a killer book roll these past couple weeks. Let it continue.

RD- Thanks for the Thumb! Have you tried him or does my description turn you off?

>153 msf59: I liked his Brief Life, but wasn't as crazy about it as some others were, Mark. For me he doesn't resonate like Murakami, but he's good.

Nothing makes me think I'd like it. Yunior and his gal-pal problems don't appeal to me. And I for one was unwowed by Wao. Just not likely to be a good fit, with so many things I really WANT to read here, staring at me, waiting...PLUS it's National Novel Writing Month in November.

Didn't watch the debates, but I have been wondering what has happened to the Man for a long time. Where is he? What is he thinking? When will he show some life? Or is he letting Biden do it all? I am with Richard on the Diaz thing as well. His stuff just doesn't appeal and there are so many titles out there that do.

Have you ever been in an argument with a used car salesman? Stood there wondering why the hell you were even listening to this person? Somehow, that's how it felt to me watching the President listen to the Governor.

My daughter had to watch the debate for her Am History class. Her conclusion was that Romney won on 'style' points, but that he said approximately nothing. That Obama said plenty but that he said too much of it. I'd say that about sums it up.

Mark, I've enjoyed your banned books visuals. And the Wong Fook Hing bookstore has unfortunately taken up residence in my brain lately. I blame them for preventing me from enjoying the start of 1Q84. This programme will resume... eventually.

Hi Mark, well I haven't read anything by Diaz and I guess This is How You Lose Her might be a good place to start. Thumb!

I'm back because in the middle of the night I realized I read all about Bailey and said nothing in my comment above..... so I'm back to say I am so sorry.

It is wonderful how many LTers have pets they love - it's a comforting place to come because you know everyone understands.

Wow, Friday already! The week goes by quick, no matter if it's vacation or not. I did manage to finish The Keeper of Lost Causes. Good, solid, Scandi-Crime, a notch above average. Of course my last S & S book too, which turned out to be a productive "Theme" Month for me.
On audio, I FINALLY managed to start The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America. I think seeing Egan's new book out, plus Karen's encouragement, got me kick-started. Can we really get enough T.R.? Has there been a more fascinating American figure?

Joe- Try Diaz in short story form. Due to your rec, I found a library copy of Pyongyang and hope to crack it today.

RD- I'm so happy that you still visit me, when we agree on so few books. LOL. Well, there is still no question, we share the love of BOOKS!
That's right NaNo is coming up. Do you have to start something fresh or can you continue a past project?

Benita- I agree, this was a time for Obama to step up and make his case for the future. To be out-shined by Romney? What? This reminded me of the Gore/Bush debates, when Gore looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there and it hurt him in the election.

Karen- Good point, but Obama should have been hammering back at him, destroying those "Wild" claims of his, especially on the 700 million of Medicare cuts.
Yah, I started The Big Burn!

>153 msf59: I am a Junot Díaz fan, Mark, in part because he is a fellow Rutgers alumnus. I've read both of his earlier books, the short story collection Drown and his Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, both of which were superb. I just missed seeing him in London and in Atlanta earlier this year, but hopefully I'll be able to see him elsewhere. I started to buy This Is How You Lose Her last month in London (the Faber & Faber paperback whose cover you posted), but my book bag was full to the brim. I'll buy it next month, and read it then.

Lucy- "that he said approximately nothing." Yes, but he said it so enthusiastically! Obama should have poked holes in all of it and defended himself too. He didn't do either.
Thanks for the kind words about Bailey. The old girl will be missed.

Ilana- The Chinese book store has been a hit! I still chuckle when I think about it. I hope to make a sizable dent in 1Q84 over the weekend. Are you putting it aside or are you going to continue?

Bonnie- I don't think you have to read Diaz in order but if you like the new collection, you can go back to Drown.

Darryl- I would love to see Diaz do an author talk. I heard him recently on NPR and he said that most of his students didn't even know he was an acclaimed author. Brilliant, talented guy!

I can't even think about that debate. That is what I thought, ill timed allergy meds? Someone being held hostage? :( :(

I'm reading... you're reading.. things don't change here :)

Mark, way to go! I agree we all could enjoy more about Theodore Roosevelt! I went to a high school named after him and so I was given many brain worms of his quotes: like - our high school annual was called The Strenuous Life (ha, ha, ha - upper middle class high school in a lovely city in the early 1960s. About as un-strenuous as one could get). And "speak softly and carry a big stick" - well, I don't know if they teach that one now. Not very conflict avoiding is it?

Happy reading! and listening!

Breaking News (just off the web-page): "Unemployment falls to 7.8%, lowest since Jan. 2009"! I know, this man has not done nothing!

Kath- "Someone being held hostage?" LOL! Thanks for my biggest laugh of the morning.

Karen- I've enjoyed 2 books on T.R., in the past year: River of Doubt & Island of vice. I loved the former better than the latter but 2 intriguing looks at Teddy.
Have you read The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt? It's outstanding and one of my absolute favorite bios.

*snork*

Mark, have you seen the new Subaru commercial yet? It features a chocolate lab as one of the main characters and makes me cry every time it's on. Just wanted to warn you/give you a heads up. (Of course, you may not be the sap that I am.) Hope you're having a good Friday!

Happy Friday, Mark! I'm back at work and haven't gotten into any trouble so far. Hope yours is a good one.

Ray Bradbury, on his early love of books:

"When I was seven years old, I started going to the library and I took out ten books a week. The librarian looked at me and asked, “What are you doing?”

I said, “What do you mean?”

And she said, “You can’t possibly read all of those before they are due back.”

I said, “Yes, I can.”

And I came back the next week for ten more books.

In doing so, I told that librarian, politely, to get out of my way and let me happen. That’s what books do. They are the building blocks, the DNA, if you will, of you.

Think of everything you have ever read, everything you have ever learned from holding a book in your hands and how that knowledge shaped you and made you who you are today.

Looking back now on all those years, to when I first discovered books at the library, I see that I was simply falling in love. Day, after day, after glorious day, I was falling in love with books."

That's a great quote Mark. Thanks for posting it.

Oh, love that from Bradbury, Mark! I need to read one of his books soon.
Happy Friday, my friend. :)

>164 msf59: That's a bit sad that his students (presumably undergrads at MIT, where he currently teaches) didn't know that he is an acclaimed author. He's been featured multiple times in Rutgers Magazine and other alumni publications, and I was well aware of him before The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao was published.

Great quote from Ray Bradbury!

Laura- I haven't seen that commercial. I don't watch a lot of TV and when I do, I buzz through the ads. Hope you have a great weekend.

Joe- I did start Pyongyang. It looks very promising. Thanks to you and Laura for another Spot-On rec! Hope your day is chugging along so you can get to the weekend.

Pat- I love that Bradbury quote too. At first I only saw the 1st half and then noticed the 2nd half was just as good.

Valerie- We were tentatively talking about doing The Martian Chronicles by the end of the year. It might still happen.

Darryl -I found that a little surprising too! You would think if one of 2 students would know and spread the word. He sounds like a humble guy.
Hey, how about those Bears??

Well, I finally reviewed the pleasant, nice, perfectly okay Jana Bibi's Excellent Fortunes, in my thread...post #300. Since we disagree on so many books, as you point out, maybe this one will make you dance fandangos of delight.

Be sure to videotape them if it does.

"When I was seven years old, I started going to the library and I took out ten books a week. The librarian looked at me and asked, “What are you doing?”

I cant believe the librarian tried to rain on Ray's parade! hmph, not a good look in a library!

"For Banned Books Week 2012, the Lawrence Public Library in Kansas has created a special series of trading cards of banned books, illustrated by local artists."

Slaughterhouse Five:

Love the top one, especially the detail at the bottom.

Wow, the trading cards are great!

RD- I liked your review of Jana Bibi's. It does sound like a little gem. I'm not much of a dancer but maybe my feet will just start moving on their own.
I think there were 8 of those trading cards. These 2 are my favorites but there were a couple other eye-catching ones.

Megan- When Ray Bradbury was a boy, it must have been in the '30s. Maybe librarians were crabbier then, especially to kids.
Yes, that top trading card immediately caught my eye too!

I read a healthy chunk of 1Q84 today. Just started chapter 13! What a long strange trip...

Mark

I'm so sorry that your family had to say goodbye to Bailey. I know how difficult it is. When we had to say goodbye to Simon, Will could not stay in the room when the vet came to give the shot. Will cried as he left the room and Simon rallied yet one more time and picked his head up and looked over at Will with loving eye contact.

Even in his pain, Simon knew Will was sad and connected with him.

Dogs bring such love and joy. Godspeed to beloved Bailey!

Gentle hugs to you my friend.

*lurking my way through*

>170 msf59: Think of everything you have ever read, everything you have ever learned from holding a book in your hands and how that knowledge shaped you and made you who you are today.

Wow! That's powerful stuff! Love the trading cards too Mark.

Love the quote from Ray Bradbury, though I have to say he was lucky to be allowed to take out 10 books. My mother's library only allowed them to have one book a week which she finished on the first day and then had to re-read all week.

Love the ban-this-book comic (I've tweeted it already!) and the Ray Bradbury quote. Looked at This is How You Lose Her in the bookshop last night while picking up Tortilla Flat but I'm trying to not buy books unless I *know* I will be reading them in the next week or so. (Wah!)

The trading cards are great, too! I came across this series of scientist trading cards this morning, http://exp.lore.com/post/32955775889/famous-scientist-trading-cards-the-best-thi..., and my geeky side squeaked in joy.

Are you planning on reading Tortilla Flat? It's a very short book, and is also supposed to be one of his funny ones (hurrah!). The thread is up here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/143132

We had hot weather all week (30C! in Spring!) and now today's cold and grey and drizzling. Welcome to Sydney in Spring, no idea what you're going to get from one day to another...

Love the trading cards Mark! Thanks for posting them. I already went to their website and ordered two sets. The Slaughterhouse-5 one is my favorite. I see a small frame in its future.

Hi Mark, just wanted to wish you a great weekend. You seem to be doing ok on the bookfront - lots of good reads - which is always good news for my wishlist!

Happy Saturday, everyone! We have the heat on here. It's dropped into the 30s over night and will probably creep up to the low 50s. Fortunately, I got my outdoor stuff done.

Linda- Thank you for your wonderful comments regarding Bailey. Much appreciated. She was a good girl and will be missed. Hugs back!

Karen- Big wave!

Bonnie- You can't beat Mr. Bradbury! He has a way with words.

Kerry- Your poor Mum! Talk about stingy. Do you remember if it was a far walk to the library?

Tania's Here! Tania's Here! Yah! As you can tell, I loved the Diaz and I can't wait for more LTers to jump a board. The site for the science trading cards is temporarily down, so I'll try back later.
I read tortilla Flat last year, so I'm taking a pass on that one. I did enjoy it though. It's lighter in tone than his golden "trinity".

Joanne- I should have posted the link. Sorry. I think I deleted the e-mail, so I'll have to find it again myself.

Judy- 1Q84 will be hogging most of my reading time for the next 2-plus weeks, but I'm definitely enjoying it. Have a great weekend too!

Great review of This Is How You Lose Her, Mark. I saw Junot Diaz speak this week and hope to soon post some comments from that on my thread. I have yet to read anything by him, although I own Drown, but will now put a much higher priority on that. He is my stepson's absolute favorite author.

Hiya, Mark. You're going to want to check out Adamtine by Hannah Berry at some point. It's weird and complex and creepy. Sounds good, right? :-) I still have no clue why that's the title. Derivative from Adamantine?

I'm a ways into Underwater Welder and it's high quality, per usual with this guy. I'm now about 2/3 through A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and I can see why it's lasted so well and has gotten the LT accolades it has.

Some great stuff on here mate the last few days. On book banning I am predictably against it but would guardedly permit it probably as a safeguard against paedaphilia or bad grammar.
Have a great weekend.

"Young booklovers in Hay on Wye."

Linda- Thanks! Try to squeeze in Drown. It's a slim volume. Hope you are enjoying a good weekend.

Joe- I'll have to see if my library has Adamtine. Last time I checked they didn't have a copy yet. I ordered her 1st book from Amazon for 8 bucks. I NEED a "keeper" copy of that one. I'm glad you are enjoying both UW & "A Tree". Loved both!

Paul- Hope the weekend is going well for you! Hope you enjoyed that cigar!

Love that picture. I'm tentatively thinking if I might just get to Hay-on-Wye for the festival next year!

Hi Mark! I was just blabbing about Junot Diaz on Beth's thread. Anyway I LOVED Oscar Wao, but had some trouble with Drown, due to my inability to embrace short story collections. Do you think this latest is better than Drown? And, gosh, I wish he'd write another novel.

Also, I agree he's a great speaker. I've never seen him live, but I've gone down an internet wormhole before, watching YouTube clips of his speaking events.

Also, I forgot to mention a while back how exciting it is that your daughter is working at the Haymarket Brewpub! Have you have the Mathias? I think it's the best double IPA I've ever had in my life - even better than Firestone Walker Double Jack.

Wow! SO much to love here, Mark - besides yourself, that is! The Ray Bradbury quote is fabulous! Copying that for my own self!! I also think those trading cards are the cat's meow - what a great idea. ANd that photo of those kids outside the bookshop - lovely! Hope you are having a great Saturday so far - the weather is GORGEOUS. Just love days like these - bright sun but crisp cold air.

Junot Diaz said about writers: "What we do might be done in solitude and with great desperation, but it tends to produce exactly the opposite. It tends to produce community and in many people hope and joy.”

Hi Mark!
Not that I want to take political sides here (I am totally confused who to vote for, if anyone :P) - but don't get too excited about the new unemployment rate. Buried in that news is the decline in overall salary/pay. That tells me more jobs at less pay? How does that help? Since that number reflects the summer months, I'm wondering if it reflects seasonal, p/t jobs. Do you know?

I'm hoping the economy is steadily, albeit slowly, improving. I'm not from Missouri - but I want to be shown.

Anywho - just stopping by so you don't miss me too much ;-)

#170 Love the quote!
Hope you are having a great weekend!

Rhian- Have you been to the "Hay-on-Wye" festival? If so, how is it?

Kerri- If short stories don't cut it for you, then there is not much to say. Reading can not be forced. Diaz seems to take a long time in between projects, so who knows how long it will take.
I have not had any Haymarket beers yet, although all of them look very good. My daughter also works at Prost, a German beer sports bar, in Lincoln Park area. She raves about them too!

Mamie- Glad you are enjoying the "love"! LOL. My goal is to give my visitors an occasional smile and a chuckle. I try to keep the doom-gloom to a minimum.

RD- What a great quote from Mr. Diaz! Absolutely perfect! thank you, sir!

Claudia- I try to keep low-key on the political stuff, although it does get my blood boiling now and then. The only reason I posted the unemployment news, was I'm tired of the constant spewing from the right, how nothing is improving. Yes, the recovery is very slow but it's coming. The "less pay issue" is not Obama but a result of the economic collapse. Hopefully that improves too.

Chelle- Great to see you and I hope your weekend is going well too!

Loved the quote, Marky-Mark. That's just brilliant.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

#200 Rhian- Have you been to the "Hay-on-Wye" festival? If so, how is it? No I've never been to the festival but I have been to Hay on Wye, quite a long time ago. I could do it in a day trip from where my Mum lives so I could always go for one day even if I can't go for longer.

Don't tell anyone, but this is a secret fantasy of mine.

Mark, there is so much good stuff on your thread.

I didn't see the debate but heard reactions similar to yours. I know Obama has to be careful not to come off as an "angry Black man," but I do hope he comes out a bit more assertively next time. We need him to show up!

I love the quote from Ray Bradbury and the posters out of Lawrence, KS, for Banned Books Week. And I love the image in 192 -- a great modern adaptation of an old saying.

And your fantasy is neither secret nor surprising (in fact, now that you've posted that, it's my fantasy, too!).

>203 msf59: I almost fell off of my chair!! Thank you!

I responded to your post on my thread, by the way...

**smooch**

>203 msf59:. Another X-rated post, eh Mark? I've never observed that kind of behavior out of our librarian but maybe in Chicago.....

I read the Bradbury thing on Huff. Good one.. :)

181 messages behind?! How can that be?

*waving* at the ever-popular Mark. . .

>203 msf59: haha, whose fantasy isnt it? I fantasize about having a figure like hers all the time ;) Almost as much as I fantasize about being allowed to read while.....never mind.
*shuts up*

I went to visit my cousins up in the far north suburbs, so it gave me a chance to listen to a chunk of the Big Burn. This is another NNF gem, about 2 of my favorite subjects: T.R. and the great outdoors.

Caro- Big hearty wave! Hope your weekend is going well and you feel tip-top.

Ellen- "I do hope he comes out a bit more assertively next time. We need him to show up!" Amen, my friend. I'm curious to see how the Biden/Ryan one goes.
Yes, if my librarian looked like her, I would never leave!

Jude's Here! Jude's Here! Just made my day!

Bonnie- X-Rated, where? Oh, you mean the novel up there? I didn't even notice. And yes, Chicago is known for it's spicy librarians.......NOT!

Big loving waves to Kath & Stasia!

Megan- "I fantasize about being allowed to read while...." Come on, finish it! We're all adults here, well at least most of us are. Don't leave us hanging.

Mark, was it you who turned me on to Island of Vice? It's amazingly interesting.

LOL, now we know why you stop at the library so much!

Glad you are enjoying The Big Burn, Mark. Funny, I thought you had already read it..... ??

Morning! Just me and my little dog this morning! My wife is out of town and my son didn't come home last night. Can you say- QUIET!
Chilly though. I have the heat cooking. I think it's in the low to mid-30s out there.

RD- I read Island of Vice a few months ago. More T.R.! Yah! It ran out of steam in the last 1/3 but it's still a good solid read. Glad you are enjoying it.

Joanne- All my secrets are finally out! Drat! You know I'll be over there today. LOL.

Ellen- I've had the audio of The Big Burn since the end of last year and it kept getting bumped. How rude! His new book also looks good, so I wanted to knock that one out.

I love Tim Egan's work. NPR had a piece on the new book Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis about the so-called "vanishing American Indians. I did not know Curtis started in Seattle with a photograph of Angelina, daughter of Chief Sealth (or Seattle). I have the book on order for when it is released, October 9. So excited.

I loved The Big Burn: The Fire that Saved America and anticipate I'll be loving the new book, too.

Hee Haw hee haw hee haw

Morning Karen- We have to start the day with a chuckle! I love the "unbridled passion"!

I'll have to look for Egan on NPR! I take it you read the Worst Hard time?

yup...probably my first Egan, and off I went....

LOVE post 216!!

"You had me at Hay low"

Just trying to keep up.. then back to my last ( for now ) Vine book... so.. hello !

Hope you enjoyed things up here in the far north suburbs!!

I'm disappointed that the Packers aren't on today but loving the fact that I can watch 4 straight baseball playoff games if I want to.

Hiya, Mark! Our furnace isn't working, so it's a bit nippy in this house of ours. Hope you're having a good Sunday. A Tree was a good, solid read. I'm glad I finally read it.

>216 msf59: LOL

>217 maggie1944: LOL

Ha! Love #216...

I'm reading the 3 volume set of 1Q84 and just finished book 1, just under 400 pages. Now on to book 2...
Not much football on. The Bears start at 3pm.

Mamie- Glad I had you at Hay! LOL.

Kath- Thanks for sneaking over. I hope the book is a good one.

Linda- My cousin lives in Morton Grove. Harlem & Dempster. A bit of a cruise for me. I have the Giants and Browns game on, but I'm not paying much attention.

Joe- I hope you get that furnace fixed. The big stuff is right around the corner. Not looking forward to it.
The game is at 3 but a big group of us are meeting to play Whirlyball, (never played it) at 4 and then onto drinking and eating and possibly a fire.

(I was thinking of reading while...engaging in the act pictured in #203...like he gets to, Im not allowed to though, Ive asked)

Who's with me on this one??

Yep!

Enjoy your Bears game, Mark. Last I looked, the Pack was winning but I've got baseball on while I'm reading.

Morton Grove is practically the southern suburbs, as far as I'm concerned.

Love #228

Darryl & Claudia- I'm glad it brought you chuckles! I loved it, as soon as I saw it!

Megan- ROTFL! You really crack me up! I'm not sure I could concentrate on 2 things at once, plus my wife would kick my butt!

228 - count on me!

I am winging my way through Persepolis. I am enjoying it although my first thought was, "of course, this is a graphic novel. People know Americans do not read real meaty books, they only understand complex ideas or situations if you give it to them in comic book form."

Now, don't all jump on my head. That was just my first thought, but even though I confess it is obviously not really totally true, there is some truth there. Don't you think?

OK, I'm going to go do a few chores and then back to reading.

Hi Mark, so glad I decided to drop in today, you've given me a number of laughs! As for #228 - I am certainly with you on that one!

Yup, count me in ... at least that's what I hope tomorrow during the holiday. :-)

As always, a box of laughs on your thread. I have to say, i've never been to a library with a librarian who looked anything like the one in #203

228 - count me in as well!

Glad to hear Karen's reading Persepolis. That's a good one. I think you saw the animated version, too, didn't you, Mark? I thought that worked really well, too.

Go Bears! Another TD, this time the rookie receiver!

All done with Persepolis but I guess it is the first, in a series. Did you all continue?

Lots of goodies on your thread Mark, especially as I've missed a couple of days. Love the Bradbury quote and the banned books trading cards. The Nympho Librarian book must have been a bestseller in it's day. In fact, I just found a copy of The Nympho Librarian and Other Stories you might be interested in:



"Eleven seething tales of scalding raunch set in that most sacred of sexual sanctuaries - the public library. After hours, off the cuff, behind the bookshelves or under the desk, The Nympho Librarian and Other Stories is the book that defies the Dewey Decimal System. It ought to be filed under Red Hot Erotica. But you'll keep it under 69."

Just click on the image to see the listing!

I thought I should post a "How-Do-You-Do?" before I missed this entire thread. Hi! Still feeling like pooh, so please forgive my lack of sociability. I still love you. : )

I sense the slowdown in the last part of Island of Vice. But I really enjoy the look at NYC!

216 is a hoot, and so is 228!

>203 msf59: Wow, that's a service my library definitely does NOT offer. Maybe I should put in an anonymous request?? ;)

BTW--I stole 50 Shades of Hay for my facebook page...LOL!!

A group of us played Whirlyball last night. This was my 1st time and it was alot of fun. It combines lacrosse, hockey and basketball with bumper cars.



This is a better explanation:
http://www.whirlyballatlanta.com/index.php/what-is-whirlyball/

#228: Can I skip school??

#243: That looks like a great time! I would love that! I have never heard of Whirlyball before.

Ha! That looks like a dangerous amount of fun!

How can I forget: Go Bears! Go Bears! 41-3!! Yah, baby!

Karen- I don't look at GNs as being short-cut literature. I think they are just another literary form and if it gets readers to learn and enjoy distant places and subjects, like Persepolis, I say go for it!
Glad you enjoyed it. There are many good ones out there, including my current GN, Pyongyang, about one man's visit to North Korea. It's funny and educational.

Judy- I try to maintain a good sense of humor and like to spread the joy. My wife calls me the Joy-Spreader, of course tongue firmly in cheek.

Caro- "i've never been to a library with a librarian who looked anything like the one in #203". Me, neither but I keep looking!
Actually, I have to visit the library today and will keep my peepers open.

Lori- Big Wave!

Joe- Actually, I saw the animated film version of Persepolis first and it was terrific. Yes, another great Bears win, although the 1st half was pretty sluggish. 4-1!!

Ilana- OMG, that's funny! " But you'll keep it under 69." It's only 62 pages long, so they must have crammed a lot of...you know what in there.
I love the fact the woman in the picture is reading the book in post #203.

Kim- I'm sorry you are still not feeling well. I hope that changes quickly. Thanks for making the time, to drop by and say hi. Actually, I swiped "50 Shades of Hay" from a book site on FB, so no problem. It was cute.

RD- The lurid detail in Island of Vice was fascinating. It was very well researched and I'm glad you are enjoying it.

Valerie- "Maybe I should put in an anonymous request?" Why not, I have, although no response so far. LOL.

Stasia & Amber- It was fun but more strenuous than you would think. Each game is only 10 minutes and we played 5 of them, with 2 people sitting out one game.
I must have banged my chest against the steering wheel or something, because it's sore this morning.

Ouch! I hope the pain in your chest goes away quickly, Mark.

A friend and his sons like whirlyball. Always looks likes fun. Hope your soreness goes away soon.

Not sure what's wrong with my Packers. They don't look very good this year.

"Leave me alone! Got it?"

>250 msf59: Whoa! I'm not messing with that little guy. The ABC Bunny apparently is quite an intense reading experience.

Enjoying the Nympho Librarian tales and your usual Spreading of Joy, Mark! Hope your having a good day off. I'm a ways into Underwater Welder and Lemire is weaving his usual spell. Glad you picked up your own copy of Britten and Brulightly after reading the library's. That one's a definite keeper.

Walklover figures I could have a bad gambling habit or the like, so she tolerates my gn purchases. :-)

Loved the Nympho Librarian thing. What about Garrison Keilor's "Marian the Reference Librarian" episodes? I have spent my life working libraries and I can say that I have never seen anything like that in the stacks. I have heard tales, but never seen anything. Or heard anything either. More's the pity.

At one point in my life I looked like Jamie Lee Curtis, but does she look like a nympho librarian?

Stasia & Linda- I think the soreness in my chest, is a pulled muscle. There was a lot of stretching in odd angles yesterday. Hopefully it will be cleared up before work starts back up tomorrow.

Linda- There is still plenty of time for the Pack to come back but 1-3, is not promising.

Joe- Glad you are enjoying UW! I also pre-ordered the Twelve and the follow-up to blood Red Road. Hope to get to those in December.

Benita- I never heard the ""Marian the Reference Librarian" shows before. I'll have to check them out. I was crazy about Jamie Lee Curtis in her early days, (actually she still looks good!).



She can be my librarian anytime!

216 Tallyho!

You and Richard might want to check out the review of Island of Vice on my thread - I had a huge surprise when I read it.

Wow.Way behind. *wave*

Whirly Ball? Wow, talk about mash ups. NZ is obviously very behind, we only just got Dodgeball.

Jamie Lee Curtis is pretty cool ay. I like her too.

Whirlyball sounds like a blast, Marky-Mark. I need to see if I can find a place that does that in MA. Sounds like it could be something fun for a large family gathering ...and certainly safer than paintball or lasertag (safer at least for my family ... we've had some rather bizarre accidents with these 2 games)

>250 msf59: OMG Mark, do you see the cleats on the bottom of his shoes? I remember being jealous of people who had those when I was a childb but mostly because they were on the heels and made a cool noise when you walked.

Lucy- I loved your review of Island of vice. I think that was great that you and RD both read it recently.

Kath- Big Loving Wave!

Megan- Could you see a bunch of us LTers playing Whirlyball? What a blast. And then afterwards, we would drink beer and talk books. Yes, I'm dreaming.
Jamie Lee still looks good, right? And she's a year older than me.

Caro- I think Whirlyball is only available in a few states. It takes up a lot of space. You would love it! We are going to try to get a couple families together and play each other.
I gave up on paintball about 10 years ago. To old to be running around in the woods.

Bonnie- Now, I see those cleats. They're there to preserve the shoe soles right? It's never to late to buy a pair!

I'll be back to start a new thread. Might as well do it on my last day of vacation...

Librarian fantasies? Must admit to worrying about myself when my first thought looking at the picture was, "I wonder what the book is that he's holding?"