Mark's Reading Place #22: Booktober!

The Road to My Reading Place...

Currently Reading:



Audiobook:


Graphic:


Books Read So Far...

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)
122) The Big Burn by Timothy Egan 4.4 stars (audio)
123) Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle 4.3 stars GN
124) Every Day by David Levithan 4 stars (audio)
125) 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami 4.2 stars (Group Read) (OTS)
126) March Violets by Philip Kerr 4 stars (audio) (OTS)

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


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)

NO!! I can't be first here I'm NEVER first!!

* shakes fist *
Darn you, RD! I'm NEVER first either!

LOL
While you guys are scrapping it out for first place Ill just laugh and say Hi!
And that the autumn avenue is fantastic! (and here I am all green and spring)

From your cream of the crop, I like the sound of Every man in this Village is a Liar, even if it is likely a tough read for an old sop like me. And may I say, Mark, that you have read a lot of books this year, and for that I congratulate you.

Well, I'm not first, but I arrived fairly early for a change.

Love, love, love the photos, Mark! Autumn is my favorite season.

Hi!

Autumn looks gorgeous there. We never get colours like that. The joys of living on an island I suppose! It has got a lot chillier here the last few days though. Horses are wrapped up in warm rugs :)

Love the pics, Mark, especially autumn at the top. Beautiful.

Hope it was a good day off. I picked up the latest Sonchai Jitpleecheep, Vulture Peak, and it's already grabbed me. Have you read any of these John Burdett mysteries set in Bangkok?

Wow, what a glorious opening photo. Why I love fall.

Great pictures Mark! Love the fall ones!
Hope you had a great weekend

#1 Beauteous! The colors and lighting are just right!
See? Everyone loves Fall :-) I think we need 2 Falls and no Summer. Well. That's just what I think.
#8 Love the image of wrapping horses in blankets :-)

Nice new thread, Mark!

Love the fall picture, Mark. Spectacular.

Those pictures are pretty amazing.

~~12 I'll second the vote for 2 falls and nix summer!

See, I can't stop thinking about sexy librarians? You guys are corrupting me.

Your sexy librarian fetish:



...is my Google search command

RD- Good job, sir! You finally did it!

Laura- Just missed it! Better luck next time.

Megan- Every man in this Village is a Liar is terrific! I can't believe 8 out of 10 of my Cream books are NF. They are beginning to rule the roost.

Terri, Karen & Jenny- Good to see you! Thanks for the visit.

Joe- Yes, I've read the 1st 3 Sonchai Jitpleecheep. The 1st one was great and the next 2 were very good. Caro & Paul mentioned the 4th was pretty dismal but the 5th is better. Glad you are enjoying it.

Big waves to Anne, Chelle & Linda- Glad you like the fall photos!

Claudia- We were having a fire last night with friends and boy was it chilly. In the mid to low 30s. We were bundled up.

Tina- Great to see you! I hope you can drop by again.

RD- I have to give mine the slight edge. LOL. There must be sexy male librarians out there too!

Hi Mark. Just checking in on your new thread.

Happy 22nd Mark!

Mark, if we're talking corruption, have you seen the Scottish tv comedy The Book Group?

Nice new thread here, Mark! LOVE all of the photos up top - how DO you do it?!

Back to work! Ugh! Hey, it was a terrific vacation. Got a few things done and a whole lotta relaxing. I think I will hang up the walking shorts. Sad, I know. But in typical autumn fashion, the temps range, this week, from the low 50s to the high 60s.

I will be continuing the leviathan called 1Q84. I should be passing the halfway point later today. And the one good thing about returning to work, is I can jump back on the audio bandwagon and resume The Big Burn, which cries for more attention.

Pat & Ilana- Big loving waves!

Kerry- No, I have not heard of that program. I wonder if it's available stateside. Good?

Mamie- Thanks! My aim is to keep the troops happy, even if he takes a little time to find the right "one". LOL.

#15 Now why do I never find anyone like that perched on my bookshelves - still SWMBO would marmalise her in any event so perhaps its for the best!
Congratulations mate on your latest thread.....continues to be riveting stuff.

From the mention of JLC on the previous thread...
Oh, yeah, I can definitely see Jamie Lee Curtis playing a sexy librarian. Now comes the part where I get to brag about having bumped into her, on several occasions, in the coffee shop on the campus where I used to teach. Her daughter graduated from the college where I was on faculty, and she would always be in the coffee shop early in the mornings during move-in days or during any special events during which she was visiting her daughter. It was fun meeting her, but I was always a little but disappointed that her husband didn't come with her, as I'm a bigger fan of him than of her (the six-fingered man, you know).

Hi Mark! Here and ready to join you on the road to your autumnal reading place. I know there will be lots of good books and conversation along the way.

>24 scaifea:: cool story!

Stopping by to check out your new thread Mark. Love the pics at the top. We don't get the amazing autumn colours where I live - the leave just fall of the trees with only some change in colour - very boring in comparison to your pics!

If you like sexy librarians how about checking out the Book Cart Drill Team Champions? Check out this YouTube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtmZxghTkyY

Lovely new fall thread and you've found the perfect, atmospheric bench to read on.
I'm concerned that your smexy librarian is going to fall off her perch. That would be a shame. ;)

Catching up on last thread and this - loved all the banned books images and quotes, and the sexy librarians too.

And although it's been a while now, I will add that I'm very sorry to hear that you lost your dog - I know how upsetting it is when that moment comes.

I'm mad at the Post Office today. The only piece of mail I got was a flyer for "pre-need savings" from a local cemetery.

Aren't there rules about this? I mean, postal patrons should only get *good* mail the day after a holiday! There oughta be a law.

I thought the 4th John Burdett mystery was pretty dismal, too, Mark. It was Paul and Caro's positive comments about the 5th, Vulture Peak, that motivated me to try it. So far, very good.

I have not yet seen my mail carrier but I agree with Richard. I'm hoping for only good mail. Like my copy of the new Timothy Egan book.

Love RDs search for a sexy librarian, talk about raining on your parade. Although, who knows, with her hair down, and her glasses in the corner of her mouth...and a slinky outfit, she'd probably scrub up just fine!

Hi Mark, guess what I picked up at my favorite independent bookstore today?? That would be Empire of the Summer Moon. Thanks, of course to your recommendation. LOVE that Fall pic at the top.

It was a LONG day for my first day back. The truck that brings our mail, to the office, was nearly 3 hours late and since that was 90% of our letters, we had to wait, and wait and wait. I even finished reading my daily newspaper and even squeezed a few pages of my book in. An hr and a half OT, due to some blunder.
Plus I was having iPod issues again, (I think it is time for a new one) so it interrupted the flow of the Big Burn ,which is turning out to be another Egan gem.

Okay, enough whining and crying...

Paul- We would not want to see SWMBO "marmalise"! Would not be pretty!

Amber- Loved your JLC comments! I've been a fan of hers since her "Halloween" days. Her husband is Christopher Guest, right? I didn't know he had 6 fingers. Next time, I watch "Spinal Tap", I'll keep an eye out.

Lynda- Thanks for visiting my "autumnal reading place". We try to keep it warm & cozy.

Lori- I should take a few Fall photos, from my route. The colors have been nice, especially with the sunny shining.

Benita- Ha, I'll have to check out the video. I'll be back...

Valerie- Thanks! And yes, I would not want my sexy librarian to fall off her little perch and I would have to revive her and it would probably be uncomfortable...She better just be careful.

This is why they pay you the "big bucks", huh?

Hmmm... I was just considering what to wear for Halloween this year ... with all these librarian pics on your thread, perhaps I'll carry some books, don a pair of glasses and go as a librarian. Thanks for that brainwave, Marky-Mark

Genny- Great to see you and thanks for your kind thoughts on Bailey. She was a quiet gentle soul but her presence is missed around here.

RD- Is Mr. Crabby Pants mad again? We had a bunch of letters in our box, but beside a trusty Netflix envelope, the rest were bills, ads and statements. You didn't miss out on much.
I love the "pre-need savings" from the cemetery. Pushy, aren't they?

Joe- That's good news! Maybe, I'll just skip book 4 and go straight to 5. Hey, I started the 2nd half of 1Q84. Talk about the Twilight Zone...creepy! I'm waiting for the Little People to make an appearance.

Karen- Yes, this is why they pay me the big bucks. To get exercise and listen to books. Pretty dreadful, huh? Hey, did your mail-carrier ever show up?

Megan- Yes, Mr. Crabby Pants did try to rain on my little parade but it was only a drizzle. I can handle it. Caroline thought she might dress up as a sexy librarian for Halloween, have you gave it any thought? Please take plenty of photos.
I got a chuckle out of this one:

>24 scaifea: Oh my gosh, Count Rugen! I had no idea...

Anyway, um, hi Mark. I think I missed two threads in their entirety, but I'm trying to - if not exactly catch up - be a little more up-to-date.

Bonnie- I hope I can get everyone to read Empire of the Summer Moon. You will not be disappointed. I now have a copy for my "keeper" shelf. Great stuff.

Caro- What a fantastic idea! You would make a killer sexy librarian. But please take many photos. I would not have to worry about finding photos for my Thread, for the rest of the year. Do it! Do it!

Mary- Great to see you! Please don't be a stranger. Count Rugen??

Any thoughts on the current E.R. crop? I requested 2. It seems to be a little better than the past couple months but I am getting pickier and pickier!

>41 msf59: A character that Christopher Guest plays in The Princess Bride *possible slight spoiler*Count Rugen was the six-fingered man

Yes, the mail carrier's little jeep like vehicle parked in front of our collection of boxes just after 5 pm. Pretty much on schedule. No book, boo hoo hoo hoo! I hope it come before I go on my little weekend away from home....

Great new thread, Mark. I know it's the road to your reading place at the top, but I just want to run down it.
:-)

I confess I had a copy of Empire of the Summer Moon here from the library but it was due before I got to it. I did put it back on hold, though, because your recommendations had been so hearty!

Happy Hump day, kids! It's only supposed to reach 52 today! WTH? Looking forward to that Indian Summer!

Mary- I thought maybe Guest really had six-fingers. LOL. I'm over-due to watch the Princess Bride.

Karen- Glad the mail-carrier arrived, sorry he didn't have the book. Maybe today?

Ellen- You can run down that road anytime. You can also stroll, saunter or sashay. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on "Empire"!

Mark - I missed it. What book in particular are you waiting for?

I think you are wondering about the book I am waiting for: Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan. Amazon estimates it should be arriving via USPS today. I hope so! Looking forward to reading it and seeing the photographs. I have a friend here in Seattle who's sister actually has a gallery where she sells Curtis' photographs. They are wonderful!

Karen, where is said gallery?

Hi Mark. :-)

Sorry about the long day, Mark. You're smart to always have a book on hand. This is a reason why our family loves our Kindles. They make that part easy.

Love getting the updates on your 1Q84 progress. The Little People, ah, yes. I actually miss reading that book. What a ride.

The heat has turned on and we are expecting snow at some point today.
I think my hopes for an Indian summer are pretty much dashed in the rocks at this point. :)

Hi Mark, I got lost on that gorgeous road to your reading place so it took me awhile to catch up. Well, that's not entirely true. I stopped off on that park bench and got lost in a good book!

Oh Mark, I am still laughing at the naughty librarians convention of 2008. Strange how that girl on the left looks rather vacant though, maybe she has been reading too many Mills and Boons (they count as books right?).
They remind me of my step sisters actually, I have 4 and they are all what I would call high-maintenance girls. You know, the type that drink cosmopolitans cos they saw it on Sex in the City, all spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on getting their hair dyed and straightened, and all are fans of...ahem, how shall I say this.....minimalist clothing. haha, all my male friends loved them in my university days.

Mark, I'm getting behind on IQ84 as I try to clear a few YA library books. I'm giving up on Rebel Heart after 100 pages, I'm finding it a total drag which is disappointing as Blood Red Road was quite exciting.

#22: "The Book Group' is fun.
From IMDB: American Clare Pettengill, newly arrived in Glasgow, starts up a book group in order to make some new friends. The group consists of three unhappy European football wives, a pretentious drug-addict student, a closet-homosexual football enthusiast, and a kind and gentle struggling author in a wheelchair. Each week they meet to read and discuss a new book, which always affects or influences each of the group's lives in some way.

Ellen, the gallery was in Pioneer Square and truth be told, I don't know if it is still there. Probably not, now that I think on it. That was many years ago, when Charles Royer was Mayor of Seattle.

My Timothy Egan book about Edward Curtis arrived and I am in love!

#54 I remember watching 'The Book Group' ages ago and it was fun, although I can't remember a lot of what happened!

Marky-Mark, I'm getting pickier as well about requesting ER books. When I first joined LT, I was happily requesting anything that sounded remotely interesting because I thought the chances of my getting an ER book would be relatively slim. But then I started to receive some books I didn't really like, and still had to review, so now unless the brief really grabs me or I'm familiar with the author, I don't request a book.

Hmmm so far I haven't requested anything from the ER selections Mark. I'm a little gun-shy since I'm getting a selection from last month's offerings that I don't recall requesting.

Another heavy work day and another very chilly day. When's my next vacation? (I know Claudia is going to jump on that one).
Good news, I had a book waiting for me in the trusty mailbox. One from LT Lucy too: Gillespie and I, which has been lingering on the WL for months. She did not like it but I'm hoping it's one that works for me, I know many LTers loved it.

And I finished a book: the Big Burn, which keeps my NF roll going. I love Mr. Egan!

I went to the art house theater last night and watched the movie version of Farewell My Queen. I have this book in my library and I don't like to see movies before I read the books, but figured I wouldn't ever Netflix a movie so I better catch it while it was on the big screen. It was a very good movie and worth the extra money it cost to see it. Now I have to get the book down and read it. If you are interested in foreign language films put this one on your list.

...done with dinner!

Nancy- Good to see you! Yes, it was Karen that was waiting on a book. I'm waiting for an Ammy order too but 2 of the 3 are pre-orders, so I have to be patient.

Karen- Glad you got the Egan book. Are you starting it soon? Funny, you received one and I finished one. He's a terrific NF writer.

Ellen- Big Wave!

Joe- I always have my books on me, audios and print books, when I go to work. It's like pants and shoes. Part of the uniform.
I think I'm enjoying the 2nd half of 1Q84 even more. What a trip! And that Murakami is definitely a kinky one.

Valerie- Please refrain from using the dreaded "S" word around here, at least for a few more weeks. And don't give up on Indian Summer quite yet. I'm hopeful.

Donna- You visit my Reading Place any time, my friend. You are always welcome and stay as long as you would like.

Megan- Any photos of your step-sisters? LOL. They do sound high-maintenance, but also a lot of fun. Glad you liked the Naughty Librarian Convention. I'm not sure where that was located. England?

Kerry- Wow! I'm disappointed with your feelings about Rebel Heart. Are you done with it or are you going to try and finish it? My daughter loved the 1st book and I was looking forward to reading the 2nd book with her. I pre-ordered it too! Bummer.

Rhian- Big Wave!

Caro- I've also got very picky about my ER choices but I have to say, that several of the books, I've snagged this year have been top-notch. I loved Logavina Street and I still have City of Women to get to.

Bonnie- That happens to me too, especially when you pick something, that sounds good but you are not familiar with the author. I also have one coming that I don't remember requesting. Are we just getting old?

Benita- I'm not familiar with Farewell My Queen, in book or movie form. Is it a French production? Hope you are making headway in 1Q84. I hope to finish Book 2 tomorrow.

Got the book today!! Yipee! And I started it right away, this afternoon. Will be dropping everything else to read it. I'm in love with Timothy Egan and I need to see if he's doing a book tour around here any time soon.

Mark - I took Rebel Heart back to the library this morning...just wasn't what I wanted to read. I could have struggled on and would probably have ended up enjoying it, but 100 pgs in and a due date looming were enough for me to throw it at the wall. Maybe I've been reading too much dystopia this year.

Poor Mark....sounds like you need a vacation!!!
Let me take mine first, then you can have a turn - ok?
:-)

I know you are working diligently through 1Q84... so tell me -
how is it so far? anything I might like?

"...perhaps I'll carry some books, don a pair of glasses and go as a librarian "
That's it, Caro????? books and glasses????
You will be inducted into the Naughty Librarians Club pretty quickly based on that costume!

Haha! Hopefully your Indian Summer comes to be. I actually don't mind the "S" word so much. But then again, talk to me in a couple of weeks and I may be singing a different tune. :P

I'm getting ready to turn in. I was trying to watch a little TV and was dozing off. I'll visit some more threads in the morning...

Karen- You must be excited. Enjoy!

Kerry- Well, you gave it a 100 pages! That's an honest effort. I hope it works better for me.

Claudia- You have a vacation coming up soon, right? I'm not sure you would like 1Q84. It's another strange, twisted tale and a long long one too!
Won't Caro be the perfect Naughty Librarian? She would get my vote!

Valerie- Thanks for sticking to the "S" word ban. LOL.

Stopping by and waving hi...Yours is such an interesting thread. I enjoy it so -- it feels like I'm sneaking a snickers bar (my favorite candy). and simply enjoying all the fun and the conversation.

Behind. Again. But wanted to add that, yes, if you can't remember Count Rugen and his six fingers, then you are indeed in need of a re-viewing of The Princess Bride, mister. *ahem*

Anytime that Tomm and Charlie go somewhere, as they're going out the door I tell them, "Have fun storming the castle!" I want Charlie to wonder about that one for awhile, and then, when he's old enough for the awesomesauceness that is The Princess Bride, he'll finally understand what his crazy mom was talking about...

Looks like a Murakami bookshelf! Just need a cat!

My long-time visitors, know that besides being a major book & beer geek, I also love music. I picked up the audio of Waging Heavy Peace, a memoir by the legendary Neil Young. Much like the Richards bio, this should cover a lot of musical ground, about fifty years worth. The other bonus to this audio, is that it is read by Keith Carradine. Cool.



There are many great Young albums but these are 2 of my favs.

A little make-up giftie after that last librarian picture.

Ooh, I love that RD! Yes, it makes up for that!

Hey, I found us T-shirts:

Heh...I totally agree!

Hah! Sign me up for one of them t-shirts, Mark!

Me, too, but I want mine in deep red, please. As in, I've read that book!

Okay, T-shirts for Rd, Joe and Karen! I don't know about the available colors but I do like the idea of "deep red"!

Hey, I finished Book 2 of 1Q84! "Celebrate good times, come on!" Wait a sec, I still have over 400 pages to go. WTH?

How many pages is this book of yours, Mark? You read good stuff.

I'm in a cozy rut, though I'm reading a book about NASA and the Apollo 11 mission, too.

But Marky-Mark .. I bet you aren't feeling like it was a drag reading the first 400 pages, right? I zipped through the book without realizing how much of it I was reading, well .. except my wrists would get sore after a while from holding the heavy tome up for long, so I'd flip on my stomach and read lying down.

Hmmm.. so glasses and books too tame? Fine ... maybe I'll add some blood splatter and white make up and turn myself into a zombie librarian.

It was my day off today, so my son and I went to see "Looper". It's a time-travel, Sci-Fi thriller. It's very good but it's crazy and fast-paced and I'll need a 2nd viewing to "get" it all. I LOVE Emily Blunt. She plays a tough, sassy American in this one.

Linda- My 3-volume set of 1Q84 clocks in over a 1,100 pages. I'm so glad it's a good read. That helps.

Caro - I am definitely not complaining about 1Q84. I love it and the 2nd half, as things begin to connect, has been a lot of fun. It's just LONG. I have about 400 pages left.
"so glasses and books too tame?" No way, I didn't say that. I think that will be perfect for you! We don't want to muck it up with gore, do we?

Mark, must say I'm enjoying your new threads with all the visual treats thrown in!

I see there was discussion about ER books and I agree that I too won't ask for something anymore unless it sounds like something I'd really be interested in, since I do end up getting a book every other time I request one \and finding time for them when I want to be reading other stuff I've planned for is a problem. Once, I got a book I realized there was no way I could get through without having to check myself into a mental ward (it was about someone who'd spent her life in one), and as I've seen those up close more times than I ever cared to, I decided I'd just write a review about why it was I couldn't get past page 25, or whatever it was, which I believe was suggested to me by a kind LTer.

That bookshelf up there is making me dizzy, but that could be due to the head cold too!

My husband and I saw Looper last weekend. Very intense and violent but still entertaining. Have you seen it yet?

We saw "Looper" a couple of weekends ago - it was exactly that, Pat, -- intense, violent and very entertaining.

Anyone watching the Biden/Ryan battle??

Looper looks really good from the trailer on TV Mark.

I'm listening to the radio and neither of these guys are very clear. Can't see this changing any one's mind, or making a decision any easier for any fence sitters.

Oh, I love the picture up top, Mark!! I wish it looked like that here in Texas. I miss the fall in the north. We do not get anything like it here.

Whew! The debate was a long one! I'm off to bed. I'll be back for individual responses.
Night, guys!

The debate...ugh. I confess that I really don't like Joe Biden. Years ago I really liked his policies. He spoke at Lehigh University and I was quite impressed with his presentation. I arrived late and the only seats were those down in the very front row...

After the presentation, he shook my hand. I know it sounds strange, but I got a creepy feeling. He was a tad flirtatious and seemed charmingly insincere.

An epic smackdown. I've been listening to Ryan's interviews on Kenosha radio for his entire time in Congress and I've liked him less and less with each passing year.

About time someone stood up to all the lies. I wonder if Ryan beat the 27 lie in 38 minutes record from the last time.

>61 msf59: any photos of my step sisters? Oh Mark, now, let me see if I can drag one up of this began party they were all at. "Bogan" party might not be a term you all know, but it was very mis represented by them as being a slut party....wash your mouth out Maude!!! (my new pseudonym to get out of ratting out my step sisters on the internet)

Im sure Ill hear the fall out from the vice press debate ....

- 72 : How can that not get you excited RD? - surely book lovers everywhere can appreciate such a wonderful show of leg!

I would give Biden the edge on that one but I wish he would have kept the grinning and laughing down to a minimum. I also don't care for the interrupting. He was better prepared and knew his stuff. I will give him credit for that. I don't think this debate will sway anyone's opinion.

Ilana- The ER books can be a dilemma. We all want "good" free books but finding the time to read and review them, can sometimes be a chore. I only have city of women to get caught up on, so I'm not doing so bad.

Pat & Lucy- Yes, Looper was violent but it was fun. It was nice seeing Bruce Willis play his age. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been a busy actor.

Bonnie- If fast-paced, violent films are your thing, then by all means check it out.

Karen- I agree about the debate not changing anyone's mind but I thought Biden was clear enough and Ryan said what he needed to say.

Stasia- It is nice to have the seasons to enjoy, especially the autumn but then winter comes and....oh well...can't wait til Spring.

Linda- So Biden creeps you out, huh? The right do not like this man. I like him, as long as he keeps himself in check, plus I do think he is committed to the cause.
I'm starting every Day today!

LindaP- I was impressed by Biden's knowledge of it all and yes, he sure couldn't wait to shoot down many of Ryan's claims.

Megan- So they have "slut parties" in NZ? You guys are wild & crazy. I'm still waiting on the photos...

Paul- I love #72!! RD nailed it. Did you guys see "Looper"? I'm sure you would love it.
Hey you're a big music guy. No thoughts on Neil Young?

Hi Mark. Yes, I watched the debate. I'm a total political junkie--have been all my life. Right now I'm reading Rendezvous with Destiny: Ronald Reagan and the Campaign That Changed America, by Craig Shirley, about the 1980 campaign between Carter & Reagan. It's a fascinating read. I'm up to September, and Reagan was floundering.

I'm a conservative. I've been to about 10 Tea Party rallies all over the midwest, I went to the Glenn Beck thing in Washington, D.C. two years ago, I have a very large Gadsden flag flying from my front porch, and I live in a town that is liberal Democrat all day long. So I'm pretty used to being the odd one at the party.

My take on the debate is that Ryan had a solid performance. He did nothing to hurt himself. He was knowledgeable, somewhat wonky, but he managed to stay out of the "numbers" weeds, for the most part. Biden obviously knows his stuff; he had some good moments, and I thought he had a good-enough night on substance. On substance, I would have given them a draw. I wish that Biden had interrupted less; I wish that Ryan had protected his turf more. However, I would rather see Ryan err on the side of being respectful.

Um, respectful. That's where Biden lost it. Last night I heard Chris Wallace say that he's seen every debate except for the first four in 1960, and he's never seen anyone be so disrespectful in a presidential or vice presidential debate. He called Biden "openly contemptuous and disrespectful." I would agree. I would also say that Biden's demeanor was just plain weird. People are saying that his performance reminded them of Al Gore and his sighs in the 2000 debate--and I think that's a good comparison.

In the grand scheme of things, this debate won't matter, which is good for my side. Ryan didn't embarrass himself, he didn't throw up on his shoes or break into tears or throw a chair. He was fine, which was all he really needed to do, IMO. I'm looking forward to the next two presidential debates, particularly the third one on foreign policy.

Just my 2 cents.

Happy Friday, Mark. Except for my own Congressman, Joe Walsh, there's no member of Congress I think less of than Ryan. He's up for reelection for Congress, too, which doesn't seem fair, so no doubt, either way, the locals will continue to hear from him.

I WANT one of the t-shirts in 73. It's how I feel almost all the time.

(why did I say "almost"?)

Hooray for Friday!!! I am experiencing some serious burnout, I think. I hope this weekend helps. And I hope your weekend is lovely and snow-free. :-)

I just can't watch the debates. I know I should.

Stopping to say HI. Like the shirt!! Where did you find it?

I'm trying hard to keep up and I thought with school starting it would be easier not harder!! Ha Ha!! The laughs on me.

Hope you have a great weekend!!

Hi, Mark. I'm in the public library on Orcas Island north of Seattle waving. I'm doing the free wi-fi while waiting for my SIL's shop to open. Hope your weekend will be good.

Mine may be a little less than ideal. I'm here for a tour of historic barns, and planned on doing photographs. However, the weather has arrived! Cool, grey, misty, and sometimes rainy. May not be perfect for photographs. However, maybe I can get some good barns in the mists!

Happy Friday, Mark! We may see Looper this weekend. We love that crazy sci-fi stuff.

I'm really enjoying Vulture Peak, I'm glad to say. Nearing the end. Your idea of just skipping the 4th ain't all bad. I sure don't think it's a necessary predecessor to reading this one.

Okay, I passed the 800 page mark in 1Q84, which is a milestone for me. I still have about 350 pages left but for me that's seeing daylight. Murakami does take his time but the narrative is always highly readable and quite enjoyable.

I started a very interesting YA audio, called every day, about a girl who wakes up in a different teenage body, every single morning. An inverted take on Groundhog Day. Has anyone else read Levithan? He looks to be quite prolific.

Becky- My 1st Tea Party member! Hooray! Of course, I'm on the other side of the spectrum but I do enjoy having a "intelligent" discussion, with the "other" side. A good friend of mine, a Republican, texted me this morning, and said that Biden was a very angry man. What? I think he's passionate and a little kooky, but I didn't see anger. I wish he would have stopped interrupting but over-all I was happy with his performance.

So do you think Romney/Ryan have a clear plan for the future? I don't see it.

Linda- I'm not a Ryan fan either! To say that he's for Medicare and the middle-class, is quite a stretch.

Ellen- I hope you have a nice and relaxing weekend. I work tomorrow but it was a nice short week. No complaints.

Tammy- Good to see you! I hope you are keeping warm up north. It's been a cool week. I saw that T-shirt on FB. I'm not sure if that's a real product.
Have a great weekend too!

Karen- Hope you have a nice weekend too. I'm sure the Egan book is coming along fine? Share some photos, if any come out okay!

Joe- I'm sure you will love "Looper". It should be right in your wheelhouse. It's smart, fun and fast-paced, plus I'm crazy about Emily Blunt. She handles a pump-shotgun with perfect grace.

Way behind... Love the photos up top and that pic of the cat has been a fave for years!

Goo to the mail truck that came late.. and did you get a new iPod? did you see the news that best buy will match any onlne offer? Something to look at.

take care!

Finally got to watch a debate. But I didn't get to really concentrate on it. I totally missed the laughs and interruptions. I was busy unpacking boxes, so I must have been thinking - keep this, throw this out, .. but wait isn't that like most political plans?

I am about to break page 400 of 1Q84. How do you get that much read in a short time? However, I plan on spending some time reading this weekend. I did forget to take the Murakami home from work yesterday so didn't get to read in it last night.

You know, suddenly I feel...well, powerful!

Hi Mark! I hope you're having a lovely Friday. I'll have to check out one of the Timothy Egan books - perhaps the Dust Bowl one. I've been in the mood for non-fiction lately. I used to read a lot of non-fiction, but then slowed down in the last couple of years. It might have something to do with school, but I'm not sure.

I'm cheering for you to finish 1Q84! That would be a good ebook candidate, I think. My goodness.

hooray! Amongst my friends I am definitely truly powerful!

Anyone else a fan of Nick Hornby's "books on books", starting with The Polysyllabic Spree? I just grabbed his latest, in this series, More Baths Less Talking. These books are a lot of fun and will guarantee to add to the WL.

Kath- Great to see you! No, I haven't picked my the new iPod, but I'm looking. My daughter has a friend that works at Best Buy but Apple products are not discounted. She will check for me and compare prices.
I NEED one soon.

Benita- I'm pretty good at staying on task, with my reading. I've been reading 1Q84 for about 10 days. I'm trying to read between 60-80 pages a day. About a 100 on my day off.
It looks like you're doing good. Getting close to the halfway point.

Kerri- The last couple years, NF has dominated my best of the year lists. 8 of 10 of my current Cream of the Crop books are NF. I hope you can get back to them and starting with the Worst Hard Time is a fantastic idea.

Megan- LOL. We are like Super-Heroes! Of course, the geeky kind.

>100 msf59:. Mark wrote: So do you think Romney/Ryan have a clear plan for the future? I don't see it.

Wow, this is great! I rarely find anyone on the "other side" who is willing to engage. Yes, I do think Romney has a plan. He has a 5-point plan that he brought out in August. I'll quote from a Washington Post article:

"Romney’s five-point economic plan released in August focuses on energy independence, education reform, changes in U.S. trade policy, deficit reduction and easing the regulatory burden on small businesses. The plan includes general proposals to quickly approve off-shore oil exploration and construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, to broaden access to higher education, repeal the 2010 health-care reform law and trim the federal workforce by attrition. To date, Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), have spent little time discussing the specifics of their plan."

You can find it mocked by the NYTimes (Five Points to Nowhere), the LATimes ("Setting aside the occasional lurch into foreign policy . . ."), and barackobama.com ("Romney's 5 point plan would not create jobs"), all on the first page of a Google search of "Romney's 5 point plan." If you want to find something positive about the plan using a Google search, you might have to hunt around a bit.

Romney is constantly asked for more specifics, and when he gives more details, it doesn't seem to matter, the left says things like, "But Romney refuses to give specifics." Alternately, he is called a liar. Most frustrating to me is not hearing anyone ask Obama about what he will do with another four years. Do you think Obama has a clear plan for the future?

103: LTers Take Over the World

This could be a very good thing.

Leaving you and labwriter to duke it out. Love the respectful dialogue. (see above)

#106 I loved The Polysyllabic Spree although I haven't read any of the others. Keep meaning to but I've never quite got around to searching them out. I love his take on the importance of not feeling guilty because you're not reading the latest heavy-duty literary tome: the important thing is that you read what suits your life now, so that you never put books aside as being too much like hard work. I've definitely been guilty in the past of buying far too many books because I felt I 'ought' to read them rather than because I wanted to read them, or was at all likely to read them, but I'm getting much more relaxed about that these days!

Happy Saturday! It's going to be a damp day here but warmer, mid-60s. Like many places, we could use the rain. It's been a dry fall. I'm always willing to sacrifice myself for the better good. Awwwww...

Becky- Of course, I've heard Romney's five-Point plan, delivered with much bravado but I don't see anything in it that convinces me that it would do any good.
I think the economy is improving, (slower than expected) so all I want Obama to do, is keep it going. I have much more faith in him.
The sad thing is, as a country, there is no reason we should be this divided. We all want the same things!

Ellen- I like talking and following politics but I need to do it in a clear, intelligent manner. I am so sick of the nastiness. We should spent more time studying the facts, learning the machinations, instead of spreading vile.

Rhian- Hornby is such a good writer and that's what makes these books such a joy. And his passion for reading, is right up there with our LT sensibility. Bless him.

Mark wrote: I've heard Romney's five-Point plan, delivered with much bravado

Where you see bravado, I see confidence.

Mark wrote: I have much more faith in him.

I have no faith, belief, or hope that Obama knows how to fix the economy, nor do I think he has surrounded himself with people who know what to do about the mess we're in. I think the U.S. economy is in a disastrous mess, and I believe we literally can't survive another four years like the last four.

Here are a few statistics to back up my "disastrous mess" statement:

>Our national debt: 10.6 trillion when Obama came into office; it's over 15 trillion now. Obama has added more to the debt than the first 41 presidents combined. What's the plan?
>Over 50% of college grads can't find a job in their field of study.
>The total student loan debt in the U.S. recently passed the one trillion dollar mark; the default rate for borrowers within three years of their first payment is almost 15%.
>30 gennyt:% of all unemployed Americans have been out of work 52 weeks or longer.
>Long-term unemployed: 2.6 million when Obama came into office; 5.3 million now.
>Price of gas up more than 100% since Obama came into office.
>One out of every four jobs pays $10 an hour or less.
>In 2000, social welfare benefits made up about 21% of all salaries and wages; today that number is 35%.
>In 2008, 30.8 million Americans were on foodstamps; today the number is 46 million.
>According to the Federal Reserve, from 2007 to now, the median net worth of families decreased by 39%, putting Americans roughly on a par with where they were in 1992.

I could go on, but I hope I've illustrated my point.

Mark wrote: The sad thing is, as a country, there is no reason we should be this divided. We all want the same things!

You're so right! What I find interesting (and also very discouraging) is a Gallup poll that says 81% of Republicans and 56% of independents say the economy is getting worse, while 74% of Democrats think it's improving. There's a fundamental disconnect somewhere.

Best that I just say hello this morning, and move along......

>112 mckait:. Mark, you have a very happy thread here, and I'm afraid my comments are going to cause unhappiness and distress, so it might be best for me to end my side of the discussion here. I really don't want to make people uncomfortable. I've been a member of the 75 since January of 2010, and I've found the best way to shut down a thread around here is to voice conservative views. That's not a criticism, it's just what I've observed on my own thread.

Happy Saturday to you, and happy reading! Mark, I hope you'll continue to follow my thread, as I will yours. I love hearing about what you're reading and your comments about same. You also have a lot interesting people following you here!

*waving from Orcas Island*

Driving back to the cabin after dinner last night, in the deep dark of woods, I avoided hitting about a half a dozen deer. Now that's heavy traffic!

It is blessfully quiet here, and good place for reading!

Lab writer, we could cite stats that the debt has increased less under Obama than under any president since Eisenhower. Your side keeps crediting him with debt under Bush's last fiscal year when he was powerless to change it.

Tell me please how the mathematically impossible tax cut of Romney's would work. He keeps citing nonexistent surveys that don't actually back him up. He could cut every loophole, every deduction there is and his plan still wouldn't work out.

My other bone of contention with him is that he campaigns under certain positions, then says something else under the debate and then his campaign immediately disavows it after.

Obama has plenty of ideas. However, he needs a Congress that cares more about the American people than it cares about Grover Norquist. Congress is the problem, I say.

Worst of all are Romney's Medicare and SS positions. These programs are not in dire straits as advertised. These are eadily fixable but not by privatizing. Privatizing SS has long been a republican dream. Their voucher plans would be a catastrophe for both current and future retired but would certainly be profit monsters for the insurance companies. That's all that really matters, isn't it?

A Romney presidency would be interesting. Would he be a conservative's dream or would he be a moderate? Perhaps, as during his campaign, he could be one one day and the other the next. Personally, I don't think he's a bad guy but, as with our other businessman presidents, he doesn't really know what he thinks. We have never had a good businessman president in our history. Perhaps he would be the first.

"Obama has plenty of ideas. However, he needs a Congress that cares more about the American people than it cares about Grover Norquist. Congress is the problem, I say."

I agree. And why this is not said more often is completely baffling to me. Who elected Grover What-s-his-name to anything? Why does he exercise so much power?

I'm not a fan of any politician as I have a fairly low opinion of most and haven't had one I could admire in a long, long time. We watched the debates to learn something before we actually have to vote for one or the other. But Joe Biden came off, to us, as a total buffoon who wasn't taking the debate seriously. Times are too treacherous not to be serious. I think he turned off a lot of other Independents.

As far as Congress goes, I would give both sides equal credit for the gridlock they're in now. Bob Woodward's new book pretty much says that but he lays the ultimate blame at the President's feet. (according to reviews; I haven't actually read it) Even Newt Gingrich was able to work with Bill Clinton to pass bills in Congress. Two more opposites have not set foot in Washington.

Brenzi the difference is that on day one of Clinton's administration the Congressional GOP did not make it their #1 priority to ensure a one term presidency. The stated filter of the past four years wasn't whether something was good for the American people. Rather it was whether an action would help defeat the president.

Maggie after passing legislation to reverse Citizens United the first order of business ought to be a law making the signing of a pledge or an oath to a Grover Norquist or anyone else an impeachable offense.

Sorry. Can't believe my kindle fire keyboard has no commas. Weird. Need to find the manual.

It was a damp dismal day! I'm glad I'm home. Time to unwind, drink a couple beers, check in on LT and hopefully squeeze in a few more pages of 1Q84.

Becky- I'm glad to hear your opinions, although I've heard all that before and I can refute (or try to) many of those negative points on the Obama administration.

Let's just close it out by saying, vote on election day and if Romney wins, make sure you hold his presidency with the same type of scrutiny that you do a Democratic one. Funny, most of my Republican friends never had a bad word for 8 years of Bush and he was the worst president I've seen in my lifetime. Interesting, huh?
I hope you have a great weekend too!

Kath- Big loving Waves!

Karen- Welcome home from Orcas Island! Sounds like a book title. Glad you didn't hit any Bambis on the way home.
Grover Norquist has never held office, as far as I know, but has had a strong influence on the far right, since the 80s.

Linda- I really appreciate you chiming in from the Left. Why is the country so divided? This is ridiculous and completely unnecessary. And I agree with you about Romney. He has had some good moderate ideas in the past but will he have a chance to implement any of them? It's very doubtful.

Bonnie- I didn't think Biden came off as a "buffoon". I didn't care for the laughing & grinning and interrupting but I thought he addressed most of the issues with a solid understanding and knowledge.
The bottom line: The Right does not like the man.

Mark, not sure how things are down by you, but up this way, the rain and wind did a number on the leaves. Nice day to stay in and read about traveling to the moon.

Hope you're having q good Saturday, Mark. It's very wet where we are, too. I finished and liked Vulture Peak, and now I'm a ways into an in Dath mystery, Vengeance in Death. Good one for a rainy day.

Hi Mark, I'm trying to catch up, failing,as usual...

LOLing at your pictures! Looks like a lot of us are dealing with a rainy Saturday.

Have a great weekend!

>122 jnwelch: I miss train rides and bus rides to and from work...excellent reading time.

Oh! now I get it. You were second to welcome me home, and I'm not home, yet. Not until tomorrow. But I did post that I did not hit deer "coming home" last night.... what I meant was driving through the dark, back to the cabin, from the SIL's house.... I did not hit the deer. The roads are dark, dark, dark two lane (one coming, one going) winding along side of the water, or farms. Hitting a deer could be very catastrophic and I was proud I was able to spot and slow down and avert well enough to get me and mine back to the cabin in one piece.

It was rainy all day, with dry periods, here. I'd put a camera rain coat on the camera and it would stop raining. I'd take it off, and it would start raining. Camera rain coats are magic. You should get one for work.

Here's one picture:

Here's one picture of barn siding. Beautiful, isn't it. Old. Cedar.

Linda- It poured hard a few minutes ago but now it's just breezy and damp again. We need the rain and since I'm home, it can do whatever it likes.

Joe- My Saturday is going fine. A bit damp on the route but now I'm dry, lubricated and happy. I passed the 900 page mark on 1Q84, on my 3 volume edition, which leaves just over 200 pages left. I'm getting there. Not familiar with the Dath mysteries.

Joanne- I miss you over here. You are like a ray of sunshine. Glad I could supply a few chuckles.

RD- I have never commuted to work by train or bus, but if I had, a book would have been firmly in hand.

Karen- Sorry, I didn't catch that. Rain must have been in my eyes. Have a safe trip home tomorrow. Love the bunny pic. Loves that apple!

Hi Mark,
We have had pouring rain all day yesterday and now little Lenny us out there in the sun, splashing in all the lake sized puddles. The clairvoyant in me sees a lot of washing coming up!

(my politics take is that Obama has inherited a pile of crap- economy wise- and is being blocked at his every effort to rectify balance, by the money makers who want to feather their own nest and damn the rest)

Goddess, I love that pic up top.

Just passing through to say hi, Mark!

Well, it looks like it's going to rain all day, so no choice but to hang indoors and read, with an occasional football game playing in the background. (The Bears are off this week)
I need to work on a couple reviews too!

FYI- We watched the 1st 2 episodes of DA (Downton Abbey) last night. My wife did not watch the show originally, although I repeatedly told her she would love it. She is an instant convert. I want her to be ready for the new season coming in January.
It was nice to re-visit the old gang, especially the Lady Dowager. Her line about "jobs and weekends" was priceless.

Karen- Thanks for the cedar siding photo!

Megan- "Obama has inherited a pile of crap- economy wise- and is being blocked at his every effort to rectify balance". Another reason why I adore you! LOL.

Morning Kath- Glad you like the road to my reading place! It's cozy and well-worn.

Katie- Great to see you. Hope you are enjoying the weekend.

Nice and rainy down over here in WI, too, and that's just fine with me, since we're indoors for the day. Thought I'd re-join the conversation now that the politics seem to be over (I try never to enter those discussions, as it seems most people (including myself, admittedly) are likely never to be persuaded from their stance). I agree with your sentiment of vote the way one decides to vote, and then be responsible enough to own up to the consequences honestly and fairly.

It is a lovely rainy morning here as well. I hope you thoroughly enjoy it, Mark. I am not familiar with many of the shows you reference and don't subscribe to any premium channels. What is DA?

Enjoy the mild, albeit rainy, day today, Mark.

I'm off to the Chicago Wolves game this afternoon. They're playing the Blackhawks minor league team from Rockford. Haven't been to one of these in years.

122) The Big Burn by Timothy Egan 4.4 stars

In 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was established, Halley’s comet was visible and Mark Twain died. Also, in August of that year, one of the worst wildfires in American history started in the Rocky Mountain high country, bordering Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Decimating three million acres, an area roughly the size of New England, burning five towns to ash and killing a hundred firefighters.
Egan, in his usual intrepid, riveting manner, examines this harrowing moment in our country’s history. He also explores the fledgling forest service, which was under-funded, poorly staffed and under-appreciated and how this fire galvanized their future. Ex-president Theodore Roosevelt, who started the forest service in 1905, casts a large shadow here. Egan also puts a human face on this rag-tag group of firefighters, mostly immigrants and cast-offs, who were given the insurmountable task of battling this raging inferno.
Egan has quickly became one of my favorite non-fiction writers and here he has done it again. Highly recommended.



Little North Fork of the St. Joe River, Idaho 1910

As you well know, I agree with you in highly recommending this book. Egan has a knack for picking key moments in American history and then explores its human details in a way which makes his books unforgettable. Egan's Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis is very much the same - captivating and unforgettable.

I'm glad you enjoyed The Big Burn: The Fire That Saved America.

4.4 stars eh Mark? And I have this one on my shelf. Will your NF recommendations never end? God I hope not;-)

ETA Thumb!

Amber- "then be responsible enough to own up to the consequences honestly and fairly." Amen, my Midwestern friend. I hope to make it an indoor day too! I got some reading to do!

Linda- DA is Downton Abbey. Have you ever seen it? It's very good. It's a PBS show, not a premium program. Have a great relaxing day!

Linda P- Enjoy the Wolves game! Is that outside?

Karen- You know, I'll be reading Egan's latest. Maybe, I'll save it for early next year.

Mark, I just bought seasons 1 and 2 of DA. It is my substitution for having TV. I've watched a little while on my mini-vacation. And I still don't think it is worth it.

I've heard good things about The Big Burn: The Fire that Saved America. I'm thinking the spousal unit might like it - time to start thinking about 'the list'.

Lately everywhere I look I bump into T.R.

NO NO NO NO NO NO

Will NOT add another book to my list NO

*defeated sigh*

The Big Burn goes on the liberry list

Hi Mark - I've been trying to catch up on your thread. Lots of great stuff here: sexy librarians, politics, great pictures. First, I have to say I have worked in several libraries, and none of the librarians looked like the ones here. I'm with you that everyone should vote. I just read More Baths Less Talking and will look for the other Hornby collections as well as his fiction. He is hilarious.

Great review of Big Burn, Mark. Makes me think of Norman Maclean's terrific Young Men and Fire, about a disastrous 1949 fire in Montana battled by paratrooper firefighters, many of them WWII vets. This one goes onto my tbr.

Karen- So does that mean you are not enjoying DA? If not, what is it that is not working? Inquiring minds and all that.

Lucy- You and your spousal unit, should love this one. You can't get enough T.R., can you? What 'list' are you referring to?

RD- Have you read Egan yet? He is right there with Millard, as far as NF goes. Start with the Worst Hard Time.

Beth- I have not seen any naughty librarians yet either, but I will continue to look. 1Q84 has been taking up the bulk of my reading time but I hope to squeeze in a few minutes for More Baths Less Talking.

Joe- Did you know Norman Maclean was mentioned in the big Burn? He was camping in the area at the time, as a boy. I have to read Young Men and Fire. I've had that on a distant WL for years.

No, no! I've not yet even taken the shrink wrap off of the DA. I brought them with me to the island in case I needed something on TV. Should have left them home as I've been happy busy with photos and book reading and family. But I am full expecting to watch them soon at home where it sometimes is necessary to watch some TV. I am looking forward to them.

Just keeping up with the Joneses. Hi Mark! :-)

The hockey is indoors, Mark. At the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. It's probably just as well as the Bears aren't playing and the Packers don't play til tonight.

I keep seeing talk about DA on facebook but I think the British version has already started for the season, or something like that.

Hi Mark!

More stuff:

*I didn't realize there is a Neil Young memoir. That sounds exciting. I like that guy.
*I love DA as well and can't wait for the new season! More Thomas, please. I want them to give Thomas a nice boyfriend. I think it would chill him out.
*We went to Brixie's last night and had Great Lakes Nosferatu on tap. It was good, but I think it used to be better.

Karen- Whew! You had me worried there for a second. LOL. DA is a terrific show. You should enjoy it.

Ilana- Big Wave!

Linda- Like, Duh! I should know my local teams better, huh? Hope you have a nice time today. I'm pretty sure DA started in England. We get it after.

Kerri- Young has been inconsistent over the last decade or so, but at least he's still relevant. He is supposed to be releasing a big album with Crazy Horse.
Friends of ours went to Brixies last weekend. We still need to make it over there. I've heard good things about the Nosferatu.



I want some! Wah!

HI Mark!
Hope you are enjoying your Sunday! I must confess something to you, I've been watching the 3rd season of Downton Abbey online. It's playing right now in the UK and I decided not to wait until January when it shows here. I won't spoil anything for you, but it's been quite good so far!

I'm enjoying all the political talk lately. I don't know much about American politics really, just what I see on our TV and news. I saw the jokes about Romney and Big Bird though and that's been pretty funny!

My reading keeps getting interrupted by football games and phone calls and surprise visits. The Lions and Eagles game ended dramatically, with a Lions win.

Chelle- Great to see you! I miss your visits. I'm glad you are enjoying the current season of DA. How many episodes have aired? I don't know if Canadian politics get this heated and dramatic, but it's been nutty. It will be a relief when it's over.

Popping in to see what's going on here today :) Seems like everything is status quo :)

Kath- Thanks for popping in! It's been quiet over here tonight.

Good night, gang!

Hi Mark,
First of all, good night (that seems weirs, but hey, we're in a 24 hour day all of us arent we!).
Loving the pics that are all over your thread lately, beer is good. Even if the label is scary! I took a pic of the one I had the other night to show off on my thread later :) A stout....mmmm, dark beer.

Monday, Monday, huh? At least the rain moved on. What a wet, soppy weekend! I should wrap up my nifty YA, Every Day today and I'm on the homestretch of 1Q84. I should finish the behemoth tomorrow. Pant, pant...
Next on audio, I might start an S & S holdover, March violets. This would be a reread but I wanted to get back to this series.

Megan- " beer is good." Amen, my friend, Amen! Sure beats politics. I don't think the Nosferatu is a stout. It is a darker beer but not as heavy. Hope you have a great week.

Rain continues here! Hopefully it will all fall on Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota..... and you will stay dry. What do you think?

Phew, caught up! For the next day or do, at least. Then I'm sure I'll be behind again. :)

My manager was on leave the past two weeks, so I was acting manager for the team. I have never gotten so little reading done in my life! He came back today and one of my first comments was "and I could only concentrate on Harry Potter for the last fortnight...."

just completely brain fried. Love Mr Potter, but I'm so behind on my scheduled reading now!

Oh, Don and I got out to see "Looper", a bit too violent at times for me, and I wanted the eye candy that was Joseph Gordon-Levitt without the Bruce Willis makeup, but a good plot, some great ideas, and the wonderful Emily Blunt!

I want one of the "Book Nerd" T-shirts! It suits me so well :)

Happy Monday, Mark!

Thanks for the heads up on the new Nick Hornby book - I've put it on hold at the library. I really enjoy his Believer columns series, though I have yet to read one of his other books...

I'm thinking you could open a bookobilia store, Mark, and do pretty darn well! Liking those t-shirts.

We had a good lazy weekend, my favorite kind. Mr. Sherlock (Becca's pup) is a master of destruction when it comes to chew toys, but we seem to have found one (a blue hard rubber bear) that will stand up to his teeth for a while. Hope your week is off to a good start. I'm going to be reading Tortilla Flat once I get my hands on it.

I just have to add one thing to the political statements of earlier in the thread. I am very concerned about the student debt. I work at a university and work with college students. I watch tuition go up and up and up and student debt follow it up and up and up. This is really serious. These students are coming out of college with the equivalent of a house mortgage hanging over their heads. They will not be able to buy a first car, or rent a nice apartment, furnish it, or go out to eat at all those fat food restaurants, with this kind of debt, unless they pile up credit card debt. This is not good. The reason college debt is so large is a complex one, but the bottom line is the taxpayers are not supporting education with tax money. Especially higher education. The percentage of the state budgets that go to higher ed keeps dropping. Here at the University of Alabama only 21% of the operating budget comes from the state. Salaries are not going up and facilities are not being remodeled. The only thing that is saving this university from bankruptcy is the rise in the number of students enrolled who are now paying tuition rates that are astronomical. Something has to be done. From my vantage point the only thing that can be done is to raise taxes. I am reminded of the benefits that we all enjoy because of the money that state and federal governments pumped into higher education in the 1950's and 60's in the form of student aid. The biggest one of which was the GI Bill. All those people doing research provided us with everything from Tang, to Temperpedic mattresses. From Advil to Apple Computers. Prosperity comes from research. Research comes from our colleges and universities and is supported with tax money. We can either pay for a better lifestyle collectively through taxes or individually through piled on debt. The choice is ours. Mark is right. Go vote and make a decision, but don't whine about the outcome. If you don't like it vote differently the next time.

Just checking in to see your monster progress, Mark! Hitting the home stretch feels pretty darn good eh? Looking forward to your thoughts! Have a great day. :)

Thanks for the insights, benitastrnad. I was fortunate enough to come along and lock in a student loan rate for my 7-years of post high school education at an almost laughably low rate in the late 1970s, just when inflation was really taking off.

I look at the tuition at my private, 4-year college and wonder how anyone can afford to go there, without large grants and/or scholarships.

I am determined to think only good thoughts today.. hope all is well with you and your little chunk of the world :)

BTW, Mark, you may have seen this elsewhere on LT, but be sure to go to Google and do the clicking with its Little Nemo doodle (there's a sticker-outer at the bottom right that'll keep it unfolding). I should have mentioned Winsor McCay in our gn talks - Little Nemo is a fantastic comic strip. I'm sure Chris Ware must be a fan, because McCay was remarkably creative with layout, like Ware, and way ahead of his time.

A nice fall day! Sunny and 60. Can't complain. I finished Every Day. It's a very good YA novel and if you are looking for a light but enjoyable "tweener" book, this should fill the bill. On audio, I started March Violets. This is a very good noirish crime series and I'm glad I decided to jump back on the Bernie Gunther train.

Karen- It was dry and sunny today. Lovely fall colors too!

Tania's back! Tania's back! That always puts an instant smile on my face. I really enjoyed "Looper" and look forward to seeing it again. I'm crazy about Emily Blunt!
Hope things get smoother at work for you.

Stasia- I'm sure we could all wear the Book Nerd T-shirts! The only problem, is the guys might get beat-up or get their glasses knocked off.

Mary- Please slot-in Hornby! All of his stuff is terrific. I hope to get to his latest collection very soon.

Joe- It sounds like you are really enjoying Mr. Sherlock, even if he is a "master of destruction". At least he's tearing up chew toys and not shoes and furniture.
I really appreciate the GN recs, please keep 'em coming. That well began to dry up and you've been saving the day. Never heard of McCay.

Benita- Thank you! That is some very important info on college debt! These are the issues that should be discussed, instead of the usual crap. It's interesting how so much is being passed on to the state-level and most states are way over-burdened as it is. Very sad.

Valerie- Monster progress is good. I'm going to try reading a few pages of 1Q84 tonight, which will leave me less than 50 for tomorrow! Hooray! Plus the story is really beginning to heat up, as things begin to come together.

Linda- Like Benita said, starting in the 50s, education was one of our major priorities and we've reaped many benefits from it. You caught the end of it. Things began to change in the 80s and have been in decline ever since.

Kath- Big loving wave from my chunk of the world!

Greetings Mark! I believe your beautiful fall day is headed our way tomorrow. Sunny and warmer and much the same for Wednesday. Love, love, love this time of year.
I love political banter and I listen to both sides however my opinions are reserved for those closest to me and who will still love me after I've had my say and what does it matter in the scheme of things who I intend to vote for anyway. I think the debates are good entertainment and I usually pop popcorn or make cinnamon rolls for the show.
One thing I've noticed in my area, and found rather amusing is the unusual amount of empty chairs on lawns. Took me about 30 seconds to figure out it wasn't a donation for Amvets but a political statement. I like a sense of humor during political season.

Phew... too many posts to catch up on ....but The Big Burn caught my eye and darn if I didn't have to stop and read your review. *sigh* you've snared me once more, Marky-Mark ..... I have to add that to my obese wish list. It sounds like a fascinating read.

Howdy Mark,
I beat you again, its Tuesday already :)
We have a huge student debt problem too. I have a friend who has left NZ never to return as their debt is insurmountable. They are now an academic in foreign university, all that home grown knowledge gone! But still, dont take out a loan if you havent got a plan to pay it back I still say.

hang on, is that back to politics talk again? Woops.

Back to the weather, or more importantly- lunch! I just had a dozen pork and corriander dumplings, my best ever batch. Crispy and brown on the bottom and steamed to perfection on top. With soy sauce and chilli flakes to dip. Heaven on a plate!

Oh, did I say I have just started The Betrayal? I am really liking it so far, at 100 pages in.

Okay, here's Mark's reading dilemma. Let's see if you guys can give me a hand with this one. I'll be done with 1Q84 tomorrow. I have a library copy of In The Shadow of the Banyan but it is due back today. It can not be renewed because of current holds. Should I do the proper thing and return it and request it again or just say the hell with it, dive in and pay the paltry fine? I'm leaning toward the latter. Bad Mark. Vote yes for Bad Mark:

Mark, I finally wrote my heartfelt review of The Yellow Birds in my thread...post #288.

Ok Mark, I voted. The other people waiting for the book won't realize that you're keeping it out for a few extra days. And anyway, this is a book you'll love:)

It's a landslide for Bad Mark!

It's a landslide for Mark giving some money to the library, that's what swayed my vote. :)

Ooh, someone voted No! Was this a Republican?

Lynda- Good to see you! We are supposed to have another nice day tomorrow. Question: why were there empty lawn chairs? Maybe, I'm just tired.

Caro- Have you read Egan! If not, he has to be on your Must Read now list! Nearly finished with 1Q84. everything is closing in.

Megan- You are allowed to talk politics anytime, my friend. We'll have to talk about NZ politics at some point. The dumplings sound great!
I liked the 1st half of the Betrayal better than the 2nd half. hopefully, that's just me.

RD- I LOVED your heartfelt review of the Yellow Birds. I hope there is a stampede to the bookstore or library.

Bonnie- I know you loved the book, one of the main reasons I'm keeping it. It's not a long book. I should have it out no more than a week.

Darryl- Landslide for Bad Mark! A new topic heading?? Did you read the book?

I voted NO (I was the second one, not the first), only because I have SUCH a bad track record with my library before and that was one of the biggest reason why I avoided the library for the longest time...haha! I think my overdue fees alone contributed to several librarian's salaries. :)
But, one book overdue isn't really that bad. 20 overdue for about 1 month...yeah that got ugly. ;)

I voted no too! Ha! Partly because I was being contrary just for fun and partly because I'm bitter about waiting forever for The Absent One because someone won't return it. Dang you, Mark! ....and I'm definitely not a Republican.

Hi, Mark. Don't have a lot to say. Rained here today. Did not finish the Egan book, but I'm close. Hope your week goes very well!!!

#177 Ithink the empty chair is meant to represent the empty chair skit clint eastwood performed at the RNC.
I voted yes cause even good boys can be naughty sometimes.

Hey, anyone still watching this? We just watched the 1st episode. It was pretty good. The body-count was through the roof. A zombie splatter-fest.
I have mixed feelings about this show but I thought I would see if it has got more consistent.

Definitely not all caught up, but popping in to say Hi! Love the pictures up top. And I vote to keep it a few more days. You are normally such a good library fellow. Sin this once! : )

Well, it does look like a Bad Mark Landslide! Guess, what I'm reading next?

Valerie- What? I'm sorry if you have had major library problems but why take it out on me? Hmmmmm? Actually, I rarely run over-due. Maybe a day or 2 at the most.

Kerri- Thanks for taking a contrary view. We need to shake things up around here. I'm glad you're not a Republican. That's something I couldn't handle. LOL.

Karen- I hope it dries out for you! I have a short week. I'm off the weekend, Fri & Sat! Yah!

Lynda- Now, I see what you mean. LOL. I did not get it at first. You are definitely one of the battle-states. How is things there? Pretty heated?

Kimmers is here! Kimmers is here! A nice way to wrap up my evening. Hugs!

Hi Mark, There's something addictive about The Walking Dead. The acting is so-so and this week's episode was over the top gore. (My husband kept walking out of the room and then asking me what happened - what? I need to narrate this gore-fest?)

Nicely followed by Call the Midwife, which I feel gets better each week.

More beautiful weather here - hopefully headed your way!

I voted yes - extenuating circumstances reading a door stop beforehand. It's not like you're just too lazy to return it - you want to read it! I consider my fines to be donations (although I generally get things back in time).

I voted no and I'm certainly not a Republican. I tend to appeal to people's good sides.

Heh-heh, an old family friend is the director of circulation at our library. I had an overdue book for one day and I never heard the end of that ten cent fine.

All caught up!! As always, interesting discussions here. I've missed you, so I will work hard not to be absent again! Hope you are having a great start to your week.

:P First it's naughty librarians and then now withholding overdue books...tisk tisk, Mark. :)
Can you feel all the books on your TBR mountain giving you the evil stare??

Well I am a supporter of Bad Mark too - I would love the opportunity to keep out books after their time by having a library here I could use.

Bad Mark is an oxymoron.

As a bus-rider who keeps her sanity through reading, I adore adore adore 121 above.

For Richard if he sees this --- you'll be glad you let the The Big Burn blue bullet get you.

Do you get fined straight away? We only get fined after a week or so, so if you're just a day or two late, there's no fine. A nice grace period for when you discover that you MUST return a book when you can't get to the library for a few days.

Once we turned up a week late (I got the date wrong), and they waived all the fines AND let us renew all the books we hadn't brought back, but left at home to renew and read! Obviously they don't use fines as revenue raising around here. :)

Hot day in Sydney today. 34C, and it's only Spring! What the...

It looks like another beautiful fall day. 68 & sunny. To bad, I hung up the walking shorts. Thanks everyone for voting on my silly dilemma. I wish the RL versions could be so fun and lightweight.

Joanne- Good to see you. As you remember, I had a lot of problems with The Walking Dead last season. Torturous at times but then they would throw in a couple very good episodes and it would keep me watching. My wife and I don't watch many shows together, so it's nice to share this gore-fest. Awwwwwww...
I keep forgetting to record Call the Midwife! There's Bad Mark again.

Linda- "I tend to appeal to people's good sides." Now, how did you know I had one of those? Enjoy the day today, it's going to be gorgeous.

Mamie's here! Mamie's here! Good to see you, my friend. And don't worry about anything. You've been super busy. You'll catch up!

Valerie- "naughty librarians & overdue books". Sounds like a geeky LT song! And yes, I do feel the evil stare! But, I'm used to it.

Paul- I knew you would support Bad Mark! Yah! Sorry, you can't enjoy a library of your own. But it does sound like you are building your own! I can't wait to see the librarians you staff it with. Pant, pant.

Ellen- "Bad Mark is an oxymoron." Thanks but I think some people might think you got it half right. LOL. Glad you liked the cartoon.

Tania- Yes. I think it's 15 cents a day, (have mercy!) and it keeps building. So it might cost me a dollar or so but this is supposed to be an excellent read, so I'm sure it will be worth every penny.
Your summer is just starting, right?

Sorry, but I voted no, Mark. One does need to consider the others who are waiting in line and I am rarely in favor of encouraging bad behavior, unless there is a greater good at stake. And I am absolutely NOT a Republican, although no offense intended to those who are.

I was on a plane, so didn't weigh in before on Bad Mark. Frankly, I do this all the time. If it's going to be more than a week, I'll be good. But a few days? No brainer. I feel like such an anarchist and scofflaw. :)

I didn't vote either, but would have voted no, simply because if I were to attempt such a thing, the guilty would drive me to distraction and I wouldn't enjoy the book at all! Sigh. (Also not republican, just neurotic.)

LOLing at the thought of Jim being an anarchist and scofflaw.

I haven't read In the Shadow of the Banyan yet, Mark; it's on my radar screen, though.

>196 mckait:: me too! I voted yes because I'd probably never do it myself (same reason as Amber in #195) but will live vicariously through your naughtiness. And besides, I'm not a Republican. :)

Hi, Marky Mark! I see we are converting one more reader to The Big Burn: The Fire that Saved America; now my next project is to convince a like number of people to read Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis. It is such a fine good book, and sad, and worthy of savoring. I am planning my visit to the Fleury Gallery (I think I spelled it right) in Seattle where the Curtis prints are sold. I'm definitely lusting after having one!

I have become a big fan of Call the Midwife. This is another great show by the BBC. I thought it would be like watching sugar, but it isn't. In the episode I watched this week the nun's were hilariously funny. The women studying to become nurses are developing as characters and the people in their world are amazing. There is the mistakes they make and the consequences of those mistakes. Love this show. People living in the real world of post-war Britain.

My Sunday nights have become one long BBC marathon from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. And I love it. However, I wonder why PBS is broadcasting two really great shows at the same time - Call the Midwife and Upstairs, Downstairs? I would rather that they had spread it out so that I could anticipate and enjoy the shows over a longer period of time - sort of spread the pleasure out as long as possible - instead of getting it all in one dose.

I never read the Poldark books and the last couple of years of Sunday night PBS shows has made me think I should read them and then watch the series.

Call the Midwife last week reminded me of the painful fact that most of the East End of London was bombed very badly in the Blitz and that many of the buildings used in this years Olympics were built on sites that were finally razed of the WWII temporary housing and buildings put up in haste immediately after the war to house people who had nowhere to go. As bad as it was in Britain it was even worse in Germany after the war. (The series of books by David Downing illustrates the impact of the destruction on the citizens of Berlin very well. If you haven't read that entire series get busy.) Which in turn reminded me that the Nobel committee was probably right on target to give the EU the peace prize. WWII was awful and keeping that from happening is a good thing.

I have noticed that you are turning to non-fiction more and more and that is a man thing. Statistically men read more non-fiction than do women. Yet the majority of novelists are still men. Go figure.

I like non-fiction, but I am very picky about documentation. I don't like memoirs because people are free to write whatever they want with no documentation and so always read them with that great big caveat. Biographies are better but demand great writing and not every biographer can do that. Narrative non-fiction is good but I don't like it when the author repeats and wanders. Isabel Wilkerson did that in spades with Warmth of Other Suns and that is the great fault of that great book. I also think that narrative non-fiction has been around for a long time and to say that it is a new form of the non-fiction genre is not accurate. In-other-words, I am much more critical of non-fiction writers than I am of fiction writers. Non-fiction writers had better do a good job of both writing and documenting or they get marked down by me. I am getting ready to start Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and I have great hopes for it, but won't hold my breath. It was probably too popular to be great non-fiction.

I am loving Call the Midwife too!!

Marky-Mark -I haven't yet read Egan yet, but I do have his Breaking Blue in my TBR Tower. It's about the Spokane police crime wave and institutional corruption. My brother gave it to me with instructions to read this only when I've the time to focus only on the one book.

Oh, gosh, I can't resist: Breaking Blue is going on the WL. I did not realize it was depression era non-fiction. Now I know.

Hope you're enjoying the nice fall weather today, Mark. Unfortunately, I'm swamped at work so not sure if I'll be able to get outside today.

Anyway, I'm getting going, in earnest, on the book that you chose for me for 12 in 12, Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken. Really liking it so far. Then again, I don't think I'm aware of anyone who didn't like it.

We DVR'd Call the Midwife but we haven't watched it yet. Our present "MUST WATCH" is Homeland. Talk about riveting TV!

>190 EBT1002: *sigh* Et tu, Ellene...

The liberry called me. They've got my copy all ready. Soon I shall be big-burning with Teddy.

Oh, I loved Unbroken, Linda. (>205 lindapanzo:).

Mark, I'm one of the no votes. I'm just a ridiculous liberal sympathizer for those waiting to get their hands on it. Fox News already has me pegged as a Communist.

I just had the gn How to Understand Israel in 60 days or Less come in, so I'll report back to you on that. I'm really happy with the A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel adaptation. Loving the revisit with the classic story.

Wow, I'm up to 5 No's! What a rough crowd. Must be the liberal sympathizers. One thing I should have mentioned is, I requested this book 6 to 8 weeks ago, so I've been biding my time too. It's just unfortunate it came in just as I was starting the behemoth called 1Q84. All about timing. I do not request many print books, mostly audios & GNs, that's why I rarely run into this problem.

And.....drum roll please, I finished 1Q84 and have to say I really enjoyed it. Did it need to be a 1,100 pages? Probably not but I was entertained by most of it and was completely happy about the way it wrapped up. And that was one of the problems I had with the Wind-Up Bird.

Linda9- Thanks for the vote! "I am rarely in favor of encouraging bad behavior." Me too, I'm usually Mark the Choirboy but once in awhile I break loose!

Jim- Great to see you over here! "I feel like such an anarchist and scofflaw". Real criminals must get a real kick out of us. I hope to have it returned in 5 or 6 days.

Amber- What? From a fellow Mid-Westerner too? And I've given you my complete sympathy for having Paul Ryan as a congressman from Janesville? I'm sure I will feel a twinge of guilt but the quality of this title will tell the tale.

Kath- Big Wave! Glad you got a chuckle from Jim!

Darryl- Bonnie rarely steers me wrong, so I'm very pumped about In the Shadow of the Banyan.

Laura- Thanks for the Yes vote! I'm normally very strait-laced & guilt-ridden about these things, but this was an unusual situation for me. I will read it and return it as soon as possible.

Karen- I'm glad you enjoyed the latest Egan book and yes we will keep spreading the word on this talented fellow!

Benita- I completely forgot about Call the Midwife. I NEED to jump on that one. Funny, you mentioned Sunday nights. Is this the hottest night of the week for TV or what? It gets completely ridiculous.
I do not think I'm reading more NF at all but what is true, is that the best stuff I'm reading, these past couple of years has been NF. I think it's a Golden Age for NF. I agree with you, that NNF is not new, it's been around at least 40 or 50 years, but it is definitely hitting it's stride.
I hope you adore Henrietta Lacks. It's a terrific book. Period!

The Sunday pack up of good programs is over-the-top ridiculous. How do they expect people to watch that many good shows in one night? Are they just begging for people to DVR them? And if so how do they think they will sell advertising when they know I will skip over the ads?

Of course, advertizing isn't a problem with PBS, but Sunday night is a great night for other shows on the networks. Why don't they get together and schedule things so that people can watch them and be forced to watch the ads as well?

Looking forward to Henrietta Lacks, but it was a hard sell for my book discussion group. That is the reason why I am finally reading it - it is our discussion book for next month.

I have a copy of Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk and I noticed that it is nominated for the National Book Award. Should I bump it up on the list?

Caro- I'm not familiar with Breaking Blue, but since it's by Egan, on the List it goes.

Linda P- It took awhile for the weather to warm up today, plus that wind was steady and cool but it wasn't a bad day.
I hope you are loving Unbroken. Funny, my current crime book March Violets, takes place in Nazi Germany, during the Olympics. the main character just watched Jesse Owens make his historic run.

Bonnie- We love Homeland too! I'm surprised it's not more popular. We are going to watch the latest episode before the debate.

RD- I'm sure you will enjoy The Big Burn. It should team up nicely with Island of Vice.

Joe- How is my favorite " ridiculous liberal sympathizer"? I always appreciate the GN recs, keep 'em coming. I was hoping to start Jimmy Corrigan today but I'll probably have to wait until tomorrow.

Benita- On a couple of the cable shows, I set my DVR for later times or even the next day, just to avoid the traffic. My wife is usually recording 2 or 3 shows Sunday nights too! Why was Henrietta Lacks a hard sell for your book group? It was NF or another reason? I've heard very good things about Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, although I haven't seem much LT buzz on it.

Just put Breaking Blue on the library wait list. Looking forward to it.

I think I might poop Roosevelt here shortly, I'm reading so much about him! River of Doubt Island of Vice The Big Burn Theodore Rex All Teddy All the TIME!

Ha! I just put Theodore Rex on my liberry list!

It comes from living where I do. Oyster Bay is 10mi away, and the TR Birthplace is on 20th Street in Manhattan, about 30mi away. It's the Teddy Triangle!

Way too late to comment....but March Violets is a part of Berlin Noir.....a Trilogy i love

I haven't watched HELL ON WHEELS, yet...I'm still, trying to like the guy in BREAKING BAD

;-}

Congratulations on finishing IQ84. I voted 'yes' yesterday because I feel that by running up a fine you are motivated to read the book and will probably finish it within a couple of days which is no big deal on the overdue front.

Okay, I'm skimming through and having trouble getting the information I need. What did you decide?

I didn't vote but I would have voted yes. My rationale: it's still cheaper than buying the book, it supports the library, and the folks on hold will only have to wait a couple of extra days....... Or maybe that's a rationalization.

RD & Karen- I enjoyed Theodore Rex, but the 1st one, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt was truly outstanding. Have you guys read that one? I have still not read the last of the trilogy, colonel Roosevelt.

RD- Please don't poop T.R. Pick a current candidate instead.

Jude- Good to see you! Always a pleasure. I can't wait to continue the Berlin Trilogy. I read the 1st book over 4 years ago but I wanted to reread it so I can get to book 2.
Breaking Bad! Breaking Bad! Yes, Walt is a very hard man to like, especially as the show progresses.

Kerry- Yes, I finished another Murakami gem. A large trippy behemoth. I enjoyed it.

Ellen- I did mention my decision somewhere up there. My next read:

Mark, just dropping by real quick to say you missed an essential post when you visited my thread today. I'd like to direct you right here if you would please, sir! :-)

I just saw your rating for 1Q84 and I'm glad that we are on the same page. :)

Hooray for finishing 1Q84, and can we expect a 1000 word review from you?

I agree with Ellens rationalisation.

Okay, the debate was more contentious and fiery. I'm glad to see Obama more aggressive and assertive. I would give him the edge but Romney hung in there too!
Question: Do we really need a 3rd debate? I thought this one was way to long and got seriously repetitive.

Okay, enough of that. Stepping down and picking up a book...Should finish March Violets and deciding (audio-wise) whether to do a quick YA and then on to another NF. The life of a book geek, huh?
I also started More Baths, Less Talking. Hornby is SO good and of course he continues to add to my immense WL. He speaks so eloquently about books, you really have no choice.

Ilana- Sorry, I must have overlooked that. I'll try to stop by tonight and correct that over-sight.

Valerie- In regards to 1Q84, it's a book that fits the 4 star rating perfectly. I can't give it much more and I definitely can't give it less. I'm glad you were able to join us on the monster.

Megan- LOL. No, 1,000 pages review from me. This will be a very tough book to describe. Less will be much better. It feels like I just got off a psychedelic hippie bus!

>209 msf59:: Oh, low blow, throwing the Ryan thing in my face. I seemed to be cursed in this area, as I'm a Hoosier by birth, and there's that famously silly VP from Indiana who couldn't spell his spuds properly. Sigh.

Good Morning Mark

What lively and informative political debates happening both here on your thread and in the national media.

Yes, Joe Biden creeped me out when I met him a long time ago. I trust my intuition and he was down right weird and over friendly in shaking my hand. Politicians like to shake hands and hold babies. Joe Biden's hand shake was over friendly and his smile was way too phony. And, I want to state that prior to that experience, I was a Joe Biden supporter. During his speech (and this was years ago during the Reagan administration), he came across as haughty and self aggrandizing.

Regarding the VP debates, I turned it off when I saw Biden acting like a pompous little school boy who bullied on the playground. I don't think his arrogance played well with most.

The economy is a mess and I think that in the end that is what will decide the election. Way back in my college days, I had a wonderful history professor. When asked who starts revolutions, he emphatically stated "the rich!" "The poor are too busy getting rice from the fields." I'm not poor by any means, but I am very tired of running on the treadmill.

I don't like class wars and that is what the media is playing Romney's comments that lend one to believe, ie the "47 % who don't pay taxes." On the other hand, I've worked since I'm 12 (if you count babysitting) and have a strong work ethic. I don't like a system of entitlement which keeps the poor impoverished and dependent on Big Brother, and neither do I like the fact that I'm working so hard and because my pension took a huge hit, I cannot retire when I need/want to.

Every Christmas, and throughout the year we donate a chunk of change, clothes and toys to the Salvation Army. They are grass roots and help tremendously. Sadly, this year they could not possibly have enough food and toys for the people who need them.

Speaking from experience, I volunteered and was on the board of directors at a local homeless shelter for fifteen years. And I'm here to tell you that despite what Bill O'Reilly said on his program some years back when he interviewed a bright woman from California who was an "expert" on homelessness, the homeless shelters are not filled with alcoholics and drug addicts -- they are now filled with women and their children and they are filled with Viet Nam vets who came back with severe post tramatic stress. The lovely lady tried to tell him the truth and he, like Joe Biden in the debate, arrogantly took center stage to shoot off his mouth.

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/who.html

Something has to be done and at this point I'm not sure who can do it. The system is flawed. Too flawed to fix? I don't know, but whatever is happening now just isn't working! Throwing government money into programs that don't address the real issues, ie cash for clunkers is the example that comes to mind, just isn't working! Like all politicians, Obama had dreams and lots of promises. His record does not back the fact that so much of his platform did not come anywhere near actions happening that matched his words.

Okay, that's my .02 for a chilly fall October morning.

Good Wednesday morning, Mark. I watched bits of the debate and some of the post-mortem. I agree with you that a third debate is likely to be repetitive -- I wonder if it also holds the likelihood of exposing both candidates' ultimate lack of any easy answers. It feels like this country is still looking for that easy way out and I don't think there is an easy way out of this mess. In fact, the more we look for one, the more I worry that we'll slip into the tendencies of late 1930s Berlin Noir.....

Congratulations on finishing 1Q84, Mark! I know that's a time-demanding read. I'm glad you had a good time with it. That ending was a memorable one, wasn't it?

I've been wondering the same thing - do we really need a third debate? It's not like it's the playoffs, where the winner of two out of three gets to be president.

I believe the third debate is on foreign policy so less repetitive in the sense of different issues, but once each spouts off their canned answers, we are sure to hear them over and over for the next 90 minutes ;-)

Hi Mark. Congratulations on finishing 1Q84. I voted yes on keeping In the Shadow of the Banyan out because I want to know what you think of it.

I have unread copies of both The Big Burn and Breaking Blue and hopefully will read them sooner rather than later.

Right now I'm about halfway through Cloud Atlas which I'm loving. I've been referring back to your Group Read from last year and it's been very helpful. I love LT!

I was away on the Oregon Coast this past weekend and purchased a copy of This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz. I started it and think it's great but I want to finish Cloud Atlas before getting back to it. Thanks for the recommendation!

Mark, due to my having unplugged the TV I don't watch the debates. I wonder if that makes a difference. I was very frustrated with a format which allows, maybe even encourages, interruptions. I think we all may be losing the ability to really listen to something. If it is constantly interrupted, then the speaker must find ways to repeat.

I think the candidates' lack of thoughtful, carefully constructed, discussions of the most important issues of the day is partially the fault of the audience which apparently has no patience for such. And I agree with Ellen that in this world where global economics, trade, unemployment, monetary policies, immigration, (just to name 5) and other weighty issues (environment) are all very complex and not under the "control" of any POTUS, regardless of his/her name/party - how can expect any one to come up with "sound bites" that are true and persuasive. And more importantly, how can we blame any President for having not fixed all of it, especially when his loyal opposition are specializing in road blocks?

No more debates would be my choice. I'm ready to vote, but I've not yet received my ballot. Washington State is all mail ballots. Sad to see the old polling places go the way of so many historical nice ways to meet your neighbors.

p.s. the trip to the pumpkin patch was silly. The "farm" (which is a nursery really) picked all the pumpkins and threw them out on a big lawn of grass. These kids are going to believe pumpkins grow in grass! We had 30 minutes to pick up a pumpkin, look at a Petting Zoo of 6 animals and some ducks, and two very sad turkeys, ride a hay wagon which meant sitting on a bale of hay while a tractor pulled us around the parking lot. OMG, save me from doing anything like this again. Counterfeit!

OK, I'll go away now, and read some threads elsewhere.

OK, here's the north side of the Apple Barn. It may give more sense of its size because it shows the two big doors. I imagine they backed a truck up to it, and loaded the apple crates in to the truck's bed.

I don't know if they are really using it now. I saw a good many apple trees, and they were pressing apple cider for the visitors, but I did not see any apple crates. Sigh.

So far, I only read 40 pages of In The Shadow of the Banyan. I'm hoping to read 20-30 more pages tonight. This WILL be a wonderful read, but also heartbreaking. I have not read much on Cambodia and the Kymer Rouge. My guilt is quickly fading.

I finished the terrific March Violets. Think of Marlowe in Nazi Germany. On audio, I started Under and alone. This was recommended by my chiropractor. We've talked books and movies for several years and I've passed on many books to him. This starts out like gang-busters, (sorry for the weak pun!). Gritty, scary and true. An ATF agent under-cover in the Mongols MC.



Amber- I hope that was a gentle low-blow! I like to keep my visitors happy.

Linda- Thanks for your Two-Cents worth! Wow! Is that some of that fuzzy math? LOL. I want this election to be over. Hey, vote on November 6th, but make sure you do your homework first. Where the country goes in the next 4 years, will be very important.

Ellen- Like Clinton said at the convention, we were in a deep hole and it was going to be a mighty task, for any president to pull us out of it. I think, in my very humble way, that Obama was the right guy for the job.

Joe- I loved the ending of 1Q84. I'm not sure it could have went any better. Much more pleased with this ending, than wind-Up Bird.
Yes, I understand the 2nd debate but I see no reason for a 3rd. Will that really change anyone's mind?

Katie- I agree! The 1st 30-40 minutes was long enough and then it became tedious.

Pat- Great to see you! Read everything by Egan. That's a direct order. I really enjoyed 1Q84 but it was a commitment, that's for sure, like any behemoth.
OMG, I'm so glad you are enjoying cloud atlas. I was blown away by that one and immediately put him on my Author Must Read list!
I'm also glad you liked what you read of the Diaz. I LOVED that book!

Karen- Thanks for your thoughts on the debates and the political situation. I'm really getting sick of the sniping back and forth. It's become nauseating. I can't wait until it's over.
My biggest problem with the American people, is their complete lack of knowledge understanding. They would prefer to sit and listen to TV and radio and have them preached to, instead of doing the homework themselves. This is our country at stake here!
Love the red barn!

Congratulations on finishing 1Q84, Marky-Mark. My prediction is you're not going to be able to get this story out of your head for a few days and picking up another book to read will be a bit of a challenge because the adventures of Aomame and Tengo keep popping into your head at unexpected moments.

I'm all debated out as well. I don't think we need another one. I think everyone's really already decided whom they're going to vote for and a 3rd debate isn't going to change their minds, especially since the candidates are going to be very careful about what they say in the last debate so as not to make any big gaffes.

Great reading here as always Good Mark. Glad you loved March Violets and the doorstopper of a Murakami.

Over the hump at last! Down the chute to the next weekend, HO!

I rarely get to see or hear the debates as they always seem to happen on a night when I am working. I do have a comment to make about the moderators. Moderators? Where? Are they in the room? Maybe they got lost in the crowd?

I also have a comment to make about the debate and that is about the price of gasoline. Last time I checked the President of the U. S. didn't own the oil companies and doesn't set the price of oil. What a stupid question that one was. The debate could only go up from that low point, until the moderator didn't moderate. I wish people would stop thinking that the price of oil is a political issue and do some reading on the subject. Oil on the Brain, The Prize by Daniel Yergin, $20 per Gallon, Hubbert's Peak, etc. Look what happened when Ariana Huffington started researching the oil problem. Oil prices are only going to keep going up, cause nobody is making more oil. (God retired from that position.) As a country we need to do some major research and development in alternative energy, and a pipeline across the Sand Hills of Nebraska isn't the answer. The people of Nebraska put a stop to that one - not Obama. And last I checked Nebraska was a very Republican state. it might have been a classic case of "not in my backyard, but in somebody else's its OK," but in any case they stopped the pipeline. And furthermore, said pipeline, is owned by a Canadian company. And Canada is NOT a state in the U. S.

Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was a hard sell because of the subject matter. Nobody would believe me when I told them it was a best seller and it was a fascinating well written book. Nobody in this small group had heard about it and didn't think a book about growing cancer cells would be of interest. Guess we will see.

Hi Mark!
Downton Abbey season 3 should have 8 episodes I believe. 5 have aired. I'm sad that means there are only 3 more for me to watch :) Not sure if they will do a 4th season but I hope so!

Caro- My current read is In the Shadow of the Banyan, which is far removed from 1Q84, so it is making the transition a little easier.
Monday's debate is on foreign policy. I think Obama should have the edge here but I think I'll be watching the Bears & Lions on MNF!

Paul- I read March Violets less than 5 years ago but I completely forgot about it (is it an age thing?). It's a terrific crime novel and I look forward to the next in the series.

RD- Actually, I have the weekend off, Fri & Sat, so I only have tomorrow to get through. Yah!

Benita- Yes, the moderator generally sits in the front of the room and tries to keep things moving along and under control. Not always an easy task.
Yes, there is a lot of interesting science in Henrietta Lacks but I think the human part of the story is the heart and soul of it. Great book.

Chelle- I'm glad you are enjoying season 3 of DA. Looking forward to it. I've been re-watching season one with the DW and that's been fun.

Hi Mark, a third debate is not in my future. The fact checkers found that both candidates lied so what is the point? And yes, what moderator? Unless you count the time she helped out Mr. Obama. So I guess she was there but, for the most part, ineffectual.

>240 msf59: I love the list, but the illo is just perfect!

Another T-shirt or topic heading?

Morning Mr. Mailman, How's it going? I think I've just found my new screen saver in #245. Thanks!
Congrats on getting through 1Q84 relatively fast.
I'll not miss the 3rd debate, just because they're more laughable than informative. Funny how the moderator's give instructions to the audience and they are heeded. The contenders should be told not to interrupt each other or you're sitting in the corner with a dunce cap on.

Sad to see the old polling places go the way of so many historical nice ways to meet your neighbors. I totally agree! I'm so old school when it comes to this. And voting should be on one day only! unless one is military or overseas. One of my earliest memories that don't include reading are on walking into an old school bldg, then a voting booth and zip closing the curtin for privacy, Ah, but privacy doesn't exist anymore does it. :P

Love the "born to read"! Still in a reading slump (sigh), but am enjoying what I'm reading. Just not finding the time/energy to read...

Sorry I missed the 1Q84 group read! Life just conspired against me. :(

Hola, Mark. I think I found that article on North Korea you were talking about. Apparently it was in the LA Times, too? http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/14/world/la-fg-north-korea-life-20121014

Have a good one today - hope the rain holds off until you're back home.

Hi Mark! Just skating in under the line in time for the next thread....

#246
I couldn't agree with you more about the polling places. To my mind there is no need of any controversy over voting machines and electronic counters. I am all for paper and pencil. It worked for 200 years and we only had trouble when they tried to go electronic. If we have a problem moving people through faster then there should be more polling places not less. my home county wants to go to the electronic counters because they don't want to pay the election officers to sit there all day, as they think it is too expensive. I said What! How can voting be expensive? It costs what it costs, and since it is fundamental to democracy why are we worried about how much it costs? Besides, those officers are paid minimum wage. I know because my sister serves on the county board. She is one of the people who certifies the results.

Yes, to all you say in 250, and it gave a little extra money to many, many senior citizens who usually were very happy to earn it.

Back in the 1960s, when I was a kid and we lived in the city (Chicago), the local polling place was in my next door neighbor's basement. The neighbor lady would keep a pot of coffee on. I loved the neighborly camraderie of it all and, as a kid, loved to sit with my friend from next door and watch all the people come and go into her house.

Times change. People work longer hours. I'm all in favor of anything that makes it easier to vote. Early voting, voting by mail, changing election day to a Saturday. Anything that makes it easier to vote ought to be considered, at least. It's shocking how few people vote. We should be making it easier to vote, not tougher. Efforts to make it tougher to vote, particularly when done for political advantage, are despicable, as far as I'm concerned.

(Other pet peeves I have are those who try to discourage voters such as by giving them wrong information or employers telling their employees who they should vote for.)

Though I probably won't do it again in the near future, one of the best things I ever did was serve as a check-in table election judge. Though my county clerk is not someone from my party, I greatly admire her professionalism and efficiency and serving as a judge was a terrific experience.

After elections, when friends/family complain about the results, the first thing I do is ask them if they voted. If they didn't bother to vote, I can't be bothered listening to their gripes.

Isn't it illegal to not vote in Australia. Now there's a commitment to democracy! Of course, that would never fly in the USA because everyone has to do everything just exactly how they want. Color me discouraged.

Mark, can't remember if I congratulated you on finishing your 3-volume doorstop. That's quite an accomplishment.

As for the debates, I can't watch anymore. I get too fed up with the malarkey coming out of the mouth of the opposing candidate. Good thing I've got plenty of books to keep me occupied.

As for DA, I'm looking forward to watching it when everyone else is. Not watching the entire season in one day per season, as I've done with the first two years.

#250 Question: How much do they pay? Ours wasn't huge to serve as an election judge but it wasn't exactly minimal either. I seem to recall about $150 per day plus payment for attending required training.

Admittedly it's an extremely long day. We had to be there by 5 am and were there til about 8 pm. My retired father serves as a laptop judge and gets extra money for the extra training/duties.

$150 sounds about right, Linda. I know a few people who have done it in the Cleveland area and $100 sticks in my mind, for a senior, that can go along way.

BUT, what really makes for a long day is working outside the building for a particular candidate or issue! in the snow, rain and occasionally sunshine and of course that's completely volunteer. I did it, off and on for the past 30 years and if it's one thing I learned I always take what folks are passing out, even if I don't read it. It's very discouraging to hear, "I know who/what I'm voting for" or worse yet, just pass by my frozen outstretched hand without a word.

I have never worked the polls... they were looking for someone this year, but it is too long a day. My mom used to do it though.. she was a very sociable person and involved with her community and she liked it.

I too, always take whatever anyone from any party is handing out, and say thank you... even though I always know who I will vote for.. or in some cases not vote for. There are two offices that still have me trying to decide if I should just leave them blank or pick the lesser evil, which I don't like doing.

I wish the rain they keep saying we are getting would get here already! And I hope voting day is 62F and dry all across the country...

>245 msf59: ...violators will be held in low esteem.
I absolutely love that!
Talk about your warning of warnings.

But your picture in #233 scares me more than all the Halloween and zombie pictures all added up.

What Megan said!

Hi Mark! I'm back! Cable Guy finally hooked me up!

Hey, guys! Party-time! I'm off the weekend. And my current reads, In the Shadow of the Banyan & Under and alone are treating me very well. And to top it off, lots of messages here. Life is GOOD!

Lynda- This mailman is doing just fine, despite the fact that our weather today, was a mix of wind, cooler temps and a little rain.
I had to put my nose to the the grindstone with 1Q84. It takes a little dedication to get through a 1,100 page monster. It was highly readable and that helps a lot!

Tania- Yuck, boo to the reading slump! Always a bummer! I rarely suffer that malady. Whew! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on 1Q84, whenever you get to it.

Joe- Than you sir! I could not find the Demick article. I thought you would get a kick out of it after reading Pyongyang. Please hunt down nothing to envy.

Laura- Great to see you! We were getting worried about you. Hope you have a great weekend.

Benita, Karen & Linda P- Thank you so much for all your thoughts on polling places. I would love to try a election judge job but of course I will have to wait until I retire. I couldn't take off that much time.

Linda P- Thanks! I don't think Murakami would work for you. I don't know if you saw my earlier post but I'm re-watching DA with Sue, since she failed to see it the first time around. The nerve of some people!

Lynda & Kath- Thanks for your comments on polling places. If you volunteer, you should be able to read, during the slow stretches, right?

Megan- The Mongols scare me, a lot too! These guys are murderous scumbags of the highest order. I think they mentioned in the book, that they have a chapter in NZ too! Better watch out!

Mamie- Yah, for the cable guy! I hope my sexy librarian helped, even just a little.

Mark, I don't think that book would work for me either.

But, if I ever get around to the Richard J. Evans World War 2 history trilogy, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 pages, I'll need some cheerleaders. I suspect that'll be a multi-year project.

I'm about a quarter of the way through Unbroken. Loving it. I had no idea that only a small fraction of WW2 aviator deaths were due to combat. Most occurred during noncombat missions, or due to mechanical failure, navigational error, and the like.

>259 msf59: they have a chapter in NZ too! Better watch out
Mark! Don't say things like that, you know I scare easily. We have a few gangs of our own, the Mongrel Mob, Black Power....I dont want to think about it though so ill stop.

Have a great weekend, a long one for you too then!? We have Monday off for Labour Day, although, I dont see anyone volunteering to give me the day off! Maybe I need a mental health day.....(which would = a day in bed reading)

"I write because words give me wings."

-In the Shadow of the Banyan

Yes, I'm moving right along. I'm closing in on the halfway point and plan on being done on Sunday. I know there are 5 of you out there, rolling your eyes with disgust but just get over it and concentrate on your own reading. I think it's going to be worth every penny.

Linda- I'm so glad you are enjoying Unbroken. You will learn a lot. It's a terrific read.

Megan- I'll double-check but I'm pretty sure the book mentioned that the Mongols had a chapter in NZ. I'm sure there are other major MC gangs there too!
Have a great long weekend!

OK, my friend, I've finished the Egan book. http://www.librarything.com/topic/141087#3649811

Have a great weekend. My letter carrier is off Sat/Sun/Mon so I get a three day one, too! But it does not start tonight. Boo! Hiss!

I don't care for tattoo's, but if I did:



Hi Karen- Congrats on finishing the Egan! Have a great weekend.

downfall? huh?
I suppose you could sell everything you own for books, and end up homeless and with a very good library....but you'd still have the library, so....downfall?
lol

Good point, Megan. Personally, I would leave out the last part.