Richardderus thread 25 for 2012

“Reading is a solitary pursuit, even a lone passage to a separate world. Yet to read in public, amid strangers, gives it another dimension. Sometimes the city speaks to the page, or the page seems to open up to people passing by. An outdoor reader shares the pulse of a timeless urban conversation between the world and the written word.”
― Nina Bernstein



“There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I'm going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert



“If you have never spent whole afternoons with burning ears and rumpled hair, forgetting the world around you over a book, forgetting cold and hunger--

If you have never read secretly under the bedclothes with a flashlight, because your father or mother or some other well-meaning person has switched off the lamp on the plausible ground that it was time to sleep because you had to get up so early--

If you have never wept bitter tears because a wonderful story has come to an end and you must take your leave of the characters with whom you have shared so many adventures, whom you have loved and admired, for whom you have hoped and feared, and without whose company life seems empty and meaningless--

If such things have not been part of your own experience, you probably won't understand what Bastian did next.”
― Michael Ende

“I'd begun to realize that there was an unspoken predjudice among book-learned people, a secret conviction they all seemed to share, that life as we know it is an imperfect vision of reality, and that only art, like a pair of reading glasses can correct it.”
― Ian Caldwell

(Self-Portrait, Gustave Courbet...forgot to mention)

My 2012 NEW books ticker:




Previous reviews:

Book 1...thread two.
Books 2 & 3...thread three.
Book 4...thread four.
Books 5 & 6...thread five.
Books 7-10...thread six.
Books 11-24...thread seven.
Books 25-31...thread eight.
Books 32-34...thread nine.
Books 35 & 36...thread ten.
Books 37-42...thread 11.
Books 43-53...thread 12.
Books 54 & 55...thread 13.
Books 56 & 57...thread 14.
Books 58-60...thread 15.
Books 61-64...thread 16.
Books 65-68...thread 17.
Books 69-71...thread 18.
Books 72-74...thread 19.
Books 75-77...thread 20.
Books 78 & 79...thread 21.
Books 80 & 81...thread 22.
Books 82 & 83...thread 23.
Books 84-86...thread 24.

My 2012 ORPHANED books ticker:




Pearl Ruled:



14. Beautiful Ruins...thread 18.

15. The Lies of Locke Lamora
16. The Hunger Games...in my Orphans thread.
18. Keeper of Light and Dust...Orphans thread, #196.

17. Equal of the Sun...thread 21.
19. Superclass...thread 23.

20. Narcopolis...thread 24, post #297.

Books are reviewed in post:

87. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry...#109.

88. The Healing...#150.

89. Leviathan Wakes...#221.

90. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore...#230.

Fore!

Settling in...

Hi Richard, I loved your review of Yellow Birds and appreciate that you tried with Narcopolis which I sent back to the library after 2 pages. So YB is now on my TBR list.
I know you love a little book porn so you just have to check out LTer gingerbreadman's new bookshelves as they are purdy... here.

>4 MerryMary: Hi M'Lou! You're first to the tee!

>5 mckait: *smooch* Some spiked spiced cider, dear?

>6 avatiakh: Hi Kerry! Thanks for the book porn tip, I'll run look.

It's too bad about Narcopolis...there really is something there.

Love those quotes, especially the one from Michael Ende--that is so ME!

Rd..remind me to tell you about the music box...okay?

Breathlessly traipsing through.....I'm over 500 posts behind and will never catch up. Love the beautiful thoughts opening this latest thread....

Inaugural book porn!

Delurking to say I love the Michael Ende quote! The Neverending Story remains one of my favorite movies (and I'm not ashamed to admit it!). The book has been in my closet for the last who knows how many years. If it's written like that maybe I should actually READ it!!!!

Love the continuing book porn RD, my computer is on the blink at home so I am only able to snatch seconds in the office to say congrats on your latest thread.

#12 Yummy! Congrats on yet another new thread.

>8 ronincats: I agree, Roni, it's totally YOU and it's all the cooler to have found it for that reason.

>9 mckait: Hey Kath! Tell me about the music box.

>11 tututhefirst: Hi Tina...yeah, I found some good'uns this time, didn't I?

>13 avidmom: Thank you! Glad you delurked...I agree, that quote's a major factor in my appreciation of that book.

>14 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul, and boo hiss on no home 'puter. That is cruel and unusual.

>15 Berly: *smooch*

I love 276 on your prior thread and the inaugural book porn on this, your 25th thread for the year, is wonderful! The Yellow Birds hit me in blue goo.....
Are we still sharing ice cream preferences?
Rocky Road (but only the ones with real marshmallows)
Mint Chocolate Chip
Jamoca Almond Fudge (I worked in a Baskin-Robbins one summer in college. sigh)

Icecream - I'm addicted to coffee flavoured gelato, Movenpick's maple and walnut and Ben & Jerry's cherry garcia. I haven't had any of these for a long long time.

Hi Richard - Loving the new thread as always you find amazing quotes and pictures to share with us.

*smooch*

Hi Richard - just echoing calm, lovely new thread and I also do like the quote by Michael Ende very much. However, I enjoyed most of his kiddie books anyway.
I think the book porn in #12 is adorable.
BTW: I very much enjoyed your review on the Yellow Bird from your previous thread.
Wish you a good day.

Congrats on the new thread! I'm glad your fine review of the Yellow Birds is stirring up interest. Win Win!

Settling in here...that one in #12 is possible my favorite so far - it's so pretty that it seems almost to come right out of a fairy tale.

I love The Neverending Story... we all did here... that's a great quote.. I missed it my first go round..

*waving on her way to doctor appt* Have a great day, Richard!

Love the quotes and the new book porn - though the one in no. 12 looks a little cold - could do with some nice thick carpet or a fireplace or something to warm it up a bit...

Hope you are having a good day.

#12 DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! So my colours. But does need a nice big armchair in the middle. And a coffee maker next to that chair.

#2 Love the painting and the quote. " life as we know it is an imperfect vision of reality" Sure, and who would dispute that?

and what's reading without some tasty morsel, right? Here to help out ...



and if you want to read more about the Great British Bake Off that's contested between 3 male finalists, here is the link : http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/oct/16/male-bakers-on-a-...

#29 Oooh! Loving the bake-off this year! So hoping the scottish guy wins :)

>18 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! I see that, in common with most of humanity, you're chocolate oriented.

Liking The Yellow Birds will redeem you.

>19 avatiakh: None of them?! Kerry! Take off the hair shirt! Get some ice cream!

>20 calm: Hiya calm! *smooch* back

>21 drachenbraut23: Hi Bianca, thanks for stopping in and for the wishes. It's a perfect fall day, cool and sunny and breezy. Impossible not to smile when it's like this!

>22 msf59: Thanks Mark! I know this book is something special, so I talk it up. I really really love the way Powers told this story. I felt myself in it.

Don't breathe a word, but I might even read some of his poultry.

>23 scaifea: I thought it was supercalafragilisticexpialadocious too, Amber.

>24 mckait: I think it's the heart of the book, Kath, and it's not made much of or trumpeted...just put there, see it or don't. Good technique.

>25 maggie1944: Have "fun" at the doctors' office, Tea Lady!

>26 gennyt: ANYplace could be made better with a nice, thick carpet and a fireplace, Genny!

>27 BekkaJo: Hi Bekka...I agree, the palette is hugely appealing to me, too. If a coffee maker appeared next to my reading chair, I fear I would be unable to walk in a month. I'd just never get up.

>28 laytonwoman3rd: Hey there Linda3rd! I've found that most readers won't dispute that, but most non-readers don't come close to understanding it. *sigh*

>29 cameling: BAKE-off? Can't we have an APRON-off instead? *drool*

Thanks for the pointer, Caro, now I have another time-sink. Oh yay.

*smooch*

Ok. That was a bust. First World Grievance! I left my house at 6:30 am to make a 8:00 am appointment. Had to drive through rush hour traffic! Ha Ha Ha! Rush hour, my foot. Stop and Go on the "Free"way. When one of the reader boards declared it would take me about 40 more minutes to reach my destination, and it was 10 min. before 8, I just got off and turned around and went back home. Stupid stupid stupid

So, did not get my visit with the lungs guy. Oh, well. Will go to the library today!

Boo hiss! So sorry, dear. Here's some yummy book porn to help you over the nasty:



The National Library of Finland

Actually, if there *is* a hell, the coffee will be cold and decaf.

I was just going to post 'Yay, see you there!' but cold? DeCaff? I repent, I repent!

Heh. I have discovered the secret to making religious converts: Cold decaf for all eternity for those who don't follow MY religion! *mwaaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaa*

I've passed by the lovely blue words I can't possibly find time for right now, but paused for all the lust-worthy book porn. Ah, that makes me feel better.

Smooches, Padre.

>39 London_StJ: *smooch* Hi there Crypto! I'm consistently amazed that you *ever* wedge in a pleasure-book. Husband, kids, jobs, life...it's a lot to do.

>38 richardderus: I have discovered the secret to making religious converts: Cold decaf for all eternity for those who don't follow MY religion! *mwaaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaa*

That's good enough for me. I am now a convert to the Church of St. Richard.

Ha! I wish I knew how to photoshop a mug of coffee in the lower hand and a coffee pot in the upper one!

>42 richardderus: I'll bet that someone here knows how to do that.

OPEN APPEAL! PHOTOSHOPPISTS! Please take the icon in #41 above and give the upper hand a coffee pot and the lower a mug! (Not necessary to have the mug being filled, or the hands oriented towards each other, fine the way it is.) Post results here. Your reward will be in MY heaven...eternal check-outs with no fines! And hot coffee made from arabica beans! (Teasips: Your bizarre disability will be cured in heaven.)

Jeesh, did I fall behind or what. Just wanted to compliment you on that great review of The Yellow Birds. Thumb from me and I'll definitely read it. When you and Mark team up, it's a foregone conclusion. (See, poets aren't so bad). I can see why Narcopolis would be an unsustainable letdown after that.

Cold decaf. Blech. It's like caffeine-free diet soda. WATER, anyone?????

Ellen, I have always laughed at people who actually spend money to buy caffeine-free diet soda! They can get the same out of their taps, and maybe add a squeeze of lemon. FOR FREE!

>45 jnwelch: Oh good, Joe, I hope you enjoy it as much as Mark and I did. I think you will.

Narcopolis most likely wasn't going to be my tippy-top-shelf fave rave, but after The Yellow Birds it was simply distasteful.

>46 EBT1002:, 47 ...but it's got BUBBLES and CHEMICALS! Sorta like Lake Erie. Maybe that's where they get it. *gag*

How about diet water? One of the students in the class I work in told me the other day she likes to mess with the local fast food employees by going up to the counter and ordering "diet water" .... XD

>49 avidmom: *snerk* Oooh, that's evil. I love it!

Richard, I'm heading for Seattle tomorrow--coffee heaven! But I'll be off the internet for the most part for the next 10 days. Be bad while I'm gone, okay?

#49..."messing with the local fast food employees?" Yikes, how rude and nasty.

>51 ronincats: I shall do my very...wait...should it be "worst" or "best" here...uhhhmmm, well I shall exert myself towards being wicked. Have loads of fun!

>52 Whisper1: One does hope they showered the grease off first.

Dont think I didnt hear you say you were going to read some poetry soon RD, I heard you alright.
I hope it works out OK for you *fingers crossed*

Roni is coming to Seattle. We'll certainly have the coffee waiting for her!

*heads into kitchen to make tomorrow's coffee and set the timer so it's ready one minute before the alarm goes off*

Ah, coffee! *heads back to kitchen to brew up a second cuppa for this morning* Heading to the pumpkin patch with preschool kids today. Need to dress warmly, and good shoes, and all that....

Hope your day is fun, too, RD. What are you reading today?

KInda have to agree with messing with fast food folks being not so nice. Just sayin'

Good morning, Richard. I hope you are having a good Wednesday.

*taps Internet* Is this thing on?
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE: Mosquitoes! It is 17 October! You need to be dead or flying south, I don't care which. You do NOT need to be biting me to feed your damned children!

That is all.

Leakey's Books, a repurposed church, in Inverness.

Windeye by Brian Evenson...weird

Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff...seriously strange

Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan...quite eccentric

I think I need to re-read Wuthering Heights or something to come back to earth.

Book porn!

>60 richardderus: Amen!
>59 richardderus: DO NOT send your mosquitos south. We have enough of our own.

Get rid of the torture chairs, otherwise: yummy porn.

Not sure how I feel about the caged books......or all the red.. but still, not too bad.

>64 luvamystery65: Heh. Too late Roberta, the trillion-strong cloud has already headed southwards.

>65 maggie1944: I agree completely!

>66 mckait: All that wood? Gawjuss!

I've always admired Rowling. I now admire her more.

I **want** one of these!

Yes, I already sent her bunches of air kisses! Classy lady, she is!

yes, RD, I want one, too. Maybe we should contact Romney and see if he'll set us up manufacturing them.

ooooh ! good on on Rowling.. did you post it at FB? ( please )

I like that shelf too.. and want one :)

>70 maggie1944: And so rare to find this attitude.

>71 maggie1944: *snort*

>72 mckait: I did indeed put it on my timeline. And who **wouldn't** want one of those?!

#68 oh how I heart her! She is such a amazing person. I just started reading Casual Vacancy and it's pretty good so far.

Oh and here is some book porn for you

Ha! Thanks Chelle, that is a laugh riot!

Oh Richard, please forgive this errant lil Wisconsinite! Somehow this whole Real Life thing has gotten in the way of everything that I want to do, and have hardly been here but to peek in on a thread or two.

Smooches to you, in the hopes that you are well!

>76 LauraBrook: Hi Laura! RL is damned intrusive at times, no doubt at all. Stay happily disengaged, read a book or fifty, was always my solution.

Sending *smooch*es!

For Laura's fellow sufferers:

Amen! That would be a bumper sticker I'd actually put on my car. Muchas gracias!

>78 richardderus: I love it! Please post it at Joe's cafe Richard. The poor man has a RL job and now LTers have made his cafe so booming that he has another job too. Maybe we can post this as a sign above your book bar next to the little altar dedicated to St. Richard.

Heh. Okay, Roberta, I will do that very thing.

Morning RD- I had to post "Born to Read" too! You can't beat it. Have a great day!

Now all we need is for the LT band to create a theme song! Born to Read (Born to Run)

Just popping in to keep current... and say hello :)

Loving that Robot bookshelf Chelle posted! And thanks for bringing the Springsteen-esque "Born to Read" poster over to the cafe (and thanks to Roberta for the sympathetic suggestion).

Hi...my Stella seems to be having an allergic reaction to something...I've got a vet appointment at 1, so I'm basically distracting myself until we go.

I hate when my poochie isn't well. I'm a human, I understand illness, I know what to do for myself, but kids and animals just know they're miserable and will you please fix it now?

Far more upsetting to me than my own ills could ever be. Off to tour the threads and see who's doing what.

Poor Stella - hope whatever is wrong is quickly fixed. {{{hugs}}}

With ya on that rd... sorry to hear this about Stella... hope the vet can bring relief ASAP

>87 calm:, 88 Me too...almost time to go...

Sending virtual scrinchies behind Stella's ears, hoping she'll feel better for a bit. Wishing good luck at the Vet's and that a little dose of something cheap will solve the problem.

Which reminds me, I need to take my puppies in for a well dog check up and some kennel cough preventative so I will rest easy while I'm in Hawaii.

Back home with a fixed-up Stella. She had an allergic reaction, we think to a series of ant bites. The bites sort of marched up her back right leg. She needed a shot (I used all my double-secret cookie jar money that I've hidden plus begged the doc for mercy...she cut the shot by $20 so I could pay for it) of something hormonal and she's sleepy and a little irritable, but not lethargic or manic.

I am one relieved puppydaddy. I feel like I've been whacked with a hammer. Watch her for the next few hours, be sure she drinks water, etc etc. But not panic mode! Yay. So yay.

Ants? good grief. Where did she get into ants? Was it Dex that they gave her? Dexamethasone?
Well.. glad it isn't something awful...

I am awaiting a call about Dunkers blood work. Always makes me nervous ... even when I expect it to be fine.

Phew that Stella is on the mend, good spotting to get her to the vet in time! And thank goodness for double secret cookie jar money hiding. My trouble with that is that I always know where I hid it and raid it for chocolate, same with chocolate hiding. Im not very good at delayed gratification when it comes to chocolate.

I did once hide some money, and forgot. And then found it! That was definitely fun!

Poor Stella, glad you figured it out.

The book porn so far is so stunning - the little shelf by the sofa, the first one, oh all of them. I love it.

>93 mckait: Ants probably riled up by the village's latest round of mowing the boulevard. It's all I can think of. We have the yard treated for 'em.

How was the blood work?

>94 LovingLit: I am so glad I'm sneaky like that. And have amazing chocolate resistance.

>95 maggie1944: Oh I knew it was there...this is the sort of thing I hide it for!

>96 sibylline: Swoon-worthy, right Lucy?

I have my run away from home fund... we seem to all hoard books, and hide $

Good on us!

Run away from home fund.....that sounds fun. I could save up my pocket money I suppose, but then Id have to skimp on coffees. And that is a ridiculous notion. Maybe Ill take my credit card if I need to run away from home!

So far behind with everyone's threads so just a speed read and a wave! Love the spines on those books in 'never have too many books'.

Living alone, my usual escape is to run away home, pull the curtains, lock the doors and turn on only a minimum of lights. maybe I'll do that this Oct. 31st. And read. Stop giving away candy which is just a corporate conspiracy to turn us all into couch potatoes who will not protest their taking over the world.

I don't really want to run away from home, but if i did



minus the high heels...and the suitcase would contain way too many books.

>103 London_StJ: Fear and Ignorance tend(s) to create Assholes....."not" a Phobia, for sure..

Leave the heels on, Jude! I like it.

>98 mckait: Indeed, we're the practical ones, aren't we?

>99 LovingLit: But then They can find you, Muriel. Very much not a good thing.

>100 tiffin: Hi Tui! Glad to see you, and I agree...some kinda gorgeous, those spines.

>101 maggie1944: The Sofa Spuddishness increases as the candy intake does, for sure.

>102 jdthloue: Heh! Heels for running = not so hot, eh Jude?

>103 London_StJ: HA!!

>104 jdthloue: Not indeed.

>105 msf59: Lascivious, Mark! Put your tongue back in your head, dirty old man.

>106 richardderus: good point.
*starts ferreting cash into sock drawer secret place*

Review: 87 of seventy-five

Title: THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY

Author: RACHEL JOYCE

Rating: 3* of five

The Book Description: Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn’t seen or heard from in twenty years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye.

Harold pens a quick reply and, leaving Maureen to her chores, heads to the corner mailbox. But then, as happens in the very best works of fiction, Harold has a chance encounter, one that convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. And thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage at the heart of Rachel Joyce’s remarkable debut. Harold Fry is determined to walk six hundred miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live.

Still in his yachting shoes and light coat, Harold embarks on his urgent quest across the countryside. Along the way he meets one fascinating character after another, each of whom unlocks his long-dormant spirit and sense of promise. Memories of his first dance with Maureen, his wedding day, his joy in fatherhood, come rushing back to him—allowing him to also reconcile the losses and the regrets. As for Maureen, she finds herself missing Harold for the first time in years.

And then there is the unfinished business with Queenie Hennessy.

A novel of unsentimental charm, humor, and profound insight into the thoughts and feelings we all bury deep within our hearts, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry introduces Rachel Joyce as a wise—and utterly irresistible—storyteller.

My Review: I take strong exception to the publisher's sales copy calling this book “unsentimental” because it most assuredly is as sentimental as it's possible for a story to be. It is Dickensian in its sentimentality. Anyone who has ever interacted with me will know I do not intend that as a compliment.

The Mouldering Mound of ~Meh~ is the natural home of this Grail quest. Sentimental encounters with many characters, all of whom unlock Harold's frozen memories (frozen, may I add, for excellent reasons that spoiler aversion forbids me to so much as hint at) and, in turn, leave Harold to his long walk being changed in their turn. So nothing new there.

The mildly humorous, mildly silly tone of the narrative is mildly pleasant, and Joyce makes every effort to be an engaging companion on Harold's walk with the reader. I got quite fed up with the book around p50, and soldiered on for one reason and one only: The MAN Booker people put it on the Prize list. It didn't win, obviously, but this got nominated? Why? Is there something on p310, p186, any whole number you can name up to 316, that will make this make sense to me?

No. No, there is not. It's all nice, pleasant, amusing, beige-carpet-and-cream-walls stuff. Don't even dream that there's an Ugly Secret lurking here. There's no monster in this lake, unless you subscribe to the theory that evil in its purest for is banal.

For all its banality, Joyce tells us about the anguish that lives in most hearts, and even roadmaps the way for the disconnected to reconnect. She's got the chops to make that happen without overt, eyerollingly hammy Declarations and Heart-to-Hearts, thank goodness. I said it was pleasant! But, well, it's just so....

Untoasted Wonder Bread with Velveeta, tuna salad, and cream gravy sound good to you? Here's you a book.

I give you an A for persistence, Richard. You are a better man than I. Obviously.

I appreciate the "don't bother with this one" review! There are so many books which do call....

I'll not be picking this one up.

Just checking in - good to hear that the pup is on the mend!

>110 mmignano11: Well yes, MARY BETH, I expect I'm better at being a man than you are...a persistent, nay stubborn, man at that!

>111 maggie1944: You're not likely to be among its yodeling squad, Tea Lady. I suspect your aversion to sentimentality would cause barely sublethal anaphylactic shock.

>112 scaifea: It is a HUGE relief to me, too! *smooch* for visitrix Amber

RD - Harold Fry mildly Dickensian? Well at least you got it out of the way before the weekend so as not to have mild Charlie ruin it for you. Have a good weekend mate.

Outstanding review of Harold Fry. Duly upgethumbed. I always like it when you are anti-mainstream.

>114 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! It's due back at the liberry today, so I wanted to get it gone.

>115 Matke: Thank you, Danvers! It is my natural habitat...swimming upstream. *smooch*

Oh, oh, oh, I forgot to put my favorite ice cream on here, especially because nobody has mentioned it yet

1. Chocolate Marshmallow-(must be Turkey Hill brand-very creamy and not too sweet, nice chocolatey flavor without being bitter and the marshmallow swirl is to die for. I scoop it, top it with more marshmallow syrup and put it back in freezer so it gets chewy. OMG.
1.(Tie)Ben and Jerry's Phish Food (Chocolate ice cream, with salty caramel swirl, marshmallow swirl and chocolate candy fishes. Good creamy chocolate ice cream flavor, awesome caramel swirl, good enough marshmallow swirl and really good melt-in-your-mouth chocolate fishes. Must be eaten frozen hard, right out of the carton.
2. Pink peppermint stick ice cream-Edy's-the best I have found so far. Friendly's used to have the best but they changed it.

I don't care what time it is. I'm going downstairs to have some Peppermint ice cream right now. It is a limited edition so we buy it from the time it goes on sale until they stop it until next holiday season.

I think Rum Raisin is good too, if they make it right, my problem is I normally don't like anything in my ice cream, candy or nuts, Phish Food is the first exception I have made with the chocolate candy because it melts so easily. And the peppermint candy melts easilyand is quite small. My daughter actually likes gummi-bears in hers. EWWW! Bleccchhh. But raisins could be good because they would be extra chewy because of being cold.

Ice cream is my favorite dessert. A warm Brownie under it would be really good also.

Phish food and peppermint stick are marvelous flavors, agreed. Peppermint hot fudge sundaes are from which to die!

A warm blondie under rum raisin is pretty damn outstanding....

103> I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Richard, so do you actually google "book porn"? I'm thinking not.....

The mildly humorous, mildly silly tone of the narrative is mildly pleasant...
Oh, Richard, I adore your reviews.
I let this novel go back to the library unread (not that there are "too many books," mind you, I just don't have enough time for them all!) and as the reviews have been accumulating, I'm thinking it's okay that I did so. I hate Velveeta.

Oh, yes!! Peppermint Ice Cream! And it's nearly the season!!
Also, peppermint HoChos! YAY!

(Sorry, I got a bit excited there.)

>119 EBT1002: I love that one too, Ellen! Thanks for the review compliment, I really hope they're useful to people when I write them. Even the Mr. Crabby Pants Specials.

Yes, I google "Book Porn" and get some good results!

>120 scaifea: Easy there, little missie, you'll fracture something.

I thoroughly enjoyed your review of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, RD.

I may never pick up the book, but I spent several minutes loving what you wrote about it.

Happy Friday!

And glad Stella's got her groove back.... metaphorically speaking.

*smooch*

I will not be reading about Harold, but frankly.. the fact that he butters his own toast gives him one star already.

How is Stella?Did I miss an update? ( I skimmed... have to get back to "tidying" .. )

Another thumbalicious review, Richard, much better than even thinking about Velveeta, cream gravy and the rest. You know I have a higher tolerance for "sentimental" than you, but even with what little I know about this book, I can't believe the publisher was trying to characterize it as unsentimental. That's not gonna fly with anybody.

Anyway, thanks for the steer-clear, which I can put to good use.

So, RD, friend - I am picking up the Nancy Drew book from the library today. Hope to read it this weekend. All your fault, you know. You and your lovely book reviews.

Hope your weekend is likewise filled with great reading and comfortableness in totality!

Hold Ricardo! Thumb for your Harold Fry review. Regardless of the book, yours are always the best, most entertaining reviews out there. I just "read" Gone Girl last night and didn't care for it - refresh my drink here, but you also didn't like it, correct? Been wracking my rack and it just won't come to me....

*smooch* for a good Friday afternoon!

>122 karenmarie: Heh...thanks, Horrible! *smooch*

>123 mckait: All better now, thank goodness.

>124 jnwelch: Thanks Joe! I've done my job if I've preserved some eyeblinks for better reads.

>125 maggie1944: Oh boy oh boy! I can't wait to hear what you think!

>126 LauraBrook: Thank you, Laura, how lovely! You are remembering aright, I did not care too terribly much for Gone Girl.

*muffled snorts of laughter*

Oh dearest Richard I just got a chuckle out of remembering your review of Gone Girl *THUNK* oops I just laughed myself out of bed! Bruce, Freddy and Téa send their good vibes to Stella.

>128 luvamystery65: Heh...it was one of my more controversial shrieks of outrage. I too still get the giggles when I think about it.

129> Me too!

Morning RD! I love those Mr. Crabby Pants Specials! Hope you are having a good pain-free weekend.

>130 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen!

>131 msf59: Hi Mark...nothing new...gorgeous day, though. I might have a Mr. Crabby Pants Special in the making.

Hah! Those Mr. Crabby Pants Specials are some of my favorites, too. Looking forward to it.

Ste. Genevieve liberry in Paris. Ooo baby baby.

Yep.

Summer Reading by Jonathan Burton. Love the Seurat-esque feel. The subject appeals to me, too.

Food for the soul indeed.

I love #136! You beat me to the punch, I was going to post that one too! Perfect.

>138 msf59: By all means, post it too...I think the maximum number of people should see it.

I love the Burton, Rdear. What a gorgeous picture ... I could be the person lying down on the white blanket with the iPod and book.

Hi RD,
I will still give The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry a try. The title just appeals, and 3 stars aint that bad.... :)

ETA: I was just considering reading Sons ans Lovers, as it is on my list of 10 classics I wanted to force myself to read this year. And against all my rules, I went to read some reviews. And lo and behold! There is your review. haha, absolutely hilarious. But- I am not sure if it makes me want to read it more, or less :)

>136 richardderus: That's a keeper, Richard. Love it!

passing thru now I have caught up with you ...... no doubt I will be 200 posts behind next time as well :)

Have a great weekend

PS I am sure Megan forgot in all her excitement to add Hokey-pokey ice cream to the top of the best ice cream list ....

Damn. Ice cream again .

Happy Fall To You Dear Richard!!!

Ice cream?

Cafe au lait! with a sprinkle of chocolate powder on the top of the foamed milk. Yummy Sunday Morning. I hope your day is filled with good stuff Richard and that your body experiences comfort.

Still sleeping?

*snorp*smack*smack*

bleurgh where'd all this goddam sunshine come from 'stoo early for

YE GODS AND LITTLE FISHES IT'S 11:15!!!

Well! That was a little adrenaline moment! Since I don't have to walk the dog when the Gruesome Twosome are here, I find I sleep in...NEVER this late though!

Wow. Happy beautiful fall morning, fellow East Coasters, and them as is in flyover country, one hopes it's nice there too.

Review: 88 of seventy-five

Title: THE HEALING

Author: JONATHAN ODELL

Rating: 2* of five

The Book Description: "Compelling, tragic, comic, tender and mystical... Combines the historical significance of Kathryn Stockett's The Help with the wisdom of Toni Morrison's Beloved." —Minneapolis Star Tribune

Rich in mood and atmosphere, The Healing is a warmhearted novel about the unbreakable bonds between three generations of female healers and their power to restore the body, the spirit, and the soul.

In Antebellum Mississippi, Granada Satterfield has the mixed fortune to be born on the same day that her plantation mistress's daughter, Becky, dies of cholera. Believing that the newborn possesses some of her daughter's spirit, the Mistress Amanda adopts Granada, dolling her up in Becky's dresses and giving her a special place in the family despite her husband's protests. But when The Master brings a woman named Polly Shine to help quell the debilitating plague that is sweeping through the slave quarters, Granada's life changes. For Polly sees something in the young girl, a spark of "The Healing," and a domestic battle of wills begins, one that will bring the two closer but that will ultimately lead to a great tragedy. And seventy-five years later, Granada, still living on the abandoned plantation long after slavery ended, must revive the buried memories before history repeats itself.

Inspirational and suspenseful, The Healing is the kind of historical fiction readers can’t put down—and can’t wait to recommend once they’ve finished.

"A remarkable rite-of-passage novel with an unforgettable character. . . .The Healing transcends any clichés of the genre with its captivating, at times almost lyrical, prose; its firm grasp of history; vivid scenes; and vital, fully realized people, particularly the slaves with their many shades of color and modes of survival." —The Associated Press

My Review: I would ordinarily have consigned this to The Mouldering Mound of ~Meh~ had I not been so worked up over its sheer gracelessness, its plodding flatfooted ill-thought-out platitudinousness, and its breathlessly overwrought silliness.

”I told her I ain't nobody's pet!” Granada snapped, stomping her foot.

He looked back at Granada. “I'm sorry for it, Granada, but you best get on back to that sick house. Master ain't fooling around.”

Granada couldn't believe it. Chester was scared of Polly, too!

On her dawdling return to the hospital, she thought about what Chester had told Sylvie, the part about the master throwing Polly in a ditch. Granada sure liked the sound of that. Aunt Sylvie always said that without somebody to grieve you into heaven, you might not be able to find your way,

“Humph!” Granada thought. “That woman don't belong in heaven! If God is great, He's going to bar the door!” And if there was anything she could do to keep her out, she would gladly do it twice.

That was it!

(p114, US hardcover edition)

Nauseous stuff. Granada...now did you get that? The character's name is Granada! We're on p114 and we must know her name's Granada six times in under a hundred words! Except the one time that she and her might give a slower reader a pause!...is presented as speaking and thinking in a bastard half-dialect speech pattern that drive me wild. Go big or go home, Odell. Use dialect a la Hurston or make it standard English.

Appropriate to the story and the time, uses of “He” and “His” for references to the christian deity got on my nerves almost immediately, and three hundred pages later had worked me into a frothing frenzy of loathing. This adolescent exceptionalism on behalf of an allegedly immortal and omnipotent being is culturally insensitive and intellectually indefensible.

But wait! There's more!

Gran Gran, as she (remember now!) comes to be called, takes lessons in healering from the hated Polly who is of course the beloved Polly and she (remember now!) becomes a healer known in three counties and even, at the end of her long life, takes on another soul to bring up in the ways of healering, called Violet, who has a Shocking Connection to Gran Gran!

Oh good gawd, I can't go on. If three hundred and thirty pages of exclams and pseudodialect do not cause you to long for a swift and merciful death, go on and read it. Maybe, if you liked The Help, this will give you some pleasure, being The Help set in slave times.

For my part, I will daub myself liberally with baboon dung before I will pick up another highly praised Southern-set novel.

>88 mckait: Thanks for the warning Richard!

This is what I had for breakfast! It was so good.
http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2009/09/molletes-with-bolillos-recipe.html

>151 luvamystery65: I had no idea that had a name! We just called it refritos on toast. I looooooooooove refried beans. I always add chopped raw onion to the top. And while I'd never thought of putting chorizo on one, that sounds glorious.

>152 richardderus: we never called them molletes either. We just ate them with whatever was on hand. The chorizo on it is what seals it for me.

>153 luvamystery65: I can truly understand that, Roberta! What *isn't* made better by bacon/sausage/pork products?

only 156 posts behind'but all caught up now.

anything reputed to be as wonderful as The Help is definitely a candidate for kindling - the fireplace kind. IMO.

>155 ffortsa: We are on the same page there, Judy. Grade AAAA Awful, this book.

Oh my, yes. Yes indeedy.

You remind me of a friend who's comment about GWTW (one of the first in a long line of southernish books of questionable value) "and just what is it about the slave holding south that we are so sorry to have seen the end of?"

Hope your day is improving after having finished that book!

>150 richardderus: That book would have lost me at the Book Description.....why you "soldiered on" is a mystery...

>151 luvamystery65: That is what I call Tex-Mex Pizza, and i use either a loaf of Italian Bread...or Corn Tortillas (smear some salsa between 2 Corn Tortillas...makes a sturdier Base.....then add the bean mixture, etc...)

;-}

>159 jdthloue: I like the way you think! Tex-Mex=a few key ingredients and your imagination. Salud!

RD - Happy Monday to you too mate - hope the first two minutes of it see you immersed in a good book. I must have missed it elsewhere but what are "orphaned books"?

What's a Peppermint HoCho and what's HokeyPokey ice cream?

>162 mmignano11: this shd help Hokey pokey : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokey_pokey_(ice_cream)

>157 richardderus: "What if at night, beneath a sky of ashes/ He should seek my doorstep, pale with need?/ There could he lie, and dry would be my lashes/ Let him stop his noise, and let me read" One of my favorite Dorothy Parker's. Stealing the pic!

>150 richardderus: That's a fun warning on The Healing, Mr. C. P. I hope you post it so I can thumb it. What caused you to finish it?

>159 jdthloue:, 165 Came highly recommended. I figured I was missing something.

>160 luvamystery65: Ever outside the box, that's Jude fer sure.

>161 PaulCranswick: The first two minutes saw me unconscious! I took an antihistamine about 11, was in dreamland by 11:15.

I usually limit my 75 challenge to books published no more than two years before the challenge year. 2010-2012 this year, f/ex. Limits me to moving through only most of three years, so keeps the challenge useful in helping me not fall behind the times completely. Exceptions include wishlisted books and recommendations made by 75ers.

All the others are "orphaned" in the sense that they don't fit the only challenge I'm willing to undertake formally. I still review them, and my goal for review-writing still stays around about 125-150 a year, or a little more than half my expected reading.

>162 mmignano11: Alex took care of Hokey Pokey (doncha love the name?)...HoCho is Hot Chocolate!

>163 roundballnz: Thanks, Alex!

>164 dragonaria: And welcome to it, of course. I'm glad you stopped by, good Kimberly, and I hope to see you again soon!

>165 jnwelch: Oh dear...I used the wrong touchstone in the review. I've corrected the touchstone now, Joe. *sigh* Silly error.

Want one for the garden!

Good morning Richard! I'm off today so I am in a good mood. Of course that means I work this weekend, but such is life. I will enjoy today and let the weekend take care of itself. :)

Hi Roberta! Glad you're upbeat on a Monday, it makes a nice change of pace for a working person. Weekends? A week away! Much can occur in the meantime.

Pumpkin pie smells wafting your way...

I hope you're having a beautious Monday.

*smooch*

*smooch* back atcha Horrible, it's a perfect fall day, just perfect!

Anyone who's ever been in a relationship should be able to relate to this one.

Hah! Yes, indeed. My long-suffering much better half looked like that just last night.

*snork!* at #173! I've definitely been in that kind of relationship (thankfully I've never had that kind of moment with Handsome Husband...)

It makes me chuckle every time I see it.

#173 "Does your face hurt?" "Nooo....why? "Because it's KILLING me!"

Heh!

I loved The Healing, as you know.. humph!
( At least I did after the beginning......which was dull)

Stopping by trying to catch up again.. Have a wonderful Monday. :)

>173 richardderus: Reminds me of the T-shirt worn by Charlie Bartlett : "People like you are the reason people like me need medication." (If I remember right he wore it to an appointment with his psychiatrist.) Relationships would be so much easier if they didn't involve other people! *sigh*

>179 mckait: Uh huh hmmmm oh really that's nice

>180 MonicaLynn: Hi Monica!

>181 avidmom: *snerk* I like the sentiments!

Way behind here...but I do want 69!! No, not that...the photo of the book holder gadget in post #69. Honestly!! ; )

Uh huh. Sure, Kim. Of course.

Hi! Swinging through on my way to the bed. Busy day and lots accomplished. I am tired. See you tomorrow.

>183 Berly: o.O

O.o

mmmmm

>184 EBT1002: Scary when they snap, ain't it?

>185 maggie1944: Have golden dreams!

delurking to add that hokey pokey is no good as the honeycomb bits get stuck in my teeth. And they are rock hard so threaten to undo my fillings!
It is a national crime in NZ to hate hokey pokey, so Ill use my Latvian passport for that comment.

> 187 I should hope so ....... :)

Oh well, another thread where I am way behind - however, love your quote in >157 richardderus:, very much agree with that one.
Have a lovely week *smile*

pie

Sweetie, here's some book porn for you
Smooches!
Cheli

69. hm. No definition of hokey pokey ice cream but something about a disagreement over hokey cokey. What kind of ice cream is it cuz it's starting to sound good when I hear 69 honeycombs are getting stuck in teeth! Thanks for the hokey pokey trivia though. Wait, where did that 69 come from?

Oh! Warm golden windows filled with books on a rainy day at dusk. Yes?

>191 cyderry: is loverly

What Roberta said. I'd like to be there now, please.

So many great quotes and images this time. I confess I only looked at those as I am very far behind. But I am copying several, I like them so much. (the bench, everyone leave so I can read, etc.)

Hiya everybody! Ain't this the truth.

This is one beautiful writing desk.

>187 LovingLit:, 188 I fear for your safety, Minerva...Alex, can you see to an escape route for her?

>189 drachenbraut23: It will ever be thus, Bianca, so not to worry. *smooch*

>190 mckait: a la mode? wacket? context! clues! what on earth are we talking about?

That really is stunning!

Quick Q - are you doing NaNo again this year?

>191 cyderry: OOOO luuuurvely!! Hey, you're early. You were staying in hiding until the election season was over.

>192 mmignano11: Up there somewhere is a Wikipedia link to hokey pokey ice cream. Too lazy to hunt it up.

>193 mmignano11:, 194, 195 It's dreamy, ain't it?

>196 sibylline: Hi Lucy! I drool after that bench.

>200 BekkaJo: I am indeed, Bekka.

Scratch my last - just found your thread on the NaNo group :)

So very true.

So, whichever choice you make, start it today. Or hold off until November 1 and sign up for National Novel Writing Month!

I want the widget thingy that you can put on your site to show that you are participating! I saw it on somebody's thread here.I guess they have it on the NANOWRIMO site.

Great quote from Carl Sagan. It is magical.

>205 mmignano11: Mary Beth, it's here.

>206 jnwelch: I am knee-shakingly in awe of the power of books. The older I get, the more books I've read, the stronger it is.

What Joe said in #206.

Oh dear ...I'm bound to be forgotten as soon as I'm dead, according to Franklin since I'm incapable of either.
*slinks away, feeling like Casper Milktoast*

>208 cameling: Well, Caro, I'm just like you, the instant they press "start" on the microwave after the medical students are through with me, no one will remember me either.

Stopping by, skimmed the last 150 messages, and leaving my thanks for the New Amsterdam recommendation. Enjoyed it greatly.

>210 ronincats: Yay! *smooch*

I've posted my review of the very interesting historical novel Moloka'i in my other thread...post #233.

RD- I think one thing we can agree on, is NF, or NNF. I started the amazing Destiny of the Republic. Does NF get any better? Millard is a hell of an author.

I love the Sagan quote! Might have to post that one too!

>212 msf59: She is, she is! On that note:



Book Take Us Different Places by Daniel Pennac

Ok, Ok, I guess I need to put Destiny of the Republic on my wish list. Really. It is so long.

I'm hustling my way through the threads so I can spend some time reading tonight It's been days since I've spent time reading! Dang.

>208 cameling:/209 but our words will live on on LT
*considers only writing smart stuff from now on......abandons such considerations*

>214 maggie1944: I'd say a loud "yes" to this. I suspect you'll get a lot out of the read.

>215 LovingLit: Smart stuff?! How in the HELL am I supposed to think up smart stuff to say?!

>214 maggie1944: Karen I put Destiny of the Republic on my reading list for 2013. Perhaps we can stir up interest in a group read?

*waves* at Richard

Karen- My softcover version of Destiny of the Republic is less than 300 pages, excluding footnotes. Plus it reads fast.

ah! another group read, eh? Well, we will have to think on that!

Richard, I want to tell you that I passed your, and then our, recommendations to read Louise Penny on to a friend. My friend is a part of the RL book group that was started due to a Green Dragon Meet-Up several years ago... maybe 4. She is delightful, and is on LT but has not fallen for the habit of compulsive reading of threads, and posting of thoughts. Now, to my point: I just called her to say "hi, how are you" and was distressed to learn she has come down with Shingles! Horrible! Awful! Icky icky icky.

She is doing Ok, sleeping lots, and slowly may be getting over them but best news: She has been reading Penny and finds it to be a perfect way to take breaks from sleeping. I am so glad we were able to give her something lovely to read as she recuperates.

Thank you for your wonderful appreciation of Penny which got me going, and now Mary is on the Railroad too. Or, she has had the Kool Aide, I guess that is what you usually say...

Group read of Destiny of the Republic sounds like a winner! Do it, and let me know how it went.

I'm so glad that the books are working their magic on someone so in need. It's a real testament to Penny's style that Mary enjoys them under such circumstances.

Review: 89 of seventy-five

Title: LEVIATHAN WAKES

Author: JAMES S.A. COREY

Rating: 2.5* of five

The Book Description: Humanity has colonized the solar system - Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond - but the stars are still out of our reach.

Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, The Scopuli, they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for - and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why.

Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to The Scopuli and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything.

Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations - and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.

My Review: Exactly half-way to a five-star world-beating yodel-worthy space opera. An extremely interesting choice of time to explore, sort of late Green Mars-to-early-Blue Mars time. A choice group of characters, the standard Hero's Journey plot, and away we go!

Only we don't so much. We stall out on characterization...flat-ish, unsurprising...we hop around in PoV terms until I feel like a flea on a chihuahua that ate some coffee beans and is more manic than usual. We keep events hurtling along, far too many of them in fact, and we mangle our hands in the machinery of alienness.

We did too much, ate too much, played too rough. Our tummy hurts now, and we need a nap.

Plus? I hate the ending so much I want to send the editor a nastygram. THIS COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. It's not for the author to do, this is a collaboration and that means sometimes a referee is needed. This was one of them. No way would I read the next book! And that's sad, because I really really like The Expanse and its cool politics and people.

NaNo again, huh? Have fun with that... I love #213

Love 213 too.

>222 mckait: Glutton for punishment, that's me.

>223 tiffin: I think it's amazing! I'd like to own an original by this Pennac guy.

Book Porn: The Next Generation

A law I can abide by at last.

Europa Editions' shelves...makes me want to turn shoplifter!

#225 Love this! Though I have a lot of similar ones of both of mine :) I love that they are book obsessed.

>228 BekkaJo: Good parenting will out. *applause*

Review: 90 of seventy-five

Title: MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE

Author: ROBIN SLOAN

Rating: 3.9* of five

The Book Description: A gleeful and exhilarating tale of global conspiracy, complex code-breaking, high-tech data visualization, young love, rollicking adventure, and the secret to eternal life—mostly set in a hole-in-the-wall San Francisco bookstore

The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon out of his life as a San Francisco Web-design drone—and serendipity, sheer curiosity, and the ability to climb a ladder like a monkey has landed him a new gig working the night shift at Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. But after just a few days on the job, Clay begins to realize that this store is even more curious than the name suggests. There are only a few customers, but they come in repeatedly and never seem to actually buy anything, instead “checking out” impossibly obscure volumes from strange corners of the store, all according to some elaborate, long-standing arrangement with the gnomic Mr. Penumbra. The store must be a front for something larger, Clay concludes, and soon he’s embarked on a complex analysis of the customers’ behavior and roped his friends into helping to figure out just what’s going on. But once they bring their findings to Mr. Penumbra, it turns out the secrets extend far outside the walls of the bookstore.

With irresistible brio and dazzling intelligence, Robin Sloan has crafted a literary adventure story for the twenty-first century, evoking both the fairy-tale charm of Haruki Murakami and the enthusiastic novel-of-ideas wizardry of Neal Stephenson or a young Umberto Eco, but with a unique and feisty sensibility that’s rare to the world of literary fiction. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is exactly what it sounds like: an establishment you have to enter and will never want to leave, a modern-day cabinet of wonders ready to give a jolt of energy to every curious reader, no matter the time of day.

My Review: A bookstore with no customers wanted. A secret society called “The Unbroken Spine.” A library of books in a code that even Google boffins have trouble breaking. In the end, a resolution to the seemingly mortal combat between tree books and ebooks that will leave the true-hearted reader smiling.

Escapist fun. Rollicking silliness. Eccentric amusement. All on offer in heaping helpings, with a garnish of goofy grins.

Election season has me on Outrage Overload, and my antidote to any ill is reading a good book. Short of terminal disease, I believe a good read will cure any ailment of mind, body, or spirit. I stopped frothing hysterically about Bain Capital owning an interest in a voting-machine contractor in Ohio for almost an hour while reading this book. Watching the evil-bastard GOP set up for another election steal like 2000 causes me to scream imprecations loudly, so Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore hath wrought a miracle!

Take a break from your cares. Read this enjoyable, entertaining book about improbable people doing implausible things to solve an impossible, absurd problem. It will leave you refreshed!

I'm glad to see that you liked that one more than the Odell :)

I've liked cereal boxes more than I liked the Odell. *shudder*

Have you given up on Jefferson permanently?

Nope... I am plodding along...

>230 richardderus: Sounds like a fun one, RD, thanks. I'm going to check the library for it now.

Oh dear, that one sounds like it needs desperately to be on my teetering tower. Terrific review Richard,very thumb worthy:)

>233 mckait: I've heard more ringing endorsements.

>234 jnwelch: It's probably on their restricted-lending new book shelf.

>235 brenzi: Thank you, Bonnie!

Get rid of the dopey "decorative" stuff on that top shelf, and this looks amazing!

#238 THAT'S amazing. More please :)

#225 Where did you find that lovely pic of my son? *grin*

Loved your review on Moloka'i run to put it on my wishlist.

I really liked Moloka'i i'm glad I finally gave in to reading it, as it called out to me for a while...I gave it to jody, and hope she likes it, too.

*waving* *hurries off to avoid being hit by BBs*

Hallo, RD!

Hope you're having a great day.

Love the book porn. That chair and window seat in #237 look uncomfortable to my poor suffering back, though.

Overstuffed couch, sitting in the corner so one can rest the book on the arm, microfleece blankets, and a table nearby for a refreshing beverage. My ideal way to read.

>239 drachenbraut23: If I find more videos worthy of being book porn, I won't be shy about sharing.

>240 mckait: It's a very lovely and moving story. I'm so glad I read it, too.

>241 maggie1944: No worries, Tea Lady, I'll bring the Book Bullets to you.

>242 karenmarie: Hiya Horrible! A different chair would be my choice, too, though the window seat for recumbency looks mighty fine...

*smooch*

Word.

>244 richardderus: Amen to that! Which reminds me - my favorite librarian is retiring this week. :(

>245 avidmom: Saddening to lose a favorite person.

Donald Ray Pollock's novel The Devil All the Time has won the Best Foreign Crime Novel prize in France!

...I don't see a problem here...

#168 I want that bench!

HI Richard! Glad to see that Stella is feeling better. Isn't it the worst when your fur babies feel down!

>248 ChelleBearss: Oh my heck yes, Chelle, I can't stand it! She doesn't have any way to put it in a larger context so it's all-consuming. I hate that!

I'm glad it's over. Thanks for coming by!

HI Richard what kind of fur baby is your Stella? cat or dog? Or something entirely different?

I do an embarrassingly large amount of the shouting one....

Hi Bianca...this is my poochie, Stella the Jindo:

What a sweetie pie! Almost as cute as mine.......

p.s. I don't see any problems in 247 either

Ain't she just a cuddlemuffie?! I confess, I adore her.

I know, what are these folks on about?

Of course you adore her... she no doubt adores you right back...
She has a great smile :D

She's a happy girl, all right. The world is her buddy she hasn't met yet, or Satan in a Sunday hat. No inbetweens.

>237 richardderus: Id call that achievable book porn.....love it.

>247 richardderus: only problem I see is not enough any shelving, you know, for when the books....arrive. ;)

Congrats on your inaugural video book porn! haha, and as for the next generation? Lenny is heavily into chewing on my books lately. grrrrr. But there is a great kids a book about that very topic. The Incredible Book Eating Boy, it is a funny and fantastic read.

I went through the chew-the-book stage, too. It bodes well for his reading future!

Book porn! The Plural Bookshop, in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Stella's a beaut, Richard. And she looks like a good pal to have around.

1. Stella is a darling. I love dogs that smile.

2. Marvelous reviews here, especially >230 richardderus:.

3. >247 richardderus:: Dh is afraid this will happen here. And after all, he's only responsible for, oh, one quarter or a bit more of the book chaos that reigns in our house.

4. The Carl Sagan quote? Perfect, and perfectly true.

5. A *smooch* for you (I'm all clean and showered now, so don't worry), and a hope that tomorrow will be the start of a fabulous week-end.

love from Danny

Hi RD- Yah for Stella! She is gorgeous!

>260 jnwelch: Stella is my happy puppy. I adore her! thanks for noticing she even looks like a pal.

>261 Matke: Oh me too, me too! Her smile is so sweet.

The weekend might be a widge blowy...Sandy could pay us a visit on Monday.

*smooch* right back atcha...Rebecca

>262 msf59: Hi Mark! Thanks, of course I think she's gorgeous but y'all sayin' so confirms my poochie's purty!

Back off! I already called. Job's MINE!

Stella's a sweet looking girl! Dogs make us better people.

They do. They also make better people than us, Roberta.

That is so true Richard. Good night. See you tomorrow. :)

Good morning, RD!

I still plan on writing a review of A Gracious Plenty by Sheri Reynolds - wonderful, powerful book.

Cute pic of Stella the Jindo.

Hope your Friday is a good one.

I love dogs with faces we can imagine.... the miniature schnauzers in my house look like little old men, with beards, and they catch their food in their beards, too. It is funny calling that little old man "Greta Garbo"!

I like Stella's smile, too. And she does look like she'd be fun to cuddle. Greta is a great cuddle, too. And you are right dogs make better people, quite often.

That seems like a perfect position for you....

Richard, just stopping by to say I'm thinking of you as I heard about the path of Sandy heading for Long Island. Sending winds out of the west to push that Frankenstorm out to sea! Good luck

Isn't storm season supposed to be over??? Let's hope that it's all hype and doesn't result in any big problems for you and other upper East Coasters.

I'm about a gazillion posts behind.
Love 227. The Europa Editions are so lovely to behold and to be held.
Richard, will you be participating in National Novel Writing Month?

Thinking of you as you prepare to weather the storm!

Drive by wavies for you and big snuggley tummy rub for Stella.

Stella is beautiful. I fall behind here and hadn't known she was ill. Glad to read that she has recovered. They bond so much to one person--are you hers completely, absolutely and totally?

Storm season lasts until the end of November... I am a bit worried about this storm.. it doesn't look like it's going to turn back to sea :(

Beautiful.

>268 karenmarie: I'll wait as patiently as I can, Horrible. Thanks, she's my widdle poochums puppydog pweshus.

>269 maggie1944: She's a sweetheart, but cuddling isn't normal behavior for her. She more or less submits, and one can see her thinking "how soon will this be over?" as she's smooched on...unless she's ill.

I love Schnauzers! So sweet.

>270 mckait: It is, isn't it?! My true calling revealed at last!

>271 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! I suspect it will turn west a bit earlier, into New Jersey, because historically that's the course the storms take.

>272 Matke:, 276 Officially the tropical storm season ends 1 December. You know how good mother nature is about following rules....

>273 EBT1002: I am indeed! I have a thread in the LT group for my project. I'll dig up a link.

>274 BekkaJo: Stella waves all four paws eastward!

>275 tiffin: I fear I am...I share her with the Gruesome Twosome, of course, but Stella has other ideas. She spends time with them while they're here, but when one of them walks her, f/ex, her first act upon arriving back in the house is to bound upstairs and find me.

While there are others in the house, I keep my door closed...except Stella can't bear that, noses it open, peers in to be sure I'm here, and then tritty-trots off to do whatever.

So yep...I'm hers, all right.

This year's National Novel Writing Month effort.

Ooh that's very creative, but being allergic to dust, I couldn't help but wonder how much dust he's breathing in.

Enough to need hospitalization if he's allergic, too!

Very true.

And if they're smart, they don't try.

Hi RD- Love the posters! I finished Destiny of the Republic. Five stars for me. I am deeply in love with Millard. This one was better than River of Doubt and I loved that one.
Are you bracing yourself for the Frankenstorm? Sounds wicked.

Hi Mark! Wow, five, you love love loved it indeed. I think La Millard and La Roach are national treasures for the subjects they write about and the sheer reading pleasure each brings to her readers.

Sandy will most likely head into New Jersey. Throughout history, the vast majority of hurricanes in this region have tracked through NJ and on up into the Hudson Valley. A map I saw a few years ago showed storm tracks back to 1700, based on tree-growth data and dendrochronology, and that's where they go.

That is if she doesn't head into Virginia. I don't worry a whole lot about it.

>264 richardderus: No Weirdos?!
Well, isnt that just the icing on the cake. Love it.

199 > don't escape passage already in place said person is safely trapped in the South island ......

Like 284. Lots.