Carmenere's Cozy Corner - Chapter 2

Timely message:



Warm greetings, my friends. Isnt' February great! Day's are longer, love is in the air, Groundhog's Day and the Super Bowl! So, grab your Snuggie and join me for some books and conversation.




Currently reading:

ABC's off the bookshelf ROOTS Challenge
January
A nderson Speak 3.99/5
B ellow A Theft 2/5
C amus the Stranger 5/5

February
D unn, Mark Ella Minnow Pea 4/5
E vans, Richard Paul The Christmas Box 3.5/5
F ord, Jamie Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

March
G olding, William Lord of the Flies
H illerman, Tony Skeleton Man

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Misc from the library
January
Celebrate: A year of festivities for Family and Friends 3.75/5
Moomin The Complete Tove Janssson Comic Strip Volume 1, 2 & 3 3/5

March
My Name is Red

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Misc from Kindle
January
Epic of Gilgamesh 3/5

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Misc off the shelf
January
The Wisdom of Slowing Down ER 4/5
Favorite Father Brown Stories Mark's Swap gift from Lori 3.7/5
The Eleven ER

World Lit Lineup

Countries visited through reading in 2013

visited 6 states (2.66%)
Create your own visited map of The World or Free ipad travel guide

The Epic of Gilgamesh - Completed for January TIOLI
My Name is Red - Completed for March TIOLI
The Odyssey
The Bacchae
The Bhagavad Gita
The Tale of Genji
Journey to the West
Popul Vuh
Candide
Things Fall Apart
The God of Small Things
The 1000 and One Nights

Half baked cookies

The Shadowy Horses
Team of Rivals
Three Musketeers page 135
The Brothers Karamazov page 81
The Wisdom of Slowing Down Completed 1-17-13
The Devil's Highway page 29

Early Readers to read and review

TransAtlantic
The Burgess Boys
The Eleven Completed 2-17-13
Forged
The Foreigners
Across Many Mountains
Nightwoods
The Confession of Katherine Howard

Fifty State Challenge

States completed as of 12-31-12

visited 18 states (36%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or Free android travel guide

thanks and credit for the map idea to Morphy

Alabama - Inside Out & Back Again Thanhha Lai
Alaska - Into the Wild Jon Krakauer
California - Sliding into Home Kendra Wilkinson
Florida - Hoot Carl Hiaasen
Illinois - Things Not Seen Andrew Clements
Louisiana - The Awakening Kate Chopin
Maine - Eternal on the Water Joseph Monniger
Massachussets - The Last Dickens Matthew Pearl
Michigan - Stitches David Small
Mississippi - Mudbound Hillary Jordan
New Jersey Everyman Philip Roth
New Mexico - The Dissemblers Liza Campbell
New York - Old New York Edith Wharton
Ohio - Summer of Shadows Jonathan Knight
Oklahoma - The Outsiders S. E. Hinton
Utah - The Christmas Box - Richard Paul Evans
Virginia/DC - The Simple Truth David Baldacci
Washington - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie

Happy New Thread! And Yay! for February--the days are getting longer. :)

Hi Pat! You're Numero Uno! Hope you have a great weekend.

Thanks Lynda. Hope you do too. Your weather sounds nasty.

Happy weekend, Lynda!

HI Stasia, happy weekend to you as well. I've got some snow I can FedEX to you.

Congrats on the new thread, Lynda! Have a good weekend .

Happy weekend Lynda. Hope you and yours get some R&R.

Hey, let me know if you want recommendations for a Minnesota book.

Love is in the air... What a great thought, Lynda. I hope mine comes in the form of chocolate!

That's an impressive list of state books. I am enjoying my book travels too.

Lynda...what a sweet picture up top. I love the idea of ROOTS by the Alphabet, but alas, I'm not disciplined enough to do that. I figure as long as I'm clearly out the backlog, alpha placement is meaningless. And it might also have to do with my maiden name beginning with "Y" and ALWAYS being the last to get to do anything, sit anyplace, or be called on. SIGH.

the imagined neglectfulness of our youth

Hi Lynda,
Nice new Feb thread.
I want chocolate too... but I usually have to buy my own to get what I want. That's ok.
Wishing and praying for good health and strength for you and your Mom.

>13 Morphidae: Morphy - I would love a suggestion for a Minnesota book, pls. I'm doing the 50 states challenge. In fact, it's going pretty slow. I refuse to give up though.

Hey Lynda -

I just continued over from your old thread (congrats on the new one, btw) and I just want to say I hope you're taking care of yourself, too.

I should also mention that you are not alone on being behind on ER read and reviews! I have a bit of a backlog myself, and I am going to make a concerted effort to clear it this month. It helps, of course, that my December book hasn't arrived yet, but I have a sneaky suspicion that my January win, The Shadow Wars: Book Two in the Demi-Monde Saga will be here promptly (it's being published Feb. 19th). I just finished reading The Demi-Monde: Winter which precedes it. Thank goodness I liked it....

#11 Mark! Hi! Big decisions to make today - Super Bown or DA? I'll probably watch DA and go back to SB afterward. It's practictly against the law to root for the Ravens but I really don't care who wins, so long it's a good game.

#12 Hey calm, Relaxing weekend it is. Too cold and snowy to do awhole lot. Hope you're having a good one too.

#13 Yessss Morphy! Through me some ideas. If they're on my bookshelf I certainly give it a go. Thanks.

#14 I hoping for cookies for Valentines Day.......with chocolate bits throughout, of course!

#15 Tina! I know what you mean regarding the "Y" surname because I married into a "Z"!!!!!!! Maybe those days of alphaordering people are gone because my son has never, ever mentioned being last for anything. Maybe it's no longer PC to do so. *shrugs*

#16 Ya know, Cee, you're right, just any box of chocolates will do! If you can't give me Godiva or Hershy's Select just give me a hug. But this year I want COOKIES!

#17 High Fives, another ER Slacker! Yeah Dejah! Woot, Woot, Woot for slackers. The time just has to be right, you can't just dive into a book just because you won it, Like Wine and women, books improve with age.

I've got a little spare time so I'll be visiting a bit but first some progress reports. Have a great day, everybody!

#11-2013
Ella Minnow Pea

Mark Dunn
2001
208 pages
4/5
ROOTS & TIOLI

Zany, absurd, witty, charming and clever story about what can happen to an intelligent and content community of islanders when Totalitarianism comes to town. You see, approximately a century ago, the founder of the little island of Nollop, Nevin Nollop, wrote a holoalphabetic sentence which the islanders have come to hold in the very highest regard and the author almost a sacred genious. Yet, after one hundred and some years something is not holding this sentence together. The High Council of the island takes it upon itself to outlaw the use of Z, to utter it or any other forbidden letter is grounds for corporal punishment, banishment and in some cases death. Soon the freedom to use Q is taken away. Not so much disorder with those two little used letters but when the vowels begin to become illegal a few islanders begin to take action. Yet, nothing can stop this Council from seeing anything other than Nollop's posthumous hand at play, not logic, not human suffering, not intellectual deprivation, nothing until at last the alphabet is reduced to just five letters. Except that is for Ella Minnow Pea. This strong willed and steadfast young lady works until the bitter end to prove that Nollop is not the genious everybody thought he was.
Great characters, well written, novel idea. It's a thought provoking read and I hightly recommend it.

Great review of Ella Minnow Pea Lynda. I'm off to put it on my library list.

#12-2013
The Christmas Box

Richard Paul Evans
1993
125 pages
3.5/5

"The sacred contents of that box are a parent's pure love for a child, manifested first by a Father's love for all His children, as He sacrificed that which He loved most and sent His son to earth on that Christmas day so long ago. And as long as the earth lives, and longer, that message will never die."
That is what this book is about. Either the readers beliefs will be reaffirmed, rekindled or renounced. Perhaps a little sappy, a tad corny and maybe a bit righteous but, none the less, at times it simply gave me goosebumps and acts as a reminder that our lives with our families are ephimerel and to hold them oh so close.

Hi Lynda- Good review of Ella Minnow Pea. Sounds like a winner. We will probably hold off on DA and watch it tomorrow night. I would like to see the 49ers pull it off but like you, just hoping for a good, solid game.

Hi Lynda,
You know, early in my time on LT, I started a 50-state Challenge thread. I was noticing the other day that I haven't posted there since sometime in 2011. I'm guessing there might be some states I've covered without tracking it. It would be a good challenge to tackle within a time-frame (e.g., a calendar year) rather than dragging it out as I appear to be (sort of) doing.

We're reading Ella Minnow Pea for our RL book club later this year and your review has me looking forward to it!

(Go 49ers)

Hi Lynda! From previous thread - I'm so sorry to hear about the continuing mom health issues. And also the bathtub issues. We have some minor bathtub remodeling to tackle soon and I'm not looking forward to it!

I'm very interested in Ella Minnow Pea, as I read another review of it this morning. It sounds wonderful and it's on my list.

Hi Lynda, taking advantage of your new thread to remain caught up. So we'll see how long that lasts LOL. Ella Minnow Pea sounds like the quirky kind of read I like every once in a while. Onto the teetering tower it goes.

Signing in for your new thread Lynda and echoing Mark's appreciative comments of your review of Ella Minnow Pea a book I had not, in truth, heard of.

#19: I am glad to see that you enjoyed Ella Minnow Pea. You remind me that I have another of Dunn's books that I still need to get to some time, Ibid.

#22 Well Mark, your hopes were fulfilled for last nights game was indeed a nailbiter. Just like rain delays, blackouts have a way of changing a game but it wasn't quite enough for SF. I slipped in DA, no bombs dropped in this episode. Have a great day back at work.

#23 Ellen, I started my 50 state challenge back in 2011 too! I think I read more books set in England than the US and also so many books are set in NY that I keep repeating the same state. Oh, well, at least are threads are always waiting for us in cyberspace.

#24 Kerri, everyone whose read EMP have enjoyed it, hope you do too.

#25 Oooo, good Bonnie, happy to have influenced you. I think you'll enjoy it.

#26 OMG! A book you have not heard of?! Paul, I am so happy to introduce you to this little ditty.

# 27 LOL, Stasia for a second I thought you were tossing out a legal term from your law class, then I realized it's Dunn's book. I'd like to read it too, so another for the WL. Even my own thread isn't safe :0)

Will's home sick again with a relapse of last weeks flu - tomorrow I take mom in for her procedure, she should be in hospital 3 to 5 days. Hopefully, this will be successful and all will heal promptly.
Thanks to my Canadian friends for sending down the artic clipper. It's not as cold but we're getting alot of snow from an unfrozen Lake Erie. But I'll be inside reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet whenever I get the chance.
Have a good day, everyone!

I hope Will is feeling better soon and that all goes well with your Mom's procedure. Enjoy the snow and take care of yourself!

Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik - 8 out of 10 stars
Two Minnesota sisters bond over tragedies in a beauty salon during the 50s and 60s

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson - 8 out of 10 stars
A blond ditz gets hit by a car and wakes up a vampire - campy chick vampire lit

Crewel World by Monica Ferris - 7 out of 10 stars
Cozy needleshop owner mystery, first in series

In the Lake of the Woods by Tom O'Brien - 8 out of 10 stars
A failed politician's wife goes missing up in the Lake of the Woods

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull - 7 out of 10 stars
One of the first urban fantasies

Hi Lynda. Sorry to hear Will has the flu. I hope all goes well with your Mom. I'll be thinking of you!

I second Morphy's recommendation to read In the Lake of the Woods. I loved that book.

Morphy> I loved the first few installments of the needlework series by Ferris. I've not enjoyed the most recent ones as much. I think the problem is that Betsy gets away from the needlework shop more. She's also almost dropped some of my favorite supporting characters. However, you still have several good reads ahead in the series.

Thanks, Morphy!
I actually have War for the Oaks! I think now I will READ it.
It will fit in nicely with Fantasy February :)

Oh, HI Lynda!!
Good luck to you and your Mom tomorrow. Hope Will feels better soon. Stay warm.

Only just read about you mum on your previous thread. I am so sorry the healing doesn't go as predicted before surgery and that she has to go through another procedure. I'll be thinking of you both. And I hope Will will recover soon. This year's flu seems to be a very nasty one.

Lynda, so, so sorry to hear that your mum needs another procedure... I'm sure you both feel like you've had about as much as you can take of procedures! I'll be thinking of you both over the next few days and sending thoughts and prayers that this time it will be the last one needed.

Hi Everybody! Yesterday was a good day and a horrible day. Firstly, mom's procedure went very well. But wound discussions are sort of discussing so I'll just say it's going to be awhile before she can get a prosthetic but at least more didn't need to be removed. Secondly, and this is the horrible part so better grab a coffee. On my way to pick up my mom from her apt. I realized I had forgotten Hotel on the Corner at home!!!!! Ack #1! what was I thinking! (Bangs head repeatedly on steering wheel at stop light) No time to go back - ok - I've got my iTouch charged up I figure I'll catch up on posts. Ack #2! Someone at the hospital must have tripped over the wifi cord because I wasn't able to connect! Sheer torture! So I tried to read a couple of books I downloaded from Kindle but The Thirty-nine Steps and The Dogwalker just wasn't working for me. I WANTED HENRY from HotCoBaS!!! Such wasted reading time.

#29 Thanks Dejah! Will and mom are doing well, me, I'm not so sure of o_0

#30 Great list, Morphy! OK, In the Lake of the Woods is already on my wishlist - so I'll make that my top priorty when bookshopping.

#31 Woo Hoo! I'm glad In the Lake of the Woods is recommended by you too, Pat. That will definately be my Minn. book.

#32 HI Lori!

#33 Hi Cee! Glad you found one of Morphy's recs to your liking

#34 Definately a tough strain of flu going around, Nathalie. Stay healthy!

#35 Thank you Heather. I know, my mom's story is getting old. We just want to move on already.

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I'm getting a little chunky so Lenten fasting is going to start today! No snacks inbetween meals. Can't wait for weather to improve to start walking outdoors.

I rec'd a catalog from The Great Courses yesterday. Huge sale! So I'm ordering The Art of Reading. Regularly $254.95 for $39.95.

So, I'll be off to hospital again today...........but this time with HotCoBaS in hand!!!
Have a good one my friends :0)

I hope your mom gets better now. Your book ordeal take it as another case of Murphy's law in operation. Sorry about that.

Thanks Manuel. As for my ordeal, well believe me when I tell you I started to get the jitters.

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I bought the Kindle Daily Deal today, We Die Alone. I've read a lot of LT reviews about it, so I jumped at the chance.
I've never added Kindle books to my LT library because they don't take up any physical space, yet since I have over 100 on my Kindle I've created a new category in LT collections, called, On Kindle. Perhaps this will motivate me to read more of them and not let them stagnate in cyber book heaven.

Oh no! Sympathies for the book disaster though I'm glad everything went well for your mom.

Thanks Morphy! It was like going to school w/o your homework, like forgetting to put your makeup on before you went to work, like going to a party casual when everyone's dressed up. Ugh!

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just spent an hour putting all my kindle books into my new LT category. Now, from this day forward, I can tag who recommened the book.

The house smells great. I'm doing a baked ham for sandwiches for dinner tonight. sniff sniff, can you get a wiff?

So sorry to hear about your mother - hope this latest procedure works and that she can soon have that prosthetic.

Great deal on the Great Course book!

Pleased to hear that your house smells good:)

Lovely new thread here, Lynda! I am so sorry to hear that your Mom's wound is not healing as quickly as possible - what a long haul the two of you have had. Glad the latest news was good. You get a big Poor Baby for the no book episode - I hate when that happens. I did that at the dentist office once where I was waiting for the kids, and the entire time I could not get over the fact that I could have been reading if only I had remembered my book. Sure wish I could smell that ham!

Good to have your ebooks recorded on LT so you know what you have and noting it "Kindle", you know where it is!
That works for me :-)

yum... what time is dinner?

Glad to hear things went well for your Mom yesterday, if not for you! That does sound frustrating having nothing good to read.

Sometimes I think I like the smell of food cooking almost if not more than the actual food. Enjoy the anticipation of those ham sandwiches!

Being stuck without a book is the worst! Hope things go better for you today.

#41 Actually calm, The Great Course I'm purchasing is a DVD set of 24 classlike lessons. I've not tried them before, but I hear they're pretty well done.

#42 Thanks for the "big Poor Baby", Mamie. It makes pouting so much effective.

#43 Yeah Cee, I really feel better with my Kindle books on LT. I should prevent duplicate purchases, but I like being able to note who recommended the book. It makes me happy :0)

#44 Oh I agree, Pat! I only eat because I need to. I'd much rather start with dessert and if I have room move on the the main course.

#45 It's been a tad better today, Heather. My new rule is to at least alway carry the Kindle in my bag. Maybe the power cord too. What do you think?

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Has anyone been watching Jimmy Fallon's spoof sketches of Downton Abbey? Perhaps they're more amusing at 12:30 in the morning, but there are a few good laughs in here just the same. Comments? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFEabHQWntg

Morning everyone, rise and shine :0)

After emailing Eknath Easwaran's people thanking them for the ER book and forwarding my review to them, I rec'd a nice email telling me that Easwaran has his own facebook page (well, I suppose his group handles the page for him). If anyone is interested in receiving daily spiritual uplifts check out his page - Eknath Easwaran.

Lynda, I hope your mom is still doing well after her latest procedure. I think hospital waiting rooms should have mini libraries. Short story collections would be perfect. You made an excellent purchase in We Die Alone. It's an amazing story of survival.

Lynda, I just checked out the Jimmy Fallon spoof of Downton Abbey and I thought it was hilarious. I particularly loved the dining room scene, almost like the real thing!

Good grief! You have been having a time of it! I hope things have settled down a bit and that mom heals and the books follow you as needed :)

Hi Lynda. I just watched the Jimmy Fallon spoof on DA. My favorite part was the introduction of Edith. And thanks for the heads up about Eknath Easwaran's FB page. I just got his book as one of my thingaversary gifts and am looking forward to reading it. I hope your Mom is doing OK.

#48 I think it was a wise purchase too, Donna, I've heard so many amazing comments about it. Have a great weekend!

#49 I think they're pretty spot on, Judy. For your weekend enjoyment, here's the second in the installment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcAWEQmzQC4
IMO not as funny as episode 1 but it sets up episodes 3 & 4.

#50 I do too, Kath. I'm getting just a little to old for all the activity.

#51 lol, yes Pat, her introduction is hilarious! She steals the show in Episode 2 as well.

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Brief mom update, she's released from hospital, back in her apt., no PICC line just oral antibiotics. Let's hope she can just relax and heal at her own pace.

Happy weekend to all and to all a good night!

Lynda

I'm stopping by to say how much I admire all you do for your family. I send all good wishes that your mother's wound will heal.

I'm sure many of us can relate to the down right panic felt when we discover we forgot to bring a book.

I hope you are having a relaxing evening with no one to take care of but yourself.

I love the map idea. How cool!

Lynda, it's good to know your mom is back at home- hopefully she is on the mend. I agree with Linda above, you are definitely a terrific daughter.

#53 Hi there Linda. Hope you're snug as a bug today. As I'm working with world literature this year the map will be a great way to track these texts, so I stole the map idea from Donna

#53 & 54 Thank you Manuel and Linda for the nice comments. But I'm an only child, my mom's siblings are gone, my dad is gone - only nieces and nephews remain and the majority of them live in Texas. I do what I feel a I should do for parents who have sacrificed alot to give me a good foundation.

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It was so good to sleep in late today! I think I was more exhausted than I thought.

Before I picked up mom yesterday my local indy bookstore was having a book buyback. I took two grocery bags, full to the rim, and dropped them off. They will call me when they've gone through them and give me a store credit in exchange. Ooooo, the anticipation's going to kill me :0}

I've been wondering - whose going to pull the plug on the grammy's for an hour so half of the US population can watch Downton Abbey. - It was very nice of the electricians to do it at the superbowl.

Ribs in the crockpot - Maybe I can get some slackers to see Lincoln with me.

Off to do Saturday stuff - have a good one!

I was late getting home for the Super Bowl, but I got home before the power outage. I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, and I was surprised to find that there were more men than women in the store at the time. I guess not all men love sports -- or they just didn't care because a Manning was not playing.

I'm glad your mom's procedure went well, Lynda - and it's good to hear you got some sleep!

I, too, know the horror of not having a book along - it's misery! I'm glad you had something to read, even if it wasn't exactly right.

Take care!

After getting caught at the ER one time without anything to read when my mother had terminal cancer, I started carrying a "bag of things to do" with me everywhere I went. I never knew when we might end up at the hospital. After that one time I always had at least one book, a couple of magazines, a puzzle book, and my cross stitching project in the bag.

Lynda,
I'm completely resonating with the agony of a looong stretch of time in a waiting room with nothing to read! Torture!

I purchased the Great Courses "Art of Reading" about a year ago. I started listening to it but didn't get pulled in. I'm thinking that will be something to attend to this summer when I (supposedly) have a bit more time.

#56 Or, Lori, thinking that the blackout was going to make for a longer game, they were replenishing their beer and dorito's stockpile.

#57 And what's worse, Dejah, is that the wifi at hospital was probably fine, it's my iTouch that is not connecting to anyone's wifi but mine at home. This just started and it's troubling. I hate having to figure out what's wrong.

#58 That, Carrie, is an excellent idea!!! I've got so many bags around the house and I never put them to use. So after I'm done posting I'll find a nice one and load it up. Thanks :o)

#59 Yeah, Ellen, when I think how far I could've gotten in my book it makes me tear up, really!
I purchased the DVD of "The Art of Reading" . I can not do audio anything if I want it to stick. I need visuals. Funny how every song I like sticks in my head, it must be the repetiveness of songs on the radio or because I sing them loudly in the car, much to my son's consternation.

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Speaking of music, I'll be watching Downton Grammy Abbey tonight. I gotta see Bruno Mars (love that guy), maybe Adele will be there too and I definately need my Crawley fix as well. Whiplash tonight for sure!

I'm still reading HotCoB&S. very good read, in fact that's were I'm off to now. BTW: Hey Seattleites, is there still a japantown and Chinatown in your area?

Good Sunday to all

>whose going to pull the plug on the grammy's for an hour

HA! That made me laugh.

Morning Lynda- I'll be skipping the Grammys! No interest. It will be all DA for me. I hope I can stay up and finish it. I like to get to bed early.

Lynda - They were shopping before the blackout hit the stadium.

*waving* at Lynda

Hi Lynda, I'm sorry to hear about your mother's conditioner and about the lack of a book while you waited (horrors!). I hope her recovery picks up now. No grammys for me. I'm actually watching DA as we speak.

#61 No one tripped over a cord at the Grammy's last night, Morphy, but I was able to catch most of the mainliners while switching back and forth with DA. I love Bruno Mars!

#62 I took a little nap yesterday, Mark, because I rarely stay awake after 9pm. No party animal am I.
I love Bruno Mars and his band!

#63 Ohhhhh, IC. Then that is unusual, Lori

#64 Waving back to Miss Stasia :0)

#65 Hey Bonnie, mom seems to be none the worse for wear. No Grammy's for you either?! In recent memory, I would say last nights show was one of the more tasteful and entertaining in a long time. And I have mentioned that I LOVE BRUNO MARS.

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Yes, Bruno Mars performed a trib to Bob Marley with Sting, Rihanna and the Marley Bros. Awesome performance. Plus my old fave Elton performed TWICE. He's still got it, sorta. Adele's dress was, what can I say, flowery. I"m sorry I missed Adam Levine and Alicia Keyes I saw on Twitter they killed it. But wait! Justin Timberlake was hot, hot, hot in tux and big band set. You've got to see this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIu8vdAcOQQ

NEWSFLASH: The Pope has put in his two weeks notice!!!! He's stepping down on Feb. 28th.
Looks like he and Queen Beatrice want to live normal lives before , well, you know.

DA spoiler alert .......DA spoiler alert..... DA spoiler alert

OK if you're still looking, it's your own fault...............

Ethel's got herself a Mr. Rochester, seriously!
Anna and Bates are cute again.
Actor who plays Thomas should get an award for tonights performance. Wide range of emotions.
The Dowager slam dunks more than LeBron James.
Oh, who's her new little greatniece? A promiscuous little cutie, I spose to replace the late great Sybli's cuteness.

Spoiler over

I'm a bit wordy this morning but you're all a captive audience. Thank you, thank you very much and have a good Monday!

Morning Lynda- I loved last nights DA! Easily the best of the season. I also loved your comments. I loved the Rochester tribute too! LOL.

Hi Lynda, wish you a good week ahead!

iPod. Have you checked your settings? It might be that.. did you turn it off and on again?

Here are some tips.

http://www.apple.com/support/ipodtouch/assistant/wifi/

Love your DA recap. Perfect!

Well, here I am at Starbucks sipping an iced coffee and fixing my iTouch. I believe I can say "success!"

I turned off and on as Kath suggested and cleared cookies, history etc. Looks like I have no excuse to purchase an iPad. Drat!

@67 yes, Mark. Definitely the best. Mary was mice for a change too.

@68 Why thank you Manuel and I wish the same for you as well.

@69 bingo Kath. Thanks for the advice

@70 thanks Morphy. Hope you're having a good day

I'm glad you were able to fix your iTouch. There must be another good excuse for buying an iPad. I used travel as my excuse. An iPad Mini takes up less space than a laptop or netbook!

"Mary was mice." Gosh, I didn't even notice that!

@ 72 &73 LOL ok, here's a good example why I do need an iPad! The. Keyboard is larger.
Mary was NICE.

Hi Lynda! Glad to hear your mom is back at home, and I hope she's healing well.

I catalog my ebooks on LT, but mostly so I can keep straight what I have. It's so easy to forget what I've downloaded (Oh, look! I have that?). Also, I may embark on a grand tag overhaul this year, but I'm not sure. A project like that would be sooo time-consuming.

I agree with the bigger keyboard issue!

#75 Kerri, I'm so happy I finally added my Kindle library to LT. I'm able to tag who recommended it, avoid duplicate purchases etc. I don't know why it took me over three years to do it. I guess I was busy reading.

#76 ONe of these days, Kath, I'll either purchase an iPad or Kindle Fire. I"m just really frugal.

Hey fellow DA fans, PBS posted this to my facebook page and I enjoyed hearing what some actors thought about the latest episode. Here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiF1ObtDVtY&list=PLzkQfVIJun2KXuW_3l0gct_0X5y...

That was fun to watch. Thanks for the link, Lynda.

Here's another one, Pat. Looks like everyone's getting in the act http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPqL-1aSbn0

I'm one happy recycler! My local and favorite bookshop called me yesterday. They had gone through the books I turned into them at the bookbuy back week and I now have a store credit of........wait for it...............$52.00 Yeah, Yippy, Yowzah. I must get my wits about me and decide what I want to spend it on. I thought perhaps the rest of the Shardlake series or Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway series. What to do, what to do?

80 > Wow, that's great! I wish the bookstores here ever did something like that. The closest thing to it was in January, where you could bring a book that was published in 2012 and you'd get another book - but you couldn't pick out which book you wanted, it was random. Also, I didn't have any 2012 books I wanted to get rid of.

>77 Carmenere: Love the video from the cast. Thanks for posting that.

Congratulations on that $52 credit. You're inspiring me to at least think about the books I have that I could try selling. I haven't done that in a long time and there must be some I'm willing to get rid of. Have fun spending it!

And thanks for the Sesame Street/DA link. They did a good job re-creating Carson and the Dowager.

#81 ewww, That doesn't sound like such a good deal, Samantha,, but it's nice for those who, unlike me, read books in the year they are published. This is the first time I went to the buy back, I normally sell them for a dime at my yard sale. Silly me, I won't be doing that again :0)

#82 Hey Morphy, I saw on Mark's thread that you may read Alias Grace for Atwood April. I think I may join you, it looks very interesting.

#83 I've come to realize, Pat, that I"m in my early 50's, I don't like rereading books because there are so much more to read out there, I don't have a lot of space to store them, so I give them to friends or sell at yard sale. With me credit I am not limited to books, I can by whatever is sold in the store, bags, posters, puzzles, stationary etc. Chances are, I"ll spend most of it on books.

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And listen, ok read this! My order from The GReat Courses came today. It included the one I purchased for myself but instead of receiving the one I ordered for my son I rec'd something like great museums of the world, which I would find very interesting. customer service told me it was their mistake to keep the museum dvds and they'll fed ex my son's dvd. With that kind of service I will definately order from them again :0) More Yeahs!, Yippees! and Yawzaas!

I don't understand how you can part from your books. I'd never sell any of mine, although in the past I've given away whole libraries. But actually was prior to moving to another country that I found that a lot of the english books that I had would be very much appreciated. So I had to start building up again.

My wife, however, is not sentimental when it comes to books. She prunes her library every so often- many times she gives them away. And her books are usually art books that generally are more expensive. Oh well.

Lynda, I love your comments on Sunday's Downton Abbey episode. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I would add one more quip, though: O'Brien, will she ever learn?

Happy Valentine's Day to my LT sweeties :0)

#85 I know, Manuel, it's hard for any lover of books to understand. The simplest way for me to explain is by quoting Matthew 5:15 "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Now, I'm not the bible spewing type but that line got me thinking, these books are soooo good why should I hide them from the world in my basement when so many people could be enjoying them as much as I. Altruistic? Yeah maybe, but it works both ways. I'm helping myself by clearing space for new books while I help out others.

#86 Ya know Ellen, I think O'Brien is playing with fire. When Thomas, Alfred and the possibly murderous Bates get together, and all have reasons to see her gone, I think she may be not long for Downton Abbey.

On the topic of getting rid of books ... one day I realized that the unread books I had were weighing me down (figuratively, and then literally, when I moved), instead of giving me pleasure. They felt like an obligation sitting on the shelves. And the ones I'd read - well, I'm not much of a re-reader, and I don't loan my books, so why do I have them, exactly? Coming to those realizations started me purging books.

I do keep some; ones that are near and dear to my heart, or ones that my husband may read some day. But that's it.

How's The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet going? I've had that one on my wishlist for so long that I had forgotten about it!

#89 Hi Ursula, thanks for visiting. I also keep a very, very small library of books of which I truly will not part. They are purely sentimental in nature and given to me by special people.

#90 I hope to finish THonCoBaS tonight, Chelle. I'm loving it and have already told my Friday coffee friends about it. They also mentioned to me that at years end, they would like a list of my alphabetical reads with a short synopsis and rating. Should I tell them about LT? I hesitate. Perhaps I want them to think I'm choosing all the excellent selections on my own :0}

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So, when I finish Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet I'll go right into an ER selection I rec'd last month The Eleven. There is a beautifully drawn horse on the cover which makes me wonder what awaits me. It is an Archipelago Book so I'm expecting something special.

My G,H and I reads for March will be...............
Golding, lord of the flies
Hillerman, Skeleton Man
Ishiguro, Nocturnes

As expected it completed Hotel @ the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Review to follow.
I'll start The Eleven when I'm done posting. It's short, hopefully, I'll get through it easity.
Happy Saturday to all :0)

Yooooouuuuu whooooo.................

What the heck am I missing... ?
Why the DVD ? Too tired to sort it out :P

I was just feeling a little lonely Kath, tis all. I thought the title of the record would pull in people. I'm glad it tempted you.

#13-2013
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Jamie Ford
2009
290 pages
4.5/5

I've sat at my keyboard for the paat forty-five minutes attempting to write a short synopsis of this novel. I attempted to write an enlightening review which would encompass all that transpires in this touching story and I can not do it. There is too much emotion, to much injustice, too much hate and too much love to capture it all in a mere paragraph. So, I will just say I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and the characters which the author has created. Although the conclusion, in my opinion, rests too much on coincidence it is, none the less. satisfying and I hightly recommend it.

I'm so glad you enjoyed Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I listened to the audio a couple of years ago and thought it was very moving. The romance between the 12-year-olds is sweet.

Morning Lynda- I enjoyed your thoughts on Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I've had this one on the WL forever. Time, to track a copy down. Hope you have a nice Sunday planned.

Let's see, what did I have to say about Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet?

I liked the characters yet the plot seemed to lack weight. Areas I would have liked to read more in depth about were dipped into then gone and the conflicts seemed too easily surpassed. Otherwise, an enjoyable and quick read. I'd try something else by this author.

#96 Good enough for me Lynda - I'll look out for it!

I enjoyed Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet when I read it.

#97 It was sweet, Carrie. Both Henry and Keiko had very mature emotions for their age.

#98 Hope you get to it soon, Mark. I'm still in my hibernating so not much planned for the weekend, except the finale of DA.

#99 Good comments, Morphy. I thought HonCoB&S to be cut from the same cloth as Romeo and Juliet . So the plot was same ole, same ole just different location with different obstacles, but yes, still enjoyable

#100 The story involves a not to be proud of moment of US history, Heather. It struck me how poorly the government treated its American born citizens of Japanese heritage. I think fear and ignorance is a dangerous mix. Another very good book about this era and a good follow up to Bitter and Sweet would be When the Emperor was Divine

#101 I had heard so many good comments about it Lori, that I was happy to finally fit it in.

#14-2013
The Eleven

Pierre Michon
97 pages
2.5/5

This fictional account of a fictional artist commissioned to paint a fictional painting of the eleven most prominent players in the last days of France's Reign of Terror, which is to say those who have executed thousands upon thousands of individuals for being on the wrong side of the Revolution, those historical figures, Robespierre, Saint-Just and Collot, to name a few, creates, what could be a very good story of a point in a struggle which is sometimes overlooked or lost in the annals of time or perhaps just ignored as being part of the bigger picture which is that of the French Revolution.

OK, now you may breath. It seems as if the reader needs a shovel to get past the flamboyant verbiage in this novel to see the author's intent. When many sentences run over one-hundred words one tends to forget the point of the matter and needs to be an archaeologist to reach the story. Michon's attempt to show how artists use their craft to portray history is very intriguing and would be far more enjoyable and informative had it been written more concisely.

I'm very excited to begin reading My Name is Red as the second book in the World Liturature course presented by the Annenberg Foundation. What a coincidence that this book also envolves artists commissioned to paint historical events.

When many sentences run over one-hundred words one tends to forget the point of the matter and needs to be an archaeologist to reach the story.

Oh such a wonderful way to express the agony a reader feels when confronted with verbal diarrhea!

Hi Lynda. I was away for a few days so just getting a chance to catch up. We got in late yesterday and I was too tired to watch the finale of DA but that's what I'll be doing tonight. Hope all is well in your world.

#105 Tutu, I honestly needed a machette to get through the forest of words. It's exhausting.

#106 Missed you Pat. Glad you're home safe and sound.

DA SPOILER ALERT............DA SPOILER ALERT..................DA SPOILER ALERT

OK, I did my part, now you do yours and turn away if you have not watched the season finale.

It appears as if Edith is going to the dark side. But it could mean steady employment

Branson strips for the camera. Thank you.

Thomas acts courageously and makes a new friend.

The Crawley's add two people to their household

Did Matthew say to Mary, "I've seen you naked"? oooo racy, racy

Matthew has car trouble :0(

oops

> Matthew has car trouble :0(

*snorts* That's one way of putting it.

@ 107

And the show gets no points at all for subtlety in the last two minutes. Sheesh. :-/

#109 Morphy, I tried to be concise yet vague

#110 I think they wanted to make sure that we knew the outcome - "As Coroner I must aver, I thoroughly examined her, and she's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead."

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OK i'm hooked. I just finished watching the first episode of Doc Martin. It reminds me alot of one of my favorite shows Northern Exposure. The premise is similar, townsfolk quirky, beautiful scenery. I'm definately a fan!

Good review of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet! I do need to get to that sometime

Hi Lynda I'm slowly making the rounds and catching up with everyone. I think you liked The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet better than I did. I was never able to buy into the romance between the two twelve year olds. It was a good read however and I would definitely read something else by the author.

Yay! Another Doc Martin fan joins the ranks! I went on a binge a few weeks ago and I've finished with all the episodes to date. I believe they're filming another season this year so I'll just have to be patient.

#112 yes we do

#113 I hope you find time to slip this one in Chelle.

#114 Actually Judy, that is why I didn't give it 5 stars. Both Keiko and Henry acted as if they were at least 5 years older - that and the contrived ending left me shaking my head. Other than that I loved it.

#115 Yes, Carrie another obstacle to my reading but it will be time well spent.
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I think these guys offer terrific recaps of DA but BEWARE huge spoiler if you have not watched DA finale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxq3H5pqpF4

I'm really enjoying My Name is Red and I will not forget to take it with me to two drs appointments I need to take my mom to today.

I'm glad you're enjoying My Name Is Red. I loved it when I read it a few years ago. I haven't read any other books by Orhan Pamuk, but I'm hoping to read Snow later this year.

LTER is a bleurgh, huh? I hate when that happens !

Lynda, I loved your comments about Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I so well know that feeling of sitting at the keyboard and just not coming up with a synopsis or even really anything coherent to write. I read this one a few years ago and enjoyed it. I'm biased because I like reading almost anything set in Seattle, but this was such a poignant novel about real human tensions and hope.....

I'll skip The Eleven, thank you very much.

And: I know! Matthew's racy comment to Lady Mary; it almost seemed out of character, but then I reminded myself that one challenge of writing this series must be finding ways to capture the passage of time and the changing of culture, beyond the ever-changing wardrobes, that is.

Lynda, I think you perfectly captured the essence of the wrap-up of Season 3 of Downton Abbey in a most concise and hilarious way. Car trouble, indeed.

Woo Hoo on your $52 to spend at the book store. Do let us know what you get. Recycling is great, isn't it?

A $52 credit, that's just wonderful!
I WLed Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Will read the sample soon and then see if I get the audio or the Kindle version.
Have a great week!

Hi Lynda. Just checking in. Hope all is well in your world.

#117 Hi Carrie! I'm an unusually slow reader and even more so with My Name is Red. Pamuk's story is very intriguing and I don't want to miss any clue of who the murderer might be, so I am reading it very closesly.

#118 Ya got me there, Kath.

#119 Happy to have saved you from The Eleven, Ellen.

#120 I visited the bookshop recently, Donna and I want to buy so many things that I ended up not buying anything. So my credit stays intact........for now.

#121 HI Nathalie! I hope you find something in the sample of HatCoBaS that enfluences you to read the entire book.

#122 Hey Pat! I think I've become inflicted with the - nearly the end of winter blues. The gray days have me squirreled away, just wanting to read and be a virtual hermit. Today is sunny and bright so hopefully my old bones will aborb the Vitamen D and give me some much needed energy.
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As I mentioned above to Carrie, My Name is Red is turning into an awesome read. Could be the best I've read but it all depends on how the rest unfolds. I'm only half the way through it so any number of things could happen to change my mind.

Hope you're all doing well and have a great day planned.

You have me really curious about My Name is Red. I know I tried to read one book by Orhan Pamuk but couldn't get into it (I think it was Snow) and as a result I never tried anything else.

Enjoy your sunshine. It's less than one month till Spring!

Hi Lynda, yep Matthew did indeed have car trouble. We've watched all the Doc martin episodes twice (some three times). I can't wait til the new season starts. They seem to go years between seasons so I don't know what's up with that.

I've only attempted one Pamuk, Snow with very poor results (I didn't finish it). It sounds like you're really enjoying My Name is Red.

I sell books back to my used book store too. Of course that doesn't do much to empty my shelves. I use up my credits pretty quickly.

Hi Lynda!

#123 - I have Snow on my shelf, but haven't read it yet. However, I think I'd much rather read My Name is Red, based on a description I just read.

I hope everything is going well, and thanks for the DA Youtubey links!

I just checked my LT record and see that I also have Snow but have yet to read it.

Just keeeping up and checking in *waves*

Hi Lynda,
I have to admit the only part of Snow by Pamuk that I actually liked... was... well, all the SNOW!!!! Had a hard time with the story and consequently avoided reading My Name is Red even though it was highly rec to me by a RL friend. Maybe I will give it a shot after reading your comments.

Snow, snow, snow!!! We got hit with nearly 18 inches of snow and I am still waiting for the fellow to come plow my driveway. The good thing is that gave me an excuse to skip work- or at least showing up in the office.

Oh, you are talking about Pamuk's snow. Oh, well

I will not read anything called "Snow"! Sticks out tongue and saunters away...

How is it we never talk about snow in the heat of the summer?
Just askin'

Well, hello there everybody and happy March to all of you! I've done a little visiting this morning and thought it about time I visit my own thread. So what have I been up to if not LT? For one, I'm still working on My Name is Red with a little over a 1/4 to go I'm still loving it.
I'm sorting legos by color to make it easier to complete the sets I've already boxed but have missing pieces.
While doing so, I'm watching Dark Shadows on Netflix. I'm in season two and things are really getting interesting.
Mom's dr appts. My own appts - I've been told I have Osteoarthritis. So what's new?! I'm old.
It is the lack of sunshine that has me hermiting.

#124 21 days till spring, Pat! Wooo Hoooo!
#125 Hi Fives for book buybacks, Bonnie! Let's share the wealth.
#126 Hey Kerri, I'd like to read more Pamuk. I see that Istanbul is really good. I'll look at my library sale.
#127 Maybe talk of Pamuk will inspire you to pick up Snow, Manuel.
#128 Waving back at Kath
#129 Cee, the Annenburg Learner really helped me understand My Name is Red otherwise I'd be rather lost. But I'd give Snow a chance if I found it.
#130 oooo, I'm sorry to read that you've been bombarded with more snow, Manuel. It's been rather balmy by me. Just a snow shower now and then and hanging in the 30's.
#131 LOL, I can understand your feelings about snow of anykind, Mark.
#132 Actually, Cee, I've heard many conversations about snow during the heat of August. I for one, do not complain. I absorb all the heat I can get to get me through the winter months.

OK got a run for coffee with the ladies. Have a great first day of March!

Ooh, Dark Shadows. I remember watching that as a teenager while I did my homework.

How funny - I'd been thinking about getting Dark Shadows from Netflix....

Welcome to March, Lynda!
You know, I have had Snow on the bookshelf for quite a long time. Maybe I'm getting closer to giving it a try. It seems like I should like his work.....

Good to see you posting again. Hope March is a great month for you.

Sorry to hear about the osteoarthritis, wishing you enough sunshine and good things to make you feel better.

#134 & 135 I was only five when Dark Shadows went on the air so the first season was all new to me. In the second season, things are beginning to seem familiar. And yeah, I remember running home from school to see the show at 4pm, but that was mainly when Quentin and Angelique were in the show. Now that ghosts are appearing and seances are being held I'm hooked........again.

#136 I haven't heard much about Snow, Ellen but I can tell you there's a touch of magical realism in My Name is Red, so for those who like that..............

#137 Thanks for the good wishes, calm. We'll have sunshine for a day then back to more snow for Tuesday and Wednesday. With that in mind, I'll do my running around to day and take groceries over to mom today.

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I haven't rec'd The Burgess Boys, but now I've won another, the Colum McCann book Trans-Atlantic.

Anyone watch The Bible on the History Channel last night? I watched with my son and am happy to see those years of cathecism classes taught him something. He wishes someone would make a movie version of The Koran so that people could see how much the three religions have in common. I love that kid.

Speaking of the little guy: I'm really excited for him. He's been recommended for some great classes this fall for 9th grade. AP Social Studies (no surprise, he lives and breaths history), Honors English and Honors Physical Geology, Russian II, Algebra II and he'll be in the marching band as well. I wish my Freshman year had been that interesting.

OK, that's enough chest puffing - I'm off the read more of My Name is Red. Yes, I'm still reading that one. It's sooo good.

Morning Lynda- Congrats on your son's accomplishments! You must be very proud. We are bracing ourselves for another late season snowstorm. This could be big. Boo! Yuck!

Impressive line up of classes for your son Lynda. He sounds like a great young man:)

#139 MARK! GET ME OUT OF THIS SNOWGLOBE! Right now the forecast is calling for 4 inches but it could go up or down depending on the storm's track. Rather than read today I ran around and took care of some errands so I'm set. Bring it on Mother Nature.

#140 He is a good kid, calm, but what mother wouldn't say that about their children. He's one of those kids where school just comes naturally to him. Doesn't need to study for tests etc. I know he didn't get this ability from me!

OK - now to get some reading done!

Great class line up for your son Lynda. And I agree, much more interesting than I remember my freshman year being. Good luck with the approaching snow storm!

Warning about the not needing to study for tests. I was like that all through high school - graduated in the top 10% of my class. I would just read a chapter and I could ace the test. Then I hit college and flunked because I had never learned to study. Not sure how old he is or how to start teaching studying when he doesn't need it but thought I would share my experiences.

I too had the same test taking angst when I got to college. At my high school, if you had an A in the course going into the final, you could skip it. Not a bad idea, as it presumed if you aced everything along the way, you had shown mastery of the material (the whole point of a test right?). College however, was a bit different....and I quickly had to learn how to make sure I knew what was going to be required to be regurgitated to pass.

And when I got to grad school and had to "sit" for two days of 4 hours written comps.................you've brought back painful memories.

But then maybe that's why I can sit for hours on LT pecking away and pouring out sentences (or fragments thereof!)

Lynda, congrats on raising such a cool kid. It sounds like he might actually like school. Good for him. What did you think of The Bible on the History Channel? I have it recorded and am looking forward to it. I have done a lot of Bible studies but I can always have a refresher course!

Wow, time passes so quickly, I hadn't realized I missed a couple of days.

#142 Pat! I wish I could avoid BB's like Cleveland can avoid snow storms! The storm hit north of us by a few dozen miles and we have been enjoying sunny days and temps in the upper 30's. They're forecasting 50's for the weekend. I will gladly accept this kind of weather.

#143 & 144 Very good points, Morphy and Tina! It's very possible that Will has not developed the skill of studying. Perhaps I should talk to his counselor. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

#145 Well Donna, I wasn't going to watch The Bible, I thought it would more of the same ole, same ole. I mean, how many times can this story be retold. Evidently, for the millions of viewers who tuned in, the answer is many times. Personally, I enjoyed watching it with Will and having taken the bible time line course really made the program new. It was visually well done as well, so that helped.

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I'll be reporting back with my latest review, probably tomorrow. Have a good one everybody!

#15-2013
My Name is Red

Orhan Pamuk
2001
417 pages
5/5

"I am nothing but a corpse now, a body at the bottom of a well." In the very first line of My Name is Red Pamuk relates the death and troubled soul of one of the Sultan's most skilled miniaturists, Elegant Effendi. And so, begins the reader's journey into the secretive and often abusive world of miniaturist artists working in Istanbul in the 16th century. It is at a time in history when the long sought after city is at a crossroads. Geographically as well as artistically, Turkey is on the edge of Asia and Europe. A country trying to hold on to its Mongol influenced artistry while the introduction of Frank and Venetian styles are beginning to influence some of the artists. Master miniaturist, Osman relates the difference, "Meaning precedes form in the world of art. As we begin to paint in imitation of the Frankish and Venetian masters...the domain of meaning ends and the domain of form begins." Oh, for the introduction of perspective, shadows and the horizon line! Until this time figures were drawn with no relation to space, nor time. How this will change art that has always been depicted as seen through the eyes of Allah, from above, and not from a human's street level perspective, to do so is considered blasphemy. Yet, how enticing to see portraiture where none had existed before. Influences so difficult for some to resist and one is trying to halt. The world of Elegant's fellow miniaturists is especially at risk and from this select lot one of them will kill to retain the past.
Just as if the reader were Istanbul, Pamuk keeps the reader on the edge till the very end and takes him through the city's dark and deserted streets to places one may not have known existed. It is a journey of murder, incredible artistry, mystery and love. Each chapter is written as if spoken directly to the reader. You are a part of the scene, you are an observer who knows what is in the hearts of each character. A touch of magical realism comes forth as artist's renderings talk to you and relate their story. My Name is Red is truly an incredible piece of historical fiction that proved to be informative as well as entertaining. It's pages contained everything I look for in a great novel.
Once again, I used the Annenburg Learner program whose comments from professionals offered insight into the novel, the author and the subject matter. It sets the scene for a more enriching experience.

I know, finally, a review! I've had so many distractions lately that I couldn't devote the time required to read My Name is Red at the pace it deserves.

Here are my planned ABC reads for March:
Golding, William - Lord of the Flies
Hillerman, Tony - Skeleton Man
Ishiguro, Kazuo - Nocturnes

and my next venture into the history of world literature is The Odyssey. Hopefully I'll be able to begin that one later this month.

Lynda, I'm so glad that you had a good experience with My Name Is Red! I read it several years ago and the experience stuck with me. It's the only one of Pamuk's works I've read so far. However, Snow is on my summer reading list.

I wish I could get myself organized enough to watch something ! I would love to watch Dark Shadows :)
I am just a mess these days.. I can't seem to find a rhythm that gives me free time while I am vaguely aware of my surroundings..

#149 It was a fascinating read and I can't wait to get my hands on more Pamuk's

#150 I'm sorry you're a mess lately, Kath. You need a warm bath with lots of bubbles, a cup of tea and then a massage and a good book. Hope you're back to your ole self soon.

A very enthusiastic thumb from me on your review of My Name is Red Lynda. You have definitely convinced me to try this book and it's already on my library list.

Excellent review of My Name is Red. Sounds fantastic. Big Thumb! I am barely familiar with Pamuk.
Glad you didn't get stuck in the snow-globe this time. Yah!

Back up to message #77. Many thanks for posting the links for DA. I love the show!

Fast forward to your latest read. Thumbs up for a wonderful review!

Hi Lynda, terrific review of My Name is Red. I haven't read anything by Pamuk but you've got me interested. Congratulations to your son on his excellent academic achievement.

Lynda, your beautiful description of My name is red persuaded me that I should read it, it also has changed my somewhat uninformed negative opinion of Pamuk.
Thank you!

Thanks for the My Name is Red review - it had slipped under my radar and looks like a book I would like.

Hope things are going well with you and yours.

#152 - 157 Thanks Pat, Mark, Linda, Bonnie, Manuel and calm! Your thumbs and wonderful comments are very much appreciated. I hope My Name is Red is just as entertaining for you as it was for me.
When a book is this good, the review just seems to write itself.
Wishing you all a great weekend.

I had no idea what My Name is Red was all about, Lynda. Sounds fascinating. I own both it and Snow so it looks like I have some good reading ahead of me. I have no clue about the Annenburg Learner program. I'll try to remember to Google it when I make time to read the book.

Great review of My Name is Red Lynda. I have a copy of that one and will be bumping it nearer the top of the pile.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Sending you some sunshine wishes.

Yup Donna, My Name is Red took me by surprise too. I haven't heard anything good about Snow but I'd be willing to give it a try.

Hey Heather, your sunshine wishes worked! It was a beautiful day here today with clear blue skies, temps near 40f and a slight breeze. It was enough to get me out of the house and install my Christmas presents in the yard, a shepard's hood bird feeder holder and two birdfeeders. Here it is, beside my silly grin of achievement.

Lynda - Great to see a positive and beautifully written review of My Name is Red as it must be one of the most divisive books out there. I recall many of our pals either starting it and giving up (Caro and Laura for two) or slating it thoroughly ('unbearably slow" according to Judy). Being a contrary son-of-a-gun I bought it of course and will probably get to it this year sometime.

Your place looks like a rural idyll!

Beautiful picture of you and Will, Lynda. I love watching birds at birdfeeders. Are you going to be tapping your trees for maple syrup this year?

Hi Lynda!

#147 - What a wonderful review of My Name is Red! Now, it's definitely going on my list. Sounds fascinating.

#161 - Cute photo!

Stopping by to say hello :)
It was nice here, too... I'm afraid I missed much of it, I was so involved in my book, I didn't poke my nose out the door until I took Dunkers out around 5.. bummer.

#162 Thanks for your nice comments, Paul :0)

#163 Sadly, we are not tapping this year, Pat. We did not accumulate enough wood to make it economical nor feasible. Without buckets hanging off our maples it just does not feel like spring this year . The hubsters has plenty to do working at this mom's house so his plate is full .
(I was tickling Will, trying to get him to smile - it worked a little)

#164 I hope you also enjoy My Name is Red, Kerri. For me, it was a real eye opener.

#165 Well you missed a nice day for a good reason, Kath. I was working on my Lego project when I finally thought, "What the heck are you doing inside on a day like this?!" After I put up the bird feeder I made a cup of tea and sat outside absorbing a little Vitamin D. Sunday was even nicer..........up to almost 70F. I want to move where the weather is like that all the time.
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I'm way behind on my planned reads this month. Currently, only half way through Lord of the Flies, my read.
The forecast is calling for snow tomorrow, so I think I'll stop at my favorite bookstore and pick up my birthday present to myself using my book credit. Have a great day, everybody!

Hi Lynda, that's a great picture of you and your son. It's funny to see how spring-like it looks and then hear you speak of getting more snow. I hope you enjoy your trip to the bookstore.

Ah, Lynda.... "the little guy" is NOT so little! Great shot of you both :-)

After having heard all the accoulades for My Name is Red how can I resist? Very good review!

What a great photo of you and your son! You look ever so happy!

Hi Lynda- Good photo of you too! At first I thought you were holding a glass of beer and I went: That's my girl! But then quickly realized it was a bird feeder. They are nice too...shuffles away, slightly embarrassed.

Your son sounds (and for that matter, looks) like a great kid - kudos to you!

Excellent review of My Name is Red, Lynda - thumbs up from me, too. I'm looking forward to reading it when I'm feeling ambitious.

I hope Spring is on its way to you!

#167 Luckily, Judy, we were only zapped with a dusting a snow but it was blizzard like at times yesterday. Just Winter saying, I'm not done with you guys yet, nyaa ha ha ha haaaaaaaaa

#168 Hey Cee, I swear kids grow while they sleep..........or perhaps it's just me shrinking while I sleep. :}
Hope My Name is Red doesn't disappoint.

#169 I am happy that my birdfeeder is finally up and full, Linda. Now for the word to get around to all the birdies. Or maybe the cat with binoculars, in the corner, is scaring them off because I haven't seen one visitor.

#170 Oh Mark! LOL, you certainly have beer on the brain - now if you had thought they were boobs then I'd really be worried :0)

#171 No Spring this week, Dejah. Yup, Will's a keeper although at times he shows typical teenage tendencies by pretending we're only figments of his imagination.
--------------

Lego project is slow yet I persevere.

I'm enjoying The Art of Reading from Great Courses. I'm taking it slow and sometimes watching a class two or three time. Unsettling though is the fact the instructor looks like my gynecologist - shiver.

Still tredging through the jungle with Lord of the Flies. It's an episode of Lost with kids cast as the adults, no girls though! what's with that!

Dr appt. for mom this morning so I've got to remember my book.

Pope Francis seems cool. Ya know. he's already Tweeted. Glad the Latino's got their foot in the door.

Will's class went to Temple the other day and listened to a Holocaust survivor tell his story and thought it very interesting. Really gave a face to his readings of The Diary of Ann Frank and Night. Perhaps his teacher should introduce Maus to them as well. The graphics in that novel still are etched in my memory.

Ok, that's it - have a good day. Peace, out.

ETA: Oh, my book buying expedition . I bought only one bargain book with my credit Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay. Everybody's been reading this one so, why not. Still have a $50 credit. Trouble is I want so much I end up buying nothing. I'll try again soon.

Yeah, The Burgess Boys finally made it to my mailbox. They were silent when I asked them if they got lost. They were silent when I asked what took so long. So I just hunged them and welcomed them into the house. Thank you Early Reviewers.
Argh! 1 to 3 inches of snow this afternoon is predicted. Bah and fiddlesticks.

More snow? Good heavens! Stay warm and read!

Happy St. Pat's Day everyone!

Hi Dejah! The entire week is calling for clouds and snow showers. We won't see the 40's again till next Tuesday. This is no town for the weak. - I've seen that you're really tearing up the TIOLI meter this month. Glad you are finding the time to delve into your stack of books.

-----------------------
We watched The Decendents last night. Pretty good movie - and the scenery (the Hawaiian Islands)was spectacular and much appreciated. I also have The Help from the library so we've got that in store for us in the next couple of days.

I rec'd my ER for February yesterday TransAtlantic by Colum McCann. I've not read Let the Great World Spin but everyones seems to have liked it so I'm lookinf forward to reading McCann for the first time.

Just finished Lord of the Flies and I'll be back with a few thoughts later.
Next one up is Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman. I love his Leaphom series.

Morning Lynda- I loved The Decendents. It was my favorite film of 2011. The older daughter was fantastic. Congrats on snagging the McCann. I wish I would have got that one. Let the Great World Spin was excellent.

#176 Yes, Mark the older daughter was great but so was her boyfriend, in an endearing sort of way.
------------------------

Woo Hoo! Got your NCAA Brackets everbody? I've printed mine this morning and will study it and make my choices. Yeah for OSU #2 seed in the western division, Cincinnati #10 in midwest and Akron #12 in south.

We'll have it all today; snow, ice and rain, Oh My!

Anyone watch The Bible last night? Thoughts?

OK, I'm going to do a review now so you all have a great day!

#16-2013
Lord of the Flies

William Golding
1954
202 pages
3/5

Note: This novel is part of my LOST collecton, books mentioned or read by a character on the show or displayed in some fashion.

Although this short novel started out rather slowly I stuck with it mainly because of the endearing and wise character, Piggy who with his fellow classmates, crash onto a deserted tropical island. A leader is soon chosen and duties such as building shelters, keeping a fire burning and hunting for food are dispersed amoungst the survivors. The first half of the novel basicallly lays the ground work for confrontation. Those who were instructed to keep the fire lit, do not. Those who hunt turn savage. This continues for a good portion of the book but it takes the untimely death of a sympathetic character to get the story into full gear. Life and death, good vs. evil, selfishness vs. selflessness are some of the moral circumstances presented and then remain with the reader who asks herself what could have been done differently to prevent such chaos.
If I were a supervisor, I would like my employees to read this novel and discuss it, I think it would prove to be very enlightening.

Good review! I read Lord of the Flies in high school, so it was a very long time ago! I seem to remember liking it though

Hi Lynda, a very good review of Lord of the Flies which is one of my favorites.

Five out of five. I do believe I must give My Name is Red a try.

I hope you're enjoying your Tony Hillerman. It has been a while but I loved that series as well.

Nice photo of you and the kid (ahem), Lynda!

It's cold here too, of course... bah!

I used to read Hillerman now and then...very enjoyable. I keep thinking I want to do so again :)

Nice reviews, Lynda! My Name is red looks like one for the list, and Lord of the Flies is an old favorite. And that picture of you and Will up there is so sweet - thanks for sharing!

Nice review, Lynda, but no Lord of the Flies for me!

Hi friends, I'm surprised I still have some. I've been in a sort of funk slump kindathing and just blah. If I were a quintillionaire I'd fill in that god awful lake with cement and there'd be no more lake effect snow! Another 3 inches last night and more on the way today. I suppose filling in Lake Erie would stop the flow of water over Niagara Falls and people tend to like them but think of the mother of all rock walls to conquer.

I'm meeting my bestest buddies for dinner tonight to celebrate my birthday. A couple of cocktails should bring me around.

#179 Hi Chelle, I've never read Lord of the Flies. I'm discovering my high school offered an inadequate education.

#180 Thanks Judy. It is a very thought provoking novel and puts life into perspective.

#181 I am enjoying my Hillerman, Ellen. I love the way he captures the beauty of the American southwest. Makes me wish I were there.

#182 Yeah, Kath, Hillerman is a nice easy breezy read and not dreadfully challenging.

#183 Hi Mamie. It's not too often that Will poses for pictures with his dear old mom and dad, but since nobody was around it was perfectly safe.

#184 No Lord of the Flies, Dejah? It's not something I would have chosen except somewhere along the line it appeared on my bookshelf, so I had to give it a try.

Have a good day everybody and if a front end loader shows up at your house to dump a load of snow - it wasn't from me, really! mwah, ha, ha,ha ha.

Hope this works. Just took this picture this morning from our house.

Click here to view these pictures larger

ETA: The deer remained in our backyard till about noon and were joined by a third. They feasted on whatever it is they found back there and then meandered off.

OK, to keep me honest here are my picks for the Final Four in men's NCAA basketball:
Louisville
Ohio State
Florida
Indiana

Championship goes to...........OSU , of course.

Lynda, I was able to obtain a copy of My Name is Red. I bought way too many books at the library book sale last weekend. But, I say defensively, many were on the TBR list.....

Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday!

Hi Lynda! Happy Birthday!!

I was feeling a bit blue and cranky last week as well. My birthday celebrations sort of shook me out of it and I'm hoping yours do the same thing.

Also, beautiful deer photo! Thanks for sharing.

I hope you had a nice day today. Love the deer photo. We don't see many in our suburbs.

Happy Birthday, Lynda! Hope you're having a great celebration with your friends.

Belated Happy Birthday Lynda!

Belated Happy Birthday Lynda - hope you had a good day:)

It was your birthday?! Hope it was a great one! Hope it was full of fabulous!

Happy Belated Birthday! I hope it was as special as you are!

Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Lynda. I hope you had a great day.

So.. I wanted to say Happy Birthday ! to you here, too!
Hope is is a good one:)

Happy Belated Birthday!

Go Zags (aka Bulldogs)! :-)

Sorry my wishes are also a bit belated Lynda. Have a lovely weekend.

Here I am! back from being AWOL yet again. Help yourself to birthday fudge which I rec'd instead of cake
Very unconventional, I know, but it's been an unconventional birthday.
To prove it here is my birthday gift from Bill and Will . Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, that is a fry pan! After I hit them both on the tops of their little heads with it they told me that if I like it there is a complete set available. Yippee. I suggested that there is a new kitchen wrapped around this pan, right? but no, that's not the case. Oh well, It works well, I'll give you that and I had a spectacular dinner at my favorite restaurant and a nice night out with my friends the evening before my birthday so it's been a nice weekend. But a Fry Pan?!

#188 Hi Linda, I really look forward to your take on My Name is Red. You're the artsy type and perhaps you'll like it because of the history behind Eastern art.

#189 Dejah! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

#190 Oh my gosh, Kerri, you have a March birthday too?! Happy, Happy belated b-day to you. I bet you didn't get a fry pan.

#191 Oh Mark! Yes! A cool frosty one! Finally a man who knows what I want!

#192 I had a nice meetup with my former work buddies, Pat. My friend Carolyn brought her daughter and grandson with her. He was diagnosed with cancer 6 months after he was born and now at almost two he has made a great recovery from surgeries and tubes and bags and chemo, so it made for a special night.

#193 Thanks Manuel! My birthday is actually on the 22nd so your wishes were not belated after all.

#194 Thank you, calm. At this age, it's really just another day.

#195 Thanks Mamie. Despite my protestations, my mom gave be $100 bucks. That's fabulous to me.

#196 Awe, you're so sweet yourself, Linda.

#197 Thanks, Judy!

#198 Thanks, Kath!

#199 Thanks to you too, Ellen. Ugh! sorry the Bulldogs lost to Iowa yesterday. The men didn't fair to well either. Sad faces today at Gonzaga.

#200 Actually, Paul, all birthday greetings are not belated as long as they fall in the month of March. I tend to celebrate all month.

--------------So, My brackets are taking a hit but my Final Four remain intact. GO OSU!
I'll be back later to catch up on everyone's thread but right now, you'll have to excuse me, I'm going to fry an egg in my new Orgreenic fry pan.

Well when you get a Frying Pan for your birthday I hope that your family means that they like your cooking!

Hope you have a great Sunday. Enjoy your fried egg:)

Lynda, the gift you got, a pan nonetheless, reminded me of a friend of my wife's similar experience. She was expecting a strand of pearls that she had hinted about, her husband gave her a blender. But it looks you are very understanding of their limited imagination on gifts. I know as a male that the male mind is very limited in scope when it comes to gifting.

Oh dear - a frying pan? Perhaps there was post modern humor intended? At any rate, I'm glad that the rest of your birthday was a success!

Well, it sounds like you will never forget this birthday gift! My husband and I have stopped giving each other gifts mostly because we're no good at it where the other person is concerned. He really doesn't like surprises and at our ages we kind of have everything we want. I actually love getting other people gifts though. I like hunting for them, wrapping them and watching them being opened. I know if I'd had kids I would have gone all out at Christmas.

Hope you have a good Sunday!

Belated Happy Birthday, Lynda! Well, a fry pan is... original? :-)

I haven't read any Orhan Pamuk yet, but the Kindle sample of My Name is Red is already ordered. I believe I also saw some of his books in the German part of my library.

Have a great week!

I think getting a frying pan for your birthday means you should go to the nearest bookstore (or on-line) and order a few books to console yourself with!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LYNDA!!!!
ok. It's a little late but very sincere. Glad you had a nice dinner out.

I agree with Judy. Since you no longer need to buy a new frying pan, you now have money to spend on books :D
And I'm thinking a whole set is saving you a LOT of money. Go crazy!

I know it's full of snow, but I love the picture of the deer. I'm sure they want spring to come as much as you do! It's almost time to have their babies. Now don't go running out there with blankets. They'll be ok.

Actually, I have almost bought one of those pans a time or two.. lol!
The commercials are SO convincing! But this weekend, I tossed one out.. It was a cheapie that had outlived its usefulness. I was tearing through my kitchen tossing things left and right.. and now the cupboards are much more reasonable. Your birthday sounds nice, despite the pan:)

happy belated birthday!!
I'd like to think that Nate knowns not to buy me cooking utensils for my birthday, although his mom got me cooking stuff for Christmas. I think she just wants to make sure her son is eating well haha

Belated happy birthday Lynda! And how amazing to have deer in your back garden! I feel lucky to leave near a woodland which has deer and other animals in.

Belated Happy Birthday greetings, Lynda. I hope you are enjoying your new fry pan. Lol. I am trying to get out of the cooking business myself. My daughter was saying I really need a new oven. Shhhh. That is my best excuse for not cooking. I think it will work well enough for our Easter ham but baking is tricky sometimes with the uneven heating.

Hi everyone, we had snow all day yesterday and some flurries today. EeeeGads, I can't take it anymore!
I'm watching a dvd of The Help for the second time. What a great movie.
I still have not finished my Hillerman book. What a dreadful reading month it has been for me. Hope I can make up for it in April.

#202 Hi calm, I've got to admit, that fry pan makes a good over-easy egg. So easy to clean....Nice!
I fear that I rec'd it not because I'm a decent cook but I suspect because I tend to overcook. In my book something's not done until it's brown. :0)

#203 Actually Manuel, I'm just happy they remembered the correct date. Of course, I wrote it down on every calendar in the house so they had a little help. Funny story about the blender. When I think of all the things they could have purchased I'm happy.

#204 Yeah, whatever humor was intended, Dejah , it still deserved a gentle whack on their heads.

#205 That's a good idea, Pat. When we see something we like we normally buy it and say "this is for my birthday, this is for Christmas etc." but the fry pan was to be from Will too. When I reminded Will what I had asked for he said "But mom, you told me that in February, how was I going to remember that." It's silly but I wanted a Bruno Mars t-shirt. I love his music. So they told me to go ahead and order it :0)

#206 Original? That's a good word for it, Nathalie. I hope you enjoy My Name is Red when you get to it. I'll look forward to your comments.

#207 I have way too many boo ooo oooks, Judy. I can't believe I just said that and I do have my $52 book credit to use too so instead I bought a new spring cake plate from Pier One and the Bruno Mars t-shirt.

#208 Oh Cee, to have baby deer born in our yard would be awesome however they seem to have moved to greener passage. I'll continue keeping a lookout just in case. No blankets, you say, how about a salt block?

#209 Well, if you do decide to buy another pan, Kath, I highly recommend the Orgreenic. It really is a good one.

#210 It's perfectly alright for Moms and MIL's to buy cooking merchandise but it is practical and oh, it is what it is, what can say, I think the guys meant well and I'm sure they've learned their lesson.

#211 Isn't it great, Heather. We have tons of four footed creatures in our yard and it's a good thing because flowers and vegetables can't survive with all the trees so it's good to see them enjoy our yard.

#212 That's the thing Donna! I loathe cooking, there are way too many other things to do than cook. I'd rather clean, paint, bake and especially read but cooking a meal that is devoured in less than a 1/2 an hour seems like a total waste of time.
Hope your oven survives Easter. Just in case maybe you should buy a pre-cooked ham. :0}

I was surprised a few years ago when several boxes arrived on my doorstep containing all sorts of new pots and pans and skillets, etc. There had been some sort of deal on one of the shopping channels that my cousin's wife couldn't pass up. She thought of me. She didn't know it, but she matched a stock pot in that same brand my mom had purchased for me earlier.

Sorry about the fry pan, Lynda! I would definitely have used it to clobber the book of them over the heads. Craig is horrible at gift giving also, which is why I tell him exactly what to buy! It works for me because I also hate surprises. They make me nervous, unless they are very small ones. Glad to hear that you will be getting the t-shirt.

#214 What a thoughtful and unintentional surprise, Lori!

#215 I like surprises, Mamie, but this one wasn't even wrapped and the handle was sticking out of the bag so I hated it before I even took it out of the bag. But I'm ok with it now, it's a good pan.

I finally finished Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman and now I'm moving on to my I book, Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro. I know I'm going to like it because I loved The Remains of the Day.

#17-2013
Skeleton Man

John Hillerman
2004
241 pages
2.75/5

Skeleton Man opens with retired Lt. Joe Leaphorn shooting the bull over coffee with his buddies and expressing how the old Navajo belief of universal connections played apart in a recent case involving his former co-worker, Sgt. Jim Chee. The first event, presumably factual, occurred fifty years ago. Two airliners collided in mid air over the Grand Canyon killing all passengers and crew on board the planes. Hillerman's story adds a young man to the casualties who was transporting a metal brief case full of diamonds for his fathers store in New York. The diamonds and the man's left arm to which the brief case was attached were never found. Now fifty years later Hillerman regular Billy Tuve is accused of stealing a diamond but he says he got it from the Skeleton Man who lives deep in the heart of the Canyon, so his friends want to prove his innocence and find the Skeleton Man. Add to this the illegitimate daughter of the traveling man with the brief case. If she can find the left arm of her father, she as sole heir, would inherit the family's fortune which has been controlled by an unscrupulous trustee. All parties converge in the depths of the canyon for a suspenseful climax.

There really is no mystery, murder or crime to solve in this book and certainly not one of Hillerman's best still what always draws me back to a Leaphorn and Chee novel is Hillerman's obvious love of the American Southwest, which is reflected in his descriptive prose.

Sorry that one left you mostly cold, Lynda. I can't remember specifics, but I do know that one or two of them just fell flat. Apparently Skeleton Man was one of them. :-(

Aloha Ellen. Yeah, I think Hillerman had a story he wanted to get out there and meshed it familiar characters, not much else to it.

I tried, I really tried to visit as many 75ers as I could, but time's a fleeing and I got stuffs I need to take care of this morning. So If I missed you, I'm sorry, please accept my Happy Easter greetings over here instead.

Hopefully mass with the guys this morning.............. if I can get them to act like bunnies and hope out of bed.
Brunch with the mom's at their sr. community afterward.
Then ham sandwiches and other traditional fixings for dinner.

In between, a lazy kinda day with a little reading and the conclusion of The Bible on the History Channel tonight.

Have a good day everyone.

Happy Easter in return! :D

Happy Easter, Lynda! I hope you have a great day with your family.

Happy Easter, Lynda!

Happy Easter and good reading Lynda.

Happy Easter Lynda - hope your guys hopped today:)

Happy Easter Lynda - sounds like you have a good day ahead of you.

Happy Easter, Lynda. Sounds like a good mix of outings and just relaxing.

Hi there my friends!

I've eaten so much I am about to explode but before I do I thought I'd stop in to touch base. I'm about to stretch out in the family room and continue reading Nocturnes by Ishiguro.So far it's been interesting, like the reader is just waiting for something odd to happen.

The guys did get up to go to church with 5 minutes to spare. one mass upstairs, one on the lower level and chaos in the parking lot. Ohh holidays, gotta love em.

Brunch was great but we always bring our homemade things to supplement and of course a couple bottles of wine.

My NCAA brackets are shattered and I believe I owe Will 5 bucks :0(

Keep reading and carry on, folks :0)

Happy Easter Lynda! I'm glad you all made it to church on time!

Sounds like you had a great Easter Lynda!