Mark's Reading Place: Abibliophobia Part 5

^Matisse- 1923

Currently Reading:



Audiobook:


Graphic:


Books Read So Far...

January:

1) Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die by Willie Nelson 4.2 stars
2) The Dog Stars by Peter Heller 4.5 (audio)
3) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 4 stars (audio)
4) Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter 4.5 stars (audio)
5) Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 4 stars Group Read (OTS)
6) Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder 4.5 stars (OTS)
7) The Nao of Brown by Glyn Dillon 4.2 stars GN
8) Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks 4 stars (audio)
9) The Miniature Wife: Stories by Manuel Gonzales 4.5 stars E.R
10) No Easy Day by Mark Owen 4 stars (audio)
11) Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan 4.2 stars
12) The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver 4.3 stars (OTS)
13) Howl: A Graphic Novel by Allen Ginsberg 4.2 stars GN

February:

14) Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed 4.4 stars (audio)
15) A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick 3.3 stars (audio) (OTS)
16) Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay 4.2 stars Group Read (OTS)
17) Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood 4.6 stars (audio) (OTS)
18) In the Sea There Are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda 3.5 stars (audio)
19) Unsaid by Neil Abramson 3.8 stars
20) The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi 4 stars (audio)
21) The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout 4.2 stars (ER)

First-Time Author Challenge 2013

Gabriel Garcia Marquez- Feb (Chelle)
John Fowles- The Collector-March (Pat)
E.M. Forster- April (Katie)
Mario Vargas Llosa- May (Caro)
Dinaw Mengestu- June (RD)
Rohinton Mistry- A Fine Balance- July (Donna)
Pearl S. Buck-The Good Earth- Aug (AnneDC)
Ann Patchett- Bel Canto- September (Lisa)
Nicole Krauss- October (Nancy)
J.G. Farrell- Troubles- November (Ellen)
Tim Winton- December (Paul)
Zoe Heller
Tom McCarthy

Once again, thanks for the participation. You guys are great! Of course, anyone is welcome to join me on any of these reads and if we have more than a couple participants, I'll set up a Group Read.

Group Reads 2013:

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay- Feb http://www.librarything.com/topic/148764
The Big Rock Candy Mountain by Wallace Stegner- March
A Fine Balance- July
2666 by Roberto Bolaño- October

**And do not forget Atwood April or May: Murder & Mayhem, or...

Hi Mark! First?

Hi Mark. I love the Matisse; never seen that one. Looks like it's time to locate my copies of The Big Rock Candy Mountain and The Magus.

Hi Mark, a lovely new thread. I also love that Matisse above, it's got a light and carefree touch.

I had to laugh at your coment about her nice dress on your "Beehive and Books" Babe. Obviously, it's the type of dress that other women can't see and men really appreciate!

Shh - don't tell DebI told you, but our nice weather from yesterday left us today and instead of warm and sunny, it's rainy and cool.

That's a lovely Matisse painting, Mark. Like Pat, I don't think I've ever seen it before.

You've got some good reads/listens going, too!

Hi Mark, From your part 4 and # 232, #235, #237 and #243 there were mentions of the British series Doc. Martin. It was developed after the character Dr. Martin Bramford in the film Saving Grace. It's a great series as are many of the British ones (my opinion). It may not always be available but often is if people want to check our Acorn Media. This is a computer live streaming site that you pay a wee bit for an annual membership with access to wonderful British series. Available to Canadians too! The programs stay available for about 6 weeks and there are often about 18 series to choose from and they are constantly changed over time. The Doc. Martin series was on last summer and I got hooked. It is commercial free so no ads. Hope I'm not breaking any LT rules but telling you about it. I think it's great and I have become interested in many other series while a member. With all the interest in DA I thought I would mention it.

This is what I am currently drinking. I love Bell's Brewery and this is a new one. Hopslam! It is so full-bodied and delectable! It's worth the steep price.

RD- You are first in my book! Mr. Crabby Pants in the HOUSE!

Pat- The book hunt is on, eh? I have the Stegner and I'll be reading The Collector in March. I can't wait to try the Magus. I found the Matisse on FB.

Judy- No one seems to appreciate beehive gal's dress. I did not realize I was such a fashion mogul! I am such a fan of Oryx and Crake! Wow! You Canadians sure can write!

Julia- Good to see you. I snagged the Matisse from FB. Hopefully it was tagged correctly.

Doc Martin is available on Netflix Mark. I can't wait for DA tomorrow.

Oh my goodness, Mark, of course you have friends.

Love, love, love Doc Martin. And D.A. as well, along with many other great British series. They're so much more absorbing than the ones I see from US tv, although that may be partly because I watch them without ads, and at my own pace...thus helping continuity. Not sure how much of a factor that is.

Beautiful Matisse, too.

I'm back among the living, and waiting for everyone to start new threads so I don't have to read 5 billion posts. I agree with the Doc Martin praise, although it pains me to only get five or six shows every year.

Hope all is well with you!

Nice new thread, Mark! I like how on the last thread you told Bonnie that you were right and she was wrong and then high-tailed it outta there! Good thinking!

I LOVE this woman! See, I am not only obsessed with boobs, beehives, cute dresses, terrific gams and naughty librarians. (I'm getting flushed!) I would love to have a beer with Ms. Atwood. Okay, I would love to have several beers with her. This woman kicks ASS! Am I making myself clear, or should I rave a bit more?

Roberta- We have the Roku player and Doc Martin is available on there. Whew!

Gail- Thanks! I was worried there for a minute. LOL. I Can Not believe I have never heard of Doc Martin. Where have I been living? A dungeon?

Terri- Great to see you! Who has 5 billion posts? You must be talking about Paul or RD. I'm at a half a billion. Tops!

Mamie- I am pretty sneaky aren't I? Bonnie and I rarely disagree. She is a true LT Goddess and one I hold quite sacred.

Hi Mark! Just checking in for the night. A friend of mine is coming over in a few, and she's bringing beers. Here's hoping they're good ones (her French husband kind of guarantees that they will, at the very least, be interesting).

Cheers!

Hi, Mark. I am glad to read you successfully, and safely, made it through the work day today.

I am also reading Fowles in March: The Magus is the RL book group's book for March, so Ellen should be reading it, too, I think.

I am getting excited about Booktopia Bellingham! I even have the money set aside to pay for the expensive hotel! Imagine ! (it was the one who would take my dog) Hopefully, I'll be energetic enough to go to the Booktopia Meet-up tomorrow at Elliott Bay Books. My energy level seems to be ebbing and flowing erratically these days. Probably had to do with the oral infection I've been fighting.

I have, however, been able to read 4 books so far this year. For me that is a lot! Happy Weekend, friend.

Hi Mark - I know you enjoy non-fiction and just wanted to recommend Going Clear by Lawrence Wright, a really excellent study of Scientology. Wright has a terrific, readable style of writing (I believe he's a staff writer for the New Yorker) and the topic is facinating.

We were hit with about 18 inches of snow last night but luckily didn't lose power. Hope you're staying warm!

Hi Mark!
Great opening picture by Matisse.

I'm still pushing through Tigana - it's feeling really long. Time for more action. I think it's coming...

Hey Mark,

I'm just catching up with your thread and was curious to get your take on the Saturday PO change. I read "The Onion" link and now I see where you stand! ;0)

>14 msf59: AND she wrote her own childrens book ages and ages ago and illustrated it and wrote her own font to save on typesetting as well. Up in the Tree is a fave of Wilbur's .

Thanks to all my LT pals, we watched the 1st 2 episodes of Doc Martin. Thankfully, Seasons 1-4 are available on the Roku player through Netflix. It's a fun show and I can see it getting better as it goes along.

Laura- I hope you enjoy the beers, (make sure you let me know what they are!) and your company.

Karen- Make sure you let me know how the Booktopia Meet-up goes! Congrats on reading 4 books! Yahoo!

Vivian- I've been hearing very good things about Going Clear. On the latest NPR book podcast, they interviewed the author. I will keep my eye out. Thanks!
Sorry to hear about the snow! Good luck!

Claudia- I finished Tigana. Where are you at? Keep on truckin', my friend.

Tina- The Onion link was hysterical, wasn't it? I am not to happy about the elimination of Saturday delivery. I think it will hurt the P.O. in many ways. It will automatically eliminate many job positions.

Megan- I did not know that about Atwood. Boy, you are very smart and informative.

We have just been watching him (Martin Clunes) as Reggie Perrin, a remake of the classic Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin, starring Leonard Rossiter (who is a little bit responsible for the naming of our youngest).

Hes a clever sod, but rather odd looking. All lips and ears ;0

Oh, I love Doc Martin. I got hooked on it last year. I believe that they will be filming series 6 this year.

Hello Mark. I thought of you today when our mail delivery truck was trying to navigate down our narrow snow covered street.

I hope today was a good one for you.

Stopping by *shields eyes from Margaret Atwood* who's books I do not like, even if she is Canadian. I actively dislike her. Gorgeous picture on the top, Kemosabe!

Never even heard of Doc Martin (except the shoes which now seem to be out of style).

Hi Mark! I've been awol for a while, so I'm checking in to see how things are going.

Tomorrow is Sunday so I'm confident you don't work. I wonder how the elimination of Saturday delivery (whenever that gets implemented) will affect you. I assume there will be jobs eliminated and mail carriers will be more consistently on Monday - Friday schedules. I hope you are not adversely impacted.

You seem to be enjoying Oryx & Crake which I have not read. I've enjoyed other works by her but this one didn't seem to appeal. I'll be interested in your thoughts once you complete.
And Howl. Are you liking that?

Stopped in Everett at the Fishtail Brewpub today, thought of you.
I had this and it was delicious:

#11 They're so much more absorbing than the ones I see from US tv It's funny - me and Mr SandDune are always saying exactly the opposite: how US shows are much better because they're usually long enough to develop the characters properly. Maybe it's because it's only the best from each country that gets exported? But the big thing on British TV at the moment is ... Danish TV shows. Now they really are good!

Best day of the week! Yah! The usual Sunday agenda in place: laundry, light chores and plenty of R & R, (reading & relaxing). I want to read a nice chunk of Unsaid. I did like the 1st 40 pages. And, oh yeah: 2 hr DA tonight!

Anyone else having LT issues? Do not mess with my LT, especially on a Sunday morning. That's down-right criminal and I will have to notify the Internet Police!

Megan- "All lips and ears." LOL. Yes, he's not the most handsome guy. I like the fact that the Brits cast people that look less than perfect, like real life.

Linda- I can't believe how many fans of Doc Martin there are. My library has the first few seasons too and they are all OUT! I'm glad I'm finally on-board, thanks to my LT family.

Deb- Now, Tonto doesn't like Atwood and a fellow-Canadian? What kind of a side-kick are you? Way to independent-minded if you ask me.

Ellen- A week ago, I had never heard of Doc Martin either! I do like finding a good show I can watch with the DW. We don't watch any network shows together, except for The Walking Dead, which comes back on tonight.
The elimination of Saturday delivery will not affect me directly, but I do think it will be very harmful for the P.O. There will be several fellow-employees with out a job position, come August. That sucks.
Opinion seems to be divided on Atwood. She WORKS for me, though. I am already looking forward to Atwood April, when I can sample a couple more of her books.
Love the Fish Tale logo!

Rhian- The grass is always greener, eh? America still churns out some pretty darn good shows, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Homeland, but there are lulls. It's nice filling them in with some quality non-American shows.

I am guessing the mail carrier guy in my family (father to the kids with whom I hang) will just work M-F but the harm will come when he is offered less in the way of overtime work. But it could work the other way, too. Perhaps he will get more overtime if the PO finds that 5 days a week is just not enough to deliver all the stuff flowing through the pile line.

My Niece says she'll just change her schedule and she'll work T-Sat. which will make it possible for me to have a regualr schedule of going over there every week Tues. through Friday. Whoo hoo ! Permanent 3 day weekends. Wouldn't that be nice.

But it is all down the line a ways and things may still change.

I hope the changes do not affect you negatively!

Okay, I don't know what I was smoking. But now that I look at the cover of Unsaid again, I see it's a dog. For some odd reason, I thought it was this screaming alien and the nostril was the mouth.

LOL!

Karen- If we go to 5 day delivery, it will be easier to keep track of our schedule. Good point about the overtime. I would think the O.T. would definitely increase. Mondays will probably be brutal. It's already the heaviest day of the week and then it would be 3 days worth of mail, every week. How cost effective is that? And what about Monday holidays? How do you get around that? Now, you have a 4 day week.

Morphy- That explains it. LOL. Easy on smoking that funny stuff.

Morning Mamie- That's all I get is an LOL?

I had a very wise friend who would say to me, "don't borrow trouble from the future." What great advice! There is much to be seen before we know exactly how all this* will work out.

*USPS changes

Sorry, Mark.

Good Morning, Mark! How are you on this fine Sunday? I wish that I had something exciting to report, but unfortunately I do not. I guess I could go do something exciting, but I am thinking that would require effort and energy, and I'm just not feeling it...

Mamie-You know I have to mess with you, my friend! It's my specialty. Hugs. I know I need to focus on reading myself. I have got very little done...

Hi Mark: Happy Sunday!! Kinda drizzly and grey but at least the snow piles are melting.

I was at my old school's annual fundraiser, a sort of show/nightclub/casino thing. An extremely late night, for me at least, topped off by breakfast before heading home. I rarely sleep that late but I needed it.

Lots of hockey-watching and reading today. I think I'm going with DA and will just flip over to the Blackhawks and/or the Grammy's when I can tonight.

Need to check out when DA starts tonight.

Hi Mark. I didn't realize DA was 2 hours tonight. Now I need to check out the timing too. It usually starts at 9 here and then I go happily off to bed at 10. If it goes to 11, that's past my bed time!

Glad to see you've discovered Doc Martin mate. Set in Port Isaac on the northern coast of Cornwall (nearish to the possible home of King Arthur at Tintagel.)

>14 msf59:: I second such a love of Atwood.

Oh, and thanks to you, a copy of Howl: A Graphic Novel is on its way to my house :)

Martin Clunes is a wonderful actor...seeing him on Top Gear, where he's just being himself as the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, was a real treat. Such an affable goof! A dog lover. A self-deprecating guy you'd enjoy finding on the next barstool.

An earlier series of his, William and Mary, wasn't as captivating as Doc Martin, but is still worth looking at.

I thirdly love Ms. Atwood! Your enthusiasm as a new fan is exhilarating, Mark. I have one unread book of hers - Surfacing - that I am saving for Atwood April and am tempted to reread Cat's Eye to see if it still hold the No. 1 spot. Looking forward to Stegner in March.

We've only had M-F delivery in Canada as long as I can remember. The postal people get a lot of holidays here.. many a Monday. Tomorrow has been declared " BC Family Day" and some get the day off. I'm pretty sure my postal person will get the day off, as will all/ most government workers, but my husband has to go work and so does my son. Some family day!We don't have any long weekends until Easter or more like the May Long Weekend, so finally our provincial government enacted a February long weekend. However, depending on your employer, some only recognize Federal Holidays and not Provincial ones. Very confusing.

On a sort of happy note , I finished watching Season Two of DA! What a show! Now I only have season three to go!!! I'll be lost without DA -sort of....then I'll get more reading done!

Karen- "don't borrow trouble from the future." Amen, my friend.

Linda- It's a gloomy damp day! A good day to stay in. Enjoy your hockey & reading. I think DA starts at 8. I may have to go past my bedtime to finish it! OMG!

Pat- That's right, your TV shows start an hour later. That's a bummer for us "early to bed types". I'm an early riser too, so it evens out nicely.

Paul- I love the gorgeous scenery in Doc Martin. Quite breath-taking, although I would think the winters could be harsh.

Esquiress- This is only my 2nd Atwood, so my gushing may be premature but I know what I like when I see good writing and this dear woman delivers. Yowza!

RD- Wow, another Doc Martin fan? I must have been living in a cave, when folks were watching this program.

Donna- Some authors just strike you the right way and Atwood has done that to me. We connect. LOL. I am hosting Atwood April and my 1st pick will be The Blind Assassin and my 2nd choice was going to be Cat's Eye, which I also own but I think I will go with The year of the Flood, which I just picked up on audio and want to continue the trilogy. I also really want to find a copy of alias Grace.

Karen and Mark, I once got a fortune cookie that said "Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you." I carried that around in my wallet for years.

^Can I get a push here? Hello!

Deb- If your postal service has been set up for 5 day delivery, then that's the way it is. Our system has been 6 days forever. Actually, it used to be twice a day fifty years ago.

Pat- Amen to that too!

We have relatives in Canada and they constantly complain about their postal system especially the fact that they are often on strike. I don't think we want to emulate that system Mark.

Did I miss something? Stegner next month?

That dog in the swing is cracking me up! Too funny!

Gasps at Bonnie! I don't remember when the postal workers were last on strike, and I buy a lot of stuff through the mail. I will say that mail in Canada takes a lot longer than it does in the US - however, as a former banking employee I can state that our banking system is much faster than yours. I guess we can't have it all! :) What I mean is that any cheque deposited by 6 pm will clear the other account by the next day - two days at the longest. It's my understanding that in the US cheques can take a lot longer to clear someone else's account -however, that may have changed.

Yes Mark, I'm still your faithful Tonto! And as it happens I have Season 3 of Downton Abbey waiting for me! Yes, I know what I'll be up later on!

Well, I mentioned I would give Unsaid 50 pages and ended up reading 165, nearly halfway. It's a solid book and one I am not yet sure of the destination. I think animals lovers would enjoy it, plus it looks to be a legal drama as well. My friend did not steer me wrong.

Bonnie- We are prevented from striking. It's the law. Yep, The Big Rock Candy Mountain is next month. Are you an Atwood fan?

Mamie- He does have a great expression doesn't he?

Deb- Your bank is better than our bank! Our P.O. is better than your P.O.! Sticks out tongue! But in a very genial way. I didn't realize you could already pick up Season 3 of DA. I don't think you can in the US. Good for you!



2 hour DA, coming up...

I'm glad you found Doc Martin - I thought you'd like it. There are also two Doc Martin movies that are interesting because they were made before the tv show and the Doc has a completely different personality. My sister and BiL are such fans that last time they were over there they went to Port Isaac for a Doc Martin tour.

*waving* at Mark

Mark, ever the diplomat! I need to pick up some skills from you, my friend! :) Please write me a self- help book. I never read them but if you wrote one, I'd be the first one in line for your book, LR!

Mark, I have a beer update! Last night my friend and I had Lakefront Brewery's Riverwest Stein and Capital Brewery's Oktoberfest. Tonight, at Girls Night, we all had a few New Glarus Spotted Cows. Not too shabby, and none of them were any that I'd normally buy for myself!

I'm watching the end of the Grammys, so I won't be able to stay awake long enough to watch DA tonight - but as soon as I get up tomorrow morning, it's the first thing I'll be doing! Hope you enjoyed it, and have a nice Monday tomorrow!

A jazzy DA! What a terrific 2 hours! The best of the season. See you tomorrow...

Loved DA tonight and am catching the tail end of the Grammy's. Missed the Hawks game though.

Wait a minute. It's a two-hour DA tonight??
Sigh. I'll stay up to see it and regret it when the alarm goes off in the morning. Still, you know I love it.

It's not clear to me what Unsaid is "about." I must look at it when next I'm in a bookshop.

Haven't read an Atwood book in ages and loved her early ones. I too have Cat's Eye as a favourite and remember liking Edible Woman. Must get going on the recent ones soon. Wasn't a big fan of Handmaid's Tale so sort of stopped reading them. Great that you're talking about her! Picked up one of my daughter's "un"i books recently and read some of the Atwood poems. She is amazing, clever and serious.

Martin Clunes (Doc Martin actor) has done a 2 part series on horses that was wonderful!

Hey Marky-Mark .. love the Matisse. But what's the second picture under it? It's coming up as a blank square for me.

I'm so glad you found Doc Martin. I love that series! The guy is a riot.

Hi Mark! My, you are enthusiastic about Ms. Atwood! I'll probably read something for Atwood April - probably The Year of the Flood or Alias Grace.

I heard yesterday that New Glarus stopped making the Belgian Red Cherry beer, due to a cherry shortage. We shared a bottle at my in-laws last night. It was a sad occasion. :(

Morning! A new week, a new day. Once again I was very pleased with DA. It was exactly why we all got hooked in the first place. I'll be back tonight with more thoughts...
On the book front, I'll continue with oryx and Crake, (which I should finish) and Unsaid.

Ellen- Yep, 2 hours, but at least it was a highly entertaining 2 hours. Here's a description of Unsaid:

As a veterinarian, Helena had mercifully escorted thousands of animals to the other side. Now, having died herself, she finds that it is not so easy to move on. She is terrified that her 37 years of life were meaningless, error-ridden, and forgettable. So Helena haunts-- and is haunted by-- the life she left behind. Meanwhile, David, her shattered attorney husband, struggles with grief and the demands of caring for her houseful of damaged and beloved animals. But it is her absence from her last project, Cindy-- a chimpanzee who may unlock the mystery of communication and consciousness-- that will have the greatest impact on all of them."

Mdoris- Good to see you. I am hosting an Atwood April, if you would like to pick another title or 2 and join us.

Caro- I just snagged that 2nd image from the internet. I think it was titled Sunday morning Bolero, or something like that. I just liked it. And yes, we are enjoying Doc Martin. We watched 2 more episodes last night.

Kerri- I know Atwood can divide readers but so far she is really working for me. Were you a fan of Oryx and Crake? I didn't care for the Belgium Red but I am still in mourning for you.

#61 - Yes, I really liked Oryx and Crake and The Handmaid's Tale, but that's all I've read from her catalog.

You don't like the Belgian Red?! I've never heard of such a thing! : )

We recorded DA last night because we were having dinner with friends. I'm glad to hear it was such a good episode. I can't wait to get home tonight and watch it.

Hiya, Mark! We have returned from our funfest, and there's a review of The Miniature Wife and Other Stories over at the cafe.

I'm a big fan of The Handmaid's Tale.

>44 msf59:: I agree with your "yowza!" Tell me you'll be doing Atwood April! I plan to read all that I have by her that I haven't read... which might be a bit of a hard goal to reach, but we'll see :)

My Verilux reading lamp came in! Yah! I'll assemble it later and give it a try. A full report forthcoming...Since I ordered it from Amazon, I of course had to throw a book in there. FREE Shipping, people! I finally snagged St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised By Wolves. It is such a beautiful title and Russell's new story collection comes out this week, I believe. I may have to bump this baby WAY up!

I finished Oryx and Crake. Wow! Wow! Atwood is now an idol of mine and a goddess. I picked up the audio of the Year of the Flood, so I'll have that ready for Atwood April. I am not sure a month can contain her talent. How about the Year of Atwood?

Kerri- Those are the only 2 Atwood's I have read too, although that will change in the next couple of months. Yep, The Belgium Red was to thick and syrupy for me. Hey, we can disagree on a beer, once every blue moon.

Laura- You appeared over here in disguise. LOL. I didn't recognize you in the fake nose & glasses. Why the username change? You should love DA. Let me know what you think.

Joe- Loved both of your reviews! Good job! Are you off to see the Bulls?

Esquiress- Yes, I do get carried away sometimes, but when an author grabs me like this, I just can't help myself. Atwood April!!

I just finished Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend based on your recommendation. It was wonderful, I liked the premise and the writing was great. My only issue was at times I thought it was a little repetitive.

It was a scary read for me. I have two sons that are autistic, they are both very mild but I could see my older son when he was younger being taking advantage of by an adult that he thought he could trust. My younger son on the other hand has always been leery of everyone.

Thanks for the recommendation. I think Tiny Beautiful Things will be my next BB from you or possibly Beautiful Ruins.

Good luck with the light. Let us know how it works I have looked at them for years but never made the purchase.

Hey Mark - I have read several Atwood's including the one that won the Booker - The Blind Assassin - also enjoyed The Robber Bride. Have a couple of others of hers on the SoS that I will get to sometime. Doc Mar5tin is a great series so i do hope you enjoy catching up!

RD posted this on FB. (Thanks RD!) It's a Must Read: "You Should Be Outraged by What Is Being Done to Our Postal Service."

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/14467-you-should-be-outraged-by-what-is-being-...

Bette- Great to see you over here! And I'm glad you enjoyed Imaginary Friend. I read his first book, Something Missing and that was a lot of fun too!
Let me know which of those other 2 books you pick.

Prue- Thankfully, Ms. Atwood has been very prolific. I have a slew of her books to get to. I plan on kicking off A.A. with the Blind Assassin.

I have been worshiping at the altar of Margaret Atwood, since i read her first novel, in 1969...I am so glad you liked Oryx and Crake since it's not one of her "easy" reads

;-}

Doc Martens are boots.....what the hell...

"Have you changed your pills?"
-Isobel asks the Lady Dowager

"You'll make me untidy."
-coos, Mary

"It's what Sybil would have wanted."
-uttered by various characters

"Get back in the knife box, Miss Sharp!"
-Anna to O'Brien (thanks to Pat for this one!)

Men kissing men! Men making faces! There was romance, laughter, "revolting behavior", cricket and even "evil" jazz made an appearance. What a great DA. I think this is why we love this show! It was almost perfect, although why in the HELL Thomas or Mrs. O'Brien are still working there, is absolutely mind-boggling.

Spoiler Alert! Question: One thing I didn't buy, is would these men, Carson & Robert in particular, be so accepting and understanding of homosexuality, in 1920s GB?

Sure had a few chuckles and awe moments on DA last evening.

Gayness was a lot less of an issue before there was a gay identity to threated straightness. A huge dome of silence covered sexual behavior after the Victorian hypocrisy, and what folks got up to in their bedrooms was largely thought to be private.

Of course there were haters then as now, and most of them were xians then as now, but the tolerance isn't too surprising. *Acceptance* would be more surprising. But "oh well, that's just who he is" was not too unusual.

Jude- Great to see you! Atwood Rocks! I did not find Oryx and Crake difficult at all. It went down like a fine Scotch.

Cindy- Good point about the chuckles. We laughed out loud multiple times.

RD- Thanks for the insight. Both Carson & Robert both mentioned that they understood that it was in their "nature" and couldn't be helped. That sounds like modern thinking, right?

It certainly beats the snot outta "faggots die and rot in hell."

Good point, sir! Watching Carson make disgusted faces was a hoot!

Wow, another great DA episode! I think you're right Mark, the best of the season, and it's why we all tuned in in the first place.

Working hard to dodge all the DA talk here - my other half and I have only watched to the end of season 2 so far - But wanted to at least stop by to say "Hello", Mark.

Very happy to see you have joined the "Doc Martin" bandwagon.... it is such a great series! I am enjoying "Call the Midwife" in small doses right now as it's not exactly something my other half will watch back-to-back episodes of, and I am okay with that as we flip between that and episodes of "New Tricks" which we both enjoy watch. A double win for me.

Hope you have a great week!

Just finished watching the episode and loved it! Mark I love the quotes you mentioned. The Dowager was in fine fettle as well. And thanks RD for the reality check, I was wondering about that too.

Loved last night's episode.of DA Mark. I guess they kept Thomas and O'Brien on the show for the tension they create; can't say I'd miss them.

Guess who has a book coming out in April? Drum roll:



I LOVE Mary Roach. And this one looks like a lot of fun. I heard about it today on a book podcast. I was crazy about her last one, Packing For Mars. If you haven't read or listened to that one: Shame, shame!

Laura- I know I give DA some grief for under-performing but I also try to praise it when it marvels. That was terrific. Let's hope the finale is just as strong.

Lori- Next Sunday is the DA finale, so the DA chatter will cease, at least for the rest of this year. Hope you are enjoying Call the Midwife. I never heard of New Tricks. What is it? Please, don't let it be a reality show. LOL.

Laura- I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with that episode. We've waited all season for one like that. And yes, the Lady Dowager was quite busy in that one.

Bonnie- Of course, they made Thomas more sympathetic in these past few episodes, but come on! He has to go! I was surprised Bates bailed him out, after all the crap Thomas pulled on him.

>28 msf59: I like the fact that the Brits cast people that look less than perfect, like real life.
Hallelujah! I should never have commented on his looks, but it irks me a little as I wonder if a woman similarly placed in the looks department would have been able to sustain such a fantastic acting career. Sour grapes? Tall poppy syndrome? I hope not. Just observing.

>75 richardderus: Um. Yes, it certainly does RD!!!

ALl the talk of DA and bedroom preferences has made me interested in reading about Oscar Wilde, Ill go see what there is about him I can lay my hands on.

I just finished watching last night's DA. My favorite line was Miss O'Brien to Anna when she commented on how mean Miss O'Brien was and O'Brien shot back "Get back in the knife box, Miss Sharp!"

No worries.... I am getting very good at dodging the DA talk! We are about to sit down to watch the fourth episode of "Call the Midwife" and yes, its a good series!

"New Tricks" is a British cop TV series about the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS) of the Metropolitan Police Service. Led by an active police officer - Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman - the unit also comprises three retired police officers who have been recruited (brought back) to reinvestigate unsolved crimes. The fun bit is the retired police officers are "old school" while Sandra is "new school" - following rules and all the advances in DNA testing, etc. If you like British cop series, this one is good fun and a nice change of pace from some of the other cop/detective series. The series episodes are available on DVD through Acorn Media and probably also on Netflix.

Oh! Only one more episode of Season 3 of DA to go , tonight I suspect, Mark! Oh how shall I bear it! I'll have to see when season 4 comes out in DVD... perhaps I'll get more reading in!

In the Sea there are Crocodiles. I am crazy about the title and the book cover, so this will be next audio. A little "tweener" before I start my next FF.

I did assemble my reading lamp. I did not have a chance to actually read under it but I like the look and the soft unobtrusive light it casts.

Megan- I agree. I like seeing "interesting faces", instead of just the pretty ones. Did you make an Oscar Wilde selection?

Pat- That is a good line. I think I missed that one. Sometimes they come by a little to fast. I take it, you enjoyed the episode?

Lori- I'm so happy it's not a reality show! LOL. I will look for it. Thanks!

Deb- Wow! You are tearing through DA! It looks like you passed us. Remember: No spoilers! LOL.

Great wrap up of DA, Mark. You and Pat mentioned some of the excellent lines passed between the characters. I think people come back just to hear the their repartee.
Yes, the jazz club was a very good scene. I forget that there is a world outside of the massive wood doors of DA.
RE: ItSTaC: I hope the story doestn't disappoint. The cover and title are very appealing.

Well, good morning to you! Congrats on the new lamp. I am very interested in what you think of reading beneath it. And, is there a chance of a photo?

I may join Atwood April. I have Alias Grace sitting on my shelf...

Glad to see that you loved Oryx and Crake and I am very much looking forward to your Atwood April.

I started listening to The Dog Stars whilst I was ill, but somehow I couldn't engage with the story during the time. However, I will try again once I am a bit better.

I have decided to accept that I will never be caught up with your thread. sigh.
Hope all is well!

Mark-tastic - I realized that I still have more DA season 3 to go ! Turned out that I have nearly two more DVD discs to go!!! Happy day! I won't post any spoilers anywhere, but truly it's difficult to avoid them - whether I pick up a newspaper on the topic of pre-eclampisia, etc - DA is kind of everywhere that I look - magazine, newspaper, never mind the threads :)

#69
Thank you Richard. Bless you. And all that. People are forgetting the government is to serve the people. Why are we forgetting? Because we are being lead around by our noses by people who want us to be sheep!

I remember when the post office had the only copier in town. It was heavily used. People in the town commented when it had to go and raised a stink the postmistress. However, they didn't raise a stink to the right stinky place. Our senator in Washington - the great Bob Dole or the not so equally great Nancy Kassenbaum. Consequently the small town lost their coipers and people had to travel to the county seat 15 miles away. Then one day, about a month after the copier disappeared, a public copier reappeared. This time it was across the street - in the bank. That was so nice. The richest man in town got to charge people a dime per copy. That worked great until the Bank moved to the county seat. That move happened when the banking laws were changed so that if a bank was chartered in one place it could move to another place and keep it original charter. (Thank the Clinton administration for that one.) Now the people in my home town have to own their own printer in order to make copies. As the author of that article said - "Do we see a pattern here?"

Now one to DA chatter - The one line you all ignored that is of vital importance was the one uttered by Lord Grantham. He said something about when he was a schoolboy at Eaton. If the boys who kissed each other in the shower were arrested it would be half the class! England was long a hot bed of immoral behavior and there was a long standing joke about the navy and the army being full of "bunkmates." The English school system was well known to be the place where life-long relationships were formed. In short, Robert is right. This kind of behavior was named an aberration but it was long tolerated. The Oscar Wilde episode was the anomaly - not the norm. In fact in that case the courts were pushed to prosecute because the father of the young man involved had another axe to grind and used the homosexuality issue as a way to get back at Wilde. The English aristocracy were probably much more tolerate of gay behavior than the population of the U. S. would have been. In my opinion this episode was probably right on target with its portrayal of attitudes of that time and in that class.

What I did find more amazing was Mr. Bates helping Thomas. I wonder what is going on in that mind? Also wonder about Carson helping Bates as well?

Margaret Atwood - I like her books. I thought Blind Assassin was amazing. It is a book that I still think about and count it as one of my best books ever read.

I was not that big of a fan of Oryx and Crake. Atwood is known to be anti-commercial and often rails against advertising and our consumer culture and O&C is very much a diatribe and way to express her feelings about that subject. I will grant that it is a diatribe done with feeling and great talent, but, none-the-less a diatribe. I am not sorry I read that book, but it was not one of my favorites, and for me does not rank nearly as high as Blind Assassin. I do want to read Atwood's novel/treatise on bullying - Cat's Eye and will try to get to that in April. I also have Alias Grace and would like to read her take on the Penelope story The Penelopiad as well. But will do Cat's Eye first simply because of the timeliness of the subject matter.

Hi Mark- no Oscar Wilde selection yet. Maybe I need to ask Luxx- she is a big fan.

Pat - that was a great line, glad you remembered it! Made me laugh out loud and startle the furkids.

Mark, I can't wait to hear what you think about your new reading light! I might have to get one myself. All I have are 25W lamps and my string of Christmas/fairy lights, and 1 antique floor lamp that was my great-grandmothers. Methinks another light source with a more "normal" wattage would be a good thing. After all, I'm not getting younger here....

Hope you had a good day today and didn't wipe out on any icy patches! There are some spots in my yard that look (and feel) like glass. :)

Happy Tuesday!

Mark, I stayed up too late for it but I thoroughly enjoyed this week's installment of DA. Heroes, they gave us heroes! I love that.
I'm glad for Richard's balanced comments above (wait - is that really Richard?) because we have been planning to get a kitten this spring and name him Carson, but after this week's episode, we thought perhaps not (then we were leaning toward a kitten named Branson) but of course we still love Carson and his reactions to Thomas belong in historical (and fictional) context.

I sure hope there's a fourth season.

>96 LauraBrook: LOL! Nice, Laura. :-)

Hope all is well in your part of the world, Mark. Looks like you've been having lots of good reads. I'm in the middle of Scarlet, Marissa Meyer's follow-up to Cinder, a book I liked a lot last year. So far this one matches that one's high quality.

Mark, I did love this episode of DA and am so sorry that next week is it.

Laura, I actually had forgotten that quote but I've been reading the weekly Slate articles online that discuss each episode of DA and their reference reminded me of it.

Here's the one for Sunday's episode: Forget Matthew’s modernization scheme; they should turn Downton into a swank B&B.

And here's a second article they did called Is the treatment of Thomas an anachronistic 21st-century fantasy? which deals with whether the Thomas storyline was realistic or not.

Warning: the links are full of spoilers!

ETA: Laura, I love the lab joke! And Ellen, there definitely is a 4th season. It'll air in the UK in the fall and the US next January.

>89 Morphidae:: I think you'll like Alias Grace, Morphy.

>94 benitastrnad:: Cat's Eye, The Penelopiad, and Alias Grace are all good ones.

I think I need to re-read The Penelopiad after having taught The Odyssey to 9th graders last year.

>96 LauraBrook: LOL!
Love it!!!

Wow! Lots of great messages. Always puts a big smile on my face! I'll be back kids...

Looking forward to it Mark-tastic!
:)

Another cold, raw day. Overcast, about 30. Hey, at least the snow & ice are gone. I nearly finished In the Sea there are Crocodiles. It's a short listen/read. It's a good fictional/memoir, nothing earth-shattering. I will also be finishing up Unsaid.
We tried watching The Walking Dead last night, (Anyone else still watching this chomp-fest?) but our cable-TV was wonky so we couldn't. And tonight's the State of the Union, which I plan on watching most of and I would love to try out the "new" light!

Lynda- The one DA moment I forgot and it was a doozy was the beer moment, when Tom's brother orders a beer at dinner and everyone sneers. I would have had to change things around, if I was living there then. LOL.

Karen- My Verilux Reading lamp is the exact same one, that I posted on my previous thread:



I keep mine on the left side of my chair. I hope to use it a little tonight.

Morphy- I also have Alias Grace high on my WL. I love an author that can do both fiction and non-fiction with equal aplomb.

Bianca- Great to see you! I hope you are feeling much better. I also hope you can get back into the Dog Stars and if not, there are always a thousand other books waiting in the wings.

Kath- Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Today was busy over here, I agree. Hope your day went well.

Deb- I was wondering how you knocked out Season 3 so fast! LOL. Just be careful of spoilers around here. I would hate to have anything ruined for you.

It sounds like you liked In the Sea There are Crocodiles a lot more than I did Mark. That was an ER book that I had high hopes for and was badly disappointed with.

So, did I miss it?
How's the new light, Mark?

Possible DA spoiler -

but it DIDN't happen!
DA was indeed much better this week. However, Ron and I worried that after all the happy news of pregnancy potential, HE would get damaged in the cricket game to make it all impossible!
NOT really a spoiler cuz it didn't happen! LOL!

Benita- I think you are calling Richard, (RD) Robert? Do you have Lord Grantham on your mind? Is Nancy Kassenbaum that kooky right-winger from Kansas?
Onto DA, thanks for the reminder on Robert's "schoolboy" speech. That is priceless. And thanks for your thoughts on the gay issue of that time. Very interesting. You just don't think that was possible in stuffy & uptight GB.
I will be kicking off Atwood April with the Blind Assassin. I didn't see a diatribe in Oryx and Crake. Of course she slams commercialism, genetic-engineering, climate-change, our growing indifference to violence, but I agree with her on all that.

Laura- I would start saving up for one of these Daylight Reading Lamps. You can easily find one for less than 90. I can't believe it took me this long to finally pick one up. Duh!
Thankfully, the ice is gone here! Whew!
Love the lab photos! You know who the chocolate reminds me of.

Ellen- It looks like the consensus on Sunday's DA is all positive. Let's hope the finale is just as strong. Honestly, I was not looking forward to season 4 but this last one gave me hope.

Joe- I requested the audio of Cinder but I am not sure when I will get it. I will be starting Drowned Cities finally. Did you get to that one?

Pat- I love those Slate articles! My kind of twisted humor. I appreciate the "spoiler warning"!

Esquiress- Big Waves to a major Atwood fan!

Megan- Thanks for all the great nicknames. I don't think my wife would agree with any of them but what does she know? LOL. No luck with Mr. Wilde, eh? I have a collection of his, I hope to dip into, this year.

Bonnie- I am wondering if In the Sea There are Crocodiles would have been better as a straight fictional story, not a fake/memoir. Something like the Kite runner, although I don't know if Geda has those kind of chops. I like it but don't love it.

Claudia- I assembled the light last night but haven't had a chance to really use it yet. But you know I WILL! In regards to Matthew having his privates seriously injured in the cricket game. Wow! You have a dark & twisted side, my friend.

Thanks Mark. I was indeed mixing up Richard and Robert. I was thinking Richard and wrote Robert, because Robert is Lord Grantham's name. It was a Freudian slip.

Nancy Kassenbaum was a Republican Senator from Kansas. (they are always Republican in Kansas.) She is the daughter of Alfred Landon. He ran for President against FDR back in the 40's and lived to be over 100. She married Howard Baker from Senator from Tennessee and the former Secretary of State. She retired the same year that Bob Dole ran for President so Kansas lost both of its senators the same year. With the pork laws not passed yet and Congress dependent on seniority you can bet that Kansas hasn't seen much federal money in the ensuing years. Why Kansans don't protest and carry on to their senators and representatives I don't know. Anyway, I am digressing into a diatribe.

Speaking of diatribes. I thought Oryx and Crake was good writing, but the whole book was one long diatribe on the evils of the long list of the Evils you already mentioned. I just don't think it was her best book and have no desire to read Year of the Flood as a result. It is not that I disagree with her position I just think the book was heavy handed and the plot was transparent. As I said, it wasn't her best book.

Back to DA
I believe that there were references to the many gay's in the British Navy in the Hornblower books. I remember reading that somewhere a long time ago and think perhaps it was there or maybe the Mutiny on the Bounty trilogy? I wonder if there were any in the Patrick O'Brien books? I guess I had better quit musing on that subject as perhaps somebody knows where that came from. The point being that I think that Britain in the 1920's would have been more tolerant than would the U. S. of the same time period. Richard has made a good point. And I think that DA was within the limits of historical accuracy on that subject.

I had that quote from Lord Grantham wrong. Here is the correct quote. "If I screamed blue murder every time someone tried to kiss me at Eton, I'd've gone hoarse in a month."

Mark, I'm reading Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend and I love it!!!! Thanks for recommending this one.

>107 msf59:: Big waves back! Also smiles and sparkles!

Her ladyship's soap.

Love the lamp, Mark.

All the snow is melted?!? Au contraire. We've still got about 4-5 inches on the ground.

I was impressed by the President's speech, brimming with hope and vision! See you guys tomorrow. Good night!

*waving* at Mark

Oryx and Crake perplexed me to the extreme. I spent most of it wondering what was going on, and why :)
And to think it was my first Atwood, and that I still went back for more! (go me!)

I was impressed with what was in the president's speech as well, Mark. I hope the stuff he left out gets attention too: Prosecuting banksters, ending drone strikes....

All up to date on your thread Mark. It took a while, and though I wanted to comment along the way, I've now forgotten what it is I wanted to say, partly because I'm ready for bed now and exhausted after another day struggling with migraine.

It was nice seeing all the DA talk, and I can't wait to see what the talk will be after you all see that finale this weekend, since of course I know there'll at least be one huge topic up for discussion. But not saying any more than that. Oh yes, I'll add that I thought the finale was the most soap operaish episode to date. But I'll still be waiting for season 4 with great impatience.

I wanted to comment on Margaret Atwood... started reading her at 18 and loved her, and in a way, glad I didn't hurry up to read all her books, as I've still got quite a few to discover or reread. I think I read Cat's Eye at some point, but not sure, and it's on my tbr. Another one I KNOW I've read, and more than once and LOVED is The Handmaid's Tale, probably my favourite? I got a gorgeous Folio edition of it last year and also snagged the audio version read by the hugely talented Claire Danes. Guess I'll be rereading/listening to that one in April!

I thought the President's speech was excellent and his vision for the coming years is grand and ambitious. How different things are than they were even 5 years ago.
And thank goodness that wasn't Mitt Romney telling us about the state of the union.

Could John Boehner not have smiled just once? Sheesh.

Hi Mark, just passing through (bother, I'm behind on your last thread too!) to drop a link to Neil Gaiman's talk the other week in Sydney - hopefully it's available outside of Australia (but if not, I'm sure it'll appear on YouTube soon :). Here's the video:

http://www.themonthly.com.au/evening-neil-gaiman-7459

And I believe this is just the audio:

https://soundcloud.com/sydney-writers-festival/sydney-writers-festival-an

Phew, busy down under! Hope all is well, and that I can catch up soon. :)

Happy Hump Day, people!

Benita- I have read 4 or 5 of the Master and Commander books, but I do not recall any homo-eroticism. It does feature a very strong friendship though.
That is great Lord Grantham quote!

Linda- I hope you continue to love Imaginary Friend. I'll be watching for your thoughts.

Esquiress- We will just keep returning waves and hugs! Enjoy your day.

LindaP- Yes, you are right about Cora's soap. Another plot point and one Sue remembered immediately. Sorry you still have snow. We are down to just about zero.

Stasia- Big loving wave!

Megan- Funny, how different we experience a book. I loved the narrative structure of Oryx and Crake and did not find it perplexing or heavy-handed. It worked for me completely.
I am glad you did not give up on her. Go Megan!

RD- I did not see Rubio's response. Same nonsense?

Ilana- Great to see you, my friend! Sorry you are still suffering from those dreaded migraines. I thought the 3rd season of DA was just okay up until the penultimate episode, which was dynamite. Looking forward to the finale. I hope it stays at the same quality.
Thanks for your thoughts on Atwood. I have a serious crush on her.

Ellen- Obama exuded strength and confidence. He has a chance to end the dreaded 2nd-term curse and make this one of the best. Lets keep the other guys on the ropes.

Tania (busy down under)- Good to see you and thanks for the Gaiman links. Hope your current books are treating you well.

Hi Mark! Although I wouldn't say it's still blowing my mind, I am still watching The Walking Dead. Also, due to your recommendation, we're almost through the first 2 seasons of Homeland. Very good.

John Boehner always looks like he is pooping broken glass during these things. I enjoy that.

Have a good day at work Mark!

Watched a bit more DA last night... I think I might be one episode further on than you are. I'll say no more, Marktastic!

I am afraid I may have to give in and watch DA, Seasons 1 and 2 this coming weekend. That and read. I have 4 days of doing "whatever I want to do"! Whoo hoo!!

Here's another vote for a really fine SOTU from President Obama. I really liked the veiled threats that if Congress doesn't pull up its collective big boy and girl panties and start actually doing its job that the president will go around them when he can. Of course, from what I heard of the Republican response, the signs aren't hopeful that it will happen.

So much happened in that episode of DA this week! I never thought I'd actually feel sorry for Thomas. And why do I not trust Bates? Is he just too good to be true?

I'm happy to hear that you're an Atwood fan! I need to read more of her stuff, too. And I *need* to get round to Roach soon, too, as I'm certain I'd love her.

You're going to enjoy Cinder, Mark. I'm really happy with the sequel, Scarlet, too. She keeps the pages zipping along.

Enjoy today's sunshine!

Hiya Mark! Atwood is one author I haven't gotten to yet, despite owning Handmaid's Tale for over a decade. But one of these years, I swear I'll get to it! I'm checking into the Verilux light, and thank you for alerting me to a new Roach book! Yay - she writes great stuff. Happy Wednesday to you!

Richard & others

I was surprised this last week with the announcement that the Justice Dept. is suing Standard & Pours. That is a huge step in the right direction as far as I am concerned. If I remember correctly there is some connection between MacMillan and the Bush administration. I seem to recall that the Bush family owns part of MacMillan or something like that. And MacMillan owns Standard & Pours. S&P is the ratings agency for the banking industry. Talk about the wolf watching the hen house. If I get time today I will check the facts on this.

Standard and Poor's is a division of McGraw-Hill.

>120 msf59: Mark...Rubio's response:



His whining tirade was self-interrupted by this stunningly poorly timed swig of water.

#131 LOL!

And how did I get 131 messages behind. Sigh. Can't keep up this year!

Hi Mark! Just catching up over here. I have nothing to report.

#130
Maybe that is why I couldn't find it earlier when I looked. I'll try again.

Nice day! Sunny, mid 40s! I will take it. Lots of book doings: I finished In the Sea There Are Crocodiles and Unsaid and I started on the audio of Drowned Cities, the follow-up to Ship Breaker, which I really liked. And I also started the Burgess Boys, an ER book. I was also a HUGE fan of her last book Olive Kitteridge. I know Bonnie loved BB and that's good enough for me.

Kerri- We have not had a chance to watch the latest episode of The Walking Dead, but we will. I hope they wrap up this compound thing with the Governor. It is getting tiresome.
I am glad you are enjoying Homeland. That 1st season kicked butt! Had problems with the 2nd season though.

Kath- LOL. Yes, Boehner looks like he would rather be anywhere else.

Deb- We just watched the penultimate episode of the 3rd season. Is that where you are at? With just the finale left?

Karen is going to jump on the DA Bandwagon! Yah! Plenty of room. Cozy, with plenty of refreshments. Be forewarned: It's extremely addictive!

Julia- I was pleased with Obama's speech. Of course, none of it changed my (righty) friends opinion. He is still the worst president we have ever had. Exactly where were they from 2000-2008? Tahiti?

Amber- What are a couple of your favorites of Atwood? Inquiring minds. Make sure you join us for Atwood April and please read Mary Roach. Start with Packing For Mars, my favorite.

Ah, Mark, no I've still got a few more episodes to go, though I do know what will happen at the end of this season. I'll fit in another couple of episodes tonight, likely!

Apparently season 3 Downton Abbey has started on Australian TV, but being in my own little world of books, I missed the memo. Oh well. I am recording season 2 (being repeated), so I just have to wait for season 3 to be repeated, and all will be fine. :)

Mark, did you like Gone Girl? We're doing it for our bookgroup next month, I was one of the readers who endorsed the original recommendation, so I do hope it's good!

Heya, Mark. *waving again* I've enjoyed my day so far - nice lunch with my mom and a cousin, then came to a Pitch Perfect soundtrack-motivated kitchen cleaning. Finally catching up on threads and such tonight :)

I am loving all of the opinions coming your way on Atwood. It's fascinating to follow along!

Joe- I am glad Scarlet is working for you. I am really enjoying Drowned Cities. It looks to be in the same world of Ship Breaker but different characters and a different storyline. I really like his writing.

Laura- Try to bookhorn The Handmaid's Tale in. This was where I started and was blown away. She doesn't seem to work for everyone but if she does...watch out. Yes, we do love Mary Roach and this new one looks like a lot of fun.

Benita- Thanks for the info on Standard and Poor. Let me know what else you find out.

RD- LOL. I heard about Rubio's drinking problem on the radio this morning. I wonder if he has a strong following in the American-Latin community? Other than immediate family, of course.

BekkaJo- How do you get behind, my friend? Should I start slowing things down over here? LOL. LT can be a chore no doubt, but it beats housework.

Mamie- Big loving wave!

Deb- How did you find out about the end? Who spoiled it for you, Tonto?

Tania- You'll have plenty of time to catch up with DA. I wouldn't be surprised if season 4 doesn't start in the US, until early next year.
I LOVED Gone Girl and I think it would make a killer group read, as long as you have the right participants, readers who can handle dark, twisty and nasty.

Well, I've read 3 Atwoods and I loved them all: Handmaid's Tale, The Year of the Flood and Oryx & Crake.

You have a lot of books going right now, Mark. I also liked Ship Breaker so I'll be interested in your take on the sequel.
Happy Wednesday evening to you!

Rubio...Boehner's illegitimate son, right?

Tomorrow was supposed to be my day off but they asked me to work and I agreed. At least I can pay for my Reading Lamp with the proceeds and it's going to be another mild mid-Feb day, so it's a Win-Win, although staying home has a certain appeal too!

Amber- I plan on reading the Year of the Flood & the Blind Assassin for Atwood April. You should join us.

Ellen- If you liked Ship Breaker, I am sure you will like the follow-up. I wonder if this will be a trilogy?

Kath- OMG! You might be right! Boehner and a Cuban maid, in a Florida motel! Makes sense.

"You have a dark & twisted side"
Wow thanks, Mark!

Today was so warm - 40 degrees! Felt like Spring...
Nice you got a warm day of extra work and a great, new lamp.
Happy reading :-)

>135 msf59: hooray for a sunny day- they can really give you that lift you need to get to the end of the week.

Go President Obama, I havent heard his speech (any of them really bar the first ever one he made as president). But from the looks of it he has an ambitious and positive plan for the country. Lets hope his plans can come to fruition.

Swinging in to say hey and catch up, Mr. Mark-tastic! :)

oh wow, I am terribly behind here!
I'm so glad to see you loved Oryx and Crake! I loved both that and Year of the Flood. The third one comes out this summer and I would love to read the two again before the new one comes out!

Well, Marktastic, I've found it hard to avoid spoilers, if you read the newspaper, Google what season Downton Abbey is in , or whatever. I thought everyone was already on season Four! But while reading a quick summary of Season 3 well, I discovered the ending. It's likely better that way, so I won't be as heartbroken as I might have been. There was an article in the newspaper about eclampsia about two weeks ago, and thus I knew something about an episode a couple of weeks ago. Got me prepared and I could watch without a hanky. Even so, there is always plenty of drama! I do so hope that Edith - well, you know and I really can't bear that Thomas and I don't have a good feeling about Bates...no matter what! What does Jane see in him? And Lord Grantham - he sure gets high and mighty! Tut tut!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my LT sweethearts and yes that includes you too, Mr. Crabby Pants! Like, I mentioned earlier I am working my day off today. Money for more books! Yah! I can't wait to get back to the Burgess Boys. I only read the 1st 30 pages.

Claudia- Glad you liked the compliment! LOL. Another mild day today and back to the COLD tomorrow & Saturday. Boo.

Megan- You should check out some of Obama's speeches, especially his 2nd inaugural. The "right" thinks he is all "words" and no action. Of course, I disagree...

Tina- Big Waves!

Chelle- Great to see you! Yes, you missed much raving about Ms. Atwood. And I am hosting Atwood April. I am sure you could find something by her that you have not yet read.

Deb- You guys are going to give me a "big head" with all these nicknames. I was just a humble & simple mail-carrier, with a few online friends...
I am so glad you are enjoying DA! Looking forward to that finale!

That's what I thought ( about Rubio) ... not to mention what was really in that water bottle...

Tequila? Morning Kath!



I have to get one of these babies!

Oh, I *like* your description of Gone Girl! Picked up a copy today from my favourite bookshop, which was having a 15% off sale for valentines day today. :) Should be a good bookgroup read, I hope!

*waving* I'm still reading AK, started watching DA last night over some yummy potato soup, and went to sleep too early, so I'm up too early also. Today is last day of hanging with kids, then four days free in a row: reading, Income Taxes, cleaning up the craft room and maybe making some cards, going out and about for some photography! Thems my thoughts for now.... I'll probably do some kitchen cupboard cleaning out, too, as there's a thread in The Green Dragon reminding us to not keep stuff at the back of the cupboard for too many years. ha! I should also get out into the back yard, and muck about a bit. Maybe put up the green house's plastic so I could start some peas, and lettuce.

Like usual - a To Do List That Could Eat Chicago!

Enjoy making more money, friend, it does help when you read as much as you do.... more books!

I promise, no havoc on your thread, Marktastic! :)

"Dark, twisty and nasty" - I'm with Tania; nice description of Gone Girl!

Glad to hear that you're liking Drowned Cities. I haven't read that one, and will look forward to doing so.

Finished Scarlet, which was most excellent, and started Tell the Wolves I'm Home, which I remember is one you liked.

Happy Valentine's Day, Mark!!

I know that, at our last get together, we chuckled about the molasses flood and how I was going to read about it.

Well, I'm finally reading the book Dark Tide about the great Boston molasses flood of 1919. Contrary to the "slow as molasses" concept, the 2.3 million gallons that escaped the tank created a 15-foot tall tidal wave of molasses that moved at 35 mph.

This is probably the most interesting disaster book I've read since the book on the Halifax explosion.

>149 msf59: The "right" thinks he is all "words" and no action.
If he was all words and no action, that would be because of the right stopping him, wouldnt it?
eta: a b for an i....you know bolding issues :)

*grumble* Silly holiday.

The weatherman said it would be a pleasant day, partly sunny, mid-40s but it was just plain chilly and windy. Oh well, at least it didn't snow or rain.
I am enjoying both the Burgess Boys and the Drowned Cities. The latter, I should finish tomorrow.

Tania- I think Gone Girl is still in hardback, right? I hope you got a nice deal. If you see a good price on her earlier books, sharp Objects & Dark Places, grab those too! I still have to read the latter, hopefully soon but I have heard very good things.

Karen- I hope you have a terrific 4-day weekend! Enjoy! I am looking forward to a 2-day, with the holiday on Monday. I NEED to start trying out my new light.
Make sure your "To Do List" doesn't eat my part of Chicago!

Deb- Do you guys celebrate Valentines Day? I know it's a silly holiday and we don't do much. We celebrate on different days.

Joe- the Drowned Cities is very enjoyable and completely different from Ship Breaker. Bacigalupi is a terrific storyteller. I hope you enjoy Tell the Wolves.

Happy Valentine's Day, Linda! I'm glad you finally got to Dark Tide and are enjoying it. Yes, I do recall having a laugh or 2 over that title. I'll have to keep an eye out for that one.

Megan- "that would be because of the right stopping him, wouldnt it?" You nailed it, my friend! You nailed it!

RD- I completely agree it's silly! Big Hug to you anyway!

Why? Warum? Por qué? Pourquoi? почему?(Russian) 为什么? (Chinese)

Ugh. For the first time ever, a cabinet nominee's name was brought to the Senate floor and was filibustered. Ridiculous.

And they wonder why politicians have such a low approval rating. Don't like something...hold a vote. Don't use political maneuverings to let the minority obstruct.

Just one more day and I've got my 3-day weekend. Haven't had a vacation day or holiday since New Year's Day, which is about as long as I ever go. Yay for 3-day weekends. We'll be starting the weekend out right, going to our "October Blackhawks game" on Friday night.

Smooches for Valentine's Day! Hang in there for your mini VK.

I found it! It took me about an hour of searching but I found the article I had read years ago about the connection between George Bush - McGraw Hill - and now Standard & Poors. There was a long article in The Nation about the Bush family connection with the textbook and test publisher McGraw Hill. Basically the article said that the Bush administration mandated the testing of all school children from 3rd to 8th grade. There are three big publishing companies that produce tests and McGraw-Hill is one of the three. The article gives in detail the family relationships between the McGraw's and the Bushes. It goes on to say that Bush Education policies in Texas made McGraw-Hill a very healthy company, (the state of Texas opted to purchase the tests that McGraw-Hill produced when it went to state standardized testing when Bush was governor of that state) and that the continued policies and practices at the national level made it even wealthier. The article stops short of accusing George Bush of collusion but it comes very close. I can't get a link to work to the article, but if any of you have access to a full-text database at your public library you might want to look this one up because of the current lawsuit against Standard & Poors.

Metcalf, Stephen. The Nation. Reading Between the Lines : THE NEW EDUCATION LAW IS A VICTORY FOR BUSH--AND FOR HIS CORPORATE ALLIES. January 28, 2002.

Yes Mark, we celebrate Valentines Day in Canada on the 14th of February. We don't do much here either . Did any of your clients give you chocolates today , or maybe a chaste kiss?

Happy Valentine's Day, Mark!

>163 benitastrnad: that kind of stuff makes my blood boil. And I bet it happens more than we know.
*angerball*

Valentines Day? So yesterday. ;)

Lest I confuse anyone - the article to which I referred was written back in 2002. When I heard that S&P was being sued by the Justice Dept. And that McGraw-Hill owned S&P I remembered that there was some sort of connection, but couldn't remember what it was. I finally found it today. Connections always amaze me. They are so anti-democratic.

Well I never knew the connection between the Bush family and McGraw Hill but I will say that in NY the state tests started in 1999 and they have always been produced by McGraw-Hill. As a matter of fact, I can't think that there was ever a question of any other company producing the tests. That's because the publishing companies have been swallowed up by the big companies and there are now only three companies that publish textbooks in the company so I'm not surprised that one of them would also manufacture the state tests.

Hi Mark!

Linda- That does seem like a long stretch since you've had some extra time off. Enjoy that 3-day weekend! Yah!

Kim- Big hug & smooch!

Benita- Thanks for supplying that info on Bush and McGraw. Corporations & politicians! Can they ever be separated?

Deb- No treats or chaste kisses today but I know they love me anyway. LOL.

Stasia- Happy Valentine's Day, my friend!

Megan- "Angerball"? Is this the title of the next Bond film?

Bonnie- Thanks for that clarification!

Benita...don't forget that McGraw-Hill's test grading was all done in Florida for years.

The governor of Florida? Jeb Bush.

"Angerball"? Is this the title of the next Bond film?
It should be!
Actually it's word I grabbed from a film starring Ryan Phillipe (me-OW!) from a long while back. It works for me :)

Mark, luckily Gone Girl has just come out in the smaller (cheaper) format. Buying books for cheap does mean I can buy more of them! (Hardbacks are also just not very popular in Australia, so we don't get them in the shops so much.)

And I stumbled across a copy of Brandon Sanderson's The Final Empire for $10 today, so I'm a very happy bookshopper. :)

I know Bush isn't my president to criticize, but I highly disapprove of feathering one's nest in such a manner. We've got a local state government corruption scandal that I'm not following very closely (mea culpa! No time!) but the details I'm hearing just make our corrupt politicians all sound like a bunch of idiots. Bush et al are much more sophisticated, really. Or better at pulling the wool over our eyes.

Hope everyone had a good week and has a nice weekend planned. I won't have much online time today. After work, I'll be racing home and then we are heading downtown to Goose Island Brewery to meet friends. I'll have to behave, because work again tomorrow. Boo, me!

RD- We can't get away from the Bushs (or is it Bushes?), can we?

Megan- You should already be starting your weekend. Hope it's a good one with lots of R & R.

Tania- Glad you found a reasonably priced copy of Gone Girl. When do you start it? Do you have a relaxing weekend planned? I have not read Sanderson? Where's a good place to start?

Hi Mark! Have a lovely time at Goose Island! I think we may do something beer-oriented this weekend, but I'm not sure. Perhaps I'll also get caught up on DA, so I can read your thread more carefully next week.

Have a great Friday, Mark! I'll be thinking of Honkers' Ale tonight in your honor.

Sorry to see the weatherman lied to you yesterday! Hope today is dry and sunny!

I will be in for Atwood April! I'll probably try and reread Oryx and Crake and Year of the Flood that month along with a new book of hers that I haven't read. Probably either Cat's Eye or Robber Bride

Poor weatherguessers...all the blame when they're wrong, none of the praise when they're right.

Just an aside about the SE PA weather right now. All of the windows are open in my house, in the middle of winter. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be 31F and snowing. I cannot get a handle on this erratic-ness!

This is where I hope to live when I retire and all LTers are welcome to join me. And yes, it will be open 24-7.

Yes!

I will be waiting!

I got off work about minutes earlier than I thought, so I have a little time before I head into the city. I am bringing a growler with and of course filling that bad boy!
I really enjoyed the Drowned Cities. If speculative/dystopian fiction is your thing: this should be your cuppa!

Kerri- We will probably hang-loose at home tomorrow night and watch The Perks of a Wallflower. And I am sure beer will be included in there somewhere. Yep, the DA finale on Sunday!

Joe- I do like Honker's Ale but I'll probably sample one of their specialty drafts, that you can only get from there. Have a great weekend with your Dad!

Chelle- At least we didn't unexpectedly get a foot of snow! Now that would have been crappy. Just cold here but dry. Glad to see you are lining up reads for Atwood April. You know I'll be there.

RD- I try to give the weatherguessers their props, when they deserve it! It actually turned out a little better today than what was forecasted. Cold but lots of sunshine.

Esquiress- I bet it's nice to have those windows open, however temporary. Enjoy your weekend.

Mamie & Cindy- I will see you there! LOL.

See you guys tomorrow! Ciao!

Mark, your Friday night sounds quite perfect! I hope it is!

Good morning Mark, have a wonderful weekend!

Can we go to the Library Bar *before* we're retired...?

I haven't read Sanderson either, but The Mistborn series was highly recommended a few years' back by a friend, although I've heard less good things about his other books.

Stopping by to say hi! Have great time at Goose Island! I finished up watching DA!!! Great stuff!

Library pub - two of my favourite hobbies together in the same building!

^That will be me Sunday & Monday! Happy Saturday, folks. I'll take a little detour from FF and start the audio of the Twelve Tribes of Hattie. I am also really enjoying the Burgess Boys.

I know I am way behind on the threads but I'll start getting caught up when I get home later today...

Karen- It's a bit of a hassle driving into the city, especially on a late Friday afternoon, early evening, but we had a nice time and returned back home at a decent time.

Diana- Big waves! Enjoy your weekend too!

Tania- Yes, the Library Pub could be opened early but the problem with that is, once inside it's very very difficult to leave. Hope your weekend is going great.

Deb- Goose Island is a very good brew/pub. Good food too! Wow! You passed me up on DA! yo go, Tonto!

Paul- I'm with you, my friend! It would be Heaven to us!

Mark, I'm off to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel meet-up this morning with two youngest kids in tow. I'm sure it will be fun, and then I'm home for a reading weekend. I hope. Some work in the office, too, but mostly I'll focus on reading!

Hi Mark,
just flying by to wish you a lovely weekend with your family!

#179 Love the Library Pub! May I please have my own chair at the bar like Norm?

>189 maggie1944:: I'm off to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel meet-up
Now that sounds like fun! They are such adorable dogs.

>179 msf59: yes! Maybe with a book cafe nearby?

Hope allis well in your part of the world and you had a good time at goose Island. I agree about drinking their specialty brews, but I couldn't remember any names. What did you end up having?

>179 msf59: THAT is where I want to have my R&R. There. Indeed. I take it there are window boxes to sit in and books wall to wall? And reasonable priced beer?
Of course!

^ This is one of the rooms upstairs, at the Library Pub. Just in case you indulged in to many refreshments in the pub below or just need to rest those weary peepers. Please no shenanigans! This will be a family establishment, although no squalling babies or tyrannical toddlers will be allowed.
Reading, drinking and chatting quietly are taken very serious here.

Brrrrrrrrr!! It was cold today. About 20, with a sneaky, sometimes cruel little wind, that cut right through the many layers. Even my feet got cold and that rarely happens. I did have the Twelve Tribes of Hattie to keep me company. It's okay but nothing to do cart-wheels over. Is Oprah slipping?

Karen- I hope you had a nice time at the puppy meet-up! I did tell you that we have a King Cavalier mix, right? Unfortunately, he's missed with a Cocker, so he's not real friendly with strangers, which is a draw-back, although he's a snuggle-bunny with us.

Bianca- Good to see you! I hope you are having a nice weekend too!

Lynda- There will always be a seat at the bar for you. I think you would be a perfect Norm and of course I would be Cliff, although a better-looking and more literary-minded version.

Laura- Big Wave!

Joe- I tried 3. I really liked Switchboard, a mild IPA, (I filled my growler with that one) and Black Valor, an American black ale. I accidentally ordered a fruity one I did not like.
BTW- The yummy fritters are off the menu! WTH?

Megan- There is always a spot for you at the pub! I'm sure you would really liven the place up.

what a gawgeous place. would you ever consider serving non-alcoholic beverages at the Library Pub? even really good water would be nice. some of us dassn't imbibe the real stuff anymore. sad, too, as i'd looooove to try Goose Island's Golden Goddess. *sigh*

what did you have?

Count me in at the Library Pub too, even though I'm not retired - just unemployed at the moment.

Just let me know where the library pub is and I am SOOOO there! I can be a barmaid. I will work for books.

>195 msf59: although no squalling babies or tyrannical toddlers will be allowed.
Whaaaat? That means I cant come :(
Cant there be a creche.....off site maybe?

I love that room the best out of all the book porn I have seen yet. Ever. I think it is the way the bed is set into it all, and the ceiling is beautiful too.
So Im with Berly, SOOOOO there!

Hi Mark, I was away on vacation in the last week of Jan. No internet, no LT and not much reading too. Just some quality time with my wife and son. I'm getting back on track after coming back and catching up on threads. I got The Miniature Wife on your recommendation. Thanks. Hope to get to it soon.

OK, here's the report: The CKCS Meet-Up was a hoot, as it was the first time. A big room full of dogs all running in circles. Very few bark, although there are those who do - sharp barks, too. But these dogs so love people they don't know whether to run about making friends with the dogs, or making friends with all these new peeps. The kids sat on the floor and were "bowled over" more than once. Very sweet. Greta Garbo is much loved by the folks and she walks about in a dignified manner making a few friends, too. Then she comes and sit on my lap, watching.

We stayed for about 45 minutes and then had lunch at an "awesome" (according to Jocelyn) place. I took them to the hamburger "joint" which has been there since I was in high school. It used to be a drive up and we'd sit in our cars and roll the windows down and flirt. Now the parking lot is where the stalls were, and you walk in. But they do make superb hamburgers, breakfast muffin sandwiches, and grilled cheese. A good time was had by all, and I was home by 1 pm to do my chores and so forth. Yay! Hanging out with little kids can be so much fun, and dogs and little kids, even better.

Mark, I am sorry you were cold today. But you did get a little extra something in the pay envelope, yes? Perhaps that compensates a bit?

Mixing a CKCS with a Cocker Spaniel and ending up with a mr. grouchy pants. Too sad. As I said above, these dogs just love people. He drives me a little crazy as he must be next to me about 98.6% of the time. Whenever he really falls to sleep and lets me do my thing without him under foot, I am relieved. But nonetheless, he is much loved, and he is so good with Jocelyn who needs a little exttra TLC these days. She misses her brothers who are both in school full time, now.

Hope the rest of your weekend is sweet!

^We watched this tonight! It's a good adaptation. It's very interesting that the author of the book, directed the film. How often does that happen? You would have thought that the film would have been even more faithful. Emma Watson is good, (she is so adorable) and it has a decent soundtrack.

Ellie- We will offer any beverage that you would like at the Library Pub! Water, tea, coffee, soda, lemonade, Fresca, Tab, Tang, sarsaparilla! You name it!
I did try Switchboard & Black Valor at Goose Island. They are tap specials.

Esquiress- Of course, I have a few more years left before retiring, so we are all welcome! We can all participate in this little fantasy.

Kim- A Blackbelt Barmaid? How hot is that? You are so in! I'll run a couple outfits by you!



Megan- For you, there will be exceptions for Wilbur & Lenny, because I adore those young fellows. I'm glad you like the bedrooms. We aim to please.

Gautam- Great to see you! I am glad you are enjoying quality time with your family. I hope you like the Miniature Wife, when you get to it.

Oh how I loved the film adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower! Huzzah!

I will volunteer as a barmaid too, btw. :)

I'm glad you liked Atwood, Marky-Mark. I'm just starting Alias Grace and have great hopes for this.

#203 Can I have a creche dispensation as well? We promise to make it sound proof! I have a friend who runs a great real ale distribution company so I could hook us up with some lovely ales :) (*bribery for nursery places - muahahahaha!*).

In a fit of melty brain yesterday I finally started a new Murakami Sputnik Sweetheart (even though I think I said on this threa I was going to get one read last year!) - so far I love it. I totally forget how excellent his writing is.

Morning people! I hope everyone has a perfect Sunday planned. Reading & Relaxing!

Esquiress- We can always use barmaids and the good news is, if you are immersed in a book, you can completely ignore everyone. How does that outfit, work for you? ^^

Caro- Good to see you! I do not own a copy of alias Grace but I have heard very good things and it's been on my WL. Try to make another selection for Atwood April.

BekkaJo- I have never heard the term "creche". Is it daycare of some kind? If so, yes we will have accommodations for you book-loving Moms.
Glad you are enjoying your 1st Murakami. Yah! I have not read that one and I'll be watching for your thoughts.

And here's the pub's bathroom:

15) A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick 3.3 stars

In 1909, a wealthy businessman, form the deep woods of Wisconsin, places an ad for a “reliable wife”. A woman with a dark, mysterious past, accepts the offer. The first half of the book kept my interest but the relentlessly bleak tone and unpleasant characters, finally wore me down. I guess the author’s message was that repression of feelings is “bad” but I felt hammered to death over it. Lighten up, buddy! Yes, there is plenty of torrid (not the fun kind!) sex here but I did not find it very engaging.

163 THE NEW EDUCATION LAW IS A VICTORY FOR BUSH--AND FOR HIS CORPORATE ALLIES. January 28, 2002. yep. And those tests are ridiculous and wasteful imo. They must be administered to special needs kids too... and if you want to talk ridiculous! S much valuable time wasted ...not to mention money. So many reasons to hate Bush.

ETA

Library Pub? Fabulous!!!There should be one in every town :)

Morphy- I love the Library Pub bathroom! It's perfect but we can't make it to cozy, no one would leave and keep in mind beer is involved here! LOL.

Kath- I appreciate your FB comments as well! It's better than the barrage of anti-Obama stuff I look through every day. Nauseating! If we had done this while Bush was president, they would have called us commie-bastards and told us to move to Canada!
Glad you like the Library Pub. Dreamy, ain't it?

Mark, I do have a perfect Sunday planned. A wee bit of vacuuming and then I'm free to read all day!

thumb for your review of A Reliable Wife - there's a book I can skip!!!

As for anti - Obama stuff on facebook, I don't get that much, but from the few that I do, I just block their posts so I don't have to get all riled up! Yeah, we're a bunch of commie - bastards here in Canada! :)

Say, what do you think of this? In the Vancouver area there are a number of restaurants that sell a pale ale called "Albino Rhino". Now someone is taking them to court , saying that the name is discriminatory against albino's. People get so crazy! It's just one person taking the company to court.

ahh 207 that's prefect! My best friend always makes a big deal when Nate goes away about me being alone and lonely. I have to explain over and over how I have too many books to be lonely!

Just off the Ohio State Univ. campus is (or used to be, at least) a bar called The Library. So kids could tell their parents that they were up all night at the library, I suppose. Clever? Sigh. I do very much like your version, though.

16) Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay 4.2 stars

This is an ideal fantasy novel. A sweeping epic, about a group of people trying to regain their precious homeland. The world-building and the intricate plotting are both very impressive. The characters are not simply good or bad, but have depth. Yes, this is a big novel but keep in mind it is a stand-alone and that’s counts for a lot. I will be reading more of Kay’s work. That is a promise.
If you are new to fantasy, this would be a perfect place to begin.

Karen- Yah, to reading all day! I plan on finishing the Burgess Boys and maybe starting another FF. Of course there will be some GN reading, as well.

Deb- You know I like "dark" books but when they are presented this way, it is a turn-off. Many people loved this book. It just didn't work for me.
Poor albinos! Can't we just give them a break?

Chelle- Good to see you! Yes, we are never lonely with our books but it is sure fun talking about them too!

Amber- I don't play the lotto but if I did and I won, I would open a Library Pub and of course there would be a fireplace and some comfy chairs. A biblio-haven.

Hi Mark!
That Book Pub looks awesome but sounds like it is going to be very crowded and noisy... I'll get a place a few doors down and visit from time to time for book chatter. Maybe I can sample recommended beers and finally find one I like???

Enjoy the rest of your weekend :-)

>207 msf59:: Sure, I'd wear that outfit :)

Someday I'll admit to Caro that I liked Tigana.

Avoiding A Reliable Wife.

Let me know when it's this dude's shift at the pub, and I'll be camped out on a barstool ordering premium liquors:

^This is for Ellen, a fellow owl-lover! Is this bird gorgeous or what?

Claudia- I like peace & quiet too, so maybe we'll have blocks of "quiet time" throughout the day, so we can read with limited distraction.

Esquiress- You are hired! Speaking of distractions....LOL.

RD- Your stud-muffin is hired, if he is a book-lover! Sorry, job requirement! Have you read any other of Kay's work?

lol

just catching up Mark, with the usual laughs.

Cant wait to see this pub develop room by room, and when its done attend the warming party!

>221 msf59: Uhhhmmm I saw him reading Twilight...

I've been reading The Lions of Al-Rassan and really liking it. I won't finish it for FF, I fear.

I love the Library Pub. And I really like that bedroom. Howevere, I am disappointed in the costumes for your barmaids at the library pub. What happened to the sexy librarian look? Now that would be a bar person from heaven.

How about this owl?

Megan- I'll try to find a couple more Library Pub shots! We need a fireplace and wouldn't a sun-porch be nice too?

RD- Should Twilight count...really? I'll have to start looking for a copy of The Lions of Al-Rassan. Sounds like a keeper. And yes it is beer-thirty: I am enjoying a Modelo at present. Something light & crisp.

Benita- SEE! We need you around here just to keep things straight. Naughty librarian/barmaid outfit sounds PERFECT! Scrap the earlier one!

Good review of Tigana Mark. I'm glad you liked it too. I'm really enjoying my current Guy Gavriel Kay. No comment on #226.

>224 benitastrnad:: I'm even MORE in on the librarian barmaid outfit! No one should ever need an excuse to dress like a hot librarian :)

Is everyone ready for the finale? This show always seems to end quickly and then the wait begins...I think tonight's episode is 90 minutes. Come back and let me know what you think.

I finished the Burgess Boys. It's a very good novel, about difficult and flawed people, (not like us). It doesn't reach the same heights as Olive did, for me but it's still a worthwhile read by a terrific author.

Bonnie- I kept the review of Tigana to just a few words. Sometimes, that's all that needs to be said about books like that. I am also glad you are enjoying your current Kay.

Esquiress- Benita had to guide me to the light on the Pub outfits! The Naughty Librarian get-up is perfect.

Well, I'll just say that this is one rowdy thread with the Pub atmosphere. I watched the grand finale of DA a few days ago as I finished up my DVD. Exciting night!

Olive Kitteridge! dang, that's one of the books i've been trying to remember to add to my audible thingie.

i'm thinking i should read Wallflower before i watch it so i've moved it down the list on netflix. long wait anyhoo.

221 - That owl is gorgeous!

Looking forward to watching Wallflower sometime soon.

DA - OH NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really liked the finale but was not happy with the ending! More on that later! **Please be careful of spoilers**. We'll give people a chance to see it!

Deb- I just deleted what I just typed. We'll talk about DA when others have seen it.

Ellie- Olive was my favorite book from a couple years ago. I hope you can get to it soon. I would definitely read Wallflower first. It's a good book.

Tina- Glad you like the Snowy Owl! I recommend seeing Wallflower. It's of course not as good as the book but still worth seeing.

Bonnie- You said it, sister! We'll talk more!

I agree, Mark. I liked the finale but am so pissed at the ending.

Happy Day-off tomorrow!

>234 msf59: the narrator in the audible.com version is off-putting but NLS has a version i'll try. we shall see. thanks for the reminder and encouragement.

owls. all kinds of owls. my Dad and I used to go to the Sandy Eggo wild animal park to the bird show. these are free-flying birds, not caged, many or most of whom have been saved after being shot or injured in the wild.

it's set in an amphitheatre, or was, and they used to have an owl that would fly from the stage up over the heads of the audience to a handler at the top of the theatre. the owl would pass so close to us that we could feel its passage but because of the way the wings are constructed, there was never a sound, just a breath of air. miraculous. deadly. awe-inspiring. owls always make me think of that haunting, dark Sylvia Plath poem--uh, Watercolor of Grantchester Meadows.

I'm just checking in via my iPhone, not good Internet access, but we just watched DA. Sigh. And sad face. More about that later.
Thank you for the snowy owl, Mark!!

DA: despite stumbling upon a spoiler weeks ago that gave away the ending, my reaction is the same as Bonnie's: NOOOOOOO !!!!

I'll be away from LT today which is just as well since, as Mark said, we need to allow time for others to see it.

Good morning! I am enjoying the holiday today. My morning is jammed with errands & appointments but hopefully my afternoon will offer some down time. My daughter plans on dropping by later too! Haven't seen her in awhile, so look forward to visiting with her.

LauraB- I am P.O.'d too! Boo! Are you working today?

Ellie- Which audio book were you referring to? Wallflower? Wow, that animal park sounds awesome. Sadly, I have never seen an owl in the wild. Hopefully, one day: maybe while fishing or camping. And thanks for the poem.

Laura- I knew something was going to happen but I didn't know what. A hunting accident, a train accident, an amusement park accident?

Be very careful reading the following posts, if you haven't seen last night's DA: SPOILER!

Good morning, Mark. I too have a "free" day. I've been making progress on AK, and will perhaps finish today. I've also allowed myself to begin to enjoy DA. I thought the death in Season 1 was a hoot. No way to predict that one, was there.

No worries about spoilers for me, as I've read a newspaper article about the practice of some TV writers, and novelists, also, to have events which their audiences do not like. I became accustomed to that when reading the Game of Thrones and its series.

Next book up for me is The Magus which if I am very, very good I should be able to start today. And so, I'm off to take a shower and then curl up with a book.

I hope your busy day is most satisfying!

Re DA - it's bad enough to end it the way they did, but did the next to the last scene have to be so gruesome? It went a bit too far for me. Just... ew.

I thought that the ending of this episode was super great filming. The viewer was literally lead down a road. The scenes leading up to it were so joyous. Wasn't Carson just superb? The suspense and the foreshadowing was great. Then just the aftermath. I think the last scene leaves no doubt that the character in question is not coming back. For me this was an example of how great British TV writing and filming is. I kept thinking that lightening was going to strike twice in the Grantham household with both Mary and Sybil, and that was a red herring. Just superb writing, and the cinematography was great. This is why these BBC productions just out pace anything American's put on TV. Except maybe some of the old mini-series.

The story-line about the demise of the great estates was worked into the whole very well. Grantham admits that Matthew and Tom have made some needed changes and says that to Cora. I can see that Rose is going to be a regular part of the cast in the future, and I wonder about the Shrimpy and Susan storyline. Where is that going?

I also liked the parts about the days off for the servants. Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes were just great. And wasn't Anna beautiful? You could just see the pleasure in Bates eyes - great acting. I didn't get the storyline about Mrs. O'Brien and Wilkens. Can anybody help me out with that?

I also liked the part about Tom and Edna. It shows that things are changing both upstairs and downstairs and that Carson can uphold standards all he wants but things are still changing. Mrs. Hughes talking to Tom was so filled with love and pride for him. These people are just wonderful actors. When she explained to him that his life was different and that he had to move on it was sort of like a "you can't go home again" type of speech. That was wonderful. I just loved this show and I know I am gushing so I will quit now and let somebody else gush for a while.

It the same feeling I get from reading a really good book. So satisfying.

From what I remember reading, the actress who plays Mrs. O'Brien is also leaving. So it makes me think that she will leave Cora and go be the ladies' maid for that other woman in India. So that's how she "made it easier."

What a beautiful White Owl! wow!
I do love Free Days!

Wow, I have got to stop reading your thread before I get a chance to watch DA. Usually there are bold-faced spoiler markers and it's easy to avoid, but not today. So sad now.

Benita, I loved your "gushing" about Downton Abbey. You saved me a lot of words on a busy day. I agree with everything you said. Thanks, Morphy, for clearing that up about O'Brien. I don't think I will miss her, although now that Thomas has found his inner soft side, who will be our sour character? Oh, hi Mark, I guess we couldn't wait to begin discussing DA. Enjoy your day off!

Glad to hear the movie adaptation of Perks of a Wallflower is good, Mark. I had no idea the author directed it. We'll check it out.

No Prez Day off for me, darn it, but we had a good visit with Papa Welch. Lots of time to read on the train, which was good. I'm liking Tiny Beautiful Things very much. She's really something, isn't she?

Karen- Did I hear you right? You might finish A.K. today! Yahoo! What was that book about again? LOL. BTW- I am really enjoying my reading lamp! I hope I can find time to use it later.

Morphy- It looks like opinion will be divided on the end of DA. I'm glad some viewers liked it.

Benita- It is great to see how happy you were with DA. I agree with everything you said but the ending-SPOILER!- I just hate to loose one of my favorites!

Morphy- I would not miss O' Brien. She has wore out her welcome, IMHO.

Kath- Yah, for free days! Yah, for free days!

Julia- I am very sorry! I do try to avoid revealing anything but it's hard to control what people post. I would hate anything being spoiled for me too! I've known for awhile that something big happened in this episode but I did not know what it was! Once again, my apologies.

Donna- Like I mentioned to Benita, I loved this episode too but was not thrilled by the ending. Maybe I am just selfish. LOL. I hope we can discuss it more openly, in a couple of days.

Joe- Sorry you have to work. Boo! I loved the idea of the author directing the film but even though I liked the film, it lost something in the translation. Maybe the many nuances of the book. I wanted to hear more Smiths too!
Wow, I can't believe you started Tiny Beautiful Things! Very cool. Wow, what an emotionally-charged book. She sucks you in with beauty and distress. I love her writing.

It's no big deal, Mark. That's the risk I take for not having a television and having to watch the day after online. I'll be back tonight after I watch the episode to join in the discussion!

^This is one of the quiet rooms at the Library Pub! I'm sure Claudia could find a cozy spot!

I'd call the leather chair and ottoman but I fear I'd be doing more napping than reading. Back to the bar stool for me, oops I'll just grab that glass of brew on the way out.

Hi Mark,

Yes, I had to work today. Was at the library this morning, then had a dr appt, now have off for a couple of hours and then I have a massage client at 8:00 tonight. Booo! WTH was I thinking when I scheduled that lady?!? Im mad at myself, but there's nothing to be done about it now except for make sure I eat dinner and load up on caffeine so I can stay awake until I get home at 10!

After a couple of days I have a link for a DA-related interview, but don't want to spoil anything as of yet. (I wondered about O'B, so thanks for clearing that up, Morphy!)

Right now, it's getting colder and darker by the minute, I'm achey and exhausted, and now that my nearly 2 week Book Funk is broken all I want to do is stay home on the couch and read and nap. :( Bummer!

Hey, I know I should be having caffeine right now, but I'd love a Newcastle if there's one on tap in the Pub!

Here you go, Laura! Looks mighty tasty. I might join you!

Hi Mark! I was listening to the latest Iris DeMent album today and now I feel bad that I said her voice was annoying. I've only really listened to Infamous Angel regularly (which is really old), and that's a bit much, but it sounds like she's toned it down a bit. Good for her!

I'll probably watch the DA finale tonight, so I'll be able to read your thread again. We watched the 2-hour episode last night and, gosh, I've had about enough of Pa-PA and Carson already.

oh, the quiet room. i wonder if i might bring a sort of whatchamacallit--thing you lie on gaaaah, it's the TOT phenomenon. or maybe just a senior moment. keeps coming round and i keep grabbing at it and missing. whoops . . . ah, gottcha! futon. that way i could listen to a book and gaze at the splendid ceiling and contemplate the books and probably drift off after a while.

>253 msf59: oooh, I like that beer!

>250 msf59: oooh, I like that reading room!

I have to say Mark, last night's episode showed Lady Mary at her absolute worst : she was at her snobbiest and honestly, even giving her some slack for being pregnant, she was still just sooo snooty. Really hard to take; made me miss Lady Sybil even more.

As far as the spoilers go---I guess I feel that the show's over and in a few days I will probably not feel like discussing it. If people choose to wait to watch it, does that really mean the rest of us should wait to discuss it? The few times when I had to delay watching it I just didn't look at your thread until I had watched it. That made the most sense to me, rather than trying to read you thread while avoiding anything that might reveal too much about the episode. But that's just me.

Downton Abbey spoilers are very difficult to avoid. I skipped the threads and FB yesterday and then this lady from work texted me at 10:30pm last night. REALLY?! Luckily I stopped her from spilling by saying I had just driven in from out of town and would not watch until today online. Then she texts me back an hour later (REALLY?!) not to open my FB because she left me a message. Ugh!

I think I will need to procure an advanced British copy of Season 4.

Finally got caught up with you, Mark, and managed to read carefully and avoid the DA spoilers. I still haven't started this season yet, but I will soon. Isn't it funny how so many of us dream of living in places that include masses of books - you with your library pub, Joe has the book cafe and Paul has mentioned a certain bookstore in Cornwall. My dream has been for hubby and I to get sent to a small island as lighthouse keepers for a year. Just us, a beach or two, and a year's worth of books! Pure heaven.

I mentioned earlier that my daughter Bree came by and spent the afternoon with me. She snapped this photo. That is her Shepard, Reese. You can faintly see the reading lamp, next to the chair. I had to shut it off because it cast a distracting glow in the picture.

Lynda- You sit anywhere you like, my friend. Please don't nod off on the barstool. We frown on accidents.

Laura- Hope you appointment goes well tonight. I'm glad that book funk is behind you. Boo, book funk! Hope you liked your Newcastle! I liked mine.

Kerri- I'm glad you gave the Dement cd a try. I REALLY like that one. I don't mind artists taking long stretches in between works, if they are this good.
Stop by and let me know what you think of the finale.

Ellie- I will personally put a futon in the Pub just for you! Whenever you are in house, you will get priority. How does that sound?

Megan- Can you find Newcastle in NZ? It's English. Tasty stuff.

Bonnie- Yes, Mary has been quite bitchy this season. I guess, she is who she is! I agree with your thoughts on the DA talk, it does get tough not being able to discuss it. We all get anxious. What were your thoughts? Just put a spoiler in front of them. Thanks.

Roberta- Did you watch it? If so, what did you think?

Judy- I know it can be a minefield over here. One of the hazards! I like your idea of a lighthouse full of books! As long as it's in a temperate climate.

I see you are reading The Burgess Boys. I'm in the middle of that one at the moment also. It's not my favorite book in the world plot-wise, but the writing is excellent for the most part.

DOWNTON ABBEY SPOILERS

Here's a quote from Fellowes:

"We wanted them to stay and said, “Would you just do two or three episodes? And then you’re living in America or in Dublin.” But they both felt they wanted to make a clean break. When an actor playing a servant wants to leave, there isn’t really a problem – (that character gets) another job. With members of the family, once they’re not prepared to come back for any episodes at all, then it means death. Because how believable would it be that Matthew never wanted to see the baby, never wanted to see his wife? And was never seen again at the estate that he was the heir to? So we didn’t have any option, really. I was as sorry as everyone else."

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/julian-fellowes-discusses-a-season-...

I was okay with the ending, Mark! But then I'd read a spoiler online while looking up what seasons were out in DVD - so I was all prepared. That's all I will say. I'm going to read Morphy's spoiler. I still don't like Bates... initially I did - but not so much since his time in prison. I think Edith is becoming much more likeable.

>250 msf59:: Love that room!

Lori- I finished the Burgess Boys yesterday. It was a solid 4 stars but it did not reach the lofty heights of Olive, IMHO. I hope you enjoy it.

Morphy- That's an excellent interview with Fellowes and puts everything in perspective. Thanks! I even accept the ending...however grudgingly.

Deb- I like Bates again, after he has returned from prison! Will his dark side show up again? Tune in for Season 4! Maybe he'll buy an inn and call it the Bates Motel!

Esquiress- Plenty of room to spread out at the old Library Pub!

What's Downton Abbey?

lol

Seriously though, I know more about it from LT than from anywhere, and that is skimming past the posts!

Has anyone watched this British comedy/drama series: Death in Paradise? My chiropractor recommended it and it sounds fun:

" A BBC light-hearted drama series about an English Detective Inspector who is forced to transfer to the small Caribbean island of Saint-Marie; unfortunately, he hates sun, sea and sand."

Yes Mark we started watching Death in Paradise several weeks ago. It's taken the place of Doc Martin for us (at least until they make some new ones). We really like it. It's a light funny murder investigation show.

New thread is up, guys! Come on over! I am going to bed. Good night!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/150261#