Ireadthereforeiam holds on to Summer.

Some of my favourite books.

Read so far:
March:
25. Somebody Stole My Game, Chris Laidlaw (NF, rugby)
24. The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Moshin Hamid (literary fiction)

February:
23. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls (classic)
22. We Dont Live Here Anymore, Andre Dubus (3x Novellas)
21. Odyssey and Images, Ron Crosby (memoir, my own family history, a re-read)
20. Whale Rider, Witi Ihimaera (NZ fiction)
19. The Plague, Albert Camus (classic)
18. The Rape of the Lock, Alexander Pope (poetry)
17. No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy (fiction)
16. Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively
15. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (classic fiction)
14. The Forrests by Emily Perkins (NZ, fiction)
13. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (historic fiction)

JANUARY:
12. What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge (classic)
11. Various Pets Dead and Alive, by Marina Lewycka (fiction)
10. Lemona's Tale, by Ken Saro-Wiwa (African fiction)
9. Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx (short story)
8. The Memory of Running, by Rn McLarty(fiction)
7. Leningrad, by Anna Reid (NF)
6. The Sense of an Ending- by Julian Barnes (fiction)
5. Old Filth- by Jane (fiction)
4. Quarry- by Damon Galgut (fiction)
3. Mayflower- Nathaniel Philbrick (NFN)
2. Writer MD- edited by Leah Kaminsky (Essays, Short Stories)
1. Mister Pip- Lloyd Jones (NZ fiction)

Books Bought

MARCH
(40) The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich $2
(41) Under the Clock, Tony Harrison .50c (poetry)
(42) Tales from the Arabian Nights .50c
(43) Time's Arrow, Martin Amis .33c
(44) Aleutian Sparrow, Karen Hesse .33c

FEBRUARY
(21) Family Matters, Rohinton Mistry (Booker shortlist 2002) $4
(22) Offshore, Penelope Fitzgerald (Booker winner 1979) $2
(23) Infinite Riches by Ben Okri $5
(24) Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach .50c
(25) Fosterling by Emma Neale .50c
(26) The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope $1
(27) An Uncommon Reader, Alan Bennett $1
(28) The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre (Penguin Modern Classic) $4
(29) Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver $5
(30) Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Puffin Classic series that I collect) $4
(31) The End of the Affair by Graham Greene $4
(32) The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce by Paul Torday $4
(33) Lord of the Flies by William Golding $5
(34) The Famished Road by Ben Okri (Booker winner 1991) $2
(35) Astonishing the Gods by Ben Okri $2
(36) Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (Booker winner 1984) $2
(37) Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery $2
(38) The Time Machine, HG Wells $8
(39) The Red Pony, John Steinbeck $3

JANUARY
(1) The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai $4
(2) The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes $4
(3) The Quarry by Damon Galgut $4
(4) The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
(5) The Body Artist by Don Delillo $3
(6) Old Filth by Jane Gardham $4
(7) Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson $3
(8) Lemona's Tale by Ken Saro-Wiwa $3
(9) Life and Times of Michael K by JM Coetzee $4
(10) Dirt Music by Tim Winton $1
(11) Voss, by Patrick White .50c
(12) Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx .50c
(13) Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales $6
(14) What Katy Did, Susan Coolidge $6
(15) The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (as pressie) $3.63
(16) The Interrogator's War by Chris Mackey with Greg Miller (free)
(17) At One with the Sea by Naomi James (free)
(18) The Railway Children by E. Nesbit $4.95
(19) Kim by Rudyard Kipling $6.40
(20) The Swiss Family by Robinson, Johan Wyss $6.50

Immediate reading plans:
(from last thread, just to keep me real :))

We Dont Live Here Anymore, Andre Dubus
The Plague, Albert Camus
Whale Rider, Witi Ihimaera
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald (to read ahead of film release)
Swiss Family Robinson, Johann Wyss
Somebody Stole my Game, Chris Laidlaw reading now
Regeneration by Pat Barker (to get the trilogy started and eventually get to the Booker Winner of the series)
Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I hereby declare that I will read these books over and above any library or BB books that try to push in.
There- I have declared it, so that is how it will be.
heh- who am I kidding!

I can't believe it. I'm NEVER first. yarrrr I be first!

Ta daaaa!
Consider yourself rewarded, with the Web Ellis trophy, AKA Rugby World Cup- which NZ used to hold, but now Tui does!

Wooo! Woooo! I be second!
Megan, I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm behind a whole thread. Oh no!
You are really getting through a lot of good stuff. I wish you very good luck, especially in your immediate reading plans, especially in finishing The Plague. How's it going?

Hi Peggy!
Dont worry about the old thread, I am onwards and upwards from the content of that one.
The Plague I am finding good so far. I am 70 pages or so in, and immersed. I just want to have either (a) more energy at night to read it without falling asleep, or (b) uninterrupted hours during the day to read it/anything :)

Hi Megan!
Good luck on #3 declaration!

Wait until I get my scrum cap out from under the stairs to accept the honour!

>8 -Cee-: thanks Cee, you know i need it! I want to at least try and be disciplined about my reading. I managed to work through a previous list that I posted, so I thought Id try again.
*help and encouragement gratefully accepted*

>9 tiffin: OK.
Um, you have a scrum cap?
I think that is what we call head gear here. To stop you getting concussion and cauliflower ears right? I dont think you'd look good with either of those!

Nice new thread, Megan! I like your planned upcoming reading list.

One of the lads left his here. ;o) Yes, it's for those reasons.

Hearkening back to the Leonardo DiCaprio/ film discussion from the previous thread... I've found that I'm really liking DiCaprio as he continues to grow in age and talent. I think he's going to be a fantastic Gatsby.

As for re-reading the book... I did that a few summers ago, and I did it with a highlighter in my hand, thinking I'd mark up my book like a good (now former) English teacher. I had to hold back from highlighting every word as I just soaked in the beautiful language.

ETA: Happy new thread :)

Hear, hear, Es ... I think DiCaprio will make the perfect Gatsby.

I was planning to re-read The Great Gatsby last year, but never made it, so with I think I'll join Megan and plan my re-read for early March and thus be ahead of the movie's release.

>14 cameling:: Good idea. If I hadn't just re-read not two summers ago, I would probably re-read too.

Yep I agree - Di Caprio will be the archetypical Jay Gatsby - after all he just needs to reprise his early Howard Hughes in The Aviator.
Congratulations on your newest thread Megan.

I just saw the preview tonight and I really have to go back and reread it, because the movie seemed very different from what I remember of the book. Course I read it when I was a teen and a) that was a long time ago and b) maybe I missed some key points. Let 's go with "b," shall we?

Happy new thread :) And apropos of your question on the last, my Will was 2 on Valentine's day. He's not exactly speedy on his speaking though so still only just about on 2 words together. It's taken me by surprise cos he's at least 6 months behind his sis at the same age. He finds it VERY frustrating.

So does his Mummy :/

My oldest son started stringing words together at abouta year old.. 12 mos. Speaking well by 18 mos. He brother never spoke a word until he was two. Srsly. And it was scary. All is well though.. he is a brilliant and wonderful man :)

My nephlets are following that pattern. Oliver walked and talked early. Owen, not so much. Frustrating for sure.. and worrisome.. but all will be well..

Nice new thread!

Happy new thread, Megan! So, I'm checking out that list of purchased books up there and thinking that I should start counting the way you do - check out your February entries! Diabolically clever! LOL! I LOVE how you posted your favorite reads in the opening post - so fun to look at!

>11 rosalita: thanks! I find that if I write them down in a public space, I am more likely to stick to my reading lists. I am held to it now.

>12 tiffin: phew, I had the right end of the stick then?

>13 Esquiress:/15 My friend feels the same, she said to me not to worry about borrowing her book (that I gave her) as she could just quote it to me word for word!! She went on to say something about a person whose voice was like money.....

btw- nice to see Pauls nickname for you has caught on , Es ;)

>14 cameling: GR of GG, OK
lol

>16 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, I never saw the Aviator, but feel that he has the appropriate levels of haughtiness and entitlement to pull it off! lol, I sound mean, I am actually trying to praise DiCaprio here.....not sure I am pulling it off though.

>17 Berly: Plan 'b' is always there for a reason! lol, the teens were a long time ago for me (too?) so I am definitely rereading it because of your plan 'b'.
Join us in the GR? Early March!?

>18 BekkaJo: Happy Birthday Will! He'll start talking soon, and there'll be no turning back! My boys have both been early noise-makers and the one benefit that I can see is that there are fewer frustration-tantrums early on from not being able to be understood. But just as many other-thing-related-tantrums ;)

>19 mckait: There's just no accounting for it is there? And as far as I know there are no questions on job applications asking if you were breast-fed as a baby, or when you uttered your first complete sentence ;)

>20 Crazymamie: hi Mamie- I LOVE how you posted your favorite reads in the opening post - so fun to look at!
Yay, finally someone mentions my picture- I love it too, and want to jiggle the images a bit and make a poster. I wont get around to it, but Ill have fun fiddling with the images to get my utter faves all included.

Megan- Hope you had a good weekend. BTW- I found you a cute little barmaid's outfit. I can alter it a little if necessary.

Nice opening image, Megan! How did you do that?

You may remember that I had mentioned last year that Paul Simon was supposed to come to Atlanta to give the Ellman Lectures at Emory University. These public lectures are given every two years by a prominent author, with four talks in a three day period. The talks were scheduled for this past week, when I was off from work; unfortunately I didn't get tickets in time. However, Simon cancelled his appearance due to "the flu"; the previous (free) tickets have been declared void, so I may be able to see at least one of his lectures after all.

>22 msf59: Mark- dont get creepy on me now! I saw that "outfit" over on your thread, and the only altering it would need before I wore it would be the addition of 3.2 metres of fabric!
lol
Anyway, you wont find me working at your pub- I'll be holding up the bar from the other side. First remote order= beer with a dash of ginger wine, (please), I'll be right over to collect ;)

>23 kidzdoc: Hi Darryl, I do remember your saying about the Paul Simon lecture, I was jealous as anything. I hope you do get to go see him talk, I bet it would be fascinating.

Re: the books image: from the "Your Books" tab you can select to display your books in cover or by list. If you re-order your books by star rating in list form, when you convert it to cover-view, it'll display the 5 star ones first (or the lowest ratings if you have clicked once too many times).
And this Apple Mac computer I operate on has "grab" function that I can drag over any image to save to the desktop, and use at my will.

>21 LovingLit:: Oh... the voice filled with money... The ending slays me too. I read it aloud to a class once, and they just stared agape as I cried for the last two-ish pages...

I'm glad the nickname has caught on too :) It pleases me.

>25 Esquiress: lol.that was it, filled with money :)
I cant remember why you'd be crying at the end (dont tell me anyone!) but I can just see a group of teens staring agape at their emotional teacher. Funny!

Megan- I would never get creepy on you! I think this should be a self-serve pub anyway, unless someone really wanted to be a server and that could be arranged. I'll have to try that beer, with a splash of ginger wine. Never heard of that before.

>27 msf59: The ginger wine is just the thing to jazz up a meh beer. My lovely other had a few cans to get rid of that didnt tickle his fancy, so I added a splash of Stones Ginger Wine, and ta da! Its an alcoholic ginger beer! So nice and refreshing.

Sounds yummy. I haven't seen Ginger Wine in my liquor store, though...

>29 Esquiress: its probably a British thing, its had the same bottle label for decades.

**********************
I went book shopping at a real book shop just now. What a frustration it was! That is why I rarely go- I should know better than to get frustrated at the out-of-my-range prices. Especially when I'm in a rush. $30 minimum!? Hmph. I couldn't even bring myself to pay $14.95 for a teensy edition of the Great Gatsby. I shall borrow my friends copy instead! But there were so many lovely looking books there :(
*cry cry*

Back to the second hand places for me I think. Ill just have to get a friend to stay home with Lenny, so I can fly solo. It is a lot easier that way.

I've got The Great Gatsby on my shelf, but I've not pushed it up in the TBR stack yet. Maybe the movie coming out will force me to read it!

>31 TinaV95: hi Tina, Caro/cameling is also planning to reread it ahead of the film release. Maybe we could all read together, early March?
Not quite a group read yet, but a few of us, reading it simultaneously.....:)

wow! You have read an amazing number of books already, Megan! I read The Great Gatsby as part of the highschool curriculum - or perhaps it was in 1st year English at university. I was not so keen on it them - but I hope you enjoy it. Wise to not pick it up for full price. I don't have a decent second hand bookstore near me, so the best that I can do is purchase second hand books online. Amazon ca has them for whatever price - often even 1 cent plus 6.49 for shipping. That is not too bad and I do get quite a few books that way. I've got a couple on their way to me via that avenue.

I'm keeping Whale Rider in mind. Thanks for the New Zealand recommendations! I'm often pushing Canadian books - very bad for that! :)

>30 LovingLit: I know exactly how you felt, Megan. But I don't cry about high prices in a real book store. I scoff at them!!! Then when I find a great book at the used book store (always in great shape) I laugh in the face of $15, $20, $30 books! HA!
Also love "the hunt" in used book stores. You never know what you will find!

>33 vancouverdeb: nothing wrong with pushing good books Deb! That they are Canadian for you is just a coincidence maybe? lol, I dont have any NZ authors that I rave about, but if I did I would too. Witi Ihimaera (author of Whale Rider) is well known here, but I only ever read him at school- back when I had not that much interest in literature.

>34 -Cee-: Cee, I totally get that. Usually its exactly what I do (love "the hunt" in used book stores). I never usually indulge in the habit of going to a full priced proper (nice) shop. It just tempts me too much.
So I have planned a trip the the used book shop this week to compensate for my disappointing experience yesterday. And if I can arrange for someone to sit with Lenny while he sleeps.....I can hunt to my hearts content!

The library is quickly becoming my friend, and both my bank account and my overstuffed shelves are better for it. ;) The last time I went to an actual bookstore I popped in for ... a sketchbook. Ha!

Of course, I was just on Amazon.com, where I picked up a couple of books for the monsters, including a Frankenstein parody of Madeline that looks like too much fun.

So it turns out that by saying that I have planned a trip to the used book shop this week actually meant ....this minute.

I scoured the shelves there (again) and came up with this haul:
(these top 3 in brand new condition with no evidence of being read)
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carre (Penguin Modern Classic) $4
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver $5
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Puffin Classic series that I collect) $4
The End of the Affair by Graham Greene $4
The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce by Paul Torday $4 (the name in the title had me)
Lord of the Flies by William Golding $5
The Famished Road by Ben Okri (Booker winner 1991) $2
Astonishing the Gods by Ben Okri $2
Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner (Booker winner 1984) $2
Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery $2

And as gifts:
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell $2
Chalcot Crescent by Fay Weldon (free as it was buy 6 x $2 books, get the 6th free)

All for $36, the price of one of the brand new books I was looking at yesterday!
Needless to say, I feel better now.

Hello lovely one! Great haul at the second hand book shop - the nearest second hand book store to me is damned expensive (about 10 buck each for a decent PB - so I'd just as soon get a new one on BD). And the charity shops NEVER seem to have anything decent. Sigh. Well, actually, probably just as well when I consider the Shelves of Shame.

>36 London_StJ: I hear you, Luxx. If you have a good library, it is criminal not to patronise it. I use the libraries a lot here. We have a great fantastic and thoroughly wonderful library system in my city.
And I love buying books too :)

>28 LovingLit: morning Prue (well, its just turned noon, but its still morning for you)
I am very happy with my 10 books. And that most of them are in near-perfect condition is all the better. I dont like shabby books, and not at $10 each either! There is a great book shop I visit when Im in Nelson, and although the selection is good, the prices are too high for second hand. $10-12 mostly. I fell far more comfortable with a $5 or below price tag.
(and deeply uncomfortable with a $35 price tag on a brand new one!)

Nice haul Megan. I haven't found a decently priced second hand bookstore yet (the one I used to frequent having closed down), so I tend to borrow more from the library these days too.

It's always astounded me how in our part of the world we seem to pay so much more for new books.

Wow, $30 for one book or $36 for 12 books .... can't see why you wouldn't buy the one really ;-P

>40 fairywings: hi Adrienne,
There was a discussion a year? two? ago that took in the reasons why NZ/Aus pay more for books. I cant really remember what the guts of they story was, only that it seemed to make sense at the time!
$35 for a new release book is far too much imo. Its no wonder people seek other sources. Id be happy to pay $20 for a newly published book, but not much more.

>41 ChelleBearss: hi Chelle- I know! Why indeed?
*ignores inner voice begging for a brand new shiny publication with a pretty cover*
;)

That's interesting Megan, I might do some research to find out why.

Megan- Congrats on the tidy book haul! Some interesting and diverse titles. You are a fine shopper!

Wonderful book haul! You did great!!

Early March for The Great Gatsby works for me. I'll be glad to read simultaneously-ish with you! ;0)

>43 fairywings: hmmmm, i could look back over my threads, but I fear it would be such a slow task that simply googling it might be faster! Is it something to do with smaller print runs for our markets?
I hope you find something.

>44 msf59: tidy book haul- hehe, tidy. Its not too tidy right now, I just chucked them all on top of the last haul. I havent been able to find room in or on any shelf to speak of for my last few hauls now that I think about it!

>45 TinaV95: hi Tina- thanks!
Simultaneously-ish works for me! I'll reserve my copy from my friend.

I just harvested the following from my garden:
-celery
-tomatoes
-basil
-parsley
-red onion

Added:
a courgette, a small tin of tuna, a vege stock cube, some olive oil and some left over pasta, and hey presto!
A meal!!

And here I was thinking there was nothing in the cupboards for tea.....I should have been looking in the garden.

Nice book and garden hauls, Megan!

So jealous of your garden. It's snowing outside here. & yes, a "tidy" book haul. My last haul is on top of the previous haul too.

>48 kidzdoc: thanks Darryl!
I was looking for a good book-haul after my less than perfect visit to the book shop the other day (was that only yesterday!!?). And I got one!

>49 cammykitty: I like to call it my garden, but it is really my lovely others' garden ;)
He puts in the work and was very miffed the other day when he saw I had capsicums on the shopping list.
"But we have them in the garden??!!" he cried- "oh yea". Woops.

On the piles of book hauls topic....I do quite like to have them hanging around for a while before I file them away. Its nice to look over the titles and to consolidate their purchase before they are lost to the shelves. It reassures me anyway.

Nice book haul there .....

"I do quite like to have them hanging around for a while before I file them away. Its nice to look over the titles and to consolidate their purchase before they are lost to the shelves. It reassures me anyway."

I don't think you'll find many to disagree around here :)

What a great haul from the used book shop, Megan!
And your harvest, I have to remind myself that in August that will be my list of harvested veggies from the garden....
Happy Tuesday, my friend.

Obviously, I too have started using the library a lot more... and it's a good thing. I am dreading going in today, the book sale that has been ongoing since I began working there is now over. The books that didn't sell got dumpstered or recycled. I was frantically trying to give them away.. and a group that sends books to troops overseas found us and asked for books.. so yay! Between that and some other efforts, many went to good homes. Like Doug once told me, about working in the Vet clinic.. you can't save them all. I agree that sentiment is true, but I don't have to like it. I rescued 4-5 for myself.. including an audiobook for Dan. I currently have them stacked behind my reading char. Terrible state of affairs. :P

It looks like your bookstore trip was quite successful. Great pile of books there :) I am always filled with guilt when I buy used ( which I do, and often) for the poor author.. but one does what one can. I do buy new at times, too. Our prices aren't nearly as prohibitive as yours...

I just picked up a book ( new) for an exercise program called MELT, in hopes of doing something for this blasted back pain!

Oh harvest! I long for fresh tomatoes and salsa. I still eat bottled salsa.. but there is nothing like fresh from the garden/kitchen salsa ! lol

Hey, I see that you have Go Ask Alice up top. I'm not sure if it's a purchase or a recent read. I remember that when I was young it was a somewhat controversial book. My closest friends older sister read it, to her mom's horror. Her mom then burned the book in the back alley , along with other confiscated books. It makes me chuckle to think back on it. My mom and dad, by contrast, did not seem to mind a whit that I read it. I think they felt it would be good warning for me.
Ohhh... I'm getting a new book today from amazon! Can't wait, but first I have to finish The Sign of the Four. Poisoned Pawn by Peggy Blair is my new exciting Canadian author purchase. Those Canadian authors should really pay me a royalty for my loyalty and advertising her on LT!:)

Deborah, I remember reading 'Go Ask Alice' when I was in junior high and being quite shocked at all the drug use (I grew up in a very rural area and was quite sheltered, I guess). I'll be interested to get Megan's adult take on it.

Coming to your thread makes me learn new things! I had to google Courgette and Capsicum (we call them zucchini and bell peppers here!)

Enjoy your garden whatever you call the veggies in it, my garden is under a foot of snow!

>51 roundballnz: Hi Alex- I thought Id have at least some book support around here. :)

>52 EBT1002: thanks! It was good to go to the garden and get enough for a meal. Just supplementing with the basics. I sometimes forget all that we have out there at our disposal. Which is shameful really!

>53 mckait: Hi Kath Like Doug once told me, about working in the Vet clinic.. you can't save them all
I would be the same way about the books! (and the animals). But you can only do what you can do. And some books are so bedraggled that they really could use being recycled.

I am surprised that you only came away with as many as you did!

>54 vancouverdeb: good on you Deb for championing Canadian authors. Id do the same!
I read o Ask Alice last year, I hadnt heard of it being banned here, although by the time I became aware of stuff like that they had realised that banning a book is the best way to popularise it!

>55 rosalita: As I just said, I read Go Ask Alice last year and was surprised to learn that it was controversial in more ways than one. It was suspected that the novel was just that, a novel-rather than actual diary entries. It kind of makes sense in retrospect.
I loved reading it though, and thought it did a great job of putting people off drugs!

>56 ChelleBearss: hi Chelle, I forget courgettes are called zucchini's there, and capsicums are bell peppers! Funny. How about eggplant? Is that eggplant or aubergine? The two are exchangeable here.
And corriander? That is cilantro for you I guess.
*confusing*
lol- glad you are learning new culinary words, but hopefully you'll be able to eat soon, once your garden loses its snow cover!!? I take it you are buying in for now ;P

Ugh! I totally missed that you have already read 'Go Ask Alice' rather than that you were going to read it. My reading comprehension seems to be falling apart these days. Sorry, Megan!

Go Ask Alice is one of the covers in my top pic, all got 4.5 or 5 stars, and are from my books list here on LT- I love the way it has reminded me of them, and started new discussions on old books. :)

The Great Gatsby must be making a comeback. I read it in high school also, ~~years ago, and now my RL book group has chosen it for their next selection, so I guess I'll be reading it again (since I don't remember it well enough to discuss it).

Oh. My son was looking over my shoulder and announced that there is a new movie of The Great Gatsby coming out. That would explain the comeback. But I can't think of Gatsby without picturing Robert Redford in his prime. Sigh.

Hi Terri- I think that was what has started this resurgence in the reading of The Great Gatsby- the film. I wanted to read it again ahead of the release. Possibly just like everyone else!
My new book group are reading one book off a local booksellers top 100, and it also happens to be on that, so it would kill two birds with one stone. (even though I already fulfilled that by reading To Kill a Mockingbird....but I am known for over doing it when it comes to reading, even amongst my 2 bookclubs.)

Robert Redfors appeals to me more than Leonardo DiCaprio, but I think Leonardo will do a great job in the role. He has that look of airs and graces about him which is pre-existing, imo ;)

I just went on to fictfact.com and updated all my series books.
I had forgotten all about that website for a while!
(have you?)
:)

Coriander is coriander when it's dried for spice but gets called cilantro a lot when it's fresh. Go figure!
Eggplant is eggplant. Only snooty restaurants call it aubergine...or when we're in Quebec where eggplant is called aubergine already.
Funny old world.

I am only looking forward to the new Gatsby movie to see Jason Clarke, who apparently has a fairly minor role but who I find utterly adorable.

Sounds like we're going to have company reading Gatsby, Megan! :)

Hi Megan,
I'm another one who wants to read The Great Gatsby soon. I know I read it in high school, but that was a few years ago.

Fictfact.com --- I haven't messed around on that website much but it's a great resource!

yep, eggplant is just eggplant here.
And to be honest my garden only has tulips, daffodils & hyacinth bulbs waiting for the spring. I had wanted to put in a real garden last year but we had such problems with getting our lawn put in that by then it was too late. I'm going to see if I can bribe Nate into digging me a garder for my birthday in May.

In the UK it's courgette, aubergine and coriander (both fresh and seeds).

#47 Garden jealousy :(

>63 tiffin: hi Tui- Only snooty restaurants call it aubergine
haha, that is funny! Some people pronounce it oh-bergine, and other, or-bergine. I think sometimes people think im snooty if I say oh-bergine :)

>64 rosalita: I have never heard of Jason Clarke! *off to google*

>65 TinaV95: great news huh Tina. Ill be sure to advertise properly and then start a thread
*official*

>66 EBT1002: hooray- another member for the GG GR ;)

>67 ChelleBearss: I bet your flowers will look so great and colourful after a long winter of white white white!! I always mean to plant bulbs but cant seem to remember at the right time.

>68 SandDune: I guess we took most of our words from England anyway, so it makes sense the vegetables followed suit.

>69 BekkaJo: hehe, and I have a gardener too- does that help? Sorry- couldnt help it.

Book 19
The Plague by Albert Camus

Although I found this novel slow and found it difficult to connect in any meaningful way to the characters, I still found myself wanting to pick it up and read at any opportunity.

The narrator, whose identity is not revealed for a long time, is telling of a town in which an outbreak of the plague has occurred. The descriptions of the direct effects of the plague on people is described well, and many times, and even though the greater effects are discussed also, I couldn't get a feel for what it would actually be like to be living this nightmare.

The town is sealed off to people both wanting to come or to go. So instantly there is a case of everyone being in the same boat. People are left separated from their loved-ones, if not spatially, then eventually through death. Good people die, bad people do. Rich and poor, powerful and lowly. Disease, the ultimate leveller.

There is a lot of existentialist discourse. No surprises there. But it came over to me as all rather banal. I expected there to be more practical concerns in a time of terrible illness, food and goods shortages and mass grief. It seemed to me to be a load of men sitting about theorising about life, fate, God and the human condition. So if that is what you are after, then you will love it. 3 stars.

All I've got to base this on is The Stranger, but Camus struck me as an emotionally distant kind of author, and that seems like an odd combination with this story.

When you said you couldn't get a feel for what it was really like to live in this nightmare, you made me think of Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks. She really brings the reader into the thick of it.

>72 jnwelch: thanks for that rec Joe, I might look it up. Maybe as the Plague was told from various view points, the feeling was diluted a tad. But, yes, emotionally distant covers my reaction to Camus in this one.

#62 - Ooh! Someone told me about fictfact.com recently and then I forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder. I think?

#71 - I had a similar reaction to The Plague.

Good for you for taking on Camus! That is more then I can say for myself! I had to go google aubergine! To me it is a colour. Yes, in Canada, we just call it an eggplant, and not that many people that I know eat eggplant. I have a friend with a greek background and she is forever cooking stuff with eggplant in it.

I think that you are correct that resurgence of interest in The Great Gatsby is due to the movie.

Book 20
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera (novella)

This book is the inspiration for the fantastic film by Niki Caro. The film is one of my favourtires, and Ihimaera one of NZ's favourite authors. So it was high time I read this book.

The story is tied to the Maori myth of Paikea, the whale rider and ancestor of the people of a small North Island East Coast town. Paikea is proudly displayed as a carved figurehead atop the local marae (meeting house/hall) and the tribal chief is awaiting the birth of a grandson who will ultimately take up the leadership of his people. The only problem being that the first born grandchild is a girl. Koro is indifferent at best towards his mokopuna (grandchild). In spite of his indifference to her, young Kahu adores her Koro and begins to show signs of being someone special.

The mythological and fantastical aspects of the book come in the form of a journey that a pod of whales - the ancients- are making that runs alongside the current family story of Koro, Nanny Flowers and little Kahu. It is magical but believable and in keeping with the style of Maori myths and legends that NZ children learned
at school. If it were fleshed out more into a full length novel, it could have achieved a real depth and connection with readers. 4 stars.

I love that movie! I'm glad this was a good one for you, even if it would have benefited from more fleshing out.

I did too, Joe...although I did wonder if the movie changed the ending (haven't read the book).

>74 DorsVenabili: thanks I think....I get that :)
Who needs competition for LT!??! I think we all know who the real winner is though. Life would be very different without LT!

>75 vancouverdeb: Deborah- there is a fantastic place called Topkapi (but forever referred to as the Turkish Kebab House) that does the most wonderful spicy eggplant kebabs. Oh man, I love them. Their premises were trashed in the earthquake (2 years and 45 minutes ago today) and have reopened this year somewhere new. I sampled my first one last month, and it was as delicious as ever. Hooray!

>77 jnwelch: Im going to have to see that film again soon I reckon. And in related news, the lovely girl who played Kahu's character so well, has just got married on valentines day here. Keisha Castle-Hughes that is. Aaaaw, she's all growed up now!

>78 tiffin: I love the ending of the film too :) It is only slightly different from the book.

Hi Megan- Just checking in with my favorite Latvian! Hope your week is going well. I also loved the film version of The Whale Rider. I would also like to see it again and eventually get to the book. It sounds like a short one. That helps!

Loved your review of The Whale Rider, Megan. I didn't watch the movie and I love folk tales, so I've got to see if I can get a hold of a copy of this book. How is the ending different in the movie and which do you think is better?

Book 21
Andris Apse: Odyssey and Images by Ron Crosby .

Im not sure I can review this. I read it for 3 hours straight last night, and then finished it at the kitchen table this morning. The last time I read this was over 5 years ago, and I have found that now that I am a mother, I have a heightened sense of empathy for what my lovely grandmother went through with my infant father during WWII.

(This is the story of my Father's parents and their 46 year separation that started during WWII, as well as the story of my father and his success as a photographer).

The section where my fathers aunt recounts my Nan falling to the floor sobbing after she was physically torn from the arms of her sister, and my 1 year old father going to comfort her, left me in such tears that I had to stop for a while to regain sight. This separation occurred in Latvia when my grandfather had secured his young family passage to a German displaced persons camp, sparing them from a trip to the Russian gulags probably, but also casting them into an unknown land, and away from all that she had ever known.

My grandfather was to meet my father only a few times as a baby during WWII, and then not again until 1991, when Russia opened up and each others existence was confirmed. He had been sent to a gulag himself for the mercifully short period of 1 year and 2 months, and is still alive today. Nan and my baby dad lived in refugee camps for 4 years (until dad was 5) until they were offered a place in NZ. Where, of course, they stayed.

This was an emotionally exhausting read for me, and the saddest part is that what they went through was so typical for Latvian families who ended up far-flung and scattered. I was physically affected by reading this book again, and am moved to write to my Grandad, who is such a strong and stoic man, just to tell him I love him, even if I have only met him once.

Sorry to see that the Plague was such a bust for you. I'm a big fan of "germs take over and end the world" type books but I think I'll skip that one. Maybe I'll reread The Stand instead. I need to get a new copy as my used copy has been read so many times that the cover is starting to fall off.

Andris Apse: Odyssey and Images sounds like quite a book! Writing your Grandad sounds like a lovely idea

I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking of your Nan. I worked with a Latvian-Canadian whose family's story is very similar, which is perhaps why your family's story resonated so much. She took me to the Latvian Club in Toronto for a 'do' once--when Latvia regained its independence it was quite an event there! Did your grandfather make it to New Zealand as well?

Megan, your review brought tears to my eyes. What a sad story for your grandad and grandmother, but how wonderful to have it all written down for future generations.

I couldn't agree more with Rosalita - what a fascinating story and how wonderful that you have it as part of their legacy.

Have a great weekend ....... Passing thru on one of my increasingly rare visits the universe is out of whack I tell you !

Hi Megan, nothing to contribute on the reading front. Therefore, I wish you and your family a great weekend *smile*

What Prue and Rosalita said. What a family history you have, Megan.

>83 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle- turns out I had more of an existential crisis from reading about my own family that I did reading Camus! lol- the irony ;)

>84 tiffin: Hi Tui- thanks so much for your comments. I bet there was "do" when when independence was announced! It would have been a joyous occasion Im sure.
My Grandad never came to NZ, but my dad has been to visit him 4 times, my brother and myself once and my two cousins have visited NZ with financial help from us.

>85 rosalita: hi Rosalita- its true. It is sad, and that's just how life is for a lot of lives. I am really glad to have it all written down, and glad to be the one to carry out the Latvian traditions in our family. I definitely make the best Christmas biscuits! ;)

>86 PrueGallagher: thanks Prue, I agreed too :)
I cant say the book was a best seller, in fact it hardly sold! But my theory on that is that it is a confusing format- part coffee table picture book (with my dads photos) and part family history (memoir). I put in my 2 cents worth at the time it was being written and said I reckoned the story alone would be enough of a draw-card for book-buyers. But meh- it wasnt my choice. Im just glad to have it for myself!

>87 roundballnz: Ill try to have a great weekend, it was coooold (well, cooler) this morning here and its making me prematurely mourn the loss of summer. eek.

>88 drachenbraut23: thanks! Will do! We are planning an outing to the playground soon, followed by the ever present need in my life- a coffee.

>89 jnwelch: Hi Joe- I think anyone who has parents or grandparents who lived through war would have similar stories. Apparently my grandfather said when he was being asked if the book could be written, what was the point as nearly everyone he knows had similar hardships heartbreak and grief. *sad* (but *true*)

90 > No chance of that ! - we are going to have a long summer might cool down by April - No chance of rain till then or later ....

#82 Megan, what a gorgeous review. I'm not surprised that you found the read emotionally exhausting.

>91 roundballnz: *fingers crossed* for a long, sprawling summer!

>92 lit_chick: thanks Nancy. All this "family stuff" wasn't really talked about when we were kids, a lot of it came out once my Nan died (in 1994), but it all came a gushing out with the researching/writing and publication of this book. It gave me so much perspective on my father and why he was like he was when we were kids. (like being protective/respectful of food, not into extended family stuff, emotionally guarded, etc)

Hi Megan, I actually read both The Plague and Year of Wonders and liked them both. But Camus' writing was so spare and unaffected I thought it was actually a tougher read. Brooke's book would be more of a populist's look at the plague.

Your review of the Crosby book is especially wrenching. What a family history!

I'm very behind on visiting threads. I'm finding it difficult to stay on top of things lately.

What a great book haul!

Thanks for sharing the story of your family and the emotionally draining experience you had when reading that book.

Hi Megan - at last. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes too. I think it's great that you're going to write to your grandfather. Hope you're having a lovely weekend.

Hi Bonnie- I remember World Without End by Ken Follett dealt with the Plague as well. It wasnt really a topic that I wanted full exploration of...I was just surprised the The Plague didnt give me a fuller picture of it. Maybe that is because it was supposed to be an allegory for the German occupation of France, rather than solely about the plague. Who knows.

Linda: I am very proud of my various book hauls. I just need to restrain myself as, as usual, the shelves are past bursting point by now!
Never mind about keeping up- it is virtually impossible these days :)

eta hi Cushla, you snuck in while I wasnt looking :)
I am glad I read that book again, as I was sketchy about the details and wanted to solidify what I knew. It is awful to think of how people suffered (and still do today) through useless and pointless egotists wars. It is depressing to dwell on, but my grandad is still alive into his 90's and I think he'd like to hear from me, so tonight Ill write to him!

Honeycomb, chocolate, and almond pavlova

Megan - I loved your review of your auld man's book as it is essentially his with help from a fine wordsmith in Ron Crosby. I did mention on my thread that I won't be giving a full review of the book and certainly won't be placing my crass scoring system against it and that is not meant to construe anything about the book itself which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

I take your point that it falls a little between a biography and a coffee-table book due to its size as well as the glorious photos that grace the pages but it just makes it a little bit more special.

Have a lovely weekend - hope you lose in the cricket and get that letter to your Grandpa done. x

RD- aaah, NZs best (and hotly contested) invention- the pavlova! Looks scrumptious. and what did I do to deserve this gift of the gods? eh well, Ill take it either way ;)

Paul- so you have read it too then? I am glad you enjoyed it, and please dont feel you have to hold back your true feelings - or ratings- as I wont be offended. I realise it isn't a literary masterpiece, nor is it a perfect account of lives. But it is special to me for obvious reasons.
Im sure (having met me) you'd agree though, that I ought to have got a chapter to myself seeing as I visited my "motherland" I acknowledge that I got more words than my siblings, but still. ;)

You have reminded me about the letter I was so passionate about writing only a day or so ago, and I will get on to that right now!

Saw it on Pinterest and thought of you, is all. Sweet desserts featuring meringue always do that.

Oh Megan, that is a beautiful and touching review of Andris Apse: Odyssey and Images . What a touching story about your family. I agree , it would be a wonderful idea to write to your grandfather. I think what you say is true - there is much we do not know about our grandparents until they pass or are close to passing. I think that books that touch our own lives emotionally really cause us to think and feel more. Never mind Camus.

> 95 Me too!

Forgive me please Megan dear... just popping in to say hello!

#98 Richard, I'll blame you for making my oatmeal porridge breakfast look not so appealing this morning!

>101 richardderus: ah ha, makes sense :) Thank you!

>102 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deborah! I did as planned and wrote a long letter to my Grandfather, I hope he can have it translated without too much bother. In a few years he'll be 100 which amazes me considering the nutrition shortages and physical hardships he has been through!

>103 mckait: hi Kath- hi back!

>104 lit_chick: hi Nancy- Im am looking forward to my winter porridge in the coming months. Maybe you could pimp your porridge and add some crumbled meringue, cream and almonds? lol
At a local market here they do "Posh Porridge" - a cauldron of oaty slop, upon which is lavished all sorts of sweet and fruity toppings. It is a treat and a half to go down on a cool morning and have a bowl.

Thanks for the beautiful story about your family, Megan. Have a good Sunday!

Happy Monday to you, snookiepooh!

Diana: thanks for visiting! Sunday was lovely- we had a birthday party all afternoon for twin boys that we know. Two 4 year olds and all their friends, lucky it was a big place as it could have got noisy!

RD: cheers to you too . Well done for getting in on time too! Its early Monday and as my lovely other has the day off, I get to take W to Kindy without the hanger on Lenny trying to raid all the other kids' lunch boxes ;)

Book 22
We Dont Live Here Anymore, Andre Dubus (3x Novellas)

I was skeptical about this book, as it had a movie cover which made it look run of the mill. I started it when I was tired, which was always a silly thing to do, and then went back to it a few days later and started again.

This guy is awesome! He does what I love, writes about the ordinary in a way that makes it interesting. These 3 linked short novels deal with relationships, particularly the married relationship of two couples. Considering that almost all my peers are married (or in a state approximating marriage), and that most of us grew up in a household where there lived a married couple, this theme is one well known to us all.

So, more than the story of what happens between these two couples, is what is really being told. And the charming way it is written is just the icing on the cake for this near-perfect book.

Dubus writes about what the characters are doing saying and thinking, and manages to get the reader to really inhabit their head. To feel what they are feeling, even if they are doing things that are alien to the reader. I wanted the stories to go on and on, but alas, they all ended. So now all I have is the memory of people who feel like they were once friends. 4.5 stars.

Hi Megan- Good review of the Dubus book. I did not not know they made a film from this. Very interesting. I read Dancing After Hours: Stories early last year and was impressed. Have you read his equally talented son?

>109 LovingLit: That's a heckuva testamentary letter! Brava.

>110 msf59: Mark, I only realised when I was writing the review that the reason I read the book, was because I wanted to read House of Sand and Fog which has been on my WL for an age. And of course is written by his son! Duh. So i got lucky in finding the dad and hope his son is as pleasing to read! *confusing*

>111 richardderus: Yo RD ;)
Why thank you.

Excellent review of We Don't Live Here Anymore. Thumb and I'm going to put it on my reading list. Sounds like something I'd enjoy.

Hi Deborah :)
The film version stars Mark Ruffalo and Naomi Watts and Laura Dern. I wouldnt mind seeing it, the chances of seeing Mark Ruffalo in the buff are quite high if it follows the book! haha.

I read Dubus Jr.'s The Garden of Last Days. A bit uneven, but also dark & intriguing. I also read his memoir, Townie which was excellent. I love that cast in We Don't Live Here Anymore.

Hi Mark- Townie interests me. After I have read the House of Sand and Fog Ill look into getting it as well.
When I grew up, on the outskirts of a big small town (!), I was labelled a townie by folks we knew who lived in the wop wops, and also labelled a county bumpkin by folks we know who lived in Auckland. Cant win!
I like Laura Dern, as she looks normal for a movie star, and Mark Ruffalo has a certain....appeal ;)

I am trying to be sociable, but my internet is driving me nuts.. so I will content myself with a hello, and a LOL at >116 LovingLit:

Albus had quite the rough & tumble childhood! Fisticuffs throughout the book. How he developed into a writer is very interesting.
Living in a wop wop? Sounds like the title of your memoir. What are those exactly?

BTW- I did find you wandering around on my thread, boo-hooing. There, there, little one...

>117 mckait: sucky internet is enough to drive someone around the bend! I hope you get some speed soon (for the internet, not the drug kind!)

>118 msf59: LOL- I thought I was lost. Thank goodness you found me :)

Living in the wop wops, that is an expression common around here, for someone living far away from....anywhere! Out in the sticks, the middle of nowhere, last stop before nowhere, the boondocks......any of this making sense? ;)

You always make sense, except for that time you were drinking a lot and...(just kidding). "Living in the wop wops..." Could be a cool little ditty. Stop by: I have the Jennifer Lawrence scoop.

I think I just caught a book bullet with We Don't Live Here Anymore. Thanks! :)

Hi Megan - Nice favorite books collection on top of your thread - couldn't decipher them all - I have only read a few of them - The Road and From Beirut to Jerusalem are two favorite reads for me also. Read Friedman's book before going to Lebanon some years ago (well, many years ago) - a good preparation.

About Camus - The Stranger is one of my favorite novels - in terms of story-telling and philosophy combined it's very well structured. I kind of lost interest in The Plague half way through, but still it had some very interesting ideas.

We Don't Live Here Anymore just landed on my WL. I loved his House of Sand and Fog but I know some people hated it. I didn't really care for Garden of Last Days.

#116 by @Ireadthereforeiam> Megan, I've never heard the term wop wops, but it seems similar to what we call the boondocks around here — i.e. the back side of nowhere.

In many areas of the U.S. 'townie' is used to refer to people who live in a university town but have nothing to do with the college or university. The contrasting categories are Town and Gown (for the people who are connected to the university, referring to academic gowns). I'm not sure if that's what Dubus is referring to but I suspect it is because his father was a writer and a professor.

>120 msf59: phew, you get me :)
I have the Jennifer Lawrence scoop.
By that you mean.....what films she was in before Silver Linings? Hm, maybe I am missing something.

>121 Esquiress: glad to have hit you fair and square with a BB, Es ;)

>122 ctpress: Hi Carsten, glad you looked over the top book, it pleases me to see them there every time I open up my thread. I plan to do another selection of books I have rated highly for my next one!

>123 brenzi: Hi Bonnie- It seems you have done what I did!
I only read We Dont Live Here Anymore (by Dubus) because I though it was by the same author as House of Sand and Fog (by Dubus III, and which I have wanted to read fir ages). But it turns out they are father and son! (son being the 3rd)
If son writes anything like father, and there is no supposition that he will, Ill like him a lot!

>124 rosalita: hi Rosalita- the townie explanation is very useful! Thanks, I assumed it meant "from a town" like it does here. I see there is a little more to it than that.

>124 rosalita:: You know, Rosa, what you say is interesting, because when I went to Indiana University of PA, the "townies" were the kids who came from Indiana and went to the university, so kind of the opposite of what you were saying. Maybe it was just a Western PA thing, though. After all, "Pittsburghese" did have its own section in my American dialects textbook :)

>125 LovingLit:: You did well, sista!

Hi Megan,
Surfing thru to catch the wave...
touching review of Andris Apse: Odyssey and Images by Ron Crosby. Good for you for writing to your grandfather.

#126 by @Esquiress> That is interesting, Es. I've not heard that explanation before. I know here in Iowa City (home of the University of Iowa, my alma mater and current employer) the distinction is as I explained, but clearly that's not universal. We've all learned something new today!

I'm not even going to ask what an Indiana University is doing in Pennsylvania! I'm sure there's a perfectly logical explanation.

Howdy Megan-- just dropping in for a quick wave while I try to catch up on your thread :)

Lovely review of We Don't Live Here Anymore. Adding that one to the WL. Thought of you this weekend when we were making French toast - Abby asked me to hand her the "snippy pickers" - isn't that what Wilbur calls tongs? I had read those lists of words that you had posted somewhere about Wilbur's words for common items last year, and the girls absolutely loved them. Charming, they declared. We would like some new ones, please.

>126 Esquiress: so, it looks like the regional variations are as variant as the international variations! ;)

>127 -Cee-: hi Cee, I posted my letter yesterday and included some photos of his Great-Grandchildren as well as their parents (that would be me and my lovely other).

>128 rosalita: I'm not even going to ask what an Indiana University is doing in Pennsylvania!
lol, there is an Otago University Campus here, even though to get to the real Otago University it would take 5 hours in the car! Way to confuse the visitors!
There will be an explanation, but it may not be logical ;)

>129 TinaV95: Hi Tina- thanks for stopping by!

>130 Crazymamie: LOL- I love that Wilbur's words have travelled the globe ;)
Now it is mainly us that refers to them as snippy pickers, he looks at us funny.
We still call the remote control, the "bemoke" as that is how he started saying it. He still says "Me-rember" instead of remember, (but with his little speech anomaly it comes out as "Me-wember"). *cute*
But at the moment he is preoccupied with death. :|
"But how can you get died, mum?"
"Can you see when you get died mum?"
"I wont get died cos Ill just open my eyes up like this" *forces eyes open*
OK Wilbur, we'll just keep this conversation simple, and get to the tough stuff later on :)

Hi Megan! I've learned quite a few new and interesting words for vegetables in reading your thread! Capsicums is much more charming than green peppers. I think I'll confuse my family by using your words! LOL

Very lovely and touching review of the book of your family's history. I hope your grandfather gets his letter soon.

Thanks for posting that cool montage of favorite books, Megan. i may do something similar on my Profile Page. Poor thing doesn't get much attention from me.

There were some real goodies on that book haul from the used bookstore. I've been trying to find a good used copy of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle to add to my Kingsolver collection. That reminds me...you made a good harvest from your garden. I hate fighting the bugs and animals for a crop so I just go to the farmer's market. Unfortunately, that time is months away for us.

82: Lovely, lovely review. What a wonderful family legacy. I can see why this was such an emotional read for you.

Oh Goodie, more Wilburisms! So cute. Haley is a big fan of fresh pineapple which she calls apple pie for some reason! Of course, that's what we call it too now. ;-)

>128 rosalita:: Indiana University of Pennsylvania is in a little town called Indiana, which, oddly enough, IS in PA. We also have a California University of Pennsylvania, which is in (you got it!) California, PA. It's quite confusing. We might have a Washington too, though don't quote me on that.

Okay, I LOVE bemoke! Totally snagging that! Thanks for sharing - I miss those days. We still refer to company as pumpkiny because at bedtime Rae would always say, "Could you stay and keep me pumpkiny for a bit?" She also called Gatorade (the drink) Alligatorade.

Aww Wilburisms are adorable! You should tape some of the cute things he says to play back to him later in life!

#134 by @Esquiress> Well, I guess we do have a Nevada in Iowa, although the locals will be sure to tell you it's pronounced Ne-VAY-da and not Ne-VAH-da like the state. I'm pretty sure there's no university there, though; population is only around 6,000.

>132 Cobscook: hiya Cobscook- I hope my grandad gets his letter soon too. It is a bit hard knowing someone else will hve to read it in order for him to read it....(to translate it)....but I tried not to worry about that when I wrote it!

>133 Donna828: hi Donna, I went looking for your book montage on your profile, then re read your post and realised you were going to do it, not that you had done it! duh! *Ill look forward to it at a later date!)

Apple Pie for pineapple? hehe, makes sense to me. Just reverse the two known words! Lenny does the same- sort of- with chippies which he calls "puh-cheese" (they arent even chips, just rice crackers). When he started chanting for them he got confused about where the words started and ended!

>134 Esquiress: Es, there are so many hundreds of placenames in the US, I couldnt begin to tell you where what was. I dont even know where many of the states are, relative to each other!
But- what you have said does make sense :)

>135 Crazymamie: She also called Gatorade (the drink) Alligatorade.
You have reminded me of another one now!
Wilbur calls crocodiles "snap-o-diles" lol, he does it as a joke, and then it sticks. he loves funny word play :) (so do I!)

>136 ChelleBearss: I should tape things for him for later.....trouble is, my camera ended up lens-first on the hard floor-boards, and that was what my teeny tiny video camera was in too :)
I have to rely on my awesome retro polaroid camera now - stills only of course. I do write down the funny things in his Plunket Book though.

>137 rosalita: Ne-VAY-da and not Ne-VAH-da
haha! I know that feeling.
Here we have a place called Monaco.......pronounced Mon-AH-co, not MON-a-co like the country. Country? Well...sovereign city state...whatever it is ;)

oh, now don't you wish you could be there to see your grandfather when he opens that wonderful letter? Good on you my girl! hugs

Hi Kath- I hope he receives it well. He and my Nan wrote letters to each other from when they first discovered each other were alive. Some of which were in the book, so I know he writes a good letter himself :) And I learned a lot of his sensitivity from reading them too- I think I have been equally cursed and blessed to have inherited that trait from him.

******************************************************************

I was on my way to the butcher, a job I could just fit in before Lenny needed his sleep, and I just stopped for a minute at a second hand book shop. Lenny went mad running about calling out "book! book!" to the shop keeper, and I hastily grabbed-
The Time Machine by HG Wells (Penguin classic edition)
The Red Pony by John Steinbeck (a neat little hard cover and an old edition, qualifying it as retro and allowed entry to my usually good-quality-only library :))

So there might not be a dinner plan, but there is good reading to be had!

Book 23
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I wasnt that into this book, until half way through when I realised that it was all a true story. Then I started to appreciate the happenings, and not just glance over the written words.

A sweet story about making house in a new land, and with the added extras of much Indian-related stress, wild animals to contend with, food gathering. A lovely tale for school-aged kids- I would have loved it then. 3.5 stars.

just dropping by to say hi.

A trip to the country today, to visit a friend who lives 70 minutes drive south of here, deep in dairy farming country. :)
Wilbur liked the cows and Lenny liked that their...um......bodily functions....which were so on display! We watched them get milked and also collected eggs from the hen house.

eta: that''s Wilbur in the yellow top leaning in to talk to me in the cab of the truck, and the two girls are my friends daughters.

Hi Megan,
I love the Wilburisms. Bemoke. I like that one. His current obsession with death is interesting. Yep, another one to just ride out, I guess.
The farm looks like fun to visit! I guess it's late summer there, eh?

Wow, the family visiting a farm! Sounds like a blast. Your weather looks gorgeous too!

Wonderful day in the country, Megan : ). Love what each of your boys liked about the cows, LOL. Fun picture, too! Ah, summer ...

>145 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, death and Pirates are flavour of the month. Im sure it'll pass. Most other things have ;)
We are at Autumn now- day 2. That reminds me- we need to get onto ordering our firewood!

>146 msf59: Visiting this friend was one of my "38 things to do before I turn 38", so I was able to cross that one off my list! The one on the list that says "read 75 books" will take a little longer!
And- she's the one getting married in July so we got to talk weddings. (She congratulated me on being the first to rsvp, which appealed to my nerdiness).

>147 lit_chick: Hi Nancy- yesterday (farm visit day) was officially the first day of Autumn! EEEEEEK.
And to mark the occasion, it is now inescapable that it is dark in the mornings when we get up now (630am). *sob sob* I dont like cold mornings!
But- we have had a great run, and there are warm days still to come. Including this weekend (which is now!)

Off to the markets to indulge in some Posh Porridge with Wilby this morning, then later on I am going to help my sister cook sausages at a gig at her local community hall. It is a fundraiser for the new bike trail that is going in amongst the wineries.
Free ticket to the entertainment, and I get to chat to people and hang in the kitchen. Not to mention the sleep in the next morning!

Little book haul:

The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich $2- Ill keep trying with this author in spite of limited success in enjoying her work.
Under the Clock, Tony Harrison .50c (poetry)
Tales from the Arabian Nights .50c A nice cloth bound coffee table style book- score!

After I got to the markets I discovered the Posh Porridge that I went for, has changed to Posh Pancakes! Hmph. Never mind, I had a coffee and watched Wilbur play in the tree, and then went for a long walk through the native bush. And succumbed on the way out, and got a Dutch Butter Cake- a whole one. YUM. That'll do for afternoon tea for the next few days!

Now- off to make some sweet chilli sauce with our stacks of ready-to-go chillis!

Sounds like a fun day at the farm!

And two book hauls lately! Nicely done :)

Megan- I just wanted to see you milking a cow or something! When in July, is your friend getting married? It is my birthday month, you know!

Um, why keep trying her (Erdrich) if you haven't liked her work? How many have you tried?

Have you read Tracks by Erdrich ( if you want to try another) .

I have no idea what a Dutch Butter Cake is, but I now desperately want one to appear in my kitchen!

>150 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle- 2 new books to add to my haul pile too now:)
Time's Arrow and Aleutian Sparrow. 33.3c each. Cant complain!

>151 msf59: Hi Mark- the wedding is actually in June, the 29th
*excited*
I hope her and my good friends from Australia will be able to come over for it.

>152 EBT1002: Ellen, its hard to explain why I keep trying Erdrich's books. I think I like her, based on the first one of hers I read The Blue Jays Dance. But I didnt like Tracks. So I fell I owe it to her to try another one ;)

>153 mckait: hi Kath- I read Tracks last year and didnt love it. Much at all. But I wont give up on her!

>154 rosalita: Hi Rosalita, the Dutch Butter Cake is an almondy dense flat cake thing. All moist and super tasty! I plan to have some with my milo this evening :) and shall duly report back on its flavour.

Ohh is Dutch Butter Cake like Pound Cake? If so, I'm getting hungry! I think it was you who recommended a few New Zealand books to me? I've just begun reading The Colour , so thanks for that!

Happy official autumn, Megan! Oh you brought back a fun memory of taking my two out to see baby pigs at a coworker's farm when they were 4. They hung over the fence like a couple of old hands, gawking at the farm machinery, asking Fergus the Farmer what each thing was. *point* "That's a manure spreader", Ferg would say. Second born by two minutes to my first born: "What's manure, Rhys?" First born: "Shit, Arlen." Fergus the farmer's shoulders shook with silent laughter.

These are good things for kids to do.

Hi Deb: it wasnt me who recommended The Colour! I should have read it myself I think before recommending, and now maybe I will :)
Im not a huge fan or expert on NZ authors. *tsk tsk*

Tui: great story! Farmer Fergus was right to laugh, and even righter to laugh silently!!
My sister has pigs and chickens and a dog and a cat, so they get to see lots of animals in action, which is great. Our cat is a streak of white lightening down the driveway, closely followed by Lenny calling out "mao mao" (meow meow), or "cat cat!"

This is what my Boterkoek (Dutch Butter Cake) looks like.
I didnt make it, but cleverly bought it at the weekend market for only $8!
I have just had 2 too many slices, and now only have 3/4 left- woops :)

And, Im feeling pretty smug in that tonights tea is already cooked (Moroccan Stew), and tomorrow nights is prepped, and about to be cooked. (Thai green curry). :)
I am only this organised today to make up for yesterdays shockingly lazy day. I was feeling under the weather after a late night at the Bike Trail fund-raiser where I was chief sausage cooker. I also indulged in a little wine on the side and was not the picture of health and happiness yesterday. Ahem....moving on.

So off to fill out the census forms for collection tomorrow night. This it cutting into my reading time, but must be done. :) The census was cancelled 2 years ago on account of the Christchurch Earthquakes spreading my towns population far and wide.

That butter cake looks just as delicious as in my imagination, Megan. I'd say you got a great bargain with that one.

I'm feeling very accomplished because I've just returned from grocery shopping, and now have the makings for taking my lunch to work all week. It saves so much money over eating out every day, but I'm not always organized enough on the weekends to actually buy the groceries. So, yay me! :-)

dutch butter cake *droooolslobberdripdrip*

Rosalita: thats a job well done on the weeks lunches. Organisation has got a lot going for it! My lunch usually consists
of a coffee and something sweet :|
But hey- I never claimed to be perfect.

RD: you got that right Mister! And you should taste the Thai Green Curry! yeeee ha, its got some heat.

Got myself a cutsie ticker!

eta: scrap that- I cant work the cutsie ticker system. Back to counting books the normal way!

The Dutch Butter Cake looks fabulous. I wish I had a piece to nibble on with my tea right now! So I see you made Morrocan Stew and Thai Green Curry for "tea"....is that your evening meal? We call it supper or dinner here. I guess I thought tea was more like an afternoon snack.

>164 Cobscook: hi Cobscook- yes, tea means dinner, or evening meal. Supper for me would mean a little snack plate of food just before bed. I am always fascinated by the little differences in how we refer to things.
I snacked a bit on the Green Curry yesterday so might have to add some chicken or something for tonight. Occupational hazard!

This beautiful book jumped the queue and has occupied my time this morning while Lenny sleeps.
My library visit was very lucrative this morning, I came away with The Worst Hard Time as well. So much for my strict reading plan. :)

Drooling over that butter cake :)

>166 LovingLit:: Oh, I am interested in how you like it. I've had for a few years but have never read it. I do want to.

You've been snagging some choice titles! I have the Reluctant fundementalist high on my WL. And The Worst Hard Time is outstanding. Egan is a terrific NF writer. Enjoy!

@msf59: I'd be willing to send you my copy of The Reluctant Fundamentalist once I've read it, if you'd like. It's not in the cards for March, but I'm sure I can sneak it in in... maybe May or even if I run out of books for Atwood April.

>167 mckait: me too Kath, there's still half left, and Im afraid the only person who has been eating it is me!

>168 Esquiress: I am LOVING it so far. Half through already ;)

>169 msf59: I know Mark! They were on my library WL, and I went to a library that I dont usually go to this morning and there happened to be a few there that I was coveting.
So of course I let myself break my rules of no cut-ins! and snagged them!

>170 Esquiress: aw thats nice of you Es ;)
It isnt a short book, that is how I have managed to read so much already. You could easily squeeze it in in a weekend!

Waving, drooling, moving on!

And here I always thought that tea was supper or dinner. Here we have breakfast, lunch and dinner/ supper - whichever you prefer to say. Tea sounds so swishy to me. I might have a cup of tea with my breakfast most mornings, but to call the family to " tea." So much fun!

>172 PrueGallagher: Hi Prue- drool away *provides serviette*

>173 vancouverdeb: "tea's ready kids!" is what I call out every night! ;)
Its not swishy at all. lol
Morning/afternoon tea is called just that or, Wilbur calls it "morning/afternoon kai" as this is what they say at kindy (kai is Maori for food).

My error! I thought that " tea" was lunch in the UK or New Zealand etc, not dinner. So ,every meal is tea - with morning or afternoon attached except at dinner time aka tea time. I learn something new every day!

Do you drink tea with most of your meals? Or is tea just a name for a meal?

At least I know what a serviette is! In the US, I have found people have looked at me blankly -and then I had to say - napkin I mean.

Another time I asked in a public place in the US - where is the washroom? The woman in the large tourist store looked at me blankly and asked if I wanted to have a bath? I said no and whispered that I would like to use the toilet. ( what else could I say? ) She said oh the rest room. It's funny how such close neighbors can have such different terms .

Thanks Es, that's a generous offer! I'll PM you!

Big loving waves to Megan!

Your Wil's kai ....it made me smile.. your kids are as interesting and entertaining as you are :)

If it makes you feel better, Deborah, here in Iowa people would know exactly what you mean by washroom. I hear washroom/restroom pretty equally around these parts.

#174 I say 'tea' for our main meal in the evening as well but most people I know living nearby say 'dinner' or 'supper'. 'Tea' is a leftover from my upbringing in South Wales: in South-East England it's considered a very downmarket way to describe an evening meal. If I was at all worried about that sort of thing I'd have changed to 'supper' by now. Afternoon tea to me means delicate little sandwiches and cakes and bone china cups at about 4pm, not an everyday meal.

If one waits long enough, the internet will provide anything, but anything, one wants.

>175 vancouverdeb: hi Deborah- Im with Rhian (#179) in that "tea" is the main evening meal, and afternoon tea/morning tea is that between meal snack that kids seem to nee most.
We dont drink tea with any meal! ;) - well maybe breakfast, but I have coffee (that made me laugh, but I totally get why you might have thought it to be so)

>176 msf59: Hi Mark! *waves back*
If postage wasnt double the price of a book- Id send you one too!

>177 mckait: thanks Kath :)
Wilbur is so funny. Our nightly stories about "William and Wilbur the Nearly Next-door-neighbors" are getting to be more and more his making entirely. I used to get some say in what they were up to, but now he tells me exactly what the story will be about.

>178 rosalita: I would presume washrooom was bathroom, but would understand facilities, water closet, WC, lavatory, toilet, restroom, bathroom, the ladies, loo, bog, longdrop, powder room, privvy, dunny and many more possibly!

>179 SandDune: in South-East England it's considered a very downmarket way to describe an evening meal
That is funny, but I guess typical of class system hangovers. Afternoon tea is hardly cucumber sandwiches and earl grey tea, but you get the picture, it keeps the kids angry-hunger-animals at bay.

>180 richardderus: Hi RD
That's all you need huh? Sure it is!

Book 24
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

I was immediately drawn into this book. It is written as a conversation, the other half of the conversation is silent, but is referenced by the narrator.

Our main man, the Reluctant Fundamentalist, is living back in Pakistan after a few years away living in the US. He is chatting with an American at a local cafe in Lahore and the story of his life comes out. He's been living the high life in New York City- it is what he has dreamed of. But after 9/11, he is viewed differently by the formerly accepting population of NY, and so begins to examine how he views himself.

This is a great story - it also examines the human condition in a non-traditional way, and effortlessly brings up issues of identity in a world of merging cultures. 4 stars.

Hi Megan, glad you enjoyed The Reluctant Fundamentalist, i read it a couple of years ago as i was lucky enough to be one of 20,000 people to be selected to give away 50 books as part of World Book Day. We had to pick a book from a choice of 25 to give away and i chose the above and had fun giving complete strangers a book for nothing, some were not keen to accept even after i explained why i was doing this. It really made me think and even now i still have a chat with my better half about the book as it is so thought provoking.

#181 Afternoon tea is hardly cucumber sandwiches and earl grey tea I remember really liking cucumber sandwiches as a child but I haven't had them for years and years.

Cucumber sammies! Ooo, with dilled cream cheese and shrimp. (Oh that's prawns to y'all weirdos down under.)

>183 johnsimpson: giving away 50 books! That sounds like great fun. I can see why people would find it weird, they'd probably think it was some form of propaganda. But it'd be their loss- what a great book. Im wondering if I should up its star rating to 4.5...

>184 SandDune: cucumber sammies are good- with salt and pepper and butter though, have to have those additions. I like then cut in squares (around the circle of cucumber) and biting all but the crust off in one go!

>184 SandDune: Shrimp is prawns? I thought shrimp were those little pointless, tasteless mini-prawns. Prawns are YUM-O. One of my best Christmas dinners was at the water front in Fremantle, eating a 2L container of prawns in garlic, fried in butter, with 2 friends. Oh, and some fizzy wine too. That was good.

Shrimp:


Shrimp:


See? All shrimp.

mmmmm. Prawn-fest.



eta: those bottom ones look like maggots!

I know, they do don't they? Those are the kind that come out of a grocery store freezer case.

They are also the ones that you are VERY disappointed in getting if you have ordered prawns at a restaurant, and then you never go back because you are too much a New Zealander to complain at the time. haha, my dad actually did that.

So much to catch up on here!!

I love the Wilbur words!! ;) You really should write these down for posterity's sake!

Yum at the Dutch Butter Cake!! My mom used to make something she called "Gooey Butter Cake" but hasn't made it in a while. It was delicious and gooey (duh) and so sweet it made my teeth hurt!

Loving the shrimp / prawn debate. :)

I'm glad you liked The Reluctant Fundamentalist Megan. I liked it even a bit more than you did. I thought that one sided conversation was very effective. I just read How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia and he does another very good job with an unusual narration. He's very good at that.

I guess I'll have a shrimp cocktail while I'm here:-)

Hi Megan

What great lists! And, Wilbur is a very special child indeed.

Megan- Good review of the Hamid book. Once I get a copy, I'll try bookhorning it in, sooner than later. I wish our little LT community lived closer to one another. It would be a whirlwind of books being passed around and we could save a few bucks too!

#187 The bottom picture is what Maine shrimp look like.

>191 TinaV95: hi Tina- I do write some of them down in his Plunket book (Plunket are an association that cares for infants and pre schoolers- people are issued with a Plunket Book at birth to record growth and milestones- maybe you have it too?) I always think Im going to remember everything, but then I remember that I dont ;)

>192 brenzi: hi! I was actually thinking of raising the rating to a 4.5....Ill see how it sits with me. I hadnt realised he was also the author of the Filthy Rich Asia book. Ill just call it that for now as I know it's close enough ;)

>193 Whisper1: Hi Linda- Wilbur is a very special child indeed.
At his new kindy, they have said to me that they have already discovered what an "inquisitive mind" he has. I wonder if this is a euphemism for "we cant shut him up" or if it is a way of saying that they agree with his own assessment of himself as a genius!

>194 msf59: I'll try bookhorning it in
That is some kind of swap system is it Mark?
Postage even within NZ is pretty steep these days, so I find even if I get a bargain online, its not worth the cost with the postage as well. I sometimes go through spells of buying online but only from people in Chch (my town), and Ill just take a drive to collect it. Then I can get $1 books, this I love.

>195 Cobscook: Im sorry to hear that.
;)
Just joshing, Im sure they taste OK, they just look unappealing to me in that picture.

******************************************************************

I have my new renegade Book Club tonight. If you remember last time, I felt a bit intimidated by all the high-flyers. So tonight Ill be making my second appearance, and will duly report back! I wont fess up to all the books I have read since we last met, but am taking my favourite 3 Moon Tiger, No Country for Old Men and The Reluctant Fundamentalist to discuss.

hmmm after your comments, I may be off shrimp forever....

Darn... stopping bby to catch up and now I want prawns :( On the plus side, have just booked a summer holiday (my first in about 7 years) to Brittany at a place they catch the most amazing langoustines. Man I love shellfish!

Hi Megan! I'm glad you liked The Reluctant Fundamentalist. I agree with your comments right down the line.

Re: Erdrich, I kind of know what you mean about liking/not liking her work. I really enjoyed The Plague of Doves and would recommend that. But, in her first trilogy, I think Tracks was my favorite, so that doesn't bode well....... I definitely have to be in the mood for her writing, and some of the circularity and ephemeral storytelling is, I think, exactly what works about it. But I have to focus.

New Book Club was fun last night! I might have just been nervy last time we all met. The book tastes werent exactly to my tastes, but when are they ever? lol.
And the spread was exquisite. Polenta slice, potato and blue cheese flan, easter eggs, brownie, butter cake (my last minute contribution), gourmet hummus, crackers, chips and lemon meringue pie! I picked The Great Gatsby off the pile and will maybe round up those who were interested in a GR soon!

>197 mckait: sorry Kath! Just slather the shrimp in garlic and butter and you'll forget all about it! ;)
I love those big juicy prawns. They are so sumptuous.

>198 BekkaJo: holiday plans are so great arent they? Looking forward to a holiday is sometimes a holiday in itself. Langoustines I havent heard of though, and shell fish I can take or leave. But I know about peoples' obsessions with the shellfish- so I know you'll enjoy!!

>199 EBT1002: Hi Ellen- I found the bits about America (the bits that would have been labelled anti-American sentiment) interesting and challenging to read as well. I liked that. It makes you think. My criticism was that it was a short book. But the conversational format wouldn't really have supported much of a longer one, so. There you go.

The Bats USA tour dates and locations for May/ June.
These guys are a Flying Nun band from NZ- they have been together in an unchanged lineup for 30 years and are such a great band! Please go see them if they are playing near you and tell them Megan from Christchurch made you go ;)
Singer Robert Scott has beautiful melodies, and harmonies from Kaye Woodward make a beautiful and haunting song line up. I'd label it jingly-jangly guitar pop music.

Thursday 05/30 Austin Chaos in TX
Saturday 06/01 NYC Pop Fest
Sunday 06/02 Boston Great Scott
Monday 06/03 Hoboken Maxwells
Tuesday 06/04 Philly JB's
Wed 06/05 Wash DC DC-9
Friday 06/07 Chapel Hill NC Local 506
Sunday 06/09 Chicago Schubas
Tuesday 06/11 Seattle Neumos
Weds 06/12 Portland Bunk Bar
Friday 06/14 SF Rickshaw Stop
Saturday 06/15 LA Satellite


And just to prove how small NZ is, my lovely other works at the same local government outfit as Paul Kean (far R, seated) and my friend used to work with the drummer (far R, standing) at a care facility for the intellectually disabled.

OH my goodness! I'm sort of caught up over here, but there's no way I can comment on everything. You've almost had time since you wrote to have heard back from your grandfather, and I'm just reading about your letter. I've said before that your family's story would make an amazing movie. I guess it's already made a wonderful book.
Love Wilburisms! Love the discussion of 3 - or is it 4 - nations separated by a common language!
Love and want to read what you've been reading! I'll get to some of it someday!

Yum, book club meeting sounds thoroughly enjoyable. What a great spread!

Megan- I am glad your book club went well. It sounds like you might have to enlighten this bunch. LOL. Show them the way. The food sounds very tasty too!
And I have heard the The Bats. I have a collection called "Thousands of Tiny Luminous Spheres". I haven't heard it in awhile but I do recall it being excellent.
Schubas in Chicago is a terrific venue. Small & intimate. If the timing is right, I'll see.

>203 lit_chick: bring a plate works well, as you are publicly shamed if you bring something less than spectacular! haha, not that I would subscribe to that sentiment, of course.

>204 msf59: oh Mark- I too have that album (and more of theirs as well). It is a great collection of their most catchy tunes. I do hope you go and see them, and chat to them after. And get an autograph for me? ;) Tell them Im too embarrassed to ask them myself at gigs so sent my US pal to do it for me! haha

I just played a few tracks! I like Block of Wood, North by North and Afternoon in Bed. Good catchy, jangly pop.

North by North is one of my favourites too, Mark.
The female singer of the group has a spin off band with the 2 other Bats' members (all bar the main singer/songwriter) called Minisnap, she sings all the songs in that band, and its also a lovely experience to see live.
They are so under appreciated in NZ, and I believe they found better success in the States, which I suppose is good for them financially, but NZers should be ashamed of themselves for not fully embracing such talent!
*rant over*
:)

Megan - Not familiar with the Bats but I will look them up too.
Am very familiar with prawns on the other hand and yours look delicious.

Just swinging by to see what you are reading next.
I'm not familiar with the Bats, either. It must have been others in the States who provided for their success. :-)

The Bats: North by North

Oh yea, that was for Paul and Ellen
(you wont regret listening, Im confident!)
:)

Book 25
Somebody Stole My Game by Chris Laidlaw

This is a book about rugby. I dont particularly like rugby, but seeing as it is part of NZs social fabric, and this book concerns the commercialisation of the sport, plus, is written by an ex-All Black who is now a well respected radio presenter....I sought it out.

I knew something was up with NZ rugby when my brother, an ex-player and now fan of the sport, stated in no uncertain terms that he would never attend a match at a big stadium here again. He objected, rightly imo, to being frisk searched upon entry by security heavies for food or beverages, to paying huge amounts for in house catering/beer consisting of not much more than a pie or chips, and to other odd things like not being able to leave the stadium at half time and get entry back in. (this last one is presumably so that people dont go to local eateries of pubs and "cheat" the stadium contracted caterer of their takings).

More and more people are staying home and watching their rugby on pay TV. That is, people who can afford pay TV. The rest of us just dont see any rugby on TV anymore. Huge stadiums are only half filled, and those who go in have paid a premium.

This book talks about deals with stadiums, deals with players, players having agents, players having no allegiance to anyone anymore apart from the person with the most $$$ on offer, rugby overload, the death of club rugby, the cult of the rugby-playing celebrity, the medias role, and so much more. It all reads like a rant...well, more like an extended newspaper column. It is funny and real, and Laidlaw has a classic turn of phrase. Eg: from p.243

The professional game seems to have been as welcome in Scotland as a fart in a phone box. But let's be honest here. There has always been something mean-spirited and adventurous about those who run rugby in Scotland

There are plenty more examples of outright opinion and a jolly presentation of it. This made it easy to read, especially as I can hear his voice from Radio New Zealand National. He is smart and is not afraid to offer options for what should happen in NZ rugby, along with the rest of the worlds rugby as well. This book also encompasses quite a bit of rugby history and basics, all good for a novice like me. 3.5 stars

Speaking of sport being part of your national fabric. The material was in fine fettle today as your boys upset the odds slightly by embarrassing a cocky and now chastened England cricket team.

Ohh a friend of mine put on a few ' afternoon tea's " in the past! Cucumber Sandwiches ( my sister likes those anyhow) , cookies, cakes, cupcakes, - very fancy! Over in Victoria they have a particular hotel that serves " afternoon tea".



and here is the hotel in Victoria- though quite a few hotels serve afternoon/ high tea

Now that I have spammed your thread with high tea - I do like your review of Somebody Stole My Game. Thumb! I must confess in Canada hockey is the big sport, not that I watch and I am not quite sure what rugby is - is it what we call soccer? Must go to Wiki!

#212 Megan, as someone who does follow rugby I'm interested in Somebody stole my game. I last went to an International match a couple of years ago at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the experience there was a lot better than you describe. No frisking or ban on food stuffs, and rugby matches have the advantage that you can buy alcoholic drinks in the stadium in the UK whereas you can't for a football match. I wouldn't have thought that you could go out at half time but for a stadium with a big capacity I would think that's more logistical.

#215 Rugby is not soccer, Deborah! And Canada has a rugby team. I know because I saw them play Fiji in the 2007 Rugby World Cup (they lost). Have you ever seen Invictus, with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon? If you haven't - it's a good film and I recommend it - it'll show you what rugby is!

Hi Megan, I like your review of Somebody Stole My Game, too. And your reasons for reading it are spot-on. Might even inspire me to read a book about hockey, being that it's Canada's first love ... or not! Must say I laughed at the quote about rugby in Scotland, LOL.

>213 PaulCranswick: I heard something of the sort Paul- good to see we can get some runs sometimes. Interestingly enough, I was at a huge indoor kids playground place the other day (with the kids- that goes without saying), and on the big screen in the under 5's areas (!!#@!?!) they were playing a rerun of a cricket test match. It was the one where Nathan Astle got the fastest ever test 200. SO I hung over the edge of the fence and watched Chris Cairns and Astle knocking them out of the park, while also watching little Lenny bumble about.
Oh, and btw, I later got a slide injury, probably proving that adults shouldnt pretend they are kids, and should just watch the cricket!

>214 vancouverdeb: /215 oooo- high tea! Lovely.
*adopts sticking out little finger pose for holding tea cup*
Ive never had it, but I can guess. And that hotel looks A-MA-ZING. Id be able to raise the bar enough to get in there I reckon ;)
lol- re: rugby being soccer. The main difference being that is someone falls over in rugby, they dont cry. haha.

>216 SandDune: I have heard Invictus is a good film, but havent seen it. The book I just read talked a bit about how Nelson Mandela united people over the Rugby World Cup.
It sounds like your stadiums are a bit more relaxed there! I object to not being allowed to take food in, especially in cricket matches where you are there for the whole day and actually do need to eat! I smuggled in a bacon and egg pie when my sisters hen's do was a one-day cricket match. I had people offering money from all around for a slice!

>217 lit_chick: hi Nancy, if there is such a book about hockey...you should pick it up. If hockey is anything like rubgy is here, and I think it is!, there will be some ex-player expert who has written one.
I loved the "fart in the phone box" bit! lol

Got sidetracked by the afternoon tea spread. Mmmm... I love crust-less sandwiches filled with thinly sliced cucumber, ham or cheese.

Great review, Megan although it's not something I'm likely to add to my obese wish list. I did use to like watching rugby when I lived in the UK and I was a firm supporter of my Uni's rugby team and I still enjoy watching a game or two on the tele, but it's not a sport I follow avidly.

Hi Megan, a while ago we had a chat about the state of NZ cricket and i recall saying things would get better for your boys, well that seems to the case at the moment. The England boys may have played some poor shots but the NZ bowlers forced them into this and now your batsmen are showing that there are no demons in the pitch. This may very well help England, after a fantastic tour of India complacency may have set in and we are paying the price now but it will help us to focus for the Ashes battles in our summer and then the summer down under. NZ cricket just needs a bit of confidence and the right people in charge and then they will be a force in world cricket again.

Hope you and your family are well Megan, enjoy your reading and the cricket.

Invictus is an excellent movie, Megan. That is, if one can tolerate Matt Damon's horrific version of a South African accent, LOL. It's definitely the weak spot in the film.

Just popping in to keep up with my favorite Megan...

Hi Megan- Have you read Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight? If not, track this baby down I am reading her follow-up memoir and it's just as good. She's a terrific writer.
I also liked Invictus!

My lads were serious rugby players; one had hopes of playing for the Canadian team but blew out his shoulder, so became a cyclist instead. Sad to read that the game has become so tainted and commercialised, Megan. The All-Blacks are legends.

Thanks for the report on your book club, Megan. The food sounds divine! My book group met last night. We are all serious readers and not distracted by food! *boo hoo* I don't think a few crackers with hummus and a brownie would diminish my enjoyment of a book discussion.

Have a good weekend, Megan!

>219 cameling: I was surprised that you even know rugby, Caro- I hear its not well known in the US. I wasnt hoping to convert people to being fans of the sport in my reviewing of the book ;)
Womens rugby is taking off though, would you pay? I wouldnt, no way. I have no intention of being tackled to the ground, let alone running around a grassy field chasing a ball!

>220 johnsimpson: Hi John, NZ cricket just needs a bit of confidence and the right people in charge
That's probably exactly what is needed. If it werent for being rained off last evening, we might have been able to declare too. It nice to see some improvement anyhow.

>221 lit_chick: Hi Nancy- I cant stand a bad accent! Not the accent itself, but the terrible attempt at it! I would be interested to see the film now just to marvel at the accents. It does ruin the experience if that is all you can focus on though.

>222 mckait: Hi Kath! Thanks for popping in....(nearly wrote pooping in there, woops!)

>223 msf59: Hi Mark- I have read Don't Lets go to the Dogs Tonight, and quite enjoyed it. It was a while ago that it came out though wasn't it? The life described was interesting sounding, so I'm not surprised there is more to tell!

>224 tiffin: rugby to cyclist! That's quite a change.
I think the All Blacks are legends too, Tui. I like it when they win at least, and I love that they wear black, its is by far the toughest colour for a sports jersey!

>225 Donna828: What? No food at book club!? That is not OK ;)
You can always sneak a plate in and just see who is tempted, I bet a few are! My book clubs have always been too much socialisation and not enough serious book talk for me, so I guess we are in the same opposite boat there.

>226 wilkiec: Thanks Diana. Ill try not to go back to the market today for more Boterkoek, Im still dreaming of it.

191 & 196 - Yep, I'm way behind!!! I've never heard of a Plunket book, but what a good idea!! Glad you are catching some of his little "gems"!

Tina- you are not as behind as you think! You are just on my old thread ;)
lol
Ill see you back over at the March one, and we'll get on to reading the Great Gatsby soon!

eta: I spelled your name so wrong the first time, duh!

Duh. Good grief. :/