Mark's Reading Place: Books, Banter & Beer #21

LT is my refuge. LT is my oasis. Not a day goes by, that this special place does not put a smile on my face.

Audiobook:


Graphic:


Books Read So Far... (You can always go to my profile page and check earlier threads for my complete reading list. I don't like to make this to cumbersome.)

August :

97) Dangerous Laughter: Thirteen Stories by Steven Millhauser 4.2 stars (OTS)
98) Little Brother by Cory Doctorow 2.8 stars (audio)
99) Tampa by Alissa Nutting 4.2 stars
100) Paco's Story by Larry Heinemann 4 stars (audio)
101) The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle 4 stars
102) The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye 4.2 stars (audio)
103) Joyland by Stephen King 4.3 stars (audio)
104) The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri 4.4 stars
105) Son of a Gun: A Memoir by Justin St. Germain 4.5 stars ER
106) Thirteen Hours by Deon Meyer 4 stars (audio)
107) The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck 4.6 stars (audio)
108) Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer by Mari SanGiovanni 4 stars
109) Lexicon by Max Barry 3.8 stars (audio)
110) Let Him Go by Larry Watson 4.6 stars
111) The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore 4.3 stars Booktopia audio
112) Safe from the Sea by Peter Geye 4.4 stars Booktopia

September:

113) Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks 5 stars (audio)
114) Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford 3.8 stars Booktopia
115) Point and Shoot (A Charlie Hardie) by Duane Swierczynski 4 stars (audio)
116) Raven Girl by Audrey Niffenegger 3.6 stars Illustrated Novel
117) Crashed (Junior Bender #1) by Timothy Hallinan 4 stars (audio)
118) Nine Inches: Stories by Tom Perrotta 4.6 stars ARC
119) Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson 4 stars
120) Life After Life by Jill McCorkle 3.7 stars Booktopia
121) A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny 4.2 stars
122) Not Your Mother's Meatloaf: A Sex Education Comic Book by Saiya Miller 4 stars
123) Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin 4.2 stars (audio) Booktopia
124) Volt: Stories by Alan Heathcock 5 stars
125) Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch 4.2 stars (audio)
126) Children of God by Mary Doria Russell 3.7 stars Booktopia
127) Love Songs From a Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill 3.8 stars (audio)

October:

128) Tilt-a-Whirl by Chris Grabenstein 3.7 stars (audio)
129) Harvest by Jim Crace 4.2 stars
130) Boxers by Gene Luen Yang 4.5 stars (GN)
131) Bel Canto by Ann Patchett 4.2 stars (audio)
132) Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink 4.3 stars
133) The Son by Philipp Meyer 4 stars (audio)
134) Dracula by Bram Stoker 4.3 stars (audio)
135) The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell 4 stars (audio)
136) Richard Stark's Parker, Vol. 2: The Outfit by Darwyn Cooke 4 stars GN
137) Countdown City (Last Policeman Trilogy) by Ben Winters 3.6 stars (audio)
138) 2666 by Roberto Bolaño 3.5 stars

First-Time Author Challenge 2013

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

Hi Mark! I just clicked on this thread and couldn't figure out why it wasn't jumping to the first unread post. Congratulations on thread #21. And, I couldn't agree more on LT being a refuge and an oasis. It's my favorite way to relax.

I don't think I've been first yet at LT. Love the big pile of books! Looks like the table next to my reading chair...ok, second!

^This is a great photo from Booktopia. All the authors, the 2 bookstore owners and Ann & Michael. Wow!

*waves hi*

It has finally started raining. Perhaps tropical storm Karen is making her presence felt? Now for a long evening watching PBS and that new series on Masterpiece.

Great photo Mark!

Lovely photo from Booktopia! Mark. Do you know when they plan to announce next year's locations?

Happy new thread, Mark. I sure share your sentiment: LT is my refuge. LT is my oasis. Not a day goes by, that this special place does not put a smile on my face. Me, too! I only regret that I can't spend more time here.

Hope you have a great week.

SONNET 73
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed, whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourish'd by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well, which thou must leave ere long.

^ Nice.

Congrats on the new thread, Mark. And sorry about the Bears loss today. They play again on Thursday, right? And they play the Giants - Rae is so disgusted that they haven't won a game this season. There could be fireworks at our house Thursday night.

Pat- You are Number One! But we knew that already, right? I found that Booktopia photo on Facebook. That's a keeper. Hope you had a great evening.

Diane- Great to see you! Keep on trying, my friend. You will hit it.

Lisa- Big Wave!

Benita- Hopefully, you get just a little rain and I hope it cools off for you. It really dropped here, in the late afternoon. It's only 50 out there right now.

Ellen- I just received an update from Ann and she said that they would announce the locations, mid-November.

Anne- I can get sappy once in awhile, especially about LT. Hope you had a fine Sunday.

Thanks RD! That is gorgeous and fits in perfectly with our autumnal mood.

Mamie- You had a good football day, right? Go Colts! Go Broncos! Yep, the poor Giants. They NEED to win but the Bears can't lose 3 in a row either. We will see! Give Rae a hug for me.

I love that Booktopia photo Mark!!!

And your opening thoughts on LT as your oasis? Well... Let's just say I had to smile as I read that post.

I gather from a fincl markets source that this is the worst year for the Giants since 1979. Which was the year I graduated from high school and is thus a very, very, very long time ago.

Nice & cool here, too.

I love the Booktopia photo too, looks like a fun bunch of bibliophiles :)

Happy new thread, Mark! Lt is a very warm and welcoming place, and I am so grateful for it too.

ETA: that nice young lady on your last thread with the green tights and the high heels, she's cool!

Mark - congratulations on your beer laden latest.
Surprised to see RD quoting poetry and doing so with such aplomb.

Happy new thread, Mark! Your words about LT are so true.

Monday, Monday...I'll probably work my day off tomorrow too, so it will be a long week but I have a holiday weekend coming up, so that keeps me chugging along.
I went to long pants today. The weather reports said it would be low 60s but it looks like mid- 60s, I'll keep the long pants on, at least for a day or 2.

Everyone knows I rarely abandon a book, but I think I am going to chuck Skinner. I spent the entire day with it on Saturday and something is just not clicking. I adore Huston but I am not sure the spy/thriller genre is his strong point. Instead I'll move onto the audio of the Son, which has been getting Thumbs Up from my LT compatriots.

Tina- Life without LT. Could you imagine? I probably could but of course I choose not to. Shudders...

Suz- Great to see you! I usually pull for the underdog teams, but this week I'll have to go with my Bears. We can't lose 3 in a row.

Megan- I mentioned, up there about LT putting a smile on my mug: Well, you are one of the special folks that does it consistently.
Would you wear green tights? Inquiring minds...

Paul- Yep, you know I like my beer. I indulged a bit over the weekend, so I'll take it easy for a few days, maybe hoist a couple for the Bears game on Thursday.
And yes, that was a lovely sonnet from our irascible RD!

Diana- Thanks! Good to see you. Hope your weekend went well.

We turned the furnace on this morning - yay for chilly weather!

This is a repeat for Megan. Can't get enough of green tights & book stacks.

Amber- Yes, I think I will put a light jacket on as I head out the door. Brrrrr.. Hope you had a nice weekend.

That poor girl spent so much of her money on those antique tomes that she had money left over for only a 1/4 of a skirt...

Your 21st thread for the year? Go Mark Go! I wore a jacket on my walk this morning. This looks like a beautiful fall week...chilly morning temps but in the mid-70s for the afternoon. Perfect!

I followed your link to the MDR blog yesterday. With this line, how could I resist becoming a subscriber?...

"I’m a notorious genre slut, shamelessly standing on the literary street corner, willing to get into any genre that drives by and promises to take me to a good party."

Congrats on the new thread, Mark! I like that appreciative LT sentiment, too. It does bring smiles, doesn't it?

I love that MDR "genre slut" line.

Sorry Skinner didn't work for you. So disappointing when an author you like has one that doesn't click.

>12 richardderus: Sonnet 73 from RD:

Yes, it is breezy and cool but plenty of sunshine and lots of clear blue sky, are creating a nice fall day.

I am loving The Son. This has been getting such strong reviews & LT love, that I had a feeling it would be good, just not this damn good. The audio is wonderful too, read by Will Patton, Kate Mulgrew and 2 others. Yes, I am a happy camper.

Amber- I didn't even notice our lass in the green tights was wearing a skirt. Thanks for pointing that out. LOL!

Donna- It was very chilly this morning, about mid-40s coming in but once that sun broke out, it's been nice.
Glad you liked the MDR blog. It's a keeper and yes, that is a perfect quote.

Joe- Life Before LT. Hard to imagine now, right? In my quiet, unassuming style, expect much gushing on The Son. It is so my cuppa!

Wow Mark you actually Pearl Ruled a book. Very good. It's healthy. ;)

I'm reading Scandi Crime at the moment, The Man Who Went Up in Smoke and listening to Joyland.

#24 That poor girl spent so much of her money on those antique tomes that she had money left over for only a 1/4 of a skirt...

Poor thing. She does look rather pale and unhappy, despite having some wonderful tomes to rest her size 0 body on.

^ I love looking at people read. It just puts such a big smile on my face. Ahhhhh...

Roberta- I hope you are enjoying Joyland. I thought it worked very well on audio. I have Doctor Sleep waiting in the audio wings too.
Yes, it is no surprise around here, that I pearl-rule very few books, although I credit that to my near-perfect instincts. LOL.

Lisa- She was probably up all night reading Tolstoy. Poor thing, is right!

Mark, I've started Tilt a Whirl (The John Ceepak Mysteries) and although I don't often read "mysteries" or "police procedurals" this one did grab my attention in the first few pages, and got me to chuckle a bit, too. This latter thing is a happy thing, all too infrequent these days!

edit to fiddle with the touchstone. Jeeze, some days!

Hi there Mark, sorry you had to give up on a book but there are plenty out there to choose from. I don't give up very often but why stick with a book that's not engaging you? Good choice. Nice new thread you have here. I'm glad you're enjoying The Son. Eli's quite a character.

Mark, I remain astonished at the number of photos you can find containing both books and young women. Amazing!!

Four playoff ballgames games in one day!! I'm not getting much reading done.

Morning! I rarely eat sweet cereal but I am having a bowl of Halloween Captain Crunch. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Okay, bad idea. Scratch that.

Back to walking shorts! Yah! And it looks like I can keep 'em on for the rest of the week. I have just over a 100 pages left in Five Days at Memorial. Expect raves. And I can't wait to jump back into the Son, which should have my name embossed on the cover, I don't think anyone wants to see my goofy mug anymore.

**Does anyone else agree with me, that this has been a butt-kicking year for book releases? OMG!

Karen- I am so glad you are trying the Ceepak book. It is a lot of fun and chuckles abound. The audio was a blast. The Joe Friday/Dudley Do-Right voice of Ceepak, cracked me up every time.
It is not a light read though. It definitely dips into the dark.



Bonnie- I have no regrets leaving a book behind, especially this time. the Son grabbed me by the neck immediately. Is Eli the new Gus? I know that is mighty big boots.

Linda- Actually, I don't surf the net looking for semi-clad gals reading, although that's not a bad idea. I usually see them posted on Facebook and know I have to share.
It looks like a beautiful week ahead.

Mark - the young lady is not semi-clad by any means; the wearing of spectacles doesn't count!
Fabulous, I wonder what she's reading? It ought to be one of those books I wouldn't mind going to the end of before reading the body of the story, ahem!

Clearly the woman in #30 is reading a book regarding remedies for a bad back. Some people will go to any lengths!
We're experiencing an amazing autumn! Way too nice to be inside but a terrible hindrance to my book reading.
Have a great day, Mark!

For some reason, this seemed necessary to share.

Ha! Good morning, Mark. What a nice gift Richard has given you.

Five Days at Memorial sounds like a good one. I just finished reading Six Months, Three Days, the tasty little snack recommended by RD, and a Sherlock Holmes I hadn't read called The Valley of Fear. I'm waiting for a couple to come in, but meanwhile have started Queen Lucia, which so far is an oh-so-cultured hoot.

Mark, I'm glad to hear that you find Five Days at Memorial so compelling. My copy just arrived at the door -- I won a copy in the August LT ER batch. It looks like they sent an actual first edition -- hard cover and complete with diagrams, end-notes, index -- not an ARC.

Terri, I'm glad to hear you got your ER copy of 'Five Days'. I won it, too, and was wondering if anyone had gotten theirs yet because I haven't. It sounds like it was worth the wait, though, if it's a full first edition!

A beautiful fall day. I know a certain mail-carrier who is quite happy. And both my current reads are adding to that contentment.

Paul- I did not even realize our fair lady was wearing spectacles. How about that? I think she is reading Mr. Dickens.

Lynda- I agree, that does not look like a comfortable position. Lol. I am fortunate that I can experience the fine weather, while reading, print and audio.

RD- I love the snazzy apparel. Thanks for sharing. I saw on FB, that Do Not Wear a Bra Day is coming up soon. I probably will embrace that.

Joe- yep, that RD is always looking out for us fellas. I hope you took a stroll at lunch. It is breath-taking out here.

Terri & Julia- That edition sounds great. Mine is just a simple ARC, without the frills but the book is fantastic.

Hi Mark
A dear friend gave me the gift of Five Days at Memorial for my birthday. I hope to read it soon!

Hugs to you!

...hey, was that a Star Trek bra?

Would you wear green tights?
Yes! Especially if I had those legs to put in them ;)

Good evening! (In my best Alfred Hitchcock voice, which is actually pretty bad.)

Linda- I think Five Days at Memorial makes an excellent gift. It's not easy read. These people go through some horrific things but Fink does a great job.

Megan- Yes, that looks like a super-sized Star Trek bra. I think that and those green tights, you would be rockin'!

Ah, finally figured out how to get to the LT forums at work. (Use a different proxy!) Bwahahahaha! and there goes my productivity...

I'm rather bummed you didn't like Skinner, I did have high hopes for it. But you had to vet it for me first, because I don't read thrillers hardly at all - it needed to have a recommendation from you before I seeked (sook? sake?) it out. So I should look on the bright side: one less book to read! That still leaves approximately 1,271,904 to go...

^Yep, you know what day it is! I should wrap up Five Days at Memorial and I might just take a peek at the behemoth that is 2666. My version is a three-volume softcover, with each book about 300 pages. Eeeeek! Guess what I will be doing for the next 2 weeks? From past reviews and comments, I know it will not be an easy read but as long as I can keep those pages turning. Saying a little prayer...

Tania- Always a pleasure. I have read at least 10 of Huston's books and have loved 2/3rds of them, so I am a bit surprised this one didn't grab me. Hey, it's not like I don't have something else to read. Hope you are having a great week.

I just sent Five Days at Memorial out the door with a patron last week. We have had it since it came out and never went out... we have a hardcore group there...

Hard to get folks out of their comfort zones here.. I want to read that one, as well as Girls of Atomic city. Time... flies by too fast.

BTW, not remotely caught up... just visiting. What I should be doing is getting dressed as I have to leave ain a few minutes. I need to be there early on WED ( unofficially) due to women's club crocheters.The get pissy if we aren't open early to accommodate them. Then they make a huge mess cutting up plastic bags. It makes a mess, and that makes ME pissy. Such is the circle of life. My favorite sneaker have a hole in them and it is slowing me down :P

I did get a stroll in at lunch yesterday, Mark, and should be able to do the same today. And starting tomorrow we're off to Western MA for a visit to Debbi's relatives, so my fingers are crossed that they'll have our kind of weather while we're there. (Gee, we don't get to say that kind of thing very often, do we?)

I'm having a good time with Queen Lucia, a comedy of manners, and I've got Excellent Women and Number the Stars ready for the trip. We'll probably have a bookstore trip while we're there, too.

I am now into the second half of The Son, (yes, this a big boy!) and it continues to entertain. I also only have a few pages left in the terrific "Memorial".

Would it be possible to have this perfect fall weather contiinue for the next 8 weeks? ......please?

Kath- maybe we should have a LT intervention for your library patrons. You know, open their eyes a little, expand those biblio-horizons.
Hope the work day goes well.

Joe- Have a great getaway to W Mass. Hope our lovely fall weather, is duplicated there.

Hello?? Is anybody out there? Is there an offensive smell or did I make inappropriate joke? Okay, I did spray some air freshener and lit a candle, maybe that will work...

I'm here Mark, wishing that I was much higher in the hold queue for Five Days at Memorial. I think I might mosey over to Amazon and see what the Kindle price is...

ETA: Kindle price too high (for me) but I improved my position significantly by getting in the queue for the eBook at the library:)

I'm here but sulking because Terri got her ER copy of 'Five Days at Memorial' and I haven't yet. If only I knew someone in the USPS to complain to ...

I had a half day off today and got to sit in my fancy chair knitting and listening to Nancy Pearl's podcast's of past author interviews. I heard her talk to Craig Johnson, Guy Gavriel Kay. G. Willow Wilson, and Kate Atkinson. They were great interviews. Found out some neat things about each of those authors.

Oh - Why was I at home? I had to be there while the new security system was installed. Frankly, I am disappointed in this one. It is only screams at you and alerts the police department. Fat lot of good that will do. I wanted one that will turn the lights on in the house and in the yard, scream at you, and alert the police. I was told that kind of system would be very expensive.

I am not very enthusiastic about security systems. Too much bother for what they don't do when you need them to.

I made it before midnight, if I hit "post" now!

Hi Mark, I am just about caught up here, you've been busy over the last couple of weeks. Your Booktopia experience sounds like it was just about perfect and to have met Mary Doria Russell, well, I guess that's the cherry on top!

"Books are bridges. The wisdom of bridges comes from the fact that they know both shores"
— Mehmet Murat Ildan

^Okay, 20 pages down, 880 to go! Go Marky. This will not be a fast read but at least it's interesting...so far.

Bonnie- Sometimes wishes come true. Five Days at Memorial could just show up in your mailbox.

Julia- As we know, those ER books come at various times. The good news is, you might get a brand new hardback, with all the bells & whistles.

Thanks RD! That candle must have worked.

Judy- Great to see you! I've missed you. Yes, Booktopia was a blast and meeting Madam MDR was a joy. I'll have to swing by and see what you are reading.

Happy Thursday, Mark. I am lurking around most days. I just have less to say as I'm not finding much reading time these days. Progressing towards sale of house.... although the stupid government behavior may screw up the economy and the interest rates and I may have to sit here for another year or so to get full value out of the place. It could be interesting living in a totally neat house so I can show it off at any time.. sigh.

I'll spend some time today doing "attitude adjustment". I do not like feeling discouraged.

Just heard that Canadian author Alice Munro won the Nobel Prize for Literature. She's the first Canadian author to win it.

Have you ever read anything by her?

I also heard the news about Alice Munro. On WPR they compared her to Chekov, saying she will outlast the other authors of her time.

I've never read anything by Munro. The former English major woman at work was telling me about her short stories.

It's hard to believe that a Canadian has never won before. What a way to top off a writing career!!

Hello Marky Mark!

Alice Munro is one of my absolute favs. Read her now! So glad the award is broadening her audience.

Nancy, any particular Munro book that you'd most recommend?

Broken record time: It is gorgeous out here. Sunny, low 70s. Blissful!

Karen- I hope the shutdown doesn't affect you. Fingers crossed. Hope you can back into reading mode too! Come on, books await.

Linda- thanks for the Munro info. Good for her. Sadly, I have only read one, Too Much Happiness but I do have a couple others waiting in the stacks. Her writing is gorgeous.

Big loving waves to Roberta & Tammy. I hope you both are having a great day.

Nancy- Thanks for chiming in on Munro. I need to move one up soon.

Thank you, Mark. Your good wishes are noted; and reading is looking good for a little bit this afternoon.

Hooray for Alice Munro, but I have to admit that I was kinda hoping that Margaret Atwood would get the nod.

Howdy do, Mark. Isn't it lovely for a daily stroll? This sort of weather is perfect and seems to make most people happy.
Hope you have a good evening and that it makes for a spectacular Friday and weekend!
PS: you're a brave man to take on such a whopper of a book with 2666. That would be a good book on a deserted island.

I have read so much over 20+ years it is hard for me to recommend a particular collection over another, but I like this guide:

http://www.themillions.com/2012/07/a-beginners-guide-to-alice-munro.html

According to her new blog post, MDR, just officially announced, that her next novel WILL feature Edgar Allan Poe. How cool! Go Mary! Go Mary!

Karen- Hopefully this afternoon, you were lost in a good book. Fingers crossed.

Judy- I would have had no problem with Atwood winning either. I have not read enough Munro, to have a complete opinion on her. I should change that.

Lynda- It is absolutely perfect weather for a stroll. We have another one like it tomorrow and then rains moves in later Saturday and it will cool things off.
I've been putting 2666 off for at least 4 years. The time is now. I wish I could have had a couple LT pals tackle this MONSTER with me.
Hope you have a great weekend too!

Giants Vs. Bears 2Nite. Go Bears!

Way to go Chicago D! Another score for my fantasy team. Now, if only your TE would score.

Oh, that's the game on the TV behind me! The hapless Giants (they were my Dad's team when I was growing up) and Chicago. Tie score...interesting.

And I LOVE that Alice Munro won the Nobel!

Bears lead 24-14 at the half!

I second the Nobel endorsement for Margaret Atwood. I have not read anything by Alice Munro. In fact have barely heard of her.

So Mark, as a Bears fan you are going to go right out and buy a hot-of-the-press copy of League of Denial? The documentary on Tuesday was heartbreaking.

I have always said that I would love naked football but the way the game is played now, I am not really a fan. But naked football? I'd watch.

>57 msf59: 20 pages down, 880
Yikes!
Those chunksters are a hard call to make I reckon. They hurt your arms to read, for one. And for someone like me who likes to finish everything they start, it's quite a time investment! Good luck Mark, I know you can do it :)

Hi Mark,
I have put Five Days at Memorial on hold at the library. I'm #252 in line. For one of 46 copies. :-|

Since 2666 is 900 pages or so, I might be able to start it before you complete it. It may take me a couple of months to work my way through that monster!

Go Bears! (I do not like Eli Manning.)

Go Bears! Go Bears! Final 27-21. I am an early to bed guy but I stayed up for the end, which was uncomfortably close.

Happy Friday. It looks like our string of beautiful fall days will continue. I should wrap up the Son. I preferred the first half but it is still a very good yarn.
And of course, my epic trek called 2666 continues. I will really have to stay on task, with this one and read at least 50-60 pages a day, to make any kind of dent. Once again, I like his writing and the story but it is not a page-burner.

Nancy- Thanks for the Munro list. I will definitely refer to it. I will try to read at least one of hers by years end.

Joanne- I felt bad for the Giants. No team wants to go to 0-6. But they did put up a good fight.
I HAVE to read more Munro!

Benita- Naked football, eh? Sounds interesting but very painful. I'll have to check out the doc, but it might be information I would rather not know. Ignorance is bliss. Ask Fox!

Megan- I am up to 60 pages now. My edition is broken down to 3 separate books, which makes lugging around much easier. I'll hang in there. I also rarely abandon anything and this is truly a challenge.

Ellen- I don't do well, reading multiple print books. I would be afraid that I would have a hard time, getting back into it, so I will stay the course. This would have made a good Group Read though. Encouragement could be useful.

Ahh literary prizes here, too. Not a follower of literary lists, prizes or football.. So I guess I have nothing of interest to add.. so will just say hello and wave!

de-lurking to say "hi". Hope the weather treats you well today!

Great news for the Bears Mark.
Good luck with 2666 it is a humungeous tome.

Have a great weekend mate.

I don't follow the NFL much but to extent I root for any team it's probably the Bears. I'm amazed they've actually won some games in spite of my loose allegiance. I'm usually the kiss of death for a sports team. Well, other than University of Iowa wrestling.

Still not sign of 'Five Days' here in Iowa. Not that I've run out of things to read, but your commentary has really made me want to dive into it, if and when it ever shows up!

I hope you have a light Friday, Mark!

Mark, I'll dig into 2666 as soon as I finish Ammonite. As always, I have so many books that I said I would read this month, but I'd like to at least start that one and see how I like it.

Happy Friday!!

Howdy do, Mark, and happy Bears win!

Those of you who want to give Alice Munro a try can do so here: http://www.openculture.com/2013/10/read-14-short-stories-from-nobel-prize-winnin...

The New York Times has an Alice Munro appraisal today. I've printed out a copy, for future reference.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/books/alice-munro-wins-nobel-prize-in-literatu...

I got my flu shot. It's a newer vaccine called Fluarix Quad, which battles 4 different flu strains. I am now locked & loaded.
I finished The Son and then hung an immediate left and started the audio of Dracula, which makes a perfect seasonal selection, plus, for some bizarre reason, I have never read this horror classic.

Kath- I will always try to keep my thread, book focused, so never fear. Although I know you enjoy a fine ale, from time to time.

Karen- It is perfectly lovely out here. Mostly sunny with a refreshing breeze. Hope you are having a fine day too!

Paul- Have you ever tried the late Mr. Bolano?

Julia- I know Darryl recently received his copy of Five Days, so your time is coming, plus I heard it's a lovely hardback, which should make it worth the wait.

Mark : The X'mas Swap thread is up here

^ I mentioned awhile ago, that they opened a nifty little brewery called Urban Legend and it is right on the way home from work. My wife and daughter met me there and we sampled a few. These are only 8oz pours, (half pints) so that's a good way to try a couple out, without getting crazy. At this point, they are only open once a week because they can't keep up with the beer that is being poured.

^Those are the vats in the background.

Very cool!

Ellen- I am a 100 pages into 2666. I will continue. He has a very low-key, interesting style but he likes to take his time. I'll have to see how he does on the next 800.

RD- Big hearty waves! I hope you guys are enjoying the same awesome fall weather.

Nancy & Linda- Thanks for the terrific Munro links. Hopefully this inspires many of us to read or read more of this Canadian treasure.

Linda- I don't know if you read the Tribune but they had a couple very good articles on Munro.

Mark, guess what was waiting for me when I got home from work tonight? Yep, 'Five Days'! It looks lovely and I can't wait to dive in. And now I know what took so long, because it was delivered by UPS and not your guys! :)

Have a great weekend, friend.

Mark, I heard that, for the first time, they have a special extra strong flu shot for seniors. I sure don't qualify on that front (though I'm too old for the nasal flu spray) and I somehow doubt you are. It's a nice option to have though.

I'm soon be starting the chunkster, David McCullough's The Path Between the Seas, about the building of the Panama Canal. That's going take awhile.

^Yes, it is getting to be that time of year. The Christmas Swap will be on the air. This year, Caroline will generously be contributing her valuable time and will be holding the sleigh reins.

We are also expanding it world-wide, thanks to the magic of the Book Depository. This should make many of our international pals very pleased. (I can see Paul beaming like a madman.)

Once again, here is the Christmas Swap link: http://www.librarything.com/topic/160027#4319759

**Please PM Caro your address. Sooner, than later.

**Please update your LT wishlist or start a Swap wishlist, which a few of you have done in the past and is a perfectly good idea.

Swinging by your thread Mark and I noticed you have started reading 2666! Yay! Like you, I do enjoy Bolano's writing style, but a lot of the literary references and 'what-not' he packs into this one kind of went over my head, if you know what I mean.

When you reach Part 4, and if you need some encouragement to keep on reading, let me know and I will cheer you on!

Julia- Yah, for Five Days! I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Boo to UPS! The enemy. Funny, we've been delivering and picking up their packages, some kind of agreement.

Linda- Are you calling me a senior citizen? Come on, I only have you by a couple of years. LOL. The pharmacist recommended that shot. I didn't realize it was for the old fellas.

Lori- Thanks! I can use all the support I can get on 2666. He's a brilliant author and reminds me of Murakami, in certain ways, with the mundane and the pop culture references. I will keep chugging away.

Did I hear Murakami? You may get me interested if that keeps up, Mark.

Liking the various Alice Munro tips. I've read nada of hers.

I liked Queen Lucia, but kinda doubt you would. Started Excellent Women, and that has a better chance of being a Mark book.

Ate at a Vietnamese restaurant tonight, and had a V. Beer called Export 33. Dry and good.

Trip highlight: freshly baked apple cider donuts down the hill at Bartlett's orchard.

I got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago. After all, I am tottering towards old age, and work around all those germ infested kids. I needed it.

OK - it was free. The university is trying to get the students to get the shot so that it cuts down on absences. I just got in line.

There is a part of me that wonders if we should get this vaccination. Isn't it important that these kids build up a working immune system?

Mark, I looked it up. Someday, when you're 65, you can get the stronger flu shot.

At IHOP tonight, I was close to the "seniors' menu" age.

Came by to root you on with your "chunkster' reading. Go Mark, Go!

Happy Saturday! I work today but then I am off two, with the holiday on Monday. Yah! I am really enjoying Dracula. It works very well on audio. I just cracked a 100 pages on 2666, I fell 20 pages short of my goal yesterday. I will have to make that up.

Joe- The Murakami comparison might be just my own. I can easily see 2666 not being for everyone. I have no idea where this story is going a 100 pages in.
Sounds like you are having a fine time in W Mass and those donuts....mmmmmm. What is a V beer? I have not read Pym but you know I love Excellent women!

Benita- I don't think I've had the flu for over 20 years and I prefer to keep it that way. Hope you have a nice R & R weekend.

Linda- Age was never mentioned, when they discussed the flu shot. They just asked me if I wanted the stronger one and I said sure!

Judy- I am rarely disappointed in my chunkster reading but I always drag my feet starting one, maybe it's that I have dozens of other titles, vying for attention.

You all are inspiring this senior to get to the place and get the stronger shot. My bout of pneumonia, a year and a half ago, came on very fast and completely without warning me. I have no idea how I "caught" it. Of course, I was hanging with little kids who went to school and day care every day and that might have been the where; but, I do not want to do that again. The implications for my RA medications continue to this day! I am "suffering" from some RA flares in my hands, wrists, and shoulders ever since. Double Dang!

Maybe today. I should be able to find the time.

Hi Mark - I'm just stopping by to cheer you on with 2666. I have it around somewhere, but I know I won't be able to get to it just yet. Go Mark!

One more day...one more...and your complaining and tantrum-throwing and general all-around waah-ing mean you don't have to run the Swap this year! (Thank goodness I can finally afford to do it.)

Ooh, it is really clouding up here and looking ominous. Unfortunately I have several hours to go. Will I stay dry? Tune in....at least I have the Count to keep me company.

Karen- Sorry to hear about the RA flareups. That has to be miserable. Hope the day is going well.

Beth- Good to see you. 2666 is coming along slowly but at least I am finding it interesting.

RD- Yes, I am known to throw a tantrum or two, usually a couple beers brings me back down. I am glad you are joining the Swap. It looks like it will be a blast this year.
Go Caro!!

Hi Mark. Thanks for posting the link to the New York Times article about Alice Munro. Nice article and it reminds me that, not only do I want to read more Munro, but I want to read something by Philip Roth! I have American Pastoral on the TBR shelf (it has been there for a while).

Mark, I'm giong to bail on 2666 for the silly and selfish reason that I want to make my goal of completing 100 books this year. I feel embarrassed to be putting quantity above quality, but this is the only year (until retirement) in which I have a decent shot of making that milestone. Next year, I plan to revert to 75 Books as a goal and let quality take higher priority in this crazy-busy life of mine. I know you will proceed undaunted.

Mark, thanks. It is relatively minor and with some support the wrists are reasonably functional. I can carry a book, and that is all that matters. Who cares if I can't carry heavy boxes? or multiple bags of groceries all at once? Slow but steady, and when in doubt go read a book!

Ha! I do know you like excellent women, Mark. V beer was my shorthand for Vietnamese. Tonight had a Victory Whirlwind witbier from Victory Brewing in PA. Liked this one a lot. I see Beer Advocate gives it a high rating, and described the taste as "bit of pepper sneaks in, but far and away a doughy, orange twist that easily sifts down the throat". Ok, sure.

Joe is making me jealous with his tales of hops and ale but in a mellow way.

I haven't read any Roberto Bolano yet Mark and the only thing on the shelves and taking up plenty of space is 2666.
He is regarded along with Borges and Fuentes as the best three South American writers not to win the Nobel prize.

If the Nobel comittee were to contact you Mark and inform you that the award was in your gift next year but you had to select a writer from the USA, who would you choose?

Happy Sunday Morning! I ended up working late yesterday and then I went out and hit a couple brew/pubs with my lovely daughter. Tried some very tasty beers but feel a little fuzzy this A.M. Hopefully, coffee, a bowl of fruit and some LT-time will clear my head.

We have a christening to go to in the early afternoon. A good friend of mine is celebrating the birth of his first grandchild. I will happily wait a few more years for that fine distinction. So, that will probably tie up most of my day. I hope I can read a chunk, before we go.

I am creeping along with 2666. He lets his story unfold in a very deliberate manner, but there is a nice, ominous, atmospheric feel to it. The novel begins in various European locales, but is now in northern Mexico, which he describes in vivid detail.

I am loving Dracula. It seems to be tailor-made for audio, with both a male and female reader. I can't believe how fresh it still feels.

Ellen- I completely understand my friend. No worries. It would have been interesting to have read this with a few folks, for the encouragement and the commentary.
I want to read more Munro and Roth too. Hopefully I can crack out a Munro next month.

Karen- I hope you are having a perfect weekend.

Joe- I have not tried Victory Whirlwind but I have heard of and admire Victory Brewery, so I will keep an eye out for that one. I like your colorful description. Look for Victory Headwaters. It's one of my favorites and they sell it here. Are you heading back today?

Paul- I had my copy of 2666 sit mournfully on shelf for 3-4 years. It was time. It will tie my print reading up for a couple more weeks but hopefully it will be worth it, in the end.
I will give my US Nobel pick some thought and get back to you. Not many Americans win this coveted prize. Morrison won back in the early 90s and we've been shut out since.



^ It's difficult to pick one deserving American author for the Nobel, but I'll go with Cormac McCarthy. I plan on reading or rereading a couple of his books next year.

Morning Mark! I'm attempting to catch up on the threads today! I see that we are both reading Dracula - so fun! I am also reading The Grave yard Book and loving it - I'm assuming you've read that one? I'm tempted to purchase a copy of 2666 just so you don't have to read it alone - you poor, poor baby! Hoping that your Sunday turns out to be full of fabulous!

I know, I know, just what we need. More book lists, but this is a dandy. On the Book Riot website, (which is a terrific site to visit) they compiled a very cool list of recommended story collections:
(* Read, ** On shelf)

*Interpreter of Maladies and *Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Ten Little Indians by Sherman Alexie

Sweet Talk by Stefanie Vaughn

The Shell Collector by Anthony Doerr

Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter

Open Secrets and The Beggar Maid by Alice Munro

No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July

The Sergeant’s Cat and Other Stories by Janwillem van de Wetering

Birds of a Lesser Paradise by Megan Mayhew Bergman

Bradbury 100, October Country, The Illustrated Man, and Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

The Necklace and Other Short Stories by Guy D Maupassant

Fragile Things, Unnatural Creatures, and Smoke & Mirrors by Neil Gaiman

Birthday Stories, After the Quake, and The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami

The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor

Women in Their Beds by Gina Berriault

**Birds of America and Self-Help by Lorrie Moore

The Wind’s Twelve Quarters by Ursula LeGuin

I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down by William Gay

Portraits Of A Few Of The People I’ve Made Cry by Christine Sneed

Portable Childhoods by Ellen Klages

*Tenth of December, CivilWarLand in Bad Decline, and Pastoralia by George Saunders

Twelve Red Herrings by Jeffrey Archer

The Universe in Miniature in Miniature by Patrick Somerville

Saints and Sinners by Edna O’Brien

Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges

Nabokov’s Dozen by Vladimir Nabokov

Petersburg Tales by Nikolai Gogol

Flappers and Philosophers by F. Scott Fitzgerald

We’re In Trouble by Christopher Coake

*Volt by Alan Heathcock

Delicate Edible Birds and Other Stories by Lauren Groff

Selected Short Stories by Rabindranath Tagore

Night Train at Deoli and Other Stories and Time Stops at Shamli and Other Stories by Ruskin Bond

Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan

Nothing Gold Can Stay: Stories by Ron Rash

*This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

The Whole Story and Other Stories by Ali Smith

*Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Dubliners by James Joyce

Normal People Don’t LIve Like This by Dylan Landis

Woman Hollering Creek And Other Stories by Sandra Cisneros

What I Talk About When I Talk About Love by Raymond Carver

Just an Ordinary Day by Shirley Jackson

Black Tickets by Jayne Anne Phillips

Moscow but Dreaming by Ekaterina Sedia

Mermaids on the Golf Course by Patricia Highsmith

Jagannath: Stories by Karin Tidbeck

Dreams of Dark and Light by Tanith Lee

*St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves and Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell

Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link

Letting Loose the Hounds by Brady Udall

*Night Shift, Nightmares and Dreamscapes, *Different Seasons, *The Skeleton Crew and *Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan

The Doctor Stories by William Carlos Williams, edited by Robert Coles

**How to Breathe Underwater by Julie Orringer

Poachers by Tom Franklin

The Mixture as Before by W. Somerset Maugham

*What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Stories by Nathan Englander

Once and Future Lovers by Sheree L Greer

Nocturnes by John Connolly

*Wyoming Stories by Annie Proulx

*Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett

Recapture and Other Stories by Erica Olsen

The Necessity of Certain Behaviors by Shannon Cain

Her Smoke Rose Up Forever by James Tiptree Jr. (Alice Sheldon)

The Nimrod Flipout by Etgar Keret

The Captain’s Daughter and Other Short Stories by Alexander Pushkin

Nine Stories by JD Salinger

Blue Taxis: Stories About Africa by Eileen Drew

Venetian Stories by Jane Turner Rylands

Welding With Children by Tim Gautreaux

If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This by Robin Black

A Guide to Being Born by Ramona Ausubel

Brief Interviews With Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace

How We Are Hungry by Dave Eggers

This Cake is for the Party by Sarah Selecky

Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day by Ben Loory

*American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Leaf Storm by Gabriel García Márquez

Skin and Other Stories by Roald Dahl

Time and the Riddle by Howard Fast

The Lonely Frog by Edwin Moser

Cathedral by Raymond Carver

20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill

Ford County: Stories by John Grisham

Who I was Supposed to Be by Susan Perabo

The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories by Ernest Hemingway

I Want To Show You More by Jamie Quatro

Airships by Barry Hannah

Ahem!

Has Paul taken over your thread Mark? LOL

Wow, that is quite a list! I've read a few of them but perhaps will read a few more. I also want to read something by Alice Munro next month. I suspect she'll find her way into a TIOLI challenge. :-)

I've read a few of those too Mark and I've been very lax about my short story reading lately. Out of those you listed (and I own) I think I might read Shell Collector and Birds of America.

I was gone all afternoon and just got home. Sorry, to throw up the big-ass list and then flee the scene.
I really like this list and there are many titles I have not heard of, even by authors I am familiar with. Is there any titles on here that you have read, that you would highly recommend? It helps narrow things down.

Mamie- I did not forget you, my friend. I threw up the list and then had to leave. I am nearing the halfway point in Dracula and it's been a lot of fun. Of course, much of it I remember from seeing various films but it's great reading the source material.
I am sure you are loving The Graveyard Book. It still remains my favorite Gaiman.

Roberta- LOL. I became Paul very briefly but I am back to myself. Whew! That was scary. I saw this list earlier in the week and knew I had to share it. I was going to just post the link and then just the partial list and then thought what the hell. And there is still a dozen or more titles on the original list.

Ellen- I know I am so far behind on my short story reading but WOW, that's a neat list. Would you be up for reading The View from Castle Rock: Stories next month? Maybe, we could get a few of us together.

Bonnie- I want to return to reading at least one collection a month, maybe 2. I also have Birds of America waiting on the shelf. How was the Shell Collector?

woah, now that is a list!
Unfortunately for me, short stories I find a little off-putting. Even though I have enjoyed many in the past, I cant seem to gather much excitement for them.

Mark, I'm up for it. I just put The View from Castle Rock on hold at the library, and I suspended it until November 2. It should work out for me to get a copy and be able to read it in November with you.

Happy Monday! I am allowed to say that today, because I am enjoying the holiday off. Not a whole lot planned: food-shopping, some house chores, a library run and hopefully LOTS of reading. I do not want to still be reading 2666 in the new year.

Megan- I seem to be enjoying short fiction more and more. It grows on me but like anything else, it's not all perfect. I especially like the new stuff that is being released.

Ellen- I just moved my copy of Castle Rock to my Must Read Now Shelf, as a reminder. And it's a mere 340 pages. Yah! I will also be reading Housekeeping with Laura next month. Have you read that one?

Enjoy your day off!

"To the south they discovered rail lines and soccer fields surrounded by shacks, and they even watched a match, without getting out of the car, between a team of the terminally ill and a team of the starving to death, and there were two highways that led out of the city, and a gully that had become a garbage dump, and neighborhoods that had grown up lame or mutilated or blind, and, sometimes in the distance, the silhouettes of industrial warehouses, the horizon of the maquiladoras."

"The sky, at sunset looked like a carnivorous flower."

^2666. I do like this style of writing. The book is broken into 5 parts. I am 40 pages into part 2, which is about the 200 page mark. Part 2 has been a little slow. Hopefully, it picks up. Bolano is good at creating a creepy, tension-drenched atmosphere.

**A maquiladora (Spanish pronunciation) is the Mexican name for manufacturing operations in a free trade zone (FTZ).

Maybe not today, but today's the day I found this on Facebook so I had to bring it to you. Makes me chuckle!

Nice lists of story collections, Mark. Good to see Volt on there. After reading Black Tickets way back when I thought Jayne Anne Phillips was really going to be something. She's done fine, but never reached the level I thought she would.

I'll look for Victory Headwaters. I liked that witbier a lot.

Excellent Women was excellent, although not dark. Wouldn't call it light either, although there is a thread of gentle humor about how ridiculous we all are. Very well done.

I'm going to jump into another in Death mystery, and then maybe a YA. We'll see.

>124 richardderus: Made me laugh, too, although it sure doesn't feel like a short one. :-)

Okay, I finished up my errands, now for a little page-turning time. It is beautiful out, although cool.

Kath- Big Loving Waves!

RD- I agree with that sentiment, my friend, but fortunately it doesn't apply today. Yahoo! I will pay for it tomorrow. Dark cloud passes...

Joe- I was glad to see Volt, american Salvage & Binocular Vision on there, as well. I am glad you liked Black Tickets. I will put that on my to acquire list. I have only read Lark and Termite, but I loved it. It was one of my top reads from a few years back.
Keep your eyes peeled for Headwaters!

Nice list. I have read 15 of the collections and own 3 more that are waiting to be read. (Would have helped if I read any Stephen King.)

Nancy- Were there any major stand-outs for you, that I had not read?

We overlapped quite a bit, but I would definitely say any Alice Munro (which we've already discussed) and any Lorrie Moore. She is like Lahiri for me - much better short story writer than novelist. And I also recall really liking the Sherman Alexie.

I really strongly recommend The Illustrated Man...so many good, creepy stories.

I commiserate with you on your reading of 2666, but not enough to share!!! Good luck Mark!!

(((hug))) for moral support!

Surely there is no one left who hasn't read The Illustrated Man? At least not in our generation?

Mark didn't mark it as read. Seems odd for someone over 40, I trow.

^Go Yoda! Go Yoda!

Nancy- I plan on reading Castle Rock next month. And I agree with you about Moore, I was a bit underwhelmed by her last novel but I have her story collection nearby, so that is good. Glad to hear you liked the Alexie collection. I'll have to track that one. I was gaga over The Lone Ranger.

RD & Kath- Sadly, I had not read much Bradbury BLT, but I am getting caught up. I believe I read The Illustrated Man or at least a couple of those stories, many, many years ago.
I also have the Martian Chronicles lined up on audio, so I need to make room.

Tina- There you go! Abandon your best buddies. Go ahead, run away, giggling!

Here's one to add to your list: How to Read a Novelist. John Freeman's collection of essays based on interview with novelists. I am loving it!

Hi Mark -
Looks like you had a nice day off!
Isn't it funny how 340 pages seems so scant after reading ~ 1000 pages????

I am not hooked on short story collections (yet). I don't mind 1 or 2 short stories, but in a collection of them I start getting bored. And once I put the book down, after finishing one of the stories, I have little inclination to pick it back up.

So, if you find a particularly outstanding short story collection, I would love to have a rec from you. I don't mean to write off short stories altogether. Or - if you have a good hint for how to read this format w/o getting tired of it all - pls let me know.

I will confess that short stories don't interest me all that much. I am listening to Unaccustomed Earth right now, and like it, but generally I don't pick up short stories just to read.

Hi Mark, just dropping by after a busy Thanksgiving (Canadian) weekend. I was very interesting in that list of short stories as I hope to read more next year. I am planning on reading The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories later on this month.

^I watched this last night. If you are looking for something fresh, sweet and beautifully animated, see if you can track this down on DVD. If you liked "Grave of the Fireflies or "Spirited Away", you should like this too.

Just popping in to wish you a swift and easy work day....

I might just hang up the walking shorts for the year. It is supposed to be much cooler this week. It might get up to 67 today but rain is moving in. Bye, bye shorts. I will miss you.

I am looking forward to getting back to Dracula today and I will keep chugging away at the monolith, aka 2666. There are slow spots but he usually keeps it interesting.

Nancy- Thanks for the book rec. Check back in after you finished it and supply some pointers.

Claudia- I know short fiction does not work for everyone but finding the right style, might work. Try more linked stories, like Olive or Unaccustomed Earth. I also like the gritty style of american Salvage and Volt.

Benita- I loved Unaccustomed Earth. How is the audio? Are there multiple narrators?

Judy- I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Looking forward to your thoughts on the Carter collection.

Kath- I hope you have a great day too. Rain will be here shortly. Boo.

I wish I had more patience for short story collections, but I just can't seem to get myself to enjoy them. Gah.

Here's hoping you can stay dry today - the rain is already pattering on our windows here...

I don't much care for short stories either. The only ones I've liked are by Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson. I like ones with little twisty endings. If it's just a "regular" story, I feel like I don't get enough meat. I want more.

Mark, I have not yet read Housekeeping. I assume you mean the one by Marilyn Robinson? I have Housekeeping vs the Dirt from the library right now and hope to read that before it's due back..... ha! I think Karen may join us in November for The View from Castle Rock.

I'm enjoying watching from the sidelines as you work your way through 2666. Go, Mark! Go, Mark!

I need to read more Alexie! Like you, Mark, I was gaga over The Lone Ranger.

I'm also a Miyazaki fan, so it's good to hear your reaction to "From Up on Poppy Hill". I'll look for it. My Neighbor Totoro is my favorite of his; even my skeptical son liked it.

Hope this cool fall day is treating you well.

I love cooler weather so much that my leg-wear matters less to me than my sheer joy at NOT SWEATING.

Yes, I think I will join you and Ellen and maybe some others? for a group read of The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro. I think she might just be my kind of writer. I hope some other folks will see this as a great read for November!

Ugh! The mail is very heavy, it's raining and I am working late. Not a pleasant way to kick off the week. I'll be back tonight...

I can't believe Mrs. Somebody Somebody by Tracy Winn isn't on that list Mark. If you liked American Salvage you will like this too.

I might be able to join you for The View From Castle Rock but then again I might not. I'm in the middle of a glut of long library books that can't be renewed so we will just have to see.

Oh, darn! Mark, I had this intro sentence wishing you a pleasant and easy work day, and I somehow lost it. So, sad to say it is all my fault that your day turned out to be heavy mail, with rain and a late day. Sorry. I'll try harder for a "good work day" whammie tomorrow!

Actually, the rain ended up cooperating. I was having my lunch, when I sent my whiny post and once I hit the street again it drizzled lightly for awhile and then cleared up.
I am better now, just a tad tired.

I did start the 2nd volume of 2666, which is Part 4, but it takes up the whole book, so I take it the 3rd volume will be Part 5. Aren't I smart as a whip? 360 pages down, 540 to go. I liked Part 3. There was a lot of sex, which kept me flipping through the pages.

I am also really enjoying Dracula but the old Count has disappeared for most of it.

Amber- It's really interesting how many readers are not into short fiction. Novels will always be my favorite but I am enjoying the short stuff more and more.

Morphy- Where's the meat? Actually, I think it is quite impressive how many writers can pack quite a punch, in just a few pages.

Ellen- Yes, I was referring to Robinson's Housekeeping. Funny, I saw the film many years ago and loved it but never even knew it was based on a book.
And yes, the Hornby book is a lot of fun. I wonder if he'll do anymore?
More the merrier for Castle rock! Yah!

Joe- I am up for reading more Alexie too! Someone around here was reading his latest collection, which I haven't heard much about.
I'll have to add My Neighbor Totoro to my Netflix queue. Sounds good.

RD- I hope you are enjoying the cooler temps. We are only going to be in the upper 50s, a couple days this week.

Karen- Maybe we will set Castle Rock for mid-November. Like I mentioned to Ellen, I'll probably knock out Housekeeping first. Have you read Robinson?
My heavy, wet day was not your fault. We always pay for a holiday. I can not imagine what would happen if went to 5 day delivery and had 3 days off in a row. Chaos?

Bonnie- I have had Mrs. Somebody Somebody on my WL for a couple years now. I am sure I will love it. I am also sure there are quite a few stellar collections, that failed to make that list. Did you ever read Knockemstiff? It was terrific.

Hi Mark! O.o

Oh, gosh, you guys! I went to the stuffed bookcase of unread (as of now) fiction books. And, yes, I have a copy of Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping, also. Are you starting or part of a group read of it. It seems like a pretty short book and I might just jump in if that's what is on the agenda....

Evidently, I bought it in about 1990. My copy notes it is her first novel, and that another one is expected. Fascinating that I've been carrying it around for over 20 years.

Karen- I don't think I'll do a group read of Housekeeping. I was going to read it along with Laura, but if you and Ellen want to jump in, that would be swell. You never read Gilead, huh?

Kathy- Big waves! Good to see you!

Hoping for a swift and comfy Hump Day round, Mark!

Stopping by and happy to see you are still plugging away at 2666, Mark!

Morning! Cool one today. Only 57. Light jacket time. I still have a little ways to go on Dracula. It isn't an exceptionally long book but it is a long audio. 18 plus hours. It must have something to do with the precise & proper way it is narrated. I can't get over the fact, that this was published in 1897. It's amazingly fresh.

RD- Thanks! I hope you have a good day too, my friend.

Lori- 2666 is really growing on me. I can't believe how ambitious and layered it is and I am looking forward to seeing how Bolano pulls it all together in the end.

*cough, cough* ahem *in my deepest camel voice* HAPPY HUMP DAAAAAAY!

I loved Dracula when I read it last October. Terrific Victorian novel which must have gotten hearts to flutter back in the day.

Have a super duper day!

Mark, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed 'Dracula' when I finally read it just a year or so ago. I had expected it to be hard to read, as I find many books from the 19th century, but it was quite engaging. Not really scary, but I blame that on the fact that horror has become so much more explicit these days that some of the subtle horrors of the past are lost on us. That's my theory, anyway.

Glad 2666 is starting to win you over. Looking forward to your take on it when you're done.

One of my favorite scenes in My Neighbor Totoro is when they're waiting in the rain for a bus (it's on the dvd cover, too):



Hope it's a good one for you today.

It is cool out here. I am wearing a jacket and a cap. I guess I should be glad it's not raining.

Lynda- Happy Hump Day to you too! Yes, Dracula has been a treat.

Julia- I agree with you about Dracula. If you had no idea when it was written, I doubt many people would guess 1897. I agree it is not classically scary but it does have a nice creepy vibe.

Joe- Now, I am reading a section in 2666 about serial killers, a guy desecrating churches and a laid-back cop. This book has it all.

It started to drizzle down here. Just when I was thinking that it had forgotten how to rain. The weather has been very nice. Hot days and cooler nights than normal. Maybe this rain signals a change?

I am thinking that I should pull out Housekeeping and join you and Karen and Ellen. I have read Gildead and it was one of my best of the year reads a few years ago. I loved it. I haven't read the sequel to it yet, but have it in the collection and plan to do so.

Oh, I love Studio Ghibli too! I've got that waiting-for-the-bus-in-the-rain image as my lock screen on my iPad. Such gorgeous art.

Been stupid busy. Again! I think I need a week to just sit back and read.

Glad you're enjoying 2666, I was hoping to get to that soonish as well, but am working my way slowly through another tome, Drood, and I'm not quite sure when I'll get to the end of it. And then I'll probably want something short and snappy as a palate cleanser :) before tackling another large book.

Good for you, Mark, for plugging away on 2666.
I hope the rest of your week is dry and sunny (like it has been in Seattle!).

Sweet Thursday, everyone! I am glad that shenanigans is over in Washington. What a joke! And what a hardship on all the hard-working people it affected. How about an apology to them?

Okay, back to the books. I am closing in on the halfway point of 2666. Yah, me! This has been a gruesome and unsettling section of the tome. I only have a small chunk left in Dracula. Van Helsing and crew are getting ready for a showdown with the Count.
Has anyone heard anything about Daniel Woodrell's new novella? I did read a couple very favorable reviews of the Maid's Version, so I think I might try that one on audio. It's only 4 hours.

Benita- I am glad you are considering joining us with housekeeping. I've been dragging my feet on that title for years. And it's a shorty! We love shorties!

Tania- I added My Neighbor Totoro to my Netflix queue. That is a wonderful image. Sorry, it has been so busy for you. And relief in sight? I have not read Dan Simmons. No on has convinced me to read him...yet.

Ellen- I am not sure 2666 would be your cuppa, but you never know. Yes, our weather has turned. We are in the 50s again today with rain. Ugh!

Is Ellen reading Housekeeping or Housekeeping vs. the Dirt or something like that?

Mark, I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't drop off this Buzzfeed link for you:
13 Jaw Dropping Stock Photos of Women Reading

Happy Thursday!

When is the Housekeeping GR scheduled, Mark? I need a kick in the tail to finally read that one.

Yesterday you were feeling lucky that at least it wasn't raining . . . you're getting my sympathy today - it's coming down steadily in the downtown area.

Number the Stars was well done. Simply written (it's a YA) but it pulls you in. Nazis on every corner in Denmark, yikes.

The Maid's Version - I just started Longbourn by Jo Baker, which is the maid's (or the "downstairs") take on Pride and Prejudice. So far it's really good.

I'm so deeply disgusted with the Washington nonsense that I can barely muster a wan little smile for its ignominious end.

What a crock of poop. Loathsome people doing vile things to undeserving victims in the name of their ideology is nothing new in the world, of course. This round seems so...mean-spirited...somehow.

People are no damned good, are they.

I feel like I am in the Pacific Northwest. Cool & damp. At least the drizzle seems to be fading.
I only just started The Maid's Version but I love it already. I love the style of his writing and NEED to read much more of his work.

Karen- I think Ellen mentioned both the Housekeeping books but I think she was going to join in on the Robinson version, although I really enjoyed the Hornby book too.

Julia- I think my idea of jaw-dropping is much different from theirs, but I love the idea. Lol! Thanks.

Joe- I wasn't sure if I was going to do a GR of Housekeeping but if we get enough folks interested, I could do it. I was also going to do a Munro story collection mid-month. Wow! The world of books.

RD- Yes, what a disgusting display. And that Palin & Cruz rally at the World War 2 Memorial was repellent. Just when you think that can't go any lower.

^RD shared this one on FB. Is T.R. the man? Or is T.R. the man?

Mark, as I scrolled through those Buzzfeed photos, I kept thinking "Man, Mark should send them some of the ones he's found for his thread!" LOL.

The captions were funny though

T.R. was definitely the man!

Happy Friday! Today will be cool but at least it will be dry. I am closing in on the 500 page mark of 2666. It's been good but boy what a body-count! It's almost stomach-churning.
I am also enjoying the Maid's Version. Woodrell is really packing a lot into a short novel.

Julia- That would have spiced it up a little! LOL.

Lisa- There were captions? Kidding...

Rhonda- Have you read any T.R. books? He is endlessly fascinating.

I know I mentioned that MDR's next novel will focus on Edgar Allen Poe. There is another novel (recently released), that features Poe, called Mrs. Poe, which sounds very enticing. Here is a short review: POE

Happy Friday, Mark. No rain!

We're off to another Bulls pre-season game tonight. Can't wait.

Longbourn continues to be good, and I'm enjoying Delisle's Burma Chronicles, which is at the quality level of his Pyongyang so far.

Happy Friday, Mark! It's raining down here, too. Try not to get too wet out there today.

I never knew that about TR. No doubt Doris Kearns Goodwin will mention it.

Chilly out there, eh? Especially since our furnace broke. Brrr. Getting a new one today.

Happy Mark! Friday means only one more moist workday! Enjoy.

Like, Linda mentioned: It is chilly. Breezy and cloudy too. No rain, though, so that is good.
I think Bolano is spending to much time with these murdered women. I am pretty sure this is based on a real serial killer case but OMG, let's move on kind sir.

Joe- I am sure you will have a great time at the game. I'll have to check some of it out on TV.
Glad to hear the Delise book is a good one.

Mamie- It is dry today but cold. Last week I was still in shorts. Go figure!

Linda- I knew TR was a big reader but a book a day? Wow! Hope your week went well.

Hi RD! It's only a 5 day work week, because of the holiday but boy it feels longer. Hope your day is going well.

Wow, most of those ladies could use a couple more pounds on their bones.

Call me shallow, call me lame but I have never read David Foster Wallace. He's always been on my proverbial back-burner. And then I listened to a book podcast, where they discussed one of his essays, A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll never Do Again and it sounded hysterical. And then a friend sent me a video of Wallace giving a commencement speech, which was wonderful, so I thought it might be time to sample this guy. I picked up a copy of A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again from the library, which is also a collection of essays. And then, I stumbled onto the audio version and I started it today. It's very interesting. I don't think I'll listen to it all at once but dip into it, in between other audio books. Yah, I am no longer a DFW virgin!

I would really like to do Infinite Jest next year, at some point. I know it's massive and I know it will not be easy but it's a challenge I would like to try.

Any DFW fans out there? I am sure he is not for everyone.

I have had a week of not keeping up Mark and am enjoying paying the price this morning for a short while before going to work.

Enjoyed your list of short stories of course and have read or own a fair few of them. A special thumbs up for Nathan Englander and his collection which I thought was superb.

Glad to see you are feeling more yourself again!

The graphic and comments of Theodore were interesting. I must say the fellow was probably the most interesting chap to get the White House and also, even for a leftie like me, he wore the role with distinction too. A book a day would put him in Suzanne territory.

Have a great weekend mate and if you feel any lists coming on, think of my travails with SWMBO, and you'll probably sober up quickly.

Not only did TR read books - he wrote them too. Before, during, and after he was in the White House. He was one of the most educated and well read persons to ever lead this country.

He was a big fan of Alfred Mahan and collaborated with him on books as well.

I found Housekeeping on my shelves and will be ready to join you, Karen, and Ellen in reading it.

Did anybody notice that Lt is doing a group read of The Circle? It's the new book by David Eggers. LT even has some copies to give away for readers who are doing the group read. I saw the book in the bookstore the other day and seriously thought about purchasing it, but then decided that I am already committed to enough group reads.

>183 msf59:: my husband is a huge DFW fan, Mark. As a result I've read a couple of his essays including A Supposedly Fun Thing which I agree is a riot. I also liked Consider the Lobster. I bet the commencement speech was at Kenyon College, right? LTer Amber (@scaifea) was present that day (she used to teach at Kenyon), and rubbed shoulders with the man.

I seem to recall a group read of IJ a year or two back, one of those that spread out over several months. And people who never thought they would like it, really liked it. So go for it.

Happy Saturday! It has only been a 5 day work week but feels like 7. Let me get through this one and I can enjoy my Sunday off. Books, Bears, Beer!!

I did finish the Maid's Version. I can easily see Woodrell becoming one of my favorite current authors. My only quibble with this one, was he tried jamming a bit to much, into such a slim book. It felt top-heavy. But no question, he can write his butt off.

And yes, the body-count continues in 2666. I think it has been about 200 pages now. Will there be daylight in my future?

Morphy- Good to see you! Yep, let's beef up those gals!

Paul- I hope you can have a nice and relaxing weekend. I also loved the Englander collection and would like to read more of him. I have such a monster wave of short fiction to get to.
TR Rules!! It will be interesting what approach Goodwin's next book will take.

Benita- We can go on all day about TR's attributes. Very few Americans can stack up with this guy. Glad you are considering joining us on Housekeeping. We also have Castle Rock lined up for mid-month.
And yes, I did see the info on the Circle and requested a copy. Like, most of his work, opinion already seems to be divided. I love the 2 books I have read.

Laura- Thanks for chiming in on DFW. Is your husband a big fan of his fiction too? Are those worth reading? Do you ever listen to the Literary Disco book podcast? It is a riot and that is where I heard about the essay. And yes, I remember the G.R. of Infinite Jest. I think Donna joined in on that one. I might consider doing the same thing.
Yes, it was the Kenyon College speech. Wow!

183 & 187> Yep, I was there, and sitting just a couple of feet behind him as he gave the speech - you may have glimpsed me, if there's a video! Wallace was the very rare and very wonderful combination of super-smart and amazingly sweet and kind. I feel very grateful to have met him.

>188 msf59:: Is your husband a big fan of his fiction too? Yes he is, Mark. We're sitting here enjoying our Saturday morning coffee, so I asked him for some thoughts. He said DFW's fiction is very different from his non-fiction, and you may really like one and hate the other. Chris (hubs) read The Pale King, which was an unfinished novel. He characterized it as "IJ lite" and wondered aloud whether DFW's depression had anything to do with a struggle to create another masterpiece. So if you want to try his fiction, you're probably better off biting the bullet and reading IJ.

All this DFW talk has re-kindled my interest, Mark. I remain a DFW virgin, but these positive DFW comments have me reconsidering. I don't think I'd read Infinite Jest without a group read, so if you or someone else ever decides to do another one for it, I'm on board. How cool that Amber was there (>189 scaifea:) for the Kenyon College speech you liked.

Bulls looked good last night, while missing two starters (Noah and Butler). They've had to deal with so many injuries over the last couple of years (Derrick's being the worst) that I'm hoping the balance in the universe means they get spared this year. As long as Rose is out there they'll be too tough for most teams, but I think they need the full boat to go all the way.

Longbourn and Burma Chronicles continue to be quite good. I also started Gaiman's Make Good Art after liking that speech he gave to librarians that Anne (AMQS) found.

Hope it's a good one for you today. At least the sun's out.

Happy Saturday, Mark! I see you are well entrenched in Part Four of 2666..... that part started to overpower me when I read it and it took a lot of effort for me to push through to the end.

Another cool & breezy day, with peeks of sunshine. I am listening to a DFW essay on the Illinois State Fair, which is a hoot, plus his writing is so vivid.

Amber- That is so very cool that you were in attendance for the Kenyon speech. I meant to post a link of it, a couple weeks ago. I'll post it when I get home.

Laura- Thanks for all the great DFW info. Would you be up for joining us on IJ, sometime next year?

Joe- Have your kids read IJ? I thought maybe Jesse might have. 2014 is already filling in. What a crazy book world we live in. How about June? LOL!

Lori- I still have 70 pages left in this part of the book. I think this was based on a real murder spree, where hundreds of women were found killed. Tough to read.

>183 msf59: *whispers* Never heard of him.

Now, that book you are reading 2666 sounds like it has a bit of everything! I am glad you are sticking with it, not that you are the kind to abandon a task once you have started. The hundreds of dead women part I think I could give a miss quite frankly, but then again, reading about difficult things does help one grow and become a more rounded person, I suppose. Good luck.

Howdy, Mark! I hope you're having a great weekend!

I have never read any DFW (except I think I did read "Consider the Lobster".) I would like to try some day, so if you do a group read, I am in.

Hiya Mark! Just making the rounds and checking in... 2666 huh? Good luck with that. It's never called to me. Same with DFW...

Hi Mark, I actually bought IJ back when Borders was closing shop with every intention of reading it at some point. And I have A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again on my iPad. Donna tried to draw me in to the last GR but something was holding me back and still is I'm afraid. Tad read it with that GR and I remember him having an awful time for the first part of the book but he ended up liking it. He said he should have reread Hamlet before he read it. You do know you have to read all the end notes too, don't you?

I might be able to be talked into it but I was planning to read either Clarissa or A Suitable Boy for my really long book next year.

Okay, I just got out of the shower. My son picked up Chinese food, I have a couple of fine beers lined up and we are going to watch a comedy DVD, of This is the End, with Seth Rogan.
I will be BACK...

Happy weekend, Mark. Sounds like you have a comfy evening planned, and of course, lots of books, Bears and beer tomorrow should round off your weekend nicely.

Living so close to the ocean is great most of the time, but right now we are getting a lot of fog and it never quite burns off. Today I went to the local pumpkin patch with younger daughter and her husband, so the fog was quite nice and made everything look seasonally spooky. I have a big pot of soup made for dinner and plan on snuggling on the couch later and watching some TV and perhaps doing a little more reading of The Bloody Chamber which I am really enjoying.

Has anybody heard from Wookie? I heard on the radio that the fires around Sydney are ferocious.

I had a wonderful fall day and feel somewhat recovered from the horrid work week I just had. I spent the day at an art fair and loved it so much I think I will go back tomorrow. I purchased a couple of unique gifts for relatives and need to go back to complete my haul for Christmas gifts.

Its football night in T-town and so I am sitting at the local barnes & noble watching the traffic and the brilliant full moon. Fall as finally arrived here with a brilliantly cool fall day that started out with showers this morning. Summer might finally be over!

I'm having Chinese-food envy. And I'm not even hungry!

Richard - I'm going to bake apples tomorrow. Does that rival the Chinese food?

I could use some comedy, but not too much. I can't laugh too hard, because I broke my arm and that would hurt. Pass some Chineese food please.

I watched This Is the End on my flight home a few days ago. I thought the first quarter (maybe third) was pretty freaking funny but then it started to drag. I did love all the cameos of "young Hollywood"in it.

^Can I have a witness? Yep, I've been waiting for this day, all week. Books, Bears, Beer (although the latter will be much later). It's all about the coffee, right now.

I did pass the 600 page mark in 2666. There is still much to enjoy in this lengthy 4th part but it also begins to drag. I hope the 5th part pulls it together and it becomes more satisfying. I hope to wrap up the Monster by Wednesday or Thursday. Fingers crossed.

Megan- David Foster Wallace is a pretty big literary deal in the US. His book Infinite Jest is considered one of the great American novels, although it is HUGE and difficult.
I would love to see your take on 2666. This would have been a good Group Read.

Julia- Big loving waves!

Rhonda- Since I am really enjoying this collection of essays, I'll keep an eye out for Consider the Lobster. I was thinking about June for starting IJ, although it could end up taking the whole summer.

Katie- I remember hearing very good things about 2666 when it came out, so I bought a copy. I am sometimes intimidated by large tomes, so it took me a few years to get to it. It's not a book for everyone and it's not perfect but I do not think I'll be disappointed that I read it.
We had a blast with This is the End. Danny McBride, once again, stole the show. I thought that was pretty original that they all played themselves.

Bonnie- When I was adding A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again, to my LT library, I saw that you had it, as well. Since they are just essays, give one or 2 a try. I loved "Getting Away" and I heard the title story is wonderful.
Since I am so book greedy, I hate taking up a month or more reading one book, but I am going to try to bookhorn in Infinite Jest. We are kicking off the new year with Bleak House.

“Statisticians report that television is watched over six hours a day in the average American household. I don't know any fiction writers who live in average American households. I suspect Louise Erdrich might. Actually I have never seen an average American household. Except on TV.”

“American human beings are a slippery and protean bunch in real life, hard as hell to get any kind of universal handle on.”

-A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again

I read the first 3 essays and I am sold. The TV/fiction essay left me a little baffled but I loved "Getting Away from Already Being Pretty Much Away from It All", about his experiences attending the Illinois State Fair, in '93. I have never went to our state fair, but I recently went to the one in the U.P. and I've been to the Oregon state fair a couple of times, so I do know that DFW nails everything. His description of the baton-twirling event left me in absolute stitches. Here's a clip:

“A dad standing up near the stands' top with a Toshiba viewfinder to his eye takes a tomahawking baton directly in the groin and falls forward onto somebody eating a Funnel Cake, and they take out good bits of several rows below them, and there's an extended halt to the action, during which I decamp--steering clear of the sixteen-year-olds on the basketball court--and as I clear the last row yet another baton comes wharp-wharping cruelly over my shoulder, caroming viciously off big R.'s inflated thigh.”

French toast cups filled with baked apples...served with sausages...oh yum!

Judy- I hope you are having a good weekend. It looks like our lovely fall weather is over. A very cool week ahead. Ugh! I'll be watching for your thoughts on the Bloody chamber.

Benita- I hope you can relax today! Kick back and get some reading in. I don't think I've heard from Tania this week. I should shoot her a PM, and see if all is good.

RD- The Chinese was delicious. Sue made pork chops with gravy a couple days ago, so I had a couple with fried eggs this morning. Yum! Have to coat that stomach for those beers later.

Kim- Sorry about the ouchie! Gentle hug! What'cha been reading?

183, 187: Yes, I am one of those who read Infinite Jest in a very small group along with another LTer Lucy (sibyl) and some deep thinkers from the Infinite Jesters group. Tad also read it after we did in another small group read. I am completely sold on the genius of David Foster Wallace. I watched the video of his commencement address (I need to watch it again and look for Amber!) but that is the only other experience I've had. I need to get ahold of that book of essays. Thanks for promoting it, Mark!

"Even on the poorest streets people could be heard laughing. Some of the streets were completely dark, like black holes, and the laughter that came from who knows where was the only sign, the only beacon that kept residents and strangers from getting lost."

...these were the closing words on Part 4. Like, I mentioned earlier, there was some interesting moments in this section but most of it was a slog. I have not read this much about rape, female and male, since Pillars of the Earth. This part was nearly 300 pages long. It could have been a 100. Now, on to Part 5. The finale.

But first: the Bears vs. the Redskins



Go Bears!

Congrats on making it through Part 4 of 2666, Mark!

..... and thanks for the warning about Pillars of the Earth.

3-3, Bears-Redskins. Go Bears!

Hope you're having a good Sunday, Mark.

This Longbourn is fascinating. One comment about Jane Austen is you'd hardly know the books are set during the Napoleonic wars. That may contribute to their timelessness. What Jo Baker is doing in Longbourn is skillfully drawing on what is not in Pride and Prejudice. The servants-eye perspective, and now one of the new characters is in Spain fighting in the war. Very clever.

How about those Washington cheerleaders:

Happy Sunday to you, Mark! I'll be catching some football tonight -- it's a fun time to be a Bronco fan. And for a couple of brief, glorious days, both the Broncos and the Avalanche were 6-0. VERY fun time to be an Avs fan again!

Just passing through to say hello, and wish you pleasantness in your days..
Too far behind to even skim :P sorry

Hi Mark - I'm a bit late chipping in on DFW. I came to him through the essay Consider the lobster and earlier this year I listened to Interviews with hideous men which I recommend you track down as it's narrated by DWJ himself. I'd love to tackle IJ next year, though I promised myself not to preplan any reading after agreeing to too many group reads & themed reading this year. So I'm interested and will commit closer to the time.

Ugh! Tough Bears loss. 45-41. And our quarterback, Jay Cutler is out with an injury. The Bears are off next week, so we have 2 weeks to recover.

Donna- I hope I can stir up enough interest on a G.R. of Infinite Jest for next year. It would be nice to have the support and encouragement.
And yes, check out those essays. They are so smart & fun.

Lori- I have 260 pages left in 2666 and I hope to read a few pages tonight. I was sort of kidding about Pillars of the Earth. Yes, there is a fair amount of rape but nothing like the vast numbers in the Bolano book.

Joe- I am so impressed that the Bears kept hanging in there. They could have won, without Cutler and with that multitude of injuries.
Longbourn sounds really good. I'll have to check with my library on that one. Are you reading it on your Kindle?

Anne- Great to see you! Hope you had a good Sunday too. Go Broncos!

Kath- I think we all have problems with keeping up on the threads, so no problem there. Hope you are having a good day. It looks like it will be a very cool week here. Bye, bye Indian summer.

Kerry- Great to see you too! Thanks for the DFW recs. I think I am in the camp now. these essays are a blast. I was thinking about an IJ G.R. in June. Plenty of time to work up the courage.

I was sort of kidding about Pillars of the Earth.

Whew.... that's a relief!

>218 msf59::
Hey Mark; ole buddy, ole pal......
I would give your G/R of Infinite Jest a try. I failed miserably on it a couple of years ago but perhaps this time........one never knows where a book will take one at any given time.
And I quite liked 2666 back when I read it. I remember it being rather challenging in spots but a worthwhile read.
Hope things are well with you & yours.
hugs,

*waving* at Mark

^I'm with you Lucy, my dear! We are going to have some cool late fall weather, this week. Only 49 today. Jacket, hat but hopefully not gloves.

I am now on the last long leg of 2666. About 250 left. On audio, I'll take another patented left turn and start Countdown City. I really enjoyed the Last Policeman and if you haven't tried that one yet, give it a go, before the final book is released.

Lori- I don't want to deceive you, there are rapes in Pillars, just not hundreds.

Belva's here! Belva's here! Be still my beating heart. Great to see you my friend. Glad you are considering joining us on IJ. The more the merrier. All is well here. Hope the same for you!

Stasia- Another, long lost pal! Who's going to walk through the door next? Jimmy Hoffa? Great to see you. How is school going?

Pillars was not my cuppa...

Good monday to you... fingers crossed that this week goes smoothly for us both!

>214 msf59: Glad you found a silver lining for that Redskins game, Mark.

I went ahead and got the hardcover of Longbourn, so no Kindle. I'm still enough of an old-fashioned reader that I like a real book in my hands. I tend to put whoppers and chunksters on the Kindle, along with public domain classics like Sherlock and Frankenstein. I read Team of Rivals and The Greater Journey on the Kindle, for example. Nice not to have to haul around ones that big. With Longbourn, I was pretty sure it would be a hardcover keeper for me, based on my Austen fandom and the PW review I read.

Hope it's a good one for you in these lower temps. Good timing for the Bears to have the week off; maybe we can get some of our key injured players back for the Packers game.

^ I know I could use a good chuckle. It's been a LONG day. I am feeling a little beat up.

I'll be back...

I am enjoying Part 5, of 2666. This time we are in Germany, during WW2 and then on the Russian front. This author has covered some time and space in this tome! And I am glad young women being raped and murdered, has been put on shelf for awhile, if not for good.

Countdown City has been a lot of fun. We are now, just over 70 days, before an asteroid takes out Planet Earth. Man, we would have to cram in a lot reading, wouldn't we?

We were recently discussing Doctorow, over on Paul's thread and I got lucky today and snagged an ARC of his latest, Andrew's Brain. Go, Me!

Kath- Why didn't Pillars work for you. It was far from perfect but I had a lot of fun with it.

Joe- You know, speaking of chunksters, I might try the Luminaries on ebook. Everyone seems to be going gaga over that one.

What a bummer about Cutler! 4-6 weeks! OMG! And Briggs too? OMG, Part Deux!

Had a big laugh over your comic, thanks!

Think I'll pass on 2666. Ick! Yes, if an asteroid was coming I would definitely have to kick the reading in high gear!

Nice comic. : )

Boo, Alberta Clipper! I love my Canadian pals but do not like their cold fronts, (although their warm fronts ain't bad). Coldest day of the season, low 40s and rain possible this afternoon. Yuck! Hope my books bring me a much needed distraction.

Lisa & Kim- Glad you liked the comic. We could all use a smile, now and then.

**I know a couple of you have read Hounded. It is today's Audible Daily Deal. Worth it?

Add me to the many going gaga over The Luminaries, Mark. You would LOVE it.

Yeah, the Bears are screwed, Mark. Too bad. Other teams (like Pittsburgh) are getting hit bad by injuries, too, but man, it's such a shame. This looked like a year where they could go far.

The Luminaries on Kindle is an intriguing idea. 848 pages is a lot to haul around.

Longbourn was good to the bottom drop. Now I'm reading a mystery and waiting for the third in the Divergent series to show up, called Allegiant. They had a long article in the Tribune today on Veronica Roth - she's only 25! Jeez, at that age I was pretty much an idiot. Impressive.

>172 msf59:: Makes me want to get completely rid of the television. Were it not for football..... heh

I remember those Alberta Clippers when I lived in the midwest. Now I just have Victoria Clippers, which is a very fast boat that takes one from Seattle to Victoria, BC, in just 3 easy hours. :-)

I'm going to obtain a non-e-edition of The Luminaries and read it early in 2014. I can hardly wait. You also have me very much looking forward to 2666 for 2014, Mark.

I was about to say "Happy Hump Day" but then it walloped me that this is Tuesday.

How can weeks fly by at a scary speed, and days last for weeks?

If I knew that an asteroid was going to hit the earth within the next year I would stay at home and read. I wonder if they would pay me for my sick days? I have over a year of sick leave built up. Of course that is the central question of Last Policeman. What would you do if you knew the world was going to end? Keep going to work? I don't think so. That is what my sick leave is for.

Ha! It feels like Thursday to me, Richard! So weird when that happens.

Hello, Mark!

Did I just see some flurries? Nooooooooooooooooooo!!! Let it be a dream. Let it be a dream...

Laura- I didn't think I would tackle another chunkster until January, but the steady stream of love for The Luminaries is mighty tempting.

Joe- I'll have to check the ebook price for The Luminaries. I also preordered our copy of Allegiant and hope to get it soon. I did read the Roth article in the Trib. I hope this is just the beginning for her.

Ellen- I am not sure 2666 will be for you. It will be a tough one to recommend. Hope you have a good week.

RD- I just know when Thursday is, this week, since it will be a well-needed day off.

Benita- I also have nearly a year saved up of sick leave. We can cash ours in, so that is probably what I'll do. Can you do the same?

Mamie- Big loving waves! How are all those great books coming?

^Sorry, I shamelessly stole this from RD! It is so perfect.

Hey Mark! Luminaries is high on my list too but my 2014 commitments are already growing, oh what to do, what to do?
Ha, ha, republican humor *sigh*
We're expecting a little snow this week too - help me think it out a here

I can get paid for it or add the total to my years of service. In my case I don't think that adding it to my years of service will increase my retirement pay so will probably do as you and take a check for it. Provided I still have it in 4 and a half years.

Hi Mark, my library hold on The Luminaries should be in tomorrow or Thursday:)

Good news: I am down to 110 pages left in 2666. I wish I could say I was loving it. It seems every time it starts to flow, he takes a wordy detour and throws me off track. There is no question Bolano had a incredible mind and was very talented. Maybe, he just needed a good editor.

On audio, I am going back to an essay or 2 by DFW. I did like Countdown City and look forward to the finale.

Lynda- I try to keep the political chatter and cartoons to a minimum. We are a loving family, here on LT. I am deciding when and how to tackle The Luminaries, possibly in December. If I wait longer, it will get deep-sixed. Hope the week is going well.

Benita- Has it cooled off down there? It sure has up here. I was bundled up pretty good yesterday.

Bonnie- I am sure you will beat me on the Catton book. My November is packed floor to ceiling. It is very high on my Read Now List!

I felt beat up after work yesterday.... hate that. I need to win the lottery. But then, don't we all?

Stay warm and un beat up ~

Pillars... all I remember was not liking it much, it's been a couple of years, no details remain in my brain.

Good morning, Mark! It SNOWED here in Iowa yesterday — none of it stuck around but still. Just seeing those white flakes swirling around in the sky brought a chill to my bones completely unrelated to the temperature. Winter's coming! I even had to turn on the furnace in my apartment last night. I always try to hold off until Nov. 1, but it was 57 degrees in the living room ...

Oh, well. Maybe we will have a late burst of Indian summer after this current cold spell. Hey, a girl can dream!

Here's hoping your bag is light today and your rounds swift.

* I'm back-hug *

Mark, I seem to recall that 2666 was intended to be five separate books but they were all put together for some reason. It kind of has that feel, doesn't it? I can't say I loved the book when I read it, but it was one that I was glad to have read if that makes sense. Please keep the snow in Iowa and Chi-land! I am making a 12-hour road trip to CO starting tomorrow all by my lonesome. Just me and my audiobooks!

Good morning, Mark. Allegiant has yet to show up here, darn it, but I'm reading a good Dame Agatha mystery while waiting. Most of October felt like a balmy September, didn't it, but recently it's been feeling like November. Hope you're doing okay out there. I like Julia's wish for you: may your bag be light and your rounds swift.

Hi, Mark! I'm way behind here, sorry for that. I'm sorry that you didn't like 2666 all that much. It's my favorite book by Bolaño, so I definitely would avoid anything else by him; he's one of the most overrated authors of recent times, IMO.

The Bears lost to the Redskins? I missed that entirely.

We're under a frost advisory in Atlanta for tonight and tomorrow morning, when the temperatures will be in the 30s; that's quite unusual here this early in the autumn season.

Oh, I forgot to send you a PM about my impression of Five Days at Memorial. I'll do that now.

The Luminaries

The Luminaries

The Luminaries

Happy Day Dear Mark

I'm adding Infinite Jest and Mrs. Poe to the long list of books to read.

Hope your Hump Day is going well, Mark. The Tom Skilling fill-in said it might be back to more normal temps next week (normal high should be 60 degrees). I hope so.

This was one time when we far northsiders dodged the snow bullet. Just a little rain yesterday and no snow up this way.

Eager for the World Series tonight!!

Happy Hump Day, Mark. We are getting a break today with a light wind that may actually clear the fog away for awhile. It's very frustrating to know that 20 miles away there is sunshine and blue skies but I am locked into days of dreary fog.

Good news that you are reaching the end of your super-chunkster, I bet you are looking forward to some skinnier books!

Midday check in. A crisp, late fall day, but plenty of sunshine, which helps.
I am loving my DFW essay on the film-maker David Lynch and his filming of Lost Highway, which I was not a fan of. It should be no surprise to my regular visitors that I am a HUGE Lynch fan. Dark, twisted & creepy!

Kath- I am working late again today but looking forward to a day off tomorrow. Yah, me!

Julia- We only had a few brief flurries yesterday. It is nicer today. I think we have had our heat on all week, so far. Brrrrrr...

Diana- Great to see you. Yah!

Hi ya, Mark. I've made it through several days of your thread after having neglected you for a while. I'm still working on putting house in order for a showing.... I'll be back into the reading thing, soon. Soon! I say soon! Let it be so!

OK, I"m a little overwrought, but I'll be OK in a week or two.

Hope the rapid change in weather is not too hard on you. That was one thing I did not like about Chicago: on minute it is summer, the next we were plunged into winter. Gawk.

Well, I just stumbled in from work. Ate 2 steak tostadas and now I am sipping a fine ale, from a frosty pint glass. Mmmmmmmmm....

Donna- I only have about 50 pages left in 2666. Why didn't he just arc the first 1/3 with the last 1/3 and would have ended up with a terrific book? Go figure. I saw in the foreward that Bolano wanted this released as 5 separate books. I think that would have been worse.
Good luck on your Colorado trip.

Joe- I am going to let my girls read Allegiant first. Actually I would like to hear this one of audio and I am hoping it is a bit stronger than book 2. I should get my copy this week.

Darryl- Great to see you and thank you for that wonderful PM. Wow! I'll respond to you a little later. I had the Savage Detectives on my WL for a long while. I think I will take a pass now.
I am so glad you love Five Days at Memorial.

RD- You know I love that kind of enthusiasm, especially from you. I WILL get to it by year's end.

Linda- Good to see you! I would not think Infinite Jest is your cuppa but Mrs. Poe should fit in nicely.

Linda P- I sure hope Tom Skilling's fill-in, is correct about the extended forecast. LOL. We only got some flurries yesterday and a few more this afternoon. No big deal. We didn't get snow until January, last winter, right?

Judy- Good to see you! Sorry about the dreary fog. I am sure that can get depressing. Almost done with the chunkster, so I can dive back into my other reads.

Hi Mark! Just dropping for the first time to say thanks for leaving a comment on my thread. I see you are one of the prolific 75ers so there's no hope for me to catch up with your old stuff....will have to continue on from here!! All your talk about DFW has got me waffling on reading Infinite Jest....maybe you can convince me after all.

I like the Literary Disco podcast too. Those guys are too funny. I haven't listened to the DFW episode yet, but I look forward to it.

Off to watch the Red Sox in the first game of the WS. Hope your Wednesday evening is great!

Sweet Thursday! It is especially sweet, since I am taking my day off this week. My wife doesn't start work until noon, so we might go out for a late breakfast. Not a whole lot planned, maybe get a few things done around the house but mainly I will finish up 2666. (Loud cheers & wolf whistles from my mountainous TBR pile)

I think I will move on to the History of Love, which is my First-Time Author pick for the month, although Bolano would have qualified too.

Heidi- Yah, another Literary Disco fan! Those guys crack me up, every podcast. They definitely get snobby about books but do it in such an amusing way.
Keep waffling on Infinite Jest, just make sure you are moving forward as you do. You have over six months.

Ah, thanks for reminding me to pull out my Nicole Krauss book, Mark. I will finish what I am reading now, and then pick up Great House.

137) Countdown City (Last Policeman Trilogy) by Ben Winters 3.6 stars

A man, his dog and an asteroid, named Maya. Detective Hank Palace returns, this time without a job and 77 days left until a asteroid collides with earth. A friend of his, from childhood, pleads with him to help find her husband, who like many people, facing the apocalypse, have disappeared. With very little to go on and scant resources, this is a difficult task, but it does lead Hank to an anarchist-encampment in Maine, where many deadly surprises await.
This is another solid mystery, with a terrific setting. Not quite as good as the first book, but worthy enough to look forward to the final book in the trilogy.

Sounds interesting, Mark. I'll look into that one. Did you audio or book it?

It does sound interesting, Mark. I'll have to try that first one.

I screwed up my Allegiant order, so I'll probably see the book tomorrow. I'm not reading the reviews, but a 2 1/2 star average on Amazon sounds like she probably didn't knock it out of the park. I'll let you know. I hope it's reasonably good - she's 25 years old and had no expectation of this level of success. She's already finding it a bit overwhelming, as you saw in the Trib article.

Hope it's a decent one for you today. Supposed to start warming up a bit, to the low 50s on Saturday.

Hmm, interesting. I liked 'The Last Policeman' but I didn't love it. I'm tempted to skip this one if it's not even that good.

Nancy- That's right, you picked Krauss for me. I have the History of Love on shelf, so that's why I picked it, although I've wanted to read Great House as well.

Lynda- I listened to both of the Last Policeman books and they work well in this format.

Joe- I wouldn't fret about star ratings on Amazon, they can be so deceiving. I still hope Roth pulls it together in a satisfying way. I got a bit bored with the 2nd book.
I did find Allegiant on audio, so I should get to it, later next month.

Julia- According to the LT reviews, a couple people liked the 2nd book more, so who knows. It's not as strong as the Rivers of London series but I do like it.

Love History of Love was one of my favorite handsell books when I was a bookseller. We had such a great event with Krauss, so I am glad you are reading it. I started Great House before it came out, but I didn't have the time necessary to read it. You really have to pay attention to her books! So I am happy to try again now.

^Yes, those are trumpets blaring and yes, I finished 2666. It took 15 days, which isn't bad for a 900 pager. I wish I could say it all pulled together in the end and I was blissfully satisfied BUT....Hey, I am free and my other neglected books quickly surrounded me, vying for attention, poor little fellas.

Joe, I caught a little hell about that 2.5 star rating when I suggested we get Allegiant for our shelves. She bought the whole series and then announced that the rating was so low, and should she return it and blah blah. I hope it's better than the stars suggest...
eta

oops
Hi Mark!

Ha! I like Mark's thought of ignore the 2.5 stars, Kath. Fingers crossed.

Congrats, Mark! I know that elated feeling of, I did it, and now I can read other ones. Way to go!

Now you're ready:

Books in the mail! Books in the mail! I received my copy, oh sorry, my family's copy of Allegiant. I am hoping this gives my daughter a kick-start back into reading. I also received a gorgeous hardback of Hugo Cabret, which I have wanted for my "keeper" shelves forever. If you have not seen this edition, try to check it out. Your heart will race and you will have a silly grin plastered to your face. It's a beauty.

Nancy- I plan on starting the History of Love this afternoon. Did you get my PM?

Kath- I try not to freak out about early reviews, especially from Ammy. Sure, it could be right but then again... You should try Divergent. You could probably read it in one or 2 sittings.

Joe- I am sure you saw my comments, directly above. Yours might be waiting for you at home. Probably a dumb question, but do you own a copy of Hugo Cabret? It looks gorgeous next to Wonderstruck.
Love the poster! How very true!

>266 jnwelch: Yep. I open the Ammy Books page and there they are, in their millions, all saying 'ME NEXT ME NEXT LOVE *ME* READ *ME*" in their piteous, bereft voices.

Poor lambs. All they want is someone to understand.

I thought you'd like that poster! Yes, we have a hard cover copy of Hugo Cabret, probably the edition you got. I couldn't resist either. It's a beaut, as you say. And we have Wonderstruck, too. They do look good together. You know what, they don't cost all that much either. Our kids are grown, and they can buy their own darn shoes, right?

Amazon says Allegiant will arrive tomorrow. That's okay - I've gotten caught up in the second Miss Buncle.

I've got to make a beer run soon. I did have a Guinness left, but that went down the hatch, and I'm not sure what else is in the basement fridge. I hope something good, so I can stretch it to the weekend. You know what would make sense, and maybe a whole lot of money? A backpack with room for books and a Kindle in one part, and a cooler for beer in the other. What do you think?

Just responded, at length, to you PM!

Hey Mark! Apologies if this is a repeat, but I thought you'd get a kick out of these:

http://quirkbooks.com/post/celebrate-fall-six-book-inspired-beers

I finished reading/listening to Unaccustomed Earth by one of your favorite (cough, cough) authors Jhumpa Lahiri. I don't usually pick up short stories and I think if I would have known that this was short stories I wouldn't have read it. However, I really liked it. Actually, I listened to it and the recorded version was very well done. Great narrators. The stories were very powerful. I gave this one four stars.

However, it seems to me that immigrant stories are immigrant stories. They are variations on a theme and it doesn't matter where they are from - Russia or India. I read Thomas Bell's book on the Czech immigrants a year ago and it was much the same as other works of fiction about immigrants. What made Lahiri's book different for me was that these immigrants are well educated and on the upper end of the Middle Class. That meant that the lifestyle, as depicted in these stories was not what was depicted in An Na's work. Or that of Julie Otsuka in Buddha in the Attic. Or even Thomas Bell. The beauty of Lahiri's stories were that even though the lifestyle was above me she made the stories meaningful. Very good writing.

Hi, Mark! Congrats on finishing 2666.

I'm too far behind to properly catch up, but I saw references to people reading Housekeeping. I've read Gilead and Home, and so perhaps I should read Housekeeping, too. I know the library has it.

Yah, it's been a good book day! I was just notified that I snagged an ARC of the Circle, from LT. So, it looks like I'll be joining in on that Group Read, as well. Does it ever slow down in our little Book World?

RD- The wailing of our little babes. It never ends. Hope you are having a great day.

Joe- "A backpack with room for books and a Kindle in one part, and a cooler for beer in the other. What do you think?" Ahhhhh...Duh! Sounds absolutely perfect! LOL.
I think I paid about 18 bucks for Hugo Cabret. For what you get, that is a steal.

Nancy- Thank you so much for taking the time. Hope to see you up in Milwaukee...soon.

Kathy- Good to see you! Yes, I think you shared that link before and I loved it. I especially got a kick out of "An Ale of Two Cities" & "Rye and Punishmalt".

Benita- Yah, you liked Lahiri! I loved her first collection but I thought Unaccustomed Earth was even better. Beautifully crafted.
I managed to snag the Circle, so I am looking forward to that one.

Terri- Good to see you. Yes, I am glad I can leave 2666 behind me. I feel so much lighter.
Please join us on Housekeeping. It's a shorty. I'll probably start it sometime in the first week of November.

Oh, haha! I am so easily amused... when I browse the web tired, it's like 50 first dates. :p

Congrats on finishing the mammoth 2666 Mark. I think you're going to love Housekeeping. I did.

Now that you're done, do you really feel the kinship with David Foster Wallace? It's A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again for you, that read.

Heh.

Can't wait to hear what you think of History of Love. I had just started Mr. Lynch's Holiday, which I am enjoying. Then I am off to find my copy of Great House.

^Looks like someone else started 2666. Poor woman. I think that is a woman?

Happy Friday! I sampled a few pages of the History of Love and I can tell already that this will be a gem. Her writing is gorgeous. I really wanted to start "Beowulf" on audio, read by Heaney, (which I heard is wonderful) but it is abridged. WHY?? Sad Mark.

Kathy- LOL. I completely understand.

Bonnie- Have you read the History of Love or Krauss? I am looking forward to housekeeping, the book that is.

RD- LOL. Perfectly said. I take it you are not a fan of DFW? I could see him rubbing you the wrong way.

Nancy- I am sure I will love the History of Love. And it's such a pleasure to read a 250 page book.

I bought a hard copy of Hugo Cabret for Charlie's bookshelves, and it's sitting way up high where he can't reach it just yet - ha!

(PS: Please feel free to ignore this post, in retribution for my accidental overlooking of your own post on my thread!)

Stay warm out there!

Oh, I've got to find my copy of Housekeeping, Mark! I didn't realize the read was starting that soon. Is it an informal GR, or is there going to be a discussion thread?

I'm getting a kick out of Miss Buncle Married. I'm a sucker for English village life and silly inhabitants. I'm also reading James Thurber's 13 Clocks, after seeing a rave from Neil Gaiman.

Hope today treats you well. It's nippy out.

Hi Mark...I detest DFW's self-conscious fiction, so smugly tricksy and PoMo, but I think his essays are terrific.

I have Housekeeping beside the bed, so will start that one ASAP. I am also trying really hard to finish up Devil's Brood before that happens. I have about 475 pages left in that book then I will be with you on Housekeeping. I am also going to participate in the LT group read of The Circle. I also have that one on the beside table.

Mark; I didn't realize there was an Atwood April. I am assuming it sits here on the 75 book gig? Let me know & remind me come time. I would love to join you for it. And if you couldn't love The Invisible Bridge, I am glad that you liked it. While I was reading it I couldn't help but think of Vasily Grossman's Life and Fate. Although both were 5 star reads for me Life and Fate, IMO, was more intense throughout the entire book. So glad that I saved that one to read another day.
Cheers ole boy,

I have an immediate crush on my current author. Her prose sings but in a dark & edgy tone. This is Manna for Mark. Stares off dreamily...

Amber- Isn't Hugo Cabret gorgeous up there on the shelf? Just be careful it doesn't fall. It could do some damage.
I think we have all missed a post now and then, so no biggie my friend.

Joe- Can't you find it on those well-organized shelves? LOL. I have not read Thurber. How is it?

RD- I will try DFW's fiction next year and see for myself but I sure love his NF. His cruise essay is amazing. I think people are wondering why I am bursting out laughing as I stumble along.

Benita- I am glad you'll be joining us on the Robinson. We will also be doing a Munro collection mid-month. Have you read her?

I also received my copy of Allegient this week and also like you I was not blown away by book two so I'm not in any rush to read it yet. I hope it ends better than The Hunger Games trilogy did.

^This is about the amount of books, that I still I wanted to read this year but I do not think it will happen. Like her, I think I will just curl up and snooze.

Belva- I started Atwood April this year and it was a big hit. 3 or 4 years ago, I had not read any Atwood and now I have read 5 or 6 and she is one of my favorite writers. Have you read the Oryx & Crake series?

Heidi- I was a bit bummed by Mockingjay too! I can't believe they are making that two separate movies. WTH? Let's hope Allegiant is much more satisfying.

^Yep, kids! It's that time! Grab your treats, (I like Snickers & peanut M & Ms, the best) and come on over. And you know I'll never turn down a fine ale.