Mamie's 2013 Madness (Page 20)

Nineteen years ago this month, we welcomed Daniel into our lives. When Craig brought Rae to the hospital to meet him for the first time, we wondered how she would feel about a whole new person in her life. Would she be jealous? She never was. I guess we should have known when she climbed up into the bed beside me to gently touch his face and asked me, "Is he mine?" Well, I said, he is ours. We will share him. She nodded and smiled, and then leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Mine."

Currently Listening to:


November Reads:
136. Divergent by Veronica Roth - reread - audiobook
137. My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland (3 stars)
138. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (4.2 stars)
139. Montana, 1948 by Larry Watson (5 stars)
140. Early Autumn by Robert B. Parker (4 stars)
141. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood (3.8 stars)

Books I am seriously looking at for November:

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffeneggar - TIOLI #2 - ROOT paperback

Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews - TIOLI #3 - 2013 acquired ebook

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny - TIOLI #4 - 2013 acquired ebook

Early Autumn by Robert B. Parker - TIOLI #6 - 2013 acquired ebook - reading these with Roberta and Donna - COMPLETED

World War Z - TIOLI #6 - ROOT paperback, Santa Swap gift from Stasia

Montana 1948 by Larry Watson - TIOLI #9 - 2013 acquired paperback - recommended by Richard and Mark - COMPLETED

1984 by George Orwell - TIOLI #9 - ROOT paperback, also own the audiobook

My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland - TIOLI #15 - ebook - COMPLETED

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman - TIOLI #15 - 2013 acquired paperback - author recommended by Katie - COMPLETED

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - TIOLI #17/shared - 2013 acquired hardback - recommended by Mark

When Pride Still Mattered: Lombardi by David Maraniss - TIOLI #19/shared - ROOT ebook

Divergent by Veronica Roth - TIOLI #20 - ROOT audiobook - reread - COMPLETED

*

January (17 books)
1. Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie (4.25 stars) - ebook - ROOT
2. Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson (4 stars) - paperback, library book
3. Alice in the Country of Hearts by QuinRose - paperback - ROOT
4. A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori - hardback, Abby's book
5. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt (4 stars) - ebook - ROOT
6. Maus I by Art Spiegelman (4.5 stars) - paperback - ROOT
7. Black Hearts in Battersea by Joan Aiken (4 stars) - ebook - ROOT
8. In the Woods by Tana French (4.5 stars) - paperback, library book
9. Volt by Alan Heathcock (4 stars) - paperback, library book
10. Emma by Karou Mori (3 stars) - hardback, library book
11. Maus II by Art Spiegelman (4.5 stars) - paperback - ROOT
12. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (4 stars) - audiobook - ROOT
13. The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair (3.75 stars) - paperback, Early Reviewer book
14. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (4.5 stars) - paperback - ROOT
15. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (4 stars) - hardback - ROOT
16. Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (5 stars) - ebook - ROOT
17. The One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith (5 stars) - this was a reread, I am leaving the previous rating that I assigned it in place - hardback - ROOT

February (10 books)
18. Before Midnight by Rex Stout (4 stars), paperback, library book
19. 420 Characters by Lou Beach (4 stars), hardback, library book
20. The Iron Duke by Maljean Brook (3 stars), paperback, library book
21. Temple of a Thousand Faces by John Shors (4.25 stars), paperback, ER book
22. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (4.25 stars), hardback purchased hot off the presses
23. A Literary Guide to Flannery O'Connor's Georgia by Sarah Gordon (4 stars), paperback, library book
24. Soulless by Gail Carringer (3.5 stars), library ebook
25. The Pale Criminal by Phillip Kerr (3.5 stars) ebook, ROOT
26. Blue Bloods: The Graphic Novel by Melissa de la Cruz (3.5 stars), hardback purchased in 2013
27. Pyongyang by Guy Delisle (3 stars), paperback, library book

March (12 books)
28. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez (3.75 stars), paperback - ROOT
29. Twilight by Stephenie Meyers - reread (I know what you're thinking, but I like it)
30. Killing Floor by Lee Child (3.5 stars) - ebook - ROOT
31. Hamlet by William Shakespeare - reread (4.5 stars) - hardback - ROOT
32. The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes by Tess Uriza Holthe (4 stars) - hardback - library book
33. The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly (4 stars) - ebook - 2013 acquired
34. Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson (4.25 stars) - ebook - ROOT
35. The Chardonnay Charade by Ellen Crosby (3.5 stars) - ebook - ROOT
36. The Bordeaux Betrayal by Ellen Crosby (3.5 stars) - ebook - 2013 acquired
37. Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb (4 stars for sheer entertainment value) - ebook - 2013 acquired
38. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming (3 stars) - ebook - ROOT
39. The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend by Glenn Frankel (5 stars)- hardback - 2013 acquired

April (13 books)
40. Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman (4.5 stars) - Thanks for the shove, Morphy!
41. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (4.25 stars)
42. Round Mountain by Castle Freeman, Jr. (3.75 stars)
43. The Searchers by Alan LeMay (4.25 stars)
44. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (4.5 stars)
45. A Man Without Breath by Phillip Kerr (4.3 stars)
46. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold (3.75 stars)
47. Ashfall by Mike Mullin (4 stars)
48. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (4 stars)
49. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (4 stars)
50. The Shipping News by Annie Proulx (5 stars)
51. Howards End by E. M. Forster (4.5 stars)
52. Me, Who Dove into the Heart of the World by Sabina Berman

May (15 books)
53. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - reread
54. The Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker (3.4 stars)
55. The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen (4.5 stars)
56. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris - reread
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx (5 stars)
57. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver (5 stars)
58. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris - reread
59. Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C Gwynne (4.5 stars)
60. The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh (3.5 stars)
61. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris - reread
62. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris - reread
63. The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler (4.75 stars)
64. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (4.5 stars)
65. The Making of the African Queen by Katharine Hepburn (5 stars)
66. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris - reread
67. The Ghosts of Nagasaki by Daniel Clausen (4.5 stars)

June (18 books)
68. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris - reread
69. A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris (3 stars)
70. The Radleys by Matt Haig (4 stars)
71. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (5 stars)
72. The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri (4 stars)
73. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris - reread
74. Austenland by Shannon Hale (4 stars)
75. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - reread (4.25 stars)
76. God Save the Child by Robert B. Parker (3 stars)
77. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris - reread
78. The African Queen by C. S. Forrester (4 stars)
79. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (3.75 stars)
80. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (4 stars)
81. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin (4.25 stars)
82. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (4.75 stars)
83. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - reread
84. Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout (3.75 stars)
85. Blood Kin by Henry Chappell (4 stars)

July (11 books)
86. American Born Chinese by Gene Yang (4 stars)
87. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley (4 stars)
88. gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson (3.5 stars)
89. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (4.5 stars)
90. The Bat by Jo Nesbo (3 stars)
91. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen - reread
92. The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler (4.25 stars)
93. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler (3.75 stars)
94. A Bride's Story, Vol. 2 by Kaoru Mori (4 stars)
95. Mortal Stakes by Robert B. Parker (3.25 stars)
96. Pride and Prejudice adapted graphic novel by Nancy Butler (4 stars)

August: (12 books)
97. Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham (4 stars)
98. Cop Hater by Ed McBain (3.5 stars)
99. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (4.25 stars)
100. Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold (4 stars)
101. Storm Front by Jim Butcher (4 stars)
102. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (3.75 stars)
103. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (3.75 stars)
104. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch (4.25 stars)
105. Promised Land by Robert B. Parker (3 stars)
106. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (3.75 stars)
107. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (5 stars - It's always a 5 star read!)
108. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs (3.75 stars)

September: (13 books)
109. Light in August by William Faulkner (4.25 stars)
110. Raylan by Elmore Leonard (3.3 stars)
111. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs (4 stars)
112. The Judas Goat by Robert B. Parker (3 stars)
113. The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman (3.5 stars)
114. The Road Home by Rose Tremain (4 stars)
115. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett - reread (always 5 stars for me!)
116. The Asphalt Jungle by W. R. Burnett (4 stars)
117. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs (3.75 stars)
118. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs (3.75 stars)
119. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling -reread
120. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling - reread
121. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling - reread

October: (14 books)
122. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny (4 stars)
123. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (A New Verse translation) by Simon Armitage (4 stars)
124. Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney (4 stars)
125. The Witch's Grave by Phillip DePoy (3.4 stars)
126. Night by Elie Wiesel
127. Till We Have Faces by C. S Lewis (4.5 stars)
128. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher (3.3 stars)
129. The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer (4.6 stars)
130. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (4 stars)
131. Looking for Rachel Wallace by Robert B. Parker (3.5 stars)
132. Being There by Jerzy Kosinski (4.25 stars)
133. Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch (4 stars)
134. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (5 stars)
135. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith (3.5 stars)

Books Purchased in 2013:

January
1. Sandman, Volume 1: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
2. Dog Stars by Peter Heller
3. Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus
4. The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson
5. Nightbirds on Nantucketby Joan Aiken
6. In the Woods by Tana French - read it this year, but I loved it so much that I wanted my own copy
7. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
8. Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie - collecting these covers
9. Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie - collecting these covers
10. The Clocks by Agatha Christie - collecting these covers
11. Third Girl by Agatha Christie - collecting these covers
12. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch
13. The Likeness by Tana French - the book store had the hardcopy edition on sale for $6, how can I resist that?
14. Raylan by Elmore Leonard - Craig and I will both read this READ
15. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel - I read this on Kindle last year, but wanted a physical copy of it
16. The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory - book store had this on sale for $3, recommended by Chéli
17. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCollough - I read this forever ago and loved it, today I found a lovely edition with deckled edge pages, enough said!
18. Old Filth by Jane Gardam - my very first Europa edition!
19. The New Moon With the Old by Dodie Smith
20. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson
21. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin - I read this on Kindle, but wanted a physical copy of it for my shelves
22. A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin
23. A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin
24. A Feast of Crows by George R. R. Martin
25. A Dance of Dragons by George R. R. Martin

February
26. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer READ
27. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
28. Vampire Empire by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
29. Faithful Place by Tana French
30. Grave Mercy by Robin LeFevers (Kindle Daily Deal)
31. The Woman Who Wouldn't Die by Colin Cotterill - the latest Dr. Siri!
32. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - deckled edge pages!
33. The Cider House Rules by John Irving - Kindle Daily Deal
34. The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend by Glenn Frankel READ
35. Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
36. Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer
37. Still Life With Murder by P. B Ryan (Kindle Daily Deal)
38. Blue Bloods: The Graphic Novel by Melissa de la Cruz READ
39. The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly (Kindle Daily Deal) READ

March
40. West With the Night by Beryl Markham (Kindle Daily Deal)
41. Made in the USA by Billie Letts - bookstore had this hardback on sale for $6
42. Die Trying by Lee Child
43. The Searchers by Alan Le May READ
44. The Witches of Wenshar by Barbara Hambly
45. Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly (Kindle Daily Deal)
46. The Poet by Michael Connelly
47. Blood Work by Michael Connelly
48. The Bordeaux Betrayal by Ellen Crosby READ
49. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
50. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
51. Ashfallby Mike Mullin - because Judy and Dejah assure me it is good! READ
52. Bimbos of the Death Sun by Sharyn McCrumb - who can resist this title? And Dejah says it's good! READ

April
53. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold - READ
54. The Radleys by Matt Haig READ
55. Out of Sight by Elmore Leonard
56. Bandits by Elmore Leonard
57. Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold READ
58. The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
59. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
60. The Green Mile by Stephen King
61. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons - because of Roberta's lovely review and because it comes in a Penguin deluxe classic edition with deckled edge pages
62. Valdez is Coming by Elmore Leonard
63. Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard
64. The Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker - this is Joe's fault READ
65. Blood Kin by Henry Chappell- because Richard begged so prettily and used puppy dog eyes READ
66. Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson
67. The Watchman by Robert Crais - Kindle Daily Deal
68. Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara - Penguin Deluxe Classic Edition

May
69. The Map of the Sky by Félix J. Palma - Kindle Daily Deal
70. The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann - recommended by Richard and Roberta
71. God Save the Child by Robert B. Parker - also Joe's fault! READ
72. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving - Kindle Daily Deal
73. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood - free on Kindle, recommended by Dejah
74. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
75. The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri READ
76. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
77. The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré
78. The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen
79. Call for the Dead by John le Carré
80. A Murder of Quality by John le Carré
81. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John le Carré
82. The Looking Glass War by John le Carré
83. Smiley's People by John le Carré
84. The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carré
85. The Naíve and Sentimental Lover by John le Carré
86. A Perfect Spy by John le Carré
87. Our Kind of Traitor by John le Carré
88. Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver - bought the ebook and added the professional narration for a few bucks more READ
89. Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne - bought the ebook and added the professional narration for a few bucks more READ
90. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown - bought the ebook and added the professional narration for a few bucks more
91. Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward - hardcover with deckled edge pages on sale for $3
92. City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte - Reading
93. Lord of the Flies by William Golding - replacing my sad mass market paperback with a trade paperback with deckled edge pages
94. Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Tim Federle
95. Close Range by Annie Proulx
96. The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway
97. Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey - Kindle Deal ($1.99)
98. Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey - Kindle Daily Deal ($.99)
99. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - read it this month, but wanted my own copy, added the audiobook for $3.49
100. Heaven's Prisoners by James Lee Burke - Kindle Daily Deal ($.99)
101. Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Kindle Daily Deal (1.99)
102. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - Kindle Daily Deal (1.99)
103. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway - Kindle Daily Deal (1.99)
104. The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories by Ernest Hemingway - Kindle Daily Deal (1.99)
105. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - Kindle Daily Deal ($1.99) READ

June
106. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith - Kindle Deal ($2.99) READ
107. The African Queen by C. S. Forester - gift READ
108. Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson - gift READ
109. The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman - gift READ
110. Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene - gift
111. The World According to Garp by John Irving - gift
112. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly - Kindle Daily Deal (2.99)
113. The Reversal by Michael Connelly - Kindle Daily Deal (2.99)
114. The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly - Kindle Daily Deal (2.99)
115. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
116. The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler - recommended by Megan READ
117. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys - discussion on Megan's thread
118. Worlds of Exile and Illusion by Ursula K. Le Guin - because I liked The Dispossessed, which was recommended by Kerri. This book contains three more in the Hainish Cycle: Rocannon's World, Planet of Exile, and City of Illusions
119. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - recommended by Joe READ
120. A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson
121. The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
122. Saving Cee-Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman - bargain book $2, set in Georgia
123. The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope by Rhonda Riley - recommended by Karen and Kathleen - deckled edge pages!!
124. The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank
125. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler READ

July
126. This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald - free on Kindle
127. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff - Kindle Daily Deal $1.99 - recommended by Valerie last year READ
128. The Bat by Jo Nesbo - I had preordered this, the first book in the Harry Hole series - FINALLY! READ
129. The Bone People by Keri Hulme - deckled edge pages!
130. Light in August by William Faulkner READ
131. Zelda: A Biography by Nancy Milford - $2.99 on Kindle
132. Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch - ebook with audio added READ

August
133. Whispers Under Ground by Ben Aaronovitch READ
134. Storm Front by Jim Butcher - audiobook $4 READ
135. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher - audiobook $4 READ
136. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher - audiobook $4 READ
137. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher - audiobook $4
138. The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas - recommended by Cee
139. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain - Kindle Daily Deal ($1.99) - recommended by Bonnie
140. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs READ
141. Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - Kindle deal $1.99
142. Tilt-a-Whirl by Chris Grabenstein - Kindle deal $.99 - Richard said to buy this!
143. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs READ
144. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs READ
145. Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos de Laclos
146. Stick by Elmore Leonard
147. The Switch by Elmore Leonard
148. The Bounty Hunters by Elmore Leonard
149. Montana, 1948 by Larry Watson - recommended by Richard and Mark READ

September
150. Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry - Kindle deal $1.99
151. Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard - Kindle deal $2.99
152. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs READ
153. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs READ
154. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
155. High Sierra by W. R. Burnett
156. Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett
157. Over My Dead Body by Rex Stout
158. The Mystery of Grace by Charles de Lint - author recommended by Kathleen
159. Mind's Eye by Hakan Nesser
160. The Tourist by Olen Steinhauser READ
161. Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote
162. Plainsong by Kent Haruf
163. The Storycatcher by Ann Hite
164. All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrich Maria Remarque

October
165. Zealot by Reza Asian
166. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
167. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill - $2.99 on Kindle
168. The Shining by Stephen King - $3.99 on Kindle
169. Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews
170. Mad Mouse by Chris Grabenstein - Kindle Daily Deal
171. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Phillip K. Dick - Kindle Daily Deal (I think)
172. Queen Lucia by E. F. Benson - free on Kindle - recommended by Julia
173. Whack A Mole by Chris Grabenstein - $.99 Kindle Deal
174. Free Fall by Chris Grabenstein - $1.99 Kindle Deal
175. Face in the Frost by John Bellairs - $4.99 0n Kindle, recommended by Roni
176. Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton - $1.99 Kindle Daily Deal
177. The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings - $1.99 Kindle Daily Deal
178. Miss Buncle's Book by D. E. Stevenson - $1.99 Kindle Deal
179. Longbourn by Jo Baker - hardback with deckled edge pages! - recommended by Joe
180. The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury - hardback
181. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman - author recommended by Katie READ
182. Now, Voyager by Olive Higgins Prouty - paperback
183. Laura by Vera Caspary - paperback

November
184. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
185. Coming Up For Air by George Orwell
186. Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope
187. Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football by Rich Cohen
188. Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carringer
189. Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling
190. A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz - $1.99 Kindle Daily Deal
191. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell
192. The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell
193. Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell
194. A Collection of Essays by George Orwell
195. Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard by Isak Dinesen
196. Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold - recommended by Heather and Judy
197. The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg - Kindle daily deal - $1.99
198. The Preacher by Camilla Läckberg - Kindle daily deal - $1.99

An idea stolen from Heather (souloftherose), who borrowed it from Liz (lyzard): ongoing series that I am actively reading. This doesn't include series where I have the first book in my TBR pile (i.e. series I haven't started reading yet aren't included). An asterisk (*) indicates a series where I already have a copy of the next book. A pointing finger (☛) indicates a series where I am waiting for the next book to be released.

1. African Trilogy by Chinua Achebe: Next Up: Arrow of God (3/3)

2. *Charley Davidson by Darynda Jones: Next Up: Third Grave Dead Ahead (3/4)

3. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache by Louise Penny: Next Up: The Cruellest Month (3/8)

4. *Commissario Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri: Next Up: The Snack Thief (3/15)

5. * Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor: Next Up: Days of Blood and Starlight (2/3)

6. *Divergent by Veronica Roth: Next Up: Insurgent (2/3)

7. *Dr. Siri Paiboun by Colin Cotterill: Next up: Slash and Burn (8/9) - Richard's fault!

8. *Dublin Murder Squad by Tana French: Next Up: The Likeness (2/4) - Dee's fault!

9. Duncan Kincaid/ Gemma James by Deborah Crombie:Next Up: Kissed a Sad Goodbye (6/15)

10. * Dust Lands by Moira Young: Next Up: Rebel Heart (2/3) - Mark and Chelle's fault!

11. *Fever Devilin by Phillip DePoy: Next Up: The Minister's Ghost (3/8) - Terri and Kathleen's fault!

12. *Harry Bosch by Michael Connelly: Next Up: The Narrows (10/18)

13. *Harry Hole by Jo Nesbo: Next Up: The Snowman (7/9)

14. ☛ The Ibis Trilogy by Amitav Ghosh: Next Up: ? (3/3) - Judy's fault!

15. *In Death by J. D. Robb: Next Up: Glory in Death (2/44) - Joe's fault!

16. *Inspector Sejer by Karin Fossum: Next Up: He Who Fears the Wolf (2/9)

17. Jack Taylor by Ken Bruen: Next Up: The Dramatist (4/9) - also Mark's fault!

18. *James Bond by Ian Fleming: Next Up: Live and Let Die (2/14)

19. *Jackson Brodie by Kate Atkinson: Next Up: One Good Turn (2/4) - Stasia's fault!

20. *Kenzie and Gennaro by Dennis Lehane: Next Up: Sacred (3/6)

21. *Lady Julia Gray by Deanna Raybourn: Next Up: The Dark Enquiry (5/5)

22. ☛ Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer: Next Up: Cress (3/4)

23. MaddAddam Trilogy by Margaret Atwood: Next Up: The Year of the Flood (2/3) - Mark's fault!

24. *Matched by Ally Condie: Next Up: Crossed (2/3)

25. *Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs: Next Up: River Marked (6/8)

26. *Millenium Trilogy by Steig Larrson: Next Up: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest (3/3)

27. *Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler: Next Up: Trouble is My Business (6/8)

28. *Raylan Givens by Elmore Leonard: Next Up: Raylan (3/3)

29. *Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch: Next Up: Whispers Under Ground (3/4)

30. *Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris: Next Up: Dead Reckoning (10/13)

31. *Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin: Next Up: A Clash of Kings (2/5)

32. Spenser novels by Robert B. Parker: Next Up: A Savage Place (8/39) - this is Joe's fault!

33. Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs: Next Up: Grave Secrets (5/15)

34. Vish Puri by Tarquin Hall: Next Up: The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing (2/3)

35. *Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold: Next Up: Warrior's Apprentice: (3/16) - also Joe's fault! Also Richard's fault!

36. *Walt Longmire by Craig Johnson: Up Next: Another Man's Moccasins (4/8) - blaming this on Mark!

37. Wine Country Mysteries by Ellen Crosby: Next Up: The Riesling Retribution (4/6)

38. ☛Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel: Next up: ? (3/3)

Series that I am reading out of order:

39. Bernie Gunther by Phillip Kerr (3/9)
40. Nero Wolfe by Rex Stout (3/47) - Julia's fault!

My 2013 Data (I shamelessly stole this idea from Cee!)

Total Books Read: 141

ROOTs books (off my own bookshelves): 62

Fiction: 132
Non-Fiction: 9

New to me Authors - not including manga or graphic novels: 68

Male authors: 62
Female authors: 75

US authors: 92
Authors from other countries: 48
Unknown: 1

Living Authors: 104
Dead Authors: 37

Medium:
Hardback: 20
Paperback: 450
ebook: 55
audiobook: 16

Am I first?

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Morning Mamie! Yah, I got to say it twice! Congrats on the new thread. Love the beautiful topper!

Katie - YES! You are first!! Thrilled to have you here!

Mark - Morning! And thank you!

Happy Sunday, Mamie!!!

Ellen! Ellen is here! - Happy Sunday, Sister!

I LOVE that turkey peering at the camera picture in #3! Ha!!

That made me laugh, too, Richard! I was looking at photos of turkeys for that post - thinking something traditional, but when I saw that one, that was it for me!

I am all caught up with Mamie. At least for now. I've ordered my Spenser 7 from Overdrive. It's out but I'm next.

I love the pic up top.

The turkey gave me a start when I scrolled down to him! Happy new thread, Mamie!

Roberta - Oh, good! And the pic up top was the one I was going to post for Mother's Day, like you suggested, but the scanner wasn't working then. Glad you like it!

Julia - Oh, dear! But did he make you laugh? Thanks for stopping in!

He did make ma laugh! I can always count on a laugh from your thread, Mamie. And the photo up top is just so adorable, with little Rae and baby Daniel. "Mine!" So cute.

I love the Rae story -- how sweet. And 135 books (so far), I'm in awe.

Julia - Excellent! And glad you liked the photo and story up top. Hard to believe that was almost nineteen years ago.

Reba - So thrilled you liked the story. And thank you - 135 books is a record for me. Last year I read a total of 108 for the year. I was aiming for 110 and then 120, but now I think I will aim for 150.

Such a lovely story - and you can see everything in the way her fingers are so delicately reaching toward him.

Happy new thread!

Lucy - Thank you! And yes, she was ever so careful with him right from the start.

Lovely new thread and what a sweet picture and story Mamie:-)

Lovely motherhood photo up top Mamie and a nice way to start your 20th thread of the year.

Good morning, Mamie. The picture you've shared for your topper is Classic! Beautiful. Such a universal, and yet intensely personal, moment. What an adventure you all were beginning.

I am glad to say I think I've finished the big push to prep the house for sale. Open House was yesterday and so from now on all I need to do is keep ahead of the clutter and daily life messes. I think I'm back for some reading, too.

Morning dear, let's have some prosciutto-wrapped mini frittatas. Bite-sized perfection!

Bonnie - Thank you. So very thrilled to see you here!

Paul - Thank you, dear. I'm glad that your eyes are feeling better and that you are back amongst us on the threads.

Karen - It has been an adventure for sure! I'm so thankful for every moment of it. I bet you are feeling so good about finally being on the market and just having to maintain the current status. That is stressful, too, but I much preferred that stress to the stress of getting ready to BE on the market. I hope it sells quickly for you - the place looks great. You did a fabulous job!

Richard - Oh, thank you! You always find the yummiest stuff - that looks delicious!

Mamie, thank you. I just talked with the Real Estate agent who said two parties asked if I would accept USDA financing. This is a new one to me. But the one down side is that it might take longer than a month to close. Ha! Perfect. My other house is not available until Feb. 1, so if it takes longer than a month, it might be an advantage to me. Cross your fingers. Two parties! Whoo hoo.

OK. I'm not all that excited (don't want to jinx it). I'm calm, and I will Carry On! Been reading much of today…. yay!

Beautiful picture at the top of your thread, Mamie. Looks like you have the whole world (at that time) in your arms. :)

Looks like an interesting reading month you have planned, lots of variety!

Dropping a pillow....hoping the week is going well :)

Wonderful pic up top, Mamie. Good for Rae! I can remember our daughter being happy to see her new "baby bother" (as my MBH called him) in the hospital, and wanting to play with him, but no comments as poignant as Rae's.

That is the SWEETEST new baby story!! I love it!!

Hi Mamie (& Abby if you are lurking in the background)!! How are my favorite Albany-ites??

Sorry it has been so long since I've visited. I just can't seem to stay caught up with everything going on. But, I still love y'all and think of you often. ;)

**Drooling over Richard's frittata picture and wondering if I could figure out how to make them!

Good Wednesday Morning, Y'all! I am trying to decide if I will be doing a 2014 category challenge or not - I did not do a very good job with keeping up on my Lucky 2013 challenge thread, but I like the idea of setting some challenges for myself. I might pull a Katie and just set some challenges for myself but not create an entire separate thread. Thinking... The good news is that Abby loved following threads and that challenge thread gave her a chance to dip her toes in the water, so she will be joining this group (the 75ers) next year. Fun!

I finished my reread of Divergent, which I listened to on audiobook. I am SO glad that I reread this because I had forgotten A LOT. So now on to Insurgent, which I have not read before. I know that many readers did not like this one as much as the first one, so I am prepared to be slightly disappointed but trying to keep an open mind. We'll see.

Still working on Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, which got pushed to the side as a focused on finishing a few things up last month. This is very well done with a definite creep factor.

Started My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland. Many of you know that I am reading this just so that I could enter it in Morphy's TIOLI challenge this month. It's not great literature, but it is funny. The language is a bit low, but I guess the White Trash part of the title makes that kind of a no brainer, right?

Also started Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. I really love the way she writes. I have finished up the first section, so I'm about 60 pages into it. I'm liking it so far.

And finally, I am embarrassed to say that I had started a book recommended by Kath and then forgotten all about it, so I'll be getting back to Silver-White, which I borrowed from the Kindle library. I have two Kindles - the original keyboard version, which I use during the day, and the Kindle Fire which I use for nighttime reading and for using the Whispersync reading, which I absolutely LOVE. I had borrowed the book on my keyboard Kindle, but have been mainly using my Fire lately, so the poor book has been neglected. Bad Mamie.

*Totally forgot to mention that I am reading When Pride Still Mattered: Lombardi. It's a biography of Vince Lombardi, who I know very little about. Very interesting and well written - I picked this up on Kindle years ago, and it has lingered there unread, so thank to Paul for his challenge to read something written about or by someone born in 1913.

Yesterday was Tuesday, which means new book releases, Here is what arrived from Amazon:


Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope
Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football by Rich Cohen
Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carringer

And for my Orwell collection:

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
Coming Up For Air by George Orwell

I am sad to report that none of them have deckled edge pages.

Mamie, I have always been very much a non-planner as a reader, just grabbing things as I see them recommended on threads or they catch my eye at the library. But I am thinking about setting up a sort of informal challenge for myself just to make sure I fit in enough of the kind of reading I really like but don't tend to happen upon serendipitously.

I have 'Heart-Shaped Box' but haven't read it yet. I also have 'Horns' by Joe Hill, and haven't read that, either. Hmmm, where did October go? I did manage to read a Stephen King ('The Waste Lands') and 'Those Across the River', so my creepy Halloween reads quota was met, even if not with the books I thought it would be. There's that lack of planning thing, again.

Have a lovely Wednesday, friend!

I'm a non planner as a reader, too. Very mood driven. And this year, I have had way more not in the mood days than usual, I think. Like today. Maybe it will get better...

Karen - You're welcome, and my fingers are duly crossed. That is very exciting news!

Judy - Thank you, and you are so very right.

My reading month was shaped mainly by the TIOLI challenges. I wanted a mix of ROOT books and books that were purchased this year, so I tried to achieve a balance there. It turned out to be a nice mash of several that I wanted to get to before the year is out and several that just happened to fit into the challenges. A good example is the book When Pride Still Mattered: Lombardi, which I have had in the stacks for ages - Paul set that challenge about reading a book written by or about someone born in 1913 and then listed some possible names and BINGO, I remembered I had that book about Vince Lombardi! And it's very good, too, but I probably wouldn't have picked it to read this month just because I wouldn't have remembered that I had it - it's on Kindle.

- Oh good! Grab a comfy spot - I LOVE having you here! The week is going very well so far, but I fear this is going to be a very busy month for us.

Joe - Thank you! And I LOVE "baby bother" - too funny!

Tina - Thank you, dear! Abby is always lurking - good call!! She follows Paul's stats with great interest, too! And we are very well, thanks for asking. With your current situation, I am surprised that you have time to stop by at all, so no worries about being caught up. We are keeping you and Lisa in our hearts and in our prayers and wishing only good things for the both of you.

Julia - I like the process of making a plan, and I thrive on list making. That being said, I never hesitate to just grab what I am in the mood for. I like having the list to refer to if I can't decide where I want to go next, so the list helps to shape my reading but does not determine it. The challenge thing is nice because it reminds me of some of the avenues that I would like to pursue with my reading. For instance, I would like to continue reading the original novels that inspired those old movies that my Dad and I watched together - that helps me keep him close. I also want to read more of George Orwell's work - last year I read that lovely book Finding George Orwell in Burma, and it really got me interested in reading through Orwell's works. I also have some classics that I have never read but would like to explore. That kind of thing.

Thanks so much for stopping in - wishing for you a Wednesday full of fabulous!

Kathleen - I like to plan and then just do whatever I want! Sorry about the not in the mood days - those are the days that I tend to reach for something old and well loved. Rereading is a huge comfort to me when I feel a funk coming on or when I feel too tired to choose something new.

Hoping it gets better, Sis. And why are you working so much? Weren't you supposed to be part-time? You are not getting enough time for yourself, I think. Hugs to you, dear one!

Yes, that's what I want — a reminder somewhere of the books I know I want to read but that don't come immediately to mind when I am looking around for my next book. For example, I love nonfiction and especially historical nonfiction, but I never seem to actually pick one up. I've got a book about the Dust Bowl that I've had for years but keep forgetting about. Or certain authors whose works I want to read more of, like Steinbeck or Flannery O'Connor. Stuff like that. Nothing too structured, but just a way to keep track of my best intentions, I guess.

That's just exactly it, Julia! I might put something like that in the lists that I like to keep at the top of my threads next year, so I can easily refer to it.

I decided to to do a short challenge next year. Half the categories and minimum of three per category. My categories are fairly broad and I have a bonus for book bullets. Once I finish the 21 books I'll consider myself done but of course I won't just read 21 books next year. There are some group reads I'm interested in and a year long of Vorkosigan Saga that sounds fun. I really like the folks over at the 2013/2014 Challenge. Many are here but some are not.

You are reading A LOT of books Mamie. I now dub you the LT Book Juggler LOL!

Roberta - I need to chaco out your 2014 thread - did you set it up yet? All your points about the challenge group are so valid and exactly what I was thinking - some great people over there that so not come here. However, I was so completely horrible at managing two threads - I kept forgetting about the other one! I need to check out what the group reads are going to be, and I am very interested in that year long group read of Vorkosigan Saga - how fun!!

I admit to being a complete nut about juggling books, so thanks for that title! I am not good about reading just one or two books at a time, so the multiple books thing works for me. I am very much a mood reader, so I want to be able to read what fits my mood - which changes depending on the time of day. LOL! Sounds crazy, but it works for me.

Sounds crazy, but it works for me.

This is why your user name suits you perfectly!

Here is the link to my 2014 thread. I'm keeping it simple this year and my ticker is for 75 books. I'll post the one ticker here and there.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/160701

Hi Mamie...time for some apple pie panini. Just a little pick-me-up. Coffee on?

Roberta - LOL! True, so true! And thanks for that link - I'll come check it out.

Richard - Oh. My. Word. I'll get the forks! And yes - there is always coffee on at the Pecan Paradisio.

Reading Divergent and Insurgent shortly before will make it a lot easier to read Allegiant, Mamie. I struggled to remember some of the relationships and history at the beginning of the last. I don't know anyone who has done it that way, so I can't wait to hear your reactions.

Joe - I couldn't believe how much I had forgotten from Divergent! I am looking forward to being able to read the whole trilogy in one go. Just hoping that I don't hate the last book - that's what happened to me with The Hunger Games - I loved the first two books, but the last one just didn't work for me. Funny because I know that some people really liked it. SO interesting, I think, to read differing responses to the same book.

Hi Mamie- Just checking in on Hump Day. Hope the week is going well and the books are treating you fine. Are you reading along on Riders of the Purple Sage? If not, count yourself lucky!

Hi Mamie!

Love your picture up top... very, very reminiscent and sweet.

I have but one challenge each year. Get to 75! I do envy those with reading plans, but it doesn't seem to work for me.
You are doing so great with your reading this year :)

Mark - Your post made me laugh out loud! Sounds like the books are treating me better than you! No, I am not reading along on Riders of the Purple Sage, and now I am saying a quiet thanks for that! Poor, poor baby - may the rest of your reading journey be a painless as possible.

Cee - Glad you like the photo up top! I like a reading plan, but I never feel pressured to stick with it. And thanks for the compliment - you always have something positive to say! I am doing better than I had hoped this year, so I am thrilled.

Another book arrived today:

Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling

I am excited because I had preordered this one, and it has come out earlier than expected. Hoping to get to it in December.

#54 - Ahhhh! I just freaked out when I saw that you purchased it! You're a peach, Mamie. I do hope you enjoy it.

I'm with you, Mamie, in that I love to plan and make lists and come up with categories but then give myself the freedom to read what I want. It's the best of both worlds. I'm not doing so well on completing some of my "categories" but I don't really care!

Kerri - It sounds right up my alley! I can't wait to get to it!

Katie - Yep! That's just exactly it - I love the process of making the plan. Completing is totally optional - and I usually don't! No stress, no pressure, just fun.

My only challenge in 2014 is to complete previous years' challenges. Such as the 8 in '08 challenge, and the 12 in '12... and the 13 in '13.

Argggggh! *throws arms around in the air like Kermit*

How would one even begin to eat such a thing as that apple panini - if nothing else a table manners nightmare! Delicious too, no doubt.

I LOVED Down and Out in Paris and London. A great great book!

>59 sibylline: Those ridiculous "food stylists" have convinced normal people that height is a good thing on a plate of food. I say "only if it means you've piled something delicious high."

I'd put the pieces on a big plate, blop the ice cream in the middle, and serve with knife and fork.

I would take off the top layer and eat it, then do the same to the bottom. Manners be damned. Better than having it sploop all over the place.

Morphy - LOL! Okay, then, that sounds like a good plan. This year was my first year to come up with a plan - I need to check, but I think I completed most of mine.

Lucy - I guess I just assumed that you had to deconstruct it first. And it does look incredibly yummy. I so glad that you LOVED Down and Out in Paris and London! I am looking forward to reading through more of his canon next year.

Richard - Height is good for presentation, but not so good for consumption. LOL! Definitely needs to be replaced before digging in. Your plan sounds like a good one.

Kathleen - Yep. There is no way to eat that without taking it apart first. Still, it looks to be totally worth the effort!!

I've missed my Mamie tidbits. So glad to have some time to sneak into LT for a little longer this morning ...... I'm on a really boring web conference.

I would love to be able to stick to a reading plan. I find whenever I make a plan, it's almost a guarantee that those books will not be read according to plan .. if at all in the same year. I think it's the inner rebel in me. ;-)

Hi Caro! So great to see you here! Sorry about the boring web conference - bummer. And the plan - I just like to make the plan. I don't actually stick to it.

I'm with you. I like making lists a whole lot more than trying to check all the items off.

*grin*

Hi Mamie- It is a chilly Midwestern day up here. Leaves are really coming down.
I was thinking about doing an American Author Challenge, next year. Pick an author a month and try to read at least one book by him or her. Of course, many of those would be books I have on shelf. Would you be interested in something like that?

Yes, sir, I would!

Me, three!

*waves at Julia*

Howdy do, Mamie! Such a sweet way to commemorate Daniel's 19th birthday.
How are you keeping the pounds off with all this rich and tantalizing food Richard brings with him? Treadmill while reading?

Hey, Lynda! Daniel's birthday is fast approaching - it's on Veteran's Day, which is Monday. He shares his birthday with our very own Karen, and, if I am not mistaken, he was born on her 50th birthday! His birth date is easy to remember because Veteran's Day always falls on 11/11. Abby shares this same easy to remember type of date as she was born on Groundhog's Day, which always falls on 2/2!

How am I keeping the pounds off? Ah, the beauty of virtual food!! And you would not want to see me attempt the treadmill while reading. Just trust me on that one.

#58 "My only challenge in 2014 is to complete previous years' challenges."
LOL, Morphy! Love your style ;-)

and

#64 "And the plan - I just like to make the plan. I don't actually stick to it."
LOL, Mamie! I agree... but I always wind up disappointing myself.

Thanks for the chuckles, ladies :-D

Cee - So happy to have provided you with some laughter with my partner in crime, Morphy! The trick to not disappointing yourself is to know going into it that you are planning to fail. Success is not an option.

HI, Mamie! I just have time to skim, but I absolutely love your thread-topping photo and story! So sweet.

I see you have Montana 1948 on your radar for this month. I just got hold of a copy via ILL, and plan to start it as soon as I'm done reading Housekeeping.

Hi Mamie- Of course, on my American Author Challenge, I am talking about esteemed authors, past and present. Faulkner, Stegner, Morrison, Cheever...you get the idea. I'll draw up a dozen or so and then we can add and subtract, at our little heart's desire.

Do you think we should read whatever we want by that author or select 2 or 3 and read from those? As you can see, I am winging it here.

Julia- Glad to see you are thinking about joining us.

Montana 1948! Be still my beating heart...

Put Larry Watson in!! Orchard, White Crosses, Laura, Justice...not to mention I'll be sending Mamie Let Him Go...he'd be perfect!

Terri - Oh, thanks for stopping by and skimming! I always love seeing you here. And I'm so glad you liked the thread topper. So wonderful that we will be reading Montana 1948 together!! Highly recommended by both Mark and Richard, so certain to be incredibly good!!

Mark - Such a great idea! I'm in! It's hard to answer the question you pose about reading whatever by the author or selecting 2 or 3 to choose from. With everybody just picking what they want, the challenge is more accessible to everyone because they can choose from what they already have or from what they can borrow. Selecting from just 2 or 3 leads to more discussion of a particular work - which was such a great feature of the Steinbeckathon. Maybe we could alternate so that some authors were a free for all and some were a narrowed selection of works? However you do it, I am definitely in. Excellent thought!!

Richard - Oh, lovely thought! I haven't even sad anything by him, and yet I know I will love him because of your and Mark's (and Joe and Bonnie and ...) reactions. And you'e going to send me Let Him Go!!!!! Oh, BigDaddy, I LOVE you! *smoochiesmooch*

I also mentioned this to Joe, so maybe we could each pick a different book by our selected author. Watson is a good choice and so is Richard Ford.

Joanne recommended a terrific TV series from France called The Returned, which is very similar to the book I just read, by the same title. It is currently running on the Sundance Channel. See if you can find it. We watched the first episode tonight. Perfectly creepy and superbly done.

Mark - Here is a list of the authors just off the top of my head that I know I have sitting on my shelves (well, not the actual authors, but their books):

Larry Watson and Richard Ford as you mentioned above

F. Scott Fitzgerald
Ernest Hemingway
William Faulkner
Truman Capote
Jack Kerouac
John Irving
Ann Patchett
Eudora Welty
Ray Bradbury
Cormac McCarthy
Annie Proulx
Alice Walker

I will look for that TV series that you mentioned -I LOVE creepy!

To the list of American authors I might add for consideration:
Flannery O'Connor
Walker Percy
Toni Morrison (I think Mark might have mentioned her already)
Mark Twain
Henry James
Jack London
Jane Smiley
Kurt Vonnegut
Thomas Wolfe
James Fenimore Cooper
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Willa Cather
Louise Erdrich

Nice list, Julia! I thought of Flannery O'Connor and Henry James as well, but I only listed authors that I actually have books for at the moment. I would love to read both of those authors. And I totally forgot Kurt Vonnegut! I do have a couple by him on the shelves.

Willa Cather's an excellent choice, too. What about Edith Wharton?

I'd like to suggest

Stuart Kaminsky
Louis L'Amour
Tom Wolfe
Laurie R. King

I'm pretty sure they are/were Americans.

Hi Mamie! Interrupting intelligent book conversation for a quick drop in (((hug))). Love to all of you. Hi Abby!!

I think I'm going to need to reread both Divergent and Insurgent too, before I attempt Allegiant. But I think I have plenty to keep me going for a while until I see how that strategy works for you!

#83 by @richardderus> Yes! Edith Wharton. I was racking my brain trying to remember her name and Evelyn Waugh kept getting in the way, who I knew was not only not an American but not a woman. I need more caffeine ...

How I'm feeling, as well, Julia!

Will I be ostracized if I admit that I don't drink coffee? My caffeine-delivery system of choice is tea, either hot or iced. Although I had some eye-opening (ha! in many ways) espresso when I was in Rome years ago that made me think I could get used to drinking coffee if it was all like that. Haven't found anything stateside that compares, though.

*chilly silence*

Oh, dear. Now I've managed to offend Richard on two threads this morning! I'd better quit while I'm behind. :-)

I'm also in on the American Author book read but please don't make me read Faulkner. I'd have to slit my wrists or something...

So, one version of the American Author book challenge is to read one American author each month, and if possible have it be something off your shelves. So I need to go to my shelves and see if I can find 12 books to read next year, written by Americans. And I assume nonfiction is also allowed. right? So, I think I'll spend this weekend looking at my shelves and setting up 12 books. OK? I'd like to be a part of this. It might mean I'll read at least 24 books next year - one each month for my book group, and one each month for the American Authors Challenge. OK. Fun!

Actually, specific American authors will be picked for each month. Or you can do it your way. :D

Ah, so, maybe I can't find them on my shelves, eh? Well, I can wait until the list comes to fruition, and then I'll look and see how many I can match, and do those. I am sure I can find some way to be in on the fun.

Richard - I have not read either Willa Cather or Edith Wharton, but I know Joe is a big fan of Cather and my older girls have read Summer by Wharton.

Lorelei - Welcome to my thread! Nice suggestions! I had not heard of Stuart Kaminsky before, but his books look like ones I would like, so thanks for that. Whether he is chosen or not, I will investigate him.

Tina - You feel free to interrupt anytime!! Always delighted to see you here! I am definitely glad that I took the time to reread Divergent before pushing on because I had forgotten a lot of stuff. This is my first time through Insurgent - I think I will be thankful that it worked out to read the trilogy all at once. The audiobooks are actually pretty good for these - not the best that I have listened to, but not at all annoying or tedious. I was able to pick up cheap audios for the first two books, but the last book I will be reading in print form.

Julia - No. You cannot be ostracized from the Pecan Paradisio. You are family. I have to admit that I despise hot tea, but I love iced tea. Coffee is my drink of preference, though. And espresso in Rome sounds heavenly. Perhaps we should go back and track that down for you?

Richard - There, there, dear.

Julia - Oh, dear. You HAVE been busy, haven't you? LOL!

Morphy - I am not a huge fan of Faulkner, either, although I did actually like Light in August, so I wouldn't be adverse to trying another. But NOT As I Lay Dying.

Karen - Morphy is right. Mark is going to choose twelve specific authors. So we'll sees after that, but it sure is fun to think about. I am up for anything (um...except As I Lay Dying), but it would be nice if a few off the shelves fit in somewhere.

>72 Crazymamie: I know 2 kids born on 11/11- it is great to be able to always remember it :)

Beautiful top shot, Mamie, and the story behind it is so gorgeous! Not like my little W who when he was 3 said to me after having been pushed around by Little L...."mum- I TOLD you we shouldn't have had a baby". eek! Really they love each other though, I can tell as if I get fractious, W goes over to L and tries to get him to do what he is meant to be doing :)

>92 maggie1944: So I need to go to my shelves and see if I can find 12 books to read next year, written by Americans.
I reckon about 75% of my shelved books are by Americans. Maybe less...but I do tend to like words from the U.S.

Is Karen trying to start trouble again? Oh, that woman!

Mamie- I think I drew up a pretty good list, that includes many of the authors, the group mentioned. I'll post it soon and then we can all suggest a couple books to read by that author.

Sssh, I think Karen is coming.

This author thing sounds interesting. Waiting to see the list .......

So, Morphy, if Faulkner (shudder) is chosen don't slit your wrists! You and I can run away together for the month ;-)

Oh, and - HI there Mamie!

Faulkner will be March. Looks like you guys can go on a different outing that month.

Really? Faulkner in March!* That might cause some severe depressive behavior from your Pacific Northwest buddies. March is traditionally a hard hard month: rainy, cold, not really quite spring yet, and winter has been sosoooooooooo long! And then Faulkner struggles on top of that? Ah.

*yes, I am trying to cause trouble, of course*

he he he (cackles and waddles off into the dark)

Who was that masked woman on the broom? I think March is also Mystery March, so you anti-Faulkner folks can have a pleasant oasis.

Megan - Thank you! When Birdy was born (my youngest), Craig brought the other three up to the hospital to meet her, and I can still vividly remember Dan walking in and jerking out of his jacket, throwing it quickly aside. He rubbed his hands together all business and said, "Well, let's see her." I held her out all bundled up for their inspection, and he looks at her briefly then back up at me. "Aren't you going to unwrap her so that we can see her feet and stuff?" he asked. Still makes me laugh when I remember it!

And hooray for the lady from New Zealand who likes American authors!

Mark - You know Karen lives for trouble. LOL! And I anxiously await your list.

Cee! - Me, too! I think it will be great fun! Depending on what Faulkner they choose, maybe the three of us can run away together - oh, wait, Joe will want to come, too! SO there will be four of us. ANd hello back, darling!

Mark - That makes complete sense to me since I am originally from Indiana, the basketball state. March there is referred to as March Madness!!

I can't keep up with my thread tonight!! Mark and Karen are back!!!

Karen - Sounds like Faulkner fits perfectly into March - hard, rainy, cold, not quite spring...Yep. A perfect fit. What's that line from An Affair to Remember about winter - something about winter being so cold for those with no warm memories?

And good for you for trying to cause trouble. I am so proud!

Mark - Well, that's true. Nicely done - give us a month that has a good distraction!

Faulkner?! Pooh! Bah! No one reads Faulkner! He's...

...wait...

I like Faulkner, never mind.

(But don't read The Sound and the Fury by yourself unless you WANT a permanently wrinkled forehead.)

LOL! It really depends on which book they choose for Faulkner for me. I am willing to try him again with definite reservations. What would you recommend, Richard? I really quite liked Light in August, but I hated (and really this cannot be stressed strongly enough - HATED) As I Lay Dying.

*edited because apparently I cannot type after two glasses of wine

Flags in the Dust!

Hey, I have a permanently wrinkled forehead! This is perfect!

Mamie- I probably will pick Light in August, since I haven't read that one. Actually, I liked As I Lay Dying but it's been nearly 20 years.

I can type after 2 beers, (or I think I can). Sticks out tongue.

That's the one I have!!!

Mark - I will read Flags in the Dust in March because that's the one I have AND Richard recommends it, so it must be a sign. And I might have had more than two glasses of wine. Permaybehaps, as Richard would say.

Mark has unveiled his American Author Challenge for next year.

So that's where my forehead wrinkles came from! The awful Sound and Fury. gawd, that was awful, imho. I can't read a book with no punctuation.

This is too funny - but I loved As I Lay Dying. Sorry you hated it, Mamie. As a matter of fact, it's the only one I liked out of three Faulkner books I read. I actually found humor in it. All those men, in their crude ways, trying to please the Mama in death, but never did anything worthwhile for her in life. It was kinda gross though, I'll admit. Thinking of the nails in the coffin. eeeeoooooo

Cee - I have to admit that I am overly fond of punctuation. And that is too funny! I read As I Lay Dying in my pre LT days, and it just made me so sad. I might think differently about it if I gave it another chance, but I just can't. It left such a bad taste in my mouth. I was leery to try another by him, but I always try to give an author more than one chance. Light in August was a pleasant surprise - still, I liked the writing more than the story.

Yeah. I admit it was very sad. And just want to clarify... when I say I saw humor in that book, it was indeed dark humor. Not really a book to re-read.

Cee - I totally get that.

I loved Light in August, but thought it could've done without the last ~40pp and been an even better book. I read Sartoris, which is Flags in the Dust as edited in a way Uncle Bill didn't like. I myownself thought it was the better version.

When reading it, Mamie, keep your eyes on Narcissa Benbow. My sister Winter and I called our mother Narcissa.

Dear Mamie, thank you for endorsing my coffee-shunning. I must say I drink much more iced tea than hot tea, even in the winter. Have you adapted to sweet tea now that you are in Georgia? I prefer my tea unsweet, just as it comes out of the tin.

I'm excited about the American Author Challenge! I've not read any Faulkner yet (shame on me!) and after reading everyone's comments I am a little afraid but undaunted. We'll see if I become more daunted when I start reading him in March. :-)

Since sleep continues to elude me, I thought I'd pass along this NPR story about the upcoming pecan shortage. Maybe it's time to put the Pecan Paradisio on the map, and earn some extra cash at the same time!

The Enigmatic Pecan | NPR

Wow a shortage of the pecan. At least there is not shortage of the Mamie.

Have a great weekend.

Like Mark's idea of reading an american author each month next year. I agree that March is pretty daunting.

ARRRRGH! I'm a completist. I have to read Faulkner now. *sobs*

I have to admit the only one I tried was The Sound and the Fury. I got half a chapter in and gave up.

WOW! great discussion here :) sorry to have missed out on all of the fun!
I have no doubt that the Mamie family will have a lovely weekend...!

It's Saturday, and we are in for a quiet weekend as Craig, Rae, and Dan have left for Florida to visit the old bat Craig's mom. Sunday is her birthday, so all the siblings are gathering at her place. Craig has been summoned. Abby and Birdy have elected to stay home with me, so it will be much quieter at the Pecan Paradisio for the next two days. We plan to do absolutely nothing except relax and indulge ourselves.

Richard - I totally agree with you about the last 40 or so pages of Light in August. I will trust March to your recommendation - so thrilled you picked the one that I have sitting on my shelves! And I will remember to watch for Narcissa Benbow. I think the name alone gives me a clue!

Julia - I do not like sweet tea. I drink my iced tea completely unsweetened. Craig likes his sweet, but then he also puts sugar in his coffee.

I think the American Author challenge will be fun, and you need not be daunted by Faulkner - just go into it keeping in mind that Faulkner wanted the reader to have to work a bit. He is not an easy read, but he can and does write beautifully. Choose carefully when deciding what to read by him. SO far the only thing that I could recommend would be Light in August. I also recommend reading something light or that you love along with it - so maybe dip into some Rex Stout or something like that.

I had trouble staying asleep last night, too. I tend to go in cycles where sleep eludes me, and I used to fight it, but now I just read in bed or get back up. Thanks for that link to the NPR story. Remember all that rain I said we were getting in late Spring and into Summer? Days and days of downpours - record setting rain. It has hurt a lot of the crops down here, pecans among them. And I had heard about the demand for them in China. We could easily sell our pecans - there is a place just down the road that buys pecans by the pound, and pecans are a very lucrative crop. We'll see how many we get this year - we do love to eat them! The trees yield heavy one year and light the next, so every other year is a good harvest depending of course on weather conditions.

Paul - Definitely no shortage of Mamie. I need to work on that - I could do with a little less Mamie The weekend is promising to be great, at least for Abby, Birdy and me. And the weather is GORGEOUS - in the forties in the mornings, so nice and crisp, but it warms up to the low seventies later in the day. Truly beautiful here right now.

Have you read Faulkner before? If so, did you like him?

Wishing for you a weekend full of fabulous!

Morphy - There, there, dear. The good news is that it sounds like you attempted the worse one. His other books have punctuation even though that man did love him a long and winding sentence. What is considered his most accessible work, I am wondering.

Kathleen - I know it was fun yesterday, wasn't it? The threads seemed busier than they have been in a while - I like that! And we are indeed planning a lovely weekend - wishing you one as well, sis!

Okay, here's what I'm thinking about for the American Author challenge

Willa Cather- January - Death Comes for the Archbishop
Cormac McCarthy- February - *All the Pretty Horses
William Faulkner- March - *Flags in the Dust
Toni Morrison- April - I have already read Paradise, not interested in Beloved - suggestions?
Eudora Welty- May - The Collected Stories
Kurt Vonnegut- June - *Slaughterhouse-Five
Mark Twain- July - I have already read most of his stuff, not sure I want to reread any of it
Philip Roth- August - suggestions?
James Baldwin- September - Go Tell It on the Mountain
Edith Wharton- October - maybe *Summer or *Ethan Frome
John Updike- November - The Witches of Eastwick
Larry Watson- December - Let Him Go

*signifies that I have the book on my shelves

April: Song of Solomon

August: The Plot Against America

*smooch*

You need to PM me your addy so I can send you Let Him Go and have it sit there, winking at you, reminding you of how scrumptious it is, as you slog through All the Tacky Rapists or The Bitches of Snotwick.

The Sound and the Fury was the single worst reading experience I've ever had. I like your and Morphy's Updike pick of The Witches of Eastwick, Mamie. And I look forward to the poke to read Let Him Go, after liking Montana 1948.

Too much here for me to comment on - so many good writers on those lists, I don't dare add more!

Richard - Oh, thanks for that! And I will PM you my coordinates - so excited! I picked The Witches of Eastwick so that I could read it with Morphy. *smooch back*

Joe - Good to know. I will make sure to avoid that one at all costs! I have Montana 1948 coming up this month, and I am excited to get to it.

Lucy - Mark made a good selection - there are eight authors there that I have never read, so next year will help to round out my reading. ANd yes, you can always add more. *wink*

Ah. So here's the American Author challenge I heard about... I'm in. Especially since I've been wanting to reread All the Pretty Horses.

Julia - you'll always find something to drink at my house. I've never learned to like coffee -- one sip and I can't bring myself to go further. I don't even like mocca ice cream or candy or anything that tastes like it has ever been near coffee. I adore tea on the other hand and drink a least one big mug of hot each day and usually a few glasses of iced as well.

I'll be right over, Reba! :-)

#115 - Well, I was here but then I disappeared for a week. It was a crazy busy week. I'm SO glad to have a 3-day weekend. I have to do a short presentation to the president's cabinet first thing Tuesday morning, so I'll be a bit nervous all weekend but that won't keep me from having fun reading, watching football, going for a run, eating waffles, etc.

A colleague of mine is reading Roth's The Human Stain and says it's wonderful. Maybe that would be a good one for August? I will join you for some of your American Author reads next year!

ETA: Do you have to read Twain in July or can you find an author whose work you want to read?

Ellen - For the American Author Challenge I plan on reading a one or a few essays or one short story of the authors that don't really call to me. Your way works too.

OK. I think I found something for Faulkner!
The Sophisticated Cat by Joyce Carol Oates
It's an anthology.
Faulkner apparently is a contributor.
Might be the best I can do on such short notice - LOL.

I have heard (seriously) Faulkner is THE best American Author. If anyone figures out why that is, would love to hear about it.

I am trying to keep up…with showing this house. Vacuuming the whole house every day is getting old! And then I have to mop at least part of the floors, too, as the dogs bring in their dirty feet frequently. Also, I've been working on my list…. I am going to try Faulkner, and Roth, and Updike (all authors I've dipped into and put down at various times in my life). And I'll try to like Wharton, too. I am glad I already have a few of these authors on my wish lists.

Today my real estate woman passed along a rumor that she might have as many as two offers to present to me by tomorrow evening! Whoo hooo!

I hope your Sunday is sweet!

^I hope this turns out to be true, Karen!!

(Hi Mamie!)

So far behind after just a few days! You are so busy around here!!

I saw somewhere that Abby is going to join us next year!!! Hooray!!! So excited!! That will be so great ~~ Yay for new recruits! :)

So, now I'm going to go find Mark's American Author challenge thread link so I can star it. Who knows how well I will follow, but I'm terrible with all of those
authors! Of the list you posted, I've only read Updike. So, looks like I have some catching up to do and I think I'll be more motivated if I have encouragement.

Oh, and Julia, I'm only allowed decaf drinks now. So while the real coffee drinkers have their full fledged caffeinated versions, I'll make us decaf coffee (still tastes like coffee... which at least makes me feel like I'm having "real" coffee) or decaf tea or hot chocolate or plain ol' water. ;) I'll hook you up!

Morning Mamie- I hope you have a wonderful Sunday in Pecan Paradisio. I have to do some food shopping and then be back for the Bears game at noon and then hopefully, a nice chunk of reading, since I didn't do diddly-squat this morning.

I love your AAC choices. I'll be joining you on the Cather & Welty. I haven't decided on the Morrison yet. Maybe a reread of the Bluest Eye, which I also recommend to you. Maybe Paradise?
I haven't read enough Roth to recommend anything but I'll be reading RD's pick, the Plot Against America, which I also have on shelf.

Happy Sunday, smoochling, and many happy pages of fun reading! I'm glad you liked my review of the wonderful, nostalgic Jeeves and the Wedding Bells. So fun to get a new entry in a series by an author dead for 38 years.

<135 -- two offers already-- hope they're good ones.

Happy Sunday, Mamie, I hope your upcoming week is a good one!

How about Jazz for Toni Morrison?

I am planning myself:

Willa Cather- January - My Antonia
Cormac McCarthy- February - No Country for Old Men
William Faulkner- March - As I Lay Dying
Toni Morrison- April - Beloved sorry Mamie!
Eudora Welty- May - The Optimists Daughter
Kurt Vonnegut- June - Mother Night
Mark Twain- July - Tom Sawyer
Philip Roth- August - Goodbye Columbus
James Baldwin- September - Go Tell It on the Mountain
Edith Wharton- October - The House of Mirth
John Updike- November - The Witches of Eastwick
Larry Watson- December - Montana 1948

So today is Daniel's 19th birthday, and he has grown from that tiny baby at the top of my thread into a thoughtful and charming young man. It has been a journey that I have been honored to be a part of. I like this photo that captures him so perfectly doing something that he loves - of course, Abby took it.

Happy birthday, Daniel! I feel like I know you, thanks to your mom's wonderful stories of life at the Pecan Paradisio. :-)

Happy Birthday Daniel! Many happy returns of this day.

Signed, the Tentacled Americans' Youth League

Oh yeah, hi Mamie-mama.

Beautiful photo! ( of course, the photographer is very gifted!)

Happy Birthday to you Daniel! Stepping into being an adult is not easy these days. I have no doubt that you will go on to do wonderful things :) Happy year to you!

Happy birthday to Daniel. Another spectacular photo from Abby.

Happy Birthday, Daniel, from one who shares this day. What a cool day for a birthday, eh? I love that my birthday is a holiday, and the U.S. Marine Corps birthday, too. Did you Mama tell you that The Entire Universe Danced on the Day You Were Born! Many, many happy returns of the day to you!

The photographs is another "enlarge it, and hang it one the wall" from Abby! Great shot!

and, oooops, I almost forgot. Hi, Mamie! Hope this Monday is better than the usual Monday. I'm busy busy busy packing up…. getting ready to move. Whoo hoo!

>112 -Cee-:/113 I love the divided opinion on books. I am sure it makes me more interested in reading something when there are a few lovers and a few haters.

>146 richardderus: random octopus spammer ;)
(that guy knows how to be just random enough to make me laugh)

#144 - Happy birthday to Daniel! May I ask what he's doing in that photo?

Morning Mamie dear, let's have some snickerdoodle bread for snackies, shall we?

Yummy…. *wanders in and plots down at the nearest chair.* I'd love some coffee with the Snickerdoodle bread. Richard is such a good pal, isn't he?

Doesn't that look divine?

Happy belated birthday to Daniel, Mamie. Looks like frisbee catching? Abby's got talent, doesn't she.

An octopus and snickerdoodle bread. That sure is an odd friend you have there.

Happy Wednesday, Y'all. I will try to get caught up here today, and I apologize for my absence. I have been mainly lurking the past few days due to intense headaches. Today is better, so I am hoping to at least catch up with my own thread.

Um...back up to post 129...

Jim - Well, Mark started it, but there are sure some thoughts on it here. I was excited that he chose several authors that I have been meaning to get to - among them Cormac McCarthy.

Reba - No coffee anything, huh? The world needs more dear souls like yourself, so there will be more coffee for me!

Julia - LOL!

Ellen - I am always thrilled to see you whenever you get the time. Sorry about the crazy busy schedule, though. YIKES! Hoping that your presentation went well. I will NOT be reading Twain in July, so maybe if you have something that we are both wanting to get to, we could share a different read. And speaking of shared reads, when are we supposed to be reading The Bone People? Is that this year?

Roberta - No more Twain for me. I do like him, but I have read most of his stuff more than once and Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn pretty recently - just before my LT days, as I read them with the kids. I have to be in the right mood for him.

Cee - I think that is a brilliant idea! Good thinking! I will try Flags in the Dust since I do already have it, and since Richard recommends it! While I do think he can write a lovely sophisticated sentence, I do not think that Faulkner is THE best American author. I would choose Steinbeck over Faulkner any day.

Karen - And now we know that those rumors were true, and that you did receive two offers on your lovely home!! WahHOO for you for selling it so quickly! SO very fabulous!

Ellen - Hello.

Tina - I know just how you feel! So easy to get behind on the threads. And yes, Abby is going to join this group next year - I'm so excited! I've only read four of the authors on Mark's challenge, so don't feel badly. I am looking forward to seeing what I think of them, and I love being able to get recommendations from other LTers who have read them and loved them.

Craig is a tea drinker, so we always have supplies of hot and cold tea choices, I just prefer coffee. We even have decaf, so you and Julia can crash my pad anytime!

Mark - What a strange Sunday of football that turned out to be, right? The Colts and the Bears both lost, but the Giants and the Seahawks won. And my Broncos won, so I was happy about that. I am thrilled that we will get to see both the Colts and the Broncos play this week, as the Colts play tomorrow night, and the Broncos play the Sunday night game.

And I am loving reading through everyone's choices for your American Authors Challenge - way to go, Mark! Excellent idea!

Richard - I always love your reviews. Even if I am not interested in the book you are reviewing, the review itself is always entertaining and insightful. So intriguing when someone new takes up the writing for a beloved series - a mixed bag, and I think it would be very hard to attempt stepping into someone else's shoes. Good to know that this one worked.

Reba - And now we know that they were full offers - so incredible!

Judy - So far not so good, but only because of the headaches, which I know are caused by the weather. Whenever we have big fronts go through, I get migraine headaches, which means not much gets done. I'm feeling better today, so I am hopeful for the rest of the week. We dropped practically overnight from temps in the high 70s to temps in the mid 50s, so it was a big change. No wonder my head hurt!

Paul - I have only read Paradise by Morrison, and I would prefer something that doesn't make me feel incredibly sad, which is why I say no Beloved. How sad is Jazz? Those of you who have read Morrison, what is her least sad novel? And good luck with As I Lay Dying - I really hated that book. You will like your Twain choice, I think - that is one of my favorites of his.

Glad to hear you are feeling better Mamie. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Thanks to Julia, Richard, Kathleen, Reba, Karen, Kerri, and Joe who stopped by to wish Daniel a Happy 19th Birthday - he had a fabulous one! On the menu - Steak Diane (I think it should be called Steak Mamie), mashed potatoes and gravy, and (sorry, Richard) corn. For dessert he chose Big Ole Cookies and vanilla ice cream. For the fake cake, there was a double batch of brownies - for those of you unfamiliar with birthday bashes at the Pecan Paradisio, we have a "fake cake" for putting the candles into if the birthday celebrant chooses a dessert that cannot hold the candles.

*waves to Richard and Karen*

Megan - I always like the divided opinions, too!

Kerri - Joe is right, he is catching a frisbee.

Richard - That bread looks like the perfect companion for coffee. YUM!

Karen - Yes, he is. We adore Richard! And here's that coffee:



Richard - Yes. It does.

Joe - Yep. Frisbee catching. And I also think Abby has talent - I might be slightly biased, though.

"An octopus and snickerdoodle bread. That sure is an odd friend you have there." - That's exactly why he fits in so well here!!!

Mamereenee, I made Nutella brownies today (the lime ones from yesterday are all gone, I wonder why)...1 cup Nutella, 2 eggs, 10 tablespoons flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 350° for 15min.

The 8x8 pan is empty. It's not just me, I swear, because I'd be in a coma if it was. I skipped the salted peanuts this time. (Don't have any!) But the youffs staying with us seemed not to mind.

Nice to see you here Sis! When you're absent though....I know that you are busy with your wonderful family!

rd, nutella brownies today? I might hate you.

Nutella brownies...*sigh*...I WANT those. I definitely need to make those, Richard!

Sis - I knew that November would be a crazy month for us! I am ready for Craig's time off coming up in December. I would like to do...nothing! And I want those nutella brownies, too.

Hi Mamie- Hope the week is going well. I am loving my current audio, Motherless Brooklyn. This is my first Lethem and I can't believe it has taken me this long to read him. You will love the unique detective story angle.
I plan on starting The View From Castle Rock, to pay tribute to Munro. I didn't seem to get a lot of interest in a Group Read, so I am flying solo.

Hey, Mark! Sounds like I need toad Motherless Brooklyn to me list. Sorry that you had to fly solo on the Munro - I have not read her. I'll be waiting to hear your thoughts on it.

I've fallen behind, happy late birthday to Daniel. And a big welcome to Abbie!

Lucy - Thanks for that! Abby is not here yet officially, although she is always lurking on the threads - she will join this group in January. We are both very excited about it!

Quick reading update:

137. My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland (3 stars) - This was actually better than I thought it would be, and the ending had me bumping up the rating to a solid 3 stars. The language is truly terrible, but this book was funny and managed to surprise me with the ending. Mindless entertainment, but sometimes we need that.

138. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (4.2 stars) - This was my second book was Alice Hoffman, and I really loved it. The writing is fabulous, and the characters spoke to me. Do not attempt this if you have no patience for magical realism, as it is flooded with it. I think if you love Sarah Addison Allen, then you will greatly enjoy this author. I will definitely be reading more by her.

139. Montana, 1948 by Larry Watson (5 stars) - WOW! I read this in one setting - opened it today after finishing up Practical Magic, and did not put it down until I had inhaled every last word. Mark and Richard were SO right - it's excellent. Completely honest and compelling writing that pulls you in and won't let go. I even liked the epilogue, and that is saying something. Normally, I hate epilogues - I am always sorry that I read them, so when I came to the one in this novel, I hesitated. I think that Watson could have ended the book without the epilogue, but it also doesn't detract from what precedes it. A very solid 5 stars from me.

I do enjoy Alice Hoffman. I liked 1948, too.
Thank goodness for books to get lost in.

eta

Try Turtle Moon it was my first Hoffman

Ah the AAC. I think we'll all have a good time with it and personally, I'm ONLY reading books off the shelf Mamie. Your list looks fabulous. Like most people who've read it, The Sound and the Fury was a horrible experience for me as a college student but I do have one of his on my shelf so...

Willa Cather- January - Death Comes for the Archbishop
Cormac McCarthy- February substitute Henry James - The Portrait of a Lady
William Faulkner- March - Light in August
Toni Morrison- April - substitute - Russell Banks - Continental Drift
Eudora Welty- May - Delta Wedding
Kurt Vonnegut- June - substitute Ivan Doig - English Creek
Mark Twain - July - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Philip Roth- August - substitute Richard Ford - The Sportswriter
James Baldwin- September - Go Tell it on the Mountain
Edith Wharton- October - Fighting France
John Updike- November - substitute Ray Bradbury - Dandelion Wine
Larry Watson - December - substitute John Irving - A Prayer for Owen Meany

Hi Mamie, your review of Montana, 1948 has me eager to pick it up. I am thinking however of saving it for next December for Mark's American Author Challenge. I probably won't be able to participate very often but would like to join in for both Larry Watson and Edith Wharton.

I'm saving Montana 1948 for the Americana challenge as well. But great to see that it's a five star read

Morning Mamie- Love your enthusiasm for Montana 1948. It really is a special book. I started, both the Munro and The Martian Chronicles, which I've never read.
Have a great Friday.

Good Friday Morning, Everyone! So lovely to check in and find I've had visitors since I was last here! I only have a few moments because I have a 9am hair cut/color appointment - why, oh why did I schedule a 9am appointment? To get it out of the way early, I suppose. Hoping that all of you are looking forward to fabulous weekends.

- Thanks for that recommendation - I was wondering what to pick up by her next, and was going to go back to the previous thread where people were making suggestions for me. Now I don't have to!! I am thinking that Julia and Linda also said that one was good (I could be totally wrong about that), so Turtle Moon it is!

Bonnie - So great to see you! I love your picks for the AAC - and only off the shelf books is such a great idea. I know that I have A Prayer for Owen Meany on the shelves... I have read several of your picks and loved them - Dandelion Wine, Huckleberry Finn, and Light in August. If I can't get library books for the ones I don't have when the time comes, I might end up substituting with American authors off my shelves, so I guess we'll see what happens.

Judy - You have a fabulous read ahead of you! I don't blame you for saving it for the AAC - if I didn't have another by Watson lined up, I might have done that, too.

Rhian - I think you will love it when you get to it. So much packed into such a small book.

Mark - I really loved that book - so glad you told me to purchase my own copy! I will definitely reread that one down the road. I have The Martian Chronicles sitting here on my shelves - I just might join you.

Morning Mamie dear. Let's have some apple-cinnamon-pecan monkey bread, shall we?

Yes, we shall, Richard! Thanks so much - I'll get the coffee!

Morning, Mamie dear. Apparently breadfruit is going to save the world from hunger, so I thought permaybehaps we'd see what the fuss is about with a Grenadian oil-down:



The sort-of-peach-colored slices are breadfruit. Super high in potassium, super easy to grow in tropical climes, and the tree bears fruits for sixty or more years.

Um...but what does it taste like?

Ha! You got me with that one, Mamie. Can't wait to hear.

Freshly baked bread. Smells like it, too. What's not to like?

Joe - I know, right?

Richard - I remain unconvinced. The appearance leaves much everything to be desired. However, just because I love you, I would be willing to try it.

That mishmosh dish has about a dozen ingredients. I like a good stewy mess, but howzabout these fried breadfruit french-fry-esque doohickys:

Morning Mamie! Thought I would do a quick drive by. I just finished The Martian Chronicles. This guy is always a joy to read. I am glad you started it.
Have you read Jess Walter? I am getting ready to read Citizen Vance.
Hope you have a great Saturday.

I like a good stewy mess, too, but I want to be able to recognize what's in it. I'll start with french-fry-esque doohickys.

Morning, Mark! I am already really liking The Martian Chronicles, so thanks for the inspiration to pick it up. And no, I have not read Jess Walter - should I? Wishing you a great Saturday, also.

This is my third book by Walter. His last one was the Beautiful Ruins' which was excellent! plus it had some terrific old movie references.

Old movie references?! I'm in!

>144 Crazymamie:: That is a stellar picture of your Daniel. Abby deserves an award for centering him in the sun's reflection like that. Just beautiful. I also like the thread topper of him as a baby -- and Rae's comment -- "mine"!

Everyone is having fun with Mark's American Author Challenge. I should put my choices on my thread, if I can find it. I have been busy the past two days. It doesn't take long to get lost around here.

Btw, I loved Montana 1948 when we listened to it on a road trip several years ago. His latest one, Let Him Go is quite good as well. Speaking of good books, the November Spenser book turned out to be my favorite one -- two months in a row! I wonder if next month will bring another 'favorite' for me?

It's Football day! I am very excited to watch the Broncos play the Chiefs tonight. Go Peyton! Go Broncos! The Colts have already played and won their game as they had the Thursday night game - started out poorly, but pulled it together just before halftime. Thank goodness!

I am also hoping to squeeze in some reading today - still working on the Lombardi biography When Pride Still Mattered, which is very good, but I would only recommend it for those of you who really love the game of football because there is a lot of focus on the history of the game. What a mixed bag Lombardi was! I just recently started The Martian Chronicles, and I am quite liking it, so I predict it will be a quick read for me. I have been in a bit of a funk lately, not wanting to read what I have already started, so I may end up setting a few books aside even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. Dear Books - it's not you, it's me! I don't want to read them just to read them when I know if I come back to them later I will really enjoy them. Anyway, I'm thinking about it.

Happy Sunday to everyone, whatever you decide to do with it!

Donna - Thank you! I will tell Abby that you said that. And I am laughing about you wondering if you can find your thread or not - that happened to me. I was ignoring myself!

I am not surprised that you loved Montana, 1948 - I bet it made a good audiobook. Excellent story there. And I have been hearing only good things about Let Him Go, so I am looking forward to getting to that one next year.

I'm thrilled to hear that this month's Spenser is good!! And your favorite so far - now I'll have to see if I like it better than Looking for Rachel Wallace, which is my favorite so far. Sure has been fun this year reading these books with you and Roberta! Did you list it in the TIOLI yet? I have it in challenge #6, but I am happy to move it if you have it somewhere else.

Good luck to your Chiefs tonight - what a terrific year they are having! And I have a soft spot for Andy Reid. That being said, I will have to root for my Broncos.

Sigh. Football. Candy had college football on at work ALL DAY yesterday. Then I came home and DAN had it on. Now, it's another football day. Well, I have a video or two for my own entertainment and some nice headphones!

Have fun today :)

Sorry, sis. I very rarely watch college football, although it is practically a religion down here in Georgia. I only watch the pro, but I do love it. We have also been watching old movies lately. This weekend we have indulging in Humphrey Bogart - we watched Casablanca, To Have and Have Not, The Maltese Falcon, and Key Largo. LOVE all of those. I am also wanting to watch Practical Magic now that I have read the book - I remember Morphy saying that she liked the movie even better than the book. Have you seen it?

Good afternoon, Mamie. I am slapping Montana, 1948 right onto the wishlist. I think I'll even add it to my Xmas Swap list. :-)

Your Broncos are the SNF game; I may be over at some friends' house eating minestrone soup, drinking ale, and watching. I'll cheer for your Broncos. This will be after my Seahawks (hopefully) win this afternoon.

Happy Monday, dear Mamie.



Papaya, mango, water fruit, and dragon fruit salad with lemon-mint-ginger dressing. Something Malaysian to start the day, why not.

Well, those RD vittles sure look good, Mamie.

You're inspiring me on the Spenser front, and I've just re-read Double Deuce and Looking for Rachel Wallace. Enjoyed them just as much the second time around. I've got Early Autumn lined up next for a re-read some time soon. I'm losing track - which one is the November Spenser?

Morning, Richard! I'm not big on mango, so I'll just pick around that, shall I? It does make a pretty presentation.

Hey, Joe! They do look good, don't they? Early Autumn is the November read, so you join us if you're going to get to that this month. I am looking forward to it - I know that Donna said it is her favorite so far. I love rereading old favorites, and this is the perfect time of year for that!

Poifect. Yes, I should be able to join you on Early Autumn. I remember it as quite a good one.

Joe and Mamie, "Early Autumn" is one of my all-time favorite Spensers!

Joe - Excellent! Oh, how fun!

Julia - SO great to hear that! Now, I'm itchin' to dig in!

>170 Crazymamie: Montana, 1948 by Larry Watson (5 stars) - WOW! I read this in one setting
Yet more evidence of my utter foolishness in having never read this book. *face palm*

>196 richardderus: now that is in keeping with my fruit and vege only* detox !!! I am trying it for a week, as my intake of processed food was making me feel a bit gross.

*when I say "only" I obviously include one coffee a day in that....

Mamie, I'm glad to hear you loved Montana 1948. I started it, but life prevented me from getting through it in one sitting. Then I was in a lousy mood and felt I wouldn't enjoy it as much as it deserved, if that makes sense. But I think I shall pick it up and finish it very soon!

Slipping by - what does AAC stand for, I must ask, even if it reveals the depths of my cluelessness!!!

Hi Mamie!
I'll be reading Bradbury's Martian Chronicles for my online course pretty soon so I'm glad to hear it's good. Funny I never read that in HS. Maybe I did - don't remember it.

I checked and I actually have Montana 1948. What am I waiting for? O! I know... more time in my day.

Megan - Right! You need to get on Montana, 1948! I do think you would like it. And detox?! YIKES! Good luck with that - I totally hear you about the processed foods. Fresh is SO much better. Glad to hear that you kept the coffee. For me it would be the very last thing to go. I NEED my coffee.

Terri - That actually does make sense. Mood is a very big factor in reading - it will wait for you.

Lucy - AAC refers to Mark's American Author Challenge for next year. He picked twelve American authors and assigned each one a month of the year. Everyone is picking their own book by that author, and some people are even making author substitutions to read what is on their shelves.

Here's what I have planned:
Willa Cather- January - Death Comes for the Archbishop
Cormac McCarthy- February - *All the Pretty Horses
William Faulkner- March - *Flags in the Dust
Toni Morrison- April - I have already read Paradise, not interested in Beloved - suggestions? Richard suggested Song of Solomon
Eudora Welty- May - The Collected Stories
Kurt Vonnegut- June - *Slaughterhouse-Five
Mark Twain- July - I have already read most of his stuff, not sure I want to reread any of it
Philip Roth- August - suggestions? Richard suggested The Plot Against America
James Baldwin- September - Go Tell It on the Mountain
Edith Wharton- October - maybe *Summer or *Ethan Frome
John Updike- November - The Witches of Eastwick
Larry Watson- December - Let Him Go

Cee - I am definitely liking The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury is pure magic. And when you get to Montana, 1948, I think you will really like it. More time in the day would be excellent - let me know if you figure that out!

"You need to get on Montana, 1948!"! Amen, sister! Should be a T-shirt!

Morning Mamie- Thanks for filling in Lucy on AAC. Come on, we love our abbreviations. Glad you are enjoying the Bradbury. It is such a fun read and thought-provoking.
I am loving Castle Rock. Have you read Munro? Sorry, if I should know this already.

Morning, Mark! See how well you have taught me?! I have not read Munro. Is Castle Rock a good place to start?

And you are a wonderful student, Mamie! Did you bring teacher an apple today? LOL. I think Castle Rock is a good place to start, if you are not a fan of short stories but I don't think you have that problem. She has wrote 11 collections. I am not sure where the best place to start is. Hey, just dive in!

I had never been a lover of short stories before LT, but I have learned to love them thanks to some really great recommendations from all of you. I will look for Munro.

I love your opening photo and the story behind it.

It made me smile.

Oooooooooooh apples must send the minion out for apples mmmmmm

Linda!! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be taking it easy and pampering yourself. I am sending all my healing mojo and my thoughts and prayers your way. So glad that my opening story and photo could make you smile! Please take very good care of yourself and know that we are keeping you in our hearts.

Richard - And those apples are my favorites - honey crisp! Such great flavor and a truly nice crunch.

Mamie, we have the same first two books planned for the American Author challenge.

There seems to be a growing group that will read The Witches of Eastwick in November. That should be fun. I'm not an Updike fan, so the company helps.

Joe, I could be persuaded to join that group. Updike will be a new author for me, so I'd appreciate the support.

Terri - How fun! Both of those are new authors for me, although I do think I read an except from My Antonia way back when for school.

Joe - I have not read Updike before. From Mark's list I have only read Morrison, Welty, Faulkner and Twain. A group read of Witches of Eastwick sounds like fun, although you are making me a bit nervous to dip into him.

Julia - Please, please join that group! I have not read Updike before, either. With you on board there is a definite possibility of shenanigans, and you know how I love that!

Little known fact: Shenanigans is my middle name.

>216 rosalita: Please do,, Julia. If only we could make it a tutored read! Nice middle name, btw. :-)

>217 Crazymamie: No reason to be nervous about Updike from my POV, Mamie. He's not a throw the book guy for me, just a *shrug*. I read two of the Rabbit books and some of his pieces in the New Yorker, and never could generate any enthusiasm. Kerri has asked in the cafe whether there are any LT fans of his work out there.

*refrains from offering an opinion of Updike*

The minion returned with honey crisp apples, ironically! The instruction was "whatever eating, not cooking, apples smell best" and that's what he got! Heh.

Julia - Oh, excellent! I could have guessed that!

Joe - Good to know that he's not a throw the book guy. Now I feel so much better about it. LOL! I will have to stop over at the cafe and see what response her question gets.

Richard - I would love to hear your opinion of Updike. Let me just grab the wine...And honey crisp is da Bomb!

Okay, go here. No need to annoy the visitors with my grumblings.

*smooch*

Oh, dear. I hope I don't get too sick to participate in the read for that month. *cough, cough*

Why, Mamie dear! This *dreadful* fever you're going to get! I could fry an egg on your forehead, you poor lamb.

your secret's safe with me

Mamie, no! You're not going to let a silly old white guy scare you away from our group read, are you? (Note: I am of course referring to Mr. Updike, not to our beloved RD). Remember, Shenanigans!

Thank you, BigDaddy. I knew I could count on you.

Julia - LOL! I will give Updike a try. I do not promise to finish anything. I do, however, give you my word of honor that I will fully participate in any shenanigans.

I read The Witches of Eastwick, way back, before the silly movie came out. I remember liking it, but not much else. I hope I don't feel the same way about Rabbit Run, as RD did.
I haven't read Updike in about 20 years, so it will be interesting to read him with my new more mature eyes.

Mark - I have not seen the movie, so I have absolutely no expectations. It's readable, you say?!

Yes, I would say it is readable, but of course it has been eons.

I have an opinion of Updike. He was unfriendly, aloof and have I mentioned less than friendly?

Mark - High praise indeed. I can't wait to get to him. *cough*

Kathleen - So not friendly? Oh, dear...

#206 - I vote for Song of Solomon too.

I'm fascinated by this whole Updike hatred and/or complete apathy thing. While I have no desire to read him, I almost feel sorry for the poor man...well, not really, but it's interesting. :-)

MOrning, everyone! I stopped of at the library yesterday and what so you think was calling to me from the new books shelf - The Luminaries! It was just sitting there, so sad and dejected. Naturally, I offered to let it come and stay with me over the Thanksgiving holiday. I dipped into it last night, just to get a feel for the writing - careful with this one, it pulls you in! The astrological chart was a mystery to me, as I know next to nothing about that sort of thing, but I have managed to decipher all of the signs and come to an understanding of how the chart works, so hooray for that. I know some people have simply ignored this part, but I am wanting to understand how it relates to the story, so we'll see if I get any deep and meaningful insights out of it.

luminary |ˈlo͞oməˌnerē|
noun ( pl. luminaries )
1 a person who inspires or influences others, esp. one prominent in a particular sphere: one of the luminaries of child psychiatry.
2 an artificial light.
• literary a natural light-giving body, esp. the sun or moon.
ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French luminarie or late Latin luminarium, from Latin lumen, lumin- ‘light.’

Kerri - Oh, good. I'll just make that my choice for that month then. Thanks!

Hello again, The Luminaries. Oh how delicious was the feast I made of you. I expect to read you again in the future because you're so very scrumptiously complex and fascinatingly layered. There you sit, so demure on my shelf, exerting your gravitic influence, demanding that I attend to your crepuscular luminescence....

Richard - Did you write a review of The Luminaries? I don't remember seeing it. And good thing it doesn't have deckled edge pages or I would have had to purchase it.

I haven't written one yet, no. I can't. Not yet.

Luminaries has been calling out to me, but I have been avoiding it.
Book issues remain..sigh. Trip looms, so not worried about it. Hope all y'all have a great weekend :)

Popping in to say howdy Mamie! I'm loving Early Autumn. Almost finished with it.

Richard - Well, okay then. I will wait patiently until the time is right. I think I get the astrology thing, and I am thinking how incredibly clever of her to attempt it.

Kathleen - It will wait for you - books are so great that way. Sorry about the book issues - I almost always pull out old favorites when I am feeling in a funk. I'm so glad that you are going to get your trip. Hooray for you for insisting - I'm SO proud. When do you leave?

And thanks for those weekend wishes - I am thinking we have a lot of house/chore things to get done, but Craig is not on call, so perhaps we can also squeeze in some fun.

Roberta - Howdy! I am also loving Early Autumn - I am just about halfway, perhaps a little more. Did you read the reviews for the next one - YIKES!

#210 Love those apples Mamie.

>233 Crazymamie: ooooh, what a yummy picture :)
When my copy of The Luminaries arrived in the post, just before my mum and me and Lenny were about to go out somewhere, I took it with me and giggled with excitement over it in the car the whole way! She thought I was nuts. I was!

We made it to Thursday! Last night I finished up Early Autumn, the seventh entry in Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. This is my favorite in the series so far - very, very good. And on Joe's thread, he mentioned that we get to see Paul again in later books, so I am very excited about that. The next one up in the series is A Savage Place, which looks to be disappointing (according to reviews) after the last two stellar entries. Those of you who have read these books already - any thoughts?

Paul - Me, too. Unfortunately, they will be very soon gone until next apple season. *sigh*

Megan - LOVE that story! YOu made me smile - thanks for that!

Mamie, I have to admit that "A Savage Place" was not one of my favorite Spensers, partly because it takes him out of Boston and away from Hawk. But console yourself with the thought that you have to read it because what happens in this book is referred to repeatedly later in the series and reading it will help you understand those references and Spenser's later actions.

Julia - Okay, that makes sense. I will persevere.

I can't quite separate Spenser from Stacy Keach. It's a bar to my enjoyment of the books.

Smoochling, I can't imagine why I'm recommending a TV show to you, but Netflix has one season of the Australian show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, based on novels by Kerry Greenwood that I lost interest in due to too many little girls being in jeopardy for my comfort. The TV shows are just beautiful to look at and the stories, shortened to fit in an hour, are a lot less irksome than the novels were.

A whirl it is worth.

Did Stacy Keach play Spenser? I remember Robert Ulrich starring in a TV series, but not Keach. Anyway, fortunately I had read the books long before the series so I don't see Ulrich in my mind when I read them now.

Stacy Keach played Mike Hammer. Robert Ulrich played Spenser in Spenser for hire. Not good casting on that one but they got Hawk right. ;-)

Mamie it seems when they take Spenser out of Boston the book is a stinker. At least the last one was when he went to Europe and Quebec. We shall survive it.

What a difference 30 years makes. I can't remember Ulrich at all! Keach lives on as Spenser for me, so clearly Ulrich made zero impression on me in the role.

I just missed Morning Mamie! Oh well. (See how I snuck it in there anyway?) I started Allegiant. Not bad so far. Her pacing is not always the best.
Hope you are having a fine Thursday.

Glad you enjoyed Early Autumn so much, Mamie. Yes, you'll get to hear how Paul progresses in later books.

A Savage Place is better, in my view, than what the few LT reviews say. You'll find a better reaction to it over on Amazon. It's interesting in that it's set in LA, rather than Boston, so Spenser doesn't have his usual connections to fall back on. No Hawk, though, so my MBH would rate it lower for that reason alone.

Richard - Stacy Keach? Did he ever play Spenser? I know he was Mike Hammer and Ben Logan, right? And I will check out that tv series - doncha just love Netflix?! I think I have the first book from that series in my TBR- if it is Cocaine Blues, as that was a Kindle Daily Deal relier this year and Dejah recommended the series. Set in the 1920's or something like that. I could be completely thinking of the wrong thing. ANyway, I will check it out. Thanks, BigDaddy!

Julia - That's who I am remembering playing Spenser, although I don't think I ever actually watched the show. My Spenser remains untainted as I have never seen anyone play him.

Roberta - Who played Hawk in that? I do hope I survive the next one - I read a review that had a spoiler in it (it wasn't labeled as spoiler), and I just want to say that if it's true, Spenser has a lot to answer for. I shall read it - but not on audiobook! I'll get the Kindle version and spare myself the additional agony!! Learned my lesson there for sure.

Richard - I have not seen anyone play Spenser, so I guess I am saved. I do remember Keach as Mike Hammer.

Mark - Aw. You can say Morning Mamie anytime, Mark. I need to get back to Insurgent - I fell off the wagon! Too bad about the pacing. Thursday is so far, so good. I logged in a bunch of books that I didn't have listed in my library - don't know how that happened. Craig has purchased a bunch of the Walt Longmire books and also Jack Reacher, so I entered them in my library just so I can keep track of what we have…um…that I want to read anyway. Hope Thursday is being kind to you!

Joe - We cross posted! And okay, so maybe not so bad as I am expecting with the next Spenser - I hope so!

Avery Brooks played Hawk on the TV series. He embodies Hawk to me. When he started on Deep Space Nine and he had hair he looked so odd. They must have had complaints because he started shaving his head again. LOL

Oh, Avery Brooks…*sigh*… excellent choose for Hawk! And that is funny about the Deep Space Nine hair - I remember that change in hair!



I do think he looks so much sexier bald - just saying...

Okay, Richard is right. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is charming! Abby, Rae and I just finished watching it, and it is a winner, winner chicken dinner for us. Thanks, BigDaddy for the tip!

They are shaking the pecan trees today. Fun to watch, but a bit noisy.

I'm an Avery Books fan, too. But I never watched the Spencer TV series, so I missed seeing him in that.

Interesting photo of the pecan harvest! (I assume that's the purpose of the tree-shaking.)

Hi, Terri. Right. They shake the trees to make the pecans fall, then they walk the grove and put all of the big limbs and debris that fall off to one side (a second team will collect all of this), next they send trucks through that "clean" the harvest - it gets rid of the smaller sticks and junk, finally they have a truck that rakes and collects the pecans. They go through the entire process several times at different time intervals.

Do I remember right that you get a share of the pecan shake-out?

We don't get a share, Joe, but they did offer us a deal. They need to use a corner of our property to turn their trucks around on (we have just under three acres), and so they will shake our trees (we have five) for free if we want them to. It makes a huge mess, and the crop is low this year, so we will pass on the shaking this time around. But good memory.

Ah, okay. I knew I remembered something like that. In a good crop year you'll be rolling in pecan pies. Wait, that didn't come out quite right.

You're so kinky, Joe! ANd you look so unassuming!

HelLO, Friday! Watching the first episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries inspired me to pull up the book Cocaine Blues on my Kindle and see what I thought of the books. Richard was right - I think the tv series does a very good job of condensing the plot and the action down to a sweet serving of pure entertainment. Phryne Fisher reminds me a bit of Spenser - she is fearless, intelligent, and plays by her own set of rules. Also her clothing is described in great detail. And I love the 1920's setting - in Australia, no less! The tv show made the plot more seamless and, frankly, more believable, but it left out a few of the most interesting tidbits. For example, in the book, we discover how Phryne got her very unusual name:

"Phyrne had a grudge against nymphs. Her name, chosen by her father, had been Psyche. Regrettably, at her christening he had not been himself, due to a long evening at the Club the night before. When called upon for her name, he had rummaged through the rags of a classical education and seized upon Phryne. So instead of Psyche the nymph, she was Phryne the courtesan."

The story features a charming cast of characters - I especially like Phryne's sidekick Dr. Elizabeth Macmillan who is a Scottish doctor working in Queen Victoria Hospital for Women in Melbourne. She handles living and working in a man's world by not taking no for an answer and wearing men's clothing, reminding me of the tenacious but oh, so fabulous Katherine Hepburn.

While far from perfect, the book is great fun, and if you are at all interesting in dipping into it, it is available for free on Kindle right now, and the next two books are offered for $2.99 each. And the show is worth checking out - Phryne's wardrobe alone is a feast for the eyes.

11/22/63 by Stephen King is the Kindle Daily Deal today - a bargain at only $2.99. I read this book last year and absolutely loved it. A 5 star read for me! Here is a link to my review of it: Mamie's Review

I wondered why Joe seemed to promote the pecan pies so much over at his cafe! I would hazard that my visit to Chicago will be an interesting one.

Have a lovely weekend Mamie whether or not your branches get a shaking.

The pecan harvest this year sucks wind everywhere, Mamie. You might rethink that declined offer. Prices for pecans are set to double.

I am so pleased that y'all're liking the series! The second-season ender, except for a xmas special, is on in Australia now. Their Facebook group features Nathan Page, aka Det. Jack Robinson, taking questions live!

Morning Mamie- Yep, Joe can walk a bit on the wild side, so be wary.
It's going to be cold here for the next few days. The joys of those Midwest winters. Have a great day!

>>263 Crazymamie:, 266 It may not be quite the night out you're thinking of . . .

LOL
Present the pie pastry to the falling pecans and a pecan pie ye shall have!
(that's what they say, isn't it?)

That is a very funny picture!

Mornin' Y'all! It's chore day at the Pecan Paradisio, and a good day for it. Very overcast, perhaps rain later, and the temperatures are a droppin' this weekend. Going to 73 today but only 57 tomorrow. Believe it or not, some people have their winter gear out - just us former Yankees wearing our short sleeves still. I cannot believe that next Thursday is Thanksgiving - and this is shocking because it is so late this year, you'd think I would be feeling it. Just us again this year, but my sister has been talking about getting a caravan together to raid us next year at Thanksgiving - I SO hope that happens.

This has been a hard year for everyone back in Fort Wayne, Indiana - where I am originally from. I have four sisters still living there and my mom. They have been hard at work cleaning out mom's house and getting it on the market - she is not doing well and has moved in with my sister Nora. They were thrilled when it sold immediately, so now they don't have to worry about that anymore.

Please keep Rae in your thoughts today - she is trying very hard not to have a meltdown, but I see it coming. Thank goodness it's the weekend.

Paul - Ha, ha! Your visit to Chicago is sure to be a memorable one. And thank you for those weekend wishes - wishing you one full of fabulous.

Richard - Right. The pecan harvest is not good this year - Georgia got way too much rain. It pretty much rained the entire summer, and we are not talking light showers. It poured. Too late to rethink the offer as the shaking is done for now - they will do it again later, so maybe we will have them shaken then. We will gather all the pecans, keeping what we want for personal use and selling the rest. You are SO right, the prices are very good this year because the harvest is expected to be so low.

I really like the Miss Fisher series, so I thank you again for pointing me to it. Worth watching for the costumes alone. I agree with you that the series is actually better than the books.

Mark - Who knew that Joe had a naughty side? Of course, this makes me love him even more! And the weather - you are about thirty degrees cooler up there than we are. Amazing! I am kind of missing the chill. I do, however, love that I can still sit outside or on the screened in porch to read - one of my very favorite things in life.

Joe - LOL! Too funny! And you're right - that is not what I was picturing.

Megan - I have never heard that before. An excellent idea except that you would be missing out on all the good stuff that's supposed to go in there with the pecans. LOL!

Lucy - Hello there! Joe always finds the best pictures, doesn't he?

And in breaking news, this just in:



I received a copy of Let Him Go by Larry Watson in the mail. A huge thanks to Richard for being so generous. Thanks, BigDaddy!! Now all that remains to be seen is can I actually wait all the way until next December to read it?!

#272 Happy Saturday Mamie! I need a doormat like that one ☺:-) Sending calming thoughts to you and Rae.

Heather!!! I am so thrilled to see you here! How is that kitty? And the new house? I could use a doormat like that one, too! And thank you so much for those calming thoughts - Rae gets very nervous with holidays coming, even when we have no plans. Just the huge change in routine throws her - she thrives on predictability and routine. Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous!

I'm your sister? Whoo hooo! Hey everybody! I'm Mamie's sister, Nora!

Sorry to hear your mom's feeling poorly.

Sending good thoughts and no-meltdown-vibes to Rae today.

Good morning, Mamie. Hope your weekend is off to a great start, and Rae is able to deal with things okay.

We're still cleaning up all the pecan pie from the other night . . .

I'll take you, Morphy! My sister Nora is named after my grandmother - my Dad's mom. My Dad picked the names for Nora and me. I am not at all close with my mom, but I am sorry that she is not doing well. I am especially sorry for my sisters that are taking care of her, as she is not an easy person to be around. She is in her 80s and has mystenia gravis (a neuromuscular disease) and a multitude of other health issues.

Joe - Thank you for those good thoughts! And good luck getting all that pie cleaned up - what a sticky mess!

It's actually Lenora but I got tired of people messing up my name - Lorraine, Eleanor, Leonora, Laura, Lenore, etc. Nora is so much harder to mess up. I'm named after my mom - Dale Lenora - who was named after a grandmother - Nora.

Morphy - My sister is named Nora Jean, and because my mom did not like my grandmother, she always called her Jeannie. She actually went by Jeannie until she got into high school and realized that she could choose to go by her first name, so she started going by Nora. When Craig and I were dating, Nora lived in Texas and so she was never present at the big family get togethers - after meeting the rest of my sisters, Craig commented that he just had two more to go. Two, I said. There is only one more sister. No, he explained, I have not yet met either Nora or Jeannie. He had no idea that the sister all the rest of us were referring to as Nora was called Jeannie by my mom!!

((((((((Mamie's family)))))))) You're all in my heart.

Reba - Thanks so much for that! It means a lot.

Morning Mamie! Still morning here in the frigid Midwest. I just started The Cruelest Month. I had an itch to visit Three Pines, after enjoying the last outing.
How is the Bradbury coming?

So tough for Rae. That interruption is acutely painful, but I know that being with her treasured family is a big help in dealing with the upheaval.

A (hug) for Mamie and a Go Giants! for Rae, as a reminder that the important things in life - football and family - remain the same, no matter what chaos surrounds us.

Mark - The Cruelest Month is in my reading plans for this month, too! Hoping that I can get to it. If not, December for sure. I am almost finished with the Bradbury and really liking it. I just love how he writes.

Richard - I'm really proud of her because I can see the effort she is putting into keeping it together. Later this afternoon, we are going to the theater to see Thor, which she is dying to see, so that will be good. She likes the theater (as long as it is not packed) because you don't have to interact with people - just share the experience of watching the movie. I am predicting complete meltdown by tomorrow afternoon - I just know the signs. Thanks for thinking of her!

Katie - Thanks for that! And so true what you say! She is hoping that we might get to see the Giants game tomorrow - it's always a surprise as they don't announce what they are showing here until the last minute, and then sometimes that is wrong. Whether we get to see it or not, please, please, PLEASE let them beat the Cowboys!!

Mamie sorry to hear about your mom not doing well. I hope your sister finds Zen in caring for her. The crazier my mom and her conditions get the more I have to breathe in and out. Of course books and LT have been a blessing.

Sometimes its better to have the meltdown because then you can decompress and move forward.

Hugs for you Mamie and well wishes for the Mamie Clan. Enjoy your weekend.

Mamie, it is so hard to be away from family when they need you. I hope the rest of the clan in Indiana can give your sister the support that she needs. I hope Rae either has her meltdown and gets it out of her system or that it bypasses her this time. Sounds like you've got lots on your mind. Enjoy your day of football tomorrow!

I'm glad we all agreed on the last Spenser. I'm glad Paul will be a continuing character. I guess we'll just have to muddle through the next one. They can't all be our favorites. ;-)

Mamie, I'm joining in sending peaceful thoughts to Rae. Having routines disrupted when they are central to your life is so difficult but unavoidable. I hope you all make it through with a minimum of upset.

(Note, I am very carefully not rooting for anyone's football team, just in case. LOL)

Mamie, for a multitude of reasons, I am not on good terms with my Dad but I wouldn't wish him harm; so I can appreciate what your range of emotions about your Mum's struggles presently.

Hugs to Rae.

It's Football Day!! Go Broncos! Go Colts! Go Giants! Go Bears! We're very excited because we will get to see both the Giants and the Broncos play their games!!

Last night we went to see the second Thor movie in the theatre - we liked it, but then we love these kind of movies. The kids were really wanting to see this one in the cinema, so I'm happy that we made it. What surprised me was that Best Man Holiday was completely sold out - I had to come home and look that movie up as I was not familiar with it. (Not surprising as I don't watch much actual tv except for football - we mostly use Netflix) Anyway the theatre was packed, but luckily since Thor has been out for a while, we had plenty of sitting room. I still would really like to see Ender's Game.

Roberta - Thank you so much for that. Believe me, there will be a lot of breathing in and out - my mom was never an easy person to care for, and she has not improved with age. And agreed that sometimes it is better to have the meltdown. It's a mixed bag, as sometimes it takes Rae days to recover from a meltdown. She survived yesterday intact, though it was a close call when Craig suggested that she take a shower earlier than she usually does. I heard her in the bathroom having a very loud and emotional conversation with herself, and so I called to her, "Rae, everything okay?" She answers, Just a minute, and when she comes out she is wrapped in a towel and has the wildest hair you have ever seen. She must have been just ready to step in the shower. SO she comes to the railing overlooking the living room (she is upstairs and I am down) and says, "Never better." (It's a movie quote - Hermione in the first Harry Potter). This makes me laugh because she had obviously been very upset about something. I look at her and say, "Really? 'Precision of language', please." (This is a quote from The Giver) Rae loves movie and book quotes, so this makes her smile. Well, she says, I am mad about the shower. This is not the right time. I take my shower at night. I tell her okay, so forget about the shower - you'll take your shower tonight after the movie. But you might want to comb your hair. Her entire body slumps in relief. I have learned over the years that what seems small to us is actually very big to her. Doing things out of order is very stressful. While taking a shower earlier in the day might make perfect sense in ordering the every day things around the scheduled events, it doesn't make sense to Rae.

She did really like the movie. And she is very excited about seeing the Giants play today, so today is looking good so far.

Donna - Thanks for those thoughts. My sister Nora is the sister closest to me in age, and while she has the huge task of spending the most time with mom and doing the most care, my two oldest sisters are taking turns getting mom back and forth to her appointments and picking up the things that she needs. My remaining sister in Fort Wayne is a lost cause - she will not do anything unless she is paid to do it, and truthfully she has her hands full right now as her youngest daughter, who is just two days younger than Abby, is in the hospital. My niece has cystic fibrosis and has to be hospitalized once a year for about two weeks for a major cleaning out.

And yes, we will muddle through the weaker Spensers because when they are good, they are so much fun. I have had the best time reading these with you and Roberta this year!

Wishing your Chiefs good luck today against the Chargers! GO Chiefs!

Julia - You said that so well - routines are SO central to her. I think Rae has received all of these good wishes, and they are working! She is much calmer today and excited about watching the Giants later. This week will still be hard because the routine will be disrupted, but I am hoping to get her through it without a meltdown. She may never be able to manage these kind of things completely on her own, but I just want her to have as many coping skills as she can. I know that I will not always be here to help her, and I worry about that. I am so thankful that she has siblings that will look out for her when I am gone, but they will not be her mom. She has taught me so much about life and about patience and about love, and though I know that I can never repay that, I want to help her to cope in a world that is not made for people who have been gifted with a different way of seeing and feeling and interpreting things.

Paul - You have captured what I am feeling so perfectly. And thanks for those hugs for Rae!

Hello, Mamie, and happy football day (aka Sunday)! I'm sorry to hear about the struggles with your mum. I agree with what others have said - even when we're a bit ambivalent about them, we want them to be comfortable and safe. Transitions are hard and they only get harder with age. "I am hoping to get her through it without a meltdown." I hope this is how it unfolds.

It's a weird weekend with no Seahawks game, but it means I'm finding other ways to entertain myself (you know, reading....). I watched a bit of the KC-SD game earlier and it was a wild one!

You've been doing some good reading and I like your planned reads for Mark's AAC. I am going to participate but have been going back and forth on whether to read Updike. I've not read anything by him and he seems to be a bit controversial. P describes his work as "dreary" so we'll see if I'm in the mood for dreary when November rolls around. Ha!

Meanwhile, I second Mark's recommendation for The View from Castle Rock. It was my first Munro and I very much enjoyed it. It seemed like a good-enough starting place (although my data is necessarily limited).

I hope your Broncos do well today! (I don't even know who they are up against!)

Ellen - Hello, there! Thank you for those thoughts and good wishes! I saw that the Seahawks were not playing this week, and thought of you and Kerri. The Colts are playing right now, but they are not doing very well - they need an awesome second half. YIKES! And the Broncos play the Patriots tonight, so it should be a good game. I'm so sad that Wes Welker is out with a concussion, though.

This has been an awesome reading year for me. The most books I have ever read, and I am thrilled about the number of new authors that I am being exposed to thanks to all of you. I am looking forward to Mark's AAC, but like you I am leery of Updike - I have not read him either, and he doesn't seem to be too popular, does he?! I will dip into The Witches of Eastwick in order to give him a chance, but more to share the experience with a fun group of people. We'll see.

I will definitely get to Munro sooner rather than later. With both you and Mark recommending The View From Castle Rock, how could I possibly go wrong?

I'll definitely be watching the Broncos-Patriots game tonight and I'll root for your team, Mamie.
Right now I can't bring myself to go down to our windowless tv room as the sun is brightly shining in our west-facing living room window. It's so bright that I almost want to close the blinds! Ha!

The View From Castle Rock is in transit from the library. I couldn't resist. It's a disease I have but I can live with it.

" It's a disease I have but I can live with it." I think we all have this particular affliction. It is what drives us. Happy people!

Ellen - Excellent - thanks for rooting for the Broncos! And it is almost 7pm here, so very dark and, for Georgia, cold. The Giants are not playing well, so if you hear screaming, it is most assuredly Rae. She is NOT happy!

Roberta - I can't wait to get to that one!

Mark - So true!! And so sorry about your Bears. YIKES!

Horrible Bears game, Mamie! Talk about ugly! I had to soothe myself with a couple of brews and my stomach is still a bit upset. Clenches eyes shut and shuffles away...

Poor, poor baby. Here you go.

OMG, that is one of my favorites! actually I had a Dogfish Head last night. American Beauty, I think. I think I am starting to feel better...

This Cowboys and Giants game is a real nail-biter!

I hate football.

I actually have some of that beer in the fridge, Mark, even though I am more of a wine drinker. It is very good. Giants lost. *cue sobbing*

Katie - Poor, poor baby to you, too. *opens a bottle of wine for Katie* The game ended, and Rae was just sitting there with her mouth open. Then she says, "Well that sucks. Completely and totally sucks." True. SO true. And the Colts lost, too - um...11 to 40, so not even close. A sad day for football. And just now Tony Dungy picks the Patriots to win tonight's game. What's up with that?! BUT, I am happy to report that what I posted earlier is wrong - Wes Welker IS playing. I read on the ticker that he was out with a concussion, but they must have put the wrong info in. Thomas is out though, and that will hurt.

Hi there Mamie, I'm sorry to hear of your mother's ill health. It must be very hard being far away from her. And I'm glad Rae was able to forestall a meltdown at this time anyway.

I actually liked Let Him Go more than Montana 1948 although I liked that one a lot. Let Him Go was just so powerful.

#305 - Cracking me up, Katie. It's amazing that you remain friends with some of us given how rabid we are. I'm glad you do, though. Enjoy that wine Mamie opened for you. :-)

Mamie, I chose not to watch the game but P reported that the Broncos were up by a gazillion (or perhaps just a few less than that) at the half. I'm just as glad I stayed upstairs and read and messed around on LT. Work tomorrow (sad Ellen) but then only half a day Tuesday so I can get ready for the early Wednesday flight. I'm still not sure which books I'm taking with me....

^Oh, no, Ellen. I am just as rabid. It was just a bad football day for me and the hubs as the Giants and Dolphins both lost in rather close games.

Bonnie - Thank you for those thoughts. I am very much looking forward to Let Him Go. I remember reading your wonderful review of it. Montana, 1948 was my first book by Watson, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I will soon correct that!

Ellen - Oh, no, Katie is a fan - just not a fan of losing. Me, either - Broncos lost last night in overtime (after being up by 24 points in the first half), making this perhaps the saddest Sunday of football that I have experienced in a long time. ALl I can say is good thing that the Seahawks weren't playing - seems like most of our teams took a hit yesterday.

Wishing for you safe travels. Have fun picking out those lucky books that get to take the trip with you!

Katie - Again, poor poor baby. We watched that Giants game which was, frankly, painful to watch. We also saw the Dolphins play very well - can't believe they lost that game. We;re going to need that Scarlet O'Hara attitude: "I won't think of it now. I'll think of it later when I can stand it."

Hmmm Lots happening here. Sorry to hear your mom is unwell. I had a...not close... relationship with my mother, too. I didn't want her to suffer though. It was a rough time. Sine she is gone, I sometimes feel guilt that I don't miss her more. It is what it is though, and there are reasons.

Poor Rae.. sorry she had some tough times this week. Poor you, too, but good on you both for making it better than it could have been :)

I'm with Katie.. I hate football. Sigh. I am going to have to catch up with Doctor Who, though.

Back to reality day. I don't work today... ( so far anyway) and so I'm cooking for Dunkers and doing laundry etc. Post trip clean up. None of my kids will be home for Thanksgiving. This makes me sad.
I am finding it hard to not hold it against Leah, that Cory will be at her house instead, since he has always been one I could count on. I know it's wrong, but I am not the best person in the world and have failing after failing so.. .

It will just be Dan and me. yay.

Sis!!! Hey there! I was just over on your thread cross posting like mad with you! It was cracking me up. Let's just say that Monday is not off to a good start.

Rae managed to survive the weekend. What will throw her this week is that Craig's work schedule will be so different. She does love Thanksgiving, though, so that will help. And no company coming, which helps even more.

Should I admit that I have only ever seen one episode of Dr. Who? Sad, but true.

Glad you don't work today. If they call, say NO. How did Dunkers do on the trip? I hate post trip clean up, although I do like that doing it means that I am back home again. And I'm sorry to hear that none of your kids will make it for Thanksgiving. I completely understand what you are saying about Cory - and you're the Mom, so you get to be bummed when he is not there. We're not having any company, either, but there are six of us, so that makes a party all by itself. You should do something to make Thanksgiving a bit brighter - treat yourself to something you don't need but that you want, or eat something totally decadent - twice! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts. Hugs to you, dear.

I'm happy to hear Rae got through the day sans meltdown. I enjoy reading about your interactions with her. You are a fabulous mom. Love the quote banter. My husband and I do the same. "Pirate!" (Pirates of the Caribbean (for "Well, DUH")) and "Have fun storming the castle!" (Princess Bride) are two of our favorites.

No worries. I plan to eat about a ton of stuffing. That will not help with this five pounds that keeps coming and going.... but whatever.

Thanks for standing by me and my mom-ishness... I remember the days when my kids were all home, it was indeed like a party, every day, not just thanksgiving :)

You know, whatever happened with the body that your dad lived in, you know in your heart that his spirit was with you then and is still. I understand your sadness, though :(

hugs

My mom and I get along great. It's my dad I haven't spoken to for about 15 years. Probably for the same reasons. He's abusive. Both my parents were abusive when I was growing up. My mother changed - she stopped the cycle of abuse and I give her tons of credit for that. My dad didn't.

When I confronted my mom when I was 24 or so, she owned her behavior. She apologized, talked about how she had changed and what she was still working on. Over the years she continues to change for the better. Also, I've come to accept in what areas she just is who she is. There are certain things we can't talk about because she doesn't "get it." But I know she loves me and come hell or high water she'll always be there for me.

Morphy - Thank you so much for those kind words and lovely compliment. We are completely nutty about quoting movies and books - one of our very favorite things to do!

Kathleen - Oh, stuffing. I ADORE stuffing. Craig hates it, which makes me very happy. More for me. And I will always stand by you and your mom-ishness. It won't be long before my kids are grown and gone, too, and I shall miss them very much. And you are so right about the every day was like a party thing - that's how our house is all the time. Always fun to be had with so many feet under one roof.

It's not about the body with my Dad - it's about the disrespect. It was as if all traces of him could not be gone fast enough - and my sisters were fighting over his stuff. I just hate that. Like you say, it is what it is, but he deserved better. I do know that he is with me in spirit - you are so right about that!

Thanks for those hugs!

Morphy - That is such an amazing story about your mom! Owning her behavior is just so huge. What a gift you gave her by giving her a second chance - and good for you for confronting her!

I've fallen behind, Mamie, but I hope the week is starting well and you're getting set up for a good holiday. You've done the best possible thing, IMO, after a deadend relationship with your mother, which is to have a great relationship with your own kids. We've tried to correct with our kids what we didn't like in our own upbringings, and feel like we've had some success with that.

I've fallen so behind Mamie, but when I saw notes about Rae in skimming I had to slow down and read... So glad to see she managed to make it through without a total meltdown. You are the best mom she could have ever gotten... you DO know that, right??

And your other kids are amazing... You and Craig have done a great job with all of them. She will always be loved and cared for. She's stronger than you know because she's had YOU as a role model.

Love you, Mamie girl!

#309, 310 - Doh! I knew this! It must have been late in the evening when I posted that. And I was on my second (ahem, large) beer.

Craig hates stuffing, and you've found a way not to despise him and divorce him. You are the Goddess of Forgiveness!

My mother's death was a huge relief to me. I moved back to Texas to care for her, and on Christmas Eve, she died! It was, actually, very kind of her. I can't believe she did it by accident. Christmas was the one time of year we had a lot of fun together, decorating, putting up the tree, making waaay too much food for the two of us, trying new recipes...it was a blast! So she died on the only day when I'd have happy memories, and only happy memories, of her.

My father (apparently, I haven't heard otherwise) lives on. My indifference is shaky. I'll be glad when he dies, as I don't believe in an afterlife, and the idea that he and his vileness will simply cease to exist is a great comfort for me.

>321 richardderus: For some odd reason, I thought you were a Brit. Ha!

Joe - Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday, so I am very excited that it is almost here. Should be a fun week full of good food and lots of laughter. Thank you so much for what you said about my relationship with my mom. It was a truly toxic thing for me, and so severing the ties was definitely the best option - there were no hard feelings involved, just a gentle letting go. Craig and I have tried to do exactly what you did - keep the good and throw out the bad as far as the experiences that we had with our parents. Hopefully, our kids will do the same thing.

Tina - You always say the sweetest things. Thanks for that! And soaking up that love. Sending you in return love and hugs from all of us at the Pecan Paradisio.

Ellen - LOL!

Richard - The fact that he hates stuffing means that he doesn't eat it. That works for me because then I can have his share. But I will keep the Goddess title, as I have secretly always wanted to be one!

I remember you saying that, and I can so identify with those feelings. That is so great that you were able to hang on to those good memories that must be precious indeed to you. I agree - she could not have done it on accident.

Wishing for you only good things and sending you all of my love. *smooch*

Morphy - That made me laugh out loud!

New thread is up. Come on over!