Mark's Reading Place: Holidays! #25

^She's holding my Christmas Swap books for me. Ain't she sweet?

Audiobook:


Graphic:


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

September:

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

October:

128) Tilt-a-Whirl by Chris Grabenstein 3.7 stars (audio)
129) Harvest by Jim Crace 4.2 stars
130) Boxers by Gene Luen Yang 4.5 stars (GN)
131) Bel Canto by Ann Patchett 4.2 stars (audio)
132) Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink 4.5 stars
133) The Son by Philipp Meyer 4 stars (audio)
134) Dracula by Bram Stoker 4.3 stars (audio)
135) The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell 4 stars (audio)
136) Richard Stark's Parker, Vol. 2: The Outfit by Darwyn Cooke 4 stars GN
137) Countdown City (Last Policeman Trilogy) by Ben Winters 3.6 stars (audio)
138) 2666 by Roberto Bolaño 3.5 stars
139) A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again by David F. Wallace 4.5 stars (audio)
140) The History of Love by Nicole Krauss 4.8 stars
141) MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood 4.2 stars (audio)
142) Sanctuary by Ken Bruen (book #7) 4 stars (audio)

November:

143) The Sound of Things Falling by Juan Gabriel Vásquez 4 stars E.R.
144) The Returned by Jason Mott 3.7 stars (audio)
145) Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey 2.5 stars (audio)
146) Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson 4.5 stars
147) Alex: Camille Verhoeven Trilogy by Pierre Lemaitre 4 stars (audio)
148) More Than This by Patrick Ness 3.7 stars ARC
149) Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem 4.6 stars (audio)
150) The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury 4.3 stars (audio)
151) The View from Castle Rock by Alice Munro 4.8 stars
152) Citizen Vince by Jess Walter 4.3 stars (audio)
153) Allegiant by Veronica Roth 3.5 stars (audio)
154) The Circle by Dave Eggers 3.5 stars ER
155) The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny 4 stars (audio)
156) The Red House by Mark Haddon 4.2 stars

December:

157) Troubles by J.G. Farrell 4.6 stars
158) A Conspiracy of Faith (Dept Q) by Jussi Adler-Olsen 4.3 stars (audio)
159) Un Lun Dun by China Mieville 2.7 stars (audio)
160) Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain 4.5 stars (audio)
161) Night Film by Marisha Pessl 4 stars
162) Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 4 stars
163) The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough 4.2 stars (audio)
164) Mrs. Somebody Somebody by Tracy Winn 4 stars
165) We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler 4.3 stars (audio)
166) Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield 2.5 stars (Ouch!)
167) Doctor Sleep by Stephen King 4.5 stars (audio)
168) Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda 3.8 stars (audio)
169) Dirt Music by Tim Winton 4.2 stars

First-Time Author Challenge 2013

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

**This was easily one of my favorite reading ventures of the year. Thanks for contributing. Poor Zoe & Tom. Hopefully, I can make room for them.

American Author Challenge 2014

Willa Cather- January
Cormac McCarthy- February
William Faulkner- March
Toni Morrison- April
Eudora Welty- May
Kurt Vonnegut- June
Mark Twain- July
Philip Roth- August
James Baldwin- September
Edith Wharton- October
John Updike- November
Larry Watson- December

Mark's picks:

Willa Cather- Death Comes for the Archbishop *
Cormac McCarthy- Suttree (anyone here, read this?) *
William Faulkner- Light in August
Toni Morrison- Undecided. Tar Baby *, Paradise, a reread?
Eudora Welty- The Collected Stories *
Kurt Vonnegut- Mother Night. Possibly a second title. *
Mark Twain- Life on the Mississippi- Thanks to RD *
Philip Roth- The Plot Against America *
James Baldwin- Giovanni's Room- Thanks to Kerri *
Edith Wharton- The Custom of the Country
John Updike- Rabbit Run *
Larry Watson- Orchard or White Crosses or both. *

* On shelf

Of course, I can only select 12 and there are a multitude of other deserving authors but I thought this was a solid list. I left my favorite American author, Mr. John Steinbeck off the list because we recently dedicated a whole year to that Author Deity. I left off Hemingway this time around, because I didn't want RD calling 911. He has had a hard enough time lately with Chuckles the Dick.
You can read whatever you want by that particular author and if you have no desire to read that author, feel free to substitute. You will not be considered a "purist" but at least you can get a book or 2 off the shelf.

I tried to shuffle them up with past and present but that wasn't always easy. I liked Cather leading off the year, because her books are spare and I have a Bleak House G.R. to do, that month.

Is it safe to tiptoe in?

I'm second!

eta: will have to go visit your last thread to see what I've missed. I started downloading Night Film from the library the other day, having vaguely heard about it and seen a review or two I didn't pay close attention to. But when I actually read what the book was about and saw the connection to horror movies I quickly deleted it from my hard drive. I know this isn't an issue for you, but I have never and never will (if I can help it) watch horror movies and I figured with that sensibility, I'd probably do better to stay clear of this one. All the same, enjoy! :-)

Also I think I ended up giving a lower rating for The Circle than you did, 2.5 if I'm not mistaken. Meh. The upshot is at least I'm in the know about a hot book everyone's talking about, which doesn't happen all that often!

Woohoo! Nice new thread!

ETA: Sorry about your Uncle, I hope he makes a full recovery. *hugs*

Purty little thread ya got here, my friend!

Nice new thread, Mark. Love the Santa picture and the one of your elf.

*waves* at Mark. Stay warm!

Nice elf, Mark. She looks holiday happy. Oh, and good to know Saint Nick's a reader.

This will be probably be my final thread of the year. Once again I had a stellar reading year and sharing it with all of you, is always such a highlight. Much, much more gushing to follow, as the the month winds down...

Linda, my Chicago peep, is Number one!

Ilana, my Canadian peep, is Number 2. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on Night Film. Sure, it is an edgy thriller, with plenty of creepy moments but so far the horror is at a minimum. And this one should be read in print form, not audio.
Your rating of the Circle might be a bit more accurate, but there were moments that I liked.

Tam- Thanks! Recovery for my Uncle is doubtful. We just hope he has a little time to enjoy his family. Fingers crossed.

Julia- Thanks! Hope you had a great Sunday.

Pat- I am trying to have a bit of a holiday theme. Finding the right pic can be painstaking. LOL.

Roberta- It looks like a COLD week. We have about 2 inches of snow out there too!

Joe- We like hard-working elves, don't we? Especially ones in short skirts. Hope you had a great Sunday.

Happy new thread, Mark. Quite festive. I heard about Night Film on BOTNS and was vaguely interested, but too many books... We don't have any snow, but boy is it cold for Seattleites. I don't think we've been much above freezing in a week. Katie and Bill ran the Jingle Bell Run this morning in 19 degree weather!

Happy New Thread, Mark! Very fine. In regard to your previous thread question/comments re: watching football today, I was watching and it was, indeed, a wild day. We were mostly switching back and forth between the games from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, both snowy, except that the network switched us to the Baltimore game -- the one where they scored 4 alternating touchdowns in like the last 2 minutes -- when the Eagles game was over. I couldn't believe how the snow was coming down in Philly! My favorite moment of the day was when the officials stopped play on a second-and-goal, I think it was, and called for the snow shovels and snow blowers because they couldn't see the goal line. My second favorite was the last wild play of the Steelers game. (That one one have been my VERY favorite if they had actually managed to score!)

Hehe, a racy Christmas Elf, of course! And who knows if she has beer or books inside the parcels for you. I am sure you wouldn't mind either, if she delivered personally :)

Happy new thread! Happy December!

Hi Mark, I was so sorry to read about your Uncle's illness in your last thread. Hope his treatment goes smoothly.

I have also started Un Lun Dun for the group read. If this was a book by any other author I would probably like it better. It just doesn't seem to say China Mieville! I expect thought-provoking weirdness from him not charm. Of course I am not that far into the book yet, about 7 chapters, so he might still surprise me.

Mark - Congratulations on #25 mate. Don't know how you managed to get Joe into the Santa outfit for the first photo but I wouldn't mind at all an introduction to the second santa as I may have an idea or two for her stockings.

Happy Christmas Thread, Mark!
Five inches or so on the ground here this morning - it'll make the grocery shopping I have planned interesting... Keep warm out there!

Full-bore winter today! Very cold, windy, with snow on the ground. It's just a couple of inches but still...I am going to work 5 straight this week and then take my Saturday off.
Nothing changed on the reading front: still making my way through Night Film & Un Lun Dun.

Lisa- Good to see you. I do not think Night Film is your cuppa. LOL. Hope all is well with you in the Pacific Northwest.

Terri- I loved your football comments. I was watching that Philly game too. Wow! It looked like some of those players were running underwater.

Megan- " And who knows if she has beer or books inside the parcels for you." Yep, let's hope it's both. Snickers. Thanks and have a good week.

Judy- Thank you. I agree with your thoughts on Mieville and Un Lun Dun. There are just enough bright spots and nifty wordplay, to keep me reading but it will not be a favorite.

Paul- LOL. Great observation about Joe in the Santa suit. Glad you like the cute little elf.

Amber- Thanks! Fortunately we didn't get 5 inches of snow. Maybe 2-3 but enough to slow the old man down. Be careful on those roads today.

Cute Elf on the Shelf you've got there, Mark. How difficult it must be to keep you hands off..........your Santa Swap package, of course!
Hope some nice soul offers you a cuppa cocoa on your route today. Keep warm, my friend.

Nice looking new thread here.. as always! Stay warm and hopefully on your feet. Waling on ice is no fun, so I'm wishing yours away ~

Hey! Mark aren't we supposed to be doing Tim Winton in a manner of speaking this month? Shallows right? I'm a ready and a rarin' to go.

Mark, I hope everyone on your route has done you the courtesy of thoroughly clearing their sidewalks and steps! And how nice that you will have two days off in a row at the end of the week. Do your days off happen on a regular rotation or do you get to choose? My mom was a cook at the local hospital, and her days off rotated so that one week she would have Sat-Sun, then the next week Fri, then Tue-Wed, and so on. It was very weird and meant that she often worked holidays as they just fell within the regular rotation. Those darn hospital patients expect to be fed every day!

Hey Mark, still cold and snowy here. We got the porch cleaned off for the mailman so he should be happy with us. No one around here cleans off sidewalks. We don't have one so less to worry about. I hope this week goes quickly for you. An interesting book to listen to should help.

I'll add my wishes for your uncle. I'm glad he is with family while he's undergoing those rigorous treatments.

The 5th Wave was a good ride, Mark. Much of how the aliens take over is all too plausible!

Guess we better enjoy our alien-free existence as long as we can. Even if it's like walking around in a freezer today. I'm sure you're layered up; I hope a hot drink or two is on the agenda. Maybe served by a hot elf?

Hi Mark, I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. Know that your whole LT family is sending you and him lots of healing energy. xo

I know you had yesterday off from work (I assume this is true every Sunday). I have no idea why I thought you'd have today off, as well. Instead, I guess you are out there trudging around in bitter Monday winter. Hopefully, you're listening to something good.

Looking forward to our possible meet-up the first week of February!!

Hope you're taking care in the cold and snow today, Mark. It was nasty out. We're what an hour, hour and a half from you and we had probably 5-6 inches of snow.

wish you a good start into the new week with the best Lithuanian beer:

Svyturys = Light House

Mark, I've added a few of your books to my tbr list including Un Lun Dun. YAY, a proper weekend this week!

Dang. That American Author challenge is almost too much to resist. I think I have a book by most of those authors on my shelves. Except Toni Morrison. I'm just not a fan of her stuff. I guess I can find a substitute....

^Bears and Cowboys Monday Night Football! Of course, I love my Bears team, but you could not pay me to go to the game tonight. I think it will be low teens at game-time, with a cruel wind. No, thank you! I will be quite cozy in my Man-Cave, thank you very much.

It got wicked cold this afternoon, but I muddled through and so far have kept all my digits, although one toe is starting to darken......(kidding).

Lynda- Thanks for my first evening chuckle. Did not get any cocoa. I've been starting to heat up my lunch lately and that gives me a warm tummy for awhile.

Kath- Fortunately, there wasn't any ice to walk on but plenty of snow. It just tires me out more.

Paul- Yes, I am reading a Winton this month. Thanks, it slipped my mind. It won't be Shallows. I don't own that one. I do have the Turning and one other, so it will be one of those. If you can join me, that would be great.

Julia- My customers are generally pretty good about clearing the snow. It was only 2 or 3 inches, so it wasn't as big of a problem. I do like using my push-cart for the second part of my route, and that is hard to do with snow on the sidewalks.
I have a forward rotating work schedule. One week Mon, then Tues...since we are on a 6 day work week, our week begins on Saturday, so when Friday and Saturday meet, (like this week) I get a 3 day weekend. Clear enough?

Donna- Thanks for your kind thoughts and thanks for thinking about the mailman. We have curb-side where we live, so we really don't need to clear a path for our mail-person. We just claer it for ourselves.

Joe- I will keep an eye out for the Fifth Wave. Sounds good. If you know any hot elves, send 'em this way, will ya? Of course, just to help shelve books and stuff...snickers.

Ellen- Thanks for your kind thoughts. LT is one of the best support groups, I've ever been part of.
No, I worked today. Next day off will be Saturday.
Yes, a Portland Meet-up is beginning to take shape. Yah!

Happy new thread, Mark!

Yes, that would be an awful game to attend! I have no idea how you manage to stay out in it all day. I hope the Bears win, but that Alshon Jeffery has a rather bad game (fantasy football purposes.) :-)

Linda- They did say that snow totals would be higher north and they were correct. 2 or 3 inches was enough for me. Wasn't it bitter on your way home? Brrrr...

Paul- Thanks for the Lithuanian beer, but the image failed to come up. I wanted to see it. LOL.

Tam- I am glad I inspired you to read a couple books, unfortunately I am pretty disappointed in Un Lun Dun, although many other readers love it. Maybe, it'll work better for you.

Terri- I sure hope you join us on the AAC Challenge. It seemed to spark a lot of interest too, so it should be a fun group effort. Getting books off my shelves, was one the top reasons I did this.

Kerri- One of the best advantages I have, working in the cold, is that I am in motion. It keeps the blood pumping and my feet very rarely get cold.
Come one, Jeffrey is our secret weapon. He NEEDS another big game.

Wow, you have a great Secret Santa .. she even sent you a purty elf to hold your Swap gifts for you!

You must have great boots if your feet don't get cold. My feet sometimes feel cold even in my boots, but I think it's because I don't like wearing woolen socks and usually just wear cotton ones.

I was supposed to join the GR of Un Lun Dun but you are making me hesitate. If it is my first Mieville, and I haven't yet read Neverwhere, do you think I'll like it better than you are? I know, tough to say, but I am not sure I want to waste precious reading time on a "meh" book...

Tuscaloosa weather report - Sugar bowl. New Orleans. What a disappointment. Should be playing in Pasadena.

On the bright side - it was gloomy and misty today, but the temperatures weren't bad. Somewhere in the upper 40's.

If you ask me, and you didn't, these people don't have any appreciation for the sport. They think that winning is their right. Give me a break.

Personally, I still like the idea of naked football. It would be a game changer and we wouldn't have to worry about so many of those life long mental problems resulting from head injuries.

#35
I am going to start reading it tonight.

Aww, sorry to hear Mark. :(

Mark, I'm watching the Monday Night game and rooting against the Cowboys -- which means, of course, that I'm rooting for your Bears tonight.

Bears lead the Cowboys 24-14 at the half. Yah! Now, my problem is keeping my eyes open for the next hour-plus.

Caro- Yes, I do have a purty elf, to keep me from opening those Swap books. Lucky me. Actually, I don't have fancy boots, just regular shoes, good socks and over-shoes, when I need 'em. Keeping those feet moving, is the key!

Katie- I would read Gaiman's Neverwhere or one of Mieville's other books, like The City & the City, my favorite.

Benita- You sure seem to be a proponent of Naked Football! You frisky devil! Good luck with Un Lun Dun. Maybe it'll work for you.

Tam- Maybe Un Lun Dun will work for you. You'll have to make the call. Have you read Mieville?

Frigid at Soldier Field. Yikes!!

That Ditka ceremony was disappointing.

Da Bears look to have this one wrapped up nicely! Always glad to see the Cowgirls lose :)

>40 msf59: Honestly I haven't read much steam punk or ANY Mieville, but I hear he's kind of required reading for the genre, so I am sure I am going to pick him up eventually. I do have a couple of his books as possibles for next year's reading because I have steam punk and YA on the list.

Hi Mark- just having a wee red wine and a few sections of chocolate (Cadbury's Caramello) to round off a busy day. Checking in to see that you have those boots drying off for tomorrow's rounds!
(hint- the correct response here is "mam- yes mam!")
:)

Good morning, Mark! Boy, the Bears really trounced the Cowboys last night! We Eagle fans sure do appreciate that.

^ Bears clobber Cowboys 45-28. Dallas has no defense and we took advantage of it. At least those hard-core fans at the game, went away frozen, but happy.

I will wrap up Un Lun dun. I think I will take a left turn on audio and start Billy Lynn's, which I know several LTers really liked.

Linda- Go Bears! Yes, not much to the Ditka tribute. Maybe the intense cold sapped the enthusiasm.

Katie- You don't like the Cowgirls? LOL. I like the cheerleaders, that's about it.

Tam- I am not sure how much of Mieville's work is steam-punk. He seems to create a sci-fi, fantasy hybrid. I recommend The City & the City.

Megan- Ma'am, yes Ma'am!! Yep, keeping those feet warm & dry are an absolute must. With snow on the ground, it makes everything so much colder.

Terri- Glad we helped your Eagles. LOL. Our defense is still shaky. Hopefully that can improve.

Nope, I'm a (hapless) Giants fan!

I read Perdido Street Station and don't think you could pay me enough to read another Mieville! It was awful. I gave it a 2 out of 10 stars - the lowest rating I give a book I complete.

Go, Bears! At least they gave the frigid fans a good show. That Jeffery is turning into one of the best receivers in the league, isn't he?

I'm one of those who really liked Billy Lynn's, and it should be top shelf for you.

I agree with your rec to Katie of Neverwhere or the City and the City.

I'm lerving The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey - one of my tops of the year, for sure.

Mark - I caved and wore stripey fleece socks today inside my boots. Feet are toasty warm... I just hope I don't have to take off my shoes for any reason before I get home. :-)

Count me as another big fan of "Billy Lynn's". I think you're going to love it, Mark. I'm glad to hear your customers are considerate enough to clear snow. And thanks for explaining your work schedule. As a former journalist, I am always interested in how things work in jobs that don't have traditional weekends off.

46/48 I'll keep that in mind.

Have you seen this one, Mark?

http://iwastesomuchtime.com/on/?i=84429

Nesting Santas. Because reasons.

Hope you day is going well, Mark.

I had to laugh at Morphy's reaction to Perdido Street Station as it got very mixed reviews by my family as well. I read it and loved it. My sister read a chapter or two and returned it saying she thought it was garbage. My brother then read it and thought it was one of the weirdest books he's ever read but came down firmly on the like side. I guess he's just one of those authors that gets very mixed reviews.

Looking forward to hearing about Billy Lynn as I picked it up as a daily deal for the kindle some time ago.

Did you read Un Lun Dun or listen to it? There are pictures in the book and Mieville drew them - starting with a creepy broken umbrella.

I liked Billy Lynn too Mark. Keepn warm out there:)

The day went well, mainly because the mail was light, which normally it is on Tuesday, which is usually when they like us to deliver the hefty regional sales papers and those bad boys did not arrive. We will have them tomorrow and it looks like more snow is coming. Ugh! This is going to be a LONG winter, people! A LONG, LONG, LONG winter.

I finished Un Lun Dun and I am glad that one is in the rear-view. It was both under-written and over-written at the same time, if that makes sense, without a strong narrative flow.
Now, on the other hand, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk grabbed me right away. This is my kind of book and the audio is terrific. Happy Mark!
I am still plugging away at Night Film. I really like this book, but at nearly 600 pages, it's taking me longer than usual. If you like very dark & creepy, without the gore and violence, this is a perfect choice.

Katie- Waving to a hapless Giants fan!

Morphy- Now, don't hold back! LOL. I had mixed feelings about Perdido Street Station but there was much I really enjoyed about it.

Joe- It was nice to watch the Bears beat-up another team, without the stress and the agony. The Dallas was atrocious, of course, worse than ours.
Like I mentioned up there, I am loving Billy Lynn. I will give you full credit for the nudge, even though it was on my distant radar.

Caro- No pics of your stripey fleece socks? WTH? I've been wearing my short over-shoes but I need to switch to the longer pair, because snow is sneaking in the sides and getting my shoes wet. We can not have that.

Julia- I didn't realize there were this many Billy Lynn fans. Cool. I like our work schedule, but I am sure working a straight Mon-Fri, wouldn't be bad either. I do miss out on things that happen Friday night and Saturday.

Tam- Once again, there are a lot of fans of Un Lun Dun out there, so you might just want to go with your gut.

Amber- How do people think of these things? Boredom? They can't be readers! LOL. I prefer a full pint glass but that is a nifty idea.

RD- Aw, nesting Santas! I bet they could also be used, in a pinch, as a beer glass!

Hi Mark! I'm so sorry to hear about your Uncle's illness. He sounds like a great guy, though.

Keep staying warm out there - we're supposed to have a high of 9 degrees tomorrow and awful winds up here - maybe you'll totally avoid all of that mess and will have a nice warm breeze instead? Maybe? ;) Oh well.

Thanks for the Night Film rec, I have her other book here (and have since it was first printed - actually, I think it's autographed too!) but of course it's still unread. Like most of my books. Plus, I keep on "stealing" ARCs from work - otherwise they get thrown out! Can't have that. I think that I'll start posting titles up for grabs on my thread in January - gotta keep you guys in the PO busy after the holiday season, don't want you to get bored. ;)

Was just getting ready for bed and realized that it's not even 7:30 at night yet. Ugh.

Hi Mark, I'm sorry to hear of your uncle's health issues.

>1 msf59: Adorable little elf. How nice of her to hold your package. ;)

That's it...see? I've got nothing...

Finally got above freezing here for the first time in a week! Mid 40s and sunshine - I almost took off my coat!

Hi Mark,

Just got home from a very looooong last day at school for the year to find your Secret Santa present - THANK YOU!!! It was perfect timing and a lovely surprise. I have had Stones for Ibarra on my wishlist since I think Bonnie recommended it. It's in really nice condition and it's come all the way from Ireland. I'll go and post a message on the Secret Santa thread soon.

I am about 23 threads behind here, but I read your last one about your uncle's illness. I hope you get to enjoy some good family holiday time together in the next few weeks.

Hump Day! I purposely left off the happy part, because of the snow, wind & cold. It might be hard to crack a smile, but I will slog through. I have my books, so that warms my heart.

Judy- I think Mieville is a mixed bag. I'll have to try a couple of his later ones. I am so glad you grabbed Billy Lynn. This WILL be a winner.

Benita- I listened to Un Lun Dun. I would have liked to see the illustrations but I am sure it wouldn't have made a difference. Hope you are enjoying it.

Bonnie- Another Billy Lynn fan! Yah! It is a gem so far.

Laura- It is snowing out there now. Ugh. You will really like Night Film. I would like to read Special Topics too. Keep me in mind on tasty ARCS. Grins broadly.

Joanne- Thanks! It is always good to see you, even for just a HI! I am always interested in your book selections.
" How nice of her to hold your package." LOL!

Cushla- So glad you received the book. There is another on the way too but that might run late, but at least you have one for now. I also loved Stones For Ibarra, one of the reasons I picked it.
Drop by again.

Speed delivery of Artic Parka sent your way, Mark! Keep warm my friend!!

Man, winter owes us some tropical days after this stretch! Hope it's not too lousy out there for you.

Last Days of Ptolemy Grey was most excellent. I've always liked Walter Mosley's mysteries, and I have to get the new Easy Rawlins, but his best books happen when he stretches outside that genre. This was one of his best.

Glad you're liking Billy Lynn's! Enjoy - I bet it's a good one on audio.

Mark, it's probably not a good sign that I am already looking forward to our first winter thaw. :-) Stay warm and safe out there, my friend.

It's good to be home. Warm & snuggly and with a fine Wisconsin beer at hand. My lovely daughter made a taco dinner and I am happy.

I have just over 60 pages left in Night Film. It is flagging a bit in it's final quarter but still well worth reading. Still LOVING Billy Lynn. I should finish that tomorrow too. Expect more gushing.

>66 msf59: LOL

Man, winter owes us some tropical days after this stretch! Hope it's not too lousy out there for you.

You can say that again, Old man winter is on my black list! We were getting really bad roads this afternoon. I hear this weekend isn't supposed to be so great either.



Don't let that smile fool you, he's not very nice. :P

Lynda- Thanks for the Arctic parka! Every little bit helps. Only 12 on the way home. Winter isn't messing around this year.

Joe- I haven't read Mosley in quite a few years and those were only a couple of the Rawlins books. I should check out his stand-alones.
Billy Lynnis great on audio. Love those Dallas Cheerleaders!

Julia- Thanks! I just take it day to day through the winter. There is no point in getting worked up about it. It won't change anything. The older I get, the more it beats me up, though.

Tam- Old Man Winter is a very bad man. Cruel & heartless too. I do not think we will creep above freezing for at least the next week and now they are talking measurable snow over the weekend. Ugh!

Some books work in audio and some don't. I am thinking that Un Lun Dun is one that won't. As soon as I started reading it I noticed the pictures and thought it funny that nobody on the group read thread mentioned them. That made me wonder about whether they were reading it or hearing it. On-the-other-hand, there are some of the words where hearing them might make a difference. Like UnLunDun. It may be that Mieville has tried to be to cute for his own good. Romeless. Sans Francisco. Parisn't. What a hoot.

I noticed at the top of the Un Lun Dun thread one of the book covers - the black and grey one - has some of the illustrations from the inside on the cover. The dustbins on that cover are one of the creatures on the chapter headings. Very cool drawings.

I have a copy of Billy Lynn's Long Half-time Walk on my shelves. I think it was nominated for some kind of big time book award, so it should be a winner and help keep you warm while you walk.

Quick drive-by only - too much RL these days! xx

Hi Mark, hope you've finally unfrozen!

Hope you're thawed out, Mark. It was 12 when I left work and 3 when I got home and it's not that long a drive.

A nice night to sit inside and watch hockey and read.

Did you read Shadow and Bone some time back? If so there is a sequel to it titled Siege and Storm. Might be a good'un to listen to while walking your routes. I can't remember if you read Code Name Verity but the sequel to it just came into our library. It is titled Rose Under Fire. These are YA books that should make good listening.

Hi Mark! I seem to have run out of time to catch up on your old thread, but nothing like jumping in at the end of the latest and greatest. :)

Did you read NOS4R2? I'm about 1/3 of the way into it, and it's deliciously creepy. And we had our Xmas bookgroup meeting last night, and we've chosen The Shining for our January read, so more creepiness to come this summer!

We discussed Code Name Verity which was an excellent English novel about two women during WW2 - one a pilot, one an interrogator. Highly recommended, but pack a box of tissues.

Six more work days until 3 weeks off over Xmas. Not that I'm counting, no....

We didn't get above 0F today. Ugh.

Hi Mark. I was trying to catch up with this thread and kept seeing well wishes for your uncle so I had to go back to your last thread and find what I'd missed. I'm glad he's with family and has so much support around him right now. Special (((hugs))) for all of you.

Love you. Reading (and freezing to death in the snow) are both great distractions!

I'm jealous of your park. It's about the same weather here in MN. New Easy Rawlins? I thought Mosley had killed him? I've only read Easy and 47. Don't bother with 47. He was a bit out of his element. I'll definitely read more of his novels though.

Loved Code Name Verity, disliked Rose Under Fire. I lost a thread or two - did you read the sequel? What did you think?

Sweet Thursday! Okay, it's not so sweet, but 2 more work days and I can get out of the arctic. I should wrap up both Night Film & Billy Lynn's.

Benita- I try not to beat-up on books, especially ones that others seem to be enjoying. Un Lun Dun just didn't work and I am not sure if an illustrated print version would have made a difference.
One thing is for sure, pull that copy of Billy Lynn off the shelf and dive in. It's terrific.
Yes, I read and enjoyed Shadow and Bone but have not got to the sequel. I loved the audio of Code Name Verity but have not read her follow-up, which I have not heard good things about.

Prue- RL can be a bully. I can totally understand. Good to see you.

RD- The defrost does not start until Friday evening and then I can relax. Ugh!

Linda- I sure don't feel like going out right now. LOL. I think it is zero out there. Gulp...

Tania- I loved NOS4R2. There are not many true horror books being written right now, so it's nice to have King's kid around. The Shining is one of my favorites. I wish I had time to do a reread before starting doctor Sleep.
Ooh, I bet you are looking forward to that Christmas break! 3 weeks. Nice!

Morphy- At least I don't have to deal with your temps. LOL. Any luck with the book? I figured you would get it by now.

Tina- Thanks for your kind thoughts about my uncle. Warm hugs back. And yes, my books keep me perfectly distracted. Thank God!

Katie- "I'm jealous of your park." ?? Good to see you. I'll have to stop by and see what you are reading.

Lisa- I will probably skip Rose Under Fire, since many of my LT pals were underwhelmed by it. I did love her last book.

Time to head out...Wah!!

Oh gosh, yes! I got it! I had sending you a PM on my To Do list and thought of it every time I was on LT and then keep forgetting. "Let me just finish this set of threads." A thousand lashes with a wet noodle!

Thank you so much! I wasn't expecting it to be a paperback copy. I was expecting a hardcover. I think it is really cool that it's an uncorrected proof. Where did you get it?

I have it next to me on my bookshelf and will get to it as soon as I can. Looking forward to it!

RL is keeping me busy...but I wanted to make sure that you were ok, and not frozen to a sidewalk somewhere :P
Keep warm!

>77 cammykitty: New Easy Rawlins: don't want to get spoilery, Katie, but his apparent demise was a bit like Sherlock at Reichenbach Falls. The new one is Little Green.

Woo, stay warm today, my friend. That's a shocker out there. Debbi said it's 15 below wind chill. Old Man Winter is going to owe us some balmy ones after this arctic blast. Hope Billy Lynn's helps you get through.

I picked up A Tale for the Time Being and Testament of Mary at the library, so when I finish my in Death mystery I'll be giving those a go. At some point I'll post a mini-review of The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. Loved it.

Code Name Verity keeps coming up on these threads.... perhaps I should put it on hold and see how long it takes me to get a copy from the library.

Stay warm, Mark!!

Fifteen BELOW wind chill! Oh my gawd! I hope you can come home early, Mark.

-15? Ye gods and little fishes. Do you wear a balaclava? You could be the masked postman.

Mark you are on a roll with the good books. Sounds as if you are feeling as I did about the ending of Night Film...great story that flags a bit at the end. I also loved Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk earlier this year. I bet it is just terrific on audio. I am listening to Billy Crystal's new memoir Still Foolin' 'Em as my audio right now...have you heard of this one? It has its moments of hilarity but some of it is pretty slow. I think he has determined to mention every famous person he ever met!

I can't wait to see what they did with season 3 of "Sherlock", the UK television drama -- series 2 ended with a version of the Reichenbach Falls tale. I love the way the show's creators have re-imagined and the characters and the plots. The Hound of the Baskervilles is still set on Dartmoor, but near a government biological research center, for instance. Highly recommended if you haven't seen it yet and want some holiday viewing.

Have you tried those instant heaters? Little bags/sachets/gel packs that you shake or squeeze to activate and that retain heat for a couple of hours? I've used them while skating and they're super for dealing with cold extremities (pop 'em in gloves & boots).

Hope you were able to keep warm out there today Mark. It was freezing over here in MA. I went out to mail out Christmas cards and some parcels after the gym without drying my hair and I had frozen clumps of hair from the time I left my car and walked across the parking lot to the post office.

I'm actually looking forward to reading Billy Lynn, too, Mark. I keep wanting to call it Billy Flynn though. Granted I just hustled between the car, the restaurant, and the office but it didn't seem as cold this afternoon. Sad when 20 degrees seems balmy.

And I thought 0F was cold! Brrrrr

HA! Cute one, Mark.

Sorry you didn't like Un Lun Dun! It doesn't happen to be high on my list of Mievilles-to-get-to, but still.

Terribly cold morning, but at least it warmed up a bit! Tomorrow should be a toasty 25 degrees or so, right?

Marky-Mark in the House! I will try to tone down the weather griping over here. I am sure that annoys some visitors and that would not make me happy. No one has complained but still...

Book turn-over day! Finished Billy Lynn and as advertised it was amazing. Thank you Mr. Joe for the perfect nudge. I think this would make an ideal companion piece to the Yellow Birds. If you have not read that one either, you better get crackin' or I'll sic RD on you!
I finished Night Film. I wish the last 100 pages would have been stronger and tighter but overall it is a solid read and I do recommend it.
On audio, I had an itch for some NF, which I have been neglecting, so I started the Johnstown Flood by David McCullough. One of my LT buddies recently read it, which gave me the inspiration. I do not remember who that was. Lost in the ether. I'll blame brain freeze. I love the opening chapters.

Morphy- I am glad you received the Circle. I snagged it from the special ER Group Read giveaway. I never made it over to the group read, just didn't care enough.
I hope you enjoy it.

Kath- Thanks for checking in on me. I have "not frozen to a sidewalk" yet. So far I have managed to stay on my feet, but it has been COLD. Ugh!

Joe- I sure felt the wind chill today, especially in the morning and early afternoon. It cut right through.
Looking forward to your thoughts on both A Tale for the Time Being and Testament of Mary. I've heard more mixed on the former, so I'll be curious to hear what you make of that one.

Ellen- I am sure you will like Code Name Verity.

RD- I think it was in the single digits when I started the route and the wind definitely bit! It eventually got better but it took awhile.

Lisa- I do not wear a balaclava but you could call me the masked postman. I don't wear anything fancy just several layers, along with a wool cap, hood and scarf.

Heidi- I try to stay on a book-roll as long as I can. LT helps immensely in that department. I think Night Film would make an excellent film, in the right hands.
I have Still Foolin' 'Em saved on audio. I think it is narrated by Crystal, which should be a lot of fun.

Suz- I am probably one of the very few people who was not that crazy about the latest Sherlock. I loved the 2 leads but I think it gets just to "busy" for me. I am sure I will get some disgruntled responses.
I haven't tried the instant heaters. I dress warm enough. Occasionally my hands get cold, from holding the icy mail but once I get back inside the vehicle I warm up pretty quick.

Caro- This arctic blast seems to be hitting many places, and in all directions. Nearly 30 here tomorrow. Heat wave.

Linda- I wouldn't call today balmy, although it got better in the afternoon. Tomorrow is supposed to be more comfortable. You might like billy Lynn. There is not a lot of football in it, despite the fact that it takes place during an NFL football, featuring the Cowboys and the Bears.

Tam- Wow, it was only Zero in Indiana today? It started out around there, early this morning but slowly climbed to 20. Ridiculous.

>94 msf59:: Oh, I just recently finished the McCullough book - am I the lucky recommender? Either way, I think you'll absolutely love it. Are you listening to it? Edward Hermann is an amazing reader and perfect for McCullough's style. I can't wait to hear what you think of it!

Happy Friday! One more work day. And a heat wave on it's way too! 29 today. Yippee! Since it is a shorty, I will bookhorn in Sarah, Plain and Tall next, another hearty nod to Joe and then onto Mrs. Somebody Somebody. Hugs to Bonnie for that one. On audio, I will joyfully continue The Johnstown Flood.

Amber- Yah! It was you! I already can feel that the Johnstown Flood will be a keeper. My audio is not read by Hermann, which would have been great. My version goes way back. It even includes instructions on how to listen to it on cassette. If it doesn't work, rap it sharply on a hard surface and that should do it. LOL.

Either way, you'll enjoy it, even if just for the, "well, I'm cold, but it could be worse" value. Ha!

Mark, I remember those instructions on books-on-tape cassettes. I even had to do that once or twice. I used to order them from the Books-on-Tape company (this was back before libraries had very big collections of audiobooks). They came packaged in a little cardboard box that was ready to mail back postage-free. The cassettes were great because they were about 45 minutes a side, and I walked my dog twice a day so could listen to a whole cassette a day. Some of the books I listened to were 15 or 20 cassettes long!

/old lady rambling

Ha! Heatwave of 29F, right there with ya, Mark!

Yep it was 0F most of the morning then it got up to like 12F I think. Supposedly it will get up to 31F today, woohoo!

We've made it all the way above freezing! Woohoo! And, thank goodness, the sunshine continues to pour down. Much fun, if not for the windchill.

Still, I only walk the dog...not the mail route. Oh, check your FB timeline Mark, I sent you a little something to keep you warm. Heh.

You're welcome on the Billy Lynn's nudge, Mark. It always feels good when a recommendation works, right? I like your idea of pairing it with The Yellow Birds. That would make for a heck of a book club discussion.

I know, solid LT readers have had differing views of A Tale for the Time Being. I suspect I'll like it, as I tend to go for books of this type. Plus Anne (NarratorLady) liked it, and that's been a reliable barometer for me in the past.

Having just polished off that in Death mystery, I'm having fun right now with the RD-rec'd The Zona, which so far is kind of a post-apocalyptic western spiced with psychedelia.

Hope you are enjoying the heat wave (!) and popping in to say Hi! Miss you. Glad to see you are still holding down the fort here on LT. Hugs!

Glenn Close played the lead in a movie version of Sarah, Plain and Tall, which was quite good.

^Let the weekend begin!

"Sarah came in the spring. She came through green grass fields that bloomed with Indian paintbrush, red and orange, and blue-eyed grass."

""One thing,' I said in the quiet of the room.

'What's that?' asked Papa, looking up.

I put my arm around Caleb.

'Ask her if she sings,' I said."

^Many of my LT friends think they have a handle on me. I like dark & twisted. I drink copious amounts of fine beer. I ogle comely women. Okay, guilty as charged but I did love Sarah, Plain and Tall, so don't pigeon-hole me quite yet. And no, that is not some kind of prison term.
This was such a sweet read. My only issue was it's length. Couldn't MacLachlan add another 50 pages?

Put me in the ranks of people who didn't really like the new versions of Sherlock Holmes. I say versions because there is that American TV version with Lucy Liu as Watson that is not my cup of tea either. I thought the BBC version that was shown on PBS was just downright mean spirited with Sherlock acting like a spoiled 12 year-old and allowed to get away with it because he's just so darn cute. Oh - wait ! maybe I am describing Old Bat Grantham, the Dowager Duchess of Grantham, the To Cute For Her Own Shoes - Old Bat from Downtown Abbey.

Amber- I am really enjoying The Johnstown Flood. As usual, McCullough has really done his homework. And I love that smooth narrative.

Julia- Surprisingly, I am relatively new to audiobooks. It only goes back a few years, so I never listened to them, in the "old" days. You know, I deliver some audio cassettes to my patrons. I believe they are the free ones for the blind, but they seem to come only in a single plastic case. I wonder how these work? Like Playaways?

Tam- Actually, I cracked a sweat today, especially earlier in the day. I am still bundled up and with the sun and rising temps, not bad. Once the clouds moved in, it began to cool off again.
More snow on the way. Ugh!

RD- It was down-right pleasant today. No complaints but chilly stuff, along with more snow comes back tomorrow. The extended forecast shows below average temps right through the rest of the month, Ugh!
Thanks for the FB post. Cute!

Joe- The more I think about Billy Lynn, the more I like it. What a gem. What a talent. If you end up loving A Tale for the Time Being, I will give it a shot.

Kimmers made it! Kimmers made it! That just made my day. Miss you too! Keep in mind, I will be in Portland at the end of next month. Meet-Up Time!!

Lisa- Thanks! I will have to track down the Glenn Close version. Cool.

Mark--Just tell me when and I will clear the calendar!! Yay!

Mark - Many of my LT friends think they have a handle on me. I like dark & twisted. I drink copious amounts of fine beer. I ogle comely women

I don't think that does you justice at all mate, but it isn't a bad start! Where's the warmth and big-heartedness that we all know accompanies the beer, birds and the bad-ass books?

Have a great weekend and try to keep warm.

^Just sayin'!

Benita- I knew I could count on you on the new British Sherlock! Once again, I love the leads but I prefer subtlety. Slammin' on the Dowager, eh? LOL. I'll probably watch the new season but expectations are low.

Kim- I will PM you.

Paul- "Where's the warmth and big-heartedness." Are you mixing me up with Joe again? LOL. Thanks, my friend.

" beer, birds and the bad-ass books." That about sums it up, doesn't it?

Sarah Plain and Tall is one I remember a lot of kids reading back when I was a kid. Looks like I should find a copy.

And I meant "parka" in #77, not "park." After all, your parks in Wisconsin are all cold right now!!! I can find cold parks here.

I've only just recently read Sarah Plain and Tall, too, and I agree with you that it's just lovely. So glad you liked it!

*waving* at Mark

I also enjoyed Sarah, Plain and Tall although I have not read the sequels. I think there are at least two?

Mark - The cap fits both you two Chicagoans.

Happy Saturday! For some baffling reason, it took me forever to get over here this morning. I am still playing around with my new laptop. I dumped Internet Explorer. I do not like that clunky browser and I am trying Google Chrome, which seems to work much better.

We have a group of friends coming over tonight, so the day will be spent getting the house in order. Hopefully, I can hide and get a little reading in between the mountain of chores. I am anxious to dip back into Mrs. Somebody. This is my cuppa. How about this first sentence:

"Lucy Mattsen was nobody--like all the women I worked with--until the day the baby fell out the window."

OMG!

Katie- Yes, you lost me there with the "park" comment. LOL. I thought maybe I missed something. Hope you are have a nice weekend.

Amber- It is snowing out there right now. Looks beautiful, but I am glad I am in here and not out there. Thanks to my LT pals for Sarah Plain and Tall, otherwise I probably would have never read it.

Stasia- Loving waves! I know the author has several books out, including the sequels, which I will have to try. The first one feels so brief.

Paul- Well, I hope these 2 Chicagoans get to meet Mr. P.C. in 2014! Fingers crossed.

I certainly hope so too mate and I fully expect it to happen this time.

i'm a Chrome user and so far I like it very much - much better than Explorer.

Oh yay! Chrome is hugely better than IE ever was. I have a Chromebook now, so I also don't have to deal with emm-effin' Windows crap either. The improvement is monumental.

^I somehow ended up with 2 advanced copies of On Such a Full Sea. One from ER, and maybe one from Shelf Awareness. If anyone would like the extra, PM me. I have still not read Lee, although I have 2 others on shelf, A Gesture Life and The Surrendered. I NEED more book-time!!

**The copy is going to Richard! Who will hug it and squeeze it...

Paul- I predict we will have a wonderful visit!

Amber & RD- So far so good on the Google Chrome!

Just a quick hi, Mark, as I'm tied up today. >111 msf59: - hilarious sign! Glad you've got a day off and a traditional 2 day weekend.

oh oh... that quote from Mrs Somebody Somebody alone had me adding that book to my OWL, Mark.

I like the gif in #111 too. So true and that reminds me I need to remind the hubster to pick up more beer on his way back from the store ... can't do to run out after all.

I hate IE. I ditched them quite some time ago. I've been on Firefox in the past, but last year I tried out Google Chrome and I much prefer this browser.

Hey Mark, Mrs Somebody Somebody sounds interesting! I am patiently awaiting your review. :P How is your weather today? Are you getting any snow? We are drowning in it! We did get on the roads and they are not great. .

Glad you are enjoying your Saturday off, Mark. Oh, look, I've just taken another book bullet, can't resist that first line of Mrs. Somebody Somebody. Another rec from Mark! ;)

2 copies of a new book just arrive in your mail? I suspect you have contacts in the postal service ;)
I love the cover, and hope it gets to a good home.

>99 rosalita: Some of the books I listened to were 15 or 20 cassettes long!
I remember those! They used to use tapes too for language courses, I practiced my Spanish using a box of tapes with instructions, it was surprisingly effective.

"I know you're hell-bent to be Mrs. Somebody Somebody..."

"Mrs. Somebody Somebody was exactly who I wanted to be."

Okay, the house is ship-shape and we are ready to entertain. As usual it's a lot of work but the good news is, we will have the house ready for our Christmas Eve gathering too. The wife is making up appetizers for tonight, I am having a cold beer and relaxing a few minutes.

Joe- I was busy today too but at least I didn't have to trudge through any snow. Matt, my son, went to Wisconsin for some skiing. Perfect weather for it. Hope the weekend is going well.

Caro- Mrs Somebody is also the opening story. It's about 50 pages and I am still not through it yet. Her writing is wicked good. I am sure you will like it.

Tam- It looks like we got at least 4 inches. Fortunately my son cleared the drive-way before he took off. I am sure I said this already: This is going to be a LONG winter.

Judy- I am sure you will love Mrs Somebody. I can't believe it took me this long to get to it.

Megan- No, it wasn't by accident that I received 2 copies of the Lee book. I had forgot that I requested an ARC from a different source. So far, no one is interested in a free copy. I guess I'll have to dump it in the recycling bin. LOL.

I too am a Google Chrome user. Now that they have fixed the issue of opening PDFs, I'm a happy camper.

I read A Gesture Life in August, which I quite enjoyed. It sounds like On Such a Full Sea could not be any more different, but there are some very good reviews on Amazon.

I read Chang Rae-Lee's Aloft eons ago and loved it but then I never read anything else he wrote Mark. Who knows why. Perhaps the other books, screaming for attention, pushed him out of the way.

I do believe I started my review of Mrs. Somebody with that exact line about the baby. How could anyone not read on??

Yes, that first line is a killer. I'm going right now to check to see if I put it on the list after reading Brenzi's review. Mark, you've convinced me.

Good morning! I plan on having a lazy Sunday morning but then we are having a family gathering, (not here, thank the Lord) in the early afternoon. If it was my choice, I would lay around all day, with books and football.

Lisa- On Such a Full Sea will probably be my first Lee, since it's an ER book, although I would love to start with A Gesture Life.

Bonnie- I have not heard of Aloft. Good? I did finish the title story in Mrs. Somebody. Wow. Hopefully I can read a chunk today.

Katie- And how the rest of that story unfolds is really terrific. If I can't suck you in, Bonnie's great review, surely will.

I'll also second the chemical packet hand warmers. I resisted them at first, but when I am feeding horses at -20, they absolutely save my hands.

I bought a box of them at Costco several years ago which makes them very inexpensive. And the chemist and the cheapskate in me was tickled to death when I found that if you don't need their entire 6 or 8 hours of warmth, you can seal them in a plastic baggie, squishing out the air and the chemical reaction stops. Pull them out, opening them back up to the oxygen, and the heat starts again. I keep a few with the emergency supplies in my car.

That is some first line in Mrs. Somebody Somebody, Mark. I look forward to your overall reaction.

I finished The Zona, the RD-rec'd post-apocalyptic gunfighting religious zealotry tale (hard to describe!) and had a good time with it. Hopefully I'll get further into A Tale for the Time Being today.

I've got a lazy day ahead, except I need to wrap Debbi's presents while she's out with a group of storytellers. Go Bears!

#131 That's a great tip, streamsong. I must try that!

Hi Mark: Happy Sunday!!

After church and some Christmas shopping, I'll watch the Bears game, the Packers game, then the Blackhawks tonight. Plenty of reading today, too, I think.

Mark, I too am having a lazy Sunday morning…to be followed by a lazy afternoon and evening. I'm wiped out by my last rounds of Christmas shopping, two Christmas parties in a row, and life in general. It's going to be all about the books and a little football…right after I get those last few presents wrapped and under the tree. I might read in the living room with the tree lights on and the glow of a warm fire.

The Bears & the Browns at noon today! We have to go to a family dinner at a restaurant for one, so will miss a big chunk of the game. Crappy planning if you ask me. And then hopefully, I can get home and get back to the books.

Janet- Thanks for the great pointers on the hand warmers. Those would come in handy, when the temps are single digits.

Joe- It looks like Mrs. somebody are true linked stories and since those are my favorites, I am sure this will be a gem. The Zona does sound good. I should have snagged it, when I had the chance.
Wrap those presents, my friend. That is something I suck at. LOL.
Go Bears!

Lisa- Big Waves!

Linda- Sounds like you have a perfect day planned. Enjoy!

Donna- It sounds like you deserve a perfectly lazy day. Have you read Mrs. Somebody? This looks to have your name written all over it.

“I want my stories to move people — I don’t care if they’re men or women or children. I want my stories to be something about life that causes people not to say, “Oh, isn’t that the truth,” but to feel some kind of reward from the writing. And that doesn’t mean that it was to have a happy ending or anything — but just that everything the story tells moves you in such a way that you feel you’re a different person when you finish.” —

Alice Munro in an interview on writing and storytelling after winning the 2013 Nobel Prize in literature.

^I think she succeeds!

Happy Sunday, Mark. While you're at your family gathering, I'll stay in and read books and watch football for you.

#137 I couldn't agree more Mark. Her style was so natural in The View from Castle Rock.

Fortunately, our dinner plans were changed and we are going for 6. Our goofy family! So, at least I can watch the Bears game. They are tied at halftime, 10-10. Cutler looks rusty.

Caro- At least I have my afternoon back, so I will join you, with books & football!



^Has anyone heard anything about We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves? It sounds terrific and I just snagged the audio, along with the Signature of All Things, which has been getting stellar reviews.

Status quo in Markland...

Hope you're enjoying the family gathering!

Go Bears! Nice win. Cutler got better as the game went on. What a group of receivers they have!

^R.I.P.- Peter O' Toole 1932-2013

Lawrence of Arabia is one of my all time favorite films and what a dynamo performance by O'Toole.

Thanks for that Mark. Peter O'Toole was a Leeds boy and a great, great actor.

Hi Mark! I'm glad you were able to watch your game! Joe has a friend who got married on a Sunday in January, during the NFL playoffs. Joe was in the wedding party and was not happy. I happened to be away at a conference, so didn't have to go to that particular wedding, but it seemed like very poor planning.

I have We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves on my wishlist, but haven't read it yet.

Bears win! Bears win! 38-31. They still look shaky and they do not have the confidence of a playoff contender, but of course I'll take a victory. We are off to our family dinner.

Kath- All is good in Markland! Just not looking forward to 6 straight work days. Ugh! Hope you had a good one.

Joe- Good to see the win. Thankfully, the Browns QB was awful, otherwise we would have been destroyed. Another great Jeffrey's catch! Yeah, baby!

Paul- He was one of the greats, no question.

Mary Doria Russell sent out a personal e mail raving about We Are Completely Beside Ourselves when it was first published. I've wanted to read it ever since but it keeps getting bumped. BTW Mark, I am loving The View from Castle Rock. I don't have a lot of reading time unfortunately.

>126 msf59: I guess I'll have to dump it in the recycling bin. LOL.

Dumping new books is a crime Mark, and you know it ;)
Save it, and on your next meet up, gift it to someone! Or save it for me, when I do my whirlwind tour of the US in 2027 (or thereabouts).

Go the Bears! (*pretending like I know what team "The Bears" are*)

Mark, if it's still available, I'd like the ARC of the newest Lee. I'll PM you my address.

ETA never mind. I see Richard beat me to it!

One of the greatest comebacks ever. Amazing Packers win. Yay!!

(Yes, I'm having an overabundance of enthusiasm but I'd love to see it come down to the Bears and the Packers that last game of the season.)

A great sports day.

I think qebo just read We Are Completely Beside Ourselves and enjoyed it. I just picked up The Age of Miracles by the same author.

We had a nice dinner. It was one of these family style Italian dinner places ,with big bowls of food to pass around. It's good food but the beer selection was very weak...just sayin'!

Kerri- Go Seahawks! They kicked butt, huh? I wish my favorite team was dominating like that. I might just bump up We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves on audio. Maybe after the McCullough.

Bonnie- Go Bills! Go Bills! Thanks for the MDR endorsement of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. She mentioned, at Booktopia, that she reads very little fiction, so for her to rave about something, is well...something.
Glad you are loving Castle Rock I knew that would be in your wheelhouse.

Megan- "Dumping new books is a crime Mark, and you know it!" Thank you for the admonishment. LOL. Of course, you know I was kidding. I do not even throw away BAD books. I will be sending the copy to RD, who promised it a good home.
You are coming to the Midwest in 2027? Yah!!

Katie- Sorry, I should posted that earlier. Have you read Lee?

Linda- I didn't realize the Pack pulled that one out. Last I saw, Romo & the boys were dominating. Is Rodgers have a due- back date?

Lisa- I'll have to check out qebo's thread. I have not visited her much this year. This is a different author than the one who wrote The Age of Miracles, which I listened to and liked last year, although they both use 3 names. LOL.

I thought Rodgers was going to be back today but I guess not. The Pack was down 26-3 at the half. Came back to take the lead by 1 with a minute and a half to go. A Packer guy intercepted with just over a minute and that was all she wrote.

I read a little McCullough book tonight, too, Mark. A real short one, about the wartime Christmas of 1941. Beautiful but one of the shortest books I've ever read.

Oh, you're right Karen Joy Fowler vs Karen Thompson Walker. Never having read either before, I conflated the two. Whoops!

Monday Blues! Ugh! Plus I am looking at 6 straight. Double Ugh! At least, I had a nice weekend and I have my current reads to keep me warm and distracted. Looking forward to getting back into the Johnstown Flood & Mrs. Somebody.

Linda- It sure looked like one helluva football game. Glad your team came out on top.

Lisa- I can see that being an easy mistake. I might start the Fowler book soon.

Mark stay warm!

For those participating in Mark's AAC

The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty is a Kindle Deal today at 1.99

There is always plenty of enthusiasm here, when it comes to rehoming a book.
Stay warm... !

Good luck today, Mark. They said on the radio that today's the biggest shipping day of the year in the U.S.

Bears win, Hawks win - helps on a nugly Monday, doesn't it? So far I'm liking A Tale for the Time Being, and thanks to Paul C. I'm trying the The Bulldog Drummond Chronicles, with some fun post-WWI capers going on.

Hope it's a decent one for you. Enough already - you deserve a Monday off. Is the heavy scheduling because of the holidays?

Way up there..... "...so don't pigeon-hole me quite yet."
One of my favorite things about you, Mark.

Nic win for the Bears yesterday. Congratulations!

I did get a copy of Code Name Verity from the library and will likely read it after I finish my current novel, Falling to Earth. I'm pleased to be so close to 100 and thought I'd do a frantic "okay, but how many books above 100 can I complete?" --- but the UW volleyball team made it to the Final Four and we have tickets because it's at Key Arena here in town, and there are Christmas presents to buy and wrap, and a tree to be gotten one of these days (only 9 days until Christmas and I have been a total slacker!!)....

Anyway, I hope you stay warm out there this week, Mark.

>149 katiekrug: I'll send you the ARC once I've read it, Katie. I still have your address, I'm pretty sure anyway.

#143
I agree. Lawrence of Arabia is one of my favorite films every. I hear that music and my head does pitty patters. Doctor Zchivago is also on that list. I had forgotten that O'Toole was also in Lion in Winter. Somehow I thought it was Paul Scofield.

Funny how my reading this year has tagged along with things in the news. Early in the year I was reading about the Wars of the Roses and then they found Richard III's body. I have been reading through the Sharon Kay Penman novels about Henry II and his family and now Peter O'Toole's death. On Thursday I picked up a long ago made Inter-Library Loan request for Deon Meyer's Seven Days and it came during the week of Nelson Mandela's funeral. I have put Un Lun Dun aside while I finish Seven Days. i get to read about South Africa while it is in the news.

I spent the weekend baking my Christmas cookies for a cookie exchange and then baked bread. I bagged up my excess cookies and left them in the mailbox for my mail carrier - along with a Christmasy note card. We always did that when I lived out in Kansas, but this is a big city and I began to think that perhaps she wouldn't accept food from a stranger because she might not know if she could trust me not to poison her. The cookies were gone when I got back from the cookie exchange on Friday night. I really hope she eats them as they were good cookies. I made peanut butter sandwich cookies with a peanut butter, honey, and cinnamon filling.

By-the-way, my Saturday mail carrier (who is not the same as the one on the weekdays) got to my place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening. Poor guy.

Sufferin succotash! just caught up on your mighty long thread, Mark. I hear there's a warm front coming your/my way. I'll relish a nice 40F day.

>161 richardderus:, Oh, thanks very much, Richard!

Howdy folks! I survived the heaviest volume day of the year. Actually, our volume wasn't that bad. The letter-size was heavier than usual and the parcels were plentiful. We've, been lucky the last 2 weeks, that we are getting assistance on the larger parcels, which leaves us the medium to small. It helps a lot. It was a damp, cold day but the snow held off until the end. It should only be an inch or so.

I finished the Johnstown Flood, which was very good. This was another reminder, that the wealthy have been getting away with murder for centuries. This happened in 1889. McCullough did a fine job. Painstakingly researched, with a fluid narrative. My audio was read by the great Grover Gardner.

Roberta- I appreciate you giving everyone the heads-up on the Welty, for the mighty AAC. I own this one in print.

Kath- Big loving waves!

Linda- The day did not go bad. The big problem is we didn't get our mail until late. We get our mail from the Carol Stream plant and are sometimes at their mercy, but I guess if they want to pay us O.T. to stand around and wait, so be it.

Joe- I am glad A Tale for the Time Being is working for you. I'll have to add it back to the list, after it fell from grace.

Funny, my next day off is next Monday, but since it is Christmas week, so I'll probably work it.

Ellen- Yes, I try to be wide-open and flexible on choosing my books. The only prerequisite is, it has to be GOOD, no matter the genre or type.
Code Name Verity should be a quick enough read.
And yes: Go Bears! It wasn't a pretty win but it was a win. And how about those Seahawks? Are they tearing it up or what?

RD & Katie- I think we should be called the LT Joy-Spreaders! We keep the book love circulating.

Benita- You may have been thinking about The Man For All Seasons, with Scofield. Yes, O'Toole was fantastic in Lion in Winter trading wicked barbs with Kate Hepburn.
I'll have to get back to Deon Meyer in the new year. I think that is cool that you make your mail-carrier cookies. That rarely happens to me. Caroline makes a big batch of cookies and brings them to her post-office. Is that a super customer or what?

Lynda- Yes, I did see it warms up about mid-week for a day or 2 and then plunges back into the arctic. I guess we will enjoy it when we can.

Congrats on surviving the next-to-last Monday before Christmas!

I'm one of those goofballs who always orders her online gifts late and causes you pain during the month of December. Now I see the human toll of my selfish actions. (Please note that I'm half-joking and being dramatic...but it is true.) :-)

Why did A Tale for the Time Being fall from grace? I must have missed something. I've always thought it looks interesting.

Oh, so glad to hear that you liked the McCullough! It's crazy, but sadly not surprising, that none of those rich folk were ever held accountable.

Looks like more snow coming for the morning rush! I LOVE winter.....NOT! I should wrap up Mrs. Somebody. This is a good collection, with many stories linked. She also likes dark & grim, which everyone should know, I have a special penchant for. Next up for print, I am going to start Bellman & Black. I snagged an ARC of this one a couple months ago. I really liked the Thirteenth Tale and I've heard pretty solid reports about this one, including a Thumbs Up from Morphy.
And on audio, I am going to start We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Did anyone read her Jane Austen novel?

Ellen- Thanks! Check my comments to you, in #165.

Kerri- A Tale for the Time Being fell from grace because a couple of my treasured LT pals were less than pleased with it. It looks like it might be one of those polarizing titles.
Hey, the P.O. could use the money, so send those packages, buy those stamps, whenever your heart desires.

Amber- Thanks for the nudge on the McCullough. It reminded me a little of Issac's Storm, especially the aftermath. How people pull together in the end, is always awe-inspiring.

Wait, what?! Next to the last Monday before Christmas??? Are you kidding?
How did that happen? I liked Thirteenth Tale, too and have looked at Bellman and Black a few times. Apparently my funk is still funky though.

Good luck with today

Hej Mark, I love winter,e specially when its snowing, I don't like the wet part of it - but walking through a snow laden forest or in the mountains - just splendid

It's good food but the beer selection was very weak...just sayin'! Did you miss an Italian beer? Here, have one:

I read Karen Fowler's The Jane Austen Book Club, Mark, and wasn't wowed by it, but I know it has its fans. I didn't see the movie, which sounded meh.

Hope We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves turns out to be a good one.

I agree with Joe about The Jane Austen Book Club. Very meh - both the book and the movie...

Keep warm out there!!

Happy parceling today. What's on audio?

^Thailand

Richard posted a link to a series of gorgeous photos of people reading around the world. I loved this one. Here's the link. It's worth a few minutes:

http://gabrielabadica.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/steve-mccurry-gorgeous-photograph...

Next up for print, I am going to start Bellman & Black. I snagged an ARC of this one a couple months ago. I really liked the Thirteenth Tale and I've heard pretty solid reports about this one, including a Thumbs Up from Morphy.

That was one of my solid, fave reads recently, and I am soooo looking forward to Bellman &Black. I am looking forward to your review. I think Diane Setterfield has a solid career ahead of her. That is definitely on the list this year.

>175 msf59: beautiful photo! I would be very interested to visit Thailand or Malaysia among the Asian countries before I die. .

I finished up Mrs. Somebody Somebody. This is worth reading just for the first story alone. Some of the others are a bit uneven but the highlights are wonderful. I am still mulling over the themes...
I am really enjoying We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Fowler tackles a fascinating subject here and I think she is a deft writer and a solid story-teller. This is a sort of mash-up of Ape House, The Family Fang and Where'd You Go, Bernadette.

I also started Bellman & Black, but just barely...

Kath- Yep, Christmas is coming up fast in the rear-view! I can't believe we'll be hosting Christmas Eve, next week at this time. Wow! Hopefully, I'll be recommending Bellman & Black to you. I also think you will like .

Paul- Actually I had an Italian beer, when we went out. Peroni, I think. It was okay. I like my beer a bit more full-bodied. I have also had Moretti but it has been awhile. Their beers tend to be a bit light.

Joe & Katie- I am not sure The Jane Austen Book Club would be my cuppa but her latest has been very good so far. I am already, over half done.

RD- Thanks for the link of the "reading" photos! Very nice. On audio, I am racing through We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. I am not sure yet, if this would be your cuppa. Let me get to the end first.

I'm so glad you found them as intriguing and lovely as I did, Mark, the photos are haunting aren't they?

I think Karen Russell and I will be best off apart. I **hated** the ending of Swamplandia! so much that it ruined the book foe me, and the short stories in that girls and wolves book just didn't sit right with me. I suspect because the novel made me so all-fired mad.

^Pushkar, India

Happy Hump Day! It will get up to 34 today but it will get windy too! At least no snow. Looking forward to reading more of Bellman & Black to get a better feel for it. Loving the Fowler.

Tam- Setterfield does set up a nice atmosphere. I'll fill you in as I go along.

RD- I like Karen Russell but agree she is uneven. I liked her first collection but I wish it were more consistent. I'll still read her latest.

**For fans of MDR, (I know there are many of us) there is a terrific interview with her online. She discusses her new book about Poe and of course some tasty tidbits about her other books. As always, she is smart, funny and engaging. Here is the link:

http://www.fiatlux.fm/blog/27

I was just thinking, this morning, it is like the tundra out there.. all frozen and windy. It's the blasted wind! sheesh!

Good day to ya!

Thanks for the MDR link, Mark! Keep at least one foot on the ground at all times today lest you get blown away by that wind.

Liking those photos of folks reading, Mark. Hope you have a good one today as we get a bit of a warmup in the Chicago area.

I'm glad you're liking the Fowler, although I'll probably pass after TJABC. I'm having a good time with Bulldog Drummond, and getting into some rhythm with the intriguing A Tale for the Time Being. The latter has a dual perspective, young Nao and much older Ruth, and it takes a little getting used to.

De-lurk to wave and say hi (I am still stalking I promise). Hope the weather is being kind (er) to you - we are just soggy at the moment. I am severely unimpressed.

Good morning! Kudos for braving the snow and heavy packages to make so many people happy during the holidays. : ) Thanks for the MDR link. I really should read more of her.

Stay warm and dry today, Mark. We got whacked with quite a bit of snow during yesterday's storm but the sun's out today and it's warmer .. although everything is relative. After the last couple of days in the minus F temps, 25F today feels positively balmy!

I love the picture of the swami (?) reading while the cow's calmly walking by.

Hope you survive intact. Halfway home!

No time at the moment, but bookmarked both the people reading link and the MDR interview...

Interesting interview with MDH. I love her not wanting to talk about The Sparrow and then talking about it rather interestingly!

The Seahawks are rocking and I'm loving it.



That is the 12th Man flag on top of the Space Needle. Right now there is a Chritsmas tree up there, but the flag will return soon.

Marky-Mark is under the weather! Boo! I felt something coming on, on Monday and it has persisted. Not a bad cold but just enough of one to drag me down. I am considering taking a sick day tomorrow. Oh, the horror!
I finished the wonderful We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. The chimpanzee sections were beautifully written and I found it quite moving. She really seems like she did her research.
Bellman & Black is not causing me to do cartwheels, as of yet, but it's been fairly entertaining.

Kath- The wind didn't pick up here until the afternoon, but it did have a bite when it arrived. When is Spring?

Julia- I hope you get a chance to listen to the MDR interview. I listened to more of it today and it is very enjoyable. I think have about 15 minutes left.

Joe- I prefer a more intense warm-up and melt off some of this snow & ice. We are supposed to get rain in the next couple of days and that should help.

BekkaJo- You stalk by over here, anytime my friend! Hope your week is going well.

Kim- Which MDR have you read? If you haven't read Doc, try to bookhorn it in, her follow-up comes out later next year. Her next novel, will feature Edgar Allen Poe.

Caro- You guys on the East coast, sure get your share of winter! We're slightly above average for the next few days and then back to the Cold!

RD- I am not feeling so hot, so I might shorten my week by a day. Hey, I've been a good boy for most of the year, so what the hell.

Lisa- I think you will love the MDR interview. She is someone you can listen to for hours.

Ellen- LOL. MDR cracked me up right away, when the interviewer asked her if she would like to talk about the Sparrow and she said, "she is so done with that old boyfriend." But, like you said, she goes right on and talks about it. She is such a smart lady, with a terrific sense of humor.
Thanks for the cool shot of the Space Needle.

Marky-Mark is under the weather! Boo! I felt something coming on, on Monday and it has persisted. Not a bad cold but just enough of one to drag me down. I am considering taking a sick day tomorrow. Oh, the horror!

I felt like that earlier this week and started drinking those emergen-c orange or lemon lime packets mixed with chamomile hot tea. Makes a great "sick" drink. I hope you get some rest tomorrow and start feeling better! And if you happen to get some reading done. . . :P

Boo hiss cold! Banishbegonebyebye whammy!

Hope you're soon feeling better, Mark. Christmas vacation started at 6 pm today. I don't go back til 12/26.

Uh-Oh! I think you should take a sick day tomorrow, Mark, and get rested up. You want to shake this off so you are feeling tip-top for Christmas. So feet up, warm drink, cozy blanket and maybe a book or two at your side.

^What Judy said. She is very smart. Listen to her.

Booo! Mark is sick! Sending get well wishes. Check out my thread for a picture to make you laugh. : ) I have not read Doc and will immediately move it to the front of the pack. Thanks for the rec.

Leopardbunny, I always drink my emergen-c in lemonade. Good for summer, but in chamomile tea sounds perfect for colder weather. Thanks for the tip!

Oh no! I hope you're feeling better this morning!

Aw, poor Mark. I hope today is better for you.

Hope you feel better soon...

Morning! Thanks for the well-wishes. I decided to hang at the homestead today. Keep warm and read. The verdict is still out on Bellman & Black but since I am at the 100 page mark, I'll probably stick it out.

Tam- We take Emergen-c, on occasion but never in tea. I'll have to try that out later. I should have made tea first thing. Coffee doesn't always taste as good with a cold, at least not for me.

RD- I hope the mojo works. I will try to get the book out today or tomorrow.

Linda- Enjoy your time off. That is sweet. It looks like we are going to get all kinds of different weather the next few days.

Judy- I am planning on taking all your advice. Thanks!

Katie- I always do! LOL.

Kim- I will stop by. And please read Doc. You will not be disappointed. I can not wait to read "Epitath", the follow-up.

Hugs and thanks to Lisa, Amber, Laura & Kath.

Mark, I hope your feeling in tip-top shape very soon! Being sick is no fun at all.

Mark - Hang in there my friend. Relax in the man cave with a nice hot drink, your feet up and books.

ETA: I am reading book 3 in the Martin Beck series. Very, very good although the crime is disturbing (more than usual).

Yes, take it easy today, Mark. Feeling lousy while staying at home at least has the benefit of letting you enjoy hot drinks and reading time.

I liked the first Hawkeye we were talking about enough that I'm on the second now. I just read a rave review for Bandette Volume 1, so I may check that one out soon.

Mark's home day.

^I sure hope they don't blow the movie version. Shailene Woodley should have a great film year. She will also be the lead in Divergent. I am not familiar with the male lead, Ansel Elgort.

Julia- Thanks. I am just lying low. The wife just made me tea. She starts work at 1 today.

Roberta- " Relax in the man cave with a nice hot drink, your feet up and books." You are reading my mind. LOL.
I would love to revisit the Martin Beck series.

Joe- I am still on the waiting list for Hawkeye. Not many copies available in our library system. Do you own these? Bandette Volume 1 sounds good. I better request that one.

I have been absent for a couple of days and thought I would check in. I will be leaving for Kansas tomorrow - probably just in time to hit ice in Missouri on Saturday, but that is the breaks when it comes to driving north in the winter. I have been trying to get the iPad synched with the new computer today and it isn't working all that well. Maybe I can get the techi people to help on that one this afternoon. Sometimes I hate going off on vacation because it is just so darn hard to get ready to leave and then to come back. Sometimes I think I would be in favor of working straight through and then have a retirement age of 60 or something early like that. But, I do enjoy my breaks as well, so won't complain too much. I do have my packages, including the LT Swap books, in the car. Have to pack my suitcase tonight, then I am off for colder climes.

^I watched Blackfish last night. It's a very sad and disturbing documentary. It centers around Tilikum, a male killer whale, captured off Iceland and now responsible for 3 deaths, including the trainer Dawn Brancheau. You will never think the same about SeaWorld again.

Mark, I read a very lengthy magazine article about that whale and the whole SeaWorld thing last year, and it definitely changed my perception of what happens in parks like that. Very sad.

I hope the Fault in Our Stars movie is good, too. It's rare that it happens with YA titles, seems like, Hunger Games aside, so I'm not optimistic. Have you heard anything about The Book Thief movie? Such a great book. Supposedly the Perks of a Wallflower movie is well done.

Yes, I own the Hawkeyes, so let me know if the library doesn't come through.

>206 msf59:, 209: re: TFiOS movie ... I follow John Green on Twitter and he was on the set for quite a lot of the filming. He seemed really pleased with how it was turning out, and with the actors. I take that as a good sign.

Benita- Thanks for checking in. Try to drop in occasionally and let us know how the Kansas trip is going. Have a very safe drive. What will you be listening to?

Julia- I am trying not to put to much blame on SeaWorld. They are a corporation after all and I am sure they treat their animals humanely, but the film makes the argument that these animals should never be confined. It really breaks your heart.

Joe- I thought you had seen Perks. They did a terrific job with that one. Seek it out. I have not heard anything good about the film version of The Book Thief, which is sad.

I am not digging Bellman & Black. I think I have gone to far and now must finish it, because that is the kind of softie I am.

I did get a kick out of this line:
"Blow me if he hadn't sidled up, next to Ned on the opposite side of the grave. What nerve!"

"Blow me"? Was this a common phrase in old English times?

Putting trainers in the water with a whale known to have killed humans before? That's not very humane to either the whales or the humans.

Great point, Julia! They did pass a law, keeping a barrier in between the whales and the trainers and it's being appealed by SeaWorld. I wonder if the law is in effect right now?
What is also disturbing, is that they always blame the trainer. That it was trainer-error. Brancheau should not have been wearing a pony-tail. WTH?

>212 msf59: Sorry to hear Bellman & Black isn't doing it for ya. I saw a few bits of that documentary and I just couldn't do it. Just too sad.

>152 msf59: You are coming to the Midwest in 2027? Yah!!
I would have though of Chicago as the Mid-East....*showing my Kiwi colours there*

Let's just say I have an idea for a driving tour of the States, at some point during my life.

>206 msf59: well, now that there is a movie....I want to read the book. (where I never showed any interest before.....perverse, that is me)

>208 msf59: yeah, well. As you say. You have to wonder why it is thought that wild animals need to be captured and kept in tiny confines. It isn't right. I don't blame the animal for killing.

Poor you, hope the head cold gets better and soon! Can't be sick on Xmas day, that would be plain wrong.

I'm on holidays now (four hours so far!), sitting back on the sofa with some chilled white wine and Don next to me. Perfection!

I can't decide if I want to read The Fault in Our Stars or not.... And the movie adaptation of The Book Thief got better reviews Down Under than elsewhere, it looks like. Not that I saw it anyhow.

#212: I will be interested in seeing your final thoughts on Bellman & Black when you finish it, Mark, to see what put you off about it. I enjoyed the only other Setterfield book I read and was considering reading this one too.

Okay, I am feeling better today, after lolling around all day in books and blankets. It was a smart idea to take off. The only bummer was that Bellman & Black is such a slog. I still have a 100 pages left and that one is getting left in the dust. It reminds me a bit of the Little Stranger, which was better written but still disappointing.
Next up on audio...drum roll please...Doctor Sleep. I think this will be a fine way to wrap up the year. This one is read by Will Patton. He is an excellent narrator.

Tam- Bellman & Black. Ugh!

Megan- A driving tour of the U.S.? You better stop here! You will be treated like a queen or at least a princess. I know a few of us, loved The Fault in Our Stars. Sure, it gets border-line sappy but Green keeps it together.
If you have a chance to see "Blackfish", give it a view.

Tania- Have a great Christmas vacation. I know you had a tortuous work year. Relax! And give The Fault in Our Stars a try at some point. Sure, it's a tear-jerker but it will be well-earned tears.

Stasia- Great to see you. Unless it miraculously pulls together in the final 100 pages, Bellman & Black will be a dud. If you would still like to give it a go, I will gladly send it to you.

>216 LovingLit:: Have you read Stephen Fry in America? Perfect research material.

In anticipation of ever greater reads and meet-ups, Mark:



Celebrate the return of the light with feasts, merriment, and gratitude for all the wonders of this wide green earth.

RMD

I hope you are feeling better today Mark. Take care of you!

I read an essay about Tilikum and the whole Sea World thing in Best American Science and Nature Writing 2011 earlier this year. It was very disturbing. My family visited the Florida Sea World in April 2013 and the trainers did not get in the water with the orcas at all. That was decidedly different from our visit to Sea World San Diego in August 2010 when trainers were in the pool during the Shamu shows.

Happy Friday, Mark! It's almost balmy out there, if you don't mind getting wet.

I'm ready to start the weekend, how about you? Brews on me:

Hi Mark! I hope you are recovering from the head cold. Nasty, nasty things. If you feel like drinking Joe's offering, that's a good sign.

I'm sorry you aren't liking Bellman & Black.

Bad recommender! Bad! *sniffs*

^^^HA!!

>226 msf59: LOL, there might be some gems to be found....then again...

Glad to hear you're feeling better.

>226 msf59: I feel like that with Mr. Leperdbunny. He likes to "read" books but not the actual process of reading. .so he either wants to get it on audio or have me read it. :P

Okay, I am feeling better today, after lolling around all day in books and blankets. It was a smart idea to take off.

Glad you are feeling better!

Friday is done. My cold is better. It rained instead of snowed. I have about 30 pages left in Bellman & Black,(Thank the Gods!). I am LOVING Doctor Sleep, (King just keeps on kicking butt) and I just poured an ice-cold pale ale. I would say, Life is Good!

RD- Thanks for the Happy Solstice. Very nice. Is beer part of the merriment? I sure hope so.

Heidi- Yes, I am feeling better. Thank you. The day off really helped. The law must be in place at SeaWorld. I see they are still featuring Tilikum.

Joe- Ooh, Levitation! One of my favorites. That will surely hit the spot. Yes, I did get wet the first couple of hours, but it sure was better than snow and plus it melted off some of the white stuff that was there. I call that a Win, Win!

Ellen- Fortunately, it was a milder head-cold, without the severe congestion, so it has helped me rebound a little faster. And yes, I will be drinking one of Joe's fine ales.

Morphy- That one is not on you, my friend. I was planning on reading Bellman & Black anyway. I was just hoping, that if you liked it, I might have a chance too. No such luck. It is such a flat lifeless read, that did start with a promising premise. Oh, well...hey, it happens in our book world.

Joanne- LOL. I guess reading bad books, would still be better than working certain jobs.

Glad to see you are feeling better, Mark. You were smart to catch it early and kick it's butt.

Sorry about all the nasty weather you need to fight - but, that's Chicago, right? When you first thought you might like to be a postman, did you think about the weather? Did you know about Chicago?

Glad to see you are liking Doctor Sleep. I might get that for Ron.
Read on....

When you first thought you might like to be a postman, did you think about the weather? Did you know about Chicago?

Says the woman from Maine where the black flies are the size of your fist, there are midgies that can get through any screen, and it snows eight months of the year?! ;-)

Glad to hear you beat off your cold in time to enjoy the holidays Mark.

We are away for a week from tomorrow, Mark, so I shall see you nearer the New Year! Happy Christmas- take care, and see you (as it were) soon.
I hope those last minute parcels are delivered with your usual care and grace ;)
((((Xmas hug))))
*looks up*
Oh, no mistletoe, you missed out!

Great to see you back on your feet, my friend! This is no time of year to be sick. We had a Friday of freezing rain and ice covered streets, which made getting to and from work a scary mess. I hope that skips right over Chicago. Significant snow Saturday night for us (I feel sometimes as if I am reporting your weather from the future). :-)

#219: Sorry to hear that you are not enjoying Bellman & Black more, Mark. I would love to take you up on the offer, but I already have so many books here that are unread, it would not be prudent to do so.

Happy Saturday! I'll be starting my last First-Time Author Challenge selection. Yes, I am shedding a tear and I hope you will join me in a moment of silence. This has been a fantastic challenge for me and I see no reason why the American Author Challenge of 2014 will not be another resounding success, especially since many of you will be joining me. Yah!
Oh, yeah, my book will be Dirt Music, a selection made by Sir Paul. See, I saved the best for last. Awwww.. I've been meaning to read Winton since I joined LT, so it's been a ridiculously long time.

Tam- There should be no problem with coming up with plenty of great audio titles for Mr. Leperdbunny. Doctor Sleep would make an excellent choice.

Claudia- When I snagged the post office job, all I was thinking about is getting a job, I don't think I considered the weather much. LOL. But then again. I was in my mid-20s and a tough ex-military guy.
Has Ron read the Shining? If not, I would suggest he read that horror classic first before tackling Doctor Sleep.

Lisa- Big fan of Maine, huh? It is a state that is on my bucket-list.

Bonnie- Taking off a day was a good idea, it sure made my recovery easier. Have you read Winton?

Megan- Aw, I missed out on the holiday kiss. Maybe next year. Have a great Christmas with your family. Hugs, my friend!

Julia- It looks like the worst of the snow will stay north of us. Fingers crossed. We might get a couple inches. It will be a messy weekend that is for sure.

Stasia- "but I already have so many books here that are unread." You are preaching to the choir, my friend. Hope you have a great weekend.

Hi Mark! I'm glad to hear you're feeling better.

I've never heard of Tim Winton, but I do hope you enjoy your last and most special selection.

Not to make you jealous or anything, but I'll be ending my day at Hop Leaf, where we're going for bon voyage drinks with a friend (she's going somewhere exciting , not us.)

Hi Mark: Stay safe out there. I guess we're just far enough north but yesterday, there was quite a bit of ice and we're in the heavier snow zone for tonight/tomorrow, though I guess they've toned that down a bit.

After I get home from the library and the Starbucks, two of my favorite places, I intend to curl up and read at home. One of the books I'm checking out is that Five Days at Memorial, which I think you read and liked.

Howdy! I took the iPad for a rare excursion today, since it was milder. It's chilly but dry at the moment. Doctor Sleep is keeping perfect company and I just cracked Dirt Music. So, all good in that department.

Kerri- Winton seems to be an LT fav, so I've been looking forward to it. Have a great time at Hop Leaf. I wish I could join Mrs. Sunshine.

Linda- Let's hope the snow does not hit us to hard. Hope you enjoy Five Days. I thought it was fantastic.

#237 I'm from Maine, so I get to tease with immunity. I love my home state though. It's just another one of those places with rough weather. And bugs.

>226 msf59: Like!

Tim Winton is new to me, too, so I look forward to hearing what you think of it, Mark.

As I mentioned over at the cafe, I finally found somewhere nearby that carries Stone Levitation - Mariano's. I'm sipping one as we speak.

>240 msf59: Interested to hear what you think of Dirt Music.

LOL, Lisa... Take away black flies and substitute mosquitoes (also the size of your fist)! Midgies tolerable and don't last long. You obviously know of what you speak... don't forget greenheads... nasty. Snow - fantastic! I am much more fond of winter when the pests and the guests go away ;-)

Mark, I figured youth would be your excuse for your profession. And you have held up quite well under the circumstances. The weather of Chicago would suit me. Just too many people.

I said I would do the AAC in 2014... but now I'll have to look for my list. It's around LT somewhere.

^Yes, you heard it right, ladies & gentlemen. You have a unique opportunity to win a free copy of a slightly used, but still shiny ARC of Bellman & Black. I can't wait to get this out of my house and into yours. I might even consider sending it express mail.
Sure, I think this book sucks but what do I know anyway. Just PM me immediately. Operators waiting...

Okay. I did it! I actually caught up with your thread!! Sorry to hear that you were sick, but happy to see that you were feeling better by the time I finished catching up. As always, your thread is a happening place. I'm going to take a pass on that amazing book giveaway your sponsoring. LOL! Hoping that your next read is much, much better. Hugs to you!

I am spending the night at a hotel in Manhattan, KS. I drove all day long in crap. Rain, freezing rain, sleet, and finally snow. With 4 inches on the ground at 8:00 p.m. I packed it in and got a room before the towns ran out. (Hotels get to be hard to find the farther west in Kansas you go.) I got out of the car and couldn't believe how much snow was on the ground. It is supposed to quit snowing by morning and then get really cold.

Driving was no fun. Currently, I am listening to one of Murakami's short story collections Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman and they are not easy to listen to. I don't really like the narrator. As always the stories are a little on the weird side and I think they might do better if they were read so that I could reread sentences and do more pondering when I need to do so. What I pondered today was just staying on the road. Not a fund day of driving.

Yesterday I finished listening to Home by Marilynne Robinson and this one was not as good as Gilead. I loved Gilead and I just couldn't get into this one. I think it might be because of the subject matter. Heavy stuff. I am still working on Un Lun Dun and it looks like I may have plenty of time to do reading because the snow will probably keep me inside for a couple of days. When I get home.

Glad that Tim Winton hit the spot Mark, especially since we were sharing the author, so to speak, this month.

Like Mamie, I'll pass on the book offer too as I wouldn't want to add the injury of postage to the insult of having read it.

Have a great weekend mate and stay warm.

Happy Sunday! Just poured my second cup and it's time to for an LT fix . I can not believe Christmas is just a couple days away. Wow. The wife will be doing the food shopping for Christmas Eve dinner and I might do some too. I will definitely be doing a beer run. We'll also "all" be cleaning up the house in preparation. I work the next 2 days, so we need to get things in order.
Of course I plan to get in a chunk of reading. Dirt Music is such a good fit for me. The Bears play the Eagles tonight. I hope I can stay awake.

I am a bit surprised there wasn't a rush of interest for the book giveaway. I can't believe how picky some people are...

Lisa- You are a Maine girl! Now, it all makes sense.

Joe- I have had Winton titles on shelf since joining LT. He is an Aussie favorite and I really like it so far. Glad you have a Levitation source now. I might try to pick up some for the holidays.

Tam- 50 pages into Dirt Music and I know this going to be a good one.

Claudia- I could easily see myself living in a smaller town, more isolated but I don't think my wife would like it. I definitely envy the outdoor beauty you see every day.
I hope you find that AAC list. As soon as Jim posts the new 75 Challenge, I will start a thread.

Mamie made it! Mamie made it! Yes, I am fully recovered. Thanks. I was sure I could entice you with that free book offer. You think you know people and then...

Benita- Sounds like you had a miserable drive. I would have been seriously stressed out. Ugh! I hope you get home safely today. I did have Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman lined up, as my next Murakami. I have not tried him on audio yet. Sorry, Home didn't sit right with you. I agree it wasn't as strong as Gilead but I still thought it was very good.

Paul- Once again, thanks for making the Winton selection for me. At first, it felt like December was a long long ways off, but suddenly, we are here. This will most likely be my penultimate print book for the year and that's if I can get a shorty in at the finish line.
Sorry, I couldn't convince you on the Big Giveaway! LOL.

Hey, I didn't think Bellman & Black was all that bad. I gave it 7 out of 10 stars. :P

"Setterfield is a great writer. I could barely put the book down, not because of the plotting, but because you get so involved in Bellman's life. I found the parts on the textile mill and funeral store fascinating. Speaking of plotting, I think that is Setterfield's weakness. If there had been some type of climax, if the ending had been less murky, I could have given this an 8 or 9. But I never quite figured out what was going on. I think I might have, but I am not sure. Without that, it's just the life story of a man. An interesting story, yes, but there is no climax, no payoff."

... just trying to help you get it out the door!

So glad you're feeling better, Mark. I wonder if Bellman & Black was the culprit behind your lowered immunity. ;-)
Sorry it wasn't a read you enjoyed, but thanks for taking one for the team, buddy ... this is definitely not making its way to my OWL.

Happy Sunday! It's weirdly warm today ... you'd think it was Spring!

Not warm where I am. Going to clear off today and I am planning on getting a nice cup of coffee at a local coffee shop and then hit the road to complete the journey. News paper this morning said that there was 5 inches on the ground. Time to go out and start the car.
I'll check back in a couple of days from now.

I just started taking a look and making a list of my best books of the year. Wow! This is going to be tough. I had such a terrific reading year. What an eye-opener. Am I the only one, to feel like this, but when I go back and look at January and February, it feels like years ago?
I think I will select 5 from fiction and five from NF and might have to throw in a couple honorable mentions. I might also do a top genre pick, also. I am already feeling sorry for the guys left off of these lists. Sniffles a little...

Morphy- Thanks for the help on the giveaway. Hugs. So far no takers. I am shocked, but still giggling.

Caro- "...behind your lowered immunity." LOL. That is a strong possibilty. Not Spring-like here. Low 30s, with light snow. Ugh!

Benita- Have a safe drive. Hopefully, your audiobook, keeps things moving. How far do have left?

Be safe, Benita. Poor Mark, no one wants that Bellman and Black book he's peddling. Heh. And even willing to express mail it! *snerk*

I liked Dirt Music, Mark, although I had some quibbles with it which we can discuss after, or you can just read my review whenever. Like you it was my introduction to Tim Winton. I really need to read more Aussie lit and yes I do have some on my TBR. Maybe in 2014 ... anyway, glad you are enjoying it.

Hi Mark.... I'm glad you're feeling better! How's your uncle doing? Haven't seen you mention him lately.

Hope you are even better after an additional few weekend days of rest!

RD- It looks like I might have to slip a $10 gift card in the package, for further enticement. I could see someone, ripping open the wrappers, tossing Bellman & Black in the trash and pocketing the gift card, all with a wily grin.

Laura- I am only a 100 pages into Dirt Music, with over 300 or more to go. I am loving it, in the early going, let's hope your quibbles are not my quibbles. LOL.
Have you read The Secret River? If not, I highly recommend that one.

Tina- Thanks for asking about my uncle. It sounds like he is doing well, just taking his intense treatments. I plan to call him on Christmas. Hope you are having a good Sunday.

>257 msf59:: Mark, I loved The Secret River. I also read the second one but haven't read the third yet. And I also really loved Grenville's The Idea of Perfection.

Ha! Bribing people to take it off your hands! Mercy, you really didn't like the book at all, did you.

"Georgie grew up in a house blighted with mirrors, amongst females who simply couldn't pass one without turning. Jutland women went to mirrors the way prisoners sought windows. They tottered, it seemed to her, from one to the next, sidling up, confronting, storming them to hold their frames and scowl or beckon, to simper and leer."

"So what did you play?"

"Guitar."

"I mean, what kind of music."

Oh, I dunno. All kinds, I spose. Anythin you could play on a verandah. You know, without electricity. Dirt music."

-Dirt Music

Okay I made my 5 top year book picks. The LT version. Now, I know how it feels to perform brain-surgery. Unfortunately, I am not sure the patient survived. I will make my own picks next week. 5 fiction. 5 NF. A few genre picks.
Here ya go:

1) A Fine Balance
2) Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar
3) A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
4) The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
5) Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital

**BTW- Bellman & Black missed it by mere inches.

Oh, I love that list, Mark. I've got to get to Vital Phenomenaand Five Days. So good to see Tiny Beautiful Things on a best of list.

Hope you're doing well, Mr. Mark. Tipping a Levitation in your honor.

Mark, quick drive-by to thank you for recommending "Blackfish." I just finished watching - wow. So sad but so worth watching.

^ Has anyone watched this BBC show? I think it premiered this year. We watched the first 2 episodes and it's a lot of fun. We needed another good show to much. I've also heard "The Fall", another BBC show, is also very good. I guess the Americans are in a show creating funk.

Monday morning, ugh! Hey, at least I am off Wednesday. Both of my current reads, Dirt Music & doctor Sleep are terrific, so that helps the time pass.
I rather not talk about the Bears game. What an ugly depressing mess. At least I went to bed early.

Joe- Thanks for chiming in on my best of list. Picking 5, is like picking your favorite child. I hope you can get to a Constellation & five Days. Both powerful books.

Katie- I am glad you enjoyed "Blackfish", (if that's the correct term). It's one that sticks with you. Did you see "The Cove", about dolphin killing? That's equally disturbing.

>265 msf59: I know, top 5 is awfully hard, Mark. I'm going to do top 5 and then another 5, I think.

Finished A Tale for the Time Being, and it was topnotch. I can see why it divides readers - there is a lot going on in it. It even has dark and gritty for those who savor that kind of read.

Now I'm reading the intriguing The Testament of Mary. Not sure what direction he's going with this, but she sure has a strong voice.

The top five picks were barely sub-lethal, and even the 11 or so I ended up putting on my list were tough to narrow down. But I put an extra condition on the lists, they had to come out in 2013. Otherwise there would be no end to the list!

Hey, where is everyone? The fire went out, no beer or verbal snacks waiting for me. Shuffles away, to stoke up the fire and get my own stinkin' beer.

Brrrr...did it get cold. The temps kept dropping through the afternoon, until it was bone-chilling. I think it was about 10 degrees on the way home. Shivers...

Joe & RD- At least the guys came by early to check in. Man-hug.

Joe- A Tale for the Time Being is back on the list and I'll be watching your thoughts on The Testament of Mary. I would love to get a hold of the audio, read by Meryl Streep.

Hi Mark, your Top 5 List has a few books that are calling to me, and I am eagerly waiting to see your futher picks. I'm putting all the finishing touches on Christmas today and tomorrow will be a day of cooking and baking. Then on Boxing Day I will be heading over to my Mom's for a week or so and only have limited computer access. If I don't get back to your thread, have a very Merry Christmas and I can't wait to see what we are all going to be reading in 2014!

So cold, Mark. So, so cold. It is currently -4 degrees F, with a wind chill of -17 F. I am home for work huddled under a blanket, and I plan to spend the next two days right here!

I hope you and your family have a beautiful and merry Christmas. Thanks for being one of my favorite LT friends!

Mark, wish you a blessed Christmas with some quiet moments for reading

That actual temperature this morning - not the windchill, mind, but the *actual* temp - is -18. Sheesh. Hope it's not quite so cold there today, especially if you'll be out working!

I wish I was off today. It's going to be cold out there. LOL. And our guests arrive at 6pm. I hope to get home between 4-430.

I was happy to find a couple book-sized packages in my mailbox yesterday. Katie sent me a copy of In the Walled City. This was an O'Nan collection I had not heard of. Big hugs to Katie. Kerri also sent me a Richard Brautigan collection. I have not read Brautigan. Big hugs to Kerri. Are LT people the best people on earth or what?

Judy- I'll post my entire best of list later in the week. Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your time with your Mom.

Julia- Merry Christmas and keep nice and warm. I wish I could stay in. Thanks for the kind words.

Paul- Thank you. Have a wonderful Christmas. But where is the beer?

Morning Amber- Yikes! That is ridiculous. I think it's about zero here, going up to 16. Send me warm thoughts.

Mark, Mark, Mark, thanks for giving us gifts all year long by your wonderful recommendations - Best wishes for a very merry Christmas to you and yours

Dear Marky-Mark,

Hi Mark! Happy Holidays to you and the family! Glad you got the package. I really think you'll enjoy So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away - really very lovely.

Mark have a great Christmas and new Year!

Best wishes to you, Mark!


glitter-graphics.com

But where is the beer? my son drank it all, but I got a picture of it:

I just love the photo of Santa reading at the top of your thread, Mark. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Wow, Vital Phenomena is making a few top-five lists.....

Happy Christmas, Mark!!

Stopping in to wish you and yours a wonderful holiday and Merry Christmas, Mark!

Hi Mark. Wishing one of my first LT Friends a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your day off. You deserve it.

Hi Mark - just a quick de-lurk to wish you a fantastic Christmas with all your loved ones.

Merry Christmas to you and your family Mark. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and the best Recommender!

Merry Christmas! Wow! It is nice to receive so many Christmas wishes. Thank you, everyone. Our company is arriving shortly, so I will see everyone in the A.M. Big loving hugs to all!

Merry Christmas to my very favorite mailman. Hoping that your holidays are full of fabulous!

Dear, dear Mark,

Best wishes to you and your family for a very merry Christmas! Hope you're feeling better, and that it's not bitter cold! I hope you're having a lovely holiday.

Hi Mark, am keeping it very low key this year, but I thought I'd drop by and wish you a Merry Christmas. I'll be spending much of it drawing. xx

Mark you personify everything that makes this wonderful group so great. As you remember I nominated you for President earlier this year. Have a wonderful festive season and I look forward to finally getting to chew the fat and drink the ale with you buddy in 2014.

Dearest Mark-tastic... I hope you have a fantastic Christmas with your family tomorrow! You enjoy every moment!

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

Merry Christmas, Mark, and warmest wishes for a wonderful New Year filled with good books, good friends and good times! Oh, yeah, and good beer. (HoHoHo! :)

It's a day off! YAY!
Wishing you and your family a very cheerful Christmas!

Merry Christmas, my friends! Once again, I appreciate all the amazing Christmas wishes. We have created a Biblio-Utopia over here. (Hey, that might make a future topic heading).
I am enjoying a very quiet morning, while the troops are sleeping. It looks like I have some Christmas wishes to spread myself. We have a do-nothing day planned, filled with R & R, which is just what the doctor ordered.

I waited, very dutifully, for Christmas morning to open my Swap packages. I know many have dove in weeks ago but I like opening something by myself, so I can grin & gloat. Here are my wonderful gifts, thanks to AnneDc:

Dear Life by Alice Munro- After Castle Rock, she has catapulted to the top of my author list and I can't wait to dip into her latest.
Airships by Barry Hannah- I have heard very little about Hannah on LT but in other circles, he is considered one of the best short story writers. Has anyone here read him?
After Rain by William Trevor- This was a pleasant surprise, because I had not heard of this title and I want to read more Trevor, after being very impressed with Lucy Gault.

Big, big, hugs to Anne!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

Happy Holidays to you an your family, Mark. I've just been catching up on this thread and feeling your winter chill through the interweb.
You asked on my thread if I'd read any Tim Winton, and have to admit that he is still on my Mt tbr. I'll get to him, I have several of his books collected over the years and will be starting with Breath.

“Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They’re never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.”
― Lenore Hershey

Merry Christmas, Mark!

Have yourself a merry little book-filled Christmas!

The Great War: July 1, 1916: The First Day of the Battle of the Somme

^ I picked this new GN up from the library and I was sampling it this morning. It is fantastic. The illustrations are in an accordion-format but beautifully rendered. This focuses on the Battle of the Somme. One of the most horrific battles of any war and one I was not as familiar with.
I read Sacco's Safe Area Gorazde, back in 2012, about his time in Bosnia and it was excellent.

Tammy- Thanks! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Kerry- Sorry about that winter chill. The U.S. has got hit pretty hard so far this season. I was sure you had read Winton, one of your homeboys. He is very dark and edgy, but I really like him.

Katie- Thanks for the beer tree! I want one! I want one!

Morphy- I think we are going to watch some movies this afternoon but I am going to try and squeeze in some reading here and there.

Merry Christmas old friend!

So. There's this new, shiny group just begging for folks to join in. Any takers?

http://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin2014

By the way, qebo gets the prize for first joiner!

Merry Christmas Mark!

Hope you've had a great Christmas, Mark!! After Christmas Eve in the city and Christmas Day in Batavia, I'm home now, relaxing. It's been a good Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Mark!

Our poor postman had to deliver a card yesterday in a baggie. Somewhere along the line it looked like a big dog had used the card as a chew toy. There was a very nice note apologizing, although I'm sure he wasn't the one who chewed it!

We had a terrific day. Games, movies and a little reading. We watched "We are the Millers", a raunchy, sporadically funny movie and "Pulp Fiction", which we try to watch every couple of years. It's not exactly Christmas viewing but it is one of my all-time favorites. You know me, I like, dark, edgy and inventive.

Joanne- Love the Dogs! LOL. That is perfect.

Jim- I should have stopped by earlier. Double Drat! I'll mosey over as soon as I am done here.

Bonnie- You know me well, thanks! Hope you had a great day.

Lisa- Thanks! Usually when a letter is in a baggie, it means it was chewed up by one of the sorting machines. Sorry, it couldn't be more exciting. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Hi Mark. Sounds like you had a great Christmas. Thanks for stopping by my mostly silent thread. I'm hoping to do better with reading and posting next year. Looking forward to meeting up with you in January!

Sweet Thursday! The day after. I work the rest of the week but I hope it will be quiet. I should wrap up Doctor Sleep. Yes, it's another chunkster but it moves along at a nice clip and I will miss it once I close those audio book covers. The perfect sequel. I am continuing dirt Music, which is also very good but another long one.

I see Jim posted the 2014, 75 Challenge. I joined the group but will wait a few more days before starting a new thread. Juggling a couple threads is not easy. I see no reason why 2014, shouldn't be another fantastic year.

**I will start threads for the American Author Challenge and Bleak House Group Read, over the weekend. Start lining up those books!

Pat- Hope you had a great Christmas. I hope you can make the Meet-Up. It looks like it will be in Portland on Feb 1st. Details to come...

I need to get to Doctor Sleep soon - who's reading the audio?

I need to get to Doctor Sleep soon - who's reading the audio?

*snerk*

Uh-oh, did I say something dumb? That's always a worry for me...

Nah, I just thought it was a clever juxtaposition. :)

The infrequent visitor that I am is now stopping by with belated Christmas wishes Mark and to wish you a

Jim: Yay! I'm clever!

Amber- Doctor Sleep, which I finished today and it was excellent, is narrated by the actor Will Patton and he does a stellar job. He was also one of the narrators on the Son, which I recently listened to and also did a fine job. He is one of the best out there, IMHO.

Lori- Thank you! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

I am meeting my wife and we are going to see "Gravity". I will report back...

We actually went to the movies and saw "Gravity" when my mom was here for Thanksgiving. I liked it, but I disliked all the hype which inevitably leaves me disappointed. I thought it was interesting that it came out at the same time as "All is Lost", another movie of single person survival with little talking. New trend?

Must listen to The Son soon. Early next year. I dropped by a couple of days ago, but was very quiet so maybe you didn't notice me. Just so you know. I was here. ;-)

Happy Friday! And it will be almost 40 degrees! Heat wave. I really liked "Gravity". I know many people thought it was boring but I found it suspenseful through-out and very well-crafted. Sandra Bullock was excellent.
I finished Doctor sleep and found it one of my favorite King books of the past decade. And once again, it was a terrific audiobook experience. On audio, I started Visitation Street. This was the one Dennis Lehane was heavily promoting and I can see why. It has a nice blend of his style along with the urban master, richard Price. BTW- When is Price coming out with a new one?

Lisa- I liked Gravity. I find it amazing that several of my friends thought it was boring. I guess, no one wants to think anymore. I would also like to see the Redford film.

Ilana- You can never squeeze by me, my friend. Good to see you. I really liked The Son and I like multiple narrators. Hope you like it.

Good morning, Mark! I'm glad to see you liked "Doctor Sleep" so much. I just grabbed the Kindle version for $1.99 the other day. I want to re-read "The Shining" first, though, because it's been about 30 years since I last read that one.

Have a great day!

I liked Gravity too and agree that Sandra Bullock was amazing. I thought it was actually quite well paced and was surprised how much time had passed when it ended. I just didn't care for the hyperbole of some of the reviews--creates expectations impossible to fulfill.

We took my daughter to see Frozen, which I thought was one of the better Disney films I had seen. Focused on sisterhood, and the guy was an aside she didn't need in order to be fulfilled. No royal marriage at the end.

Popping in to say hello, Mark! Hope your holiday has been pleasant and merry! ♥

Happy Holidays, Mark. I read Airships years ago and liked it. That's the only one of his I've read.

Debbi got me The Graphic Canon for Christmas, so I've got lots of graphic reading ahead of me. Just finished a well done Gilgamesh.

Hope you're having a chance to relax and enjoy.

Hey, everyone! I actually, broke into a bit of a sweat today. It felt good. The same tomorrow but back to the arctic on Monday. Ugh!

It looks like many LTers are jumping into the 2014 threads. I think I am going to hold out until Sunday. I would like to close out this year, with minimal distractions.

Julia- I think a reread of the Shining is a fine idea. I would also suggest reading NOS4A2, since it is referenced a couple of times, plus it is a terrific horror novel. 2 bucks for an e-book. Great deal.

Lisa- When it comes to new films, there are a couple reviewers I really respect, (kind of like a few LTers, I revere)) and if they give something a thumbs-up, it peaks my interest.
I am so glad you are considering joining us for the Portland Meet-Up. It should be a blast.

Kathy- Big loving waves! Hope you had a wonderful holiday too.

Joe- I hope you are having a great time with your Dad and your family! Glad to hear you liked Airships. I have not heard Hannah mentioned at all on LT. The Graphic Canon sounds interesting. Let me know.

Mark, do you mean that you saw "NOS4A2" on sale for 2 bucks? The cheapest I've found is $6.50, which is over my cheapskate e-book limit of $5. :-)

Although now it occurs to me that maybe you meant getting "Dr. Sleep" for 2 bucks was a great deal, which I totally agree with!

Hey Marky-Mark, we are listening to NOS4A2 right now via audio. It is a very interesting story indeed. I do think he stands his own next to Stephen King.

Mark, I stupidly wandered away from your thread without mentioning as I intended that I'm glad you are holding out until Sunday to start your 2014 thread. Me, too!

Julia- I should have been clear on the e-book comment. Once again, I wish we all lived closer, because I have a copy of NOS4A2, (signed too!) just sitting on my shelf. BTW- The audio was amazing too!
Yep, I will wait a couple more days on starting my new thread. I want to close this 2013 thread out in style, especially since it was such a terrific year.

Tam- Isn't NOS4A2 a great audio? Kate Mulgrew does an amazing job. Are you watching Orange is the New Black? She also appears on there.

Mark, my friend was telling me that the Call the Midwife Christmas special is on Sunday night. 6:30 on WTTW.

I need to watch that show and get caught up so I can follow along. How many series so far?

Happy Saturday! Another comfortable day. About 48. I should wrap up both Visitation Street & Dirt Music. It feels like I've been reading the latter forever. It could have used some trimming but I still think it's a solid read.
I picked up Nick Hornby's recent collection, Ten Years in the Tub from the library. I LOVE his books on books but did not expect it to be a chunkster. It's over 400 pages. Maybe, I'll dip in and out.

Is it quiet on the 2013 threads, or only mine? LOL. I will jump into the pool tomorrow morning. I will also get that American Author Challenge posted, along with the Bleak House Group Read thread.

Linda- I think there was only 2 seasons of Call the Midwife. I think the Christmas Special was the end of the 2nd. I would highly suggest you watch it from the beginning. Have you tried watching it from PBS?

ETA- It looks like this Christmas Special kicks off the 3rd season. I have to make sure I have it recorded. LOL. I still suggest you watch it from the beginning.

Mark, I think a lot of people have already jumped into 2014, but I am resisting. I can't wait to get that AAC started. I've got my January book all ready to go!

Enjoy the nice (for December) temperatures today. Hope it's a good one.

Edited to add: Clearly someone at Amazon is reading your thread — they've put "The Shining" on sale for $1.99! If only it had been "NOS4A2" ... hint hint, Amazon peeps. :-D

Hey, Mark! Mrsdrneutron and I went by this new place called BJ's Brewhouse and had a couple of excellent brews. Apparently they have locations across the country and contract with local brewers to make their beer. Their Irish ale was outstanding!

ETA: just checked their website...No love for Chicago yet. :(

Waves from the sunny & mild Midwest! Fear not, this will not last. Single digit highs for Monday. Just, killed my buzz. I am working, so it wasn't a beer buzz, so that's good.

Julia- Yah, for the AAC excitement. I will also start my Cather earlier in the month, since I am also tackling Bleak House.
Wow, that is cool about The Shining, as an ebook deal. Fingers crossed on the Hill.

Jim- Always like those brew/pub recs. This way, while I am traveling, I can keep my eyes peeled. Thanks!

^ I am in the mood for a little Game of Thrones action! This is Take the Black Stout!

We are off to visit some friends, play some cards, drink some beer, chat. I will be back in the A.M. I have a busy LT morning, ahead of me.

Cool! I love that bottle.

Hiya Mark!

**BTW- Bellman & Black missed it by mere inches.
Lol. I am guessing......not.

>301 katiekrug: yummy! A beer Xmas tree :)

I am really really not caught up here, Mark. I am sorry to say. But I hear you liked the Tim Winton experience, and am happy, as he is likely the first non- USA-ite to possibly make it to my short and very selective fave author list. I will have to read one more to make sure first though.

Take care out there. And I am happy to be home! (even it means I am spending a lot of time on LT catch-ups, and not enough on sleep catch-ups)

Oh my God Mark! I want to share some of that stout.

Have a great weekend and I look forward to your introduction to the 2014 when I'm sure you'll hit the ground running.

OK, now I am seriously creeped out. Guess what the Kindle Daily Deal is today? No, just guess. Yup — NOS4A2 as requested by me yesterday in your thread. I am hearing the theme music from The Twilight Zone as I type this ...

Happy Sunday, boys & girls!

Jim- Have you tried Ommegang? It's consistently good. And the stout was very tasty.

Roberta- Big loving waves!

Megan- Welcome back. Hope you had a great camping trip. I really liked dirt Music. My only quibble, was it's length. He's a dark & gloomy fellow, right? What is your favorite?

Paul- I woke up this morning, and jumped right into the fray. My 2014 thread is up and so is the American Author Challenge.

Julia- OMG! That is wild! I hope everyone takes advantage of all 3 of those titles. Very, very cool.

Okay, grab your coffee and breakfast sandwich and join me on the new year thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/162957

Oh, yeah. I'm an Ommegang stout fan. I haven't seen the GoT bottle yet. It's cool!

Glad you enjoyed your latest dark & gloomy, Mark. Go Bears! Hope you enjoy Catching Fire. See you on your new thread!

All good wishes for a wonderful 2014!

Reading through your thread, I've added two books to the tbr pile. Tiny Beautiful Things sounds great. And, Dirt Music sounds like another winner.

Well, I don't want to abandon my old thread, quite yet. I have 2 more days. I would still like to finish up my best of list and give a brief book summary.
It is going to be a cold start to the week, only 14 and we are going to be short-handed too. Let's pray that it will not be as bad as Thanksgiving week. Ugh!
I read nothing yesterday. Bad Mark, but I will recompense. Looking forward to starting 84, Charing and on audio, The Martian.

Waves to Jim & Joe!

Happy New Year, Linda! Tiny Beautiful Things is a must read!

According to The Weather Channel it's currently -16 F (-26 C) in Middleton, Wisconsin, the town just west of Madison where my best friends live. I'm glad I'm in Philadelphia this week!

I missed the game, but I'm sorry that the Bears lost yesterday. I was going to extend an offer to join the Eagles fan club for the remainder of the year, but that might not be desirable after what happened the Sunday before last.

I'll create a 2014 thread late tomorrow, and simultaneously join that group and leave this one.

Stay warm, my friend.

84, Charing Cross Road, what a great book to end your 2013 reading with, Mark! Have you seen the movie adaptation starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft? It's excellent!

Happy Monday!

84, Charing Cross Road was one of my favorites of the year Mark. Helene Hanff had a way with words. Enjoy it and I agree the movie is very good.

Another here who loved 84, Charing Cross Road. Now I need to go hunt down that movie version.

Hope that Monday is being kind to you, Mark!

"...but it seems to me that my experience with this lovely volume reveals an awful lot about what books provide: a way of reaching across time and space to friends and strangers, and to the absent presences that play such a large part in all our lives."

-Anne Bancroft, from the introduction to 84, Charing Cross Road.

As expected, I am loving 84, Charing. If I would have had another 20 or 30 minutes to read, I would have finished it. Why, I took so long to read this gem, and a shorty at that, I have no clue.

Yes, I did see the film many years ago and remember loving it. I enjoyed Bancroft's introduction and I thought it was so cool, that she became such a fan of the book, that her husband, Mel Brooks, snatched up the film rights and Bancroft ended up starring in it, along with Sir Anthony Hopkins. I will have to line it up, for a rewatch.

The Martian is terrific. The ideal audio, for keeping me chugging a long on a bone-chilling day. It's like a mash-up of Apollo 13 and Castaway:

"Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first men to walk on the surface of Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first man to die there."

I thought this is a perfect companion to the film "Gravity", which I just saw last week, about a female astronaut, stranded in space and this one is about a guy, stranded on Mars.

Darryl- Good to see you! Yes, it was a cold one. Only 11 on the way home. Are you taking some time off? I'll have to stop by your thread and see.

Lori- Yes, I did see the film version, probably 15-20 years ago. I'll have to line it up again.

Roberta & Mamie- It looks like I am one of the last ones to read 84, Charing, but at least I finally got there. Have either of you read the sequels?

I'm adding another A for 84 Charing Cross Road. What a wonderful way to end the year.

Mark - I have not read the sequels yet but if I can locate them I will.

Hi Mark, Another fan of 84, Charing Cross Road here! I LOVED 84, Charing Cross Road but only liked The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street. It's certainly worth reading though, and a lot of people really loved it, too.

Happy New Year's Eve! I am working today and most likely will be a stick in the mud tonight. The wife might go out with friends but I think I will hang at the homestead, watch a movie, drink a couple beers and retire early. Exciting, huh? That's Marky-Mark!

Linda- So much love for "84". Yah! I am glad I finally got to it.

Roberta- It will help if they are all this short too. LOL.

Joanne loves "84"! Joanne loves "84"! Did you ever see the film?

I love the expression "stick in the mud" and I think that is what I'll be doing, too. I hope my location away from residences, near empty office buildings will result in a quieter midnight hour. I hate being awakened by the dogs trying to crawl into holes to escape the fireworks noises. But up until then, I'll be trying to read in bed without falling too sleep too early.

Happy New Year, Mark!

Okay, this was difficult! Like oral surgery. A biblio- Sophie‘s Choice. I had a stellar reading year. Maybe the best in decades and trying to pare this down to a handful…Yikes! So here goes, before I change my mind again:

My favorite fiction of 2013:

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie
The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Honorables:
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

My favorite nonfiction of 2013:

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink

Best Short fiction:

Volt: Stories by Alan Heathcock
Nine Inches: Stories by Tom Perrotta
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie

Best YA:
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness- Yes, it is on here twice for a good reason.

Best Graphic Novel:

My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf- Still gives me the chills.