SqueakyChu flutters through 2014

All of my 2013 challenges (except for that speedy calendar) were really a FAIL! My mom used to say "my eyes were bigger than my stomach". I guess that's me. This year, I'll set my sights a little lower and hopefully will do better in all of my challenges.

The year 2014 will be The Race of the Butterflies. It will include all of my challenges and a calendar. Hopefully, I'll finish my challenges before the year runs out.

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Which butterfly will win the race by year's end?

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Butterfly #1: My 75 Books Challenge for 2014
I am determined to do better in this challenge than last year. I've conquered this challenge before and know I can do it again. The question is...when?



Butterfly #2: My 15,000 Pages in 2014 Challenge. I was so close to achieving my goal last year that I'm trying this challenge again.



Butterfly #3: My BookCrossing MT TBR Challenge
This is my very first totally BookCrossing challenge that I'm doing on LibraryThing. These are books I acquired from other BookCrossers.



Butterfly #4: My Read Our Own Tomes (ROOT) Challenge 2014
I cut back on the number of ROOTS for my goal as I always seem to be distracted by newer books. These are books I acquired prior to 2010.



Butterfly #5: My 2014 Calendar
Watch out for this butterfly. He (or she?) is trying to get to his destination before I finish my other challenges.



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Reading Rate: To keep ahead of this game, it looks as if I should be reading at least 7 books per month. We'll see what happens.

...and here we go!!!!!!!!!

January:


Lime butterfly, Butterfly trail, Singapore .............. Photo by B_cool, Flickr, CC-A

My bookish plans for January
1. Attend a BookCrossing meet-up in Ballston Commons Mall, Arlington, Virginia - done!
2. Attend an author talk by Steve Piacente at the Rockville Senior Center - canceled due to cold weather :(

COMPLETED:
1. Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn - TIOLI: Read a mystery book where the lead investigator is a professional sleuth, but not one employed by law enforcement (journalist) - 254 pages
2. Gaza Blues - Etgar Keret, Samir El-Youssef - TIOLI: Read a book that has two of something in the title (two letter A's) - 172 pages
3. The Rockaways - Gilles Peress - TIOLI: Read a book about the city, state (province), or country in which you live - 93 pages
4. The Cat Who Covered the World - Christopher S. Wren - TIOLI: read a book from your 'average' year (2001) - 204 pages
5. Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls - David Sedaris - TIOLI: Read a book that has some connection with the number 14 (11475th most-popular work on LT) - 275 pages

February:


Butterfly, India ..................................... Photo by Diganta Talukdar, Flickr, CC-A

My bookish plans for February
1. Participate in International Book Giving Day on 2/14/14. - COMPLETED
2. Release three Harry Potter books in memory of Becky Johns - One released 2/2/14; one released 2/6/14; one released 2/14/14 - COMPLETED
3. Attend BookCrossing meet-up 2/23/14 - COMPLETED

COMPLETED:
6. Magical Thinking - Augusten Burrroughs - TIOLI: Read a book and then remove it from your physical presence (my Little Free Library) - 268 pages
7. Masa: Stories of a Lone Soldier - Ilan Benjamin - TIOLI: Read a book of short stories - 209 pages
8. The Elephant Keepers' Children - Peter Hoeg - TIOLI: Read a book and then remove it from your physical presence (library book) - 496 pages
9. Did You Know..? Wise Words & Advice for Gardeners & Floral Designers - Members & Friends of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc. - TIOLI: Read a book and then remove it from your physical presence (Little Free Library in Brookside Gardens) - 217 pages
10. On Such A Full Sea - Chang-rae Lee - TIOLI: Read a book from the library of the LT member with the greatest weighted number of books which match your own (Candiss/To read) - 352 pages
11. The Thing With Feathers - Noah Strycker - TIOLI: Read a book with an object on the cover that starts with a letter in rolling alphabetical order (silhouette) - 279 pages
12. Short Stories - Louisa May Alcott - TIOLI: Read a book of short stories - 55 pages
13. 69 - Ryu Murakami - TIOLI: Read a book whose cover is dominated by the color red - 191 pages
14. Driving Over Lemons: An optimist in Andalucia (tree) - Chris Stewart - TIOLI: Read a book with an object on the cover that starts with a letter in rolling alphabetical order (tree) - 247 pages

READING/LISTENING:
See page 2...

March:


Butterfly, Macinaw Island, Michigan USA ............. Photo by goingslo, Flickr, CC-A

My bookish plans for March
See age 2...

Books:
See page 2...

Welcome back!

Welcome to my thread!

My bookish plans for 2014 include these items:
1. Continue to host the TIOLI challenges on this group
2. Steward my Little Free Library and maintain its Facebook page
3. Participate actively in BCinDC, my local BookCrossing club, and other BookCrossing activities
4. Chair the BookCrossing booth at the Kensington Book festival in April, 2013
5. Participate in Operation Paperback
6. Attend LibraryThing meet-ups
7. Maintain my TBR pile at a maximum of 500 books. All others will need to be culled. Ha! That will really be a challenge.

Hope you are now enjoying a safe and happy holiday season. Happy New Year 2014 to all!

Madeline - hope I can help you with Number 6 in your bookish plans. Lovely to see you back.

Hi Madeline. I don't always post on your thread but always read it. good luck in 2014.

> 7

Heh! Paul, on my retirement income, I hardly think I'll be driving around the block...much less flying to Malaysia. You come here!

Hi squeaky!

> 8

Hi, BBGirl55!

Thanks for stopping by. It's so easy to visit with other 75ers when there's only a few of us. Have a great holiday season!

> 10

Hi AuntieClio!

I love having you on the TIOLI challenges. You always have so much to say and share about the books you read. I'm sure everyone appreciates that a lot.

You are starred!!!

Hi Karen!

Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you all the best for 2014!

#12, aww Squeaky thank you!

> 15

I can always think about what I want to say about a book I'm reading...until I have to start writing about it. Taking notes is too distracting. Oh, well.

Hi Madeline, nice to have you back!

Starred for reading in 2014!

>17 wilkiec:, 18

Hi Diana and Morphy!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you both!

Hi Madeline!! I have your thread starred. I too always have so much to say about a book I am reading and then forget it when I start typing up a review. I sometimes have taken notes but it takes away from my reading time.

Hi Monica!

The only book I takes notes on is my "tutored read" (which is now The Castle of Wolfenbach). If I didn't do that, I'd never keep the characters or the plot straight. Liz (lyzard) has to help me with this anyway. Oddly enough, when I finish reading a "tutored read" book, I'll give it a star rating, but I never want to review it. I guess that's because I've written enough down about the book while reading it. :)

Have a fun 2014!

I have never tried a "Tutored read". I love to watch them but never participated. I don't take that many notes on my books.

Tutored reads are so much fun. You should really try just one for the experience of it.

I have found that I read a tutored read book very differently than I read a book just for fun. I move through them very, very slowly...often just four or five pages at a time. The idea of them is for enjoyment as well as knowledge. It's okay if you have no knowledge of the subject in which you request a tutor. That's why you are requesting the tutor in the first place.

This is last year's tutored read thread.

Liz, are you going to set a new thread up for 2014?

Hi Madeline! One of my resolutions this year is to keep better track of everyone's threads, although I believe that's the real challenge of this group!

Hello there -- I have been following you on the Bookmooching thread, and thought I'd swing by and say hello. I have set it as my goal -- for the first time ever -- to do a challenge and learn more about starting maintaining and posting to a thread, as well as posting more to other people's. Apropos to # 7 of your 'bookish plans', thought I'd share one of my favcorite quotes from another big reader:

"The truth is, I have bought a great many books lately to a great value; but I think to buy no more books till Christmas next, and those that I have will so fill my two presses, that I must be forced to give away some or make room for them, it being my design to have no more at any time for my proper library than to fill them." ~Samuel Pepys, January 10, 1668

Happy reading in 2014! Marianne

> 24

Hi Carrie,

Resolution or not, I simply can't follow all the threads I want to. It's fun, though, to be able to say hi to everyone at this time of the year when the threads are a little thinner.

Have a glorious 2014!

> 25

Hi Marianne!

Ha! I didn't think anyone was on BookMooch any more. ;)

Samuel Pepys and I think alike. Buy more books but give them away prior to reading them...simply to allow more books to filter in. Really! My TBR shelf is unmanageable now. Today I tried to sneak one more in by simply not registering it on LibraryThing. Therefore, I didn't categorize it "To Read". Sneaky, eh?

Have a great 2014!

>27 SqueakyChu: I love the Pepys quote if only to see that readers 350 years ago went through the same machinations as I do!

What a smile about the sneaking the book in and not catergorizing it. That is SOOO like me! (I also sneak shoes into the house only to hide them in the closet. A few weeks later when they are unveiled for the first time: Husband: "Are those new?" Me: "Oh, no. I've had these for ages!")

Sad about Bookmooch. I still will occasionally find something, but not always. Am trying my hand as PBS, although it seems I can't post ARCs there.

I still like BookMooch. It works for me just because it doesn't have books I want that often. I don't need the extra temptation. :)

Laughing at my desk right now! I like your positive perspective!

:)

I'm already struggling to keep up with your very active thread, and the year hasn't even started yet!

Hi Zoe!

I'm very excited that I've finally gotten some BookCrosser attention to LibraryThing. I hope those Bookcrossers who are exploring LibraryThing will find out how useful and fun it is.

Wishing you and Mark a terrific new Year!

And a happy new year to you and Jose and your whole family!

I'm hoping to get Mark to join the 75 Books Challenge this year. We'll see if I can persuade him ;)

Up in my "Butterfly Race" (see message #1), I've added a specific BookCrossing challenge.

I've been delighted to see some BookCrossing members take the time to get to know LibraryThing better. BookCrossing member @BoekenTrol71 suggested a TBR challenge which kind of parallels those we already do on LT, but I suggested that one specific to Bookcrossers would be fun (and perhaps a bit more challenging).

I'm waiting to see how to update/adjust my BookCrossing challenge based on the parameters of that challenge, but, in the meantime, the goal of that challenge for me will be to read 10 books this year that were given to me by other Bookcrossers. I know those individuals await journal entries on those books so I have to improve my reading rate of them! :D

You talkin' about me??!

(I think I made a ticker!)

:-)

Not only you! I was talking about this idea...which is way cool!

Look here!!

*runs to check out Shelley's ticker*

Just a note here for newbies who happen upon my thread. If you use tickers from Ticker Factory, all of the same tickers are updated on different threads at the same time. Very convenient!

Meaning: You can use the same ticker on your own thread as you do on a different person's challenge thread. This is done often with the ROOT challenge.

@#39 - I am (big surprise) a little confused. I actually succeeded in creating a ticker for the ROOT challenge. I was so pleased with myself that I tried to create a ticker for the 75 books challenge, only to find that it didn't take and the turtle that was my original ROOT ticker tracker, turned into the cat I thought was on my 75 Books tracker. So, here is my question, though I am guessing that I may know the answer. Do I need to create a different password for each ticker tracker I create? I thought my password was just for joining the site. It seems a bit counter-intuitive; I mean, if I had to create a new password for every thread at LT, for example, it would be crazy. At LT (and every other site I've joined), it is one site, I am one person, log in is with one password. Why wouldn't that work at tickertracker? Each separate ticker has a different html code, doesn't it?

Ok, enlighten me, please! (again) :-)

#40, Jessi, you can create as many tickers as you want with the one password. Just make sure they are named differently in the "Message Field."

@# 41 - Thanks for this. I will try it again tomorrow. I actually thought I had named them differently but obviously I only thought it, not did it. Right now, my brain needs to rest.

Off to try to finish my current book!

Thanks, AuntiClio. I was off feeding my family and playing with my grandson! :)

Hi Madeline - Happy New Year :)

Your trick of nor cataloguing your books made me smile as I do that too! However I then forget I have the book, and it's not catalogued, and end up getting it again!

>25 michigantrumpet: re: shoe shopping - never take shoes home in their boxes. The boxes are a dead giveaway. I always request no boxes. The shop clerks always knowingly nod their heads if I say why - they've heard it before lol.

Hi Lisa!

Wishing you and your loved one a happy new year!

#43, happy to help. Playing with the grandson is important stuff :-)

I've joined this challenge.

I've starred this thread to keep an eye on what other Bookcrossers are reading!

>44 kiwiflowa: Brilliant about leaving the boxes behind. I usually store the shoes in the boxes in my closet, but I can see the wisdom of an entirely new system.

Lovely, lovely butterflies, Madeline. Happy New Year!

Thanks, Julia. Have a great 2014 yourself!

.

Madeline, wishing you a Challenging 2014 (in a TIOLI sort of way) and a year that brings you all you desire.

Happy New Year!

Love the butterflies! Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Madeline, looking forward to following the race of the butterflies and the TIOLI challenges this year:)

> 51, 52, 53, 54

Hi. and best wishes for 2014 to Kath, Paul, Nora, and Katherine. May this New Year be the best ever for all of you!

Happy New Year to you, Madeline!

Best wishes for a joyous New Year, Madeline!

> 57, 58

Thanks, Julia and Liz. Looking forward to a fun 2014 with all of you here on LT.

Hi! Happy new year and thread. Your plans look good, and I hope you reach your goal this year.

Thanks for rooting for me, Paws. Have a terrific 2014!

Happy New Year, Madeline!

Hi Darryl,

Happy 2014 - the year I hope to meet you - for real! :)

I hope so! I'll watch your thread for future meet up plans in Baltimore and Washington, and I'll keep you abreast of any group meet ups in Philadelphia or NYC.

Found you at last! You've been eluding me with all that fluttering. :)

We didn't really get much of a response to the tutored read thread last year, unfortunately, so I thought I would just continue to trundle along on my own this year (I have a couple lined up other than what I might do next with you), and if there is more general interest expressed, it could be revived then.

Hi Liz!

Sorry that the "tutored reads" lost steam. I think they're such a good idea, but the people involved do need to be disciplined about doing them, or it doesn't work. It might be too much of a commitment for some folks.

I'm glad that people now look for your expertise and tutoring as I know you have fun helping others through literature you love.

I wish you a lovely new year and will keep in touch with you (meaning I'll flutter by your thread!).

Madeline,

Happy new year! I've starred your thread and pinned your baked corn recipe on Pinterest. I hope you and Dean Koontz don't mind. It's so cool that he and his wife have managed to stay married despite his celebrity status. I'm impressed with your bookish plans for 2014. My only plan is to participate in a tutored read sometime. Hope the interest picks up in the group.

Hi June!

Happy New Year!

Looking back on your favorite books of 2013, that reminded me of just how charming the book Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore was. It was such a fun an uplifting read.

Heh! I mostly forget about Pinterest. I pin things there all the time, but then I forget to go back and "retrieve" them - especially the recipes. :)

1. Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn



It's interesting how this book grew on me. I started out by not liking it, feeling that the protagonist had little going for her and not appreciating the clipped sentences of the narrative. The story is of Camille Preaker, a young woman who is a mediocre journalist for a second rate Chicago newspaper. She was sent to her home town to cover the stories of the murder of two young children. Camille is not all that eager to return there as she has to stay with her mother. As the story develops, we discover that Camille's home life had been kind of bizarre and slowly learn to understand her erratic behavior.

This book's psychological issues became the real "catch" for me. Most of the characters in it had "issues". The small town of Wind Gap, Missouri, is not a town I'd like to visit, but it was certainly a strange place to visit in a novel. I finally decided that this debut novel was a compelling read...after all.

Rating - 4 stars

69: Hmm, I've read the two others, have avoided this one, but now I'm seeing it all over...

>70 qebo:

Sharp Objects is probably being plugged now because Gone Girl has recently been so popular. What did you think of Gone Girl? My husband liked it so I'm willing to give it a try.

Hello!

LT was kind enough to inform me that one of my "top 100 similar libraries" buddies was also another member of this challenge (it's you!), so I figured I'd stop by and holler at you. I'm pretty used to seeing Recent Member Recommendations from you on my LT homepage and your recommendations generally look pretty interesting, so I'm excited to follow this thread. Also, I appreciate your book selection for "book with an ugly cover". Confessions of a Mask has a very ugly, very creepy cover.

Good luck with your readin' this year!

Hi Andrew!

Anyone who reads Richard Brautigan is a friend of mine. Who reads him any more beside us?! :)

Heh! I also think that Confessions of a Mask has a creepy cover. Since I'm running the contest, I can't win the prize, but I can certainly enter the book cover into the contest for a vote.

How's the weather in Seattle today? Here in Rockville, Maryland, this morning it was 1 degree F (-17 C.). I went outside briefly just to be able to say I was in one degree weather. I then ran back inside! :)

My reading is pretty eclectic, and I tend to jump from one thing to another. You'll never know what will appear next in my reading list. I'm also known to not finish books at times and simply toss them aside to move along to something more interesting.

I think the appreciation-of-Richard-Brautigan-friendship-test is a perfectly legitimate way to gauge/start a friendship. He really is one of the best. (I love to get people his omnibuses as gifts.)

As for the weather, it's an extreme 43 °F in Seattle. With rain! Super intense. My parents live in Oberlin, OH and they've been sending me pictures of their thermometer (-13 degrees early last night which is just nuts); I am very thankful that I don't have to deal with any of that. Stay warm!

Finally, eclectic is good. As is not wasting readin' time on a book that is sub-standard. Seems like you know what you're doing when it comes to reading. :-)

Just curious. How did you discover/get interested in reading Richard Brautigan books?

I discovered them in my former "beat" days (when I was in my 20's) being sold cheaply at a store called Korvette's. Brautigan's short poems appealed to me. My daughter, now 27, used to take my Brutigan books from my collection and stow them in her room when she was younger and lived at home. I've since retrieved them all. Brautigan's old paperbacks are some of the few books I've kept from back in the late 60's/early 70's.

When I reread some of my Brautigan books now, they don't have the same appeal as they did then. However, I don't think I'd part with them, though.

Did you ever read Willard and His Bowling Trophies? That's a book I read more recently (meaning I was already at least middle age!). That was a fun book. If you haven't read it yet, you'd probably like it.

Do you have a thread here on the 75 books challenge group? If so, point me to it. I'd like to see what books you read this year.

You're in 43-degree weather? What a heat wave! The weather here where I live has now gone up to a balmy ten degrees! :)

It was through my dad, actually. He recommended A Confederate General from Big Sur to me about 5 years ago, saying it was one of his favorites when he was in his 20s. (There seems to be a trend here!) I read it. And I loved it. And since then I've read and enjoyed pretty much all of Brautigan's bibliography. I was even able to find some PDFs of his rarer poetry collections online. My favorites are probably In Watermleon Sugar, The Abortion, and A Confederate General from Big Sur. I did really like Willard and His Bowling Trophies, too. I should mention that I'm also 27, so I guess maybe I'm still young/naive/whatever enough for his writing to resonate particularly strongly with me in a lot of ways.

I've actually got links to all of my 75 book challenge threads on my profile, but I'll include this year's here to save you some clicks. I love LT, but it sure can be hard to find other people's challenge threads sometimes...

Congratulations on reaching double digit temperatures! Just think, in a few days when temperatures return to normal it's going to feel super toasty. Hooray, relativity!

2. Gaza Blues: Different Stories - Etgar Keret & Samir El-Youssef



This is a bizarre, but brave little book. Etgar Keret begins it with his strange short fiction, some stories of which I have read elsewhere. My favorite story of Keret's was "Shoshi 3", a clever, unfinished story in the very middle of the book. A longish story by Samir El-Youssef ends the book. That was an odd read for me because it was almost as if I had to have an Israeli give me permission to read a story about angry Palestinians. I actually liked that story ("The Day The Beast Got Thirsty") the best, most likely because it was the most developed of all those short stories in this book. It told of a Palestinian living in Lebanon who wanted to get a visa to any other country, but who deep down knew he'd never get one.

This book is an interesting experiment in Israeli-Palestinian cooperation. I'd like to see more of this. Learning about one another, in all of our humanity and with all of our dirt, is what will eventually bring us together.

Rating - 2 stars

Not sure how much of an Etgar Keret fan you consider yourself (I like him a lot), but a while back someone made a movie (Wristcutters: A Love Story) based on one of his shorts (Kneller's Happy Campers). The film is really strange and a little gritty, but also quite pretty and moving.

If you like Keret's stuff, it might be worth checking out... assuming you haven't already seen it.

I usually do like Keret's stuff...even though most of it is off the wall. I didn't consider what he put into Gaza Blues the best of what I've read of his. I'll have to look for "Wristcutters". It looks interesting. Have you seen the movie Jellyfish? Etgar Keret was one of the co-directors. It was really an interesting movie...kind of surreal...but that always intrigues me.

Hey! You really do share my reading taste! :)

This is an interesting aside. I have a friend (in her 60's) who wants to teach a course in contemporary Israeli literature when she retires. I told her that she had to include Etgar Keret because he's so popular. I read her some of his short stories (while she was doing crossword puzzles!). She was taken aback by them and decided that her course would be the novels from earlier in the state of Israel. She found Keret hard to take.

Hmm. Looking at Gaza Blues, it appears that Keret's only new story is the one with Shoshi. But since that one was your favorite, and because you liked the novella too, maybe it's worth checking out? I've read most/all of his other collections, but it's been a few years so re-reading a few short stories sounds pretty alright.

And I can certainly understand Keret not being for everyone. I've recommended him to a few folks, but I think only one person (my sister) was actually appreciative of his style.

Have a wonderful weekend, Madeleine!

> 80

Andrew, the Shoshi stories are not great. It was just the clever trick in "Shoshi 3" that I liked. There is a story by a Palestinian author in this volume which is what makes the book unique.

I am wondering what to do with this book now that I've read it. If you want, I could send you my copy via Bookmooch (so I could get the points). I'm SqueakyChu there as well. Let me know if you're interested.

I don't just give away at random those books I've read by Israeli authors. I generally choose carefully who gets them. :) It has to be someone who really appreciates them. In the past, I've sent these books to -Eva- and avatiakh (both members here on LT), but I can add you to this list very easily. You seem to qualify! :)

> 81

Thanks, Diana. You, too!

I really like Tim's improvements to LT's list feature.

I'd be honored if you would share your responses on the following lists I've created. Thanks!

1. Books That Made Me Cry
2. Books With a Twist
3, Best books About Animals
4. Best "Foodie" Books
5. Books That Changed Me
6. Fiction Featuring cranky, Eccentric Old Folks
7. Favorite Books by Mid-List Authors
8. Best Israeli Reading
9. Best Board Books For Babies

Today I had the opportunity to meet and talk to local (to Rockville) author Steve Piacente. He is pushing his two books...and they really sound good. He's quite an interesting man with a background in journalism. He posted a flyer (with permission) to the Little Free Library of Twinbrook for his author talk that he is giving at the Rockville Senior Center (Rockville, Maryland) on 1/23/14. I'm going to attend. If anyone wants to go with me, let me know.

He said he's available to speak to book groups. If you are interested in engaging him, his website is www.stevepiacente.com, or you can contact him on his Facebook page called "Bella" (the name of his first book).

This is what happened yesterday...

Yikes! I ended up on his book's Facebook page!!

@# 86 - woohoo! Very cool!

Yes - very cool!

Cool!

LOL!! I can't believe he put me on his book's Facebook page!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, mrsdrneutron and I were out with some friends in Reston Town a Center and stopped in a cupcake place to get dessert. They had an LFL in the shop!

Could you add that LFL to the LT Local data base? It's not on there yet. Thanks!

Which book(s) did you take?

So I'm reading another book by David Sedaris. I don't know why I do this because I'm always offended by this author's humor and rarely find his essays funny. This line from "Obama!!!!!" in Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls did make me laugh, though...

I was in London during the inauguration and watched the ceremony on the BBC, which reminded me every three seconds that Barack Obama was black and would become America's first black president. At first I thought that this was for blind people, a little reminder in case they forgot. Then it became laughable: Barack Obama, who is black, is arriving now with his black wife and two black children, a group that will form America's first black First Family, which is to say, the first group of blacks elected to the White House, which is white and not black like them.

This reminded me of the time that Doug Williams took the Washington Redskins professional football game to the Super Bowl (championship playoff game). Afterwards, reporters kept asking him how it felt to be the first black quarterback to win the Super Bowl in NFL (National Football League) history. He said he didn't know because he'd always been black.

Enough said.

Madeline - Great that Steve Piacente should show such generosity of spirit. He can rest assured that I will be buying his books for sure now.

Have a great weekend. xx

I'm always skeptical of local writers who want to introduce me to books they write. More often, I seem to attract bad poets. :) Steve Piacente, however, wasn't pushing his two novels on me. He merely wanted to use my Little Free Library to advertise his upcoming author signing/book chat. He's a big fan of Little Free Libraries.

When he came by to affix his flyer to my Little Free Library, I invited him in for a little while just to be friendly. I was so impressed with his background as a journalist and the fact that, later in life, he decided to go back to school to major in fiction. He seems to me to have a passion for bringing his life experiences into his writing. I can't wait to read his books to see if this is true or not.

I'll be buying Bella, the first book he wrote, at the time I go to the program he's presenting (next Thursday). I really wish him great success as I heartily support local, talented, lesser-known authors. I am already 100% sure, I'll love both of his books.

However, you can check back later...after I read and review both of them! :D

Paul, that was such a sweet note you put on the FB page! Thank you.

I actually didn't take one - there were several I hadn't read, but didn't want to carry them around the rest of the day. But I did take note of one to fetch from the library!

I'll see if I can put it in.

*waving* at Madeline

Paul gave you well-deserved words.

And he promoted LT!

Whoo hoo!

> 98

*waves back at Stasia*

> 99

I tried to introduce Steve Piacente to LibraryThing as well . I told him to check it out, but he seems pretty embedded in Goodreads. ;/

101: Sigh. I've tried to get my sisters-in-law to just look at LibraryThing, but they had accounts on GoodReads before I'd even heard of it.

>102 qebo:

LibraryThing is a hard sell. It's not for the casual bookworm, but rather for the dedicated bibliophile who's interested in exploring all the aspects of books, from cataloguing to information gathering, to discussions, to (...here insert all of LT's features). I have spent years trying to get my BookCrossing friends to join LT, but have not succeeded. Finally now, I see that a few BookCrossers have trickled into LT, maybe brought here by the "Little Libraries" feature. However, I don't see enough of them to statistically make any difference to LT growth.

Librarians I know won't join LT because their "friends" are all on Goodreads.

*sigh*

Maybe the real reason that LT is not more popular is that web users want instant gratification, and all of the nooks and crannies of LT take more time to discover. Who knows?

Not sure I quite agree on popularity Madeline. 1.8 million members overall is not shabby at all.
I looked at GoodReads but it didn't sing to me like LT. In truth I wouldn't have used this for anything other than a cataloguing tool had I not stumbled upon this group by fortuitous accident.

> 104

That's the point, though, Paul. It takes an "in depth" exploration of LT to find its innate value for each member. The first time I looked at LT, I left right away. It wasn't until a second glance at a much later date that I came back and stayed.

What actually "glued" me to LT was when I learned that I had my own wiki on this site to play with. I taught myself how to do the wiki mark-up, and the rest is history.

In addition, I marveled at how Tim took the time to interact with all of his members. He's doing that less these days, but it was a powerful factor in my interest in this website. Most website founders do not take the time to have their members help develop their own website. I found it refreshing that Tim was different from most others in that respect. He is also unafraid to tackle problems and set limits. I don't always agree with him, but he has earned my utmost respect.

Addendum: I guess I gauge "popularity" from the time when LT was the leader in this category (book cataloguing websites). It was sad for me to see LT eclipsed by GR. However, I'm a very dedicated LT member and will "push" this website onto others whenever I get the opportunity. :)

Madeline> I have a GoodReads account that I rarely use. I just prefer LT.

Sometimes I have a Goodreads account (that I don't use); sometimes I don't. It depends on what I want to see on that website! :)

(deleted entry - I was testing uploading photos)

Starred you!

Hi Connie!

Have fun with your reading this year.

You too!

Thanks! The years is starting off very promising. I'm now reading four books concurrently. Yikes! :)

That really is a Yikes, I can handle 2, but 4????

Happy reading.

LOL!

One is a CD (novel) I listen to in the car. I found I didn't like reading this book, but the audio version is good. One is a book of short stories. One is a novel. One is nonfiction.

I can handle it! :)

I can handle multiple books if they're distinct enough, e.g. fiction and non-fiction w/ different subjects. Though occasionally I'll pick up one of the books and have a moment of huh?! until I adjust my mind to which book I'm reading.

If I'm reading too many books at a time, sometimes I'll just stop reading the one I like least! :)

I often have a heavier non-fiction book going at the table for a month or more, while I whiz through multiple lighter fiction books in my reading spot. And I nearly always have a book going on my phone - that doesn't get read much, but it's a lifesaver when I'm in a line or a doctor's office or whatever. Sometimes I'll get annoyed at a book and put it aside - I always mean it to be a short hiatus, but sometimes it gets very long. Which is why I currently have 12 books in Currently Reading, some of which I haven't picked up for nearly a year. I'm still reading that!

>86 SqueakyChu:: Really late to this (sorry!), but de-lurking now to say, wow, that's wonderful!

I'm a big fan of LT over Goodreads. I love the depth of discussion and reviews over here. I've turned a few other people onto the site, including my Mom.

One HAS to have several books going at once! Never want to find myself somewhere without something to read!

> 118

Hi Amber!

I'm looking forward to the author talk. I have two friends who might attend along with me. I think it will be fun.

> 119

One HAS to have several books going at once!

Marianne, I simply find to hard to limit myself to one book at a time. I always am ready to start a new books. That's the problem.

3. The Rockaways - Gilles Peress



This was a sad book of the destruction wrought by Hurricane Sandy on the Rockaways and writing by some who experienced it. It contains moving photographs and a few essays.

This book was published by Concord Free Press, an "ongoing experiment in generosity".

In return for this free book, I made a donation to Manna, a food center in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Rating - 3 stars

4. The Cat Who Covered the World - Christopher S. Wren



This book is just darling. Christopher S. Wren was no slouch. His career as a foreign correspondent for The New York Times spanned years, including his being based at different times in Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, Ottawa, and Johannesburg.

So what is a journalist of such merit doing writing a book about a cat?! Here's the answer in Wren's own words:

"Henrietta's life overseas triggered more mail to me from (New York) Times readers than the most momentous political events I have covered in eighteen years as a foreign correspondent, including Anwar Sadat's visit to Israel and Nelson Mandela's release from prison in South Africa."

Henrietta was the family cat who traveled the world literally with each of Wren's base changes. It was hard to believe the adventures of this feline who had a most unusual, and sometimes challenging, life. She was not confined to her home at most of her residences so she got to meet with the local color. Her most terrifying moments had to do with airline travel and becoming lost in the streets of Cairo. Fortunately, she survived her misadventures. She was a very proud cat, quite cynical of the world of politics, and devoted to her family. For a special treat, read her delightful story.

Rating - 4 stars

5. Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls - David Sedaris



I think I've finally had my fill of David Sedaris's essays. Until now, I've found them like a train wreck - knowing I'm not going to like what I discover, but daring to take a peek anyway.

I hated this book on a visceral level. Beside the sufficient and gag-worthy phlegm, feces, and pee in this book, there was enough other written material to offend anyone (assuming that you're not one of those reviewers, like Juliana Barbossa of Associated Press, who call David Sedaris "the funniest guy around"). I don't think humor at the expense of another's weakness is funny. It's not even faintly humorous.

She's out of her wheelchair finally, but if it were up to me, I'd put her back into it.

After the funeral, scores of perfectly dreadful people came by the house.

"You know," I said, "I hear those words and automatically think, Handicapped or, Learning disabled, but aren't a lot of your students just assholes?"

Just as an FYI...these examples are by far not the worst of them.

If this brand of humor turns readers on, I'll be glad to allow such other readers to wallow in and amuse themselves with this kind of writing. For me, I'm calling it quits.

Rating - 1/2 star

On multiple books, I find I don't multi-task well so I read one at a time and just haul it with me.

I like the idea of David Sedaris much better than I actually like his work. However, I don't even like the idea of Amy Sedaris.

122: becoming lost in the streets of Cairo
That would be an adventure.

> 124

I remember once hearing David Sedaris read from his work on NPR (public radio). His presentation was funny. Sadly, the material I read in his books afterward has been sadly lacking in what I consider funny.

> 125

Katherine, I know you'd love this book. Henrietta is quite a feline character, and I know you love cats.

Although I'm a dog person, I think I would enjoy reading about Henrietta and her world travels. It's going on the library TBR list.

I'll trot my David Sedaris story out here:

I once bought tickets to take my at-the-time boyfriend to see Sedaris (said boyfriend was a fan). I thought it would be a sort of stand-up routine. Nope. He essentially just stood on stage next to a music stand with the manuscript for his next book on it and read to us, pausing to make notes with his pretentious little pencil every time the audience laughed. So I felt as if I has just paid (way too much) money to help him edit his book. So, yes, I don't like him. I'm coming down pretty firmly on the opinion that he's a big jerk-like guy.

> 128

It's going on the library TBR list.

You won't be disappointed. It's such a fun read.

> 129

That is truly laughable! I got more laughs out of your post just now than I did out of the entire book of Sedaris' that I just read. Thanks so much for that! :)

I really don't get how he has so many admirers and fans. The world is truly a puzzling place!

#129 Amber
I feel the same way about going to see Eddie Izzard. I adore him but seeing him perform was the same as sitting in my living room watching one of his videos. He's extremely funny but I really don't need to spend that kind of money on something I can see on tv.

That, and by the time it arrives on video, it has all new material. At the point in the tour I saw him he was still working on the material so sometimes there were bits I had already seen.

132. But that's how all stand up comics work, though. That's the only what they can hone their material.

I love Eddie Izzard, he's one of my all-time favourite comedians. So good. And so clever.

Hint hint, nudge nudge
http://www.librarything.com/topic/167560

I love the idea of a meet-up in Old Town, Alexandria! It should definitely include the Little Free Libraries in Alexandria as well.

Just a drive-by to leave a star and say "Hi"

Hi, Jeff!

I hope 2014 is a great reading year for you!

Hi Madeline, been meaning to swing by and say "hello". I'm starring your thread of course!

I just added a few more books to one of the lists you created (see post 84) - guess which one? Fiction Featuring cranky, Eccentric Old Folks?? No! (but I'm off to consult with that one toute d'suite!) - it was the Best Israeli Reading. I had to put Amos Oz's Between Friends up there since I only read it the other month, as well as a few others.

#133 PawsforThought
I understand that, I've seen many standup comics (Louis Black, Russell Brand, Billy Connolly) and Eddie is more a performer than standup. I'm glad to have had the experience of watching him perform live but he's not someone I feel the need to see again live. And although the three aforementioned also have set pieces, there's something different in their delivery which makes me want to see them perform live many times. Don't get me wrong, I adore Eddie Izzard and I agree with you that he is very good and very clever. He just doesn't do it for me as a live performer.

Oh, and I was very disappointed he wasn't in drag. Okay, not very, but surprised a little.

139. Ha! Yeah, Eddie belongs in drag. It suits him so well.
I've never been to see stand-up live so I'd be over the moon seeing any of my favourites. But not everything works for everyone.
And now I feel like watching an Izzard video on YouTube...

Hi Paul! I have to keep up with your Israeli reads this year!! I haven't read Between Friends yet, but you know I will if I can get my hands on it! :)

I think I'd be more forgiving of stand-up comics honing material (but I understand, I think, what you're saying, Stephanie, about the not-really-good-live delivery); at least they don't stand in front of you TAKING NOTES! Sheesh.

Also, regarding good stand-up comedians: the best I've ever seen was, believe it or not, David Spade. Went to his show in college and he was amazing. He had a set routine, of course, but he clearly did a ton of on-the-spot ad-libbing and joking with the audience. It was on a college campus, and he was doing a bit that poked good-natured fun of sorority girls, when a group of 'sisters' got up and started to walk out (why would you go to a Spade show if you were that easily offended is beyond me) - Spade proceeded to make fun of them the entire time it took them to walk to the back of the huge theater and out the door! Again, in a good-natured way, but it was hilarious.

> 138

Paul, I just wanted to say thanks for your entries on my Best Israeli Reads list. I like the comments you made to go along with your entries. I find them very helpful. I think I'll start doing the same with any further list entries.

I invite others to make entries for my
Best Israeli Reads
or any of my other lists...
Books That Made Me Cry
Best Books About Animals
Books With a Twist
Best "Foodie" Books
Best Board Books for Babies
Books That Changed Me
Fiction Featuring Cranky, Eccentric Old Folks
Favorite Books by Mid-List Authors

Thanks for your entries, folks. The more entries by different LT-ers, the better the lists!

@143- Madeline, how do I add to your list to Best Board books for babies? Or do I just give you titles/links to add by yourself? I can offer several!

You do it yourself, Shelley. Heh!

How to add books to the list called "Best Board Books for Babies":

1. Click on the link that brings you to the list.
2. Click on "add work to list" (upper right of your screen).
3. Enter name of book in the search box.
4. Click "search".
5. Look at list of books provided and click on the book you want.
6. Click on "close".
7. Voila! It's been added. :)

The neat thing about this is that I have my individual list, you have your individual list, and there is an aggregate list of all LTers who add to this list.

Try making a list of your own. Start here (create new list).

The best "stand up" I ever saw was "Puke & Snot" at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I have never laughed so hard in my life. I couldn't breathe and tears were running down my face. Sadly, "Snot" died a few years ago and the replacement doesn't quite have the timing.

I was at a show starring a stand-up comedian at my synagogue this past year for Purim. The comedian was so bad that I watched our natural funniest synagogue member (who always makes everyone else laugh) grimace throughout the entire show. The jokes of the comedian were not funny. Some were self-deprecating; others were even offensive at times. It was a very embarrassing show for how obviously not funny it was. I felt as if I had to titter a bit to lessen my personal discomfort. We were seated at tables, not in rows of chairs, so most of the show was taken up by my looking at the faces of others in the audience. It was a long night. :(

Done! Thanks. I could actually add plenty of others as pretty much all the works by these author/illustrators are among my favourites. I own most of them! And Barbara Reid is a local gal, too. Her husband is a professional photographer (Ian Crysler) and has photographed many of the pieces of art that appear in her books. She has also done many posters for places such as the Toronto Public Library, for example. Her plasticene artwork is truly exquisite. I think she started as an illustrator for books by other authors but has easily moved into illustrating her own works as well.

And the Elffers Freymann books I discovered only after buying a wall calendar by them! Just so much fun. If you google their names you will easily be able to find all the books by all 3 of these terrific illustrators.

I'm just now getting into board books for babies because my grandson is seven months old. I like to try to read to him for a few minutes when his parents bring him to visit for Shabbat dinner on Friday night. At this point, however, all he tries to do is grab the book and eat it! Time shall resolve this problem, though. Last night, I put away the book he was trying to eat, and his dad fed him sweet potatoes instead! :)

Fun times ahead...

I'll check out those books you referred to above.

The funniest comedian I ever saw was a Manchester jewish comedian Bernard Manning for whom everyone was a target: black, white, asian, fat, thin, tall, short, wives, mothers, fathers, irish, jews, americans, english. They were days when people could laugh at characteristics without slights being intended or accepted. He was extremely blue and very funny and today would have no career.

Sedaris is certainly not funny if your quotes are to go by. Repulsive maybe but not funny.

Have a lovely weekend, Madeline.

>150 PaulCranswick:

today would have no career

LOL! For sure!

I'm now reading a book by Augusten Burroughs. He's also not very funny, although he is one step up (but only one) from David Sedaris. :) This book, Magical Thinking, is a one I've had for almost 8 years and got from another Bookcrosser so it was time for me to read it and pass it along. It's okay to read, but it's not funny.

Who are your favorite humorists in books? What authors truly make you laugh out loud?

This is @ronbolulu's list

Best Laugh Out Loud Books

@151 - For authors who are truly funny, in my opinion, you wouldn't have to look further than Bill Bryson. Intelligent, too, which may well be why he is so funny without being offensive! There are others, too, I'm sure but I'd have to say he is my favourite

>150 PaulCranswick:

Sorry Paul, but I thought Bernard Manning was awful. And although his father was apparently of Jewish origin, Manning was not brought up Jewish and most British Jews would not identify him as a 'Jewish Comedian'.

Obviously comedy is a subjective thing, and each to their own, but I just had to have a little say...

> 153

I find Bill Bryson funnier in some books that in others. There are truly not that many authors whom I find *LOL* funny. I usually find A.J. Jacobs and Dave Barry pretty funny, though.

I still remember how funny I found Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, and I read that book about 40 years ago. Now that's funny! How long ago that was, I mean. :)

@155 - I have never read Jacobs but yes, I agree about Barry. Also, although Wally Lamb is generally considered a serious writer, I listened to him read his own *Wishin' and Hopin'" and I nearly went off the road, it was so funny. And he is a great reader, too!

May I also add Billy Crystal into this mix somewhere? I am not sure what category he'd fall into as he actually fits in several: standup, author, among others. But I love him. As a host/emcee, he also manages to poke fun at others without nastiness, only intelligence. I admit, sometimes it goes over my head but often, I am impressed.

150> that surprises me enormously. imo he isn't and was never in the least bit amusing. That he would have no career today is a blessing; maybe he shouldn't have had a career then either.

>151 SqueakyChu:: Every Christopher Moore book. They've all made me laugh right out loud.

Paul/Helen - Sorry guys but as anyone who regularly reads my thread will know I abhor prejudice of all and any kinds and my mentioning of Mr. Manning is not a token of my own beliefs. I do think, however, that we take ourselves far too seriously in these days of pointedly political correctness. I can of course see why someone would be offended by Bernard Manning and he was certainly no role model, but he was very much part of the northern working men's club tradition. A tradition to which I suppose I owe my roots as my own grandfather was a noted performer on the same circuit as a singer.
Manning came across on tv as a crass, obnoxious loud-mouth pretty much because he was but his live stage show was something else entirely. I met him several times in RL and he was an exceptionally generous man and a great patron of the unfortunate. I won't say he was misunderstood because he wasn't and I know very many people detested his brand of comedy but I have seen some of his material rehashed by many of the same comedians who would distance themselves from him nowadays.

I read Wren's book about Henrietta several years ago and really enjoyed it. Have you read The Cat Who Went to Paris (or its UK Title A Cat Called Norton)? It's a similar concept where Gethers' Scottish Fold travels with him.

> 160

No, but I'll look for it.

Another cat book I found very amusing was The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Amory. That was his first book. I liked it better than his subsequent books.

Madeline, I finally remembered my camera on the way to pottery class and detoured a short block to get a picture of the local LFL--picture on my thread!
http://www.librarything.com/topic/167738#4507517

Delurking to say hello.

Hi, Ardene,

Hope all is going well for you in 2014!

Hello Madeline! A little late chiming in here.... I haven't read the most recent of David Sedaris' books but I've found some of his earlier stuff to be hilarious. There was one about his Frebch class and trying to explain Easter in a foreign language which has always tickled me. Never saw him live, however.

My favorite live performances were Paula Poundstone, Jeff Garlin, John Pinette and Lewis Black. Poundstone and Garlin especially will make things up on the fly. When it works, it's hilarious. It can thud when it doesn't.

Different strokes ...

>165 michigantrumpet:

Hi Marianne,

I think I have to lay off David Sedaris for a while. This is especially after reading Augusten Burroughs who's almost, but not quite, as bad as Sedaris. Theirs is simply not my kind* of humor.

*I also tell my husband that I don't share his same sense of humor...so take what I say with a grain of salt. :)

6. Magical Thinking - Augusten Burroughs



Either I've become a cranky, old woman, or this book is really terrible. I forced myself to read all of the essays in this book because reviewers from such notable newspapers as The New York Times and The Chicago Sun-Times have described other works by Augusten Burroughs with such words as "entertaining", great", "breathtaking", and "funny". I found no reason to laugh or smile throughout this book. Rather, I found this book lacked any grace. Additionally, I was offended by lines such as the following which others might have found entertaining:

"But Dennis and I will have none of this madness. Neither of us wants to accept the special challenges presented by a severely handicapped Romanian child or a baby who was born addicted to crack and has only half a head."

"After a year, my body was transformed. But only from Auschwitz into lean."

"When I get a craving for Nature, I turn on the Discovery channel and watch bear-attack survivors recount their horror and show the results of their reconstructive surgery."

I think I've had my fill of this author's crude attempts at humor.

Rating - 1/2 star (or less)

Sounds like Magical Thinking is definitely one to avoid.

I read his Running with Scissors a few years ago and absolutely hated it.

Augusten Burroughs never did anything for me either. You've innoculated me against thinking I'd have to give him another go around!!! Thanks!!

>168 SandDune:, 169, 170

I did the go-round for everyone. Skip any of his books that you haven't read yet...and move along to something more worthwhile.

7. Masa: Stories of a Lone Soldier - Ilan Benjamin



This book is terrific. I loved it. I'm going to ignore the few editorial mistakes because this was a self-published book. I'm sure they will be edited out with the next printing, making this volume of short stories perfect! The author, Ilan Benjamin, is a talented young writer whose work you will see again. You must.

I like to read stories about soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to try to get a handle on their experiences in the military. This is one aspect of Israeli life I'll never be able to fully understand, never having been in that situation nor feeling comfortable talking to Israeli soldiers about what must be a completely foreign experience to outsiders.

This book is an eye-opener which focuses on the American soldier in the IDF whose experience must certainly differ from that of a native Israeli ("sabra"). I certainly agree with the author who says that fiction often speaks truth more clearly that facts. This book brings out the emotions felt by the American soldier. This kind of writing really speaks to me. It's engaging to the point of making me believe the fictitious characters are real.

The idea of the "Lone Soldier" is that the American native who enrolls in the IDF is not completely a part of the in-crowd ("chevrae"). This individual must work harder to reach his goals and to meld into a cohesive unit with fellow IDF soldiers.

I very much enjoyed using the glossary while reading this book. It reinforced concepts I already knew, filled me in on information I should have known, and introduced me to new things I didn't yet know. I particularly liked that many of the glossary words were written in Arabic and Hebrew as well as English. Pronunciations and literal translations were also provided. This was quite nice!

You should read this book not only for it's engaging writing, but for its simple truths, emotions, and humor. I wish the author well in his career to become a screen-writer. I can't wait to see what his further work will be like. This book is a gem.

Rating - 5 stars

Check out my new list Self Published Books I Highly Recommend. Feel free to add books you'd recommend, although do not add your own work! :)

Help LT members find praiseworthy, rising authors!

Sounds terrific. I am generally not a fan of short stories but there have been several exceptions that I have enjoyed over the years. Is this available in stores already or was it a preview read?

My copy was a self-published book that was in a bag of books donated to BookCrossing to me last week by my former rabbi (who is enamored of all my book projects). He even went into the "used Jewish books business" upon his retirement a year and a half ago. He was my perfect rabbi! :D

Shelley, you'd probably get a real kick out of this book. It's fun to experience the IDF through the eyes of its soldiers. There was a series of three short stories, interspersed throughout the book, which concentrated on an Israeli soldier trying to seduce American women. They were really funny. There were other, much grimmer, stories, but all were such a true reflection (as per my memories of living in Israel) of the "chavrae" of the yound adults, mostly IDF soldiers, in Israel.

If you can't find this book inexpensively anywhere now, you will hear from this author later. He's good. Now he's studying screenwriting in California.

175: "used Jewish books business"
Well that's a niche. And it looks like he's establishing connections all over the world.

He first got started with collecting used Jewish books for the Jews of Nigeria in Africa. That was a very interesting story.

In my free time (which is all the time now since I lost my job), I volunteered to help him organize his collection. This is his LT profile: @tibooks. :)

That sounds like a very promising one, Madeline.

> 177

I seriously doubt if this author will do any more short story writing as he is now focused more on screen-writing. He's currently a student at USC. I predict he'll have a very successful career.

Wow. I just sent his link to another friend of mine who I bet will be very interested in this. I recently read a book (since given to my cousin in Montreal so it's no longer in my possession) called *Burnt Bread and Chutney* by Carmit Delman. She is an Amercian Jew of Indian descent and her experience of growing up in the States, not feeling a sense of *belonging* anywhere. It was an ok read, more angst-filled than I had hoped.

In any case, thanks for that link.

>167 SqueakyChu:: I've never felt a desire to read his stuff, and your thoughts only confirm my suspicious about him. Ugh.

> 181

Yep. There are essays that are much more worthwhile reading. Well, practically, all other essays! :)

Madeleine,
I'm sorry that I'm just now getting around to tell you that I'm sad you lost your job. Love having the free time, not loving the no money thing though.

Well, it's not just free time I have now. Sadly, it's worrying about and dealing with job loss related things and other personal issues. Thanks for your support, Auntie Clio.

That Augusten Burroughs book sounds terrible. Ilan Benjamin's Masa sounds like an interesting collection. I'm glad you enjoyed reading the stories. Might have to keep an eye out for that.

Well, at least I got to read a good book to make up for the bad one! :)

8. The Elephant Keepers' Children - Peter Hoeg



I must say that it was Kirby Heyborne, the narrator of the CD version of this book, who kept me glued through this novel to the end. This was the story of 14-year-old Peter, who, together with his sister Tilte and his brother Hans, went on a madcap adventure to find their missing parents, stalwarts of the Catholic church on the fictitious island of Fima. This was for me a dense book, filled with odd sorts of characters with colorful names, none of which I could remember very long. I'm not too good at deciphering mysteries, either. What held the book together, though, were the strong and almost psychic bond between Peter and Tilte and the delightful narration by Peter of his association with the many characters found in this book. This novel was not an easy read for me, but I found it great fun and especially loved the ending.

Rating - 4 stars

>187 SqueakyChu: That one sounds intriguing! I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

Peter Hoeg is an interesting author. I liked Smilla's Sense of Snow a lot and found Borderliners intriguing and The Woman and the Ape weird. Of course, I love "weird"! :)

9. Did You Know..? Wise Words & Advice for Gardeners & Floral Designers - Members & Friends of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.



This is a pretty little paperback of gardening hints compiled by members of area garden clubs local to Washington, DC. It's arranged in categories so that information is easily found either through using the Table of Contents or the Index. Interspersed throughout the pages are lovely drawings of flora and fauna.

A hint I found useful and will use myself is this one submitted by Mary Espy of the Rock Spring Garden Club:

"When pulling poison ivy or oak--use plastic newspaper covers over your arm as sleeves to protect yourself."

One hint I found especially humorous was this one offered by May LeCander of the Haymarket Town and Country Garden Club:

"To keep raccoons from eating your corn at night, put a radio tuned to an all-night rock station in the garden. It may work on deer also."

I think that would keep me out of the corn as well!

If I were to redo this book, I would edit out of some of the redundant information. I guess every contributor, though, wanted to see her or his (although most of the contributors were women) name in print.

I was less enamored of the last few chapters, but that was only because I don't do flower arranging or preserve dried flowers. All in all, though, this book was a nice compendium of useful information presented in a delightful way.

Rating - 3.5 stars

10. On Such a Full Sea - Chang-rae Lee



This is really a difficult book to evaluate. Did I like it or dislike it? I'm not sure.

I found it funny, though, that this dystopian novel began in B-Mor, once Baltimore, my own hometown. Both Fan, an aquarium diver, and I left that city for different reasons. Fan leaves B-Mor in search of her suddenly vanished boyfriend Reg. Leaving B-Mor for Fan is no easy matter because outside are only the "countries", where the dregs of society live, and the Charters, home to only the most intelligent and wealthiest of people. B-Mor was more of an industrial complex set up to cater to the Charters.

The story is told through the narration of B-Mor residents without ever knowing who the individuals are who tell this tale. Fan does not tell it herself...and that makes me crazy. It's hard to read a book where a third party expresses what an individual thinks and feels.

In the story we meet characters who represent B-Mor, the countries, and the Charters. These people range from semi-normal to completely bizarre. Who is the weirdest of these individuals? I'd say that Miss Cathy, Charter caretaker of girls One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven, could certainly take the prize.

I found the first two thirds of this novel very slow going. I really had to force myself to read through it carefully in order to keep my focus. The last third of the book was better because it had more interesting and believable character interaction, especially the Charter couple of Betty and Oliver, along with Vik, Oliver's friend.

The best part of this novel, though, was the ending. The last three pages blew me away! However, it took incredibly long to get there. Nevertheless, without the buildup of the rest of the story, the big bang of the ending (which I'm not sure I completely understood) would have lost its power.

The most I can say about this novel is that it's vastly different from the author's first two books (A Gesture Life, Native Speaker) which I adored. For me, this novel was hard work.

Rating - 2.5 stars

>190 SqueakyChu: Thanks for the Review and the poison ivy tip! I'll have to rememeber that! THIS is why I love the 75ers -- I just keep learnin' and leanrin'

> 192

I love the 75ers, too! They're always such good company.

I hate to hear that On Such a Full Sea didn't work well for you. It's one that we picked up for the library. I hope our readers like it more than you did.

> 194

I'd be very curious to hear what others think of On Such a Full Sea. I had a very rough time with it. It was so boring that I really wanted to give up but did not because it was an Early Reviewer book. I have given up on other Early Reviewer books, but I've loved Lee's prior writing and only chose this book specifically because of its author. What I can't understand are the glowing reviews it is receiving by newspaper critics. I simply cannot see what they see in it.

I'm liking Lee's writing less and less, although I have yet to read The Surrendered. I wish that Lee would go back, and (just for me) go back and write another novel similar to the two that started off his writing career. They appealed to me so much more.

I also see On Such a Full Sea on the new book shelf of my own public library...so your library is not alone in selecting this book. :)

190: I guess every contributor, though, wanted to see her or his ... name in print.
Well, that'd be the appeal of a local publication.

177: since I lost my job
How are things going lately?

> 189: I've had Borderliners on my bookshelf for about five years now... I've picked it up with the intention of reading it a couple times, but for some reason it's always ended up back on the shelf unread. Your positive review(s) of Høeg's work makes me wanna try again...

> 197

Warning: I remember Borderliners being very weird although I can't remember the details of the story much any more as I read it 17 years ago. Heh!

That's okay. Weird is good! Especially when we seem to (generally) enjoy many of the same off-the-wall books...

So you got me with Borderliners...

Since I forgot most of it, I might have to go back and re-read it. I still have scenes from that book in my mind, though.

11. The Thing With Feathers - Noah Strycker



What a special treat this book is! It's delightful whether or not you're into birds, but it is especially terrific for those interested in birds and nature.

This book is written as a series of essays, each of which highlights one particular species of bird, but not only that. The essay points out a particular feature of each noted species and uses research to compare bird behavior with human behavior. If this sounds boring, it's absolutely not. It's fascinating! The author writes clearly and with humor. He discusses such subjects as the homing ability of pigeons, the aggressiveness of hummingbirds, the pecking order of chickens, and the love (really?!) of albatrosses. I believe that most readers would find this book tremendously entertaining and informative.

Rating - 5 stars

202: Oh, yay! I just got it too, and plan to read it in March.

You will *love* this book. I could not put it down and read straight through it instead of the other five books I was supposed to be reading ahead of it! :)

Enjoy!!

204: I better not pick it up then. I have three books in progress plus a bunch of magazines I want to finish before the end of the month.

You'd be wise to wait then. :)

Thanks for this great review. I will look out for it at my local bookstore though I bet it's still only out in hardcover. I am trying very hard not to purchase hardcovers anymore as they take up more space on my already groaning shelves.

though I bet it's still only out in hardcover.

My book was an advanced reviewer's copy which I won from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program recently. This book isn't even coming out in hard cover until March 20, 2014.

I love when I choose (and win) a really good book! :)

If you haven't been tempted to try LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program yet, I invite you to do so now. If you win a book, all you have to do is write a review of it in 25 words or more within a reasonable amount of time. My suggestion would be to select your book carefully and only choose one book (the one you most would like to win). Do this each month as new books are posted, and you will be sure to win one sooner or later. If you keep up-to-date on your reviews, your chances of winning a book then keep on going up.

I have been much too busy and not been on the threads- 😞...but I found the spring thread and will try to weasel my way out of some obligations to join you .... and thanks for the lists .... will definitely be adding to them.

@ 208 - I've been a member of the early reviewers for quite a while but have never won any yet. I've applied for a few with no success but as mentioned in an earlier post, there are relatively very few available for Canada and of those that are, not many appeal to me. I did ask about this once but apparently, unless I begin to bug the publishers on my own, things aren't likely to change. I sort-of understand this, from the LT perspective, but not really. See the discussion here, starting at post #17: http://www.librarything.com/topic/168814

Whatever...

11. Short Stories - Louisa May Alcott



I was favorably impressed with this tiny volume of short stories by 19th century novelist Louisa May Alcott. This is the first book I've read by her in over 50 years! I did read Little Women as a child, but I have not recollection of that book other than I liked it. In addition, my elementary school was named after this author. It was Louisa May Alcott School #59 on Reisterstown Road in Baltimore, Maryland. I don't know if that school (or even the building) still exists. :)

There are only five stories in this 55-page book. It was very quick to read, but also suitably impressive. I liked that four of her stories were about her experiences as a nurse at a military hospital in Georgetown, DC (in the heart of what is now Washington, DC) during the Civil War. She was a night nurse for part of that time, at least. I, too, was a nurse in DC, although my experience was as a visiting nurse in the second half of the twentieth century.

There are some things about nursing that never change. It's what I always liked best about nursing - that is, the human interactions and the support provided by nurses through coping with illness and impending death. These topics are handled beautifully in this book. The nurse in our story is warm and caring. She also is an abolitionist who, in a story called "My Contraband" gives great support to the mixed race brother of a Rebel in a most unusual story that uses Fort Wagner, South Carolina, as the historical setting for a dramatic scene.

I was taken aback by the essay called "Happy Women" which was the author's explanation of why a woman did not need to defend her position of not wanting to marry. It's a very dated essay, but the content is quite outspoken for its time.

These are very heart-rending stories which touched me deeply. Who knows? I might even choose to go back and read a bit more by this nineteenth century author!

Rating - 4.5 stars

211: Hospital Sketches made appearances on LT threads a year or two ago. LMA's letters home while she was a nurse. I have it but haven't read it. BTW, your touchstone goes to someone else's short stories.

>202 SqueakyChu: ACK! *falls over dramatically* Book Bullet!

I've added The Thing With Feathers to the TBR pile.

I'm stopping by to say hello. This winter is crazy cold, snowy and spring cannot come soon enough.

> 213

Book Bullet!

It really is, Morphy! I'm saving that book to give to my friend who just signed up to be a volunteer at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. I think she'll love it as much as I did.

I'm stopping by to say hello

Hi, Linda! Hope things are going well with you. You'll love The Things With Feathers. It was such a fun and interesting read.

I'm unimpressed with some of my current reading so I've decided to weed out two books.

The first is Cooked by Michael Pollan because it was getting to be tedious reading. It's over 400 pages long -with more pages after that devoted to recipes for things I'd never make - such as pork shoulder barbecue and sauerkraut. The first quarter of the book was about smoking pigs (barbecue). The second part was about frying/braising food (interesting to learn about bringing out the flavor of food). The third part was about sourdough bread. It was midway through that part that I simply got tired of reading this book. It's written in a good way, though. I might come back to it at some point and finish reading it. However, in the meantime I want some more interesting reading.

The second book I'm giving up on is What It Was by George Pelecanos. This story, which I've started listening to on audio and reading in hard copy does not engage me in the way other books by this author have in the past. Although I don't want to finish this particular book (at least not at this time), I will move along in the future to read more books by Pelecanos which have such great references to geographical points in the city of Washington, DC. In addition, if this author makes another appearance at the Kensington Book Festival, I will actually make an attempt to go to see him. I never did so in the past because I never before read his books nor did I think Id' ever get into reading crime fiction. Things and readers change! :)

Weeding out is good!

> 217

Heh! I agree.

13. 69 - Ryu Murakami



This is a sparkling book about Kensuke Yazaki, a teenage boy in Japan in 1969 who really did not like attending school. Together with friends Amada and Iwase, he planned to barricade his school and then stage a protest play. This was all done whilst in the midst of a pervasive and heavy crush on Yazaki's "Lady Jane", Kazuko Matsui.

Although geared to a young adult readership, this book was a delight to read. It was light-hearted, reminiscent of the late 60s, and not malicious or offensive in any way.

How did any of us get through that era? It was a tough time and a wonderful time. I loved this journey back into that era, but also being able to see it through the perspective of a teen in Japan as opposed to the young adult I was in the United States at that time.

Rating - 4 stars

Addendum...

Upon going back to read Ryu Murakami's bio, much of the action which takes place in the novel 69 by protagonist Ken is a reflection of Murakami's own youth and things he himself did when he was in high school. So...is this book fiction or nonfiction? I don't know. I think it's somewhere in between.

Hi Madeleine :-)

Hi Stephanie!

How's 2014 treating you? You seem to be doing a lot of reading. :)

Hi Madeleine,
It's okay, which is to say I'm surviving and not too unhappy despite the lack of work or sales. I was just telling a friend that I was pseudo-frustrated because I won't read 12 books this month. I blame Joseph Campbell :-)

14. Driving Over Lemons - Chris Stewart



With warmth and humor, Chris Stewart describes his move with his wife Ana to a remote spot in Andalucía, a mountainous area of Spain, where he buys a house and starts his own farm. I love his determination and great spirit of adventure as he manages to leave his English roots behind and become a full-fledged member of this Spanish community.

In particular, I loved reading about the people of the area and how they reacted to this expat from England. The description of the scenery was magnificent, although I really would have preferred to see larger, color pictures within this book. The animal stories were also terrific...from the pets dogs that didn't always behave to the sheep that ran away as a flock. More important than all of these, though, were the friendships that developed in the years that Chris lived in El Valero which is what the author called his farm. Domingo was a friend in the truest sense of the word and probably had much to do with Chris and Ana's successful adaptation to their new country.

Rating - 4 stars

@ 224 - I am about to finish my current book, hopefully tonight, and my next one up is called *A Parrot in a Pepper Tree* by the same Chris Stewart! It is the sequel to Driving Over Lemons. I am wondering if I should read that one first. I had no idea there was another (well, actually, I would have, if I had read and remembered what it says right on my cover: "A Sort-of Sequel to Driving Over Lemons"). Anyhow, this is a bookcrossing book I picked up at a meetup and it's high time to get to it. Wanna trade?

224: I bet I'd like that one.

Saw your health scare over on the kitchen thread. I gather that biliary colic is gall bladder? FWIW, I had mine removed in an emergency operation a dozen years ago, no symptoms prior. Had I known there was a problem, I would’ve preferred to modify habits than to lose a body part, but I wasn't given a choice, and I’ve had no discernible trouble as a result. I blamed hydrogenated fats at the time, have avoided them since.

> 225

my next one up is called *A Parrot in a Pepper Tree* by the same Chris Stewart!

That is really funny. I read Driving Over Lemons for the BookCrossing MT TBR challenge here on LibraryThing. I got that book from AmusedByThis back in 2007. I've had that book with for seven years...just waiting to be read!

Wanna trade?

I would except that I'm trying not to ship out of country any more. I lost my job in December and am counting pennies now. If you come to visit, I'll give it to you! :)

> 226

I gather that biliary colic is gall bladder?

Yep.

They were thinking about keeping me in the hospital overnight to do the surgery but released me because the liver enzymes came back okay. I'm having the sonogram films shipped from the hospital to my doctor's office. I'll do whatever she says. I think she would like to me to change my diet, but I happen to love fatty foods and am finding it difficult if not impossible to strictly follow a low fat diet. I don't want to become a vegan nor do I want to give up baking!

My son had the same surgery last year and has been doing fine since. He eats what he wants now, but he was sick for months without knowing the reason prior to his surgery.

I blamed hydrogenated fats at the time, have avoided them since.

I very rarely eat hydrogenated fats. I stick to olive oil and canola oil in my cooking and baking. I pretty much do the Mediterranean diet thing.

The pain I had was so bad that I would not object to surgery if I can go back to eating what I want when I want. I think the doctor is going to hold off on surgery for me. We'll see.

The pain started after eating a plate of my own homemade spaghetti. Bummer!! :(

@228- Oh, so sorry to hear of this! I do hope things settle down for you soon. I had irritable bowel disease but after much trial and error, discovered that it was lactose intolerance which, thankfully, is much more manageable and easier to treat once you know what it is. But I know from many others how awful the pain of gall bladder can be.

There's a kitchen thread?? I am very weird in that I honestly hardly ever cook and though I used to bake, I don't do much of that anymore, either But I love cookbooks and my current audiobook is the autobiography of chef Marcus Samuelsson, read by him, and I am truly loving it. From the cookbooks on my shelf (and other food related books), you'd think I was a gourmet cook!

@227 - I fully understand about the cutting back. I rarely post out of country either, because Canada's postal rates are truly outrageous. In fact, I am doing a road trip with a friend this summer but unfortunately, we won't be out your way. We are going through upstate NY and then to Boston.

Ok, I am getting off this computer or I will never finish my book tonight!

> 225

I just learned that Chris Stewart also wrote a third book in the Andalucia series. That book is called The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society.

> 229

I do hope things settle down for you soon.

I feel fine now. It was just that 1 1/2 hours in the hospital in which I was in excruciating pain. I think I might actually have passed a gallstone while there. The pain abruptly stopped within a few minutes. It was so weird.

Just about everyone in my husband's family (including two of our kids) are lactose intolerant. They simply use Lactase tablets when eating any food which might cause symptoms. I buy Lactaid instead of milk to this day even though our kids are grown and gone because I was so used to having it in the house all through their childhoods. :)

Here's the kitchen thread. Do you like "foodie" books as well...or only cookbooks? I find all food related books great fun to read. It might have something to do with the fact that, up until this past year, I was newsletter editor for our CSA (community supported agriculture) group. I was always reading those kinds of books to get inspiration for articles to write.

> 230

The road trip sounds like so much fun. Upstate New York is lovely. I've never had the pleasure of visiting Boston, but that's one place I'd really like to see.

Re: surgery - my sister was having a lot of problems in various directions - tentative diagnosis of IBS, gluten intolerance, caffeine intolerance, etc etc. Gut issues, mostly, but producing serious pain (as in, immobility and frequent ER visits) and lassitude (which is NOT her! Type A whirlwind all the way). She'd changed her diet in all sorts of directions. She was already eating relatively low fat - meat, because her husband is a serious carnivore, but few to no fried foods, low-fat milk, lots of veggies.

Her doctor finally decided her gall bladder was the problem and pulled it. In the six months since then, she's gotten tremendously better - unfortunately, she's now well enough to realize how sick she was, and she's still got a long way to go (she says). The gall bladder was the third (at least) surgery she'd had to resolve her various problems, but this one seems to have fixed things, or at least started her on the right path.

So - don't know if it would be as much of a solution for you as it was for her, but what I know of the surgery says it's a good thing.

Oooo... I really like your tickers. Butterflies trying to race to the finish! Mind if I borrow the idea?

234. My mum had similar problems. She's get incredibly painful episodes after having eaten certain types of food (one time she was in so much pain the doctors initially thought it was a heart attack). Turned out to be the gall bladder too and she's been absolutely fine since they removed it.

Chiming in to say that I had my gall bladder removed 6 years ago and haven't missed it a day since! Ha! And, yes, that particular pain is a special kind of awful, isn't it? I don't miss that, either.

Madeline, I'm sorry you are experiencing health difficulties. I also know the severe pain prior to gall bladder surgery. After two hospital stays, a misdiagnosis of pancreatitis because lipase levels were high, It took six months of testing before the doctor finally agreed the gall bladder had to be removed. It was a wise decision. The recovery was not prolonged.

I'm sending good thoughts it the hope that you will be better soon.

And, by the way, I've added Sixty-Nine to the tbr pile.

All the best,

Also stopping by to say my mother had her gall bladder removed and she's been great ever since.

Thanks for the link to the kitchen thread! Didn't even know it was there!

Chiming in with my gallbladder experience. I had mine removed 14 years ago and I haven't missed it.

> 234

what I know of the surgery says it's a good thing.

Jennifer, my older son says the same thing. He had gallbladder surgery last year and has been fine ever since. He can now eat what he wants, but I can't. I don't like not being able to make/cook/ bake what I want.

I very rarely had any symptoms. When they came, they were light chest "squeezings" (which I thought were heart-related) about once a year. This last attack was incredibly painful so I had my husband call an ambulance since I thought it was my heart. Happily, it was only my gallbladder. If I need surgery to prevent another such an episode, I'll do it without hesitation. I'm waiting for my doctor's recommendation.

> 235

Sanz57, don't they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? :)

I would be delighted to have your butterflies compete in another butterfly race on your own thread. Last year I had a fish race! :D

> 236 t0 240

Thanks, all, for your support on the gallbladder issue. I'll let you know what happens.

Another interesting thing to note...is that "gallbladder" is the American English correct spelling of the British English words "gall bladder". :)