Carmenere's Reading Resort

Hi, I'm Lynda and welcome to my 2014 Reading Resort. A relaxing vacation to me is checking in to a Resort where I would unpack a huge selection of books, line them up on a bookshelf, grab one off the shelf and take it with me to a cozy nook, the balcony, pool or beachside and read to my heart's content. Since I'm known to be a responsible person, I don't travel nearly as much as I'd like BUT whenever I read a book, I might as well be miles away.


Here's my ideal winter resort!

Hope to see you at my Resort when you need a break too!

COMPLETED
January
1. Mysterious Affair at Styles 3.5/5 post 47
2. O! Pioneers 5/5 post 72
3. Bleak House 4.75/5 post 99
4. The Noticer 4/5 post 129
5. The Testament of Mary audio 4/5 post 137
6. Brooklyn 4.5/5 post 150
7. Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's audio 2.50/5 post 165
8. Things that Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics audio

February
9. How the Light Gets In 3.75/5

Some unfinished business from 2013..........

Half baked cookies

Team of Rivals
Three Musketeers page 135
The Brothers Karamazov page 81

Early Readers to read and review

The Burgess Boys
Forged
The Foreigners
Across Many Mountains
Nightwoods

States visited through reading in 2013 and 1-12-14


visited 21 states (42%)
Create your own visited map of The United States"

Alabama - Inside Out & Back Again Thanhha Lai
Alaska - Into the Wild Jon Krakauer
Arizona - The Devil's Highway
California - Sliding into Home Kendra Wilkinson
Florida - Hoot Carl Hiaasen
Illinois - Things Not Seen Andrew Clements
Louisiana - The Awakening Kate Chopin
Maine - Eternal on the Water Joseph Monniger
Massachussets - The Last Dickens Matthew Pearl
Michigan - Stitches David Small
Mississippi - Mudbound Hillary Jordan
Nebraska - O! Pioneers - Willa Cather
New Jersey Everyman Philip Roth
New Mexico - The Dissemblers Liza Campbell
New York - Old New York Edith Wharton
North Carolina - Joyland - Stephen King
Ohio - Summer of Shadows Jonathan Knight
Oklahoma - The Outsiders S. E. Hinton
Utah - The Christmas Box - Richard Paul Evans
Virginia/DC - The Simple Truth David Baldacci
Washington - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie

World Lit

Countries completed as of 2-5-14

visited 13 states (5.77%)
Create your own visited map of The World or website vertaling duits?

The Epic of Gilgamesh - Completed for January 2013TIOLI
My Name is Red - Completed for March 2013 TIOLI
The Odyssey
The Bacchae
The Bhagavad Gita
The Tale of Genji
Journey to the West
Popul Vuh
Candide
Things Fall Apart
The God of Small Things
The 1000 and One Nights

My reading journey this year hopes to include mainly books off my shelf but where noted, from somewhere else.

Mark's challenge 2014 AAC:

Willa Cather: January - O Pioneers! (I own)
OGG Wm. Faulkner: February - As I lay dying (I own)
Cormac McCarthy: March - All the Pretty Horses (library)
Toni Morrison: April - Beloved (I own)
* Eudora Welty: May - The collected stories of Eudora Welty (own)
* Kurt Vonnegut: June - Piano Player (Kindle)
Mark Twain: July - Following the Equator (Kindle)
Philip Roth: August - The Human Stain (I own)
* James Baldwin: September - The Evidence of Things Unseen (library)
Edith Wharton: October - The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton (I own)
OGG John Updike: November - Americana: and other poems (library)
* Larry Watson: December - Montana, 1948 (library)

Legend: OGG = Oh Good Grief
* = First time author
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Other challenges in 2014:

Neighborhood Book Exchange: To be announced (we have 7 people signed up, so we'll probably pass books thru July)
Book 1 = The Noticer Andy Andrews
Book 2 = The Book Thief Markus Zusak (reread)

GeoCAT: January: Canada & US = Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
February: Middle East and North Africa= Snow Orhan Pamuk

MysteryCAT: January: Detective Novels = The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Kindle) Agatha Christie
February: SERIES = How the Light Gets In Louise Penny

RandomCAT - January: Janus = The Iliad (Kindle) Homer currently reading
February: CHILDREN'S LITERATURE = The Giver Lois Lowry

Unofficial AlphaCAT: January: D & V = Dickens Bleak House O Pioneers Cather born in Virginia
February: H & R= Harris Living Dead in Dallas Beautiful Ruins Jess Walter

One LibraryThing, One Book February: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Quarterly Bio Challenge:
1st quarter The short life and long times of Mrs. Beeton (jan-mar) Pearl ruled this baby!

2nd quarter Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China, from Warlords to Mao
3rd quarter Four Queens: The Provençal Sisters Who Ruled Europe
4th quarter I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

Other Category Challenges:

2014 Category Challenge Group Reads:

YEAR-LONG

The Arabian Nights - The Arabian Nights - Anonymous

JANUARY

Bleak House - Bleak House - Charles Dickens

MARCH

The Three Musketeers - The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

Bel Canto - Bel Canto - Ann Patchett

2ND QUARTER

Canterbury Tales

APRIL

Margaret Atwood

JUNE

The Brothers Karamazov-The Brothers Karamazov-Fyodor Dostoevsky

Then there's my personal 2014 Madmen cocktails category challenge (I'm only aiming to complete 1 book from each category:

1. Old Fashioned
- written between 1914 to 1960

1. Mysterious Affair at Styles agatha Christie 1920

2. Bloody Mary
- Mystery, thriller, scarey

3. Blue Hawaiian
- SciFi

4. Brandy Alexander
- cozy mystery

5. Cuba Libre
- Latino/Latina author

6. Classic Martini
- classics, naturally

1. O Pioneers! Willa Cather 1913
2. Bleak House Charles Dickens 1853

7. Mai Tai
- South Pacific venue

8. Manhattan
- (the Big Apple)= Big Books (Chunksters)

9. Mint Julep
- South of the Mason Dixon line venue

10. Pink Squirrel
- chic lit

11. White Russian
- Bio of a non-American

12. Zombie
- supernatural

13. Sidecar
- travel

14. Grasshopper
- Young Adult

Surely, I've gone over the edge!

I've lined up several Coursera classes throughout the year which I will post here.

January/February, 2014 Constitutional Law
Books in syllabus: 1.Akhil Reed Amar, America’s Constitution: A Biography (Random House, 2005)
2.Akhil Reed Amar, America’s Unwritten Constitution: The Precedents and Principles We Live By (Basic Books, 2012

February/March, 2014 The Music of the Beatles
Books in syllabus: 1. William J. Dowlding, Beatlesongs, Touchstone, 1989

AND ANOTHER THING:
Still working on the Book of Matthew (Monday morning bible study)

Welcome back! I could definitely stay there!

Happy New Year, Lynda. I'm looking forward to following your reading adventures in 2014.

Hello, Lynda. Leaving a star...

#7 Hi Jim! It's nice to be back! Thanks for the warm welcome and organizing this wonderful group of 75ers!

#8 Happy New Year to you too, Julia! Now that I'm settled in I'll be checking out everyone's new thread. See you soon.

#9 Oooops, you snuck in on me, Mamie! Glad you found me and stuck a star upon thars!

Love the idea of a reading resort. I think you have something there!

Settling in by the big fireplace in the lobby with my hot cocoa...

I've checked in and hung my star.

#12 Hiya Pat! A reading resort is similar to my tome home idea but without all the work of taking care of a house. At the resort there are always plenty of hired hands to clean the hot tub, put a log on the fire, provide nourishment or simply turn a page for me.

#13 Glad you found a comfortable spot to warm your tootsies, Carrie! Let me know when you need a refill on cocoa

#14 Great Lori, make yourself comfortable!

I still have some threads to visit but I'm heading off to do a little yoga and read in bed. Night all!

Hi Lynda- Congrats on the 2014 thread! The resort looks cozy and I am sure they serve delectable beer.

I am so glad you'll be joining the AAC. I love your picks. And you'll be joining us on Bleak House? Is that a win win, or what? Sorry, I didn't post the Bleak House Group read thread today. Bad Mark. But I will soon.

Hi Lynda!

A resort specifically for reading, Lynda .....tell me where do I sign?

Great to see you back and you'll be lumbered with my company as usual I'm afraid.

That resort is winter perfection! Happy 2014 Thread(s), Lynda!

Hi Lynda - Starred!

That Beatles Coursera course looks mighty interesting! I look forward to hearing about it.

#16 Welcome Mark! I've started Bleak House and it's actually much better than I thought it would be. Pleasant surprise!

#17 Hi Diana! It's nice to meet you! My son has corrected me many times in that Holland is not it's own country but part of the Netherland's. He says we think it is because it is the most populous. True?

#18 Awe, Paul your company is in no way lumberous (I think I've created a new word). A visit from you is always welcomed and pleasant.

#19 Yeah, Nathalie's in the house! welcome!

#20 I'll keep you abreast of the course, Kerri. I haven't found any for Buck Owens but I'll keep my eyes open.

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I rec'd a Vue Keurig coffee machine for Christmas and I love it! It will be nice to brew a quick cup at reading time.

Lynda, your son is correct! The correct name is the Netherlands. Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland are part of it.

We need a tome home, one that would look like your ideal reading destination!!

Starred...

#22 He was very pleased to know he was correct, Diana. He loves world history and basically wanted a lot of History Channel DVD's for Christmas. I'm not complaining though.

#23 Hi Suzanne, I've abandoned the Tome Home idea UNLESS it comes with a housekeeper and cook. Whose got time for that stuff when so many patient books are waiting to be pulled off the shelf.

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Before the New Year's festivities begin I wanted to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a very happy, healthy 2014 filled with pleasurable hours of reading time.

Happy New Year, Lynda!

Lovely resort, Lynda. It looks like just the place to settle in with a good book and a glass of wine.

Happy New Year of Reading!!

Lynda - Wishing you a wonderful 2014 full of books and joy and love.

Happy new year, Lynda!

#25 and a very happy new year to you as well, Pat! What an exciting year it will be for you and Mr. Pat.

#26 Ellen! Hello and happy new year to you and P! This morning, just a stiff cup of hazelnut java for me whilst I admire 6 inches of new fallen snow from the warmth of my house.

#27 Happy new year to you and your lovely family, Paul! Although you're a difficult man to keep up with I do enjoy catching up on your numerous and informative threads.

#28 Waving and wishing you a very happy new year, Cushla!
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I'd love to visit more, but I'm totally enraptured with Bleak House, yes that Bleak House! What marvelous characters with apropos names. Dicken's makes them all unforgettable.

Happy New Year to you and yours Lynda.

Very impressive readings goals for the year, I'm sure I will stop by the resort frequently to see how things go:)

I've got pie in the sky dreams, calm. But I'm always optimistic at the beginning of a fresh shiny new year where everything is possible.

Happy New Year Lynda! Hope 2014 is kind to you!

Happy New Year, Lynda. I love your thread topper .. that's my idea of a winter resort too! ... as long as I also have a great 4 wheeler to drive through all that snow if I have to.

Happy New Year, Lynda! I just assumed the Tome Home would have a staff to keep everyone clean and fed. As you say, there's too much reading to be done to waste time with that sort of frivolous activity!

Slowly - and I do mean SLOWLY! - making my way through this enormous group of threads and found yours. Stopping by to drop a star and to wish you a Happy New Year! I am only 100 pages into Bleak House at the moment and like you, cannot wait to continue reading it.

Happy New Year, and I've starred you, Lynda. I'm rushing off because I can not spend the whole day reading threads, and I do want to get a few more polished off before I go back to some "work" I have to do. Boo.

I just popped our pork roast in the oven and used the very last of our home produced maple syrup for the glaze.
So with a little time on my hands I thought I'd check the threads............

#32 Thanks Chelle! and to you as well!!!

#33 Here ya go, Caro, all dusted off and ready for a book run

#34 Hi Julia, Happy New Year to you too! I guess when you come down to it, even a Tome Closet would be suitable to wile away the hours reading. All I would need is a little snack now and then.

#35 Hi Ikernagh/Lori and Happy New Year! Thanks for stopping in. I'm up to pg 239 in Bleak House. Very atmospheric, don't you think?

#36 Thanks for starring me, Maggie/Karen and Happy New Year. I do indeed know of what you speak. I really need to check out all the threads again as so many people waited till today to open their new threads.

Off to make dumplings and stir the sauerkraut!

Happy New Year Lynda. I loved Bleak House when I read it last year. Be sure to catch the BBC miniseries with Gillian Anderson too. Absolutely wonderful.

Happy New Year, Lynda! My goodness, you have a full reading schedule for this year!

I LOVE Bleak House. It is one of my favorite books by Dickens, along with Great Expectations. Esther Summerson! Lady Dedlock! Inspector Bucket! I am tempted to do a re-read.

Sandy k

#38 Happy new year, Bonnie! I can't believe I waited so long to read Bleak House but now that I've found it, I can't put it down. I've watched the first episode of the Anderson miniseries and it is quite good but I'll hold off on the other episodes until I finish the book as they approach the novel on a slightly different manor which may throw in some spoilers.

#39 Sandy! so good to see my fellow Ohioan again! Happy New Year to you as well. Will you be starting a new thread this year?
I haven't read Great Expectations but if it's one of your favorites I'll certainly try to line it up, somewhere, somehow!
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Having a breakfast of apple pie and a cup of Newman's Own Organic Coffee from my new best friend, Keurig!

Staying in today, it's a snow mess out there and I don't need to be anywhere that can't wait til another day.

Have an enjoyable day my friends!

Yay, for pie for breakfast! My opinion: best breakfast one can have. Apple, pumpkin, peach cobbler, key lime, chocolate pudding pie! yummy yummy yummy

Does "staying in" due to messy snow outside = excellent time allotted to reading?

#41 A little bit of this and a little of that, Karen. I've started some laundry and removing some Christmas decorations but I'll break for reading. Some Bleak House and some of O Pioneers!. What a great way to start the year, two excellent and potentially 5 star reads.

Oh, I love Newman's own Keurig cups. Mrsdrneutron got me a Keurig for my office and that's been my go-to coffee. Although, I'm discovering the joys of Peet's these days...

#43 Jim, I was really trying to avoid buying a Keurig, I knew the cost of the Vue cups would be pricey and as a frugal retired person, ok cheap, I decided my generic coffee would due.
Then comes sister-in-law bearing gifts which included the Keurig, the carousel and a sampler box of cups. Well, let me tell you, I plugged that baby in and life will never be the same again.
I ordered my next batch of vue cups - buy 2 boxes get 2 free as a registration gift.

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As I was putting Christmas things away, I saw my Kindle, sat down and started reading The Mysterious Affair at Styles and now I'm half way done.

My neighborhood book exchange arrived in my mailbox today and it is by a new to me author, Andy Andrews The Noticer. Anyone familiar with him?

Hi, Lynda! Stopping by to say Happy New Year and drop a star.

Apple pie for breakfast? Sounds good to me! We had waffles over here for lunch!

I'm staying in today, too. My husband went out for a bit earlier just to put gas in the car and pick up a few things from the grocery store. Roads were terrible!

I think that I may need to get O Pioneers! from the library now, after you said it was a 5 star read. I don't think that I'll participate in the entire American authors challenge, because I just cannot, CANNOT do Updike. I've never read any Willa Cather, though, and browsing through her works on Amazon, O Pioneers! sounded good. I may also do the Faulkner and Twain months...

Sandy K

#1-2014
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Agatha Christie

190 pages
1920
3.5/5

Read because..........January MysteryCAT - Detective Novels
January TIOLI - #15 WWI
Mad Men Cocktail 14 in 14 challenge - Old Fashioned

Thoughts.................Although I have not particularly cared for the few Agatha Christie novels I've read, I did enjoy this short novel and the character of Hercule Poirot, my first featuring the retired Belgium detective.
The story takes place during WWI at the English country estate of the recently remarried, Mrs. Cavendish. While convalescing from a war wound, Soldier, Arthur Hastings, bumps into his old friend and Mrs. Cavendish's son, John who invites him to continue his recovery at the estate.
Murder brings in another acquaintance of Arthur Hastings a Monsieur Hercule Poirot who is staying in England while his homeland is at war to assist in the case. My suspicions were only half correct but the large number of suspects made for an intriguing read. Poirot's tongue in cheek style kept the story fresh and amusing.

Now that, Lynda, is a cool vehicle for book and supermarket runs ... the roads are a right mess out by my way now and, having just come in from running some errands, I am not intending to go out again. The plows can't keep up with all the snow that's falling.

In my first review of the year exuberance I neglected to say hi to my visitors soooooo,

#45 Hi Marcia! Thanks for dropping in! Happy New Year to you as well, I need to stop by your thread a drop a star too.

#46 Hey Sandy, I'm trying to get rid of all the holiday foods and treats so I've no choice but to eat it. It's a sacrifice but what can I do? My husband was out today too and some road closures had him looking for alternate routes. It's a mess. Easily a foot of snow here since last night.

#47 Brrrr Caro, from what I hear you guys in New England are gonna get hit pretty hard tonight. Hunker down and stay safe. Hope you're reading a good book too!

I'm glad you enjoyed your first acquaintance with Poirot!

Pie for breakfast - Yummers!

Seconding the recommendation for Great Expectations! Loved my original read of the story back in high school and continued to love when I re-read it last year. We have a Keurig machine at the office I have yet to test drive but I am not sure I would purchase a Keurig machine for home... seems rather pricy for single brew. We are a tea/ French pressed coffee household, although I am still training my other half (after 24 years) on the correct coffee strength when brewing coffee for me... he is a tea drinker so I am just happy when he makes my coffee for me in the morning. ;-)

Loving Bleak House and groaning at the fact that it is predominantly my lunch hour read. Not much time right now for reading so I am grabbing snatches when and where I can. I currently on Chapter 6 - if I were to mention my page count that wouldn't be of any use since I am reading this one on my iPod Touch with an overall page count of 5069. I still have a ways to go, but loving it so far! ;-)

#50 Me too, Carrie! I think he's much cooler than Miss Marple! Do you recommend any other Poirot's?

#51 I shiver at the thought of buying Vue cups, Lori, but here's how I justify it: My intelligent but addicted to cigarettes husband buys 3 packs at a time, they last three days and costs approx.$25. I can buy 16 Vue cups lasting about 2 weeks for around $11. A good cup of coffee makes Lynda happy = family is happy.

Glad you're loving Bleak House and oh, do I remember those lunch break reads, people would come into the coffee room and want to make conversation, Ugh!

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I've started Part II of O Pioneers! Wow, the land sounds so beautiful yet so much work involved. I see the benefit of farmers having large families and a lot of chutzpa! Alexandra has that, intelligence and vision.

Staying in today! Egads! it's 10F.

Oooooo, lookie what's happening Sunday at 9PM

There are lots of classics in the Poirot series. Some of the best/most noted are:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Murder on the Orient Express
Death on the Nile

My favorite Poirot is probably The A.B.C. Murders. I also like Murder in Mesopotamia, set at an archaeological dig, since Christie's second husband was an archaeologist and she had accompanied him on his digs.

And Then There Were None is a standalone and is also very popular.

Hi, Lynda! We have a keurig and love it, too. If you have a Costco nearby, I'd recommend checking there for your cups, as it can be less expensive to get them there, as long as you're certain that you like the variety you get, because, of course, you're getting a lot of it at once!

>53 Carmenere: - I am so excited!!!!!!!

Wow, Lynda! You are full of chit-chat in the new year! Thanks for posting the DA notice. I was going to do that too, as a reminder! I hope it's a good season. I had mixed feelings about the last one.

I am so glad you are loving Bleak House. I won't be getting to it for another week. I want to get the Cather out of the way first.

Carrie - good Poirot picks.

Lynda - Am I the only one not to have seen Downton Abbey?

Have a lovely weekend.

#54 Thanks for the rec's, Carrie! I think I purchased Roger Ackroyd at a library booksale but haven't read it. Although I'll keep your entire list I'm particularly interested in Murder in Mesopotamia 'cause I love the topic of archaeology.

#55 We do have a Costco relatively close to us, Amber, but we are not members. Perhaps when they offer one of their trial membership days I'll pop in and stock up. Thanks for the great idea!

#56 Cait, doesn't it seem like it's been soooooo long in coming?! With a new snowstorm predicted for all day Sunday it will be a perfect evening to be glued to my telly.

#57 I understand your mixed feelings Mark, so much death last season. This one looks to be a bit more upbeat with the Jazz age and shenanigans.
I'm really surprised just what a quick read Bleak House has been for me. Not as daunting a book as it looks.

#58 GASP! Yes, Paul! you are the only person on this planet not to have watched Downton Abbey!! Get thee nose out of a book for just one hour and view it (if you can) - Are you able to get it down your way?
What about your house full of lovely ladies, have they watched it?
But if ever you are so inclined you MUST start at the very beginning. No sense diving into unfamiliar waters.
Wishing you a lovely weekend as well!

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Ugh, OSU loss last night - 'spose they weren't all that this season despite their 12-1 record

New snowstorm headed our way for Saturday night into Sunday night. So I'll disregard the frigid temps to head out to the grocery store and stock up a bit.

OH, OH, OH, I almost forgot the most important thing have you seen that LT is planning another One LibraryThing, One Book?! AND we have the opportunity to vote on the choices for February and March. Take a look over here http://www.librarything.com/topic/163667

Have a great weekend fellow readers :0)

Lynda - I think it is on one of the satelitte channels but I don't believe that they've seen it. I will probably get the eldest to download the series for me from the beginning.

You got me thinking, Paul, perhaps because us Northern Hemisphere folks are in the midst of winter when DA is shown, we've got nothing else to do (well practically nothing), while folks in KL are enjoying being out and about. So, would you say any time spent watching tv is pretty minimal over there?

I must admit to not watching Downtown Abbey either. It just never appealed to me.

Hope the snow doesn't hit you too badly and that you manage to snuggle down with a good book (or some good television)

Lovely reading resort, Lynda. I hope my room has it's own fireplace! And a Keurig! I don't have one at home but I have been using up my lovely DIL's supply while I am here. Very convenient.

I do love the idea of a neighborhood book exchange. I'm not familiar with your first book. Hope it's a good one!

I've never watched Downton Abbey, either. Maybe someday...

I have only seen the first season of Downton Abbey, but the girls and I loved it. I need to get back to that - perhaps once all the football is over, and I am in withdrawal.

Congrats on your Keurig acquisition - ours gets a constant workout! Although I prefer brewing an entire pot of coffee (READ: Mamie is a complete coffee junkie), it is great for company and for the kids who are always wanting different things to drink. They love the hot chocolate pods and the apple cider. And Abby loves the chai. A basket of pods, one machine, and everybody is happy!

About Hercule Poirot - he is my very favorite detective of hers! I read all of the books as a teenager and have been revisiting them here and there the past few years. I am collecting the new covers (the paperbacks), and Rae is then getting my hardbacks - she is in love with my hardback Poirots, so I decided to let her have them for her own. I would second all of Carrie's choices up there - Death on the Nile is my particular favorite.

Wishing for you a weekend full of fabulous, Lynda!

I can buy 16 Vue cups lasting about 2 weeks for around $11. A good cup of coffee makes Lynda happy = family is happy.

That makes sense... and seems a lot more affordable than I had thought!

Ooohhh... Downton Abbey! *Squee!!!!!!*

Lynda: Paul, Calm and Amber are not the latest persons on earth who didn't watch Downton Abbey...
It's being broadcasted in the Netherlands, but no, never seen it.

#62 Hi calm, Now the forecasters are telling us it's not the snowfall we should worry about, approx. 6 inches, but the bitter cold temps that are headed our way. I wonder and my son is hoping that his Christmas vacation will last another day or two.

#63 Donna, your DIL must Loooooove you! I would be not so generous with my supply of Keurig coffee. I'm just a spoiled only child, what can I say, every thing is MINE all MINE :0P

#64 *Gasp* not only Paulo and calm but Amber too! No Downton Abbey?! *smelling salts, please!*

#65 Actually, Mamie, the Keurig helps me stick to one tall cup of coffee a day. Usually, I would have 2, 3 cups and be a jittery mess.
I'm glad to see Poirot has so many fans, I shouldn't have neglected him for soooo long.

#66 *Squee!!!!!!* Squee! I like that!

#67 * Ack * The salts again please and a stiff cup of tea! I just need to say, Diana, that it's not only the story that draws me in but the setting is eye candy! We don't have that kind of lush countryside around here and certainly no abbey's. Old barns and crabgrass around these parts.

Funny story: I've always had a love of England and castles, most girls do, so my dad said he'd take me for a drive and show me a place called Squire's Castle, not far from Cleveland. When we get there, I was totally deflated, it's the early 70's mind you and people were hanging out there smoking, drinking and what not. We walk in and it's only a shell, no roof just birds. I felt bad, my dad felt worse than bad (he didn't know what it had become) but a drive to the nearest custard stand made everything good again.

I'm making a humungous pot of beef soup today for the artic weather headed this way. It wards off all kinds of winter blahs and sniffles and everything's charged in case of power failure.

See ya's soon!

I've finally gotten here and placed my star, Lynda. I am having one of those perfect days with being taken out for brunch by hubby and grandkids, lots of LT time, and Downton Abby starting tonight. I do admit to still being in a little snit at the last season's ending, but the overall quality of this series gives me high hopes.

Looking forward to a busy, fun and book-filled 2014.

Hi Judy and welcome to my new year's thread. Sounds like you had a great day and I totally understand your snittiness regarding DA. I thought it quite cruel to have Matthew meet his son and them wham! We can only hope for better.

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So, we got the call. School has been cancelled for tomorrow. Nice to know now so we can all sleep in a bit.

Watched both football games and it's always sort of sad when the team with homefield advantage loses. Even worse when you're Green Bay and it's 0 degrees.

Sad too that Jimmy Fallon's people chose tonight to have a special showcasing his 5 years on the Late Show. Same time as DA so a little flipping is in order as we don't have DVR (is that what it's called).

Off to read a few chapters of O Pioneers! before DA begins. Night all.

So did you watch DA last night? What would you think of this?

I just finished a book which I can add to my states visited map. It's south of North Dakota but north of Texas. It achieves a few challenges for January. Any guesses? Back later with review.

#2-2014
O Pioneers!
Willa Cather

1913
210 pages
5/5

Read it because...............Mark's AAC - January
TIOLI - January #11
Unofficial AlphaCAT V irginia born author
State Challenge - Nebraska
Mad Men Cocktail 14 in 14 challenge - Classic Martini

Thoughts...............O Pioneers!, O Willa!, O What a story! Almost Shakespearean in nature, this novel begins on the open plains of Nebraska. An immigrant father lays dying while his daughter listens to his final instructions. Of his four children, he tells Alexandra that she will be the one to keep the farm functioning and with her intelligence and astute business sense will know what must be done.
With that in mind, one realizes that the land is just as much a character in the novel as any other. Like a jealous woman she will betray you, divide those you love and like a mother she will cradle you in times of comforting and remain by your side when others dessert you.
Cather writes beautifully and the relationships of her determined Alexandra and the people that enter and leave her life enrich the story and the times in which they live into many different directions.
It's simply beautiful.

Great review of O Pioneers! Lynda. I've been avoiding reading another Cather book this month just because I have so much else I want to read but O Pioneers! is the one Cather book that I own but haven't read and you've convinced me to get to it this month and join in the fun.

I taped the episode of DA last night and haven't watched it yet. I'm afraid to check out Mark's thread today for fear of spoilers so I really have to watch it today.

So what's your weather like?

Thanks, Pat, I'd love to see what you think because I sometimes let my heart guide my thinking and maybe it's not all I think it is.

Didn't want to talk much about DA either, I was just pondering how this match would be.

It's -2F over here and our local weather tells me it feels like -24 with wind chill and we've already received a call that school is cancelled for tomorrow as well.

Hope all's well with you.

My wonderful postal person, despite the frigid temps, delivered to me my Barnes and Noble order of last week.

In the boxes (2) were Glitz by Elmore Leonard
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair Nina Sankovitch
The Beautiful Mystery Louise Penny
Will & Me Dominic Dromgoole
Restoration Olaf Olafsson
The Last Time I saw Paris Lynn Sheene
Bring up the Bodies Hilary Mantel
Hemingway's Boat Paul Hendrickson

Plus I'm not sure if I ever posted my santa swap delivery way back in December
Salt Road Jane Johnson
Dead to the World Charlaine Harris
Brave Genius Sean B. Carroll
Thank you soooo very very much , Berly/Kim

Loved your review of O Pioneers.

LOL great minds think a like, for sure, Lori as I had just visited your thread :0)

#21 - No Buck Owens course?! :-)

#72 - Great review, Lynda. I plan to read this one too. I loved My Antonia, and I'm currently reading (and also loving) Death Comes for the Archbishop.

Oooo, it's now 10 below but feels like -35F. Our house is popping and creaking every few minutes. Back to the books and my new (Christmas present) Sherpa blanket.

I read My Antonia years ago and I loved it too, Kerri. I'll need to look for DCftA and the Shadow Rock one sounds good too. I'm soo glad Mark decided on this challenge and bring these authors to the top of my TBR

"My wonderful postal person, despite the frigid temps." Awwwwwwww...!

Great book haul! I only watched half of DA last night and my TV is acting wonky tonight, so I can't watch it. Boo! I was liking it, although it has become by-the-numbers viewing.

I also loved your review of O Pioneers. I should try to bookhorn that one in this year too!

I am skipping and skimming through some early year threads so I can guard some time for real book reading.... but I wanted to say "hey" on my way through.

.

@ 81 Hey Mark, at any other time I would have been ecstatic to receive a book delivery but yesterday I just felt horrible that he had to drop those boxes off on the coldest day in 20 years, it's not like it was life saving or anything like that. However my admiration grows.

@82 Hey back, Karen! I'm happy to see you skip and skim my way anytime.

Making light of an extreme situation..........


Hope you're all making it through ok!

Lynda; -70 degrees and believe me nothing's coming out to play.

*snerk*

#85 Lol, Paul if the cold persists, a sock sorta thing may be knitted, much to my relief as I can not knit, the temps are on the rise. Currently a whopping 9F!

#86 I see you were a bit amused, Jim :0)

Ok everyone lay your palms on mine

I stayed in all day yesterday and read, read, read the day away and finished Bleak House!

Uh uh uh! Who da man?

I've to jot my thoughts down then I'll return with my review.

Lynda - That is impressive! High five indeed; I am known for having small hands and that picture is bigger than my paws on my laptop!

Hi Paul, just stepped a way to happy dance a bit. Wow! is the day when I impress a reading machine such as you. It's gonna be a good day.
My next planned reads for January are Brooklyn, The Iliad and The Noticer, that one is for my neighborhood Book Exchange, it's small and seems to be a Christian, self helpish sort of book. Although I've started Brooklyn, I may read The Noticer today and be done with it as I don't particularly care for self help books.

Oh, which translation are you reading for The Iliad?

PS: Charlie happened by the computer a few moments ago and gave you a quick high-five, along with a giggle.

Congratulations on finishing Bleak House - I did like it when I read it but not enough to search out more Dickens.

#90 Amber, I'm reading The Iliad from my Kindle. The intro states "The Iliad of Homer Rendered into English Blank Verse. By Edward Earl of Derby." That doesn't mean much to me, do you know anything about this translation?

#91Hi calm, I know most of his books are quite lengthy but I've heard great things about what else, Great Expectations so if ever there were to be a GR for that one I'd be in. GR's really help me to focus on chunksters like these.

I just rec'd an email from BOTNS. They are enacting a Reading Bingo Challenge for 2014. I printed the cards, one adult and one YA just in case I read something found on the BINGO card but with all I have going this year, it won't be a priority.
If anyone is interested, here is the link http://www.retreatbyrandomhouse.ca/2014/01/reading-bingo-challenge-2014/

*high-five* !!
Bleak House took me quite a long time if I remember well, although I loved it.
I hope you'll enjoy the Iliad, it was a surprinsingly entertaining read for me in 2012. So much depends on the translation though. Mine was great, but German.
I might read The Odyssey later this year.

Hey Nathalie! If it weren't the dead of winter over here, Bleak House would still be in the TBR basket. It was a perfect time of year to read it and I did begin it in December as I knew it was coming up as a GR. Unfortunately, it put the Game of Thrones series way, way down the stack as I was hoping to read it this year. I'm not ready for another chunkster just yet.

I'm reading The Iliad because my son is taking a mythology course this semester which includes it. (Since it's on Kindle, I'm not sure if it's qualifies as a chunkster) Thought it would be interesting to read it simultaneously.

High-Five indeed, Lynda. That is one massive book to have gotten through. You are on a really exciting reading roll right now. I have read My Antonia previously but certainly need to continue on with O Pioneers. I did start One of Ours by Willa Cather this morning, I think it's going to be another winner.

Hi Lynda! High Five, my friend. Love the Polar Vortex poster! I hope we can now leave the PV far behind us. Maybe, until well after I retire?
Wow! You smoked Bleak House. It sounds like it was a hit!

>92 Carmenere:: I've not read that translation, but I can say that it may be more difficult to follow than more recent translations, since it's a product of the 1800's (he was the Prime Minister of the UK, apparently - I had no idea). I'll be curious to know what you think of it...

#95 Hi Judy! I've read two Cather's to date and I need to add her as one of my favorite authors. Her character's are so strong, literally and figuratively and the descriptive landscapes are beyond compare. I now want to read the third in the prairie trilogy, something like shadow rock, takes place in Quebec City - one of my fave vacation destinations.

#96 Bleak House was indeed awesome, Dickens is longwinded but such a good writer. Saturday, 53F!!!! January thaw will be upon us!

#97 I haven't started it yet, Amber, but I just rec'd an email from OverDrive that they now have Penquin books available, so I'm going to check and see if they have The Iliad.
My son brought home his book list and he needs the Robert Fagles translation from 1991, have you read that one?

Charlie's high five made me smile! Thanks Charlie :0)

#3-2014
Bleak House
Charles Dickens
1853
881 pages
4.75/5

Read it because..........January TIOLI Challenge #3
January Category Challenge Group Read

Thoughts (and there are many - it's a big book)..............At first glance, this novel has so much going against it. First, one notices the ungodly size of the tome, at almost 900 pages it is unwieldy and not easily transported . Secondly, the title alone would keep people away in droves, Bleak House, come on! Lastly, my Signet edition has a grouchy looking old man on the cover that is so uninviting LT doesn't even have it in "add books" search. Lastly, the first chapter's are as bleak as the title suggests, fog and black drizzle greet the reader who feels the weight and uncertainty of the situation at hand, yet this is where Dickens's unique style, humor and sarcasm come into play, a legal dispute over a will has been in the court system for twenty some years! For those brave enough to perceiver, the reader will soon be introduced to a variety of characters that only Dickens can conceive, many have names that signify their stature or disposition in life; Lady Dedlock, Mr. Guppy, Mr. Krook and Miss Summerson, to name a few.
So, long story short, Mr. Jarndyce cousin to Richard and Ada the heir and heiress in question is declared guardian of the two until the case is settled. Ethel Summerson is appointed the companion of Ada as Mr. Jarndyce is a bachelor. There are several story lines moving the story along but they are too complex to discuss in a short review but themes one should look for are consistent with other Dicken's novels; love and affection, poverty, duty, immoral acts relative to the time this work was written and the law profession as a whole.
I held back in giving this novel 5/5 rating because the reading is cumbersome and many a time I'd have given up but for the satisfaction that I hoped would come at the end. That said, earlier fog and "black drizzle" become (to paraphrase) a moon shining so brightly that the novel leaves the reader fulfilled and content.

I was out most of the morning but now I've revved up Netflix and I hope to watch the remaining 14 or so episodes of the 2005 Bleak House mini-series starring Gillian Anderson. The first episode helped me put a face to the characters in this book now I want to see what the rest is like.

Wow, Lynda! Well done for finishing that enormous tome so quickly. I've never read that particular Dickens but I'd like to. I think I'd weasel out and look for an e-version since it's so huge. I've gotten spoiled when it comes to reading and hauling around enormous books.

Hi Julia! I started BH in December so it doesn't seem quick to me. However, after things start picking up some and you become familiar with the truckload of characters it moves very nicely.

Hey Lynda! Thawing out a bit over here...looking forward to warmer temps in the 40's tomorrow so I can go out and buy some local honey. I get it at Fowler's Mill shop--I think that's the name of it--it's on Fowler's Mill Road. I'm down to the dregs because we have been drinking hot tea here non-stop.

After reading your review, now I NEED to get O Pioneers! from the library. Your review put me in mind of another book that I love where the heroine is completely attached to the land--Gone with the Wind.

Sandy K

#103 Exactlly, Very good point, Sandy! I hadn't thought of that! The difference, I see, between Alexandra and Scarlett is Scarlett was very intent on getting Ashkey and then re-getting Rhet and her land took a back seat to her love life. Alexandra, on the other hand, focused on her land and let love fall into place naturally.
I look forward to your thoughts after you read it.

I've not been to Fowler's Mill but I've purchased their pancake sack pouches at the grocery store :0} the honey must be exceptional to make a special trip for it.

Well, I agree that Scarlett was very intent on getting Ashley, but after the war devastated Tara, almost everything she did was to insure that she could keep Tara. I guess that Rhett was the only man that wouldn't be used as a pawn in her game. It's been years since I read it, but I do remember that Scarlett, as much as she idealized her genteel mother, was just like her scrappy father.

The honey is produced out of Kirtland. It's called Ohio Honey Co. I don't know why I can't buy it in Kirtland, because that's actually closer to me, but Fowler's Mill shop carries it. I read a few years ago that consuming local honey could help with allergies, so I try to buy local honey now. My allergies have definitely lessened since I've started doing that, plus I just like to support local farmers.

Sandy K

>98 Carmenere:: Yep, Fagles is a really popular translation and a pretty accessible one. Stanley Lombardo's translation is my favorite, but Fagles is a close second. The Penguin version will likely be Rieu's, which is good, too (and in prose form, which takes the original feel of the poetry away, but makes for more accuracy in the translation), or it could also be the Fagles (depends on whether it's the deluxe Penguin version or not).

I love the resort picture up top, Lynda!

Have a wonderful weekend, Lynda!

105 Yup, Sandy, I see what you mean. Although, I read the book in high school it is the movie that remains in my memory more vividly. LOL, what even sticks in my mind more is Carol Burnett and her green drapery dress complete with curtain rod.

106 I ordered them last night, Amber plus another he needs for the course called Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton. As I quickly scanned the review the only thing I focused on was "the wanton sexuality of their pale, angular women, their disregard for cleanliness . . . their cold-blooded human sacrifices." Great, just what a 14 year old boy needs to read ;0}

107 Hey Stasia! Nice to see you! You're welcome to visit any time! I must check if your 2014 thread it up, I'll pay you a visit.

108 Thank you, Diana! Hope you have a good one too!
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If anyone has voted for the next one LibraryThing, One Book the results are in and so am I. The results are right here http://www.librarything.com/blogs/librarything/2014/01/the-february-and-march-gr...

Oh, the Crichton book is one of my faves! It's written from the point of view of an Arab scholar and trader essentially forced to go along on the trip with Beowulf. The culture clash is a great part of the book, but don't worry, it's pretty safe for teens, if I remember right. :)

Lynda & Jim: Now *I'm* the one ordering a book...sounds really good!

Lynda- I plan on starting Bleak House tomorrow. Yah! I am so glad you loved it. Have a great weekend.

Wonderful to see Bleak House having an almost five star impression upon you Lynda; Richard will be so pleased.

Have a wonderful weekend. xx

#110 Oh! I'm glad to know that, Jim! It is reassuring, to say the least!

#111 :0D @ ya Amber

#112 Oh, I hope you enjoy it too, Mark. When you're finished You must, must, must watch the 2005 version of Bleak House with Gillian Anderson it is a complete pleasure!

#113 Hi Paul, I really could give Bleak House a 5/5 but I was thinking it needed some editing but after reflecting on it for a few days, I can not imagine what could've been cut. All the pieces fit no matter how askew and I wouldn't want it any other way.
--------

I'm in, I'm in. I'll be reading The Picture of Dorian Gray for the One LibaryThing,One Book group.
He's been on my shelf for awhile now and I'm really serious, I want to move some of these books this year.

I'm taking a little break from reading by listening to the audio version of Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's. No, no not George from the old tv show but Thomas. So far, so good.

When I'm done resting from Bleak House I'll go back to The Noticer and Brooklyn.

Have a spectacular weekend to allllllllll!

I'll see you in the OLOB, Lynda.

I've read Dorian Gray but I want to see how a LibraryThing group read works. Gosh I just looked at the book page and I read it in 2009. It doesn't seem that long ago I remember it better than some books I read last year.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

I LOVE The Picture of Dorian Gray.... it is one of my favorite all-time classic reads! You are in for a treat, IMO, Lynda! I may join as a re-read since it is a nice short read.

Found and starred you!

My husband and I were, just now, watching an episode of Midsommer Murders, I think that's what it's called, and who do I see in this episode? Mr. Carson from downtown Abbey! This show is a few years old but his voice is unmistakable ! He has dark brown hair too.

-------
@115 Calm, I look forward to seeing you over at 1LT, 1B. I wanted to participate for The Circle but couldn't get the book in time.

@116 Oh, I hope you do join in Lori! I saw the movie along time ago but I don't remember too much of it.

@117 Hi Connie and welcome! Nice of you to stop in.

Midsommer Murders is in my Netflix queue. Which episode was "Carson" in? I'll have to look for it!

Carrie, The episode was called the fisher king, season 7, episode 3. Enjoy!

The Picture of Dorian Gray couldn't be further away from Bleak House but it is one of the wittiest things ever written. Enjoy.

Witty?, Paul. I never would have imagined that for TPoDG. As this is my first Oscar Wilde I appreciate the heads up.

The Picture of Dorian Gray was my first Wilde, too, and it was love at first read. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Hi Lynda, I love your resort picture up top! It looks perfect!

#123 I'm really looking forward to February, Amber! Any month with Wilde and Faulkner should be quite interesting to say the least!

#124 Hi JoAnne, check in any time you like, there are always vacancies for 75ers!

---------
Congrats to Seattle and NE fans. Watched both games and abit surprised the Colts/NE score wasn't closer.

Last night I dreamt Belichek was back in Cleveland, greatness always walks thru Cleveland and wins somewhere else. Yes, I'm talking about you too, LeBron!

More games to watch today and DA tonight but first Book of Matthew work to do before tomorrow's class and finish The Noticer.

>125 Carmenere:: I don't follow sports at all and I know next to nothing about any of them, but what I do know, after nearly 10 years of being married to a man with family in the Cleveland area, is that any mention of LeBron at family gatherings leads to some pretty amazing fireworks. Fun to watch, really. Ha!

Lynda, I have read The Picture of Dorian Gray twice now and loved it both times. Maybe I'll join in the next LT-wide read. I had no desire to read The Circle and it is too soon to revisit the incredible Mr. Wilde.

>126 scaifea: any mention of LeBron at family gatherings leads to some pretty amazing fireworks.
True Amber, LeBron is a polarizing figure around here, for sure. *we threw our LB t-shirts into our bonfire, but I've reconciled to the fact that he made a wise decision for himself. More money, more notoriety etc but in no way do I want him back at this point. Some Clevelander's are all gaga to have him back. Bah!

>127 Donna828: I'm really looking forward to TPoDG, Donna. So many people whose opinion I admire have high regard for this book, I can't wait!

#4-2014
The Noticer

Andy Andrews
2009
156 pages 4/5

Read it because...........1st book from 2014 neighborhood book exchange

Thoughts..........I do not read "Self-Help/Personal Growth" books. Period. The very few I have I found to be heavy handed, self-righteous and simply put, over the top. So, they have not been a part of my reading genre for quite a long time. Imagine my trepidation when I discovered this book in my mailbox from a neighbor for book exchange. Ugh, what a chore to have to read this! Ugh, must I?!
Actually, I did, the book was short and easy to get into, after all the first sentence invites you to read on, "His name was Jones." Well, who's name was Jones? So, I read on to discover that Jones is, ambiguous. Yeah, you can call him an angel, Christmas Past, Present and Future rolled into one, he could be Elijah, a fairy for that matter or the risen Lord living amongst us. It all depends on your perspective. Which is what the purpose of Jones is all about. He pops into the lives of people who are at the end of their tether, those wishing to end it all, those old and feel they have nothing left to offer. There are others who don't even realize they're inflicting pain upon themselves and those they love or work with, some who simply want to make good choices but don't know how to go about it. Jones offers them a way to see things from a different perspective. He shares biographies of well known people who have struggled and made a difference in the lives of others and tells stories of nobodies who've done small acts with huge results.
It's really a great book and I, now, feel fortunate to have received it in my mailbox. It is as if Jones himself put it there to speak to me. Everyone should examine their perspective occasionally, it may reveal something you didn't even know you had in you.

Good review, Lynda. It was so interesting to read your changing reactions to it. I've been meaning to ask you, how exactly does your neighborhood book exchange work?

Thanks, Pat!
We open up the book exchange to all the ladies in our development. Luckily out of 50ish prospects only 8 signed up. Each person needs to buy a hardcover book (they hold up better) and at the beginning of each month their book gets passed to the name below theirs. After 8 months their book will come back to them and exchanging is over for that year.
One year we tried meeting @ the conclusion and talk about the books we've read but it was poorly attended so we just pass the books and people can always email, call etc. each other and discuss.

I'm back to reading Brooklyn and since I've got to run mom around today I'm going to listen to The Testament of Mary in my car. My friend says she was very disturbed by it, specifically because of the way Meryl Streep read it. I told her I liked the book when I read it but perhaps Meryl's inflection could have some cause to be disturbed. Sooo, she lent me her cd's to see for my self.

Also listening to Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's, more on that soon.

Peace, out!

I enjoyed Brooklyn when I read it 2 or 3 years ago.

Hi Lynda,
So sorry I haven't visited your thread since the first of the year. I am hoping to be more present as the month (and the year!) progresses.

I read The Testament of Mary and very much liked it. I'm intrigued by hearing it read my Meryl Streep. I'll be interested in your reactions.

>133 thornton37814: I'm enjoying it as well, Lori. I've often read of immigrants coming to the US in the late 19th/early 20th century but Eilis immigrates in the early 1950's, so it's quite a different experience from those that came 75 years earlier.

>134 EBT1002: Hey Ellen, the threads have really been active this year and I'm finding it very hard to keep up, even a little.
Yeah, I though TToM to be quite interesting when I read it last year. Since, I'm completely shameless I'll put my thoughts in a little review to come within minutes.

------------------
We watched Happy Gilmore last night on Netflix. Not high brow entertainment but fun, plus I like Adam Sandler, like Jimmy Fallon he's pretty family friendly.

Morning Lynda- I requested the audio of The Testament of Mary. It's only 3 discs. I meant to get to that one last year and it got away from me.
I never watched any of Sandler's early comedies. Is that snobbish?
Hope your week is going well.

#5-2014
The Testament of Mary
Colm Toibin
2012
audio as read by Meryl Streep
4/5

I listened to it because...................Since I read the book last year, my neighbor wanted my opinion of the audio version as she was "disturbed" by it.
January TIOLI Challenge #11 two of something in the title (2 A's)

Thoughts...............I rarely listen to the audio version of fictional books. My brain has a difficult time keeping track of characters and plot. In that respect, this audiobook works for me because I am familiar with the stories associated with Jesus' ministry prior to and including his crucifixion. What is new to this take on his later life is Mary's perspective as written by Colm Toibin. She is confused by her son's actions and taken aback by the things he says and the men who surround him. She is also, fearful and often times annoyed by the people who are said to protect her after the crucifixion. The reader may surmise these people to be the men who are to write the Gospels and Toibin seems to suggest that these men want to learn all they can yet have the intention of adding their own spin to achieve their goal. Considering myself an open minded person, I felt before as I do now, that in reading Toibin's book we see Mary for the human that she was. Her son's last years may not have been revealed to her, I honestly don't know, so it's fair game to fictionalize the story although, towards the conclusion of the book, IMHO, Toibin uses a lot of artistic license.
Now, to the audio version. Meryl Streep takes the gentle voice of Mary in which I read the book and that Catholics have come to accept as Mary, and at times, has her sounding, dare I say, b*tchy and put off. I greatly admire my neighbor, she is very intelligent, a teacher for over 30 years and I can understand how people a generation before me could be offended by the book and audio. The book takes huge liberties and those that were taught in the Catholic church prior to Vatican II could be "disturbed" by it. So here's my point, even the bible could sound differently if read by an actor. Some things should just be read, whether a narrator intends to or not their voice could completely change the experience and slant a story, one way or another.

-----------------
BTW: for those interested, This was my review August, 2013 http://www.librarything.com/topic/155864#4232194

I'm currently reading The Testament of Mary. I was hooked right away by the authors description of the man with the caged birds and the rabbits...It set the mood of fear and evil.

I must read on today and see if fear and evil are replaced by hope and joy.

>136 msf59: Morning Mark/aka Mr. Snobbish , First, Can not wait to read your review of TToM. -
second, Many Sandler movies are of course, silly but many have heart. Loved The Wedding Singer and Mr. Deeds.

>137 Carmenere: Yes Linda, the beginning of TToM is a real grabber. I am also looking forward to your review, I'll keep a look out.

>131 Carmenere:: I really like the sound of that book exchange! I wonder if I can get one started around here...

And I *love* Adam Sandler's movies! So funny.

Okay, I am a book snob, a beer snob and a film snob. Hey, at least I am consistent.

Excellent review of The Testament of Mary. I can't wait to get my snobby paws on this one.

Hi Lynda, I liked your review of The Testament of Mary, very interesting to see the two different perspectives. I have a secret liking for the early Adam Sandler movies as well. The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates are the ones that really stand out for me. Haven't cared for any of his more recent films.

#140 Hi Amber, I had coffee with a couple of neighbors this morning and we were talking about how great our first reads have been and how we wouldn't have found them on our own. So we came up with the idea that at the end of the exchange (probably August or Sept) we'll meet at our park, bring a couple of bottles of wine and discuss all the books we read through the exchange, in general. Should be fun!

Hope you can get one started near you.

>141 msf59: Anxiously awaiting your review of TToM, Mr. Consistent, ahem, Mark ;o )

>142 DeltaQueen50: oh, oh, oh, let's not forget Spanglish, Judy! I liked that one too. Seems after that one his movies fell off and I haven't seen any of his newer stuff.

Good weekend everyone!

I know that I am very alone with my interpretation of The Testament of Mary, but it's still up for a reread, or better re-listen, because the audio gets so much praise. For me (not Catholic, not practising any type of faith) the book felt "unfinished", "half-baked" although I liked the general approach and the writing. I didn't have any issues with what some may call "blasphemy", I had an issue with Mary always "conveniently not being there" when the important things happened and telling too much just from hearsay.

I accept that as Tóibín's method to avoid too harsh confrontations with believers, he just filled in the gaps the NT doesn't mention. It is a very difficult area and he wanted his book read, not banned, I assume.

Anyway - wonderful review!

Have a great weekend!

Lynda - I think Meryl played as she saw it and I got a whiff of the same too in truth. Toibin is a great writer and some of the passages in his short work were polished gems. I didn't like the character he created in Mary though and found her whiny and way to obsessed with self.

Like Nathalie I am not bound by any constraints of faith in forming my opinions and I agree with her take on Mary being conveniently absent at times.

Sensible and sensitive review by the way.

Also by the way, what happened to dear old Oscar Wilde?

Have a lovely weekend.

I have avoided Testament of Mary because I often have problems with fictional portrayals of Biblical figures.

*disclaimer* I'm sorry if I come off as preachy here, that's not my intention, I'm only trying to work it out in my own head. All comments by people who visit my thread are part of my learning and growing experience and I hug you all :0)

#145 Hi Nathalie! Happy Sunday afternoon to you, yes? I went back to your excellent August, 2013 review and "conveniently not being there" sort of opened my eyes to the possibility that the author intended to cast doubt on the subject to his readers who may be sitting on the fence regarding JC's mission yet leave it open for steadfast believers. Is Toibin, himself, struggling with acceptance? *shrugs* For those who believe faith is a lifelong journey and often times a struggle, although this book may seem blasphemous to some it can be seen as a test of faith to others. I've felt for a long time that fiction is about the possibilities not the probabilities.
That said, I loved the fact that Toibin made Mary so human and just like me, one individual trying to believe or understand what you have not seen, things that defy all logic.

#146 Greetings Paul, and happy Sunday evening to you! After the birth of Jesus, the story of him running off to the temple and the Wedding at Cana, Mary seems to take a back seat to Jesus's gathering of those who would be his apostles and his miraculous works. So, if it's not documented, yeah go at it, fictionalize what is possible. Write of the "What if's". What bothered me the most was Mary being swept away by her "protectors" and not with her son as he was taken down from the cross and laid to rest. Whether it's true or not it's what many believers have come to accept and reflects Mary's complete sorrow.

Oh Paul! Oscar is lined up for February so it remains fresh in my mind for One LibraryThing, One Book. I may read it sooner if The Iliad is not to my liking.

#147 Hi Lori Good Sunday to you as well! completely understand that.

"...fiction is about the possibilities not the probabilities."
Well said! And agreed!

#6-2014
Brooklyn
Colm Toibin
2009
262 pages
4/5

I read it now because...............January GeoCat challenge Main Destination:Canada and the US
Focus Destination: Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free
January TIOLI challenge #11 (2 of something in the title - 2 o's)

Thoughts..........................I. Loved. This. Story! Toibin writes so beautifully and so knowingly about a young Irish woman's immigration to the United States in the 1950's that I wonder if it were a story told to him by someone who experienced it personally. Eilis Lacy, from a small village in Ireland is unable to find work or love, to remain in Ireland would offer a bleak future. With the assistance of Father Flood, a pastor, in Brooklyn, NY her sister arranges her passage to the US. Once in town, the pastor finds Eilis living accommodations and a job. Simple story. A story common place to many second wave immigrants but what Toibin does with this story is astounding. He inserts and breathes life into characters that are 3 dimensional and memorable. The city of Brooklyn is alive with activity as people bustle about, as Jews, "Colored people", Italians and Irish mix, help and learn from each other in the unique and quintessential way of melting pot America.
This book had me wanting to crawl into it and live in 1950's Brooklyn and experience what it must have been like to take the subway to Coney Island or watch the Brooklyn Dodgers play at Ebbets Field. Yet, it saddened me that things are so different now.

#149 Hi Amber! and thanks.

Preach! Preach! Morning Lynda! Good review of Brooklyn. I was a big fan of that one too. You are on a nice roll. I am looking forward to a day of books, beer and football. How about you?

BTW- I am also a TV snob and a music snob. Just sayin'!

Hey Mark! Happy off day to you! I'm looking forward to taking my 14 year old to a pizza and poker birthday party *gasp*. It's 30 minutes away so rather than come home hubsters and I will go to a nearby watering-eating hole and dine while watching the games.

Doesn't look like a good day for reading but .....................DA tonight. Hoping that this season greatly improves.

Good morning Lynda! Jost dropping in to wish you a happy Sunday!

" Hoping that this season greatly improves." I'm with you, my friend. Like last year, we had to sit through a couple lackluster ones and then a good one would pop up. Unless, the season ends with a bang, I am probably done with it.

>150 Carmenere: - Glad you loved Brooklyn, one of my favourite books from the 2009 Booker longlist. I remember being so angry at the ending, but now looking back I think I understand it more.

I hope DA picks up a bit too - I was horrified my last week's episode. I have a bad feeling about the Edith/Michael Gregson storyline though. Edith never seems to catch a break, and I just don't see her happiness lasting.

What?!!! is Downton Abbey not on tonight?! I've just check and it seems they're showing Sherlock in it's place. */@! !2$&&*

Oh! excuse me I didn't realize I had visitors :0}

#154 Carrie! Happy Sunday to you as well. Hope there's some time for book reading.

#155 So true Mark, but it looks like it's not on tonight. Oh Woe is me!

#156 Yeah, I was a bit miffed by the ending too, Cait! I thought it rather abrupt as well but Eilise's reasons for returning to the US made sense and I think she made a good decision. Just imagining what a great business the bros could create in a still untouched Long Island is mind boggling.

Lynda, I believe Sherlock starts after DA. At least, that's how our local PBS schedule looks.

Thanks Carrie, I think what confused me was "masterpiece classic" and I freaked. See what this show does to me.

I just perl ruled The Short Life & Times of Mrs. Beeton. No desire at all to read this one.

Now I need to read The Testament of Mary... Also need to get to know my neighbors enough to start a book exchange!

Hi Lynda! I just started watching the 4th season of Downton Abbey. Seems like Thomas is still up to his old tricks!

Nice review of Brooklyn! I don't think I've read anything by Toibin before

Glad to hear Brooklyn was so good. I have an unread copy. The only book by Toibin I've read is The Master and it was excellent.

#161 It's also a great way to meet neighbor's, Marcia. There are 4 old-timers and 3 newbies is this years group. Looking forward to getting to know them better.

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Ack, ack, ack! I just realized I missed DA! I was so wrapped up in that Seattle game it completely slipped my mind!!!! *pounds head against wall*

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#162 Glad you liked the review of Brooklyn, Chelle. Toibin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

#163 I have The Master on my bookshelf, Pat. Hopefully, I can slip that one in my reading agenda this year.

#7-2014
Dinner at Mr. Jefferson's Three men, Five Great Wines, and the evening that changed America
Charles A. Cerami
2009
audio
2.5/5

I read it because.........The title intrigued me. Having been to Monticello, I expected wine for the dinner to be moved up from Jefferson's elaborate wine cellar on pulley's he devised, of his guests patiently waiting for him in his foyer filled with artifacts from his travels and a dinner of both French and American cuisine. Boy! was I over reaching! This title was a bait and switch if ever there was one.

Thoughts............This non-fiction offering by Charles Cerami, begins in 1789 and sets the table for the compromise to come. The very young nation of the United States is already in dire straits. President Washington commands the nation from New York City, Hamilton is organizing the Treasury Department, Thomas Jefferson has been appointed Secretary of State and James Madison is a Congressman. Nationally, the Union was struggling to remain cohesive, individual states were deeply in debt and to assure France and England that the United States intended to remain viable, a new and permanent capital had to be established. All of this information took 3/4 of the book. The "dinner" which Jefferson arranged and would settle some the these issues came after the all the groundwork was explained to the reader. The "dinner" was not at Monticello since all governmental business was conducted in New York. Thus, Jefferson hosted the dinner there.
Not much information was garnered from the dinner "that changed America" because the few notes that remain were written by Jefferson, who the author suggests, stretched the truth a wee bit. The book concludes with a type of where they went from here style format.
Although the book is interesting in its way it was not what was expected and reminds me to read the blurbs on the cover.

Yesterday, while weaving my way through the library, I happened to come across the Great Courses dvd for The Iliad. grabbed it and took it home. I viewed the first two classes today which set up the mythical and poetic background for both The Iliad and The Odyssey.
I think I'm going to find these dvd's invaluable as I work my way thru these epics.
I'm using my son's Fagles translation rather than the
kindle version which was almost archaic in nature. This should provide a much easier journey through the Trojan War. Annenberg Learner handles The Odyssey so I'll follow that as well. I don't see how I would have gotten thru these works without some outside knowledge.

Off to Matthew Bible study then back home. Deep freeze coming back this evening and all stocked up for a frigid start to the week.

Hi Lynda. I just got the Great Courses sale catalog in the mail and I think I'm going to try one. They have one on the history of the Lourve that's normally $199 and on sale is $19.95.

Lynda, you can watch "Downton Abbey" online at the PBS website. I just did, in fact. Now on to watch "Sherlock". :-)

Lynda- We watched DA, after the game. You didn't miss much. LOL.

#167 hey Pat, I don't think you could go wrong with Great Courses. I purchased one on the Metropolitan Museum of Art and another on the Art of Reading. Both are very well done and I watch them over and over again.

#168 Hey, thanks alot Julia, I'll tune in right away!

#169 oh no, Mark! What are we going to do? Should we continue to watch and hope Fellowes gets his house in order or just give the keys to Carson and walk away? :0(

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Hey, my son and I just finished watching Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood. Wow, what a powerful movie! Lots to talk about after this one.
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OK, off to view DA!

Alrightie, thanks to Julia, I just watched last nights episode of DA. I'll not give Carson the keys just yet. I'm intrigued enough and hopeful enough to see it through for a little while longer. I found it satisfying.

Night all :0)

Lynda, I love your musings about TToM. I come at it from a different perspective, but I still had similar thoughts. This novel was not a challenge to faith but a beautiful exploration of faith, history, and the way they interweave to create a variety of "truths." In this modern day of rigid thinking and (IMO) claims to truth that give more weight to detail and dogma than to spirit and meaning, I think this novel was a welcome, thought-provoking injection into the conversation.

Okay, I have no idea where all that came from, but I hope it's okay that I posted it. I just love novels that make us think.

And, now I'm adding Brooklyn to the wish list. Sigh.

I'm glad you liked the latest installment of DA. I'm frustrated with the Anna/Bates storyline, but other than that I'm with you. I'll hang in there a bit longer, if only for the sake of Carson and the lovely Mrs. Hughes.

Hi Ellen! This novel was not a challenge to faith but a beautiful exploration of faith, history, and the way they interweave to create a variety of "truths."
Well said!

I hope you enjoy Brooklyn as much as I.

Hughes and Carson are so cute together, real soul mates IMO.

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Off to finish book two of The Iliad then watch the third class of Great Courses. (The Willmeister begins reading this one next week, I so look forward to discussing this with him)

It's chillyishous over here and a good day to stay in my cozy home. Have a good day fellow readers.

All caught up here, Lynda! I liked your thoughts, and Ellen's, on TToM although I have not read it yet. I have also added Brooklyn to my WL. Thanks for taking one for the team with the Cerami book - you're right, the title does make it sound like it would be good. And DA - I am so behind the rest of you in that series - only watched the first season, but I do know the spoilers for the following seasons. I am thinking that perhaps just the first two seasons of it will be enough for me - we shall see.

Hoping that your Wednesday is full of fabulous!

#174 Greetings Mamie! Oh, I was so disappointed in the Cerami but I did discover that politics was just as screwed up 230 years ago as it is today. Somehow, though, the US stands the tests of time.

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-2 this morning w/windchill of -17. Rec'd the "no school today" phone call at 6am. Lots of snow tonight and tomorrow. Boo Hoo. BUT, I should get through a few more books of The Iliad while confined to my toasty house. I'm really getting the story, it's just those Grecian names that throw me off.
back to the book!

Hi Lynda! Hope you stay warm this weekend! It's cold here, but not that cold. And we don't have any snow. (I'm trying to count my blessings, but my fingers are so cold that I'm having a little trouble!)

I'm lol, Carrie. We've been spoiled the last couple of years w/moderate temps and little snow so we need to man up all over again. I shudder to think of what are electric bill will look like this month.

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Oh, new Browns coach! I guess we lured him away from the Buffalo Bills with our multiple qrtrbcks and looming legal issues w/mgt. Lotsa luck Mr. Pettine!

Lynda> I guess it got down to 1 degree here. The wind chill was supposed to be 0 to -15. I don't know what it actually was. Schools here were on a 2 hour delay so that the kids wouldn't have quite as cold temperatures to stand outside in while waiting on buses.

Lynda: I'd be happy to chat with you about the Iliad and the Odyssey, too, if you have any questions as you read...

Stopping by to get caught up after a few weeks pretty much off the LT grid. Great reviews of Testament of Mary and Brooklyn, Lynda! Still dodging the Mary book but I think I may need to finally breakdown and add Toibin to my 'new to me' author reading list.

Mark is right Lynda - you are on a reading roll this year.

What a great idea to read the classics with one of our darling classicists. Amber would be great company for The Odyssey :

The wife had an Odyssey; by Honda
There was no car of which she was fonder
Seven seats for all to fit
And leather upholstery for us to sit
We took the Odyssey here and yonder.

She wants me to sell it and get a new car; looks at me nonplussed when I say I'm waiting for the Japanese to release the Iliad!

>181 PaulCranswick: Paul: *SNORK!*

Morning Lynda- Just a Sunday check-in. Hope all is well and your books are treating you just fine. I want this winter to be over with!

Oh Wow! a nicer bunch of visitor's couldn't be possible!

#178 Lori! I just can't bear it any more! I so want to leave the house without wearing 2pr of socks, 2 shirts under my sweater, leggings under my jeans plus boots,hat,gloves,coat, check the car for brush w/scrapper,make sure I have enough fuel. I'm getting way too old for this tomfoolery! Keep warm my friend!

#179 Thank you, Amber! I'm sure I will take you up on the offer. I need to return Great Courses to the library as I can't renew, it's been placed on hold by another. I've requested GC's The Odyssey so I can read it while TI is fresh in my head.

#180 Thanks for the nice comments, Lori! I hope to read Toibin's The Master sometime this year. He's my guy of the moment!

#181 Hey Paul! I am delighted and privileged to have one of your limerick's grace my humble thread! Pffst! to Honda's Iliad. Perhaps, one day but I can almost guarantee you there isn't a car company in the world that would roll a Trojan off their assembly line!

#182 Paul is snorkilicious isn't he, Amber?!

#183 Sunday Greetings, Mark! Seems we're getting deeper and deeper into winter. But my books are treating me well and keeping my sane with their warmth.

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So! Things to do today: 1) fill the bird feeder (twas a scene of a birdicide last week - feathers everywhere below the feeder, we fear a hawk swooped down from above)
2) shop for some essentials for the bitter, frigid days ahead! (seems like I'm doing this every few days)
3) go to sr community for MIL's b-day get together
4) drop off overdues at library
5) return home to chicken enchilada's, DA and the Grammy's. Hopefully a little reading time inbetween.

I want to visit more but I've got to run...........

Hope all are having a great weekend!

Lynda - I think you've coined a new word there. Not seen snorkilicious before. xx
You are however quite wrong about the Trojan. This is the Trojan Bubble car:

Lynda, I am totally with you on being heartily sick of winter. It seems to happen earlier and earlier in the season as I get older. I suppose it won't be long before I'll simply refuse to leave the house between December and March.

Just stopping in and catching up here, Lynda! You are doing some great reading! Sorry that you cannot renew the Great Courses - I hate when that happens! Nobody wants it until I check it out, and then suddenly it is in demand and cannot be renewed. *sigh*

Wishing for you a Sunday that is full of fabulous!

Lynda, your thread has been moving along without me. Sorry about that, I am still playing catch-up in this group. I thought Gran Torino was a powerful movie. Here's a bit of trivia for you: the Gran Torino was found in a shed in Purdy, MO, my husband's hometown, population around 700! I think everyone in Purdy has an old shed in which things are tossed…or, in this case, driven!

I hear ya on the winter blues. We had more snow and colder temps than usual here although we are not up to Ohio standards. Today looks good with sunny blue skies and moderate temperatures in the upper 40s. Back to the deep freeze next week. Isn't cold weather good for making the sap in your maple trees?

>184 Carmenere:: Your Trojan car quip reminded me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs3SfNANtig

Iliad *snerk*
Trojan Bubble Car *double snerk*

Wow.. I can't believe that I've not yet been here... not catching up... have to get to work, but at least I found you before the thread sins off to #2

LOL, you guys are a hoot!

#185 More LOL's -Ooooo, ok Paul I stand corrected but come on, that Trojan wouldn't be a comfortable fit for anyone, seriously! Getting out of it could prove to be painful too *shiver* ;0} xx

#186 I so agree with you, Julia. To have no obligations, a well stocked freezer and a multitude of books would make a delightful three months indoors. But ya know, I like to recall a line in Moby Dick where somebody was blanketed in bed but kept a toe out to better appreciate his bodies warmth. So, I kinda enjoy getting out in the Polar Vortex (for very brief periods) and then return home to appreciate the warmth of my house even more on my return.

#187 Hey Mamie! Sunday was a nice day with mom and MIL at their senior village.
I figure someone from Will's Mythology class reserved the Great Course I was viewing - Bah! cheater, cheater pumpkin eater! and nope Will did not watch it he's too entranced with things not school related.

#188 Donna Hi! I so can relate to catching up on LT, it's a full time job. Great story re: Gran Torino. My dad owned a Torino back in '72 but it rusted very badly, very quickly however a great boat to use when learning to drive.

#189 Ha! Amber, I can't believe only one person asked if anyone was inside the horse! Funny stuff!

#190 Hey, Jim! Here's to snorks, snerks and double snerks!!

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We are hunkered down, riding out another Polar Vertex at home. No school, so not going out to Bible study and don't even feel the urge to make tigerlyly's Romanian cookies today. I just feel like a slug and a slug must read the day away, yes? Yes! I'm glad you all agree!

We'll watch Argo sometime today and we've got Lord of the Rings too.

Enjoyed the Grammy's last night (for the most part) but I will need to watch DA again as I missed a little switching back and forth.

Watching for Feb TIOLI to come up too!

Wherever your reading this from, Stay warm, stay cool, just stay well read!

Hey there, Kath! Good to see you! Let me pull up a chair and bring you a hot cuppa your choice. Ooo, I've got croissants too! Strawberry Jam?

I have also been watching for the February TIOLI! Yep! We are completely and hopelessly addicted! Hoping that your Monday is kind to you, Lynda.

>192 Carmenere:: I think my favorite part is that Turkey is the only one that doesn't let them in - they've apparently learned their lesson! Ha! I used to show that video to my classes when teaching the Trojan War - always a hoot!

#194 still waiting, Mamie, but I've remembered my Coursera class starts today so I'm viewing the lectures.
Just in case, I continue to check.

#195 how's that saying go, Amber...fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me? Yeah, I'd say Turkey won't be fooled again. Going to show it to Will right now, before I forget.

I'm trying not to look for the new TIOLI's, it always seems that the months I start checking early, Madeline puts them up late!

#197 You got that right, Judy. There must be TIOLIcams focused on our every move, then just as we leave the house BAM TIOLI strikes :0)

Boy, it has been one crazy year for polar vortexes! Stay warm, Lynda!

#199 Yikes Lori! So not staying warm this morning! I woke around 5:30 this morning feeling a chill in the air. As I walked down the steps I heard our space heating running and a note from the hubsters that he's called the furnace repair shop cause the furnace is not working!!!! Temp inside is 60F, outside it is -11 with a windchill of -23! Whaaaaa! :0(

OK setting up my TIOLI reads for February: Thus far, I have....

Challenge #1: Read a book from the library of the LT member with the greatest weighted number of books which match your own
The Picture of Dorian Gray (Donna828-Your Library)- Oscar Wilde

Challenge #4: Read a book that has an older person as a main character
The Giver - Lois Lowry

Challenge #5: Read a book that is part of a series
How the Light Gets In - Louise Penny
Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris

Challenge #9: Read a book with a polar vortex related word in Chapter 1
Snow (snowflake,blizzard) - Orhan Pamuk

Challenge #7: Read a book and then remove it from your physical presence
As I Lay Dying - Wm. Faulkner

Good grief! I hope the furnace is repaired soon...

Uhh, Is the heat still off?

#201 & 202 Hey Kath and Connie, I'm happy to report that "The heat is on, the heat is o-on" (lyrics by Glenn Frey)!

My son's home again from school today due to the frigid temps so we watched Lord of the Rings -Fellowship of the Ring this morning. I'd never seen it and although I didn't think I'd be interested in it, it grabbed my attention.

Yesterday night we watched Argo. Wow! That was a really good one too! It kept me on the edge of my seat.

Another thing that warmed me up this morning was winning an ER! The Bluffer's Guide to Etiquette by William Hanson. This should be a fun read.

Stew in the crockpot filling the house with its comforting aroma. Now back to The Iliad and get some words down for an audio book I finished in the wee small hours of the morning.

Glad to hear the heat is on!!!

So glad to hear the heat is back on. Sixty degrees is COLD! As bad as our weather's been this year, it's nothing like what's been hitting the Midwest. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Hmm. I usually turn the furnace down to 60 overnight, so I usually don't realize the furnace is wonky until it gets down in the 50s. Brrrr! I'm glad it's all back to normal now, Lynda.

#204 Connie, the heat is off! again!!!! We noticed about 9pm that the furnace wasn't kicking on and it got colder and colder in the house. The temp inside is 50F/10c. outside temp is -2f/with windchill -20f/-29c. Why can't stuff be repaired after the first call out?

#205 finally, pat, it looks like the temps will rise above 20 for the rest of the week.

#206 Oh Julia, you're a tougher woman than I! I'm a warm weather creature, over 100 doesn't bother me, but I wilt in cold temps, very thin skinned am I.
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Again, no school. this is the 5th day and schools must consider lengthening the school year, unless the Gov extends the calamity days officially, which is being discussed.

The stew was good last night but the guys thought a little too spicey. Is there a way to tone down the leftovers? Mmmm

Hi, Lynda! We've certainly had a lot of canceled school lately, too, and I wonder what they'll do about it at the end of the year...

About the spicy stew - that's happened to me before, and I've tried serving it over white rice or with shredded cheese on top. Both seem to help tone down the spiciness, plus the rice makes the leftovers stretch even farther.

#8-2014
Things that Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics
Charles Krauthammer
2013
audio
3.75/5

I read it because..........I've seen Krauthammer's commentary on television yet I've only recently learned that he's much more than a talking head, he's Canadian, a Dr. of Psychiatry, a former Democrat and paralyzed . Hmm, seems like an interesting guy and hoped to learn more of his life's story in this book.

Thoughts...........More than a memoir type of book, this read is actually a collection of columns he's written for a number of news agencies, particularly The Washington Post, Time and The New Republic. Through these columns, the reader discovers what is most important to him; people in his life, his love of the Washington Nationals, Chester his dog, chess and politics. His columns are sometimes very personal and other times controversial but always concise and with heartfelt common sense. After listening to his columns I would certainly consider him one of the great thinkers of our age.
The audio, however, was a major disappointment. Part One, was great. No problem with Krauthammer's columns read by Krauthammer. For some unexplained reason, the narrator changes for the remainder of the book and sounds like a robot reading the newspaper and lacks Krauthammer's unmistakably droll delivery.

#208 Morning Amber! Great idea, I'll make rice for the stew tonight. I also thought about adding a little sour cream to the gravy. what do you think?

Thanks for your take on my question yesterday re Trojan genealogy. Makes sense to me. In fact, it seems we read more about the blood relationships between the Trojans in The Iliad than we do about the Greeks.

Lynda: Oh, sour cream is a *great* idea!
And, yes, I think we do get more about the Trojan families, because they're families are, well, there. Plus, the Hector storyline is much about his ties and obligations to his family (the scene between him, his wife and his young son is heartbreaking) vs. his obligations as a leader of the Trojan warriors.

Oh Yeah! I just read that scene yesterday, Amber. So cute when Hector took off his helmet because it was scaring his son.

Gives me goosebumps and makes me cry every time.

Lynda, I hope you can get the furnace fixed again soon, and for good this time! We are opposites in temperature tolerance; I can't stand high heat especially when it's accompanied by high humidity. I hope we're never stranded together. :-)

About Charles Krauthammer: "...he's Canadian, a Dr. of Psychiatry, a former Democrat and paralyzed"
Ah, the intersectionality of identities. :-)

Sorry about all the days off. I hope your furnace is operational soon.

As for toning down leftovers, the only thing I can think of is adding more of the other things. Can of diced tomatoes? Maybe just heaping portions of rice. That's it. Go for the rice.

I'll have to track down that February TIOLI thread this afternoon. I have to shovel snow first. I plan to start close to 2, maybe 1:45ish since the highest temps today are going to be between 2 and 3.

#213 quick ? Amber. Is there a theory out there as to why Homer made the reader more sympathetic to the Trojans?

#214 LOL, Julia! I hope we're never stranded together Weellll, if good books are involved I'm sure I can adapt to anything :0)

#215 I'm sure you and Amber have been on the edge of your seats wondering how my leftover stew turned out. First I tried just rice, hubsters said still spicy so then I added the sour cream and he approved. Honestly, I think I could put sour cream on a mud pie and my husband would eat it.

#216 It was really brutal yesterday, Lori, so that's good thinking. My fingers almost fell off just moving the snow from the garage door.

----------Yeah, school's back in session today!!!!! Heat is back on too! The furnace guy didn't get here till about 5pm and the poor guy was haggard by all the calls he attended to the past few days.

Jippie for having the heat back on!!

Backing up so to speak on the Trojan people carrier. It was in fact apeing history in not promoting comfort. How comfortable could it have been sitting up a horse's ass knowing that any time now you would be doing a dance of death with an irate Greek.

I am so happy the heat is back on!! And Hoorah for sour cream!!

Hey everyone, didn't get much sleep the night before last, so yesterday, I felt fuzzy all day long! Not much LT, not much of anything!

Ooooo, a new box of Keurig cups arrived yesterday so I must make an important decision this morning "Sumatran Reserve" or "Tully's Hawaiian Blend"? I love making such decisions, I really can't go wrong either way!

I began my new Coursera class this past week Constitutional Law. It follows the professor's two books The Unwritten Constitution and America's Constitution: A Biography. For the next 12 weeks I'm a Yalie!

#218 Hey there Diana! you've just given me a terrific idea! It seems we LTers have a lingo of our own. So there won't be any confusion as to what jippie, snork, snerk and pffle refer to, at least in me own fuzzy mind, I'm going to begin building my own dictionary as I come across them with an appropriate definition of each. I'm quite sure the is an appropriate time when snerk should be used rather than snork ;0

#219 Paul, I would assume that many prayers were offered to Zeus and the like whilst they sweated and such up the "horse's ass". Hey! Does history tell us how long the soldiers were confined?

#220 All's been good here, Connie! knock on wood OR as I've heard on Downton Abbey "touch wood"!

Off to set up my new thread so hope you all come along :0)