BLBera's 2014 reading - part 1

Happy New Year everyone.

My name is Beth. I teach English at my local community college. I'm on sabbatical this spring, but I am taking a couple of classes, so I'm not sure how my reading will be affected. I don't plan my reading much. I belong to a book club that meets once a month. Otherwise, I go where the spirit leads me.

I tend to read more fiction than nonfiction.

Welcome to my thread. Lurk or stop and say hello.

Best reads of 2013
1. The Interestings
2. The Burgess Boys
3. Life after Life
4. Americanah
5. Instructions for a Heatwave
6. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
7. Are You My Mother?
8. Where'd You Go, Bernadette
9. 84 Charing Cross Road

Honorable mentions:
Alias Grace
Beyond Katrina
Intruder in the Dust
The Riddle of the Labyrinth
A Tale for the Time Being

2014
January
1. Bleeding Edge
2. The Franchise Affair*
3. Horoscopes for the Dead*
4. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
5. The Nine Guardians*
6. Someone
7. The Purity of Vengeance
8. Lake of Tears
9. Back to School: Why Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Education*

February
10. The Death of Artemio Cruz*
11. Mr. Churchill's Secretary*
12. The War of the End of the World*
13. The Color of My Words
14. The Ghost of the Mary Celeste
15. Cracking India*
16. Princess Elizabeth's Spy*

*Off the shelf

I just realized I didn't top my thread with anything fancy. Last year I used poems. I'll do that again. Next thread. If I remember.

Currently reading: My first Pynchon, Bleeding Edge. I've only read about 100 pages, but his writing is wonderful. I can see why not everyone is a fan. I am becoming one.

Hi Beth! I hope you enjoy your sabbatical! Will you be counting your course reading toward your challenge?

Welcome back!

Hi Beth! Happy New Year to you!

Hi Beth, I'm glad to see The Interestings on your list as I have it sitting on my shelf. Happy New Year!

Hi Beth! Nice to meet you! I also very much enjoyed Life After Life. Happy 2014!

Hi Beth! I've not tried Pynchon yet. I'm interested in your thoughts though.

Happy New Year!

Hi Beth! Happy New Year of reading!!

Beth - it is as always great to see you back. Have a wonderful 2014 and I'll do my best to keep up as best I can.

Hi Beth!

HI Carrie - Happy New Year. Yes, my reading for my World Lit class will count. Some of the books will be rereads, but I count those.

Thanks Jim. This is a great place. Thanks for organizing it.

Hi Joanne - Happy New Year to you.

Hi Bonnie - Happy New Year. You're lucky you have The Interestings to look forward to. I'm planning to read more Wolitzer this year.

Hi Paige - Thanks for stopping by. I love Atkinson and also hope to read more by her this year. I've had Behind the Scenes at the Museum near the top of my "to read" list for a while now. Maybe this year.

Hi Kerri - I read an interesting review of Bleeding Edge by Meg Wolitzer on the NPR webpage, and this Pynchon sounded doable. I'm loving it, but I can see that his style is not for everyone. I think you might like him. Still, I'm only about 100 pages in. It might take me a while, not a fast read.

Thanks Ellen - Happy New Year of reading to you, too. Any Scotland themed books planned?

Hi Paul - Happy New Year. I'll try to keep up with Mr. Already on His Second Thread. :)

Hi Diana - Happy New Year.

I try to read a couple of poems before I go to sleep every night. Right now, I'm reading through Horoscopes for the Dead. Last night, I read one that made me laugh aloud. Here are the first couple of stanzas. All of you language lovers will appreciate it:

What She Said

When he told me he expected me to pay for dinner,
I was like give me a break.

I was not the exact equivalent of give me a break.
I was just similar to give me a break.

As I said, I was like give me a break.

Priceless.

Now, to visit some shiny new threads.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll be reading for your course!

Hi Beth, I've not read Pynchon so will be following your progress with interest. Happy New Year.

#14 - Regarding Pynchon, I have been in the mood for the slightly weird lately, so I may give him a try. I think I have The Crying of Lot 49.

I too am trying to get through more poetry this year. I've been picking up Emplumada by Lorna Dee Cervantes from time to time (mostly a reread, but I like it.)

Hi Beth! We share several favorites from last year, and I'm sure I'll read many of your other favorites in 2014. Enjoy the sabbatical. I have one coming up in 2-3 years, and I'm already looking forward to it!

Hi Carrie: I'll be reading Love in the Time of Cholera, The Lowland, The Handmaid's Tale, The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, The Nine Guardians, The Death of Artemio Cruz, Arrow of God, Cracking India, and The War of the End of the World for my course. I'm looking forward to it.

Hi Kerry - So far, so good with the Pynchon.

Hi Kerri (Look at all the versions of Carries on my thread today!) - Just to give you a taste of the wonderful descriptions of New York from Bleeding Edge: "Two-part buses, new on the routes, creep the crosstown blocks like giant insects. Steel shutters are being rolled up, early trucks are double-parking, guys are out with hoses cleaning off their piece of sidewalk. Unsheltered people sleep in doorways, scavengers with huge plastic sacks full of empty beer and soda cans head for the markets to cash them in, work crews wait in front of buildings for the super to show up. Runners are bouncing up and down at the curb, waiting for lights to change. Cops are in coffee shops dealing with bagel deficiencies." His writing is amazing. The stream of consciousness, everything including the kitchen sink is sometimes challenging.

I've been keeping different collections of poetry on my bedside table. I try to read one or two every night.

Hi Amy - Happy New Year. Yes, our reading has overlapped. I look forward to your discoveries of 2014.

Hi Beth - happy to have discovered you this year - three of your favorites were on my list this year, so I'm looking forward to learning about new books from you. I loved Life After Life, The Burgess Boys and Where'd You Go, Bernadette?! Have you read The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells? It shares the "time travel" dimension with Life After Life - and is wonderfully written as well. Happy New Year!

Hi Liz - Thanks for stopping by. I'll be checking your thread, too. I haven't read The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells -- I'll add it to my list. Happy New Year.

Hi, Beth. Thanks for visiting my shiny new thread. I like your 'best of 2013' list, and I'll be looking for your comments in the coming year.

Dear Beth, I wish you a happy, smooth, productive, satisfying 2014 --- and .....



Pynchon --- I've read only Gravity's Rainbow, and I think I left that one too late. I would have loved it 25 years earlier. If I knew about your sabbatical (and I suspect I did), I had forgotten. I hope it's wonderful in every way!

Hi Beth! I'm along for the reading-and-sabbatical ride in 2014. Happy New Year to you!

Happy New Year, Beth! I hope that you really enjoy the sabbatical. Your class reading looks amazing!

Hi Judy, Peggy, Anne and Rhonda. Thanks! I am looking forward to my class.

Pynchon's writing is amazing. I'm going to share bits as I read. I'm about halfway through. Here's another great NYC description and small example of his virtuosity:

Park Avenue, despite attempts at someone's idea of beautification, has remained, for all but the chronically clue-free, the most boring street in the city. Built originally as a kind of genteel lid to cover up the train tracks running into Grand Centra, what should it be, the Champs-Elysees? Sped through, at night, by stretch limo, let's say, on the way to Harlem, it might register as just bearable. In board daylight, however, at an average speed of one block per hour, jammed with loud and toxic-smelling traffic, all in advanced states of disrepair, whose drivers suffer (or enjoy) a hostility level comparable to that of Maxine's driver here -- not to mention police barricades, Form Single Lane signs, jackhammer crews, backhoes and front-end loaders, cement mixers, asphalt spreaders, and battered dump trucks unmarked by any contractor's name let alone phone number -- it becomes an occasion for spiritual exercise....

Amazing -- but not everyone's cup of tea.

Hi Beth! I'm late to the party and late wishing you a Happy New Year, but I send all good wishes to you and hope you enjoy your sabbatical and your Scout Days this spring :)

Here's to another good year with one of my favorite 75ers!

Welcome back, Beth! Rats...I almost bought Bleeding Edge when I went book shopping in NYC yesterday. I'll have to add it to my wish list.

Thank you for sharing those Pynchon bits - great stuff! I'll have to try to squeeze something in by him.

I read Pynchon's The Crying of Lot 49 last year Beth and, although the writing was very good, the story made absolutely no sense. Or at least I couldn't figure out what he was trying to do. I'm glad you're enjoying Bleeding Edge.

Wow! Visitors.

Hi Katie - Thanks for stopping by. I hope for a good year of reading.

Hi Darryl - I am enjoying Bleeding Edge, but there isn't what one might call a straightforward narrative. Still, the writing is awesome.

Hi Kerri - I'm glad you enjoy them. There are so many quotable bits, and I know I'll never use them when I comment on the book at the end. I thought this might be a way of giving people a hint of Pynchon's style.

Hi Bonnie - I think I remember you were not a fan. This is my first Pynchon, and while the story is not straightforward, I can figure out what's going on -- I think. I'm halfway through and that might change.

Well. I have always been terribly intimidated by Pynchon. But that quote in post #26 is brilliant. I love it. Is that also from Bleeding Edge?

Hi Ellen - It is from Bleeding Edge. I've always been intimidated by Pynchon, too, but I am loving this book. He is brilliant. And really funny in places.

Our book club met tonight and chose books for 2014 --- more nonfiction than usual, but interesting choices, I think.
In order, we'll be reading: The Warmth of Other Suns, Dear Life, Quiet, As I Lay Dying, Life, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Someone, The Mind's Eye, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, On Looking: 11 Walks with Expert Eyes and The Uninvited Guests. Interesting choices.

Well, back to Bleeding Edge, which is a library book and due today. Oh well.

Interesting book club list, Beth. I recently picked up Quiet in a Kindle sale - it's not my usual fare but it's gotten some great reviews.

Hi Beth. I'm so glad I dropped by your thread because I also have always been intimidated by Pynchon but the quotes you posted from Bleeding Edge are wonderful. I spent most of my life living close to NYC and he describes it so well. You've convinced me to try this book!

Happy New Year, Beth! Looking forward to another great reading year. You belong to a very nice book club, with a nice range. Those are some terrific choices. I particularly loved "Warmth" and part-Time Indian. Mixed feelings on the Harold Fry though.

Wow! I can't believe you put The Interestings right on top. Very cool. I wish we could have got more LTers to read that one. I see it popping up on some other best of lists too.

Most of your book club's non-fiction selections are n my wishlist. I'll look forward to your thought on them!

Beth, I had to take The Interestings back to the library unread last year. I'll try again due to your putting it first on your list. I trust your judgement. Enjoy the sabbatical and your Tuesdays with Scout!

Beth - I am fascinated by Pynchon. Either loved or hated it seems. I have a lot of his work on my shelves but sometimes get the feeling it is there to look impressive as I haven't read any of it yet. You might be here at just the right time to impel me towards it.

Have a lovely weekend.

Visitors! Greetings.

Katie - I'm looking forward to Quiet - I think it will be a good discussion book.

Hi Pat - He does have great descriptions of NYC.

Hi Mark - I loved The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian; it will be fun to read it again and see what the rest of the book club think about it. I think they are good choices; I'm looking forward to this year's club discussions.

Hi Carrie - It will be interesting to see if the nonfiction picks are good discussion books -- nonfiction is trickier, I think. It's harder to find things to discuss.

Donna - I loved THe Interestings. I read it early in the year, and it stuck with me. I hope to explore more Wolitzer this year. We had a few top choices in common, I think. You always inspire me. I will enjoy Scout. She has just learned how to blow raspberries, so she does that nonstop. Too cute.

Hi Paul - Pynchon has the rep of being difficult to read. While I am enjoying Bleeding Edge, it is hard to figure out where it's going sometime. His writing keeps me going -- but it's not something one can skim. Still, I'm game to try more by him.

Still reading Bleeding Edge.

Hi Beth!

I loved The Warmth of Other Suns, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, and Life--and I have Dear Life waiting for me to pay it some attention. Looks like an interesting set of books--how does your group choose them?

I've only attempted one book by Pynchon and it left me hesitant to try again. It was Vineland and I never finished it. I remember leaving it in an airport restroom or something like that, about 4/5 completed, and I never bothered to go back to it. My son is reading Bleeding Edge for his senior English class. Should be interesting. I do love your excerpts.

Beth, I keep hearing great things about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. I'll have to get it!

I've never read any Pynchon. He's one of those names that I think of as "too hard", but I love the quote you've put in #26.

Hi Beth!

Thanks for sharing your book club selections! I loved The Warmth of Other Suns. I have Quiet waiting on my iTunes and I'm looking forward to reading it, but, quite frankly, I'm a tiny tad tired of hearing about how awesome, yet misunderstood, introverts are (I'm mostly referring to the many articles I've come across on the subject lately). And I'm a classic introvert, so it should all be totally validating to me! Do you know what I mean? Do I sound like a jerk? Probably. :-) But like I said, I do want to read it.

I still have to get to The Interestings. I believe I own it.

I hope you're having a lovely Sunday!

Hi Anne - So nice to see you around. Our book group members all bring suggestions for books they would like to read. Then we discuss until we come to a consensus. Usually each member gets at least one book she suggests. It seems to work well. We're starting our twelfth year.

I'm enjoying Pynchon, but I can see how people get frustrated -- not always easy to see where this beautiful prose is leading.

Hi Susan - I have another Pychon quote, a buiding slated for demolition: "Desolate corridors, unswept and underlie, that stretch on for longer than the building's outside dimensions would suggest. Walls glisten unhealthily in creepy yellows and grime-inflected greens, colors of medical waste ...wild dogs live in the basement and begin to come out at sundown, to roam the halls all night. Brought in originally to intimidate the last tenants into moving out, left on site to fend for themselves as soon as the Alpo bill outgrew the relocation budget."

Hyperbole along with the visual. Very entertaining.

Hi Kerri - I know exactly what you mean about Quiet. I'm an introvert also, but I think it might lend itself to a great discussion. Also, I think there might be some ideas I could use in the classroom.

The Interestings is great. I want to explore more Wolitzer this year. I suggested one by her to the book group, but it didn't get chosen.

So, even though I don't plan my reading, I have nine books for my class and eleven for my book group -- almost 20% is planned. That does't count, of course, Faulkner February.

Well, off to watch some football and back to Bleeding Edge.

Happy New Year, Beth. I just got home today and so I am just getting started here on the 75 Challenge. Looks like you have some great reading lined up for 2014. I am currently reading One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson and really enjoying it.

Hi Beth. I also think your book club's selections are interesting. I thought The Warmth of Other Suns was wonderful.

You are emboldening me with regard to Pynchon. A little bit, anyway. :-)

Hi Judy - Happy New Year to you. Atkinson is great, isn't she? I want to read Behind the Scenes at the Museum this year.

Hi Ellen - I think they are good selections - we're getting pretty good at choosing books that lend themselves to discussion. I think you'd find Pynchon interesting -- at least Bleeding Edge. I will probably explore other works later. Almost done with this one -- then I have to figure out what to say about this wonderful, maddening book.

1. Bleeding Edge
Violent videogames, business ethics, therapists, take out food, East Coast v. West Coast, conspiracy theories, 911 terrorist attacks, cabdrivers, fashion, real estate. Pynchon weighs in on all of these things in this novel. The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars is because I did get bogged down at times. Otherwise, this is nearly perfect.

Besides the outstanding descriptions of NYC that I've shared in previous posts, there are also memorable characters: March, the aging leftist, Marvin the delivery man, Igor, Conkling the nose, and, of course, the star, Maxine Ternow. Maxine runs a fraud investigation business, which gives her license to snoop. She's funny, likable, a great character to follow through this labyrinthine novel.

I can't forget the humor. I was surprised at how funny this novel is: we have a surfer-therapist whose own therapist removes out-of-order signs from phone booths and waits, "drumming up business this way, hanging around places where mental-health crises are likely to occur." We have Conkling, the nose, who is obsessed with finding out what cologne Hitler used. Also video games that are "virtually nonviolent" because there is no "splatter." When people are shot, they just disappear.

So, what is this novel about? You pick -- the internet and how it is changing our perception of what is real, the September 11 attacks, obsession with wealth? I think this amazing hodge podge shows us the distractions we face as we try to live life in an ethical, responsible way.

One last view of life in NYC:
"Sometimes, down in the subway, a train Maxine's riding on will slowly be overtaken by a local or an express on the other track, and in the darkness of the tunnel, as the windows of the other train move slowly past, the lighted panels appear, one by one, lie a series of fortune-telling cards being death and slid in front of her. The Scholar, The Unhoused, The Warrior Thief, The Haunted Woman...After a while Maxine has come to understand that the faces framed in these panels are precisely those out of all the city millions she must in the hour be paying most attention to, in particular those whose eyes actually meet her own -- they are the day's messengers from whatever the Beyond has for a Third World, where the days are assembled one by one under non-union conditions. Each messenger carrying the props required for their character, shopping bags, books, musical instruments, arrived her out of darkness, bound again into darkness, with only a minute to deliver the intelligence Maxine needs."

Next: The Franchise Affair and The Warmth of Other Suns

Wonderful review, Beth! Not sure the book is for me, but I am intrigued...

Wow Beth, you make Pynchon seem...almost readable and enjoyable. I'm going to have to think about this. First of all, am I smart enough to enjoy him? I certainly didn't with the quite short Lot 49 so how would this book be any different. On the other hand I like a challenge...pondering....

Great review! You almost inspire me to read the book. Well, at least I already own a copy since I bought it for my son, so I can read it if I want. Maybe a mother-son shared read (although those tend to go like this: Mom: So what did you think of the book?Eric: It was okay. Do we really have to talk about this?)

Katie - Pynchon is definitely not for everyone. And I think I just happened to be in the right mood to enjoy it.

Bonnie - I did enjoy this one, but he is challenging. There's so much in this book. I did get bogged down at times. In the end, I think it did make sense, and his writing is pretty spectacular. Still, many would prefer a more coherent plot line.

Thanks Anne - I would be interested to hear what you son thinks of it. I can't imagine assigning this book to a high school class... I hope you'll let me know what Eric thinks of it. There's a lot of pop culture, so it might appeal. Also, he may be more likely to get all of the video game references. I admit, I just let those go by.

#48 - You love that novel! Great review! I hadn't thought I would read him, but perhaps I'll give this one a try. You make a good case. Like I said, I have The Crying of Lot 49 too.

Hi Kerri - I did love it. Even though there were times when it seemed like a bit much, it all seemed to make sense to me in the end. I think you might like him. It certainly makes the book I'm reading now seem very tame and colorless, and Tey is a decent writer.

2. The Franchise Affair.
Although somewhat dated (I don't think people still believe there is a physical criminal type, for one thing), The Franchise Affair is also surprisingly modern.

In this novel, which is based in fact, Betty Kane, a sixteen-year-old, accuses Miss and Mrs. Sharpe of abducting and beating her. Betty was missing for a month, and when she returns home covered in bruises, has an amazing story that she was abducted. She describes the Sharpes and their home in great detail. When confronted, the Sharpes claim they have never before seen Betty.

When the press learns about the story, the Sharpes become besieged in their home. The part about the media sensationalizing stories and manipulating public opinion is very current. We see the harmful effects of the media and the mob mentality that results. Lots of issues that are very modern.

My favorite Tey is still The Daughter of Time, but this is very well done.

I have three books from the library that I want to get to next: A Constellation of Vital Phenomena and The Luminaries are ebooks and the newest Department Q mystery, The Purity of Vengeance in hardcover. A plethora of pages! I will start with A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.

I can see why I never read as many books from my shelves as I would like -- too many tempting library books.

I don't think I ever read The Franchise Affair although I thought I had read all of Tey in my youth. I might look for it.

eta to fix the touchstone and embarrassing typos!

Hi Judy - I liked The Franchise Affair. I didn't get interested in Tey until I read and loved The Daughter of Time.

The Franchise Affair is my second favorite Tey, after The Daughter of Time. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Hi Carrie - Have you read all of Tey? The only other one I've read, Man in the Queue seemed pretty dated to me.

I've read all of her mysteries except The Singing Sands. I didn't particularly care for The Man in the Queue, but I've enjoyed all the rest. You might want to try To Love and Be Wise next.

Good reading so far, Beth! And what a delightfully varied list for your book club! I hope you are enjoying A Constellation of Vital Phenomena!

Brat Farrar! Brat Farrar! It is one of my never-fail, entertaining, feel-good books. I like all the rest of Tey too. And I love your review of the Pynchon and may get to him again. AND I'm impressed by your book club's choices. Meanwhile, I wish I were reading *Vital Phenomena* instead of last year's Orange winner (May We Be Forgiven).

Hi Beth! Oh, I have read read so many great things about Josephine Tey! I think I have Daughter of Time in my pile -- I really should give her a try this year. Great review!

Oh. I'd forgotten about Brat Farrar! Another Tey I haven't read.

Thanks Carrie - I know I have that one here, so that will be my next Tey. Good to know that The Man in the Queue is the weakest one.

Hi Amy - We do have a good list for my book club this year. I am enjoying A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. I'm not sure it will be a 5-star read for me, but it is very good.

Hi Peggy - Thanks for the Brat Farrar recommendation. I think I remember people on LT giving it a lot of love. I've heard varying opinions about May We Be Forgiven. I think I'll skip it. I do recommend A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.

Hi Anne - I LOVE The Daughter of Time. You should try it this year. It's an amazing book.

Hi Judy - Isn't it nice to discover more books for our wish lists?

3. Horoscopes for the Dead is a collection of poems by Billy Collins. It seemed to me to be what I would expect from Collins, amusing, accessible, with a few wonderful poems. Some of my favorites include the title poem, "Horoscopes for the Dead," "Revision," and "Memorizing 'The Sun Rising' by John Donne."

The Sun Rising by John Donne

Busy old fool, unruly sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run?
Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide
Late school boys and sour prentices,
Go tell court huntsmen that the king will ride,
Call country ants to harvest offices,
Love, all alike, no season knows nor clime,
Nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time.

Memorizing 'The Sun Rising' by John Donne

Every reader loves the way he tells off
the sun, shouting busy old fool
into the English skies even though they
were likely cloudy on that seventeenth-century morning.

And it's a pleasure to spend this sunny day
pacing the carpet and repeating the words,
feeling the syllables lock into rows
until I can stand and declare,
the book held closed by my side,
that hours, days, and months are but the rags of time.

But after a few steps into stanza number two,
wherein the sun is blinded by his mistress's eyes,
I can feel the first one begin to fade
like sky-written letters on a windy day.

Fans of Collins will enjoy this collection.

I'm about halfway through A Constellation of Vital Phenomena -- it's very, very good.

Have a wonderful weekend, Beth!

Well, you make the Bleeding Edge so intriguing sounding, that maybe I will give Pynchon another try.

I really need to get around to reading Tey. I have several of hers on my shelf including The Franchise Affair and The Daughter of Time. You always manage to add to my reading Beth.

Beth - I enjoyed Horoscopes for the Dead when I read it a couple of years ago. In my opinion he is not a great, great poet of the ilk of an Auden or an Eliot, or a Dylan Thomas but he sure is an enjoyable one.

Have a lovely weekend.

Thanks Diana.

Hi Rhonda - I loved Bleeding Edge, but I know Pynchon is not everyone's cup of tea.

Hi Bonnie - A Daughter of Time is one of my all-time favorites. And you are the queen of the book bullets, so I am happy to return the favor. :)

Paul - You are so right about Collins. Enjoyable is a good way to describe him.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

Back to A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.

Beth, hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Thanks Katie - You too. I have you have lots of fun planned.

4. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is a very, very good first novel. As we've discussed before, a lot of our feelings about books depends on timing. Marra's novel suffers in comparison to Bleeding Edge, which I just read. While Marra has moments of wonderful language, he can't compete with Pynchon.

Still, I recommend this novel. Set in Chechnya, it could really be any war story. Maybe one of its strengths is that we see the universality of the suffering that war inflicts on civilians. Another strength is the characterization: Sonja, Akhmed and Havaa are unforgettable characters.

I will look for more work by Marra in the future.

It has a great first line: "On the morning after the Feds burned down her house and took her father, Havaa woke from dreams of sea anemones."

Next: Someone and The Warmth of Other Suns

Hi Beth, I've been hearing lots of praise of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. One of these days, I know I'll get to it!

I've never read Josephine Tey but I have A Daughter of Time on the shelf somewhere.

Oh, I hope you like Someone as much as I did!

Hi Joanne - The description at the beginning of Someone is sucking me in. I remember that this was one of your favorites last year. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm glad that you enjoyed A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, Beth. I'll probably read it, and Bleeding Edge, later this year.

Hi Beth!

#72 - Nice review of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. I keep hearing good things about it, but I'm not sure I can fit it in any time soon.

I loved The Warmth of Other Suns, so I'm looking forward to your reaction. It was one that worked really well on audio for me.

Hi Darryl - I'll be interested to see your ideas about the Pynchon and Marra when you get to them.

Hi Kerri - Happy Sunday. Your Seahawks looked good yesterday. I loved A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, but it was a 4-star read for me. It will keep if you don't get to it right away.

The Warmth of Other Suns is great so far. I think it might be a 5-star read.

My World Lit class starts tomorrow. I've been looking at the requirements, and I will be busy. We start reading The Nine Guardians, which I am looking forward to. Rosario Castellanos is a forgotten writer. I have to have 150 pages read and three discussion posts in the next couple of days, so I will get on it.

Hi Beth, can't believe I've only just now caught your 2014 thread! Just can't keep up! Belated Happy New Year; here's to fabulous literary adventures for 2014 : ).

I also really enjoy A Constellation. Not familiar with The Warmth of Other Suns but a 5* read will be hard to resist ...

Hi Beth, I also want to read Constellation of Vital Phenomena and need to get it slotted in soon.

Good luck on the World Lit class! The Nine Guardians sounds right up my alley. I look forward to your comments.

Yeah, the Seahawks looked good, especially the defense, but the offensive line is still our weakest point. Sigh. On to next week!

Hi Nancy - Thanks for stopping by. The threads are busy and chaotic these days. I hope for "fabulous literary adventures" this year. They will start with my reading for my world lit class.

Hi Judy - I will look for your comments on A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.

Hi Kerri - Go Seahawks. The world lit class will be busy - 10-20 discussion posts every week, chats, a paper every other week and big project at the end. Still, The Nine Guardians is interesting. It's set in Chiapas, which is an isolated state in southern Mexico that borders with Guatemala. Castellanos wrote it in the 1950s. The narrator is a seven-year-old girl -- I have mixed feelings about how well that's working.

Another distraction -- the Australian Open just started. I love my tennis! Go Rafa and Serena.

Hi Beth,
I've put A Constellation of Vital Phenomena back on hold at the library. And I'm definitely considering Bleeding Edge for my wish list.

We will be watching some of the Open, as well, and rooting for Serena along with you.

Hi Ellen - I hope things are getting back on track for you. When I lived in the Dominican Republic, I was robbed several times. The first time was the scariest. One morning I woke up and my room seemed lighter than usual. I heard my neighbor talking, saying, "Ay, la pobrecita." (the poor little girl). I vaguely wondered who she was talking about. Well, when I opened my eyes, I saw that the door from my bedroom to the outdoors was wide open and all of the furnishings of my bedroom except my bed were outside in my backyard. I didn't hear a thing. Yes, I was a good sleeper. We laugh about it now, but it was pretty scary at the time.

I've had to put Someone and The Warmth of Other Suns aside for the moment as I work on my world lit class. I'm reading The Nine Guardians, a "forgotten" novel by a Mexican woman. It's set during a time of great change in Chiapas, a pretty isolated Mexican state on the Guatemala border. She starts with a seven-year-old girl narrating. Lots of conflict between the Indians and the landowners. Our discussion posts focus on the point of view, the role of the Catholic church and women.

Beth, I think I'm going to like looking over your shoulder in the world lit class. Your first book sounds interesting. That would be a funny story about you sleeping through a burglary if it weren't true. Poor little girl indeed.

Hi Donna - You can imagine I got a lot of teasing about being a sound sleeper for years! I wish I still slept like that. We're reading some interesting books, and the discussion prompts are interesting. I think I'm going to get a lot out of this class.

Beth, what a story about sleeping through a burglary! I wish I could sleep like that, too! Something about middle age and menopause that looked after my sound sleep, LOL.

Beth, I may look over your shoulder as Donna has said she will - maybe find some books I would otherwise miss. (As if I need more to read!)

You'll need another shoulder, Beth. I'm not signing up for anything that commands me to read this now or write about it now or discuss it now, but I'll enjoy hearing your thoughts!

The book for your class sounds interesting. I hope you'll share more bits of your reading and discussions.

Hi Nancy - After I had kids, I no longer slept as well. I miss the days of good sleep.

Hi Judy - I will post about the reading for the course -- if I have time. He's going to keep up pretty busy.

Hi Peggy - Plenty of space for everyone to peek. I don't like to HAVE to read things either, so I'm glad they are such interesting books.

Hi Katie - I will be happy to share.

Hi Beth!

#81 - The narrator is a seven-year-old girl -- I have mixed feelings about how well that's working. Hrm. Yeah, that doesn't always work for me either, but it still sounds rather interesting.

ETA - I really like the Mike Zimmer hire.

Hi Kerri - I have no idea who Mike Zimmer is, but the papers here seem pretty enthusiastic. I'll wait to see the results...

I finished The Nine Guardians and had my first online discussion posts and live chat last night. I'll comment more fully this evening when I've had time to gather my thoughts.

Hi Beth, your world lit class sounds fascinating. Your students are lucky!

I can't believe you slept through a robbery and your furniture was taken! That would scare me so much I might not sleep again...

Hi Anne - It is very interesting so far. I'm a student this time, though. Not a teacher. I was scared at first. But they took everything worth anything, so I figured they knew they didn't have to hit again - though they did -- only the second time I wasn't at home. Also, the fact that they left me sleep and didn't hurt me, was the silver lining...

5. Nine Guardians takes place during the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas, between 1934 and 1940. It's a time of huge changes. Lázaro Cárdenas wants to redistribute the wealth -- to take it out of the hands of the patrons and give it to the Indians who have been working as slaves. Oh, and he mandated that the Indians should have schools and he closed the churches. Set in Chiapas, a southern state that borders Guatemale, Castellanos uses multiple points of view to tell the story of the Argüellos family.

One of the narrators is a seven-year-old girl. There's a lot to think about and discuss about this novel. Historically, it's very interesting, and I think Castellanos used an interesting technique for the time in which it was written. It wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea, but I do like history and am interested in our Spanish-speaking neighbors.

I'm going to try to read Someone before I start the next book for the class.

#83: Hi Beth, I'm just now seeing this post of yours with that amazing story. It must have been awful and terrifying to wake up and have all your furniture gone! Not to mention a bit surreal. And in the back yard? Weird.

Your class sounds fun. Nine Guardians sounds interesting, though I suspect it might not be my cup of tea.

Ellen - I suspect they took everything out to be able to go through drawers, suitcases, etc. without waking me. Still, I was obviously a GOOD sleeper. What I wouldn't give to sleep like that today.

I have hopes for the class.

Go Serena. Have you watched any of the matches. I feel sorry for the players with the temps. I worry someone is just going to drop. It seems like they should cancel when the temp gets to a certain point. They said with 100-degree temps, the radiant temp on the court can get up to 150. That's just not right.

Ooh, I look forward to your thoughts on Someone, Beth! That one is high on my WL.

What's your next book for class?

Beth, I think you will really enjoy Someone when you are able to return to it. I just wrote my 400th review on this wonderful book!

Beth - I too was burglarized several times in the UK in the early 90s. I had a house in Yorkshire that my brother stayed in and I visited rarely and a home in Derby which I rented and where I spent most of my time. My brother was a quite typically slobbish bachelor and lived "like a pig" as my mother used to say. I came back to Yorkshire one day to find that the house had been robbed and called the police. The attendant officer was horrified and very sympathetic and said "the rotten bastards they've robbed your house but they didn't have to trash the place", actually it was just as Peter had left it sans all the electrical stuff.

Have a lovely weekend.

Beth, that is a crazy robbery story.

Regarding Mike Zimmer, I saw this past Hard Knocks season that featured the Bengals, and I was very impressed by his coaching style and way with the players. He's pretty intense too.

Wow! Visitors. I can't believe how busy the threads are so far this year.

Hi Katie - Someone is beautifully written. Take a look at Donna's comments. I won't even need to write a review -- I'll just refer people to her.

Hi Donna - See above. Your comments are almost exactly what I would say. I even highlighted the same quote you used. Congrats on your 400th book review! Wow!

Hi Paul - That's a great story about your brother being robbed -- I've known people like that. My sister never used to lock her door when she was in college. Someone stole all of her albums (and the ones of mine that she had). Have a great weekend.

Hi Kerri - What can I say? I used to be a good sleeper. I hope Mike Zimmer works for us.

We'll be cheering for the Seahawks tomorrow. Oh, and Ellen gave me permission to give you affectionate grief. :)

Beth, I am watching a fair bit of the Aussie Open. The temps were brutal but now it's in the 70sF. More humane. Right now it's Serena vs. Ivanovic and it's in the third set. Ivanovic showed up to play.

I think we may have to give poor Kerri a break. I think she is *really* nervous about this game against the evil 49ers. Truth be told, so am I. :-|

Ellen - What a shocker - I'm amazed that Ivanovich won. Sigh -- I'm going to have to pick a new favorite. Go Seahawks. I think they'll do great. But, I hear you. No teasing today.

6. Someone is beautifully written. It's the story of Marie Commeford growing up in Brooklyn in the middle of the twentieth century. Lovely book. Donna chose a quote I had highlighted, and many have written glowing reviews -- well deserved. This is a wonderful little book.

Next: For my class we're going to read The Death of Artemio Cruz next. I have The Purity of Vengeance from the library, so I would like to read that before it is due.

Well, off to work on my class.

It's not like I'm a fragile, People! :-)

Have a lovely Sunday, Beth!

Hi Kerri - No, but sometimes I go overboard on the teasing. So, I'll stop -- at least until after the game. Have a GREAT Sunday -- and we know that includes a victory for Seattle.

Hi Ellen - I think I might cheer for Bouchard or Radwanska. In the men's draw, Rafa is still alive, so of course, VAMOS!

Hi Beth, I don't know if you're watching in real time or recording the matches and watching later. If so, you might want to read this later.

After this evening's match, I've decided to cheer for Radwanska. I have a fond place in my heart for Poland and she played an incredible match against Azarenka.

Hi Ellen - I've been keeping track of live scores. Radwanska looked awesome. I like that the 19-year-old Bouchard has also gone so far, but I have a feeling that Li is going to eat her alive. And, VAMOS Rafa!

7. The Purity of Vengeance is the latest Department Q novel. Rose, Assad and Carl are back in their basement offices. A missing person report from twenty-five years ago catches Rose's attention. As they start to investigate, they realize that several others disappeared on the same day. Curt Wad, the leader of the Purity Party seems involved.

The story moves back and forth from twenty-five years previously to present day. I thought the past could have used editing; it seemed predictable. This was not as good as the previous book in this series. Looking back, it seems that the first and third were really good, while the second and fourth were average. Maybe I should just read the odd numbers in this series. It was a disappointment.

Next: The Death of Artemio Cruz for my class, as well as a book on education.

Interesting article
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/

Hi Beth, it's looking more and more like I need to read Someone what with you and Donna both being enamored with it. The only one I've read of hers is Charming Billy which I loved. As long as there's room, I'll be looking over your shoulder while you're reading for your class too. I guess I should read the one Dept. Q novel that I have sitting on my iPad since it is an odd number---1;-)

Beth, that is an excellent article. Particularly found the bit on topography and "navigating" the journey of a book interesting.

Hi Bonnie - I haven't read Charming Billy, but after seeing the beautiful writing of McDermott, I would like to.

Plenty of room: We just finished discussing Nine Guardians. Rosario Castellanos is kind of forgotten - she was a poet, essayist and novelist. The book we read was written in the 1950s. It's set during the time Lázaro Cárdenas was president -- I think in the 1930s. He was a Marxist. Castellanos uses multiple points of view and was concerned with the status of both the Indians and women. There was certainly a lot to discuss in the novel.

Now we're reading The Death of Artemio Cruz, which is written in stream of consciousness. I hope to finish it this weekend.

The first and third Department Q books, in my opinion, were excellent.

Hi Nancy - I was thinking about students and ebooks for classes. It doesn't seem like it would be a good fit.

On Monday, two more classes start. One is on modernism and postmodernism and the other is on the future of higher education. Both are free online courses.

Beth I have The Death of Artemio Cruz in my TBR stash but haven't found the right time to read it yet. I've got another one of Castellanos's novels in the stash, too - The Book of Lamentations. I've been interested in Mexican literature ever since I started spending lots of my vacation time with my brother's Mexican in-laws.

Well finals have arrived at the Aussie open. I fancy your fella to win but Stan the Man will give him a game I feel. Bit disappointed that Ivanovic didn't capitalise on her victory over Serena and take that fantastic body all the way to the final. Li Na gives great winners speeches though.

Have a lovely weekend.

Hi Carrie - I'll have to check out The Book of Lamentations; Castellanos is a good writer. I'm happy to have discovered her.

Hi Paul - Well, Stan played an outstanding tournament, even though my guy didn't win :( Thanks for stopping by; I hope your weekend was outstanding.

8. Lake of Tears is the latest mystery with protagonist Claire Watkins. Set on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border of the Mississippi River, the series has a strong sense of place. Logue is poetic in her descriptions of changes of season. Claire Watkins has changed from a grieving single mother in the beginning, to a self-assured police officer who is sending her daughter to college. This is another pleasant read.

Now back to the less pleasant Artemio Cruz. Although the writing is outstanding.

Well now I remember that I have visited your thread this year and you were reading Bleeding Edge. My son has finished and written a review of it for his English class, which I had to edit, and he really enjoyed it and thinks I should read it. So I may have to pick it up sooner rather than later.

I loved The Warmth of Other Suns when I read it and I'm glad it started off well for you.

I haven't really been paying attention to Someone but I have loved Alice McDermott since I read her At Weddings and Wakes many years ago--and I don't see her name come up much. Onto the wishlist it goes! Maybe I will even put a library hold on it today.

Your course sounds really interesting--it will be fun to follow along.

Hi Anne - What did your son like about Bleeding Edge? I hope you get to it. I will be interested to hear what you think of it. I know Pynchon is not everyone's cup of tea.

I wish I had more time with The Warmth of Other Suns, but I've had to concentrate on course material, or quick reads on my Nook at the gym.

Someone is a beautiful little book; I will definitely look for more McDermott.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Sunday.

The Death of Artemio Cruz has caught my attention, Beth. I haven't read any Mexican literature. Delighted to hear that you thought the first and third Department Q books excellent; I've got the third up next when I get back to Q.

Hi Beth. I'm adding Someone to my wish list. It sounds like a good introduction to McDermott.

The Aussie Open was a surprise all around!

I hope you have a great week.

Hi Beth, I saw Someone so beautifully reviewed on Donna's thread -- now with two glowing reviews I'm definitely interested!

Hope you have a great week.

Beth! How are you?! Watching a lot of tennis, I see.

I'm bummed that the 4th Dept. Q novel was a disappointment. Since we've had the exact same reactions to all the novels in that series, I fear it will be a disappointment for me too. :-( I'll probably listen to it anyway...

Looking forward to your comments on The Death of Artemio Cruz and I hope the class is going well.

Hi Nancy - Artemio Cruz is a great book. More when I've finished.

Hi Ellen - I'll be in tennis withdrawal this week... Yes, the results were unexpected, which is not always a bad thing. I hope Rafa is OK.

Someone is a beautiful little book. McDermott can write. Have a great week.

Hi Anne - Have a great week. Stay warm. Are you getting the Arctic weather? Our schools are closed again today. Someone is beautiful. I can see why it is so positively reviewed here.

Hi Kerri - The class is good. We're reading a lot of interesting stuff -- but I'd better be off to my discussion posts. Also have more reading to do.

Happy Tuesday, Beth!

Hi Ellen. Happy Tuesday to you, too.

9. Back to School: Why Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Education by Mike Rose
Rose's book results from years of teaching and research, especially working with students from the lowest socioeconomic levels. He identifies several ways the conversation needs to change. We need to eliminate the false division between academic and vocational programs. As he points out, even welders need to problem solve and use math. We also need to think creatively about curriculum; in remedial classes, we are using the same materials that have been used for the last 100 years, and they aren't working.

To sum up:
While acknowledging the importance of the economic motive for schooling, our philosophy of education -- our guiding rationale for creating schools -- has to include the intellectual, social, civic, moral and aesthetic motives as well. If these further motives are not articulated, they fade from public policy, from institutional mission, from curriculum development. Without this richer philosophy, those seeking a second chance will likely receive a bare-bones, strictly functional education, one that does not honor the many reasons they return to school and, for that matter, one not suitable for a democratic society.

Rose uses examples of students he's followed and programs to make his point. We read this book as a group at my college and discussed it with Rose. This is a serious issue, and we need to work harder to help these students reach their educational goals. None of this material is news to people working in post-secondary education, but Rose presents the case in an engaging, passionate manner. Nice overview for people who would like a general overview.

Now, back to Artemio Cruz -- he's not dead yet. :)

Beth, it's been cold the past couple of days! Yesterday we had snow -- I think more than was expected, so it created an unbelievable traffic situation! I think we're due for more. I'd kinda like a snow day...

Hi Anne - Our public schools have been closed the past two days because of the dangerous wind chills; I think they don't want kids outside walking to school or waiting for the bus. I think tomorrow we may get into positive temps... I can't wait for spring.

The Rose book is interesting to me as an educator Beth. Around here, the big issue is the Common Core curriculum and it has created a fairly big uproar. As a matter of fact, the state legislature is trying to oust the NYS Education Commissioner for the bungling of the implementation of the Common Core. I have to say, as serious as it is, with ramifications for education for years to come, I have to smile a little because when it came across my desk in 2010 I read it (with mild horror) and prepared my retirement papers within a week. So glad I made that decision.

Hi Bonnie - Rose talks about unintended consequences of changes. He mentions No Child Left Behind quite often and the mistakes that people make because so many people deciding on education policy are not in the classroom and mostly not in the classroom with underserved populations.

There probably isn't much new in the book for you, but his use of examples and his style is very engaging.

Well, off to work with a student from that population who has an incomplete from last semester.

so many people deciding on education policy are not in the classroom … and therein lies the problem. Here in Canada, our education policy seems mostly to be written by bureaucrats in conjunction with corporate folk, textbook publishers and computer systems manufacturers and the like.

Hi Beth! Back to School: Why Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Education sounds very interesting. I've been vaguely disturbed by what appears to be a trend toward "selling" the value of a college education based on its economic benefits. Those are most certainly real (a college graduate will, statistically speaking, earn fully two thirds more than someone without a college degree), I worry about losing sight of some of the underlying value of education. Or of the value of education for its own sake. Of course, most professors and instructors at the college level never actually took any classes on pedagogy or human learning and development. Knowing one's specialty content area doesn't necessarily mean being able to teach it to others.

Hi Nancy - Precisely.

Hi Ellen - Rose discusses the fact that many professors have never had a class in pedagogy. And when working with a vulnerable population, that can be a problem. I know, just from listening to some of my colleagues who do not like teaching remedial students, that they have no understanding or empathy for them.

So, why is it so hard to change things that we all know need to be changed??

Well, that is the $64M question, isn't it.

Ellen - you must be SO caught up with your LT threads today. :)

HI Beth, I am trying to get caught up and stay on top of things but it's darn near impossible these days.

Hi Beth. I just want you to know that I was here!

Hi Judy and Peggy. Thanks for stopping by. I, too, am really behind. Being a student is a lot of work. :)

I know people are looking over my shoulder and I haven't done a very good job of doing class updates. We had our online chat for The Death of Artemio Cruz tonight. We talked about the point of view -- think stream of consciousness, baby! Faulkner, Woolf. Some of the students are really struggling with it, but I like it.

We also discussed the role of revolution in the novel. It's set mostly in the first half of the 20th century, and there was a lot of upheaval until the mid 1930s. I found that after making a timeline of the presidents and assassinations, some parts of the novel were easier to follow. Just knowing the names of the different generals and the roles they played makes it easier. So, if you plan to read this novel, which is worth it, I would suggest looking up a bit of Mexican history, from about 1910 to 1939, or so.

We mentioned some motifs, mirrors, reflections, doubles and a phrase: "That morning I waited for him with pleasure. We crossed the river on horseback."

There, back to reading. I want to finish it in the next couple of days because I have to write a paper and start the next one and gather my thoughts about the group project.

And my class on modernism and postmodernism and the future of higher education have started, so I will devote tomorrow to those.

Thanks for the review of the Rose book--I am going to find a copy for my partner, who works as a workforce development specialist in a local community college.

Rose has written a few books; she may be familiar with his work.

She is actually new to working in education, so I think it will be good for her.

Beth, it sounds like an interesting discussion about The Death of Artemio Cruz (which I've never even held in my hand as far as I know).

You would think I would be "all caught up," wouldn't you? I don't think I've gotten to the point at which there are no unread messages in my whole list of starred threads in a while. I got to the point today where several starred threads only had 1-2 unread posts. Maybe in 2014 that will constitute "caught up." :-)

Hi Beth!

Sounds like a fascinating discussion of The Death of Artemio Cruz, making me more interested in picking it up.

Um, no one can be further behind on threads than me. I feel like a jerk. I have a few minutes to make small dent right now, so I'll try to do that. :-)

Hi Rhonda - Rose would be a good intro, I think.

Hi Ellen - I hope the cold is vanishing. Have fun at your meet up. I am really enjoying The Death of Artemio Cruz. Fuentes can write!

Hi Kerri- Yes, I am enjoying my class. I have given up trying to catch up.

January reading:
Best book: Bleeding Edge

10. The Death of Artemio Cruz is a great book. Written in stream of consciousness, we follow a man on his deathbed as he thinks back on his life. One thing that I found helpful was looking up a timeline of Mexican history during the first half of the 20th century in which the novel was set. Artemio is involved in the revolution. Fuentes' writing is magical.

Next: Love in the Time of Cholera - a reread, but I read it so long ago, it will be new.

11. Mr. Churchill's Secretary is the story of Maggie Hope, who is hired as one of Mr. Churchill's secretaries as the war starts. Maggie is a British citizen although she was raised in the US after her parents died in a car accident. Although this is a novel, MacNeal was inspired by the memoirs of Elizabeth Layton Nel, who was a secretary to Churchill during the war. MacNeal has obviously done her research, which along with the strong writing, gives this novel a sense of verisimilitude. I will definitely look for more in this series.

I should give The Death of Artemio Cruz another go. I struggled with it the first time around, probably because I was busy at work. Thanks for encouraging me to try it again, Beth.

Oh, I read Love in the Time of Cholera several summers ago. I should reread it too, Beth. I remember that the language was just exquisite.

Hi Darryl - I really loved Artemio Cruz, but Fuentes' style might not be everyone's cup of tea. I hope you pick it up again. I suspect it's one of those books that merits a reread.

Hi Nancy - Yes, I'm a huge Garcia Marquez fan and have been neglecting him lately. This might put me in the groove.

Beth, your course sounds like a lot of work! It's good to see you're able to read some other things too. The education book sounds interesting. I went to University in New Zealand, which has (or at least had in the 80s) a very "vocational" approach to degrees - i.e. you studied something that was going to lead directly to a job. Law for the lawyers, commerce for the accountants, and so on. It never occurred to me that a broader grounding might be useful. The UK has traditionally taken a kinder view of learning for the sake of itself (for example, students can convert a degree in anything to become a lawyer with just one year of additional study) but now that the fees have risen to £9,000 per year students are very focused on what their degree will mean in terms of employment prospects.

I want to read some Carlos Fuentes myself this year Beth. I am thinking of Old Gringo mainly because I was supposed to read it before and my dauhter gave away the book to her school library scuppering my plans.

Have a great weekend.

Hi Susan - Yes my class is a lot of work, but it's interesting. Most of my other reading I do on my ereader at the gym. Mysteries and light reading are good for that.

Hi Paul - Old Gringo was my first Fuentes, but I read it so long ago that I don't remember much about it. Artemio Cruz is excellent, though. Have a nice rest of your weekend.

Sadly, there was not a copy of The Death of Artemio Cruz at Powell's today. I found fifteen other books to buy but I was surprised that they didn't have that one in stock.

Hi Ellen - I saw your haul and pictures. Thanks for sharing. I'm surprised there was no Artemio Cruz at Powell's...

I should have had The Death of Artemio Cruz on my wishlist at the Strand, but I forgot. Darn.

I hope you're having a lovely Sunday, Beth!

hi Kerri - Go Seahawks. I hope you have a great Sunday. I think it's pretty easy to find used copies of Artemio Cruz.

Beth - I haven't read anything by Garcia Marquez. That is one of those reading gaps I really want to correct. Maybe your thoughts on your re-read of Love in the Time of Cholera will motivate me.

Hi Beth! I think that I will try to read some Fuentes later this year.

Hi Amy - Garcia Marquez is worth reading. I like his nonfiction as well. If you are interested in Pablo Escobar and the years of his "rule" in Colombia, News of a Kidnapping is wonderful. I loved 100 Years of Solitude, but I know that Love in the Time of Cholera is many people's favorite. You have lots of choices.

Hi Rhonda - The more I think about Artemio Cruz, the more brilliant I think it is.

Hi Beth, finally got all caught up with you. Your sabbatical sounds like it is busy but rewarding, which I think is good...? I love the mix of reading you are doing.

Katie: I love the reading for my classes. But, you're right, I am busy. The time will fly by, I know.

I read News of a Kidnapping before any of his fiction. I loved it, but I didn't care for One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Hi Carrie - I loved both and am enjoying my reread of Love in the Time of Cholera. Have you read other Garcia Marquez? It's been a while since I've read any of his books, but I think this class will make me want to read more -- soon.

Our next novel will be War of the End of the World, so I've got to get going on that one.

I've been wary of trying him again since I didn't like One Hundred Years of Solitude. I'll probably read Love in the Time of Cholera at some point.

One Hundred Years of Solitude has been on my list for a long time; it's one I just haven't gotten to. Thanks for the nudge, Beth.

Popping in to wish you a lovely weekend, Ms. Beth! Good luck with The War of the End of the World. I've not read him yet.

Well, Carrie, GM is not for everyone. I'm about halfway through Love in the Time of Cholera, but I think One Hundred Years of Solitude might still be my favorite.

Hi Nancy - You seem to be in the mood for tomes this year! I would like to reread One Hundred Years but who knows when I'll get to it.

Hi Kerri - The War of the End of the World is starting off promisingly -- a religious fanatic, a revolutionary fanatic and a town of (supposedly) degenerates! And a lovely weekend to you, too. What will you do with no football to watch?

Our library had its used book sale today and I only bought two books for myself: My Year of Meats and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which is a book club book. I also found 3 board books for Scout at fifty cents each. I spent $3.50 altogether.

Sounds like you had a nice mini-haul.

I have been trying to read my way through Garcia Marquez's work. Have you read Living to Tell the Tale, his memoir? It really helped me understand his work better.

Isn't it fun to buy children's books?

Hi Lori - Yes. It was relatively guilt free. Now I have to put them away before my daughter comes over. I keep telling her there are worse things to collect.

Hi Rhonda - I have his memoir here. I made the mistake of trying to read it in Spanish and I read fairly slowly, so I gave it up. I have a translation now and would like to read it.

I love children's books. I have some great picture books that I can't wait to share with Scout.

My next Marquez will also be Love in the Time of Cholera. I found Solitude difficult to follow but rewarding once you were able to pick up the threads.

Hi Paul - I think having so many Aurelianos didn't help. :)

Hi, Beth! I can't believe that I've only been lurking and have never actually posted here - sorry!
I'm pretty sure that I have some Marquez coming up soonish on a couple of lists and I'm excited to give him a go.

Beth, you must have used great restraint at your library's book sale. I'm glad Scout scored some books. I liked My Year of Meats despite the strange title. It was a book club choice or I might not have read it. We also read One Hundred Years of Solitude a few years ago. It meant I had to reread it because I got very little out of it the first time. The second go-round followed by a thoughtful discussion made it a much more rewarding read for me.

Hi Beth, glad to see I am not the only one around here who's buying books! I gave my grandson King Rat for Christmas and he is now reading it and seems to be enjoying it, which is good as I was a little unsure if he would. Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Hi Amber - I admit to lurking on your thread, too. Thanks for stopping by. I love GGM. What are you planning on reading?

Hi Donna - I was proud of myself. I read an Ozeki book that I really liked last year, so I wanted to try another by her, and I had been looking for my book club book. I think almost everyone would benefit by reading One Hundred Years more than once.

Hi Judy - I don't admit to all the books I buy... I just quietly add them to my collection. I am trying to cut down, though. I have too many unread books in my house.

Have a nice weekend, everyone.

>178 BLBera:: 100 Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera are both coming up soon in my lists, I think...

Amber - You do love your lists! Both are good choices, I think although I found One Hundred Years more challenging.

I'm working away at The War of the End of the World for my class now. Amazing book.

Hi Beth. I tried One Hundred Years and gave up. I read Love in the Time of Cholera and didn't much like it so I don't think GGM is for me. Finding children's books at a library sale OTOH is certainly for me:-)

Hi Beth- Are you keeping warm and snug enough, up there? I read Love in the Time of Cholera last year, for my First-time Author Challenge and really liked it. I NEED to get to more of his work. I have a story collection by him, I would like to try.
I hope you are having a fine Sunday.

Hi Beth! I'm making a futile attempt to catch up. I'm overdue for a reread of One Hundred Years of Solitude. I read it in my 20s and loved it at the time, but I suspect I might read it differently now.

Hi Bonnie - Well, variety is the spice of life, right? It's a good thing we don't all like the same things. You will have so much fun with the grand baby.

Hi Mark - I hope you're staying warm. You might like News of a Kidnapping, too. Great nonfiction. Have a great week. I hope spring gets here soon. I so appreciate my mail carrier; this winter has been brutal.

Hi Anne - I know what you mean by catching up. I was in my 20s when I read One Hundred Years of Solitude; I think I would appreciate it more, now. Although, by the time I'm done with this class I might have to move away from South American for a while.

I'm almost halfway through with The War of the End of the World - very interesting.

I'm interested in the Latin American lit you're reading and enjoying, Beth. Not familiar with The War of the End of the World, but that might have to change.

Hi Nancy - The War of the End of the World is based on a true event. In Brazil in 1897, a group following "The Counselor" congregated in a small town called Canudos. More and more poor people flocked there, drawn in by the message of this messianic figure's preaching. The government got nervous, thinking these people were conspiring against the republic and sent armies to disperse them. This novel is the fictionalized story of Canudos, which was eventually wiped from the face of the earth by the Brazilian army. We have our first discussion about the novel tonight. I'm looking forward to it.

Last night in our discussion of The War of the End of the World, we discussed Don Quixote and its influence in this novel. People found different examples of the Don, which was fun.

We also talked about the importance of stories. Minstrels are important and loved entertainment. Really great book.

Oooooh... a book with Don Quixote influences? Most intriguing! Now you have peaked my interest in The War of the End of the World.

I recall that Darryl is a major Vargas Llosa devotee. I have only read The Storyteller and didn't like it much but I have picked up a few of his more celebrated work over the last few years The War at the End of the World included and I really ought to find th etime for him again.

Hi Lori - As we read these writers from Latin America, Fuentes, Vargas Llosa and Garcia Marquez, I've learned that Don Quixote is a pretty major influence for most of them. Think Dickens or Shakespeare for writers in English. For example. The War of the End of the World is massive in scope.

Hi Paul - I loved The Feast of the Goat; that's my favorite so far although The War of the End of the World is close. I haven't read The Storyteller. I read my first VL two years ago, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

Another interesting tidbit; the American writer I hear mentioned most often by these writers is Faulkner; they LOVE Faulkner. It's really easy to see Faulkner's influence in The Death of Artemio Cruz.

Right, Paul. I loved The Feast of the Goat and The War of the End of the World, but I was less fond of The Storyteller.

I have the entire Library of America collection of Faulkner's novels (in six separate editions, I think). I've only read As I Lay Dying, though. One of these days...

The War at the End of the World sounds so interesting--I am wish-listing it.

Hello Beth, hope you're having a lovely weekend, with lots of reading and lots of Scout:)

>130 brenzi: Bonnie, we're muddling our way through CCSS here in CO, and not enjoying it much. The big upheaval in our world are the new assessments: 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th grade will take part of their standardized assessments online this year, and we're all supposed to move completely online (PARCC) next year. Oh, you retired at a good time. Education in not in a good place right now.

Hi Beth - I definitely have to put some Mario Vargas Llosa on the wishlist. The premise of The War of the End of the World sounds a bit more interesting to me, so I think it will be that.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Hi Darryl - Faulkner is definitely worth your while. As I Lay Dying isn't my favorite. I love The Sound and the Fury.

Hi Rhonda - I loved The War of the End of the World was great. Lots to think about.

Hi Anne - Thanks. I did get to spend some time with Scout yesterday, and I think they'll stop by later.

I wish people making changes to curriculum would spend some time talking and listening to teachers.

Hi Kerri - I have only read a few VL novels, but the ones I like the most are the historical ones. Feast of the Goat is still my favorite, but The War of the End of the World is a close second.

Have a great Sunday.

I already commented on The War of the End of the World - great historical novel. VL takes a historical event and gives life to the people who participated in it. Highly recommended.

Now, back to Love in the Time of Cholera and The Warmth of Other Suns.

Hi Beth,
I'm simply going to have to order Artemio Cruz from Amazon if I can't find it in one of my two favorite bookstores here.

Also, I read The War of the End of the World a couple of years ago, due to Darryl's influence, and I loved it. I have several others by Mario Vargas Llosa on the TBR shelves but haven't read them yet. I don't think I have Feast of the Goat yet....

How are you liking The Warmth of Other Suns?

I wish people making changes to curriculum would spend some time talking and listening to teachers. Truly! No time to talk, though -- we're too busy administering assessments!

Good to see the Llosa love!! I was crazy about Feast of the Goat and look forward to reading more of his work.

Hi, Beth. I have to say that The War of the End of the World is my very favorite of the South American novels. I've read only a few, and it took me 3 tries to get through *100 Years*. I never liked it, but I did enjoy *Cholera*. Here's another whole part of the world where I need to read and reread.
Talking and Listening to Teachers? WHAT a novel concept! My favorite suggestion from a state department visitor involved appointing high school student specialists who could travel to other schools to lead classes about the authors whom they loved. She envisioned Steinbeck specialists and Faulkner specialists - this in a county where the average 11th grader might find 7th grade (6th grade, really, but I wanted you to believe me) level writing a stretch. Thanks so much for the help, lady!

Hi Ellen - I loved The Feast of the Goat - another historical novel. This was was about the assassination of Trujillo, and it's brilliant. VL is great with historical fiction.

The Warmth of Other Suns is wonderful. It's hard to put down.

Hi Anne - True. I just read a wonderful young reader book. One of my colleagues is teaching Children's Lit and this novel is set in the Dominican Republic. It's about a little girl who wants to be a writer.

It's called The Color of My Words. Ana Rosa is 12 years old. Her family is poor, so she can't always find paper to write on. One day, she sees the notebook her brother uses for his job at the restaurant: "Suddenly a breeze swirled through the house and flipped open the cover of Guario's notepad. The empty pages filled with wind and blew up one after the other, showing me all the lovely blank spaces waiting for words." This is a great book for fifth and sixth graders.

Hi Mark - I will read more VL, too. When my class is over. I have to finish Love in the Time of Cholera and start Cracking India.

Hi Beth! The Color of My Words sounds lovely! I'm not very familiar with children's literature, but my great niece and nephews are getting to the interesting book buying age, so I'm trying to collect gift ideas here and there.

Hi Kerri - It was a well written book that gives kids an idea what it's like to live in a different country. I was very impressed.

I'm determined to read some MVL this year for sure. Besides The War of the End of the World and The Feast of the Goat I also own Conversation in the Cathedral so one of those will be get read this year for sure. I think. Haha.

I also own The Warmth of Other Suns which it sounds like you're enjoying Beth. Lots of great reading going on here:)

Hi Beth! I'm glad you've been enjoying TWoOS.

I think I'll add The Feast of the Goat to my WL even though I already have several by VL yet unread.

Beth, my eyes perked up (well, sort of) at the mention of The Color of Words. It looks like a good book for Sadie who turned 12 yesterday. She loves to read and I like to recommend books that have more substance than The Dork Diaries, etc. So far she has liked the recommendations I've gotten from LT Friends.

I remember your love for The Feast of the Goat when you read it. I took it off my shelf and it is still in the TBRsoon stack. I obviously need to quit ordering new library books and read more of my own!

Hugs to you and Scout. Molly finally started crawling. She is such a laid-back baby and is content to be held and watch the world go by.

ETA: Oh my, what a lovely cover on The Color of Words. I may have to buy that one for Sadie and Audrey rather than just recommend that they get it from the library. Audrey's birthday is in April.

Hi Beth! I hope you're having a good weekend. The Warmth of Other Suns is already on my library TBR list. I've heard so many good things about it.

Hi Beth, I have been lurking here recently and just thought I should let you know that I am here. Hope you are having a great weekend.

Hi Beth - Popping in to say happy Monday! I hope the course is going well...

Hi Bonnie - Good luck getting to MVL -- he's worth it. I loved both The Feast of the Goat and The War of the End of the World. Maybe I'd give a slight edge to The Feast of the Goat, but I lived in the Dominican Republic, so was especially interested. I recommend The Warmth of Other Suns. It's riveting.

Hi Ellen - I'm not a MVL expert but I have liked his historical fiction best of his works.

Donna - Yes, I'll be picking up more young reader books, thinking of Scout. Poor baby has a cold. She sounds croupy, so I am watching her closely today.

Hi Carrie - Definitely pick up The Warmth of Other Suns.

Hi Judy - Thanks for stopping by.

Hi Kerri - It's going well -- just a lot of work. I went to Palm Springs to visit my parents over the weekend and didn't have Internet access. I am behind with things. I did get a lot of reading done on planes and in airports.

14. The Ghost of the Mary Celeste is a novel? set of related stories about a seagoing family and the mystery of the disappearance of the crew of the Mary Celeste. Martin does a good job with her various characters. Arthur Conan Doyle makes a cameo appearance; there's a lot about spiritualism in the late 1890s. Some great descriptions of life on a sailing ship.

I'm almost done with Cracking India. It's an excellent novel but definitely suffers in comparison with The War of the End of the World. I'm still working on Love in the Time of Cholera and The Warmth of Other Suns.

I signed up for the Walt Whitman MOOC and am woefully behind.

Book Bullet just taken for The Ghost of Mary Celeste which is funny since I also just took a book bullet for another book by Valerie Martin, Property.

I think you'll like it, Judy. It's good historical fiction.

15. Cracking India is the story of Lame Lenny and her experience with Partition. She lives in Lahore and is about five years old when the novel opens. She had polio and limps, hence the nickname. Told looking back, she shares her experiences and ideas as Partition nears. Seen through a child's eyes, the events are even more horrible. Excellent historical fiction, especially for people interested in India.

This is my first novel by Sidhwa, but I'll read more by her.

Trying to catch up after my short trip. I'll try to visit threads this weekend.

Beth - that is a book and an author I haven't come across before. Sounds like just my cup of Earl Grey so I'll go and track it down (as if I didn't have enough books already!)

Paul - Can you ever have enough books? She is new to me, too.

Beth, you are also having a great reading year thus far! Cracking India sounds like one I would really enjoy : ). Bullet!

Hi Beth! I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Please provide definition of Walt Whitman MOOC.

ETA: Oh, never mind. I just looked it up.

Hi Nancy - I'll look forward to seeing what you think of it.

Hi Kerri - Thanks for stopping by.

I am a little worried about my little Scout; she has bronchitis, a double ear infection and possibly pneumonia. She is a sick little cookie. I hate to see her so subdued... I hope the weekend with mom and dad helps her feel better.

Well, off to read some Whitman.

Poor little Scout--that's quite a whammy for a baby. (((hugs)))

Oh, poor Scout, and poor you (and her parents)! What a worry when a baby is so sick, and there's only so much you can do for them to help them feel better. Hope the weekend relaxing is just what everyone needs.

I hope Scout is feeling better soon. Poor little girl, I'm sure she's feeling pretty awful.

I'm sorry to hear that Scout is so sick. Saying a prayer for her quick recovery.

Morning Beth- I hope March brings us some relief! This is ridiculous. LOL. I also loved The Warmth of Other Suns. What an achievement!
Have a great weekend.

Thanks Rhonda, Anne, Joanne and Carrie for your good wishes and prayers. I talked to my daughter and she said that Scout seems really tired but better today. She slept well last night. It is so worrying to have such a little one so sick. I miss her smile and her energy.

Yes, Mark - Highs in the minus digits today and tomorrow. The streets are icy and bumpy; nothing melts when it is so cold. I am so sick of this.

I'm making my way through The Warmth of Other Suns -- it is hard to put down. Also trying to finish Love in the Time of Cholera this weekend so I can start on my research for my project.

I also have Ripper, Isabel Allende's new book from the library. I would love to start that... We'll see. One thing about this weather; I don't want to go anywhere. It's great reading weather.

>217 BLBera: I hope Scout is feeling much better; those symptoms do look like cause for a little concern.

Hi Paul - Thanks for the visit. I just talked to my daughter, and Scout seems to be perking up.

That's great news that Scout is improving!

Thanks, Carrie. She'll be home tomorrow, and I think my daughter will take off Monday, and I take care of her on Tuesday, so she'll be well (I hope) before she has to go back to daycare.

I'm as caught up with threads as I'm going to get. Thanks to everyone who started new threads; I didn't even try to catch up with the old ones.

Back to Love in the Time of Cholera.

Oh, poor Scout! Sorry to hear that she was ill, but happy to hear that she seems to be on the mend! How old is she?

Hi Amber - She's only six and a half months old. Her mom tells me she is feeling better; the antibiotic must be kicking in. It was a scary couple of days.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Scout, but I'm glad she's feeling better. Poor little dear. (Also, I can't believe she's 6.5 months already!)

Oh my, that is scary then for such a wee one!

Also sorry to hear about Scout and very relieved to hear she's on the mend now. Poor baby.

Beth, I'm so relieved that Scout is feeling better. She was so much sicker than Haley who only had pneumonia. I also think it's harder to see a baby that is sick because you can't assure them that they will feel better soon. My son and DIL are not taking Hope out of the house except for doctor's appointments because of health concerns. She is three months old now and doing well for a preemie but is at the third percentile for weight which is a concern. My son is the stay-at-home Dad after Rebecca took 2.5 months off from work. I'm going out to CO at the end of the month to give him some relief!

The Walt Whitman study sounds like fun. I have always loved Song of Myself and have much respect for WW and his caregiving during the Civil War.

Hi Beth. I'm glad Scout is on the upward trajectory. Poor little one; I always feel so badly for them when they are so little they can't understand why they feel so miserable. Like Donna, I want to be able to assure them that they will feel better soon. I hope she continues to improve quickly!

I also hope you're getting to the end of some of the reads you've been trying to finish. I remember liking Whitman quite a bit back in school but it has been years since I've read anything by him.

I'm happily and slowly making my way through The Guns of August and having a hard time landing on a fiction work I want to read along with it.

Hi Kerri - I can't believe she's almost 7 months old either! The time has gone so fast. She smiled at me today, so she seems to be feeling better. She still has a wicked cough though. And two new little sharp teeth!

Amber - Yes, it's scary when little ones are so sick.

Thanks Heather.

Hi Donna - One is tempted to keep the babies at home, especially ones like Hope who were early. They seem so fragile.

I am enjoying the Whitman MOOC even though I am really far behind.

Hi Ellen - Well, you made it to March, marvelous March, right? I would much rather be sick and spare the baby.

My goal is to finish Love in the Time of Cholera today. I am SO tempted to start Ripper, but I don't know if I'll be able to fit it in. I still have to write a paper on Cracking India and start on my Love in the Time of Cholera project.

Too many books...

"Too many books..."
Um. Yes. This is true.