Mamie's 2014 Madness (Page 3)

Craig and Birdy

For those of you new to my thread, I'm Mamie - a 46 year old mother of four (ages 15, 17, 19, and 21) who has been happily married to my very best friend for 23 years. We transplanted our family from Indiana to the beautiful state of Georgia just over a year ago, where we hope to live for a very long time. This is my third year in the 75 Challenge, and I feel blessed to have found such a lively, warm-hearted, lovely bunch of people who share my great love of reading. I'll read almost anything but self-help books - not sure what that says about me, but I'm not willing to look into too deeply! My very favorite reads tend to be mystery/thriller and historical fiction, but I am purposefully branching out to embrace new genres and authors; the last two years have been a whirlwind of discovery for me, and I am excited to continue my journey.

Although my thread is designed for the purpose of sharing my reading adventures, you will find that very often recipes and funny stories find a way of creeping into the daily posts - I can no more keep my daily life out of my reading than I can keep my reading out of my daily life, so you might learn more about me than you bargained for. I can promise you one thing though - it will be an enjoyable ride! I love life and am convinced that kindness is our most valuable asset, so all are welcome here - each and every voice is valued.

Currently Listening to:


January Reads (0 books):
1. Ceremony by Robert B. Parker (3.3 stars) 224 pages
2. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell (4.5 stars) 228 pages
3. Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (4 stars) 343 pages
4. Hounded by Kevin Hearne (3.75 stars) 8 hours, 11 minutes
5. Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling (4 stars) 370 pages
6. When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard (4.5 stars) 240 pages

Pages Read This Month: 1,405
Hours Listened This Month: 8 hours, 11 minutes

Pages Read This Year:
Hours Listened This Year:

January Possibilities:

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell - TIOLI #11 - paperback COMPLETED
Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling - TIOLI #11 - paperback - COMPLETED
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs - TIOLI #9 - ebook - COMPLETED
Hounded by Kevin Hearne - TIOLI #10/shared - audiobook - COMPLETED
Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard - TIOLI #13/shared - paperback
When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard - TIOLI #11/shared - ebook - COMPLETED
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather - for Mark's AAC - library book - READING
The Likeness by Tana French - TIOLI #9/shared - hardback
The Girl With No Shadow by Joanne Harris - TIOLI #6/shared - paperback - Reading
So Big by Edna Ferber - ebook
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinetta Kowal - TIOLI #11/shared - ebook
Ceremony by Robert B. Parker - reading these with Donna and Roberta - TIOLI #12 - ebook - COMPLETED
The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold - for the year long GR of the Vorkosigan Saga - ebook
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque - read this way back in high school - TIOLI #15 - paperback

*

In 2013, I read a total of 153 books (I'm still reading, so this could change). This is a new record for me, so hooray for that! Most of these were fiction, and some of them were rereads. I love to reread - it's like rediscovering old friends. Here's a list of some of my favorites from 2013:

Top Ten Fiction:
1. Longbourn by Jo Baker - Thanks to Joe for recommending this one!
2. The Shipping News by Annie Proulx - Thanks to Paul who gifted this to me!
3. Montana, 1948 by Larry Watson - Thanks to Richard and Mark who highly recommended this!
4. Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - This was a group read, but I joined because of Richard's wonderful review of it.
5. Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin - I hope to continue this series in the coming year.
6. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - This was recommended by Mark and Joe.
7. Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver - this was recommended by Katie and Mark.
8. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro - on my shelf for many years, so glad I finally read it.
9. Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis - I read this with my daughter, Birdy, and we both loved it!
10. The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing - I read this for Kerri's challenge to read something by Lessing.

Best Non-Fiction: Empire of the Summer Moon - recommended by Mark
Best Memoir: The Making of the African Queen - recommended by Dejah and Kathleen
Best Dystopian: Oryx and Crake - for Atwood April, recommended by Mark and Chelle
Best Mystery/Thriller: The Cairo Affair - I won this as an ER book, so fabulous and coming out in March of 2014
Best Urban Fantasy: The Rivers of London series - recommended by Roberta, the audiobooks are spectacular
Best Graphic Novel: Maus
Best Short Story Collection: The Five-Forty-Five to Cannes, honorable mention to Volt, which was recommended by Richard
Best SciFi: The Dispossessed - recommended by Kerri

*I feel like I have to also mention the Mercy Thompson series (urban fantasy), which I discovered when it was recommended by Heidi over on Richard's thread. So much fun - I read the first seven books this past year, and my husband and my daughter Abby also read and loved them.

Reading Goals for 2014:

1. To read the works of George Orwell

Two years ago I read Finding George Orwell in Burma, a brilliant little memoir that retraces Orwell's steps from his time spent in Burma. The author provides insights into how his time there shaped his views and therefore his writing. Her thoughts and analogies are shared side by side with direct quotes from his work and also with explanations of the stories that he told, making it possible for someone who has not read any of Orwell's work to appreciate the points that she is making. This got me interested in reading more of his work, having at the time only read Animal Farm. I immediately followed the memoir up with Orwell's Burmese Days. This year I would like to explore more of his work.

2. To participate in most of Mark's American Author Challenge. I will not be reading Mark Twain, and Toni Morrison is iffy, too.

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

3. To read a Spenser by Robert B. Parker every month with Roberta (luvamystery65) and Donna (Donna828). This has been so much fun and we will start 2014 with book 9.

*The Spenser Project

January – Ceremony #9 COMPLETED
February – The Widening Gyre #10
March – Valediction #11
April – A Catskill Eagle #12
May – Taming a Sea-Horse #13
June – Pale Kings and Princes #14
July – Crimson Joy #15
August – Playmates #16
September – Stardust #17
October – Pastime #18
November – Double Deuce #19
December – Paper Doll #20

4. To participate in the year long group read of The Vorkosigan Saga

Thanks to the recommendations of Joe and Richard, I read both Shards of Honor and Barrayar last year. This year, there is a group read of this series, so I plan on continuing through to the end, starting with The Warrior's Apprentice. I will be reading them in Joe's recommended reading order.

5. Don't Laugh. Last year I purchased 234 books (so far, the year is not over yet - this number could change!). I read 48 of them, abandoned 1, and 6 of them were physical copies of books that I had already read. SO, that leaves me with 179 books to go. I will be focusing on reading as many of these as possible this year. I make absolutely NO promises about 2014 acquisitions except this: THERE WILL BE SOME.

*I totally stole the Spenser project set-up from Roberta's thread!

Here's the link to my 2014 Category Challenge - categories are based on quotes from the movie Casablanca: Mamie's 2014 Category Challenge

Books Purchased in 2013: (234 purchased/175 more to read)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December
202. American Boy by Larry Watson - Kindle Deal $1.99
203. Kindred by Octavia Butler - Kindle Deal $2.99
204. The Zona by Nathan L. Yocum - Kindle Deal $.99 - recommended by Richard
205. The Dark Hand of Magic by Barbara Hambly - Kindle Deal $1.99 - series recommended by Dejah
206. Death of a Dissident by Stuart M. Kaminsky - Kindle deal $1.99 - series recommended by fuzzi
207. Red Chameleon by Stuart M. Kaminsky - Kindle deal $1.99
208. Black Knight in Red Square by Stuart M. Kaminsky - Kindle deal $1.99
209. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton - recommended for health reasons by Roberta READING
210. Burglars Can't be Choosers by Lawrence Block - Kindle deal $1.99 - recommended by Julia
211. Burial Rites by Hannah Kent - Kindle deal $2.99 - recommended by Ilana
212. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - Kindle deal $2.99
213. The Unforgiven by Alan Le May - Kindle Deal $1.99
214. The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing READ
215. Saratoga Trunk by Edna Ferber - Kindle deal $1.99 - thanks to Richard for pointing it out
216. Giant by Edna Ferber - Kindle deal $1.99
217. So Big by Edna Ferber - Kindle deal $1.99
218. The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty - Kindle deal $1.99 - purchased for the AAC
219. Live By Night by Dennis Lehane - Kindle deal $1.99
220. The Given Day by Dennis Lehane - Kindle deal $1.99
221. Prayers for Rain by Dennis Lehane - Kindle $1.99
222. Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff - Kindle deal $1.99
223. Immortal in Death by J. D. Robb - Kindle deal $1.99
224. Holiday in Death by J. D. Robb - Kindle deal $1.99
225. Rapture in Death by J. D. Robb - Kindle deal $1.99
226. Ceremony in Death by J. D. Robb - Kindle deal $1.99
227. Conspiracy in Death by J. D. Robb - Kindle deal $1.99
228. Vengeance in Death by J. D. Robb - Kindle deal $1.99
229. Different Seasons by Stephen King - recommended by Roberta
230. Gun, With Occasional Music by Jonathan Lethem - Kindle daily deal $1.99
231. Ceremony by Robert B. Parker - to read with Roberta and Donna READ
232. The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson - $2.99 READ
233. George Orwell Diaries edited by Peter Davidson READING
234. Why Orwell Matters by Christopher Hitchens - recommended by Suz READING

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

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

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

3. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache by Louise Penny: Next Up: A Rule Against Murder (4/8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17. Jack Taylor by Ken Bruen: Next Up: The Dramatist (4/10) - also Mark's fault!

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

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

20. *John Ceepak by Chris Grabenstein: Next Up: Mad Mouse (2/8)

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

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

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

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

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

26. *Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs: Next Up: Night Broken (8/8) - Heidi's fault!

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

28. *Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler: Next Up: Playback (7/8)

29. *Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch: Next Up: Broken Homes (4/5)

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

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

32. Spenser novels by Robert B. Parker: Next Up: The Widening Gyre (10/39) - this is Joe's fault!

33. *Temperance Brennan by Kathy Reichs: Next Up: Grave Secrets (5/16)

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

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

36. *Walt Longmire by Craig Johnson: Up Next: Another Man's Moccasins (4/10) - blaming this on Mark!

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

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

Series that I am reading out of order:

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

Reading slowly in bits and pieces:

Happy new thread!!

Hey, Amber! Thank you! You're first, so you're the

*SNORK!* Love it!

I just knew that you would!

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Oh good, Katie! You're here! Let the games begin!!

Wow, I'm impressed that you're on thread #3 already! You're one popular young lady, Mamie!

Well, I'm close to first.... ;)

I'm never first anywhere these days... So I'll gladly take 4th poster on the thread (that just sounds weird).

Laura - Why thank you, my dear. I'll try not to let it go to my shed. (That's a Birdy quote - when she was little she asked what that expression meant, and I was explaining it to her, and she said, "But that's crazy, that's where your ears are, so of course the first that happens is it goes to your head. Trying not to let it get to the shed would be better.")

Tina - You don't have to be first, dear. You're a Diva - see how you've claimed two spots right up front? Good work!! Now let's find you a comfy chair...

Oooh, are we all going ot get mani-pedis? That would be awfully good fun, with perhaps a fair bit of shenanigans if I know this crowd. :-)

Good grief, I spend the day running errands and look what happens! Sheesh! Happy new thread Mamie (I think)!

Julia - I think that's an excellent idea! And you know I am always up for shenanigans!

Stephanie - I know. I know - the minute your back was turned...

Mamie, I fell way behind on your prior thread (sigh) but I love love love the story about Rae and the hygienist!!

I admit to skimming a bit but I do see that you are no longer reading Betwixt and Between so I'm assuming you wrote a review. I'll go investigate. I have a copy of The Luminaries and I really want to read it soon. Just as soon as I finish these library books.... oh good grief, I simply need to win the lottery.

Happy New Thread! Love the topper of Craig & Birdy! I made you my last thread of the night. Ain't you special!

That is the sweetest photo yet. Daddys and daughters...the bond that cannot break.

Ellen - So glad you loved what I shared about Rae and the hygienist. And skimming is perfectly fine. I have not yet reviewed Betwixt and Between - I just finished it up last night, and I am letting my thoughts marinate. I am hoping to write up some mini-reviews of my last several reads tomorrow. That day always holds so much promise before it gets here! And I am SO behind on the threads. Winning the lottery sounds like an excellent plan - wishing you the very best of luck with that!

Mark - Thank you! Glad you love the top photo! And yes, I am deeply honored to be your last stop of the night!

Richard - Thank you! I would have to agree that Daddy and daughters is indeed a very special bond.

Hmm. Guess I'd better actually buy a ticket.

LOL! That would be a good first step.

#21 Mamie
I can't leave you kids alone for two SECONDS!

Shenanigans.

It is, after all, Mamie's thread.

Stephanie - True. SO true. We cannot be trusted.

Ellen - Also true. Shenanigans are just impossible to resist, and really, why would we want to?

^ Nope. Can't think of a reason.

Other than that it's way past my bedtime. There is that.

G'night sister. It's been fun playing with you!

Good night, dear sister. Sweet dreams.

Mamie: found you and starred for a little football (and more) action!

Loved orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London Glad you did too.

Absolutely adore your Casablanca theme. Once met Lauren Bacall at an event held in conjunction with the Christie's (or was it Sotheby's?) auction of Kate Hepburn's estate. La Bacall was super tiny -- never imagined she was so petite, although we all shrink with age, right? She was enormously gracious and looked spectacular.

Hi Mamie! Looks like your new year is off to a great start. I went a little overboard last year buying books. So this year, more reading, less buying!! I hope... : )

Third thread! Already! Congrats!

>18 Crazymamie: comfy chair!? comfy chair?
I'll say.
(I'll take 2 please, to be delivered)

Hi new thread, I'll be seeing more of you soon, just as soon as I get some sleep. I know I am like a broken record here on LT, but 3 hours last night. Didn't cut the mustard.
RD tells me it gets better when they hit 40. Can you offer any higher hopes for me?

Mamie - Excellent start to thread number three. Chairs being dispensed left and right. Be careful as chairs are far more pricey than the books I make available.

Lovely to see Craig and Birdy take centre stage above. Birdy without blue hair and Craig, well, just with hair. xx

Back this morning to say that I love the photo up top. You have such a lovely family!

We made it to Thursday, and I have no appointments to keep, no errands to run, no laundry to do. Right. Strike that last one - there is ALWAYS laundry to do at the Pecan Paradisio. And I even know what's for dinner - stuffed peppers! I am really hoping to knock out some mini-reviews at least of my latest reads and to do a bit of catching up on the threads. Loser coffee today, as Craig has beaten me to the coffee pot.

Good Morning Mamie! I love the truth in the post above. What a powerful image. I love the opening photo of Craig and Birdy. What a heartfelt duo.

Marianne - Welcome! Definitely football news here. I am so sad to see the season coming to an end - I feel the withdrawal coming on...

Glad that we share a love of Down and Out in Paris and London - I have just barely started my journey into the works of George Orwell, but already I am wondering why his other stuff is not better known. I like how he writes, and how he thinks, and how he genuinely likes to learn about people.

And so glad that you loved my Casablanca theme for the category challenge. I am a huge lover of old movies, and I have a hopeless crush on Humphrey Bogart, so your Lauren Bacall story has me grinning. And meeting her at the auction of Katherine Hepburn's estate!! Last year I read Hepburn's memoir on the making of the movie The African Queen, and there were the loveliest photos of Bogey and Bacall in there. I wish they had made more movies together...

Kim - You're here!! DO you have a thread up and running?! I'll come check. Me, too about the book buying - I don't think that I bought too many. I mean really, can one have too many books?! However, I am trying to focus on reading the ones that I have acquired. the good news os that thanks to LT recommendations hardly any of my reading purchases are losers anymore. I am much better at picking out books that I actually love. SO, hooray for that!

Mary - Thank you, dear! Things will slow down as we head into February.

Megan - I know, right?! Nothing like a bit of pampering to set things right. Sorry to hear about your sleep woes - boy, so I remember those days. It does get better - when they are teenagers, you will have the opposite problem. Then, they will want to sleep all the time and will be able to nap anywhere.

*edited to fix the touchstone

Paul - Thank you! So true about the chairs - I'll be careful! Love your comments about Craig and Birdy. Craig still has hair, just less of it, and it is a lovely silver color now. Birdy's hair will soon be returning to a more neutral shade as we head into swimming season, which in the South pretty much starts at the end of April. The weather here has been weird lately - it can't decide if it wants to be warm or chilly. Two days ago we had sunny and 68F. Today the high will be just 50F.

Amber - So glad you love the photo. And thank you for those kind words.

Linda - Good Morning, dear! I just recently came across that quote, and it resonated with me. And the photo of Craig and Birdy - I love that photo. One of my favorites. They both look so natural in it, as if they have just turned around to acknowledge my call.

Morning Mamie- Sorry I couldn't be the your first visitor of the day. Maybe next time. I am off today. Yah!

Morning, Mark! Hooray for a day off - whatever will you do with it? I'm sure you'll think of something. I plan on starting the Cather book today - finally I am participating in your AAC!!

Bogey and BAcall -- a true love story. A shame he died so early. I loved the book about the making of African Queen. Esp. the story about how Hepburn came down with the intestinal bug because she was drinking water while Bogey and John Huston were perfectly healthy downing the whiskey. Those were hard drinkin' days ...

Marianne - So true. And yes - that story about Hepburn getting sick because she wasn't drinking the whiskey totally cracked me up. That book is a bit of a gem; I wish they would reprint it. I didn't even know about it until someone here on LT mentioned it to me. Luckily our library system had it.

Mamie, When I read the quote, I thought of my dear sister, two years younger than me. She hated school and thought of herself as stupid. Back then, the school system of a small town did not understand her. Today, I think she would have been diagnosed with attention deficit. This lovely woman still goes through life thinking of herself as a failure.

It didn't help her that I excelled and the rotten teachers loved to compare us and did not hesitate to remind her over and over again that she was not as smart as me. My mother also did quite a number on her. I still have images of my mother trying to help with homework and walking away in exasperation telling her she was stupid.

Truly, she is a good person, kind, sensitive and wise. I've learned a lot from her.

Wow, things are really hopping over here this morning, Mamie! I'm with Linda on that quote; it has a lot of resonance for me. In my case, it's my internal critic telling me I'm stupid because I can't do something perfectly the first time I try it. I've been working hard for years on stuffing a gag in its mouth!

Linda - Thanks so much for sharing that. My mom did that with us - put us into boxes that we could never escape from. Labels are dangerous and often hurtful. Not only do each of us have our own gifts and our own burdens, but we each have our own way of learning. I think what being Rae's mom has taught me more than anything else is that even when we experience the same things, see the same colors, hears the same sounds, we feel and interpret them differently. React to them differently. And there is no right or wrong. She thinks about things so very differently than I do, and if I did not ask and did not listen, then I would never understand what matters to her and why. I think that diversity is such a beautiful thing which is why I do not understand why we would not always encourage each other to embrace our own individuality. We are not supposed to be the same, act the same, dress the same, excel at the same things - why on earth would we want to?

Julia - Isn't it funny how the threads have an ebb and flow of their own? Unlike you, I pretty much assume that I will not get something right on the first try, but Abby shares your internal critic- she is disappointed with herself if she can't get something right away. She wants to do it right, and she wants to do it well. A couple of things working in tandem there, I think. Personality and outside pressure from memory of feeling stupid when you failed to get something the first time around. For Abby, the trigger for this was math, I believe. In elementary school, she was made to feel stupid if she did not grasp the concepts right away. But she is a very visual learner, so once she could see it, she got it. If you don't have a teacher that just tries a different approach when not everyone gets it the first time, then you have kids feeling left behind. But the trigger could be any failed learning experience. So strange if you stop and think about it because we actually learn more from failing than we do from succeeding. Rae had this really cool teacher in fourth grade that actually worked on teaching kids to figure out what kind of learners they were. He would present the same lesson in different formats and then ask them to think about which method worked best for them. They analyzed their findings together as a class, and then they made made up a lesson plan to teach something that they all were familiar with - can't remember exactly what, but something like brushing your teeth to tying your shoe. Anyway they had to figure out how to teach it for the visual learner, for the auditory learner, for the see it in print learner, etc. He taught them not just how to learn but how to excel at learning and also to appreciate that each of us learns differently. So cool.

Love that photo at the top

I just got Hepburns book about the making of The African Queen from the library last week. Heard about it from a friend a couple of years ago and finally got around to requesting it at the library. I'll probably start it next week.

What a cool teacher!! Could we clone that guy about 1,000,000 times and send him out?

Happy New Thread, Mamie. I love the thread topper!

Yah, for AAC! You are officially one of us! Hugs!

Congratulations on the new thread, Mamie. Nice photo up top. I miss those days of carrying our kids around on my shoulders.

That teacher sounds like a special one - clever to get the class involved with different teaching methods like that, and it sends an implicit message to kids who experience what Abby did - it may not be you at all, but a mismatch between the way you learn and the way you're being taught.

Some teachers are better at connecting, regardless, too.

Hiya Mamie!

Lovely thread topper as always, Mamie.

*We had it all
Just like Bogie and Bacall...*

used to sing that to my husband all the time.

Suzi - Glad you like the thread topper! You are in for a treat with that Hepburn book - the photos are incredible and the way that Hepburn shares her experience of making that movie will have you laughing out loud. Such a wonderful memoir of a specific moment in time.

Reba - I know, right?! He was just so great with his kids - they worked together as a unit instead of dividing up into groups, which can alienate some kids. He was this huge guy, an ex-marine but he had this heart for teaching that was an amazing thing to see in action. Teachers who love teaching make such a big impact - we need more of them.

Diana - Thank you! SO happy that you've the top photo!

Mark - Whew! I made it! So nice to be official and not just an AAC wannabe! Hugs back to you!

Joe - Thank you! Those days go by too quickly, don't they?

That teacher was just so fabulous - I cannot say enough good things about him. Those kids just adored him because they knew that they could trust him and that he genuinely liked being their teacher. And yes, some teachers just have a gift for connecting. Not every teacher is right for every kid, but when you get that special connection that works, magic happens. I am thankful that each of my kids got to experience that at least once during they public school days.

Roberta - Hiya!

Gail - Thank you! You take me back with that song - I loved that. Now who sang that?

Now, we have to see if you can reach "The Purist" level. The holy of holiest.

Oh, dear. Does that mean I have to read a book by every author on the Mark list?

Key Largo by Bertie Higgins. *smooch*

Oh, thanks for that, BigDaddy! *smooch back and a feel better whammy*

I so need the whammy. Ohhh owwww.

Just tossing down my pillow..... I don't want to miss your cozy thread :)

Richard - I'll just keep those whammies coming until you feel better. Poor, poor baby.

Sis - It's not home without you here. *hands Kathleen a hot cocoa*

12 authors? A drop in the proverbial bucket, for such a voracious reader, as your lovable self.

Not sure about a cocoa but maybe another beverage...

Right. But you said "purist" - does that mean your original twelve picks? Because I am not reading any more Mark Twain. And I am uncertain about Toni Morrison, but might be willing to give her another try.

I too have struggles with the not perfect on the first try thing. A manager once told me she didn't understand why I was so hard on myself and I said, "Because I know what I'm capable of!" I am capable of a lot and I love that about myself but I don't know what I thought being hard on myself had to with capability.

Over the past two or three years, I have encountered so many wonderful people with books and blogs and videos that just lift me up and have helped me learn to enjoy my mistakes. "cause sometimes it turns out they're not really mistakes.

Dr. Brene Brown does research on vulnerability and shame. Her TED talk on shame blew me away. My hair stood on end and I cried.

I get email newsletters from Mara Glatzel who has become a pen pal and mentor to me. Her words about being worthy truly thrill me.

And when my mom tapes start chirping at me for not doing what she thinks I should be doing (like she ever really knew), I'm much better at telling them to bug off.

We are worthy. I believe in each and every one of us!

Because I am not reading any more Mark Twain.

That sounds like your final decision on that one, Mamie! No judgments from me, but what don't you like about him?

*sips hot cocoa carefully, and with gratitude*

Hi Mamie, I'm checking in and getting comfy. Ok, let the shenanigans begin! ;)

Lots of posts on your new thread to catch up with. Loved the picture of Craig and Birdy and the story about "don't let it go to your shed"!

Now don't say never, Mamie, especially about Twain! The Innocents Abroad is very very funny, quite cruel, and as relevant today as it was in 1869. Which is pretty durned sad.

Morning Mamie! Yes, reading the 12 posted authors will make you a "Purist". Why the Twain Disdain?

This thread is moving so fast! Love the picture at the top. I, too, am curious about Twain..... but maybe you have simply read enough, it can happen!

You've got us all curious about the Twain Disdain, Mamie. He's got some good ones out there.

Yes, also curious about why you don't care for Twain. I wouldn't say he's my favorite 19th century author, but he is pretty good. (Thanks for the Innocents Abroad reccie, RD ~ it's one I haven't read yet.)

Happy Friday, Mamie!

Mamie, I have to say that Twain was one of the authors on Mark's list that made me think that being a purist would not be all it's cracked up to be. I mean, I think Huck Finn is brilliant but I don't want to read it again. Someone (I really must get better at remembering who recommended what to me) suggested a collection of his short stories as a good alternative to the more well-known works.

And, regardless of what you decide, please note that many people have substituted a different American author for one or more of Mark's chosen ones. We like challenges, but we also promote self-determination around here.

It's Friday, only a little after 3pm, and I'm home sweet home! Sitting here playing on LT while Francoise installs our new alarm system. And it's a 3-day weekend! Hooray!!

Checking in. . glad Rae had a good experience at the dentist. As someone who had multiple teeth problems from the time I was little . . I sympathize deeply. I had braces/retainers from age 6 to about 16 years old. And yes, I had to get them tightened every few weeks for YEARS. I hope my future kids never have to go through that.

I remember reading Sawyer and Huckleberry at school and finding them crashingly dull. I am prepared to try again in the hope that in my callow youth there were qualities there that passed me right on by. You are making me nervous that I'll agree with you again.

Have a lovely weekend at the Paradisio Mamie.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend down there in pecan paradise, Mamie! As you know, I am not rooting for the Broncos. No, definitely not. Not me. Huh uh.

Wow, lots of catching up to do here (and much of the last thread).

I love the story from last thread of Rae and her dental hygienist. We have a wonderful dentist here in town with such a small office, he does his own cleaning of patient teeth as well as the exams and dental work, with just an assistant for setting up & assisting with procedures and a secretary. Before my son (also on the Autism Spectrum, for those who don't know) had his first trip to the dentist, I met with the dentist and he gave me a kit with one of those little dental mirrors so my son and I could "play dentist" and he could get used to the idea of someone looking into his mouth. He and his staff was oh-so-patient with my son on those difficult early visits, and very complimentary over every little improvement in his office behavior over the years, until now he does just fine with no fear at all -- though, luckily, he's never needed a filling, so we'll see how that goes when the time comes! The dentist's wife is the art teacher for our school district, so we see them both at school functions. Small town life can really have its advantages!

50> That teacher sounds absolutely wonderful

Saturday *smooch*

#40 Mamie, I love the genius fish. Would be perfect to have that posted at my desk at school.

Was lovely to "see" you earlier over at my place. How fabulous that you and Abby read the classics together!

All the comments asking about my "Twain Disdain" (love that, by the way!) are cracking me up.

What Mamie said: "I am not reading any more Mark Twain."
What Mamie did not say: "I don't like Mark Twain."

Thoughts on Mark Twain coming soon....

Okay, I'm back. Here is my Mark Twain experience. I have read many, many of Twain's works - probably more than half of his canon. I had the same teacher for English in the seventh and eight grades, and she was a huge fan of his. I got a bit burnt out on Twain, but I think that he has something to say and that he often says it in a unique and charming way (if you have a sense of humor and enjoy dark humor and sarcasm). Twain describes it best himself in this quote from Following the Equator: "The secret source of Humor itself is not joy but sorrow."

His writing captures a way of life that is long gone and also the absurdity of human nature that is still with us. That's why his stuff holds up, I think, because what he has to say is still relevant today. However, for me, personally, he is not one of those authors that I want to read over and over again after having already read what he has written. He doesn't pull me in the way that Steinbeck or Austen does. He doesn't leave me wanting more, and, if I am perfectly honest, he leaves me wanting less. Some of his stuff drags a bit - don't hate me, but I think Huckleberry Finn would be more powerful if it were slimmed down some.

I did reread both Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn with the kids a few years ago, and while it did not leave a bad taste in my mouth, it did convince me of one thing. For me, Mark Twain belongs firmly on the shelf for now. There are so many books that I want to get to and so many that I love rereading, that to settle for rereading just for the sake of rereading is unacceptable. I am also not interesting in plumbing his depths further and seeking out those few works that I have not read. So no for me, for now, to Mark Twain. But respectfully.

Great photo of Twain! Also great quote, and in his own handwriting? Lovely!

^LOL
And here I was scanning for Mamie's response.
*boom*
There it is. I love it.

Now to respond to previous posts:

Stephanie - Thank you for sharing. I love the connections that we form here. It is amazing how those voices from our past can continue to haunt us and have power over us, isn't it? It took me many, many years to silence the voice of my mom, so I am cheering you on. You said: "We are worthy. I believe in each and every one of us!" I couldn't agree more!

Julia - My decision is final for now. I have posted my thoughts above on Twain.

Kathleen - I LOVE having you here!

Judy - So lovely to have you here. And yes! Let the shenanigans begin!!

Pat - So glad you loved the thread topper and Birdy's quote about not letting it go to your shed. Don't you just love how kids think about things?!

Richard - I'm not saying never, but I am saying no for this year.

Mark - I will not be achieving Purist status then. Please see post 85 for response on Twain. Love that phrase "Twain Disdain"!! So clever!

Lucy - Glad you love the top photo! And yes, that's exactly it- I have read enough.

Mamie, your explanation re Twain makes perfect sense to me. I am on the other side of the fence, in that I have read very very little of him and so am looking forward to delving a bit deeper. Had I been immersed in his work in school, I know I wouldn't have the same eagerness.

Joe - He does have some good ones, I agree. I just don't want to read anymore Twain right now.

Mary - I have no enmity for Twain. Definitely not my favorite, but worth reading. I've just had enough of him.

Ellen - Glad to hear that he gave someone else pause, too. I do encourage those who haven't read him to give him a try. And I do appreciate that many others have made author substitutions - I will probably slot something in there by an unread American author that I have on my shelves. I'll just wait to decide on it that month.

Good for you for getting the alarm system!

Tam - My kids all had braces, but thankfully they are much better these days.

Paul - I liked Tom Sawyer, but Huck Finn moved so slowly for me. It's brilliant in what it has to say, but I think it could have been significantly shorter.

Thank for those weekend wishes - hoping that yours s delightful.

Julia - You are too funny!! So far the weekend is progressing nicely - I have been getting caught up on LT and lazing the day away. Craig has been working on various house projects in between answering phone calls (he is on call this weekend). The kids are experiencing their first exposure to Dr. Who - watching back to back episodes from season one right now.

Terri - Thanks for catching up with me! Sounds like your dentist is also doing a great job! So great when you can get people to work with you like that - makes all the difference in the world. Crossing my fingers that he never needs a filling - wouldn't that be great?!

And yes, Rae's fourth grade teacher was so fabulous. Just an absolute gift to ever student that he taught.

Richard - *Saturday smooch back*

Nancy - I love that genius fish, too and am thinking that I might have to print it out and make it into a magnet or a paperweight. I had fun catching up with your thread! And yes, it is so fabulous that Abby enjoys reading the classics with me - all of my kids are readers, but Abby has a love for the classics. So fun to experience them together.

Mary - I would guess that it is in his own hand writing, although I don't know that for sure. The quote is from Following the Equator. I do know that.

Megan - I have filled in my answer completely now, so you can scroll back up to see all of what I had to say.

Julia - Oh, good. I didn't know if it would make sense to anyone but me, but thought I would give it a go.

Mamie, I wish you a fantastic weekend

Barbara - Thank you! So cute! Hoping that your weekend is delightful.

Okay, now I'm going to confess something I've never told anyone who reads. I saw Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain years ago, and I really didn't like his Twain. I was deeply disappointed. Everyone at the time raved about Holbrook as Twain and I just didn't understand.

However, I've not read enough of his work to make a judgement on that. Should have read more, I only lived in Hannibal when I was in 6th grade.

Stephanie - Ha! SO Holbrook was no Twain, huh?! Too funny!

>85 Crazymamie:: Oh, very well said. I agree. I've read Huck and Tom and a couple of other things, and while I didn't dislike them, I'd be content to live out the rest of my days not cracking one of his books again. I suspect that won't be the case, though - he's certain to turn up on one of my many lists again.

Amber - Yep. That's exactly it.

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker is a Kindle Daily Deal today for just $1.99

HI Mamie! Hope you and the family are enjoying your weekend!
I can understand not wanting to read more Twain for a while. There are so many good books and if you've already read half of his work then you are far better off than others. I must admit that I have yet to read a single one. Twain wasn't required reading in school and I never got around to him. I think I have a copy of Huckleberry Finn on my Kobo if I ever get around to it!

Chelle - Hey there! We are having a great weekend and waiting for the big game to start (Broncos vs. Patriots). I am guessing that Twain is included in most English courses here at some point because he is an American author and because he captures in some of his books an era gone by. Back in the days when the Mississippi River was the lifeblood of this country. Huckleberry Finn will wait for you - books are good that way. It's worth reading, but it drags a bit in the middle.

Hoping that you and Baby Bearss and Nate are enjoying a lovely Sunday!

I'm going to be a purist for the AAC but Twain is one of the author's I'm reluctantly reading. Huckleberry Finn, the first and only Twain I've tried, is on my Did Not Finish list. I got about halfway through and was bored out of my mind. Go down the river, something happens, go down the river, something happens, go down the river... SNORE.

So I'm tentatively reading Life on the Mississippi. With any luck I'll get through his essays.

*smooch*

Makes sense on Twain, Mamie. Thanks for the explanation! I agree that I'm much more drawn to re-read Steinbeck and Austen.

I've never read Tom Sawyer, so I am going to read that one as part of the AAC. My favorites of his, other than Huck Finn, probably are A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and Pudd'nhead Wilson. I'm not sure how either would strike me at my more advanced age.

ETA: Go Broncos! We've got two avid Broncos fans who watch the Super Bowl with us and will go crazy if Denver is in it. That would be fun.

If I'm not misremembering (I read it ages ago, in my 20s or 30s), Letters from Earth was no Huckleberry Finn.

Great weather for the game today, Mamie! Almost as if Mother Nature has shown her colors in favor of the Broncs. Hmm, speaking of colors, I think, if I decide to go out today, I better wear my orange teeshirt and blue sweater.

Morphy - I wouldn't start anyone off on their Twain journey because it is looooong and kind of slow in parts. I think that Tom Sawyer is a decent starting place for Twain rookies. I have read Life on the Mississippi, but it was a long time ago. His travelogue type of writing is hit and miss with me, some of it I loved and some of it, well...

Richard - LOL! It is not necessary for you to love or care about what I do. It is enough, indeed it is a gift and a blessing, that you love and care about me. *smooch to you, BigDaddy*

Joe - You're welcome. I think you will get a kick out of Tom Sawyer. I liked A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court better than Pudd'nhead Wilson when I read them.

And YES! GO BRONCOS! We're looking good so far! We're up 13 to 3 at the end of the first half.

Mary - I am not remembering Letters from Earth - is it essays?

We could not ask for better weather! I was so thrilled that weather would not be a factor, and both teams can concentrate on playing their best games. Good to know you will be wearing the orange and blue!!

Mamie, your Broncos are looking good in the third quarter. I hope they win and I hope my Seahawks get to play them in two weeks. :-)

No, WAIT, when you start a new thread, I'm supposed to be able to come in when it is still SHORT to say hi.

Hi Mamie- I thought I had stopped by already today. Duh! Go Broncos!

I loved your thoughts on Twain. And you are much better read on this author, that I am. I am the one that needs to get caught up. I hope everyone realizes I am kidding about the "Purist" thing! I am more than tickled just having this kind of participation.

Go Broncos! Yes, I meant to say it twice!

Broncos win!

Congrats on the big Broncos win, Mamie! So very exciting to see Peyton back in the Super Bowl.

BRONCOS WIN!! BRONCOS WIN!!

Okay. I am SO psyched that the Broncos are going to the Super Bowl! What a game!

Ellen - YES! The Broncos are in!! Now all of Pecan Paradisio is rooting for your Seahawks, Ellen!! Go Seahawks!

Roni - I'll PM you next time. LOL! Thanks for traipsing through over 100 posts to grab a seat.

Mark - Yea - what's up with that? Where HAVE you been?! LOL!

Glad that you loved my thoughts on Twain, and that I am not in trouble for bailing on him. And yes, everyone knows you were kidding - we all know what a great guy you are, Mark, so no worries there. You can joke away on my thread. Your AAC has turned into a major feature of this year's challenges - so very exciting to see your baby take off like that.

And thanks for rooting for my Broncos!

Carrie - WahHOO!! Yes! Broncos win!! I am just so thrilled! (Did you notice that Austin Collie, who played for the Colts with Peyton, was looking good for the Patriots today?)

Julia - Thank you! I love that Peyton will be playing in the Super Bowl!!

Well I am happy for you Mamie, I guess with the Broncos. Can't quite remember why an Indiana girl in Georgia should hold the affiliations but of course what the heck.

Love Morphy's comments on Twain and particularly the river and then she goes and chooses Life on the Mississippi!

Yes, I noticed Austin Collie today. As I remember, he's a really nice guy. I'm glad he played well, though of course I'm also glad his team didn't win.

Thank you, Paul. The quarterback for the Broncos is Peyton Manning - he played for the Colts from 1998 until 2011. I am a huge Peyton Manning fan, so whoever he plays for, that's my team.

I think Morphy opted for the Twain that Richard recommended. But LOL about your observation!

Carrie - That's exactly how I felt about it! And yes, he has a reputation for being a really nice guy.

Way to go, Broncos! Congrats, Mamie!

Aw, thanks, Joe!

Mamie, looking at your lists up top again, I'm glad to see Longbourn among your top 10, because I intend to read it (listen, actually), as soon as I'm done rereading Pride and Prejudice for my tutorial with Liz. I also got Liesl & Po recently and didn't realize that was a favourite of anyone's when I did (I often check to see if my LT friends favourited a book, or at least gave it a great rating before I make a purchase). I'm adding you as a recommender. I tried to find a review by Mark on the book's page, but no such luck. I'm also hoping this is the year I get to Oryx and Crake.

I love your "Everybody is a Genius" poster and your thoughts on Mark Twain are very interesting. Have you read An American Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and if so, what are your thoughts on it? I reread Huckleberry Finn a couple of years ago (an audiobook narrated by Elijah Wood actually—excellent!) and while I agree it drags in some places, I was tempted enough to purchase an illustrated collector's edition from the early 30s when I came across it last year. Worse comes to worst, it'll sit on the shelf as an investment of some kind.

You are deservedly one very popular lady Mamie!

Ilana!! SO great to see you here! And now I am thinking that I have missed your thread - I will check the threadbook! Longbourn is truly excellent and will make a fabulous follow-up to Pride and Prejudice. I starred the P&P thread, but I have not yet been there - I will get over there this week for sure.

Liesl & Po is a wonderful read - I absolutely loved it, and so did Mark and Katie and Roberta...Mark did write a review of it - here is the link: Mark's Review

I liked Oryx and Crake - it will be interesting to see what you think of it. I plan on getting to the second book sometime this year. When I started it last year, I didn't realize that it was part of a trilogy!

Glad that you liked the "Everybody is a Genius" and found my thoughts on Twain interesting. I have read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, though it has been many years ago. I remember liking it, but I was in my early teens then, so I don't know if I would feel the same way now. I have read Huckleberry Finn three times, and the last time was with my kids shortly before joining LT, so just a few years ago. I like the message of the book and some passages are wonderful, but it is overlong, I think. I think it would work very well as an audiobook.

Thank you so much for stopping by and for your very kind words. I am off to find your thread!

Whoop, whoop, whoop! Congrats to the Bronco's and those who love them!

Thank you, Lynda!!

Congrats to your Broncos, Mamie! I'm pleased for Peyton.
And now the Seahawks will be meeting them! It should be a tough game. The Seahawks live and die by their defense and Peyton is such an awesome quarterback. I'm excited!

And congrats to your Seahawks, Ellen! I am so excited that our teams will get to face off at the Super Bowl!! How cool is that?! Should be a very good game.

Oh sure, easy for you two to be excited, Ellen and Mamie. What about those of us on the LT sidelines who love both of you and Kerri, too? No way I'm choosing sides in this one! I'm rooting for a tie game. They still have those in the NFL, right?

Ha! A tie game. No, I just want a really good, close game until the last few seconds... and then the Seahawks win! (I have to go NW--sorry Bronco's.)

Julia - It's all good. Whoever wins, wins. (Sorry, no ties after regular season)

Kim - It was nice knowing you.

: P

Just kidding!

: ) xoxo

*grin*

re: Mark Twain, I just watched an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation with the worst Mark Twain impersonator. He sounded like the male version of bad impressions of Katherine Hepburn. It was painful to watch, and the payoff didn't make it worthwhile at all.

Oh,dear! I love your description, and of course now the completely warped part of me wants to see it!!

Mamie, it was "Time's Arrow" the last episode of Season 5 and the first episode of Season 6.

And can someone please tell me what Picard and Guinan mean when they keep saying they're more than friends?

>132 AuntieClio: & 133, Stephanie & Mamie: Ha! I remember that episode! Mamie, the warped part of you would *love* it, because it's hilariously bad! (I'm a huge fan of movies & TV shows that are so bad they're funny!)

*Off to climb back up the hill to sing and twirl with Richard*
The hills are alive
with the sound ofmenotcaringabout Fooooootbaaaaaall...

>106 Crazymamie: I wouldn't start anyone off on their Twain journey because it is looooong and kind of slow in parts.

Are you referring to Huckleberry Finn?

Morning Mamie! Hope you have a nice day planned. I like the Broncos and I like the Seahawks, so I think I'll just look forward to a good game. I think the Broncos looked the most solid yesterday.
Glad to see the Liesl & Po love continue...

Well, it's Monday again. It just keeps coming back.

Stephanie - Thanks for that! I will check it out and report back. And it has been so long since I have watched the show that I am not remembering who Guinan is - will have to look that up.

Amber - Me, too! I really love those old sci-fi movies that are just horrid. Craig always says the same thing - "I CANNOT believe you're watching that."

*And you know that now I won't be able to get that song out of my head all day long?!

Morphy - Yes. I meant Huckleberry Finn - sorry about that.

Okay, today I AM going to post some mini-reviews. Really. Truly.

Here is what I have read and need to catch up on in reviews:

Books Completed in January (6 books):
1. Ceremony by Robert B. Parker (3.3 stars) 224 pages - REVIEWED
2. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell (4.5 stars) 228 pages
3. Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (4 stars) 343 pages
4. Hounded by Kevin Hearne (3.75 stars) 8 hours, 11 minutes
5. Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling (4 stars) 370 pages
6. When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard (4.5 stars) 240 pages

Mamie - I see re: Peyton Manning. I used to do that in County Cricket for my second team. Somerset had the West Indian batsman Viv Richards in their team in the seventies, Kent had 'Deadly' Derek Underwood and Hampshire, Barry Richards. I would watch these fellows any time and in the Sunday League 40 a side games it was individuals over the team.

Guess the cricket jargon may leave you non-plussed but I'll use it to substitute for my ignorance of American Football. Want a silly reason to support a franchise. I've gone with the Bears as I want to share a beer or five with Mark.

Mamie, thanks for providing the link to Mark's review. I'm not sure how I managed to miss it when I looked for it originally. I see he mentions it having Harry Potter elements to it; I got the audiobook, which is narrated by Jim Dale, who also does the whole Harry Potter series, so the parallel will probably seem all that much stronger when I get to it. Sounds delightful and will come as a much needed break between heavier readings, such as the WWI books I have lined up.

#139 Mamie
Guinan is the bartender of 10 Forward, she's played by Whoopi Goldberg.

It figures. I get all set to work on my reviews, and our internet crashes. Oh, it is back up now.

Paul - I know nothing about cricket, so we're even! I think getting to share a few beers with Mark is a fine excuse to support his Bears, especially since you don't follow American football. Well done!

Ilana - You're welcome. The story is delightful, and is a perfect one to go to in between heavier reads. Good thinking!

Stephanie - Okay, gotcha. I don't think that the show ever discloses what that relationship is, just hints at a history - it's a teaser. I do think it is maybe covered in one of the books? Not sure about this.

*smooch* for my dear Mamie

>115 Crazymamie: I am a huge Peyton Manning fan, so whoever he plays for, that's my team.
Aaah, there is always a reason ;)

Mini reviews, that is a great title. That is what I ought to call mine it, has been ages since I did a proper well thought out one. Maybe I will just stick to calling mine "reviews" . :)

I'm late, I'm late ..but at least I finally made it back to your thread, Mamie. I did manage to lurk a little last week, but more to skim than anything else given my long hours at the conference.

Love the thread topping photo. My cousin has photos of all his kids at some stage or other sitting on his shoulders, fiercely grabbing onto his hair. Now that his kids are tweens and teenages, he's threatening to tithe part of their allowance towards a toupee fund - he's noticed he's starting to thin at the top.

Hi Mamie- Did you miss me up there? Well, there goes the holiday. Sniffles...

Hi, Mamie. Hope the internet wonkiness is going away. I realized I can slot in Moon Over Soho for Fantasy February. I know that's one you recommend.

Richard - *smooch* for my dear, sweet BigDaddy

Megan - Yep. There's always a reason. Unless, of course, there isn't one.

I feel lucky to get the mini-reviews done when I get to them. I should just do them immediately when I finish the book, but so often I like to let things marinate a bit.

Caro - Thanks for making it back to my thread. Glad you love the thread topper! And I love your story - Craig has lost quite a bit up there, but I don't think he can blame the kids.

Mark - You poor, poor baby! I did miss you up there! So sorry about that! Looking forward to a good game sounds like a plan. Most of the time when it comes to the big games, I truly want whoever plays the best game that day to win because I know how hard everyone has worked to get there. This one time, though, I REALLY want Peyton to win. He is not getting any younger, and this might be his last chance. And I really want Irsay to have to eat crow - I want Peyton and his new team to bring home the Super Bowl ring that Irsay thought he couldn't get.

Joe - It's back up, but it's really slow. I'm guessing they are working on it somewhere, and that is causing the problems. I'm going to type my mini reviews on a document and then cut and paste them into a post because I don't want to risk losing them. But first, I might indulge in a nap. I didn't sleep well last night, and the bed is calling to me.

You will LOVE Moon Over Soho when you get to it. That might be my favorite one so far.

I'm here to add my official congratulations to you, Mamie, for Peyton's win. The Broncos are a formidable team and I expect they will do well - i.e. win - come Super Bowl time.

Frankly, I thought it was a bad omen for the Patriots' season when the Aaron Hernandez horror show exploded all over the lot last summer. Then came all those injuries times infinity - yeech! I know the sports people had it over about 18 million times yesterday that it was the last time that Brady and Manning would meet, but me - I'm hoping that Peyton gets a clean bill of health for next season and then we can try it again next fall - only this time with two healthy and amazing teams.

GO BRONCOS!!!

>106 Crazymamie: Yes, Letters from Earth is a series of essays that Twain wrote not long before his death. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it: "The essays were written during a difficult time in Twain's life; he was deep in debt and had lost his wife and one of his daughters. The content concerns morality and religion and strikes a sarcastic (Twain's term throughout the book) tone."

So, how about them Broncos!?! I'm no football fan, but even I was excited when they won yesterday. We may have to have a Superbowl Party.

Hi Mamie! Love your Twain Explain, makes total sense. I've only read a few of his works, some recently and some not-so, and I agree with what you said. He's relevant, and enjoyable, but not someone who pulls you back to them the way some other authors do. Last year (or the year before?) I read Roughing It and I enjoyed it so much that it made me want to read more of him, and soon! But that seems to be a one-of-a-kind-Twain, so I haven't gotten back to him yet. Still, it shocked me that I was cravin' that Twain for a change!

Hope you're having a lovely Monday evening!

I hope you had a nice Monday, Mamie — well as nice as Mondays go, anyway! First day of the spring semester for us tomorrow. I must get a good night's sleep!

How about them Broncos, Mamie? I have recovered from KCs end of season disappointment and am embracing my No. 2 team! I'm more fickle about football than I am about the books and authors I love. I like Mark Twain but think that a little of him can go a long way. I am thinking about reading Roughing It for Mark's AAC or I might take Richard's advice and read Innocents Abroad.

I was less than impressed (again) with the most recent Robert B. Parker book. Let's see…there's 'Twain Disdain'…could there possibly be "Parker Poop-Out"? I hope not.

Charlotte - What a lovely post! Thanks so much for coming over here to congratulate the Broncos. It means a lot to me. I knew going into the game that it could go either way - so much talent on both teams and two incredible quarterbacks. And you are so right - the Patriots have had a lot to deal with this year both on and off the field. I am counting on Manning playing next season, but I know what an incredible run it takes to get to the playoffs, so I know that time is not on his side to make it to the Super Bowl again. I would love to see him win it one more time.

Mary - Twain's essays are really hit and miss for me. I prefer his fiction.

And yes - Hooray for the Broncos! SO exciting! We will definitely be partying here on Super Bowl night as that is also Abby's birthday - she will be 18!!

Laura - Oh, I LOVE that - Twain Explain!! Now why didn't I think of that?! I think it will be a very long time before I am cravin' the Twain, but I wish you luck in finding another one that you like equally well. SO lovely when we find an author that makes us want more.

My Monday is...well...behaving like a Monday. Hopefully our internet will be back to its old self tomorrow - this up and down is killing me, and I have gotten totally spoiled with the high speed. Now I have no patience for sslloooow.

Julia - It was not terrible for a MOnday. Not great, but definitely not terrible. How was the meet-up? I bet you had a fabulous time and charmed the socks of f of everyone there. Wishing you luck with the new Spring semester - YIKES!

Donna - I know, right?! There was some big time screaming at the Pecan Paradisio yesterday!! And hooray for embracing your No. 2 team!! Well said on Twain - a little goes a long way. Laura says she loved Roughing It, and RIchard recommends Innocents Abroad - sounds like either one would work for you.

I hear you with the Parker Poop-Out. I have loved reading them and comparing notes with you and Roberta, but if they don't pick up, we may have to find us a new series.

Mark has set up the thread for Fantasy February, or as Joe refers to it - Fred Flintstone. Here is the link for those who want to participate:

Fantasy February

Hi Mamie!

I am very excited about the Broncos-Seahawks matchup. I have nothing but respect for Peyton Manning and I think the old-school/new-school styles will be interesting to watch. Of course I want Seattle to win, but my attitude will be much more one of enthusiasm than the vitriol I felt this last game.

I love the story of Peyton taking the AFC Championship cap and, before donning it for the post-game hoopla, taking the stickers off the bill and enthusiastically bending the bill. Old School. Excellent.

The Spensers do pick up, in my opinion, but I will be curious to see what you all think of them as/if you continue.

>157 Crazymamie:: *SNORK!!* Love it.

And Julia did indeed charm the socks off of me, at least. My cheeks hurt tonight from all the uncontrollable smiling today. Also, I'm forever in her debt for suggesting Mexican Hot Chocolate in the cafe - delicious!

That hot chocolate was awfully good, wasn't it? I could use another cup right about now!

Me too! Tomm gave me a tin of Godiva HoCho mix for Christmas and I may need to break that out tomorrow...

Hi Mamie, although I am actually off in an alpine meadow with Richard and Amber warbling about not caring about football, I am very happy that your team made it to the Superbowl.

>157 Crazymamie: LOL!

So what would you recommend for a reluctant Twain reader, Mamie?

Hmmm FF is back? I may have to look into that. I do enjoy fantasy. How are you and yours?
Football is finally winding down, I imagine that means things calm down a bit in your house?
Since the Steelers weren't really playing this year, it was pretty quiet this year around my house. There was still football....but it was...less.

Anyway. Nothing much going on here... What books are you thinking of for FF?

Today would have been my Dad's 88th Birthday. He had a dry sense of humor that pervaded everything, a quick wit, and a firm grasp on what is important in life. He taught me what it is to be truly and completely loved. One of my favorite memories of him is from late in his life when he would sit at the kitchen table and read the paper. He was blind. This was funny to him because people would come in and not get it at first, and then they would realize that he could not possibly be reading that paper. I can still hear my mom saying, "Oh, Nelson..." She would be exasperated with him but could not resist laughing. He also liked to pretend that he was going to fill an upside down coffee cup with hot coffee - never failed to have people jumping to his rescue. He was completely warped like that. Now you know where I get it from! Anyway, he is missed...

Lovely picture and a wonderful tribute to your dad! My dad's birthday is coming up on Saturday. He would have been 78 this year.

(((((((((Mamie))))))))

Ellen - I am very excited about the game, too. Giddy, even. And of course you want the Seahawks to win!! I liked that Peyton took the time to acclimate the hat before putting it on, too! We laughed about that! It speaks of someone who is completely comfortable in his own skin - no need to rush the moment.

Julia - I am willing to take your word for it on the Spensers - you have yet to let me down!

Amber - Joe was asking Mark over at the Cafe what FF stood for - Fred Flintstone was his guess, and it totally cracked me up! And I knew it! I knew that Julia would charm the socks off of you!! And Mexican hot chocolate! YUM!! The perfect beverage for a winter meet-up!

Julia - I wouldn't mind a cup myself!

Amber - Oh, how is that Godiva HoCho? Have you had it before?

Judy - Thanks to Richard and Amber, I cannot get that song out of my head. And thank you for being happy for me!

Tam - It cracked me up, too!

Morphy - I always recommend starting with Tom Sawyer - funny and not too long.

Hey, Mamie! I've got A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court glaring at me from the TBR shelf. I must confess I've only ever read Tom Sawyer before now. I feel guilty about not having read more - after all MT does have a connection to my area. Really, aside from Herman Melville MT is the only prominent writer we can sort of claim. (For some reason this fact is completely overlooked by our school system. No Mark Twain required reading around here.)

Yeah, I really ought to read that book....

Your dad sounds like such a great guy, Mamie. Nice photo, and love the stories about his sense of humor. Happy 88th in memoriam to him.

Book #2: Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell (4.5 stars)

"And there is another feeling that is a great consolation in poverty. I believe everyone who has been hard up has experienced it. It is a feeling of relief, almost of pleasure, at knowing yourself at last genuinely down and out. You have talked so often of going to the dogs - and well, here are the dogs, and you have reached them, and you can stand it."

This is the first book in my quest to read the works of George Orwell this year. Well, my first book of his this year - I have previously read Animal Farm and Burmese Days. I do have a system in place for reading these books - I am doing it in chronological order and reading his corresponding diary entries alongside of the work. I am also reading Why Orwell Matters, which is a series of essays written by Christopher Hitchens about why what Orwell had to say is still relevant today.

I did not realize that after giving up his post with the British Imperial Police, Orwell lived in poverty while he worked on his writing. He published some essays during this time, but his next major work after Burmese Days was this non-fiction account of his time spent in first Paris and then London. This book is a very enjoyable read, and I was surprised at how quickly the pages flew by. The Paris portion of the book is the more enjoyable, and reads more like a novel. The London portion is less about the quirks and antics, and more about the observations that Orwell made about poverty and society. Both parts are fascinating and very interesting.

First published in 1933, this is an inside look at what living from day to day truly means. Highly recommended.

"It is altogether curious, your first contact with poverty - it is the thing you have feared all your life, the thing you knew would happen to you sooner or later; and it is all so utterly and prosaically different. You thought it would be quite simple; it is extraordinarily complicated. You thought it would be terrible; it is merely squalid and boring. It is the peculiar lowness of poverty that you discover first; the shifts that it puts you to, the complicated meanness, the crust-wiping."

I see that some of you snuck in there while I was posting.

Kathleen - Yep. FF is back - so much fun! You should check it out; Abby is going to join in this year. And Birdy said she would read some fantasy, too. It would be fun to get her to comment over there - she has a LT account! Me and mine are doing very well. I am sad that football is winding down - you are probably ecstatic about it! I always go through a kind of withdrawal when there are no more games to watch. But then there is Abby's birthday, then Rae's and before you know it, summer is here. SO yes, a different level of energy, definitely, but I do like the transitions from one season to another.

What books for FF? Well, let's see - definitely Cress and Broken Homes. I might start that series by Ilona Andrews that Morphy recommended Magic Bites, since I am all out of Mercy Thompson to read until the new book comes out in March. March!! Can't wait for that one! And maybe start Clash of Kings - I am wanting to get back to that series. I never have any trouble coming up with fantasy or mystery reads from my shelves. How about you - what are you thinking about?

And thanks for those hugs, sis. I can never have too many of those.

Carrie - Thank you. So my Dad was almost exactly one decade older than your! Cool! Do you do anything special to remember him?

Charlotte - Okay you got me. I am shocked that Twain is not required reading in your parts. Truly. Only read the book if you are really wanting to - this is supposed to be fun!

Joe - Thanks so much for that. He was an absolute gem.

Your dad would have been an awful lot of fun at an LT meetup, methinks. And it's becoming clearer and clearer how you got to be the wonderful person you are. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.

And thank you for that review of Down and Out. It is the Nook Daily Deal today and you are tempting me to buy it. FYI, Amazon (and Nook) has four other Orwells on special today. I picked up Homage to Catalonia and The Road to Wigan Pier.

Book #3: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (4 stars)

Thanks again to Heidi, who pointed me in the direction of this very fun series. For those of you unfamiliar with this delightful series, Mercy Thompson is a walker - she can shift at will between her human form and coyote. Her day job is mechanic at the garage that she owns and operates. Mercy's world is filled with werewolves and vampires and fae, making these books a wonderful escape from every day reality. The characters are fully three dimensional and the writing is very good. And thank goodness that Mercy keeps getting herself into trouble because I have fallen in love with this series. To avoid spoilers for the earlier books, I'll just say that in this one Adam and most of the pack have been taken, and Mercy must find out what has happened and why. And rescue them. Easier said than done, and of course, there is something else afoot here...

Highly recommended, but read the others first.

Before my father died we had started going to a Burns dinner that a friend organizes every year. I've continued to attend the dinner since my father died. It's not always on the 25th (the birthday my dad shared with Robert Burns, but whatever the date, I always feel like I'm celebrating my dad's birthday.

Julia - That he would have. And I thank you for those incredibly kind words - what a lovely compliment.

Down and Out is well worth the read - it is one that I will reread for sure. And I saw that the daily deal featured four Orwell's - so cool! I can't take advantage of those wonderful prices because I already purchased all of those last year! Oh well, I think I would have wanted the print version for my shelves anyway since I am making this a year-long project. I have Homage to Catalonia and The Road to Wigan Pier in the stacks and will be reading them this year. Next up is Clergyman's Daughter, which was also in the daily deal.

Just in case you are interested in joining me for a shared read, here is my agenda:

February - Clergyman's Daughter
March - Keep the Aspidistra Flying
April - The Road to Wigan Pier
May - Homage to Catalonia
June - Coming Up for Air
July - 1984
August - A Collection of Essays

(((Hugs)))

I will definitely try to join you in April and May!

Carrie - Oh, I like that! That's a lovely tradition. And Robert Burns is a favorite of mine - you are talking about the poet, right?

Roberta - Thank you!

Julia - Oh, excellent!

Roberta - Thank you, dear!

Julia - Oh, excellent!

Excellent review of Down and Out in Paris and London,, Mamie. I've thought about reading that one many times, and now will add it to the WL. I hope you post the review on the book page.

Oh, thanks, Joe! YOu would really like it, I think. I'll post the review right now!

Yes, Robert Burns the poet.

LOVE him, Carrie!

Bethumbed.

Oh, thank you, Joe!

Love the photo of you and your dad, Mamie.

I've got to gather my books for FF month before I head out on another trip next week. I think I will mix in steampunk as well .... that still counts as fantasy, right? And of course I have to add a Ray Bradbury as well, or it just wouldn't be a full fantasy month.

Book #4: Hounded by Kevin Hearne (3.75 stars)

This book was recommended by Morphy two years ago, and she said that she and MrMorphy both loved the humor in it. I picked it up back then as a Kindle deal, but never got around to reading it. Then, last year Miss Roberta discovered these books and went completely crazy fell in love with them. She said that the audiobooks were excellent. Since I could add the audio to my Kindle book for just s few bucks, that is what I did. And both Morphy and Miss Roberta were right - this book was great fun and an excellent listen.

Atticus O'Sullivan is a Druid. He is the last Druid, as a matter of fact. Living incognito in Arizona, he runs an occult bookshop and shares his house with his Irish wolfhound, Oberon. Things are about to get sticky - seems that an angry Celtic god would like a certain magical sword back. A sword that Atticus just happens to have in his possession. Okay, he doesn't just happen to have it - he stole it. And just like that, we're off and running in this fast paced fantasy where humor is a main character and Oberon totally steals the show. I also loved Atticus' elderly neighbor lady who who sees a bit more than she should and is happy to lend advice: "...a friend will help you move...but a really good friend will help you move a body."

Frivolous and fun, packed with humor and wit - highly recommended.

Thanks, Caro! Steampunk definitely counts as fantasy! And Ray Bradbury - LOVE him! I might have to add something by him myself.

Look at you and your reviews. Show off!

Book #5: Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling (4 stars)

This one is hard to classify, and I wanted to take my time sorting out my thoughts because it is hard to describe what this book is about without giving too much away. It takes the story of Peter Pan and transforms it into something else while still letting it exist within its original structure, if that makes any sense. I love fractured fairy tales and so this was right up my alley. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, betwixt and between is defined as "in a midway position : neither one thing nor the other". In Stilling's book, this is what Peter Pan is - Betwixt and Between. He is a conduit between two worlds - our current physical world and the After. Neverland is a type of way station for boys who have died too soon, whose friends and relatives cannot let them go. And also a place for children who have experienced too much pain to heal before moving on. The rules have changed in this re-imagined Neverland. Pirates are not just villains, they are the worst kind of evil - men who have intentionally hurt and murdered children, who have preyed on them. And the Indians and the Cowboys each have their own defined parameters, too.

The book begins with the murder of Preston - he has eaten a poisoned cookie and is the newest arrival in Neverland. As Preston meets Pan and tries to piece together his memories, back in the world that he came from his mother Claire is mourning and trying to understand what has happened. The reader shifts between Claire's thoughts and Preston's, and to these a third story is added - that of the original Wendy. Because Preston did not arrive in Neverland in the usual manner, he has arrived as only one other before him, a girl who gave Pan a first name and who captured his heart. When Preston's friend Peyton arrives in Neverland, the race is on to figure out who is poisoning the cookies because the man who was arrested is clearly not the murderer.

Stilling does an excellent job of weaving these voices and these stories together. The transitions are beautifully and seamlessly done. Her Neverland is richly imagined and her Peter has depth. This is her first novel, and it shows just a bit when she is explaining her vision of Neverland. The reader gets too much too soon as Peter explains things to Preston. I would have liked to see this tapered out through the chapters more, but this is a small distraction. What really shines here is Claire's grief - we feel it and we understand how all encompassing it is. I also really loved Wendy's story - this is a clever reinterpretation of how she came to be in Neverland and what happened to her afterwards. The mystery here is not the star of the show, and the ending of that portion of the book felt rushed, but Claire's voice and Wendy's story more than made up for that.

"Claire looked out at the ocean once more. It reached back and forth, the heavy crashing of the waves, white crests cascading into the empty, that all reaching darkness. It was just so big, so magnificent, so beautiful, she could not look away. One more second, just one more look...and then Claire thought, what am I waiting for, for the waves to stop, for the ocean to exert less power? It was never going to end. The waves would not cease to fall into one another, the full-mooned tide ebbing and flowing out to that earth-covering sea. There was no end ever. The ocean would never cease to be this big, this dark, this powerful. She had to make the decision to turn her back and so she looked out once more, took a deep breath and walked away..."

Katie, some of us don't have a fancy book cart and so we have to find other ways to entertain ourselves. *ducks*

Book #6: When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard (4.5 stars)

This is a collection of nine short stories. Usually with any collection, some stories are better than others, but oh, how I loved this particular collection where each story is a gem. If you are a fan of Elmore Leonard, then you will recognize characters such as Karen Sisco and Raylan Givens that make an appearance here. What Elmore does better than anything is create dialogue that rings true. His writing reminds me of those old movies that I love so much - the ones where the dialogue is witty and fast paced and steals the show. Highly recommended.

Okay, I am all caught up with my reviews! This is a moment that rarely happens for me, so let us just take a moment to appreciate it. That's right - it's time for the dancing sheep!

Fine fine review of the Orwell...... aren't we glad we have Health Inspectors now??

Intriguing, very, review of Betwixt and Between.

Happy Dance that you are caught up! I hate being behind so I often write any old thing and then have to go and clean it up!

Lucy - Yes! Yes, we are so very thankful for those Health Inspectors!! YIKES!

Betwixt and Between is complex, and so it is hard to explain to others, but it does work.

And I am beyond thrilled to be caught up - even if it will only be a brief thing. I love your reviews - always interesting to read and you have a way of talking about writing that is just delightful. I like how you think about things.

The dancing sheep is marvelous! Congrats to you on being all caught up with your reviews, too. A feat more to be admired than emulated it seems for me. :-)

Miss Roberta discovered these books and went completely crazy fell in love with them #truth LOL!

#195 LOL again!

When the Women Come out to Dance goes on the wish list!

Mamie -
Thank you for the tribute to your Dad. I can tell from your description that he and I would have got on like a house on fire. Hugs to you. I know what it feels like to be thinking about loved ones on days such as this when they are no longer physically with you.

I'll join for April and we'll take The Road to Wigan Pier together, if you will. xx

Julia - I love that sheep, too!! And thank you. I usually don't review every book, and as the year gets busier I know that I won't, but it's nice to be caught up for now. And some of them were ones that I thought might not be familiar to everyone.

Roberta - HA! And I am thinking that I had better get the Pimm's cup ready for when Katie gets back over here! I think you will love When the Women Come Out to Dance when you get to it - all of the stories are good.

Paul - Always my pleasure to talk about my Dad. I agree that you would have got on well. And thanks for those hugs - days like these are bittersweet for me. I would love to have you join me in April for The Road to Wigan Pier! Excellent!

*sticks head in*

Did somebody mention Pimms?

Ha ha ha at #195. My fancy cart and I will be leaving in a huff as soon as I finish my Pimms ;-)

I brought the Stilling book home from the library over the weekend. I'm thinking I might save it for FF.

Hi there. Nice memories of your Dad. Love his humor! And I was so excited to see another Mercy Thompson mention. I think I am about three behind and can't wait to catch up!

Hi Mamie- It looks like your Dad was a very special man and it's great that you pay tribute to him each year.

Congrats on the flurry of reviews. I need to do the same thing. I've been terrible, these past 6 months. I NEED to do better.

I LOVE The Game of Stones! LOL.

Katie - Sorry, I couldn't resist, but I am happy to make it up to you! Can't wait to see what you think of the Stilling book.



Kim - He had a wonderful sense of humor which still has me laughing when I remember it. And hooray for Mercy Thompson!! I just love those books - lucky you to still have a pile to read.

Mark - That he was. One of a kind. I was very excited to finally get the reviews done because they were nagging me. And you have a good excuse- you have been more than busy with all that snow and the very low temps and the co-workers calling in. Poor dear! I knew you would love the Game of Stones!!

Hi, Mamie ~ Happy 88th Anniversary of your Dad's Birth, and a big cyberhug for you!

So, THREE (3) book bullets hit a bulls-eye this trip through Mamie Wonderland. (Hounded is also a book bullet, but that one was sent my way by Morphy.) Congratulations on causing my already bulging bookcases to tremble with fear. :)

Oh, thank you for sharing the stories about your dad - he sounds like he was a hoot and a half and an awesome dad. I've got one of those and he's been so loving and supportive all of my life. I tell him (and my mom, of course), that I love them every day - my day doesn't properly start until I've talked to them both on the phone and shared the previous days events, and usually had a good laugh at ourselves in the process.

Also: Godiva HoCho is The Best. Amazing. Charlie and I had a cup each this afternoon, and dunked graham crackers in it. Yum.

Mamie I love stories from people who had good relations with their parents.

The new 49er stadium is going up near my favorite grocery store and one of my favorite checkers tells me stories about players who have been in. She says they are all really nice and like to chat with her. I don't follow football so I wouldn't know they were a 49er if they picked me up and threw me over their shoulder, but if the guy at the counter next to me wasn't a player the team should sign him up.

I went to look at pictures of the roster but I couldn't tell you for sure if he was there.

*waves* Nice reviews, Hounded and Betwixt and Between sound interesting.

I love the dancing sheep (and what he stands for), but I guess that is par for the course considering where I am from.

Mamie, I can't keep up with your thread! But wishing you a great day.

Dancing sheep! Oh yeaaaah... also trying very hard to dodge book bullets and er, failing... o_O

Happy Wednesday, Everyone! Hoping that it is filled with wonder. Yesterday I received a lovely surprise in the mail - Miss Roberta sent me three of the Spenser books that we will be reading together this year. A huge thanks for that - she is rescuing me from the audios of these books, which are really bad. For some reason, our library system only has these books in audio format, and trust me, the audio "makes me completely insane"! There I go quoting French Kiss again. SO thank you, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Miss Roberta - I am once again staggered by your thoughtfulness and your generous heart.

Mary - Thanks for that! And I am so thrilled that I have hit you with some book bullets!! I am reveling in my awesome power that I can make your bookcases tremble in fear. I will try not to let it go to my shed!

Amber - I lost my Dad just before finding LT, so this group has been such a blessing to me in helping me deal with that grief. Luckily, he left me so very many wonderful memories to pull back out and examine when I am missing him most. He was a wickedly funny man with a love of laughter and of life's small moments, and he taught me that, truly, kindness is our greatest asset. It is wonderful that you have that with both of your parents - lucky, lucky you and lucky Charlie to be having that incredible gift passed on to him.

I am going to have to try that Godiva HoCho!

Stephanie - Me, too! My Dad was great, my mom not so much.

Love your grocery store tale - now I am wondering who you were standing next to!!

Tam - I always love seeing what appeals to different people as far as books are concerned - so fun how our tastes overlap here and there and then differ completely in another corner. They were both very good reads. I like to use the books like Hounded to counter the more serious books. *waves back*

Megan - Hah! I found that dancing sheep last year, and I am completely in love with him, so I am thinking you will see him again this year!

Terri - You don't have to keep up, dear. It's find to just stop in and say hi. I do always include the cover photos with my book reviews so that it is easy to find those if one is skimming. And the threads are really hopping this year, so I am having trouble keeping up, too. I keep thinking that things will settle down, but not so far.

Faith - I know, right?! Isn't he just so cute? You catching a few book bullets here is only fair since I almost always get them from your thread!

*smooch* I enjoyed your reviews, dear Mamie!

Oh, thank you, Richard! *smooch back*

Mamie you are so very welcome. I have been looking for Spenser books for you from Paperback Swap. I have plenty of points but I don't use them very often because I find so much of what I want from the library. I'm glad you got them and that they passed the "smell" test ;-)

A bad audio is actually worse than a bad book in my opinion.

Mamie, I love this dancing sheep. So cute :-D

Roberta - It was just so kind. And you know how I feel about kindness. So true about bad audio. Anyway, thanks again for thinking of me.

Barbara - Me, too!! Lovely to see you here!

A lot of talking on Paul's thread about relatives that served in the military, and Amber posted pics of her Dad in his Navy uniform on her thread. Here is my Dad in his gear - he served in the Navy in WWII. He lied about his age so he could go earlier. Why? I asked him once. He responded, "Because it was important. You have to know when to stand up and when to stand down, and that is different for every person. For me it was time to stand up."

Here is another of him - he is on the far left, his dad is in the middle, and his older brother Frank is on the right.

How heart-breakingly young he looks in that first picture, Mamie. What an awful thing war is.

I know, Charlotte. I look at that photo and then at my own son, who is nineteen (and so older than my Dad in that photo), and I just cannot imagine watching him go off to war. Agree with my whole heart that war is an awful thing.

Your dad was a good looking young man with high ideals.

Am I remembering right - does Dan look a lot like him (in that first picture)?

Hi Cee! That he was - and he kept those ideals his whole life. And yes! Good eye! Dan has the exact same build as my Dad and there is definitely a resemblance. But Dan is quite a bit taler - my Dad was only 5'9" and Dan is an even 6'.

#194 - Lovely, honest review, Mamie! You're a peach!

I'll catch up on the other stuff at some point soon.

Hi Mamie, your Dad was a fine looking fella. I was the Daddy's Girl in our family and even though it's been many years since he passed away, I still miss him.

Hooray for catching up on all your reviews but really it is an never ending cycle isn't it - more books, more reviews!

Oh, good, Kerri. I was a bit nervous to try reviewing it because the plot is complicated, but she makes it work. But, I didn't want to NOT review it because there were only two reviews on the book's page, and I wanted people to hear about it. I really liked the book - especially Claire, whose character spoke to me. Thanks for taking time to stop in and read it.

((((((Mamie))))))))

You and your dad are adorable together!!! I love that picture way up there!

I had a 10 minute break and I spent the whole thing catching up here because I was so far behind! I can't believe how much I've missed in just a few days!

Love the genius fish picture, btw... I also have Abby's problem with the internal voice. Boo.

Also loving your reviews! You've caught up with me on Mercy Thompson so we'll be reading together when the next one comes out! Yay!

I'm going to have to go add Betwixt and Between to my wish list now with such a wonderful review!!! :)

Those photos of your dad are great! Rae seems to have inherited some of his facial characteristics.

Mamie - Your dad espoused the ethos that meant the civilised world was able to defeat Hitler and Hirohito back in the day. May I say his first photo he strikes me as a more handsome John Malkovitch. Like his second photo with his brother and your dad in Steinbeckian garb. xx

Oh, Mamie, what wonderful photos of your dad! Thanks so much for sharing.

What you wrote in >222 Crazymamie: that your dad told you about why he went to war made me cry. Your father was the epitome of honorable greatness, and that in addition to being a great dad.

My dad was also in WWII, but he was a bit older when he joined the Army/Air Corps. My Uncle Murphy lost his legs in WWII. War is a terrible thing, not only for the deaths and injuries in battles but for the aftermath. Both my dad and my uncle became alcoholics, and I am of the firm belief their experiences in wartime were at least partly to blame.

Tina - Thank you! And how sweet of you to spend your break catching up with my thread - I am touched. That genius fish picture was a big hit! I guess we all fell its truth. Like Abby, you will have to learn to tell that internal voice that it is wrong. Tell it to HUSH UP and BE STILL. And thank you for that review love - I was feeling so good to get those finished up.

I am very excited about the new Mercy Thompson coming out - can't wait for that and how fun to read it together!! And hooray for a book bullet!! You have certainly hit me with a few, so I am loving that I got you with one!!

Carrie - Thanks. SO glad you like them. And you are right - Rae does have some of his facial features and his skin tone.

Paul - Thank goodness they were willing to stand up to evil. What is that quote about all evil needs to triumph is for good people to do nothing - something like that. Anyway, thank goodness for that generation. My Dad was, I think, a handsome young man. The second photo has him in his military gear, too - that is his dress hat (I think that's what you call it), and his Navy pea coat and military pants. I am thinking that Frank was in the Army, but I am not positive. His sister Mildred also served. They all came home from the war.

Amber - You're so welcome! Fun to compare photos and stories.

Mary - I like how he thought about things. He always said that we each had our own compass and our own journey, so we can only decide what is right for us. I am so glad that what I shared spoke to you. What a lovely compliment you have paid him!

I so agree that war changes who we are - he didn't like to talk about it much. He served on a Destroyer that was hit by a kamikaze in 1944, and they lost part of their crew.

*edited so that it didn't look like I was shouting at everyone

Hi Mamie! I love the photos of your wartime Dad! How wonderful. My Dad was to young for WW2 and somehow dodged Korea, so he never had to go.

Judy - SO Sorry! I am just realizing that I missed you up there. Thanks for those fen words about my Dad. How did you guess that I was a Daddy's girl?!

So true about the never ending cycle - but it sure is a fun one, huh?!

Mark - SO glad you loved the photos! My Dad had younger brothers that fought in Korea and, I think, Vietnam - he came from a family of nine siblings! So great that your Dad never had to do that.

Wandering through, trailing smooches

It's so nice that your family is getting in on the LT fun! Back in the early days of online groups, I was a member of a lovely site called Knowpost, and my own kids participated. IT was really a lot of fun to have them there. It was a sad day for me when we woke one day and the site was simply gone. It was very good while it lasted, though :)

Yippy Skippy, we have almost made it to Friday!! Yesterday we moved the furniture around - I love doing that as it gives the rooms a fresh look and all you're out is a bit of elbow grease. The books are the biggest problem. I either need to buy another bookcase (or two), box some up for the attic, or get rid of ones that I will not read again. Or perhaps a combination. Anyway, right now I just have stacks sitting on the top of the cabinet that holds all the internet and tv gizmos.

Not too much on the agenda for today - I need to decide what's for dinner and take care of the laundry. And my desk in the bedroom has exploded again, so perhaps tidy that up a bit. Other than that, I would like to get some reading done - I have decided to hang in there with The Luminaries, as the writing is just so beautiful and it is slowly seducing me. I am giving it the attention it demands, which means backing off on reading so many books at one time, which is SO not like me. I am continuing with Death Comes for the Archbishop - just lovely. This is a library hardback, so I am reading it in the morning as I have my first coffee of the day.

I have put both Insurgent and The Girl With No Shadow to the side just for now until I finish up The Luminaries. The other book that I have picked up because I heard so much mention of it on the Faulkner thread for Mark's AAC is the Hamlet. This is the book that Linda has been recommending as a good place to start with Faulkner - I have read only two other Faulkners. One I loved (Light in August), and one I hated (As I Lay Dying). I had slotted Flags in the Dust as my February Faulkner read, as Richard recommended that one and I just happened to have it on my shelves. But when I looked up The Hamlet, I discovered that the movie The Long, Hot Summer is based on part of that book. Well, now I was hooked. I adore that movie and those characters, so I ordered myself a copy of The Hamlet, and when it came I could not resist dipping into it right away. It's very good - excellent writing, dark humor, characters that you want to know more about...I am one hundred pages in, and there is no turning back now. Look at me reading Faulkner and loving it!! I am thinking that I will still take time to get to Flags in the Dust because after all, BigDaddy says it's good.

Richard - I enjoy a good meander myself. Always a treat to have you in these parts. *smooches back*

Kathleen - It has been truly wonderful to have Abby start her own thread this year and share in all the fun. She loves to read as much as I do, which is just so lovely - something we will never be too old or too far apart to share. I can't imagine having a website that you visited everyday and loved just disappearing overnight. Sad, that.

Mamie, I'm glad to hear you are having such a positive reaction to The Hamlet, as that will probably be the Faulkner that I tackle next month.

I am amazed that you are able to read two books that demand some attention at the same time, in The Luminaries and Death Comes. You must have fierce powers of concentration, and I salute you!

Julia - It's very good. And very readable. I can't remember, have you read anything else by him?

I can keep the reads completely separate in my mind because I have a routine - the hardback Death Comes in the morning with coffee, the paperback The Hamlet in the early evening, and the ebook The Luminaries in the late evening and when I wake up during the night. For me, it works. I don't like reading the same book all day long, and I have tendonitis in both wrists that is acting up, so the hardback needs to get limited reading time.

*returns salute*

Glad to know you loved Light in August, as that is the Faulkner I've decided to read as my first novel of his. (I read his short story, Barn Burning, for a college course I took a decade or so ago and remember enjoying it. Well, "enjoying" may not be the exact word for it, but you know what I mean.

What you say about you and Abbey always sharing your love of reading really hits home with me, Mamie. My Mom is soon to be 93 and we share a great love of reading and often discuss books. Of course, my recent surprise was when she picked up a zombie book I had taken over there for my brother and got hooked on the series! Now we can discuss zombie books as well. :)

Mamie, have you read Looking Backward by Joyce Swann? It's a memoir of a woman who homeschooled her 10 children for 25 years.

Mary - I think it's a good place to start with his novels - it's accessible and the writing is beautiful. Requires some focus but doesn't demand all of you, so worth the effort. I was leery to try Faulkner again after truly hating As I Lay Dying, but Light in August is completely different.

Judy - That is just so great about sharing reading with your Mom! That's what I hope for. And I love that now the two of you are discussing zombie books - you and your Mom rock, Judy!!

Caro - No, I haven't. I'll have to check that one out. Ten children?! YIKES!!

Mamie, I tried to read As I Lay Dying many years ago but didn't get very far. I'm hopeful that I'll do better this time, especially with the fabulous LT support network!

Your reading system makes perfect sense, and I can see now how you can keep them compartmentalized in your mind. You are such a clever belle. :-)

Mamie - Hope that painting the Paradisio is not too taxing and that you can have as colourful a weekend as I'm sure you will a colourful home.

I found The Reivers a very good 'entry' book into the Faulkner world.

Hi Mamie!

Love the photos of your father! So dashing! Thanks for sharing!

Julia - The Hamlet is MUCH better than As I Lay Dying! I think the humor in it will grab you. Glad to know that I am not completely crazy and that my reading routine makes sense to someone besides myself.

Paul - Oh, I will not be painting, I assure you. Craig and I used to paint together, but he would always repaint what I had done. SO now he is in charge of all the painting - crazy like a fox I am! And it's not the whole house - just the kids' bedrooms.

Lucy - I looked that up, as I had heard of it but could not remember what it was about. It does sound like a good one. Interesting that his final novel should make a good entry into him. I am loving The Hamlet, so I am thrilled with my purchase.

Chelle - Hello there! Glad you love the pics of my Dad! Always fun to share!

<252> I agree Lucy. The Reivers is a much easier read than I expected from Faulkner.

Reba - Good to know. I read your review of it, and I am adding it to my TBR list.

Please come join me on the new thread!