Catarina's hoping for a better year
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2014
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1catarina1
2013 was a miserable, all around. Only 19 books read. Surely, this year will be better. I hope.
2catarina1
Books purchased (so far) in 2014:
1) Interwoven Globe: The Worldwide Textile Trade 1500-1800 - Amelia Peck
2) The Snoring Bird: My Family's Journey through a Century of Biology- Bernd Heinrich
3) A Year in the Maine Woods - Bernd Heinrich
4) The Infatuations - Javier Marias
5) Someone - Alice McDermott
6) Astray - Emma Donoghue
7) The Suicide Index - Joan Wickersham
8) Wave - Sonali Deraniyagala
9) 1914 - Jean Echenoz
10) The Lowland - Jhumpa Lahiri
1) Interwoven Globe: The Worldwide Textile Trade 1500-1800 - Amelia Peck
2) The Snoring Bird: My Family's Journey through a Century of Biology- Bernd Heinrich
3) A Year in the Maine Woods - Bernd Heinrich
4) The Infatuations - Javier Marias
5) Someone - Alice McDermott
6) Astray - Emma Donoghue
7) The Suicide Index - Joan Wickersham
8) Wave - Sonali Deraniyagala
9) 1914 - Jean Echenoz
10) The Lowland - Jhumpa Lahiri
3catarina1
Have not been very successful with book challenges but this year I might participate in the American Book Challenge, but not in order, and with substitutions, so I guess that means I'm not really participating! The books will all be "off the shelf"
January - Willa Cather O Pioneers, My Antonia, Death Comes to the Archbishop, Later Novels
February - Cormac McCarthy All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing
March - substitute! Joyce Carol Oates You Must Remember This, Middle Age, We Were the Mulvaneys, Because it is Bitter, because its My Heart
April - Toni Morrison - Paradise, The Bluest Eye, Beloved, Jazz, A Mercy, Song of Solomon
May - Eudora Welty - Delta Wedding Finally read and reviewed Oct 25
June - substitute! - Donna Tartt The Little Friend, The Secret History, The Goldfinch
July - Mary Twain - Mississippi Writings, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Life on the Mississippi
August - substitute! John Steinbeck, Paul Auster, Don DeLillo, etc
September - James Baldwin - Notes of a Native Son, Giovanni's Room
October - Edith Wharton - The House of Mirth, the Age of innocence, The Glimpses of the Moon
November - John Updike (but perhaps a substitute also) Rabbit at Rest
December - Larry Watson Orchard, American Boy
January - Willa Cather O Pioneers, My Antonia, Death Comes to the Archbishop, Later Novels
February - Cormac McCarthy All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing
March - substitute! Joyce Carol Oates You Must Remember This, Middle Age, We Were the Mulvaneys, Because it is Bitter, because its My Heart
April - Toni Morrison - Paradise, The Bluest Eye, Beloved, Jazz, A Mercy, Song of Solomon
May - Eudora Welty - Delta Wedding Finally read and reviewed Oct 25
June - substitute! - Donna Tartt The Little Friend, The Secret History, The Goldfinch
July - Mary Twain - Mississippi Writings, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Life on the Mississippi
August - substitute! John Steinbeck, Paul Auster, Don DeLillo, etc
September - James Baldwin - Notes of a Native Son, Giovanni's Room
October - Edith Wharton - The House of Mirth, the Age of innocence, The Glimpses of the Moon
November - John Updike (but perhaps a substitute also) Rabbit at Rest
December - Larry Watson Orchard, American Boy
6catarina1
1)
Wave - Sonali Deraniyagala
Finally got a book read for the month of January. Work is just frightful. Can't wait to retire.
Some have called her angry, but I don't blame her - to loose all of your family in just a few minutes. Its a story of how she sorts through it all.
Wave - Sonali Deraniyagala
Finally got a book read for the month of January. Work is just frightful. Can't wait to retire.
Some have called her angry, but I don't blame her - to loose all of your family in just a few minutes. Its a story of how she sorts through it all.
8catarina1
This has been a terrible year so far for reading. Have started many books, but finished none. I just went to three local used book sales and replenished my supply - as if it really needed that. So perhaps this will spur me on to get something finished.
9jennyifer24
Hang in there! When I'm stuck I usually reread a favorite- Bridget Jone's Diary is my go-to :-) I hope work becomes less stressful soon!
11catarina1
2) Burial Rites - Hannah Kent
Finally, a second book read. Now I'm hoping to pick up the pace. I have now officially retired, life is less stressful but not less busy. There are still many things to do each day, but now, they are all "for me".
Much has been written here on LT about the book so I'll just say it was a very good read. Was this author's first book, she is apparently at work on a second, set in Ireland, 1820s. Looking forward to it.
This was, I think, the first book I have read about Iceland. But it won't be the only for long. I have a copy of Halldor Laxness's Independent People but don't think it will be the next read because there are many, many already lined up - Bark short stories by Lorrie Moore, Midnight at the Dragon Cafe by Judy Fong Bates, The Luminaries Eleanor Catton, All Our Names Dinaw Mengestu, and on and on.
Finally, a second book read. Now I'm hoping to pick up the pace. I have now officially retired, life is less stressful but not less busy. There are still many things to do each day, but now, they are all "for me".
Much has been written here on LT about the book so I'll just say it was a very good read. Was this author's first book, she is apparently at work on a second, set in Ireland, 1820s. Looking forward to it.
This was, I think, the first book I have read about Iceland. But it won't be the only for long. I have a copy of Halldor Laxness's Independent People but don't think it will be the next read because there are many, many already lined up - Bark short stories by Lorrie Moore, Midnight at the Dragon Cafe by Judy Fong Bates, The Luminaries Eleanor Catton, All Our Names Dinaw Mengestu, and on and on.
12drneutron
Have you tried the Inspector Erlandur series? It's set in modern day Iceland by an Icelandic author - start with Jar City.
14catarina1
I just got a note that I have won A Long Way Home thru Early Reviewers. I'm really excited and anxious for its arrival. Sounds like a interesting story and fits with my interest in genealogy.
15catarina1
3) Stoner - John Williams
The pace IS picking up. This one I found at a used book sale recently. Never heard of it nor the author before but it was so obviously a NYRB book, I couldn't resist. And it was wonderful. Stoner grew up on a farm in Missouri with his hard-working parents, went off to college to study agriculture but falls in love with English, never to return to the farm.
His mentor says "Don't you know, Mr Stoner. Don't you understand about yourself yet? You're going to be a teacher." It reminded me a bit of the last book that I read - Burial Rites. The author Hannah Kent relates that her interest in Iceland stems from her time there as a lonely student and being given a book of Icelandic nature poems by a teacher, with an inscription "from one poet to another" which was for her a validation of her abilities and desire to be a writer.
As I was reading Stoner I kept wondering how closely did the book mirror the life of the author who, himself, received degrees from and then became a professor for his entire life at the same university. Williams is obviously writing about circumstances that he knows very well.
At one point in Stoner's career, he has a serious disagreement with Lomax who becomes the chair of the dept and then subsequently, for the rest of Stoner's tenure, attempts to make his life miserable, trying to undermine him, to get rid of him. Though I did not work in academia (thank God) I had a similar experience at work. Unfortunately I was not able to thwart the attacks nor obtain the resolution (revenge) that Stoner did.
The pace IS picking up. This one I found at a used book sale recently. Never heard of it nor the author before but it was so obviously a NYRB book, I couldn't resist. And it was wonderful. Stoner grew up on a farm in Missouri with his hard-working parents, went off to college to study agriculture but falls in love with English, never to return to the farm.
His mentor says "Don't you know, Mr Stoner. Don't you understand about yourself yet? You're going to be a teacher." It reminded me a bit of the last book that I read - Burial Rites. The author Hannah Kent relates that her interest in Iceland stems from her time there as a lonely student and being given a book of Icelandic nature poems by a teacher, with an inscription "from one poet to another" which was for her a validation of her abilities and desire to be a writer.
As I was reading Stoner I kept wondering how closely did the book mirror the life of the author who, himself, received degrees from and then became a professor for his entire life at the same university. Williams is obviously writing about circumstances that he knows very well.
At one point in Stoner's career, he has a serious disagreement with Lomax who becomes the chair of the dept and then subsequently, for the rest of Stoner's tenure, attempts to make his life miserable, trying to undermine him, to get rid of him. Though I did not work in academia (thank God) I had a similar experience at work. Unfortunately I was not able to thwart the attacks nor obtain the resolution (revenge) that Stoner did.
16catarina1
4) Congratulations, by the way - George Sunders
small book about kindness and its opposite, selfishness, convocation speech given at Syracuse U, where he teaches.
small book about kindness and its opposite, selfishness, convocation speech given at Syracuse U, where he teaches.
17catarina1
5) A Long Way Home - Saroo Brierley
An Early Reviewers book. A memoir - his recollections of getting lost on a train in India as a 5 year old. He ends up in Calcutta and then on the streets where he apparently lived for 6 months before finding himself in an orphanage and then being adopted by a couple in Tasmania. This, in itself, would be an interesting read but then at the age of 30, he uses Google Earth and Facebook to find his mother who is still alive in a small town in India. Amazing story. I remain a little skeptical - it is just a little difficult to believe that a 5 yr old could survive so long - perhaps he is a little older than he thinks. But it was still a good read.
An Early Reviewers book. A memoir - his recollections of getting lost on a train in India as a 5 year old. He ends up in Calcutta and then on the streets where he apparently lived for 6 months before finding himself in an orphanage and then being adopted by a couple in Tasmania. This, in itself, would be an interesting read but then at the age of 30, he uses Google Earth and Facebook to find his mother who is still alive in a small town in India. Amazing story. I remain a little skeptical - it is just a little difficult to believe that a 5 yr old could survive so long - perhaps he is a little older than he thinks. But it was still a good read.
18catarina1
6) Jar City - Arnaldur Indridason
The pace of reading is picking up some, but this was a quick and easy read. I picked it up just to read something else set in Iceland. In the words of Erlendur - "a pathetic Icelandic murder" - "squalid, pointless". Actually not quite so. Did learn a little about Iceland, but only a little.
The pace of reading is picking up some, but this was a quick and easy read. I picked it up just to read something else set in Iceland. In the words of Erlendur - "a pathetic Icelandic murder" - "squalid, pointless". Actually not quite so. Did learn a little about Iceland, but only a little.
19drneutron
I liked that one, but the series definitely gets better as it goes along, especially as other characters develop.
20catarina1
7) Bark - Lorrie Moore
I don't know what it is - this author, or short stories - just could not get into it. Or was it the characters, or the setting - contemporary, aimless, whining America. Ouch!
Dr.Neuton - perhaps I should look for more of his. Thanks for the suggestion.
I don't know what it is - this author, or short stories - just could not get into it. Or was it the characters, or the setting - contemporary, aimless, whining America. Ouch!
Dr.Neuton - perhaps I should look for more of his. Thanks for the suggestion.
21kidzdoc
>20 catarina1: contemporary, aimless, whining America
That descriptor would also apply to the characters in her novel A Gate at the Stairs, which I loathed.
That descriptor would also apply to the characters in her novel A Gate at the Stairs, which I loathed.
22catarina1
Darryl - As I was picking up her book of short stories, the little light bulb lit up - "Darryl hates her writing" - but alas, I checked out the book nonetheless. Learned my lesson!
23catarina1
8) The Coroner's Lunch - Colin Cotterill
The first in a series of (currently) seven. Stars Dr. Siri Paiboun, 72 yo reluctant national coroner in 1976 Laos. One of the few remaining doctors in the country after the revolution and with the ability to "see" the spirits of the the dead. Interesting cast of characters, in a time and place I know little of. What's not to love?
The first in a series of (currently) seven. Stars Dr. Siri Paiboun, 72 yo reluctant national coroner in 1976 Laos. One of the few remaining doctors in the country after the revolution and with the ability to "see" the spirits of the the dead. Interesting cast of characters, in a time and place I know little of. What's not to love?
25catarina1
The winner of the Bailey's Prize, formerly the Orange Prize, was announced. A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride.
The only one on the short list that I knew nothing about so I took myself to Amazon to read reviews. On the "pro" side: "avant-garde brilliant" and "Irish writing at its best" but on the "con" side: "experimental", "hard to read", "written in jumbles", "hackneyed and mundane characters", "manic", "wafer thin plot". As usual, in such cases, the judges said they were "impressed by its inventiveness".
Not available in the US till Sept which, in this case, might be a good thing. It will give me time to think about it, read reviews here on LT.
The only one on the short list that I knew nothing about so I took myself to Amazon to read reviews. On the "pro" side: "avant-garde brilliant" and "Irish writing at its best" but on the "con" side: "experimental", "hard to read", "written in jumbles", "hackneyed and mundane characters", "manic", "wafer thin plot". As usual, in such cases, the judges said they were "impressed by its inventiveness".
Not available in the US till Sept which, in this case, might be a good thing. It will give me time to think about it, read reviews here on LT.
26catarina1
10 Tallgrass - Sandra Dallas
Picked this one up due to a suggestion by someone here on LT. It is what I call a "simple read", nothing is hidden, little to challenge but was somewhat entertaining for what it is. Setting is a small town in Colorado, early WWII, Japanese internment camp set up just outside of town. All things Japan is my passion, have 500+ books about Japan, so for me, this book was not enlightening. Might read something else by this author but, on the other hand, "so many books, too little time".
Picked this one up due to a suggestion by someone here on LT. It is what I call a "simple read", nothing is hidden, little to challenge but was somewhat entertaining for what it is. Setting is a small town in Colorado, early WWII, Japanese internment camp set up just outside of town. All things Japan is my passion, have 500+ books about Japan, so for me, this book was not enlightening. Might read something else by this author but, on the other hand, "so many books, too little time".
27Chatterbox
>20 catarina1: Oh dear, that's not encouraging, as I have to read that for Amazon Vine.
But Dr. Siri -- oh, bliss. I love those books.
But Dr. Siri -- oh, bliss. I love those books.
28catarina1
It might just be me, you may like Bark as others here have. Admittedly, I don't read many short stories but I have been intermittently dipping into the short stories of Raymond Carver and have been enjoying them - but that is the angst of a different era.
As for Dr. Siri, between my shelves and those at the library, all of the books are covered except one. I'm looking forward to them but since there are only 7, I'm trying to savor them by spreading them out.
As for Dr. Siri, between my shelves and those at the library, all of the books are covered except one. I'm looking forward to them but since there are only 7, I'm trying to savor them by spreading them out.
29catarina1
11) Jack of Spies - David Downing
Another lite summer read. I have read most of his previous station series (WW2) and this seems to be the beginning of another series (WW1). Not very demanding, somewhat entertaining. But somethings do defy belief.
Another lite summer read. I have read most of his previous station series (WW2) and this seems to be the beginning of another series (WW1). Not very demanding, somewhat entertaining. But somethings do defy belief.
30catarina1
First sighting of lightening bugs tonight. It is hot and humid enough for that. And the first day of summer is still three days away. Cicadas are next.
31catarina1
12) Quilting With a Modern Slant - Rachel May
Not so much about techniques but about "who's who" and the politics of modern quilting. What? quilting is political too? You betcha! Beautiful photos, beautiful fabric. Lots of inspiration.
Not so much about techniques but about "who's who" and the politics of modern quilting. What? quilting is political too? You betcha! Beautiful photos, beautiful fabric. Lots of inspiration.
33catarina1
13) The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman
I've been resisting this one for some time, don't know why exactly, except that I'm not a fan of fantasy - science fiction, mimes - yuck!
And now that I've read it, I'm not exactly sure what to think of it. But I'll probably look for more of his books - just not right now.
I live clear across the country now from the house where I grew up - not in the farm lands of rural Sussex but what is now Silicon Valley (it was apricot orchards and chicken ranches back then). I have gone back a few times, driven by the house, peaked over the fence. Didn't see an ocean or a pond, but who knows.
I've been resisting this one for some time, don't know why exactly, except that I'm not a fan of fantasy - science fiction, mimes - yuck!
And now that I've read it, I'm not exactly sure what to think of it. But I'll probably look for more of his books - just not right now.
I live clear across the country now from the house where I grew up - not in the farm lands of rural Sussex but what is now Silicon Valley (it was apricot orchards and chicken ranches back then). I have gone back a few times, driven by the house, peaked over the fence. Didn't see an ocean or a pond, but who knows.
34catarina1
14) How to Read the Air - Dinaw Mengestu
"But then I thought that was the problem all along, that before a family secret or past can be revealed there has to be a family to begin with, and what we were was something closer to a jazz trio than a family - performance group that got together every now and then to play a few familiar notes before dispersing back to their real, private lives."
Jonah and his parents were never close, could never tell their true stories to each other and this carries over to his marriage, to his relationship to his students, to the stories he tells the students - but is that a result of their immigrant status. I think not. Its too common.
"But then I thought that was the problem all along, that before a family secret or past can be revealed there has to be a family to begin with, and what we were was something closer to a jazz trio than a family - performance group that got together every now and then to play a few familiar notes before dispersing back to their real, private lives."
Jonah and his parents were never close, could never tell their true stories to each other and this carries over to his marriage, to his relationship to his students, to the stories he tells the students - but is that a result of their immigrant status. I think not. Its too common.
35catarina1
15) Midnight at the Dragon Cafe - Judy Fong Bates
Published in 2005, and purchased used in 2011, it sat on the shelf until now. But it has just become one of my favorite books. Very unexpected. This book has apparently had much acclaim in Canada but none that I have noticed here. I just ordered her two other books - a volume of short stories written before this one and her memoir written just a couple of years ago.
The Dragon Cafe is the sole Chinese restaurant in a small town in Canada in the 1960's. Su-Jen's father owns it and the family works there and lives above it. This book is about their lives as immigrants, as the only Chinese family in this small town but it is about so much more. There are secrets that are hidden until the very end. Its a quiet story, seemingly so simple, but the family takes hold of you - I didn't want it to end.
I would hope that Ms. Bates writes a sequel to this one - either about Su-Jen and her mother and their future in Toronto or about her brother and his mail-order bride who apparently will take over the restaurant. Or about her father who might retire from running the restaurant - there are so many rich possibilities.
Published in 2005, and purchased used in 2011, it sat on the shelf until now. But it has just become one of my favorite books. Very unexpected. This book has apparently had much acclaim in Canada but none that I have noticed here. I just ordered her two other books - a volume of short stories written before this one and her memoir written just a couple of years ago.
The Dragon Cafe is the sole Chinese restaurant in a small town in Canada in the 1960's. Su-Jen's father owns it and the family works there and lives above it. This book is about their lives as immigrants, as the only Chinese family in this small town but it is about so much more. There are secrets that are hidden until the very end. Its a quiet story, seemingly so simple, but the family takes hold of you - I didn't want it to end.
I would hope that Ms. Bates writes a sequel to this one - either about Su-Jen and her mother and their future in Toronto or about her brother and his mail-order bride who apparently will take over the restaurant. Or about her father who might retire from running the restaurant - there are so many rich possibilities.
37kidzdoc
I liked How to Read the Air, but not as much as Mengestu's debut novel Children of the Revolution (aka The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears). I'm currently reading his latest novel All Our Names, but I'm only a few pages into it.
Hmm...the touchstones appear to be taking a siesta.
Hmm...the touchstones appear to be taking a siesta.
38catarina1
I had the same feeling about the two books. Also have a copy of the latest one All Our Names but haven't started it yet. I have always been curious why a book would have two different titles - one for the US market and one for elsewhere. A book's title should be its title - I hate when marketing gets involved.
40catarina1
16) A History of London in 100 Places - David Long
Very short but delightful stories of London's history, grouped by era. I picked it up at the library in hopes of dining a little bit of information about the area in London where part of my family is from - Lambeth. Found out that the name Lambeth is actually Saxon - Lambehitha was a Saxon village. And found a little more information about the site that the Crystal Palace was moved to in Sydenham Hill. My great grandfather was a bricklayer and I imagine that he probably was employed there, laying the bricks for the park. Each entry is very brief, but necessarily so, if one is trying to squeeze 100 places into such a small book.
Very short but delightful stories of London's history, grouped by era. I picked it up at the library in hopes of dining a little bit of information about the area in London where part of my family is from - Lambeth. Found out that the name Lambeth is actually Saxon - Lambehitha was a Saxon village. And found a little more information about the site that the Crystal Palace was moved to in Sydenham Hill. My great grandfather was a bricklayer and I imagine that he probably was employed there, laying the bricks for the park. Each entry is very brief, but necessarily so, if one is trying to squeeze 100 places into such a small book.
41catarina1
17 A Cold and Broken Hallelujah - Tyler Dilts
This one was offered free from Amazon, as a "Amazon First". How could I pass it up? But I don't quite understand how it is a "First". It is actually the third book in a series of police detective stories, set in Long Beach. A quick and interesting read. Liked it so much that I also downloaded his two previous. Well-written, complex enough, atmospheric (hot and gritty) down-on-its-heels Long Beach. The only distraction for me was the inclusion of so many pop culture references - Bruce Springsteen, a quote by David Foster Wallace, etc. I understand why authors do that but it just makes me grit me teeth.
This one was offered free from Amazon, as a "Amazon First". How could I pass it up? But I don't quite understand how it is a "First". It is actually the third book in a series of police detective stories, set in Long Beach. A quick and interesting read. Liked it so much that I also downloaded his two previous. Well-written, complex enough, atmospheric (hot and gritty) down-on-its-heels Long Beach. The only distraction for me was the inclusion of so many pop culture references - Bruce Springsteen, a quote by David Foster Wallace, etc. I understand why authors do that but it just makes me grit me teeth.
44catarina1
19 Murder on Bamboo Lane - Naomi Hirahara
Picked this one up at the library expecting a pleasant read. I've read previous books by this author in the past, her Mas Arai series - they were OK. She apparently is starting a new series - about a Japanese-American rookie bicycle cop in LA. Initially it held promise but devolved into chick lit mystery-life. But finished it anyhow. Think I'll pass on anymore of her books.
Picked this one up at the library expecting a pleasant read. I've read previous books by this author in the past, her Mas Arai series - they were OK. She apparently is starting a new series - about a Japanese-American rookie bicycle cop in LA. Initially it held promise but devolved into chick lit mystery-life. But finished it anyhow. Think I'll pass on anymore of her books.
45catarina1
20) Annabel - Kathleen Winter
Wonderful book. Sad but hopeful, at times painful but also rewarding. It is one of the 2014 Canada Reads books.
Wonderful book. Sad but hopeful, at times painful but also rewarding. It is one of the 2014 Canada Reads books.
46catarina1
21) The Shape of Water - Andrea Camilleri
A re-read for me. First read was quite while ago but wanted to start at the beginning of the series. "You're supposed to be an honest man?" "No, I'm not" says Montalbano "But not for the reasons you think." And so begins the saga of Vigata's most respected detective.
A re-read for me. First read was quite while ago but wanted to start at the beginning of the series. "You're supposed to be an honest man?" "No, I'm not" says Montalbano "But not for the reasons you think." And so begins the saga of Vigata's most respected detective.
47catarina1
22) Tooth and Nail - Ian Rankin
The third of the Rebus series, but the second one I've read. Plan to read the series, now at 19, but possibly not in order - I'm at the whim of the library system. In this one Rebus has traveled to London to help with an investigation there. Interesting read, but nothing deep.
The third of the Rebus series, but the second one I've read. Plan to read the series, now at 19, but possibly not in order - I'm at the whim of the library system. In this one Rebus has traveled to London to help with an investigation there. Interesting read, but nothing deep.
48catarina1
Going to follow "September Series and Sequels". Didn't realize I was working on so many of them:
Andrea Camilleri Commissario Montalbano series, currently reading #2 of 16
Alan Furst Night Soldiers series, completed none of 13
Ian Rankin Rebus series, completed two and currently reading third of series of 19
Colin Cotterill Dr. Siri Paiboun series, read one of 9
Andrea Camilleri Commissario Montalbano series, currently reading #2 of 16
Alan Furst Night Soldiers series, completed none of 13
Ian Rankin Rebus series, completed two and currently reading third of series of 19
Colin Cotterill Dr. Siri Paiboun series, read one of 9
49catarina1
I wasn't going to do it. I was going to wait until I could get it from the library, but the reviews here were so good that I just downloaded Louise Penny's latest (released today). I'm off to read it now. Did I say that I love my Kindle! I'm still amazed - books flying through the air!
50kidzdoc
>49 catarina1: Same here! I was dead set against e-readers, along with the wife of my best friend. She received a Kindle from him as a birthday present several years ago, and grumbled to me that morning that she didn't want it and wouldn't use it. By that afternoon she was enthralled with it, and when Dave came home from work that evening she was singing its praises to him. And, after Murielle showed her Kindle to me I bought my first one less than a month later.
52catarina1
The Dutchman and The Dutchman's Dilemma were two books that I had been looking for, for a long time. I had first seen them in a library about 12 yrs ago. I don't recall them as prize winning novels but the setting of New Amsterdam was particularly well described. But when I went looking for them, I found that they were out of print and were priced over $100. Never to give up, I just checked on Amazon and found that they are now available for the Kindle at $2.99. Of course, they were snapped up. Alas, the others in the series are still "out of print", still over $100, but one can hope. So now, I just have to find time to read these two and all of the others in the pile. Did I say how much I love my Kindle??
53catarina1
23) Hide & Seek - Ian Rankin
The third in the series. Was OK, I think I'm just a little tired of the genre. Time for a break.
The third in the series. Was OK, I think I'm just a little tired of the genre. Time for a break.
54Ameise1
Catarina, I never could read one after another of Rankin's books (also from other authors) but from time to time one of his mysteries is fabulous.
55catarina1
I think you are right. Murderers, drug dealers - just too much to read about, book after book. Especially when the nightly news is also so bleak.
Changing genres for a while. I've got some memoirs, some weird Japanese fiction and a big list of LT recommendations - I'm off to the library this afternoon.
Changing genres for a while. I've got some memoirs, some weird Japanese fiction and a big list of LT recommendations - I'm off to the library this afternoon.
57catarina1
A couple of weeks ago I placed a "hold" at my local public library for Murakami's latest - Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage. I was informed that I was #25 on the list - "Do you still want to continue?" Did the math quickly - 25 X 3 (the number of weeks a person can have the book) = 75 weeks - that is 1 1/2 yrs. OK, what the heck. But I'll probably buy the book before then.
But what a surprise. Got an email today that the book was ready for pick-up. Some people must have dropped out of the queue
But what a surprise. Got an email today that the book was ready for pick-up. Some people must have dropped out of the queue
58catarina1
24) Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage - Haruki Murakami
It took a while for me to get interested, perhaps halfway. Turned out to be a pleasant read, but not very challenging. Wonder why Murakami felt the need to give a rationale for all the characters actions and motivations in the final chapter. As a reader I prefer to do that myself. On to the the next one - which is going to be one that is "of the shelf" - Tokyo Form and Spirit - the catalog to a show back in1986.
It took a while for me to get interested, perhaps halfway. Turned out to be a pleasant read, but not very challenging. Wonder why Murakami felt the need to give a rationale for all the characters actions and motivations in the final chapter. As a reader I prefer to do that myself. On to the the next one - which is going to be one that is "of the shelf" - Tokyo Form and Spirit - the catalog to a show back in1986.
59catarina1
25) Revenge - Yoko Ogawa
Eleven Dark Tales - eleven short stories, all connected by tenuous threads. Weird, disconcerting and very Japanese. Carrots in the shape of hands grown in a garden by a woman who has killed her husband, a woman with her heart on the outside of her body, a mother who is buying shortcake for a son who has been dead for years . . .
Eleven Dark Tales - eleven short stories, all connected by tenuous threads. Weird, disconcerting and very Japanese. Carrots in the shape of hands grown in a garden by a woman who has killed her husband, a woman with her heart on the outside of her body, a mother who is buying shortcake for a son who has been dead for years . . .
61kidzdoc
Interesting comments about the new Murakami. I thought that I would get to it this month, but I'll read it in October, for Mark's group read.
62PaulCranswick
My first stop this weekend is your place Catarina as a return visit or several are certainly in order. Thanks for keeping my fairly stagnant thread (these days) ticking along a little. Pleased to see that you have already safely passed last year's reading total and with a fair few of my favourite reads thrown in there too.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Have a wonderful weekend.
63catarina1
26) One Foot in Eden - Ron Rash
This was suggested by Mark and I want to thank him for the introduction of this author. This is Rash's first book and was surprisingly good. There were a couple of very small missteps, or rough places but all in all, quite good. It is a story told in several voices, different versions - the sheriff, his deputy, the farmer and his wife and his son. The setting is a small town in South Carolina, at the very edge of the NC border, shortly after the Korean War. I haven't read much written by Southern writers so far but just might make this a "challenge" for next year. And I plan to include the other books by this author.
This was suggested by Mark and I want to thank him for the introduction of this author. This is Rash's first book and was surprisingly good. There were a couple of very small missteps, or rough places but all in all, quite good. It is a story told in several voices, different versions - the sheriff, his deputy, the farmer and his wife and his son. The setting is a small town in South Carolina, at the very edge of the NC border, shortly after the Korean War. I haven't read much written by Southern writers so far but just might make this a "challenge" for next year. And I plan to include the other books by this author.
64catarina1
There are exactly 100 days left to the year. In order for me to reach 75 books, I will need to read one book every two days. Not very likely that that goal will be reached.
65cushlareads
Hi Catarina. Good luck with 1 book every 2 days! I need to do even more than that and pigs fly.
I bought my husband the new Murakami book a couple of weeks ago, but he hasn't had time to start it yet. I've read only one of his books - South of the Border, West of the Sun and liked it but didn't love it.
You're not tempting me with Revenge, although I did love The Housekeeper and the Professor. Have you read it?
I bought my husband the new Murakami book a couple of weeks ago, but he hasn't had time to start it yet. I've read only one of his books - South of the Border, West of the Sun and liked it but didn't love it.
You're not tempting me with Revenge, although I did love The Housekeeper and the Professor. Have you read it?
66catarina1
Hi Cushla - It's not very likely that I will read a book every two days. Just too many other things going on. Revenge was a typical contemporary Japanese novel. Weird, angst, mildly disturbing. But this one was actually entertaining. I have The Housekeeper and the Professor but haven't read it yet.
This weekend was the Baltimore Book Festival. There was a venue change this year due to construction in the usual site. It was at the Inner Harbor - quite pleasant. But crowded. I hate crowds.
But I went in order to see Alice McDermott who read from her latest - Someone. It had languished on the TBR shelfs for months but I started it a few days ago. Quite good. Well developed characters and well developed scenes - I found myself thinking of the apartment where my grandparents lived in San Francisco years ago ( even though this story is set in Brooklyn in the 20's-30's).
She read a section of the book that ended with a mention of Charles Dickens. In the Q&A afterwards she mentioned that she likes to put hints or teasers, little things that most readers would not pick up on but would become relevant later in the book. This one related to the idea that the story could actually be a dream, as in A Christmas Carol.
Last year I had seen James McBride - he read from his then soon to be released book, The Good Lord Bird. Since I had read a couple of his previous books, I ordered that one - it was a little "meh", I've yet to finish it.
At the Book Festival there are always several sellers of used books and I, of course, picked up a few:
-The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse - Louise Erdrich - another story set on the Ojibwe reservation
- Charming Billy - Alice McDermott - her talk today has put many more books on the TBR list
- A Cupboard Full of Coats = Yvvette Edwards - long-list for the Booker Prize a few yrs ago
- American Pastoral - Philip Roth - I have avoided him since his early books but this one has gotten good reviews here on LT
- The Cuckoo's Calling - JK Rowling, aka Robert Galbraith - another author I've avoided
and two by Ken Follett - Hornet Flight and The Man from St. Petersburg - two "non-trilogy" books
Now I need to find the time to read some of these as well as the gazillions already on the shelf (s).
This weekend was the Baltimore Book Festival. There was a venue change this year due to construction in the usual site. It was at the Inner Harbor - quite pleasant. But crowded. I hate crowds.
But I went in order to see Alice McDermott who read from her latest - Someone. It had languished on the TBR shelfs for months but I started it a few days ago. Quite good. Well developed characters and well developed scenes - I found myself thinking of the apartment where my grandparents lived in San Francisco years ago ( even though this story is set in Brooklyn in the 20's-30's).
She read a section of the book that ended with a mention of Charles Dickens. In the Q&A afterwards she mentioned that she likes to put hints or teasers, little things that most readers would not pick up on but would become relevant later in the book. This one related to the idea that the story could actually be a dream, as in A Christmas Carol.
Last year I had seen James McBride - he read from his then soon to be released book, The Good Lord Bird. Since I had read a couple of his previous books, I ordered that one - it was a little "meh", I've yet to finish it.
At the Book Festival there are always several sellers of used books and I, of course, picked up a few:
-The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse - Louise Erdrich - another story set on the Ojibwe reservation
- Charming Billy - Alice McDermott - her talk today has put many more books on the TBR list
- A Cupboard Full of Coats = Yvvette Edwards - long-list for the Booker Prize a few yrs ago
- American Pastoral - Philip Roth - I have avoided him since his early books but this one has gotten good reviews here on LT
- The Cuckoo's Calling - JK Rowling, aka Robert Galbraith - another author I've avoided
and two by Ken Follett - Hornet Flight and The Man from St. Petersburg - two "non-trilogy" books
Now I need to find the time to read some of these as well as the gazillions already on the shelf (s).
68catarina1
27) The Free World: A Novel - David Bezmozgis
The perils of immigration, in this case for Latvian Jews who initially plan to go to the US/Chicago but end up being stuck in Rome while papers are processed, plans change.
The perils of immigration, in this case for Latvian Jews who initially plan to go to the US/Chicago but end up being stuck in Rome while papers are processed, plans change.
69catarina1
Stopped by Daedalus Books down in Columbia, MD and picked up there Colin Cotterill mysteries about Dr. Siri Paiboun. I think I may now have the entire series.
70catarina1
28) Yokohama Yankee - Leslie Helm
Subtitle is "My Family's Five Generations as Outsiders in Japan. The author's great grandfather arrived in Yokohama from Germany in 1869 (very early Meiji) and began a stevedore and forwarding agency there. The company was a successful business into the mid-20th c when the author's father finally sold the business. We get a glimpse of life in Yokohama during those years, a feeling for the experiences of an "outsider" family, most of whom were actually born in Japan. At the end of the book the author touches on his own genealogy search which I found very interesting. the author and his wife also adopted two children from Japan and he discusses the challenges of that.
His great grandfather initially was trying to go to China but a scheduling problem with the ship caused him to go to Japan instead. I thought that was a little humorous - China?, Japan? Whatever.
Subtitle is "My Family's Five Generations as Outsiders in Japan. The author's great grandfather arrived in Yokohama from Germany in 1869 (very early Meiji) and began a stevedore and forwarding agency there. The company was a successful business into the mid-20th c when the author's father finally sold the business. We get a glimpse of life in Yokohama during those years, a feeling for the experiences of an "outsider" family, most of whom were actually born in Japan. At the end of the book the author touches on his own genealogy search which I found very interesting. the author and his wife also adopted two children from Japan and he discusses the challenges of that.
His great grandfather initially was trying to go to China but a scheduling problem with the ship caused him to go to Japan instead. I thought that was a little humorous - China?, Japan? Whatever.
71catarina1
Yesterday I picked up my reserved copy of The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher at the library. I only had time to quickly scan it. It appears to be a selection of 10 short stories, nine of which have already appeared in print from 1993 to 2012. The only "new" story is the titled one. Also in last Sunday's NY Times Book Review TAoMT is printed in its entirety. ???
72mahsdad
>70 catarina1:. Since my last name is Helm. I am so intrigued to read this. Thanks for the BB!
73catarina1
>72 mahsdad:
That is very interesting. Are you interested at all in genealogy? The author provided a family tree at the front of the book and I found that I often had to refer to it to keep everyone clear. His great grandfather came from a town called Rosow, "north of Berlin, near the North Sea". And there are a lot of ties that the family had to California - various members of the family lived there at various times; some, including the author, attended UC Berkeley (the author actually mentions a professor from whom I also took some classes), and he worked for 8 years as the Tokyo correspondent for the LA Times. The book also contains many photographs of people and places which made it a fascinating read.
That is very interesting. Are you interested at all in genealogy? The author provided a family tree at the front of the book and I found that I often had to refer to it to keep everyone clear. His great grandfather came from a town called Rosow, "north of Berlin, near the North Sea". And there are a lot of ties that the family had to California - various members of the family lived there at various times; some, including the author, attended UC Berkeley (the author actually mentions a professor from whom I also took some classes), and he worked for 8 years as the Tokyo correspondent for the LA Times. The book also contains many photographs of people and places which made it a fascinating read.
74mahsdad
I am interested in geneology, but purely on an amateur basis. I signed up for Ancestory.com for a while and was able to dig back to the 16th century with one of the branches of the tree. It was fun, and addictive.
I sent Leslie a message on his website, and he responded back. Pretty cool. All the more reason to get his book and read it. I seriously doubt, however, that I'm actually related to him. Its fun to see "my" name in print at any rate.
I sent Leslie a message on his website, and he responded back. Pretty cool. All the more reason to get his book and read it. I seriously doubt, however, that I'm actually related to him. Its fun to see "my" name in print at any rate.
76catarina1
29) Brain on Fire - Susannah Cahalan
A reporter for the NY Post suddenly starts having very strange symptoms - both physical and mental - muscle weakness, hallucinations, psychosis. After many tests, many physicians, gets diagnosed with anti-NMDA autoimmune encephalitis. She is the 217th person to be diagnosed with this but the disease probably existed long before. Now felt to be a result of both genetic (1/3) and environmental (2/3) factors. Many months, $1 million in treatment costs later she regains her usual self. Fascinating story.
A reporter for the NY Post suddenly starts having very strange symptoms - both physical and mental - muscle weakness, hallucinations, psychosis. After many tests, many physicians, gets diagnosed with anti-NMDA autoimmune encephalitis. She is the 217th person to be diagnosed with this but the disease probably existed long before. Now felt to be a result of both genetic (1/3) and environmental (2/3) factors. Many months, $1 million in treatment costs later she regains her usual self. Fascinating story.
77kidzdoc
Ha! I finished Brain on Fire yesterday, too. It was a fascinating story. I took care of a young girl with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis last year, but in her case we did find a teratoma, which was located in her chest.
79catarina1
30) Flirting with French - William Alexander
Subtitle - "How a Language Charmed me, Seduced me and nearly broke my heart"
Somewhat entertaining. American man in his 50's who dreams of moving to France to live decides he must first learn the French language. A little French history, a little travelogue, info on adult learning, difficulty of learning a second language - all rolled into one. Can't say too much more about it. Not sorry I read it but little to recommend.
Subtitle - "How a Language Charmed me, Seduced me and nearly broke my heart"
Somewhat entertaining. American man in his 50's who dreams of moving to France to live decides he must first learn the French language. A little French history, a little travelogue, info on adult learning, difficulty of learning a second language - all rolled into one. Can't say too much more about it. Not sorry I read it but little to recommend.
81catarina1
Thank you, Barbara. So far, today is just cleaning-up day. Laundry, vacuuming, etc. Hopefully later I'll get some reading in or some other enjoyable activity. I'm thinking of going to an art show down in the DC area tomorrow, but I hate driving down there due to all of the heavy traffic. Last time I was there (about a month ago) was stuck in one traffic jam after another, it took about a hour to go 10 miles.
83catarina1
In the US public transportation is not as good as it is in Europe, or in Japan, for that matter. I could take first the light rail to downtown Baltimore where I could then get the MARC train down to central DC where I could get the Metro subway to the area where the fair is. So, yes, it is possible to get there on public transportation but it is not easy. It sounds exhausting just thinking about it.
84Ameise1
Oh dear, sorry that I forgot that in most parts of the world is a kind of an adventure going by public transportation. I know we are very lucky here in Switzerland and really spoiled with our system.
85catarina1
31) 600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
I had thought that is was someone on LT who had recommended this but could not recall who but it seems that I was led to it by Amazon who apparently has offered one of this author's subsequent books as a free Kindle download for October. Oh, too many recommendations, can't keep track of them all.
Anyhow, Edward is 39 yrs old, living in Billings, Montana. He has Asperger's Syndrome and OCD. He keeps track of facts - not surprising that every night at 10 PM he watches one episode of "Dragnet" - "just the facts". This is the story of a month in Edward's life, a warm and cozy story. I liked it enough to download the sequel as well as the one Amazon is offering. Now, to find time to read all of these books. There is just too many other things going on. Who said that retired life would be boring?
I had thought that is was someone on LT who had recommended this but could not recall who but it seems that I was led to it by Amazon who apparently has offered one of this author's subsequent books as a free Kindle download for October. Oh, too many recommendations, can't keep track of them all.
Anyhow, Edward is 39 yrs old, living in Billings, Montana. He has Asperger's Syndrome and OCD. He keeps track of facts - not surprising that every night at 10 PM he watches one episode of "Dragnet" - "just the facts". This is the story of a month in Edward's life, a warm and cozy story. I liked it enough to download the sequel as well as the one Amazon is offering. Now, to find time to read all of these books. There is just too many other things going on. Who said that retired life would be boring?
87catarina1
I had hoped, planned to participate in the American Author Challenge but here we are nearing the end of the year and nothing has been accomplished. So, I whipped out the list -
32) Delta Wedding - Eudora Welty
So, this was the May selection, so what!
A medical term would be "flight of ideas" but this wasn't just a flight of ideas, but a flight of people, both living and dead, of things, places. I'm sure that I missed a lot but I'm not really sure that I care enough to try it again.
"It is because people are mostly layers of violence and tenderness - wrapped like bulbs, she thought soberly; I don't know what makes them onions or hyacinths" says Dabney
On to something else -
32) Delta Wedding - Eudora Welty
So, this was the May selection, so what!
A medical term would be "flight of ideas" but this wasn't just a flight of ideas, but a flight of people, both living and dead, of things, places. I'm sure that I missed a lot but I'm not really sure that I care enough to try it again.
"It is because people are mostly layers of violence and tenderness - wrapped like bulbs, she thought soberly; I don't know what makes them onions or hyacinths" says Dabney
On to something else -
88alcottacre
It has been a while since I checked in. Happy retirement! Glad to see this year's reading is going better than last year's!
89catarina1
Just read the article in today's NY Times Travel section by Richard Rubin about WWI battle sites in France. I had been remiss in not looking more carefully at the recent thread about WWI. Just went to Amazon and ordered: The Guns of August, The Last of the Doughboys, and All Quiet on the Western Front. Ashamed to say that I have never read this last one. Any suggestions?
90Ameise1
Catarina, I've read All Quiet on the Western Front more than once. It's a very good book.
91catarina1
>90 Ameise1: that's good to hear Barbara. I'm ashamed to admit that I know little about WWI - only what I can recall of my high school US history class. I had seen the threads both on the group and Club Read that were started earlier this year and plan to get suggestions from those. At my pace of reading, it is going to take a while to make a dent in my ignorance.
I got an email from Amazon telling me that The Guns of August will be here tomorrow and the other two will arrive on Tuesday. I could have gotten them all on my Kindle and I love, love my Kindle but I also really love having a real book in my hands.
I got an email from Amazon telling me that The Guns of August will be here tomorrow and the other two will arrive on Tuesday. I could have gotten them all on my Kindle and I love, love my Kindle but I also really love having a real book in my hands.
92Ameise1
Isn't it nice to wait for the postman who will bring you some fab books? Wishing you a lovely week.
93catarina1
Just spent an hour on the phone with MD office and Medicare. New to Medicare, not knowing how everything works, but the problem was not there surprisingly - was with the MD's office not knowing how to code the visit. What? Don't they do billing regularly? And the billing office being, how should I describe it. . confused?
Anyhow, to the reviews.
33) The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher - Hilary Mantel
Don't know what to think of this. A group of short stories, written and published previously except for the title story. I don't see anything linking the stories into a cohesive group. Was a little disturbed at the title story, but perhaps that is aha she intended.
34) Tokyo:Form and Spirit
Not really a "book" but at 250 page catalog for a show that I saw back in 1986 at the IBM building in NYC. Finally read it when I saw the obit about the editor and curator of the show and also at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. You would have to be a Japanophile (my coinage) to really appreciate the book and show. Touches on art, painting, theatre, architecture, pop culture., Edo-Tokyo.
Anyhow, to the reviews.
33) The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher - Hilary Mantel
Don't know what to think of this. A group of short stories, written and published previously except for the title story. I don't see anything linking the stories into a cohesive group. Was a little disturbed at the title story, but perhaps that is aha she intended.
34) Tokyo:Form and Spirit
Not really a "book" but at 250 page catalog for a show that I saw back in 1986 at the IBM building in NYC. Finally read it when I saw the obit about the editor and curator of the show and also at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. You would have to be a Japanophile (my coinage) to really appreciate the book and show. Touches on art, painting, theatre, architecture, pop culture., Edo-Tokyo.
97catarina1
Got my flu shot yesterday. Now when the symptoms start, I'll know whether it is ebola or not.
Weather report: grey and blustery (typical Baltimore winter) but by Tuesday it will be 70F (typical Baltimore weather)!
Weather report: grey and blustery (typical Baltimore winter) but by Tuesday it will be 70F (typical Baltimore weather)!
98catarina1
Don't know what to say about yesterday's election results except - disappointed. It looks like we will have a Republican governor. The Dem, Anthony Brown, ran a rather lackluster campaign. His TV ads were negative against his opponent. He never really said what he was for. I wasn't very enthusiastic about him but I've never voted for a Rep and don't intend to start now.
No US Senators were up for reelection in MD but my rep was - he is a Dem and he won - I saw him on TV essentially saying the same as I just said about Brown.
Don't quite understand why people complain about the gridlock in DC and then only vote to make it more so.
No US Senators were up for reelection in MD but my rep was - he is a Dem and he won - I saw him on TV essentially saying the same as I just said about Brown.
Don't quite understand why people complain about the gridlock in DC and then only vote to make it more so.
100catarina1
Thank you Barbara for thinking about me. It has not been a very good weekend so far, unfortunately. One of my cats is very sick and I will probably have to make a decision this weekend. She would be the third of my cats to pass in one year. It is just so difficult. But your thoughts are very helpful.
102catarina1
A very sad day for me. I lost my wonderful cat, Xena, who I have had for 17 years. This also was the third cat that I have lost within one year. I am very sad indeed. My 16 yr old Guiseppi and my 6 mo old Isabella survive, I hope for many a year. I can't do this again any time soon.
106catarina1
Thank you all very much for your thoughts. This is particularly sad since today is my birthday. She was such a wonderful cat and we were able to enjoy life together for 17 years so I guess I am actually lucky.
108catarina1
thank you Barbara.
I have not gotten any reading done lately. It is all that I can do just to read the newspaper each day. For the past month my house has been a cat hospital, with medicines and IV fluids. It is in such disarray and I don't have the energy to straighten it up yet. So my hopes to read more books than last year, or even belatedly participate in the AAC, have gone out the window.
I have not gotten any reading done lately. It is all that I can do just to read the newspaper each day. For the past month my house has been a cat hospital, with medicines and IV fluids. It is in such disarray and I don't have the energy to straighten it up yet. So my hopes to read more books than last year, or even belatedly participate in the AAC, have gone out the window.
110catarina1
That reminds me of something someone else once said - "How do you eat an elephant?" One bite at a time. Good advice.
111catarina1
Planning to participate in the AAC II and BAC next year. "Planning" is the important word here. But I am going to make two lists of those books that I own, just for my references. The holes will be filled by the library.
BAC
Jan: Penelope Lively - Moon Tiger, Consequences
Kazuo Ishigaro - Never Let Me Go, The Remains of the Day, When We Were Orphans,
The Unconsoled, A Pale View of Hills, Nocturnes
Feb: Sarah Waters - Fingersmith, Tipping the Velvet, The Little Stranger, The Night Watch
Evelyn Waugh- Brideshead Revisted
Mar: Daphne du Maurier- Rebecca
China Mieville-
Apr: Angela Carter-
Somerset Maugham- Brideshead Revisted
May : Margaret Drabble - The Red Queen, The Seven Sisters, The Peppered Moth, Waterfall,
The Realms of Gold, A Summers Bird Cage, The Garrick Year
Martin Amis-
Jun: Beryl Bainbridge -
Anthony Burgess -
I might make a substitute - Jane Gardam
Jul: Virginia Woolf - Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, A Room of One's Own
BS Johnson-
Aug: Iris Murdock- A Word Child
Graham Greene - The End of the Affair, The Heart of the Matter, Travels with My Aunt
Sep: Andrea Levy - Small Island, The Long Song
Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children, The Satanic Verses, The Enchantress of
Florence, Joseph Anton
Oct: Helen Dunmore - The Siege, Mourning Ruby
David Mitchell - Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
Nov: Muriel Stark - Memento Mori, Aiding and Abetting, The Finishing School, The
Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
William Boyd - Brazzaville Beach, Ordinary Thunderstorms
Dec: Hilary Mantel - Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, A Place of Greater Safety, A Change of Climate,
Fludd
PG Wodehouse- My Man Jeeves
BAC
Jan: Penelope Lively - Moon Tiger, Consequences
Kazuo Ishigaro - Never Let Me Go, The Remains of the Day, When We Were Orphans,
The Unconsoled, A Pale View of Hills, Nocturnes
Feb: Sarah Waters - Fingersmith, Tipping the Velvet, The Little Stranger, The Night Watch
Evelyn Waugh- Brideshead Revisted
Mar: Daphne du Maurier- Rebecca
China Mieville-
Apr: Angela Carter-
Somerset Maugham- Brideshead Revisted
May : Margaret Drabble - The Red Queen, The Seven Sisters, The Peppered Moth, Waterfall,
The Realms of Gold, A Summers Bird Cage, The Garrick Year
Martin Amis-
Jun: Beryl Bainbridge -
Anthony Burgess -
I might make a substitute - Jane Gardam
Jul: Virginia Woolf - Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, A Room of One's Own
BS Johnson-
Aug: Iris Murdock- A Word Child
Graham Greene - The End of the Affair, The Heart of the Matter, Travels with My Aunt
Sep: Andrea Levy - Small Island, The Long Song
Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children, The Satanic Verses, The Enchantress of
Florence, Joseph Anton
Oct: Helen Dunmore - The Siege, Mourning Ruby
David Mitchell - Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
Nov: Muriel Stark - Memento Mori, Aiding and Abetting, The Finishing School, The
Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
William Boyd - Brazzaville Beach, Ordinary Thunderstorms
Dec: Hilary Mantel - Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies, A Place of Greater Safety, A Change of Climate,
Fludd
PG Wodehouse- My Man Jeeves
112catarina1
And here is the list for the AAC 2014, of books that I own. The holes, again, will be filled by the library.
Jan: Carson McCullers - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Ballad of the Sad Cafe
Feb : Henry James - What Maisie Knew, The Ambassadors
March: Richard Ford - Canada, The Sportswriter
April : Louise Erdrich - The Round House, The Beet Queen, The Plague of Doves, The Master
Builders Singing Club, The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No House
May: Sinclair Lewis-
June: Wallace Stegner - Crossing to Safety, The Spectator Bird
July : Ursula Le Guin-
Aug : Larry McMurtry- The Streets of Laredo
Sept: Flannery O'Conner - A Good Man is Hard to Find
Oct : Ray Bradbury - (own none but thinking about Dandelion Wine)
Nov: Barbara Kingsolver - The Poisonwood Bible, The Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, The Lacuna,
Flight Behavior, High Tide in Tucson
Dec : EL Doctorow - The March
Jan: Carson McCullers - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Ballad of the Sad Cafe
Feb : Henry James - What Maisie Knew, The Ambassadors
March: Richard Ford - Canada, The Sportswriter
April : Louise Erdrich - The Round House, The Beet Queen, The Plague of Doves, The Master
Builders Singing Club, The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No House
May: Sinclair Lewis-
June: Wallace Stegner - Crossing to Safety, The Spectator Bird
July : Ursula Le Guin-
Aug : Larry McMurtry- The Streets of Laredo
Sept: Flannery O'Conner - A Good Man is Hard to Find
Oct : Ray Bradbury - (own none but thinking about Dandelion Wine)
Nov: Barbara Kingsolver - The Poisonwood Bible, The Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, The Lacuna,
Flight Behavior, High Tide in Tucson
Dec : EL Doctorow - The March
113catarina1
Not much reading being done these days. Not quite sure what is occupying my time. It is going to be cold tonight, probably as low as 18F.
114catarina1
Got several books "in process" but just not finishing any. Listened to Murder in Pigalle while working on other things. I have read a couple of Cara Black's mysteries, set in Paris, before. This one was OK, not much "to write home about". I guess it count as #34.
116catarina1
My Thingaversary date is Dec 22, 2008. I went shopping a little early:
Let Him Go - Larry Watson, for the AAC Dec 2014
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier, for next year's BAC
Streets of Laredo - Larry McMurtry, for next year's AAC
The Sportswriter - Richard Ford, for next year's AAC
Brideshead Revisted - Evelyn Waugh, for next year's BAC
And there is still one more that I get to buy.
Let Him Go - Larry Watson, for the AAC Dec 2014
Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier, for next year's BAC
Streets of Laredo - Larry McMurtry, for next year's AAC
The Sportswriter - Richard Ford, for next year's AAC
Brideshead Revisted - Evelyn Waugh, for next year's BAC
And there is still one more that I get to buy.
117catarina1
Thinking about next year's reading. I'm planning to participate in both the AAC II and BAC. Since I didn't do this year's AAC, I might just add that too - although it would mean a commitment of three books each month. I've also been amassing books about WWI. I know its a year late for the anniversary, but whatever.
118kidzdoc
Nice book haul, catarina! I'll participate in AAC II and BAC next year as well.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
119PaulCranswick
Catarina. It has been a pleasure in this fairly trying year for me, to get to know you a little better and for which, in my little outpost here, I am thankful. Have a lovely holiday. xx
121catarina1
Paul and Barbara, thank you for your kind thoughts. We had a relaxing and quiet turkey day.
122catarina1
What crazy weather. It was 70 degrees today and tomorrow it is supposed to be snow, sleet, ice, wind!!
123catarina1
Another week has gone by and little to no reading has been done. I've had another health scare with one of my cats. Today he seems to be better. I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. They are like my children.
124Ameise1
Catarina, I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. I hope it's getting better soon. I wish you a relaxed weekend. 
125catarina1
I went out to dinner over the weekend with my son and his family. My three yo granddaughter had to take some of her toy horses with her. My 9 yo grandson also had to take something important to him - a stack of books!!!
128catarina1
35) The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
Amazing that it has been more than a month since I last completed a book. I was hoping that this would be a better year than last, in terms of reading. And it has, but not by much. It has still been a difficult year. (My older cat is better, seems to be doing quite well right now. And I have a warm, purring kitten on my lap as I type this).
Anyhow, I finished it. Finally. Actually recall purchasing it at B&N, soon after it was published back in 2009. It is the story of a Japanese American girl and a Chinese American boy, in Seattle, just before the outbreak of WWII and it follows them up till 1986. It is not so much a story of the internment camps but a story of two different cultures, the obligations between parent and child, a description of Seattle in the time period and a romance between these two characters. It was a good read.
Amazing that it has been more than a month since I last completed a book. I was hoping that this would be a better year than last, in terms of reading. And it has, but not by much. It has still been a difficult year. (My older cat is better, seems to be doing quite well right now. And I have a warm, purring kitten on my lap as I type this).
Anyhow, I finished it. Finally. Actually recall purchasing it at B&N, soon after it was published back in 2009. It is the story of a Japanese American girl and a Chinese American boy, in Seattle, just before the outbreak of WWII and it follows them up till 1986. It is not so much a story of the internment camps but a story of two different cultures, the obligations between parent and child, a description of Seattle in the time period and a romance between these two characters. It was a good read.
129catarina1
36) Visiting the Sacred Sites of Kukai - Tateki Miyazaki
The local PBS station began showing the series "Sacred Journeys" about pilgrimages to various religious sites around the world and began with the 88 pilgrimage route on Shikoku in Japan. Japan is my passion and I've been there 4 times. I've thought about this pilgrimage route but have not taken it. Aside from this pilgrimage route, Shikoku also has some famous bonsai nurseries and gardens and beautiful scenery.
After seeing the PBS program, I went looking for books about the route. This one is available only for Kindle. It does not have an ISBN. It is written by Tateki Miyazaki (and updated by his son) who apparently cleaned up and maintained this 1200 year old pilgrimage route that was established by Kobo Daishi also know as Kukai in the 800's. It is a very practical guide with chapters on appropriate clothing and supplies, on timing your trip, preparation for the walk (at a normal pace, it would take 45-50 days), how to pray at the temples and shrines, various etiquette, etc.
I've also purchased two other books about the pilgrimage and am thinking about making the trip. Today it is possible, due the increased popularity of the pilgrimage, to go on a bus tour which apparently takes about 10 days. Going by bus would miss the experience of the walk but the shortened amount of time involved would make this a much more practical venture. But bus tours also mean huge crowds and this is also the case these days.
The local PBS station began showing the series "Sacred Journeys" about pilgrimages to various religious sites around the world and began with the 88 pilgrimage route on Shikoku in Japan. Japan is my passion and I've been there 4 times. I've thought about this pilgrimage route but have not taken it. Aside from this pilgrimage route, Shikoku also has some famous bonsai nurseries and gardens and beautiful scenery.
After seeing the PBS program, I went looking for books about the route. This one is available only for Kindle. It does not have an ISBN. It is written by Tateki Miyazaki (and updated by his son) who apparently cleaned up and maintained this 1200 year old pilgrimage route that was established by Kobo Daishi also know as Kukai in the 800's. It is a very practical guide with chapters on appropriate clothing and supplies, on timing your trip, preparation for the walk (at a normal pace, it would take 45-50 days), how to pray at the temples and shrines, various etiquette, etc.
I've also purchased two other books about the pilgrimage and am thinking about making the trip. Today it is possible, due the increased popularity of the pilgrimage, to go on a bus tour which apparently takes about 10 days. Going by bus would miss the experience of the walk but the shortened amount of time involved would make this a much more practical venture. But bus tours also mean huge crowds and this is also the case these days.
132catarina1
thank you Barbara. It would be lovely to be in a garden like that. Its cold and grey here in Baltimore now and it will be like that for many days to come.
134cushlareads
Merry Christmas! (Well - it is Boxing Day here in New Zealand but it's Christmas in Baltimore). Hope your cats have had cat treats and you've had a lovely day.
136catarina1
Thanks Cushla and Barbara. It was actually sunny today in Baltimore and relatively warm - 59 degrees. I had to leave my coat at home.
138catarina1
thank you Barbara. Its only 8:30 PM here in Baltimore. In Zurich I'm sure you are past midnight already. I'm going to try to stay up till then but I might not make it. But here is to a good year of reading and friendship!
139catarina1
Well, its about time to put this thread to bed. It was a better year for reading but not as good as I hoped. Tomorrow I'll try to get the new thread together. I would hope to participate in the interesting challenges for 2015 but also don't want to overcommit myself and not leave time for all the good books that come my way.
