Thebookdiva's Book Nook 2014 (pg.3)

Hi, my name is Abigail, and this is my first time joining the 75ers group. I am 18, and am loving being a part of this group. I don't really have a reading plan, I usually just read whatever catches my eye. I do love reading YA, paranormal, graphic novels, fantasy, historical fiction, and poetry. I will probably only review those books which I think are special or that I love. Although this is a book group, I take an immense interest in talking about the artwork of books and how the books compare to the movies and tv shows.

I read 170 books in 2013. I read a lot of graphic novels, and I reread a lot of books in 2013. I did discover several new authors last year as well. This year I hope to broaden my horizons even more. My top 10 reads (in order) from 2013 are:

1. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
2. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
3. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
5. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
6. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
7. Hyrule Historia by Shigeru Miyamoto
8. The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
9. Blue Bloods GN by Melissa de la Cruz
10. The Fruits Basket GN series by Natsuki Takaya

Here are my top 10 planned reads of 2014:

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. Mistbourne by Brandon Sanderson
4. Cress by Marissa Meyer
5. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
6. Cleopatra, A Life by Stacy Schiff
7. Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
8. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
9. The Pelican Brief by John Grisham
10. World War Z by Max Brooks

Currently Reading:

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Bride of the Water God vol.13 by Mi-Kyung Yun
The Art of Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki

Read in January:

1. Black Like Me by John Griffin
2. The Mind Readers by Lori Brighton
3. Library Wars:Love & War, vol. 10 by Kiiro Yumi GN
4. A Bride’s Story, vo. 5 by Kaoru Mori GN
5. Library Wars:Love & War vol. 9 by Kiiro Yumi GN
6. Library Wars: Love & War, vol. 8by Kiiro Yumi GN
7. W.I.T.C.H. an unexpected return vol. 8 by TK GN
8. Avalon High by Meg Cabot
9. Frankenstien by Mary Shelly
10. Locke and Key vol. 1 by Joe Hill GN
11. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs GN

Read In February:

1) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 1 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
2) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 2 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
3) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 3 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
4) Dance in the Vampire Bund vol. 4 by Nozomu Tamaki GN
5) Teen titans vol. 1 by Geoff Johns GN
6) Teen titans vol. 2 by Geoff Johns GN
7) Teen titans vol. 3 by Geoff Johns GN
8) Teen titans vol. 4 by Geoff Johns GN
9) Teen titans vol. 5 by Geoff Johns GN
10) Teen titans vol. 6 by Geoff Johns GN
11) Teen titans vol. 7 by Geoff Johns GN
12) Teen titans vol. 8 by Geoff Johns GN
13) The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare GN
14) Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind vol. 1 by Hayao Miyazaki GN
15) Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind vol. 2 by Hayao Miyazaki GN
16) Inuyasha vol. 17 by Rumiko Takahashi GN
17) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 1 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
18) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 2 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
19) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 3 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
20) Howl's Moving Castle vol. 4 by Diana Wynne Jones & Hayao Miyazaki GN
21) The Hedge Knight (A Game of Thrones Prequel GN) by George RR Martin
22) Infinite Crisis by Geoff Johns GN
23) Witch and Wizard vol. 1 by James Patterson GN
24) Witch and Wizard vol. 2 by James Patterson GN
25) Artemis Fowl 1 by Eoin Colfer GN GN
26) The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
27) Inu Yasha vol. 18 by Rumiko Takahashi GN

Read This Month:

1. Bride of the Water God vol. 1 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
2. Bride of the Water God vol. 2 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
3. Bride of the Water God vol. 3 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
4. Bride of the Water God vol. 4 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
5. Bride of the Water God vol. 5 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
6. Bride of the Water God vol. 6 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
7. Bride of the Water God vol. 7 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
8. Bride of the Water God vol. 8 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
9. Artemis Fowl The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer GN
10. A Bride's Story vol. 2 by Kaoru Mori GN
11. Cress by Marissa Meyer
12. Inu Yasha vol. 16 by Rumiko Takashi GN
13. The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare GN
14. The Arcana of Time vol.1 GN
15. The Arcana of Time vol. 2 GN
16. The Arcana of Time vol. 3 GN
17. The Arcana of Time vol. 4 GN
18. The Arcana of Time vol. 5 GN
19. Hyrule Historia by Shigeru Miyamoto
20. Bride of the Water God vol.9 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
21. Emma by Jane Austen
22. Bride of the Water God vol.10 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
23. Bride of the Water God vol.11 by Mi-kyung Yun GN
24. Bride of the Water God vol.12 by Mi-Kyung Yun GN
25. River Marked by Patricia Briggs
26. A Bride's Story vol.1 by Kaoru Mori GN
27. A Bride's Story vol.3 by Kaoru Mori GN
28. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
29. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
30. Young Avengers by Allen Heinberg GN
31. Inu Yasha vol.15 by Rumiko Takahashi GN
32. Abandon by Meg Cabot
33. Library Wars vol.7 by Kiiro Yumi GN
34. W.I.T.C.H. vol.4 by hyperion GN
35. W.I.T.C.H. vol.5 by hyperion GN
36. W.I.T.C.H. vol.6 by hyperion GN
37. W.I.T.C.H. vol.7 by hyperion GN
38. Soulless vol.3 by Gail Carriger GN
39. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Books Completed This Year: 77

Audio: 3
Books: 74
New Authors: 8
New Series: 3
Books in a Series: 70

Books Bought this Year:

The Mind Readers by Lore Brighton
The Mind Thieves by Lore Brighton
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children GN

Movies watched this month:

Twilight
New Moon
Breaking Dawn Part 2
Thor, Dark World
The Lego Movie
Kiki's Delivery Service
French Kiss
Howl's Moving Castle
Kiki's Delivery Service
Frozen
National Treasure
My Neighbor Totoro
Castle in the Sky

Tv shows I am currently watching, or recently finished:

Kobato (J) - finished
Sword Art Online (J) - current
Doctor Who - current
Arrow - current
Beauty & the Beast - current
Endeavor - finished season 1

Mine.

Linda! You're first!

Yes, I see! And now I also see your thread topper. What a stunner.

Thank you, its a pic I took last year in the evening.

First rookie to 500 posts and that with half-the-time under the weather. Way to go Abby.

That is one brooding sky in the opening shot.

Abby, not to be nit picky or anything but shouldn't your first post say that you're 18 now?

Happy new thread, Abby! And Stephanie's right - an edit is in order!

Congrats on the new thread, Abby!

Yes, I think you need to edit that first post. After all, not only are you 18 now, but you ARE a part of the group...

Paul - EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK! I am? That makes me so happy!

Stephanie - You are completely right. I didn't even think about that, thank you.

Mom - Thanks! I will get right on that.

Joe - Thank you, I love Calvin and Hobbes! That is one of my favorite snow man ones.

Linda - haha, will do.

I have a huge, amazing, fantastic, announcement! I am way, way, way over the moon about the parcels my mom just handed me which contained: *eeps excitedly*

The Movie DVDs of:

Spirited Away
Kiki's Delivery Service
The Secret World of Arrietty
Howl's Moving Castle
Princess Mononoke
Nausicaa of The Valley of the Wind
Castle in the Sky
My Neighbor Totoro

& the Books:

Starting Point 1979-1996 by Hayao Miyazaki
The Art of Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki

I am in Heaven! I don't know how she did it, but I am now the very proud owner of these works! *does happy dance around the room* Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mom! *smooch*

I didn't think kids could have any better mom than mine do, Abby, but I'd hang onto that one you've got. Outstanding!

Joe - It was the best gift ever, I can't wait to watch them all! I plan to hang on to her, don't worry.

Hi, Abby. Your Mom certainly deserves lots of hugs for those wonderful gifts but I bet she is over the moon that she made you so happy. (That's kinda the way Moms are don'tcha know).

Looks like you have hours of viewing pleasure ahead of you. Enjoy.

Hi, Abby. I've meant to visit your thread more often especially to see what you post of your photographic efforts but I've been busier than I like to be. Reading threads here on LT is so much more fun than unpacking boxes, etc. But I am almost moved into my house and I've picked up my camera a time or two in the last couple of days so I think I might be moving towards being normal again.

I love the picture you posted as your topper. Beautiful. Dramatic. The branch in the upper left corner is absolutely perfect. Nice counterpoint to the massive clouds, and dramatic red sky. Nice work.

Hi Abby- Congrats on #3! Love that topper. I am so glad you are getting to both A Game of Thrones & World War Z. I was crazy about both!

Happy new thread! I was wondering if I could ask you about the TV show arrow; what's the premise behind it? Related to Smallville? I've been meaning to look it up. Not that I have time to watch an TV shows right now, but soon hopefully :)

Just going through my own reread of the Game of Thrones. Will this be the first time you are reading it?

Lovely new thread!

.... did someone mention A Game of Thrones? I am currently reading that one for the first time. Haven't seen the shows so its all new to me.

>25 Kassilem:: Arrow has no connection to Smallville... in fact, this article might help lay it out for you! It was written during the first season though, so some of the info is a bit outdated. I thought the show was mediocre at best until halfway through the first season, when the story arc became established and the cast began to gel better. Then I was hooked, and Season 2 is definitely delivering as promised!

Liked Joe's comment. My Mum is a very loving and generous lady too - you were near the front of the queue when parents were handed out, Abby.

Happy new thread, Abby. I love your photo!

Judy - She does deserve lots of hugs, and I can't wait to watch them all! I am probably going to start with Kiki's Delivery Service, as I have had that one on my mind for some time.

Karen - Hello! I am glad to hear that there is another photography lover here. Thank you for the compliment, that really means a lot.

Mark - Thanks, I am really pumped to read Game of Thrones. I have heard nothing but good things about it. I am reading the second GN prequel right now which is very good.

Melissa - This will be my first time reading Game of Thrones. As for Arrow, it is a take on the DC super hero Green Arrow's tale. Oliver Queen (the main character) is the son of a very wealthy family. He is found on an island after being missing for 5 years due to a boat sinking. He is the only survivor of the wreck. Armed with a bow and arrows and a small book full of names, Oliver returns to Star City a very different person, one bent on righting the wrongs of others to make Star City good again. The story line of this TV show deviates quite a bit from the comics, but it has a very dramatic and fast paced story arc. The first time I watched the show, my siblings and dad slowly trickled into the room and then had me play the next 6 episodes. I can't watch the show without them now, they are so engrossed in it.

Lori - Thank you! Yes, they did mention it. I am going to read the book for the first time this year. I haven't seen the shows either, I like to read the story first usually & then compare it to the movies/shows. I haven't started reading it yet, but I am excited about reading it sometime this year.

Faith - I think Netflix only has the first season, I didn't know that there was a second one out. (I haven't finished the 1st yet) Thanks for posting that link, it's probably more helpful than what I said. I agree with the story arc not becoming completely established until a little later in the first season, but it is captivating as you try to figure everything out. My brother and I are superhero nerds and are trying to determine who everyone is compared to the comics, it's been really fun.

Paul - I am so lucky to have my whole family. Your and Joe's families sound amazing and caring as well though. I love hearing the two of you describe them.

Diana - Thank you, that is so sweet!

Yeah, we're Arrow watchers too. Mrsdrneutron started it and like your family, I wandered into it. :)

Jim - Oh, yay. I didn't expect it to be such a big hit, but they are really into it. We are about 3\4 of way into season 1.

Ok, this is one of mine from Oct. 17, 2013. Sorry for the blurriness. My style has changed a bit since then, but I really enjoyed doing this piece.



This is a close up of the middle layer:

Abby, I just love that drawing! I wish that all of the lovely detail showed up better for everyone to see because it is so rich and textured. She makes me think of Mother Earth.

Mom - Thanks, thinking of the scanner issues I had still makes me grumpy. I hope to do another similar drawing this year, but in a different art style.

Gorgeous!

Thank you!

Nice work on that drawing! I like all the layers. Did you do the gold with a gel pen?

Awesome drawing! Wish I could draw that well.

So, yours and Faith's description of Arrow with Oliver Queen and Star City and found on an island - that's all in Smallville too. There is a character Oliver Queen who is friends with Clark Kent who is an archer (pretty sure he was called the Green Arrow). Which I suppose is why I was confused when I saw a whole new series on just him.

All these new super heroes... I never did read the comics - was too young when they were really popular - So I get all mixed up on who was justice league and who was x-men and whatever else they have out there. :) Someday I will figure it all out.

>19 Thebookdiva:: Wow, what a haul! I'll be right over with the popcorn...

>34 Thebookdiva:: Oh, that's lovely! I'm so good at drawing that people have looked at my stuff and said, "Oh, wow, Charlie's quite good a drawing for his age, isn't he?" Ha!

Ursula - Thank you, I did do the gold with a gel pen. Nice eye. I was just experimenting with color one day when I did this. The rest of it is in sharpie.

Melissa - That's really nice of you to say, thank you. I'm still catching up with my Smallville, sorry, I'm only on season 3 or 4. Now that you mention it, I remember a friend of mine saying that Green Arrow made an appearance on Smallville. Well, if you ever have any questions concerning heroes, DC or Marvel, i'm your girl. I'm a total nerd when it comes to super heroes.

Amber - That sounds excellent, I love watching movies with others! Thank you for the compliment on my art, and aww, I think that anyone can be an artist if they put there mind to it. Everything is art in life, from scribbles to a sunset. You should have seen my drawings when I first started drawing people - they were hardly recognizable as non-aliens. I had to do a lot of studying to be able to draw a simple girl (I still can't draw guys well).

Very cool drawing up there, Abby. I love the mixture of patterns and colors. I can't believe you did it in sharpie - especially the one you show in close-up. Wow.

Hope you're having a good Friday and finding some time to read Cress.

Joe - Thank you! I didn't own any art markers until Christmas, so I used Sharpie a lot. As for Cress, I am finding time to read it, don't worry. So far it is very good.

*sigh* As usual, late to the party. *smooch* for a happy weekend!

Stunning thread topper, cool drawing, congrats on the new thread and wow! for the birthday goodies you got from your mom!

Your drawing is amazing!! You have great talent in both drawing and photography. Do you do any other art forms?

>19 Thebookdiva: I am incredibly jealous. I'm going to need to start collecting those DVDs as well.

And the detail on the gown is absolutely exquisite!

I missed your new thread debut, Abby, but what a treat to finally get here and see beautiful photos and beautiful artwork. What a treat to have you share your talent with us. I hope you get your scanner issues worked out so you can post more of your work.

As your mom would say, I hope your weekend is full of fabulous!

Rd - I'm almost always late to the party. Thanks, so far the weekend is great!

Mary - Thanks, I'm glad that you liked them.

Reba - Thank you! Art forms? I like to decorate cupcakes & make bookmarks, things like that. Is that what you meant?

Morphy - I was sooo excited when she gave them to me. I've already watched Kiki's Delivery Service twice! Thank you, I had a lot of fun doing it.

Julia - You are so nice. I will be happy to post more photos and artwork for you to see. The scanner was really frustrating, my mom and I could not figure it out. I hope the next piece is better. Is there anything in particular you would like me to show you? I do clothing design, I design my own characters (both fantasy & normal), I like sketching actors & actresses from some of my favorite movies, & I draw some furies (people w/ animal characteristics). I love weekends full of fabulousness; as it is nice outside & the week ahead is supposed to be rainy, I will probably read outside this weekend.

Let's talk about bookmarks for a second. I love bookmarks and consequently have about 15 of them. I love all of them even though they are different shapes, sizes, and made out of different material. I find that I don't use my bookmarks as much as I should though. I almost always forget to grab a bookmark when I start reading a new book, and so, I end up sticking random pieces of paper I find around the house into my book. I do not, however, dog ear my books; this is to be avoided at all costs. I have been better this year about grabbing a book mark from my bucket, but I still find myself reaching for spare pieces of paper. Also, I may be a bit crazy, but I like my bookmarks to match the cover of whatever book I'm reading. I don't like it all all when they clash. What are your guys's preferences when it comes to bookmarks? And do you like a certain style of bookmark (metal, paper, tasseled, movie pictured, 3D, etc), more than others?

I have a healthy stash of bookmarks. I keep them in a stack and rotate through so that they all get used. I used to buy 1 book and 1 bookmark at every Scholastic Book Fair when I was a kid, and I still have some of those bookmarks!
If I remember correctly, Morphy has a huge collection...

I ... have some bookmarks. Somewhere.

I usually just end up picking up the book and trying to remember generally where I was. Or I stick some piece of paper that's handy into them. If I manage to use a bookmark, it seems like I shortly start another book and have to find a random piece of paper to mark my place in the new book. So then I'm back at square one. :)

I use book covers with bookmarks attached. So I'm no help in this conversation. ;-)

Amber - That is way cool. I'm a nut with my bookmarks. I think that still having those bookmarks is really great.

Ursula - Ha! It seems that we are similar int that then. I once used a random piece of paper, not realizing that it was important documentation. We were turning the whole house upside down looking for it. To my immense embarrassment it was finally found inside my book. I did not live that one down for quite a while.

Stephanie - All bookmark related conversation is welcome here. I always use the attached ribbons to mark favorite passages so that I can go back and reread my favorite parts.

I have about a skajillion bookmarks littered all over the place, and still end up using random bits of paper as often as not.

Great question! I tend to place a bookmark from my stash in any of my planned reads so I don't have to go look for one later but that only works for marking my place in the book, not any special passages I want to return to, so I now have a stash of post-it flags in my purse, beside my favorite reading chair and on my desk at home for those "I need to remember this for later" moments!

For e-books, I have to be able to highlight passages in my e-books as I read, or I am not a happy camper! ;-)

Rd - I am glad that I'm not the only one. I love to see other peoples bookmarks. They vary so much.

Lori - That may just be the most brilliant thing I have ever heard. Clearly your brain is on a whole different playing field than mine; that never even occurred to me. I am going to start doing that immediately! Thank you!

Well, now I am blushing! The only thing that saves the 'system' from being a failure with unplanned reads is the post-it flags, which can, in a pinch, do duty as a bookmark, but even that has been known to fail from time to time. ;-)

haha, I can see how that could happen. I have an abundance of bookmarks though, so I think that I can use your system pretty effectively. I will probably end up using spare bits of paper occasionally; that will be a hard habit to break.

Our library has bookmark contests for the children where winners are voted for frequently. The winner's bookmark is reproduced and put on display at the front desk. I especially love these bookmarks and have one of of each which I use frequently. I also try to match them up to the book...so happy to hear I'm not the only one who does that! Love your pictures and your beautiful drawing!

Morning Abby- I know this sounds uber-geeky but I've been using the same exquisitely-worn leather bookmark for over 15 years. I would probably have a stroke if something ever happened to it. I do use, a couple other paper & plastic bookmarks for my GNs or for a 2nd book, I happened to be reading.

ETA- I've been listening to the 5th Wave. A YA dystopian. You might like this one.

>61 Dianekeenoy: I love that idea! I think library bookmarks are the best...at least around here...because they're a full 11" long and so stay inside ANY trim-size book.

Richard, that's so right! They're the perfect size and the children's pictures and quotes always makes me smile!

Maybe not too surprising but I am a lover of bookmarks of all descriptions. I have zero ability at drawing and am always in awe of those who are able to do so wonderfully. We are incredibly lucky in the group with yourself, Ursula, Ilana, John and others being so gifted at art.

I have a large collection of postcards, some I've collected and some sent to me by friends and family (my best friend spent our junior year in college in Europe and sent me well over 50 postcards!), and I tend to use those as bookmarks; otherwise, I would never look at them. If I'm feeling especially dorky, I try to find a postcard that matches the setting of the book or has some other connection to it.

Oh dear, this is where I show my obsessive side. I am a huge fan of bookmarks and I like to corordinate them to the covers of my books as well. Currently one of my favorite bookmarks is one my granddaughter made, it's pink with a purple wool tassle. Unfortunately it doesn't match too many of the covers on the books that I read.

Diane That is really neat that your library does that. It's a great way to get kids in the library and interested. I am so glad that I'm not the only one here that matches my bookmarks to the books I'm reading. I was worried I was the only one. & Thank you for the compliment.

Mark It's good to have a bookmark you love so much you just use it over and over again. I must admit that I am the opposite way with my favorite bookmark. I feel that a book has to be really worthy to be able to use it. I like leather bookmarks due to their weight and texture, though I do not own one personally. My mom told me that you suggested that! It sounds really interesting; I'm excited to read it.

RD Our old library had bookmarks, but our new one doesn't. What is up with that? I thought it was required in the library handbook that I library must have bookmarks at the front desk.

Paul I figured you would love bookmarks. *Blush* thank you.

Katie That is so neat! I bet you have some amazing ones from your friend. My mom bought Puffin & Penguin book cover postcards that she uses for bookmarks, they are way cool. It's a great way to look at them all the time since you use your friends postcards for bookmarks. I don't have any postcards, but I do have some notes and things from friends that I use as bookmarks; they always make me smile.

Judy YES! Another one that coordinates! That is so cute and sweet that your granddaughter made you a bookmark. Not being able to use it all the time might make it that much sweeter when you are able to use it.

One year, Susan-in-France (suslyn) made printable files of a bookmark design for her LT friends' xmas gifts. I've probably printed out a dozen so far and glued them to thin-cardboard strips, then covered them with clear tape. They've drifted off, as suchlike always do, in the intervening 6 years. But they weren't the lovely, long ones that really stick in a book. *sniff*

It was Mark that suggested 5th Wave, so I didn't actually beat him to the punch - he mentioned it on my thread and asked if I had read it. I hadn't even heard of it, so I looked it up - sounded like something that both of us would like, so I mentioned it to you!!

Speaking of bookmarks, I'll share a sweet story. We loved the lady that cut our hair back in Indiana - we had been going to her for years, and she cut all of our hair (all 6 of us). She was so sad when we said that we were moving - we ended up having her and her daughters over for dinner to say good bye because she just couldn't do it in the shop. For parting gifts, she gave each of us a bookmark - they were all different because she picked each one out with the individual in mind. Mine is leather, and I just love it. She said that we had spent so many years talking about books that she was wishing us happiness in both of our journeys - our journey to Georgia, and our reading journey. How sweet is that?!

Rd - That was so thoughtful. I'm sorry you lost them. What is one of your favorite books Richard?

Mom - Oh! Oops, I will have to amend my post then. I loved her; those bookmarks were the sweetest thing. I'm actually using the one she gave me right now.

Good heavens, child, how can I pick just one of my favorite books?! Which child is your favorite is an equally impossible question! I swaNEE kids these days....

But the title that's floated to the top of my mind just now is an old, old friend: Islandia, an early-20th-century fantastical book about an ancient and deeply private country of that name. It occupies a subcontinent below Africa. The culture is deeply rooted in the natural world, isolated from European technology, and uninterested in making changes for the sake of making changes.

It was the private fantasy of a 19th-century lawyer, written over the course of decades in dozens and dozens of notebooks. After his death in 1931, the material languished until a Bright Young Thing named Mark Saxton found it in his papers. Mark was beginning a long and illustrious career in publishing, and edited the millions of words into a story of about 200,000 words. It took the country by storm in 1943, the dark middle of WWII. They marketed the book as an alternative to your usual European vacation. (Which tells you who has always purchased hardcover books!)

I found the book in my local liberry in 1973, and read it a dozen times, reveling in the long, langourous sentences, the real-life pace of events, the gentle rhythms of (main character) Lang's journey through the beautiful country of Islandia and his discovery of tanrydoon...the place that is yours and can never be taken away.

I met Mark in the 1980s. He was older than dirt and a lech to boot, but I liked him. He was extremely proud of that book, and of the (inferior, frankly) sequels he wrote.

So that's one.

Thanks. I loved your explanation. I really appreciate you letting me know of that.

For many years I collected bookmarks when I travelled, mostly the leather or faux-leather kind. They all say where they're from. I also have quite a few of the paper give-away ones from various bookstores I have visited and a few that I have been given by friends. I try to remember to get one when I start a book but usually forget. I am pretty good, however, about carrying the book with finger inserted to hold my place, to the bookmark stash to select one when I get to my first reading pause. I love the bookmarks because they remind me of wonderful places I've been fortunate enough to visit, of the people I was with and the fun times I had.

I have all kinds of bookmarks, some I've collected, a lot that were gifts, freebies from libraries, bookstores and book-related events; I've used the postcard and random-bits-of-paper options; I have several handmade ones (leather, yarn, reinforced fabric or ribbon, etc.); I have all those Library of America editions with the bound-in ribbon markers. Sometimes I use the flaps of the dustjacket--front flap for the first half of the book, back flap for the second half. BUT when I want to mark a line or a passage for future reference, I'm devoted to these:

Reba - When I get a chance to travel I am going to collect bookmarks too. I love to get the paper bookmarks from various bookstores as well. I should get a leather bookmark myself, and a metal one. I bet it's neat to see all the places you've been in the form of a bookmark. That is amazing that all those memories can be brought back by looking at them.

Linda - Ok, those page points are way cool. I mark passages in my books all the time, but usually with just a ripped piece of paper. I'm going to have to get myself some of those. I wonder how different everyone's bookmark collections would look if they were side by side.

I'm like Linda, Abby (in >75 laytonwoman3rd:); we have a drawer full of bookmarks from all over that I use. Some bought (like ones celebrating Monet's Garden), some given (like some thoughtful ones from a friend's boy's bar mitzvah), some celebrating an event (like the Louder than a Bomb teen poetry slam), some from bookstores (like Elliot Bay) and some picked up along the way (like artist-created ones from a gallery walk). I do coordinate the bookmark with the book, although I couldn't tell you on what basis - it's not necessarily color. Just one that "feels right" for the book. I was using a "Louder Than a Bomb" one in The Goldfinch, which I just finished.

I do look for them when we travel, for sure. We got some nice-looking ones featuring aboriginal art when we traveled to Australia, for example.

I'm a bookmark freak. I have hundreds, if not triple digits worth, of them from around the world. I was part of an international bookmark club for awhile plus my sister-in-law is a librarian and gives me a huge pile for my birthday and Christmas.

I keep most of them in a three ring binder. Then a dozen or so in a basket nearby. I don't "match" bookmarks to books. Just grab one at random. Except lately I've been using a lovely one a co-worker/volunteer gave me. It's pink with a cheerful Mary Poppins-type (skinny, dark hair in bun, glasses, long dress) flying with the aid of butterflies and books. It says, "She is too fond of books, and it has addled her brain." It's a quote by Louisa May Alcott. It has a pink tassle with a rose quartz at the end. I absolutely love it and have been using it in every book since I received it a few weeks ago.

I've seen those page points but never thought about using them to mark passages. I love that idea. Next time I see them I think I'll just treat myself to a tin of them.

I use Book Darts all the time to mark quotable passages, or places where the author and/or editor should have paid better attention. I have hundreds of them, and a dear LT friend gave me more for this xmas!

I would think the metal would score or otherwise mark the pages.

*sigh* I just put in an order for some. That was almost like a BB.

Hello Abby, love your thread topper.

Another reason that I like Book Depo is that, not only is postage free, but they also provide a bookmark invariably with your purchase. OK it is only a cardboard one but some of the designs are pretty good.

Joe - wow, that is so cool. I bet the Monet ones are just amazing.

Morphy - That is a lot of bookmarks. I could look at bookmarks all day and not get bored. The one from your friend sounds so pretty! I love bookmarks with tassels, especially if there is something on the tassel. My favorite bookmark is like that, I will have to find a pic of it. I will have to start collecting more, right now all of my bookmarks fit in a little pink bucket on my book shelves.

Reba - I know right? They are so cool. I mark passages all the time, so they would be amazingly useful.

RD - Also cool. I would have to get only one color though, or else I would probably match those to the book cover too. I'm nutty like that.

Morphy - I didn't think about that, but it's a really good point. I wouldn't want to mark my book pages. I am going to have to ask some of the others if they mark the pages before I invest in some.

Stephanie - Oh good! Could you tell me if they work well without marking up the book?

Rae - Thank You!

Paul - Is that short for the book depository? If so, I haven't been there myself, but I hear that it is a good website. I go to the Book Outlet myself.

Half of my bookmarks have characters from my favorite books on them such as the Cullen's. This thread seems to be a very busy place can't wait to see what you post next Abby.

Book Darts don't score or bend the pages at all. They're extremely thin. They slip over the edge of the page with no tears or cuts, and can be weeblewobbled up and down the edge of the page with minimal effort to mark an extremely specific spot. I've left them in books for 20+ years, gone back and found them, and removed them with no sign of damage to the page. Then reused them.

They are *genius* devices, and come in mixed color lots, single color lots, or custom variations thereon.

I will give a full report on the book darts once they arrive and have started using them. I'm imagining them as temporary markers, something more sturdy than post it notes.

Morning Abby! Eeep, it's afternoon. Anyway, hi there sweetness!

I'll chime in: good afternoon, Abby. How are you enjoying your membership in the LibraryThing thing? Are you getting some good ideas for books to read? Are you enjoying letting us know what you think of what you have been reading, and enjoying?

It is great fun to have families participate here. I get a kick out of you and your Mom chatting with each other, and out of Joe, his wife and his daughter doing so also.

Hi Abby- Just checking in after a few days. Hope you had a good week and your books are treating you properly. Hugs!

Re: the discussion of book marks, I stumbled across bookmark notepads. Also, key tags

Rae - Thank you, & I think that you could use a Loki bookmark.

RD - excellent, thanks for telling us.

Stephanie - Thank you. I will probably leave them in my books, I reread my favorite passages all the time.

RD - You too, *smooch*.

Maggie - I absolutely love LT. Every one is so nice. I have added about 20 books to TBR pile since I started a thread and I love talking with everyone. Being able to talk about books, movies, and just everyday life with everyone is so great. I love sharing this with my Mom; we like to talk about LT all the time. We have always loved talking books to each other, but now I feel that we do it even more with our connection to LT. Thank you so much for asking, that's very sweet of you.

Mark - Hello! My week has been great. I started reading Emma for schoolwork and I am really liking it. I also started River Marked and am liking that one too; I'm a huge Mercy Thompson fan. There was only one bump this week and that was yesterday. My mom and I enjoy sitting out on the deck to read and talk books with one another, and since it was nice yesterday we did just that. To my utter mortification and dismay I discovered later that day that I had nearly sunburned half of my face. It doesn't hurt, but the left side of my face is a bit red (esp. my nose) and the outline of the sunglasses I was wearing is apparent. Figures doesn't it? I am waiting for my brother to come home and get his fill of laughter as he hasn't seen it yet and it is quite ridiculous looking.

Stephanie - Those key tags were making me laugh. the notepad isn't a bad idea, thanks for sharing.

>94 Thebookdiva: We need a picture of such a face!

I'm sorry to say that it has faded by now & that the outline of my sunglasses has completely disappeared. The only part of my face that is still ever so slightly pink is my nose. It did give everyone in my house a laugh while it lasted though.

Abby - Just a fly past to wish you a lovely weekend. xx

you're so sweet, thanks. You have a lovely weekend too.

Happy Sunday! (I'm early, but also old, and going to bed soon.)

Hi Abby

Hi Abby!

Sorry -again- that I wasn't here for such a long time. It's just busy busy busy and a lot happened here, so I just can't find the time. Sorry again!

Your drawing looks great, it's really cute! It looks a bit like frozen as you said. You're really talented, I wish I could draw like that!

Have a nice last day of the weekend!

Dropping in to see how your weekend is going? What are you reading these days?

Happy Sunday, Abby! I have not read Emma and I am way overdue reading Austen. I might have to line this one up. Have you read Austen before?

RD - thank you!

Stephanie - Hello, hope you're having a nice weekend.

Marjolein - Oh you're fine, if you're busy you're busy. Thank you so much, that's super nice of you to say. You have a lovely weekend as well.

Karen - Weekend is going well. I worked all yesterday, and have a little bit of work left to do today, but then I plan on doing some art later in the evening. Right now I am reading River Marked by Patricia Briggs, The Art of Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki, Harry Potter Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley, Emma by Jane Austen, and I am listening to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling.

Mark - Thank you! I have read Austen before. Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite books. I also own the GNs of Emma and Sense & Sensibility, so I already know the story lines of those. I plan on reading all of her novels. She has a beautiful writing style and a witty sense of humor.

Pride & Prejudice was my first Austen and remains my favorite. I have not tried the GNs yet.

I keep seeing or hearing of Howl's Moving Castle and it is making me want to take a look at it. Hmmmmm - Maybe there needs to be a trip to B&N today. I also want to look at a real live copy of The Monuments Men to see if there are maps and illustrations. The actual books of the world still appeal.

Glad you're reading Austen, Abby. I've read all of her books, some of them two or three times, and I love them.

I'm an Austen fan, too, Abby. I thought the P &P gn was good, but the ones after didn't reach the same level for me. P&P remains my favorite of her novels, with Persuasion coming in second. It's interesting that it really varies among fans as to what order of "liking" they put the books in.

She is much snarkier in her early writings, which I'm sure entertained her family no end. You might get a kick out of Love and Freindship (sic) and Lady Susan some day, both of which are very funny.

Mark - The GNs are nice. Again, the Pride & Prejudice one is my favorite due to the artwork. They do not have the same artist doing each interpretation, so they vary greatly. They are nice if you want a quick glimpse into the story, but they have nothing on the book. A lot is cut out of the story to form the GN.

Karen - Howl's Moving Castle is one of my all time favorite books. For me it was magic. Reading it took me back to when my dad used to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to us kids. Hearing him read those was mesmerizing. I don't know what linked that memory to this book for me, but because of it I love it. The book is wonderfully written and very amusing. I have been curious about The Monuments Men, if you read it you will have to tell me how it is.

Reba - I love Austen's writing style. I plan on reading all of her works. I can't wait to get around to Sense & Sensibility. I saw the movie with Allen Rickman (sigh) and fell in love with it.

Joe - I agree about the P&P GN being on a different level than the other GNs. The artwork is so much better in my opinion. I own her complete works, I will have to look those up and read them when I get a chance. Her sense of humor is very amusing.

So the real question: have you read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? :D

Abby, I just finished listening to The Monuments Men and I liked it but I think knowing a lot about WWII may have been one of the reasons I appreciated it. My family was in German right after the war as a part of the US Army Occupation Forces so it is a topic I have read about for decades. I don't know whether the hard back book has maps and pictures but I think they would be essential in appreciating the book.

See if you can find it in the library and take a look at it.

Jim - I have not. I must admit that I am a bit skeptical of that book. I don't want it to ruin my love of the original.

Karen - Will do, thanks for letting me know. I have read quite a few books about that time period, but I don't know if I have read enough. The promos for the movie got me interested in truth. I will see if my local library has a copy.

Since Mercy has been featured so much I decided that a picture of my dog was overdue. This is Barnum, my darling toy poodle.



He got a little static-y while playing with the blanket, I thought it was too funny not to take a pic of it.

This is how he usually looks:

Abby, we own both Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and The Monuments Men…just saying...

*baaaaaawwwwwwwwwww* pweshus poochums schmoozleschmoozle go the earsies *baaaaaaaawwwwwwwww*

How could you pass up an opening line like this? :)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.

Mom - oh, well, that simplifies things doesn't it?

Richard - I feel exactly the same way about him myself.

*oops didn't realize I was logged in as my mom*

Jim - I will admit that that is funny. I do like zombies. I just don't know...

i think Emma is my co-favorite with P & P (although I also adore Sense and Sensibility). When you read Emma I recommend following it closely with watching the movie Clueless.

Have a good week, Abby.

Barnum looks like a keeper all right, Abby. The statick-y look is a good one for him. :-)

I love the staticky picture! Penny doesn't have long enough fur to really show off any static electricity, but she does look at us with a very offended expression when she gets shocked from us touching her. That happens a lot less here in California than it did in humidity-free Denver, lucky for her!

Reba - Thank you. You have a good week as well.

Joe - haha, thanks. He often gets static-y because he likes laying on the blankets.

Ursula - I love how expressive pets are. Sometimes you can just tell what they are thinking by looking at them. Our oldest dog, Biscotti, knows when we are talking about her, because whenever we say something not flattering about her she brings out her glare. Meanwhile, my dog always looks like he's smiling when he's happy.

Barnum is so darn cute, Abby! I am a sucker for cute dogs.

Julia - Thanks, I'm sucker for cute dogs myself. I think most dogs are cute.

>113 Thebookdiva: - so glad I came here today, Abby. I needed a laugh and this picture of Barnum did it for me. Loving the non-static-y photo, too. Such a cute puppy!

>126 Fourpawz2: Glad I could be of service. I think everyone needs more laughter in their lives.

Cute puppy!

Emma is my favorite Austen, followed by a tie between Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility. I'm currently watching a web-series called Emma Approved which is a modern adaptation of Emma, and is super adorable. Here's a link if you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ePOdU-b3xcKOsj8aU2Tnztt6N9mEmur

Hi Abby, found and starred you! I love your little Barnum!

So, did Barnum get his name because he is, or could be, a circus dog? My Benny is my Circus Dog, he jumps straight up in the air when he is excited. And he dances in circles when he is so so ready for dinner! Check my thread and you'll find a picture of him.

Or better yet, I'll go get a link.

Here you go: http://www.librarything.com/topic/169516#4572571

Hi Abby, Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austin as well and I was unsure of adding zombies into the mix so I read the graphic novel of Pride, Prejudice and Zombies which I enjoyed but decided me not to go for the novel of same.

Happy weekend, Abby!

Sending you good wishes for the weekend, Abby!

Hi Abby- Big waves from the winter wasteland, (although it was very nice today)! Hope you have a nice weekend planned.

I'm thinking about writing a paranormal book, but not sure where to start. It seems that everything's been done already, any suggestions? I'm in desperate need of inspiration!

Hi everyone! So sorry that I am behind on my thread, it's been a crazy busy week for me.

>128 norabelle414: I like to hear what everyone's preferences are Austen-wise. The opinions differ so much. Thanks for the link, I will have to check that out after I finish the book!

>129 connie53: Hello! Thank you!

>130 maggie1944: Benny is soooo cute! I just want to pick him up and hug him! We did name Barnum after the circus. We got Barnum & Bailey at the same time so that is how the name came about. It's funny because once we got our forth dog and named her Bella, we heard that the Barnum & Bailey's Circus had a new clown named Bella. Unfortunately my dog is not as talented as yours. Jumping makes him nervous (we have hardwood floors) & the only time he spins in a circle is when he is trying to play with the other dogs. He prefers to cuddle with me and play fetch all by himself. He will literally take the stuffed toy in his mouth and swing his head from side to side until the toy goes flying & then he runs after it, brings it back to his original spot, and starts again.

>131 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy! That makes me feel better about deciding not to read the zombie version, thanks.

>132 richardderus: Thanks Richard, you too.

>133 katiekrug: (hugs) You have a good weekend too.

>134 msf59: Hello, glad to hear that the weather is getting better. Indeed I do have a nice weekend planned, one filled with art & reading. Hope the weather stays nice for you!

>135 Natalie.Dickinson: Really?! That's so exciting! Vampires and Werewolves have been done a lot lately...how about Fae? I find that Fae aren't often posed as main characters. You could create your own kind of Fae too since most stories have the same parameters (own world, hate humans, if humans eat their food then they are trapped, etc.). You could create your own world.

Also, sometimes if I'm looking for inspiration, I will look through old myths and fairytales of different regions of the world. A lot of myths aren't known worldwide so you take one and give it a new twist. Hope I helped a little.

Ok Marjolein, here are the animal sketches I promised. These are first attempts at lions and house cats. In the second image there is also the rough sketch of a fox.

It looks great Abby! I really love to see your drawings! Especially for a first attempt it looks great. Well done :)

Thank you, that is so sweet. Your opinion really means a lot to me.

I just now realized that I haven't posted anything I've read recently, so here it is:

1. Bride of the Water God vol. 1 by Mi-Kyung Yun
2. Bride of the Water God vol. 2 by Mi-Kyung Yun
3. Bride of the Water God vol. 3 by Mi-Kyung Yun
4. Bride of the Water God vol. 4 by Mi-Kyung Yun
5. Bride of the Water God vol. 5 by Mi-Kyung Yun
6. Bride of the Water God vol. 6 by Mi-Kyung Yun
7. Bride of the Water God vol. 7 by Mi-Kyung Yun
8. Bride of the Water God vol. 8 by Mi-Kyung Yun
9. Artemis Fowl The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
10. A Bride's Story vol. 2 by Kaoru Mori
11. Cress by Marissa Meyer
12. The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
13. The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
14. The Arcana of Time vol.1
15. The Arcana of Time vol. 2
16. The Arcana of Time vol. 3
17. The Arcana of Time vol. 4
18. The Arcana of Time vol. 5
19. Hyrule Historia by Shigeru Miyamoto
20. Emma by Jane Austen
21. Bride of the Water God vol.9 by Mi-Kyung Yun

I think I'm missing a few, but I will have to search for those later. I have been having a slow reading week; I've been so absorbed in art lately. I will try to get to some reviews soon.

I, too, am very impressed with your drawing. One thing I know about pencil drawings - practice, practice, practice. And use your eyes 3X as much as you use your pencil. You seem to already know these rules! I think you have some excellent eyes, both for drawing and photography.

I'm glad you like Benny's picture. He is a cutie pie. I'll have to work on getting a good picture of Greta Garbo as she is also quite the handsome pup. They were both bad kids yesterday having gotten into some chocolate. I do not know what is wrong with me that I leave chocolate around where they can get it. So we had quite the night with upset stomachs, and an inability to fall to sleep. I think everyone feels better this morning. Except me, I'm sleepy. I plan to finish listening to Scarlet today, and may have to buy Cress right away to finish this exciting trilogy. I do love my weekends.

I saw your posting of a slew of graphic novel reviews and I immediately thought of The Tales of the Otori series. They are lovely novels starting with Across the Nightingale Floor. I read right through the series as I could not let go of the story. They are not graphic novels rather they are fat, words, and pages novels.

>141 maggie1944: Thank you. You are completely right. My drawings suffered until I started to observe everything around me. Now I do it unconsciously; I will be looking at something and breaking it down into drawing parts without even realizing it. I'm still an amateur but I'm hoping to become a lot better.

Sorry to hear about your bad night. Sick pups is just the worst. I would love to see Greta Garbo, I bet she's as pretty as Benny. I loved Scarlet, I hope you like the ending! I finished Cress awhile ago and loved that one as well. Can't wait to see what you make of them.

I love your drawings, Abby.

You are simply too artistically talented for words, Abby.

By the way, recently I found a book in the book store, (translated) called 'coloring pages for adultsnd I just had to pick it up. I have now finished two coloring pages, almost three, but I had to think of you. :) I can try to post some pictures this week if you want to have an impression of it! It's nit as cool as your drawings, but hey, at least I "draw"! :)

>137 Thebookdiva: As someone completely ungifted in the art of drawing, Abby I am always impressed by someone who indubitably can do so. Have a lovely weekend.

>146 MarjoleinL: I would love to see some pictures! It sounds like fun, I can't wait.

>147 PaulCranswick: Thank you so much. I hope your weekend is wonderful as well.

>51 Thebookdiva: I love bookmarks but I usually end up losing them or bending them ridiculously. Like you, I love to match my bookmark to my book. I solved my dilemma by buying different colors of thin silk ribbon. This way I trim a piece that matches my book. If I don't lose it then it goes back in circulation. Bonus is even if I'm reading a paperback it seems fancier with it's silk ribbon marker. :-)

>113 Thebookdiva: What an adorable fella.

You are incredibly talented Abby.

>137 Thebookdiva: Nice work! I particularly like the second-to-the-bottom lion. The trick is drawing what you see, not what you think you see or know. We get into trouble drawing simple things because we "know" what they look like. You've got the right idea - observing and practice are the keys!

>143 Thebookdiva: Someone was kind enough to help me, again, with my photo posting handicap so there is a huge picture of Ms Greta Garbo on my thread this morning. Take a look and maybe you can think of a funny caption.

ETA: link - http://www.librarything.com/topic/169516#4589993

Like the graphics, Abby, some good solid pieces there.

I adore the lions especially. You are a fabulous artist!

>149 luvamystery65: Wonderful! I have a few ribbons I use myself as bookmarks. Thank you for the compliments on my dog and my artwork.

>150 ursula: That means a lot coming from you! Thanks, I will continue to practice as much as I do now.

>151 maggie1944: Your dogs are so adorable, thanks for posting the link here. Greta Garbo looks so serious in her picture.

>152 richardderus: Thanks Richard! When flipping through my sketches I realized that I have mostly been doing cats, I will have to branch out a bit. I think I will try some horses next.

>153 Morphidae: Morphy, Hello! Lovely to see you here. Thank you so much. It took me quite a while to get up the nerve to post them. Everyone's support means a lot to me.

Ok, I am all caught up on my thread! It's been touch and go here for a while; things have been super busy for me lately. I'm hoping that next week will be slower & I can spend more time on LT, perhaps I could actually get some reviews done huh?

It's been sunny here, so we have been spending lots of time reading out on the deck, and in my case, drawing. I did watch My Neighbor Totoro for the first time, and as predicted, it was wonderful! My favorite scene was when the two girls were waiting at the bus stop in the rain. Right now I have slotted it as a contender for second place (I haven't watched all the movies yet, so this could change). First place still belongs to Kiki's Delivery Service, which I just adore (I've watched it 4 times since I received it).

Total books read so far this year: 59

>155 Thebookdiva: 57 books read, WOW.

Connie - Thanks, I'm happy to say that only about half are rereads.

Hi Abby, it's great to feel caught up isn't it. I have just realized that I have been neglecting to read any Graphic Novels this year and must correct that ASAP. At least I know where to come for some excellent recommendations. I like the look of The Bride of the Water God and will add that series to my list.

I'm so sorry Abby, but I'm a busy bird I don't have all the time in the world to visit YOUR tread all the time.

Just kidding sorry I didn't post sooner.

>159 RockingRobin: It was nice knowing you, kid! LOL! Birdy, you nut - good thing Abby loves you!

Happy weekend, Abby!

Judy - It is great to be caught up. I hope you like The Bride of the Water God, the artwork is beautiful.

Birdy - No, no, I understand, i'm just not as important I guess *sniff*.

Mom - Birdy who?

Richard - Thanks, you have a good one too!

Today I took my camera out to snap some pics of our backyard. It feels like forever since I last did this and so I was happy to be behind my camera lens once again. I had finished taking pictures and was talking with my mom on the deck when I just happened to spot a low flying hawk behind my mom's left shoulder. I whipped my camera up and started snapping pictures as it flew toward us. The hawk flew over us several times as if posing for my camera. It was wonderful! I thought that I would share a few of the better pics here.

So beautiful!

Thank you. I couldn't believe it when he flew right over us so low; I am so, so happy that I had my camera on me. It was amazing to see him fly.

I know I posted here.. I just know it.. I said something like..

I love dogs and cats equally, and I like hawks, too. Especially when they aren't using my backyard bird feeder like a McD's drive through.

Beautiful drawings, and photos! you are very talented :)

Kath - That is too funny. I bet that's a sight to see, hawks eating out of a bird feeder.

Thank you, I am thinking that I will post some of my characters next.

Woo, beautiful pics of the hawk, Abby. I just love the way they fly. And you're talented with drawing, too.

Glad to hear you enjoyed My Neightbor Totoro! Your favorite scene also is mine. Funny and magical at the same time.

great shots (as usual), Abby! Love the splayed feathers at the end of the wings

I love seeing hawks! It's great you were able to get some shots of it flying.

Last night, we saw some burrowing owls out in the field near where we're living. I'm going to try to get some photos of them, but obviously they're kind of nervous. On the plus side, they're apparently the only owl that's likely to be out in daylight, so I might be able to get them in decent light at least!

Hello, I've been reading along all year but haven't posted yet, so a belated welcome to the group!

Love the photos of the hawk - was he coming really close, or does your camera have a fantastic zoom?

Joe - thank you. I loved My Neighbor Totoro, I completely agree about the scene. I think the only movie I haven't seen yet (besides the Wind Rises) is Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind. The GN is so detailed & the story is so long that I wonder how he condensed it into a movie.

Unfortunately, our movie theater here does not have The Wind Rises *sob*. I hope (desperately) that it gets it, because I would love to see one of his films in theater. As this is his last movie, this is my only chance.

Reba - Thank you! I wish I had gotten more, but he was flying so quickly.

Ursula - Thanks, it was pure luck that I had my camera on me at the time. Aww, burrowing owls! how cute, I hope you can get some pictures. I would love to see them.

Mary - Hi, you slipped in there while I was posting. Thank you, I am loving this group. I have never seen a hawk fly as low as the one I took pictures of yesterday. He swooped right over my mom and I, and then he circled over the pecan tree next to our pool a few times. My camera does have fantastic zoom as well, so I think it was combination of him flying low & my camera that I was able to get the close up pics.

I own a canon rebel that I use in conjunction with one of my mom's lenses.

>167 Thebookdiva: Actually, what they do is hang around in the tree near the bird feeder, waiting for.. well..
prey :(

I know that they have to eat, too.. but it's like groceries. I just try not to think about it.

eta

the chipmunk does snack at the bird feeder, though..as does a squirrel, and they snack on the seeds :)

I imagine you might already know this, but in case you don't.... If you take your pictures with the greatest number of pixels your camera will do, and then take a picture like your hawks and edit the picture with cropping and lightening the exposure you can see a lot of detail which might be missing in the examples above.

You might have some really fine close up shots of the wings, and beak, etc. etc.

I need to go out with my camera, too. I've been having some issues with posting pictures and as I'm going to the Apple store today for help with my new iPhone, I'm taking the computer and seeing if I can't get some excellent help with posting. That might help motivate me to go..... shoot some stuff. Spring stuff....

Hi Abby- Just checking in on a lazy afternoon. Love the hawk photos. Hope you are enjoying the day.

WOW, hawk in flight, so beautiful!

>174 mckait: oooh, well, we all have to eat. The hawks used to sit on our old playset in Indiana and watch the bird feeder.

>175 maggie1944: Thank you, I will take that into consideration next time I photograph him. I love photography, I'm happy that others here like it too. It had been forever since I had taken my camera out myself. Hope your posting troubles end soon, it's frustrating when technology doesn't work the way you want it to.

>176 msf59: Hi Mark! Thank you, my day has been great. Hope yours has been lovely and that the cold weather didn't get in your way. I really like that picture as well.

>177 connie53: Thank you, I really like photographing birds.

>178 Thebookdiva: Exactly!

You have a wonderful, natural talent.. I have never seen a photograph of yours that wasn't beautiful! I hope to see plenty more now that you have a thread~

I think I've solved the problem with posting. This is a picture I took in Hawaii last December. Looks like a good deal of fun, doesn't it?

Yes it does. What a lovely beach!!

Too bad your local theater doesn't have The Wind Rises, Abby. It's showing in town here, so Debbi and I are going to try to create some time to see it.

I wouldn't give up hope on the big screen experience. I'll bet we'll start seeing Miyazaki retrospectives and film festivals showing up at some point. I did get to see Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle on the big screen, but the rest have all been on the little one. I hope to get the chance to see more big screen Miyazaki.

Dropping in to ask if you have seen Ponyo yet? If you like Tortoro and Kiki I think you would like Ponyo.

I'm sorry I've been away for so long, Abby!

I just love your drawings / sketches! I already knew you were a talented young lady from all your photographs, but now I see how much more talent you have from your artwork! You are going to do such great things! I just know it!! :)

>180 maggie1944: That photo is gorgeous! Glad you fixed the posting problem.

>182 jnwelch: I will keep my hopes up then. I would love to see his work in theater.

>183 Oberon: I have not seen Ponyo unfortunately. I own quite a number of his movies now, but not that one just yet.

>184 TinaV95: Tina!!! It's ok, as you can see I have been very present myself here. Thank you!

Well, it's wednesday. It's gloomy again here & threatening rain. I did finish Emma last night, and am happy to report that I really really liked it. After I get caught up on other people's threads, I will be back to post some reviews.

Hyrule Historia by Shigeru Miyamoto

This book goes into depth about the Zelda games franchise. Especially how the artwork, character design, and setting of each of the games was created. As well as talking about the storyline of each of the games. It was a fascinating read for a Zelda fan and the artwork is just amazing. The book focuses on the newer game installments such as Zelda Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and Spirit Tracks. It was interesting to learn about the creation of Zelda and how the characters came to be. For a game and art lover this book was a special treat!

Rated: 4 Stars

The Clockwork Angel GN by Cassandra Clare

Tessa Grey is an ordinary girl sailing to London after her Aunt's sudden death. She is meeting her brother Nate there and hopes to find a new life in the foreign city. Upon her arrival she is met by two women who say that they will escort her to her brother. Having a note in her brother's writing, she goes with them. To her horror she is kidnapped by them and held in a strange house. She learns that she is not at all normal at, that in fact, she has the ability to turn into anybody she desires. The two sisters teach her to use her new found ability by forcing her into the painful changes. One day, they deem her 'ready' and she learns that she is to be wed to someone called the 'magister'. When a strange, and handsome, boy enters her room, she attacks him and tries to flee. Upon realizing the door sealed shut behind him, she learns that the boy is not 'the magister', but an intruder. Desperate to escape her fate, she goes with him and is thrown into a world of magic, treachery, mystery, and shadow hunters. Only wanting to find out who she is and where her brother has gone to, she teams up with the strange shadow hunters and learns more about their world.

The characters in this story are well rounded, interesting, and believable. I enjoyed them very much. They make mistakes but learn from them, and I loved Tessa's courage and intellect.

This graphic novel was well done. The artwork is good, even though it is not my preferred stylization of manga. That is a personal preference however. The story was redone quite well in the new format. They did leave out some of my favorite parts from the book, but that is to be expected in any GN adaptation. They did not, however, leave out any key information or deviate from the story. To fully appreciate this GN, I feel that a reading of the actual book is needed, as a lot happens and is felt in the book that is not portrayed in the GN. I use my copy as a reference before reading the other books in the series, which is really useful.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Artemis Fowl GN by Eoin Colfer


I don't quite know exactly why, but I love Artemis Fowl. I have read a lot of books in the series, and I really enjoy the GNs. Artemis is a kid genius with a tendency of having bad morals. He is cunning and not a foe to be taken lightly despite his age, but he is also a young boy who struggles with his identity. In this first book of the series, Artemis is one of the few humans to know of the existence of faeries. With his knowledge he gathers information and takes hostage Captain Holly Short of fairy police force. Holly is the only women on the force and has always had to fight for her position. She is tough, smart, and thinks quickly on her feet, and she is not about to let Artemis get away with his plan. As the two go head to head, they learn a lot about each other and there prospective races.

I quite enjoy the artwork in this GN. It differs from other artwork I have seen in other GN's by quite a bit, so it is refreshing and new. They did a marvelous job of depicting the fairy world, Holly's attitude, and the struggles Artemis faces. Almost nothing was left out of the story which is a gigantic plus for me. The characters were excellently depicted, and there were no deviations in characters or story lines from the book.

Rating: 4.7 Stars

Our daughter had me read the Mortal Instruments series, Abby - not exactly my cuppa, but not bad -- but I never read the Infernal Devices one. It sure has been popular.

I didn't know you were a Zelda player. It looks like a great game. My videogame playing son has shown me a lot of them (the closest I've come is playing Myst), but he doesn't play The Legend of Zelda. I'm a sucker for great graphics, so that's the part I enjoy most when I'm looking over his shoulder.

I've heard so much praised offered to the Artemis Fowl franchise...and here you are...well, I will have to read one.

ONE.

Which one should it be?

Joe I only read the first 3 books in the Mortal Instruments series, I like to pretend that the others don't exist. A bit too much drama.

I like to watch others play video games for than I like playing them myself, so we are the same in that aspect. Dan, my older brother, is great at the Zelda games. I love watching him, so that is where my love of the games comes from.

RD They are quick, not in depth, funny books. I like to read them alongside harder reads. They don't make sense if you read them out of order unfortunately, otherwise I would say my favorite has been The Opal Deception. If your going to read one, you better start with the first. Otherwise you won't know pertinent information and characters.

>192 Thebookdiva: Haha, I love that you say you pretend some books don't exist. I do that too, especially with sequels in which I didn't like the direction things went :)

Awesome! that is exactly how I feel about it. I do it with some movies too. *smiles*

Don't you love it when it's Friday? Today I plan on swimming in the pool with all my siblings. Tonight I will probably get a jump start on my weekend duties. It will be my first time getting in the pool this year so I am very excited. Hope everyone has an excellent weekend!

Books Read this Year: 75

Currently Reading:

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Bride of the Water God vol.13 by Mi-Kyung Yun
The Art of Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki

Congrats on hitting 75 books already!

Excellent!

Wow! 75 already??? I bow in your presence, dear sweet Abby!!! :)

*Happy weekend wave*

Wow! Well Done Abby! Already soaring past most of us :) Well done!

I'll be interested to hear what you think of Wuthering Heights. I couldn't finish it.

Happy 75th book, Abby!

Congrats on the 75, Abby!

>195 Thebookdiva: I love that C & H! It's so true. If they'd just ask the right questions on tests, we'd all be brilliant.

Swimming in the pool? Have fun! It's but a distant hope for those of us in the north country, but we'll vicariously enjoy the doings at the Pecan Paradisio.

Wow, 75 books! Congrats!!

Wuthering Heights fan here!

Congrats!

^Of course, this has never happened to me but I can easily see being this LOST!

Congrats on 75, Abby! Hope you are having a fine Saturday!

And now for your encore: what are you reading now?

Well I do hope your mom is not gnashing her teeth at you already passing 75! (I'm sure that both Rae and the great lady herself are proud but determined to catch up).

Lovely to see you so comfortable already in this group.

Have a lovely Sunday. xx

>196 Kassilem: Thank you!

>197 maggie1944: Thanks!

>198 TinaV95: haha, thank you. I read a lot when I'm in a drawing slump, which I've been in lately.

>199 wilkiec: *waves* Hope your having a good weekend as well.

>200 mckait: Thank you. I've had tons of fantastic recommendations here that got me excited to read.

>201 Morphidae: I am sooo excited to finally be reading Wuthering Heights. I will have to finish it as it is part of my school work. I really liked her sisters work, Jane Eyre, so if its anything like that I'm sure I will like it.

>202 richardderus: Thank you!

>203 jnwelch: Thank you! I love all of the Calvin and Hobbes, but I agree that this one rings very true. The pool was great, but what was better was the homemade ribs & loaded mashed potatoes that my mom made that night. They were delicious. I do hope it warms up there soon, enough with the cold already!

>204 connie53: Thank you! I'm trying to beat my total from last year.

>205 mckait: Oh good! We will have to discuss it after I finish reading it!

>206 drneutron: Thank you. All of you guys are so sweet!

>207 msf59: Thank you, I don't think I've gone 10 hours, but I've definitely gone 5. I get so wrapped up when I'm reading that I'm oblivious to everything else around me. People can be talking to me and I will have no idea.

>208 maggie1944: Right now I am reading :

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (well, I'm starting it next week)
Bride of the Water God vol.13 by Mi-Kyung Yun
The Art of Howl's Moving Castle by Hayao Miyazaki

I think that there are one or two more, but I can't think of their titles right now.

>209 PaulCranswick: haha, Mum congratulated me and then jokingly told me to stop bragging. I'm certain that she will catch up with me soon, she is a much better reader than I am. This group is wonderful, I've never known so many nice people! Hope your Sunday goes just your way.

ABBY!!!! Congrats on hitting 75 already. Can't wait to hear what you think of Wuthering Heights. Talk about dysfunction... I don't remember much about it and have been contemplating a re-read soonish.

Hello Katie! Thanks, I'm excited about reading Wuthering Heights. I believe it was one of Bella Swans favorite books in Twilight.

Congrats on reading 75 already Abby keep it up and have a lovely week.

Thanks Rae.

This week is turning out to be a very busy and very exciting one. My very best friend of all time is coming down to visit me! She and her mom will be staying with us for a few days. It is going to be so much fun to see them. I will probably be mostly absent on LT while they are here. Hope all of you guys are having a good week!

How great that your very best friend of all time is coming to visit, Abby. Have a great time!

I'll be visiting one of my best friends of all time (and my daughter's godfather) on Saturday in NYC. His daughter is my goddaughter, so she and my daughter have decided they're godsisters.

Yay for best friends! I get to see my best friend in 3 weeks when I go to her wedding. AHHH!

Enjoy your delightfully extended visit, Abby!

Have a great time, Abby!!! We'll all be here waiting (and expecting TONS of pictures) when you get back!! :)

Joe - Thank you, I'm sooo excited!!!! Godsisters, that's so sweet. I hope you guys have a great time.

Nora - A wedding, how exciting!

RD - Thank you, I will.

Tina - I will! I will be sure to give a full report after they leave. *smiles*

Abby- Have a great time with your friend. Don't worry about us, we will be just fine.

Aren't best friends wonderful? Enjoy her visit.

Wow Abby, I'm impressed by all the books you read! Those are soooooo much, you almost read a book a day! And I don't think you read books of 50 pages, right? At least I think you're doing great! Which one was your favorite so far?

Have a nice and wonderful weekend!

I'm joining in for cheering Best Friends. They are the sweetest gift life gives us. And photographs of your great weekend will be a bonus for your net friends. We'll be patient. Have a good time, young lady.

>222 msf59: Thanks Mark, we had a wonderful time!

>223 RebaRelishesReading: Best friends are of course, the best. I have been friends with them since I was in kindergarten, we are super close.

>224 MarjoleinL: haha, thanks. Its great to see your back to LT! 80% of the books I read are 100+ pages. I did read quite a few GNs when I was sick. I read about 3 books at once, so that's how I finish them quickly. My favorite book I have read this year would have to be...Cress, hands down. You have a fabulous week as well!

>225 maggie1944: Thank you, I will be sure to post some picks.

The new Book Nook is up & running, come on over!