AMQS (Anne) reads in 2014 -- chapter 3

Hello and welcome to my third thread! One of our favorite read-aloud books is Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins (and companion books Toy Dance Party and Toys Come Home). This is one of the rare series we've read aloud more than once. I've always loved stories where the toys have a life of their own and dearly love their child companions. In these books, other objects are "alive" as well -- the washing machine is super scary at first, but has a great sense of humor, and the towels sing folk songs together in the linen closet. The books are beautifully illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.

Here Lumphy, Plastic, and StingRay are packed in the backpack together:


Here they bound down the stairs:


Here Lumphy defends one of the toy mice against a visiting cat:


And just for fun, a NY Times review:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/books/review/O_Conner.t.html?_r=0

I need to declare my own holidays more often. It was a very good day at school yesterday:)

July, 2014
40. Swamplandia! by Karen Russell
41. Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole

June, 2014
32. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
33. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
34. Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats by Kristen Iversen
35. Doll Bones by Holly Black
36. Three Bird Summer by Sara St. Antoine
37. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
38. Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
39. Ungifted by Gordon Korman

May, 2014
26. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer
27. Selections from The Complete Stories of Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker
28. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
29. The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
30. Frindle by Andrew Clements
31. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

April, 2014
21. The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
22. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
23. The Code of the Woosters: Jeeves to the Rescue by P.G. Wodehouse
24. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
25. Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

March, 2015
13. Light in August by William Faulkner
14. A Passage to India by E.M. Forster
15. Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal
16. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
17. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
18. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
19. The Ever Breath by Julianna Baggott
20. Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

February, 2014
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
9. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
10. Lady Susan by Jane Austen
11. The Eyes of Venice by Alessandro Barbero
12. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

January, 2014
1. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
2. A Winter in Arabia: A Journey Through Yemen by Freya Stark
3. Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
4. Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows
5. August Folly by Angela Thirkell
6. A Spy in the House by Y. S. Lee
7. Creaturely and Other Essays by Devin Johnston

The school year is winding down, or it should be -- I'm busier than ever and not reading much. The Chorale season is winding down also, which isn't saying much because the 2014-2015 season starts in a couple of weeks with a bang: kids in two operas with Central City Opera this summer (Dead Man Walking and The Sound of Music), and a performance tour to Vienna, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic in June. And some very exciting news: a live performance at the medal ceremony next year every night of the Alpine World Ski Championships!

http://vailbeavercreek2015.com/news/colorado-childrens-chorale-to-perform-nation...

26. Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer

A fun, swashbuckling tale of adventure on the high seas with a twist: the ship's boy recounting the adventures is actually a girl. Mary lost her family in the plague and lived on the streets, welcomed and sheltered by one of the many gangs of London street urchins. After a major blow to her gang, she disguises herself as a boy named Jack and seeks work as a ship's boy on the H.M.S. Dolphin.

While the story was very fun, with a lot of heart and plenty of action, I can't say that I loved it. The narration, too, was excellent, though I can't say that I loved that either. Overall, it was very well done, but just not for me, or wrong for my mood, or something. Has Wodehouse ruined me?

Hi Anne - Happy New Thread. I love the illustrations at the top. I'm not familiar with the books, but I've added them to the "Scout" list.

Happy new thread, Anne! I think there's definitely a right time for novels and sometimes I can get annoyed with books for not being the awesome book I just finished.

Happy new thread, Anne! My eldest right now is at the age where he loves storytime at bedtime. I think a large part of that is because he can actually understand what is going on and the silliest thing will set him off in a fit of laughter. It is a wonderful sight and sound for a mom to see and hear. :)

Happy new thread Anne! Are you and/or Marina going to Europe with the Chorale? It sounds like an exciting trip! There's an interesting music museum in Vienna that I visited the last time I was there. I went on a guided tour of the opera house on my first visit to Vienna.

Thank you for not totally loving the Jacky Faber book, Anne. I don't need to start another series!

I am going to check out that Emily Jenkins series, Anne. You haven't let me down yet! I love that you declared "Hug A Librarian" Day! I got lots of hugs on my last day of after-school tutoring on Monday. I had a sweet group of 2nd Grade boys this year.

It sounds like a busy summer is shaping up for you. I didn't realize your trip to The Czech Republic is coming up so soon. That sounds fascinating.

>7 BLBera: Hi Beth! The Toys Go Out books simply must be read aloud -- they're gold!

>8 MickyFine: Micky, I love it: sometimes I can get annoyed with books for not being the awesome book I just finished. So true. I don't know that that's what happened here, although Jacky Faber is no Bertie Wooster. I think I am still in book-funk-land, unfortunately. The good news is that I received about 90 new books on Tuesday -- I will take many home over the summer, including Colorado Children's Book Award nominees and read over the summer:

>9 jolerie: Isn't it fun, Valerie? Love it when kiddos get into the books. Toys Go Out is so, so funny -- one of the reasons it holds up to multiple rereads.

>10 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie! Yes, Marina and I are both going on the tour this summer. When the Chorale leaves Vienna to come home we will go on to Cyprus to join Stelios and Callia and all the relatives. I have never been to Vienna, and I have always wanted to, so I am very excited! We're participating in a music festival, and we'll do plenty of sight-seeing as well. Sound like you have been to Vienna more than once?

>11 rosalita: I know what you mean, Julia! The series has earned some very positive reviews, but it just wasn't the right book for me right now. I think part of it was the narration, which was excellent. She was very expressive. VERY expressive, with long, drawn-out goings-on of a teen girl's mind. I would have zipped right through those passages had I been reading a print book, but there's no zipping with an audio.

>12 Donna828: Oh, Donna, I hope you love Toys Go Out and the others. They simply must be read aloud, even to a teddy bear. Callia just wandered by and I showed her the pictures up top ("name that book"). She immediately cried, "Toys Go Out" and even remembered how much they laughed at the name of the cat ("Pumpkinfacehead" -- whose loving owner is a 4-year old girl). They're just gold. I ordered Toys Go Out for my library -- I'll try to read it aloud to the 1/2 classes next year.

Gotta love those hugs! Yes, the tour is coming right up! The kids are very excited. Before that I go to Vail with the Chorale. Busy summer!

Hi Anne, I love the illustrations you posted.

Sounds like you have a busy summer to look forward to!

Happy New Thread, Anne!

I love Zelinsky's illustrations.

Happy New thread, Anne! Hope the week is going well!

I've been to Vienna a couple of times. It's one of my favorite cities. Lots of music history to see there! I also enjoyed eiscafe and wiener schnitzel - although not at the same time!

Stopping by you new thread, Anne and love the 'hug a librarian' day! Sorry to see the Jacky Faber story was just and okay read for you. I stalled with the series part way through and keep meaning to get back to it but other books keep claiming my limited reading time these days. Sounds like you will be a busy summer of activities.

Hi Anne, lost track of you for a bit. Love the illustrations you've opened your new thread with : ).

Hi, Anne ~ Have you been over to the Boulder Booktopia thread lately? https://www.librarything.com/topic/161364#4681351

xoxo

>14 Copperskye: Hi Joanne! Yes, summer should be very busy. Fun stuff, but busy. Last summer we did a fair amount of nothing, and I'll miss those lazy days, but I'm not complaining!

>15 scaifea: Thank you, Amber, do, too!

>16 msf59: Thank you, Mark. Busy week, and next week will be, too, and then I think the school year will start to wind down. I'm always glad when the weekend comes! I have a book fair going now, which is very fun, but a lot of work!

>17 cbl_tn: Oh Carrie, I'm so excited! I've been to Salzburg a few times, and I visited Innsbruck for the first time two years ago, but I've never been to Vienna, and I have ALWAYS wanted to go! It's been a dream of mine. Several years ago I read The Star of Kazan aloud to the girls, which we loved. The author described the turn of the 20th century Vienna so beautifully and so lovingly it renewed my desire to go. Marina and I are both very excited.

>18 lkernagh: Hi Lori! I think the Jacky Faber book was very well done, but it just didn't do it for me this time. I am well and truly in a book funk, and don't seem to have the heart for anyone but Wodehouse at the present time. Thanks for visiting!

>19 lit_chick: Thank you, Nancy! They are such charming books -- all of the toys have such wonderfully drawn personalities, and Mr. Zelinsky's illustrations capture them perfectly.

>20 Storeetllr: Thanks for the nudge, Mary! Looking forward to seeing you next weekend.

>21 richardderus: xoxo right back at you, Richard. Hope you have a lovely weekend.

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A big spring storm is supposed to arrive tonight, and we're expecting up to 20 inches of snow tomorrow! Probably more at my school. I love the idea of a snow day... in January. In the middle of May, with 12 days to go in the school year, I definitely do not want to have a snow make-up day!

Oh my gosh, 20 inches of snow?! What have I gotten myself into by coming to Boulder next week? :-)

>23 rosalita: Julia, it will all be gone by Tuesday. That's springtime in the Rockies!

I'm going to hold you to that, Anne!

Oh we had that 4 letter word last weekend. Thank goodness it was warm enough that nothing really stuck and it warmed up this past week so alls good. :)

Wishing you a great weekend, Anne!

Snow in May is just wrong! (At least in this hemisphere.) I hope the forecasters are wrong this time.

>25 rosalita: Forecast for next weekend looks good, Julia -- I promise you will never know there was snow only the week before!

>26 jolerie: Yes, we're supposed to warm up, too. I can't see that it's sticking on the roads, but we have a few inches on the grass, deck, etc. Hoep you have a wonderful weekend, too, and happy Mother's Day!

>27 cbl_tn: Me, too, Carrie. It's been snowing steadily for hours, and it's supposed to continue. I took care of all of my errands yesterday so I don't have to go out. The roads so far are just wet, but we do have accumulation on the grass. Our poor trees and suffering (it's that very wet, very heavy spring snow), so we go out every now and then to try to shake snow off of branches. We'll see what tomorrow will bring!

Happy Mother's Day!! And happy upcoming trip to Vienna!

Ha! snow. It's Margo's birthday tomorrow, and I remember very well the big spring snow that came the day before she was born, and carefully picking my way through it on my way into the hospital. :) Hopefully you can enjoy a nice quite day at home.

Happy Mother's Day, Anne!

Wild and unruly weather, Anne! No, I definitely would not be excited about making up a snow day in mid-May!

Dropping in to say hello while I'm trying to catch up on threads after being gone for a week.

Happy (snowy) Mother's Day, Anne! (And I freely admit now that you were so so right to warn me about doing any gardening until after Mother's Day.)

>29 nittnut: Happy birthday to Margot! It was a nice, quiet, snowy Mother's Day -- just perfect, and likely to be the last quiet day for awhile! Hope yours was nice as well. Any special plans for Margot?

>30 msf59: Thank you, Mark -- how beautiful!

>31 Copperskye: Thank you, Joanne, and to you, too!

>32 lit_chick: Well Nancy, unless something catastrophic happens overnight, it looks like there will be school tomorrow. It has snowed steadily all day, but there's not much accumulation to show for it on the roads. That's a good thing! We need the moisture, so all in all this was a good storm. All wet, not much mess:) Let's just hope it doesn't freeze on the roads tonight.

>33 thornton37814: Hi Lori! Oh, I am so far behind. Looking forward to my book fair wrapping up at the end of this week, and then I should be able to resume my LT rounds:)

>34 Storeetllr: Happy Mother's Day to you too, Mary! Glad you held off. Honestly, spring is wacky here, and spring snow is heavy and wet. You never know what you're going to get! We had to go outside several times today and knock snow off of our lilac bushes. Hope yours came through alright.

Uh, oh. I didn't knock snow off the lilacs. I hope they came through all right, but now I'm really afraid they didn't. :(

The blossoms should be just fine. We had enough heavy snow that the branches were sagging and we didn't want them to break. How much snow did you get?

285 was closed tonight because of accidents, so I'm a bit worried about my drive up tomorrow...

How charming (I suppose) to have a snowy Mother's Day. Marina's doppleganger was in her element this weekend organising things for her mother and overall I suppose the celebration went off smoothly.

Congratulations on your new thread, Anne. It is always such a pleasure to visit here.

Snow?! Oh my goodness.

I didn't see the totals for this part of the Front Range, Anne, but it looked like we got about 3-4 inches. It's mostly gone, though not completely. The lilacs seem to have come through with minimal damage, though I was busy moving today so didn't have time to check them up close.

I sure hope it's the last snow of the season!

>38 PaulCranswick: Marina's doppleganger was in her element Can't wait to meet that lovely girl! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Paul.

>39 scaifea: Yes, and a lot of it! At my house we only had about 7 inches or so, but we got well over a foot at my school! Hope it's done now.

>40 Storeetllr: Glad to hear your lilacs survived. Ours have as well -- our Korean lilacs are close to blooming. Are you all moved in, ot still working on it?

28. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

A man cannot realize that above such shattered bodies there are still human faces in which life goes its daily round. And this is only one hospital, one single station; there are hundreds of thousands in Germany, hundreds of thousands in France, hundreds of thousands in Russia. How senseless is everything that can ever be written, done, or thought, when such things are possible. It must be all lies and of no account when the culture of a thousand years could not prevent this stream of blood being poured out, these torture-chambers in their hundreds of thousands. A hospital alone shows what war is.

A searing, terrible, haunting account of a young German soldier's experience fighting over the bloody inches of WWI. I know I must have read this in high school, and I am doing do again in honor of the WWI centenary. 100 years later the war is no less terrible -- perhaps more so as it seems we've learned so little.

>42 AMQS: I remember reading it many years ago and it had a profound impact upon me too as I recall. The first war didn't quite leave the same sour taste in the mouth about the germans as the second one did and it is thanks in part to work such as this and the abhorrent vindictiveness of particularly the French in the aftermath.

A searing, terrible, haunting account is an excellent descriptor of All Quiet, Anne. Interestingly, a few of my grade 12 students have chosen this as their novel study, and it is appealing to them. I'm glad: it's such powerful literature and such an honest account of war.

27. Selections from The Complete Stories of Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker, narrated by Barbara Rosenblat

I don't generally count books I did not finish, but as these were short stories, I decided to count the ones I finished as a group. I found an audio book of The Complete Stories of Dorothy Parker at the library. I enjoyed them very much, but I quickly realized I would not have the heart (nor likely the time, with the school year winding down) to listen to all 22 hours. Parker is a master at portraying very ordinary suburban lives, and very skillfully communicates pettiness, manipulation, jealousy, or hurt into just a few words of dialog. A match for Ms. Parker is narrator Barbara Rosenblat -- she was superb. Life is pretty stressful right now for a variety of reasons, so excellent as they were, I wasn't up for more stories of small cruelties and disappointments of ordinary lives. So after finishing seven stories, I switched audios to something much lighter (Jeeves, of course). Nevertheless, do recommend Ms. Parker's stories -- I was awed by her skill. I listened to:

Such a Pretty Little Picture
Too Bad
A Certain Lady
The Last Tea
Mr. Durant
The Wonderful Old Gentleman
Oh, He's Charming!

I did "finish" this before All Quiet, so that's why my numbering is out of order.

>43 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul, glad so many have read it and continue to do so (see Nancy's post that follows yours). Awful, awful. I don't think what we learn in history here in the US (already pitifully inadequate and US-centric) covered French vindictiveness, though I remember learning about crippling German poverty and starvation due to sanctions followed by the depression. Perfect conditions to give rise to righteous nationalism and the patriotic appeal of the Nazis.

>44 lit_chick: Nancy, I'm so glad that students are still reading this book. The book describes young men their age, and is a terribly important read.

Fun, fun, fun meet-up with 75ers after Booktopia Boulder today! Mary (Storeetllr) and I drove up to Boulder to meet Joanne (coppers), Donna (Donna828), Katie(katiekrug), and Julia (rosalita) for dinner at Riff's (great choice, Katie!). Lovely dinner and sparkling conversation with some delightful ladies.

Going around the table starting at front left: Julia, Donna, Joanne, Katie, Anne, Mary.

Anne, it was so great to finally meet you! You and Mary were awesome to drive up to Boulder to meet little ol' us ;-) By far, it was the best part of Booktopia for me!

Katie, it was the highlight (and carrot) of my week! I loved it -- hope we can do it again soon. Have fun tomorrow, and safe travels back to TX!

Great picture, Anne! Looks like you all had fun. *green*

Oh, wonderful picture of all of you! Love it!

Looks like you had a great time at the Boulder Meet-up, Anne! It's nice seeing the happy LTers!

Lovely photo! It sounds like all of you had a great time. I'm glad things worked out for all of you to get together!

Hi Anne,
Stopping by your thread to see what's up and gaze with envy at the Booktopia meet-up photo. I'm glad you (all) had a great time! I just started listening to The Dog Stars and I think it's going to be a winner.

I have All Quiet in the stack of books I want to get to sooner rather than later.....

>50 ronincats: Hi Roni! Yes, we had a lovely time. Mary and I only drove up for the dinner, so I can't compare it to the rest of Booktopia, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with the delightful company! I need to get over to your thread and see how you are. I've been thinking about you and hoping you are safe and breathing okay during all of these terrible fires. Are you?

>51 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! We had a great time. Hope you're having a good weekend.

>52 msf59: We certainly did, Mark, though Mary and I only went for the meet-up. It was well worth it, and a good time was had by all!

>53 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie! Yes, it worked out perfectly, which is saying something considering how packed May is. We had lovely weather and sat outside on the Pearl Street Mall, and enjoyed getting to know our fellow 75-ers very much.

>54 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! Yes, we had a great time. I do wish I had been able to see Peter Heller's session, as everyone who did was very impressed. I've had The Dog Stars in my pile for awhile now. It is my book club's selection for this month, so I am glad for the nudge to read it. All Quiet was a great read. Hope you enjoy it when you get to it.

Love the photo of the meet-up, Anne! Everyone looks so happy : ).

Looks like you all enjoyed yourselves.

Thanks for the pictures, Anne. It looks like you all enjoyed yourselves.

Anne, thanks so much for taking time to drive up to Boulder with Mary. It made Booktopia even more special to have two more LTers around. I always enjoy talking about books and life with you. I'm so pleased you will be around in mid-June. I am driving from KC on Sunday, June 15, and will be available for the next ten days for an evening meet-up or anytime on the week end of June 21-22. We have plenty of time to think about it.

How interesting that your book club is reading The Dog Stars this month. Mine is reading it for July. I plan to reread it. It will be my pleasure to think of Peter Keller's arm around me as I read! I posted the picture on the Booktopia thread.

>47 AMQS: Other than my family, just about the best way to make me homesick. :) How fun to get together and to meet more of the LT family.

I am in serious envy mode - for Booktopia and for the RL LT meet-up. Anne, it looks like you have been having fun!

Anne, I'll be interested in how The Dog Stars is as a read work. I'm doing the audiobook (so outside my usual practice) and am enjoying the narration.

>42 AMQS: I loved that one, All Quiet on the Western Front it was shocking and emotional and so well written.

I love "hug a librarian day'! And did it end up snowing a heap...only a few days of school left now!

>47 AMQS: great meet up/lunch/booktopia. All very jealousy-inducing, if I were that was incline :)

I like seeing all these meet-up pics. Looks like you gals had a blast. :)

>56 lit_chick: Thanks, Nancy -- we were happy! I know I was looking forward to it all week.

>57 thornton37814: Hi Lori, indeed we did!

>58 BLBera: Beth, we all had a great time. Joanne, Donna, Mary and I always enjoy getting together, and it was great to meet Julia and Katie, too.

>59 Donna828: LOL, Donna, I do wish I had been able to attend Peter Heller's session:) I haven't gone beyond page one -- I just need this school year to END! It's been a good year, but too busy right now for reading. Let me know how your plans shape up -- I would love to get together again!

>60 nittnut: Oh Jenn, we do miss you terribly. Hope to be on your doorstep sooner rather than later:) LT meet-ups are not the same without you!

>61 PrueGallagher: Hi Prue! Lots of fun. I didn't make it to Booktopia, but sure had fun meeting the ladies for dinner!

>62 EBT1002: Ellen, I am not making much progress -- RL is just too busy right now, and I'm thinking the month of May should maybe be declared illegal. Too busy! I have only heard great things about The Dog Stars, so I am looking wistfully at my copy every now and then:) Glad you're enjoying the audio!

>63 LovingLit: Hi Megan -- so glad you also enjoyed All Quiet. It was a very powerful read. Yes! We ended up with quite a lot of snow -- about 7 inches here, but over a foot at my school. It's all gone now. Oh, we would love to have you at a meet-up one of these days! Take care.

>64 jolerie: Hi Valerie! Indeed we did. So nice to meet Katie and Julia, and to catch up with Donna, Joanne, and Mary. Hope you and the little monkeys are having a great week.

29 The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse, read by Jonathan Cecil

The cure for what ails you, the blues, the blahs? Jeeves & Wooster, although I daresay I am sated for the time being. More laugh out loud foibles, ridiculous schemes and mishaps, this time in a set of loosely connected stories.

Just checking in, Anne, to say how much I enjoyed meeting you in Boulder! It was wonderful of you and Mary to drive up for dinner. Next time we'll figure out a way to make it last longer!

Many thanks for the picture with identities! I do so envy your being able to get together even for one meal. Anyway, thanks for letting me picture what it was like!
Hope you can stay calm and on top of all the May madness!

One more Wodehouse to look out for. Checked the other day and found out I've only read five so far. Laugh out loud foibles≤/i>. Exactly.

>67 rosalita: Julia, it was so nice to meet you! I hope this means you have arrived safely back home. Hope you didn't encounter any of our wild weather on your way!

>68 LizzieD: Hi Peggy! I have been able to connect with people I never imagined I would, so perhaps we'll also meet one day. May is killing me -- it seems to get worse every year. Thanks for visiting!

>69 ctpress: Hi Carsten! I have to say that I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the others, but it was a perfect, light, funny read nonetheless and worth the read/listen for sure. Hope you're having a great weekend.

****************************************************************

I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for all of you who have been so kind to visit my thread when I have not been able to return the visit to yours. Your friendship and kind words mean so, so much to me! I still maintain that May should be illegal. It's always been busy, but high school makes it even busier. We discovered this morning (Saturday) that we had forgotten to bring in the milk that was delivered early Friday morning (in addition to forgetting my lunch and Callia's phone on Friday). We're coming up on the end -- Callia takes final exams Tuesday and Wednesday and then the girls are done. I'll be done June 3, or just in time to start next season's Chorale rehearsals on June 4th and then go to Vail with the 2014-2015 Tour Choir (an aside, Marina learned she will be touring next spring to Finland, Sweden, and Estonia and is super excited). Still, finishing the school year will be a huge relief and I promise to come visit you all!

30. Frindle by Andrew Clements, narrated by John Fleming

I love Andrew Clements -- really, really love his books, and there are many! He is a former teacher who writes stand-alone "school stories" aimed at boys and girls in the 3rd-5th grade range, which I think is a tricky age to write for. They typically feature kids who take some sort of action at school, as a protest, or an experiment, or to cause mild trouble. It takes on a life of its own, confounding and frustrating the adults, and teaching the kids about social momentum and other lessons. They're never preachy, though, and the issues are complex and thought-provoking. I loved Frindle from the first moment to the slightly weepy last. 5th grader Nick is a master at asking the time-wasting question designed to get the teacher side-tracked so that homework will be forgotten. He meets his match in Mrs. Granger, the experienced, rigorous, exacting teacher who sends home a recommended dictionary list before the start of the year. His first attempt at a time-waster (why are words what they are -- who decides that d-o-g gets to mean dog? Answer: we do -- words are invented and developed and evolved and most importantly: used, and that's how they get to be words) backfires as Mrs. Granger assigns Nick an oral report on words and dictionaries. It does give Nick an idea, though: what if he made up a word and people started using it? What would happen? He decides that henceforth, a pen is now a "frindle." He recruits a few friends to start conspicuously using "frindle" and the word takes off, much to the annoyance of Mrs. Granger (it's not in the dictionary, and furthermore, "pen" is a perfectly good word that evolved from the Latin word meaning feather, or quill, which were the precursors of pens), and the rest of the school staff. The students aren't really doing anything wrong, but are choosing to disobey rules created to stop the use of the word. The ensuing kerfuffle attracts the attention of the local paper, a local entrepreneur, and eventually the national news. The resolution of this story is extremely satisfying.

Anne, I checked in to see if school was over for you and see that you have another week yet--hang in there, girl!

Stopping by to see how things are with you. Sorry to read that frantic May continues but the good news is that jubilant June is just around the corner. Happy long weekend, Anne!

Anne, lovely review of Frindle : ). I'm with Lori on jubilant June. Thank God!

xoxo again

>70 AMQS: Anne, I had marvelous weather on both legs of my road trip, which was a real blessing. I am sympathetic to your end-of-the-year frazzle, and I'm glad it's almost over. Hang in there!

Hi Anne - Hang in there. I'm enjoying my last few days of sabbatical as summer classes start on June 2... :( I'll add Frindle and Andrew Clements to my "Scout list." You're always a great resource for that.

Anne, I don't know how you are on your feet at the end of the day let alone doing it with such a bright and cherry attitude. You rock! Hope the busyness calms down and you get a chance to sit for a bit and enjoy some rest. :)

Almost there, Anne! The end is in sight!

--- and Frindle sounds wonderful!

Hi Anne! I know what you mean about feeling overwhelmed by May! It has been crazy here too. My boys are done on June 4, and we can't wait for summer to officially begin. Frindle is one of the first chapter books I read aloud to my older son! and we both loved it. Andrew Clements is so talented! I loved reliving it through your review.

Whelp, that 's it. Adding Frindle to the list!

>70 AMQS: Sorry to see that life is quite so hectic at the moment, Anne.
I want to wish dear Callia all the very best with her exams and I just about remember (and can see from my own daughter's experience) how tough and stressful that is on all involved. I am gifted with a very retentive memory for information (I hesitate to say 'photographic' as I am useless with cameras) and always got off relatively lightly when it came to exams. I feel for Yasmyne having to struggle through her exams.
Kudos too to the familiar looking Marina (hahaha) and her trip to Northern Europe......how exciting!

Taking advantage of the time difference I also want to wish you a relaxing weekend. xx

>72 ronincats: Thanks for checking on me, Roni! At last, I am done with school!! I put the library "to bed" yesterday (after the girls both volunteered 8 hours each on Friday:) and attended a district leadership training today, and now I am done. I am actually reading a book! I'll be over to visit soon!

>73 lkernagh: Happy Jubilant June, Lori! I am bringing in June by reading on my deck -- one of my favorite summertime treats. How are YOU?

>74 lit_chick: I know, right, Nancy? Frindle was a treat, and a quick read (should be, as it's written for 9 year olds:) Thanks for stoping by!

>75 richardderus: XOXO to you, my dear. I am sorry to hear of your health problems. I promise to visit very soon. Only wish I could bring cheer in real life.

>76 rosalita: Glad your trip home was uneventful, Julia! I am finally done. We have dr, dentist, eye dr, etc appointments scheduled, and a few rehearsals before we go to Vail with Chorale on Sunday, but letting go of everything school is a huge relief, even though I had a fantastic year and I'm so thrilled to be where I am. Thanks for stopping by!

>77 BLBera: Beth, you must have started yesterday -- hope you were able to enjoy your last few days, and that you have a good term. Frindle is a great one for Scout's list. It was published years ago, but feels timeless somehow.

>78 jolerie: Valerie, you are too kind! I am done, and I have done quite a bit of sitting both today and this past weekend. Feels good, I must admit! Anything special planned this summer with your monkeys?

>79 katiekrug: Made it, Katie! Thanks for cheering me on:)

>80 LizzieD: Hi Peggy, and thank you! Yes, Frindle is terrific. Andrew Clements has never let me down yet!

>81 porch_reader: Thank you, Amy! One more day!!! Hope you and the boys have a wonderful summer. May is crazy, isn't it? I guess it makes relaxing in June all the more sweet. I've even been reading books! Real ones -- not "just" audios when I'm captive in the car:)

>82 scaifea: Hi Amber! Oh, it's a very worthy addition to a list. As I said somewhere above, Andrew Clements has never let me down.

>83 PaulCranswick:, >84 PaulCranswick: Dear Paul, thank you for your wishes! Callia did fairly well on her exams, but kind of lost steam at the end of an incredibly challenging year. Still finished with 4 As and 2 Bs, and she is very happy with those marks. I know how hard she worked, so I am happy, too. She has torn through about 8 books since finishing school last week, AND both girls volunteered the entire day Friday in the library and worked really hard. Now she's tacking her summer reading list which has some pretty major titles, including Oliver Twist, 1984, The Clash of Civilizations, and Guns, Germs, and Steel.

Marina has watched her sister in the spotlight for many years, and now she's enjoying her turn. She and I go to Vail for the annual training residency for the Tour Choir on Sunday. Stelios will be on Ride the Rockies, so Callia will be taking her first solo trip (aside from Chorale tours) to visit Stelios's brother Antonis and his family in Lawrence, KS. Then we all come back together for a couple weeks before heading to Cyprus (Stelios and Callia) and Vienna/Bratislava/Trebic (Marina and me). Very excited!

31. Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, narrated by Roald Dahl!

Somehow I was an adult before I read any Roald Dahl. Fortunately, his books are just as wonderful for adults as for kids. This one was fun, and even more so as the author narrated himself. Mr. Fox has been stealing from three bad-tempered farmers for years (he does have to feed his family, you know), when they decide to finish him off once and for all. The fox family suffers greatly, as does the badger, mole, and rabbit families, when the onslaught begins, so Mr. Fox bands the animals together and devises a plan to get the best of the farmers. I've heard the movie is good, so we may look for it at the library.

I'm glad you have a week before you have to travel for the chorale, Anne. Enjoy some down time in between rehearsals and appointments!

Hi Anne! We have plans for a family wedding in Vancouver mid July and then will be popping through Portland on our way home. Taking a car the whole way so hopefully the monkeys will be nice and cooperate. :)
Great minds think alike. I just read James and the Giant Peach. I loved it just as much this time around and I totally agree with you that you can enjoy Dahl's books whether you are a child or an adult!

>87 ronincats: Thanks, Roni, I will!

>88 jolerie: Valerie, that sounds like a lovely road trip through some beautiful country. Glad you're still enjoying Roald Dahl!

32. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

Many, many thanks to those of you who recommended this book. It is very hard to read (every man for himself in the brutal, post-apocalyptic world), achingly sad, and absolutely beautiful. Hig has survived the flu that wiped out much of the world's population, and lives with his dog in a hangar with a cranky, shoot-first survivalist for a neighbor. Hig breaks the monotonous tenuousness of their existence by flying in his old Cessna past the point of no return -- not enough fuel to get back. Searching for... well, for everything, really. A somber, brutal meditation on life, death, loss, and humanity, set in my backyard. One of those books I read while holding my breath for entire sections.

So glad you loved The Dog Stars, Anne! I still sometimes think of Hig while driving up through his neck of the...plains. I just finished The Painter yesterday. Of course the story is different but the quality of the writing is just as good!

Let the busy summer season begin!! :)

Glad you loved Fantastic Mr Fox and The Dog Stars, Anne. The cover of the latter reminds me of Number the Stars, a YA book on the Holocaust. Do you know it?

>91 Copperskye: Hi Joanne. That book will stay with me for awhile. A little eerie to be reading about places we know so well. I almost grieved for them like Hig did. Thanks for the recommendation!

>92 lit_chick: Hi Nancy! Oh yes, I loved Number the Stars. I read it with a 5th grade book group a few years ago and thought it was so sad and lovely.

Hello Anne, and happy summer! I hope you get to catch up on all the reading you want to do. Your trip to Europe sounds exciting!

>85 AMQS: A's & B's? That's wonderful! Congrats to Callia!

Lovely review of The Dog Stars, Anne! It's one of my very favorites of the last couple of years. I can imagine how much more resonant it must be for you and Joanne since you know the terrain he writes about so well.

Happy Summer, Anne!

Hi, Anne! Isn't this weather amazing after the recent cold and rain/hail? Nickel and I have been sunning on the back patio in the mornings, and it's just heavenly to feel the heat! I do have to keep reminding myself how much closer to the sun we are here and to keep myself covered with high SPF lotion.

Dog Stars and The Painter are now on my wishlist, thanks to you and Joanne. Thank you. Really.

Congrats to Callia on her scholastic achievement and to Marina on her upcoming Chorale Tour. Sounds like you will be having a fun and busy summer! Will you be around in June when Donna is in town?

Hi Anne - Congrats on having survived another school year. It sounds like you have a busy (and fun) summer planned. I have heard so many good things about The Dog Stars. Not sure when I'll get to it, but it's on my list.

Yay for reading on your deck! I love reading outdoors. I have been taking advantage of the good weather we have been having and have gotten back into my routine of walking to and from work listening to audiobooks. Audiobooks are going to save me this year when it comes to my challenge goals. All of my other hobbies - beading, bread making and I am about to dip back into sewing - are impacting my reading time. The bread making has been great. I actually look forward to coming home at the end of the work day and making a loaf of bread. ;-)

Sounds like a busy June is in the works for you and your family!

>94 susanj67: Hi Susan! Thanks for stopping by. There's never enough time for reading, but I definitely have more now! Hope you're having a good start-to-summer as well.

>95 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! She's excited, and very glad to be done. She worked very hard.

>96 rosalita: Hi Julia. Yes, I think being so familiar with the area made The Dog Stars so very poignant and personal. It was beautifully done.

>97 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie! Hope you have a happy summer as well, though it perhaps hasn't started off that way. Any news on the hubby-job-front?

>98 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! We're loving the weather, but hope the rain isn't done for good -- it can get awfully hot and dry. You are very smart to remember sunscreen! I think I will be around when Donna comes back -- it would be great to see everyone again. The Dog Stars is really a remarkable read -- hope you enjoy it when it comes your way.

>99 BLBera: Hi Beth! The Dog Stars is a very worthy addition to your list. It will come your way at some point:) Hope your summer term is going well. Is it hard to get back into the swing of things?

>100 lkernagh: Hi Lori! Audiobooks are absolutely the only way I can meet challenge goals, though I only listen in the car on the way to and from school, so when I finish this current one Peter Pan, I will be done for awhile. Isn't reading outside wonderful? I'm so impressed at your many creative hobbies, and they all require a lot of time and skill. We made bread on Easter, and we all loved it (and all vowed to do it more often but haven't yet...). There's something very meditative and satisfying about the process, and the smell! There's nothing more wonderful. Are you making any special kinds?

>101 AMQS: - The whole bread making hobby started because we are trying to get away from processed foods and foods with a bunch of additives and preservatives. I have also developed an interest in ancient grains flours as alternatives to white and whole wheat so I have been experimenting with spelt and kamut flours as well as attempting for the first time a pumpernickel rye. I love dark, rich textured breads and have not been able to find a decent pumpernickel rye. Ruben sandwiches are my favorite hot sandwich. Super yum! I am looking forward to seeing what kind of bread I can make with barley flour. You right about bread being a meditative process!

I got so behind! So glad May is over for you! You have an exciting summer coming up. I hope you do end up on my doorstep sooner. That would be fantastic. I think I can arrange for an LT meetup too - with at least me and Cushla, anyway. From my house, it won't be hard to end up on Cushla's doorstep either. LOL

>102 lkernagh: Bread! I love making bread, and I am having to figure out wheat free options too. I want to know about your spelt and kamut!

Yup The Dog Stars is on my shelves of shame. I will get to it one day..... Your review definitely makes me want to get to it faster though. :)

I don't mind rain. Rain is good, in moderation. It's this hail and tornadoes and wild stormy weather we're having that is getting to me! (Actually, I lay awake last night with the lights out and the blinds open, enjoying the lightening flashes and rumbles of thunder in the distance.)

Happy Friday!

I don't mind rain Monday thru Thursday, 9am to 5pm....

You got me on my own thread (!) with Full Body Burden, Anne. There's a wait at my library for the book but the digital copy was available immediately so I checked it out and read a few pages and now I'm hooked. Scary, scary stuff (I just got through the part about the Mother's Day fire in 69).

Have a great weekend!

Anne, I am so happy that The Dog Stars rocked your world. I loved it, too, and will be rereading my signed copy for my next book group meeting. I hope I'm not too obnoxious about getting a hug from Peter Heller at the meeting!

I will be coming out your way a week from tomorrow. I hope you are available for a meet up on either June 21 or 22. Just thought I should give you a heads up because of your busy schedule!

Since I didn't like The Dog Stars, I'll leave a smooch and skedaddle.

>102 lkernagh: Lori, it sounds wonderful. When Marina was finishing kindergarten and would be in school full time the following year I had visions of a spotlessly clean house and homemade bread... Instead I went back to school and that was that! I would like to bake bread more often, especially as the girls just loved it so much. We're dabbling in traditional white french loaves, but I would like to try some different kinds of grains eventually. I admire you!

>103 nittnut: Hi Jenn, and thank you for the invite! What a treat it would be to see you and your family and to meet Cushla and hers! Travel starts tomorrow with the Children's Chorale Residency in Vail. It's my favorite week of the year:)

>104 jolerie: Valerie, I hope you enjoy The Dog Stars when it eventually calls your name. I enjoyed it very much.

>105 Storeetllr: Mary, rain will be our friend from here on out -- in moderation, of course! I do enjoy a good thunderstorm when I can be safe at home (our tradition is to light candles and play Clue when the skies get really black and stormy), but the hail and tornado warnings I could do without. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

>106 Copperskye: Oh Joanne, I got you! I am finding Full Body Burden hard to put down, but it is seriously disturbing, and it has even disrupted my sleep -- not to often that a book does that. I think her memoir/expose is very well done, and a very meaningful read. Hope you enjoy it too, if that's the right word.

>107 Donna828: Hi Donna! Not at all -- we just had our book club to discuss The Dog Stars and it was fun to share information about Mr. Heller that I learned from you and Joanne, Julia, and Katie. I think either the 21st or 22nd will work just fine for me -- how fun to see everyone again!

>108 richardderus: Dear Richard, I appreciate the smooch, and the viewpoint as well -- all book opinions are welcome here! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

**************************************************************

I had hoped to catch up on more threads, and if I haven't visited yours yet I promise I will, but I have run out of time for the short term at least. We've been in rehearsals all week, and tomorrow we leave for our annual training residency in Vail (we meaning the Colorado Children's Chorale -- my amazing colleagues and my 72 favorite middle schoolers, including Marina). I'll post links to the blog as they're available for anyone who wants to follow along:) It is absolutely my favorite week of the year.

33. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, narrated by Judy Dick

I know the story of Peter Pan and Wendy inside out from movie, stage, and ballet adaptations/interpretations, but it occurred to me that I had never actually read the book (that Mr. Barrie wrote in 1911 after the success of the play of the same name in 1904). I found an audio version at the library, and found it to be every bit as charming as it should be. It's all there: the Darlings, the Lost Boys, Captain James Hook and his pirates, Tiger Lily and her tribe, jealous Tinkerbell, the crocodile, the mermaid grotto, the Never Bird, all brought to life by a narrator who often directly addresses the reader, and who knows all about the magic of childhood. It was a very satisfying, nostalgic read. I shall always leave the window open.

34. Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats by Kristen Iversen

"Body burden: the amount of radioactive material present in a human body, which acts as an internal and ongoing source of radiation."

A scary, rattling, sleep-disturbing read. Kristen Iversen intersperses a memoir of her childhood in Arvada, CO with an investigation/expose of the nearby Rocky Flats Plant, a nuclear weapons production facility operated by the Department of Energy beginning in the 1950s. The themes of secrecy and denial pervade the narrative -- both the personal (Iversen's father's alcoholism that destroyed the family, and the general code of the time not to discuss anything unpleasant) and the very public (massive contamination of the air, soil and water of the region by plutonium and other extremely toxic elements; gruesome cancers running through nearly every family in the area, all denied or denounced by the government: "It's all perfectly safe *big smily face*!!"). An extremely important read -- I would say for anyone who lives near Denver as I do, but for everyone, really, as there are super toxic nuclear weapons facilities all over the country and the world. Rocky Flats was raided by the FBI in 1989 -- one federal agency raiding another -- and the months-long investigation resulted in the plant ceasing operations, and a massive lawsuit (won, then overturned). Today, Rocky Flats is a park and wildlife refuge area open (most of it) for anyone to visit. Efforts to erect signage indicating that the site is massively contaminated have failed.

"We don't talk about plutonium. It's bad for business. It reminds us of what we don't want to acknowledge about ourselves. We built nuclear bombs, and poisoned ourselves in the process. Where does the fault lie? Atomic secrecy, the Cold War culture, bureaucratic indifference, corporate greed, a complacent citizenry, a failed democracy? What is a culture but a group of individuals acting on the basis of shared values?"

Thumbs-upped your review of Full Body Burden, Anne. Deeply disturbing subject.

>103 nittnut: - Spelt and Kamut are not wheat-free or gluten free, they are just alternative grains of the wheat family that have not undergone all of the modification and genetic engineering that the standard wheat product has gone through over the past 50 years. If you need wheat-free, I will be experimenting with oat flour later this week, which is wheat free. I will make sure to report back to you about how that goes. I will also migrate this discussion over to your thread unless Anne has an interest in it staying here on here thread.

>109 AMQS: - Hey you had the thought but I can see where going back to school would impact things, and in a good way given where you are now!

>111 AMQS: - Wow. The Iversen read sounds like quite the eye-opening read. I must see if my local library has a copy of that one.

>110 AMQS: I had the same experience a few years ago with Peter Pan. We listened to the audio on a road trip and it was just charming. The kids really enjoyed it too.

>113 lkernagh: Well, I would love to hear about your oat flour experiments as well, but I think my issues with wheat/corn/potatoes and soy may just be due to the over processing and modifications. I am not celiac, but I have noticed that cutting foods containing those flours from my diet has improved my health and helped me lose weight. It's worth exploring, I think.

>112 richardderus: Thank you for the thumb, Richard. Deeply disturbing indeed. It's sickening- in every sense of the word.

>113 lkernagh: No objections here, Lori:). Going back to school pretty much changed all plans, but it was worth it! Full Body Burden is a very disturbing but important read. Hope you find a copy and ... enjoy it...? Seems like the wrong word, but it is a good book.

>114 nittnut: Hi Jenn! Peter Pan would be great for a road trip!

**************************

Like many commenters, I wholeheartedly disagree with this article, except for this: "Live and let read."

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2014/06/against_ya_adults_should_be_emb...

Wow, book snob much? (Referring to that article.) There are a lot of books that could be considered either YA or adult (The Book Thief and The Catcher in the Rye spring to mind) due to the subject matter, depth, literary quality and substance. Is the author of that article truly advocating limiting the books I can read to adult-only and thus precluding me from the pleasure of all the wonderful YA and even childrens' books that are out there? Sheesh, what a condescending jerk! (Sorry, I get a little stabbity when people try to tell me what I should and shouldn't read.)

There's a pretty lively discussion over at Suzanne's thread on this same article. :) Touched a nerve, I'd say. LOL

>116 Storeetllr:, 117 Jenn and Mary- a friend shared this with me this morning. Cracked me up!

http://www.nerve.com/books/a-young-adult-authors-fantastic-crusade-to-defend-lit...

>118 AMQS: - Richard shared that on FB and I practically peed in my pants when I read it this morning!

>118 AMQS:, >119 katiekrug: Me too!

Have just finished Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and it was good - but not awesome or anything. It was my first Roald Dahl, and I think I will try some of the others. Fantastic Mr. Fox sounds like a good choice. Oh, yes. Peter Pan. Wonderful imaginative story.

>70 AMQS: Marina learned she will be touring next spring to Finland, Sweden, and Estonia
WOW
That is really cool- what marvellous opportunities your girls have had through music. I am fascinated by the nordic countries, their societies sound like they are so much more equal (read: advanced) than so many.

>115 AMQS: saw that on fb, sounded like it didn't need to be said really. Each to their own and all that.

>119 katiekrug: It was funny, wasn't it, Katie? Hope you're having a great weekend.

>120 Storeetllr: Hi Mary!

>121 ctpress: Carsten, I was an adult before I read any Roald Dahl. I haven't read too many -- I'd say my favorite so far is The BFG. A terrific read aloud. I also loved Boy: Tales of Childhood, which is a collection of memories from his early life.

>122 LovingLit: Oh Megan, I am so excited for her! We also found out that they will also visit St. Petersburg on the tour as well. I can hardly believe it!

There's a wonderful family whose boys have all been through the Chorale -- the youngest is Marina's age, and the father is the Honorary Consul of Finland. The kids will be staying in homestays of their extended family -- I am so excited for Marina. This same boy also taught us the national anthem of Finland. We are beginning to learn 14 national anthems in their original languages in preparation for next year's World Cup Ski Championships. We performed 5 of them (USA, Canada, Slovakia, France, and Finland) on our concert last night:)

Here are a few videos posted on the Chorale Facebook page while we were in Vail -- all but the third video are under 50 seconds:)

A little preview of our season, set in beautiful Vail, CO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSqd0Po3QiU

People are amazed when all 80 kids ride the in-town shuttle to and from the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater -- in total silence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzwiGF3DK34

A snippet of the girls learning their dance (2 minutes):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL1vtv_3Le8&feature=youtu.be

A preview of our upcoming collaboration (A Midsummer Night's Dream) with the Colorado Ballet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3P4wIuEra4

>121 ctpress: I would like to recommend Collected Short Stories of Roald Dahl. My husband and I really enjoy them. We do disagree on which ones are our favorites. He prefers Claude's Dog, while I like Lamb to the Slaughter. Such fun!

Thanks for sharing Anne! Dancing and singing at the same time! :)

ETA: >118 AMQS: I finally got around to reading the article...hours later. We locked eyes. We stared at each other so hard that we went blind. Then we listened to The Smiths and regained our sight. LOLOLOL

Hi Anne. I have stalled in my listening to The Dog Stars and your wonderful comments make me want to get back to it. It is bleak.

Full Body Burden sounds sickeningly frightening. But perhaps a must-read.

Heading off to click on a couple of the links you provided. :-)

ETA: I would love to see that production of A Midsummer Night's Dream!

>124 nittnut: Jenn, thanks for the Roald Dahl recommendation! And yes, that article cracked me up. She is so clever.

>125 EBT1002: Ellen, have you been able to get back in to The Dog Stars? I had trouble at the beginning, then found I could not put it down. Full Body Burden sounds sickeningly frightening. But perhaps a must-read. It is all of those things!

You should come on out to Denver:) Lots of great things happening this year.

35. Doll Bones by Holly Black

I try to read all of the Colorado Children's Book Award nominees read over the summer since I spend a fair amount of time promoting them throughout the year. Doll Bones is my first of the 2015 nominees. A fun, creepy, bittersweet read about a group of friends and their quest to learn more about a porcelain doll that appears to be haunted. While the mystery drives the action, at the heart of this book is a story about friends, growing up, and changing. Zach, Alice, and Poppy are 12. They have been playing an imaginative, story driven game (the game) forever, but as they get older, they are changing, pursuing other interests, and wondering about continuing a game they have loved, yet feels like it's in solidly little-kid territory. This is a book with a lot of heart (and pang-in-your-heart), full of difficult conversations, true friendships, and enough creepy to keep the pages turning.

36. Three Bird Summer by Sara St. Antoine

Ooh, this one got me. Not a perfect book, but it hit all the right notes for me, and I read it in a day. Then I passed it to Marina and she read it in one sitting. This story is told by 12 year-old Adam, who heads with his mom to spend the summer at his grandmother's lake cabin in Minnesota. This yearly tradition is profoundly different this year, as his parents divorced, and the many cousins from his dad's side won't be coming this year. Adam, like most 12 year olds, is trying to see how he fits in, and navigating his way through boys "who turn into total jerks whenever girls were around," and girls who "move in careful packs, like wolves." He relishes the quiet and independence of the summer, and much of the charm of the book is found in the celebration of nature and old fashioned cabin life on the lake (lazy days on the dock, exploring the lake by canoe). He begins a tentative but true friendship with Alice, the girl next door, who seems like she should be like the aloof, popular girls, but who is making her uncertain way through middle school just like Adam. Independence is an important theme in this book: Adam, at 12, wants and needs more, and his mother reluctantly acquiesces. His grandmother fiercely protects her independence, but with erratic behavior, unreliable memory and declining health, she needs more care and supervision. Adam and Alice figure out how to be themselves, independent of labels, cliches, cliques, and packs. When Adam's grandmother starts leaving mysterious notes in Adam's room, Alice is the only one he can confide in, and together they help solve a decades-old mystery. A sweet, satisfying story -- makes me want to spend a summer on a lake:)

Hi Anne - Thanks for the chorale videos. Lovely review of Three Bird Summer. Were you embarrassed while reading a YA book? ;) Or is this more targeted at young readers? I'm trying to keep a list for Scout. I can't believe the Slate article. Maybe some sour grapes?

Anne, I loved the videos. Vail is so beautiful; the perfect backdrop for those melodic voices and smiling faces. Thanks for sharing. I am passing Three Bird Summer recommendation along to Audrey. She is becoming a voracious reader. Yay!

>129 BLBera: Hi Beth! Not a bit embarrassed ;) One of the sillier articles I've read... sheesh! I would put Three Bird Summer at grade 4-7. A nice, mature read for upper elementary without the *mature* content.

>130 Donna828: Thanks, Donna! The week in Vail is my favorite week all year. See you this weekend, I hope!

Hi Anne! I loved the video clips. I wish I could see the Midsummer Night's Dream production. It looks like it will be a good one.

Three Bird Summer looks like a good one. The public library system has several copies so I've added it to my library TBR list.

Hi Anne- Just checking in. Glad you enjoyed the Dog Stars. I was a big fan too and have a signed copy...primps a little. His latest is getting a great LT response too. I'll have to get my hands on that one.

I can't catch up, but I love the videos! Thank you for letting us see them.

Three Bird Summer sounds charming.

Too bad charming breaks me out in giant urticaria.

;-P

>132 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie! I wish you could, too. I hope you like Three Bird Summer as much as I did!

>133 msf59: Hi Mark, glad to have you! I think I waved at Peter Heller when I met the ladies for dinner in Boulder. I've heard nothing but good about The Painter, so it is on my list as well. I think you were the first to recommend The Dog Stars to me, so thank you!

>134 LizzieD: Thank you, Peggy! I am happy to spread the Chorale love - it's been such a huge part of my life (I joined as a singer at age 10, and this will be my 21st year as a staff member). So glad you stopped by!

>135 richardderus: LOL Richard! Lucky you have me/us to be your charming detector(s), and in return you are increasing my vocabulary:)

OPA! We're headed here this weekend. Mary, you need to go at some point -- it's the best party in town!

Three Bird Summer does sound very good.

Thanks for the rec of Full Body Burden, Anne. Wow, great book and scary, scary stuff.

Anne, your review of Three Bird Summer is making me want to spend the summer on a lake!

Denver's Greek Festival looks fabulous! Enjoy, enjoy : ).

>138 thornton37814: Hi Lori! I enjoyed it. I tried to take it back to the library today, but Marina told me she wanted to read it again:)

>139 Copperskye: Joanne, I'm so glad you enjoyed it, if that's the right word. Like you, I thought it was a great and scary book!

>140 lit_chick: Hi Nancy! I would love an unplugged lake summer. Three Bird Summer took em there -- on a page, at least! Looking forward to the Greek Festival:)

>137 AMQS: Oh! Love Greek festivals. Used to go to one in L.A. (well, Pasadena). Love the food, the dancing, the costumes! I don't think I can do it this year, as my weekend is full with LT meetups and family get-togethers, but next year for sure!

So much going on here! Marina's future travels sound amazing - will you be going with her?
And Greek festivals! I used to love going to the one in Columbus, OH - so much fun.

The Greek festival here is usually in late summer or early fall. I don't make it every year, but I always enjoy it when I do get to go.

Hello Mary, Amber, and Carrie! Greek festivals are so fun, aren't they? We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves last night, and left with very happy bellies. It was a great day in general yesterday. The girls and I spent it up in Evergreen, my hometown. We canoed and kayaked the lake, then wandered around "downtown." We ate lunch, poked around the little shops, and managed to get all of our gift-buying done for our relatives in Cyprus. Then wrapped up the day at the Denver Greek Festival. A good day! And today Marina and I are meeting LTers Donna, Joanne, and Mary at the Tattered Cover, so really it's a 5-star weekend:)

>143 scaifea: Amber, Marina is going to have an amazing year, isn't she? I will most likely not go on the Finland-Sweden-Estonia-St. Petersburg tour next spring, but I will be going with the group to Vienna, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic next week! I also might try to go for some or all of the tour to Vail next winter for the World Ski Championships. Lucky girl. I'm glad she has her time to shine, as her sister had some amazing opportunities when she was in the Chorale.

I car pooled to a wedding this afternoon a couple of hours away, and I was in the van with the bride's Austrian cousin who lives in Vienna! I've been there twice, and it was fun talking with her about the things I saw there and what I did there. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

It was great to see you and meet Marina!

Why have I never heard of the Greek Festival?? I have to mark my calendar for next year!

It was great to see you again and meet Marina today! I posted some photos to the meetup thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/176437

>146 cbl_tn: How fun, Carrie! I am so excited about visiting Vienna. We will be there for most of the tour, and I have always, always wanted to go!

>148 Storeetllr: Oh Joanne, you must -- if only for the food alone! We ate very, very well. It's a fun few hours -- with dancing, boutiques, and FOOD! Some of the best Greek food there is -- all homemade. Here are some photos to encourage you:


The girls love their calamari and souvlaki:


Do NOT miss dessert!

>148 Storeetllr: Great photos, Mary! I'm copying one here from you, and one from Joanne. I do love LT meet-ups, and it was so nice to see you, Joanne, and Donna again today. Looking forward to the next one at Hearthfire Books!

The great Denver meet up!
From L: Marina, Anne, Donna, Joanne, Mary




Marina had a Tattered Cover gift card to spend (lucky girl), but since I spent so much money at my visit to Hearthfire Books (see above -- site of our next meet-up) I only bought board books for our twin baby nieces in Cyprus.

Great photos! And yay for the meet-up!

Stopping by and continue to love your book reviews, Anne. I love Greek food - I actually had a lamb pita wrap with all the fixings for lunch Friday - so very jealous of you enjoying fantastic food and fun this weekend, as well as an LT meet-up. Wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing, Anne.

*sob* Colorado meet-ups! Tattered Cover! You all look fabulous and summery!

>151 scaifea: thanks, Amber! We do enjoy our meet-ups, and have planned the next one -- the location, that is. Happy week to you!

>152 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! We love Greek food, too, and the food at the Greek festival is excellent. Getting us warmed up for Cyprus:) Your lamb wrap sounds amazing -- great lunch!

>153 nittnut: Oh, Jenn, we missed you, and talked about you quite a lot -- your move, what a wonderful adventure you and your family are having, your winter, and how glad we are that you're still so active on LT so we can follow your adventures. We all wished that Jonah was still posting (and Callia too, for that matter), but we know he has a lot on his plate. You were definitely there with us in spirit!

Love the meet-up photos, Anne, and, as I commented on Donna's thread, I think The Tattered Cover is the best ever name for a book shop : ).

Arrggh. I've fallen way behind, Anne.

Thanks for the push on The Dog Stars with that good review. I've added it to my wishlist.

That YA Author's Crusade is really funny. I'm ready for the sequel.

I enjoyed the Choir videos. The Midsummer Night's Dream production looks like a special one.

Great to see the meetup photos here and elsewhere - you all obviously had a great time!

>155 lit_chick: Hi Nancy! Yes, it is the best name ever, and possibly the best store ever. It is a beloved Denver institution. It has evolved over the years, opening in new locations, closing in the original location, and downsizing quite a bit, but I'm thrilled it is still here, though we "old-timers" still regret the loss of the Cherry Creek store: four levels of bookish glory, and a top-notch restaurant (The Fourth Story). Eating there felt like dining in an old library.

>156 jnwelch: Hi Joe! I am always behind, so I know the feeling, and I am very glad to have you visit whenever you can! I think you will love The Dog Stars. A Midsummer Night's Dream is coming right up in September, so once we are back in rehearsals, it will be our first order of business. Looking forward to it:)

***********************************************************

I just realized that it is my 6th Thingaversary today, thanks to Julia (rosalita) who left me very thoughtful wishes. Maybe I should have bought something (or seven things) when we were at the Tattered Cover...

Happy 6th Thingaversary, Anne!

Happy Thingaversary Anne!

Congrats on your Thingaversary, Anne! You joined the same year I did. It hardly feels like it's been that long.

Are you reading the first Dr. Siri? It's a great series.

Woo-hoo! Six years! Happy Thingaversaurus!

Happy Thingaversary!

Happy Thingaversary, Anne, and thanks for the pictures.

Hi Anne! Can't get enough of these Meet-up photos! Everyone is so happy. How many years have you guys been meeting up now?

Happy Thingaversary, my friend!

Happy Thingy, Anne. So glad I've gotten to "know" you here on LT : ).

Happy Thingaversary!

Happy Thingaversary, Anne! And what a great 6 years they've been!

I am basking in the Thingaversary love! Thank you so much, Richard, Katie, Joe, Mary, Rhian, Beth, Mark, Nancy, Carrie, Roni, and of course, Julia. I appreciate your good wishes very much!

>160 jnwelch: Joe, I am reading the first Dr. Siri book, and I am enjoying it very much! I have been giving the series to my husband for special occasions, inspired of course by all of the praise here in this group. He loves them, and for some reason the good doctor called to me. Fun read!

>164 msf59: Mark, we have been meeting for four years now. Your question had me revisiting old photos. Here's one of our first meet-up in August, 2010:


Donna (Donna828), Anne (AMQS), Joanne (coppers), and Jenn (nittnut).

2011:


2012:


In 2013 we said good-bye to Jenn (*sob*) and hello to Mary (YAY!):


It was wonderful to meet Katie and Julia last month too (photo here). Hopefully we can meet more and more lovely LTers in Denver (we've been working on Pat for years).

Such fun pics from over the years! Thanks for sharing, Anne! And thanks to all for the warm welcome!

Happy Thingaversary!

What lovely meet-up pictures, Anne! A slightly belated Happy Thingaversary to you!

Anne, what a lovely "history" of meet-ups over the years, same (well, mostly) great friends and readers : ).

What a great revisit, Anne! Thanks for sharing!

Oh, Happy Thingading, Anne!!

I love the meetup history photos, Anne! How is it that none of you have gotten a day older in four years?!

I loved seeing all the meet-up photos together like that, Anne - four years! Thanks for putting them together. (There's that psychology couch!) I do miss Jenn :( but I'm happy that Mary has joined us :).

Happy Thingaversary! LT has been great, hasn't it?

Thank you, Mary, Jenn, Susan, Nancy, Mark, Amber, Julia, and Joanne! It was fun revisiting those happy memories. I have one more: Jenn (nittnut) and I visited the Denver Botanic Gardens in 2012 with our kiddos. We had a lovely time, and our kids really enjoyed getting to know each other. Jenn's three are on the left, mine are on the right. Have I mentioned lately how much I miss Jenn? *sigh* Gotta start planning the Wellington LT meetup!

Okay I lied. One more -- courtesy of Megan (Ireadthereforeiam), when she went to see Callia and the Chorale perform in Christchurch. How wonderful is LT that it can bring together so many dear people from so far away?

Love all the photos, Anne! You're right, the LT meetups of folks from all over the place are wonderful.

*sigh* Such happy smiles!

Yeah, I've always had a blast at meetups. Happy Thingaversary!

>179 jnwelch: We're lucky, aren't we, Joe?

>180 richardderus: Thank you, Richard. Hope we can share some soon.

>181 drneutron: Thank you, Jim! You have a big, big hand in the happy meetups. Thank you for creating and maintaining this welcoming, friendly space.

37. The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill

My introduction to the good Dr. Siri. What a fun read, and a terrific start to what promises to be an excellent series. Thanks to many of you here who have read and recommended this series!

Dr Siri Paiboun is
- an elderly physician looking forward to enjoying the golden years of his retirement;
- the new, conscripted, untrained, very reluctant national coroner of Laos;
- a wickedly funny observer of both the sublime and the ridiculous in 1970s communist Laos;
- visited by the spirits of the dead who give him insight into his cases;
- no mere rubber stamp, but rather a sharp detective with a keen sense of justice.

Comedy, crime, corruption, mystery, and a lot of heart combine to make it a great summer read. I can see why my husband likes these books so well.

>177 AMQS: Yay! Kid meet-ups! You really do need to start planning the Wellington meet-up. We're ready!

>183 AMQS: That series is on my radar too, so I'm happy to see that you enjoyed it.

Go Dr. Siri! All the books in the series are excellent, Anne. Glad this one suited you.

>168 AMQS:: Anne, those pictures bring back the memories, I am so happy to be part of the Colorado meetups! I think you have just stepped into our Group Historian position!

Congratulations on your Thingaversary. I have the day I joined LT engraved on my mind (and heart). I don't know how many times I've thought that my lifetime membership was the best $25 I've ever spent!

Great Dr. Siri review. I have the first one all queued up to read in July. I can't wait to join in on the Dr. Siri love that abounds on LT.

Comedy, crime, corruption, mystery, and a lot of heart combine to make it a great summer read. Woot! Anne, I am going to have to find out more about Dr. Siri. Thanks!

Yay! Another Dr. Siri convert!

I've read the entire series to date and can't wait until my somewhat faulty senior memory allows me to reread them again for the first time. *grin*

Belated Happy Thingaversary wishes Anne and I love the LT meetup memories you have shared here!

>178 AMQS: bah! It's me :)
I got a fright.

Thanks for sharing the LT-meetup photos. Wonderful group-photos. And happy thingy, Anne :)

>184 nittnut: Thanks, Jenn. Callia would be there in a heartbeat. Someday we'll make it happen.

>185 thornton37814: You have a treat ahead of you, Lori!

>186 jnwelch: I enjoyed it very much -- thanks, Joe!

>187 Donna828: Donna, it was well worth the $25, that's for sure. What a blessing! I hope you enjoy Dr. Siri as much as I did -- he is well loved around here.

>188 lit_chick: A great read, Nancy. I forgot to mention an exotic locale -- I love traveling to little-known places through books. Enjoy!

>189 Storeetllr: LOL, Mary:) It will be awhile before I read the second book, but I love having so many great books to look forward to!

>190 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! Hope we're able to meet one day as well. We may be knocking on your door one of these days as well -- Victoria is such a cool place (plus you're baking up a storm, so we probably won't be able to help ourselves;)

>191 LovingLit: Sorry Megan -- should have warned you. A very happy, fright-less memory for us:)

>192 ctpress: Thank you, Carsten!

Ooh, another Dr. Siri fan!

38. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

For me this was book number 2 of the 2015 Colorado Children's Book Award nominees, and a terrific read! Oh, my younger bookworm-libraryloving-puzzlecrazed self would have LOVED this book! Lucky for me I get to read it now (and press it on every under 13 YO book/library lover I know). THE world famous game-maker Mr. Lemoncello is building an incredible new library in his hometown, which has been without a public library for 12 years. Mr. Lemoncello sponsors an essay contest -- the winners of which (12 lucky 12 year-olds who have lived their entire lives without a library) will have the opportunity to spend the night in the new library, and unbeknownst to them at the time of entry, participate in a game in which they must conduct library research, master challenges, and decipher clues to get them out of the library. Liberally sprinkled with book and author trivia, Dewey Decimal references, anagrams, rebuses, puzzles, holographic statues of famous authors, and the coolest library technology, well, anywhere, this book is a fast-paced hoot! Favorite line: "Halfway across town, Dr. Yanina Zinchenko, the world-famous librarian, was walking briskly through the cavernous building that was only days away from its gala grand opening," HA! I need to figure out how to get on the track to library fame and glory. It would help to start with a billionaire benefactor to make my library like Mr. Lemoncello's. Any takers? Seriously, though, I would like to host a Lemoncello-inspired party at the library. Need to do some serious thinking.

>194 ronincats: Hi Roni! Oh for sure -- so fun to see what all the excitement is about!

Nice retrospective of meet-ups Anne. Have a lovely weekend. xx

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library is already on my wishlist. I'll look forward to reading it. A themed party is a great idea. Your students will love it!

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library sounds fabulous, Anne! I got such a smile out of this: Lucky for me I get to read it now (and press it on every under 13 YO book/library lover I know). What a great job you have : ).

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library sure looks good, Anne. Did you read The Westing Game? Our daughter loves TWG, and I wonder whether (besides me) she might like this one.

>195 AMQS: I think you just hit me with a book bullet. Mr. Lemoncello sounds interesting.

ETA: I just discovered it was already on my TBR list. Our library has two copies, both available. I need to get through some other stuff first, but I will try to remember to get it soon.

Lucky for me I get to read it now (and press it on every under 13 YO book/library lover I know

One of the wonderful perks of being a librarian, I am sure! ;-)

>197 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul! Marina and I are getting ready to leave on our tour. Planning and packing were hard, as the Chorale portion of the tour requires a very different wardrobe from the Cyprus portion of our trip. Luckily Marina mostly has Chorale clothes to pack. And of course, packing the books is nearly as hard as packing the clothes! Hope you are having a good weekend as well. Thinking of you.

>198 cbl_tn: Hope you enjoy it, Carrie! I am not much of a party planner. If you have any ideas after reading the book I would gratefully accept them!

>199 lit_chick: I do have a great job, Nancy. Something I need to remind myself when I get discouraged about the state of public education and what feels like an assault on teachers. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library is a very fun read. I hope my students will enjoy it as much as I do. Hope you're having a great weekend!

>200 jnwelch: Hi Joe! I would think that any book/library lover who also enjoys children's literature would enjoy Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library. I have not read The Westing Game yet, though it is on my list! Thanks for the reminder.

>201 thornton37814: Hi Lori! I guess I can't take credit for that book bullet since you already had the book on your list:) Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

>202 lkernagh: Lori, it is a great perk, that's for sure! I love discussing books with kids, and my students lead me to some great reads:)

39. Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Great crop of 2015 CCBA nominees this year! Donovan is... impulse control challenged, and as such, is always getting into trouble. His latest stunt causes an unbelievable amount of damage and trouble, but its aftermath creates a huge mix-up: Donovan is sent to The Academy for Academic Distinction, a school for ultra-gifted students. Donovan, an average student at best, is far, far out of his league, but soon finds a family of sorts, and brings his own gifts to the group. Fun, fast read!

*********

and with that, I'm out! Colorado Festival Singers tour of Vienna, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic starts today!

Bon voyage Anne!

Safe journeys, fun visits, and happy homecomings to both!

Safe travels and have a great time!

Adding to wishes for a safe and fun-filled adventure!

Anne, have a lovely time, and a great break in Cyprus afterwards!

Have a safe and fun trip!

Happy travels, Anne and Marina!

Oh, the places you go, Anne! I know you and Marina will have a wonderful tour with the Chorale and an even better visit with family in Cyprus. Safe travels to the four of you! Take pictures!

Safe and happy travels!

Have a safe and wonderful trip, Anne!!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the CCBA nominees, Anne! These books look like they would be great for my younger son. We are big Gordon Korman fans. And I can't wait to hear all about your trip!

Happy trails, Anne!! Enjoy your trip and your family! I'm looking forward to pictures!

Hi Anne, I'm simply stopping by to say that whenever I see a photo of you in a meet up you are smiling.

Isn't it wonderful to be a part of a group wherein when we first meet there is no ackwardness, just a feeling that we have known each other well.

I join others in wishing you a safe trip.

Thank you all for your dear wishes! I apologize for the group reply here. Having a wonderful time with my colleagues and the kids, who are delightful. We're in Vienna now- I LOVED Bratislava, and our Czech visits were lovely, too. As promised, here is a link to the Chorale blog for letter #1 and a photo gallery:

http://choraleconnection.wordpress.com

Hugs to all!

Great photos! Thanks for sharing. :)

Safe travels, Anne. I'm adding Lemoncello's Library to Scout's future reading list.

Thank you, Jenn & Beth! We left Vienna today and joined Stelios and Callia in Cyprus. Hope all are well here!

Two more tour letters and another collection of photos on the blog: http://choraleconnection.wordpress.com

More to come, too ) xoxo!

Hello all -- I'm back at home for a few days. Hope everyone is well. We had a fantastic tour, and the kids were amazing. A few pics:

Bratislava


Jaroměřice, Czech Republic


My staff group in Eisenstadt, Austria


Neptune's fountain -- Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna


Group photo of participants in the Summa Cum Laude Youth Music Festival -- taken in the Great Hall - Wiener Konzerthaus. Our kids are the colorful ones in front of the "W"

On to Cyprus:

>222 AMQS: Wonderful photos Anne of an obviously successful trip. I am very likely going to Slovakia myself in the coming month to undertake due diligence on our aircraft programme which is being purchased from their (Kosice, unless I am much mistaken) and you whet my appetite nicely.

Trust that you will enjoy a good rest back from your travels. xx

Thank you, Paul. We were only in Bratislava, and only for two days, but we all loved it. Warm, friendly people, and great food -- I think many of the kids said it was their favorite place we visited. I hope your visit to Slovakia is good.

A few days of rest and then Marina and I are off to Aspen, CO with the Chorale to sing Mahler's 3rd Symphony at the Aspen Music Festival. Stelios and Callia are in Athens this week, and a few more days in Cyprus after that. Then *poof* summer is pretty much over! Take care. xoxo

A little bit of reading on this trip, but not as much as I would like.



40. Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

The eccentric Bigtree family lives on an island in the Florida Everglades and runs a shabby gator-centered theme park. When headliner and mother Hilola dies of ovarian cancer, the tourists stop coming, the park closes, and the family is adrift. Soon the father leaves the family to pursue vague business plans on the mainland, 17 year-old Kiwi leaves for employment at a rival mainland park, 16 year-old Osceola runs away with her ghost fiance, and 13 year-old Ava embarks on a journey to find her sister and save her family. The book began with a lot of promise, and is certainly written beautifully and cleverly, but then it lost its way somewhere in the middle. Ms. Russell writes so descriptively, particularly as she describes the Everglades -- I could feel the soft rot and smell the wet smells, but the narrative didn't do it for me. Not my favorite book, though the author shows a lot of potential.

41. Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole

A wartime romance (WWI) told in letters. A young American (David) writes to a Scottish poet (Elspeth) to tell her how much he admires her poetry. This leads to a pen friendship, and ultimately to love. Their letters are interspersed with letters between Elspeth's daughter Margaret and her fiance as Margaret tries to learn more about her mother during WWII. This was a good beach read that is sweet and light. Stretches credulity at turns, but all in all an enjoyable diversion under an umbrella.

Oh, Anne, what gorgeous photos of the chorale tour with your family! Just lovely.

I've been tempted by Swamplandia but haven't ever picked it up, and I'm not sure I will actually. As for Letters from Skye, I'm always up for a good beach read : ).

Welcome back! The photos are lovely, but I imagine being there in person was much better. Did you get to try eiscafe in Austria?

Hi Anne - Great photos. I'm jealous! I've been wavering about Swamplandia - it sounds like I don't have to hurry to get to it. Letters from Skye sounds like a great beach read. Noted.

Hi Anne! Welcome home!

The photos are great - what an exciting time for all the kids. And then a family vacation on top of it. Bliss.

I liked Swamplandia more than you did but agree that it started to come apart in the second half. Letters From Skye was a pleasant story and perfect for a beach read. I'm a sucker for epistolary novels.

Great photos, Anne! Enjoy Aspen!

So many interesting reactions to Swamplandia! I too have been tempted by it, but have never taken the plunge. Still not sure if I ever will!

Oh, lovely photos - thanks so much for sharing them!

Welcome home, Anne! The photos are marvelous, they really give an idea of the breadth of your tour.

Wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing...

>228 lit_chick: Thank you, Nancy! It was a great tour, a nice vacation, but Marina and I agree it is good to be back -- if only for a few days:) Marina got to Letters From Skye before I did -- read the entire book on the plane ride from Vienna to Larnaca. Hope you enjoy it when it comes your way.

>229 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie! Being there was pretty wonderful. I've always wanted to go to Vienna, and I was thrilled for the opportunity. The bad thing about traveling with a group, and especially with a group of kids, is that we all travel, eat, etc. together. So no eiscafe for me, nor Viennese coffee, nor wines or beers from the beautiful regions we visited that produce them. I can't complain, though. Marina and I agreed that we'd like to go back and take our time exploring, and we'll definitely try some then!

>230 BLBera: Thank you, Beth! I thought I'd enjoy Swamplandia! a whole lot more than I did. It's my book club's August book (my suggestion)... we'll see what they think. Letters From Skye is fun, though, and everyone needs a beach read!

>231 Copperskye: Thank you, Joanne! Yes, it was bliss, and we feel very lucky, indeed. Stelios and Callia left a week after we did, and will stay longer. They are in Athens now, and from what I hear are having an amazing time. I love that each of the girls gets to do something very special this summer. I think I added both Swamplandia! and Letters From Skye to my list after you read them, so thank you! I also love epistolary novels. I used to be a prolific letter writer myself, and it makes me nostalgic for those days and that communication, which seems more personal and special than today's digital communications.

>232 ronincats: Thank you, Roni! We always love Aspen -- it's a beautiful place to be, for sure. The Mahler 3 is much easier than the Mahler 8, which we performed last time we were in Aspen, so this time we'll have fewer rehearsals and more time to play:)

>233 dk_phoenix: Hi Faith! You're right, there are many different reactions to Swamplandia! -- from 5-stars-I-loved-it to no-stars-I hated-it and everything in between (where I am). I guess that's a recommendation in itself:) Thanks for stopping by!

>234 scaifea: Thank you, Amber!

>235 rosalita: Thank you, Julia! Yes, we did have a little of everything:)

>236 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie!

I loved all the pictures, Anne! Your girls are so beautiful and happy! But who wouldn't be happy in Cyprus? It looks like Marina is a bit taller then Callia?

I hope you and Marina get rested up before Aspen. My, summer is just flying by. Keep a weekend day (either Saturday or Sunday) free in mid-to-late September for our Evergreen meet-up.

Welcome home and I ove the photos you have posted of your wonderful trip!

>238 Donna828: Thank you, Donna! Yes, Marina is quite a bit taller than Callia, and shows no signs of slowing down, whereas Callia could be done growing, according to her doctor. Marina is more happy about this than Callia is... We leave for Aspen tomorrow. I think we're ready, except that it turns out I have to drive there because we also have kids in Central City Opera's Dead Man Walking tomorrow. Marina will go on the bus, and I'll drive some of the opera kids. Chorale kids are also playing the Von Trapp children in Central City Opera's The Sound of Music which opens next week. They released some promo photos last week (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152618739214668.1073741865.19240339667&type=1). This one's my favorite:)



Busy summer! Let us know what your Colorado plans are -- it would be great to get together again. Though it might be too early for fall leaves, there's never a bad time to visit Evergreen. The last weekend of Sept. we'll be the fairy chorus in A Midsummer Might's Dream with the Colorado Ballet.

>239 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! It was a wonderful trip, but it is always nice to come home, too:) Have a great weekend!

Sounds like a mad, packed, and delicious summer so far, Anne. :)

>241 MickyFine: Hi Micky! Mad, packed, and delicious -- yep, that's about it! Thanks for stopping by!

Hi Anne! Sounds like you're having an action-packed summer - have fun in Aspen! And all the meet-ups - wow!

>240 AMQS: - Adorable photo!

Great photos! Busy life! :)

Love the photos, Anne! I also had mixed feelings about Swamplandia!, but there is greatness, sprinkled here and there, that is for sure. Hope you are having a great time.

Hi Anne (and daughters, and anyone else who will help!), on a completely unrelated topic, I need help naming a new black cat, 2 yr old male, if you feel like it! Your daughters, too … He is charming and affectionate, a gentleman.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6FN3NGS

>243 DorsVenabili: Hi Kerri -- nice to see you! It has been a busy summer, that's for sure. Aspen went very well, though it was perhaps a bit TOO action packed. I had to drive kids up who were closing Dead Man Walking with Central City Opera, and part way to Central City I realized that I FORGOT MY BOOK!! Never a good sign, right? It sort of went downhill from there -- I had car trouble while driving through the Rockies, and had to rent a car in Frisco, CO just before the rental place closed because I was still 2+ hours away from Aspen and afraid of being stranded at night with kids. Sheesh. The rest of the weekend was very nice, and Mahler's 3rd Symphony was lovely. Glad to be home now for good!

>244 nittnut: Busy indeed, Jenn! Marina and I are done traveling for now, and Callia and Stelios will be home later this week. Just in time for school:) How are you guys?

>245 msf59: Thank you, Mark! The tour to Aspen was wonderful, but I am very glad to be back home at last. As you can see from my reply to Kerri, bad things happen when you forget your book (but then, you probably already knew that;)

>246 lit_chick: Nancy, how wonderful! I submitted a response last night, I think. If the survey is still open I'll ask Marina to submit tomorrow. Callia isn't home until Thursday. Love kitties -- our Orion, who now lives at Stelios's office is a young, black cat. I miss that sweet boy. Any names yet? Your description: He is charming and affectionate, a gentleman reminds me of The Fur Person by May Sarton -- a book I simply loved. Welcome to your gentleman cat!

Great photos! & it's good to see someone else has the same opinion of Swamplandia! as I did. I wanted to like it but couldn't even finish it.

#247 Thanks, Anne : ). Charming black cat is named Cairo! The front runner names from the survey were Bingley and Onyx, but neither fit. Then I thought of Salem and Cairo, and the latter got a response from him : ).

Hi, Anne! Just catching up on your busy fun summer after my own spate of busy fun with family.

You were in Frisco the same day we were in Frisco! I wish I'd known! We could have gotten together! At least you wouldn't have been stranded without a place to sleep (my nieces have plenty of room in their condos for extra guests). Oh, well, glad you got a rental and were able to continue up to Aspen without further problems.

Lovely photos of your adventures! So glad you had such a wonderful time!

>248 cammykitty: Thank you, Katie! Swamplandia! is my book club's August book... chosen at my suggestion. I'm wondering how it will be received.

>249 lit_chick: Oh Nancy, I love the name Cairo! I know another kitty named Cairo. Great choice! I'm hoping there are pictures on your thread. I'll be over soon!

>250 Storeetllr: Thanks for the offer, Mary! I had 8 children with me who needed to get to Aspen, otherwise it would have been fun to see you!

Time for a new thread, and for me to return to LT!