2014: MrsLee Reads Through the Lonely Mountain of Books, vol. 2

Since we are half way through the year, and my first reading thread was quite long, I thought I would have a new beginning. The fact that we are half way through the year is somewhat traumatizing, but we will get through it.

I really wanted to finish this book yesterday, but speaking of traumatizing, yesterday at work was, so I came home, drank a beer and some tequila and watched Psych for the evening. Anyway, I did finish Willie & Joe: the WWII Years, vol. 1 by Bill Mauldin this morning. I probably didn't understand half of the humor or topics, not being from an army background and not having lived through WWII, but I could still appreciate the talent which could convey so much story in one picture. Also, holding and handling this book is a sensory delight. My hands were pleasured. :) My son's girlfriend told him, "Your mom is making me feel her book."

I'm still reading Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart, creepy and crawly *shudder* I really like learning about these critters. Did you know that blowfly maggots grow twice as fast when they feed on cocaine infused flesh? Did you know that if you squash a bunch of venomous bugs together, mix them with rotten meat, then coat your arrow point with them, it will kill someone in a most painful and horrible way? The most horrifying chapter for me so far is the one on worms. *gag* *gasp* *retch*

Also reading Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain. I realize now that this is a book full of moments, not a chronological story. For the most part, it doesn't appeal to me. I'm not fond of reading the f-bomb every other sentence, nor of the meaningless sex references. They bore me and distract from what I am trying to glean from the story. I am, however, trying to glean something from the story. I want to know why this man has such a known name in the food world. Trying to find out if there was actual talent there, or is he simply a media wonder.

In my car I am listening to A History of the World in Six Glasses, by Tom Standage. Loving this one. I like the connection of certain beverages to world changing events. The narrator is good, but either he comes from the same area as Ann Landers, or he needs better dentures, because frequently he sounds as if he is clenching his teeth while he talks.

I think Bourdain may get his reputation simply because he is actually willing to travel to uncomfortable places, eat the indigenous foods (even when they are cringe worthy), and talks to anyone, and will drink with them, too.

I don't know about talent. The fact that he drinks may keep him alive as I'm sure his alcohol intake helps kill any unfriendly bacteria or the like.

Whooops.... I almost forgot: Congratulations on a brand new thread. I'll do my best to keep up.

"willing to travel to uncomfortable places, eat the indigenous foods (even when they are cringe worthy"

After reading about worms in Wicked Bugs, he has my full admiration. Yes, I think a high alcohol intake, along with worming medicine might be a good idea for him. But I'm glad he doesn't do cocaine any more, that just makes the maggots bigger. :P

I also am looking at the information you're sharing about Wicked Bugs and thinking that I'll skip that one. I realize that the chapter on worms might be highly educational, but *gag* *gasp* *retch* isn't what I would consider to be a good marketing tagline for selling the experience...

Other than that, I'll be lurking about, I promise. I have this starred.

Wanted to make sure you still show up on my list!

Wanted to make sure you still show up on my list!

I think Bourdain is famous because he let it all hang out on the potato sacks in the kitchens and told everybody before somebody else did.

Well, Bourdain is growing on me, somewhat. At least I can see his point, and even agree on some issues to some degree, whether I like his delivery or not. Have to say though, the chapter on Hamburger? I agree with every word, foul or otherwise. The sentiment is entirely appropriate.

I finished A History of the world in Six Glasses, glad to have read it, even though the history itself wasn't new to me, a lot of the actual history of the beverages was.

I've begun Brave New World, audio read by Michael York. The subject matter is making me scream, but York's reading is delightful, so I have all these mixed feelings.

I have Brave New World sitting on my TBR pile, it will be interesting to hear what you think of it.

I read Brave new world a few years ago and remember liking the first half of the book and hating the second. I should probably reread it.

I was really surprised by how good Michael York's performance was in Brave New World. I haven't seen much of his screen work outside of Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers series, so it was eyeopening.

>8 MrsLee: What are some of the things he said about hamburger?

With all due respect, we don't actually hit the halfway mark until June 30th or so. So you can relax for a few weeks before you get all angsty about the passing of time, MrsLee. :o)

*hugs*

>8 MrsLee: I'm not going to quote exactly, because I don't use those words unless I drop something or smash a finger ;). He is disgusted with the way the mass produced burgers for schools and such is made from "beef parts" which are sent from at least four different slaughterhouses to a processing plant to be treated with ammonia (?), so that if there is a salmonella outbreak it can't be traced to any one place. He doesn't like companies f*&%@#g with the All American Hamburger. He is also not comfortable with the fact that we went from good, inexpensive, beef burgers, to mass-produced hamburger meat which is cheap but tasteless, and in a backlash from that atrocity, restaurants are once again serving good beef burgers, but they are now $20+ for what amounts to a burger on a bun.

>13 clamairy: You're probably a stickler for when year "1" was, too. :P

The thought of what they do to processed meats gives me shivers. I don't mean hot dogs type of process, I mean making "ground beef". Do you remember when you could buy "ground round". You knew which part of the beef was ground up, specifically.

yikes. I simply can not eat any of the fast food restaurant foods any more. Can't. Not that I don't want to sometimes with the kids and stuff, but I can't.

>14 MrsLee: But of course. ;)

Ick. I think the turn this thread has taken calls for a liberal application of the "spoiler alert" tag...especially right before mealtime.

>13 clamairy:
I just assumed that she was on a fiscal year that began in December.

Well, believe it or not, I ended up enjoying Bourdain's writing enough that I went and borrowed Kitchen Confidential from Amazon and started reading it. Go figure! The man is right up there with Shakespeare when it comes to insults, that is, when he remembers to use his vocabulary and not resort to foul splutterings.

Well, I'm glad there was enough in there to provide some entertainment for you, Lee. He is an interesting character I think but I agree with you that he is better served by a rich vocabulary, and an avoidance of the easy profanity.

Have to share about my evening last night. We have had company for the past week, they will be leaving us tomorrow. This is the kind of company you want to have folks. Last night after a yummy dinner, we sat in the livingroom for about two hours, four Kindles, four people, happily reading and sharing antidotes or episodes with each other now and then. It was a lovely evening.

My thoughts and reasons for quitting Brave New World.

A new world of complete government control from the womb (a bottle in a laboratory) to the grave (incineration to harvest the phosphorous). No individualism, supposedly no strong emotions, drug usage and all. The same premise as Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. I can't interest myself enough in this philosophical new world enough to read on.

Seems to me the author was obsessed with sex. It wearies me, and I can not believe that anything like this world is possible, even though there are some similarities in the media thought control, crowd ethics and individual thought shaming happening right now. After watching Thug Notes on YouTube, I see that the story holds out no hope or change for the characters, and I don't want to read that kind of story now.

So, for something more fun, I'm going to listen to Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, narrated by William Defris.

>21 MrsLee: Sounds wonderful!

>23 zjakkelien: - Today we spent watching Sherlock and then the first Hobbit movie. They had never seen either one, since they have been in Mali for the last four years. I LOVE sharing these things for the first time with friends.

>24 MrsLee: Of course, it's lovely to spend time talking with friends, but doing stuff like this together is also. In my experience, that doesn't happen often. Certainly not the reading. I have a group of friends that tries to come together at least one weekend a year. We rent one of those little vacation houses and do stuff together, and of course we talk. As soon as one of us takes out a book because there seems to be a lull in activities for a moment, one of the friends accuses you of being unsociable (not in so many words, but that is what is comes down to). As if everyone wants to spend their full waking time talking and being sociable... And like you said, two people (or more) reading together on the couch can feel very sociable!

>25 zjakkelien: Absolutely!

I finished Wicked Bugs. I am not ready to vacate the surface of the earth, but I do feel that perhaps being born, raised and a lifetime resident of Northern California is the best place to be on earth. Certainly not the south, the tropics or many other places! Seeing as the author is from my area, I wonder if she purposely didn't want to write/know about beasties here? ;) I am not ready to give up pork, although I will make sure it is purchased from a reputable place and cooked well.

If you can find pasture-raised pork in your neighborhood, I can't recommend it enough. I'll never go back to supermarket pork.

Yep! Happily, we have some sources, and a good butcher as well.

>25 zjakkelien: hi I have come
out of lurking to put in a comment. I have wondered if people are modeling themselves after what they have seen in TV programs. It is not practical on film to show characters sitting in a comfortable silence or keeping their thoughts to themselves ( even though real people and characters in books frequently do this.) it just seems like there is more and more compulsive talking.

>29 BonnieJune54: Interesting and probably valid point. The one annoying thing about the trip the family was on recently was the friend we took, who Would. Not. Stop. Talking. Not the best way of enjoying the peace and quiet of the remote places we visited!

>30 hfglen: I can imagine the frustration! I'll admit I'm an easy talker. If needs must, I can strike up a conversation with most people. I like to think I'm also a good listener (a very important part of a conversation, I think). But that doesn't mean I want to do it all the time! Sometimes I find myself joining in mostly because it's the socially acceptable thing to do. The complaining friend seems to think it's boring to sit together and read. Partly she has a point, because we don't all get together that often, so clearly, we want to know how we are all doing, which requires talking. On the other hand, we are all together for a long weekend. There will be plenty of opportunity to talk, and it's also a time to relax together. So surely it should be allowed to do that for half an hour?

I visited one of these friends in Switzerland for a weekend, and that was great. We did things together, we talked, but we also spend several hours on her balcony, overlooking a lake, both reading and every now and then sharing a bit of what we were reading. I loved it, it was great!

I travel with friends and I'm always grateful when we schedule a "alone" time. I might read, and the friend can do whatever. In Hawaii, that sometimes means I'm in the shade with a big hat and my friend is in the sun, playing in the water. Viva la difference!

Is this an introvert vs. extrovert thing? As for the film thing, well, it makes for a pretty slow movie if you are watching two characters sit and read. :)

Karen and Lee, I wasn't even thinking of reading time. But it seems to me ridiculous if you've gon to the trouble of crossing half the country to go to a nature reserve, to then chatter nonstop instead of listening to the wildlife!

I love my friends, but I'll only go on holiday with the ones who understand the joy of sitting quietly enjoying a view or a book!

>34 hfglen: & >35 imyril: Amen, and Amen!

My new book for the "Call of Nature" room, A Salute to Onions by Oscar Adolf Mendelsohn. Borrowing this from my mom.

Yesterday at work I completed an online course of the workplace laws and regulations regarding the "Call of Nature." It was a two part course. At the end they asked for comments and promised a live person reads them. So I said, "I am flushed with excitement at having finished your course, both #1 and #2." That aughta give 'em a good groan for the day.

The Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court audio book can be wearing at times. I don't remember so much ranting from my first time of reading it. Anyway, the narrator does pretty well, although I'm not so fond of some of his voice choices for the characters.

Finished Kitchen Confidential. I had a very hard time writing a review for it. My head is full of conflict regarding whether I like or don't like it. In fact, I have spent so much time trying to analyze my reactions, that I gave it an additional half star because of it. The only way I can describe it is like one of my food experiments which ends up being a bowl of black or grey stewish looking mess, but when you eat it, there is goodness in that bowl.

Next I will finish my second volume of Willie & Joe: the WWII Years. After that, will be Skin Game!

I seem to be on a nonfiction roll, and I want to lighten up a bit.

MrsLee, I just picked up Typhoid Mary by Bourdain, which looked like it might be an interesting story told from his point of view. I felt about the same way you did about Kitchen Confidential

I would love to hear what you think of Typhoid Mary when you are finished!

>38 MrsLee: Hmmm, I think I'll pass on the Bourdain's for now. Maybe another time.

>41 clamairy: Yeah, I've got enough to read without going there. His subjects may interest me, but I don't really want to pick through the stewish looking mess.

And, I've hit the 50 books read this year mark. Still no room on my bookshelves.

Finished A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. It was a very sad read for me, because I remember loving this book when I read it in my twenties, but the suck fairy hit it hard for me. Was it because it was audio, and the narrator had a tone to his voice which annoyed me? It really didn't bother me much, I'm sure it was authentic to Twain's voice and accent, and the man read well. I don't remember all the ranting in the book. On and on, to the point where I wanted to skip ahead, but couldn't because I was listening to it instead of reading it. Perhaps I did skip the rants the first time I read it? Also, rather than feeling sympathy or admiration for the Boss, I felt somewhat ashamed of him. He was every bit the "Ugly American Abroad" who thinks he has all the answers and that his way is the only good way. Ick. So, this time around, only two stars, Mr. Twain.

Also, I finished the second volume of Willie & Joe: The WWII Years. I enjoyed and understood it better than the first volume. I was thinking how sad it was that the editor didn't add notes to explain some of the cartoons which were battle or event specific and would be lost on anyone who hadn't lived through it, then I found some notes at the end. Not enough, but some, which helped.

Began Skin Games, and now I'm trying to get through my morning internet ritual really fast so I can get back to it before I have to head to work this afternoon. I like it. A lot.

My next audio will be Storm Front by Jim Butcher, because I want to.

MrsLee, I think Mark Twain has not weathered all that well in many of his writing. Sad, but I think true. Not many people admit it, but I think his stuff is not read all that often any more.

I've tried to read Connecticut Yankee and never made it past the first few chapters. I agree with your thoughts about the Boss, @MrsLee, and decided I couldn't stand to carry on with the story as he was so unbearable to me. @maggie1944, I think you may be right about Twain's writing, other than Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, being unread outside of college courses.

>43 MrsLee: I did read Yankee until I was in my 30s, and I thought the whole point was that they were all a bunch of buffoons, including the Boss. I always thought Twain was similar to Vonnegut that way.

>46 clamairy: - Knowing what I know about Twain, it wouldn't surprise me, but it was still not fun this time. I seriously considered quitting the audio several times. When I find that I am only enduring a story, it loses its charm for me. I think that Twain was a man with little illusions about humanity, and I do believe that he had no illusions about himself, either, but sometimes it is too much bitterness for me to stand.

Finished Skin Game at 2:30am. Yes, I had to go to work in the morning, but I could not put it down. Then, all day at work I had that terrible feeling of wanting to get home to jump back into the book, only to remember I had finished the book, rinse, lather, repeat. So when I got home, I did go back and reread certain parts of the story, which the author made me do, he is such a jerk.

Quit reading A Salute to Onions, this is a book set firmly in the time it is written. The author is someone special, but he seems to be well aware of that fact and his tone annoyed me frequently. He isn't half as amusing as he thinks he is. Also, the recipes are, well, not interesting me. Too many books left on my shelves to read to wade through this one.

Finally going to read The Heaven Tree Trilogy by Edith Pargeter.

>48 MrsLee: That one is my insurance book--sitting quietly in the stack on my bedside table, assuring me that something good awaits if I run out of or lose patience with whatever else I have going.

>49 Meredy: I have been using it in exactly the same way! I've had it for several years now. Sometimes I have to cash in my insurance though, just to make sure it's a sound investment. :)

>50 MrsLee: Yes, I can see that. So if you're rotating this one out, what takes its place?

>47 MrsLee: If you mean Skin Game by Jim Butcher, I know exactly what you mean. Something happened that made me want to go back and re-read every single interaction with certain people. Argh!

>51 Meredy: Let's see, a couple of books by Brandon Sanderson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lois McMasters Bujold, Winston S. Churchill, and Anthony Trollope. Those are a few of the authors and books I have on hand which I can be certain I will enjoy reading. Then I have shelves and shelves of books to take a chance on. :)

>52 Morphidae: Ayup!

My next bathroom read: Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington. I'm picking some of the smallest books on my shelves for this particular honor. I've wanted to read this for so long, but others always seemed to jump ahead. I already like it and I'm only a page or two in.

Okay, as indelicate as it may seem, I need someone to explain to me the value of the bathroom read. How long do you actually have to sit in there and read? If you can only read a page or two at a time, don't you lose track of what you've read in prior visits? What criteria are there for determining whether something will be a good bathroom read? And (at least from my own perspective), isn't this rather hard on the books themselves? Or do you have a Kindle housed in the bathroom that holds an entire bookshelf of material that won't be harmed by either the steam of a hot shower and/or the rambunctious splashing of a good wash-up?

Ha ha ha

My bathroom reads are different from what most people "think". These are paperback books of a light reading genre which I can pick up while I am in the bathtub soaking in lovely warm, maybe hot, water. So I don't always stay too terribly long, so the reading may end up being just a page or two. So the story must stand up to being interrupted over and over and over and it must be OK to be dragged out over many months, sometimes. I've been reading The Discovery of France in the bathtub for over a year.

Other bathroom behaviors of mine do not lend themselves to reading.

I pick nonfiction that is separated into small chunks such as a something-of-the-day book or books that have articles that are only a page or two long. They aren't books that I'll ever read again and, yes, they get a little warped from the damp. I know this when I buy them so I don't get anything expensive.

Nowadays I read Entertainment Weekly and Mental Floss in the bathroom.

I gave up on reading books in the bathroom, because I found that it led to my spending far more time in there than is either healthy or socially acceptable. Now I do crosswords and sudoku puzzles.

As others above have suggested, short pieces of nonfiction work best for me. Something that is easy to put down. Usually a book I have continually put off picking up to read, but want to try before I give up. Occasionally, books which have begun as a bathroom read elevate themselves and get removed from there to my reading chair.

I never take my fancy books in there, although I've never noticed any getting damaged, either. As for germs, well, these books are not handled between taking care of business and washing my hands, so other than those which float in the air (you know they do, they are all over your toothbrush, too), they remain as clean as those I read in my chair.

Even as a small child we had catalogs and magazines in our bathrooms. Sometimes the distraction helps things to move smoothly. Nuff said. Personally, the bathroom has always been a place where I could get away with reading mostly undisturbed. Still, the time is limited as it isn't the most comfortable place in the world.

And how many of us have had feet go numb?

*raises hand*

>60 Morphidae: Well, um, maybe. And maybe some other parts, too.

Well, yeah. The longer you are there, the higher the numbness goes. :D

LOL, this is why I love you, Morphy, you don't mince words! *hug* (and yeah, on the numb thing ;)

>60 Morphidae: LOL Glad to know that other people stay there long enough on occasion for that to happen!

Well, you know, as you get older, it's not always the reading material that is the problem!

>60 Morphidae: That would be an interesting poll... But yes, that has happened before.

Wow. You guys spend a lot of time in there. I can barely read a little tiny snippet in Wired before it's all over and I'd be just sitting there. No bathroom reading for me. Maybe fortune cookies would work...

A friend of mine still teases me 20 years later about the time I was exhausted at work, because I sat on the toilet reading until 3am the night before. Well, it was a really good book! And if I got up to leave the bathroom, I would have had to put the book down...

MrsLee, is seems that your thread has really gone down the drain!

Oh, I just remembered, in my twenties, I used to read AND SMOKE in the bathroom. I'd been in there for hours...

TMI

As for the tone of this thread, I am the mother who gave this to her son for Easter.

"LT>

>70 maggie1944: READING!

>71 MrsLee: *cracks up*

I'm so glad I stopped by this thread!

I just want it registered that in our family in a house with a single bathroom, anyone who sat in there for any length of time would be highly unpopular. I can't imagine having the chance to stay in the bathroom so long that one went numb...

>73 GeorgiaDawn: :D Never let it be said that my thread is dull. Gross, inappropriate and immature, perhaps, but not dull.

>74 jillmwo: I have been blessed in that I have spent very few years of my life in a residence with one bathroom! The horrors!

I have been possessed. Between Jim Butcher, James Marsters and Audible, I have succumbed and purchased a Gold Membership so I can receive 1 credit a month with which I will purchase the Dresden Files. I have been enjoying them tremendously on my commute to work, and Heaven knows I need something to make me look forward to going to work. I calculated that it cost less than one hour of working, and therefore is a good investment.

I usually can listen to two audio books in a month, unless one is a monster or very short, so I will be able to rotate a book of joy (Dresden) with the other books I already have which may be joy, but are unproven.

Finished Storm Front, I had a little twinge of sadness going to my car this afternoon when I realized I wouldn't be listening to it on the way home. :(

I began Casino Royale by Ian Fleming. It is read by Simon Vance, therefore I should love it, but half an hour in and I am not loving it. Still, it takes up the time until I can begin the next Dresden novel. I have a FIRM RULE, not a guideline, that I will listen to at least one other audio book which I have already purchased before I can have another Dresden book.

Also hoping I have some energy to invest in the Heaventree trilogy on my two days off. So far, between the heat and my mental exhaustion when I get home from work, I haven't really been able to get into it.

>75 MrsLee: I don't see anything in this thread to remind me what a Dresden book is. Is that an author or series title or what?

Jim Butcher writes The Dresden Files, a series of books about a wizard who operates in modern day Chicago. The kind of urban fantasy I can read, it has few sex scenes, lots of growth for Harry Dresden, the wizard, although that growth is not always forward. Lots of humor the likes of Archie Goodwin from the Nero Wolfe mysteries. Fun, fun, brain candy.

Ah. Thank you. And . . . hmmm. I'm very fond of Archie Goodwin.

>78 MrsLee: I absolutely understand. I fell in love with Dresden too. Much impressed by your discipline in not reading them in a single orgy - not sure I would have been so self-disciplined. :0) The good news is that they just get better and better. The bad news is, once you've got to the end of the published books, it's a long wait until the next one!

I loved the first book of the Heaventree trilogy - one of my all time favourites. Well worth your time.

>79 Meredy: This is a big step out of my normal reading genre, wizards and vampires and fairies, oh my! One of the things I love about the series is the moral underpinnings of the characters. I like good guys, and although Harry is tempted and torn beyond belief to turn to the dark side, there is always something which keeps him from falling too far. He isn't perfect, by far, but he has a good heart. Also, although the action is so intense I don't pay much attention to it, they are pretty good mysteries as well.
You must be warned though, if you decide to try this, you have to read the first four books in order. In order, because things happen which depend on previous books to comprehend. Four, because the first three are the author getting into his stride. I enjoy the first, but there are some major newbie author flaws in it, the second is the worst book ever for self-indulgence and one must simply grit ones teeth to get through it, but again, some major plot points for the series and character development happens, the third begins to have the glimmer of the greatness of the series. I'm not talking Steinbeck, Faulkner, or Sayers greatness, but I do love them as much as the Nero Wolfe books, or Cadfael, or Laurie R. King. At least in their own peculiar way. :) I love them because of the fun romp and "take me away" quality. I've been afraid lately that the author would write to a point of moral compromise that I wouldn't enjoy them any more, but his latest book pulled it out of the fire, and so, if he chooses to write another, I will read it.

>80 Athabasca: Believe me, the first time I read through the series, the only thing which held me back was financing and finding them in order! This being the second time, I can pace myself. I think. Also, I only get one audio version a month, so that will help. ;)
I know I will love the Heaventree book if I can just get a space of time and mood and mindset to get into it. I don't seem to be able to read as easily as I used to, jumping from book to book, era to era and genre to genre. I blame my job, but it could just be my time of life.

>76 MrsLee:

Wait, we can have rules?

>82 suitable1: Yes, it's in the guidelines. ;)

>81 MrsLee: Thanks very much for that description and analysis. It does sound appealing to me. I always do try to read any series in order because I like to see the development and dislike inadvertent spoilers. And your warning about book 2 is well taken. I'm surprised that it's so uncommon for authors to go back, rework, and reissue their duds. Musical composers do it--consider Beethoven and his Fidelio overtures. And artists can paint right over things.

This is a set I may hold in reserve, but at some point I'll probably try it. I loved Nero Wolfe when I was in my twenties, and I'm slowly savoring the last of the Cadfaels now. (I won't be back for more Laurie R. King, though.)

I've been quite busy lately and am just catching up on threads. Very glad I dropped by this one! I needed a laugh! :)

I'm interested in reading The Dresden Files. Which one is the first?

>85 catzteach: Storm Front is the first novel. Glad you found a laugh, catzteach! :)

Ah memories! I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to Harry Dresden. My daughter kept saying, 'Mom, you HAVE to read these.' And I kept saying 'I don't like vampires and werewolves and all that stuff, I don't want to read them." Finally - I did! From then on it was a race to see which of us could read the newest one first and then we would have a gab session about it.

I was beginning to worry about the series but this last one was right 'on once' more! Enjoy!

Ok, because I am 1. Slow to go through threads when I'm busy and 2. Lately I'm always running around like some sort of lunatic attempting to escape a mad zombie infestation as I attempt to turn 24 hours into 36 per day, I have finally caught up with this thread and *gasp* have comments!

Ok, waaaaaay back when ( >14 MrsLee: ) - about the ammonia / beef -- it's because ammonia reduces/eliminates microbial contamination/growth (hence its use in cleaning) -- and it does so at 'safe for human consumption levels' as well as being dirt cheap (it's used in the anhydrous form - so the gas is placed in contact with the meat, changing the pH, killing the 'bugs' so to speak, and then the meat is placed in contact with a neutralising gas to change the pH back to normal). A little bit goes a long way, but there are some places that uhhhh... go a bit overboard with the stuff and the smell/taste of the meat products can be changed.

Food processing is a bit like a hand washing routine - not enough and you'll get sick from basic living (hello dark ages!), too much and you've got a completely different problem, but that nonetheless makes you sick.

Hi kassetra! Glad you are still checking in on us to keep our food questions answered. :)

>87 mysterymax: Your experience of the Dresden files is almost exactly mine! Except, it was on LT that I heard of them, and was cajoled into trying them.

Well, it just goes to show -you can teach an old dog new tricks! From Dresden I went on the Sookie Stackhouse, steampunk, some alternative universe/history type stuff and Matthew Swift.

MrsLee - Yep! Still here! Just 'slow to read anything' and 'constrained time'. :)
Also, some days I know way more about food chemistry than I want to know, heh. XD

Finished Casino Royale, I didn't think I would like it, and I was right, but I had to prove it to myself and not just assume. Along the lines of Ed McBain and Clive Cussler, this is way too much man's fantasy for my stomach. It's as bad as syrupy romance novels, only in the other direction. Meh. Even Simon Vance's narration (which was excellent) couldn't save this.

Tomorrow I will begin A Rage in Harlem by Chester Himes. I think I have read something by this author before, and it is dark and painful, but well written. At least if I'm remembering right. I'll let you know. This one is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. Can't go wrong there!

I am very much enjoying Up From Slavery. I have wanted to read this for so long, and it is everything I thought it would be.

Also starting to enjoy The Heaven Tree, but I miss Cadfael and Sheriff Hugh.

Ah, I've been away and I'm so enjoying catching up.

Also, although the action is so intense I don't pay much attention to it
...may be my favourite @MrsLee quote so far - and I think you've acquired the (dubious?) honour of being the person who has finally sold me on putting Harry Dresden on Mount TBR. I'm not going to rush out and buy a copy, but I will unbend enough to read him next time I'm looking around for a distraction.

>93 imyril: :) Glad you're back!

This Chester Himes book is interesting. For the first hour it was painful in the character department. No one I could like or be on their side and rooting for them to "win." However, with the narration of Samuel L. Jackson and the descriptive writing of Mr. Himes, I was fascinated and pulled into the world. I can see, smell, hear and feel this world in a way that I never would be able to in life. Now finally, the detectives, Coffin Ed Jones and Grave Digger Johnson have entered the scene, so I'm hoping for someone to root for, although their first appearance seems a bit dubious. Even if I end up not in love with any of them, I love listening to this book.

As for the Heaven Tree book. I am not loving Harry. I think I am supposed to, but I don't because his fanaticism is too hard, too unyielding, too arrogant. Still, I'll give him time to grow. I'm in the third part, and my favorite bits so far are about the architecture.

>92 MrsLee: Also starting to enjoy The Heaven Tree, but I miss Cadfael and Sheriff Hugh.

That's what I'm worried about, too. Who wants to go to Neverland without Peter?

>94 MrsLee: *blush* why thank you. Oooh, almost forgot - I'm sure tradition dictates - holiday treats! Ta da!

For those who like it salty: anchois au sel

For the sane who like it sweet: banyuls over ice

And plenty of smelly cheese for all!

MrsLee, did you ever start The Heaven Tree? Asking because it is one of my favorite books.

>97 JannyWurts: (Psst, Janny, she talks about it in #92 and #94 above.)

#86, thanks Mrs. Lee, I'll see if my library has it. I'm sure it will.

Yesterday in the doctor's waiting room, I began a book on my Kindle. Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. I haven't gone further than the intro and first chapter, but so far this woman is singing my song. I'm really looking forward to reading this. I've already copied passages from the introduction that I wanted to remember.

#98, Meredy, thanks - missed that! Was scanning quickly to see, and there were no touch stones/the entries were sparse, I ran right past assuming they were part of the previous books' discussion.

Interesting take, Mrs. Lee - I never thought of Harry as arrogant. Must be the young brash artist thing - I saw his attitude as inspired determination - where most creatives begin? Though I can see that might strike a different background as something other than idealistic courage. I hope you continue with the story and finish the trilogy - it has quite amazing depth, after the early idealism matures and then ages - and IMO, is a far better story of the building of a cathedral than the other so currently lauded (that I found flat and boring, after this one).

We have opposite takes, perhaps - I never warmed to the Cadfael mysteries.

>100 MrsLee: That sounds interesting, MrsLee. And I love the cover...

>101 JannyWurts: It could be my mood. I know that your perception of him is what I feel that the author wants me to feel, and certainly he has some good points, but others are so idealistic that they place those around him in danger. To me, that is arrogant. I'm finding it difficult, not because it is poorly written, I happen to agree with you about its comparison to that "other" story, but I think because of my mental framework at the moment.

I've found myself at a stage where nonfiction seems much more appealing than fiction, or some fiction. You see, I know the plan of stories. The characters endear themselves to you in some way. You get on the rollercoaster with them, then you go up and down, faster and slower, until the end, where the author may either reward you with a happy ending or devastate you with a sad one.

Those are the good well-written stories. I don't feel like investing myself that much in them at the moment. I can read brain fluff, I can read nonfiction, but I find myself struggling with these other really good stories. My mom says it's a phase and I should just read nonfiction or brain fluff until I'm out of it. She says she has gone through the same thing. Sometimes you feel like the investment, and sometimes you don't. So what I'm going to do, is to finish The Heaven Tree, then wait to finish the other two books until my mood is more in sync.

As for the touchstones, I only use them when I first mention a book, and in the post when I'm finished with it. Except in this one where I used it for you. :)

>102 zjakkelien: I haven't been disappointed yet. I really want to finish the above mentioned book in this post so I can focus on it. Not saying I agree with everything, but I like thinking about it. And I agree with a good bit of it.

I finished The Heaven Tree this morning at about 1:00am. For all that I never found myself involved with the characters (which I think is due to my state of mind at the moment, not the writing), the story itself was moving. My very favorite bits were those about the building of the church and the Free Leaf architecture descriptions. I think Edith Pargeter does a fine job of showing us the difficulties of life in those times physically, morally and emotionally, without dragging us through the muck endlessly. I am going to take a break before I plunge into the next story of the trilogy, mainly for the reasons I listed above, but I will certainly read them.

MrsLee, I think I also have periods of time when nonfiction is a great deal more engaging than is fiction. The sameness of writing about "the human condition" does creep up and pollutes even the best writing. We live in an era when there are so many, so many books!

Right now I'm reading Regeneration which is fiction but it is very realistic and based on what I am sure happened during WW I, so I can tolerate it because I feel as if I'm kind of reading history. And the writing is very good.

194, MrsLee, I go through periods like that too - where I can't immerse into fiction. You are wise to wait to continue the trilogy as it gets a lot more intense in the second two books. The finish is amazing.

Thanks for the encouragement, Janny!

>106 JannyWurts: Thank you, Janny. I've seen at least part of the trilogy in the library and wondered about picking it up. With your encouragement, it will find a place on Mount TBR.

108 - hfglen - It is a gorgeous period account of building a cathedral - from the artists' and patrons' POV, with the difference (from the more noted title that shouldered this topic) that Pargeter's characters are flesh and blood with major depth. The motivations and passions are delved into, alongside the bricks and cement. No 'cardboard' people, good or bad. After this trilogy, the other one (unnamed) was a huge let down. Yet this one is pretty obscure. Given your appreciation of some other books, prior, I think you may enjoy this. Curious to see.

And you're welcome, MrsLee. I did love this book, just as much on a revisit.

I finished A Rage in Harlem on my way home from mom's house today. I'm not sure what to say yet, since I am utterly exhausted from my trip. Along with being hugely more dark and graphic than I usually read, it was intensely interesting as a view into a world I never have and probably never will see in any other way. It also became quite funny at the end, so I have very mixed thoughts and emotions about it. Whatever it is, Samuel L. Jackson's reading of it was excellent.

I began my audio book of Fool Moon by Jim Butcher, not my favorite Dresden novel, in fact, it is my least favorite, but so far, with the narration of James Marsters, I like it fine enough.

>103 MrsLee: I think I understand how you are feeling about "depth" stories. I have had such a bad year that I just don't want to feel the pain of good people being treated badly even if it comes right in the end. It's all pretty obvious so I'd rather have some fun. I can read the good-guy-versus-bad-guy-good-guy-wins-quickly stuff, especially if there is humour in it or something totally removed from my life like spy stories in which the people are not felt to be real. Well, it's something like that, anyway.

So I'm going to look for some Barbara Hambly books and several others mentioned on LT, see if I can find a different way to look at things. And my sister mentioned several mysteries that take place in Asian countries that sound possible. I'll look for those.

I picked up the first Dresden files book at the library yesterday. I'm excited to read it!

>111 nhlsecord: Yes, something like that! Good luck :)

>112 catzteach: Please let me know what you think! I read all the reading threads, and I think you have one? If not, your report is due here when you finish. ;)

Learning to Walk in the Dark is a spiritual book which is speaking volumes to me. This is something I can't read fast, need to stop and think about things for awhile after reading them. But I want to keep reading! It is that experience of finding someone who is having the same or similar thoughts as yourself, and is able to express them to you in such a way that your thoughts are illuminated. So nice to know that I am not the only one to have these thoughts, and in fact, I may be on to a good thing! Won't say I agree with everything, but then I don't have to. Each person has their own experiences.

I have finished Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. I enjoyed it to the end. It brings up questions more than giving answers, but affirms that these questions are valid and good to be asked. I suppose my main happy reaction to it is that it affirms the direction my faith has taken of late and lets me know that I am not alone. I may read it again soon, to think some more on the questions.

Guess my next book will be Mental Pause by Laura Jensen Walker. It seems to be on the lighter side, according to the title, and one can't spend all one's time in the dark. Given me by a friend, I kind of want to read it and get it out of the way.

#111 nhiscord - for light fun, would not recommend Hambly - if you were weighing in on her mysteries that take place in New Orleans, they are very period, very grungy and dark - extremely well drawn! and her prose style is gorgeous, but the atmosphere is extremely sad and grim!

Her fantasies are extremely beautifully drawn and have a much wider range - the series she did with mercenaries is brighter in outlook with vivid characters and some humor - the Starhawk and Sunwolf books. The fantasies are absolutely NOT grimdark and nowhere near cynical, but she can put her characters through the wringer. I'd not call her bookas but both light and dark - and she did one mystery in ancient Rome that is gorgeous! Search the Seven Hills if you find it in paperback, but it was also titled The Quirinal Hill Affair in hardback. Lovely work, extremely lyrical prose - and an author way too under appreciated, in particular she does very well rounded female characters, though they tend to be loners.

>115 JannyWurts: I was thinking of The Silent Tower of Hambly's to try. I've read about it elsewhere and I can get it at my library, although in electronic form which means I'll have to read it on my laptop or maybe I can get it onto my notepad. I read some Hambly's books many years ago so I'm looking forward to trying her again.

And I don't mind grungy darkness if there is somebody interesting groping their way around in it who can find a way to get along with it. As MrsLee says, darkness can be useful - first you howl, then you settle down and feel your way.

Quit reading Mental-Pause. Possibly some might enjoy this, but I didn't find it funny. It was boring, whiny and complainy, but not funny. So why force myself to read it?

Let's see, what shall take it's place? I think I'm due a mystery, so, did the blind reach onto the mystery TBR shelf and came up with The Devil's Hearth by Phillip DePoy. Never heard of the author, so we'll see if this is a finishing book, or another which gets dumped.

>117 MrsLee: Here's an area where we solidly agree. I am wholly in favor of ditching a book that for whatever reason isn't suiting my inclinations of the moment (unless, of course, it's a school assignment). Sometimes it's just my mood, but more often the book falls short of some expectation or standard, and I won't waste my time on it when there's so much else to read. I'm compulsive about a lot of things, but persisting with a book or movie just because I've started it isn't one of them.

Do you have any Sarah Caudwells left?

>118 Meredy: I actually didn't enjoy Sarah Caudwell. :) I read her first book, but didn't want to pursue any more.

So far I'm not convinced I will like the DePoy book, either. He over-uses descriptive language and it is getting in my way as I read. I haven't given up yet, but on the first page he talked about how heavy the sky was with stars, and it was raining. I haven't seen stars much when it is raining.

>119 MrsLee: Haha, I should have known.

I have finished Fool Moon, which I didn't find as annoying as the first time I read it. I'm not sure whether it was because of the knowledge of the characters and their future, having read the whole series, or whether it was because it is such a joy listening to James Marsters read it. Anyway, I was able to overlook the silly superfluous werewolves and the overly self-obsessive guilt of Dresden and just enjoy the ride.

Next up for my audio book is Macbeth: A Novel by A.J. Hartley and David Hewson. I can't remember who was talking about this here in the GD, but that, and my love of Macbeth, made me want to try this.

Ooops, change in the program. I was able to load The Girl With all the Gifts by M.R. Carey, onto my Kindle, and since that is an Early Reviewer book, I'll listen to it before the Macbeth: A Novel book.

Weird thing is, I don't remember requesting this book, and I'm not sure from things I've read that I will like it.

Hmm, can't find the new books thread for July, but it hardly matters now. I bought Raw and Simple: Eat Well and Live Radiantly with 100 Truly Quick and Easy Recipes for the Raw Food Lifestyle by Judita Wignall today because it was an Amazon daily deal, and because it has been so hot here I don't feel like cooking anymore. I thought this might have some good ideas for summer, and I'm hoping they aren't too fussy.

>122 MrsLee: I just read The girl with all the gifts and could hardly put it down. I look forward to seeing what you think of it.

>122 MrsLee: >124 Sakerfalcon: Hmm. Sounds interesting. I'll make a decision after you read it, MrsLee.

Well, I'm already hesitant, because "children in peril" is not my thing. I must say though, the concept, writing and narration are excellent so far. I'm not really happy with the format, though. It is MP3, and I've managed to get it onto my Kindle, but yesterday when I stopped it, I had to ff 30 seconds at a time to get back to where I was because it started at the beginning again. Not good. Not good at all.

I quit reading TGWATG. I don't have the time or patience to deal with the technical difficulties. Now I have to decide what to do about it. I don't really want to spend money on a book I was supposed to receive gratis, especially when it isn't really my favorite subject matter. Tricky bit is, it is and ER book. So I either have to give one of those "This might have been a great story but I'll never know" reviews, or shell out money for a book I really don't want to spend time reading. I could have handled it as an audio, but this MP3 business is for the birds.

On the bright side, I went ahead and began Macbeth: A Novel and I am absolutely loving it! The narrator, Alan Cumming, is wonderful (my husband saw his photo on IMDb and said he was Brainy Smurf, which is funny, since he has performed in Smurfy stuff), the gritty historicity and the fleshed out characters are terrific. A great book to sink my ears into.

I think a "This might have been a great story but I'll never know" review is perfectly acceptable. If you are having aggravations, other people will too. Describe your issues so you have 25 words then let it go.

Thanks, Morph, I think I'll do that.

Mrs. Lee, I read Storm Front and really liked it! I can see myself really getting into the series. :)

Also, I've had to give one of those "it might've been" reviews. I felt bad, but technical difficulties need to be commented on too.

>130 catzteach: Even Butcher has commented that he sees so much he could have done better in his first three books, so I think that is fair. He isn't Steinbeck, but he's fun. Glad you enjoyed it, and really, it gets even better as it goes.

Ooh, glad to hear that!

I thought of you today, and everyone here, but mostly you. I was talking with someone about a coast trip I just booked and she told me about a hotel on the Oregon coast that has rooms decorated and named after authors. They even have a library where guests go to read during their stay! It's a beautiful place. It's called Sylvia Beach Hotel. You may already know about it. But it made me think of you and how you have put books in the rooms at your hotel. :)

Oh! That sounds perfect. The beach hotel. I want a meet up there

>132 catzteach: I think Sylvia posted a link to that hotel in the Green Dragon group on Facebook. It's like my dream hotel!

>133 maggie1944: That would be soooo great! I bet we would have to do the meetup around when the hotel had vacancies though.

I thought a meet up there would be perfect, too!

>134 MrsLee: Not me, but I thought it looked pretty appealing.

>132 catzteach: >133 maggie1944: >134 MrsLee: >136 SylviaC:

I just looked up the Sylvia Beach Hotel:

http://www.sylviabeachhotel.com/

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sylvia+Beach+Hotel/@44.638274,-124.06214,17z/d...

My, but that sounds wonderful. And wouldn't it be a perfect place for readers to meet?

I was surprised, though, to see one room (among the "Best Sellers") named after an author I'd never heard of: Lincoln Steffens. A special favorite of the owners, maybe.

>137 Meredy: I was surprised Tolkien is considered a novel, and not a classic... But the hotel looks great! Too bad it's on the other side of the world...

That looks like an amazing hotel. I'd love to have the chance to stay there.

I believe he was an author very important to the "Progressives movement" in US history. (This is typed before I go visit with my friend, the Google).

>138 zjakkelien: I surmised that that was more a way of ranking the rooms than an intent to categorize the authors.

Agatha Christie room for me! There are CLUES in it. :)

I finished Raw and Simple last night. Reading a cookbook on the Kindle is fine, just so long as you don't want to flip around looking for recipes. I'll have to get this, or something similar in a paper book. Didn't buy her mantra lock, stock and barrel, but there is enough good stuff in there that I want to pursue it some more. I don't think I would ever go totally raw, just as I won't go totally vegetarian or vegan, but I like the clean feel of eating two raw meals a day for now. Maybe that will change in the winter, maybe not.

I want to try making Kefir water, and possibly some of the nut cheeses just for kicks, but I'm really not interested in pretending I'm eating scrambled eggs and cheese when it is really avocados and nut cheese. Call it what it is and enjoy it for crying out loud. Same with the raw "muffins" and such. That just sets my taste buds up for disappointment, but if you call them nutmeat sweets, well, good! Personally, I think the author should read some of the Redwall novels for more creative names for stuff.

ETA: By the way, I am really enjoying Macbeth: A Novel. The language, the reader, the historical setting, it is grand. Takes it out of the realm of stage drama into characters whose motives and actions we can identify, empathize and understand.

>142 MrsLee: The food descriptions in the Redwall books always had me salivating--they sounded so wonderful!

Finished The Devil's Hearth. It didn't do much for me. Couldn't get into the characters, and the descriptions, though lovely, distracted me from the plot to the point I started skimming.

My random grab off the TBR bookshelf today was To Be a Slave by Julius Lester. Full of quotations from interviews with people who had lived as slaves, it is heartbreaking. A good reminder that the "good ol' days" weren't really at all.

Odd, because it fits in nicely with Up From Slavery, which was also a random grab from the TBR shelf. I am promoting this one to the armchair read, and the other to the throne room, since the other is short snippets of quotes and is better suited to read in there.

Fun thread.

*waves at >146 DCavin:* Welcome!

Finished Up From Slavery today. I knew I would be very glad I read it, and I am not disappointed in that. However, it is somewhat poignant. Reading about Washington's high hopes and expectations, not only for his race, but for the white race as well, I can only wonder whether we have made all the progress he hoped for yet. Certainly there have been tremendous achievements and hurdles crossed, but sometimes I think we are so far away from being able to judge a man or woman on their merits alone. Interesting to read his thoughts, and how they may have been very modern and far-sighted at that time, but some of them simply didn't go far enough. I'm thinking of his speech in Atlanta when he said that the races needn't socialize together, like the fingers on a hand, they could be separate, but like the palm, they needed to work together to further business, and the well-being of the community. In one sense that is true, but I think in the 50s and 60s it was proved that separate simply doesn't work if everyone is to be given equal opportunities.

I love his idea of what education should be, and I think it would be great if it were that way for ALL children. His idea was that when they are old enough, they should not only be educated intellectually, but that they should be trained in a skill with which to support themselves. Learn to respect labor and see no shame in it. Then, after a few years of this, they could choose whether to move on to more education, or a job.

I was going to start Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold, but then my friend came over and we watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Both excellent movies and perfect for girl's night.

Yesterday I watched "The One Hundred Foot Journey" which was also excellent.

Now back to another work week. I will start Cetaganda, it is a reread for me.

>147 MrsLee: Oh, I loved both those movies. And a great "mood" pairing.

>148 Morphidae: It sure was. I'm thinking about a trilogy, but it could morph (haha) into several themes. The movie Haute Cuisine is lovely about French cooking, as is The 100 Foot Journey, but then the 100 Foot Journey also goes with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and that has a sequel coming out. :)

>100 MrsLee: Stopping by for the first time in a while. I also loved Learning to Walk in the Dark. Thinking I'll try another BBT real soon, maybe An Altar in the World. Have you read any others of hers?

>150 Jim53: Not yet I haven't, but they are on my wishlist.

Finished Macbeth: A Novel. I LOVE THIS STORY! It gripped me from the start, never let go until the final words of the author in the afterword. Alan Cumming is a wonderful narrator for it, his voice set the mood and his accent was easy to listen to, not difficult to understand. For those of you who languish between the novels of G.R.R.Martin, this would be a terrific filler.

Inspired by the play by Shakespeare, and the history of the 1000s in England, Wales and Scotland, Hartley and Hewson have fleshed out the characters, they made me like the Macbeths, not approve of their deeds, but I sorrowed for them. They also described the times, people and places in vivid details. I'm surprised I enjoyed this so much, considering the blood, filth and darkness of it, but I was fascinated and engrossed in the tale. I have always enjoyed the drama of The Scottish Play, but now I have such a wonderful background to put to it.

Not sure what to follow it up with.

That sounds delightful. I just barely was able to duck and avoid having the BB hit me. I already have way too many TBRs!

>153 maggie1944: careful it doesn't get you on a ricochet...

>153 maggie1944: Well maggie, I hope it stumbles across your path. ;)

Finished To Be a Slave. Interesting, informative and very sad. Where Booker T. Washington had a hopeful outlook for the future, this author seems mired in the bitterness of the past, and who can blame him? Washington was a part of slavery and overcame it, Lester is writing in the 1960's, some of the most trying modern times for race relations.

Lester has edited together many interviews of those who lived through slavery. He inserts much of his voice into the book, telling us how to interpret what we read and how to feel about it. I don't know, but I suspect he was very selective over which stories to include, ending with a bitter hopeless rant. To what end? I understand the desperation, but I continue to have hope. A fool's hope maybe, but it is mine.

So now I'm reading Cetaganda, for some lightness.

My audio book today is Free Stories: Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales, narrated by Whoopie Goldberg and Alan Rickman.

The book for my throne room is A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration Collected by Father Tim by Jan Karon put together as a mock diary, the quotes are written in cursive and sparse. It won't take long to get through this one, although many of them deserve meditating on.

Finished Free Stories: Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales. What can I say? Sweet, lovely, charming, I wish it were longer. Reminds me of Rabbit Ears Radio back in the day.

Will begin Grave Peril by Jim Butcher, narrated by James Marsters, today. Can't wait!

Finished Cetaganda. I love a book that makes me laugh out loud, and this one did. Miles is one of those characters I love spending time with.

I'll probably tackle a nonfiction next, but I'm not ready to pick up another book right now.

I'm trying to enjoy my weekend, I really am. But I'm itching to get in my car and drive anywhere so I can listen to more of Grave Peril. I'm going for a drive today, but OH will be in the car and it would be rude to listen then. *sigh* ;)

Sort of began The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher last night. What sort of means, is that I haven't got through all the introductions, forwards and praises yet, which I usually don't read until the end of a book, but since I've read one of the books in this collection already How to Cook a Wolf, and had mixed feelings about it, I thought these might help me understand the reputation this author has and how she achieved it.

>14 MrsLee: >16 clamairy:
The concept of zero was not developed until the year 571 so there could not have a year zero. AD started on year 1.

Apologies for coming so late to this debate but while I starred this thread when it was started I have not posted to it before now so I did not see the action.

Carry on. Nothing to see here.

>43 MrsLee: I gave up onAA Connecticut Yankee in Arthur's Court because of the preaching. I was disappointed because I have fond memories of the Bing Crosby film version, especially the song, "I'm busy doing nothing, working the whole day through trying to find lots of things not to do..."

The Art of Eating seems to be one of those books to nibble on, chapter by chapter, so, I picked up the copy of La Technique by Jacques Pepin which I received the other day. I was hoping that it would give me better instruction to improve my knife skills, but so far there is very little about that, which I already knew, so I suppose it is simply practice, practice, practice. However, it is interesting because of all the photos. Really though, not very practical for me so far. Those techniques I would use because they fit my cooking style, I already seem to know. The rest of them are, how do I say this, not in my world of cooking at the moment. I want to say outdated cooking, but that wouldn't be right to say about classical cooking techniques and dishes. Aspic, anyone? Ick. Decorating a pate with black truffles? Well, since I've yet to be able to afford even one truffle, I'm not about to slice it up for decoration if I ever do get it. Decorative potato and tomato roses? Well, sure, if one has time, which I don't. Anyway, sprinkled in among the frivolous, are very good techniques which are essential to my cooking, even if I do know them all so far. It's a big book, I'm bound to run across something useful.

>161 MrsLee: Thank you, Lee! I was brought up to believe that I was the only barbarian in the world who couldn't stand the sight of aspic. Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone, and the ick response is not barbaric! And re truffles: I once had the privilege of being external examiner for a bod whose Ph.D. thesis was about puffballs. Somehow the conversation at the orals wandered off the ostensible subject to "have you ever eaten truffles". The candidate replied that a plutocratic friend of his had not all that long previously treated him to a can of preserved truffles, which were horrible. His account was sufficient to cure all of those present of the aberration of even giving a bottle of truffle oil a second glance. However other sources suggest that Kalahari truffles are worth keeping an eye open for if you're in the area where they grow. And nowhere near the price of the European kind.

I once had a bottle of truffle oil. It gives a wonderful earthy essence to things but a smidgeon goes a long way. I'd rather use mushrooms. Fried and on top of a salad with a fried egg. mmmm

Hand cut french fries with truffle oil and Parmesan are pretty darned tasty.

>164 Marissa_Doyle: I bet that would be tasty. I can imagine truffle oil and Parmesan for sure, in eggs maybe too.

I'm not interested in preserved truffles, I've heard they are nothing like the real thing. I'm not sure I will like the real thing, I know they are a strong flavor, but I want the chance to play with one in my own kitchen, as I'm the chef I trust the most to get the best out of them. Unless I could afford to eat at a restaurant in France or New York or something with a Master Chef. I know very well that I cook better than any of the chefs in the restaurants around here. That really is the only thing on my bucket list. It will happen!

>162 hfglen: I will always back you in aspic aversion!

I had to go and look up what aspic was. There was some beautiful pictures, and it looks like a pretty food. However, I don't think I could actually eat it, make that I know I couldn't eat it. A work of art not meant to be ingested... ;)

MrsLee, the challenge for a good cook is to make the aspic taste good. It's really just cold broth. I once had a recipe for a cucumber salad in a lemon aspic (or jelly - I don't know if the 2 are the same thing) that was really good and I've lost it.

>168 nhlsecord: My argument isn't against the taste, so much as the consistency. Jello wibbly wobbly stuff gags me, especially if there are chewy things in it. No, my broth will have to be served warm, but I do like a good broth.

>168 nhlsecord:, >169 MrsLee: Sweet jelly is OK, especially if a bit chewy. But slimy "savoury" aspic --- yeurgh!

>170 hfglen: Okay, I understand. I expect my C would say the same thing. But then he doesn't like raisins or fried mushrooms because of the texture. Or cherry pie. Or....

"Yeurgh" eh? I love your accent.

Today at the bank there were no other customers waiting, and two clerks were at the window. They are all used to me coming in with my earphone in, listening to my audio book, but these girls made me feel like a rare and exotic creature. I was fumbling to turn off the book, and one of them said, "Whenever I see you come in I want to reach out and grab that earphone and see what you are listening to! I had told her about the Macbeth novel last week. So today I told them about Dresden, and they asked me how many books I read in a month, I said it varied, but that I read an average of 100 a year. Both of them got very wide eyes, and one said, "Oh, I read maybe one." I wanted to cry for her. How do you live without reading books?

I have a teacher friend who isn't really a reader. I've always wondered what she does for fun. I could never not read.

>172 MrsLee: I was nonplussed by a friend of a friend who doesn't read fiction, because he doesn't see the point. But not to read at all? There are no words. Even I feel sad for her, and I wasn't there!

Yes, there are people who are proud that they've never read a book (since school, I would assume).

172, 173, 174> I have some friends like that. There's one girl who has dyslexia and finds it too difficult to do for pleasure, but I can't pretend to understand the others.

I remember being nonplussed by a co-worker (a librarian!) who was very proud of the fact that he only owned one small shelf of books. However, he was still a reader - he used the library heavily and he did buy books occasionally - he just didn't keep them. As a book hoarder, I could not conceive of living in a home without books everywhere!

I have met non-readers - we have little in common.

There are also people who wonder how those who don't dance can ever be fulfilled, those who can't imagine a life without music, or art, or fanatical exercise, or various other passions.

Once a co-worker asked if I wanted to go out for pizza, and I explained to him that I couldn't because I'm allergic to cheese. He looked at me with great compassion and said, "And yet, you go on living."

>178 Jim53: it does indeed take all sorts :)

Funny!

>178 Jim53: I do have a very hard time "going on living" without cheese.

>181 maggie1944:, >178 Jim53: Following recent oral surgery, I had to give up certain things for a week: alcohol, sugar, and all dairy products. Alcohol was no problem, and sugar wasn't too difficult, and I could easily skip milk; but no cheese--that was very hard. Once my week was up, I vigorously made up the lack over the next three days.

I have an intelligent, well-educated friend who doesn't read much at all. I don't understand it, and it's hard for me not to think of that as a real shortcoming. But she bicycles, dances, and hikes regularly, and I don't...

Yes, I gave up dairy for a while and it was always the cheese which continued to call my name, day and night.

People who do not read: well, I know many. One has a severe case of attention deficit disorder and really he hardly can stay on one subject when he is talking, reading more than about 10 minutes is just hard for him. Very hard. Even when he thinks he should do it.

So, I believe I can be friends with him, regardless of his relationship to books. I just bore him to death talking about them all the time. He laughs.

My husband has no interest at all in books, but we've been very happily married for eighteen years so far. He supports my habit, even if he doesn't understand it.

Ditto, SylviaC. 20 years together and all I've seen him read are magazines and the occasional book about something he collects (the latest is certain brands of watches). The fact that I read constantly is just a part of who I am and since he loves me, it's part of my charm I guess. Lately I've slowed down with the physical book buying, but he TOTALLY understood when I just had to have the Folio Society boxed set of Raymond Chandler novels. Stupid money, but he gets why I want it.

I hope nobody thought I was saying I thought less of the lady who didn't read, or that I thought she was less of a person than I. I was just sad for all the fun she was missing, but I totally understand the different strokes for different folks thing.

>186 MrsLee: Likewise. It's just a joy (as is cheese ;) - I don't judge those who don't read. We all have our passions, and that's what makes life interesting. But the thought of not reading still makes me sad because I derive so much joy from it.

187> Same here.

And...I suppose people who watch sports and sitcoms on TV might feel sad for all the joy I'm missing. When I think of it that way, it's plain that I don't need to feel regret for someone else's choice of pleasures.

So then, it's only that I hope enough of a market survives so that books will continue to be readily available to those who want them. It does disturb me that they're rapidly becoming a luxury item (thinking in terms of what you get for what you pay). The only ones reasonably priced any more are those that have already been bought and sold one or more times in hard copy. When no more books for the ordinary reader start out that way, what then?

>189 Meredy: Though I heard on BBC4 recently that sales of dead-tree books are actually recovering. Partly at the expense of e-books, and certainly among younger readers, if I understood the story right.

>190 hfglen: Interesting. New? or used? I can get a used (and often very gently used) book on Amazon for as little as $4.00 delivered, less than half or even less than a third of what an e-book typically costs and with considerably more ownership rights.

But perhaps this topic belongs elsewhere than on MrsLee's thread. Sorry, @MrsLee.

New, as I understood it. And interestingly, the young person interviewed liked dead-tree books because they didn't need batteries charging every few hours.

Well, I'm always interested in chatting with my friends here, so I don't mind topic veering in my threads. :)

Today while reading A Continual Feast, I came across some lovely quotes about reading, and I'm going to share them here.

1. "The contents of someone's bookcase are part of his history, like an ancestral portrait." Anatole Brayard - This is how I feel when I see the name of one of my departed family members in a book that I'm reading. There is a connection between us.

2. "The good book is always a book of travel; it is about a life's journey." H.M.Tomlinson

3. "I know not how to abstain from reading." by Samuel Pepys - This is how I feel when someone asks me how I read so much.

4. "I've been in love three hundred times in my life, and all but five were with books." Lee Glickstein

5. "All books are divisible into two classes-the books of the hour, and the books of all time. Mark this distinction: it is not one of quality only...it is a distinction of species. There are good books for the hour, and good ones for all time." by John Ruskin, Of Kings' Treasuries

6. "Those who read great works...will read the same work ten, twenty or thirty times during the course of their life." by C.S.Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism - I'm not sure I understand this one. Does he mean to say that there are so few great works, and they are so great, that we want to read the same book over and over? Or does he mean that all great works have a similarity and so if one is reading great works it will seem as if we are reading the same book again and again? Hmmm

7. "There is no greater robber than a bad book." and Italian proverb

8. "If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads but what he re-reads." by Francois Mauriac (not sure of the spelling of this name, sometimes the cursive in this book is hard to read)

>6 readafew: Great quotes. Thank you.

I think your second interpretation of the C.S. Lewis quote is probably the right one: the idea that the greatest works have a deep commonality and that when we read on through that body of literature, we renew the experience they evoke in us with each one we add. I'm not sure that's so, but I see what he meant, I think. (Some context would help.)

To me it always seems like the greatest works turn on new lights and open new vistas of understanding; but maybe they do all come down to the same thing, which is essentially the nature of the human condition.

Oh, I like #8. I'm going to have to think about that one.

>195 Marissa_Doyle: Me too, considering that the books I reread the most are my murder mysteries...

>193 MrsLee: these are fabulous quotes. The first makes me think of books as an autobiographical snapshot of our lives (which in turn reminds me of High Fidelity - the notion that not only the contents of the book reflect the owner but even the context of acquiring and reading it are encapsulated by where it sits on the shelf), but I love #4 (yes, yes this) and #8 and agree #6 is open to interpretation (does he mean that 'lesser' books simply reflect the great works, so in reading widely you inevitably read (shadows of) the same work? As @meredy commented, context could make this many things :)

But lovely, all of them. Thank you for sharing.

>193 MrsLee: Great food for thought and discussion in those quotes. Thank you for sharing.

Like I guess most people here I can't imagine not reading but I work with a fair number of people who don't and who think it takes too much effort when they can just watch TV. Don't get me wrong, I like the TV but it also goes off for days at time in my house because I'm too busy to put it on - generally too busy reading. If I could find a way to crochet and hold the book open to read or sew without losing my place, I'd be a happy bunny!

>191 Meredy: >192 hfglen: Your comments about the resurgence of dead-tree book sales reminded me of this children's book It's a Book by Lane Smith which I think is great. I came across this trailer for it from Macmillan (which bears a certain irony) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4BK_2VULCU which will give a taste of the book's contents.

>199 Peace2: Cute trailer!

Yesterday my friend gave me a pile of Raw cookbooks to skim through. When I tackle a new cooking technique, I read cookbooks on it to get a grasp of method, then I go my own way. First one I tackled was Health Reformer II Recipes: Uncooked Food and Simple Cooked Food, by Katy Chamberlin. A pamphlet, really, 46 pages. This almost put me off the whole raw food thing it was so unappealing. Like reading something by a brainwashed cult member. After reading that Satan is behind herbs and spices and complicated cooking and over eating, I quit reading, skimmed the recipes, saw nothing I wanted or hadn't thought of already, and would have thrown it against the wall, except it didn't belong to me. Gag.

Please keep in mind that I identify myself as a Christian and this is in no way intended to start a religious discussion. I just have a lot of issues with that approach to anything.

Today I'm reading the Vita-mix instruction manual with recipes. I must say, it is a much more balanced approach to all this food stuff than anything else I've read. No unfounded claims or wild accusations. :) However, they don't trust the chef to do ANYTHING. I suppose that might be good for a total novice in the kitchen, but I find it a little insulting when they presume that I don't know how to add fluid to make a drink thinner, or how to combine fruits and vegetables without getting a disaster every time. :)

I only get disasters some of the time, like this morning, when I made a watermelon and plum smoothie and decided to add 1/2 t. spirulina for the nutrients. Black/charcoal grey is a go-to color for me when cooking. ;) Anyway, it tasted fine as long as I didn't inhale while slurping. Then it was a bit pondish, but I've been known to enjoy pond water. When I was about 4.

>193 MrsLee: The books I have re-read the most are Louis L'Amour, Georgette Heyer, Rex Stout and C.J. Cherryh. What does that say about me?

And L'Amour often writes about reading the classic philosophers over and over again. He says you'll always find something new in them. Personally I wouldn't touch that stuff with a 10 foot pole, but whatever turns your crank ;) It takes us all.

202 - It says you like the good old authors, and a bit of the new! :) I'm not much of an analyst I'm afraid.

Cute story to share. My son started his classes today, one of which is psychology. Apparently, his teacher is experiencing menopause and not afraid to share her experience. He said she will be in the middle of a lecture and start waving her arms saying, "Whew! It's HOT in here!" She does it in the middle of films, too. :)

Today I read Mary Ann's Home Kitchen: Gourmet Raw Vegan Cooked Food by Mary Ann Jones. Very short and simple, at least the recipes sounded tasty. I will save a couple of the sauce and dressing recipes. The salad ones looked very similar to what I already make, and there were no smoothie ideas. I'm getting clearer about this food thing. Pretty sure I'm a smoothie and salad girl. Winter will probably be smoothie and soup girl. I don't see the point of making mock ravioli with dehydrated tomatoes and nut cheese, or no-bake pizza and so forth. I don't have time to fuss that much over my ingredients, and if I want ravioli, I will eat the real ones in my one cooked meal a day.

Finished A Continual Feast, it is lovely and full of quotes. Haven't decided whether to keep it or not though. I may just copy out those which spoke to me, then pass it on at the hotel.

Next up is The Violet Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. This is not a lovely version, it is old and worn, but I've always wanted to read one of them, and this was about .50.

Tonight I began Raw Food Cleanse by Penni Shelton. I am finding it interesting, and at least she gives a list of sources at the back of the book, but of course, they are all Raw Food people too. I'm not saying that raw food isn't wonderful for you, but I have to doubt an author who tells me that cooked food has lost 100% of its nutritive value, when I know that simply isn't true. Balance, people. However, it's possible this book has some good ideas, and I want to understand this culture, so I read.

>205 MrsLee: I am curious about raw food, but the all-too-frequent 'all cooking is bad' preaching has put me off delving into it. I have similar problems with paleo and related non/low-carb books - there's so much nonsense to wade through to get to the interesting and/or useful bits!

I am willing to try some of these new ideas without falling in love with them. I have found that if I avoid wheat, white flour, and gluten, I do not get stuffy nose. If I over eat some rich yummy carb loaded thingie (Which of course tastes outstanding) I do get all stuffed up. I have only heard of one other person who has this issue. Just goes to show: we are all unique!

>205 MrsLee: With all due respect, I have two major problems with the 100% raw mantra.

1. Current best archaeological evidence / thought is that cooked food is an important factor in making us human. Cooking food releases the nutrients (think of raw grass, for instance), and so allows larger brains, thereby allowing for the development of language skills allowing us, among other things, to develop the "100% raw" mantra and debate it.

2. Something that may be less obvious in the first world than the third, but unwise ingestion of raw foods in places like for example the Congo or India (not to point fingers at those fine places, but they sprang to mind first) is a great way of acquiring cholera, intestinal parasites and other charming passengers. And cooking is probably about the first way of preserving food to be discovered.

>208 hfglen: I am in total agreement with you. I also think of all these ancient peoples that the raw people say did so well on raw food, but it seems to me that records show those people died pretty darned young. That is why I cannot buy into it wholeheartedly. However, I must say, that I feel more energetic eating two raw meals a day and my skin seems healthier. My weight is the same as ever, my body just loves to be where it is at.

>206 imyril: That is why I'm reading such a large amount of the books right now. Trying to sift through all the mantras to find what I can use. :) I'm thinking in the winter I will still do my morning smoothie, because I have never liked cooking and eating breakfast. A smoothie suits my lifestyle. I will probably switch to soup instead of salad, but who knows. The salads I make are perfect for work. More of a slaw of many different veggies, with some sort of nut or seed and a little dried or fresh fruit. I tend to prefer a little vinegar, oil, agave nectar, salt and pepper for my dressing, but sometimes I play around with it. I love my salads. Dinner, I eat anything I want. Usually meat or eggs or fish or something.

My husband says if I'm still enjoying this by Christmas, I can buy a Vitamix ($500 - $700 investment). He knows me so well. I tend to jump whole hog into things, then "master" them and move on. :)

I will be watching and waiting to see if you get a Vitamix. One thing I hated about "juicers" is the clean up. When you extract that much juice there is a whole lotta cellulose (?) left over. And the machine has lots of nooks and crannies.

I like eating foods and avoiding white flour, wheat, and sugar (when I can). I also feel better.

Finished Raw Food Cleanse. I'm done now. Pretty clear in my head as to where I want to go with this, and the last two books added nothing to my journey. Not that they are bad books, just that they are repeating each other now. So I'm moving on. :)

I am reading an omnibus, The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher, it is HUGE so I've decided to read it in bits. I finished Serve it Forth last night. Now I understand why this woman is one of the most popular food writers ever. The first book I read by her did not leave me with this understanding, but this one was delightful. A collection of thoughts on eating throughout history and places. She muses about things, each chapter its own little essay. I love her use of the language, her considerations of food and eating and people and what it all means. Her sly and sneaky, understated humor. Very pleased with this read.

Today, I will begin reading The Prestige by Christopher Priest for Mighty Morphy's Monthly Reads.

Finished Grave Peril in the car today while travelling to see my brother. I begged OH's pardon and explained that there wasn't enough left of the story to get me through tomorrow's commute, so I had better finish it today so I could download the next book. Uh huh.

Anyway, tomorrow, I will be starting Her Royal Spyness, by Rhys Bowen, a book I've wanted to begin for some time now.

I can't wait to hear what you have to say about Her Royal Spyness ! And just so you know, it's the "worst" of the series, so they just keep getting better!

>214 readafew: - Very good to know, I'll keep that in mind. :)

>214 readafew: - LOVING IT! So much lighthearted fun, I needed this.

:)

I finished La Technique today. Most of it which I would use, I already knew. Some of the pastries I would like to try, but not until I am retired. Then, who knows if I will still have gumption to try stuff like that. Some of it, like making Angel Hair out of spun sugar? Wow. Jaw dropping and never gonna happen in my kitchen. That would be the kind of stuff I tried when I was in my 20s and 30s. Still, I'm very pleased to have read this. It added to my overall knowledge of How Things Are Done.

>214 readafew: Now I'm having mixed feelings about this book. At times, it feels like the author is just mining other books I've read and loved, like Whose Body? - a body in a bath, Inspector Sugg and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - naive young lady meets the "fast" life in London of the 20s or 30s, friend who is living the fast life and designing dresses and Auntie Mame - mother who goes with lots of different men all over the world, one of the men a dear one, who dies/is injured in an avalanche in the Alps.

Also, I'm not pleased when the main character makes really stupid choices when they find a body. However, I still enjoy the characters enough, and the setting and story. I will take your word for it that they get better, and this isn't bad, it just grates now and then.

I haven't read those other books you mentioned, so didn't notice that, however, I started the series with #6 and thought it was awesome, and so far #1 has definitely been the worst, not bad, but just a slow start compared to the rest. I'm reading #4 right now Royal Blood, it's starting off pretty good, she gets sent to Transylvania to attend a wedding...

>219 readafew: Well, everyone needs to start somewhere. I don't mind her borrowing, but I wish she had either masked it a little better, or made a great spoofy point of it.

I finished The Prestige. Wow. Just wow. I'm going to the spoiler thread to talk about it.

ETA: Decided to start Bossypants by Tina Fey today, as it will be something COMPLETELY different.

Finished reading Bossypants. I'm vaguely familiar with Tina Fey's work, but I was quite surprised at how much I liked her while reading this. Maybe she has a good editor or something, but she comes across as quite human, clear, direct and my kind of people. Funny too, of course.

Not sure what my next read will be, it's too late now to decide that, since I probably won't have energy for a few days to read much. Thank goodness for my audio books.

>221 MrsLee: Hmm. I'd have thought the main audience would be her fans, and I can see that's not really you. I know her only from her Sarah Palin impersonations. Sounds like the book stands on its own--?

>222 Meredy: I really felt it did. I love her perspectives on women, women's issues and such. She seems very practical and straightforward on that to me. And funny. Also, I found what I thought was some great managerial advice, whether she meant it to be or not. And funny. I doubt we would be bosom buddies in life, but just like so many women here, I can appreciate the points we agree on and let the rest go. I find life is more interesting if I accept people as they are instead of trying to make them just like me. :)

ETA: It probably helped that politics and political stances were not the main point of this book, although from what she talks about, it's pretty clear where she stands on several issues. I found the parts about SNL very interesting. Well, I guess I found the whole book very interesting.

I was wondering the same thing as Meredy. I've had the book recommended to me so often, but I wasn't sure how interesting it would be when I've never seen Fey perform. Except, of course, for the ubiquitous Palin skits. It sounds like it would still be well worth reading.

Someone earlier had commented how much they enjoyed Bossypants on audio. I hope to give it a listen before the end of the year.

I've never seen her perform either and I liked Bossypants. All I knew about her was that she was on SNL and 30 Rock.

Finished Her Royal Spyness tonight. I liked it well enough that I will continue with the series, even though the murderer and motive were transparent, it didn't ruin it for me. Georgie is too much fun to let a little thing like that bother me.

Started San Juan Silver by Arthur W. Monroe today. This is one of the books I inherited from my husband's uncle. All about the settling of Colorado. I'm not sure I'll finish it, as it is pretty dry, but I want to give it a good shot, anyway.

Tomorrow, for my commute audio book, I will start Gulp by Mary Roach. I'm looking forward to it.

Also, at work during my break I started Montalbano's First Case by Andrea Camilleri. I'm not blown away by it, but it isn't unpleasant yet.

I really enjoyed Gulp on audio.

If I had started the Her Royal Spyness series with the first one, I would have not been real quick to start the second one, I still would have but just would have taken me longer.

>229 readafew: Will I be OK not reading them in order? I came across Royal Flush for a good price, but I'm not sure I want to seek out the others and pay full price for them yet.

yep, I've read them 6, 1, 2, 3, 8, 4. Starting with 8 I'd recommend reading at least one or two earlier books but the rest doesn't make a big difference, I should be getting to 5 and 7 in the next couple weeks.

Good to know! Thanks.

Moved Her Royal Spyness from Maybe to LT Recommended collection.

Finished Montalbano's First Case today. I'm thinking that the fact that it was translated is what made it a bit stiff in the reading. I laughed out loud at least twice, and the seafood meals described had me salivating. Oh to live by the Italian seashore! The mystery itself was different, again, cultures. Not a murder mystery, more an introduction to Inspector Montalbano and the way he gets the job done (not by the book).

The last chapter describes the law as Montalbano sees it. Similar to a sweater his aunt knitted for him, the sweater not fitting well, to short in some places, too long in others, too loose or too tight, but he still wore it and it fit OK with a little tugging, because it was made of wool, not iron. Kind of like pirate guidelines. It works well if the person who is doing the tugging is pure of heart, but not so well if they are a pirate.

Up next, a book from I have no idea where on my miscellany shelf, Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank. I have no idea about this book or author, it will either be intriguing (a woman caring for a family home on an island) or gag-worthy (a line in the description say, "...begin dangerously unraveling when she falls in love.) My miscellany bookcase is three shelves full of books I've picked up here and there, or they've been given me, or inherited by me, but I didn't specifically seek them out. I am rather proud that at the moment, none of the books are double stacked or laying on top of the others. They all fit on the shelf.

They all fit on the shelf.

I know the all the words, but I can't picture the meaning.

They all fit on the shelf.

A foreign concept to me too!

The secret is; more shelves. :)

The floor is a shelf, isn't it?

>238 nhlsecord: It's a flat surface, and that's kind of the same thing :)

I can tell from the string of shelf comments that I am among friends.

>239 tardis: And I note that you didn't limit the flat surface to horizontal ones. That makes the definition of "shelf" roomy enough to include walls and especially corners that have vertical stacks going up them.

Reading Gulp is excruciatingly painful. It is so nauseating at times I was hollering in the car, "Stop! Stop! Stop!" She was describing how physicians used to taste excretions to diagnose patients. But of course, I couldn't stop it. The hypnotic effect was in full force. I love it, and it nauseates me. :P

Don't worry, it gets worse. But still hypnotic.

I walked past a flat recently that didn't need curtains as windowsills make good shelves too. Although windows stop letting in any light if things get out of hand (things were getting out of hand)...

>244 imyril: Yikes! That much light isn't good for the books!

>245 tardis: I can only assume the owner has already used all the other horizontal surfaces. Those flats are near a university, so quite likely a student bedsit.

Okay, I quit reading Return to Sullivans Island. Not my kind of book, and apparently, I'm not alone. After reading the other reviews, even some of the fans of the author didn't much like this one. I quit after 35 pages because it was making me want to do anything but pick it up and read. The main character was a self-absorbed person, and apparently stays so throughout the story if the other reviews are anything to go by. I'm glad I quit when I did.

Today, at some point, I will begin reading Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold, I need something dependable after that last.

Finished The Violet Fairy Book, and now San Juan Silver has been relegated to the Throne Room. We'll see if I'm inspired to read it in there.

I love the colored Fairy books, I may have to start a replacement collection. I've purged my shelves in anticipation of moving into a very small space as I age, and become more decrepit, and then in true book loving fashion I began to replace some of them by beginning collections of series which look nice together on the shelf. Only two so far: Alan Furst's European novels, and Maupin's San Francisco comic novels.

I'm craving simmering foods, too. We are having lovely sunny days with snap cold evenings and nights. I love September!

See, that's why I love my Kindle. I can fit SO MANY books on there.

>251 cmbohn: Cindy, I've been wanting to ask you if you would like the San Juan Silver book? If I'm remembering correctly, you are from Colorado? I don't know if you like to read early history of the state or not. The book is oldish, signed by the author, but kinda dull for me. I would be happy to send it to you if you would like it, just give me your address in a private message. :)

Finished Ethan of Athos last night. As a story, it was a lot of good fun. I did get a bit tired of "sparking" eyes. One thing I love about Bujold, is that she stretches your mind about medical ethics and "what ifs." This was certainly such a read. What if we had the capability to make a one gender race of people? Should we do it? Would it be healthy? Would it be wise? Personally, I think the author candy-coated the race of Athos a bit. In my mind, we need males and females of all shapes, colors and sizes to make us human. I don't want a society sculpted to fit my ideas of "perfect." If we don't have those who are different around us, how can we grow, change and learn to be accepting?

Anyway, I do think the author was aiming for that direction when she took Ethan off of Athos and exposed him to women. This was a pretty great read.

Up next: Dog on It by Spencer Quinn, a light and fluffy (literally) mystery. :)

I'm actually from Utah. I think I'll pass on that one. But thanks so much for the offer! :)

>253 cmbohn: :) Hmm, wonder who I'm thinking about? Oh well.

@MrsLee, have you read much by Spencer Quinn? Are his mysteries all very lightweight?

>255 jillmwo: I've only read one other, the Chet the dog ones. I would call these light noir, if there is such a thing.

I've quit reading San Juan Silver by Arthur W. Monroe. It is plodding, pedantic and dull. It reads like a grocery list of pioneer life. Savage and untamed Indians? Check. Harsh winters? Check. Hangings, shootings and all sorts of mayhem? Check. Now how you can make all of those dull is beyond me, but I don't think it's my attention span, I think it's the writing. It also has all the attitudes of its day towards other races of men, sometimes patronizing, others ignorant and hateful. That's how it reads to me, anyway. Since it is centered on an area of Colorado which means nothing to me, I can't get myself interested in it.

I will begin Rabble in Arms by Kenneth Roberts. Not exactly a subject I'm keen on at the moment, but if it is well written that won't matter, and if it isn't, that will be one more book I can get rid of.

I just put my copy of San Juan Silver up for sale on Ebay. I haven't sold books there for a long time. Last time I did, I would call it a success, but the book I thought would sell well (first edition Dr. Seuss) didn't have any bites at all, and a book I figured wouldn't sell, brought in $60.

This book is listed on Bookfinder by Abe books, a signed edition, but in worse condition than mine, for $130. It is also listed (unsigned) in a bit worse condition than mine, for $19. I put the starting price on mine at $20 with free shipping. We shall see if it gets any nibbles. Personally, I wouldn't buy it for that, but if I were from that area and interested in the history, I might. At least it's free to list it on Ebay. :)

>257 MrsLee: Is that a better way to sell your used books than Amazon Marketplace? Can you sell any old books that way, or is it pretty much limited to those that are special somehow, like yours? What about lots and sets--e.g., the complete Carlotta Carlyle mysteries as a bundle?

>258 Meredy: It has been years since I've done this, in fact, the last time I tried, I don't think us normal people were even allowed to sell things on Amazon. I didn't know about it. Might try it if there are no nibbles on this after 3 weeks.
I think you can sell in lots and sets and such, I know you used to be able to. The key is finding the right buyer (or as my son says, the right two buyers to create a bidding war!), I'm really not sure that many people are actually looking for this book, and I hope they don't read my review if they are! ;)

I finished Gulp. Much too tired to do a review tonight, but I think I'm giving it 5 stars. I've already bought the paper version for my husband so he can read it and give it to my son. When you want to pass something on that much, it has to have earned some stars, although I can't say I found it exactly inspirational, which is one of my qualifications for 5 stars.

Began Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore tonight. In the dark. In the rain. In a car all alone. After the first 25 minutes of the audio, I still like it. We shall see. I think this author is a departure for me from things I've heard.

I enjoyed listening in horrified fascination to Gulp. But I didn't need to know quite that much about Elvis' gut.

The parts that did me in were how physicians used their mouths to diagnose many illnesses, and coprophagia in humans. :P

Finished Dog on It. These are so fun, just the light touch I need sometimes, although I couldn't read them one right after the other. Best to save for the dark times.

I'm moving Rabble in Arms to the armchair position instead of the throne. It is compelling so far.

Also, enjoying Bloodsucking Fiends. I love almost anything set in San Francisco, and the fact that the author has worked in an homage to The Emperor is double fun for me. I'm enjoying the quick intelligent writing, his use of language seems like a knife fight, fast and blurring, but hits its mark with deadly accuracy.

So, new book for the throne, Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman.

Still reading the above books, but not reading much right now. Work is draining my brain.

I am really enjoying the Christopher Moore book, and finding the Gaiman pleasant as well. The Moore book is so FUN. The reader is fantastic, and I love his word pictures and the characters. Also, for as graphic as I thought it would be, I'm finding him a bit restrained. He suggests things, pretty clearly, but doesn't try to explicitly describe each detail. One phrase which stuck in my head today, The Emperor (a homeless man) and his "men" (his two dogs), were in a taxi, they all three stuck their heads out the window "like moving gargoyles." That made a great picture for me.

I've enjoyed the Christopher Moore books that I've read (3 so far) and do have Bloodsucking Fiends on the tbr shelves. Good to see you enjoying it so much and I should move it further up towards the next read slot.

I enjoyed Bloodsucking Fiends to the last drop, er, word. I really didn't need another series, does Moore write in series? I will have to read another of his works.

Will begin Summer Knight by Jim Butcher tomorrow, the audio with James Marsters. I've already read the book, but this is my year of Dresden, one a month, so I will enjoy it again.

does Moore write in series?

>265 MrsLee: He does have a couple of series (of which Bloodsucking Fiends is the starter for one of them) but also has a lot of stand-alones. He also uses recurring characters throughout his work as well just to confuse matters.

>266 AHS-Wolfy: Guess I'm along for the ride then. I enjoy that he can be cynical without being depressing. A fine line.

Incredibly slow month for reading for me. I managed to finish Old Man's War, which I've commented on in the Spoiler thread for it. I'm still reading the Gaiman book, but find it very depressing and so am happy to leave it as a bathroom book and read it a bit at a time.

I will start Unwilling Accomplice by Charles Todd sometime this week.

I did read 4 children's books, one must do so before one gives them to children, right?

>268 MrsLee: If the Gaiman book you're referring to is Smoke and Mirrors, we have another point of agreement. I happen to like Neil Gaiman, in general (even if not uniformly or indiscriminately), but I don't care for his short story collections, this one or Fragile Things. For me, it wasn't so much that they were depressing as that too many of them just plain missed the mark. They didn't come off. Way too many of them seemed to have been written on an off day.

>269 Meredy: Yep, and for me, too much smut. Smut without a point, really.

>270 MrsLee: Hm. Funny, I don't even remember the smut, gratuitous or otherwise. Guess that's how little it engaged me. What I remember mostly is disappointment, and in several cases "huh?" plus disappointment. I've stuck to the novels ever since.

I think it's rather telling that some number of those stories were written upon request as a contribution to some publication or collection or other. That implies that they weren't developed from a compelling idea and that they probably had a forced deadline. Maybe some pros can deliver well under those conditions, but not everyone can.

>270 MrsLee: Ooh, smut without a point! Looking for a copy...

>272 Jim53: LOL!

As I pondered more, I decided that the stories were very much in the line of some of the authors of the early part of the 1900s. Showing all the grit of humanity with none of the glory.

I began Call the Midwife today, by Jennifer Worth. It is audio for my commute. I'm afraid this is one book I would rather read than listen to its audio. I'm sure the narrator has a fine voice for some things, like children's tales, but not for this book. Her voice is delicate and gentle and light and is irritating the heck out of me! Ah well. The subject matter is very interesting, so I will grit my teeth and prevail.

I take care of a very small library at a local nursing home. One of the caregivers asked a couple of elderly residents what kind of books they would like to have provided, and they both said - in unison - SMUT!

>274 nhlsecord: Yes!

>274 nhlsecord: - LOL!
So, when I think of smut, I'm not thinking of sexual experiences. I'm thinking of drug use, STDs, and hopeless lives described endlessly, leaving the reader sad and despondent and feeling that humanity isn't worth thinking about. Telling in detail the wretchedness of people's existence, and none of the glory. So I think I may be using the word incorrectly, although, if you look at a photo of the fungi called smut, that's sort of what I think of it as in human lives.

Yeah. I think of smut as sexual experiences, too.

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Call the Midwife, Mrs. Lee. I had the same problem with the narrator you're experiencing -- and when I got to the "Mary" chapters I foundered. Haven't been able to finish listening to it.

I definitely thought you meant sex, especially sex handled tastelessly. That's not what I associate with Gaiman.

I think many, even those who have not read it, think the Shades of ...books were smutty. Right? But really dark and gritty and depressing books are called other adjectives - like dark, depressing - right?

>279 Meredy: & >280 maggie1944: - Yes, I think wretched humanity, depraved souls and foul existence are better adjectives. It's starting to make me angry. There was an imaginative and fun story about a little girl whose parents decided to take her to see the end of the world as a family outing and it ends up just being a story about her father beating her mother. In fact, there is no starting about it. This has thoroughly ticked me off. If I weren't so near the end, I would quit. As it is, I will skim. Do you think I will ever pick up another Gaiman short story collection? You can bet on it I won't. In fact, I will think long and hard before I read any more of his work. I'm tired of it.

>278 bjappleg8: I am so sorry to hear that. I very nearly gave up on it today on my drive home, and in fact I may. When I got home I had a headache from her voice! This makes me feel terrible to say that about someone's voice, but to have tragedies about miscarriages, syphilis, and eclampsia read to you in a soft sing-song voice as if you are a two year old is beyond annoying. I think this is a book I need to read myself. I'm giving it one more shot on the way to work tomorrow. If I have a headache when I get there, I will quit reading it.

On the up-side, I am enjoying An Unwilling Accomplice very much and look forward to more of these mysteries!

MrsLee, I am so sorry for your bad luck run in books. You need a happy story. Maybe you'd like the last book I read which was about a young woman living in Tahiti with her French lawyer husband. There were lovely scenes described of floating happily in blue, blue waters and visiting beautiful fish. Let me know if you are interested. It was an Early Reviewer book so I can send it to you, if you are interested.

Have a great Friday!!!

I'm kind of curious, MrsLee, how you would characterize Call the Midwife. One of the blurbs over on Amazon calls it an engaging memoir, but when you reference "miscarriages, syphilis, and eclampsia" as part of the material, I have to wonder. Is this a downer? I'm not watching the PBS series although I think I saw an episode or two so I know about Chummy the debutante who is a disappointment to her mother. I liked her as a character, but I wonder if I wouldn't just find the book distressing?

>283 jillmwo: I don't find the story itself distressing. Yes, it speaks of the very poorest areas of London and the lack of sanitation and health care, but it tells how this is being fought against. It rather reminds me of the James Herriot novels, sad chapters interspersed with humorous or heartwarming ones. Only not so hilarious as his were, and lacking the charming animals. In some ways, the teller of the story seems condescending to those around her like Chummy, but again, I'm not sure whether that is the story itself, or the person reading the book. I rather think it is the reader, because when I read it back to myself in my head, the words are not so condescending, just the reader's tone.

Glad to see you are enjoying Bess!

Bringing us back to the underside of life, ahem, I'm pretty darn sure the kind of smut requested by the residents is the more cheerful sort enjoyed by all of us green eyed, red headed, pertly buxom ladies and our steely jawed, piercingly blue eyed, muscular hunks. That's what we are, right?

These modern romances are a far, far distance from the sweet, lightly sunburned, prettily dressed secretaries who ate a boiled egg and a piece of toast for their suppers, and their steely jawed, grey eyed, rich business men that I used to read about.

Every Friday night, after my day as a secretary and my very substantial supper, I headed out to the nearest corner store to get the latest Harlequins. I loved those books!

Finished Smoke and Mirrors. Like any devious and shifty author, or editor, the best story was at the end. Overall, I liked about 9 of the 30 something stories. Two stories I would have loved if the endings weren't so unfathomable and let-me-downable. So, I suppose that isn't a horrible average for a book of short stories. In fact, when I think about Gaiman's writings, that is about the way I feel overall. I don't love everything he writes. I won't be keeping this though. My daughter probably will.

Think my next bathroom book will be Stories of the Old West: Tales of the Mining Camp, Cavalry Troop, and Cattle Ranch edited by John Seelye. Not because I want to read it so much as I want to stop looking at it on my shelf. Need to give it a fair try before I pass it on. It has stories from many authors I have already read, Bret Hart, Mark Twain, Owen Wister, O'Henry and others, so I may do a lot of skimming.

287> I remember my favorite story being the Snow White retelling. I liked the old woman who bought the Holy Grail as well. Besides that, I can't remember any other stories I liked.

>288 pwaites: Yep, those two were on my "liked" list. :)

Finished An Unwilling Accomplice by Charles Todd, my ER book. I enjoyed it, although it did feel a bit rambly to no purpose in the middle. Here's the interesting thing. Lately, I have had very few surprises in mysteries. Possibly I've read so many that my brain sorts them out automatically? Anyway, I couldn't even figure out for sure what the mystery was here, let alone who done it until almost the last chapter. In that way, it was a novelty and felt good. However, I think that may be why it was slow in the middle. It was still a very pleasant read, and I won't mind looking for the rest of this series. I like Bess, and those around her have potential as well.

I may have to put Rabble in Arms away for now. I find myself doing anything except picking it up to read. I will give it one more good try, but I'm afraid the subject matter isn't holding my attention like it would have done ten years ago.

Last night after about 6:30pm was very slow at the hotel, so I found myself having time to dip into my Kindle. I read Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman. Lovely.
Odin, Thor and Loki find themselves in a bit of a pickle and fall in with Odd. Do they save Odd? Does Odd save them? Perhaps it is a bit of both. Odd is a boy who is on the outside, maimed, bullied and misunderstood. His father is dead, his mother is living with an abusive Viking. Yet his spirit rises above all of this and the strength of it carries him through and makes him the hero of the gods. A delightful story, and one I will probably be giving as a gift at some point in the future. The illustrations, even on a Kindle, are lovely.

I loved Odd when I read it, too. Just a charming story, not heard before so it was fresh and delightful.

I liked Odd and the Frost Giants when I read it some years back. for the way that the hero had to work out the issue for himself, even though he had Odin and Loki as companions. That and the theme of transition (winter to spring, boy to man, etc.) And I liked the illos as well!

Well, I persevered and finished Call the Midwife. Here are my thoughts. One reviewer on Audible compared the narrator's performance to an adult reading a Christmas story to children. Yep. Teeth grindingly annoying.

A Memoir of Birth, Joy and Hard Times is a fair description of this story. This is the story of a young woman at the beginning of her nursing/midwife career and her experiences and observances of the London East End during the 1950s. The telling reminds me of the style of James Herriot and his veterinary novels, interspersing humor with pathos, joy with sadness and telling the story of a people and an age. It is very graphic in places, especially when she describes the prostitution of that time.

I have a very difficult time reviewing this, because I read the audio version. I believe I would have given this book at least four stars for the content and the writing if I had read it in a print version. However, listening to the audio, it was very difficult for me to give it three and a half stars. I am sorry to say that to my ears, the narrator was very unsuitable for this story. She has a soft, sing-song style which would be well suited to a cozy mystery, or a children's fairy tale, but it was very unpleasant to hear the hard details of this story read in such a voice. It made a mockery of it. My teeth would grind as I tried to hear the real story behind the voice reading it. Very unsatisfactory experience, and I could not recommend the audio version of this story to anyone.

I will begin The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey today, after I get my chores done.

Oh, and my next audio will be a reread of Death Masks by Jim Butcher. Can't wait!

Finished The Daughter of Time. Very enjoyable. When I went to my catalog, I discovered that I had read this in 2009 as well. Forgot about that. For some reason, I thought that Grant also solved a modern mystery while he was bedridden, but I suppose I've confused it with some other story.

Will begin Borders of Infinity, which I almost typed as "Boarders of Infinity" which would be a whole other story. :)

I have quit reading Rabble in Arms. Six years ago I would have loved to become immersed in this story, it is well written historical fiction. But at this time, I found myself annoyed with the main characters, and bored with the endless military marches, starvation, deprivation, confused orders, etc. Tedious to me today. So I have put it aside after 130 pages. May it rest in peace.

I know just what you mean, MrsLee. I am much less tolerant of stupid books, written with stupid characters, and boring plots. Well, maybe I never really liked them, but I was just thinking about back in the day when my way of finding a new book to read was to look at the books at the grocery store. Horrors!

I understand too, MrsLee. Many books don't make it to the 2nd chapter before I am skipping to the middle, then the end to see if I was right about the ending. I guess I am just too old.

Finished Borders of Infinity last night, and what a delightful romp it was. However improbable I find Miles' hi-jinx and his wild improvisations, I love going along with the ride. He reminds me very much of Doctor Who. It doesn't matter whether something can be done or not. If it should be done, do it. Save the people. Along with that, he makes me laugh.

Not sure what I will try next, but it may be Consider the Oyster by M.F.K. Fisher.

Earlier this year I tried a reread of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and was profoundly disappointed. One of the things I couldn't understand was why Twain felt the need to be so vituperative and insulting about the culture of medieval England. Today I was reading the introduction to his short stories in the collection I'm reading, Stories of the Old West. It mentions that the above work was written as an oblique and roundabout attack on the ways of the Old South and their mimicry of chivalry. I suppose that makes more sense of the vitriol, if it is true. I do know that Brett Harte and Mark Twain wrote many parody/attack types of stories. I think the time which has passed has taken much of the meaning from them though. The parody Harte wrote of James Fenimore Cooper called "Muck, Muck" was almost unintelligible to me, and slightly offensive, although I have read Cooper's works.

I'm trying to think if that is the way of all satire? Since it is usually written as a reaction to something of its time, does it become meaningless, or perhaps obscure is a better word, further on in history? I'm pretty sure Jonathan Swift isn't meaningless, but that may only be because I've learned of the times it was written. And knowing what Twain was up to in the above work (if that is true) at least makes it understandable, if not enjoyable.

Meanwhile, I've begun Consider the Oyster and it is delightful. I foresee oyster stew in my future, even though her first chapter on the early life of an oyster (a spat until it attaches to something), is poignant and sweet.

>300 MrsLee: I loved the Bing Crosby film of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and was very disappointed in how preachy I found the book when I got round to finally reading it a few years ago. I do not know if my knowing he was writing a satire of the Old South would have helped.

Since it is usually written as a reaction to something of its time, does it become meaningless, or perhaps obscure is a better word, further on in history?

I suggest this depends on how specific the satire is. Currently I am reading some short stories and article by and about Jaroslav Hasek. The satire in his works and deeds appears as valid now as it did in the early 1900s in my opinion. I am seeing things written about politicians that are as relevant today as they were one hundred years ago. Perhaps some things, such as politicians, never change. ;-)

(You may recall that my wife is an aspiring politician so I will not say any more lest I incur the wrath of my nearest and dearest.)

>300 MrsLee: I loved Connecticut Yankee as a youngster, when it was just a time-travel adventure story in a setting I already found fascinating. The satire barely touched me; instead, it was simply humor. (And if there was preachiness, well, for one of my religious upbringing, it probably didn't register as remarkable.) Sounds like that's a good one not to revisit, but if I do, I now know to look for an allegory of the Old South.

Some satire is more deeply rooted in time and place than others. Those that take on universal themes, such as political power-seeking, religious hypocrisy, or the age-old battle of the sexes don't depend on a knowledge of history to make their point.

I'm having FUN today! Between cooking and washing clothes, I'm working through one of my bookcases of TBR books. I have thrown three away (falling apart, missing pages I didn't discover until I tried to catalog them) and am taking five to the hotel which I decided I don't care if I ever read. I am on the shelf about two Irwin Shaw books. I have heard good things about him, and the subject matter sounds interesting, but I've never tried reading him before. I'll keep them for awhile. For the rest, I have entered them into LT with proper info and covers, stamped them with my LT stamp and gold ink, and cleaned off the dust and cobwebs. One shelf out of three so far. This is one bookcase out of lots. :)

I did pull out a favorite book from my other shelf The Little World of Don Camillo, which I discovered hadn't been entered on LT and have decided it will be the next book I read, a reread. Because I found another of his on this shelf which I want to read Don Camillo Takes the Devil by the Tail. And, a book for Christmas to read The Cat Who Came for Christmas. Who knows what will happen when I do another shelf!

By the way, spiderwebs are very hard to get off of books.

I've been having that kind of fun lately, too. I'm sorting and opreorganizing my TBR shelves in particular. Right now the books are in different piles on the floor, based on how badly I want to read them. I need to discard some of the "maybe someday" ones to make room for new ones. It's hard to let go of a book that I haven't read yet, though. But it's so much fun sorting them!

I gained about 2' on my bookcase! Nine books are going to the hotel sharing library, two are going to Friends of the Library and three into the recycle bin. Also found one new bookmark with a lighthouse on it. :)

Hopefully I will get some reading done tomorrow.

I finished Consider the Oyster today. Not only was it a delightful, relaxing and amusing read, it also triggered many happy family moments with my grandmother, mother and brother. The little casserole of oyster stuffing at Thanksgiving for those few of us who loved it, and the massive one of sausage dressing for the rest. The wonderful canned, smoked oysters in my stocking for Christmas, which were mine to eat alone and not share! The breakfasts and lunches with my brother and mother of Hangtown Fry, or simply fried oysters (made the way my grandmother made them, dipped in flour, beaten eggs and crushed cracker crumbs, then fried quickly in butter, never overcooked). Especially the vacation in Baja California where mom and grandma (the only ones to appreciate raw oysters) plucked them out of the sea and we feasted on scallops (which my brothers brought back from diving) and oysters.

So, like a great meal is more than the food eaten, this book was more than the words in it. The author's remembrances would bring back my own and we could mingle and enjoy them together.

Next up, The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi, which will be a re-read for me.

MrsLee, you are making me hungry for oysters. Some one of these days on Kuau'i we will be having fresh fish taco! I do love my sea food.

Yesterday as a reread, I finished The Little World of Don Camillo by Giovanni Guareschi. It is a marvel. I adore the characters in it, and I am amazed at the depth of the world which is created with very simple story telling. We never hear about what the characters are thinking, but through their actions, we know them. I laughed through many of the stories, but I had forgotten how deadly serious the book becomes at the end. Guareschi was not writing to amuse, but it was his cover, and a good one.

Remember how disgusted I was with Gaiman's writings and portrayal of the human condition? Well, Guareschi is the exact opposite. He certainly shows the ugly side of humanity, but right along side of that is the beauty of humanity in the very strained relationship of the Communist Mayor of the town, Peppone, and the priest of the town, Don Camillo. They butt heads and war on ideology, but when it comes right down to it, they look out for each other and the town they live in. I adore the conversations between the Christ on the crucifix and Don Camillo and the relationship they have.

The darkness comes suddenly at the end when Peppone realizes that an ideology with which he is unfamiliar, a cold and ruthless one, is creeping into the Party and he is being surrounded by Comrades with no heart for those with differing views.

I'm looking forward to starting the other Guareschi book I have, Don Camillo Takes the Devil by the Tail.

>308 MrsLee:

Book bullet!

>308 MrsLee: I think the same bullet passed through @suitable1 and hit me.

I was trying to take one for you!

>311 suitable1: Your efforts are appreciated. If it is any consolation I think I only suffered a flesh wound. You must be in a much worse condition than I am. I will remember you always.

I have shot you both in good faith and confidence and have no guilt. :D

An Armadillo in Paris by Julie Kraulis. This was an ER book which arrived today. It is for children, and the illustrations are lovely. It is full of little facts about Paris and the "Iron Lady," in fact, we are asked to guess who the Iron Lady is throughout the book as more clues are revealed. I just can't imagine the child this is aimed at, in America anyway. The cute of it will make the story swallow-able, but how many children of an age to read picture books have any idea whatsoever of what "Paris" or "France" is? Ah well, it may incite a whole new generation of Francophiles and help the travel economy.

>313 MrsLee: Thus spake
the hospitality industry.

:)

>306 MrsLee: I'm hungry for oysters too, now, MrsLee. My mother used to make oyster stew for herself for a snack (too many kids to make a meal of it) and she'd give me just a little of the broth. I was terrified of the oysters! I'm not now, though. Well, maybe the raw ones.

It's funny how thinking of my childhood makes me want to eat certain things even if I hated them when I was young. Now eating those things brings my mother back to me.

>317 nhlsecord: True that. Although, I doubt I will ever miss liver. :) I do however, want to give raw oysters a fair try. That won't happen until I am in a place where they are for sure fresh and there is someone with me who knows what they are doing.

Finished Death Masks last night. I really like that one. I haven't read much the last few days due to busy, and company and watching The Desolation of Smaug.

>318 MrsLee: How I wish the pub's magic carpet was still roadworthy! I'd whisk you off to Knysna in the blink of an eye, and we'd make up a party to go to an oyster restaurant overlooking the farm!

I love raw oysters!

>318 MrsLee: The first time I had oysters, and I have only ever had them raw, was on the north coast of Brittany. We were on the shore where the oysters were being brought ashore from the oyster beds that we could see in front of us.

They are lovely with a good pint of Guinness.

I would love to try them with any one, or all of you! My one and only experience was in a bar at a Disneyland Hotel restaurant. My second anniversary. OH and I had drunk a bottle of champagne in the room, then we had a seafood appetizer tray at the bar while we waited for the table. All I remember is the texture (not great). I didn't know if I was supposed to chew it (a bit daunting) or just swallow (what's the point?).

So, I'm thinking of the books I want to take on my vacation. I've loaded up my Audible version of Bird Sense by Tim Birkhead for OH and I to listen to in the car. Not sure it will work so well for both of us to listen because the Kindle speaker isn't so hot, neither is the separate speaker I bought for the purpose. My car is not great for this due to road noise. The one failing my Esperanza has.

I'm going to take Don Camillo Takes the Devil by the Tail, easy little chapters of short stories. I will also have my Kindle, so, there are the many books there I can choose from. I think that will do me. I gave away my netbook, so not internet dawdling on my trip, although I will have my smart phone, it is set up with my work FB account and such, so I won't bother to try to get online. Need a break, anyway.

For the most part, I intend to read, be by the ocean as much as possible, and take walks with my darling. And eat. We like to eat. Sad thing is, even though we are going to a place known for its fishing, I don't think there is one good seafood restaurant there.

I hope you have a lovely vacation, MrsLee!

>323 MrsLee: I hope you have a fantastic time.

>I would love to try them with any one, or all of you!

On the subject of oysters I am sure you have heard the story of the couple on their honeymoon dining in their hotel. Just in case you have not...

The honeymoon couple sat at their table contemplating the menu. They could not decide what to have. A waiter approached the couple and asked if he could be of assistance.

The new bride explained that they were trying to choose something suitable for their dinner but were at a loss. The waiter, knowing the couple to be on their honeymoon, suggested a number of romantic sounding dishes, and then struck upon the idea of oysters. He explained that they are supposed to be aphrodisiacs.

The wife decided to have salad but ordered one dozen oysters for her husband.

The following morning the wife came down to breakfast by herself and appeared to be in very bad form. The same waiter was on duty.

"Is everything alright, madam? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"You have done enough already, thank you very much!" she replied rather curtly.

"I am sorry, madam, I am at a loss. Have I done something wrong to offend you?"

"Oysters!" she said. "Aphrodisiacs indeed!"

"I am sorry, madam. Did they not work?" asked the waiter.

"Only five of them worked!"

>325 pgmcc: :D I had not heard it.

>325 pgmcc: Ha!!

MrsLee, you also might enjoy The Oysters of Locmariaquer by Eleanor Clark.

>327 Marissa_Doyle: You think you can just waltz in here, shoot me with a bookbullet and leave?! Sheesh. The nerve. Well, you hit me, that sounds fascinating, and yes, it is now on my wishlist!

I am home from my trip. It was blissful. Rained most of the time, but we sat on the balcony outside our room and watched the waves roll in. When that became uncomfortable, we moved inside, left the door cracked open and still watched the ocean, since that whole wall was a window. I walked on the beach, sat and listened and gazed and restored my batteries. I also managed to finish three books.

Don Camillo Takes the Devil by the Tail - Amusing, but not as endearing as the first one.

The Bowstring Murders by Carr Dickson otherwise known as John Dickson Carr - There are no characters in Carr's mysteries I want to revisit, but they suit the "mystery" craving I have now and then. Not sure why the touchstone for the book comes up with the author of "Carter Dickson" unless it is yet another pen name for Carr.

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley - Enjoyed this very much, not because it is great, but because I really do love Flavia de Luce.

I managed to eat oysters every day! Some better than others, all delicious. Was going to bring home some raw ones, but the shop wasn't open in time. :/ Will post some photos if any of them are at all decent. I'm a pretty casual and lazy when it comes to taking photos.

>328 MrsLee: I am delighted you had a good break and managed to get some reading done. I trust the oysters all worked.

:-)

>328 MrsLee: I'm glad you had a nice trip, MrsLee, it sounds very good. I'm jealous of that window overlooking the ocean...

>329 pgmcc: :)~~~~~

Staring at the ocean - yes, I was doing that too, and the same ocean. I was on the southwest corner of Kaua'i looking at the Pacific, while you were also looking west at the Pacific. I did not see you, but I imagine if I'd take my eyes off the surfer boys, I might have.

I'm also reading like a demon. Two books bought and read. And others on the Kindle. Yay!

ETA: oh, yeah, if I'm looking out from the southwest corner of Kaua'i, I'd probably see China before I'd see you on the Oregon coast. Oh, well. It is raining here tonight, so I can say I'm thinking of you.

We arrive in Seattle on Tuesday morning, early, after a red-eye flight. Sad face.

>332 maggie1944: It's a beautiful ocean, looking east or west. Your trip sounds lovely, I'm glad you have been enjoying it.

>332 maggie1944: >333 MrsLee: Certainly Melissa's (Daughter's) pictures of Sydney-looking-east show a beautiful ocean.

I'm pretty stoked. Just purchased the audio book, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, a Novel by A.J. Hartley and David Hewson, narrated by Richard Armitage. I really enjoyed their Macbeth version and I can't wait to read this.

But before I can listen to it, I have to either finish or discard Bird Sense: What it's Like to be a Bird by Tim Birkhead. My husband and I tried to listen to it on our trip, but gave up after an hour. So far it seems to me that all the author is talking about is how wonderful it is to be a scientist, how wonderful scientists are and how wonderful that he decided to write this book about bird senses. Nothing about birds yet! I'm gonna give him another hour maybe, and if he doesn't get to the meat of the reason I bought the book (to learn about birds), I'll quit. Hamlet is calling me, and he makes more sense than this other book.

Oh! Oh! My book on Colorado pioneers finally sold on eBay! Not for much, but enough that it makes me feel good to pass it on.

Think I'll try Twenty Years at Hull-House by Jane Adams for my armchair book. My daughter says it is dry, but I am interested in the history of it.

My reading has been put aside for a bit. Daughter put me on to "The Bletchley Circle" a BBC production of a murder mystery series. The premise is what happened to these amazing women who were code breakers after the war was finished? I am loving it, and only sorry that like Sherlock, it has so few episodes per season. I have two more to watch, and then it is OVER! At least until the next (is there a next?) season comes out on Netflix. I love it for both the mystery and the history. Although I would like to kick the women sometimes for their naivety. I can only assume they have never worked in a hotel and so don't realize that people are not to be trusted. ;)

>336 MrsLee: oooh, tv bullet! I must have missed this completely when it was on the BBC, and it sounds fascinating. Time to go a-hunting (as we're not on Netflix).

>336 MrsLee: and >337 imyril:, you can find the episodes over on PBS (http://video.pbs.org/program/bletchley-circle/). As I understand it, you can stream all of the episodes from there.

>338 jillmwo: I don't know about that, all I'm seeing are previews, not full episodes.

>336 MrsLee: I've never run across a novel or drama somehow tied into Bletchley, Enigma, or Turing that wasn't fascinating.

As for TV series, though, and especially BBC series, I try to wait until the program is all over, finished, canceled and complete, and then I binge-run through the entire series with Netflix. Hope I can remember that one when it's done.

>340 Meredy: I frequently do that too. At least with this show, it seems to have some natural stopping points. The first season, 3 shows was a complete trilogy. In the second season, the first two shows were a complete story and the second two shows were a complete story. It would be good for continuity to see them in order though.

>340 Meredy: & >341 MrsLee: A few years ago I bought my wife the complete boxed set of The West Wing for Christmas. She binge viewed all 157 episodes in under two weeks. It was not uncommon at 03:30 hours to hear her say, "Sure one more episode won't hurt us."

>342 pgmcc: Ah yes, those words have been uttered by this person at around that time when binge watching also. Although, since I've begun working they are not heard as often.

We binge-watched 3 seasons of The Walking Dead, and then we didn't need to watch any more.

>344 nhlsecord: After that you probably were the walking dead.

>342 pgmcc: Now, that was a successful Christmas present!

>343 MrsLee: Do you like to read through a series the same way?

>346 Meredy: I have been known to do so, especially when I was younger. But now, for the most part, I savor my favorite authors like a special candy. Saving up their works until I really need a for-sure good read. It's sort of like eating the yucky (or not wildly yummy) stuff on your plate first. No, it isn't, because that is not how I eat any more. I eat the good stuff first, then the other stuff if I'm still hungry. The first analogy of special candy was best. Time was, I used them as motivation to get chores done. I don't do that any more either. I pretty much just do what I want to do, except I have to go to work to afford it. ;)

>345 pgmcc: Well, we didn't feel like eating for a while, at least. We felt much better after binge-watching Firefly. We should do that again!

>348 nhlsecord: We just started watching Firefly. We saw the first pilot last week. I found the main character too dour but otherwise liked it.

>348 nhlsecord: >349 Morphidae: I love Firefly! Who do you consider to be the main character, Morphidae? Mal?

>350 zjakkelien: Yeah, sorry. I should have said the leader.

>349 Morphidae: I think Mal grows as a character, but his is the role of disillusioned war veteran who was on the losing side. I ended up liking him, but it took awhile.

>349 Morphidae: >353 zjakkelien: I liked Mal from the start. Sure, his morals can be a bit questionable, but his heart is in the right place, even when he's acting like an ass. I think the oddity of characters is part of what makes the series great. They are a bunch of misfits, working together. Such a shame there is only one series... And I'm very glad they made the movie to finish things up.

>353 zjakkelien: "Such a shame there is only one series"

Hear! Hear!

I am laboring under two books which are interesting enough that I don't want to give them up, but I feel like I am wading through deep sludge to finish them. Sigh.

The Bird Sense one is detailed in the extreme. It said it was written for amateurs, well I suppose I'm whatever is before amateur. Mildly interested maybe? I think the information is the sort I would rather read in a glossy magazine with color photos and charts and graphs and little paragraphs to explain. However, I'm on the 5th sense, so there can't be much more, right? I think birds have one or two more senses than we do.

The book about Settlement houses is interesting, I didn't even know about that movement, but I wish it had more examples from life there instead of lofty idealism and convictions. I'm going to start skimming and may give up.

>353 zjakkelien: et al., I liked all the characters and the society too. I especially liked Adam Baldwin as Jayne, when he was drugged.

We'll definite have to watch that again. We have an excellent reason - we have hurt our backs by cleaning upholstery.

Spareribs, baked potatoes and Firefly. Sounds good to me.

I finished Bird Sense by Tim Birkhead today, finally! YMMV It was interesting enough that I didn't want to give up on it, but pedantic and hard to be enthusiastic about. Still, interesting.

Happily, I have a fun listen now, Blood Rites by Jim Butcher. Love me my Dresden Files.

I've decided to take a sabbatical from reading. At least for the rest of the month. I don't know how I will feel in January.
I gave up on Twenty Years at Hull House. It is interesting to see the some of the beginnings of Social Services in America and how they came about, but it is depressing as well. This book leans heavily on the philosophy of it all, since Ms. Addams was trying to do something good without being branded or claimed by Communists, Socialists, Conservatives or Christians. She walked a lonely road, and I admire her for that. However, my brain is not in the place to enjoy or even comprehend her speech of the late 1890s, early 1900s. I think I would have enjoyed more of the day to day stories of how the project worked, rather than the ideals.

I am also giving up on The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Amory. I began it thinking it would be a lighthearted story of a man and his cat which would suit the Christmas season. Although it can be amusing in places, I find the writing of Amory to be affected? pontificating? It is like sitting at the dinner table with an inebriated uncle who wants to have center stage and air all of his views. Perhaps that is too harsh. There are long, long convoluted sentences which have nothing to do with cats, his cat or anything except his hobby horses. Harsh again. Yet, I think I could have enjoyed this at one time or another, the man uses language well and can be amusing as I said before. Once again, my brain has no patience for this right now.

I am suddenly down by two on my workforce, one with a terrible sudden incapacitating illness, Miller/Fischer disease. The other begins maternity leave on the 18th. Christmas is coming. We now have four people, including myself, to cover work at the hotel 24 hours, 7 days a week, through the holidays. Yeah, my brain hurts. So, I will continue my audio books to and from work, I still have my book of Western short stories for the bathroom, but for my sitting and relaxing times, I'm hitting up Netflix. Right now I'm really enjoying Anthony Bourdain's "Parts Unknown" series. It takes me far away, highlights the food, beautiful cinematography. That's the ticket. Tomorrow's episode in Season 2 will be in South Africa, so I shall be thinking of my friend, hfglen.

>358 MrsLee: Take care! I will be thinking of you at this busy time of year.

(((((Lee)))))

If you get the time, do please tell where Mr Bourdain goes and what he sees. And if I need to make a plan to see it myself.

Ah, I think Bourdain provides excellent escape. He fearlessly wanders into all sorts of interesting corners of the world. I'm not sure I would like him, in person, as he's a pretty rough character, but I do love his adventures doing things I would never feel comfortable doing.

I hope your work challenges last only a short time!

Take care MrsLee. I sympathize with you in your work situation, I've been in a similar mess but I think maybe I'm not as strong as you ;). The military is not the only source of PTSD!

Hope you can get some more staff soon to help out at work. Rest your brain when you can.

>358 MrsLee: That sounds very difficult. I'm sorry. And what a terrible ailment Miller-Fischer sounds like! I never heard of it before, but I looked it up. I'm wishing you and your crew all the strength and endurance you need--and hope maybe you can find a temporary worker to help out.

One of my favorite chill-out movies is "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Another, which I haven't seen in a long time, is "Jumping Jack Flash." Maybe it's time to watch them again.

Thank you all for your concern. The blessing of course is that the workers I have left are gemstones of the highest quality, so we will make it, and shine under pressure.

>360 hfglen: - Here are my scribbled impressions. It was rather political. Bourdain was pretty honest about the fact that he went to South Africa with a lot of preconceived ideas and notions and came away with questions and food for thought. It surprised him.

He began in Johannesburg, then went to Soweto, a band called the Black Jacks was highlighted, as well as "soccer" Do you call it soccer, or football? They took him to a place called Mawilies Inn, a small home really, with 6 tables and some space in the backyard. It closes when grandma comes to visit. They were served "Smilies" (fire roasted sheep heads), pap (a sort of grits kind of dish, or polenta), stewed beef, dumplings, greens and other veggies, and gravy.

For these other places, you may have to guess what I mean, because they weren't spelled out so I was depending on my hearing which can be fickle.

Youville in Johannesburg, Sansa was the chef I think (my notes are fickle also), he was a man who likes to go around learning to cook from all the "aunties" of different ethnicities. His restaurant is a tiny place, you walk up to the counter and order your food, there is no place inside, it is a counter on the street and the sign above said "Food." They ate egusi and beef made with melon and pumpkin seeds and lots of other small lovely samples of foods from all over.

Then he went to Hillbrow which was described as a very dangerous place which may or may not be recovering, depending on who you talk to. He was guided by DJ Lez, they ate at Sympathy restaurant and were served fried chicken, greens and pap.

He highlighted the taxis and how the drivers watched for the hand signals of people to know where they were going and if they should stop. The taxi driver stopped under a bridge where lots of people were grilling meats to sell to the drivers on their breaks. Served with fresh chilies and salt. Yum.

In Pretoria he ate biltong, a chef who runs a restaurant called The Leopard took him around places. I think they ate at a place called Maters? (Fickle notes) Then they went to a butcher shop place where they picked out their meat which was grilled for them and served with monkey sauce, which we were told was a bbq sauce not made out of monkeys. They went hunting saw lots of animals and shot an eland! Then they ate it. This was at a game farm either called Baily, or Prospero, or the Prospero Baily Family Farm. I was confused. They ate paprikash.

I wrote down "observatory neighborhood" then bunny chow, chutney, panang curry and samosas.

Is there a "Brown" Fontaine? If not, it was Bloemfontein, but it sounded like he said brown. They went through the neighborhood market and had a buffalo burger for breakfast. I think he said buffalo, not sure, but it was meat. :)

There, report finished. It was an interesting episode, but I enjoy your travelogues as much or more, Hugh.

About the sabbatical from reading in December. I'm not sure I can stick to that. When I arrived home last night I found my ER book, Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King. I managed not to crack it open last night, but don't know how long I can hold out.

Just a note, a highlight at work the other day, our wifi passwords at the hotel are mostly my favorite author's names, I did allow other staff to nominate their favorites as well. The usual response I get from folks we tell the wifi password to is that "third eye" look. But the other day when I told a woman that it was "Dorothy L. Sayers" she said, "What a wonderful author!" Later, as she was checking out, she asked if she could take The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry home with her. The answer of course is yes. Then she asked "Who is responsible for all these lovely books here?" :D I love her, she is my new favorite guest.

Thank you, Lee! We call it both soccer and football. The suburb is Yeoville, and yes, he seems to have gone to a number of distinctly dodgy parts of town. Restaurants tend to come and go like mayflies, so I can't comment on the one in Pretoria. I see by googling that there's a game farm belonging to a certain Prospero Bailey -- way richer than anybody I know! Observatory neighbourhood and the foods you mention would fit for Durban. Despite the usually overcast skies, Durban had (until WW2, roughly) an observatory just below the top of Berea Ridge, about five minutes' walk almost straight up from where I used to work. The next street above has a number of good Indian restaurants where you'd find all those foods, bunny chows having been invented in Durban. And almost certainly Bloemfontein; the buffalo burger would be no surprise from there. The Free State is noted for being home to disease-free wild animals of various kinds, notably buffalo. (The Kruger Park and adjacent Lowveld has various endemic tropical stock diseases which can't survive a cold winter, and so Lowveld animals may not be moved; Free State animals are much more useful.) Thank you for the kind comment about the trip reports!

Thank you for the insider's view. :)

I keep looking at my ER copy of Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King, thinking it is worth breaking my reading sabbatical for. I'm going to take it to work tonight to read in the quiet down times, which practically guarantees that it will be an incredibly busy night. Either way, I win, because if I get to read, I know it will be good and if it is incredibly busy, the night will go by fast.

>369 MrsLee: I am SO jealous...of your having Dreaming Spies to read, not of your guaranteed busy night. :)

>369 MrsLee: Good thinking! I hope you'll get the chance to read...

I will be hoping to hear your feedback on Dreaming Spies as well. And don't worry about whether or not you can read this month. Sometimes real life has to intrude! But I've faith that you'll manage it all at work with grace and serenity and that you'll be back immersed in reading during 2015

MrsLee, when you finally do get to read, it will feel SO GOOD!! I'm almost jealous that you will have that feeling. Almost almost anyway ;)

>370 Marissa_Doyle:, >371 zjakkelien:, >372 jillmwo: and >373 nhlsecord: I have begun! I am very pleased that the ER version is large, the type is well spaced so it is easy on my eyes and it seems rather a gentle read so far. The action is very slim, and some might say it could lend itself to tedium if it weren't for all the wonderful bits about Japan. Funny, I never thought of Mary Russell as a blond with blue eyes, though I believe the author has said so before this, my brain image will not accommodate that. Brown hair, dark eyes and that is that. It seems a simpler story than some of the earlier books, as have the past two or three Russell novels.

Finished Blood Rites today. Tomorrow I will begin The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson which is a very short story. After that I think I will listen to Inkspell.

I will finish the Holmes and Russell novel this month, but not tonight I think.

Received a text from son tonight, he is now engaged! :)

Great news! When is the wedding? Will it be a formal do? I must get tux dry cleaned. What dates should I keep clear? I do so love weddings.

I hope he and his special one are very happy and I wish them well.

>376 MrsLee: congratulations!

congrats!

Wow, congratulations, Mrs. Lee!

Congratulations - what lovely news!

Loads of happiness to all concerned!

Congratulations! Very best wishes to them!

Very heartfelt best wishes for everyone involved! Whoo hooo

Thank you, all! Wedding date still to be determined, so you have plenty of time, >377 pgmcc:! :)

I hope you have been able to relax amongst all the stress of work. Congratulations on the engagement!

I so enjoyed the Inkheart series.

Finished Dreaming Spies. It did not move or shake me, there was very little suspense or sense of danger or action, yet it was an enjoyable read. Perhaps it seemed gentler and more subdued because Russell and Holmes were more like observers, the events and actions were happening around them, but not really affecting them. I very much enjoyed being submersed in Japan of the early 1900s, after the first world war, but before the second. An interesting time. This was a 4 star read for me, one I can see myself reading again in the future if only for the quietness of it and the familiar characters.

Will finish The Snow Queen today, it will be a 3 star experience for me. Quaint, but not moving, glad to have read it kind of thing.

Some recent children's books I have purchased and read (these must be read before giving as gifts, just as one tests the temperature of the milk before giving the bottle).
The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton, a boardbook - 4*
The Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, a boardbook - 5*
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell (creator of Mutts), hardcover - 4*

This concludes my reading for this year. I am still reading the Stories of the West, I will probably begin listening to Inkheart today, but I won't be finishing any more books this year. I'll try to post my statistics before the end of the year, but it takes patience and alertness of brain to cross-check them all, not to mention time, none of which I seem to have much of right now. :)

Enjoy Inkheart - hope you enjoy it!

I also got The Snow Queen when Audible was giving it away. I probably won't read it now until next December. I was rather surprised that it is over an hour long.

The Going to Bed Book was one of the regulars that I read to the kids when they were small. Sandra Boynton's books are so much fun to read.

Among the Andersen stories, "The Snow Queen" is by far the longest. That and "The Little Sea-Maid" were my favorites, stories I lovingly read and reread in this very old edition (http://www.librarything.com/work/7779039/book/100656711) that I treasure to this day, a gift to my mother from her father when she was a little girl. The archaic language was part of what I adored about them. And I hate what Disney did to them.

>376 MrsLee: congratulations! What a lovely way to round out the year.

Thank you!

Congratulations on your son's engagement!!! Was this an anticipated thing? (Translation: Was your phone on in expectation of getting such a text message?)

You must be a happy, happy mom!!

>393 jillmwo: A rather long anticipated thing! I come from the olden days when couples announced their engagement and got married before the moved in (usually). These two have been living together since 2010. So, we knew it was coming, but not quite when. Personally, I don't get all the excitement of the engagement, but they are very excited, and I will just go along with that! :) I love them both, so I am happy.

That's the important part.

Here are my statistics for the end of this reading year. The books are under my 2014 tag.

81 Fiction - 45 Nonfiction = Total 126

Mystery: 25
Fantasy: 21
Fiction: 28
Graphic Novel:
Drama: 1
Children: 19
eBook: 15
Audio: 32
Short Stories: 6
Omnibus: 1
Scifi: 6
Comics: 2
Humor: 9
Poetry: 1
Pamphlet: 2
YA: 4
Cookbook: 8
Nonfiction: 45
Reread: 11
Unfinished: 14

Ratings:
Loved it, will probably reread, definitely keep***** 14
Liked it lots, will recommend, possibly keep to loan**** 40
Liked it, will probably not keep*** 50
Didn't like it, but others might** 21
Hated it, probably didn't finish, would like to shred* 1

A WHOLE lot more nonfiction this year than in years past. Also a lot more "unfinished" and 2* ratings. My star ratings reflect my satisfaction with the book, not its literary qualities. I would say that overall I had a good reading year.

That's a nice broad range of reading, MrsLee. And 14 five-star books is great. I wish I'd had that many. Have also been hoping to hear that our younger son is engaged, but not yet ;-)

I'm stealing some of your stat categories for my own year end report! Great report and an overall good reading year it looks like. I love your 1 star description - would like to shred - have had a few of those over the years.

>397 Jim53: Thanks!

>398 mysterymax: Feel free, pretty sure I have gleaned lots of them from other LT members over the years. :)