MichiganTrumpet (Marianne) 2014 Challenge Part 6

Chihuly. Just because I think it's one of the best pictures I've ever taken. And it's pretty.

Newbie to the 75 Book Challenge and posting on LT. Looking forward to a great year!




1. The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl
2. I Am Half Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
3. The Last Dead Girl by Harry Dolan
4. Transatlantic by Colum McCann
5. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
6. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
7. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
8. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
9. Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon
10. And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
11. The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew -- Three Women Search For Understanding by Ranya Idliby.
12. Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin
13. Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
14. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
15. The Remedy, Robert Koch, Arthur Conan Doyle and the Quest to Cure Tuberculosis by Thomas Goetz
16. Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink
17. Sous Chef by Michael Gibney
18. Double Cross by Ben McIntyre
19. Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber
20. Agent Zigzag by Ben McIntyre
21. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
22. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
23. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
24. When a Child is Born by Jodi Taylor
25. Longbourn by Jo Baker
26. Phantom by Jo Nesbo
27. The Tigers of '68: Baseball's Last Real Champions by George Cantor
28. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
29. The Map Thief by Michael Blanding
30. Bella Fortuna by Rosanna Chiofalo
31. Skios by Michael Frayn
32. Murder in Sentier by Cara Black
33. The Foolish Gentlewoman by Margery Sharp
34. Police by Jo Nesbo
35. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
36. After the Quake by Haruki Murakami
37. Enon by Paul Harding
38. Murder at the Lanterne Rouge by Cara Black
39. Clover Adams: A Gilded and Heartbreaking Life by Natalie Dykstra
40. Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff
41. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
42. Famous Baby by Karen Rizzo
43. The Bat by Jo Nesbo
44. The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
45. Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
46. American Heiress by Dsisy Goodwin
47. The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally

32. Murder in the Sentier by Cara Black
3.5 stars



Volume three in the Aimee Leduc series. The book opens when beautiful young PI Aimee Leduc receives an unexpected and mysterious visit. A woman, just released from 20 years in prison claims to have been a radical compatriot and jail cellmate of Leduc's disappeared mother. In exchange for a large sum of cash, the woman will hand over notebooks and writings left behind by the mother. Just as they are to meet again, the woman is shot and killed. As the bodies and danger pile up, Leduc races across the Sentier district of Paris, trying to solve the crime, learn more about her mother and keep her business afloat. A fast read. I have been taking the series out of order as they become available through the library. Hasn't been a problem for me, but others might want to read these in order.

I've got the first Cara Black that I keep putting off reading. I need to get around to it.

>4 thornton37814: Hi Lori! I'm finding they are fast reads. I've been taking them completely out of order as I come across them at the library. I should probably get the first one eventually!

Hope you have a great weekend!

This one is all due to the book warbling of Linda (Laytonwoman3rd)

33. The Foolish Gentlewoman by Margery Sharp
4 stars



E.F. Benson anticipated readers might view his books in small town settings as a tempest in a teapot: "but if you happen to be living in the teapot too, a storm is just as upsetting as a gale on the high seas." So, too for this lovely 1948 domestic dramedy by Margery Sharp. Set at the close of WWII, we chance upon the inhabitants of Chipping Lodge. Its mistress is Isabel Brocken, who has opened her home to a curmudgeonly single brother-in-law, a young nephew newly de-mobbed, a lovely personal assistant and a caretaker widow with her young daughter. Newly widowed herself and at loose ends, Mrs. Brocken (taken with a chance comment in an otherwise boring sermon) has decided to make amends for an ancient slight to a distant cousin. The fallout spells both disaster to her family and friends and high comedy for us lucky readers.

I love that the elderly main characters are written with such warmth. The humor is both gentle and sly. Hidden within the comedy is a perceptive wink -- we all know or have met the ditzy determined aunt or the set-in-his-ways bachelor know-it-all. A lovely read.

Marianne!! The Chihuly photo is swoon-worthy! So so so lovely.

Happy new thread, and some good good reads to celebrate. Linda3rd smacked me in the chops with that Margery Sharp too. It's a lovely, lovely read that I space out with rougher fare. Quite restorative.

LOVE the thread topper photo! What Richard said.

And you hit me with two book bullets right out of the blocks - way to go!

>7 richardderus: Thanks Richard for the compliment!

Margery Sharp seemed to capture a small world and inhabit it with lovely thoughts.

That Linda3rd has a *lot* to answer for. (Besides being wonderful, of course.)

>8 Crazymamie: Hello Mamie! Thanks for stopping in! I know things have been busy for you at Pecan Paradiso.

*Polishes fingers on lapel* Yup! We aims ta pleez.

34. Police by Jo Nesbo
4 stars



Author Jo Nesbo has certainly hit his stride in his tenth volume of the Henry Hole series. After the cliffhanger at the end of the preceeding Phantom, I rushed into this one. Up to now, I've been reading these in a haphazard any-order-will-do fashion. Not so here. Phantom and Police should be read in tandem.

A serial killer has hit the streets of Oslo. Gruesomely, the murderer is focused on unsolved prior murders, killing investigating officers at the scene and in style reminiscent of their prior failure. A new Police Chief and changing City Council are hard put to deal with this political hot potato.

Anything more would surely give too much away. Nesbo ratchets up the tension as he hops from one fraught scenario to another, leaving red herrings and dead bodies in his wake. I can truly say I was fooled almost to the very end. And that doesn't happen too often.

Oh, how I love Harry Hole! I have fallen behind in that series, and you are reminding me that I need to get back to it. I am ready for The Snowman, but I have all of the books, waiting so patiently for me.

What a lovely photo, Marianne.

>12 Crazymamie: I feel the same way Mamie! I have The Bat in the batter's box for the weekend!

>13 CDVicarage: Welcome Kerry. And thank you!

I've just gone and starred your thread. I see we've been doing a lot of the same reading this year (although you've done far more than I have...)

Hope you have a great weekend.

35. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
3.5 stars



How have I managed to get this far in life without reading ANY Agatha Christie? Came across this lovely audiobook quite by chance at the library and set about to rectify the omission. So glad that I did.

The first of the Hercule Poirot novels, we meet the fastidious Belgian detective and his upright friend, Arthur Hastings. Hastings is visiting his good friend John Cavendish and his lovely wife Mary. Of course, nothing is ever as it seems. In typical country house mystery fashion, the doyenne of the manor is apparently poisoned, right before the appalled family's eyes leaving a house full of suspects. The Cavendish family quickly enlists Arthur's little foreign detective friend to investigate.

Charmingly narrated by Penelope Dellaporta, the mystery rips right along. Her clipped English tones helped keep David Suchet's voice out of my head.

Happy New Thread, Marianne!
Kenyon College has a Chihuly chandelier-type sculpture in the foyer to their auditorium and I miss looking up at it on a weekly basis.
And yay for Christie!!

Thanks Amber! I would love to see the Kenyon Chandelier.

Such a Dopey Dopester -- No Christie until now? Glad I've cured that character flaw! :-P

Whelp. The end to a weird week. Little work emergencies and lots of traveling to far off parts of the state.

On Wednesday, found myself trapped (Trapped! I say!) without Iphone or Ipad and NOOO audiobook to listen to all the way out and back to the Western part of the state. I can hear you all breaking out into a sweat from here, just imagining it.

Yesterday, while tooling through a drive thru, didn't realize the top wasn't positioned correctly. Yup. Half a coffee spilled all over my lap. White trousers, of course. Fortunately, Honey Dew Donuts doesn't brew their coffee too hot...

Today, the seconds have ticked by sooooo slowly. I consoled myself by lots of typing on LT getting caught up on mini reviews. I'm sure none of you have ever done that!

5:00 and I'm out of here! Sometimes work is just a handy way to pay the bills.

lol!

>19 michigantrumpet: (Trapped! I say!) without Iphone or Ipad and NOOO audiobook to listen to all the way out and back to the Western part of the state
I would like to ask: how. on. earth. did. you. let. this. happen.

I am not sure you qualify as a rookie here still, so I would have thought you would be better prepared than that.
At least when I did it, I was in a library ;)

>16 michigantrumpet: Wow! Your very first adventure in Agatha Christie? I hope you have many more to come!

Finally found you! (I checked the Threadbook but couldn't find you ~ I must be blind! Then the light bulb went on and I checked your profile and, viola! There you were! Anywho, love the thread topper and can't wait to go to see the Chihuly exibit at the Denver Botanical Garden! On the subject of being without reading material of any kind on a long trip, I'm with >21 LovingLit:. How in the world????

Happy weekend! Happy New thread, Marianne! Hope you are having a good one.

>18 michigantrumpet: Here it is - lovely, no?

Hi Marianne! I love the Chihuly. You must come to Seattle to go to our Chihuly museum. It's really lovely. I have a bunch of photos on my FB and, once I complete my Scotland theme this year, I could see using some of them as thread toppers.

Hi Marianne. Just logged back in on LT. I hope you are doing fine!

>20 ronincats: I know, right, Roni?

>21 LovingLit: it was a sad, sad day, Megan. I felt completely rudderless. Untethered. Lost.

And I had to listen to the *radio*!!

On the bright side, I'm no longer a rookie! I'm no longer a rookie!

>22 thornton37814: thanks Lori! One of those guilty deep dark secrets that I hadn't read any Christie yet. Glad to pick up more. If only I can keep David Suchet out of my head. ;-)

>23 Storeetllr: Hi Mary! Happy to be found again.

Chihuly: We loved the Chihuly exhibit here in Boston last year. You must go when it reaches Denver.

No reading material: Three hours all told in the car and NOTHING.

Amazingly, my RL friends were far more upset about the coffee on the white pants episode. Nary a comment here about that. Seems my LT friends have life in the proper perspective. (Although the ruined clothing was pretty upsetting.) ;-)

>24 msf59: Thanks Mark! So far so good! Lots of yard work this morning before the heat/humidity kicked in. Not complaining mind you.

The BEST part of the weekend was hitting Book #40!!

I didn't reach Book 40 until late September last year! Lots to go, but I actually have hopes of hitting the big 7-5 this year!

WOOT

>25 scaifea: That's beautiful Amber! Reminds me of the one I saw at the Victoria & Albert museum.

>26 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! A Chihuly Museum? I Would be all over that. That would be near the top of my list of things to do in Seattle -- right after meeting up with some West Coast LTers, of course!

>27 connie53: It's glamorous Connie stopping by for a visit!

I'll be thinking of you on Monday!

I'm finally on track with threads, so here I am again! ;-))

>36 connie53: Ha! The glorious Connie pops in again! I'm doubly blessed!

Hi Marianne! Saw you around, so I thought I'd stop by your thread. Looks like you're a good way through the 75 goal! I've been meaning to read a Jo Nesbo book, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Awww man, I loves me some Chihuly. I saw his exhibit at the DeYoung in San Francisco and was just blown away.

Chihuly.....(????)
Hmm, I needs to google.
*I'll be back*
:)

eta: aaaah, he's the artist, I am in the know now :)

The Chihuly photo is just lovely, as are all the others in the rest of the thread. I am speechless with horror at your book-less car trip, although I have done something similar and it was a horror. Can I just say commercial radio sucks?

Writing LT reviews at work? Why, I've never done that before in all my born days, I declare! *bats eyelashes madly*

Ooh, I love the Chihulys!

>41 rosalita: joining Julia in mad eyelash-batting .... :)

>38 The_Hibernator: Hello and welcome Rachel! So glad you found me. Feel free to stop in any time.

Just went looking for your thread in the thread book and couldn't find you. Please stop back and tell me where you are so I may return the favor!

>39 AuntieClio: I know, right, Steph? Chihuly's art is so arresting, one is just captured the first time one sees it. Lucky you getting to see that exhibit.

>40 LovingLit: now you've heard of him, you'll have to keep an eye out for Chihuly. Amazing where he pops up once you know to look.

>41 rosalita: So you could feel my pain, Julia! Commercial radio stinks AND there is a 12 mile stretch through the Berkshires where there is NO public radio/NPR. Oh, the humanity! How can people live like that?

I figured no one else typed on LT at work. Marianne is a baad girl!

>42 kidzdoc: welcome back Darryl!

I'm a HUGE fan of art glass. I've a few modest pieces here, mostly inherited. No Chihuly, though. Alas.

>43 lauralkeet: Ha! Yup, you and Julia are the virtuous ones. I can see you there looking so sweet and innocent, Laura!

I didn't get a chance to note this, but yesterday was the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, setting off the chain of events which became the horrific carnage of WWI.

Many of us have some reading goals for this centenary year. In commemoration, I thought I would add this, one of my favorite opening paragraphs (the last sentence especially) of any history book:

SO GORGEOUS WAS THE SPECTACLE on the May morning of 1910 when nine kings rode in the funeral of Edward VII of England that the crowd waiting in hushed and black-clad awe, could not keep back gasps of admiration. In scarlet and blue and green and purple, three by three the sovereigns rode through the palace gates, with plumed helmets, gold braid, crimson sashes, and jeweled orders flashing in the sun. After them came five heirs apparent, forty more imperial or royal highnesses, seven queens—four dowager and three regnant—and a scattering of special ambassadors from uncrowned countries. Together they represented seventy nations in the greatest assemblage of royalty and rank ever gathered in one place and of its kind the last. The muffled tongue of Big Ben tolled nine by the clock as the cortege left the palace, but on history’s clock it was sunset, and the sun of the old world was setting in a dying blaze of splendor never to be seen again.

~Barbara Tuchman, The Guns of August

Apparently Chihuly is at the Denver Botanical Garden now and will be here through November! I'm just waiting until my niece and her baby can go along, though, if they're not available soon, I may just drive over there by myself.

>50 michigantrumpet: Wow, that was...intense! Am adding Guns of August to my wishlist.

>51 Storeetllr: Highly recommended, the Chihuly exhibit, Mary! Highly recommended!

Amazing, Tuchman quote, isn't it?

Hi Marianne, found you and dropped a star. I love all this glass art. I'm a huge fan of it. Here in Switzerland we have also some wonderful glass artists but I love also the Italian Murano glass and some of the French artists.

Here a Murano glas sculpture

>54 Ameise1: Hello Barbara! So glad you found me! LOVE that photo! The colors! The sense movement! Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

We first saw Chihuly's work in a botanical garden show in Chicago, Marianne, and we've loved the combination of the plants and his work. We loved the Chihuly museum in Seattle, and heartily second Ellen's recommendation.

We loved the glass balls in the water at the Chicago show.

I really need to read The Guns of August this year. It has been on my wishlist for so long!

>6 michigantrumpet:, >7 richardderus:, >9 michigantrumpet: Thank you, thank you, my Loyal Coterie! I'm really glad you enjoyed The Foolish Gentlewoman, both of you. It's nice to be able to ricochet some of those book bullets I'm always getting hit with!

Loving all the Chihuly...I'm a big fan of glass art, and art glass, and glass in general. (I've collected depression glass most of my life.) >25 scaifea:, >33 michigantrumpet: The homemaker in me can't help but wonder how the heck they clean those chandeliers, though.

>50 michigantrumpet: wow. that last sentence is fabulous. I would love to be so talented as to create that out of words.

>58 laytonwoman3rd: *snork!* I often wondered how they dusted that thing as I passed underneath it.

Holy thread topper, Marianne!! That took my breath away!!

I was going to need to google the term until Megan cleared it up for me... Then I remembered seeing some discussion about him on other threads before. Just can't remember where or when. :)

*whispers*: Mariaaaane! Oh Mariaaaaa-aane! This is Eeeeellen. Calling you to Seaaaaattle.

I love all the Chihuly glass pictures, Marianne! That one at the V&A is right above the ticket desk in the main foyer, and always makes me a bit nervous for the staff. And I also wonder how they assemble them and clean them. I love the colours in Amber's Kenyon one - those are my kind of colours.

>56 jnwelch: Love that picture. The combination of glass and flora is particularly entrancing. There were some bits of Chihuly glass scattered around the various Boston MFA courtyards, but nothing as wonderful as that!

>57 rosalita: >59 LovingLit: That Barbara Tuchman sentence just takes my breath away. Glad you liked it, too, Julia and Megan.

>58 laytonwoman3rd: Thank you, thank you, Linda! I've been getting hit by far more bullets than I scatter about. I'm the walking wounded, I think.

>58 laytonwoman3rd: >60 scaifea: >61 TinaV95: >63 susanj67: Hello Linda, Amber, Tina and Susan!

Watch this wonderful stop action video showing a chandelier being installed.

One imagines the cleaning process must be something in reverse. And VERY careful. ;-D

>62 EBT1002: *Jumps up, ears all alert*

What? What was that? Why am I suddenly drawn to Travelocity's booking page?

Thanks to Joe, Mark, Stephanie, Darryl and all the other Murakami warblers out there, I've dipped my toes into the Murakami waters.

36. After the Quake by Haruki Murakami
5 stars



My first foray into Murakami. This young Japanese writer is held in high regard by many whose opinion I value. I'm so glad I picked up this lovely collection of six short stories. Published in 2002, each tale connects in some way to the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe Earthquake. Of varying lengths, each is quite different and unique in voice, plotting and perspective. We have an abandoned husband in "UFO in Koshiro", a love triangle in "Honey Pie", a businesswoman on vacation in "Thailand", a giant talking amphibian in "Super Frog Saves Tokyo", an odd trio dancing to a beachfront bonfire in "Landscape with Flatiron", and a young man whose mother is convinced he is the Son of God in "All God's Children Can Dance."

This is not my typical reading fare. I lack the vocabulary to properly describe it. Many call Murakami's style magical realism. I simply found each story to be eerie and mystical. Perfect renditions of characters feeling at loss and searching for ... what? Peace? Resolution? Answers? I was haunted by the lyrical writing. One of my favorites books this year thus far. Mine was an audiobook edition. The three narrators were wonderful. Completely engrossed.

Don't you love it when you read something you might never have chosen for yourself and it turns out to be so special? It opens the door to more new wonders. The only Murakami I've read is The Wind Up Bird Chronicle. I can't say I understood it all, but it was, as you say, lyrical and beautiful and engrossing just the same.

>69 michigantrumpet: Yay! So glad After the Quake worked for you, Marianne. You bring it all back to me - this one may have to be a re-read soon. It was my first Murakami, and I was hooked. Lyrical, haunting, beautiful, engrossing. Yes!

Whew! I saw your message on my thread about your first Murakami and I had a fleeting thought you might have been displeased. LOL.
Glad it worked out, Marianne. Like Joe, it was one of my first Murakami's and I am also due a reread.
Hooray!

Between the last quote from Guns of August and your review of After the Quake I have moved both books up the TBR priority list.

I need to win the lottery so I can quit work and read full time.

>70 laytonwoman3rd: Howdy Linda! I remember some warbling come from your neck in the woods. Thanks!!

I remember reading some of the hoopla when 1Q84 came out, then promptly forgot about Murakami. All the talk on LT pushed his books firmly back on the radar screen.

>71 jnwelch: >72 msf59: Thanks Joe and Mark! Good job on the warbling!

I'm going with recommendations from this group now more than published ones. Has been working so far!

>73 SuziQoregon: Hello Juli! That quote at >50 michigantrumpet: continues to amaze me even now. If I could write that last sentence, I could die a happy woman.

I'm with you on the lottery. Of course, one has to actually play the lottery to win, I suppose...

Nuts. Drat. Boogers.

I didn't win Midnight in Europe by Alan Furst in the LT ER giveaway.

Rats.

37. Enon by Paul Harding
3.5 Stars



A gut- wrenching portrayal of bottomless, capsizing and overwhelming grief and self-loathing, suffered by Charlie Crosby upon the senseless death of his young daughter. On the surface a tale of a yearlong descent into drug addiction and petty crime. Threading throughout are mystical ruminations on ghosts, family, his ancestry, the history of Enon, and cherished memories of his childhood and his daughter. I liked that the narrative swept from one topic to another in never ending streams of consciousness and hallucinatory reality. Deep grief is rarely well organized or rational, so this rang true to me. Multiple generations of Crosbys (familiar to readers of "Tinkers") have populated the mythical New England town of Enon. Charlie has spent his entire life there. That no one stepped in to help was less convincing. Wonderful characterizations, particularly of Charlie's grandfather and the Widow Hale in the large house. Mine was an audiobook narrated by the author. Perhaps a professional actor would have rescued this from the one note dirge of grief.

>78 michigantrumpet: Oh HELL no. Never.

xoxo

>79 richardderus: To borrow from your current thread topper, Richard, this one was more lightening bolts than rainbows...

Heh! Well said.

Yup. The Chicago Cubs SWEPT the Boston Red Sox. Congrats to all the Cubs fans here. Especially Joe, Mark and Linda. There was an old fashioned butt-whuppin' last night.

And let the record reflect 1) my true allegiance is to the Tigers and 2) I did say earlier I was adopting the Cubs this year as my National League team.

Plus, the Red Sox are the spawn of Satan.

Happy 4th of July, Marianne!

Happy 4th Marianne. Can't wait to see you guys tomorrow afternoon!

Happy New Thread! My ability to keep up with threads lately has been abysmal. Love you thread topper pic and super impressed that it is one of your own pictures! I love how the colours show through from the background lighting.

>3 michigantrumpet: - I must start the Cara Black series - the premise is a perfect fit for my reading tastes - but trying to find the time and juggle the other books calling out to me means this series remains on the future reading list for I don't know when.

>6 michigantrumpet: - What?! Another book bullet? Your thread is dangerous, Marianne!

>19 michigantrumpet: - What is it with the attraction of coffee and white clothing? I have a summer weight white jacket that I love but I think it has magical klutz powers or something because I always manage to spill coffee on a sleeve or down part of the front. Hopefully you didn't burn yourself.

>78 michigantrumpet: - Great review of Enon. I loved parts of his book Tinkers but ended up coming away from that one feeling like I had been showered with flowery prose and no substance, so I have been very wary of picking up a copy of Enon.

Don't forget PICTURES at the meet-up!!

Marianne, have fun at the meet-up today. And, if you see Charlotte, please say hello from me!

Marianne, I wish you a fabulous weekend full of R&R.

Happy Weekend, Marianne! Hope you had a nice holiday. I enjoyed your thoughts on Enon. I completely agree with Lori's comments. It felt very hollow to me and Tinkers was a half of a great novel. I am not sure Harding cuts it.

>84 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel! It don't feel like a proper 4th for some reason -- probably all the rainy stormy weather we had from Tropical Storm/hurricane Arthur.

We were invited to a friends for what became a Cook 'In' instead of a Cook 'Out' because of the rain.

The best part was meeting LOTS of book reading people.

Don't you just love when that happens?

>85 cameling:. Hey there Caroline! I'm looking forward to it!

>86 lkernagh: hello Lori! When you get caught up on a thread, you go all out! :^)

We can all blame Linda(Laytonwoman3rd) for the The Foolish Gentlewoman book bullet. She pulled me and Richard in with her review.

Amazingly, the coffee stain came out. Too true about white clothes being magnets for dribbles. A little balsamic vinegar landed on me yesterday. I hate trying to eat things from my lap!

I liked your comments about Enon. The prose was pretty, rarely led anywhere. The meandering nature of the book didn't bother me for the most part -- deep grief takes on that quality and a lack of coherence. For all that, it just didn't pull me in.

Hope you are enjoying the 4th!

>87 ronincats: I know, right? Couldn't find my camera, but charging my phone right now. In case no one else brings a camera.

>88 susanj67:. Hello Susan! Just got through texting Charlotte and sadly, she won't be joining us. She lives a fair bit South of Boston and the storm walloped that part of the region. They got over 7" of rain yesterday, lots of flash flooding, etc. Her basement is wet and nasty and she has to attend to that.

Hope onto her thread later and dispense that special Susan sunshine. I think she could use dome cheering up.

Disappointed -- I was SOOO looking forward to meeting her in person.

>89 Ameise1: thanks Barbara! How lovely! *smooches*

>90 msf59: Hullo Mark! Bright and sunny today after lots of rain and wind as a storm front then Hurricane Arthur skirted here. We're enough inland that Arthur just brought lots of rain.

The storm was pretty fierce Thursday night. I was doing an overnight shift at a shelter and it was a little scary being there with all the lightening and wind coming through. A huge tree limb came down and barely missed my car. Whew! So glad to get home Friday morning!

Re Enon: I found my sympathy for Charlie ended far before the book did. Haven't read Tinkers, yet. Thought I might seeing as most people seemed to find it superior to Enon. I'm thinking I might be done with Harding.

Hope you are enjoying the 4th weekend!

It's Meet Up Day! It's Meet Up Day!

So exciting! Now, what does one wear?

I love the Chihuly pictures here, Marianne. I first learned about him on Ellen's thread. Thanks to Mary, I know I have a real treat in store for me on my next trip to Denver!

Lovely review on the Murakami book. I've read several of his now and, like Linda, I must say I like his lyrical writing, although I truly didn't gets parts of Norwegian Wood and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, the only two I've attempted.

I hope you are having a wonderful meet up and that the rain is over. So sad that Arthur invited himself to some 4th of July parties and put a damper on things. It was a lovely day here in the midwest. I'll come back and check out the pictures!

I put up a review of The Dark Vineyard in my Crime, Thriller, and Mystery threadpost #170. Don't worry, you won't like it.

*evil chuckle*

Looking forward to tons of meetup pictures!!!

Almost got me with Enon, but I think maybe not... Sounds like a bit too much. Do you think it might have been better in print rather than read by the author?

>91 michigantrumpet: yeah, it's always fun meeting book-reading people. Sometimes I have a hard time finding people in the real world who like books as much as I do. That was one thing I really liked when I was working at a bookstore.

>99 Donna828:. I think you will LOVE the Chihuly when you get to Denver. I envy you the opportunity. It was quite the treat to see his work here in Boston.

Had a lovely meet up with the LT folks yesterday. More on that soon. The weather was great. Thanks for shipping it our way from the Midwest!

Ffortsa/Judy gave me some other suggestions for more Murakami yesterday during the Meet up. Now I've dipped my toe in, I'm ready for some more.

>100 richardderus: Are those horns I see sprouting, Richard? Ha! After the book haul yesterday, plus all the great Book ideas in the meet up, I DO NOT need any more bullets, thankyouverymuch!

>101 TinaV95: Hello there Tina! Working on uploading a picture now.

I suspect it would have been better in print than in the audio. the author had a rather monotone voice which added to the dreariness of the subject matter.

Enon was well placed throughout the Harvard Coop bookstore as a "best seller." Apparently other enjoyed it far more than I did.

>102 The_Hibernator: Between the Cook'In' and the LT Meet Up, tons of book talk. It made me so very happy.

A friend of mine also loved working in a bookstore for exactly the same reason. Lots of book talk. I would be afraid I would spend EVEN more $$$ on books in that case than I do now!

How long did you work there?

So, the Boston Meet Up! We were restrained in our picture taking. (This was about the only thing we were restrained about!) The waitress took two snaps, although one was too dark. Here is the one remaining picture, although Suzanne took some from her camera whch she might share.

L>R Jim (Magician's_Nephew), Judy(ffortsa), Caroline (Cameling), Caroline's husband, my husband, Me, Suzanne (Chatterbox) and Jim's nephew.

Looks like a great meetup! I get up that way on business several times a year. Maybe we'll have a chance to connect sometime!

Met at John Harvard's Brew Pub in Harvard Square for lunch and plenty of good talk. I was the newbie in the crowd as eveyone else seems to have met before. No matter ... everyone was so wonderful and made me feel like one of the crowd. So great to put a face/voice with these people I've met in print over the last several months.

Suzanne came laden with a HUGE bag of books she deaccessioned from her collection. My library is the most grateful recipient of her generous largess. Here I had tons of books -- and I hadn't even hit the bookstore yet!!!

After lots of laughs and chitchat, Jim and his nephew left to return to the Conference they've been attending. The husbands took the load of books to the car, and Judy, Suzanne, Caro and I hit up the Harvard Coop bookstore. How fun -- people with trustworthy opinions plus floor upon floor of books -- does it get any better than that?

Sadly, Suzanne left us at this point to do catch the commuter rail back home. Caro, Judy and I met up with the boys at a local stop a block away for some drinks, raw oysters and and more laughs and talk. By this time, we'd solved all the ills of the world -- now if only someone would listen to us!

After lots of hugs as Judy took off to join Jim and the nephew, Caro and I decided we'd reward our patient husbands with dinner out. The talk was nonstop as we feasted on a wonderful meal with live music in the background. We finally said good-bye some nine hours after we got together.

Thanks everyone for coming. I so enjoyed meeting you all. Truly wonderful people. It was a pleasure and a joy to spend time with you.

Can't wait for my next meet up!

>108 drneutron: We had a blast! I work in the city, so please look me up when you hit town next. Would love to see you, Jim!

>109 michigantrumpet: A good time was had by all! No, not a bit jealous. No no no.

*voodoo dolly pin*

109: Wow, a meetup that went on...and on. Nine hours (at a stretch) may have set a record! Love the picture! Marianne, it was kind of you and the others to relieve Suzanne of her "excess" books!

I'm with Richard - I'm not jealous. Not at all... *deep breaths*

>111 richardderus: Compulsive readers in a Brew Pub? Of course a good time was had by all!

"Now, just put that pin down and step away from the dolly. No one needs to get hurt..."

>112 Donna828: Yup! That's me ... a real humanitarian!

>113 scaifea: Howdy Amber! Feel free to bring Mr. Tomm and young Master Charles here to visit the sights and sounds of Boston any time!

>107 michigantrumpet: What a lovely bunch you are. I love the meet-up photo.

>117 Ameise1: Hello Barbara! And I was just posting on your thread as you wrote this.

Lovely inside and out. We had great fun. Such a pleasure to be with a crowd of booklovers.

Hi Marianne! Thanks for posting the meet-up photo. Nine hours is a good long time; I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves so much.

I recently purchased After the Quake and your comments are jetting it to the top of the list (once I return from NC). Five stars. That is no slouch!

>119 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. Looks like you are having a wonderful vacation yourself. We had a blast. I want to do it again!

Some of the stories in After the Quake are stronger than others, but I think you'll enjoy it. Interested in hearing what you think.

Hi Marianne. Thanks for posting the meet-up photo. Looks like everyone had a great time. And I hate to admit it but I still have not read anything by Agatha Christie. I know! I do own two of her books so it could happen at any time now.

>121 brenzi: Ha! Glad to know I wasn't the absolute LAST person to read Dame Christie.

I can hear those two volumes ticking away at the bottom of the pile ...

>111 richardderus: Put the pin down and step AWAY from the voodoo dolly... Remember, I still have that Zouroudi novel sitting here, un-mailed...

And yes, I did do some warbling. Although for the most part, they were oddly resistant. Marianne even put down a copy of The Master by Toibin and one other book that interested her because she couldn't identify a third book that would have been FREE that looked appealing enough to get FREE. Did I mention that it would have been FREE?

That's discipline.

>123 Chatterbox: Ha! It helped that my trunk was FILLED with books from your kind self.

And double-Ha! *Some* warbling? It was practically an aviary in there.

Have put Toibin's The Master on hold at the Library. So *that* one will be free. Trying to remember what the other one was. I knowI wanted to keep an eye out for several we discussed.

Once again, great to see you.

I'm a little envious of the Boston meet-up. Boston is one of my favorite cities, but it's been a few years since I've been there now. I wish I had the time and money to go for a visit. My last New England trip was only to New Hampshire.

I LOVE meet-Up photos, Marianne! How wonderful. One of these days, I will make it up to Boston. It is on my bucket-list!

Hope you had a great weekend. Like, Duh!

ETA- And if you are ever in the Chicago area....Like Duh!!

>125 thornton37814: You'll have to make a plan to come back for a visit. My Mom and stepdad are driving up from Maryville in mid-August. Want me to see if there's room? :-)

>126 msf59: Happy to include you on the MichiganTRumpet tour of Boston. Now that I've had a big Meet Up, can't wait for my next one!

Duh! Any weekend with Jim, Judy, Caroline, and Suzanne is a guaranteed success.

^I added a comment. LOL.

>129 msf59: Double Duh! LOL.

>127 michigantrumpet: Unfortunately school starts back around that time so I won't be off and will have all sorts of meetings.

>131 thornton37814: Well, I did offer. Will have to work on some other ways to get you up here for a visit. Sorry that school starts so early there.

Lovely meetup photo and story, Marianne! I have been blessed with my LT meetups this year, but it's been two months since the last once, so I think I'm due, don't you?

>133 rosalita: More than due, Julia! Come out to Boston to give me an excuse to stage another one!!

I would love to! Actually, I may be coming out to Long Island to visit family next summer, so a swing up to Boston on the train would definitely be possible!

My purchases at the Harvard Coop Bookstore Saturday:

An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David A classic of food writing.

The Patrick Melrose Novels: Never Mind, Bad News, Some hope and Mother's Milk by Edward St. Aubyn On my wishlist forever, and great to buy in a compliation volume.

Midnight in Europe by Alan Furst Because I missed out on it in the LT ER giveaway.

Found you! I love the glass photos. Beautiful! I used to do bead work and never got far enough along to be doing lampwork, but have seen enough demos of it to be thoroughly in awe.

I read After the Quake last year ??? I think it was last year. I'd only read Norwegian Wood before, which has no fantasy element in it but I loved it. Loved most of After the Quake too. Magical Realism? I take a hard line on what I call Magical Realism. I'm one of the people who insists that it comes out of the belief in miracles/Catholicism. But I could see an argument for some of After the Quake. Murakami does defy description though. You know he isn't worried about what we call it. He just worried about whether or not each piece he was writing did what he wanted it to, or at least close to what he wanted it to.

>137 cammykitty: Hello and welcome Katie! So very glad you stopped by and found me. I've starred your thread and posted over there. Looks as if you've had some very interesting reading thus far...

After the Quake is my first Murakami. I've no idea how to categorize the book's style, but I know I liked it. There will be more Murakami in my future!

Thanks for posting that group shot so quickly, Marianne! It was great to meet you and John, and see everyone else again. We made a most congenial group, didn't we?

Somehow I lost you during your last thread, so will have to back up and catch up soon.

The Chihuly photos are marvelous (I do wonder always how these things get dusted - I can't imagine they get taken apart again!). I first encountered the artist when visiting my aunt and uncle in Dayton, Ohio, where the museum had an exhibit.

As for book buying at the Boston meetup, I did buy that St. Aubens collection, and promptly left it in the bar. But Caro rescued it and will hold it in anticipation of our next trip to Beantown in August. It was probably my more practical self telling me I did not have an extra inch of room on the shelves.

*sigh* I'm glad that you all had such a wonderful time together. You have to do that to make it up to the rest of us who didn't get to go. Thanks for posting the picture!
I put the St. Aubens collection on my Kindle a week or so ago, or I would be livid with envy.
I'm another fan on Chihuly glass just as soon as I see another picture.

>131 thornton37814: I'm sure I'll get back to Boston sometime. It's been awhile since one of the two national genealogy conferences has been held there. FGS was there in 2005, and I was there then. I've been back to Boston a couple times since then, but I really need a Mike's Pastry fix! I love the cannoli there. I do think we had a lot of complaints about the pricing at that conference of the hotels and such. That's probably why they haven't tried to have another there. However, I'm pretty sure that the one of the conferences was just as pricy this year as Boston was that one. I even still have money on a Charlie card!

Great photo of your meetup! Great looking group! So glad you had such a good time, glad the weather cooperated, and know what you mean about now wanting to have monthly meetups!

@138 There will be more Murakami in my future too. Hard to decide which. Wind-up Bird Chronicle?

>139 ffortsa: welcome back to the thread, Judy! It truly was a most congenial group. Even my DH said afterwards what a great time it was.

Perhaps your leaving your book behind (we saw it about 20 minutes after you left) was the Universe's way of ensuring you make it back for another visit soon.

On top of the good book talk was all the wonderful theater talk. I see a Williamstown Theater Festival junket in our future! ;-)

>140 LizzieD: Welcome. Peggy! Just found, starred and commented on your thread.

Apparently there were oodles of people who were missing out on the meet up because we had a most wonderful time. Too bad the picture doesn't do us justice.

The St. Aubyn Patrick Melrose series has been on my wish list for a good while. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

I have the same St Aubyns collection. Interesting writing and oddly compelling. I eagerly await your comments.

And I second (third? whatever!) the recommendation for The Master. I really liked it, and meant to read more Toibin straight away, but somehow haven't yet.

Dropping by to see the meetup photo + report. While I'm here, let's see if I recognize any books... I got The Map Thief as an ER, have one in the queue before it. Read Longbourn last month, liked it but not as much as you. Agatha Christie read in high school, little recall of plots, but if I went to reread, whodunnit would probably pop out of the recesses of my mind.

Hi Marianne, I love meet-up photos so I stopped by and discovered your lively thread. I've added lots of books to my wish list including The Foolish Gentlewoman and the Patrick Melrose novels. I had never heard of them. So thanks!
I'm so glad you discovered Christie. I think I've read every one over the years.
And I have to say ***please don't hate me*** I did get the ER Furst book and I'm thrilled.

>141 thornton37814:. Ha! Too funny, Lori! Mike's Pastry is an essential stop on the MichiganTrumpet tour of Boston. Can quite understand someone jonesing for a cannoli from Mike's. There has been some interesting traffic congestion caused by former Presidents wanting to stop at Mikes before reaching the airport. :-)

Boston can be an expensive place to visit, like other major cities. There are tons of genealogical research resources here, though. The New England Genealogical Society is located a few short blocks from my office. I meet up with a college friend whenever she hits town to go there.

>142 Storeetllr: Hello there Mary. Thanks for the compliment for the photo. Wish it were a little better, but the lighting conditions/waitress operating the smartphone were not ideal.

It was so nice to spend time with people with simpatico interests. Hard coming back to real life!

>143 cammykitty: Hello again, Katie. Haven't decided on the next Murakami, either. Probably will let serendipity (and availability at the library) play a part.

When you decide, please come back and let me know!!

>146 lauralkeet: Looking forward to the St. Aubyn's collection which has received some good remarks from those hereabouts. Could be a bit until I reach it -- have about five library books and a couple of ARCs to work my way through yet.

The Master is definitely going onto the wishlist!! Thanks for the vote of support, Laura!

>147 qebo: How do, Katherine! Welcome!

Heading over to your thread shortly. I liked the literary conceit of Longbourn and its changed perspective from the tried and true P&P. Also that the main characters of P&P actually play a minor role in the plot.

Yup, still can't believe it took this long to get to an Agatha Christie. Had to be done, right?

Will be interested to hear what you thought of The Map Thief once you get to it.

I liked the way that Longbourn essentially stands alongside P&P; the author isn't trying to write an homage to Austen as much as she is trying to take another perspective on that era through some of its best known literary characters, and doing so in a more modern literary voice (without ever being anachronistic). I think that's why I loved it. I did have modest expectations, I confess...

>154 Chatterbox: Well there you have it. A beautifully and concisely phrased sentence capturing it all. I don't know why I even try to write anything with Suzanne around.

Nevertheless, here are a couple more feeble efforts...

38. Murder at the Lanterne Rouge by Cara Black
3.5 stars



PI Aimee Leduc is at it again -- sprinting on designer heels through the hidden backstreets of Paris -- this time in an area called Chinatown in most major cities. Business partner Renee is madly in love with Meizi, who may be caught up in a suffocation murder steps away from where Meizi, Rene, Aimee and Meizi's parents are eating dinner. Is there a connection between textile sweatshops, illegal immigration and centuries old art? Quick and entertaining. I have been taking this series out of order, but haven't suffered much yet as a result.

39. Clover Adams: A Gilded and Heartbreaking Life by Natalie Dykstra
4 Stars



People's first acquaintance with Henry Adams might be as the son and grandson of two America Presidents. A few, like me, might know him from his opus The Education of Henry Adams. Very few will know of his marriage to young Marion Hooper, known to all and sundry as Clover. That Mrs. Adams committed suicide at the age of 42 colors this tale from the start. The Adamses led lives of privilege and connection -- apparently knowing everyone worth knowing in the middle to late 19th century. What would lead this lively and accomplished woman to end her life? Natalie Dykstra's history provides tons of well-sourced detail and engages in some regrettable armchair psychoanalysis, only to be left with some unsatisfactory hypotheses. Alas, as in many of these cases, absent a detailed note or record, one is unable to fully grasp the full extent of another's utter despair.

Dykstra is more successful in bringing to light the lives of this fascinating couple. Clover's cousin was Col. Robert Gould Shaw, who famously led the all black Massachusetts 54th during Civil War, as memorialized in the film Glory.. An Aunt owned the estate which eventually became Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In childhood and marriage, she counted amongst her friends authors, politicians, generals, artists, historians, philosophers and academics. The famous architect H. H. Richardson designed their Washington D.C. home. The sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens designed the hauntingly beautiful sculpture at her grave. Having lost her mother at a young age, Clover was extraordinarily close with her father. His death preceded her own by several months. It is supposed her grief and depression at his loss may have fed into her final act.

Most delightful is the discovery of many photographs taken by Clover Adams. She took to this art form in its infancy, enthusiastic to the point of creating a studio and developing room in several homes. Well before point-and-shoot instamatics, photography of this era was physically and artistically demanding. Cameras were heavy and exposures long. Her photographs, many of which are reproduced here, were carefully composed. They are entrancing and haunting even across the years. Her developing artistic talent and sensibility is a delight to witness.

Henry Adams was an extremely private man. He never spoke publicly about his wife's death. Indeed "The Education of Henry Adams" makes no mention of her at all. This is not to say he didn't privately grieve. I was particularly moved by his reference in a letter to "What a vast fraternity it is, -- that of 'Hearts that Ache.'" Those who have lost a close loved one know intimately that sense of being initiated to a club of grief and loss.

The volume is well sourced, deeply researched with careful endnotes. Dykstra does a great service bringing to light this once forgotten story of a talented yet tragic life.

>123 Chatterbox: sweet itty doll-doll *smoochsmoochsmooch*

>148 Oregonreader: Oops! Sorry Jan! Thought I posted a reply to your post. No idea where *that* went. The mysteries of LT.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a gander at our meet up photos. I think Suzanne(Chatterbox) just posted an even nicer one on her thread.

Hope you enjoy The Foolish Gentlewoman -- it's all Laytonwoman3rd's fault for starting us down that path.

Hey, here's an idea: we should have a book epidemiologist determine the pathways of manias for certain books, just as they track viruses from continent to continent. Think it would be interesting to see how a book catches on ...

And finally, of course I don't hate you! *crossing fingers behind back* I'm still crying myself to sleep over not being selected for that ER, but no matter ... I spent lots of $$ at the Harvard Coop for it so I'm all good. :^D

>158 richardderus: You're playing with fire, Richard ...

For some reason I've never been able to enjoy Aimee Leduc. I don't dislike the books, just...don't care.

>157 michigantrumpet: Only forty-two! Oh. That's just heartwrenching.

An Omelette and a Glass of Wine...oh my heck...up there with Consider the Oyster in my foodie education.

Isn't that the way it is with some of these series, Richard? Some grab us, others don't. I find I need some of the mind candy to leaven out the serious stuff.

Terribly young and a complete shame because she truly was a talented photographer.

Ah, MFK Fisher! A classic!

I'm with Richard on Aimee Leduc.

On the other hand, he's being terribly, terribly snide today, so maybe I'll just go off in a huff and play with my own voodoo doll. Which is guaranteed to bring down a plague of KITTENS on peoples' heads... (Indeed, playing with fire...)

Hmmm...kittens raining down = Stella's din-din done! Lemmeseehere what other snide GIFs can I find....

Enough kittens, and the equation may change, no? *evil chortle*

Stella is slowing down, it's true, but a rain of kittens might perk her up.

>106 michigantrumpet: I worked there for just over a year. Really miss the discount and all the book talk / people! But not some of the customers. THEY can be really rude sometimes. Not all of them, of course, most of them are wonderful.

And, yes, I think a lot of people ended up spending more money than they made while they worked there. I think they just worked there as a second job for the discount. :)

Great review of Clover Adams. It's got to be hard writing and "psychoanalyzing" a life that was lived when women's roles were so different than they are today. I keep assuming women would feel closed in or unfulfilled, but that isn't necessarily the case.

Clover Adams is going on the wish list. Sigh.

The Five of Hearts is a nice good book about Henry Adams and his circle. Lordy they knew everybody who was anybody, didn't they?

Have to get me a copy of Clover Adams.

Perhaps living well is NOT the best revenge

>149 michigantrumpet: Believe me, I'm well acquainted with NEHGS! I've spent a lot of time there.

>164 richardderus: >165 Chatterbox: >166 richardderus: It was getting dangerous around here! I have nothing more to add to that.

>167 The_Hibernator: I can SOOO see working there as a second job for a discount, Rachel!

A friend always used to laugh about his days working in a bookstore: "I'm looking for this book. I don't know the author or the title, but it looked interesting. The cover is blue."

My friend insisted the cover was ALWAYS blue.

>168 cammykitty: You may have a point there, KAtie. One must be highly empathic to inhabit a life outside of present experience.

Clover did lead a life of restriction. She was witty and insightful in her correspondence, but was discouraged from writing for publication. She was approached to have one of her photographs used to illustrate a magazine article about its subject. Her husband, who had a fear of any sort of publicity, talked her out of it.

He did, however, encourage her photography. Here is an example:

>169 EBT1002: It was an interesting read, particularly as it involved so many Boston Locales and personalities.

Clover and Henry lived in this house when they first married. It is just a couple of blocks from my office and I zipped over to take a picture.

>170 magicians_nephew: They really did know everyone, Jim!

A favorite quote from the book is discussing another friend author:

Henry James thought the novel "good enough to make it a pity it wasn't better."

Isn't that just delicious?

>171 thornton37814: And yet everyone locally seems to take the place for granted!

Just finishing The Zookeeper's Wife Which you reviewed earlier. Still digesting my thoughts about that one.

40. Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff
4 stars



Detroit News journalist Charlie LeDuff brings an unflinching perspective to the woes of the once great industrial city of Detroit Michigan. His is a Detroit of political corruption, economic despair, woefully overworked and under supported police and fire departments, violence and grief. All of which is undeniably true. However, as a surgeon will see the scalpel as the likely solution, one suspects this city desk writer only sees the gritty underworld as the face of the city. Missing here, for the most part, are the stories of hope, determination, kindness and resurrection. As the title suggests, LeDuff came not to praise the beknighted city, but to bury her. I believe just about every major urban area has similar stories. As goes Detroit, so will go many other similarly situated communities.

Henry James thought the novel "good enough to make it a pity it wasn't better." As much as I hate to quote Henry James, that line is just too good not to keep in my arsenal.

>176 michigantrumpet: Love it! I can think of quite a few books about which I could say that.

>179 laytonwoman3rd: Ol' Hank James does toss off some good ones!

I was always partial to this one, although I didn't write down where it came from:

"She had an unequalled gift, especially pen in hand, of squeezing big mistakes into small opportunities."

>180 Storeetllr: I know, right! The second I came across it, I stopped dead and immediately copied it out. Quickly becoming a favorite. I've used it twice already!

>179 laytonwoman3rd: It reminds me of a favorite scene from the "All Creatures Great and Small" series, when Seigfried was called upon to "test" this season's Christmas cake by a woman who was very proud of her reputation for making the finest. He said (after taking a couple bites and considering them very carefully) "This is a good cake. It's a very good cake indeed. But, if you'll forgive me, it's NOT up to your usual standard." At which point, of course he was hailed as most wonderful man, because the cake he was sampling wasn't HERS at all, but her sister's!

>183 laytonwoman3rd: That is perfect! I love it! Thanks for sharing!

>156 michigantrumpet: I read one of these Cara Black books, and my LT list says I own that one. Hm. Maybe I read it and neglected to update the entry.

>173 michigantrumpet: Yup. The cover is always blue. The one that gets me is "where is the non-fiction section?" And then the person gets annoyed when I ask "what sort of non-fiction are you looking for?" Clearly, they don't want to narrow it down. So, basically, the answer is "You see that sign over there labeled 'fiction'? Don't go there." *sigh*

Her husband, who had a fear of any sort of publicity, talked her out of it. Sigh! That wouldn't have been much publicity, and it certainly shouldn't have been bad publicity. Sometimes, it sounds like being a talented and inquisitive woman back then was scandalous.

>185 ffortsa: Ha! I hate when my organizational intentions go awry! I've been zipping through the Cara Black novels, but agree - the names are so similar, I'm sometimes confused as to whether I've read one or not.

>186 The_Hibernator: Oh Rachel! That story is a HOOT! I am sooo sharing that with my friend. He will howl over that! Then there was a reference librarian friend who was asked if they had photograph of Rembrandt. Not a photograph of a painting or drawing of him. An actual photograph.

*smooch*

>187 cammykitty: I suspect being a talented and inquisitive woman in the post-Civil War years would have been difficult but not necessarily impossible. Clover Adams numbered accomplished women among her friends. I would point out she was in rarified social circles, being married to the grandson and great-grandson of US Presidents. One acquaintance was George Sand -- who wrote under a male pseudonym. It wasn't even that long ago that people were only supposed to be in the newspaper three times in their lives: When they were born, when they married and when they died. Measured by those standards, not "much publicity" might have loomed much larger.

>190 richardderus: The Kissing Bandit appears!

41. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
4.5 Stars



A harrowing, brutal book that still manages to capture hope and humanity amongst the atrocities of the two wars in Chechnya. A searing examination of how connections are formed and severed, and the horrific moral choices forced upon us in times of war. To inform or not? To return to a war torn country from relative comfort and safety? To sacrifice for a loved one? To sacrifice a loved one? One of my favorites of the year.

>193 michigantrumpet: SO agreed on the favorite-reads front!

Thanks Richard. Another one I read specifically because of the chatter here in the 75er group.

>193 michigantrumpet: - Still my top read of the year. Can't wait to meet Marra and hear him speak at Booktopia! I will have to tell him of his fan club here among the 75ers :)

>193 michigantrumpet: WHY are there so many great books?? How am I supposed to read them all before I die?? I demand that publishers stop publishing great books until I get caught up.

>196 katiekrug: Hello KAK! Booktopia. Marra.

Battling in hand-to-hand combat with the green-eyed goddess and not winning.

>197 rosalita: I know, right, my sweet little privet-hedge?

At least before I joined this group, I didn't know about most of them. Membership in the 75ers has definitely been dangerous...

I'm glad to hear that you also liked A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, Marianne. I have it on my Kindle, and hopefully I'll get to it later this year.

Marianne, I wish you a fantastic weekend.

I loved Constellation as well. Like you, I would never have heard about it if it weren't for this amazing group.

Morning Marianne! I am so glad you loved Constellation. It was one of my top reads of last year. I am looking forward to meeting Marra in Asheville next month. Happy Dance!

>200 kidzdoc: there have been so many reviews of it, that I didn't add too much detail as to plot, characters, etc. it was a emotionally difficult but highly rewarding read. Hope you enjoy it once you get to it, Darryl.

>201 Ameise1: That's the plan! Right back at you!

Lovely picture, Barbara.

>202 lauralkeet: So right, Laura! This group has been a Godsend to my reading list, if not my wallet! ;-)

>203 msf59: Meeting Marra in Asheville?

I. Will. Not. Be. Jealous.

Really. Seriously.

Still. Trying. Not. To. Be.

Can't. Do. It.

Have tried to stop by and visit as any of you as possible.

Heading off in an hour for a Girl's Weekend with some wonderful women. Heading to The Berkshires in western MA for two plays at the Williamstown Theater Festival, a cabaret, and dinner reservations at a cool little bistro one of us found last year. A stop at the newly renovated Clark Art Museum and some shopping at the outlets will round out this whirlwind trip.

Julia and Katie have selflessly and caringly offered to mind the threads for me while I'm gone. Aren't they wonderful?

What? Be afraid, you say? They wouldn't get up to no good, would they?

Have a great weekend all!

Marianne, wishing you a lot of fun at your girl's weekend. Enjoy it.

That sounds like a fun weekend! I spent a lovely few days in the Berkshires with some LT women friends a few years ago. We visited Edith Wharton's estate, The Mount, which was great but equally great was the time spent cooking, eating, drinking wine, and chatting.

OOOOOoooo! Enjoy the weekend! It sounds great to me, and I've realized that you will be cool too. What a bonus that would be!
>173 michigantrumpet: >186 The_Hibernator: The cover of the unknown book is always blue! If I were to have a book published, I'd insist on a blue cover in hopes that it might sell a few copies by mistake..... And "Don't go to fiction," is the standard response to the request for non-fiction. Amazing that book-selling experience is the same all over.

Hi Marianne. Thx for the kind words about my photo, over on my thread. I can't believe I wasn't following yours. That has done been rectified.

Have a great weekend.!

Have a great Girl's Weekend, Marianne. Behave yourselves. Hugs!

That weekend sounds lovely. My paternal grandparents lived in Williamstown, and my grandfather and father both went to Williams. Such a pretty town... Have fun! I will make sure the riff-raff keep the shenanigans to a minimum ;-)

Sounds wonderful, Marianne! Have a great time!

Oho, your weekend sounds amazing! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!

Okay, Marianne's gone. Party! Party! Here's some starters--

Love the Berkshires.
Love the Williamstown Theater Festival.
Love the Clark Art Institute and looking forward to seeing the renovation.

Do you ever hit the Danial Chester French Museam? One of my favorite places.

Not being envious or anything.

And of course we didn't forget the desserts!

Looks as if this has turned into the party thread!

I think we should plan a road trip to the Berkshires next year. There's a Shakespeare festival up there, too. Just sayin'... And TANGLEWOOD.

>217 ronincats: *nabs all the green olives*



Let's have these, too!

All this food looks so good!

So glad you all are keeping Marianne's thread warm while she's gone. I've been sick all weekend and have neglected my duties tremendously. :-)

Had to bring something sweet:-)

Have to make sure we don't run low!

Looks like a party went on while you were away, Marianne! You really have to watch this crowd. ;)

I love the Boston meet up photo & description! Nine hours of fun? Sign me up!

>1 michigantrumpet: What an incredible photo!!!!

Wow! Seems you all had fun while I was gone!!

>231 michigantrumpet: No, no...this group would NEVER do THAT!

Barbara, Laura, Peggy, Jeff, Mark, KAK, Mary, Amber, Roni, Jim, Katie, Suz, Richard, Lori, Julia, Mark (again!), Bonnie, Roni (Again!), Tina, Linda, Linda3rd Thank you all for coming by and keeping my thread warm! I *adore* a good party so my one regret was I wasn't here to enjoy it! I'll be trying to hop back onto the thread to say hello to everyone later. Trying to get caught up with RL now.

>209 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara! I hope you had a wonderful weekend, too.

>210 lauralkeet: I LOVE Edith Wharton's The Mount, Laura! Long time supporter and have attended quite a few events there over the years. If there is EVER another LT meet up there, you MUST be sure to count me in!

>211 LizzieD: I think having your book published with a blue cover is a brilliant idea, Peggy. Seems someone will always be looking for it! Amazing how universal some of these experiences are, right?

>212 mahsdad: Howdy Jeff! So glad you found me! Seems you wandered over at just the right time! Hope they treated you well. I love your photos -- a real talent there.

>213 msf59: Hi Mark! Behave myself? From the looks of things around here? Pot meet kettle ... ;-)

>214 katiekrug: I'm just wondering KAK, what riffraff there possibly could have been that was kept OUT? Looks like you had fun!

>215 Storeetllr: Thank Mary. We had a wonderful time. Already making plans for next year!

>216 scaifea: Thanks Amber. I'll be posting a run down shortly. Hope you had a good weekend, too.

>217 ronincats: I think this post is when we can definitively peg when the party got rockin'! Thanks for the refreshments, Roni!

>218 magicians_nephew: The Berkshires are wonderful! You *must* get to the renovated Francine and Sterling Clark Art Museum. They did a wonderful job with the renovations. I love the Daniel Chester French Museum. That's on the list of possibilities when my Mom and Stepdad visit later in the summer.

>219 cammykitty: Cookies? Thanks Katie! *Scarf* Yum!

>220 Chatterbox: Road trip? Berkshires? Oh yes, please, Suz! It *has* to be done!

>221 richardderus: Sorry to have missed those scrumptious appys, Richard! you know how to kick a party up a notch!

>222 lkernagh: I know, right, Lori? And virtual food is SOOO healthy! ;-)

>223 rosalita: Sorry you were sick Julia. Hope you are feeling better now. Puzzled by what you meant by neglecting your duty -- not watching my thread or not bringing the beer?

>224 msf59: And there it is! Of course Mark steps right in to put things into high gear!

>225 brenzi: What a beautiful looking dessert. Licking the computer screen now, Bonnie. *slurp*

>226 ronincats: And Roni with the winning cocktails! Something for everyone!

>227 TinaV95: You are so right, Tina! Can't turn my back on this group for a second!

>228 Whisper1: Thanks Linda. One of the best pictures I've every taken. There was a gallery in Stockbridge, MA showing some Chihuly. I was devastated we couldn't fit a visit in with this trip.

>232 laytonwoman3rd: You are probably right, Linda3rd. This group wouldn't toss books on the ground. I suspect, however, the piano's a goner...;-)

It was a wonderful whirlwind Girl's weekend. Three of us drove out from Eastern Mass and joined up with a 4th who came in from Saratoga, NY.

First up, the Saturday matinee, was a revival for Ring Lardner and George S. Kaufman's June Moon, which had its Broadway premier just a week or so before the stock market crash. The last big opening on Broadway for many years, it managed a respectable run even so. A musical send up of Tin Pan Alley. A favorite, Nate Corddry, played the from-the-sticks wannbe songwriter coming to the City to find his fame and fortune. Comic Christopher Fitzgerald (director Jessica Stone's husband) was hilarious. Wonderful cast, some amazing voices, great costumes and tons of laughs.

This was followed by a quick yet marvelous meal at Mezze Bistro a locavore's dream. Sorry but no photos. The matinee ran late and we were 20 minutes late for our reservation, so I didn't want to antagonize the restaurant any more by pulling out a phone for pictures.

We started with some shared appetizers -- a wonderful crispy octopus over fava beans mint and yogurt. Also a heavenly dish of chanterelles with a fun broth and a soft cooked farmer's egg on top. All that runny yolk goodness mixed with the broth to make something incredible. Yum! For mains, the other had salmon with summer Beans, garlic scapes, and tomato water, garganelli pasta with braised lamb + pork, italian sausage, lacinato kale, spicy tomato sauce, and bone marrow bread crumbs, and a roasted duck breast with black currant and cassis sauce. I had a spicy farm sausage over black pepper spaetzle. We managed some time for coffee and a wonderful dessert with cherries, pistachio cake crumbles and balsamic sorbet.

We raced back to the theater then for the evening performance of A Great Wilderness. A challenging new work by Samuel D. Hunter. The Boston Globe's review is here. An Excerpt:

Portrayed by Jeffrey DeMunn, Walt runs a Christian retreat in a cabin adjacent to a wilderness area in Idaho. For decades he has been “counseling’’ gay kids sent to him by their parents in the hope that sessions with Walt will turn them to heterosexuality. Now in his mid-70s, Walt is about to retire, move to an assisted-living facility, and turn over the business to his ex-wife, Abby (Mia Dillon), and her new husband, Tim (Kevin Geer). But before that Walt is determined to handle one last case: a diffident 16-year-old named Daniel (Stephan Amenta).

It would have been so easy to hate Walt, but the writer gave him a remarkable humanity. I've seen Jeff Demunn before and he was amazing in the role. Not as fun as the earlier slapstick musical, but an interesting play. I appreciate that the Williamstown Theater Festival is willing to take chances on edgy experimental plays.

You throw a great party, Marianne! And you don't even have to be present. Grins...

Hope you had a great time.

From there we walked over to Goodrich Hall for the WTF late night cabaret. Intimate tables, EXCELLENT cocktails, and great singing. Christopher Fitzgerald acted as emcee. Various members of the Equity and non-Equity companies got on stage and performed. Amanda Seyfried, who is town while her boyfriend, Justin Long, rehearses an upcoming play, was game and joined in the fun.

Sort of what it would be like if you lived in a town with amazingly talented people and said, "Hey kids, let's put on a show!" The cabaret is only put on three time during the season. I've gone to the Theater there for 15 years+ and this was the first time I was lucky enough to go to the Cabaret. Wow! What fun.

After all this, you would be forgiven for thinking we crashed into bed. In true Girl's Weekend form, we managed to stay up to 2:30, drinking Downton Abbey wine (really!), eating popcorn and gossiping.

Sunday,was an understandably late start. A little brunch, followed by a visit to the newly renovated Francine and Sterling Clark Art Museum. Founded by the heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune, it is a little gem nestled in the Berkshires. It only just re-opened July 4th weekend. We wandered the new galleries, reacquainting ourselves with paintings like old friends. The landscaping includes spectacular views from the terraces surrounding reflecting pools and from several hiking trails. The impressionist gallery retained its wonderful skylight -- quite reminding me of the top floor of the Musee D'Orsay.

A quick stop at the outlets for the shoppers to get their fix finished the day before the drive back. Not a big shopper myself, but I managed to pick up a few basics at Talbots ...

There you have it! A great time was had by all. Need a few days to recover, but work beckons...

>240 msf59: You seemed to have a good time, Mark. I hear you were one of the last one's out the door.... Sorry to have missed being with you all, but I managed an okay time anyways.

What a delightful weekend! Reminds me of some fun gatherings of "the girls" that I've been part of...although not nearly recently enough. (And we didn't smash the piano...we found it that way, honest!)

Sounds like a great weekend, Marianne. Lots of good theater, and we love the Clark Art Museum. My wife grew up in nearby Pittsfield, and I tease her about the world class art museum "out in the middle of nowhere". You'd expect to find it in the middle of a big city. Great collection.

I'll have to ask her about the Williamstown theater festival. It sure sounds inviting.

That sounds like one fabulous weekend. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Sounds like an amazing weekend! So glad you had so much fun!

See, we HAD to have a party to console ourselves for not having the wonderful weekend you had!

>69 michigantrumpet: I am dying to read this book. But ever since the quakes here in my city, the book has been popular at the library so is always out!

Ah, nuts. I missed the party ;)

>244 laytonwoman3rd: I hear what you're saying, Linda. I don't do many "girls" things, but when I do, I can't wait for the next one.

You didn't smash the piano? Must have been the frat boys I was entertaining the night before ... ;-)

I swear, you leave the house for a few days, and look what happens!

Glad you had such a good time, Marianne... and welcome back.

What a wonderful recap of your amazing Girl's weekend, Marianne! You got me at the pistachio cake crumbles.... YUM!

Well I guess you showed us. LOL. Now that's a girls' weekend to write home about Marianne:-)

Wow! What a weekend. The cabaret sounds AMAZING!!!

What a great trip! I'm so pleased for you that the entertainment goddesses were in a good mood and let you enjoy your time away.

*smooch*

Wow Marianne, what a fantastic weekend you had. I'm just a bit jealous ;-)

>245 jnwelch: The Clark Museum really is a little gem hidden in the rough Berkshire Mountains. We always make a point of stopping there whenever we are in the area.

Would be interested in what your wife thinks of the WTF. although Pittsfield just renovated their performance hall about 5-6 years back and have hosted some wonderful concerts. There's also the theater in Stockbridge and the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington. Perhaps she didn't make it all the way up to Williamstown.

>246 lauralkeet: Thanks Laura! A good time was had by all!

>247 Storeetllr: Everyone is still taking about it, Mary.

>248 ronincats: Ha! Roni! You all crack me up. And I saw you were leading the charge. If there's a party in the offing, I want to make sure I go with you!

>249 LovingLit: I'm sure there will be another one hereabouts, Megan! It's a fun group...

>251 Chatterbox: I know, right, Suzanne? Although I did sort of ask for it...

>252 lkernagh: OMG Lori -- that dessert was to die for. Never had a balsamic sorbet, but thinking I need to work on coming up with a version of it. You should have seen me rolling it around on my tongue trying to figure out what was in it and quizzing everyone else! There is a little shop in Saratoga that makes all sorts of wonderful flavored balsamics and oils. I'm thinking a pomegranate or peach balsamic might make a wonderful sorbet.

>253 brenzi: We've already started planning for next year's Girl's Weekend away, Bonnie. Shall we save you a spot?

>254 TinaV95: Hiya Tina! The cabaret may have been my favorite thing (in a first amongst equals sort of way...) So many talented people, lots of singing, dancing, jumping on and off a tiny stage -- it ended way too soon!

>255 richardderus: Given the way the summer weekends have been filling up, Richard, I'm going to have to erect a permanent chapel in obeisance to those Entertainment goddesses. :-D *smooch*

>256 Ameise1: It was a great weekend and we were a little sorry to come back. Although you seem to have a lot going on there, Barbara!

You'll definitely have to do it again, Marianne!

Wow! Glad you had such a great weekend, Marianne. Actually, I came looking for this week's party, but I believe our friends partied out while you were gone.

Strawberry sorbet with balsamic syrup and candied cracked peppercorns.

From which to *DIE*

Phew!!! You packed more fun stuff in than we were able to on your thread, although I think our LT party was pretty fun. The food was good!

Marianne, I wish you a gorgeous weekend.

Time for another party here? I missed the last one since I was gone too... :)

Keeping up the review-a-day pace set by the Doubleday UK meme I'm following, day 21's review is of a novel I thought I'd hate but ended up loving: A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, first novel by an Iowa MFA writer AND blurbed by Ann Patchett. Couldn't be more effective in repelling me even if it was laced with ricin. So then this happened...post #217.

I heard from my MBH on the Williamstown Theater Festival, Marianne. She always wanted to go, but never did. She spent her summer working at the Berkshire Playhouse: http://www.librarything.com/topic/163533#4774962

What a fantastic weekend you had, Marianne! Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

>261 Storeetllr: Feel free to party here anytime, Mary!

>262 LizzieD: I've been wondering where everyone is ... It wasn't me, was it, Liz?

>263 richardderus: Yum! Yum! Richard -- It sounds heavenly or devilishly good, can't decide which.

>264 cammykitty: Hi Katie! The food looked wonderful -- so glad y'all left a little behind for me!

>265 Ameise1: Lovely picture, Barbara. Had a wonderful weekend. A dear friend from college was in town with her husband and just-graduated-from-high-school daughter. A quick trip to see the city from the Prudential Building Observatory, followed by a great dinner featuring daughter's *first ever* lobster. Tons of laughter and fun -- the years just melted away.

Sunday, we met up with our own Caroline (cameling) in Harvard Square so our husbands could finally feast on the Shake Shack meal they missed our last go around. They were so grateful, Caro and I managed to sweet talk them into a book buying spree. Happiness all around ... She and her husband are quickly becoming one of favorite couples. VERY simpatico, those two!

>266 TinaV95: Tina! Any time you are here is a party of sunshine and angels singing!

Marianne, all this talk of museums just reminded me I will be close to the one in downtown San Jose. Did I mention I have a temp assignment starting tomorrow morning? Did I mention the steady paycheck yet? :-P

Hi Marianne! Glad to hear, you had a chance to Meet-Up with Caro again!! It sounds like there is no lag in converstion either. LOL. Hope the week is going well.

>267 richardderus: So glad you can't hit me with a book bullet on Constellation of Vital Phenomena, Richard! I've already read it and liked it. A top read for 2014!

>268 jnwelch: It's been renamed the Berkshire Theater Festival, but it's still there! If she went, she would definitely recognize the theater. They are showing Michael Frayn's "Benefactors" right now.

>269 rosalita: Thanks Julia! It looks to be an interesting hectic summer! Hope you are also enjoying yourself. I've resolved not to complain about the heat or humidity after the winter we've had!

>272 AuntieClio: Oh Steph!! I'm thrilled! Hooray!! I'm so thrilled. You'll have to let me know if you manage to make it next door to the museum. Looked up the San Jose Museum of Art and it looks interesting. Plus, they are having a Happy Birthday Andy Warhol event in August.

>273 msf59: Two trials this week, plus chairing two meetings, so a little hectic, Mark. At least I had a little chance for some R & R with Caro. One would anticipate Caro and I would hit it off immediately. The true delight is that everyone in both couples get along so well. We were discussing how uncomfortable it can be when you like one member of a couple, but not both. No danger of that here!

Hope you are enjoying your week as well.

Oh ... Warhol ... I'll have to check that out.

They have a Chihuly in the lobby, there might be another one but I don't recall. It's a great small museum, went there for the Annie Liebovitz "Pilgrimages" exhibition a couple of years ago. Wound up with a signed catalogue and weeping in the cafe while Jessica held my hand. I had no idea the exhibit would hit me so much.

Oh ... Mapplethorpe's portrait exhibit and Goya/Picasso drawings, those naughty boys!

So were your visitors up-to-date with the grunion runs?

They were so grateful, Caro and I managed to sweet talk them into a book buying spree
Aaaaah HA. Your evil plan is revealed :) You clever things.

Hello Marianne, trying to catch up on threads. I quickly skimmed this whole thread, I guess thats what happens when you go into hiding for a month or so. Hope all is well with you and yours. It looks as though you had a nice LT meet-up and a girls weekend away!

>275 michigantrumpet: Fortunately, my wife has connected with all my LT pals too. It sure makes things easier. Hope the week is going well.

Have your trials come to fruition, so to speak? Hope you're not going too mad.

Hi Marianne! What a wonderful weekend you and your girlfriends had! And you got to meet Caro -- what a treat (I am sure).

I hope this coming weekend is just as wonderful (if a bit quieter).

Oh, Marianne, the weekend in The Berkshires sounded lovely. Beautiful scenery, theatre, art museum, good friends and food. No wonder you are already planning for next year!

Next week at around this time, my DH and I will be arriving in Marquette, MI, for a fun weekend of our own! Family reunion time. Can't wait.

All done with court for the week?

>276 AuntieClio: Read your comment through quickly, and thought you were weeping over a signed *cantaloupe*. I thought "No. That can't be right." Whew! Makes more sense now. *Running off to schedule an eye exam* Annie Liebovitz is wonderful, isn't she?

>277 ronincats: *Smacks self on forehead.* Nuts! I knew I forgot to talk to them about something!!! Next trip. Wish you had been there, Roni, to help me keep track of the conversational agenda. Clearly I can't be trusted by myself...

>278 LovingLit: Sssh! We must be very, very quiet, Megan -- Might try to pull the same trick again!

>279 NicolePatrick: Hello Nicole! Honored you chose to stop by for your 'just-out-of-hibernation' perambulations! Glad to see you back on the threads! All's well here, and I hope it is the same with you. So fun to meet up with old friends!

>280 msf59: It does make things easier, doesn't it, Mark? It was a crazy week, but I'm slowly coming out of it.

>281 richardderus: Killer court schedule this week, Richard. The worst was on Wednesday with a difficult, yet not particularly able, opponent. Sometimes it is just easier to deal with someone who knows exactly what they are doing. Everything took much longer than it should have done on Wednesday. If I get out of the office at a normal time today, it will be the first time, all week.

Can you believe it -- I didn't even have time to download the new St. Mary's! THAT'S how crazy the week has been!

>285 michigantrumpet: oh hah! I'm 'round the bend but not that far. When I went to a talk Annie Liebowitz gave with someone else at Stanford for the Fashion Department, I had a true groupie moment when she got on stage. I was tapping Jessica's knee and whispering, "There she is, there she is! She's right THERE!" I'm not sure I could be close enough to actually talk to her or shake her hand without completely losing my mind.

>282 EBT1002: More on this weekend's plans in a bit... However, the Girl's weekend away was such a treat. I need more weekends in the year. You've got some nice plans, I see, Ellen.

>283 Donna828: Hiya Donna! Actually, hoping to get back to the Berkshires a few more times this year. Marquette, MI -- Have a great time and enjoy the reunion! Wishing you lots of fun, relaxation and the comfort of wonderful memories.

>284 AuntieClio: Awww, thanks for asking, Steph. Got back from this morning's session about 12:30. Doing a little LT catch up before I get back to the messy pile on my desk. Miles to go before I sleep, as they say.

>287 AuntieClio: Love that! She is a wonderful talent and I envy you having been to her exhibit AND being *this* close to her!