Mamie's 2014 Madness (Page 12)

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July Reads (13 books)

73. The Snack Thief by Andrea Camilleri (4.25 stars) 304 pages (1998)
74. The Hanover Square Affair by Jennifer Ashley (4 stars) 319 pages (2011?)
75. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (4.5 stars) 29 hours, 14 minutes (2013)
76. The Best Man by Kristan Higgins (3.4 stars) 432 pages (2013)
77. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (4 stars) 5 hours, 37 minutes (1953)
78. Murder in the Marais by Cara Black (4 stars) 369 pages (1999)
79. The Hours by Michael Cunningham (5 stars) 240 pages (1998)
80. Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker (...) 304 pages (1988)
81. The Hen Who Dreamed She COuld Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang (4.5 stars) 144 pages (2013)
82. In Paradise by Peter Mathiessen (4.5 stars) 256 pages (2014)
83. Middlemarch by George Eliot (5 stars) 35 hours, 40 minutes (1872)
84. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (3.5 stars) 144 pages (1912)
85. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (4.5 stars) 464 pages (2014)

Pages read this month: 2,976 pages
Hours listened this month: 70 hours, 31 minutes

July Possibilities:

Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker - TIOLI #1/shared - library hardback - for my Spenser read with Roberta and Donna
Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer - TIOLI #1/shared - 2014 purchased paperback

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton - TIOLI #2 - 2013 purchased ebook/audio

Total Chaos by Jean-Claude Izzo - TIOLI #3 - 2014 purchased paperback - blaming Katie for this as it is a Europa World Noir

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs - TIOLI #4/shared - ROOT ebook/audio
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith - TIOLI #4/shared - 2013 purchased ebook
Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye - TIOLI #4/shared - 2014 purchased paperback
He Died With His Eyes Open by Derek Raymond - TIOLI #4 - 2014 purchased paperback
Total Chaos by Jean-Claude Izzo - TIOLI #4 - 2014 purchased paperback - blaming Katie for this as it is a Europa World Noir

Murder in Marais by Cara Black - TIOLI #5 - 2014 purchased paperback

The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells - TIOLI #6/shared - ROOT paperback

The Gauguin Connection by Estelle Ryan - TIOLI #9/shared - 2014 free ebook - blaming Richard for this

Plainsong by Kent Haruf - TIOLI #10/shared - 2013 purchased paperback

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani - TIOLI #11 - library paperback
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - TIOLI #11/shared - ROOT ebook
The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell - TIOLI #11 - 2013 purchased paperback

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - TIOLI #12/shared - ROOT paperback

The Letter for the King - TIOLI #13/shared - ebook
The Hours by Michael Cunningham - TIOLI #13 - library paperback

Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold - TIOLI #14 - 2013 purchased ebook
In Paradise by Peter Matthiessen - TIOLI #14 - library hardback
The Best Man by Kristan Higgins - TIOLI #14 - library ebook

The Scarlet Pimpernel by - TIOLI #15/shared - ROOT hardback

The Snack Thief by Andrea Camilleri - TIOLI #16 - ROOT ebook - moved to TIOLI #4 to share a read with Ilana

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell - TIOLI #18 - 2013 purchased hardback OR A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor - 2014 purchased paperback

Middlemarch by George Elliot - TIOLI#19 - ROOT hardback/audiobook - reading this with Mark
A Passage to India by E. M Forster - TIOLI #19/shared - ROOT paperback - reading this with Abby

*

Stephanie found this for me - thank you, Stephanie!

Reading Goals for 2014:

1. To read the works of George Orwell

Two years ago I read Finding George Orwell in Burma, a brilliant little memoir that retraces Orwell's steps from his time spent in Burma. The author provides insights into how his time there shaped his views and therefore his writing. Her thoughts and analogies are shared side by side with direct quotes from his work and also with explanations of the stories that he told, making it possible for someone who has not read any of Orwell's work to appreciate the points that she is making. This got me interested in reading more of his work, having at the time only read Animal Farm. I immediately followed the memoir up with Orwell's Burmese Days. This year I would like to explore more of his work.

Just in case you are interested in joining me for a shared read, here is my agenda:

January - Down and Out in Paris and London DONE
February - Clergyman's Daughter DONE - completed in March
April - Keep the Aspidistra Flying DONE - completed in May
July - The Road to Wigan Pier
August - Homage to Catalonia
September - Coming Up for Air
October - 1984
November - A Collection of Essays

2. To participate in most of Mark's American Author Challenge. I will not be reading Mark Twain, and Toni Morrison is iffy, too.

Willa Cather- January DONE
William Faulkner- February ABANDONED
Cormac McCarthy- March DONE
Toni Morrison- April - skipping
Eudora Welty- May - bailed
Kurt Vonnegut- June - DONE
Mark Twain- July - skipping
Philip Roth- August
James Baldwin- September
Edith Wharton- October
John Updike- November
Larry Watson- December

3. To read a Spenser by Robert B. Parker every month with Roberta (luvamystery65) and Donna (Donna828). This has been so much fun and we will start 2014 with book 9.

*The Spenser Project

January – Ceremony #9 COMPLETED
February – The Widening Gyre #10 COMPLETED
March – Valediction #11 COMPLETED
April – A Catskill Eagle #12 COMPLETED
May – Taming a Sea-Horse #13 COMPLETED
June – Pale Kings and Princes #14 COMPLETED
July – Crimson Joy #15 COMPLETED
August – Playmates #16
September – Stardust #17
October – Pastime #18
November – Double Deuce #19
December – Paper Doll #20

4. To participate in the year long group read of The Vorkosigan Saga

Thanks to the recommendations of Joe and Richard, I read both Shards of Honor and Barrayar last year. This year, there is a group read of this series, so I plan on continuing through to the end, starting with The Warrior's Apprentice. I will be reading them in Joe's recommended reading order.

5. Don't Laugh. Last year I purchased 242 books. I have read 66 of them, abandoned 1, and 6 of them were physical copies of books that I had already read. SO, that leaves me with 169 books to go. I will be focusing on reading as many of these as possible this year. I make absolutely NO promises about 2014 acquisitions except this: THERE WILL BE SOME.

*I totally stole the Spenser project set-up from Roberta's thread!

Here's the link to my 2014 Category Challenge - categories are based on quotes from the movie Casablanca: Mamie's 2014 Category Challenge

Reading slowly in bits and pieces:

January Reads (10 books):
1. Ceremony by Robert B. Parker (3.3 stars) 224 pages, ebook (1982)
2. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell (4.5 stars) 228 pages, paperback (1933)
3. Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (4 stars) 343 pages, ebook (2013)
4. Hounded by Kevin Hearne (3.75 stars) 8 hours, 11 minutes, audiobook (2011)
5. Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling (4 stars) 370 pages, paperback (2013)
6. When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard (4.5 stars) 240 pages, ebook (2003)
7. The Hedge Knight by George R. R. Martin (5 stars) 184 pages, paperback (2013)
8. The Sworn Sword by George R. R. Martin (4.5 stars) 176 pages, paperback (2014)
9. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (4.25 stars), 303 pages, library hardback (1927)
10. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (4 stars), 304 pages, ebook (2014)

Pages Read This Month: 2,372
Hours Listened This Month: 8 hours, 11 minutes

February Reads ( 8 books):
11. Hexed by Kevin Hearne (3.5 stars) 8 hours, 52 minutes (2011)
12. The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (4 stars) 309 pages (1986)
13. The Widening Gyre by Robert B. Parker (3.5 stars) 192 pages (1983)
14. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (4 stars), 224 pages (1999)
15. Cress by Marissa Meyer (4 stars), 15 hours, 40 minutes (2014)
16. The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony (5 stars) 10 hours, 54 minutes (2009)
17. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller (4.5 stars) 336 pages (2001)
18. Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson (4 stars) 336 pages

Pages Read This Month: 1061 pages
Hours Listened This Month: 35 hours, 26 minutes

March Reads (13 books):
19. Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller, 256 pages (2011)
20. High Rising by Angela Thirkell (4.25 stars), 288 pages (1933)
21. Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming (3 stars), 240 pages (1954)
22. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovtch (4 stars), 10 hours, 3 minutes (2014)
23. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (4 stars), 448 pages (1986)
24. Moonraker by Ian Fleming (3.5 stars), 256 pages (1955)
25. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (4 stars) 2 hours, 16 minutes
26. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson (4.25 stars), 9 hours, 32 minutes (2009)
27. A Clergyman's Daughter by George Orwell (2.5 stars), 324 pages (1935)
28. Journal of a Residence on a Georgia Plantation by Fanny Kemble (3 stars), 488 pages (1838-1839)
29. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri D'Aulaire (4 stars), 192 pages (1962)
30. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac mcCarthy (4 stars), 9 hours, 46 minutes (1992)
31. Valediction by Robert B. Parker (2.5 stars), 288 pages (1984)

Pages Read This Month: 2,780 pages
Hours Listened This Month: 31 hours, 37 minutes

April Reads (9 books)
32. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs (4 stars), 352 pages (2014)
33. The Ghost by Robert Harris (4 stars), 352 pages (2007)
34. A Catskill Eagle by Robert B. Parker (truly awful), 384 pages (1985)
35. Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold (4.25 stars), 311 pages (1989) This frame story included the three novellas:
Mountains of Mourning (4.5 stars)
Labyrinth (4 stars)
The Borders of Infinity (4.5 stars),
36. Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming (2.9 stars), 240 pages (1956)
37. Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter (3.5 stars), 288 pages (1975)
38. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor (3.75 stars), 332 pages (2013)
39. Last Train to Paris by Michele Zackheim (4 stars), 320 pages (2014)
40. Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman (4 stars), 240 pages (2004)

Pages read this month: 2718 pages
Hours listened this month: 0

May Reads (10 books)
41. The Poet by Michael Connelly (4 stars) 608 pages, ebook, (1996)
42. Hammered by Kevin Hearne (4 stars) 9 hours, 40 minutes (2011)
43. Goodnight, June by Sarah Jio (3.6 stars) 320 pages (2014)
44. The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith (4.25 stars) 10 hours, 39 minutes (2010)
45. Taming a Sea-Horse by Robert B. Parker (3 stars) 320 pages (1987)
46. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (4.25 stars) 345 pages (1990)
47. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers (4.5 stars) 368 pages (1940)
48. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (4 stars) 352 pages (1996)
49. Bridge of Sighs by Olen Steinhauer (4 stars) 278 pages (2003)
50. The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness (4 stars) 8 hours, 34 minutes (2014)

Pages read this month: 2,591 pages
Hours listened this month: 28 hours, 53 minutes

June Reads (21 books)
51. Heat Wave by Richard Castle (3.5 stars) 240 pages (2009)
52. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut (4.25 stars) 288 pages (1969)
--- I Murdered My Library by Linda Grant (4.5 stars) 28 pages (2014)
53. My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff (4.5 stars) 272 pages (2014)
54. Peril at End House by Agatha Christie (3.5 stars) 256 pages (1932)
55. The 13 Clocks by James Thurber (4 stars) 136 pages (1950)
56. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (4.5 stars) 464 pages (2013)
57. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman (4 stars) 128 pages (2009)
58. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Frankilin (4 stars) 304 pages (2010)
59. The Shining by Stephen King (4.5 stars) 688 pages (1977)
60. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (3.75 stars) 320 pages (1973)
61. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (3.75 stars) 368 pages (1953)
62. Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold (3 stars) 256 pages (1986)
63. A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow (3.5 stars) 208 pages (1992)
64. The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie (3 stars) 256 pages (1932)
65. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch (4 stars) 304 pages (2012)
66. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (3.75 stars) 320 pages (1968)
67. Pale Kings and Princes by Robert B. Parker (3 stars) 320 pages (1987)
68. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (4 stars) 7 hours, 10 minutes (1925)
69. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (4 stars) 13 hours, 11 minutes (1847)
70. The Pretenders by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden (2.5 stars) 128 pages (2014)
71. The Snow Queen by Michael Cunningham (5 stars) 272 pages (2014)
72. The Martian by Andy Weir (4.5 stars) 384 pages/10 hours, 53 minutes on audio (2012) - I switched back and forth between reading and listening

Pages read this month: 5748
Hours listened this month: 25 hours, 47 minutes

This should do it; next one's yours!

Since your grasp of integers appears flawless, I assume this means you're done and I'm safe to come say hidy.

Hidy Ho, Richard! Yep, it's safe. Welcome, BigDaddy!!

Well then! Safe to put these down, I suppose.

Um…YES! Thank you, dear!

The smell of lilac makes me giddy with delight. Add the smell of coffee...!!

Me, too! I ADORE lilacs. And coffee…*sigh*

Hi there! Happy New Thread. : ) So, may I join you in the group read of your latest Spenser novel, Crimson Joy? I am not caught up by any means, but I am still game. Roberta? Donna? OK?

BTW--The pirate picture up top is tooooo cute!

Fab new thread, Mamie!

Cary Grant, a script and a poodle - what's not to like?

>17 Berly: Yes, ma'am. The more the merrier, Kim! And thank you, that's Birdy up there if you hadn't guessed it yet.

>18 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks, Dejah! I found that image of Cary Grant and the poodle on the web, and it made me laugh, so I planted it up there!

OK, who the heck is the pirate up there? It's got to be one of your progeny, Mamie.

Congrats on the new thread! Love the Cary Grant and pal photo, too.

Glad you like the photos, Joe! That's Birdy up there - we were having dinner at The Pirate's House in Savannah, GA.

Ha! Good for her. Very convincing look, eyepatch and all.

Love the little pirate. Happy New Thread, Mamie!

>22 jnwelch: She's a card, Joe! If you ever get to meet her in person, she will crack you up!

>23 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara!

You have to see Finding Nemo! Just saying.

^^^What she said.

Hi Mamie! Love the thread topper!

Have always loved that photo of Cary Grant. Now I have a new pirate photo to love, too!

Happy new threading!

Lovely new thread Mom have a great end to the week.

Happy New Thread Mamie! I lost track of your last one toward the end, and I must say I'm impressed with the quantity and quality of reading you managed to fit into June. Good stuff!

>17 Berly: Welcome to the Spenser Project Kim!

ETA: Howdy Mamie!

Happy New thread, Mamie! Love the Birdy topper! Hope those current reads are hitting your sweet spot! Hugs!

Pirates and poodles! How old is the irrepressible Birdy in that topper?

>25 Berly: Alright. I will try to squeeze it in. AFTER Wimbledon.

>26 richardderus: Ha! Okey dokey, BigDaddy. AFTER Wombat's Den.

>27 cbl_tn: Hi, Carrie! Glad you love the topper!

>28 michigantrumpet: I hadn't seen that photo before today, and it made me laugh out loud. Glad you also love the pirate photo! And thanks for those good wishes!!

>29 GeezLouise: Thanks, Rae! Hoping that your end to the week is also fabulous!

>30 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana! June was definitely my best month ever for reading this year. SO far. See? I'm remaining hopeful that I might top it!! Good stuff, indeed!

>31 luvamystery65: Howdy! I knew you'd be delighted that Kim will be joining us!

>32 msf59: Thanks, Mark! The current reads are all very good, so no complaints here. Hugs back to you, dear!

>33 rosalita: Let's see, Julia...she was in second grade, so she was either seven or eight.

Happy New Thread, Mamie! *Love* the topper - adorable!!

Thank you, Amber!

Hi Mamie

I've been out of touch and miss posting on LT. I love your opening photo! And, of course Cary Grant is so very handsome.....

Checking into your new thread, Mamie. Birdy makes an adorable pirate but somehow I can't see that adorable face ordering someone to walk the plank! ;)

>1 Crazymamie: Aaargh! Happy new thread Mamie!

>31 luvamystery65: Yay! I am in! And thanks for posting the books on my thread. I am currently on the second one and then I will just skip up to where you guys are. I may have a few questions...! Like who random people are. But I will do my best.

-Kirtland’s Warbler

Morning Mamie! Rise & Shine!

Happy Thursday, Y'all! Feels like Friday to me, and you know how I feel about Fridays! I plan to be incredibly lazy today...

>37 Whisper1: Linda! So incredibly lovely to see you here!! Thanks so much for stopping in! Glad you love the photos - and YES about Cary Grant!

>38 DeltaQueen50: You are so sweet, Judy, but believe me, Birdy could totally order someone to walk the plank!

>39 souloftherose: Ahoy there, Matey! And thank you!

>40 Berly: Hooray, now we are four!! And feel free to ask away!

>41 msf59: Morning, Mark! I was up! Women's semifinals today, so didn't want to miss that. Now I can relax and read away the rest of the day.

>42 Morphidae: A plug for Finding Nemo, I am guessing, Morphy! You are cracking me up!

Don't tell me who won...watching recording now. : )

My lips are sealed.

I'm incredibly lazy every day of the week, so they're all like Friday/Saturday/Sundays to me! :-)

Have a lovely 4th of July Mom.

Hope it's a great holiday weekend at the Pecan Paradisio, Mamie. Somehow I suspect you'll have a good time with that clan of yours.

>46 Smiler69: Ha! Good for you, Ilana!

>47 GeezLouise: Thank you, Rae! You, too!

>48 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! We like hanging out together, which is good, since we do so much of it. Life is good, very, very good.

Saw this on Pinterest and thought of you.

That is just SO TRUE! *smooch*

Hi, hi, hi!

HELLO! How ARE you, Stephanie?

Doing my best to hang in there Mamie.

You are dealing with an awful lot right now, Stephanie. I think you're doing great - just caught up with your thread, and I am amazed at your stamina and compassion. Sending you positive thoughts, some kick ass mojo, and my love. Take care of you.

Sis! I lost you for a bit... Happy day to you!
hugs

Thank you, Sis! Hoping that your day is full of fabulous. Hugs back!

Mamie is up! Mamie is up! Morning Mamie and Happy 4th! I hope you have a nice holiday with the family and keep cool.

Enjoy the 4th, Mamie!

Happy 4th to you and your family, Mamie.

Happy Fourth of July, Crazy! Have fun. (Please note the name--it shouldn't be too hard for you!) : )

Happy 4th of July Mamie! And that's a great opening picture. Love it!

Happy 4th, Mamie! Hope you and your family are having a fun, relaxing day.

Happy 4th Mamie .. hope you and the family have a lot of fun .. and good weather today.

Happy New Thread, and Happy Independence Day, Mamie!


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Hi Mamie! Happy Fourth!

How are you liking Murder in the Marais?

Stopping in to hope you all had a lovely day!

Mamie, I wish you a fantastic weekend full of R&R.

Abby caught this great pic of Daniel jumping into the pool yesterday, and BOY, did we have beautiful weather for it! Finally a day that felt like you could actually breathe outside. It has been SO humid and hot that yesterday was like a small miracle, and we spent most of it outdoors. I had been missing reading out on the deck, so I took full advantage. I finished the third book in Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano series - The Snack Thief, and it is my favorite one so far. Very fun and highly recommended, but read the first two in the series in order to fully appreciate the character development in this one.

Hoping that all of you had fabulous 4ths - planning to try to catch up a bit with the threads a bit later, but right now...back to the deck!

>58 msf59: I am always up early these days, Mark - Craig wakes me up before 6am to go walking! And then Wimbledon starts at 7am. I will be missing tuning in next week. And it's not time for football yet - BOO! Thank you for your good wishes - we had a marvelous 4th; it was lazy and indulgent and lovely. Almost all of it was spent outside, and the weather was pure magic - a bit lower temps and greatly reduced humidity combined to give us a perfect day.

>59 Dejah_Thoris: Thank you, Dejah - hoping that yours was lovely!

>60 richardderus: That is gorgeous and looks yummy! Thank you, BigDaddy!

>61 DeltaQueen50: Judy, thanks for those wishes. Wishing for you a weekend full of fabulous!

>62 Berly: LOL! Thank you, Kim. We did indeed have a great time. Betting that you also had a lot of fun with your crew.

>63 The_Hibernator: Thank you, Rachel! SO glad you love the thread topper!

>64 jnwelch: Hope yours was happy, too, Joe! We had a wonderful day, and the pool got a good workout!

>65 cameling: YUM, Caro! We enjoyed great weather and a very fun day, thank you! Hoping that yours was lovely as well!

>66 tymfos: Terri! Thank you, dear! Hoping that you are enjoying a relaxing holiday weekend.

>67 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! Hoping that your 4th was happy as well! I am really loving Murder in Marais - I picked it up at the bookstore last weekend while we were in Columbus getting my new stove. It is the beginning book in a series, and I predict more of them in my future. Have you read any Cara Black - she is a new author for me, and I am liking the writing and the characters. And the story is very good so far.

>68 ronincats: We did have a lovely day, Roni. Thank you! Hoping that yours was full of fabulous!

>69 Ameise1: Beautiful! Thanks, Barbara! A fantastic weekend full of R&R is just what I am going for! Hoping that you have one as well!

~~~~waving hello to all in Pecan Paradisio~~~~

I loved Abby's photograph above. She is definitely talented, and I hope she will be getting some training and instruction from some professionals. She has so much which will blossom with more knowledge and encouragement, of course, if she wants to go that route.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

*waves back* Thank you for those lovely words about Abby, Karen. I do think she will pursue her photography because she absolutely loves it. I agree that she is talented, but I might be slightly biased. Ahem. Hoping that the rest of your weekend is also enjoyable.

I've finally reviewed the second Bruno, Chief of Police, mystery! It's called The Dark Vineyard, it's set in the delicious little market town of Saint-Denis (which, like Three Pines, isn't on the dratted map), and there is so much scrummy food-and-wine talk it made me raid the refrigerator even to write the review in my thread, post #170.

I gave your delightful review my thumb, Richard. I need to get to that series - it sounds right up my alley. I love books set in a vineyard or wrapped around the making of wine. I have the first of that series waiting in my stacks, and I shall be sure to move it up in the queue.

In other news, you will be thrilled to know that I have been sucked into The Hanover Square Affair - been reading it all day!

>76 Crazymamie:

Woohoo!!

Great photo! Will Abby be entering any of her photos in the Georgia National Fair photography competition in October? She should! Perry is that bad a drive for you.

>76 Crazymamie: Shhhh! Don't tell Richard...I am reading the Hanover Square Affair too! About a quarter of the way in. ; )

>77 richardderus: LOL! Well, I finished it! Very good, and it held up the whole way through. Thank you for the tip, BigDaddy!

>78 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks, Dejah! I didn't even know about the Georgia National Fair photography competition - we'll have to look into that!

>79 Berly: I promise not to tell him, Kim! I liked it - been a long time since I read a book in one sitting!

My reading was interrupted by a movie--"Edge of Tomorrow" which was actually quite good as end of the world shoot-em-ups go. Glad the book carries through to the end. That means more good reading tomorrow!

Happy Sunday to the PP folks. I hope today is glorious and filled with many good things. And oh!! a competition.. isn't it great, the things we learn here on LT about.. everything!

Morning Mamie! I also really enjoyed The Snack Thief. Thanks for the nudge. It was nice being back with the Inspector. I have the next couple saved on audio and my library has digital copies as well, so I'll try to keep up. Series fiction is always soooooo....demanding.

I am not sure if I should bother with a Group Read thread for Middlemarch or not? Should I do another vote or just skip it?

Morning Mark! You're welcome - it was a fun one, wasn't it?!

I wouldn't bother with a group read thread, if I were you - sounds like there will be just a very few of us. Whatever you decide, I'm in!

>81 Berly: I have not seen Edge of Tomorrow. "End of the world shoot-em-up", huh? Happy reading to you!

>82 mckait: Happy Sunday, Sis! And thank you for those fabulous wishes!! I love the things that we learn with this group - I always come here first with my questions now because I know one of you will have the answer. Hoping that your day is full of delight.

It looks like we have a Three Pines book to do too, right? Book 5? I might not get to that for awhile though. Suddenly, I have a lot of Booktopia homework to do, the next few weeks.

Yes, I do need to get back to Three Pines! I have no idea when I'll get to that - maybe September for Judy's series and sequels?

That might work for me too. Maybe kick off the month with it. Where are you with the Iron Druid. I am on 3 but do not have 4 and 5 on audio, but I do have the ebooks. Funny, when you get used to the audios, like the Longmires, it's strange going back to print.

I am ready for 4 with the Druid series - we have them all as ebooks because Craig has read them all already, but I really love the audio, so I snap those up as I go along. We have the first five books on audio, as I recently acquired books 4 and 5 for my listening pleasure. Some books are better as audios because the narrator takes it up a notch, so I totally agree with you about that.

Aha .. another fan of the Hanover Square Affair .. does that mean you're going to immerse yourself in the series? I've just finished the most current and I have fallen in love with the characters.

I love Abby's photo of Daniel in flight before his plunge into the pool. Pool also looks very tempting. So glad you had a lovely 4th.

I just cannot do an audo. I wish I thought Druid would be different, because you make it sound so good, but my brain won't work for me in that way.

:)

Well, Caro, after finishing I did go immediately to Amazon and purchase the set that has the first three books and two short stories. I mean, for $5, how could I resist that?!

Glad you like the photo! Our pool is a salt water pool, so it is very refreshing - the water is always silky smooth. Hoping that your 4th and your weekend were also lovely.

**For anyone who thinks that they might be interested in The Hanover Square Affair and has somehow managed to NOT hear about it from Richard, it is free on Kindle right now. Just saying...

I get that, Sis. I had to learn to do audio because I would start out listening and then realize that somewhere along the way I had zoned out and then I would have to rewind. Now I can listen while doing tasks that I don't have to think about too much - laundry, cooking, cleaning...And still, only certain books work for me that way. Craig doesn't like audio because it takes so much longer to get through the book.

I often have the same problem as your Craig does. I read much faster than most of the narrators and unless the book grabs me right away, I feel it is just moving too slow and would rather read it for myself. But when they work, there is nothing better than audios!

>70 Crazymamie: Loving that photo! It could be in a magazine or gallery. It says Summer all over it.

Big fan of the Cara Black books. I've been reading them as they come available at the library, so I'm all out of order, now.

Have just taken to audio books this year. Spending more time in the car for work and it helps pass the time. I can set the speed toplay at 1.25x or 1.5x speed depending on the narrator, which helps.

What a final at Wimbledon!!!! Wow.

>80 Crazymamie: The Georgia National Fair is quite entertaining and there are always lots of great photos entered across a wide range of subject categories. Definitely look into it.

>81 Berly: >85 Crazymamie: Actually, I'm planning to read "The Edge of Tomorrow" aka All You Need Is Kill this month. I haven't seen the movie, either, but I probably will after I'm done.

>92 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. I scooped up The Hanover Square Affair. Free is good.

>96 Berly: That was a tremendous match, wasn't it? I have to admit I was rooting for Federer, though....

>97 Dejah_Thoris: I know. I was rooting for Federer too and it was sooooo close! What amazing tennis though. The angles, the long points, the aces--so good!

Sure my heart was beatting for our Swiss guy Federer but I've to admit that Djokovic was playing fantastic.

Hi Mamie!

Hi Mamie!! Are you sad that Wimbledon is over?

I'm thrilled about your new stove! What a beauty!!

And I agree with Dejah about checking out the National Fair in Perry. It shouldn't be a bad drive & there are several hotels if y'all needed to stay overnight. I'd bet my front teeth that Abby's photography could place.

"hi" (just lurking my way around)

Hi Mamie, such gorgeous pics again! The one of Daniel diving into the pool is a very good one!

Singing: **I feel I could fly **

Morning Mamie! I hope it has cooled off down there for you. How are you coming with the Luminaries? Slow?

Great picture of Daniel! Wow!

It's maddening isn't it when it is too hot to be outside!

Happy reading!

Good Tuesday Morning, Y'all! Yesterday was a good kind of busy - I walked with Craig in the early morning, made up the menu plan for the week, shopped for the groceries, made up an incredibly good batch of chicken salad, baked cookies, and spent quality time reading on the screened in porch. A good day. A lovely day. The humid is back in full force, so early morning and after the sun sets are the best time to enjoy the outdoors right now.

On the reading front, I am still working on The Luminaries, but I am closing in on the finish - I am wanting to finish this one up before I start Middlemarch with Mark. I do not want to have two big books going at the same time - YIKES! I also have a ton of books out from the library - why, oh why does everything always come in all at once?! SO, I am currently working on:

Murder in Marais by Cara Black - very good murder mystery set in Paris, I will definitely be reading more by this author

In Paradise by Peter Matthiessen - heavier, this is set in 1996 Poland. Here's the blurb from Amazon about it: "Peter Matthiessen, three-time National Book Award winner and esteemed author of both fiction and nonfiction, has never backed away from writing about difficult subjects. In his new novel In Paradise, he sets his story in the mid-'90s at a spiritual retreat at Auschwitz. The novel centers around Clements Olin, an American academic of Polish decent who has traveled to the concentration camp for reasons both spiritual and personal. While Olin makes his own journey, dealing with the bouts of sadness, horror, and absurdity--and even occasional joy--that accompany such a retreat, we are introduced to a group of characters all experiencing their own version of observance and remembrance. The result is a novel that is as profound as anything that Matthiessen has written before." --Chris Schluep

The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell - my current Orwell read, non-fiction and very good so far

The Best Man - Thrown in just for complete escapist fun, I have a Kristan Higgins romance (digital library loan - don't you just love those?)

Okay, it's been a while, so here's a funny moment for you: Crape myrtles are very big down here in Georgia. They are everywhere, and people like to line them up down the sides of driveways, along stretches of fencing, beside mailboxes. Like the pecan trees and the magnolias, they scream Georgia to me. Now we have a gardening center just down the road from us that has one of those signs that they change every so often to advertise specials and seasonal offerings - this one is kind of high end, and so they always have elegant displays and claim to only carry the very best items for your gardening pleasure. When I drove by the other day, sure enough they had changed their sign, and now it read: Crap myrtles for sale. Southern elegance at its finest.

I wonder if the owners said, "oh, crap, look at our sign!"

You definitely gave me a good laugh to start the day, and that is a good thing. I hope you enjoy your's also!

>108 maggie1944: I know, right?! That e makes all the difference!! Happy to give you a chuckle - laughter is a very good thing to share! Hoping that your day is also enjoyable.

I just had a library spurt myself -- All my books on hold became available at the same time. I've got several going, all having to be finished in two weeks. *sigh*

Another fan here for PI Aimee LeDuc.

Love that gardening center sign. Hope someone took a picture!!

>94 DeltaQueen50: My favorite way to enjoy audio right now is the Whispersync thing from Amazon where you can switch back and forth from audio to print and it automatically syncs so you don't have to worry about finding your place. That way I can listen at times that I would otherwise be unable to read - like when I am doing laundry or cooking. But you are so right that when an audio gets that perfect combo of narrator and story, it is pure magic.

>95 michigantrumpet: Abby will be so thrilled that you said that, Marianne! Cara Black is a new author to me - I had not heard of her before stumbling across her books at my latest foray in the bookstore. I am delighted with my find! And I used to only listen to audio in the car, but last year I started working at actively listening to audiobooks, and I am coming along nicely with it - I really love it for narrative non-fiction and for some of those classics, like Cranford and Wuthering Heights that I would not get to otherwise. Books where I want and need to go at a slower pace. And then there is the pure magic of the fiction that is combined with the perfect narrator, taking the story up a notch with its delivery. Delightful!

>96 Berly: YES! I was really hoping for a final that went all the way - the ladies was a bit disappointing. What great tennis Federer and Djokovic gifted us with! So fun to watch!

>97 Dejah_Thoris: We will be sure to check it out, Dejah - thanks! And yes - free is good!!

We were a house divided with the tennis - Birdy and Dan really anted Federer to win, Craig and Abby really wanted Djokovic to win, Rae really did not care, and I wanted a fantastic final with all five sets and the one who played the best tennis on that particular day to win. They both played their hearts out, so I knew that I would feel badly for the one who didn't win.

>98 richardderus: Ha! You deserve to gloat, BigDaddy - nicely done. Next up is The Gauguin Connection.

>99 Berly: See my post to Dejah, Kim. It was a fabulous final - truly amazing tennis.

>100 Ameise1: Yep. They both played great - I thought that both deserved to win.

>101 luvamystery65: Hi Roberta!!

>102 TinaV95: Hey Tina! Yes, I am sad that Wimbledon is over - now we wait for the US Open and the return of football. *sigh* Probably a good thing, though, or I would never get anything done! And the new stove!!! I am truly, madly, deeply in love with that baby. And we will be sure to check out the Georgia National Fair!

>103 maggie1944: *waves at Karen*

>104 connie53: Thank you, Connie! I will pass your lovely compliment along to Abby! He does look like he's flying, doesn't he?!

>105 msf59: Morning Mark! the temps are a bit cooler, but the humidity is back in full force, so from about 2-6 you don't want to be outside if you can help it. Our morning walk was very soupy today. I am coming along nicely with The Luminaries - almost there. I should be able to finish it up either today or tomorrow. I am really loving the audio.

>106 sibylline: Thanks, Lucy! Too hot to be outside is pretty much expected down here for parts of the summer, but I miss being on the deck, so it is maddening (excellent word choice!). Early morning and after the sun goes down are pretty much it for right now, but I'll take what I can get.

We had our first snake in our yard yesterday - luckily I didn't see it, so you were spared my screaming. We have a red toad that has been hanging out, so Craig thinks that is the attraction. I suggested toad relocation because, really, I can't do snakes.

Happy reading to you, too!

>110 michigantrumpet: That is what seems to always happen to me, Marianne! Now I have to get down to business and get reading before they all have to go back. We can renew them twice, but only if no one else has requested them. And someone always seems to request them if I have them out.

And yes - hooray for Aimee Leduc. I am really enjoying it!

I wish I had been able to get a photo of that sign! I was driving by myself and on the way to an appointment, so I couldn't stop, and by the time I got back there, they had fixed it. Such a bummer because it made me laugh out loud!

Mamie the crepe myrtles are huge here in Houston too. I love all the colors when they bloom but messy to clean up.

"crap myrtles" -- thanks for the laugh, Mamie. We have two that grow right outside the window in our kitchen eating nook. They block our view in the summertime but they also block the east sun which can be brutal when reading the paper and drinking coffee. I like them because they are late bloomers here and give us something to look forward to in late July. The blooms hold until frost when we cut them back and have our view of the lake again. Probably more than you wanted to know about our Crap Myrtles!

I finished CrimsonJoy last night. Lots of Susan in this one. It will be fun having Kim read along with us!

>113 luvamystery65: Okay, Roberta, your post brings up a question that I have. I have seen it spelled crape and crepe - here they almost always spell crape. Is either spelling acceptable or are they two slightly different varieties? Goggle brings up both. We have them lining our driveway - all in white. And you're right, they are beautiful but messy.

>114 Donna828: You're welcome, Donna! Ours are in full bloom right now. i actually really like the look of them, and it is interesting because there seem to be two schools of thought on how to trim them. Some people cut them way back in the Fall, and others just trim the ends - both results are gorgeous but completely different. I bet that every house in our neighborhood has them.

I have Crimson Joy waiting patiently for me to get to it - the library has the actual physical book available! I am thinking that someone must have donated a few of them because I had checked before and only the audios were available (and you KNOW how I feel about the audios!) I was happy to see that it is slim and trim because once again I have overbooked myself on the reading front. And I am completely delighted that Kim is joining us!!!

>115 Crazymamie: I did not realize that they were also spelled Crape. Around here (Houston) is when I really noticed them because EVERYONE has them. I've always seen it spelled Crepe. Now I'm curious too.

I picked up Crimson Joy yesterday but I have a full plate right now. I hope I can get to it before we start Middlemarch.

Actually, I think crap myrtles fits perfectly. Had a stand in my front yard in Austin and I *hated* them.

I've selected, after much deliberation, my favorite Great War novel: Regeneration, the Pat Barker work, is a beautiful and challenging book to read. The Doubleday UK meme, a book a day in July, has really focused my attention on getting the excellent reading I've been doing reviewed and therefore fixed more firmly in my mind.

See my review in my Orphans thread...post #49.

Crap myrtles for sale. Southern elegance at its finest.

You made me snort in laughter!

I hate snorting. I never used to snort. But now I do it a lot. I sound like a little pig. Snort snort snort. In public, I'll snort with laughter then slam my hand over my nose because I'm so embarrassed!

It doesn't keep me from laughing but maaaaan, it makes me sound ridiculous.

On the Crape vs Crepe - as I understand it, it's officially Crape Myrtle, but Crepe is a common southern spelling. I have to admit they're ubiquitous here in my part of Georgia, and I'm not all that fond of them. They do provide a tremendous burst of color in July, though!

Enjoy your reading, Mamie!

Hi Mamie! Lots to catch up on...

I have In Paradise out from the library, too, but not sure I will get to it before it's due back... Are you enjoying it? (That's probably not the right word, but....)

We have lots of crepe myrtles in Dallas, too. There are a few around our pool and the little buggers drop their blossoms like crazy and clutter up the skimmers and filter if we don't stay on top of them. But they are pretty...

I hope you are enjoying The Best Man. It's pure fluff but has a lot of heart. I just read the sequel and liked it even more. The secondary characters are well-drawn and add a lot to the story, IMO.

Wimbledon is over, but the World Cup is still on. Thank goodness I am satisfied with the nightly news updates on the Tour de France or I wouldn't get anything done!

I became a little disconnected from the pleasures of the Paradisio recently dear Mamie. Hope to put that right as I get my life back on even keel a little bit.

p.s. I happen to like crepes, myrtle, crap or otherwise. xx

>118 Morphidae: Oh, don't be embarrassed! I enjoy a good snort and I'm not ashamed when it happens in public (now Tomm, on the other hand...).

Morning, Mamie!

LOL @ the signage oops. Clearly things are prety much status quo at Paradisio :)

Morning Crazy. Hope your Wednesday is Wonderful! >107 Crazymamie: : ) Love the story about the Crap sign. And >118 Morphidae: >123 scaifea: I think a snort is a sign that you are really and truly tickled and certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

Book #75: The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (4.5 stars)
In which Mamie finishes her 75th book for the year, finally completes her quest to conquer The Luminaries, and is secretly delighted with her journey.

Those of you who follow my thread may recall that this was my second attempt at The Luminaries. Originally I had gotten the very heavy hardback from the library and struggled to give it the attention that it demands on the library's schedule. This did not work for me. So I returned the book unfinished, snapped up a copy of the digital version when it was offered for a bargain price, and added the audio in the hopes of revisiting the novel at a later date. I knew that I liked the writing, but I had struggled with balancing the huge cast of characters and the clever narrative that wound back on itself throughout the story.

This time around I set aside time to devote solely to this book, I listened to the audio while following along with the print version in order to fully immerse myself in the intricate beginning. It helped that I had already met almost the entire cast of characters in my previous attempt. I knew where the story was going, and I could focus on the smaller details. And it worked! This book is a lush tale - the clever weaving of a great web. The reader can choose to admire and be amazed at the structure and theme that such a young author created and adhered to, or simply sit back, ignore the framework, and enjoy the telling of a great adventure set in New Zealand's 1860's gold rush. And the audio narrated by Mark Meadows is extraordinarily well done (except for the Irish accent of Cowell Devlin), although I would not recommend trying to read the book for the first time with just the audio as I think it would be hard to follow in the first part of the book with all of the character introductions, and you would miss out on all of the charts and the character list.

My only quibble, and it is a small one, was that the ending pages felt broken up and a bit choppy as Catton adhered to her self-imposed structure. Strange to say it, but after reading the 800+ pages, I found myself wanting...more. I know; it sounds completely crazy, but there you have it. And the other crazy thing is that I will be returning to it soon because now that I have devoured its contents, I want to start it all over again knowing where it is going. Yep. I've completely lost my mind, but I was delighted to do so.

>126 Crazymamie: Oh YAY YAHOO YIPPEE WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Congratulations, Mamie - on finishing The Luminaries and on reaching book #75!!!!!

WOOHOO!!!

Happy 75 Mamie and I'm glad you were able to immerse yourself in it.

Nicely done! You hit the 75 mark AND conquered The Luminaries. You are my hero : )

^Congrats on hitting the magic 75, Mamie! I enjoyed your thoughts on the Luminaries too. I admire the fact, you returned to it and knocked that baby out!

Congrats on reaching 75!
I only got to see the final set of Djokovic/Federer. I was going for Federer myself as he's been a longtime favorite player of mine and I would like to see him win one more major before retirement, but it was a truly superb match and both guys were quite classy in their remarks afterward.

How great that your 75th book was such a winner for you!

Congratulations, Mamie, on reaching the 75 book goal so early in the year AND on a fine review of a book that I am eager to read! You deserve an extra glass of wine for your achievement.

Congrats!

What a marvelous book to reach 75 with, Mamie. Congratulations!!

75!! WooHoo!! Congrats!!!

Well done! Magic 75 for you... now sliding into slow down and read what you wanna territory? Or, more likely more challenges?

Friday eve. I work til 7p. boo

Good Morning, Y'all! How did we get to Thursday so quickly?

>116 luvamystery65: Looks like either spelling is acceptable, Roberta. The dictionary says that crape is the archaic spelling of crepe. Two different spellings, same tree. Good to know!

I have Crimson Joy waiting, but it is so small that I am hoping to get to it soon - maybe this weekend.

>117 richardderus: LOL, BigDaddy! I actually kind of like them, but I am not a fan of mixing the colors. I think they look better when the row is all the same color, but that's just me. Ours are white, which is kind of boring, but they are lining both sides off our driveway, so they are not going anywhere soon. The dark red ones are my favorite.

I am off to read that review as soon as I catch up here. Did I mention how happy I am that you are doing reviews again? *does happy dance*

>118 Morphidae: The thing about snorting with laughter is that it's like a belly laugh, I think. The happy gets out before you can redirect it into a more acceptable form! I personally love when people snort with laughter - it means that something really tickled them!! So I am honored!

>119 Dejah_Thoris: I investigated, Dejah, and crape is just the older spelling of crepe, s either one is correct. And you are so right - they ARE everywhere! I tried to find a house without them on our walk this morning, and I couldn't! And thank you for those reading wishes! I am listening to A Princess of Mars, and it makes me think of you!

>120 katiekrug: I am really liking In Paradise - very interesting, the character interaction. And the writing is brilliant, I think. Have you read anything else by him?

I am ever so thankful that our crape myrtles are lining the driveway, so nowhere near the pool - that must keep you busy!

I AM enjoying Best Man. Kristan Higgins can always be counted on for charm and wit. She usually makes me laugh out loud - pure fluff, you are right, but sometimes one needs that. Good to hear that you liked the sequel even more - I had requested both and The Best Man just happened to come in first.

Hooray for Number 75! I'm so impressed! And so early in the year too.

Quite interested in your multi-pronged attack for reading the Luminaries. May have to try that at some point.

>121 Berly: True. I have not seen as much of it as I would have liked - Craig seems to think that the tv is for playing video games. He is completely addicted to Skyrim (hoping I spelled that right).

>122 PaulCranswick: The Pecan Paradisio has missed you greatly, Paul! I have been behind on the threads as well. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this rough spot - I have every confidence in you and Hani! Wishing you happy, my dear.

Your p.s. made me laugh!

>123 scaifea: Yep! I love a good snort, too! Morning, Amber!

>124 mckait: I knew you would like that one, Sis! And things are running smoothly here - now if we could just get some cooler weather!

>125 Berly: Morning Kim! Wednesday was very nice, especially after the sum went down. Sat on the screened-in porch with a lovely glass of Sauvignon blanc and immersed myself in my latest reading.

We are on the same page with the snorting!

>127 richardderus: Thank you, BigDaddy!!

>128 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks, Dejah! Always fun when #75 turns out to be a good one!

Mamie, congratulations on your 75! And what a great book for that important number. I met a lady in a queue at Hong Kong airport who was reading it, and she said it was excellent. Then a friend liked it and I wouldn't have thought it was his sort of thing at all. And now you! I'll have to look out for it. The library had a couple of hardbacks, which I think would suit me better than the paperback. (Hmm, I see the Kindle edition is just £2.99 this month. Maybe that's the answer.) I loved the story about the crap myrtles sign :-)

>129 luvamystery65: Thank you, Roberta! Listening while following along with the print version did the trick - I LOVE doing that!

>130 Berly: Why thank you, Ma'am. I am honored!

>131 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I actually think that the fact that I had read part of it before helped.

>132 bell7: Oh! Too bad you didn't get to see the entire match - so fabulous! And I agree that both men were very gracious with their comments.

>133 rosalita: So true, Julia! I am thrilled that #75 is a keeper!

>134 Donna828: Thank you, Donna! Great minds think alike - I opened up a bottle, and Craig and I finished it off together!

>135 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>136 ronincats: Agreed, Roni. Thank you!

>137 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>138 mckait: Yep. Magic 75! I have been reading what I wanted to all year long, Sis - I use the challenges just for fun. I like trying to see if I can fit what I want to read into them, but I also like to see what other people have listed because often that motivates me to pick up one I have had sitting around for awhile to share the read. I don't know about slowing down - I feel like I am just hitting my stride. The year started off very slow for me.

Sorry you have to work until 7. YUK! I'll be sending you good mojo - hope it goes quickly for you.

>140 michigantrumpet: Morning Marianne! Thank you! The multi-pronged attack worked so well for this book because it is very layered and even the smallest detail can turn out to be important. Listening while reading helped me to really focus- as I am sure you can imagine, ours is not the quietest of houses most of the time!

>>142 susanj67: Hi Susan!! And thank you! It was SO good - very layered and rich. One of those adventure stories that winds back upon itself, which I love. I have the Kindle edition - if you go that route, be sure to bookmark the character chart so that you can refer back to it easily.

So glad you loved the crap myrtles story! I have been thinking about you because I am currently reading Kristan Higgins, and I know that you also like her books.

Congratulations!

I like the read along with video approach, too. I'm using it with The Guns of August. I love the fact that the narrator can pronounce all the French, German, Austrian, Italian, etc. names for me. Generally, when I can't pronounce something I just note the shape of the name, or word, and a couple of letters and let that function to remind me I've seen it before. This way, I have an audio of the name too and that helps a bunch.

I am very impressed at how much reading you are able to accomplish with a big, active family, cooking, swimming in the pool, walking, and all the other million chores and tasks that goes with running a large happy home.

I'm glad for you that you finished both the book and the challenge. Good on you, girl friend.

Thanks, Karen! You bring up a good point about the audio - that's another reason that I love it because then I actually know how to pronounce the names and places! And thanks for those kind words! I am very blessed to be able to enjoy the life we live here at the Pecan Paradisio. It's a daily miracle for me, and I try very hard not to take it for granted.

Mamie, congrats on

Thank you, Barbara!

Yay for 75!

Thanks, Rachel!

Very thoughtful write-up of The Luminaries a book I haven't felt all the moved to read - but you moved me slightly closer....

Thank you, Lucy. You cracked me up with the moving you slightly closer!

Okay, so here's what I did with my evening: I reviewed a book I really loved, but wasn't quite ready to run around demanding people buy or else (like The Martian). Larry Watson, who wrote my all-time favorite novel Montana 1948, has a new and marvelous read out called Let Him Go. The review is in my thread...post #279.

Congratulations on reaching 75 Mamie. I am only 10 books behind.

>144 Crazymamie: Mamie, thanks for the warning about the character list in The Luminaries. I'm going to wait till I see the hardback again at the library. And that means I won't add it to the carousel!

I'm glad you're enjoying Kristan Higgins. She's one of my faves :-)

Congratulations on 75 books read and having The Luminaries as your 75th book! I agree with your comments about the ending... it was rushed and I felt a little let down after having enjoyed such a wonderful story.

Friday! We made it to Friday! Chicken enchiladas with all the fixin's for dinner and nothing on the schedule between now and then. Yep. It's gonna be a good one!

Finished my light and breezy romance read by Kristan Higgins (The Best Man) - a perfect filler to go with my heavier reads, and just in the nick of time. Very enjoyable if a bit longer than it needed to be. I am on the waiting list for the second in the series from the library's digital download.

I started Michael Cunningham's The Hours this morning - I have this out from the library, having snapped it up after reading and loving his The Snow Queen. This is good timing, I think, since I also just read Mrs. Dalloway last month and Mrs. Dalloway, along with Virginia Woolf are characters in this book.

Wishing for all of you a Friday that is full of fabulous!

>153 richardderus: I read and LOVED Montana 1948 last year, and you sent me Let Him Go to read for Mark's AAC, so I will be right over to read that review, BigDaddy!

>154 AuntieClio: Thank you, Stephanie! Only ten books to go? You'll be there in no time!

>155 susanj67: You're welcome, Susan. The Kristan Higgins was good - I have read several by her before, and she always has me laughing out loud with her antics.

>156 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! Yep. That's exactly it - it felt rushed. Still, it was so, SO good!

Mamie, I wish you a fantastic weekend.

Delightful! Thank you, Barbara! Hoping that you also experience a fantastic weekend.

>157 Crazymamie: Love this!

Hope you enjoy The Hours. I remember being taken when I read it many years ago. Looking forward to your review to remind me why I did!

Morning Marianne! I am really liking it so far - the writing, the characters, and it's wonderful because I just read Mrs. Dalloway, so it is still fresh in my mind. I am betting that I will finish it up over the weekend, anyway, I am hoping to...

Happy Saturday, Mamie! I think I will set up a Group Read for Middlemarch. Maybe we could lure a few more people over. I will probably start the book on Monday, on audio and then once I finish my Iron Druid book, I will jump into the print as well.

I hope you have a great weekend. Hugs!

Oh! I LIKE that, Mark! Okey Dokey with the Group Read. I will start on Monday, too. I plan to listen while I follow the print to begin with. Thanks for those weekend wishes - hoping that yours is full of fabulous. And beer!

>107 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! Love that picture and the crap myrtles story. I don't think I've seen those trees before and they are beautiful.

>126 Crazymamie: "In which Mamie finishes her 75th book for the year, finally completes her quest to conquer The Luminaries, and is secretly delighted with her journey."

Love it and so pleased you enjoyed The Luminaries. Congratulations on reading 75 books and managing to make your 75th book such a memorable one.

Mamie, I hope the weekend at the Paradisio is fun for everyone. That pool looks lovely! I've never read any George Eliot, so I wonder whether I might start with Middlemarch.

I had a moment of weakness with the carousel last night, but only on freebie Trollopes, fortunately.

Happy weekend, Mamie dearest, and enjoy The Hours. The film is very good too.

Hi Crazy! Happy Weekend! Anything fun planned?

Okay, so I started this month's Spenser. What's wrong with this picture:

"I think the semen analysis shows he's blood type A, and secretes PGM I," I (Spenser) said

"Blood type C," Belson said.

"Which means he could be any one of two million males in greater Boston...Forty-five percent of all white males are blood type C. Eighty percent of all males secrete PGM when they ejaculate. Fifty-eight percent of them are white. That shit is good for eliminating suspects, but it's useless when you don't have any."

People! THERE IS NO BLOOD TYPE C!!! And how does Spenser just happen to have these statistics in his head?!! *begins to slowly bang head against the desk*

Ahem---Researchers at the University of Vermont have discovered two new proteins on red blood cells that confirm the testable existence of two new blood types. It's an important discovery, one that'll greatly reduce the risk of incompatible blood transfusions among tens of thousands of people. But what we were more struck by in this press release was the fact that these two new blood types--named Junior and Langereis--bring the total number of recognized blood types up to 32. 32!

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-02/there-are-way-more-blood-types-you...

OR...The Rh (Rhesus) blood group system (including the Rh factor) is one of thirty-three current human blood group systems. It is the most important blood group system after ABO. At present, the Rh blood group system consists of 50 defined blood-group antigens, among which the five antigens D, C, c, E, and e are the most important.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rh_blood_group_system

As to the statistics in his head...ummmm!

Spenser is next up on my list! Sorry about your head.

>170 Berly: I guess my point should be more along the lines of - on a basic report from 1988, which is when the book was published, a blood type would be A, B, AB, O. Yes it gets complicated after that with the combinations that are possible, but this report is talking about a basic blood type. And if forty-five percent of all males have this blood type, then it can't be some incredibly rare blood type.

*edited because I thought I sounded snippy, which I do not want to be. It's just that sometimes Spenser makes me completely insane.

Type C.

oy vey izmir

>171 Crazymamie: LOL. You already edited your snarky comments so I missed them? Dang. My info was just supposed to be a quick explanation the there really was a "C" associated with blood type. Who knew? I didn't. And you are absolutely right that the basic blood types, the ones you put on your Drivers License, are still only the four. And Spenser can be annoying. Didn't mean to ruin your rant. : )

>172 richardderus: Oy indeed!

C huh.

I just told the annoying Comcast guy my blood type was O+ because he asked me 5 million questions.
He hung up.

LOL. Oh dear. One of THOSE conversations.

I DO NOT KNOW MY BLOOD TYPE. Is that bad?

>107 Crazymamie:...made me laugh right out loud. Crap Mrytles?

Good Sunday Morning, Y'all! You'll be happy to know that I have recovered from reading Spenser in the hot humid Georgia weather - no more Spenser in the sun for me. He should be read indoors with a very large glass of something alcoholic.

We had the enchiladas with all of the fixin's last night - I had originally planned them for Friday night, but Craig asked if we could just have "Get Your Own" instead. This is what we call it when everyone fends for themselves - the crazy man wanted to eat leftovers. Strange, strange man, but i'm keeping him anyway. Tonight will be something with salad because Craig bought two boxes of salad mix instead of just one when he stopped at the grocery for me earlier in the week - I no longer buy salad mix ahead as it just doesn't keep for very long, so Craig just picks it up on his way home from work on the nights that we need it or Dan runs out for it while I'm cooking the rest of the meal. Anyway he bought two boxes last time, so we need to use the second box up.

On the reading front, I finished listening to Fahrenheit 451 yesterday - I have had this sitting on my shelves for years. The library had the digital download of the audio available, so now I still haven't "read" my copy. I liked the story - Bradbury has a way with words, and I like how he thinks about things. My favorite of his still remains Dandelion Wine, but Fahrenheit 451 was definitely worth the read. The audio I listened to was narrated by Christopher Hurt, and at first I thought that he was going to be a poor match for the story, but he did fine in the end. I would like to hear it read by someone else because I think it could be better - the women's voices were a bit annoying.

Happy Sunday, Mamie! How can we banish this humidity? Going outside feels like stepping into a warm, wet, very heavy blanket.

Crap myrtles. Heh.

I read the first 10 or so Spenser books with slowly waning delight. Eventually his obsession with Susan, she of the single lettuce leaf lunch, and the passages such the one you cited on blood types, wore me out. I read a very recent one, about a wedding and a big storm, and it was ridiculous. I'm glad y'all are enjoying them, though. A Catskill Eagle was one of my favorites, and almost any scene with Hawk.

Morning Mamie! Love the Bradbury quote and I am glad you enjoyed Fahrenheit 451. It was my first Bradbury and remains one of my favorites. I will have to revisit it on audio, one of these days.

The Middlemarch Group Read is up: http://www.librarything.com/topic/177727#

I hope you have a lovely Sunday, my friend.

>165 souloftherose: SO glad you loved the crap myrtles story, Heather! I had not seen them before moving to Georgia, or perhaps I had just not noticed them as they are not as prevalent in Indiana. Here, you can not walk down a street without seeing them, and they come in lots of different colors. My favorite is the deep red, but, alas, we have white ones in our yard.

And I was wondering if anyone would notice that! I loved those little blurbs at the beginning of each section throughout the book, and it cracked me up that as she got to where she had fewer and fewer words to work with in order to stick to her structure, Catton's blurbs before the chapter got longer and longer! The book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I am so happy that I made it all the way through on the second attempt. Thanks so much for those congratulations!

>166 susanj67: The weekend has been good so far, Susan, just very, very humid. Right now that pool is seeing a lot of use - too hot to be outside and not in the water. I do not know if Middlemarch is a good place to start with Eliot or not, as I have only read one other book by her - Silas Marner, and I don't really remember it very well. We had to read it for school, and I remember not liking it, but that was forever ago - I'm thinking 7th grade or so. Mark has set up a group read, so feel free to join us - we would LOVE to have you! The link is right there in the post above this one >180 msf59:.

I also had a moment of carousel weakness - I picked up What Matters in Jane Austen, which was not free but a bargain at $1.99. I blame Heather.

>167 richardderus: Happy weekend, dear. I am loving The Hours - good to know that the film is a winner, and what a cast! I will definitely watch it when I have finished with the book.

>168 Berly: Happy weekend to you, Kim! I don't know if you would call what we have planned for the weekend fun, but it is productive. Craig and the kids are working on organizing the garage, and I have been taking care of all that pesky stuff indoors that must be done every so often - descaling the coffee machine and the espresso maker, draining the front load washer and cleaning its tub, cleaning out the refrigerators...I don't necessarily like doing those things, but I do love when they are all finished, and you don't need to think about them again for a bit. Last night we were all tired, so we just sat around and watched old episodes of Bones - we love that show!

>172 richardderus: Exactly. *smooch*

>173 Berly: Yep. I am a complete nut. Spenser does that to me. And you didn't ruin my rant - I have one every month when the Spenser read comes up. The thing is that I don't actually like the books - just some of Spenser's snarky comments. And well...Hawk. BUT, I am completely addicted to talking about them with Roberta and Donna. And sometimes Julia and Joe join in with their comments, which is always fun. The truth and nothin' but the truth...

>174 mckait: Oh, dear! One of those - most annoying!

>175 Berly: Don't you hate when that happens?

>176 maggie1944: Nope. If you ever need to receive blood, they wouldn't take your word for it anyway; they would type you to be certain. It's a quick and easy test.

>177 Whisper1: Me, too, Linda! Don't you just love human error?! I SO wish I could have gotten a picture of it before they changed it.

>179 Matke: Gail!! Happy Sunday to you! I would love to banish the humidity, so if you ever figure it out, LET ME KNOW. Glad you liked the crap myrtles story!

As I just explained to Kim, I don't actually like the Spenser books, in fact, they make me a bit crazy, but I LOVE reading them with Roberta and Donna because the discussions are so much fun. So there you have it. Your description of Susan made me laugh - in this month's read she is sipping a gram of champagne and has two sturgeon eggs on the tip of a spoon, which she is eating slowly. And you are so right about Hawk - he is great fun!

>180 msf59: Morning Mark! My favorite Bradbury is also my first Bradbury - Dandelion Wine. In fact, I am thinking that I need to reread that one soon.

Thanks for that link to the group read for Middlemarch! Looking forward to that and appreciate your making it happen.

Wishing you a lovely Sunday as well!

Whew, one more thing I can forget about. Thank you.

And oh, I'm glad I don't have a front loading clothes washing machine. It is hard enough for me to get to cleaning out the inside of the refrigerator. To clean the washing machine I just run a load with no clothes in it. Easy squeezy.

Happy Sunday!

Hi Karen! That's how I clean my machine, too. And the draining is easy. None of the tasks I'm talking about are difficult or time-consuming, it's just remembering to do it, which is why I try to do them all in one weekend and then be done with it for a bit.

Happy Sunday to you, too!

>183 Crazymamie: Sure. Go ahead. Hook me in and THEN tell me you don't like Spenser books and he drives you crazy! I guess I will have to read it solely for the pleasure of conversing with you, Roberta and Donna. ; )

>181 Crazymamie: Having never done so, what do you mean you have to clean front load washing machines?

Right. See? I KNEW you would understand completely!!

About the front load - there is a drain in the front (inside that little hinged door) that has a plug in it. Get a bowl or some kind of container first, then you just unhook the tubing from the holder, pull it out a bit, take the plug out and let the water in there completely drain out. Then put it all back just like you found it. There is also a strainer thingy right next to the tubing that unscrews - sometimes a bit of water comes out when you do this, so have a towel underneath. You unscrew the strainer, remove it and clean it, and then replace it - be sure to tighten it all the way. To clean the drum, I use the Tide machine cleaner - put it in the drum and run an empty load on normal with the temp changed to HOT. When you are done, your machine will smell wonderful!

Ray Bradbury is indeed one of my favorite writers. He can say more in one sentence than most writers take a page to paint. If you haven't read The Illustrated Man, I highly recommend that one.

>187 Crazymamie:
Another thing on my To-Do list, but probably a good thing i know about it now. Thanks for the instructions!

And I am a Bones addict. Just started watching the series with all my leg-up time and I love it. It is a little strange because I have watched much later episodes and I know who winds up with whom, but still love it!

>188 Whisper1: LOVE Bradbury. And Linda. *waves*

>188 Whisper1: SO true - he does magic with words, doesn't he, Linda? I have The Illustrated Man in the stacks - I will bump it just because you said so. Thanks, dear!

>189 Berly: You are welcome!

We all love Bones here, Kim, so it is a show that we can all watch together - Leverage, Castle, and Firefly would also qualify. Also Endeavor - LOVE that one!

Happy Sunday, Mamie dearest!

Happy Sunday, BigDaddy! I am really loving The Hours:

"She could, she thinks, have entered a different life. She could have had a life as potent and dangerous as literature itself."

Mamie, I've just downloaded Middlemarch, so I can join the Group Read. (I got it through Project Gutenberg, so it shows up in that app and not on the carousel...) I now seem to have two classics on the go as I'm rereading Trollope's Can You Forgive Her? in preparation for the tutored read of Phineas Finn. Yikes! Middlemarch and Can You Forgive Her? were published just ten years apart, so it will be interesting to compare the writing styles and see what was popular in the mid-to-late 1800s.

>192 Crazymamie: *happy sigh* Isn't his writing exciting?

>193 susanj67: Oh, hooray, Susan! I am so thrilled that you will be joining us! And two classics at once - I am impressed! You brave, brave girl! I will be interested to hear your thoughts about how the writing styles compare.

>194 richardderus: Yes. Did you read The Snow Queen? I just loved that one - I'm thinking that I am going to have to treat myself to my own copy of that and of The Hours, as I got both of them from the library.

Happy Sunday Mamie! I have not read the Spenser yet but I will probably get to it next weekend.

>193 susanj67: Here's the link to the Middlemarch Group Read:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/177727

We would love to have you join us.

Howdy, Mamie! I just snagged an audio copy of the Snow Queen. Yah, Me!!

Hate hate hate my front loader washing machine...

Love love love Dandelion Wine /Something Wicked This WAy Comes / Bradbury period.

Glad all is well... in mamieland :)

Starting Crimson Joy...! Good morning and thanks for the page numbers on my thread.

OH. MY. WORD. Let's just take a moment to be thankful, shall we? Sweet Cream Ice Cream with Blonde Brownies & a salted caramel core. Absolutely delicious.

>196 luvamystery65: Howdy Miss Roberta! I have not finished the Spenser yet, but soon. I eagerly await your impressions.

>197 msf59: Thanks for posting that link again, Mark! And HOORAY for The Snow Queen - I really loved that one. You'll have to let me know how it works on audio.

>198 mckait: Oh dear, sis! What exactly do you hate about it? I absolutely love mine. Totally agree with you on the Bradbury books - pure magic those two. Hoping that work is going quickly for you today.

>199 Berly: Oh, yeah! Good afternoon, and you're welcome!

>200 Crazymamie: *faints from frustrated desire*

I had a rant on my blog today.

>200 Crazymamie: I want some for christmas, feel free to fill my stocking with the stuff.

>200 Crazymamie: *jaw drop* Oooh that looks amazing!
The only thing I don't like about Ben & Jerry's is that one fourth of that pint has 50% of my daily allowance of saturated fat, which even for someone like me who pays very little attention to all that... that's a lot.

I don't read the labels on ice cream anymore.

Oh my. That's some serious ice cream! Gotta go get some...

Could you pass me the ice cream scooper please?

Congrats on reaching 75!!! Yay for you!!

Now trying not to drool on my tablet screen over the ice cream... Yum!

Morning Mamie! I plan on jumping into Middlemarch and following it in print later in the day. How about you?

Good Tuesday Morning! Yesterday went very well indeed for a Monday - no complaints. Today Abby and Birdy are getting their teeth cleaned, and I have a few errands to run. Nothing major. It's supposed to storm later, so I am hoping to get in some good reading time. I have almost finished up Murder in Marais - my first Cara Black! And I started Middlemarch - so glad that I finished up The Luminaries so that I could pick up an even bigger book!

Happy Tuesdaying, Y'all!

>202 richardderus: It's worth fainting for! I am not a huge fan of ice cream, but this is truly fabulous! And I LOVED your rant!! Thanks for sharing that - you have a wonderful way with words, and I adore what happens when you take command with that huge vocabulary of yours.

*Chandler is da Bomb. Just saying...

>203 Thebookdiva: Yours will be the only stocking in the freezer, Abby!

>204 bell7: It was extremely excellent, Mary. I hear what you're saying because I have been paying a lot more attention to the labels lately, but in this case, forget the label and enjoy.

>205 drneutron: Right, Jim. Seriously good stuff.

>206 Berly: Yes, Ma'am!

>207 TinaV95: Thanks, Tina! *hands Tina a napkin. And a spoon.*

>208 msf59: Morning Mark! You'll be so proud - I listened to the first 11 chapters yesterday, so I made a very descent dent in it.

I NEED this.

Hi Mamie, I am not usually a huge ice cream fan either, but that salted carmel Ben & Jerry's looks mighty tasty. I was planning on listening to Diana Gabaldon's massive Voyager next month but when I saw it was over 43 hours long I decided to get started with it this month. Well, now I am totally engrossed and cannot pull myself away from the headphones!

>70 Crazymamie: wow- the incredible flying boy!
Love that shot, and can scarcely believe the type of the you describe. We are cold and dull here, with low skies.

>211 Crazymamie: but don't you think the outer shelves would look better with books on them? :)

>200 Crazymamie: I tried some salted caramel popcorn the other day, and finished the whole bag! It was so, SO, good.

>204 bell7: 50% in 1/4 pint? And here I thought I was doing well to help myself to only 1/2 a pint at a sitting! No wonder I can't lose weight these days. Wait, what am I saying? No wonder I keep gaining weight.

>211 Crazymamie: Who doesn't?

Go Mamie! I think you'll really enjoy Middlemarch - great storytelling, great writing. One of my favorites ever.

>212 DeltaQueen50: It was some of the best ice cream I have experienced, Judy. And holy cow!! 43 hours long! But if you are totally engrossed, then go for it - I have not read those books. I made it probably 2/3 through the first book in that series and then bottomed out. I should try it again sometime because I did like the characters.

>213 LovingLit: I know, right, Megan?! We have had stormy weather lately and so today was much more tolerable. Less humid and overcast, so I was able to snag some time on the screened-in porch when it was not pouring. And right in the middle of the day, too!

And YES! Of course the outer shelves would also have books - books on all of the shelving!

LOVE salted caramel anything!

>214 Storeetllr: I hear you, Mary! Since I am not a huge ice cream fan, a pint can last me an entire month, and even then, usually Craig ends up finishing it for me. But wine...that's a whole other story!

And true! We all NEED that lovely area!

>215 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! I am really liking it - love the humor! It is reminding me of Cranford a bit where you get caught up in the lives of everyone.

Hi Mamie! I made it to chapter 10 today and Middlemarch has been wonderful. I am loving Juliet Stevenson's narration. I appreciate you making that possible. Hugs!
I mentioned this to Ilana too: The only problem I am having is finding the chapter breaks on my Kindle print version. If I go to the content page, it only lists the Book Parts, not the chapters. I don't understand that.

Hi Mark! I finished today just into part two - chapter 13, I think? I am also loving it. And yes - the narration is wonderful, so a huge thanks to Nancy who raved about this particular narration. Glad you are enjoying it also. That is so strange about the Kindle version - weird how some of them are so easy to navigate while others seem impossible. I always hate when the page numbers are not available- I really want the page number instead of just a location. I have a physical print book, so I can at least get you the chapters in each part.

Part 1 - chapters 1-12
Part 2 - chapters 13-22
Part 3 - chapters 23-33
Part 4 - chapters 34-42
Part 5 - chapters 43-53
Part 6 - chapters 54-62
Part 7 - chapters 63-71
Part 8 - chapters 72-86
Finale

Thanks, Mamie! That helps. Maybe they don't have room to list all the chapters, on the content page. I am at least glad that there are chapter breaks and they come often. I would be lost without it. My Kindle does have a page count on the bottom left side of the page, but you have to tap it in place.

You're welcome! And hooray for pages!!

>200 Crazymamie: You know my birthday was just last week, Mamie. And it is hot here. Some pints of this in my freezer would not go amiss. Just sayin'. :-)

LOL! I hear you, Stephanie!

Morning, Mamie! Love the look of that pantry! Whew!

Morning, Amber! I would love to have that space.

Morning Mamie! Hope it has cooled down for you. Only 72 here...Sweeeeeet. Looking forward to jumping back into Middlemarch.

Morning, Mark! I would be loving that weather you are enjoying right now! It is currently 73 here and going to 90 - but the humidity is 94%, which is what is making it so yuk. Overcast and rainy today, so I am thankful for no appointments or errands that have to be taken care of.

SO looking forward to today's installment of Middlemarch!

Pints of ice cream - Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk.

Must have some. NnngggNNNgh. Must refrain... *whimpers*

I was so excited to read Berly's post about the blood types - friends here in Vermont had a very bad time because of an RH incompatibility and other weirdness and there is INDEED a great blood research program at UVM in part because of interest caused by her case so many years ago which presented an opportunity for research (she was a patient at the associated teaching hospital, now called Fletcher-Allen), and so I'm thrilled! She had to have transfusions every week to keep the baby healthy, but it was kind of a wild guess at the time as to what might help. Her second baby did not have to have the transfusions.

They didn't do so well with me - I have a balanced translocation - (Craig will be interested! and will explain! 22-14 chromosomes - so I had many miscarriages) - but my woes happened before they had an infertility etc kind of program going. After a miscarriage I'd have to sit in a room full of pregnant women (Can you imagine????) among other things, but that's all changed now thanks to people like me who complained bitterly. One doctor back then just shrugged and said, "Sorry, we're the only game in town. You don't like it, go down to Hanover to Dartmouth." Nice guy! Obviously never had a miscarriage.

>228 sibylline: Paragraph #1 : ) -- Paragraph #2 That doesn't sound like a good chromosome mix. Sorry. And the doctor was a jerk! Glad you spoke up.

Have a swingin' kinda day, Mamie dearest!

Hey Mamie! It sounds as though all is well with you and yours. Enjoy the weekend and stay out of the thundershowers!

Mamie, I wish you a gorgeous weekend.

Judging by her long, long, long, long absence, I fear that our beloved Mamie Dearest has passed to her reward.

RIP

I certainly hope not! That is a VERY pink flower arrangement. HI Crazy!

I'm not dead yet! I have, however, had hives for the past three days in a row, and we can't figure out what is causing them. The benadryl is making me very…sleepy. In other news, I have finished:

79. The Hours by Michael Cunningham (5 stars)
80. Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker (meh)
81. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang (4.5 stars)
82. In Paradise by Peter Mathiessen (4.5 stars)

*And when I do die - forget the flowers. What I want is for everyone to drink alcoholic beverages while singing You Can't Always Get What You Want (by the Rolling Stones) at the top of their lungs. It's my dream.

Cheers, my friend! It looks like 4 out of 5 of your reads were fantastic. I would love to try the Mathiessen.

I am making progress on Middlemarch. Chapter 51, about page 540. Events unravel very slowly, but it is amazing how interesting she makes it.

Casaubon is a jerk and a twit and I have a slight crush on Dorothea.

I'm so sorry to hear about the hives, Mamie - itching is miserable. At least your reading appears to have been excellent!

I hope you're feeling better soon - and off the drugs, lol.

HIVES!!! Horripilation! So sorry to hear it, Mamie dearest, and I hope it passes soon. Well, that ship has sailed after three days, so I hope it passes RIGHT NOW!

I finally reviewed The Goldfinch in my thread...post #193.

So sorry to hear about the hives, Mamie. I hope you can figure out what's causing them soon.

Hives are awful! And mysterious. Will you go do the allergy tests?

I hate hives. They are so small yet the area that itches is so huge. My sympathies.

My sympathy on the hives, too, Mamie. Yeesh. Three days of them must have been pretty bad. My MBH and daughter both get them, and I know they can drive a person crazy.

Glad you were nonetheless able to do some reading. The Hours was really good, wasn't it?

Oh, poor Mamie, hope those nasty hives go away quickly! Book bullet taken for In Paradise by Peter Matthiessen although it looks like a book that you have to be in the right frame of mind for.

Hope the upcoming week is full of health and happiness for you, Mamie.

So sorry Crazy! Having loads of allergies myself, I am way too familiar with hives. I used to take 6 Benadryl at a time when I was a kid, if you can imagine. But back to you--I hope the hives are vanquished and that you figured out the cause so you can avoid it in the future. BIG hugs!

Morning Mamie! Boo to hives! I hope that is clearing up. Fingers crossed.

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.

It has taken me forever to catch up with all the doings at the Pecan Paradisio, Mamie, but I didn't want to miss anything! I'm so sorry to get to the bottom and find out that you are suffering from hives. I hope they are better now and you're able to avoid whatever caused the darn things in the first place.

Hope you are feeling better today...!...?

Mamie, when you stop itching from those nasty hives, let's celebrate that I will have a steady paycheck again! Really, hope those hives have already taken a hike for parts unknown.

Having been under the weather myself Mamie I can commiserate that you are there too! I don't often suffer from any allergies of any kind and the nearest I normally get to hives are in the practice of apiarism. xx Get well soon and very belated congratulations on finishing The Luminaries and with it getting to the 75. xx

Oh, hives!! Two Thanksgivings ago, I broke out with them right after dinner. Tomm thinks it was the cranberries (I'd never had 'real' ones before), but I suspect it was my MIL, who was visiting... I had them for 4 days, taking Benadryl every 4 hours (or however long the dosage is) along with a series of steroids, and essentially sleepwalked through the entire long weekend. So you have my sympathies.

So sorry to read that you're dealing with hives, Mamie!

I'm way behind. Belated congrats on reading the 75th book, and beyond. And I love the crap myrtles story!

>200 Crazymamie: Gotta get me some of that ice cream . . .

Popping in to check up on the patient...hope you are winning!

Good Thursday Morning, Everyone! Feeling human again, thank goodness. Thanks so much for all the well wishes and the sympathy - no hives yesterday! And I actually accomplished things!

On the reading front, I finished up Middlemarch - absolutely loved it. SO much humor there - the writing is dense in a few places, and those require a bit more work, but totally worth it in the end. Definitely one I will revisit - gave it 5 stars and added it to my favorites list, but Pride and Prejudice still remains atop the podium.

Here's what I am currently working on:

...

The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell - nonfiction and very well done so far
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith - mystery, the second in J. K. Rowling's private detective series; these are excellent IMHO
My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead - nonfiction, loving this so far
The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye - mystery, just started this last night and it pulled me right in

...

Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs - this audio is NOT stunning; I have this on Kindle, so I might just switch over to print

Glad the hives have abated and you are doing things again!

Yay! Crazy has convalesced and is back!! I must get my hands on the second Galbraith/Rowling book-- loved the first one. Happy reading. Enjoy feeling well. : )

Thanks, Lucy and Kim! It is lovely indeed to be feeling completely myself again. We did not figure out what caused the hives - something from outdoors. Craig had worked outside that entire day when it started, and we are thinking he brought some oils or something in on his clothing and skin - so everything that he and the clothing touched was giving me hives. I first got them after sitting in a chair on the screened-in porch. Hives all up and down my arms where I had laid them on the arms of the chair. I think we have found everything now that he touched, but what a mess.

So far the second Strike book is as delectable as the first, Kim, so YES, track it down.

Morning Mamie! I also finished and LOVED Middlemarch. I am so glad we decided to read this one. The audio/print approach, is becoming the perfect way to tackle these chunky classics. Smiles...

Morning, Mark! Hooray for a shared excellent read - thanks for the push on this one! I agree that the audio/print is a perfect combination for the classics - and wasn't Juliet Stevenson a delightful narrator?!

Hey Sis!

I'm so glad that those hives are history. AFter a bout with poison sumac ( again :P ) you had my total sympathy on the ugly itchies. I wonder what it was that made you break out? It's very hard not knowing, I think. Take care, and happy Friday Eve.

Hi Sis!! Thank you - I was thrilled to see them gone. However, now I am completely paranoid - poor Craig who now has to be decontaminated before touching ANYTHING after working outside!

Thanks for those lovely wishes! Hoping that today is kind to you.

So glad to hear you are no longer hived, Mamie. I think you need to install one of those decontamination showers like they have at the nuclear power plant so Craig can be allowed back in the house again. ;-)

YES, Julia! That is exactly what we need!! Good thinking!

Whoooo hoooo! Cheering the disappearance of the hives. Glad that is over. And reading reigns supreme again! Yeah!

Happy Thursday, we are almost into Friday! Our favorite day of all.

Thank you, Karen! And I am giddy at the prospect of Friday!!

Wow, lots of good reading, Mamie. I'm so glad you enjoyed Middlemarch so much - totally agree with your comments, including the humor. It's one of my tops, but I'd also put Pride and Prejudice above it.

I had a lot of fun with the Edgar Rice Burroughs Mars books when I was a kid (and Carson of Venus). They seem to hold up pretty darn well, surprisingly. Both my MBH and daughter have enjoyed them recently, too.

I got hooked on Strike and Robin in The Cuckoo's Calling, and people seem to like the second one, too. I'll look forward to hearing what you think.

It's a keeper for sure, Joe - and the audio was the perfect escape for one who is riddled with hives and muddled of the mind from the drugs to get rid of the hives. Could not have come at a better time for me.

I have not read Burroughs before, although I was a huge Tarzan fan in my younger days. His writing style reminds of H. Rider Haggard. I am enjoying it more now that I abandoned the audio - B. J. Harrison is not the right narrator for this book. He reads it like that teacher from Ferris Bueller, which makes it fall completely flat, and it doesn't have a tremendous amount of height to begin with.

I adore both Strike and Robin and was happy to be able to get back to them so soon. I'll be sure to share my thoughts when I finish with it.

Thanks for stopping in- hoping that your Thursday was full of fabulous!

Hi Mamie! Trying to catch up here. Glad the hives have healed! Who wants those?!

I must get to The Hours one of these days...

Continuously impressed by your romp through the Orwell catalog. Good on you!

Kerri!!! Hello there! We have missed you so! I am gonna guess that no one wants the hives.

I am thinking that you would love The Hours - so well written. Now I need to watch the movie, which Richard assures me is good.

And I am enjoying Orwell - a worthy project. I am not as far into his catalog as I thought I would be at this time, but I want to enjoy it, not think of it as a chore, so I'll get there when I get there, and if it spills over into next year, that will be fine.

So very lovely to see you -thanks for stopping in!

Mamie I loved The Gods of Gotham and the sequel is even better!

Hi Roberta! I just left drinks on your thread! So good to know that the sequel is even better. SO good to know that there is a sequel!

We were cross posting on each other's thread Mamie. Go back I left you a message. ;-)

ETA: Thanks for the drink.

Ha! So we were! I have responded. And you are most welcome!

Hey Mamie! I'm so glad to hear that you've conquered the hives. I am very sympathetic. I had no reaction to Poison Ivy until a few years ago when I unexpectedly reacted. It was miserable. I'm a little paranoid myself, now.

I'm glad you're enjoying A Princess of Mars now that you've switched to your Kindle. I still may get to a reread thins month. I've also committed to rereading the first two Tarzan books as part of my play prep - I haven't read them in years! I was never as fond of them as I was of John Carter and Mars, though.

Hey Dejah! Paranoid is exactly right - I SO wish that I knew what I reacted to!

And yes - enjoying A Princess of Mars so much more now that I have ditched the audio! Probably finish it tonight - a fun ride. And now I know who Dejah Thoris is!!!

I have to admit my user name is in honor on my late cat Dejah Thoris, Empress of the Known Universe (forget just Mars). She, of course, was named after John Carter's love.

I remembered that you said you chose your name after your cat, but I had no idea who the cat had been named after!

>182 Crazymamie:: Oh no, you don't like the Spenser books. But you like US. ;-) Easy fix, let's choose another series and see how that goes! I'm up for just about anything except vampires! I do not take the Robert B. Parker books seriously. They are quick to read and they give me an excuse to keep in better touch with you, Roberta, and Kim. I can get way too serious about my reading so I appreciate a quick and light read to give my brain a rest. Thanks for your honesty, Mamie. No one should read books they don't like, and I agree they are beginning to all read alike.

Well, Donna, I ADORE all of you! So switching things up sounds good. I am up for just about anything - the only thing I won't read is self-help! LOL! Quick and light is good, as I like to pair those books with the heavier reads. Sounds like we might get some more fun people to join us depending on what series we choose - honestly, whatever you and Roberta want, I am willing to try.

Wow, this is a speedy thread, Sis!

I guess I better make room on my WL for The Cuckoo's Calling?

Speaking of cats... your thread has been very catless and dogless lately. I think it's time for a photo pdate!

It's good, Sis - yes, make room for it. I'll see what I can do about getting you a photo!

Hi again, Mamie! I asked you how you were liking Murder in the Marais and then I promptly disappeared.



I have that very book on my TBR shelf and want to read it.

Hey, I just skimmed up and noticed Kath's comment about catless and dogless thread status. I addressed this without realizing it!

oh, that is one too cute to be true picture! Happy Friday, dear Mamie. I hope this day, and the following weekend, hold all that you wish them to hold!

I can understand the Spenser fatigue. If you all (or any of you) ever get back in the mood, I thought Double Deuce (1992), Paper Doll (1993) Walking Shadow (1994), Thin Air (1995), and Small Vices (1997) were all good, and better than the ones with the sameness you just read. Most have a hefty dose of Hawk in them, too.

>284 jnwelch: I have marked your post as a favorite and will go back to the ones you recommended Joe. I love me some Hawk!

Dropping in at the Pecan Paradisio to wish its delightful inhabitants the most splendid of weekends.......I trust that the hives are a thing of the past already, Mamie. xx

As the newbie on this group Spenser read, I am up for whatever you leaders decide. I do vote for a lighter series...

>282 EBT1002: lol! Love the pic that illustrates the sheepishness :) Now, what would one google to get that pic, sheepish dog?

Hope the hives have taken a hike Mamie! Do they linger much?

Mamie dearest, goodness me it's been an age since I was here! No excuse, really, just an explanation when I mention that I read the latest Chronicle of St Mary's book.

Have a happy weekend!

Happy Saturday, Mamie! Hope you have a great weekend. I should wrap up my Twain today.

Happy weekend, Mamie! Glad the ouchies are gone -- how horrible was that?

Who did the narration on your Middlemarch read?

I've started the thread for the August-October group read of The Stand by Stephen King. Join in if you are interested.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/178358

Stopping by to say hi. So glad you got the hives sorted out. Although it would be even better to know what the evil weed is that caused it!

Hi Mamie dearest, happy week ahead!

Morning Mamie! Hope you are keeping cool down there and I hope your current reads are keeping you distracted. Hugs!

Hi Mamie! I haven't popped in lately so here I am! Hope all's well in your corner.

After weeks of high humidity and temps in the high 90s, we have finally gotten a truly gorgeous day. I want to hug it. This morning it was only 66 when I got up - AMAZING! Now it is 80, but a lovely kind of 80 - feels luxurious. Going to 90, but with low humidity and a bit of a breeze, it should be oh so fabulous for reading outside. Guess where I'll be!

On the reading front, I have finished up two more books since I last reported in - A Princess of Mars and The Silkworm. More on that later when I come back to catch up with my thread. Until then, wishing each of you a day full of fabulous!

We are about to experience a similar turn in our weather, Mamie! Thursday is forecast to only hit 81F for a high. Unheard of in August in Dallas!

>297 Crazymamie: One of my all time favorite lines!! Enjoy your heavenly weather. : )

#297 Oh, Mamie, I can relate to the ripping hot weather. We're not Georgia, of course, but the Okanagan is the hottest part of BC (Canada, actually), and we've been on a stretch of 35-38 C too! I don't mind if the humidity stays at bay, which usually is not too bad here. If I can go for my walk in the morning and spend several hours outside reading, it's all good : ).

By the way, I'm also as mad as that hatter!

We've been having glorious weather as well!

Lower 80s, low humidity and the only clouds in the sky are the occasional white fluffy ones.

We are so grateful for it after the rainiest year EVER.

Dear Maimie

Too long I've been out of touch. I perused your thread. You are reading some great books. the Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly is already on the tbr pile. I've discovered children's illustrated books and I'm having a wonderful time enjoying the incredible art work.

Happy Summer to you!

Hey Mamie,

I'm glad that horrid weather finally broke for you!

With all the hullabaloo about The Silkworm, I finally purchased a copy of The Cuckoo's Calling. I don't know when I'll get to it but it might be a good vacation read.

Have a great Thursday, m'dear!

>303 EBT1002: I read The Cuckoo's Calling on a vacation, Ellen (actually, listened while driving), and thought it was perfect for that.

Hey there Mamie!!! I'm sorry for being away so long... I think I'm all caught up now. :)

Nothing important to add other than it's been miserably hot here too, until today. I hope y'all have a break right now too.

>304 jnwelch: I think The Cuckoo's Calling might be my airplane read in just under 3 weeks....

Did anyone but me think The Cuckoo's Calling was just meh?

Morning Mamie! Hope you had a good week and are enjoying a kickback weekend. Hugs!

>282 EBT1002: I LOVE that pic of the sheepish puppy, Ellen! Too funny! I really liked Murder in the Marais - there were some holes in the plot, and it was not as tight as it could have been, but I thought it was well done for a first book in a series. I always think that it takes the author the first two books or so to get into the groove with a series, so I cut them some slack on the first several books IF I like the characters and the setting, and the writing holds up. Hoping that you enjoy it when you get to it.

>283 maggie1944: Thanks for those lovely wishes, Karen. We have had very nice if very busy days, and the humidity finally was lower, making it possible for us to actually sit outside! I NEED my outdoor time!

>284 jnwelch: I am making a note of those Spenser books, Joe - thanks so much for that! I do love Hawk!

>285 luvamystery65: Me, too, Roberta!!

>286 PaulCranswick: Paul! You poor exhausted dear man! Thanks so much for stopping in! And yes - no more hives!! Thank goodness!

>287 Berly: You're a peach, Kim! And yes - I did really like that the Spenser's were quick and light to read.

>288 LovingLit: I have only had them once more, Megan, Still no idea what causes them, but at least they are gone.

>289 richardderus: I have not been here, either, Richard, so no worries. I saw that the latest St. Mary's was available - I had preordered it after you warbled mentioned it. So, it is ready to go. And of course you have already finished it!! I am ready for book two, so a bit further behind.

>290 msf59: Happy Saturday! *grins because it was last Saturday that Mark left the message* It was a lovely weekend, and I was glad that I didn't need to wrap Twain up!

>291 michigantrumpet: Truly horrible, Marianne, but yes, they are all gone. May they NEVER return! The narration on my Middlemarch book was done by Juliet Stevenson, and she is oh so fabulous! Track it down if you can - highly recommended!

>292 luvamystery65: Thanks for that link, Roberta! I have starred it, and I have the book ready to go - not sure when I will start as I want to finish up what I already have going first. But soon...very soon.

>293 sibylline: I would love to know what started it all, Lucy! I guess I will just be thankful that they are gone - maybe we'll figure it out down the road, but I am hoping not just because I don't want the hives back!!

>294 richardderus: Thank you, BigDaddy! Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous!

>295 msf59: The cooler temps and lower humidity have been most welcome, Mark! I was so happy to be able to porch again. I love sitting out there and really miss it when it just isn't possible. Makes me grumpy.

>296 Carmenere: Lynda!! So lovely to see you here! Thanks for stopping in!

>298 katiekrug: I know, right?! The cooler weather has been wonderful - the mornings especially. Love to sit outside with my first cup of coffee and admire that pecan grove. This week is supposed to be all rain - we'll see.

>299 Berly: Me, too, Kim! It speaks directly to me! And I am loving the weather!

>300 lit_chick: The humidity was really horrible combined with the high temps - Craig and I skipped several days of walking when the weather was at its soupiest, and I hate doing that. But really, it was just miserable. SO the cooler weather has been most welcome. I really like to get that outside reading time - I feel like it resets me, if that makes any sense. Just not the same without it.

And lovely to hear that you are also mad as a hatter - a kindred soul!!

>310 Crazymamie: No rush on the The Stand Mamie. I have some library books I need to read first. Glad you are joining us.

>301 Morphidae: Hooray for glorious weather!! I think that last year was the year of record rainfall for us - it pretty much rained all summer. Much nicer this year, but I was happy to get a break from the humidity.

>302 Whisper1: Linda!! Always a pleasure to see you here! I have been out of touch also. I have really enjoyed my reading of late. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly was lovely, but I will warn you that it didn't end the way that I thought it would. Glad you are delighting in the children's illustrated books - I MISS those! We have boxes and boxes of them for when, if I ever get to be a grandMamie. Happy Summer to you, as well!

>303 EBT1002: Oh, I hope that you like The Cuckoo's Calling, Ellen. I really loved it, and the second book was just as good, I thought. I think it would be a perfect choice for vacation!

>304 jnwelch: Yep - a perfect combo, I am thinking!

>305 TinaV95: Tina!! I haven't been here, either! Strange year. Good. But strange. We are still enjoying our cooler weather. Hoping that all is well with both you and Lisa.

>306 EBT1002: Airplane is perfect - excellent choice!!

>307 Morphidae: I actually loved it, Morphy - I gave it 4.5 stars, but then I adore a good detective series.

>308 msf59: Morning Mark! Looks to be a lovely slow weekend for the kids and myself. Poor Craig is in the middle of a five day stretch of call - both partners took vacation at the same time. Wishing you a fabulous weekend as well. Hugs back!

>311 luvamystery65: Hey there, Roberta! You snuck in on me! I am thinking maybe next week, and I am thrilled that there is a GR of this one - looking forward to sharing it!

>312 Crazymamie: I know. It seems most everybody does love it. That's why I asked!

I think it's because a mystery has to be really good for it to get an 8/10 stars from me. They are too much alike so a book has to be significantly different for me to think it's anything but mediocre. Strike was yet another angst ridden, down on his luck, male detective. At this point, that trope makes me roll my eyes and think, "Not again!"

I'm doing this challenge called Around the World in 80 Sleuths and it seems Every.Single.Detective so far is an angst ridden, down on his luck, male. Well, except for the sheep...

You bring up an excellent point, Morphy. I guess for me it makes complete sense that detectives are mostly angst ridden, down on their luck males because I think it would take a certain mentality/personality to do that job. If they were fully functioning they would probably choose a job that paid better for less work and more predictability. Instead, chased by their own demons and needing to make at least a bare living, they do what they know, which they were probably trained for in their previous life - military or police work. I think either of those professions would be capable of leaving almost anyone who worked them for any length of time with baggage that was hard to carry. This is what makes them not fit in - they no longer work in a group because they don't play well with others. They refuse to follow the rules and cannot or will not be subordinate.

And there are detectives that defy the stereotype, but those are the ones that don't need the money or don't do it for a living - they are amateur sleuths, which you find a lot in those cozy mysteries - I am thinking Miss Marple and Nancy Drew. You also have your wealthy detectives that do it for entertainment and excitement - the Thin Man and Tommy and Tuppence. The type of detective that you describe is exactly the one that I want to read about because I love noir type fiction and because I love reading about people who do the wrong thing for the right reason or who won't play the game according to the directions. Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe - these are my people!

Um...sheep?

You must feel good about being all caught up with your own thread! It is really nice to have you back on a regular basis and good riddance to those darn hives. It's August and I have to get the next Spenser! Have a great weekend.

I cannot believe it's August already - I'm in shock, Kim! I have requested this month's Spenser from the library, but it hasn't come in yet. And yes, I am now caught up on my own thread! *does happy dance* And no more hives! *does happy dance again* Thanks so much for your kind words - it's lovely to be wanted.

: )

I'm having trouble believing that it's August, too. This year has flown by!

Ah. Whereas I don't want to read about those types of people and why I like the ones that defy the stereotype.

Re: Sheep - Three Bags Full

I wouldn't recommend it. It was pretty awful. Even with our differing opinions on what is a good mystery - we have different preferences on types of characters, not writing!

>318 Berly: *grins back at Kim*

>319 tymfos: Hi Terri! I know, right?! Seems like summer just got here, and now it is almost time to start thinking about school again. Ugh.

>320 Morphidae: Yep. And now I get the sheep reference!! So NO, huh? Duly noted. And so true about just liking different character types - bad writing is bad writing. Thanks for the warning.

>320 Morphidae: Ah, I thought Three Bags Full was clever and adorable, although the ending fell a little flat.

Well, there you go! Ha!