BLBera's 2014 reading - part 4

October 10 by Wendell Berry

Now constantly there is the sound,
quieter than rain
of the leaves falling.

Under their loosening bright
gold, the sycamore limbs
bleach whiter.

Now the only flowers
are bee weed and aster, spray
of their white and lavender
over the brown leaves.

The calling of a crow sounds
loud -- a landmark -- now
that the life of summer falls
silent, and the nights grow.

December
97.Panic in a Suitcase
98. Dear Committee Members
99. The Uninvited Guests*
100. The Book of Unknown Americans
101. Dreaming Spies*
102. The Strangler Vine*
103. An Untamed State
104. The Strange Library*

November
88. Belzhar
89. Nora Webster
90. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian* REREAD
91. Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?
92. Some Luck
93. Just One Damned Thing After Another*
94. Boundary Waters*
95. Mermaids in Paradise
96. Flora & Ulysses*

October
76. Station Eleven
77. Flight Behavior* REREAD
78. The Marco Effect
79. All the Light We Cannot See
80. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry*
81. Fighting Chance
82. The Arsonist
83. The Reckoning: A John Madden novel
84. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
85. Deadline: Virgil Flowers
86. Bones Never Lie
87. Dear Life*

2014
January
1. Bleeding Edge
2. The Franchise Affair*
3. Horoscopes for the Dead*
4. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
5. The Nine Guardians*
6. Someone
7. The Purity of Vengeance
8. Lake of Tears
9. Back to School: Why Everyone Deserves a Second Chance at Education*

February
10. The Death of Artemio Cruz*
11. Mr. Churchill's Secretary*
12. The War of the End of the World*
13. The Color of My Words
14. The Ghost of the Mary Celeste
15. Cracking India*
16. Princess Elizabeth's Spy*

March
17. Love in the Time of Cholera*
18. Ripper
19. Hard Going
20. The Warmth of Other Suns*
21. The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells*
22. The Salinger Contract
23. Arrow of God*
24. Under the Wide and Starry Sky*
25. Thirty Girls

April
26. The Handmaid's Tale*
27. The Outcast Dead
28. The Blazing World
29. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse*
30. Destroyer Angel
31. Love and Treasure
32. Death Come Quickly
33. The Lost Sisterhood*

May
34. Home and Exile
35. Powder and Patch
36. The Uncoupling*
37. The Goldfinch
38. As I Lay Dying*
39. All the Birds, Singing
40. Field of Prey
41. Son*
42. Quiet*
43. The Devil's Star*
44. Safe Area Gorazde*

June
45. The Redeemer
46. Dust
47. MaddAddam
48. The Late Scholar
49. Life*

July
50. Out of Range
51. Drawing Conclusions*
52. Native Guard: Poems*
53. Making Masterpiece
54. Vertigo 42
55. The Clothes on Their Backs*
56. Assassination Vacation*
57. Music of Ghosts
58. Marina*
59. A Month in the Country*
60. Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead*

August
61. The Two Hotel Francforts
62. Deadliest of Sins*
63. The Mind's Eye*
64. The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
65. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase* REREAD
66. The Orphanmaster*
67. Designated Daughters
68. Restless*
69. An Uncertain Place*

September
70. Snow in May*
71. Byrd*
72. The Long Way Home
73. Hard Time*
74. The Word Exchange
75. Euphoria

* Off my shelf

This year's long list for the Orange Prize.

Read
Americanah
MaddAddam
The Signature of All Things
The Lowland
The Goldfinch
All the Birds, Singing
The Burgess Boys
The Strangler Vine

Not yet read
The Shadow of the Crescent Moon
Reasons She Goes to the Woods
The Bear
The Luminaries
Burial Rites
The Dogs of Littlefield
Eleven Days
The Flamethrowers
A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing
The Undertaking
Still Life with Bread Crumbs
Almost English

I like to keep track of these because usually this prize aligns most closely with my reading preferences. I will probably read a few more of these, especially Burial Rites, The Flamethrowers, and The Undertaking.

National Book Award long list finalists in fiction:
An Unnecessary Woman
The UnAmericans
All the Light We Cannot See
Wolf in White Van
Redeployment
Station Eleven
Thunderstruck & Other Stories
Orfeo
Lila
Some Luck

Read
Station Eleven
All the Light We Cannot See
Some Luck

Currently reading: Station Eleven and Flight Behavior - reread for my class. I'll let you know what the students think.

Happy New Thread, Beth!

Hi Amber - Thanks for stopping by. It's pretty quiet around here.

5 under 35 writers honored this year:
Yelena Akhtiorskaya - Panic in a Suitcase
Alex Gilvarry - From the Memoirs of a Non-Enemy Combatant
Phil Klay - Redeployment
Valeria Luiselli - Faces in the Crowd
Kirstin Valdez Quade - Night at the Fiestas

I'll check some of these out. My library has the Akhtiroskaya and Luiselli books.

Hi Beth! Happy new thread!

Happy new thread Beth!

Hi Beth, checking into your new thread and checking those Orange Long List books, a few of which are sitting on my shelves.

Nice new thread! You have done a lot of great reading this year.

Hi Carrie, Bonnie, Judy and Rhonda. Thanks for stopping by.

76. Station Eleven
"Sometimes the Traveling Symphony thought that what they were doing was noble. There were moments around campfires when someone would say something invigorating about the importance of art, and everyone would find it easier to sleep that night."

The Traveling Symphony travels along the coast of Lake Michigan to the small communities that remain after the pandemic that killed 99% of the world's population and ended civilization. Station Eleven tells the story of a few people who survived and of the Traveling Symphony in Year 20.

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did -- dystopia has been done so well already. But Mandel takes a few people and revolves the story around them, making it about the people more than the dystopia. She also pokes gentle fun at the genre, as one character talks about the end of the world containing zombies, remarking, "It could be worse."

Along the way she also raises questions that will stick with me a while - what is worth saving? Cell phones? The Internet? What relevance does the Symphony have? They're still performing Shakespeare, by the way...

Next: The Marco Effect

Hi Beth - happy new thread!

Station Eleven sounds intriguing. It's been getting a lot of positive buzz...

Hey Katie - Thanks for stopping by - I liked Station Eleven - lots to think about.

Congratulations on hitting the 75 books mark, Beth!

Happy new thread, Beth : ). Lost track of you for a few days … easy to do around here, LOL.

Hi Beth! Lots of good reading going on over here, as always. I have Station Eleven on my TBR list, but wasn't sure about another dystopian. Your review made me feel better about this by addressing how Station Eleven is different than other books in this genre.

The Iowa City Book Festival was great. I especially enjoyed Marilynne Robinson and have already started Lila. No word on next year's dates yet, but I will keep you posted.

And congrats on reaching 75 books! I know there are more good ones in store for you!

Congrats on hitting 75, Beth! Always a celebratory milestone. Glad you enjoyed Station eleven. I have that lined up on audio. I also have The Marco Effect waiting in the wings also.

Congrats!

Adding my congratulations for reaching 75 books, Beth! I've been eyeing Station Eleven and I'm glad to see you liked it.

Thanks Darryl.

Yes, Nancy, it is easy to lose track of people. I hope school is going well.

Amy - I had doubts about Station Eleven because let's face it, dystopian novels are pretty common right now, and there's only so many different ways the world can end - this one does reference The Passage in one part, saying that things could be worse, there could be zombies. So, there was humor. I also liked the questions it raised about what we keep.

I want to attend the Iowa City Book Festival. Maybe next year. I'll keep it on the radar.

Thanks Mark. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of Station Eleven.

Thanks Jim.

Thanks Joanne.

School is keeping me busy these days, so I am very behind on thread visiting -- even my own!

My students and I are finishing Flight Behavior and I am about halfway through The Marco Effect - an odd number Adler-Olsen, and it is better than the last one -- although I'm finding the financial finagling in the plot a little complicated.

Hi Beth! Happy New Thread. Congrats on 75.

I really want to read The Luminaries and I see that you still have it on your TBR list, too.... I'm curious, is it just because it's so dang long that we haven't gotten to it yet?

I'll be interested in your thoughts about Flight Behavior (although it occurs to me that if you're teaching it, you've read it before). I liked it but not as much as some of her other works.

P.S. I now have All the Light We Cannot See waiting for me at the library. :-)

Hi Ellen - Thanks for stopping by. I think it's because it's so dang long that we haven't read The Luminaries yet. I loved Flight Behavior this time, too. It's one of my favorite Kingsolvers in a long time. I know many felt that she was a little heavy handed on the environmental stuff, but I thought she did a good job of weaving it into the story. And I loved the characters -- Dellarobia, Preston and Cordelia will stick with me for a long time. My students don't think there's enough action -- but tomorrow they will have finished it, so I'll find out what they think of the ending.

I also just got All the Light We Cannot See from the library -- and there are still 41 holds, so I have to get to it next. Yay! Group read? Or should I say duo read?

Next week we don't have class on Thursday and Friday, so I should get some reading in in the next week or so.

I'm almost done with The Marco Effect. More on that later.

Patrick Modiano, a French writer won the Nobel for Literature -- I have never heard of him.

78. The Marco Effect - an odd-numbered Department Q mystery, it was better than the previous one. Marco is a young man who has been raised as a gypsy, to steal. The clan has settled in Copenhagen, but Marco wants to go to school. One night he runs away, setting off a chain reaction that involves bank fraud and criminals on two continents. Solid book - the chase scenes got to be a bit much, but overall, an enjoyable read.

Next: All the Light We Cannot See

Hi, Beth. You make me feel better. I had never heard of Modiano either.......not particularly surprising in my case.

Peggy - None of my English professor colleagues know Modiano either. I looked on Amazon and there aren't many of his books in translation -- and neither the college nor public libraries had any of his books. I assume that will change shortly.

Hi Beth!

>13 BLBera: - I'm going to put Station Eleven on the wishlist. I've been staying aways from dystopias lately, but this one seems to have enough going on that it won't seem like the same old thing.

>26 BLBera: - I'm behind on Department Q and have the previous 2 to read. I know the one before The Marco Effect got mixed reviews, so I've been putting it off, but then even a sub par Department Q is probably worth a read so I should probably get to it.

Hey Kerri - I'll be interested to see what you think of Station Eleven when you get to it. I will definitely look for more of Mandel's work -- I read The Lola Quartet, which I also liked, but I think Station Eleven was better.

So far, the even numbered Department Qs have sucked. I'm considering whether I should just read the old numbered ones -- except then I'll miss any developments....There were some big changes in this one.

I just started All the Light We Cannot See and it is drawing me in. So far, so good. My book club is reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and we meet on Friday, so I also have to get to that one. And there are papers to grade, classes to plan...
Good news though that we have a short week this week, no class Thursday or Friday, so I should be able to get somewhat caught up.

Oh, and I forgot, granddaughters to play with...

Hi Beth! You reach ed 75 books and I missed it! Congrats to you, and happy new thread!

GranddaughterS to play with? Are you speaking very generally, or is there something I should know? Have fun with little Scout!

Beth, I started All the Light We Cannot See yesterday on my housecleaning breaks. I wanted to abandon housework and stick with the book! The company has come and gone so I have a clean house and a good book to read this weekend. It's about time I got in some solid reading time.

Hi Anne - Oh my! There is just one granddaughter, who gets cuter every day.

Hi Donna - I am also enjoying All the Light We Cannot See. We'll have to compare notes. I hope to get a good chunk done this weekend.

Morning Beth! You are always reading such interesting stuff. Smiles. I am going to be starting Station Eleven very soon and I will still give the Marco Effect a go. I've liked all the books so far.
Hope you enjoy A.J. Fikry. I loved that one.

Good morning Mark. Enjoy your Sunday. I am terribly behind my thread visiting, but yours is also hopping. I'll try to stop by later. I won A.J. Fikry as an ER, but it never came, so I guess I'll check it out of the library. A book about books -- how could one go wrong?

I'll be anxious to hear what you think about Station Eleven.

An interesting essay -- with some good links. The statistics on women reviewers and women writers reviewed is abysmal.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/books/review/gender-genre.html?emc=edit_bk_201...

79. All the Light We Cannot See, a beautifully written and plotted book, tells the story of Marie-Laure Le Blanc and Werner Pfennig as they try to survive WWII. Marie-Laure is a blind French girl who lives with her father in Paris. Werner Pfennig is a German orphan who is fascinated by radios. Doerr tells their stories, alternating in short bursts, carrying the narrative forward, much as Marie-Laure and Werner are both swept up into the war.

And Doerr has passages like: "That great shuttle of souls might fly about, faded but audible if you listen closely enough? They flow above the chimneys, ride the sidewalks, slip through your jacket and shirt and breastbone and lungs, and pass out through the other side, the air a library and the record of every life lived, every sentence spoken, every word transmitted still reverberating within it." He observes and describes the world closely, giving us a keen sense of place. Really good stuff.

Next: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry for my book club.

Hi Beth, delighted you enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See so much! I must get to this one. And funny to see your next read as The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry … was just talking about this one with a friend this morning, and had just added it to my list.

Don't know when but I am definitely going to be reading All the Light We Cannot See at some point. It sounds like a wonderful book.

Hi Nancy - I am enjoying The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry more than I expected. It will be interesting to discuss tomorrow. I hope I will be able to finish it... I had to return All the Light We Cannot See to the library - still 40+ people on the waiting list, so I was trying to finish that first.

Judy - All the Light We Cannot See is really good historical fiction. Doerr can really write.

Hi Beth! I loved Station Eleven. I enjoyed her writing and her inventive plotting. You never quite knew, where the story would take you.

I hope to bookhorn in All the Light We Cannot See, over the next few weeks.

>37 BLBera:: "Really good stuff" for sure. I loved that quote. I'm glad you liked the book, Beth, even though you weren't blown away by it as I was. You've been reading so many good books lately. Harold Fry will make a wonderful discussion book.

Hi Mark - I'm so glad you loved Station Eleven. I loved the Shakespeare connection, too. I think you will love All the Light We Cannot See -- I have a feeling that might win the National Book Award.

Hi Donna - I think Doerr's characters are not quite 5-star for me. I've been trying to pinpoint what didn't blow me away, and I think that's it. I loved the way he put it together, and his writing is gorgeous. I have to think about it a little more, I guess.

I think I'm going to be able to finish Harold Fry before my book club meets tomorrow, so off to read. I think you're right, Donna, it will be a good discussion book.

Morning Beth! Actually, I would have liked to see more of the traveling symphony. It was such a wonderful creation. This appears to be a stand-alone, right? I sure hope so.

It sounds like All the Light is a must read.

Hi Mark - Yes, the traveling symphony was great. I hope Station Eleven was a stand alone. Usually the trilogies seem to have enough material for one good book.

Hi Rhonda - All the Light is really good. I love the way he plotted it. It worked really well.

80. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry surprised me. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. It worked really well for my book club. It's the first book in a while that was universally loved. There's a lot to think about.

Harold Fry, a retired salesman, gets a letter from a past colleague one morning as he's eating breakfast. Queenie Hennessy has written to tell him good bye, that she is dying from cancer. Harold writes a note in reply and walks out to post it. He keeps walking, deciding that a letter isn't enough. The novel tells about his journey, both emotional and physical as he walks the length of England. As he walks, he thinks about his life: "It surprised him that he was remembering all this. Maybe it was the walking. Maybe you saw even more than the land when you got out of the car and used your feet."

A lovely, reflective little book.

Next: Another library book that has to go back: Fighting Chance. I love Jane Haddam's Gregor Demarkian series and have been looking forward to this one.

Hi Beth, With both you and Donna loving All the Light We Cannot See, I know I should get to it sooner rather than later. Have a great weekend!

Thanks Joanne.

81. Fighting Chance is the latest in the Gregor Demarkian series. I enjoy this series; the characters are fun, and Haddam has a great sense of humor. Plus, she always integrates current events into the story. In this one, we get the banks' shady foreclosure practices, but the juvenile justice system is at the forefront here.

Father Tibor Kasperian is accused of killing a judge. The judge, Martha Handling, works in the juvenile court system and is known for her stiff penalties. There are rumors that she takes bribes from the private company that administers the juvenile facility so that they can keep their beds full. When she's found dead in her chambers with Father Tibor standing over her body with a bloody gavel in his hand, it seems like an open-and-shut case.

Good story, great characters. I was happy to see the appearance of the Very Old Ladies.

Next: Another library book that is due in a week: The Arsonist. Why do all the reserves always come in at once??

Why do all the reserves always come in at once?? There's a million-dollar question. My experience at the library is always the same!

It's uncanny, isn't it, Nancy? Lately, I've had to return some unread because I just can't get to them.

Hi Beth!

>36 BLBera: - Thanks! I've bookmarked this article and will get to it soon.

>37 BLBera: - I suppose I'll put this on the wishlist then!

>46 BLBera: - I'm kind of surprised you liked this too! It's always sounded a bit hokey to me, but I may listen to it as an audiobook someday, in order to fulfill my lifelong Booker longlist/shortlist/winner challenge.

Hi Kerri - It's infuriating. I actually count the authors in anthologies for my classes, and if there aren't the same numbers of men and women writers, I don't use it. I also tell publishers that. Today, there are as many stellar women writers as male -- not to mention writers of color or non-heterosexual writers, who are also woefully underrepresented. Deep breath, here.

You don't sound convinced about All the Light We Cannot See. I'm not sure it would wow you - you tend to like/read nonconventional literature, and even though I liked the way he structured the plot, it is at heart, a fairly conventional historical novel set during WWII. He does write beautifully, though, so that might save it for you. I could be wrong, too. I always dither about recommending books.

>46 BLBera: BLBera: I KNOW. But The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was more thoughtful than I expected -- and it was a great discussion book.

I'm really enjoying The Arsonist. my first novel by Sue Miller. I love the characters and issues raised. More when I finish.

Hi Beth. You finished All the Light We Cannot See before I could get to it, but your review encourages me. I haven't started it yet but will do so tonight and/or tomorrow on the plane.

I have a copy of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry at home and I'm pleased that you found it worthwhile. Maybe I can get my RL book group to read it in 2015 since it sounds like it is good for group discussion.

Hey Ellen - I'll be anxious to hear what you think about All the Light We Cannot See. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry did make a good book club discussion. I wouldn't have picked it up otherwise, and I'm glad I read it. I don't want to say too much about it because there were some surprises.

I'm loving The Arsonist, which I'm reading now. More on it when I finish. I've never read Sue Miller before.

Hi Beth!

>53 BLBera: - I agree! Do you use the Heath anthologies for American Literature? If I remember correctly, they made a greater effort to be more inclusive. I'll have to take a look though when I get home. I think I only have the first two volumes, so lots of captivity narratives, religious tracts, and bad poetry. The very early Anglo-American writers did not exactly take the world by storm with their greatness and talent. :-)

I'm not using the Heath anthologies right now. I'm using one that has more modern, younger writers and is evenly divided between men and women writers.

We were talking about that in class today; we're on a gender unit, and some of the students, (young, white men) said they really didn't think it was a big deal. ARRGH. Oh well, I can just put a bug in their ear.

ooh- captivity narratives and slave narratives might be a good addition to Mark's American lit challenge for next year...

I think I might do a year of reading no straight white guys. Of course, I would make an exception for Faulkner and Shakespeare. Oh, I might have to add Garcia Marquez and Vargas Llosa to my list of exceptions, too. I have to think about this.

Maybe you could do a month of all women writers? A whole year seems awfully long.

A year of reading no straight white guys!!! Wow! That would take some doing. Meanwhile, I have been a great fan of Haddam and Demarkian, but I haven't read the ones I have waiting much less the latest. My piano coach, who transformed my technique, was Armenian, and knowing Artemis has given added richness to my Demarkian experience.
Good for you for needling those unenlightened young men!

*waving* at Beth

Hi Rhonda - Usually about 80% of my reading is women authors. This year it's lower, so far, at about 68%. When I looked at my reading, I was struck by the lack of diversity. I do need to work on that. So, I might not focus only on gender, but on race, class, sexual orientation also.

Hi Peggy - Since I don't plan my reading, it will take some doing to start to plan. I'll try to be more conscious of what I'm picking up. Demarkian is still going strong. It's one of the few series that I keep up with - so entertaining.

Hi Stasia. Thanks for stopping by.

82. The Arsonist
This is my first Sue Miller novel, but it won't be the last. Frankie (Francesca) Rowley returns from aid work in East Africa to find her father suffering from what seems to be early stages of Alzheimer's. Her parents have retired to a small New Hampshire town. When someone begins to start fires in empty homes of "summer" people, the character of the town changes. The divide between locals and "summer" people becomes clear.

Besides worrying about the fires, Frankie has to consider her future. She's tired of working for what has begun to seem to her a futile cause, but doesn't have a clear vision for her future. We also find out more about Frankie's parents, Alfie and Sylvie and their marriage. How much can one person give up for a marriage to work?

Told from multiple viewpoints, Miller gives us a lot to think about with well drawn, complex characters.

Next: The Reckoning and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.

The Arsonist is going on my TBR list, Beth! Thanks for the review. I've listened to both The Senator's Wife and The Lake Shore Limited by Miller and enjoyed them both.

The Arsonist sounds good! Adding that one to the BlackHole.

Hi Amy: Thanks for the recommendations for other Miller books. I'll have to check them out.

Hi Stasia - Blackhole is a perfect name for the wish list... I'll be anxious to hear what you think of The Arsonist when you get to it.

83. The Reckoning: A John Madden novel is the latest in the series that started just after John Madden came back from fighting in WWI. In this novel, Madden has retired from Scotland Yard, and WWII is in the recent past. It's hard to say too much about this novel without spoilers, so I'll just say that this is a good historical mystery, well plotted with a strong sense of time and place.

Next: The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry and Bones Never Lie, two library books that have to go back pretty soon. I'll try to get to some threads today and then back to grading.

84. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry was recommended to me on my Nook. It was, fittingly, in the category of "charming books." This is a charming book, a little sentimental, perhaps, but how could I resist a story about a bookstore owner? A.J. Fikry has an independent bookstore and only stocks books that he likes. When someone leaves a baby in his bookstore, his life changes. I love the commentaries on books between the chapters. In one, he notes: "Remember,... the things we respond to at twenty are not necessarily the same things we will respond to at forty and vice versa. This is true in books and also in life."

The humor keeps the book from being too saccharine. One passage on ground rules for the police officers' book club is a good example: "Years ago, Lambiase had had to institute a 'leave your weapons' policy after a young cop had pulled a gun on another cop during a particularly heated discussion of The House of Sand and Fog. Lambiase would later reflect to A. J. that the selection had been a mistake. 'Had an interesting cop character but too much moral ambiguity in that one.'" I love it.

A book for book lovers.

Next: Another library book: Bones Never Lie. I'm also reading State of Wonder and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian with my classes.

I also have Belzhar and Nora Webster on loan from the library and am looking forward to both of them.

>57 BLBera: - Hrm. I would say slave narratives are important and everyone should read them, but captivity narratives are just plain awful and I hope to never have to read one again. It's hard to think of a more unbearable reading experience than Hobomok. Have you read that one? Ugh. There was another one I had to read, but I can't remember the title.

I think I might do a year of reading no straight white guys. I don't think that would be wildly difficult for me. I've only read about 12 this year. :-) But then there's your book club, right? You couldn't really control what you read there.

Hi Beth! I love your book choices! I also enjoyed A.J. Fikry. Good book-lovers book. I loved Part-time Indian and I've had State of Wonder on my To-Read list, since it came out. I also have Belzhar and Nora Webster on that same list. Whew! I think I am done...

Hi Kerri - I haven't read Hobomok, but reading Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs' slave narratives was pretty harrowing for me. I read the Rowlandson captivity narrative, but it's been a while. Not for the squeamish...

I've been thinking about the reading, and I agree, avoiding straight white men won't be so hard -- but I also don't want to just read white women writers. I need to add more diversity -- I have piles of books that I could pick up. So, I guess 2015 will be my year of "reading diversely." :)

Hi Mark - Thanks! I love State of Wonder, and it's fun to teach. Ditto Alexie. He's a good choice for non-readers. Students almost universally love Alexie.

Nice essay about Scandicrime:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/books/review/new-books-by-karin-fossum-jens-la...

I'm not familiar with all of the authors mentioned.

I'll have to read that paper when I've got more time, Beth. I thorough enjoy Fossum, Adler-Olsen and Indridason; I think the latter is my fav Scandi-Crime author. Have read a couple of Mankell novels, too, but he is hit and miss with me.

Hi Nancy - She mentioned a couple that I am not familiar with. I did love the Sjowall and Wahloo Martin Beck series from the 1970s and would highly recommend them.

>68 BLBera: - Yes! Rowlandson was the other one! Gahhh!!

Hi Beth,
I think you saw my thoughts about All the Light on my thread -- I liked it a lot and would recommend it but it won't make my top five of the year list. :-)

The article about Scandi crime writers was very interesting. So many of them being translated at present! Having flown through Iceland on my recent Scotland adventure, and having had a window seat one of those times, when it was a clear day and the plane flew fairly low over the island, I am intrigued by that country. I plan to read a couple of the Icelandic authors soon.

Sometimes when you write about teaching, I find myself feeling a bit wistful for the road not taken. I came this close to being an English major and I think I would enjoy teaching (assuming I had followed through with that professional road and was more appropriately prepared for it than I am at present).

"I think I might do a year of reading no straight white guys."
That would be kind of a fun reverse-challenge. I had a friend in Oregon who simply refused to read men at all. I think she is missing some amazing literature, but whatever.

Hi Kerri - Note to self - Do not recommend any captivity narratives to Kerri. :)

Hi Ellen - We are in agreement about All the Light. I like Nesbo and have been working my way through the Harry Hole series. But there are several others I would like to try. I LOVED the Martin Beck series from the 70s. They are a great reflection of Swedish society at the time. I highly recommend them.

I do love teaching. The endless grading gets to me. I always feel behind. I think you would like teaching.

I don't know that I will not read ANY men writers, but next year I do want to focus on diversity: race, class, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age. I feel that sometimes I fall into a rut of reading people who have similar world views to mine. I don't want to be in a rut.

Well, back to grading.

Hi Beth. I agree with not wanting to be in a rut. I think I do the same with regard to reading things that will resonate with me. It will be fun to see what you choose to read in the coming year to play with your focus (as in lens).

Thanks Ellen: I have some books in mind already for next year. Maybe I'll start with The Bone People. ;)

86. Bones Never Lie - the latest in the Temperance Brennan series. This was a fast-moving plot with plenty of action. There's less of the "bones" than what she started with, and these can get gory. I can't watch the TV show based on this series because I'm squeamish. They are good escapes, and I page quickly through the icky parts.

In this one, an escaped murderer surfaces in Charlotte. Young girls are being abducted and killed. DNA evidence suggest it's the same killer who escaped years ago in Canada. The chase is on.

Next: I'm trying to finish Dear Life. I've been savoring the stories, but am close to the end.

Then, Nora Webster, which I have been looking forward to.

>76 BLBera: - Have you ever read The Bone People?! I can't remember. It's one of my favorites and I'm due for a reread.

I'm looking forward to your comments on the Munro book. I really loved the one I read last year.

And I applaud your goal of reading diversely next year! Don't laugh when I mention my blog that I never can get off the ground, but that's one of my biggest goals - to find working-class literature from diverse perspectives. I actually have located tons of it, so now I just have to get going with my project. :-)

Hi Kerri - I haven't read The Bone People; I think it might be my first read for 2015. It's been sitting on my desk for a while. I also want to read My Name is Red soon.

I'd love to see your list of working-class literature. In her book Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading Corrigan has a chapter with an interesting take on working class literature.

Which Munro did you read? It's been a while since I read her, but this collection was great. Some brief comments.

87. Dear Life is a wonderful collection of stories. Munro uses narrators from all ages, both sexes and manages to instill a distinct point of view in each of them. Each story was my favorite when I finished it -- until I read the next one. I did love the final four stories, the "Finale," which she says is "autobiographical in feeling, though not, sometimes, entirely so in fact." Told from the point of view of a young girl, we get a picture of the joys and pains of growing up and the complexities of family life. I love Munro.

Hi Beth. I have been meaning to read my lovely (deckle-edged) edition of The Bone People for so long. Perhaps I'll shoehorn it in at the beginning of 2015. Maybe Kerri will join us.

I also loved the Munro collection I read last year and I do plan to get to Dear Life soon. Thanks for your comments.

Hi Ellen: I had hoped to get to The Bone People this year -- where did 2014 go?? It's on a pile on my desk. It would be nice to read together.

Munro is a genius at short stories. I have several collections of hers. I'll try to get to another next year.

(For someone who doesn't plan her reading, I'm making a lot of plans!). We'll see how they go.

Have a great Sunday. Good luck to your Seahawks.

I will be curious if you all read Bone People. I HATED that book. It's always interesting to me when I have a strong negative reaction to a book that is popular with other people whose tastes I admire.

>81 banjo123: Oh, Rhonda - *sob* - Just kidding - it's ok. :-)

>78 BLBera: Which Munro did you read? Something I've Been Meaning to Tell You - It's fantastic!

I'll put the Corrigan on my wishlist.

I'd love to see your list of working-class literature. It's gigantic, but a few of the more diverse books I'd like to get to soon are: The Plum Plum Pickers,
The Last of the Menu Girls, Stone Butch Blues, Youngblood, Crossing Over, A Walking Fire, Tar Baby, Cities of Salt, and God's Bits of Wood.

Hi Rhonda - Well, when I get to The Bone People, I'll let you know. It is always surprising to me how divergent reading tastes can be.

Hey Kerri - I will add the Munro to my list as well as your working class lit list. The Corrigan is awesome. I bought her new one So We Read On about The Great Gatsby. I hope to get to it soon.

I just finished Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer. The more I read of her, the more I like her. The Interestings is still my favorite. This one is a young adult novel. Wolitzer manages to stay inside fifteen-year-old Jam Gallahue's head for the entire novel, quite an achievement.

Jam has been sent to a boarding school for troubled teens to get over the death of her boyfriend. While there, she is put in a class called Special Topics in English. There are only four other students and they spend the semester on one author, in this case Sylvia Plath. One might question the wisdom of teaching Plath to a bunch of depressed teens, but the semester turns out differently from what Jam expected.

This novel is for mature young adults. It's smart and doesn't shy away from topics like suicide, bullying or eating disorders. There's quite a turn at the end, too, which might be hard for young adult readers to accept. It works, but I sure didn't see it coming.

If you don't want to spend an afternoon in the mind of a teen, this is not for you -- but then again, it might surprise you.

Some bits that warm the heart of an English teacher:

"People are always saying these things about how there's no need to read literature anymore -- that it won't help you in the world. Everyone should apparently learn to speak Mandarin, and learn how to write code for computers. More young people should go into STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, math.

And that all sounds true and reasonable. But you can't say that what you learn in English class doesn't matter. That great writing doesn't make a difference...Words matter."

Now, to continue with Nora Webster, which is great so far.

>83 BLBera: I'll probably skip Belzhar, but I definitely want to get to The Interestings one of these days. I have it as an audiobook, actually.

Yeah, Kerri. At one point, I got a little tired of being inside a fifteen-year-old's brain, but it was a quick read so I stuck with it. I did like it a lot overall. It made me want to reread The Bell Jar. Definitely read The Interestings -- although you might be too young to appreciate it. The kids grew up and went through the same experiences I did -- Watergate, etc.

>83 BLBera: and >84 DorsVenabili: Like Kerri, I believe I'll skip Belzhar but I definitely want to read The Interestings.

I will say that a reread of The Bell Jar has its appeal!

Hi Ellen: Thanks for the visit. I loved The Interestings; for me it perfectly captured the coming of age of baby boomers.

I think I was in high school when I read The Bell Jar -- I'm sure I would look at it differently now. :)

Still reading Nora Webster and picked up Some Luck from the library today.

>85 BLBera: Yes, inside a teenager's head is exactly where I don't want to be. My next read for my RL book group is YA, and I'm quite dreading it, but being a good sport. Hopefully, it will be over quickly. :-|

What book, Kerri?

>89 BLBera: It's called Love You Two. *eye roll*

Sorry, Kerri. I'm not familiar with it. There is a lot of good YA fiction out there, but that title does not grab me.

89. Nora Webster is a portrait of Nora in the three years after she looses her husband. Toibin breathes life into Nora as she figures out her life as a widow. This novel certainly isn't plot driven, but if you love beautifully written character studies, I recommend this novel.

One moment from the novel: "She sat up alone in the film's afterglow, feeling the echoes of what she had been watching in the house where she had lived with Maurice for more than twenty years. Every room, every sound, every piece of space, was filled not only with what had been lost, but with the years themselves, and the days."

A lovely, quiet novel.

Not sure what to pick up next.

"Not sure what to pick up next."

Roz Chast

But you also have Some Luck waiting in the wings....

Ellen: I started the Chast. Really good, so far. Some Luck will have to be next. There's a long line waiting for it at the library, so I won't be able to renew it.

I've been looking at all the tempting challenges next year, but besides my RL book club, I don't like to plan my reading. There are some great choices though.

My only plan will be more diversity.

I've started A Jury of Her Peers, a history of American women writers. According to the author, Elaine Showalter, the first one. I'll probably comment chapter by chapter. I expect I'll find some new-to-me authors.

Chapter 1 talks about precolonial America - 1600s. The two women writers discussed are poet Anne Bradstreet and Mary Rowlandson, who wrote only her captivity narrative.

Both dwelt on ideas that became prevalent in women's fiction for at least a century, specifically the central role of domestic life and the interracial experience.

Bradstreet was the first published woman writer in the New World. Her poems follow the format of the times but largely deal with her life as a wife and mother. Probably her most famous poem is "To My Dear and Loving Husband."

Showalter addresses the fact that Rowlandson's captivity narrative may seem racist as we read it today, but that it's important to put it into the context of the times: she had just witnessed twelve family members being murdered, and the Puritans did regard the Indians as unredeemed savages.

Another legacy of the captivity narrative is that it did take women out of the domestic realm -- it was an adventure story for women. These narratives become a model for fiction by women about "the confrontation between races and cultures in the New World."

The next chapter deals with revolutionary times -- I'll be working my way through this book slowly.

Interesting, Beth! Thanks for sharing. I remember reading some Bradstreet poems in school...

A Jury of Her Peers sounds interesting.

>91 BLBera: I probably wouldn't recommend it, but I'm not sure I'm the best judge when it comes to whether YA is good or bad, so who knows?

>95 BLBera: Sounds interesting. I still can't handle captivity narratives though. :-) I really struggled with that early American literature. It nearly killed me. (All of it, not just Ms. Rowlandson) Ha!

Hi Everyone!

Katie - Yes, we have probably all read some Bradstreet at some point in our school years.

Hi Rhonda - Yes, I am a Showalter fan; women's lit is interesting to me, and she writes well -- not scholarly jibber jabber. She also has excerpts from works. I think I will enjoy this. It will take me a while to work through it, though.

Hey Kerri - Good luck with your Seahawks today. I trust your judgment about any work. :) There are some really good early American women writers; you probably got stuck with the less good ones.

Have fun at your meet up tomorrow. I wish I could come. :(

A Jury of Her Peers looks an interesting read Beth; I'll have to go see if I can track that down.
Have a great remainder of your weekend.

>95 BLBera: That sounds very interesting, Beth. I will look forward to your comments chapter by chapter.

Hi Paul - If you are interested in the history of American women writers, this might be the book for you.

Hi Ellen - Thanks. Commenting chapter by chapter motivates me to keep reading.

I'm loving the Chast book by the way. Thanks for the recommendation.

>92 BLBera: Nora Webster sounds good, Beth. I enjoyed Toibin's The Testament of Mary and character driven novels suit me fine.

>95 BLBera: Thanks for sharing your thoughts on A Jury of Her Peers. I've heard of Elaine Showalter but not read any of her books.

Hi Heather - Nora Webster started slowly for me, but as I read and got to know her, I realized what a masterful portrayal it was.

Showalter does a lot of literary criticism, especially on women's lit. I like her a lot. I've found I have a lot of literary criticism on my shelves and would like to get through it, little by little -- at least the writers I enjoy. Others may have to go when I next do a little pruning.

Nora Webster sounds very good, Beth. I loved The Testament of Mary.

Nancy - Toibin is a wonderful writer. I think you would like Nora Webster.

91. Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? is a hilarious, heartbreaking graphic memoir about Chast and her parents at the end of their lives. She is honest about her feelings; this hits hard all of us with aging parents.

The graphics complement her story perfectly. The drawings of her mother at the end are devastating. Must read.

Thanks to Ellen for the recommendation.

Next: Some Luck -- another Ellen recommendation.

I have heard great things about Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant, Beth, but I've been avoiding it because I know the subject matter will hit close to home. It sounds like one worth reading though! I'm also looking forward to your updates from A Jury of Her Peers. Maybe I'll learn about some new authors too! Hope you enjoy Some Luck.

Hi Amy - The Chast book does hit close to home for me, too, but I'm in awe at Chast's courage in addressing the issue. Her account shows me that I'm not alone, especially in the ambivalent feelings. She doesn't present herself in an idealized light. I think that might be one of the most valuable lessons in this book.

I will keep you updated as I work through A Jury of Her Peers. There will be many authors who are now forgotten, I'm sure.

I have high hopes for Some Luck.

Hello there, Beth! Stopping through to re-star you. I mostly read LT on my phone on the IPad. Afflicted with fumble thumbs which leads to a distressingly high number of typos, odd auto-corrects and the occasional accidental un-starring of threads. All the more sad because I adore your reading taste. I'm back now. Hopping back in here!

>106 BLBera: That's one that's already on my wishlist, and I hope to get to it soon! Glad you loved it too.

Hi Marianne - I do LT on my computer, and I still manage to unstrap, etc. So I guess I have no excuse, except my computer autocorrects in some really bizarre ways sometimes. Glad to have you stop by.

Hi Kerri - The Chast book is great. It's really a great read for me because I do have aging parents. On the plus side, they have a will and are starting to tell me how they want things to go. I'm the one who doesn't want to talk about it -- but I'm learning that I have to listen to them.

Well, I have some class work to do and then I hope to get a good chunk of Sure Luck in.

Beth, I am looking forward to your year of reading more diversely next year. I need to to that as well and will count on you to point me toward the best ones. I do enjoy your reviews and pick up so many good recommendations from you. Thanks!

Thanks, Donna. Ditto. I get many recommendations from you. I haven't been such a good visitor this year; I have had to limit my time on LT. But I still enjoy lurking, and you are always starred.

Hi Beth! I'm so glad you enjoyed Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?. I'm pleased to have my praises motivating so many people to give it a try. I've become quite the fan of graphic memoirs (more than graphic novels). I think the psychologist in me so appreciates the use of the graphic format to explore deep personal experiences.

Some Luck is a good one, too. I hope you like it (but, of course, since tastes differ, it's fine if you don't!).

The weather here in Seattle has been weird. Cold and sunny for the past several days. I'm bummed that my ankle/foot injury is keeping me from taking walks or going for runs.

>111 BLBera: I can see where reading the Chast book in your situation would be an emotional experience, and I know those sorts of reads can be difficult (when you have an emotional connection to the subject matter). That being said, it sounds wonderful, and I'm really looking forward to it. I suppose I should get it, before my new book buying rules kick in. Ha!

Hi Ellen - Your recommendations are spot on. I did love the Chast -- she's so honest even when it doesn't show her so much as the "loving daughter." I hadn't thought about it from a psychology point of view, but it makes sense.

I am loving Some Luck. I'm in 1932, right now, so I have a way to go. The portrayal of family life in the 1930s Midwest farm seems spot on; stories from my grandfather are really familiar.

I hope your ankle is better soon.

Maybe I'll let you tell me what to read next year... You're doing a great job so far. :)

Hey Kerri - Or you could check it out of the library. :)

I'm trying to think of book buying rules that I can actually follow for next year. Maybe something along the lines of one book out, one book in? That would give me an incentive to do some weeding.

On a non-book note, I spent a lovely afternoon with Miss Scout. She is now saying words and becoming independent. We had some throwing of puzzle pieces with screeching when they didn't fit neatly in this afternoon. Really, she's a good girl; I am having a blast with her.

We also did some dancing and foot stomping. She has new boots and likes the sound of them on the floor.

Well, I want to do some more grading, and then I hope to get a good chunk of Some Luck in -- no clue why the touchstone doesn't work.

Hi Beth! Hope you had a nice weekend. Yo've done some great reading, though we can never read as much as we would like. My mom gave me Dear Life last year, so I'm glad to see that you enjoyed it. I remember liking the last collection of hers that I read.

Have a great week!

>116 BLBera: Or you could check it out of the library. :) Yes! Right you are, Ms. Beth!

So glad you had a lovely weekend with Scout!

Hi Beth, sounds like you and Miss Scout know how to have a good time. Tonight is my granddaughters' night to come here for dinner and she always has so much to tell us. She's ten years old now and living a life of high drama! We are enjoying the fact that she is still willing to share with us.

Hi Anne - The only problem with weekends is that they go by too quickly. I love Munro's stories. I was so glad she was recognized by the Nobel Prize.

Hey there Kerri - I'm just trying to be supportive of your book buying -- or lack thereof -- goals.

Hi Judy - I hope you're feeling better. Yes, Scout is a lot of fun. I get to pick her up at daycare today, so I'm looking forward to a couple of mood-lifting hours this afternoon.

Still enjoying Some Luck -- up to 1940. I love the kids' point of view that she includes. It seems pretty accurate, too.

>120 BLBera: Our leased book order came in minus about 4 or 5 titles, including Some Luck. I'm looking forward to your complete review of that one so I'll know whether or not it goes on my TBR list.

Lori - I'm not finished yet, but definitely put it on your list. I wish I had less grading to do these days.

I hope you're hanging in there, Beth. Is it almost semester break?

Dec. 19 is our last day of class. My second job is also busy these days -- lots of mind work. I am so tired at night, I fall asleep in my chair after reading a couple of pages. Well, enough whining and back to work.

I am loving Some Luck.

Hi Beth--I just took a few moments to catch up on what you're reading, too. I need to get to Dear Life, among others. Thanks for stopping by my dormant thread!

Hi Anne - What a pleasant surprise! I've missed you around here this year. Munro is genius. I have quite a few collections of hers that I haven't read. Next year...

Hooray for foot-stomping new boots! Boo for endless papers! Did I mention what a great relief retirement is???? It is. It is.
To go way back (where I started catching up), please count me among the reverent when it comes to The Bone People. It's not a book that I can love, but it was incredibly intense and amazing to me. I think that My Name is Red is the Pamuk that I prefer, having read only it and Snow. I was surprised when a Turkish reader here indicated that he is not considered a premier writer in Turkey. She mentioned other names, but I mostly didn't find them in translation when I checked them out several years ago, and they are long gone from my brain.
I'm sure that I couldn't read the Chast now or maybe ever........
For some reason I hadn't known that you are doing another job - take care of yourself!

My second job Are you able to elaborate, even if vaguely?

Hi Peggy - I hear you. I'm almost eligible for a pension from my part-time job, so then I will plan to retire from that. Interesting about Pamuk -- he did win the Nobel Prize, but if works aren't translated, I guess if we don't speak and read Turkish, we're out of luck...

Hi Kerri - I teach English full time at the college. I also write patient education materials for a famous clinic where I live. Long story how I ended up with two jobs. Now I'm waiting until I'm eligible for a pension to retire from the writing job -- it's wearing me out, especially since I have to eke out time with Scout.

Had book club today. Our book On Looking was not loved by anyone. Great premise, very pedantic. I think I'm giving myself permission not to finish this one -- the first one this year.

First unfinished book of the year - that's quite an accomplishment, Beth. I think I have given up on three or four so far this year. I find the older I get the more likely I am to give up on a book, I usually try to give it about 100 pages and if it's not working for me by then it's goodbye.

Two jobs, and a granddaughter! It's a wonder you find time to read.

Scout sounds fun! Which one of you was screeching and throwing puzzle pieces, by the way?

Hi Judy - I think part of the reason I haven't given up on any books before now is the fact that I've played it safe with my selections -- I've basically stuck with things I was pretty sure I would like. I'm going to try to be more diverse and/or adventurous next year.

Hey Rhonda - Some would say it keeps me out of trouble... Scout is a blast. OK, busted, I was the one throwing puzzle pieces...;)

She is certainly a mood lifter for me as school is heating up because of grading and my writing job because of a new content management system they are trying to implement. When I see her, all the stress melts.

>129 BLBera: Got it! I think I can guess the name of the famous clinic too! :-)

Beth, I smiled at the fun foot-stomping time you had with Scout. I had a very quiet day with Haley yesterday. We didn't even make it down to the game room. I brought the neglected magnetic Daisy Girls upstairs and she spent hours changing their outfits. We used to play with paper dolls like that when I was little. My times with Haley and Molly are definite mood lifters for me, too.

You are a busy one with two jobs. I'm glad you find some time to read. I plan to read Some Luck next year. Maybe it will inspire me to read some of my older books to fill out my Century of Reading list. I'm sure I have several blank years between 1920 and however many years this first book covers.

Beth, thanks for the Scout chuckles: thrown puzzle pieces, new boots, dancing, and foot-stomping! I can see how your stress melts when you see her : ).

Hi Kerri - You probably can. :) I'm careful about mentioning names on the Internet.

Hi Donna - Yes, Scout is fun these days. I've just been shopping with her this morning, and she fell asleep in the car on the way to the store. She didn't wake up until we were almost ready to leave; she had a nice snooze in the bottom of the cart.

I think you will like Some Luck. I should finish it today.

Hi Nancy - Yes, it's always great to see her -- and she's always happy to see me.

Well, back to grading. I'll visit threads later when I take a break.

>136 BLBera: Me too! And I also try to live by the rule: Never say anything on the internet, if you're not 100% comfortable with everyone in your life reading it. You just never know. (That might make me a little boring, but I'm ok with that.)

Hey Kerri - Exactly. And I would NEVER call you boring.

92. Some Luck is the story of an Iowa farm family over thirty years, from 1920 to 1953. Rosanna and Walter Langdon have five children, and Smiley has done a masterful job of giving each child a distinctive voice and personality.

Rosanna always wanted more, but she realized that what she had was pretty great:

"Well, that's what a war did for you -- it made you look around at your shabby house and your modest family and give thanks for what you had and others had lost... It made you stop talking about what you wished for, because, in the end, that might bring bad luck."

There is a lovely moment when her family is gathered around her on Thanksgiving that reinforces the realization of her good fortune.

Each chapter covers a year, and is told from the point of view of different characters. Even the children have a chance to tell their stories. The voices are convincing and distinct. I feel like I've spent a week with the family. I'll look forward to reading about the future adventures of the Langdon family. Highly recommended.

Next: Recommended by someone from LT - a fun book: Just One Damned Thing After Another.

Oh my, Beth, I hadn't realized you have two jobs! It is amazing you have time to read. I hope you are relaxing this weekend, Beth!

Hi Beth. I'm so glad you enjoyed Some Luck, as well! You and I do seem to have somewhat similar tastes and I have Just One Damned Thing After Another in my TBR library, so I'll be interested in how it lands on you.

Hi Anne - It's amazing how much reading I can get done if I ignore housework... I hope you weekend is going well.

Hi Ellen - Just One Damned Thing After Another is really fun. I expect I'll get through it later at the gym. I wish I could remember who recommended it...

Yes, our reading has overlapped this year. Like I said, maybe you should just tell me what to read next year. ;) So far your recommendations haven't failed. No pressure.

>141 BLBera: Beth, I don't know for sure who recommended Just One Damned Thing After Another to you, but I know there are several who have read it and liked it. I think it was some combination of:
Joe
Katie
Mark
Juli
Lucy
Gail
Mamie
Ellie
Linda (Whisper1)
Richard (I know he is on the list of fans)

Since you're saying it's fun, I'm going to add it to my December reading plans. :-)

It's pouring and blustery here. A very November day.

Hi Ellen - It's pretty gray here, too, but the temp is up and it's not snowing, so I'm OK with it. Just One Damned Thing After Another is a perfect December read -- fun and it doesn't require much attention. Great stress relief as the holidays/semester ends, etc. approach.

Have a nice day -- I imagine the bluster will be headed our way. Good luck with your Seahawks today.

Have fun with Just One Damned Thing After Another. Sadly, I can't tolerate time travel, otherwise I'd have probably given it a try by now.

Thanks Kerri - It was fun.

93. Just One Damned Thing After Another is a lot of fun. Someone tagged it with "romp," and that's a pretty accurate description. Madeleine Maxwell, Max, is a historian. Her mentor suggests that she interview for a post at St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research. When she is accepted, she discovers a whole new way to study history -- time travel.

Max is irreverent and funny. This book is thoroughly entertaining, and I will look for the other books in the series when I need some fun. No thought necessary - just go along for the ride.

Next: a library book that sounded interesting. I just started and the narrator is also sarcastic: Mermaids in Paradise. It's my first novel by Lydia Millet, but I have a feeling it won't be my last.

Beth - So glad you liked Some Luck. I think it may be my favorite Jane Smiley book. I'll have to try Just One Damned Thing after Another. This is the time of year that I could use a light read!

Hi Beth. As usual, you are doing a lot of great reading (while holding down two jobs and finding time for your beautiful Scout!). I haven't read Jane Smiley since reading A Thousand Acres and Moo eons ago but her new book sounds wonderful.

Amy: You are lucky that you saw her read from it. I loved Some Luck and can't wait to hear more about the Langdons. I'll be anxious to hear what you think about Just One Damned Thing after Another - it is pretty over the top. It is fun though.

Hi Bonnie - Thanks for the visit. I think of you often. Stay well -- and dry. 2014 will be over soon. Enjoy Mia.

Happy Thanksgiving, Beth!

It's amazing how much reading I can get done if I ignore housework --- O thou woman after my own heart!
Please add me to the list of the lovers of *JODTaA*. I haven't read but that one - for some reason I save them when I like a series. Maybe I'll break down and read another one in December to help bolster my tiny numbers for the year.
I am very much looking forward to Some Luck. I am a Smiley fan.

Happy Thanksgiving, Beth! As usual, you have some good books going. Glad you liked Some Luck. I have that one on audio and I hope to get to it soon. Yes, I was a fan of Just One Damned Thing after Another. Glad you liked it. I've read the first 3.

I've been hearing good things about Mermaids in Paradise. I'll be watching for your final thoughts.

Happy Thanksgiving, Beth!

Thanks Katie. You too. Have a great day with lots to be thankful for.

Peggy - If you are a Smiley fan, you will love Some Luck. Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks Mark. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. Good luck with your Bears. Enjoy the day. Lots of Just One Damned Thing after Another fans. I'm saving the other for times when I need a light, fun read. Mermaids in Paradise is great so far. I will definitely be looking for more by Millet.

Hi Darryl - Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. Safe travels.

I'll visit threads this evening. I am going to my sister's. It's sunny and cold here. Nice to see the sun.

Have a lovely holiday, Beth! I'm glad your latest reads have been satisfying!

Beth, Happy Thanksgiving all the way from non-celebrating Malaysia! xxx

Thanks Kerri. I hope your Thanksgiving is all that you wish -- including a football win?

Thanks Paul.

And on a sad note: P.D. James died. RIP.

Great obit: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/28/arts/international/p-d-james-mystery-novelist-...

Some comments on the mystery from James:
"I came to believe that it is perfectly possible to remain within the constraints and conventions of the genre and be a serious writer, saying something true about men and women and their relationships and the society in which they live.”

"It seems to me, that the more we live in a society in which we feel our problems — be they international problems of war and peace, racial problems, problems of drugs, problems of violence — to be literally beyond our ability to solve, the more reassuring it is to read a popular form of fiction which itself has a problem at the heart of it. One which the reader knows will be solved by the end of the book.”

Reviewers frequently lauded Ms. James for “transcending the genre,” but she was a champion of the detective mystery, which she called “a literary celebration of order and reason.” She considered it a modern morality drama by virtue of its affirmation of enduring social values. In turbulent times, she said, people turn to detective stories for reassurance as much as entertainment “because they do affirm the intelligibility of the universe, the moral norm, the sanctity of life.”

Hi Beth, wonderful comments on mystery from James. I love this: In turbulent times, she said, people turn to detective stories for reassurance as much as entertainment “because they do affirm the intelligibility of the universe, the moral norm, the sanctity of life.”

Hi Nancy - I love the way she champions genre literature. It's been a while since I read her books; I feel like perhaps I should pick up one to read in memoriam.

Well, break's over -- back to grading. I hope to finish Mermaids in Paradise today.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Thanks for sharing the PD James obit.

>156 BLBera: I was also sad to hear P D James died - I think I've read her comments on detective novels and order before and they resonatee with me.

I've put Cover Her Face on my bedside table as a potential reread. I've also been meaning to get the non-fiction book she wrote on detective novels, Talking About Detective Fiction.

>156 BLBera: Oh, they won! Yay!

That is sad about P.D. James. I've only read Children of Men (which I love), but need to read some of her mysteries.

Hi Rhonda - Thanks. I thought the obit was great; it emphasized some of the ideas about mystery that I've heard James discuss before.

Hi Heather - Thanks for reminding me about Talking about Detective Fiction. I loved that book. Maybe I should reread that.

Hey Kerri - Great that the Seahawks won. I only watched the first bit - I was a little footballed out by that time. It looked like they had things under control. I haven't read Children of Men -- maybe I should. I think I have a copy somewhere. I think you would love her mysteries.

95. Mermaids in Paradise on the surface is the story of Deb and Chip's honeymoon. The novel opens:

"Chip picked out the destination for our honeymoon. He'd always wanted to take a cruise, just like Middle Americans. Middle Americans love cruises, Chip said ardently. Chip's a romantic when it comes to people of the Midwest, and those dwelling along the Rocky Mountain front, the landlocked parts of the South, things like the Dakota area or what have you. Those places are somewhat mythical to Chip. He has what I suspect is a fanciful idea...Those people are modern-day pioneers."

The opening is pretty consistent with the tone of the rest of the novel. If you like Deb's tongue-in-cheek commentary, you will love this novel.

The narrator, Deb, nixes the cruise. Instead they go to the British West Indies in the Caribbean. It seems like a honeymoon paradise -- until mermaids are spotted in the coral reef. Then, the murder, kidnapping and corporate conspiracy begin. Millet examines minutely our popular culture: social media, academia, corporations, phobias, gamers, religious fanaticism. I'd call this a gentle satire. You can go along for the ride and laugh at our pretensions, but in the end Millet raises some questions about where all of this is leading.

I will definitely look for more by Millet. If you like quirky narrators, you'll love Deb.

NEXT: Panic in a Suitcase

>162 BLBera: Where does one start with PD James' mysteries? I think I've been told before, but I can't remember.

Mermaids in Paradise sounds delightfully nutty!

Panic in a Suitcase sounds interesting as well. I look forward to your comments.

I think Cover Her Faceis the first one. And I know you like to go in order.

I think you might like Mermaids in Paradise. I will certainly look for more by Millet. I haven't started Panic in a Suitcase yet. I got sidetracked by one of my young reader (future Scout) books, Flora & Ulysses, which is delightful. Maybe tonight.

Mermaids in Paradise sounds like a lot of fun.

Hi Rhonda - I think you might like Mermaids in Paradise. I liked the satire and the narrator. If the first paragraph seems like something you would enjoy, she's pretty consistent throughout the novel.

96. Flora & Ulysses is a wonderful novel for young readers. I am starting a collection for Scout, but this is one that parents -- or grandparents -- will also like.

As Kate DiCamillo says: "I set out to tell the story of a vacuum cleaner and a squirrel. I ended up writing a book about superheroes, cynics, poetry, love, giant donuts, little shepherdess lamps, and how we are all working to find our way home." This sums up the book pretty well.

Flora Belle Buckman loves comic books, especially the story of the Amazing Incandesce. Then, she meets Ulysses, the squirrel, who just may have superpowers of his own. This book teaches Flora and her parents about love and acceptance and has some phrases that resonate:

"Holy bugumba!"
"This malfeasance must be stopped."
"Holy unintended consequences."

Now, on to more grading. This evening I'll start Panic in a Suitcase.

Hi Beth! Mermaids in Paradise sounds like another fun read. I'm looking forward to Just One Damned Thing After Another even though I tend to lean away from time travel myself. It sounds like a great December read, as you said.

I hope the grading is going well and that Panic in a Suitcase (great title) is as good as some of your recent reads have been!

Hi Ellen - I am not a big fan of time travel, yet it seems like lately I've read a few, and they have been good ones. So, I guess I'm a fan of GOOD time travel. ;)

Mermaids in Paradise made me laugh aloud, but it wasn't over the top like some satire. Millet did a good job, I thought. I'll definitely look for more by her. I think I had something else by her that got favorable reviews on my list; I'll have to look at my little notebook with its Post-its and see if I can find it.

I will be grading frantically for the next three weeks, so it might take me a while to get through Panic in a Suitcase, but I started it last night, and it seems promising.

I hope the grading is going along smoothly and you get a decent-sized winter break!

Looking forward to your comments on Panic in a Suitcase.

Hi Kerri - Well, the good news is that the grading always gets done. Right now, though, I'm asking myself what I was thinking when I assigned all of this work.

I hope to get to more of Panic in a Suitcase later this evening.

Scout spent some time with me yesterday. She loves scribbling. She understands that pens scribble, so I got her some fat, washable markers. She's been very good about drawing on the paper. Yesterday, though, she'd make a mark on the paper, look at me and then write on her leg (gray leggings). I would say, "No" and move her hand back to the paper. She'd make another mark, look at me and go back to the leg. So, we're putting those away for a while. She also said, at least in my presence, "OK" yesterday. She has quite a few words now, mostly in English, although she does say, "gracias." She is so much fun.

>171 BLBera: Thank the gods for washable markers, eh? I know I've be grateful for them more than a few time in the past 6 years...

Hi Amber: Definitely. I'm thinking that she will get very creative with the markers, so washable is the way to go.

Best-of-2014 lists are starting to come out. This list made me so happy yesterday because I saw that Susan Power has a new novel out. I will be reading it soon. I also saw a couple of other novels that piqued my interest.

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/02/daily-circuit-best-books

Well, back to grading.

>173 BLBera: Several of those books are on my wishlist, but the only one I read this year was Greenmantle. I have to confess that I'm curious how it ended up on the list!

Hi Carrie: The books on the page are the ones mentioned on the show. I think Greenmantle was a viewer suggestion. There are links to other best of lists, which are fun. It was a fun broadcast to listen to. One thing I thought as I listened was that many LTers are better read than Miller. I will definitely be checking out Book Riot.

>173 BLBera: Here's something that Charlie and I used to do when he was a toddler: I'd give him a plain white t-shirt (in his size - it's half of his pajama ensemble) and the washable markers and let him go crazy drawing pictures. Then he could wear the shirt! And then I'd wash it and he could do it all over again! (NB: The reds, we discovered, aren't 100% washable, though the other colors all seem to wash out just fine. Again, I didn't mind much, though, since they were just pajama shirts.)

Cool idea, Amber. I'll pass it on to my daughter.

This is a dangerous time of the year for book addicts. Every list I see seems to add more books to my wishlist!

I know, Judy. I added five or six to my list. Luckily my library had a few. The ones that sounded most interesting to me were A Brief History of Seven Killings, The Angel of Losses, The Empathy Exams, The Book of Strange New Things, My Salinger Years and Land of Love and Drowning. I also reserved Orenda from the library.

Graded most of the day. Made good progress. Now for some relaxation and reading. I'd like to finish Panic in a Suitcase this weekend.

I love the end-of-year lists too, especially for stuff like graphic novels that I tend to miss throughout the year. Thanks for that link. It's nice because it links to other lists too.

Hi Kerri - Good luck with your Seahawks today. I watched part of the Vikings game from my parents. My daughter and I took Scout there for brunch. She was her charming self. My mom has all kinds of cool Christmas stuff, which Scout admired. We have to watch our language around her; my daughter cut her finger yesterday, and said, "Jesus!" And miss Scout promptly repeated it. It was a nice time with my parents and a nice break from grading for me. Well, back to it. I have a few things I want to finish before class tomorrow.

A Brief History of Seven Killings does sound interesting.

Scout sounds hilarious, and so verbal.

Happy Sunday, Beth! If you remember I was a big fan of The Book of Strange New Things and that will be a top read of the year for me. I also like the sound of A Brief History of Seven Killings.

I've been also seeing Fourth of July Creek pop up on some lists and since I just finished it, I wholeheartedly agree.

Hi Rhonda - Lots of good reading ahead. I'm not sure what I'll get to yet this year. Scout is very verbal; at daycare, they call her the chipmunk because she's chattering all the time.

Hi Mark - You've done so much great reading this year. I have seen Fourth of July Creek mentioned quite a bit. I think it was mentioned on the NPR broadcast. Too many books!

I love "best of..." lists even though I don't always agree with them.

Fourth of July Creek appears to be a late-2014 sleeper, one that I've decided I want to read.

>181 BLBera: Ha! Yes, I have a hard time when I'm around little kids, because I swear like a sailor. I really try though.

The Vikings won, so there's that!

Hi Ellen - I know what you mean about not agreeing with the lists. Some of the books that are on them that I've read, I'm scratching my head about. I like the public radio site because it links to several different ones, so I see some different selections.

Kerri - Yes, we'll be watching our language a little more now. Yes, go Vikes! We could end the season winning half our games! Seahawks won, too, didn't they?

We'll I'm going to have some dinner, do a little grading/class prep and then read some Panic in a Suitcase.

>171 BLBera: That's such a cute story about Scout :-)

Heather - She does keep us entertained. It's amazing how much adult attention a 20-pound bundle of energy can keep.

Well, I just got home. Will take a Panic in a Suitcase break and then back to it.

97. Panic in a Suitcase is Akhtiorskaya's first novel, and it portrays the challenges of immigrants. The Nasmertovs have relocated from Odessa to Brighton Beach. It's not only hard to make a new life; it's also difficult to leave the old one behind. When Pasha, who'd stayed behind in Odessa arrives for a visit, he realizes: "His fellow countrymen hadn't ventured bravely into a new land, they'd borrowed a tiny nook at the very rear of someone else's crumbling estate to make a tidy replication of the messy, imperfect original they'd gone through so many hurdles to escape..."

I enjoyed getting to know the funny and maddening Nasmertovs. Akhtiorskaya is a talented writer. At times the language gets away from her, but at other times she gets it just right. I'll certainly read more by her. This was a satisfying read.

Culture shock: "...commercials, which constituted their first major disenchantment with the States. How did people ope with these constant interruptions? This was no way to watch a program. They'd asked around, friends and neighbors, to see if it was possible to rewire the TV or pay somebody off so these commercials would stop."

Next: Dear Committee Members, which my sister assured me I would find hilarious. I can use a good laugh right about now.

And speaking of book clubs, I also have to get going on our December selection, The Uninvited Guests.

Nice review of Panic in a Suitcase, Beth.

>190 BLBera: Panic in a Suitcase sounds pretty good, although, now that I think about it, it kind of reminds of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, which I wasn't thrilled by.

I hope you're doing well and you're done with grading.

Panic In a Suitcase also sounds a little bit like Little Failure, which I read and liked earlier this year.

Visitors! Thanks Darryl. She has a lot of promise - overall I liked the novel, but it was a bit uneven.

Hi Kerri - I haven't read A Short History of Tractors in Urkrainian, but when I look at the description, it does sound similar.

I still have a week of class, so there is much grading to go before I am through. Still, I see a glimmer...

Hey Rhonda, I'll have to look for Little Failure.

Panic in a Suitcase has made a few "best of" lists for the year, which is a little surprising to me. But often I don't agree with the lists. Still, they are fun.

98. Dear Committee Members is an epistolary novel. We are introduced to Jay Fitger, professor of English and Creative writing through his letter of recommendation and memos. The ironic tone got a little heavy handed toward the middle of the book, but lightened up a bit at the end. People from academia might find this funny. It's a light, little book, good for a few laughs. Some of the letters are pretty funny. Since I have recently been sitting on a remodel committee, I especially appreciated his descriptions of construction on the floor above the English Dept, for the Econ Dept.:
"Yesterday afternoon during my Multicultural American Literature class, I watched a wrecking ball swinging like a hypnotist's watch just past the window. While I am relieved to know that the economists -- delicate creatures! -- have been safely installed in a wing of the new geology building where their physical comfort and aesthetic needs can be addressed, those of us who remain as castaways here in Willard Hall risk not only deafness but mutation: as of next week we have been instructed to keep our windows tightly closed due to 'particulate matter' -- but my office window (here's the amusing part) no longer shuts."

We hear more about the construction process through the course of the novel. It was OK -- good for a few laughs.

Next: My book club Dec. book, The Uninvited Guests.

Hi, Beth. I always appreciate your reviews. I might have been attracted to *Dear Members*, but I'll pass on it now.
Hope you are winding down and can appreciate your holiday when it gets here. (Ah, retirement!0

Hi Beth. Nice review of Panic in a Suitcase. The quote about ads on tv cracked me up.

I'll be interested in your reaction to The Uninvited Guests. I was planning to read it and then it seemed that it got some mixed reviews so I didn't prioritize it.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Saturday, Beth! Good review of Panic in a Suitcase. I will have to add that to the WL.

I also really enjoyed the memoir, Little Failure.

Hi Peggy - Dear Committee Members was a little like sitting next to a sarcastic colleague at a department meeting. He's amusing at first, but after about 15 minutes, you kind of wish he would shut up. Retirement is to be looked forward to...

Hi Ellen - There were many funny bits in Panic in a Suitcase. I'm interested in the other, similar books people have mentioned. I just started The Uninvited Guests, and I think I will like it.

Hi Mark - Thanks. I'll look for Little Failure. Have a good weekend.

Well, on to grading, and then, as a reward, some reading and housework.

Housework as a reward? Somehow I've never considered it much of a reward Beth lol. Panic in a Suitcase sounds like something I might like.

Did you volunteer for the Remodel Committee? I'm not sure how that works. I suppose it would be cool if you're passionate about and/or good at remodeling.

I hope you see the light at the end of the tunnel with the grading!

Hi Bonnie - It's nice to get up and move around after sitting and grading. If and when you get to Panic in a Suitcase, I'll be interested in your comments. I tend to like immigrant stories.

Hi Kerri - I hope you day is going well. Good luck with football. I did volunteer for the committee; it's expected that faculty serve on committees, but we can choose which ones. I wanted to advocate for the faculty space, because the building they are demolishing is filled with our offices, so the new building and/or remodeling will be largely faculty offices.

The last day of class is Dec. 19. I'm making progress, but I'll be grading for another week. So, I do see light.

I had an unexpected guest last night. My daughter was puking nonstop yesterday, so Scout spent the night here. Her new interest is stickers. We found a few and stuck them on stuff. Two new words: When she is trying to reach something, get the top off something, etc. and having a hard time, "Gees." And there's a doll here that was my daughter's. She called it baby.

I started The Uninvited Guests and love it so far -- think "Gosford Park" or Howard's End. I read the author interview, so I guess there's a ghost aspect, but I haven't gotten to that part yet. More when I finish.

One more week to go. You're almost there! Our finals ended on Friday and, while my job is less affected by the academic breaks than some, it will still be nice to have campus be a bit quiet for the next 3 weeks.

ETA: Sorry your daughter was so sick but I know you enjoyed the unexpected visit from Scout!

Hi Ellen - We have the longest semesters - 17 weeks. No finals week, which is ridiculous. Yes, there is light. My daughter sounded a lot better today. I think she should stay home tomorrow, but she said it's more work to get ready for a sub than it is to go to work. I get to pick up Scout early tomorrow, so we get some more time together.

Well, I'm packing up the grading for today. Off to do some reading of The Uninvited Guests.

Hi Beth! I've been debating reading Dear Committee Members. Maybe it's one I'll pick up from the library. I taught my last class yesterday, so now I just have a big stack of grading! Hope your semester wraps up nicely. I love the stories of Scout. New words are so much fun!

Hi Amy - Dear Committee Members is OK - a light, fast read. I got it from the library. Good luck with your grading. Yes, Scout is at an age where she seems to learn something new every time I see her.

Hooray for more Scout time but Boo for the reason. I'm sure your daughter appreciated a chance to sleep and recover. Stickers! Must get out the stickers when Hope comes. Only six more days until her first visit to Grandpa and Grandma D's house.

Hi Donna - Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy Hope's visit -- will she stay alone or with her parents? How old is she now?

I'm still reading The Uninvited Guests and really liking it. I also started a book of essays because it's a library book and must go back and the essays are easily digested one at a time.

I'm not that familiar with Rebecca Solnit, but she writes beautifully, and if the first essay in her collection The Encyclopedia of Trouble and Spaciousness is any indication, this will be a treat. Of essays, she says, "Essays explore; they also define; every essay is an entry in the author's personal encyclopedia." Nicely put.

From her "Cyclopedia of an Arctic Expedition" is this beautiful description of the Arctic landscape: "When the sky is not blue, when moss and grass have not accumulated on the land (which is only 10 percent vegetated, 30 percent being rock and 60 percent glaciated), the world here is shades of gray verging toward brown, blue, and black, and it's white: ice, snow, glacier, cloud. It often looks as though it's heading into being a black-and-white photograph of itself or rather a Chinese ink painting on watered silk." Lovely.

"Scout is at an age where she seems to learn something new every time I see her."
That is so much fun!!

Hi Ellen - It is fun. I just wish she weren't growing up so fast!

99. The Uninvited Guests is wonderful. It tells the story of Emerald Torrington's twentieth birthday party. Set before WWI, this is, in many ways a traditional Edwardian house party story -- but with a twist. The characters are finely drawn; there's humor -- Smudge Torrington's Great Undertaking is hilarious; and we have the uninvited guests. I was reminded of Howard's End and "Gosford Park" -- with a twist -- I don't want to say too much more and be a spoiler. I will definitely look for more by Jones.

Next: The Book of Unknown Americans, recommended by a colleague. I'll also keep on with the essays in The Encyclopedia of Trouble and Spaciousness.

I look forward to your comments about The Book of Unknown Americans. I bought it earlier this year but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

Hi Darryl - I love The Book of Unknown Americans so far. Multiple voices, good writing, how could I not? Speaking of good writing, I just turned in the grades for one class. I'm packing it in for the night. Three more to go.

Hi Beth, I'm glad you're enjoying your current read, The Book of Unknown Americans. I'll be interested in the final assessment.
Good luck getting the grades for three more classes all done and turned in!

Hi Ellen - Another class done. Two to go. I also put up my tree and did some cleaning. Back to grading. There's light...

The Uninvited Guests sounds like one those historical mysteries that I was looking for recently, so I'll put it on the wishlist.

Glad to read there's light at the end of the tunnel and that you put up your tree! Go Beth!

Hi Kerri - Yes, I have one class to go. I am really dragging at this point though. I'm just glad my daughter dragged me out on Sat., and I have finished my shopping. Now, just to wrap and groceries for the feasts. Oh, and cleaning, finishing grading.... Happy Holiday, whatever holiday you celebrate!

Hah, Ellen. I love it. However, I must admit, I am NOT running toward the light...

>219 BLBera: I do the Christmas thing with the family. Happy holidays to you too! It sounds like you've got everything under control. :-)

Good luck finishing your grading. I always wish Final Grades and Christmas didn't come so close together!

Hey Kerri - Well, as under control as anything ever gets around here. They're opening ANOTHER brew pub here. There is now a whole block. You'll have to come for a visit and check them out.

Hi Amy - I know - and usually I manage to get grades in before Christmas Eve, but I am going to be finishing up tomorrow. Oh well.

Merry Christmas, Beth. Enjoy your precious little Scout!

Thanks so much, Nancy. Merry Christmas to you, too.

Happy Christmas, Beth!!

Merry Christmas, Beth. Have fun with Scout and the rest of the family!

Merry Christmas, Beth, and a joyful Happy New Year!

Happy Christmas Beth!

Dear Beth, best wishes to you for a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Beth! I hope it's a good one!

Thanks Amber - As you well know, Christmas is so much fun with kids. Have a happy, healthy one. I hope Charlie is recovered enough to enjoy it.

Hi Judy - Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy the time with your family.

Thanks Peggy - Merry Christmas to you. Are you wishing for a white one? ;)

Happy Christmas to you, too, Rhian. I hope all are recovered enough to enjoy it.

Thanks Anne - Have a wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you, too, Carrie

Well, finally finished with grading. Now come a few days of respite and family fun. I did manage to finish 100 last night, and it was a wonderful book that everyone should read

100. The Book of Unknown Americans was a great book for my 100th read of the year. The book is about exactly what it says in the title -- the story of unknown Americans. Set in an apartment building in Delaware, people from Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Mexico and Panama all form a community. Told from the points of view of various inhabitants, the novel tells of people who are working hard to make a better life for them and their families.

It is also the story of the children, the kids who were born in the US, and as Mayor says, don't feel like they belong anywhere: "I spent a lot time trying to find (Panama) in me, but usually I couldn't. I felt more American than anything, but even that was up for debate according to the kids at school who's taunted me over the years, asking me if I was related to Noriega, telling me to go back through the canal. The truth was that I didn't know which I was. I wasn't allowed to claim the thing I felt and I didn't feel the thing I was supposed to claim."

Wonderful novel - it will be one of my favorites of 2014.

I'm continuing to read the essays in Encyclopedia of Trouble and Spaciousness. Some thoughts:

In "Concrete in Paradise," Solnit examines the concrete bunkers sprinkled throughout the Bay Area and what they represent, concluding: "Until something profound changes in the United States, war will never be far away, and even on the most paradisiacal meander we do well to pause and remember this."

From "Climate Change is Violence": "Climate change is global-scale violence against places and species, as well as against human beings. Once we call it by name, we can start having a real conversation about our priorities and values. Because the revolt against brutality begins with a revolt against the language that hides that brutality." Solnit argues that while the poor kill with knives and guns, the rich kill by putting poisons into the environment.

Next: A nice, relaxing ER mystery, Dreaming Spies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. I hope everyone has a safe, happy season, with plenty of time to spend with family and read.

Merry Christmas, Beth! Have a great day with the family. I have The Book of Unknown Americans saved on audio. It sounds terrific.

Merry Christmas, Beth!

Congrats on 100 books! I bet you had a wonderful Christmas, with Scout!

Hi Mark, Darryl and Rhonda! Thanks - my Christmas was enjoyable because of a little munchkin called Scout. When they arrived at my sister's yesterday, she started to cry as soon as they walked in the door. It was noisy and there were so many people and she had just waked from a nap.

She did warm up after a little lunch. She high fived some of her cousins and, while she stayed pretty close to Mom, Dad, and me, she seemed to enjoy watching some of the younger kids run around.

I have off until Monday when I have to go back to my writing job and start getting ready for next semester. I'm planning to read and maybe go to see "Into the Woods" with my sisters. Also write some Christmas cards.

I'm almost finished with Dreaming Spies, which, since it is an ER book, I'll be commenting on when done.

101. Dreaming Spies - One of the things I like best about this series is Mary Russell; she is smart, independent, and decisive. In this latest novel, Holmes and Russell are traveling to Japan. This originally is meant to be a vacation -- until they find a blackmailer on the ship. This leads them to a case that has international implications -- and they just may have met their match.

Overall, the book is well plotted; perhaps there are parts of their travels, both on the ship and in Japan, that are a little drawn out, but overall, the pacing is good, and the plot is so complicated, I didn't figure out what was going on until the last page. I don't feel bad, though, because neither did Holmes and Russell. The travels through Japan and the lessons on Japanese culture are interesting, and fans of this series will be pleased.

Not sure what to pick up next - I'll browse through my library books.

Congrats on 100+ books this year, Beth! I'm hoping to make that mark again next year (fell short in 2014) but I also have my eye on a few tomes (The Goldfinch, The Luminaries, etc.), so we'll see how it goes.

I hope your Christmas was happy!

Thanks Ellen - My goal was 104, two books a week? I'm not sure I'll get there unless I choose a couple of short ones, and it's really just a number. The Goldfinch is long, but I found it to be a quick read. Hmm. I'd like to get to The Luminaries, too. Those long books depend on timing. If I have time to read, I can get through them in a timely way.

Next up: The Strangler Vine. I was looking at my library books and my books, and this one caught my eye. The cover says: "A pinch of Moonstone, a dash of Sherlock and a soupçon of Fu Manchu ... A splendid romp." That sounds about right. So, a little reading, and then later, off to see "Into the Woods" with my sisters.

Let the madness begin!

http://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin2015

Have a wonderful festive season, Beth.

Thanks, Jim. I think I'll give it a few days.

Thanks, Paul. It's always nice to have opportunity to eat and drink with family.

Currently reading: The Strangler Vine - longlisted for the Orange Prize last year.

>222 BLBera: We were just talking about how we are definitely going to visit in 2015. That brewpub was mentioned....of course. :-)

The Book of Unknown Americans sounds wonderful. I've already put it on my wishlist, based on your previous comments.

>236 BLBera: I thought that might make a good audiobook until you said the plot was incredibly complicated. Ha! Also, it's the 13th in a series I've never read, but perhaps I'll check out the first one.

Merry belated Christmas to you and the family!

Beth, I know Scout made your Christmas extra special this year. Hope is 13-months-old now and she kept us all entertained for a week. It was wonderful having her (and her parents) here. I should be rested up by the new year and look forward to keeping up with you and all that you do…grand mothering, working two jobs, and still able to read 100+ books. Go, Beth!

Kerri - Anytime - mi casa es su casa. The Book of Unknown Americans is great. I haven't heard much buzz about it here, but everyone should read this book. Deceptively simple.

You might like this series. I think The Beekeeper's Apprentice is the first one. I think, actually that the first two or three in the series were the best. Later on, the series becomes a little more uneven.

Thanks, we had a great Christmas.

Hi Donna - Scout does keep us entertained. I get to have her for an overnight tomorrow. Her parents are going to the football game and staying over. So, I'm trying to get any reading I want to do in tonight.

Go Donna! You keep yourself pretty busy, too.

Currently reading The Strangler Vine, a historical novel set in India in the 1830s. I'm enjoying it.

Shoveled today, with help from my daughter and Scout. (She has a little shovel). Did some laundry, read and wrote some Christmas cards -- my cards always go out after Christmas. Generally, I relaxed, getting ready for an entire day of Scout tomorrow. That kid keeps busy!

I missed your review of The Book of Unknown Americans, Beth. I bought it in the London Review Bookshop last year, and I may read it as early as next month, if I finish my other planned reads first.

Hi Darryl: I will be anxious to hear what you think of The Book of Unknown Americans when you get to it. You do have some pretty ambitious reading. planned.

Well, after a day spent with Miss Scout, I am about ready for bed. She did take a 2-hour nap, so I got to see most of the Vikings game. She is a busy girl; drawing on her easel, climbing stairs, listening to music and dancing. She sings "Twinkle, twinkle little star now." She doesn't quite have all the words yet, but she can carry a tune. Maybe a budding artist or musician.

After she went to bed, I finished #102

102. The Strangler Vine is a solid historical novel set in India in 1837. The East India company is in charge of governing India, and problems are arising, that will end the rule in twenty years after the rebellion. Jeremiah Blake, a "special agent" for the Company and young William Avery, recently arrived in India, are given the task of finding a missing poet, Xavier Mountstuart.

The adventures, as they traverse eastern and northeastern India, are reminiscent of Kim. Very good historical fiction. Strong sense of place with interesting characters.

As I got to the end, I see Carter is continuing with Blake's and Avery's stories; so this may be the start of a series.

Next: A library book An Untamed State.

Belated Christmas wishes and a happy New Year Beth. Congratulations on book #100 as well!

>212 BLBera: The Uninvited Guests sounds like something I'd really enjoy so that's gone on my wishlist. I think I saw a copy last time I was at the library.

>245 BLBera: 'Shoveled today, with help from my daughter and Scout. (She has a little shovel).' Sounds so cute!

>245 BLBera: We're talking about going to the Seahawks/Vikings game, actually. They play next season in your state!

Sorry to hear of the snow (unless you enjoy snow!), but Scout with a little shovel sounds adorable!

Hey Kerri - Sounds like a plan - let's talk when you have dates, etc. I don't mind the little bit of snow we have except now it's so #@!!@ cold. Everything is frozen and slippery.

Hi Heather - I think you would enjoy The Uninvited Guests. I'll be anxious to see what you think of it when you get to it.

Scout is pretty cute whatever she is doing.

I'm reading An Untamed State and at a particularly harrowing part right now. I heard about Gay when I started to read Haitian Noir, which is an ER book. Edwidge Danticat has good things to say about her. This may be my last book of 2014.

Beth, I just picked up Untamed State for my Kindle. Looking forward to your final comments!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

103. An Untamed State
"This was not the Haiti my parents wanted to return to, this land of mad indifference. They remembered the country differently, almost fondly, and the beauty of their island only blossomed the further through time they moved away from it. Like most people, they, or at least my father, created a Haiti that only exists in his imagination -- a country that would willingly embrace him."

This shows how Miri Duval's father romanticizes his homeland. He became a successful engineer in the States, yet never felt accepted; he always felt he had to prove his competence to his colleagues. He yearned for the Haiti of his youth, but when he returned and became successful, he lived in a mansion surrounded by walls and a locked gate.

His children, Mona, Miri and Michel were all born and raised in the States, and although they visited Haiti regularly, it wasn't their home. When Miri is kidnapped outside the gate of her father's mansion, it becomes clear that his illusions are dangerous. Her kidnapping shows how broken Haiti is -- negotiators for kidnappers are a profession. Her thirteen days in captivity are harrowing -- her captors brutally rape her, and even after her release, she spends years trying to recover.

Gay alternates between the captivity and Miri's memories of her "fairy tale" life and the "after" life. The fluidity of time is a real strength in the novel. The weakest part is the ending, when Gay gets away from the immediacy of the kidnapping and tries to wrap things up with a "years later" general approach. Still, a thought provoking novel by a young Haitian writer -- we see what happens when there is a huge gap between the haves and have nots. A strong finish to my year.

Note: Some of the descriptions of what happens during her captivity are horrific. I had bad dreams about it last night.

Hi Katie - Happy New Year. I hope you have fun plans for the evening.

Hi Marianne - Certainly -- you have captured my resolutions perfectly. Happy New Year!

I plan to find a book to read this evening and think about my 2015 thread, which I will start tomorrow with my "best of" list.

Beth,



Happy New Year from your friend in Kuala Lumpur

Thanks Paul. What a spectacular photo! Well, off to start my new thread.