BLBera's 2015 Reading - Part 1

Happy New Year everyone.

My name is Beth. I teach English at my local community college. I don't plan my reading much. I belong to a book club that meets once a month. Otherwise, I go where the spirit leads me.

I tend to read more fiction than nonfiction and more women authors than men. This year, I would like to read more diversely, in every sense of the word. I like to discover new writers.

Welcome to my thread. Lurk or stop and say hello.

The stars of 2015: My top 10 with honorable mentions
The Book of Unknown Americans
Some Luck
Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?
Bleeding Edge
The Death of Artemio Cruz
The War of the End of the World
The Warmth of Other Suns
The Handmaid's Tale
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
Life

Also wonderful:
Byrd
Nora Webster
A Month in the Country
Station Eleven

I chose these books because they stayed with me. I talked about them, recommended them and thought about them often during the year. I hope 2015 is also a good year for reading.

January
1. Offshore*
2. The Moor's Account
3. Citadel*
4. Child of Dandelions
5. The Land of Dreams
6. All My Puny Sorrows
7. Cleopatra's Sister*
8. A Symphony of Echoes*
9. Land of Love and Drowning

February
10. Knucklehead
11. Ghettoside

* Off my shelves

Currently reading:

December 31 was the last day the Barnes and Noble downtown was open. It was unique and I will miss it. It was housed in an old theater and looked like a castle inside. Also, it was about 2 minutes from my office. :(

Hope it is safe, Beth! Happy New Year! Happy New Beginning. Let's have another great reading year.

Hi Beth! Happy New Year! I hope 2015 is filled with good books! I've starred you so that I can follow along.

Hi Mark - I'm hopeful. I have a lot of books on my TBR list.

Hi Carrie - Thanks for the star.

Well, time to get back to Offshore and get some coffee.

Hi Beth. Clicking on the shared book list, we have an overlap that strikes me as rather intriguing. It will be interesting to follow along and see what you read this year.

Welcome back!

Happy New Year Beth!

Beth, here's to another year of talking about the books we read. I hope this is the year we meet in person!

Glad to see you set up and ready to go Beth. xx

Hi Tad - Are you going to join the 75ers this year? You're right; it's great to discuss shared reads.

Thanks Jim. Thanks for setting all of this up.

Thanks Rhian. I think I have to find your thread.

Hi Donna - This will be the year!

Hi Paul - Happy 2015.

Hi Beth! I look forward to following your reading in 2015.

Happy new year, Beth!

Happy New Year, Beth!

Starred, of course!

>1 BLBera: I too am going to read more diversely this year, particularly when it comes to race and ethnicity. I just did my 2014 stats and was horrified by what I found. :-(

>2 BLBera: Great list! I definitely want to get to Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?, The Book of Unknown Americans, and Station Eleven.

Best wishes for the New Year Beth. I hope to delurk a bit more this year.

Wishing you all the best in 2015, Beth!!

Happy New Year, Beth! I'm looking forward to following your reading again this year. I'm about halfway through Station Eleven, and I'm loving it. The way the story lines intertwine is really well done.

Thanks Rhonda - love the card!

Thanks Katie.

Thanks Amber - I hope all are now healthy at your house.

Kerri - Sounds like a plan. We can share our diverse finds. Love the robot.

Thanks Deborah - Me, too. Although it seems impossible to be able to keep up -- after one day!

Thanks Ellen - I love Charlie Brown.

Hi Amy - It is well done, isn't it. I'm glad you like it.

>22 BLBera: Very nearly - the pink eye is on it's way out the door, thankfully, and no one else has shown any signs of getting it (fingers crossed)...

I'll keep my fingers crossed, Amber.

I'll keep my fingers crossed, Amber.

Happy new year Beth!

Found your thread and dropped a star. Thanks for stopping by.

Thanks Rachel and Juli.

I finished my first book of 2015.


1. Offshore
Like many of her novels, Fitzgerald takes a group of disparate people with seemingly nothing in common and throws them together so we can see what happens. Offshore is about a group of people who live on barges on the Thames. The boats -- and the people -- are in varying states of disrepair.

Fitzgerald's strength is in being able to show us people in a sentence or two and her humor. For example: "Richard was immediately content, as he was only when something could be ascertained to the nearest degree of accuracy." Neon misses her husband because "I can't turn over "The Times" so that the pages lie flat, I can't fold up a map in the right creases, I can't draw corks, I can't drive a nail straight..." Yet, while we see the ridiculousness of some of the characters, we also feel Fitzgerald's affection for them. Added to the adults are Nenna's two daughters and Stripey, the "mentally unstable" cat.

And, there's always a turn. Although this won the Booker Prize, Human Voices is still my favorite, but I do recommend this.

A good start to 2015.

Next up: The Moor's Account

>28 BLBera: Nice review, Beth! I have this one, but have heard mixed reactions. I did enjoy The Bookshop though, but that's the only one I've read. I'll check out Human Voices at some point.

Hey Kerri - I also loved The Bookshop. I think fans of Fitzgerald will like Offshore, but I wouldn't start with that one.

Happy New Year Beth! I'm sorry you're going to lose the B&N so close to your office. Convenience is always nice. I love your Top Reads list and an well into Station Eleven right now. It's very good so far.

>28 BLBera: Nice review, Beth! I haven't yet read any Penelope Fitzgerald but I want to do so, especially now that there is a film about her. I haven't seen the film either, though....
It sounds like you would recommend starting with Human Voices.

Happy Friday!

Hi Beth, Happy New Year! But oh no, a closing bookstore? That's a terrible way to start the new year.

Happy New Year, Beth! I look forward to your review of The Moor's Account, as I bought the Kindle version of it this past autumn.

I'm sorry to hear about the closure of that lovely looking Barnes & Noble.

>28 BLBera: I added this to my birthday wish list after reading Lucy's review of it. Good to have a second opinion that is positive.

Hi Beth! Stopping by to drop my star. Awe, I'm sorry to read of the closing of your B & N! What a unique venue too! Sooo sad.

WHEW! Here you are!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR, Beth, with lots of reading and lots of book talk!
You remind me that I need to finish and post the evaluation of last year's reading. I'm curiously finding that I was more in love with the non-fiction I read than the fiction. That's not normally the case. *Station 11* is looking more and more appealing. I'm just not in the mood for post-apocalypse right now - I'm trusting that Amazon will leave the price alone for me for later.
The Blue Flower is the only Fitzgerald I've read, and it left me unmoved, I'm sorry to say. I'll hope to get back to her someday.

Visitors! Hello, and welcome! Work so gets in the way of my LT life...

Bonnie - I will be anxious to hear what you think of Station Eleven - I have gotten so many recommendations from your thread. I'm happy to see that you can read again.

Hi Ellen - I did not know there is a film about Fitzgerald. I know there's a new bio out, which sounds good. Hmm. I'll have to check it out. Is it in the theaters? Definitely start with Human Voices. Happy Friday to you, too.

Yes, Megan - I think I read somewhere that it was the only Barnes and Noble in such a unique building. It was pretty, and we will miss it. Now if I want to go to a bookstore, I have to go to the mall. It's pitiful.

Hi Darryl: In about five minutes, I'm going to make a cup of tea and sit down and start to read. I am hopeful; I've heard lots of good things about it.

Hi Tad - I'll watch for your comments when you get around to it.

Hi Linda - Thanks for stopping by. I am thoroughly bummed. I now have absolutely no excuse for leaving my work and going to look at books. So sad, indeed.

Well, this evening, The Moor's Account, some thread visiting later. Tomorrow, Scout and I are going to visit some colleagues with babies, grandbabies for a playdate. Then I do have to finish getting my syllabi ready for spring semester, which starts on Jan. 12.

De-lurking to wave hello. *wave*

Beth, I didn't think Offshore one of the stronger Booker winners but certainly readable.
Have a lovely weekend.

Hello back, Jenn.

Paul - I agree that Offshore is not Fitzgerald's strongest book, but still it has its moments.

I have been continuing with A Jury of Her Peers but haven't posted much about it because the early writing is of historical interest more than anything else. A couple of pre Revolutionary War writers are Judith Sargent Murray who was the first major feminist author. Her essays are her best work. She said: "...is it reasonable, that a candidate for immortality, for the joys of heaven, an intelligent being...should at present so degraded, as to be allowed no other ideas than those which are suggested by the mechanism of a pudding?"
She also wrote a short novel The Story of Margaretta, which doesn't have a touchstone.

The first American woman novelist with a best seller was Susana Rowson, who is best known for Charlotte Temple, which is the story of a young woman who is seduced by a cad, gets pregnant, becomes destitute and dies. Very sentimental, and of interest mostly because of its historical value. It was immensely popular, though for generations.

The next chapter deals with women in the immediate post Revolutionary War period, with one of my favorite early writers, who deserves to be better known.

Now, back to The Moor's Account.

Hey there, thanks for visiting my thread. You strike me as someone who will shoot many book bullets! How evil when you know I'm trying to read my own books this year!

Sorry about the B&N. It looked like a pretty one. :(

>28 BLBera: Nice review Beth! Intriguing.

>5 BLBera: Isn't that tragic about the Chateau Barnes and Noble? :( I lived in Rochester for a few years when I worked at Mayo Clinic. I used to go to that B&N all the time. The one out in the mall just doesn't match it for beauty. And, yes, I realize that they just kept the decor of the Chateau theater, but I think the small-town theater look on the outside gave it a little pizzazz as well. I wish I could have driven down there and visited it one more time before it closed.

Hi Beth - Happy new year :-)

Sorry to read about the Barnes & Noble - what an amazing shop in your pictures up top. I hope the mall branch manages to have enough of interest. I have a couple of small branches of one of the UK chains near my work, but the other day found myself in a much bigger branch and was quite amazed at all the additional things they had. I think it was the branch that a tourist was locked into accidentally last year. He was tweeting them trying to get someone to let him out. Probably not an LT member :-)

>5 BLBera: I forgot to comment on this - that was a very cool Barnes & Nobel! So sorry it's closed. :-(

>42 BLBera: Charlotte Temple! Ahhh! I think I read that, but can't exactly remember. However when I read the title just now, I started getting hives. :-) (Sorry I'm always such a jerk about early American literature. Do you forgive me?)

Oh for pete's sake, how embarrassing. There is not a film out about Penelope Fitzgerald. There is a new biography out, as you well know. I can't even come up with a good excuse for this confusion on my part.

#43 - I'll do my best to only read books you already have. :)

Thanks Rachel - It was a beautiful place - it will be missed. It was a great place, really the only place people could hang out downtown.

Hi Susan - I could think of worse places to be locked up in overnight... Thanks for stopping by.

Kerri - No apology needed. Charlotte Temple is way too sentimental for me. Its interest is mainly historical. Still, there are some good women writers who have been forgotten. I think I'll get to one of my favorites in the next chapter. Nothing to forgive.

Ellen - New bio, movie, almost the same thing...;)

I think I'll watch some football and do some reading. Later, maybe some thread visiting. As always in the new year, things are hopping around here.

Hi Beth, and Happy New Year to you! Do you know I hardly know any of your 2014 favorite reads? Now I have a new list, though:)

>5 BLBera: Oh no, did it close? It looks so wonderful -- I'll bet kids just loved the store.

Found and starred you Beth!

>5 BLBera: That's sad news about your local bookshop closing.

>28 BLBera: I added Offshore to my wishlist when Lucy reviewed it (last month?) - glad to hear you also liked it.

> Offshore is now in the BlackHole. Unfortunately my local library does not have any of Fitzgerald's books.

Hi Anne - I know what you mean about seeing unfamiliar books on the lists! It's incredible that even bookies like us find new ones to crave. The children's area was so cute. My daughter did get a picture of Scout in the store on its last day.

Hi Heather - It is a challenge to find everyone in the new year, isn't it? I'll be anxious to hear your comments about Offshore when you get to it. Have you read other Fitzgerald novels?

Hi Stasia - Have you started a 2015 thread? I was looking for you. Does your library do interlibrary loans? Happy New Year.

Still reading The Moor's Account. I hope to finish it today.

Happy New Year, Beth!

Thanks Laura. Happy New Year to you, too.

Hi Beth--I wanted to thank you for pm'ing me the instructions on how to post pictures. For the moment, I'm so frustrated that I've decided to give the posting pictures thing a rest for a week or two. When my nerves are calm again, and I don't feel rushed, I'll try to follow the instructions, and hopefully I'll be successful. Thanks for thinking of me.

2. The Moor's Account
"I still had one thing. My story."

We all know that the winners are the ones write history. For one of the early Spanish expeditions to Florida, the official story was told by Cabeza de la Vaca (cow's head). In this historical novel, Lalami gives us a different perspective on the expedition and tells the story from the point of view of one of the slaves who accompanied his Spanish master, Mustafa al-Zamori, or Estebanico, as his owner calls him. As Mustafa points out, as a slave, not only did he lose his freedom, but also the history that went along with his name.

It's no surprise that the Spanish conquistadores raped and plundered. As the survivors of the expedition move from tribe to tribe in the New World, the story seems to repeat itself. This is good historical fiction, but not great. 3 1/2 stars

Hi Deborah - good luck. It took me a few tries to get it right -- and it helps to have a tech savvy child who helps. :)

Next: Child of Dandelions

Happy Sunday, Beth! I hope you had an R & R day. Are you a DA fan?

Hi Mark - Spent some time with my girls, then finished a book and worked some on my classes, so it's been a pretty laid back day. It took me a minute, because I've been watching football. Yes, I love "Downton Abbey." Is today the day? Thanks for the reminder.

I was surprised how good season 4 was. Let's hope more of the same for # 5.

>58 BLBera:, >59 msf59: I'll be watching Downton Abbey with you two…and many others around these parts. I watched The Midwives' Christmas Special last night as a sort of warm-up. I sounds like you had a well-rounded day, Beth. I'm almost finished with my current book, Christine Falls. Have you read it?

I can't believe it's taken me this long to make it over to your 2015 thread, Beth! Happy New Year!

Offshore sounds intriguing. I've only read Fitzgerald's The Bookshop which I really liked.

It's a shame to see that you're losing such a unique B&N.

Beth--Found and starred! What a cool B&N! I am sorry it is no more. Best wishes for a wonderful 2105.

>48 BLBera: Yeah, I have an aversion to early American literature (pre 1800 or so, more or less). Which forgotten women do you recommend from this period?

Yeah, >63 DorsVenabili: that's an interesting question. I'd like to know what you recommend too.
Your take on DA last night?

Hi Mark - I've missed a lot of season 4; it seems like I had a lot of stuff going on. I think it's getting to be time to end it.

Hi Donna - I did read Christine Falls and loved it. I keep meaning to read more in that series. Too many books...

Welcome Joanne - I can't believe how much activity there is going on on the threads. I'm not used to so many visitors. I'm not complaining! My favorite Fitzgerald so far is Human Voices, but I've liked everything I read by her.

I know, there's no longer a bookstore within walking distance. :( And it was a beautiful place.

Hi Kim - Thanks for stopping by.

Kerri - When I get to the next section, I get to read about one of my favorites. Hint: Kyra Sedgwick is related to her.

Linda - I'm getting DA'd out, I think. For a minute I thought they were going to kill off Edith. What did you think?

More on early American women writers later.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone.

3. Citadel If you love historical thrillers that move between two times and are centered around women, this book is for you. Set in and near Carcassonne during the fourth century and during WWII, the novel tells the story of a group of women in the Resistance, and the search for a powerful Codex that will raise an army of the dead. I read this as an ebook and at 900 pages, it kept me on the elliptical for many hours. I thought it was a bit long, but it was a fun read overall. My favorite Mosse is still Labyrinth. 3 1/2 stars.

So far this year, I've read three good books, but not one that has hit it out of the ballpark. I'll keep reading. Now I have to find another ebook for the gym. And I'll continue with Child of Dandelions

>65 BLBera: Hrm. Totally perplexed by your hint, but dying of curiosity. :-)

Here you go, Kerri: Excerpts from the beginning of Chapter 3 of A Jury of Her Peers. This deals with the period after the Revolutionary War. Women wanted to celebrate the United States and contribute to a "distinctly American literature." There was a window of opportunity open; women were accepted as writers and editors.

The three most prominent women in the 1820s and 1830s were Catherine Maria Sedgwick, Lydia Maria Child and Caroline Kirkland. Showalter says of them: "They were well educated, open-minded, advanced in their thinking about race and gender and intellectually respected." They wrote novels, stories, children's books, cookbooks, biographies and edited magazines. They worked for social reform and fought to end slavery.

Sedgwick is the one I am most familiar with. She was born in Massachusetts and her father was influential in the government. He was gone a lot, and her mother suffered from depression, so she was raised by a black woman, Mombet. After Mombet read the Declaration of Independence, she asked Mr. Sedgwick if the law didn't mean to give her freedom as well. Sedgwick represented Mombet in a court case that brought an end to slavery in Massachusetts.

Her first novel was meant to "add something to the scanty stock of native American literature." But A New-England Tale is closer to Jane Austen in structure, a kind of satirical novel of manners. Her best known and my favorite is Hope Leslie. In this novel, a white woman marries a Native American. Sedgwick portrays the Native Americans as real people. She doesn't deserve to be forgotten. Her work is better than James Fennimore Cooper's -- certainly her portrayal of Native Americans is better. She's also a better writer.

She does, as she gets older, make an enemy of Lydia Maria Child for not being wholehearted enough regarding abolition. Sedgwick thought that abolition could be problematic without education, and suggested a gradual process. She also, as she got older, seemed to regret not having married, and her fiction became more conservative.

So, there's my candidate for preeminent early American woman writer.

More on Child and Kirkland later.

Hi Beth! Citadel looks good, and I've never read Kate Mosse before, so I will look for this author. Your thread is very. very dangerous already!

Thanks Anne. Mosse is also the co-founder of the Orange Prize. I would start with Labyrinth.

>68 BLBera: I've definitely read Lydia Maria Child, and she's burned into my brain forever (ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!), but not the other two, so I'll check them out. And come to think of it, I'll go ahead and put A Jury of Her Peers on the wishlist.

Hope you're staying warm!!

Kerri - Early American lit might not be your thing. I like women who challenged the mores of the times, and Sedgwick certainly did that in Hope Leslie. I also feel it's unfair that so many of these women writers, who were as good as the men of the time, were not included in the canon.

I think you'd like A Jury of Her Peers. Showalter is very readable.

Stay warm.

Hi Beth, I am looking forward to following along again this year and getting so many great book recs. I was sorry to see that Barnes & Noble closing, it looked unique and that is a rare thing with chain outlets!

Thanks Judy. I hope your year is a good one, also. I know -- we are all mourning the loss of the Barnes & Noble; I think I read somewhere it was the only one that was in a unique building.

De-lurking Beth (I dont' know why it's taken me so long to do so...???) to say that Labyrinth is probably my favourite Mosse as well. I've read a few of hers and even though most of her books are long...I do enjoy just getting lost in her story!

Hi Valerie - Lurk all you want! Have you read Citadel? I never thought of Labyrinth, Sepulchre and Citadel as a trilogy, but she refers to it as such in her notes at the end of Citadel. I think, of the three, it was my least favorite.


4. Child of Dandelions
The author Shenaaz Nanji was born in Mombasa but would visit her family in Uganda every year until they were kicked out by Idi Amin. This is the story of a fifteen-year-old Indian girl Sabine, and her last three months in Uganda. Sabine was born in Kampala; her grandfather had emigrated from India, yet it didn't matter. Amin ordered all Indians to leave the country.

This novel works well as told from the point of view from a fifteen year old. We can believe that she is naive enough to think Amin's edict doesn't apply to her family. Then, little by little, we see Sabine realize that her life is going to change and that Uganda will no longer be her home. We also see her realize how sheltered her life has been, so in a way, this is a coming-of-age story for her. I liked this a lot. 3 1/2 stars.

Next: All My Puny Sorrows - I've been waiting for this library book to become available. I loved The Flying Troutmans and have been looking forward to this one.

I have it sitting on my shelves, patiently waiting its turn. I think it's only considered a trilogy because they all centre around the same area in France. None of the characters overlap, I don't think?
I have to wait till I'm in the mood for a chunkster to tackle that one.

Curious to see your thoughts on All My Puny Sorrows cus it's been on my radar for a bit.

I think there is overlap, but it's been so long since I read the other two, that I'm not sure. I don't think it's important. You're right. I think I started it in November!

I have high hopes for All My Puny Sorrows -- a sure sign I'll be disappointed...

Beth, such interesting reading! I am entirely ignorant of American women who wrote in this period, so I've put Hope Leslie on my reminder list and will hope to get to it when I have less new stuff singing the siren song to me. I don't know about Toews either and will wait for the same reason. Many thanks for offering me a broader horizon!

Thanks for stopping by, Peggy. Turn about....

Something I've been meaning to post that you will enjoy: At the end of the semester, I got an email from a student telling me she had the "flew."

Oh brother. That's ahsome. Hope she eventually out-ran it.

>76 BLBera: I liked Child of Dandelions when I listened to the audio version a couple of years ago! I read The Book of Secrets at about the same time and It turned out to be a good pairing.

>47 EBT1002: and >48 BLBera:
Interestingly, if only partially related, on Sunday evening we went to some friends' for tea. The friends are in their 80s; they have been friends of P's family for her whole life. Anyway, Bill had Dancing Fish and Ammonites: A Memoir by Penelope Lively on his coffee table and he raved about her as an author. It looked quite interesting and I may try to add it for the Penelope Lively reading fest this month.

I know, different Penelope, but still.

Clearly I need to read something by each of them so I can distinguish between them!

>80 BLBera: Hilarious! Discouraging but hilarious.

Beth, you're off to a good start to the year. Child of Dandelions looks like a good one for the Global Reading Challenge.

>76 BLBera: I looked up Shenaaz Nanji and found that she's Indian, born in Kenya, living in Canada, writing about Uganda. That's an international mix all right!

Absolutely, Peggy. This goes on my wall with the "drug attic."

Carrie! I must have heard about Child of Dandelions from you. Thanks. I will look for The Book of Secrets -- also young adult?

Ellen - I have the "Penelopes" shelved next to each other. :) Both older English women writers, easy to confuse. I prefer Lively and have Dancing Fish and Ammonites on my shelf. I just don't know which one to read next. I've wanted to read Moon Tiger for a long time, but Katie's comments on Cleopatra's Sister were very tempting... And classes start on Monday, so I do have other things to do. I'll watch for your comments -- which are you planning to read?

Yes, Child of Dandelions would fit a Global challenge. I put it on my Scout list. Of course by the time she's old enough to read it, there will be other great books.

Hi Tad - Yes, Nanji has an interesting background. She had family living in Uganda when Amin kicked out the Indians. In the afterward, she pointed out that ironically, it was probably a good thing. His regime was pretty brutal for the people who lived in Uganda. Getting kicked out may have been a blessing.

I'm loving All My Puny Sorrows.

>85 BLBera: - Cleopatra's Sister! Cleopatra's Sister! Cleopatra's Sister!

Everybody's reading Moon Tiger and How It All Began and I feel like an oddball.

Cleopatra's Sister! Cleopatra's Sister! Cleopatra's Sister!

Gee, Katie, tell me how you really feel. :)

Hi Beth! Hope you are staying warm & snug up there! I read Labyrinth and thought it was just okay. I've never read anything else by her.

I hope to start Moon Tiger in a week or so.

>87 BLBera: - I need to come out of my shell more ;-)

I am wondering if I should read Cleopatra's Sister... nobody is talking about it though. ;0

>76 BLBera: Actually, I just looked at the description of The Flying Troutmans and I think it's one for the wishlist (I know it's not the one you're reading right now, but still...)

>85 BLBera: I have the "Penelopes" shelved next to each other. Fascinating! I get them confused too. Maybe this would help? Or would it confuse me further? :-)

Happy Friday, Beth!

>85 BLBera: The name Penelope Lively seemed familiar and, sure enough, I have How It All Began in my Wishlist. I don't quite remember how it go there; usually I put a small comment like "recommended by so-and-so" to remind me but not this time. Maybe I saw it on Amazon as I don't usually note those.

If "everyone" is reading her books, I should at least read one so I know what everyone is talking about. ;-D However, I'm in the midst of Upadhyay's Buddha's Orphans, plus trying to cope with being a single parent while my wife is in Malaysia on business, so it will have to wait.

Beth, I think Judy (DeltaQueen50) read Child of Dandelions last year so you may have picked it up from the review on her thread. The Book of Secrets is an adult novel by M.G. Vassanji, a Canadian author whose background is very similar to Shenaaz Nanji's. The Book of Secrets won the Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Looking forward to your thoughts on Puny Sorrows. I read A Complicated Kindness some times ago. It seems that Toews has had an interesting life.

Hi Beth, I've been tempted to go for the one-click and download All My Puny Sorrows after seeing it on some of the Best of 2014 lists. So I will be looking for your comments on it.

>92 TadAD: I read and loved How It All Began last year, Tad.

Stopping by to say hi, Beth! I see you've been reading Penelope Lively. I've read 3 or 4 of her books and very much enjoyed them. Glad you are too. I'm afraid for some reason I have not clicked with Miriam Toews. I did very much enjoy How it All Began by Penelope Lively among others.

Wow! Visitors. Welcome.

Mark - I loved Labyrinth, so if you didn't like that one, you could probably skip the rest of her books. I would like to read Moon Tiger soon, too. We'll see.

Yes, KAK - you need to work on assertiveness. :)

Don't egg her on, Jenn. Actually, I think I will try to read Cleopatra's Sister before Moon Tiger.

Kerri - I think you would like Toews. I loved The Flying Troutmans; All My Puny Sorrows deals with some of the same issues, sisters, depression...

I don't know if shelving them next to each other helps...

Tad - It sounds like you have a lot going on right now. How old is/are your children? But when you have time, How It All Began is awesome.

Thanks Carrie. I will look for The Book of Secrets.

Hi Rhonda - I love it so far.

Hi Bonnie - The pressure!

Hi Deborah - Nice to see you around again. I love Lively. I loved the one Toews book that I read and am enjoying All My Puny Sorrows.

I think I'm caught up - I'll visit threads tomorrow. Now, I'm going to do some reading.

I think I will try to read Cleopatra's Sister before Moon Tiger.

Woot! I'm annoying, but effective ;-)

Well, I see that Katie has persuaded you before I even got a word in edgewise. Hmph. This is what I get for having the busy Friday from hell. Oh well. I support you in keeping Katie company. You may have noticed on my thread that I'm truly loving Moon Tiger but it will still be there when you finish Cleopatra's Sister and, well, you know, the upcoming semester. Ha!

So now I'm wanting to go see who this Toews is. I think I've heard of The Flying Troutmans but I don't know anything about it. Yet. :-)

Happy almost Saturday, Beth!

>52 BLBera: Nope, I haven't read any Fitzgeralds (yet).

>68 BLBera: 'A New-England Tale is closer to Jane Austen in structure, a kind of satirical novel of manners.'

Ooh, wishlisted! Although sadly her books seem quite hard to find - none in either of my local libraries, none on Project Gutenberg and used copies only seem to be available in the US. Quite tempted to bite the bullet and order it anyway....

Never annoying, Katie.

Oh Ellen, I'm so sorry you had a bad day. I REALLY want to read some Lively soon, maybe two books? Unfortunately, as you reminded me, I do have a new semester starting on Monday, so my reading will slow down. I think you would love The Flying Troutmans and All My Puny Sorrows. More when I finish.

Hi Heather - Sedgwick is hard to find. Maybe used books? I'll be anxious to hear what you think about Fitzgerald when you get to her. Too many good books!

My book club met last night to choose books for 2015. We had two new people come, and did a book exchange that someone here on LT suggested. I ended up with a copy of In Our Time. So far this year, I have given away more books than I have purchased. I'm pretty sure today is the only day I will be able to say that. After my book club met, I went online and ordered the books I didn't own, and because there were only three, I treated myself to three more.

Anyway, in 2015 we will be reading, in this order:
Unfamiliar Fishes
What I Loved
The River Runs Through It
The Imperfectionists
Devil in the White City
The Known World
Pomegranate Soup
One Thousand and One Nights: A Retelling
Links
Excellent Women
The Orphan Train
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry

Overall, I am pleased. And since the goal is to read things I wouldn't normally read, I can't complain.

That's a nice, varied list, Beth. I was a big fan of The Imperfectionists, and I have several others of those on my TBR...

I know I've heard good things about The Imperfectionists, Katie. Did you read Rachman's new one?

Nope, haven't read it yet. But it's on the list!

Nice list, Beth! I've read a few of those, and enjoyed them. Hope you're having a great week!

I'll keep my eyes open for your comments, Katie, when you get to it.

Hi Anne - I'm happy with the list. I hope they all promote good discussions.

>76 BLBera: Adding that one to the BlackHole, Beth. Thanks for the recommendation!

Thanks Stasia. Do you have a thread? I've been looking for you.

Yes, I do have a thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/185935

Come on over when you have a chance!

Thanks Stasia -- I was looking in the A's.

Puedes leer los libros de Carlos Cuactemoc Sanchez te gustaran busca "Volar sobre el pantano"

>101 BLBera: I just squealed, due to wild excitement over your future Barbara Pym reading! I hope you love Excellent Women. Have you read anything else by her?

Gracias, Alejandro. No conozco este autor. Voy a buscarlo.

Hey Kerri - I have read Excellent Women and Quartet in Autumn, but it's been a while. I think it's a pretty good list. Congrats on your Seahawks win.

>113 BLBera: Oh, so it's a reread. The other one I loved is Jane and Prudence.

Thanks for the congrats! Sorry the Broncos didn't win, as I know you were rooting for them.

Hi Kerri - I think I've read Jane and Prudence, too. It's been a while. I went through a Pym phase at one time. Peyton and the Broncos looked off. I have a feeling it's going to be the Seahawks and Patriots in the Superbowl. Good luck.


6. All My Puny Sorrows is a wonderful book. The title comes from a poem by Coleridge, according the narrator Yoli, "Elf's ex-boyfriend."
I TOO a sister had, an only Sister --
She loved me dearly, and I doted on her!
To her I pour'd forth all my puny sorrows
(As a sick patient in his Nurse's arms}
And of the heart those hidden maladies
That shrink ashamed from even Friendship's eye.
O! I have woke at midnight, and have wept,
Because SHE was NOT!...

Toews has written a funny, heartbreaking novel about sisters Elfrieda (Elf) and Yolanda (Yoli) Von Risen. Elf is a gifted musician, a concert pianist, talented successful, loved -- and she wants to die. Yoli wants her sister to live.

Toews writes convincingly of the effects of depression on the family, the uncertainty, the difficulties understanding the pain of the sufferer. Elf's story also illustrates the problems with treating depression -- from staff who call Elf uncooperative, to caring nurses who want to help keep Elf safe.

Yet, it isn't all heartbreak. Toews has found a nearly perfect balance here. Yoli, the narrator, is irreverent and funny. Interspersed with the story of Elf's illness are stories from the girls' childhood and their run ins with the disapproving elders of the Mennonite community in which they lived. One of my favorite stories is of a Christmas when Elf was chosen to play Mary in the Christmas pageant. Yoli was only six and supposed to be a shepherd:

"I told my mother I refused to be a shepherd. I would be Mary's sister, the baby's aunt...My mother didn't bother to fight with me. I put together my sister/aunt costume, a flowered sheet, and trudged off to rehearsals with Elf who was a bit embarrassed by me but she'd gotten used to that a long time ago and only sighed wearily once."

A wonderful book. Highly recommended.

Next: Cleopatra's Sister

I couldn't wait for your review of All My Puny Sorrows Beth and downloaded the book the other night when the Kindle price dropped a bit. You make it sound irresistible so I probably won't wait long before I read it.

Peyton Manning has not looked like himself for over a month. Is his age catching up to him?

All My Puny Sorrows sounds like a good one, Beth. The strategy of balancing the serious subject matter with some lighter moments is a good one. I especially like the quote you shared about the Christmas pageant!

Bonnie - My comments didn't do it justice; it is such a wonderful portrait of sisters' relationship. I have loved both books by Toews that I've read. I will definitely look for more by her. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it.

Amy - The Christmas pageant was just one of the funny moments; the sisters were constantly getting into trouble with the elders. But, it is also heartbreaking to read about the pain of depression that Elf suffers.

Yea, I think you've convinced me to add All My Puny Sorrows to the other Toews I have in my TBR mountain. :)

Hi Beth! Oh, you got me with All My Puny Sorrows! Great review.

>116 brenzi: Peyton has not looked like himself. Our papers reported today that he's had a partially torn quad for the past four weeks. Yikes! I'm in Denver, so the papers today have reported little else :(

Hi Valerie - Have you read other books by Toews? I also loved THe Flying Troutmans, but I haven't read anything else by her.

Thanks Anne. Ouch, poor Peyton. Do you think he'll be back next year?

>115 BLBera: That sounds very good! I'll put it on the list too.

Also, I don't think I was ever subjected to that particular Coleridge poem. (Can you tell I wasn't enamored with the Romantics?)

I had to check LT to answer your question..ha!
I have Irma Voth and A Complicated Kindness on my shelves. I read IV and gave it 4* so definitely an author that I want to read more of!

I find myself unable to take on any more literary trauma lately. Your review makes *Puny Sorrows* sound tempting, but I'll just have to wait until later. I should be reading an Orange but can't settle to one for the same reason. I'll have to look at Moon Tiger again just to see.

ETA: I'm not sure, but I don't think you climb the latter of success to get to the drug attic.

Kerri - I wasn't familiar with the poem, either, but they wrote a lot of stuff. (sorry to be so technical). I think you would like this - the narrator is irreverent enough that she counteracts a little of the heartbreak.

Valerie - I would like to read both Irma Voth and A complicated kindness too. I'll have to check out your comments on IV.

Peggy - I completely understand. I was going to qualify my comments by saying that it might be hard to read if someone is dealing with or has dealt with recently, depression in oneself or in a close family member. Her portrayal of Elf's suffering is very immediate. I wonder if this novel is autobiographical - in her acknowledgements, she mentions a sister who is no longer living. Which would explain a lot.

I'm sure that we want to stay away from the drug attic. What can I say?

Well, back to some school work and then Cleopatra's Sister.

What do you think of the Lively so far?

Katie - I'm loving it. I love her questioning the cause and effect of events. I'm about 100 pages in. The reading is slower because school started. :(

That is a nice list of books lined up for next year's reading, Beth. Ive read a few and loved them.

I have All My Puny Sorrows waiting for me at the library and I'm glad to see you liked it!

>127 BLBera: - I'm glad you're enjoying it. I think it's a book that benefits from being read slowly. At first, I tried to power through it, and it wasn't working for me. Once I slowed down, it kind of clicked for me.

Hi Joanne - I look forward to it. I'll be anxious to see what you think of All My Puny Sorrows. Have you read other things by Toews?

Yes, you're right, Katie. It's not a page turner. Right now I'm enjoying her portrait of Vivian. Yikes!

Well, I have added Puny SOrrows to my wish-list, but I can see that I will need to be in the right mood for it. I wasn't blown away by A COmplicated Kindness when I read it, but now I can't remember too much about it.

You should be feeling very upbeat before reading Puny Sorrows, Rhonda. I also loved The Flying Trautmans, which is overall more upbeat. I like Toews' quirkiness. I would like to read A Complicated Kindness.

Stopping by to delurk after reading through your thread. I read Labyrinth and Sepulchre a couple of years back but haven't read Citadel yet. Of the two Mosse books I have read, I also prefer Labyrinth.

Miriam Toews is an interesting Canadian writer. I absolutely loved The Flying Troutmans - I have a special place in my heart for quirky characters. I found A Complicated Kindness to be an interesting read, and a bit thought provoking, but when I read Irma Voth I was disappointed. It was like reading A Complicated Kindness all over again but with a Mexico setting as opposed to a Manitoba setting. I haven't read All My Puny Sorrows yet, and have been a bit leery after my reaction to Irma Voth. Your review of All My Puny Sorrows may just convince me to give that book a chance.

Another big fan of The Imperfectionists here.

Hi Lori - Thanks for delurking. Interesting comments about Irma Both and A Complicated Kindness; I was wondering about the similarities of the descriptions. You've cleared it up. It's been a while since I read The Flying Troutmans, but in All My Puny Sorrows, she returns to the sister relationship; still they are very different books.

I'm glad to hear so much positive about the Imperfectionists. I look forward to reading it.

Delurking to say that I loved All My Puny Sorrows! And I have the Flying Troutmans around here somewhere. I couldn't get into that one the first time, but now I will have to give it another chance.

Kim - I don't know anything about Toews, but I wonder if All My Puny Sorrows was autobiographical; it was so immediate, so vivid. The experiences with hospitalization sounded like they were real.

7. Cleopatra's Sister
"These events are chronological: they take place in sequence and are in some senses contingent upon one another. Remove one -- extract a decade, or a century -- and the whole historical edifice is itself a chimera, a construct of the human intellect. It has no bricks or stones -- it is words, words, words. The events are myths and fables, distortions and elaborations of something that may or may not have happened..."

In her novels, Penelope Lively frequently considers the idea of the role of fate in her characters' lives. In Cleopatra's Sister, she explores the effect of one event on another in the lives of Lucy Faulkner and Howard Beamish. Beamish is a paleontologist, we are told "because of a rise in the interest rate when he was six years old." Lucy, a journalist, is also, in many ways, the product of her environment. When Lucy and Howard take the same flight to Nairobi, they meet. The unexpected events that occur when their plane is forced to make an emergency landing in an unstable North African country will change their lives.

Lively plays with the idea of fate in a thoughtful and humorous way, making her novels a joy to read. I loved it! How would my life have changed if I read it five years ago???

But more than fate, this novel also discusses religion and third world politics as well as containing elements of thrillers.

I'm going to look at my library books to see what is due soon to decide on my next book.

Go Seahawks! Talk about surprise turnaround.

>137 BLBera: I read one of her children's books. After seeing so many positive reactions to many of her adult novels, I will be searching out one or more of them...but not this month!

>137 BLBera: - Great review, Beth. Glad you liked it!

Cleopatra's Sister sounds like an intriguing one, Beth! I've added it to my wish list.

It was great to meet you yesterday, even briefly! I hope you'll make it back to Iowa City for the book festival!

Hi Beth! Citadel and Cleopatra's Sister both sound like really good books. Thanks for sharing!

Carrie- I've never read her children's books, but I love her adult novels. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of them when you get to them.

Katie - You called it. It was great! Thanks for the nudge. What should I read next??

Hi Amy - It was great to meet you. I hope your son's performance went off smoothly. I would love to visit Iowa City again. Maybe I'll see you in October.

Reading: Land of Love and Drowning

Nice review of Cleopatra's Sister, Beth.

I haven't been wowed by the two adult Lively's I've read this month but Cleopatra's Sister sounds more my thing so I'll have a look for it.

>137 BLBera: This reminds me that Lisa recommended Schiff's Cleopatra: A Life and it's still sitting on a shelf somewhere. Once I get through the four books I'm in the middle of right now, I have to try some Lively given how many people are enjoying them.

>137 BLBera: Nice review, Beth! That does sound good. I hadn't heard of that one, but need to read some more Lively, as I loved Moon Tiger.

Again, it was so very lovely to finally meet you on Saturday!

Thanks Darryl.

#144 lunacat - What Livelys did you read? I've loved most of the ones I've read.

Hi Tad - I'll watch to see what you think of Lively when you get to her.

Hey Kerri - Nice game if you would like a coronary! I think you would like Cleopatra's Sister. I still have to read Moon Tiger, which everyone raves about. I'd like to get to it soonish.

Ditto - it was fun. I was surprised by the fact that I felt I knew people already. I hope to get to see you again this year.

Hi Beth, how great that you got to go and meet up with some other LTer's! I am jealous. You've been reading some interesting books so far this year. I just finished The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally which I loved and now I am reading, if you can imagine, a sort of Pakistani noir called Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid. Quite strange but it's certainly holding my attention.

Hi Beth. I'm adding Cleopatra's Sister to the wish list.

Your book club's selections for 2015 look pretty good. I want to read The Imperfectionists and Devil in the White City. Maybe I'll recommend them for my own RL Book Group! And I'll be looking for The Flying Troutmans and All My Puny Sorrows. I think I'll recommend them, as well. :-)

I hope your semester is off to a good start!

>147 BLBera: I've read The Photograph and Moon Tiger this month. I really like the descriptive language and the way the stories are told, but I haven't connected with any of her characters and so have had no emotional investment in the outcomes.

>137 BLBera: An enticing review of Cleopatra's Sister Beth. I will definitely add that one to my Lively list.

>147 BLBera: Nice game if you would like a coronary! Exactly! It was a nightmare through the first 56 minutes!

I was really happy that I was busy, so I was only half watching the first half. Sometimes that's a good thing.

The Australian Open has started, so my reading will suffer. Rafa is back! He looked good in the first round.

>154 BLBera: What is that again? Lacrosse? Hooverball?

:-p

>154 BLBera: Oh my gosh, is it tennis season again already? How time does fly. I'm more Team Fed myself, but I'm not a crazypants about it.

>155 DorsVenabili: You are just a snarky, snarky person, Kerri. I like that in a person, myself.

BTW, if you ever want to see Hooverball played live, come on down (over?). I live in Herbert Hoover's birthplace (the town not the house, to be clear) and every year at (where else?) Hooverfest there is a Hooverball tournament because duh, Hoover.

>156 rosalita: High snark levels this afternoon. That's what happens when I try to fly through threads quickly. Very little self restraint and/or editing. It's not always a good thing. :-)

Of course they play Hooverball in your town! Gah!

So of course, I've ordered Cleopatra's Sister from PBS. Thanks, Beth. No comments on snark or Hooverball........I'm not sure I even care enough to google it. (sorry)
>145 TadAD: And Tad and all, I also highly recommend Schiff's Cleopatra: A Life.

They also teach Hooverball in PE. My kids have been perfecting their skills for years!

Enjoy the Australian Open, Beth!

Off to go google what hooverball is..... All I know is the vacuum...ha!

>159 porch_reader: I did not know that, but it makes perfect sense, Amy! Will we see Team Colbert out there this year at Hooverfest?

>161 rosalita: - Julia - Somehow, I don't think I would qualify for Team Colbert. That ball is heavy!! And I'm kind of a wimp!

Wow! Visitors! Welcome. Thanks for stopping by to discuss sports. (That's not a phrase I would ever have expected to see on my thread.)

Kerri - You are a smartass. ;) I was going to try to make a witty comment about the Seahawks, but they aren't cheaters like the Patriots...

Julia - It just started - early rounds. My daughter and I because of a Spain- family connection are big Rafa fans. Serena is our woman favorite.

Not to sound stupid, is Hooverball a real thing? I've never heard of it before. I'm with Valerie.

Thanks Amy - I AM going to have to google Hooverball. Team Colbert?

Well, off to do some schoolwork -- and maybe sneak some tennis viewing in...

It should be right up your alley, Beth. It's basically tennis played with a 6-pound medicine ball. There's more than you'd ever want to know about the history of Hooverball at the Hoover Association website, but here's the pertinent info:

Hoover-ball was played by teams of 2-4 players with a six-pound medicine ball over a net eight feet high on a court similar to one used for tennis. The game was scored exactly like tennis, and played in similar fashion. The server throws the ball. The opponent must catch it on the fly and immediately return it, attempting to put it where it cannot be reached and returned. The side that misses the ball or throws it out of bounds loses the point.

Thanks Julia. It sounds hard.

>76 BLBera: Great review of Child of Dandelions which has been on my WL for some time.

>137 BLBera: I haven't read any Lively yet, but still have The Photograph and Moon Tiger on my TBR for the BAC this month. However, Cleopatra's Sister somewhat sounds more interesting than the ones I have got. Put it onto my WL as well.

Nice review of Cleopatra's Sister!

Hi Bianca - Thanks. I thought Child of Dandelions was very well done.

I haven't read Moon Tiger yet, but The Photograph is probably my least favorite Lively, so don't start with that. Cleopatra's Sister was a bit different from the others that I've read by her, but with some of the same themes. I really liked it.

Thanks Rhonda. Katie convinced me to read it instead of Moon Tiger, which also sounds great. I have a little corner of Livelys on my bookshelf, so I have a few to choose from.

>168 BLBera: *snork!* I love how Katie is inadvertently (? or maybe not so much) bullying everyone into not reading Moon Tiger. Sort of an anti-Mark move...

...

She's right behind me, isn't she?

Oh, hi, Katie! How's it going?

*laughs nervously*

>163 BLBera: That's fair. I kinda am a smartass. :-)

I was going to try to make a witty comment about the Seahawks, but they aren't cheaters like the Patriots... Thank goodness for deflate-gate! I prefer this to last year's never-ending coverage of the Richard Sherman thing.

>169 scaifea: Ha! I think Katie knows exactly what she's doing...

Kerri - Whew! I was afraid I had violated some LT rule about name calling. You know I meant it with love, right?

Amber - Katie can be very convincing. And the novel was very good. Since I don't really join in the challenges, I hadn't really thought about it.

So, go Rafa! Not much reading this week. I am reading Land of Love and Drowning, which is good so far, but I just haven't picked it up much. I hope to really delve into it tonight, depending on the tennis TV schedule.

I have my first batch of essays to grade, so there's that. And I get to spend some time with Scout, so that her mom can do school work.

Hmph. A little birdie told me I was being talked about BEHIND MY BACK over here ;-)

"Bully?" Moi? I am simply a contrarian warbler, trying to shine my lamp of literary awesomeness upon the under-appreciated and less-traveled by-ways and wooded lanes of this little place we call Booktopia.

Happy Friday, Beth! I've heard quite a bit of warbling about Land of Love and Drowning over on Book Riot. I hope it is as good as they say.

Sorry, I didn't get to a chance to meet you in Iowa City. Maybe, next year?

Have a great weekend!

>172 katiekrug: That brought a tear to my eye, Oh Lady of the Literary Lamp!

>174 rosalita: - In the words of our inimitable Amber: *SNORK!*

Katie a bully? Never! She is just very persuasive.

Hi Mark- Maybe next year. Have a great weekend. I imagine you are enjoying this warmer weather. I am enjoying Land of Love and Drowning; I think I first heard about it on Book Riot.

Hi Julia - You have a way with words. I like it: Lady of the Literary Lamp.

Beth, you have a very informative thread. I had never heard of Hooverball either! Thanks to snarky Kerri for bringing it up and to Julia for bringing her expertise of the subject. And Amy, for the secondhand experience. Fascinating stuff here!

I am wrapping up the audio of Family Album by Penelope Lively. It doesn't seem to be as popular as the other Lively books being read this month. Have you read it, Beth?

Hi Donna - I haven't read Family Album. I'll have to hop over to your thread to see what you think of it.

>174 rosalita: >175 katiekrug: *snork!* indeed!

>171 BLBera: Beth, I hope essay grading doesn't take up too much of your weekend. I have to practice a talk I'm giving on Tuesday but I think tomorrow is soon enough for that :-) Enjoy the tennis!

>171 BLBera: I don't know of an unwritten LT rule about name-calling. I'm all for it. :-)

Have a lovely weekend with Scout and the essays!

Hi Susan - Well, the Web platform that we use is down, so I guess I'll take a break.

Kerri - You're all for name calling or for a rule against it? :) I bought a new toy for Scout. I realized that so many of the things I have are baby toys, so I have a surprise for her tomorrow.

More from A Jury of Her Peers - Lydia Maria Child is best known for being an abolitionist, but her first novel Hobomok, like Hope Leslie, which came later, dealt with marriage between Native American and white. Child pioneered in almost all categories of writing: historical novel, short story, criticism, domestic advice, children's books, antislavery fiction and journalism. Also, for the trivia lovers, she wrote "over the river and through the woods to grandfather's house we go."

The last of the women from the 1830s, Caroline Kirkland, like the others, "came up against the limits of permitted female expression and encountered the obstacles facing talented women in the literary marketplace." She and her husband moved to a small community in Michigan and she wrote a novel satirizing frontier life, disguising her neighbors: A New Home, Who Will Follow. Unfortunately, she didn't disguise her neighbors enough, and she became deeply unpopular in the community, so she and her husband had to move back to New York. She was never as free in her writing again.

These three women, Catherine Maria Sedgwick, Lydia Maria Child, and Caroline Kirkland were all pioneers in early American literature and deserve to be more than footnotes. They also led the way for women like Margaret Fuller in mid-nineteenth century.

Still reading Land of Love and Drowning

I think name-calling is well worth it when Bully is balanced with Lady of the Literary Lamp! Go Katie! And hi, Beth. : ) Quite a lively thread you have going here. Great review of Cleopatra's Sister. I really enjoyed Moon Tiger, but would love to hear more about some of her other books. That one just happened to be one I had on my shelf.

>183 BLBera: "Over the River and Through the Woods" was one of the first songs I learned on the piano! I've always liked it. You've convinced me that all three authors belong on my TBR list. Maybe I can get my book group to read them with me!

*Wave* Just getting caught up. Hope you're having a happy weekend.

>183 BLBera: While it doesn't help endear me to Hobomok, that is an awesome piece of trivia! And she sounds like a cool lady, I have to admit.

Hi Kim - Thanks for stopping by. I want to get to Moon Tiger soon. The fact that people have such varied and strong opinions about the main character, to me means that Lively did something right. I've loved pretty much all I've read by her.

Hi Carrie - I like Sedgwick's novels the best. She is a better writer than Fenimore Cooper, in my opinion, and deserves to be better known.

Hi Jenn - Same to you. Do you follow tennis -- at least you're in a closer time zone.

Hey Kerri - Trivia like that is why readers kick butt in trivial pursuit. I haven't read Hobomok but added it to my list. I do like some of these early American writers, and I would like to compare it to Hope Leslie.

Well, back to grading.

Hi Beth, lost track of you for a bit, in spite of my efforts to keep up here on LT! Will be very interested to know what you think of Moon Tiger. I read it last year and quite enjoyed it, but it is certainly stirring up a mix of reviews in the group at present. It's also the only Lively I've read to date. Think my next will be How It All Began.

>188 BLBera: I do not... is there some tennis to follow? Hm. I think I read in the paper that there was a women's thing that Venus Williams won and it was a great success and then there was a men's thing where most of the big names cancelled and so it bombed a little. That's all I know... *hangs head and wanders off*

>188 BLBera: A book that stirs up empathy and antipathy in almost equal portions is the sort of book to be tossed into the mix isn't it? I can't claim the credit for picking Lively for the B.A.C. as I didn't anticipate any fuss over Moon Tiger which I read and didn't particularly like.

Hi Nancy - Yes, I have fallen behind on threads, too. I'm surprised at the conversation about Lively. Moon Tiger is one of hers that I haven't read. I loved How It All Began. I suspect I will probably love MT as well.

Hi Jenn - I've been following the Australian Open -- a little closer to you than to me. The matches start at 8 p.m. our time and go through the night. A couple of nights I have been caught up quite late. That's OK. Until recently I didn't know there was such a thing as Hooverball.

Hi Paul - I haven't really been following closely the discussion on MT because I haven't read it. I wonder if it's a gender thing? I see you didn't care for it and I know Darryl also didn't like it. Have you noticed preferences along gender? I'm a big Lively fan. I'm working my way slowly through her works. I think Moon Tiger will be next. It's great when people get in a dither over a book, isn't it?

Oh yes....the debate that is Moon Tiger..ha! Will be curious to see your reaction. It's so interesting to see the range of reactions to that one.

>192 BLBera: Your thread is full of sporty news of all shapes, Beth! I saw that Federer has already crashed out of the Aussie Open, which lowers my interest level even more. I'm sure I'll still catch the finals if I can. I would offer to root for Nadal now that Fed is out, but you don't want me rooting for anyone you like — I am a notorious jinx!

Hi Valerie - I don't know when I'll get to MT. I am curious to see what all the fuss is about.

Hi Julia - Hmm. I'm such a sporty person (as Amber would say SNORK). I love tennis but because of the time difference I am very sleep deprived these days. They have the Australian Open on ALL NIGHT.

You can cheer for Rafa -- or better yet, Novak. I think he will probably win. He seems pretty unbeatable. I love it that Venus has made it to the quarters.

One of these days I will have some book news. I am loving Land of Love and Drowning.

Hi Beth, what's the new toy you bought for Scout and how old is she now? It sounds like you're having a great time with her.

Land of Love and Drowning sounds like a book I might like.

>188 BLBera: I suppose I'll check out this Hope Leslie one of these days...

I do hope you're getting some sleep amidst all this tennis!

>192 BLBera: . I wonder if it's a gender thing? I hate to put a spanner in the works of that theory but Moon Tiger is one of Mr SandDune's favourite ever books!

>198 SandDune: I've wondered if it's related to gender just in the sense that - well, would people reading the book judge Claudia differently for her actions if she was a male? There's one obvious thing that people are liable to find disturbing no matter what, but there tends to be harsher judgment of an un-interested and absent mother, rather than a father who behaves in the same way. And there are other aspects of her behaviour that, at least traditionally, would be more accepted from a male rather than a female.

I can't even keep up with my own thread. Hello and welcome, visitors.

Bonnie - I got her a wooden puzzle with jungle animals. She is almost 1 1/2 years now, starting to talk and very busy. And always fun. She sings some songs, too. In other words, she's a prodigy.

Hey Kerri - I think I should reread Hope Leslie before I push it on you. If you're not a fan of early American literature, you might not like it. I just think Sedgwick is much better than Fenimore Cooper, for example, yet she was forgotten, while his stupid Last of the Mohicans was on the curriculum forever. I have had to make a conscious decision to turn off the TV; tennis was on all night, and if I feel asleep with it on, I would wake up in the middle of the night and start watching. Now, we're down to the quarters and semis, so there aren't so many matches on. And Rafa lost -- I think it might be Julia's fault - see #194.

Hi Rhian - Well, it was a theory. I am anxious to read Moon Tiger just to see what all the discussion is about. I suspect I will like it because Lively hasn't let me down yet. My least favorite of hers was The Photograph, but I loved How It All Began and Making It Up.

Megan - Sometimes unlikeable characters are the best ones -- and if Claudia can evoke such a strong response, Lively must be doing something right.

A student asked me today if it felt hypocritical to read Faulkner and Dickinson and talk about how good they are when they don't know how to use punctuation, and to dock the students when they misuse it. Speaking of which, I'd better go and read some of the timeless prose from my students...

>199 evilmoose: I found myself wondering the same thing. After all, apart from the one obvious thing you mention, Jasper doesn't seem that much better than Claudia.

Hi Beth!

Hi Beth. I think you would like Moon Tiger. Work has been so intense that I haven't gotten to How It All Began, which I really had planned to read this month. Maybe I can still sneak it in.

We've been watching the Australian Open, as well. Serena showed up 100% last evening against Cibulkova. The match between Serena and Keys should be good.

Hang in there!

>200 BLBera: And Rafa lost -- I think it might be Julia's fault - see #194.

Oh, no! Now just talking about rooting for someone is enough to put the hex on them. I'd better keep my mouth shut about the Super Bowl, or Kerri, Ellen and all the other Seahawks fans will have my hide!

>199 evilmoose: & >201 souloftherose: I haven't read Moon Tiger but have been following the discussions with interest and that definitely crossed my mind too. I have noticed before around the threads that people are much more judgemental and condemnatory about women (even fictional woman!) than men in this respect. Even Darryl at one point said "mothers" where he might have said "parents".

>203 rosalita: Julia who?

This second semi-final is a bit more interesting than the first was.

Hi Heather - Thanks for stopping by. I must get to Moon Tiger soon so I can actually join in the conversation.

Ellen - The semi was awesome - Keys is going to be a great player. Besides the shots, she seems to have a good mindset and be a hard worker. Because I watched it and it was so exciting, I had a hard time getting to sleep after, so I was dragging today. Luckily, no school for me tomorrow. I do, however, have an eye exam at 7:45 a.m., so I'd better rest the eyes tonight. I hope work is manageable. Both of my jobs have been pretty insane lately, but I have some good students, so that makes up for the crap.

Hi Julia- Just don't mention any favorites for the women's final, OK, unless you want to cheer for Sharapova....

Hi Liz - The gender discussion is fascinating. What is even more fascinating is that people are having these heated discussions about a fictional character. I always think, when students, or anyone, feels that strongly about a character, that the writer did something right.

Well, I'm kind of caught up on my own thread. Tennis has slowed my reading. I'm going to see if I can get some quality reading in and then visit some threads. Or vice versa.

8. A Symphony of Echoes is the second in the series of the St. Mary's Chronicles, the story of the time traveling historians. This time they find the hanging gardens of Babylon (not in Babylon), and travel to Mary Queen of Scot's court to make sure history doesn't go astray. Fun, light read -- I read the ebook at the gym.

I'm still reading Land of Love and Drowning; it's really good, and I'm not doing it justice by reading it in bits; the Australian Open will be done in a couple of days, and I can get back to my reading. And, it is due this weekend (a library book).

Beth, A Symphony of Echoes sounds entertaining. How impressive that you managed to read a book at the gym! Ah, yes, the one downside to libraries is due dates.

Beth, we've had a lot of news about what Kim Sears is alleged to have said during Andy Murray's game - that seems to be the focus of the tennis news here at the moment!

The issues of gender roles and expectations in Moon Tiger are really interesting. I thought it was a great portrait of an unconventional, self confident woman, warts and all. I do think that people, without meaning to, viewed Claudia as more harshly than they would have a man with similar characteristics.

Although who knows? I could be wrong on that. Personally, I am usually pretty up for books with flawed main characters, man or woman.

Hi Nancy - Don't be to impressed. It takes me about a month to get through a 250-page book...But still. I find mysteries and light things work the best.

Hi Susan - I had to go to see what happened; I didn't hear about it. What the 24-hour news cycle does to our world!

Hi Rhonda - I'm with you; I love books with complex, flawed characters. Also I expect you're right about the way people view Claudia. We don't give women too many passes when it comes to motherhood. Now I have to read the book so I can weigh in in a more specific way.

Happy Saturday, everybody. I have grading to do, Land of Love and Drowning to finish, and I think I might try to see "The Imitation Game." And all the other weekend errands, etc.

>211 banjo123: and >212 BLBera: I didn't want to say this (ha!), but since Rhonda said it first, I'm going to wholeheartedly agree with her. I've seen some of the comments about this one and this was my first thought.

So, is Land of Love and Drowning the Caribbean author you were talking about?

Hey Kerri - We are as one about MT - now I just have to read it.

Yes, I'm almost done with Land of Love and Drowning -- I took a little Scout break. The author is from St. Thomas - I am not familiar with any authors from any of the Virgins, but this is very interesting; it covers most of the twentieth century. More when I finish, which is what I am going to do right now.

9. Land of Love and Drowning is the story of Leona and Anette Bradshaw, but it's also the story of St. Thomas. It starts at the beginning of the twentieth century when the U.S. buys St. Thomas from the Danes. St. Thomians celebrate Transfer Day, thinking it would be a good thing to be part of the U.S. Instead, the benefits included having to send their sons to fight in WWII, even though restaurants in the South wouldn't serve them and losing land and beaches to tourists. Generally, when I think of colonization, I don't think of the Virgin Islands, but the U.S. definitely colonized them.

Told from multiple points of view, we hear the old stories, including stories of duene and jumbies and obeah women and learn about the rich culture of St. Thomas.

TV comes to the island in the 1960s -- just in time for Thomians to see news of the Civil Rights movement. We see that race, in St. Thomas, was different from race in the States:

It wasn't until then that all of us anchored to our televisions realized that it had been white men in uniform against dark-skinned people. It hadn't been clear what those people had done wrong. This wasn't because we were feebleminded, it was because of the land we lived on. Because we were Frenchy and Danish and our white people hadn't seemed capable of this behavior. Sure, the Americans we'd met were rude. But this was something else. The word "negro" had never meant much to us, since even the darker of us claimed a mixed lineage. But now we could see that even those who looked as mulatto as anyone were there being blasted away.

Really excellent novel: I will definitely look for more by Yanique. I also love this cover.

Next: A nonfiction book I just picked up from the library and have heard good things about: Ghettoside.

January stats:
Read 9 books: 8 by women, 1 by a man

Read one translation from Norwegian

Authors' countries of origin:
4 British
1 Moroccan
1 Mombasan
1 Norwegian
1 Canadian
1 St. Thomian

I want to read more diversely; this is a start.

All were novels - no nonfiction. My first February read will be nonfiction, Ghettoside, and my book club selection for February is Unfamiliar Fishes, also nonfiction.

Four books were from my shelves; the others were library books.

>208 BLBera: "...travel to Mary Queen of Scot's court to make sure history doesn't go astray."
Hmm, that sounds kind of fun. I did enjoy the first in the series but I've been undecided about whether to seek out the second.

Good January roundup. I don't tend to keep those kinds of stats but since I am also wanting to read more diversely, perhaps I should do so.

I have a vague goal of reading six nonfiction books this year, figuring I might be able to average one every other month. I am so much more drawn to fiction but there are some nonfiction books I do want to read. P thinks I would like Unbroken and I really want to read Being Mortal and Sacred Ground: Pluralism, prejudice, and the promise of America by Eboo Patel . I should do one of them in February. I think Unfamiliar Fishes is a good choice, too.

>211 banjo123: and >213 DorsVenabili: And I'm with Rhonda and Kerri -- I loved Claudia and I think gender expectations may be influencing some folks' experience of her. I mean, compared to Updike's Rabbit, Claudia's thoughts are saintly!

Hi Beth! Happy weekend to you. Great review of Land of Love and Drowning. My brother spent a few months in the BVI -- I might recommend this to him!

As it turns out, I did end up watching some tennis. Just the final match and then the award giving - which I didn't really watch. I tuned 1/4 of my ear to it so I could interact with my husband if needed, and read my book. I don't mind watching tennis, but since I don't follow anyone in particular, I don't get too excited. I did think that Sharipova was very classy in her remarks.

Ha, some more interesting discussions going on here in regards to Moon Tiger Beth. Yes, I think you really should try to squeeze the book in. I loved the book and agree with what a lot of other here said, Jasper wasn't as different than Claudia but not one person mentioned him as being horrible. I think the reactions showed quite clearly, that even so we live in the 21st Century now, that particular notions about gender ideas just can't be erased. I also believe, if Jasper would have been the main character there wouldn't have been so much of an outrage.

Wish you a wonderful weekend. :)

Hi Ellen - The St. Mary's series is fun and works well to read on my Nook when I'm at the gym. The second one was fun, too. I'll probably keep reading from time to time.

Kerri inspired me to do some stats. I was thinking vaguely that I'd like to do about 10 nonfiction this year. All the ones you mentioned sound good. I love Sarah Vowell so am expecting to like Unfamiliar Fishes. I also have some memoirs I would like to get to, including the Alan Cummings one.

I've noticed that bias in students, too. We read Flight Behavior last semester, and many students didn't like Dellarobia because she was planning to be unfaithful to her husband. I find that ironic considering the mess and drama of the personal lives of some of my students, but they were very judgmental. I tried to engage them in the depth of character, but they were having none of it. Oh well.

Hi Anne - I loved Land of Love and Drowning and learned a lot about the history and culture of St. Thomas. I'd be interested to see what someone who has lived there might think of it.

Hi Jenn - I never watch the awards. As soon as the match is over, I turn it off. I really only watch the majors; tennis isn't generally well televised here.

Hi Bianca - Thanks for stopping by. I'm seeing a consensus on MT. Now, I have to read it! My experience teaching lit leads me to think you are probably spot on. Women are much more harshly judged by readers.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone. May the best team (the Seahawks) win. It's snowy here, so I think I'll get some cardio in by shoveling.

Back to grading.

Hi Beth found you and . Wishing you a lovely Sunday.

>221 BLBera: et al: While I don't think Unfamiliar Fishes is Vowell's best (imo, that's probably The Partly Cloudy Patriot), I love pretty much everything she writes. I wish she'd put out a new book; it's been four years or so!

Hi Barbara. Thanks for stopping by. That cake looks delicious! It must be time for lunch.

Hi Tad - I haven't read The Partly Cloudy Patriot. I think I liked The Wordy Shipmates the best of the two I've read so far. Although I must admit, I did laugh quite a bit with Assassination Vacation.

Hi Beth! You had a very diverse reading month in January! That's definitely a good start on your goal. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Ghettoside! Are you getting snow? It's a winter wonderland down here - at least until I have to go out and shovel it. Actually, I think I can convince the boys to do that!

I'm realizing that I've never actually read one of Sarah Vowell's books. I've read columns written by her and heard her interviewed (probably on NPR). Maybe I'll look for a copy of The Partly Cloudy Patriot based on >223 TadAD: and make it one of my half-dozen nonfiction works for the year.

Hi Amy - The snow just stopped. I did most of my shoveling early, and then my daughter came to finish it up. I've started Ghettoside; I have a feeling it's going to be heartbreaking.

Hi Ellen - Unfamiliar Fishes is about Hawaii, so maybe you should read that or take it with you on your Hawaii break.

>215 BLBera: Thanks for the interesting review. Sounds like an interesting book with an interesting cover and an interesting title. :) Happy weekend!

Thanks Rachel. I hope you had a great weekend.

>214 BLBera: It would be funny if you read Moon TIger and hated it.

Yes, Rhonda, that would be funny. I've been trying not to discuss it without reading it, but so many people have thoughts...

Hi Beth, I loved The Partly Cloudy Patriot and actually listened to it as an audiobook eons ago and if you've ever heard Vowell's voice you know that's probably the best way to absorb what she has to say. I love your diverse reading in January. I'd love to ready more diversely but I'm trying to just read whatever I want to read right now. I've got quite a few translated works on my shelf so hopefully I read some of them this year. I'll definitely be looking for Land of Love and Drowning thanks to your great review. As far as non-fiction goes, I try to read at least one every month but I'd like to increase that because there's so much great NNF out there. I'm really loving The Boys in the Boat right now.

Oh, dear--so many book bullets! (Including Cleopatra's Sister, All My Puny Sorrows, Land of Love and Drowning. Great reviews! I see some of my favorites on your best of list for last year which makes me think I need to get to the others.

I'm pretty sure you will end up liking Moon Tiger.

Hi Bonnie - I've seen Sarah Vowell interviewed a number of times -- and she's the voice of Violet in "The Incredibles." I don't know how diverse I read in January, but I did pretty much read what I wanted -- and what was due at the library! I've heard a lot of good things about The Boys in the Boat and want to get to it at some point.

Hi Anne! Welcome back. I know that our favorites have often coincided, so I always look carefully at books you love; our tastes seem to match well. I have liked or loved everything I've read by Lively, so I think Moon Tiger will be a winner. Still, it would be funny if I didn't.

The first 40 pages of Ghettoside are riveting; I predict that there will be a LOT of buzz about this book; it's certainly timely.

Thanks for visiting my thread!

>68 BLBera: I'm horribly late with this comment, but you have definitely tempted me to revisit Elaine Showalter. I'm so slow with non-fiction for fun, but descriptions of 19c American authors who have all but disappeared sounds like my bag. As does Land of Love and Drowning.
Running away before getting any more BB's.
Charlotte

Thanks for stopping by, Charlotte. I'm very interested in women writers, and I find Showalter very readable. Of course, it will take me a while to get through the whole book.

Hi Beth! Loved your review of Land of Love and Drowning. I really need to get my greedy mitts on that one. Sounds like my cuppa.
I just finished book 4 of St. Mary's. What a fun series.

I've been hearing great stuff about Ghettoside. Another one high on my To-Read list!

I've added Land of Love and Drowning to my wish list--it sounds fascinating. You had a great reading month in January--very global. :)

*sigh* I haven't read any S. Vowell, and you are about to convince me that I need to. Also, it looks as though *LoL&D* should be on my wish list, so it is now.
Hope you have a wonderful term - that the essays are readable and insightful.
I've read only St. Mary's 1 and 2 too. I'm taking them slowly - don't want to top out.
It's impossible to predict who will or who won't enjoy a certain book. I'm not completely surprised at all the *MT* discussion, but I think it's pretty interesting to see who falls into each camp. Good luck with it!

Hi Mark - I hope your day wasn't too bad today. We got more snow here. My wonderful son in law came and shoveled for me. How many are there in the St. Mary's series? I only know of three. It IS fun.

Ghettoside is hard to put down. I'm off to read for a while before bed.

Hi Deborah - I loved Land of Love and Drowning and learned a lot about the history of St. Thomas. I will look for more Caribbean writers.

Peggy - One thing about Vowell, she is VERY liberal, so not everyone cares for her. But she does so much research, makes it so fun, and is such an original thinker. I'm anxious to get to Unfamiliar Fishes, and even more anxious to hear what the rest of my book group thinks of it.

But different strokes for different folks is what makes discussing books so much fun, right? It's why I am always hesitant about recommending a book.

Land of Love and Drowning sounds really good! Thanks I say whilst pulling the bullet out of my side. ; )

There are 4 St. Mary's books, along with a couple short stories, which I have not read. Waiting on the next full novel...

>115 BLBera: I am adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Beth.

How did I get so far behind?

Land of Love and Drowning sounds like a good one, Beth! Think I'd enjoy learning about the history and culture of St Thomas. Thanks for that : ).

Thanks Mark. I'll have to look for the fourth.

Hey Stasia - Thanks for stopping by. Don't ask me. I will never catch up.

Hi Nancy - I really enjoyed it. I heard about on NPR when they were discussing best books. I had never heard of the author before. I think it got a lot of buzz on Book Riot. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it when you get to it.

O.K. Beth. I had an extra credit, so I just ordered The Wordy Shipmates from PBS. I'll look forward to it!

Fine, just skip right over me, while I'm drowning...or dying from a bullet wound...take your pick. ; )

Kim! I'm here with bandages and a lifesaver. I'll be anxious to see what you think of Land of Love and Drowning when you get to it. I have terrible eyesight....

Peggy - I hope you like it. I'm always a little nervous when people actually act on my recommendations.

Well, off to a little Ghettoside and bed.

Hi Beth! I am really anxious to read Ghettoside. (trying to ignore the BB for Land of Love and Drowning.

Beth, I've looked up Land of Love and Drowning too, but at £11.00+ for the Kindle version, I'll wait for it to come to the library :-) The library does have a couple of Sarah Vowell ebooks, though.

Hi Rhonda - You should read both. :) I think Ghettoside is going to be very much in the conversation this year. I'm about a third of the way through and find it hard to put down. Leovy is thoughtful and uses stories to get her point across.

Hi Susan - I got it from the library. About half my reads every year are from the library. Vowell's books that I've read are steeped in American history; it would be interesting to see what you think of them.

>215 BLBera: St. Thomians celebrate Transfer Day, thinking it would be a good thing to be part of the U.S.
Really?! I suppose at the time, we had a better track record than the Danes, but still...

This sounds good. I will check it out.

>216 BLBera: That is a good diverse start!

I hadn't heard of Ghettoside, but I look forward to your thoughts and will put it on the wishlist.

Hi Kerri - I think the St. Thomians thought there would be all kinds of advantages to being US citizens. Unfortunately, it was during the Depression, so the streets were not paved with gold. And then there was the issue of race...

Ghettoside is well done. It might end up being a 5 star read for me. I'm about halfway.

You inspired me to do stats.:)

10. Knucklehead Very funny memoir of Jon Scieszka for young readers. He had six brothers, so it's easy to imagine the mayhem. I imagine that young readers will love this. My son-in-law is one of four brothers; I'm planning on giving him this. He will love Scieszka. One SIL story is when he was asked by his math teacher to go to the board to solve a math problem, he wrote, "Mr. ____ is a dumbass. Did I mention that SIL spent a LOT of time in detention. He'll love this book. He's the second oldest in his family, too, just like Scieszka.

Thanks to Anne for the recommendation.

Back to a more serious book in Ghettoside.

Hi Beth! Hope you're having a great Saturday!

Hi Beth! Just catching up here. I hope you're having a good weekend! Land of Love and Drowning sounds interesting and I'll keep an eye out for it.

Hi Katie - Spent some time with Scout today - her mom was cleaning up after a playing with poop episode... Did some grading, got a hair cut, ran some errands, the usual Sat. I could use about 5 of these a week.

Hi Carrie - Thanks for stopping by. I am very behind in my thread viewing. I'll be interested to hear what you think of Land of Love and Drowning.

Knucklehead looks like an interesting read, Beth. Wonder if I'll see anything of myself in it?

Have a lovely Sunday.

Hi Paul - Thanks for stopping by.


11. Ghettoside - Jill Leovy was written an important, timely book that looks at the murders of black men in Los Angeles. Meticulously researched, the book is framed around the murder of Bryant Tennelle. However, his story is one of many, as Leovy makes clear, frequently listing names of victims:
"Irvin Carter, a disabled man in his sixties, died the following day after being slashed by a man walking with a knife in East Rancho Dominguez. And the next day, thirty-six-year-old Keith Hardy died at St. Francis Hospital after someone shot him many times in Compton. Christopher Rice, twenty-two -- also shot in Compton -- was also transported to St. Francis. He died four days after Hardy. The next day, June 10, Rodney Love, fifteen, was shot and killed on the street in the Seventy-Seventh Street Division a block away from where Bryant Tennelle was shot. His mother ran outside just in time to watch her only child die as she dialed 911 over and over and got a busy signal."

Leovy argues that every murder must be treated as important and all efforts must be made to show that Black Lives Matter, that law enforcement is the only way to definitively make the streets safe for black men: "But anyone who tracks homicide in LA County and elsewhere still can't escape the obvious: black men remain disproportionately victimized. Solving this problem deserves every honest effort. People may disagree about the remedies -- particularly the balance between preventive and responsive measures -- but they should not disagree about the problem's urgency."

This is an important book. Highly recommended.

>253 BLBera: You inspired me to do stats.:)
Oh, good! Stats for all! I'm a fan.

>259 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! I will definitely check this one out.

I'm looking at my library books to figure out what to read next, maybe something a little lighter.

Hi Kerri - We're posting at the same time. I should have mentioned that I gave this book 5 stars. Excellent narrative non-fiction -- although it is hard to read at times.

Appreciate your review of Ghettoside, Beth. I can see why it's an important book, and highly recommended.

Your review of Ghettoside put it higher on my TBR, Beth, especially with the 5 star rating. This sounds like an important book.

I can completely identify with needing 5 Saturdays each week. Ben had another show choir competition this Sat. He left at 8 am and got home 1 am. Luckily, it was close enough that the rest of us could come and go, but we were ready for a restful day today!

>259 BLBera: That sounds like a tough but important read, Beth. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Hi Nancy - Thanks. Leovy does a good job of giving faces to the victims.

Hi Amy - It's the best kind of nonfiction, and Leovy is really passionate about the importance of the topic. How did your son do with his choir competition? I did classwork this morning, but lazed in the afternoon.

Hi Julia - Do you not have a thread? I was looking for you. I highly recommend Ghettoside.

I've decided to read The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing next. It's a library book. I also have to start Unfamiliar Fishes for my book club.

>266 BLBera: No, I don't have a thread this year. I just pop in and disrupt things on other people's threads. :-)

Disrupt away! But you need a thread, so we can return the favor.

>266 BLBera: - Beth - Ben's show choir made it to finals, which is why it was such a late night. They got 5th overall, and he was happy because the judges had nice things to say about the band. I caught up on work tonight while watching the Grammies, but did a lot of reading and cleaning today. Glad you got to have a lazy afternoon too.

I've put Ghettoside on my library WL. They have it on audio, so I might try that format...

Hope you have a good week ahead, Beth!

>254 BLBera: I've just ordered Knucklehead on Anne's recommendation. I have 4 brothers... I am looking forward to it.

Morning Beth! I enjoyed your thoughts on Ghettoside. It sounds like my cuppa. I did manage to snag it on audio but now I need to bookhorn it in someplace. Hope the week goes smoothly.

>259 BLBera: Thanks for the review.
It has been put on order by my local library system since the last time I checked their online catalogue, so I might actually get to read it before 2016...

Hi Amy - Go Ben! Are you done with this now, or is it ongoing?

Hi Katie - I think Ghettoside might be a good audiobook. You'll have to let me know if and when you get to it. Of course, as with all audiobooks, it will depend on the reader. I hope your week goes well and is minuteless. :)

Hi Jenn - I'm going to give a copy to my SIL; he's one of four boys.

Hi Mark - Ghettoside is all you would hope for in narrative nonfiction. I hope your week goes well, without snow or cold weather.

Hi Charlotte - Good luck - I hope you get it soon.

Adding both Knucklehead and Ghettoside to the BlackHole, Beth. Thanks for those recommendations!

Thanks Stasia.

Ghettoside sounds pretty darn terrific Beth. I can't resist good narrative non-fiction regardless of the subject.

I think you'd like it, Bonnie.