scaifea's 2015 challenge - thread #5

Welcome to thread V!



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-12 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there, too):

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The CYOA books
c. The Newbery Honor books

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

6. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker lists (combined, in chronological order)

7. For this category, I cycle through 7 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. Stephen King's bibliography (in chronological order)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list
h. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
i. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)

8. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book.

9. A book from my Classics shelves.

10. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

11. Book-a-year challenge: Two years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've decided, again, to follow Paul's lead and try to fill in some of those blanks, and so I'm adding an entry here to my lists.

12. The American Author Challenge.

13. The British Author Challenge.

14. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

And on top of these, there will be a multitude of picture books and easy readers, which Charlie and I read together. I've decided this year also to list our re-reads, but I'll just list them each day and not number them.

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!



What I'm reading now:
-Johnny Got His Gun (Banned Books list)
-Clearing Weather (Newbery Honor list)
-Faust (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-John Tyler (Presidential Challenge)
-Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy (audio book)
-Stand on Zanzibar (Hugo & BFSA award lists)
-Excalibur (from the TBR shelves)
-Mary Poppins (Charlie's bed-time book)
-Cicero (off of my classics shelves)
-Essential Tibetan Buddhism (Buddhism list)
-Pierre and Jean (year-by-year book list, 1888)
-Needled to Death (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it)
-The Iliad (everyday audio book in the car)
-The American (American Author Challenge, NEH list)
-The Night Watch (British Author Challenge, 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read list)
-Brideshead Revisited (British Author Challenge, NEH list)
-Joss Whedon: The Biography (Christmas present!)
-Below Stairs (library Blind Date with a Book book)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1

Books Read:

JANUARY
1. (#1) Hansel & Gretel (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
2. Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library (public library book) - 9/10 = A
3. (#2) A Christmas Memory (Charlie book) - 10/10 = A+
4. Flight School (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
5. (#3) The Three Wishes (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
6. Sneezy the Snowman (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
7. The Snatchabook (public library book) - 9/10 = A
8. Jack (public library book) - 7/10 = C
9. The Three Wishes (public library book) - 8/10 = B
10. Waiting Is Not Easy! (public library book) - 9/10 = A
11. My Teacher Is a Monster! (public library book) - 9/10 = A
12. (#4) The Windy Hill (Newbery Honor list) - 9/10 = A
13. (#5) Tantra in Tibet (Buddhist reading list) - 8/10 = B
14. The Magic Nesting Doll (public library book) - 9/10 = A
15. (#6) The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
16. Clarice Bean, That's Me (1001 Children's Books list) - 7/10 = C
17. We All Sleep (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
18. (#7) Dragons! (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B+
19. (#8) The Wonder Smith and His Son (Newbery Honor list) - 7/10 = C
20. Dance (public library book) - 8/10 = B
21. (#9) Ralph S. Mouse (Charlie's bedtime book) - 9/10 - A-
22. Ah-ha to Zig-zag (public library book) - 7/10 = C
23. New Car Design (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
24. Just Five More Minutes! (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
25. A Day with No Crayons (Charlie's school library book) - 9/10 = A-
26. Wild (public library book) - 9/10 = A-
27. Jack and the Toddler (Charlie's school library book) -8/10 = B
28. Charlie Needs a Cloak (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A-
29. Hug Me (public library book) - 8/10 = B
30. (#10) The Wizard in the Tree (potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B-
31. (#11) Wild Horse Country (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
32. The Reader (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
33. We Both Read: The Emperor's New Clothes (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
34. Doctor Dan the Bandage Man (Charlie book) = 8/10 = B
35. (#12) Kensuke's Kingdom (1001 Children's Books list) - 9/10 = A
36. Wednesday (public library book) = 7/10 = C
37. There's No Place Like Space! (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
38. (#13) Downright Dencey (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A
39. (#14) The Remains of the Day (BAC, 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read list) - 9/10 = A
40. I Wish I Were an Alien (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
41. Dream Friends (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
42. Tiny Goes to the Library (public library book) - 8/10 = B
43. (#15) The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (AAC, NEH list) - 9/10 = A
44. Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids (Charlie book) - 7/10 = C
45. Dinosaur Planet (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
46. It's Okay to Make Mistakes (public library book) - 8/10 - B+
47. (#16) Rabbit Hill (Charlie's bed time book) - 9/10 = A
48. Tea Party in Wonderland (public library book) - 8/10 - B
49. Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library! (public library book - Charlie check-out!) - 9/10 = A-
50. Bluebird (public library book) - 9/10 = A
51. Gravity (public library book) - 9/10 = A
52. (#17) Tropic of Cancer (Banned Books list) - 2/10 = F
53. We Both Read: When I Grow Up (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
54. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus (Charlie book) - 10/10 = A+
55. I Looked Everywhere (Charlie book) - 8/10 - B
56. We Both Read: About Pets (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
57. Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
58. Shh! We Have a Plan (public library book) - 9/10 = A
59. Busy at School (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
60. The Princess and the Pea (Charlie book) - 10/10 = A+
61. Goodnight Songs (public library book) - 9/10 = A-
62. (#18) The Castle in the Attic (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
63. We Both Read: Jack and the Beanstalk (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
64. Splat the Cat: Up in the Air at the Fair (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
65. Three Bears in a Boat (public library book) - 10/10 = A
66. (#19) Hitler's Daughter (1001 Children's Books list) - 9/10 = A
67. Seasons (public library book) - 8/10 = B
68. The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
69. Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress (public library book) - 10/10 = A+

FEBRUARY
70. (#20) Secret of the Pyramids (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
71. Little Elliot, Big City (public library book) - 9/10 = A
72. The Iridescence of Birds (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
73. Plants Feed Me (public library book) - 9/10 = A-

The Charlie Topper (because I love this one so much, I'm repeating it from the end of the previous thread):

Happy new thread Amber and I love the Charlie photo.

And the Bonus Question (along with my own answer):

Someone (and I can't remember who it was - apologies!) mentioned that we should have a prom photo show-and-tell, so please share your favorite photo of yourownself at your prom or other school-type formal dance. Here's me and my date before heading out to our senior prom in 1993:

>3 johnsimpson: Hi, John!

I can't post a photo because we didn't have any dance or prom when I was at school. I told you I was old, ha ha.

>6 johnsimpson: John: Well, you can't blame your age - my mom had a formal prom when she was in school, and I suspect she's a wee bit older than you...

The answers to the Blind Date mystery:

Charlie's Blind Date:



And mine:

I don't want to post photos online but I can tell you that I wore a very pretty thai silk dress with a sort of sort corset belt thing to my prom. And no date! (Not done at my old school, everyone went stag because you were seated (dinner included in the ticket price) with your classmates). And my hair was incredible! Pulled back from the face elf-style (like in the Hobbit movies, small braid on each side and all!) and lots of curls at the back.

Hi, Amber. One of these days when I get the boot off my ankle, I'll be able to get up into the attic and find some of these photos for your thread.

I don't think I have any pictures of my prom dress. I didn't have a date and don't dance, so prom wasn't that exciting. Anyway, I was very thin and petite in high school, and I wanted to look like Audrey Hepburn for prom. My dress was quite similar to the black dress Hepburn wore in Sabrina, except my dress was deep blue and floor length. I wore matching gloves that went up to my elbows and a three-strand pearl necklace and dangly pearl earrings. I still have the dress, but I haven't had the Hepburn figure for... oh dear Lord, it's been 10 years this spring since I went to senior prom. When did I get that old?!?!?

No prom for me!

Love the Charlie topper, and congrats to him on the new library card!

Nice new thread, Amber. You haven't changed a bit from your prom picture. Love the dress. I didn't go. I love the picture of Charlie and his library card. It looks like all are not healthy in Amberland.

>9 PawsforThought: Sounds lovely!

>10 ronincats: Roni: Well, if you'd stop skipping bail... *snork!* Sorry, I really couldn't resist.

>11 casvelyn: *ahem* Go back up there, young lady, and take a gander a what year that photo was taken. Then stop your sob story about being old. *harumph*

>12 foggidawn: Thanks! I think this is one of my all-time favorite photos of Charlie, and that's saying something, as he's had his picture taken every day of his life so far...

>13 BLBera: Hi, Beth! All are not healthy? Wha? I do like the title "Amberland," though...

>2 scaifea: Charlie is following in footsteps. He has a great grounding with all that early reading.

>4 scaifea: You look stunning Amber.

Congratulations on #5.

Oh btw - We don't really have prom night as such in the UK (in my days anyway) so I don't have any to show you but I'll go and search for Yasmyne's one as vicarious celebrations count no?

>15 PaulCranswick: Aw, thanks, Paul! I do think I look a bit of alright in that one, and I had a wonderful time that evening. My 'date' was a very good friend, which was *much* better than going with a boyfriend - we had a blast.
And, yes!, a photo of the always-gorgeous Yasmyne would do nicely!

Happy new thread, Amber! Prom pictures? Um...no. Just NO. Trust me, it was the 80s!

Happy #5, Amber! You Go Girl! Love the Charlie Topper! He looks genuinely pleased.

Love the prom photo too! You were so cute!

Happy new thread Amber!

You look beautiful in your decked out attire. Ahhh..to go back in time. ;)

I don't have any old pictures scanned so you are on the ball with that. I'm not surprised though since you are so industrious...hehe

>17 Crazymamie: Mamie: Aw, c'mon! Chicken!

>18 msf59: Mark: Doesn't he look just adorable?! That smile! *Momma sigh*
And, um, excuse me? Did you just say "were"? Oh, Mark. Rookie mistake.

>19 jolerie: Valerie: Tomm recently bought a scanner, so I'm going a little crazy with the vintage pictures. Ha!

Love your prom picture and the Charlie topper Amber but I'd have to dig awfully deep to find mine haha.

>21 brenzi: Bonnie: Am I the only one brave enough to show my out-dated dress and hairstyle?! Sheesh. I bet you all look fantastic!

48. Tea Party in Wonderland by Delphine Finnegan (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 - B
Dora the Explorer goes to Wonderland.

49. Dewey: There's a Cat in the Library! by Vicki Myron (public library book - Charlie check-out!, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
Charlie's Blind Date with a Book turns out to be the picture book version of the one that I recently found at the thrift shop! Serendipity.

50. Bluebird by Bob Staake (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A *gorgeous* picture book with no words, about a sad and lonely little boy who gets befriended by a bluebird. Definitely recommended, but careful - bring the tissues for this one.

51. Gravity by Jason Chin (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A cool book with excellent illustrations that explains in very simple terms how gravity works. Charlie was enthralled. I may be losing my little Humanitee to Tomm and his evil science ways... But anyways, this picture book is cool - recommended, for certain.

Also Read Today:
-My Little 123 Book

We didn't have a prom or formal dance. But I vote for seeing Mamie's photo!

Happy new thread, Mom of Char-Man.

>24 katiekrug: Katie: No prom? That's sad. But, yeah, we *need* to see Mamie's photo! Mamie! Mamie! Mamie!

#13 I meant "now," not "not." Sorry. The eyes are not what they used to be.

>26 BLBera: Beth: And my brain isn't what it should be - I should have been able to figure that out but instead was completely dumbfounded. (And just now I had to try spelling 'dumbfounded' four times before I got it right. I got it right, didn't I?)

>25 scaifea: - Boarding school. *shrug* I think we may have had one formal dance a year, but it wasn't like prom-level formal or a big deal.

Love your prom dress! You're absolutely rocking it too, and look like you were about to have a ball :)

We didn't really have a prom, but we did have a farewell dinner/dance thing for our final year at highschool. I don't have any electronic copies of photos from that, but my dress is a little like a green, lacier, more hippy version of yours!

>23 scaifea: Gravity is a fun one, to be sure -- one of my co-workers has a son about Charlie's age, and he loved the way the illustrations and the text work together in that book. Jason Chin has other books too, and they are all very good.

"Did you just say "were"? Oh, Mark. Rookie mistake." You caught me, my friend! You ARE!!

Sorry - didn't go to prom. As I recall, in my circle we considered ourselves much too cool to go to it. So - no dress and no picture, I'm afraid. Just as well as I believe we were punished with bad venues in my senior year on account of the bad behavior of the previous senior class the year before.

I completely missed thread #4 so time to just jump over to thread #5 and let the past be the past! Happy new thread, Amber!

Sorry, no prom photo as I don't do photos (to my family's eternal chagrin) but I can say that my high school graduation dinner/party was a memorable evening as I spent most of it in the ladies rest/wash/bathroom dealing with a friend who broke up with her boyfriend that same night. *sighs* Good things proms aren't or weren't a big deal back when I was in school where I lived.... it was more of a group party scene than a formal date night event.

Amber, my eleventh grade prom dress was empire waist, blue, and long. I didn't attend 12th grade prom, and I can't remember why.

I love your dress...everything about it, the color, the style, and of course the lovely lady wearing it.

I've read some great illustrated books this week. You might like one that I particularly enjoyed. It made me smile throughout. I highly recommend

Bats in the Band by Brian Lies.

Thanks again for pointing me in the direction of this genre. I am now totally obsessed!

Heh. Mark's in the doghouse. And they don't serve beer there! Bad Mark.

♪♪ Mark's in trou-ble, Mark's in trou-ble ... .♪♪

Charlie's looking good there! Glad that he's feeling better finally and had a good day at the library!

No prom pix here--I was too nerdy to go, but yours is great!

Happy still new 5th Thread, Amber - and yay for Charlie's library card! I got my first one aged 10 when I changed to high school and there was a branch of the city library with an extra big area of childrens' books next door. Before that I had to use all the bookshelves in the neighbourhood. My mum still tells me the story of how they were looking for one day at dinner time and found me in the neighbour's house sitting on the floor next to the bookshelf, reading. The neighbours thought I had gone home hours ago.

Oh, and no proms in the late 80s in my part of the world. They are doing them now, influenced by US movies. :)

I think I am the guilty party who suggested Prom pictures. And since I suggested it, I will post mine. It's so old that the picture looks like it's growing mold! This was taken in 1968.

There were certainly no proms in the UK when I was at school, or any sort of formal dances. They have come in in some schools more recently, but certainly not like it is in the US. I noticed when I was reading The Heart is a Lonely Hunter that the 'prom' that Mick holds actually seems to involve 'promenading' around with your partner. When did it change to being a dance?

I did not have a prom either, so no picture for me to share - not that I would, being the photophobic type :)

>28 katiekrug: Katie: Huh, well, okay. I guess it *was* a pretty big deal when Hogwarts had the Tri-Wizard Cup Dance, eh? (That's the extent of my boarding school knowledge, I'm afraid.)

>29 evilmoose: Ha! Thanks, Megan! I loved that dress, I have to day.

>30 foggidawn: I'll definitely be seeking out more of his stuff to read with Charlie - this one was excellent.

>31 msf59: Mark: Ha! Just cheesin' you, as Charlie would say.

>32 Fourpawz2: Charloote: Aw, too bad - prom was a hoot! My only regret is that I didn't take up sewing earlier - I would have loved to have made my own dress.

>33 lkernagh: Lori: Oh, yeah, there's always that one friend, eh? Even Bridget Jones had one. Ha!

>34 Whisper1: Linda: Your dress sounds gorgeous! I love empire waists.
And I've seen that book at the library, but have always passed it right on by - bats are a sensitive subject with Charlie. He's a bit scared of them since we had the one invade our house a couple of years ago... Ha! If you haven't, you should check out Gravity...

>35 katiekrug: Katie: *snork!* Nope, no beer here, at least (I can't stand the stuff and Tomm only drinks cider.)

>36 rosalita: Julia: *SNORK!* To be fair, Mark hadn't met me in person yet, so he hasn't experienced the full effect of my radiant self. *ahem*

>37 CassieBash: Cassie: You and me, both!!

>38 banjo123: Oh, but Rhonda, I was a total nerd and I went!

>39 Deern: Natalie: I love the lost-girl-found-in-the-neighbor's-bookshelves story - too funny!

>40 DeltaQueen50: Judy: Yes!! Finally! Thank you! And just look at you - gorgeous! Love the dress, love the hair, and those eyes! Your date looks like he doesn't quite know what to do with such a windfall...

>41 SandDune: Rhian: I noticed that, too, and meant to ask my mom about it. I'm fascinated by the idea that prom parties used to have actual promenades. Very cool.

>42 alcottacre: Stasia: I'm not super-fond of having my photo taken anymore, either; I never seem to look as good as I feel. Ha!

No prom for me either. I love the book blind dates. I hope you and Charlie both enjoy yours!

On the agenda for today:
After taking Charlie to school, it's back here for treadmilling, laundry, book fair work and possibly a bit more Very Early Spring Cleaning. If I have time before picking Charlie back up, I may start thinking about this Latin book business. We'll see. Leftovers for dinner.

On the reading front: I finished another book last night (more on that later) and read abit of The Castle in the Attic, which is a bit like The Indian in the Cupboard, but hopefully a bit better (I wasn't really a fan).

The calendar book for today: However Long the Night: Molly Melching's Journey to Help Millions of African Women and Girls Triumph by Aimee Molloy. Anyone read this one?

>44 cbl_tn: Hi, Carrie! We read Charlie's last night and did enjoy it! I haven't started mine yet, but I'm looking forward to it!

Happy new thread and certainly a happy Charlie!
>41 SandDune: yeah, the prom in THiaLH threw me at first too that is until I realized they were only taking a walk.

I was a bit rebellious in HS and boycotted my Prom, Thus, no pics.

>47 Carmenere: Lynda: So many Rebel Girls among the 75ers - who knew? Ha!

>14 scaifea: Please notice that I did not say I was old. I said I was *that* old. When one is only 28 and one-half, one feels quite old, as it is as old as one has ever been. Hrumph.

>35 katiekrug: "Mark's in the doghouse. And they don't serve beer there!" Oh, noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

Morning Amber! I hope you have a good day. At least we are not getting blasted like the East Coast! Whew!

>40 DeltaQueen50: Wow. You are stunning.

I don't seem to have any prom pictures. Just a picture of Senior Night at Disney which I already posted on one of my threads last year.

>49 casvelyn: Ha! Fair enough.

>50 msf59: Hi, Mark! I know, right? I'm not even going to complain about the three inches I shoveled yesterday!

>51 Morphidae: Morphy: I know, right?! She's gorgeous. And it doesn't have to be prom - any fancy dress photo will do...

Didn't go to prom, but I did other formal sin high school. I don't think I have any pics, they're all at the parents' house. And I'm not sure I'd post if I did - can you say lime green leisure suit? :)

>53 drneutron: Jim: *snork!* I love both the idea of a lime green leisure suit and your amazing Freudian typo!

52. (#17th non-picture book) Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller (Banned Books list, 318 pages) - 2/10 = F
I don't really consider myself a prude, but maybe I am, because, well, no. Just, no. I don't cotton to Miller's excessive use of crude language and his attitude toward women.
No, you know what? I'm not a prude, because I don't necessarily disapprove of crude language or sex in books. What I won't tolerate is meanness of spirit and the violent and hurtful intention behind Miller's use of that language and his references to sex. This book made me sad and angry, and I don't have time for such books in my life. Ptooey, I say!

Okay, hissy fit over - please get back to your knitting.

>4 scaifea: Wow, great photo of you, Amber. I don't think I could find one from way back then, although I remember the girl I went with looked terrific. Great one of Judy in >40 DeltaQueen50:, too.

>54 scaifea: *snerk* Classic Freudian! And yep, there might have been some sinnin' going on. But not much - I was a goodie two-shoes in high school. :)

>56 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! Doesn't Judy look amazing?! Love it!

>57 drneutron: Jim: Ha! I was a goody-goody, too.

>58 scaifea: The pinnacle of my high school bad self was when I "accidentally" flipped the bird in a band picture at competition my Junior year and got suspended for three days. :)

>59 drneutron: Jim: Whoa. That's bad-ass. *snork!*

>4 scaifea: Amber aren't you just the prettiest little Victorian Prom date Ever? I LOVE the lace shawl.
Prom. I have one of those prom stories. A guy asked me, then his ex-girlfriend from another state called his sister and arranged to come into town as a "surprise" to go with him to prom. The sister told me to pretend I was still going with him and gave me all the details regarding the other girl's dress, etc. I didn't feel that there was any really nice way to get out of it, so I went along. And anyway, he wasn't a crush or a boyfriend or anything. Just a friend. One of his friends heard about it and thought it was silly that I wouldn't get to go to prom and asked me to go with him to prom instead. I said sure, and we went in a large group including the guy and the ex girlfriend. They got pretty affectionate with each other that night, which was so very awkward for the rest of us. However, my date was a real gentleman and loads of fun. My dress was a Jessica McClintock. Seafoam green lamé. It was shiny. Too bad all my photos are in storage in the US. Lol I had a quick look around the web and didn't find anything similar. Sigh.

>53 drneutron: LOL to the slip of the fingers there.

I think the pinnacle of my high school bad self was when I ditched school to - wait for it - go to school. I went to the other local HS with friends and pretended I was a German exchange student for a day. Living on the edge.

We have grad night rather than prom in my neck of the woods. So at my high school you had the dinner, the graduation ceremony, and the dance all in one evening. I went solo but all of the full length photos of me are with family so the picture below is me with my younger brother.

Congrats to Charlie on his first Library Card!! That's a milestone worthy of a celebration.

Ooh the library Blind dates are such fun!!

Never went to any Proms or formals so I'll just enjoy everyone else's photos - such fun.

>4 scaifea: I didn't go to the prom but I love your prom dress Amber!

>40 DeltaQueen50: Judy looks fantastic!

>61 nittnut: Jenn: Oh, man, it's crazy how those high school drama can get out of hand!
Also, I went to the prom as a sophomore, too, and had a Jessica McClintock dress. All pink and shimmery.
Also, you pretended to be an exchange student? Ha! I love it!

>62 MickyFine: Oh, Micky, you look fantastic!

>63 SuziQoregon: Thanks, Juli! Definitely a milestone. And yes, I love the Blind Date with a Book idea!

>64 luvamystery65: Thanks, Roberta!

>65 scaifea: So true, and yet, thinking about it today, it's just no big deal. And it really wasn't then either, lol. I was a total Jessica McClintock girl. I think I had three formals by her. Couldn't catch me in one now.

>66 nittnut: Jenn: Is Jessica McClintock still a thing?

Wow, all these compliments are going to my head - until I remember, that picture is what - 46 years old!!! Unfortunately, I don't look like that anymore and haven't in some years. :(

>68 DeltaQueen50: Judy: Yep, I couldn't fit into my dress anymore if I tried. *shrugs*

>69 scaifea: But at least your hair is still the same color, Amber!

>68 DeltaQueen50: >69 scaifea: & >70 DeltaQueen50: With age comes wisdom and knowing "exactly" what a library cart is for. ;-)

>65 scaifea: Thanks, Amber. It's scary that my 10 year reunion is this year. *nose wrinkle*

Love the blind date with a book idea!! How cool

I'm the same as Micky, no prom here but grad night instead. We did dinner and dance, and the graduation ceremony was in the following autumn

Here is me with my girlfriends in 1999! (I'm far right)


Edited: ceremony was in the following autumn, not the previous.

>70 DeltaQueen50: Judy: Well, for now... I'm getting a few random grey hairs, but honestly, I'm kind of excited about it - I *love* the idea of having grey tresses!

>71 luvamystery65: Roberta: *snork!*

>72 MickyFine: Micky: My 20th reunion was 2 summers ago...

>73 ChelleBearss: Looking good, Chelle! Love the hair!

This is about as close as you're going to get. It was dress up but not formal for Grad Nite at Disney World. I went with my best friend at the time. And believe me, he was just a friend. (He was gay.)

53. We Both Read: When I Grow Up by Dennis Haley & Marcy Brown (Charlie's school library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B+
Another of the 'adult reads the left-hand page and child reads the right-hand page' books that Charlie loves and keeps bringing home from school. A very cool idea, for certain.

54. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant (Charlie book, picture book) - 10/10 = A+
Tells the story of Peter Roget, his shy childhood spent writing down all sorts of lists and his pursuit of this list-making as an adult, leading to the publication of his thesaurus.
Gorgeous book - the illustrations are amazing! And the story of Roget's life and work is very nicely told. Charlie and I both were entranced, and after we finished the book, I told Charlie that we have a copy of Peter's book (by the end, Charlie was just calling him "Peter"). He was so excited that he crawled out of bed and we went downstairs in search of The Book, cracked it open and spent a few minutes chatting about how it works and then flipping through it and reading some of the entries. Charlie is a child after my own, slightly-obsessive-list-making heart, and so he loved the story and is now fascinated by the thesaurus. I couldn't be more proud. Ha! Also, this book is amazing - go out and get a copy, now-ish. Linda (Whisper1), are you listening? You'll love it!
(P.S. I bought this for Charlie at the Iowa City Meetup!)

Also Read Today:
-2 volumes of Scholastic's Let's Find Out, which is, the current version of the Weekly Readers we used to get in school as kids.
-I Will Surprise My Friend!
-The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My
-Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs: A Tale from the Brothers Grimm Translated by Randall Jarrell

>75 Morphidae: Morphy: You are *rocking* that satiny striped jacket! And that sassy look on your face? Get down with your bad self, lady! I love it!

No prom pics for me. I don't think anyone thought to take a photo of me in my finery. It was a long time ago, in 1969. Because it was the same era, my dress looked a lot like Judy's only it was a peach colour.

Loving the pictures!! And I WANT The Right Word!! Charlie, you are the man. : )

Added The Right Word to the Maybe collection.

>67 scaifea: I Googled Jessica McClintock. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/12/jessica-mcclintock-prom-dresses-farewel...

>78 Familyhistorian: Meg: No photos? Sad.

>79 Berly: Kim: I know, right? The photos are excellent! And yes, you *should* want The Right Word - it's amazing.

>80 Morphidae: Morphy: Nope, unacceptable. No 'maybe' list, missy. Maybe see if your library system has a copy - it'll take 5 minutes to read and you'll love it!

>81 nittnut: Jenn: Aw, cute article. If I can find a photo of my McClintock, I'll post it...

On the agenda for today:
Treadmilling, a bit of book fair business, still trying to figure out the dang Cricut machine (I'm having trouble getting my computer to recognize and accept the necessary plugin, and of course Tomm, the computer guy, is out of town), and possibly some cleaning before heading back to school for some volunteering. Leftovers for dinner tonight, since last night Charlie and I both decided that we really ought to order pizza...

On the reading front: I started in on my Blind Date, Below Stairs and I think it's going to be a hoot!

The calendar book is one in a "fast-paced thriller' cop series, which isn't really my thing: The Drop by Michael Connelly. Thoughts?

I was pretty sure Charlie's book was going to be Dewey. Didn't have a guess for yours, though. It does sound like a good one.

Amber---Best. prom. dress. EVER.

I had to do some serious scrounging to find my prom picture....I knew it was here somewhere, but it wasn't where I expected to find it, among the other pictures of the same era. Finally, I had a light-bulb moment, and remembered a "Memory Book" from my senior year, and sure enough---there it was. This is from my Junior Prom. I went to the Senior prom the next year with the same guy; in the same dress. I did have my hair "done up", and a new little white stole to change the look a bit. There really isn't much story to it. It was 1967-68 in small town America. We danced--to live music, btw--and had punch and cookies. Some of the wilder kids with cars went to a sort of road house place called Telstar during intermission and didn't come back til the dance was almost over, when they were refused admission by the chaperones, and left peaceably.

>84 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Beautiful dress, and I love your hair and your glasses - you look so lovely! What a pretty smile!

Charlie looks so happy about his library card--which is not surprising but super cool!

My senior prom and the homecoming dance in that same school year are the only formals I ever went to. I had a date for homecoming (though we weren't dating), but not for prom. My friends had to convince me to go. Can't say I cared for it much, but sixteen years later, I'll admit I'm glad my eighteen-year-old self went. With two of my friends (I'm on the right):

>86 lycomayflower: Laura: Like mother, like daughter - look at that lovely smile! And I love the sleeves on your dress.

>82 scaifea: Ugh. FINE! *stomps over to library site*

*stomps back to Amber's thread*

There. Happy? And I'm 15th in line with 10 copies. *grumbles*

>88 Morphidae: Morphy: Yep, happy!

>85 scaifea: Thanks. I notice there was no comment about my date! (My dad called him "The Big Ox". The romance didn't survive the separation when I went off to college and he went off to the Air Force.)

>86 lycomayflower: I like the picture of you out by the tree better--you can really see how lovely the dress was. (You were lovely, too, and I'm also glad your 18-year-old self went to the dance!)

>90 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: I was too busy looking at you to notice the date much. He is a tall one, isn't he?

Or I'm short... Well, both things are true.

Happy new thread, Amber.

>92 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Petite, Linda, you're petite. *smiles*

>93 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

Your prom dress was amazing! And it's fun seeing everyone else's dresses too. Unfortunately my photos are all at my parents' house, but I'll try to dig one up someday. Dress styles the year of my prom were not very exciting, though; I prefer the dress I wore for my Grade 8 graduation.

Hi Amber, loving your prom photo's and the other LT prom photo's. Hope you are having a good day my dear.

>95 _Zoe_: Hi, Zoe! Thanks!

>96 johnsimpson: Thanks, John! It had been a good day, but I'm pretty tired here at the beginning of the end of it. Brownies now in the oven because Charlie and I both have a hankering for them, apparently...

55. I Looked Everywhere by Elizabeth Strauss (Charlie book, easy reader) - 8/10 - B
A beginning reader from school.

56. We Both Read: About Pets by Sindy McKay (Charlie's school library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
Another in the adult/child read together series.

57. Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete by James Dean (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B+
Pete the Cat gets a pet goldfish, paints a picture of it, and the everyone on town wants him to paint a picture of his fish for them.
Weird, but in a predictably Pete-the-Cat sort of way.

Oh, what perfectly lovely photos (both prom and Charlie).

I didn't go to prom, but I'm making myself a Victorian masquerade gown for my birthday in March.

>99 London_StJ: Hi, Luxx!! Oh, please do share photos of the gown (and your lovely self in it) when you're finished!

Hi Amber! Nice new thread. You are tearing up the reading as usual!

>75 Morphidae: Morphy! I went to Grad Night at Disney World when I was a sophomore (1976) with my boyfriend who was a senior. We lived about an hour from there. It was great fun. KC and the Sunshine Band were the musical highlight (and that's the way I like it, uh huh, uh huh).

What year did you and your best friend go? Love the pic, by the way. I'd post one but if they existed they are long lost by now.

>101 EBT1002: Ellen: KC and the Sunshine Band?! That. Is. Awesome.

On the agenda for today:
Treadmilling, book fair business, a bit of cleaning. I need to get a menu planned for next week and a grocery list made up for tomorrow morning, and I need to pack up some etsy orders and get them to the post office before heading to school for library volunteering. Leftovers again for dinner.

On the reading front: I read some more of The Castle in the Attic, which is looking like it may earn a spot on Charlie's shelves, and a few pages of Faust, which is strange but still interesting.

The calendar book for today isn't one that I've heard of and the description is so terribly done that I still have no idea what the book's about: Lush Life by Richard Price. Anyone read this one? Thoughts?

58. Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
Four slightly-bungling friends are on a quest to capture a bird, but one of them has a different idea of how to go about it than the others.
Hilarious, sweet and with very cool illustrations. We loved it!

Morning Amber! Hope the week is going well for you. The weather has been cooperating, at least!

I am a big fan of Richard Price and Lush Life is excellent. That was his last one too. He is way overdue.

>105 msf59: Mark: Well, okay then. Consider Price wishlisted.

>90 laytonwoman3rd: Yeah, I don't have that picture of me under the tree. Agreed, it showed off the dress much better.

>104 scaifea: Oh, that's a fun one. I also like Oh No, George! by the same author.

>107 lycomayflower: What??? What is wrong with your mother? This shall be remedied.

>107 lycomayflower: & >109 laytonwoman3rd: Well, *somebody* please get on the case and find the photo! *ahem*

>108 foggidawn: Oooh, thanks for that! I'll have to see if the library has that one, too.

I have a request for recipes, please:

For the Teacher Preview party that I'm putting together for the book fair, I'd like to make some treats for the teachers and have some punch or somesuch beverage. I've just had a thought that I'd love to make literature-themed treats, food that is featured in literature, either children's books or no (madeleines from Proust, or Turkish Delight from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as an couple of obvious examples). Now, ideas? I see that Amazon has a couple of cookbooks along these lines, and I'll just be honest here and admit that I'll very likely order them because, well, yeah. But I'd love to know if any of you have some recipes or even just favorite food passages in books that you've read...

>110 scaifea: Oh, I know EXACTLY where to find it.

>111 scaifea: I can't think of anything right now but I'll ponder a little and see if anything comes to me. I'm very curious to see what you come up with. I've toyed with the idea of a literary food party a few times but never got around to it.

>111 scaifea: - Raw potato a la Gone with the Wind?

>112 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Excellent!

>113 PawsforThought: Oh, well, you know I'll report back here. Ha!

>114 katiekrug: Katie: Helpful. *snork!*

I couldn't think of anything off the top of my head, but I did find this huffington post article.
Maybe it will give you some ideas!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/04/literary-recipes_n_4193299.html

>101 EBT1002: Couldn't have loved the pic all THAT much since there's a big 'ol '83 on it. ;)

>111 scaifea: Check out the book Fictitious Dishes. It's an entire book of photos of meals from literature. What's nice is you can get some decorating ideas, too.

>111 scaifea: Green eggs and ham would seem appropriate. Here's a recipe for a frittata that could work

>116 jolerie: Thanks, Valerie! I don't think any of those are very finger-food friendly, but I love the article nonetheless.

>117 Morphidae: Morphy: Yep, that's one of the cookbooks I found and will likely be buying from Amazon.

>118 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Ha! I like the Seuss reference, but again, not exactly finger food (or food that one would want round the books).

I may have ordered some books. And they may have come in the mail today...



The two Everyman's Library volumes, the titles of which can't easily be read in the photo, are The Bascombe Novels and Animal Farm, and the slim orangey-brown one is The Wood Beyond the World.

Oooh, thats a very pretty and exciting looking pile of books!

>121 evilmoose: Megan: I know, right?! So exciting!

>120 scaifea: Amber are you reading Perdido Street Station in March? That is my selection for the BAC. Can't wait!

Beautiful haul!

>120 scaifea: Oooooo....aaaaahhhh....pretty! Nice haul!

>123 luvamystery65: Roberta: I am!! I'm excited, too!! WOOHOO!!

>124 Cobscook: Thanks, Heidi! It *is* a pretty little stack, isn't it?

Fictitious Dishes - 7/10 stars
Fun. I wish there had been more food oriented books like A Moveable Feast or Like Water for Chocolate. Also, that there had been a section on her thoughts on how she put the photographs together - where she got the props, food decisions, etc. If it had those two things, this book would have gotten 9 or 10 stars. I love the idea, the photographs were well done if a little simplistic in places, and the tidbits of food and author trivia were interesting. I'm a visual person and as I read a "movie" runs in my mind. Things like this help.

Amber, I love seeing you and some of our friends in their prom dresses. Everyone looks lovely. I was one of the rebels who thought prom was silly. Afraid I still do when I think about what kind of money goes into the clothes, flowers, dinner, etc. However, my kids all went to prom and I must admit I got all gushy about it.

I can see why that Charlie picture is your favorite. What a great smile! He is obviously delighted to be an "official" reader. Also like the picture of your book haul.

>126 Morphidae: Thanks, Morphy.

>127 Donna828: Donna: That's one of the reasons that I wish I'd taken up sewing earlier and made my own dress, although admittedly it likely wouldn't have been *that* much less expensive.
And isn't that a wonderful smile he has? Melts my heart every time.

59. Busy at School by Brycie Wilson (Charlie book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
Another beginning reader handout that Charlie brought home from school.

60. The Princess and the Pea by Xanthe Gresham (Charlie book, picture book) - 10/10 = A+
(I can't find the proper touchstone, but here's the link to the proper page: http://www.librarything.com/work/14630764)
This book is *gorgeous* in both illustrations and words. Beautifully retold and re-imagined, and the artwork is stunning. Highly, *highly* recommended.

61. Goodnight Songs by Margaret Wise Brown (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
Sweet little poems and lovely illustrations.

Also Read Today:
-The Jolly Postman (A Scaife Manor favorite.)
-The Very Hungry Caterpillar (read to me entirely by Charliemagne!)

Turkish Delight, from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? Looks like there are lots of recipes on the internet and it's not too hard to make.

Whoa. Who's the babe in >84 laytonwoman3rd:? Is she seeing anyone? If not, can you tell her that a secret admirer would like to take her out on Saturday night?

>130 ronincats: Roni: Yep, that's already a possibility (see >111 scaifea:).

>131 kidzdoc: Darryl: Whoawhoawhoa! Whoa. Not even a courtesy nod to the hostess' own photo?! Between you and Mark, the male portion of this group is taking a dive in the Natural Charm department, or at least in the Scaife Good Graces Dept. Sheesh.

>132 scaifea: Oh! Oh, my...um...are you free tomorrow night?

>133 kidzdoc: Darryl: Too little too late, mister.
(But if you're cooking, I'll think about it...)

>134 scaifea: Hmm. Excuse me while I go to Publix to pick up ingredients for Creole jambalaya and buy a Key lime pie.

Hahahaha..too funny!! I think it's going to be a party with Darryl and Mark in the naughty corner of Amber's thread.

Why are the girls in >86 lycomayflower: upside down? I didn't have that much red wine with dinner.

>129 scaifea: If you put the number 14630764 after the opening bracket then two colons :: then the name of the book then the closing bracket, it will "force" the correct touchstone.

>135 kidzdoc: Darryl: Well, okay, if you insist... (yum!)

>136 jolerie: Valerie: It's always more fun in the naughty corner!

>137 kidzdoc: Darryl: Weird. It's okay now, isn't it?

>138 Morphidae: Morphy: Always the same number? What sort of black magic have you got going on here, missy?

On the agenda for today:

Grocery shopping after taking Charlie to school, then a little cleaning and book fair business before heading back to school for more volunteering. I'm not sure what dinner will be tonight - spaghetti, maybe?

On the reading front: I managed a few pages in Stand on Zanzibar, which should be renamed "Man, Is This Bizarre." But good, I think. I need to get further in before I know for certain...

The calendar book today is described as an 'if you liked "Get Shorty" then you'll love...' type of book: Swag by Elmore Leonard. I've neither seen that movie or read this book. Thoughts?

>120 scaifea: Amber, great book stack! I had to look up The Bascombe Novels and I see my library has them as ebooks...

And now I'd also like some Key Lime Pie.

Dang!

>141 susanj67: Susan: I bought The Bascome Novels because I plann on reading Independence Day for the AAC in March and I saw the Everyman's edition and decided I needed it.
Also, get your own date with Darryl key lime pie, lady!

>142 scaifea: I just had treacle sponge with custard, instead. The menu promised chocolate marquise, my favourite dessert, but it was a cruel hoax. Still, the sponge was pretty good :-)

Happy Friday, Amber! Lovely book haul! I think it is pretty cool getting The Bascombe Novels. I might like a collection like that.

I am a big fan of Elmore Leonard and have read many of his books, although very few in the past decade. I can't remember if I read Swag. It is one of his earliest crime books.

>131 kidzdoc: Aww...Darryl! I am so flattered. And I guarantee you that if you show up at my house on Saturday night, we've got a date! (There may be a third party who insists on tagging along, but he's ok, really. I've been "seeing" him for about 45 years now, and he likes a night out as much as anybody!)

>139 scaifea: No, no, no! Only if you want every touchstone to link to The Princess and the Pea! LOL.

If you look at the link you gave, that number is at the end. At the end of every URL at the work level is a unique number.

>146 Morphidae: Ha! You have to teach to my level, Morphy, which isn't very far off the ground, I'm afraid.

147 posts in one day! That's a lot, really a lot!

>148 connie53: Well, they didn't get posted all in one day (this isn't Paul's thread, you know), but you reading them in one day deserves some sort of medal - ha!

Thanks, Amber. To be honest, I skimmed a bit. But I love the prom pictures. I can't remember having something similar to a prom night and if there was, there are no pictures of me in my gown.

>150 connie53: Connie: I've really enjoying all of the photos, too!

I read Get Shorty a couple years ago and if I remember correctly I enjoyed it. I think it is on the 1001 books to read list

>152 ChelleBearss: Chelle: Well, if it's on that list, I'll get round to it eventually...

62. (18th non-picture book) The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop (Charlie book, 179 pages) - 9/10 = A
A boy is given a toy castle as a parting gift from his nanny, along with a little figurine of the Silver Knight. He struggles with the idea that his nanny is leaving to move back to England, but then finds himself in an even greater struggle when the Sliver Knight comes to life and eventually involves the boy in his quest to seek justice from the evil wizard who has cursed him and driven him from his rightful kingdom.
Think The Indian in the Cupboard, but better, to my way of thinking, at least. Good enough to earn a spot on Charlie’s shelves, for certain.

63. We Both Read: Jack and the Beanstalk by Sindy McKay (Charlie's school library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
Another in the We Both Read series with which Charlie is currently fascinated.

64. Splat the Cat: Up in the Air at the Fair by Rob Scotton (public library book, easy reader) - 8/10 = B+
Splat and his friends go to the fair, but Kitten can't go because of a broken leg, so the rest of them try to think of a good present to get her at the fair.
Not much substance to these, but they're just silly enough and the illustrations are pretty cool, too.

65. Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman (public library book, picture book) - 10/10 = A
Three little bears are doing something they shouldn't (trying to reach a pot of honey on a high shelf) when they accidentally break Momma's blue seashell. So they go off on an adventure to try to find a replacement and end up finding a bit more than they expected to.
Sweet and clever story - with a few pretty cool literary references stuck in for good measure - and the illustrations are wonderful. Definitely recommended!

Also Read Today:
-Miffy

We all loved The Castle in the Attic, and when we thinned the books from childhood a few years ago, that one stayed put on the shelves and moved with us from Indiana to Georgia. I also liked it better than The Indian in the Cupboard.

>155 Crazymamie: Mamie: Oh, yay! I was worried that I'd catch it here for nay-saying The Indian in the Cupboard, so I'm so happy that I'm not the only one who thinks this one is better! I think Charlie will love it, too.

All of mine loved it, and they rarely all agree on a book!

>157 Crazymamie: Excellent!

Catching up over here on your thread (and your previous one). Loved the photo of the new library patron using his new card!

We have "For Fun," "Favorite Things," and "Seeking reader . . . " on our blind date books.

Hi Amber, I wish you a lovely weekend.

>159 thornton37814: Lori: It must be so much fun (and also a lot of work!) to put those Blind Date displays together!

>160 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara! Look out, little bird!!

On the agenda for today:

Charlie has requested French Toast for breakfast, and then it's laundry, bills, organize photos from the camera, package up some etsy orders, and some book fair business. And then some errands: I need to take those etsy orders to the post office, and then Charlie and I will likely head to the library for a bit, and then for a little shopping. His class will be having a party for their 100th Day in School, and one of the activities is for him to bring in 100 of something in a little brown bag and write 3 clues about what's in the bag on the outside. I thought we might make it some sort of office or classroom supply and then donate them to his teacher. I suspect we may have lunch while we're out and about, too. And then at some point today Charlie wants to start making his class Valentines using the project I found on the Cricut website (photos likely when we finish). So, yeah, not exactly a lounge-about-and-read sort of day, but it still sounds pretty fun to me. Plus, we have to get all the errand business finished today, since we've got some weather headed our way tonight, apparently...

On the reading front: I finished The Castle in the Attic yesterday (see above) and then I read a bit more of Below Stairs last night and I have to say that it is absolutely charming. I'm loving it lots so far.

The book calendar weekend trivia question: What classic work of literature set in France contains this line: "Our desires cut across one another, and in this confused existence it is rare for happiness to coincide with the desire that clamored for it."?

>162 scaifea: It sounds a bit pretentious so I'm going to guess it's Proust. Must be one of the giants, anyway.
And it said "work of literature" rather than "novel" so I'm guessing it's Á la recherche du temps perdu.
I don't know any other work by him anyway so I'll go with that.

>163 PawsforThought: Yep, you got it!

Bonus points to anyone who can name which volume...

>164 scaifea: Yay! *happy dance*

I haven't read it so no clue on what part it's from.

Morning Amber! Not looking forward to this winter storm. Ugh! They are talking 6-12 inches. Ugh! I guess we knew this was coming at some point, so I should not be surprised.

Amber! The same thing happens at my house -- books appear in my mail box. I'm not quite sure how that happens...;) Is Charlie a Pete the Cat fan? That was one of the first books that Scout smiled at. I'm not sure what it is about that blue cat. Happy Saturday.

>166 msf59: Mark: We're supposed to get 5-8 inches, which isn't bad, really, I guess, but then I don't have to get out and work in it like you do.

>167 BLBera: Beth: Ha! And yeah, Charlie likes Pete, but he's not overly nuts about him. I think I like Pete more than he does...

Amber, You always come up with some great questions and topics. I love these prom photos!

I went to a prom sponsored by my church, but I don't recall any pictures. I have a picture of me with a girl (not my wife!) on another date my senior year, but I need a place to host it. Facebook doesn't work and Instagram is too public. Where you you host the pictures you post on librarything?

>170 jjvors: I use Photobucket to host my pictures.

Amber - returning the star. Love that you are growing a library for Charlie - I do the same with my sons, Beckham (age 13) and Keegan (almost 10), and I do like to test out the books before I add them. Beckham, especially, is now such an avid reader that he is now reading some books before I can get to them. We still read aloud together as a family almost every night.

When Beckham was in 5th grade, his school librarian had the Newbery Club. The students had to sign up and promise to read so many former Newbery winners in the fall. Then in November/December they started reading books that were short-listed, and report on them to the group, which voted for a Mock Newbery award. I tried to read most of them along with him! The One and Only Ivan was the winner that year and it was a fantastic book. I can't wait until Keegan gets to join Newbery Club next year!

Hi there Amber -- loving the prom photos. If I could find the daguerreo-type of mine I'd post it :)

>170 jjvors: >171 laytonwoman3rd: Jeff & Linda: I use flickr.

>172 rretzler: Hi, Robin! I love the idea of the Newbery Club! I myself am what is called a Newbery Nut (I've read *all* of the winners), and I'm working through all of the Honor books, too. I'm glad that you enjoyed The One and Only Ivan more than I did - I didn't like it! Ha!

>173 RebaRelishesReading: Reba: *snork!* Aw, c'mon now!

I just upload my pictures to my LT gallery.

>175 Morphidae: *waves to Morphy*

66. (19th non-picture book) Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French (1001 Children's Books list121 pages) - 9/10 = A
A girl starts telling a story to her friends as they wait at the rainy bus stop and it develops into a days-long saga that touches the three of them in surprising ways.
A nice bit of mystery to this one and both the framework story and the story-within-a-story pulled me right in. A very enjoyable read and I'd certainly recommend it to maybe middle schoolers?

67. Kingfisher Readers: Seasons by Thea Feldman (public library book) - 8/10 = B
A non-fiction easy reader that Charlie checked out of the library today.

68. The Adventures of Beekle, the Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat (Charlie book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A wonderful book about an imaginary friend who gets sad and tired of waiting to be imagined and just sets off to find his would-be imaginer. The illustrations are fantastic, too. Definitely recommended.

>175 Morphidae: If you upload to the LT gallery, can you then also post the picture in a thread? I've never tried that.

>178 laytonwoman3rd: Yes, I think you can and I think I used to know how but I've forgotten... Oh, Morphy....?

Morphidae, where is the LT gallery?

>178 laytonwoman3rd:, >179 scaifea: - Once you upload a photo to your gallery, you can right click on it and select "Copy Image Location". you then paste that information into the html code (the bit with img src=).

>180 jjvors: - Your LT gallery is on your profile page (there's a link on the right).

Sorry to butt in - hope Morphy will forgive me!

>172 rretzler: and >174 scaifea: Did you know that they live-stream the announcement of the Newbery, Caldecott, and other awards for children's and teen literature? Here's the link:

http://live.webcastinc.com/ala/2015/live/

It happens tomorrow morning! I'm a little bit excited...

>182 foggidawn: I didn't realize that the awards were tomorrow already! Where does the time go? I haven't kept up with the short list this year so I guess my TBR pile will be growing again

>180 jjvors: Jeff: Katie's on it (>181 katiekrug:)!

>181 katiekrug: Katie: Thanks! I'm sure Morphy won't mind your butt at all...

>182 foggidawn: COOL!!!! Aaaand, I'll be taking Charlie to school at that time. Dang. Maybe he can be a little late tomorrow... Ha!

>183 rretzler: Robin: I haven't been paying attention to the possible winners, either.

On the agenda for today:
Well, we've got several inches of snow already (Tomm says, after just shoveling some of it, that it's about 6 inches already) and it's supposed to keep on snowing all day today. So, yeah, we're not going anywhere. I'll put some Beef Stew int he slow cooker later, and I may do some baking. Otherwise it'll be a day of hanging out with my two Scaife Men (Tomm got in last night and leaves for another week-long trip tomorrow morning) and reading. I suspect that multiple cups of tea will be involved as well. A perfect snow day.

On the reading front: I finished another book yesterday (see above), but then didn't read at all last night. I hope to make up for that today!

Happy Sunday, Amber! We might have close to 5 inches of heavy wet snow and it is coming down pretty steady. We are supposed to have blizzard conditions this afternoon. Fortunately, we have no plans to venture out...other than to shovel.

>187 msf59: Hi, Mark! Yep, we're in the same snow boat, it seems. Meh, I'm okay with it, since this is the only day in the week past and the coming week that Tomm will be home, so he can do the shoveling! Ha!

That is lucky! I remember you got stuck with it last time!

I am looking forward to getting some reading in today. I have been neglecting...

>189 msf59: I know, right?! I do feel a bit sorry for the fellow, but not enough to suit up and go shovel myself...
And I feel the same way about reading and I'm looking forward to some quality rocking chair/cuppa tea/book time this afternoon!

Nope, I have NO problem with someone else explaining the LT gallery.

You have two choices as well. You can put it in your member gallery which everyone can see if they go to your profile or put it in your junk gallery. If you put it in your junk gallery, the only time people will see it is if you post it to a thread.

Sheesh, Amber, is your husband EVER home for more than a day or two?

>191 Morphidae: Morphy: Not at this time of the year he isn't. He'll only be home a total of EIGHT days in February. *sigh*

Loving the prom pictures! My school didn't have one, but I did attend a few formal parties around that time, if I can unearth one of those I will try to post it before you get to your next thread!

>193 sibylline: Hi, Lucy! I'd love to see your formal photos!

It's snowing here as well - and blowing. I did go out to shovel but will have to go out again. It is a good snow day. I am going out for lunch with my sisters, so that will be fun, too.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder??

So late to the party... love the prom photo though :) We don't do proms so much - well, more these days but not back in mine!

I did have a uni grad ball - wish I had photos because I was at my smallest ever and wearing a naughty stunning dress I'd borrowed off my sister.

Oh and despite the pain of it I am having snow envy. We have had none so far - probably a good thing because the whole island stops at the first flake!

>195 BLBera: Beth: I have to say that so far it has been a really lovely, cozy day, with reading, Charlie's various 'art projects' and hanging out with my two favorite fellows.
As far as Tomm's trips go, I do miss him lots, of course - and so does Charlie - but I married after grad school and so after I'd been on my own for a few years and I really kind of enjoy the alone time, too. Plus, yeah, the whole absence and fondness bit - those first night's back from a trip are always, *ahem*, quite nice...

>196 BekkaJo: Bekka: Ooooh, I'd *love* to see you in your naughty stunning dress!!

And a snow report: We likely have about 10 inches and it shows no indications of stopping anytime soon. It's quite pretty out right now, though.

I love the prom dress photos! I am guilty of scanning for them ;)
I to wont post mine though, and we called out senior dance a 'formal'. I hired a gown that had velvet AND lace on it. It wasn't cool then, and isn't now. I might drag out one from my university ball, I wore a waistcoat thingie with a plunging neckline and black long straight trousers. Any I had mega-long hair then, which I wore out. And I had a hot date, which pleased me immensely :)

>197 scaifea: "quite nice" huh? *giggle*

>197 scaifea: made me giggle, too!

>198 LovingLit: Megan: Oh, yes, please do find those photos - I bet you look amazing!

>198 LovingLit: & >199 lauralkeet: Megan & Laura: Yes, well I usually do some giggling myself...

Our back yard at the moment (and it's still snowing...):



And our the front window looking up the street:

>181 katiekrug:, >191 Morphidae: Thanks! That is going to simplify my LT photo posting, I think. Photobucket is fine, but I have so many pictures there that it's a bit cumbersome.

>197 scaifea: "Quite nice?" What is this "quite nice?" I am innocence personified and I need these things explained to me. In detail. With pictures. Footnotes would nice.

Had to dig for these. This is my junior prom (1997) and my senior prom (1998). These were not people I was dating - just friends. And they're both still friends to this day.

Those are great winter shots, Amber! I am not up for shoveling again, so I hope it stops.

>202 Morphidae: Morphy: Um, no. Photos?! What sort of joint do you think I'm running here?! Sheesh.

>203 The_Hibernator: Oooh, lovely, Rachel! Thanks for sharing!

>204 msf59: Mark: Yeah, Tomm got discouraged once the plows came by and really buried us in at the end of the drive.

69. Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino (public library book, picture book) - 10/10 = A+
Oh, this is a wonderful book! A little boy loves to play in the dress-up area at school and in particular he loves wearing a lovely, swishy tangerine-colored dress and the dress shoes that go with it. He gets made fun of and ostracized for it by the other boys and girls, to the point that his stomach hurts and he stays home from school. But he works through it on his own terms, goes back to school and shows the other kids, in his own quiet, kind way, that there's simply nothing strange or wrong with a boy wearing a dress if he wants to. One of those books that all kids should be read, hands down.

70. (#20) Secret of the Pyramids by Richard Brightfield (CYOA list, 116 pages) - 8/10 = B
Another in the Choose Your Own Adventure Series that I'm collecting for Charlie's shelves.

71. Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
Elliot is a tiny elephant trying to make his way in a big city and feeling small and unnoticed until he meet a mouse who puts his own troubles into perspective and then makes his life happier by becoming his friend.
Lovely book in every sense of the word: wonderful and simply told story with beautiful illustrations. Definitely recommended.

Also Read Today:
-I Can Do It! (a Sesame Street easy reader)

Hi Amber! Sorry I haven't been around, I would promise to do better but I probably still won't be on much for awhile. It's fun to see all the prom pictures though! I didn't go to prom myself, naturally...

>207 Ape: Hi, Stephen! Great to see you! I've been lurking on your thread but for some reason can't think of anything to add to that particular conversation... Ha!

>202 Morphidae: *Peeking through fingers. EEk!! Wait! No photos. No notes! What kind of a place is this? What will be next? Pig farmers?

>202 Morphidae: Why not footnotes? You're talking about making cookies, right? That's what "very nice" is. Right? Why are you all looking at me like that?

>200 scaifea: & 205 scaifea: Yeah, those pictures could be our yard, too. Not sure how many inches are down but we are in the 10-15 inches prediction. Right now I'm glad I'm not in Laporte County, Indiana--they've hit the 20 inch mark and it's still coming down.

We did some digging at the bottom of our drive, cleaned up what the plow did. I know that I'll have to do it again but the snow was so heavy and wet this morning that I figured it would only be worse if I let the plow keep piling it on. I so feel for Tomm.

>210 Morphidae: shee shee shee (that was a Mutley giggle)

Who knew LT had a pornographic version?

*snort!*

>205 scaifea: I know all about that stuff at the end of the drive, Amber. My parents used to own a house on a corner lot in Pointe Claire, a suburb of Montreal. The plow would come along after a big snowstorm and take the stuff off the street corner and end up dumping it at the end of our drive - maybe that is why I live somewhere where I very rarely have to shovel!

>213 katiekrug: Oh, well, Katie... pig farmers?

ETA: Oops. Sorry. That's porkographic.

Oh, thank you all for sharing your wonderful prom pics. When I was young we didn't have this tradition, but I do know that this is something they started recently in some of the schools. I think it's so beautiful. We used to have school disco's, but that's about it.

As usual love the Charlie topper!

>209 nittnut: Jenn: Well now, it's one thing for *me* to protest the photos and notes, but what are *you* saying, Jenn? I'm inclined to be insulted here...

>210 Morphidae: *pinches nose with fingers* "...I said COOKIE robots..."

>211 CassieBash: Cassie: Yeah I suspect we ended up with something between 10 and 15 inches, too. And you know how I know I live in Wisconsin? Schools are only on a 2-hour delay. Ha!

>212 LovingLit: Megan: *snork!*

>213 katiekrug: Kaite: Oh, hi, kettle!

>214 Familyhistorian: Meg: Very occasionally we'll get a plow driver who is courteous enough to lift the blade as he comes round our curve, but not very often, I'm afraid.

>215 nittnut: Jenn: Ha!

>216 drachenbraut23: Hi, Bianca! The dances *were* fun! I always loved getting dressed up all fancy.

On the agenda for today:

Once I take Charlie in to school (after a two-hour delay) I'll come back here to get prepped for the school staff meeting I'll be attending this afternoon (to talk about the book fair with the teachers) and do a bit of cleaning before going back in for the meeting and to pick up Charlie. Tomm leaves again this evening for another trip, but not until after dinner, which is one of the nice things about the snow storm - his original flight out, which was scheduled for this morning, was cancelled and he re-scheduled for early tomorrow morning (he flies out of Madison, which is a 90-minute drive from here so he'll drive up this evening and spend the night in an airport hotel). Leftovers for dinner. I've got a new breakfast recipe in the slow cooker (I got it started last night) for Early Bird Oatmeal, which is oats, powdered sugar, water, a pinch of salt and a can of cherry pie filling. It smells pretty delicious...

On the reading front: I started Clearing Weather yesterday and so far so good. I'm not too far in just yet, but it seems like it will be another Adventure on the High Seas type Newbery book (there seem to be a lot of them in this time period). And speaking of Newbery winners, I'm so excited for the announcement this morning! More Newbery books to read are coming my way!!

The calendar book for today is a memoir by a football coach, apparently (I'm sure many of you will chuckle at me for being a native Hoosier and not having heard of him before - sorry!): Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life by Tony Dungy.

Morning Amber!

Good morning Amber from a cool but bright Walton, hope you are going to have a good day my dear.

>219 luvamystery65: Morning, Roberta!

>220 johnsimpson: Morning, John!

Morning Amber! I only have time to visit one or 2 threads and you are one of them. Have a good day. Wish me luck!

>222 msf59: Morning, Mark! I feel so privileged! *smiles* Very best of luck today, friend.

Tomm has just come in from shoveling and he's *very* discouraged. There is, apparently, 4 feet of snow at the end of our driveway, courtesy of the snowplow drivers. Dang.

4' at the end of the driveway?! That's just wrong.

>224 lauralkeet: Amen, sister friend.

You're doing a little better than we are, Amber. All the schools are closed (great happiness for our school teacher daughter). I'm zonked from shoveling and pushing cars. I've got to check - I know we got more than a foot of snow, but I'm not sure what the total was. Oof.

ETA: 19 inches. Holy Guacamole.

Whew! I just finished watched the ALA YMA awards and it was so exciting! I'm happy to say that Charlie and I have already read several of the winners and honor books, and I'm excited to have more books to read now!

The highlights for me:

-The Caldecott winner is one that Charlie and I just read the other day: The Adventures of Beekle, which is *amazing* and I'm so happy that it won.

-Waiting Is Not Easy won a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor nod and that makes me happy.

-The Right Word, which I bought for Charlie at the Iowa City Meetup and which is absolutely gorgeous, won a couple of awards, including a Caldecott Honor.

-Brown Girl Dreaming, which I'm excited to get round to and which so many of you have read and loved already, won one of the two Newbery Honors.

-And Joe, if your reading this, pay attention: The Newbery winner this year, The Crossover, is apparently a novel in verse inspired by poetry jam style!

So exciting!!

>226 jnwelch: Joe: 19 inches?! Whoa. Also, check out >227 scaifea: - I've left a message for you...

>227 scaifea: I had only heard of a few of the award winners, including Brown Girl Dreaming and This One Summer, so my TBR list (and holds list at the library) expanding quite a bit, I'm afraid... Wasn't it fun to watch the webcast? That's the first time I've done it!

Did somebody say guacamole? Hmmmm...

>229 bell7: Mary: I know, right?! Charlie and I have read more of the winners than I had expected would be the case, but I still have a nice little list of things to read now, and I went straightaway to my library's website to request them all!

>230 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Pardon? I'm confused...

>200 scaifea: Wow, that's called winter. :-)

>231 scaifea: See >226 jnwelch: (It was edited, so you may have missed the reference.)

>217 scaifea: Nookie robots? What type of place is this?

>232 Ameise1: Babara: Yep. Wisconsin and Winter are practically synonyms. Ha!

>233 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Aha! I see, now.

>234 Morphidae: Morphy: *snork!*

Hi, Amber ~ Hope the snow has stopped by now and no new snow falls for a good while! Four feet at the end of the driveway is just wrong. Beautiful photos of the wintry wonderland outside your home, though!

No prom for me, as I was not into that sort of thing when I was in high school. Not "too cool" for it, exactly, but I didn't like my high school and most of the kids in it. (I'd been transferred from the h.s. I'd gone to as a freshman to a different high school, away from my friends, and the new school was a bit too, I don't know, preppy for me. Also, I was dating an older guy (19 to my 16) and he wasn't interested.)

My daughter, on the other hand, went to 3 proms while in h.s. I'll try to find a pic from each of the three ~ in her first when she went as the date of a junior while she was a sophomore, she was dressed all in ingenue white; to her junior prom she went with a girlfriend and wore the same white dress, which she'd altered and added fairy wings to; and to her senior prom (where she was one of the prom queen's court) she wore a black ballerina skirt and black tank top, both of which were embellished with amber rhinestones (which I glued on at the last minute because she'd only decided she wanted that at the last minute), with leopard accessories. Yes, she was (and still is) a drama queen, and I both enjoyed helping her prepare for the proms and, after watching all her angst over getting it "right" each time, was immensely grateful that I hadn't bothered when I was in high school.

>236 Storeetllr: Oh, Mary, I'd love to see photos of your daughter in those dresses - they sound amazing and I bet she looked beautiful!

Thanks for the Caldecott and Newbury news -- I'm off to check them out. They didn't sound familiar to me, although I did see the book you got in Iowa City.

>227 scaifea: Amber, you have the wrong touchstone for The Right Word and it turns out that I know the artist - it is her second Caldecott Honor book.

Yay for Brown Girl Dreaming winning another award! Such a fantastic, fantastic book. In fact, I am going into my daughter's school tomorrow morning to pitch the idea of this book being read aloud be her 8th grade class for this month since it is Black History Month.

>238 BLBera: Beth: I"m so happy the Beekle won the Caldecott - it's such a lovely book! I'll be interested to see what you think of the other winners.

>239 Helenoel: Hi, Helen!

>240 Cobscook: Heidi: I am so, so excited to get my hands on Brown Girl Dreaming! I'd got a hold on it at the library and should have it soon.

72. The Iridescence of Birds by Patricia MacLachlan (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
A picture book about Henri Matisse as a boy and how his childhood influenced his painting as an adult.
You'd think this one would be amazing - and the illustrations are, of course - but I expected to be wowed more by MacLachlan that I was. It was good, but not knock-me-over great.

73. Plants Feed Me by Lizzy Rockwell (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A-
Tells about the various kinds of plants that we eat and which part of each plant that we eat. Very simply and nicely told and the illustrations are fantastic. Sparked a neat discussion with Charlie, who already know most of it, since we usually plant seeds in the spring and watch them grow and since his Granny and Pa live on an honest-to-goodness farm, but there were still some things that he was surprised by (rice is a seed, for example).

Also Read Today:
-Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library

>217 scaifea: Ahem. Sorry if I offended. Not intentional. Just ah, looking for the cookie recipe. Sorry if I misunderstood what we were talking about.

Driving by to wish you a great Tuesday, Amber!

>243 nittnut: Jenn: *snork!*

>244 Deern: Thanks, Natalie!

Snowy greetings to you, Amber. Seems like us Northern dwellers got hammered this weekend. I dread pulling my car out of the garage today as when I peaked outside yesterday I saw the plow guy left a bunch of icy snow at the door and the apron. I may be stuck in the driveway till the thaw comes around.
I have the ebook of Brown Girl Dreaming on my iPad and I must get to it pronto or renew it. Yeah, everybody's really raving and now a winner to boot.

On the agenda for today:

Treadmilling, some book fair business, laundry, cleaning, and then back in to school to lead a book fair meeting. That is, if school isn't let out early today (they're predicting 2-3 inches of snow in a short amount of time this afternoon and therefore slick roads, so I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to send the kids home early to avoid the buses out in it). Smokies in a Blanket for dinner tonight.

On the reading front: I managed just a few more pages of both Clearing Weather and John Tyler yesterday. Reading is a bit slow going lately, I'm afraid.

The calendar book for today: The Cage Keeper and Other Stories by Andre Dubus III. As you may remember, I'm not really a fan of short story collections normally, but I've heard good things about this author's House of Sand and Fog... Thoughts?

>246 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Yeah, we've got more snow coming our way this afternoon, too. Yay.

Morning Amber! I like Dubus. I have not read this collection but I did read Dirty Love his last one and it was good. I LOVED his memoir Townie.

Have a good day!

>249 msf59: Thanks for your Dubus thoughts, Mark - if you like him, then I think he definitely needs to go on the wishlist!

Funny, I have still not read House of Sand and Fog, but I have seen the film. I hope to get to it this year.

>215 nittnut: Oh, I didn't know there was a film...

>227 scaifea: So glad you enjoyed the YMAs! Beekle’s win was a surprise but not a disappointment for me -- I liked it, but hadn't really thought of it as a contender. And three of the honor books are favorites of mine: The Right Word, Sam and Dave Dig A Hole, and The Noisy Paint Box. I've read all of the Caldecotts except This One Summer, which is a graphic novel for the older end of the age range (Newbery and Caldecott criteria both define "children" as ages 14 and below, so though usually books for young children win the Caldecott and books for older children win the Newbery, it is possible for these interesting little upsets and diversions to happen). I was excited to see graphic novels winning both Newbery and Caldecott honors -- there's not an award specifically for that format, so I sometimes feel that excellent ones like El Deafo, one of this year's Newbery honors, don't have much of a chance to gain recognition. I haven't read the Newbery winner yet, but I'm pleased to note that it's an unconventional choice in terms of subject matter (sports!) that will appeal to some readers who have few choices when, for example, their teacher gives them the assignment to read a Newbery book.

So this is what Neil Gaiman says in response to some guy who claims he's worried about the future of quality literature (*gag*) because so many best sellers are, apparently, just crap:

"If ever you’re curious, go and look at the annual bestseller lists for years gone by. You’ll find a lot of books that sold an unbelievable number of copies when they were fashionable. I’m sure The Revolt of Mamie Stover also sold more books than Ray Bradbury will ever have sold in his whole life in its year. Have you read it? Heard of it? Off the top of my head, Peyton Place in its year, or The Gospel According to Peanuts, or The Ginger Man, or Jonathan Livingstone Seagull in their years undoubtedly outsold all of Ray Bradbury. But when their day is done, mostly those kind of books drift back into the void, and go, if not out of print, then back into a world where nobody quite knows why they sold that many copies any more. (Do you know who Gilbert Patten was? He sold about 500 million books in his lifetime…)

Meanwhile, Ray Bradbury sold quite a lot of books in 1956, and quite a lot of books in 2006 (Fahrenheit 451 alone has sold over 5 million copies), and he found his readers for his books and his stories in every year. And I’ll wager a hundred years from now he’ll still be read…

So, honestly, I wouldn’t fret, if I were you.

Nothing’s changed. Some books are, often inexplicably, bestsellers. That’s been the way of it for a hundred and fifty years or more.

Read the books you love, tell people about authors you like, and don’t worry about it."

Love. Lovelovelove. All kinds of love for this man. Especially that last line, eh? I think that last line is pretty much our anthem here, isn't it? Or at least Mark's. *big happy smile*

>253 foggidawn:: I'm happy to see graphic novels represented, too, and I'm very excited to read the winners that I haven't already.

In other news, Harper Lee is publishing a sequel (sort of) to To Kill a Mockingbird?! WOW.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BOOKS_HARPER_LEE?SITE=AP&SECTION=H...

Mr. Gaiman is seriously such a cool guy. All kind of mad respect for the guy. Now hurry up and write another book! Ha! ;)

>257 jolerie: Valerie: Ha! Agreed.

>254 scaifea: Neil Gaiman is, as always, eloquent and SO RIGHT! I love that man with all my heart.

>254 scaifea: Excellent quote. I admire Gaiman so much for his love of books, booksellers and librarians.

Wow! I hadn't heard about the second Harper Lee novel. Staggering. More Scout!

Terrific Neil Gaiman quote. I love that guy.

>1 scaifea:
Okay, just reading your list of the book categories was interesting. I mean, I read it before, but absorbed more of it this time. But you read 69 books in January!? Holy Bookworms! Jeez! You belong to the "75 in a Month" challenge?? At any rate, reading Cicero in Latin is fine, but have you read him in the original Klingon?

I'm going to go back now to my Dick & Jane reader and suck my thumb....

(All this is to say you are my new hero!)
Sue

>10 ronincats:
I immediately envisioned your ankle clamped in what we call (we being those of us in the DC area) "Denver Boots"--used to incapacitate cars with outstanding tickets in DC.

What can I say: hope I'm wrong?!!

>259 PawsforThought: I know, right?! Love him.

>260 rosylibrarian: Marie: Agreed!

>261 jnwelch: Joe: I kept re-reading the article, fearing it was some sort of cruel hoax. I'm so excited!

>262 kaulsu: Sue: *snork!* Sadly, Klingon is one language that I've not tried to learn. Amazing that it's the language of choice for both Cicero *and* Shakespeare...
And if you'll look closely, you'll see that the vast majority of those 69 books are picture books that I've read with Charlie. Actual, non-picture books read in January amount to 19, so, yeah, not as impressive, eh? Ha!

>263 kaulsu: Sue: That was my immediate thought, too! But Roni recently hurt her ankle, so she's not under house arrest or anything...

>65 scaifea:
Okay, now I hafta ask: how does one arrange for a Blind Date with a Book? Sounds interesting...

>265 kaulsu: Sue: It's a cool program that my local library puts together every February: The wrap up a bunch of books in red wrapping paper, tape a couple of hints about the subject matter on the front and they you pick one based on the hints, check it out (they also take a copy of the bar code on the outside), take it home and unwrap it to see what you got = blind date with a book. Cool, huh?

>254 scaifea: LOVE that quote. So true.

>256 scaifea: Hmmm. Wow. Ok. How do you even DO that?

>264 scaifea:
I knew you would *get* my Klingon reference! Bye for now, sister-in-law is getting ready to leave after three weeks ...and I need to play nice for a bit with her!

>267 nittnut: Jenn: How do you do what?

>268 kaulsu: Sue: Ooof, in-laws. Good luck. Ha!

#254 Love him!!! Getting Cass started early - she did school homework based on Fortunately the Milk the other day...

>270 BekkaJo: Bekka: Music to my ears, lady! Charlie and I will be reading that one together soon, too!

>254 scaifea: Love that quote from Mr Gaiman. I also like finding books that have become almost unheard of nowadays that are actually pretty good.

Love the Gaiman quote and am BLOWN AWAY by the news of Harper Lee's new book! I put the release date on my calendar. I am just afraid it won't be as good...

Wonderful thread today, Amber.

>272 souloftherose:: Me, too, Heather!

>273 BLBera: Beth: I know, right?! I'm positive that it'll be amazing, though, since she wrote it first and then let her publisher talk her into writing TKaM instead...

Okay, all, I'm off to school to do some prep work for the book fair and then hold the book fair meeting. So far so good on the snow front - maybe it'll pass us by...

I'll try to get round to making a new thread this evening!

>254 scaifea: Read the books you love, tell people about authors you like, and don’t worry about it. Love the quote and Gaiman too. Is it creepy that I heard Gaiman's voice in my head speaking the words as I read the quote?

Wow! A sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird!

>256 scaifea:, Woah, WHAT? You just blew my mind! I was going to put it on order for the library, but our book distributor doesn't have it available to order yet - I'll have to write a note to myself, though I'm sure all the library literature will be blowing up with the news shortly so I could hardly forget. Anyway, thanks for putting it on my radar!

Also count me in for loving the Neil Gaiman quote. He doesn't exactly touch on it, but we forget too that many of our "classic" books were once bestsellers in their day, too.

Yep the Harper Lee news has made my social media feeds explode today.

I'm thrilled yet wary.

>278 SuziQoregon: I'm thrilled yet wary.

And rightly so. There's quite a bit of speculation that this is being done without Ms. Lee's permission or even knowledge. What a sad situation.

Be Suspicious of the New Harper Lee Novel

>276 Storeetllr: Mary: Nope, not creepy at all.

>277 bell7: Mary: Well, I don't think it comes out until July, so it may be a little while before you can request it.

>278 SuziQoregon: & >279 rosalita: Juli & Julia: Nope, I'm just plain thrilled. I'll let you two be troubled about it. Ha!

>254 scaifea: yup, that is a great concept. I am always wondering why some books are so popular when they seem crap. And quote this gives worth to the slow-burners. YAY!

>280 scaifea: So it wouldn't bother you to know that the author did not want the book released, and may not even have written the entire thing herself? I'm not saying you're wrong to feel that way, just wondering. Feel free to tell me to shut up and mind my own business. :-)

>281 LovingLit: Megan: I also like that Gaiman didn't say that the bestsellers are wholly unworthy, either, which seems to be clearly what the question guy was saying in an effort to seem, cultured or classy or something. Sheesh.

>282 rosalita: Julia: I'm just wondering how much of *that* is really true, either.

The new thread is up!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/187462