Nittnut - Birds of a Feather Read Together - Two Silvereyes

In honor of my daughter's recent rescue of a silvereye, I am featuring this darling little bird for February. They self-colonized from Australia in the early 1830's and are now commonly found all over New Zealand.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/silvereye-or-...

Welcome to my second thread of 2015! I am halfway through my 6th year with LibraryThing and the 75ers. I feel pretty lucky to belong to the best book club in the world.

A little about me - I grew up in Southern California. I have been married nearly 22 years to the best guy in the world who kindly puts up with my reading addictions. We have three children ages 16, 10 and 8 and I am doing my utmost to instill an addiction to reading in all three. We have lived in California, Oregon, Colorado, and now we live in New Zealand. We just moved from Wellington north up the Kapiti coast and we now live about five minutes from the beach. The first thing I did after we got the keys to the house was take the kids to the library for library cards.

I thought this year I would top my threads with native NZ birds. My daughter and I are working on seeing as many native bird species as we can - just for fun.

Reading goals (flexible, of course):

Wheel of Time series - enough of you have recommended it and so I will begin
American Author Challenge - I'd like to join in on this fun group challenge
TIOLI - loved it when I was participating and I'm going to get back into it again
2015 Challenge

2015 Challenge

Rollover - books from my 2014 challenge (and maybe one from 2013)
Off The Shelf
Fantasy
New Zealand
Animal Sciences
TIOLI - it's been awhile since I participated here
Book Bullets
Reading Aloud With the Family
Award Winners
American Author Challenge
US History
YA - always
Mystery
Memoir
Next in a Series

American Authors Challenge

January - Carson McCullers - The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (audio)
February - Henry James- The Wings of the Dove
March - Richard Ford - Wildlife
April - Louise Erdrich- The Roundhouse
May - Sinclair Lewis- Main Street
June - Wallace Stegner- American Places OTS
July - Ursula K. Le Guin - Lavinia
August - Larry McMurtry- Lonesome Dove OTS
September - Flannery O' Connor- A Good Man is Hard To Find - started but never finished
October - Ray Bradbury- Green Shadows, White Whale
November - Barbara Kingsolver- The Poisonwood Bible - this is a re-read
December - E.L. Doctorow- Ragtime

ANZAC Challenge

Australia

January- Richard Flanagan - The Narrow Road to the Deep North
February-Cate Kennedy - The World Beneath
March-Michelle De Kretser - The Hamilton Case
April- Roger McDonald
May- Christina Stead
June- Kim Scott
July- Peter Carey
August- Helen Garner
September- Ruth Park
October- Robert Hughes
November- Kerry Greenwood
December- Matthew Reilly

New Zealand

January- Fiona Kidman - Captive Wife
February- Maurice Shadbolt - The House of Strife
March- Elizabeth Knox - Daylight
April- Alan Duff - Once Were Warriors
May- Katherine Mansfield
June- Witi Ihimaera
July- Lloyd Jones
August- Keri Hulme
September- Michael King
October- Patricia Grace
November- Ngaio Marsh
December- Paul Cleave

January Favorites

Currently reading: A Patriot's History of the United States
Currently listening: Watership Down

Pages Read: 9970
5076 (January)

February Planned Reading:

The Kingdom of This World
Words of Radiance
The Long Way Home

American Authors

Henry James - Wings of the Dove

ANZAC

Cate Kennedy - The World Beneath
Maurice Shadbolt - House of Strife

TIOLI

#2 The Long Way Home - completed
#4 la delicatesse - completed
#12 Words of Radiance - completed
#16 The Kingdom of this World - completed
The Wings of the Dove - completed
The House of Strife - completed
The World Beneath - Completed
#17 Watership Down - listening NOT completed

Read

Words of Radiance
The Long Way Home
The Alloy of Law
The World Beneath
Warbreaker
Awesome Forces: Natural Hazards that Threaten New Zealand
Tales of Waikanae Estuary
Delicacy
The Kingdom of This World
Wreckage
The House of Strife
Letters From Father Christmas
The Wings of the Dove

Happy New Thread, Jenn!

Lovely new place you've got here, Jenn! Those birds are gorgeous.

Love the birds, Jenn. You had a great month of reading in January. I hope the rest of the year goes as well.

Happy New Thread. I love the bird photos :)

Hi Jenn! I loved your comments about Gilead on your last thread. It is one of my all-time favorites - such a special book! And I love learning about a bird on each of your threads. The silvereye is gorgeous.

>6 scaifea: Hi Amber!

>7 katiekrug: All thanks to you Katie - Lol.

>8 BLBera: Hi Beth. I am pretty sure I will read less in February. I just started teaching an early morning Bible study class for teenagers. Prepping for that will eat into my reading time a bit. I just hope that I read as many high quality books. I had some thumping good reads in January.

>9 lunacat: Hi Jenny. :) I think those birds are just adorable. When my daughter rescued one a few weeks ago, she held it so gently and stroked its feathers and we got to see all its beautiful markings. It was really cool.

>10 porch_reader: Hi Amy. I will be keeping Gilead on the shelf. I marked so many pages where something really resonated with me. I will like to be able to go back and read things again and again. I love a book like that.

Hi Jenn, I thouht that little birdie might have been a wax eye...I am not too good with knowing the little ones. The bigger ones are a bit easier for me to get....tui, bellbird, kereru, etc. I can definitely tell a kiwi when I spot one though! It was my life's mission since I turned 30 and just missed out on seeing one in the wild....and you may remember I spotted one last year wobbling off into the bush.

I think I really want to read The Narrow Road to the Deep North...I will go see what the library queue is for it. I wont be holding my breath though.

Today is back to school day. Also, it finally started raining. I don't think there was measurable rain in January. That was lovely for going to the beach, but when it started raining yesterday, we were ready. Our grass is crunchy! I think it is also fitting to have rain on the first day of school. The kids met their new teachers this morning and seemed happy to be getting started. I hope the day goes well. I also taught my first class this morning. There were 4 girls who came, and they are all absolutely darling. They participated and talked and we had a great time.

I am going to run some errands, plan the menu for the week, pick up the last few school supplies and see what's new on the job websites. I applied for an admin job last week that has exactly the hours I need, and I'm hoping to get an interview sometime this week, but got to keep on looking. Rice noodles and stir fry veg for dinner tonight, and I'm starting some yogurt in the slow cooker. Has anyone made yogurt in the slow cooker? I made some a few weeks ago and it was fabulous! So easy too. When I think of the thing my mom used to make yogurt in back in the day...

We just got a package from the US this morning. So exciting! Some real American pencils (you have no idea how great that is), ink for my printer, undies for the kids (they were not so thrilled), The Kingdom of This World for me, and Grandpa sent his Nook over because he isn't using it. I think we will give it to miss Margo for her birthday. She is reading voraciously, and it will be nice to be able to put a bunch of books on it for her. They also sent their old iPhones since they just upgraded. Assuming things are in good working order, I may be upgrading to an iPhone5. My phone is being a little funny. Like it doesn't ring when people call, it goes through to voice mail. Odd.

I am enjoying Words of Radiance, but it's huge. Also it's bugging me because all the major players are identified and gathering into the same area, but they are all sort of at odds with each other and I need them to get together and start cooperating. Ha.

^woohoo for tech in the care package...and pencils? What's wrong with our the made in China ones we have here?

And oops on the posting-snap.

Hi Jenn! Oh, it's so wonderful to get packages from home, isn't it? Good luck with the job search.

Love the birds up top:)

And how do you make yogurt in the slow cooker?

>14 LovingLit: Hi Megan. Uh, posting-snap? Ya lost me. Also, Yeurgh. Don't get me started on the Chinese plastic pencils. Sigh.
Silvereye, waxeye, same same. Zosterops lateralis to be more specific. :)

>15 AMQS: Hi Anne. Yes! Packages from home are nice.

To make yogurt in the slow cooker:

1. Pour 8 cups milk into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 2 hours 45 min.
2. Turn off slow cooker and let sit for 3 hours.
3. Mix 1/2 cup of the warmed milk into 8 oz. plain, unsweetened yogurt, then add the mixture back into the slow cooker with the remaining milk.
4. Wrap entire slow cooker in a beach towel and let sit for 8 hours or overnight.
5. Transfer yogurt into plastic storage containers and refrigerate about 3 hours before eating.
6. Remember to save the last 8 oz. for the next batch!

It's creamy and delicious. It doesn't get quite as thick as store-bought yogurt because there are no thickeners added. We add fresh fruit or muesli or Margo likes a tsp of honey and a tsp of cocoa powder with about a cup of yogurt for chocolate flavor.

^ I was posting >12 LovingLit: as you were posting >13 nittnut:, is what I meant.
And, I have never heard wax-eyes called silver-eyes! That is so interesting, and Yay! I did know it after all. My dad has a lot of them around his place, he likes them.

Oh. Right. Didn't look at the time on the posts. :) Also I am a little tired. I was thinking, did she snap at me in a post? What did I do? LOLOL.

Yikes, I hope you don't think of me as a snapper! I may have snapped at my cousin on fb re: our Prime Minister and Eleanor Catton, but then again she is (eta: oops, better not be mean) someone who I consider has an attitude of entitlement and of disdain for anyone of lesser means than her good self.

Happy new thread, Jenn!

>16 nittnut: - Chinese plastic pencils. Plastic?! Really?! How does one sharpen plastic pencils? Can you tell I am a bit confused. ;-)

>19 LovingLit: You did snap at your cousin on FB. But, even politics aside, it was a funny post.

>20 lkernagh: Hi Lori. That is exactly the issue at hand.

Happy new thread Jenn! >13 nittnut: Sounds like you're keeping yourself busy. Hopefully the weekend went as planned. Can you get new books on a Nook when you're not in America? I guess the internet is the internet, isn't it? Never thought about it.

Oooh, yay for the package! And fingers crossed for an interview!

Speaking of pencils, a friend of mine posted a photo (on Facebook) of root beer scented pencils that one of her parents who works at the LAX airport brought her for the first graders she teaches.

>22 The_Hibernator: Well, the internet, is the internet, except when it isn't. Don't get me started on the subject of iTunes. We have ways of managing though. I haven't had any trouble with Kindle or Nook books, but I've kept my account with all the US info.

>23 scaifea: Well, thanks for crossing the fingers. No interview. Instead an email telling me I "was not successful" and I am deciding not to take it personally. :)

>24 thornton37814: Root beer scented pencils! Wow. Remember all those stickers that were scratch and sniff that had pictures of food with googly eyes?

Happy new thread, Jenn!
I never knew you could make yogurt in a slow cooker?!? The things you learn on LT are endless. :)

It's so true Valerie. I am also doing an experiment right now. I made the yogurt yesterday, did the whole process. Except I forgot to add the yogurt for the culture part. So I am starting over with the same milk. We will see how it goes. I did some research and decided the milk was OK. So, I will let you all know if it works. Lol

See, yesterday, I dropped by this lady's house and she kept me there for about three hours. And when my timer went off for the yogurt and I needed to go (yes, I did that on purpose) she said I couldn't go because she hadn't given me lunch yet. Sigh. Somehow, the rest of my day was just off after that. Not sure why, but I never really got my head back together. I am better today.

I'm sorry about the interview, Jenn. Here's hoping that something much better will come along to make you thank, "Well, thank goodness I didn't get that other interview!"

Hi, Jenn. Just thought I would "delurk" and say "hi" for a change.

>28 scaifea: Thanks Amber! I hope so.

>29 RebaRelishesReading: Hi Reba! Glad you're lurking around here. :)

I entertained myself yesterday with finishing a project my daughter and I have been working on. You can see it here:
http://mylavenderave.blogspot.co.nz/2015/02/tween-fashionista-pleather-jacket.ht.... I just want to make it clear, I was the labor, not the designer here.

Today I am deconstructing a sort of tunic thing that looks more like a chef's top than anything else and hoping to reconstruct it into a cute tunic dress. I suppose I've gone and made it an upcycle week. Only because I should probably be cleaning toilets. So that means it's time to break out the project bin.

Also I am going to finish Words of Radiance. Which means fish n' chips for dinner. Yay!!

Your yogurt recipe sounds yummy. I used to make yogurt when my kids were little; it was so much better than yogurt I buy. It does take time though.

Good luck with the job hunt.

Way to go for finishing the chunkster Words of Radiance. I have yet to read The Way of Kings. The sheer size of it is daunting. :)

Hi Beth. The yogurt ended up turning out fine, in spite of being over heated and then left overnight without culture added. Phew!

>32 jolerie: Says the girl who is more than half way through the Wheel of Time series...
I finished it Valerie. I am a little embarrassed that I was reading and fell asleep about 2 pages from the end and slept for about an hour. But I finished. My local library has The Way of Kings in 2 volumes.

#14 Words of Radiance - 2015 Challenge

This was a chunkster. I liked it, but occasionally found it rough going. Mostly I think because I thought I knew where things should be going and they weren't going there very fast. It turned out I wasn't totally right about where things were going. It's always nice when the story remains a little unpredictable. As always, masterful world building and an uncanny ability to keep track of a large number of complex characters, both major players and minor. Sometimes a character I thought was a minor evolved into a major. Good fun.

I am nearly finished listening to The Long Way Home and trying to decide what's next after that. I have a couple Brandon Sanderson books from the library if I want to continue with "fantasy February", or I could start on the ANZAC and American Authors books... Choices, choices. Mostly, I think I want to sleep. I started teaching an early morning class this week, so I intended to get up at 5:30 every day. I managed that, but there were a couple of mornings where something woke me up around 4 am and I couldn't get back to sleep. Lousy. Hoping that's not a trend.

My goal tonight is to go to bed before Amber gets up in the morning. :)

>35 nittnut: *snork!*

>36 scaifea: I did it.

I just got my first birthday present. My sister totally wins best sister ever award. Amazon gift card!! Looking forward to telling you all about the book haul.

Another little brag moment - my daughter and I have been working on some refashion sewing projects. This is our latest:
http://mylavenderave.blogspot.co.nz/2015/02/tween-re-fashionista-and-chef-shirt....

And now, back to The Long Way Home. 2 hours left.

Happy Birthday! I hope you have had a great day :) Enjoy Amazon shopping.

Thanks Megan! I had a very punny birthday. We went on a drive to Bulls. I will share photos tomorrow. Then a lovely dinner at Thai Lagoon in Raumati Beach and a walk on the beach.

My in-laws came through with a $50 Amazon gift card, so I have $85 to spend on books for my Kindle. I will probably not spend it all at once. :)
My kids and husband gave me a really cool necklace they made out of shells they found.

I am off to bed now. :) Not to sleep, but to read my cowboy steampunk fantasy novel. My husband is watching Helix and it's icky, so I'm away to my room.

Happy birthday Jenn! Sounds like you've had a lovely day.

We have just watched Matilda and that was pretty icky too... Teresa was petrified but was brave because her two friends were here with her.

How did I miss it was your birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy belated Birthday wishes, Jenn!

Happy birthday, Jenn!

Aren't Amazon gift cards simply the best gifts? And a walk on the beach sounds like a simply wonderful way to spend a birthday.

Happy birthday, sounds like a lovely laidback sort of day for you and I love the idea of a shell necklace.
And I'm now back in NZ so have finally opened the package that's been sitting here for a while and can thank you for sending me Keeping the World Away which I'll read once I finish The New Zealand Wars trilogy.

>40 cushlareads: Hi Cushla! I am so sad that Matilda was scary for Teresa. You must be a much nicer parent than I am. My kids think it's hysterical...

>41 katiekrug: Still my birthday in the US Katie. You're all good :) Thanks!

>42 lkernagh: Thank you Lori.

>43 cameling: Hi Caro, Amazon gift cards are the best. No shipping. Instant gratification. The beach was really nice, although we have been having a few days of southerlies so it was a little chilly.

>44 avatiakh: It was a really fun day Kerry. I am posting photos next. I'm glad you got your package - but since I have been following your adventures, I wasn't too worried. I am starting The New Zealand War Trilogy this month. I am looking forward to it. How are you liking it?

Coming soon - Photos of Bulls and Scott's Ferry

And the little village of Scott's Ferry:

Happy birthday, Jenn!!

Jenn, I've barely started on the Shabolt book and have also picked up a YA, The Berlin boxing club which I've been meaning to read for a while.
I enjoy visiting Bulls and love that play on words on the signage.

Slightly belated Happy Birthday wishes, Jenn.

I feel pretty lucky to belong to the best book club in the world.

Couldn't agree more.

>47 Copperskye: Thanks Joanne!

>48 avatiakh: I guess we'll read the Shadbolt together. Lol.

>49 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul :)

#15 The Long Way Home - TIOLI and 2015 Challenge

I have mixed feelings about this book. I have absolutely loved the entire series. I am emotionally attached to the characters and I sometimes have trouble remembering that Three Pines is not a real place. That makes it very difficult to review a book that didn't quite meet expectations. In The Long Way Home, Gamache and Beauvoir assist Clara in her search for Peter, who didn't come home when he was expected. I don't know if it is the fact that Gamache is retired, or that Clara runs the investigation, but the investigation takes forever. Too much time was spent in Clara's head (too much for me, anyway). By the time the investigation was wrapping up, I felt like I had been on an interminable journey right along with Clara. When it all wrapped up, I was incredibly frustrated to find that we had come all that way together only to have Peter die. It's great that he died to save Clara, but I would rather have seen him take all that hard-earned self knowledge and improved character and go home and make Clara's life happy . The narration, by the irreplaceable Ralph Cosham, was wonderful.

#16 The Alloy of Law - TIOLI

This was a weird book. Cowboy steampunk fantasy is the best description I can give it. It takes place about 300 years after the Mistborn series. Wax has been a sort of wild west type sheriff in the territories but comes back to the city to take the family title after the death of his uncle. He finds life in the city every bit as dangerous as that of the territories. He must use his skills to solve the mystery of a series of kidnappings and robberies. Not sure I will continue with this series as it progresses, but it was a pretty entertaining read.

Happy belated birthday!! Look at all the green that you have, then looking out my window at an ocean of white. I tried to shovel today, but realized I just have little trenches in the snow, not sidewalks. No more of those. Just five foot high snowbanks. Sigh.

Jenn, you always post the best photos! Love the BULL ones! So delighted that you and your family are enjoying NZ to the fullest!

Happy Belated birthday wishes to you, Jenn!

I love the Bull photos, Jenn. I love how many great puns they've come up with.

Hehe, love the photos. And I now get what you meant by having a punny birthday. Never been there myself....

>51 Chatterbox: I can't say I miss the snow. I am glad "snowmageddon" wasn't quite as bad as predicted. Doesn't the city clear the sidewalks?

>52 lit_chick: Thanks Nancy :) I am the Queen of random road trips, so my family knows just how to celebrate my birthday.

>53 jolerie: Thanks Val!

>54 cameling: And I didn't even post all of them. Const-a-Bull was a favorite too...

>55 LovingLit: Something to do next time you take a flying trip up here, but you might need an extra day. ;)

Looks like I missed your birthday. Hope it was a good one.

So, summer vacation is over. I'm glad you got to celebrate your birthday in warm weather this year, Jenn!

Your morning Bible study sounds interesting. Do you meet once a week? It's good to know that teens are into the Bible these days. Keep up the good work!

>57 thornton37814: Hi Lori :)

>58 Donna828: We are back to school and the kids seem to be settling in well. I think they are troopers, off to their third new school in a year and a half. I could definitely get used to a summer birthday. It's a lovely thing.
The morning Bible study is a voluntary religion class for High School age kids. If they do all four years, they have a special graduation and prizes for attendance and memorizing and things like that. It meets M-F for an hour each morning. We do a variety of things, lessons on the meaning of the passages we are studying, memorizing, how to do personal Bible study, historical context, etc. I have a really fun class and I am really enjoying them. They are smart and sincere and really good. It doesn't hurt me a bit either - to have to prepare and study myself. :)

#17 The World Beneath - ANZAC

On the surface, this is a novel about an estranged couple and their teenage daughter. It has all the chick-lit drama you would expect; sullen oppositional teen, mother-as-victim, deadbeat dad. As the title implies, there is a lot going on under the surface. Kennedy briefly takes the point of view of each character, exposing their hopes and dreams and disappointments, exploring all the ways people in the same family can remain strangers to one another. I really don't want to summarize the story, so I will just say that the parents are about the most useless individuals I have ever encountered in literature. They are both ageing hippies (with one big protest as the pinnacle of their life experience) and so self-absorbed that they can't see beyond their noses. Their teenage daughter exhibits most of the issues one would expect. Growing up with very few rules, she has created a set of rules for herself. She often speaks and acts more like an adult than her mother does. The mother spends all her energy making sure she complies with all the arbitrary and conflicting rules of "natural living". The father seems to do what he wants until it bores him or gets hard and then moves on to something else. He has abandoned anyone whose expectations or needs get in the way of what he wants. Neither parent is capable of meeting the needs of the daughter. The saving grace of this story is that in the end, each of them does achieve a higher level of awareness and perhaps a desire to change. I was totally frustrated by this story. I was also impressed by the skill needed to play each character's weaknesses and strengths off the others and portray the hidden life of a family.

Now on to Warbreaker because it's due at the library next. After that, I begin The New Zealand Wars Trilogy.

#18 Warbreaker

In Warbreaker, Sanderson explores cultural and religious misunderstanding and how those misunderstandings can lead to war. In this world, Breath is a valuable commodity. Having it raises a person to a higher social status and allows them to have senses and skills greater than the average. Some religious groups revere those with more than just one Breath, some consider it evil to have more than one. Looking beyond the Breaths, or lack thereof, and determining the actual character of a person is the challenge facing the main characters of the story.
Setting and characterization are well done and I am looking forward to the next in the series.

I didn't even know Warbreaker was a series...... LT doesn't have the next book in the series listed?

Valerie, it isn't yet. On Brandon Sanderson's website, he discusses plans for a sequel, so I am hopeful. Warbreaker stands alone very well, but I like it and I would be happy to read another installment. :)

#19 Awesome Forces: Natural Hazards that Threaten New Zealand

A random that I picked up at the library for fun. It covers volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, tsunami and weather. It's a bit out of date (1998) so it doesn't have the Christchurch earthquake and a few other more recent events. We most enjoyed reading about some of the large landslides around New Zealand. My husband has worked on dams near some of the landslides and done studies on some of the others, so he was able to look at the photos in the book and give more in depth information about the event. It was interesting to learn more about the geology and climate of New Zealand.

#20 Tales of the Waikanae Estuary by Michael Peryer

A lovely little book, a combination of stories and wildlife observations by a man who lives on the Waikanae Estuary and spends a lot of time observing the birds and other wildlife there. I picked this up to read with my daughter before taking her on a bird walk there in the near future.

Happy belated birthday, Jenn. I love the fashion project. You are a talented seamstress! Can't wait to hear how you spend your Amazon $$$.

Hi Beth! Thanks :) I enjoy the challenge of trying to see something new inside thrifted clothes... My daughter is getting really good at finding pieces with good bones.
I am at that stage of being really happy to have the Amazon $$, but not wanting to spend it yet. It's silly, there's no lack of options on the wish list. Lol.

I am reading another random pick from the library. Has anyone read Delicacy? It's completely charming. It was just sitting there on the shelf of "recently returned books" and it said (with a French accent)" Hey! Take me home." So I did.

#21 Delicacy - TIOLI

At our local library, there is a shelf for recently returned books. My friend, who works there, tells me it's because patrons of the library want to see what's just been read by other patrons. It's a pretty good idea. This one called out to me as I walked by and I took it home. I read the first 20 pages or so last night, and it was OK. Then this morning, I read this: She was struck by the sight of the bookmark, especially. The book was cut in two by it: the first part, read while Francois was alive. And at page 321, he was dead. What should she do? Can you keep reading a book interrupted by the death of your husband? I was hooked. On a certain level, this is a light novel, a quick, romantic read. On the other hand, it also is unique, quirky and addresses the issues of love, grief and loving again in a delicate and gently humorous way. The chapter headings are priceless. If you take a look at the LT reviews page, you will note that it is a book that people either really like, or really, really don't like. I always find that interesting. No middle ground - no ambiguity about the response.

Quotes:

He was a fellow employee from Uppsala, a Swedish city that doesn't interest many people. Even the inhabitants of Uppsala* themselves are embarrassed; the name of their city sounds almost like an excuse.
*Of course, it's possible to be born in Uppsala and become Ingmar Bergman. That said, his films should give some idea of the tenor of that city.

Markus, who'd made a mess of so many things in his life, had just discovered his ability to appear in the field of vision of a woman at the perfect moment.

Maybe the best idea was to cancel. There was still time. Unforeseeable circumstances. Yes, sorry, Natalie. You know, I'd really love to have gone, but, well, Mom died today. Nope, that was no good, too brutal. Too Camus, as well; and Camus was no good for canceling. Sartre: a lot better. I can't tonight, you see, because hell is other people. A hint of existentialism in the tone - that would go over nicely.

Checking in on the new thread, Jenn! Sorry I missed your birthday, but a 'Happy Belated Birthday' from me :)

Jenn, did you get some reading glasses for your birthday as you seem to have been able to polish off a fair amount since your birthday.

Have a lovely weekend.

Delicacy sounds good. I'm going to look for it.

I'm up way too late -

>67 alcottacre: Hi Stasia and thanks for the birthday wishes. :) I'm all good for making it a birthday month.

>68 PaulCranswick: Hi there Paul. No glasses yet, but I have been indulging in some daytime reading since the kids went back to school and my job hunt has been fruitless so far.

>69 BLBera: I hope you like it Beth. If you read the LT reviews, there wasn't much middle ground. People either loved it or really, really didn't like it.

We aren't big Valentine's Day celebrators. I prefer to have a really nice birthday over Valentine's Day. But, we usually have a movie night or something. Tonight we watched a French film directed by Daniel Auteuil. It's called The Well-Digger's Daughter. It's a pretty quiet film, great cinematography and a good story. Especially if you like a happy ending.

>59 nittnut: I tried to start The World Beneath yesterday, and had to give up after the first few chapters - everyone was just so useless!

>71 evilmoose: Good for you for giving it up. Everyone was totally useless. I have very little patience for fictional or RL self-centered parents who refuse to grow up. I will give the daughter some credit for getting it together. There's some hope for her.

I am now going to go edit a masters thesis for a friend. The title is "Constructing the Feminine:
The Creation of Female Identity in New Zealand Fantasy Fiction". Quite a topic, no? I'm on around page 40 of 116, so I've got a ways to go tonight. So far, it's very interesting. I will never look at fantasy fiction the same way again - in a good way. :)

Hi Jenn. Good luck editing the Master's thesis! At least it sounds like it's on an interesting topic.

The thesis was great. I'll edit for an English major any time. Lol. Hardly any grammar/spelling errors. We had a little chat about collective pronouns, which was interesting. Apparently the rules are slightly different for British vs. American use. Of course they are. The topic was really interesting and well presented. I will never read another fantasy novel without thinking about constructing the feminine. ;)

I just typed a whole bunch of stuff and then it deleted. I'm not going to do it again. Sigh.

Amazing how busy the afternoons get when school starts. Hockey on Monday, swimming Tues. and Wed. Crashing by Friday. lol

Hi Jenn - The thesis sounds very interesting. I am very interesting in female identity in all aspects of reading; I imagine it might be especially interesting/problematical in fantasy.

My library has Delicacy!

Hi Beth. I will be interested to see if you like Delicacy. :)
I was fascinated by the thesis. I am not a highly analytical reader, unless I am reading for a class or reading in my area of expertise, so it was interesting to read an analysis of fantasy literature as a place where women go, not to escape, but to be in a safe space while working out issues of identity. She had a whole chapter on 'the quest' feature of the fantasy genre and how it would relate to constructing the modern feminist identity. Really eye opening for me in light of some of the fantasy books I've read over the last year. I don't really relate well to feminism in general. There are things I appreciate - suffrage, equal representation under the law, etc. However, I find it can be just as overbearing and manipulative as the patriarchal hegemony it claims to be resisting. I have developed my own personal brand of feminism, and I think (I'll have to ask my friend) that she was suggesting that for many women, identifying with feminism may be more on an individual level, that women need to find that safe place to work out their own identity and solve problems and find wholeness for themselves and then apply that experience to the problems of the outer world. I like that idea...

#22 The Kingdom of This World 2015 Challenge, TIOLI

In the forward, Edwidge Danticat says "Alejo Carpentier allows us to consider the possibility - something which his own Cuba would later grapple with - that a revolution that some consider visionary might appear to others to have failed." And so it is that a successful slave rebellion against French colonial rule leads to a brief but brutal regime led by a former slave, which in the end, leads to the emergence of mulattoes as the ruling class. Carpentier blends magical realism with historical events in a believable way and takes the reader to the darker side of Haiti.

Macandal had not foreseen this matter of forced labor. Nor had Bouckman, the Jamaican. The ascendancy of the mulattoes was something new that had not occurred to Jose Antonio Aponte, beheaded by the Marquis of Someruelos, whose record of rebellion Ti Noel had learned of during his slave days in Cuba. Not even Henri Christophe would have suspected that the land of Santo Domingo would bring forth this spurious aristocracy, this caste of quadroons, which was now taking over the old plantations, with their privileges and rank.

Try as he would, Ti Noel could think of no way to help his subjects bowed once again beneath the whiplash. The old man began to lose heart at this endless return of chains, this rebirth of shackles, this proliferation of suffering, which the more resigned began to accept as proof of the uselessness of all revolt.

Just chugging along and catching up, Jenn. :)

Hi Valerie. :) I am woefully behind. But I have excuses. lol

Today was lots of fun. I went with my son's class on a field trip to the Paekakariki surf and lifesaving club. I didn't read the flier properly and up until just a few days ago, I thought the trip entailed driving some kids to the club, hanging out and keeping an eye on them and driving them back to school. I somehow missed the whole piece about getting in the ocean with them... Fortunately, I figured it out in time to be prepared. It was lots of fun and the kids learned a lot and LOVED it. I feel I have done my big field trip for the year. At least for that kid.

Also, I took a break and read a fluffy book before getting on with my AAC.

#23 Wreckage

This was picked up in the free monthly selections from Amazon. Wreckage is about a plane crash and being stranded on a tropical island and betrayal and lies and infidelity. It is also about how circumstances can influence decisions and lead to consequences that are unintended or difficult to prepare for. For example, being stranded on a desert island for months, losing hope of rescue, trying to make a life that is livable because that's the easiest way to cope, and then being rescued.
While sometimes the writing came across as trite and awkward, I liked the theme of forgiveness. I liked that the author allowed the people in the story to choose, rather than implying that a possible ending was fated or unavoidable. I was surprised to find that the ending felt real and natural to me. I will rate this book as Better Than Expected.

I picked up Wreckage, too, Jenn. Glad to hear it worked for you - that gives me hope!

>72 nittnut: wow, cool masters topic, maybe I should be studying fiction in some form. So,are you taking other essays for proofreading? ;)

>80 katiekrug: Hi Katie, I'll keep an eye out for your review. :)

>81 LovingLit: Hahaha! If you dare...

I've been asked to make a list of great books for a little girl, I think she's 9-10. She loves to read and her mom needs Ideas. I've got my list, but I thought I'd put it to all of you. So the details:

Age 9-10
Girl
No scary books - mom says she's not ready for HP

Thanks!

My niece is 9. At Christmas, I gave her Harriet the Spy, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Anne of Green Gables. She also got the Little House books...

ETA: I also loved The Borrowers books, and James and the Giant Peach at that age...

>83 nittnut: Ooh, Matilda, The Narnia books, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...

Ohh, choices choices. Good Night, Mr. Tom, Swallows and Amazons, The Secret Garden, Ballet Shoes, the Ramona books, Pippi Longstocking, Journey to the River Sea, The Secret of Platform 13.

Oh, I forgot about the Ramona books! Those are perfect for that age.

All the books that I would have listed are already here. Lots of good reading for a 9 year old!

I'll put in more votes for Roald Dahl books, Anne of Green Gables and the Swallows and Amazons and Narnia series. What about Black Beauty, Charlotte's Web, The Wind in the Willows, The Secret Garden and A Little Princess? Just trying to remember some of my early favourites :)

I remember that I loved The Babysitter's Club series at that age. It is not great literature, but entertaining. I also read The Little House books, Anne of Green Gables, and Judy Blume's Fudge books around that time too...

I loved the Sweet Valley books from about 9-10. Also appalling literature but entertaining, and good if you want to keep her reading! The Goosebumps series are also ever so slightly scary but in a good way, not even as scary as Harry Potter so they might be worth a look.

I began reading Hardy Boys about age 9. I'm not sure how well those work for today's kids.

>84 katiekrug: Katie, those are great suggestions. I remember loving Harriet the Spy.

>85 scaifea: Without a doubt...

>86 lunacat: Gasp! I have never heard of Swallows and Amazons! *leaves post for 10 minutes to investigate*

>87 katiekrug:, >88 jolerie: :)

>89 evilmoose: Those are also some of my favorites - although I did think Wind in the Willows was a little odd. I wonder if I'd change my mind now?

>90 jayde1599: I had completely forgotten the Fudge Boooks. Those are great.

>91 lunacat: Sweet Valley (Gack!) lol. My daughter enjoyed The Goosebumps, truly appalling, but she was reading.

>92 thornton37814: I also loved Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, but take a look and compare them to Percy Jackson and other popular books now, and the vocabulary is much more advanced in those old books. I know I gave a Nancy Drew to my daughter when she was 9, and she struggled. At almost 11, she might enjoy them more. I will have to try it. :)

Thanks! This is a great list. Not that I won't accept more suggestions...

The Penderwicks series is delightful, and I think it's just right for that age.

>94 lycomayflower: That is a great suggestion! I'd forgotten those. Which is sad, because we just read The Penderwicks on Gardam Street a few months ago...

It is 9 pm and I am hiding out in the office. Why, you ask? This weekend was designated the "great overhaul" of my daughter's room. She is the penultimate pack rat and it is my goal in life to prevent her from ever being an episode of Hoarders. It has been so hard that my husband had to take over. I was this _ close to making a bonfire on the back patio...

I've been reading The Wings of the Dove and it was hard going until I got hold of the audio. It's a bit smoother now. My inner editor couldn't quit trying to make three sentences out of each one of Henry's. Having someone else read it to me has relieved that stress. I am also reading House of Strife and really liking it. 6 more days to finish those up. Not sure why I left my challenge books to the last week, but I did.

Hi Jenn! Hope the great overhaul went well.

>95 nittnut: That's one of the reasons I like audiobooks, too, is you tend not to notice strange grammar when you're listening. Great for authors like Jose Saramago. Audiobooks also helped me miss the one-paged first sentence of Narcopolis. Thank goodness for audiobooks.

Just stopping by to say hello!

Such great book suggestions were made for a 10 year old - a wealth of good choices. I didn't see Misty of Chincoteague or Because of Winn Dixie so I'll add them, or really anything else written by Henry or DiCamillo, as well. And The Black Stallion is a good one. I'm assuming every little girl likes dogs and horses but I know that's not always the case. :)

>96 The_Hibernator: Agreed. Thank goodness for audio books!

>97 Copperskye: Hi Joanne! Great additions! I loved Misty of Chincoteague and there was another one... oh! King of the Wind. I'd forgotten those. I'm pretty sure most little girls like dogs and horses. I know I did/do. Still a sucker for a good dog or horse story...

The great overhaul was successful. I will just say that we have been in the current house for three months and my daughter already had amassed enough *crap* to fill a large rubbish bag. Sigh. Please no Hoarders, Please no Hoarders, Please no Hoarders!

Dinner the last few nights was totally inspired by Megan (ireadthereforeiam). Sunday, we had haloumi and zucchini kebabs, marinated in a little chile powder and lemon juice. Last night we had Egg and Bacon Pie, and my kids ATE IT ALL. Except for the two pieces they carefully set aside for breakfast this morning. It was delicious.

Tonight I am trying a new recipe - Chicken and Quinoa Enchiladas in my slow cooker. I will let you know how it goes. It smells yummy. Tomorrow will be takeaways. We are getting pest control spraying done tomorrow, so all the food will be put away and we won't be allowed back in the house until 4 or so, so I call takeaways. Trying to decide if I go with the kids' preference (Pizza Hut) or the adult preference (Thai Kitchen). Maybe both. Ha!

OK, back to work. Need to make a batch of peanut butter choc. chip cookies and work on sewing a nightgown. And listen to more of The Wings of the Dove.

>99 nittnut: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies? Count me in!

#24 House of Strife - ANZAC and TIOLI

A moderately talented (if plagiaristic) British editor of serial stories bets his employers that he can write a better story than the one they have given him to edit. He "re-writes" the story to huge acclaim and follows that up with several additional stories. All these stories are set in New Zealand and after some years, the writer finds himself at a creative standstill. He determines that he needs to travel to New Zealand for inspiration. Once there, he is plunged into the thick of the Land Wars. House of Strife is a rollicking adventure full of romance and battle and honorable soldiers and clever and honorable Maori. It is also a wry commentary on the British military system - one which allowed wealthy men to buy positions of leadership and advancement regardless of their competency. The writing is clever and witty, but sometimes it is too clever for its own good. Overall, I enjoyed it, I am undecided about finishing the trilogy. *Note that this is the third book in the trilogy, but first in chronological order.

Here's a quote that illustrates the military leadership that Shadbolt is criticizing:

'With respect, sir, so modest a ration does not provide for contingencies.'
'Contingencies, Major Bridge?'
'Delays, sir. Difficulties.'
'Which you forsee?'
'Not necessarily, sir.'
'Good,' Hume grunted.
'Nevertheless, sir, I am trying to make the point that this is New Zealand. This is the first inland march Britons have made.'
'And you are thinking of your men.'
'That might be said, sir.'
'By all means think of them. You are under no obligation, however, to voice your thoughts on the subject.'
'Yes, sir.' Cyprian said.'
'There will be no delays,' Hume disclosed. 'There will be no difficulties.'
'No, sir,' Cyprian said contritely.
'Let me enlighten you on matters of morale, Major Bridge. Were we to travel with foodstuff in greater quantity, men might begin to suspect that there is more to this war than they supposed; that there are hardships ahead, and their commanders dishonest. We must not allow them to entertain such notions, Major Bridge. We must not allow them vexation. We are here to make short work of John Heke and anyone who undermines our enterprise may face a court martial. Are we understood?'

Still listening to Wings of the Dove. 11 hours to go...

I am really tired and off to bed, but I have to tell you, today has been interesting.

I taught my morning Bible study class, and I was late because my husband missed his bus and I had to drop him at the train station and the kids weren't ready. Also, we were having "routine" pest control (things that make you go Hmmm) done at the house today and I needed to put stuff in cupboards and cover the pillows, etc. On top of that, my husband scheduled the car for WOF and routine maintenance with his friend in Wellington at 10. So, after the kids got off to school and the house was ready for pest control, I drove in to Wellington. Dropped the car off at 10, was told it would be done by 1:30.

It's not important to the story, but I went to the central library and found a comfy chair and got a good 150 pages of House of Strife read and had lunch with the husband and a friend.

Here's the point. After lunch, the husband rang the Garage and was told they hadn't started working on the car yet. ??!!?? He gave me his train pass and I ran and caught the train. Got home about 10 minutes before the kids got out of school. Phew! All good. I had a nice 4 hours until the next thing - helping out with the youth group at church at 7 pm. Well, 6:30 came and no husband. BTW, all the stuff I needed for the activity at church was in the car... He finally turned up at 7:10 and drove me over to the church. Everyone was really nice and waiting patiently. :) So, all of that, crazy, right? Turns out, it could have been worse. Apparently I made the LAST train that ran today. A tree fell across the tracks and shut the train lines down. I guess the thought to end the day with is that it could always be worse. LOL.

I am shattered - oddly enough - and off to bed.

Wow, Jenn, that was a crazy day! Let's hope today is a little less interesting, eh? Ha!

>102 nittnut: What a blessing that you were able to get home before the tree fell across the tracks.

Oh my....thank goodness you caught the LAST train, Jenn. The day in retrospect of what could have happened is even more crazy than what actually unfolded. Hope you got in a good night's rest to make up for the day.

>103 scaifea: Amber, I very much hope today is less interesting. I would like it to involve only laundry and naps...

>104 thornton37814: A HUGE blessing Lori. I think I only know one parent at our new school so far, and I am glad I didn't have to ring her and ask her to take my kids until I could figure out a way home. Thankfully, we do have a family password, so my kids would have known she was OK, but I prefer not to use it. Lol.

>105 jolerie: Thanks for the wishes Val. I wish too, but the kids did not sleep well last night, so neither did I. At least I got an early start on my efforts. E was talking in his sleep and tossing and turning and M had a "prickly" face and couldn't sleep. Sigh. They are off to school soon and I am going to take a nap. Or two, or three. :)

I've still barely started House of Strife, I've been trying to finish a library book and haven't been able to read that much these past few days.

Books for 9-10yr old girl:

Chrestomanci series plus lots of others by Diana Wynne Jones - need to check the reading age for some of her books as some are YA
Molly Moon series by Georgia Bang
Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda - very popular with this age group especially boys, my daughter loved it
Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda - ditto
The Dragonfly Pool & others by Eva Ebbotson - need to check titles as writes across the age groups
Kensuke's Kingdom & others by Michael Morpurgo- need to check titles as writes across the age groups
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin - Chinese folklore
Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black & Tony deTerlizzi
Sleeping Army by Francesca Simon
The story of the Blue Planet by Andri Snaer Magnason
Letter for the King by Tonke Dragt - Dutch classic
The Various by Steve Augarde (Touchstone trilogy)
Varjak Paw or Phoenix by SF Said
A traveller in time by Alison Uttley
When Hitler stole pink rabbit by Judith Kerr
The Fleurville Trilogy, A room at the Guardian Angel Inn & General Dourakine etc by Comtess de Segur - get the Stephanie Smee translations - these are great reads
A strong and willing girl by Dorothy Edwards - excellent about being in service in early 20thC
The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler by Gene Kemp - well worth hunting down
The Diddakoi by Rumer Godden
Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
Children of the Red King by Madeleine Polland
Letters to anyone, letters to everyone by Toon Tellegen - Dutch
The Robber Hotzenplotz by Otfried Preußler
One Crazy Summer by Rita Garcia-Williams
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede
Gatty's Tale & his Arthur trilogy by Kevin Crossley-Holland - Gatty travels with other pilgrims to Jerusalem, lovely story and related to the Arthur trilogy.
All-of-a-kind Family by Sydney Taylor
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren
The Spirit Wind by Max Fatchen
The house of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong
A hundred million francs by Paul Berna
The ship that flew by Hilda Lewis
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selnick
How to become king by Jan Terlouw - Dutch

must must read: Kingdom of Silk series by Glenda Millard - one of my favourte all time series for this age group

Sorry to list so many books but I think most of these deserve to be considered, I've read the majority of them since joining LT. They've mainly come to my notice through being on awards shortlists or are in the 1001 children's books you must read before you grow up. I've tried to keep within the age group you specified.

Hooray!! Thank you Kerry! I don't think it's possible to have too many lists of books...

We love Diana Wynne Jones and Patricia Wrede at our house. I have also read several by Eva Ibbotsen. I wasn't overhelmed by The Secret of Platform 13, probably the wrong age, but my daughter liked it.
I think Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is one of the best books I have ever read. I will pass this list on to my friend - and to my daughter. I am not sure about Kingdom of Silk. Their family lost a baby brother a few years ago and so I suppose it will depend on how the mother feels.

>102 nittnut: wow, the mechanics were on a go-slow with your car!? Were you cross? You were certainly lucky to get everywhere on time (relatively).

>107 avatiakh: I am definitely copying that for when my niece is that age! Thanks.

I was a little cross, Megan, but as there was nothing I could do...

>108 nittnut: Oh good, there are a few more I just have to add.
I love the Kingdom of Silk series, it's very gentle and loving, all about friendship and family. Perhaps missing out the first book would work.

The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander - Celtic
Dragonkeeper series by Carole Wilkinson - Chinese dragon lore
Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud - has an unlikely hero
Sideways stories from Wayside school by Louis Sachar - others by him are also good
The New Policeman by Kate Thompson - Irish folklore
The Cry of the Wolf by Melvin Burgess - I loved this, his other work is all YA and not appropriate
Bootleg by Alex Shearer - his other books are good too
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin - everyone likes this one
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett - mystery
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Airman by Eoin Colfer
The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
Ella enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
The kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean - this might be a little too old for her, not sure, but McCaughrean is a good writer
The Serial Garden: The Complete Armitage Family Stories by Joan Aiken
Emil and the detectives & Lisa and Lottie (the original Parent Trap story) by Erich Kastner
The Good Master by Kate Seredy - loved this Hungarian tale
The Hundred and One Dalmations by Dodie Smith
anything by Jacqueline Wilson, Morris Gleitzman, Dick King-Smith
Run Boy Run by Uri Orlev & Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli - Poland WW2

The more the better, I say.

Let's see. We've read Dragonkeeper, Chronicles of Prydain, The Westing Game, Chasing Vermeer, LOVE The Willoughbys, my kids had a phase where they were really fascinated by Ella Enchanted. Love Jerry Spinelli too. Great list!

I am choosing my ANZAC books for March. I have Michelle de Kretser and Elizabeth Knox to work with. Any thoughts? I have read The Invisible Road, and it was just OK for me.

>112 nittnut: I read a fair bit of children's literature, my current focus is translated or classic works so I love recommending books. I do have a problem remembering titles or authors so that's why I keep adding to the list, I remember the story but everything else eludes me. Another that might appeal is the Monster Blood Tattoo trilogy, it's much better than perhaps the title suggests. I haven't suggested any NZ books as you didn't say whether you're recommending for a NZ reader.

>113 nittnut: I read de Kretser's Questions of Travel and it was complex but topical, well worth reading. I'll be going for her The Rose Grower if I have time. I'll be carryng the Shadbolt book into March at the rate I'm currently reading.
Definitely be reading Knox's Wake though I don't know if it would appeal to you.
I enjoyed both her The Vintner's Luck and Mortal Fire though if you don't want to read more of her fantasy possibly try her essays, The Love School: Personal Essays. A new edition of her debut novel has just come out, After Z-Hour, and it looks like an interesting read.

Hi Jenn - AT LAST. And it sounds like yesterday was awful.

I haven't added anything to the book list but love it!!! Thanks to everyone who's contributing.

Teresa is 8 and is a massive Jacqueline Wilson fan (as Jenn knows) but I've vetoed the latest one for a while. I very seldom do that - she has read some of the ones for older readers already and has been ok - but Dustbin Baby has the main character's mother committing suicide. I skimmed it quickly when we got home and have explained that she needs to wait for that book.

Kerry, coincidentally we bought T the 2nd Molly Moon book at Marsden Books yesterday and she's enjoying it.

I am going to collapse in a chair for a bit but I just wanted to say hi.

>114 avatiakh: Kerry, I actually am recommending for a NZ reader, and I am very weak on children's books by NZ authors, so any suggestions you have will be great. As a bonus, I can pass them on to my kids as well. I read quite a lot of kid/YA books myself, I often find excellent and memorable books that way. I don't know about The Monster Blood Tattoo for my friend's daughter, but I think my daughter and I will enjoy them. I think I may just head over to the library site and see if I can request it. :)

Thanks for the recommendations for the ANZAC challenge. I may try Mortal Fire. The friend who gave me The Invisible Road and knows I didn't love it thought I might like Mortal Fire. This is the same friend whose thesis I edited - on Constructing the Feminine in NZ fantasy literature. She's as close to an expert as I've got. Lol. Wake won't be my choice. It's a little too "Zombie Apocalypse" for my taste. Lol.

>115 cushlareads: Cushla! Hi. How is school going? Are you sort of settled in for now?
Occasionally I come across a book, theoretically written for young children, and yet there are some mature themes. Hatchet was one that surprised me. Especially that it was assigned reading at school for Margo when she was 8. I love that book, but maybe not for assigned school reading in year 4 (3rd grade).

On the home front, we seem to have conquered Margo's prickly skin for the night. Hopefully, fingers crossed, rabbit's feet rubbed, lucky underpants on backwards, we will get a full night's sleep tonight. I'm off to get a start.

It's Friday tomorrow!! Hooray!!

OK - not in bed yet. Had to come back and Gush over Kapiti's SMART Libraries system. I can request books from around 22 libraries in the region (just not Wellington libraries) and it's FREE! And I just requested all three of the Monster Blood Tattoo books for my daughter. Happy dancing off to bed. La-la-la-la-la.

Oh great. Tomorrow I'll go through my NZ reading list and give you a few pointers. I'll start now by suggesting Hideout by Lorraine Orman because it's set on the Kapiti Coast and The Plight of the Penguin by Lloyd Spencer Davis because it's a great book and you are focusing on NZ birds this year.

Oooh Where the Mountain Meets the Moon! I *love* that one!

>118 avatiakh: Hooray! Can't wait for the next list. :) I should probably get a copy of that 1001 Children's Books one of these days. Especially since my youngest is now reading independently as well.

>119 scaifea: Instant classic.

#25 Letters From Father Christmas

I know it's not particularly seasonal, but I happened upon it at the library and it hitched a ride home with me. This little book is a collection of letters and pictures from Father Christmas to J.R.R. Tolkein's children. They begin in 1920 and end in 1943. The letters are hilariously entertaining, this book was completely charming.

Still working on The Wings of the Dove. Think I can get through 9 hours by tomorrow night? We'll see.

I made Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies yesterday. Do have one! :)

Oh yummy! Sorry I ate the whole plate. You may want to put out another one. Whoops! :)

Lolol Valerie. There are plenty more!

Mmmmm.... Looks good!

Ok, just before I recommend some NZ children's books, you should look at this recommended reading list for young people put together by Wayne Mills who runs the international KidsLitQuiz. Wayne has been a lecturer in reading at the teachers training college (now University of Auckland) here in Auckland for years and I know him fairly well through my time working in children's lit. He updates the list every year for Lorraine's website, she was a librarian at the college for many years before she retired and took up writing.

A colourful way to see some of the many books I can recommend is my Pinterest board NZ Books for Young People.

Hi Jenn! Hope your days improved -- that sounds rough! And happy birthday to you -- very, very late!

Wow, so many great books listed here. The only book I can think to add might be Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park. Did you get Tuck Everlasting somewhere? Also The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and Rabbit Hill. And echoing others: anything by Eva Ibbotson or Kate DiCamillo.

So now we know how to get Jim to stop by... lol

>125 avatiakh: Ooh Pinterest. On my way.

>126 AMQS: Hi Anne! It's still February, and I'm always happy to accept birthday wishes. :)
Great suggestions on books. I hadn't listed any of those. I have been working my way through the Newbery books, and still haven't got to Rabbit Hill. Need to. I have read A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park and it was wonderful. I will add Project Mulberry to the list. :)

>127 nittnut: food and coffee gets me every time!

Hi Jenn - A friend just told me that his 11-year-old daughter is loving The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two. I guess it is part of a series.

Thanks Beth! I followed the link and those look like fun books. Adding it to the list.

If anyone would like a copy of the rather extensive list we are making here - PM me with your email and I'll send it to you.

I should be frantically listening to the last 7 hours of The Wings of the Dove, and I want to, but I also want to bake. I've made blueberry muffins and banana cake and I've got Cowboy cookies up next. That should cover breakfasts and lunches for the next week or so.

I've got muffins to share. They are hot, so have some butter with them. :)

>116 nittnut: Ooh, I hadn't realised you were recommending for a Kiwi... in which case I will add Robin Klein (maybe Hating Alison Ashley although she has lots of great ones), Margaret Mahy (The Blood-and-thunder Adventure on Hurricane Peak was my favourite), Victor Kelleher (although his a young adult fiction, and I started them aged 10, they are quite intense, so might depend on the reader). And I just remembered Madeline L'Engle, who is Canadian, and I'd never heard of until I moved here, but I think I would have loved her when I was young (A Wrinkle in Time). This is fun!

Jenn, I'm just dropping in to say a belated thank you for the excellent tip about stirring cocoa into natural yoghurt for a bit of flavour - I tried it and I *love* it! I'm trying to move away from sugary yoghurts to unsweetened (like it used to taste in the olden days!) but the cocoa gives it a really great taste, and with a banana chopped into it I have found my new-favourite-pudding :-)

Your baking looks lovely too!

I had to google cowboy cookies as they sounded rather interesting. Also love your baking, I baked some hamentaschen this evening, I have the dough & poppy seed filling in the fridge and just bake a few every couple of days till Purim.

I'll do my list of NZ childen's books tomorrow, today was taken up with cricket and reading graphic novels.

>132 evilmoose: Thanks Megan! We have discovered Margaret Mahy. Love her. I had not heard of Robin Klein or Victor Kelleher. I will definitely look into Victor Kelleher as my daughter really likes adventurous stories. My daughter is nearly 11 and starting to show a definite preference for certain styles.

>133 susanj67: So glad you liked the cocoa. I like it, but my sister thinks it's not sweet enough. What can I say. I like the super dark chocolate too...

>134 avatiakh: Mmmm. Will stop by your thread tomorrow for some hamentaschen. I love it. In our family, we call Cowboy cookies "Kitchen sink" cookies, because you can really throw in whatever you have. Is that a universal saying? Everything but the kitchen sink? Suddenly wondered. I'm looking forward to your list of NZ books. I am sort of compiling a list of everything people have mentioned here. I am not particularly savvy at navigating LT, but I suppose there must be a place where we could put it and everyone could see, right?

We had a busy and fun afternoon. At 4 we went over to the beach. A friend of ours had been in a dive competition today and they were auctioning the fish for Mary Potter Hospice. We hung around and watched the prize giving and the auction, and got some fish. Then we went home for a BBQ. All last year, when we were living in Wellington, we were advisers to the YA (ages 18-30) group at church. We just had them all out for a BBQ tonight. It was so much fun. We really miss them. The kids were so happy to see them. They played hopscotch and card games with the kids and ate BBQ and then after the kids went to bed, we played name that tune, which was hilarious. It was especially nice to see Jordyn, who had major back surgery in November and wasn't expected to be able to ever walk again. He's been in rehab/physio therapy in Auckland and just got back to Wellington recently. He's in a wheel chair, but says his physiotherapist thinks he'll be on crutches in a couple of months. His sister is acting as his carer right now, and it's really cool to see how well she takes care of him but doesn't hover.

OK. Too much information, right? Off to bed with me.

Oh, Jenn, thanks for the muffin : ). Hot and buttered … YUM!

>131 nittnut: I wish I had made some muffins for me this weekend. Maybe I can do it Monday morning since I don't go into work until later. I will probably stop en route to church to grab something in the morning since I have to be there early (as usual) for sound check.

>136 lit_chick: Any time. :)

>137 thornton37814: Hi Lori. I hope your Sunday is good. Ours was lovely.

#26 The Wings of the Dove ACC, TIOLI

I finished. I've been thinking about it and will write a review tomorrow. Sigh.
ETA: The Review

Rarely have I had to write a negative review for a favorite author. Particularly in the Classics genre. Here goes.

W.D. Howells (writer and literary critic and friend of Henry James) said of Henry James:

It seems to me that an enlightened criticism will recognize in Mr. James's fiction a metaphysical genius working to aesthetic results, and will not be disposed to deny it any method it chooses to employ. No other novelist, except George Eliot, has dealt to largely in analysis of motive, has so fully explained and commented upon the springs of action in the persons of the drama, both before and after the facts. These novelists are more alike than any others in their processes, but with George Eliot an ethical purpose is dominant, and with Mr. James an artistic purpose.

The Wings of the Dove is a book for literary critics. It is purely a piece of art. Oddly enough, had I read and analysed it in a university literature class, I might have liked it better. For the casual reader, at best, it is a very thorough exploration of the inner workings of the mercenary. What is it like to be in the head of someone who believes that others exist only "to be worked on" and to provide for their own needs. What is it like to venture into the head of someone who has sold their soul to the mercenary and yet is desperately trying to keep a piece of it back. At worst, it is a rambling, confusing and disorienting journey through a lot of people's heads. People who talk in (almost) run on sentences. People who start, only to stop, who go so they can stay. People who never quite say what they are saying and in spite of things never being said, everyone (except the reader) appears to understand what wasn't said. Overall, I found it tedious and exhausting. The tragic beauty of the story was completely lost in the "artistry".

Please don't allow my experience with The Wings of the Dove put you off Henry James. I can highly recommend Washington Square, The Americans and Portrait of a Lady, just to name a few.

I am way behind on threads so I'm just getting caught up here. I see that The Long Way Home didn't work so well for you, either. It was my first disappointment with Louise Penny.

>139 cbl_tn: Hi Carrie. Yeah - my first disappointment as well. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great either.

I've edited post >138 nittnut: to include my review of The Wings of the Dove. Just in case anyone is interested.

>79 nittnut: A field trip involving an ocean. How cool is that? You certainly earned a star in your crown for that one, Jenn.

I am drooling over those cookies and muffins…and the book recommendations for a 9 to 10-year-old girl. My two oldest granddaughters are more advanced than that, but I have three more coming up quickly to that age range. I'd love to have the complete list. Thanks, I'll PM you.

Hi Donna! It was a fun field trip, and I figure I've done my big field trip for the year. After this, it's strictly library volunteering or something like that, Lol. Well, for that kid anyway. I have a fun one coming up next week. Margo won the breast stroke for her school and will go on to compete for her school at the inter-school meet in Waikanae. I will drive a car load of kids over and help with the meet for half a day. I love that they have these kinds of activities for Primary schools.

I will definitely send you a copy of the list. It's a nice mix - Margo is more advanced than some, but a lot of them will still work, especially Kerry's lists.

>138 nittnut: I stopped at Weigels to get one of their wonderful apple fritters for breakfast on the way to church. Church was good. I'm at work now though.

Apple fritters sound really good. :)

Today:

Job hunting (not going particularly well)
Sewing - Hooray! a sale in my shop. If only it paid more. Lol
Menu planning for the week
We have the teenage daughter of a friend coming to stay Tuesday - Friday while they get away for a few days. I need to figure out a space for her.
Nap. Really I should put the nap at the top of the list, because I feel it coming right on.
Set up my thread on LT for March and organize my library books because I just had a bunch of requested books com in all at once.
After school there is hockey skills and dinner and a walk on the beach. (*happy sigh) The kids want pasta for dinner, but I am trying to avoid pasta, so I am thinking about what the husband and I could have while the kids have pasta. Maybe steak salad. We have a lovely big steak leftover from our BBQ on Saturday.

Ok - bit by bit I'll try to cover some highlights of NZ children's lit. I'll also throw in the occasional Australian ones too, btw, Robin Klein & Victor Kelleher are from Oz.
First up I'll mention Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park, mainly because she was born in NZ but lived in Australia and her books were all published there. It's a great timeslip novel suitable for strong readers, probably 11+
For the 9-10 reading age I'd suggest looking at the winners of the Tom Fitzgibbon Award - made annually, when merited, to the 'unpublished' writer of a work of fiction for children between seven and 13 years of age. There have been some great debut novels and some writers have really flourished after winning this award - my favourites:
Vince Ford's 2MUCH4U - comic. I really like his A handful of blue about a whale stranding and also Boyznbikes. You've got the first of his The chronicles of stone trilogy.
Jillian Sullivan's Shreve’s Promise (12+) though I'd suggest What About Bo? one of her later ones.
Brigid Feehan'sStella Star - set in Wellington area
Heather McQuillan's Mind over Matter - scifi for 12+
Leonie Agnew Super Finn
KathyTaylor Iris's Ukulele

Apart from Margaret Mahy, another of our most prominent children's writers is Joy Cowley, I'd recommend Hunter, The Silent One and Bow Down Shadrach trilogy, also set in the Marlborough Sounds is Froghopper.
as well I'd definitely go for Sherryl Jordan's The Wednesday Wizard series. I've only read the first book, it was published first back in 1991, but an updated edition was published in 2007 along with the last book. I loved this one. She's written great stuff for younger readers and YA. She has/had an American agent so was published there so might be familiar.
Ransomwood & Freedom Merchants - 10+
The raging Quiet, Rocco, Winter of Fire and The Secret Sacrament for YA

The Gaelyn Gordon Award for a much loved book is also useful, it pinpoints the books that didn't win an award but have remained in print for years due to reader demand -
Elsie Locke - The Runaway Settlers - I read this at primary school and it's still in print.
See Ya, Simon by David Hill - anything by David Hill is a great read just note the reading age as some is YA. Lately he's been writing great historical fiction such as My brother's war.
Under the Mountain by Maurice Gee - Gee is one of NZ's finest novelists but he also managed to write some great children's fiction (especially fantasy). The World Around the Corner is a good stand alone fantasy for younger readers. You might to look at The champion which is about a rural family billeting a African American soldier during WW2.
Tessa Duder's Night Race to Kawau - wonderful debut novel for 9+ and Jellybean.Her Alex quartet is great for 12+, she's also written some a historical trilogy The Tiggie Tompson show for teens.
Slide the Corner by Fleur Beale is really good. I'm a fan of Fleur's books, you can't go wrong with any of them, the car books are great for reluctant teen boy readers but still are good reading for everyone else. This one is especially great and about rally driving.
Also look out for:
I Am Not Esther YA - also won the Gaelyn Gordon Award
Juno of Taris YA dystopian
The transformation of Minna Hargreaves - YA, family goes on reality tv show living in solitary on an island
Lucky for some - 9+
Uncle Trev by Jack Lasenby, who is another NZ treasure, though I haven't read this one yet, I'd suggest starting with something else. His dystopian trilogy, Because We Were the Travellers is great for 11+. He writes hugely comic tall stories, The lies of Harry Wakatipu and also nostalgic such as Old Drumble: The Smartest Drover's Dog There Ever Was. The Mangrove Summer and The Lake are both great older ones of him, probably for 11+.

Ron Bacon was a prolific writer, he retold Maori myths and wrote many picturebooks. His historical fiction is worth reading, Again the bugles blow for 9+
Paula Boock has written a couple of good YAs such as Out walked Mel
older but still good is Ruth Dallas - The house on the cliffs also Joan deHamel's X marks the spot.
I enjoyed Barry Faville's dystopian The Keeper which won an award in 1987 and also Caroline McDonald's books from this era are great, The lake at the end of the world.
Joanna Orwin wrote some great Maori myth based fiction for 9+, The guardian of the land, also more recently a couple of YAs, Owl: a novel and Out of tune.
William Taylor is another good writer, his early work was quite humorous, though the ones I'll recommend I haven't read, Knitwits, Agnes the Sheep. His The blue lawn & Land of Milk and Honey were controversial YA though a very good reads as was Jerome. I'd recommend Crash! : the story of Poddy for 10+.
Margaret Beames has written some good junior fiction such as Duster and The Shearwater Bell.
Anthony Holcroft has written some lovely short stories collections based on Celtic mythology but with a NZy setting. Phyllis Johnston's No one went to town and Black Boots and Buttonhooks are excellent historical fiction about family life in NZ.
new and with an eco slant is Des Hunt - any of them are good, he writes for 10+, good adventures about smugglers etc. Where Cuckoos Call, The moa Cave. He's a physics teacher and his talks are also fun.
David Hair is a newer writer and his Bone Tiki series is exciting 'urban' fantasy set in Maori mythology. He also has a more sinister series set in India where he lived a few years while his wife was based at the NZ embassy.

Bernard Beckett, YA writer, Genesis, Malcolm and Juliet , Deep fried - love all his stuff, and he is one amazing teacher, I supervised one of his writing workshops for teens at the Auckland Writers Festival and came away even more impressed.
Ken Catran, prolific and excellent writer for children - where to begin! Seal Boy & Letters from the Coffin-trenches as well as the Moran family quartet, Jacko Moran: Sniper, lots of scifi that I've only read a few of such as Taken at the flood and Something weird about Mr Foster. He gave a great talk a few years back that I attended about censorship.
The Bridge by Jane Higgins (NZ) won the Text Prize in 2010. This is another publishing award I like to follow. It is for a YA manuscript from a nonpublished writer from either Australia or New Zealand. There have been some really good winners. http://www.librarything.com/bookaward/The+Text+Prize

I'll come back with more in a short while.

>145 nittnut: I wish you were around. I'm a horrible seamstress, and I need to make a replacement head wrap and belt for a Biblical peasant lady costume. I hate the ones that came with the outfit. I purchased fabric. I guess I'll try to figure it out this week. I think it is a matter of cutting and hemming for the most part for the head wrap. I can use the cord for the belt, but I wish it were some color other than white. Not sure if I can find rope in another color, preferably brown, somewhere, so I went ahead and got enough brown fabric to do a sash too.

I've only got a few more fiction to mention -
first up is Kate De Goldi who wrote some good YA early on and has also written The 10pm Question which I feel is more adult than YA. Her The ACB with Honora Lee is sort of ok for 9+
Sarah Ell - When the war came home - about the influenza epidemic after WW1, she's the daughter of Gordon Ell.
Penelope Todd's Box YA - surprisingly good
V (Vicki) M Jones - Buddy, Juggling with Mandarins, The Serpents of Arakesh - all good for 10+
Lorraine Orman - Cross tides - good timeslip 13+
Deborah Burnside - YA On a good day and a good one for younger readers (cover is ugly though) Night Hunting. I enjoyed her latest, Yes.
Brain Falkner - Brainjack - exciting 11+
Elizabeth Pulford - Call of the Cruins 9+
Janice Marriott - Thor's tale 10+ - excellent about Shackleton
Helen Lowe - Thornspell
Anna MacKenzie - The Sea-wreck stranger trilogy YA & all her others
Mandy Hager - YA including Smashed
Reach by Hugh Brown - won the inaugural and shortlived Tessa Duder Award for YA manuscript.

Nonfiction: Andrew Crowe is the go-to guy for nature facts. His first book A Field Guide to the Native Edible Plants of New Zealand is still in print, and his life-size guides are great. Also written a YA nonfic The Dalai Lama Story: The Making of a World Leader
A bird in the hand by Janet Hunt - excellent
Plight of the penguin by Lloyd Spencer Davis

Australian
John Marsden - Tomorrow when the war began series
Kelly Gardiner - she did live in NZ when first published a pirate trilogy but try her YA Act of faith
The Divine Wind by Garry Disher - 13+ - writes mainly crime fiction for adults but also wrote some good children's lit
Jaclyn Moriarty YA - Finding Cassie Crazy
Melina Marchetta - all good YA , Looking for Alibrandi is the classic
Jackie French - prolific and all good
Singing the dogstar blues by Alison Goodman
To the boy in Berlin by Elizabeth Honey 11+
Kate Constable - good for 9+, some fantasy or timeslip
Markus Zusak - his The Book Thief and I am the messenger are great YA and also adult but I really loved his When dogs cry books about the WOlfe family (also YA)
Catherine Jinks & Isobelle Carmody - lots to like here
Anna Fienberg - Tashi books for youn readers
Sonya Hartnett - YA
Judith Clarke - YA I loved One Whole and Perfect Day
Ursula Dubosarsky The Game of the Goose 10+

>147 thornton37814: Lori, that sounds like a fun project! You probably already did this, but I find that looking around in the remnants for upholstery/drapery fabric and trims often turns up just what I need for costuming. You could do strips of the brown fabric, hem it or finish it somehow (or not for a more rustic look) and then braid the strips for a rope-like look. You might even like it better as it will have the look, but lay flatter and be more comfortable on your head... the wrap itself is probably a big rectangle, yes?

>146 avatiakh: and >148 avatiakh: Kerry!!! Words cannot express how much fun this is. I want to go and get them ALL at the library today. I have read a few, but seriously. Thank you! My friend is going to fall over when I give her the list. She has no idea how we geek out over books here. Lol. I already have about 6 books in reserve at the library from your earlier list. Which is good, because my daughter is just out of books to read. Her grandparents are giving her a Nook for her birthday and I think I may contribute a selection of the series you listed to come loaded on the Nook.

>148 avatiakh: Oh - also - Kerry, I forgot to say that Andrew Crowe will be great for my daughter who is very interested in plants and birds and animals. I will probably try to find some of his guides right away. She is always bringing me leaves or seeds from trees and asking me what they are. She is used to me having a certain amount of knowledge about that. But of course my knowledge is pretty specific to the Western US. Lol. I am getting so I recognize some of the trees, but you know, the whole tree. Not the leaves. Ha!

>149 nittnut: Yes. The other wrap is about 4 feet long, I think. The width is less than double the fabric width.

I went to a lecture Crowe gave about writing nonfiction, he's a really sincere guy. His work is outstanding.
Another NZer who you should be aware of is Dr Simon Pollard, he's a spider biologist, his I am a spider is a lovely picturebook for children. He's renown for his photography of spiders.
And others to look for are Sirocco : the rock-star Kakapo by Sarah Ell & E3 call home by Janet Hunt

I'll just check later this afternoon for any that I missed and maybe add a few more Australian titles. I've read probably 98% of what i'm recommending. I wanted to add a book about the goldrush, I sure I read something good a while back but so far have only come across Ken Catran's Lin and the red stranger which I'm fairly sure I haven't read yet.

>151 thornton37814: That's what I thought. Just a lot of straight hemming. :)

ETA: Hi Kerry :) You are amazing. I am so excited to work our way through this list.

I hate to leave this thread and make a new one, but it's time. Again, anyone who wants a copy of this amazing set of lists, PM me and I will email it to you.

Give me about 15 minutes to set it up, then join me over on the March thread. :)

Found and starred your thread, Jenn! Thanks for stopping by mine. Any friend of Hiccup's is a friend of mine!

>153 nittnut: LOL Mamie. That could catch on.