BLBera's 2015 Reading - Part 2

I guess it's time for a new thread...

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

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

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

January 2015
1. Offshore*
2. The Moor's Account
3. Citadel*
4. Child of Dandelions
5. The Land of Dreams
6. All My Puny Sorrows
7. Cleopatra's Sister*
8. A Symphony of Echoes*
9. Land of Love and Drowning

February
10. Knucklehead
11. Ghettoside
12. The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing
13. Code Name Verity*
14. Unfamiliar Fishes*
15. The Unquiet Dead
16. Nine Lives*
17. Maus*

March
18. First Frost
19. The Round House*
20. Wolf Winter
21. A Dangerous Talent
22. What I Loved*
23. And the Birds Rained Down
24. A God in Every Stone
25. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter

* Off my shelves

Currently reading:

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

Read one translation from Norwegian

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

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

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

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

Best book from January: Land of Love and Drowning and All My Puny Sorrows

February stats
Read 8 books: 6 by women, 2 by men

Authors' countries of origin:
5 American
1 American of Indian descent
1 British born Canadian
1 Welsh

Four fiction, four nonfiction - 2 of which were memoirs

Four books from my shelves and four library books

Best fiction: The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing
Best nonfiction: Ghettoside

March stats

Read 8 books: 7 by women, 1 by a man
All fiction this month

Countries of origin:
4 American
1 Native American
1 Pakistani
1 Swedish
1 Canadian

1 translation from French

2 books from my shelves
6 library books - 2 ebooks

Best reads of March: What I Loved and A God in Every Stone

Happy new thread, Beth.

New thread! New thread! I love it when I am caught up.

Happy new thread, Beth!
Here's to another thread of excellent books. :D

Nice new thread, Beth!

I've had my eye on The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing since Suz (I think it was Suz) reported favorably on it. Look forward to your thoughts...

Happy new thread! You have caught my eye with your current read. looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

One nice thing about a new thread - lots of visitors! Thanks Barb, Anne (I know what you mean), Valerie, Katie and Lori.

The title was what first caught my eye for The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing, but I've seen a lot of good comments, and it's due in the next couple of weeks, so we'll see.

I also started Unfamiliar Fishes last night - my book club meets Feb. 20, so I need to get on that, too.

Happy New Thread, Beth. I'll be watching your thoughts on The Sleepwalkers.
I wasn't as crazy about Unfamiliar Fishes. I listened to it, before my Hawaii trip. I hope it works better for you.

Happy New Thread , Beth! I can see you've got a lot of reading done already this year! I''ll have to pop back to your previous thread to see your comments on your books. The only one I'm familiar with is My Puny Sorrows and for some reason I just can't get into Miriam Toews books, despite her being Canadian! Gasps to self.

Ahh - Offshore , I read The BookShop by Penelope Fitzgerald and swore that would be my one and only read by Penny Fitz. I hope you enjoyed Offshore . Pops off to your previous thread. Oh I am seeming cranky tonight! :)

And discovers that you are a fan of Penelope Fitzgerald. Oh dear, but at least I love Penelope Lively . Penelope is my mom's first name, though she goes by Penny. She loathes her name and always has, but I think it's rather cute! My dad affectionately always called my mom " Henny Penny" which she did not appreciate, but I don't think she minded it too much! ;)

Hi Beth, I am delurking so you know that I am still following along with your reading. Haven't had much to add but I have been taking notes!

I'm still following, too, Beth : ).

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Beth!

Happy new thread! I don't think I'm familiar with your current reads, but I look forward to your comments.

Hi Mark - I'll let you know about Unfamiliar Fishes. The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing is very good for the first 50 pages. It reminds me a bit of Lahiri.

Hi Deb - I love Toews although I must admit, All My Puny Sorrows was pretty heartbreaking. I like Fitzgerald, too, but it would be a boring book world if we all liked the same books. My favorite Fitzgerald so far is Human Voices. Lively is great. Penelope is a kind of old-fashioned name now. I like it. But we often don't like our names.

Hi Judy - Welcome. I miss your not having a thread. You need one. I hope your health is good. Stop by again.

Hi Nancy - Thanks.

Hi Rhonda - Thanks.

Hi Amber - Thanks.

Hi Kerri - I will comment on the books I'm reading.

Now, after an afternoon with Miss Scout, I have some school work to do. It's icky weather here, sleet, freezing rain, etc. Maybe snow day, she says hopefully???

Maybe I'll stop by a few threads first. I'm getting behind again.

Today is Scout's half birthday! I can't believe she's a year and a half.

Hey, Beth, and Happy New Thread! And happy half-birthday to Scout! Because my own half-birthday is in just over a week, I know this means she is a Leo. This is a good thing. :-)

When I was in school, I kind of cared about my half-birthday because I didn't get to celebrate during the school year. Other kids brought cupcakes and such to school and my birthday usually went relatively unnoticed. I mean, I got to have a party and my family did the cake and ice cream and presents, but it went unnoticed as far as school was concerned.

I didn't realize that Unfamiliar Fishes is about Hawaii! I am going to order it and take it with me! I'll also be taking Possession which I apparently have to purchase because the copy I thought I had in my house is simply not to be found. Oh well. It's not like I don't enjoy buying books (although I do generally prefer to buy only one of each).

I'm reading and enjoying Snow in May. I don't know that it would have caught my eye so I'm really glad you forwarded it along to me!

I hope you like Vowell's books better than I do. I hated Unfamiliar Fishes far more than The Wordy Shipmates which I wasn't crazy about either.

Beth, congratulations on thread #2.

>15 vancouverdeb: I didn't really love Offshore when I read it, but I do think I need to give Fitzgerald another try soon.

Hey Ellen - I hope all the work is progressing nicely, as is the countdown to Hawaii. I never thought about Scout's being a Leo -- she is roaring a lot these days...:) I'm all for celebrating the half birthday.

I'll have to get out Possession, too. I think I said I would be up for a reread. So glad you're enjoying Snow in May.

Lori - I am a Vowell fan. I've heard from a couple of people that Unfamiliar Fishes isn't her best.

Hi Paul - Thanks! Try Human Voices - that's my favorite Fitzgerald so far.

>21 BLBera: Beth, I do have a thread, but it's over at the Category Challenge instead of here at the 75ers. Please come on by and say hello! You can find me Here .

Beth! It's number two for you! And I'll be here. ; )

Happy half birthday to Scout! A year and half is such a fun age! :)

Thanks Judy. I will be over for a visit.

Hi Kim - I can't believe how fast # 2 came up.

Valerie - I am having a blast with her. She is so sweet and funny.

Happy New Thread and Happy Scout's Half-Birthday!
I love to see what you're reading because it's just different enough from my fare to be interesting!

Happy Half-Birthday to Scout! And happy new thread to you Beth. I should think about starting a new one but I'm notoriously lazy in that department LOL.

" It reminds me a bit of Lahiri." That is my kind of endorsement...

Hi Peggy - Thanks. She had her 18 month check-up today. The doctor asked if she says a couple of words -- she should say about 10. My daughter counted and she says 60. She's a prodigy!

Hi Bonnie - Isn't it fun being a grandma? Your little Mia is adorable. Yes, I think I started a new one to avoid doing something else.

Hi Mark - We'll see if it keeps up, but so far, I am enjoying it.

Realized I've been lurking without comments for too long. love your book club list and have several BBs from it. I am an absolute cheerleader for sleepwalker's guide to dancing. it's on the long list for the Maine Readers Choice Award and it's on my list to advance to the short list. I'm currently re-reading it in audio..to be sure. it's narrated by the author which I normally shy away from but Mira Jacob is fabulous. can't wait to hear your final review.

Hi Tina - Our book club usually does pretty well; after so many years one can only hope that we have figured out what makes a good discussion book. Still, sometimes we bomb.

I haven't heard much about Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing here, so I'm glad to hear that you liked it. I am enjoying it very much.

Happy belated half-birthday to Scout! (I don't think I had ever heard of half-birthdays until I joined this group. True story.) I hope you have some relaxation planned for the weekend and not too much grading!

Thanks Kerri - I just remembered because she had her 18-month check up. She is practically perfect. I don't have school on Monday, so I'm looking forward to getting some reading in and getting caught up this weekend. I might try making some valentine sugar cookies, too. I also want to see "The Imitation Game."
We'll see how much of this I actually accomplish.

18 months is a great age. So busy!

It's interesting that the best discussion books are not always the best reading books. Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing looks interesting--looking forward to your review.

Yes, Rhonda, she is busy. But she is so sweet and fun.

It took our group a while to figure out that some books do not lend themselves to discussion. Now, though, we hardly ever choose a dud. There are books I don't care for, but they almost always lend themselves to discussion.

Well, it's due on Tuesday, so I hope to finish it this weekend. I've been so busy with school that it's hard to find time for sustained reading. And all of my classes will be starting novels in the next couple of weeks, so I'll have that reading on top of my own reading. I always read along with my students even when I've read the book before.

>38 BLBera: Practically perfect is good news. Are you going to let Scout help you decorate those sugar cookies? Sounds like a good thing to do with Grandma! Have fun. 💞

Hi Donna - We'll see about the Scout help with cookies. I think next year might be better, but I'm game. We'll give it a try.

Well, I have a lot of schoolwork, but am having a hard time staying focused. I think maybe I'll pack it in for today and try some reading. I'm reading Unfamiliar Fishes for my book club. I love Sarah Vowell -- she is very realistic about the "American Dream," while at the same time, very funny. At least I appreciate her humor.

A Vowell quote for the day from UF. Rudyard Kipling visited Teddy Roosevelt, who showed Kipling displays in the Smithsonian: "Kipling later wrote, 'I never got over the wonder of a people who, having extirpated the aboriginals of their continent more completely than any modern race had ever done, honestly believed that they were a godly little New England community setting examples to brutal mankind.'"

That is an example of what I love about Vowell; she asks us to be honest about ourselves.

>38 BLBera: I'd like to see The Imitation Game. My friend and I are hanging out tonight, so perhaps I'll suggest that. I really don't go to the movies that much anymore. It's a shame.

>42 BLBera: Great quote! Perhaps I'll check this one out.

Hey Kerri - TIG is one I would like to see, too. My daughter loves movies, and we used to go together quite a bit. Since she had the baby, not so much. So, while I don't mind going by myself, I tend to forget about it if I don't have someone urging me on.

I think you'd like Vowell.

"...am having a hard time staying focused" You too, huh?! It seems to me it was much easier being a book lover when we didn't have all these electronic devices around us to grab our attention.
I've not read anything by Vowell. Do you suggest a great book in which I can be introduced to her?
Hope you continue to enjoy your long weekend.

Hi Linda - It's mostly procrastination. When I get to an essay that is less than stellar, I'm easily distracted. Assassination Vacation might be a good intro to Vowell. But I've heard good things about THe Partly Cloudy Patriot, too. I'll be anxious to see what you think of her when you get to something.

I hope you, too, are enjoying the weekend. It's bitterly cold here, so a good time to stay inside and grade. :)

12. The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing
I loved this novel! It's the story of the Eapen family, resettled from India to Albuquerque. The novel travels back and forth in time from Amina and Akhil's childhood to the present day of the story, the late 1990s. Amina was born in the States, while Akhil was a toddler when the family moved, so the Eapen children are, in many ways, American.

The problem is that their mother would like to return to India, while their father, a neurosurgeon, is happy in the States. Their childhood is filled with quarrels and silences: "It took four hours for Kamala to come home. Amina knew because she was awake, wondering if it was possible to lose both parents to the difficulties of living in America." Like Lahiri, Jacob portrays the difficulties of being an immigrant.

Great characters. The chapters after Akhil dies (we find this out fairly early) are especially good -- the portrait of a family dealing with the loss of a son and brother is quite beautiful. Highly recommended.

Next: I'll finish Unfamiliar Fishes for my book group and look for a new novel.

>47 BLBera: That sounds good!

Sounds very good, Beth! Great review.

>47 BLBera: Love Lahiri. Adding this to the wish list.

Rhonda - I really enjoyed it; great characters that I cared about, good writing.

Thanks Nancy.

Hi Charlotte: I think if you love Lahiri, you'll love this. I kept thinking of The Namesake as I read this -- except, Kamala and Thomas didn't get along during much of their marriage.

Hi Beth! I haven't heard of The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing, but it sounds like one I would like.

Enjoy your day off tomorrow! We have classes even though it's President's Day, but I'm going to take part of the day off on Friday to go to a show choir competition with Ben. Both the Middle School and the High School groups perform at this competition, so I get to see him twice.

Hi Beth, Nice new thread! The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing looks interesting - thanks for that. I haven't heard of it before now.

Happy half birthday to Scout!

Happy new thread!

Pulling up a chair - waving hello. :)

Hi Amy - I think anyone who likes character-centered stories, especially immigrant stories would like The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing.

Many schools do have class today; I'm going to enjoy not having to rush this morning, but I do have a boatload of grading to do.

Hi Joanne - Thanks for stopping. Scout was here for a while yesterday. She is fun.

Thanks Rachel.

Hi Jenn - Put your feet up and stay a while. :)

Reading Unfamiliar Fishes for my book club, which meets this Friday and the ebook I'm reading at the gym is Code Name Verity, really hard to put down, which is a good choice. I should finish it this week.

Oh, I loved Code Name Verity when I read it last year. Glad you're liking it too!

I really enjoyed Code Name Verity. It was great on audiobook.

Hi Laura - I know I heard a lot of good things about it here; it is even better than I expected. I love the letter format.

Hi Rhonda - I thought I remembered that you really liked it. Because it is so conversational, I can imagine it would work as an audiobook. It's certainly keeping me on the elliptical! I love finding a good ebook to read at the gym; it's really motivating for me.

>47 BLBera: That does sound good! I think it's on the wishlist already.

Hi Kerri - Enjoy your last day of vacation! I am enjoying my long weekend, even though I am at my second job right now. I'm counting the weeks (three after this one) until spring break.

I loved The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing - great characters, humor, good writing, lots to think about.

Hi Beth! Happy New Thread! Scout is 18 months old already?! I guess you've heard that there's a new Harper Lee book coming out with an adult Scout.

I'm glad you're enjoying Code Name Verity. I have an audiobook version that I look forward to listening to someday.

Hi Carrie - Yes, We've already preordered three copies... I'm trying not to get too excited about it because I doubt it will be as good as the orginal.

Yes, I'm even looking forward to going to the gym so I can read more. I see that it is identified as a young adult, but I don't see it. I'll be interested to hear your take on it.

I found you. I'm putting my star here, and will come back later to catch up on your year so far.

The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing sounds like my cup of tea. Onto the list it goes. Thanks for the review, Beth. :)

I was just going to ask what your second job is, but I think you've told more than once and now I remember. :-)

Thanks Colleen.

Hi Valerie - I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it when you get to it.

Hi Kerri - It's the world famous clinic gig?

13. Code Name Verity
Excellent historical fiction, this is the war story of two young women. One, Maddie, was a pilot, while the other, Julie, was a spy. Told in diary form, this shows the contributions that women made to the war effort and the dangers they faced. It is also the portrait of a friendship. This is hard to put down.

I had trouble sleeping last night, so I started reading Code Name Verity - probably not a good choice to lull me to sleep. Anyway, I finished it, so now I have to find another book to read at the gym.

Still reading Unfamiliar Fishes and will start a library book The Unquiet Dead, which was recommended on Book Riot.

Oooh, I've had Code Name Verity on my to borrow list for awhile. I should bump it up sooner. Are you planning on reading the other books in the series?

Hi Valerie - I didn't know this was a series. I'll have to check them out.

Woot! Code Name Verity sounds great, Beth! Book bullet here ...

I have Code Name Verity on my Kindle... Will get to it soon. Well, sooner rather than later anyway...

Gah Code Name Verity was cheap for Kindle a while back and I passed on it. Sounds like a good one Beth.

Hi Nancy - I really enjoyed it. It's nice to read WWII historical fiction with girls getting some of the action.

Katie - I read it on my ereader and it worked really well. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it.

Bonnie - Well, it will probably be cheap again. I think that's when I got it. I think you would enjoy it.

I didn't know it was one of a series...Just what I need, another series to follow. I may pass on that.

Hi Beth! I hope your week is going well. I listened to Code Name Verity and really enjoyed it.

I hope your next book is as successful!

Thanks Mark.

>68 BLBera: Nice comments on Code Name Verity. I've thought about getting this one on audio.

Code Verity sounds excellent! I've had my " eye " on it for a while -but you may have just shot me the final book bullet! Onto the wish list it goes!

Kerri: I think this would work well on audio. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it when you get to it; I was surprised by how much I liked it.

Hi Deborah - I'll be interested to hear what you think of it when you get to it.

14. Unfamiliar Fishes turned out to be a good choice for my book club. Generally people liked it although some members had an issue with the non chronological order. Everyone agreed that we knew little about Hawaiian history, so this was an eye opener. Each of us appreciated different aspects: one member liked the descriptions of research; I loved the discussion of language, especially the resurgence of Hawaiian, and several members commented on the impressive literacy rate for Hawaii -- 75 per cent only forty years after they acquired a written language!

Generally people appreciated Vowell's tone and liked that she adds her own ideas into her writing. All admired the amount of research she did. I like her sense of humor. I learned a lot and am now anxious to visit Hawaii, a place I have never been. I don't think I liked this one as much as The Word Shipmates, but it was certainly worth reading, especially to those interested in Hawaii.

Next: The Unquiet Dead -- I've read more nonfiction than fiction this month so far! Very uncharacteristic.

15.The Unquiet Dead begins with an epigram: "Let justice be done lest the world perish," and the novel explores the idea of justice. Essa Khattak and Rachel Getty are detectives assigned to look into a death of a Christopher Drayton, which was originally called accidental. But, they soon discover that Drayton, was in fact a war criminal, responsible for the massacre in Srebrenica. As the investigation unfolds, Khattak, a Muslim, begins to ask whether justice has been done already. Getty, too young to remember the fighting in Bosnia learns stories that she knows will never leave her.

Each chapter opens with excerpts of testimony from survivors. As the story progresses, we start to ask ourselves about the concept of justice -- lots of questions are woven into this narrative. Very compelling -- a good, thought provoking story.

This was especially timely for me. I have a student from Bosnia right now. In his class we are reading What Is the What, and he has shared some of his story. It's important to listen to these stories in the hopes that we will intervene before something like this happens again.

This was pretty intense, so I think I need something light. Well, off to school work. I'll decide later what to pick up next.

Beth, both Unfamiliar Fishes and The Unquiet Dead sound excellent. It's wonderful when a book turns out to be so timely! Good on your Bosnian student that he feels able to share some of his story.

Happy weekend Beth! I have the audio of Code Name Verity and I'm just waiting for the right time to listen to it. I hear nothing but good things about this book.

I wish Unfamiliar Fishes had been available back when I was doing my 50 states challenge. I had trouble finding a good book for Hawaii. The one I ended up reading had a bad mystery plot, but I did learn a lot about Hawaii from it.

>81 BLBera: This sounds good! For Bosnia stuff, have you read Safe Area Gorazde : the War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-95? It's a wildly fantastic graphic memoir.

Hi Nancy - Yes, I've had some good reading lately. I'm happy that my student feels he can share.

Hi Carrie - I'll be anxious to hear what you think of Code Name Verity when you get to it. I haven't heard negative things about it either. I learned a lot about Hawaii from the Vowell book.

Hey Kerri - I think you would like The Unquiet Dead; she even has footnotes for the quotes she uses. I LOVED Safe Area Gorazde -- and I think I read it because you were raving about it. Thanks.

Well, back to grading. I haven't decided what to read next, but I'm reading Nine Lives on my Nook at the gym. This is my first Rubens and so far, it is excellent. I think I'll be looking for more by her.

I had a visit from my little Scout this afternoon. We are all convinced she is a prodigy. My daughter showed me a video she'd done of Scout reading. She was sitting in her rocking chair, holding a big picture book and making the sounds of the animals. How cute is that. And "book' is one of her new words. A prodigy... :)

A prodigy, indeed, Beth! TOO cute!

Thanks Nancy.

Of course she's a prodigy Beth. I have one too LOL. Donna has several. Isn't it wonderful? How did we get so lucky? I wish I could see the video but I remember you were asked not to post anything so I will be happy with the image you've placed in my head:-)

>86 BLBera: Sounds brilliant. You must be proud! :)

>86 BLBera: I think if you ask my mom, you'll discover that Charlie is a prodigy, too (honestly, you could ask me and get the same answer). Ha!

I confirm that indeed, she is a prodigy. ;)

I have seven grandchildren, and even though they aren't babies any more, they are all prodigies in their own way. :-)

Two read very early, two are artistic, two are creative in other ways, and the youngest is a clown and knows he's funny at the age of six.

You can tell, I love being a grandmother! We should all feel that our children are prodigies, right?!?

This is why advertisers use little kids to sell things; people love them.

Bonnie - Of course little Mia is a prodigy, too! To put another image in your head, little Scout's expression when she drops something, "Oh Gosh." My daughter even quit Facebook; they just do not want their baby's images on the Internet. Her husband is a police officer, so he sees some pretty awful things.

Hi Rachel - "Brilliant" is a perfect description. :)

Amber - I can tell from your posts that Charlie is a prodigy -- he obviously takes after his mother.

Thanks, Valerie. I think you might have a couple also.

Colleen - Being a grandmother is the best. I only have one so far, but there's still hope.

>81 BLBera: You are so right about needing to listen to and honor people's stories. A good friend of mine is married to a man from Bosnia (she actually met him while she was volunteering in a refugee camp over there) and to listen to Amir's stories of life both before and after the civil war is a privilege for me. I gave him my ER copy of The Cellist of Sarajevo before it came out and he really liked it. It sparked a lot of discussion of what the Siege of Sarajevo as he experienced it.

I love that we have so many child prodigies in our LT family! How could they not be, with all the reading that gets done here?

I don't worry about posting grandkid pictures here on LT. I trust my fellow readers…and the creeps on the internet don't seem to read much. Ha! I suppose there is always a danger in this day and age. I find it depressing to read the local newspaper. Child abuse is rampant in this area. Either that or it sells newspapers. Ugh.

>68 BLBera: I liked knowing what Code Name Verify is about. Thanks for that review, Beth. It sounds like my kind of book.

Hi Julia - That's one thing I love about teaching; I get to hear remarkable stories. In the class with my Bosnian student, I also have immigrants from Albania and Somalia. What Is the What is resonating with them. I just read The Unquiet Dead, a novel but centered on the genocide in Bosnia. You might like it.

Hi Donna - I wasn't worried about posting pics here, but since my daughter asked me not to, I feel like I have to honor that. She did let me leave the ones I already posted.

I think you would like Code Name Verity; I was surprised at how much I liked it.

>80 BLBera: I got my copy of Unfamiliar Fishes from Book Depository and will take it to Kauai with me. This trip to Oregon has been a bit intense -- a good and time-consuming two-day workshop, and staying with friends whom I haven't seen in about four years. They have an 8-year-old son and an almost-six-year-old daughter and I have barely read at all because we've been talking, I've been playing with the kids and their *wonderful* Griffon-Lab mix dog (named Fenway).

>81 BLBera: That one sounds intense and excellent. And I can see that you would need something light to follow it!

I also recommend Safe Area Gorazde. And I have been wanting to read The Cellist of Sarajevo for a long time.
Oh, and What is the What was one of my favorite reads of (I think) 2011!

I loved Code Name Verity and the audio is very good!

I am cautious about posting family pics on LT. I don't think that there is much risk to it, but I figure that my family should get to pick their own risks. Also, I realized that if someone wanted to find me through this site, it would probably be pretty easy to do. Boring, but easy.

Ellen - I read Safe Area Gorazde last year, I think after yours or Kerri's recommendations. It was wonderful. I think you might like The Unquiet Dead, too.

My students are getting into What Is the What; a colleague and I were talking about books that have worked, and WITW has been great for both of us.

Another class just started The Round House, and I couldn't believe how enthusiastic they were. I have given up trying to guess what will work.

Next fall, a colleague and I are going to try Station Eleven.

I look forward to your comments on Unfamiliar Fishes' I learned a lot, and now I want to visit Hawaii. I found the names a little daunting. Enjoy your break and relax -- and don't worry about LT. It's supposed to be fun, right? When I get behind, I just wait until people start new threads. :)

Hi Rhonda - I haven't heard too much negative about Code Name Verity. I didn't know it was part of a series.

I don't think there is much risk regarding photos, but I have to respect my daughter's wishes.

Well, I should probably do some work this afternoon.

First, though, I'll vent. Yesterday in one of my classes, we were starting to discuss a story. It was soon apparent that many had not done the reading. I invited the people who hadn't done the reading to leave. Two students remained. Now I have to start quizzing. ARRGH! Seriously, this is college. I have to nag about homework?
Rant over. Thankfully, I don't meet with this group until Tuesday, so I will be much calmer (with quiz in hand, of course).

EEk! Only two in the class had done the reading? That's awful. Not only lazy, but so disrespectful of your time. I am such a nerd, but I LOVED professors like you who made all the slackers pay (*evil chuckle). My genetics professor was like that. One time, we had a quiz populated with green speckled monsters mating with 6-horned dragons that was basically a way to weed out all those who hadn't done the basic review. Because I had done the reading, I was able to giggle my way through, but some of my classmates really sweated through that test.

Regarding child prodigies, Scout saying "book" is the best. :)

Oh wow! I thought you were talking about high schoolers and then you stated it was college students. 1st years maybe? That is sad indeed that only 2 thought they had to do the work...... Hopefully your quizzes will kick some of them in the you know where! ;)

I wish I were surprised that so many had not read the material. SO disappointing and frustrating as an instructor!

"I have given up trying to guess what will work." It made me smile to read this. I guess one can think of the latitude that gives you to try new things! I love my own job but I often wonder if I would enjoy being an English prof. It is certainly the path not taken. That, and owning a bookstore with a couple of cats wandering around saying hello to the customers. :-)

Happy Friday, Beth! I also highly recommend Safe Area Gorazde. It is terrific. Sadly, I have not yet read What Is the What. What??

And Go Station Eleven!!

Beth, how absolutely frustrating that only two students had done the class reading. I agree: it's college! Nagging is not your job. Quizzing all the time is a pain, but it works.

Thanks for the recommendation of The Unquiet Dead, Beth. I'll look for that one at the library.

I love LT - I just got home and find everyone is aghast at those lazy students. Vindication!

Hi Jenn - Yes, they will pay (evil chuckle); the only problem is that quizzing is such a drag to grade. Yes, Scout has new words every time I see her. She is so much fun. Her other grandma has been in Mexico for a couple of months, and she will be amazed at how much she has grown up in that time.

Sadly, Valerie, I am talking about college students. Most are first year. I need to do some planning this weekend and get ready for lots of quizzes. Thankfully, only two weeks until spring break.

Ellen - There's still time -- you could go back to school and get a degree in English. It would be fun. Owning a bookstore is also a dream of mine, even though I would suck at the business part of it.

Hi Mark - You will love What Is the What. You should read it right away.

Hi Nancy - Yes, quizzing is a giant pain.

Julia, I'll be anxious to hear what you think of The Unquiet Dead; I think she might be starting a series. This was good, but it would stand alone. Why is everything a series anymore?

Thanks for the visits! This thread has been quiet of late. I've mostly been reading stuff for school. I need to decide what I'm going to pick up next, so I'm off to do some therapeutic shelf gazing.

How disappointing to have such unmotivated students. In my ideal world, everyone would do what they're supposed to do when they're supposed to do it without any nagging.

I had an algebra teacher in high school who found a creative way to deal with a handful of students who habitually talked during class. One day in the middle of class, he stopped talking and walked through the room placing a pop quiz upside down on each desk. We could tell he was mad because usually he handed tests and quizzes to the person at the front of each row to pass back through the row. When all the quizzes were distributed, he told us to turn them over and get started. Most of us had just two questions on our papers: What is 2 + 2? and What is my name? The four talkers had a much harder quiz, and when they asked how the rest of us were able to finish ours so quickly, the teacher told them it was because we paid attention in class!

Great story, Carrie. Actually, I sat with the two who read the assignment and went over a writing assignment that they'll have in great detail.

16. Nine Lives is a fascinating novel told from three points of view: Donald Dorricks, who is in prison for murdering a slew of people; his wife Verry; and James Wilkins, the police inspector who's trying to catch Derricks.

Rubens somehow makes this story suspenseful -- even though we know from the first page that Donald is in prison for murder. This is quite a compelling portrait of three people who are intimately involved, yet know very little about each other. As Verry says, "He's innocent. And I ought to know. I lived with him all those years. I would have noticed something, something not quite right." Well, she didn't, which makes this all the creepier.

I will definitely look for more by Rubens.

I love "therapeutic shelf gazing"!

I think Rubens won the Booker back in the 70s Beth but I've never read any of her work. Nine Lives sounds good.

Unfortunately, responsibility in college students is no longer a given. I have a niece who has squandered away three years in college and is down to taking one online course in her last semester of her Junior year. I'm sure next year is out of the question and she'll just put in her time at Panera Bread where she has a part time job. No explanation because she was a good high school student; not outstanding but we never would have guessed this outcome.

Yes, Katie, it IS therapeutic, very calming. I actually picked up Maus to reread. My students are reading an excerpt, so I wanted to refresh my memory.

Hi Bonnie - Too bad about your niece. I guess I have to focus on the students who are serious and hope the others see the light eventually. I wasn't familiar with Rubens; I picked up Nine Lives when it was on sale. I'll look for more by her. I think others around here have read stuff by her, too.

17. Maus Enough has been written about this; it is a graphic memoir that set the bar for all others. Speigelman captures his father's voice perfectly. Strangely, I've never read the second; I'll have to pick it up while this is fresh.

For my classes I'm reading The Round House and What Is the What.

In defense of college students, I think that it's just very hard to be a young person these days. There is so much stress and anxiety put on them, and a kind of worry about the future, that is way worse than when I was young. I think for a lot of kiddos the weight of all this is disabling, and that makes it hard to focus on school.

And then, don't get me started on funding for education.

But I should add, if I were teaching and only two students did the reading, I'd be TOTALLY frustrated!

Beth, how frustrating about your students. How big was the class if only two were left?! One of my friends in NZ is a lecturer at a university there and has similar frustrations, although mostly with cheating. She can't believe that so many students rip stuff straight off the internet and don't even *try* and disguise it in any way. Then, when she gives them a failing grade, they turn up in her office and cry.

Rhonda - You are absolutely right. Even in the past 15 years, I've seen students have more outside responsibilities. Many work way too many hours as well as going to school full time. College is way too expensive. But, on the other hand, if I were paying for it, I would definitely want to get my money's worth. And usually the nontraditional students are more committed than the ones right out of college.

Susan - Yes, it's disappointing. I expected more from them. I get cheaters once in a while. And I am always tempted to put up a sign in my office saying there's no crying in English class.

18. First Frost a light book that fit my mood. It is Garden Spells twenty years later. It was OK, not great, and Garden Spells is still my favorite.

>118 BLBera: I couldn't agree with you more about the over-pricing of college and the stress that's put on students to make money to pay for their school while they're studying as well. On top of that, it seems like a college education are these days "required" for jobs that shouldn't require them. Like working at Barnes and Noble. Why should everyone either be a student or have a college education to make $9 selling books? So youths these days pretty much are forced to overpay for college when the jobs they get might not ever be enough to pay back those loans.

Sorry. Off the soapbox now.

Hi Rachel - Thanks for your comments. I didn't know that Barnes & Noble required a college degree. They should pay more, then.

Nine Lives sounds interesting, Beth! Going to check my library. :)

ETA: I'm finally getting around to hopefully reading Garden Spells this month. It has been slotted in. Now I just need the time to do it!

Thanks for mentioning The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing- it arrived at my library yesterday and I am loving it so far. Very Jhumpa Lahiri, so I'm very happy!

Hi Valerie - Garden Spells was my favorite Allen. I will be interested to hear what you think of it.

Hi Charlotte - I'm so glad you love The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing; it also reminded me of Lahiri.

I'll be interested to see what you think of The Round House - that one is on my to-read shelf right now!

Hi Kristin-Leigh - Thanks for stopping by. The Round House is a reread for me, but since Erdrich is one of my favorite writers, it's still a treat. And what is better, and surprising, my students also seem to be loving it.

>115 banjo123: As someone who works in the care of college students, I have to say that I agree with this assessment. I think college students are more anxious and under much greater pressure than we used to be. Actually, though, I might say that most of us are under more pressure than was once the case. I don't know if this is true and I know there is a certain amount of privilege inherent in my saying this, but I do think we have created a culture of anxiety that is unfortunate. Everything is fast and everything is urgent.

I sound like an old person. Sigh.

I'm glad your students appear to be enjoying The Round House, Beth. I like Erdrich a lot. I want to reread the trilogy that includes Tracks. Love Medicine is the first in the series, I think, and probably the best-known but I remember liking Tracks best.

Oh, and I would be lousy at the business end of owing a bookstore, too. Maybe I could get the cats to take care of that end of things. Ha. :-)

Ellen! Tracks is my favorite Erdrich although The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse is a close second.

I hear what you say about stress. Recently I heard an expert on mindfulness talk about saying no. We don't do it enough, I guess.

I had a sad encounter with a student who had missed a lot of class. Her parents kicked her out of the house because she couldn't make rent. How sad.

And you don' t sound old. I hope you are relaxing in Hawaii.

I have only read two books by Louise Erdrich (The Round House being one of them) and I think she's terrific. I'm going to look for those books that you and Ellen mentioned in >127 EBT1002: and >128 BLBera:.

Oh Julia, you are in for a treat. I think her early work is the best, but I'm working my way through rereading ones I've only read once. I've read Tracks about 20 times, and I still love it each time I come back to it.

And I still wish you had a thread.

Hmm, I haven't read anything by Louise Erdich. That needs to change!

Beth, I wish you a lovely weekend.

I will also be reading The Round House this year for the A.A.C.

Have a lovely weekend, Beth.

I haven't read anything by Erdich for years, so I don't remember her writing very well. I was thinking of doing The ROund House for the AAC. Do you think Love Medicine would be better? That would be a reread, but I don't remember a bit of it.

Nancy! You will love Erdrich.

Thanks Barbara. Thanks for stopping by.

Hi Paul: I'll watch for your comments on The Round House

Hi Rhonda: I've read Love Medicine a few times and I think it is a good reread, especially if you don't remember much. Then you could go on to read Tracks and others with the same characters. The Round House is very good, but I think her earlier work: Love Medicine, Tracks, are better.

Beth, thanks for contributions to the BlackHole. I added at least 3 (possibly more, I lost track!)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hi Stasia - How are you? I'm happy to add to the BlackHole!

Hi Beth, Love Medicine has always been my favorite Erdrich and I've read just about all of her books except her short stories. The Last Report on the Miracle at Little Horse was a close second.

Okay, this seals it. I read Love Medicine, The Beet Queen, and Tracks years ago and I'm hereby adding them all to my Book Depository shopping cart. :-)
I want to reread them and have them in my library.

I'm also adding The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, which I've not yet read.

Hi Beth! Oh dear, I fell so far behind. Going back to your last thread: I'm so glad you liked Knucklehead. And you got me with Ghettoside. Wow. Great review. From this thread: you got me with Unfamiliar Fishes and especially The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing. And I loved Code Name Verity! One of my favorite books from a couple of years ago.

Love your Scout stories! So precious. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hi Bonnie - There are a couple of Erdrich books I haven't read. Most of the ones I have read, I've read more than once. I think her earlier work is her best, but I am enjoying my second read of The Round House.

Hi Ellen - You will LOVE The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse. I haven't read Tales of Burning Love or The Painted Drum. I read The Antelope Wife when it first came out, but I just read in an interview that Erdrich rewrote it, so there is a new version. I will look for that, too. I also want to reread The Bingo Palace because that's one of her early books I've only read once.

Hi Anne - I have gotten so many good ideas for Scout from your thread. My son-in-law is one of four brothers; I'm going to get him a copy of Knucklehead. I think he would enjoy it.

19. The Round House is a reread for me. My students like the novel, so it has been fun to teach. It centers on a violent rape on a reservation and highlights the difficulties prosecuting such rapes. The narrator, the thirteen-year-old son of the victim, shows how the crime impacts the family. With the single narrator and pretty straightforward timeline, this novel is more accessible to the mainstream reader than some of Erdrich's novels. But I still prefer her earlier work. Still, this is an excellent novel.

Next: I'm continuing with a library book set in 17th century Swedish Lapland, Wolf Winter. I'm also continuing with What Is the What in another class. One more week and I will be on spring break. I hope to get a lot of reading done.

Are you liking What is the What?

Ellen - What Is the What is a reread for me, also, but yes, I love it. I have some Sudanese students, as well as other refugees, so they tend to get very involved in the book, which makes it fun to teach.

Longlist for 2015 Orange Prize
Baileys women’s prize for fiction longlist 2015

Outline by Rachel Cusk (Faber and Faber) – British – 8th novel

Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans (Doubleday) – British – 4th novel

Aren’t We Sisters? by Patricia Ferguson (Penguin) – British – 8th novel

I Am China by Xiaolu Guo (Chatto & Windus) – Chinese/ British – 6th novel

Dear Thief by Samantha Harvey (Jonathan Cape) – British - 3rd novel

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey (Viking) – British – 1st novel

Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel (Picado) – Canadian – 4th novel

The Offering by Grace McCleen (Sceptre) – British – 3rd novel

The Country of Ice Cream Star by Sandra Newman (Chatto & Windus) – British/American – 3rd novel

The Girl Who Was Saturday Night by Heather O’Neill (Quercus) – Canadian – 2nd novel

The Bees by Laline Paull (Fourth Estate) – British - 1st novel

The Table of Less Valued Knights by Marie Phillips (Jonathan Cape) – British – 2nd Novel

The Walk Home by Rachel Seiffert (Virago) – British – 3rd novel

A God in Every Stone by Kamila Shamsie (Bloomsbury) – Pakistani/British – 6th novel

How to be Both by Ali Smith (Hamish Hamilton) - British – 6th novel

The Shore by Sara Taylor (William Heinemann) – American – 1st novel

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler (Chatto & Windus) – American – 20th novel

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters (Virago) – British – 6th novel

After Before by Jemma Wayne (Legend Press) – British – 1st novel

The Life of a Banana by PP Wong (Legend Press) – British – 1st novel

I've only read Station Eleven, and there are quite a few writers new to me, so I am off to explore. What a lot of good reading ahead.

Yikes, I got very far behind here. Loved reading about Scout's reading! That sounds adorable.

Glad to see you liked Unfamiliar Fishes. I love Sarah Vowell. And Hawaii. I like to recommend Isabella Bird's Six Months in the Sandwich islands to anyone traveling there.

I'm embarrassed to say I have read none of the books on the Bailey's Long List, although I own The Paying Guests, A Spool of Blue Thread, Station Eleven and Elizabeth is Missing. I'd better get cracking!

I stopped by to say that I finally finished Refuge and to thank you for recommending it. She's a wonderful writer and my copy has a lot of little sticky flags attached to it marking passages I wanted to keep handy.

>145 BLBera: I've read four from the list, which is quite nice: as you say, lots of good reading ahead. I loved The Walk Home and How to be Both so I've got my fingers crossed they make the shortlist.
(Whether I feel the same once I've read more of the others, I'm not sure!)

>145 BLBera: Thanks for the list, Beth! I've only read A Spool of Blue Thread so far, but I find myself reading more fiction this year than last year, so I'll definitely look out for some of these (or, probably, wait to see what the LT view is first!)

Beth, The Round House is one that hitting my list, thanks to your review. Which of Erdich's older novels would you recommend also hits my list?

>145 BLBera: Thanks for posting! I have read Station Eleven, which I though was very good, and The Paying Guests, which was a slog. Some of the others look really good!

After reading your description of The Round House, I may get it for my daughter. I am always trying to get her to read more, and she's developed a big interest in criminal justice.

I also thank you for posting the Bailey's Long List, Beth. I have Station Eleven on my shelves, and Paying Guests on my wishlist but know very little about many of others listed. I am also going off to explore these books further. :)

I love all the book chatter over here. Hi, Beth! I think your touchstones for Wolf Winter is incorrect, if you are referring to the new one, that just came out. I snagged a copy at ALA and hope to squeeze it in soon.

I would also like to read/listen to A Spool of Blue Thread.

20. Wolf Winter is set in 18th century Swedish Lapland. When on of the few settlers on this isolated area is found dead, it is soon apparent that he was murdered. Sweden has been at war for a long time; this people in this isolated area want no part of the war. The church plays a big part in the lives of people, while old superstitions still live in the isolated areas. Witches are still burned, and the Lapps are regarded with suspicion.

Ekbäck has written a very good historical novel with lots of period detail. Her descriptions of the long winter nights and the cold are especially good. This is a place I had never read about, and I enjoyed my journey.

Hi Joanne - Yes, I am behind on my own thread, to say nothing of others. I caught a stomach bug that was going around and it floored me. I am hoping for some new threads to start, so I can start anew.

I will look for the Bird memoir; I enjoyed learning about Hawaii, and I would like to visit.

I'm so glad you liked Refuge; I think Williams writes beautifully. Yay! A recommendation that worked out.

Charlotte: I have only read Station Eleven but was pleased to find a few others in my library, so I will work my way through the list. Generally, this is the prize with books I tend to like.

Hi Susan: I think I'm number 35 on the list for A Spool of Blue Thread at my library, but oh well. It's not like I don't have anything to read. And I did just get the notice that four reserves are waiting for me. Did I mention that it's a law that they all come in at once?

Hi Nancy - Of Erdrich's older work, you might want to start with Love Medicine. My favorite is Tracks, but I think that one is easier if you read Love Medicine first -- which is also wonderful.

Hi Rhonda - If your daughter is interested in criminal justice and likes nonfiction, I highly recommend Ghettoside. Of course, The Round House is also great and highlights the problems surrounding the prosecution of rape on reservations. There's also a bigger issue of deciding when justice is served...

Hi Judy - I looked up the books and wrote little descriptions, too. I wasn't familiar with quite a few of the authors.

Hi Mark - Thanks for stopping by. Thanks also for pointing out the wrong touchstone for Wolf Winter; I don't always pay attention to those.

Well, I'm officially on spring break. My book club meets next week, so I have to start What I Loved and I also have a pile of library books. I think I'm going to give The Mime Order a try next.

Sorry to hear you were ill, Beth! Hope you are right as rain (what does *that* mean?) now and can enjoy your spring break!

Now, I'm definitely look forward to reading Round House later this year for one of the challenges.
Looking forward to seeing the Orange shortlist and seeing who makes it. You are right. Lots of good reading ahead! :)

ETA: We just came out on the other side of a stomach bug and hopefully yours is over and done with soon. Feel better soon!

Thanks Katie - It was brutal. I am feeling better -- good enough to disinfect all my bathrooms and do laundry! I'm hoping I get caught up on grading during spring break and also that I get some reading in. It's been slow lately.

Hi Valerie - My daughter and Scout had it first, but it's been going around, so I easily could have caught it at school. You have my sympathy; I can't imagine little kids' having this. I hadn't felt that miserable in a long time. I hope yours is gone, too.

Did I mention that it's a law that they all come in at once? ALWAYS! Bonnie was just relating the same experience on her thread, and it happens to me too.

I know - the librarians must have a secret code or something. Have a good weekend, Nancy.

>145 BLBera: I've read Station Eleven, How to be both, and The Paying Guests. I'm excite to see the first two on that list.

Hi Beth! Are you watching Serena's return to Indian Wells?

I also have a handful of books waiting on hold at the library. I agree about the law thing. I'm going to put A Spool of Blue Thread on hold now.

eta: I just put it on hold. I'm number 443 in line. They have 85 copies. Whew.

Hi Beth! Wolf Winter sounds interesting. It might be a good summer read. I've had too much snow this winter to want to read about it any time soon!

The Master Butchers Singing Club is on my list for next month for Mark's AAC. It will be my second Erdrich. I read The Plague of Doves a few years ago.

Hi Ellen - Indian Wells! Is it that time of year already? I must check out tennis this weekend. I've reserved a couple of the Orange books from my library and have a couple on my shelves. I want to read How to Be Both soon and A God in Every Stone is also calling to me. I'm 35 on the list for A Spool of Blue Thread.

I'm just starting my spring break, but I have a lot of grading to do, so I am starting right away, in hopes to work my way through my piles. I'd also like to do some cleaning.

Hi Carrie - I liked Wolf Winter a lot; it was about a time and place that I don't know anything about. Your Erdrich reading will only get better. The Plague of Doves is one of my least favorite of her novels.

I started What I Loved and I think I will like it. I will be interested to discuss it with my book club.

Stopping in to say hi! I'm so glad that you enjoyed Wolf Winter. I had heard about it, so I put a purchase order into my library. They have purchased it - now I will be first in line once they process it - which often seems to take 3 4 weeks.

As for the Bailey's/ Orange list, I've only read Elizabeth is Missing. I have had my hold in for A Blue Spool of Thread but who knows when I will get it. I ordered and received Aren't We Sisters? and I am hoping it will be a good read. Some I am not that interested in, others don't seem to be available as yet.

Hi Deborah - Thanks for stopping by. I'll be watching for your comments when you get to Wolf Winter. I'm anxious to get started on the Orange list, too.

I've got a bunch of the Orange list on reserve at the library. Here's hoping they don't all come at once. :)

Good luck with that Jenn! It will be interesting to compare notes on the selections; so many are new-to-me authors.

21. A Dangerous Talent by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins is a light, enjoyable read. It's a little formulaic. The story centers on protagonist Alix London, who's trying to find a foothold in the art world -- a difficult task after her father's forgery conviction. The action starts when Alix is asked to authenticate a Georgia O'Keefe painting. This is a whodunit, not a character study. Plot is fast faced if a bit predictable. Still, it was an enjoyable couple of hours.

On to What I Loved

Beth, it's good to hear you're feeling better for Spring Break. I hope your marking doesn't spoil it. I had to mark a quiz I set for a work experience student last week (aged 15, from a local school). I found a red pen and ticked and crossed as appropriate (explaining wrong answers) but then I wondered whether I was supposed to put "Excellent" at the top or something - I'm not sure what kids expect these days. He's spent a week being completely terrified to the point of being virtually unable to speak, so I hope his second week is better. We're not *that* scary, and his supervisor is even quite young. But still a grown-up to a 15-year-old, I suppose!

Thanks Susan. I try to point out very specific things that I think someone does well. Like: "Nice use of metaphor," or "well thought out argument." I think the specific comments have more impact, and I like to encourage things that are being done well. Fifteen is pretty young. Yikes. Is this a program through school?

>167 BLBera: You've reminded me that I've been intending to try the Alix London series. Art-themed mysteries are one of my favorite brain candies.

Good luck with the grading, Beth. Hopefully you can knock them out fast and enjoy the rest of your Spring break. :)

Hi Carrie - I'll be watching to see what you think of them. I wasn't overly impressed. Have you read the Iain Pears series? I really liked those.

Hi Valerie - Thanks. I will just be happy to catch up. I'd like to get some cleaning in, too.

A God in Every Stone came in today, so I guess I'll start there. I'll let you know what I think. :)

>169 BLBera: Beth, yes, it's a mentoring programme with a local school. Despite being Europe's second-biggest financial centre, Canary Wharf is in the middle of a very deprived area, so most of the big firms have a community affairs programme that includes involvement with schools, to try and raise aspirations and encourage bright kids to go on to University. It often involves work experience for a week or two so they can see what working in a professional enviroment is like. He did the quiz amazingly quickly, so he has good research skills at least!

Morning Beth! I hope you had a nice weekend. I am looking forward to Wolf Winter. I better move up in the stacks. I also have What I Loved on my To-Read list. I have still not read her.

Hi Jenn - I want to read A God in Every Stone soon, too. We can compare notes!

Susan - It sounds like a great program. I love mentoring. When I can reach a student -- that is what makes teaching rewarding. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's special.

Hey Mark - I love Hustvedt and am enjoying What I Loved. It reminds me quite a bit of The Blazing World; it's set in the same world, the Manhattan art scene, just a male artist this time. I'll comment more when I finish. I am really anxious to see what my book club will think of this one. I suspect we'll have a lively conversation.

Happy spring break to you, Beth. We are on break this week, too, and so far at least the office has been dead quiet. Lovely.

Thanks Julia. And the weather is improving, too. I started grading some essays this morning. I never get as much done as I hope to, but at least I got started.

Happy spring break! And hooray for nicer weather.

Thanks Rhonda. The temps are back down today, but I guess I can't complain about the 40s in March.

Hi Beth. Oh I want to read A God in Every Stone too. Good luck grading the essays and have a great Spring break:-)

Thanks Bonnie. I'm almost done with What I Loved and then plan to pick up A God in Every Stone.

Oh, Beth, I;m glad you're feeling better for your spring break. Ours is next week, and we're so, so ready!

I enjoyed your comments on Wolf Winter -- looks intriguing!

oh I want to read A God in Every Stone too. Just not this week, I think. Look forward to comments here.

I just put A God in Every Stone on hold at the library. I'm number 8 in the queue for one of seven copies so I should get it pretty soon!

Hi Anne - As always, spring break is passing by quickly. I do like historical novels set in places I know little about. Wolf Winter is very atmospheric.

Hi Charlotte - I just finished my book club book, so I am ready to start A God in Every Stone.

Hi Ellen - Hey! A mini group read. I'm going to start today. I have high hopes; usually that means I will be disappointed.

22. What I Loved is, at heart, the story of a life. Leo Hertzberg, an art historian, narrates. Yet, the first word that comes to mind to describe this novel is dense. Hustvedt's novel encompasses a life filled with images and ideas. Bill Wechsler's art is fully described; in fact the invented body of work reminds me of A.S. Byatt's creation of the poetry in Possession. Besides the art world, Leo's wife Erica is a specialist in Henry James, while her friend Violet studies hysteria, so besides images, we are exposed to ideas, many of them related to perception.

One downfall is perhaps the fact that there is so MUCH here. Yet I enjoyed thinking about perception, about seeing. As Matt says, "...I got the weird idea about how all those different people see what they see just a little different from everybody else." That seems to me a great quote with which to start a discussion. Just as in art, people perceive books differently. I look forward to my book club discussion.

The setting reminded me a great deal of The Blazing World, yet I felt more emotionally connected to What I Loved.

Next: A God in Every Stone.

>187 BLBera: I enjoyed The Summer Without Men and this is sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. I really should, based on your review (thank you). I also want to read The Shaking Woman but have so far done nothing about this either!

Hi Charlotte - Hustvedt is one of my favorite writers; I loved The Summer without Men; it may be my favorite one. I can't wait to see what the others in my group think of it; I predict it will be a mixed reaction.

Hi Beth, I've finally found some time to visit threads. I saw that our local library has got a copy of Wolf Winter so there is another BB to go :-). I wish you a lovely weekend.

Nice review of What I Loved. It sounds good.

Hi Barbara. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of Wolf Winter.

Hi Rhonda - Hustvedt is one of my favorites. My book club also liked it, which surprised me a little.

23. And the Birds Rained Down is the story of an unnamed photographer's search for survivors of the Great Fires of the Plains in the beginning of the Twentieth Century. She comes across two nonagenarians in the forest and becomes involved in their stories. This is a quirky, original little novel about the right to choose how one lives in old age.

I read this one on my Nook at the gym. Now back to A God in Every Stone

I decided to bail on my Richard Ford effort (Mark's American Author Challenge) and I'm starting A God in Every Stone this evening. However, we're watching some women's basketball so I can't really concentrate on reading right now. I can't recall whether you have read other works by her? I notice that Burnt Shadows was a finalist for the Orange Prize (for what it's worth).

We're on spring break for the next week. I still have to work (the joys of being a professional staff member rather than faculty) but it will be a bit quieter. I plan to go in a bit late at least a couple of days this week. That means early morning runs, which are good for my well-being.

Hi Ellen - Yes! We can read A God in Every Stone together. I haven't read other work by her, but I am really liking this one so far.

I just finished spring break. I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped, but it was relaxing not to have to get up and go to class every morning. Enjoy yours.

>194 EBT1002: Oh thank goodness, someone else. I fell asleep to Canada every time I started listening, so returned the audio to the library (I was very glad I didn't buy it).

Thanks for taking one for the team with Canada, Charlotte and Ellen. I own a copy, but I'll move it to the very bottom of the pile. Life is too short and there are too many good books out there.

>196 charl08: and >197 BLBera: It was actually The Sportswriter on which I gave up. Lucy (sybix) had some interesting things to say about the trilogy for which The Sportswriter is the start. She said that the third, Lay of the Land in the trilogy is a knock-your-socks-off work and that she then went back and read The Sportswriter and Independence Day and they really held together and made sense. This violates all my compulsive "rules" about reading things "in order," but I admit that I'm tempted.

As an alternative, I ordered Wildlife from Amazon as it's very short and got a few good reviews from LTers. I do want to try to be a "purist" for the AAC as well as the BAC. Did I mention that I have a compulsive streak?

And I'm quite enjoying A God in Every Stone so far!

Well, I think I won't rush to read any of them; I like books that can stand alone. Go, Ellen! You are keeping up with the challenges and are already one-fourth of the way through the year.

I'm hoping to get some reading done tonight when I'm finished with my homework.

Beth, I don't know how I could have missed out on a whole thread, but I did. My loss.
I'm glad that you're well over the stomach virus; we've been happily without so far. I try to be particular so that I don't pass crud on to my little mother, but I suspect that hand-washing and staying out of doctors' offices is about the best I can do.
Long ago you said, "I have given up trying to guess what will work." True! True! True! The longer I taught, the less I understood about how kids learn. I'm sure that you have many slackers in college. We HS teachers certainly passed them on to you.
I have a copy of Independence Day because I was able to pick it up at PBS. I hope that it will be good when I get to it.
Now I'll try to keep up!!!!!

You bailed on the AAC? What?? Hey, life is too short, my friend. If something is not cutting it, move on. I don't always take that advice but I completely agree with it.

Beth, I am really enjoying A God in Every Stone. I stayed up a bit too late last night, doing the "just one more section" thing.
I love when a book makes me do that. :-)

Hi Peggy - I would never blame high school teachers for students' levels. I could never do it -- dealing with parents, curriculum set in stone and immature students. Aargh! There's a reason I wanted to teach college.

Thanks for stopping by; I've been remiss in visiting threads lately.

Hi Mark - I pick and choose what I want to read from the challenges. I think it's great that you're doing it, though, even if I don't really participate.

Hi Ellen - I love A God in Every Stone so far, too. I wish I had more time to read it!

>203 BLBera: "I wish I had more time to read it!"
The story of our lives, really. Right?

Ford seems to be another hit and miss with people. I read Canada as well and thought it was okay. The writing was fine, but I couldn't understand the actions of the characters so I had a hard time connecting or empathizing with them. Happy readings to you, Beth!

>167 BLBera: I never read that particular series but I did read a few of Aaron's Chris Norgren series, which was also set in the art world. I wonder whether his enjoyment of that setting reflects a personal interest of his. His Gideon Oliver series is in forensic anthropology, which is what he studied, so that makes sense. Charlotte also has the series about the LPGA character...can't remember the name it's been so long.

>202 EBT1002: I have this waiting for me at the library, good to hear good things about it.

Ellen - Even as I finished typing it, I knew I was not saying anything new.

Hi Valerie - I hope all are now well at your house. I think I'll put Ford on the back burner. There are so many books by authors I love that I don't feel the need to rush out to try someone I'm not so sure I would like.

Hi Tad - I haven't read any of the Elkins' series, but I've heard good things about the Gideon Oliver series. This one was OK, but I probably won't remember it in a year from now, so I doubt I'll read more. I might try the Oliver series though.

Charlotte - I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it when you get to it. I hope it's not one you have to take back unread. :)

>208 BLBera: Me? Take them back unread? *looks shifty*

Issue at the moment is getting them off the shelf in the first place! Keen to read because of all the prize chatter.

Adding Wolf Winter and What I Loved to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendations, Beth! Oh, and by the way, count me in among the Louise Erdrich fans. She is one of my LT discoveries!

Charlotte - You are my hero! I often take back books unread. I figure I'm improving the library's numbers.

Hi Stasia - Thanks for stopping by. I'll look for your comments when the books emerge from the Black Hole.

Sweet Thursday, Beth! "I pick and choose what I want to read from the challenges." I think that is the perfect approach. In the end, reading should be fun and stress-free.

I do like both your picks for the AA & AAC.

Thanks Mark.

>198 EBT1002: I found Wildlife very readable. It was kind of inscrutable in some ways. I never really got what the motivations of the characters might be, but it wasn't a bad read. Also, very short.

Beth - How cool to use Station Eleven in your classes. It should make for some great discussion. There are so many things you can do with it, I think.

I am finally learning to take books back to the library unread. Sometimes because I've abandoned them, but also just because I realize I'm really not going to read them. Maybe it helps to have a TBR list online - I feel less worried that I will not remember I wanted to read something? Maybe? I don't know, but I'm figuring it out. Lol

Hi Jenn - I think Station Eleven will make for good discussions. I will let you know.

I have a little notebook in which I keep track of my wishlist. What often happens is that too many books I reserved come in at once, with no opportunity to renew, so I can't get to all of them.

I am SO glad it's Friday. Once I get home, I plan couch time with a book.

Happy Friday!! I hope you get lots of couch time. I am currently being a pain in my kids' ass, as I am making them do their homework. They have had all sping break to get it done. One has done a decent job and just needed little help with rewriting his final draft on a paper. The other, has been having too much fun and is basically grounded until she is caught up. Sigh. I hate being the heavy.

Always too many books come in at once. I just finished most of the first round, with only The Paying Guests left, and got a notice that two more have come in. I had to have a quiet talk with myself about how none of them had to be read before the end of the month, LOL.

Thanks for recommending Ghettoside: gripping reading.

>216 BLBera: This happens to me all the time, especially since I joined LT and my wish list expanded.

Happy Weekend, Beth!

Hi Kim - Isn't part of being a teen being a procrastinator? Good luck. I remember the feeling well.

Hi Jenn - I sometimes need to have that talk with myself, too, when I get a little compulsive with the library books.

You are very welcome, Charlotte. I'm glad you read it. It's a book many should read and discuss.

Hi Rhonda -- I'm into my third notebook for my wishlist now. If I go back to the first one, I can see how my tastes have changed; I no longer have any interest in many of those older entries.

Thanks Katie - Back at you!

I'm feeling pretty virtuous. After work, I went to the gym and came home to a healthy meal. As a reward, I get to spend the evening reading. I may also visit some threads.

Beth, I have three empty reserve slots and I am struggling not to add things to them :-)

I sometimes go through my online library wishlist and delete things that I'm no longer interested in - tastes definitely change!

Hi Beth, I wish you a wonderful weekend.

Hi Susan - I cross off things, too, as my tastes change. It's fun leafing through my notebooks, though.

Thanks Barbara - I wish we had some flowers around here!

24. A God in Every Stone is excellent historical fiction. It's set during a dynamic time in history with fictional characters who are vividly portrayed. Vivian Spencer is a young British woman at the outset of WWI. She is at an archeological dig in Turkey when the war starts. To recover from her job nursing the wounded, she travels to Peshawar, an area rich in history. There she meets two brothers, Qayyam and Najeeb Gul. Qayyam was in the Pathan company sent to fight in France. His experiences there changed his life forever. His younger brother Najeeb becomes Vivian's student, and immerses himself in the history of Peshawar. The novel ends in 1930, when Ghandi and his followers are starting the fight for independence.

Shamsie describes the setting beautifully and thoughtfully shows how colonizers become isolated from those they rule. I really loved this book and will look for more by Shamsie.

Next: I'll dip into In Other Worlds again and finish a book I've been reading on my Nook, Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter.

>226 BLBera: Looking forward to starting this, more so after your comments. Interesting mix of novels long listed for the B's prize this year, I think.

>226 BLBera: Beth, that one does look good! I loved Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter when I read it too.

>226 BLBera: Hi Beth! Broken Verses is on my TBR list. I'll have to add this one, too!

Charlotte - It does seem to be an interesting mix. I hope to get to a few others. I usually find some gems in this prize's longlist.

Hi Kerri.

Susan - Maybe I heard about Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter from you! I know someone here commented favorably, so when I was looking for something to read at the gym on my Nook, I checked it out. It was very good.

Hi Carrie - I'll definitely look for more Shamsie, too.

25. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter is a really good story about race in the South, life in small towns, and redemption. Larry Ott was always considered a little odd. In a small town in the South, where athletes were the elite, Larry loved to read and was not athletic. When a girl he took on a date disappears, he is the prime suspect. Even though no body is found, this event hangs over his head for the rest of his life.

Franklin does a great job with his characters, especially Larry, who prays every night that God will send him a friend. Thanks to Susan for recommending this.

Next: In Other Worlds and The Siege Winter, another historical novel.

Happy Sunday, Beth! Good review of A God in Every Stone. Sounds interesting. I also enjoyed Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. I've been meaning to read his last book, The Tilted World and I keep forgetting about it.

I was also a fan of Crooked Letter Crooked Letter. A God in Every Stone sounds good, too.

Have a great Sunday, Beth!

>232 BLBera: Sounds like my bag. Onto the wishlist it goes... (trying to be restrained with my reservations after friend pointed out today I could cover Amazon unlimited with the amount I'm paying monthly to the library! See how long it lasts...)

Beth, enticing reviews of both A God in Every Stone and Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. These both sound like my cuppa. The always-dilemma of so many books and so little time!

Beth, I went to the library web site to put A God in Every Stone on hold and was surprised to find it was available. It scared me off because I have too many library books due to come my way soon. I hope to read it next month and hope I can get it when I want it. There are so many good books I want to read.

I think your students are very lucky to have you guiding them through some good contemporary fiction. The Round House and What is the What are both excellent choices. Shame on those not doing their reading homework! When I took the Wharton class offered by a seasoned professor emeritus, he promised us a daily quiz. It was usually some sort of trivia that could be answered in a word or a phrase. Easy grading idea!

Hi Mark - I hope you're having a relaxing day. Sorry I couldn't make it to the meet up. I will definitely look for more by Franklin.

Hi Katie - I know I heard a lot of good things about Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter -- maybe it's your fault. :)

Hi Charlotte - I think you would like Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. It was hard to say too much about it without being a spoiler, but there was certainly a lot to think about, and the characters were very well done. Do you have to pay to reserve at your library?

Hi Nancy - I think you would like both of the books. I hear you! I need to retire.

Hi Donna - I know what you mean; I think I have eight library books at home right now, and I have the feeling I'm going to have to return some unread. Thanks -- I don't know that my students feel lucky. I just think that there is so much good contemporary fiction that they are unfamiliar with and that is more likely to appeal to them. But, I am never quite sure what will be a hit and what will miss. Oh well.

>235 charl08: It's only a small fee, but it adds up! Have thought of suggesting to the library that they offer a subscription option!

Wow, Charlotte, I am happy our library only charges overdue fees.

In Other Worlds is a combination memoir and literary criticism. In the first two chapters, Atwood talks about her early fascination with SF, while also discussing possible origins for some of the common motifs: disguise, flying, costumes. She is learned but unpretentious. In the first chapter, she talks about the time when she was six or seven. At that age, her "juvenilia" centered, she says, around her "superheroes, who were flying rabbits. Their names were Blue Bunny and White Bunny, and they were modeled upon two unimaginatively named real-life stuffed animals who did indeed go flying through the air, propelled by an age-old technology called 'throwing.'" I love her sense of humor.