Mark's Reading Place #10

Audiobook:



Graphic:


Books Read So Far...

February:

17) Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill 4 stars
18) A Trail Through Time (Chronicles of St Mary Book 4) by Jodi Taylor 4.2 stars (audio)
19) Euphoria by Lily King 4.5 stars (audio)
20) The Night Watch by Sarah Waters 4.2 stars BAC
21) Hard Magic (The Grimnoir Chronicles) by Larry Correia 3.8 stars (audio)
22) The Secret History of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore 4.5 stars (audio)
23) Washington Square by Henry James 4.2 stars AAC
24) Sabriel (The Old Kingdom) by Garth Nix 4 stars (audio)
25) Boneshaker (The Clockwork Century) by Cherie Priest 3.8 stars
26) The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins 4.2 stars (audio)
27) Sweetland by Michael Crummey 4.3 stars
28) The Sculptor by Scott McCloud 4.5 stars GN
29) Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh 4.4 stars BAC
30) The Here and Now by Ann Brashares 3.3 stars (audio)

March:

31) Get in Trouble: Stories by Kelly Link 4.4 stars
32) The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys 4.5 stars
33) Find Me by Laura van den Berg 3.6 stars
34) The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan 4.7 stars (audio/partial)
35) The Sportswriter by Richard Ford 3.7 stars (audio) AAC
36) Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier 4 stars BAC
37) The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez 4 stars (audio)
38) Mermaids in Paradise by Lydia Millet 4 stars
39) Tunneling to the Center of the Earth: Stories by Kevin Wilson 4.4 stars
40) Embassytown by China Mieville 3.7 stars (audio/partial) BAC
41) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel 4.6 stars (audio/print)
42) March: Book Two by John Lewis 4.5 stars (GN)

April:

43) Bring Up the Bodies (Wolf Hall, Book 2) by Hilary Mantel 4.5 stars (audio)
44) Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral by Mary Doria Russell 5 stars
45) The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich 4.2 stars (audio)
46) Stone Mattress: Nine Tales by Margaret Atwood 4.3 stars
47) Dead Wake by Erik Larson 4.7 stars (audio)
00) The First Bad Man by Miranda July DNF
48) The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black 4 stars
49) Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo 4 stars (audio)

American Author Challenge 2015

Carson McCullers- January
Henry James- February
Richard Ford- March
Louise Erdrich- April
Sinclair Lewis- May
Wallace Stegner- June
Ursula K. Le Guin - July
Larry McMurtry- August
Flannery O' Connor- September
Ray Bradbury- October
Barbara Kingsolver- November
E.L. Doctorow- December

**If you are interested in the American Author Challenge, check out the main thread:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/185195

Mark's Picks:

January - Carson McCullers - The Ballad of the Sad Cafe Completed
February - Henry James – Washington Square Completed
March - Richard Ford – The Sportswriter Completed
April - Louise Erdrich - The Plague of Doves Completed and possibly The Round House
May - Sinclair Lewis – Babbitt
June - Wallace Stegner - Beyond the Hundredth Meridian
July - Ursula K. Le Guin - The Dispossessed and possibly a re-read of A Wizard of Earthsea
August - Larry McMurtry – Pretty Boy Floyd and I would LOVE to do a reread of Lonesome Dove.
September - Flannery O' Connor - Everything That Rises Must Converge
October - Ray Bradbury - The Golden Apples of the Sun and possibly a second.
November - Barbara Kingsolver - Pigs in Heaven and possibly a NF choice
December - E.L. Doctorow – World's Fair?

I thought this would be a good idea, to keep track of what is coming up and to supply links when they are available.

March:

Richard Ford American Author Challenge: http://www.librarything.com/topic/188271

April:

Atwood April: http://www.librarything.com/topic/189477#
Louise Erdrich American Author Challenge: http://www.librarything.com/topic/189382#

May Murder & Mayhem:
Sinclair Lewis American Author Challenge:

Is it okay to post? Congrats on the new thread, Mark! I'm sensing that you liked Epitaph. After reading lots of detective novels, I'm able to pick up on subtle clues.

Did you happen to see that NCAA finals game last night? Exciting!

Hope it's not too rainy out there today, buddy.

Enjoy your day of no employment commitments and freedom to read. One of our most precious traditions: do nothing much but read, today!

Happy new thread, Mark!

Morning, Mark! Happy new thread.

>5 jnwelch: My first visitor! Go, Joe! Go, Joe! Did not see the game. As you know, I don't watch much b'ball.

I am off today, so no worries about the rain. Smiles...

>6 maggie1944: Thanks, Karen. Might not get much reading in this morning, due to other commitments but the afternoon should be perfect.

>7 katiekrug: >8 Crazymamie: Thanks, Katie & Mamie! Hugs to you both.

Happy new thread and happy day off. A day of extended reading, perhaps? It's raining like the dickens over here too I'm content to be lazy today.
What!? not much b-ball?! It's a sport I was slow to catch on to but now that I have I'm hooked. Still don't understand what's a foul and what isn't but who cares!

Happy new thread, Mark. Enjoy your day off. I am back to work after 4 days off. Got to love that Easter Monday. Only 3 days to work this week I just hope I can make it through.

Swinging by the new thread to wish you a great day, Mark!

Congrats on your new shiny thread and Happy Day off work, Mark. I'm sure it's full of R&R.

>11 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! Good to see you. Yep, not much of a b'ball fan but I will watch the Bulls in the post season. I still have fond memories of the "Jordan" years.
And yes, I hope to spend a large chunk of the afternoon, with the books.

>12 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Glad to see you have a short week. Did you get plenty of R & R in?

>13 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori. Much appreciated.

>14 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. It is not quite noon here but I hope most of the afternoon, will be book related.

Happy New Thread!

Happy New Thread, Mark! And I love your thread topper, being an MDR and Doc Holliday fan myself.

To continue a topic from the last thread, I'm so glad I read (or at least started) Wolf Hall before viewing the first episode. I agree, it left a lot out, but it was wonderfully atmospheric and filled out some of the place descriptions that I tend to skip over when I'm racing through a book (which I do a lot when the book is compelling). I kind of look on the mini-series adaptation of a novel like a graphic novel adaptation: often great fun if you've already read the novel but like reading the CliffsNotes study guide in lieu of the novel if you haven't.

Happy new thread, Mark! Whizzing along with lot of good books. B.A.G. :)

"The beauty is an illusion, and also a warning: there's a dark side to beauty, as with poisonous butterflies."

- "Alphinland" Stone Mattress

>16 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda! Only one story into the Stone Mattress but I like it.

>17 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary! I agree with your thoughts on Wolf Hall. A television version is a different animal. Like The Game of Thrones series. Things have been altered and compacted but as long as there is the essence of the books and it is done with quality and care, I am in.

>18 jolerie: You are getting the hang of B.A.G., Valerie! LOL. Thanks, my friend.

44) Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral by Mary Doria Russell 5 stars

“Every Tombstone Needs an Epitaph”

“Hell is empty. All the devils are here.”

-Doc Holliday

October 26th, 1881. Tombstone, Arizona. The O.K. Corral. Thirty seconds. Thirty bullets. A mythological moment was born.
Everyone knows the story, of the three Earp brothers, teamed up with Doc Holliday, facing down the Clantons and the McLaurys. A bloody opera. An immortal dance.
This is a novel, but what Mary Doria Russell has done, is brought this mythical “Old West” episode, back down to earth and has fleshed out this story, giving vibrant life to these legendary characters. They are flawed, taciturn, murderous and courageous. Along with her previous novel, Doc, MDR has crafted two of the best books in the “Western” pantheon, setting the bar, at a daring height. She remains one of my favorite working writers.

I have read 4 books by MDR and 3 of them get 5 stars. That is quite an endorsement. So my crush on MDR continues...unabated

>20 msf59: I can hardly wait to get my paws on that one. I may have to buy it in hardback. I loved Doc and it sounds like she has done it again!

And you're listening to Dead Wake. A RL friend of mine said she is reading it and that it's truly wonderful.

How can there be so many wonderful books in the world? Do they not realize what they are doing to us?

I'm happily making my way through Love Medicine for the AAC. Erdrich is another whose work is so consistently wonderful.

Did I mention that I'll be at Powell's this Friday? I wonder how many books will hop into my shopping basket.

Hi Mark, hope you've enjoyed your day off. I've been on the go today but am home now and maybe can settle in for some reading. No Cubs game so I'll be able to watch the Blackhawks without guilt.

Hi Mark, Happy new thread. I must get to MDR one of these days. I hope you're having a GREAT day off.

The E.R. list looked pretty good. I requested Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson. I really enjoyed his first 2 books, especially The Shadow Divers. A perfect NNF!
Anyone else request anything good?

>21 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. Yes, Epitaph is a Must Read. MDR Rules!

I am listening to Dead Wake. I like Larson on audio. I've listened to a couple of his, in that format. Yah, for Erdrich and yah, for Powell's Books. You noticed the beer glass in the topper, right? Is this a Meet-Up?

>22 lindapanzo: I hope you've been enjoying your time off, Linda. I did not realize they cancelled the Cubbies game. I was going to watch some of it. How many more Hawks games are there?

>23 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. Do yourself a BIG favor and try MDR. You will thank me later.

Three regular season games left for the Hawks, all of them big. Minnesota Wild tonight and St Louis Blues on Thursday night. Both teams fighting for playoff positioning. Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Hawks could end up playing Nashville or St Louis (whichever of them comes in 2nd or 3rd in the division), or else one of the wild card teams, though that's not as likely because they'd need to win the division.

I'm reading a mystery and will probably pick up Epitaph next.

So, you liked Epitaph. Why am i not surprised? I was late to read Doc and it will be awhile before my name comes up at the library for Epitaph. This book downsizing is tough! I'm curious, Mark. Which MDR book did not get 5 stars? I guess I could check it out in your library. Feeling lazy tonight. Somebody left some Peeps here for me, and they make me lethargic! I should have a few chocolate eggs to pep me up.

>25 lindapanzo: Thanks for the Hawks, update, Linda! I will have to try and catch one or 2 of those games. Epitaph is a big book but it reads fast. I am sure you will love it.

>26 Donna828: Hi, Donna! The MDR book, that did not get 5 stars was Children of God, which I probably gave about 4. It was a good, solid read but did not have the impact, that The Sparrow did, IMHO.
I still want to read Thread of Grace, which I have on shelf. Have you read that one?

Sorry the Peeps made you lethargic. Isn't that all sugar? LOL.

Hi Mark, I'm 200 pages into Epitaph and hate putting it down.

Small voice - "Go Wild"

>20 msf59: great to see you have had a top reading experience lately! Aren't they great times...

Happy new thread and I hope you are enjoying the Atwood as much. I am thinking of starting on something my dad recommended to me (can't remember the title!!). When he left my place the other day, he left with 5 of my books that I insisted he at least try. The Border trilogy (All the Pretty Horses was the one I was most insistent about), Stranger in the Forest, and Orchid Fever. So I figure I had better walk the talk and read one he reckons I need to. So, to sum up. That is why I am not Atwood Apriling this time.

“I spent my life folded between the pages of books.
In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters. I lived love and loss through stories threaded in history; I experienced adolescence by association. My world is one interwoven web of words, stringing limb to limb, bone to sinew, thoughts and images all together. I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction.”

― Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me

Morning, Mark! And Happy New Thread!
>31 msf59: Love this quote.

Happy Hump Day! I am 2 stories into Stone Mattress. I love it so far and these appear to be linked, which is my favorite form of short fiction. I really enjoyed The Plague of Doves and next up on audio, is Dead Wake. The books just keep rolling along. B.A.G.

>28 Copperskye: Oh, that is great, Joanne. And Epitaph never slows down. Once again, MDR delivers.

>29 Oberon: LOL! The best part of the hockey season is coming up.

>30 LovingLit: These are great times, Megan. Books sure seem to make everything a bit brighter, don't they?

I am big fan of The Border Trilogy. I hope these books speak to you. I am really interested in Stranger in the Forest. That sounds like my cuppa.

Mark, I really need to find the time to read Doc and Epitaph back to back. A few years back we drove down to Tombstone from Scottsdale and saw all that is Tombstone including the cemetery where the brothers are buried. OK Corral offered a re-inactment which seem rather touristy but pretty cool anyway. Can't wait to read of MDR's take on the place and Doc Holliday is such an interesting character.

Happy Hump Day, Mark! Excelente review of Epitaph. With you and Ellen and others raving, I need to get to Doc and this one.

I'm enjoying The Round House, and I'm a ways into Mystery Society, which is a fun one.

Hope goes well for you today. We're on that roller coaster - supposedly 40s today and 70s tomorrow.

>33 msf59: I completely agree. It seems like many sports the playoffs are a foregone conclusion but hockey all bets are off.

Thumb on your review of Epitaph. I know you love your cowboys, Lone Ranger. I was just thinking that since you enjoy the tv program Call The Midwives, you might want to read Aren't We Sisters? because there are midwives in that book. It might be the very best book you have ever read. Just sayin....

Good morning!! Speaking of Epitaph--you are going to be the death of me!! Stop reading all these great books--I cannot keep up!! : )

Chilly and gloomy but I am staying dry. Larson pulled me in immediately with Dead Wake. Yessssssss!

>34 Carmenere: I hope you can book horn in both those MDR books. I am not over-warbling on those.
I wish I would visited Tombstone, when we visited the area, about 10 years ago.

>35 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I hope you can find time to read Doc. I can't imagine you being anything but gaga over that one. Glad you are enjoying the Erdrich and the GN.

>36 Oberon: Good to see you, Eric. Let's hope for a riveting playoff season.

>37 vancouverdeb: Funny, the Cow Boys are the bad guys in this story. Thanks for the book rec. Always appreciated.

>38 Berly: I do not see an end to the flood of potentially good books, I have lined up. So, sorry on that one, Kimmers. Here's a HUG!

I'm at the Erik Larson talk. Quite a big crowd for a daytime event.

Oh that is a perfect quote! Love it! I hope you are having a great Wednesday my friend. I'm off to fulfill my chauffeur duties and then hopefully will get some quiet time in the afternoon with my lovely books. :)

Wishing you a great day, Mark.

Hi Mark! Glad you had the day off yesterday - too bad you don't have today off too! :)

"The smoke from ships and the exhalations of the river left a haze that blurred the world and made the big liner seem even bigger, less the product of human endeavor than an escarpment rising from the plain."

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

^Nothing but good reports: calm seas, clear skies and one Happy Camper! Larson is at the top of his game here.

>40 lindapanzo: How very cool, Linda. You are at the Larson author talk and I am deeply immersed in Dead Wake. I will have to stop by your thread and see if you have any info.

>41 jolerie: Have you heard of Tahereh Mafi? I love that quote too, Valerie but I had never heard of her before.

>42 Ameise1: I am big fan of bears and I love a panda. Thanks, Barb. Raising my paw...

>43 LauraBrook: Hi, Laura! Work wasn't bad. A bit cool and gloomy. Warms way up tomorrow but strong storms will also be around. Yikes.

Hmm, I might consider listening to Dead Wake after I finish with The Martian. As you know, it takes me about 4 or 5 months to listen to any audiobook.

I have Shatter Me on my radar to borrow from the library but I'm impressed at the calibre of her writing based on that little snippet and especially because it's a YA book?!?

Ahhh it is nice and sunny here today! Warm too! But in a couple of days, we'll have rain again. Glad you are enjoying Stone Mattress. Someone has to! ;)

Glad you're enjoying Dead Wake, Mark! It's a good 'un!

>33 msf59: I am big fan of The Border Trilogy. I hope these books speak to you
They sure did, I hope they speak to my dad as well. I reckon I am on the money with that though. When I described All the Pretty Horses to him, he reckoned it sounded like Lonesome Dove, do you concur? I have yet to get to that one.

Oh, and I remembered what the book that I am (about to start) reading is....Industry of Souls. I am bound to get to that one this evening. Bound to.....*fingers crossed I don't veg instead*

>46 EBT1002: Dead Wake is narrated by Scott Brick. He is an audio veteran and doing a good job.

>47 jolerie: I may have to track Mafi down myself, Valerie. That book looks well received.

>48 vancouverdeb: I want it to be warm & sunny, Tonto! It will get warm here tomorrow but storms arrive too. Do you just dislike Atwood? Hmmmmm?

>49 katiekrug: Hi, Katie! This has the potential to be my second favorite Larson book, behind The Devil, of course.

>50 LovingLit: I sure hope you can squeeze in Lonesome Dove this year, Megan. McMurtry is on the AAC in August. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge...

Not familiar with Industry of Souls or that author.

^August huh? I'll put it in my diary....in pencil though, just in case I see the book and freak out about how long it is ;)

It is a Major Chunkster, Megan but it reads like a fine whiskey: smooth and lovely.

I finished reading Rebecca tonight and will start on a Longmire book later this week.

Did you read that Martin is going to make some big changes in the story line of the TV show so that the show and the books will be two different stories? That would make life interesting for readers.

I have been singing the praises of Call the Midwife at work and we then got into a discussion about how men don't like this show and won't watch it. One of the guys said it was a girlie girl show. When I asked him why he thought that he said because it has the word midwife in the title. So I wonder why you watch it - had have for several years.

Like Ellen I sometimes wonder why there are so many good books published and how I can ever find the time to read them.

I've got Dead Wake on the WL but am thinking of moving it up to the TTBR pile based on all the great reviews.

If I could have one superpower, I think I'd choose the power to read more than one book at a time.

^It looks like a stormy day ahead. It will hit the low 70s but hopefully, I won't ruin it by wearing my rain gear all day. This is tornado weather, folks.

If I do happen to be scooped up by a funnel cloud I hope I get set down in a Land of Books & Beer. No work, San Diego temps. Smiles dreamily...

>54 benitastrnad: You know I like "Girlie Shows", Benita. LOL. Obviously, that is ridiculous. I am sure the same people say that about DA too. Honestly, I don't talk about those shows with my guy friends, either. They are too busy watching Shark Week, I guess.

Which Longmire, are you reading? Hey, that's a manly show.

>55 Storeetllr: No question, Mary, we NEED more book time. I am sure you will love Dead Wake.

Morning, Dorothy, uh, I mean Mark! Best of luck with that Books-and-Beer-nato! Ha!

You can call me, Dot, if you like. LOL. I love the "Books-and-Beer-nato!"!

Morning, Mark!

>59 msf59: B.A.G. Ha!

Morning, Mark! Woo, a deluge out there so far. I'm supposedly flying out to North Carolina today. We'll see.

Nothing much to report on the book front, except I'm enjoying Mystery Society. It's a bit of a distracting time, so I've been immersed in another mystery (they almost always hold my attention), an Eve Dallas one. I'm taking The Round House on the trip, but I'm not sure I'll have the needed focus.

Hope you don't get too wet today, and that you get swept into the land of Books-and-Beer if the wind goes crazy.

I found that I have The Round House on one of my many TBR shelves. I pulled it down even though I have several books started already, already! I will crack it open today and see if it pulls me in and makes me abandon some of the others. Happy Thursday!

Well, it just started raining, after a brief respite. I am still hoping the heaviest stuff happens when I am done with the route. Fingers crossed.

>62 jnwelch: Hope you get okay, Joe. What time is your flight? Glad you are enjoying the Erdrich.

>60 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie!

>63 maggie1944: I'll be watching for your reaction to The Round House, Karen. I have that one lined up for later in the month.

Sending you dry feet wishes, Mark!

Wishing you dry, Mark. And that any tornadoes (except maybe the ones with Books & Beer on offer) stay far away from you.

It's been a while so forgive me catching up on stuff from your previous thread.

I also have Going Clear on my To Read list but we went ahead and watched the HBO documentary anyway. Yes - very creepy. Our discussion about it pretty much came down to Hubbard was a total wacko but Miscavige is evil.

My current reads are all quite good - on audio I'm in Wyoming with Walt Longimre and As the Crow Flies

My non-fiction is The monopolists : obsession, fury, and the scandal behind the world's favorite board game. Having grown up with the 'story' of Charles Darrow inventing the game it's interesting to learn more about it's history.

For fiction I decided I needed some Quinn Colson in my life. I love Ace Atkins work and The Broken Places has been on my shelf way too long.

Tonight I'll be picking up a stack of Graphic Novel holds at the library (including March Book Two} - yay!!

We enjoyed the first episode of Wolf Hall - The Hubster hasn't read the book but knows the history well. We've had a couple of moments of "who is that?" but figured it out.

Good to see you're enjoying Dead Wake I got that one in print. Scott Brick is an excellent narrator.

Hope you stayed dry today, Mark. It was (and still is) nasty out.

I've started my Louise Erdrich and am liking it so far.

>67 SuziQoregon: I picked up The Monopolists from the library, too, and hope to get to this one. As I understand it, much of the information came to light in the Anti-Monopoly lawsuit. I used to play that game, too, as a kid. Looks interesting, though contrary to what I've heard over the years about the history of Monopoly.

>69 msf59: :-D

There is a tornado warning until 11pm but the sun was shining, just a little while ago but the second wave of storms is on it's way. At least, I am at home, warm & dry.

>65 EBT1002: >66 Storeetllr: Thanks, Ellen & Mary. The dry wishes worked. I only walked in the rain for about an hour. Not bad.

>67 SuziQoregon: Hi, Juli! I LOVE a long, catchin' up post! I want to listen to Going Clear. I have a extra Audible credit. I may use it for this. And yah, for Longmire. I may squeeze in one for M & M.
I did read The Lost Ones, the 2nd Colson book. I liked it but did not continue the series. Hooray, for a GN stack at the library and enjoying Wolf Hall.

The Monopolists sounds really good. Is it in print or audio?

>68 lindapanzo: I did get a bit wet around mid-day but for the most part I stayed fairly dry. Whew! I am really enjoying Dead Wake. Getting close to the torpedo strike...

Glad you are enjoying your reads, Mark and that AAC is going well. So far, not a fan of Erdich, but maybe some day! :) I was at the library yesterday and wow , that book that you DNF, The Bees by Laline Paull is sure sitting gathering dust at both of the local libraries I have been at lately. I read a couple of pages and that was enough for me. I put a hold on El Deafo so I hope to get to that fairly soon .

>57 msf59: ha ha, is Shark Week a real programme??

>64 msf59: hope you don't get rained on too much...it is raining here now too, and we have just had a truck load of firewood dlivered too. Doesn't matter though as I am off to a book sale ts afternoon/evening!

Hi Mark, I am awestruck at the great books you have been reading lately. I can't wait until I get my hands on Epitaph and Dead Wake. Luckily I have already read The Plague of Doves. I did recently pick up both All the Light We Cannot See and Station Eleven so both of those are in my reading future. I arrived home with two stuffed bags of books and found that the mailman has also been leaving packages for me, my shelves are stuffed!

Just wanted to say Hi! : )

Dude, We Live in Water... Not halfway thru and I absolutely love these stories. They seem like they are normal slice of life stories and then they pivot about 12% off center that make them exponentially better.

Okay, gushing over. Thanks!

Morning, Mark! It looks like Illinois had an interesting day yesterday, with multiple tornadoes - are you and yours safe and sound?

^Tornadoes touched down in several places in Illinois last night, leaving death and destruction. Fortunately it was all west and north of where we live. My heart goes out to all these people.

>72 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! At least you read a few pages of that dusty copy of the Bees, before sealing the deal. LOL. Looking forward to your thoughts on El Deafo.

>73 LovingLit: Shark programs are very popular, here in the states, especially among Republicans. LOL.

We needed the rain and we sure got a bucket or 2. What did you get at the booksale?

>74 DeltaQueen50: Judy made it! Judy made it! Great to see you, my friend. Look forward to your thoughts on All the Light & Station Eleven.

>75 Berly: Waves & Hugs to Kimmers!!

>76 mahsdad: Hey, Jeff. I am so glad you are enjoying We Live in Water. It is a terrific collection. I hope it leads you to reading more Walter. Beautiful Ruins is my favorite but his crime novels are solid too.

>77 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Yes, safe & sound here. Thanks. It was pretty blustery through the night but I don't think there is much wind damage in our area. Whew!

Good to hear that you and yours are okay, but yes, I agree that it's sad about those who were caught in the path.

I am not sure how many people died, I've heard varying accounts. I hope it is very low. Talk about turning your world on end?

We were on pins and needles as the tornadoes were aiming this way. The big one may have been on the ground for 90 minutes, but it dissipated thankfully.

Some miraculous events like all the people in the leveled restaurant surviving the storm.

Today looks calmer. I think we're going out to dinner after work then seeing Woman in Gold.

Wow! Spring blustery weather and big blows. I am glad you and yours were bypassed. Hope your Friday is excellent!

I needed some fluffy reading so I picked up The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House from Audible; it is a fun book to listen to while getting ready to sleep.

Oh that is so scary. Glad to hear that you are ok, but sad to hear about all the other people affected. Stay safe, my friend!

A different picture today: blue skies, sunny, a bit cool with a breeze. Not bad at all, after a tumultuous night.

I am reading the penultimate story in the Stone Mattress and the torpedo is about to be launched in Dead Wake...

>83 lindapanzo: I could not believe how many places those tornados touched down yesterday. The corridor between Dekalb and Rockford, looked like the main target. Yikes.
Enjoy your evening, Linda.

>84 maggie1944: Morning, Karen. Springtime storms can be very scary, in this part of the country.
Enjoy your fluffy book.

>85 jolerie: Thanks, Valerie. I think there was only one fatality, which was amazing considering the damage that was done. It is frightening.

Sorry to hear about the tornados :/ Hope you are all okay - and tbh that everyone is.

oh no, Tornados. You ok?My sister lived in Oklahoma for a number of years and witnessed many occurrances, some of which were downright scary.

Thinking of you, missing the ability to read all the posts, but glad I can now sit at the computer for longer periods of time.

All the best to you my friend!

OK, you got me. Went and bought a copy of Doc yesterday; started reading it last night. Wish I could have stayed home from work today just to keep going with it. (Put aside The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, which I was enjoying, but for which I simply do not have the necessary time and concentration available right now.)

Glad to hear the casualties were low in that crazy weather. I was catching up on your thread while on the bus. Strange to go from stories of freaky weather to a view of Hastings Street in the DTES!

So glad you're safe, Mark. I hate tornadoes; they're as scary and destructive as earthquakes.

>89 laytonwoman3rd: Last Report on the Miracles! I was trying to remember which Erdrich I tried a few years back and couldn't finish, and that was the one. Not surprised you are enjoying Doc more. :) It's so good! (Though it could have just been my mood at the time that made me not want to read the Erdrich.)

Hi Mark! Glad that the tornado skipped you, and that you have good weather for the day. I am enjoying Epitaph, but not as much as you did. It's a fun read, but not as good as Doc

^Nothing like 2 packages waiting for me, when I get home. B.A.G. The Book of Speculation & The Tight-Rope Walkers. I've heard good things about both of these new books and I remember Skellig, from my kid's school reading days. I remember liking it but I don't remember much about it.

Has anyone heard anything about these titles or the authors?

ETA: The Book of Speculation does not come out until June. Sorry, Charlies!!

>87 BekkaJo: Thanks Bekka, for your concern. Much appreciated.

>88 Whisper1: Great to see you, Linda. Happy to hear you are getting more computer time in. Yes, tornadoes can be scary in the Midwest. It seems to hit more open places and fortunately I live in a more densely populated area. Whew! Although, one did touch down less than I mile from where I live, a couple years ago, so you never know.

>89 laytonwoman3rd: That is great news, Linda! Go Doc! Go Doc! Have you read Russell before?

>90 Familyhistorian: Happy Friday, Meg. I think there was just one fatality from last night's tornadoes. Of course, it is terrible that even one person died, but the damage that was done, it is miraculous that more weren't killed.

>91 Storeetllr: Happy Friday, Mary! Unfortunately, tornadoes are much more frequent that earthquakes. And they seem to be increasing in number. Of course there is no such thing as climate change, (rolls eyes) so it must just be a crazy coincidence.

>92 banjo123: Howdy, Rhonda! How far into Epitaph are you? You never know, it could change course. LOL. I am glad you are, at least, enjoying it.

>94 msf59: I am on page 124 of Epitaph--at the girl's night out.

The funny thing for me and MDR, is that I HATED The Sparrow. I didn't even finish it. Something about the topic was just like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. But for some reason, I picked up Doc shortly after it came out, and loved it.

So, all I can really say is that my book taste can be idiosyncratic.

>93 msf59: - Haven't heard of either of those, Mark, so I'll look forward to your thoughts. I'm sure given your lack of options, you can fit them right in - ha!

>95 banjo123: I loved the " girl's night out" sequence, with Doc at the helm. You still have a LONG way to go, my friend. I do not think I've ever heard of anyone hating the Sparrow but if that subject matter leaves you cold or indifferent, I could see it not working.

>96 katiekrug: LOL, KAK! Funny, I was just scanning the Must Read Now Shelf, along with the "new" books I received in the past few months and it is like, WOW, how do I bookhorn these in?
If I receive ARCS, from ALA or wherever, I do feel a duty to try and read them, in a timely matter but that sure ain't easy, my friend.

Mark, I could really imagine you enjoying And No Birds Sang . You should see my copy - pages bent, passages underlined, it was a powerful book!Only 237 pages - try to book horn it in! :)

>97 msf59: Well, maybe I should try The Sparrow again, since everyone else in the world likes it.... But I am going to wait on that until my TBR pile is a little smaller.

I know I am bit of a killjoy at times but I feel compelled to say it - Tornadoes do NOT target anybody or anything. They simply are. I lived in Kansas for 36 years and NEVER saw a tornado. I have seen lots of wind damage and been out in some great storms, but I never saw a whirly tail. Out in the Plains they are fairly rare. What people think are tornadoes generally aren't.

If tornadoes are more frequent nowadays I would place my bets on climate change being the cause. What I really believe is more frequent are so-called weathermen in the TV's whose job it is to get better ratings, interrupting regular broadcasting and to make it sound as if a tornation was right outside your front door.

That doesn't mean I don't think that weather should be given on TV. I just think that people need to look at the weather maps and learn where they are in relation to the danger.

>89 laytonwoman3rd: Epitaph is as compulsively readable as Doc.

Hi Mark! Terrible storms out your way. I fear it will be a long tornado season. Glad you're safe!

Have a great weekend!

Glad to hear you made it through the tornadoes. I absolutely hate tornado season. I grew up in an area that had quite a few. They tended to miss our town but would hit all around us. We were kind of between a couple of bigger "hills" which seemed to keep us from getting hit. They would hit one hill and then bounce to the other. I do remember seeing one as it passed by once. It was still a little high to hit our town although it clipped one church steeple. The rain was swirling as it passed by. It was a bit scary!

>98 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! I will see if my library system has And No Birds Sang. And you know I love those shorties!

>99 banjo123: "But I am going to wait on that until my TBR pile is a little smaller." Will that ever be possible, Rhonda. LOL. I can't imagine mine ever subsiding.

>100 benitastrnad: Benita is a killjoy! Benita is a killjoy! How was your week, my friend. Any plans for the weekend?

>101 Copperskye: " Epitaph is as compulsively readable as Doc." Amen, my friend. And yes, tornado season seems to get more and more intense.

>102 thornton37814: Hi, Lori! That is a scary tornado story. Fortunately i have not seen one yet and let's hope that continues.

>93 msf59: I'm a fan of David Almond. He sets most of his books in the area around Newcastle on Tyne where he lives. The last one I read was Clay which I really enjoyed. I haven't seen The Tightrope walkers but will add it to my tbr list. I've got The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean sitting around here somewhere.
Skellig was adapted into quite a good movie starring Tim Roth.

Happy Saturday! I am working but it looks like a pleasant day. Sunny, low 60s. I finished and enjoyed Stone Mattress. Ms. Atwood still has the chops. I should finish up Dead Wake, which has been terrific. Larson delivers, once again.

>104 avatiakh: Good to see you, Kerry and thanks for chiming in on Almond. I did not know Skellig was turned into a film. I will have to check it out.

Hope the weather treats you well out and about - I loved Stone Mattress - I seem to be having a good year with short stories.

Hi Mark, I wish you a fabulous weekend.

Happy Saturday, Mark! I'm glad that those fierce storms didn't cause any damage in your immediate area.

Hi Mark! I'm so glad you all were safe. I was glued to the TV myself, wondering if those storms were going to have the oomph to make it up to me, but thankfully, the storm hit a wall of cold air and dissipated. Phew! Now to head over to Linda's and make sure she's okay. (Seeing as she just played me on Trivia Crack I'm thinking that's the case.)

Happy Saturday to you!

Happy weekend Mark! Good to hear you and your neighbors are safe and sound!

>106 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. It is going to be a very nice day here. Lots of sunshine.

>107 Ameise1: Thanks for the spring color, Barb. Always nice.

>108 kidzdoc: Yes, the storms were bad, Darryl but did get the rain we needed.

>109 LauraBrook: Happy Saturday, Laura. Yeah, that tornado was heading in your direction. Yikes. Glad it pettered out.

>110 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel. Good to see you!

Howdy Mark!

Hi Mark,

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

I still have horrible memories of huddling in the closet with my two cats (who truly did NOT want to be in there with me!) during tornado warnings. I was so terrified of them (the tornadoes, not the cats). It's odd. Growing up in Florida, which I believe is the state that gets the most tornadoes, I did not even think about them. But living on the plains of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, they were definitely part of the consciousness. I'm glad you are safe.

I've never heard of either The Book of Speculation or The Tightrope Walkers.

I resisted purchasing Epitaph yesterday. I ended up purchasing mostly used soft cover books.

What a perfect, early spring day. Low 60s, bountiful sunshine. Now, it is time to celebrate with a refreshment or 2...or...

>112 luvamystery65: Happy Saturday, Ro! Hugs to my pal!

>113 connie53: Happy Weekend, Connie! Good to see you. Are you doing a puzzle?

>114 EBT1002: I did not realize Florida had the most tornadoes. Are you sure? Did you have a few beers at lunch? LOL. I think you will want to OWN Epitaph. It will look perfect, on shelf, next to Doc.

Oh yeah, Sidekick is one good beverage. That citrus-y element works for me.

Happy Weekend, buddy! Hope all is well. Beautiful day today. We're off for our last Bulls regular season game tonight. Let the playoffs begin! We've got the whole team back, including Derrick. This could be a lot of fun.

>79 msf59: I got ten books, Mark. And i was very leased with them too. One of them is a gift but the rest are mine, all mine!
Tornadoes are something we thankfully never have to deal with. We do have a cold snap coming though so are busy stacking the firewood in the car port. I have done my hour so have come in for a coffee now ;)

^It looks like it is going to be a nice day in the Midwest. This will be a blend of chores, food shopping, outdoor work and I will squeeze in any R & R, I can.

I finished Dead Wake. Once again, Mr. Larson delivered the goods. I hope to draw up a review later. I just started the Darkest Part of the Forest. It is YA fantasy and my first Holly Black. I know she is very popular but I do not see her mentioned as much an LT.
On audio, I started the First Bad Man, which is dark, unsettling & quirky.

>117 jnwelch: Happy Sunday, Joe! Yes, we like our Sidekick. It is a good refreshing brew. Nice Bulls win! Glad they finished the regular season with a W.

>118 LovingLit: Congrats on the book haul, Megan. Hope you got that firewood stacked.

Have a great Sunday, Mark!

Happy Sunday, Mark!

>120 kidzdoc: >121 scaifea: Thanks, Darryl & Amber. I hope you both have a great day.

Like Ellen, I hav eheard that Florida technically has the most tornadoes of any state. I think, though, that they are smaller, shorter-lived, and less destructive than what we usually think about.

Anyway, glad you liked Dead Wake, Mark! Such a good book. Happy Sunday!

"Darlene, once a loving mother to her young son, Eddie, is devastated by her husband's death. In a fog of grief, she turns to drugs, quickly forming an addiction. One day she disappears without a trace.

Unbeknownst to Eddie, Darlene has been lured away with false promises of a good job. A shady company named Delicious Foods shuttles her to a remote farm, where she is held captive and forced to perform hard labor.

Delicious Foods tells the gripping story of three unforgettable characters: a mother, her son, and the drug whose irreverent and mischievous voice narrates Darlene's travails. This compassionate story about the unbreakable bond between mother and son wrestles with timeless questions of love and freedom, forgiveness and redemption, tenacity and the will to survive."

^ I've been hearing some good reports on Delicious Foods and I just snagged it on audio. Unfortunately, my audio stacks have become more chaotic than my print book TBR Peak. It is pure craziness...and I love every second of it.

Has anyone heard anything about this one?

>123 katiekrug: Happy Sunday, Katie! Thanks for the Florida tornado info. I still find it surprising. It must have more to do with weather patterns than landscape.

@RBeffa Ron has brought to my attention that Ivan Doig passed away last week. First Haruf, and now Doig...not good for us American lit-lovers.

Hope you have a great Sunday, Mark. Here it was like early summer and I had an early bike ride which was fantastic.

>126 laytonwoman3rd: Sorry, to hear about Doig. I think I have only read one of his but have several others in the stacks. I better get crackin'!!

>127 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. It is very nice here too. I would also like to get a bike ride in but I don't know if I have the energy to get the bikes "ready". LOL.

#128
I might have a chance to catch-up on my Doig reading. I have several on my bookshelves and have some on my wish list.

>116 msf59:. No puzzles Mark. Just reading a lot. The weather is so nice and I rather spend my time reading in the garden then inside with my laptop.

But I still visit a couple of threads every day, so no worries. I'm really doing very fine!

^Geraldine Brooks has a new book coming out in October, The Secret Chord. It is a novel about the life of King David. I know there are many Brooks fans among us, so this should be welcoming news.

>131 msf59: ooh! Thanks for the heads up, Mark.

I"ve not heard anything at all about Delicious Foods, but it sounds interesting. Do let me know what you think of Hausfrau if and when you get to it. I've seen in the stores and the library , but reading that is about a frustrated housewife in Zurich drifts from bed to bed in this uncompromising page-turner about depression. I mean really, what about a book about frustrated stay at home dad who drifts from bed to bed. Just grow up, hausfrau. LOL! Mark, I"m a prude. But really, do let me know what think of it.

Really glad you enjoyed Louis Riel. The story of Louis Riel is kind of controversial. Chester Brown has him as a real hero, other people think he suffered with schizophrenia and was just plain old crazy and not a hero at all. I'm not really sure . I had heard about Louis Riel, but I never had learned much about him. But in Manitoba, they have a Louis Riel Day and I think it's a holiday. In BC , we have our own heroes, like maybe Captain Vancouver? I'm not even sure who our heroes are in BC. Maybe none? We worship our city.

^This is my current GN stack. As you can tell, I LOVE my library, and obviously I am a biblio-nut! I am reading the top one, Criminal Macabre. Thanks to Laura B for the rec.

>129 benitastrnad: I have only read English Creek by Ivan Doig. I am considering adding him to next year's AAC, in tribute to his passing.

>130 connie53: Glad you can spend time in your garden, Connie. I am sure it is nice to have such nice weather.

>132 lauralkeet: I am a big Brooks fan too, Laura. I plan on bookhorning in Caleb's Crossing, in the coming months. Have you read that one?

>133 vancouverdeb: Tonto the Prude! I LOVE it! Hopefully I can find a spot for Hausfrau in the near future. Personally, I like housewives that drift from bed to bed. As long as it's not my wife, of course. LOL.

I would like to read a balanced bio on Riel.

Happy Sunday, Mark. I would be very happy to see Ivan Doig added to next years AAC. I have read a couple of books by him and loved both, would love an excuse to explore some more of his books.

I am excited as Game of Thrones is starting tonight!

Oh, I am a huge Geraldine Brooks fan. Where did you learn about her forthcoming book?

Total aside: Did I ever tell you my Geraldine Brooks / Tony Horowitz story? As you know, my husband and I met at the Schwartz Bookshops in Milwaukee. We were so busy getting ready for our trip to China to adopt our daughter that although we often discussed books, we didn't talk about what we were planning on taking for the 18 hour plane trip over. Once on the plane, I pulled out Foreign Correspondence by Brooks and he pulled out Blue Latitudes by Horowitz. It was a coincidence - husband and wife reading husband and wife - that I was able to share with both authors when I saw them next. This is one of my favorite bookstore stories.

TV Time: Call the Midwife, Game of Thrones & Wolf Hall. Sounds like a great 3 hours, eh?

>137 alphaorder: That is such a sweet story!

And hooray for a new Geraldine Brooks. Incidentally, I read an excellent non-fiction book about the historical David a few years ago. King David by Jonathan Kirsch.

Glad you got some R & R today, Mark. I like that stack of GNs. I can't wait for the next Alex + Ada to come out. I'll look forward to your reaction to Finder; it's very different from anything else out there.

I'm reading Ms. Marvel 2, and so far it has the charm of the first one. Oh, and I finished Mystery Society, and enjoyed it.

Wow, another good episode of Call the Midwife again this week.

131> Thanks for the news, I'm a Brooks fan.

139> I have that Kirsch book on my shelves, I was looking at it the other day thinking I should pull it out and add to my tbr pile.

CTM was very good. GOT was terrific. A nice kick-off to a promising season. Now, Wolf Hall...

B.A.G.

There is a reason you are my pal!!
The Darkest Part of the Forest is on my library mountain but I haven't gotten to checking it out yet. It would be my first Holly Black so I look forward to your thoughts.

I haven't read Brooks yet, but wierdly I know that I'm going to like her. Doubly awesome, I love King David so that book is automatically going on my WL. Biggest B.A.G. ever! :D

Mark--How can I be behind 70 posts in two days? I had a busy weekend, man. No fair. ; )

A nice start to GOT. I think the writing on this show is getting better and better. Anyone else watching?

Great news about the new Brooks! I'm excited.

Happy new week, friend!

We have a rainy Monday morning here. It will clear up later in the day, or so they say. I didn't get as much reading in yesterday, as I hoped but I look forward to going deeper into The Darkest Part of the Forest and my audio, The First Bad Man shows my promise.

>136 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! I may have to start a AAC list for next year. The names keep growing. LOL. Did you watch GOT?

>137 alphaorder: Hi. Nancy! Great to see you. I've missed seeing you around. I can't remember where I saw the news about the new Brooks book. I bounce around so many sites. I LOVED your Brooks & Horowitz story. That is priceless.

>139 banjo123: Thanks for the King David rec, Rhonda. Sounds like a perfect companion piece to the new Brooks novel.

>140 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Hope you had a fine Sunday. I didn't realize you had read Finder. I am glad you liked it. It is quite a chunkster. And yah, for Ms. Marvel. I better request that one.

>141 lindapanzo: CTM is like a Swiss watch, Linda. Always runs perfectly. Smiles...

>142 avatiakh: Hi, Kerry! More Brooks love. Yah!

>144 jolerie: The Darkest Part of the Forest has been perfect YA fantasy so far. I knew it was your cuppa. And you will like Brooks. If you can find Year of Wonders try to do some. It remains my favorite.

>145 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! These people just keep stopping by. I don't know what the attraction is, for crying out loud.

>147 scaifea: Morning Amber! And yah, for Brooks. I still have not read her last one. Bad Mark.

>135 msf59: Mark, I haven't read Caleb's Crossing yet. I've read People of the Book and March, and enjoyed both.

Woo, you know GOT must have been good when you've got the Blue Antelope Gyrating.

Hope the rain has come and gone for you. Not sure what day of the week it is, but I think it's that one that's the toughest.

Ms. Marvel 2 doesn't come close to the art of Fiona Staples, but the writing is on target again.

I had an emergency last night and so missed Call The Midwife. I was not a happy camper. I was called to a neighbors who is having knee replacement surgery tomorrow and she can't find anybody to take care of her dogs while she is in the hospital. She was crying when she called me. So I went over and we talked. I agreed to care for the dogs. I missed CTM and know that I missed a good one. I did see Wolf Hall and thought it was good. It is clear that they have now set up the story and things will develop fast from now on.

I am more than half way done with Place of Greater Safety and can tell that it is picking up pace. As soon as my class work is over around May 1, I will be able to get back to it.

I did spend most of Sunday reading and finished the second Longmire book. Good mysteries - that series.

The rain has moved on and sun is making it's way out. Should be a pleasant afternoon.

>150 lauralkeet: Do yourself a favor and read Year of Wonder, Laura. It remains my favorite Brooks novel.
I loved Wolf Hall last night.

>151 jnwelch: You started watching GOT, did you not? I know you didn't care for the books.
Are you watching or recording Wolf Hall, Joe?

>152 benitastrnad: CTM should never be missed, right? You can watch it online, I believe, just to keep caught up.
Glad the Mantel book is beginning to pick up pace.

>153 msf59: I think that I agree on Year of Wonder, though it's a close call with March

Hi, Rhonda! March was my first Brooks and I also loved it and that is without reading Little Women, although I did see the film a time or 2.

Did you read Caleb's Crossing? I know that one received a more mixed reception.

I haven't read Caleb's Crossing. Somehow I think I will not like it, but I should probably give it a try.
Have you read anything by Tony Horowitz? I loved Blue Latitudes.

>153 msf59: Do yourself a favor and read Year of Wonder
Oops, forgot that one. I read it back in 2011 -- should have checked my catalog when writing my earlier message! I agree, that's a great book.

Love Geraldine Brooks, thanks for sharing the news of a new upcoming book!

>153 msf59: I've been watching nada, my friend, sorry to say. Too many other things going on right now. On Netflix and DVR we eventually pick up Castle, Blacklist, Elementary, Miss Fisher's Mysteries, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (or is that one Amazon?). That's about all I can handle, although we'll somehow add Longmire and Orphan Black when they come back. Oh, and Jane the Virgin. Yeesh.

^ I know many of you get a kick out of it, when I DNF a book, (it is a rare occurrence, like spotting a white moose), but I had to cut loose The First Bad Man and let 'er go. The reason I nearly made it to the halfway point, is I enjoyed the first hour or so. I liked July's voice. She is a very talented writer but this story began to grind me down, with these unpleasant characters and twisted fantasies. Of course, I am still curious to see how it played out, but I will have to wait for the movie, which could be X-rated, if it is made at all.

>156 banjo123: Yes, Rhonda, I have read Horowitz. I loved Confederates in the Attic and I liked Midnight Rising. I've had Blue Latitudes on my To-Read list for quite awhile. I should bump it up.

>157 lauralkeet: I think Year of Wonders is a Must Read, Laura and I am glad you agree.

>158 charl08: More Brooks LOVE! Yahhhh!!

>159 jnwelch: Actually I don't want much TV either. Many nights the TV in Marky-Mark's Man-Cave stays dark. Right now, the 3 shows I am watching are on back to back Sunday nights and they all are terrific.

>160 msf59: I don't remember you ever not finishing a book, Mark. It IS a rare occurrence.

I enjoyed A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horowitz. But my favorite of his is Confederates in the Attic.

As for Brooks, Year of Wonders was good and I think my favorite. I say that but all of the books I have read written by her have been good. Caleb's Crossing just did not appeal so never got it.

Mark I don't remember you not finishing a book either. Wow! I must be really dark and twisty if you wouldn't finish it.

>162 lindapanzo: It is rare, Linda. Maybe, one or 2 a year. The last one was The Bees. These have all happened on audio too. I really have to reach back, to remember the last time I DNF'd a print book.

>163 benitastrnad: I would also like to read A Voyage Long and Strange. So many books, my friend...

Ha! Staying current here. Sorry you had to DNF a book. : ( But a wise move to make more time for a better read!!

Gasps aloud! Another DNF! Everyone, stay back , well away from The First Bad Man because if Mark did not like it, nobody will! I did see CTM on Sunday night and I also purchased season one from amazon. I'll likely purchase the other seasons from amazon ca. The dog does not like the screams of labour, but she is beginning to get used to it. Such a sensitive creature.

>134 msf59: I thought for a minute that photo was at my place....I have a similar scene before me as I type. One of my lovely other's European Lagers, and my latest haul. Life is good! (3 sips down, and I can say that, 3 sips ago I was tired and remembering being awake between 1 and 4am on account of my youngst and my feline not playing nice. Feline wanted full access to youngest's bed, youngest wanted no such thing. Also wanted door open...so feline was out, but wanting in all night. All night.)

>160 msf59: whaaaaat? Well, that throws a cat amongst the pigeons. I have that on order at the library. But I get it, I too am learning when to call it a day with books that are heading to Nowheresville Arizona. ;)

Morning, Mark!
The only books that I've DNF'ed have been audio books, too, and all because of not being able to stomach the reader, if I'm remembering correctly...

^This lovely edition was in my mailbox yesterday. Big Hugs to Roberta for her generosity. Go Ro! Go Ro! I absolutely LOVE this cover!! And it's a shorty and I should get to it later in the week. B.A.G.

Since dumping The First Bad Man, (I still feel a glimmer of guilt), I am moving on to the audio of Breakfast with Buddha, which Mr. Joe is a big fan of. I swear I thought this was NF. I am also really enjoying The Darkest Part of the Forest.

>164 luvamystery65: Actually, I love "dark & twisty", Ro, but this had such an unpleasant feel to it, I could not go on.

>166 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! I am trying to cut loose books that are just not grabbing me. Fortunately, this is still a rarity.

>167 vancouverdeb: "The dog does not like the screams of labour, but she is beginning to get used to it." LOL. Thanks for an early morning chuckle, Deb. Yes, I pulled another DNFer. I have to keep you guys on your toes.

>168 LovingLit: I think we all have similar stacks around us, Megan. This is our bond.

" Well, that throws a cat amongst the pigeons." LOL! I have not heard that one before. I would like to see one of 2 of my LT pals give the First Bad Man a try, so we can compare notes. July is a very talented artist. It's just a yucky book.

>169 scaifea: Morning Amber! Funny, I liked the audio narration of this book, read by the author. She is an actress too, so she did a good job. It was the creepy unpleasantness that sunk it for me.

Mark, my daughter loved The First Bad Man. But then, she's 22, could that be a factor? Here's what she wrote on Goodreads (yeah, I know, what the heck is she doing over there??!):

I'm a sucker for Miranda July, even the weird and the weirder. The story is unique and layered, filled with descriptions that make you cringe but also ones that make you go "oof" and reread the lines over and over. July is the only writer able to evoke the entire spectrum of my emotions. The story is funny and dark, exemplifying her ability to reveal the nuance in the most simple of circumstances.

Although we often like the same books, the book description didn't grab me and I'm really not tempted.

Morning, Mark! I have that same Penguin Ink edition of The Bloody Chamber!

The older I get, the quicker I am to set aside a book that is not working for me, so good for you for abandoning one that wasn't your cuppa. Plenty more in the stacks.

Whew, I had sufficient free minutes to catch up with your busy, busy thread. I am a big fan of putting down books which are not working for you, or for me (more specifically). I'm still working my way through Going Clear and really I ask myself all the time "why am I reading about this weird stuff" and my "excuse" is that it is like a car accident. I can't not be curious. So, I've been listening to The Residence: Inside the Private World of The White House to counterbalance the weirdness. Of course, the white house has its own brand of weirdness. Perhaps I'm just weird my own self. Happy Tuesday, good friend.

All right, Breakfast with Buddha! Fingers crossed it works for you.

Blue Latitudes is definitely a Mark book, particularly if you've liked others by him.

I'm back in the saddle with The Round House, and liking it more and more.

Hi Mark, I hope you have a good day. Waving

>172 lauralkeet: I appreciate your daughter's thoughts on The First Bad Man. I think she is going to take after her Mom, in the book-reviewing department. Smiles...
Maybe, the nastier elements of that book didn't bother her, but cringe-worthy is an adequate description.

>173 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie. Looking forward to tapping into The Bloody Chamber.

>174 maggie1944: Thanks for checking in, Karen. And I am glad you are hanging in there with Going Clear. You can't miss a gnarly train accident, can you?

>175 jnwelch: Hey, Joe. I am enjoying Breakfast in the early going. Otto is getting ready to drive off with his Buddhist sidekick. I swear I though this was nonfiction. Duh!

>176 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. Hugs & Waves!

I had forgotten that Roland Merullo was the author of Golfing With God. Does anybody remember Radio Reader? This was a program that was on my local NPR radio station for years. Dick Estell was the host and the program was done by As a graduate student I had to man the office during the lunch hour and this program was on the radio from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. everyday. In one semester back in the 1980's I listened to Lincoln by Gore Vidal. A couple of years later I listened to enough of Cold Mountain, Suspension, and Pompeii to order the books and read them. I also remember listening to a good portion of Golfing With God but never got around to reading that one. Dick Estell has such a wonderful voice for listening to as he reads. Having this program on the air is another thing that Michigan State University has done well. (Aside from basketball.) I checked the web site and the current book being read is Soul Survivor: The Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot by Andrea Leininger. Estell just finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I wonder if Dick Estell has ever done any recording for the recorded book industry?

In recent years I heard this program only when I would drive through Southern Illinois because it was broadcast by WISU out of Southern Illinois University. From the web site it doesn't look like the program is being broadcast as broadly as it once was. Or at least the states on the list aren't going to live links. If that is true it is such a shame. It is hard to get enough of books - in any form.

Now I have three more books to put on my wish list. Golfing with God, Breakfast with Buddha, Lunch With Buddha, and since I already own Dinner With Buddha I won't have to put that one the list but I have to read two other books just to get to it.

Hi Mark, lots going on here, I see. A DNF! Good for you letting one go if it wasn't working for you. I think I can safely decide that The First Bad Man won't be added to my wishlist.

I am a TV hoarder. I PVR'd Game of Thrones but haven't watched it yet, although I doubt if I will be able to hold out for long.

That is a beautiful cover on the Angela Carter book. I was quite taken with her writing and will be interested in what you think of her.

>178 benitastrnad: Thanks for the info on Merullo. I didn't realize he wrote that many books. I am definitely getting a kick out of Breakfast with Buddha. That NPR radio station sounds very interesting.

>179 DeltaQueen50: Good to see you, Judy! Are you also watching CTM & Wolf Hall? Both have been terrific. I plan on starting the Bloody Chamber this week.

Yes, I have been recording them but again haven't watched any yet. Right now I am watching this year's Walking Dead, which has been pretty good.

I did a little further looking later this afternoon and learned that Dick Estell does NO recordings for pay. All of his recorded books, and there are hundreds (he has been doing "Radio Reader" since the 1970's) are only available as radio broadcasts.

As a fund raiser for his local NPR station he will record a phone answering message for you. The charges are then donated back to his local radio station. That sounds like it would be interesting to listen to on an answering machine. For me it would be as good as Karl Castl, the former announcer for Morning Edition on NPR.

>170 msf59: My beautiful copy of The Bloody Chamber was due to arrive today. Ammy says it did but trust me, it did not! If it does not show up tomorrow I will report it on Thursday. Wah!!!

I did receive this though! It's a gorgeous hardback.

>181 DeltaQueen50: It looks like you have some mighty fine shows ahead of you, Judy! I stopped watching The Walking Dead, after the 3rd season. It got tiresome.

>182 benitastrnad: Karl Castl was the announcer on Wait Wait...Don't tell Me, right? I remember him doing the same answering machine offer. I haven't listened to that show in a few years.

>183 luvamystery65: BOO, to not getting your copy of The Bloody Chamber. I hope it comes in tomorrow. Ooh, I love your Thing on the Doorstep. I do not think I've ever read Lovecraft. Bad Mark?

>184 msf59: I have never read Lovecraft either, so you are not bad. The Horror Group is really helping me stretch my wings. The Thing on the Doorstep will be my June read for Gothic Pulp and Weird Fiction.

Morning, Mark!
I've never read Lovecraft, either...

Morning, Mark! Are we confessing to not having read Lovecraft? I haven't, either, but he is in the stacks. Happy Wednesday, my friend!

Good morning, Mark. Wishing you a most lovely day.

I am celebrating Hump Day by having a day off. Yah, me! I am getting a massage this morning, (yah me, again!) various errands and then a few things around here. R & R for a chunk of the afternoon. I will try to wrap up The Darkest Part of the Forest, which has been really good.

>185 luvamystery65: Yah, for Lovecraft! Yah, for Horror Group! Fingers crossed your Carter book comes in today.

>186 scaifea: >187 Crazymamie: Morning Amber & Mamie! We should all pick a Lovecraft and read it together. Just sayin'...

>188 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! Hope the week is going well.

>190 msf59: I'm game.

>189 msf59: Thumbs up for the massage. Enjoy it!

>191 Crazymamie: Let me know which one, you'll be reading and I'll see if I can track down a copy.

>192 Ameise1: Ooh, it will feel so good. Grins...

Ah, you should read some Lovecraft, my friend. Gothic weirdness you won't forget - although I read him as a youngster and can't imagine how it would seem to me now. At the Mountains of Madness was a good one.

Love Roberta's Thing on the Doorstep cover!

I'm about 2/3 of the way through The Round House and thinking highly of it.

It's another nice one out there - hope your day goes well.

Watched another episode of CTM last night. Loving it! Have a great day off!

>186 scaifea:, >187 Crazymamie: & >190 msf59: Would you all like to join me in June? Any Lovecraft would do so we don't have to read the same book or anthology. Mine is lovely though. Let me see if I can post a pic of inside. I'll edit this when I've got it.

Enjoy your day off, Mark. Looks like another spectacular day.

Oh my.... just when I thought I got over the shock of your other DNF you knock me over with another one! Let's not go and make it habit okay??? We wouldn't want to have to change your nickname from Mark who loves every book to Mark who hates every book..haha! ;)

>196 luvamystery65: Sounds good. Roberta - I love your book! Gorgeous!!

Mark, I'll look to see what I have and let you know.

Reading Love Medicine in the scorching sun (well about 20 degrees - hot for April!) whilst the kids ran amok. Thought of you - love the book, thank you for picking her.

Well, it is almost noon here and haven't cracked a book. Okay...not true. I've been listening to Breakfast with Buddha while toodling along on my various errands. It makes a perfect travelling companion. Print reading is in the very near future.

My massage went well. We talked books, GNs and TV shows the entire time. It went quickly. LOL. The only thing missing was drinking a fine ale, although that is difficult in the prone position.

>194 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Thanks for chiming in on Lovecraft and offering a rec. I plan on reading him soon. As you can see up there, I am enjoying "Breakfast". They are heading to South Bend, IN, at the moment.
Glad you are having a good time with The Round house.

>195 vancouverdeb: It sounds like you are firmly hooked on CTM, Tonto! Enjoy!

>196 luvamystery65: I will gladly join you, in reading Lovecraft in, June, Ro. Sounds fun.^^

It should be a perfect contrast to Wallace Stegner.

>197 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! It is very nice out there. I am getting ready to head out and do a little yardwork.

>199 Crazymamie: Glad we can join Ro's reading circle, Mamie. Aren't those kids cute? ^^

I am the kid with the green book. See how excited he is?

>198 jolerie: I did not intend to endanger your health, Valerie. I will try to be more considerate. You do not have to worry about me becoming "Mark who hates every book." We have better chance being hit by an asteroid.

>200 BekkaJo: Good to see you, Bekka. It is nice here in the Midwest too. Partly sunny, low 60s. Sweet. Glad you are enjoying Love Medicine. NOW, I have to read that one. Jeesh...

I am the kid with the red book - why didn't you include me in the photo?

#203 Muahahaahaha! I haven't finished by the way - still about 100 pages to go. But lots of short interlocking family stories. It sort of builds a patchwork of a family, but giving lots of nods to the idea that everyone sees things in different ways - so small incidents may be seen differently by each of the multiple narrators.

Go on... you know you want to...

>204 Crazymamie: ^No, I did not forget you, Mamie!

>205 BekkaJo: Wow, Bekka, that is some serious warbling. Grins...

I read Lovecraft back in the 70s/80s and agree with Joe that he wrote some really weird stuff. Recently, I read Maplecroft, which was a take on the Cthulu mythos. Pretty weird and scary stuff.

Hope you're enjoying your day off!

47) Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson 4.7 stars

On May 7th, 1915, the world was at war. On that, beautiful spring afternoon, the British ocean-liner, Lusitania, was sailing through calm seas, off the southern coast of Ireland, heading toward Liverpool, England. In the same waters, a German submarine, the U-20, was limping home, low on fuel and disheartened, after a lackluster mission. The U-boat spots an “enemy” ship and launches a torpedo.
The Lusitania was carrying nearly 2,000 passengers and crew, that fateful day. 1,190 perished.

Erik Larson has been writing top-notch nonfiction for several decades now, and he is still, at the top of his game. Here, he brings this historical moment, into bright focus. Switching from the crew and passengers of the Lusitania, to the Captain of the U-boat, Larson handles it all deftly, juggling suspense, intrigue and impressive detail. Highly recommended.



^Lusitania at the end of the first leg of her maiden voyage, New York City, September 1907.

Marky Mark my copy of The Bloody Chamber has arrived! I can start tomorrow. Let me know when you are ready mister.

>208 msf59: Ooh, cool pic.

Morning, Mark! I need to get round to Dead Wake - it looks so good!

Sweet Thursday! I did finish The Darkest Part of the Forest and really enjoyed my first foray into the fantastical world of Holly Black. I am on the second half of Breakfast With Buddha and I plan on starting The Bloody Chamber. Life is good.

>207 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Sorry, I missed you up there last night. Looking forward to trying Lovecraft.

>209 luvamystery65: Go, Ro! Go, Ro! I will be starting the Carter collection later today. Smiles...

>210 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. As soon as I saw that photo, I wanted to share it.

Happy Thursday!! Glad to see you liked the Larson book. I'll start it one of these days.

Really tired today after watching the thrilling double overtime, come from behind playoff win by the Hawks. But it was worth staying up for.

Happy Thursday. I'm free from kids today, and don't do the shopping thing until late this afternoon, so I've got some good reading time available. I finished both the white house, and the Scientology, books yesterday. Whew. I will be interested in what I pick up next from my massive number of TBR choices. I hope you have an excellent day, also.

Damp and cool out, at the moment. Hope the sun makes an appearance...

>213 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! Great sports day for our Chicago teams. Every one WON! Yah!

>214 maggie1944: Enjoy your free day, Karen. It sounds like you are going to start on The Round House. Everyone seems to be enjoying that one.

>208 msf59: he is the guy who wrote Isaac's Storm. Which i loved. I onlyjust made the connection.

>198 jolerie: there is more than one DNF??? *faints*
;)

- Varsha Vijayan. Great color!

Turned out to be a nice afternoon. I have not cracked the Bloody Chamber. My current GN, Criminal Macabre is stealing all my reading time. Hey, at least it's a fun-ride!

>208 msf59: Yes, Megan this is the same guy who wrote, Isaac's Storm & Devil in the White City. The guy excels at NNF.

Sorry, I caused you to faint. I hope you were sitting when you dropped off.

>217 msf59: Nice work by Varsha Vijayan!

Glad you ended up having a good day for your day off, Mark! I've got my feelers out for Criminal Macabre, but it's not at any of my libraries yet.

>218 kidzdoc: Hi, Darryl! I was looking at some of Vijayan's other work and I wasn't as impressed but I liked that one.

>219 Storeetllr: Criminal Macabre was a Big Boy, nearly 400 pages and since I have a library stack of GNs, I really wanted to power through it. It was a lot of fun and I am sure you will enjoy it, Mary.

Re message 154. How very kind of you to help with the pets.Hi mark
I am in of all the books you've read so far this year I'd love to add so many to my already over stocked to be read PIle
,in the last few months will has made joking comments about the book hoarding but there is an undercurrent of seriousness. and I think I need to respect that my books really are taking over a lot of space in every room. I made need to downsize ...gulp.

Hi, Mark! I'm way behind reading threads, but glad to see you enjoyed Dead Wake as much as I did! Larson is such a fabulous writer.

I must try Epitaph, as I loved Doc so much.

Happy Friday! It is going to be in the mid- to high 70s today. I think I will crack out the shorts. The legs are still deathly pale but you have to start somewhere, right?

I will be wrapping up Breakfast With Buddha this morning and I am leaning toward starting Hausfrau next. And since I did not open the Bloody Chamber yesterday...I will today. Boom, bang, bing...

>221 Whisper1: Hi, Linda! Great to see you. I hope your recovery is on the right track. Hugs!

>222 tymfos: Howdy, Terri! I sure hope you can find time to bookhorn in Epitaph. It is a fun-ride. And yes, Larson's writing chops are still sharp and impressive.

Morning, Mark!

Morning, Mark! Shorts today, huh? Hope you don't cause any accidents. LOL!

we are having a streak of lovely weather, too, and although I do not wear shorts, I'm certainly putting the winter coats to the back of the closets. Happy Friday!

I found a graphic novel version of a prequel to Peter Pan at the library. The author and illustrator is Loisel, and I think the touchstone is correct. It is not for young eyes, or ears, as the author seems happy to drop F*bombs here and there, but it is Dickenesque in illustrations, and fascinating to see an adult take on the fantasy. You would have to see it to decide whether to read it, but if you can find a way to see it, do so.

Hi Mark, enjoy today's weather. I plan to get out at lunch today. No shorts for me, though. The office would be scandalized, I think.

Ugh, just saw the forecast for my first Cubs game on Sunday just now. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I'm going to have to pull our my winter coat and also rain gear, I think. If I didn't really, really want to see the Wrigley Field construction, not to mention the friends I haven't seen in over a year, I'd rethink my plans to attend.

Wow, it is gorgeous out here. Not even 11am and it is 70 degrees, with sunshine. The white legs are a conversation starter but I am sure glad I wore them.

>225 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! So far no accidents, although a few people quickly reached for their sunglasses. LOL.

>226 maggie1944: Our lovely weather is short-lived, unfortunately. We stay, pretty much in the low 50s, most of next week. Sighs...
Thanks for the GN rec. sounds interesting.

>227 lindapanzo: happy Friday, Linda. That is too bad about Sunday and the Cubbies game. Today would have been ideal and tomorrow isn't that bad either.
I am sure you will have a good time!

Happy Friday Mark! We are getting our spring weather right now and it's a nice change but it's a bit too windy for my taste.

Our house is officially in playoff mode so I have no control over the TV anymore. For my hubby's sake, I hope the Flames make it deep...haha!

"The white legs are a conversation starter but I am sure glad I wore them."

I'm glad you wore your legs, too, Mark! It'd make for a long day delivering mail without them!

;-)

^I believe those are both lilac trees, which blossom early. Most of the other trees are just beginning to bud.

It was a beautiful day, in Chicagoland, pushing 80. B.A.G.

Whew! It seems we can say Winter is Going, going, gone!

>231 msf59: Hey, that's kinda' how it looked around here until yesterday! Now there's little lumpy pillows of white stuff all over the grass and the pretty blossoms are on the ground along with some branches and disconnected tree limbs.....the sun has come out just now though. :)

Hope you have a happy weekend, Mark!

>231 msf59: Pretty! I love spring.

>229 jolerie: Hi, Valerie! Unfortunately, the warm weather will be fleeting. Back to low 50s through most of next week. Sighs...

As far as the playoff season goes, I do not watch much regular season basketball or hockey but I do enjoy the post season, especially if both Chicago teams are in, which they are. Smiles...

>230 katiekrug: Great point about leaving my legs at home, Katie. I tried that one time and my hips were killing me for a week. Giggles...

>232 maggie1944: April can be fickle, Karen. We are mostly in the 50s next week, which will be below normal. I would sure like a LONG warm stretch.

>233 Copperskye: Happy Friday, Joanne. I heard about Colorado getting snow. Ugh! At least it will not stick around for long. You'll probably be back in the 70s in no time.

LOL your white legs are a conversation starter, eh Mark? I guess it could be worse. Glad you are finally getting some decent weather!

By the way Mark, I looked at Hausfrau again yesterday at the bookstore and maybe, just maybe, I'll read that sexed up housewife book. ;) I put a hold on it at the library. Apparently it is popular.

>234 banjo123: I love spring too, Rhonda. Sometimes it just jumps right into summer. I prefer it to ease in.

>236 vancouverdeb: Happy Friday, Deb. I wish I just had a few straight days of warmth and sunshine and that would take the pale sheen off my legs. LOL.

I started Hausfrau. I am about a 1/4 of the way in. I like it but I am curious to see where it goes. Be forewarned, it is explicit. I know Tonto is sensitive.

Thanks Mark, I'll wait for your verdict on that possibly of Hausfrau. It's an inherited trait that I got from my dad, that prudishness of mine. ;) Really and truly. Don't worry about your white legs, Lone Ranger, mine stay white all summer long. I don't tan easily, nor do I burn , just stay scary white.

Love the pictures Mark! We had a wonderful day here, in MN, too! Happy weekend!

Mark, white legs! Stand up and be proud!! It is supposed to be in the 70s and 80s here in the next few days and I better find the suntan lotion for my hubby. We call him Lobster Man for a reason!! I got my latest batch of Powell's books--yay! Have a great weekend. Hugs.

>208 msf59: Thanks for posting the picture of the Luisitania, Mark. In 1911 my grandfather immigrated to Canada in the Luisitania which is one of the reasons I am interested in reading Dead Wake.

...still laughing at your B.A.G.
An acronym that might not take off as a word. It sounds too much like the thing I put my stuff in to go places.

>238 msf59: my legs are tanned, more than almost ever, right now! I can nearly see them fading as I type....along with my summer *boohoo*

Am sure my ahem 'tanned' legs & your white legs are the same colour

Happy Saturday! It looks like wearing the shorts was...well, short-lived. Low 60s today, so I will switch back to long pants and next week looks cool too, so who knows how long it will be. Boo!

We have a wedding to attend to, later in the day, so I am getting off work a couple hours early. Hooray for a cooperative & kindly supervisor.

I really enjoyed the title story of The Bloody Chamber, which kicks off this collection. I also like Hausfrau in the early going. Lots of "sexy-times" in this one, so if you are squeamish about such things.

>239 vancouverdeb: Morning Tonto the Prudish One! Hey, Deb, we are who we are, right?

My wife and son do not tan either. The daughter and I tan nicely but I do wear sunscreen regularly too.

>240 The_Hibernator: Good to see you Rachel! I wish yesterday's temps could last through the weekend. Oh, well...

>241 Berly: I do tan, Kimmers. This is just my winter pallor. I WISH we were staying in the 70s & 80s. Have a great weekend.

>242 Familyhistorian: "my grandfather immigrated to Canada in the Luisitania." Wow! That is cool, Meg. Of course, we are glad he was on the one coming here. I hope you can find a copy of Dead Wake.

>243 LovingLit: Hi, Megan. I am sure B.A.G. will fade away one of these days and I will have to come up with something else. It's sad seeing that tan fade, isn't it?

>244 roundballnz: LOL! Sounds like I am not alone.

I loved the Lusitania book, author does a great job giving the reader a way to care deeply about crew and passengers. And builds suspence even though we know the ending.

Hey Mark! Happy weekend! Eeeeek! A new Geraldine Brook?! Yippee! I'll put that in my library cart right away. Even though it's not in yet the line begins to form early.
I love Erik Larson too and Deep Wake is on my radar. This year I've been concentrating on books on my shelf, perhaps next year I'll read new books. Wow, there's a novel (ha, ha) idea.
It's gonna be a beautiful 75 in CLE today but it's not likely to last long. So off to do more yard work today.

>231 msf59: That's so beautiful how spring should be. Mark, I wish you a relaxed weekend. hugs

Gorgeous photos of your route, Mark! It was a beautiful day yesterday, wasn't it? B.A.G., indeed.

Happy Weekend, buddy! We're training back to home sweet home.

How'd it go withBreakfast with Buddha?

I'm reading the 3d Mercy Thompson, a Roberta-rec'd series, with The bloody Chamber on deck.

Breezy and cool out here but not bad. Still not sure about Hausfrau...

>247 maggie1944: Larson did a stellar job, Karen. What will he tackle next, eh?

>248 Carmenere: Happy Saturday, Lynda. I give you credit for sticking with OTS books. I try to keep a nice mix but there is so much promising new stuff pouring out, that I want to try and keep up.

>249 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. Love the flowers.

>250 scaifea: Happy Saturday, Amber. I really to take a couple pics yesterday and I am glad I did.

>251 jnwelch: Happy Saturday, Joe. I hope you are having a safe return trip.
I enjoyed Breakfast With Buddha. I will be looking for the 2nd book. Thanks for the nudge.
I am sure you will enjoy The Bloody Chamber.

Happy Saturday Friend. Show off those white legs and all and strut them proud. They are a badge of valour showing how you've braved the winter and survived to tell about it. ;)

>252 msf59: BWB = Yay!

I am glad to know you do tan, Mark. ; ) But I know I am at my whitest in April, unless I managed to sneak away somewhere warm for Spring Break, and that did not happen this year! So here is to sun, suntan lotion and tans! Warm weather helps, too. Sorry it is dipping back down. We are going to hit high 70s on Sunday and the 80s on Monday!! CRAZY!!

We are heading out shortly for the evening. Hope the wife is driving home. Fingers crossed...

>253 jolerie: I never thought of my white legs being "a badge of valour", but I'll try to see it that way. LOL. Hope you are enjoying your Saturday, Val!

>254 jnwelch: Hope you are having a good one, Joe. We are heading out to attend a wedding. Should be fun.

>255 Berly: Happy Saturday, Kimmers! Enjoy that beautiful weather, my friend.

Hi Mark, I was downtown today. Brrr, it was chilly. Went to see Carousel at the Lyric Opera. Much colder than home, away from the lake. Great show though.

Hey, Mark! Just finished watching the second episode of Wolf Hall. I thought it was even better than the first! Cant wait to see the 3d tomorrow.

Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday! We have a bit of a busy day. Heading into the city for a birthday party and then hitting a brewery afterwards. If I am going to squeeze in any reading, I have to do it early. I am really enjoying The Bloody Chamber.

>257 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! It wasn't so bad in the 'burbs yesterday, just a cool breeze. How about those Cubbies?

>258 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Glad you got caught up on Wolf Hall. They are doing such a good job with it.

>259 scaifea: Happy Sunday, Amber! Hope you have a nice day planned.

>260 msf59: I'll be at Wrigley today. It'll be cold but I hope the rain holds off.

I'm taking Agatha Christie along for the bus ride. Also reading the new Erik Larson book on the Lusitania and am liking it.

Enjoy your day! It sounds like you'll have a blast.

>261 lindapanzo: Have a good time at the game, Linda. And yes, I hope the rain holds out for you. Let's get another win. Go Cubbies!

And enjoy the Larson. It is just your cuppa.

>262 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb. It should be a good time.

Hi Mark! Glad that you are enjoying The Bloody Chamber. It's kind of a fun read after Stone Mattress, isn't it?

Mark I'm enjoying The Bloody Chamber! I also started Second Foundation. The Carter is an exquisite break from Asimov SciFi.

Mark, I checked and the Lovecraft that I have is At the Mountains of Madness: And Other Tales of Terror - see if you can get that one from your library, and if not, we can choose something else. Our library has a bunch of stuff, so I am flexible.

Happy Sunday to you!

>266 Crazymamie: My anthology also has At the Mountains of Madness. Can't wait to read Lovecraft with all of you.

Should be fun!

Wow! Where did the day go? Jeesh! We did spend time with our cousin's baby, who turned one, a couple weeks ago. He is such an adorable character. We then hit Half Acre Brewery for a couple rounds. The downside was: we had to take a LONG LONG drive back home in the rain. The traffic was gnarly. Ugh!!

>264 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda! Yes, Carter is a nice companion piece, to Stone Mattress.

>265 luvamystery65: I am halfway done with the Bloody Chamber. I should wrap it up in the next couple of days.

>266 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I will check my library, on that Lovecraft title.

>246 msf59: Yes, I have a copy of Dead Wake that I am waiting for the right moment to crack open. And, yes, it is a good thing my grandfather was on the Lusitania coming to Canada then. Over all it was very fortunate that he immigrated in 1911 rather than a year later or he may have taken another ill fated ship - the Titanic.

He did make it to Regina in time for the Regina Cyclone of 1912 which flattened a large part of the city. While researching the cyclone I read about the story of one couple who had married in England and made arrangements to immigrate to Canada on the Titanic but missed the boat. They made it to Regina in time for the cyclone and, unfortunately, were killed by a falling building. I guess they had been living on borrowed time.

Morning, Mark! Are you getting rain over there? I hope it isn't too wet for you today...

Ugh! It looks like a damp, windy, chilly start to the week. Only in the low 50s. Come on, Mama Nature!!

I am enjoying The Bloody Chamber but Hausfrau has been a bit of a disappointment. I am well into the 2nd half, so I will let it play out. If only the ubiquitous sex scenes were more titillating. Sighs...

>270 Familyhistorian: Wow, Meg! It sounds like you may have a family memoir in you. What an interesting history your grandparents have had.

>271 scaifea: Morning, Amber! I do not think it is currently raining out there but it is wet and chilly. Come on, Mondays are tough enough, right?

It's another rainy and gloomy day in the ATL, Mark. I think this makes at least nine days in a row with significant rainfall. We were under a tornado watch for most of yesterday, but the worst of the storms passed just north and south of the city and the immediate suburbs, so we were spared from the most severe weather.

>273 kidzdoc: Morning Darryl! Good to see you. Sounds like you've had some unpleasant spring weather. Yuck. Hope it begins to brighten for you.

Morning, Mark! Rain here, too. The sun is supposed to make an appearance later - we'll see.

Good morning, Mr. Mark! Looks like that was a good weekend for you. I just started The Bloody Chamber, and so far it's got me. I'm still enjoying Ms. Marvel the second, too. Not a lot of reading time this weekend, but now things should settle back to normal for a couple of weeks. We do have the Bulls second playoff game against Milwaukee tonight.

Hi Mark, Drizzly, chilly and miserable out there. Hope you're staying dry.

I'm about one quarter of the way through the Lusitania book. Excellent. Larson really draws the reader in with the characters involved, even though we know the outcome.

>276 jnwelch: Hope you bring the Bulls good luck tonight, Joe.

>277 lindapanzo: Thanks, Linda. Me, too! They've got all their players back, so there's reason for optimism. Nice Blackhawks win yesterday. What a game for Hossa!

>272 msf59: Oh dear, I'm beginning to think I'm going to pass on Hausfrau

>278 jnwelch: I was at Wrigley Field so I totally missed the Hawks game. The woman I usually go to Hawks games with was texting me updates and we saw some of the goals on the new Wrigley Field scoreboard.

It was one of those weird weather days where it was nearly 70 when I left the house wearing my winter coat and getting strange looks from the neighbors. I had a winter hat and gloves, too. It was windy and chilly at Wrigley. I could've used something to cover my face and then I would've been ok.

Chilly and blustery. Whenever the wind blows like this, this time of year, it really aggravates my allergies. Ugh!

At least it has been dry so far...

>275 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Is the rain preventing you from taking your walk?

>276 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! I had a feeling you would like the Carter collection. I am also quite pleased with it.
Enjoy the game tonight. Go Bulls!

>277 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! It is cruddy out here but so far I am staying dry. Whew!
Glad you are enjoying the Larson. He is a master of NF.

And Go Hawks! How about that Darling?

>279 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. I am not really enjoying Hausfrau but I will ride it out. I would love to see a woman's viewpoint on this book, so I hope one of my LT pals of the female persuasion gives it a try.

>281 msf59: Well, it's preventing me from taking me walk outdoors. I have to do it inside instead - boring, but it works. So far today I have walked five miles.

I am proud of you, Mamie! You are sticking to it. 5 miles is pretty impressive. High Fives, to my pal.

Thank you, kind sir!

>272 msf59: Hope your weather turns to sunshine soon. I have uncovered a lot of interesting family history in my research. My grandfather's story is just the tip of the iceberg.

My most recent discovery was a many times great grandfather who moved from the US to Upper Canada around 1797. My thought was that he was a late loyalist until I found his pension records from the American Revolution. Not what I was expecting at all. And, yes, I do intend to write about my family's history.

Hi, Mark! Sorry your week is starting out to cold and damp. Hope it gets more springlike soon!

Hi Mark! Loving the Wolf Hall series. I have last night's episode waiting for tonight...

>285 Crazymamie: Anytime, Mi Lady!

>286 Familyhistorian: Looks like your family has a rich and varied history, Meg. I'll make you a deal: You write it, I will read it and warble incessantly about it. Sound good?

>287 Storeetllr: It was not pretty today, at all, Mary! It looks like we have to wake until next week for any relief. Groans...

>288 Berly: Yah, Kimmers! Isn't Mark Rylance The Bomb? I am watching the 3rd episode tonight too. Smiles...

^Soar on over...