KatieKrug's 2015: Books, Beverages, and Banter (Part X)

Hello All! I’m Katie, a transplanted New Yorker living in Dallas. I’ve been doing the 75 Challenge since 2011. I read many different genres including speculative fiction, mysteries, literary fiction, and social history. I try to comment on everything I read here, but sometimes time gets away from me. This year, I will be participating in the American and British Authors Challenges, as well as the monthly TIOLI challenges. And I will again this year be letting the LT Folly feature pick a random read for me each month. I did this last year, and it was a lot of fun, as well as helpful in clearing some books off my shelves… I currently have over 3,000 unread books in my home and on my Kindle, so I need all the help I can get :)

Hello, Old Friends! And Welcome, New Ones!

Current Reads

(Print) (DailyLit)

Completed in May:
39. 41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush (audio) (4 stars)
40. As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley (audio) (3.5 stars)

Completed in April:
29. Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich (audio) (2 stars)
30. The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart (audio) (3 stars)
31. Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich (4.5 stars)
32. First Love, Last Rites by Ian McEwan (3 stars)
33. Good Bones and Simple Murders by Margaret Atwood (3.5 stars)
34. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing (audio) (5 stars)
35. Rush Me by Allison Parr (4 stars)
36. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (2 stars)
37. Death With Interruptions by Jose Saramago (4.5 stars)
38. Hell's Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett (5 stars)

Completed in March:
19. Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb (4 stars)
20. The City & the City by China Mieville (4.5 stars)
21. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson (4.5 stars)
22. The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton (4.5 stars)
23. Wildlife by Richard Ford (3.5 stars)
24. The One & Only by Emily Giffin (audio) (3 stars)
25. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson (audio) (3 stars)
26. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (audio) (3 stars)
27. Last Friends by Jane Gardam (4 stars)
28. The Final Solution by Michael Chabon (3.5 stars)

Books Completed in February:
9. The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks (4 stars)
10. Washington Square by Henry James (3.5 stars)
11. Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh (3.5 stars)
12. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (audio) (3.5 stars)
13. In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick (4.5 stars)
14. Boy in the Water by Stephen Dobyns (2.5 stars)
15. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (audio) (4 stars)
16. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch (4 stars)
17. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell (audio) (5 stars)
18. Plum Island by Nelson DeMille (2.5 stars)

Books Completed in January:
1. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (3.5 stars)
2. Cleopatra's Sister by Penelope Lively (4 stars)
3. The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers (4 stars)
4. The Sun and the Moon by Matthew Goodman (3 stars)
5. A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan (4 stars)
6. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (audio) (3 stars)
7. A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam (4 stars)
8. Counting by 7s - Holly Goldberg Sloan (audio) (4.5 stars)

And this explains all you need to know about me:

Saved just in case....

First!

Back to my stalkerish way...wahoooo!!!

Happy new thread, Katie!

>1 katiekrug: Ha! I know that feeling.

Congrats on the new thread, Katie.

Did you like Love Medicine as much as Ellen did? I'm about 2/3 of the way through her The Round House and it's very good.

>6 jolerie: - Good job, Val!

>7 Crazymamie: - Hey there, Mamie!

>8 jnwelch: - Hi Joe! I did love Love Medicine. 4.5 stars, almost the full 5. I think if I re-read it now having a clear idea of some of the family relationships, it would get the full 5... I have The Round House on my shelf and like hearing all the good comments on it!

Hello :)
Love the e card.
Looking forward to seeing what you think of Endurance. It's in my pile somewhere.

Happy new thread, Katie. I had best go and buy a case of those wine glasses, seems like we all relate! :)

>10 nittnut: - Jenn, Endurance has been great so far! The audio is narrated by Simon Prebble, and he's fantastic.

>11 DeltaQueen50: - Judy, I think I should invest in the company making those glasses ;-)

Hi Katie - Happy new thread. I think Love Medicine is better than The Round House, but almost anything by Erdrich is good, certainly better than the Big Girl Panties, anyway...;)

>13 BLBera: - Well, homestly, Beth *anything* is better than that!!

I am still thinking about Love Medicine - I may have to bump up my rating.

tonight is the first meeting of my "re-booted" book club. Leaner, meaner, and now with 50% more wine.

Just kidding. I mean, there is wine. But probably just the usual amount.

Happy New thread, Katie! I LOVED Endurance. I still can't get over that is was written in the 50s! This definitely has a modern NNF feel to it. Enjoy!!

Hi Katie! Nice new thread!

Nice new thread here, glad to see >15 katiekrug: you're all prepared for the meeting.

Happy new thread, Katie! I hope the book club went well, but I thought I'd drop this off just in case:

Happy New Thread, lady!!

>16 msf59: - Endurance is great, Mark! I'm really enjoying it, and it's helping to motivate me to walk more so I can listen to it. Win-win!

>17 cbl_tn: - Thanks, Carrie! Welcome!

>18 charl08: - Thanks, Charlotte! Luckily we didn't go through *all* that wine at book club...

>19 susanj67: - Ha ha - thanks, Susan! But I am fine. It was not a crazy night :)

>20 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber!

Oops, I'm a day late (and a dollar short--it is the day after tax day, after all!) Happy new thread, Katie!

Happy new thread, Katie!

Nice new thread, Katie!

>22 ronincats:, >23 MickyFine:, and >24 kidzdoc: - Thanks, Roni, Micky, and Darryl!

Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich


Why I read this now: American Authors Challenge II

If I gave more refined decimal ratings, this would probably get a 4.74 or 4.76. As it is, I am torn between a five star or four and a half star rating... My main problem with this book was mostly due to circumstances beyond my or the author's control, so I'm not sure it's fair to dock the book. But anyway, it's just a rating. What's more important is that I did love it and am so pleased to have finally gotten around to reading Erdrich.

Nowhere on my edition of the book is it called a novel except in a blurb from a review. These are loosely connected stories that had a feeling of oral story-telling to them, passed down from one to another, with sharply drawn but not fully-developed characters and implications one only realizes later on. Erdrich is unsentimental but always compassionate toward life on the Indian reservation and its inhabitants. It's hard and brutal and there is not much joy or hope to be found. I did not, however, find this a bleak read, due in large part to Erdrich's eye for the absurd and her empathetic portrayal of these men and women. Some of the stories made me laugh and some brought tears to my eyes, but throughout, I reveled in the powerful prose.

"I never grew from the curve of my mother's arms. I still wanted to anchor myself against her. But she had tore herself away from the run of my life like a riverbank. She had vanished, a great surrounding shore, leaving me to spill out alone. I wanted to fill her tracks, but luck ran out the holes. My wishes were worn soles. I stumbled in those shoes of desire." (page 68)

Side note: I was interested to note that my edition was "New and Expanded" with more material than when originally published, and some of the chapters re-ordered. I think there was yet another version published several years later, which I may need to track down to compare.

Great review of Love Medicine, Katie!

>27 kidzdoc: - Thank you, sir!

>28 katiekrug: I feel very old all of a sudden...

Good review of Love Medicine, Katie! I will have to look for a copy of this one. It sounds so good.

>29 kidzdoc: - Here, this glass of Metamucil will make you feel better and then you can beat me over the head with your cane ;-)

>30 msf59: - I think you'd really like it, Mark!

>26 katiekrug: Great review - you make me want to revisit this and give the book another chance....

>32 charl08: - It might be worth another try, Charlotte, but to each her own! The comments I've seen on it have been all over the place...

It's my regular Friday off - hooray! Not much to do which is always nice... I have a couple of errands to run and little things to do around the house. Other than that, I'm having lunch with my aunt, will take a nice long walk, and - hopefully - do some good reading. I currently have 5 books on the go - WHAT the WHAT?!?! So unlike me...

Oh, I also need to figure out dinner. We have left over Mexican shredded chicken from taco night... And ideas for that? I'll probably do something boring like chicken nachos.

Happy Friday, KAK! Have a great 3 -day weekend.

Enjoy your Friday off, Katie. I have every second Friday off and don't know what I would do without them. The time is needed to catch up with RL.

Happy Friday off!

>35 msf59: - Thanks, Mark!

>36 Familyhistorian: - Meg, I know what you mean. I don't think I could ever work at a place without this kind of schedule.

>37 jolerie: - Thank you, Valerie!

I had such a nice day today. My aunt and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch at LYFE Kitchen, a fairly new, healthy fast food chain. I had a bowl of soup and some "unfried" buffalo chicken tenders and the whole thing was under 600 calories. It was very tasty and flavorful. If you have one of these near you, I recommend trying it out.

Then we went shopping, where I got some great cropped pants for summer - one pair is beige with black polka dots and the other is hot pink. They make me happy just looking at them :) My aunt and uncle are going on a cruise (Rome to Athens - soooo jealous) and so I helped her pick out some appropriate travel wear for that. All in all, we just had a great time together. She's my mom's younger sister and has filled a lot of that maternal role for me since my mom passed away when I was in college. She is very dear to me and I am so thankful to live near her and spend time with her.

And after that, I came home and didn't feel like going on a walk, so I found a cardio workout on YouTube and did that, and good Lord, it looked easy enough but I was sweaty and panting by the end. And that's a good thing - means it's working! I then took a shower and made dinner (I know, me?!?!) which was a very successful Mexican lasagna. Super tired now but in such a nice and satisfied way. Now if I could just get me reading on track.....

Sorry for the long post! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Well, you are one up on me!! No exercise or books today! Hoping to fix both tomorrow. Really nice review of Love Medicine.

>2 katiekrug: I love how you have bracketed the format you read on. Daily lit, kindle, print, audio....all such different reading experiences.
But anyway...don't listen to me, I am in a reading rut. What do I know?

>39 katiekrug: sounds like a great day!! And the Mexican lasagne...is that anything like a tortilla stack???

Katie, that does sound like a lovely day! It's great that you're so close to your aunt. One of my mother's friends took over a similar role when my mother died. She calls me her "surrogate daughter" :-) I'm limbering up for a walk this morning (if "limbering up" means sitting at the computer waiting for a load of laundry to finish) but I sense I will also be panting by the end of it...

Hi Katie, I missed a whole thread. Happy New Thread and I wish you a relaxed weekend.

Oh, that sounds like a really great day! And Mexican Lasagna?! I'll be right over...

>40 Berly: - Hi Kim! My reading is completely off track. I have 5 books going and none of them are very engaging. I am thinking of just wiping the slate clean and starting fresh....

>41 LovingLit: - Eh, what do I know too, Megan, as my reading rut continues.... I have a feeling Mexican lasagna is similar to tortilla stack. Yummy Mexican-y goodness!

>42 susanj67: - Hi Susan! Where is your walk going to take you? You have such better scenery and destinations than I do.....

>43 Ameise1: - Hello, Barbara! Gorgeous photo as always. Happy spring!

>44 scaifea: - PErfect, Amber. I'm having leftovers for lunch. You can come over, and we'll eat and kibbitz :)

>15 katiekrug:. Ha! My wife's book club would get louder and louder as new bottles of wine would be opened.

>26 katiekrug:. Good,
helpful review, thanks. I liked The Round House, which really is a novel, and Love Medicine may be the next of hers I read.

>46 jnwelch: - I don't think you'll be disappointed in Love Medicine, Joe, but be patient with it. It's worth it.

First Love, Last Rites by Ian McEwan


Why I read this now: LT Folly chose it as my random read for April.

If you like beautifully written short stories about not-very-nice topics, then may I recommend this one to you? Incest, pedophilia, abuse, neglect - it's all here! And if the subject matter weren't bad enough, there is something almost obscene about having it rendered in such graceful writing. McEwan evokes loneliness and awkwardness and wrongness so well that the reader feels empathy and compassion for even the most beyond the pale characters. It makes for uncomfortable reading, but it's really quite an accomplishment. I'd give this collection one and a half stars for content but the writing raises it to a three-star read. I look forward, with trepidation, to reading more McEwan (the only other of his I've read is Atonement which is a favorite).

I've read only McEwan's On Chesil Beach. For me it was a three stars. I've heard a lot of good critics about Atonement but I'm not sure if I would like it.

>48 katiekrug: Oh, so avoiding that one. I loved Atonement and thought The Children Act was good reading - but this sounds like I'd last about five minutes with it. Thank you!

>39 katiekrug: What a great day!

>48 katiekrug: there is something almost obscene about having it rendered in such graceful writing I know, right? I felt the same way about The Innocent... I will skip the above. Thanks.

>48 katiekrug: I don't think so at least not this year. Hmm...

The weekend is almost over.

>49 Ameise1: - Barbara, opinion on McEwan seems to be all over the place! I have several of his books on my shelves, so I'll be reading more... eventually.

>50 charl08: - Glad to be of service, Charlotte :)

>51 nittnut: - Hmmmm, I picked up The Innocent at a used bookstore recently, Jenn....

>52 luvamystery65: - Fair enough, Ro. And boo on the end of the weekend...

Good Bones and Simple Murders by Margaret Atwood


Why I read this now: Atwood April

I downloaded this book from my library's OverDrive collection primarily because it was short. I love everything I've read by Margaret Atwood, but I've been in such a reading funk lately I didn't want to commit to something really long. This was a short collection of short pieces - some no more than a couple of pages. They deal with male/female relationships, feminism, social norms, fairy tales... it's a varied assortment that showcases Atwood's deft hand with a variety of styles. One of my favorites was "Unpopular Gals," told in the collective voice of the witches, evil stepmothers, and other storybook nasties. It ends:

"You can wipe your feet on me, twist my motives around all you like, you can dump millstones on my head and drown me in the river, but you can't get me out of the story. I'm the plot, babe, and don't ever forget it."

There is that kind of sly wit throughout, the upending of expectations and "accepted" roles. While some pieces worked better than others as is true of any collection, I enjoyed dipping into this as a reminder of just how sharp and masterful Atwood is.

>54 katiekrug: Oh I like the sound of that. That quote is just so biting. A bit Carol Ann Duffy. Off to see if my library's subs to Overdrive includes it.

>55 charl08: - Sounds like I need to read some Carol Ann Duffy!

So my Six Degrees of Separation score is about to improve dramatically... My friend Kristen's husband just won a Pulitzer!

http://www.pulitzer.org/citation/2015-Explanatory-Reporting

So if I touch you I am only two degrees away from someone famous!! Wheee!! Seriously though, that is so cool. And the subject matter is one well worth exploring.

Reply to message #170 on last thread> Yes, I read most of Rinehart's works in the 1970s.

>58 Berly: - Kristen posted photos of him at Bloomberg HQ talking to the gathered staff. It's Bloomberg's first Pulitzer. Zac was introduced by Mike Bloomberg so that's about 4 degrees of separation between me and a bunch of famous people. Heh.

>59 thornton37814: - Interesting, Lori. I had never heard of her until I happened upon this audio in my library's collection.

>59 thornton37814: >60 katiekrug: I just finished a Mary Roberts Rinehart book today! I needed a book published in 1915 for my Bingo card so I read K. I doubt I would have read it otherwise. It was OK, but not one of her better works.

Atwood is just a good writer. I don't even care what the subject matter is because I get so lost in her witty writing most of the time.
I enjoyed both Atonement and The Children's Act.
Hope you have a great week, Katie!

Hi, Katie! I had never heard of Good Bones. I am glad you liked it and I am glad you bookhorned in an Atwood. I don't think I will be able to squeeze in another one for AA. Full plate.

>61 cbl_tn: - What Rinehart is your favorite, Carrie?

>62 jolerie: - Thanks, Val! Agreed about Atwood. And Atonement. I look forward to getting ot The Children Act.

>63 msf59: - I hear ya on the full plate, Mark! Terrible problem to have ;-)

>62 jolerie: (and everyone else) I love Margaret Atwood's kids book, Up in the Tree that she wrote when she was a lot younger than she is now. I read it to the kids every now and then, probably about 40 times in total so far. it is sweet.

>53 katiekrug: Well, I had mixed feelings about The Innocent. Beautiful writing, which somehow renders the shocking even more shocking. I will keep an eye out to see if you've read it at some point.

>56 katiekrug: Hurrah, my overdrive sub has the Atwood too. I was thinking of The World's Wife but imho all of Duffy's stuff is lovely.

>57 katiekrug: Katie, what great news for your friend's husband! (and all those within six degrees of separation, obviously...). Was his report one article (available online?) or was it for a series of pieces?

ETA - Durr, the "works" tab has them all - I should have explored before posting!

>64 katiekrug: Rinehart is an author I like sometimes, but I don't love her. I like her crime novels better than the romances. I remember liking The Circular Staircase and also enjoying Where There's a Will.

>65 LovingLit: - I didn't know she wrote childrens books, Megan. How fun!

>66 nittnut: - Oh, I'll read it "at some point," Jenn! Just not sure how distant that point is :)

>67 charl08: - Thanks for the rec, Charlotte. I will look for The World's Wife. You'll like the Atwood - and it's super short. No more than a couple hours' reading...

>68 susanj67: - Yep, it was a series of articles about dirty tax dodgers :)

>69 cbl_tn: - Thanks for that, Carrie. If I run across Where There's a Will maybe I'll give it a try.

Reading Update:

Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago - Very good but requires a lot of attention, so I am only reading it when I have at least 45 minutes of solid reading time. Surprisingly funny, too.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage - Fascinating and gripping. Highly recommend the audio. I have only about 30 minutes left...

The Secret Garden - About two-thirds done with it, thanks to DailyLit. Very sweet. Very, very sweet. Ow, I think my teeth hurt.

Rush Me - Fluff for when I only have a few minutes to read. Love me some sports-centered contemporary romances :)

>57 katiekrug: That is very cool.

Excellent review of Love Medicine. I just requested The Beet Queen from the library because I want to read the trilogy without too many interruptions.

I realized the other day that I have a copy of Death With Interruptions on the TBR shelf. It sounds like a worthwhile read for when one has some attention to dedicate.

>71 katiekrug: Oh, and I am tentatively deciding that nonfiction in audio format is the ticket, and Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage sounds like it's made for it.

>72 EBT1002: - I have The Beet Queen on my shelf, and hope to get to it sooner rather than later. Death with Interruptions is definitely worth reading, but yes, it needs some undivided attention, I think.

And I just finished Endurance and it was a 5-star read for me! I think you'd really like it. Audio is a great way to read nonfiction and lets me get more NF into my reading "diet" than I probably otherwise would.

Yah, for Endurance. It was a 5 star book for me, as well and one of the top books I read last year. Go KAK!

>75 msf59: - :D Hi Mark!

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing


Why I read this now: Mark's positive response last year; audio languishing in my Audible library; non-fiction pick for April

What a story! I had a vague idea of who Ernest Shackleton was (someone who did something in the cold) but no idea of what the goal of his expedition had been nor what had happened to him and the 27 men under his command. The whole story is a series of terrible events, bad luck, indomitable human will, great leadership, and finally, some good luck. What these men endured is unbelievable, and Lansing has weaved together the history and first-person accounts into a thrilling and emotional narrative. The audio version is read by Simon Prebble, who is pretty near perfect. Very much recommended!

Side note: 3 out of 4 of my nonfiction reads so far this year have dealt with maritime disasters - completely unintentionally!

You had me at 5 stars. :D

I am so getting this for my Audible library. Sold!!

>77 katiekrug: If you post this review or not, you get a BIG THUMB!

>78 jolerie: and >79 nittnut: - Enjoy, ladies! It's a good 'un!

>80 msf59: - I usually forget to post my reviews, so thanks for the prod, Mark. I've done it now :)

Duly Thumbed...

Thanks, friend!

>77 katiekrug: Five stars. Okay, I'll use one of my Audible credits on that!

>77 katiekrug: I've seen an exhibition of photos from the expedition, well worth a look (some of them are online at the Royal Geographical Soc site).

Oh, dear! You got me with Endurance. Morning, Katie!

>86 Crazymamie: I've also added Endurance to my list! Hi Katie! (Mamie, isn't it 4.20 where you are?!)

Fabulous review Katie, that looks like a great book.

>87 susanj67: It was actually 3:20am where I am - I was up because I couldn't sleep.

>84 EBT1002: - I don't think you'll be disappointed, Ellen!

>85 charl08: - I did some research online about the expedition and what happened and came across some very cool photos. No pun intended...

>86 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie!

>87 susanj67: - Excellent, Susan! Enjoy!

>88 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura. It was fascinating :)

>89 Crazymamie: - Mamie, dear, how could you not sleep after walking approximately 36 miles yesterday? ;-)

Ha! I only managed 8.41 miles yesterday, which amounts to 20,726 steps for me. Today, however, I have already walked 5.22 miles (12,873 steps) and climbed 25 flights of stairs. I won't mention the strength training. Yes, I am completely crazy. But then, we already knew that!

>91 Crazymamie: - I'd like to think that if I weren't desk bound thanks to my job I would do that, Mamie, but the truth is... you're a nut! That's why we love you :)

*Reads post 91 with alarm, and consults Fitbit. 8813 steps at 5pm. Shakes Fitbit. Still 8813. Dang. Fitbit says "Lets go" (sic). Apt*.

ETA: Hi Katie! Whose thread this is...

>92 katiekrug: You say the sweetest things!

>93 susanj67: The last time I charged my Fitbit is said, "Hold me", which totally cracked me up. I have now done 30 flights of stairs today, but I am thinking that there is NO way I can get the 50 flights stair badge. I mean, who climbs 50 flights of stairs in one day?! *tells herself firmly, "not you."*

>93 susanj67: and >94 Crazymamie: - Hello, ladies!

Rush Me by Allison Pass


Why I read this now: I wanted something fluffy.

I have a soft spot for sports-centric contemporary romance novels and this one didn't disappoint. It was, apparently, marketed as a New Adult novel which targets readers in their early 20s, I guess. The copy editing was terrible and occasionally distracting, but I enjoyed the story of two flawed people coming together. Sometimes things just don't need to be complicated. I also loved this description, "....some Williamsburg hipster in weather-inappropriate scarves" - I will be stealing that. Anyway, this novel just felt fresh while remaining true to its romance roots. My only complaint, besides the poor editing, was that I wanted more football....

Just dropping by to wish you a great weekend, Katie.

>96 katiekrug: "...I wanted more football...."
Well, don't we all right about this time of year? Ha.

>97 DeltaQueen50: - Happy Weekend to you, too, Judy!

>98 EBT1002: - SO true, Ellen :)

I saw this on FB, and it made me laugh.

Happy Saturday, Katie! I hope you have plenty of R & R on the weekend menu.

>100 katiekrug: Ha! I LOVE that! Happy Saturday, Katie!

>101 msf59: - Hi Mark! It's my birthday weekend so definitely some R&R but also some good fun with friends and family :)

>102 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie!

Happy birthday (whenever it actually is), Katie!

Stopping by to say that statistically, the side bar on my profile page shows that you and I share a high volume of the same books. How about that!

Wow, birthday weekend….am I in time for cake? Five star reviews can't be ignored. I'm going to try and find Endurance on audio. My daughter gave me her information for the Kansas City library which has made my world a better place! I hope your birthday includes a trip to Half-Price Books!!!

Early birthday wishes to you, Katie!

Eta: I'm adding Endurance to my audio reading list. My husband read it a loved it a while back but it's more the kind of book I'd rather listen to than read.

Happy Birthday, Katie.

Happy Birthday, Katie!

Happy Birthday, Katie!! May it be full of wonder. And wine.

^Sounds like you are having a wonderful birthday weekend, KAK. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Katie!

Happy Birthday Katie, hope you have a great one and it goes just the way you want it to.

Happy birthday Katie!

Happy Birthday. I hope your day is a special one.

Happy Birthday, Katie! I wish you a day full of fabulous.

>104 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky! Today is my actual birthday :)

>105 Whisper1: - That's cool, Linda!

>106 Donna828: - Thanks, Donna! We haven't had any cake yet, so I will be sure to save you a piece :) I think Endurance will be a winner for you!

>107 Copperskye: - Thanks, Joanne! I hope you like Endurance but I'm pretty sure you will!

>108 BLBera: - Thank you, Beth :)

>109 kidzdoc: - *snort* Thanks, Darryl!

>110 Crazymamie: - And that delicious looking Pimm's! I had a white wine sangria at dinner last night and it put me in the mood for Pimms. All that cut up fruit.... Mmmmmm.

>111 msf59: - Thank you, Mark! That looks like it would hit the spot :) Not immediately, though, because it's only 10am. We're still in Bloody Mary and Mimosa time!

>112 SandDune: - Thank you, Rhian!

>113 GeezLouise: - RAE!! Thank you - and what a treat to see you :)

>114 souloftherose: - Thanks, Heather!

>115 Whisper1: - Thank you, Linda :)

>116 Ameise1: - Thanks, Barbara!

Y'all are so nice - THANK YOU!

We went out to dinner last night with one of my cousins and his wife. The weather was gorgeous and we were able to sit outside and enjoy some live music. Today is typical Sunday stuff (laundry, groceries) but we will also, I think, have a nice lunch (hopefully outside somewhere because it's beautiful here again and I like to eat outside as much as possible before the summer heat hits). Later, we are meeting some friends downtown at the Performing Arts Center where they do free outdoor "Sunset Screenings" in April - June of classic films. Tonight is "Rebecca," one of my favorites, so that should be fun. We'll bring some picnic-y munchies and a bottle of wine - good times!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KATIE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Here's wishing you a birthday full of fabulousness!!!

Happy Birthday KAK!

Happy Birthday, Katie! I remember the Rebecca movie as creating a mesmerizing, creepy atmosphere. Loved the book, too.

Happy birthday, Katie! I hope your evening is lots of fun :-)

Happy Birthday, lady! I hope it's the best one yet!

Happy Birthday!

>100 katiekrug: ha!!!!

Many happy returns of the day! An eternal supply of PIMM'S is being clawed from under the dragon even as I type.

Hope you're having a fun birthday, Katie!

It sounds like you're having a great weekend, Katie. I LOVE outdoor theaters.

Happy birthday!

Have a wonderful birthday, Katie!

>121 Thebookdiva: - HI ABBY! Thanks for stopping by and sending the birthday wishes!

>122 luvamystery65: - Thanks, Ro!

>123 jnwelch: - Both are indeed excellent, Joe :)

>124 susanj67: - Thanks, Susan! See below :-/

>125 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber!

>126 connie53: - Thank you, Connie! Good to "see" you :)

>127 richardderus: - :D

>128 richardderus: - I sure could use it right about now! Thank you, dear xoxo

>129 lauralkeet: - Thanks, Laura!

>130 BLBera: - Alas, Beth, 'twas not to be....

>131 drneutron: - Thank you, Jim :)

>132 DeltaQueen50: - Excellent - thanks, Judy!

Well, this day has kind of sucked. Other than all these lovely messages, and those on Facebook, of course... It just seemed like nothing went right. We went out to lunch but I was disappointed with my meal. Then we went grocery shopping but we went to the smaller store instead of the one we usually go to, so I couldn't find anything and the selection was limited and it was really annoying... Then other errands took twice as long as they should have, and to top it off, the movie screening was cancelled due to expected storms. All day I felt like I was about to burst into tears. Anyway, all of this is soooo minor and I feel like a heel for even writing about it, so I shall shut up now :)

Aw, I'm so sorry Katie. I've had birthdays like that before and it's just no fun. Maybe a bubble bath and glass of wine?

Sorry today didn't meet expectations. Any chance for a do over next weekend?

>136 katiekrug: Katie I'm sorry your day has had all kinds of hiccups and then your movie was cancelled. Personally, I believe this is your thread and you should be able to tell us how you feel about your day. You wanted it to be special but it hasn't met your expectations. You are not a heel for writing about it and if you want to vent then carry on my friend.

Happy happy birthday dear lady. I wish I could punch the weather in the face for you.

What Roberta said. Hugs to you, birthday girl.

I'm sorry that your birthday didn't go as planned, Katie. As Roberta said, you have every right to vent about it. I hope that your evening is better than your day was.

Aww, Katie, I'm really sorry all of that happened.

>137 lauralkeet: - Definitely a glass of wine, Laura!

>138 charl08: - Not next weekend, Charlotte, as I will be going to Houston for work. But I did tell my husband I wanted a do-over at some point :)

>139 luvamystery65: - Ha ha, thanks Ro! I was annoyed up until a little bit ago because it wasn't raining or anything, but The Wayne looked at the weather and apparently we are under a tornado watch until 11pm or something, so....

>140 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie!

>141 kidzdoc: - It has been, Darryl, thank you :)

>142 Thebookdiva: - Thanks, Abby. You're so sweet :)

Chinese takeout and a few episodes of "Arrested Development" have made things a bit cheerier around here. Now for some reading and then bed!

Slightly late but Happy Birthday, Katie.

Happy belated birthday :) Hope you get a do-over for the show and lunch.

I'm so sorry that your birthday was a bit of a stinker. Remember last year when my in-laws invaded my house on my birthday? So, yeah, I feel your birthday pain. Clearly you need to extend the festivities into this week to make up for yesterday...

>145 katiekrug: Chinese takeout and a few episodes of "Arrested Development"
An excellent combination!!

It sounds like you had a day full of Murphy's law things! I hope the rest of the week will be more fun for you.

Sorry to hear that your birthday was not so fun in the end :-( I'm glad Chinese takeaway helped a bit (mmmm - want Chinese now).

>146 PaulCranswick: - Thanks, Paul.

>147 nittnut: - Thanks, Jenn. A do-over is definitely in order!

>148 scaifea: - Yep, you're right, Amber. I am having a nice day today (even though I'm at work)!

>149 lauralkeet: - I thought so!

>150 connie53: - I hope so, too, Connie. Thanks!

>151 souloftherose: - Chinese takeaway is one of my very favorite guilty pleasures, Heather. I had the quite good Mandarin chicken :)

Because I don't always want to post about the negative, here's something nice:

I got to my desk today and my co-worker had brought me some lovely tulips and another had shared some homemade orange ginger scones with me :) And at lunch, my boss took me out to lunch. I have decided today is my actual birthday for this year!

Oh, that's lovely, Katie! Hooray for days like today.

ooh, lovely. Now that's more like a birthday treat :-)

Glad to hear your day is going better, Katie.

Happy belated but since it didn't pan out well, today is your new birthday celebration day, Katie!

*Hug*. Sorry your day was a crank. That should not be allowed especially on someone's actual birthday. I hope the rest of the week makes up for it some way!

Well geez... I am doubly embarrassed. I am late to your new thread - okay, maybe not 'late' since you haven't moved on to a new thread - but I missed your birthday..... AUGH!

>153 katiekrug: That must have been a perfect substitute birthday! Much better then the actual one!

>154 Crazymamie: - Hooray, indeed, Mamie! A *much* nicer day :)

>155 charl08: - Yep - it was a lovely series of treats, Charlotte.

>156 DeltaQueen50: - Thanks, Judy.

>157 jolerie: - Thanks, Val! Yesterday was very nice so I have forgiven the universe ;-)

>158 lkernagh: - No worries, Lori! Glad you found me!

>159 connie53: - Exactly, Connie. Sometimes, one just needs to be a little flexible, I guess!

I finished Death with Interruptions this morning. What a wonderful novel. I'm going to mull it over a little before writing up a review, but it was a 4.5 star read for me. My first Saramago, but definitely not my last.

argh, I need to get back to The Stone Raft. I read the 'translator's note' about the lack of punctuation and my heart sank...

The punctuation in DwI was, um, interesting... There was some, but dialogue wasn't really punctuated, so that took some getting used to. It was definitely a different style and tripped me up a bit at first, but once I got used to it, I was fully engaged.

i think I have a copy of The Stone Raft at home. My next Saramago will probably be Blindness because I've had a friend pestering me to read it for years!

>164 katiekrug: Katie, Blindness is a must-read. I couldn't put it away. I hope you like it as much as I did.

Thanks for the encouragement. Hopefully it'll work the same way when I start reading properly.

>165 Ameise1: I agree completely. Blindness blew me away when I read it in 2001 or 2002.

>165 Ameise1: and >167 kidzdoc: - Well, you two have just moved up a couple of notches!

>166 charl08: - Hope so!

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett


Why I read this now: I wanted to try something on DailyLit and this seemed like an easy one.

I never read The Secret Garden as a child, though I do remember seeing two different film versions of it. I'm not sure if I would have liked this as a kid - I want to say no because even then I was too cynical to put up with this kind of treacly crap, but I did love Little Women and Anne of Green Gables and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn so who knows. But wow, at the tender age of 37, this one doesn't do much for me. It's kind of charming in the beginning but then gets very preachy. I had been enjoying Mary's development from a bratty sour puss into an energetic little girl but then the book becomes all about Colin who is really annoying. There is a bunch of weird, quasi-Christian Science stuff going on, and I can't understand why the awesome Sowerby family would be at all interested in these obnoxious rich people. And I can't understand why I thought this was going to get three stars from me. Definitely more like two. And the ending was weird. So. Very. Abrupt.

Death with Interruptions by Jose Saramago


Why I read this now: I've been meaning to try Saramago, and this quarter's Reading Globally theme of the Iberian Peninsula seemed like as good a reason as any...

Near perfect. This was a challenging and sophisticated novel that I might normally have found pretentious except Saramago blends just the right amount of humor and poignancy to keep it grounded and engaging.

The story is split into two parts. In the first, death (yes, with a small "d") takes a holiday. In a small, unnamed European country, no one dies for several months. The narrator tells us what this means - for ordinary people, for the government, for the undertakers and insurance companies, etc. It's a kind of meta-narrative, where the few "characters" are unnamed - the prime minister, the king, the head of state television. It's very theoretical and cerebral.

And then Saramago changes gear, focuses in on death herself as a character and her relationship with one individual who is supposed to die. It's a beautiful and bittersweet second part of the novel that raised the book to a near 5-star read for me. For all of the focus on death as the main driver in the novel, it is really about life and what it means to live and to live well and meaningfully.

I am so pleased I stuck with this one. It was a rewarding read.

Death with Interruptions sounds like a good one. I may just have to add that to my ridiculous library list.

Too bad The Secret Garden didn't work for you. I remember watching the movie as a kid and found it charming. Will see if the book version will hold true for me whenever I get a chance to dust it off the shelves...ha!

I've found so many of the children's books that I read when young are very "preachy" upon re-reading them as an adult. I recently read A Secret Garden which I loved as a child to my granddaughter. I definitely found it a very different book than I remembered, but my granddaughter loved it, so I think maybe the "moral lessons" just slips by the kids.

A belated Happy Birthday! I'm sorry the actual day didn't turn out as expected, and I'm glad you had such a special day yesterday.

Hi, Katie! Good review of Death with Interruptions. I have not heard of this Saramago. I have only read Blindness but really want to read more of his work.

>170 katiekrug: Great review of Death with Interruptions, Katie! I loved it as well, and also gave it 4-1/2 stars. I should have mentioned that I enjoyed The Stone Raft just as much.

>170 katiekrug: Well, that sounds interesting, dammit.

Yay! So happy that you enjoyed Death with Interruptions! Little "d" is my perfect vision of death (with a little bit of attitude) and Saramago's political/government message comes through loud and clear. If you do read Blindness, get ready for a completely different type of story. Blindness kicks you in the gut where Death with Interruptions just tickles your funny bones a bit. The Elephant's Journey is a wonderful, charming tale with more of a lighthearted, moral story to it.... if you are not ready to tackle Blindness.

>169 katiekrug: So sad that you didn't enjoy The Secret Garden. I definitely can see how Colin could be a little annoying with all his positive affirmations stuff, but that was also a major part of the literature style of the time. Maybe because I read it when I was about 8, and missed most of that stuff completely. :) Interesting how some books are just not the same if you read them for the first time as an adult.

Also...

After last year, I totally swore off writers of the Spanish extraction. Now you tempt me. Sigh.

>170 katiekrug: This is even better encouragement to get on with Saramago. But I'll just finish my detective book first, mind... (!)

Oh, dang it, Charlie and I (and Tomm) have just started in on The Secret Garden, which I *loved* as a kid. I really hope it hasn't gotten preachy over the years for me, too!

Also, I need to read more Saramago - I loved Blindness.

>181 scaifea: We call that: The suckfairy!

>171 jolerie: - Val, it's always dicey trying to read children's classics when one is older... And do give the Saramago a try!

>172 DeltaQueen50: - I think you are spot on, Judy. I read Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom a few years ago and while not as preachy as TSG, there were definitely Lessons To Be Learned.

>173 cbl_tn: - Thanks, Carrie! Do-overs are great :)

>174 msf59: - Mark, I think you'd like DwI (the book not the driving offense!). I would definitely recommend reading it in print rather than listening to it, though.

>175 kidzdoc: - Great minds, Darryl! And thanks for the endorsement of The Stone Raft. I'll look forward to it.

>176 rosalita: - Bwahahahaha! (Hi Julia!)

>177 lkernagh: - I take it you're a Saramago fan, Lori! I haven't heard of The Elephant's Journey so thanks for that rec. And thanks for the warning about Blindness.

>178 nittnut: - Jenn, it definitely would have been a different experience if I'd read it as a child. So, lesson learned :) And I think I'll skip A Little Princess!

>179 nittnut: - He's Portuguese so it's safe! Read it!

>180 charl08: - Ha ha - fair enough, Charlotte! Mustn't neglect in-process books :)

>181 scaifea: - Amber, I imagine reading it with Charlie will maintain a lot of the magic of it for you! And I definitely think you'd like Death with Interruptions.

>182 connie53: - Love that, Connie!

Nice comments on Death with Interruptions. That may be my next Saramago.

And the library has DwI, so I've put a hold on it. Thank goodness you're around to keep me from running out of books to read, Katie.

>186 BLBera: - Excellent, Beth!

>187 rosalita: - I live to serve :)

A quick note to say I finished Hell's Bottom, Colorado, and it was fantastic! 5 stars. Just beautiful.

Will type up more comments tonight or tomorrow.

OH! You got me with that one even before a review because I love linked short stories, and because five stars from you!

>189 katiekrug: >190 Crazymamie: Yes, I was straight onto Amazon after "fantastic" :-) And the stars. My order should arrive between 11 May and 2 June :-)

>190 Crazymamie: - Mamie, I was going to call your attention to this one if need be, given your love of linked stories :)

>191 susanj67: - There are cowboys, Susan! Though not really romantic ones... And good on you for jumping right on Amazon to order. I read a library copy but will be buying a copy for my personal collection.

>192 katiekrug: All cowboys are romantic, though! I'm pretty sure Roberta told me that.

Well, Roberta would definitely know!

>194 katiekrug: Or maybe that was pirates. So many hunky heroes out there.

I did enjoy my recent read of a romance featuring a football-playing stud. There are, all of a sudden, a bunch of sports-related romances on my WL....

Beautiful reviews, from the Erdrich to the Saramago. I was especially interested too in your thoughts about the 4 1/2 rating. I rarely give it because it seems sort of stingy, and yet . . .

And happy birthday belatedly. Drat expectations, eh? I hope you've had a day since then that makes up for it!

>197 sibylline: - Thanks for those kind words, Lucy! I have decided to try to better consider my 4.5 star ratings - I think I am almost *too* hesitant to give out the full 5. If I loved something, I feel like there shouldn't be a problem but sometimes I think I think there is a limited number of 5s to go around, and I'm afraid to use them all up!

Oops! Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Katie! May the year make up for the day itself.

Hell's Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett


Why I read this now: It was on my wishlist, and I borrowed it from the library on a whim.

A BIG thanks to Joanne (coppers) for bringing this collection of interconnected stories to my attention. Focusing on one family, ranchers in Colorado, each story gives us profound truths - about the pain others can cause through violence and simple misunderstanding, about our capacity to nurture both anger and joy, about contentment and desire and the conflict between the two. Pritchett's writing is spare and the stories short but not lacking. The back of the book says it well, "Her characters convey the universal truth that family relationships, like Hell's Bottom Ranch itself, are marked by moments of pain and glimpses of paradise."

This slim collection of under 150 pages can be read in a single sitting but don't race through it. There is much to be savored and reflected upon.

>199 ronincats: - Thank you, Roni! That's a lovely wish :)

>200 katiekrug: Going to look for this one KAK. I hope the library has it. My vet bill is still climbing. Freddy had to overnight at the hospital for one more night. I hope the little devil is home tomorrow. The other two are very depressed that he is missing. I wish I could relieve them with the news that he is coming home tomorrow.

Lovely review: I'll endeavour not to race as instructed if I manage to get my hands on it...

>202 luvamystery65: - Hope you can get hold of a copy, Ro! Sorry about poor Freddy, but I'm glad his prognosis is good :)

>203 charl08: - I hope you can get your hands on it, Charlotte!

You got me with Hell's Bottom. I had to go look to see if Joanne had got me first, but I didn't have it marked.

Happy Friday, Katie! Good review of Hell's Bottom, Colorado. Somehow, I missed that title. Sounds good and it's a shorty!! Yah!

I want to be in Booktopia, this weekend. Wahhhhhh!!

>205 nittnut: - I think it's definitely one you'd like, Jenn!

>206 msf59: - Mark, it's a Mark kind of book - sharp prose and a little dark. Now, now - you're going to Booktopia in a few months, which is more than I can say :(

Morning, Katie! Happy Friday!!

Happy Friday, Katie. Nice review of Hells Bottom, Colorado.

I'm so glad to see that you loved Hell's Bottom, Colorado as much as I did. There is a follow-up book, published just last year, that revisits the characters a few years on - Stars Go Blue.

>208 Crazymamie: - Good evening, Mamie! I had a great Friday - hope you did, too!

>209 BLBera: - Thanks, Beth! Hope you have a great weekend.

My birthday gift from the hubs arrived today - as requested, he got me a Kindle Fire. I have an iPad but it technically belongs to work, and I wanted something a little smaller, so yay! It's "magenta" - really more like hot pink, and I love it :)

Today I got my hair trimmed and did some shopping. It was another beautiful day here - mid 80s and low humidity, with bright blue skies and lots of sun. I leave tomorrow for 6 days in Houston where I expect the humidity will try to kill me...

Eh-hem >210 Copperskye:

Congrats on your new toy!

>213 Copperskye: - Oh, I'm sorry, Joanne! I hate skipping people :(
I'm so glad you brought HBC to my attention. I plan to buy a copy for my permanent library, and I've put her other two books on my WL... I hope we can snag a few more readers for her!

>200 katiekrug: I put that one on my wishlist back when Joanne was singing its praises, but now Katie has prompted me to search the library's website to see if they have it ... no, they don't, but I put in a request for them to acquire it!

Yay for a new Kindle! How does it compare to the iPad?

ooh new reading tech. Enjoy.

Hope you are having a good weekend! :)

>215 rosalita: - Julia, if your library won't get it, I bet you could find a cheap copy on Amazon Marketplace... Just sayin' :)

>216 cbl_tn: - Carrie, to be honest, I haven't played much with it. I'm traveling now for work and left it at home because I don't have a case for it yet.

>217 charl08: - Thanks, Charlotte!

>218 ChelleBearss: - Thanks, Chelle. Hope you are, too :)

I drove down to Houston (~4.5 hours) today and went right to work. I've now checked in to my hotel, had a glass of wine, and am ready for bed. I have to be up and on-site by 8am tomorrow.

I may not be able to post much for the next several days, but I'll be lurking and trying too keep up with y'all!

>200 katiekrug: Got me with that one, for sure.

Safe travels to you Katie!

>221 EBT1002: - Excellent!

>222 jolerie: - Thanks, Val!

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