Laura (lauralkeet)'s 2015 Reading - Part 3

Dreaming Iolanthe, butter sculpture, 1876 Centennial Exhibition

Continuing a series of "artists from my hometown," Caroline Shawk Brooks (April 28, 1840 – 1913) was a sculptor born in Cincinnati, Ohio and is most famous for her work sculpting in the medium of butter! Who knew, right? I certainly didn’t. Whatever did we do before the internet? Brooks was the first known American sculptor working in the medium of butter. She created her first sculpture in 1867 as a source of supplemental income. Dreaming Iolanthe was displayed in early 1874 at a Cincinnati gallery, to financial and critical success. A later version was exhibited at the Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia in 1876.




This year I have no goals whatsoever. Last year, after several years of reading resolutions, challenges and detailed reading plans, I went with a completely unstructured approach. You know, reading like normal people do. :) I plan to participate sporadically in the American Author and British Author challenges, although I have no illusions about reading every author, every month. The Virago Group is also planning a theme read on the seven ages of women, and a few of us are (slowly) reading Virago Modern Classics in order of their original publication.

Other than that, I will read whatever strikes my fancy. Let the reading begin!

Part 1 (books 1-16) | Part 2 (books 17-28)

Books completed ("details" jumps to location in this thread where review & links can be found)
May
29. Far From the Madding Crowd - details
30. Good Evening, Mrs Craven - details
31. The Road from Coorain - details
32. Old New York - details
33. The Guermantes Way - details
34. Our Souls at Night - details

June
35. The Secret Place - details
36. A God in Ruins - details
37. Crossing to Safety - details
38. The Coroner's Lunch - details
39. Challenge - details
40. The Sisters Brothers - details

July
41. The Vacationers - details
42. The Brandons - details
43. Doc - details
44. Go Set a Watchman - details
45. Time After Time - details

Series Progress

Active series as of May 1:


Series completed/current in 2015:
* Patrick Melrose Novels, by Edward St Aubyn (January)
* Matthew Shardlake, by C.J. Sansom (March)
* Plainsong, by Kent Haruf (March May)
* Dublin Murder Squad, by Tana French (June)

Series started in 2015:
* Inspector Rebus, by Ian Rankin (January)
* Dr Siri, by Colin Cotterill (June)

Alys in the Daffodils … and with her buddies Woody & Lilly

At the moment I'm reading:


* The Guermantes Way - I'm currently on page 258 of 595; I read about 90 pages this week. I'm aiming for ~15pp/day so that I can finish in May.
* Far from the Madding Crowd - I was drawn in by the trailer for the new film starring Carey Mulligan. My husband and I are both reading the book.

That's a fine-looking canine crew you have there, Laura!

>3 lauralkeet: Look at that trilogy!

>1 lauralkeet: the sculpting in butter is intriguing to. You can't fire it as it will melt hmmm! Food for thought ... er.. sorry :-)

Great photos of the butter sculpture and your trio, Laura!

Hi Linda, Caro & Darryl! Thanks for stopping by to christen my thread. Caro, I was briefly confused by the butter sculpture, thinking she had exhibited the same piece in 1876 that she first made in 1874!

I wonder how someone first discovers that they can sculpt in butter?! :)

Happy new thread, Laura!

Happy Saturday, Laura! And Happy New Thread! Love the pup pics!

I finished and absolutely loved H is for Hawk. Does NF get any better than this? Wow!

>3 lauralkeet: What a lovely photo. It deserves to be framed! How special!

So what happens to the work of art when it starts to go rancid?

>1 lauralkeet: Ah, so she’s responsible for this: http://lancasteronline.com/features/pa-farm-show-video--pound-butter-sculpture-i... .

>9 NanaCC: Colleen, in her case she was living on a farm, so I guess it was more readily available than, say, clay?

>10 scaifea: thanks Amber!

>11 msf59: Hi Mark, so glad you loved the book. Hope your next one is good too.

>12 Whisper1: thanks Linda. I'm taking lots of puppy photos these days.

>13 tiffin: ew, I don't know Tui!

>14 qebo: OMG Katherine. I found the whole concept rather ridiculous and had no idea it was still a "thing".

Yup, the Ohio State Fair always has a series of butter sculptures, too, and although we've not yet been to the Wisconsin State Fair, I would be shocked if they didn't, too.

>1 lauralkeet:, >9 NanaCC: Did she actually sculpt the butter (I know people do), or did she mold that piece from a wooden block that she sculpted?

>16 scaifea: I'm sure you're right, Amber.

>17 laytonwoman3rd: Do I look like an expert in butter sculpture, or the work of Caroline Shawk Brooks??!! :)
Seriously though, the Wikipedia article describes the tools she used and also includes an anecdote about the Centennial Exhibition, where she did a demonstration to prove she had actually sculpted the piece.

I just keep thinking of the headaches involved keeping the butter from melting!

Your trio look like they are ready for anything! Preferably biscuit related.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the Hardy. That's one I haven't read.

I could see getting that butter sculpture half done and Himself sticking a knife into it for his peas.

>19 sibylline: Seeing that the butter sculpture display halls at the state fair are always incredibly cold, I suspect the headaches would come from sculpting in a meat locker - very chilly working conditions...

Wonderful photos of Alys, Lilly, and Woody. They all look so happy!

Hope you will enjoy Far From the Madding Crowd as much as I did. There is a new film version of this one coming out that I'm looking forward to. Carey Mulligan, for one, will act; and she's excellent.

>19 sibylline: my trio are always ready for treats, Lucy!

>20 tiffin: oh jeez ... I now have this great mental picture of the artist shoo-ing her husband away from her studio (which may very well have been her kitchen table)!!

>21 scaifea: you seem to know an awful lot about butter sculpture, Amber. Secret hobby? :)

>22 lit_chick: Nancy, thanks ... they are happy dogs for sure. I am very excited about the new film of Far From the Madding Crowd. I love Carey Mulligan too, as well as Michael Sheen who plays the part of Boldwood.

>20 tiffin: I just keep thinking 'rancid', but I guess it would have no chance with an 'himself' waving a butter knife!

>23 lauralkeet: *snork!* Not really - we just used to go the to Ohio State Fair every year.

29. Far From the Madding Crowd ()
My Review
Source: On my Kindle
Why I read this now: I wanted to read it before seeing the new film adaptation.

When Bathsheba Everdene inherits her uncle's farm, she becomes a prominent citizen of Weatherbury, a village in 19th century England. Her status as an independent woman attracts a lot of attention, but she is confident and capable, managing the farm and her employees with relative ease.
Bathsheba's was an impulsive nature under a deliberative aspect. An Elizabeth in brain and a Mary Stuart in spirit, she often performed actions of the greatest temerity with a manner of extreme discretion.

For much of the day-to-day management she relies on Gabriel Oak, a shepherd who until recently had his own farm. Gabriel is quiet, reliable, and in love with Bathsheba, but she quickly dispenses with any notion of romance between the two of them. Enter two more suitors: Boldwood, an older well-established landowner & farmer, and Troy, a rakish soldier with bags of sex appeal. Boldwood makes his intentions known, and Bathsheba toys with him. With Troy, she is unable to keep the upper hand. Matters escalate on both fronts, and I will stop there so as not to spoil the story.

Hardy feared the English countryside was in decline. The rural idyll is front and center in this novel, of equal importance to the characters. The natural setting and the village inhabitants add considerably to the plot, and make up for certain elements that seemed a bit contrived. I also liked Hardy's depiction of a strong woman, unusual for the time period, and his ability to communicate so much about a character in a single, concise sentence, such as "Troy was never more clever than when absolutely at his wits' end."

I felt ambivalent about this book for the first half or so, but by the time I turned the last page I had found much to appreciate.

This week I'm reading:


* The Guermantes Way - I'm currently on page 366 of 595; I read just over 100 pages this week. I hope to continue my ~15pp/day pace and finish this book in May.
* Good Evening Mrs Craven - A collection of short stories set in England during WW II. I enjoyed Downes' novel One Fine Day, and these are also excellent.

Laura, you sum up Hardy beautifully here: The rural idyll is front and center in this novel, of equal importance to the characters. I found the same with The Return of the Native. I enjoyed Far From the Madding Crowd more than you did, at least in terms of star rating, but I was listening to it. Speaking of The Return of the Native, that one is narrated by Alan Rickman, and I can't recommend it more highly.

Far from the Madding Crowd is one of the few Hardy novels I can stand. You've heard me waffle on about Jude the Obscure, so it doesn't bear repeating. I do like his poems, however. Your current reading looks good. I enjoyed One Fine Day as well...wonder if I have this sitting on the unread Viragoes?

Thanks Nancy! I don't usually "do" audio books but Rickman ... Well, that could tempt me.

Tui, the Downes is a Persephone, and as you will see in the latest Persephone Bianually they've just released another by her. I don't think Virago have published any besides One Fine Day ... Will have to check on that.

ETA: Confirmed: One Fine Day is the only Virago by Mollie Panter-Downes ...

Hmmm....Alan Rickman....*makes note to check the library, but they won't have it, mumble, mumble*

>30 lauralkeet:: thanks, Laura. I hadn't finished reading the catalogue. One for the wishlist.

30. Good Evening, Mrs Craven ()
My Review
Source: My Persephone collection
Why I read this now: Just because.

Good Evening, Mrs Craven is a lovely collection of short stories published by Persephone Books. Mollie Panter-Downes made her career as a journalist, publishing 153 “Letters from London” in The New Yorker during World War II, and as a result became better known in the United States than in the United Kingdom. These short stories also appeared originally in The New Yorker. The book begins with a London letter from 1939, followed by 21 stories in chronological order of publication, and a final London letter from dated June 11, 1944 -- D-Day.

The stories describe everyday life in England during World War II and deal with “home front” issues such as rationing, housing evacuees, and saying good-bye to men departing for their service. She captured the day-to-day realities, and with wry wit acknowledged that sometimes “doing one’s bit” became a bit too much. There were two stories that stood out for me. In one, a soldier’s mistress worries about how she would be notified if he were injured or killed. In another, a woman experiences the anguish of saying good-bye. But every story is well-crafted, and while none of them had a “wow factor,” the collection was more consistent and even than most I’ve read.

Persephone have just published London War Notes, a collection of her “Letters from London,” which I am now keenly interested in reading.

I will be scarce around LT for the next few days. We are traveling from Pennsylvania to Ohio for my older daughter Kate's college graduation. It promises to be a memorable weekend. I feel excited and sad at the same time!

I hope to have photos to share next week!

Enjoy! College graduation is such a huge step for your daughter. A parent's proud moment!

>34 lauralkeet: Congratulations to Kate! What's next for her?

>34 lauralkeet: Congratulations to Kate and her family!

Hi, Laura! Have a safe trip to Ohio. Congrats to Kate. Give her a hug from the Mighty 75ers!

I finished Wolf Hall! What an amazing adaptation. I particularly liked Claire Foy.

Have a lovely time in Gambier, Laura! And don't forget that cheeseburger!

>28 lit_chick: >30 lauralkeet: adding to the recommendation of Alan Rickman reading The Return of the Native. I bought it many years ago for a flight to Boston (I only do one or two audio books a year), and I've listened to it three times I think, and just leant it to a friend.

Hey! Cheers for the soon-to-be alum. Multiple thumbs up.

Congratulations to Kate, Laura! I can't believe she's graduating - I remember on your thread when she started at college.

I listened to Far From the Madding Crowd and ended up loving it, although not quite as much as The Return of the Native. Somehow the humor in Hardy comes out in the audio versions with good readers! That happened with Ulysses too! Transforming!

>26 lauralkeet: I've read a few Hardys and struggled with them all so I'm actually considering watching the film of this one and then reading the book in the hope that helps.

>33 lauralkeet: Glad you enjoyed the Panter-Downes. I also liked the collection of her post WWII stories that Persephone published (Minnie's Room) but not quite as much as the WWII stories. I read a very old library copy of London War Notes a couple of years ago and enjoyed it a lot. Still haven't read One Fine Day.

Congratulations to Kate on her graduation!

Hi everyone! Please forgive my lack of individual responses. I really appreciate all of your well wishes.

We had a very nice weekend at Kenyon. Friday's events included the Baccalaureate ceremony, followed by the Senior Sing and a candlelight dinner. The faculty member who spoke at Baccalaureate (for Amber: Royal Rhodes) was excellent, and the choral director/music professor sung a beautiful a Capella version of Amazing Grace (for Amber: Ben Locke of course). For Senior Sing the class sang four college songs that they learned four years ago as part of their orientation -- a bittersweet moment.

Commencement had to be held indoors due to rain, but it was a nice ceremony. The most moving part was the degree awarded posthumously to Andrew Pochter, a classmate (and Kate's then-boyfriend's roommate) who was killed in Egypt two years ago. His name was read in alphabetical order as part of the class, and to my surprise his parents were there to receive the diploma. There was a long standing ovation which choked me up completely.

After the ceremony we had to move Kate out of her dorm, and yes it was still raining. Unpleasant, but we managed, and then had a nice family dinner at a restaurant in Columbus.

No photos yet. The seating was such that it was pretty tough to get decent photos of Kate on stage, but there was an official photographer and we will undoubtedly buy photos when available. There are also a few on her camera that have yet to be uploaded.

Kate is now home for two weeks before starting work with a literary agent in the Boston area.

Royal Rhodes is one of the loveliest people I've ever met. So, so smart and so, so kind-hearted. The same can be said for Ben Locke, too, of course. And his ridiculous jokes are legendary - I heard from a friend on facebook this week that he pulled out one of his old chestnuts for the raining Senior Sing: "We probably shouldn't do this outside this year, because I'm such a good conductor..." *snork!*

The posthumous diploma bit happened once while I was on faculty there - very moving.

Did you get that cheeseburger...? *sigh*

>46 scaifea: sorry Amber, I let you down on the cheeseburger front. We had breakfast at the Deli Friday & Saturday, but the college does a nice job of making meals available and we took advantage of that for lunches & of course the candlelight dinner. That said, we have three more years of Kenyon visits ahead of us so I will keep the Deli cheeseburger in mind!

>44 souloftherose: Heather, I also wanted to acknowledge your comments on Mollie Panter-Downes, since I have you to thank for foisting Good Evening Mrs Craven on me in the Persephone shop last March!

>47 lauralkeet: Well, their breakfasts are pretty fantastic, too, so you're forgiven. *grins*

>48 scaifea: yeah ... we were fortunate to land a room at the Holiday Inn Express (having reserved a year in advance). On our first visit there a staff member described their breakfast as "purty decent," which has become a family joke. It was adequate on our last day when we were on our way out, but the Deli was definitely the better choice!

Kate's grad ceremony sounds lovely, Laura. Enjoy your couple of weeks with her before she's off to Boston.

>3 lauralkeet: Love the photos!

Kate's commencement ceremony sounds really special. It's nice that they honored the member of her cohort who was lost a couple of years ago. I will be a Marshall at our commencement on June 13. I always enjoy the day.

>33 lauralkeet: I have a couple of Persephone editions but have not yet read one. The books are so lovely and I love their bookmarks, too. So, I should read one of them, right? Ha.

>50 lit_chick: Thanks Nancy, it's nice to have her home just to chat. Plus she really likes to cook so we've been enjoying some great meals!

>51 EBT1002: Hi Ellen, thanks for visiting! I thought of you over grad weekend because one of Kate's friends is from Seattle. Her dad heads up the regional EPA office and her mother does ... something ... with UW. Unfortunately I didn't catch her surname. And yes, you should read your Persephones! Which ones do you have?

31. The Road from Coorain ()
My Review
Source: On my shelves
Why I read this now: It's been on my TBR for ages, and survived my year-end book cull so I thought I'd better get on with reading it.

Jill Ker Conway was the first woman to serve as president of Smith College in Massachusetts, and this memoir depicts the first part of her life journey, from birth on an Australian sheep farm to her mid-20s, when she left for the United States. Conway’s parents became homesteaders in a remote part of Australia in 1929, as part of a government program granting land to former soldiers. It was a hard and isolated life, but they had many years of successful farming until a drought hit. A significant life event led them from Coorain to Sidney, where at age 11, Conway attended school with other children for the first time. The rest of the memoir describes her intellectual growth in the face of gender discrimination, her changing role in the family, and her relationship with her mother which presented several conflicts and dilemmas as Conway matured.

I found Conway’s story quite interesting, especially her fight against societal pressure to conform to the expected female role. Ultimately she had to leave her home country to pursue her dreams, which made me curious about the later phases in her life and whether she ever felt “at home” in Australia again. But those are subjects of later memoirs …

This week I'm reading:


* The Guermantes Way - Must. Finish. This. My reading stalled out during & after graduation weekend. I'm currently on page 476 of 595; I'm hoping to accelerate my 15pp/day pace a bit over the holiday weekend and press on to finish before the end of the month.
* Old New York - four novellas by the great Edith Wharton. I finished the first one last night, and really liked it.

And one more thing: a family photo, post graduation. Unfortunately, photos of the ceremony were difficult to take, and Kate is barely distinguishable in them, so we will wait to purchase the official cap & gown/diploma photo.



(from left to right: Chris, Kate, me, Julia)

Oh, lovely family photo!
Graduation was inside the KAC this year? Raining? Honestly, though most folks complain when it has to be indoors, this lover of The Great Indoors always appreciated KAC ceremonies...

Beautiful family photo, Laura! Thanks for sharing.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Great photo, Laura!

Amber, yes it was in tha KAC due to rain. Actually, so was their first year convocation in 2011 so there's some symmetry in that. Baccalaureate was outdoors and it was lovely.

Hi Mark and Darryl, and thanks.

Hope everyone is enjoying the long holiday weekend (at least in the US & UK).

Congratulations to your daughter, Laura. That is a great picture!

Congrats to Kate and welcome back home! Beautiful family photo as well.

Thanks Colleen & Lucy!

Kate's graduation sounds lovely. It looks like a good time was had by all. Such a happy family picture! So, she'll be working for a literary agent in Boston, huh? That sounds like a dream job to me. I hope we get some behind-the-scenes reports.

32. Old New York ()
My Review
Source: My Virago Modern Classics collection
Why I read this now: I was looking for a VMC to read this month, and chose this because another LTer (Deborah/@Cariola) recently reviewed one of the novellas in this volume.

Old New York is a collection of four novellas, each set in a different decade (1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s). Each in its way explores issues of morality in American society. In False Dawn, a young man acquires an art collection while on his Grand Tour of Europe, but fails to impress his pompous father. The Old Maid concerns two cousins and the child the two women raise together. The Spark focuses on one man as observed by a much younger man. And finally, New Year's Day deals with the repercussions of an extramarital affair.

As Marilyn French writes in her introduction to the Virago Modern Classics edition of this book, "the work as a whole suggests the changes in manners that occurred in that forty-year period," with particular focus on the wealthier layers of society and their relentless focus on keeping up appearances and social status. Although I especially liked The Old Maid, the others were just okay. Understanding the unifying theme of these stories made the difference in my ability to enjoy the book.

I've enjoyed Edith Wharton's full-length novels more, but for those interested in reading pretty much everything she's written (that would be me), it's solid.

>63 Donna828: Donna, if Kate has any interesting stories from this experience, I will be sure to share them!

33. The Guermantes Way ()
My Review
Source: On my shelves
Why I read this now: I began reading Proust in 2014, had yet to read any this year, and thought it best to do so sooner rather than later because this is definitely not a "summer beach read".

Finishing The Guermantes Way marks the halfway point in Marcel Proust's In Search of Lost Time, a journey I began about a year ago. For this reader anyway, Proust is best read in small doses of 10-20 pages, so the flowery but dense prose can be understood, digested, and appreciated. And yet, this volume challenged me in the "appreciation" department. I enjoyed the first part of the book, where Marcel visits his friend Robert de Saint Loup at his military barracks, and spends time with Robert and his rather colorful mistress. There were also some very moving scenes involving Marcel and his grandmother. However, a central theme of this book revolves around the social hierarchy and various forms of snobbery, as demonstrated in an afternoon at a salon (described in 100 pages of detail), and a dinner party (200 pages!). It took everything I had to soldier on to the end, where there was a payoff that piqued my interest in the next volume. But I need to take a nice, long break so I can approach it with fresh enthusiasm.

**clapping** glad you survived the push Laura. I have not yet made a serious attempt. I took the first volume to Paris a few years ago, and enjoyed reading it (200 pages at least), but for some reason got distracted when I got home, and never returned to it. I shall start again sometime.

>67 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks for the applause, Caro! I don't think I would have made it through any of these books without a "study aid," in the form of a blog called The Cork-Lined Room, where a group of people read all of Proust over the course of about a year. The blog's author sets daily reading assignments and posts commentary, which I have found very helpful.

34. Our Souls at Night ()
My Review
Source: My local library
Why I read this now: I was saddened by Haruf's passing, and couldn't wait to read his final work.

Kent Haruf earned critical acclaim for his Plainsong trilogy set in Holt, a fictional small town in rural Colorado. The novels were filled with gentle, moving prose portraying the ups and downs of daily life, and the hardships people invariably face. Towards the end of his life, Haruf found he had one more story to tell: that of Addie and Louis, a couple who found one another late in life. The book opens with Addie visiting Louis, and asking him to share her bed overnight for conversation and companionship, not for sex. Louis is an agreeable sort, so after the shock wears off he decides to accept her invitation. As their relationship develops they face the prying eyes of their neighbors with aplomb. When Addie's 6-year-old grandson Jamie comes to visit, they take great pains to carefully introduce him to their arrangement, and slowly help Jamie heal some emotional wounds. Eventually Addie and Louis' companionship develops into a deeper relationship, and at the same time they are faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge.

Our Souls at Night is just as beautiful as Haruf's earlier books, albeit somewhat shorter and focused only on Addie and Louis vs. the stories of other families in Holt. But Haruf wrote this novel as an homage to his wife Cathy, whom he married later in life as well. When read as a final tribute to a lifelong love, this book becomes a thing of beauty. I will greatly miss reading about the people of Holt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My review may not convince you to read Our Souls at Night. But this article will: Kent Haruf's Final Chapter

Lovely, Laura. Me, too. I gave it the whole five stars. I wanted to climb in and give them a hand somehow.

I didn't know Haruf had passed, Laura. Thank you for that, and for your wonderful review of his final work. This one is going immediately onto my WL. I loved his Plainsong trilogy so much! Thumb-up!

>45 lauralkeet: 'before starting work with a literary agent in the Boston area.'

Go Kate!

>55 lauralkeet: Lovely photo and congratulations to Kate on graduating!

>69 lauralkeet: 'Haruf wrote this novel as an homage to his wife Cathy'

Oh, that's lovely. Haruf's novels are firmly on my wishlist.

>70 jnwelch: Joe, the only reason I docked 1/2 star was because it wasn't quite as complex as the previous novels (although I completely understand why).

>71 lit_chick: Nancy, if you loved the trilogy you'll love this one, too.

>72 souloftherose: Thanks Heather! Kate moved into her apartment today and starts her new job tomorrow. Exciting times! Also, you must read Haruf's novels. They're quite American, I think, but not in a bad way. :)

Happy Sunday, Laura! Great review of Our Souls at Night. I love seeing those high ratings! I ordered my copy today.

I hope you enjoy A God in Ruins as much as I did.

I missed so much! The graduation sounds lovely and of course I was welling up reading about the student who died.

the Guermantes Way was the book where I almost abandoned Proust. I had loved the first two books so much and read them quite quickly and then got stuck in this one.
And when I finally continued I did what you're doing, reading about 15 pages per day, which was like eating exactly one delicious chocolate truffle and then putting the box back. I didn't take any breaks between books because my memory for characters is so bad and picking up again TGM after weeks of neglect had been hard enough. I found all the following ones however much easier to read, though I don't know if it was the text or the 15 pages approach.

And I'm another one with Hardy issues. I only read Jude the Obscure and am still disturbed by the ending. I tried to listen to Alan Rickman, but his voice distracts me too much, I just hear and enjoy the sound and don't listen to the story. I had Far from the Madding Crowd in my hand numerous times, but it never calls out "read me! Now!" the way other books do.

>74 msf59: Hi Mark! I'm looking forward to A God in Ruins, which is up next after I finish The Secret Place.

>75 Deern: Nathalie!!!!! Hello! Thanks for the encouragement regarding the remaining volumes of Proust. My husband also warned me about TGM and said subsequent books were easier. So with two votes in favor, I think I have the strength to continue!

Hi Laura, I really debated with myself about the rating for Our Souls at Night. I think I took off a full star for the slightness of the story. I really wanted it to be a 5-star book but that designation belongs to Plainsong, and his last book was no Plainsong. I am sad that there will be no new books, but I will definitely reread the Plainsong trilogy…and maybe some of his earlier books. I had forgotten you were reading Proust. Go, Laura!!!

>77 Donna828: I five-starred Our Souls at Night, Donna, although I have to agree that it's not Plainsong. I have no doubt that Our Souls would have been longer if he had more time before the end; it sounds like the editing process went down to the wire. I did love it, though, and it's like our kids - both are five stars, for me, in different ways. Just a beautiful book. Addie and Louis are as much in my mind now as the McPherson brothers and others.

I love blogs like the Proust one that has helped you - I have used several when reading Pynchon.

>77 Donna828: Donna, I commented over on your thread but wanted to say hello and acknowledge your comment here as well. I'm more in Joe (>78 jnwelch:)'s camp I think and I love how he described his love for different books like the love for your children! Our Souls at Night wasn't Plainsong but I still thought it was a beautiful tribute. I think knowing the context (his impending death, the homage to his wife) makes it a very different reading experience. I probably would not have felt as emotional if I didn't know all that.

>79 sibylline: They're a great resource aren't they, Lucy? With Proust, not only do I get the commentary but it helps me break the book into chunks. Proust's style is so flowery and his sentences so long, and the books don't really have chapters, so the stopping points are sometimes pretty arbitrary.

>66 lauralkeet:: well done, Laura!

>70 jnwelch:: I love when stories make you feel that way, as though they are utterly real.

>81 tiffin: Hi Tui! thanks a bunch.

35. The Secret Place ()
My Review
Source: My local library's Kindle collection
Why I read this now: I've enjoyed the previous books in this series.

I'll get right to the point: I like Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series but this latest installment (book #5) fell flat for me. On the strength of a questionable piece of new evidence, detectives are called back to a boarding school to investigate a murder they were unable to solve about a year before.

I liked the structure of the book a lot: alternating chapters covered the reopened investigation, and the events leading up to the murder. Other than that, I found the story pretty implausible. Focused on two rival cliques, the "Mean Girls murder" failed to hold my interest. It was also hard to believe that an unsolved case could be cracked in a single day of heavy interrogation. And while French usually serves up deeper character portraits of the detectives, that aspect didn't work so well either. She introduced a new but unlikeable lead investigator, and paired her with a minor character from a previous book who didn't have much of a back story.

Meh.

>83 lauralkeet: I think I liked The Secret Place quite a bit more than you did, Laura. I didn't care for the lead investigator either, but that didn't take away from the story for me. I kept rooting for Stephen because I remember feeling sorry for him in Faithful Place.

It looks like we were both disappointed in, The Secret Place. That is too bad, considering her last one, Broken Harbor may have been her strongest. Let's home she bounces back.

Hope A God in Ruins is casting a spell...

>84 NanaCC: I like Stephen Moran and yeah, I did feel sorry for him in Faithful Place. I think I would have liked him better in this book if Tana French had him rise through the ranks between books, and made lead investigator on this case.

>85 msf59: Mark, I do think my reading of The Secret Place suffered somewhat because I read it shortly after Broken Harbor which I agree was excellent. My main gripes with this storyline were 1) I didn't believe any of the teen girls could actually have committed the crime, 2) the characters, especially in the "mean" group, were over the top, and 3) It seemed unrealistic to have two detectives crack the case simply by spending a very long day at the school, especially since they were unable to solve it when the crime was committed and presumably a much more detailed investigation took place.

On another note, I am really enjoying A God in Ruins.

Hi, Laura! I completely agree, with your thoughts on The Secret Place, plus it was far far too long, for the story she had to tell.

I am so glad you are enjoying the Atkinson. She has really developed into a versatile and power-house storyteller.

I'm glad you are enjoying A God in Ruins, Laura. I thought it was wonderful. I've only read that and Life After Life. I need to get to more Atkinson.

Edited to fix touchstone.

>55 lauralkeet: Lovely photo! And again, congratulations to Kate!

>69 lauralkeet: I need to finish reading Haruf's oeuvre.

>87 msf59:, >88 NanaCC: I read a bit more of A God in Ruins over lunch and wished I didn't have to get back to work.

>89 EBT1002: Thanks Ellen, and yes you do need to get back to Haruf. Mark has opened up an AAC thread for him, to read anytime as a tribute. Go for it.

I think it's about time for a visit from Alys, now ~4.5 mos old. She likes sunbeams and people furniture. This shot taken today on our deck encompasses both of those things. :)

Adorable! What a cutie!

Pretty girl.

>91 lauralkeet: She's so lovely.

>92 scaifea: >93 katiekrug: >94 souloftherose: Thanks Amber, Katie, and Heather!

Alys is a very sweet dog most of the time, although being a puppy she does have some habits we need to correct/break, like jumping up on people to greet them, and chewing inappropriate items. We enrolled in a 6-week training course (one hour every Tuesday evening), and had the first training session last night. There are 3 other dogs in the class, although one was absent this week. All are puppies 4-6 mos old. Alys showed much more self control than the others and responded well to the basics we learned last night. I was quite proud of her! One of the other dogs is a lab and he was absolutely crazy. His person was frustrated and embarrassed, but really he reminded me very much of Lilly at that age.

Oh! I don't think I've mentioned that Alys isn't really a lab mix. That's how the rescue described her, but her appearance says otherwise. And now we have proof. On my previous thread I mentioned we ordered a DNA test kit which provides ancestry going back 3 generations. She is 100% American Staffordshire on one side (every single ancestor), and such a mix on the other side that specific breeds could not be identified, only groups (herding & sporting). She's likely to be on the smaller side than a lab as well, perhaps 50-60 lbs. We're fine with all of that, especially since she has such as sweet disposition. Our theory is that Alys and her siblings were an "accidental" litter from a purebred dog or sire, and were cast off because they were a mixed breed.

>91 lauralkeet: She's such a lovely colour!

Alys is beautiful, Laura. What an interesting background! I'd be proud of her, too, for showing such self-control in her first obedience class : ).

Glad to hear Alys was a good student. Fascinating about her ancestry.

Alys is a beauty and has an interesting pedigree. I didn't realize that you could do DNA testing on dogs. She definitely sounds calmer than a Lab. The Lab we had before Lucky was a wild child and escape artist for sure. Speaking of kids, I give all three of mine 5 stars, too! As for books, I keep that category for those that have the capacity to change my life or touch me deeply. I just checked My Books, and I have read 46 five-star books out of the 1547 I have rated, so you can see it is a very exclusive club for me!

Hello Amber, Nancy, Caro & Donna! Alys sends her thanks for your generous compliments. She is currently snoozing on the sofa, one of her favorite places.

>99 Donna828: I didn't realize that you could do DNA testing on dogs.
Neither did I, Donna, until a colleague at work mentioned it to me. On his recommendation we purchased a Wisdom Panel Breed Identification DNA Test Kit from Amazon. It was really easy to do -- just take two swabs in their mouth, pack it in the return box, and send it back to the company. Wait a couple of weeks and voila! You get a full report via their website. It was kind of fun.

5 stars ... As for books, I keep that category for those that have the capacity to change my life or touch me deeply
I'm with you on this, and your comments inspired me to check my stats. I'm a little more generous than you -- 45 5-star books out of 697 rated -- but like you the book needs to touch me deeply to earn that. However, I'm looking at my library statistics, where ratings are displayed in graphical form, and I have so few below 3 stars I'm wondering if I need to be tougher on some books.

So totally cool to have a DNA test done on Alys!

What a lovely photograph too. Glad she was a star in class!

>101 sibylline: Hi Lucy! Training session #2 is tonight -- we will see if she retains her "star pupil" status. It may be a tough standard to uphold consistently!

36. A God in Ruins ()
My Review
Source: On my Kindle
Why I read this now: I couldn't wait for this book to be published. I thought about getting it from the library but caved when the price dropped slightly.

I love Kate Atkinson's novels, and have gobbled up everything from her early character-driven mysteries to the critically acclaimed Life After Life, which told the story of Ursula Todd, who somehow lived the events of the 20th century over and over again. Atkinson's latest work, A God In Ruins, is the story of Ursula's brother, Teddy. Teddy appears to lead a more typical life than his sister, coming of age in England between the wars and, like so many of his generation, serving his country in World War II. Teddy was a bomber pilot, lucking into a leadership role by virtue of his class and education. Despite his rather unassuming manner and lack of experience, he earns the respect of his crew and turns out to be quite effective leading them into conflict.

But this book is so much more than Teddy's war story. It's also the story of Teddy's wife Nancy, his daughter Viola, and his grandchildren, Sunny & Bertie. Atkinson moves elegantly between different time periods and points of view. Some chapters are set before the war and others much, much later, when Teddy is quite old. Some are told from another character's point of view. Atkinson often hints at the fate of certain characters and fills in the details gradually, challenging the reader to assemble a giant puzzle in their imagination.

Teddy's story is quite poignant. After the war, he is content to settle down to a quiet life with his family, his garden, and an ever-present dog. But Atkinson has other plans for him. Teddy's daughter Viola makes a series of disastrous decisions growing up, and becomes quite a vile young woman. It took a long time to identify the pivotal moment when it all went wrong for her, and at that moment she became less distasteful and more sympathetic. Atkinson kept the surprises coming, all the way up to the final pages. A God In Ruins is billed as a companion book to Life After Life. Although the two books are only loosely related, if they are read in order readers will appreciate Atkinson's creativity and the plot twists much more. I sincerely hope A God In Ruins is nominated for a major literary prize -- it's truly amazing.

Glad you loved A God in Ruins. I thought it ended up being a better book than Life After Life (though I also really liked that one). I like Atkinson's fluid sense of time, which I've noticed in both of these books and Behind the Scenes at the Museum.

>103 lauralkeet: great review, Laura. Isn't A God in Ruins wonderful. I really loved it.

>104 japaul22: Jennifer, I don't know if I liked it better than Life After Life, but at least as much. I really need to read more Atkinson. Just an FYI, your touchstone goes to a book by Leon Uris. That kept happening to me too.

>103 lauralkeet: Wow - what a review of A God in Ruins. I've been dithering about whether to reserve this at the library and I'm still dithering but inclining more towards yes.

Fabulous review of A God in Ruins, Laura. Thumb-up!

>103 lauralkeet: Great review of A God in Ruins. I still haven't read Life after Life. I'm not quite sure how that's happened.

Oh boy! Great review. I'm a big Atkinson fan too. Can't wait!

Hello Jennifer, Heather, Nancy, Rhian and Lucy! I love seeing all these visitors sharing the love for Kate Atkinson. I really liked her Jackson Brodie mysteries which seemed to make a name for her in bookland (although her earlier books were also good). I am delighted to see her talents extend well beyond the mystery genre.

I hope you all enjoy A God in Ruins as much as I did. I also really wish LT was smart enough to automatically choose the Kate Atkinson touchstone based on its frequency in this thread. I hate having to change it every time!!

How does LT select which work comes up first when you touchstone a title? I would have thought it had something to do with how many copies are cataloged, or how many times it is selected. That being the case, I'd think soonish-ly Atkinson would beat out Uris. I used to have to change The Hamlet from Shakespeare to Faulkner every time I referred to it, even with the article, but somehow that doesn't happen any more. So change is possible...

EDIT: I looked up the popularity of both books...Atkinson needs about 8,000 more copies cataloged to beat Uris overall. If you just count 2015, though, she's waaaaay up the list.

Wonderful review of A God in Ruins. I let P read it when I had it checked out from the library and now it's due back (no renewing when there's a queue!). I'm thinking I may wait until it comes out in softcover and just buy it then. That means a wait for reading it, but I do have a few other things to keep me entertained in the meantime. Heh.

Yay for photos of Alys, lover of sunbeams and people-furniture! Abby will follow a sunbeam around the house during the course of the day (she is, after all, a cat). Earlier this week when the weather was downright hot, she still spent the afternoon on our bed in the sunbeam. I went in there and I swear she was liquid cat. And very happy.

>111 laytonwoman3rd: I have wondered the same thing many times.

I wonder what you'll read next.

Love that review of A God in Ruins, Laura. I liked Life After Life a lot, but wondered about this one. You've persuaded me.

Hi Laura - I've been reading your thread since we seem to have a lot of books in common and I was so glad to see your reaction to A God in Ruins. I just finished it and can't stop thinking about it; I thought your review was spot on. I loved Life After Life but thought this was even better. I was constantly amazed by Atkinson's ability to move the reader through time. Despite the constant shifts in characters and time frame, it was always easy to follow the story's various threads. It will definitely be one of my top books of the year.

>111 laytonwoman3rd: Linda, now that you mention it I have seen LT shift to favor a different book as default touchstone, over time. So maybe you're right it has to do with number of copies. Come on everybody, go get a copy of Atkinsons's book!

>112 EBT1002: Hi Ellen. Alys is a bit cat-like with her sunbeam love. As for what I will read next, I am undecided, but I'm currently reading Stegner's Crossing to Safety which I know you really like. Very good so far.

>113 jnwelch: yay Joe! Glad to have nudged you towards a good book.

>114 vivians: Hi Vivian! Welcome and thanks for visiting. I agree with you, the book is one that stays with you. I keep thinking about it too.

I may have to change my rating from 4.5 to 5 on A God in Ruins. If I'm still thinking about it after a couple of weeks, I keep re-evaluating my rating.

I've done that occasionally, Colleen, based on further thought and/or discussions here on LT.

Great review of A God in Ruins, Laura. I bought it last week and I'll read it in July or August.

Happy Sunday, Laura! It looks like I haven't visited you in awhile. Bad Mark!

Great review of A God in Ruins. It was such a good book.

>118 kidzdoc: > 119 thanks Darryl & Mark! Happy Sunday to you both.

37. Crossing to Safety ()
My Review
Source: On my shelves
Why I read this now: Wallace Stegner is this month's author for the American Author Challenge.

Larry & Sally Morgan have been friends with Sid & Charity Lang for years, ever since their early days on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin during the 1930s. Their friendship has endured through career changes and personal trials. Now, with Charity nearing the end of her life, Larry & Sally have made a final visit to the Lang family's summer home. The book moves between time periods to tell the story of this remarkable relationship, beginning with Sid & Charity welcoming the Morgans to Wisconsin and showing generosity, in both material and non-material ways, to help Larry launch his career as an academic and a writer. Through many summers spent with the Langs, the Morgans become as much a part of the family as the siblings, children, aunts, and uncles. They are so close that the Morgans choose to name their daughter Lang.

I'm fortunate to have experienced a friendship similar to this, with a couple my husband and I met when we were in our 20s. C&D were slightly older, financially more stable, and socially connected. They introduced us to new friends, were very generous with their resources, threw a baby shower when our first child was born, and invited us to spend a week at their summer place. Our lives diverged a few years later due to job-related relocations, but we kept in touch and saw one another from time to time. Sadly, C&D's marriage floundered. We tried to stay in contact and met up with C once or twice after their divorce, but it was never the same. And, in hindsight, we can identify certain events and behaviors that may have contributed to their breakup.

In a similar way, there were chinks in Sid & Charity's marriage as well. About midway through the book, I said to myself, "surely this can't be all happiness all the time?" And it was not. Like any couple, there were tensions both big and small. They were not serious enough to threaten either the marriage or their friendship with Larry & Sally, but the younger couple seemed to grow together over the years in ways their friends did not. And yet they idolized Sid & Charity to the end, and often failed to see the ways in which they were stronger than their friends.

I enjoyed this character study and portrait of friendship, and it has made me appreciate even more the friendship I once had.

Good review of Crossing to Safety, Laura. I enjoyed hearing about your personal connection too!

How is The Coroner's Lunch coming? Is it working for you? Fingers crossed...

Great review of Crossing to Safety, Laura. I doubt that I'll get to it this month, but I'll probably read it in August.

>122 msf59: thanks Mark. The Coroner's Lunch is up next, I haven't actually started it yet. Looking forward to it though!
>123 kidzdoc: I hope you enjoy it Darryl.

>121 lauralkeet: Great review - I'll be listening to Crossing to Safety on audio shortly as well.

Fabulous review of Crossing to Safety, Laura. I've yet to read this one, but it's on my list. Wallace Stegner has been along LT gift for me.

>124 lauralkeet:. I really enjoyed listening to The Coroner's Lunch. I've listened to five in this series so far, and have enjoyed them all. Looking forward to your comments.

>125 SandDune: Enjoy, Rhian! Have you read any of Stegner's other novels?

>126 lit_chick: Nancy, I think you'd like this book!

>127 NanaCC: good to know Colleen. I think you may have been the one who finally made me cave and buy the first two on Kindle (they were a "deal" at the time).

Great review of Crossing to Safety, Laura. I read it at least 20 years ago and I didn't really remember it much, although I recall liking it a lot. I wonder how it would land on me now. I'm thinking my Stegner (which I may not complete by June 30) will be the iconic Angle of Repose.

>129 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! Angle of Repose was my introduction to Stegner, and a 5-star read several years back. I've enjoyed everything I've read by him, but that one stands out.

Lovely Alys!!!
*God in Ruins* - thanks for that review (thumb from me)!!!! I'm trying to be careful with my $ right now, but I think I have to have it for Kindle and How to Be Both too. There goes the book budget for the next two months.
Loved *Crossing*, my first Stegner, and my only of his very well-known books. I'll get back to him.
Enjoy *Lunch*; I'm guessing you'll be a fan too!

>128 lauralkeet: Have you read any of Stegner's other novels? This will be my first. To be honest I was hardly aware of him before the AAC.

>131 LizzieD: Peggy, The Coroner's Lunch is enjoyable so far!
>132 SandDune: Rhian, I discovered Stegner when I was on a mission to read Pulitzer Prize winners. Angle of Repose won the prize in 1972. I've since abandoned my "read all Pulitzers" mission, but I discovered a few gems that way.

Beautiful review of the Stegner. The personal response was exactly what makes me treasure LT!

Morning Laura! I am going to try A View of the Harbour. My LT pals rarely steer me wrong.

Hi Laura - I just bought a paper copy of A God in Ruins because of your review. Am really looking forward to reading it once school holidays arrive!

>134 sibylline: Thank you, Lucy. While I was reading, I had the added bonus of a nice trip down memory lane thinking about good times with our friends C&D.

>135 msf59: Oh Mark! I hope you enjoy it. This is your first Taylor, right? *fingers crossed*

>136 cushlareads: Hi Cushla! A paper copy?! Oh my. I really hope you enjoy it and find it worth the investment.

Laura- your motto should be "getting people to spend NZ $38 on books all over the world"! (it was too tempting to resist...)

Hi Laura, I see that you're reading the first in the Dr. Siri series. I hope you enjoy The Coroner's Lunch. That's a series to which I would like to return. I think I've read four of them. The characters are delightful.

>138 cushlareads: Ha! Well Cushla, I can only recommend books, I can't be responsible for international economies or currency fluctuation!!

>139 EBT1002: Ellen, it was a fun read. Review coming up next ...

38. The Coroner's Lunch ()
My Review
Source: On my Kindle
Why I read this now: I've had this book and the second in the series on my Kindle for some time. Seemed like a good, easy summer read.

Dr Siri Paiboun, a 72-year-old coroner, gets caught up in two different murder investigations. Set in Communist Laos in 1976, there's plenty of diplomatic intrigue as a backdrop. In one case, three men are found dead under suspicious circumstances involving the Vietnamese government. In the other case, a Laotian official's wife dies and his mistress commits suicide: what's up with that? I found some parts of the story a bit hard to believe, but enjoyed getting to know Dr Siri, a delightful amateur detective who consistently outsmarts the officials. I am not completely hooked on this series yet, but I have the next book on my Kindle so will read at least one more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

39. Challenge (DNF)
No Review
Source: On my shelves
Why I read this now: It's been on my shelves for quite a while, and even though it's not a Virago edition, it was published by Virago so I decided to read it this month.

The introduction to this book enticed me. This was Vita Sackville-West's account of her love affair with Violet Trefusis, albeit told as the story of a heterosexual relationship. Her family convinced her not to publish it so as not to heighten the scandal and gossip already rampant in London society. Maybe it was just my mood, but I read part 1 (80 pages), which was mostly about Julian (the Vita character), his arrival in Greece, and the various notables and politicians in his family circle. It was rather dry, but perhaps it also didn't "click" because I have been reading lighter fare this summer, and haven't been in the mood for classics.

I was away Friday through Monday on a family trip to Boston, to visit my older daughter. We had a great time visiting some of her new favorite restaurants and attractions. Even though Sunday was very rainy and meant that we could not explore the outdoor markets, we made the best of it with a visit to the Museum of Fine Art which is a really excellent museum! Kate's work schedule is really light this week so she decided to return home with us and spend a couple of days here. I'd like to think she misses us but I think she misses the dogs more, and at home the laundry is free. :)

I was so glad to have my Kindle with me on the trip. When Challenge failed to grab me, I reached for the Kindle and started reading The Sisters Brothers which is proving to be quite fun.

I'm happy to hear about your good time with Kate in Boston and at home doing laundry. Don't fool yourself about how much she misses you - she does, as you know quite well!
You and Cushla have talked me into putting *Ruins* on my Kindle. If she can spend $38 for it, surely I can spend the $12 or $13???
I'm happy that you're happy with the Sisters. I did enjoy that book, a bit to my surprise.

>1 lauralkeet: that butter sculpture would be melting in the current London weather Laura.

>141 lauralkeet: I'd never heard of that VSW novel, and clearly you just found out why! Can't win them all.

Enjoy your extra time with Kate.

>144 Caroline_McElwee: Peggy - happy to be your book enabler! And I bet you get it read before I do...

>141 lauralkeet: Laura, I gave The Coroner's Lunch 3 stars too - read it while we were in Switzerland. I liked the setting, but I didn't love the plot and often don't enjoy magicky bits. I haven't read the second one yet, but liked it enough to keep going with the series if I see it.

Boston with Kate sounds lovely!

>143 LizzieD: Peggy, I say "go for it" with A God in Ruins!! I received an Amazon gift card about the time it was released, so it was really a no-brainer for me. And I was left with gift card money to spare, woo hoo!

>144 Caroline_McElwee: Caro, the butter sculpture wouldn't last through one of our typical summers, either. Although to date it's been more rainy than hot. You all are definitely having a heat wave right now, it must be tough for the tennis players.

>145 cushlareads: Cushla, the magicky bits were my least favorite as well. I picked up the first two books in Kindle Daily Deals, so they only cost me about $0.99. I'm willing to invest at least that much to see if I want to continue.

Boston was really nice. I haven't spent much time there other than the occasional business trip where I didn't get to see much other than a hotel or office park. Kate lives in Brighton, which seems filled with 20-somethings, perfect for a recent college graduate. There are lots of restaurants and an outstanding arts cinema. We went to see Love and Mercy, the Brian Wilson biopic, which I highly recommend.

I'm off work this week. The office is closed Thursday & Friday for Independence Day, and it's generally a quiet week so I just decided to take some vacation days. I'm really enjoying The Sisters Brothers and should be able to finish it this week. I have a few books queued up for July but am prepared to deviate from the list to suit my mood.

I loved The Sisters Brothers - what a fun read! I am planning to revisit it on audio sometime soon...

I hope you have a lovely long weekend, Laura!

Morning Laura! Yah, for a week off! Enjoy! Sorry, Dr. Siri didn't grab you the way it did me. The magical/mystical bits are definitely part of these stories but I never think they get intrusive. I love those characters.

I hope you are loving the Sisters Brothers. I was a HUGE fan.

Lovely that you got to Boston to see Kate, and that she travelled home with you for a few days : ).

Woot to The Sister Brothers. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

>147 katiekrug: I bet it would be good on audio, Katie.

>148 scaifea: back at ya, Amber!!

>149 msf59: I'm willing to give the second Dr Siri a try, Mark. Maybe he will grow on me. OK, that sounds weird. You know what I mean.

>150 lit_chick: It was lovely indeed, Nancy. And thanks for the review that inspired my The Sisters Brothers purchase!

Great review of Crossing to Safety, Laura.

Enjoy the rest of your week off from work!

>152 kidzdoc: thanks Darryl! I'm enjoying the week a lot, even though we don't have any "big" plans.

40. The Sisters Brothers ()
My Review
Source: On my Kindle
Why I read this now: I was traveling, and in need of a new book, and very grateful to have this on my Kindle.

This book initially caught my eye when it was shortlisted for the 2011 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, but I didn't get around to reading it at the time. I pretty much forgot about it until a recent Kindle Daily Deal. It turned out to be a fun and unusual read.

Set in the American West during the 19th century gold rush, The Sisters Brothers is the story of Eli and Charlie, hired killers en route from Oregon to San Francisco for a job. Eli is the narrator, and portrays himself as the more sensible of the two, although he acknowledges Charlie as the leader and mastermind of their operation. Charlie is also more violent and ruthless, and doesn't hesitate to take a man down simply or convenience. And there are plenty of situations where something or someone stands in their way. And yet, on arrival in San Francisco they learn more about their target and begin to feel differently about the job they have been hired to do.

The Sisters Brothers is much more comical and heartwarming than one would expect given the considerable violence. Charlie and Eli are rather hapless killers, and their mistakes can be quite amusing. And although this is technically a Western, there are overarching themes about good and evil, and following your dreams, that sneak up on you as you devour this well-told tale.

Another great review (Sisters Brothers).

I can sympathize too with your lack of enthusiasm for the classics at the mo' - it comes in waves doesn't it? Summer isn't ideal for hard reading anyway.

The LD does that too - fawning ridiculously over Posey and the two cats . . . but I do think it is a way of expressing the affection that she can hardly show us anymore, not so blatantly!

>155 sibylline: Summer isn't ideal for hard reading anyway.
That is so true! Right now I'm reading The Vacationers, which was recommended by both of my daughters and is pretty fluffy stuff, but a perfect summer read. A group read of Fanny Burney's Evelina just started, and I simply cannot wrap my head around that. Or, for that matter, any of the Viragoes on my shelves.

>155 sibylline: and >156 lauralkeet: - I'm with you both on the summer reading. I am so enjoying my guilt-free fluffy reading right now.

Laura, I'm glad you liked The Sisters Brothers. It reminded me a bit of a Coen Brothers film (especially Fargo) or something by Tarantino (e.g. Inglorious Basterds) - very sharp and funny but so violent and dark at the same time.

>157 katiekrug: oh yes Katie, you are absolutely right about The Sisters Brothers! I didn't make the connection while reading but now that you mention it, it definitely reminds me of Fargo, or Oh Brother Where Art Thou. And yeah, Inglorious Basterds too.

41. The Vacationers ()
My Review
Source: Borrowed from my daughter
Why I read this now: Both of my daughters enjoyed this book, so I thought I'd give it a try. And I really wanted something light and fluffy.

Franny and Jim Post organize a two-week vacation in Mallorca for their family and throw in a couple of friends. Their daughter Sylvia is 18 and preparing to leave for college. Son Bobby, in his late 20s, brings his girlfriend Carmen, whom no one likes. Franny's lifelong friend Charles and his husband Lawrence also join them. They have been hoping for some time to adopt a child, and the waiting is almost unendurable. Jim recently lost his job after having an affair with a much younger employee of his firm. So naturally things are pretty tense between Franny & Jim. Bobby is having financial difficulties but doesn't want to tell his parents. Sylvia just wants her independence and can't wait to move into her college dorm.

The group assembles at an idyllic vacation home, which another friend has made available to them (really? does that ever happen?). Franny can barely stand to be in the same room with Jim, or even in the same house. Carmen tries hard to fit in, and actually succeeds on some level, but she and Bobby spar over their financial woes. Charles spends most of his time with Franny, much to Lawrence's chagrin. Sylvia falls for her Spanish tutor.

There were plenty of situations and details that felt contrived, or were just plain inaccurate, beginning with the likelihood of finding a perfect vacation spot, free of charge, due to a personal connection. Sylvia is enrolled at Brown University, as are four of her high school classmates. Really? Those are some odds, considering Brown accepted only 8.5% of the more than 30,000 applicants for the class of 2019. And then one morning Lawrence needs to make a phone call to New York, and decides that's okay because it would be five p.m. there. No, no, no, no, no! Spain is 6 hours ahead of New York! How did the editor miss that?

I read this book during the summer, when I was off from work, and despite the aforementioned issues, it suited my mood perfectly. If I'd read it at any other time, I would likely have been disappointed. Read this for what it is: a very light summer/beach read about relationships. Expect sun and scenery, a few sex scenes, and plenty of drama and dysfunction. Do not expect literary excellence, and you'll be okay with it.

Happy 4th, Laura! Good review of The Sisters Brothers. I am so glad you liked it. What is up next for you?

Hi Mark! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a nice holiday. I am between books at the moment (I was posting my latest review as you were posting your message). Next I think I'll read The Brandons, an Angela Thirkell novel from her Barsetshire series. I'm gravitating towards lighter, fun reads at the moment.

I just started In the Country: Stories. Expect heaps of warbling, over this one. Are you a Lahiri fan? Or is that a ridiculous question?

Thumb-up for a wonderful review of The Sisters Brothers! So glad you enjoyed : ).

Happy Fourth, Laura!

>162 msf59: I will eagerly follow your progress, Mark.

>163 lit_chick: Nancy, again I thank you for inspiring me to read it!

>164 LauraBrook: thanks Laura!!

42. The Brandons ()
My Review
Source: On my shelves
Why I read this now: Still craving light summer fare.

What a fun read this was! Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire is a 20th-century version of the fictional place created by Anthony Trollope. The novels focus on one or two families, and the typical activities of those at a certain level of society: fairly well off, but perhaps just a tier below the very rich, landed gentry. The Brandons is the story of Lavinia Brandon and her two young adult children, and a dying aunt who may or may not leave her fortune to Lavinia's son Francis. Enter a cousin Hilary, the aunt's caretaker Miss Morris, the vicar Mr Miller, and assorted others all portrayed with considerable wit and satire, and I found myself chuckling even as dear Aunt Sissie slipped away. Thirkell's novels always involve an element of romance, which had me guessing from the very beginning, as to who will be paired off in the end. That, too, is part of the fun. Thirkell's novels make for perfect vacation or comfort reading.

Having just finished Pomfret Towers, I am definitely in agreement that Thirkell's books are great summer reading.

>167 NanaCC: I noticed that, Colleen. I *think* I commented on your thread but I may have imagined that. I've read about 6 of Thirkell's Barsetshire novels, and have a few on my shelves. I was in one of those "not sure what to read" situations and then remembered these.

This morning I started reading Doc, having seen soooo much LT buzz about it along with the sequel, Epitaph. It's early yet but I'm pretty sure I'll be reading that one too.

Yay! for Doc. Oh, I really hope you love it. I took Epitaph on vacation with me, but there wasn't much reading done, so I didn't even start it.

Hooray, on starting Doc!! I hope you fall head over heels, like the rest of us. Fingers crossed for Laura!

Oh, I'm with Mark! Hooray on starting Doc! I hope you fall head over heels ...

I've been feeling a little conflicted about Go Set a Watchman what with all the recent hype. But I listened to the Books on the Nightstand podcast this morning and the co-host Ann convinced me to read it. I put my library request in really early and was #42 in line but bless the Chester County Library system, they have 88 copies so mine is already "in transit" to me!!!

So of course as soon as I finish Doc I will dive in.

Hey Laura. I hope you love Doc as much as I (and lots of others around here) did. I also read it within a week or two of reading The Sisters Brothers. I liked Doc better but both were really good reads. I haven't gotten to Epitaph yet but I will.

Sorry Dr. Siri didn't capture your heart as strongly as he has with some. I know exactly what you mean about not being able to believe some parts of the story but I liked the characters so much that I didn't care.

>172 lauralkeet: I will find that BotN podcast because I will be reading Go Set a Watchman shortly after I return from vacation. I've also been ambivalent about the whole thing (and, honestly, feeling less than fully informed about what "the whole thing" is), but I so love To Kill a Mockingbird that I feel I must give this one a chance.

Hellooo Ellen! Nice to see you here and hope you're having a nice vacation in Ashville. I've only been there once but we had a very nice time and it's a beautiful part of the country.

I'm really enjoying Doc although it's been a busy week with less reading time than usual. I just passed the halfway point yesterday.

I'm going to have to nudge that novel up the pile Laura, if I can find it that is :-)

You've been doing some great reading, Laura. I'm caught up now and can say hello.

>176 Caroline_McElwee:, >177 ffortsa: Hello Caroline & Judy! Thanks for stopping by. Review of Doc coming up tout de suite!

43. Doc ()
My Review
Source: Library Kindle loan
Why I read this now: Lots of LT buzz!

Doc is historical fiction about the life of John Henry "Doc" Holliday, known for his role in the 1881 Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The events of this novel precede the famous gunfight, covering John's youth, his early career as a dentist and gambler in Texas, and later Dodge City, Kansas, his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his brothers, and life with his mistress, Kate.

Author Mary Doria Russell brings Dodge City to life; it's a rough and tumble town that will be familiar to anyone who has ever watched a movie western. Dodge has many colorful characters including corrupt officials, prostitutes, and cowboys. The Civil War is still fresh in everyone's minds, and tempers are never far from the boiling point.

John Holliday was well educated and an accomplished musician, when he decided to study dentistry. Plans to go into joint practice with his cousin Robert fell through when John became ill with tuberculosis. He moved west in search of a more hospitable climate. No doubt this prolonged his life considerably, but it also forced him into working as a dealer in a gambling hall, with dentistry more as a sideline. John's relationship with Kate is volatile, but the two can't seem to live without each other. And when John's tuberculosis flares up and he has a bad spell, Kate is always there for him.

In marked contrast to legend, author Russell portrays Doc as generous and kind, going to great lengths to help a friend in need or avenge injustice. Doc pays for a lavish funeral for a young man who died under suspicious circumstances, and does not rest until he has discovered the truth, at which point he takes care of it in true Dodge City style. His close friendship with Wyatt Earp inspires two life-changing acts of kindness. Russell recently published another book, Epitaph, which covers the gunfight and details of Earp's life, and I will definitely be reading that book soon.

>179 lauralkeet:. Doc sounds like it belongs on my wishlist. I've never read anything by this author, although I have A Thread of Grace on my shelf. Have you read that one?

ETA: After checking, Linda (laytonwoman) has already put this on my wishlist. Now you have confirmed that it should be there.

Colleen, Linda is responsible for me reading Doc as well!! I haven't read anything else by Mary Doria Russell either.

>179 lauralkeet: Yay! You liked it!

Ah, Laura, I'm so glad that you loved Doc too. I had intended to put Epitaph on my Kindle as soon as it was released, but something else got in the way, and I haven't done it. Bad! Soon! (And you really should read more MD Russell. I'm hard put to say which -----)
I hope that you like *Watchman*, or at least I guess I hope you like it. I'll wait for your verdict with interest, but right now, it's not on any list of mine.
A. Thirkell is just lovely, and that's that!

>182 EBT1002: Yep! Sure did!

>183 LizzieD: I'll get to Epitaph one of these days, Peggy -- most likely via my library's Kindle edition. And now courtesy of your thread, where you & Ellen were talking about Attica Locke, I'm also hoping to read Pleasantville soon.

Morning Laura! I am so glad you enjoyed Doc. Big Thumb! Epitaph is a terrific follow-up. I also have A Thread of Grace on shelf. I NEED to work it in the rotation this year.

I will also be watching for your thoughts on "Watchman".

>185 msf59: Hi Mark!

I started GSAW last night but didn't get far. On Sunday morning I played tennis, and in the evening we took Alys for a walk on a trail, and by 9pm I was *beat*. So I read a few pages before bed, but hope to get deeper into it tonight.

I'm reading Doc right now! Loving it!

Wonderful review of Doc, Laura. Delighted you enjoyed.

Hey Laura. I will be starting GSAW when I return to Seattle, and I have put Pleasantville on hold at the library. I would love it if we could get some love started around here for Attica Locke.

I loved Attica Locke's first novel, I have the second, but not read yet.

>187 sibylline: that's good to hear, Lucy!

>188 lit_chick: Thanks Nancy. So many LTers have praised Doc and MDR, that I finally caved. No regrets.

>189 EBT1002: Ellen, I look forward to comparing notes on GSAW. And Pleasantville, whenever I get to it.

>190 Caroline_McElwee: I loved Black Water Rising too, Caro, and I feel bad that her follow-up novel fell off my radar screen.

>185 msf59: Mark, A Thread of Grace is pretty doggone wonderful!

Oh, glad to see you enjoyed Doc! I'm reading A Thread of Grace for the first time myself, though I think my favorite Mary Doria Russell is still the first one I read - The Sparrow.

I rather enjoyed Go Set a Watchman myself, though of course it's hard to compare to the original. Still, it was one I felt I should definitely give a chance and be informed about as a librarian (and yes that's a pretty handy excuse to have for a lot of reading...fortunately it's also true!).

>193 bell7: Oh! Oh! Mary you're a librarian? Well you will appreciate this story ...

I visited my library to get my copy of Go Set a Watchman. Knowing the county library system had some 90 copies in circulation and a 250+ hold queue, I commented that I was there to pick up what was probably a very popular book. The staff member looked up my details, went over to the shelf, and examined the book with a quizzical expression. She read the title out loud, slowly, as if reading a foreign language. It was pretty clear she had not heard of the book, which was confirmed when I related a bit of the story behind it. I was stunned. Is it too much to expect someone who works in a library to have a basic command of new and popular books??!!

>194 lauralkeet: That is disturbingly oblivious.

>194 lauralkeet: Are you sure your library isn't here in RobCo???
Sheesh!

>194 lauralkeet: Yikes.

Watchman fever seems to have been difficult to miss. I have been amazed to see that my (not very bookish) town's supermarket has sold out of their Watchman promotion. Almost impressed the librarian has managed to miss all the publicity around it. That involves a lot of book news avoidance, surely? Great that the system had so many copies. I love it when that happens.

I really must get to Doc.

>195 qebo: I know, right? I know LTers are more bookish than the norm but still ...

>196 LizzieD: Peggy, I'm in a rural-ish part of Chester County, PA, which may be very much like your RobCo actually. And I thought of you while reading last night, because of our shared Presbyterian roots. Lee devotes an entire chapter to a Methodist worship service and it's filled with snarky commentary on the tempo of the Doxology, and changes in hymns used for worship. It made me laugh and you would definitely appreciate it (although in the next chapter, things got pretty serious pretty quickly).

>197 charl08: Charlotte, I was really happy our library system invested in so many copies as well. When I first put my name on the list (before publication) I was #42 and expected to wait a while. But they had so many copies that I was actually one of the early ones.

It's a very good book so far ...

>190 Caroline_McElwee:, >191 lauralkeet: I read Locke's The Cutting Season, and enjoyed it, but thought it could have been a lot better. I haven't read Black Water Rising yet, and thought I had a copy of it, but it doesn't show up in my catalog. Based on the one I did read, I will definitely try more of her work.
>198 lauralkeet: See, now I have the Doxology thumping in my brain...oh, the times I tried to up its tempo! As a 15-year-old pianist, I was no match for the determined old ladies. Praise. God. From. Whom. All. Bless. Ings. Flow.

Good grief, that's quite a story about your local librarian, Laura! Yikes!

Well, Laura, I must say that snark at the Methodists make me a little more ready to try *Watchman* when it is available to me.
(As for rural PA being close to RobCo, I don't know. Here's a typical anecdote from my DH's local college sociology class....... The prof realized that she needed to explain the the science of blood-typing. When she was finished, a local student restated her new understanding thus - "You mean to say if somebody got cut Saturday night, they could take 'em to the ER and ....?")

And once again I missed soooo many posts...
Well, I don't have doubts I could repeat the Watchman story here in Merano, with the difference I wouldn't have to wait for a (German or Italian) copy and could just take it off the shelf.
But as I prefer to read English books in English I ordered the Kindle sample, but am considering rereading Mockingbird first to get re-acquainted with the characters. Good idea or better not?

Wishing you a happy weekend!

44. Go Set A Watchman ()
My Review
Source: My local library
Why I read this now: I requested this well before it was released, and was fortunate to get my copy the week of publication.

Controversy, speculation and hype heralded the publication of Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman. It was almost enough to put me off reading it. Almost, but not quite. And I’m so glad. This was a well-written and powerful book.

For anyone unfamiliar with the back story, Harper Lee submitted Go Set a Watchman to her publisher, and they asked her to rewrite it set 20 years earlier, when its main character, Jean Louise Finch, was a young girl nicknamed Scout. This is the book we all know and love, the classic To Kill a Mockingbird. The two books are similar in some respects: both deal with issues of race, as experienced by characters with the same names. But are the characters really the same people? That’s hard to say. Lee did not set out to publish two books. She didn’t intend to tell readers what happened after the events in TKAM. The best way to read these books are as companion pieces that allow the reader to consider similar issues through different lenses.

In Go Set a Watchman, Jean Louise makes her annual trip home to Maycomb, Alabama. She reconnects with family and her lifelong friend Henry Clinton, who clearly wants more than friendship this time around. And Jean Louise is not entirely opposed to that idea. Through Jean Louise’s eyes, Harper Lee gives us an ironic and sometimes amusing portrait of small town southern life; a chapter about the music in a Methodist worship service made me laugh out loud.

But then, Jean Louise discovers a pamphlet in her father’s house that sickens her.
She took the pamphlet by one of its corners, held it like she would hold a dead rat by the tail, and walked into the kitchen. She held the pamphlet in front of her aunt.
“What is this thing?” she said.

And by the end of this chapter,
The one human being she had ever fully and wholeheartedly trusted had failed her; the only man she had ever known to whom she could point and say with expert knowledge, “He is a gentleman, in his heart he is a gentleman,” had betrayed her, publicly, grossly, and shamelessly.

Then Harper Lee gets angry. Really angry. And Jean Louise is her voice, her “watchman”:
For thus hath the Lord said unto me,
Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
~ Isaiah 21:6

I can understand why Lee’s publishers had her rewrite the book. It’s not because of the writing, or the anger; it’s because 1950s America was not ready for what she had to say. TKAM is a quieter book; Atticus’ crusade for equal rights more level-headed. But while both books were written in the 1950s, I was struck by how the racial aspects resonate today. And maybe today it’s time to be angry.

Excellent review of GSAW, Laura. I think you've changed my mind as to whether I should read it. I was not inclined before, but now....

OK, I'll put it on the list. There has been so much brouhaha about this novel, I was waiting for a review from someone whose judgement I trust.

Stopping by to say hi. Like your thoughtful review of Miss Lee's newly published.

Wow, fabulous review of Go Set a Watchman, Laura. You use some powerful words yourself: I was struck by how the racial aspects resonate today. And maybe today it’s time to be angry. I agree: time to finally be angry!

>203 lauralkeet: Thumbed! You've told me all I need to hear, to know I need not fear reading this book. Like >205 Caroline_McElwee: Caroline, I trust your judgment and now I'm excited again, as I was when I first heard the news about Watchman coming out, before the whole world (seemingly) had expressed its opinion.

Hello Colleen, Caroline, Bill, Nancy, and Linda -- glad I have convinced you.

I, too, took some convincing. First, Ann on the Books on the Nightstand podcast posited that the characters in GSAW are fundamentally different characters than those in TKAM. That helped me see the book in a different light. And then, just before I picked up the book at the library, Thomas Otto (blogger and co-host of The Readers podcast) published this thoughtful piece which really got me excited about reading it.

All this in case anyone needs more evidence. :)

I can understand why Lee’s publishers had her rewrite the book. It’s not because of the writing, or the anger; it’s because 1950s America was not ready for what she had to say.

That's what I thought, too. I was expecting it to be obviously not as well written as TKAM, but instead I thought that it was Lee's harsh criticism of widely held racism that probably drove the request for a rewrite. Especially coming from a Southern woman, I just don't think it would have gone over well.

First, Ann on the Books on the Nightstand podcast posited that the characters in GSAW are fundamentally different characters than those in TKAM.

I listened to that podcast also. While I'd like to think of Atticus as a different character, I found that I personally was not able to think that way after reading GSAW. I felt that in GSAW, Jean Louise really was remembering the Atticus that we remember from reading TKAM - her childhood version of a wise, fair father. The moment where she describes Atticus just as we all remember him from TKAM and then realizes that she was viewing him with a child's innocence instead of reality, feeling a deep sense of betrayal, really made me feel that Atticus in GSAW and Atticus in TKAM weren't really different characters - just different because of the viewpoint describing him and the time of life/surrounding events. Were you able to separate Atticus into two different characters?

>210 japaul22: I had the same feelings as you did about Atticus' character. Ann's comments were made when only the first chapter was available, so it was just a hypothesis. And I started reading with separate characters in mind. But for the reasons you mention in your hidden text, I was not able to separate them either.. It didn't negatively affect my opinion of either book, however.

Fine, fine review, Laura. I said so with a thumb.
I won't be afraid to read this one when it comes to me although I still don't think I'll rush out to get a copy now.

I've got Go Set a Watchman on my shelf...soon...

>211 lauralkeet: I agree that my inability to separate the characters in the two books didn't lessen either book for me. (Well, I suppose I can't say that for sure until I reread TKAM at some point in the future.) I'm not one to revere a fictional character; it's just not my personality to have an extreme emotional reaction to a book. For those who have a deeper emotional connection to their reading, though, I could understand how it could be a problem to see Atticus in such a different light.

Hi Laura. I very much enjoyed reading your thoughts on Go Set a Watchman - it's on my list but I should probably read To Kill a Mockingbird first (*ashamed*).

I was reading this blog post on Go Set a Watchman recently and it brought the discussions on your thread to mind so I thought I would share it:

Read the novel before you judge it: Harper Lee’s Go Set A Watchman.

Very interesting blog post, Heather. I do wonder, however, if its author never read Peyton Place!

>212 LizzieD: Thank you, Peggy. I will be interested in your thoughts whenever you get to it.

>213 scaifea: So many books, so little time eh Amber?

>214 japaul22: For those who have a deeper emotional connection to their reading, though, I could understand how it could be a problem to see Atticus in such a different light.
Yes, I can understand that too, Jennifer.

>215 souloftherose: Heather, thanks for sharing that blog post. It's interesting to consider the feminist reasons the book may not have been published at the time. Hmm ...

>216 laytonwoman3rd: I haven't read it myself Linda, but I guess Peyton Place was pretty racy for its time eh?

Yes, indeed. Touchy subject matter such as abortion, sexual abuse, and fratricide (although the editors changed the character who abused and was murdered from a father to a step-father---I guess incest was just one issue too many).

>it is amazing how much your daughters look like you!

Hi Laura! You know I really value your opinion on books, so you giving Go Set A Watchman a Thumbs Up, is very encouraging. I have read a few negative ones and this is refreshing. I have it saved on audio, so I am going to try and make room for it.

>218 laytonwoman3rd: Hmmm ... I wonder how it would read today? Is it a classic, or dated?

>219 Whisper1: Is that a good thing Linda? LOL! They truly are a case study in genetics. My husband and I see bits of each of us in both daughters.

>220 msf59: I hope you enjoy it Mark. I feel a little pressure now having warbled about it!

45. Time After Time ()
My Review
Source: On my shelves
Why I read this now: I try to read one Virago Modern Classic every month. This book was published by Virago, although I do not own the Virago edition.

Time After Time is a quirky story of four siblings: Jasper and his sisters April, May, and June, all elderly and living together in their family home in Ireland. April, the oldest, is the only one who ever married, and at 74 has long been widowed. Jasper is the family cook and gardener, taking great pride in the fruits of his labor. June is a horsewoman and tends to the animals on the estate, and May is a self-styled horticulturist, president of the local garden society. Each of them also has some sort of physical affliction: Jasper lost an eye as a child; May has a deformed hand.

Suddenly into their lives comes Leda, a cousin who spent the summer with them once in their childhood. Leda is now blind, which means she can only imagine her cousins as they looked many years ago. They play up to that, even as they cattily acknowledge Leda has not aged gracefully. At first the visit seems amiable, but gradually we see Leda is there on a vindictive mission.

This setup had potential, but the characters did not seem genuine to me and at some point I stopped caring much about how the central conflict would be resolved. It's not a bad book, but it's not Molly Keane's best.

Oh, that's too bad about Time After Time. I wasn't thrilled with the last Molly Keane I read. I was hoping it was a fluke.

>223 NanaCC: Colleen, I've read about 6 of Keane's books (some published as M.J. Farrell), and generally like her work. My favorite was Good Behaviour, which was published late in her career and won the Booker Prize. On the other hand, I really disliked Taking Chances and that's one she wrote in her 20s. Since Time After Time is a late career novel, I expected more of it.

I liked Full House and Two Days in Aragon (both 4 stars). There are definitely recurring themes in her work (wealthy families, horses, fox hunting, the decline of Irish gentry), which would wear on me if I read her books too close together. I have a few more on my tbr that I'll get to eventually.

>203 lauralkeet: I bought this for the Nook last week, but it didn't show up. I contacted B&N support, who told me to update my Nook app (why? every other book is fine... no answer.), which involved getting Google Play to accept my tablet because I have two-step security. Amazingly, this was sound advice; the book came through. Is the new Nook app better than the old Nook app? Of course not. Used to have a view of smallish book icons in a grid, irritating because I'd prefer a list, but I could see 20? at a time. Now I can see 6 completely and another 3 partially. Or I can go for "list" and see 4, because list doesn't actually mean list, it means list with huge icon because... graphics for people who prefer to read. Well, anyway, maybe I'll read it soon. I was hesitant because of the controversy, but have become more interested with the revelation that Atticus is not so saintly.

>225 qebo: well that was a bit of a tech hassle wasn't it? I hope you enjoy the book. I found it intriguing just to see "where she started" and what ended up being published (initially).