Mark's Reading Place: Booktober #21

^Come on, there is plenty of room. I won't bite...

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

August:

99) Fifth Business by Robertson Davies 4.7 stars
100) The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea 4.4 stars Booktopia
101) Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke 3.5 stars (audio)
102) The Room: A Novel by Jonas Karlsson 3.6 stars (audio)
103) The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs by Matthew Dicks 3.7 stars (E)
104) Pretty Boy Floyd by Larry McMurtry 3.8 stars (audio) AAC
105) To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf 3.6 stars BAC
106) Brighton Rock by Graham Greene 3.7 stars (audio) BAC
107) Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League by Jonathan Odell 3.5 stars Booktopia
108) Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson 4.3 stars (audio) E.R.
109) Among the Ten Thousand Things by Julia Pierpont 3 stars (audio)
110) The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon 4.3 stars Booktopia
111) Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates 5 stars (print/audio)
112) Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling 3.7 stars (audio)

September:

113) The Water Museum: Stories by Luis Alberto Urrea 4.3 stars (audio) Booktopia
114) The Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories by Anthony Marra 4.7 stars
115) The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 3.7 stars (audio)
116) Wind/Pinball: Two novels by Haruki Murakami 3.6 stars (audio)
117) The Bell by Iris Murdoch 4.2 stars BAC
118) No Time Like the Past (Chronicles of St. Mary's) by Jodi Taylor 4 stars (audio)
119) Almost Famous Women: Stories by Megan Mayhew Bergman 4.2 stars (audio)
120) The Dog Master: A Novel of the First Dog by W. Bruce Cameron 3.2 stars (E) Booktopia
121) The woman who wouldn't die by Colin Cotterill 4 stars (audio)
122) Redshirts by John Scalzi 3.8 stars (audio)
123) Days of Awe by Lauren Fox 3.8 stars (E) Booktopia
124) Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor 4 stars AAC
125) Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera 4.3 stars
126) A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler 4.2 stars (audio)
127) The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress by Beryl Bainbridge 3.6 stars (audio) BAC
128) The Long Song by Andrea Levy 3.8 stars BAC

October:

129) Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny 4 stars (audio)
130) Armada by Ernest Cline 3.5 stars (audio)
131) Three Moments of an Explosion: Stories by China Mieville 3.7 stars BAC
132) The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 4.2 stars (audio)
133) The Golden Apples of the Sun by Ray Bradbury 3.7 stars (audio) AAC
134) The Marvels by Brian Selznick 3.7 stars
135) Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg 3.8 stars (audio)
136) Slade House by David Mitchell 4.4 stars BAC
137) By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan 3.8 stars (audio)
138) Excursion to Tindari: Inspector Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri 4 stars (audio)
139) The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen 4.2 stars (E)
140) The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins 3.7 stars (audio)

American Author Challenge 2015

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

**Kent Haruf- Memorial: http://www.librarything.com/topic/191598#

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

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

Mark's Picks:

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

BRITISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE

2015 selections

January : Penelope Lively & Kazuo Ishiguro (Moon Tiger, The Buried Giant: Completed)
February : Sarah Waters & Evelyn Waugh (The Night Watch, Brideshead Revisited Completed)
March : Daphne Du Maurier & China Mieville (Jamaica Inn, Embassytown, Three Moments of an Explosion) Completed)
April : Angela Carter & W. Somerset Maugham (The Bloody Chamber, The Moon and Sixpence Completed)
May : Margaret Drabble & Martin Amis (House of Meetings Completed)
June : Beryl Bainbridge & Anthony Burgess ( The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress Completed)
July : Virginia Woolf & B.S. Johnson To the Lighthouse Completed
August : Iris Murdoch & Graham Greene (Brighton Rock Completed The Bell Completed
September : Andrea Levy & Salman Rushdie ( The Long Song) Completed
October : Helen Dunmore & David Mitchell (Slade House) Completed
November : Muriel Spark & William Boyd
December : Hilary Mantel & P.G. Wodehouse

Thirteenth Month : Bernice Rubens & Aldous Huxley

Perfect topper! Cleverly carved pumpkins are about the only thing I really appreciate about Hallowe'en.

Mark! Your Halloween theme has us dancin'!

Okay, so the clown up there really creeps me out. I'm guessing that's just what you intended. LOL! Happy new thread, Mark!

Hi Mark, I didn't have much to say on your last thread. Maybe I'll come out of my shell soon. Your Bears beat our Chiefs yesterday. The season just started, or so it seems, and we're already pretty much out of it. Thank goodness for my backup team, The Broncos!

On a more positive note, I finished one of your highly recommended books: Kafka on the Shore. It was pretty awesome. You are so right in suggesting it to those who are new to Murakami. Some of his other books are pretty weird. >7 weird_O: Oh, Hi Bill, love the skeleton dancers!

>6 laytonwoman3rd: I like the candy! lol.

Love the topper!

>7 weird_O: And love that dance!

Happy new thread, Mark.

Sit on the bench next to that clown? Not for a million bucks! Creepy city!

Happy New Thread!

Pumpkin Ale - Nope, not gonna do it. Me and flavored beers aren't really the best of friends. Went to a Food Expo yesterday and they had some beer tastings. A couple from Kona Brewing, good stuff. A really nice ale from Smog City Brewing. And surprising to me, Tsingsao. I had never had it, and it was really quite tasty. But then it was about 95 in the shade, so I'd drink Bud Light when its that hot. :)

I haven't been following along with the AAC this year, but I just noticed that you have Bradbury for this month. I've read 451 recently, but I think I'll have to go find a copy of Martian Chronicles. I haven't read that since I was in High School

Enjoy your day off. I love Bank/Post Office Holidays, as it makes the freeways almost bearable.

>6 laytonwoman3rd:



Hooray for being my first ghoulish visitor, Linda! Since my kids are grown, I don't care much for Halloween either, but it is my wife's birthday, so, of course I can NEVER forget it.

>7 weird_O: Now, that is the way, to drop by a thread, Bill. Good job, with the dancing skeletons.

>8 Crazymamie: Well, you just made my day, Mamie! Good to see your face. I have missed you.

As soon, as I spotted that clown, I knew I had to share it. LOL.

>9 Donna828: I missed you last thread, Donna. You are always one of my favorite visitors, no matter how much you stop.

That Bears/Chiefs game was quite a nail-biter. Clearly, both teams are not very good. Hey, it's baseball season, right? You are a Royals fan, right?

I am so glad you enjoyed Kafka. I've read, about 10 of his now and that still remains my favorite.

I like the candy too, as long as it is chocolate-based.

>10 connie53: Thanks, Connie! The dancing skeletons are quite a hit.

>11 Storeetllr: Oh, come on, Mary! Just look at that clown face? Wouldn't hurt a fly...

>12 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff! I am not a big fan of pumpkin beers, either. Once in a blood moon, I'll give one a try.

Good to hear the beer talk. I have not had a Kona, since Hawaii. I like my beer, with a bit more body. Smog City sounds good though.

I hope you can fit in a reread of The Martian Chronicles. I really liked that one.

Ugh, that clown is seriously creepy! Good job!

Happy new thread, Mark. Hope your holiday is treating you well. Some of us poor saps are at work.....

And, ooooooh, a Mamie-sighting!

Happy New Thread, buddy! Glad to see Donna liked Kafka, and Mamie in the house. :-)

Happy new thread, Mark. Love the bookish pumpkin and >7 weird_O: the dancing skeletons. That reminds me I should get in some Halloween candy but not too soon or it somehow disappears. I missed the Halloween advertising earlier because I was in the UK, also missed all the Canadian electioneering while I was gone. I couldn't have timed it better *grins*. (B.A.G?)

Happy New thread, Mark. Your week sounds like a great work schedule - aehm I mean reading time. Big waves from over the pond.

>17 Familyhistorian: I should get in some Halloween candy Haha! Best part of Halloween for Gram and Gramps is going to our son's house, sitting on the front porch and doling out the candy. They live in town where a date and time are set for Trick-or-Treating; a lighted porch means you've got treats. The five members of the host family are out roaming the streets. My wife and I man the porch. GnG live out in the country, and I don't remember ever having T-or-Ters in the 25 years we've lived here.

ETA Very glad you like the dance act. You and everyone who remarked. Thanks.

>15 katiekrug: "Ugh, that clown is seriously creepy!" Perfect for a Monday, right, Katie? LOL. Yes, I am having a good day off. Just finished my chores, now I want to hunker down with the books, until the Cubs game.

>16 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! " Donna liked Kafka, and Mamie in the house." Nothing but sweetness, right? One will be the icing on the cake, will be a Chicago win tonight. Grins...

>17 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! Glad you missed all the Canadian electioneering. We have, over a year left before our election. Ugh! Tired of it, already.

>18 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! Love those short weeks and I put in for next Monday too. Yah!!

Well, Mark, I as usual am enjoying the federal holiday as it means the Niece's hubby is home with the kids and I do not have to drive up north at the crack of dawn. I went to IKEA with another lady from the "home" and we had a great time. I bought some brightly colored pillows, every new home needs some new "pops" of color.

Now I'm home and think I'll do some reading.

Congrats on the new thread, and I seriously liked the pumpkin carved like Edgar Allen Poe at the end of the last thread. Nice find!

Nice new thread, Mark! I don't think that clown is going to get many visitors.

A new thread and a Mamie sighting! Woohoo!!!

Hah, Just look at that clown face? Wouldn't hurt a fly...

Not gonna give It a chance.

My daughter was terrified of clowns as a kid. I don't think she ever got over it. Not sure why, because as far as I know she never had a close encounter with one. Though I did have a clown poster on her nursery wall, and one of her first words was "cown," it was a happy clown face. Who can tell with kids ~ she was also terrified of a bright yellow squeaky ball.

>19 weird_O: A date and time for trick or treating would be good. As it is I always seem to live in places where all the kids come. It is fun at the beginning but 4 hours of constantly going to the door makes it hard to do anything else, like eat.

>20 msf59: Unfortunately I didn't miss all of the electioneering, Mark. The election doesn't happen until October 19.

a belated answer to your question from last thread - Wonder Woman was the first of the audio books I've gotten to. I plan to listen more, however, to give myself incentive to get to the gym more this fall, and to give my eyes a rest. They are beginning to complain about long hours. I'll let you know which one I pick next.

Happy new thread Mark. I suppose I should also say "GO CUBS" but that is normally the kiss of death.

Watching the Cubs & Cards- Tied 2-2 in the 5th.

I'll be back...

That is one seriously creepy clown, Mark. Makes me think of Stephen King's It. Speaking of creepy I have been reading (and loving) The Girl With All the Gifts a very good post apocalyptic book.

Cubs win, Cubs win!!

I didn't get home from work til the 7th inning, just in time to see the Baez throwing error.

One win away from the NLCS.

^Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Lead series 2-1

Happy new thread, Mark! That is the coolest carved pumpkin . . .

Another Cubs win tonight!

>21 maggie1944: Hi, Karen! Glad you enjoyed a day off. How much reading did you get in?

>22 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl! I love the graphic. We beat the Birds again! Yahoo!

>23 luvamystery65: Howdy, Ro! Hooray for a Mamie Sighting! It is like seeing a rare and beautiful bird.

>24 Storeetllr: "Not gonna give It a chance." Love the play on words, Mary! I do not like clowns either but had to share that one.

>25 Familyhistorian: At least, you have a much shorter election season. I am jealous.

>26 ffortsa: Thanks for getting back to me on the audio question, Judy. I hope you can make more time for them.

>27 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! No, kiss of death this time, mate. My Cubs are on a tear. We could wrap the series up tomorrow.

>29 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! Great to see you. Glad you like my creepy clown. Are there any other kind?

I have The Girl With All the Gifts saved on audio. I have heard good things and you are confirming it. Thanks!

>30 lindapanzo: Hooray for our Cubbies, Linda. Another great win. 6 home runs. Glad to see KB & Rizzo finally join the offensive fray.

>32 tymfos: Go Cubbies, Terri! Glad you like the pumpkin. I was lucky to find one, with a bookish slant.

Ha! You picked up on that! I wasn't sure if I was being too subtle or too silly. :)

ETA Great news about the Cubs' win!

Congrats to the Cubbies!

The Mets' bats are hot tonight, 10-3. Don't break their legs.

>35 Storeetllr: It was not silly at all, Mary. It was a subtle beauty. LOL. We NEED to get that win tomorrow! Fingers crossed.

>36 Copperskye: It was a great win, Joanne! 6 homers. 3 by the rookies.

I just saw the home run in the Mets game. Wow! And that was only the 4th inning. Actually, I hope the Mets win the series. I would rather face them than the Dodgers.

I like the "Book-O-Lantern" topping your thread!

Back to work Tuesday! The good news is: It is a 3 day work week. Yah, me! We are going up to Door County Wisconsin for a long weekend. Yah, me, again!

I did finish The Marvels. I liked it and will try to work up a non-spoilery mini-review. In print, I am going to start Slade House, for the BAC and for my own immense pleasure. I have heard nothing but glowing reports on this one and it is a shorty! B.A.G.

I will wrap up Did You Ever Have a Family today. I like it, well enough, but do not understand the accolades. I think I am ready for a quick visit to Inspector Montalbano, soak up some Italian sunshine.

>38 thornton37814: Glad you like the bookish pumpkin, Lori. Good to see you.

I feel kind of sorry for that clown up there, what with no one willing to keep him company. So, I'll sit with him a spell...

Happy new one, Mark!

This is why we love you, Amber! LOL! You are both fearless and kind. I bet Mr. Clown is smiling underneath that creepy facade. Sorry, I can't look any closer!

>41 msf59: *snork!* He can't help that he looks so terrifying, poor sod. He's really quite lovely underneath it all - and he tells me he's a reader, too! C'mon, folks, give him a chance.

Way to go, Cubs! They set a record with all those home runs. A neighbor was at the game. He's very tired today, but happy.

coulrophobia = fear of clowns. They creep me out. That one up there looks like he has mayhem on his mind.

>42 scaifea: You are on your own sister!

Agree on the Bill Clegg - liked it but am surprised at Booker and National Book award nominations. Thanks for Ship Breaker recommendation - I'm halfway through and really enjoying it. I think my next audio will be A Little Life which will be available on Audible next week.

If you haven't read Undermajordomo Minor, the new Patrick deWitt, you should definitely put it on your TBR. I might be recommending it a bit prematurely (I only started it last night), but so far I'm really enjoying his sense of humor.

Congrats on the Cubs! I have a Mets fan at home who is convinced they will go all the way.

>42 scaifea: You see see things no one else can, Amber! You are special. LOL.

>43 jnwelch: Morning Joe! Busy day today. Got me hustling.

Coulrophobia, huh? I think I have that.

Great Cubs win! Let's do it again tonight, my friend.

>44 luvamystery65: I am trying to get my muddled head around that one, Ro!

>46 msf59: She said in >40 scaifea: So, I'll sit with him a spell... & then in >42 scaifea: C'mon, folks, give him a chance.

She was talking about the creepy you know what in post >1 msf59: So she's on her own. Not gonna sit with him. Not gonna give him a chance. Nope. Never.

Got it now. ;-)

>40 scaifea: NOooooooooo, don't do it!!! OMG....has anybody seen Amber?

I vote we convince Amber to give it up. He needs to find a community of people who "like" clowns like him. This is not it. Too many of us have read the Stephen King It to overcome our well substantiated suspicion of people who dress up like a sad sac, and hope to make people laugh at him, and sit with him on lonely benches. Even with my nose in a book I would not sit there. Nope. Amber, go get yourself a copy of It and you'll understand why we are so stand off-ish.

On the other hand, Yay! for the Cubs. It is so fun to have a winning team.

Watching the Cubs & Cards game. We lead 5-4. I'll be back to catch up.

Go Cubbies!

Another homer! 6-4 now.

Congrats to your Cubs!

^Cubs Win! Cubs Win! We finished off the Cardinals and move on...Sweet!!

>51 tymfos: >52 tymfos: Thanks, for the cheers, Terri! This town is hopping!! Go Cubs!

Sorry, to all my visitors, who are not sports fans but we have been waiting a century for this!!

No worries, books are always front and center!

>45 vivians: Hi, Vivian! Sorry, I didn't get to you up there, on my break, I just ran out of time. Did You Ever Have a Family ended strong and I did like the book. I just expected more.

Glad you are enjoying Ship Breaker and thanks for letting me know about the audio of A Little Life. I think I am going to try it in that format.

Good to know about Undermajordomo Minor. I snagged it recently on audio. Glad you are enjoying it.

>47 luvamystery65: I GOT IT NOW, Ro! Thanks for the perfect explanation. LOL.

>48 laytonwoman3rd: I have not heard from, Amber, in awhile, Linda. Creepy music playing...

>49 maggie1944: "Even with my nose in a book I would not sit there." I am with you, Karen. LOL.

Go Cubbies! Let's keep on going.

Woo-hoo. Great game. Bring on the Mets or Dodgers.

#45
When you finish Shipbreaker you will have to read the sequel. The Drowned Cities Then you can read other books by Bacigalupi, like Windup Girl and Water Knife.

>57 benitastrnad: I also liked The Drowned Cities. I wonder if he will return to this world? I hope so. I was not crazy about the Water Knife but I loved The Windup Girl.

Amber?....

Hi Mark,

>59 luvamystery65: I am getting very worried, Ro...

>60 Ameise1: I LOVE the camel coffee cup, Barb! 2 more work days and then I am outta here!!

Pleased to see my support for the Cubs proved no kiss of death. Long overdue success. 1908 the last World Series win? Last visit to the world series 1945. Go Cubs.

Oh, you people are so anti-clown! I'm shocked. Shocked, I say! And yes, I've read It, but not all clowns are monsters. Honestly, folks, I expected better of this group. Sheesh.

"Slade House looms up. The red ivy's redder than red ivy normally is. The ground floor windows are too high off the ground to see inside, and anyway they only reflect the sky and clouds."

"The Valium's throbbing in my fingertips now, and the sunlight's a harpist. Fallen leaves on the shaved lawn are shaped like tiny fans."

^Slade House



I am not very far into Slade House but I am happy to report that Mr. Mitchell grabbed me immediately. This man is a treasure.

>62 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! Yes, the Cubs are Red-Hot right now. They just beat the 2 best teams in baseball. Now, we have a breather until Saturday's showdown. We will play either the Mets or Dodgers. This town is rockin'!!

>63 scaifea: "not all clowns are monsters." That sounds like the perfect T-shirt, Amber! LOL. I heard they are remaking the movie "It". It will be hard to beat Tim Curry.

Congratulations to your baseball team, the great Chicago Cubs! Regardless of their opponent next.... I'll be cheering them onwards.

Way to go, Cubs! What a team.

Bone Clocks is up next for me, Mark, after I finish Bud, Not Buddy, so I'll join you in DM-World.

Enjoy the day, buddy.

What? No fireworks? Have some on me.

>66 maggie1944: Morning Karen! Thanks! We are very happy in Chicagoland. It has been a long, long drought.

Go Cubbies!

>67 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Another great Cubs win, my friend. The Freeburg household hasn't been this excited, since the first Obama election.

Good luck, with The Bone Clocks. It is a long, meandering trip but I still liked it a lot.

>68 weird_O: Thanks for the fireworks, Weirdo Bill. Perfectly appropriate for Cub Nation.

Has it really been over a century since the Cubs won the World Series? And 70 years since they were even IN the Series? I hadn't thought it was that long a dry spell, so their win is even more exciting than I thought! Having done a bit of research on the timeline, I'm a little confused. Are the Cubs now in the World Series, or are there more playoffs?

>71 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! We have one more conference series to play, starting this weekend, to earn a place in the World Series. We will be playing, either the Mets or the Dodgers on Saturday.

We will be up in Door County Wisconsin, for a long weekend, so I will be looking for a bar, that will be televising the games. Fingers crossed.

>63 scaifea: Honestly, folks, I expected better of this group. Sheesh.

In the famous words of RD, OIC. :P

Love ya Ambs, but no to CLOWNS!

What's up with this! Is this sports group , or a bookish group? Just kidding! :) I have to say the clowns don't scare me. I'd be scared if a clown popped out of nowhere while I was walking my 12 lb vicious maltese/ poodle cross after dark. But hey, don't underestimate my small dog - she is sounds the alarm quite well. Glad you enjoyed Did You Ever Have a Family. I definitely think that A Spool of Blue Thread was the better book of the two " family saga" Booker contenders.

>73 luvamystery65: Very well said, Ro! BTW: I started By Blood We Live. Perfect October choice. Thanks for the nudge.

>74 vancouverdeb: Books? What are those? It is baseball season, for crying out loud. LOL.

Morning Deb! Glad to hear Tonto is not afraid of clowns, or at least, as long as you have your fearless little dog. And yes, I liked Blue Thread better too!

Morning, Mark!

Obviously, I listen to a lot of audiobooks. Fortunately, I rarely hit any glitches, BUT, while listening to Excursion to Tindari, I was surprised and disappointed to learn, I did not have the final part of the book. WTH? I was really enjoying this Montalbano too. So, I have requested it, on audio from the library. Bummer, dude.

Since, I never miss a step, I jumped right into By Blood We Live, the final Last Werewolf book, which features werewolves and vampires. Ideal October reading, wouldn't you say? Shout-Out to Ro, for the nudge! I've had this one, in the wings, forever.

FYI: I am LOVING Slade House. Mitchell Rules, Girls drool!

>76 scaifea: Big, Morning waves to Amber! Have a great day!

In rodeo, clowns are the good guys. When a cowboy is bucked off a bucking bull, the cowboy is momentarily stunned and the bull will often go after him wanting nothing more than to grind him into the dirt. A clown scoots in, distracts the bull and the cowboy gets away unharmed.



So I grew up with the idea that clowns are heroic and courageous.

Yet another advantage to living in Montana. ;-)

Good morning, Mark! Sweet Thursday!

I'm enjoying The Bone Clocks so far; Reamde not so much, but I'm hoping it's building to takeoff.

Bud, Not Buddy is a young adult/middle grader book I can recommend. Great main character, and well done story.

Did you read French Milk? So far it's another good one by Lucy Knisley.

>71 Storeetllr: My favorite comment on this is that the last time the Cubs won the world series the Ottoman Empire still existed. Here is to hoping the streak ends this year.

>79 streamsong: Morning, Janet! I am glad there is a perfect place for clowns. I was hoping to find a home, for them.

>80 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I am glad you are enjoying The Bone Clocks. The first part of it, was one of my favorite sections, of this long, twisty, journey.

I am loving Slade House. Good to know about the Knisley.

>81 Oberon: That is another reason, we need to win this one, Erik. LOL!

"What if Slade House is the hallucination, and this door's my way back? Not a rabbit-hole into Wonderland, but the rabbit hole home?"

"Tonight feels like a board game co-designed by M.C. Escher on a bender and Stephen King in a fever."

Slade House

^OMG, is this good!

""What if Slade House is the hallucination, and this door's my way back? Not a rabbit-hole into Wonderland, but the rabbit hole home?"

"Tonight feels like a board game co-designed by M.C. Escher on a bender and Stephen King in a fever."

>83 msf59: okay its starting to sound life just needs to stop when mine arrives .....

>79 streamsong: Yes! See, everyone? Clowns are good guys!

Morning, Mark!

>84 roundballnz: Hi, Alex! Good to see you. Yes, Slade House is a treat. And it's a shorty- 230 pages. Yahoo! Hope you enjoy it, as much as I am.

>85 scaifea: "Clowns are good guys." Well, let's not get carried away, Missy! That said, I am glad there is place, OUT WEST, where they can be useful.

Have a good day, Amber!

>86 msf59: Hani reckons I am a clown of the first order, Mark. So I'll paint on a smile and wish you a great weekend, buddy.

^We will be heading north to Door County WI, this morning for a few days. It will be chilly but that is what bonfires, booze and warm clothes are for. There are 6 couples going, half old, half young. Should be a good mix.

I am hoping to find a TV, Saturday and Sunday nights, to watch the Cubs & Mets. Wish me luck. We are going to a fish boil Saturday night, so I hope I can catch the end of the game.

I hope to squeeze in some reading in, during the down times. It helps, that I am such an early riser.

>87 PaulCranswick: If that's the case, Paul! You are my favorite kind of clown.

Enjoy Door County, Mark!! Nice time of the year to be up there. Really chilly though.

Cubs/Mets. Can't let our 7-0 record vs the Mets this year give us too much false confidence.

Morning, Linda! Happy Friday! We just talked to the cottage owner and he said this might be the last week, to really enjoy the colors, so our timing is perfect, despite the chill.

Go Cubbies! Should be a great series and we match up well with the Mets. It is going to be a fun week, ahead of us.

I probably won't have internet service up, in the wild, wooly, north, so it may be quiet over here, for a few days. I'll be back Monday evening.

Oh yeah:

You've sure got me looking forward to Slade House, Mark. Bone Clocks continues to be good; I just finished the first Holly Sykes section and have met Hugo Lamb.

Have a great time in Door County! Go Cubs!

Go Cubs ! (My next door neighbor is a Mets fan, but I won't tell her I am cheering for your Cubs)

Mark, I'm a bit confused. Are you a Cubs fan?

;-)

Happy long weekend, Mark. Enjoy your trip.

Mark I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

I started a thread for NF November. Here is the link. http://www.librarything.com/topic/198771

Have a very nice weekend, Mark!

*waves* and *ducks out* before getting scarred for life by scary pictures. :)

Have a great weekend, Mark!

Happy Saturday, Mark! Here's hoping you're enjoying Wisconsin!

>64 msf59: I've added Slade House to the ever growing list of your recommendations!

I think I should simply copy your library into mine. Spot on with my reading, I always find great recommendations from you.

Happy Weekend Mark.

Big morning waves from Door County! It is beautiful up here. Gorgeous fall colors. It was nice to enjoy an outside fire and be able to look at sky full of stars.

Fortunately, we have an Internet connection and a TV, so we can watch the Cubs. Yippee!

My online wil still be limited but I will check in, when I can.

*green with jealousy* I love the experience of sitting near a real wood fire, outside, looking up to a sky full of dark and stars. Deep relaxation there!

I'm glad you are having such a sweet interlude. Go Cubs, too! *smiling*

What Karen said, Mark. Sounds wonderful. Go Cubs!

Enjoy Door County, Mark. I used to love going up there when I lived along the banks of Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin.

Happy Sunday Morning!

Boo, to the Cubs loss, but we'll even up the series tonight.

We had a great time yesterday. A nice fall day, but just a tad chilly. Went for a nice hike in the Pennisula State Park. We saw a fine sunset and attended a fish boil. We came back to the lodge, for the end of the Cubs game.

Very little reading going on. I am hoping to squeeze in some this morning.

>93 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! I only have about 40 pages left in Slade House. Hope to finish it this morning. Glad you are enjoying Bone Clocks.

>94 maggie1944: Hi, Karen. Glad to hear you are rooting for the Cubbies. It has been such a great year.

>95 katiekrug: Is it that obvious, Katie. LOL. I better work on my subtlety.

>96 Ameise1: Big weekend waves to Barb!

>97 luvamystery65: We are long overdue for a nonfiction theme month. Thanks for setting that up, Ro. I am sure I have a few NF titles, hanging around.

>98 connie53: Big waves to Connie!

>99 bell7: Howdy, Mary! Great to see you. Hope all is well.

>100 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. Having a terrific time. Hope you are having a good weekend as well.

>101 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Having a fine time in WI. Thanks.

>102 Whisper1: I am glad you like my book recs, Linda. My LT pals make the best reading choices and we love to spread the biblio-joy.

>104 maggie1944: >105 jnwelch: There was some cloud cover last night, so there wasn't much star gazing. Wish there had been more fireworks in the Cubs game.

>106 EBT1002: It is beautiful up here, this time of year, Ellen. Wish I could get more reading in but I will suffer through it.

Sounds like you are enjoying your weekend away, Mark. There will be plenty of time for reading later!

Stopping by to wave hello! Way to go Cubs! I usually don't watch sports but I have to say I have been watching the Blue Jays, because, you know, it is the Canadian thing to do right now. ;-)

I missed that you were in Door County this weekend! Where are you? Shawn and I are in Jacksonport!

>109 msf59: "Wish I could get more reading in but I will suffer through it."
LOL -- I know that feeling. I'm always a little disappointed when my vacations involve less reading time than I would like, but there are other things to do on this planet, as well!

Boo to another Cubs loss! We are down 2-zip. We are returning to Chicago for the next 3 and we hope we can turn this thing around, with the hometown crowd.

Had another nice day in Door County yesterday. A short hike, a lighthouse visit and we found another terrific brewery. B.A.G.

My daughter and her friends had a really nice time at the Packers game too and saw them win, once again.

We are heading back today, around noonish. I wish I could stick around a couple more days.

>110 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. It was a very nice weekend. I am looking forward to getting back to the books though.

>111 lkernagh: Hi, Lori! Good to see you. Go Cubs! Go Blue Jays!

>112 alphaorder: Hi, Nancy! We stayed, just outside of Egg Harbor. Where is Jacksonport?

>113 EBT1002: This is more of a social setting with several couples, so not much "alone" time, but we had a blast, so the books can wait. I am not driving, on the return home, so I hope I can hunker down and get a little reading in.

Too bad re the Cubbies, Mark. Hope coming home gets them turned around.

Glad you had such a fine time in Door County - and good weather to go with it.

Safe travels home, buddy. Clear weather here, and we're heading back up to comfortable temps.

Jacksonport is on the lake side. If you go straight hair across the county and a little south on 57 is where we were. About 10 miles from Egg Harbor, if you take the right roads. We rented a cottage with beach front. Very nice weekend!

Edited to say: go across the county, not country!

^The lodge, (cottage) we stayed in. Very nice accommodations.

^Lighthouse in Door County, off Lake Michigan.

Looks like a cool place. Nice images.

That's a lovely little "cottage". I've never visited that area of the country and it looks so beautiful, no matter the season (ok, maybe I'd stay away in winter). I need to start thinking about a road trip in that direction sometime.

>121 Copperskye:

This was my third trip to Door County this year (more than usual). The first one was in winter and it was beautiful. Unfortunately a nasty snow storm forced us to leave early so that my mother who was watching my child could get on her way home. I would have loved to stay bundled up in the cottage with a good book and a fire.

>120 mahsdad: It is a beautiful location. I would have liked it, a bit warmer but there was plenty of sunshine, which brought out the fall colors.

>121 Copperskye: There are 4 or 5 different "cottages" on this property, but this was the Big Daddy. There are 5 or 6 bedrooms, along with a loft. Since there were 12 of us, this worked perfectly. Our room had a private bath. Nice place.

>122 alphaorder: They were having a fall festival in Sister Bay too, which was very nice. I hope we get back up there next year.

Unfortunately we didn't get up to Washington Island...once again. One day...

Okay, back to work Tuesday. Very nice weather in Chicagoland, with above normal temps. Happy Dance!

I did finish the excellent Slade House. Mitchell fans rejoice. I just started The Queen of the Tearling. This fantasy novel was highly recommended by one of the booksellers in Petoskey. Has anyone else hear of it?

I am also looking forward to getting back to my vampire/werewolf audio, By Blood We Live.

Morning, Mark! Welcome home!

Morning, Mark! Good to have you back. Looks like a most excellent trip.

That's good news re Slade House. I'm nearing the end of The Bone Clocks; this is another one that probably could be shelved under science fiction as well as literature. Did you read his A Thousand Autumns?

#124
Queen of the Tearling is a really good fantasy. I have it and the sequel on my TBR list. One of my colleagues read "Queen" earlier this fall and loved it. She came back and got the sequel. I would say that the bookstore in Petosky steered you right.

I would love to hunker down in a cabin like the one you pictured. The idea of a few days of reading in an out-of-the-way place would be wonderful. I think it is something about the light in October that makes being quiet outside such a great thing. I am glad you and Sue had a great time. I haven't gotten to my Mitchell book yet, as I am reading Smilla's Sense of Snow for my next real life book discussion group. Then I can get back to the BAC books.

#126
I read Thousand Autumns of Jacob and really liked it. It is not the usual Mitchell kind of book. This one is more like straight historical fiction - although he does throw a Murakami like curve in there a couple of times. Overall, it is well done, and sheds light on some of the more obscure history of Japan when it was mostly closed to Westerners. I would, and have, recommended it to others. I gave my copy to my sister and she liked it, but then she reads almost nothing but historical fiction and turns up her nose at other genres.

That Lodge looked great Mark. Glad to have you back and posting on all cylinders though.

>125 scaifea: Big morning waves to Amber!

>126 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. Slade House is terrific and a special treat for having read The Bone Clocks first. I think you ended up liking that one more than I did.

I did read A Thousand Autumns. A good read but definitely more historical than his usual fare.

>127 benitastrnad: I am so glad to hear you enjoyed Queen of Tearling. I bought a copy in Petoskey and recently found it on ebook, along with the sequel for 2 bucks each. Had to grab it. My daughter also just started it.

>128 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! Wouldn't a lodge like this, be perfect for an LT Meet-up? OMG!!

Our little face to face book group read The Queen of Tearling last year and I loved it quite a bunch. I should go find the next in the series, I've been neglecting it.

I'm listening to H is for Hawk and loving it.

I have my fingers crossed for your Cubs.....

>119 msf59: Lovely lighthouse. Glad to hear you had a good trip. Still waiting for the library copy of Slade House to come in....

Hi Mark, glad you enjoyed Door County.

Big game tonight. I might have a shot at game 4 tickets for Wed. Still waiting to hear back...

>130 maggie1944: Hi, Karen! Another fan of The Queen of Tearling! Hooray! It is another big book but it reads quickly and I am enjoying it. I have the sequel on ebook too.

I am so glad you are enjoying H is For Hawk. I LOVED that book. One of the best I have read this year.

>131 charl08: I did think of you, Charlotte, while visiting the lighthouse, I just forgot to share it over on your thread. LOL.

I loved Slade House. I hope your copy comes in soon.

>132 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! Yep, good times in Door County. And yes, we NEED a Cubbies win tonight, my friend.

I hope you can get those tickets for tomorrow's game. Fingers crossed.

^This might be my favorite current TV show. Glad it is returning.

Hi, Mark! Just finished listening to Dissolution - and really, I should have called in sick and just stayed in bed listening, because it was tough to concentrate on my job while waiting to get back to this one. I have a feeling listening to this was better for me than reading it - the language is very conducive to listening.

I may pass the more sci/fi- ish audiobooks on to Jim, as they are not really my cuppa. But Jim loves them!

Door County looks fun! I am reading The Thousand Autumns now, and finding it a bit slow, even though I like historical fiction usually. It sounds like I should try Bone Clocks

Morning, Mark! Hoping your Cubs did okay last night...

>135 ffortsa: Hi, Judy! I really appreciate you stopping by and letting me know what you are listening to. I have not read Dissolution yet, so you have inspired me. I will have to add it to the rotation. Has Jim read/listened to The Martian?

>136 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda! Good to see you. Yep, fine time in Door County. I agree, The Thousand Autumns is a bit slower and more straight-forward. You definitely should read the Bone Clocks and wrap it up with Slade house.

>137 scaifea: Morning, Amber! We lost, once again to the Red-Hot Mets. We are choking. They are streaking. Still a chance, but it is remote.

No matter, what happens, we had a terrific season of baseball.

>139 msf59: Oh, dang, Mark. I'm sorry. Here's hoping your friends rally and make a fabulous comeback! (Proper terminology, I hope?)

>140 scaifea: I think only one team has ever come back, from 3-0, Amber!

A "Rally" is probably the proper term but, a "Comeback" will also work just fine. Let's just DO IT!!

^I should wrap up By Blood We Live today. Vampires & Werewolves, Oh My!! Good stuff. I am also enjoying The Queen of Tearling.

Happy Wednesday, Mark.

Hi Mark, I've been lurking here and not posting much. While I grew up a Reds fan, I spent my formative years in northern Indiana and have a soft spot for the Cubs. I was so excited when they reached the NLCS. Now I'm hoping for a miracle!

Sorry to be writing from New York this morning.....only one rabid Mets fan in the house but he generated enough shouting last night to wake the rest of us! I can't wait to get to Slade House - I loved everyone of his so far. But I finally started A Little Life this morning....32 hours on audio.

Sounds like you had a great time away, Mark. It's hRd to get back to RL after time off but at least there are all those books waiting for you!

Been following your activities from a mental remove. Torpor reins. But...I'm at a new high for annual reading, and I just may top 100 this year. Close to the end of Independence Day, which is my AAC book for, yes, March. :-) Just have January, February, November, and December to wrap up a solid showing in that challenge.

Between the World and Me is an important book. I read a library copy, but I wish I had my own copy. Since I returned it, I've wanted to reread passages. Gotta get a book report done.

Still want to complete House of Misery Mirth this month, plus somethin' else...

HI Mark

It sounds like you are having a lovely mini vacation!

I just finished the audio for Doc, thanks for passing that along. Loved it. I'm going to dive right into Epitaph

I know its a historical NOVEL, but I so wanted it to be narrative NON-FICTION. So real.

A nice warm day out here. Wish, I would have worn my shorts. Nice going Marky-Mark...

>143 Ameise1: Happy Wednesday, Barb! Thanks for the kitty!

>144 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura! Good to see you. I have been lurking over at your place too.

It has been a great Cubs season but I was hoping they could battle the Mets, down to the wire.

>145 vivians: Hi, Vivian! If I were a Mets fan, I would have been screaming to. What a tough, scrappy team.

I am sure you will love Slade House. I will be watching for your thoughts on the audio of A Little Life. That one, is high on my To-Read list.

>146 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg! It has been such an incredible year for books. I have so many new ones to get to, along with my huge backlog. This is still a heavenly dilemma.

>147 weird_O: Hi, Bill! Despite your torpor, you are having an excellent reading year. I think most LTers can attest to this. This place changes reading lives.

Between the World is an amazing read. I want to also own a "Keeper" copy. Probably, once it comes out in paper.

>148 Whisper1: Howdy, Linda! We got back, Monday afternoon. It was the perfect little getaway, despite the lack of reading time. No worries. I will make up for it.

Hi Mark, hoping today's not the last day of Cubs baseball in 2015. Hoping for it but not counting on seeing another day. When they go cold, they go really cold.

Morning, Mark! Crossing my fingers that the Cubs rally tonight. Fingers, eyes, toes...

>152 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! My fellow Cubs fan! I was definitely disappointed in their performance last night. Sloppy, unfocused. I would sure like to see them, win the next 2 at home. Come on! Make a series of it.

No question, it has been a fantastic season. I just don't want it to end on a sour note.

>153 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Thanks for all the Cubbies support and all the crossables. I hope you are still not crossing your eyes. Remember, what our parents said about that.

Too late.

>156 Storeetllr: LOL, Mary! My Cubs are starting off very badly. It is only the 2nd inning but it does not look good.

Damn!!

This is painful to watch.

I think I would rather be at the dentist, Linda. At least there is not an emotional attachment...

Ugh..

Agreed. Bummer.

My husband the Mets fan is really surprised that the Cubbies didn't give his team more trouble, especially after how hard they played the Pirates in the Wild Card game.

Sigh. I am not enjoying this baseball game!

>160 tymfos: Plus, we played very well against the Mets, earlier in the year. This is a fired up team, Terri, I just wish the Cubs would make a game of it.

>161 lauralkeet: I am with you, Laura. I am using my time, to catch up on a few LT threads. LoL.

What a disappointment...

Rally time. Hope they can have a big rally this time.

The Cubs may have peaked to early? The Royals, however, are red hot and smokin'. Might be a World Series for my friends and relations in KC.

>163 lindapanzo: Awwww...I was hoping for at least 3, on that one, Linda. If Castro's blast, could have been a couple inches higher...

>164 benitastrnad: The Cubs were smoking hot, coming into the postseason and knocked out both the Pirates and Cardinals. They just can't get it done with the Mets.

Regardless, what happens, in this series, I think the Cubs had a fantastic season.

^I know exactly how she feels! What an embarrassing way to go out. Our team was much better than that. They just forgot to show up.

Once the disappointment wears off, hope will return. It was a great season and I haven't had this much fun watching baseball, in more than a decade.

I feel your pain, Mark. Seattle has had a tough year with most of our teams behaving as if they were sandlot players. Shucks. I am now sitting on my hands waiting for "next year" for the Seattle Storm, and watching the Seahawks only when I have other things to do at the same time. The Seattle Reign, a little women's soccer team did well. So we have that.

Aren't we glad we have our books. They seldom fail us the way a lackluster team can do.

Morning Karen! We are so tired, of saying- Wait 'til next year, but this time, we have plenty to look forward to. Our Cubs are a very young team, with much promise.

"Aren't we glad we have our books." Amen, my friend. The perfect salve.

I'm sorry about your team, Mark. But what would be the joy of winning without the occasional grief of losing? Meh, what do I know - I don't do sports. At any rate, my sympathies.

I saw on Amber's thread you said the season is over... is it safe to post in complete ignorance of sports over here again?

>170 charl08: *snerk*

Hi Marky Mark! I was delighted when Bush Jr and Sr left , and I am even more delighted to see
Canada out of the dark pall of Stephen Harper's Conservatives. Happy reading! :) You enjoy your sports and I'll bask a bit in the Liberal Party win in Canada! Yes!

Scroll down a bit in this link to see how The Toronto Library is sticking it to the Kentucky Library in the name of the Blue Jays and the Kentucky - err - team! :)

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/21/toronto-library-baseball-playoffs_n_8350...

Sports and books - what a combination!

Another nice fall day, just a tad cooler...

>169 scaifea: Hi, Amber! We should have a shiny future, with our current Cubs team, so that makes everything a bit sweeter.

>170 charl08: I love the cartoon, Charlotte. Humor is important right now.

>172 vancouverdeb: Hooray, for the Liberal Party. I hope they can get something done.

Thanks for the link, Deb. I will check it out when I get home.

Hi Mark, I'm so behind here it hurts, but I'll come back to catch up soon. In the meantime, I hope you forgive me for hijacking your thread for a public announcement:



After some discussion on Paul's thread recently, where the excitement of the 2016 BAC planning is going full tilt, it was suggested we run a Canadian Authors Challenge in 2016. I've put together the Canadian Author's Challenge (CAC) 2016 Planning thread here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/201195

Come one, come all to discuss which authors you'd most like to see represented!

>175 Smiler69: You can come over and hijack my thread anytime, Ilana. LOL. I was hoping someone, would start a CAC. We are overdue for that one and I know there are many Canadian writers, I would like to continue and to try.

BTW- ^^Nice Maple Leaf!!

>176 msf59: Great! I hope you'll drop by the planning thread and weigh in with some suggestions Mark. Among other things, I'm debating whether or not we should embrace Atwood April and include her in our challenge for April so people don't have to choose between two Canadian authors, as someone pointed out, or whether on the contrary we should list another author to give people another option. Your opinion on this would be appreciated.

>178 Smiler69: Of course, I am a big Atwood fan and she is a Canadian treasure, so I say give her the April spot and I won't bother with the AA, for next year. God knows, I still have plenty of hers to read.

I will post these thoughts over on the CAC thread too, as soon as I have dinner.

>175 Smiler69: Thanks Ilana! I added some suggestions to the thread.

>177 msf59: lol, I'm glad I have a girl dog.

Condolences regarding the Cubs. They were all great games, hard fought and nail biters one and all. I hope you'll be rooting for the NL in the series. No hard feelings, friend?

Hi, Joanne! I was very impressed with the Mets! They really transformed into a fine team and I can easily see them going all the way.

The Cubs are just getting started. They will be in the post-season again next year and hopefully, years to come.

It's great to have a young team to feel excited about!

Sorry about the Cubs, Mark. As you know, I was rooting for them with all my heart.

Meanwhile, I'm wondering what GNs you have sitting beside you to read now that you don't have to pay close attention to the baseball post-season.

Oh!Thanks to Ilana for organizing and leading the Canadian Lit Challenge!

Morning, Mark! Timely pumpkin patch cartoon, for Charlie and me, at least, although we didn't take Tuppence or Mario along...

>182 Copperskye: >183 EBT1002: We are very excited and hopeful for the Cubbies, Joanne & Ellen! This could be one of those Dream Teams.

>183 EBT1002: I will post a photo of those GNs, tonight, Ellen. There are that many. LOL.

>184 vancouverdeb: We were waiting for you to lead the charge, Deb, on the CAC, but Tonto went missing and Ilana took the driver's seat. LOL.

It should be a lot of fun.

>186 msf59: Morning, Amber! Have not been to a pumpkin patch in ages. Waiting for grandkids, I guess...

^I am currently listening to The Library at Mount Char. It is a strange, twisted, highly original novel. I am quite a few pages in but I am not sure where this dark, creepy journey is taking me. Another perfect October read.

Has anyone else heard anything about this one?

I am also really enjoying the Queen of the Tearling. The bookseller in Petoskey was spot on...

Cool, cloudy, fall day. Jacket off or on? That is today's question...

>189 msf59: "On" would be my recommendation if you were our mail carrier....bright and beautiful, but very chilly here today.

>190 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda! I mostly wore my light jacket today. It was one of those border-line weather days. I bit cool without it and a bit warm wearing it. I muddled through...

^Since, my beloved Cubs are done with the post season, I now have time, to catch up, on my rather large stack of GNs. I have renewed most of these, at least once all ready. Forget Sorrow is a good one, but it is long and contains, a lot of text. I hope I can wrap it up tonight.

>184 vancouverdeb: My pleasure Debbie! Thanks for dropping by with some amazing suggestions. I haven't responded to individual posts yet, but I do have a thing or two to say about some of the authors you've brought up... coming soon!

Hey Mark, have a great weekend, friend!

#188
I ordered The Library at Mount Char for the library and put it on my TBR list. The reviews of it were good, so I think it will be a good one that you will like.

I am now deep into reading Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg. This is for my real life book club and it is translated from Danish. It is an old thriller/mystery from back in 1993. It was the first international Scandi crime bestseller (aside from Henning Mankell's Wallender series and a few others.) It was a little slow at the start but it is starting to move and I think I like it. It will be interesting to hear what the others in the group think of it.

You wore a jacket today and down here it was in the high 80's. To hot for the big football game tomorrow.

>193 Smiler69: Hi, Ilana! Looks like you have your hands full with the CAC. Good luck.

>194 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! The Library at Mount Char is not going to be for everyone. It is creepy, dark and violent. About halfway through and I am still not sure what twisted direction, this is taking me.

I remember reading and enjoying Smilla's Sense of Snow, back in the 90s. I am curious if he was a "one-hit wonder"?

Happy weekend, Mark.

Adding The Library at Mount Char to my wishlist...

Happy Saturday, friend!

Sorry about your Cubbies, Mark. Have a nice weekend. Are you enjoying the nice fall?

I'm really sorry about your Cubs, Mark. Maybe you'll enjoy this lovely Chicago baseball story by the amazing Holly Wendt.

Too bad about your Cubs, Mark. Oh well lots more time for reading. I hope you are having a good weekend. I am having a great time at the Surrey International Wrtiters' Conference.

It was pouring, moments ago, on the route. Yes, we could use the rain. It has been a very dry month but can't it wait until after I am done with work? Is that to much to ask? Huh?

>197 Ameise1: Happy Saturday, Barb! Love the photo.

>198 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Mount Char is one of the strangest books I have read in awhile. I am curious to see where it goes...

>199 BLBera: I love the fall, Beth and this one has been nice. Hope you have a terrific weekend.

Have a great weekend dear chap......don't brood too much over the baseball.

>200 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks, Linda. We have a very bright future with our Cubbies, so I am remaining hopeful.

Thanks for sharing the story. I will check it out tonight.

>201 Familyhistorian: Happy Saturday, Meg. Yes, suddenly I have more reading time in my evenings and I will make the best of it.

Have a good time at the Conference. Let us know the details.

>195 benitastrnad: I read Smila's Sense of Snow year before last and I absolutely loved it. Especially the ending.

>196 msf59: Peter Hoeg has written several novels but Smila is his most widely known outside of Europe.

>151 msf59: Between the World is an amazing read. I want to also own a "Keeper" copy. Probably, once it comes out in paper. Perhaps you won't have to wait that long Mark. Keep an eye out for your local postal worker. The one that delivers to your house, not the one that lives there. ;-)

Mark, I'm also disappointed that your Cubs didn't make the Series. It would have been fun to have some friendly rivalry.


By the way, you can send us some of that rain. It is way too dry here.

Hi Mark! You certainly have a bright, optimistic outlook---important for a Cubs fan.

Enjoy your reading time!

>197 Ameise1: Great photo, Barb!

It has been a very hot and dry month here in Alabama. The forecast is for rain tomorrow. I hope it rains and pours buckets. We need it.

I am looking forward to the World Series. It will be nice to see Royals Stadium (now known as Kaufman Stadium) on National TV. It was built in the early 1970's and has managed to stay un-reemodeled long enough to become an icon of Mid-Century Modern architecture. It just looks and feels so "Jetsons." I hope that people all across the world will see it and admire it for the gem it is. And, of course, there is the team itself to admire.

I finished reading the Crazy Horse biography, so I will hijack your thread to post my review. I will have to make time to read more of Sandoz' work.

Crazy Horse, the Strange Man of the Oglalas by Mari Sandoz.

This biography of the Oglala Sioux known as Crazy Horse is a biography ahead of its time. It was published in 1942 from source material collected in the 1920's and 30's by the Nebraska Sand Hills native author Mari Sandoz and a friend of hers. It was panned when it was published by the critics, my guess is, because it was not done in the accepted writing style of the time. I think that if this book were published today it would find a wide audience, due to its depiction of the Indian side the story of the Sioux Wars.

It is clear that the author's sympathies are with Crazy Horse and the Native Americans, as a reading of the source material indicates a majority of the sources for the narrative are from Native American sources. The use of this type of material would have been unusual and probably suspect back in 1942, hence the poor reception of this work at that time. Subsequent reviews and interpretations of the source material has been much more sympathetic to the viewpoint of the Native Americas regarding the events that took place in the Sioux Wars. There has also been a greater acceptance of the role inter-tribal politics played in the affairs of the Sioux Wars over time. Back in the 1870's the Native Americans were seen as one hegemonious group with one hegemonious agenda. That viewpoint is severely contested today - with good reason - and inter-tribal politics has ben given a greater place in the history of the times. This later view probably gives us a better picture of what was going on at the time. Readers, amateur historians, and historians of today should be thankful for writers like Sandoz who took the time to gather this primary information and preserve it for people today.

This biography reads like a work of narrative oral history. That takes some work to become accustom to, but it is worth it. It is a very thorough and satisfying biography of a very important figure in America History.

>208 weird_O: Thanks Bill.

Happy Sunday! I am off the next 2 days! I am off the next 2 days! And since, that includes Monday, I am especially pleased.

>205 luvamystery65: Hi, Ro! It sounds like I have a wonderful surprise in store. Thank you. You have always been so kind to me, my friend. Have you read the Coates book yet?

And thanks for the Hoeg info. Have you read any of his others?

>206 Donna828: Hi, Donna! Hooray for your Royals. I wish our Cubs could have been playing them. Beware of the Mets, this year. They are formidable.

Hope you can get some rain!

>207 banjo123: Howdy, Rhonda! The Cubs organization has been building this team for a few years now. We ended up being the 3rd best team in baseball and we should even do better next year. Come on, spring training!

>211 msf59: Mark, I have not read any other Hoeg but he is an author I definitely want to explore more. He is on my shortlist of author's to explore next year. My library has a few of his titles so I will start with those.

ETA: I have not read Coates yet but I have Between the World and Me lined up for NF November. ;-)

- Lawren Harris: House in Autumn. I had not heard of this Canadian artist. I like his style.

>212 luvamystery65: Thanks, Ro! I'll have to swing by and see what you have been reading. The Coates is amazing. If you can also find the audio- do both. It is perfect, reading it, while the author speaks those powerful, poetic words.

Also, try to find a copy of The Library at Mount Char. This might be your cuppa. Deliciously strange and creepy.

>209 benitastrnad: Happy Sunday, Benita! You may hijack my thread anytime. Good review of Crazy Horse. I have added that one to the list. I do love reading about Native Americans.

Hope you guys get some rain soon.

>213 msf59: Beautiful paintig. Love the colours. Happy Sunday, Mark.

Mark,

I think you might like both this interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates and the accompanying reading list. http://www.nypl.org/blog/2015/10/23/ta-nehisi-coates-reading-list

Nancy

>216 Ameise1: Glad you like the painting, Barb! Perfect fall picture.

>217 alphaorder: Happy Sunday, Nancy. Always good to see you. Thanks for the Coates reading list. I will check it out shortly.

I absolutely LOVED Birds of a Lesser Paradise! I hope you will feel the same way. I read her last one Almost Famous Women, a couple months ago. A good collection too.

How is Ben Lerner? I've been curious about him for awhile.

In regards to the Coates list: Impressive stuff. I have always wanted to read The Night of the Gun. Battle Cry of Freedom is excellent. Possibly, the best single volume, on the Civil War. Have you read it?

Birds of a Lesser Paradise and the Ben Lerner are both books I started a long time a go and haven't managed to finish yet because something else came along. I need to get back to them! I too read and enjoyed Almost Famous Women.

I have not read any of the books on the Coates list! I have some reading to do... He is speaking at Lawrence University in Appleton on November 5. A friend invited me to go with her, but work is keeping me from doing so. I am glad I saw this interview, since I can't attend the event.

By the way, the reason I will be working is that on Nov 7 we are hosting a day devoted to birds of prey and our 17 feathered educators, in case you care to drive up. It is really spectacular event: http://www.schlitzaudubon.org/calendar-of-events/xtreme-raptor-day

>213 msf59: Oooh...I like that painting a lot.

>211 msf59: Looking forward to the GN comments - what a fab pile of books to have in front of you. I have a copy of Not Funny Ha Ha on the way via the reservation list. I'm being very patient. Honest...

>219 alphaorder: We are celebrating my wife's 50th on the 7th, Nancy, but thanks for the invite. Is this an annual thing? Sounds like something I would really like.

Let me know what you think of the Lerner, once you finish it.

>220 laytonwoman3rd: Happy Sunday, Linda! I like that painting more and more, as I look at it.

>221 charl08: Hi, Charlotte! I just finished Forget Sorrow. I will get to Not Funny Ha-Ha soon.

Happy 50th to her!

Yes, it is annual. We may move it to spring in the future, which might work better for you.

Happy weekend, Mark. I wanted to add to Benita's post about Mari Sandoz. I haven't read her Crazy Horse bio, but I certainly will if I can get my hands on a copy. I have read Cheyenne Autumn by this author and I highly recommend that book, it moved me when I was reading it and it is one of those books that lingers in the back of your mind.

A Birds of Prey event sounds like a great activity for a fall day. Thanks for posting about it. I would imagine that the popularity of H Is For Hawk might pump up interest in all raptors.

>223 alphaorder: Give me plenty of heads up, Nancy, when the next event comes up and I'll see if I can schedule that day off. Have you talked to Laura lately?

>224 DeltaQueen50: Happy Sunday, Judy! Great to see you, stranger. I will keep Cheyenne Autumn in mind. Did they make a movie based on that one?

>225 benitastrnad: Good point about H Is For Hawk. Have you read it yet? OMG, it's good.

#224
Sandoz and Willa Cather are legends in the part of the U.S. from which I hale. However, this is the first Sandoz book I have read. I was prompted to read it because this summer I took a cross country odyssey from Alabama to Montana and drove, for the first time across part of the Nebraska Sand Hills. This is the area in which Crazy Horse was born and raised and it is beautiful country. Sandoz's approach to telling this story is unconventional and is sometimes not well received, but as a viewpoint it was certainly enlightening.

>177 msf59: Ha! "Like"

Happy Sunday, Mark! Hope you've been having a good one.

In your GNs, I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of that Hinds Odyssey. I remember it got good reviews when it came out.

Happy Sunday, Joe! Good to see you back, my friend. I am having a perfectly lazy day. Just what the doctor ordered.

I hope to dig further into my GN stack and I hope to get to Hinds Odyssey, since I can not renew it anymore.

>213 msf59: What a lovely painting!

Interesting that Birds of a Lesser Paradise is back in the conversation. I bought it back when you were warbling and it's been on my TBR pile ever since.

Enjoy your Monday off, Mark!!

See, Ellen? That means you should move Birds of a Lesser Paradise up in the stack. It's fate. I would love to hear your take on this gorgeous gem.

>231 msf59: Me too!

>230 EBT1002: What Mark says in >231 msf59:! Birds of a Lesser Paradise is such a great collection. ¡Ándale amiga!

Lots of Birds of a Lesser Paradise LOVE! Hooray!

I definitely have a "keeper" copy of that one.

Hmm, it seems that Birds of a Lesser Paradise might be a nominee for helping me get to my century mark for the year!

Birds of a Lesser Paradise! Birds of a Lesser Paradise!

Morning, Mark! Chilly one out there today...

Morning, Amber! I have not stepped out yet but I can tell it is a cold A.M. Supposed to warm up nice, though.

Happy Monday! Yes...I only say that when I have a day off. Big Grin. I had a good reading day yesterday: Read another large chunk of The Queen of the Tearling. It's a big book, but reads quick. I should finish it today.

I finished off 3 GNs too: I finally wrapped up Forget Sorrow. It was overlong and wordy but some very interesting Chinese history here. I really liked The Fade Out Volume 1. I love tough and hard-boiled. I have already requested Vol 2. I also knocked out Not Funny Ha-Ha. I did not realize or had forgot that this was an abortion book. It follows, two young women as they take this difficult step. It takes a comforting and caring approach.

Yah, I made a dent in that GN stack!

Happy Monday, Mark! Enjoy the day off. Looks like it'll be a nice one.

You've intrigued me with The Fade Out. I'll have to take a look. Speaking of tough and hard-boiled, have you tried the Robert Galbraith/J.K. Rowling mysteries yet? They just keep getting better.

I'm reading a classic sci-fi I'd never gotten to, Foreigner, and The Gift of Rain. The first is off to a slow start, but the second has been good from the get-go.

Morning, Joe! The Fade Out is really good. Just my cuppa. Brubaker & Phillips are one of the best GN teams out there.

Sadly, I have not read the Cormoran Strike books, but since my LT buddies are such fans, I really need to work them into the rotation.

I have wanted to get to The Gift of Rain forever. Glad to hear you are enjoying it.

The Kingsolver thread is up: http://www.librarything.com/topic/201876

Can you believe, we only have one more left? Time is slippery...

Happy Monday, Mark. WooHoo I already finished my Barbara Kingsolver and I liked it. Wishing you a lovely day. Big waves. xx

>243 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! I am looking forward to Kingsolver. You are doing very well, with the AAC. Good for you.

>244 msf59: Thanks so much, Mark. Just to let you know, Diana is back with her new username DianaNL.

>245 Ameise1: Hooray! Diana is back!

>247 msf59: and here you can find her new thread.

>246 msf59: It's a puzzle, that's for sure...

Morning, Mark! And Happy Day-Off Monday! You're really on fire on the reading front, now that baseball season is over. *sob* Sorry about the Cubs. I sure thought they had a chance this year.

>246 msf59: Haha, that is so me!

I'm reading my second Christopher Buehlman (of Those Across the River fame) for Halloween Horrorfest, and, if you want dark and gritty, he's your man. The Lesser Dead is not-your-cute-sexy-vamps living in abandoned subway tunnels under NYC, and current read Between Two Fires is set in the time of the Black Death, which was horrific enough without all the demons running around raising the dead and Cthulhu-type creatures living in the fouled rivers, and worse. But don't read him if you want the characters you care about to be alive and happy at the end (though I haven't gotten to the end of Between Two Fires yet, I'm already afraid).

>213 msf59:

While scrolling down to the last post I stopped right there. The colour just caught my attention. Very beautiful!

>248 Ameise1: Thanks for sharing the link, Barb. For some reason, I can not star it or comment on it? What?

>249 charl08: One for the ages, Charlotte. Stares off dreamily...

>250 Storeetllr: Good to see you, Mary! A nice fall day here. I just got done, doing things outdoors.

Actually, I did tear through a couple GNS but, both my print and audio books, are BIG ONES and are taking me awhile. I will be done with The Queen of the Tearling today. I think you will like this one.

Thanks, for sharing your reads. Both, sound good.

>252 msf59: Oh dear, this was my fault. Make instead of .de a .com in the adress than it should be possible.

>251 connie53: Hi, Connie! I LOVE that fall painting too. I might use it for my next topper!

>253 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! I starred the link now.

>254 msf59: Very good plan, Mark!

^An early Christmas gift, from a very special LT pal. Thanks, Ro! Huge Hugs! I wanted a keeper copy of Between the World and now I do.

There is no question, LT is heaven. Just look at all the angels...

Hey Mark, I dropped by earlier, but hadn't left a sign of life, so thought I'd rectify that. I'm really eager to see your review of Slade House. After reading my second David Mitchell book last week with Black Swan Green which I really loved (as you've seen on my thread already), I'm ready for more of his writing.

Hi, Ilana! I keep forgetting to put a mini-review together for Slade House. It is a terrific read and deserves extra warbling.

>1 msf59: Eeurgh! That clown! It's no wonder it has taken me so long to get here ;)
Just dropping in to let you know I stil exist, in and out of my academic bubble. I have been reading Edith Wharton, withJonathan Franzen spliced in the mididle there. The House of Mirth is fabulous. Her writing is incredible! I keep re reading sentences to see how she manages to say so muc, so cleverly...and straight off the back of Blood Meridian too. What a contrast in settings. Ha. Couldn't be more different.

Morning, Mark!

>259 LovingLit: Hey, Megan! Great to see you. Sorry about the creepy clown. She'll be history soon. I am so glad you are loving the House of Mirth. I remember it being wonderful too. I'll have to see which Franzen you are reading.

>260 scaifea: Big Morning Waves to Amber!

I finished up the Queen of the Tearling. A good, solid fantasy novel and I am looking forward to book 2. I am starting A Spell of Winter for the BAC. I loved the Siege and wasn't as thrilled with The Betrayal.

I am still plugging away at the audio of The Library at Mount Char. I should finish it today.

I am also really enjoying my GN adaptation of The Odyssey. Sadly, I have never read the original but this is a great story and beautifully illustrated.

Good morning, Mark. I imagine you are going "back into the traces" (back to work) today, while I have the day off from visiting the kids in the morning. Their Dad has his day off today, always one day after your day off. I laugh at the fact that the post office is so organized that the coincidence is so predictable.

I am taking my neighbor's Miniature Schnauzer to the dog groomer this morning as a favor to the neighbor. She is recovering from back surgery and is not yet driving, but her puppy keeps growing her furry coat. I hope to find that t his groomer will be good to do Greta Garbo's locks, too.

The rest of the day off will be spent putting things away and arranging the new place, maybe some shelf paper on some shelves, and some READING. Yes, indeedy, I will do some reading.

Oh, good, Mark. I'm glad you're enjoying the GN of The Odyssey. If you do decide to read a non-GN version, Amber and I would recommend the fast modern language translation by Stanley Lombardo. I also really liked Robert Fagles'. I'm a sucker for that story - and the "when" it comes from boggles the mind.

I'll look forward to your thoughts on A Spell of Winter, as you and others haven't been thrilled with The Betrayal. Like you, I loved The Siege.

I'm nearing the end of an English Pride and Prejudice GN I picked up at that Jane Austen museum, and I'm liking it much more than the American one. It's much more filled with her remarkable dialogue.

Foreigner isn't wowing me so far, but I'll finish it. The Gift of Rain is a wowser. Jeez, this guy can write.

>263 maggie1944: Morning, Karen! Yep, back to the traces. I am on vacation next week, so all is good.

Good luck at the groomers. We have to bring our little guy in this week too. He looks like a dust mop.

>264 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! I am sure you will love this version of The Odyssey. Thanks for the recommendations for the originals. I will have to get to one of those.

I will let you know about the Dunmore and I NEED to move The Gift of Rain up in the stacks.

Hi, Mark. Just seeing what you are up to these days! Lots of reading going on, but that's only to be expected. Wishing a good week and a great vacation next week!

>256 msf59: Yay!

>266 connie53: Hi, Connie! Good to see you. Yes, a lot of reading going on, but the piles never get smaller. What??

>267 luvamystery65: Hi, Ro! Yes, I am still wearing a B.A.G., thanks to you. Did you see my PM?

>268 msf59: That's so true!

>268 msf59: I received your PM and I answered but it looks like it didn't take. I'll respond shortly. :-)

"I wanted us to wake to a kingdom of ice where our breath would turn to icicles as it left our lips, and we would walk through tunnels of snow to the outhouses and find birds fallen dead from the air. I willed the snow to lie for ever..."

"I look at the house, still and breathless in the frost. I have got what I wanted. A spell of winter hangs over it, and everyone has gone."

^ A Spell of Winter

darn groomer was home sick, so we grabbed a Starbucks, and went home. Neighbor is very nice, and her son came over to help me move some furniture around. I'm much happier with how it looks.

But truth be told I had another day where all I read was stuff on the computer. I need to get settled down.

Going to a group meditation in the library this evening. Only takes me 5 minutes to get there! Walking! Ha! I feel so good about this place.

>270 luvamystery65: I'll be waiting patiently, Ro! Smiles...

>272 maggie1944: Bad groomer! I hope you enjoy the meditation class. Maybe it can help you stay off the computer and focus on those neglected books. LOL.

Hi Mark! Question about Slade House. I just got notice that I won an ERC. Do I need to try to read Bone Clocks first? Somehow I didn't realize it was a sequel when I requested it.

Hi Mark, just dropping by to say I haven't ket up on your thread for the last couple of weeks. My bad.
I gave up on Queen of Tearling at the halfway point, I was taking my time and then read a couple of reviews that panned it so gave up.
My current GN is Cairo by G. Willow Wilson, quite an interesting premise, a bit of violence, drug smuggling and hacking.

>274 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda! There is a character(s), that pop up in Slade House, that are from the Bone Clocks and, I believe Cloud Atlas but I don't think you have to read them in that order. IMHO.

>275 avatiakh: No, problem, Kerry. We all get busy at times. I really liked the Queen of the Tearling. What bothered up about it?

Ooh, the Wilson GN sounds good. Have you read the Ms. Marvel comics yet?

Morning, Mark! I'll have to check out the GN Odyssey at some point...

I am 60 pages into A Spell of Winter. I am liking it, so far. I will finally finish The Library at Mount Char this morning. It is long and uneven but there is still much to admire. I am considering going to Mr. Gaiman next...an ideal October read.

>277 scaifea: the Odyssey GN, really caught me by surprise, Amber. Beautifully done. I am sure you will love it. I think you and Joe were talking about your favorite translations. What were they again?

>278 msf59: Stanley Lombardo, hands down. His translations are modern yet stay very true to the original and his language is beautiful in its own right. Plus, he's a zen master and a very cool and interesting guy. I've really enjoyed chatting with him the few times I've met with him.

I also really liked the Fagles translation of The Odyssey, Mark. I'm with Amber re Lombardo.

Another gloomy, drizzly day, but not bad...

>279 scaifea: >280 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe & Amber. The author recommended 2 translations too but I don't have the book with me.

You both, will love this GN version.

^Finally listening to Coraline, (narrated by Gaiman). I saw the film a few years ago and loved it. This is another creepy classic.



^The Other Mother. What a great Halloween costume this would make.

^Time for a new thread.