MichiganTrumpet's Fanfare for Books in 2016

Hello and Welcome!! My name is Marianne, a 50ish lawyer living and working in the Greater Boston area. I moved here over 30 years ago from Ann Arbor, hence the Username. Mine is an eclectic mix of reading, spanning serious to fluff and both fiction and non-fiction. It is always touch and go if I actually make it to the 75 goal. As I write, I've only just started #75 for 2015!

This is my third year in the 75er group. Last year was a complete bust as to active posting, but I did plenty of lurking keeping track of you all. I hope to be more present in the upcoming year!

I ADORE 75er meet ups! The true highlight of the past year has been meeting up with Caroline (Cameling), Suzanne (Chatterbox), Darryl (Kidzdoc), Jim (magiciansnephew) and Judy (ffortsa)! Look me up if you're in the area!

1. The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
2. The Collector by Anne-Laure Thieblemont
3. French Beauty Solution by Mathilde Thomas
4. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
5. The Maximum Security Book Club by Mikita Brottman
6. H is For Hawk by Helen MacDonald
7. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Also hoping to avoid any book bullets this year!

It's great to see you here, Marianne. Looking forward to your readings. Hapoy reading 2016.
Unfortunately I live too far away for a meet-up. Perhaps, one day, I'll make the way over the pond.

SAMUEL PEPYS BOOK PRESS

"The truth is, I have bought a great many books lately to a great value; but I think to buy no more books till Christmas next, and those that I have will so fill my two presses, that I must be forced to give away some or make room for them, it being my design to have no more at any time for my proper library than to fill them." ~Samuel Pepys, January 10, 1668

I came across this diary entry a few years back. A most felictious quote, don't you think? Comforting to know the Battle of the Bookshelves was already being waged nearly 350 years ago. Taken in that light, my efforts are mere minor skirmishes.

I spent the whole weekend reorganizing, updating LT, weeding, etc. Still not completely finished, nor happy with the results.

So, to start off the year, how do you (or do you even...) stem the flood? What criteria do you use for deaccessioning? What do you do with your outgoing books?

>4 Ameise1: Hi there Barbara! If you ever do make it this far ...

Thanks for being my first visitor for 2016! Looking forward to your lovely pictures!

Hi Marianne! So happy you will be with us again.

For the first time ever I have had to evict some of my books and I have not enjoyed the process. I've been donating them to the Mattapoisett Library monthly book sale, but have imagined when confronting them at the sale subsequently that they were pleading to come home to be with the other books and begging to know why I turned against them. So silly, I know, but I stayed strong and did not re-purchase them.

My criteria? I ask myself if I can ever imagine myself reading a book that is under consideration in the future. If the answer is no, it is consigned to the pile. Of course some of them have been pulled back from the brink and some are teetering on the edge, but I've probably got about 45 or so that will - sooner or later - be finding themselves in new circumstances

Charlotte! How lovely to see you! Your loss is surely Mattapoisett Library's gain! I see that you and I seem to anthropomorphize our collection. My husband keeps trying to remind me the books don't have feelings ....

Glad to see that you're back for 2016, Marianne. I'll be curious to hear what you think of your Christmas Swap books.

I had My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry checked out on Kindle from the library but didn't get to it in time. I'll have to try again when things aren't so hectic.

>9 lindapanzo: So thrilled with the book haul, Linda! Have a few on the 'must read' list, but hope to get to them soon. A Man Called Ove was a big hit with my RL book group. Can't tell you how jealous they were Chriistmas morning when I showed them my copy of My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by the same author. Lots of calling dibs to be able to read it next!

>5 michigantrumpet: Just delurking to say how much I like that quote. I read somewhere recently that the rise of books about books is due to the nostalgia for a time before e-devices. But I think I have always liked reading about other people reading!

>8 michigantrumpet: - Guilty as charged, Marianne! Of course books have feelings! And I await the publication, in the near future, of a multitude of studies confirming this contention.

I have had to become much more ruthless with my books with age, or they would take over. (Ask Judy/ffortsa, who helped me pack up a few of the shelves before my last move, what she thinks about that...) Prevention is the best cure, of course, so the goal is to not acquire a horrific # of new books in the first place. After that, I'm starting to become utterly draconian. Do I have a sentimental tie to the book as an object, and not just as a title? Do I really think I will re-read it? How difficult would it be to replace the book? Was the book a gift? Is it signed or inscribed to me? Is it something I'll dip into because it's on a topic that fascinates me? I'm more likely to keep non-fiction than fiction.

The biggest challenge is what to do with the stuff I get rid of...

Love the Pepys quote. I have been trying to get rid of books that I know I will never reread or that I would never use for a class. I'm also trying to use my library more, not to buy a book if I know I can get it from the library. This year, I think about 100 more books came into my house than left it, so I feel pretty good. I donate to the library, pass them on to friends, put them in my mini free library. Some go to Salvation Army when I take other stuff. I try to spread them around.

Who says books don't have feelings?

Oh, you are starred. Happy reading in 2016.

That is a wonderful quote, and it touches on my main principle: I am trying not to need more bookshelves. I still have a lot of wiggle room, since my sons are teens, and I have been really laggardly about moving their books along, though neither of them is an avid book reader. My younger son (15) asked me yesterday whether I had ever dreamed I would have a voracious reader in the house who barely ever touches a book (even an e-book).

I did have a quibble with the father of one of my older son's friends who came in, looked things over, and said he thought we'd do very well for space if only we got rid of all the fiction. I thought we might be much better off for space if only we got rid of him...
(coughing gently)...Sorry, you don't know me that well, do you?
Heather

Great to see you back Marianne. I will be keeping you company as usual. xx

So thrilled to see you back here, Marianne! Dropping off my star.

Checking in and dropping my star!

Welcome back, Marianne!

Ah, the trumpet returns! I'm looking forward to your 2016 reading. And mine. (I'm retiring in 3 days. I intend to read EVERYTHING!)

*starred*

Welcome back!

I'm just north of Boston, across the line in New Hampshire. Would love to hear about any meet-ups or let me know if you're traveling up this way sometime. I got serious about weeding books from the living room shelves about a year ago, but the stack only made it as far as a corner of the kitchen. Now that winter has returned I need the space for snowy boots - hmmm. I tried using Paperback Swap to get rid of some I had read and didn't want to keep. It was successful, except that it's a swap...interesting new titles, but no net loss.

Marianne! So happy to see your thread here! My 2016 reading is going to be focused on reading books off my TBR bookshelves in an effort to scale down some of my books. Not sure it will work, but I am happy to make the effort, especially considering I just came home from the library today with 4 books for my January reading. ;-)

>11 charl08: You are welcome to pop in any time, Charlotte. I wasn't able to find your thread to reciprocate. (Drop me a link?)

You might be right about the nostalgia for pre-kindle books. although I have friends who have never gotten the kindle bug, who wouldn't consider it nostalgia -- just life!!

>12 Fourpawz2: I never doubted you, Charlotte! Perhaps we should make our way to Cambridge to goad those scientists into hurrying their research into the anthropomorphic characteristics of bound reading material!

>13 Chatterbox: If I didn't Think Judy was a spectacularly wonderful woman, that she helped YOU (knowing what I know about both the quality and quantity) move your books says a lot about the woman!

Thanks for stopping in, Suz!

>14 BLBera: Thanks Beth! I got a lovely old four volume set of Pepys at the Brattle Street Bookstore a few years back. doing a little browsing through the pages, the volume opened at EXACTLY that quote. Kismet, don't you think?

Hoping to see you around in 2016!

>15 heathrel: Welcome to the group Heather! I just love that quote. Samuel Pepys knew what he was talking about. I know you're trying to avoid adding bookcases, but if they could all be as lovely as his own. The picture atop the quote is of his own book press. A few have survived.

Marianne, I'm so pleased to see you starting a 2016 thread! I hope that at the end of this new year, you are able to list me among your meetup highlights. :-)



Dropping off my star.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, MARIANNE!

>5 michigantrumpet: Love the quote and share the problem. I wonder how many books he could fit in those book presses?

Here! :-)

I'm here, trumpeting my support for your return to the group in more than lurkage only ;)
(not that I can talk...)
I am so looking forward to book bullets from your threads, even if I will only add them to my ever-increasing TBR pile that is getting tricky to handle these days.

Glad you've resurfaced. Happy 2016!

Happy New Year and Happy New Thread, Marianne! Looking forward to another enjoyable reading year and following along with my book buddies. I hope you can join us a bit more. Fingers crossed.

Hi Marianne

I look forward to visiting your thread in 2016 to see what marvelous books you are reading. All good wishes for a bright, shiny New Year

Happy New Year, Marianne!

Hello, Marianne. We've not met (until now, of course). I just got sucked into this business about 9 months ago. Dropped a star, so we'll "see" each other now and again in the coming reading season.

ETA: You talked of unloading books. A couple of years ago I donated a lot of books to a public library where my SIL volunteers. She told me not to worry about the subjects or books' conditions, that volunteers sorted through everything--sending some to a recycler, others to used-book dealers, and holding others for the library's own book sale. If I ever do want to part with any books, that's what I'll do: donate them to a library.

Happy new year, Marianne. I'm looking forward to more playdates allowing our other halves' bromance to continue flourishing.

Have a wonderful bookfilled 2016, Marianne.

Happy New Year, Marianne!

Hi again,
Just making sure I have visited already...and that I haven't missed any action :)

Hi Marianne, since you so kindly paid a visit to my thread I thought I'd de-lurk over here. I'm glad you're back for 2016!!

Hey, Marianne, I saw on Joe's thread that you're going to ALA. Have FUN! I wish I could join you.
And yes, next time I'm in Boston, we WILL have a meet-up.

Wow! thanks for the visits everyone! It is very gratifying, and not a little humbling to think I wasn't forgotten. My time here on LT and the 75er group is such a retreat from the stress and head-butting of my day-to-day life in Court.

I treasure you all!

Heading over to the ALA Midwinter Convention here in Boston this upcoming weekend. I know Suzanne and Benita are going to be here. Any one else?

YAY! The final season of Downton Abbey started!!

My local PBS station WGBH is the US producer of the series and over the past several seasons, they have brought in several of the actors for various events.

Here I am with the actors playing Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes at the most recent event last month. I'll try to find the ones from seeing the actors playing Cora, Lady Grantham and Lady Edith.

All have been perfectly lovely and extremely patient with these DA-mad US fans. Of course, Elizabeth McGovern is from the US herself, although she's been living in the UK for a while.

I count myself extremely lucky to be a member of WGBH. Please support your local PBS station!

>49 michigantrumpet: Wow, that's exciting! And I don't even watch the show!

I so wish I were going to the ALA meeting - I'll be watching the Newbery/Caldecott/et al. announcements via live stream, though!

Just loved the first episode! (If you live in the UK and have already seen them all, please don't spoil it for the rest of us.) That being said, the quote of the evening: "Is this the refrigerator?.

>50 scaifea: Howdy Amber! I adore WGBH. If I watch any TV at all, it's almost always PBS. I'm a lucky girl to live so close and to go to so many events.

This will be my first ALA event. Looking for any tips/suggestions. Looks like a few of us from LT will be there!

For any of those following the 2015 Title Meme:

Describe yourself: The Boston Girl
Describe how you feel: Euphoria
Describe where you currently live: Kitchens of the Great Midwest
If you could go anywhere, where would you go? In a French Kitchen
Your favorite form of transportation: The Girl on the Train; Honorable mention A Walk in the Woods
Your best friend is: A Man Called Ove
You and your friends are: Funny Girl
What’s the weather like? Let’s Just Say it Wasn’t Pretty Honorable mention:Farenheit 451
You fear: The Book Thief
What is the best advice you have to give? Caveat Emptor
Thought for the day: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
How I would like to die: The Last Bookaneer; Honorable mention After the War is Over
My soul’s present condition: Accidental Saints

>53 michigantrumpet: I usually have trouble with both transportation and weather. Sometimes I think i look for books with good titles for those two! Seems like I found a couple of good ones last year.

Great job on both transportation & weather and I particularly appreciate your Thought for the day - the story of my life!

>53 michigantrumpet: I think most of us think your fear is one of our biggest! That's also a great answer for weather (both options). You did have good ones for transportation as you said.

>55 muddy21: Thanks Marilyn! "What Could Possibly Go Wrong" is both an apt motto, as well as a charming little book. If you're ever in the mood for a new series, I do recommend Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St.Mary's Series. A group of historians time travel, observe cool old things, and save the world, while drinking tea. Lots of humor and fun!

>56 thornton37814: So true, Lori! I have a dear friend who borrowed a book from me over 25 years ago and never returned it. A true mark of the spirit friendship that we continue to remain associated!

I love those DA photos! Lucky you, Marianne. Those actors all look so different, out of costume.

I have attended 2 ALA events in Chicago. I really enjoyed it. Bring a wheelie-suitcase. You will need it. LOL.

The gal who plays Mrs. Hughes is such a cutie! IRL Carson has good taste

>53 michigantrumpet: you fear the book thief! Me too :)

Hi Marianne! Love all the quotes you have on your profile page and I am glad you are back with a thread this year. Your favorite meme answer was the condition of your soul: accidental saint! Love it! Whereabouts are you in Boston? I have lived in Wellesley, Sudbury, Amherst (went there for college), Newton and Boston proper on the green line on Commonwealth Ave. One of my favorite cities! Anyhow, Happy New Year. : )

>58 msf59: I have told her about the need for a wheelie suitcase. Not sure she entirely believes me. She will after Saturday...

Mark, will you be going to BookExpo in Chicago? I'm pre-registered as press for this year, but just discovered that my fave B&B shut down -- ARGH.

>58 msf59: and >62 Chatterbox: The only wheelie suitcase I have isn't one of those carry on ones. It's big enough for a two week trip to three different climates! I would bring it except for fear I would then see it as a challenge to fill it!

>58 msf59: >59 magicians_nephew: Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes) is a beautiful woman. I don't know if you saw the "Countdown to Downton Abbey" on Sunday, but there was a shot of her in the make up trailer, talking about how no one understands how much work goes into making one look as if they aren't wearing any make up... I suspect that few people recognize her when she walks down the street.

Jim Carter (Carson) related a story about running a charity roadrace somewhere in the Far East. He was in lycra (trying to picture it ...), in the middle of nowhere, taking a breather, when a vanful of Asian men pulled over yelling Mr. Carson! Mr. Carson! and asking to take selfies with him... Now *that's* fame for you!

>60 LovingLit: Oh yes, indeed, Megan! A solid reason to avoid house guests! I'm glad I read The Book Thief -- so many people were amazed that I hadn't yet. Managed to get it done before seeing the movie, too. I also added Farenheit 451 to the reading last year -- one of those ones I was ashamed to say I hadn't gotten to yet!

Fun photos, Marianne - thanks for sharing them! Such a great point about it being a lot of work to make Mrs. Hughes look as though she isn't wearing any makeup. Of course, I am able to achieve that look every day with complete success, but I have been working on it for years.

>61 Berly: Howdy Kim! Thanks for the hat tip for the various quotes on my profile page. I have to admit to a certain fondness for the one from Edna St. Vincent Millay:

"It may be said of me by Harper & Brothers, that although I reject their proposals, I welcome their advances."

That gets me chuckling every time!

If you like that sort of thing, Nadia Bolz-Weber's Accidental Saints and Pastrix are worth getting into. She rebelled from a strict Evangelical upbringing, did copious amounts of drugs, got many tattoos, did stand up comedy for a while, then became a Lutheran Pastor. The first line of Pastrix starts "Shit! I'm late for Old Testament class!" She is now a lead pastor at House For All Sinners and Saints in Denver, which attracts many parishioners who have felt marginalized by other mainstream churches. Her theology is rock solid (in my liberal protestant view), and she's a riot and thought provoking all at the same time. Not trying to proselytize at all, but you might find her generous world view intriguing.

We've lived in Natick since 1988. I've also lived on Comm Ave in Brighton, and for three years in Medfield. So we might have been neighbors at one point!

>66 Crazymamie: That made me guffaw out loud, Mamie! Of course, I've also been putting in the work, but with far less success.

1. The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
Four stars



Hassan Hajji arrives by circuitous means from Mumbai via London to the French Alps town of Lumiere where his extended family's car breaks down. Patriarch Abbas Hajji decides this is as good a place as any to settle and open a restaurant dedicated to Indian food. Mme Mallory, chef of the haute cuisine Michelin two star restaurant directly across the street is none too happy with this boisterous crowd encroaching on a town she literally rules. One would imagine the book with its impending conflict is all but written at this point.

The author's descriptions -- particularly of location, food and cooking -- are stunning. Any reader, especially of the foodie kind, will be booking a reservation at their favorite eatery in response. Those who have seen the movie will note some serious changes from the second half of the book. One suspects the producers wanted more romance and more Dame Helen Mirren. The movie ties it all up in a nice little conclusion.

The book seeks to explore the demands on haute cuisine chefs, which our hero Hassan eventually becomes. This is a serious look at the powers of critics, the ever tightening profit margins, economics demanding more 'branding' and even a hint of the soon to come emphasis on local and 'simple' cooking. Maxims didn't go out of business for no reason. The business of fine dining is ever changing. Even in France, where many consider fine dining begins and ends.

This second half emphasis on the economics and politics of fine dining might be jarring for those more caught up in the relationships of the first half. Once Hassan moves to Paris, there is little mention of either his father or his mentor, Mme Mallory. There are great reads about restaurants and food industry (Michael Ruhlman, Anthony Bourdain, Bill Buford, and Garielle Hamilton immediately come to mind.) If you enjoy books like those, I suspect you will truly enjoy this book as well. If you come after having seen the movie, not so much.

In this homage to French cuisine, the greatest journey isn't from Mumbai to Lumiere, or even from a small town to the heights of Michelin stardom, but in Hassan's first few steps across the way to snatch at his dreams and destiny.

>49 michigantrumpet: I'm so envious! I think all of the actors realize how lucky they are to have been part of the DA phenomenon.

>51 michigantrumpet: Loved that quote, too!

>53 michigantrumpet: And I love the meme answers, particularly the Thought for the day. It should be my motto.

>64 michigantrumpet: I think I'd recognize Phyllis Logan anywhere from her Lovejoy days. As much as I like DA, I liked Lovejoy even more.

>70 cbl_tn: Hey there Carrie! Thanks for stopping in!

The thought for the day, "What Could possibly Go Wrong?" jumped out at me immediately. Stop the search! said I! What more is there is say, really?

I've never watched Lovejoy. Will have to check it out.

Michigan Observations a la Jeff Foxworthy

1. If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Michigan .
2. If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year because Pellston is the coldest spot in the nation, you might live in Michigan .
3. If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Michigan .
4. If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live in Michigan .
5. If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, you might live in Michigan.
6. If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Michigan .
7. If you have worn shorts and a coat at the same time, you might live in Michigan .
8. If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Michigan .
9. If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Michigan .

Part 2 - You know you're a true MICHIGANDER when . . .
1. "Vacation" means going up north on I-75
2. You measure distance in hours.
3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
4. You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
5. You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging
blizzard, without flinching.
6. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings).
7. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
8. You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them.
9. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
10. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled
with snow.
11. You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.
12. You can identify a southern or eastern accent.
13. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your blue spruce.
14. You were unaware that there is a legal drinking age.
15. Down South to you means Ohio .
16. A brat is something you eat.
17. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole barn.
18.. You go out to fish fry every Friday.
19. Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.
20.. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
21. You find 0 degrees "a little chilly."
22. You drink pop and bake with soda.
23. Your doctor tells you to drink Vernors and you know it's not
medicine.
24. You can actually drink Vernors without coughing.
25. You know what a Yooper is.
26. You think owning a Honda is Un-American.
27. You know that UP is a place, not a direction.
28. You know it's possible to live in a thumb.

Especially liked: You can actually drink Vernors without coughing.

Hi, Marianne! In regards to, wheelie-suitcases. They were not allowed on the floor at ALA, so I checked it in, at the coat-check and periodically made trips back there, to load up. Worked perfectly.

>62 Chatterbox: I would love to go to Book Expo, Suz. I have to check the dates.

Hi Mark! Has the Staycation started yet? I'd read about having to check it in rather than walk through the exhibition hall. Makes sense.

The only wheelie suitcase I have is large enough for a two week vacation through the climate zones. After spending a solid week organizing and purging books, I have a true fear that I will subconsciously take all that suitcase space as a challenge to fill up.

Hi, My name is Marianne and I'm a Bookaholic ....

" My name is Marianne and I'm a Bookaholic." At least, you have plenty of company around here, friend.

>69 michigantrumpet: A foodie book for your first read!

Enjoy!

Hi Marianne! I don't think we've met before here on LT, but I noticed your comment re the book I just finished, Faith. I could kick myself for notreading it sooner, so I hope you enjoy it too.

>72 michigantrumpet: Gasp! As very Canadian Vancouverite, a Honda is so much of the culture! Why, it's what everyone drives Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Nissan. I think that maybe a kind of west coast thing . As for traveling, yes, I would think in terms of hours of travel . But your temps! Brr! I think anything even close to 0 F is really quite cold. Snow blower? What is that? Kidding, I know what they are but we rarely get snow.

>79 vancouverdeb: Hello there Deb! And welcome!! A pleasure to meet you!

I no longer live in Michigan, where I was raised. Much of my husband's and my family are still there, though. I don't relate to all of the quips in >72 michigantrumpet:, but some definitely called out to me.

The marking travel in terms of hours, not miles, was a hard thing to give up when I moved to Boston. So much traffic here, horrible rush hour, so timing is highly variable. Everyone in this area always just says that they live XXX number of miles away from somewhere else. My town, for example, is about 20 miles west of Boston. On an early Sunday, that's 20 minutes away. During a Winter Monday morning traffic about an hour and 5 minutes! On the commuter rail express train, 30 minutes.

>76 msf59: So true, Mark! thee are a lot of us here! I loved what someone 's husband said about us ... That Book Cult thing!

>77 thornton37814: Cooking and food being another little obsession with many of us on these threads, wouldn't you agree, Lori?

>78 DianaNL: Adorable Diana! Heartily wishing the same thing back, but with much less style. You find the cutest pictures!

2. The Collector by Anne-Laure Thieblemont
Two and a half stars



Marion Spicer was a little girl when her father left. Now, she lives a quiet Parisian life with a slightly crazed mother, tracking and authenticating antiques for SearchArt, Inc. Her ordinary life takes a tumble when her father, a famed and mysterious collector of pre-Columban antiquities, dies unexpectedly. His will leaves her everything -- so long as she locates and buys three bronze statues of incredible beauty. What's behind this bizarre bequest? Is there someone following her? What of her incident in the pool? Was someone trying to drown her?

This is a newly released English translation of the 2006 original. Its relative shortness accounts for the rapidity with which the plot develops. One hopes sloppy translation accounts for clunky dialogue. Sadly, nothing seems to account for the poor characterizations nor the improbable plot turns. The sex scene was excruciating. Would love to know if this read much better in the original French before laying too much at the feet of the translator.

On the plus side, I did enjoy the discussion of what in essence creates a bubble in the art market. Two and half stars for the well written aging mistress section, and for appealing to my tastes: France, art and collecting, and a spunky heroine.

>69 michigantrumpet: Marianne, did you read Buddhaland Brooklyn? My library has a copy of your title, too?

>83 Ameise1: never read Buddhaland Brooklyn. Would be very interested to hear what other people thought. Do you think you'll take it out from the library, Barbara?

Am I the only one who agonizes over what to wear for a meet up? Besides my roller suitcase? Hmmm

>84 michigantrumpet: I hope it's not lent out so I can take it out.

>85 michigantrumpet: ;-) Mostly there is no time to think about it.

Wishing you a most lovely weekend, Marianne.

Hi Marianne - Some of your Michigan observations might work for Minnesota, too.

Have fun at your meet up and book conference -- don't throw out your back carrying your loot home.

The Hundred Foot Journey sounds delicious; I'll let The Collector go.

>49 michigantrumpet: Lovely to have met those actors. Our local PBS station hasn't had anyone in a while, but they tend to Clifford the Big Red Dog and Big Bird, anyway. I did get to meet Garrison Keillor...twice, and Marianne Esposito (whose show I don't even care for, especially.) Of course, we aren't WGBH, by any stretch, and our local productions run to mini doc's about small towns in the viewing area. ("Our Town Tunkhannock" "Our Town Bloomsburg" "Our Town East Bejesus").
"

>72 michigantrumpet: Loved these. So many would apply to Illinois, as well, especially from the first part.

Great DA photos.

The Hundred Foot Journey book sounds good. Wasn't this the basis of the movie? Helen Mirren, I think.

>89 lindapanzo: I saw The Hundred Foot Journey movie. It was Helen Mirren, and it was delightful.

Marianne I used to do volunteer phone banking for our local PBS station and sometimes would meet Big Bird and (once) Alistair Cooke.

Was a fun thing to do - I don't believe THIRTEEN uses volunteers anymore

>72 michigantrumpet: and >87 BLBera: Yup. Lots of those work for MN, too. And how would I know that? Although I lived in MA many times, my family moved to MN when I started high school and they are all still there. Ya sure, you betcha! : )

>72 michigantrumpet: All very fun. I lived in Wisconsin for almost three years in the early 90s and many of those can go for that state, too!

Love the DA photos. I'm envious that you got to meet some of those folks. I think Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes are so darn cute!

There's a documentary on Netflix about the man who plays Big Bird - same person for all these ~40+ years!

I love the photos from your public TV event, Marianne. What fun. Did you ever read Rebecca Eaton's memoir? I really enjoyed it.

>86 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara! So beautifully fresh and clean!

>87 BLBera: Oh good lord, Beth -- I thought you were joking about throwing one's back out. Thank heavens Caroline and I had our husbands there to do some runs to the car to drop things off!

>88 laytonwoman3rd: I never forget how incredibly lucky we are to be near such a fabulous PBS station. Garrison Keillor? That's a BIG get! Good for you! I've never met Marianne Esposito. I would bet she was nice. She seems like it on TV.

>89 lindapanzo: and >90 laytonwoman3rd: Linda is right, Linda -- it was a movie with Helen Mirren. They changed the ending a great deal to get away from the commentary about the food industry, and to keep Helen Mirren's role front and center. Both entertaining, just different.

I've been to Illinois and I think you are right about the similarities.

>91 magicians_nephew: I adore that you volunteered for the phone bank, Jim!! Good for you. Meeting Big Bird would be nice, but I would have LOVED to have met Alastair Cooke. Sunday evenings were all about getting together for Masterpiece Theater Group, wine, ice cream, and watching Alastair start us off on out next adventure. I was so sad when he passed away.

Did you go again today, Marianne?

I talked with Caroline this morning and she said she was going.

>92 Berly: and >93 EBT1002: That would most definitely would work for Minnesota and Wisconsin, Kim and Ellen! (At least the parts I've been to!) Great accent you've got there, Kim! Phyllis Logan and Jim Carter definitely are very cute! And Jim is VERY tall.

>94 muddy21: I'll have to check that out, Marilyn. Imagine that -- 40+ years inside that outfit. He's obviously very good at it!!

>95 BLBera: Thanks Beth! It was a blast. Went with three friends. Some people were in period clothing.

We're big fans of Rebecca Eaton. She had a big book launch event here that I went to. She's very much in real life like the personality you get in the book. Smart, personable, tickled to have the job she has and to meet/know the people she does, while completely unpretentious. I started her book and loved it. Must pick it up sometime soon and finish it!!

What luck - I wish we had more events like that here. I enjoyed the Eaton book a lot and envied her having the job. It sounds like she had a lot of fun most of the time.

>98 msf59: Hi Mark!! Yes, we went today as well. Suzanne and I went to the MFA to catch the Rembrandt/Vermeer exhibit first thing, then hightailed it to the exhibition area. We ran into Benita there. After some good book hauling (if this were a competitive event, Suzanne would take the gold medal!), Suzanne had to catch a train to Providence. Caroline and Edd came soon afterwards.

Our favorite booth was for Other Press -- They told us: "Sign in, and you can help yourself to whatever you see." We couldn't grab the pen fast enough!

One thing is for certain -- Librarians can be a rowdy bunch!!!

Trying to get some pictures up and also a list of the haul, which is prodigious.

We'll definitely expect a list of your haul.

Me with Benita Strnad and Caroline. Thanks, Benita for helping us get the passes to get into ALA!

Me, Golda (Wheelmaker) and Caroline

Meeting Benita Strnad

Stopping by the LibraryThing Booth and showing off our new LT T-Shirts! Caroline, Suzanne & Me

Meeting Mr. George

Goofing off at the Museum of Fine Arts Rembrandt/Vermeer Exhibit

Tired campers after a full day of trolling for FREE books
L>R Suzanne, Caroline, Edd (Caro's husband), John (my hubby), me and Benita

The best picture for last!!!



Nancy Pearl -- As in the DNF/Pearl Rule -- was speaking at the ALA Conference. I ran in hoping to take a picture of her to share with you 75ers. They kept announcing "Five more minutes until she gets here", and again "Five more minutes." "Ten more minutes."

After a while, I gave up and decided to just go with her picture on the big screen. And then I left without ever seeing her.

Yes .... I Pearl Ruled Nancy Pearl.

Love all the photos, Marianne! Thanks for sharing. Bummer about Nancy Pearl. Did you see Andre Dubus III?

>109 msf59: Sadly, no. It was a double panel with Nancy Pearl. Neither one came out when scheduled. *Sigh*

Can't wait to meet you in May!!

That photo of you and Suzanne and the books was terrifying. Or did I mean terrific?

Deaccessioning in our universe is a slow process punctuated with exasperation and defeat. I've gotten better at it,and only regretted an action a couple of times. If I don't like a book, it doesn't earn a place anymore. Mysteries and nonfiction have been landing on-the-kindle or come from the library these days. The apartment building has a set of swap shelves in the laundry room, and the library has a monthly swap and takes donations. Of course, the volumes go in both directions.

Eventually, a mystery series becomes so well-worn I give the whole stack away,but it can take years.

It's the unread titles that do me in. How can I let them go before I take a peek?

You mean this one??? Even I think we went a bit over the top. But -- FREE BOOKS? How can you turn that down?

A friend of mine wrote upon seeing that picture: "I don't know what step you're on, but you need to go to more meetings."

Yes, giving up the unread ones is most definitely one of the hardest parts. I like the idea of the laundry room swap shelf!

Once you organize the books you got, Marianne, you'll have to share a few of your favorites. A few that were real finds. Inquiring minds and all that...

>113 msf59: Just getting started. Will definitely fill you in once I get a handle on it all. I already know that I'm looking forward to The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts. From the back cover: "... tells the incredible story of how Haidara, a mild-mannered archivist and historian from the legendary city of Timbuktu, organized a dangerous operation to sneak all 350,000 volumes of ancient Islamic and secular manuscripts out of the city and save them from Al Qaeda.

That, and I adore the pens they gave out at the Morningstar booth!

Oh ho, you got the pens? Great! I'll e-mail my friends at Morningstar tomorrow and tell them their pens were a massive hit among the cognoscenti (you and John and Edd...)

>112 michigantrumpet: That is CRAZY!! You guys got all those books for free?! : o

Oh yeah. the idea is that we'll read 'em and tell all of you about them. And you'll desperately want to read them, and then go out and buy them, or demand that your libraries buy them, and so a virtuous cycle begins...

For me, about a third of those books are books I covet: things I know I really want to read by authors I know well, or about subjects that I want to know a lot more about, or otherwise am excited about. Another third are ones that intrigue me -- it's a debut novel that sound interesting, or there's a blurb that makes me go, hmm, or the publisher "upsells" me (that's how I ended up with an ARC of Girl Waits With Gun last May... and so the publisher's rep from Houghton Mifflin found it VERY easy to persuade me to try out some of her other favorites this, time, and as a result of trying her favorites, it was very easy for me to persuade her to send me galleys of the upcoming book by Timothy Egan that wasn't at the show and an ARC of the new book by Adam Hochschild (not really available, unless you thought to ask...). And that's how ARC whispering works. The final third, meanwhile, are ARCs that are just there. That the publisher really thinks you should be reading. There were a few from the Other Press that I probably would never read, left to my own devices, but that I brought home and will try to make time for. The kind of standard thrillers/romantic suspense books, eg new offerings from Allison Gaylin and Phillip Margolin. Some debut novels by authors I've never heard of, but that the publicists describe as "my favorite thing here", and so you try even if the description doesn't do anything for you immediately -- because you just never know where your next great read is going to come from...

Gorgeous photos of your meet-up weekend, Marianne. Thanks for sharing them. Now, you don't have to think about your reading. You've got enough books.

>117 Chatterbox: Did you have a wagon with you or what?! LOL. Talk about a score! Enjoy--I know you will.

I had a roll-aboard (expandable) suitcase with wheels (the size that you don't have to check but can carry on a plane), a biggish bag packed full of bags that balanced nicely on top of that, and then my usual small weekend backpack, that had another half-dozen books in it. Altogether, I think I brought about 55 home with me, which is pretty good. As Marianne will testify, I'm fairly efficient about this! The only bad moment I had was when some idiot decided he wanted to get on the train in Providence without waiting for me to get off first. It wouldn't have mattered if all I had been carrying was a a tiny shopping bag with cupcakes in it. (I swear, since seeing the cupcake demonstration yesterday, I have cupcakes on the brain...)

>108 michigantrumpet: *snork* Pearl-ruled Nancy Pearl. Almost lost my coffee on that one... :)

Looks like a great time was had by all!

>112 michigantrumpet: Now that is a Cranswickian haul!

Wow! Loving all the photos, and I am most impressed with you and Suz - way to go, ladies! And like our fearless leader, I got a kick out of you Pearl-ruling Nancy Pearl - too funny!

>115 Chatterbox: The Morningstar pens were the best ones at the Conference, according to John. Edd was taking a much larger sample, though, so we should defer to him.

John also liked one of the investing books Morningstar was handing out.

>116 Berly: It was absolutely insane, Kim! Suzanne says that Book Expo (this summer in Chicago) is even crazier and more intense. Not sure I could handle that. Although Suzanne flatters me by saying I was an apt pupil!

>117 Chatterbox: Let me join in on giving a thumb's up on Girl With Gun. The publisher's rep said they are working on a second one! No galley as yet. :-(

>118 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara! Some (non-LT) friends would say I got *MORE* than enough. So glad I'm amongst friends here who understand! FREE books -- how does one turn that down?

>119 Berly: Good question, Kim. The car was parked relatively close nearby, and my husband and Caroline's husband, Edd, were good sports about making the trip back and forth to drop off some things in the trunk. Without the gallant lads, I suspect we'd be toast.

Next time, I'm starting an upper body strengthening regimen about three months in advance to build up the book-toting muscles!

>120 Chatterbox: Going to the cooking demonstration for the Prohibition Bakery Cookbook was a happy respite! They have a bakery in NYC which specializes in cupcakes based on cocktails, made with real spirits. I think we all enjoyed the samples for that one! John is already going through picking out a recipe to try this weekend ...

>121 drneutron: and >123 Crazymamie: Ha, Jim and Mamie! Pearl-ruling Nancy Pearl -- that had us chortling, too. Really did want to have a picture of her to post at the top of the Friends of Nancy P. Thread, though. :-(

>122 thornton37814: It is impressive, isn't it, Lori? Although I suspect Mr. C. would have put us all to shame!

You go woman!

>126 michigantrumpet: He probably hasn't even discovered that he's being talked about behind his back yet. The other Paul (Stadler) could probably do equally as well.

I think you should contact Nancy Pearl and TELL her you Pearl-ruled her appearance. She would have to get as big a kick out of that as we do! A shame, though, and Andre Dubus, III, as well. Still, it seems it was a marvelous outing, and the freebies are astonishing. I seem to recall hearing of people mailing boxes of books home from this thing, or something else like it.

I like that - Pearl ruling Nancy Pearl! Perfect! Wow! What a big bunch of books! And for free!

Stopping by to get caught up and to wish you a lovely week, Marianne!

>69 michigantrumpet: - I absolutely loved the movie adaptation of The Hundred-Foot Journey! It so appeals to my foodie side! Great review of the book.

Looks like you had a great time at ALA! Thank you for posting the pictures and WOW on the book haul picture with you and Suzanne!

>127 Berly: How many times do we have to talk about taking pictures through my window. Kim? :-D

>128 thornton37814: *Two* Pauls with prodigious book tastes, Lori? Heavens!

>129 laytonwoman3rd: and >130 vancouverdeb: Thanks Linda and Deb! It would have been cool to see both Nancy Pearl and Andre Dubus. I wasn't sure my visitor pass actually allowed me access to this session, so I was nervous about getting tossed out. So, I guess you could say I Pearl-ruled Nancy, before I got Pearl-ruled!!

>131 lkernagh: Welcome Lori! So glad you stopped by. I actually liked the movie of 100 Foot Journey. However, there have been some people out there who have compared the book unfavorably. I was trying to get across the differences between the two.

So, here's the tally for the weekend -- in no particular order: 100 books, plus four cookbooks

Summer Before the War, by Helen Simonson
Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfield
Three-Martini Lunch, by Suzanne Rindell
All is Not Forgotten, by Wendy Walker
Raoul Wallenberg: The Heroic Life and Mysterious Disappearance of the Man who Saved Thousands of Hungarian Jews From the Holocaust , by Ingrid Carlberg
The Maximum Security Book Club: Reading Literature in a Men’s Prison, by Mikita Brottman
Detroit Hustle: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Home, by Amy Haimerl
The Statesman and the Storyteller: John Hay, Mark Twain and the Rise of American Imperialism, by Mark Zwonitzer
The Guest Room, Chris Bohjalian
All Things Cease to Appear, by Elizabeth Brundage
Before the Fall, by Noah Hawley
Maestra, by L.S. Hilton
Remembrance, by Meg Cabot
The Abundance: Narrative Essays Old and New, by Annie Dillard
What the Prayers of Jesus Tell Us About the Heart of God, by Shane Stanford
Mothering Sunday: A Romance, by Graham Swift
The Meursault Investigation, by Kamel Daoud
Vinegar Girl, by Anne Tyler
Dinner With Edward, by Isabel Vincent
Goodnight, Beautiful Women, by Anna Noyes
The Photographer’s Wife, by Suzanne Johnson
The Pier Falls: and Other Stories, by Mark Haddon
Spain in Our Hearts, by Adam Hochschild
Blood Brothers, by Randy Roberts
The Travelers, by Chris Pavone
The Year of Runaways, by Sunjeev Sahota
How Many Letters Are in Goodbye?, by Yvonne Cassidy
The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder, by William Anderson
At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being and Apricot Cocktails, Sarah Bakewell
My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix
The Never-Open Desert Diner, by James Anderson
The Last Painting of Sara de Vos, by Dominic Smith
Rare Objects: A Novel, by Kathleen Tessaro
Flight of Dreams, by Ariel Lawhorn
Paper: Paging Through History, by Mark Kurlansky
The Murder of Mary Russell, Laurie R. King
The Black Calhouns, by Gail Lumet Buckley
The Excellent Lombards, by Jane Hamilton
Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa
The Bones of Paradise Jonis Agee
City of Secrets by Stewart O’Nan
The Madwoman Upstairs, by Catherine Lowell
Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss
The Decent Proposal: A Novel, by Kemper Donovan
The First Book of Calamity Leek, by Paula Lichtarowicz
I’d Know That Voice Anywhere, by Frank Deford
The Swans of Fifth Avenue, by Melanie Benjamin
No Dream Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon, by Buzz Aldrin
The Honeymoon, by Dinitia Smith
How to Live: Or a Life of Montaigne, by Sarah Bakewell
Diana’s Altar (A Detective Joe Sandilands Novel), by Barbara Cleverly
Reliance, Illinois, by Mary Volmer
Behave, by Andromeda Romano-Lax
City of Thorns: Nine Lives in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp, by Ben Rawlence
Country of Red Azaleas, by Domenica Radulescu
Find Her (D. D. Warren), by Lisa Gardner
The Singer From Memphis (An Athenian Mystery), by Gary Corby
Hidden Inheritance: Family Secrets, Memory and Faith, by Heidi Neumark
Miller’s Valley: A Novel, by Anna Quindlen
The Translation of Love: A Novel, by Lynne Katsukake
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
The Vegetarian: A Novel, by Han Kang
The Secrets of Flight: A Novel by Maggie Leffler
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu, by Joshua Hammer
A Certain Age: A Novel, by Beatriz Williams
1941: Fighting the Shadow War: A divided America in a World at War, by Marc Wortman
Memory Theater, by Simon Critchley
The Dig, by John Preston
Villa Triste, by Patrick Modiano
The Body in the Wardrobe: A Faith Fairchild Mystery, by Kathleen Hall Page
Romancing the Dark in the City of Light, by Ann Jacobus
Murder at the 42nd Street Library, by Con Lehane
Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial, by Edward Lawson
Best Food Writing 2015, by Holly Hughes
First Bite: How We Learn to Eat, by Bee Wilson
Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Aging, by Dick Van Dyke
Unslut: A Diary and a Memoir, by Emily Linin
Fast Forward: How Women Can Achieve Power and Purpose, by Melanne Verveer
The Versions of Us, by Laura Bennett
King Maybe, by Timothy Halliman
The Loney, by Andrew Michael Hurley
The Poison Artist, by Jonathan Moore
Mon Amie Americaine, by Michele Halberstadt
The Best American Short Stories 2015, by T. C. Boyle
Splinter the Silence, by Val McDermid
The Considerate Killer, by Lene Kaaberbol
Tightrope, by Simon Mawer
The Glass Room, by Simon Mawer
Trapeze, by Simon Mawer
Born on a Tuesday: A Novel, by Elnathan John
In Search of Buddha’s Daughters, by Christine Toomey
Dodgers: A Novel, by Bill Beverly
Monsieur Proust’s Library, by Anka Muhlstein
Smoke: A Novel, by Dan Vyleta
Why We Came to the City, by Kristopher Jansma
A Fine Imitation: A Novel, by Amber Brock
The Ancient Minstrel: Novellas, by Jim Harrison
All Tomorrow’s Parties: A Memoir, by Rob Spillman
What Remains of Me: A Novel, by Alison Gaylin
The Qur’an A Guide and Mercy
The Four Seasons of Pasta by Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Prohibition Bakery, by Leslie Feinberg
My French Family Table: Recipes for a Life Filled with Food, Love, and Joie de Vivre
Baking with Less Sugar: Recipes for Desserts Using Natural Sweeteners, by Joanne Chang

eta: (Sorry if the Touchstones are wonky):

I love your book haul! One day before I retire I'd like to go to ALA. I don't care about the presentations. I just want to see the exhibit hall!

>134 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie! I do recommend it! Seems as if the LTer crowd does put in an appearance, so you won't be lonely!

One thing I LOVE about this group. The reaction of 75ers when seeing the picture of the book haul: "I love the haul", "How great is that?", etc.

My non-LT friends have all reacted with stunned silence. "Hunh. What do you need all those books for?"

Wow! What a great haul. Speaking of which, how did you haul it?

>136 BLBera: Excellent question, Beth! They allow you to check a roller bag at the front when you come in. People would return periodically to pack books away before going back into the fray. Suzanne and Mark both made strong recommendations I bring one, and I was glad I did.

I also brought a long a few canvas bags to carry with me. Several booths also were handing out canvas bags to the participants, which we could use during the day. (Wasn't *that* handy?) Better yet, Caroline and I both convinced our husbands to come along. They were great about carrying bags back to the car in the attached garage as the day progressed.

I know people who don't live in the area were making periodic trips back to their hotels. Some were able to shove books in with their luggage. Others put the books in boxes to mail back to themselves.

Well worth all the packing and hauling. : )

>133 michigantrumpet: Great book haul! I particularly want to read The Loney.

>138 Berly: I thought so, Kim!

>139 SandDune: Hi there, Rhian! The Loney had a fabulous looking cover, with a blurb from The Telegraph, which loved it. This one supposedly leaves the gore behind and ratchets up the anxiety with good atmospheric writing particularly descriptive of place. I'll let you know if it matches the hype!

Looks and sounds like a great time at ALA, Marianne! Thanks for posting the pics and your haul. Those t-shirts - want one!

>141 jnwelch: Hello, Joe! I LOVE my LibraryThing T-Shirt! We were in the booth and as soon as someone said "T-Shirt", our heads all snapped around like Lassie hearing Timmy was in the well.

The Houghton Mifflin rep was really spreading the love about The Loney, I must say. She upsold both Marianne and I on that title.

You managed to snag two titles that I didn't find -- The Swans of Fifth Avenue and the Con Lehane mystery novel. Oh well... c'est la vie!

>142 michigantrumpet: LOL!

>144 jnwelch: Isn't that a mental picture to savor, though?

>143 Chatterbox: Suzanne - I picked up the Con Lehane for you on Sunday after you left. It's going in the box to you. Because that's what good wingmen do ...

>144 jnwelch: and >145 laytonwoman3rd: we love us some T-shirts!

With all the (richly deserved) tributes going around in response to David Bowie's passing, I'm delighted to discover he was a big reader.

His top 100 reads are here:
http://www.davidbowie.com/news/bowie-s-top-100-books-complete-list-52061

>147 michigantrumpet: Good to hear.

Great haul. So many tempting books, but the one I'd bite your hand off for would be the Sittenfeld. But I'm sure waiting until April will help me develop my patience (or something!). Seriously though, sounds like a great experience, and I'm wishing I could get there one day myself.

>72 michigantrumpet: "almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction"
The four seasons in Michigan! Classic :)

Great book haul, truly great. Nice work there. And three Simon Mawer books. I still have to read The Glass Room, this year maybe?

>148 charl08: That Sittenfield retelling of Pride & Prejudice sounds great, doesn't it? I'm keeping my hands away from the table, if you please! (Although that makes it difficult to type ...)

>149 LovingLit: Thanks! Suzanne and the publisher's rep were most evangelical about the Simon Mawer. Next thing you know, all three were in my bag! Be careful, though -- they are all doorstops.

>147 michigantrumpet: Thanks for posting this link. Very interesting list.

>147 michigantrumpet: I find it interesting that while David Bowie and I have read many of the same authors, we seldom have read the same books by said authors. Leave it to Bowie to go for the obscure and interesting!

Wow, that's an impressive list, isn't it. Thanks, Marianne. He obviously was an intelligent reader. Nice to see Earthly Powers, The Songlines and The Master and Margarita on there, among others.

>147 michigantrumpet: A very interesting list---I haven't even heard of a good many of those, and have read less than a dozen of them. However, I'm rather surprised and pleased at a couple of the ones I have read...The Master and Margarita, The Bird Artist, the Faulkner, of course, although I wish he'd picked another title.

Get ready - here is the schedule and notice that Boston isn't on it - at least for the next five years.

Dates for Future Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conferences

2016

Midwinter Meeting, Boston, MA: January 8-12, 2016

Annual Conference, Orlando, FL: June 23-28, 2016

(Registration opens noon Central January 19, 2016)

2017

Midwinter Meeting, Atlanta, GA: January 20-24, 2017

Annual Conference, Chicago, IL: June 22-27, 2017

2018

Midwinter Meeting, Denver, CO: February 9-13, 2018

Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA: June 21-26, 2018

2019

Midwinter Meeting, Seattle, WA: January 25-29, 2019

Annual Conference, DC: June 20-25, 2019

2020

Midwinter Meeting, Philadelphia, PA: January 17-21, 2020

Annual Conference, Chicago, IL: June 25-30, 2020

Is the exhibit hall open every day during the conference or only on specific ones? (for future planning purposes)

I am green with envy regarding your fantastic book haul. And, also glad that you had time with LT members. It is amazing that when meeting group members for the first time, magic occurs and there is no hesitation or lack of conversation.

Morning Marianne! I have still not read Simon Mawer. Maybe we could do a shared read, at some point.

#156
The Exhibit Hall is open every day, plus it opens for the registered attendees at 5:00 p.m. on Friday night and stays open until 7:00 p.m. It closes at 2:00 p.m. on Monday and the conference closes at noon on Tuesday.

The free passes to the Exhibits are from Librarything. A pass without going through Librarything costs $50.00. That is a nice gift from LT to us readers. The registration for the whole conference is $220.00.

There are other things given away for free as well. Most of the publishers have some kind of bag that they give away. These are very very needed items in the exhibits.

It really helps if you have a partner to work in tandem with you. That person can periodically haul bags to the cars or the bag check booth while the second person grabs the next free book.

Here is the schedule for Book Expo. It is in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center, May 11- 14, 2016. I have never attended this event but Chatterbox has and will have more hints about how to attend it than do I.

Event Hours

Wednesday, May 11
9:00 am – 5:30 pm CIROBE Remainders Pavilion Open (Entire exhibit hall opens at 1:00 pm)
9:30 am – 5:30 pm BEA Content & Digital Conference
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Opening Day Spotlight
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm Exhibit Hall
8:00 am – 5:30 pm Press Room Hours
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm International Rights Center
Thursday, May 12
8:00 am – 9:30 am Adult Book & Author Breakfast (Ticket Required)
8:00 am – 5:30 pm Press Room Hours
9:00 am – 5:30 pm BEA Content & Digital Conference
9:00 am – 5:30 pm Exhibit Hall
9:00 am – 5:30 pm Exhibitor Meeting Rooms
9:00 am – 5:30 pm International Rights Center
Friday, May 13
8:00 am – 9:30 am Children’s Book & Author Breakfast (Ticket Required)
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Press Room Hours
9:00 am – 5:00 pm BEA Content & Digital Conference
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Exhibit Hall
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Exhibitor Meeting Rooms
9:00 am – 5:00 pm International Rights Center
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Audio Publishers Association (APA) Author Tea (Ticket Required)
Saturday, May 14
BookCon
10:00 am –6:00 pm Show Floor Hours
11:00 am – 6:00 pm Panel Hours

>133 michigantrumpet: Your haul blows mine out of the water! But, I was being discerning (*sob*) as I had to consider the solo trek back to Maine. It was great meeting you!

>158 msf59: hm, I smell a GR

I didn't get 75 books at the ALA conference. I did get 4 boxes and mailed them all back. I stayed at the Sheraton at the Prudential complex and there is a US Post Office there. I hauled the heaviest of the boxes of books down to that Post Office first. I was huffing and sweaty by the time I got there. When I got to the window I told the lady that I had three more boxes close to the same size to bring over. She volunteered to let me have one of their aluminum dolly's. I sure would make the job a lot easier. However, she needed an ID to keep while I took the dolly. I didn't have one on me. I had two credit cards, but she wasn't interested in them. She told me people will leave the credit cards and won't come back. I then told her I had my Starbucks card and a Dunkin' Donuts card on me. She asked me how much money was on the Dunkin' Donuts card. I told her $50.00. She said she would take that because I would come back for a Dunkin' Donuts card. Nobody leaves those behind. I got the dolly. Went and got the boxes and was out of there in half an hour. Goes to show that those folks in the Northeast love, just LOVE, their Dunkin' Donuts. (I swear there were at least 2 in every block in the downtown area.)

Now all I have to do is wait for the boxes of books. Gotta love those USPS employees.

She said she would take that because I would come back for a Dunkin' Donuts card. Nobody leaves those behind. Yer darn tootin'! I give them to my garbage men at Christmas time...they all get out of the truck to thank me in person! And they never leave odds and ends lying around the yard if a bag breaks open, either.

>163 benitastrnad: Yes! Dunkin Donuts cards are worth gold!

>108 michigantrumpet: "I Pearl Ruled Nancy Pearl." *snork*

>133 michigantrumpet: Awesome Book Haul! And I love the photo of you and Suzanne and the Towers of Books. And of course the photo of the tired book trollers. I've met Suz, Caro, and Benita so, assuming Edd and John are interesting people (and how could they not be?), I know you had a great time!

Have a lovely weekend!

>153 jnwelch: and >154 laytonwoman3rd: I found several interesting books on Bowie's list. I'm amazed that I've missed The Master and Margarita! Thanks to both of you, Joe and Linda, for bringing that one to my attention. That one's right in my wheelhouse! On to the wishlist it goes!

The Master and Margarita is an unusual and great book, IMO, Marianne. Our daughter pushed me to read it, and I've thanked her many times.

>162 LovingLit: Is that what that smell is? Grins...

Happy Friday, Marianne! I hope you have a full weekend of reading ahead of you. I am sure you could use it.

>155 benitastrnad:, >159 benitastrnad: and >160 benitastrnad: Benita, you are a fount of excellent information and advice. It was a delight to meet you. I hope we can entice you back to Massachusetts for a proper visit sometime! Completely depressed to know ALA won't be coming back to Boston for many years. At least we have the Boston Book Festival to anticipate every year.

>163 benitastrnad:, >164 laytonwoman3rd:, and >165 thornton37814: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Dunkin' Donuts story, Benita! Never underestimate the importance of DD to us Bostonians, Lori and Linda! Truly, my little suburban town has *seven* DDs.

Sadly, my DH is a Starbucks fan. His one failing. *Sigh* This mixed marriage can be a true challenge at times ....

>149 LovingLit:, >158 msf59:, >162 LovingLit: and >170 msf59: Loving the Simon Mawer love around here, Mark and Megan! Another author I'm amazed that I missed.

Happy to do one of those odiferous group reads, although we'll have to plan lot's of time. They all seem to fall into the doorstopper category!

>157 Whisper1: You are so very right,Linda, about the *Magic* of LT meet ups! In fact, Caroline, Edd and my husband and I are getting together for Brunch on Sunday! Meet ups are addictive!

>161 kgriffith: Hello there Kirsten! It was so wonderful to meet you! Can imagine you didn't have as much time as we did for galley sniffing -- someone had to man the LT booth and be showered with our profuse thanks! Glad you made it safely home again!

Just found and starred your 75er thread. You hit me with a book bullet with Cinnamon and Gunpowder! Stop by again soon! (And let us all know about any other Boston Bookish happenings!)

>166 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! Yup! Pearl-ruled Nancy Pearl. That still cracks me up! (>108 michigantrumpet:)

You are so right -- Suz, Caroline, Benita and Edd are so interesting and fun. Didn't want the evening to stop.

I'm still very sad I didn't get a chance to meet you this past summer. Fingers crossed for your next trip and looking forward to seeing >170 msf59: Mark when he gets here!

>167 DianaNL: and >170 msf59: Yippee! The weekend! That's me Diana in that picture. And Mark: I'm looking forward to some uninterrupted reading time! Wishing you both a wonderful weekend as well!

>173 michigantrumpet: just had to go back and see what Pearl ruling Nancy Pearl was and- yup! That right there is an excellent little story!
Sadly, it looks like you also missed Andre Dubus III. Who rules ;)

Following through on my New Year's resolution to chug through my ER wins and post the write-ups. This is one I have ZERO recollection of requesting. That's what I get making my selections on an Iphone -- those pesky little buttons. As Suzanne can attest, it was still kicking around the house as of last week. I've been putting off the review since last May!

3. The French Beauty Solution: Time-Tested Secrets to Look and Feel Beautiful Inside and Out by Mathilde Thomas
Three stars



In the final reel of the movie, Trading Places, our comedic heroes have a satisfied exchange: "Looking good, Billy Ray!" "Feeling good, Louis!" The same exchange neatly summarizes Mathilde Thomas' beauty philosophy. Beauty is inner directed. One's regimen should be a pleasure to accomplish, not a tedious chore. If one takes joy in taking care of oneself, then beauty becomes easier to attain. Some would say this is a relatively simplistic approach, covered in any number of books. Nevertheless, it is a sentiment which certainly bears repeating. Thomas does expand on this, with sections of hair, skin, etc.

She also focuses on a more holistic, DIY approach with recipes for creating one's own care products. This is particularly welcome to people who, through personal desire or skin sensitivities, want to avoid chemicals. I'm not certain this approach is particularly French, however, having seen such recipes in American beauty magazines. The perceived superiority of French women's beauty (child rearing/cooking) has certainly reached a (questionable) fevered pitch. Thomas is a little less condescending towards her US readers when making cultural comparisons than I've seen elsewhere.

As a fair warning, the author makes repeated references to her line of skin care products, which can be seen as self-advertising. I personally didn't find it objectionable, but thought other readers might want to know before purchasing the book.

I also finished one for my RL Book Club:

4. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
Four stars



The basic outline of “Orange is the New Black” is well known to the many readers of this wildly popular book (or the equally numerous viewers of the ensuing TV series.) Upper-middle class, blonde-haired, blue eyed Smith college graduate ends up serving a 13 month Federal sentence due to youthful misadventure and poor life choices. She survives to write about her experiences in the Danbury CT minimum security Federal prison. One may read the many other reviews out there as to the various ‘characters’ who people her tale. Indeed, Kerman writes well with humor and intelligence.

As intriguing to me, however, is the impact Kerman has made. Since publishing this book, Kerman has spoken and written often on the lunacy of lengthy sentences for non-violent offenders in the ever losing War on Drugs. She is equally vocal about the lack of training and rehabilitation for these women when they inevitably end up back in our midst. How do they find jobs outside the underground economy when they have been provided little to no training? How do they find housing? Proper health care? Renew custody of their children? Such is Kerman’s reach that she has given testimony before the US Congress.

In this I find a parallel with Solomon Northrup, author of “Twelve Years a Slave.” Northrup, an educated, free black man in 1840’s New York was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the deep South. He penned his widely read account upon his rescue. Harriet Beecher Stowe counted his book as an influence. His tale energized the abolitionist movement and he went on a lengthy speaking tour. Both Northup and Kerman were educated and articulate writers with descriptive powers to bring their unfortunate compatriots to life. There had been other accounts from ‘regular’ inmates or slaves. But these can be ignored because they are perceived as being so far from the mainstream. Part of Kerman and Northrup’s power, I believe, lies in their very normality, which allows readers to be more empathetic, picturing themselves walking in the authors’ shoes.

Kerman also leads one to think carefully about one’s place in a community. She enters prison with a stoic, I-can-do-this-on-my-own attitude. In fact, she is counseled by several to avoid making friends. She comes to realize life is better with the assistance and small kindnesses of others – providing needed ‘extras’ of soap and shampoo upon her arrival, and much needed sympathy and understanding upon a deep personal loss. Kerman’s most difficult time comes with her transfer to Chicago MCC where such community is next non-existent. She writes well about the rituals, tribes and unwritten rules of prison society, and her challenges in fitting in. Kerman reflected that her education at the elite all-female Smith College actually helped her acclimate to life in a female prison ward. I’m struck as to how applicable such lessons might be in other communities, such as Senior Citizen homes.

Overall an interesting, thought provoking and quick read.

Next up and part of my 'prison' theme, I'm starting an ALA galley of Maximum Security Book Club. Also in the middle of the audio version of H is for Hawk. Mixed feeling about this one.

Great comments on Orange Is the New Black, Marianne. Hmm -- I might have to look for this one.

Fabulous review of Orange is the New Black, Marianne. I might have to wish this one too. You mention
Kerman also leads one to think carefully about one’s place in a community. Such an interesting take on that book. I volunteered for a couple of years as a community recreation leader for those with serious mental illness, and , yes indeed, a very different set of rules and ways of relating that one has to learn. I’m struck as to how applicable such lessons might be in other communities, such as Senior Citizen homes. That really gives me pause for thought. thumbed.

#171
I happened to have both my Starbucks card and my DD card with me -- but no ID. I wonder if having both cards makes me schizophrenic? Or a multiple personalities case?

The Postal Clerk was not at all interested in my Starbucks card.

#174
I cracked up that night when Marianne told us she had Pearl Ruled Nancy Pearl. I thought it meant that she had thrown away her Nancy Pearl Action Figure because I had no idea that Nancy Pearl was even at the conference in Boston. (That shows how much attention I paid to the speaker notifications that were sent out over the Christmas break.)

Three of the four boxes of books I mailed were delivered today by the friendly Post person. I am amazed at the efficiency. Those boxes were mailed using the cheapest rate possible - library rate and it took less than a week to get them. Hats off to the Post Office!

Great book haul, Marianne! I read, and greatly enjoyed, The Meursault Investigation and The Year of the Runaways last year, so you should be in for treats with those books. I would recommend a re-read of The Stranger before you read The Meursault Investigation, as its narrator frequently references Camus's classic novel and assumes that the reader is familiar with it.

The Glass Room is probably my #1 favorite Booker Prize longlisted novel that wasn't chosen as the winner; unfortunately for Mawer it was published in the same year as Wolf Hall was. I own Trapeze, which was published in the UK as The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, but I haven't read it yet.

Excellent review of Orange Is the New Black.

"Also in the middle of the audio version of H is for Hawk. Mixed feeling about this one." Ouch! I hope the tide turns on that, Marianne!

Have a good weekend, my friend.

Marianne, I wish you a relaxed weekend.

>174 LovingLit: and >181 benitastrnad: Sorry, Megan -- I missed you there. Seeing Andre Dubus would have been very cool! I love that you thought there was a Nancy Pearl Action Figure! I think we could sell a few of those around here!

>178 BLBera: and >179 vancouverdeb: Thanks for the compliments, Beth and Deb! I've been told life in Senior housing is a lot like being in High School. I'm intimidated already! I'll have to re-read Orange is the New Black before I get there.

>180 benitastrnad: and >182 benitastrnad: I think having both Starbucks and DD cards just means you'll never go without your caffeine jolt! Wow! that is fast for getting your books shipped! Just dropped off several packages and two boxes filled with books to the post office today (Have to make room for my 'haul') We'll see how quickly they get there.

>183 kidzdoc: Great comments, Darryl. I was intrigued by The Year of the Runaways, dealing with illegal immigration. Thanks for the tip on The Stranger -- I read it, but it was years ... ahem ... decades (!) ago. I'll have to do a quick refresher!

>184 msf59: I'm loving the imagery, Mark. Just a little put off by what I see as her 'over-psychoanalyzing' poor T.H. White. I'm about 2/3 into it. Liking it overall.

>185 Ameise1: What a lovely scene, Barbara! Happy weekend to you, too!

Joining in the chorus of delight at the "Pearl ruling" of Nancy Pearl! Good for you! There should be Pearl rule corollaries that apply to things other than books (such as waiting for a tardy speaker!), so thanks for the inspiration!

5. The Maximum Security Book Club by Mikita Brottman
3.5 stars



Professor and psychoanalyst Mikita Brottman recounts her experiences leading nine inmates in a book club/reading group at Jessup Correctional Institution. Her reading assignments: Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness', Melville's 'Bartleby the Scrivener', Bukowski's 'Ham on Rye', Burrough's 'Junkie', Braly's 'On the Yard', Shakespeare's 'MacBeth', Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Poe's 'The Black Cat', Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis ', and Nabokov's 'Lolita'. Each book receives a chapter, including Brottman's own experience with the book, her reasons for choosing it, and the discussion that ensued. Many of her choices seem very dark and challenging, until you learn of her own hardscrabble upbringing.

It was a delight to go back and revisit some old favorites, as well as discover some new 'must-reads.' A favorite question of authors is "What book would you most like to experience as if for the very first time?" In "Maximum Security Book Club" it was a treat to see these classics through fresh and unique perspectives. It surprised me that Brottman herself was so surprised whe her group was able to read carefully and critically. Her selections for the group seem to have been a mix of her own particular tastes as well as a certain pre-conceived notion as to what would be thought provoking. She did elicit strong opinions, but often not in the ways she had anticipated, most especially with 'Lolita'. This was an instance in which the pupils had much to teach their instructor -- and quite rightly.

Along the way, we meet and engage with the men who make up this group. They all are serving hard time for horrible crimes. That they are both capable of great violence and yet, at times, great insight is one of the more powerful aspects of the book. Some might feel 'Prisoners Are People Too' a mere platitude. Others will clutch to a need to dehumanize and vilify. As a former prosecutor, I have seen true evil and understand society's need for justice, retribution and protection. Yet the fact remains: American jails have swollen beyond the level of any other civilized nation. Many of those who populate our prisons will be released and returned to society. Their successful assimilation is the best for us all. Recognizing our common humanity goes a long way along that score.

>188 cbl_tn: Thanks Carrie! Pearl-ruling Nancy Pearl may be my one enduring claim to fame on these pages! I agree with your assessment. I can see Pearl-ruling late speakers, people who never reply to one's letters, and those who are aggressively nasty on Facebook!

Next up another ALA Arc: The Photographer's Wife by Suzanne Joinson

#191
I just got that one in the one box from ALA that I unpacked today.

There is a Nancy Pearl action figure. I own one. ALA sold them a few years back to raise money for libraries so I bought one. Pearl is dressed in a navy blue suit and has a pearl necklace. She raises her arm in the shushing movement.

>189 michigantrumpet: common humanity. I like that.
Glad the book was of interest to you, for the books and the place they were read.

Nice review of The Maximum Security Book Club, Marianne. Your comments about the prison population were spot on.

I liked your comments on The Maximum Security Book Club, Marianne. It sounds like Shakespeare Saved My Life, which I read last year and loved. I'm going to check my library for this one.

>108 michigantrumpet: I Pearl Ruled Nancy Pearl.
Perfect!

Love the meetup photos. Envious. But I have vowed that the next time I get to Boston, it won't be in January.

>189 michigantrumpet: I'm going to see if our library has that one, Marianne - sounds interesting. Nice review!

>112 michigantrumpet: All I can say is wow!

>176 michigantrumpet: I have a nephew serving a sentence for similar "youthful misadventure" so may give this one a read.

Our local newspaper, the Tuscaloosa News, had an editorial in it this morning that was written by the author of Maximum Security Book Club. I have a feeling that this book is going to get some attention.

Was this one of the books you picked up at ALA?

I forgot to tell you that I am in the process of entering in part of my ALA haul while sitting in a Dunkin' Donuts. They are playing nice jazz this morning. My real life book discussion group will be meeting here this afternoon to talk about our biographies. At our January meeting we read a biography of our choice and get 10 minutes to tell the group about it. My selection is going to be Crazy Horse: Strange Man of the Oglalas by Mari Sandoz. It will be a nice way to spend Sunday afternoon, except that it is a beautiful day down here. Tomorrow the temperatures are going to rocket to the bottom of the Southern Arctic Express. That means that the high for the day will be in then 50's. And it will be windy. Sounds like another good day to spend in the yarn shop or the Barnes & Noble.

Stopping by to get caught up and was stalled by your staggering book haul! Well done!

"Hunh. What do you need all those books for?" It is so sad that people don't understand the joys of acquiring books. ;-(

Happy Sunday, Marianne!

>176 michigantrumpet: Really good review of Orange is the New Black, Marianne. Thumb from me.

>189 michigantrumpet: Ditto. What an unusual collection of books to study.

Nice stretch of reading!

>175 michigantrumpet: In the final reel of the movie, Trading Places, our comedic heroes have a satisfied exchange: "Looking good, Billy Ray!" "Feeling good, Louis!" Your review caught my attention with that quote from one of my favourite movies, Marianne.

And then a followup in the next review >176 michigantrumpet: She writes well about the rituals, tribes and unwritten rules of prison society, and her challenges in fitting in. Kerman reflected that her education at the elite all-female Smith College actually helped her acclimate to life in a female prison ward. I’m struck as to how applicable such lessons might be in other communities, such as Senior Citizen homes. I lived in an all female residence for 3 out of the 4 years I was in university and can see how being in a penitentiary would be similar (we were underage so locked in at night.) If Senior Citizen homes are anything like living in residence was then I will drag my heels about entering one of those!

What a truly wonderful book haul. I spotted a few in there that I will have to hunt down. Sounds like you had a wonderful time at the ALA!

I'm so late in getting around to saying Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you've been doing well!

Loved seeing those pictures. What a great book haul for both of you.

I'm adding The Maximum Security Book Club to my TBR pile. I like the idea of reading about reading in unusual locations. I'm reminded of a book I'd read abut reading at one of our military academies. Sounds like one I'd love.

Oh man, two books I want to read. Like Beth I read the Shakespeare in prison book and found it fascinating, so both above sound like interesting reads to me. I had no idea the author of Orange is the New Black was now an activist.

Hi Marianne!

I lived in Grand Rapids when I was in High School so yeah many of those Michigan things sounded familiar.

I have got to get around to reading Orange is the New Black soon. Loved your review.

Thanks to your review and your comments about the group's response to Lolita yesterday, I've had to add Maximum Security Book Club to my obese wish list. Sounds too good to pass up.

Maximum Security Book Club sounds really good--nice review! And I think maybe I would like Orange is the New Black better in book than on TV. : )

>171 michigantrumpet: Something is definitely wrong with your husband if he prefers Starbucks to DD coffee. I will drink Starbucks, but if I had a choice, I'd go to DD over Starbucks every time! I've been trying various K-Cup blends lately at work, and my favorite at the moment is Caribou. I had been to a Caribou in Minnesota. Their K-Cup lives up to the great taste I remembered.

>209 thornton37814: We have Caribou Coffee shops in Atlanta; the closest one to me is about six blocks away, on 10th & Piedmont.

I haven't tried Dunkin' Donuts coffee in a shop in years; I'll have to give it a try.

>210 kidzdoc: I'll have to remember it the next time I am in Atlanta fighting traffic.

I like Caribou Coffee as well. The stores are more common in the northern states and that one in Atlanta is the only one in the South that I know of. It has been there a long time because I noticed it the first time I went to Atlanta when I moved here 22 years ago.

>212 benitastrnad: There are a number of Caribou Coffee shops in Atlanta, not just the one in Midtown near me. There is one on Peachtree Road in Buckhead, just north of Piedmont, and at least one in ATL, in Terminal E. There was another one on Piedmont & Monroe in Midtown that I liked to go to, but it closed several years ago. Outside of Atlanta the only places I've seen them were in Madison, WI, where my best friend from medical school lives, and at MSP (the main airport in Minneapolis).

A couple of years ago the Atlanta Business Chronicle announced that Peet's had purchased some or all of the Caribou Coffee chains, and that the ones in metro Atlanta would be converted into Peet's Coffee shops. I'm a Peetnik, as I have a pound of fresh roasted beans shipped to me every three weeks, and I keep waiting for that Caribou Coffee shop near me to be transformed into a Peet's Coffee shop, but that hasn't happened yet.

>213 kidzdoc: Peet's is good too. I've had it in California. I'll probably have some if I ever make it out there tomorrow.

>214 thornton37814: There should be Peet's Coffee shops in San Diego, although I didn't see any when I went there for the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) national conference in 2014. I stayed in a hotel near the convention center and my friends and I didn't branch out much, only to the Gaslight District and a very good seafood restaurant along the bay. Are you two planning to meet up with Reba and Roni?

>215 kidzdoc: There is one close to Point Loma!

>192 benitastrnad: There IS a Nancy Pearl action figure! I just adore that there is! If you ever get a chance, I would love a picture! (You can also post over on the Friends of Nancy P. thread somewhere here on the 75er group -- check the FAQ thread?)

>193 LovingLit: I agree -- "common humanity" is an important concept. Seems many people seem to concentrate on what divides rather than connects us. I read an analogy once wherein the US was living in the penthouse of a large building, with little concern for the incredibly poor residents on the 3rd and 4th floors lighting fires in the hallways to keep warm. We're all taking the same trip on this spinning orb. We may have the smartest digs, but the fire started down below can bring us all down.

>194 kidzdoc: Thanks Darryl for the kind comments. It's time we did a re-think of minimum sentencing for non-violent crimes, focus in rehabilitation into the greater community.

>195 BLBera: Thanks Beth! I looked up the Shakespeare Saved My Life -- looks like a good one.

A quick note: Maximum Security Book Club won't be released until June.

>196 qebo: But when you do make your way to Boston in more clement weather, you MUST look me up, Katherine!

>197 Crazymamie: Thanks for the compliment. Just know you have to wait to June for it to come out, Mamie. It was one of the ARCs I got at the ALA Conference. Seeing as I'd read Orange is the New Black for my RL book club, thought I'd stay within the 'theme'.

>198 witchyrichy: Welcome to the show, Karen. Checked out your thread and your profile and we have a lot of similar interests. I think you might find Orange is the new Black interesting.

>199 benitastrnad: Keep meaning to try to look up the editorial you mentioned by the author of the Maximum Security Book Club. Yes, it was one I picked up at the ALA. I have to say, my review isn't unreservedly positive. The author had a certain 'tin ear' in dealing with the other book club participants, particularly in what she thinks will be intriguing to them and why.

Love the RL book club idea of everyone reading a biography of their choice and spending 10 minutes to talk about it. I'm going to try to suggest that at my next meeting!

>200 lkernagh: I know, right, Lori? Many of my non-LT friends have been shaking their heads in bemused indulgence over this 'weird' addiction of mine!

>201 jnwelch: Hello Joe! Thanks for thumbs! It was an incredibly strange collection of books to choose to read with this crowd.

The most bizarre read was Lolita. The inmates reservedly and without question went straight to "Humbert Humbert is a pedophile" and despised him for it. The author kept trying to get them to look beyond that to the great writing and what she saw as a true 'love story'. It took a LONG while for her to say 'Hey, maybe one can look at this from Lolita's perspective as a victim. DOH!

>202 Familyhistorian: Wow. Thanks Meg! I truly didn't recall that particular book as an ER pick. I put off reading it for-evah, and thought the "Trading Places" quote was as good a way to get into it as possible.

I was in a sorority in college and share your trepidation at possible residence in s Senior Home for precisely the same reasons as you. Perhaps we need to start a LT 75er retirement home!

>203 tapestry100: Stop in any time you like David! I, too, took some time off of LT last year, so know where you're coming from. Just thrilled the health issues have calmed enough to see you here. Hoe to see you around the threads!

>204 lindapanzo: Howdy there Linda! We sure had a good time. You'll have to wait until June for the book to come out. I'm sure you'll figure out something to read in the meantime! :-D

>205 charl08: thanks for checking in Charlotte! And now, I'll have to add Shakespeare Saved My Life to my pile. According to my google research Piper Kerman has not only testified before Congress, but has also relocated to the Midwest, where she volunteers with a local prison.

>206 SuziQoregon: Hello Suz! So many of those Michigan Quips made me laugh out loud. I especially liked the ones about Vernors Ginger Ale. I miss Vernors!

>207 cameling: It was SOOOO much fun seeing you and Edd this past weekend! And to think we laughed about making it back to the car in time before the time ran out. Silly kids!

>208 Berly: Thank you, Kim! I have not watched the TV show, which seemed too soap opera-y for my tastes I have too many other series to pique my interests, so gave that one a pass. I know a lot of people who love it, though. I was reluctant to read Orange is the New Black for those reasons, but picked it up for the RL book club, I was pleasantly surprised. Still probably not going to pick up the TV show.

>209 thornton37814: >210 kidzdoc: >211 thornton37814: >212 benitastrnad: >213 kidzdoc: >214 thornton37814: >215 kidzdoc: >216 thornton37814: One thing we can say about the 75ers, Lori, Darryl and Benita -- we a *almost* as passionate about our coffee as about our books!

My husband's affinity for Starbucks is a terribly amusing because the only way he'll drink it is iced. I believe he likes Starbucks' better employment policies, and especially likes his gold card and adding up the points. I'm more for the taste, and I hate the inevitable wait at Starbucks while the coffee artists (um ... baristas) do their magic.

Peets has made inroads here, but I like the convenience of DD -- they truly are just about every other block in downtown Boston!

One of my favorite parts of Good Will Hunting was espying those highly recognizable DD cups!

Excellent interview on NPR's Fresh Air with Peye Wells, the New York Times Restaurant critic. Especially germane to LTers is his reflections on the art of criticism:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/01/21/463825817/times-restaurant-critic...

"There is often with restaurant reviews in particular, I think, this kind of impulse to be deferential and bow down to the greatness of the restaurant and the greatness of the chef, and then with great regret to say, "And yet, all is not as it should be in the kingdom," and I didn't want to do any of that."

Some intriguing books you've been reading, Marianne! I also read Shakespeare Saved My Life and really liked it, and that was the first thing I thought of when I read your review of Maximum Security Book Club. I'm all for anything that makes people think long and hard about the way our criminal justice system works — or doesn't, too much of the time.

We just got a DD close to my office, and I was amazed at how good the coffee is. Otherwise, I try to patronize locally owned coffee shops. But every once in a while I sneak out to DD. :)

I went through a "Russian" phase in college and have read most of the main works. It's getting to the point where I would like to reread some of them. What I can't believe is that we read things like Crime and Punishment in a week in my course. I compare that to my students who complain if we read a novel of about 300 pages in two weeks. Kids these days! ;)

#223
I am not particularly fond of Starbucks coffee. I drink the frufru stuff. Most of my Starbucks drinking is done when I travel. I also have a card and add up points. I almost always drink hazelnut cappucinno and will do so until my tummy rebels at the end of a long day behind the wheel.

I think the reason I drink Starbucks as that they are easy to find alongside the Interstate highways in this country. Sort of like MacDonald's. I guess you could say I drink it for the convenience. I also like their employment policies and benefits that they give to their employees. I think they prove that fast food franchisees can pay decent wages, offer benefits, and treat employees humanly and still make a profit. I read once about Howard Schultz's early life and his parents. They were immigrants to the U. S. and worked as janitors for much of their life without any job benefits. This has inspired Schultz to treat employees differently. I don't know that these stories are 100% true, and I know that Starbucks doesn't do everything right, but I get the feeling that they try and just for that and convenience I patronize their stores.

Happy weekend, Marianne. Stay safe and warm.

>225 rosalita: Thanks Julia! I agree! As a prosecutor, I was responsible for sending people to prison. Criminal justice plays an important role in our society. Deterrence plays a huge role, as does providing a sense of justice so that individuals don't try to take matters into their own hands. And yet, we can't set people up for failure upon their return to society. And in most every case they will be! Too much of a cycle of imprisonment, release and recidivism.

>227 benitastrnad: I chortled out loud at 'frufru.' That describes John to a T.

I, too, went through a heavy 'Russian' phase: Crime and Punishment, War and Peace, Anna Karenina, The Brothers Karamazov. My reading group called the last one "The Brothers K" as we had lots of difficulty pronouncing the various names. Dense, dark and depressing are the emotions I recall from that time. I don't know what I was thinking!

My hats off to my compatriots tackling War and Peace!

>228 DianaNL: and >229 Ameise1: Thank you so much, Diana and Barbara! Staying cozy so far. We have been lucky to be on the Northern edge of the storm. Looks like we may come out of it all with only 3"-6".

The big storm was a big bust down here. The local weather people had most of the Southern citizens whipped into a frenzy about rain, freezing rain, and so-called black ice. The truth was that the wind changed to the north about noon on Friday (I know because when I walked back to work after lunch the wind was blowing from the opposite direction) and that signaled the end of the rain. By 5:00 p.m. on Friday it was starting to clear.

THe worst thing here is the cold. It has been bad here and folks in these regions are not able or prepared for it. There was a sort of funny incident this last week regarding cold.

Bernie Sanders came to Birmingham for a political rally. This was his first visit to Alabama which is a bastion of support for the liberal wing of the Democrat party. The rally was held at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham. This is a rarely used large public facility and few year ago was designated as the "warming station" for the homeless and poor in that poor section of Birmingham. Due to the Bernie Sanders rally it was not open to accommodate the poor and homeless. This led to lots of commentary about the authenticity of Senator Sanders and his claim to be a champion of the lower classes and provided fodder for the conservative majority in this state.

Glad to hear that the storm was a bust up there. That means when I get home it will all be calm. Of course, the fun will lie in getting home... *chortle* We've had 25 inches here in New York -- the snowiest day on record. Ever.

>133 michigantrumpet: Admiration tinged with a little envy.......free books - heaven knows what I would do in the face of such riches.

It is really great to see you back and so active in the group, Marianne - you were missed last year. xx