KatieKrug Reads in 2016 - Part 3

(Taking a page from Mamie, those are two of my favorite things up there ^^^)

Hello Old Friends and Welcome New Ones!

About me: I'm a New York transplant living in Dallas, TX with my husband and two cats and a dog. The cats are his; the dog is ours. He (the dog, not the husband) is a black lab mix named Louis and may just be The World's Best Dog. I work in association management, currently at a membership association for engineers and other professionals in the upstream energy industry. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling (my job usually takes me to interesting places but, sadly, my only overseas trip in 2016 will be to Dubai), snark, participating in shenanigans, and drinking wine. I have over 3000 unread books on my shelves and Kindle and a very understanding husband.

I have been a 75er since 2011. This year, I plan to participate in the American Author Challenge and the Nonfiction Challenge, as well as a few of the challenges in the Category Challenge group, where I will also be maintaining a thread. A few of my goals for the year are to read more of the Pulitzer winners on my shelves, to read more global lit, and to be more selective in my reading - both in what I pick up and in giving myself permission to put things back down if they are not engaging me.

Cheers!



(I could have taken this picture: those look like my glasses, there is wine, Persuasion is my favorite Austen, and I collect those Penguin Clothbound editions!)

CURRENTLY READING

(Audio) (Kindle) (Kindle - year-long project)

BOOKS COMPLETED in FEBRUARY
7. American Meteor by Norman Lock
8. How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell (audio)
9. A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
10. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (audio)

BOOKS COMPLETED in JANUARY
1. Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler
2. The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller (audio)
3. Kamchatka by Marcelo Figueras
4. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez (audio)
-- Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh (DNF)
5. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown
-- Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz (DNF)
6. The Girl in the Blue Beret by Bobbie Ann Mason (audio)

Ratings: I've stolen my star scale from Ellen and slightly modified it.

5 stars = I connected with this book in a special way. It may not be perfect, but it was perfect for me.
4.5 = A great read, among my favorites of the year.
4 = A good read and one that I recommend; truly enjoyable and/or worthy.
3.5 = Pretty good, with a few things done very well.
3 = I don't hate myself for reading this.
2.5 = Average, and life is too short to read average works.
2 = A bit below average. A waste of time.

Anything worse I probably didn't finish and so wouldn't get a rating.

Reserved just in case.....

May I just say that I loved Maxwell the pig leaning his head out of a car window (the image) posted in your last thread?? :-)

Also the images of the Dallas Opera. And you are going to hear FREDERICA VON STADE???

What you have to realize is that I have been a fan of hers since the age of 11. When a family friend took me to Glyndebourne (my father was sick and couldn't go) and I saw her perform Cherubino. She is absolutely wonderful, and even though her voice is past her best (yes, even I must admit that...) she still has amazing presence and charisma. I was at her "farewell" performance at Carnegie Hall in 2010, and almost cried at the idea that I wouldn't hear her sing live any more.
http://observer.com/2010/04/saint-flicka-frederica-von-stade/

But... when I was at Lincoln Center picking up our tickets for the NY Philharmonic two weeks ago, I spotted a sign. A sign that said she'll be performing in a work written for her at Lincoln Center on Feb 18. To which I have a ticket. Here's how fan girl she makes people: when I realized what was happening, and told the woman at the ticket window from whom I'd picked up the tix that Albert had set aside for the symphony for us (gotta love friends with connections, he is Alan Gilbert's agent!) she started jumping up and down behind the window. Literally. This woman of about my own age and perhaps 50 pounds more, hair carefully and elegantly braided, doing some kind of festive dance. Turns out that she had sung in the Met's apprentice program and sung with von Stade in Santa Fe (which has an amazing opera season for six weeks or so in late summer) one season, and now goes to everything possible to see her, too. So she sold herself the ticket to the seat next to me! And it turns out that this woman's season in Santa Fe? It was the same summer that I was there (to see Capriccio by Strauss, Handel's Xerxes -- the opera that von Stade performed in -- and the Magic Flute and La Boheme).

To be brief, I hope you love the recital. She'll probably do a lot of Heggie songs, which suit her voice now, and some French material. If you're lucky, you'll get some Mozart as well. (Just don't let her tire out her voice before the 18th...)
This duet is from La clemenza de Tito: hers is the first voice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx1Esy_jE_A
And this is from the Glyndebourne production of Marriage of Figaro that I saw...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7y3_SZqNi4
Imagine an impressionable 11-year who loves music seeing that, after being told (tsk tsk) that she's a mezzo... :-) That's Kiri te Kanewa as the Countess, btw.

Happy new thread, Katie.

Hi Katie, happy new thread, and happy weekend!

Loving your topper--we could be friends. Oh, wait! We are! : ) Have a great weekend.

Look at me! showing up before there are 20 posts. Of course, I'll go to sleep and wake up and find 120, but still.
*grin*

Happy new thread, Katie! LOVE those two favorite things up top!! And you and Birdy share a favorite - she recently read Persuasion, and now it is her Austen of choice. I had to let her keep the book for her own collection. Luckily I have more than one copy. Ahem.

>4 katiekrug: Yes, exactly.

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread Katie! I'm just biding my time until the shenanigans continue!

Love the topper photo, and my eye was immediately drawn to those small Modern Library editions on the second shelf...those are favorites of mine.

Good morning, all! Or afternoon, or evening, wherever you are :)

>6 Chatterbox: - Suzanne, I love this post! You've gotten me all atwitter and even more excited about the concert! I love your fan-girling story - that is priceless. I'm listening to the links now, as I'm sitting in my empty office blasting arias from a playlist on Amazon Prime music.

I would love to go to Santa Fe to see an opera - I just loved that city when we visited in November and can't wait to go back. Seems like as good a reason as any... Maybe a long weekend this summer... Will have to find something for The Wayne to do to lure him there!

>7 PaulCranswick: - Hi, Paul!

>8 AMQS: - Hello, Anne! Happy weekend to you!

>9 Berly: - LOL, Kim! Yep, can't get rid of me now ;-)

>10 nittnut: - Hardly, Jenn! I am not one of those lightning-fast threaders..... I deal more in fits and starts.

>11 Crazymamie: - Birdy is a young lady of impeccable taste. And somehow I am not surprised you had an extra copy lying around that you could gift her ;-) But surely it wasn't the clothbound edition!?!

>12 charl08: - Thanks, Charlotte!

>13 _Zoe_: - Welcome, Zoe! Thanks for stopping in :)

>14 cbl_tn: - You and me both, Carrie ;-) We need a shenanistigator....

>15 laytonwoman3rd: - Hi Linda! My father had a big collection of those editions. I would have loved to have gotten a crack at his library after he died, but - long, sad story - we were not on speaking terms. I still shudder to think what happened to his wonderful collection of books...

Did someone call?

You can relax, Katie, it was not the clothbound edition. It was this one:



We both love these Word Cloud editions - small, faux-leather that are easy to hold and a joy to read. Now she has picked up my Emma, and I am beginning to fear for my set.

Sec. 107, Row T, Seat 12.

>19 Crazymamie: - Oooooooh, I've never seen those! Must investigate...

>20 rosalita: - Most excellent! PM me your email and I'll get Ro's so we can start planning :)

Happy new thread, Katie! Ooh, a Julia Quinn! Enjoy! And your books on the go has reminded me about PHW, and Monday. How did that happen so fast?!!

Hi Susan! Yep, 100 more pages starting Monday. I'm hoping the reading will be easier as time goes on and I get more interested in the history. The pre-human stuff was deadly dull for me, I'm afraid :(

>23 katiekrug: Oh, really? Because I found it completely...um...fascin...what were we talking about?

>4 katiekrug: Truth!

Congrats on the new thread, Katie. Your book and wine topper cracked me up. Both look very distinguished and appropriate together.

I love Persuasion! Pride and Prejudice would be my boring #1 (hard to pick me out in the crowd), but Persuasion comes right after. I got the annotated version given to me, so I'm looking forward to that.

>16 katiekrug: I will require a review of the concert... And Santa Fe's opera season is lovely. Mind you, I was there before they built the new opera hall, so can't comment on the new one. I liked the old one, which had a stage whose back was open to the Sangre de Cristo mountains. At least one week of the opera season usually overlaps with the Indian market week, so that is something that The Wayne might find interesting, if he's into art and culture and stuff? They always do one Richard Strauss opera, one Mozart, and very often there's a Puccini. Then there's usually either a new works commission or a newer American work. They structure the performances so that people can go for a weekend or a week and see everything, if they want, unlike the Met, say, where an opera might not arrive until the end of the season. (Oh, and look for von Stade's renditions of the chants de l'Auvergne. It's a tough call between her version and Dawn Upshaw, but I have to side with von Stade.)

>19 Crazymamie: I've recently discovered those Word Cloud editions...I have Emma and Peter Pan so far.

>4 katiekrug: That makes me sad, too, Katie. Nice new thread here. I lurked on the last one so thought I'd better come out and say hello. I'm proud of you for knowing when to quit a book. I expect to do just that this year if I find a book is not working for me. I just don't have enough reading time to throw some away.

Happy new one, lady!

Happy new thread, Katie. Love the topper. Wine and books, the perfect combination. Enjoy the opera.

>4 katiekrug: I know! I feel the same way, but you can't really raise those thoughts with the person. They don't get it.

>28 Donna828: I never know when to quit a book. So I just say I'm in the process of reading it. However slowly :)

>24 Crazymamie: - *snork!*

>25 jnwelch: - Hey Joe, it's a close thing between P. and P&P :) I think it's the letter at the end of P. that puts it over the top for me... "I am half agony and half hope..." Ah, Wentworth... *dreamy sigh*

>26 Chatterbox: - Suz, my "review" will likely just be a list of the music and what I liked and didn't. I don't know enough to comment intelligently. But I will definitely share the program :) Santa Fe is sounding better and better... There are just too many places I want to go - similar to the too many books dilemma!

>27 laytonwoman3rd: - A few may or may not have found their way onto my Amazon wish list...

>28 Donna828: - Good to see you, Donna! Yes, I'm glad I am increasingly willing to stop reading a book that isn't grabbing me. I used to only do it for ones that were actively bad; now, I'm much more ruthless!

>29 scaifea: - Thanks, Amber!

>30 BLBera: - Thank you, Beth. Very little in life makes me as happy as a good book and a nice glass of wine :) But perhaps you already knew that about me....

>31 LovingLit: - No, I just look pityingly at them and shake my head - ha!

I'm so desperate for football, I'm watching the Pro Bowl. Truly.

Happy Sunday, Katie! Happy New Thread. I love the Clothbound topper. Sweet!

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend.

Katie! You get to see Alan Cumming in person! I am so happy for you (and envious, if I'm honest). I can't wait to hear about it. You've read Not My Father's Son, yes?

>1 katiekrug: Lovely thread topper and L'Ecole 41 is a wonderful winery! I have been there in person during a central Washington wine tasting weekend and the wines and people were equally charming. Hmm, I think we only have one more bottle in the basement cellar from that trip. It might be time to schedule another weekend excursion. :-)

>4 katiekrug: Love that.

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you, my friend!

>35 Crazymamie: - Oh, Mamie. You poor thing. I turned it on for about two minutes, and then turned it off again. So lame...

>36 msf59: - I had a great weekend, thanks, Mark! Very busy but filled with good things, so no complaints.

>37 EBT1002: - Ellen, I have not read Cumming's memoir yet. My library has it on audio, so I plan to listen before seeing his show.

I will have to look for L'Ecole 41....

Today was a beautiful day in Dallas. It was sunny and in the 70s. The hubs and I met another couple for brunch at a restaurant at the deck park in downtown Dallas. Then we walked over to the Frederica von Stade concert which was lovely. Lots of fresh air and walking, and it was just the perfect day for it.

Happy new thread, Katie! Glad you had such a nice day--we were windy and rainy, which made for a nice change.

>40 ronincats: Windy and rainy makes for good stay inside and read weather!

It was lame. Your Sunday sounds lovely - we had that same weather. Looks like more of the same today.

It's Monday, just do what you can with it.

>42 Crazymamie: - I left you a Monday gift on your thread.

I LOVE my gift! I thank you for your thoughtfulness. And your snark.

February Reading Plans
American Author Challenge: Richard Russo - Nobody's Fool and/or Elsewhere
Nonfiction Challenge: History - King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild (after I listen to the audio of Heart of Darkness read by Kenneth Branagh *swoon*)
GeoCAT Challenge: Central Asia - Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra or A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Fantasy February: How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell (currently listening)
Year-long Project: Penguin History of the World - to around page 200 (reading with Susan and Mamie)
RL Book Group: Cold Earth by Sarah Moss

>44 Crazymamie: - And my maturity ;-)

OH!! Great idea - I will join you on that listen. One of my favorite audios.

Well, yes. Of course your maturity. That goes without saying.

>47 Crazymamie: - Heart of Darkness?

Yep.

I haven't listened to it before - just read it multiple times.

"We live as we dream - alone."

I love that quote. And the Branagh narration is just so perfect. A work of art.

Can't wait!

Happy Monday, Katie. The Moss book sounds good. Have you read anything else by her?

>54 BLBera: - Hi Beth - I haven't read anything else by Moss, though I believe Darryl just finished her latest. The reports so far from book group members are not promising, but I know several people on LT really loved it. I'll just have to find out for myself!

Hi Katie, my goodness, your new thread is jumpin'! You mentioned The Girl With All the Gifts and yes, I did read and love it awhile ago. Looking back I think maybe the ending of the book was a little overdone, but hey, it's a zombie book - overdone is the norm.

Howdy Katie. I am off April 2nd-5th so I can definitely head up for a meetup/retreat. I work Friday so I would probably head out very early Saturday.

>56 DeltaQueen50: - Judy, I thought it was you! So nice to know I'm not losing my mind. And yes, zombies are not known for their subtlety, so...... :)

>57 luvamystery65: - Oh, super, Ro! Maybe we could do Saturday afternoon to Monday afternoon? Julia's concert is Tuesday. I'll PM you both on FB Messenger...

Hooray for meet ups and much anticipated concerts, both of the operatic and BRUUUUCE varieties.

>59 michigantrumpet: - *grin*

Happy new thread, Katie!

Heart of Darkness, eh? Yeesh. I don't think the even dear Kenneth could save that one for me. *shudders*

>61 lkernagh: - Thanks, Lori!

>62 scaifea: - Yep, I'm a fan girl!

Hiya, Katie! Just catching up, and hoping you're off to a good start for the year. You're a fan of Branagh? Me too!



What's your favorite of his?

Morning, Katie. I also heart Heart of Darkness. Ha! I crack myself up.

>64 LauraBrook: - Hi Laura! Great to see you!

I love the film of 'Much Ado About Nothing' where he played Benedict to Emma Thompson's Beatrice. I was so sad when they got divorced... A less well-known film of theirs I also liked was 'Dead Again.' And I recently (well, last couple of years) saw him in Macbeth in an NT Live production at a local art house movie theater. I'd love to see him live on stage.

>65 Crazymamie: - You crack me up, too, Mamie :)

>66 katiekrug: Secret fan of "Dead Again" here as well. I mention it all the time and no one else seems to have heard of it!

>68 michigantrumpet: - High five, sister-fan!

Hi Katie - I've never heard of "Dead Again," but I do like Branagh. I loved his Hamlet, but I think Much Ado About Nothing is maybe my favorite Shakespeare.

>70 BLBera: - Beth, see if oyu can find it. It's good and creepy!

I actually have 'Much Ado' at home from Netflix right now. I need to get my own copy of it. I had it on VHS...

And I really need to read it, as um, yeah, I never have :-/

>66 katiekrug: I was so sad when he and Emma divorced too! They seem like such fun people. "Dead Again" creeped me out (and I liked it). "Much Ado" is great too. "Hamlet" was good too, it seems like he can really disappear into roles. Actually, I think I've liked everything I've seen him in. Keep hoping there will be more Wallander.

>72 LauraBrook: - I need to watch Wallander....

>72 LauraBrook: and >73 katiekrug: Oh, do watch Wallender. It's gritty but Branagh is fabulous!

I like gritty! Will have to see if I can find it on any of the various streaming services we use...

Last night, I watched the American Experience (on public television in the US) "Murder of a President" about James Garfield. It was based on Candice Millard's excellent book, Destiny of the Republic. Overall, a very good production, though sometimes the re-enactments were a little lame...

Such a fascinating episode in American history - I highly recommend the book!

Katie, I hope you do listen to Cumming's memoir. I devoured it through that medium and his narration is (of course) perfect.

Adding Destiny of the Republic to the wish list. I know very little about that episode (perfect word).

And YES you need to watch Wallander! Every time they show the place in which they have set it that he lives, I just think "no freakin' way would I live there." All cold and windswept and isolated. And beautiful, of course. And who would want to live in a place where eerie music is always playing!?!?

Happy Wednesday!

>76 katiekrug: Adding that one to your Dirty Dozen, Katie! And now I am wanting to watch Wallander, which I have not seen. Happy Wednesday, Katie!

>76 katiekrug: I need to check PBS online and see if they've put that episode up for online streaming yet. If you're recommending it I know it's worth the time.

>77 EBT1002: I second Katie's recommendation of Destiny of the Republic. I knew Garfield had been assassinated but really knew very little about him or what was happening at the time, so it was fascinating information. And it's quite well written.

>79 rosalita: Thanks for the nudge, Julia. I have put it on the wish list and will keep an eye out for a copy. I think P would like it, too.

>76 katiekrug: This past Monday, My husband and I went to a preview of "The Death of a President" at WGBH, our local PBS station. We enjoy just about all of the American Experience programs, and this one on the assassination of President Garfield looked promising. The preview was wonderful. There was a presentation and discussion with Boston College History Professor Heather Cox Richardson, who was engaging and enthusiastic. She managed to make some connections between the politics and financial times of the late 1800's and today which were pretty interesting.

A interesting little tidbit: The assassin, Charles Giteau's lawyers were pushing for a finding of insanity, which would have saved him from the noose,although not a lifetime in prison. Giteau's ex-wife testified against him that, although he abused her horribly, he was 100% sane. He swung.

Hell hath no fury ....

Watched the first part of the actual program last night, and will probably follow up with the rest this evening.

Oh yes! Dead Again. Don't forget the contributions of Andy Garcia, Derek Jacobi, and Robin Williams. One of those VHS things that never got replaced with a DVD.

Morning Katie! Happy Mid-Week. I have the Amercian Experince program recorded. Hope to watch it this week.
You know I was crazy about that book.

>66 katiekrug: I remember seeing Dead Again in theaters and liking it ... but I now remember nothing else about it. Much Ado about Nothing had some interesting casting choices, right? Keanu Reeves was in that one, as I recall (imperfectly). And Hamlet is really good; my husband and I watched it just before we started reading Infinite Jest because it was recommended that you be familiar with the basics of the play and my husband hadn't seen that production. And I got to convince him to watch 4 hours of Shakespeare, so win-win.

>77 EBT1002: - Ellen, I am #8 in line for the Cumming memoir on audio. I should get it in time to listen before the concert on June 24! And do read DotR - it is so well done and fascinating. I am trying to get The Wayne to do a tandem read of The River of Doubt by the same author about Teddy Roosevelt's trip up the Amazon... I will look for Wallander when I get home - my office prevents me from accessing certain streaming services so I can't check right now. (Thank God they don't prevent LT access!)

>78 Crazymamie: - Mamie, I'm surprised it's not on your list already, as Mark and I and others sung its praises. But hooray for another DD entry. I felt like I'd been letting you down ;-( Looks like we both are Wallander newbies. I'm terrible about following through on TV series, but if I can find it, I will make a concerted effort...

>79 rosalita: - Julia, if it's not up yet, I'm sure it will be shortly. Of course it wasn't as good as the book, and didn't have all the interesting stuff about Alexander Graham Bell, but it's definitely worth watching.

>80 EBT1002: - :)

>81 michigantrumpet: - That sounds great, Marianne. The parallels between then and now are interesting, and maybe gives us reason to hope a Garfield-like figure could emerge...? So sad that all that potential was lost.

>82 weird_O: - Bill, I was delighted to find a DVD of 'Dead Again' on Amazon for $6. It now resides in my shopping cart, waiting.... for what, I'm not sure. Maybe a couple of books? Heh.

I vaguely remember Andy Garcia in the film but have no recollection of Jacobi or Williams. Definitely time for a re-watch!

>83 msf59: - Happy Wednesday, Mark! I think you'll like the program a lot.

>84 ursula: - Hi Ursula - yep, Keanu Reeves was in 'Much Ado.' And wasn't as terrible as one might expect (not that he was all that good, either, though....) Kate Beckinsale and Michael Keaton were also in it. I think that's all I can remember...

I think I've seen parts of that Hamlet. I am not a huge Hamlet fan in general, but I did like his Henry V. And my husband willingly sat through it, because he liked the fighting parts :)

This made me laugh.

"Thank God they don't prevent LT access!"
I'll say!!

>89 EBT1002: - *grin*

>86 katiekrug: Wait a minute, there's no Alexander Graham Bell stuff in the documentary? That's crazypants. It was one of my favorite storylines in the book.

>91 rosalita: - There's a little bit but not much...

Morning, Katie! It's Friday Eve!

>93 Crazymamie: - My favorite day! Morning, Mamie!

I haven't done a book update in a while because everything is moving really slowly for some reason........

I have finished these two and need to make some comments on them. The short version is they were both kind of meh.



I am currently reading:



The first is an ER book from last May - it's a bit uneven and I'm having a hard time concentrating on it. The second is by a favorite romance author.

My current audio is:



It's the third in the series and so much fun. I am chortling my way through it.

Just waving as I try to catch up *wave*

Oh, I love the audio versions of the How to Train Your Dragon series. I need to return to those.

>96 RebaRelishesReading: - Hi Reba! Are you safely ensconced at Chataqua? I will visit your thread to get caught up!

>97 EBT1002: - I just love them, Ellen.

#5. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown
3 stars (I don't hate myself for reading this.)

A perfectly good, albeit standard romantic suspense set in the mountains of western North Carolina. It was made more interesting than most in the genre by a focus on other characters besides the male and female leads. Lots of people in the small town are harboring secrets and while some of it is over the top, the setting and pacing made for a diverting and entertaining read.

#6. The Girl in the Blue Beret by Bobbie Ann Mason
3 stars (I don't hate myself for reading this.)

I think my reaction to this novel was heavily influenced by the narrator of the audio version. He made the main character, a man in his 60s who returns to France to find the people who helped him escape when his plane was shot down in World War II, incredibly whiny and annoying. And self-centered. Certain turns of phrase or pieces of dialogue would not have struck me as negatively had I read them, I don't think. Hearing them, all I could do was wince or roll my eyes. If the story sounds interesting to you, than give it a try in print.

Notes: The narrator was Fred Sullivan.

>72 LauraBrook: You completely nailed what i loved about Branagh as a young actor. You forgot completely that he was the same person, from one role to the next. I think in some ways he became too successful too young. I was sooo lucky -- got to interview him and hang out with them and members of the rep theater he put together right after he did Henry V, touring with Midsummer Night's Dream & Lear. Emma did the Fool in Lear and Hermia, I think; Branagh played a minor role in Dream and Edmund in Lear. Richard Briers was there -- an excellent cast of young people and stalwarts. I wish he had managed to keep that idea alive; he said it was something he wanted to do (revive rep theater). Instead, he produced a very funny movie about putting on a play on a shoestring budget, "A Midwinter's Tale". Do, do try and see/find it. A gem.

I have a personally autographed copy of the Branagh memoirs dating from that time...

Happy Friday, Katie! Now, that I finished W & P, (B.A.G.) I am going to take off like a bullet. In print, I am starting Straight Man.

>101 Chatterbox: - Good stuff, Suz!

>102 msf59: - HooRAY for Straight Man, Mark! I really hope you enjoy it.

It's Friday, Katie! Hoping it's full of happy!

>104 Crazymamie: - HA! That is awesome!

Off to the gym and then the library (checking out a new branch because that is what book nerds do). I'm thinking I also deserve a chai latte which I haven't had in weeks..... Love my Fridays off :)

That's my favorite one - I love the ones where they did the operas!

>106 katiekrug: When I lived in Cincinnati, I enjoyed checking out all the branches. I didn't make it to all of them, but I made it to many. I used the main library the most often simply because I was always going there because of the genealogy collection.

>107 Crazymamie: - What's better than Looney Tunes and opera? That's kind of my life in a nutshell ;-)

>108 thornton37814: - Lori, this is the first time I've visited a branch not my "own." And oh my, it was *so* much nicer! They recently renovated the building and its very open and airy and they have a great selection. I will be going back.

#7. American Meteor by Norman Lock
3.5 stars (Pretty good, with a few things done very well.)

I won this book from the Early Reviewers program last spring. It was a random choice and kind of illustrates why I need to stop making random choices for books that I am then required to read and review. I think I would have liked this a lot more if I had come to it "organically" rather than while stressed out over the fact that I'd had it for so long and hadn't read and reviewed it yet...

So, it follows the coming of age of Stephen Moran, a poor Irish boy who joins the Union army, experiences the Civil War, is chosen to be the bugle boy on Lincoln's funeral train from Washington to Springfield, works for the Union Pacific railroad, apprentices to the photographer William Henry Jackson, and plots to kill George Custer for his crimes against the Native Americans. It's a sweeping story, covering a lot of history, but told in very small details. And it's a short book for the size of the story it is trying to tell. Some pieces work better than others; the second half is much stronger than the first, and it's a fascinating journey to accompany this young man following his destiny in parallel with the "Manifest Destiny" of the United States. But in the end, I wasn't really sure what to make of the whole thing. I think I did it a disservice by not reading it in a few large gulps because there was a rhythm to the language and the story that was clear as I powered through the last third. I would be interested to read something else by this author.

>110 katiekrug: Yes, I need to stop doing this too. Just, "oh, it might be interesting" -- and then the deadline creeps up on me. Sigh. (I'm talking about Amazon Vine, where there is a firm deadline that prevents you from ordering more if you haven't reviewed a book.)

Nice reviews, Katie. I liked The Girl in the Blue Beret more than you did, but I did read it.

Hooray for Fridays off. I did have my yearly eye exam including scan, visual field test and generally lots of fun with bright lights being focused on my dilated eyes. All done until next year, and I finally got a prescription for computer glasses.

I hear what you say about ER books. I have not been lucky with random choices.

>111 Chatterbox: - Specific deadlines would probably send me right over the edge, Suz! I wouldn't last a month.

>112 BLBera: - Beth, I really think it would have been better in print. I HATE eye exams - I find the whole thing so uncomfortable. But I have terrible vision, so I have no choice but to go! I think I am going to stop requesting ER books unless it is an author I know and love. I have one more to read and review - The Travelers by Chris Pavone. It's kind of an international intrigue thriller, I think. Hopefully, it's at least a fast read :)

Yesterday I went to pay our credit card bill and nearly had a heart attack at the balance. I looked through the charges and lo and behold, three days ago, someone charted $9000 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) to an HVAC company in Kansas City. Apparently, some guy in Haiti got my cc number and ordered a bunch of plumbing supplies to be shipped to him. I'm just glad I got no hassle from Citi or the merchant about taking the charge off... And today I got to spend a good chunk of time changing over account details with companies we have recurring payments with. Such fun.

Oh. My. Word. Don't worry, I got this:


For you.


For the culprit - I put in a call.


For Judy and I.

So, not quite 120, but pretty darn close. :)

>51 katiekrug: or so - Also a fan-girl of Heart of Darkness but I refuse to be seduced by a Kenneth Branagh audio. *Squints eyes and ears shut tight and curls into a ball*

>95 katiekrug: Hooray for more Hiccup love! Camicazi is awesome, no? Worth the wait for the female? I think so.

>114 katiekrug: EEEK! I'd have a closer look then. Usually they don't charge 9 grand without a couple of test charges earlier on. Speaking from experience. One Christmas someone got hold of our Visa and bought lots of things and even gave us some of them. I got a back massage tool, some M&M's and my personal favorites, the subscription to cigar afficianado magazine and sponsorship of an inmate in some prison in South Dakota.

Oh no!

And no one* at the CC co thought 'crumbs, that's a sudden interest in plumbing in Haiti?' Yikes.
Sorry for the admin involved. One day the credit people will have to do this bit, surely?! (at least, I live in hope).

*By which I mean an antifraud computer programme.

>115 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie! Love the photos, but what/who is the last one? he's rather fetching....

>116 nittnut: - Jenn, I just started HoD on audio, read by Branagh. It's soooooooooo good. Just sayin'. And yes! I just love Hiccup (and especially Fish Legs). And I can tell Camicazi is going to be a hoot. They are just so perfectly done. I loved the glossary of dragon words at the end, too...... And I'm so sorry you had to deal with credit card issues, too, but the sponsoring an inmate is just a wonderful touch :) So you got taken by a thief with a heart of gold. I kind of feel bad for this guy in Haiti - it's not like he was buying expensive clothes or something - plumbing equipment. If I were rich, I would have let him have it.

>117 charl08: - Charlotte, the credit card company didn't know the stuff was going to Haiti, but I am a little surprised they didn't question such a large sum at a company categorized as a "hardware store" in a city no where near me.... *sigh* And yes! It would be awesome if they had to change over all my recurring payments, but alas... The worst part is trying to remember all the various usernames and passwords :-P

*gasp* You don't know?! Timothy Olyphant!! You must watch Justified immediately. Seriously. Judy and I both lust after him, so we have to share.



You can thank me later.

I will put it on the list, tout de suite!

Katie - I imagine a $9000 balance on your credit card would raise the pulse a bit. But what Charlotte said. Last summer when I went to SF, my credit card denied me because I wasn't at home. Luckily, I had another one I could use. Nice of you to fund plumbing in Haiti, BtW.

I had to get another glass of wine to get over the horror of your credit card story. In fact, I may need another. 😦😦😦😦

>121 BLBera: - It was the *extra* $9000 that did it, Beth :) We use the card for most everyday expenses and monthly bills and pay it off at the end of the month (to accumulate points/miles) so I expected something. Just not that! The weird thing is that we've been contacted before to verify certain purchases (all of which were legit) so I don't understand why this wouldn't have been questioned. But at least they gave us no hassle about it.

>122 michigantrumpet: - I suggest one more, Marianne :) I mean, why not? Ha!

Wow I'm really glad the credit card situation was relatively easy to clear up, but it must have been stressful there for a while.

>118 katiekrug: & >119 Crazymamie: I need the fainting couch because Katie doesn't know who Timothy Olyphant is and because TIMOTHY OLYPHANT!

>114 katiekrug: That sucks! Sorry you have to deal with that. Must hear the story of your sponsered inmate at our reading retreat.

>124 lauralkeet: - Yep, just a little stressful ;-)

>125 luvamystery65: - Ha! I love that, Ro. And I sincerely apologize for my lack of awareness of TIMOTHY OLYPHANT. But look at it this way, then you only have to share him with Mamie and Judy...

>126 luvamystery65: - It was Jenn's sponsored inmate, not mine! I was just going to be building bathrooms in Haiti, apparently.

OMG Katie! So glad that the charges were taken off your credit card right away for you. I can imagine your jaw dropped when you saw that on your bill!

As for Timothy Oliphant, sigh, he is one fine piece of eye candy! (He'd be totally worth dressing up as a sexy librarian for!)

Now you know why Judy has a library cart Katie!

Yikes to the credit card scramble! I've had fraud charges too, and they're unnerving. But I've never had one so large as $9000.

OK, so a couple things, Katie: Seriously on the Timothy Olyphant thing? (and I am not a tv nerd by any stretch, but Olyphant?) In that case, I'm with Mamie that you must watch Justified starting tonight! Oh, and here's a fainting couch. I've installed one on several threads now, and it looks like one is necessary here!

Yeah, $9000 out of nowhere would seem to be something the credit card company might want to check into. They've put a hold on my card for considerably less "suspicious" circumstances. (I remember, because I found out while trying to get gas.)

And I'll just echo the Timothy Olyphant lust love. If you can watch Justified and not fall under his spell, I ... will be confused. :)

>119 Crazymamie: >131 ursula: Well Justified didn't do it for me I'm afraid but I loved Timothy Oliphant in Deadwood!

>114 katiekrug: Sorry to hear about the credit card. It's quite alarming when you see that money go it, isn't it, even if the credit card company say you're going to get it straight back. We had a series of fraudulent transactions adding up to over £3,000 when Mr SandDune lost his credit card last year, and even though the company said we would get it straight back I wasn't happy until we actually did.

>128 DeltaQueen50: Don't forget to lock the wheels of the library cart in place, Judy. Remember what happened last time!

>132 SandDune: I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that, Rhian. *tries to think if she has seen Deadwood*

Katie, I saw this and it made me think of you:

>128 DeltaQueen50: - Time to dust off the old library cart, Judy!!

>129 luvamystery65: - Ha! Yes, indeed, Ro!

>130 lit_chick: - Ooh, Nancy, I *love* that fainting couch! I have added 'Justified' to the list of shows I need to watch. The list is long, but I put it near the top :) (I'm not much of a TV watcher....)

>131 ursula: - Ursula, I love your comment "I will be.... confused." Too funny!

>132 SandDune: - Yep, I just want it gone, Rhian! Which reminds me I should probably log on and check :)

>133 Crazymamie: - O.M.G. I love that graphic! I want to enlarge it, print it, and hang it on my wall.....

Overcast and a little cool here in Dallas this morning. I have some errands to run (including to the nail salon for a pedicure *happy sigh*), I need to help The Wayne with a few things around the house, and we have my niece's birthday party late this afternoon. Sweet Abigail is 2 today!!

AW! She looks so sweet - and I can't believe she is two already! Our Abigails have birthdays just four days apart. Happy Birthday to your Abigail!

I'm so happy you love the graphic!

Katie, I'm so sorry to read about your credit card. All that changing over card details is the *worst* kind of boring admin. I had to do it about a year ago, so I sympathise. What a strange charge, out of the blue like that though.

I hope your fun day today makes up for it. Your niece is a cutie!

Morning, KAK! Happy Saturday. I am enjoying Straight Man.

Speaking of Olyphant, I heard there might be a Deadwood film in the works, to finally wrap up the series. B.A.G.

Deadwood is good, too, but I have to say that the mustache didn't really work for me. The show is worth watching anyway, though. ;)

>133 Crazymamie: "Like"

Hi, Katie!

We're hooked on Orphan Black, and can't wait for new ones to show up.

Fell behind while I was on vacation. Sorry to hear about your credit card woes. Here's hoping you have a decent weekend.

>137 Crazymamie: - Thanks, Mamie! I think she had a pretty good birthday. The highlight was when she was presented her cupcake with a candle burning and without batting an eye, she reached out and pinched the flame between her little fingers and put it out. She's a tough cookie :)

>138 susanj67: - Hi Susan! It was a really weird charge.... Oh well. Taken care of now. Hope you are having a great weekend!

>139 msf59: - Hi Mark! I didn't watch 'Deadwood' either. But if you're happy, I'm happy :D Glad you're enjoying Straight Man.

>140 ursula: - Yeah, I am not much into facial hair on men (or women!) at all, so even if I'd been aware of T.O., the mustache would not have worked :)

>141 jnwelch: - Hi Joe! I've heard good things about 'Orphan Black' but it's never had much appeal for me. I think I burned out on TV when I watched a ton of it when I was younger. It's easier than ever to find good stuff to watch, but usually I'd just rather be doing something else.

>142 MickyFine: - Thanks, Micky! I hope your vacation was awesome and you are all rested for your big move! I'll come over to your thread for some updates :)

I have to stick up for Katie here. I have no idea who Timothy Elephant is. Not a single clue.

I didn't know who he was either. But then I'm not much into TV or movies...

Sorry to hear about your credit charge but glad they didn't give you any hassle about it. I have a credit card story from this Christmas season. I always do my charity giving online on the 31st of December. I got a call about a week later from a local agency that provides meals to seniors about my contribution. They had thought the amount unusual and had checked my previous contributions and indeed, $2525.00 did seem out of line. Gulp! Yes, indeed! So they cancelled the charge, it was refunded to my account, and I still need to re-donate, a little more than I did originally in gratitude for their care.

Timothy Elephant. Never heard of him.

>136 katiekrug: Cute niece!

The credit card story is truly a horror story. UGH. It sounds like it's getting resolved but what a pain in the neck and just kind of terrifying.

I hope your Sunday is so wonderful it outshines all credit card disasters. :-|

Phew, finally caught up with your thread, Katie. Things are hopping. Oh and I don't know who Timothy Elephant is either!

Or me. (Although I did watch Deadwood, but don't recognise him).

>145 rosalita: - I'm so glad I'm not alone!

>146 ronincats: - Very impressive that the charity contacted you, Roni! That's definitely deserving of a little something extra :)

>147 EBT1002: - My Sunday should be just dandy, Ellen! Going to the first birthday party for my friend's son and then to a Super Bowl party with The Wayne's colleagues. No chores or "have-tos" today!

>148 Familyhistorian: - I think we are in good company, Meg!

>149 charl08: - Charlotte's in the clueless camp, too. Quel relief. I used to be super up to date on most celebrities, but I cut my addiction to PerezHilton.com cold turkey a few years ago and now only have the foggiest of notions of some of these people...

#8. How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell
4 stars (A good read and one that I recommend; truly enjoyable and/or worthy.)

Number three in the 'How to Train Your Dragon' series, this silly and outrageous entry follows Hiccup, Toothless, and Fish Legs into a Roman fortress where they have to use their wits to survive the gladiator arena. It's zany and laugh-out-loud funny, thanks in great part to David Tennant's wonderful narration. The glossary of "Dragonese" at the end is not to be missed, either.

#9. A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
3.5 stars (Pretty good, with a few things done very well.)

I'm not going to convince any non-romance readers to try one with anything I say. And for those of you who do appreciate a well-done romance, you are probably already familiar with Julia Quinn and her special talent. So I'll just say this was typical Quinn with the perfect blend of humor, endearing characters (both primary and secondary), and just the right amount of sweetness.

Does Timothy Elephant = Timothy Olyphant? He was the bad guy in one of the "Die Hard" films, and he has starred in a couple of cable tv western series.

Good for you for wanting to do other things more than watch tv, Katie. I read a lot, but sports and shows like Orphan Black do grab me.

Okay. Okay. But Timothy Olyphant is not just the star of Justified - he IS Raylan Givens! And this is a bookish crowd, so I am sure you can appreciate when someone brings a book character to life in a way that does not disappoint even one tiny bit. Elmore Leonard wrote Pronto where the character of Raylan Givens appears for the first time, and he was originally just supposed to be a side character, but he totally stole the show. After that he appeared in Riding the Rap, When the Ladies Come Out to Dance and Raylan. When they made the pilot for Justified, they based it on the short story Fire in the Hole, which can be found in When the Ladies Come Out to Dance. The tv show is just so well done, and it is a magic moment for readers like me who first fell in love with Raylan in Leonard's books. Plus, he is HOT. What?! Where are you all going?

>154 jnwelch: - Hi Joe! I do watch TV but it's really hit or miss, so committing to a whole series (no matter how much I am interested) is usually an exercise in futility. Except sports. I watch lots of sports :)

>155 Crazymamie: - Mamie, I *love* your enthusiasm! And 'Justified' is on my list - honest. I just can't say when I'll give it a whirl... But I will!

I hear you, Katie, really, I don't watch a lot of tv either except for football. You don't have to watch the whole series - just the pilot episode should do it. We are hit or miss with watching stuff - nothing for a long time and then binge watching when we are feeling under the weather or in a bit of a funk. Happy Sunday to you, my friend!

>155 Crazymamie: Go Mamie, Go Mamie!! In my dictionary, when I look up Hot - I get a picture of Timothy Oliphant. ;)

Hi Katie - Kamchatka came in at the library thus week. Enjoying it a great deal - excellent call.

>114 katiekrug: AAAAkkkk!! I hate it when that happens, even though the credit companies are always willing to remove strange charges it still leaves you with a bunch of follow-up work to do. I have my (personal...we have separate and joint ones) set up to text me anytime there is a charge over $200. That way, if it isn't mine, I can at least react right away.

>157 Crazymamie: - It certainly turned into a happy Sunday, Mamie ;-)

>158 DeltaQueen50: - Judy, your dictionary sounds WAY more interesting than mine!

>159 charl08: - Oh, excellent!! So glad you are liking it, Charlotte!

>160 RebaRelishesReading: - Reba, the stupid charge is *still* on my account so I called this morning, and "Bob" said it took 7-10 days to remove a disputed charge. Seriously?!?!

Yes! And I am not minding it being a Monday - I am still basking in the glow of a perfect moment. So, Happy Monday, Katie! You might want to frame it because it will probably be a collector's item - I rarely hand those out.

I'm marking this historic day in my calendar! A Monday Mamie didn't hate :)

*lurking*

Okay. Off to put a pin in Justified on AmazonPrime. Because apparently I'm missing out on something very good. Apparently.

>164 Thebookdiva: - Hi Abby!!

>165 nittnut: - LOL Jenn! "Apparently."

> Be still my beating heart, did I just read that Mamie is liking Monday!!

>165 nittnut: Not apparently. Definitely. You can thank me later.

>167 DeltaQueen50: SO glad that Judy was able to be here for this moment. It might not ever come again.

" A Monday Mamie didn't hate." I am definitely jotting that one down...

I am really enjoying Straight Man. It was a good choice. Glad to hear you are enjoying Nobody's Fool. I have not read that one yet.

>167 DeltaQueen50: - Love that picture, Judy!

>168 Crazymamie: - It *is* a banner day, Mamie.

>169 msf59: - Hooray for Straight Man! And you'll like Nobody's Fool when you get to it :)

>100 katiekrug: I had a hard time engaging with the main character of The Girl in the Blue Beret when I read it, so it isn't just the narrator. I did ultimately find the book to be worthwhile, though I never sympathized with the guy---I just found his quest interesting.

Oh, and Timothy Oliphant....uh uh. I didn't know who he was, so I did a Google image search. He looks like a guy who is his own biggest fan, to me. I defer to those who say he's perfect in the role, but since I'm not familiar with the character either, I can happily pass.

>88 katiekrug: lol!

>136 katiekrug: aw, sweet. I love that flicky 2 year-old hair :) I miss Lenny's flicky hair when it was like that.

>171 laytonwoman3rd: I can say that, in every interview I've seen him in, he's super down-to-earth and has a dry, self-deprecating sense of humor. And he and his costar on Justified, Walton Goggins, are hilarious together when out of character (and sometimes in character too).

Ahem. Books. I am reading some. I enjoy the fact that you are reading some too, Katie. Yep. *tiptoeing out*

Individual replies later, but just wanted to report that I finished the audio of Heart of Darkness at the gym this morning (it made for strange company on the treadmill, but whatever) and my goodness. Perfect. Just perfect.

My first 5-star of the year. I'd give it more, if I could, since reading the book is 5 stars for me and Branagh took the audio to a whole new level...

Ok, gotta go shower and get on the phone for a teleconference!

Morning, Katie!

>171 laytonwoman3rd: - Thanks for that, Linda! I'm glad it wasn't just me or the narrator. I understand that Mason was trying to show him develop as he came to understand the sacrifices made for him but I just didn't buy it. He remained incredibly self-centered in my view. And glad to have you join in the Timothy Elephant Who? Club ;-)

>172 LovingLit: - Abby's hair cracks me up because it looks like she has a mullet (Business int he front, party in the back!)...

>173 ursula: - LOL Ursula! You crack me up.

>175 Crazymamie: - Morning, Mamie!

Delighted you loved Heart of Darkness, Katie. I listened to it a couple of years ago and gave it 5* too. I can see it being strange company on the treadmill.

I'm another lover of Heart of Darkness - I keep meaning to read more Conrad.

>177 lit_chick: - Nancy, it kind of worked in a weird way... I was so mesmerized by the story and Branagh's voice that I'd be a lot less distracted than usual by other people, the TVs overhead, etc. I'll miss having Marlowe as my workout buddy ;-)

>178 SandDune: - Me too, Rhian! I have a couple on my shelf... I wonder if I'm subconsciously afraid they won't measure up and I'll be terribly disappointed?

>174 katiekrug: You've reminded me I want to read this - thanks. Conrad was on the Congo at the same time as an Irish official who went on to become very controversial (involved in the 1916 Easter Rising). Apparently there are some autobio bits in there.

>180 charl08: - I've loved HoD since I read it in high school (around age 17). Had to read it a couple of times at university (do I sound British?) and have read it several times since. Such good stuff. Dense prose but lush and so atmospheric. And just a terrific and horrifying story.

Do you sound British? I'd have to hear the accent to find out... (but the university instead of college is a good start).

I'm always pretty nosy about what they took and what they left out - the biographer of Roger Casement used quotes from Conrad's letters that made him sound pretty disloyal - from someone who thought Casement was great, and knew Africa far better than he did, to someone who was suspicious (just happening to coincide with his public disgrace).I know literature and the author are two different things, but the relationship between still grabs me. Have you read the Achebe essay on Conrad (at *university* maybe?).

Oh, the accent would be terrible. I just meant because I said "at university" rather than "in college" :)

I know very little about Conrad, other than he was actually Polish... I have not read the Achebe essay.

Hi Katie, all the accolades for the audio version of Heart of Darkness had me visiting Audible.com this morning and getting myself a copy. Looking forward to it.

There is a fair reading of Heart of Darkness decrying how it has continued to feed into racist stereotypes. While the writing is beautiful, I felt very uncomfortable reading it.

"...The earth seemed unearthly. We are accustomed to look upon the shackled form of a conquered monster, but there -- there you could look at a thing monstrous and free. It was unearthly and the men were .... No they were not inhuman. Well, you know that was the worst of it -- this suspicion of their not being inhuman. It would come slowly to one. They howled and leaped and spun and made horrid faces, but what thrilled you, was just the thought of their humanity -- like yours -- the thought of your remote kinship with this wild and passionate uproar. Ugly. Yes, it was ugly enough, but if you were man enough you would admit to yourself that there was in you just the faintest trace of a response to the terrible frankness of that noise, a dim suspicion of there being a meaning in it which you -- you so remote from the night of first ages -- could comprehend.

The Achebe article is HERE.

I would note that I, like Achebe, do not discourage others from reading it, only that Achebe's perspective join the other perspectives one considers.

I HATED Heart of Darkness, but I'm glad you enjoyed it! Maybe I should have listened to the audio version.

>184 DeltaQueen50: - I hope it works for you, Judy!

>185 michigantrumpet: - Marianne, I think HoD is fascinating because there are so many layers to it and readings of it. When I say that I love it, that doesn't mean that it doesn't make me uncomfortable or that I don't have questions and issues with it. That is why I love it and why I think it is worth reading.

>186 japaul22: - Jen, who knows? Different strokes and all. It would be boring if we all liked the same thing. But the audio is outstanding.

>187 katiekrug: "...When I say that I love it, that doesn't mean that it doesn't make me uncomfortable or that I don't have questions and issues with it. That is why I love it and why I think it is worth reading."

That's cool. There was mention of the Achebe article, so thought I'd link to it for those who were interested. My comments were meant from a general information standpoint, not at you specifically. I'm sorry if it came off that way.

Oh, not at all! I was just trying to explain how I could like something so much that quite obviously has so many issues.

Interestingly, Heart of Darkness was included on the reading list in The Maximum Security Book Club. It's one of the ARCs I got at the ALA Midwinter Conference. I have to say the men weren't very big fans either.

Hi Katie--Just catching up here. Sorry about the CC charge. Grrr! I laughed when you described finishing HofD while on the treadmill, the two don't really go together and yet reading is wonderful any time, any place isn't it? Then I almost had a heart attack when Crazy said she was happy on a Monday! ; )

>191 michigantrumpet: - That seems an odd choice...

>192 Berly: - Hi Kim! Hope you're feeling better! I think Mamie just likes to keep us on our toes... Next thing we know, she'll stop drinking wine!

Morning, Katie! I've decided to stop drinking wine. *blinks*

*snork!*

Nice try.

It wasn't convincing?

>101 Chatterbox: Suz! You've had such a fascinating life (and for all of the things you seem to have done in it, you should be at least 4 times older - and I hardly know anything about you!), and this is certainly one experience I'm envious of. Will be off to track down all things Branagh in a bit!

>153 katiekrug: Nice review! I'm giving romance books a shot this year, and have a copy of One Good Earl Deserves A Lover by Sarah Maclean. (It was listed on Book Riot as a good one for non-romance readers to start with.) Do you like MacLean's stuff? Is Quinn the best? Should I start somewhere else? Just really grasping at straws in the genre here. My time working at my library filled me in on how popular the genre is and some of the author names, but that's it.

And ladies, you can cross me off of the list for Timothy Olyphant fans. I've seen him in a few things pre-Justified, and he's a good actor, but now that his teeth are so white all I can think of is this.




More for you all to share!!! I'll take some Ken B instead. :)

Stopping by to mention a book you might like, American Housewife by Helen Ellis.

And since it was mentioned once or twice above, I'm throwing in another plug for Justified, a fabulous show based on an Elmore Leonard character. Timothy Olyphant's Raylan Givens is staggeringly adorable, but the whole series' storyline is excellent. I had to watch the first few episodes, though, before I got thoroughly hooked.

>181 katiekrug: Hey Katie I am confused by at university being British sounding. Here we have colleges and universities which are 2 different institutions. Do you refer to your universities as going to college?

>197 LauraBrook: If you are new to romance give Georgette Heyer a try, her romances are some of the best.

>197 LauraBrook: Oooh. Georgette Heyer is the place to start. Great romance, fabulous characters. My personal favorites are Cotillion, The Nonesuch and Frederica, but there are heaps of them. Warble, warble, warbley, warble. :)

>185 michigantrumpet:, >187 katiekrug: - or thereabouts - I read and loved Heart of Darkness for exactly that reason. I first read it when I was 17 and I had never read something that was so mesmerizing and at the same time made me so exquisitely uncomfortable. Reading it again over the years, it has affected me in different ways, but it's always mesmerizing.

Oooh, cake spam! A shame we're not in India, although the "Online birthday cake" sounds interesting.

Hi Katie! I keep meaning and meaning to tell you that Julia Quinn has a new Bridgerton book out this year! I read an article about the most-anticipated romances of 2016, and I thought of you :-)

Hi Katie! I don't know who Timothy Olyphant is, either. I suppose he could be one of those faces without names in my mental filing system.

Do you suppose the cakes in India spammer heard that you've been buying plumbing supplies in Haiti and thought he'd try his luck?! I hope your card issues are completely resolved soon without a lot more effort on your part.

Morning, Katie! Spammed by cake, and it's not even Monday! *shakes head* SO, I've given up my giving up of wine. *blinks*

>196 Crazymamie: - Not entirely....

>197 LauraBrook: - Hi Laura! Yay for trying new things - especially romances :) I have not read Sarah MacLean so can't comment. But I can say that Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series is The. Best. I ended up reading them out of order - I think I read the 4rd first (Romancing Mr. Bridgerton). The first I believe is The Duke and I. I *highly* recommend them as an entree into historical romance. For contemporary romance, you have to try the Blue Heron series by Kristan Higgins (the first is The Best Man). Heyer is great, too, but she's more of the "romance" genre as some people term Jane Austern's novels romances. Modern romances - historical or contemporary - have a very different feel. Report back on what you end up trying and thinking of it!

>198 Copperskye: - Joanne, American Housewife looks great! And I love the cover... More 'Justified' love, huh? It is becoming inevitable that I will give it a go :)

>199 Familyhistorian: - Meg, yep, our universities and colleges are different, too (an easy though somewhat overly simplified classification is that a college is usually just a 4-year institution awarding bachelor's degrees and universities do that, plus post-graduate degrees*). I've never heard anyone in the States say "when I was at university." It's usually "when I was in college" even if technically-speaking, the school they attended was a university rather than a college... And if they are talking about post-grad school, they say "when I was in grad/med/law school."

Obviously I am generalizing wildly here :) What is the difference between colleges and universities in Canada?

*Of course, places like Yale confuse the issue further by having different "colleges" make up the university....

>200 nittnut: - Yep, Heyer is good! And agree totally about HoD. We might as well be twins ;-)

>204 susanj67:- I wasn't in time to see what the spam was about - were there pictures of cake? Now I want cake. I saw that there was going to be a new Bridgerton novel! I think it's the mother's story, so set in the 18th century which could be a nice change...

>205 cbl_tn: - "Do you suppose the cakes in India spammer heard that you've been buying plumbing supplies in Haiti and thought he'd try his luck?!" HA! That made me laugh. Yep, they are all coming out of the woodwork now ;-) I need to check my account and see if they've removed the charge yet. It's officially been 7 days, and they said it could take 7-10 days....

>206 Crazymamie: - Well, Mamie you made a valiant, if completely imaginary, effort to give up the wine, but why fight it? You and wine were meant to be together.... :D

Well, I actually didn't have any wine last night. *grin* I told myself no more wine until you start walking again. Guess who walked today?!

Nothing like a little motivation!!

>197 LauraBrook: - Laura - I wanted to add that at least one of Quinn's Bridgerton books (The Viscount Who Loved Me) is currently $1.99 on Kindle (maybe Nook, too). Don't know if you do the e-reader thing but thought it was worth mentioning!

>209 katiekrug: were there pictures of cake?

No pictures of cake in the messages - just spam links. However, the user had a delicious-looking cake photo for their profile picture. The profile has already been deleted so I'm afraid you've missed it. :-(

Not even a picture of cake....just the suggestion of cake, and now I'm craving...you guessed it....CAKE! There is a cupcake truck that parks on the Courthouse Square one day a week, and when I was working I could check out the front window to see if it was there. One had to be strong to resist the temptation...their combinations were utterly sinful. And about $4.00 a piece. But of course once in a while it was only right to buy something to support local business. I miss having the opportunity now that I'm not in town every day. *polishes civic responsibility medal*

>213 cbl_tn: - I miss all the good stuff... *sigh*

>214 laytonwoman3rd: - Oh, Linda, I would be making special trips into town! We have a cupcake truck in Dallas that is often parked at Klyde Warren park in downtown. It makes for a nice treat. I had cupcakes as my wedding "cake" - they were two different cake flavors with two different fillings. I'm told they were delicious - I never got any. See above about missing all the good stuff!

>215 katiekrug: They do have a physical location ... I'm thinking I may need to make a trip for Valentine's Day. I've seen cupcake wedding "cakes", and I think that's a terrific idea. But not terrific that you didn't get any of your own!! Someone should have been in charge of making sure...

Hi, Katie! I see you had some "Cake deliveries." What did you get and are you sharing?

60 pages left in Straight Man...swoons a little.

>216 laytonwoman3rd: - Valentine's Day is the perfect reason to go!

There were leftover cupcakes after the wedding, and my aunt put htem in my car at the venue and drove my car back to the hotel. But during the after-party in the hotel bar, someone went out to get something out of my car for me, and the box of cupcakes fell out and went splat in the parking lot :( I had been looking forward to bringing them on our honeymoon and stuffing my face sharing them with my beloved...

>217 msf59: - I never got the cake, Mark! Can you believe it? Rat bastards.

I am *so* pleased you are enjoying Straight Man. You are making me want to re-read it! Nobody's Fool is very good - I wish I had more time this week to enjoy it...

Oh poop, I missed the cake as well. After reading all this cupcake talk, I have decided to make chocolate cupcakes for Valentine's Day!

Hi Katie - I love lurking on your thread - always something going on!

"Rat bastards." LOL! Thanks and I needed a good guffaw...

40 pages...

>219 DeltaQueen50: - Judy, I am thinking I need some cupcakes, too....

>220 vivians: - Hi Vivian! I love it when you de-lurk :)

>221 msf59: - "Rat bastards" is a favorite insult in my family!

Ooh there was cake? Time for me to make some I think.

>223 charl08: :

>224 katiekrug: I better not get any of the chocolate on my library books or I'll be in trouble with Susan...

Have a happy weekend.

>225 charl08: - True, Charlotte. And if I'm being honest, I couldn't read while eating cake - I like to devote al my attention to it ;-)

>226 DianaNL: - Adorable, Diana! Thank you! Have a good weekend yourself.

Did I hear my name taken in v - oh no, that's fine. Carry on.

Hi Katie! Oooh, cake. I have a muffin. It's not the same though, really.

Definitely not the same, Susan, but still beats the Greek yogurt I will be having for breakfast... So tempted to treat myself, as it's Friday, and get a breakfast sandwich, but The Wayne and I are doing a marathon movie weekend, and I expect all sorts of bad-for-me things will be consumed, so Must Be Strong.

Morning, Katie! We made it to Friday!

>230 Crazymamie: - Woo hoo!

Valentine's Day plans, anyone?

The hubs and I aren't doing anything overly special or romantic, but we are planning a movie marathon tomorrow - going to see 3 movies at 3 different theaters, with stops for drinks and nibbles in between. Should be fun! We are planning to see 'Zoolander 2,' 'Hail, Caesar,' and 'Deadpool.' If we aren't movie'd out by Sunday, we'll go see a couple more :)

I love your movie weekend plans! I'm planning a whole week of movie-bingeing as I will be alone at home for the first time in YEARS!!!! My older boys are all out of the house and my husband and daughter (14) are going on her first and his 15th trip to Nicaragua to build houses in a small community there. On my list are: The Big Short, Room, Spotlight, Hail Caesar, and TV shows too. If only I didn't have to go to work! At least there will be no laundry, no cooking, no cleaning up....just the dog and me trying to stay warm. Have a wonderful weekend!

Fun plans, Katie! Enjoy : ).

>233 vivians: - Vivian, you should take that week off from work and make it a real stay-cation! That's what I do when The Wayne is at his mom's :)

>234 lit_chick: - Thanks, Nancy! Hope the movies are good - otherwise it's just an expensive outing ....

Saw the trailer for Hail Ceasar when went to see The Revenant last night. Ad made it look brilliant - love films about that period in Hollywood.

Ooh, I want to see The Revenant! That may have to go on the Maybe-Sunday list :)

>232 katiekrug: omg, I'm about to die of jealousy. A Valentines weekend movie marathon?! If only my lovely other liked movies more....he just can't sit through the 2 hours very well. (Now I know where our sons get it from).
If only he knew how awesome it would be for him to organise a babysitter had take me out to 3 movies in a row....Im sure I could find a way to repay his suffering through it ;)
Have fun!

Great weekend plans, Katie. I was thinking of going to see "Hail Caesar" this weekend. I LOVE the Coen brothers.

>238 LovingLit: - Send me his email addy and I'll drop him a hint ;-)

>239 BLBera: - Beth, we'll be seeing it around 4pm tomorrow. You should go around the same time and then it will be like we are watching it together! Sort of.

New thread's up!