Mark's Reading Place: Chapter 5

-Francine Van Hove

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

January:

1) Undermajordomo Minor by Patrick DeWitt 3.5 stars (audio)
2) The Revenant by Michael Punke 4.3 stars (E)
3) The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen 3.8 stars (E)
4) A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara 4.2 stars (audio/print)
5) Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler 3.8 stars AAC (E)
6) The Manticore by Robertson Davies 4.8 stars CAC
7) Morality Play by Barry Unsworth 4.5 stars BAC
8) Two Brothers by Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá 4.5 stars GN

February:

09) Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen 4.7 stars
10) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy 4 stars (audio)
11) Single, Carefree, Mellow by Katherine Heiny 3.8 stars
12) Eleanor by Jason Gurley 3.2 stars (audio)
13) My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout 4.2 stars (audio)
14) Straight Man by Richard Russo 4.6 stars AAC
15) Ru by Kim Thuy 3.8 stars CAC
16) The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey 4.3 stars (audio)
17) Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie 4.2 stars (audio) BAC
18) A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain: Stories by Robert Olen Butler 3.8 stars
19) The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys 4.6 stars CAC

American Author Challenge 2016

January- Anne Tyler
February- Richard Russo
March- Jane Smiley
April- Poetry Month
May- Ivan Doig
June- Annie Proulx
July- John Steinbeck
August-Joyce Carol Oates
September- John Irving
October- Michael Chabon
November- Annie Dillard
December- Don DeLillo

Mark's Picks for the AACIII: (under construction)

January- Anne Tyler- Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant Completed
February- Richard Russo- Straight Man Completed
March- Jane Smiley- Some Luck
April- Poetry Month
May- Ivan Doig
June- Annie Proulx
July- John Steinbeck
August-Joyce Carol Oates
September- John Irving
October- Michael Chabon
November- Annie Dillard
December- Don DeLillo

The General Discussion Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/209611

BRITISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE/CANADIAN AUTHOR CHALLENGE

There is no way, I'll be able to read all 4 of these Challenge authors, per month but I will select one each and try my best to bookhorn them in. There are other various Challenges going on, in '16 and I would like the chance to give one or 2 of those a chance too.

BAC:

January - SUSAN HILL & BARRY UNSWORTH -Morality Play Completed
February : Agatha Christie & William Dalrymple The Murder on the Orient Express Completed
March : Ali Smith & Thomas Hardy
April : George Eliot & Hanif Kureishi
May : Jane Gardam & Robert Goddard
June : Lady Antonia Fraser & Joseph Conrad
July : Bernice Rubens & H.G. Wells
August : Diana Wynne-Jones & Ian McEwan
September : Doris Lessing & Laurie Lee
October : Kate Atkinson & William Golding
November : Rebecca West & Len Deighton
December : WEST YORKSHIRE writers
Wildcard : Rumer Godden and George Orwell

CAC:

January: Robertson Davies, Kim Thúy- The Manticore Completed Ru Completed
February: Helen Humphreys, Stephen Leacock The Lost Garden Completed
March: Farley Mowat, Anita Rau Badami
April: Margaret Atwood, Michael Crummey
May: Michel Tremblay, Emily St. John Mandel
June: Timothy Findley, Joseph Boyden
July: LM Montgomery, Pierre Berton
August: Mordechai Richler, Gabrielle Roy
September: Miriam Toews, Dany Laferrière
October: Lawrence Hill, Jane Urquhart
November: Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Laurence
December: Alice Munro, Rawi Hage

Great bookstore photo topper, Mark. Happy new thread!

Hello? Are you open for business? Love the bookshop up top. : )

Happy New thread, Mark! Um...Blacksad is not listed in your book tally.What's up with that?

^ I can not believe it has taken me or Joe, this long to post this, but this is a sketch, of our Super Bowl Meet-up, with Joe & Co. It was done by Joe's friend Keith, who was also in attendance.

^Debbi & Becca are on the sofa, in the back. Joe is on the left, then Keith and then Me. I think I am holding a beer, but at least it is not my cell phone...

Sherlock is scampering up the stairs...

I LOVE it!!

^ How cool is that! And imagine that...you, holding a beer!! xoxo

>5 Familyhistorian: You are my first visitor, Meg. Congrats! Glad you like the bookish topper!

Happy new thread Buddy.

>1 msf59: My that is a big pencil!

Trust that you will have a wonderful Sunday.

>6 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! I am open for business, my friend. Glad you like the bookstore topper!

>7 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I was going to wait until the morning to start the new thread, but I had time tonight and thought, what the hell, right?

I normally do not post my GNs on my monthly reading list. Why? Who knows. Maybe, I thought it was more of a reading challenge, if I left them off.

>9 Berly: Yes, Kim. I was also surprised, I was captured, drinking a beer. I am going to be typecast.

I'm first? That never happens but I had to post right away as the oven timer started beeping for dinner! Love the sketch of your meet up - too funny with those cell phones in hand. I walked in to the lunch room at work the other day and it was so quiet but there were a whole table full of young gals all with heads down looking at their phones. I wonder if humans will evolve with bend over heads after many more years of this?

I love your bookish topper! Very cool! Great sketch by Keith. Really a talented artist!

Happy New Thread, Mark!

>13 Familyhistorian: Yes, you were first, Meg! A high honor around here. Grins...And yes, there should be etiquette, surrounding cell phones. Interact with the folks around you. Plenty of time for the phones later.

>14 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! Plus, Keith was an interesting guy too and he is a reader. He is one of US!!

>15 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl! Chatty this morning, aren't you? Grins...

Straight Man has been on my TBR shelf for more than 15 years. I've read and enjoyed other Russo since, particularly Interventions, so perhaps it is time I pluck it off and read it!

I need to go back and read your thoughts on My Name is Lucy Barton. I finished it about a week ago and had similar thoughts as Joanne.

I am now reading Bettyville. Fell asleep during last night's debate (not sure how I could do that with all the shouting) and then got up and went to bed. So I am up early for a Sunday - yippee for quiet reading time!

Happy New thread, Mark
Love Keith's picture. How cool is that?!
I really like the bookstore topper.

>17 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy! Good to see you. I hope you do pluck Straight Man off the shelf, I truly loved that one. I have not heard of Interventions. Will have to seek out.
I did not review Lucy Barton...yet. I liked it quite a bit but it is no Olive. Bettyville sounds interesting. Let me know how it goes.

>18 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! Glad you like the sketch and the topper. I think I used that topper before, a couple years ago. It was time, to bring it back out.

And thanks for the beer. I could use that later.

Happy new one, friend!

>16 msf59: Right! I wanted to get an early start on the threads, since I'll be mostly offline today.

>20 scaifea: Thanks, Amber! Happy Sunday!

>21 kidzdoc: Enjoy your Sunday, my friend.

Happy Valentine's Day, Mark!

Happy New Thread and Happy Valentine's Day, Mark. I hope it's filled with R&R.

>23 Crazymamie: Love it, Mamie! Thanks!

>24 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday.

We are going brewery hopping, this afternoon, with my beer-loving kids. It should be fun.

>1 msf59: Love the all bookish threadtoppers!

>8 msf59: I didn't imagine this for Super Bowl meet-up ;-)

>26 FAMeulstee: Happy Sunday, Anita! Glad you like the toppers! I guess this is how, book geeks, watch the Super Bowl. LOL.

"That memory definitely explains why I never leave a place with more than one suitcase, I take only books. Nothing else can become truly mine."

"My children have given me the exclusive power to blow on a wound to make the pain disappear, to understand words unpronounced, to possess the universal truth, to be a fairy. A fairy smitten with the way they smell."

-Ru

I just finished this and I was quite enchanted, by her original voice. The constant shift of time and place, made it a bit choppy but the beauty of the writing, saved the day. This is a quick read but packs in volumes. Another lovely author discovery, thanks to Ilana.

>28 msf59: Too many good books!! Ahhhhh! It's always trouble when I come over here, which I wouldn't do if I didn't like you so much. : ) Happy brewery hopping.

>29 Berly: Glad to see the love, Kimmers! LOL. That is one of the joys, of these various challenges, is stumbling upon new authors and authors that end up, really ringing your bells.

Do you guys get out and do any brewery hopping? You live in one of the best brew towns, in the country. Just sayin'...

Wow, I don't usually make it over to a new thread this quickly. Happy New Thread, Mark! Great to see another fan of Run!

Happy new thread. Great thread toppers!

>8 msf59: Love it!

Happy Valentine's Day to you and MrsMark!

Happy Valentine's Day, Mark. Love the bookstore at the top.

Are you watching DA tonight?

>31 Thebookdiva: Happy Sunday, Abby! Love the image!

>32 lkernagh: Good to see you, Lori! Hope you had a good weekend. Happy Valentine's Day!

>34 Storeetllr: Happy Sunday, Mary! Love the Gaiman greeting!

>35 lindapanzo: Thanks, Linda! Hope you had a fine Sunday. We just got back from our brewery adventure. Had fun but the roads were bad. Glad to be home.

Yes, we plan on watching DA.

^This was our first stop: Hailstorm Brewery. A mighty fine place. My wife, daughter and ex-MIL had beer flights. I had a pint of a tasty IPA. Unfortunately, we were having snow, so the roads were bad. We made it home safe & sound. The End!

>37 msf59: At first I read the above post and thought you said "beer fights". Lol...I'm tired.

A little late to the party on the other thread, but I loved The Girl with All the Gifts - there were some bits about the end that creeped me out a little, when you finish I might ask you what you thought of those particular bits. But I can wait. I'm patient.

Well. Have you finished it yet?

Happy Valentine's Day Mark!

>8 msf59: wonderful carton! So you were all reading your ebooks? Or posting about the event? ;)

And the valentines day thing, my impression is that people give valentines to their valentine, but it seems to me that in the US everyone gives a valentines to someone just to be nice, without the romantic sentiment?
*still learning your customs*

>34 Storeetllr: How apropos! Just read Gaiman for the first time Friday-Saturday: The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel. Clever, clever story.

Yo Mark! I've only 40 pages to go in Empire Falls; hope to finish before lights out. Excellent book. First Russo, but I now have four others on the shelves, having scored a hardcover copy of Straight Man for $2 at the library, where I signed out the Gaiman (and three other books).

>8 msf59: I saw that cartoon over on Joe's thread and I immediately recognized Joe, Debbi, and you. Such a great drawing! It definitely made me smile.

I see that you are reading A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain. I bought a used copy of that recently and will look forward to your comments (and, perhaps, recommendation).

Today P and I went to the Seattle Art Museum to see the very interesting exhibit of Keninde Wiley's art. Then we went to the Pike Pub in the market and shared a sampler of Pike ales. Very tasty.

Happy Valentine's Day, my friend!

That was quite an action packed DA tonight, wasn't it?

Good morning, Mark. Wishing you a great start into the new week.

Wow - 44 posts, and I swear I barely missed a day. I love the cartoon, beautifully done.

Your topper is so beautiful - something about the darkness around the bookshop that makes it even more tempting.

Glad you enjoyed Ru. For me so far one of the highlights of the challenge reading. I am hoping Man turns up at the library soon.

^Happy President's Day! This also means I have the day off. Yippee! We did get a few inches of snow yesterday, so I will be shoveling. Boo!

Speaking of presidents, for quite a few years, pre-LT, I was knocking out a lot of presidential bios. I read the first eleven and about twenty total. I would like to get this kick-started one of these days. It would be nice to read a bio, on every one, except "W"...kidding.

>38 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne! No beer fights, only beer love. LOL.

>39 The_Hibernator: Thanks, for the Valentine's Day wishes, Rachel. I have about 2 hours left, on the audio, of The Girl with All the Gifts, so I am getting close. I really like it.

>40 LovingLit: Hi, Megan! Honestly, no one was really on their phones much, during the game. I know I wasn't. We did chatter a lot, though.

I am not a fan of Valentine's Day and we don't celebrate it. It is definitely a Hallmark holiday. We are able to show our love and appreciation, in other ways.

>41 weird_O: Hi, Bill! Hooray for your first Gaiman! You should find time, to read the actual Graveyard Book novel. It is very special and remains my favorite. I also liked the GN.
So glad, you liked Empire Falls and you should also love Straight Man.

>42 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! I hope you had a nice weekend. I like that sketch too. It captured the setting. I did not start A Good Scent yesterday, as planned. Pesty distractions. I will start it today, for sure.
The Art Museum and Pike Pub, sound like the perfect way to spend a Sunday.

>43 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! Yes, we liked DA. Some of the storylines are getting tiresome but at least Daisy wasn't irritating and the "hospital" business, is over...or at least we hope.

>44 Ameise1: Big Waves to Barb! I have the day off today, for the holiday. Smiles...

>45 charl08: Hi, Charlotte! Glad you like the topper. It has become a popular one. There is no question, what they sell, at this store. Grins...

I would also like to read "Man". She does have an original voice.

>48 msf59: :-) grins. Enjoy it.

Happy Monday, Mark! I suspect it will be for you, since you have the day off, no?

>49 Ameise1: >50 scaifea: Thanks, Barb & Amber! I have a few things going this morning, including snow-shoveling but I am leaving the afternoon open, for the books.

Morning, Mark! We usually don't do anything for Valentine's Day, either - yesterday we all went out to eat together, but that was more about everyone being available than about the particular day. Enjoy your Monday off!

Good morning, Mark!

We're back in town and Debbi was aces last night performing her story.

I'm still enjoying Martian Time-Slip - hadn't realized autism and schizophrenia, both of which interest me, were so integral to the story. Sleeper was good, and now I'll see whether the library has the omnibus. I'm also reading the GN Where is Jake Ellis, while trying to track down the first one.

Hope it goes well today; we're warming up a bit, so that helps.

>47 msf59: Chiming in to agree that the regular version of The Graveyard Book is worth reading. I read it aloud to two of my kids too.

Not really caught up, Mark, but current in chapter 5! Lots of good book ideas here. I hope you weren't too frozen on the days you worked this last week - so good to have today off, isn't it?

>52 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! We celebrated our Valentine's Day at a brewery, so all was good. It is our Happy Place.

I am have been running around all morning and haven't cracked a book, but I just put on a pot of chili, in the slow-cooker and it is now time for some R & R.

>53 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Hooray for Debbi and her amazing story-telling skills. One day, I will have to experience that pleasure.

I am off today, for the holiday. Had a busy morning but my afternoon, is reserved for the books.

>54 Oberon: Hi, Erik! Good to see you, sir! I remember you being a fan of, The Graveyard Book and I could only imagine it being perfect for the kids. If you ever get a chance to hear Gaiman narrating the audiobook, do so. It is wonderful.

>55 ffortsa: Hi, Judy! Good to see you. Glad you are partially caught up. LOL. It was definitely cold last week, but without snow & ice, it made it much more tolerable. We may hit 50, by the end of the week. Nice!!

>57 msf59: I had not realized that Gaiman himself did the narration for The Graveyard Book. That sounds wonderful.

>46 msf59: Happy President's Day, Mark! Have a lovely day off, after that hopefully quickly done snow shoveling chore, I mean.

>41 weird_O: Loved The Graveyard Book, both the audio read by Neil himself and the GN. My personal favorite Gaiman is Neverwhere (he also read that audio too), though I have enjoyed all of his books I've read, some more than others, but still all good reads.

>58 Oberon: Like, Mary mentioned, Gaiman has narrated a number of his books. He has the perfect voice.

>59 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! I am having a good afternoon. A bit sleepy and lazy, as I make my way through A Good Scent.
Yes, we sure love our Gaiman, don't we? I need to bookhorn in his last story collection, which I have saved on audio.

I've had a lazy day. Just finished my Zane Grey Western. Didn't like the first half at all but then it really picked up and, in the end, I loved it.

"In my village you ran from a ghost because if he wants you, he can reach into that chest of yours and pull out not only your heart but your soul as well."

-A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain. I am enjoying this collection. I did not realize these were Vietnamese stories. A nice segue from, Ru. Totally unplanned. Happy Accidents.

>17 alphaorder: I really enjoyed Bettyville!

>61 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! Sounds like you are having a fine day. I read Riders of the Purple Sage, a couple years ago and have not quite recovered. LOL. It was BAD. I remember liking some of his stuff as a kid, so maybe I will try something else, one of these days.

>64 msf59: At times, I thought I was reading a romance, not a Western. LOL.

>62 msf59: I really liked Good Scent when I read it back in '92.

>63 Dianekeenoy: Hi, Diane! More Bettyville love! Those nudges keep piling on.

>65 lindapanzo: Old Zane liked his "purple prose" didn't he?

>66 alphaorder: Good to know, Nancy. Thanks! Have you read any of his other work? I have not.

I have Bettyville in my TBR stacks, just waiting for me to get to it. A person always needs a certain number of TBR's to be comfortable!

I missed an entire thread? How did that happen?

Love the Super Bowl sketch!

>68 vancouverdeb: Howdy, Tonto! Remember me? Grins...

>69 bell7: Hi, Mary! Good to see you. Yes, things have been moving pretty fast on the Mighty 75, as of late.
Glad you like. The sketch. He did a good job.

Good morning Mark.

>62 msf59: How lovely to go from Ru to another Vietnamese read.

Hope your day treats you well.

>71 Ameise1: Happy Wednesday, Barb! Are you still on vacation?

>72 charl08: Hi, Charlotte! Yes, we love those bookish Happy Accidents! I'll be walking through a bit of snow today but things will be warming up this week and I am looking forward to it.

Morning, Mark! We're getting more snow here this morning, but I'm hoping it won't amount to much...

Fingers crossed, Amber! 50s on Friday! Yippee!!

Good morning, Mark :0) I've been collecting books for the presidential challenge for awhile now, but I don't feel inclined to get started on it. Maybe I need to dedicate an entire year just reading, what are we on 43?, all of them in order. *sigh*
Here's to warmer temps on the horizon!

>76 msf59: Woot!

Morning, Mark! It's warming up here, too - more than I'd like. *sigh* High 60s to mid 70s this week. Somebody forgot to tell Georgia that it's February.

Good Tuesday morning, Mark! I hope that it's warmer in Chicagoland as it is here in the Peach State.

>73 msf59: Ha, will be in Davos until the 27th.

Good morning, Mark!

I like that unplanned segue from Ru to Good Scent, too. I've wondered about Good Scent for a while now. I look forward to your report when you're done with it.

Martian Time-Slip was a good 'un. Now I'm starting Jackaby, one Ms. Becca liked and lent to me. I also managed to misplace my Kindle in the unexpected events last week; hope it turns up soon.

Have a good one - t'aint bad out there.

>77 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! Personally, I think trying to read all the presidents, all at once, is a hefty challenge. Start with 2 or 3 a year. You'll eventually make a sizable dent.

>79 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Wow! 60s &'70s, oh my! I prefer a gradual warm up, but I am so looking forward to Spring.

>80 kidzdoc: Hi, Darryl. I do not think we will as warm as Georgis. It's only in the 30s but 50 by Friday .yeah, baby!

>81 Ameise1: Wow, Barb! You take some nice vacations.

>82 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Yes, not bad out here at all and the sunshine really helps.
I think you would like A Good Scent.

Uh-oh! I hope you find your Kindle. Fingers crossed.

^ I started Murder on the Orient Express. I can not believe how much fun I am having with it. The audio is terrific. It feels like I am listening to a quality radio program, but with one talented narrator, (David Suchet). I have read very little Christie and nothing in 20-plus years. My Mother was a fan but I failed to listen to her, way back when. Hey, never to late, Ma!

Dan Stevens, from DA, also narrates one of the newer versions. That could also be good.

#82
I have heard good things about Jackaby. I just started House of Shattered Wings for the last part of Fantasy February. So far it is very good. I am thinking that perhaps it is translated from French, but haven't investigated to find out for sure.

Good morning, Mark. Yes, I'm a lucky lady to have such a long vacation. Oh, I love Murder on the Orient Express. It was the first Agatha Christie I read when I was YOUNG.

>86 benitastrnad: I has Jackaby on my radar at one point and it had disappeared. Back on...

>87 Ameise1: Happy vacation, Barb! Orient Express has definitely inspired me to try more of her work.

Morning, Mark! I'm happy to see that you're liking the Christie! It was the first of hers I read, years ago, and I loved it.

Morning Amber! I was expecting the Christie, to be a bit dated but it actually remains fresh and the characters are a hoot.

I will have to revisit the '70s film, which I remember loving.

Morning, Mark! Rae and I both love Murder on the Orient Express - both the book and the movie. Look at you reading Christie!

Good morning, Mark!

Yay for Dame Agatha and Murder on the Orient Express! I've always found her a good read, and that one's a standout. One of my sisters collected a bunch of them, which I got to read, and now daughter Becca has collected each and every one of them.

I'm having a fine time with Jackaby, so I'll keep you posted. My GN is Where is Jake Ellis, the follow-up to Who is Jake Ellis. Both have really grabbed me.

Enjoy the sunny (so far, anyway) day. Warmer weather's on its way I hear.

>91 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Once again the challenges bearded fruit. I hope this kick-starts me into reading more Christie, although series fiction is always the most difficult thing to keep up on, in our bookish world.

>92 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Cool out here, but all the sunshine feels nice. 40 tomorrow. Grins...

Jackaby does sound good and so does those GNs. I will keep an eye out.

The great thing about Christie is that there is really no need to read them in any particular order.

>94 Crazymamie: I found the same thing, too. Thanks to LT, at least I can see which ones I've missed over the years, going back to about 1972. I'm thinking I've probably read all the Poirot books and all the Miss Marple ones, too, but very few of the others.

Enjoy, Mark. I think there was a movie. At any rate, this was a particular favorite. It's also become a shorthand for a particular kind of mystery, too. (People might refer to another mystery as a "Murder on the Orient Express type plot") I try not to do it though one I read recently was of that kind.

Hope you're enjoying the sunny day today. Close to 60 by the weekend, I hear. Woo-hoo.

I had a lot of fun with Jackaby! Loved the premise and some of the characters were absolutely great! I read it on my Kindle. The second book in the series, Beastly Bones, didn't work as well for me, but I think part of it was that I listened to it on audio. It was okay, just not as good as the first. Anyway, I will be continuing with the series as soon as the third book comes out, which I hope will be soon.

Hope your nice weather continues! We're in the high 60s today, and tomorrow's supposed to be in the 70s! What? Where am I, and what happened to February?

Great photo of Murder on The Orient Express. I've not seen a movie , but I think I have read nearly every book by Agatha Christie when I was younger.

>94 Crazymamie: >95 lindapanzo: I finished Murder on the Orient Express today. It was terrific on audio. Grand entertainment. I will be reading more Christie.

>95 lindapanzo: The film version of Murder on the Orient Express came out in '74. A lush production with a killer cast. Albert Finney as Poirot. I will have to see it again. And yes, Linda, I am looking forward to that warm-up.

>96 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Good to see you. I also see, that the Jackaby love continues. I will keep my eye out for it.

I have no problem, chugging through February. We will get closer to Spring that way...

^Nothing like free, new, books in the mail. Can you say sweet? I think I will have a beer...

The Vegetarian was from ER. I think Dodgers was from Shelf Awareness. I had also requested it from this month's ER but that request is now cancelled.

Anyone hear any buzz on these books?

**Also in the photo, are my daily book calendar, (thank you, Mary) and just behind the beer glass is my legendary Nano, recharging, for tomorrow's audio activities.

Mark, I am so glad that you enjoyed your Agatha Christie read. She is a go-to author for me when I need a pick-me-up. And David Suchet is the perfect Hercule Poirot!

Dodgers you say? Awesome. I want to hear about that one.



Hmm. The book's cover photo doesn't look like Flatbush, though.

>99 msf59: Free books? Sounds good to me Mark. Wishing you good reading.

>99 msf59: Hi Mark. I just finished The Vegetarian. I can't wait to see what you think about it.

>97 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! It has been many years but I remember loving the film version of Murder on the Orient Express. Have you ever thought about revisiting Dame Christie?

>100 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! I am going to try and read more Christie. Glad you like David Suchet. I think I may have heard him before but he does an excellent job on Orient Express.

>101 kidzdoc: Not those Dodgers, silly! This one looks like a gritty gang tale, set in L.A. Looking forward to it. You might like The Vegetarian.

>102 charl08: Yes, you can't beat free books, Charlotte, especially the type, that show promise, like these both do.

>103 Dianekeenoy: Hi, Dianne! I hope you liked it. How did you get a copy? an ARC?

>103 Dianekeenoy: Mark, I liked it a lot! I had requested it from the library. They send me an email with all the new books they're ordering and I put the ones that catch my interest on hold. I had no idea this was a zombie book. I never read zombie books, no interest at all. By the time I realized this was a zombie book, it was too late, I was hooked!

Dodgers is not about baseball?! What good is it?

I'm going to start The Boys of Summer soon.

>105 Dianekeenoy: I did not know it was a zombie book either, Diane! LOL. I like going in, knowing very little...this is my standard operating procedure. I am very glad to hear you liked it. Grins...

>106 lindapanzo: I can take or leave the Dodgers, Linda but a gritty, hard-hitting tale about gangs in L.A. Just my cuppa.

I heard Schwarber broke a windshield, with a home run today. I LOVE it!

>107 msf59: I put up my annual spring training thread at: https://www.librarything.com/topic/219327

Heard about Schwarber. Off to a good start.

Sweet Thursday! Last work day of the week and the temps begin to climb. In the 50s tomorrow.

I am still working my way through A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain. I am liking it, well enough, but true love is elusive. Since I finished the delightful Orient Express, I am starting Shattered, on audio. Nice to back with Atticus & Oberon and this will also fit in well with FF.

Morning, Mark! Last work day of the week sounds good to me. Our temperatures will begin to climb in the weekend, now it's just cold.

>108 lindapanzo: I will stop by, Linda. Thanks. Go Schwarber! Go Schwarber! Go Cubbies!

>110 DianaNL: Hi, Diana! Every 5 weeks, my days off match up and I get a 3 day weekend. Nothing much planned, but that is okay too.

Morning, Mark! Horray for your early weekend! I love it when that happens.

Morning, Mark! Have you dusted off your shorts yet?

Morning, Mark! I had not heard of The Vegetarian, but it sounds like I need to track it down.

*edited to fix the touchstone

>113 scaifea: Ha! It's the Chicago way. I have no doubt we'll be seeing people in shorts this weekend, as it gets up into the 50s.

Good morning, Mark! I had a good time with Jackaby, and you'll be glad to hear Winterdance is up next. Looking forward to it.

Oh yeah - Sweet Thursday, buddy! Have a good one today.

>112 Thebookdiva: Morning, Abby! Good to see you!

>113 scaifea: Morning, Amber! No dusting off the shorts yet but I should at least take a peek. LOL.

>114 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I heard a little buzz on The Vegetarian. I heard it is strange and challenging, so that might be my cuppa.

>115 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I am off the weekend, so I won't be able to appreciate the warmer temps but I did hear it will be very windy, so that could spoil it some.
I requested Jackaby from the library. I have no willpower.

>85 msf59: Mark, you really should listen to your Mom more, lol! I love Christie--glad you are discovering her...finally. ; ) The audio version sounds excellent.

I miss my Mom, Kimmers! She was a big reader and was a big influence on me, becoming a reader. I remember her handing me The Exorcist, Jaws and Carrie. No wonder, I like my books dark!

Wow! Yes, those are awesome reads. My Mom is a big reader, too, and as a kid I used to go to her bookshelves and read all sorts of things...probably some of which were a tad mature for my age, but I loved them!

>118 msf59: Ah, your mom helped start it all for our favorite warbler. She handed you fun, exciting ones to read - wise woman. Plus inspiration for liking your books dark. Ha!

Hope your day is going well, Mark.

I've put a hold at the library on The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. I hope to have it in a few days. Maybe I'll re - visit The Grand Dame of Mystery. My grandparents has a basement filled with Agatha Christie, so I read lots of her books back when I was young. But it would be interesting to read one many years later.

>119 Berly: >120 jnwelch: I would also read Taylor Caldwell, Victoria Holt, (do you remember them?) with her and sneak in an occasional Harold Robbins. Pretty steamy for a young teenager. My Mom also loved horror books, of all ilk. Did I say, I missed her?

>121 Ameise1: Day went well, Barb! Thanks. Now, I can enjoy a 3-day weekend.

>122 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! Ellen loved The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, so I am going to see if I can find that one on audio. I do have a 4-book compilation, on shelf, that includes that title. I bet I have had that one, for 20-plus years.

I love that you read Victoria Holt, Mark! Assuming we are talking about the same one - sort of Gothic-y romantic suspense novels?

>124 katiekrug: Yes, Katie, that Victoria Holt! LOL. My Mom loved her. I doubt I read more than 2 or 3 but I am sure I liked them. I think I preferred Caldwell, though, because she ran a little deeper.

Finished Winterdance prompted by your warbling and I was right there with him on the sled flying by the seat of my pants and eating those 5 breakfasts in a row. Thanks for the book enthusiasm! Alaska must be so beautiful.

Good morning. Enjoy your long weekend, Mark.

Hey, Mark, the best kind of Friday is a Friday without work! Enjoy the day, my friend.

I'm reading Evil Under the Sun and liking it but I've not had the time to read it at a long stretch. I could finish it in a day if I could. I have Ackroyd on my stack to read later this year. Excited per Ellen's praises.
Started Beautiful Ruins too but ....again time issue.

Happy Friday! 3-day weekend. Happy Camper!

>126 mdoris: Hi, Mary! I am so glad you enjoyed Winterdance. What a great surprise, that book was. We went on an Alaskan cruise and bus-toured, down from Fairbanks, so we did see some of the magnificent interior but nothing of the rugged wilderness, Paulsen depicted.

>127 Ameise1: Happy Friday, Barb! Looking forward to the weekend. Not much planned but that is okay with me.

>128 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! I am taking my daughter to breakfast and then the airport this morning and then it looks to be an R & R afternoon. Hooray, for Dame Christie and I hope you find time to hunker down with Beautiful Ruins.

Morning, Mark! Hooray for a three day weekend!

-Chiang Mai Province

^My daughter leaves this morning, for a trip to Thailand. Her first time to Asia. I have never been. She will spend a couple days in the Bangkok area and then take a train north to the Chiang Mai Province. This is a beautiful mountainous region and she will get to go an elephant training camp.
She will be with a friend for the first half of the trip and then solo, for the remainder. This makes us a bit nervous but she is a smart, capable, young woman. I wish I was tagging along. I NEED a mountain fix.

>132 msf59: Keeping her in my thoughts, Mark, and wishing her safe travels.

>132 msf59: Ha! You changed the photo while I was posting - that was surreal!

>130 DianaNL: Happy Friday, Diana! That was exactly the face I made, when I woke up this morning. LOL.

>131 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Not much planned for the weekend, so that should give me plenty of time with the books. Smiles...

>134 Crazymamie: LOL! It looked a little blurry, so I swapped it with another one.

Gorgeous picture.

Great that you are being so supportive about your daughter's plans. As someone who has travelled in various places around the world by myself, she'll have a great time. It's amazing the people you meet amd get to talk to when you're travelling on your own.

Happy Friday!

Well, both of them were beautiful. It was just weird because when I hit the post message button, the photo changed as my message posted. SO funny!

>137 charl08: Her friend, who is also a family member, is a travel junkie, so she knows the ropes and will guide Bree through it all. We have new apps on our phones, (whatsapp) so we will be able to text each other, through the whole trip. Bree is very friendly, so she should be able to team up with a nice group of people.

>138 Crazymamie: Now, I added another photo. Jeez...

Morning, Mark!

>132 msf59: Chiang Mai Province is beautiful. My sister and her son visit that place frequently. I've seen such gorgeous photos. Wishing your daughter a fantastic time. How long will she be there?

>140 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>141 Ameise1: She'll be there, about 10 days total. If you don't mind, ask your sister, what her favorite thing or things , to do in the north, were? And I'll pass them onto Bree.

Wil try to catch her. When I get some news I'll report it to you.

Thanks, Barb! You are the best!

Happy Friday, Mark!

Our friend Gary just tried bicycling with the team to disastrous effect in Winterdance. :-) I enjoy his humility. What a patient and understanding wife Ruth is.

Thailand is wonderful and the people are very warm and friendly. The food is also amazing! I'm sure Bree will have a wonderful time.

Morning, Joe! Happy Friday! Did you see my report on Bree up there? Exciting!

"What a patient and understanding wife Ruth is." LOL. I thought that all the way through the book. I hope you keep enjoying it. It is a helluva read!

Leaving shortly for the airport...

>147 msf59: That trip for Bree sounds great, Mark. Exciting is right! I've always wanted to visit Thailand.

I am off today too! A publishing friend gave my husband a bag of ARCs to hand over today me yesterday, so I am thinking of starting Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.

Happy Friday, Mark! A wish for safe travels and a fabulous experience go out to your daughter.

Bree has been deposited safely, to the airport, by good old Dad. Her flight leaves at noon, with a stop in Tokyo.

>148 jnwelch: She was just bursting with excitement, Joe. "I can't believe it!" "I can't believe it!"

>149 alphaorder: Happy Long Weekend, Nancy! And hooray for a "a bag of ARCs". Any other gems in there?

>150 kidzdoc: Thanks, Darryl! Have you been to Thailand?

>151 msf59: No, Mark. My travels have been limited to North America and Western Europe.

Not as exciting as Thailand, but the Richard Russo I ordered from the library finally turned up today!

>151 msf59:

Basically women's fiction, including the forthcoming Louise Edrich and Jennifer Haigh. Curious isn't hitting me right today, So I am likely to try one of the others.

After I drop off a trunk load of things at Goodwill. Already walked the dog, did yoga, cleaned the kitchen and packed up the car. I deserve to sit a spell with a book, I think.

>153 charl08: Hey, finally snagging the Russo is big news!! Which one, again?

>154 alphaorder: Sounds like you have been busy, Nancy! Pull up a chair and crack open a book. I am about to...

Look forward to your thoughts on the new Erdrich.

While at my chiropractor's office, the good doctor asked me immediately, for some book recommendations. He was in a slump. We chatted briefly about Tony Hillerman, James Lee Burke, Carl Hiaasen & Tim Dorsey and then I remembered he liked outdoorsy books. Of course, I started describing Winterdance. After, a minute he said. "Wait a minute, I have to write that one down." As he scribbled, I just grinned.

The Warble Wizard strikes again...

Hi Mark, coming over to leave a Mark on your no-longer-new thread. Better late than never, right?

>85 msf59: I love David Suchet, but and have listened to him narrate a few Poirot mysteries, but I must tell you that I've found Dan Stevens to be an outstanding narrator and he quite knocked me off my feet with his narration of Murder on the Orient Express (I've listened to both versions, and I wouldn't hesitate to give his version another listen). His characterisations are just amasing, and I now look out for anything released by him. I wasn't a great fan of him on DA and would have never suspected him of having such a great talent as a narrator, but you really must give him a try! I've gotten his versions of Homer's The Iliad and Odyssey and I'm really looking forward to listening to both!

Wishing you a great weekend ahead!

Hope your daughter has a great time in Thailand. My niece lives in Chiangmai (her husband is Thai) and she loves it. Her husband is from one of the hill tribes to the north of the country and he organises the sort of trek that your daughter is going on.

LOVE the sketch from your Super Bowl Meet-up.
Of COURSE you're holding a beer.

I've only read a couple of Agatha Christie's books. Maybe I need to see what my library has with David Suchet narrating.

One of my goals this year is to read more of the classic mysteries. I've loved the Sherlock Holmes that I have read as well as the Christie books.

Traveling Mercies for your daughter - what an adventure.

>157 Smiler69: Hi, Ilana. Good to see you. I did notice that Dan Stevens did the narration of Orient Express and was curious about the job he would do. Well, now I know, thanks. It was really nice getting reacquainted with Dame Christie.

>158 SandDune: Hi, Rhian. What a coincidence about your niece living in Chaing Mae. It looks like a beautiful area. What does your niece do there?

Hi Mark! I've never read Christie but am being persuaded by your comments... (otherwise known as "warbling")! But.....I generally hate reading series out of order. Did you find that you lost something chronologically by just picking the few you've read? I think the Poirot series has more than 30 entries. Hope you have a great weekend!

*sigh*

Sure, I'll just sit here in the corner all by my lonesome, ignored and unloved....

;-)

Hi, Mark! Hope you're enjoying the start of your 3-day weekend! Other than being blown about like a leaf on the gale-force winds.

So, yeah, you nailed it with The Queen of the Tearling. I just finished it last night (this morning) and enjoyed it a lot. Yeah, there were a few issues, like the way it veered between slightly angsty YA to something a lot more grittily adult ~ and what the heck was "The Crossing?" ~ but I'm hoping some of these are dealt with in the second book, which I will be requesting from the library asap. BTW, the reader's (Katherine Kellgren) performance was fantastic and is part of what made me enjoy it so much. Not sure reading it in print would have been as enjoyable.

>156 msf59: Was that mid massage Mark, or did he at least wait until the end of the appointment? Either way, impressive work.

The Russo is the memoir, called On Helwig Street here.

>160 msf59: She runs a project for the charity HelpAge International. She's worked in several countries in South-East Asia but has been pretty settled in ChiangMai for a while as she has two fairly young children now.

>146 katiekrug: >162 katiekrug: Aw, shucks, Katie! I missed my pal, up there! I was sure I responded. Sighs...Don't be lonesome & unloved.

Glad to know you enjoyed Thailand so much. Looking forward to Bree's dispatches.

>147 msf59: Happy Friday, Vivian! Good to see you. I like reading series fiction, in order too but I heard it didn't really matter in the Christie pantheon. I did not have any problem dipping into Orient Express. Warble, Warble...

>163 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Fortunately, I am off today, so I do not have to deal with the gale-force winds. It is really howling out there at the moment. I think I will have a beer...

I am so glad you liked The Queen of the Tearling. I read them both in ebook but glad to hear it worked well on audio. The 3rd one comes out, in October or November. My wife, daughter and co-worker, all loved the first 2, also.

>164 charl08: Yes, it was mid-adjustment, Charlotte. LOL. Glad you liked the Chiropractor Meets the Warbler story. I like Happy Endings.

I have not heard of that Russo. Must investigate...

>165 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian. I wish there was a way for my daughter to connect with her.

^A Literary Giant has just left the building...and what a footprint, she has left behind.

I have been considering rereading TKAM, (I heard the audio, with Sissy Spacek, is wonderful) and then teaming it up with Go Set a Watchman, (just to get it out the way). Now, I will make it happen. I have both saved on audio. Anyone else up for it? Say, in a month or so?

YES - the audio by Sissy Spacek is AMAZING! She nails all the nuances of the different versions of southern accents among the various social and cultural groups.

>159 SuziQoregon: Now, I missed you up there as well, Juli! I am having a tough day. Good to see you, my friend.

We had a terrific Meet-Up! Great company- Great beer. I will be in Oregon, at the end of June. My niece is having her first baby. I hope I can put together a Meet-up.

I am with you, on reading more classic mysteries. It seems to be a chore fitting those in.

I can not wait to hear the Spacek narration. Did you ever try Go Set a Watchman?

Sounds like it isn't really a day off you are having. Sorry about that.

>170 msf59: No I've decided I'm content to let TKAM be her only complete finished book.

Fabulous trip for Bree! I feel your anxiety! Back when William , our younger son was 19 , he decided to travel to Hong Kong with his now wife and her family. It made me quite anxious and I made him call me here at home as soon as he landed and I made up a code " Coke" if all was well, and " Rootbeer " if things were not good and he needed his mom to rescue him. He really rolled his eyes at my " code system. " LOL! After he went at least once a year and more, I realized he was a capable young man. No one messes with my sons, I tell you Mark! Now he and his wife are off to Europe this summer - London, Paris and somewhere in the Italy. They are going airbnb. As you might expect I asked them are you sure you won't be murdered in your beds with this dicey air bnb scheme? I think I scared my daughter in law a bit, but not my son, who rolled his eyes at me. The two of them are off to Hong Kong in early March to Hong Kong as well. I've become sort of used to it!;) LOL!

Now our power went out. Not surprising with these howling winds.

Time to go out for dinner and I am sure beer will be involved, at some point.

>175 msf59: Good plan

I'm with Juli about being fine with only reading TKAM.

The circumstances related to the other book are too murky, as far as I'm concerned. And on top of that, the mixed reviews warn me away.

>168 msf59: Hi Mark. I have been beside myself because I can't find my book, The Nightingale Next Door about Harper Lee. I bought it from the bookstore in her hometown along with Go Set a Watchman. Then we had to run out to move our nephew to his first apartment. I get home and find out Harper Lee has died. I'm just bereft...and still can't find that book.

Sorry to hear that you lost your power, but happy that you are on your way out to dinner. It is wicked windy and rainy here today. I am trying to decide whether I can skip Poppy's walk or not. I'm not sure I can bear walking in the rain and wind for the third day in a row. Not sure I can bear to make my husband do the walk tonight if I don't do my afternoon walk. oh dear. I do want to stay inside and down my tea and read my nice cozy mystery.

Be safe, Mark. I think the winds are supposed to die down soon.

Wow, Harper Lee and Umberto Eco on the same day.

>171 alphaorder: Nancy, I had a good day off, despite a couple snafus. The rest of the weekend should be perfect.

>172 SuziQoregon: >177 katiekrug: I have also been waffling about Go Set a Watchman, but I might as well just knock it out and be done with it. I agree, with Katie, about the murky circumstances.

>173 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! I love all the parental concerns. LOL. My wife will probably be a basket case, especially if she doesn't hear enough updates. I am nervous too, no question, but I also have faith in the dear daughter.

>174 michigantrumpet: Hi, Marianne! The Lady Dowager speaks!!

>176 SuziQoregon: It was an excellent plan, Juli! And once we got home, after sampling some fine ale, the power was back on. Hooray!

>178 Dianekeenoy: I hope you find your copy of The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee , Diane. I also have that one on the To-Read list. I have heard good things.

>179 vancouverdeb: The wind has died down here, Deb. Whew! We had a very nice dinner and then went to a superb brew pub. We only had a couple, but it really hit the spot.

>180 lindapanzo: The wind is much better, Linda, but I still hear it out there. Ruined a perfectly mild day.

Did not hear that, about Umberto Eco. I have never read him.

Took the dog for a walk after dark , just now Mark. As a mom, I can handle the night time boogey men :) But my sons! ;) Maybe I read too many mysteries?

It was a beautiful day down here. I spent it indoors getting ready to teach a weekend college class that came in a 5:00 p.m. and stayed until 7:00 p.m. I am tired as the whole week has been like that. Busy!

Tonight I am at Barnes & Noble winding down the evening and one of the students who spends a great deal of time in the library came up to my table and thanked (THANKED!) me for being such a help to all the students in her cohort. I almost cried, as lately work has been such a b____, with all the backstabbing, snipping, and carping about various things. I have felt terrible this last week about my job and life in general. It was nice to hear something good for a change.

The library just got in the entire set of Kevin Hearne titles. Starting with the first one Hounded. That will be lots of summer reading for me. ... And I hope for some of the library patrons.

>93 msf59: Good to hear that you are finally listening to your mother! Christie is really good which is probably why her books are translated into umpteen languages. She wrote lots of stand alone mysteries as well as the ones with known detectives. I read a stand alone Endless Night for the challenge.

Happy long weekend. I will be off even longer as I have this coming week off - time to try to catch up with my life. I can really use that! Kicked it off with dinner with co-workers at an Indonesian restaurant in honour of Chinese New Year. Now sitting sipping wine and trying to make a dent in my LT backlog!

>182 msf59: Good morning, Mark. I love Umberto Ecco's books. He was a great author. I will miss him.

>183 vancouverdeb: Hope you had a nice night stroll with Poppy and did not run into any boogeymen, Deb.

>184 benitastrnad: >185 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! Sorry, to hear work is such a painful grind. I would sure hate it, if I dreaded going into work every day. Ugh!

It was nice to see a student acknowledge, your commitment.

And hooray for the Iron Druid books. You will have a lot of fun with those and I expect to see you warbling away, to all of your library patrons. Spreading that book joy!

>186 Familyhistorian: Happy Saturday, Meg! Thanks for chiming in, on Dame Christie. I hope to start reading her, more regularly. And hooray for vacation time. I hope it includes a LOT of reading. Enjoy!

>187 Ameise1: Hi, Barb! I do not think I have read Umberto Ecco. Bad Mark?

Morning, Mark!

Morning, Mamie! Happy Saturday! You are a Iron Druids fan, right? I am really enjoying Shattered, (Book 7) at the moment. These are so good on audio.

I love the Iron Druid books!! I tend to hoard them - I am ready for book five Trapped, I think. And I love them on audio - an experience not to be missed.

>189 msf59: Not bad Mark, but give a try to The Name of the Rose which was his first book.

>192 Crazymamie: Whew! I can't always remember who loves what. But then again, who wouldn't love Atticus & Oberon?

"And I love them on audio - an experience not to be missed." Amen, my friend.

>193 Ameise1: I have always wanted to read The Name of the Rose. I will look for it. Thanks, Barb.

16) The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey 4.3 stars

“Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.”

Melanie is brilliant little girl, with amazing gifts. She is also wickedly dangerous. What exactly makes her so special? I am staying mum on this one, since one of the joys of this dystopian tale, is watching it slowly unfold, in this post-plague world. I will say, it is smart, fast-paced and well written. I will also confess, that Melanie, is one of my new favorite characters and she will stay close to my heart for awhile.

One warning: Beware of the hungries!

“And then like Pandora, opening the great big box of the world and not being afraid, not even caring whether what’s inside is good or bad. Because it’s both. Everything is always both.
But you have to open it to find that out.“

**This was also fantastic on audio!

Hey Mark! What a fantastic opportunity for Bree! Great to do these trips when you're young and untethered!

What a sad day in the literary world!

Anywho, have a wonderful weekend and enjoy our short shot of spring.

Good morning, Mark!

Somehow I missed your comments on Queen of the Tearling earlier, so I'm adding it to my WL.

That wind really was wild around us, and downtown. Downtown I saw some poor woman chasing her plastic-framed glasses across a busy street as the wind blew them. Debbi told me about some guys who had to surround an elderly woman and get her into a cab, because she couldn't stand upright in it. At one point out on the street, I felt like Alice in Wonderland, working very hard to stay in one place as the wind tried to blow me back. Wow.

I didn't expect quite so much humor in Winterdance. It's been fun as he relates all the mistakes he made. It was published in 1994, so it's not like he could go on the Internet and find out more about how to prepare for the Iditarod.

Hope you enjoy today - we walked for coffee and sat on our porch for a good while. This is February, right?

>196 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! We are very excited for Bree and a bit nervous too. She should be landing in Bangkok soon.

Yes, bummer about Harper Lee, but she definitely made her mark.

It looks like a very nice day today and no wind.

>197 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I thought I warbled to you about The Queen of the Tearling, but then again...so many books.

I saw that video with the old woman downtown. Fortunately, there were good samaritans available to assist her. Whew!

I am so glad you are enjoying Winterdance. I am crazy about that book. Sue also just started it.

Happy Weekend Mark!

I remember it well when daughter#2 traveled in Central America at 20 years of age for 4 or 5 months. How do you "put your foot down" when they are that age (or any age)? So I sure understand what you are feeling for your daughter's travels. It is such a great experience for them though.

>195 msf59: ... is good or bad. Because it’s both. Everything is always both.
But you have to open it to find that out.

Love that quote!

I hope your daughter has a good time in Thailand.
And I second Barbara, The name of the rose is a great book, the movie, with Sean Connery, was very good too!

Happy Saturday, Mark. What a lovely day. I was out and about early enjoying the outdoors. This afternoon, the Blackhawks alumni (retired Hawks) are playing a game against the Minnesota alums. Love those former Hawks.

>199 Smiler69: Happy Saturday, Ilana! Loving The Lost Garden.

>200 mdoris: Hi, Mary! Thanks for chiming in on the daughter discussion. Wow! 4 or 5 months? How did you ever survive? LOL.

Bree will be gone 10 days and that is nerve-wracking enough.

>201 FAMeulstee: Happy Saturday, Anita! Glad you liked the quote. It is a terrific read. It looks like I better find time to read The Name of the Rose.

>202 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! Just having a lazy morning, with the books. Glad that wind has moved on. Yikes! Any damage up, by you?

“We walk the streets of London. It is seven years ago. We didn't meet, but we are together. This is real. This is a book, dusty from the top shelf of a library in Mayfair. The drowned sound of life under all that ink, restless waves breaking on this reading shore. Where I wait for you. I do.”

“My clothes are few. But my books, my books are so many it looks as though I am on my way to open a small lending library.”

-The Lost Garden I am loving this book...

I loved that book! Great quotes. I am almost done with Girl waits with Gun - just brilliant.

>47 msf59: >54 Oberon: Thanks for the graveyard advice, Mark 'n' Erik. As it turns out, we (my wife and I) own a copy of The Graveyard Book! Son the Elder borrowed it ages ago, read it, and shelved at his house, which I found out when I asked if anyone (thinking more of his daughters than of him) had a copy I could borrow. GOOOOOAALLL!! I started the first chapter, but, you know, David Copperfield.

>205 charl08: I am bookmarking, nearly every page or 2, Charlotte. LOL. The prose is gorgeous.

Funny, I just finished transferring the audio of Girl Waits with Gun to my Nano. Not sure I'll get to it immediately, but it is ready to go. Glad you are loving it.

^A library run...I need that exercise, I tell ya!

^GNs and an audio and of course, a refreshment.

Happy weekend, Mark! I am glad you liked The Girl with all the Gifts. I thought it was a great read, and loved the part you quoted.

And I hope your daughter has a great time in Thailand. I can understand the worry. And some of us parents get to worry extra because we remember what we were like at that age.

Oh, and good for you for book warbling at the chiropractor! Love that story.

As far as parental concerns go, my eldest traveled by himself to England and then to Germany where he met up with my sister - in - law. He was just 13 years old and had to go through customs by himself at Heathrow and then board the correcting plane to Germany. Oh that scared me. I knew he'd be fine as soon he hit Germany, but navigating though Heathrow did scare me. My mom came with me to sse my eldest, Daniel, off, and I played it cool for Daniel's sake, but as soon as he boarded the plane here in Canada, I could not stop crying as I was worried about him traveling by himself. My walked quickly ahead of me, as if she had nothing to do with the crying mom. At times all of the silly airline connections that we have are a disadvantage. But it was a good experience for my son once he got there safely. But yes, as they get older, you cannot say no. Just give a word of caution. I am sure that Bree will be fine.

Remember too that I am flying phobic. I never relish the thought of the kids getting onto a plane, but apparently I did not pass that fear onto them! :)

Loving all the Girl Waits With Gun love! It should be good on audio, Mark.

>206 weird_O: Sorry, Bill! You got buried in the mix up there. I am so glad you have a copy of The Graveyard Book. It is such a treat. I also loved David Copperfield. I hosted a Group Read on it, a few years ago. I am due a Dickens read this year. Hmmmmm...

>209 banjo123: >210 banjo123: My daughter landed safely in Bangkok and is probably exploring the city, as I type these words. I have all ready been in communication with her, several times, which is wonderful.

Glad you like the chiropractor story. I have been recommending books to him for years.

>211 vancouverdeb: Wow! You have had a lot of travel drama in your life, Tonto. I could not imagine one of my kids travelling overseas at 13. I understand your trepidation.

Bree landed safely and all is good!

>212 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne! Good to see all the Girl Waits With Gun love. I think Joe was the first to warble about it and I forgot you were a fan too. I better slot that one in soon.

If you can find The Girl With All the Gifts on audio, try to do so.

#213
I participated in that David Copperfield group read, but I never finished it. I read almost the first half. It was a two volume edition and I was within thirty pages of getting done with the first volume. I quit. I just couldn't do it. I finally took that title off of my current reading list. I am not a real Dickens fan, and only one book of his that I liked. I respect his work and contributions to literature and culture but I can't read his books. What was it Richard called him? Chuckles the Dick. I don't think he is that bad - but his novels just aren't my cuppa. Just like Thomas Hardy isn't either.

>214 msf59: I think a second book will be out soon in the Girl Waits with Gun series. I think it's Lady Cop Makes Trouble. So much love for that first one...I ought to give it a second try.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Yay!!

I'm bringing a collection of mystery short stories about Chicago in case there are lulls at the swim meet. Probably not needed at this one as it's shorter.

Go8d morning, Mark. Glad to hear that Bree safely landed. I'm sure she'll have a splendid time.

18) A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain: Stories by Robert Olen Butler 3.8 stars

These fifteen stories, narrated in different voices, are about the Vietnamese experience. Dealing with the harsh realities, of decades of war, in their homeland, and their immigrant struggles, as they adjust to living in America. This is well-written and there are a few excellent stories, but for me, it never really soared the way I hoped, especially a collection that won the Pulitzer Prize. I read a similar book last year, called In the Country: Stories, which dealt with the Filipino experience but did capture the warmth and beauty I was searching for.

Morning, Mark! I liked A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain a little bit better than you did. I thought it made a nice companion book to the two books by Kim Thúy that I read for the CAC. I agree with you that there is something missing and that the stories as a collection never quite come together.

Happy Sunday to you, my friend!

>217 Ameise1: Hi, Barb! I am looking forward to hearing how Bree's first full day was. She did mention it was very HOT!

>219 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I did like A Good Scent and I am glad I finally read it. I agree with you, about being a good companion to the Thuy books. If you can track down In the Country: Stories, now that one really soared.

On the agenda for today: house chores, food shopping & books. I am also meeting Linda Panzo for pizza and book chat, later in the afternoon. I have not seen my Chicago pal in awhile.

Adding In the Country: Stories to my list - thanks for that.

Instead of warbling, I should have done more shouting about that collection. LOL. Same way, about A Manual For Cleaning Women. These are collections that have to be read. Steps down off soap-box and sips coffee.

Well, luckily I have you. You have always been good about sharing the book love, and I have profited from it greatly. Adding that second title to the list - I actually had that one out from the library before you read it (it was on the new acquisitions shelf and caught my eye), but I only had time to read the first story - I had to return as someone had requested it. The Nerve! I'll be sure to get it back again.

Thanks, Mamie! We all like spreading the book joy. That is what we are about. With our non-stop book choices, great reads can be overlooked. This is why we have Warbling.

I hope you can request A Manual For Cleaning Women again. A dear book pal of mine, sent me a beautiful hardback and it sits proudly on my "Keeper" shelf.

Chuckles the Dick ?! This makes me sorry I missed the David Copperfield group read. Sounds like it was much more fun than my school version :-)

Glad to hear the offspring made it safe to Bangkok and got in touch. WhatsApp is great.

>226 charl08: Happy Sunday, Charlotte! R.D. coined the phrase Chuckles the Dick, due to his fiery detestation of the man. We had a good time with David Copperfield. It did have it's excesses, of course but I am a fan.

"WhatsApp is great." It sure is, we have been chatting quite a bit all ready.

Happy Sunday, Mark!

Happy Sunday Mark!

Making note of In the Country: Stories, and I need somehow to get to the Manual for Cleaning Women. I'm having a harder time this year getting to all the books I want to; maybe I'm just seeing more tempting ones this year than last.

I'm having a good time with the Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep GN that Mamie rec'd, and I'm starting to find my way in Lucifer. Today is poetry day, so I'll be starting Natural Birth, by a poet Darryl rec'd.

Not as nice as yesterday, but still pretty darn good today. Hope you and the clan enjoy it.

>228 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>229 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! " I'm having a harder time this year getting to all the books I want to; maybe I'm just seeing more tempting ones this year than last."
Yes, this Our World, my friend. Not always easy but the joy never ends.

I will have to check out the PKD GN. Sounds really good. I took the dog out a few minutes ago. It is chilly, nothing like yesterday.

I am meeting Linda Panzo for pizza, at Home Run Inn later. It will be good to see her.

Hey Mark, good to see you are getting a break from work this weekend. I just wanted to add my good wishes for Bree's trip. No wonder she was exciting going to such an exotic locale. Love the book talk here, especially the chiropractor meets Winterdance story. Warble on, my friend!

Morning, Donna! Happy Sunday! It's always good to see you. We are alternately excited and nervous about Bree being in Thailand, but at least we are able to communicate. That really helps.

Glad you liked the Chiropractor meets the Warbler story. LOL. Yes, warble on!

>220 msf59: It is very hot there and they have their ACs put on ice cold. I hope she doesn't get a cold.

>233 Ameise1: The room where she is staying, has A/C. She has not complained about it being too cold. LOL.

How wonderful for you to have a chat meet-up with Linda.

I am baking today. Trying a new recipe. And of course, reading while I wait for that bread to raise. I am loving the dark grity alternative history fantasy world of House of Shattered Wings. I still have not been able to find out if it is translated from the french, or not, but it is really good. Those of you who like YA fantasy - this novel is for you.

>234 msf59: Ha, you're all used to A/C therefore you won't have problems. We don't have them and zhat's the reason why we get ill when we are at places with A/C.

#235 Apologies for being lazy and not back checking, but oooo - which series is this please? I'm missing a good YA at the mo :)

Hope you had a great weekend Mark - and a great LT meet up!

>235 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. Looking forward to seeing Linda. I have not seen her, since I hosted a Meet-up nearly 2 years ago. Glad you are enjoying your fantasy YA series.

>236 Ameise1: Yes, we Americans love our A/C. LOL. Although, I would like to live in a place, where I wouldn't need it.

>237 BekkaJo: Hi, Bekka. I am not sure which YA series she is referring to. Maybe she will chime back in.

Happy Sunday, Mark and Happy meet-ups too! It sounds like a lovely day!!

>239 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! Hope you are having a fine day. Getting ready to see Linda, here shortly. Looking forward to the visit.

“The best gardens are a perfect balance of order and chaos. The tension created by this constantly threatened balance is the pulse of the garden itself.”

“Can words go straight to the heart? Is this possible? Can words be as direct as the scent of roses?”

“For maybe this is how poetry can be of use. Though it can't move with us, we can move it between us, pass it among us, so it is held up by our voices, so it moves with our very breath, our living breath.”

-The Lost Garden Only 40 pages left. Do not want this one to end...



-"Espalier" is art of pruning and training trees or shrubs usually against a wall or trellis to form symmetrical and flat.

*waves at Mark* Catching up. Slowly. :)

Happy Sunday, Micky! Good to see you!

>180 lindapanzo: Yeah, I'm holding my breath waiting to hear if there will be the proverbial third. I hope not. The loss of Umberto and Lee is more than enough.



Mark, I read Name of the Rose a long time ago and remember that, though parts of it confused me, I did like it. I may need to read it again, or maybe one of his other books. May also read TKaM again, though I've been undecided about whether to read Go Set a Watchman.

Hi Mark, great visit today. All the leftover pizza has already been devoured.

>244 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! I love the Scout cartoon. That is perfect. Deciding when to bookhorn in a reread of TKAM.

I will have to try The Name of the Rose, one of these days too.

>245 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! Glad you made it home safe & sound.

I enjoyed our meet-up. Good pizza. Good conversation. Let's not wait so long, for next time.

The Lost Garden sounds like a winner. It's gone on my wish list, since the library here just doesn't know about Humphreys

>247 laytonwoman3rd: I only have 40 pages left and can't praise it high enough. I now have to get my greedy mitts on all of her books.

>168 msf59: Unbelievably, I still haven't read To Kill a Mockingbird. I should really make that happen.

I'm glad you really enjoyed The Girl with All the Gifts! I listened to the audiobook version as well. I found the ending a bit weird when she allowed that one teacher to live when everyone else became a hungry. Poor woman.

Great, long DA episode tonight!!

>250 lindapanzo: Yes, I'm worried about people who might have recorded it the "old fashioned" way (not DVR) and didn't know it would run over. Apparently there is only one more episode, and not until March 6th. What will we do??

>249 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel! Hope you get crackin' on TKAM. It is an amazing work.

I was very happy with the end of The Girl with All the Gifts. What a treat that book is.

>250 lindapanzo: It definitely was a long action-packed episode, Linda. They could have almost wrapped it up, right there...

>251 laytonwoman3rd: We watched it live, Linda but the DVR was still running, so I think we would have got it anyway.

I am not sure there is enough there for a 2 hour finale but I have been wrong before...

I had Girl with all the Gifts on my radar for a bit. But reading all the warbling about it, made me pick it up the last time I was in Target. Its my new work lunchtime read. (As an aside, damn I'm depressed that the only book store within 45 minutes of my office is a stupid Target)

Lots of good good stuff here as always Mark. Got a bit stuck over the weekend as I was out with the Boss mostly and having some book therapy.

Have a great week ahead, buddy.

Hi Mark. I was so happy to read that you really enjoyed The Girl With All the Gifts as that was one I really liked as well. And now I see you are reading The Lost Garden which I just read and loved. My only problem with it was that I didn't want it to end! Helen Humphreys writes so beautifully, it is hard to read her books without stopping to mark a phrase here or a description there. I also notice that you have Girl Waits With Gun in your lineup, that one is already on my list thanks to Joe, but I will be interested in your thoughts.

I have heard of WhatsApp, but have yet to install it on my phone. I'll bet my sons are glad of that! ;)

Stopping by to wish you a lovely week, Mark and looking forward to your comments on The Lost Garden.

>248 msf59: That was my reaction too Mark!

Back to work...Ugh...but at least that means, back to my audios. I am enjoying Shattered, with a bunch of stuff lined up after that. In print, I should wrap up The Lost Garden, swipes at a stray tear and sniffs. I might FINALLY go to Hollow City after that. I really enjoyed Miss Peregrine, so I do not understand what has taken me this long. I will end up doing very well on my FF reads, after all.

>253 mahsdad: "But reading all the warbling about it." Hey, this our "Mission Statement", Jeff. Glad to see it works. I hope you are enjoying The Girl with All the Gifts, as much as I did.

>254 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! I sure hope all that "book therapy" pays off. Have a good week.

>255 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! It looks like we are on the same bookish wavelength and I love it. "My only problem with it was that I didn't want it to end!" I know I am going to feel exactly the same. I plan on getting to Girl Waits With Gun soon.

>256 vancouverdeb: You should install it, Deb. It has been so nice to keep in touch with Bree, thousands of miles away. She let me know, this morning, that she was ripped off buying a pair of flip-flops. LOL.

>257 lkernagh: Hi, Lori! Expect raves for The Lost Garden. Have you read her yet?

>258 charl08: I definitely want to get my hands on Coventry, that is Joe's favorite.

Morning, Mark!

Morning, Mark!

If you've loved The Lost Garden, I'm sure Coventry will get you.

I'm back from reading poetry, and enjoying the misadventures of Gary Paulsen in Winterdance. He's hanging in there; they just taped him up at one of the stopping points.

How did the meetup go?

Hope it's a decent one for you today.

Morning, Mark! I got nothing, but I wanted to share it with you.

>189 msf59: Take a weekend off of LT and I am 90 posts behind. Anyway, I have a read a decent amount of Eco and I really enjoyed his work. Name of the Rose is his best IMO but Foucalt's Pendulum was very good. I enjoyed The Island of the Day Before, candidly struggled with Baudolino though it had its moments and still have The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana and The Prague Cemetery in my TBR stack. I have read some of his shorter non-fiction books on writing and language and enjoyed those as well.

Worth giving him a try.

>262 jnwelch: Joe, speaking for myself, meeting up with Mark is always fun.

Of course, Mark added quite a few book bullets for me. Mark, was it Ben McIntyre that you suggested? The Lost Garden for sure.

>261 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>262 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Running a bit late today. Heavy Monday but it is actually pretty nice out here.
I now want to get my hands on all of Humphreys work.

Had a nice visit with, Linda. Hopefully, later in the year, we can all get together.

>263 Crazymamie: I missed Morning Mamie, so I will just wave furiously.

>264 Oberon: LT never lets up, Erik. The train keeps rolling.

Thanks for the Eco report. That will come in handy. I have no idea, why I have failed to read him, but then again, it is never to late, right?

>265 lindapanzo: It was a nice visit, my friend. And yes, it was Ben Macintyre. You and your Dad, should love him.

Oh, dear! I see that autocorrect has made me into a villain! LOL!

Hey Mark, I just read Two Brothers. What a beautiful piece of art the two writers / artists have created. I loved the street scenes particularly, the way they showed the different areas of the town and the riverside. Thanks for warbling.

>268 Crazymamie: LOL. This goofy iPad, has a mind of it's own. If I don't double-check, oh Lord.

>269 charl08: I am so glad you liked Two Brothers, Charlotte. It is an impressive achievement. I hope you can keep spreading the word.

>267 msf59: I note that I have a Kindle copy of Operation Mincemeat and I'll have to move that to the front of the pile.

#85 - Always love a good tip on a good narrator. This version is available to me, so it might come in handy later - "murder and mayhem", you know...

Buffalo Games? On the ice in the Burn in Winterdance? How great is that?

>270 msf59: It made me belly laugh when I saw it!

Hi Mark, I hope you have a good day.

I did enjoy my read of The Lost Garden but as Joe said, if you like The Lost Garden, you will probably love Coventry. That has been my experience anyways.

>271 lindapanzo: Glad you have a copy of Operation Mincemeat. I have not read that one yet but I have heard good things and it is refrenced in Agent Zigzag. Look forward to your thoughts, Linda.

>272 ctpress: Good to see you, Carsten! It has been awhile. I am not sure if I have heard Suchet before but he did a very fine job here!

>273 jnwelch: Hooray for Buffalo Games, on the Burn ice! Go Winterdance!

>274 Crazymamie: I aim to please, Mamie! Even when it is a complete accident. Grins...

>275 Ameise1: Big Waves to Barb! I survived Monday!

>276 lkernagh: You guys are really getting me stoked for Coventry. Wipes drool from chin...

#235
The book is House of Shattered Wings by Alliette Bodard. It is the first in a series apparently dubbed Dominion of the Fallen. Here is my review of it.

I finished House of Shattered Wings by Alliette de Bodard and really liked it. It is a brand new YA fantasy novel set in a dystopian Paris of the future - or maybe an alternative present. It is about angels and magic, love and addiction, hate and revenge. It is filled with interesting characters and so very gothic. I suspect that people living in Paris will read it just to see how the author has depicted their neighborhood in a Paris of the future in much the same way that Chicagoians read the Divergent novels. This is a very imaginative work of fantasy and well worth the time it took to read.

And there will be more of these. While this book has a real ending and not just a cheap trick cliffhanger, it is clear that there will be a sequel.

>278 benitastrnad: Is this spam? Kidding...

House of Shattered Wings sounds like a good one, Benita.

>195 msf59: The Girl With All The Gifts sounds great! You got me. Jess and I used to use WhatsApp when she had her semester abroad in Ireland. Worked great. Hope Bree has an awesome time!

Good morning, Mark. Wishing you lots of sunshine. Here it's foggy.

Howdy, Mark! have a good Tuesday!! I've never read Eco either. *gasp* how did that happen.

>280 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! You are the "Woman With All the Book Gifts". LOL. You should like the Carrey book. It's a good one. The WhatsApp is really saving the day. Nothing like being in touch.

>281 Ameise1: Hope you can see in the fog, Barb! Not bad here today but colder temps are coming. Ugh!

>282 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Glad to see I am not the only one who has not read Eco. I'll try to remedy that oversight, one of these days.

"The author is at one end of the experience of writing and the reader is at the other, and the book is the contract between you. And this is what you're doing, being in the book, entering it as one enters a room..."

-The Lost Garden



Why do some books go on and on and on and others, "poof", over far too quickly? I am going to miss this gem. Bravo Ms. Humphreys!

Another lovely quote.

Thanks for the Daytrippers recommendation. I might wait a bit so I don't look too greedy at the library. Have four new books on order.

>285 charl08: Hi, Charlotte! I have not bookmarked so many pages in quite awhile. LOL.

Hey, it's nice to have a healthy trove of GNs, to pick from. You must have a fine library. I know I do. B.A.G.

Morning, Mark! I love that quote. Almost finished with Winterdance - just a few more pages and the grand adventure will be over, but, oh, what a ride!

Mark, I sent you a PM about Chang Mai.

Good morning, Mark!

Nice quotes from The Lost Garden. Wonderful to hear the good time you're having with it.

Winterdance was most excellent. Jeez Louise, what a challenge to run the Iditarod. Thank you for the warbling.

I've started Heap House, and I'm liking it.

Enjoy the mild-ish day - everyone keeps saying the snow is coming soon.

ETA: Can't get the touchstones to work this a.m.

>284 msf59: Good morning, Mark. I ordered this one, too...just waiting for it to come! Decided this would be one that I would want to own.

Morning, Mark! The audio of TKAM with Sissy Spacek as the reader is amazing.

And there were parts of GSAW that I really enjoyed - that woman could certainly evoke time and place and there were some funny bits, too. Overall, I'm glad I read it.

>287 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I am so glad you enjoyed Winterdance. I wasn't as disappointed with that one ending. It gave my nerves a rest. LOL.

>288 Ameise1: Thank you so much, Barb. How kind. I will respond later.

>289 jnwelch: Morning, Joe. I am now on the lookout for Coventry. I will also have to put in a request for Heap House.
Another decent day but please don't mention the S word.

>290 Dianekeenoy: The Lost Garden and The Frozen Thames have sealed it for me, Diane. She is a Must Read author.

>291 streamsong: Hi, Janet. Good to see you. I have the Spacek audio, at hand, along with the Witherspoon audio of GSAW. Now, I'll have to decide when to read them.

Yipee!! The postman delivered my first Folio Society book: Venice by Jan Morris. Came to me via Media Mail from the great state of Hawaii...in 19 days. Cost like 3-4 bucks. What I didn't know until yesterday was that you can follow a media mail package via USPS tracking. I know, you could've told me that. I was getting anxious, and asked at the PO just yesterday, and, duly informed, checked the tracking site. Almost a week from Hawaii to Collyfornia, another week from there to Philly. To my door this morning. Love those Postal people, Mark! The UPS guy leaves everything out at the end of our drive, a 1/4 mile from the house, where we can't see. But anything that won't fit in the regulation mailbox is delivered to the house by the mailman. Love it!

You USPS folks be da best, Mark.

Hi, Bill! Glad to hear some Post Office love. I know I take good care of my customers, although I can't speak for all of my co-workers. I hope you slap a few bucks on him/her, around the holidays. Grins...

I have not heard of Venice. Have you read this before? I do not own any Folio books...yet.

Happy Tuesday, Mark. You must be getting to the best part of your day when you can relax and pour a cold one!

>296 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg! My son just grilled up some steaks, so I am very sated at the moment. It was mid-40s here with sunshine, so not bad for February.

I really recommend Coventry , Mark! I just loved it, plus it is a shortie! :) Glad to hear that Bree is enjoying Thailand.

Hi, Deb! Can't wait to get to Coventry. And yah, for a shorty. And yes, good reports from Bree. She is having a blast!

>295 msf59: Venice, published in 1960, is by Jan Morris, who started her life as James Morris, a travel writer of superlative repute. I first saw Venice on The Guardian's 100 Top NF Books list. The one-line citation called it "an eccentric but learned guide to the great city's art, history, culture and people." That was six or more years ago. In January Mr. Cranswick warbled about Coast to Coast, another Morris travel book, and mentioned Venice. Rekindled interest, a search at eBay, a bid, and a buy. Folio Society published this edition in 2008; the book is cherry.

I've inked it in as my Non-Fiction Challenge read for March (a travel book). I'm ready to READ. But first, of course, David Copperfield. (Past the halfway mark!)

Thanks, Bill! It's a gorgeous copy. I was not familiar with Jan Morris, but now I am. Thanks. I will watch for your comments.

How are enjoying D.C.?

>300 weird_O: That's a thing of beauty right there.