Mamie's 2016 Madness (Page 9)

Continuing my list of favorite things...Bond. James Bond, martinis that are shaken and not stirred, and movies that, when watched as an adult, suddenly reveal new humor that went right over your head as a child...

...

...

snail's pace
Books Completed in April:
44. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
45. The Misty Harbor by Georges Simenon (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/police procedural - recommended by Charlotte
46. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (3.5 stars), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
47. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris (4 stars), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy

Books Completed in March:
28. Empire Falls by Richard Russo (4 stars), ROOT paperback/audiobook, Pulitzer Prize winner, read for Mark's AAC
29. Fade Out: Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (4 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/noir
30. Velvet: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/espionage - recommended by Roberta
31. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
32. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
33. Crooked House by Agatha Christie (reread), ROOT paperback, mystery/crime fiction - read for Paul's BAC (yes, I know this was last month's author)
34. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
35. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
36. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
37. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
38. Velvet: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/espionage - recommended by Roberta
39. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
40. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
41. A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver (4 stars), library hardback, poetry - read for Mark's AAC
42. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
43. Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler (4 stars), ER paperback, retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew

Reading Plans: None

I tend to make plans and then bail on them, so this year I am just going to take each month as it comes. I would like to participate here and there in some of the many challenges that are on offer, however, so IF I have a qualifying book on my shelf and IF I feel like it, I will. This month I have the following titles in my personal library or on loan that would work:


A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley - 2015 acquired paperback - recommended by the LT masses including Katie, Ellen and Mark - fits Mark's AAC for March


Ballistics by Billy Collins - I already have this from the library for Mark's AAC. I loved his Aimless Love, which I read last year.


Galore by Michael Crummey - picked this up in a Kindle deal for Ilana's CAC. Last year I read Sweetland by him, and it was so well done. Looking forward to reading more of him.


Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer - picked this up in a Kindle deal and reading this for Autism Awareness month. The thread which Terri set up is here, if you are interested: April is Autism Awareness Month. I have read only Blacklands by Bauer previously, but it was very good and very creepy.

NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman - getting some good buzz here on LT; I know Terri, Joe and Charlotte thought it was well done. I think Ellen is currently reading it.

The Penguin History of the World: 6th Edition by J. M. Roberts - reading this throughout the year with Katie and Susan

Books Completed in January:
1. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (3 stars), ROOT ebook
2. Saga: Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughn, Fiona Staples (Illustrator) (4 stars), borrowed paperback, GN - fantasy
3. Mãn by Kim Thúy (5 stars), library paperback, literary fiction - read for the CAC
4. The Fade Out: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (4.25 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, graphic novel recommended by Joe - crime fiction/noir
5. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (4 stars), library hardback, GN - fantasy, recommended by the LT masses, read this because Abby had it out from the library
6. The Long Way to A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook - recommended by Heather
7. Ru by Kim Thúy (4 stars), library paperback - read foot the CAC
8. Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson (3 stars), library paperback, graphic novel recommended by Karen, read this because Abby had it out from the library
9. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (4.5 stars), audiobook/trade paperback - Group Read - Doorstopper challenge
10. The Fade Out: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips (4.25 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, GN - crime fiction/noir
11. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Vol. 1 by Philip K. Dick, Tony Parker illustrator (5 stars), library hardback, GN - science fiction/dystopian
12. The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill (3.5 stars), ROOT ebook, mystery - police procedural - read for the BAC
13. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler (4.25 stars), ROOT paperback, contemporary fiction - dysfunctional family - recommended by Katie - read for the AAC
14. White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, mystery - police procedural

Books Completed in February:
15. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Volume 2 by Philip K. Dick, Tony Parker illustrator (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired hardback, GN - sci fi/dystopian
16. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy, ROOT audiobook, narrated by Alan Rickman (5 stars) -audiobook recommended by Lucy - read for the BAC (early) and to honor Rickman's passing
17. A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler (4.25 stars), library paperback, short stories, Pulitzer Prize winner - recommended by Megan
18. The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphreys (4.25 stars), library hardback, connected vignettes, read for the CAC
19. Fifth Business by Robertson Davies (4 stars), library hardback, humor, read for the CAC
20. Written in Red by Anne Bishop (4.4 stars), ebook/audiobook, urban fantasy - recommended by Morphy, qualifies for Fantasy February!
21. Blacksad by Juan Díaz Canales, Juanjo Guarnido, (4 stars), library hardback, GN - noir, crime fiction - Mark told me about this one
22. City of Djinns by William Dalrymple (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, non-fiction - travel writing/a history of Delhi, read for the BAC - recommended by Susan
23. Snow Angels by Stuart O'Nan (4 stars) library hardback, contemporary fiction - relationship/divorce/coming of age
24. A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle (reread), audiobook, crime fiction - detective, read with Birdy
25. Winterdance by Gary Paulsen (4.5 stars), library hardback, non-fiction/memoir - Iditarod race, recommended by Ellen, Karen, and Mark
26. The Drowned Detective by Neil Jordan (4.2 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, mystery - saw this is Charlotte's Guardian reviews
27. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild (5 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, non-fiction/history/the Congo/slavery - read for Suz's Non-Fiction Challenge

A few of my favorite reads from 2015:

Although I am hoping to focus mainly on my own overcrowded shelves this year, I am not crazy enough to think that I could resist adding new books to my collection. I'll record those purchases here.

1. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, ebook - recommended by Heather COMPLETED
2. The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley ($.99 on Kindle) - blaming this on Roni, who pointed out the deal
3. The Fade Out: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, paperback - mentioned by Joe on the GN thread COMPLETED
4. The Fade Out: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, paperback - Mark said this one was as good as the first COMPLETED
5. Staked by Kevin Hearne - Iron Druid series, ebook
6. Fear Stalks the Village by Ethel Lina White - recommended by Heather ($1.29 on Kindle)
7. Some Must Watch: The Spiral Staircase by Ethel Lina White - Heather's thread($.99 on Kindle)
8. The Lady Vanishes by Ethel Lina White - Heather's thread ($1.99 on Kindle)
9. Put Out the Light by Ethel Lina White - Heather's Thread ($1.29 on Kindle)
10. Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer ($2.99 on Kindle)
11. White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones ($1.99 on Kindle) COMPLETED
12. City of Djinns by William Dalrymple - recommended by Susan ($4.99 on Kindle) COMPLETED
13. You Have Killed Me by Jamie S. Rich - Mark's fault
14. Hit by Bryce Carlson - also Mark's fault
15. Velvet: Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker - recommended by Roberta COMPLETED
16. The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett ($1.99 on Kindle)
17. The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois ($.99 on Kindle/$.99 audio)
18. Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop - 2nd book in The Others series - ebook
19. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild - purchased for the non-fiction/history challenge COMPLETED
20. Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older - Mark's fault
21. The Drowned Detective by Neil Jordan - Charlotte's Guardian reviews COMPLETED
22. A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab
23. The Fade Out: Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips COMPLETED
24. Velvet: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker - recommended by Roberta COMPLETED
25. The Misty Harbor by Georges Simenon - recommended by Charlotte COMPLETED
26. Gorsky by Vesna Goldsworthy -Charlotte again, and on my own thread!
27. The Trees by Ali Shaw - Guardian review on Charlotte's thread
28. The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie - Charlotte's thread?
29. The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks ($.99 on Kindle)
30. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman ($1.99 on Kindle)
31. Galore by Michael Crummey ($3.99 on Kindle)
32. An American Childhood by Annie Dillard ($1.99 on Kindle) - for the AAC
33. Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon ($2.99 on Kindle) - Charlotte's fault
34. The Carter of 'La Providence' by Georges Simenon - Charlotte again
35. The Late Monsieur Gallet by Georges Simenon - Yep. Charlotte
36. The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien by Georges Simenon - Ahem. Charlotte

Katie’s Dirty Dozen – KAK has earned her own category on my thread because she has the habit of recommending books that I cannot resist adding to my stacks. Books listed here could be for the WL or purchased, but I will designate if I purchased them. Because Katie is a rebel, there will of course NOT be twelve books in her dirty dozen.

1. Kamchatka by Marcelo Figueras
2. Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard
3. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez - seconded by Charlotte and Susan
4. In the Walled City by Stewart O'Nan
5. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - she recommended the audio, and don't speed it up
6. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

Saving this space for LT recommendations that I want to keep track of.

1. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers - recommended by Heather (saw this as I was catching up with her 2015 thread) COMPLETED 1/15/16
2. Slade House by David Mitchell - recommended by Lynda - I know that Mark and several others loved this one, too, but it was Lynda's succinct review that places it firmly on the WL
3. Chinese Takeout Cookbook by Diana Kuan - recommended by Lori (thornton37814) - saw it listed as her favorite cookbook read of 2015
4. Revenant by Mel Odom - recommended by Mark, who came to my thread to deliver the book bullet!
5. Winterdance by Gary Paulsen - recommended by Ellen and Karen COMPLETED
6. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - Lucy mentioned that she loved this on her thread, and I looked it up because I was unfamiliar with it. Note to self: DO NOT look up books mentioned on Lucy's thread!
7. The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra - saw Amy's review of this on her thread
8. I Am Spain by David Boyd - recommended by Charlotte
9. The Mirror in the Mist by Susan Hill - saw Lori's (lkernaugh) review of this on her thread
10. The Prestige by Christopher Priest - recommended by Mary (bell7)
11. The Electric Michelangelo by Sarah Hall - recommended by Charlotte - saw her review on her thread
12. The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker - Joe mentioned this one on the GN thread, and it sounds right up my alley COMPLETED 1/15/16
13. The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason - Faith reviewed the second book in this series on her thread
14. Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss - read Rhian's review on her thread
15. Amsterdam by Ian McEwan - again, Lynda got me with her succinct review on her thread - how DOES she do that?!
16. The Men Who Lost America by Andrew Jackson O"Shaughnessy - read the review on Reba's thread
17. Wartime: Stories From Ukraine by Tim Judah - read about this one on Charlotte's thread, part of her posted Guardian reviews. LOVE those!
18. The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill - recommended by Charlotte on her thread
19. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild - Suz mentioned this one to Charlotte on the non-fiction challenge thread COMPLETED
20. Everything is Broken by Emma Larkin - recommended by Erik on my thread when we were discussing books on Burma
21. The Rebel of Rangoon by Delphine Schrank - Charlotte recommended this to me on my thread when we were discussing books on Burma
22. Unwind by Neal Shusterman - Mary (bell7) was talking about a follow-up collection of short stories to this series, and peaked my curiosity about the series itself
23. A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain by Robert Olen Butler - read Megan's review of this on her thread - I love interconnected short stories COMPLETED
24. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson - I read Julia's excellent review on her thread
25. How It All Began by Penelope Lively - read Nancy's review on her thread
26. The Storyteller by Mario Vargas Llosa - read Lori's (lkernagh) review of it on her thread
27. TransAtlantic by Colum McCaan - Charlotte and Katie talked me into this! And Marianne approves.
28. Willoughbyland by Matthew Parker - read Carrie's review on her thread
29. The Quiet American by Graham Greene - read Bill's review on his thread
30. Coast to Coast by Jan Morris - read Paul's review on his thread

LT recommendations continued...

31. After Hannibal by Barry Unsworth - read Ursula's review on her thread
32. Fear Stalks the Village by Ethel Lina White - read Heather's review on her thread
33. The Wheel Spins by Ethel Lina White - also Heather's fault!
34. Young Stalin by Simon Sebag Montefiore - recommended by Megan (evilmoose)
35. Mademoiselle Chanel by Pierre Galante - read Judy's review on her thread
36. Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon - read Suz's review on her thread
37. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson - read Nancy's review on her thread
38. War of Two by John Sedgwick - recommended by Reba
39. The Old Ways by David Dalglish - recommended by Charlotte
40. The Nest by Kenneth Oppel - recommended by Anne
41. The Noise of Time by Julian barnes - was included in Charlotte's Guardian reviews, and then Suz reviewed it which is what sold me
42. Countdown by Deborah Wiles - Judy hit me with this 60s Trilogy with her review of Revolution
43. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal - recommended by Marianne, interconnected short stories
44. The Library at Night by Alberta Manguel - recommended by Carrie
45. Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis - recommended by Rhian
46. Tokyo Decadence by Ryu Murakami - recommended by Joe
47. American Housewife by Helen Ellis - recommended by Joanne
48. Trespass by Rose Tremain - recommended by Nancy
49. The Book of Sands: A Novel of the Arab Uprising by Karim Alwari - recommended by Deborah
50. A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin - recommended by Mary
51. The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey - because Mark said so!
52. That's Not English by Erin Moore - recommended by Susan
53. In the Country: Stories by Mia Alver - recommended by Mark
55. A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin - Mark again
56. The Wars of the Roses by Dan Jones - recommended by Suz
57. Saints and Boxers by Gene Luen Lang - recommended by Carrie (read them together)
58. The Good Wife by Stewart O'Nan - recommended by Jenn
59. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift - recommended by Suz
60. When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning - recommended by Amy

LT recommendations continued...

61. Exposure by Helen Dunmore - recommended by Charlotte
62. Reading Chekhov by Janet Malcolm - recommended by Charlotte
63. Ways to Disappear by Idra Novey - recommended by Beth
64. The Widow by Fiona Barton - recommended by Diane
65. Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo - recommended by Reba (over on Katie's thread)
66. Super Mutant by Jillian Tamaki - GN - Mark and Joe's fault!
66. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice - recommended by Charlotte
67. The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell - recommended by Susan
68. My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem - recommended by Beth
69. The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks - recommended by Rhian
70. Dodgers by Bill Beverly - recommended by Ellen and Mark
71. The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro - recommended by Mark

This should do it - next one's yours!

Morning, Mamie! Happy new thread.

Happy New Thread, Mamie, dear.

>1 Crazymamie: Sean Connery was a good looking man I have to admit and the definitive Bond.

Bond ranking:

1 Connery
2 Craig
3 Moore (based on the first couple)
4 Brosnan
5 Lazenby
6 Dalton

Replacement Bonds

1 Gerard Butler
2 Michael Fassbender
3 Tom Hardy
4 Aidan Turner
5 Damian Lewis
6 Clive Owen

Anyone?

Happy new thread, Mamie. Love your thread topper.

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Happy New Thread, Mamie! Love the Connery topper. I also think he was the best, but Craig runs a close second, IMHO.

>11 bell7: Mary, you're first! Here is your prize:



We'll just set it poolside for you, shall we?

Good morning, Mamie, and happy new thread! I always thought the older Sean Connery was much better looking and his voice! *shivers*

>12 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul! here is my own Bond ranking:

1 Connery/Craig - I really love the Craig version of Bond, but Connery was always the best until Craig and agreed that he is the definitive since he was first, so for me, they are tied
3 Brosnan
4 Moore
5 Lazenby
6 Dalton

Let's see...replacement Bonds? Um...
I would love to see Aidan Turner do it, perhaps Kit Harington?

>13 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! Glad you love the topper - me, too!

>14 katiekrug: Ha! I love that, Katie!! Perfect.

>15 msf59: Thank you, Mark! I love both Connery and Craig as Bond - my favorites. I have a soft spot for Daniel Craig, since that is also my son's name!

>17 ronincats: Morning, Roni! Thank you! Totally agree about the older Sean Connery. AND the voice!! Yes, ma'am!

Bella Update: The vet just called with Bella's allergy screening results. She is allergic to eggs, rabbit, oats, milk, turkey and venison. So hooray for knowing what is causing the symptoms. We actually switched her food after the last visit to the vet, when she got the blood drawn for the tests because I thought it might be eggs that she was allergic to. Her previous food was limited ingredient with no soy, wheat or corn, but it did have eggs. So we had switched her to one that is bison and sweet potato - the vet cleared this new food as being a great choice, so we will continue with it. Takes about 14 weeks to get her squared away, the vet said, at which time they will have her in for a visit to check everything over.

Happy new thread! I've also brought you the present of James Bond-



Poor Bella with all her allergies! But I'm glad it's been figured out and I hope she enjoys her new food. She's so cute!

Glad you're finding out what is going on with Bella. Hope she bounces back to great health with the new diet.

Why thank you, Jennifer! Bella loves the new food, so it's all good. We just switched everyone over so that we don't have to worry or make it more complicated then it needs to be, so it's all good. And I thank you to the compliment to her - she is a very sweet and very funny dog!

Hay new thread! I'm glad you have Bella's test results. Adrian does well with a fish and sweet potato limited ingredient blend. The first one I tried was lamb and brown rice, and it didn't work well for him.

>22 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! I must say I am relieved to have an answer and hope we can get her some permanent relief.

>24 cbl_tn: Thank you, Carrie! I was happy the the food we had chosen fits with the test results AND that she likes it.

Happy new thread, Mamie! I caught up with the end of your last one too. Mmmm.

>12 PaulCranswick: I'd like to see Gerard Butler as Bond.



my Connery Conn-tribution

>27 susanj67: Thank you, Susan! Oh, and you had time to catch up with the end of my previous threads...*blinks*...um..so, what's new with you?

>28 dragonaria: A very nice contribution, Kimberly! Thank you. I love Gerard Butler, but I worry about him being too old for Bond, as he is already 46. I think they need to go younger if they want to do multiple movies.

Tom H, maybe? He looks a bit grumpy about the prospect here though...

Ha! He does look a bit grumpy, there, Charlotte.

I think I could see the actor who played Thomas in DA as James Bond.

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

You know, Sean Connery's a fine fellow, but there are guys who come to visit here, too.



(Bond girl Olga Kurylenko)

Playing catch-up on your thread is not an easy task! I'm sad I wasn't around to add my voice to those who felt the Colts should have retired the number as well as the jersey.

Have a wonderful Easter.

Happy new thread, Crazy. I love Bond, and I am a Sean Connery fan through and through. : 0

Congrats on your shiny new thread, Mamie. I wish you a fabulous weekend.

^I am with, Mr. Joe! Here is one of my favorite Bond gals- Barbara Bach, aka Mrs. Ringo Starr.

Good Morning, Everyone! It's storming here - came in with a bang last night and there's still more to come. Birdy and I have dropped the dogs at the groomer's and picked up doughnuts for the crowd here at the Pecan Paradisio, most of whom are still sleeping. I'm just now on my first cup of coffee, and BOY, do I need it. I am slightly grumpy, but I think that is a didn't sleep well and have not been properly caffeinated yet kind of thing, so I am hopeful that I'll be my usual self very soon.

On the reading front, I have finished a few more books since I last reported in:



All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris is the 7th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Another reread for me. This is the one where Sookie goes to the Vampire Summit being held in Illinois and all hell breaks loose. I am not a huge fan of Quinn.



Velvet: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting and Elizabeth Breitweiser (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired GN

This series was recommended by Roberta, and it is SO much fun. Velvet is kickass - framed as the fall guy in an espionage web, Velvet is trying to figure out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and who is behind it all, while not getting caught. I love that Velvet is a tough, gritty, intelligent heroine who is not in her twenties. The artwork and storyline have a noir feel to them and both are beautifully done. Great espionage fun - highly recommended!

>32 cbl_tn: I have not seen enough of him to decide, Carrie - I only watched the first season of DA, but I did love that character. SO deliciously nasty!

>33 jnwelch: SO sorry, Joe! Olga Kurylenko is stunning. Craig's favorite is the original Bond girl Ursula Andress:



But I liked Eva Green as Vesper:



And let's not overlook the new Moneypenny, Naomie Harris:

>34 thornton37814: But thanks for doing it, Lori! And YES, Indiana should have retired Peyton's number.

>35 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul! Wishing you and yours a weekend full of fabulous!

>36 Berly: Thank you, Kim! Totally agree about Connery - LOVE him!

>37 Ameise1: That's beautiful! Thank you, Barbara! Wishing for you a weekend full of happy!

>38 DianaNL: So cute! Thank you, Diana!

>39 msf59: Morning, Mark! Now why I am not surprised at your choice of photo?! SO embarrassing about her top, though - I'm sure she can't be wearing that right. I'm thinking that she could have done just as well with an ACE bandage. *blinks*

Jane Seymour is one of my favorite actresses, so she's my favorite Bond girl. Live and Let Die is also one of my favorite Bond films, even though it has Roger Moore and too many snakes.

I think my favorite is Skyfall - I just really loved that one, BUT of the earlier films, my favorite is Goldfinger - everything is so over the top in that one.

I loved From Russia With Love and of course Daniela Bianchi

>44 Crazymamie: Skyfall made me deeply want a Scottish estate with a curmudgeonly gamekeeper.

Happy New Thread, Mamie! Your long list of LT recommendations is so delightful. My goal is to make it on there at least one more time this year. :-)

I'm glad you found out what Bella is allergic to. Abby swelled up once when she had beef so she now gets only foods made with chicken and turkey and occasionally salmon.

The Bond photos are fun. I loved Sean Connery; he was the first one I saw in the theaters and that means he will always be "the" Bond in my mind. Of course, there is always the ultimate tough woman in charge....

>46 Oberon: "...made me deeply want a Scottish estate with a curmudgeonly gamekeeper."
:-)

Look what I found!

Morning, Mamie! Happy Friday! Love all the Bond girls. They are putting some pep in my step...

Happy Easter weekend to everyone, both furry and smooth, at Pecan Paradiso!!

>45 PaulCranswick: Another good one, Paul!

>46 Oberon: Me, too, Erik! LOL!

>47 EBT1002: Thank you, Ellen! Lovely to see you here! So glad that you like the LT recommendations list - wishing you the best of luck with multiple listings on there!!

We are so relieved to know what has been bothering Bella. I just hated that she was getting one infection after another and was always so miserable. Her ears are looking SO good now. Amazing!

I am also loving all of the Bond photos - such a great memory for me as my Dad and I used to watch those together - Connery was his favorite Bond. And I LOVED when Judy Dench was cast as M - such a wonderful surprise when we saw it in the theatre for the first time. I adore her anyway, but for her to assume a traditionally male role was FABULOUS.

>48 EBT1002: *grin*

>49 EBT1002: Ellen!! LOVE that! Thank you, sister!

>50 msf59: Afternoon, Mark! Rainy and overcast here, so perfect for staying in. Unfortunately I had a bunch of stuff to get done, so... But I am home now! I am loving all of the Bond and Bond girl images and everyone sharing their favorites - so fun!

>51 RebaRelishesReading: Hello, Reba! We sure do appreciate those wishes! Hoping that your Easter weekend is full of fabulous! And chocolate!

Great to see all the Bond women, Mamie. I feel much better now. :-) Dame Judi as M has been terrific.

I love those Velvet GNs, too. Can't wait for the next one to come out.

Hope you're set up to have a great weekend.

Bella is adorable - so glad you've figured out what was bothering her. Judy Dench rocks.

>12 PaulCranswick: >18 Crazymamie: you guys are on to something! I have Connery first then Craig (am I the only one in the world not thinking him sexy!? But he does a great Bond), then Moore (his name is SO Bond), then Brosnan, and then...well, it doesn't bother me as I'm not fussed :)

The early Connery Bond films are all that and a bag of chips :) I love them. In fact, I propose a Bond marathon. I know just the friends to recruit as well.

I loved Judi Dench as M, she is superb!

Happy Easter!

I do like the new Bond movies. Not such a big fan of the older ones...

Happy Easter Weekend!

Love that picture of Dame Judi and Craig. They were on Graham Norton together and it seemed like they had a genuinely caring relationship. Aww.

Happy new thread Mamie and glad to hear you have the results back for Bella. Hopefully the new food will do the trick.

Morning. Mamie!

I enjoy all this James Bond conversation. One of my previous students loved, loved James Bond movies. John is highly intelligent, and he knew all the quotes, movies and trivia. Once, at a yearbook conference, at dinner he drank a little too much. He was a hoot, acting like a robot that spit out any question asked.

Happy Easter Mamie!

Happy Easter to all the clan at the Pecan Paradisio, Mamie!

Happy new thread, Mamie. Love the Bond theme. I would love to see Clive Owens as Bond, but no one can replace the original - Sean Connery.

Have you see the recent (2015 Guy Ritchie directed) movie adaptation of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.? I only recently saw that one and quite enjoyed it. ;-)

Happy Easter to you and your family, Mamie. I have a sudden craving for James Bond movies, especially those with Sean Connery!

For a Happy Easter, eat ya a couple a Peeps! You know you want to… Made right here in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. Weird, huh?

Have a happy Easter, Mamie!

I love you new Bondlicious thread!

Happy Easter to you and yours!

I still tell myself I'll catch up with your threads again some day... for now I'll restart once again with this one and wish you and your family a Very Happy Easter! :)

I go away for a couple of days and you go and start another thread, with Bond girls and Peeps everywhere! Whew!

I'm super far behind, of course, but I wanted to mention, from your last thread and the talk of Rae's dentist issues: I read somewhere about a dentist who brings his Golden Retriever therapy dog to work with him every day, so that the dog can lie next to the uneasy patients and comfort them. I wonder if your dentist would be amenable to Rae bringing in one of your pups for comfort...? Just a thought...

Happy Sunday and Happy Easter, Mamie! Have a great day with the family!

Hey Mamie, hope you're having a good Easter weekend.

I'm reading Gorsky whilst waiting for my roast lamb and thinking I should be more of a Great Gatsby fan to understand/ appreciate this book. The hero is Nick, Gorsky is clearly Gatsby and I've just reached the bit where our hero is about to go to a crazy big party (all set in the rich bit of London instead). Hmm.

Happy Easter, Mamie and all the Paradisians :-) I hope you don't have to hunt too hard for eggs or chocolate bunnies.

Rae, oh so many years ago.

Dan and Birdy a'hunting the eggs.

Happy Easter, Everyone! Things are off to a lovely lazy start here at the Pecan Paradisio. The baskets have been plundered, and everyone is enjoying an overcast day that begs for hunkering down with a good book or an indulgence in being still. A quiet day to recover before the week starts all over again. Later there will be ham and roasted carrots and rice with mushrooms. We are also planning on playing Settlers of Catan this afternoon - one of our favorite board games. But for now there is a decadent pocket of tranquillity available. I'll take it, thank you.

>75 Crazymamie: Cute, Mamie. Thank you for sharing. Indiana days, right?

>76 PaulCranswick: Yep, Indiana. I would guess 2000 based on Birdy's size. We moved to Georgia in the Fall of 2012.

Catching up with my thread:

>54 jnwelch: Hiya, Joe! Glad you are feeling better. Ha! The thread feels more balanced, does it? Totally agree that Dame Judy Dench was a fabulous M.

We really need that next edition of Velvet, since the last one ended with a cliffhanger. I am not good at waiting.

The weekend has been lovely so far - Craig ended up taking call for his practice yesterday, as his partner had to go out of town emergently, but he made it back in the late evening, so Craig got to indulge in a glass of wine before we called it a night. The kids were scattered last night, so Craig and I watched The Big Lebowski. Now I am wanting a White Russian!

>55 BLBera: Thank you, Beth! Agree that Judy Dench rocks!!

>56 LovingLit: Hello, Megan! I do think that Craig is sexy but not necessarily handsome. I love his eyes and his smile. I think the way he carries himself is sexy. We have all of the Bond movies, and we often indulge in a Bond marathon. SO fun!

And YES! Judy Dench is superb as M!

>57 nittnut: Happy Easter, Jenn! I love the old Bond movies, but they are a sentimental favorite for me as my Dad and I used to watch them together. It's as much about the memory as it is about the movie for me. The newer ones definitely have a better plot and more nuanced writing!

>58 Berly: Thank you, Kim! I have seen those bunnies before, but they always make me laugh out loud. They get me every time! Happy Easter Weekend to you, dear!

>59 charl08: Me, too, Charlotte! They look like they are having a great time, don't they?!

>60 souloftherose: Thank you, Heather! Bella is really loving the new food. Now I just need to see if we can find dog treats that she can have.

>61 cbl_tn: Hello, Carrie!

>62 Whisper1: Ha! That is a funny story, Linda! Thanks for sharing. And I thank you for those Easter wishes - Happy Easter to you, my friend!

>63 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! Happy Easter to you as well!

>64 mstrust: Thank you, Jennifer! SO funny that you chose that image because I used to have that exact bunny doll. Happy Easter to you!

>65 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! I think Clive Owens could do a terrific Bond, but I worry about them casting someone that age (he is 51), as I am thinking that he would only be able to do one movie before it would be unrealistic for him to be doing all the action sequences. Unless we are going to delve into an older, more sophisticated and mentally active Bond, which I would not be opposed to, certainly.

I have not seen the new Man From U.N.C.L.E. I need to track that down as I am a fan of Guy Ritchie's stuff. I loved what he did with Sherlock Holmes.

>66 DeltaQueen50: Thank you, Judy! I think you should indulge yourself and have a Bond marathon of the Connery films. Happy Easter to you and yours!

>67 weird_O: I love their bold colors, Bill, but I cannot eat those things - makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it. My sister Vicki loves them, though. She likes to let them get stale before eating them! She says you need to age the Peeps just like a fine wine. Ha!

>68 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda, and that graphic says it all, doesn't it?! Perfect! Although, I will admit that I dearly love the Dove chocolate creams - have you had these? My new favorite Easter candy.



A very Happy Easter to you! Glad you love my Bondalicious thread!!

>69 Storeetllr: Thank you, Mary! Such a pretty vintage Easter card! Happy Easter to you!

>70 Deern: No worries about catching up, Nathalie. Just start right here. I thank you for those Easter wishes! Hoping that yours is full of happy!

>71 scaifea: Well, I had to do something to pass the time while you were away, Amber! Welcome home - you were missed!

SO interesting about the therapy dog - that is a lovely idea. I don't know if our dogs would sit still in a dentist office, but Bailey maybe would. Barnum and Bella would be too nervous to be of any comfort - they are home dogs. It's definitely a thought!

>72 msf59: Happy Sunday and Happy Easter to you, Mark! Thanks for those wishes!

>73 charl08: Hey, Charlotte! I am having an excellent Easter weekend. It has rained for the past three days, but since my kids are older, and I don't have to worry about ruined egg hunts, I am liking the overcast holiday weekend.

You have hit me with a book bullet on my own thread! Well done! you will be thrilled to note that I went straight to Amazon and purchased Gorsky - you know how I am obsessed with the Great Gatsby. How could I possibly resist? And why would I want to?!

Happy Easter to you, dear!

>74 susanj67: Happy Easter, Susan! There was no hunting involved this time - I just sat all the baskets on the living room sofa. Lazy but effective. Ha! I love having old kids!

I think I am caught up with my thread, but if I missed you, let me know.

Happy Easter Mamie!

I knew you would love Velvet! It totally gives me the Bond feel, but I love that the lady is the star of the adventure.

Have you read Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye yet? It is great fun! You MUST! I think your girls would enjoy it too.

>75 Crazymamie: Very cute pictures. Settlers of Catan is fun - enjoy!

>84 luvamystery65: Happy Easter, Roberta! Yep - you were so right about Velvet, and Birdy loved her, too!

I have not read Jane Steele - adding it to the list on you say so! Thanks for that.

>85 souloftherose: Thanks, Heather! Craig won Settlers of Catan this time. We really LOVE that game.

Mamie, your Easter baskets do sound easier as the kids get older :-) But no more cute pictures like in >75 Crazymamie:!

Happy Mmphmumble Day, Mamie!

Wonderful photos of Rae, Dan and Birdy up there in >75 Crazymamie:.

I know, I can't wait for the next Velvet either. I'm terrible at going slow in any series to try to time it better. I just eat them up.

Love those Easter photos!

Since I know it won't be "happy," I'll just say I hope you have a neutral Day-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

Morning, Mamie!

Hope you had a happy Easter Mamie!

Dragging a bit today, but that's to be expected - Rae has another dentist appointment this afternoon, and it's ...you know...not Tuesday. Still overcast here, and wile tomorrow might see a bit of sun, it's supposed to rain the rest of the week. Fine by me. This is a big birthday week for my side of the family - I have three nephews and a sister that all have birthdays this week. We really packed them in there, didn't we?!


On the reading front, I finished Sookie book eight - From Dead to Worse. (I guess the touchstones are not working at the moment) A lot going on in this one and some things that I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth revisiting as it sets up the rest of the series. I always feel like books seven and eight are where the series gets a bit wonky. Still, a lot of humor here. I am really hoping to make it all the way through the series this time, so pleases cross your fingers for me.

With all the Bond talk here, we started back into our watching of the Bond movies in the order that they were made (which is not the order that the books are written in). We have finished with the first Connery films, and last night we watched On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which is the only one featuring George Lazenby in the title role. This film is from 1969 - the thing that really struck me was the portrait of Queen Elizabeth that Bond talks to in his office - it's this one:



So surreal, as she is still reigning and about to celebrate her 90th birthday! She was born the same year as my Dad (and Carrie's Dad!), and that portrait was done in 1954. Next up is Diamonds are Forever, with a return of Connery. This is not one of my favorites.

>87 susanj67: So true, Susan! However, I LOVE the ages my kids are at, so I am fine with that. I try to just soak up life's moments as they come, so I am always happy to move forward. I'll have those types of photos again if I have any grandchildren. I promise to be happy either way as what I want for my children is for them to have lives filled with what ever makes them...happy. There's that word again.

>88 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! Glad you liked the photos - I should try to dig one up of Abby, as I feel a bit badly that she is not up there, too.

And yes - hurry up with the next edition of Velvet already!

>89 katiekrug: Hooray, Katie! Glad you love the photos. Neutral is good - I will aim for that.

>90 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>91 The_Hibernator: Thank you, Rachel! I hope that yours was filled with fabulous!

Happy Monday, Mamie!
The Easter Bunny put Spectre in Will's Easter Basket. So we'll be watching that when Will gets a chance to sit down. I'm liking Daniel Craig more with each movie so I'm hoping this movie will continue the blond Bond love.

Oooooo, those Dove milk chocolate creamy centers look mighty tasty.

Um...Monday, Lynda! I do not think you will be disappointed with Spectre - we loved it when we saw it in the theatre. And the Dove Easter candies are delicious!

>52 Crazymamie: I love that photo of Judi cracking up. She is one of the very best, along with Dame Maggie Smith.
I trust you have watched the old BBC sitcom "As Time Goes By"? If not, I highly recommend it. Start at the beginning. It's a Judi Dench lover's delight.

Hi, Mamie! Hope you have recovered from the "draggin'". My day went well, for a Monday. I am on part 21, of City on Fire. It's not bad but I might, or it might, be running out of steam. It will be interesting to see how he pulls it all together. I am in for the long-haul now.

Hi Mamie! I hope things went OK at the dentist's office this afternoon. As the day after Sunday goes, today was a pretty good one on this end!

>96 EBT1002: Me, too, Ellen. totally agree with your thoughts - I am also a big fan of Maggie Smith! I have not seen "As Time Goes By". I have not even heard of it before, so I will be chasing that one down and watching it - thanks for that!

>97 msf59: Hi, Mark! Well, anyway, I survived. And I got my steps in. SO go me! Not awful for a Monday, but i will be happy to see Tuesday. Bummer about City of Fire - you are making me not want to get back to it. Hey, wouldn't it be funny if you were the only one to finish it after Kim and I dragged you into this?! *blinks* No, huh?! Right. Gotcha. *pulls book back out of library bag*

>98 cbl_tn: Hey, Carrie! Rae has made it through the second round of the dentist, so she is all done for at least six months now. *happy dance* Glad to hear that Monday was good for someone!

Hi Mamie! I'm here for a long overdue visit. And suddenly I have a burning desire to see a Bond film... I can't remember the last one I saw, so I'm due! At some point...

Hello, Anne! This is most exciting! How ARE you?! And yes, yes, YES to watching a Bond film!

>92 Crazymamie: Crazy--I have to take Sarah to the dentist tomorrow. Are we in synch or what? Sarah is already stressing. At least it will be Tuesday and not Monday. And her appt is at 2:30. Tooth-Hurty. Get it? Funny! Not funny.

>97 msf59: >99 Crazymamie: Mark--Um....I hope it has an amazing finish! For my sake. So you don't hate me. How can you be halfway, when I am not, but I am ahead of you on part 35? I really like the writing on this, but I am not sure all the players are going to go anywhere.

Oh, you are going to thank me for introducing you to "As Time Goes By." Remember: watch them in order.

>102 Berly: Please tell Sarah that we are thinking about her and sending her positive mojo. Rae's appointment was at 2, so we are indeed in sync!!

Well, y'all have left me back at the ranch, Kim. Don't worry, I'll catch up. Unless I don't. You can count on that. *blinks*

>103 EBT1002: I promise to watch them in order, Ellen!

Heavens to Betsy! I'm the one who needs another cup of coffee as I thought I'd been here but I see I wasn't. Just being my old befuddled self.
Happy Tuesday, Mamie!

Oh, dear! Here you go, Lynda:



I do that all the time. Happy Tuesday to you!

I'm with you on loving the age our kids are at - I've been like that from the start. Sure, there are things that I miss about Charlie being wee, but every day is a new adventure with him and it's so exciting to see him grow and change. Onward!

Happy Tuesday, Mamie!

You've read a bunch of Georgette Heyer, right? I'm reading Devil's Cub, the follow-up to These Old Shades, and it's very good.

I have enjoyed every minute of it, Amber. Truly. I love seeing them come into their own, and I am completely fascinated by what choices make - I can't wait to see what comes next!

You snuck in there, Joe! Nice work! Happy Tuesday to you. I love Heyer - my favorite so far is The Grand Sophy.

Well, we made it. It's Not Monday.

We did, Katie! We should reward ourselves.

Morning, Mamie! Do not be discouraged about City on Fire. I think everyone will hit, at least one or 2 slow patches in a 900 page book. Not all Chunksters are Lonesome Dove.

>102 Berly: My audio is in 30 parts, Kim. It is not chapters. Starting 23, in a few minutes.

Morning, Mark! Okay, so I probably shouldn't admit that I have yet to read Lonesome Dove. But I do have it in the stacks. I know. I know. I need to get to it. All in good time, my friend.

Don't you wish they always aligned the audiobook arrangement with the printed book arrangement. That would make things SO much easier.

>110 Crazymamie: Agreed. The Grand Sophy remains my favorite of hers, and the one I recommend people start with. But she's got a lot of close seconds for me.

>114 Crazymamie: I've not read that either. Ssh don't tell Mark...

>115 jnwelch: What are some of your other favorites, Joe?

>116 charl08: Your secret is safe with me, Charlotte. Mum's the word.

YOU MUST READ LONESOME DOVE!

It's sooooo good.

That is all.

Ha! Alrighty then, Katie. You know I always listen to you. I'm thinking it would make a great poolside read - am I wrong about that? So summer, which as you know is from March to November in the South.

>117 Crazymamie: I thought The Corinthian, Cotillion, and Frederica were all really good, Mamie. Are there any you've read that you'd recommend?

I have not read Frederica, so I'll add that one to my list - I might own it because I try to pick them up when they are Kindle deals. Too lazy to check with no touchstones. I loved both Cotillion and The Corinthian and I also thought that The Quiet Gentleman was good.

^ Thanks - adding The Quiet Gentleman to my WL. You'll get a kick out of Frederica, methinks.

Book #41: A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver (4 stars), library hardback, poetry - read for Mark's AAC

So I just picked this up from the library today - I had requested it for next month's poetry read for Mark's AAC. I took it out to the deck with me to just read one or two of the poems and get a feel for it, but I ended up just reading straight through. Really lovely collection of poetry mostly themed on nature. I loved the final lines of "Hurricane" which read:

"For some things there are no wrong seasons.
Which is what I dream of for me."

Probably my favorite was "I Happened to be Standing", but I also loved "The Poet Compares Human Nature to the Ocean From Which We Came". It's short, so here it is for you:

"The sea can do craziness, it can do smooth,
it can lie down silk breathing
or toss havoc shoreward; it can give

gifts or withhold all; it can rise, ebb, froth
like an incoming frenzy of fountains, or it can
sweet-talk entirely. As I can too,

and so, no doubt, can you, and you."

Oh I love Mary Oliver - that sounds like a great collection.

>105 Carmenere: "Heavens to Betsy." I don't know the last time I heard that exclamation. :-)

I have The Grand Sophy from the library and I keep procrastinating on it. I don't know why but I seem skeptical that I'll enjoy Heyer's writing. This is clearly irrational as so many of my LT buddies love her.

I hope your Tuesday has been terrific, Mamie!

>122 jnwelch: You're welcome, Joe!

>124 charl08: It is a great collection, Charlotte.

>125 EBT1002: I have heard that expression quite a lot, Ellen, but that is because I have a niece named Betsy.

The Grand Sophy is full of humor, Ellen, so yes, a romance, but also witty and fun. Pair it with something more taxing or that requires work on the reader's part.

Tuesday has indeed been terrific - and the weather was gorgeous here! Hoping that your Tuesday has been full of fabulous!

>123 Crazymamie: Ooh, glad you liked Mary Oliver, Mamie. I will also be reading her, once I get my copy from the library. Looking forward to the experience.

I had read her Blue Horses last year, Mark, and that collection was also very good. I also have Ballistics by Billie Collins that I picked up from the library today, so I'll be reading that one, too. I loved his Aimless Love.

Okay, this helps. I mean, there are so many lovers of her work around here! So, thank you for that. I will read it along with NeuroTribes or something. :-)

I requested New and selected poems, volume one. Joe recommended it along, with A Thousand Mornings. I also requested a volume of Adrienne Rich.

I also enjoyed Aimless Love. It was probably my first full volume of poetry.

>129 EBT1002: Yes. Perfect, Ellen!

>130 msf59: I'll be awaiting your thoughts on the Oliver. I have not read Adrienne Rich.

Abby and i both enjoyed Aimless Love - Abby bought a keeper copy of it!

>65 lkernagh: Settlers of Catan this afternoon - one of our favorite board games.
I have been persuaded to play that, and it was great! Bring back the board games, I say. And Cards Against Humanity....which I just learned about here on the threads, and am now a fan of.

eta: >78 Crazymamie: We have all of the Bond movies, and we often indulge in a Bond marathon. SO fun!
OK, Ill put your place on the must-visit map of my mythical future US road trip!!

>132 LovingLit: We play Settlers of Catan all the time, and it's fun with the explorers and pirates expansion, too. We also like Ticket to Ride, Coup, and One Night Ultimate Werewolf. We LOVE to play board games and card games and are always on the hunt for new ones.

I like Ticket to Ride, too. I want to get the Europe version...

We do, too, Katie!

Hi Mamie! I'm a little late to wish you a happy Tuesday, but I know it had to be better than yesterday since it didn't involve a trip to the dentist!

Hi Mamie - Happy Tuesday to you! I loved A Thousand Mornings! I love Oliver. It sounds like you had a satisfying Easter.

Morning Mamie! Wake up and smell the coffee :0)

>136 cbl_tn: Hey, Carrie - you are so right! Tuesday was very kind to me. Ran errands in the morning, so I had the afternoon for reading on the deck. Lovely.

>137 BLBera: Hello, Beth! I see more Oliver in my future; I really like the voice in her poems, She speaks to me. What else have you read by her?

Easter was delightful. And satisfying. Now it's back to the grindstone for me as I think I found a few of those pounds I had lost. Feels good to have gotten in my walks theses past couple of days - I need to get back to making that a priority.

>138 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! I love waking up to the smell of coffee. And doughnuts! You brought doughnuts!! Thank you, kindly.

What I'm contemplating for April:


The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov - this is a GR which is timely for me but just misses the perfect mark, as I preordered the lovely Penguin Deluxe Classics edition which comes out...you guessed it: May 1st. I had pre-ordered this book even before the GR was planned, so it is just a bit of serendipity for me. I might just star the GR thread and read the actual book when it comes in May. Thinking...


Ballistics by Billy Collins - I already have this from the library for Mark's AAC. I loved his Aimless Love, which I read last year.


Galore by Michael Crummey - picked this up in a Kindle deal for Ilana's CAC. Last year I read Sweetland by him, and it was so well done. Looking forward to reading more of him.


Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer - picked this up in a Kindle deal and reading this for Autism Awareness month. The thread which Terri set up is here, if you are interested: April is Autism Awareness Month. I have read only Blacklands by Bauer previously, but it was very good and very creepy.

NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman - getting some good buzz here on LT; I know Terri, Joe and Charlotte thought it was well done. I think Ellen is currently reading it.

>123 Crazymamie: Mary Oliver always hits the spot. I have that one on the shelves and may now be forced to slip it into my hand luggage for the UK and Sao Tome/Ghana. I can see that the AAC will be buzzing next month and bravo and yippeee to that!

>141 PaulCranswick: Agreed about Mary Oliver, Paul! It's a very good collection that flows nicely. She always makes me think. And yes, hooray for the AAC! Not sure if I will read something for the BAC or not, as I just read Middlemarch last year.

>123 Crazymamie: Yay!

Ellie (mirrordrum) got me started on Mary Oliver, and I've really enjoyed reading her poetry.

Looking forward to your reactions to Neurotribes and The Master and Margarita when you get to them. I'm also all in favor of reading Billy Collins.

>143 jnwelch: I will be reading Middlemarch probably in between meetings in Sao Tome of all places, Mamie. I also have Hanif Kureishi on offer who is someone I have struggled with so Mark will give better value IMO for April!
As you know I probably read 25 to 30 poetry anthologies a year so I am looking forward to the late Philip Levine and his National Book Award winning What Work is.

ETA I remember mooting Mary Oliver for the Nobel Prize on my a few years ago and the general consensus then was....who?

>143 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! What else have you read by her - I know you read Blue Horses, and I have already read that one. Billy Collins always makes me laugh - I like the humor in his poetry. And the snark.

I am waiting on NeuroTribes from the library, so I'll get to that one whenever it come in. And I have picked up the audio of The Master and the Margarita, so I'll probably go ahead and jump into that one next month with the GR - while I await delivery of my own beautiful copy!

>144 PaulCranswick: I really loved Middlemarch, Paul. And yes, I know you are a huge lover of poetry - so is Abby! I like it, but I have to be in the right mood for it. In the right hands, though, poetry is a magical thing. I had not heard of Mary Oliver until last year or the year before when I came across that quote by her, "I believe in kindness. Also in mischief." I loved that and when I looked her up to see who she was, discovered that she was a poet!

Morning, Mamie! Good luck with your April reads. I adored Galore. I wish I could join you on The Master and the Margarita, but my month is completely booked. If you don't read it in April, but later on, I might just join you.

I might try to read Rubbernecker this month, too...

Billy Collins and I went to the same college. I wonder if snark is in the drinking water there? Heh.

And, my goodness, that edition of The Master and Margarita is gorgeous! I know those Penguin Deluxes always are, but that one is particularly striking.

>146 msf59: Morning, Mark! Thank you for those good wishes. And hooray that you loved Galore! That bodes well for my liking it. Good to know about The Master and the Margarita - I'll let you know because I just might do that.

>147 katiekrug: That would be fun, Katie, but no pressure. LOL about the snark in the drinking water - I would have LOVED the place, then!!

I know, right?! I fell in love with the cover and had to have it - I'm so shallow. Ha! And, of course, deckled edge pages! *does happy dance*

Woohoo! Hope you enjoyed Galore as much as you did Sweetland, Mamie. I've still got to read the latter.

>149 lit_chick: I haven't read it yet, Nancy - it's in the works for April. Sweetland is really good - you'll like it when you get to it!

Mamie, I started reading NeuroTribes back in December and got sidetracked (there was that little health matter). I plan to pick it up again in April and read it interspersed with other things. Joe has raved about it and I can say that the 60 pages or so that I had read before I got distracted were very engaging.

I also have a copy of The Master and Margarita on the shelves so I might participate in that GR. But April is getting a bit full. Like that's a surprise.

I'm home sick again today. Hoping to do a bit more reading and a bit less LTing than I did yesterday.

Ellen, I am sorry that you are still not feeling well. Sending you healing mojo and keeping you in my thoughts.

I thought I remembered you were the one reading NeuroTribes, so good to know that I haven't completely lost my marbles. Yet. Should be fun to compare notes.

Mark said he wants to get to The Master and Margarita, but can;t do it in April, so we could always just star the GR thread and read it together at a later date. Let me know if you want to do that - I know Mark said he would.

Yes, I'm up for a mini-GR of TMaM, with you and Mark (how could I resist??), in May. I'll find and star the GR thread.

>143 jnwelch: The other Mary Oliver I've read is her New and Selected Poems, Mamie. That gives you a bunch you'll enjoy.

I like Billy Collins' humor and snark, too. We saw him in person here with Kay Ryan, and, even when not reading his poetry, he was as droll and whimsical as you'd expect. I keep wanting to post his "Victoria's Secret" one, but it's not short.

>153 EBT1002: Oh, excellent!

>154 jnwelch: Oh, thanks for that, Joe! Adding it to my list.

Here is a link to that poem - you could post the link on your thread, and then people could find it without it taking up all the space. It is a HOOT! Victoria's Secret by Billy Collins

Loads of Oliver love. Off to see what the library can offer me in the way of new collections. Definitely not to look into books about a colectomy, which is what autocorrect wants me to do. Ouch. The sooner my phone turns into Lovey the AI the better I think.

>155 Crazymamie: It is a hoot, isn't it? By some clever alternate universe trick, the link takes me to the top of your thread. I like the idea, though.

>156 charl08: LOL, Charlotte! That autocorrect on my Kindle Fire is always messing up what I type, so it takes me twice as long because I have to go back and fix everything. So helpful. Really. Looking forward to seeing what Oliver you can find.

>157 jnwelch: Well, carp! I fixed the link, and it works now. That's what I get for not double checking it. Thanks for letting me know, Joe!

>156 charl08: LOL -- truly, that cracked me up. Autocorrect is the new world's best source of hilarity.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Mamie!

Hooray for The Master and Margarita! Looks like it is coming together. Nothing beats reading along with pals.

>159 EBT1002: *grin* Ellen, I love when you can be here more often - it truly makes my day!!

>160 msf59: Most excellent!! Hooray, Mark. I'm excited about it and now I can wait and read from my own beautiful copy!

It's Happy Wednesday here, but by the time you get this it will probably be Happy Thursday!! : )

>140 Crazymamie: uh oh, that cover of The Master and Margarita is so pretty. I am sorely tempted....but my report and presentation call me. Boo hoo.
I suppose it'll stay on the Bowie list for me to pick off at a later date :)

>162 Berly: Right, Kim. Happy Thursday! When you posted that message, it was 12:37 am our time, so it was actually already Thursday morning. Which means....YES! Tomorrow is Friday!!! My favorite!

>163 LovingLit: I know, right, Megan?! That edition doesn't come out until May 1st here, so I have to wait until then to hold it in my hot little hands.

Morning, Mamie!

Morning, Carrie! Thanks for stopping in!

Happy pre-Friday, Mamie! My Thursday is half way done, and I haven't said anything career-limiting yet, which is further than I thought I'd get, so yay me!

Thank you, Susan! Happy pre-Friday to you! Your post made me laugh out loud. Go you!

I love that M &M cover too. Lovely looking book. Hope you're having a good one Mamie.

Morning, Mamie! Hope it's a good one.

Morning, Mamie!

I put the link to Victoria's Secret by Collins over on my thread, too, but the bait doesn't seem to be getting any nibbles. I may just print the whole thing on my thread. It's so good.

Sweet Thursday! From one of the Sweet Thursday boys.

Wow! Is it ever gorgeous out there today! Light breeze and the sun flitting in and out of the clouds and just the perfect temperature (69F) for reading on the deck. I have been sitting out there with my coffee finishing up Vinegar Girl, and it is the perfect way to end a month. Supposed to rain later this afternoon, so I need to soak it up now. I am thankful for days full of fabulous.

>169 charl08: It's beautiful isn't it, Charlotte? I am indeed having a good one, thank you. I hope you are, too.

>170 katiekrug: Morning, Katie! It IS a good one! Hoping that Thursday is kind to you.

>171 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! No nibbles?! The nerve! Should I come over and comment?

Aw, shucks! Thanks for that Sweet Thursday, you Sweet Thursday boy, you!

>172 Crazymamie: :-) Thanks for the lovely embroidered comment on my thread, Mamie.

We are looking at 72 and sunny here today!! Yay! Happy almost Friday.

>173 jnwelch: You are most welcome!

>174 Berly: It's going to 82F here today, Kim. Hooray for sunshine, which always makes me feel that anything is possible.

Morning, Mamie! Sweet Thursday! I want to read on the deck too. Wah!
Actually, it is not bad here but storms could pop up at any time.

>118 katiekrug: got behind a bit here but just want to say "you're right, Katie. I didn't think I would like it and I loved it!!"

Morning, Mamie!

Goooood Morning, Mamie! The Master and Margarita has a fantastic cover! I made a TIOLI Challenge for The Never-Open Desert Diner. That challenge? Read a book which has the word "coffee" in the second chapter. This will help me read it in April and pass it on to you.

>176 msf59: It was a Sweet Thursday, Mark! I even squeezed in a nap. Sorry that you didn't get to read on the deck. Boo! We had storms move in late in the afternoon, and they are still with us. Supposed to rain all today and into tomorrow. I'm fine with it since I got me dose of sun yesterday. It'll hold me for a bit.

>177 RebaRelishesReading: Why am I not shocked to find another fan of Lonesome Dove, Reba?! I'll get to it sooner or later. I'm hoping maybe this summer.

>178 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>179 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda!! I am in love with that cover, too! So gorgeous. I just finished Vinegar Girl yesterday, so if you PM me your address I will send it to you. It was delightful!

Morning, Mamie! Happy Friday! We have a gloomy, rainy day ahead of us too. I am off, so spending time with the books, sounds good to me.

I also shared this with Kim- I ended up giving City on Fire, 3.5 stars. I didn't dislike it and I did admire it's scope and ambition but it failed to keep me captivated.

My problem is, once I go deep into a book, I usually stay the course. It is a fault of mine. I could have listened to 2 or 3 other books. Oh, well.

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday! What a coincidence - I also plan to spend the day with my books. *grin*

Ugh on City of Fire - that is too low of a rating for such a big book. I might just bail - it's a shame because I do think he created interesting characters and the writing is lovely. There just needs to be less of it. Sorry, Mark.

I wanted to like it more, I wanted him to really make it hit some highs, especially in the last 1/3rd.

I am surprised the publisher backed this one so strongly. It's not an easy read and from the reviews, it has received, it is mostly been mixed.

Book #42: Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy

Finished my reread of book nine in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and there was some stuff I had forgotten in this one, so I am glad that I reread it. The really fun thing about my reread this time through is that Rae has joined me, and she is gaining on me rapidly. She has already read the first seven books! It has been loads of fun sharing these stories with her and discussing the characters and various storylines. What is really intriguing is that everyone who reads these has a definite opinion about who Sookie should end up with. DON'T TELL ME - I HAVE NOT READ ALL OF THE SERIES YET SO, now I am onto book ten, which is as far as I have ever made it, so this is just me second time to read it. I am hoping to be in the mood to continue and finish out the series - hopefully since Rae is reading with me, that will keep me going this time.

>183 msf59: Total bummer, Mark. Agree with you about the publisher.

Book #43: Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler (4 stars), ER paperback, contemporary fiction

I won this book from the Early Reviewers program - it's part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series where current authors retell one of Shakespeare's works. This is a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew, and it is very well done. I kind of wondered how she would pull off this story in a modern setting and make it believable. I also worried that perhaps Anne Tyler might not be the best choice for this lighter fair, although I love her books - she is so great at creating quirky characters and writing character driven stories. And while there is always humor in her writing, I would never label her books comedy, which is definitely where the Taming of the Shrew falls. BUT, she carried it off brilliantly.

Kate Battista is the shrew - she is grumpy and impatient. A woman of few words and a lot of action. She is not afraid of speaking her mind. Still, you feel for her because she has become stuck. She runs her father's household and takes care of her teen-aged sister Bunny. She has a job that she doesn't love and is not very good at. She follows the strange rules that her father has set for the running of the household, but there is no joy, really, in her daily existence. Enter Pyotr, her father's research assistant, whose work visa is about to expire - you can guess what happens. Kate's father wants her to marry Pyotr in order to allow him to stay in the US permanently, thus enabling her father's research to proceed uninterrupted. What follows is delightful - a light, fluffy story that will have you laughing out loud. Not great literature, but certainly great fun. Highly recommended.

Good morning, Mamie!

I feel properly forewarned by you and Mark about City on Fire. Thanks for giving it a go. Sometimes taking a chance on a promising one works, and sometimes it doesn't.

I didn't know about the Hogarth series. The only Tyler I've read is Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, which didn't do much for me. But I'm a big fan of Willy Shakes, and of great fun, too. Vinegar Girl sounds intriguing.

>186 Crazymamie: This whole Hogarth project sounds intriguing. I keep wanting to say Hogwarts!

I'm another that loves Lonesome Dove Mamie. You must get to it. I think by the pool is excellent. May I also recommend Whispersync because sometimes you need to rest your eyes by the pool. ;-)

This new Anne Tyler sounds like fun - maybe a new tack for her, just slightly?

>187 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Right - give City on Fire a miss. Mark took one for the team. However, I am going to recommend that you read Vinegar Girl when it comes out - scheduled for a June release. It's a different side of Anne Tyler - light and whimsical, with loads of humor, so I am thinking you would like it.

>188 luvamystery65: Me, too, RO!! So funny! It's a cool project and Jo Nesbø is scheduled to do the retelling of Macbeth!! Looking forward to that one!



I will get to Lonesome Dove - I promise! And I adore Whispersync, so good thinking - I will look into that. Thanks, Roberta!

>189 sibylline: It is fun, Lucy, and yes a new tack for her. That's a good way to put it.

>181 msf59: >182 Crazymamie: I am 400 pages in on City of Fire and it started off with such great potential--I was pumped for it! But it lost steam and with Mark's rating of 3.5, I just can't bring myself to slog through the rest. This was a book I got from Powell's Indispensable collection, and they are normally such a hit. Sorry guys. I pearl ruled it.

>190 Crazymamie: I can't wait for the Nesbo take on Macbeth. Also, I am wondering what Gillian Flynn's take on Ophelia is going to be. Actually, on all the characters in Hamlet. She is a dark and twisty one that Flynn.

>192 Berly: No worries, Kim! You are so right - it does start off so promising. I have also set it aside - mine was just a library copy.

>193 luvamystery65: I know, right?! Flynn is dark and twisty, so her take on Ophelia should be most interesting.

How has my post managed to disappear?
Okay, new try (and then you'll have 2 similar posts in the end): Happy Friday and Happy Weekend, Mamie! :)

Just wanted to order Vinegar Girl as it sounds like what I'd need right now, but unfortunately it's not available for me until June 16th... :(
Stupid rights stuff... Ah, I see it was an ER.

What is that Hogarth project? It has sure been discussed here, but as I was absent for a bit I must have missed it. Is there a link?

Happy Friday, Mamie. It's going to be 40 degrees with possible snow here today. Just saying.

Nice comments on Vinegar Girl; we had very similar reactions. I'm looking forward to the Atwood. My favorite of the series so far, though was The Gap of Time.

You have an ambitious April planned. Good luck.

>194 Crazymamie: There's a long time until 2021 and Flynn's book...

Hey, Nathalie! Happy Friday to you! And Happy Weekend!

Right - I won Vinegar Girl from the Early Reviewers program, so it's not out until June.

The Hogarth series has modern day authors retelling Shakespeare's plays - here is a link Hogarth Shakespeare

>196 BLBera: Happy Friday, Beth! Um...wow about that weather. It's very humid here today and rainy - going to 77F, which is actually a break in the temps for us.

Thank you for you kind words - Vinegar Girl is the only one that I have read so far. Sounds like I need to get to The Gap of Time.

My April is less of a plan and more like a guideline - I'll get to what I feel like and the rest I won't. It's just a list of possibilities. But I thank you for those good luck wishes!

>197 charl08: So true, Charlotte!

I'm so glad you liked Vinegar Girl too! It was fun, wasn't it?! I also liked The Gap of Time very much, although I enjoyed Vinegar Girl slightly more.

>188 luvamystery65: I think a Hogwarts Shakespeare series could be very interesting. I would read it!

It was fun, Carrie! I need to see if the library has The Gap of Time.

Agree that a Hogwarts Shakespeare series could be very interesting - I would also read it!

Vinegar Girl sounds great and it's on my wishlist . I am ashamed to say I've not read The Taming of the Shrew - maybe I should do that prior to reading the Vinegar Girl ?

Meant to come by on Wednesday after the trip to the dentist filling minor cavities, but I've been on the back deck gardening and watching our guests. Check out my thread, Mamie!

Good review of Vinegar Girl, Mamie. I don't know how I feel about Tyler these days but that one is tempting.

I knew nothing about the Hogarth Series but, having just read Winterson's memoir and given it five enthusiastic stars, I would start with hers perhaps. Or, maybe I'll start by trying to learn more about the whole thing.

Happy weekend to you!

Okay, I went and looked it up. Gimmick? Perhaps yes. But kind of intriguing, too.

Wishing you a relaxed weekend, Mamie.

Morning, All! We had really terrible storms yesterday afternoon and last night, and one of our pecan trees got hit by lightening - the poor baby. Nothing much on the agenda today except for laundry and reading, so hooray for that.

On the reading front, I have finished two books in April already!


Book #44: Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (reread), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy

All right, now I have reread through the entire part of the series that I had read previously. This was book ten, and I have never made it further, so I will be breaking new ground as I open book number eleven. I had pretty much forgotten all of this one, but then, this is one that I have only read once before, and that was several years ago. We get to know how Bill became a vampire and we get to meet Eric's maker in this one. Things are definitely heating up in Bon Temps.


Book #45: The Misty Harbor by Georges Simenon (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/police procedural - recommended by Charlotte

Charlotte has been rereading through this series featuring Inspector Maigret, and tempting us all with these police procedurals. Written in French, these books have been newly translated and are being released again by Penguin. This particular one was originally written in 1932, and it is book #15 in the series. I know, I KNOW. I didn't start with the first book in the series - I wanted to get a good feel for it, so I asked Charlotte for a particular favorite, and she named this one. I can see why. Maigret is out of his element here as he has accompanied a victim back home. Here is the Amazon blurb:

"A man picked up for wandering in obvious distress among the cars and buses on the Grands Boulevards. Questioned in French, he remains mute . . . A madman? In Maigret's office, he is searched. His suit is new, his underwear is new, his shoes are new. All identifying labels have been removed. No identification papers. No wallet. Five crisp thousand-franc bills have been slipped into one of his pockets."

He is eventually identified by his housekeeper, and Maigret travels with the both of them back home to see if he can get to the bottom of things. What happened and why? The man has obviously been shot in the head and then cared for - he seems none the worse for wear except that he doesn't speak and seems to have no memory of who he is. Maigret no sooner gets the man settled into his home again, when he is murdered. As Maigret works to track down the killer, he must adapt himself because he is no longer in Paris but in Normandy in a small harbor town that seems to be filled with secrets - the weather isn't the only thing that is foggy here.

This was delightful from beginning to end, with non-stop action and lovely pacing. Maigret does not tell us what he is going to do, and so we are left to follow and try to discern his reasoning. A quick but gripping read - I read it in one sitting. Thanks, Charlotte, for a delightful diversion!

Morning, Mamie! Happy Saturday! How is that poor pecan tree doing? Ouch. We have a very cruddy day, in store for us too, with the possibilty of some light snow. Say what??

Good review of Vinegar Girl. Good to see Ms. Tyler glowing once again. I will have to watch for that one.

Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday! The poor dear is looking a bit worse for wear - a strip of bark is missing all the way down it. We had this happen to a tree in our yard in Indiana - a truly giant oak, and it eventually died. Hoping that doesn't happen, but Craig thinks that it will. *sigh*

Snow?! Oh, dear!

Vinegar Girl was fun, and I thank you for your compliment. Very different for Tyler - really light and fluffy. But full of humor.

We will have to say a prayer for Poor Pecan Tree...

Yes, please. It is my favorite one.

Just realized that I posted my book reviews but failed to catch up with my thread - apologies!!

>202 vancouverdeb: You don't need to read The Taming of the Shrew in order to enjoy Vinegar Girl, Deb, but it would add to the experience. You would be fine reading Vinegar Girl first and then, if you like it, following it up with Taming of the Shrew if you felt like it. It can stand all on its own for those not interested in Shakespeare - she did a good job of it.

>203 ronincats: Oh, the dentist! You poor thing, Roni! I did come and check out your thread, and what lovely photos you have posted there! Amazing! Thanks so much for letting me know.

>204 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen! I really like Tyler, but I think that even those who don't like her usual stuff would enjoy this. Just remember it's light and fluffy - think charm and humor with no nutritional value. It would pair nicely with something more serious or more thought-provoking. Happy weekend to you, dear!

>205 EBT1002: Ha! Yep. Definitely a gimmick, but a very fun one, I think.

>206 Ameise1: Beautiful! Thanks for that, Barbara!

Yikes about the lightning. Hope the tree recovers.

(And phew, again re the Maigret!)

Me, too, Charlotte. Or there might be crying.

I loved Maigret - which one should I read next? I mean, let's just assume for a moment that I don't go back and start at the beginning, which of course I am going to do...*looks around for Susan*...but, um...if I didn't, which one?

Hi Crazy! Sorry about your poor tree. Nice going on the series reading--enjoy the new ones!

Hey, Kim! Me, too - about the tree. I just started book eleven of Sookie!

Happy Sunday Greetings, Mamie! oooo, so sorry to read of your pecan tree's lightening strike! Is it just the bark that's peeling or were limbs shattered? Not that I know a lot about trees but we've talked to tree people about our 70 yo Elm which is peeling badly and is splitting. We were told Elm's tend to heal themselves. Hope Pecan's are similar. :0(

Morning, Lynda! A strip of bark was peeled all the way down the tree from where the lightening hit it - it burned the bark right off. I am really hoping that it can mend itself, but it is an ugly looking wound.

Morning, Mamie! Happy Sunday! We bought a new fridge and washing machine, so the house is in some disorder, as we get things switched around. I hope to squeeze in some reading.

We keep a second (beer) fridge down by the Man-Cave, in our mud-room and it crapped out. So, we are putting our old kitchen one, down here and the new one in it's place. Hooray for a new beer fridge! Celebrate! Celebrate...Dance to the music.

Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! Oh!! New stuff! Most exciting - we bought a new fridge when we moved here, and I am still in love with it. And yes - hooray for a new beer fridge!!! Let's keep those beverages cold.

My daughter has one, of those mini-fridges in her room, so I have been keeping a few beers stashed there, so I am resourceful.

Good thinking, Mark - last year we bought a beverage fridge for our master bedroom, which is huge (the bedroom, not the fridge). Anyway, we LOVE it. We mostly keep our beverages in the garage fridge, so it's nice not to have to traipse all the way out there at 3am if I want a cold bottled water.

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

Gosh, it's been years, but I used to read a lot of Simenon/Maigret. You remind me how much fun it was. I should revisit those. That sounds like a particularly good one.

I noticed that Hogarth Shakespeare series has, way up ahead, Gillian Flynn doing a modern Hamlet! That's one to ponder.

ETA: >223 Crazymamie: Nice!

>223 Crazymamie: Nice.

The library says no to buying the latest Mary Oliver, so I shall have to be creative. Perhaps reading from the national poetry sites.

>224 jnwelch: Happy Sunday, Joe! I loved Maigret! I liked how he did not always get everything right the first time. I am pondering which one to read next.

I know, right?! Gillian Flynn and Hamlet - that should make for a wild ride!

Glad you like the Mary Oliver!

>225 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! What a bummer about the library not being willing to acquire the latest Oliver on your behalf. Birdy and Abby have both read the one I have out from the library, and they also loved it.

>223 Crazymamie: I love the photo and the quote! I read a book to Adrian last night. Poetry works better for me if I read it aloud. I'm not sure that Adrian is a huge fan of Margaret Atwood's poetry, but he tolerated it. He might have dozed off before I reached the end of the volume.

Hey, Carrie! So glad that the photo and poem hit the spot for you. And I love that story about you reading poetry to Adrian!! Margaret Atwood, huh? I love her. Here is my favorite:

>228 Crazymamie: Ooh that makes me wince.

That's what makes it so good, Charlotte!

>228 Crazymamie: Ouch! I can see why Louise Penny uses her poems for her character, Ruth Zardo. That one sounds like Ruth!

So true, Carrie!

>228 Crazymamie: So explain to me why you like that haunting, short poem? It gives me the shivers. Like Stephen King kind.

Okay. I like it because it says so much with so few words. You read the first part thinking one thing, and then BOOM you GET it when you read the second part. And it is visceral. You don't just read it - you feel it. It makes you uncomfortable - like you said, it gives you the shivers. Or like Charlotte says, it makes you wince. It makes you react to it. I love when poetry does that.

So we are NOT talking about a loving relationship, but a toxic, damaging one. In which case I totally get it. Ewww!

Um...right. But it doesn't have to be a human relationship - it could be someone talking to their addiction. It's clever. And disturbing. Which I think is the point. (Of course, I could be wrong. I've been wrong before lots of times, but that's just the way I see it.)

Happy Sunday, Mamie! I love that poem by Margaret Atwood. Sometimes I feel toward my hubby like the first line and occasionally like the second!

Sorry to hear about your pecan tree, unfortunately the damage from lightning usually runs down through the inside of the tree and they often don't survive. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this was a light strike that didn't do any permanent damage.

I love the Margaret Atwood poem and your description of why it works for you. You said things that I felt, but never could quite get into words.

I'm loving all the poetry on the threads!

>237 DeltaQueen50: Judy! Lovely to see you! Happy Sunday! You made me laugh out loud with your comments about the poem and your marriage. Craig and I have been married for 25 years, so I hear you, Sister!

That's what I was thinking about the pecan tree - we lost a huge oak tree on our Indiana property when it got struck by lightening, and it had the same thing - a scorched path down its length where the bark had been stripped away. Pecan trees are pretty hearty, but lightning is lightning. Damn.

>238 streamsong: Thank you, Janet. What a lovely compliment. I love seeing all the poetry on the threads, too, and it's so interesting to see what each person chooses to post.

>207 Crazymamie: So was that your first Maigret? I've ordered a used copy of the first in the series (who? me? compulsive? never!) even though Charlotte said this series doesn't have to be read in order like some do. Anyway, I'm looking forward to my first Maigret experience.

Meanwhile, "my" U-Dub Huskies are about to play in the Final Four. I hope they have one more upset in them!

>121 Crazymamie: I was trying to figure out which Heyer book I'd read next, The Corinthian looks really good. I'm in the mood for something light and fun.

>140 Crazymamie: I haven't been able to start The Master and Margarita yet - I imagine I'll be dribbling into May based on my reading pace right now. You should definitely join us a little late. :)

Sorry to hear about your Pecan tree, Mamie! I've got my Maigret waiting patiently in a TBR pile, but he may have to languish there for a while..

>236 Crazymamie: No. I totally appreciate you sharing your interpretation of the poem. Amazing what four simple lines can convey! Thanks.

>234 Crazymamie: Works for me.
And agree with >238 streamsong: You put your finger on it. But with words (!) I, on the other hand, need more coffee.

Mamie, how sad about your poor pecan tree. Thank goodness none of you were out there at the same time.

I hope your pre-Tuesday goes as well as it can.

Woo Hoo! It's Monday! Hurrah! ok, back to reality. Hope you muddle thru with flying colors!

Morning, Mamie! Back to the grind today and it is cold. Bad combo. Sighs...

...at least there are the books.

Morning, Mamie!

And now its M*@! morning! Hi there. : )

Happy M*@! morning, Mamie. :-)

What a great weekend that was. Ready for another.

It's so gorgeous here that I could almost forget that it is M*@! morning! EXCEPT that I had to go back to the dentist again - this time Birdy needed a replacement filling. The one she just got a few weeks ago cracked and came out, and the poor baby was in a lot of pain over the weekend (it happened on Saturday afternoon). Luckily, I called first thing this morning, and they could get her right in, so now that's taken care of, but I did lose over an hour at the dentist's office. *sigh* AND Craig always makes a full pot of coffee every morning without fail, even if he doesn't drink any because he is just that nice of a guy. But this morning, he didn't. *sob* No coffee waiting for me when I emerged from the covers. SO, I was forced to run to the coffee shop and indulge in a carryout latte while I waited for Birdy to get her new filling. Despite not having any caffeine in my system before leaving the house this morning, I managed to survive. I have no idea what's for dinner, but I am thinking maybe potato soup.

We stopped by the library on the way home form the dentist, and here's what we got:


NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman - Charlotte and Joe recommended this, and I am wanting to read it for April is Autism Awareness month

The Other Side of Silence by Philip Kerr - this is the latest Bernie Gunther (I LOVE Bernie Gunther), and Suz said it is very good

Mother Love by Rita Dove - a collection of poems by Dove, who was U.S. Poet Laureate 1993-1995, I am not familiar with this poet, but it was sitting right there on the shelf begging me to take it out, so...

"The unsatisfying thing about practicing restraint was that nobody knew you were practicing it."
---Vinegar Girl, Anne Tyler

>240 EBT1002: Yep. My very first Maigret. I did purchase the first three in the series on Kindle this weekend, so I am all set to further indulge, and you and Susan can rest easy that I will be reading in the proper order this time.

I do not follow basketball, but I am hoping that your Huskies came through for you. Go Dawgs!

>241 The_Hibernator: The Corinthian will deliver light and fun for you, Rachel.

I will join you late on the M&M thread, for sure.

>242 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deborah - I'll try to get a photo to post later today, so that you all can see it.

The lovely thing about books is that they are always willing to wait. You will enjoy Maigret when you get to him, I am sure.

>243 Berly: You are welcome, my friend. Always happy to share my thoughts (unless we are talking politics, then forget it). Poetry is so interesting because everyone takes away something different from it.

>244 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte! Kind words. I always say yes to more coffee - in fact, Rae is making me a pot right now!

>245 susanj67: SO true, Susan. That lightening strike also fried out giant tv that hangs over the fireplace in the living room, so Craig is in mourning. I said that thank goodness it wasn't football season. That pecan tree sits not too far from our bedroom window, so the noise was deafening and the flash was something else - you can always tell when lightening hits something.

I thank you for those pre-Tuesday wishes. SO far not completely terrible, so there is that. And I love that gif!!

>246 Carmenere: I love your enthusiasm, Lynda. Now calm down. *looks over top of glasses* Muddle through is just about right, I am thinking.

>247 msf59: Morning, Mark! I checked your tmps - it IS cold up that way. YIKES! I just won't mention that is it going to 78F here and that we have already opened our pool up. I see if I can soak up some sun for you today.

>248 cbl_tn: Morning, Carrie!

>249 Berly: Hi there, Kim!! I love how you typed that!

>250 jnwelch: Ha! Thank you, Joe! It was a very nice weekend, except for the part about Birdy's filling coming out. The deck got sat on, the pool got swum in, and the wine got drunken. LOL! I crack myself up. ANd yes, let's do it all again.

Ooh, 78! Sounds dreamy, as I tie up my hood and pull on my gloves...

Poor, poor baby! Abby and I are just about to journey out to the pool...

Happy pre-Tuesday, Mamie. I have caught up with you for the moment. That lightening strike must have been deafening if it was that close. Hope the tree survives.

>171 jnwelch: You got me with that post, Joe. I just read it this morning. I was going to sit out this month for the AAC because poetry didn't appeal but then I read that Billy Collins poem. I will have to hunt down a book of his poetry!

Thanks, Meg! It was - it was scary loud. I appreciate your good wishes for our tree.

Joe is going to be so thrilled that he got you with that poem!!

>258 Crazymamie: I wanted to comment on Joe's thread but he had already started a new one by the time that I got to his Collins post. You all are very hard to keep up with!

>257 Familyhistorian:, >258 Crazymamie: Ha! I am, Mamie and Meg. That's the one that got me started on him, Meg. I suggest Sailing Alone Around the Room, Meg, which gives you selected poems from Billy Collins' many books, as a starter. Glad that pulled you in!

Happy Monday, Mamie. I love the Vinegar Girl quote. No coffee? I hope it's not going to be a trend...

>259 Familyhistorian: We are a most chatty bunch, aren't we?! Joe will be thrilled to see the comment where ever you post it, trust me. And thanks for keeping up - delighted to have you here!

>260 jnwelch: Speak of the...cafe owner! Oh! I'm writing that title down, too, Joe! Thanks for that!

>261 BLBera: Afternoon, Beth! I had marked that quote and then forgot to put it in my review - better late than never, right? I SO agree with you about the no coffee thing. Hopefully, it was just a fluke.

>118 katiekrug: I can't believe this...I'm still getting BB's from you on Mamie's thread. And, my eyes were open this time!

>258 Crazymamie: It looks like he got the message, Mamie. >260 jnwelch: Thank for the recommendation, Joe. My library carries Sailing Alone Around the Room. I just hope it is there when I go to the library on Wednesday.

Caught up. Sorta. Love the fish hook poem. So sorry about the pecan tree and maybe the TV. *grin*

See you on the next thread. :)

>263 Dianekeenoy: Ha! That's about how it works in these here parts.

>264 Familyhistorian: Crossing my fingers for you, Meg! I would like to read that one, myself. I read and loved his Aimless Love.

>265 nittnut: Oh, the tv is definitely dead, Jenn. Thanks for sorta catching up - that's plenty good enough. Starting over is also just fine - life is busy. Glad you liked the poem!

Next thread doesn't start until I reach 300, so not today - we got a bit of time left in this one.

Just visiting to say hi on a nasty day. Are there some shenanigans, please?

Happy Tuesday greetings, Mamie! Ugh your Monday started off on a bad note, for sure. Hope Birdy's filling stays put this time.

>267 DianaNL: Good thinking, Diana! It's been a while since we've gotten into trouble. I'll have to out my thinking cap on and see what I can come up with...

>268 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda! Or should I say, your majesty, since you are about to be crowned?! Happy Tuesday to you! So far so good with Birdy's filling.

>269 Crazymamie: ha ha ha I'd rather be a mere serf.

Me, too, but my mouth tells a very different story - I have been crowned multiple times. I'm waiting for the scepter - they keep forgetting to give it to me.

All right, everyone, I declare shenanigans over on Diana's thread - she is in need of mischief. Please report over there with party paraphernalia.

Diana's Thread

Morning, Mamie! I did get your PM but I will have to visit Diana a little later. I want to leave some proper shenanigans.

Morning, Mark! No worries - proper shenanigans is important!

>272 Crazymamie: Good morning, Mamie! I shenaniganed my way over to Diana's.

Morning, Joe! I saw that!! Thanks!

>272 Crazymamie: Got it covered!

>277 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! I knew I could count on you!

That would you be, Mamie dearest!

Well, thank you, dear Mamie. :-D

Hi Mamie; I seem to have missed visiting you so far. Hurriedly rectifying the omission. Sorry! :0/

Love the photos in >75 Crazymamie: I thought they were classic stock photos till I read the caption.

What else? I read the first 100 posts, skimmed to 200 and then gave up (phone battery dying). My first Bond was Moore. Just took the kids to the dentist & we all survived, thanks to 6 monthly check-ups (more than I can say for my childhood. Looks like I should investigate board games again; I assumed they were all just variations on the old classics.

Howdy Do, Mamie :0)

My first Bond movie was Goldfinger.

I am sorry about your tree. They pretty much do die after being struck. I've heard/read that the wood was sometimes valued for being "extra strong" on the other hand I haven't heard of pecan trees as being wood anyone wanted to work with, but then, we don't have them up here.

Hello Mum!

Morning, Y'all! Another beautiful day at the Paradiso here. We have been blessed with mild sunny and 70s weather, and we have been enjoying it. I stayed up late last night, reading out on the screened-in porch, and it was lovely.

Nothing much on the agenda today - I need to pick up my contact lenses, which have come in, and I am hoping to mail Lynda's book off to her. Maybe a load or two of laundry. Other than that, I will be reading. I did finish up Sookie books 11 and 12, so now I just have the final Sookie to read. Exciting but also sad - don't you sigh a bit when you come to the end of a particularly enjoyable series?

Morning, Mamie!

>285 Crazymamie: Ha! Love the ecard.

It is tough to reach the end of a particularly enjoyable series. I'm caught up on so many that I like, but it always feels good when a new one comes out. I've got Brotherhood in Death waiting for me from that series.

>279 katiekrug: Katie!!!! Thank goodness you're back! I MISSED you! And I thank you for that truly lovely compliment.

>280 DianaNL: You are welcome, Diana! That image is so cute, and I love "lottle"!

>281 humouress: No worries, Nina! I'm thrilled to see you here! Glad that you love those old Easter photos - those were fun times.

I am loving all the Bond stories - so fun! And glad that your latest visit to the dentist was a good one - we bombed since Rae and Birdy both had two cavities. I ma hoping for better results next time.

Yes - do investigate board games again! There are some really great ones out there - we love "The Train Game" and "Settlers of Catan" - so fun for both young and old and they can be played with more than four, which is sometimes hard to find. I favor games that involve both strategy and luck, so theses two fit the bill.

>282 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! I am hoping to drop Vinegar Girl in the mail today.

>283 sibylline: Goldfinger is one of my favorites, Lucy.

I have no idea about the value of pecan tree wood. I am so sad about it getting hit - Abby took photos so I will try to post one of those later so you all can see it. We'll have to plant another one there, I guess.

>284 Thebookdiva: Hello, Abby!! Lovely to see you here!

>286 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! That ecard made me laugh out loud when I found it.

I like that In Death series, too! I have only read the first two books, but I have several more of them loaded on my Kindle. I pick them up when Amazon has Kindle deals. You are reminding me that I need to get back to that one.

>289 Crazymamie: Yes, they're perfect for the Kindle. (Although I've been gathering the paperbacks from used book sales to put on the shelf). Good idea to pick them up when deals on going on.

Morning Mamie! Cool, dreary, rainy day here, but I am slogging through it.

I really think you would like The Art Forger. Just sayin'...

>290 jnwelch: I have become so picky about which mystery books I buy in print version because my bookcase that houses that genre is completely full. I NEED to acquire another bookcase! So, for now, the J. D. Robb books are only digital here at the Paradisio. They would be good ones to have in print, though, because I can see reading them over and over again.

>291 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sorry about the dreary day - ugh! I'll add The Art Forger to my list - I am thinking maybe Abby has that one. I'll have to ask her.

>285 Crazymamie: OH MY GOSH...I LOVE THAT!!!! Eric is one seriously sexy man-vamp.

>294 Thebookdiva: I knew you would love that one, Abby! And yes, he is.

Im chuckling as I read through the posts I am catching up on...the shennanigator and liking people a lottle.....cute!

I love all the retellings of Shakespeare too, what a project that would be for the author. I bet they work extra hard to do justice to the master!

Hey, Megan! How was the presentation? I bet you did awesome!

So happy to provide you with a chuckle. And yep, the Shakespeare retellings are a fun thing, I think. I bet it would be very intimidating for the author at the start.

The gorgeous weather continues here, I am happy to report. No big plans for today, as we got all the errands taken care of yesterday, so hooray for that. Birdy is already in the pool, and Abby is working on her art. Everyone else is at work, which leaves me with the screened-in porch all to myself and a bit of time for some reading. Wishing for all of you a day full of happy!

I love beautiful weather. As you now know, it won't take long for the hot muggy days to set in. Enjoy the lovely Mamie.

Yep. I do know that, which is why I am soaking up every bit of this Spring weather that we are having right now. I think this is the best Spring we have had since moving to Georgia, as far as temps go. Really lovely.

I am on the final Sookie book, Roberta, so we will have to talk once I have finished it!

>300 Crazymamie: Yes we will have to discuss Sookie!

*grin*

>298 Crazymamie: Sounds good to me! Hope you got some good reading done on the porch there...

Morning, Mamie! I hope your Thursday is Sweeter than ours. Chilly and damp. I am so glad I have my books to keep me distracted.

I want gorgeous weather! Wah!

>303 charl08: Thank you, Charlotte - I will do my best!

>304 msf59: Morning, Mark! Sorry that your weather is not cooperating. In a few months, you can tell me how lovely it is there, and I will tell you how incredibly hot and humid it is here. So there is that.

Hiya, Mamie! Too close to noon in your time zone to say good morning.

I want to head over your way. As Mark says, it's nothing but chilly and damp here - I'm ready for lovely.

We are heading to a good hockey game tonight (Blackhawks - Blues), so that'll help.

Hey there, Joe! Yep - it was actually noon on the dot when you posted. I bet you are ready for lovely - I totally get that! Oh, hockey - that should be loads of fun. Enjoy!

>292 Crazymamie: The In Death series is a good one to have in print (I think anything is better that way, but that is just me). I have only reread one of them and that is Naked in Death to remind me of how it began. I would like to figure out which one is the Icove book though because the later books keep referring back to it. I need a retread of that one so I am back up to speed.

Hey, Meg! I also love print books, but because I often read in bed in the middle of the night when I can't sleep but Craig is sleeping, I like the convenience of my backlit Paperwhite. I also have tendonitis which flares up from time to time, and when that happens, the lightweight Kindle is so much easier to hold than trying to hold open a physical book. Mysteries and thrillers are my go-to comfort genre, so they are what I turn to in the early morning hours when I cannot sleep, thus, it is handy to have them in digital form.

I have no idea which book is the Icove book, since I have only read the first two books in that series, but I bet Joe would know, as I think he has read all of them.

>308 Familyhistorian:, >309 Crazymamie: Origin in Death. It's a good one.

>310 jnwelch: Ha! I thought you might know, Joe! Thanks!

>311 Crazymamie: :-)

>285 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie. You might enjoy her Midnight series. I've listened to two of them and really liked them. They were Midnight Crossroad and Day Shift

Morning! I'm not sure how close you are to Perry, GA but there's a kickin' used book sale they do at the fairgrounds every year. You should come! Bring bags and boxes!

Snowy greetings from Cleveland, Mamie! Brrr!

Morning, Mamie! I LOVE this thought of you relaxing with a book in the screen-in patio. I also love the daydream of joining you there... Ha!

>313 Dianekeenoy: I'll have to check those out, Diane. Thank you!

>314 dragonaria: Morning, Kim! I think that is less than two hours from us - probably closer to one and a half. Unfortunately, those dates aren't going to work for me - but if they do it every year, I'll have to see if I can go next year. Dang! I am thinking maybe Dejah has gone to that one in the past - she mentioned some giant used booksale that happens every year at a fairgrounds, but that was back before we had actually moved here.

>315 Carmenere: Oh, dear! Snow?! Morning, poor cold Lynda!

>316 scaifea: Morning, Amber! The screened-in porch is one of my very favorite places! You would be welcome to join me anytime!

Hello Mamie! Friday's here.

Morning, Charlotte! Yes! Hello, Friday!!!