Mamie's 2016 Madness (Page 17)

Continuing my list of favorite things...Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and Once There Was a War...

...

...

snail's pace

Books Completed in August:
81. A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths (3.5 stars), library hardback, police procedural - series recommended by Beth
82. Driving Mr. Dead by Molly Harper (reread), ebook, urban fantasy
83. The Good Wife by Stewart O'Nan (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, literary fiction - recommended by Jenn
--- Ruth's First Christmas Tree by Elly Griffiths (4 stars), 2016 free ebook, short story in the Ruth Galloway series
84. A Witch's Handbook by Molly Harper (3 stars), borrowed ebook, urban fantasy/paranormal romance
85. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (reread), 2016 acquired audiobook, literary fiction
86. Monstress by Marjorie m. Liu, artwork by Sana Takeda (4.5 stars), borrowed paperback from Birdy, GN - fantasy
87. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, paranormal romance/urban fantasy

Books Completed in July:
74. Academy Street by Mary Costello (5 stars), 2015 acquired ebook, literary fiction - Katie's Dirty Dozen
75. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/detective - recommended by Joe and Brodie
76. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (5 stars), 2012 acquired ebook, historical fiction - American West, recommended by the LT masses
77. Symphony for the City of the Dead by M. T. Anderson (4.25 stars), library hardback, YA - history, Siege of Leningrad/Dmitri Shostakovich - recommended by Beth
78. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo (5 stars), library paperback, literary fiction - Katie's Dirty Dozen
79. I Am No One by Patrick Flanery (3 stars), ER paperback, literary thriller
80. The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien by Georges Simenon (3.5 stars), police procedural - Ahem. Charlotte

July 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:


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


Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes - reading this for the Bowie read with Kim, Megan, Mark, Charlotte, Joe, Paul, Anita...

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

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

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
48. Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris (4 stars), ROOT ebook, urban fantasy
49. Dark Vineyard by Martin Walker (4 stars), 2015 acquired paperback, crime fiction/police procedural
50. The Portable Veblen (I have no idea), 2016 acquired ebook, um...weird fiction?
51. Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, fantasy - series recommended by Roni
52. A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab (4 stars), 2016 acquired audiobook, fantasy
53. Black Diamond by Martin Walker (4 stars), 2015 acquired paperback, crime fiction/police procedural
54. Gorsky by Vesna Goldsworthyy (2.5 stars), 2016 acquired book, retelling of The Great Gatsby
55. Ballistics by Billy Collins (4 stars), library hardback, poetry
56. Shaman Pass by Stan Jones (4 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural
57. Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer (3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/mystery

Books Completed in May:
58. The Bird Artist by Howard Norman (4 stars), library hardback, literary fiction, GR
59. Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon (3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/police procedural - series recommended by Charlotte
60. The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker (4 stars), 2016 acquired paperback, crime fiction/police procedural
61. The Other Side of Silence by Phillip Kerr (4.5 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/mystery - recommended by Suz and Charlotte
62. Frozen Sun by Stan Jones (2.5 stars), library hardback, crime fiction/police procedural MY THOUGHTS
63. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (thinking), 2016 acquired paperback, Russian literature
64. A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt (4.3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, space opera/mystery

Books Completed in June:
65. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson (reread), audiobook, literary fictiony/detective
66. Zero World by Jason Hough (4 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, scifi/suspense - recommended by Jim
67. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths (4 stars), ROOT ebook/2016 acquired audiobook - recommended by Beth and Katie, mystery/police procedural
68. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths (3 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, mystery/police procedural
69. White Noise by Don DeLillo (thinking), library paperback
70. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson (4.25 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, literary fiction/detective
71. When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson (4.5 stars), literary fiction/detective
72. The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths (3 stars), library hardback, mystery/police procedural
73. Immortal in Death by J. B. Robb (4 stars), 2013 acquired ebook, mystery/police procedural

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) COMPLETED
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/$.99 audio)
18. Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop - 2nd book in The Others series - ebook
19. King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild - purchased for the non-fiction/history challenge COMPLETED
20. Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older - Mark's fault
21. The Drowned Detective by Neil Jordan - Charlotte's Guardian reviews COMPLETED
22. A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab COMPLETED
23. The Fade Out: Volume 3 by Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips COMPLETED
24. Velvet: Volume 2 by Ed Brubaker - recommended by Roberta COMPLETED
25. The Misty Harbor by Georges Simenon - recommended by Charlotte COMPLETED
26. Gorsky by Vesna Goldsworthy -Charlotte again, and on my own thread! COMPLETED
27. The Trees by Ali Shaw - Guardian review on Charlotte's thread
28. The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie - Charlotte's thread? COMPLETED
29. The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster by Scott Wilbanks ($.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 COMPLETED
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 COMPLETED
37. The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker - book #4 in Bruno, Chief of Police series COMPLETED
38. The Devil's Cave by Martin Walker - book #5
39. The Resistance Man by Martin Walker - book #6
40. Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara ($1.99 on Kindle) - series recommended by Roni COMPLETED
41. Cast in Courtlight by Michelle Sagara - book #2 - series recommended by Roni
42. City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan - heard about this on Ellen's thread
43. The Blackhouse by Peter May - recommended by Barbara
44. The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza ($.99 on Kindle)
45. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard - recommended by Jim
46. Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart - recommended by Charlotte, Mark and Joe ($2.99 on Kindle)
47. Zero World by Jason M. Hough - recommended by Jim COMPLETED
48. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye - recommended by Roberta and Katie
49. A Talent for War by Jack McDevitt COMPLETED
50. The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney - recommended by Charlotte
51. spill simmer falter wither by Sara Baume - I just liked the sound of this one
52. A Country Road, A Tree... by Jo Baker - I loved her Longbourn
53. Happy Family by Tracy Barone - sounded good
54. The Honeymoon by Dinitia Smith - novel about George Eliot's honeymoon
55. Golden Hill by Francis Soufford - blaming Charlotte's Guardian reviews
56. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths - blaming this series on Beth and Katie COMPLETED
57-70. The first fourteen books in Cara Black's Aimee Luduc series ($1.99 each on Kindle)
71. Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn ($1.99 on Kindle)
72. The Good Wife by Stewart O'Nan - recommended by Jenn COMPLETED
73. A World Away by Stewart O'Nan
74. Sylvester: or The Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer ($.99 on Kindle)
75. A Backpack, a Bear and Eight Crates of Vodka by Lev Golinkin
76. Crime Writer by Jill Dawson - heard about his one from Charlotte's Guardian reviews
77. Brighton by Michal Harvey - recommended by Brodie
78. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley - recommended by Joe and Brodie and Ellie COMPLETED 7/4/16
79. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat - Katie's fault
80. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel - recommended by Diane ($1.99 on Kindle)
81. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo - I wanted my own copy, this was recommended by Katie COMPLETED
82. Suspended Sentences by Patrick Modiano - 3 linked novellas
83. The Art of Neil Gaiman: The Story of a Writer by Hayley Campbell
84. The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes - recommended by Suz
85. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu - Mark pointed out this Kindle deal ($1.99)

25/85 completed = 29% have been read

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 COMPLETED 7/21/16 5 stars
7. Ruby by Cynthia Bond - seconded by Charlotte
8. Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming - she recommends the audio read by Cummings himself
9. Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan
10. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye - Roberta also loved this, Katie says the audio is great, purchased 5/15/16
11. The Jaguar's Children by John Vaillant
12. Homegoing by Yaa Gyast
13. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat - she pointed out that this was only $1.99 on Kindle and that it was one of her very favorites, purchased 7/13/16

AND, from 2015:

1. The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey ($1.99 on Kindle), purchase on 2/18/15
2. Bright's Passage by Josh Ritter (2.99 on Kindle), purchased on 2/23/15
3. The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly ($3.79 on Kindle), purchased on 3/31/15 COMPLETED 11/7/15 4.2 stars
4. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler ($12.77 trade paperback), purchased on 4/1/15, COMPLETED read for Mark's AAC in January 2016, 4.25 stars
5. Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker ($.99 on Kindle), purchased on 4/9/15 - second book in a series, first book Dreamland was recommended by Katie and purchased last year
6. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing - used an Audible credit COMPLETED 6/16/15 4.9 stars
7. Academy Street by Mary Costello ($9.99 on Kindle), purchased on 6/12/15 COMPLETED 7/2/16 5 stars
8. Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn ($5.99 on Kindle), purchased on 8/28/15
9. Sweetland by Michael Crummey ($.99 on Kindle), purchased 9/5/15 COMPLETED 11/19/15 4.5 stars
10. If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins ($7.99 on Kindle), purchased on 10/26/15

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 - Beth and Susan also liked this
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 COMPLETED 8/3/16
59. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift - recommended by Suz, Ellen also loved this
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
72. Zero World by Jason M. Hough - recommended by Jim COMPLETED
73. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie - recommended by Susan (and Carrie recommended it to her)
74. Without: Poems by Donald Hall - recommended by Ellen, who read it because of the poem that Katie had posted - poetry collection
75. City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan - Ellen mentioned this on her thread as getting great reviews
76. River Thieves by Michael Crummey - Judy mentioned that she loved this one (on Ellen's thread)
77. The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild - Beth's review on her thread
78. Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine - read Julia's review on her thread
79. Georgiana by Amanda Foreman - read Anne's review on her thread
80. Pleasantville by Attica Locke - read Charlotte's review on her thread
81. Locally Laid by Lucie Amundsen - Janet's review on her thread - I can't believe that she actually got me with this one, but there you have it!
82. Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan Howard - Jim said to just read it, already
83. Black Water Rising by Attica Locke - recommended by Susan, Pleasantville is the next book in the series
84. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys - recommended by Mark, who said the audio was good, too. Joe also liked this one. Also Mary
85. Last Night in Montreal by Emily St. John Mandel - read Beth's review on her thread
86. Body Politic by Paul Johnston - read Charlotte's review on her thread, she said Suz recommended it
87. All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews - read Anne's review on her thread, she said Beth had recommended it - Anne loved the audio narrated by Erin Moon
88. The Private Lives of the Tudors by Tracy Borman - Susan loved this one!
89. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley - recommended by Joe and Brodie and Ellie COMPLETED
90. Spain in Our Hearts by Adam Hochschild - read Beth's excellent review on her thread

LT recommendations continued...

91. Underground Airlines by Ben Winers - recommended by Mark
92. Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave - recommended by Joe
93. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel - recommended by Diane
94. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch -recommended by Joe

A few of my favorite reads from 2015:




This should do it - next one's yours!

First?

ETA: Oooh, look at me! Goofing off at work.....

Happy New Thread, Mamie! Love the Steinbeck toppers. They are perfect. I plan on still listening to Of Mice and Men before the month is out. This will be my 3rd or 4th time.

Nice day for starting threads- I launched one and so did Karen.

>13 Crazymamie: Katie, you are indeed first!!! Here's your prize:



And:

>14 katiekrug: Thanks, Mark! I thought you might love the Steinbeck toppers. I really love Of Mice and Men - I am wanting to get the audio of it by Gary Sinise that Katie said was so good. I have no idea how many times I have read it - I get it out every other year or so. It always speaks to me.

Coming over to see your new place...

Happy new thread, Mamie! I hope all is well with you.

I have not read The Making of The Searchers. I will have to review the film before perusing the book.

Thank you, Brodie! Feeling much better today, so it's all good. I really enjoyed The Making of the Searchers - my only complaint was I wish there had been more photos. A very interesting read, though.

New thread!! Congrats and glad you are feeling better.

Ha! Thanks, Kim!

Hi Mamie! Just marking my spot. :-)

Happy new thread. I'm liking Katie's prize. She won't mind if I just help myself to a cold can, will she?!

>22 cbl_tn: Hey, Carrie - pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

>23 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! I'm sure Katie would be happy to share a cold beverage. We can restock her if she starts getting low. The Pecan Paradisio always has the beverages fully stocked.

happy New Thread, Mamie!

Glad you are feeling better, Mamie! Love the new thread.

>25 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda!

>26 ronincats: Thank you, Roni! Glad the new thread meets with your approval. *grin*

All these new members in the Fitbit group and I'm still at the bottom in #of steps. *sigh*

Happy new thread, Mamie. You must be feeling better.

>28 ronincats: I think that Mamie let in a bunch of ringers in the last batch, Roni.

Just got the end of the last thread, and saw there is a new one! Glad the pool bean bags made it over, and the floating drinks cart!!

Love that lineup of Steinbeck books you have in the image, and I hope one day to have read them all!!! Happy newest, hope you are feeling up and at 'em ;)

I must admit Mamie I don't quite understand why Steinbeck was so looked down upon by the critics such that his Nobel prize in 1962 had the New York Times stating his "limited talent is, in his best work, watered down by tenth-rate philosophising". What did they know? Steinbeck's work has, in the main, stood the test of time. In my humble opinion The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men and In Dubious Battle are three novels that collectively no american writer has to date bettered.

Happy new thread!

Hi Mamie! Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Mamie! I love all the pictures you have in the opening posts. My thread goal for 2017 (ooh) is going to be to get more pictorial :-)

Happy new thread, Mamie.

Happy new one, lady!!

Morning, Mamie!

"In my humble opinion The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men and In Dubious Battle are three novels that collectively no american writer has to date bettered."

Way to go, Paul! Next time I see you, I am buying you a beer!

Morning, Y'all! It's another muggy one at the Pecan Paradisio. I am ready for winter already, and we're just getting started. Actually, I would settle for the 80s - the temps, not the decade, just so we're clear. Once was enough for the decade.

On the reading front. I finished up Symphony for the City of the Dead yesterday, so now I am ready to request The Noise of Time - Julian Barnes' fictional biography of Shostakovich. And I have about 50 more pages to go in Nobody's Fool, which is good because it has to go back today. I really wanted to finish it last night - the mind was willing, but the body was tired. The body won. Anyway, I am hoping to post some thoughts on these two later today and on Lonesome Dove.

Not too much on the agenda today - I need to work some more on the desk project, do some laundry, and decide what's for dinner. AND I need to get my steps, which I did not do yesterday. Bad Mamie.

>28 ronincats: Sorry, Roni. Should I start screening potential group members? LOL! You have had your hands full with projects that don'e allow for a lot of stepping, for one thing. And August is just around the corner, and that's like starting over, so...

>29 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I am feeling much better, I am happy to say.

I think you are right about the latest additions! We need some low steppers. Ha!

>30 LovingLit: Hello, Megan! I am hoping to read all the Steinbeck's, too! If I don't make it, at least I'll have fun trying.

And thank you. I am feeling ever so much better.

>31 PaulCranswick: I completely agree with you, Paul. It boggles the mind. Well, this mind any way.

And thank you!

>32 nittnut: Hey, Jenn! Thank you!

>33 susanj67: Thanks, Susan! Ooh! A 2017 thread goal!! I always have fun deciding what images to use with my threads.

>34 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana!

>35 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>36 cbl_tn: Morning, Carrie!

>37 msf59: Ahem. That's great for Paul, Mark, but where is my Morning Mamie?!!

Happy new thread, Mamie!!

Thanks, Reba!

Good morning, Mamie!!

Good Morning, Lynda! Coffee?

Oh yes in deedy! Thanks, you obviously took so much time to prepare these!

*grin*

Morning Mamie! Morning Mamie! I was planning on coming back. I would not forget you. Hot & hazy at 9am. Ugh!

Well...okay, then. *sniff* And since you gave me two instead of one. It's like soup here, and I don't mean that in a nice way - really yucky out there already. Ugh is exactly right.

Two new books arrived at the Pecan Paradisio today:


The Book of Ralph by Christopher Steinsvold - this one was recommended by Nathalie


Hunters & Collectors by M. Suddain - this one was included in Charlotte's Guardian reviews, and Charlotte read and liked it

Good Afternoon Mom.

Good afternoon, Mamie!

Have you seen Powell and Loy in 'Love Crazy'? Another gem with these two.

My Man Godfrey?

>50 Crazymamie: Ooh. Book delivery! Nathalie was visited by the author on her thread after she read The Book of Ralph - maybe you will be too?!

Soup like air sounds bad. Or perhaps I mean air like soup. Fortunately it has cooled down here now, as the heat has been Hard Work. Even some of my flowers seem to have objected, and I've got several sad looking tomato plants that I didn't water enough. Must try harder!

>51 GeezLouise: Well, hello there, Miss Rae!

>52 brodiew2: Good afternoon, Brodie! I have seen My Man Godfrey, but not Love Crazy - I'll hunt that one down, thanks.

>53 charl08: She was?! I am still trying to catch up with the threads. I'll have to hop on over there.

Right - the second one. Air like soup. Not good.

Morning, Mamie! Happy Thursday!

Air like soup? UGH. I remember that level of humidity. I don't miss it.

But I miss you! I hope you are doing well!

Hello there, Ellen! Happy Thursday! You are wise not to miss air like soup, but I am delighted that you miss me. All is well - life is very good. I am slowly catching up on the threads - I'll come catch up with you!

Thanks for checking in on my thread, Mamie! xo

You're welcome, Ellen. Truly, it was my pleasure. xo

>39 Crazymamie: Low steppers would help, or maybe not such high achievers on the other end of the scale. I thought you were down for the count for a few days. How come you are still in the lead?

>59 Familyhistorian: We do have a very active group, Meg. I am still in the lead because I have the most steps for the month - I haven't have any days with no steps. I have just had a few days (5) where I didn't get my 10,000, and at the beginning of the month, I had a five day streak where I got over 20,000 or more each day. I am guessing that you and Katherine will both pass me before the end of the month. If you look at the seven day leaderboard, I am not in the lead - you are. I am in sixth place on that board.

We are headed out today - going to Columbus to go to the big bookstore and eat at the Cheddars. Craig took today off, so it should be relaxing and fun. I am hoping to pick up my own copy of Nobody's Fool, which I finished yesterday and LOVED. Five full stars for its fabulousness. Not sure what else might follow me home, but I will be sure to report back. Please hold down the fort while I am gone.

Morning Mamie! Have a great day in Columbus. Report back on your book haul.

That is great news about Nobody's Fool. I will have to bookhorn that one in.

Morning Mamie. You mean there is a chance we will be able to pass you? I better keep at it!

Good morning, Mamie! Have fun on the road trip!

Hi Mamie - Happy Friday and happy newish thread.

Wishing all at the Pecan Paradisio a wonderful weekend. xx

Yesterday was really fun - the girls were very excited to learn that they are reissuing the Fruits Basket mangas in collectors editions that have two books in each edition. All three girls love these, so this was a fabulous find - the original books were out of print, so they had been requesting them from the library over and over again because they love rereading these. I had finally started purchasing them used when I could fins them, but it is not easy to find them in very good condition.

I was disappointed that they had NO Stewart O'Nan books. None. I really had my heart set on adding to my collection, but this was not to be. Here is what I did manage to find and bring home:


The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes - I can't request this from the library until it has been out for six months because our branch doesn't have it


Suspended Sentences by Patrick Modiano - three linked novellas


Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo - my very own copy!


The Art of Neil Gaiman: The Story of a Writer by Hayley Campbell - SO cool! This is chock full of "handwritten notes, drawings, manuscripts and personal photographs along with narrative written by Campbell, a longtime personal friend of Gaiman. Awesomesauce!

>62 msf59: Morning, Mark! We had a most excellent time. And I have posted my book haul above. *happy dance* I REALLY LOVED Nobody's Fool - comments about it later today, I am hoping. And yes - you need to get to it!

>63 Familyhistorian: Morning, Meg! Um...yes. As a matter of fact I saw that Katherine has already passed me - I figured this would happen since I spent so much time in the car yesterday. I am hoping to catch her again today.And yes - get busy - you need to come catch both of us! GO MEG! GO MEG!

>64 brodiew2: Morning, Brodie - the road trip was full of delight!

>65 BLBera: Hello, Beth! Friday was full of fabulous! And thank you!

>66 PaulCranswick: Thanks so much for that, Paul! Happy weekending to you!

Morning Mamie! Happy Saturday! It feels like a blast furnace out here. Ugh!

Nice book haul. Bummer about the O'Nan.

Morning, Mark! According to my computer, it's actually hotter in Chicago tight now than it is in Albany - shocking!! Of course we are going to 94 and you are going to 86. Rain in the forecast - hoping we get it and that it cools things down. Ha! Fat chance, probably.

I was truly bummed about the O'Nan. What is the world coming to?!

Morning, Mamie! Woot for bookstore trips!

Morning, Amber! Woot indeed!!

I think it is supposed to hit 90 here, but it all ready feels like a 100+. I hope little Anne keeps me distracted.

Yuck! Good luck, Mark!

Happy Saturday Mamie!

I just love reading all your lists. You've read some gems, and acquired quite a few good books as well.

I like hearing how much you liked Nobody's Fool. I love Russo and have three (I think) of his sitting over on the shelf to read soon.

Nice haul. I tried to buy books on Friday but came away with compost and a temporary greenhouse instead. Must try harder...

Hi Mamie! Yes, I would like a return to the 80s (temps) here, too. Ugh. At least we're dry here in Colo. That helps. I just keep repeating that to myself (it's cheaper than installing A/C).

The Gaiman biography looks great. I'll be watching to see what you think of it. He is just so awesome, and a huge champion of libraries and librarians. I'm sure I have a crush on him.

>68 Crazymamie: Trying to catch up, Mamie. The books keep calling out to me - should I walk or should I read? Yay for the book trip and the nice book haul to boot!

Just to let you know my dear that you are the first through 5,000 posts on your threads this year. This one makes it post 5,003.

Happy Sunday Mamie! I was three whole threads behind but think I have caught up now. Glad to hear Daniel's ankle is getting better.

Good Morning, Y'all! No big plans for today - Craig is out in the kitchen cooking up a Big Breakfast, which means there is going to be a BIG mess to clean up later. At least there will be bacon...I did tell him he needed to get his priorities straight, as there was no coffee brewed. *blinks*

Abby, Rae and I spent last night binge watching The Good Wife - I am really liking it so far. Just Rae and I had been watching it, but now we have sucked Abby into our madness. *cue evil laughter*

Hoping that Sunday is kind to each and every one of you.

>75 Whisper1: That is a lovely image, Linda! Thank you. I am definitely having a very good reading year so far.

>76 RebaRelishesReading: I want to read more Russo, Reba. I liked Nobody's Fool even better than Empire Falls, and now I am wanting to see the movie because I think Paul Newman would make a perfect Sully. What has been your favorite Russo so far?

>77 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! Compost instead of books?! Oh, dear! We have our own compost thingy here as the previous owners left it and their lovely container gardens behind. No greenhouse, though - Craig did have one in Indiana, but we left it with the property. He really loved that thing. Hoping you can manage some books next time.

>78 AMQS: Hello, Anne! Yes, dry would definitely help. I would not be living down here with no A/C - trust me, no one would want to see that.

The Gaiman book is not so much a traditional biography, as it is a sort of scrapbook with anecdotes and musings - really fabulous, but hard to describe.





*back to add that I also have a crush on him!

>79 Familyhistorian: I hear you, Meg. Often I walk while listening to an audiobook - right now I'm listening to The View From the Cheap Seats, which is narrated by Gaiman himself - it's full of fabulous!

>80 PaulCranswick: This actually really surprises me, Paul - I thought for sure that Mark or Amber or you had passed me by now. Most intriguing. I predict I will not be the first one to 6,000. Ha!

>81 souloftherose: Thank you, Heather! And how kind of you to actually take to time to catch up with me!! Daniel is doing great with his leg - he goes back to the surgeon this week, and I am guessing that then he will really get to start rehabbing it.

Happiest of Sunday's to you Mamie! Added Nobody's Fool to the ole wishlist. Think I'll look into the Gaiman bio too. Non-traditional, I like that.

Thank you, Lynda! Hooray for adding Nobody's Fool to the WL. And the Gaiman bio is just so cool.

Happy Sunday, Mamie! And yay for The Good Wife! I loved it, and never missed an episode. How far through are you?

Richard Russo is not well-represented in the library catalogue, but they do have Nobody's Fool (is that the first one?) and Empire Falls.

Thank you, Susan! We just started watching it, so we are still in the first season.

Nobody's Fool is the first one - there is a sequel titled Everybody's Fool. Empire Falls is a stand alone, as far as I know.

Fabulous book haul, Mamie. The Gaiman looks like fun. The Noise of Time is one of my favorite reads so far this year.

Book #76: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (5 stars), 2012 acquired ebook - Mark is the person who originally put this on my list, but it comes highly recommended by the LT masses

"If you only come face-to-face with your own mistakes once or twice in your life it's bound to be extra painful. I face mine every day - that way they ain't usually much worse than a dry shave."

So all y'all were right. This book is so much more than a western - it is also a western would be a more apt description. And I was not expecting to love it despite all the glowing praise that it accrued at just being mentioned on my thread. I think what really shines here is the humor that resides even in the darker passages. This was such a fabulous surprise to me. And the well crafted characters who are deeply flawed but also deeply lovable. And the ones that you want to love but just can't because they keep letting you down - we have all known people like that. Life is full of them.

Perhaps the greatest achievement here is that the book does not feel like it is over 800 pages - you just open the cover and fall right in. I never had to make myself pick it up, and I found myself sneaking moments with it for just one more chapter. And then just one more after that. I also loved that, for me, it was not predictable. Just when I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, it went another direction. I loved how the characters wove into and out of each others' lives. And how the plot got twisty only to straighten itself out again before it began once more twisting in on itself. Beautiful.

My favorite character? Deets, hands down, and I wanted to know more about him. After that, I don't know how you could possibly fail to love Gus, who gets all the best lines and who never fails to stand tall when he needs to, but is just as quick to sit back down again. His introspection on a life lived taming the West only to find that it came at perhaps too high a cost is worth the price of admission alone, but there is so much more here. Heartbreak and belly laughs, passages begging to be read aloud and bittersweet irony that will have you holding your breath, characters that will stay with you long after closing the covers of the book...it's all here. Just waiting. Oh so highly recommended.

>89 BLBera: Thanks, Beth! Fun is a perfect word for the Gaiman - I have already dipped into it several times, and it is truly fabulous. And I can't wait to get to The Noise of Time - and I am ready now thanks to your recommendation of Symphony for the City of the Dead.

>90 Crazymamie: - Wonderful review. Exactly right!

Thank you, Katie!

Book #77: Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M. T. Anderson (4.25 stars), library hardback, YA - history, Siege of Leningrad/Dmitri Shostakovich - recommended by Beth

I have been wanting to read Julian Barnes' The Noise of Time since I read about it in Charlotte's Guardian reviews and then read Suz's review of it. Trouble was, I knew next to nothing about Dmitri Shostakovich, although his name has come up in several books this year - don't you just love serendipity?! Then Beth read and reviewed this book, so I requested it from the library. I'm glad I did - it is a great introduction to both the Siege of Leningrad and Dmitri Shostakovich.

The book starts with the amazing story of Shostokovich's Seventh Symphony being routed from Russia to the US during WWII on microfilm! Then it goes back to the beginning - to the childhood of Shostakovich, when Leningrad is still St. Peterburg. It takes us through The Russian Revolution, through Lenin, through The Five-Year Plan, Stalin and the Great Terror, and right into the heart of WWII. It brings us out on the other side and does a very good job of showing just how horrific the Siege of Leningrad was. It gives us the truly amazing story of how Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony came to be written and performed during the war, even in Leningrad itself.

Written for the YA audience, the book gets a bit melodramatic in places and occasionally includes odd bits of trivia, but on the whole it is very well done. I loved all the photos and maps that were included and thought the author did an excellent job of dividing the story into segments that flowed smoothly into each other. The pacing was very good. Highly recommended and a huge thanks to Beth for bringing it to my attention.

Book #78: Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo (5 stars), library paperback, literary fiction - Katie's Dirty Dozen

"For fairness and loyalty, however important to the head, were issues that could seldom be squared in the human heart, at the deepest depths of which lay the mystery of affection, of love, which you either felt or you didn’t, pure as instinct, which seized you, not the other way around, making a mockery of words like ‘should’ and ‘ought.’ The human heart, where compromise could not be struck, not ever. Where transgressions exacted a terrible price. Where tangled black limbs fell. Where the boom got lowered.”

This is just my second book by Richard Russo, but already I can mark him as a favorite author. His writing speaks to me - I like how he tells a story where basically nothing much happens but the characters are so real that you feel you know them personally. That's how life happens - not so much in the big moments but in the small forgotten ones that help to define who we are.

This is mostly the story of Sully and the lives that intersect his, and what I love about Sully is that he knows how to be kind. And he doesn't take any shit. At first glance, Sully seems like a failure - he seems reckless and thoughtless in his decision making. But Sully is actually very thoughtful - he thinks things through and then goes ahead and does things his way even when he knows that it is not "the smartest thing". Is it better to be smart or to be genuine?

Sully lives with Miss Beryl (renting out her upstairs), mother of the selfish and greedy Clive Jr., widow of Clive Sr. Miss Beryl used to teach eight grade and she has taught and remembers most everyone in town. Miss Beryl is another very interesting and deeply conflicted character - she loves Sully better than her own son, who has an agenda that does not meet with Miss Beryl's approval. Miss Beryl knows that she cannot trust her own son, but she feels guilty about this knowledge.

I loved the thoughtful progression through Miss Beryl's and Sully's thoughts and actions as they navigate the course of their journey. Miss Beryl understands that Sully is a product of his abusive father's violent behavior. She understands his stubbornness even when she doesn't condone it, and she definitely understands that forgiveness is not always an option or even necessary for redemption. Why do people always want us to forgive what should never be forgiven? And why do they think we cannot have closure without it? Acceptance and forgiveness are not the same thing. I wanted to applaud Sully for refusing to forgive his father, who, after all, never even asked for forgiveness. I didn't think Sully should have to relinquish his anger or his hurt.

“To Ruth’s way of thinking, Sully’s unwillingness to forgive as the source of his own stubborn failures, and in the past she’d been capable of being very persuasive on this subject, would in fact have persuaded about anyone but Sully. Her failure to convince him was probably the best single explanation for why things never worked out between them. She made it clear he could not have them both - herself and his stubborn, fixed determination. For a while he’s allowed her to undermine it in subtle ways. Once they’d even visited Big Jim in his nursing home. But Sully could only surrender so much, and he understood that if he and Ruth married, she’d eventually have him visiting Big Jim’s grave with fresh flowers. She’d go with him and make sure he left them. And where was the justice in that? It would mean that in the end Big Jim had fooled them all and beat the rap, walked out of court on some flimsy Christian loophole called forgiveness. No. Fuck him. Eternally."

This book is such a wonderful character study. Quiet and unassuming, it is packed full of humor and wit. Of charm and ugliness and truth. It spoke to me. Highly recommended and one I know I will reread. Thank you, Katie, for recommending this one.

You're welcome, Mamie. Whew! Sigh of relief - I always worry that my recommendations will fall flat.

>96 BLBera: *grin* I do that, too.

>95 Crazymamie: Great review of Nobody's Fool, Mamie. I found that the character of Sully really grew on me but I don't know that I want to follow up with him in Everybody's Fool. I kind of like to remember him as he was at the end of the first book. What about you. Do you think you will read Everybody's Fool?

Thanks, Meg! I totally agree with what you are saying - I do not intend to read Everybody's Fool. I thought the original book was perfect, and I don't want to go mucking about with that. Why mess with perfect?

Looks like you're off to a great start with your second 75. Two 5-star books!!

I know, right, Carrie?! July has been a stellar month so far.

>83 Crazymamie: I think I liked Bridge of Sighs best but it's really hard to pick. One thing I liked about Bridge of Sighs was that it had many of the same characters as Empire Falls.

I remember you mentioning that one on Katie's thread, Reba. I added it to my LT list at the time, so I will be sure to get to that one. I did not realize it had many of the same characters from Empire Falls!

Congratulations on finishing Lonesome Dove. That is a book with lots of pages.

So true. Thank you, Linda.

Two five star reads over the weekend is pretty outstanding, Mamie. xx

As to whether you'll be first to 6,000 I am not sure but the present top twelve are

Mamie 5,029
Mark 4,854
Amber 4,737
Paul 4,354
Joe 4,043
Charlotte 3,023
Katie 2,664
Darryl 2,659
Ellen 2,173
Kim 1,671
Barbara 1,653
Deb 1,515

Morning Mamie!! I've got SftCotD waiting for me at the library! Will turned me on to the 7th symphony about a year ago and it's absolutely amazing. Can't wait to read the story behind it.

>106 PaulCranswick: SO true, Paul. July has been lucky for me. The posting stats are interesting -I was sure I had fallen behind Mark and Amber by now.

>107 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Oh, hooray for your reserve - you will really like reading it, I think. And yes, the symphony itself is truly amazing - I have listened to it several times now.

OK, Mamie - Here's a post to push you to 6,000. ;) Happy Monday.

So, um...yeah, Monday. I am hoping to work on the paperwork filing today - my desk project is nearing its end, and I am getting very excited about it. Also, I have discovered new pens, which I am absolutely in love with - Uni-ball Vision Elite (the fine point). SO full of fabulous!!

On the reading front, I started two new books in addition to what I am already reading. The first is I Am No One, which I attempted and failed on before. This is an ER book, and the description sounded so right up my alley, but I am finding it tedious and very slow moving. The sentences are long and meandering, taking up as much as half a page sometimes - really, just put the period in already and start over; it's not hard. And the first person narration is making me a bit crazy because the main character is very stiff and proper and erudite. He's annoying. And he rambles. On the bright side, the cover is really striking. *blinks*

The other book I started is The Good Wife by Stewart O'Nan - no relation to the tv series, as far as I know, but since we are watching the tv show, it reminded me that I had this in the stacks - recommended by Jenn. And it's on Kindle, making it an easy bedtime read. I feel like I should purchase all of his books in print version, though, just so that the powers that be know that he is a desirable writer. I am still mad about there being none of his books in the Big Bookstore that we visited on Friday. Does it show?

I am thinking that I am going to have to use August to catch up on my ER books - I have three in a stack now, so I am feeling the pressure a bit. What are they? Well...the aforementioned I Am No One, Wolf Road (which Jim really liked!), and As Good As Gone (the new Larry Watson and guess what - it's a gorgeous hardback that they sent!!).

>109 BLBera: Ha! Thank you, Beth! I am not sure about the Happy part of that, but I will try - rainy days and Mondays always get me down. Actually, I love rainy days, so I guess it's just Mondays.

Yay on almost finishing the desk clean-up and finding the pens! And happy you-know-what day!!

Thanks, Kim! I love your enthusiasm!!

Ooh, I haven't read The Good Wife yet, but it's on my shelf :) And I also have the new Larry Watson to read...

Sorry Monday came around again :(

I am liking it so far, Katie, and I am looking forward to the Watson. Thank you for those Monday condolences - it just keeps coming back. It's a repeat offender. Ha!

Those pens look great. Hope they come in a wide range of colours. I'm struggling to settle on one book (fwp) - switching to The Gustav Sonata as someone else has requested it at the library...

They do come in a bunch of colors, Charlotte! I can never settle on one book, which is why I always have so many going at one time.

>115 Crazymamie: Oh! I just looked that up - Rose Tremain! I loved The Road Home!

Morning, Mamie. It's raining here which makes Monday even gloomier. I got to skip my walk this morning and sleep in so there is an upside to Rainy Monday.

I'm a sucker for the lovely assortment of school supplies this time of year. I will be looking for those fabulous pens. I can never have too many pens...or books! I also got the HC Larry Watson book. It's on the short TBR stack.

>109 BLBera: Hey Beth, share those out! During my time on LT:

2011 Stephen (Ape) most posts
2012 & 2013 Yours truly
2014 & 2015 Amber
2016 ?

During all that time Mark never out of the top five.

Morning Mamie! Glad to see you are still tearing up the posting league.

I will watch for your thoughts on I am No One. It did sound good. I also have an ER copy and an audio copy.

>119 Donna828: Morning, Donna! I wish it was raining here - we sure could use it. Already it is too hot to sit outside on the screened-in porch, even with the fan on. Steamy.

I hope you can find those pens because they are fantastic. I am also a sucker for school supplies - any time of the year, really. I just love all that stuff. I am hoping to get to the Watson very soonish.

>120 PaulCranswick: Interesting! I am happy just to be in the mix, so whoever ends up on top, it's fine with me. Mark is a very consistent warbler, isn't he?!

>121 msf59: Morning, Mark! SO great to see the birthday boy here! I don't know about tearing it up, but at least I didn't fall off the threads this year. LOL!

I Am No One is definitely a slow starter. Hoping it picks up as it goes along - I am now on page 154. I wish the chapters were numbered.

>122 Crazymamie: Mark is indeed, but I don't want to be singing his praises too much just because he has yet another birthday, hahaha!

I believe someone else has a birthday a'comin' around the corner, too.

Have a lovely week Mom.

Good morning, Mamie! I hope all is well. It looks like got some reviews out over the weekend. I'm glad you enjoyed LD. I have added to my wishlist.

>125 GeezLouise: Thank you, my dear! You, too, Rae!

>126 brodiew2: Morning, Brodie! All is well, even though it is Monday. I am all caught up on reviews for the moment, which is a lovely feeling. Hoping you like LD when you get to it.

I've been meaning to ask you how the desk project is going along--now I'm eager to see the results!

>124 Crazymamie: I don't know what you mean I'm sure (or how big a corner you are describing!).

I promise to post a photo as soon as it is all finished, Roni. Should be done this week. I hope.

>129 PaulCranswick: Umhmmm. Right.

Happy day before Tuesday, Mamie. The last time I looked you had slipped out of first place in the Fitbit stats and I was almost caught up with you. Better get those steps in!

it's a swelterer here too, Mamie. and no rain for a good bit. i'm going to try to make it to the end of the driveway 2.5 times anyway. one mustn't give up. your snail topper always makes me think of one of my favorite encouraging words poems. do you know A. A. Milnes The four friends. i'm James though i'm not sure what i consider the end of the brick. yours is also a Jamesian snail.

>132 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg! I know, I know! I need to get stepping.

>133 mirrordrum: Hello, Ellie! Yep - it's all melty here; I feel like the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich. Good for you and the driveway - I'm rooting for you. If you listen closely, you'll be able to hear me because I have excellent lungs.

I was not familiar with that poem, but I love Milne. I heart Pooh. I looked it up, and you're right - it's a good one. Thanks for sharing, but then you always do.

>90 Crazymamie: Lonesome Dove. Happy sigh.

Sorry about the mugginess. My husband just arrived home after spending the last week in NC. He was not thrilled with the heat or the humidity. Would take some getting used to. We've always managed to avoid places that were both hot and humid. So far...

Hey Mamie. Made it past M-day again. Grey here. Hoping for a little sunshine for the tomatoes...

>135 nittnut: Hello, Jenn! I'll join you in that LD happy sigh. It was very good.

The mugginess is my own fault for moving to the Deep South, which I actually love. But the heat and humidity make for formidable opponents - usually we get a break here and there, but this year it is unrelenting. BUT, apparently it is not just in the Deep South this year - sounds like a lot of the US is dealing with it. YUCK. Good thinking to manage to avoid it. SO far...

>136 charl08: Hey, Charlotte! We did make it past the M-day! Hooray for that. It's still hot and humid here - already 75F out there and going to 92F. I hope you and your tomatoes get some sunshine - I would gladly share mine.

Happy Tuesday, Mamie! I love the look of your new pens. I looked them up here but they only seem to come in boring colours. I currently love the Pentel Energel, which I found in Staples on 5th Avenue. Then, after I got back, I found them here. Humph. They do a lovely purple ink one, which ensures that boys never steal them. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentel-Energel-Rollerball-0-7mm-Retractable/dp/B001NNSZ...

Happy Tuesday, Susan - I just came from your place. That Energel pen does look lovely - and purple!! *squee!* Sorry about the poor color selection of my new favorites - I bought a pack that had eight different colors, including purple, and the ink is so vibrant and cheerful.

Morning Mamie!! I love school supplies toooooooooo, but rarely treat myself. I love Flairs but The Uni-ball Vision Elite pens look unavoidable. So, off to the store I'll go!

Pens? New pens? I have to go school shopping. Purple is my favorite.

Happy "New" Thread, Mamie! (Can you tell one of the LT kids started school much later than the others?)

Yay for Lonesome Dove! I'd forgotten it was 800+ pages. It felt shorter to me, too. The characters and story just take the reader for a wonderful ride.

Looks like you also had a good time with Devil in a Blue Dress, yes? Easy Rawlins - love that guy.

>90 Crazymamie: Well, you've added Lonesome Dove to my wishlist. I'm also wondering if it might be one my Dad may enjoy - he's not that much of a reader but has really got into Lee Child's Jack Reacher series recently and he loves Western films. Maybe buying LD so I can try it before passing to my Dad is my excuse for buying a copy? :-)

Morning Mamie!

Morning Mamie. Yay for making it past the first day of the work week!

Back from the market - Steak Diane with mashed potatoes and gravy and corn for dinner tonight. YUM! And I have restocked the ice cream with "normal" flavors per the kids' request - apparently Craig buys ice cream with too much stuff in it. Ha! So now we have vanilla, mint chocolate chip and cookies and cream. I am not a huge ice cream eater, but Craig and the kids go through gallons of the stuff pretty much weekly.

We watched more of The Good Wife last night - we are about half way through season one, I think. And I have read further in I Am No One, and I am happy to report that it picks up and gets better - what a slow starter, though, as it takes the first 150 pages to set the stage, and I would guess from the current reviews that a lot of people give up on it before then. Now it's unfolding and feeling a bit like an old Alfred Hitchcock movie - I am so hoping it can continue to deliver all the way to the end. Going to try to finish it up by tomorrow. We'll see...

>140 Carmenere: Afternoon, Lynda! Oh! Hoping you can find the pens - they are so fabulous!

>141 BLBera: And the purple is such a pretty shade, too, Beth. My favorite is the red, but that's because...RED.

>142 jnwelch: Joe, where have you been?! SO true about Lonesome Dove - I wasn't sure I was buying the part about it feeling shorter when people were telling me that before I read it, but it really does go by quickly.

And yes - I love Easy Rawlins. I have the second one out from the library, and I hope to get to it very soonish.

>143 souloftherose: Hooray for that, Heather, and I completely agree that getting a copy to read and then pass on to your dad is an excellent idea. Good thinking!

>144 msf59: Afternoon, Mark!

>145 Familyhistorian: Hey there, Meg! You were at the top of the leader board when I checked this morning - WAY TO GO!! And yes, hooray for Monday's exit.

It's raining! And it brought a bit of cooler air with it!

Here to tell you that heat and humidity seems to have taken root just about everywhere. But splashing in puddles will certainly give a fine respite! That, and ICE CREAM! my favorite dessert. Except for the other ones.

Seems like you're having a lovely summer!

>149 Crazymamie: Glad to hear it! I've got my new (plastic) greenhouse up and the tomatoes are looking happier on their new home.

>150 michigantrumpet: Yep - this is one hot summer, Marianne. Puddle jumping is always a good option, IMO. I would rather have a cold beverage than the ice cream most days, but every once in a while... I think my favorite dessert would have to be pie, and I would like to have it at breakfast, please.

Can't complain about the summer - you're right, it has been lovely so far. Except for the part about Dan breaking his leg and needing surgery. I could've skipped that part just fine.

>151 charl08: We're supposed to get more tomorrow, Charlotte, and I really hope we do. Your tomatoes are probably so joyful about their new home. *grin*

>146 Crazymamie: Good morning, Mamie. That looks delicious! I just won a copy of I Am No One and very excited to read it. Have a great day!

Morning Mamie! Another hot one in Chicagoland. I know, I know, I am sounding like a broken record. Grins...

Keep cool, my friend.

Good morning, Mamie!

Morning Mamie!
:( I want to wear my galoshes too but no rain in sight!

Morning Mamie! We've got rain here, it's making me glad to be inside with my coffee.

Hi Mamie. We have rain too. Lots of it. It also brought cooler air, but not nearly as welcome as your cooler air, I believe. Lol
I am looking up a recipe for steak Diane, because that sounds amazing.
I also think pie should be had at breakfast. Growing up, we had lots and lots of pie at Thanksgiving, but there were always extra of the pumpkin and apple for breakfast. On TG day and the next day and the next... One year, my mom made 22 pies. I love my mom. *grin*

ETA - I had to giggle when I saw that we had left happy sighs on each others threads the other day. So funny.

I didn't make it to my thread yesterday - tragedy here at the Paradisio: the air conditioning has given out. *sob* Luckily, we have two units - one for the upstairs and one for the downstairs, and the one that died is the upstairs unit. Remarkable, really, as the A/C is original to the house, and the Georgia heat gives it a workout. Anyway, Craig is waiting to hear back - as you can imagine getting someone to look at your broken A/C in Georgia in the middle of the summer is no easy task. Get in line, pretty much. We'll be lucky if we can get someone to look at it by next week. The kids all camped out in the living room last night, which is warmer than usual since it has a cathedral ceiling open to the upstairs, but definitely cooler than the bedrooms upstairs - YIKES! And that's enough excitement, so I hope the downstairs unit doesn't give out from trying to work extra.

On the reading front. I finished up I Am No One yesterday, and ...I am still trying to decide how to rate it. Thoughts later, as I have to write an ER review. I was looking to add something fun and easy to the lineup to help balance out the heavier stuff, so I started Cast in Courtlight, which is the second book in Roni's Chronicles of Elantra series - remember when she went whipping through all of them not that long ago?! Now I think of it as Roni's series. Ha!

AND...Daniel goes back to the surgeon today - I am guessing that they will talk to him about beginning to rehab the leg. HOORAY!!!

Happy Thursday, Y'all - here's hoping it is kind to you!

>153 Dianekeenoy: Morning, Diane! The Steak Diane is a favorite around here - it is most YUM. Let me just warn you that I Am No One is a VERY slow starter. It took about 150 pages before it took off for me. More on that later when I write my review.

>154 msf59: Morning, Mark. Yep - it was hot here, too. That cooler burst of air was nowhere in sight yesterday as things went back to very hot and sticky. I guess it's summer all right.

The master bedroom is delightfully cool, but the rest of the house not so much - it's so open that the upstairs A/C not working really makes a difference to the downstairs, too. Total bummer.

>155 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!

>156 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! You should to pull a Charlie and wear them anyway. I love galoshes. I even just love saying galoshes. Makes me smile every time.

>157 charl08: Afternoon, Charlotte, as I am guessing it is much later than 8:34 AM there. I envy you your rain. We didn't get ours.

Please give my love to the tomatoes.

>158 nittnut: Hey there, Jenn! I want that rain. And that cooler air. Since you are experiencing a totally different season than we are, I can imagine more cold was not needed. LOL.

The Steak Diane is fabulous. I use the Lady and Sons recipe, which is FULL of butter but also full of yum. I figure if I'm going to indulge, let's do it right.

Hooray for breakfast pie - we make sure to have extra at holidays just so we can eat it for breakfast the next day. BUT, I cannot imagine making 22 pies - YOWZA!

Our dual happy sighs made me giggle, too.

Morning Mamie! Not So Sweet Thursday! (for you, anyway!) I hope you get that A/C repaired soon. Fingers crossed.

Sorry, to hear about your mixed feelings about I am No One. I was getting pumped about that one.

Morning, Mark! Thanks for crossing your fingers for us.

Mixed feelings is a good way to put it - there is definitely some good writing in there, signs of brilliance, even, but it just doesn't deliver. I'll explain in my review.

Sweet Thursday, Mamie!

Sorry to hear about the A/C breakdown. A couple of weeks ago our A/C broke down in our house and our car at the same time. Eesh. First world problem, but jeez are we used to being able to stay cool in the hot weather. One of the good parts about living in a big city is competent folks are willing to show up right away, so we got the house straightened out in a couple of days and the car, too, although we had to revisit the car fix when the A/C broke down again on our trip back from Ann Arbor on Monday (leaky condenser, as it turned out).

You might enjoy the snack-sized Binti, a sci-fi-er I believe was originally recommended by Alex. Different and very well done. I'm going to look for more by this author.

Hi Mamie - I hope Thursday treats you well.

Fingers crossed for your AC and for Daniel's leg.

>164 jnwelch: Sweet Thursday, Joe!

Funny you should mention the vehicle A/C because we just had that repaired on my van like a week ago. I think that Georgia is just too hard on air conditioners - it usually takes a week unless you have an emergency situation for health reasons.

I will track down Binti - thanks for that!

>165 BLBera: Hello, Beth! So far so good with Thursday. We are just back from the surgeon's office - Daniel can start transitioning to putting full weight on his leg. He'll be off the crutches over the weekend and gets to start PT next week, so HOORAY for that!!

Please keep your fingers crossed for the A/C - hopefully next week.

>166 Crazymamie: Great news re Daniel! Boy, that seems fast (but probably not to him). It helps to be young.

Joe, tomorrow will be eight weeks out from his surgery, but you're so right - it helps to be young!

>168 Crazymamie: Wow, that seemed to fly by. Go Daniel!

I know, for me, too, and I was here for all of it. Ha! Probably seems like longer than eight weeks to Daniel. He is very excited to be getting rid of the crutches over the weekend.

OMG A/C out in Georgia in the summer -- time to head for a hotel!!!

Hoorah for transition for full weight-bearing and banishing the crutches! I can't even imagine trying to haul crutches around in the heat.

Boooo! for no a/c. Ice cream (and the other frozen treats) are starting to look pretty good, eh? But add me to the pie love -- I've made several peach, a black raspberry, a strawberry rhubarb, a blueberry and a straight rhubarb this summer. A friend brought over chess pie, which is another favorite, but I can only take credit for eating it, not the making.

>171 RebaRelishesReading: The downstairs unit is still working, Reba, so we're hanging out here and just avoiding the upstairs. If the downstairs unit goes, then definitely hotel time.

>172 michigantrumpet: Hooray indeed, Marianne!

Abby is digging into the ice cream as I type, so you read her mind!! I will eat almost any kind of pie, although I avoid mincemeat and anything with meringue, as I am not a fan. And Craig adores chess pie. If I get a choice, I like pecan or pumpkin - my favorite is pumpkin pie with pecan streusel topping, which we always have for Thanksgiving.

Hi Mamie, wow, it's taken me all morning just to catch up with first Joe and now, your threads. Great news that Daniel is healing and I expect he will soon be putting his full weight on that leg. I thought of you when I purchased a copy of The Great Gatsby while I was away, I know it is a favorite of yours. I enjoyed one of Katie's favorites with Heart of Darkness so I thought I would now give Gatsby a try!

Hello, Judy! Daniel is very happy that he will be losing those crutches!

I am SO excited that you thought of me when purchasing The Great Gatsby! *does happy dance* Hoping you like it. *crosses fingers*

Mamie, I'm sorry to hear about the air-conditioning problem. I hope the downstairs one keeps working.

That's great news for Daniel, but I agree that it doesn't seem like eight weeks already. Time flies!

We lucked out with the A/C, Susan. You'll love this - a few weeks ago this little dog wandered into our yard, obviously well taken care of, but no tags. So we kept her overnight, since we had no idea whose dog she was. The next morning, Craig had her out in the front lawn to potty, and the owner happened to be driving by. He was so excited to see her, and he told us that he just lives in the neighborhood down the road from us. That evening we found his business card in our mailbox, and it said to let him know if he could ever do anything for us. He happened to be in the heating and cooling business. SO today Craig called him, and the guy came over as soon as he got off work - we need a new unit, which he will install for us. He would not take any money for coming out today and said we might be able to get it installed this weekend if he can get the right unit. Can you believe that?! He also did maintenance on our other unit; Craig tried to pay him but he said absolutely not - his wife had told him not to come home without the dog, so he was very thankful to fids her safe and sound in our front yard! The guy was delightful and so funny and incredibly nice.

Daniel says to tell you that the time probably went by so quickly for you and Joe because you were using both of your legs. That made me laugh!

Hi Mamie! I haven't made it to visit in a couple of days. I heard the AC was out and I was waiting until you got it working again. ;-) Seriously, that's a wonderful story about getting your AC fixed!

Hey, Carrie! Good thinking not to visit in this heat. *blinks* The A/C is fixed yet, but hopefully this weekend if he can get the right unit. Don'tcha just love dog lovers?!

Book #79: I Am No One by Patrick Flanery, ER paperback, literary thriller?

"Truth may be beautiful, but it lacks the artistry of lies."

Okay, so I seriously wanted to like this one. It sounded right up my alley, and it almost delivered. The blurb about it says that after teaching for over a decade in England, an American college professor returns to New York to teach at New York University. Soon he begins receiving mysterious boxes that contain personal data about him - the first contains his computer records, the second his phone records, the third contains photographs... Our professor is boggled about what this might mean until he starts really taking stock of what happened over the past ten years.

The first problem with this novel is that it takes too long to get moving - I was 150 pages in before I felt like it developed a rhythm and a plot. The first person narrative meanders and becomes almost a stream of consciousness in places, with sentences that malinger for half of the page. The second problem is that when you hear the professor's story, it seems like it should be obvious to him from day one why he might be receiving the mysterious boxes. Third is that after 150 pages, the novel takes off and becomes suspenseful and highly entertaining, with hints of an Alfred Hitchcock type story only to take a huge nosedive about 150 pages later - our professor goes from being smart and resourceful to be confused and making bad decisions. From trusting no one to trusting everyone. What? What happened? Because somewhere in there, with some editing and a few changes there is a really good novel. The final problem is that this book has a message, which I don't have an issue with (okay, maybe some minor issues), but I really hate to be hit over the head with a message, and that is exactly what happens.

So, worth the read if you understand and accept that it's a slow starter that doesn't quite deliver - except for its message, which comes across loud and clear. But seriously, the middle part is brilliant.

"I had almost accepted the fact that of the surveillance, and had a sense, now, that whatever I did, wherever I went, if I did so with in ways that could be tracked (facial recognition software, financial traces, even my MetroCard, not to mention my online and phone activities), then someone would be collecting the data even if they were not necessarily analyzing it to look for patterns of behavior or suggestions that I might, in some preposterous way, be regarded as a threat to national security....A student said to me not long ago that privacy is for criminals, that only a criminal would think to demand privacy of his or her communications. I am not a criminal and still I demand privacy. I demand the right to be left alone, to be forgotten, to be a nonentity."

So sorry about the A/C aliment! "Get the right unit quick" thoughts going out to you!

I grew up in Georgia in a house with no A/C. It was hot, but I was outside most of the time in summer anyway... Then I got my first apartment and have become A/C addicted. Recently I've been helping my Buddy at our "shop" (retail lumber and plywood) here in NC - no A/C, in a valley, next to the river... HOOOOOOOOOT! I'm so glad to get home in the afternoon!!!

And I'm sneakin' up on you!! Step-wise I mean!

Happy Friday!!!

SO sorry about the AC going out. Thank goodness you rescued the right dog!! Congrats to Daniel and best of luck with the PT and Happy Friday!!!

>180 Crazymamie: Great review - shame about the book though. It's an interesting topic for fiction.

Your AC repair story is lovely. What a nice man.

Mamie, that's such a lovely story about the dog and the A/C man :-) And how sweet of him to look at the functioning unit to make sure that it keeps functioning. I hope he can find the right unit and you're all cool again soon. And I see Daniel's point about the legs :-)

>181 dragonaria: Thanks, Kim. We really lucked out because they are going to install the new unit this afternoon. Truly amazing! I also grew up in a house with no A/C - but not in Georgia, in Indiana, and I can still remember how miserable it was trying to go to sleep on those really hot summer nights. I am definitely an A/C girl.

I saw you coming on strong yesterday with the stepping - and you did warn me you were coming to get me. I look forward to eating your dust! You go, girl!

>182 Berly: Me, too, Kim! It was 95F and very humid yesterday, so the upstairs was not good. We pulled out air mattresses, and the kids slept in the living room again. It's so funny about the dog - we have had several different ones here over night before. Our house seems to be some kind of safe house for canines - all the lost ones travel here. Ha!

I thank you for those good thoughts for Daniel. How is Jack doing?

Happy Friday to you, too!

>183 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! It is a shame about the book - the middle part was so good. The author obviously has writing chops, but it really needed some serious editing. And the ending was too neat.

The AC story is truly remarkable - we lucked out.

>184 susanj67: I know, right, Susan?! We couldn't believe it when he called last night and said that he'd be back today to install the unit. The A/C has never worked quite right here, and I thought it was a Georgia thing - too hot for too long, but he said that actually the blower thing and the unit that we had are not supposed to be used together - the unit was too small for the blower, making it work inefficiently. The new unit we are getting is a bit bigger, so it should work much more efficiently and do a much better job of cooling the upstairs. Hooray for that - I am all about keeping things cool!

When Daniel made his comment, he made me laugh - it went by quickly for me, too! LOL!

>177 Crazymamie: what a great story. Good karma all around :)

Thanks, Reba! Good karma, indeed!

Happy Friday, Mamie!

>177 Crazymamie: LOL! Daniel's got a point. If I was on one leg for those eight weeks, I'm sure they would've gone by much more slowly.

Excellent review of I Am No One. Thumb from me. I'll take a miss on it.

Happy Friday, Joe! LOL! And thank you for that thumb - it was too bad because it could have been an excellent story.

Morning Mamie! Happy Friday. I just skimmed your Iam No One review, since I will be reading it. I have an ER copy to review. I also have it on audio. Do you think it will work in that format?

Speaking of audio, I am listening to Of Mice and Men. Swoons a little....

Morning, Mark! I Am No One should work fine in audio. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

Oh! I love Of Mice and Men! I am listening to Travels With Charley narrated by Gary Sinise - very good!!

Sinese also does TWC? That is sweet. I will definitely save that one for a revisit.

Daniel's comment has led to me imagining a Doctor Who episode where budgets are cut and instead of the Tardis they just walk around on one leg. I can't think of a good title though. I'm sure a terrible pun will come to me eventually.

>193 charl08: A Leg Up? A Leg to Stand On? Legcentricity? Legs and Bacon? (You'd need to work pigs into the episode somehow.)

>192 msf59: Yes, sir! Katie tipped me off.

>193 charl08: Charlotte, you made me laugh! Let me know if you think of a title!

>194 cbl_tn: Ha! Go Carrie!

...AND....we're back in business! Central air? CHECK!

Yay! Now you can just chill out over the weekend. (see what I did there? ;-) )

Ha! I see that, Susan! Clever, clever girl!

>196 Crazymamie: Cool!

LOL! Yes, ma'am!

Chillaxing!!

Exactly, Kim!

OMG! Serendipity is such an amazing mystery! Glad the lost dog brought coolness back into your home!
Have a wonderful Saturday!

>203 Carmenere: I couldn't agree more, Lynda! Hoping that your Saturday is also full of wonder!

Morning Mamie. Happy Saturday. Hooray for reading Monstress and hooray for the central air.

I hope you have a great weekend.

It is amazing how much we get to rely on those air conditioners - how on earth did Rhett and Scarlett always look so cool?!

Have a lovely weekend at the now fully air-conditioned Pecan Paradisio.

Hiya, Mamie!

Glad you can all go back to being cool and fresh. Hope you're having a great weekend.

Have a spectacular weekend Mom.

Glad to hear you have the AC back and working Mamie. I would not be good at coping with the levels of heat and humidity you get without AC. Hope you all have a chilled weekend :-)

Hi Mamie! I am all caught up with you after being gone most of the week... So, so glad you got the a/c fixed as fast as you did. What luck! Hope you enjoy a nice, cool weekend :)

Happy weekend, Mamie.

Happy weekend Mamie.

12 hours and no Crazy. I think her new AC has frozen her keyboard! LOL. Hope your Saturday was wonderful.

Hope you are enjoying the weekend and your cool house, Mamie. Good to hear that your good deed with the dog brought you an AC repairman!

>177 Crazymamie: Good Karma! I love it. Hooray for having the AC back. :) Drop by my thread in the am. I am about to learn all about the hot + humid life. But maybe not until next summer, if I'm lucky. Is it lucky to get two consecutive winters though? I do not know.

Hope you're having a chilled out weekend.

Morning Mamie! Happy Sunday! I was just warblin' my behind off, about The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories over on my thread. I am so glad you have all ready snagged a copy. Very astute of you.

I hope you have a great relaxing day.

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

Hope you're successfully cooling off.

Morning Mamie!

Hi Mamie - It's all about karma (your air conditioner). Good deeds are rewarded. Happy Monday.

Well, Hello August! This summer is going by quickly, which is good because it's HOT. So, July was a great month for me as far as quality of reading goes - only one dud, and that one was at least very good in the middle.

Books Completed in July:
74. Academy Street by Mary Costello (5 stars), 2015 acquired ebook, literary fiction - Katie's Dirty Dozen
75. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (4.5 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, crime fiction/detective - recommended by Joe and Brodie
76. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (5 stars), 2012 acquired ebook, historical fiction - American West, recommended first by Mark and then by the LT masses
77. Symphony for the City of the Dead by M. T. Anderson (4.25 stars), library hardback, YA - history, Siege of Leningrad/Dmitri Shostakovich - recommended by Beth
78. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo (5 stars), library paperback, literary fiction - Katie's Dirty Dozen
79. I Am No One by Patrick Flanery (3 stars), ER paperback, literary thriller
80. The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien by Georges Simenon (3.5 stars), 2016 acquired ebook, police procedural - Ahem. Charlotte

I hit 75 books this month, so hooray for that. I read a total of seven books, which is low but quality makes up for quantity. The only dud in the bunch was the one I picked out myself, heh! The rest were recommended by you fine folks, so I thank you for that. Three 5 star reads in one month is truly incredible. And two of those were from Katie's Dirty Dozen!

Let's see:

6 fiction and 1 non-fiction
4 ebooks, 1 hardback, and 2 paperbacks
2 were from the library, 2 were OTS, and 3 were newly acquired (including 1 ER book)

Still working on my Steinbecks - reading East of Eden and listening to Travels With Charley.

A huge thanks to everyone for keeping my thread warm.

>205 msf59: Hello, Mark! The A/C is working better than ever - our upstairs has not been this cool since we moved in, so we are very happy. We are having him come back to replace our downstairs unit this weekend - we have been limping it along for the past few years as it has a slow leak.

I am liking Monstress, which I borrowed from Birdy - dark and twisty and I love the artwork. The weekend went by in a blur, but it was a good one.

>206 PaulCranswick: That's a very good question, Paul! I do not know how they did it, especially with all those extra undergarments. YIKES! The weekend was indeed lovely, thanks.

>207 jnwelch: Hiya, Joe! It was a terrific weekend, and the A/C was full of fabulous!

>208 GeezLouise: Thanks, Rae! I did!

>209 souloftherose: I am also not good at coping with heat and humidity if there is no A/C. Trust me, you don't want to see me try it! We did have a chilled weekend, thanks! *grin*

>210 katiekrug: Hello, Katie! I missed you! We were indeed very lucky with the A/C fix - nothing short of miraculous, really. I love when life surprises you like that. The weekend was truly fabulous and full of lazy!

>211 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara!

>212 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel!

>213 Berly: Hey, Kim! I spent most of Saturday trying to make up for my lacking steppage and most of Sunday just goofing off. There might have been serious napping involved.

>214 Familyhistorian: I did, Meg! And I tried to catch you and Katherine, but no such luck - excellent stepping in July!! You finished at the very top of the leaderboard, so congratulations!!

>215 nittnut: Oh. My. Word. JENN!!! That is a huge move! And I would say that two consecutive winters is a bonus, but then I am missing the cold, which comes and goes in the blink of an eye down here.

>216 charl08: Ha! Love that, Charlotte! We did chill out!

>217 msf59: Sunday was full of happy, Mark! I was VERY lazy and we even got take out for dinner. Delightfully decadent weekend.

I am hoping to get to The Paper Menagerie this month - I saw that you gave it high marks, so sooner rather than later is good.

>218 jnwelch: LOL! Love those panda pics you and Charlotte dropped off, Joe! We very much enjoyed our cool home this weekend.

>219 Carmenere: That looks most excellent, Lynda! Thank you!! SO gorgeous, too.

>220 BLBera: Hello, Beth! We are so thrilled with the A/C and so thankful. Such an amazing chain of events - life is good! I'll even Happy Monday you, which is very rare. Mamie and Mondays don't usually co-exist well. Ha!

I'm glad you are having success with the Dirty Dozen :)

Good morning (me)/afternoon (you), Mamie!

I liked Travels with Charley very much when I read it.

Morning Mamie! It is still morning here anyway. Glad you had a lazy weekend and hooray for slotting in the Liu collection for later this month. What a gem it is.

I like your July Round-up. Hope to do mine tonight.

>228 msf59: Knew there was something I'd forgotten to do! Better get busy.

Good afternoon, Mamie. I'm afraid that I'm kind of stuck on Lonesome Dove and here it is the first day of August. I'm thinking it might be the very tiny print of the paperback edition that I got. I'm thinking of either getting it as an ebook so I can control the size of the print or maybe on audio so I can just listen! I enjoyed the part that I've read but it's really hard on my eyes! But, the good news is that I've read a bunch of books since I put it down!

Happy Mmmphflday!! Nice job listening to your LT advisors on the book selections.

Happy beginning of August! Looks like you are reading up a storm, that's what you can do once you have AC to lazy around in!

Mamie, happy Tuesday! I was delighted to see that your Monday also went well. It sounds like the A/C guy is a real find, particularly if everything is working (or will work) even better than before.

Hi Mamie! Happy Tuesday!

Morning, Mamie!

What Amber said!

>236 katiekrug: What Katie said!

>237 weird_O: What Bill said!

What Joe said!

Delighted that you are all cooled off again. Maybe it was even cool enough that you had a hot drink this morning?

Morning, Mamie! I'm thoroughly enjoying Symphony for the City of the Dead. Amazing that when all those around Shostakovitch were being arrested or worse, he escaped physical harm but it must have been psychologically devasting to have his friends and family suffer.

That A/C must be bloody wonderful for you to overlook the computer for almost two days!

Happy Wednesday to all at the Pecan Paradisio. xx

Good morning, Mamie!

I brought Nobody's Fool with me to the Cape! Can't wait to read it.

What a wonderful tale about your a/c - talk about virtue rewarded!

Someone needs to stick up for houses without air conditioning. Our kids all had childhood allergies, particularly to dusts, molds, and mildews and the like. We built a house with allergist-recommended hot-water baseboard heat rather than forced air with its ductwork and filters. But no A/C. We're blessed to be in the country, in a quiet environment. With the windows open, we can hear the birds. We aren't sealed off from the outside world. Gloat, gloat.

>245 weird_O: - You also don't live in south Georgia, Bill! Or Texas :)

I grew up in a house with no a/c but that was in the northeast so we'd only get a week or two of really hot and humid weather. Otherwise, a fan did just fine...

Morning, Mamie!
...
Um, Mamie? Heeeellllloooooo?
...
Hope everything is okay in Pecan Paradise.

Morning Mamie! Sweet Thursday! We have missed you this week. I hope you are doing okay. Fingers crossed.

Morning, Mamie!

Morning Mamie! Ok, if you've been out and about trying to reach 100,000 steps, it's time to turn around and come home.

Miss Mamie is feeling a little off and has been resting a lot for those who are concerned.

>246 katiekrug: I hear ya, Mamie. After about a week and a half of high-90s temps, we're enjoying 80s temps with low humidity. I've been in both Texas and Georgia; happy where I am, thank you. :-)

>246 katiekrug: This part of the northeast has been hot and humid pretty much all summer. We get a few days relief from time to time (supposed to have some this weekend) but it's been brutal!!

Sorry to hear you're not well, Mamie. I thought maybe the A/C had gotten totally out of control and you were ice fishing. Recover soon! Shenanigans await!

>251 GeezLouise: Thanks for letting us know, Rae. Hope Miss Mamie feels better soon.

Sweet Thursday to you and her.

Yes, thanks, Rae. I'm hoping she's much better soon.

>251 GeezLouise: Thanks for the update, Rae, I hope your mom feels better very soon!

Crazy--Hope you feel better soon!! I like Katie's suggestion. : )

>251 GeezLouise: Thanks for the update, Rae. Tell her, we are all wishing for the best for our Miss Mamie!

Wishing Mamie well as soon as possible. I am another under the weather and it isn't any fun - worst thing of all is I cannot concentrate on my reading.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Get well soon Miss Mamie. :)

>258 katiekrug: *snork!!*

Morning, Mamie - thinking of you!

Morning Mamie! Hope you're feeling better!!

Get well, Mamie.

Hey Mamie. Brought a rose from the garden. GwS.

Wishing all the occupants of the Pecan Paradisio this weekend enjoy full health and some of your veritable fabulous.

>258 katiekrug: Ha!

Hope you're feeling better, Mamie.

I hope you feel better soon, Mamie. It's not the same around here without you.

***Tiptoeing in***

I hope you feel better soon, Mamie!

***Tiptoeing out***

I hope you are feeling more yourself soon, Mamie.

Reporting in to say that I am feeling more myself today - not quite all the way back but definitely getting there. I really hate when sick and summer buddy up - I am a much nicer person when it is cooler outside, so asking me to handle anything on top of heat and humidity is very risky. Thanks so much everyone for keeping my thread warm and for all your lovely thoughts and hijinks. Catching up made me laugh.

I have not gotten much done except for reading and sleeping. But my reading was slightly warped, as I needed simple and fun, so I read mostly paranormal romance/urban fantasy. I like Molly Harper as she reminds me of Kristan Higgins with the humor and the fun except that she also includes paranormal elements like vampires and werewolves, which I love. I did manage to finish up the fourth Ruth Galloway book and the short story that comes after it called Ruth's First Christmas Tree, so now I am ready for Dying Fall,m which Daniel just picked up for me from the library yesterday. I also finished up The Good Wife by Stewart O'Nan, and Jenn was right - it's well done and so worth reading. On audio I treated myself to Of Mice and Men narrated by Gary Sinise - just could NOT resist this with everyone talking about it and that book being one of my very favorites. SO good. And then, just for good measure (and because there was a line forming behind me), I read Monstress, which is a GN belonging to Birdy. Stunning. The storyline is very interesting and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous - so detailed, think art deco meets Grimms Fairytales. More thoughts when I review some of these later, but I just wanted to give you a quick catch-up.

Back after my coffee because I haven't had any yet, and that is just wrong.

Happy Saturday Mamie! Glad to hear you are feeling more yourself today. Hope youhave a good weekend!

Hooray! I'm so glad you are feeling better. And I'm glad you were still able to read. Summer + sick = sucky but summer + sick + no reading = major suckage.

>275 souloftherose: Happy Saturday, Heather! And thank you!

>276 katiekrug: Hello, Katie! You wicked math skills tell the truth. At least I was able to read. And I have figured out a way to get to the top of the Fitbit leaderboard quickly - I'll just kick everyone who has more steps than I do out of the group. *grin* Mission accomplished. Wait. What do you mean that would be cheating?!

Oh, I'm so glad to see that you're starting to feel better! I definitely agree that summer and sick do NOT go well together. Ugh.

Hiya, Amber! Thank you, kindly. I am SO ready for Fall. And for healthy. I feel like I'm draggin' a bit, and I want it to stop. That is all.

Welcome back amongst the living, Mamie! Yeah about this time of summer I look forward to the smells of autumn but I do enjoy the 80's so long as it's dry heat.

Thank you , Lynda! 80s and dry heat sounds wonderful - I'll take two (hundred). If you could just fill in the rest of the calendar days with 40s to 50s weather, I would be all set.

*deep breath* Okay. Here we go...catching up with the thread:

>226 katiekrug: Your Dirty Dozen is getting consistently high ratings, so it is definitely working out, Katie.

>227 jnwelch: Hello, Joe! I am loving Travels With Charley - I took a break from it to revisit Of Mice and Men, but now I will get back to it.

>228 msf59: I am excited to get to that Liu collection, Mark. I need to finish up In the Walled City first, which is a collection of short stories by O'Nan that Katie recommended - very good.

>229 charl08: Charlotte, I saw your July round-up and it intimidated me. 33 books?! I stand in awe of your reading prowess!!

>230 Dianekeenoy: No worries about Lonesome Dove, Diane. I read it on Kindle - I have carpal tunnel, so the big books work better for me in that format. SO much easier on the wrists. I say set it aside until it calls to you, and then pick it up as an ebook or an audio.

>231 Berly: I know, right, Kim?! The LT recommendations are where it is at!

>232 Familyhistorian: The reading and the A/C are the two things that are working flawlessly right now, Meg. I need to get back to the stepping - I have a lot of ground to make up. Ugh.

>233 susanj67: Hello, Susan! The A/C guy has been a gem. Yesterday he replaced the downstairs unit, and now we have the best A/C ever. And it will save us money in the long run because now it is more efficient, so it actually runs less. Amazing!

>234 cbl_tn: Hey there, Carrie!

>235 scaifea: Hello, Amber! *waves*

>236 katiekrug:, >237 weird_O:, >238 jnwelch:, >239 charl08: You guys made me laugh out loud! Thanks so much for that, Katie, Bill, Joe and Charlotte!

>240 ronincats: Every day starts with coffee for me, Roni, so yes. Abby and I have been enjoying our morning beverages in those gorgeous red mugs that you made - we think of you every time we use them. So full of fabulous! And Craig says to tell you that he LOVES your pottery - he was going on and on about how beautiful all of it is. Thanks so much for letting me purchase some of it!!

>241 Carmenere: How is Symphony of the Dead coming for you, Lynda? I think Abby is also going to read it. It's an amazing story, isn't it?

>242 PaulCranswick: It wasn't the A/C, Paul, it was the sickness, so my apologies for neglecting you all. I missed you terribly, if that helps. *grin* The inhabitants of the Pecan Paradiso send their love. xx

>243 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!

>244 sibylline: Oh! Nobody's Fool!! Great book to take to the Cape, Lucy! I predict you will love it. And yes - the A/C guy was such a thing. He actually owns his own business and contracts out to the school system here. He only does a few jobs on the side, and he doesn't advertise, so we never would have found him without the assistance of his dog.

>245 weird_O: You can stick up for houses without A/C all you want, Bill. I grew up in one, and I am never going back. I love A/C and I am thankful for it - I don't feel cut off from nature or sealed off from the outside world, as we have a screened-in porch, a fabulous huge deck that runs the length of the back of our house, and our pool area. I spend part of every day in those places, and when I can, I do love having the windows open. Unfortunately, in Southern Georgia, those days are a mere handful on the calendar. It's very hot and humid down here for more than half the year. Your house sounds like a great fit for you, and that's what I think is important - knowing what you want in life and understanding what makes you happy. Life is good.

>246 katiekrug: Amen, Sister! I thought summer was miserable in the Midwest without A/C; I cannot imagine doing without it down here.

>247 scaifea: Well, everything was fine at the Pecan Paradiso, but I was a bit under the weather. Much better now as I am feeling my way back into the zone.

>248 msf59: Thanks for missing me, Mark! SO sweet!

>249 cbl_tn: Morning, Carrie!

>250 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! I was definitely not out stepping, as my place on the Fitbit leaderboard would attest. I'm going to have to work really hard to catch up, so August might just be a miss for me.

>251 GeezLouise: Thanks for that, Rae! Good thinking - I was too muddled to post.

>252 weird_O: I would love more 80s and less 90s, Bill. We moved here for Craig's job, so you get what you get and you don't throw a fit, but I would love more cold.

>253 RebaRelishesReading: I think it has been a really hot summer for most everyone, Reba. I keep checking the temps across the nation, and I know Indiana has had a summer full of more hot and humid than it normally gets. Yuck!

>254 susanj67: Ice fishing! Ha! My recovery is sure to be hastened if Shenanigans await me!!

>255 jnwelch: Better today, Joe, thanks for checking.

>256 scaifea: I'm working on it, Amber. Feeling like I turned the corner this morning.

>257 Carmenere: I'm getting there, Lynda, thanks!

>258 katiekrug: Katie!!! I LOVE that! Why didn't I think of a Nyquil margarita?!!

>259 Berly: Thanks, Kim. And me, too!!

>260 msf59: Thank you, Mark!

>261 PaulCranswick: You, too, Paul?! Oh, dear! I hope you are feeling much better very soon, my dear!

>262 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne! Joanne!! Lovely to see you here!!

>263 nittnut: Thank you, Jenn!

>264 scaifea: I know, right, Amber?! And thanks for thinking of me!

>265 Carmenere: YUM! Thanks for that, Lynda!

>266 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana!

>267 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

>268 charl08: So beautiful! Thank you, Charlotte!

>269 PaulCranswick: Thanks for that, Paul! It's working!! Hoping you are felling better, too.

>270 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

>271 brodiew2: Thanks for the dope, Brodie! Ha! And the good wishes! LOVE that graphic!

>272 cbl_tn: Thank you, Carrie! You are so thoughtful!

>273 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! Definitely feeling better today.

I think I am all caught up with my thread, If i missed you, HOLLER!

Glad you're feeling better and that you have more efficient A/C. We're getting new heater and a/c here after "season" which should be more efficient and, I hope, do a better job upstairs where the bedrooms are. My comfort range is something like 65-75 degrees and 20-30% humidity in the daytime but I need a pretty cool room to sleep so I have NOT been enjoying the weather this summer AT ALL.

>283 Crazymamie: Good to see you back, Mamie. I am sure you can catch up step-wise. I remember that I wasn't even hitting my 10,000 at the beginning of last month but later my competitive gene took over. Then again, you have the ultimate power and could just lose the leaders and the end of the month (no one would notice, would they?)

Ah, good to have you back, Mamie. Happy Saturday!

You got with a BB - I'll track down Monstress now. I just got her Legend in graphic form from the library. I didn't like it as a prose book, so I'll revisit in this form to see if it strikes me any better.

>292 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you, Reba! Our upstairs is SO much better -the new unit made all the difference. Our bedroom is downstairs, with all the other bedroom upstairs, but I hear you - I like it cold to sleep. The humidity has really been a killer lately. Hoping it calms down soon for both of us.

>293 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! I am just going to take each day as it comes with the stepping and not worry about where that lands me on the leader board. You were AWESOME last month!! I actually love trying to catch whoever is in front of me, so I was just joking about losing group members. *grin* All of you inspire me to get to the nest 1,000 steps or the next mile, so that's a very good thing.

Mamie is back! Hooray! Glad you are feeling better. Happy Saturday, my friend.

>294 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! It is good to be back. I know I am off my rhythm when I don't make it to the threads. Happy Saturday to you!

I think you will really like Monstress - it would be worth it for the artwork alone, but the storyline is also very good.

>296 msf59: I will never tire of that graphic, Mark! Love that! And thank you, my friend. I was missing all of you!

Yay! You are back. I love all your get-well reading. Nothing wrong with some Graphic Novels and vampires! But if you want to be tad more high brow, I started this month's Bowie Top 100 thread for August: Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes and it is off to a great start. Just saying. : )

>297 Crazymamie: Nice! I'm on it.

>299 Berly: Hey, Kim! I am waiting for Flaubert's Parrot to come in - I requested it from the library, and they are "waiting for a copy". As soon as it arrives, I will join you. In the meantime, I am reading Barnes' The Noise of Time and really liking it.

>300 jnwelch: Even if the story doesn't grab you, Joe, the art will.

Happy, happy, happy that you are feeling better and are back with us, Mamie. Was relieved to get Rae's post, as somehow I always fear the worst when people suddenly stop posting. And so glad you are enjoying the mugs and bowls.

Oh, thank you, Roni! I should have thought to have one of the girls post something earlier. And the mugs and bowls are bringing us much joy. makes me smile just looking at them and grin big when I am using them.

Glad to see you back Mamie. Comfort reading sounds like just the thing.

>301 Crazymamie: Hope your copy shows up soon! The Noise of Time sounds very good, but I know nothing about the composer or his music. Do I need to in order to appreciate the book? I have only read Madame Bovary by Flaubert.

Happy Saturday, Mamie, so sorry to read that you were under the weather for a couple of days. Hope you are feeling better and taking it easy. I feel a little like I'm 12 again. I spent yesterday afternoon reading a pulp western and today I am going to settle into some comics - reading the Fatale series by Ed Brubaker. I'm just not in the mood for anything serious right now!

>304 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! Comfort reading is a very good thing.

>305 Berly: Me, too, Kim! I think you can appreciate the book on its own merit, but you would get SO much more out of it if you take the time to read a bit about Shostakovich first. I read Symphony for the City of the Dead, which tells his story - aimed at the YA audience, but it is very well done. Beth recommended it, and so so I. I have read nothing by Flaubert, so except the tiny bit that was in the Shostakovich book that I read, so while I am waiting, I will remedy that.

>306 DeltaQueen50: Happy Saturday, Judy! I'm feeling much better today - definitely taking it easy as I still don't feel 100%. Your reading sounds like mine - full of fun! I have loved the Ed Brubaker stuff that I have read. Serious can wait until you are in the right mood, until then, I say aim for happy.

Morning Mamie! Happy Sunday! You didn't start a new thread yet, did you?

Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! Nope. Not yet.

Howdy Mamie. Sorry you were sick. I LOVE Katie's "medical advice"

I picked up a copy of Monstress and hope to get to it soon.

Howdy, Roberta! Feeling much better, thank you. And yes, Katie's advice is timeless. Can't wait to see what you think of Monstress - the artwork is stunning.