Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 4
This is a continuation of the topic Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 3.
This topic was continued by Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 5.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2018
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1EBT1002
Bison in Yellowstone National Park
In honor of the Earth, and in acknowledgement of my fear for its demise, the rest of my 2018 threads will be topped with nature photos.
2EBT1002
My Rating Scale:
= Breathtaking. This book touched me in a way that only a perfect book can do.
= A wonderful read, among my favorites of the year.
= A great read; truly enjoyable.
= Not quite great but I'm truly glad I read this.
= A solid read, with a few things done particularly well.
= Average, and life is too short to read average works.
= A bit below average. A waste of time.
= Nearly no redeeming qualities. Really rather bad.
= Among the worst books I've ever read.
Honestly, I'm rarely going to complete any book earning fewer than two stars but I reserve the right to rate them based on my experience.
= Breathtaking. This book touched me in a way that only a perfect book can do. 
= A wonderful read, among my favorites of the year.
= A great read; truly enjoyable.
= Not quite great but I'm truly glad I read this.
= A solid read, with a few things done particularly well. 
= Average, and life is too short to read average works. 
= A bit below average. A waste of time.
= Nearly no redeeming qualities. Really rather bad.
= Among the worst books I've ever read.Honestly, I'm rarely going to complete any book earning fewer than two stars but I reserve the right to rate them based on my experience.
3EBT1002
COMPLETED IN JANUARY
1. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
2. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
3. Any Other Name by Craig Johnson
4. The Singing Bones by Shaun Tan
5. Negroland: A Memoir by Margo Jefferson
6. Tell Me How it Ends: An Essay in 40 Questions by Valeria Luiselli
7. God Stalk by P.C. Hodgell
8. Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
9. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott audiobook
COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY
10. Winter by Ali Smith
11. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
12. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
13. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
14. The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
15. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
1. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
2. A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
3. Any Other Name by Craig Johnson
4. The Singing Bones by Shaun Tan
5. Negroland: A Memoir by Margo Jefferson
6. Tell Me How it Ends: An Essay in 40 Questions by Valeria Luiselli
7. God Stalk by P.C. Hodgell
8. Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
9. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott audiobook
COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY
10. Winter by Ali Smith
11. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
12. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
13. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
14. The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
15. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
4EBT1002
I will be reading African American Autobiographies, at least one per month. I won't create individual threads for these because I just can't keep up with more than one thread, but I certainly welcome co-readers as I make my way through the list (and the order of the reads will be random rather than predetermined).
Here is the reading list that inspired this personal challenge; it's from a course being taught at the Asheville OLLI. I'm not saying these are exactly the books I will choose but this is the list from which I'm starting.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass √√
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
The Souls of Black Folks by W.E.B. DuBois
--- Darkwater: Voices from Within the Veil
--- Dusk of Dawn: An Essay Toward the Autobiography of a Race Concept
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
A Voice from the South By a Black Woman of the South by Anna Julia Cooper
Crusade for Justice by Ida B. Wells
Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neal Hurston - read in 2017
Black Boy by Richard Wright
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody
Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin - read in 2013
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou - read twice already
Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family by Pauli Murray
Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
COMPLETED
January ~~ Negroland by Margo Jefferson
February ~~ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass
March ~~
Here is the reading list that inspired this personal challenge; it's from a course being taught at the Asheville OLLI. I'm not saying these are exactly the books I will choose but this is the list from which I'm starting.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass √√
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
The Souls of Black Folks by W.E.B. DuBois
--- Darkwater: Voices from Within the Veil
--- Dusk of Dawn: An Essay Toward the Autobiography of a Race Concept
Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
A Voice from the South By a Black Woman of the South by Anna Julia Cooper
Crusade for Justice by Ida B. Wells
Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neal Hurston - read in 2017
Black Boy by Richard Wright
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody
Go Tell It On the Mountain by James Baldwin - read in 2013
Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou - read twice already
Proud Shoes: The Story of an American Family by Pauli Murray
Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
COMPLETED
January ~~ Negroland by Margo Jefferson
February ~~ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass
March ~~
5EBT1002
ColorCAT
January/Black - Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz - COMPLETED
February/Brown - The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie Jr - COMPLETED
March/Green -
April/Yellow -
May/Blue -
June/Purple -
July/Pink -
August/Grey -
September/Metallic -
October/Orange -
November/Red -
December/White -
6EBT1002
RandomCAT
January="Ack! I've been hit!" ~ Negroland by Margo Jefferson (BB by kidzdoc) ~ COMPLETED
February="Laissez les bons temps rouler" ~ The Way I Found Her by Rose Tremain (Portland Rose Festival) ~ currently reading
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
7EBT1002
BingoDOG Completed
4. New-to-you author ~ God Stalk by P.C. Hodgell
13. Read a CAT (middle square) ~ Tell Me How it Ends: An Essay in 40 Questions by Valeria Luiselli
19. Book that fits at least 2 KIT’s/CAT’s ~ Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
21. Autobiography/memoir ~ Negroland by Margo Jefferson
24. Story involves travel ~ The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
BingoDOG ideas
1. Title contains name of a famous person, real or fictional ~ Saving Mozart by Raphaël Jérusalmy
2. Published more than 100 years ago ~ Nicholas Nickleby ~ currently reading
3. Originally in a different language ~ Go, Went, Gone (German)
5. Relative name in title
6. Money in title - any form of currency, type of payment, etc.
7. Published in 2018
8. X somewhere in the title ~ Autobiography of Malcolm X
9. Fat book - 500 plus pages
10. Set during a holiday
11. LGBTQ central character
12. Book on the 1001 list (see below)
14. Number in title ~ We Were Eight Years in Power
15. Book that is humorous
16. Book bought in 2017 that hasn’t been read yet
17. Title contains something you would see in the sky
18. Related to the Pacific Ocean
20. Book with a beautiful cover (in your opinion)
22. Poetry or plays
23. A long-time TBR
25. Title contains a person’s rank, real or fictional
***************************
Ideas for #12
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Frankenstein
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Jane Eyre
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
The God of Small Things
The Big Sleep
Cloud Atlas
East of Eden
The Secret History
Midnight's Children
Possession by A.S. Byatt
The Maltese Falcon
Far From the Madding Crowd
8EBT1002
PopSugar Challenge 2018
1. A book made into a movie you've already seen
2. True crime
3. The next book in a series you started
4. A book involving a heist
5. Nordic noir
6. A novel based on a real person
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
8. A book with a time of day in the title
9. A book about a villain or antihero
10. A book about death or grief
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
X A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you ~ Negroland: A Memoir
15. A book about feminism
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
18. A book by two authors ~ Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author
21. A book with your favorite color in the title ~ A Purple Place for Dying
22. A book with alliteration in the title
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title
25. A book set at sea
X A book with an animal in the title ~ Magpie Murders
27. A book set on a different planet
28. A book with song lyrics in the title
29. A book about or set on Halloween
X A book with characters who are twins ~ Godstalk
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
X A childhood classic you've never read ~ A Wrinkle in Time
34. A book that's published in 2018
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36. A book set in the decade you were born
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or library
40. Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges ~ A book set in your home state (2016)
Advanced Reading Challenge
1. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school ~ The Holcraft Covenant?? (1978)
2. A cyberpunk book
3. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
4. A book tied to your ancestry
5. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
6. An allegory
7. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
8. A microhistory
9. A book about a problem facing society today
10. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
1. A book made into a movie you've already seen
2. True crime
3. The next book in a series you started
4. A book involving a heist
5. Nordic noir
6. A novel based on a real person
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
8. A book with a time of day in the title
9. A book about a villain or antihero
10. A book about death or grief
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
X A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you ~ Negroland: A Memoir
15. A book about feminism
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
18. A book by two authors ~ Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author
21. A book with your favorite color in the title ~ A Purple Place for Dying
22. A book with alliteration in the title
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title
25. A book set at sea
X A book with an animal in the title ~ Magpie Murders
27. A book set on a different planet
28. A book with song lyrics in the title
29. A book about or set on Halloween
X A book with characters who are twins ~ Godstalk
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
X A childhood classic you've never read ~ A Wrinkle in Time
34. A book that's published in 2018
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36. A book set in the decade you were born
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or library
40. Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges ~ A book set in your home state (2016)
Advanced Reading Challenge
1. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school ~ The Holcraft Covenant?? (1978)
2. A cyberpunk book
3. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
4. A book tied to your ancestry
5. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
6. An allegory
7. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
8. A microhistory
9. A book about a problem facing society today
10. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
9EBT1002
2018 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge
1. A book published posthumously
2. A book of true crime
3. A classic of genre fiction (i.e. mystery, sci fi/fantasy, romance)
4. A comic written and illustrated by the same person
5. A book set in or about one of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, or South Africa)
6. A book about nature
X A western ~ The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
8. A comic written or illustrated by a person of color
9. A book of colonial or postcolonial literature
X A romance novel by or about a person of color ~ The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
11. A children’s classic published before 1980 ~ A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle ~ currently reading
12. A celebrity memoir
13. An Oprah Book Club selection
14. A book of social science
15. A one-sitting book
16. The first book in a new-to-you YA or middle grade series
17. A sci fi novel with a female protagonist by a female author
18. A comic that isn’t published by Marvel, DC, or Image
19. A book of genre fiction in translation
20. A book with a cover you hate
21. A mystery by a person of color or LGBTQ+ author
22. An essay anthology
23. A book with a female protagonist over the age of 60
24. An assigned book you hated (or never finished)
1. A book published posthumously
2. A book of true crime
3. A classic of genre fiction (i.e. mystery, sci fi/fantasy, romance)
4. A comic written and illustrated by the same person
5. A book set in or about one of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, or South Africa)
6. A book about nature
X A western ~ The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
8. A comic written or illustrated by a person of color
9. A book of colonial or postcolonial literature
X A romance novel by or about a person of color ~ The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
11. A children’s classic published before 1980 ~ A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle ~ currently reading
12. A celebrity memoir
13. An Oprah Book Club selection
14. A book of social science
15. A one-sitting book
16. The first book in a new-to-you YA or middle grade series
17. A sci fi novel with a female protagonist by a female author
18. A comic that isn’t published by Marvel, DC, or Image
19. A book of genre fiction in translation
20. A book with a cover you hate
21. A mystery by a person of color or LGBTQ+ author
22. An essay anthology
23. A book with a female protagonist over the age of 60
24. An assigned book you hated (or never finished)
10EBT1002
Personal Reading Challenge: Every winner of the Booker Prize since its inception in 1969
1969: P. H. Newby, Something to Answer For
1970: Bernice Rubens, The Elected Member
1970: J. G. Farrell, Troubles (awarded in 2010 as the Lost Man Booker Prize)
1971: V. S. Naipaul, In a Free State
1972: John Berger, G.
1973: J. G. Farrell, The Siege of Krishnapur
1974: Nadine Gordimer, The Conservationist and Stanley Middleton, Holiday
1975: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Heat and Dust
1976: David Storey, Saville
1977: Paul Scott, Staying On
1978: Iris Murdoch, The Sea, The Sea
1979: Penelope Fitzgerald, Offshore
1980: William Golding, Rites of Passage
1981: Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children
1982: Thomas Keneally, Schindler's Ark
1983: J. M. Coetzee, Life & Times of Michael K
1984: Anita Brookner, Hotel du Lac
1985: Keri Hulme, The Bone People
1986: Kingsley Amis, The Old Devils
1987: Penelope Lively, Moon Tiger
1988: Peter Carey, Oscar and Lucinda
1989: Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day
1990: A. S. Byatt, Possession: A Romance
1991: Ben Okri, The Famished Road
1992: Michael Ondaatje, The English Patient ... and Barry Unsworth, Sacred Hunger
1993: Roddy Doyle, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha
1994: James Kelman, How late it was, how late
1995: Pat Barker, The Ghost Road
1996: Graham Swift, Last Orders
1997: Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things
1998: Ian McEwan, Amsterdam
1999: J. M. Coetzee, Disgrace
2000: Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin
2001: Peter Carey, True History of the Kelly Gang
2002: Yann Martel, Life of Pi
2003: DBC Pierre, Vernon God Little
2004: Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty - I may pass on this one.
2005: John Banville, The Sea
2006: Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss
2007: Anne Enright, The Gathering
2008: Aravind Adiga, The White Tiger
2009: Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall
2010: Howard Jacobson, The Finkler Question
2011: Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending
2012: Hilary Mantel, Bring Up the Bodies
2013: Eleanor Catton, The Luminaries
2014: Richard Flanagan, The Narrow Road to the Deep North
2015: Marlon James, A Brief History of Seven Killings
2016: Paul Beatty, The Sellout
2017: George Saunders, Lincoln in the Bardo
1969: P. H. Newby, Something to Answer For
1970: Bernice Rubens, The Elected Member
1971: V. S. Naipaul, In a Free State
1972: John Berger, G.
1973: J. G. Farrell, The Siege of Krishnapur
1974: Nadine Gordimer, The Conservationist and Stanley Middleton, Holiday
1975: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Heat and Dust
1976: David Storey, Saville
1977: Paul Scott, Staying On
1980: William Golding, Rites of Passage
1981: Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children
1982: Thomas Keneally, Schindler's Ark
1983: J. M. Coetzee, Life & Times of Michael K
1984: Anita Brookner, Hotel du Lac
1986: Kingsley Amis, The Old Devils
1988: Peter Carey, Oscar and Lucinda
1990: A. S. Byatt, Possession: A Romance
1991: Ben Okri, The Famished Road
1993: Roddy Doyle, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha
1994: James Kelman, How late it was, how late
1997: Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things
1999: J. M. Coetzee, Disgrace
2001: Peter Carey, True History of the Kelly Gang
2003: DBC Pierre, Vernon God Little
2004: Alan Hollinghurst, The Line of Beauty - I may pass on this one.
2006: Kiran Desai, The Inheritance of Loss
2007: Anne Enright, The Gathering
2010: Howard Jacobson, The Finkler Question
2013: Eleanor Catton, The Luminaries
2017: George Saunders, Lincoln in the Bardo
11EBT1002
Here is a list of 46 books by women of color, to be published in 2018.
Electric Literature 46 Books by Women of Color to Read in 2018
January:
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele
This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins
Halsey Street by Naima Coster
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory ~ currently reading
February:
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Call Me Zebra by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Song of a Captive Bird by Jasmin Darznik
Secrets We Kept: Three Women of Trinidad by Krystal Sital
Feel Free: Essays by Zadie Smith
Heart Berries by Terese Mailhot
The House of Erzulie by Kirsten Imani Kasai
Electric Literature 46 Books by Women of Color to Read in 2018
January:
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and asha bandele
This Will Be My Undoing by Morgan Jerkins
Halsey Street by Naima Coster
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory ~ currently reading
February:
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Call Me Zebra by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
Song of a Captive Bird by Jasmin Darznik
Secrets We Kept: Three Women of Trinidad by Krystal Sital
Feel Free: Essays by Zadie Smith
Heart Berries by Terese Mailhot
The House of Erzulie by Kirsten Imani Kasai
13EBT1002
PLANNED SHARED READS
January: Nicholas Nickleby (published 100+ years ago for BingoDOG) ~ currently reading
February: We Were Eight Years in Power (with Kim ~ # in title for BingoDOG)
March: Cloud Atlas Group Read (Category Challenge)
April: Far From the Madding Crowd (with Kim ~ Yellow for ColorCAT)
June? sooner?: Go, Went, Gone (with Kim ~ translated for BingoDOG)
January: Nicholas Nickleby (published 100+ years ago for BingoDOG) ~ currently reading
February: We Were Eight Years in Power (with Kim ~ # in title for BingoDOG)
March: Cloud Atlas Group Read (Category Challenge)
April: Far From the Madding Crowd (with Kim ~ Yellow for ColorCAT)
June? sooner?: Go, Went, Gone (with Kim ~ translated for BingoDOG)
14SuziQoregon
Happy New Thread Ellen!
This is entirely your fault . . .
This is entirely your fault . . .
15Familyhistorian
Happy new thread, Ellen. I see you have fixed up the challenge section and have a colourful new topper. (well, semi-colourful, there is a lot of that white stuff in there.)
16jessibud2
Happy new thread, Ellen. Your toppers are beautiful. The bison reminds me so much of the art of Robert Bateman. He did one painting of a bison that is breathtaking. I have seen him speak several times and he once explained how he made this particular painting - he threw sand all over it! The print is also HUGE, not sure if it's life-size but it could be
bison prints
bison prints
17jessibud2
Also, from the discussion on your last thread, I am also very much a mood reader. I also have a hard time sticking to my challenges as, in addition to everything else, I am a rather slow reader, and I tend to slide into reading funks every now and then. But I like to commit, at least initially, because it seems to give me a focus, a way to organize my plans (if not my execution!).
18jnwelch
>14 SuziQoregon: Oh, those are beautiful, Juli.
Cool topper.
Another mood reader here. When I'm under the weather or traveling, I tend to go light. Travis McGee just got me through some virus thingie.
Cool topper.
Another mood reader here. When I'm under the weather or traveling, I tend to go light. Travis McGee just got me through some virus thingie.
19ChelleBearss
Happy new thread! Lovely bison photo! They are quite a large animal! I've never seen one in person but I would imagine that they are similar size to a moose?
20BLBera
Happy new thread, Ellen -- love the bison. What a lot of challenges! Mailed your book yesterday.
22Crazymamie
Happy new one, Ellen!
23karenmarie
Happy new thread, Ellen. I love that photo of the bison in Yellowstone.
24EBT1002
>14 SuziQoregon: Woo hoo, Juli! *takes a bow*
>15 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Yep, I rearranged my challenges a bit.
And I had a hard time narrowing in on what photo I wanted to use for this thread. I'm reading The Big Sky and they hunt bison (and it kind of hurts my heart) so I went with a Yellowstone bison.
>16 jessibud2: Hi Shelley. Now I have to google Robert Bateman. As I told Meg^ my choice of a bison is inspired by one of my current reads, The Big Sky. I'm both enjoying and struggling with it....
>15 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Yep, I rearranged my challenges a bit.
And I had a hard time narrowing in on what photo I wanted to use for this thread. I'm reading The Big Sky and they hunt bison (and it kind of hurts my heart) so I went with a Yellowstone bison.
>16 jessibud2: Hi Shelley. Now I have to google Robert Bateman. As I told Meg^ my choice of a bison is inspired by one of my current reads, The Big Sky. I'm both enjoying and struggling with it....
26EBT1002
>16 jessibud2: Thanks for the introduction. His work is quite lovely and fits right in with my wildlife/earth theme for the rest of 2018.
27EBT1002
I've had a good morning. I read a couple chapters in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass with my coffee. Then I went for a 55-minute run ~~ it was sunny and mid-30s. Did I mention sunny?
I saw lots of dog-walkers, runners, walkers.... and everyone was in a pretty cheerful state of mind. :-)
Then I did a thorough vacuuming of the house. And a couple of loads of laundry.
I've been keeping an eye on the Red Square webcam to see what happens with today's, um, rally. But now P and I are hopping in the car and heading to Snohomish for a colleague's Mardi Gras party: gumbo, jambalaya, po' boys, etc. Yum.
Oh, and we've been watching some of the women's biathlon. Those women are fit!
I saw lots of dog-walkers, runners, walkers.... and everyone was in a pretty cheerful state of mind. :-)
Then I did a thorough vacuuming of the house. And a couple of loads of laundry.
I've been keeping an eye on the Red Square webcam to see what happens with today's, um, rally. But now P and I are hopping in the car and heading to Snohomish for a colleague's Mardi Gras party: gumbo, jambalaya, po' boys, etc. Yum.
Oh, and we've been watching some of the women's biathlon. Those women are fit!
28jessibud2
Glad you like Bateman, Ellen. He is my all-time favourite painter. Did you notice the link in >16 jessibud2:?
I once played hookie from work one day to go on a walk with him, when he came back to Toronto to have a little parkette dedicated to him. It was next door to his childhood home and he took us on a walk in the ravine behind the house, where he spent his childhood exploring nature. The man is now 87 years old and still stunning. I have several of his books on my coffee table. Not to mention calendars...
I once played hookie from work one day to go on a walk with him, when he came back to Toronto to have a little parkette dedicated to him. It was next door to his childhood home and he took us on a walk in the ravine behind the house, where he spent his childhood exploring nature. The man is now 87 years old and still stunning. I have several of his books on my coffee table. Not to mention calendars...
30mdoris
Love the bison talk on your thread Ellen! I will never forget a morning in Yellowstone Park a few years ago. it was the last night available to stay at the hotel before it was closed for the season in October. When we went to find our car in the morning in the newly fallen snow andthere beside the car" parked" in a stall was a HUGE and sleepy bison. What a sight!
p.s. I did see the Bateman original bison painting in the National Museum of Wildlife Art at Jackson Hole. It is stunning and unforgetable in its power.
p.s. I did see the Bateman original bison painting in the National Museum of Wildlife Art at Jackson Hole. It is stunning and unforgetable in its power.
31msf59
Happy Saturday, Ellen! Happy New Thread! Love the topper! Love Yellowstone! I NEED to go back.
33vancouverdeb
Happy New thread, Ellen! I've learned something today from your thread- not that is unusual. I'm familiar with the Manitoba Buffalo logo that they use on their provincial flag and I wondered, what it is the difference between a Buffalo and a Bison as they alike to me. Well, it turns out the Manitoba Buffalo is really a bison. No wonder it looked so familiar. I watched the men's Olympic snow- styling heats and wow, what a fascinating but scary looking sport. Glad you got a good run in. It's a nice sunny day here too.
34Berly
Happy new one, Ellen! I am alive. Not up to snuff. Living vicariously through the Olympics. : )
35LovingLit
Here are some options for your Pop Sugar Challenge, for books with alliteration in the title! (I looked some up, cos I was interested.)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Love’s Labor’s Lost by William Shakespeare
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Caesar and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
>14 SuziQoregon: they are lovely! I refuse to look any closer, in case I end up purchasing. I may have to go look on the Book Depo website just now, only to see how much they are, mind....just a wee peek.....
eta:
Didn't buy any (not available in the UK, maybe?), but did see this pretty image :)
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Love’s Labor’s Lost by William Shakespeare
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Caesar and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
>14 SuziQoregon: they are lovely! I refuse to look any closer, in case I end up purchasing. I may have to go look on the Book Depo website just now, only to see how much they are, mind....just a wee peek.....
eta:
Didn't buy any (not available in the UK, maybe?), but did see this pretty image :)
37EBT1002
>17 jessibud2: It's interesting, I don't know that I've ever thought of myself as a "mood reader" or otherwise. I just know I have trouble managing all the many things I do want to read, including library books that come in when they come in (over which I have little control). I don't know whether I'm a mood reader but I don't like having my February, for example, so planned out that there is NO room for following my whim.
38EBT1002
>18 jnwelch: Travis McGee is perfect for getting through a nasty virus, Joe!
>19 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle. It's hard to say if bison are similar in size to a moose because they are built so differently. Bison are like large bulls in size and heft. I've seen many of them the one time I visited Yellowstone National Park and some out on the plains of Montana. I've only seen a couple of moose in my life but they are also huge, just taller and leaner.
>20 BLBera: Hi Beth! Yes, and this is my reduced challenges thread. Ha.
Thanks for mailing the book to me!
>21 scaifea: and >22 Crazymamie: and >23 karenmarie:
Thanks, Amber, Mamie, and Karen!
>19 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle. It's hard to say if bison are similar in size to a moose because they are built so differently. Bison are like large bulls in size and heft. I've seen many of them the one time I visited Yellowstone National Park and some out on the plains of Montana. I've only seen a couple of moose in my life but they are also huge, just taller and leaner.
>20 BLBera: Hi Beth! Yes, and this is my reduced challenges thread. Ha.
Thanks for mailing the book to me!
>21 scaifea: and >22 Crazymamie: and >23 karenmarie:
Thanks, Amber, Mamie, and Karen!
39EBT1002
>19 ChelleBearss: I said moose are taller and leaner. Not sure about the leaner part. I know they are huge.
"The Challenge" (bull moose) by Robert Bateman
"The Challenge" (bull moose) by Robert Bateman
40EBT1002
>28 jessibud2: Shelley, I did not notice the link you posted in >16 jessibud2:. Thanks for drawing my attention to it. That particular bison image, "Chief Buffalo" is indeed stunning.
Your walk with Bateman sounds delightful! What a treat to get to hear him talk about his developing passion for nature as he grew up, and how that translated into a career of painting.
I would enjoy having a calendar of his works in my office. Perhaps that is what I'll seek for 2019.
>29 drneutron: Thanks Jim!
Your walk with Bateman sounds delightful! What a treat to get to hear him talk about his developing passion for nature as he grew up, and how that translated into a career of painting.
I would enjoy having a calendar of his works in my office. Perhaps that is what I'll seek for 2019.
>29 drneutron: Thanks Jim!
41EBT1002
>30 mdoris: Mary, that is a wonderful story of the "parked" bison in Yellowstone. I have many memories of bison during our visit to that National Park in, I think, 1997 or so. I remember "bison jams" in which all the cars just had to stop and sit and wait for the road to be open once the bison herd decided to move on. One of them involved a long wait but I didn't care. It was a matter of turning off the engine and enjoying being in the middle of a herd of bison. I did roll my window down at one point and then roll it back up very quickly when a large bison wandered my direction. He was just curious, I'm sure, but I wasn't taking any chances. More visitors get gored by bison at Yellowstone every year than get injured by bear or moose or anything else. Always because the human is stupid and gets too close. Just because it's a slow-moving large bull, doesn't mean it's like the cows in the pasture at home!
I am now adding the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole to my bucket list. I bet I would LOVE it!
I am now adding the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole to my bucket list. I bet I would LOVE it!
42EBT1002
>31 msf59: I'm with you, Mark. I NEED to get back to Yellowstone. P and I were just saying that we need to plan that trip, perhaps for summer of 2019.
>32 ronincats: Hi Roni and thanks! A run in the cold sunshine is a wonderful thing. :-)
>32 ronincats: Hi Roni and thanks! A run in the cold sunshine is a wonderful thing. :-)
43EBT1002
>33 vancouverdeb: Hey Deb. So, I think of buffalo and bison as the same thing. I imagine there are variations, but I think of buffalo as the "white man's" moniker for an animal that is known by biologists as a bison. But now I'm not sure.
Okay, according to a google inquiry, "Early American settlers called bison “bufello” due to the similar appearance between the two animals, and the name "buffalo" stuck for the American variety. But it's wrong. The American bison (Bison bison) lives only in North America, while the two main buffalo species reside in Africa and Asia."
Using Robert Bateman's paintings.... I think the top one is a bison and the lower one a buffalo?
Bison Study
Master of the Herd
Okay, according to a google inquiry, "Early American settlers called bison “bufello” due to the similar appearance between the two animals, and the name "buffalo" stuck for the American variety. But it's wrong. The American bison (Bison bison) lives only in North America, while the two main buffalo species reside in Africa and Asia."
Using Robert Bateman's paintings.... I think the top one is a bison and the lower one a buffalo?
Bison Study
Master of the Herd
44EBT1002
>34 Berly: Kim, regardless, I am glad to see you. I hope you feel better soon and I'm glad the Olympics are available to entertain you while you recover!
45EBT1002
>35 LovingLit: Thanks for that list, Megan. I don't plan to read any more Dickens this year but of course I could use Nicholas Nickleby for the alliteration item in the PopSugar challenge list. But then I will need something else published more than 100 years ago. That might not be too hard. I reserve the right to move things around, in any case. Heh. But I have been wanting to read Fahrenheit 451....
As everyone now knows I love love love the Olive editions (and I'm pleased to have influenced at least one other person to buy some! - yay Juli!)
I love that image of the colored pencils next to the Olive editions. Maybe that is why I like the editions so much, I love color and have gone on spending sprees related to various color things over the decades: beads, squares of fabric for quilting, chalk and pastels for art, pencils and "adult" coloring books, Olive Editions.....
>36 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda!
As everyone now knows I love love love the Olive editions (and I'm pleased to have influenced at least one other person to buy some! - yay Juli!)
I love that image of the colored pencils next to the Olive editions. Maybe that is why I like the editions so much, I love color and have gone on spending sprees related to various color things over the decades: beads, squares of fabric for quilting, chalk and pastels for art, pencils and "adult" coloring books, Olive Editions.....
>36 banjo123: Thanks Rhonda!
46jessibud2
>40 EBT1002: - Hehe. Yes, it was fantastic. I booked off work, citing *an appointment*. Didn't bother to explain with whom. I had to hide behind some tall people when I noticed the tv network cameramen showing up to cover the park dedication. Last thing I needed was to show up on the evening news....!
47EBT1002
>46 jessibud2: "I had to hide behind some tall people when I noticed the tv network cameramen..." LOL
48vancouverdeb
>43 EBT1002: Excellent, Ellen! I googled it too and you are quite right. Do you think we can convince the Province of Manitoba to stop calling their Bison , Buffalos? I doubt it.
49Familyhistorian
>27 EBT1002: Ha, I wondered how you were so ahead of me on the Fitbit stats, Ellen. But now I see. Isn't it amazing, two full days of sunshine at long last.
50PaulCranswick
Happy new one, Ellen. xx
51Crazymamie
Stopping in to wish you a week full of fabulous, Ellen. I'll just leave these here for you for later:
52BLBera
I didn't see any huge news banners, Ellen, so I assume your week will start off calmly. Love the bison and moose.
53SuziQoregon
Didn't see anything in my news feeds so hoping all was civil.
54jolerie
Happy new thread Ellen!
I actually caved and looked up the cost of those Olive Editions and was pleasantly surprised that they were decently priced. Not outrageous at all...hmmm.... ;)
I actually caved and looked up the cost of those Olive Editions and was pleasantly surprised that they were decently priced. Not outrageous at all...hmmm.... ;)
55ronincats
>51 Crazymamie: Those are SO cute!!
56EBT1002
Have I mentioned that we get to see Hamilton -- the National Tour -- this Thursday????? I'm super excited!!
58jessibud2
>56 EBT1002: - Wow, soooo lucky! I doubt I will get a chance to see it. Enjoy!
On the other hand, my theatre subscription has Come From Away for us this Saturday afternoon and for that, I am super excited!! :-)
On the other hand, my theatre subscription has Come From Away for us this Saturday afternoon and for that, I am super excited!! :-)
59LovingLit
>51 Crazymamie: I can *just* see me trying making these and then having the perfect *nailed it* meme ;)
60ChelleBearss
>43 EBT1002: >48 vancouverdeb: That is very interesting! We stopped at a "buffalo" farm in Northern Ontario last summer and picked up some burgers while we were cottaging. I did not know that Bison and Buffalo were the same thing (and being called the wrong name too!)
61jnwelch
Yes! Hamiton! Can't wait to hear what you think of it, Ellen. Have a great time on Thursday.
62katiekrug
>56 EBT1002: - Enjoy! I'm seeing it here in August :)
63weird_O
hi Ellen. I'm way out of the loop so far this year. But I seem to recall that you were coming east for a professional confab in Philly, thus triggering talk of a meetup. Is that still happening? Am I in the wrong year? On the wrong planet? I'd like to meet you and everyone else who'd like to meet you. Know what I mean?
64EBT1002
And because I didn't have enough books in the "Currently reading" collection just now, I've started reading this library book. It's totally outside my usual genre (romance? seriously?) but I've left my snobbish sensibilities at the door and I'm really rather enjoying it.
It was one of the Electric Lit 46 books by women of color to be published in 2018 (see >11 EBT1002:) and will meet this in the Read Harder Challenge: A romance novel by or about a person of color.
It was one of the Electric Lit 46 books by women of color to be published in 2018 (see >11 EBT1002:) and will meet this in the Read Harder Challenge: A romance novel by or about a person of color.
65EBT1002
>48 vancouverdeb: Honestly, I had no idea I would learn so much about bison and buffaloes when I selected my thread topper, Deb. :-D
But I kind of like the idea of learning about what I choose each time for my thread-topper. It seems in keeping with my "honor the earth and all its creatures" vision.
>49 Familyhistorian: It has been glorious running weather here, Meg. This morning I left the house at dawn; it was 30F and clear. The sun coming up over the Cascades and Lake Washington was stunning!!
But I kind of like the idea of learning about what I choose each time for my thread-topper. It seems in keeping with my "honor the earth and all its creatures" vision.
>49 Familyhistorian: It has been glorious running weather here, Meg. This morning I left the house at dawn; it was 30F and clear. The sun coming up over the Cascades and Lake Washington was stunning!!
66EBT1002
>50 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul!
>51 Crazymamie: OMG, those are ADORABLE, Mamie!!!!! Cutest donuts I have ever seen.
>51 Crazymamie: OMG, those are ADORABLE, Mamie!!!!! Cutest donuts I have ever seen.
67katiekrug
"(romance? seriously?)"
Sigh.
Don't make me start linking to excellent articles about romance, feminism, and female empowerment :)
Sigh.
Don't make me start linking to excellent articles about romance, feminism, and female empowerment :)
68EBT1002
>52 BLBera: The event on Saturday went as well as one could expect or hope for, Beth. A few arrests, reports of some scuffles as the Patriot Prayer folks and the anti-fa folks "engaged" with one another...
>53 SuziQoregon: Hey Juli. I would hardly call it civil but it was as peaceful as one could expect. Here is the UW President's blog post about "a difficult Saturday."
>53 SuziQoregon: Hey Juli. I would hardly call it civil but it was as peaceful as one could expect. Here is the UW President's blog post about "a difficult Saturday."
69EBT1002
>67 katiekrug: Actually, Katie, I would welcome such links! Maybe only one or two, though..... :-)
70EBT1002
>54 jolerie: Yes, Valerie, one thing about that enabled my binge buying spree was that they cost around $10. Except Tales of the City, which I did not purchase.
>55 ronincats: Yep. Because anyone with "cats" in their user name would agree with me about that! :-)
>55 ronincats: Yep. Because anyone with "cats" in their user name would agree with me about that! :-)
71EBT1002
>57 EllaTim: I'm glad to hear it, Ella. I like my thread to be a pleasant place to visit, even if I can't even get here every day my own self.
>58 jessibud2: "...my theatre subscription has Come From Away for us this Saturday afternoon..." HOORAY!!!!! Oh, Shelley, you are in for a treat. We saw that at the Seattle Rep last year and I don't know if you recall my reaction. At the very end, the very moment the play ended, I LEAPT from my seat in a standing ovation. As did every single other person in the theater. It was one of the best theater experiences I have ever had. ENJOY!
Now I hope I didn't just hype it too much for you.
I think they are working to build that show into the 5th Avenue lineup for next season, too. I would be renewing our season tix for that theater in any case, but I'm super excited at the prospect of seeing Come From Away again.
>58 jessibud2: "...my theatre subscription has Come From Away for us this Saturday afternoon..." HOORAY!!!!! Oh, Shelley, you are in for a treat. We saw that at the Seattle Rep last year and I don't know if you recall my reaction. At the very end, the very moment the play ended, I LEAPT from my seat in a standing ovation. As did every single other person in the theater. It was one of the best theater experiences I have ever had. ENJOY!
Now I hope I didn't just hype it too much for you.
I think they are working to build that show into the 5th Avenue lineup for next season, too. I would be renewing our season tix for that theater in any case, but I'm super excited at the prospect of seeing Come From Away again.
72Caroline_McElwee
>51 Crazymamie: cute.
>56 EBT1002: Lucky you. I need to get booking in London, but it will no doubt be the Summer before I will actually see it.
>56 EBT1002: Lucky you. I need to get booking in London, but it will no doubt be the Summer before I will actually see it.
73katiekrug
This is one I read recently and found interesting: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jaimegreen/who-gets-a-happily-ever-after-in-2018-romanc...
74EBT1002
>59 LovingLit: I'm looking forward to seeing that "nailed it" meme, Megan....
>60 ChelleBearss: Well, technically, they are not the same thing, Chelle, but the one is often called by the rightful name of the other.
(Just kick me. I hate it when P and her brothers get all precise on me when they knew what I meant!)
>61 jnwelch: We've been listening to some of the music from "Hamilton" in preparation, Joe. I need to hear a bit more so I'll more fully enjoy the performance. And I need to remember to take my binoculars!
>62 katiekrug: Katie, are you seeing it actually on Broadway?? Coming to NYC and seeing some shows is SO on my bucket list.
>63 weird_O: Hey Bill. Your memory has not failed you! I will be in Philly for a conference next month and there is a meetup planned for March 4. Check in with Laura (lauralkeet) for details!
>60 ChelleBearss: Well, technically, they are not the same thing, Chelle, but the one is often called by the rightful name of the other.
(Just kick me. I hate it when P and her brothers get all precise on me when they knew what I meant!)
>61 jnwelch: We've been listening to some of the music from "Hamilton" in preparation, Joe. I need to hear a bit more so I'll more fully enjoy the performance. And I need to remember to take my binoculars!
>62 katiekrug: Katie, are you seeing it actually on Broadway?? Coming to NYC and seeing some shows is SO on my bucket list.
>63 weird_O: Hey Bill. Your memory has not failed you! I will be in Philly for a conference next month and there is a meetup planned for March 4. Check in with Laura (lauralkeet) for details!
75EBT1002
>72 Caroline_McElwee: I will certainly report back after Thursday, Caroline.
>73 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!
>73 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!
76katiekrug
>62 katiekrug: - Yes, on Broadway. You should add a couple of days after Philly and train on up :)
77EBT1002
A couple of my favorite passages in that very interesting essay (>73 katiekrug:):
"Romance is political in the broader meaning of the word, in that politics isn’t simply a tally of votes, but an accounting of power. It is about how we care for one another, how far our circles of empathy extend, and whose voices are privileged or heard. It is about who is seen as a full human being, worthy of respect and narrative interiority. And as long as women’s bodies are legislated and circumscribed and shamed, romance will also be political because it is, often, also about sex."
"Romance reminds us that women want, and it celebrates this fact. How sad that that’s subversive, but it is. Also subversive: the idea of women reading books that are escapist delights instead of 'bettering' themselves via the male-adjudicated canon or, honestly, doing housework or tending to their kids. Romance novels are political because of, not despite, the fact that they are usually really fucking fun."
"Granting women of color fulfilling love stories with happy endings; writing queer and trans characters who are happy with themselves, out, and loved; depicting interracial romance where race isn’t the main issue — those choices in fiction are revolutionary to the women who write it and read it."
The article made me want to read something by Beverly Jenkins and Suzanne Brockmann and Alyssa Cole and Alisha Rai.
"Romance is political in the broader meaning of the word, in that politics isn’t simply a tally of votes, but an accounting of power. It is about how we care for one another, how far our circles of empathy extend, and whose voices are privileged or heard. It is about who is seen as a full human being, worthy of respect and narrative interiority. And as long as women’s bodies are legislated and circumscribed and shamed, romance will also be political because it is, often, also about sex."
"Romance reminds us that women want, and it celebrates this fact. How sad that that’s subversive, but it is. Also subversive: the idea of women reading books that are escapist delights instead of 'bettering' themselves via the male-adjudicated canon or, honestly, doing housework or tending to their kids. Romance novels are political because of, not despite, the fact that they are usually really fucking fun."
"Granting women of color fulfilling love stories with happy endings; writing queer and trans characters who are happy with themselves, out, and loved; depicting interracial romance where race isn’t the main issue — those choices in fiction are revolutionary to the women who write it and read it."
The article made me want to read something by Beverly Jenkins and Suzanne Brockmann and Alyssa Cole and Alisha Rai.
78EBT1002
>76 katiekrug: Rats! I wish I had thought of that! Honestly, I didn't (don't?) have a clear sense of how close NYC and Philly actually are!
79katiekrug
>77 EBT1002: - I'm glad you got something out of the article :) When I posted it on FB, I copied the first quote you shared because I thought it was really powerful.
>78 EBT1002: - It's about an hour by train.
>78 EBT1002: - It's about an hour by train.
80EBT1002
>79 katiekrug: I just happened to see this article and immediately thought of you, Katie. I haven't actually read it yet, though.
Electric Lit - We need to start taking young women's love stories seriously
The romance novel I am currently reading is written by a woman of color and features a biracial couple (well, they're not a "couple" yet but they seem to be heading that direction!). I think that is why the third quote I posted in >77 EBT1002: jumped out at me.
Electric Lit - We need to start taking young women's love stories seriously
The romance novel I am currently reading is written by a woman of color and features a biracial couple (well, they're not a "couple" yet but they seem to be heading that direction!). I think that is why the third quote I posted in >77 EBT1002: jumped out at me.
81SuziQoregon
>56 EBT1002: Cool on seeing Hamilton on Thursday. We're seeing it here on my birthday next month. The Hubster got major points for that one.
(edited to change the 58 to 56) thanks >82 jessibud2:
(edited to change the 58 to 56) thanks >82 jessibud2:
82jessibud2
>81 SuziQoregon: - Actually, it's Ellen, not me, who is seeing Hamilton...;-) I WISH it were me!
83weird_O
>74 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. Hope I can meet you.
84BLBera
>73 katiekrug: Interesting article. I never thought of romance as being political, and I often had trouble with the alpha male types -- happily ever after with them wasn't believable to me at all. Still, maybe I should check out some of these writers. I'll start with the one that Ellen is reading.
Ellen, lucky you to see "Hamilton"!
Ellen, lucky you to see "Hamilton"!
85katiekrug
>84 BLBera: - Beth, I don't think romance is for everyone, just like no book or genre is for everyone. But I think it gets a lot less respect than other "genre" fiction (mystery or sci-fi or whatever) and I can only guess that it's because it's considered lesser somehow. And then I thinks about what makes it different (women, sex), where perceptions of what is "good" originate (a mostly male-determined canon), etc. and I get frustrated and annoyed.
So it's fine for some women not to like romance, but I am on a mission to combat the sneering and eye-rolling :)
So it's fine for some women not to like romance, but I am on a mission to combat the sneering and eye-rolling :)
86ffortsa
>79 katiekrug: I think it's more like two hours. We're going to the meetup by train, so I'll have experiential evidence in March.
87katiekrug
I'll split the difference with you, Judy. It's just over an hour from Philly to Newark, and then maybe another 20 minutes or so into NY Penn. I took it to and from DC last month.
ETA: And it depends on what train you take, of course.
ETA: And it depends on what train you take, of course.
88BLBera
>85 katiekrug: No one should sneer about reading tastes. And I do love Georgette Heyer. I guess I have not found romance generally believable. So, maybe I need to look for different authors, story lines. Or maybe I can read Heyer.
Hi Ellen.
Hi Ellen.
89richardderus
I give. I lost you until now, and you're 88 posts in. Sorry luvvie, I'm startin' life anew as post #89, and noting that I saw LOTS of Batemanii as I cruised down. Thousands and thousands of years ago, I worked for an Italian printing company that printed a bunch of Key Porter Books backlist titles of Robert Bateman's art. It's amazing to me more US art lovers haven't heard of him.
90EBT1002
>81 SuziQoregon: I will give you a preview of how awesome "Hamilton" is, Juli!
>82 jessibud2: Yep.
>83 weird_O: Would love to have you join us, Bill!
>84 BLBera: Hi Beth. It's only one novel but The Wedding Date is both fun and... how do I say this? As a read, it's not very complex. But the characters are likable, there is delightful sexual tension but also some tension as they navigate the racial terrain. The latter is background, not figure, but it's plausible and satisfying.
>85 katiekrug: Katie, that is a wonderful description of the political and literary terrain of romance novels. I compare the romance novel I'm currently reading with, say, mystery novels or science fiction I've read (limited experience there, I have to admit) and your point is spot on: most of them are not trying to be lit-ra-ture; they're novels with more or less in the way of character complexity, layers of meaning, allusions and metaphors and deep philosophical musings. Mystery novels and science fiction (did I mention that I have limited experience?) and fantasy(?) also lean toward tidy and happy endings. And there is probably more within-genre variability than we acknowledge (just like we tend to minimize within-group variability in groups of humans). Why should sic-fi or mystery be inherently more valued than romance? Women. Sex.
And, partly because the article in >73 katiekrug: referenced (briefly) Fifty Shades of Gray, I feel compelled to post the link to this New York Times Magazine article about teenagers learning about sex through online porn. Not the same thing at all, I know, but the article does mention that there are teenage boys learning about what women presumably want and like by watching online porn and, in one instance, reading Fifty Shades of Gray. Disclaimer: I have not read FSoG.
>82 jessibud2: Yep.
>83 weird_O: Would love to have you join us, Bill!
>84 BLBera: Hi Beth. It's only one novel but The Wedding Date is both fun and... how do I say this? As a read, it's not very complex. But the characters are likable, there is delightful sexual tension but also some tension as they navigate the racial terrain. The latter is background, not figure, but it's plausible and satisfying.
>85 katiekrug: Katie, that is a wonderful description of the political and literary terrain of romance novels. I compare the romance novel I'm currently reading with, say, mystery novels or science fiction I've read (limited experience there, I have to admit) and your point is spot on: most of them are not trying to be lit-ra-ture; they're novels with more or less in the way of character complexity, layers of meaning, allusions and metaphors and deep philosophical musings. Mystery novels and science fiction (did I mention that I have limited experience?) and fantasy(?) also lean toward tidy and happy endings. And there is probably more within-genre variability than we acknowledge (just like we tend to minimize within-group variability in groups of humans). Why should sic-fi or mystery be inherently more valued than romance? Women. Sex.
And, partly because the article in >73 katiekrug: referenced (briefly) Fifty Shades of Gray, I feel compelled to post the link to this New York Times Magazine article about teenagers learning about sex through online porn. Not the same thing at all, I know, but the article does mention that there are teenage boys learning about what women presumably want and like by watching online porn and, in one instance, reading Fifty Shades of Gray. Disclaimer: I have not read FSoG.
91EBT1002
>86 ffortsa: and >87 katiekrug: I had no idea it was one or two hours! I'm just so glad you're both making the trip!
>88 BLBera: Hi Beth. I still haven't read Georgette Heyer. I started one and bailed on it but since I'm now doing almost no monthly challenges (ha!), maybe I'll be able to fit one in this year. I can probably fit a Georgette Heyer into my PopSugar or Read Harder challenges.
>89 richardderus: Richard! I have to admit that I had not heard of Robert Bateman although I believe I had seen some of his art (not, like, in person). I love his work.
>88 BLBera: Hi Beth. I still haven't read Georgette Heyer. I started one and bailed on it but since I'm now doing almost no monthly challenges (ha!), maybe I'll be able to fit one in this year. I can probably fit a Georgette Heyer into my PopSugar or Read Harder challenges.
>89 richardderus: Richard! I have to admit that I had not heard of Robert Bateman although I believe I had seen some of his art (not, like, in person). I love his work.
93FAMeulstee
>92 EBT1002: As true Dutchies we are mainly watching the Olympic speed skating :-)
Back to the Bisons and Buffaloes up there, I like to add that there is also an European Bison, the Wisent (Bison bonasus).
Back to the Bisons and Buffaloes up there, I like to add that there is also an European Bison, the Wisent (Bison bonasus).
94katiekrug
Caitlin Moran has a great take on porn and what it teaches men (and women) about sex in How To Be a Woman. It sounds similar to the article you linked to.
I haven't read Fifty Shades, either. I tried two pages of it and it was just terribly written. That's another thing I think a lot of people get wrong about genre fiction - it isn't always badly written!
I haven't read Fifty Shades, either. I tried two pages of it and it was just terribly written. That's another thing I think a lot of people get wrong about genre fiction - it isn't always badly written!
97Familyhistorian
Good to see that you are reading a romance, Ellen. I hope you are enjoying it. It is strange that reading a book in that genre is usually admitted with an apology or some other caveat.
100EBT1002
>94 katiekrug: I have my new Olive Edition of How to Be a Woman, Katie, and now I'm even more excited to read it!
I was thinking about this genre fiction discussion during my run this morning. The genre with which I'm most familiar is mysteries and I found myself thinking (to myself) about the issue of how unrealistic romances can be. I thought of Travis McGee. Jack Reacher. Kinsey Millhone. Realistic? I think not. And your point is very well taken: any genre includes both well-written examples and not-so-well-written examples. And maybe some abysmally written examples. No genre can claim the sole high road there.
I was thinking about this genre fiction discussion during my run this morning. The genre with which I'm most familiar is mysteries and I found myself thinking (to myself) about the issue of how unrealistic romances can be. I thought of Travis McGee. Jack Reacher. Kinsey Millhone. Realistic? I think not. And your point is very well taken: any genre includes both well-written examples and not-so-well-written examples. And maybe some abysmally written examples. No genre can claim the sole high road there.
101EBT1002
Oh, and Fifty Shades. I didn't try it but I'm glad to hear about your experience: poorly written? I don't care what genre it is; I'm outta here.
102DeltaQueen50
Ellen, I love your opening picture. Yellowstone is a very special place and I, too, need to get back there for another visit.
103EBT1002
>95 richardderus: and >96 Caroline_McElwee: Yes, I agree: ha!
>97 Familyhistorian: Yes, Meg, and my caveat has led to a good and enlightening discussion! :-)
>97 Familyhistorian: Yes, Meg, and my caveat has led to a good and enlightening discussion! :-)
104EBT1002
>102 DeltaQueen50: Hi Judy! I think there are a bunch of us thinking about a visit -- or a revisit -- to Yellowstone is in order!
105EBT1002
11. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
This audiobook narrated by Simon Vance was a worthy investment of a little under three hours. Vance's narration is perfect, especially his Pooh Bear, and the message is solid and timely. Slow down. Be present. Foster the uncarved block rather than the busy mind. Value wisdom over knowledge.
This audiobook narrated by Simon Vance was a worthy investment of a little under three hours. Vance's narration is perfect, especially his Pooh Bear, and the message is solid and timely. Slow down. Be present. Foster the uncarved block rather than the busy mind. Value wisdom over knowledge.
108LovingLit
>100 EBT1002: oooh, aaaah, I like that. Just read it recently, and very much enjoyed it.
I like the Obamas' portraits, his more than hers. I feel Michelle's neck is missing in her one, or maybe that her head is too small? Something a bit off, but I love the colours and the angles.
I like the Obamas' portraits, his more than hers. I feel Michelle's neck is missing in her one, or maybe that her head is too small? Something a bit off, but I love the colours and the angles.
109ChelleBearss
>108 LovingLit: What she said! I was looking at Michelle's and trying to figure out what was off. It's her head size is a little small compared to her shoulders.
110EllaTim
>106 EBT1002: Love the Obama portret. Lovely presence. Nice choice of background.
111jessibud2
I also love >106 EBT1002: but feel >107 EBT1002: could have been a bit better. The face doesn't really look like her. Eyebrows, hair, even nose and mouth just aren't Michelle.
113katiekrug
There have been some interesting articles and discussions on social media about the portraits and the artists. One I read made the argument that portraits don't necessarily have to be an absolute true representation of the subject. As someone who doesn't know much about art, it's been really interesting to read the reactions.
ETA: Here's an example: https://www.thedailybeast.com/michelle-obamas-portrait-doesnt-look-like-her-that...
ETA: Here's an example: https://www.thedailybeast.com/michelle-obamas-portrait-doesnt-look-like-her-that...
114jnwelch
Sweet Thursday, Ellen!
I enjoyed The Tao of Pooh back in the day. A little charmer, as I recall. I read The Te of Piglet more recently, and it was okay, but not at the level of TTOP.
Have fun tonight!
I enjoyed The Tao of Pooh back in the day. A little charmer, as I recall. I read The Te of Piglet more recently, and it was okay, but not at the level of TTOP.
Have fun tonight!
115EBT1002
>108 LovingLit: and >109 ChelleBearss: Initially, I had a similar reaction, Megan and Chelle. And then I studied the portrait of Michelle for a bit and I could see what I think of as her ferocity, blended with an amazing warmth, coming through the eyes. It's not as immediately recognizable as Michelle as Barack's portrait is as being him (that is an awkward sentence to write, but you get my meaning).
I have been watching "The Crown" on Netflix and there was one episode centered around Churchill's retirement and the painting of his official portrait. He hated the final work and later burned it. It is considered a tremendous loss of a masterpiece. It was so interesting to think about the issue (referenced some by Katie in >113 katiekrug:) of realism vs. what the artist wants to capture, communicate, immortalize.... It is a portrait but it is also a work of art, the artist's expression not only of the subject but of their vision of the subject.... and I am no expert in art, either.
>110 EllaTim: Hi Ella. We got to see an exhibit of Kehinde Wiley's work at the Seattle Art Museum last year. His paintings are usually HUGE and always colorful and, like the portrait of President Obama, presenting a person of color in an unexpected location, time, or milieu.... capturing the strength and dignity that live within the human but that we tend to place in the environment. Worth googling.
>111 jessibud2: See my note just above, Shelley.
I have been watching "The Crown" on Netflix and there was one episode centered around Churchill's retirement and the painting of his official portrait. He hated the final work and later burned it. It is considered a tremendous loss of a masterpiece. It was so interesting to think about the issue (referenced some by Katie in >113 katiekrug:) of realism vs. what the artist wants to capture, communicate, immortalize.... It is a portrait but it is also a work of art, the artist's expression not only of the subject but of their vision of the subject.... and I am no expert in art, either.
>110 EllaTim: Hi Ella. We got to see an exhibit of Kehinde Wiley's work at the Seattle Art Museum last year. His paintings are usually HUGE and always colorful and, like the portrait of President Obama, presenting a person of color in an unexpected location, time, or milieu.... capturing the strength and dignity that live within the human but that we tend to place in the environment. Worth googling.
>111 jessibud2: See my note just above, Shelley.
116EBT1002
>113 katiekrug: Thanks for posting that, Katie. As you can see from my comments just here^ I had the same reaction as Megan, Chelle, and Shelley but my reaction shifted upon studying the painting for a bit.
>114 jnwelch: The Tao of Pooh was indeed a little charmer, Joe. I quite enjoyed it.
And I am SO excited about tonight! I've been listening to the soundtrack and I really like the music.
>114 jnwelch: The Tao of Pooh was indeed a little charmer, Joe. I quite enjoyed it.
And I am SO excited about tonight! I've been listening to the soundtrack and I really like the music.
117Caroline_McElwee
>106 EBT1002: >107 EBT1002: I really like them both in different ways, it would have been interesting if each artist were to have painted portraits of both.
>112 EBT1002: Enjoy Ellen.
ETA: I'm loving the bison.
>112 EBT1002: Enjoy Ellen.
ETA: I'm loving the bison.
118SuziQoregon
Haven't been watching the figure skating. Last night was Curling and Skeleton (those people are nuts), Tonight we hope to get caught up on Snowboard Cross - so fun to watch.
I just ordered the Olive Edition of How to Be A Woman earlier today.
It's been a long time since I read The Tao of Pooh.
Have a great time tonight. Looking forward to hearing what you think since you're getting a preview of the cast we'll see in March.
I just ordered the Olive Edition of How to Be A Woman earlier today.
It's been a long time since I read The Tao of Pooh.
Have a great time tonight. Looking forward to hearing what you think since you're getting a preview of the cast we'll see in March.
119charl08
Ellen, reading your discussion with Katie about romance novels (as usual) has me admiring both of you for your eloquence. I read The Wedding Date and was so impressed at how the author (in her first book) managed to cover what I would think of as some "quite heavy" stuff in a way that never felt like preaching. Some of the romance novels I most admire are the ones I've read where when I reread them I realise that the author is doing something quite powerful around self-acceptance whilst keeping the whole thing racing along.
I think Katie's right that the genre snobbery that seems to linger around romance does seem to be linked to gender.
I always plug smartwomentrashybooks.com when romance comes up- their website talks about and reviews romance - their high standards but love for the books is brilliant -
my favourite bit is 'help a bitch out' where people ask someone to try and help them find a romance they read and have forgotten all the useful identifying things like titles and authors. Really mad what people remember about books.
Oh and the mad snark about really bad romance covers from the 70s. *Disappears to check out the website again*
I think Katie's right that the genre snobbery that seems to linger around romance does seem to be linked to gender.
I always plug smartwomentrashybooks.com when romance comes up- their website talks about and reviews romance - their high standards but love for the books is brilliant -
my favourite bit is 'help a bitch out' where people ask someone to try and help them find a romance they read and have forgotten all the useful identifying things like titles and authors. Really mad what people remember about books.
Oh and the mad snark about really bad romance covers from the 70s. *Disappears to check out the website again*
120msf59
>106 EBT1002: >107 EBT1002: LOVE! They are both growing on me, as I keep soaking them in.
Sweet Thursday, Ellen. I loved The Power and I am also enjoying Barkskins.
Sweet Thursday, Ellen. I loved The Power and I am also enjoying Barkskins.
121BLBera
LOVE the portraits.
Enjoy "Hamilton" - lucky you.
>119 charl08: You are so right, Charlotte, that the genre snobbery that seems to linger around romance does seem to be linked to gender.
Enjoy "Hamilton" - lucky you.
>119 charl08: You are so right, Charlotte, that the genre snobbery that seems to linger around romance does seem to be linked to gender.
123banjo123
That's funny, i LOVE the Michelle Obama portrait, would love to see more of Sherald's work. To me, Barack's is not nearly as powerful.
Did anyone else hear the NPR interview with Sherald?
Did anyone else hear the NPR interview with Sherald?
124alcottacre
>112 EBT1002: I absolutely love the score of Hamilton and am beyond jealous!
125vancouverdeb
On a completely different topic, have the Canadian Women's Hockey team beaten the US yet? :-) I know we are good, , but I have not had a chance to keep with the Olympic Hockey. Sorry that we will win the gold ;-)
127streamsong
I saw on Beth's thread that you are heading to Tempe. While lounging by the pool and reading sound wonderful, if you can manage it, go by the Phoenix Botanical Garden. I **love** that place - and on their website, it looks like the butterfly house is open. You can take a book - there are lots of wonderful benches ....
And also the Heard Museum in Phoenix if you like NA art .....
And also the Heard Museum in Phoenix if you like NA art .....
128EBT1002
12. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Alexa and Drew meet on an elevator in a ritzy San Francisco hotel. He needs a date for a wedding he's attending. She figures "why not?" She lives in Oakland, he lives in L.A. They spend the next two months flying up and down the California coast, enjoying one another's company (I mean, really enjoying one another's company), and struggling with their respective personal demons about romance and commitment. Their racial differences (she is African American, he is white) present a challenge or two but mostly remain as ground rather than figure.
The writing is just okay but the story is sweet and fun and enjoyable. There is no way not to cheer for these two lovers as they find their way to the predictable happy ending.
Alexa and Drew meet on an elevator in a ritzy San Francisco hotel. He needs a date for a wedding he's attending. She figures "why not?" She lives in Oakland, he lives in L.A. They spend the next two months flying up and down the California coast, enjoying one another's company (I mean, really enjoying one another's company), and struggling with their respective personal demons about romance and commitment. Their racial differences (she is African American, he is white) present a challenge or two but mostly remain as ground rather than figure.
The writing is just okay but the story is sweet and fun and enjoyable. There is no way not to cheer for these two lovers as they find their way to the predictable happy ending.
130EBT1002
OMG! Hamilton was FABULOUS!! It lived up to the hype (and that is saying something). It was one of my top two theater experiences in the past decade. Tied, perhaps, with my experience seeing "Come From Away" at the Seattle Rep. I think that was a premier and it is now on Broadway.
131EBT1002
I'm going totally out of order here...
>125 vancouverdeb: The Canadian women have already beat the US women, Deb. The US men lost badly today to the Olympic Athletes of Russia (sigh). I'm watching short-track speed skating now. I love the head-to-head competition.
>125 vancouverdeb: The Canadian women have already beat the US women, Deb. The US men lost badly today to the Olympic Athletes of Russia (sigh). I'm watching short-track speed skating now. I love the head-to-head competition.
132EBT1002
>117 Caroline_McElwee: "...it would have been interesting if each artist were to have painted portraits of both." Oh, that would have been cool, Caroline.
>118 SuziQoregon: Hey Juli. I agree wholeheartedly that the skeleton athletes are nuts. I thought the luge was a crazy sport, but that skeleton is totally outrageous! 60+ MPH and your face is about 3 inches from the ice. Not me.
Just watched the 1,500 meter final in men's short track. US gets the silver after a multi-skater wipeout that took out the favored Koreans. Fun.
>118 SuziQoregon: Hey Juli. I agree wholeheartedly that the skeleton athletes are nuts. I thought the luge was a crazy sport, but that skeleton is totally outrageous! 60+ MPH and your face is about 3 inches from the ice. Not me.
Just watched the 1,500 meter final in men's short track. US gets the silver after a multi-skater wipeout that took out the favored Koreans. Fun.
133EBT1002
>119 charl08: Thanks for the comments, Charlotte. I just finished The Wedding Date this evening and, while romances will still not be my genre of choice, I have new respect and appreciation for the genre as a whole and the authors as a group. I have found myself wondering why on Earth the Three Pines series (which I like) or the Travis McGee series (which I love) earn more respect than a good romance novel like this one. Their commonalities exceed their distinctions.
*checking out smartwomentrashybooks.com*
*checking out smartwomentrashybooks.com*
134EBT1002
>120 msf59: I think the portraits are pretty wonderful, too, Mark. I love that Barack and Michelle chose artists of color to paint these official representations.
I have The Power on the TBR and plan to start it after I make my way through some of my (multiple!) current reads.
>121 BLBera: Beth, Hamilton was so wonderful. The music is delightful, the characters are palpable (and we were in the second balcony), and I had tears in my eyes at the end. That happens in movies, but not in live theater. That means it was really special and tremendously performed.
>122 jessibud2: (and >129 jessibud2:) Thanks Shelley! Hamilton lived up to all the hype!! That is saying something.
I now have a mug with the words "Wait for it" on the side.
I have The Power on the TBR and plan to start it after I make my way through some of my (multiple!) current reads.
>121 BLBera: Beth, Hamilton was so wonderful. The music is delightful, the characters are palpable (and we were in the second balcony), and I had tears in my eyes at the end. That happens in movies, but not in live theater. That means it was really special and tremendously performed.
>122 jessibud2: (and >129 jessibud2:) Thanks Shelley! Hamilton lived up to all the hype!! That is saying something.
I now have a mug with the words "Wait for it" on the side.
136EBT1002
>123 banjo123: I have not heard the NPR interview with Sherald, Rhonda, but I will look for it.
Art. The best art evokes different reactions in different people.
>124 alcottacre: Stacia, this was one of my all-time best theater experiences. If the tickets weren't so dear, I would go back for an encore. It was SO wonderful!!!
>125 vancouverdeb: See >131 EBT1002: Deb. xo
>126 Donna828: See my brief comments above, Donna. I LOVED Hamilton and I'm fighting my impulse to buy a ticket to go back again. If I weren't flying to Tempe this Wednesday, I might succumb....
>127 streamsong: Janet, thanks for the tips! I might try to check out the botanical garden if I have time. I am, of course, attending a conference so I may not actually have much down time, but we will see. I would love the butterfly house!
I have a Skype interview for a possible job the 27th (I know, I love my current job, but sometimes I get caught up in this advancement thing) so some of my time will be dedicated to research and preparation. Nothing like a quite hotel room to get that kind of work done.
Art. The best art evokes different reactions in different people.
>124 alcottacre: Stacia, this was one of my all-time best theater experiences. If the tickets weren't so dear, I would go back for an encore. It was SO wonderful!!!
>125 vancouverdeb: See >131 EBT1002: Deb. xo
>126 Donna828: See my brief comments above, Donna. I LOVED Hamilton and I'm fighting my impulse to buy a ticket to go back again. If I weren't flying to Tempe this Wednesday, I might succumb....
>127 streamsong: Janet, thanks for the tips! I might try to check out the botanical garden if I have time. I am, of course, attending a conference so I may not actually have much down time, but we will see. I would love the butterfly house!
I have a Skype interview for a possible job the 27th (I know, I love my current job, but sometimes I get caught up in this advancement thing) so some of my time will be dedicated to research and preparation. Nothing like a quite hotel room to get that kind of work done.
138EBT1002
After I had a brutal 44-minute run this morning (44F, drizzle, and super strong winds out of the south), Prudence and I went downtown today, had lunch at MOD Pizza and then saw "Lady Bird" at the cinema. I thought it was quite good, a wee bit overhyped.
P made red beans and rice for dinner. I gave it five stars so she'll make it again. :-)
P made red beans and rice for dinner. I gave it five stars so she'll make it again. :-)
139richardderus
Red beans and rice! A keeper, that P.
140EBT1002
>139 richardderus: Indeed, Richard, Prudence is totally a keeper. She has now confirmed her retirement in June and, while I will be working at least 5 more years, I'm super excited for her to have time to be my housewife. :-)
141EBT1002
Last night I fell asleep nicely around 10pm. At 3:30am I was wide awake and thinking about work. After finally drafting and sending a 4:45am email to my boss, I went back to bed but NOT back to sleep. Finally got up around 7am for a mug of coffee and some reading time.
Tonight I plan to listen to a sleep-oriented bit on my app, Headspace, and I hope hope hope to sleep for about eight hours.
I've lived with insomnia since I was a wee child but that does not mean I like it.
Tonight I plan to listen to a sleep-oriented bit on my app, Headspace, and I hope hope hope to sleep for about eight hours.
I've lived with insomnia since I was a wee child but that does not mean I like it.
142LovingLit
>137 EBT1002: A Wrinkle in Time, hm, why is that one calling to me. I must have heard it warbled about...
I see you have Here in Berlin on your books list, I have just seen BLBera talking about it, and have put my name on it at the library :)
ETA: re insomnia. I sympathise (and empathise) with your recent experience, as I have lain awake at night lately. I fall asleep fine, but then, if woken, am in my head til dawn! Sometimes I relish the thinking time, until my mind goes into overdrive and all the weight of the world comes a knocking! I hope you catch up on your sleep soon!
I see you have Here in Berlin on your books list, I have just seen BLBera talking about it, and have put my name on it at the library :)
ETA: re insomnia. I sympathise (and empathise) with your recent experience, as I have lain awake at night lately. I fall asleep fine, but then, if woken, am in my head til dawn! Sometimes I relish the thinking time, until my mind goes into overdrive and all the weight of the world comes a knocking! I hope you catch up on your sleep soon!
143charl08
Sorry about the insomnia Ellen, and hope the app works - would you recommend it?
Good luck for the interview. How exciting! (at least, hope so). Does P have any plans for her time in retirement (beyond the h-w stuff, of course ;-) I looked up on the government app when I'm now entitled to claim my pension, and it's not until 68! (It used to be 60 for women).
Good luck for the interview. How exciting! (at least, hope so). Does P have any plans for her time in retirement (beyond the h-w stuff, of course ;-) I looked up on the government app when I'm now entitled to claim my pension, and it's not until 68! (It used to be 60 for women).
144ChelleBearss
Sorry to see your insomnia is being a pain. Hope you got a full 8 hours last night!
I don't have insomnia but I do have a baby that wakes me up, so I can almost feel your frustration with lack of sleep. Hugs!
I don't have insomnia but I do have a baby that wakes me up, so I can almost feel your frustration with lack of sleep. Hugs!
145lauralkeet
I'd love to see Hamilton! I'm sure there will be shows in Philly at some point, since all of the big name shows play here. It's not quite the same as seeing the original Broadway cast, but that was way out of my price range.
Good luck with the job interview, Ellen.
Good luck with the job interview, Ellen.
146karenmarie
Hi Ellen!
I'm glad Hamilton was wonderful. I love A Wrinkle In Time and have probably re-read it six or more times over the years. Might be time for another re-read.
The US Curling teams are disappointing, no doubt about it.
Congratulations on Prudence's retirement plan for June. I'm into my 3rd year of retirement and it's absolutely wonderful.
Good luck with your prep and interview and happy Sunday to you!
I'm glad Hamilton was wonderful. I love A Wrinkle In Time and have probably re-read it six or more times over the years. Might be time for another re-read.
The US Curling teams are disappointing, no doubt about it.
Congratulations on Prudence's retirement plan for June. I'm into my 3rd year of retirement and it's absolutely wonderful.
Good luck with your prep and interview and happy Sunday to you!
147jnwelch
OMG! Hamilton was FABULOUS!! Yes!!!
What a gift Miranda has given us. Isn't the music terrific?
Like Karen, I love A Wrinkle in Time, and have re-read it, although not as many times as she has. I hope the movie works. I've never forgotten that chilling scenewith the children bouncing the balls.
What a gift Miranda has given us. Isn't the music terrific?
Like Karen, I love A Wrinkle in Time, and have re-read it, although not as many times as she has. I hope the movie works. I've never forgotten that chilling scene
148BLBera
Sorry about the insomnia, Ellen. I have the same problem. I'll be interested to see if your app works.
I see you're reading A Wrinkle in Time; I was thinking I should read it again before the movie comes out. It looks awesome. Which reminds me, I have been wanting to see a couple of movies...
Lucky you to see "Hamilton." My premier theater experience ever was seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company with Ian McKellen as King Lear. They were in the US, and the Guthrie was one of the theaters they performed in. It was amazing.
I'm reading The Wedding Date right now -- I suspect my reaction will be similar to yours. We do seem to agree on most books...
Have a wonderful Sunday. Do you work tomorrow? I have tomorrow off!
I see you're reading A Wrinkle in Time; I was thinking I should read it again before the movie comes out. It looks awesome. Which reminds me, I have been wanting to see a couple of movies...
Lucky you to see "Hamilton." My premier theater experience ever was seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company with Ian McKellen as King Lear. They were in the US, and the Guthrie was one of the theaters they performed in. It was amazing.
I'm reading The Wedding Date right now -- I suspect my reaction will be similar to yours. We do seem to agree on most books...
Have a wonderful Sunday. Do you work tomorrow? I have tomorrow off!
149jessibud2
So good that Hamilton was excellent for you. My theatre experience yesterday (Come From Away) was also outstanding. I am still abuzz!
150EBT1002
13. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass
This is a must-read. Written shortly after Douglass escaped from slavery, it chronicles his experiences as a slave. Written from both the head and the heart, Douglass' narrative effectively communicates the despair and rage experienced by one whose life is not his own and the longing for simple self-determination. He also provides a deep insight into the dynamics of slavery as it played out in his various masters, the impact on their humanity, the deceit of self and others, and the deep hypocrisy necessitated by the institution of human bondage.
Slavery was not an abstract institution. Conscious human beings were deprived of the most basic human needs, dignity, and ownership of their own selves. To read about the experience by one who grew up in its shackles far exceeds any and all intellectual or philosophical musings on its evil.
This is a must-read. Written shortly after Douglass escaped from slavery, it chronicles his experiences as a slave. Written from both the head and the heart, Douglass' narrative effectively communicates the despair and rage experienced by one whose life is not his own and the longing for simple self-determination. He also provides a deep insight into the dynamics of slavery as it played out in his various masters, the impact on their humanity, the deceit of self and others, and the deep hypocrisy necessitated by the institution of human bondage.
Slavery was not an abstract institution. Conscious human beings were deprived of the most basic human needs, dignity, and ownership of their own selves. To read about the experience by one who grew up in its shackles far exceeds any and all intellectual or philosophical musings on its evil.
151SuziQoregon
Yay for Hamilton. I can't wait for March 28th to get here.
We watched that short track race too - crazy finish.
Congrats to Prudence for setting a retirement date!
We watched that short track race too - crazy finish.
Congrats to Prudence for setting a retirement date!
152Crazymamie
>150 EBT1002: Very nice review, Ellen - I gave it my thumb. I liked that one, too.
So glad that you loved Hamilton so much - so great when something so big lives up to the hype. And I bet P is so very excited to be counting down until retirement.
So glad that you loved Hamilton so much - so great when something so big lives up to the hype. And I bet P is so very excited to be counting down until retirement.
153Berly
Ellen--Hurray for an official retirement date for P!! But I don't like either one of you really, because you got to see Hamilton. : P And didn't I see that you are going somewhere warm, by a pool? Nope. Me no likey you today. ; )
154EBT1002
>142 LovingLit: Hi Megan. Friday night's bout of insomnia was particularly disheartening. First of all, it was Friday and that's not typical for me (Sunday is more typical). Second, I woke up and realized that I had completely forgotten something I meant to talk with my boss about in my Friday afternoon 1:1. And it was a big something. I could not go back to sleep for thinking about it, hence the getting up and sending the email. I also have to say that I just Could. Not. Believe. I had forgotten about it. I had been thinking about it all week!
I'll definitely be moving Here in Berlin up on the list to read sooner rather than later.
And A Wrinkle in Time got on my radar because of the film that is about to come out. Having never read it, I figured it was high time.
I'll definitely be moving Here in Berlin up on the list to read sooner rather than later.
And A Wrinkle in Time got on my radar because of the film that is about to come out. Having never read it, I figured it was high time.
155EBT1002
>143 charl08: Hi Charlotte. I'm still exploring the Headspace app but I do like it. It has a free 10-day trial that works you through ten 3-minute meditations to get a feel for it. I love his voice (it's really the voice of the guy who developed the app). I did sign up for a year (not cheap but I really want to give this meditation thing an honest try) but haven't explored enough to give a good rec or otherwise.
I think the job interview is stressing me out as much as any has in a long time. I love my current job so much but Seattle is getting too crowded and too expensive.
Prudence doesn't have any particular plans for after retirement. She occasionally talks about volunteering or finding a part-time job. It may depend on whether we're still in Seattle or elsewhere. She is definitely promising to take on even more household responsibilities, which I will much appreciate.
I think the job interview is stressing me out as much as any has in a long time. I love my current job so much but Seattle is getting too crowded and too expensive.
Prudence doesn't have any particular plans for after retirement. She occasionally talks about volunteering or finding a part-time job. It may depend on whether we're still in Seattle or elsewhere. She is definitely promising to take on even more household responsibilities, which I will much appreciate.
156EBT1002
>144 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle. I chuckled at your reference to a baby that interrupts your sleep now and then. Our cat actually contributes to the sleeplessness in this house, waking at 3am and crying persistently for no identifiable reason. She will usually -- finally! -- crawl up onto the bed and settle in to sleep for a few more hours but in the meantime, our sleep has been disrupted. It makes us crazy.
>145 lauralkeet: This production of "Hamilton" was quite good, Laura. And I would love love love to see any shows on Broadway but this one would have been so spectacular. Too late to wrap a trip to NYC into this excursion but I will simply have to return another time.
:-)
>146 karenmarie: I don't know why I had never read A Wrinkle in Time, Karen, but I got motivated by the film that is about to be in theaters. I did start the first chapter the other day and I think it's going to be a fun read. Before I get back to it, I want to finish The Big Sky, and I still need to finish Nicholas Nickleby!
>145 lauralkeet: This production of "Hamilton" was quite good, Laura. And I would love love love to see any shows on Broadway but this one would have been so spectacular. Too late to wrap a trip to NYC into this excursion but I will simply have to return another time.
:-)
>146 karenmarie: I don't know why I had never read A Wrinkle in Time, Karen, but I got motivated by the film that is about to be in theaters. I did start the first chapter the other day and I think it's going to be a fun read. Before I get back to it, I want to finish The Big Sky, and I still need to finish Nicholas Nickleby!
157banjo123
>153 Berly: I am agreeing with Kim.
Wrinkle in Time was one of my favorite childhood books. I may do a re-read before the movie, though I think I remember it well enough that I don't have to. Hooray for nerdy girls who save the world!
Wrinkle in Time was one of my favorite childhood books. I may do a re-read before the movie, though I think I remember it well enough that I don't have to. Hooray for nerdy girls who save the world!
158EBT1002
>147 jnwelch: Hiya Joe! I feel so lucky to have seen "Hamilton." Miranda has indeed given us a gift. The songs just keep rotating through my brain ever since Thursday.
I'm looking forward to this, my first read of A Wrinkle in Time. We saw a bit about the creation of the film version during previews at "Lady Bird," which we saw on Saturday and I am looking forward to the film, too. After I read the book!
>148 BLBera: Hi Beth. I see that you have today off, as well. I assume you might be spending it with Scout...?
Your premier theater experience sounds pretty wonderful! Ian McKellen as King Lear. Wow.
I started A Wrinkle it Time but the truth is that I'm really focusing on other things first. I want to finish The Big Sky for RLBG and then I need to read one of my Rose Tremain novels for my RandomCAT challenge. I keep finding myself perusing the lists for the PopSugar and ReadHarder challenges and liking them more because they are not tied to specific months. Structure. Too much structure.
>149 jessibud2: Shelley, I am so glad that "Come From Away" was an excellent theater experience for you!! I will come see if you made any notes on your thread. That and "Hamilton" are my top two theater experiences. Oh, and the Broadway Across America (I hate how cheesy that sounds) production of "The Lion King," in which the costumes and set made me weep with their beauty.
I'm looking forward to this, my first read of A Wrinkle in Time. We saw a bit about the creation of the film version during previews at "Lady Bird," which we saw on Saturday and I am looking forward to the film, too. After I read the book!
>148 BLBera: Hi Beth. I see that you have today off, as well. I assume you might be spending it with Scout...?
Your premier theater experience sounds pretty wonderful! Ian McKellen as King Lear. Wow.
I started A Wrinkle it Time but the truth is that I'm really focusing on other things first. I want to finish The Big Sky for RLBG and then I need to read one of my Rose Tremain novels for my RandomCAT challenge. I keep finding myself perusing the lists for the PopSugar and ReadHarder challenges and liking them more because they are not tied to specific months. Structure. Too much structure.
>149 jessibud2: Shelley, I am so glad that "Come From Away" was an excellent theater experience for you!! I will come see if you made any notes on your thread. That and "Hamilton" are my top two theater experiences. Oh, and the Broadway Across America (I hate how cheesy that sounds) production of "The Lion King," in which the costumes and set made me weep with their beauty.
159EBT1002
>151 SuziQoregon: February 28 is going to be a great day for you, Juli.
>152 Crazymamie: Thanks for the thumb, Mamie! I'm so glad I finally read this important work.
I believe we have 99 days until Prudence's retirement. That includes weekends and the single holiday left in the time frame. So, yes. Excited indeed.
>153 Berly: I feel pretty dang lucky to have seen Hamilton, Kim! I hope you get over not liking me sooner rather than later. :-(
>157 banjo123: Hmm, who knew that seeing Hamilton would lead to the ruin of my little LT community! (ha, just kidding. I think. You and Kim are just kidding, right????...)
"Hooray for nerdy girls who save the world!"
Indeed! Because someone has to do it!!!!!!
>152 Crazymamie: Thanks for the thumb, Mamie! I'm so glad I finally read this important work.
I believe we have 99 days until Prudence's retirement. That includes weekends and the single holiday left in the time frame. So, yes. Excited indeed.
>153 Berly: I feel pretty dang lucky to have seen Hamilton, Kim! I hope you get over not liking me sooner rather than later. :-(
>157 banjo123: Hmm, who knew that seeing Hamilton would lead to the ruin of my little LT community! (ha, just kidding. I think. You and Kim are just kidding, right????...)
"Hooray for nerdy girls who save the world!"
Indeed! Because someone has to do it!!!!!!
160Crazymamie
>159 EBT1002: 99 Days! Is she retiring on June 1st - that is my birthday! Guaranteed to be a day full of fabulous.
162jnwelch
>150 EBT1002: You got me, Ellen. I've never read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. I'll add it to the WL.
163jolerie
Yay for retirements! :D
I hope you like A Wrinkle in Time when you get a chance to to sit down and get into it. One of my favourites and I'm really hoping the movie doesn't destroy it.
We have been staying up way too late to watch the Olympics. We keep saying okay 5 more mins.....and then before you know it and hour has passed. :/
It's been multiple cups of coffee kind of household until the events are over.
I hope you like A Wrinkle in Time when you get a chance to to sit down and get into it. One of my favourites and I'm really hoping the movie doesn't destroy it.
We have been staying up way too late to watch the Olympics. We keep saying okay 5 more mins.....and then before you know it and hour has passed. :/
It's been multiple cups of coffee kind of household until the events are over.
164EBT1002
>160 Crazymamie: Indeed that is the date, Mamie. I can hardly believe it's so concrete now. And since it's your birthday it is clearly magnificently auspicious!
>161 jessibud2: I walked around the ASU campus this afternoon, Shelley, and it's quite lovely. It is chilly by local standards but 63F and sunny works well for me! I had a delicious salad and a pint of ale at a recommended local spot (I sat outside under a heat lamp) and now I'm tucked up in my hotel room with the sliding door open. My first work-related thing is at 7pm this evening so until then I plan to relax.
>161 jessibud2: I walked around the ASU campus this afternoon, Shelley, and it's quite lovely. It is chilly by local standards but 63F and sunny works well for me! I had a delicious salad and a pint of ale at a recommended local spot (I sat outside under a heat lamp) and now I'm tucked up in my hotel room with the sliding door open. My first work-related thing is at 7pm this evening so until then I plan to relax.
165EBT1002
>162 jnwelch: Oh good, Joe. I think you will appreciate it. His writing is compelling and the story is, well, it simply needs to be read.
>163 jolerie: Valerie, it will be interesting to see how the movie lands on those of you for whom the novel is truly a beloved childhood classic. I've seen trailers for the movie and it certainly looks like they took out all the stops in terms of using the technology currently available to create a fantastical film.
Yeah, we've been a bit prone to the staying-up-too-late thing, too. More than once we have said, "it's the Olympics" as a way to shrug off any questions about the wisdom of our reduced sleep accumulation. I don't even care about hockey and I want to see the "epic" gold medal contest between the U.S. and Canada women tonight!
>163 jolerie: Valerie, it will be interesting to see how the movie lands on those of you for whom the novel is truly a beloved childhood classic. I've seen trailers for the movie and it certainly looks like they took out all the stops in terms of using the technology currently available to create a fantastical film.
Yeah, we've been a bit prone to the staying-up-too-late thing, too. More than once we have said, "it's the Olympics" as a way to shrug off any questions about the wisdom of our reduced sleep accumulation. I don't even care about hockey and I want to see the "epic" gold medal contest between the U.S. and Canada women tonight!
166msf59
Hi, Ellen. Hope your week is going well. How is The Big Sky? I have always been curious about that one.
167EBT1002
14. The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
"By day Boone could get himself on a hill and see forever, until the sky came down and shut off his eye. There was the sky above, blue as paint, and the brown earth rolling underneath, and himself between them with a free, wild feeling in his chest, as if they were the ceiling and floor of a home that was all his own."
"It was as if the land was deserted, except for the elk and the deer and the buffalo and the bear. Everywhere one saw them, at every bend, on every island, on every bar -- not the great herds of buffalo that made the earth tremble, but wanderers, three or four or a dozen, browsing on the bottom grass, drinking in the stream. The hunters killed enough meat for half a dozen crews, taking only the choicest parts, spiking them to a great pair of elk antlers that had been placed in a prow. At night and in the early morning the wolves howled over what was left."
First published in 1947 and set between 1830 and 1843, A.B. Guthrie's classic novel of mountain men and the opening of the west to white settlement is both a tribute to the breathtaking beauty of the vast northern plains and Rocky Mountains, and a eulogy for the territory in its unspoiled state. His descriptions of the landscape are like the best of paintings; they evoke the images, the light, the sounds, and the feeling, the precious loneliness of the landscape.
Guthrie also creates memorable characters: Boone Caudill and Jim Deakins and Dick Summers will live forever in my mental cast of favorites. These are not completely idealized heroes, although they do lean in that direction. They are tough and, to greater or lesser degrees, stone-hearted. But they each have redeeming qualities to balance out the brutal self-determination. Boone, too quick to judge, is nonetheless deeply loyal and unflinchingly honest. Jim is optimistic and warm, never underestimating the risks inherent in the adventures to which he is inexorably drawn. Dick, the father figure (Boone's own callous and vicious father failing to serve), is the quintessential hunter: he understands the land, its human occupants, and the creatures that roam her vast expanses.
Sexism and racism run deep in the narrative; it is a product of its time. And yet you get the sense that Guthrie knew things would change, that they must change. You can also sense that he grieves the invasion of white civilization into a territory that was never perfect, never fully peaceful or easy, but untainted and beautiful in the simplicity of its seasons.
"By day Boone could get himself on a hill and see forever, until the sky came down and shut off his eye. There was the sky above, blue as paint, and the brown earth rolling underneath, and himself between them with a free, wild feeling in his chest, as if they were the ceiling and floor of a home that was all his own."
"It was as if the land was deserted, except for the elk and the deer and the buffalo and the bear. Everywhere one saw them, at every bend, on every island, on every bar -- not the great herds of buffalo that made the earth tremble, but wanderers, three or four or a dozen, browsing on the bottom grass, drinking in the stream. The hunters killed enough meat for half a dozen crews, taking only the choicest parts, spiking them to a great pair of elk antlers that had been placed in a prow. At night and in the early morning the wolves howled over what was left."
First published in 1947 and set between 1830 and 1843, A.B. Guthrie's classic novel of mountain men and the opening of the west to white settlement is both a tribute to the breathtaking beauty of the vast northern plains and Rocky Mountains, and a eulogy for the territory in its unspoiled state. His descriptions of the landscape are like the best of paintings; they evoke the images, the light, the sounds, and the feeling, the precious loneliness of the landscape.
Guthrie also creates memorable characters: Boone Caudill and Jim Deakins and Dick Summers will live forever in my mental cast of favorites. These are not completely idealized heroes, although they do lean in that direction. They are tough and, to greater or lesser degrees, stone-hearted. But they each have redeeming qualities to balance out the brutal self-determination. Boone, too quick to judge, is nonetheless deeply loyal and unflinchingly honest. Jim is optimistic and warm, never underestimating the risks inherent in the adventures to which he is inexorably drawn. Dick, the father figure (Boone's own callous and vicious father failing to serve), is the quintessential hunter: he understands the land, its human occupants, and the creatures that roam her vast expanses.
Sexism and racism run deep in the narrative; it is a product of its time. And yet you get the sense that Guthrie knew things would change, that they must change. You can also sense that he grieves the invasion of white civilization into a territory that was never perfect, never fully peaceful or easy, but untainted and beautiful in the simplicity of its seasons.
168EBT1002
>166 msf59: Hi Mark! You can see my comments about The Big Sky just here. I think you would appreciate it.
My week is going well. I landed in Phoenix early this afternoon and then I walked around the ASU campus. It is chilly by local standards but 63F and sunny works well for me! I had a delicious salad and a pint of ale at a recommended local spot (I sat outside under a heat lamp) and now I'm tucked up in my hotel room with the sliding door open. My first work-related thing is at 7pm this evening so until then I plan to relax.
My week is going well. I landed in Phoenix early this afternoon and then I walked around the ASU campus. It is chilly by local standards but 63F and sunny works well for me! I had a delicious salad and a pint of ale at a recommended local spot (I sat outside under a heat lamp) and now I'm tucked up in my hotel room with the sliding door open. My first work-related thing is at 7pm this evening so until then I plan to relax.
169EBT1002
I forgot to mention that I started reading The Way I Found Her on the plane today. It's for RandomCAT Challenge ("Laissez les bons temps rouler") in which we were to select a local celebration and read a book somehow connected to it. Inspired by Mardi Gras.
I chose the Portland Rose Festival so I'm reading a novel by Rose Tremain.
I do also plan to read A Wrinkle in Time before the month is out and to make some headway on Nicholas Nickleby!
I chose the Portland Rose Festival so I'm reading a novel by Rose Tremain.
I do also plan to read A Wrinkle in Time before the month is out and to make some headway on Nicholas Nickleby!
170msf59
Good review of The Big Sky, Ellen. Thumb. It looks like I should finally get to that one. I have never read Tremain.
171EBT1002
Our buddy Paul introduced me to Tremain, Mark. He sent me a copy of The Road Home a few years ago and I loved it. I also very much liked The Gustav Sonata. I have had The Way I Found Her on the TBR shelves for a long time and am just getting to it. I think it has received some mixed reviews but so far I'm engaged enough.
172EBT1002
>170 msf59: Oh, and thanks for the thumb!
173vancouverdeb
Hi Ellen! Nancy aka Lit chick introduced me to Rose Tremain. I enjoyed The Colour as well as the Gustav Sonata. Great review of Big Sky, the title of that is making me thing more of the Olympic sport just now. I think Canada has yet to win the Women's Gold Hockey medal in the Olympics, if I'm not mistaken :-)
>165 EBT1002: - Ah! The epic battle! We are in it to win, Ellen :-) That is not very Canadian of me, is it , Ellen. Sorry , but I fear we shall win, eh? ( Nobody actually say " eh" here , but we do say sorry a lot.) Reflex. Not to say we don't have road ragers etc etc like anywhere else.
>165 EBT1002: - Ah! The epic battle! We are in it to win, Ellen :-) That is not very Canadian of me, is it , Ellen. Sorry , but I fear we shall win, eh? ( Nobody actually say " eh" here , but we do say sorry a lot.) Reflex. Not to say we don't have road ragers etc etc like anywhere else.
174EBT1002
>173 vancouverdeb: Well, history would suggest that the Canadian women will once again claim the gold, Deb, but I suppose we'll see. I wish they would show some of the game. Match. Whatever.
"Nobody actually say " eh" here , but we do say sorry a lot."
Cracked me up! I have Canadian family and friends and it's true, they do say sorry a lot. But then, so do I so maybe I have some Canuck in me. ;-)
"Nobody actually say " eh" here , but we do say sorry a lot."
Cracked me up! I have Canadian family and friends and it's true, they do say sorry a lot. But then, so do I so maybe I have some Canuck in me. ;-)
175EBT1002
In my wandering around Tempe today, I did try to find a bookstore. Yelp reviews led me to one that looked really interesting. The comments praised the shop but complained about its unreliable hours. Indeed it was closed when I found it. I peered in the window and I may do another walk by tomorrow after our sessions to see if I can get lucky.
176Berly
>175 EBT1002: Okay. I am done sulking about the fact that you saw Hamilton and are in Arizona. We can be friends again. : ) Better luck with the bookstore tomorrow.
178BLBera
Hmm - Great comments on The Big Sky, Ellen. It is not a book I would ever have picked up, but it sounds like one I might like. I have a couple of Tremaines on my shelves. I must get to them. I have liked what I read by her.
179katiekrug
Hi Ellen!
I have a copy of The Big Sky - sounds like I should move it up the metaphorical pile... And I have several of Tremain's novels, including The Way I Found Her. I have only read Trespass which I remember as creepy.
Enjoy your conference!
I have a copy of The Big Sky - sounds like I should move it up the metaphorical pile... And I have several of Tremain's novels, including The Way I Found Her. I have only read Trespass which I remember as creepy.
Enjoy your conference!
180jnwelch
Hi, Ellen!
Thumb for the irresistible The Big Sky review. I probably should just start a new wishlist - books recommended by Ellen. Off to add it. It's staggering to imagine the profusion of wildlife this country once had. There's still a lot, but back then, wow.
Thumb for the irresistible The Big Sky review. I probably should just start a new wishlist - books recommended by Ellen. Off to add it. It's staggering to imagine the profusion of wildlife this country once had. There's still a lot, but back then, wow.
181jolerie
I stayed up late to watch the game and went to bed sad. Your girls played to win and deserved it. Now I need to nurse a couple of coffees today. I love the Olympics but I seriously need it to be over so I get to bed at a decent hour. :)
182charl08
Hope the bookshop is open, Ellen.
I liked Restoration too. Music and Silence is great - lots of historical musical details - but it gave me a bit of a phobia aboutbugs in the ear .
I liked Restoration too. Music and Silence is great - lots of historical musical details - but it gave me a bit of a phobia about
183LovingLit
>167 EBT1002: set between 1830 and 1843, A.B. Guthrie's classic novel of mountain men and the opening of the west to white settlement is both a tribute to the breathtaking beauty of the vast northern plains and Rocky Mountains, and a eulogy for the territory in its unspoiled state.
Sounds like a great companion read for Barkskins! Even though the story is about people, there is a strong sense of loss of the natural places that white people colonise.
Sounds like a great companion read for Barkskins! Even though the story is about people, there is a strong sense of loss of the natural places that white people colonise.
184vancouverdeb
Now, I have to say a sincere sorry about the behaviour of one of the hockey players on team Canada. What show of bad sportsmanship when she refused to put on her silver medal. Shocking behaviour. Bravo to the US Women's Team with the Gold! http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/02/22/jocelyne-larocque-canada-hockey-refused-...
185ChelleBearss
>173 vancouverdeb: I say Eh quite a lot actually. Perhaps it's more an Ontario thing?
Hope you are enjoying your trip! Some time in the sun on the patio sounds pretty good!
Hope you are enjoying your trip! Some time in the sun on the patio sounds pretty good!
186The_Hibernator
>150 EBT1002: I read that when I was an undergrad in college and I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I should have. Really should be a re-read.
187vancouverdeb
>185 ChelleBearss: Maybe? I know I rarely say " eh" and I don't here it said around me much at all. In fact, it would jump out at me. Oh, you Ontarians!;-) I'll try asking my brother that lives in Barrie ON. But he is really a Vancouver guy , and his wife hails from Germany. So I'm not sure that they would be a good representation of the " East." My SIL speaks German and French first, so her English is a little bit different from a person born in an English speaking country. I wish I could speak even French, never mind three languages.
189EBT1002
>176 Berly: Thanks for staying connected, Kim. If it helps, I froze my butt off this evening sitting outside drinking Pinot Noir and eating some of the best Bruschetta I've ever had.
Oh wait. That won't help.
But it was cold. The heat lamp helped a little bit.
And I have a good life.
I mean, that Bruschetta was exquisite!!!
I didn't revisit the bookstore but my time at Postino was pretty wonderful.
I had the board with four Bruschetta:
BRIE & APPLES WITH FIG SPREAD
PROSCIUTTO WITH FIGS & MASCARPONE (the best)
ALMOND HUMMUS WITH CHOPPED TOMATO
SWEET & SPICY PEPPER JAM WITH GOAT CHEESE
Oh wait. That won't help.
But it was cold. The heat lamp helped a little bit.
And I have a good life.
I mean, that Bruschetta was exquisite!!!
I didn't revisit the bookstore but my time at Postino was pretty wonderful.
I had the board with four Bruschetta:
BRIE & APPLES WITH FIG SPREAD
PROSCIUTTO WITH FIGS & MASCARPONE (the best)
ALMOND HUMMUS WITH CHOPPED TOMATO
SWEET & SPICY PEPPER JAM WITH GOAT CHEESE
190EBT1002
>177 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! I hope you're having a great time!
>178 BLBera: I think The Big Sky is a work worth reading, Beth, but it's not without caveats.
I'm curious to see what my current Tremain has to offer....
>179 katiekrug: Hi Katie. Today's conference/meeting was really worthwhile. I have lots of ideas buzzing around in my head. And that is true even after three glasses of wine and some pretty awesome Bruschetta!
I'm a bit worried that The Way I Found Her is going to take a creepy turn....
>178 BLBera: I think The Big Sky is a work worth reading, Beth, but it's not without caveats.
I'm curious to see what my current Tremain has to offer....
>179 katiekrug: Hi Katie. Today's conference/meeting was really worthwhile. I have lots of ideas buzzing around in my head. And that is true even after three glasses of wine and some pretty awesome Bruschetta!
I'm a bit worried that The Way I Found Her is going to take a creepy turn....
191EBT1002
>180 jnwelch: Hey Joe. I would be so interested in your take on The Big Sky. I don't recommend it without caveats but it's such a memorable read! And yes, the wildlife that once occupied our lands.... it's almost incomprehensible.
Did I mention that I want so badly to go back to Yellowstone??
Did I mention that I want so badly to go back to Yellowstone??
192BLBera
>189 EBT1002: I'm drooling.
Ellen: If you want to check out Claudia Rankine's work, she has a website with some of her "scripts" and productions: claudiarankine.com. Take at look at the "situation" videos. I especially like #6. That might give you an idea whether you will like her book.
I hope your conference is going well.
Ellen: If you want to check out Claudia Rankine's work, she has a website with some of her "scripts" and productions: claudiarankine.com. Take at look at the "situation" videos. I especially like #6. That might give you an idea whether you will like her book.
I hope your conference is going well.
193EBT1002
As an aside, I am once again watching the Olympics. It's short track speed skating now. I like this event but I can also multitask.
194EBT1002
>181 jolerie: It was an intense and wonderful competition, Valerie. I was, of course, rooting for the US women but I was also just enjoying the level of play. To the degree that I could understand the level of play. Heh.
I agree. The Olympics are impeding my sleep and my reading.....
>182 charl08: Hi Charlotte. I didn't actually make it to the bookstore today but I had a wonderful time at my conference/meeting and at an outdoor table at a marvelous restaurant this evening.
Heaven: I was texting some with P and with a colleague while I ate, but I also read a bit in A Wrinkle in Time. Happy me.
I agree. The Olympics are impeding my sleep and my reading.....
>182 charl08: Hi Charlotte. I didn't actually make it to the bookstore today but I had a wonderful time at my conference/meeting and at an outdoor table at a marvelous restaurant this evening.
Heaven: I was texting some with P and with a colleague while I ate, but I also read a bit in A Wrinkle in Time. Happy me.
195EBT1002
>183 LovingLit: Hi Megan. I have been ambivalent about adding Barkskins to my wish list because of its length and some mixed reviews. But I know I would love the territory in which it is set. Your comment about it serving as a good companion to The Big Sky is intriguing....
>184 vancouverdeb: Hey Deb. I didn't even see or hear about that incident. I'm sorry to hear it as I have always thought the rivalry was intense but respectful. Was there a call/non-call with which she disagreed or was it general dislike of Americans and what we "stand for"? If the latter, I can empathize but would hope for our athletes to transcend the political... but I do sort of get it, too.
Okay, I read that article you linked to, in any case, and it reads as a sort of rejection of anything less than gold as simply unacceptable. I understand the emotion but I do think she needs to recognize the larger picture: these two privileged countries competing for gold/silver.... in the greater scheme, it's an athletic competition. There are larger issues alive in the world.
>185 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle! My trip has been worthwhile and my evening on the patio under the heat lamp was delightful (if perhaps irresponsible). And the conference/meeting was really good.
>184 vancouverdeb: Hey Deb. I didn't even see or hear about that incident. I'm sorry to hear it as I have always thought the rivalry was intense but respectful. Was there a call/non-call with which she disagreed or was it general dislike of Americans and what we "stand for"? If the latter, I can empathize but would hope for our athletes to transcend the political... but I do sort of get it, too.
Okay, I read that article you linked to, in any case, and it reads as a sort of rejection of anything less than gold as simply unacceptable. I understand the emotion but I do think she needs to recognize the larger picture: these two privileged countries competing for gold/silver.... in the greater scheme, it's an athletic competition. There are larger issues alive in the world.
>185 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle! My trip has been worthwhile and my evening on the patio under the heat lamp was delightful (if perhaps irresponsible). And the conference/meeting was really good.
196EBT1002
>186 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel! I do recommend rereading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass as an adult. It's a relatively quick read and I bet you would appreciate it now.
>187 vancouverdeb: I have family from Vancouver and I don't think they say "eh." But they do pronounce some words with what I think of as a quintessential Canadian accent ("boat" is a favorite). I'm not sure how often they say "sorry." :-)
>188 katiekrug: Hi Katie!
So maybe it's an eastern Canadian thing?
(where is Calgary? she asked herself)
ETA: Calgary not eastern Canada. There goes that theory.
>187 vancouverdeb: I have family from Vancouver and I don't think they say "eh." But they do pronounce some words with what I think of as a quintessential Canadian accent ("boat" is a favorite). I'm not sure how often they say "sorry." :-)
>188 katiekrug: Hi Katie!
So maybe it's an eastern Canadian thing?
(where is Calgary? she asked herself)
ETA: Calgary not eastern Canada. There goes that theory.
197EBT1002
>192 BLBera: I live in a foodie city, Beth, and the Bruschetta board was one of the best meals I've had in a while. The prosciutto with figs and mascarpone was particularly delightful. Did I mention the $5 glasses of Pinot Noir (happy hour)?
I'll go check out her website and I'll look at #6. Thanks for the tip.
I'll go check out her website and I'll look at #6. Thanks for the tip.
198EBT1002
About my Thursday:
I just spent my day in an all-day workshop/meeting about integrating career development services into and throughout the curriculum in higher education. One awesome idea is using the principles of Design Thinking to challenge the systems we have had in place for decades, to create a new way of doing the work that responds to the ways our current college students engage with learning, and to prepare our college graduates for the Innovation Economy. My mind is buzzing in a very positive way.
I just spent my day in an all-day workshop/meeting about integrating career development services into and throughout the curriculum in higher education. One awesome idea is using the principles of Design Thinking to challenge the systems we have had in place for decades, to create a new way of doing the work that responds to the ways our current college students engage with learning, and to prepare our college graduates for the Innovation Economy. My mind is buzzing in a very positive way.
199jessibud2
>184 vancouverdeb: - Wow, I had not heard of that! I agree with Ellen, there certainly are bigger issues in life and any podium finish at this level is a WIN. But above all, she ought to have shown respect and what Laroque did was definitely not that. Her face could have expressed her disappointment but I think her actions displayed poor judgment. After all the rest of Canada's performances at the Olympics, it is quite an embarrassment.
>189 EBT1002: - Oh my. I am now hungry for Bruschetta!
Edited for incomprehensible typo
>189 EBT1002: - Oh my. I am now hungry for Bruschetta!
Edited for incomprehensible typo
201EBT1002
I am SO sleepy! A long day, three glasses of wine, a wonderful meal, and now a warm comfy hotel room..... I have the Olympics on the telly and I was thinking about reading some but I may just fall asleep soon.
Last night I was pretty wired after the US-Canada women's hockey game so I listened to my Headspace (app) "single" for going to sleep. After a relaxing body scan, if you're not yet asleep (I was not), he has you count backwards from 1,000. I made it to about 586 before falling asleep. It's an interesting exercise.
HEADSPACE APP
Last night I was pretty wired after the US-Canada women's hockey game so I listened to my Headspace (app) "single" for going to sleep. After a relaxing body scan, if you're not yet asleep (I was not), he has you count backwards from 1,000. I made it to about 586 before falling asleep. It's an interesting exercise.
HEADSPACE APP
203EBT1002
Just thinking out loud about the month of March:
RandomCAT: I don't know yet
ColorCAT: Green ~ Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard and/or Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos
Start reading We Were Eight Years in Power with Kim ~ one essay per week until completion.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
March: Book Three by John Lewis (it's about time I completed this series!)
Finish Nicholas Nickleby (really!)
And.... what else?
RandomCAT: I don't know yet
ColorCAT: Green ~ Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard and/or Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos
Start reading We Were Eight Years in Power with Kim ~ one essay per week until completion.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
March: Book Three by John Lewis (it's about time I completed this series!)
Finish Nicholas Nickleby (really!)
And.... what else?
204LizzieD
Ellen, I tried, but there's just too much going on for me to catch up.
About romances and their undervaluation.......... Because they have relationships at the center, they almost have to be formulaic? They get together or they don't. They're happy or they're not. I don't know. I do know that I read them, or more specifically, I expect romance in at least every third mystery or scifi or fantasy that I read.
Love the Barack portrait. I guess I'd have to see the Michelle one. It doesn't look much like her; I can't find warmth in the eyes; head too small. hand too large. The shoulders and arms are beautiful though.
I don't love 3 Pines. I have loved Travis McGee as my battered '70s pbs attest.
About romances and their undervaluation.......... Because they have relationships at the center, they almost have to be formulaic? They get together or they don't. They're happy or they're not. I don't know. I do know that I read them, or more specifically, I expect romance in at least every third mystery or scifi or fantasy that I read.
Love the Barack portrait. I guess I'd have to see the Michelle one. It doesn't look much like her; I can't find warmth in the eyes; head too small. hand too large. The shoulders and arms are beautiful though.
I don't love 3 Pines. I have loved Travis McGee as my battered '70s pbs attest.
205qebo
Thanks for digging up my thread... I've actually been lurking here a bit but am daunted by the prolificity. Love the bison.
>92 EBT1002: Indeed. I'm watching now.
>92 EBT1002: Indeed. I'm watching now.
206Ameise1
>189 EBT1002: I envy you to eat such delicious bruschette.
207humouress
>140 EBT1002: I say!
I plan to start A Wrinkle in Time soon; with all the noise about it here, I plan to start it sooner.
I’d have backed the Commonwealth country if I’d been watching the hockey (except we haven’t managed to find any Olympic coverage, despite it being just around the corner); I heard the US ended the Canucks’ 9 year(?) run.
>206 Ameise1: Because Barbara never eats anything delicious... ;0)
I plan to start A Wrinkle in Time soon; with all the noise about it here, I plan to start it sooner.
I’d have backed the Commonwealth country if I’d been watching the hockey (except we haven’t managed to find any Olympic coverage, despite it being just around the corner); I heard the US ended the Canucks’ 9 year(?) run.
>206 Ameise1: Because Barbara never eats anything delicious... ;0)
209lauralkeet
>198 EBT1002: Ellen, your conference sounds really interesting (and tasty -- prosciutto, figs, and mascarpone YUM!). Did the career development workshop touch on the Designing your Life course at Stanford? I read the book (written by the guys who developed the course) last year and even though it was aimed primarily at job-seekers, it helped me think about my retirement. The book is non-academic, definitely for the lay person, but the concepts were interesting.
210BLBera
>198 EBT1002: Sounds interesting, Ellen, and very thought-provoking. I'll be interested to see what practical applications come from it.
Enjoy the end of your conference and some reading time.
Enjoy the end of your conference and some reading time.
211jnwelch
Hi, Ellen.
We'd like to get back to Yellowstone, too! So amazing.
I'm reading The Power, and having a fine time with it.
We'd like to get back to Yellowstone, too! So amazing.
I'm reading The Power, and having a fine time with it.
212EBT1002
>204 LizzieD: "...I expect romance in at least every third mystery or scifi or fantasy that I read." Ha. Good point, Peggy. Also a good observation that, with relationships at the center, romances are bound to be somewhat formulaic. I believe that mysteries tend to be formulaic, as well, and that has been my go-to genre for many a decade. Some are better than others in terms of plot, characterization, language (some mystery writers are simply better writers than others), realism, etc. But as a genre they get a bit more respect than romances.
Oh, and I'm with you that I don't love Three Pines (they're okay and I'll probably keep reading through the series but I don't put one down and feel compelled to immediately read the next one) and that Travis McGee was one of my favorites for a long time. I'm still making my way through a very slow reread of that series.
>205 qebo: Hey Katherine. My thread can get going on a bit of a social roll, it's true. My extroversion shows up even on line. Ha. But I'm glad you delurked to say hi.
I stayed up watching the women's free program in figure skating last night. Well, I tried to but I ended up dozing through Medvedeva's program. I'm sorry I did as it earned the same score as Zagitova's free skate. The short program ended up being the difference between gold and silver. What a competition.
Oh, and I'm with you that I don't love Three Pines (they're okay and I'll probably keep reading through the series but I don't put one down and feel compelled to immediately read the next one) and that Travis McGee was one of my favorites for a long time. I'm still making my way through a very slow reread of that series.
>205 qebo: Hey Katherine. My thread can get going on a bit of a social roll, it's true. My extroversion shows up even on line. Ha. But I'm glad you delurked to say hi.
I stayed up watching the women's free program in figure skating last night. Well, I tried to but I ended up dozing through Medvedeva's program. I'm sorry I did as it earned the same score as Zagitova's free skate. The short program ended up being the difference between gold and silver. What a competition.
213EBT1002
>206 Ameise1: Barbara, that bruschetta board was one of the best meals I've had in a while. I'll eat there again should I be in Tempe again in the future.
>207 humouress: I was just posting something about A Wrinkle in Time last night when the trailer for the film came on the telly (I was watching the Olympics). That is my motivation.
I think the US women ended a 20-year run for the Canadian women's hockey team, Nina. It's quite a rivalry. I have to admit that I was cheering for the Americans but I am always ambivalent when they play the US national anthem. One, I don't love the song (I wish "America the Beautiful" were our national anthem). Two, I feel ambivalent about our role in the world. We're not all bad, mind you, but we're not nearly as wonderful as we make ourselves out to be.
>207 humouress: I was just posting something about A Wrinkle in Time last night when the trailer for the film came on the telly (I was watching the Olympics). That is my motivation.
I think the US women ended a 20-year run for the Canadian women's hockey team, Nina. It's quite a rivalry. I have to admit that I was cheering for the Americans but I am always ambivalent when they play the US national anthem. One, I don't love the song (I wish "America the Beautiful" were our national anthem). Two, I feel ambivalent about our role in the world. We're not all bad, mind you, but we're not nearly as wonderful as we make ourselves out to be.
214EBT1002
>207 humouress: and >208 Ameise1: Ha. :-)
>209 lauralkeet: Laura, the book Designing Your Life did indeed come up and I have ordered it for my kindle. One of the folks there said it was their schools common read this past year. We don't do a common read (or, at least, we don't do much of one) but many in the room thought that was a great idea.
>210 BLBera: I shared a glass of wine with the two guys who organized and led the conference, Beth (after they left, I had my bruschetta board), and we had some interesting conversation about practical applications. Much of it was in the territory of re-thinking how we (in higher ed) have approached problems, and how students engage today. They drew from some successful industries (Uber, MacDonald's, TED, etc.) to help spark ideas about how to have a broader impact and engage our students in their education and in thinking about their careers.
>211 jnwelch: Morning Joe. I have The Power lined up for a read, soon. Maybe I'll put it on my tentative March planning post....
Yellowstone. I so want to go there.
But I also want to return to Kauai. And Paris.
I need to win that lottery.
Okay, I'm off for a walk around Tempe and then it's time to pack and get ready for my day of travel!
>209 lauralkeet: Laura, the book Designing Your Life did indeed come up and I have ordered it for my kindle. One of the folks there said it was their schools common read this past year. We don't do a common read (or, at least, we don't do much of one) but many in the room thought that was a great idea.
>210 BLBera: I shared a glass of wine with the two guys who organized and led the conference, Beth (after they left, I had my bruschetta board), and we had some interesting conversation about practical applications. Much of it was in the territory of re-thinking how we (in higher ed) have approached problems, and how students engage today. They drew from some successful industries (Uber, MacDonald's, TED, etc.) to help spark ideas about how to have a broader impact and engage our students in their education and in thinking about their careers.
>211 jnwelch: Morning Joe. I have The Power lined up for a read, soon. Maybe I'll put it on my tentative March planning post....
Yellowstone. I so want to go there.
But I also want to return to Kauai. And Paris.
I need to win that lottery.
Okay, I'm off for a walk around Tempe and then it's time to pack and get ready for my day of travel!
215karenmarie
Hi Ellen!
>150 EBT1002: Excellent review of Douglass. I feel the same way about it – I thought I’d read it two years ago, but I read it ten years ago and it’s still vivid and relevant.
Misc: I want to read The Power soon. It’s sitting on my desk staring at me. I admire you for wanting to finish Nicholas Nickleby. Reading it was sometimes a chore, but as with the other two Dickens I've read in the last two years, well worth it by the end. I am planning on a visit to my friend Karen near Bozeman this year and so yay Yellowstone.
And, finally, have fun on your walk and safe trip home!
>150 EBT1002: Excellent review of Douglass. I feel the same way about it – I thought I’d read it two years ago, but I read it ten years ago and it’s still vivid and relevant.
Misc: I want to read The Power soon. It’s sitting on my desk staring at me. I admire you for wanting to finish Nicholas Nickleby. Reading it was sometimes a chore, but as with the other two Dickens I've read in the last two years, well worth it by the end. I am planning on a visit to my friend Karen near Bozeman this year and so yay Yellowstone.
And, finally, have fun on your walk and safe trip home!
216Berly
Hi Ellen! Your bruschetta tray sounds divine. Glad the trip has been so great, from a work standpoint, too. ; ) I love A Wrinkle in Time and because of that am not excited about a movie. I will see what others think of it. I love Yellowstone and would go back there any day. Gorgeous.
My bookgroup was horrible for discussing The Power, so let me know when you get to it (And Karen!).
Safe trip back and happy Friday. : )
My bookgroup was horrible for discussing The Power, so let me know when you get to it (And Karen!).
Safe trip back and happy Friday. : )
217lauralkeet
>214 EBT1002: I'll be interested to hear what you think of the book, Ellen, and how you see the design concepts being applied for university students. When we were that age (or at least in the environment I was raised in and the university I attended), the predominant thinking was about choosing a major and getting "a good job" in that field. Never mind if that gave you satisfaction ...
218witchyrichy
I am hopelessly behind on reading and posting so just saying hello for now! Love your bison paintings.
>201 EBT1002: I have been exploring meditation this year and doing some of the body scans you mention before going to bed. Nothing seemed to help last night but I only counted backwards from 100. Mostly, I like the breathing and getting pretty good at disabling the voices in my head for more than a nanosecond.
>201 EBT1002: I have been exploring meditation this year and doing some of the body scans you mention before going to bed. Nothing seemed to help last night but I only counted backwards from 100. Mostly, I like the breathing and getting pretty good at disabling the voices in my head for more than a nanosecond.
219EBT1002
>215 karenmarie: Hi Karen. I'm glad I dedicated 2018 to African American autobiographies. It's getting me to read things I've long had on the mental to-read list or on the shelves. Douglass' description of his experience living as a slave is remarkable.
Okay, so I'm thinking The Power needs to get added to my March plans....
>217 lauralkeet: I think the world of work has changed so much in the past decade or so, Laura, that we in higher education really need to be changing the way we engage with students about careers. It's a difficult paradigm shift to make and I'm still wrapping my head around what it even looks like (much less how we do it!).
Okay, so I'm thinking The Power needs to get added to my March plans....
>217 lauralkeet: I think the world of work has changed so much in the past decade or so, Laura, that we in higher education really need to be changing the way we engage with students about careers. It's a difficult paradigm shift to make and I'm still wrapping my head around what it even looks like (much less how we do it!).
221EBT1002
>216 Berly: Hi Kim! Sorry I skipped you just now. ^
I wonder if other long-time fans of A Wrinkle in Time are also feeling skeptical about the film. I think it is a reimagining of the story but some of the people behind the production give me more, rather than less confidence.
I'm putting The Power on my March reading plans. Maybe Karen will join in and you can join us in whatever discussion ensues. :-)
I wonder if other long-time fans of A Wrinkle in Time are also feeling skeptical about the film. I think it is a reimagining of the story but some of the people behind the production give me more, rather than less confidence.
I'm putting The Power on my March reading plans. Maybe Karen will join in and you can join us in whatever discussion ensues. :-)
222EBT1002
>218 witchyrichy: Hi Karen! I hear you on being behind. That has always been somewhat my experience in the 75ers group but this year it's been even more notable. Thanks for skimming by, though.
I have to run off as we have an appointment with our accountant to do our taxes. She lives north of the city so we always turn it into a day: we visit The Bread Farm in Edison and drive around the Skagit Valley looking for (and always finding!) Bald Eagles. SO - I will say more about the body scan and the counting backwards from 1,000 a bit later.
I have to run off as we have an appointment with our accountant to do our taxes. She lives north of the city so we always turn it into a day: we visit The Bread Farm in Edison and drive around the Skagit Valley looking for (and always finding!) Bald Eagles. SO - I will say more about the body scan and the counting backwards from 1,000 a bit later.
223BLBera
You will love The Power. Have fun with the taxes. Take a moment to thank the Pres for ALL the extra money!! :)
224humouress
>219 EBT1002: I wish I could get my 14 year old to think seriously about a career choice. He's just started his 2 year courses towards his first public exams and I don't think he's thought about a direction to go in.
225maggie1944
>167 EBT1002:
Hi, Ellen, I, in case you'd not noticed, have neglected trying to keep up with your thread, but someone dropped in on mine and mentioned you'd posted a review of The Big Sky. So I wandered over here, and scrolled backwards until I found it. Nicely said!
I also would add that Gutherie's descriptions of the natural landscape was lyrical and evocative for me. It made me want to wander over an empty hill in the middle of summer and listen to the grasses hum, and see the trees, and bushes, and creeks cover the earth. I spent so much summer time as a youngster in central Idaho that I have deep memories of that beauty. Circling hawks in the blue, blue sky! Magpie's scolding in the trees by the creek. The gold of waving tall grasses (sometimes wheat). Hot days sitting on a horse just walking about.
I picked up a copy of The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah at Costco today. Hardback book for $16.99 is not too much more than what I would pay for putting it on my Kindle. I read a few pages, and will put it on the TBR shelf next to A Gentleman in Moscow. I think we have some good books ahead of us in our little group.
Hi, Ellen, I, in case you'd not noticed, have neglected trying to keep up with your thread, but someone dropped in on mine and mentioned you'd posted a review of The Big Sky. So I wandered over here, and scrolled backwards until I found it. Nicely said!
I also would add that Gutherie's descriptions of the natural landscape was lyrical and evocative for me. It made me want to wander over an empty hill in the middle of summer and listen to the grasses hum, and see the trees, and bushes, and creeks cover the earth. I spent so much summer time as a youngster in central Idaho that I have deep memories of that beauty. Circling hawks in the blue, blue sky! Magpie's scolding in the trees by the creek. The gold of waving tall grasses (sometimes wheat). Hot days sitting on a horse just walking about.
I picked up a copy of The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah at Costco today. Hardback book for $16.99 is not too much more than what I would pay for putting it on my Kindle. I read a few pages, and will put it on the TBR shelf next to A Gentleman in Moscow. I think we have some good books ahead of us in our little group.
226Familyhistorian
I had to laugh when you thought Calgary was in the east, Ellen. It is not too far from Seattle. About an 11 hour drive according to Google, but not now given the weather. i was wondering if you would be delayed getting home due to weather but perhaps the snow dump was confined to BC. Sounds like you had a good time at your conference especially the warm weather and good food. (The wine didn't hurt either.)
227Donna828
Ellen, I have The Power lined up to read in March if my library hold comes through. Mark has challenged me to read it… I read The Way West by Guthrie 20 or so years ago. I liked it enough to keep it in my permanent library. I thought I had also read The Big Sky but see now it was The Sheltering Sky by a different author. So many books...
228richardderus
Quesadillas is a really good read. So is Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is as well, but Quesadillas is so very much shorter....
Also, the bruschetta board? So. Jealous.
Also, the bruschetta board? So. Jealous.
229msf59
Happy Sunday, Ellen. Hope you are enjoying the weekend and getting plenty of reading time in. I finally posted a mini-review of Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay and I appreciate you giving me the perfect nudge.
I hope you can bookhorn in The Power, next month.
I hope you can bookhorn in The Power, next month.
230EBT1002
15. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
I got caught up in this childhood classic which I had never read before. Meg and her younger brother Charles Wallace, their new friend Calvin, and the mysterious Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, travel across time and space to find Meg's father, a scientist who has been missing for years. I could imagine this book serving as a good gateway into science fiction reading for young readers. I look forward to seeing the film later this spring.
I got caught up in this childhood classic which I had never read before. Meg and her younger brother Charles Wallace, their new friend Calvin, and the mysterious Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which, travel across time and space to find Meg's father, a scientist who has been missing for years. I could imagine this book serving as a good gateway into science fiction reading for young readers. I look forward to seeing the film later this spring.
231EBT1002
>223 BLBera: I don't think all that extra money will show up until next year's taxes, Beth! And, as you know (and I think agree) some of those dollars could be put to good use.... We broke pretty even this year; Uncle Sam owes us a few hundred dollars which we will happily accept. The best thing we learned was how much interest we saved on our mortgage, having refinanced from 4.85% down to 2.75%. It made a HUGE difference! Yay!
The drive through the Skagit Valley was lovely as usual. We saw lots of Bald Eagles, several flocks of swans, a few red-tailed hawks and a couple of harriers. I love that part of the world.
>224 humouress: Hi Nina. Well, at the risk of running afoul of your maternal care and instincts, I would suggest that 14 years is a bit young to know or even think much about a career direction. Figuring out interests makes sense at that age, but the world of work has changed so much in recent times.... He has time. He needs to learn what he loves. The rest will follow.
The drive through the Skagit Valley was lovely as usual. We saw lots of Bald Eagles, several flocks of swans, a few red-tailed hawks and a couple of harriers. I love that part of the world.
>224 humouress: Hi Nina. Well, at the risk of running afoul of your maternal care and instincts, I would suggest that 14 years is a bit young to know or even think much about a career direction. Figuring out interests makes sense at that age, but the world of work has changed so much in recent times.... He has time. He needs to learn what he loves. The rest will follow.
232EBT1002
>225 maggie1944: I totally agree about the lyrically evocative quality of Guthrie's writing about the west, Karen! It also made me want to experience some of the things you describe....
In 1999, my FIL rented a guest ranch outside Choteau, Montana, for a week for a family reunion. He spread the "family" net widely: my sister and her partner were included along with a few other extended family folks. It was one of the best weeks of my life. Riding (very tame) horses through the landscape, going for hikes, one day of tubing down the Teton River, etc.... It was truly lovely. The ranch, owned at the time by the Nature Conservancy, was set at the Rocky Mountain Front (just the east edge of the Rockies, which rise precipitously from the plains at that juncture), and there was a mountain shaped like an ear which we could see every day. Remember that reference in the novel? It made me smile.
In 1999, my FIL rented a guest ranch outside Choteau, Montana, for a week for a family reunion. He spread the "family" net widely: my sister and her partner were included along with a few other extended family folks. It was one of the best weeks of my life. Riding (very tame) horses through the landscape, going for hikes, one day of tubing down the Teton River, etc.... It was truly lovely. The ranch, owned at the time by the Nature Conservancy, was set at the Rocky Mountain Front (just the east edge of the Rockies, which rise precipitously from the plains at that juncture), and there was a mountain shaped like an ear which we could see every day. Remember that reference in the novel? It made me smile.
233EBT1002
>226 Familyhistorian: Geography has never been my strong suit, Meg. :-)
It was snowing lightly when I landed at Sea-Tac on Friday but it wasn't really sticking. Today it sleeted for a while. I'm ready for full-on spring.
>227 Donna828: I hope your library comes through with The Power, Donna. I think there are a few of us planning to read it in March. It is getting a lot of love hereabouts, not least from our warbler Mark.
Your comment about "so many books...." cracked me up. Indeed!
>228 richardderus: I've had Quesadillas on my TBR shelves for a long time, Richard. Thanks for commenting on it; I bought it without knowing much but your praise makes me think I'll definitely shoehorn it in for March. It is sitting out on my desk at work which will make it more likely that I'll get to it....
You know, I live in a "foodie" city but that bruschetta board was one of the best meals I have EVER had. And that is saying something.
Of course, Prudence made arroz con pollo risotto for dinner tonight.... (Yes, I know, that is "rice with chicken rice")... it was SOOOOO good. And we had a nice 2009 Bordeaux from Saint-Estèphe with it.
I am a lucky soul.
It was snowing lightly when I landed at Sea-Tac on Friday but it wasn't really sticking. Today it sleeted for a while. I'm ready for full-on spring.
>227 Donna828: I hope your library comes through with The Power, Donna. I think there are a few of us planning to read it in March. It is getting a lot of love hereabouts, not least from our warbler Mark.
Your comment about "so many books...." cracked me up. Indeed!
>228 richardderus: I've had Quesadillas on my TBR shelves for a long time, Richard. Thanks for commenting on it; I bought it without knowing much but your praise makes me think I'll definitely shoehorn it in for March. It is sitting out on my desk at work which will make it more likely that I'll get to it....
You know, I live in a "foodie" city but that bruschetta board was one of the best meals I have EVER had. And that is saying something.
Of course, Prudence made arroz con pollo risotto for dinner tonight.... (Yes, I know, that is "rice with chicken rice")... it was SOOOOO good. And we had a nice 2009 Bordeaux from Saint-Estèphe with it.
I am a lucky soul.
234EBT1002
>229 msf59: Hey Mark. It has been a good weekend. I went into the office for a couple of hours today and, other than the chickadee that made its way into my office for an hour or so, that was actually quite productive. P and I went to the last women's basketball game for our hapless Huskies -- they lost. Again. Discouraging but, whatever.
I'll check out your comments about Tell Me How It Ends and I'm glad you appreciated it. I like it when my nudges land well.
I've got The Power in my definite stack for March. I think there are a few of us planning to read it next month.
Okay, tomorrow is Monday. Ugh.
I'll check out your comments about Tell Me How It Ends and I'm glad you appreciated it. I like it when my nudges land well.
I've got The Power in my definite stack for March. I think there are a few of us planning to read it next month.
Okay, tomorrow is Monday. Ugh.
236humouress
>231 EBT1002: Thanks Ellen. I think he's picked the easiest subjects he can find, and I feel like a bad parent for not trying to guide him more. But then, I thought it should be his decision and I didn't want to be a bad parent by forcing him to do something he wasn't interested in.
He loves playing football. He plays for a club, he plays on the screen and he watches it on TV and follows Chelsea. But, to be brutally honest, he's not good enough to make a career of it, which is currently his stated intention. AAAAGGGHH parenting is so hard; and I've misplaced the manual that came with this model.
He loves playing football. He plays for a club, he plays on the screen and he watches it on TV and follows Chelsea. But, to be brutally honest, he's not good enough to make a career of it, which is currently his stated intention. AAAAGGGHH parenting is so hard; and I've misplaced the manual that came with this model.
237Familyhistorian
>233 EBT1002: You probably got the tail end of the weather we had, Ellen. There were many flights delayed or cancelled in Vancouver on Friday. By Saturday we had about 8 inches of snow dumped on us. I am looking forward to warmer weather something like the weather in Tempe that you just experienced would be nice.
238ChelleBearss
>230 EBT1002: Glad that you enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time! I may have to do a reread before watching the movie
239Carmenere
Hey Ellen! I've been completely awol from your thread and I missed so much but those Olympic games stole so much of my free time and reading time that I'm incredibly far behind.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Hope you have a wonderful week!
240streamsong
I know I've told this story many times on LT, but in the 70's I worked in a bookstore in Missoula where Bud Guthrie and his wife would come to hang out and talk sometimes. I was so in awe - I felt totally starstruck in his presence as I had read The Big Sky in high school.
We hosted a book signing when The Last Valley was released. I think it's number five in the series. He did write beautifully about the West.
We hosted a book signing when The Last Valley was released. I think it's number five in the series. He did write beautifully about the West.
241jnwelch
Hiya, Ellen. Good to see that A Wrinkle in Time was a solid read for you. Debbi's going to read it for the first time, too, because of the movie coming out. You're right about it being a gateway to reading sci-fi. I'm sure it's encouraged a lot of kids to do that over the years.
242BLBera
I've read A Wrinkle in Time a few times but would like to read it again before seeing the film. I'd also like to read the other four books again. I always seem to stop at A Wrinkle in Time.
Yes, it's Monday.
I am in the Learning Center tutoring basketball players tonight. One thing we've started to do is to bring food because some of these kids don't have money for food. Last week, I was talking about couscous salad, and they weren't familiar with it, so I made some to take today. I wonder what they'll think of it. Last week they were eating Little Debbie cupcakes instead of homemade chocolate chip cookies, so we'll see.
Yes, it's Monday.
I am in the Learning Center tutoring basketball players tonight. One thing we've started to do is to bring food because some of these kids don't have money for food. Last week, I was talking about couscous salad, and they weren't familiar with it, so I made some to take today. I wonder what they'll think of it. Last week they were eating Little Debbie cupcakes instead of homemade chocolate chip cookies, so we'll see.
243EBT1002
>236 humouress: "...parenting is so hard..." Nina, I think parenting is the hardest job on earth!!!! I can only imagine the tension any parent must regularly feel between directing a beloved child in a healthy and likely-to-be-successful direction on one hand, and letting them find their own way on the other. You're engaged, involved, present, and loving. That, in the end, is more important than anything else.
>237 Familyhistorian: Yeah, we had a pretty dicey weekend here in terms of weather, Meg. I'm ready for real spring!
>238 ChelleBearss: I'm curious to see how they translate that sweet little novel into a film, Chelle.
>239 Carmenere: Hi Lynda. I'm with you on being behind and on the Olympics robbing reading and connecting time! I'm rather glad they are over. I generally tire of the Olympics thing a few days before the closing ceremonies and this year was no exception. Anyway, thanks for stopping by!
>237 Familyhistorian: Yeah, we had a pretty dicey weekend here in terms of weather, Meg. I'm ready for real spring!
>238 ChelleBearss: I'm curious to see how they translate that sweet little novel into a film, Chelle.
>239 Carmenere: Hi Lynda. I'm with you on being behind and on the Olympics robbing reading and connecting time! I'm rather glad they are over. I generally tire of the Olympics thing a few days before the closing ceremonies and this year was no exception. Anyway, thanks for stopping by!
244EBT1002
>240 streamsong: Janet, that is a cool story and I hadn't heard/read it before (or I didn't recall....). As I may have said, my SIL grew up in Choteau but I don't think she had more than a passing acquaintance with Mr. Guthrie.
And I totally agree: his words serve as a marvelous paintbrush of the American west.
>241 jnwelch: I wonder if I would have turned more toward Sci-fi if I had read A Wrinkle in Time as a kid.
>242 BLBera: That is a cool thing to do, bringing food for the studying basketball players, Beth. I will be interested in how they like the couscous. I hope they're a bigger success than the homemade chocolate chip cookies! :-0
We have established a food pantry on campus (Any Hungry Husky) and that is becoming more and more common. Increasing numbers of students with food insecurity. It's really rather sad.
And I totally agree: his words serve as a marvelous paintbrush of the American west.
>241 jnwelch: I wonder if I would have turned more toward Sci-fi if I had read A Wrinkle in Time as a kid.
>242 BLBera: That is a cool thing to do, bringing food for the studying basketball players, Beth. I will be interested in how they like the couscous. I hope they're a bigger success than the homemade chocolate chip cookies! :-0
We have established a food pantry on campus (Any Hungry Husky) and that is becoming more and more common. Increasing numbers of students with food insecurity. It's really rather sad.
245EBT1002
It is Monday. And I have a skype interview tomorrow. And I have a freaking cold! I felt it descend upon me around 2am (yes, I was awake)..... AARRGGHHHH!!!!!!!!
246richardderus
>233 EBT1002: I am so. very. jealous. of your good fortune! I'm also happy you'll be bookhorning in Quesadillas. Villalobos's work makes me smile!
Happy skyping.
Happy skyping.
247jolerie
Oh no...so sorry to hear about the cold. I caught something super minor and was able to kick it to the curb before it got nasty on me. I've had enough colds from last year to last me through this year and the next. I'm done with germs. Be gone! Sending you healing germs be gone vibes.
248SuziQoregon
I read A Wrinkle in Time for the first time last year after seeing a trailer for the movie. I liked it.
>203 EBT1002: Yes you need to finish the March series because he has a new one coming out in August.
>203 EBT1002: Yes you need to finish the March series because he has a new one coming out in August.
249jessibud2
Deep breaths Ellen. Best of luck with everything tomorrow. You'll ace it! Use a bit of nasal spray before you start so your nose will be clear and you won't be sniffing your way through it! ;-)
250Caroline_McElwee
>245 EBT1002: oh dear, hope you feel better in the morning. You've had a bad run with the lurgy's Ellen.
251LovingLit
>198 EBT1002: I love it when you come out from a leaning session buzzing!
>245 EBT1002: A cold could work in your favour! If you can still think clearly, that is, as once you are through your interview you can casually remark that you are unwell, and was glad to have been able to conduct the interview regardless. Good luck!
>245 EBT1002: A cold could work in your favour! If you can still think clearly, that is, as once you are through your interview you can casually remark that you are unwell, and was glad to have been able to conduct the interview regardless. Good luck!
252BLBera
You've got this, Ellen. And, what Megan said >251 LovingLit: - an interview while you're sick clearly shows your dedication.
The couscous was not popular. Most still went for the peanut butter and jelly. A couple did like it, though. We do have a food pantry and also a backpack program, which reminds me, I need to get more student groceries. About 40 percent of our students live at or below the poverty level. And I did help a couple of students with their English homework.
The couscous was not popular. Most still went for the peanut butter and jelly. A couple did like it, though. We do have a food pantry and also a backpack program, which reminds me, I need to get more student groceries. About 40 percent of our students live at or below the poverty level. And I did help a couple of students with their English homework.
253DeltaQueen50
Hi Ellen, I had gotten so far behind here, but I loved catching up and reading your thoughts about The Big Sky which I read very recently and loved. I am looking forward to reading the next book, The Way West. I also read A Wrinkle in Time last year and found it a fun YA read. The previews for the upcoming movie look good as well.
254EBT1002
>246 richardderus: Thanks Richard. I'm taking Quesadillas home from the office today so it gets on the March stack.
>247 jolerie: Thanks Valerie. I went home and to bed around 4:30 yesterday. Got lots of rest. I'm in the office this morning but going home soon. I, too, am done with germs!
>248 SuziQoregon: Oh, maybe I'll go home and read March: Book Three this afternoon, Juli. That would be a good thing to do while I'm propped up in bed.
>249 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. I did make it through the interview and I did use nasal spray in advance. It turns out that the video didn't work so it was just a group telephone interview. I have no idea how I did but I didn't sniffle my way through it!
>247 jolerie: Thanks Valerie. I went home and to bed around 4:30 yesterday. Got lots of rest. I'm in the office this morning but going home soon. I, too, am done with germs!
>248 SuziQoregon: Oh, maybe I'll go home and read March: Book Three this afternoon, Juli. That would be a good thing to do while I'm propped up in bed.
>249 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. I did make it through the interview and I did use nasal spray in advance. It turns out that the video didn't work so it was just a group telephone interview. I have no idea how I did but I didn't sniffle my way through it!
255EBT1002
>250 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks Caroline. Yes, I have had a bad run with the lurgy's. Unusual for me....
>251 LovingLit: I know, Megan, it's so true. I love when a learning session ignites my thinking and makes me excited to think of ways to apply what I learned.
I did tell them that I had a cold just in case I had a sneezing attack in the midst of it. I do believe my thinking was more muddled than usual but I don't think I made a total fool of myself either. We'll just see if I advance to the next (final) stage of on-campus interviews.
>252 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I was me. And it all depends on who else is in the pool. So, I'll keep you all posted....
Hmm peanut butter and jelly over couscous, eh? Well, at least they tried it! And I'm glad you were able to help a couple of them with their English homework!
One memorable concept from my learning experience (>198 EBT1002:) was the idea of infusing career conversations throughout the educational milieu. So, career conversations would happen not just in the career center but with faculty and other mentors..... he talked about the need to train faculty in how to have productive career conversations. It was so interesting.
>253 DeltaQueen50: As much as I enjoyed The Big Sky, I'm not sure I'll read The Way West or its follow-ups, Judy. Strictly a matter of too-many-books-too-little-time..... but we'll see. I just might get the inclination to do it. And I'm looking forward to seeing the film adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time!
>251 LovingLit: I know, Megan, it's so true. I love when a learning session ignites my thinking and makes me excited to think of ways to apply what I learned.
I did tell them that I had a cold just in case I had a sneezing attack in the midst of it. I do believe my thinking was more muddled than usual but I don't think I made a total fool of myself either. We'll just see if I advance to the next (final) stage of on-campus interviews.
>252 BLBera: Thanks Beth. I was me. And it all depends on who else is in the pool. So, I'll keep you all posted....
Hmm peanut butter and jelly over couscous, eh? Well, at least they tried it! And I'm glad you were able to help a couple of them with their English homework!
One memorable concept from my learning experience (>198 EBT1002:) was the idea of infusing career conversations throughout the educational milieu. So, career conversations would happen not just in the career center but with faculty and other mentors..... he talked about the need to train faculty in how to have productive career conversations. It was so interesting.
>253 DeltaQueen50: As much as I enjoyed The Big Sky, I'm not sure I'll read The Way West or its follow-ups, Judy. Strictly a matter of too-many-books-too-little-time..... but we'll see. I just might get the inclination to do it. And I'm looking forward to seeing the film adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time!
256katiekrug
>252 BLBera: - I like couscous but I LOVE pb&j :)
Hi Ellen! Sorry you aren't feeling well. Please get better for our meet-up this weekend!
Hi Ellen! Sorry you aren't feeling well. Please get better for our meet-up this weekend!
This topic was continued by Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 5.
