Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 5
This is a continuation of the topic Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 4.
This topic was continued by Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 6.
Talk 75 Books Challenge for 2018
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1EBT1002
Photo by Christoph Schlatter, 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year
In honor of the Earth, and in acknowledgement of my fear for its demise, 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
16. The Way I Found Her by Rose Tremain
COMPLETED IN MARCH
17. The Power by Naomi Alderman
18. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
19. An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones
20. Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
21. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
22. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson
23. Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos
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
16. The Way I Found Her by Rose Tremain
COMPLETED IN MARCH
17. The Power by Naomi Alderman
18. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
19. An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones
20. Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
21. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
22. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson
23. Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos
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 - Turtles All the Way Down by John Green - COMPLETED and Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos - COMPLETED
April/Yellow - The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers - ??
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 ~ COMPLETED
March="Ripped From the Headlines" ~ The Power by Naomi Alderman ~ COMPLETED
April ~ "April Loves Books!" ~ Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear ??
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
7EBT1002
BingoDOG Completed
4. New-to-you author ~ God Stalk by P.C. Hodgell
7. Published in 2018 ~ An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones
11. LGBTQ central character ~ Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
13. Read a CAT (middle square) ~ Tell Me How it Ends: An Essay in 40 Questions by Valeria Luiselli
15. Book that is humorous ~ Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos
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.
8. X somewhere in the title ~ Autobiography of Malcolm X
9. Fat book - 500 plus pages
10. Set during a holiday
12. Book on the 1001 list (see below)
14. Number in title ~ We Were Eight Years in Power ~ currently reading
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 ~ Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear ??
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
XX A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist ~ Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
XX A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you ~ Negroland: A Memoir
15. A book about feminism
XX A book about mental health ~ Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
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
XX 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
XX A book with characters who are twins ~ Godstalk
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
XX A childhood classic you've never read ~ A Wrinkle in Time
34. A book that's published in 2018 ~ An American Marriage by Tayari Jones ~ currently reading
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 ~ Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear ??
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
XX A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist ~ Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
XX A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you ~ Negroland: A Memoir
15. A book about feminism
XX A book about mental health ~ Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
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
XX 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
XX A book with characters who are twins ~ Godstalk
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
XX A childhood classic you've never read ~ A Wrinkle in Time
34. A book that's published in 2018 ~ An American Marriage by Tayari Jones ~ currently reading
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
XX A western ~ The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
XX Acomic graphic novel written or illustrated by a person of color ~ Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
9. A book of colonial or postcolonial literature
XX A romance novel by or about a person of color ~ The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
XX A children’s classic published before 1980 ~ A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
12. A celebrity memoir
XX An Oprah Book Club selection ~ An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
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
XX A sci fi novel with a female protagonist by a female author ~ The Power by Naomi Alderman
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
XX A western ~ The Big Sky by A.B. Guthrie
XX A
9. A book of colonial or postcolonial literature
XX A romance novel by or about a person of color ~ The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
XX A children’s classic published before 1980 ~ A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
12. A celebrity memoir
XX An Oprah Book Club selection ~ An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
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
XX A sci fi novel with a female protagonist by a female author ~ The Power by Naomi Alderman
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 ~ currently listening
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory ~ COMPLETED
February:
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones COMPLETED
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
March:
Bury What We Cannot Take by Kirstin Chen
The Parking Lot Attendant by Nafkote Tamirat (I was supposed to get this as an ER)
Everyone Knows You Go Home by Natalia Sylvester
Go Home!, edited by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan
My Old Faithful by Yang Huang
The Beekeeper by Dunya Mikhail
Happiness by Aminatta Forna
Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith
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 ~ currently listening
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory ~ COMPLETED
February:
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones COMPLETED
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
March:
Bury What We Cannot Take by Kirstin Chen
The Parking Lot Attendant by Nafkote Tamirat (I was supposed to get this as an ER)
Everyone Knows You Go Home by Natalia Sylvester
Go Home!, edited by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan
My Old Faithful by Yang Huang
The Beekeeper by Dunya Mikhail
Happiness by Aminatta Forna
Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith
12EBT1002
PLANNED SHARED READS
January: Nicholas Nickleby (published 100+ years ago for BingoDOG) ~ currently reading
March: We Were Eight Years in Power (on essay per week, 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
March: We Were Eight Years in Power (on essay per week, 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)
. 14richardderus
Okay, you only needed 13 entries last thread so I'm taking a chance here.
Happy new one!
Happy new one!
15EBT1002
>14 richardderus: You're spot on, Richard! Thank you and here's a *smooch* for being my first visitor!
16EBT1002
I am now heading home to tuck this snuffly sneezy body up in bed with a mug of tea. And a book. And probably a tuxedo cat. :-)
17SuziQoregon
Happy New Thread Ellen!
Hope you're feeling better soon.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
18BLBera
Feel better soon, Ellen. Happy new thread. Love the topper. What a lot of good books ahead.
I just started Call Me Zebra. Read Halsey Street!
Good luck with the job stuff. Will it be awhile before you hear anything?
I just started Call Me Zebra. Read Halsey Street!
Good luck with the job stuff. Will it be awhile before you hear anything?
20mdoris
Love all the lists at the top of your new thread. Such great reading ideas! Happy new thread Ellen!
22EBT1002
>17 SuziQoregon: Thanks Juli!
>18 BLBera: "Read Halsey Street!" Yeah? It was good, eh? And you've just started Call Me Zebra. You seem comfortable with hardback books, Beth.
Thanks for the good wishes. They are completing their Skype/phone interviews today so if I'm being advanced to the next level I would expect to hear in the next couple of days; they will want to get on-campus interviews scheduled. If I don't hear anything by Friday, I'll interpret that as disappointing news. The job has some serious challenges imbedded within but also some great opportunities ~ and I think my strengths would match their needs. But we'll see.
>19 drneutron: Thanks Jim! I hope to be all well for our Sunday meet-up!
>20 mdoris: The reading ideas far exceed the time I have to complete them, Mary, but I agree that they are fun!
>21 humouress: Thanks Nina!
>18 BLBera: "Read Halsey Street!" Yeah? It was good, eh? And you've just started Call Me Zebra. You seem comfortable with hardback books, Beth.
Thanks for the good wishes. They are completing their Skype/phone interviews today so if I'm being advanced to the next level I would expect to hear in the next couple of days; they will want to get on-campus interviews scheduled. If I don't hear anything by Friday, I'll interpret that as disappointing news. The job has some serious challenges imbedded within but also some great opportunities ~ and I think my strengths would match their needs. But we'll see.
>19 drneutron: Thanks Jim! I hope to be all well for our Sunday meet-up!
>20 mdoris: The reading ideas far exceed the time I have to complete them, Mary, but I agree that they are fun!
>21 humouress: Thanks Nina!
24charl08
Hapy new thread Ellen. I've finally picked up Whistling Vivaldi. Fascinating stuff.
25ChelleBearss
>1 EBT1002: Beautiful! I've never seen the Aurora Borealis before and that's one item on my bucket list. Nathen grew up in northern Ontario (Kenora) and says it is absolutely amazing to see!
26Caroline_McElwee
Stunning topper Ellen. I hope you are feeling better. Fingers crossed you get to the next stage of interview.
27jnwelch
Happy New Thread, Ellen!
What a beautiful Christoph Schlatter photo up there.
>24 charl08: Yay, Charlotte! Isn't Whistling Vivaldi fascinating? I'm so glad you put the spotlight on that one, Ellen.
What a beautiful Christoph Schlatter photo up there.
>24 charl08: Yay, Charlotte! Isn't Whistling Vivaldi fascinating? I'm so glad you put the spotlight on that one, Ellen.
28PaulCranswick
Love the topper, Ellen - that effect is often what Hani seems to be striving for.
Happy new thread, dear lady.
Happy new thread, dear lady.
29richardderus
I still need to write my review of Whistling Vivaldi! I didn't do my Booksgiving non-fiction titles last year, too much pressure for my feeble self. That's a book I wish millions would read, though.
*blush* and I even get a smooch! I'm really glad P isn't lurking around the corner with a baseball bat.
...at least I *hope* she isn't...
*blush* and I even get a smooch! I'm really glad P isn't lurking around the corner with a baseball bat.
...at least I *hope* she isn't...
31LovingLit
From the last thread: 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.
Good luck!
Speaking of making a fool (well, NOT in your case- well done ;))....I had to do a presentation of my research to the rugby league club presidents the other week, on less than 4 hours sleep the night before. My voice was croaky, and I was slightly delirious- a state that I can blame the following action on: I embarrassingly gave a mini-salute to the club pres of my kids' club during my talk. I cringed about it for 2 days afterwards. *groan* Ah well, cant win 'em all.
Sunday meetup! Cool, have fun all those who are meeting up :)
Good luck!
Speaking of making a fool (well, NOT in your case- well done ;))....I had to do a presentation of my research to the rugby league club presidents the other week, on less than 4 hours sleep the night before. My voice was croaky, and I was slightly delirious- a state that I can blame the following action on: I embarrassingly gave a mini-salute to the club pres of my kids' club during my talk. I cringed about it for 2 days afterwards. *groan* Ah well, cant win 'em all.
Sunday meetup! Cool, have fun all those who are meeting up :)
32lauralkeet
Fingers crossed on the job front, Ellen. And take care of yourself so you're fit as a fiddle for the meetup!
33msf59
Happy New Thread, Ellen. Love the Northern Lights topper. I have never seen them. Sad face. Have you?
I am really enjoying Don't Skip Out on Me. Have you read Vlautin? This is my first.
I am really enjoying Don't Skip Out on Me. Have you read Vlautin? This is my first.
34EBT1002
>24 charl08: Hi Charlotte. Oh good, I'm glad you're reading Whistling Vivaldi. I thought it was quite interesting.
>25 ChelleBearss: I've seen the Aurora Borealis once, quite faintly, from the bed of a pickup truck in northern Wisconsin in the winter. I don't remember why I was riding with friends in the back of a pickup truck with snow all around, but I do remember seeing those lights in the sky. I really want to see them again and with more gusto. P and I have been talking about a long weekend in Fairbanks next February with the hope of seeing them (that would be the only reason to "vacation" in Fairbanks in February!).
>26 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline, on all three counts. Although I remind myself that I already have a job I love....
>27 jnwelch: Hi Joe. I'm rather enjoying my theme of nature/earth photos for the year. As I told Chelle above, I want to take a long weekend in Fairbanks next winter to see the Aurora Borealis.
I'm pleased that so many people have decided to read Whistling Vivaldi. I think it's an interesting compilation of psychology research.
>25 ChelleBearss: I've seen the Aurora Borealis once, quite faintly, from the bed of a pickup truck in northern Wisconsin in the winter. I don't remember why I was riding with friends in the back of a pickup truck with snow all around, but I do remember seeing those lights in the sky. I really want to see them again and with more gusto. P and I have been talking about a long weekend in Fairbanks next February with the hope of seeing them (that would be the only reason to "vacation" in Fairbanks in February!).
>26 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline, on all three counts. Although I remind myself that I already have a job I love....
>27 jnwelch: Hi Joe. I'm rather enjoying my theme of nature/earth photos for the year. As I told Chelle above, I want to take a long weekend in Fairbanks next winter to see the Aurora Borealis.
I'm pleased that so many people have decided to read Whistling Vivaldi. I think it's an interesting compilation of psychology research.
35EBT1002
>28 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul. I think Hani does a marvelous job of capturing the territory she is exploring. I quite enjoy her photography.
>29 richardderus: Yeah, I agree, Richard, that I think Whistling Vivaldi is worthy reading. Understanding how our brains operate - outside our awareness or direct control - is such an important facet of addressing society's ills. Well, that, and winning some midterm elections....
Prudence is very tolerant of my various attachments. Up to a limit.
No baseball bats. :-)
>30 BLBera: Ah, well then. You've just done better than I at obtaining newly published works this early 2018.
Thanks for the crossed fingers, Beth.
>29 richardderus: Yeah, I agree, Richard, that I think Whistling Vivaldi is worthy reading. Understanding how our brains operate - outside our awareness or direct control - is such an important facet of addressing society's ills. Well, that, and winning some midterm elections....
Prudence is very tolerant of my various attachments. Up to a limit.
No baseball bats. :-)
>30 BLBera: Ah, well then. You've just done better than I at obtaining newly published works this early 2018.
Thanks for the crossed fingers, Beth.
36EBT1002
>31 LovingLit: Megan, your story cracked me up. I can especially relate to the cringing for two days afterwards. I was napping just a little while ago, not really asleep but resting, and I remembered one of my answers to their (very difficult, I must say!) questions this morning and I - yes! - cringed. Oh well. It is what it is and it's done now. What happens next is out of my hands.
>32 lauralkeet: I'm resting with great dedication, Laura! :-)
Trying to decide whether to call in sick for tomorrow.... probably not as i have a 9am meeting that I'm motivated to attend. But we'll see how I feel.
>33 msf59: Hi Mark! I have only seen the Aurora Borealis very faintly back in the early 90s. I was riding in the bed of a pickup truck in northern Wisconsin (I remember how snowy it was!) and the sky just did a light wave of light for a moment. Prudence and I are talking about a long weekend in Fairbanks next winter just to see them....
I was looking at Vlautin after seeing the note on your thread, and Megan said he is one of her favorites, I believe. I had The Motel Life already on my wish list. My notes say: "rec by Megan and Deborah, based on warbling about American Salvage." I loved American Salvage and I think his writing is in the same territory.
>32 lauralkeet: I'm resting with great dedication, Laura! :-)
Trying to decide whether to call in sick for tomorrow.... probably not as i have a 9am meeting that I'm motivated to attend. But we'll see how I feel.
>33 msf59: Hi Mark! I have only seen the Aurora Borealis very faintly back in the early 90s. I was riding in the bed of a pickup truck in northern Wisconsin (I remember how snowy it was!) and the sky just did a light wave of light for a moment. Prudence and I are talking about a long weekend in Fairbanks next winter just to see them....
I was looking at Vlautin after seeing the note on your thread, and Megan said he is one of her favorites, I believe. I had The Motel Life already on my wish list. My notes say: "rec by Megan and Deborah, based on warbling about American Salvage." I loved American Salvage and I think his writing is in the same territory.
37ronincats
Hi, Ellen. Glad you got back hope without any weather problems! I loved A Wrinkle in Time as a child. I confess, when I reread it a few years ago, I did notice some preachiness. But I do love L'Engle's non-fiction as well, her Genesis Trilogy musings on the first book of the Bible and A Circle of Quiet.
38Oberon
>1 EBT1002: I too love the photo of the Northern Lights. It has been years since I have seen it but it was intense enough that you could hear them.
39Familyhistorian
That's a great topper, Ellen. Happy new thread. I hope that you are starting to feel better.
40Ameise1
Happy new one and happy Wednesday, Ellen. The topper is gorgeous. I hope you feel better soon.
41Caroline_McElwee
>34 EBT1002: that is the absolute best position to be in Ellen, having a job you love, because it is a win/win situation.
42ChelleBearss
>34 EBT1002: Yes, that would be one of the only reasons to be that far north in the winter! You could go dog sledding too. It would be lovely to see those lights so bright up there though! I keep trying to talk Nate into an Alaskan cruise but he thinks vacation should not include winter coats.
44Carmenere
Happy new thread, Ellen!! Love your NG topper. The Northern Lights are high on my bucket list. So is Iceland so maybe I can knock out both as Cleveland will soon have non-stop flights on Icelandic Air. Now, if I can just get the hubsters on board.
45EBT1002
>37 ronincats: Re: A Wrinkle in Time ~ "...I did notice some preachiness."
Yeah, I noticed that too, as a first-time reader. But it was minimal enough so as not to interfere too much with the story. It must be a challenge when writing a children's book with an intended moral: letting the young reader get the point on their own rather than spoon feeding it to them.
>38 Oberon: "...it was intense enough that you could hear them." OMG, Erik. I would LOVE that!!!!!! Where were you when you saw them like that?
Yeah, I noticed that too, as a first-time reader. But it was minimal enough so as not to interfere too much with the story. It must be a challenge when writing a children's book with an intended moral: letting the young reader get the point on their own rather than spoon feeding it to them.
>38 Oberon: "...it was intense enough that you could hear them." OMG, Erik. I would LOVE that!!!!!! Where were you when you saw them like that?
46EBT1002
>39 Familyhistorian: Thanks Meg. I am riding the crest of the wave, on the verge of heading down the other side into health. I decided to stay home today, to rest and read, so that I will not relapse. I have a LibraryThing meet-up this Sunday and I don't want to miss it! :-)
>40 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. As I told Meg^ I am on the mend but not at all my usual chipper self.
>41 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline, and thanks for the kind words. It is a win-win situation I'm in! I am reminding myself of that right now. I'm feeling like I didn't do my best interview yesterday and I'm disappointed about that, but if I don't advance in the process, I will refocus on the work I'm doing here (most of which is going well and feels invigorating) and be fine. It's weird to be feeling like, from my end, I believe this other job would be an excellent fit for my skills and strengths, but not feeling like I did a good job of conveying that to them.
>40 Ameise1: Thanks Barbara. As I told Meg^ I am on the mend but not at all my usual chipper self.
>41 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline, and thanks for the kind words. It is a win-win situation I'm in! I am reminding myself of that right now. I'm feeling like I didn't do my best interview yesterday and I'm disappointed about that, but if I don't advance in the process, I will refocus on the work I'm doing here (most of which is going well and feels invigorating) and be fine. It's weird to be feeling like, from my end, I believe this other job would be an excellent fit for my skills and strengths, but not feeling like I did a good job of conveying that to them.
47EBT1002
>42 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle. I would love to go dog-sledding in addition to seeing the Northern Lights. As for an Alaskan cruise, I do sort of understand Nate's perspective about vacations and winter coats. When we went to Alaska a couple of Augusts ago, we definitely needed layers of gear. But what you see there ~ it is amazing territory!
>43 scaifea: Thanks Amber!
>44 Carmenere: Iceland is on my bucket list, too, Lynda. My boss spent a week there a year or so ago and he said it was amazing. I've flown into and out of Reykjavik airport and looking down on the landscape was pretty cool. From the air it looks like a great setting for a sic-fi novel.
>43 scaifea: Thanks Amber!
>44 Carmenere: Iceland is on my bucket list, too, Lynda. My boss spent a week there a year or so ago and he said it was amazing. I've flown into and out of Reykjavik airport and looking down on the landscape was pretty cool. From the air it looks like a great setting for a sic-fi novel.
48Oberon
>45 EBT1002: It was at a YMCA camp in northern Minnesota just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I was a camp counselor at the time. We all laid out on the deck as they covered a big part of the sky and you could hear it crackle.
49EBT1002
>48 Oberon: What an amazing experience.
50EBT1002
16. The Way I Found Her by Rose Tremain
Thirteen-year-old Lewis travels to Paris for the summer, accompanying his mother who will be translating the latest Medieval Romance novel by the alluring Russian author, Valentina. Lewis falls in love with the 40-year-old author as well as with the city of Paris. When Valentina goes missing, the infatuated Lewis becomes obsessed with finding her; he leaves nothing to the police but initiates his own search for the missing author. In the backdrop, his geographically distant father and emotionally distant mother have their own drama unfolding, although this always stays in the background and serves as fuel for Lewis' adolescent determination toward independence. He follows the clues until he does, indeed, discover what happened to Valentina; then he becomes determined to rescue her.
My reactions to this novel are mixed. It never quite rang true for me but I suspect I will remember it for a while. Lewis is an appealing narrator and protagonist: he's smart, moody, and believably adolescent. His adventure is less convincing. Part of my ambivalence is that 13-year-old male sexuality is of absolutely no interest to me, but it clearly fascinates Tremain as she explores Lewis' passion for Valentina, a passion both sexual and childish (as in: maternal attachment). Given that I was bored for a notable part of the reading experience, I was surprised that, as the story came to its climax and resolution, I cared what was going to happen. The ending was more satisfying than the process of getting there.
Tremain's descriptions of Paris are themselves alluring and Valentina's dog, Sergei, is enough to make me go in search of a new canine family member. I'll continue to read Rose Tremain's works but I do hope for better next time.
Thirteen-year-old Lewis travels to Paris for the summer, accompanying his mother who will be translating the latest Medieval Romance novel by the alluring Russian author, Valentina. Lewis falls in love with the 40-year-old author as well as with the city of Paris. When Valentina goes missing, the infatuated Lewis becomes obsessed with finding her; he leaves nothing to the police but initiates his own search for the missing author. In the backdrop, his geographically distant father and emotionally distant mother have their own drama unfolding, although this always stays in the background and serves as fuel for Lewis' adolescent determination toward independence. He follows the clues until he does, indeed, discover what happened to Valentina; then he becomes determined to rescue her.
My reactions to this novel are mixed. It never quite rang true for me but I suspect I will remember it for a while. Lewis is an appealing narrator and protagonist: he's smart, moody, and believably adolescent. His adventure is less convincing. Part of my ambivalence is that 13-year-old male sexuality is of absolutely no interest to me, but it clearly fascinates Tremain as she explores Lewis' passion for Valentina, a passion both sexual and childish (as in: maternal attachment). Given that I was bored for a notable part of the reading experience, I was surprised that, as the story came to its climax and resolution, I cared what was going to happen. The ending was more satisfying than the process of getting there.
Tremain's descriptions of Paris are themselves alluring and Valentina's dog, Sergei, is enough to make me go in search of a new canine family member. I'll continue to read Rose Tremain's works but I do hope for better next time.
51EBT1002
Up next for me:
1. Continued progress(!) in Nicholas Nickleby (great entertainment for a sick day, yes?)
2. The first essay in We Were Eight Years in Power
3. The Power, which will be my main read for my Saturday flight to Philly
1. Continued progress(!) in Nicholas Nickleby (great entertainment for a sick day, yes?)
2. The first essay in We Were Eight Years in Power
3. The Power, which will be my main read for my Saturday flight to Philly
52katiekrug
The Power is perfect for airplane reading, I think. Multiple POVs always make me turn pages faster...
53Caroline_McElwee
>51 EBT1002: I may well pull The Power off the shelf for weekend reading myself Ellen, it's had such raves on LT.
54streamsong
Hi Ellen! If the job pans out, you may be much closer to dog sledding than Greenland. There is a race south of here and I **so** would love to do a winter trip to Yellowstone that includes a dog sled trip.
I'm contemplating doing a bit of moonlight snowshoeing (very short!) this weekend. Full moon on snow- oh my!
I'd love to join you in We Were Eight Years in Power, but I'm still lagging behind in the number of ROOTS I've read from my stacks, so I'm trying, trying, trying not to purchase a copy. I've added it to my library list, but as a new book, I won't be able to keep it long and there is a long waiting list.
Feel better soon!
I'm contemplating doing a bit of moonlight snowshoeing (very short!) this weekend. Full moon on snow- oh my!
I'd love to join you in We Were Eight Years in Power, but I'm still lagging behind in the number of ROOTS I've read from my stacks, so I'm trying, trying, trying not to purchase a copy. I've added it to my library list, but as a new book, I won't be able to keep it long and there is a long waiting list.
Feel better soon!
55EBT1002
fuzzi posted this link over on Joanne's thread and I watched it, weeping through the whole thing ~~ it's beautiful!! and I am so heartbroken by the damage we humans are wreaking.
How wolves change rivers
How wolves change rivers
57jessibud2
Happy new thread, Ellen and wow, what a topper!!
Have a terrific week ahead and meetup! And mostly, I hope you drop that head cold!
Have a terrific week ahead and meetup! And mostly, I hope you drop that head cold!
58EBT1002
I forgot to mention that poor Abby had just settled in next to me here on the bed when I watched the video. It starts with some lovely audio of wolf calls and Abby was immediately alarmed. Poor feline.
59Caroline_McElwee
>55 EBT1002: fascinating. I'm a big fan of George Monbiot's work.
60BLBera
Great comments on the Tremaine, Ellen. I'll leave that one for later; I have others of hers on my shelves.
I hope you're feeling better.
Regarding library reserves: my library allows us to reserve books that are on order. So when the lists of books to watch for came out in the beginning of the year, I went to my library site and reserved the ones that were on order. Of course that means that sometimes five or six come in at once, but often I'm the first person to get a book. It also means that sometimes a book comes in, and I have no idea why I reserved it.
Have a great trip and fun meet-up. We'll expect pictures and a full report.
You will LOVE The Power.
I hope you're feeling better.
Regarding library reserves: my library allows us to reserve books that are on order. So when the lists of books to watch for came out in the beginning of the year, I went to my library site and reserved the ones that were on order. Of course that means that sometimes five or six come in at once, but often I'm the first person to get a book. It also means that sometimes a book comes in, and I have no idea why I reserved it.
Have a great trip and fun meet-up. We'll expect pictures and a full report.
You will LOVE The Power.
61EBT1002
>57 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. I am pretty much done with being sick for this winter. I'm really rather grumpy about it. But I'm excited about my trip to Philly and the meet-up!
>59 Caroline_McElwee: I have not been familiar with his work, Caroline, but I thought that short video was remarkable.
>60 BLBera: Hi Beth. I liked The Road Home and The Gustav Sonata better than The Way I Found Her. I have Restoration on my kindle and will read it eventually.
Our library will also let us put a hold on books they have ordered and I sometimes do that. And yes, the occasional outcome is that a handful of books are available all at once.
I'm looking forward to reading The Power!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I started reading We Were Eight Years in Power today. Coates has taken eight previously published essays (The Atlantic in all cases), one from each year of the Obama presidency, written an introductory "blog post"/memoir for each, and published them as a collection. I think the introductory comments are going to be powerful in setting context for each essay as they illuminate the events surrounding Coates, both nationally and personally, when he wrote that particular piece.
>59 Caroline_McElwee: I have not been familiar with his work, Caroline, but I thought that short video was remarkable.
>60 BLBera: Hi Beth. I liked The Road Home and The Gustav Sonata better than The Way I Found Her. I have Restoration on my kindle and will read it eventually.
Our library will also let us put a hold on books they have ordered and I sometimes do that. And yes, the occasional outcome is that a handful of books are available all at once.
I'm looking forward to reading The Power!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I started reading We Were Eight Years in Power today. Coates has taken eight previously published essays (The Atlantic in all cases), one from each year of the Obama presidency, written an introductory "blog post"/memoir for each, and published them as a collection. I think the introductory comments are going to be powerful in setting context for each essay as they illuminate the events surrounding Coates, both nationally and personally, when he wrote that particular piece.
62jolerie
Happy new thread Ellen!
I too have never see the Aurora Borealis but maybe one day? It is most definitely on the bucket list. Hope you are feeling better now as well.
I too have never see the Aurora Borealis but maybe one day? It is most definitely on the bucket list. Hope you are feeling better now as well.
63Caroline_McElwee
>61 EBT1002: I really enjoyed his book Feral: Rewilding the land, sea and human life, and his most recent Out of the Wreckage: A new politics for an age of crisis had some interesting suggestions for change.
I will probably get to We Were Eight Years In Power soon. Not sure I could discipline myself to only read one a week though!
I will probably get to We Were Eight Years In Power soon. Not sure I could discipline myself to only read one a week though!
64jessibud2
I will definitely get to the Coates book but I am hoping it will come out in paperback soon. I am trying very hard not to buy hard covers any more
65EBT1002
>62 jolerie: It is starting to sound like we need to organize a LibraryThing meet-up in Fairbanks next February! We could all hang out in our most puffy jackets watching the Northern Lights! :-D
>63 Caroline_McElwee: Hmm, I'll watch for those two. If his books make me weep as much as that video did, I don't think I can stand it!
>63 Caroline_McElwee: and >64 jessibud2: Well, I've read the first essay and it was interesting -- and his commentary as context added to my appreciation of it. He was critical of his essay about Bill Cosby's Pound Cake message of the mid aughts, but I learned from it (Coates' essay, not Cosby's crusade). I have to say that the plan to read one essay per week was based in my expectation that they would be dense and require a fair amount of mental digestion. The first one did not meet that expectation. Still, I like the idea of taking my time with the work.
I try not to buy hard cover books, too, Shelley, mostly because they are hard on my wrists! But this one I wanted pretty immediately. Of course, then I'm just now getting around to reading it so maybe I could have waited a bit longer. I think it's still pretty high on the best selling reading lists, though, so it may be a while before they publish it in soft cover.
>63 Caroline_McElwee: Hmm, I'll watch for those two. If his books make me weep as much as that video did, I don't think I can stand it!
>63 Caroline_McElwee: and >64 jessibud2: Well, I've read the first essay and it was interesting -- and his commentary as context added to my appreciation of it. He was critical of his essay about Bill Cosby's Pound Cake message of the mid aughts, but I learned from it (Coates' essay, not Cosby's crusade). I have to say that the plan to read one essay per week was based in my expectation that they would be dense and require a fair amount of mental digestion. The first one did not meet that expectation. Still, I like the idea of taking my time with the work.
I try not to buy hard cover books, too, Shelley, mostly because they are hard on my wrists! But this one I wanted pretty immediately. Of course, then I'm just now getting around to reading it so maybe I could have waited a bit longer. I think it's still pretty high on the best selling reading lists, though, so it may be a while before they publish it in soft cover.
66EBT1002
I'm on a work conference call and while I am on it, I just got a call from San Francisco. I think it might be from the search firm. I can't listen to the voicemail yet though because of this work call.... *adrenaline rush*
67EBT1002
I'm a finalist!
This is going to seriously cut into my March reading because I'll have to prepare a presentation and just generally prepare for the visit to campus. Pretty much two days there late in the month....
OH! EM! GEE! I'm buzzing with adrenaline and excitement and anxiety.... Yikes!!!!!
Now I have to figure out whether I really want this or if it's all an ego trip. Heh. (I know I can trust you all with that comment.)
This is going to seriously cut into my March reading because I'll have to prepare a presentation and just generally prepare for the visit to campus. Pretty much two days there late in the month....
OH! EM! GEE! I'm buzzing with adrenaline and excitement and anxiety.... Yikes!!!!!
Now I have to figure out whether I really want this or if it's all an ego trip. Heh. (I know I can trust you all with that comment.)
69FAMeulstee
That is exciting, Ellen!
I can't tell what you want, only ask what is in this new job that lacks in your present job?
I can't tell what you want, only ask what is in this new job that lacks in your present job?
70ChelleBearss
Congrats! How exciting!
71EBT1002
>68 katiekrug: I can predict that you may have to tell me to shut up about it, Katie. :-)
>69 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita! And your question is a good one and one that I will mull over. It's what I need to be thinking about.
>70 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now if only I would get over this stupid cold/cough!!!!! (grr)
>69 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita! And your question is a good one and one that I will mull over. It's what I need to be thinking about.
>70 ChelleBearss: Thanks Chelle!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now if only I would get over this stupid cold/cough!!!!! (grr)
73banjo123
>67 EBT1002: Congratulations!
I hope you feel better soon!
I think that you will be glad to read the Coates' book. Some of the essays are stronger than others. The one on reparations has especially stuck with me.
I hope you feel better soon!
I think that you will be glad to read the Coates' book. Some of the essays are stronger than others. The one on reparations has especially stuck with me.
74LovingLit
>61 EBT1002: We Were Eight Years in Power sounds like a great premise! Even if I do already feel like I am reading an American tragedy, in Barkskins. I know you were put off it by some less than ebullient reviews (a certain warbler, maybe?), but I am keeping on trucking with it, and it is dee-press-ing. Even though I agree with the sentiment of her work, I feel like there is a little bit (just a tiny bit) of preaching in-between the lines. I wonder if the subtle preaching (can there be such a thing!!?) works to enlighten the unenlightened just as much as I wonder if preaching to the converted is a worthy pastime!
>67 EBT1002: congratulations! I would have been *shocked* if you hadn't made the finals. And if you don't really want it, you can always turn it down, right? And kick your ego where it hurts ;)
>67 EBT1002: congratulations! I would have been *shocked* if you hadn't made the finals. And if you don't really want it, you can always turn it down, right? And kick your ego where it hurts ;)
75Ameise1
>67 EBT1002: Congrats, Ellen. I'm with Anita, the most important thing is to find out what are the most improvements.
76Caroline_McElwee
>67 EBT1002: Wonderful news Ellen. Doing a happy dance.
77lauralkeet
>67 EBT1002: wonderful news, Ellen! I'm very happy for you.
>68 katiekrug: let's get her drunk on Pimms so she will TELL ALL!
>68 katiekrug: let's get her drunk on Pimms so she will TELL ALL!
78EllaTim
Congratulations Ellen! You did better than you thought. Enjoy, it's nice to know people appreciate your abilities. (A bit of ego does no harm)
79richardderus
>67 EBT1002: The best news of the week!! Yay Ellen...yay and well done.
80jnwelch
Good morning, Ellen.
Congrats on being a finalist, my friend. I'm curious, like Anita, and look forward to your mulled answer.
Congrats on being a finalist, my friend. I'm curious, like Anita, and look forward to your mulled answer.
81thornton37814
Trying to get caught up here. Congrats on being a finalist. Hope you get the opportunity if it is what you want.
82ffortsa
Oh.oh. i just saw the storm report for the east coast, as well as the west coast. I hope you can make it in to Phillie!
83humouress
>67 EBT1002: Congratulations!
84Berly
Hi, you! Congrats on making it to the finals!! Have fun in Phillie--hope the weather cooperates. I plan on reading the first Eight Years in Power essay this weekend.
Happy Friday! Be well.
Happy Friday! Be well.
85karenmarie
Hi Ellen!
Happy new thread and congratulations on being a finalist.
I hope you get well soon, too.
Happy new thread and congratulations on being a finalist.
I hope you get well soon, too.
86Crazymamie
Happy new one, Ellen! Lovely topper. I have seen the Aurora Borealis a couple of times - both times were in Boy Lake, Minnesota. Craig's parents had a family cabin up there right on the lake, and you can see all the stars at night, making it a sort of magical place.
>67 EBT1002: Congratulations! I will be keeping you in my thoughts and wishing for you whatever will make you the happiest. It is a lovely thing to be wanted.
Hoping that your Friday is full of fabulous, my friend!
>67 EBT1002: Congratulations! I will be keeping you in my thoughts and wishing for you whatever will make you the happiest. It is a lovely thing to be wanted.
Hoping that your Friday is full of fabulous, my friend!
88mdoris
Me too, I remember the northern lights. I was at a beach side mid Vancouuer Island bookclub retreat, with my book loving pals and the sky was fantasitic. None of us expected such a sight so it made it all the more wonderful.
I am reading The Power on a 7 day speed read from the library. Oh boy, it is very interesting! Hope you're feeling better soon. I've been sick too this winter and it has tailed me and been a nuisance.
I am reading The Power on a 7 day speed read from the library. Oh boy, it is very interesting! Hope you're feeling better soon. I've been sick too this winter and it has tailed me and been a nuisance.
89EBT1002
This morning's early direct flight on Alaska from Seattle to Philly was canceled but the weather predictions for tomorrow are much better.
I am still sick but today was better than yesterday.
In addition to reading Nicholas Nickleby and The Power (which I will actually start on the plane tomorrow), I started listening to So You Want to Talk About Race today. I think it's going to be a good one.
No time now to respond individually but thanks for all the encouraging words, everyone!
I am still sick but today was better than yesterday.
In addition to reading Nicholas Nickleby and The Power (which I will actually start on the plane tomorrow), I started listening to So You Want to Talk About Race today. I think it's going to be a good one.
No time now to respond individually but thanks for all the encouraging words, everyone!
92msf59
Happy Saturday, Ellen. Congrats on being a finalist! How exciting. Have a safe flight to Philly. Looking forward to hearing all about this Mega-Meet Up! I hope everyone can attend, with the bad weather they have been having. Fingers crossed.
93richardderus
Safe travels and happy arrivals today!
95streamsong
Hi Ellen - I think I snuck in on you at >54 streamsong: while you were posting the wolf video, which was lovely btw. My cat also reacted to it - but she just sat up, shot me a disgusted look, and curled back up. No accounting for human taste.
Quite unexpectedly, the library copy of We Were Eight Years in Power showed up yesterday. So I'll be ver interested in your comments. Unfortunately, this one is a two week checkout.
Safe travels - that east coast storm looks wild! And I hope you're feeling better so you can enjoy!
A few more - insert where you like - !!!
Quite unexpectedly, the library copy of We Were Eight Years in Power showed up yesterday. So I'll be ver interested in your comments. Unfortunately, this one is a two week checkout.
Safe travels - that east coast storm looks wild! And I hope you're feeling better so you can enjoy!
A few more - insert where you like - !!!
96qebo
>89 EBT1002: flight on Alaska from Seattle to Philly was canceled
Oh dear. Not as windy today, hope things get suitably rearranged.
Oh dear. Not as windy today, hope things get suitably rearranged.
97lauralkeet
>89 EBT1002:, >96 qebo: I just checked and today's flight (the one Ellen was booked on) departed on schedule. Whew!
>90 katiekrug: And Katie & the Wayne are driving.
>90 katiekrug: And Katie & the Wayne are driving.
98charl08
>97 lauralkeet: Nice to know. Thank you!
99Caroline_McElwee
>97 lauralkeet: clapping hands. I do enjoy hearing about a meet-up.
100qebo
>97 lauralkeet: Amtrak has resumed Keystone service on a "modified schedule" for the weekend. This is a general "service alert"; no specific schedule option has been canceled or changed. I have unreserved tickets and leeway in both directions, so things'll presumably sort out well enough.
101benitastrnad
I have been largely absent from the threads ever since the semester started and am just now starting to catch up. I have one more week of intense teaching before spring break and then the instruction will let up as the semester slides to a close. I am in need of a rest.
Somewhere I missed a couple of your threads but I gather that you are interviewing. If it is a job you want I hope that you get it. Although, I will be in Seattle next January for the ALA Mid-Winter conference and was thinking that a meetup at that time would be lovely. I hope that you have fun at the giant meetup in Philadelphia this weekend.
Somewhere I missed a couple of your threads but I gather that you are interviewing. If it is a job you want I hope that you get it. Although, I will be in Seattle next January for the ALA Mid-Winter conference and was thinking that a meetup at that time would be lovely. I hope that you have fun at the giant meetup in Philadelphia this weekend.
103vivians
Hi Ellen - hope the conference went well and was worthwhile. I was so glad to meet you and hope there will be another opportunity sometime in the future!
104lauralkeet
>102 Berly: Hey Kim, let me help since Ellen is immersed in her conference. Here's a post about the meetup on my thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/279450#6402904
http://www.librarything.com/topic/279450#6402904
105Familyhistorian
Congrats on being a finalist for the job, Ellen. I hope you had fun at the meet up.
106weird_O
Wonderful to meet you, Ellen.
Here's one of the few photos I was able to shot. L to R: Ellen, drneutron (a.k.a. Jim), and his wife, mrsdrneutron (a.k.a. Danita).
Here's one of the few photos I was able to shot. L to R: Ellen, drneutron (a.k.a. Jim), and his wife, mrsdrneutron (a.k.a. Danita).
108EBT1002
17. The Power by Naomi Alderman
"The power to hurt is a kind of wealth."
"They do it because they can."
"Power doesn't care who uses it."
"That is the trouble with history. You can't see what's not there. You can look at an empty space and see that something's missing, but there's no way to know what it was."
This work of speculative fiction starts with the premise that women have evolved a power, a skein that grows on their chests and gives them the tremendous power to generate and harness electrical energy. It turns out that this power is not universal among women; there are, of course, genetic variations. But the impact of this power, the power to hurt or even kill another being, on societal structures, norms, and deviations provides a world in which author Naomi Alderson can fully explore the role of power in human relations and organizations. Her novel is timely. It is also engaging and adequately complex to address the issues on the table.
Spoiler alert: power corrupts, no matter who has access to it.
"The power to hurt is a kind of wealth."
"They do it because they can."
"Power doesn't care who uses it."
"That is the trouble with history. You can't see what's not there. You can look at an empty space and see that something's missing, but there's no way to know what it was."
This work of speculative fiction starts with the premise that women have evolved a power, a skein that grows on their chests and gives them the tremendous power to generate and harness electrical energy. It turns out that this power is not universal among women; there are, of course, genetic variations. But the impact of this power, the power to hurt or even kill another being, on societal structures, norms, and deviations provides a world in which author Naomi Alderson can fully explore the role of power in human relations and organizations. Her novel is timely. It is also engaging and adequately complex to address the issues on the table.
Spoiler alert: power corrupts, no matter who has access to it.
109EBT1002
Well, as you all know from Laura's thread, the great Philly meet-up did occur and it was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I so enjoyed meeting Vivian, Jim, Denita (I hope I have that right), Katherine, Bill, Laura, Chris and Julia (they weren't in the brunch photo but we met them!), and Jim ---- and seeing again Judy, Katie, and Wayne. We dined, talked, went book shopping.... perfection.
I was supposed to fly out of Philadelphia today but the weather was frightful. It was snowing about 3" per hour during the afternoon so I extended my hotel stay and moved my flight to tomorrow. It turns out that many of my colleagues went to the airport and are even as we speak about to land in Seattle. Sigh. The snow stopped just about when our flight was scheduled to depart. I knew I was betting and I was either going to look very smart indeed or just silly and anxious. The latter wins. But I am happily ensconced in my hotel room with a bottle of decent Sonoma County red wine, my book purchases, and my laptop. I plan to walk to Independence Hall tomorrow as I had not yet fit that into my visit to this city and I will have some time to explore. I plan to take advantage of it and leave regret in my rear view mirror.
The conference was good. Not great. Next March it's in LA. The weather should be better.
I was supposed to fly out of Philadelphia today but the weather was frightful. It was snowing about 3" per hour during the afternoon so I extended my hotel stay and moved my flight to tomorrow. It turns out that many of my colleagues went to the airport and are even as we speak about to land in Seattle. Sigh. The snow stopped just about when our flight was scheduled to depart. I knew I was betting and I was either going to look very smart indeed or just silly and anxious. The latter wins. But I am happily ensconced in my hotel room with a bottle of decent Sonoma County red wine, my book purchases, and my laptop. I plan to walk to Independence Hall tomorrow as I had not yet fit that into my visit to this city and I will have some time to explore. I plan to take advantage of it and leave regret in my rear view mirror.
The conference was good. Not great. Next March it's in LA. The weather should be better.
110jessibud2
>109 EBT1002: - Lovely pictures and so good to hear about meetups!
I most definitely would have done what you did, in such weather. I am the world's biggest weather wimp and am quite *over* apologizing for it! Your current situation sounds much more fun than nail-biting in a plane in a snowstorm.....
I most definitely would have done what you did, in such weather. I am the world's biggest weather wimp and am quite *over* apologizing for it! Your current situation sounds much more fun than nail-biting in a plane in a snowstorm.....
111EBT1002
I'm going to see if this works. This is the photo of my Philadelphia book purchases that I posted on FB.
112EBT1002
>110 jessibud2: Thanks Shelley. I think I am like you in this. I truly thought they would cancel the flight and I wanted to know that I had a place to sleep and a seat on tomorrow's flight. Both are true and that is what matters most!
113EBT1002
>90 katiekrug: I'm so glad we both made it to Philadelphia, Katie!
>91 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. I'm glad that I have almost 3 weeks to prepare for my on-site!
>92 msf59: Hi Mark! We had a great turnout for the Mega Meetup and it was great fun!
>93 richardderus: and >94 BLBera: Thanks Richard and Beth!
>91 charl08: Thanks Charlotte. I'm glad that I have almost 3 weeks to prepare for my on-site!
>92 msf59: Hi Mark! We had a great turnout for the Mega Meetup and it was great fun!
>93 richardderus: and >94 BLBera: Thanks Richard and Beth!
114jessibud2
Oooo, I just read Crow Lake last month, after having it on my shelf for years! I look forward to your impressions
115EBT1002
>95 streamsong: Yep, you snuck in on me there, Janet! Sorry about that. But I'm glad you liked the wolf video.
I think you can buzz through We Were Eight Years in Power in the two weeks you have it from the library. I know I'm planing to read it at an extremely leisurely pace, but it can be consumed more quickly! I'll read the second essay upon my return to Seattle. Tomorrow.
>96 qebo: Thanks for the kind words, Katherine. I did make it, as you know. And I'm glad I got to meet you!
>97 lauralkeet: and >98 charl08: and >99 Caroline_McElwee: I love that you all were monitoring our progress as Katie, the Wayne, and I made our way from our various windy corners of the world! :-)
>100 qebo: "...things'll presumably sort out well enough." And they did! :-)
I think you can buzz through We Were Eight Years in Power in the two weeks you have it from the library. I know I'm planing to read it at an extremely leisurely pace, but it can be consumed more quickly! I'll read the second essay upon my return to Seattle. Tomorrow.
>96 qebo: Thanks for the kind words, Katherine. I did make it, as you know. And I'm glad I got to meet you!
>97 lauralkeet: and >98 charl08: and >99 Caroline_McElwee: I love that you all were monitoring our progress as Katie, the Wayne, and I made our way from our various windy corners of the world! :-)
>100 qebo: "...things'll presumably sort out well enough." And they did! :-)
116qebo
>109 EBT1002: Sonoma County red wine, my book purchases, and my laptop. I plan to walk to Independence Hall tomorrow
Closer to smart than to silly. A snow storm was predicted in Lancaster so schools preemptively cancelled, and indeed snow fell for much of the day but the temperature was just high enough that it didn't stick.
Closer to smart than to silly. A snow storm was predicted in Lancaster so schools preemptively cancelled, and indeed snow fell for much of the day but the temperature was just high enough that it didn't stick.
117EBT1002
>101 benitastrnad: I hope spring break brings that much-needed respite, Benita!
And even if this job works out, if ALA is in Seattle, I will make my way this direction. I won't be too far away. I'm too in love with the Pacific Northwest region of the US! So we'll still make that meet-up happen.
>102 Berly: Hi Kim! The best meet up report is on Laura's thread. She was a lovely host and we had a wonderful time. I feel so darn lucky to have found LT and the 75ers!
>103 vivians: All those feelings are quite mutual, Vivian. I so enjoyed meeting you and definitely hope for a redux! Thanks for being a great listener as I rambled on about the job possibility, too. You and everyone else were so supportive and interested. I really appreciate it.
>104 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!
>105 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I don't know if I want the job but it's always nice to be a finalist. And the meet up was awesome!
>106 weird_O: I'm dying to see that photo, Bill, but it's not working on my thread. It was so great to meet you!!
>107 SuziQoregon: Thanks on both counts, Juli!
And even if this job works out, if ALA is in Seattle, I will make my way this direction. I won't be too far away. I'm too in love with the Pacific Northwest region of the US! So we'll still make that meet-up happen.
>102 Berly: Hi Kim! The best meet up report is on Laura's thread. She was a lovely host and we had a wonderful time. I feel so darn lucky to have found LT and the 75ers!
>103 vivians: All those feelings are quite mutual, Vivian. I so enjoyed meeting you and definitely hope for a redux! Thanks for being a great listener as I rambled on about the job possibility, too. You and everyone else were so supportive and interested. I really appreciate it.
>104 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!
>105 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. I don't know if I want the job but it's always nice to be a finalist. And the meet up was awesome!
>106 weird_O: I'm dying to see that photo, Bill, but it's not working on my thread. It was so great to meet you!!
>107 SuziQoregon: Thanks on both counts, Juli!
118EBT1002
>114 jessibud2: I think I'll tee Crow Lake up as my next read, Shelley. I'm getting sleepy but I'll start it tonight and it will be my main travel read tomorrow, along with Nicholas Nickleby which I need to finish fer pete's sake!
Laura recommended Crow Lake.
Real Time LT book bullets: one of the best things about meet-ups.
>116 qebo: The snow downtown was beautiful today, Katherine. It was wet and heavy but definitely stuck. And then it just quit. I have gotten over my regret at not getting home and am happily settled into what feels like a little mini-vacation all by myself! :-)
Laura recommended Crow Lake.
Real Time LT book bullets: one of the best things about meet-ups.
>116 qebo: The snow downtown was beautiful today, Katherine. It was wet and heavy but definitely stuck. And then it just quit. I have gotten over my regret at not getting home and am happily settled into what feels like a little mini-vacation all by myself! :-)
119LizzieD
Congratulations on being a finalist! That they have such good taste and perspicacity speaks well for them. Enjoy thinking through your options!
WOW! The meet-up sounds wonderful, and I'm envious of every one of you but glad that you all had the experience if I couldn't.
I'm glad too that you were wise rather than reckless about the snow, and congratulations on your mini-vacation. I want to say something smart about boldness in relationships as opposed to physical boldness, but it's too late for me to think it through.
Hmmm. I own a copy of Crow Lake. Good for me!
About the aurora borealis - I think I've said this before. I saw it once here in southeastern NC west of I-95 as I was driving south on the eastern service road, a great green swirl, and I seem to have been the only person who did. I looked in the local paper for several days and found nothing. Was I hallucinating? I guess I'll never know, but I have that amazing memory.
WOW! The meet-up sounds wonderful, and I'm envious of every one of you but glad that you all had the experience if I couldn't.
I'm glad too that you were wise rather than reckless about the snow, and congratulations on your mini-vacation. I want to say something smart about boldness in relationships as opposed to physical boldness, but it's too late for me to think it through.
Hmmm. I own a copy of Crow Lake. Good for me!
About the aurora borealis - I think I've said this before. I saw it once here in southeastern NC west of I-95 as I was driving south on the eastern service road, a great green swirl, and I seem to have been the only person who did. I looked in the local paper for several days and found nothing. Was I hallucinating? I guess I'll never know, but I have that amazing memory.
122ChelleBearss
Glad that you all had such a great meet-up! Hope you got home safe and sound now and enjoyed your bonus night at the hotel with your wine and books!
123Caroline_McElwee
Your meet-up looks and sounded great Ellen. Glad you erred on the safe side. Good stash. I enjoyed Crow Lake.
124lauralkeet
Ellen, it was so great to meet you in person!! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and that you'll have a little extra time today to do some sightseeing. Business travel doesn't usually provide such opportunities.
>118 EBT1002: Laura recommended Crow Lake.
I felt like I was on the verge of barring the door and not letting you leave the shop unless you bought it. Of course I backed off a little when I realized I was doing that ... but I'm glad you succumbed!
Have a great day, and safe travels.
>118 EBT1002: Laura recommended Crow Lake.
I felt like I was on the verge of barring the door and not letting you leave the shop unless you bought it. Of course I backed off a little when I realized I was doing that ... but I'm glad you succumbed!
Have a great day, and safe travels.
125jnwelch
So glad you liked The Power, Ellen. A page-turner and thought-provoking - not a combo you get often.
126EBT1002
I started reading Crow Lake this morning and I'm already sucked in. Thanks for the recommendation, Laura!
127EBT1002
>119 LizzieD: Thanks Peggy. I'm glad the interview is still 2+ weeks away so I have time to think about it, prepare my presentation(!), and get myself centered around what is motivating me. A colleague at this conference with whom I shared the news (I'm so bad at keeping my own secrets) asked "what is it about your current job that is making you restless?" Such a good question.
The meet up was a tremendous treat. I'm so glad we make these happen when one or more of us is traveling. And I started Crow Lake this morning and I can tell it's going to be a winner!
Wow, seeing the aurora borealis in NC... what a wonderful thing to experience. I don't think my sister has ever had that privilege but I will check with her.
The meet up was a tremendous treat. I'm so glad we make these happen when one or more of us is traveling. And I started Crow Lake this morning and I can tell it's going to be a winner!
Wow, seeing the aurora borealis in NC... what a wonderful thing to experience. I don't think my sister has ever had that privilege but I will check with her.
128EBT1002
>120 BLBera: Hi Beth! As you can see from my two previous posts, I'm already loving Crow Lake. It's right up my alley.
I very much liked The Power but it was not a five-star read for me. I think my distraction with work, travel, and the conference might make it harder for books to completely capture my attention right now, so that is part of it. But still, it was a very solid read and I'm truly glad I read it. I think it was a pretty remarkable premise and she did a good job with the various layers.
>121 msf59: Hey Mark and Happy Thursday! I am confident that I will get out of Philly today. It's sunny and clear. But first I get to do some exploring. :-)
I'm glad to hear so many positive comments about Crow Lake. Laura was certainly spot on in making me buy it! :-D
>122 ChelleBearss: I had a lovely bonus evening in my hotel room with wine and books, Chelle. I finished The Power and did some meditation (which is perhaps not the best match with wine, but whatever).
>123 Caroline_McElwee: Another fan of Crow Lake! Thanks Caroline.
I very much liked The Power but it was not a five-star read for me. I think my distraction with work, travel, and the conference might make it harder for books to completely capture my attention right now, so that is part of it. But still, it was a very solid read and I'm truly glad I read it. I think it was a pretty remarkable premise and she did a good job with the various layers.
>121 msf59: Hey Mark and Happy Thursday! I am confident that I will get out of Philly today. It's sunny and clear. But first I get to do some exploring. :-)
I'm glad to hear so many positive comments about Crow Lake. Laura was certainly spot on in making me buy it! :-D
>122 ChelleBearss: I had a lovely bonus evening in my hotel room with wine and books, Chelle. I finished The Power and did some meditation (which is perhaps not the best match with wine, but whatever).
>123 Caroline_McElwee: Another fan of Crow Lake! Thanks Caroline.
129EBT1002
>124 lauralkeet: Hi Laura. Thank YOU for organizing that stellar meet-up! It was super fun.
I'm totally glad you urged me to buy Crow Lake. It's already a winner!
Should we make everyone jealous by sharing that I just texted to see if you're available for lunch?
;-)
>125 jnwelch: Hiya Joe! Re: The Power.... "A page-turner and thought-provoking - not a combo you get often." So true, both about this novel and about the rarity of that pairing!
I'm totally glad you urged me to buy Crow Lake. It's already a winner!
Should we make everyone jealous by sharing that I just texted to see if you're available for lunch?
;-)
>125 jnwelch: Hiya Joe! Re: The Power.... "A page-turner and thought-provoking - not a combo you get often." So true, both about this novel and about the rarity of that pairing!
130EBT1002
It's here! Longlist for Women's Prize in Fiction:
H(A)PPY by Nicola Barker
The Idiot by Elif Batuman - I almost bought this one the other day.
Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon
Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig
🌸Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
Sight by Jessie Greengrass
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife by Meena Kandasamy
🌸Elmet by Fiona Mozley
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt
A Boy in Winter by Rachel Seifert
🌸Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
The Trick to Time by Kit de Waal
🌸Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
🌸I've read these.
H(A)PPY by Nicola Barker
The Idiot by Elif Batuman - I almost bought this one the other day.
Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon
Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig
🌸Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar
Sight by Jessie Greengrass
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife by Meena Kandasamy
🌸Elmet by Fiona Mozley
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt
A Boy in Winter by Rachel Seifert
🌸Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
The Trick to Time by Kit de Waal
🌸Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
🌸I've read these.
132ffortsa
>130 EBT1002: Thanks for the list. I found myself wandering around that used book store looking for female authors, something I don't usually do, and I did find Natalia Ginzburg. A woman's point of view seems to suit me more lately, as long as the writing is good, of course.
I don't know if I said it before, but it was a delight to see you again in Philadelphia. And it was a privilege to hear you relate your opportunities and possible decision. The proposed job sounds very interesting as an expansion of your current position, but leaving the area you live in now is quite a decision to make. Good luck whichever way the process goes.
I don't know if I said it before, but it was a delight to see you again in Philadelphia. And it was a privilege to hear you relate your opportunities and possible decision. The proposed job sounds very interesting as an expansion of your current position, but leaving the area you live in now is quite a decision to make. Good luck whichever way the process goes.
133lauralkeet
>129 EBT1002: YES! WE ARE LUNCHING TODAY!!
I'm just waiting for Ellen to text me that she's done being a tourist geek (her words!), and then I will go meet her. Woot!
I'm just waiting for Ellen to text me that she's done being a tourist geek (her words!), and then I will go meet her. Woot!
134BLBera
>130 EBT1002: Nice Emojis, Ellen.👍
135SuziQoregon
I wondered if the weather would impact your trip. Hope you get home today.
I'm certain I've *almost* bought Crow Lake multiple times. I should just go ahead and get it.
I'm certain I've *almost* bought Crow Lake multiple times. I should just go ahead and get it.
136DeltaQueen50
Hi Ellen, it sounds like you were part of a lively and fun get together in Philadelphia. Add me to the list of people who loved Crow Lake. I bet you will be glad to get back to the West Coast as spring has definitely arrived here.
137richardderus
What a great way to avoid unnecessary anxiety and stress, staying an extra day in a delightful place like Philly.
I love Crow Lake when I read it a decade or so ago. I went looking for the review I feel sure I wrote and it must be on my old 1999 laptop's hard drive. I wonder where I shoved the old thing.
Spiffy cherry-blossom emojis!
Our edge of the storm was a complete washout. Thankfully.
Sending hugs!
I love Crow Lake when I read it a decade or so ago. I went looking for the review I feel sure I wrote and it must be on my old 1999 laptop's hard drive. I wonder where I shoved the old thing.
Spiffy cherry-blossom emojis!
Our edge of the storm was a complete washout. Thankfully.
Sending hugs!
138ChelleBearss
Awesome job learning emojis!
Three of the four that you have read are on my radar to read.
Three of the four that you have read are on my radar to read.
139weird_O
>117 EBT1002: I put a copy of the photo in my junk drawer, Ellen, and edited the post (>106 weird_O:) to link to that. Originally, I linked to the image at Google Photos. That shows up on both my Mac and my Toshiba. I use Chrome as a browser; do you? I wonder if the browser plays a role in whether or not a link from Google Photos displays.
140jolerie
I have Crow Lake on my TBR mountain. If my reaction to The Other Side of the Bridge is any indication, I'm pretty sure I'll love Crow Lake when I get to it. Love me some Canadian author. :D
141witchyrichy
Well, I guess just starring threads doesn't mean you post, does it? I am enjoying reading about your adventures, especially the meet up. Best wishes on your job search as well. I've added Crow Lake to my TBR list.
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
142vancouverdeb
I'm really excited about the Women's Literature list too, Ellen! I've read three from the list and I'm pondering others.
I gave Crow Lake 5 stars when I read it a few years ago , and I've read one of Mary Lawson's other books. You are in for a treat!
I gave Crow Lake 5 stars when I read it a few years ago , and I've read one of Mary Lawson's other books. You are in for a treat!
143laytonwoman3rd
>129 EBT1002:, >133 lauralkeet: I didn't realize you and Laura were able to get together again for lunch! Color me very very green. So glad the meet-up was a big success. I wish I could have made it, but I'm enjoying the posts and photos of those who did.
Congratulations on making the final round for the new job. However it all works out, I hope it's for the best for you.
Congratulations on making the final round for the new job. However it all works out, I hope it's for the best for you.
144EBT1002
So today was tree-pruning day. What fun. Our arborist friend came over with her saws and pole pruner, we got out the super-tuff expandable ladder, and spent about 3 hours pruning the two Japanese Maples that occupy our front yard. These are beautiful trees, one of them huge, and it was great fun thinning them out and getting them away from the power lines. My neck hurts from looking up so much.
Then P and I headed off for some errands including a stop at the library to pick up a DVD she had on hold. There were stacks of desirable recently-relesed novels just for the taking! Apparently, our library system has started a new thing where they designate newly published books as "Peak Picks," with no holds allowed. You can check them out with a 2-week limit, no renewal policy in place. I was so excited! I checked out An American Marriage and Turtles All the Way Down. Normally, these are books I would have to place on hold and wait months to receive (unless I was quick and put them on hold as soon as I learned about them, probably while they were still "on order" by the library).
SO, up next for me is An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.
I am not paying much attention to my challenges yet for this month, so I'll need to do that at some point.
Oh, and the rest of the day: P and I went out for a very nice dinner at Etta's, a Tom Douglas restaurant by the market. I had seafood stew and it was delicious.
Then P and I headed off for some errands including a stop at the library to pick up a DVD she had on hold. There were stacks of desirable recently-relesed novels just for the taking! Apparently, our library system has started a new thing where they designate newly published books as "Peak Picks," with no holds allowed. You can check them out with a 2-week limit, no renewal policy in place. I was so excited! I checked out An American Marriage and Turtles All the Way Down. Normally, these are books I would have to place on hold and wait months to receive (unless I was quick and put them on hold as soon as I learned about them, probably while they were still "on order" by the library).
SO, up next for me is An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.
I am not paying much attention to my challenges yet for this month, so I'll need to do that at some point.
Oh, and the rest of the day: P and I went out for a very nice dinner at Etta's, a Tom Douglas restaurant by the market. I had seafood stew and it was delicious.
145EBT1002
>132 ffortsa: I copied the list from Beth's thread, Judy, but it's an appealing list. I know what you mean about seeking out women's voices in reading these days. I usually pay close attention to the Booker Prize but the Women's Prize seems particularly relevant right now.
Thank you for the kind words. It was wonderful to see you again and to meet Jim! I appreciate your interest in the professional possibilities I'm exploring. Spending this evening in quintessential Seattle style (bus to downtown, dinner at a fabulous Seattle venue, wandering through the market back to the bus stop and then finishing a novel while riding the bus home) made me think about how much I do love living here. As cities go, it's a good one. But I'm also reminded that this opportunity, if it actually comes to fruition, would leave us in a financial position to enjoy long weekends in the city when we needed that urban fix. I'll keep you posted.
>133 lauralkeet: Thanks to you and Julia for meeting me down by Independence Hall and escorting me to a wonderful little restaurant, Laura. It was great to see you both again.
>134 BLBera: I love the emojis, Beth! 📚
>135 SuziQoregon: Juli, say the word and I'll send you my copy of Crow Lake (PM me your address). It was a wonderful read. I am giving it 4 or 4.5 stars (still undecided). It's also a pretty quick read.
>136 DeltaQueen50: Oh my, Judy, today felt like SPRING! It was sunny and clear and got up into the 60s, I think. It was perfect for tree-pruning. We needed this! I'm glad you're another fan of Crow Lake. I really liked it a lot.
Thank you for the kind words. It was wonderful to see you again and to meet Jim! I appreciate your interest in the professional possibilities I'm exploring. Spending this evening in quintessential Seattle style (bus to downtown, dinner at a fabulous Seattle venue, wandering through the market back to the bus stop and then finishing a novel while riding the bus home) made me think about how much I do love living here. As cities go, it's a good one. But I'm also reminded that this opportunity, if it actually comes to fruition, would leave us in a financial position to enjoy long weekends in the city when we needed that urban fix. I'll keep you posted.
>133 lauralkeet: Thanks to you and Julia for meeting me down by Independence Hall and escorting me to a wonderful little restaurant, Laura. It was great to see you both again.
>134 BLBera: I love the emojis, Beth! 📚
>135 SuziQoregon: Juli, say the word and I'll send you my copy of Crow Lake (PM me your address). It was a wonderful read. I am giving it 4 or 4.5 stars (still undecided). It's also a pretty quick read.
>136 DeltaQueen50: Oh my, Judy, today felt like SPRING! It was sunny and clear and got up into the 60s, I think. It was perfect for tree-pruning. We needed this! I'm glad you're another fan of Crow Lake. I really liked it a lot.
146EBT1002
>137 richardderus: My extra day in Philly ended up being just the ticket, Richard. I felt kind of dumb for having let my anxiety lead me to bail on the flight that did end up taking off and coming back to Seattle on the originally scheduled day. BUT the extra day lowered my overall stress level and enabled me to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell and just to have some more time in the city. And lunch with Laura and her daughter, Julia. It was well worth it.
I need to write my review of Crow Lake. It was an excellent read.
I love that you recognized the emojis as cherry blossoms. I'm not sure I would have known that if the Mac hadn't told me so. Of course, the UW campus is famous for its cherry trees when they bloom in the spring, so I have a soft spot for those blossoms, in particular.
I'm sure I've posted photos of this before, but this is the Quad in cherry blossom season:
I need to write my review of Crow Lake. It was an excellent read.
I love that you recognized the emojis as cherry blossoms. I'm not sure I would have known that if the Mac hadn't told me so. Of course, the UW campus is famous for its cherry trees when they bloom in the spring, so I have a soft spot for those blossoms, in particular.
I'm sure I've posted photos of this before, but this is the Quad in cherry blossom season:
148EBT1002
>138 ChelleBearss: All four of the nominees that I've read are worthwhile, Chelle. I particularly recommend Sing, Unburied, Sing and Elmet.
>139 weird_O: I can see the photo now, Bill. Thank you! I tend to use Safari when I'm on my Mac although I sometimes use Chrome. That might make the difference in whether one can see the image from Google Photos. It would make sense that Chrome would work better.
So fun to see myself sitting there with Jim and Danita!
>140 jolerie: I totally agree, Valerie, about loving Canadian authors. I loved Crow Lake and now need to add The Other Side of the Bridge to my wish list.
>139 weird_O: I can see the photo now, Bill. Thank you! I tend to use Safari when I'm on my Mac although I sometimes use Chrome. That might make the difference in whether one can see the image from Google Photos. It would make sense that Chrome would work better.
So fun to see myself sitting there with Jim and Danita!
>140 jolerie: I totally agree, Valerie, about loving Canadian authors. I loved Crow Lake and now need to add The Other Side of the Bridge to my wish list.
149EBT1002
>141 witchyrichy: Starring threads doesn't mean you keep up in any sense of the word, Karen! I've given up on "keeping up" in 2018. I recommend Crow Lake. Once I posted about it, I was impressed with the number of people who mentioned that they have read (and loved) it.
>142 vancouverdeb: I am also excited about the Women's Prize list, Deb. This year I want to prioritize reading as many of them as I can. It feels important to be reading women's voices, as well as voices of authors of color. I've quite liked all four that I have so far read.
And you were totally right that I was in for a treat with Crow Lake. I finished it this evening and I loved it. I think I'll be giving it 4.5 stars but I can completely understand why you gave it a perfect 5-star rating. I'm still thinking about the overall effect and deciding on how many stars it will earn. Whatever I decide, it will be highly recommended by me!
>143 laytonwoman3rd: It was fun to have the extra meal with Laura before I headed to the airport, Linda. Her daughter Julia joined us; she is a delightful young woman. We had a good time.
>142 vancouverdeb: I am also excited about the Women's Prize list, Deb. This year I want to prioritize reading as many of them as I can. It feels important to be reading women's voices, as well as voices of authors of color. I've quite liked all four that I have so far read.
And you were totally right that I was in for a treat with Crow Lake. I finished it this evening and I loved it. I think I'll be giving it 4.5 stars but I can completely understand why you gave it a perfect 5-star rating. I'm still thinking about the overall effect and deciding on how many stars it will earn. Whatever I decide, it will be highly recommended by me!
>143 laytonwoman3rd: It was fun to have the extra meal with Laura before I headed to the airport, Linda. Her daughter Julia joined us; she is a delightful young woman. We had a good time.
150BLBera
Great minds. I'm reading An American Marriage right now and loving it.
It sounds like you had a great day.
It sounds like you had a great day.
151jessibud2
>144 EBT1002: - I LOVE Japanese Maples. So beautiful. Also, glad you enjoyed Crow Lake.
152ChelleBearss
>144 EBT1002: That's great that your library does two week "Peak Picks". Mine has something similar but they are only one week check-outs.
153lauralkeet
>149 EBT1002: Julia ...she is a delightful young woman
Aww, thank you Ellen! Of course we've always loved her to bits, but during her current visit home both Chris and I have been struck by a new level of maturity and generally having her head on straight.
Aww, thank you Ellen! Of course we've always loved her to bits, but during her current visit home both Chris and I have been struck by a new level of maturity and generally having her head on straight.
154Caroline_McElwee
>146 EBT1002: stunning trees Ellen. You've had a lovely week.
156drneutron
>148 EBT1002: That did turn out to be a good pic!
157jessibud2
>146 EBT1002: - That is a stunning photo!
158LovingLit
Philadelphia looks (eta from FB) like a beautiful city- I ooh and aah over old buildings, partly because most of the "old" buildings in my city (they weren't really that old, but were cool and old looking) for demolished after the earthquakes. The UK and the US have proper old buildings that wow me!
Your library Peak Picks sounds good- we have that too, but it costs $5 a week (maybe fortnight) to get them!
Your library Peak Picks sounds good- we have that too, but it costs $5 a week (maybe fortnight) to get them!
159EBT1002
Beth posted this on her thread and I'm reposting it here. It's a great list of 100 "best" women writers and a reminder that women are still under-recognized in the literary world.
The Best Female Authors of All Time
Authors I still need/want to read or read more of:
Zadie Smith
Roxanne Gay
Connie Willis
Eleanor Catton
Nadine Gordimer
Miriam Toews
Sue Monk Kidd
Penelope Lively
Kiran Desai
Arundhati Roy
A.S. Byatt
Iris Murdoch
Ami McKay (I've never heard of her!)
Helen Oyeyemi (I just bought her Mr. Fox in Philly last week)
Celeste Ng
Evie Wyld
And the list goes on....
The Best Female Authors of All Time
Authors I still need/want to read or read more of:
Zadie Smith
Roxanne Gay
Connie Willis
Eleanor Catton
Nadine Gordimer
Miriam Toews
Sue Monk Kidd
Penelope Lively
Kiran Desai
Arundhati Roy
A.S. Byatt
Iris Murdoch
Ami McKay (I've never heard of her!)
Helen Oyeyemi (I just bought her Mr. Fox in Philly last week)
Celeste Ng
Evie Wyld
And the list goes on....
160EBT1002
>150 BLBera: I am only on about page 20 of An American Marriage, Beth, so I'm still getting to know the characters. I was so exhausted last night that I could not stay awake to read much.
>151 jessibud2: Our Japanese Maples are quite lovely, Shelley. They have grown a tremendous amount in the 10 years we have lived in this house. They don't have any leaves right now so I hope our pruning job looks good once the leaves come in!
Yes, I need to write my "review" of Crow Lake.
>152 ChelleBearss: The Peak Picks thing is new for our library system, Chelle. I'm glad I can keep the books for two weeks instead of just one! Although that would make sense: check it out right when you want to read it, read it, and return it for the next patron.
>151 jessibud2: Our Japanese Maples are quite lovely, Shelley. They have grown a tremendous amount in the 10 years we have lived in this house. They don't have any leaves right now so I hope our pruning job looks good once the leaves come in!
Yes, I need to write my "review" of Crow Lake.
>152 ChelleBearss: The Peak Picks thing is new for our library system, Chelle. I'm glad I can keep the books for two weeks instead of just one! Although that would make sense: check it out right when you want to read it, read it, and return it for the next patron.
161EBT1002
>153 lauralkeet: I'd say she has her head on pretty straight, Laura. You've done a good job raising her.
>154 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline. Yes, the cherry trees on campus are just about to pop and the campus will be swarmed with tourists and photo-takers. It's an iconic event on the UW campus.
>155 qebo: Hi Katherine. I was quite moved by Independence Hall. As a friend of mine said when I posted on FB that I was there, I'm not always thrilled about the direction our country is headed but the original idea of democracy, that the government should answer to the people rather than the other way around, was truly revolutionary. Standing in the room where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed was, well, affecting. Of course, having seen "Hamilton" so recently and being currently addicted to that soundtrack also added to my enjoyment.
The Bell was underwhelming but I liked the symbolism of the bell ringing for freedom at particular historic moments.
>154 Caroline_McElwee: Hi Caroline. Yes, the cherry trees on campus are just about to pop and the campus will be swarmed with tourists and photo-takers. It's an iconic event on the UW campus.
>155 qebo: Hi Katherine. I was quite moved by Independence Hall. As a friend of mine said when I posted on FB that I was there, I'm not always thrilled about the direction our country is headed but the original idea of democracy, that the government should answer to the people rather than the other way around, was truly revolutionary. Standing in the room where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed was, well, affecting. Of course, having seen "Hamilton" so recently and being currently addicted to that soundtrack also added to my enjoyment.
The Bell was underwhelming but I liked the symbolism of the bell ringing for freedom at particular historic moments.
162ffortsa
>159 EBT1002: I've read about 25 of them, and more if I consider just authors, not titles, and I own even more than that. But that's a lot to catch up on. I also note that the list is biased toward more current (20th and 21st century) writers, which may be natural because those names are more familiar. How about Elizabeth Taylor or Aphra Behn? I suspect there are more writers of prior years than are listed here. And more non-English-writing authors as well. Even more to catch up on.
163EBT1002
>156 drneutron: :-)
>157 jessibud2: I wish I could say that I took that photo, Shelley, but I snagged it off the internet. It's hard to capture the quad cherry trees without seeing them in person.
>158 LovingLit: Philadelphia has a nice mix of old and new buildings, Megan. It was a fun city to explore. My view for that last, extra, night was particularly charming.
Hmm, I don't think I'd like to pay for the Peak Picks option. I like that ours are still free, but with greater restrictions on how long you can keep them.
>157 jessibud2: I wish I could say that I took that photo, Shelley, but I snagged it off the internet. It's hard to capture the quad cherry trees without seeing them in person.
>158 LovingLit: Philadelphia has a nice mix of old and new buildings, Megan. It was a fun city to explore. My view for that last, extra, night was particularly charming.
Hmm, I don't think I'd like to pay for the Peak Picks option. I like that ours are still free, but with greater restrictions on how long you can keep them.
164vancouverdeb
Ohh, I do like Celeste Ng, Ami McKay, and Penelope Lively. I"ve enjoyed books by those authors and many of the others I am familiar with but have yet to read a book by them. Glad you enjoyed your trip to Philadelphia so much. My mom is planning a week long trip to Washington D.C with my niece and her husband ( they are both aged 26) . They are off in early April for a week. Of course I could not help but tease my mom about visiting Trump, but the three of them decided that they would like both the weather and the history of Washington D.C. The considered Scotland as well as Iceland, but decided they wanted better weather. I love that my mom and niece and her husband all get along so well.
165EBT1002
>162 ffortsa: I've read 64 of the 100 authors in the list, Judy, and I'm reading a 65th even as we speak. I focused on the authors, not the specific works shown because I think that was the writer's intent. So I haven't read that specific work in all 64 instances. If I read some of the ones I own that are by some of the 35 I have not yet read, I'd probably get to 75% pretty easily.
I also liked that she asked for people to chime in with authors she missed, acknowledging that coming up with a list of only 100 wonderful female authors was difficult. I agree that it's pretty biased toward the late 20th and the 21st centuries.
I also liked that she asked for people to chime in with authors she missed, acknowledging that coming up with a list of only 100 wonderful female authors was difficult. I agree that it's pretty biased toward the late 20th and the 21st centuries.
166EBT1002
>164 vancouverdeb: I still need to read Celeste Ng and Ami McKay, Deb. I have read a couple of works by Penelope Lively but I want to read more.
A visit to Washington DC sounds lovely. It's another fascinating city with a lot to see and do. I highly recommend the Holocaust Museum among others. The weather is probably a bit unpredictable that time of year but they should have at least some nice days and it won't be too hot (which DC can definitely be in the summer). And yes, it is very cool that your mom and niece and her husband get along well enough to travel together!!
A visit to Washington DC sounds lovely. It's another fascinating city with a lot to see and do. I highly recommend the Holocaust Museum among others. The weather is probably a bit unpredictable that time of year but they should have at least some nice days and it won't be too hot (which DC can definitely be in the summer). And yes, it is very cool that your mom and niece and her husband get along well enough to travel together!!
167banjo123
Hi Ellen! we have something like Peak Picks at our library; it's called Lucky Day. I think it's 3 weeks, no renewals... I always enjoy perusing the books on that shelf, although truth to tell, I have enough books in my TBR shelves to keep me busy for the next year without ever stepping in the library.
I hope you are enjoying your weekend; you have been busy lately!
I hope you are enjoying your weekend; you have been busy lately!
168jessibud2
Ami McKay's The Birth House was my first of hers and I own but have not yet read 3 other titles by her. At the end of The Birth House, she mentions her website. There is an absolutely hilarious *quiz* (if I am remembering correctly) that follows from the novel and it is priceless. She is a great writer. She is originally American but married a Canadian and moved here to Nova Scotia, I think.
I have read a few by Sue Monk Kidd, some better than others. The 2 I loved most are The Secret Life of Bees (the audiobook version of this was superb. I also LOVED The Invention of Wings, which I discovered only after finishing and googling, was based on a true story and real characters. I loved the audio of this one, too, as the narrator of Bees was one of the 2 narrators of this one and was outstanding. I wish I could remember her name. If I find it, I will edit it in here. I was less impressed with a few of her other titles but these 2 are just so excellent.
Edited to add that the wonderful narrator was Jenna Lamia
I do own a few titles by a few other of the authors in that list from >159 EBT1002: but have not yet read them: Penelope Lively, Kiran Desai, Arundhati Roy, Connie Willis and Nadine Gordimer.
I have read a few by Sue Monk Kidd, some better than others. The 2 I loved most are The Secret Life of Bees (the audiobook version of this was superb. I also LOVED The Invention of Wings, which I discovered only after finishing and googling, was based on a true story and real characters. I loved the audio of this one, too, as the narrator of Bees was one of the 2 narrators of this one and was outstanding. I wish I could remember her name. If I find it, I will edit it in here. I was less impressed with a few of her other titles but these 2 are just so excellent.
Edited to add that the wonderful narrator was Jenna Lamia
I do own a few titles by a few other of the authors in that list from >159 EBT1002: but have not yet read them: Penelope Lively, Kiran Desai, Arundhati Roy, Connie Willis and Nadine Gordimer.
170EBT1002
>167 banjo123: I love that they call it Lucky Day, Rhonda. I wonder if the fine for returning a Peak Pick is steeper than the usual fines at the Seattle Public Library....
Yes, it has been a really busy time for me -- lots of travel, work being what it often is this time of year, and throwing my hat into the ring for a different job. And I had a second round with the cold-from-hell, too. I'm ready for a little break but I don't really see one coming until summer.
>168 jessibud2: I put The Birth House on hold today, Shelley. I'm first in the queue so it will come in pretty soon and I'll be overwhelmed (again) with library books.
I read The Secret Life of Bees when it first came out and I remember loving it. I don't think I've read any other Sue Monk Kidd works although I have wanted to read The Invention of Wings. I used to have an ARC copy of it but I'm not sure if it's still on my shelves.
I'm to read Doomsday Book by Connie Willis for RLBG this month so I need to get on that.
Yes, it has been a really busy time for me -- lots of travel, work being what it often is this time of year, and throwing my hat into the ring for a different job. And I had a second round with the cold-from-hell, too. I'm ready for a little break but I don't really see one coming until summer.
>168 jessibud2: I put The Birth House on hold today, Shelley. I'm first in the queue so it will come in pretty soon and I'll be overwhelmed (again) with library books.
I read The Secret Life of Bees when it first came out and I remember loving it. I don't think I've read any other Sue Monk Kidd works although I have wanted to read The Invention of Wings. I used to have an ARC copy of it but I'm not sure if it's still on my shelves.
I'm to read Doomsday Book by Connie Willis for RLBG this month so I need to get on that.
171msf59
>169 EBT1002: Yah!!
Happy Sunday, Ellen. I hope you are back in the groove at home. I like the Female Author List, you posted. Of course that is just sampling. Did you read the John Boyne article about women authors being more superior than men? It is a kick-ass essay and spot-on, IMHO.
It was featured in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/dec/12/double-x-factor-why-women-are-bett...
Happy Sunday, Ellen. I hope you are back in the groove at home. I like the Female Author List, you posted. Of course that is just sampling. Did you read the John Boyne article about women authors being more superior than men? It is a kick-ass essay and spot-on, IMHO.
It was featured in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/dec/12/double-x-factor-why-women-are-bett...
172BLBera
>159 EBT1002: I think one great value of lists like this is that they start a conversation. We could all perhaps add two or three to the list here.
I, too, am really enjoying An American Marriage.
I, too, am really enjoying An American Marriage.
173EBT1002
>171 msf59: Mark, that is a wonderful article. Thanks for sharing the link.
One of my favorite lines: 'Last summer, I attended a literary festival where a trio of established male writers were referred to in the programme as “giants of world literature”, while a panel of female writers of equal stature were described as “wonderful storytellers”.'
Ugh.
I also like: 'The Greatest Living Novelist? Easy. It’s Anne Tyler. Or maybe Sarah Waters. Or Margaret Atwood. Or Rose Tremain.'
Three authors he mentions are unknown to me: Sara Baume, Belinda McKeon and Kit de Waal. I will seek them out.
And I want to read Gone by the violinist Min Kym (it doesn't even show up as a touchstone).
And I still need to read his novel, The Heart's Invisible Furies!
One of my favorite lines: 'Last summer, I attended a literary festival where a trio of established male writers were referred to in the programme as “giants of world literature”, while a panel of female writers of equal stature were described as “wonderful storytellers”.'
Ugh.
I also like: 'The Greatest Living Novelist? Easy. It’s Anne Tyler. Or maybe Sarah Waters. Or Margaret Atwood. Or Rose Tremain.'
Three authors he mentions are unknown to me: Sara Baume, Belinda McKeon and Kit de Waal. I will seek them out.
And I want to read Gone by the violinist Min Kym (it doesn't even show up as a touchstone).
And I still need to read his novel, The Heart's Invisible Furies!
174EBT1002
>172 BLBera: Yes, I agree, Beth, that lists like that are great conversation starters and reminders of authors we have read some, but not all of, or authors on our wish list, etc. I also think you would enjoy the essay Mark linked to in >171 msf59:. More mentions of outstanding women authors.
One thing that Boyne talks about is the ability of women writers to effectively represent both male and female voices and the tendency of male authors to depict women in one of four stereotypical/archetypal roles (all of them established from the male POV). What he's talking about, in my opinion, is the ability of humans from less powerful or privileged places in society to understand the thinking of those with greater power than they. Women understand men, people of color understand white folks, queer people understand straight folks, people with disabilities understand those without disabilities (yet), etc. It's a sweeping generalization but I think it holds water much of the time.
One thing that Boyne talks about is the ability of women writers to effectively represent both male and female voices and the tendency of male authors to depict women in one of four stereotypical/archetypal roles (all of them established from the male POV). What he's talking about, in my opinion, is the ability of humans from less powerful or privileged places in society to understand the thinking of those with greater power than they. Women understand men, people of color understand white folks, queer people understand straight folks, people with disabilities understand those without disabilities (yet), etc. It's a sweeping generalization but I think it holds water much of the time.
175lauralkeet
>174 EBT1002: it may be a sweeping generalization but it's a very interesting one. I hadn't thought about it that way before, but it makes total sense. I think to some degree it's because the less powerful are required understand those with more power simply to survive day to day.
176majleavy
>173 EBT1002: 'The Greatest Living Novelist? Easy. It’s Anne Tyler. Or maybe Sarah Waters. Or Margaret Atwood. Or Rose Tremain.'
Or: none of the above. It's Joyce Carol Oates.
Or: none of the above. It's Joyce Carol Oates.
177SuziQoregon
Hope you're not too sore after the tree pruning adventure. THat sounds exhausting.
>135 SuziQoregon: Oh thanks but no need to send me Crow Lake. It's readily available a the library.
I went down by the river after work on Friday to see if the cherry trees there were in bloom yet but it's still too early. Our cold February slowed them down.
>135 SuziQoregon: Oh thanks but no need to send me Crow Lake. It's readily available a the library.
I went down by the river after work on Friday to see if the cherry trees there were in bloom yet but it's still too early. Our cold February slowed them down.
178jolerie
>144 EBT1002: My library has the same system and I love it! Except when I see too many books I want to read all at the same time and because there is no holds, I can only take as many as I think I can read in 3 weeks. My poor TBR mountain just keeps getting neglected! Not a bad problem to have I guess. :D
179EBT1002
>175 lauralkeet: "I think to some degree it's because the less powerful are required understand those with more power simply to survive day to day." Exactly!
>176 majleavy: *big grin*
>177 SuziQoregon: Hey Juli. The tree pruning adventure was pretty tiring but it was also quite satisfying. We'll see if we did a good job when the leaves come out! Our Japanese Maples both acquire and lose their leaves in one fell swoop. One day they are bare, the next day they are fully leaved out. In the autumn it's the reverse. (Okay, maybe not one day but pretty darn close!).
I do hope you get a copy of Crow Lake from the library. I haven't written my "review" yet but it's a good one!
Yeah, I'm keeping an eye out for all the varieties of blooming cherries and pears around here. The really early ones (I think those are mostly pears) are starting to pop! The cherry trees on campus are definitely not in bloom yet.
>178 jolerie: Hey Valerie. Yeah, when I picked up the two books from the Peak Picks stack, P started to protest: "But you already have.... oh, never mind." She has learned. Heh.
>176 majleavy: *big grin*
>177 SuziQoregon: Hey Juli. The tree pruning adventure was pretty tiring but it was also quite satisfying. We'll see if we did a good job when the leaves come out! Our Japanese Maples both acquire and lose their leaves in one fell swoop. One day they are bare, the next day they are fully leaved out. In the autumn it's the reverse. (Okay, maybe not one day but pretty darn close!).
I do hope you get a copy of Crow Lake from the library. I haven't written my "review" yet but it's a good one!
Yeah, I'm keeping an eye out for all the varieties of blooming cherries and pears around here. The really early ones (I think those are mostly pears) are starting to pop! The cherry trees on campus are definitely not in bloom yet.
>178 jolerie: Hey Valerie. Yeah, when I picked up the two books from the Peak Picks stack, P started to protest: "But you already have.... oh, never mind." She has learned. Heh.
180BLBera
I had read this article earlier, Ellen, but I would like to read Boyne. He's obviously a man of discernment. :)
182thornton37814
Glad to see you enjoyed the Philly meet-up and came away with a haul.
184richardderus
Hi Ellen, I'm shamefully behind on threading because my computer cut up rough all weekend...touchpad died, had to buy an external mouse...but here I am at last! I hope all's well.
185jnwelch
Hi, Ellen.
I count 56 authors read on that >159 EBT1002: list. I've got some catching up to do! That's a good list.
I count 56 authors read on that >159 EBT1002: list. I've got some catching up to do! That's a good list.
186benitastrnad
I am in Kansas for Spring Break and today I decided to take my mother and head east - to eastern Nebraska, that is - and visit a couple of Nebraska state parks that I have never seen. We took in Indian Cave State Park, which is on the Missouri River, today. Tomorrow we will go to the Arbor Lodge State Gardens. There won’t be much to see at this time of year, but I have never been to this historic site. Upon arrival this evening I found out that the gardens are open but the museum and lodge are not - until April. Oh well! That’s the breaks, but the drive has been beautiful and the weather outstanding for this time of year. Mom and I shared a pizza for supper because it was Pi Day.
187LizzieD
Thanks for that list, Ellen. As usual with "Best of" lists, I find some choices weird and some omissions equally strange.
188LovingLit
I just emailed the 100 best female authors list to a friend, along with a few exclamated "let's resurrect bookclub" type comments :)
Now I think I will go back and see how many I have read like Joe did!!! (it's irresistible)
eta: I've read 23!
Now I think I will go back and see how many I have read like Joe did!!! (it's irresistible)
eta: I've read 23!
189humouress
>188 LovingLit: >159 EBT1002: I was surprised that I’ve read at least a dozen. Though I’m also surprised that some of them are on the list.
190EBT1002
18. Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
When seven-year-old Kate loses her parents in a tragic accident, her two teenage brothers determine to stay in the family home and take care of Kate and her toddler sister, Bo. Kate and Matt are particularly close; he has shared with her his love of marine biology. As she is looking back on this story from 18 years in the future, she views his decision to forego college as a devastating shame; she cannot reconcile his sacrifice, and the life it leads him to build, with his academic brilliance and intellectual curiosity. The novel moves back and forth between the year following their parents' death and the time in the future when Kate, herself a successful assistant professor, decides to take her serious boyfriend home to meet the family. As her story and Matt's begin to come together, Kate is faced with the painful realization that she has never really seen her brother's life from his perspective, that the tragedy of almost two decades ago has never released her to see the joys that the present offers to all of them. Lawson's descriptions of the farming community, its characters and culture, are beautiful. The novel is poignant and moving and memorable.
Thanks to Laura for nudging me to purchase this book at our Philadelphia meet up!
When seven-year-old Kate loses her parents in a tragic accident, her two teenage brothers determine to stay in the family home and take care of Kate and her toddler sister, Bo. Kate and Matt are particularly close; he has shared with her his love of marine biology. As she is looking back on this story from 18 years in the future, she views his decision to forego college as a devastating shame; she cannot reconcile his sacrifice, and the life it leads him to build, with his academic brilliance and intellectual curiosity. The novel moves back and forth between the year following their parents' death and the time in the future when Kate, herself a successful assistant professor, decides to take her serious boyfriend home to meet the family. As her story and Matt's begin to come together, Kate is faced with the painful realization that she has never really seen her brother's life from his perspective, that the tragedy of almost two decades ago has never released her to see the joys that the present offers to all of them. Lawson's descriptions of the farming community, its characters and culture, are beautiful. The novel is poignant and moving and memorable.
Thanks to Laura for nudging me to purchase this book at our Philadelphia meet up!
191EBT1002
19. An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones
Celestial and Roy have been married for a year and a half when he is convicted of a crime he did not commit and sent to prison for twelve years. While he is away, Celestial's relationship with her childhood friend, Andre, evolves into a romance that she and Dre believe has always been meant to be. Roy is released after only five years and all three lives have been radically altered. The best part of the novel is the letters between Celestial and Roy while he is in prison. Their voices emerge and their individual stories unfold compellingly; they ring true. Celestial, Roy, and Dre are memorable characters: each basically good but believably flawed.
This is the story of an American marriage but it's also the story of the toll incarceration takes on the lives it touches. The African American characters accept that they are more likely to be incarcerated as a simple fact of life. Their feelings about this -- and about all the other realities with which they are confronted -- are rationally complex but Jones does not drift into social commentary. Her focus is the people emerging from the page, the tensions in their interdependent relationships, and the absence of a pat happy ending.
Celestial and Roy have been married for a year and a half when he is convicted of a crime he did not commit and sent to prison for twelve years. While he is away, Celestial's relationship with her childhood friend, Andre, evolves into a romance that she and Dre believe has always been meant to be. Roy is released after only five years and all three lives have been radically altered. The best part of the novel is the letters between Celestial and Roy while he is in prison. Their voices emerge and their individual stories unfold compellingly; they ring true. Celestial, Roy, and Dre are memorable characters: each basically good but believably flawed.
This is the story of an American marriage but it's also the story of the toll incarceration takes on the lives it touches. The African American characters accept that they are more likely to be incarcerated as a simple fact of life. Their feelings about this -- and about all the other realities with which they are confronted -- are rationally complex but Jones does not drift into social commentary. Her focus is the people emerging from the page, the tensions in their interdependent relationships, and the absence of a pat happy ending.
192EBT1002
20. Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
This graphic novel is the sweet story of Hazel and Mari, two teenagers separated after their respective grandmothers with whom they live, catch them kissing. It's 1967 and homosexuality is absolutely and shamefully denied validity.
Years later, fifty years later, Hazel and Mari meet again. In the meantime they have both married, had children and grandchildren. But neither of them has forgotten the other. Their reunion is complicated and fraught but it's also a sweet reminder that things can change in half a century.
This graphic novel is the sweet story of Hazel and Mari, two teenagers separated after their respective grandmothers with whom they live, catch them kissing. It's 1967 and homosexuality is absolutely and shamefully denied validity.
Years later, fifty years later, Hazel and Mari meet again. In the meantime they have both married, had children and grandchildren. But neither of them has forgotten the other. Their reunion is complicated and fraught but it's also a sweet reminder that things can change in half a century.
193EBT1002
>180 BLBera: I agree, Beth. I have had The Heart's Invisible Furies on my wish list for a while now.
>181 ffortsa: What I love is the notion that the Greatest Living Novelist just might be a woman. I'm terrible at choosing "the best" or "my favorite" anything; I'm certainly not going to try to choose one author to fit this bill. :-)
>182 thornton37814: Hi Lori. Yep, Philadelphia was great fun with the meet-up serving as the highlight. I'm so glad I made the trip and that so many people descended on the city for the event.
>183 humouress: *waves hello back to Nina*
>184 richardderus: Richard! It's so good to see you whenever you can stop by. I hope the computer woes have come to an end.
I'm woefully behind on threading and I have no such excuse.
>181 ffortsa: What I love is the notion that the Greatest Living Novelist just might be a woman. I'm terrible at choosing "the best" or "my favorite" anything; I'm certainly not going to try to choose one author to fit this bill. :-)
>182 thornton37814: Hi Lori. Yep, Philadelphia was great fun with the meet-up serving as the highlight. I'm so glad I made the trip and that so many people descended on the city for the event.
>183 humouress: *waves hello back to Nina*
>184 richardderus: Richard! It's so good to see you whenever you can stop by. I hope the computer woes have come to an end.
I'm woefully behind on threading and I have no such excuse.
194EBT1002
>185 jnwelch: I feel pleased that I have read 65 of the 100 authors listed, Joe. I don't really want to read every one of the remaining 35, but I would like to get up to about 90% or so.
>186 benitastrnad: Prudence and I had pizza for dinner last night for Pi Day, too, Benita! Your drive with your mom sounds lovely. Even if there isn't much "to see," there is (in my opinion) always something to see. Having lived in the salty, swampy, sandy state of Florida, the flat cornfields of Illinois, the rolling hills of Wisconsin, the gorgeous Oregon Willamette Valley, and the charming city of Seattle, I feel convinced that each part of our world holds its own beauty. And that beauty transcends the seasons.
I wax philosophical. Perhaps because I'm considering a move to the Palouse of eastern Washington, yet another landscape to appreciate.
>186 benitastrnad: Prudence and I had pizza for dinner last night for Pi Day, too, Benita! Your drive with your mom sounds lovely. Even if there isn't much "to see," there is (in my opinion) always something to see. Having lived in the salty, swampy, sandy state of Florida, the flat cornfields of Illinois, the rolling hills of Wisconsin, the gorgeous Oregon Willamette Valley, and the charming city of Seattle, I feel convinced that each part of our world holds its own beauty. And that beauty transcends the seasons.
I wax philosophical. Perhaps because I'm considering a move to the Palouse of eastern Washington, yet another landscape to appreciate.
195EBT1002
>187 LizzieD: I agree, Peggy. I am always somewhat amazed at anyone's willingness to create a "best of" list, even our dear friends here on LT. I find the task impossible. Perhaps I'm just not discerning enough or too easily entertained. Ha.
>188 LovingLit: I hope that book club gets resurrected, Megan! The list could provide some good focus for the right group of readers. I've read a good number of the authors and I don't need to complete the list but I could see dedicating some reading time in the next couple of years to filling in some of my gaps.
>189 humouress: Hi Nina. I was surprised by some on the list, too. As Judy said in >162 ffortsa: the list seems biased toward very late 20th and early (well, all we've had of the) 21st century. But the central point that women authors continue to be overlooked and minimized rings true for me.
My dad was an English professor, a scholar of Shakespeare and Chaucer. I well remember a conversation with him -- this would have been in the early 1980s -- about the discussions among the English faculty as they considered including more women and writers of color in the curriculum. My dad just could not conceive of leaving out any of the dead white men who were, for him, "the canon." This unwillingness to consider that a student could earn an English degree without reading every one of the male writers central to his conception of the world of literature meant he could not figure out how to make space. I loved my dad but this was a serious blind spot. The conversation did not end in agreement.
>188 LovingLit: I hope that book club gets resurrected, Megan! The list could provide some good focus for the right group of readers. I've read a good number of the authors and I don't need to complete the list but I could see dedicating some reading time in the next couple of years to filling in some of my gaps.
>189 humouress: Hi Nina. I was surprised by some on the list, too. As Judy said in >162 ffortsa: the list seems biased toward very late 20th and early (well, all we've had of the) 21st century. But the central point that women authors continue to be overlooked and minimized rings true for me.
My dad was an English professor, a scholar of Shakespeare and Chaucer. I well remember a conversation with him -- this would have been in the early 1980s -- about the discussions among the English faculty as they considered including more women and writers of color in the curriculum. My dad just could not conceive of leaving out any of the dead white men who were, for him, "the canon." This unwillingness to consider that a student could earn an English degree without reading every one of the male writers central to his conception of the world of literature meant he could not figure out how to make space. I loved my dad but this was a serious blind spot. The conversation did not end in agreement.
196Berly
Welcome back! Glad you enjoyed your extra day and luncheon. Hope next year's session is even better (weather included!).
Found my copy of Eight Years in Power and promise to catch up to you and the second essay this weekend. : )
I have read something by 64 of the top 100 "best" women authors.
Just finished listening to Roxanne Gay's Hunger--wow, what a powerful book! Hard. Beautiful. Tragic. Funny. Loved listening to her read it.
Found my copy of Eight Years in Power and promise to catch up to you and the second essay this weekend. : )
I have read something by 64 of the top 100 "best" women authors.
Just finished listening to Roxanne Gay's Hunger--wow, what a powerful book! Hard. Beautiful. Tragic. Funny. Loved listening to her read it.
197lauralkeet
>195 EBT1002: The conversation did not end in agreement.
That sounds like quite an understatement, Ellen. Also a tough situation, to be in such opposition with a parent. Been there ... not fun.
>196 Berly: Ooh, Hunger. An excellent book and I agree with all of your adjectives, Kim. Reading it inspired me to pick up a copy of Bad Feminist because I haven't read that yet. Gay has a new book coming out soon, too.
That sounds like quite an understatement, Ellen. Also a tough situation, to be in such opposition with a parent. Been there ... not fun.
>196 Berly: Ooh, Hunger. An excellent book and I agree with all of your adjectives, Kim. Reading it inspired me to pick up a copy of Bad Feminist because I haven't read that yet. Gay has a new book coming out soon, too.
198BLBera
Great reading, Ellen.
>195 EBT1002: The conversation continues, Ellen.
>196 Berly: Hey Twin - I am a big Gay fan, so Hunger sounds great, heartbreaking, but great.
>195 EBT1002: The conversation continues, Ellen.
>196 Berly: Hey Twin - I am a big Gay fan, so Hunger sounds great, heartbreaking, but great.
199majleavy
>181 ffortsa: Here's an overdue reply: yep, I think Joyce Carol Oates is one of two contenders for Greatest Living (American, anyway) Author (Pynchon is the other). There are (and have been) few who write as hypnotically as her, with so great an understanding of who we - Americans especially - are. To my mind, she's one of the absolute giants of literature in English.
(Sorry to hijack a space, Ellen.)
(Sorry to hijack a space, Ellen.)
201vivians
>193 EBT1002: Hi Ellen! I read The Heart's Invisible Furies a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it. So I'm glad it's on your list.
Both you and Beth (and the rest of the world, I think) liked An American Marriage more than I did, but I'm still very glad I read it. I'm now trying to work my way through the Women's Prize longlist.
I've never read anything by Mary Lawson but you and Laura have convinced me to alter that!
Enjoy the weekend!
Both you and Beth (and the rest of the world, I think) liked An American Marriage more than I did, but I'm still very glad I read it. I'm now trying to work my way through the Women's Prize longlist.
I've never read anything by Mary Lawson but you and Laura have convinced me to alter that!
Enjoy the weekend!
202DeltaQueen50
Hi Ellen, I enjoyed that list of 100 women authors. I've read something by 54 of them but that leaves a lot of reading for me to do - but I think I am up for the task!
203charl08
>192 EBT1002: This sounds sweet, I've not come across it before.
>200 EBT1002: I enjoyed this - and can imagine it could be quite a powerful reading experience for those living with the same experiences as the characters.
I've added Crow Lake too, so this has been a weighty visit in terms of my wishlist!
>200 EBT1002: I enjoyed this - and can imagine it could be quite a powerful reading experience for those living with the same experiences as the characters.
I've added Crow Lake too, so this has been a weighty visit in terms of my wishlist!
204karenmarie
Hi Ellen!
I'm so far behind, but want to particularly comment on the wonderful Cherry Blossom photos and yet another nudge from the Literary Gods that I need to get and read Turtles All The Way Down.
>159 EBT1002: Oh, and I've read 31 of the authors on that list.
I'm so far behind, but want to particularly comment on the wonderful Cherry Blossom photos and yet another nudge from the Literary Gods that I need to get and read Turtles All The Way Down.
>159 EBT1002: Oh, and I've read 31 of the authors on that list.
205jessibud2
Hi Ellen,
Of that Abesbooks 100 list: I have read 30 of the authors listed and own but have yet to read, 9 others. I will admit that there are also a few whose work I have tried but couldn't get through. Oh well....
Hope you're having a great weekend!
Of that Abesbooks 100 list: I have read 30 of the authors listed and own but have yet to read, 9 others. I will admit that there are also a few whose work I have tried but couldn't get through. Oh well....
Hope you're having a great weekend!
206ffortsa
>199 majleavy: I haven't read her in years (Ellen, we are at it again), but recall finding her very melodramatic. I may have been reading Them. Maybe I have to try her again. Do you have any particular favorites?
207majleavy
>206 ffortsa: Judy, gracious Ellen, and everyone in the house: I'd recommend Bellefleur, the first of her Gothic Saga. It's a generational saga (7 generations in upstate New York), rife with magic realism and playful tweaks of the conventions of the traditional epic-domestic saga and the notions of American destiny conveyed therein. The melodramatic tendency you note finds a home in the over-heated genre conventions she explores. (At least that's how I remember it - 'sbeen 30+ years since I read it.
208Donna828
Hi Ellen. I followed the meet-up and your delays getting home on FB. I would have loved to have been in Philadelphia with all the lovely people but maybe not under those conditions. Nobody looks unhappy, though. I'm sure it was great fun.
>130 EBT1002: I've also read four of the "Orange" books but not all the same ones. I hardly ever use emjois on the laptop and had to remember how to find them. 😉 They make a cute and clever way to mark your books read.
>159 EBT1002:: I will have to see how many of those woman authors I've read. I thought it was a great list -- one that I wouldn't attempt to make. Too many good woman authors out there to pick and choose from.
ETA: I've read 72. Emily St. John Mandel will be in my city next month. We don't get too many author visits so I am excited about it.
>130 EBT1002: I've also read four of the "Orange" books but not all the same ones. I hardly ever use emjois on the laptop and had to remember how to find them. 😉 They make a cute and clever way to mark your books read.
>159 EBT1002:: I will have to see how many of those woman authors I've read. I thought it was a great list -- one that I wouldn't attempt to make. Too many good woman authors out there to pick and choose from.
ETA: I've read 72. Emily St. John Mandel will be in my city next month. We don't get too many author visits so I am excited about it.
209LovingLit
>195 EBT1002: ...reading every one of the male writers central to his conception of the world of literature.
It is so good though, that you can see what drove him. So many wouldn't be able to articulate his perspective at all, and just get wound up. I can see why you disagreed with him on this one.
Also, Crow Lake sounds like an important lesson on self-reflection. The old meetup nudge worked its magic huh?? (What a supportive team we are.)
It is so good though, that you can see what drove him. So many wouldn't be able to articulate his perspective at all, and just get wound up. I can see why you disagreed with him on this one.
Also, Crow Lake sounds like an important lesson on self-reflection. The old meetup nudge worked its magic huh?? (What a supportive team we are.)
210BLBera
Hi Ellen. I hope you're having a marvelous weekend.
>199 majleavy: I've never been much of an Oates fan...
>199 majleavy: I've never been much of an Oates fan...
211EBT1002
21. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
"The way he talked about thoughts was the way I experienced them -- not as a choice but as a destiny. Not a catalog of my consciousness but a refutation of it."
"I like short poems with weird rhyme schemes, because that's what life is like."
Aza is sixteen and suffers from OCD. She and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, happen upon some information relating to the disappearance of a local billionaire and decide to investigate. After all, there is a $100K reward for information leading to his whereabouts and subsequent prosecution for illegal financial activity. Their adventure leads them to the billionaire's son, Davis, who has been left to care for his younger brother. The plot shifts then; the search for the billionaire father is somewhat tabled and the developing relationships among these young people becomes much more the focus. The mystery of the missing man lurks in the background and serves as an anchor around which the story can spiral but this is not a mystery story. It's a rich story of life as a teenager and a compassionate portrayal of mental illness.
All these teenagers are smart. All of them have lost parents. And all of them are good-hearted and all of them are confused by the crazy adult world swirling around them. Aza's narrative voice is compelling, her terror at the thought of succumbing to some terrible infection and her inability to stop. thinking. about. it! is so brilliantly presented by Green. Daisy is clever and direct and hilarious. She's exactly the best friend anyone would want to have. And Davis is a lonely young man isolated from the world by his father's wealth.
I couldn't put this book down. I absolutely loved it.
"The way he talked about thoughts was the way I experienced them -- not as a choice but as a destiny. Not a catalog of my consciousness but a refutation of it."
"I like short poems with weird rhyme schemes, because that's what life is like."
Aza is sixteen and suffers from OCD. She and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, happen upon some information relating to the disappearance of a local billionaire and decide to investigate. After all, there is a $100K reward for information leading to his whereabouts and subsequent prosecution for illegal financial activity. Their adventure leads them to the billionaire's son, Davis, who has been left to care for his younger brother. The plot shifts then; the search for the billionaire father is somewhat tabled and the developing relationships among these young people becomes much more the focus. The mystery of the missing man lurks in the background and serves as an anchor around which the story can spiral but this is not a mystery story. It's a rich story of life as a teenager and a compassionate portrayal of mental illness.
All these teenagers are smart. All of them have lost parents. And all of them are good-hearted and all of them are confused by the crazy adult world swirling around them. Aza's narrative voice is compelling, her terror at the thought of succumbing to some terrible infection and her inability to stop. thinking. about. it! is so brilliantly presented by Green. Daisy is clever and direct and hilarious. She's exactly the best friend anyone would want to have. And Davis is a lonely young man isolated from the world by his father's wealth.
I couldn't put this book down. I absolutely loved it.
212FAMeulstee
>211 EBT1002: Thumbed your review, Ellen, I loved it as much as you did.
213EBT1002
I just want to let folks know that I'm pretty distracted these days. My interview is the last week in March and I have to give a presentation. I spent yesterday afternoon at the office working on said presentation. I'm not so anxious about whether I get the job or not -- at this point they have three finalists, all of whom are qualified for the job, and either I'm the best fit or I'm not, and all I can do is be myself and we'll see what happens -- but I don't want to make a fool of myself while I'm there.
So. I am reading and practicing and running and thinking and pretty much spending all my energy on (a) keeping up with the job I have and (b) managing my anxiety as I prepare for the interview. Sometimes reading is the best anxiety management strategy for me. Sometimes I need to go for a run. Always I need to breathe.
Still, this week is spring break and I expect to have some time to catch up a bit on threads so I will try to do that.
So. I am reading and practicing and running and thinking and pretty much spending all my energy on (a) keeping up with the job I have and (b) managing my anxiety as I prepare for the interview. Sometimes reading is the best anxiety management strategy for me. Sometimes I need to go for a run. Always I need to breathe.
Still, this week is spring break and I expect to have some time to catch up a bit on threads so I will try to do that.
215EBT1002
>196 Berly: Hi Kim!
I still haven't actually read (or listened to) anything by Roxanne Gay. I need to rectify this.
I also have not yet gotten to the second essay in We Were Eight Years in Power this weekend but we'll tag team through the rest of March and into April if that is okay with you.
>197 lauralkeet: Okay, I need to read Roxanne Gay.
I still haven't actually read (or listened to) anything by Roxanne Gay. I need to rectify this.
I also have not yet gotten to the second essay in We Were Eight Years in Power this weekend but we'll tag team through the rest of March and into April if that is okay with you.
>197 lauralkeet: Okay, I need to read Roxanne Gay.
216EBT1002
>198 BLBera: Hey Beth. I love your comment "the conversation continues." I mean, I don't love that the conversation continues but your observation that this discussion is still happening in the academy. It's why I'm struck by articles that point out that women and writers of color still find themselves in the minority in "best of..." kinds of lists. Honestly, working on a college campus, I think we simply must listen to our students. Some of them are saying they feel left out. It's our responsibility to include them, to elevate their voices, to create a culture in which they see themselves reflected.
Sorry. The "prep" for the interview is pretty much 24/7 these days.
I'm going to read something by Roxanne Gay in April. I just have to. I have the Olive Edition of Bad Feminist so maybe that will be the one.
Sorry. The "prep" for the interview is pretty much 24/7 these days.
I'm going to read something by Roxanne Gay in April. I just have to. I have the Olive Edition of Bad Feminist so maybe that will be the one.
217EBT1002
>199 majleavy: Hijack away, majleavy! I have only read a couple of works by JCO, Blonde and Zombie. I thought both were excellent. I have a copy of Missing Mom, on loan from my cousin, which I need to read and send back to him. What else would you particularly recommend?
218EBT1002
>201 vivians: Hi Vivian! Mark's warbling about The Heart's Invisible Furies got me early but I still haven't gotten around to reading it.
Regarding An American Marriage, I'll be interested to see how memorable it really ends up being for me. Sometimes I think I should wait at least two weeks before rating a novel to see how it has lasted for me. I think her use of letters to advance the story was what most captured my respect.
Oh yes, I do hope you read Crow Lake. I truly loved that one.
Regarding An American Marriage, I'll be interested to see how memorable it really ends up being for me. Sometimes I think I should wait at least two weeks before rating a novel to see how it has lasted for me. I think her use of letters to advance the story was what most captured my respect.
Oh yes, I do hope you read Crow Lake. I truly loved that one.
219EBT1002
>202 DeltaQueen50: "...I think I am up for the task!" I am confident that you are indeed that, Judy!
>203 charl08: I'm not remembering where I learned about Bingo Love, Charlotte. It arrived in the mail so I had clearly ordered it. It's a sweet little GN.
Turtles All the Way Down knocked my socks off. I agree that the experience reading it must be even more intense for those who are living with OCD, for whom the narrator's descriptions must resonate so deeply. Because I have experience working with clients with OCD, it rang true for me. Also, I liked the depiction of the therapist. I hate when novels over-sentimantalize or over-stereotype therapists.
Yay for adding Crow Lake to your list! It's a good one.
>203 charl08: I'm not remembering where I learned about Bingo Love, Charlotte. It arrived in the mail so I had clearly ordered it. It's a sweet little GN.
Turtles All the Way Down knocked my socks off. I agree that the experience reading it must be even more intense for those who are living with OCD, for whom the narrator's descriptions must resonate so deeply. Because I have experience working with clients with OCD, it rang true for me. Also, I liked the depiction of the therapist. I hate when novels over-sentimantalize or over-stereotype therapists.
Yay for adding Crow Lake to your list! It's a good one.
220EBT1002
>204 karenmarie: Karen, here is the link to the quad cam where you can see how the iconic UW cherry trees are coming along.
And I hope you do read Turtles All the Way Down. It's a pretty quick read and so satisfying.
And I hope you do read Turtles All the Way Down. It's a pretty quick read and so satisfying.
221EBT1002
>205 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! There are certainly a few on that list whose work I'm just not interested in. As we all know, someone else would come up with a different top-100 list. :-)
>206 ffortsa: I'm enjoying your conversation, Judy, so feel free to continue using my thread. xo
>207 majleavy: Okay, adding Bellefleur to my wish list. Thanks for the recommendation!
>208 Donna828: The snow storm came a few days after the meet-up, Donna, so it had little impact on our group. I was in town for a conference and it was at the very end of that conference that the nor'easter hit and wreaked its havoc.
I agree that I like the use of emojis to mark books read (or other things in lists we post on our threads). I need to revisit that Orange list and see what else I can shoehorn in this month or next.
"...one that I wouldn't attempt to make." Yeah, I pretty much avoid trying to make "best" anything lists. There are too many and my tastes are just not that discerning. But I'm impressed that you've read 72 of the 100 selected by that particular essayist.
>206 ffortsa: I'm enjoying your conversation, Judy, so feel free to continue using my thread. xo
>207 majleavy: Okay, adding Bellefleur to my wish list. Thanks for the recommendation!
>208 Donna828: The snow storm came a few days after the meet-up, Donna, so it had little impact on our group. I was in town for a conference and it was at the very end of that conference that the nor'easter hit and wreaked its havoc.
I agree that I like the use of emojis to mark books read (or other things in lists we post on our threads). I need to revisit that Orange list and see what else I can shoehorn in this month or next.
"...one that I wouldn't attempt to make." Yeah, I pretty much avoid trying to make "best" anything lists. There are too many and my tastes are just not that discerning. But I'm impressed that you've read 72 of the 100 selected by that particular essayist.
222BLBera
Turtles All the Way Down goes on my WL, Ellen. I understand your need to prepare. You will be a star, I'm sure, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
When They Call You a Terrorist also resonates with the idea that we are losing students of color in school because they don't see themselves in the curriculum. She talks about how she feels invisible in middle school. We can do better.
When They Call You a Terrorist also resonates with the idea that we are losing students of color in school because they don't see themselves in the curriculum. She talks about how she feels invisible in middle school. We can do better.
223EBT1002
>209 LovingLit: Thanks Megan. I was able to see his perspective (he was my dad and he was a very popular professor) but I think it encapsulates the essence of the tension we're experiencing in higher ed today. If making room means someone else, someone who has historically had a seat at the table or in the syllabus, no longer automatically gets a seat or a space. Well, are we ready to level the playing field that much?
Sorry. Mixed metaphors.
OH yeah, the old meet-up nudge magic was actively in play in Philadelphia. I loved Crow Lake.
>210 BLBera: Hi Beth. As you can see in >213 EBT1002: my weekend has been pretty focused on preparing for my interview. I've had two good runs, the daffodils are in full bloom all over the city, and next week is spring break, so all is good. I'm just having to manage my anxiety a fair bit.
Sorry. Mixed metaphors.
OH yeah, the old meet-up nudge magic was actively in play in Philadelphia. I loved Crow Lake.
>210 BLBera: Hi Beth. As you can see in >213 EBT1002: my weekend has been pretty focused on preparing for my interview. I've had two good runs, the daffodils are in full bloom all over the city, and next week is spring break, so all is good. I'm just having to manage my anxiety a fair bit.
224EBT1002
>212 FAMeulstee: Thanks Anita!
>222 BLBera: Thanks for the supportive words, Beth. Regardless of whether this job is the next one for me, I want to represent myself well.
I need to just go get a copy of When They Call You a Terrorist. I am listening to So You Want to Talk About Race and finding it quite good, too.
Yes to "we can do better."
>222 BLBera: Thanks for the supportive words, Beth. Regardless of whether this job is the next one for me, I want to represent myself well.
I need to just go get a copy of When They Call You a Terrorist. I am listening to So You Want to Talk About Race and finding it quite good, too.
Yes to "we can do better."
225EBT1002
22. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Christian Robinson
A charming and beautifully illustrated biography of Josephine Baker.
A charming and beautifully illustrated biography of Josephine Baker.
226majleavy
>217 EBT1002:, >221 EBT1002: Hi Ellen - glad that you're adding Bellefleur to the wish list. It's been so many years since I read her work extensively, that I'm no longer sure myself which are the best. A Bloodsmoor Romance and Mysteries of Winterthurn were for sure great pleasures. A couple of her YA books - Freaky Green Eyes and Big Mouth & Ugly Girl - stick in my mind as well (numerous of my students have enjoyed them). Either of the collections titled Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? is worth it just for the title story alone - one of the absolutely creepiest stories ever written. Talk about mounting dread!
I hope you bowl 'em over at your interview. No doubt you will.
I hope you bowl 'em over at your interview. No doubt you will.
227Familyhistorian
I finally caught up with your thread, Ellen. I think you have a good excuse for not keeping up since you have been traveling a lot. My excuse is that the threads are just too busy! The meet up sounds like it went well and you made great use of your extra day. You got me with a BB for Bingo Love which my library has on order. I am #1 on 4 copies! Best of luck with the presentation for your interview.
>171 msf59: That was a very interesting article. There was a link to another Guardian article about women writers on Beth's thread that was very interesting as well.
>171 msf59: That was a very interesting article. There was a link to another Guardian article about women writers on Beth's thread that was very interesting as well.
228humouress
>216 EBT1002: >222 BLBera: Hmm. I don’t pick up books based on the gender of the writer or their race. Of course, unless it’s obvious from their name, I’d have no idea about race. I’ll have to check my stats for gender balance; I think the last time I looked, it was not exactly even, but around there. Mind you, I stick mostly to fantasy rather than real life (or close to) which is fairly race/ gender blind for subject matter. But I could never make a ‘best of’ list, either. I just know I’d forget some really important ones and I’d probably come back later and wonder ‘why did I put that one on there?’
I went to school in two different countries/ continents and my kids are in a third and each place focused on the history/ geography of that country. Of course, none of them were America and I did science at university, so I can’t fairly comment on your experience.
Wishing you the best of luck with your prep.
Breathe. :0)
I went to school in two different countries/ continents and my kids are in a third and each place focused on the history/ geography of that country. Of course, none of them were America and I did science at university, so I can’t fairly comment on your experience.
Wishing you the best of luck with your prep.
Breathe. :0)
230lauralkeet
>211 EBT1002:, >219 EBT1002: I am sooo glad to see you loved Turtles All the Way Down as much as I did (I also gave it 5 stars). Green writes from personal experience in his depiction of OCD, but I'm still glad to hear it felt authentic from your professional point of view. Anyway, I agree with every single word of your review!
Good luck with your presentation, I can totally understand being distracted and anxious as you get ready for this. We're all here cheering for you!
Good luck with your presentation, I can totally understand being distracted and anxious as you get ready for this. We're all here cheering for you!
231jnwelch
Morning, Ellen!
Five stars for Turtles All the Way Down - yay! Excellent review - thumb from me, too.
I've no doubt you will be amazing, as always, in the interview and presentation. Sending lots of positive vibes as you get ready.
I enjoyed your positive reaction to The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker, and requested it from the library.
Five stars for Turtles All the Way Down - yay! Excellent review - thumb from me, too.
I've no doubt you will be amazing, as always, in the interview and presentation. Sending lots of positive vibes as you get ready.
I enjoyed your positive reaction to The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker, and requested it from the library.
232charl08
>211 EBT1002: Enjoyed this one too, great review. I must pick up a few more of his, I've enjoyed both I've read.
ETA - I hit post, and realised I must not have refreshed since this morning, as gazillions of other posts appeared. Thanks for the response to mine.
Hope your interview prep goes well, and the breathing too ;-)
ETA - I hit post, and realised I must not have refreshed since this morning, as gazillions of other posts appeared. Thanks for the response to mine.
Hope your interview prep goes well, and the breathing too ;-)
233jessibud2
I know you talk about the prep and managing the anxiety but I know you will do well in the interview. Is the anxiety heightened because this is something you want badly? The last time you came east for an interview, you seemed more ambivalent and more happy to have just had the experience of the interview. This sounds different. In any case, you are accomplished and confident enough that the anxiety will probably remain inside and not show on the outside! :-)
234jolerie
Thinking of you as you prepare for the interview. You are so right. Either you will be the right fit for it or not. Wishing you all the best!!
After seasonsoflove (Becca's) recommendation and now yours, TATWD is firmly on my list. :)
After seasonsoflove (Becca's) recommendation and now yours, TATWD is firmly on my list. :)
235EBT1002
>226 majleavy: Thanks for the recs. I will definitely seek out the title story, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" "...mounting dread" --- it sounds great!
>227 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Yeah, "keeping up" is just not in the cards in the same way it used to be. The good thing about that is that I'm adjusting (or trying to adjust) my expectations of myself and my definition of "caught up." I'm here, I'm engaged, and I feel like this group is one of the best things in my (wonderful) life. Having read every post on every thread is a thing of the past.
It seems that there is some momentum (that may be too generous a word) to elevate awareness of women writers and writers of color in recent months. I feel like I've read a few essays in various literary publications along these lines, starting with the Electric Lit list of books to be published this year that I linked to in >11 EBT1002:.
>227 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Yeah, "keeping up" is just not in the cards in the same way it used to be. The good thing about that is that I'm adjusting (or trying to adjust) my expectations of myself and my definition of "caught up." I'm here, I'm engaged, and I feel like this group is one of the best things in my (wonderful) life. Having read every post on every thread is a thing of the past.
It seems that there is some momentum (that may be too generous a word) to elevate awareness of women writers and writers of color in recent months. I feel like I've read a few essays in various literary publications along these lines, starting with the Electric Lit list of books to be published this year that I linked to in >11 EBT1002:.
236laytonwoman3rd
Having just attended the first meeting of the search committee for our library's new director, it's interesting to hear your perspective on the job possibility, Ellen. "Either I'm the right fit for it or I'm not". The woman heading the committee has done this so many times she's lost count, she says, but one thing she has learned is that just because a candidate is looking for a job doesn't mean he or she is looking for this job. The whole process should be designed to pick the best fit from among a pool of qualified candidates, but also to give the candidates the chance to see for themselves whether the fit is right. Important for both sides to see it that way, I'm sure. All objectivity aside, though, I'm absolutely sure you won't make a fool of yourself at the presentation!!
237EBT1002
>228 humouress: Hi Nina. I haven't done any checking of my own stats; I tend not to keep detailed stats about my reading but I hope I'm adding diversity to the authors I'm reading without that level of attention. It helps (for me) to be conscious of it.
Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder to breathe! I should probably stop eating chocolate, too....
>229 scaifea: Thanks Amber!
>230 lauralkeet: I thought Aza was a delightful and absolutely believable protagonist, Laura. Turtles All the Way Down will certainly be on my "favorites of 2018" list.
Thanks for the cheering!
Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder to breathe! I should probably stop eating chocolate, too....
>229 scaifea: Thanks Amber!
>230 lauralkeet: I thought Aza was a delightful and absolutely believable protagonist, Laura. Turtles All the Way Down will certainly be on my "favorites of 2018" list.
Thanks for the cheering!
238msf59
Wow! What a flurry of reviews. Good for you, Ellen. I especially enjoyed your take on Crow Lake, An American Marriage: A Novel & "Turtles". Thumbs for all 3.
Glad you enjoyed the Boyne essay and I hope you can get to Invisible Furies. I gave my copy to a friend, otherwise, I would have sent it your way.
Glad you enjoyed the Boyne essay and I hope you can get to Invisible Furies. I gave my copy to a friend, otherwise, I would have sent it your way.
239humouress
>237 EBT1002: NEVER stop eating chocolate. Unless you’re going to pass it to me instead.
I don’t keep stats either; I was referring to the LT tab at the top.
I don’t keep stats either; I was referring to the LT tab at the top.
240karenmarie
Hi Ellen!
>213 EBT1002: Good luck with your prep and anxiety management as you prepare for the job interview.
>220 EBT1002: Thank you. I’ve bookmarked it. I’ll get around to Turtles All the Way Down this year, guaranteed.
>213 EBT1002: Good luck with your prep and anxiety management as you prepare for the job interview.
>220 EBT1002: Thank you. I’ve bookmarked it. I’ll get around to Turtles All the Way Down this year, guaranteed.
241EBT1002
>231 jnwelch: Morning Joe. My review of Turtles All the Way Down doesn't hold a candle to Becca's remarkable review, but my enjoyment of the book was right up there with hers!
Thanks for the kind and encouraging words. I'm working to remind myself that I am who I am, I have what I have to offer, and I'm not perfect. There will indubitably be at least a couple of questions that catch me off guard or that I just don't answer well. The interview is almost two full days so I will have lots of time to let them know my strengths as well as my areas for learning.
I hope you enjoy the Josephine Baker biography. The art is charming and I learned a bit about her life.
>232 charl08: Hey Charlotte. Turtles All the Way Down is my first work by John Green. I think I was put off by all the hype around The Fault in Our Stars so I never read it. But if this one is any indication, I do want to read more of his works.
Thanks for the kind and encouraging words. I'm working to remind myself that I am who I am, I have what I have to offer, and I'm not perfect. There will indubitably be at least a couple of questions that catch me off guard or that I just don't answer well. The interview is almost two full days so I will have lots of time to let them know my strengths as well as my areas for learning.
I hope you enjoy the Josephine Baker biography. The art is charming and I learned a bit about her life.
>232 charl08: Hey Charlotte. Turtles All the Way Down is my first work by John Green. I think I was put off by all the hype around The Fault in Our Stars so I never read it. But if this one is any indication, I do want to read more of his works.
242EBT1002
>233 jessibud2: What an excellent post, Shelley. I don't know for sure whether I want this but since I have made it to the finalist stage (my trip to NY last year was still at the semi-finalist stage), I think I'm feeling like there is more at stake. This university is our counterpart across the state, my boss here knows my potential-future-boss well. I am pretty well-known around the state and I think I'm worried that I'll blow it and folks will think "huh, we thought she was pretty smart, but....not so much!"
I'm realizing as I write this (thank you for asking the questions!) that the feeling is a bit like what i experienced in college. I really wanted to major in English but my dad was an English professor at the college I attended. There was no way for me to major in English without taking a course from him (at least Shakespeare, which was 100% required, and probably at least one other course, as well). And I was terrified that he would find out that I was not as smart as he thought I was. I'm aware of the irrationality of this, but it is the emotional stuff that is dancing around inside me.
I go back to this: I love my current job and I love my current boss. I love most things about living in Seattle and, although the cost of living is outrageous, I have everything I need and many things that I want. This job would be a stretch for me and I'm probably ready for that stretch. And I will probably interview well but not perfectly. I cannot be anyone other than who I am, and I have both strengths and areas in which I would need to learn.
Once I figure out what my summary section/punch line for my presentation is going to be, I'll likely feel less anxious. Heh.
I'm realizing as I write this (thank you for asking the questions!) that the feeling is a bit like what i experienced in college. I really wanted to major in English but my dad was an English professor at the college I attended. There was no way for me to major in English without taking a course from him (at least Shakespeare, which was 100% required, and probably at least one other course, as well). And I was terrified that he would find out that I was not as smart as he thought I was. I'm aware of the irrationality of this, but it is the emotional stuff that is dancing around inside me.
I go back to this: I love my current job and I love my current boss. I love most things about living in Seattle and, although the cost of living is outrageous, I have everything I need and many things that I want. This job would be a stretch for me and I'm probably ready for that stretch. And I will probably interview well but not perfectly. I cannot be anyone other than who I am, and I have both strengths and areas in which I would need to learn.
Once I figure out what my summary section/punch line for my presentation is going to be, I'll likely feel less anxious. Heh.
243EBT1002
>234 jolerie: I'm glad Becca and I have persuaded you to get and read Turtles All the Way Down, Valerie. It is so good.
>236 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks for those comments, Linda. I do believe that at this stage all the finalists (I think there are three of us) are qualified. It's a matter of whose strengths most match what the organization needs.
*breathing*
>238 msf59: Hi Mark! Yeah, I figured it was time to get those reviews done! I've had a good run of reading and I always like that!
As soon as The Heart's Invisible Furies comes out in paperback, I'll probably go buy it.
Yesterday I impulsively bought a copy of All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld. I read the first page in the bookstore and I had to have it.
>236 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks for those comments, Linda. I do believe that at this stage all the finalists (I think there are three of us) are qualified. It's a matter of whose strengths most match what the organization needs.
*breathing*
>238 msf59: Hi Mark! Yeah, I figured it was time to get those reviews done! I've had a good run of reading and I always like that!
As soon as The Heart's Invisible Furies comes out in paperback, I'll probably go buy it.
Yesterday I impulsively bought a copy of All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld. I read the first page in the bookstore and I had to have it.
244EBT1002
>239 humouress: I bought a bag of these yesterday, Nina. Very dangerous for me to have in my office when I'm (a) anxious, and (b) working on a presentation.
Ah, the tab at the top of LT. I should check that out.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>240 karenmarie: Thanks for the encouragement, Karen.
And I hope you enjoy the cherry trees on the UW quad!
I'll post this link again for folks:
Here is the link to the quad cam where you can see how the iconic UW cherry trees are coming along.
Ah, the tab at the top of LT. I should check that out.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>240 karenmarie: Thanks for the encouragement, Karen.
And I hope you enjoy the cherry trees on the UW quad!
I'll post this link again for folks:
Here is the link to the quad cam where you can see how the iconic UW cherry trees are coming along.
245EBT1002
In books:
I'm almost done with the delightful Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos. I had insomnia last night so I read several chapters late into the wee hours.
And I'm listening to So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo and I can tell that this is going to go on my "required reading" list. I listened to the chapter about police brutality this morning. It was heartfelt, informative, and eye-opening for me.
I'm almost done with the delightful Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos. I had insomnia last night so I read several chapters late into the wee hours.
And I'm listening to So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo and I can tell that this is going to go on my "required reading" list. I listened to the chapter about police brutality this morning. It was heartfelt, informative, and eye-opening for me.
246vivians
Thanks for the great link - those trees really look beautiful (especially from the perspective of a predicted snowfall of 6-12 inches here tomorrow!).
I'm thinking about all your prep work and sending you best wishes for a successful presentation. I think you're in an enviable situation because both options, staying on or moving, are appealing in their own way. Lots of good thoughts on their way!
I'm thinking about all your prep work and sending you best wishes for a successful presentation. I think you're in an enviable situation because both options, staying on or moving, are appealing in their own way. Lots of good thoughts on their way!
247jessibud2
>242 EBT1002: - Oh! Is this interview for that same job as earlier? I must have missed that bit of info. That does put a whole new spin on it, in some ways. Still, it shouldn't change much in terms of prep or performance. And things will turn out how they will turn out! As Canadian singer/songwriter Jann Arden says:
Feet on ground
Heart in hand
Facing forward
Be yourself
:-)
Feet on ground
Heart in hand
Facing forward
Be yourself
:-)
248EBT1002
>246 vivians: "...especially from the perspective of a predicted snowfall of 6-12 inches here tomorrow!" Oh dear. March can be so crazy weather-wise. We have definitely had a taste of spring for the past few days (sunny to partly cloudy with lows in the 30s and highs in the 50s) but it's supposed to get rainy and windy tomorrow.
I just had a nightmare regarding my presentation. I was looking for the outline (I have a Word outline and a Powerpoint slide show) and Could. Not. Find. It. on my computer. One of my colleagues came and it took him almost 15 minutes to find the temp file and recover it for me. Oh. My. Goddess. I totally owe him something. He saved my butt. I was telling myself I could recreate it BUT.... my heart was just racing.
I now have a hard copy and I made another electronic copy, as well. It's saved twice, in fact, under two different names.
WHEW.
I just had a nightmare regarding my presentation. I was looking for the outline (I have a Word outline and a Powerpoint slide show) and Could. Not. Find. It. on my computer. One of my colleagues came and it took him almost 15 minutes to find the temp file and recover it for me. Oh. My. Goddess. I totally owe him something. He saved my butt. I was telling myself I could recreate it BUT.... my heart was just racing.
I now have a hard copy and I made another electronic copy, as well. It's saved twice, in fact, under two different names.
WHEW.
249EBT1002
>247 jessibud2: Nope, this is a different job, Shelley. I had an "airport" interview for a job in New York last fall, did not make it to the finalist stage. For this one, which is in eastern Washington, they didn't do "airport" interviews but did skype/phone. I did that and was advanced to the finalist stage. So now I'm one of three candidates they are bringing to campus for 2+ day interviews.
I LOVE that set of lyrics by Jann Arden. I'm printing that and saving it. Thank you.
I LOVE that set of lyrics by Jann Arden. I'm printing that and saving it. Thank you.
250EBT1002
>239 humouress: Just for the heck of it, I checked. Authors in my library (so, this includes "To Read" and "Wish List" as well as read categories) are 51.4% male, 48.6% female. LT doesn't recognize trans-identified authors.
76% of the authors in my collections are living.
76% of the authors in my collections are living.
251Caroline_McElwee
I'm glad the presentation is safe Ellen.
How wonderful it must be to walk under those trees.
How wonderful it must be to walk under those trees.
252laytonwoman3rd
>248 EBT1002: That's the kind of nightmare I've had all my life---at first I didn't realize you were saying it had actually happened! As we used to say at work, I'd have taken the bridge.
253EBT1002
>251 Caroline_McElwee: Me too, Caroline! I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare.
The trees are stunning for this one week every year. I love them.
>252 laytonwoman3rd: It felt like a nightmare, Linda, but it was reality. I was beside myself. But it turned out okay in the end.
I still don't know how I'm going to end/wrap up my presentation but I'll figure that out.
"I'd have taken the bridge." I think I should get that but I don't.....
The trees are stunning for this one week every year. I love them.
>252 laytonwoman3rd: It felt like a nightmare, Linda, but it was reality. I was beside myself. But it turned out okay in the end.
I still don't know how I'm going to end/wrap up my presentation but I'll figure that out.
"I'd have taken the bridge." I think I should get that but I don't.....
254EBT1002
23. Quesadillas by Juan Pablo Villalobos
"Everyone wants normal quesadillas."
This little novel was hilarious and heartbreaking. Set in Mexico, it's an exploration of deep poverty told with a wry voice and a generous portion of magical realism. Orestes (Oreo) and his siblings, all named after Greek mythological beings, live with their parents in "a shoebox" on the outskirts of a nothing town. They subsist largely on quesadillas, family arguments, and a tenuous relationship with reality. When a wealthy man builds a mansion next door, the pretend twins Castor and Pollux disappear, and Oreo sets off with his eldest brother to find them. Epic adventures ensue, delightfully told in less than 200 pages.
Thanks to Richard for nudging me to read this one sooner rather than later.
"Everyone wants normal quesadillas."
This little novel was hilarious and heartbreaking. Set in Mexico, it's an exploration of deep poverty told with a wry voice and a generous portion of magical realism. Orestes (Oreo) and his siblings, all named after Greek mythological beings, live with their parents in "a shoebox" on the outskirts of a nothing town. They subsist largely on quesadillas, family arguments, and a tenuous relationship with reality. When a wealthy man builds a mansion next door, the pretend twins Castor and Pollux disappear, and Oreo sets off with his eldest brother to find them. Epic adventures ensue, delightfully told in less than 200 pages.
Thanks to Richard for nudging me to read this one sooner rather than later.
255jnwelch
>254 EBT1002: Quesadillas sounds like a good 'un, Ellen (and Richard). I added it to the WL.
256EBT1002
>255 jnwelch: If you're willing to wait a couple of weeks, I'll send it to you, Joe!
257msf59
Ooh, I like the sound of All the Birds, Singing. You'll have to let me know how it is.
258katiekrug
Hi Ellen! I can understand your being a bit distracted lately, but I am so impressed with your overall attitude about the process.
You can put me down as another Joyce Carol Oates fan, and of Bellefleur especially. It may be my favorite of hers, though I haven't read more than half a dozen so far. Most recently, I read Carthage which was very good, and I remember liking Foxfire. And Susan recently read and loved one of her newest - A Book of American Martyrs. I hope to get to that one soon.
You can put me down as another Joyce Carol Oates fan, and of Bellefleur especially. It may be my favorite of hers, though I haven't read more than half a dozen so far. Most recently, I read Carthage which was very good, and I remember liking Foxfire. And Susan recently read and loved one of her newest - A Book of American Martyrs. I hope to get to that one soon.
259EBT1002
>257 msf59: I thought of you when I picked it up, Mark. I'll let you know what I think.
>258 katiekrug: I would like to read more JCO as the few that I've read were quite good. I can see how her style would land differently for different folks but I was struck by her talent.
>258 katiekrug: I would like to read more JCO as the few that I've read were quite good. I can see how her style would land differently for different folks but I was struck by her talent.
260jnwelch
>256 EBT1002: That would be fine, thanks, Ellen! I've got so many lined up to read, waiting a couple of weeks is no problema at all.
261laytonwoman3rd
>253 EBT1002: Well, here we have the Freedom Bridge, which is part of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and which passes over a significant portion of Clarks Summit, as you can see here:
For many years it was, unfortunately, a temptation to people who wanted to commit suicide. Approximately 10 years ago, a fence-barrier was completed to prevent anyone from going over the side. I assume it's not the only place where "taking the bridge" could be a euphemism for throwing it all away.
For many years it was, unfortunately, a temptation to people who wanted to commit suicide. Approximately 10 years ago, a fence-barrier was completed to prevent anyone from going over the side. I assume it's not the only place where "taking the bridge" could be a euphemism for throwing it all away.
This topic was continued by Ellen reads freely in 2018 - Thread 6.
