Mamie's 2019 Madness (Page 2)

Hello, all, and welcome. I'm Mamie...51 year old married mother of four (ages 20, 22, 24, 26) currently residing in Georgia, where it is always hot and humid except for approximately four weeks of the year (not necessarily consecutive weeks, mind). In addition to reading, I love wine, snark, shenanigans and coffee - pretty much in that order. I believe with my whole heart that kindness matters.

This year will be my eighth one amongst this group that is so full of fabulous. I have learned much - like how to love non-fiction, how to properly chill champagne glasses, the best way to remove seeds from a pomegranate, which sunscreen to purchase if one is traveling to California, that some people actually believe that hot water is a beverage...but, I digress. My plans for this year are to once again walk the cat, which means I will just go wherever my reading whims take me. I did a very good job of reading my own books last year, but this year I would like to focus on reading my physical books, so I am setting a goal of reading 50 print books that I have owned prior to this year. I tend to read a lot of books on Kindle and increasingly listen to more audiobooks as my carpal tunnel has been giving me fits for the past several years - hoping to have the surgery to correct it this year, so please cross your fingers. And now, as Max would say, "Let the wild rumpus start!"

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Completed in January:
1. How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, 2018 acquired audiobook, non-fiction/essays/feminism - Katie's Dirty Dozen
2. Nerve by Dick Francis, 2018 acquired mass market paperback, mystery - recommended by Julia and read for the Dick Francis GR
3. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher, 2009 acquired ebook, urban fantasy (Dresden Files, book 7)
4. The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal, 2018 acquired ebook, science fiction/alternate history (Lady Astronaut, book 1)
5. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 2009(?) acquired paperback, classic

Katie’s Dirty Dozen - That’s right, folks, KAK’s reserved spot is back for a fifth year, let’s see what she hits me with this time.

From 2019:
1. What Girls Learn by Karin Cook
2. Partitions by Amit Majmudar

From 2018:
1. The North Water by Ian McGuire - Mark and Judy loved this one, too. And also Richard, though a weentsy tidge less.
2. How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - go with the audio COMPLETED 1/3/19 4 stars
3. Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat
4. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan - Katie says for when I'm in the mood for something light and recommends the audio
5. When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman - Katie mentioned on Joanne's thread that she loved this one COMPLETED 10/29/18 4.5 stars
6. Matilda by Roald Dahl - the audio narrated by Kate Winslet COMPLETED 4.5 stars
7. Come Hell or Highball by Mala Chance - saw this first on Katie's thread and then Meg's enthusiasm sold it to me
8. The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif - Katie says,"...one of my very favorite books - easily in my top 10."
9. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
10. How to be Safe by Tom McAllister
11. Georgia: A Novel by Dawn Tripp
12. Sunburn by Laura Lippman
13. The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor - she mentioned on Karen's thread that this is one of her all time favorite books
14. West by Carys Davies

From 2017:
1. Everyday people by Stewart O'Nan (linked short stories)
2. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
3. Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin (memoir) COMPLETED 11/1/18
4. The Golden Legend by Nadeem Aslam
5. Personal History by Katherine Graham
6. Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
7. Taft by Ann Patchett
8. Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
9. Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
10. The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett
11. Snow in August by Pete Hamill - Katie mentioned how much she loved this one over on the AAC thread after Mark had posted the list for next year

From 2016:
1. Kamchatka by Marcelo Figueras
2. Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard
3. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez - seconded by Charlotte and Susan
4. In the Walled City by Stewart O'Nan COMPLETED 8/12/16 3.8 stars
5. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - she recommended the audio, and don't speed it up COMPLETED 4 stars
6. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo COMPLETED 7/21/16 5 stars
7. Ruby by Cynthia Bond - seconded by Charlotte
8. Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming - she recommends the audio read by Cummings himself COMPLETED 3/01/18 4.5 stars
9. Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan
10. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye - Roberta also loved this, Katie says the audio is great, purchased 5/15/16
11. The Jaguar's Children by John Vaillant COMPLETED 1/2018 4.5 stars
12. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi COMPLETED 10/2/16 5 stars
13. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat - she pointed out that this was only $1.99 on Kindle and that it was one of her very favorites, purchased 7/13/16
14. Tribal: College Football and the Secret Heart of America by Diane Roberts
15. Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon
16. Nutshell by Ian McEwan COMPLETED 1/2017 5 stars
17. Black River by S. M. Hulse

AND, from 2015:
1. The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey ($1.99 on Kindle), purchase on 2/18/15 COMPLETED 8/19/16 5 stars
2. Bright's Passage by Josh Ritter (2.99 on Kindle), purchased on 2/23/15
3. The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly ($3.79 on Kindle), purchased on 3/31/15 COMPLETED 11/7/15 4.2 stars
4. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler ($12.77 trade paperback), purchased on 4/1/15, COMPLETED read for Mark's AAC in January 2016, 4.25 stars
5. Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker ($.99 on Kindle), purchased on 4/9/15 - second book in a series, first book Dreamland was recommended by Katie and purchased last year
6. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing - used an Audible credit COMPLETED 6/16/15 4.9 stars
7. Academy Street by Mary Costello ($9.99 on Kindle), purchased on 6/12/15 COMPLETED 7/2/16 5 stars
8. Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn ($5.99 on Kindle), purchased on 8/28/15
9. Sweetland by Michael Crummey ($.99 on Kindle), purchased 9/5/15 COMPLETED 11/19/15 4.5 stars
10. If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins ($7.99 on Kindle), purchased on 10/26/15

The Chosen Ones - my 2019 list of book bullets:
1. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker - recommended by Susan
2. Well-Read Black Girl by Gloria Edim - recommended by Beth
3. The Murder of Harriet Monckton by Elizabeth Haynes - recommended by Susan
4. Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher - Heather
5. The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai - Bonnie
6. Rain: Four Walks in English Weather by Melissa Harrison - Carrie
7. Snapshot by Gary Disher - series recommended by Richard
8. An Unwanted Guest by Shari La Pena - Susan again
9. In Her Blood by Annie Hauxwell - Charlotte by way of Susan who says, "The series that is not about nuns is by Annie Hauxwell and it's the "Catherine Berlin" series. Charlotte just finished "A Morbid Habit", which totally sounds like it should be nun-related, but it's not. The *first* one is In Her Blood."
10. Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift - Beth
11. The Ravenmaster by Christopher Skaife - Susan. Again.
12. How to be Both by Ali Smith - Helen

My 2019 Data:

Print Books (Acquired before 2019) Read From My Stacks: 0/50

Books read: 5
Group/Shared Read: 2 (Nerve, The Scarlet Letter)

Books that are part of a series: 2
In Translation: 0
Rereads: 1
GNs: 0

Format:
hardback:
paperback: 2
ebook: 2
audio: 1
audio/print or ebook combo:

Borrowed: 0 (local public library), 0 (FLP)
Acquired in 2018 or earlier: 5
Acquired in 2019:

Authors:
Living: 3
Dead: 2

Male: 3
Female: 2

American: 3
Canadian: 0
English: 1
Welsh: 1

New to me authors: 1

fiction: 4
non-fiction: 1

Genres/category:

non-fiction/memoir: 1
non-fiction/essays:
non-fiction/film history:
non-fiction/history:
non-fiction/politics:

classic: 1
literary fiction/contemporary fiction:
literary fiction/espionage
literary fiction/historical fiction:

crime fiction/espionage:
crime fiction/mystery: 1
crime fiction/noir:
crime fiction/police procedural:

romance:

weird fiction:
dystopian:
fantasy:
urban fantasy: 1
sci fi: 1

juvenile fiction:
YA:

play:
short stories:


LT Recommendations Read:

Katie's Dirty Dozen - 1
Julia - 1

Reading 50 Print Books From my Own Shelves (acquired before 2019):


Penguin Clothbound Classics:


Penguin Deluxe Classics (with deckled edge pages!!!):
1. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne


Everyman's Library Editions:


Europa Editions:


Virago Modern Classics:


Penguin Orange Collection (totally Charlotte's fault):


Pedestrian Books (or Everything Else):

This should do it - next one's yours!

First?!?

ETA: Woot!

>8 Crazymamie: Way to go, Katie!!! Come on in and put your feet up:

Congratulations, Mamie, on your second thread of 2019!

Thank you, Lynda!

Happy New Thread, Mamie! Love that topper. I recently revisited The Great Gatsby and loved it, even more.

Sweet Thursday, my friend.

>13 msf59: Thank you, Mark! You know I have BIG love for The Great Gatsby - I reread it every few years, and it always has something to say to me.

Sweet Thursday to you!

Not first, but not worst. I'll take what I can get.

>15 weird_O: Words to live by, Bill.

Happy new thread! Looks like I’m going to have to work to get on the Chosen One List...

>17 drneutron: Thank you, Jim! And right - you need to get busy.

Happy New Thread Mamie!!

Thanks to the latter parts of your previous thread I've added High Rising to my library list. Thanks for bringing the series to my attention.

Happy number two in the hit parade, Mamie!

>19 SuziQoregon: Thanks, Juli! And you're welcome. Bonus points for finishing the previous thread.

>20 karenmarie: Thank you, Karen!

Wow, 10 days into the year and you're on your second thread! Congratulations and thanks for the help over at my place :)

Hi there.

May I come in?

>22 RebaRelishesReading: Thanks, Reba! And it was my pleasure.

>23 richardderus: Well, hello there! Yes, indeedy, come right on in and welcome!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread! Just in time for Friday! :-)

Happy new thread, Mamie. I'm all atwitter over the new Jackson Brodie book!

*gasp*
Another thread already? Happy 2nd!

Happy New Thread, but this can't be good for the carpal tunnel!

Happy new thread, Mamie. At the time that Kate Atkinson was doing the rounds for Transcription she had already finished the latest Jackson Brody. She got a very enthusiastic response from the audience when she announced that!

Happy New one Mamie! That was speedy... I'm another one eagerly awaiting the next Jackson Brodie.

Happy new thread, Mamie.

Happy new thread, Mamie! Hope you are having a wonderful Friday

>26 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita!

>27 cbl_tn: Thanks, Carrie! I love me a Friday!

>28 DeltaQueen50: Thank you, Judy! Me, too, with the Jackson Brodie love.

I've got several books "penned" by Kate Atkinson. On the TBR Watch List. Unread by me. I think I'd add another Brodie to that.

>29 AMQS: Haha! Thanks, Anne.

>30 ronincats: Thank you, Roni! I type in bits and spurts, plus this is the only social media I do. No phone games, no texting - I am not giving up LT, too.

>31 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! I am so excited about the Jackson Brodie - I thought she wasn't going to write any more of them.

>32 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! All the excitement over the new Jackson Brodie is so fun.

>33 Helenliz: Thank you, Helen!

>34 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! Fridays are always my favorite - they just have a different vibe to them. Olus, Craig only works a half day on Fridays.

>36 weird_O: Bill. BILL! You need to make Jackson a priority - he is full of fabulous.

Happy new thread, Mamie!

TGIF.

That is all.

>39 susanj67: Thank you, Susan! Agreed.

>38 Crazymamie: Sure, sure, sure. But I am stumbling over fabulous every hour of every day. Just not recognizing how fabulous each fabulous is when I trip over it and mash my face into that puddle of fabulousness. Ya know?

ETA: Right now I am finding The Count of Monte Crisco Cristo pretty fab. I'm sticking with it.

Jackson. Brodie. Let's try to focus, Bill.

The Count of Monte Crisco made me laugh - nicely done.

Happy new thread, Mamie. The copy of The Great Gatsby loves well read.

>43 BLBera: Thank you, Beth. It does, indeed - mine is also well read, but it is in much better shape.

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

I think Jason Isaacs makes a good Jackson Brodie, don't you? Of course, I like him in anything.

I loved The Count of Monte Cristo. One of those rare classics that is also a fun read.

>45 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

Yep - I love him as Jackson, and also in anything else. *grin*

I am familiar with the story, but I have never read the book. Bad Mamie. Maybe this year - I love listening to classics like this, so maybe I'll check out who narrates it on Audible.

Happy new thread, Mamie!

Gladly mention that I finally read the book at the top last year.
And as usual, I keep the tradition I never get to comment twice on your threads ;-)

Hello Mamie! Happy new thread!

>36 weird_O: >45 jnwelch: I know little to nothing of this Jackson Brodie, but I did enjoy Jason Isaacs in Star Trek: Discovery recently.

>41 weird_O: I am also a uge fan of The Count of Monte Cristo. I am glad to hear you are enjoying it, weird_O!

Now I was under the delusion that I would keep up with your threads this year. So on your second thread I say Hi and have a *.

Happy new thread, Mamie.

*puff, pant* I'll just sit down quietly and recover from the effort of keeping up with you.

Good morning, Mamie! And happy second thread of the year!

>47 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita! Glad you finally got to The Great Gatsby - it's a favorite of mine. And I am always happy to see you whenever you have time to stop in. *grin*

>48 brodiew2: Hey, Brodie! Thank you. Jason Isaacs plays Jackson Brodie in the series Case Histories - there are two seasons of it, and he is very good. The name of the series comes from the title of the first book in Kate Atkinson's murder mystery series featuring that character. She wrote four books and then stopped. Now, years later she has a fifth book in the series coming out, which is what everyone is so excited about.

>49 BBGirl55: Hello, Bryony! Great to see you! *waves back*

>50 humouress: Thank you, Nina! Let's see if we can find you something refreshing after your efforts:



>51 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry! Thank you.

>Jackson Brodie. I have When Will There Be Good News? underpinning my entire Colossus of TBR. Read the first and the last (of the four currently in print). Don't have the second. Mayyyyybe I could read the Brodie I have, well, soon if not next.

>The Count of Monte Cristo. It's a page turner, alright. Got about 50 pages to go. The Man in the Iron Mask is available if I am sufficiently brave/nuts to extract it from the above-cited Colossus of TBR, a.k.a. The Jenga of TBR.

Bill, When Will There be Good News is my absolute favorite.

The Jenga of TBR cracked me up. Be careful.

>55 Crazymamie: The basement rooms that house the stacks are placarded as Hard Hat areas. :-)

Good thinking. And perhaps steel-toed boots.

I decided it was time to rewatch Case Histories while it's still available through Prime Video. I'm blaming your thread! ;-)

>2 Crazymamie: You changed puppies!

Checking in before you get too far into this thread or onto the next one. I think you liked The Great Gatsby more than I did the time I read it or the time I listened to it.

Already?!?! Your thread is on fire! Love the Christmas mugs on your last thread. : )

Happy Sunday.

>58 cbl_tn: I am completely happy to shoulder the blame for that one, Carrie. Abby and I were also talking about watching them again - luckily, I own them on DVD, so there is no time pressure.

>59 EBT1002: I did, Ellen! Excellent observation - I found the corgi, which made me think of Lucy, so I went with that one this year. The cat will always remain the same because that one is in honor of you. Still makes me smile every time I see it.

>60 thornton37814: Hello, Lori! I have BIG love for The Great Gatsby - I have read it many times, and I love the audiobook narrated by Jake Gyllenhaal. He delivers it perfectly, IMO. Plus, he is easy on the eyes:

>61 Berly: Hey there, Kim! Lovely to see you here! I'm glad you like the mug shot on the previous thread.

Happy Sunday to you, my friend!

Morning, Mamie. Happy Sunday. Looking forward to a lazy day with the books. I have not had one of those in awhile. I know, Unsheltered has been getting some mixed reviews but I am enjoying it, in the early going.

Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! Me, to with the lazy daying. Of course, we will watch the Eagles game this afternoon - Daniel and Abby's teams playing each other, so there will be a lot of trash talk at the Pecan Paradisio.

I have not read any Kingsolver, believe it or not, although I do have one in the stacks somewhere.

>62 Crazymamie: Aaaaah, Jake! What a face to greet you in the morning!
Have a lovely Sunday, Mamie!
I loved The Count of Monte Cristo, I hear The Three Muskateers is a must read too.

A second thread! How awesome. How do you know when to make another? Also, I'm gonna take up some of those books on that Dirty Dozen list of yours, thought it was pretty cool

>66 Carmenere: Thank you, Lynda - hoping your Sunday is full of wonder. And I know, right, with that face?!

I have The Three Musketeers in the stacks as a Penguin Deluxe Classics, but not The Count of Monte Cristo - I would like to read both of them eventually.

>67 vikzen: Hello, Vic! You can make a new thread any time after you have 150 posts in your current thread (if you want the threads to automatically connect, which means that people who have starred you also get the link automatically). After 150 posts, a link appears at the very bottom of your thread, and you can click on that to create your new thread. I usually like to do it when the thread gets somewhere between 200-250 posts because when it gets that long, it can be hard for some people's computers to load the thread.

Help yourself to the Dirty Dozen - it's a list of Katie recommended reads that I have collected over the years. This is the fifth year that I have had an actual reserved spot for it on my threads.

Thanks so much for stopping in - lovely to see you here.

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

Bill's watching football and I'm trying to catch up on threads. I won't get completely caught up, but I made some good inroads today. Now it's off to read!

>65 Crazymamie: Daniel and Abby's teams playing each other, so there will be a lot of trash talk at the Pecan Paradisio. Love it!

Hi Mamie, That's exciting about a new Jackson Brodie book! I like all of the Kate Atkinson books I've read but the Jackson Brodie books are my favorites. They are in my "Unputdownable" category.

Congrats on Thread No. 2.
I probably won't be able to stay caught up with you but it's certainly fun trying!

Checking in on the new thread, Mamie!

Ha!! I had to start *my* second thread today, too, so there NYAH Miss Popularity 2019!

*smooch*

I'm a big fan of Kate Atkinson. I really loved Transcription last year.
And knowing that a new Jackson Brodie is in the works - what more could a book lover ask?

I figured you'd have to forgive me if I posted it on Sunday and it's anti-Baja Tuesday.

Hi, Mamie! I don't think that I got to your first thread, and here you are with another . . .

I'm glad to hear that Atkinson is working on another Jackson Brodie book.

Good morning, Mamie! I hope the weekend treated you well.

>68 Crazymamie: OHmygosh, Mamie, you would absolutely love both The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo!

(I have that PDC of TTM, too - it's gorgeous!)

Hi Mamie, Welcome to *that* day of the week again.

Morning, All! The weekend was a good one - I got a lot of reading done, watched the football games, and got caught up on some household stuff. The weather was cooler, which was lovely, and we should get a few more days of it before climbing back into the 70s. My goal for this week is to get back into walking regularly.

On the reading front, I am loving everything that I have going currently except for my audiobook. The fact that four of them are print books off my shelves is awesome. I am using challenges to nudge my reading, but I have absolutely no intentions of finishing any challenges in their entirety. *grin* Here's what I have in the works:


Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King - that I even own this book is completely Ellen's fault. Those of you who followed her thread last year will remember her waxing poetic about her love of Olive Editions, which I had never heard of before. Ahem. Anyway, I ended up purchasing this one, and then set it aside because it is a thick paperback, and I was unable to manage holding those open last year. This year's first challenge for the Non-Fiction year long read is "Prizewinners (and Nominees!)", and Stasia mentioned that she would be reading this (it won the Pulitzer for Nonfiction in 2013), which reminded me that I had a copy of it. I am about one third of the way through it, and it is fascinating and devastating and heart-breaking.


The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn - I read this in high school, and I absolutely hated it. SO why do I own a copy of it? Because I fell in love with the gorgeous Penguin Deluxe Classics edition cover. *blinks* Anyway, there is a group read of it over in the Category Challenge Group - you can find it here: The Scarlet Letter GR. I checked in on the conversation, just to see what they were saying, and it made me want to revisit it and see what I thought all these years later. I want to hold my comments until I have finished it, but I am not hating it.


Total Chaos by Jean-Claude Izzo - This fits the January Series Cat challenge to read a book from a series in translation. I have this is my Europa World Noir collection (Katie's fault). It's the first of a trilogy, and it is full of fabulous so far - well written and intricate and interesting. The food descriptions remind me of those found in Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano books and in Martin Walker's Bruno Courrèges series (both of which I highly recommend).


The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal - This is completely delightful. Last year I read the short story The Lady Astronaut of Mars and absolutely loved it - I wanted more, and guess what? There is more! This novel goes back and tells her story. This is science fiction/alternate history, and it's really fun and well done. I'm about 60% of the way through it - reading this one on Kindle.


The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendahl - I started reading this last year on Kindle, and then Craig gave me a beautiful Everyman's Library edition of it for Christmas. Just reading this one slowly and enjoying the humor and the detail in it. It unfolds slowly, but the characters are fascinating, and I am enjoying the ride. I wanted to read this because it's one of the books mentioned in The English Patient (LOVE that book), and I have a goal of reading all the books mentioned in there.


Turn of the Screw by Henry James - listening to this one which is narrated by Emma Thompson (introduction is done by Richard Armitage). It fits the January ScaredyKIT: NPR 100 Favorite Horror Stories or 100 Killer Thrillers challenge. Not loving it, but I'm not hating it either. Feels like a tiny bit of a slog, to be honest, but we'll see what I think after I finish it.

>69 karenmarie: Hello, Karen! Keeping up with the threads is always impossible in January - I just try to dip in and out when I can.

Abby was thrilled that her Saints beat Daniel's Eagles. It was a very lively evening here, to say the least.

>70 Donna828: Hey, Donna! I agree about those Jackson Brodie books - that are all full of fabulous.

The threads will eventually slow down - I fell off last year, so I am hoping to keep up this year.

>71 alcottacre: Hello, Stasia! Thanks for checking in. And thanks so much for mentioning Devil in the Grove over on the non-fiction thread - you reminded me that I had that one in the stacks. It is a riveting read so far.

>72 richardderus: Your post made me laugh, Richard! And Katie beat both of us to the punch, so she is Miss Popularity, and we should just try to get a seat at her table. *smooch back*

>73 vancouverdeb: I still need to get to Transcription, Deborah. In fact, I have only read her Jackson Brodie books, but I have several others by her in the stacks.

>74 richardderus: Good thinking, BigDaddy. And...um...valium, please.

>75 tymfos: Hello, Terri! No worries about the first thread. I am thrilled you are here now.

Me, too, with the Brodie book - I really thought she wasn't going to write any more of those, so it feels like a bonus.

>76 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry, The weekend was full of wonder. Now, if we can just make it through today.

>77 scaifea: Agreed about that edition of TTM, Amber! I am really hoping to get to both of those in the next few years - I try to tackle one or two of the classics I missed along the way each year. This year I am wanting to get to Vanity Fair, and other than that, we'll see where the reading mood takes me.

Hello there, Helen! And thank you. Bonus points for not mentioning the M word.

Speaking of Devil in the Grove, the Florida governor has just issued pardons for the four men accused. After 70 years. I'm baffled by the disinterest of lawyers in high places in doing whatever possible to rectify and repudiate past injustices. See Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.

Morning, Mamie!

I remember liking The Scarlet Letter in high school, and then again when I had to read it in college. I will probably re-re-read it sometime soon(ish). I'm glad you're not hating it :)

The Scarlet Letter...wow. That takes me back. Hester, you hussy.

Devil in the Grove is one of those books I think will serve to raise my blood pressure...I think I'll stick to ain't-it-awful current affairs for my scream-incoherent-with-rage reading.

I Love Mary Robinette Kowal. Almost as much as Mary Roach and Rose George.

Morning dispatches delivered. *smooch*

>79 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie - I love The Scarlet Letter and am glad you are not hating it. That cover is lovely.

>83 weird_O: Bill, I saw that posted over on the non-fiction thread (I'm thinking Dejah posted about it) - it makes me sad and also very angry that it took 70 years. Yes, yes hooray for righting injustice, but why does it have to take so long?

>84 katiekrug: Hey there, Katie! I read it as a sophomore in high school, and I'm thinking that if I had read it as a senior, with the fabulous English teacher I had that year, I might have enjoyed it more. I had forgotten a lot of the nuances to the story.

>85 richardderus: Ha! And yes, Devil in the Grove would definitely raise your blood pressure - it's raising mine, which is why I just read a few chapters at a time and then set it aside.

Making a note of the other two authors that you mention - I have not read anything by them, but I have heard of Mary Roach. Her Packing for Mars would probably make an excellent pairing with The Calculating Stars, now that I think about it. What else have you read by Kowal?

I am honored to receive morning dispatches. *smooch back*

>86 BLBera: Hello, Beth! The cover is really beautiful. I am glad that I am giving the book a second go, as I am appreciating it more this time.

>87 Crazymamie: *ssshhh*

I read the Glamourist series Shades of Milk and Honey et alii but DON'T TELL ANYONE

Your secret is safe with me - I have that first one in the Kindle stacks.

>82 Crazymamie: Oh! I've got Vanity Fair lined up for soonish! I have it saved on audio...

>90 scaifea: I have it as a Penguin Clothbound classic and as an audiobook because I love to read and listen in tandem when I start a classic - once I have a good feel for it, then I can continue in that mode or switch back and forth as it suits me. My audiobook is narrated by Georgina Sutton - who does yours?

*back to add the image:

Hi Mamie. Loved Devil in the Grove when I read it a few Years ago; when I wasn’t incensed that is. The fact that Thurgood Marshall went on to the Supreme Court was icing on the cake.

If you haven’t read anything by Kate Atkinson but Jackson Brodie you need to remedy that Mamie. Don’t start with
Transcription though. Maybe Behind the Scenes at the Museum or Life After Life. Of course if you choose the latter you’ll have to follow it up with A God in Ruins but you won’t regret it.

I read The Scarlet Letter in college and remember liking it very much.

Hi Mamie, some fantastic books you are reading. Just to let you know that there's a vote happening on my thread 😊

>81 Crazymamie: Ha, well Katie used a not-so-secret-weapon to attract attention and get ahead of everybody. It increased posts almost as much as shenanigans.

Devil in the Grove sounds like a very important but aggravating book - understandable to be reading it in short bursts, Mamie.

Crazy--You've got some nerve!! Well, you did, now I have it. LOL Thanks for sending me the Dick Francis book. Can't wait to finish up something so I can get to it. And your gift saved an otherwise truly Monday Monday.

>91 Crazymamie: Oooh, that's lovely! I LOVE those so much.

Honestly, I don't know who reads my version. I'm terrible about paying attention to that unless it's some celebrity I have a crush on know. I check the audio cds out of the library, upload them to my itunes, and then return the cds sometimes long before I get to listening to them, and I don't make note of the readers. I should be better about paying attention to narrators...

'Morning, Mamie and happy non-you-know-what weekday!

I read The Scarlet Letter in high school, but pretty sure I didn't read it for class. I was one of those oddballs who read anything they could get their hands on.

>79 Crazymamie: I finished The Devil in the Grove and it is indeed 'fascinating and devastating and heart-breaking.' It gets more heart-breaking the further you go.

Okay, so I am abandoning Turn of the Screw - it might just be my mood, but it is not working for me. I might try it again later in the year. Or not. Heh. Nothing much on the agenda today except some boring household chores and making dinner, which will be Buffalo Chicken Salad, which is a Skinnytaste recipe - it's not on her blog, but here is the chicken:Buffalo Chicken Strips. Really yummy as a spinach salad with cucumber, blue cheese crumbles (or goat cheese), shredded carrot, celery, and tomatoes.

>92 brenzi: That's it exactly, Bonnie - it's a tough read. The writing is excellent and the story needs to be told, but it does rip your heart out as you read. Agree about Marshall.

I have both of the books that you mention by Atkinson in the stacks - I am leaning towards Scenes at the Museum.

The Scarlet Letter is turning out to be a surprise for me - I am really liking it.

>93 BBGirl55: Hello, Bryony! I'll be right over to help with the voting!

>94 Familyhistorian: I love when stuff like that happens, Meg! So fun.

Yep - short bursts so I can remain sane and also not explode.

>95 Berly: Your post made me laugh, Kim! SO glad that you got the book - I was very happy to be able to send it on. And I am thrilled to have put a bit of a happy dent in that most dreaded day.

>96 scaifea: Me, too, Amber! I try to only buy the ones I know I will read, but they are so beautiful that a couple of Dickens have slipped in. *blinks*

Too funny about the audio - that makes complete sense. The narrator is a key component to me, and I am very picky about who gets to read in my ear. I am always curious about who loves which narrators and why on LT. I do remember you have a penchant for Fry and Gaiman and Cumberbatch - all are adorable and tremendously talented. *happy sigh*

>97 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! I always happy to see Tuesday make an appearance. I think LT is pretty much a tribe of those kinds of people.

>98 alcottacre: Oof, Stasia. I am glad to be reading some lighter books along with it because it is a tough read. Good work with finishing it so quickly.

Good morning, Mamie! I think we only have one of the Penguin Clothbound Classics at present, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass:



We would probably have picked up more, but most of those that we would want we already owned. I also thought the construction of the book (as opposed to the appearance) a little less robust than I would have desired. That said, there's a reasonable chance that others will end up in our library if we run into them at library sales. :-)

Morning, Harry! Only one?! I don't mind having multiple copies of the same book if that book is a favorite of mine. I have multiple copies of Jane Austen's books, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath ...

Do you mind sharing what in particular you don't like about the construction? I have had many of mine for years, and they have held up fine, but they also don't get heavy use. I love how they look all lined up on my shelves - like little works of art.

>103 Crazymamie: While looking for that one, I discovered that we do have a second, The Wind in the Willows. But checking out that volume did confirm what I had disliked: the binding is glued, rather than sewn. There's no gainsaying the attractiveness of the exteriors, though.

We've largely gotten rid of duplicates over the years and try not to add them. I can think of a few exceptions, including Everyman editions of Sir Walter Scott's novels, which I've acquired or kept as being more portable and readable than the fine old Wanamaker (near) set we have with two novels in each volume.

>104 harrygbutler: Thanks for coming back, Harry. Glued binding - good point. I like duplicates, but I am weird that way - I love seeing different editions of my favorite books.

Those Everyman editions are a delight to read - I love how the paper feels, and the sizing is perfect.

>105 Crazymamie: I definitely understand the desire to amass the same books in multiple editions. I used to think I'd try that for a few authors, but that impulse has yielded to the need to maximize space for different books and to the realization that I really don't have the collector impulse — however much I might be an accumulator. :-)

It's not that I desire to amass (LOVE how you phrased that!) or that I seek out different editions, it's just that if I happen upon another edition of a favorite book, and I like that particular edition, I have no qualms about adding it to my library. Because I am a big re-reader, I know I will read the new edition and appreciate the differences in its presentation, adding to my enjoyment of the original, if that makes any sense.

>99 Crazymamie: yum!! Nate I had something similar for our work lunches last week. I just throw chicken in the slow cooker with buffalo wing sauce and a pack of ranch dip mix.

>108 ChelleBearss: I will have to try that, Chelle - I love using the slow cooker. The leftover buffalo chicken is also great in wraps.

*star*

>110 mckait: *happy dance*

Mornin' Mamie. Boy this thread has been busy in the last 24 hours! Glad you liked Scarlet Letter and The Devil in the Grove. I read Scarlet Letter in high school and loved it then and also really liked The Devil in the Grove when I read it a few years ago.

How's your wrist doing?

I read the Richard Pevear translation of The Three Musketeers a few years ago. Loved it!

I also own that Olive edition of Devil in the Grove along with about 9 other Olive editions thanks to Ellen. Haven't read it yet, though.

I tried to buy one of the Olive editions: no sign on Amazon. Sob. (!)

I was going tell you that I've started collection the Penguin Drop Cap collection.

But you already know that since YOU helped me start it. LOL!

Happy new(ish) thread!

>114 charl08: Charlotte, the Olive Editions are in print for less than a year. After they go O.P. they're not reprinted in that edition ever again. The current chocolate-dipped crack list is here.

Mamie dearest, I won't inflict my snarling ill temper on you. I'm off to eat soup and sulk because my dratted body is hurting.

Hi, Mamie. Late day check in. It is nice seeing you visiting the threads. Your good cheer, always makes me smile.

Cold one here today but my books kept me distracted.

Just checking in, Mamie! I have several clothbound classics, too. And I finally completed my Drop Caps collection.

Hope you are having a good week!

>112 RebaRelishesReading: Morning, Reba! I have not yet finished The Scarlet Letter and The Devil in the Grove, but I am really liking both of them.

My wrist is doing better - after consistent icing and wearing the splint at night, it has calmed down quite a bit. Now I just have to be careful not to over use it. It's more of a dull ache instead of constant pain, which is wonderful. Thanks for asking.

>113 SuziQoregon: I just checked, and that is the same translator used in my edition, Juli. There is a lot of love for this one, so I am excited to get to it.

The Devil in the Grove is my only Olive edition, and I don't know if I will collect any more of them despite their spartan beauty - I wish they were bigger. They are closer to a mass market paperback than a trade paperback, and therefore harder to hold open.

>114 charl08: Total bummer, Charlotte. *there, there, pat, pat*

>115 Morphidae: Too funny, Morphy, but I didn't know if you intended to collect the entire set. I have only the first one because it is Pride and Prejudice, which is my very favorite book. Those Drop Caps are stunning, and I really love that the edge of the pages are colored. And the size is perfect - LOVE those little hardbacks. But, they picked a lot of books that I already own copies of and don't really want more of - such as Lord of the Flies and The Joy Luck Club. They are so very gorgeous all lined up in a row, though - I have seen Katie's and Amber's collections when they posted photos.

And thank you for those good wishes!

>116 richardderus: I didn't know they were in print for less than a year - so interesting, Richard!

I am so very sorry to learn that you were suffering yesterday. I hope you are feeling better today - I'll come check on you, dearest.

>117 msf59: Hello, Mark! Thanks for checking in. I thank you for your kind words - means a lot to me. Today is our last day os 50s weather, and then we are headed back into the high 60s for a few days. I have been really enjoying the cooler temps - trying to soak them up as I know they cannot last in the Deep South.

>118 katiekrug: Hey there, Katie! I remember seeing all your Drop Caps lined up - so gorgeous, they are! And I also remember you and Mark both purchasing a few of those clothbound classics, which I also love.

SO far, so good with the week. Tomorrow is my niece's daughter's birthday - her very first one! Time flies - I can still remember the niece's first birthday, when I was...wait for it...sixteen!

Happy Humpday. *smooch*

SO full of beauty! Thank you, BigDaddy!! *smooch back*

Sweet peas are my favorite ishy-wimpy-pastel-cutesy-poopsie flowers. They are living watercolors. Cyclamens are the other ones I favor, being winter-bloomers up here. I think they fall into a swoon south of Pennsylvania.

Me, too, with the sweet pea love. And the cyclamens are stunning - so very cool that they are winter-bloomers. What a great pop of color! So cheerful.

Just checked the time. Good morning, Mamie. Yes, it's still morning.

I've amassed about four copies of The Scarlet Letter. I have a paperback that I read for English class in high school, a mass-market paperback one of my kids had from high school, a sturdy hardcover edition apparently marketed to schools for use year after year, and most recently acquired, a nice hardcover with dust jacket. I'll likely consign the mmp and the textbooky to a library sale. A recent re-read cleared the high-schoolish distain for it from my mind. Good read.

No idea where I'm going with it. I better have another cuppa.

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal, 2018 acquired ebook, science fiction/alternate history

I snapped this up after reading Kowal's novelette The Lady Astronaut of Mars, which you can read for free here: Tor.com. It won the 2014 Hugo for best novelette, and I can see why. I was thrilled to learn that Kowal wrote a two book series that goes back and gives us the story that comes before the one in the novelette. Very fun, and full of fabulous. Science fiction that is set in an alternate history 1950s America where, because of a massive meteorite strike that hits the the Eastern coast, scientists must race to colonize space before the Earth becomes uninhabitable. The story speaks to so much of current affairs and yet is perfectly placed in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Highly recommended. And don't skip the acknowledgements and historical notes at the end - they are full of fascinating tidbits and book recommendations.

>100 Crazymamie: I had an awesome English teacher who instilled me with a love of The Scarlet Letter. I read it 4 times the semester I was under her instruction. I have read it since. I hope you continue to be surprised by it.

>101 Crazymamie: I understand, Mamie. Take Devil as you can :)

>127 Crazymamie: Adding that one to the BlackHole.

>126 weird_O: Morning, Bill! I love that you still have your copy from high school even though you didn't love it back then. Interesting. And you have acquired three more copies along the way! I don't have any school books from high school because our copies were rented each year and returned when the year was finished.

Another cuppa is always an excellent idea. And no need to know where you were going with it - I love me a good ramble.

>128 alcottacre: That is so fabulous, Stasia. I am really liking it, and I am surprised by how much I had forgotten.

Right. It's a gut punch, especially since I did not grow up in the Deep South but I am currently living here. Such an ugly history that is still playing out. I am constantly surprised by how much hatred and cruelty people are capable of. And I was shocked to learn that Florida got away with more because it was south of the South - sort of its own entity. It boggles the mind. And breaks the heart.

Hooray for hitting you with The Calculating Stars - you will really like it, I think.

>121 Crazymamie: Yep, I've already got the next Drop Cap, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë on my Amazon wish list.

>131 Morphidae: How fun, Morphy!!!

Mamie dearest, I'm thrilled that you love the Lady Astronaut books! There will be two more. Go look and join me for a fannish "SQUEEEE" or two.

>133 richardderus: "SQUEEEE" You just made my day! And what a great article - thanks so much for the link.

Hi Mamie and happy Wednesday to you!

>130 Crazymamie: It's a gut punch, especially since I did not grow up in the Deep South but I am currently living here. Such an ugly history that is still playing out. I’ve lived here for almost 28 years out of my almost 66 years and am still amazed and upset at the Ugly History still playing out.

But, today’s gorgeous, there are many birds at my feeders, and I’m in the happy position of getting to look for my next fiction read.

>134 Crazymamie: ...for fans of the Myrna Loy and William Powell black and white films, Tesla and Shal do have a dog. Named Astra. Like, seriously, I am not kidding when I say that this is The Thin Man in space."

Hello Mamie! I hope your day is going well.

>127 Crazymamie: This sounds like a great series! I may have to look into it sooner than later. Any Thin Man reference is enough to make me sit up and take notice.

You got me with that Calculating Stars review, Mamie. Turn of the Screw is a good one to read around Hallloween time - there's the right "spirit" in the air.

Another Thin Man fan here!

I have The Calculating Stars on my wishlist, I have seen so much LT love for these books!

>135 karenmarie: Hello, Karen! Wednesday has been good to me.

It's only been six years for us, but we will be here until Craig retires, so we've got a way to go. You are right that there is also so much beauty. A lot to be thankful for, and I do try to always focus on that. DId you decided what fiction to pick?

>136 richardderus: I read that, and it made me want to read her standalone mystery NOW, but I guess I have to wait for her to finish it.

>137 brodiew2: Hello, Brodie! It was a very fine day here at the Pecan Paradisio.

I do think you would like The Calculating Stars, but it does not go with the Thin Man reference - that was from the part about her standalone novel coming out. Here is the blurb from her interview with The Verge:

You’re also planning on writing another science fiction novel: what can you tell me about that?

"It’s basically The Thin Man in space. With all the glittering banter of 1930s noir, this novel takes class, privilege, and identity theft and wraps them inside a murder mystery. Tesla Crane, heiress to the Crane fortune, and Shalmanseer Steward, a retired private detective, are on their honeymoon cruise from Earth to Mars. When Shal is framed for murder, Tesla has to find the murderer before they try to silence her husband. And yes, for fans of the Myrna Loy and William Powell black and white films, Tesla and Shal do have a dog. Named Astra. Like, seriously, I am not kidding when I say that this is The Thin Man in space."

>138 jnwelch: Oh, hooray for the hit, Joe! And I will probably try The Turn of the Screw again later, but probably in print so it will move along faster for me.

I did not love The Thin Man as a novel - not nearly as good as The Maltese Falcon, but the movies are completely charming, and I love those.

>139 DeltaQueen50: I predict you will love it when you get to it, Judy.

Hi, Mamie. Another late check in. I want to recommend The Poet X to you. Both Joe and Nancy warbled to me about it and they were spot-on. I am listening to it, on audio and also following along on an ebook copy. A strong, talented writer. Reminds me a bit of The Hate U Give, but in verse.

>140 Crazymamie: Thanks for clarifying, Mamie. It all sounds pretty good. I'll have to see if The Calculating Stars is available on audio through my library system. I have already been disappointed by my library system not having The Murderbot diaries available on CD or for download.

>141 Crazymamie: I also also agree that 'The Thin Man' novel was not as compelling as the film. I just love everything about the film and series.

Excellent reading, Mamie! I always love seeing what you're reading. You're right, I did post about the pardon on the NF thread and, if the library and RL timing cooperate, I hope to get to Devil in the Grove this month.

Hi Mamie and happy Thursday to you.

>140 Crazymamie: I chose Kindred. It was supposed to be my book club choice this year but for a variety of reasons I chose Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk instead. It called to me from my Kindle yesterday and I'm so happy I'm reading it. It's excellent.

Different thread, different coffee cake: This one's a favorite recipe of mine, too:

It lives here: https://homecookingmemories.com/apple-cinnamon-coffeecake-peets-coffee/

I do two things differently: I use applesauce instead of eggs, and Northern Spy apples in place of GSmiths.

*smooch*

>146 richardderus: OH! Deliciousness! I will have to give that a try - thanks for posting the link. Northern Spy?! I have never heard of theses - will have to see if I can get them down here. *smooch back*

>127 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! The Calculating Stars looks like fun. I have wishlisted it from the library *proud of self-restraint*.

I read The Scarlet Letter a few years ago on that app that sent out a certain amount every day, so you could read in little bites. Of course, like a lab rat I kept clicking "more" so it was pretty quick in the end :-)

>142 msf59: Hey, Mark! I will add it to The List just because you said so! And thank you.

>143 brodiew2: You are welcome, Brodie! Crossing my fingers that your library system has it. Bummer about The Murderbot Diaries - I loved those!

Yep - the films are charming, the book not so much.

>147 Crazymamie: Oh, I forgot you live down South for a sec. I suspect the apples will have to be GSmiths because most places won't pay to haul weird old apples that far from their native habitat. New York State produces a lot of apples, and for a wonder it's not a monoculture Red Delicious/Golden Delicious/Granny Smith industrial thing. Old orchards with Romes, Northern Spys, Newtown Pippins...our local Farmer's Market usually has some scrummy choices.

If you can find Pink Lady apples, they'd work a treat in this coffee cake.

>144 Dejah_Thoris: Thanks, Dejah! I thought it was you! Hoping you can get to it this month - it's really good, and I am so impressed with how much information the author included without making the reader feel like he is fact dumping; it's riveting.

>145 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Sweet Thursday! I remember your wanting to chose that for your book club but them feeling like you needed to pick something lighter. Hooray for a winning choice for you - I have that one on Kindle as well, but I have not read it yet.

>148 susanj67: Hello, Susan! The Calculating Stars is full of fabulous, so I am thrilled that you WL it at your library. And excellent self-restraint.

I should finish up The Scarlet Letter today, and I am so happy I gave it second chance.

>150 richardderus: We actually have a wide variety of apples available down here, but I have not seen those. I know I can get the Granny Smith, so if I can't find yours, I will use those. I love apples. *happy sigh*

>152 Crazymamie: When I had money, my bestie Betsy and I bought a parcel of land on Fontana Lake in North Carolina...five acres, I think?...and planned to plant heirloom apples as our retirement career. We thought we'd sell them in Atlanta's trendier parts.

Ended up selling the land, and Betsy died in 2010, so it's probably a good thing I'm not trying to do it all as an old crip...but it was a pretty dream.

Oh! That is a pretty dream.

>127 Crazymamie: Oh that sounds good! - that's two tagged "Mamie's Fault" in a week. (The other one was High Rising)

Most excellent! I am happy to take the blame, Juli.

Hi, Mamie.

The Thin Man book: agreed; it was surprisingly not that great. I like everything else I've read by Dashiell Hammett much more. Red Harvest is one that gets less attention than it deserves. But we love those Thin Man movies!

>157 jnwelch: Hello, Joe! I see I am in excellent company. I have Red Harvest on the shelf - maybe this year I can finally get to it.

Good Thursday, Mamie! I give you credit for giving The Scarlet Letter a second chance. I read it back in high school and I remember finding it an interesting read. I'll nibble on the coffee cake till your review is posted.

I'm very glad that someone saw the potential for movies in The Thin Man because the book didn't really do it for me either.

I've been racking my brain to dredge up the faintest whiff of memory re: The Thin Man books...I don't think I ever read them! Which is weird because my bookstore-owning sister and I both loved his stuff. Don't guess I'll be spraining anything in my rush to procure one.

ETA I totally lied. The Kindle edition is $1.25, so I bought it. Even *I* can risk chump change on a Hammett book!

>161 richardderus: There is only one book, Richard. Though Hammet was involved writing the script for the second if not the third as well. The novel is decent, tells the same story, but still has the Hammett edge, which the films reduce in favor of banter, hijinks, and charm.

>162 brodiew2: There were two novellas as well as scripts, I've just learned: Return of the Thin Man and Another Thin Man. I suspect they'll be even less delicious than the first one, so I'll save my $2.99 for now. I loved reading The Maltese Falcon and Red Dust et alii but can wait to get into these since so many say ~meh~

>159 Carmenere: Thursday was food, Lynda, but I am thrilled to arrive at Friday. I did finish up The Scarlet Letter yesterday, so hoping to post some thoughts later today.

>160 Familyhistorian: Right, Meg?! The movies could have been a slog, but instead they are delightful.

>161 richardderus: Haha! I'll be awaiting your thoughts, Richard. I read it in 2017 and was shocked that I didn't love it, as The Maltese Falcon is a favorite of mine.

>162 brodiew2:, >163 richardderus: Interesting. I didn't realize thee was more than just the original novel.

Here is what I wrote about it back in 2017:


The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett, off my shelves paperback, crime fiction/detective - I hardly ever say this, but I think the film is better than the book with this one. The book is okay, and the humor and the characterizations are great, but it gets a bit tedious towards the end, and I wanted it to just be over already. It's twisty and not in a good way. I much prefer The Maltese Falcon. Hammett obviously likes to create complicated female characters that blur the lines between heroine and villain. They are hard to get a feel for except to predict that they will lie and have their own agenda. I like that, but I think he did a much better job of it in The Maltese Falcon. Here, I just wanted to slap them. Repeatedly. And I could not understand why Nick and Nora put up with them - I would have just walked away. Still, because of the book we got the charming film, so it's hard to argue with that.

Good morning, Mamie! I reread The Maltese Falcon last year and will likely reread The Glass Key and perhaps The Thin Man this year. I've a five-novel omnibus that brings them together; I first encountered Hammett's novels in my parents' copy of this same omnibus. And of course I'll be continuing through my leisurely journey through the movies, with Shadow of the Thin Man coming up fairly soon, I expect.

>164 Crazymamie: I'm half way through The Scarlet letter my first time reading this one.

‘Morning, Mamie!

>151 Crazymamie: Kindred is not an easy read, and the time travel aspects are such a minor part of the story. I really care about main character Dana and her husband Kevin, though, and will probably finish it today.

>150 richardderus:, >152 Crazymamie:, >153 richardderus: I have an heirloom apple tree, a Red Winter/Kinnaird’s Choice, described in Old Southern Apples as “Red Winter (Red Winter Cluster?, Kinnaird’s Choice): Red Winter was listed from 1898 to 1903 by Munson Nurseries of Dennison, Texas, and described only as “good, prolific; red; medium; fine; table and market.” In the 1920s, an apple called Red Winter Cluster, further identified as Kinnaird’s Choice, was sold by the Plainview Nursery, Plainview, Texas. It seems probably that the Red Winter sold by Munson Nurseries was also Kinnaird’s Choice.” Old Southern Apples was written by a man who still lives in my county (he also volunteers for Friends of the Library).

I bought the grafted cutting from the author of the book 19-20 years ago. Heirloom apples are fascinating. I asked every single one of Bill’s elderly relatives to name their favorite apple, and every single one told me about a specific tree, either on their, their parents, or their grandparents property.

>166 harrygbutler: Morning, Harry! I love that you first came across Hammett in your parents' omnibus, and that now you are rereading them out of your own copy of that same edition - cool. Is it by any chance the Everyman's Library edition? I have BIG love for The Maltese Falcon as that was one of my Dad's favorite movies, and I have lovely memories of us watching it together. I did not read the book until years later, and by then Humphrey Bogart was so entrenched in my heart that I hear him narrate it in my ear every time I read it. The same thing happens when I read Chandler. Last night I started reading Red Harvest - Joe had recently mentioned it here, and so when I was looking for something to replace The Scarlet Letter, I decided to pull it from the stacks. Loving it so far. They need to make an annotated version of it like they did for The Big Sleep as there is so much slang in there. Oh! And I would LOVE to see an annotated version of The Maltese Falcon!!

I am thinking I need to re-watch The Thin Man movies.

>167 Helenliz: I am excited to share thoughts with you once you finish it, Helen!

>168 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! I am familiar with the story of Kindred even though I have not read the book. You are making quick work of it!

So fascinating about the apple tree! I love stuff like that - thanks so much for sharing. My favorite apple ever is the Honeycrisp. Delicious and crisp and sweet and juicy...

Morning, Mamie. Happy Friday. Funny, I just watched The Thin Man. It has been a couple of decades since I read the book, so it is tough to compare but the film is a delight.

I just started Artificial Condition on audio. This is a fun series.

Morning, Mark! You made it! And Happy Friday to you. I agree the film is delightful - I need to watch it again.

LOVE those Murderbot Diaries!! Funnily enough, I can't listen to them on audio because the voice is male, and to me Murderbot reads female. I know....I KNOW....

>169 Crazymamie: The Hammett omnibus was published by Knopf:



I do understand what you mean about movie stars inhabiting characters when you read the books later. I noticed it most clearly with Ronald Colman as Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities, I think.

"I am thinking I need to re-watch The Thin Man movies." — There's a sentiment that's nearly always true; even as I watch later movies in the series, I'm willing to hop back to the first one especially.

>153 richardderus: >168 karenmarie: >170 Crazymamie: We're fortunate to have a very good local farm with a number of varieties of heirloom apples to supply us. I like Northern Spy, but I think right now I have some Winesaps on hand for cooking. Honeycrisps are delicious, but I think I like Crimson Crisps even better. I tend to shift varieties as the season progresses, depending on what is available at the farm.

My apple choice is an Egremont Russet. Tart and firm. Short season.

>173 harrygbutler: Thanks for that, Harry! I like that cover. You are right that the first Thin Man movie is the best. Okay, now really, I have to track it down.

I don't think I have had Crimson Crisps - I am going to have to pay more attention in the produce section this Fall.

>174 Helenliz: Helen, I am taking notes!

Hello Mamie! I hope your day is going well.

>165 Crazymamie: >173 harrygbutler: I love the The Thin Man book to film discussion. The one thing that Powell does in his performance as Nick Charles is remove the 'street' almost completely. This is the element of the character in book that makes his match with Nora so improbable, but still adorable. The element of their real love for each other is also strong on both book and film. Even though Powell had played villains, early in his career, the advent of sound made his sophistication and bearing more suited to screwball and light mystery. I gladly suspended my disbelief that the film Nick Charles was ever a street detective.

Apple interest seems higher than I suspected it would be, so I'll leave y'all with a link to Orange Pippin. It's a website with apple reviews...yes, I typed that...and they're really really helpful when confronted by something unfamiliar at the stand or store.

And >174 Helenliz: I set the link's landing page to Egremont Russet in case you'd like to evaluate the reviews by comparing your favorite's impression on you to their take.

>176 brodiew2: Hello, Brodie. All is well. It's been a while since I've watched the movie, but the library has it, so I'll snag it this weekend and watch and then come back to comment on your comments. If memory serves correctly, then I would agree with you, although I didn't think they were an improbable match in the book.

>177 Whisper1: Linda, thank you so much for sharing and for those kind words. I also try to kill people with kindness, and you are right that it usually takes them aback. They are not sure what to do with it. My Dad was kind. And patient. In all the years I knew him, I never once heard him raise his voice or say something mean-spirited. He was very good abut meeting people where they were at, but he also didn't take any shit. I am still trying to master that. Heh.

I look forward to another year of sharing our reading journeys. Whatever happens, I know you will amaze me - you always do.

>178 richardderus: Well, who knew, BigDaddy?! Well, I mean, obviously you knew. Thank you so much for sharing that - fascinating!

>179 Crazymamie: I may have misstated my thought. I was always under the impression that Nick marrying Nora was perceived as his gold digging. The delight of that perception is how wrong it is. He's a working man. She's a debutante/socialite. How did that happen? It just did. *smirk*

>180 brodiew2: Oh, I get you. Yes - I totally agree with that.

All caught up here, Mamie, but with nothing much to add. Re: apples, by best friend loves Pazzazz apples, but I've never had them. I like pink ladies, honey crisps, and - if I must - galas. Apparently, there will be a new apple on the market soon - a hybrid of the honey crisp and something else, called the cosmic crisp. I love that name :)

>182 katiekrug: Thanks for catching up with me, Katie. I like Pink Ladies; they are my second favorite apple. I have not had Pazzazz, but I don't love Galas. I have not heard of the hybrid, but like you, I love that name.

>62 Crazymamie: ((((Mamie))))

I've not yet read anything by Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler. I'm not sure why this is so. I just know I would enjoy them.

>182 katiekrug: I believe the Cosmic Crisp has been developed at WSU. It's a blend of the Honeycrisp and Enterprise varieties.

Slightly late to the party, Mamie, but wishing you a happy "new" thread and a wonderful weekend to all at the Pecan Paradisio.

>178 richardderus: Love it! That's a fabulous resource.

Morning, Mamie!

Chiming in on the apple preferences: I love a good Fuji or Honeycrisp, and Ambrosia are amazing. For me, it must be a hard/crisp apple - I cannae abide a mushy, mellow apple. *shudders*

Morning, Mamie!
Hope you are having a great weekend!

I'm a Honeycrisp fan.

The discussion about heirloom apples is interesting. I had no idea that there had been so many varieties in the past until I did an internship for Bowen Heritage and they were attempting to bring back a lot of heritage varieties that used to grow on the island when it was noted for its apples. One of my jobs was to research the different types of heritage apples.

Hi Mamie!

Happy Sunday to you.

>184 EBT1002: Hugs back to you, Ellen. I also think you would like them. I would start with The Annotated Big Sleep, which just came out last year - it is a very cool edition with side notes and definitions for the slang that was used. I loved the layout as it had the text on the left page and the notes on the right page, so no fine print or having to keep looking down to the bottom of the pages. I prefer Chandler to Hammett, but I have also read more of him, so perhaps Hammett is not getting a fair chance. Yet.

>185 EBT1002: Very cool! The girls and I were just at the market yesterday, and we gave the apples more time than usual. Not apple season, so most of them are looking kind of sad, but they did have Pazzazz, which Katie had mentioned. I did not get any because they were only available in bags, and every bag had a few rotten apples in it.

>186 PaulCranswick: Thank you for those good wishes, Paul. I hope that the weekend is being kind to you.

>187 Helenliz: I love it, too, Helen. I had no idea there was such a thing.

>188 scaifea: Hello, Amber! Yep, me too, with the apple needing to be crisp.

>189 ChelleBearss: Hey there, Chelle! So far so good with the weekend. I finally got my steps in yesterday, and it felt good to be getting back into the swing of things. And good thing we went early because it rained cats and dogs all afternoon and evening.

>190 SuziQoregon: *grin* I knew you had good taste, Juli!

>191 Familyhistorian: That sounds fascinating, Meg! I love stuff like that.

>192 karenmarie: Morning, Karen! Happy Sunday to you!

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

I'm a Pink Lady fan, and Jazz apples are my second choice, unless Jazz are from NZ and the Pink Ladies are from somewhere else. Basically I buy NZ apples when I can. I used to be a Royal Gala fan, but prefer the newer varieties, although I read somewhere that they have been bred to be super-sweet. I've never seen Honeycrisp or Pazzazz here, but I will look for them at the Piggly Wiggly on the US leg of my LT retirement tour :-)

Happy Sunday, Susan! I love Pink Lady apples! I have not tried Jazz, so I will have to give them a go of they are crisp. I love thinking of you as a tourist in the Piggly Wiggly. I can see you visiting multiple ones to collect the different t-shirts.

Mamie, I love those! People might even see me coming in the pink one, instead of trying to walk right through me.

Jazz are nice and crisp. And I always keep apples in the fridge, so they are cold and crisp. New Zealand has some great varieties that haven't made it over here (yet) but I live in hope.

Right?! The kids used to get shirts from the Piggly Wiggly every year when we went to Hilton Head Island.

Okay then, Jazz are firmly on the list (see what I did there). And living in hope is always a good thing.

Morning, Mamie. Happy Sunday. Bitter cold here, so a perfect day to curl up with the books. Football and beer, later on this afternoon.

Have a great day at the Pecan Paradiso.

>200 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! It's cold here, too, believe it or not. Well...for Georgia it's cold. Just 40F currently.

We have the same pans for the day, except no beer for me. Believe it or not, I am going alcohol free for the rest of the month. Just trying to jump start getting back into the swing of things healthwise.

Thanks for those good wishes - hoping your Sunday is full of fabulous!

>173 harrygbutler: I have that same Hammett omnibus, Harry! I have had it for years now.

>190 SuziQoregon: Right there with you, Juli, I just wish they were not so doggone expensive here.

>197 Crazymamie: 30+ years ago, my husband used to be the manager of a Piggly Wiggly store. I doubt he got a single T-shirt though!

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

>202 alcottacre: Hello, Stasia! Happy Sunday! The honeycrisp apples are expensive, but they are so worth it, IMO.

No T-shirts?! It boggles the mind.

The Calculating Stars is just $2.99 on Kindle today!

Does the Thin Man keep his svelte shape by eating all those apples? Happy Sunday, Crazy!! : )

>204 Crazymamie: Boo. Not on discount here. But I do want to read it!
(And order a piggy wiggly t shirt. If I promise not to wear it at the same time as Susan, is that allowed? )

>205 Berly: Haha, Kim! Happy Sunday to you!

>206 charl08: Bummer, Charlotte. It's really good - if it's any concession, I paid full price for it when I purchased it. And yes, that's allowed.

Happy Sunday, Mamie.

Woo, this is a good one to be where you are. We're at -3 F wind chill here in Chitown.

I picked up The Calculating Stars prior to that sale price, darn it. I should be reading it soon.

Ooo, Mary Robinette Kowal's getting all the love! So glad that these books speak to so many of us.

Hi Mamie! *smooch*

Happy Sunday! I am going to have to read The Calculating Stars!

>208 jnwelch: Hey there, Joe! Yes, it was much warmer here. It is always much warmer here. But today is only going to be 48F, so I am doing the happy dance even though it is Pre-Tuesday.

What are you waiting for with The Calculating Stars, Joe? Get a move on, young man!

>209 richardderus: I really love her writing, Richard. Me, too, with the speakage. *smooch back*

>210 banjo123: Hello, Rhonda! Lovely to see you! And yes, you must read The Calculating Stars - so good.