Mark's 50 Book Challenge (MSF59)

I've been waiting awhile to do this and I don't want to wait any longer, so Dec 1st 2008 will have to do. I'll rate my books on a 5 star scale!
1) A Pirate of Exquisite Mind by Diana Preston *****

Hi Mark, and welcome to the group. My thread is somewhere down the line called "Donna 828 is feeling challenged in 2008" -- I'm not computer savvy enough to send you a direct link. :-) I am getting very close to reading 75 books this year so may join that group in 2009. I'm not totally focused on the number of books that I read -- more on the quality and variety of genres. However, I am a Virgo and like to keep track of things. This group isn't nearly as interactive as your "What are you reading now" group, but it serves as kind of an online book journal for me.

2) Abundance- Sena Jeter Naslund ****

I just started too! Actually, you're ahead of me 'cas I've just made up my "short list" and haven't started listing books I'm reading yet. I'm trying to hold out until January, but we'll see... Happy reading!
Bonnie
P.S. You've got quite a few of my "favorites" in your library (e.g., Interpreter of Maladies is one of my all-time favorite collection of short stories) so I'll keep a lookout for your postings.

How was Abundance? I've had it on my bookshelf for awhile now...

3) The Reader by Bernhard Schlink ****

4) Mr Lincoln's Army by Bruce Catton ****

5) The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death
by Charlie Huston ***

6) Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates *****
Incredible way to close out the year!

Have you seen the movie yet? I heard it's really dark, but good. Which of the 2 main characters did you most identify with? Keep in mind, I'm asking you that based on the trailers of the movie. :-)

Oops! Edited to add a missing word.

7) A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss ****

8) Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson *****
A great winter read! Easily lived up to the hype!

9) Beautiful Children by Charles Bock. ****
A tough read at times but also very rewarding!

10) The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb *****
Lamb is back with another winner! The best book of the year, so far, setting the bar high!

11) Forty Words For Sorrow by Giles Blunt. ***
It was a good solid thriller, with a nice Canadian setting.

You are reading lots of interesting books this year. I read a book by David Liss for a reading group this year called The Coffee Trader which I really enjoyed. Have a great day!
--BJ

>14 msf59: I'm reading my first Lamb book right now - I Know This Much Is True. I'm still only on page 100 but I'm loving it so far!

12) The Outlander by Gil Adamson *****
This was recommended to me by a friend on LT and I loved it! Incredible writing!

Mark, Wally Lamb is one of my heroes. His anthology I'll Fly Away: Further Testimonies from the Women of York Prison springs from his work teaching writing to the eponymous women. He supports the PEN Prison Writing Committee, which I was on this year as a judge. His commitment to the centrality of creativity in human life is inspiriting to me.

Glad to see you're a fan too! I'm off to dribble again, this damned cold.

13) What's the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank. *****
The best political analysis I've ever read. Fascinating and very disturbing!

Sounds good! Now I have to do is to decide if I can skip over the 9 other socio-political books on my 999 challenge to read this one! :D

>Bonnie- If you are open-minded and not to far to the right, this book will blow you away. My mind is still reeling!

My brother-in-law says I'm so far left I'm standing on a cliff! (I think he's visualizing California as the ultimate of 'leftist country." If that's true then I'm so far left, I fell off the cliff and I'm down in the water, swimming in the Pacific! I'm not so open-minded going in the other direction, though.

14) Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips *****
This should get 10 stars! Words cannot express my love for this novel! This is "Why" I read!

>24 msf59: your enthusiasm is contagious :)

Yes it is! I just had a look at Lark and Termite on Amazon and it sounds really good, thanks for another TBR add :)

15) Shakespeare Wrote For Money by Nick Hornby ***
If you haven't read any of this series of books about books, this being the last one, I highly recommend them. It so reminds me of us fellow LTers, hanging out on the threads!

16) Crossroads of Freedom by James McPherson ****
This is a short but powerful look at the battle of Antietam. McPherson is one of our finest historians! Highly recommended.

17) The Blonde by Duane Swierczynski ***
Fun, crazy, over-the top crime thriller!

18) The Inner Circle by T.C. Boyle ****
This is a fictionalized account of the infamous sex researcher Alfred Kinsey. This is both a fascinating and disturbing story and Boyle lays it out in his usual, smooth, potent narrative.

19) Skellig by David Almond ****
A fanciful Young Adult novel, with heart & soul!

oooh... I found Skellig to be a very touching book.

20) Just After Sunset by Stephen King ***
This is a good short story collection, with a couple real gems, but not on the same high level as Lisey's Story & Duma Key.

21) Severance Package by Duane Swierczynski ****
This was very entertaining. Anyone looking for a fast-paced, super-violent joyride,this is the ticket! Another crime writer to keep an eye on.

22) Good People by Marcus Sakey ****
A good solid thriller ,that builds in intensity, until a white-hot finish!

23) The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein ****
This is a heart-rending memoir, set in the early 1900s, near Manchester England. A young Jewish boy growing up in a tough working class neighborhood, dealing with poverty, a brutal father, and antisemitism. It's a strong memoir, in a similar style and subject matter as Angela's Ashes.

Hi, Mark!
I was wondering if it was ultimately uplifting or just so sad all the way through? I haven't read Angela's Ashes either. Thanks.
--BJ

Hi, BJ- Yes, it was uplifting. His mother is a strong figure and keeps the family afloat and the boy's relationship with his older sister is also wonderful. I should have made that clear in my short review. I guess no one wants to read a total bummer! Angela's Ashes is incredible, btw! Thanks for stopping by!
Mark

24) Peace Like a River by Leif Enger *****
I selected this book based on high praise here on LT and it may have surpassed my lofty expectations. Someone here, I'm sorry I forgot who, read this in one sitting and then started it over again. Wow, that's impressive! Me, I would rather savor it for at least a few days but I can understand the love. An awesome novel!

I think it may have been me. Actually, I read it over the course of a few days, and immediately re-read it in one sitting. I'm glad you liked it so much -- it's still one of my all-time favorites. I think I saw that you also brought home Jim the Boy? Another book I really enjoyed. There's a sequel also: The Blue Star. I love how LT has led me to some wonderful books. Happy reading!

edited to correct a touchstone.

AMQS- Yes, I'm sure it was you, sorry for the exaggeration, my memory was playing tricks. Have you read any of his other books? I also have his latest in my TBR. I'm looking forward to Jim the Boy. Thanks for stopping by!

As far as I know, he's only written one other: So Brave, Young and Handsome. I have not read it yet, but I think it's been well-reviewed, though perhaps it didn't earn as many superlatives as Peace Like a River. Peace Like a River was the first book chosen for Denver's "One City, One Book" program. Let me know how you like So Brave, Young and Handsome. Have a great day!

25) American Rust by Philipp Meyer ***
This was my 2nd ER novel and it was a good one. It takes place in a depressed town in Pennsylvania.The mills have all shut down killing the local economy.The story follows a pair of young twenty-somethings, trying to find themselves in difficult times and to make matters worse, they are entangled in a murder, which sends everything hurtling into darkness.

26) Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada *****
This is a story of Nazi resistance by a German working-class couple and the complete turmoil this brave undertaking causes in their simple lives. After reading Lark and Termite, I did not think I would read a better book this year. Wrong! This is an outstanding novel that grabs you immediately, shakes you and never lets loose. Amazing!

This looks good. I added it to my wishlist, which is starting to get really long!
--BJ

27) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak ****1/2
This was a big LT favorite and it didn't disappoint. The premise is pretty simple, a young illiterate girl is left with foster parents, in a small town in Nazi Germany. Her "Papa" is a accordion playing, good soul, who teaches the girl to read. Books quickly become a "shining beacon" for her,during terrible times.The characters are superbly crafted and the prose is rich and beautiful. Highly recommended!

msf59,
Hello. I have read many a review on LT and I have to say that while I have read beautiful narrative reviews that sold me (and don't get me wrong--I love, love, love the breathtaking reviews that just take you to that "place" and all but put the book in your hands), I don't believe that I have come across your type of review before. They are brisk, concise, to the point, and still get that same feeling across. Amazing! I really like your reviews. Today is the first day I have hit on your thread so that is why I am kind of blown away. Great job and I will be back to read more. Thanx

That's good that you said that, Belva, 'cas I just assumed that he already knew that when I made my "aaack" comment. :-) I'm on the extreme over how little I want to know about a book.

>Bonnie- Thanks for pointing that out! I really never thought about it being a "spoiler", since the narrative begins that way. I sure don't want to ruin anything, for anyone! I appreciate it and as usual, please stop by anytime!
> nannybebette- Wow, thanks for the praise! I approach reviews in 2 ways: one that catches my eye, without revealing too much and then the other kind I can savor, after reading the book. Like Bonnie pointed out, surprise is such an integral part of reading. You are so kind and thanks again for dropping by!

28) The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule by Thomas Frank *****
This guy is my favorite political writer! (Not that I read a a lot of them, but that's besides the point). He takes on the "Conservatives" full steam and you will feel sick to your stomach for most of the ride but the world will look much different when you are through, maybe not brighter but definitely clearer. An absolute must read. Right-wingers need not apply

conservatism makes me queasy anyway...does this book report, report and analyze, or report, analyze, and offer solutions to the problem of dealing ith conservatism? like, where to hide the bodies?

Hey, Richard- Yes, Thomas Frank does an excellent job reporting, analyzing and offering solutions, the main one is keeping 'em out of higher office, which we hope we will for at least the next 8 years. It'll probably take that long to mend everything that they tried to destroy in the last 8. Thanks for stopping by!

I have the same reaction as Richard. I'll have to check out The Wrecking Crew.

Hi Mark, My husband has Wrecking Crew on deck so I've been leafing through it. It's pretty interesting but I agree about the sick to your stomach stuff!

Thanks for the comments everyone. If you are interested in this book, you should start with his last one, What's the Matter With Kansas?. It explains how we got here and the 2nd book nails it home, like staking a heinous vampire!

but i don't want to stake some poor, innocent vampire...i want to stake dick cheney or donnie rumsfeld or dick scaife! talk about heinous...what could some sweet li'l ol' vampire do to equal starting a war for profit or shooting a man in the face and calling it a hunting accident AND getting the victim to apologize to YOU?

these people and their ideology of "i got mine, screw a bunch of y'all" make me sick.

Once again, you are right Richard! Vampire's are cool and these monsters are clearly not! Good call, my man!

This is sending my PTSD through the roof!~!

Sorry for the added stress, Belva! Take some deep breaths!

Yeah, deep breaths, use the here and now (oh, no----because that's where "they" are). Thanx for the theraputic advice. I needed it after all the talk about dick, don and dick. WHOOO!~!
Hey, you have a good evening and I will check you out another time.
Happy reading.
N/B

29) Labyrinth by Kate Mosse **1/2
This is a tepid historical thriller, that takes place in France, with interweaving story-lines, one from the early thirteenth century and the other the present day. There are caves, Crusaders and Cathars, thrown into an interesting but unengaging mix. All I thought about, especially in the last 100 pages or so, was my next book choice! Not a good sign!

When I saw that you were reading this I was anxious for your reaction. On a friend's advise I had tried to read it some time ago. I couldn't get through more than about a third of it (you are much more patient than I am!). Glad that it wasn't just me again!

If a very good friend had not passed this book on to me ,I may have considered abandoning it, which I very rarely do. Glad to see I wasn't the only one!

Y'know Mark, there are some times it's good to let go. My daughter gave me Labyrinth and I gave it the Pearl Rule, then out it went. Mr. Man, my then beloved, couldn't read it either. When I reluctantly gave in to her pestering and told my daughter I'd been unable to finish the book, she said, "Oh thank God! I thought it was just me!"

Hey ,Richard- I like that phrase, "there are some times it's good to let go". It's like a much reviled someone passing on and doing the world a big favor. I'm bad at giving up on books (fortunately I read mostly quality) and one time about a year ago, a guy on my route gave me a signed copy of a novel he wrote, which was very kind but it was absolutely atrocious! A third-grader could have done a better job (sorry nothing against 3rd graders) but what do I do, I battled through it, one nauseating sentence after another. I guess I felt obligated to read it, especially since I see him regularly. Whew, I feel like I was just in confession!

Love this thread even though you guys and gals sometimes send me into a tailspin. You are always so refreshing. But I must ask this question: "What is the "Pearl Rule"?
belva

Hi, Belva- I think the rule is, if the book doesn't grab you in the 1st 50 pages, chuck it and start something else and that is a rule I do not always adhere to... head lowered in shame!

Hi backatcha!~!
That is a good rule and one I need to put into effect as well. I usually suffer through and give it a scathing review.
Shame on me!~!
Thanks for the info. I can go back to bed now. My own very special rule is to learn one new thing every day. You did that for me and I'm done. Ha!

>67 msf59: Mark...a "thank you so much for sharing this with me!" goes a long way. No need to read past the Pearl Rule point...no author would give a quiz on his own book! Well, MOST won't.

>70 rainpebble: Belva...not quite, but close...under 50 years old, read fifty pages, and after 50, subtract your age from fifty and that's how many you read. As of 9/14, for example, I join the 49-pager club because I'll turn 51.

You, of course, will always read 50pp because all women are forever 21, size 6, and deserve expensive jewelry for putting up with men. (I had a Southern Belle mama, y'see.)

Ohhh Rhett, you shouldn't! But we love it. Your mama done good!

But really I don't think that the "Pearl Rule" will work for me because you can't even meet all the characters by 39 pages into a book!~!
Oh well, at least I know what the rule means now.

#66 Richard, your story just cracked me up! :D I also like your mom's take on things in #71!

Y'all have a great day!
--BJ

30) Storm Front: The Dresden Files Book 1 by Jim Butcher ***
This was a fantasy mystery about a wizard P.I., chasing down a brutal killer in present day Chicago. Harry Dresden makes for an appealing hero and I'm pretty sure I will track down the next in the series. I think this author will get better.

Considering there are 11 Dresden mysteries to date, I think it's a safe bet. I hope it's a safe bet, anyway, because I reserved all eleven of 'em at the liberry. Please, I beg you, please please please stop reading good books! It's just...too...much...*strangled sob*

Ya'all are cracking me up!~! So emotional!~! And the begging and pleading!~! And you talk about us!~!
And reserving eleven at once---YIKES!~! How long do they let you keep them?
Enjoy your day guys.
I know I will as the sun is shining for a change.
belva

Belva, we get four weeks on our liberry books here in Nassau County. Most generous place I've ever been in those terms, hands down!

31) The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann *****
My review: In 1925, Colonel Percy Fawcett, a noted British explorer, along with his eldest son and a good friend, ventured into the Amazon in search of a lost civilization he termed “Z”. They never returned. This was not unusual, it was actually quite common. Thousands have perished in the quest of “El Dorado”. The author trolls Fawcett’s laudable past for clues and then dares to leave his cozy Brooklyn abode, to head into the vast jungle to try and unearth an explanation for the explorer’s disappearance. The Amazon, probably the most inhospitable place on the planet, not only contains oppressive heat, likely starvation, it is also home to many fun-loving critters like, jaguars, various venomous snakes, piranha, vampire bats and a plethora of insidious insects, including blood-sucking gnats. Amazingly, in the end the author does find answers and something truly remarkable. This is an excellent adventure and another shining example of why non-fiction is as fast paced and thrilling as any book of fiction.

That does sound good. I think I'll buy it for my son, but read it first. *sly smile*

My husband is just finishing The Lost City of Z and has been enjoying it as well.

Mark, seriously, now...STOP READING GOOD BOOKS. I can't afford it!

Like THAT's gonna happen.....snicker, snicker!!

Your schadenfreude, sir, is noted. Do not think it is not. No indeed, sir.

32) The Guards by Ken Bruen *****
According to this author there are no private eyes in Ireland ,so what Jack Taylor, a hard-drinking ex-cop, does is look for things. In this case he is hired by a distraught woman , to look into the "questionable" suicide of her daughter and of course this leads him into some down-right nasty places. You might be thinking, another drunken, tortured antihero? Tired and cliched, right? Well wrong, because this fine crime novelist has managed to put a fresh face on this well-traveled genre. His prose is fast, lean and lyrical at times and who couldn't love a broken hero who has a passion for books that equals ours! This is only book one and I'll be back for the rest, you can bet on it!

So Mark-------I goes to the library today (hubby drives me 45 miles to get there cuz I am still too dizzy to drive); I have books on hold to pick up; I have books waaaaaaaaay overdue to return cuz it has been over a month and a half since I have been able to get there. I have a few recs to check the shelves for, one of which is The Lost City of Z because I became fascinated about the subject matter when you were reading it and with your review. Well---------guess what? Not only was it not on the shelf; there are 98, count them Mark, 98 people ahead of me on the damnit hold list. I could have *hit, but I didn't cuz I'm a lady and that wouldn't have been ladylike.
I really think you should send me your copy cuz I came home frustrated enough to eat toads!~!
But hey---thanks for the recommendation. I appreciate it!~!
belva

33) Jim the Boy by Tony Earley *****
This is a beautiful story and I highly recommend it! It might seem like I'm giving out way too many 5 star ratings lately (although,I hope this continues) but I call 'em like I see 'em!
> Thanks for dropping by Belva!

*grumble*

still readin' good books

*grumble*

34) Home by Marilynne Robinson *****
Like her previous novel, this one also takes place in Gilead Iowa, sometime in the mid-50's, but the focus here is on another aging reverend and two of his middle-aged children, who find themselves suddenly back home.This book was a bit more demanding.The narrative is dense but hang in there and these three characters lives will begin to slowly unfurl, revealing the complexities of a troubled family. Robinson has a uncanny sense of character and plums the depths of these damaged but engaging people.

folks;
Shall we take up a donation for "poor Richard" so he can purchase some "good books"?
I feel so badly for him.

>88 msf59: Oh goody! One I don't want to read! Dare I hope this starts a trend?

>89 rainpebble: Belva, all donations should be made via Amazon.com. *chortle* Imagine people here giving up book-buying power! It's too hard to keep up with our OWN addictions, still less support another's habit! Sweet thought though. (If I thought you were serious.) :-P~~~~~~~~

35) Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides *****
The title says it all, this is a gripping adventure, that reads as well as any top-notch thriller! Check it out!
Sorry Richard but the hits keep coming!

Mark;
It is soooo good. I am half way through "Z" and am loving it. Usually non-fiction is a challenge for me but this is some fascinating stuff here. I am just at the point where they have someone in the states attempting to raise money for them and the boys are ready to go when the time comes.
I am finding not only Fawcett a challenging character but his wife, Nina, is quite a woman behind the scenes. She must have been such an important part of his work even though she was "at home". She is quite articulate and unafraid; a very brave woman.
Anyway, I am off to bed with it. Nitey nite.
belva

>91 msf59: Mark. Now really. This is simply getting egregious. Stop. Truly now. A joke's a joke, but this...! ANOTHER good book. You...you...!

Mark, I was so excited to get my post on your thread that I didn't even read msg # 91 until I saw St. Richard's remark and then I quickly backtracked. Are you going to put up a review on this one? I would really like to read a little more about it. Inquiring minds and all that nonsense, you know.
belva

Belva- Thanks for the messages. I might do a bit of a review (my specialty you know, the bit part). This is a terrific read and like The Lost City of Z, a slice of history I knew nothing of. I hope you are still enjoying "Z"!

I loved The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession with the Amazon Mark. I found it to be a terrific and yet terrifying read at times. Did you know bugs could do such things? I certainly did not. I think "Z" will probably make my top 10 list of 2009.
I do hope that Grann goes on to write more books because he did a wonderful job with this one. I think his journalistic background helped him research for this project and thusly enabled him to do such a great job. I hope a lot of people read and appreciate this book. I thought it was awesome and I usually have a really hard time with non-fiction but this one was a real page turner.
Thanks again.
belva

Hey St R. --- it's a "good" one. You had better break out the old wallet and hit Amazon.com.

*whistles through thread, ignoring all who post here*

Ya know, LT is such an extraordinary place; kind of makes you just want to sit down and have a glass of wine and B.S. with all of these people. Come about 5:00 P.M Pacific Coast time, I just may do that.

Belva- Thanks for your kind posts and yes LT is an extraordinary place! What is that funny whistling noise?

I think it was St Richard doing a fly-by!~! Feeling left out, ya know, cuz of he never gets to read a "good" book!
g'nite,
belva

36) Brooklyn: A Novel by Colm Toibin ****!/2
Eilis Lacey is a young woman, living in a small town in Ireland. It's the early 1950s and she's studying to be a book-keeper but jobs are scarce and she's content living a quiet life in the shadow of her older sister, who is vibrant and successful. The family decides to send Eilis to America ,to give her life a kick-start. She lands in Brooklyn and here she begins to blossom. On certain greeting cards, it says "simply-stated", this describes this novel perfectly. It is a warm wonderful read.

I'm with richardderus! I'm starting to resent all of you guys who are enticing us with reviews of all these good hardbacks while I have to wait another year to enjoy them! Hmmmm... **sneaks quietly off to get ready to go down to the neighborhood Barnes and Noble to read the next few chapters in Help and get started on Brooklyn**

Mark;
That one actually got starred on my TBR listing. It sounds like the perfect read for a down or rainy day.
Thanx man!~!
belva

Yup, I have to agree - Brooklyn was wonderful!

Bonnie- I can't stop reading good books, it's a problem I have and one I intend to keep. This one I snagged from the library, I don't always have a chance or the cash to read to many current novels, so this one was an added pleasure.

Mark,
Did you happen to see the PBS show on the Amazon River tonight? It was quite good. My husband and I watched it and were both awed by the amount of water that runs through it. Also the number of rivers that run into it. The Black River and one other especially. And the tides; it gets huge tides that rip trees out of the earth. It showed a boat that got caught in one of the tides. I hope you got a chance to see it or that you are able to in the future.
belva

Belva- Sorry I missed it! Maybe I can catch it again. Thanks for the heads-up!

37) Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned by Wells Tower. ****1/2
If you like short stories and are interested in hearing a strong new literary voice, this is the ticket! An excellent read!
I have to include this short passage that concludes one story, it's about marauding Vikings, although all the rest of the stories take place in contemporary America:
"...I got an understanding of how terrible love can be. You wish you hated those people, your wife and children, because you know the things the world will do to them, because you have done some of those things yourself. It's crazy-making,yet you cling to them with everything and close your eyes against the rest of it. But still you wake up late at night and lie there listening for the creak and splash of oars, the clank of steel, the sounds of men rowing toward your home."

I love that passage you shared. This one's going on the TBR right now!

Hi Space- Thanks for the comment and thanks for dropping by. Yes, Tower is a new author to keep a very close eye on!

I don't know Mark.
That passage really creeped me out. Is it as violent as my imagination is running away with? I think I need a little more here.
belva

Sorry for the creep out! I guess it is pretty disturbing but I also found it darkly beautiful and profound. Remember we're talking Vikings here!

Is it worse than Braveheart?

Belva- No I wouldn't compare it to "Braveheart". Remember it's a short story, around 15 pages and only one of more than a dozen others.

38) Have Mercy On Us by Fred Vargas ****1/2
The Bubonic Plague returns to modern day Paris? Or is this just a clever ploy by a sinister killer? Enter Chief Inspector Adamsberg, a rumpled but brilliant detective, an odd mix of Sherlock Holmes and Columbo. He and his homicide team investigate and try to unravel a particularly knotty series of crimes and try to avoid a massive panic by a terrified population.This is exceptionally well-plotted and is filled with a cast of wonderfully colorful characters. Fred Vargas is a female French writer, who also is an historian and a archaeologist.She is a major talent! If you looking for a fresh spin in the crime genre ,this one's the ticket! Highly recommended!

Got it.
Thanx
b

This one sounds really interesting, and I love that Fred's a lady.

RD- Yes ,this is a series worth tracking down. This is an example of translated works being delayed in coming here. This was the 1st one but I found out it's not the 1st in the series. Go figure ,but I'm so glad it found me! Terrific stuff!

Here's a question I hope you, who knows all and tells only a little, can answer: Why in the ruddy blinkin' HELL do publishers translate series mysteries OUT OF ORDER?!?!

eeeEEEaaaaaargh!!!

*running for the salts*

Richard- I know nothing (like Sgt Schultz uses to sputter!) and I tell even less! I learned about the Fred Vargas publications from petermc on the Crime & thriller thread. He lists them in order, check 'em out!

>122 rainpebble: Beevalah, I sure have you well-trained!

>123 msf59: Mark, oh no you don't! Retro me, Sathanas! I categorically refuse to be drawn into one more thread full of people who read stuff I want to read. Nuh-uh.

39) Netherland by Joseph O'Neill ***1/2
A Dutch businessman moves his family from London to NYC, just before 9/11. His life, much like the city,slowly begins to unravel.Of course, I wanted to like this novel more. It has received much praise and he is a very talented writer, some of his prose is incredible but it's a bit difficult at times.

Here is an example of O'Neill's lovely way with words:
"Like an old door, every man past a certain age comes with historical warps and creaks of one kind or another, and a woman who wishes to put him to serious further use must expect to do a certain amount of sanding and planing."

>126 msf59: lovely example, Mark. That's a perfectly apprehendable metaphor that still says something old in a new way. I think it's kind of disheartening when a man writes such good sentences and then something, some essential *poof* just doesn't let the whole golem do the mazurka instead of just the shimmy.

Mark,
the above is for the St.

There have been so many responses to your group read of Pillars of the Earth comment on my thread that I went ahead and set up a new topic with a thread for it. I had no idea there were so many of us who had not read it. The group is to be hosted by non other that YOU.
yucca, yucca

Anyhoo, you can find the thread here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/67664

Meet you there mid-July and until then I will catch you on our threads.
see ya later,
belva

Found ya!

I just started The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and I immediately found it entrancing. I have to share an earlier passage:
"Once, in my father's bookshop, I heard a regular customer say that few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart. Those first images, the echo of words we think we have left behind, accompany us throughout our lives and sculpt a palace in our memory to which, sooner or later- no matter how many books we read, how many worlds we discover, or how much we learn or forget- we will return. For me those enchanted pages will always be the ones I found among the passages of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books."
I'm sorry it got a bit lengthy, but I couldn't stop!

Mark;
How very beautiful.
I will have to treat you much nicer now that I know how sensitive you are. No, that is a lovely piece of work, even on it's own.
You will have all of us reading this one also.
Makes me want to grab that book right now.
Thank you for sharing.
belva


glitter-graphics.com

Belva- I'm glad you enjoyed the passage. I thought it was pretty special. I'm really immersed in the book. Quite mesmirizing.Yes, I have my softer side but then I have the "Viking" side also, it keeps things interesting. Once again, thanks for everything.

Mark-Thanks for pointing me to your thread (it's officially starred for me). I enjoyed reading your reviews. I couldn't agree with you more on Netherland, Beautiful Children and Brooklyn. I disagree on Wally Lamb, but I'm thinking I should give him a another shot and read his latest book.

Revolutionary Road and The Lost City of Z have moved up my TBR list based on your thoughts!

Happy reading!

>#134:
Bridget770;
You must read The Lost City of Z. It is possibly the most amazing book you will read all year. Don't let it get buried in your TBR listing. Run to your nearest library and get on the waiting list. If you are lucky, you will be number 98 or so. When you catch up with it, enjoy. I read it on msf59's rec also and it is a WOW of a book!~!
belva

*grumble*

Now I have to get The Lost City of Z. At least the liberry has a copy and no one's waiting for it.

*mutter*

You won't be sorry deary. And it's about time you read a "good" book recommended by Mark, by the way.

Looking forward to hearing Mr. Lamb read next Friday. He is in town for the evening appearing at one of our local book shops. Gonna pick up the new one and get a signature on the others we own from him.

bdb;
As in Wally Lamb? If so, I am very excited for you. I have loved everything I ever read by him, including and perhaps especially She's Come Undone.
Wow!~! You Lucky thing you!!
What is his new one and what is this one about?
belva

bdb- that sounds very cool! I have heard him interviewed and he sounds like a pretty good guy!
Belva- His latest is The Hour I First Believed and it's mainly about Columbine and the after-affects and as usual with Lamb ,there are plenty of other things going on too! It's a very good book, I have one of my patented short reviews, somewhere up above.

I'm about a third of the way through The Lost City of Z and loving it. The above praise is well-deserved. Thanks for the encouragement!

>#141:
Bridget770;
You are so welcome!~! Any time I get a chance to encourage anyone to read The Lost City of Z, I am so happy to do so. And I am well aware that Mark feels the same. There is something very special about that book. I am so, so happy you are enjoying it!~!
belva

>#139:
Mark;
Thank you for the info and I am heading up your chain to find said "patented review".
belva

Happy 4th you two.

40) The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon ****1/2
Barcelona, the summer of 1945. Daniel, a ten year old boy is led, by his father, to a place called The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Here, the boy is instructed to pull any one volume down,from the dark, towering shelves and he will be able to keep and treasure that book. The selection he makes changes his life forever. Daniel gives a nice description of his story, several years later, as he tries to explain his situation to Bea, his special love: It's "About accursed books, about the man who wrote them, about a character who broke out of the pages of a novel so that he could burn it, about a betrayal and a lost friendship. It's a story of love, of hatred, and of the dreams that live in the shadow of the wind." This is a big old-fashioned, Gothic mystery and one I highly recommend!

Reviews of Zafon seem very polarized.

Mark.

I am No Longer Speaking To You.

I got The Lost City of Z yesterday and haven't been able to put it down. I've neglected my hygiene and my aunt and my dog. I can't stop reading this book.

You are A Rat.

Richard (and Mark): I finished it last night. Great book, and my dogs are happy to have me back.

RD- Please talk to me and please take a shower. It would be much appreciated! LOL. I'm so glad you are enjoying it. I have to give all the credit to our friend Jude. She sent me a copy of "Lost City" a few months ago and it has started an avalanche of love & interest. I think Belva is easily one of it's biggest proponents!
Bridget- Thanks for stopping by and please feed the pooches!

>#146:
St. Richard reading a good book:

Doncha just love those things that crawl around under your skin and then the ones that get in your eyes.
ARGGgggggggg!~!
Definitely one of my top 10 of 2009 thanks to you Mark!~!

Belva- And because of your unbridled enthusiasm, you have inspired several other LTers! Train keeps running...that's what it's all about!

Just happy to do what I can. And it sounds like they are happy readers. Whoo Hoo!~!
belva


glitter-graphics.com

41) Crazy For the Storm: A Memoir of Survival by Norman Ollestad ****
In February 1979, a small chartered plane, carrying an eleven year old boy (the author), his father, the father's girlfriend and the pilot, crashed into a mountain in northern California. Only the boy and the badly injured girlfriend were alive. Young Norman decides to head down the face of the mountain,all 8,600 feet,to look for help and to avoid freezing to death on the treacherous, blizzard-choked mountain. This is a quite amazing story. The back story of the history and relationship of the boy and his father is equally as fascinating. Highly recommended!

Sounds good Mark and I trust your recs. I will have to see if I can get my hands on it.
Wow, only eleven years old. I have a grandson that age and to imagine him going through something that harrowing is heartrending.
thanx,
b

Mark-I'm so glad you read Crazy for the Storm. I was on the fence about it, and with your endorsement, it goes on to the TBR list. Have a good weekend!

Just thought I'd check in here and say hello. Great thread, terrific reviews, and, hey, you get you own Richard bon mots, too!

Bridget- It's a nice fast intense read!
Jerry- Thanks for the comments! Much appreciated and drop by anytime. I saw the posts on this author Jasper Fforde. I am not familiar with him. If he writes sci-fi, that's a genre I have not read much of. Where is a good launching point, in starting this guy?

>153 msf59:: Oh, man, Crazy for the Storm sounds like my kind of book. I just finished reading and reviewing my last ARC and have 3 library books lined up before I can get to it. Oh, and almost forgot, I am next on the list for The Lost City of Z which is another recommendation from you. Would you mind doing me a favor and switch your reading to SciFi (or is it SyFy now), a genre that generally doesn't interest me? Thanks, Mark, that would be very helpful to me.

Oh Donna, are you in for a treat. I get so jazzed when I see someone is going to, or is or has read The Lost City of Z!~! I cannot remember how long ago I read it, (ha; Mark prolly knows) but I still cannot get it out of my mind! It is a fascinating read and I so hope you enjoy!~!
Happy reading.
belva

Mark;
Now THAT would have been a great group read. In fact maybe in a couple of years we could do one on it. We will probably be ready again by then, doncha think?
belva

Donna- You are right! I am starting to upset a lot of people! And I love it! LOL. Maybe, I will try sci-fi, my least explored genre,as soon as I get caught up on a few dozen books.
Belva- Good idea! We'll keep it in mind!

42) Fatal Light by Richard Currey ****1/2
This is a spare, haunting novel about a young medic in Vietnam. The prose is stunning, shrouding a dark, disturbing vision of war and it's equally distressing aftermath, as the the soldier returns back home, confused and adrift.This is a passage as the young man fills out his discharge paperwork:
"I recited my parent's address, a memory of empty roads and uneasy tranquility as I identified my home of record, the house I had grown up in and had give up as lost, as if I stared down a tunnel in a dream. As if my memories of a typical street in a typical town were only imagination, a legend of childhood deep in summers of rivers and old trees and trains, of distant voices."
If you are a fan of Tim O'Brien's work, particularly The Things That They Carried, you should also love this book!

Thumed ya. This one seems up my alley. I have a particular interest in Vietnam era fiction, either written about or set in the time frame, as well as the history of the time. I have only read In the Lake of the Woods by O'brien but have my eye out for the title you've mentioned there.

Hey, BDB- Yes, Fatal Light is a quiet gem. There is a terrific quote in the book, as the narrator briefly describes Vietnam: "Such things live together here, poetry and shotguns. Alive and well in a single body". This also describes the book pretty well too! And if you have not read The Things That They Carried, do yourself a big favor! Funny, I just picked up In the Lake of the Woods from a library sale. Boy, I'm looking forward to opening that one.

One of my favorite books about Vienam is Nam by Mark Baker. It's taken from stories told to Baker, so it reads like a first hand account. It's raw and moving and frightening but a worthwhile read.

BDB- I thought I might have read Nam, the author sounded familiar but I looked it up in my journal and I had read Cops, which I remember being very good.
I'm nearly finished with Olive Kitteridge and it's been amazing. I have to share this passage. A young man charges into the ocean to save a drowning woman:
"He would not let her go. Even though, staring into her open eyes in the swirling salt-filled water, with sun flashing through each wave, he thought he would like this moment to be forever: the dark-haired woman on shore calling for their safety, the girl who had once jumped rope like a queen, now holding him with a fierceness that matched the power of the ocean- oh, insane, ludicrous, unknowable world! Look how she wanted to live, look how she wanted to hold on."
Gooseflesh time!

Mark, I like the way you've been posting memorable quotes. I need to get back to doing that. A quote can convey so much more about the author's style than a mere description of it. Yes, yes, yes on Olive Kitteridge being amazing. I loved how Strout revealed the many facets of her personality bit by bit.

Ditto on Olive Kitteridge. Loved it.

Hi Mark;
LT thingy says I won't like "Olive". The slider is completely down to the left and I loved it.
I have only read 3 of Strout's works but I found her short stories much more compelling than her novels. However I will keep trying her different works. That is how much I loved this book. In the meantime next Wednesday we can move on to Part 2 of "Pillars". Right?
later dayz,
belva

43) Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout *****
This is a short story collection that takes place in and around Crosby, Maine and linking these stories is the wonderful title character. She is also prominently featured in about a third of them. Olive is not likable. She's bossy, brusque, contentious and sometimes cruel but there is a deep soul to this woman, which becomes more evident as you read along. Everyone knows a person with some or all of these traits, my maternal grandmother comes to mind for me. This line sums up Olive pretty well: "She didn't like to be alone. Even more, she didn't like being with people." I know some readers will detest this character but I think she is one of the best literary creations I've ever come across. This book is not always easy, the people in it are struggling with their lives,grasping for happiness and a reason to live but I feel it's simply a book about the endurance of love. My highest recommendation!

Mark,
That is pretty much how I felt about her character as well. We all know her in one way or another and can (or at least, I can) relate to her.
Very good review.
Thumbs up sir.
See ya at "Pillars" if not before.
belva

Mark-

As always, great review. I was fond of Olive, and she reminded me very much of my maternal grandmother as well. I loved that she was the character who kept appearing throughout the stories.

Great book.

See you at the group read!

Bridget

Belva & Bridget- Thanks for the compliments! It's such a special book, one I will not forget for a long time!

#157> Jasper Fforde writes mysteries featuring his heroine Thursday Next (well, those aren't his only books, but his best known). The Thursday Next books are a combination science fiction/fantasy/humor. Fforde has imagined a world where it is possible to jump into books and hang out with the characters. The trouble is that both good guys and bad guys can make this jump, so a special police force is necessary to go in and clean up all the trouble that ensues. That's just the tip of the iceberg with these books, as the world is re-imagined outside the books as well as inside. The books are funny and rife with all sorts of literary references and social satire. If that sounds like fun to you, I recommend you give these books a try. The first book is The Eyre Affair and, as you'd imagine, it concerns an arch-villain hiding out inside the plot of Jane Eyre.

Not everyone is so enamored with Fforde, but his fans tend to be quite passionate. Lots of fun, sez I.

Jerry- Thanks for the comments on Jasper Fforde. I've added The Eyre Affair to my wish list.

I'm nearly finished with The Coroner's Lunch. It's the 1st in a crime series and an LT recommendation and a damn fine one, at that. This is a memorable passage from the opening page:
"A quarter of a ton of unarmed ordnance dragged all three men quickly to the smooth muddy bottom of the lake and anchored them there. For two weeks, Tran, Tran and Hok swayed gently back and forth in the current and entertained the fish and algae that fed on them like diners at a slow-moving noodle stall."
I knew I was in for a treat!

Looking forward to the rest of our thoughts on that one. Quite a visual 'feast' in that passage.

44) The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill ****
Dr. Siri Paiboun is seventy-two and is a coroner. The setting is Laos in the mid-seventies. He has only been in this particular job for ten months and has found himself ensnared in several ugly murders, which may involve some top and dangerous officials. This is the first in a series. The writing is smart and sharply funny,with perfectly crafted characters. This is what the good doctor has to say to his rag-tag assistants:
"We, my children, are no longer common coroners. We are investigators of death. Inspector Siri and his faithful lieutenants. All for one and one for all."
Fun stuff! Highly recommended!

Hey Mark;
"For two weeks, Tran, Tran and Hok swayed gently back and forth in the current and entertained the fish and algae that fed on them like diners at a slow-moving noodle stall."
Sounds like the fishies and algae got the "treat" you knew you were in for!~!
belva

Ooh! Belva, I threw up a little bit in my mouth--while laughing!

Hi Mark! I found you! Thanks (said sarcastically) for sharing the fishies and algae quote. Now I know the next time my toes touch seaweed in the lake I will think of this...ugh!! I didn't read the whole thread, but will go back and catch up when I get home. Bye!

>#181:
bonnie;
Ewwwwwwwwwwww!~! Poor thing. Takes a while for the taste to go away doesn't it?!?
Are you staying cool up in Seattle? It got up to 107 here in Morton today. I am ready to slit my throat and feed myself to the fishies!~! It is over 80 in our house and we are a wooden house, not a mobile home and have 3 small window units! One of the grandkids aunties was kind enough to take them to the river every day this week with their cousins. I am so grateful. Even though we have a little pool 3 1/2 x 12, it is much cooler at the river.
I will see you later on mine or yours.
hugs,
belva

Hey Mark;
Watcha doin'?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm??????????????
Got my new computer today and am still trying to figure out all the bells and whistles but as long as I can get to LT, my e-mail, banking and Amazon.com I am ALL GOOD!~!~!
The group read is going wonderfully well. I know I am enjoying it and most others seem to be as well. I am even finding time (with this heat wave {107 here today} it is just too damned hot to be outdoors) to do some reading so have been filling in with: Burning Bright, Of Mice and Men, The Madonnas of Leningrad, Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found, Carrington: A Life, Evangeline and Summer at Willow Lake. The last a definite dose of chick lit, but just what the Doc ordered on a day when it is 80 degrees in my house. Too hot for this old fat broad!~! But with the chick lit I can read, enjoy and not even heat up a brain cell so that's all good too.
Sounds like there are a few on board for the follow-up to "Pillars" if we put it off for a few months as you suggested. Sounds like you de man!~!
laterdaz,
belva
P.S. All of a sudden the wind has picked up and we have a light cloud cover. It's is supposed to stay hot all through the weekend here in the N.W. but maybe we'll get a little thunder and lightning (hopefully with rain).

Hey, Belva- Great news on the new computer, that's wonderful! Sorry to hear about your heat wave, that's incredible. I think I mentioned it to you earlier, my sister lives in Salem OR, so I know your summers are usually pretty mild. Funny, here in the midwest, it's been just about perfect, high 70s-low 80s, cool nights, God I hope it lasts!
Boy, you are reading all kinds of books, let me know how The Madonnas of Leningrad is, I have that one in my stack.
I've been thinking about the next group read for WWE. How about January?

Hi Mark;
I just came from the "Pillars" main thread and it all sounds perfect. I have noted on my calendar at the end of December to begin shooting out notes---so between all of us, I think we will get the word out so no one misses out. Great idea Donna had and I, for one am very happy with the results of her comment and your decision.
As to the weather, you are correct. This is a rarity for us. But our winter was also. We had snow on the ground, and I am talking feet, for almost 3 months at my house. That hasn't happened since the 50s. IDK I wish we had your kind of weather. That sounds perfect. Your sis gets the nasty hot weather every summer, doesn't she? Poor thing.
This new computer is a bit strange to me. I find it difficult to read. It has the wide screen, where my old one was almost square. I know I will get used to it shortly. And all the print at the top and bottom (I guess those are tool bars, etc) is teeny tiny so I need to monkey around and figure out how to make those larger. It just seems blurry to me at this point and I find I am squinting a lot. It will just take me time to adjust the computer and to get used to it. But it works and is fast and I can do my music and those goofy things I like to do on here. Hey, maybe if I use my reading glasses instead of my trifocals it would help. I think I will try that. (Oh, much better!~!)
Okay; The Madonnas of Leningrad---a very different book, a very interesting book. I liked it but had to keep imagining myself in that time and in that place to remain focused on the story. It was a quick but not an easy read for me. I had to really concentrate in order to remain in the story. I couldn't read this one in the same room with someone watching TV or talking. It is a harrowing tale but at the same time a beautiful concept for a story. I would not be surprised if a good deal of this actually occurred in one way or another.
I don't think I have done reviews on any of the last 5 or 6 books I've read. Just too damned hot. But when I do my review for the "Madonnas" it will get a "recommended" notation. Hope that helps. It really wasn't what I expected but after reading it, I couldn't remember what I had expected. It's kind of a jaw dropper; not a shocker, but just that something like this could have happened.
I don't think you will be sorry for the reading of it Mark.
Well, catchya later.
belva

LOL! Belva, I didn't really throw up--that was a joke to indicate disgust/distaste for your quote! :-)

Mark, you read some really good books. How did you decide on The Coroner's Lunch? Even the title makes me want to throw up (for real, Belva!).

Bonnie:



What is with me?????????????????

The title grabbed him bonnie!~!
But here, let me grab a bucket for you! LOL

>186 rainpebble:: A group read of World Without End sounds like a terrific way to start a new year. January is usually a good reading month for me so perfect for a loooong book.

The Madonnas of Leningrad was a memorable book for me. The Alzheimer's part rang true without being too maudlin. And I liked the history and art slant to the book. I can't recall the name of the art museum in the book, but there is a website of it where you can take a virtual tour. A worthwhile side trip.

Oh Donna;
Thank you for that info. That indeed would be worth a side trip. It was a very insightful book. It is a side of history I had never thought about so I found it very interesting.
later dayz,
belva

Bonnie- Actually The Coroner's Lunch was an LT rec from I believe FicusFan. I love crime fiction and this sounded very appealing. It's not a very graphic book ,it's smart and wickedly funny. In regards to the "lunch", it refers to the noon meal that the good doctor has, at a nearby food stall, nothing hurl-inducing, sorry!
Speaking of reaching for the puke bucket, I'm reading Idiot America and I'm on a chapter dealing with conservative talk radio. Yakkk...!

Hello Mark and All!

I discovered Madonnas mentioned in a LT review of City of Thieves. I found it and enjoyed it greatly but for whatever reason, I liked City of Thieves more. Both take place during the siege of Leningrad and both are good stories, but they are very different. Basically I'm throwing it out there as an "if you like that, you'll like this" pick.

Idiot America looks interesting. I'll probably check it out (literally)

I liked The Madonnas of Leningrad. It was a quick read, and well done. I enjoyed reading about the author's research, and I am interested in reading the books she mentions about Leningrad and the museum.

I added Coroner's Lunch to my wishlist, Mark, based on your opinion that it's not too gory and funny. You make it sound good, and Belva's quote does seem to back you up.

Also added City of Thieves. Thanks, coppers!

Hi everyone, Hi Mark. I finally found your thread. You have some readlly good books.

I am a Jasper Fforde fan and enjoy the Thursday Next series too.

I am glad you liked The Coroner's Lunch the rest are just as good as the first, maybe better as the characters grow. Although he is a Coroner dealing with death the books to me are funny, warm and filled with life affirming respect. Siri treats his victims as people and wants to restore the dignity that murder and violence have stolen. I love his supporting characters, especially Mr. Geung, the man with Downs Syndrome.

I have read 3 of the 6 so far and posted reviews of books 2 Thirty-Three Teeth, 3 Disco for the Departed and 4 Anarchy and Old Dogs in my 100 book challenge (shameless self-promotion) http://www.librarything.com/topic/61719. They are long so there are spoilers.

I read Coroner's Lunch last year, and have Curse of the Pogo Stick here and still need to read it. The last one so far The Merry Misogynist is still in Hardcover, so it will be next year before I get it.

Okay Mark;
You and Ficus have corrupted me and scrambled my brain with all your Jasper Fforde chatter and my broken spirit has gone and done it. I don't do series. (or rarely) But I have ordered:
The entire The Thursday Next series and the 1st of The Nursery Crime series. I couldn't find The Fourth Bear or I am sure I would have ordered that as well. Please tell me that I am going to love these books, please!~!
I cannot believe my lack of will power.
Oh well, I am sure I need a new bookcase anyway. Get me to furniture store quickly.
belva


glitter-graphics.com

Belva,

I certainly hope you enjoy them. Oh the pressure now :)

I have read the first 3 of Thursday Next , it took me a while to get number 4. I wanted the UK cover but in paper and they didn't publish it, and I waited and waited. So I eventually got a UK hardcover. Number 5 was published in the US quickly so I got that one here. Terrible covers on the US books. The UK ones are so wonderful.

My favorite of Thursday Next so far is The Well of Lost plots.

I have the 2 Nursery Crime books but haven't started them yet. But I have faith.

"I certainly hope you enjoy them. Oh the pressure now :)"
Yup, it's all on you and Mark here.
belva

Belva- Hold up, girl! I have not read Jasper Fforde. I was chatting with Jerry about him earlier in the thread and asked him for a recommendation. He sounds like a terrific author and I would love to check out his work.
Ficus- Where's a good place to start with him? The Eyre Affair?

I believe The Eyre Affair is the first of the Thursday Next series.

AMQS and Mark;
Totally correct. I should know; as I just (in a moment of weakness and due to {I thought} Ficus and Mark's recx) ordered the entire The Thursday Next series and the 1st one of the The Nursery Crime series. I was unable to find the 2nd one, The Fourth Bear, so will be goin' on a "lion hunt" for that one.
I think I have charged up about 800.00 on my trusty, not so dusty, credit card for books in the past 3 months. Time to stop the insanity and head back to the old library.
later dayz dudes,
belva

glitter-graphics.com

> 199 Mark (& Belva)

Yes The Eyre Affair is the first book and the place to start for Thursday Next .

Hey Mark - What a coincidence - I picked up The Eyre Affair at the library last week. Don't know if I'll have time to do more than look through it though. I'm intrigued by what I've heard of it.

Hey, y'all------Joanne & Mark;
We can have our own little Jasper Fforde festival!~!~!
belva

Belva- When are you thinking? I would have to get my copy!

Hi Mark.
I haven't received mine yet either. But it should be on it's way. I am a little excited because I think this is something I would never pick up on my own. But I am thinking when you are ready. Right now there is a lot going on and it's garden harvesting and canning season. Then hunting season. I don't care. I am pretty flexible so just whenever. Should be fun. We should make Ficus reread them with us. Hee hee!~! LOL
I think I need to spend a couple of days this week catching up on "Pillars" and "Anna". I think for some reason I am running a section behind on each. We start part 4 this week, right? I'll be ready. It's going really well. Can you imagine; they have already hammered you into planning the next one. I guess you are the 50 gig group read leader. You organized it really well and I think all the readers really appreciate that.
Well, coffee's done (decaf) so me too.
Later dayz dude,
belva

I'm nearly finished with Idiot America. It's a fine book,funny and sobering. Here's a short passage describing the U.S. in the dreary summer of 2007: " The country is entertained, but not engaged. It is drowning in information and thirsty for knowledge. There have been seven years of empty debate, of deliberate in expertise, of abandoned rigor, of lazy, pulpy tolerance for risible ideas simply because they sell, or because enough people believe in them devoutly enough to raise a clamor that can be heard over the deadening drone that suffuses everything else. The drift is as palpable as the rain in the trees and it comes from willful and deliberate neglect."

Yeah and now I see and hear a lot of excitement about nothing. This country is going to hell in handbasket. And I feel like Brer Rabbit. I just sits and I waits.
The book sounds interesting and engaging though.
belva

Belva- As usual,thanks for the kind words and I agree that the group read is going well, it's pretty much running itself though!
I had my party Saturday and as an added surprise, my sister flew in from Oregon, which was wonderful, considering I haven't seen her in a year & half. I'm on vacation for 2 weeks, so the timing was perfect, reading might suffer a bit, but that's okay.
Let's keep the The Eyre Affair in mind, maybe in a few weeks. Maybe Joanne could join us then. I definitely want to start The Hummingbird's Daughter at the end of the month,right after "Pillars". This book adoration thing is mind-boggling, ain't it??

Mark;
Amen to that!~! My list has grown from a list to a notebook, to a volume, to a tome. I finally got another account just to put my wish list on, but am finding I still prefer paper. IDK!
Am going to look for The Fourth Bear today while in Olympia. You had your party Saturday
and my son's is today so while I am out there I am going to hit the old Barnes & Noble. Just to see what I can see, you see!~!
Happy Birthday Mark. I didn't know it was coming up or I would have baked you a cake. How wonderful that your sister cam all the way from Oregon!~~! She must love you a lil bit. Did you have a great time? What plans do you have for your vacation? And sometimes reading takes a back burner to life. After all we live to read, not read to live--I think......
My reading has certainly slowed down this summer what with having the kids all day instead of just before and after school. But September is on it's way!~! Whoo Hoo!~~!
Just kidding. It does get difficult upon occasion as I am not as young as I used to be, but we are having fun even if we do get tired and they are only young once and pretty soon they won't need me. They are 11 and 6 already.
Well, must get going or I will miss the cake and ice cream and later dinner and a movie!~! Should be fun.
catch ya later guy. Enjoy your time and family.
belva

Mark;
I was in my favorite independent book shop today and had my little list with me. When I asked for The Fourth Bear, (the second book of The Nursery Crime series), the lady who owns the shop said she doesn't carry Fforde because she has absolutely no call for him and she doesn't understand it as she thinks he is brilliant. So if Ficus hadn't sold us, I think that would have sold me anyway. There goes all the pressure!~! Goody. But she also didn't have The Autobiography of Henry the VIII by Margaret George nor Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell. So I ended up buying The Other by Guterson, (love him), a book for my word-crazed daughter on the origins of words and phrases, and Germinal by E'mile Zola, brilliant man; him. I am hoping that someone who has read that one will hit my thread and tell me what they thought. It looks fascinating and I can't wait to get into it.
Well, I just wanted to tell you what my little bookshop owner thought of Fforde and apparently it is all good even though she didn't have the book.
Enjoy your visit with your sis and your vacation.
catch ya later,
belva

Belva- Good news on the Fforde books! Hopefully I'll snag a copy of The Eyre Affair in the next couple weeks. We went and saw the latest Harry Potter yesterday and it was excellent. It's darker and more mature. I love the HP books but I stalled out on the last one. It's sitting patiently on a pile, (what's new,right?) We are starting to get on a weird wavelength, as far as books go, because a good friend also recommended The Autobiography of Henry the VIII. And I also agree with you about David Guterson. Loved his first 2 books but have not read him since. Where you at on "Pillars"? I just started Part 4.

Actually Mark, I am a little behind on both group reads but am having no worries. I know I can catch up within just a few days. With Pillars, I am just beginning Part 2, so by tomorrow I will be 2 parts behind the rest of you, I believe. With Anna, I am just beginning Part 6; that one is a monthly read so no sweat. But we have just had so much going on, with the gardening, fencing, kids all day every day what with school being out, my mom and then there's our stuff too so my reading has really slowed down this summer, but school will be back in session soon and I will have that 6 hours daily to do the "stuff" I need to and read also. But summertime, it's pretty much down to just reading at bed time.
On Pillars, I think Parts 2 and 3 are both pretty short so I will probably read those tonight and that should catch me up with the others. We are on 4 beginning tomorrow, right?
Yeah, we are psycho about our reading choices (same time, same book kind of thing) going on here.
Regarding H.P. I was the only one in the family who was disappointed in it, but I kept comparing it to the previous ones. It was much darker and more mature, I agree. But I thought that the development of the youth was accomplished at the cost of the relationships between the adults (teachers or whatever) and youth, which I think is a great part of the H.P. story. We went as a family; there were eleven of us in all and everyone else liked it the best of all of them, children and adults alike so I know I am the exception to the rule. I also have not read this book yet. I have read one through five. I will kick them into gear this fall and read six and seven.
Well, I think I will hit the net and see if I can order a copy of "Henrey VII" and "The Fourth Bear".
Catch ya later friend,
belva

45) Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free by Charles P. Pierce ****1/2
Creation museums, the great global warming hoax, acceptable torture and Sarah Palin, these are just a few of the subjects Pierce tackles, in this incredibly eye-opening, yet sobering, examination of America today. It's sharply written, darkly humorous and quite thought-provoking. If you are somewhat confused by current events, this book may help make things a bit clearer.

That good, huh? I was wondering as I had never heard of it. Am I going to have to buy this one also and be like Richard and start telling you to quit reading "good books"?
Obviously you will let us know your thoughts on this later, correct?
later dude,
belva

I finished Part 4 of "Pillars", probably my favorite section,up to this point. I started Worst Nightmares and it looks to be a promising horror-thriller.

Hey Mark;
I think Part 4 was my favorite section also. I finished the book today. What a great group read!~! Thank you so much for that pleasure. I hated to see the book end and I really loved it. Was not bored for one moment of it.
I leave for Texas next week and didn't want to be packing a bunch of books with me so I finished "Pillars" and today am at work on finishing the "Anna" group read. I just didn't want to come back to them unfinished as I will be gone 2 weeks.
I am only taking the one "tome" with me (Battle Cry of Freedom, did you rec that one for me? I think it will last me 2 weeks.) and a book I bought for my daughter, Robbi, on the origins of obscure words and phrases. She is a "wordaholic" and always has been. When --BJ heard that about her, she suggested that I try to find one of those books for her and I did!~! She has one too. (a "wordaholic")
Oh, I also bought David Guterson's new one The Other. Didn't the actor Tom Tryon write a book with the same title back in the 70's or there abouts?
Well, enjoy your Worst Nightmares but try to get some sleep. hee hee
later dayz,
belva

P.S. re: The Other by Thomas Tryon, he did and laytonwoman3rd gave it a 5 star rating!~! She gives great recx also!~!

http://www.librarything.com/work/118154

Belva- I'm not sure I recommended Battle Cry of Freedom to you but I will now! I read it in the late 80's and it was outstanding. I really enjoy reading about the Civil War. Yes, I also read Tryon's book The Other, many years ago and it was excellent. Let me know about the Guterson book.

46) Worst Nightmares by Shane Briant ***1/2
Having nightmare issues? No, problem, go online and log in to worstnightmares.net and tell the Dream Healer all about it. DH is a very good listener, unfortunately, healing isn't one of the options and you will quickly find yourself in a world of hurt. Another brilliant serial killer? Come on, enough already, right? Well this new horror thriller pulls it off, with adding just the right amount of freshness and originality. If you like your Stephen King, with a Thomas Harris chaser, this could be the one!

*agonized groan*

MARK! STOP READING GOOD BOOKS!!

*mutters off to wishlist, casting resentful reproachful glances back at Mark*

Richard and I are on the same page.

Idiot America would fit into my last category to be filled in my 999, but then what would I do with all those books I've already bought and haven't read. Hmmm! Maybe I should mail one to you?! ;-)

Richard- It's good to see you, I've missed your *agonizing groans*!! Worst Nightmares is a new release, a debut by an old school Irish actor and I think he tapped into something pretty frightening here!
Bonnie- Idiot America is quite good but either of the Thomas Frank books, listed somewhere above, would also fit your bill!

Hiya Mark! Nothing to add. Welcome back!

I finally realized that I would find you on The Fifty Book Challenge. Now have your thread starred, Mark.

I started a new thread for teelgee since she often begins a new one each week for What are you reading the week of _____, 2009? She is recovering from a recent surgery. I haven't heard from her as yet as to how she is doing.

I will read through your posts here tomorrow to catch up on your challenge reads. I've probably seen many or maybe all of them on What are you reading the week of ...? anyway.

Thank you again for being our leader for Pillars. You are a fine male person. Lovely to be getting to know you here on LT.

Ruth

Joanne & Ruth- Thanks for dropping in! I love the visits! Yes, I've been happy with the group read and will finish the book tomorrow. It's been fun!

Finished the book, loved the book. Great job coordinating Mark! Thanks.

"Good morning, handsome young man!" ;-) LOVED the first half of The Coroner's Lunch. Very fun and witty characters. Loved the relationships between Siri and his staff, as well as the conversations with his friend. Since mysteries aren't my favorite genre (OD'd on them at a very young age), I was pleasantly surprised that I really liked The Coroner's Lunch all the way through...up to the very last line which was AWFUL! It screamed sequel, and I did too in surprise and frustration! Other than that last line, it was a very satisfying mystery. I don't normally get surprised about "Who dun it?" and I did this time. Being a analytical, logical person--some would say suspicious--I really loved that. Also enjoyed getting some Laos history along the way. Makes me want to read a more serious book about Laos. BIG THANKS, for sending me the book, Mark. I would have never read the book otherwise, and I'm really glad I did. Great entertainment!

Edited to fix/stop italics.

Bonnie- So glad you liked it! I love crime fiction but this was a breath of fresh air! What terrific characters!

Hey! I think you were supposed to reply, "Good morning, beautiful young woman." On two accounts, not true, but nevertheless! ;-) Crime fiction is a better description of The Coroner's Lunch. Lots of fresh air, light, and sunshine--considering the genre.

Bonnie- My deepest apology for the oversight! How about "Good afternoon, beautiful young woman"? Will that work?

Ha! Ha! I'll take it! By the way, that quote came from Dtui and Mr. Geung's morning greeting--not my need for compliments. I thought you'd get a laugh. Thanks again for the book. I'm going to share it with my book group. I know they'll all love it!

A quick hello, Mark -

I need to hit the sack early tonight and I still need to give one the cats her meds and do the evening bedtime routine thingy.

I have chosen a couple of books from your books recently listed in this thread, The Coroner's Lunch and Idiot America.

Love crime fiction and try to keep informed on the political front as my minor in college was Political Science. (Majored in Political Communications with a minor in Government, actually, not PolySci).

With love,

Ruth aka WH

Ruth- Thanks for stopping by! You selected 2 excellent books. I love crime fiction also, as far as Idiot America, it will enhance your enjoyment if your politics run more to the left.

I just realized that Idiot America was written by one of the funny regulars on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! a weekly NPR political humor show that I listen to on podcasts. You would love that show, Mark. Do you listen to it? Also, does anybody out there listen to The Moth podcasts? They're true-life stories told by real people, most under 15 minutes. Some are hilarious, some are sad--most are about those moments in your life that can be awful, but make good stories later.

Hi Bonnie - You're right. I didn't make the name connection with the NPR show (a favorite!) until I saw your post. Of course it's funny -now I really need to read it!

Thanks for reading it Mark!

Bonnie & Joanne- Thanks for the heads-up! I download from NPR all the time, so I will look for that one. Do you listen to Bill Moyers weekly journal? It's also excellent.

Thanks, I watch Bill Moyers when I remember to TIVO it, but listening would be even better. He's had some great experts talking about healthcare, hasn't he?

And, OMG, you're going to love me forever after you listen to a few sessions of Wait, Wait...

P.S. Go to iTunes, their free podcast section--I think that's easier than searching on NPR.

Hi, Mark and also your dear friends posting here.

This is great info. I love Bill Moyers but never even think to listen to him on NPR. The Wait, Wait...show sounds terrific. I will be more likely to listen to podcasts from iTunes so thanks for that info, too.

Mark, I'm playing catch up on reading and reviewing books that I have been awarded through being part of Early Reviewers. Right now, I think I might be more in the category of "Slowest LTers to Post Reviews."

Anyway, I'm close to finishing Karin Slaughter 's, Undone. It is another terrific book by her, only my second one, so I'm looking forward to some of the others. Her characters are believable and real likable (for the most part). Of course, there is the evil one, in each of her books since they are crime fiction. Someone has to be the bad guy.

I'll be back ...

Ruth aka womansheart

Ruth- Nice to hear from you. Yes, the Moyer's podcasts are terrific and free. Thanks to Bonnie, I subscribed to Wait Wait... on itunes and downloaded the last 2 shows. I plan on listening to one tomorrow.
I only have one ER book to read & review and it's called Await Your Reply and I plan on starting it very soon. I'm nearly done with City of Thieves and it's been excellent. Short review forthcoming! I have never read Karin Slaughter but she is one I'll keep an eye on. Take care, friend! :-)

David Benioff is a fine writer and here is a couple short passages from City of Thieves:
'I've always envied people who sleep easily. Their brains must be cleaner, the floorboards of the skull well slept, all the little monsters closed up in a steamer trunk at the foot of the bed. I was born an insomniac and that's the way I'll die..."
Here the main characters are walking through the war-ravaged streets of Leningrad:
"That was the only way to talk. You couldn't let too much truth seep into your conversation, you couldn't admit with your mouth what your eyes had seen. If you opened the door even a centimeter, you would smell the rot outside and hear the screams. You did not open the door."

47) The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett ****
Cathedral building in the Middle Ages. Does that sound enticing or a bit dry? Well, in the confident hands of Ken Follett, he turns this into a big sprawling affair, with thrills, violence and of course sex. Creating complex characters, is not this author's strong suit but he's a heck of a storyteller. Several other readers complained about the length and unwieldy size but none of this bothered me. Follett has crafted a page-turner and I enjoyed it.

Hiya Mark! Haven't posted my Pillars yet either!! LOL Loved the book and thanks again for organizing the read.

>46 msf59: - Hi, Mark -

Live and learn here on LT. I learned that their are dear, dear readers who want everything to be fresh and surprising to them when they read a book themselves. I totally understand that and feel that way to some degree myself.

However, when I went back and read your review of The Book Thief I didn't catch the spoiler.

I think your reviews are marvelous and find many, many books that you enjoy are books that I would love also, for the same or maybe even different reasons. You and I both share the value of admiration for what an author can offer us in each book with her/his skills. Many are absolute artists, eh?

Anyway, what I have learned is ... when I review one or any books that I have read I might want to remember to use a "spoiler alert" just in case I might reveal too much to those readers who prefer going into a book "clean" and having their personal revelations and experiences with the plot, style, characters and sense of time and place.

Thanks, Mark. For being one of my good friends here on LT. You are a special gem among a treasure chest of of wonderful gems who contribute to this site.

With love, Woofie aka womansheart

>244 womansheart:: Mark--responsive, kind person that he is, changed his posting--so comment no longer made sense. Thanks for pointing that out; I fixed it so future readers won't be confused. :-)

Berly- Yes, I need to post a short review on "Pillars". And thanks I had a good time too on the group read. I think it went pretty well. Are you up for the sequel, in January? Hope so!
Ruth- You are an eagle-eye, girl! I totally forgot the The Book Thief misstep and yes Bonnie was right there to put me back on course. Isn't she wonderful!
I listened to my 1st "Wait Wait... don't tell Me" podcast today and it was very sharp and very funny. Thanks again Bonnie! Isn't she... oh never mind!
Also, please listen to the latest Bill Moyers Journal! As usual it was excellent

48) City of Thieves by David Benioff ****1/2
January 1942, the siege of Leningrad. Two young Russian men are arrested, one for theft and the other for desertion. Serious war-time offenses. Enter a high-ranking officer, who is preparing a wedding for his precious daughter. He lacks a main ingredient for the wedding cake. He offers the prisoners a deal. If they are able to scour the ravaged streets of the ruined city and find a dozen eggs and return in a few days, they will be offered amnesty. It is a nearly impossible mission. This is a sharply-written novel, with well-crafted characters. It is both funny and horrifying. A must read!

I'm well into Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon and it's been a very good read. A creepy puzzle!

Hi Mark, just wanted to let you know I finished Edgar Sawtelle and posted a review in my thread. I did end up loving it all the way through, though you were right - the book definitely took a turn after the 200 page mark and there were some things that made me think "what the heck". But in the end, it all worked for me.

Hey Mark;
Just a flybyhi. Nothing to add other than to agree with Bonnie that you are a responsive and kind guy, and with Ruth that you are a gem, and with Berly thanking you for organizing the "Pillars" read, and with St. Richard that you read "good" books.
Now, about that fishing trip.....how was it?
:-)
belva

Space- Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm glad that "Edgar" worked for you. Readers seem to be heavily divided on it but you came up on the positive side. Please drop by again!
Belva- I missed you! Yes, the fishing trip went well. Had a great time! Now let's get back to talkin' books!

49) Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon ****1/2
Identity crisis? This new novel has identity issues in spades. There are three different story-lines and as these disjointed characters wander along these pages searching for themselves, they eventually stumble and blend into one another. Complex and challenging? Yes, but the narrative flows smoothly and as the puzzle pieces fall into place,you will find your rewards. A heady mix of Bergman's Persona with Pulp Fiction's time-bending structure. Highly recommended!

>252 msf59: hmmm...sounds omnibus...not sure a novel with an identity crisis sounds like my cuppa, but it sure got you revved up!

And Mark...you're about to cross the Rubicon...fifty reviewed books are in sight! W00t!

My birthday last year brought me Edgar Sawtelle and I still haven't read it. I really want to but it keeps getting squeezed out when I choose my TBR stacks. Maybe after the Halloween reading list we have picked I can pull it down.

I can't make myself read Edgar Sawtelle either and it's really weighing on me, because I bought it in hardbound--I never do that!

Oops! I was going to advertise my recent review of Edgar Sawtelle and then realized that I'd already done that upthread...forgot who's thread I was reading for a minute there. D'oh!

Yes, I was disappointed in Edgar Sawtelle. It started so promising but many readers love the book (ie spacepotatoes), so I would recommend you read it and find out for yourselves. Thanks for stopping by guys!

Yeah, I've heard a lot of people say "It started so promising..." or something like that, but I didn't like the beginning.

I just read During the Reign of the Queen of Persia today. Actually, it was a reread. I think it was my third, or maybe even my fourth time reading it, and still love the writing and the story. What are you reading, Mark?

Bonnie- I have not heard of the "Queen of Persia" book but if you've read it multiple times, it must be a dandy!
I'm gearing up for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo but right now I'm finishing a non-fiction book called Shadow Divers and it's been an incredible journey. It's about a group of deep wreck divers finding a sunken German U-boat, sixty miles off the New Jersey coast. This is a quote from one of the larger-than-life divers:
"I gotta say, this is a mystery like you read in a book. A German U-boat comes to our doorstep in New Jersey. It explodes and sinks with maybe sixty guys onboard, and no one- no goverment or navy or professor or historian-has a clue that it's even here."

Oh, I want to read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo as well. During the Reign of the Queen of Persia may be too much of a girly book for you, Mark. I read it because it connects with my life right now; one of the moms in the story died of cancer (not a spoiler because you learn this in the first couple of pages), and my sister has been fighting that battle for a few years now and is not doing well. But you may feel a connection too, as the setting is a farmhouse on the edge of a small-town, in the mid-west, and mid-50's. And the writing is so good. The story is told by 2 pairs of daughters of daughters living with grandma (the Queen) and Uncle Dan and is told in first person, plural. The story is told a bit out of sequence, so the first third is lots lighter, funnier, but I loved the whole book.

my sister has been fighting that battle for a few years now and is not doing well I am very sad to read this. Battles with this rotten c-word are hard on everyone who loves the person, too.

Bonnie- Unfortunately, I think we all have c-word stories. I lost my younger sister, at a young age to it and my mother had suffered through several bouts. Ugly disease!

Hey Mark;
Shadow Divers sounds too good to be nonfiction. But I don't read a whole lot of that genre; am attempting to incorporate more and more of it into my reading. Usually I have to find a subject matter that clicks with me to enjoy it and right now it is the Civil War. For a long time the only nonfiction I read was about WWII. Diversification---that's the ticket.
"A heady mix of Bergman's Persona with Pulp Fiction's time-bending structure." What a fascinating description of Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon. Kind of makes me want to read it although the "reader meter" tells me I will "strongly" dislike it. hee hee
The boys are here and have had breakfast, or I should say the younger has had his. The older one got the second 1/2 of his braces on yesterday and his mouth is really sore. (he had football practice afterward; came home and said he made 7 or 8 kids cry---he's a hard hitter; the coaches call him "freight train") But he didn't want to eat yet. I think when he does, maybe I will make him a peanut butter milkshake so he gets some protein there.
Have you come up with any titles yet Mark? Me---nada.
later,
belva

>#257:
Hi spacespuds;
I do that all the time; forget whose thread I am on. (**headslap**) LOL

>#259:
Good morning Bonnie;
If During the Reign of the Queen of Persia was good enough for 3 or 4 reads for you, it definitely is going on my TBR listing.

catch you girls later too.
hugs to all,
belva

Richard! Don't you do that! I depend on you being your curmudgeonous self; your sweetness made me start to blubber!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister, Mark. It's weird, I was the first one to get cancer in my family (breast cancer, more than 25 years ago!), even though I'm the youngest. Then four years ago my second oldest sister died from a glioblastoma (same as Edward Kennedy) and now I have another sister who's losing her battle with colon cancer.

Bonnie- Thanks for sharing some painful thoughts! It looks like it has touched most of us, one way or another. We need to embrace life and enjoy every moment. LT sure helps in that department, how about it?
Belva- Yes, Shadow Divers is amazing. A friend of mine, a non-reader mind you, slapped it on me. Of course, I was dubious at first, (sounds snobbish, right?) but then once I started it, it yanked me right in! Thanks non-reading pal, who I do suspect is a closet-reader!

Another cancer survivor here, checking in twenty-six years later. And, very, very grateful to be living this life.

All of you here speaking up about yourselves, or family members, or friends, welcome to a large community.

I try to keep in mind for myself that the best thing that I can do is live a life of valor and action to the best of my ability, while remembering all the things I have to be grateful for as often as I can.

Living well now is great revenge for everything uncomfortable that was happening in my life back in the day(s) when I was "a cancer patient." Having people to love in my life is the greatest.

WH

Ruth- Thanks for your kind thoughts! There seems to be many brave survivors here! Have a great weekend!

It's great to hear all of your survivor stories. They are so encouraging. I have a close relative who starts chemo in two weeks. For me, having had lots of medical stuff myself (though not cancer), I find it much harder to be the support person. I feel absolutely useless. Any tips on how to "be there" for her?

50) Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson *****
What a terrific way to close out my 50! This is a true adventure story about a group of deep wreck divers, who discover a sunken German U-boat sixty miles off the New Jersey coast, back in 1991. It becomes an amazing story, as two of the most prominent divers, try to unravel the mysteries of this lost sub, taking many years and costing several lives in their relentless quest. This author immerses the reader in deep diving culture, which is both thrilling and very deadly. Highly recommended!

Congrats on hitting 50! Big accomplishment.

Congrats on the big 5 0.

Congratulations! And what a good collection of reads, too!

>270 Berly::
Berly;
Having lost my sister, my stepfather of 29 years and my best friend to the big C, I can only speak from my own experience. But I found that with all of them, the most important thing to them was being heard. So I guess the best advice from my standpoint is to listen, listen, and listen some more. Sometimes it is a spoken word, sometimes a feeling, sometimes just a look. Sometimes they need you to just be there period. And sometimes they don't and you will, I am sure, know when she wants to be alone.
My dad and best friend wanted to be touched, have their legs massaged, etc. My sister didn't want to be touched but she did like me to read to her when she was having her chemo treatments and later when she was too weak to hold her book.
All three of them wanted my face close to theirs. I don't know why that is, but my dad, especially wanted my face right in front of his. I think perhaps when people don't meet their eyes, they feel they become nobody, just a patient, just a room number, just a chart.
You are on my heart and in my prayers, my dear, as is your family member. I don't know her name but when I pray, He does.
Bless you for your mercy and grace.
love,
belva

Belva-- Thanks for your words of wisdom and for your heartfelt prayers. I will do my best! xoxo

Mark...YAY on 50!!

Now don't get to thinkin' this means you can stop writing and posting reviews on this thread, little mister. I've already added Shadow Divers to my wishlist. What ever could I find to put on it if you stop reviewing books I want to read?

Thanks everyone for the congrats!! I still have 3 months to go, so I think I'll join the big boys & girls next time on the prestigious 75 Challenge. I won't make it but I'll be a lot closer to that magical number.
Richard- As usual, thanks for the support and for your insights!

But Mark...50 books in 8 months...75 in 12 months...it's precisely the same reading pace! 6.25 books completed per month. 75 won't even stretch a single readerly muscle! Maybe you should join the 100 group....

Congratulations, Mark on reaching 50--books, that is! I'm going to move over to the 75-book challenge in December or January too since most of the people I've starred are over there.

Congratulations Mark!~!
I will meet you and Bonnie over on the 75 gig in January.
I find it just too hard to keep up with my lil "LT cheerleader" (as Charlie calls --BJ) whilst on the 50 book gig so I am moving as well. Birds of a feather and all that you guys. And as for you St. Richard-------you are here, there, and everywhere. So wherever we are you are never far away.
I just love you guys.
belva

Richard- Love those "readerly muscles"! Actually I started my challenge Dec 1st. I didn't want to wait another month. So, I would have to read 25 books in 3 months and that's not gonna happen, but I'm reading more than ever and that's all that matters, my friend!
Bonnie & Belva- Thanks, gals and I'll see you all over on the 75 Challenge with the other big dogs!

Congrats Mark! And you are absolutely right: the gift is that we are reading more, perhaps of a greater variety and certainly with more enjoyment because we have all these great people to share ourselves with. Cheers!

Thanks Berly!! And you put it much better than I did! Amen, girl!

Hi, Mark!
I finally got all caught up with your thread. I spent my whole day just reading yours, and you have read so many wonderful books! Thanks for all those terrific reviews. And congratulations on reaching 50 books!!!

I was just talking to my baby girl on the phone and she informs me that we have three -- count 'em -- three Jasper Fforde books, so I will be on the lookout for them pretty soon.

By the way, I would also like to join in on your group read of the Follett book next year. Have a terrific day and sorry I took so long to get caught up.
--BJ

Yay! You did it - congratulations!

BJ- Thanks for the compliments and thanks for dropping by. I plan on starting The Eyre Affair in a couple of weeks. I want to see what the fuss is about.
Joanne-Yes, I did it! I knew 50 wouldn't be tough but next time, the 75 Challenge, will be just that!
I'm mowing through Dragon Tattoo. After a slow 1st 20-30 pages, it takes off like a rocket! It's great you picked it up too!

I'm so glad to hear that! I read through the first couple of pages and got a little worried as it didn't really grab me.

Hello everyone. Looks like today is the day to hang out on Mark's thread!~! Hi Berly, --BJ and coppers.

Hey Mark;
I have 1 1/2 books to go to finish my 999 challenge. Not too shabby seeing as how I just began it in early May. But after that I have only one book I have to read and then I will be ready to start with the Fforde series and I have all of both series at hand now so whatever you want to do.
I do have to get "The Shack" out of the way as it was sent to me from an LT friend, much like "Z" was and I have let it go just because of my 999 challenge. He wants me to pass it on to someone else who wants to read it and keep it going when I finish so I must get that done.
Am looking forward to the Fforde's. Supposedly hoots, all.
later and hugs all round,
belva

Love the Fforde's!! First three especially. A much better twist on the classics than all those new zombie genres. Do NOT like those! I also loved The Shack, and although I realize it is a work of fiction, did find many cool aha!s in it. Especially liked the unusual personification of the Holy Trinity. Have fun!

Are you guys talking about The Eyre Affair? I keep eyeing it at the library but never tried it.

Joanne- Yes we are talking about The Eyre Affair. It's the 1st book in the Thursday Next trilogy. I picked it up because everyone was buzzing about it. One thing about LT buzz, usually you are in for a treat. I'm going to start The Hummingbird's Daughter, (that darn LT buzz again!!) after Dragon Tattoo and then maybe the Fforde book. Whew, I'm exhausted thinking about it!
Belva- What are the next 2 Thursday Next books called?
I've heard so many mixed things about The Shack. I'll have to see which way you come down on it.

I hate to burst your bubble there, Mark, but Thursday Next is a lot more than a trilogy:

Lost in a Good Book
The Well of Lost Plots
Something Rotten
First Among Sequels

Something tells me I'm forgetting one....

I've got a big list of books I'm going to go searching for at Powell's in Portland, including The Hummingbird's Daughter. I thought that The Shack was schmaltyz and trite, but then I'm an atheist, so you can't really go by me. Loved Gilead though, so I can be inspired and touched by how others use their faith to question their thinking or actions, and to try to live a better life.

>#293:
St. Richard and Mark;
According to the Author page of my First Among Sequels there was one after Something Rotten entitled The Great Samuel Pepys Fiasco, but it has been lined through by the publisher and says (no longer available). I wonder if they just changed the title of First Among Seguels. Will have to google it.
Be right back.
belva

found it. check out the link below:

http://www.jasperfforde.com/giveaway/tnu151.html

Richard- Thanks for the correction and the list! I assumed it was a trilogy. Have you read them, good sir?
Belva- Thanks for the link!

No sweat, sweets,
belva

Yeah, I read the Ffordes, but you must *swear* never to tell a soul. It's kinda embarrassing.

Beelzeva, that was the one I thought I was missing! As always, she's Belva-on-the-spot with the info.

I see you're enjoying The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Mark, which is very reassuring! I've been eye-ing it very closely at the bookstore lately and have been in the mood to start a new series so I'm looking forward to your review.

I go away for a few days, and then have to spend valuable reading time getting caught up with threads. And yours is the first I've read, my friend. Glad to see you are going to join us "big dogs" on the 75 challenge next year. I am such a casual poster that I'm not certain I qualify for that moniker.

I intend to read The Hummingbird's Daughter as well if and when I get caught up. I don't do "cutesy" books well, so have stayed away from Fforde but have friends who enjoyed the series.

Space- Just passed the 400 page mark of Dragon Tattoo, 200 left! It's a big book for a thriller! And it's been a terrific ride. Love the main characters!
Donna- Hope you had a great trip! Yes, I'm looking forward to joining the "big dogs". I'll be starting "Hummingbird" next. You should try to squeeze it in also!

When I started this thread last December, I would have never guessed I would clock in 300 posts. So, thanks my fellow readers for making this challenge such an absolute joy. You all are an incredible bunch!
Next thread- http://www.librarything.com/topic/72418