lindsacl's (Laura's) challenge

1. The Road Home - review
2. Property - review
3. When I Lived in Modern Times - review
4. A Fine Balance - review
5. In a Summer Season - review
6. Mansfield Park - review
7. Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate - review
8. A Severed Head - review
9. Moon Tiger - review
10. The Unbearable Lightness of Being - review
11. The Professor's House - review
12. A Mercy - review

I'm moving over here from the 50 Book Challenge group where I've been the past two years. My pace is more in the 75-book range, so here I am!

My 2008 thread: lindsacl's 2008 read-a-thon
My Reading Globally thread, which continues in 2009: lindsacl reads around the world

This will be my third year as part of the LT, blogging and reading challenge community. In 2008 I found myself with a very prescriptive reading plan that was fun at first, but began to make me twitch in the summer. While I like to set reading goals, I've found I really need to provide more flexibility and spontaneity. With that in mind, I've signed up for fewer time-based challenges this year:
- 1% Well-Read Challenge, which ends in February. I need to read 3 more books.
- Book Awards II Challenge, ending in June. I need to read 5 more books.
- Lost in Translation Challenge, a full-year challenge to read 6 books in translation. This is a continuation of my Reading Across Borders perpetual challenge, described below.
- Support your Local Library Challenge, another full-year challenge. I aim to read 50 (!!) books from my local library.

I plan to continue my perpetual challenges (2009 goals are shown in parentheses):
- Reading Across Borders (10) - aka my Reading Globally thread
- Complete Booker (12) - reading all Booker Prize winners
- Orange Prize Project (8) - reading Orange Prize winners & shortlists
- Pulitzer Project (6) - reading all Pulitzer Prize winners
- Virago Modern Classics (10) - reading my VMC collection

This may not look like a lot of flexibility, but I figure I can easily fit in about 20 books that are "just for fun": books from my TBR pile, recommendations from friends, or new releases. Twenty is a good number for me; if I keep the same reading pace as 2008, this will represent 25% of my reads.

With that, Happy New Year! And let the reading begin!

I can't believe you have your ticker all set up too!

Welcome to the group!

>3 tiffin: I can believe it. She's probably already reading for 2009, too, she's THAT organized!

No, that would be wrong. And it would mess up my spreadsheets and my stats, and I just couldn't deal with that :-) So I'm still reading for 2008, but planning for 2009!

ETA: Speaking of planning, I added my 2009 reading goals to message #2!

I love your ticker! How cute.

Your thread is starred as well! I have a plane ride and probably a wait and or cancelled flight ( always happens) on Friday -so that means much reading time.

It seems like you will have a lit of variety in your reading this year! I think your categories offer a lot of flexibility, too.

I'll definitely follow your thread!

It wouldn't be a challenge thread without you! =) Looking forward to reading your posts. I am on the 75 challenge thread now too. Happy New Year!

Hallo lindsacl - I shall be following your thread closely!!!

* waves * I'm happy to see you here citizenkelly!

This closely!!!

* gulp *

Jumped here from your 2008 roundup to star your thread lindsacl. Look forward to your reviews.

I'm watching you, too!

There's no getting away =)

Not wanting you to feel too self conscious but... :-)

Gee, Laura, your fanclub is all agitated...you better read something quick!

*taps foot impatiently; waiting for something to go on that spreadsheet*

You are on my radar, also, Lindsacl. I am right behind CK there, waiting for the excellent list to start up.

Like your ticker. Glad I was able to find your thread.

AAARGH! The pressure! 22 messages before I've even finished a book!! On another thread, tiffin referred to this as the "New Year's Stalk & Star" which I just loved. Thanks for stopping by everyone!

The price of popularity!$%?

And we're off ....

1. The Road Home - review

From my review: Out of work and mourning the loss of his wife, Lev leaves his Eastern European homeland on a bus bound for London. ... I was instantly drawn into Lev's story. His loneliness and isolation were palpable. The important figures in his life, both at home and in England, were rich and believable. In some cases, it was a bit too obvious the purpose Tremain had in mind for each character; however, this did not diminish my enjoyment of this prizewinning novel. (4 / 5 stars)

Thanks for the review of The Road Home. I am looking forward to reading it one of these centuries!

I really loved The Road Home, Laura. I thought that it was a wonderful portrayal of the cultural differences - and I smiled at her descriptions of London/Western decadence. The naivete and raw enthusiasm of Lev was very well portrayed. It was one of my favs of 2008.

#25, Great review, Laura.

#27, The Road Home was one of my top 2008 reads too, for the reasons given by you both!

Edited to change touchstone

I am adding The Road Home to my ever-expanding TBR list. Let's see, this is Jan. 4 and TRH is No. 4 on my 2009 list. I'm not even going to mention last year's list and the toppling pile of books on the floor in my little library. At this rate, I may have to hire a ghost-reader!

Hi Laura
I added The Road Home to my tbr pile in 2008. Izzybee highly recommended this one as well. After reading your review, I'm going to try to move it up the ladder and higher on the priority list to read soon.

Thanks for the great review.

Message 29, Donna..You added four books so far...I added about twelve. Be prepared to be swamped with books that are tbr and are ever so fascinating.

Welcome all to our book challenge.. I see lots of new names and bear with me while I take time to read your threads and posts.

oooh good, I put it on order just before Christmas and it should be coming in to land soon.

#29 Donna: If you find a ghost reader, let me know where you got it, would you? Continent TBR has about 3000 titles and counting . . .

I enjoyed The Road Home very much too, Laura, and thought is was striking how (generally) unfriendly the English were portrayed, as opposed to other immigrants. I don't think Tremain necessarily exaggerated, but I suspect it's an experience that all immigrants have to make in the Western world... She was quite sensitive and thoughtful in her portrayal of Lev, wasn't she?

I just found you over here and it looks like I've missed out on a lot already!

The Road Home was also in my top ???? (number undisclosed:) in 2008. I'm glad your first book for the new year was a good one!

>33 citizenkelly:: interesting comment. I think Tremain captured the immigrant experience very well. I don't think her portrayal of the English was entirely unfriendly. There were some good people like Sophie & Christy, but the general population was portrayed as somewhat hostile to immigrants. I don't think it was too far off the mark from personal observations ~5 years ago -- there appeared to be some degree of resentment towards Eastern Europeans and particularly those designated "asylum seekers".

I'm live in a British city (not London) and I'm afraid there is still a great deal of resentment towards immigrants.

Much of it is built on misunderstandings fuelled by our tabloid press. My work involves supporting vulnerable people with aspects of their lives such as benefits. It is heartbreaking to meet Eastern Europeans who have lost their jobs yet are not entitled to benefits because they haven't worked the requisite 52 weeks. Then I will hear someone saying the Eastern Europeans are only here for the benefits!

So yes, I found that element of the book all too believable. The part I queried was that Lev was so isolated from his culture in London. I would have expected someone in his situation to have gravitated towards others from his country, of which there would be many in London!

Thanks for the first-hand perspective, Soupdragon. I'm also thrilled to "know" someone working to help people in those situations! Also, great point about Lev's isolation -- I didn't think about it while I was reading the book but yes, you're right. Why was Lydia the only person he could connect with? I would think there's be a huge Eastern European community in London. Interesting ... thanks.

Great goals, lindsacl, but daunting (to me). Have starred this thread and expect to enjoy it, as I did the last two. Your first review looks very interesting. Oh, that wishlist continues to grow.

I used to work in the restaurant industry in London and I now work for a charity that, among other things, offers support to asylum seekers and migrant workers.

My feeling is that Rose Tremain got it right.

Yes, there are a lot of Eastern Europeans in London but there are many different ethic and political groups and they don't necessarily mix well.

And Soupdragon is spot on about the tabloid press and the widespread prejudice against immigrants. As a result many just keep their heads down and don't mix and meet others.

Immigrant "fear" is everywhere and not just the western world and I suspect it will only get worse if the world economy worsens. Tabloid/Newspapers are usually the main stirrers of the pot followed by our politicians.

I agree with Fleurfisher that just because someone is from the same country doesn't mean they would naturally gravitate to similar people.

I am interested in this The Road book as I have heard a lot of good things about it, might see if my library has it.

2. Property - review

From my review: Set in the 1830s, Property is the story of Manon, the wife of a Louisiana sugar cane plantation owner. ... I believe this was an accurate portrayal of a certain type of individual during that time period, but I was unable to identify with her, which dampened my enthusiasm for this novel. (3 / 5 stars)

Good call, Laura - I've just read your review and felt pretty much the same way about the book.

As an entirely indecent comment...................I want a ghost reader too. And a ghost 'life liver' would be good?

>42 citizenkelly:: thanks ck. It was strange ... for the first half or so I was completely taken with it. But then the tacit approval of slavery began to really bother me.

Good review, Laura. I really understand how you feel about this. Had a similar reaction with Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, which everyone else was loving but the racism in it and the fact that one of the women was getting shaken and slapped to get her to smarten up just stuck in my craw. Some things just aren't on, right?

Perhaps if the writing was fab and it was a different era, you could overlook inappropriate racial or bullying references - eg. in my Dostoyevsky read he portrays a Jewish convict in a stereotypically very demeaning way and struggles to reconcile his opinions of the 'vagrant' and 'common' men.

It is more expected when reading older stuff, but not in modern fiction.

#41,Interesting review, Laura. My copy of Property is lurking at the bottom of Mount TBR and it looks like it may remain there for a bit longer. I'm not in the mood for characters I don't care for at the moment!

#45, I felt the same about Miss Pettigrew, Tiffin. As Kiwidoc says, there are times you can overlook the odd dodgy reference but in this case the book's values as a whole were a bit suspect! It sounds as if Property is a little different as the author may have intended the reader to feel uncomfortable but as I haven't read the book I don't really know!

Laura, I hope it's okay to do this. Property is a book that I loved (five stars), and I thought some of you who haven't read it may want a review that shows a different perspective. Here is my review, if you are interested. Please know that I have the most respect for Laura's take on this book!

As Laura knows, I am a sucker for books about Southern belles, but I also studied this culture as part of my master's degree in history. I found Property to be a historically accurate portrayal of these times. It's unfortunate that the time depicted is a low point in freedom for all Americans.

Laura, forgive me for hijacking your thread! =)

Fascinating discussion of Property. Laura, when you say "tacit approval of slavery" are you implying that the author approves of the institution? Because surely the white characters involved would "approve" of it as a matter of course at the time. I think it must be difficult for a modern author to write about such things as slavery and class conflict in such a way as to show us the injustice without overlaying 20th (OK, 21st) century sensibilities on the story itself.

>48 mrstreme:: Jill, no problelm at all with you posting your review !! Opposing views are always OK on this thread. The dialogue is the fun part of this.

>49 laytonwoman3rd:: I don't think the author approves of slavery; I would be shocked if she did. And she did a good job of depicting what I suspect would be the typical viewpoint of the woman slaveowner without, as you say, overlaying today's sensibilities.

Also, reflecting on this book after posting my review, I remembered another aspect that I actually did admire. While the plot revolves around slavery, she also shows how women were the property of their husbands. So we had an intersting juxtaposition of property in the form of slavery, and property in terms of the oppression of women.

Something about this book fell short for me, and it happened in the last ~75 pages or so. But I still gave it 3 stars -- meaning it's a good book, worth reading, just didn't "pop" or stand out (my profile page has a description of my rating system).

Edited to add: Jill, that's a fantastic review!!!

Edited again to correct egregious typo.

I found this discussion on slavery and the differing views on Property fascinating. I enjoyed both reviews. Guess I'll just have to read the book for myself! I just finished reading A Mercy, which also gives an interesting slant on slavery and its beginnings in America.

Naturally all this discussion has intrigued me to the point that I have added Property to my TBR list.

Me, too.

Me three!

Yea! Stop back after you've read it and we'll pick up right where we left off. I'm lovin' this dialogue!

Me too - loving the dialogue I mean! Great reviews and very interesting content from both of you Jill and Laura!

O.K.- I will move Property to the January reading pile! I was thinking of reading it this month -these conversations convinced me.

Darn! by the time I manage to get the book, there will be another impassioned discussion over a different book raging across three continents, I'll need to get yet another book, I'll fall behind even more--is there no end to my suffering!?

What Joycepa said. I just picked up 3 more books today after 4 had been delivered yesterday. Tiny brain is imploding.

Can't wait to read everyone's thoughts on Property! Thanks, Laura, for being a gracious hostess for this discussion - and for your compliment of my review!

Now you all have steered me away, yet again, from my tbr pile with talk of Property. A Mercy was my last read of 2008 and I enjoyed it, gave it a 4/5. This will be an interesting take on slavery including in a form not often discussed as lindascl mentioned in #50.

Oh, my, now I will have to read Property, too! What Joycepa said. And it's not at the library.

ETA: Woo-hoo! Got it for $3.52 (shipping, too) at Betterworld.com. Love those people.

>62 kambrogi:: and at only ~195 pages you'll finish it in no time!

I may put it off a bit, however, so as not to overlap with A Mercy too much. A short book or two will be nice after The Brothers Karamazov, although I love a meaty read. Btw, have you read The Known World? That also deals with slavery, and is another that many found flat, but I ended up being very moved by it. The restrained, almost journalistic, style grew slowly on me.

Kathi, I read The Known World last year and liked it. I wouldn't say I was "very moved," but it gave me a perspective I hadn't considered.

3. When I Lived in Modern Times - review

From my review: In 1946, Evelyn Sert left London for Palestine, to be part of Israel's formation. ... This book would be interesting to those wishing to learn more about the birth of Israel, and it puts today's events in historical context. However, I was hoping for a more character-driven novel and in that respect I was disappointed. (3 / 5 stars)

Sorry, lindsacl, I remember now that you did read it; I believe I remember your review. I think you are like me in that you need to get some feeling from the characters in order to fully enjoy a story -- didn't we agree on Inheritance of Loss? Oh, all the books are running together!

#66, I read this for a reading group when it was first out. I don't remember all that much about it, except that I was underwhelmed and thinking that at least I'd learnt something about Israel. Not that I remember any of it now!!

>67 kambrogi:: kambrogi, I think you're right about the importance of characters in my reading. I realized about halfway through that I was probably supposed to be more immersed in and affected by the environment, or the events. The characters were ancillary. But the books I enjoy most are the ones where I get totally caught up in the characters.

>68 Soupdragon:: Soupdragon, isn't it funny how we keep visiting each other's threads and saying something along the lines of "I read that and felt the same way!" As you know I perused your library a while back and was amazed how similar your star ratings were to my own views. So I wasn't too surprised to read that you were underwhelmed by When I Lived ...

#69. Well apart from us both having extremely good taste in books, of course!...I think it comes down to what you and Kambrogi were saying about enjoying fiction most where you feel for the characters in the book. Not necessarily agreeing with them or identifying with them but experiencing with them, whatever they're going through.

I think The Inheritance of Loss is a real benchmark book, regarding how important this is to you. Such a well written book but the characters were so remote. I'm not surprised opinion is so divided on that one.

You said it, Soupdragon.

She sure did!

Hmm. Just deciding what to read next. Perhaps I should check both your libraries before I do! It's gotta be Orange...

I just finished Property. I found the portrayal of the wife ( Manon) and her prejudices very interesting in light of her own treatment. The writing was very economical and said so much to me about the times and attitudes.

>74 torontoc:: Oh yea! We're back to discussing Property!!! You wrote, very interesting in light of her own treatment. Inspired by this conversation, I made a similar comment about that in #50. That's an interesting irony isn't it? I have to say the more we talk about it, the more I am appreciating that dimension of this book.

That's right, Laura. Come to the dark side. =)

I really think ownership of women and slaves is the crux of the novel. And there was a pecking order to it (women first then slaves). If Manon had rejected the idea of slavery, it would have been very unusual for a Southern women of that time. It probably happened, but most women believed that those slaves should be owned and not freed. It's disgusting to think about it now, isn't it?

A point that Faust makes in Mothers of Invention was that Southern slave-holding women were ambivalent abut slavery itself as the war went on because of he enormous difficulty they had in managing slavs while the white men were off fighting. Even as they deplored the problem, they kept saying "f I just had one good negro to wait on me" and this theme--the problem of "servants" carried over after the war. She also gives very powerful evidence that after the war, women suffragette leaders from the South were in the forefront of pushing black disenfranchisement.

>74 torontoc: & 75: ...very interesting in light of her own treatment...

However, isn't it rather common that an oppressed group will, in turn, oppress someone else. I've heard theories ranging from "learned behavior" to "the need to feel that, as bad as it is, someone else is even worse," but I think this is a fairly common situation.

#78: Absolutely true!

For example, The Germans who were here really discriminated against the Irish immigrants, who in turn did the same thing to Italians.

During the Civl Rights era of the 60s, I was heartbroken to watch Italian-American behavior in places like Cicero, IL. I couldn't believe that Italians had not learned from their own experiences of discrimination.

But I've also seen in in LA as well, in a factory where I worked as quality control--Hispanics had the better jobs,the union stewardships, while Afro-Americans had the menial jobs, the lowest on the pay scales.

>77 Joycepa:-79: Fascinating!!

>79 Joycepa: I've seen this in less oppressive circumstances, too. I think it's the effect of Power, in almost any degree. One of the partners in our firm was an associate for many years before being "taken in". He was the nicest, funniest guy...never spoke unpleasantly to or about anyone. He didn't have his own secretary for a while, and every one was willing and eager to do his work as necessary. Once he became a partner, he changed dramatically. He became demanding, demeaning, officious, impossible to satisfy (sometimes sending the simplest work back with revisions 4 or 5 times) and worst of all, in my opinion, prone to bad-mouthing one employee to another when things were not going well.

Edited to remove some too revealing details that I probably shouldn't have posted in such a public forum to begin with.

Sorry, Laura...you may have your BOOK thread back now!!

#81: Nope, not yet, she can't--I need to stick in my half-centavo and say I agree with you about power. And anyone who tells you women are different has had very little experience with newly-promoted females in a male-dominated firm.

Sometimes it's one cause, sometimes the other, sometimes a combination. But I think always there is a sense of fear of losing "power"--which always makes me laugh, because oppressed groups NEVER have any power to lose.

It's all smoke and mirrors.

Agree completely about the women who mishandle power---my husband has one of those where he works. That's all I'm going to say.

Somewhere back in the murk of university years, I read a sociological study of the attraction of "white trash" in the US to the Klu Klux Klan. Precisely what you were talking about above. Illusion of power.

You know, I don't think I've ever had such a rich discussion on one of my "personal" threads. I thought Joyce was the only lucky one. This is great ... thanks!

#85: Oh well--get a bunch of us opinionated types together and then it's inevitable! :-)

This is a great discussion! Thanks, Laura, for hosting it. Joyce, I really, really must get to Women of Invention. I gets pangs of eagerness every time you mention it!

Thank you everyone. I have so relished reading this discussion of powerProperty makes it onto my (about to topple over) Mt tbr.

Jill: you may have a bit of a problem obtaining a copy. I had to purchase mine used--couldn't get a new one through Amazon. I imagine though that any college or university library would have a copy.

4. A Fine Balance - review

From my review: I loved the structure of this novel. It begins with a prologue, that shows how the characters come to know one another. Then Mistry takes the reader deep into the lives of each character, beginning with Dina, exploring her childhood and marriage. Mistry vividly describes Maneck's parents and the rural setting of his childhood. A full understanding of the tailors comes by going back a full generation to reveal their parents' life and values. Mistry relates each character's story up to the point where their lives intersect, sometimes presenting the same events from different points of view. A Fine Balance is a must-read! (4.5 / 5 stars)

You have good taste in books, Laura. A Fine Balance is one of my all-time favorite books. Plus, I have just started Property, and it has grabbed me from Page One.

If you haven't read Family Matters, lindsacl, I can highly recommend it as well.

>91 Donna828:: why, thank you Donna! * blush *
>92 tiffin:: thanks for the recommendation, tiffin. I'll have to look into that. I certainly enjoyed his writing.

5. In a Summer Season - review

From my review: Elizabeth Taylor is quite skilled at portraying ordinary people, embodying some with amusing idiosyncracies (such as the aunt who is obsessed with sex, although she has no direct personal experience), while also putting her characters under a microscope to expose the tiny flaws that are often the source of their downfall. This is what I enjoy most about her writing. Unfortunately, the plot did not measure up to the characters, and in my view this book fell short of her other work (i.e.; A View of the Harbour, and Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont).

Hi, I just found out about the Property discussion here, from a Girlybooks thread (thanks, lindacl) and will add my two cents.

The author did a great job of getting inside the mindset of someone who feels she is entitled to own black people and yet chafes at the law that says that she and her assets belong to her husband. Martin (the author) walks a masterful line of ambivalence. On one hand Manon seems to recognize that Sarah is a person, with feelings and a mind, yet she can't bring herself to acknowledge that her own treatment of Sarah is, in many ways, as bad as her husband's treatment of Sarah, and of herself. One question came up for me. If blacks were less than human and whites had god-given dominion over them, what of the children borne of the union of owner and slave? Are they part-human? Are they completely defined by their black mothers? I also thought it was interesting that the slave revolts were not seen as inevitable, given such an unnatural state of affairs. The book was short, but many-layered. Very thought-provoking.

I also really like Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont - and A View Of The Harbour is in one of the towering piles of books by my bed - will have to move it to the top!

Great thread with such an interesting discussion - I still have not read A Fine Balance which is shocking considering that he is Canadian. Must do it. Also motivated to read Property now - thanks for the inspiration. Elizabeth Taylor is not so appealing to me, although don't tell.

kiwi, I think you'd really enjoy A Fine Balance!
(mum's the word on Taylor ...)

>94 lauralkeet:: Hi Laura - I loved Mrs Palfrey last year (bought on impulse in Oxfam and read thanks to the Book Nudgers) so had put In a Summer Season down for my next Elizabeth Taylor, as I'd enjoyed the first so much. Is it really such a disappointment?

Well, FlossieT, I found it to be "just OK" compared to the other two books I've read. Reading In a Summer Season is not a waste of time, by any means. She has a way of capturing the essence of certain character types that I quite enjoy, and she does that well in this book. I still consider Elizabeth Taylor one of my favorite authors, and am working my way through all of the VMCs I own by her.

I've only read Mrs Palfrey and a few of Elizabeth Taylor's short stories but am gradually collecting her other books when I can find them at a reasonable (ie cheap!) price. Your review helped me towards deciding on the order in which to read them. Well, not to read In a Summer Season next, anyway!!

Soup, I liked In a Summer Season very much. Perhaps it was being in the right mood at the right time but I thought her look at love slightly out of skew, like unmeshed cogs in a wheel, and the click into place at the end was skillfully done. *tiptoeing away from lindsacl's thread now*

tiffin, don't run off! You know I have enormous respect for your opinions. And I enjoyed reading your review after posting mine (at the time, ours were the only two). I agree her look at love was slightly out of skew, and while the ending was surprising in some ways, it was also kind of predictable. Hard to explain without giving it away!

I think she just wanted to explore the out-of-skewness. I know re the predictable but certain kinds of predictability are of the Right Sort, if you know what I mean nudge nudge wink wink say no more and not giving it away. Soup, read this book when you are in the mood for askew to be made skew again and aren't feeling particularly critical...maybe on a lazy day in the summer season.

ETA: "critical" in the English Littish critique sense.

Well that's an interesting POV tiffin, and I have to say I like it!

Thank you both for your reviews and comments!

I will. of course, read all my Elizabeth Taylors eventually, though I thought I might go for one of her "safer" ones next. It would be a shame to be put off her work when I have so many left to read!

Having said that, Tiffin, you do make In a Summer Season sound appealing. But then, you have a talent for making books sound appealing! I bought three books in December that I hadn't even heard of before, on the strength of your recommendations alone! Sorry to sound so accusing. I appreciate it really and am very pleased with my books :)

Looking forward to lazy summer days spent reading about love gone askew and then made skew again...sounds lovely. Sub-zero here, at the moment, so won't be happening any time soon...

Right now, reading anything called "In a Summer Season" sounds verrrrry appealing to me. My daughter found that book for me at McKay's in Knoxville... wonder if she's mailed it yet? *scurries off to agitate offspring*

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but my tomatoes are turning--I should have two ripe ones within days. So hard to wait, you know.

Joycepa...! That's mean. Still go ahead and rain. It sounds warmer than the snow we're forecast.

At least I'm not having to worry about sunblock right now. And am about to retire to bed for an afternoon of reading, where the weather will make no difference whatsoever, once I've turned up the heating to prevent frostbite in my fingers.

#109: Wow, what a great excuse for reading in bed--the weather!! Well done!

You can all laugh in September and October when I get sullen about the rain. When I get December's figures, we'll have had about 240" last year. It was 236" up through November.

#108: when they're ripe, we'll lob them at you because some of us are buried under over 3 feet of snow and it is still snowing. Goodness, where are you that you get so much rain? I'd be covered in mould.

#111. In Panama. And believe me, mold and all sorts of fungi are a problem.

Reading on bed and in the afternoon - what bliss - and I just love all this weather talk!! We are going to be getting snow Sunday and into next week.
Thank you Laura - I am really enjoying your thread.

Thank you all for visiting!

Just to join in on the weather discussion - Vancouver is a wet, wet city - we substitute snow for low cloud and rain - it rains for over 200 days of the years. Nickelini will confirm that one! It can be so grey that a sunny day can make your eyes positively slit-like!

(mind you we were buried under snow and then fog for 6 weeks this year - unheard of in the past and hopefully never repeated).

Bed really is a wonderful place. I could live in bed!

Thanks for lending us your thread Lindsacl!!!

Prior to moving to Panama, I lived on Whidbey Island, WA. I visited Vancouver often--loved the city, especially the conservatories and the UBC Museum of Natural History.

OK, enough about the weather ... I just finished a book!

6. Mansfield Park - review

From my review: I found this book hard work. I had neutral to negative feelings about all of the characters. Fanny Price came across as mousy and boring; the other women were insipid. Men were cast in typical roles: wealthy handsome cads, kind clergy, etc. And the plot moved at a snail's pace. Whether it was a visit to the country, the staging of a play, or a trip to town, Austen stretched the story on for pages and pages. Having enjoyed most of Austen's other work, I had high hopes for Mansfield Park but found myself skimming towards the end, just to be done with it. (2 / 5 stars)

Too bad about Mansfield Park, I was going to read it this year - can't say I am really looking forward to it anymore!

Cait86, have you read any other Austen novels? I really wanted to complete the set, and am glad I did, even though it was my least favorite.

Wow, Mansfield Park must have been a disappointment for you. At least you completed the set!

Hey again! I have read all of Austen's novels except Mansfield Park and Emma, but I plan on reading them both this year. My favourite is Pride and Prejudice, which I have read about ten times, but I read Persuasion earlier this month, and loved it too! I should really reread Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey because it has been a few years :)

In a class I took last year, I read Lady Susan, which I LOVED, though I think I am in the minority here.

Which Austen is your favourite?

Persuasion is my favorite, Cait. I just read it last month. P&P is a very close second, and I'm due for a re-read.

Let me know when you re-read P&P so I can read along with you!

You bet Jill ... you need to be initiated into the Austen fan club!

2 out of five - Wow - that is a low rating - you must have really disliked it.

(I liked it but I am always the contrarian)

Yeah, I'm afraid so ...

Laura. Thanks for giving me one not to add to my ever growing tbr pile. I recently finished a book that was disappointing..I guess it is bound to happen eh?

By the way, I added "eh" to the end of the sentence for all you Canadians....

and, message 125, kiwidoc, better to be a contrian than an octogenarian?

Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are my two favorite Austen novels, though I have read them all and I can't say I disliked any of them...just liked some less than others.

Ha ha, Whisper.

Personally, I would not discount Mansfield Park if you are an Austen fan. I would give it a much higher rating (Lindsacl can ban me if she can!!)

#127 whisper: Wait, WAIT! As someone who is approaching octogenarian status--what's wrong with that?

>129 kiwidoc:: kiwi, I would never ban anyone! As with the discussion of Property earlier, this dialogue makes the thread more fun.

>130 Joycepa:: Joyce, as the thread landlord I'll weigh in & say otogenarians are welcome here, and contrarian octogenarians too!!

I fully plan to be a contrarian octogenarian.

Contrarian septuagenarian isn't bad, either. :-) I can't wait to get to 75. I dream of standing there in front of an audience saying, "And from my three-quarters of a century of experience.." How can anyone even dare to argue with that!?

Such positivity on aging?

I just reached a half century and defo want to stop here!!!

#134: Too bad, because then you'd miss out on a lot. My 50s were revelatory--my own view of myself is that I finally figured myself out during that time. My 60s were yet another period of great self discovery, after I retired and started my own business. AND spent a good part of that decade involved in Brasil. I think in my 60s, I would have to say I got at least a start on some sort of wisdom and objectivity. Others may do so earlier, but I've always been a slow learner.

Too soon in the 70s for me to tell definitively what this decade will be about but certainly coming to terms with mortality and acceptance of limitations. I simply and absolutely can NOT work like I used to and that's hard for me. But it's a necessary lesson.

No, don't kiwi. It gets better, honest. Mentally and emotionally although not particularly physically but hey, that's why dog walking and bicycles were invented. I find it extraordinarily liberating to be in my 60s.

ETA: high fives, Joycepa! Isn't it wonderful to have divested oneself of so much of the bumph and guff?

Joyce - you are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for such uplifting words!!

Tiffin - you are following me around! Thanks also, you are also very inspiring.

Right now I just feel very tired! (Although not too tired to push these keys into place). It is probably the winter weather and the flu in combo. I wish you guys were closer - we could get a few fun coffee mornings going.

Add working b***dy hard for a living in there, kiwi. Raising kids. Running a home. Etc., etc. Winter and flu can tip the apple cart.

Following my starred threads and you happen to feature in a few of 'em.

ETA a * in b***y

#136, #137: My absolutely flat-out happiest years bar none have been since age 50. Each decade for different reasons.

And you bet, tiffin--it was so great to just let go--wasn't even hard--just came with the territory--of so much crap!

And, I might add, the best coffee in the world is grown right here in Chiriquí. Any time you "guys" are in the mood, just pop on down, and we can have coffee on the porch.

I came back to this thread after just a few hours away and found 8 new messages. It's wonderful to read such good things about getting older. I turn 47 this month and can happily say I have divested some of the "crap" from my 20s/30s and am looking forward to even more divestiture!

#141: We can celebrate 47 together - I turn 47 in March!

I'm simply loving all these conversations about the process of aging and the wisdom therein.

One of my favorite poems is Indian Summer by Dorothy Parker. I'm writing from memory and I think I remember it word for word:

In youth, it was a way I had
To do my best to please,
And change, with every passing lad,
To suit his theories.

But now I know the things I know,
And do the things I do;
And if you do not like me so,
To hell, my love, with you!

Basically, I think Parker is saying that Indian Summer is midlife and older. In youth we go round and round and round in circles, trying to be something we aren't and trying to confirm to others. In our later years, there is such freedom to say, hey this is me..take it or leave it.

I joined the 56 year club last September! I'm finding that there is a blessing in the winding down of energy. I know that it is a limited commodity and therefore I am much more careful how I spend my time. I choose friends more carefully and I make much better choices all the way around.

At 58, my fear of aging is that I probably only have 30 good years of reading left and if I manage 100 books a year, which is optimistic, I can only read 3000 more books.

#144: Exactly my sentiments! :-)

I am obviously going to have to stop sleeping entirely . . .

You know, when you actually do the calculations, it's downright scary! Feels like one should drop all other activities and just read, read read.

If I average 100 books a year for the next 30 years, I might be able to read everything on the Continent in its present incarnation. Yikes!! (turning pages furiously)

>147 Joycepa: That's how I've begun to feel, Joyce. It's sort of like hearing those estimates of how much it's going to cost to raise a child to age 18---obviously no normal person can afford one, let alone 2 or 3. If we listened, the human race would soon die out. So we ignore the calculations and just get on with it. Failure is not an option!

drop all other activities and just read, read read.
Wouldn't that be nice?!

#147 & 150: equally pleasant is discussing what we've read, so if I have to forego a few books from the total equation, in order to talk about them with like minded folk, I will happily do so.

Part of my solution to the dilemma is never to read dreck. If I pick up a book and it just isn't doing it for me, I firmly close it and move on to one which does (sometimes I close it exceptionally firmly or, in rare cases, hurl it). I don't care if it's a Booker or Orange prize winner, if it is getting raves everywhere, or what. If it doesn't move me or speak to me or captivate me or send me soaring, there are so many unread ones out there which will, so off I go.

For my mind and soul to grow, they have to be fed things which resonate with them in a healthy way. That's the master plan, in me 'umble opinion. As a gardener, I know it's all about good air, good water, rich soil and regular fertilization. Keep the bugs picked off. Snip off the diseased bits. Toss the dreck.

What great conversations! And, it is timely that I've been having the same sentiments regarding how many books I want to read and the possibility of doing such.

Ah - Tui, our philosopher in all things relating to the soul. You do warm the cockles of my heart!!

As a younger (24 years) LT'er, I am also enjoying this discussion. It very much makes me look forward to aging rather than running scared from it. I'm so glad you all decided to share it's been wonderful to follow.

#153: just trying to stay in touch with my inner crone. hehe

#151, #155: Oh say it again, tiffin!! As another gardener, I applaud--what a great analogy!

#149, Linda: That allows me to withdraw from the sheer panic I was feeling this morning with the actual numbers in my head. I looked at my bookcases, thinking oh god, I'm not going to have time to reread so many of these! time to forget the silly little numbers and just get on with it, yes. Whew! I feel as if I've just escaped some horrible trap.

I liked the gardening analogy, too. And also, tiffin's comments about the importance of discussing what we read. Having others to share your garden with is wonderful !!!

I have never really thought about how many books I can read in my future years. I would end up in whining/regretting the years I was not able to read.
So I just am happy I found my reading ablility back last year and enjoy the books I read :-)

- Laura & Stasia tomorrow I'll be the same age as you two for a little while...

#158: What happened, if you don't mind sharing with us?

>159 Joycepa:: Joycepa
I don't mind sharing, I have talked about it in my thread of 2008.

Looking backwards it was probably a side effect of the medicines to treat my depressions, phobias and anxiety/panick attacks (Seroxat, in the USA called Paxil). I have taken it for many years and in these years I was not able to concentrate enough to read. I might read 1 easy book in 1 or 2 months...
Then in 2006 the Seroxat was not working proper anymore, so my psychiatrist changed me early in 2007 to Efexor and one year later I found out I could read again!
Anita

Anita, that's cause for a celebration! Things like that put everything else into perspective, don't they...just that you can read at all, never mind any regrets. *raising mug of tea and drinking a toast to being able to read*

That's great Anita, I'm so glad things worked out for you!

Ok, tiffin, you can do tea, but here's a toast to you, Anita, in coffee! *she raises her coffee mug and clinks with tiffin's tea mug*

courage domes in many different forms.

thanks Tui, Laura and Joyce
I'll join in with my mug of coffee ;-)
Anita

Dear friends, some of whom I *know* well - I have been reading along on this thread silently contributing yes, yes, yes! I simply have to chime in now and add my joy for you Anita.

Sometimes in my work, folks and their circumstances give both them and myself cause to say 'it certainly keeps things in perspective'. Then life goes on and holding true to that philosophy tends to be so easily eclipsed by life itself.

What I do notice is that it is seldom those things or objects that may be bought that are of value but rather that which cannot be measured or held - except for a hug or a book maybe!!

I add my toast of a white wine spritzer and drink to those good things in life for which we may all be thankful=)

here! here!

This is my best personal LT thread ever!!!

Hi Laura
You inspire great conversations and springboard forums into these wonderful side trips down the lane of your thread.

Anita - congrats on your new medicine and "rediscovering" reading. I take Celexa for my panic disorders, and I am thankful that it doesn't affect my reading. It does make me not want to watch TV, but I wouldn't consider that a bad thing. =)

>168 Whisper1:: aw, how sweet. Thanks Whisper1!
ETA: I have another personal thread over in the Club Read group that doesn't generate nearly as much dialogue. I post the exact same message in both groups every time I finish a book. I don't consider this good or bad, just different. It sparks my curiosity, wondering why there are springboards and side trips on this thread and less activity on the other.

>165 juliette07: & 169 Juliette & Jill
Thanks

>170 lauralkeet:: Laura
we 75-ers are a talkative bunch ;-)

#171: Are the outings to the library getting any easier for you Anita? I certainly hope so!

And I agree, we are a most talkative bunch!

>172 alcottacre:
Yes Stasia, I am getting to know my way at the library and my husband is doing a good job staying near enough for me to cope.
Anita

#173: Good for you (and Frank!)

Fam

Ditto Stasia's message to you...with an added hug!

thank you both, Stasia and Linda
hugs back
Anita

7. Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate - review

From my review: The six Mitford sisters were stylish young members of English high society during the 1920s & 30s. These two novellas provide an entertaining look at their world, as seen by their cousin, Fanny. ... While I enjoyed Nancy Mitford's skewering of her own family & society, I enjoyed even more the way these two novellas complemented each other. (3.5 / 5 stars)

#177: I am a bit confused on your book #7. Is one of the novellas written by Fanny, the cousin, and the other by Nancy? The book sounds interesting, I am just curious.

>177 lauralkeet:: Nancy Mitford is an author I have always wanted to read but simply haven't gotten around to finding. I've looked for her A Talent to Annoy, but second hand shops never seem to have it and I just haven't gotten around to tracking it down on the Web. Perhaps I should get off my duff and do it.

As a side note, when I read books featuring aristocratic British families involved in fascism or communism (e.g. Jo Walton's Farthing), I find myself wondering if there was some basis in the Mitfords.

>178 alcottacre:: alcottacre, both books are written by Nancy Mitford. And both are narrated by fictional character, Fanny. There are several characters common to both books. Fanny's character is part of, and yet not integral to, both of the families featured in each book. It's an interesting literary device.

>177 lauralkeet: Hi Laura! I must admit that Mitford has been one of my (slightly) guilty pleasures. I love reading about the rich & quirky characters, and find it amusing how EVERYTHING - for the protagonists in her novels - revolves around men: who will they go to the ball with, when will they fall in love, when will they have sex for the first time, when will they get married. I know that Mitford has been often criticized for being kind of insensitive about the war and about poor people's lives and many people say that her novels are lacking in depth - but I can't help enjoying her books!

#180: Thanks for the clarification. I am going to have to see if my local library has the book.

>181 girlunderglass:: yes, the focus on men is interesting isn't it? I suppose it reflects the time period when a "good marriage" was a girl's best chance of success.

>182 alcottacre:: I suspect they will have it -- it's on the list of "1001 Books you Must Read Before you Die," so shouldn't be too obscure.

8. A Severed Head - review

From my review: As in her other novels, Murdoch seems to enjoy giving the arrogant male his comeuppance, and playing with him as a cat plays with a mouse. ... A Severed Head is both painful and fascinating reading. (4 /5 stars)

>184 lauralkeet: Good review, lindsacl!

Many thanks, CK!

yes, lidsacl...good review and thus this interesting book is on the tbr mountain!

>184 lauralkeet: It's sitting on my bookshelf, I'll get to it sometime soon! I want to let some time pass as I've recently read another one of hers (and loved it). Good review!

Edit:grammar

One of these days I'm going to get to Iris Murdoch...

>189 laytonwoman3rd:: oh yes, you should.

I have to admit your last review ("Murdoch seems to enjoy giving the arrogant male his comeuppance") tempted me as well. Hmmm, what does this say about me?! ;-)

You are not the only one Bonnie - and my Mum was a real fan about 30 years ago as well!

Murdoch seems to enjoy giving the arrogant male his comeuppance
I have to admit I was particularly proud of myself when this point dawned on me :-)

I am in the process of reading all Murdoch's novels on a Yahoo reading marathon. Enjoying each and every one.

>194 englishrose60: wow englishrose I'm so jealous! I never have the patience to stick with one author al the way through, no matter how much I might have liked a book of theirs :)

girlunderglass - it's not too daunting because we are taking it slowly, taking 2 months for each book, before posting our comments. Which reminds me................(off to Yahoo to post comment on last book read)

9. Moon Tiger - review

From my review: Moon Tiger is a moving, rich character study which also has me considering how to live life in such a way as to have no regrets at the end. (4 / 5 stars)

Wonderful review Laura and one of my favourite reads of my thirties years! Just settling down here to watch th enext Lark Rise To Candleford episode - in haste Julie

>197 lauralkeet:, your comment intrigued me as I read this book a couple of years ago and don't remember anything about it. The fact that it had you thinking about "how to live life in such a way as to have no regrets at the end" made me wonder what I had missed. When I read your review, I thought "Aha!" because I know (at least some of) my 'hot buttons' and your description of the main character would have pushed one of my most sensitive/reactive ones, and if I don't like a character, I often don't like that book. I love how comments from LT-ers so often remind me that reading is truly an interactive activity. The words on the page aren't really the same words for everybody! Anyway, I'm going to go read the first few chapters to see if I do have some immediate reaction to the main character. I'll be back...

I accidently posted this message twice.

10. The Unbearable Lightness of Being - review

From my review: Before I'd read 50 pages of this book, I realized it was more about ideas than about character, setting, or plot. ... I am afraid I just didn't "get" what Kundera was trying to say. I don't shy away from ideas: I enjoy thinking, debate, and reading that introduces me to new concepts. But this book just didn't do it for me. (2 / 5 stars)

Have you seen the movie? I really liked it, although I haven't read the book.

No I haven't tiffin. And as I read the book I was really wondering how they made it into a film. Ah well, different strokes for different folks.

It is so interesting to hear your take on this book, Laura. I read it over 20 years ago - the same year that I moved to Canada and it remains one of my favourite books ever.

I found his prose really engaging and his innovative structure revelationary - although truth be told I could not have an in depth conversation now, so long after the read.

I compare him to Coetzee in many ways - an author I discovered much more recently. I cannot bear to see the movie for fear that it will change my view of the book!!

I'm afraid of reading the book for fear that it will wreck the movie! hehe

I did see the movie quite some time ago, and remember liking it, but that's all. I really want to read this book, though, after hearing so much about it.

>204 kiwidoc: I've never read Coetzee, any recommendations for a first try?

Well, marise, I haven't read ALL the Coetzee books, but make sure you are in the right mood for his pessimistic nihilistic view of life. His writing is 'to die for' though. Maybe Waiting for the Barbarians. I have read that, and his biographical novels, and The Diary of Michael K. All excellent.

11. The Professor's House - review

From my review: Willa Cather's prose is beautifully descriptive, illuminating both the mid-western town where St. Peter lives, and the desert southwest of Tom Outland's youth. Her characters are richly developed; even the unlikeable ones are multifaceted and completely human. Cather's writing talents make The Professor's House an enjoyable novel. (3.5 / 5 stars)

I'm glad you enjoyed The Professor's House, Laura. It isn't my favorite Cather, but I haven't read anything by her that I haven't liked. Sapphira and the Slave Girl was my Cather choice and did not disappoint. I have been reading a slew of books on slavery this year for some reason. I think it was way, way upthread that you inspired me to read Property after I had already read A Mercy --and then I just happened onto a copy of Mudbound, which I also recommend. Whew! Enough name dropping. :-)

#209 I've read a ton of books about slavery in the last year or two as well, including Mercy. Property sounds very interesting. I've added it to my TBR pile.

Donna, I thought about reading Sapphira and the Slave Girl for the monthly author read, especially since I already have it. But I was also planning to read A Mercy (just started it, in fact), and didn't want to do two slavery books in a row!

I hope you enjoy A Mercy: A Novel. It's really one of her more easily digestible reads for sure.

>211 lauralkeet:: I know what you mean about not wanting to read two books on slavery in a row. I have really got to move out of that genre for awhile before I get too depressed. And, much as I hate to say this, I think you made the right choice in A Mercy. As much as I admire Willa Cather as an author, she is trumped (this time at least) by Toni Morrison. Looking forward to your impressions.

12. A Mercy - review

From my review: One afternoon a few months ago, I was sentenced to that purgatory that is a 2-hour drive on the New Jersey Turnpike. But then my spirits were lifted heavenwards by a National Public Radio interview with Toni Morrison. Ms. Morrison discussed her new book, A Mercy, and rewarded her audience with a reading. Sheer bliss. I knew I had to read this book! ... This is a wonderful, moving, haunting book. Highly recommended. (4.5 / 5 stars)

I just read and loved Song of Solomon. Any comments on how A Mercy compares to Morrison's other novels? Thanks for the review!

>214 lauralkeet: (214???) I haven't read A Mercy, but am very interested in your reaction to it. I've only ever read Beloved by Morrison and must confess that I was slightly less impressed than the rest of the universe, which has roundly dissuaded me from reading anything else... I should probably get over myself and try something else, huh?

An aside: having myself driven along the Desperation Otherwise Known as the New Jersey Turnpike, I thrill at the thought that we may actually have shared a stretch of asphalt. How cool is that?

ck - I haven't read Beloved but recently read A Mercy - poetic, topical but confusing. I decided I was too dumb/concrete thinking to grasp it properly. Truthfully - it puts Beloved a little further down the TBR list, or rather shifts it to the MBR (Must BR) pile.

>215 japaul22:: I found A Mercy much more accessible than most of Morrison's other work. I agree with browngirl in #212 that it is quite digestible. I liked Morrison's other books, but like you CK, they haven't had the "wow" impact that everyone says they will. However, I quite enjoyed this one.

>216 citizenkelly: (!!) CK: I'm thrilled to think we shared asphalt. New, continuation thread coming soon OK?

>217 kiwidoc:: kiwidoc, no one who calls themselves "doc" can claim to be dumb. And remember, you quite liked Kundera and I didn't. So, even though we are both decidedly brilliant women, we like different kinds of books ;-)

Taking a page out of citizenkelly's book ...

February Wrap-up
- 6 books (12 YTD)
- 1629 pages (3,731 YTD)
- 5 written by women
- 4 (!!) from the "1001 Books you Must Read Before you Die" list
- 1 Booker Prize winner
- 1 from a "new" country for my Reading Globally journey

Of the six books read, my favorite was A Mercy; I found myself wallowing in Morrison's excellent prose. Moon Tiger and A Severed Head were really quite memorable as well. The Kundera was a surprising disappointment, since so many people I know have loved it.

I'll be starting a new thread beginning with my next read.

Way to go! And congrats on reading Morrison. I have never been able to finish one of her books, so I might have to give A Mercy a try.

Welcome to the 2-thread gang!

Nice summary there, too.

YTD = yet to discuss? Oh, good idea to discuss winners etc., in the wrap up.

YTD = year-to-date. Sorry, it's my inner accountant coming through. ;-)

But - a very excellent guess dear Tiffin! Hi Laura I've been lurking and enjoying your thread!

Thanks for the great review of A Mercy ...I've christened March Month of the Firsts on my thread as I plan to only read authors I've never read before during this month - and something tells me I really need to include miss Morison in my plan...

I enjoyed A Mercy: A Novel as well. You're right, it is more "accessible" than many of her other works, but I love a challenge.

My 75 Book Challenge continues here.