The Gathering Place -- 2009 thread #7

Darn near 300 messages in thread #6. No point alienating the dial-up contingent!

Here's my post that I just finished putting on the old thread..................

****************

My usual hair stylist is pregnant, so now that she's not working, they set me up with a new, different stylist to cut my hair until my usual gal gets back.

I walked in and sat down in the chair and she started off by talking about changing my hair style. Freaked me out. I mean I just walked in and she wants me to change my style! AGGHHH!

I calmly told her I liked this style and would just like it trimmed, please. She told me my style was "dated" and looked like a "mullet". She wasn't that totally blunt about it but I thought, Wow! What nerve! LOL

It's traumatic enough for a woman to sit down in the chair of a stylist she's never had before, trusting her to cut her hair and not make her look like a circus clown....but then when she immediately starts talking about a change in style.....I almost got up and ran out of there.

She ended up just trimming my hair and it's okay I guess. (I don't look like a circus clown) Whew!

My sister has a good stylist in a neighboring town, I'm thinking about going there next time.... now....where's my xanax? lol

p.s. And my hair certainly does NOT look like a Mullet!!!! GRRRR! lol

My beautiful, friendly, happy-go-lucky, 15-month-old yellow lab mix, Yossarian, killed his first rabbit yesterday evening. Chased it down, cornered it, grabbed it, dispatched it with a shake. We recently finished fencing our large front yard so Yossarian could romp and sprint at will. When I saw him chasing the rabbit, I figured, well, the rabbit knows where he got in through the fence, so he'll head there and get out. No such luck. My wife figures that's one way to keep the rabbits out of her new garden, which is fenced, as well, against critters but not entirely impregnable. Life in the country.

Hey ,Jerry- Thanks for the info on the jazz show. Any luck with making the shows into podcasts? It would help us working stiffs out. I have enjoyed the shows, I did manage to hear!

msf, Sad to say, there are serious legal roadblocks to making podcasts from music shows, due to copyright laws, etc.

porchy!!! I feel your pain. My wild hair is very difficult to cut. It is all sorts of wiry and curlier here than there and ... well, more than once I have ended up looking like a dandelion in full seed.

glad you got off with just a trim :P

Maybe try a whole new place next time?

rocketjet..

eek..

just eek.

Hey! Speaking of Jazz. There is a Jazz Festival going on right now and for the whole week end in Elkhart, In.
This is the 22nd year. Draws artist and fans from all over the country.

Was wondering when someone would do this - I'm just not that talented!

just got back from a nice trip to Lancaster, PA and the Railroad Museum in Strasburg. also saw Buchanan's house (you know the President - only one from PA)

Had a nice time, but too much driving, especially the slow parts for road construction.

Believe it or not, I have never been to Lancaster. I would love to go.
And you know there is ALWAYS construction on the highways here in PA. It is the state symbol.. yellow hard hats.

I came home from work and my cheap landlord had actually had my postage stamp lawn mowed ! Second time in the summer, and its still June. I have gone a whole growing season with only 2 mows (most per year is 3). I wonder if its a sign of the apocalypse ?

Back a few years ago when we were still contemplating retirement, we had even thought of moving to the Lancaster area because it was so pretty. But we're used to this house now and it's paid for and we're still waiting for the kids and all their stuff to move out permanently - hasn't happened yet.

So we go down for a couple of days every couple of years and enjoy.

We're thinking of a long trip this fall - we went south two years a go and to New England last year - maybe towards Ohio this year?

There is some beautiful Amish country in Ohio.. I can't think of anything else you might find there. How about a bir further north to Canada?

>12 koalamom: - koalamom -

After growing up in the Deep South, I had an opportunity fall into my lap as a very young married woman ... I lived in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for a while and my second daughter was born there.

It is beautiful any time of the year and especially in the Fall with the leaves blazing away all through the Maritime Provinces as well as in New England. There is a ferry between Maine and the South Shore of Nova Scotia that eleminates quite a bit of driving time, though it wasn't available "back in the day."

Here's a link, if you are at all interested.

http://novascotia.com

Have fun planning and happy trails to you and yours.

WH

Y'know how, when you find something weird and wonderful on the web, suddenly it's everywhere? While up late last night, I found:

http://www.corkbutter.museum/

That's right, the world-famous Cork Butter Museum! I mean, who didn't spend their childhood whining to mater and pater, "I wanna go to the Cork Butter Museum! I wanna go to the Cork Butter Museum! I wanna go to the Cork Butter Museum!" I know I did...I mean didn't...do I mean did...?

Anyway! While giggling myself back to sleep after "I'm feeling lucky"ing my way to the site, I reflected that I was likely the only North American ever to visit such a weird site, and couldn't wait to come here and chuckle ill-humoredly about the Irish and their queer ways.

Hours later, I took the Jindo out for her morning anointment of the grass, collected the weekend New York Times from the doorstep, and began throwing away the stuff I don't read. The "Travel" section would never even make my eyes twitch except they stuff the Book Review inside it every week. Lo and behold! On the front page of Sunday, 28 June, Travel: The Cork Butter Museum!!!!

I about had an attack. I mean, what are the odds??

>15 richardderus: - Richard

That is s-s-s-o-o-o-o way cool. I will check it out. Serendipity rules.

WH

http://www.corkbutter.museum/

edited by author to include link

15, 16> I'm not so sure about their "most important export" claim... Viagra is made in Cork.

#7.......oh mckait.......my hair is curly too. Has a mind of it's own. I had to laugh about the "dandelion in full seed" comment......lol.

Oh woe to we poor beautiful women entrusting our lovely locks to the scissor-wielding crazies posing as mild-mannered, smiling hair stylists.....it's always only a 50-50 chance that we will be able to recognize ourselves in a mirror after a "trim".

so true, so true porchy j dear, so very true.

Well, well, well! Our dear tiffin, of this very group, has YET ANOTHER hot review! This time it's of The Perfect Summer by Juliet Nicolson. I dropped by and read it, quite a nice job!

Oh yeah. Also, the dandedlion-headed double-X-chromosome-bearing meanie mckait has one too. It's of Shake the Devil Off, which sounds like a pretty darned good idea to me you girl-power separatist you.

=====richardear

womansheart

My mom was from Maine so I know what you are talking about - spent many a summer up there - in fact we were there this past fall and got to see some great color - the fall is why I love the Northeast, the winters I could do without somewhat

Just wanted to post this again for anyone who didn't see it at the end of the last Gathering Place thread:

I haven't come here to mention my radio show in a while. You may recall that I have been hosting a jazz show every other week on KZYX FM, Mendocino (CA) County's community radio station. I wanted to let you all know that I have been "promoted" to hosting a jazz how every week! I am now producing my own show (as opposed to sharing one) every Monday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM (Pacific time -- U.S.). If you are near a computer at that time and you like jazz in all its myriad styles and forms, please join me for the Jazz Odyssey. Available online at www.kzyx.org. Select "Listen Live".

I have this bookmarked on my favorites.

Just in case it's a Stephen King thing and is happening to everyone else:

I have been having the worst nightmares every time I fall asleep for the past few days!!
Absolutely frightening! That's actually why I'm sitting here right now - don't want to go back to sleep!

Anyone else?

Could it be the Apocalypse like Ficus suggested?

14: womansheart, I had a good friend from Nova Scotia, one of my catloving friends. Sorry to say she is long gone now. She told me her Indian grandmother had a tame lynx. She grew up with the lynx and felt safer with this animal than any dog.
25: JolieLouise. Probably not the Apocalypse, something you really need to procces ?
Read something nice.

JolieLouise, I hope you were able to get some sleep. If not, will there be time for a nap later ? :0)

JolieLouise, I hope not. I just meant I might get my lawn mowed more than 3 times this year.

Jolielouise

Quit eating pickles before bedtime...

oooohh... i'm so glad this mad month is over. Work has been bananas and it's left me with little time to read. It's very annoying when I pick up a book and can't concentrate because then everytime I pick it up again, I find I have to go back a few pages just to remind myself where in the story I am, and who the characters are. I'm sure the book I'm reading now is alot better than I think it is, only because I'm unable to give it the full attention it deserves.

I'm so looking forward to the long weekend ahead. At least I'm getting the day off on Friday because Saturday's July 4th.

Wishing all Canadian's a happy Canada Day tomorrow.

I am glad for you that you have some down time in your near future :)

I'm on about page 130 of about 530 (or so) pages of The Poisonwood Bible. Man! Good book! Good, good book!

Yesterday, I ordered a used import paperback copy of The Hummingbird's Daughter. I was so stoked (excited).

This morning, I got an email from the seller (one of the sellers on Amazon Marketplace) that she and her husband can't find the book in their stock and she refunded my money immediately. Got a thoughtful email from her along with the bad news of "no book to be found."

Anyway, I re-ordered a USA printed copy of the paperback from another vendor. Wish me luck.

Books are sorta like friends to me ... if I can't find the one I want/need when I want it ... it feels like nobody can come out and play. *bottom lip trembling*

Pat, pat. Sooth, sooth. (self nurturing going on here in my home office this morning).

Hope all of you have your book(s) by your sides.

Cheers - WH

I'm reading a library copy of The Hummingbird's Daughter. It will be worth the wait but knowing that probably does sooth the heart until it's in hand.

thanks mckait, my downtime started today - i left work at 3.30pm ...ostensibly because it was starting to rain hard and I had left the one of my car windows opened. :-) so even though I'm doing a bit of work from home, i already feel more relaxed -- although that might have something to do with the 2 glasses of wine I've already had. haha

Only two glasses of wine, cameling! What restraint!

I have new appliances coming soon, and this will require the disassembly of part of the bedroom wall on our lower level. Contractor came and gave me an estimate...I drank half a bottle of whiskey before I dared tell The Divine Miss what it was...but it must be done, because there is no other way to get the old washer and dryer out (or the new ones in). While neither has *yet* given up the ghost, they're older than you are, cameling, and so it's just a matter of time before they do. After The Divine Miss stopped shrieking in agony, I pointed out that it would be a lot more costly to tear down the wall and get a dead appliance out on an emergency basis.

As she was in the city today, I couldn't pour her a lovely, soothing rum and tonic...isn't it lovely how a slug of hooch makes things seem so much less irksome?

richardear... you are so right.. it does help.
I could use one today... more on that later if you are not busy

have fun without me. go and post something in my new thread to cheer me up.

richard dear - i'm all agog ... how did the old ones get in unless the bedroom was added on after the appliances had already set down roots?

oh dear, mckait... what's up? we got let out early today from work - and am heading over to a bar with some colleagues. There's a seat next to me with your name on it. ;-)

why is it every time I think to pat myself on the back for getting a fair number of books out the door and into worthy homes, I turn around and still find piles of unread books lying on tables and the floor? i think my shelf space is tiptoeing out the door at night because I can't understand why there isn't more space for me to remove more books off the tottering piles.

Is that what happens? I love the image of the shelves sneaking out the back door in the dead of night.

>38 cameling: cameling...they did what we're having done: they took down the wall in the bedroom. I can see where the upright framing the door has been cut through and nailed back together. The panels on the lower level were installed a plank at a time, so it's easy to remove one or two and work behind them.

The panels and the openings are original to the house, so they're vintage 1936. Appliances were a lot smaller then! The original builder left pah-lenty of room for the washer/wringer combo to fit through the door. Since our current appliances are about a foot wider and a foot deeper, well...who was to know?

TG they're removing and recycling our old ones, too!

I think my books are doing naughty things - I couldn't have actually purchased all those books that are filling my shelves and never produce space to show I have actually read some of them!

I now have 6 on the table next to my recliner downstairs and an ER coming and even rainy days are affording me much read time - and I am retired!

It's disconcerting to peruse the tbr shelves and discover things you would swear in court that you did not put on them.

Cameling.. I have the same problem. Its a little embarrassing.
also, I am going to post about THE ISSUE in my thread if I can edit out the curses ....

The thing is.. what would we all do if we caught up, and all the books were read? horrible thought.

When I joined LT last year, my TBR pile was about 25 books, which I thought was alot at the time. At my last count it's over 130, my TBR shelves are full and spilling over onto a dresser.

Even though I am reading more books these days, I am aquiring them faster than I can read (of course, those trips to the library don't help).

But see, I am sure its a little known rule that you can't die until you have read all your books :-)

I have heard that too, ficus...

Looks like we're all immortal.

Books: The Fountain of Youth

What a relief!

You realize that it has been raining here (NH) every day for the last 40 days and 40 nights (since before Memorial Day) ?

I expect to see the ARK boating by the window any time now. We are all going to become mossy, rusty and covered in mold. We no longer know what the strange yellow thing in the sky is, on the rare occasions it peeps out between cloudbursts.

Here too ficus... rain all week... I love it!

I too am getting mossy though....

Here in PA too - we've had almost seven inches of the stuff - I could use a little dry weather

I couldn't contain myself one more instant...I finally bust forth with a review of Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. It's on the book's review page, but feel free to drop by my "75-Books Challenge" thread and look at post #174:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/66381

And, for other members of The Highly Rated Book Group, I started a reviews thread so we can all share final thoughts:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/68153

Everyone have a Safe and Happy 4th of July !

It's been raining here too in MA... but from the forecast, we are going to finally have a whole week of sun starting tomorrow on the 4th! whoopeee. Happy 4th everyone.

mckait, Everytime I think I'm making a dent in my TBR pile,I look over at some obscure piece of furniture, and lo and behold, another pile seems to have tiptoed in and settled. And then I go to the bookstores (book orphanages i call them sometimes) and there are yet more books sending invisible arms that wrap themselves around me, luring me to bring them home with me. So I think there's no danger of me ever reading every single book on my TBR piles....because those things multiply like rabbits.

cameling~ I understand completely. ( book orphanages... LOL)
If it were not sno annoying, it would be funny. Standing in front of a bookshelf that is clearly filled to capacity, holding a book that HAS to go on a particular shelf. If I put it behind, I will forget about it.. what to do, what to do.

This happens at least once a week in my house. I was trying to purge again yesterday. Not so easy. AND my copy of Dream Angus is nowhere to be found. So irritating. I came perilously close to stopping at B&N yesterday, ( otherwise and forever to be known as a book orphanage) when I took my sister to Kohl's. I drove past the entrance with my eyes closed though, and it was okay.

>57 mckait:- mckait -

My stars, Kath, can we come up with another way for you to get past B&N without you closing your eyes while driving? The thought sends shivers up and down my spine. Maybe we could establish a orphaned book club fund to help you and other compulsive book buyers with a loan in times of need. tee hee.

Ruth aka WH

PS to #58

To all and sundry LTers in the USA:

Have a relaxed, safe and happy 4th of July.

WH

Driving with eyes closed. Not good.

It didn't rain yesterday. It was bright early this morning, but now it is getting dim and gray.

Hey everyone! Yes, it's a bit gloomy here too! It's supposed to barely get to 70. What?? Have a great & safe 4th!!

Happy Fourth! I've had better weather and worse, but we are safe and in a good country where we can celebrate - so have a good 233rd everyone!

Wow - 233 - you guys look good for your age! Happy holidays to you, enjoy your weekend.

Happy 4th! The weather was great, I went to a friend's for a magnificent cookout and just watched the Boston Pops on tv with fireworks after. Now winding down at home, and I will curl up in bed with a nice book for some quiet reading .... perfect end to a wonderful day.

mckait : i know what you mean about standing in front of a shelf and not finding even a smidge of a slot to put a book in. You're right, if I put it on front then I can't see what's behind and I will forget. So I put them horizontally on top of the vertical books with the spines facing out. They make for untidy looking shelves, but what the heck ... this at least gets some off the floor!

tomorrow morning... waking up early to watch the Wimbeldon Men's Finals!

That is what I resort to as well.. something must be done. Kindle is NOT the answer! at least, not for me.

I was very relieved to discover that Kindle does work for me. I've also just realized that our library does have a few good books and will order books they don't have. I'm pretty sure that wasn't true when we moved here. Anyway, even with that, books still come into the house. Not only is there no more room on bookshelves, there are no walls to put another bookcase on. A third of our books are already in the attic. Someday we'll have to face a purge. Happily Kindle and the library will put that time off.

oh ho..."the bookshelves runneth over...again!"...i know. this week i really have to look for new/used shelving, though there is some space upstairs..it's Upstairs! Jeesh!....and i love my KINDLE. i bought it for a specific reason (a way to read PDF-format ARCs without putting my laptop in the cat's way...cat drool and iBook do NOT mix!) and it works as a Part of my Library. will never replace Real Books. and it's just neat looking.

the rain stopped here for a day or two but it's been cool..rain is forecast for today, however. i got alot of yardwork done yesterday so today is my Reading Day

best to all of you lot!

looks like July, feels more like May, but at least the sun is out and I didn't need a jacket for the walk after church

watched the fireworks on TV - three different one! and also heard the ones going on two houses down - not sure if some of what they set off was actually legal without a license and a lot more room that they have

No fireworks that go off the ground are legal in Pa. None.
I guess that some illegal things are okay. I am a curmudgeon about fireworks as they are very hard on a dog with Addisons.

didn't stop them though

our cat is illness free but he was not a happy kitty last night with all that noise, hopefully they'll run out of them soon

I am not a big fan of fireworks, if I have to watch them I prefer large, public displays - I am terrified of home done fireworks. Too big an opportunity for something to go horribly wrong, and it does upset all the animals as well.

I was waiting for the fire trucks! Good thing there is a station just a block down. Fortunately nothing happened, but it was just too close and too noisy.

Wimbledon...Roger Federer...WOWOWOW!!

It's been really, really, really busy here...the Fourth spent in a Best Buy selecting/paying for/arranging delivery of my new front-loading fancy-schmantzy LG washer and dryer plus the new washdisher with tall tub and more cycles than the Tour de France! Thence to the garden center and several hundred zillion plants that then needed to be planted. The Fifth spent in the garden bailing out, cleaning and refilling the fountain in the woodsy part of the garden. Plus grocery shopping, cooking, and not killing my sainted aunt. Today the aforementioned sainted aunt goes to the goofy doc for more happy pills.

Today...book purge...more than 200 marked for donation. Plus organizing and moving fifty years' accumulation of tools and miscellany in the laundry room to make a clear path for the aforementioned new labor-saving devices to be installed.

Macy's fireworks on the Hudson were amazingly beautiful! The Divine Miss and I, exhausted from doing plantings in the back garden, were sprawled on the tv-watching chairs and slurping our booze'n'tonics with bleary contentment. After one particularly beautiful display went up, The Divine Miss turned to me and said, "Now that is so beautiful it's made the whole other {plenty-two} years of mishegas worth going through."

And she was right.

The 4th is my birthday. My best and oldest friend (since 1966 when we were both 11) came up to Boonville to celebrate with us. After a slow morning, went "downtown" (in Boonville, that's about three blocks long) to the Mendocino County Fairgrounds for a Tri Tip barbeque (benefiting local schools) complete with pie auction, three legged races, etc. Saw the townsfolk, chilled out. Late afternoon we tooled up the road to Navarro where a local 3-piece blues band was holding forth in a free outdoor concert in front of the Navarro Store (small grocery/deli).

Next it was on to The Apple Farm, a large local orchard with cabins for weekend stay. A beautiful spot where many wedding takes place. The owners were having a huge fete, mostly as a thank you to their most loyal customers, plus selected locals were invited, as well. We ran into the owner at the local swimming hole the weekend before, who invited us along. It was a giant barbeque (an entire lamb and pig went on the grill, plus assorted zucchinis, and other such veggies, ribs, sausage, etc). The party was dubbed a Gypsy Encampment. Many had camped overnight but all and sundry were encouraged to dress up to a greater or lesser degree as gypsies. Naturally, as at any gypsy encampment, a Brazilian band from Santa Cruz played until about 1:00 am.

Needless to say, Sunday was a day of relaxation, with the most exciting event a relaxed drive to the ocean (about a 45-minute drive) to watch Yossarian (the yellow lab) run around and dig holes in the sand.

My jazz radio show is this afternoon at 2:00 pm Pacific time. www.kzyx.opg and click "Listen Live."

I'm on vacation, driving across country from Boston to Los Angeles and back. Spent the weekend of the 4th at my parents' house in Arkansas. Gorged myself on barbecued ribs which must have come from a brontosaurus or something equally large. When my mother wasn't shovelling food at me, I was visiting with my two older brothers. The two younger brothers live elsewhere and couldn't make it.

Now I'm back on the road listening to Cadillac Desert while touring the west. It seemed the perfect choice. I'm stopped for the night in Tucumcari, NM. I'm heading to Los Alamos in the morning to visit my old graduate school office mate. Then it's off to Durango, CO and bit of mountain driving through Red Mountain pass.

Richardderus, Rocketjk, and Fredbacon - what a great time it sounds like you have had - all in such different ways. I enjoyed reading all 3.

Good morning/afternoon/evening, all...I reviewed Elizabeth Goudge's deliciously devourable A City of Bells on my "75-Books Challenge" thread (http://www.librarything.com/topic/66381) and the book's main page.

A warm blanket/hot toddy of a book. I hope you'll all read it.

Michael Jackson - I am not really a fan but I just watched the memorial - the whole thing - not sure why - saddened when Jermaine sang "Smile" - lost it when Paris said good-bye to her dad

I know what you mean, koalamom. I saw part of the memorial. I wasn't planning on watching it, but I switched on the tv while I was working when it was about a third way through. I loved the eulogies by Magic Johnson and Brooke Shields, and it was very touching when Jermaine sang "Smile" after Brooke delivered her eulogy. It was so sad when Paris said goodbye. She reminded me that regardless of how the media painted him and who he was to the rest of the world, that little girl just lost her dad.
I wonder why his sons were not there?

They were there - right next to her - on stage and in the audience. I think the younger one was holding a Michael Jackson action figure. We didn't get to see their faces much before this.

I was a fan~ sad and tragic man, he was. I saw no part of the memorial as I was at work, then out last night. Poor kids.

I am sure that it is out there on the net somewhere - it ran two hours, but was well done, though I wondered why one of the eulogists was there as she had no connection to him (same name though!), but she was from Congress with a congressional decree, so I guess that explains it.

I thought it was going to be something garish but it turned out to be a very fitting memorial (barring that a couple of odd eulogies - does Al Sharpton have to pop up everywhere?!) for the musical genius that MJ was.

I'm drowning under a deluge of rain! So much for the hot days of summer. Then again, it's given me the opportunity to work from home this week which I'm really enjoying because I get more done, but also I get to have lunch with my husband everyday since he works from home too. What tops this is I get to work in my scruffy pjs ... bliss.

We were deluged yesterday and now they are promising a couple of dry days - time to catch up on mowing the lawn. We aren't really planning on a summer here in NEPA.

As the Michael Jackson memorial was on at 3am here, it was replayed last night in prime time, so I saw bits of it. It wasn't the circus that I thought it would be and had some touching moments.

We too are getting lots of rain, but it's cold (ish) here. My backyard gets soggy when it rains heaps, but at least I don't have to water the broccoli, grevilleas and pansies we put in last weekend.

Working from home in pjs sounds appealing. Lunch with husband a nice bonus.

Yesterday was sooo beautiful here...about 74, breeze, sunshine...that the durg and I spent it out on our patio, me reading and she sunbathing.

Today, clouds and cooler. Still breezy, still perfect for sitting on our sunporch with the jalousies open and a happy dog running from window to window tracking squirrels in the trees.

To make it perfect, both yesterday and today I am reading The Lost City of Z, which is so good I have to slow myself down lest I finish it too soon and mourn its loss....

Oh I love books like that -- when I get near the end I find reasons to delay because I don't want it to be over. How lucky you are! And what a great day yesterday. Hope you have another one just like it today.

Does anyone else, just finishing a really good book, need to take a bit of time to savor and absorb it before picking something else up? Whenever I've read a really exceptional book, I find it difficult to get into the next book immediately, because more often than not, it will appear trite at the outset. For moments like these, I re-read some of my favorite old comics since they are a completely different medium and can't be held in comparison. It allows me to come off my 'high' and with feet firmly planted on the ground again, I am then ready for my next book.

The sun's shyly peeking out today, squirrels and rabbits are once again scampering across the yard. Even the plants look like they're happy for a reprieve from all that rain.

At lunch today one of my co-workers said she saw on the local news that since May we have only had 8 days without rain.

Was bright here, but now is glooming over. I suspect it will not reach 9 today.

I am the same as Cameling, when I have read a really good book, I find it hard to get into the next one. I usually save certain authors for then, authors that I love and trust will give me a good read. The other thing I do is pick up a very light read, or chick-lit, something that I don't have to concentrate too hard on.

I feel the same. That's why, aside from book club books, I can't really plan what I'll be reading next. Often a book will affect my mood and my thoughts so that I have to choose my next book with care. I love it when a well-loved book stays with you for a long time. I've also noticed LT posters report that they've finished a book, but need to digest it or think about it for awhile before writing a review.

Getting very close to the end of The Sparrow. Really hate for it to end, as it has been s-s-o-o-o
good. I know the characters will live on in my memory.

Definitely will wait for this one to percolate through the dendrites and ganglia, etc. before moving on the next book. Considering Columbine as I (really, my DH) just picked it up yesterday from the library reserve desk. Might be a good transition, actually, when I think about it a bit.

Mostly cloudy and 82 degrees Fahrenheit in Tallahassee, FL. Thunderstorms forecast for tonight with a low of 71 degrees. Humidity right now ... 70% . Eek!

womansheart

It was very nice here today - sunny and warm - and I spent the day in the basement of the local Historical Society where my husband and I volunteer - figures. At least we got out and walked to lunch - nice lunch too.

I finished Heir of Sea and Fire before I left the house. Can't wait to finish the trilogy - it's very good.

Just started Everyone was so Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy: A Lost Generation Love Story by Amanda Vaill. I've read a lot about/by people of that era, but never anything abouot the Murphys. It looks very interesting.

I agree that a very good book makes it hard to get into the next one. I often try, but get nowhere . I think WH might be in for that experience with The Sparrow. As someone else mentioned, I missed the characters ( especially Ann) . That is a mark of a very well written book. imo

I agree about The Sparrow. And I enjoyed the sequel, Children of God, as well.

I have yet to forgive the author for her completely gratuitous crack about the Chicago Cubs not having been in a World Series by (I think) 2060. :)

Oh yes, indeed! I am slowly wending my way to the end of The Lost City of Z and I already know I need to decompress with a comfort re-read or it will be the literary bends for me. I don't like to think I would take my disgruntlement out on some undeserving writer's work, but I would, so....

As usual Richard, you have come up with the perfect phrase! "Literary Bends" is exactly right! LOL

#92 I've had The Sparrow lanquishing in the stack for about 6 months - sounds like I may need to bump it up...

do that coppers... it is so good! I have so many new reads... but I ure wouldn't mind a reread soon...

I second mckait - The Sparrow was a stunner. I still haven't read Children of God yet, though. It's sitting patiently on my shelves waiting for the right moment.

I'll "third" Mckait and Karenmarie, Coppers. The Sparrow is such a rich read.

Finished reading The Sparrow last night/early this morning. Brilliant and really captivated me the entire time I was reading.

womansheart

I am now mixing Star Trek with Joseph Campbell.

When I finish something really good, I usually wait a day or so & then pick up something compleetely different. Usually I alternate fiction & non-fiction.

That almost sounds painful, koalamon!

I'm mixing John Adams and Pride and Prejudice, which are at least in the same universe.

Ooh. New topic potential. Strange Book Mixes. Hmm.....

The weirdest mix I've ever experienced was The Lace Reader and The Sociopath Next Door. Veeery disorienting.

*sob* I have finished The Lost City of Z and I simply can't talk about it yet. *sniff*

Now I'm intrigued, richardderus. Please give us a review when you're up to it.

So thanks to you pesky people, now I have to read Mists of Avalon and The Sparrow. At least I have a copy of "Mists" handy and I'll have to work on finding the other. Much appreciated everyone....shuffling away...lost & rattled.

>109 msf59: - Mark/msd59 -

That's the breaks, Mister. Read these threads and get out your library card, cash or credit card, cause you are bound to get caught up in the currents running deep and wide here.

It's been years since I read Mists of Avalon. Definitely time for a re-read with that one, I loved it. Just finished The Sparrow and am still recovering from that one. Really good read. Miss the characters.

WH aka Ruth

>107 richardderus: - Richard, Dear Us

I am definitely seeking out The Lost City of Z. It has been in my Cyber TBR Stack and has now zoomed to the top o' the list. Do I need to send facial tissue immediately while you recover?

WH

OK, now will have to add The Sparrow to my To Read collection. I will never run out of things to read because of this place! - and that's a good thing!!!!!

When you read and love it let us know, okay ? :)

I'll try to remember!

Fine, fine .... i caved in to the pressure .... I went out and bought a copy of The Sparrow yesterday. I hope y'all are happy now ...... I was going to buy a CD but my feet took me to the book section of the store instead *grumble, mumble*

You will be a happy cameling, I just know it !

I loved The Sparrow too. In fact I have enjoyed all her books so far (still have to read Dreamers of the Day). I also think that the follow up, Children of God isn't in the same league as the Sparrow.

I read Dreamers of the Day after I read two lives of Gertrude Bell, so it went smoothly, but I thought I would not have developed the respect I have for Mary Doria Russell if it had been the first book of hers that I read. I don't see the same failure of Children of God that others seem to see except that it is dependent on The Sparrow.

Robert

Not a failure, just not The Sparrow.

I haven't been able to get myself to read Children of God because I had heard that it was not as good as The Sparrow. I have been afraid of it ruining my experience of The Sparrow.

Hmmm, the Sparrow, seems it is in my TBR, but where ??? Now I have to find it, it is reading wether.
The temperature has droppet from 87 (95 the hottest day) to 63 and it has been raining. The water temperature had come up to 77, but has probably droppet a lot. The woods needed it, but I want the sun back.
In the meantime I will try to find the Sparrow in the never ending bookpiles.

jolie.. it is certainly not a bad book.

It lacks some of the luster of Sparrow... but mainly it is sad and I miss
some of the characters of Sparrow. I am very glad I read it.

I'm beginning to think I need to moveThe Sparrow from my To Read (at a later date) collection here on LT to "Better borrow from the library soon" collection.

>121 IaaS: IaaS, how lovely to see you back among us! We'd be happy with water temps that high...the Atlantic was freezy frosty cold at 69F yesterday.

>122 mckait: howdy do, buckaroo.

>123 koalamom: k-mom, it's so very worth reading The Sparrow! You will love it!! (I hope.)

Hmm, so based on everyone's raves, I bought The Sparrow yesterday and read it. I'd give it something like three and half stars. It's better than average, but nothing spectacular. I found all the religion a bit noxious.

Anne and George seemed the only fully fleshed and believable characters. I wasn't surprised to learn at the end that they were based on the author and her husband. As a character in a novel, Anne is quite charming and pleasant. As a real person, I would probably have to accidentally step on her toes a few times until she learned to back off and give me space.

I can't fault the book too much, it certainly kept me interested and reading. But I think that I would have enjoyed it more had the author written an historical novel about Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century instead.

BTW, I can highly recommend sitting outside on the plaza of the Getty Center reading a book to pass the afternoon.

#125 - Really, there's that much religion involved? I was hoping that it wouldn't be too much in your face. Dang. An aside - how do you read so fast??!! :)

The religion is actually interesting. It shows some deep struggle in character and some quirkiness in character. This is by no means a book that preaches or theologizes, although it may offer up material for preaching about or analyzing.

I believe the priest was sufficiently characterized to bring readers (my book group and me among others) to care about the dynamics of his character in believable extraordinary circumstances.

It is a book that has stayed on my mind as few other books have.

Robert

St. Richard and Mark;
Y'all crack me up!~!
For weeks Richard has been fussing: **~@#%!@#!** shuffling off: "still reading good books"
**grouse, grouse**
Now it is Mark who is doing it.
(Little boys must have their toys -- or in this case -- "good books")

I finished The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Loved it. Not sure why I waited so long to read it.

Isn't it wonderful? There is one that stays with you for a while.

It is wonderful! I just realized I posted in the wrong thread... off now to post in the proper place!

And again fred.. You mention that you would have preferred a historical novel to what Sparrow is... and here you say it is the religion that bothered you.
The main character is a jesuit, and the whole journey is made due to jesuits...
and it is clear that it is futuristic not a history. Despite all of the hype, if I were you, I wouldn't have bothered.

This is something that just makes me crazy. I often encounter it here and at Amazon. People who rate according to their mistakes... such as I thought it was a mystery.. or I thought Chris would be a woman. This is similar imo.

I even started a thread in another group a while back questioning this. You rated a book according to what it is not, instead of what it is. I find it just as baffling when people down rate a seller on Amazon Marketplace because it took ten days for the book to get there, Media mail is slow... there is a period of weeks listed for expected receipt of book. again, baffling.

I am not trying to be confrontational, I am seriously trying to understand.
There has been a lot of hype over The Guernsey and it is well liked by many. I read the description and some reviews and determined it is not for me. I did not read it and then express dissatisfactionin it because I do not like that type of book. I know that you are not "ripping " it here. but you were dissatisfied with the book for being what you knew it was not. Or I assume that you knew it was not a historical novel with no religion..??

This has nothing to do with the fact that Sparrow of my favorite books, my curiosity would be as strong if it were The Guernsey....can you help me to understand this ?

eta
coppers
no, there is not "that much religion" involved. it is not "in your face" or, at least that is my opinion. I am not a Christian. I often read religious themed books because I find them to be fascinating. The Magdalene is a favorite topic, the Vatican, other religious themes. So my opinion may not be the most reliable. If I read a book like Trinity or Sparrow I expect religion and take it in context.

I know this sounds like a rant... it is not, I am simply very interested in this phenomenon. Please help me out here?? I guess it is a pet peeve.. :)

Ah, Jesuits! Know them - my husband taught at the University of Scranton for 17 years, which is run by the Jesuits.

I need a book (two actually) for my Religious category in my 999 and this sounds more interesting than what I currently have on my shelves. Maybe I'll go and check the local library catalog for it!

#132 mckait - Thanks for your thoughts! I just don't like a book to preach to me.

#132 mckait, I know I'm not the one you addressed this to, so I hope you won't mind me jumping in. But I was thinking about your questions about "rating a book according to what it's not," because I know I sometimes do this when for my expectations are off-base. I've read books like Friday Night Lights, say, thinking that I'm in for a particular type of book. When I'm not, it definitely affects my reaction. I think this is true both when it's not "my type" of book and when it is a type of book that I enjoy but, for example, was in the mood for and thought it would be a fantasy that had a little bit of romance, but was really a romance that just happened to have witches and vampires and other fairy creatures populating it. I feel extremely guilty sometimes for not being able to rate a book solely on what it is when, to be frank, much of my reaction is based on what I wanted it to (what I thought it would) be. When I review it, and again I can use Friday Night Lights as a good example, I try to write it in such a way that people who would be interested in that type of book would recognize something they would like while honestly saying that part of my dislike was based on errant expectations. On the other hand, sometimes my reaction of loving a book is partly based on expectations that were pleasantly surprised or surpassed, so it's not always negative.

I wonder, might I be a little more susceptible to this sort of sway of expectations (surpassed or disappointed) because I don't read a lot about a book before picking it up? I can't stand spoilers, so if I think I will like a book I won't read reviews or the back cover or anything so that the plot isn't given away. I tend to base my choices off different factors, such as an intriguing title or a friend's recommendation instead.

All that being said, I've never rated a book down based on how long it took to show up at my house. :-)

>132 mckait: mckait...this is a puzzler for me, as well. I have a set of criteria for viewing a book. I use the author's stated intentions, from Forewords or Acknowledgments; in the frequent case those aren't available (many novels don't have either), I look at the book as it's presented by the author.

What I expect is to get a clean text, one the author and editor agreed represented the intent of the creative team.

However, I think you misread Fred's review. He stated opinions about the way the book came across to him after he read it, not based on his unmet expectations from all the praise we've lavished on it.

I speak for you, Fred, and I apologize if I mischaracterize your responses. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong in any way.

I find it difficult to understand how readers could not know what a particular book is about before they read it.

Before I pick up any book, I have prior knowledge, be it through LT, or book review sites, or library sites, or inside covers of books, or word of mouth.
If the subject or description or recommendations suit my purpose, then I will do what is necessary to get the thing into my hands.

Now that doesn't mean that once I get into the book that I might not be enjoying it, if so then I can always abandon it. But rarely if at all would I not know what I was about to embark upon before page one....

swear coppers... no preaching that I can remember.. anyone ?

bell... all we an do is to try. of course anyone might have a review tainted by their taste... but I have seen some terrible examples of "I thought it was a romance but it is more like a mystery ** reviews. It makes my skin itch!
:) I try as well.. I do look into my reads ( most particularly those for review) before choosing them, but at times they make my eyes burn as well :)

LOL at the media mail down rating :)

perhaps you are right rd, but from the two posts I saw, it did come across differently to me... as I said though... I did not mean it to be an attack, I just NEED to know :P

morfam... amen

>138 mckait: mckait dearie-me-lass, what have I misunderstood? To me, Fred's post was clear that he picked up the book having read a lot of praise for it; that he read it, and enjoyed it; but that, if he'd had his druthers, the same story told in a 16th-century setting would have been more to his taste.

As I understand your objection, to I thought it was a romance but it is more like a mystery reviews (which are completely idiotic, I agree), doesn't seem to apply here. So I am verschmeckled. I don't wish to run afoul of your notorious evil-tempered wall-eyed hissy fits of ranting excoriation for which you are rightly feared across the cyberworld, so enlighten please? Purty please?

If the the author had written an historical novel about Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century instead, it would not be the same book.

If one prefers historical novels with no religion, why read a sci fi with jesuits no matter WHO is reading it..and if it were a historical novel about Jesuits, it would no doubt have religion in it.

baffling..

and with due respect to poor fred who is not here ... still sorry, not meaning to rant at you~

Can I ask, if the religion was a bit noxious in a futuristic setting about Jesuits, how would it even be bearable in an accurate historical 16th century setting ?

I thought the religion in the story was there to show the structure of how the church had various roles throughout human history, which changed with the times, but was still there.

On a personal level, the POV character believed and wanted to follow the rules, but he had to fight himself because he wanted not just sex and love, but the incredible joy of family.

His conflict was trying to balance his competing desires and still be an honorable man.

no preaching in Sparrow

well said FicusFan :)

Mckait, yes I was aware that The Sparrow contained religion and was "futuristic" and not historical. However, the author mentions that she was inspired to write the novel because of the revisionist history of the discovery of the Americas. She felt that the catholic missionaries had gotten a raw deal and that people didn't appreciate how difficult their job was in trying to make first contact with a foreign culture. Having read her book and her comments, I simply felt that the inspiration for her story would have made a better book than the one which she actually wrote.

Religiously themed books can be well written. Even the ones with which I disagree. I have previously enjoyed A Canticle for Leibowitz and A Case of Conscience, both religiously themed science fiction novel. But if you put The Sparrow up against the religiously themed The Brothers Karamazov, then it will pale in comparison. So do Miller's and Blish's books. The writing and philosophy are just not up to that standard. That's the reason for my three and half star rating. That constitutes a better than average rating in my mind.

I will amend one of my comments to say that the main character, Emilio Sandoz, is well portrayed. Where the author fails is in the way she has other characters react to him. The Father Superior, D.W. Yarbrough, reports back to the Father General that he feels that they are in the presence of a true saint. I saw nothing in the story which would justify such an assessment, unless sainthood is to be conferred upon the merely competent.

Finally, an author is in complete control of the story. They can make anything happen. They can heap coincidence upon coincidence, drag their characters through torment and sorrow, or make them wildly successful. But you can't draw any valid conclusions from the events in the story because the author has stacked the deck. They can manipulate everything to illustrate whatever idea they wish. They can stack turtles on fence posts from one end of the book to another. It's not indicative of anything.

I have the same problem with the movie "Signs" or the works of Ayn Rand. I can enjoy and admire them for their intricate plotting, but don't expect me to be swayed by the author's smoke and mirrors. The author may have expressed their ideas clearly in such works, but they haven't made a credible case for those beliefs. In fact, by using an entirely artificial environment to try and convince me, they have prejudiced me against their point of view.

As for the religion being "in your face", it's a subtle thing, but it's relentless. The book is loaded with what I considered to be cheap religious allusions. I don't want to spoil the book too much, so I'll just leave it at that.

I would not discourage anyone from reading The Sparrow. It is a good book. I devoted quite a bit of time to reading it...straight through...stopping only to eat or visit the little curmudgeon's room. I liked it, but in my opinion it is not a great book. It has many flaws. If you read the book and disagree, that's fine. I have no problem with that.

But nothing in the above post explains:
But I think that I would have enjoyed it more had the author written an historical novel about Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century instead.

I am certainly glad that you enjoyed the other books. I can certainly accept that The Sparrow was not your cup of tea, and that you saw the religion differently than the rest of us. To each his own after all..but "But I think that I would have enjoyed it more had the author written an historical novel about Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century instead." is just baffling. That is what prompted me to ask why not just read an historical novel about the 16th century Jesuits. But considering your comments about religion, I wonder why you would even want to read that?

Sorry, I am sure it was just an off the cuff comment, but it makes me wonder enough to ask.

I have to read these posts more closely. I hadn't realized The sparrow was Sci-fi until I went looking for it - which I did yesterday right after reading all your posts.

I haven't gotten to the religious part as yet - they've only just gotten going on the voyage, but I love sci-fi and combining it like this sounds like fun.
I am enjoying it as it is - I'll let you know how I feel when I finish.

I have to admit that this is the first book I heard about here (and a lot) that I actually just had to go out and get THEN. Usually the book goes on a TBR list and then gets forgotten. This is in my To Read collection, but won't be for long.

Mckait, I don't understand your confusion. I explicitly state the reason for my opinion in the first paragraph. Catholic missionaries in the new world were her inspiration for The Sparrow. I believe that topic would have made a better story than the one she wrote. As to why I believe that, perhaps it is just a feeling that trying to understand the real past is more interesting to me than reading about a make believe (and not very credible) future.

disagree, but

I liked the setting. It's something we may have to face (well, no one here right now, but mankind in general in the future). From what I was reading I thought the religion part would be more out there (no pun intended), but found it to be very subtle. It's there - boy finds God, boy wonders where God is when he needs him most and finds that god never left - like a good parent, God watches but lets us stumble to learn. Yeah, I can use this form my 999 Religious category.

Richard has a Hot Review up of Silas Marner which makes me want to read this classic. That's a first. I've never had any interest in it until now. Thanks, Richard.

I get to pick my daughter up from camp tomorrow! Yay! She's been gone 27 days. She goes every year, loves it, I love/hate it, and I'm always so glad to get her back.

This year was a tad more stressful than usual because she fractured her scaphoid bone (a bone in your wrist, in this case her right wrist) and has had a short arm cast on it for the last 3 weeks of camp. Nothing like feeling Totally Out of Control. She's seen two different orthapedic doctors at camp, so I know she's getting good care, and they've set her up with another orthapedic doctor in Chapel Hill, but still. It's been stressful on Mom. I don't think she's minded too much - she still got to shoot rifles, got out of instructional swim, and spent a lot of time in creative arts. She was also excited about getting all the girls to sign her cast. The only disappointments are no archery and no horseback riding. Ah, well, I'll find out all about it tomorrow.

And have her back home.

And get to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Saturday, because we promised we wouldn't see it without her.

Karenmarie, I know how you feel. My daughter used to go to summer camp for three weeks every summer. She loved it and still says some of her best memories are from those times. I had a love/hate relationship about it. I was happy that she was happy, I was happy to have some time to myself, but also, there was a big hole in our lives while she was gone, and I also felt a little bit of fear about not knowing she was safe. Sorry to hear your daughter had an accident while away - I'm sure it drove you crazy at the time, but glad to hear she (and you) got through it.

>150 whymaggiemay: Maggie, that's high praise! Thank you!

>151 karenmarie: Goodie for youdie! Having the youthful contingent back in the house is always reassuring, though I can't for the life of me figure out why.

yay on rabid d! well done !

Yikes karen, tough when they are hurt and away~
congrats on getting her back :)

#152 thanks, DeltaQueen50. Are we secret sisters? Everything you said about how you felt about camp is how I feel about camp.

#153 Well, richardear, if nothing else, she cleans the stables and feeds the 2 horses, she cleans the catbox, she cleans the rat cage and makes sure she (the rat) has food/water, AND, most important of all, she's the one who gets to feed crickets to the gecko. (shudder)

And, kid hugs are cool too. She still actually likes to spend time with us, so I'll take it as long as I can get it. She'll be a junior in HS, so we're getting close to College.

#154 thanks, mckait. Less than 24 hours now.

Mmm. I totally get it, Karen.

And you know...college is pretty good, too, since the realities of solitude often strike about then. I suddenly got a lot cooler in college....

My geckos take care of their own feeding.

Robert

robert - you have pet geckos?!! seriously?

Two years ago, my son went to scout camp in Colorado. Almost as soon as he got there he got a respiratory infection that was exacerbated by the altitude. He had to spend almost the whole time in the infirmary. It was a major bummer for him because he didn't get to work on all the stuff that he had wanted to. The summer after he got appendicitis on the Fourth of July. He heads off this Sunday to Oklahoma - cross your fingers that all goes well for him.

On another note, do you think it might go for justifiable homicide if you kill your children while spending the entire summer at home with them? My thirteen year old twin boys hate each other all of a sudden, and want to make sure that everyone knows about it. My seventeen year old is mopey about her boyfriend who is away for the summer. My three year old is whiny because she thinks that she's outgrown her naps but she hasn't really. Where is my vacation, dammit?

I will survive, I know. I just don't know if my sanity will.

Cameling, seriously, the geckos in my house receive my respect and my protection, chiefly from my cat. They are not, however, pets; they help with the unwanted insects. I saw a stupid and harmless moth try to give itself to one of them the other night, and the gecko didn't know that the moth was not unwanted. If I run out of insects, I suspect the geckos will go to the neighbors.

Robert

emaestra - fingers crossed.

Hang in there with the squabbling, nap-resisting, and moping, too. I remember I got pretty hysterical when my daughter gave up on the morning nap when she was 18 months old. Mommies need their kids to take naps.

I honestly don't know how anybody with more than one child does it. My hat's off to you. One is as much as I can handle.

Robert - what kind of geckos to you have? Are they the kind with sticky pads that can just hang out on walls and such? Ours is an albino leopard gecko named Jeremy. He doesn't have sticky pads so lives in his terrarium all the time. Our 5 cats aren't interested in him, fortunately.

They climb walls. They live in light fixtures. They live in piles of stuff.

One took up residence in my WaterPik; I was trying to explain that to my hygienist when I last had my teeth cleaned. She pointed me in the direction of a sale of new WaterPiks.

These guys are pale, and they chirp.

Robert

I cannot abide geckos .... I like the colorful ones well enough in pictures or cartoons, but the blood drains from my head when I see them in person. I blame this on the fact that when I was a child, one of the geckos on the ceiling hiccupped or something, but he lost his grip on the surface on which he was walking and fell on me, bounced off my arm and drowned in my soup.

I was vacationing on St Thomas a few years ago, and walking through the hotel property, I was admiring some of the plants when I suddenly realized there was a giant iguana resting on the top of a hedge ... my feet froze and my husband had to literally place his body between the hedge with the dozing iguana and me, and propel me forward past the creature. I never walked down that path again

You guys will want to know about this: www.geckofest.com

>164 rocketjk: - rocketjk -

Thanks for the link to GeckoFest. We live in Florida and possibly could go down there if we plan ahead. We LOVE our resident geckos here in Tallahassee. They live outside close to the front and back porch areas. They come out mostly at night for their dinner of local yummy insects. Their star-shaped feet are so cute as well as efficient with the little pads on the end of each digit.

If I can find it again, I will post a pix of the species that hangs out around out house sometime later today.

WH animal appreciator

#163 Robert - thanks for the visuals! I like the idea of chirping geckos. At my house we'd think the smoke detectors were losing battery power. I guess if I had lots of insects in the house I might consider free-range geckos. (Of course ignorance is bliss - I may have lots of insects in the house. I know the cats go after some types of bugs and since I have 5 cats I think that helps control the population.)

I did a quick check on the internet and there don't seem to be any geckos native to my state of North Carolina. I guess it's the cold winters.

#163 cameling - I can see why you can't abide geckos.

I've always liked snakes and lizards but I have to admit that as Jeremy has grown, I've been less inclined to want to hold him. Since he officially belongs to my daughter, I don't feel bad not holding him as much as I used to. She's back from camp (27 days at Camp Seafarer in NC), so Jeremy responsibilities have reverted to her.

#163 I too can see why geckos are not a favorite.. horrible experience!

I do like them though.. but living in PA there are no free range geckos here either :)

Like Karen, my cats are my first defense! lol

I loved geckoes when living in Africa. Cats are no such defence they take their living rats, mice and birds inside through the catdoor. Yeek !! The last mouse hide behind a cabinet where I took tape all round it and made just one hole with a mousetrap out of it. It took the hole day before it was hungry enough to go into the trap.

My cats never go outside, IaaS..
so it is only flies that my kitties chase. I try to shoo them out before the cats get them..

My cat is a great ant watcher - in my kitchen and I'd rather not have ants there anyway.

My brother lived on Guam back in the 70s for a few years and they had geckos right in the house. They just got used to them - it was part of the decor., though my mother wasn't that happy with the decor when she and my dad went to visit him.

Group: Author Chat
Topic: Steve Luxenberg, author of Annie's Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret

This poor chap is rather lonely over there.. did anyone read this book?

It is on my wishlist but I haven't read it..

I did, and I enjoyed it. Very interesting journey he took.

thanks, rocketjk, but I think I'll be skipping this fest. You go and enjoy yourselves ..but don't feel you have to post any pictures. ;-)

mckait : i have Annie's Ghosts in my TBR pile but I haven't read it yet. My cousin gave it to me, saying it was an interesting read, but rather sad.

I read Annie's Ghosts and I will second #172 whymaggiemay. I try to describe this book and it takes a while because it is just so unusual. I would recommend it as mandatory reading.

Well, there went yet another title to my To Read Collection - a collection that keeps on getting!!! When this many people recommend a book (here Annie's Ghosts), I guess I'll have to look into it.

I needed a little bibliotherapy last night and broke out Beauty by Robin McKinley--one of my favorite comfort reads.

You guys recomended "The Sparrow". I new I had it somewhere, but hadn't a clue where. It has been raining here this week so I started to sort all my novelles. Some thousands, so here it is absolutely chaos. I found the Sparrow and decided to make a "TBR" list after all, cause I found other books I had forgotten too. I told you I never would do that, but it was too stupid so i changed my mind. Clancy is the last sorted. Ten shelves finished, a lot to go. And I have to go one step back because mother gave me twenty more Agatha Christie. Just a little summerreport.

Ooh... I haven't read Agatha Christie in a long while .... now you've got me tempted to break them out again for some re-reads. They're airing some of the Hercule Poirot mysteries on tv here at night.

It's raining again ...and we're supposed to go to a baseball game tomorrow .. i really hope it won't be rained out.

#177 Iaas - that sounds like fun, sorting books! I had a lot of fun getting my catalog in order when I first joined LT. If you're like me, you discovered books you forgot you had.

Twenty more Agatha Christies. That's cool.

I'm like cameling - I'm tempted to try a re-read or two although I have so many new books to read.

I really hope you enjoy The Sparrow. It made a profound impact on me and I still think about it occasionally. I haven't read the sequel yet, Children of God, but it's on my shelves somewhere, just waiting for the right moment.

Didn't know there was a sequel to The Sparrow - ah, another book to go onto my To collection.

Just wanted to say that today marks the end of my first year here on LibraryThing and I am glad that laytonwoman3rd got me here. I have always been a voracious reader and this just puts that into perspective. And I also now know that I really can never run out of things to read because I keep finding good things to read here and I have also branched out and read things that I never thought I would (like Faulkner!).

Happy Anniversary koalamom! I stumbled onto LT by accident and I consider that a memorable day indeed since i've met so many funny and interesting people here, all with a penchant for reading. I have been introduced to books I probably wouldn't have thought to read or noticed, and if the only downsides to hanging out with fellow LTers is that my wallet has gotten much slimmer and my shelf-space has joined the Dodo in the extinct universe, I still consider this my happy place. :-)

I should have stayed in bed today .....drove out for lunch with a few colleagues, left my car running, key in the ignition, closed the door and walked halfway across the parking lot before I turned to lock the car, and realized that I didn't have my key with me! In the afternoon, realized that I had bought baseball tickets for tomorrow and not today so I had to rearrange logistics for 20 people we were taking to the baseball game, losing 2 people who already had plans for tomorrow. Kept walking into my colleague's office instead of my own 4 times today, realizing my mistake only when I got halfway into the room. Stood in front of the printer wondering what's wrong with it and slapping it around a little before realizing that I was in front of the printer and NOT the copier which is what I needed to make copies of some documents. And it's only 4pm!! I'm a walking disaster today!

There's something in the atmosphere today. You're not the only one who's a little wonky. I have a horrible feeling I have neglected something vital . . .

I hope you carry spare car keys with you Cameling! I also hope you got safely home - those kind of days are not to be taken lightly!

I do agree that LT is a gift and has enriched my life (if not my pocketbook)!

cameling
When I was working in a Chemistry Lab, we were actually encouraged to stay out of the lab on days like this one's been for you. We were to work at our desks where dangers were less.

omg cameling... I had exactly the same kind of day today...

terrible!

snash.... that was a very wise workplace..

>186 mckait:

;-}
Jude

Good heavens, me too! It was one thing after another after another and, even though it's only 9:30p here, I am in my jammies and ready for bed.

Assuming it doesn't collapse.

As the Rabbi said to the Jewish boy, "You've been cut off!"

That's what the library did to me today, said I had exceeded my limit of books on reserve.

Oy vey, such a day...

I got a PM from our transAtlantic pal, elliepotten, regaling me with the crap day SHE had too. I smell a trend.

morfam...there's a LIMIT to RESERVES?!? That rots. I can see a limit on what's out to an individual, but on reserves...!

me too rdear...I popped in for one last look at my bank account.
I figure that since i paid bills today, I should make suer I won't overdraw.....

I think we need a group hug ((((((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))))))

Now sugarplum, no sane person looks at the bank balance AFTER the bills are paid AND as the last thing she does before beddie-bye.

That's how "sane" turns to "nutso" in the blink of an eye.

Regarding a previous topic y'all were speaking of:
I have been known more than a few times to purchase a book on the basis of the cover art alone.
just sayin'
belva

>193 rainpebble: me too, fiancee dear.

I reviewed Elie Wiesel's new novel in my thread.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/68941

Well, rd... true. But it was really a recheck. And there was money in case of emergency money to transfer...

I sort of went a little crazy and paid bills that are not due and then sent out half a dozen medical bill payments. So it was more to reassure myself than anything else.

Let's hope today is better for everyone! I got off to a good start by finally nerving myself to tell a woman who works out near me in the gym that her coconut lotion was setting off headaches. She was very nice about it and promised to stop using the stuff.

#196> Isn't it a funny experience when you "nerve yourself" over a period of time to say something to someone, expecting some sort of rude, defensive or compative reaction and what you get instead is a reasonable and friendly response?

We're conditioned to expect the worst instead of the best from people in those sort of situations these days. What I experience in those incidences is a sense of relief combined with chagrin that I expected something negative from someone when I try to make it a practice to expect the best, instead.

>197 rocketjk: You're right, but in this case there was also the embarrassment of having to tell a relative stranger that her scent was making me sick.

I tried that once... as nicely as possible.. a support aide must bathe in her cologne. She hasn't spoken to me since.

I just noticed from my home page, today is my 3rd year anniversary on LT. Can't imagine being without it.

*throws confetti * *throws more confetti*

*empties the bucket of confetti on ficus head*

* slinks away~ sorry for getting carried away*

congrats! ff!

>200 FicusFan: Ficus! Happy Thingaversary! I can't imagine this place without you, so I am glad you're here.

Thanks. I enjoy you guys too. Its more than just books, its computer geekyness, and book-people too.

congrats ficus - i made 1 yesterday

Thanks kmom. Congrats to you too. It was your post that made me check my date. I have missed it in previous years.

So if I am 3 does it come with a mandatory nap ?

sure, but think of the reading time, you will miss!

so are we still toddlers or is there some formula involved, likes with dog years - or does reading make us forever young?

>206 koalamom: - Sharleen/koalamom -

I would rather read than sleep, much of the time. It's so lovely and quiet in the middle of the night in the house.

Also, I think reading keeps us young and makes our brains lively and flexible. Now, if it would just become a fountain of youth for the body I live in. Wouldn't that be great?

LT itself, is somewhat of a youth serum IMHO. It is my go-to place when I'm needing a laugh or remembering that their ARE bunches of good people who love to read in this ol' world.

WH aka Ruth

>207 womansheart:: I totally agree with you, Ruth. It is so good to know that there are people "out there" who share my need to read. If I go even one day w/o checking in with LT, it feels like something is not quite right with my life.

I really like the idea of reading as an elixir for perpetual youth. Much easier to swallow than that whole healthy diet and exercise thing!

Yeah, I am having to do that diet and exercise thing - I think I like reading better!

Imagine if reading counted as exercise and they could count your eyeballs going over each word, like they do with those pedi-counters and counting your steps.

An LT question: I guess Richard and I both got a "Hot Review" rating on different days for our reviews of A Mad Desire to Dance, which of course is way cool. I've done some quick searches on the Site Talk group and the FAQ group but can't find an explanation for how a review gets to be rated as "Hot." Anyone know? Thanks!

I think it has to do with the number of thumbs up.

Robert

Woo-hoo! I just posted my review of The Help on Facebook. I am either on the cutting edge of coolness -- or the biggest word nerd in the world! Anyone else tried this?

>213 Donna828: Donna828

I have~ :)

I have a tab for my books on my profile page... I only list currently reading and some of the books I've read.. My LT has my complete list

The reviews I post in my book section but I can also post on my wall and on my friends wall if I feel so inclined too

nothing wrong with being a word nerd :~)

I didn't know you could do that. How is it done?

I have.. I don't keep up with my books there very well.. too much to do here!

LA12Hernandez.... you have to add the application visual bookshelf then manually add your books one at a time... I don't know any other way, if there is I'd love to know and my fingers and eyes would be much appreciated :~)

Mckait... agree takes time.. time I don't have, so I only keep currently reading and some of my have read books LT has my complete book list and the layout is much better at LT then Face Book

>215 LA12Hernandez:: Lynda, what I did was simple. After writing my review of The Help, I just clicked on the blue "f" for Facebook icon, and, voila!, there was my entire review linked to my Facebook page. I believe this is a new feature on LT.

>217 curlysue: curlysue
Thank you. I added Visual Bookshelf to my fb page.

you can add them to twitter too!

kath

you twit? or do they say tweet?

just curious :)

I do ! do you?

mckait there too :)

Nope .... not enough time in my day between work, LT (for my books), Facebook(for my family out of state)

I figure if someone wants to know what I'am doing they can pick up a phone.. my cell is always on :)

I have friended a couple of favorite authors there... and a couple news follks.. only two friends , lol

I look in for a minute twice a day, so I am not the most active of tweeters.. lol

speaking of phone.. we need to do that again sometime :)

Well, I've done it. Now, I'm reading three books...Pride and Prejudice, The Day The Falls Stood Still, and now Offworld by Robin Parrish which is a very good SF ARC by Bethany House of all publishers. It is just so good. What would you do if you came back to earth to find everyone gone?

kath no problem... just let me know when

thinking about going to casadaga soon :)
pick you up something ????

have a safe trip ~ remember to breathe on the plane :)

>#225:
I would think that I missed "the last coming of Christ" and that everyone made it but me.
belva

But Belva...how do we know that the Second Coming is the Last Coming? That issue isn't addressed anywhere in the Bible that I recall.

*envious of Curly*

*mopes*

have a good dtime though !!! :)

>228 richardderus:;
St. Richard;
Well, He has already been here twice. Once with the virgin birth, twice when He arose from the dead. So I dunno, just sayin' that's what I would think.
"What would you do if you came back to earth to find everyone gone?"
I was just answering the question, to the best of my limited ability.
belva

whose counting what???

I just finished a book called Offworld that dealt with the very same question...what would you do if you came back to earth to find everyone gone. It is by Bethany House publishers author is Robin Parrish. It was involving fast mild science fiction reading. Highly recommended. It does get into the whole is God behind everything question but with a techy spin.

Oh well, Duh! Did not realize I had posted and Belva was responding to me. Conks head on desk!

> 230 But why does it have anything to do with JC is what I don't understand ? Its SF and not religious.

I reviewed The Serpent's Tale for anyone interested...just go to the book's page!

>#230:
Ficus;
Hey gal----It doesn't necessarily. She simply posted the question: "What would you do if you came back to earth to find everyone gone?" And I simply posted an answer to the question. My answer had nothing to do with the book, just the question as posted. I have no idea what the book is relating to as I have not read it. Nothing personal; just answering a question. That's all.
belva

"What would you do if you came back to earth to find everyone gone?"

First stop: the ice cream aisle (assuming the electricity is still on, of course).

Do like Burgess Meredith and hope that my glasses don't break!

> 237 OK, just was wondering.

>239 koalamom: - Good one! That was just a horrifying episode, wasn't it!? :)

This thread is getting too long; so lets move on:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/70584