brenzi's Impossible Dream

I am going to be tackling the 1010 Challenge but with only five books in each category to start because I would only reach 100 books with some change in my lifestyle, such as ...oh I don't know....maybe retirement. So we shall see. Here are my categories:

1. Top o' the Heap (Pulitzer Prize winners)

2. Best Brit Books (Booker longlists)

3. Orange You Glad to See Me (Orange Prize longlists)

4. It's All About Me (Memoirs)

5. Really? (Non-fiction)

6. Gathering Dust (Books owned for at least two years)

7. Must Have! (Just released fiction - within 6 months)

8. Remember When (Historical fiction)

9. Clock's Ticking (1001 Books to Read Before You Die)

10. That's a crime (Mysteries/crime)


My 10/10 Challenge is here http://www.librarything.com/topic/79324







My Take It or Leave It Challenge for January:

Still Life by Louise Penny
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Take It or Leave It Challenge for February:

The Liars' Club by Mary Karr
Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd

Books Read This Year:

8. Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd UK
7. The Liars' Club by Mary Karr
6. Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom
5. Blame by Michelle Huneven
4. Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh - India
3. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Review at post 120)-Nigeria
2. Still Life by Louise Penny (Review at post 68) Quebec
1. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann (Review at post 47)

Noted and starred!

It is great to see your new thread. I enjoyed reading the categories, too. Clever.

You are ready to go! Woohoo!

Sending love and warmth -

Ruthie

Your categories are just too cute! Love 'em. It's obvious that you gave this a little thought.
I've starred you and look forward to what you can add to my wish list.

ETA: I don't think your dream is so impossible...just believe!

Bonnie, I've just starred your thread, I'm new to this group but I notice we have quite a few books in common so I'm curious to see what you will be reading this year. Of your 15 top reads this year 4 will be on my list too and another 6 are actually sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.

Love your categories. Wish I was that organized (and clever).

Looks good!

Hey, Sis!

Oh! are the two of you really sisters? That's sweet.

Nah! Louanne just accused us of fighting (not really) like sisters! ;-)

Glad to see you back with us again, Bonnie!

Glad you're here, Bonnie. I'll be looking out for your Orange and Booker Prize reads.

Bonnie- You know I have to keep track of you! I'd be lost otherwise! I really like the set-up of your 1010 Challenge. I have to try that one of these years!

Great idea, Bonnie. I had thought of doing 5 per category as well, since 100 books may be beyond my mental means, unless it were 50 mysteries and 50 fantasy. Cute categories, too.

Hi! Love your clever categories! I have you starred! (And I'm doing 5 per category, too, though one or two categories will run over that . . .)

Glad to see you here, Bonnie!

chiming in to say 'adorable categories!' I don't think I could make 5 per category in a year tho... maybe 2.5... ugh... Kinda curious to know: what categories were runners-up?

I just love your categories!! You obviously put a lot of thought into them. If I was going to do the 1010 challenge, I'd be tempted to "borrow" them. I'll be interested to see the books you choose.

>17 Milda-TX: Runners-up...hmmm...well I just realized I left out the National Book Award books which I usually read and a specific category for books that make me laugh which I never seem to read enough of.

>Joanne, you're welcome to "borrow" anything you want.

Bonnie, your categories are a laugh riot! Fair fortune in reaching your goal.

Richard,

I feel like I've finally made it now that you've visited my thread. Thank you for the encouragement.

"Made it?" Onto what, the FBI Terrorism Watch List? But it will be fun to watch you work those categories. I hope to add one book to "That's a crime" for you in 2010. "Death in Blue&White" might be a 2011 book, though they're interested in a 2010 date....

Hi Brenzi -

Your reading list looks a lot like something dangerous for my TBR pile. Have you starred!!

Merry Christmas to all the wonderful new friends that I've made here on LT in the past year. Feliz Navidad!

Starred! I'll be keeping an eye on the memoirs you read. I kind of like those as well.

Bonnie- Merry Christmas, my friend! Hope you had a wonderful day! BTW, did you ever start Gate at the Stairs? If so, how is it?

Thanks Mark. After fits and starts, I'm about 100 pages into Gate at the Stairs and it's good; very funny.

hI Bonnie - great categories, especially 3...LOL!

Thanks Cushla! That reminds me--Orange January is right around the corner.

>25 SqueakyChu: Hi Madeline, glad to see you here.

Hi Brenzi! Got you starred once again. I just wrapped up my last read for 2009 and have to get my new thread started. Look at you at message #31 already! I am way behind and the year hasn't even started! LOL. Hugs.

Found you, Brenda! Look forward to your 2010 reading list!

ETA: My thread if you want to lurk too!

Hi Bonnie - popping in to say hello, wish you a Happy New Year, star your thread and share a chuckle at your clever categories.

Bonnie...Welcome back my friend!

It is so good to see you here!

Well I've cleared out all the threads; it's taken a couple of hours. And I know by the time I finish writing this and return to the Talk page there'll be more posts that have popped up in this short time it takes me to write this post. Arrrrgh.

I know what you mean.....the 75ers are certainly a garrulous lot aren't we?

Love the graphic, Caroline! And so fitting for this group (except for possibly Richard.)

Why do you think I picked it, Stasia? ;-)

Love your categories! Good luck!

Oh Caroline, perfect pic.

>39 carlym: Thank you carlym. I've got about another 100 pages to read in Let the Great World Spin which can fit in both Historical Fiction and Must Have :)

It's terrific, BTW.

>36 cameling: *choo*

Bonnie, please tell Caroline that I am Not Speaking To Her until she agrees to de-Minion-of-Satan her post.

>40 brenzi: Have you ever read any McCann before? I read, and LOVED, his story collection Fishing the Sloe-Black River last year, and it was my first ever exposure to his quiet, elegant, unsparing prose. I recommend it.

Your book catagories are so spiffy!

Hi Bonnie - I have Let The Great World Spin coming up next and I can hardly wait. I keep hearing everyone rave about it!

I've read Fishing the Sloe-Black River, although I preferred This Side of Brightness. I picked up Dancer last night, and I can't wait to get to it! He's a really interesting author.

Great categories! Got you starred for 2010, looking forward to seeing what you fill those slots with!

>41 richardderus: Yes Richard, certainly I'll tell her. Ahem Caroline, would you care to translate?

This is my first McCann novel, first in a series I should say. I'll be looking for more.

>42 jadebird: Thank you jadebird.

>43 Copperskye: Joanne, You have a treat coming. i'm getting ready to write my review but tere's so much to say I don't exactly know where to start.

>44 London_StJ: Luxx I would probably look more for This Side of Brightness as I'm not big on short stories.

>45 spacepotatoes: Welcome aboard Andrea. Thanks for visiting.

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

Colum McCann’s 2009 National Book Award winning novel, Let the Great World Spin, interweaves the lives of a dozen different characters, all brought together in New York City on August 7, 1974, the day that Philip Petit walked a tightrope between the Twin Towers. McCann’s breathtaking and wonderful ability to thread these lives together in a seamless fashion had me turning pages furiously into the night.

Read more here.

Bonnie- Excellent review! What a great book to open the year with, (although it was also a great one to close out with too). Yes, it would be a worthy group read, ripe for discussion. I will also be looking for his other books. I did pick up Dancer about a week ago!

Thumbed that one, Bonnie. Sounds excellent.

>47 brenzi:: Another excellent review, Bonnie. I guess I also stole your idea about putting a teaser sort of first paragraph from the review and then a link to the rest of it. Last year I got so tired of trying to say something clever in my comments that wasn't in my review. Sometimes there's only so much one can say about a book! My copy of Let the Great World Spin is due in at the library later this week. Can't wait.

Donna,

Since we click so often on books I can say with confidence, "You're going to love it."

What a wonderful start to the year Bonnie, both the book and the review. I can't wait to read it!

Thumbed you, Bonnie ... and since I already have this on my TBR .. I escape unscathed ....for today

Ditto Cameling. :)

McCann is an author I MUST read. I just need more time! Great review, thanks.

Lovely review of Let the Great World Spin. I will look for that one.

I downloaded Let the Great World Spin to my Kindle-PC last year and will definitely be reading it this year. It looks terrific! Great review, Bonnie.

Another thumbs up! I was already considering this one after Mark's high praise but your review sold me. Thanks!

Thank you everyone. I don't think you could go wrong with this one. I am definitely going to look for more of McCann's books.

I've just gone and requested it from my library on your recommendation. Thanks, I now have 24 books reserved!

Ewhhhh, sorry about that but I can honestly say I've been in the same situation. good luck :)

I recently saw a documentary on Petit's stroll between the towers so I am very interested in reading Let the Great World Spin. On to the wishlist it goes - Thanks for the rec.

EXcellent review, Bonnie...and one that has me adding that book to my wishlist!

I just wish I had had time to read it before giving it to my son for Christmas (Shhh! Don't tell Mark!)

Hi Bonnie. Good luck with 75! Let the Great World Spin will be a must read for me in 2010. Keep up those great and oh-so-hot reviews!

Bonniebooks : Maybe you can get your son to lend it to you after he's read it. ;-)

Still Life by Louise Penny

Thank you so much to Joanne (coppers) (and everyone else who raved about it) for recommending this book.

From my review.

It’s been many years since I read a cozy little mystery like Still Life by Louise Penny. Even more years since I read one that kept me guessing until almost the last page, like this one did. The problem with most cozy mysteries is that the characters have no depth and the coziness is all they have going for them. You figure out “who dunnit” in no time and spend the rest of the book watching the unveiling of the most obvious clues. This mystery is the exception to the rule.

Read more here.

Thanks for the enticing review. I am not generally a mystery reader, but this one might be good for hubbie.

cozy, quiet and an easy read, might be a wonderful way to start the New Year. Thanks for the review.

Oh goody goody! I'm getting the Penny series as a gift soon! Can't wait, can't wait....

Bonnie - Yay! I'm so glad you liked Still Life. And what a great review! I think the series gets even better with each book. I still have The Brutal Telling on my shelf waiting to be read and I see she has the next book coming out later in the year.

And Richard - lucky you!!

>72 Copperskye: Joanne, One thing I loved was the mention of Tim Horton's coffee. I felt like I made a neat little connection because although they're all over Canada they're only in a few locales in the US including where I live (although spreading quickly I guess). Don't you love when that happens in a book?

I do, but the only reason I could make any connection to Tim Horton's was because one of my sisters had been up in Montreal right around the time I was reading it and mentioned the coffee shops. Those type of things are always nice for locals though. I like it when I read a book that takes place in a familiar location and the author includes some landmarks that are fitting and geographically correct.

I've read three of the Three Pines Series with number four waiting in the wings. Like coppers, I think they improve with each book. I'm thrilled they are getting such positive attention on LT.

We now have Tim Horton's here in Maine - they're ok but not nearly as yummy as dunkin donuts or Krispy Kreme....

Actually stopped in to point out for all you Louise Penny fans that she has a wonderful personal blog which I truly enjoy. It's at http://louisepenny.blogspot.com/. I have it in my blog feeder and truly enjoy her daily thoughts on life.

I don't know anything about Tim Horton, but I do know that Louise Penny has quite a fan club here on LT. Bonnie, I seem to be following in your literary footsteps so it will just be a matter of time before I pick one up.

I read Still Life early last summer, and have also read Dead Cold. I love the dear Inspector, and the quirky lovable residents of Three Pines.

A couple notes: Some of the novels have different titles in Canada/US/UK.
1. Still Life
2. A Fatal Grace/Dead Cold
3.The Cruelest Month
4.A Rule Against Murder/The Murder Stone
5.The Brutal Telling
6.Coming in 2010 BURY YOUR DEAD

As I mentioned last summer, I don't usually read mysteries, and I came across this series quite by accident, but it was the author's bio that caught my attention, and I felt compelled to read Still Life. Bonnie, I hope you don't mind if I share part of what I read about Louise Penny:

In her words: There are times when I'm in tears writing. Not because I'm so moved by my own writing, but out of gratitude that I get to do this. In my life as a journalist I covered deaths and accidents and horrible events, as well as the quieter disasters of despair and poverty. Now, every morning I go to my office, put the coffee on, fire up the computer and visit my imaginary friends, Gamache and Beauvoir and Clara and Peter. What a privilege it is to write. I hope you enjoy reading the books as much as I enjoy writing them.

And finally, a small note about the themes in my books, and why I write them. They're all inspired by two lines from a poem by WH Auden, in his elegy to Melville. He wrote: Goodness existed, that was the new knowledge/his terror had to blow itself quite out to let him see it.

How powerful is that?

My books are about terror. That brooding terror curled deep down inside all of us. But more than that, more than murder, more than all the rancid emotions and actions, my books are about goodness. And kindness. About choices. About friendship and belonging. And love. Enduring love.

PS....In my Canadian hometown, there are about 10 Tim Hortons locations within a 10 minute drive! People here are completely addicted!!!!

Thanks Louanne for adding the quote: that tipped the scale. Have to add her books to the pile now...

Glad you enjoyed Still Life, Bonnie. Nice review -- a thumb for you!

I had never read Louise Penny until I got an Early Reviewer copy of The Brutal Telling. Now I'm hooked!

Thanks for the link to Penny's blog, Tina!

I love the Three Pines series! Glad you enjoyed the first one, Bonnie. They improve over the series, IMHO.

>76 tututhefirst: Tina, thank you for visiting and for the info on Louise Penny's blog. It's interesting what you say about Tim Horton's in Maine. Here we have Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks but it's only the numerous (as on every corner) Tim Horton's that draw the crowds and the long lines at the drive through window no matter what time of day. Different strokes:)

>78 L-Anne: Thank you for all the Louise Penny info Louanne. Good stuff and yes I have put the next Three Pines book on the pile but I'll read some other books in between.

Here's a question for anyone who might know: Why do publishers feel the need to use different titles for the same book in the US and Canada?

Yup, we've got Timmie's on every corner here too! We had one Krispy Kreme a few years ago and even though the doughnuts were really, really good, they didn't last long. The only franchise that seems to be able to successfully compete with Tim Horton's in my city has been Starbucks.

Nice Hot Review, brenzi! I'll have to keep this series in mind when I'm in the mood for a good mystery.

Re: changing the titles, I think in some cases it has to do with the choice of words. The first Harry Potter book is called "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in the commonwealth countries and "....the Sorcerer's Stone" everywhere else. I read that it was because the word philosopher has a different meaning in American English and British English so they changed the titles for clarity.

Living in Canada, I can tell you that Tim Horton's coffee is excellent. Their donuts are good, too, but not as fat laden as crisp cremes. Starbucks has a much more bitter burnt taste to my palate.

Well I never thought it would happen but Krispie Kreme, which opened to huge fanfare and long lines to get those HOT NOW donuts in 2000, pulled out of Western New York entirely a couple of years ago. Now we're a community of donut eaters so why they couldn't make a go of it here is a mystery. I don't think Tim Horton's donuts are anything to write home about but their cafe mocha on the other hand....to die for.

Krispy Kreme overexpanded, got their proverbial mammaries in the wringer with overborrowing, and contracted. I loved a specialty donut they used to make in the World Trade Center shop...raspberry filled, peanut-butter iced. I would buy two dozen, go home thinking "I'll eat every one of these" and end up visiting neighbors with plates of them. One woman slammed her door in my face after seeing what I had for her! (The second time, obviously.)

I like Entenmann's cider cake donuts the best, myownself.

#82 - re-changing titles between the US and elsewhere. American publishers prefer to use very specific titles and so rename many books that are first published elsewhere. The HP book spacepotatoes refers to was renamed from 'philosopher's stone' to 'sorcerer's stone' as they thought that sales might be affected with the original title which doesn't really conjour up the 'magic' aspect of the book.

Not a good thread to read before dinner....I am starving!! We don't have Tim Horton doughnuts here, to my knowledge, and Krispy Kremes are just too gooey for me. I like mine a little plainer. Dunkin Donuts works just fine.

Count me as someone else who's added Still Life to my wishlist because of your review!

>89 wandering_star: Oh boy! I'm suddenly feeling so responsible if you don't like it. I hope you do:)

We've got two Krispy Kreme stores still left in our area and they aren't bad but frankly, it's a buttered hard roll that I'd love to have to start my day. Strictly east coast I believe, if I tried to order one here, I'd get a day old roll.

Enjoy Still Life, wandering_star!

So I'm browsing in my local Value Village (a Goodwill type of store) for some good, cheap, used books. And what do I see, but a mint condition copy of Still Life. A week ago I would have skimmed right over it, today, it came home with me. So add me to the list of people who will read this series because of you! I'm thinking Ms Penny might owe you some royalties.

re Krispy Kreme: Big fanfane when they opened just outside Toronto, they lasted maybe a couple of years. All are gone. Tim's has a very strong hold in southern Ontario.

Ahhh. Oh excuse me....I was just imbibing in a cafe mocha from Tim's:)

Lucky find for you. Hope you enjoy it!

I am really not a fan of Krispy Kreme dougnuts. They are too sweet for me. I really miss the family owned donut shops they have in St. Louis. In DC it is Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts, or nothing. I thought I had found one up the street from me as it is called Universal Donut. I got up real early one morning to go get donuts and bring them back for Andy, and don't cha know all they had were Krispy Kremes (and they were not even warm). It was very dissapointing.

Here I am at the office, hungry and you're all talking about Timmies, Krispy Kremes (which I love) and Dunkin Donuts (which I detest) ....grrrowl....

>74 Copperskye:: Dang! Nothing like a hot donut--though, what am I saying? Donuts always make me feel a little queasy! Give me fresh bread instead. But I have discovered that Krispy Kremes are the only donut that can be successfully heated up. (It's probably that extra sugar.) Try it!

eta: I'm saving your popular reviews until after I've read the books, but just wanted to say CONGRATS, Bonnie!

No - I'm sorry - the best donuts ever were Grannie's donuts. She only made them once, but I can still remember with perfect clarity just how super fantastic they were. They must have been a hell of a job, cuz she never made them again.

>94 jmaloney17: Yes, yes, yes. Krispie Kremes are way, way too sweet for me. Up until about 10 years ago we had this charming little bakery where they made a small number of doughnuts every day. What made them wonderful was the fillings were made from the owner's own preserved fruits and the doughnuts were so unbelievably fresh that it was like sinking your teeth into the most heavenly concoction ever. They'd all be gone by 10:00a.m. because people would come from near and wide for them. As with all good things the owner exhausted herself from all the work required to produce a quality product like that and was forced into early retirement. **sigh**

>96 bonniebooks: Thank you Bonnie. I try not to give anything away with my reviews but I know exactly what you're saying:)

>98 brenzi: >>94 jmaloney17: *wipes drool from keyboard before computer shorts out*

The plain glazed Krispy Kremes are the best! They're soft and they're so moist. I generally pick most of the glazing off because I don't like things that are too sweet, and if I can, I get them when they're hot out of the oven before they put any glazing on. But they're soooooo good.

There's a farm that I go to on weekends for fruit and produce, and they make their own cider donuts that are just to die for. There's always a long line though and you can smell them all the way down the road.

>100 cameling: "you can smell them way down the road"

Ah the fiscal advantages of not needing to advertize:)

>100 cameling: *swoons from overloaded delight sensors*

Need a donut fix! Arrgghhh....

There is a world of difference between a Krispy Kreme doughnut and a hot Krispy Kreme doughnut. There is a KK about a mile away from me, and it's tempting not to stop in if the "Hot Now" sign is lit:



I try to limit myself to getting KK doughnuts no more than 2-3 times per year. If I ate them as much as I'd like I wouldn't fit through my front door.

I had no idea they had a "Hot Now" sign. That would be worth stopping for! Thank goodness there are no stores conveniently located near me.

Many of the KK stores in the Northeast do not make their doughnuts on the premises, as the ones in Atlanta do. KK originated in the South (in North Carolina, I think), and they are most popular here, although I saw several shops in London last year. They did overexpand outside of the South, including one in the town that my parents live in outside of Philadelphia, which has since closed down. Oddly enough, the company did not expand in Atlanta, and I only know of two shops within the city limits.

Hmm...I'm now very tempted to pick up some doughnuts on my way back from the barbershop tomorrow. I don't think I've had any KK doughnuts since last summer.

ooooh yeah ... the "Hot Now" sign is like a beacon in a foggy night, drawing all Krispy Kreme addicts to its doors, even in freezing weather. There is seriously nothing like a fresh hot KK donut.

Our KK store is right by my metro station. Luckily, I walk to work now instead of taking the train, so I no longer pass by it daily. Even though I don't really like KK, they smell so good it is hard to resist when I pass by.

We only have Dunkin' Donuts here in New Zealand and only a handful of those. The nearest to me downsized a few years ago. They are not at all popular. I've had Krispy Kreme once and never again - too sweet. My favourite American treat has to be Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia icecream - thank goodness it's not available here.

a staple of NE Pennsylvania is Tastycakes. Oh, my, but they are wonderful!

http://pageneralstore.com/products.asp?dept=52&gclid=CJfLnJ2Clp8CFag65Qod9xZ...

Fourteen new messages. I was thinking....oh boy, Bonnie's reviewed another hot book...and now I find it's all about the donuts! Speaking of which...my grandkids are visiting and I got some of those little powdered sugar Hostess donettes. Well, I think we have a new tradition here. They were a big hit -- and a big mess!

Oh, Tastycakes - my favorite!!!..but alas, not available here in the great west...:(

All this talk of donuts is just wonderful. But what I'd really love to have cross the border into the US would have to be the Beavertails sold in the Byward Market area of Ottawa. But one costs about $3.75 though well worth it.

Um, OK, I'll bite - Beavertails?

I will put in a word for homemade donuts. Nothing like them (at least to me!) I am not a big donut eater of any variety, but I love the ones I make.

>114 Copperskye: Beavertails are basically just elephant ears with a slightly different shape. When the Rideau Canal freezes in Ottawa and it opens up for skating, they have Beavertail shacks all along the canal. It's a great tradition, I wish I didn't live 6 hours away from it! They are starting to have more of them around Ontario now, though, especially during the summer festival season.

Thanks for clarifying that. I have some redneck relatives, but growing up I never ate beavertail.

Beavertails=Elephant Ears? Hot, with melted butter and cinnamon? OK, now you guys are all just torturing everyone. I do not need to expand the number of delectable deserts I drool over. ;-) What are you reading now, Bonnie? And it better not be a cookbook!

Ok beavertails are a new one on me. We travel a lot to Toronto and Hamilton but they must not have made their way there yet.

>118 bonniebooks: Hi Bonnie, I'm reading Purple Hibiscus for Orange January plus it's my second debut novel this month for Squeakychu's Take It Or Leave It Challenge.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

After reading Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Orange Prize winning novel Half a Yellow Sun last summer, I knew I had to read more of her books so for Orange January I chose her 2003 debut novel, Purple Hibiscus, which was short listed for the 2003 Orange Prize. I was not disappointed.

Read more here.

A great review! I've had this one on my shelf forever!

Thumbed you, Bonnie for that great review. Definitely a book I need to look out for so it's whisked off to my wish list.

I haven't eaten any beavertails or elephant ears, but I sure do love buttery, flaky lobster tails filled with fresh whipped cream.

>120 brenzi:: I enjoyed Purple Hibiscus as well, Bonnie, and was surprised to like it just as much as her debut (I'd heard others say PH wasn't as good). Glad you enjoyed it!

Beavertails, elephant ears and now lobster tails? Seriously? Are they at all like bear claws? And who gets to name these things anyway??

Oh yes, nice review Bonnie! I haven't heard Purple Hibiscus.

Bonnie- Excellent review! I will add this one! You are on a nice roll!

Bonnie

You have yet another hot review! Congratulations on a job well done!

Great review, Bonnie! I'll definitely read this during Orange July, if not sooner.

oh, sorry I walked out on the Beavertail conversation after bringing it up. Spacepotatoes knows exactly of what I speak. Whenever we make the trip to Ottawa it's the first place I go. I like mine with cinnamon suger and a squirt of lemon juice. I've never seen them anywhere else we've travelled to in Canada. That would be a franchise that is worth getting into!

Great review, Bonnie! Sounds like yet another one for the TBR list. I don't think I've read any of the Orange Prize books, at least not knowingly, so I will have to hunt some of them down. They get lots of raves around LT.

It goes on my list, too. If you're interested, Little Bee is also about a young Nigerian woman.

Thanks everyone. It was a great read.

>130 loosha: I actually have Little Bee on my wishlist so I hope to get to it this year. Someone (can't remember who with so many threads to follow) had it on their top 10.

thank you for the reveiws! i fancy a doughnut now!

Not quite a donut, but in lieu of that, frozen chocolate custard pie works.

Went to the liberry today and got Purp. Hib. on YOUR say-so. I don't like it, I'm comin' in here with a bat and an attitude.

You mean you usually come in without an attitude, Richard? *blink, blink*

Attitude?!? You think this is ATTITUDE?!?

Why the noive...this...she...oooooo!We'll see about this, little missie. We Shall See.

hmm... touch a little noive there, did I? *skittering away beyond richard's talons*

Better be quicker'n that, kiddo. *hmmmf*

**glances around then scurries off to all the other threads to tell people to come and vote**

I'd like to know who said No? Was it RD?

Me? Why, I set up the poll, so I can't vote!

Someone actually really said 'no'? I think it was a mistake ... that person was laughing so hard that he/she accidentally clicked on 'no' but really intended to click 'yes'.

Ha! At least seven of those "yes" votes are cameling's sock-puppets! I sense ToS violation!

Excusez moi Richard, you must learn to respect your elders. I may be an old lady, but I'm nobody's sock-puppet!!! Mind your manners, or you'll be sent to your room without dessert of anykind.

>144 tututhefirst: *snort* Old lady *guffaw* Old lady! Ha! You're just bolstering your fraudulent attempts to get the Early Bird Special at the lobster place. Old lady *shakes head*

Well Richard, the votes have been counted and the results are in. Read them and weep while the rest of us guffaw our way on to the rest of our day.

HA! The vote was rigged! This system is stacked against me! Someone cheated! *pause*

Oh. I set that up, didn't I.

Attitude indeed. Y'all ain't seen nothin' yet....

ROLF ..... I just looked at the votes! This just made my day.

I am smack dab in the middle of one of the most fascinating adventure tales I've ever read, Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh which was a 2008 longlisted Booker nominee. I actually received it as an ER book but had already had it on my TBR list since it first came out in 2008 to rave reviews. With a three day weekend coming up, I should be able to get through it, but i'd never heard of Ghosh before and yet he has many books out. Hmmm, how does that happen? A really good writer publishes many books and I've never heard of him?

I'd heard of Amitav Ghosh before, but I never really knew who he was. I always thought he wrote books about spirituality! :)

Then I absolutely fell in love with one of his books I read called The Hungry Tide. In it, the central character was a woman named Piya, a bright, adventurous marine biologist who was studying sea dolphins. I so much wanted to jump into that book and join her. I'm curious to hear about Sea of Poppies, hoping that's as good as the book I read.

>149 brenzi: Hmmm, how does that happen? A really good writer publishes many books and I've never heard of him?

Unless you're Cerberus and we in cyberspace don't know it, you've only got one head, two eyes, and a brain that can process information at a given rate. Some quite prolific people slip past us all, until the moment they hove into our personal harbor-view, and that moment...well, it's just to be savored, when we're lucky.

I added Sea of Poppies to my tbr list and never read the book. Now, I really must move it up some notches.

By the way, Richard, I voted yes..But, I like people with an attitude, so yes = positive.

>152 Whisper1: Oh...okay...so I should see a cutting, hurtful "yes" vote as a *good* thing...I see. *sniff*

I've got Sea of Poppies on my tbr pile, Bonnie. Hope you like it all the way through. Enjoy your weekend!

nah, stop crying! I have an attitude..A BIG one and I'm proud of it. As a child I was wippy and VERY shy. Even in high school I let people run over me. As I age, I get softer in many areas, and more firm in others.

Years ago my eldest daughter stuck up for herself on an issue that needing defending. Rather than encourage her and affirm, her father (my exhusband) turned to her and said "Oh, I see that now you have a mouth like your mother!" When she told me this I almost rolled on the floor laughing.

>151 richardderus: "unless you're Cerberus and we in cyberspace don't know it"

Well Richard, there's a mystery I won't help you solve;-)

>155 Whisper1: My mother used to say, "You're just like your father!" when my mouth would get me into trouble. She stopped after I rejoined, "If you didn't like him, why'd you have three children with him?" I was eleven.

Funny thing is...she was right. Wish I'd listened.

>156 brenzi: *ponders software upgrade to catch Bonnie's other heads in keyboard action*

>150 SqueakyChu: I remember seeing the cover of that and being intrigued by it but didn't really consider it beyond that. I may have to add it to the TBR too...looking forward to your final review!

I already have Sea of Poppies in the BlackHole, Bonnie, but I cannot wait to see what you thought of it. I guess I really need to read it myself one of these days.

Sea of Poppies was one of my favorite books of 2008, and it was the book I would have selected from that year's Booker Prize longlist to win the award. If I remember correctly it is the first of a planned trilogy, but I haven't heard anything about the next book in the series.

I've already got Sea of Poppies on my TBR pile so I'm keen to see what you thought of it. I do like Amitav Ghosh. I've read The Shadow Lines, In an Antique Land and The Glass Palace all of which were excellent books.

I know this is the first in a trilogy but I haven't read any of Ghosh's other books. So I guess I have to thank all you LTer's for the education about this author and also thank you (?) for growing my TBR pile exponentially.

>160 kidzdoc: Darryl,

I wonder if that's why they were giving away ER copies of the book a couple of months ago, building interest for the next installment of the trilogy?

Well I'm certainly hooked, especially the way Sea of Poppies ended. I looked at his and the book's web sites yesterday(?) to see if there was any information about the next book, but nothing was available. I did remember correctly that this book will be the first in his Ibis trilogy.

I voted Yes for Richard and Yes for Sea of Poppies. A pleasure to spend time on your thread Miss Brenzi!

I feel like I should be done with Sea of Poppies by the way this thread is sounding LOL. Soon, very soon.

Hi Bonnie- I've also had Sea of Poppies on my radar for quite sometime! Need to track a copy down! Looking forward to your review!

#4.


From my review:

“The vision of a tall-masted ship, at sail on the ocean, came to Deeti on an otherwise ordinary day, but she knew instantly that the apparition was a sign of destiny, for she had never seen such a vessel before, not even in a dream: how could she have, living as she did in Northern Bihar, four hundred miles from the coast? Her village was so far inland that the sea seemed as distant as the netherworld: it was the chasm of darkness where the holy Ganga disappeared into the Kala-Pani, ‘the Black Water.’”

So begins the rip-snortin tale of high seas adventure aboard the Ibis in 1838, as told by Amitav Ghosh in Sea of Poppies, a novel that landed on the Booker shortlist in 2008.

Read more here.

Wishlisted book. Thumbs-upped review. Leaving thread now.

Fantastic review! I'm sold. I love the writing in the passages you quoted. Was this up against The White Tiger for the Booker in '08 or do I have my years mixed up? I loved The White Tiger but based on your review, I can see why maybe this should have won instead.

Yes Andrea it lost out to White Tiger which I also loved but not as much as this book. This is a true epic.

>168 richardderus: Thank you Richard. I hope this one works out better for you than my last recommendation:)

Sea of Poppies looks really good, Bonnie, and so was your thumbs-up review. I think I'll wait until the second book comes out (and maybe even the third) so I don't have to wait for the next installment(s). Plus, I refuse to review another book right after you've read it...you say all the good stuff!

I'm putting it on my list right away. Loved The White Tiger, too.

Interesting what you say about Deeti in your review (ie a very strongly written female character).

I have read most of Ghosh's books and I always find them interesting, but rarely enjoyable, and one of the reasons is that I don't think he writes people that well, especially women. (That's why my favourite book of his is the memoir, In An Antique Land.)

Anyway, you have persuaded me to give him one more go - Sea of Poppies is now on the wishlist...

I loved your review, Bonnie. I know I've looked at Sea of Poppies but never much more than that. Your review will probably get me to read it. Thanks!

Super review, Bonnie ... duly thumbed! This is one of those books I hope to get around to someday ... if you liked it, that's a good sign for me!

Good timing, Bonnie! I'm going down to my sister's and will take Sea of Poppies with me.

Brenzi- Another terrific review! (Although I never expect anything less!). I will find a copy of this book!!

Thank you everyone. I really loved the book, as you can see.

>172 Donna828: LOL Donna. Very amusing. I did not begin to say all the good stuff.

>174 wandering_star: How interesting! "I don't think he writes people that well."

Sea of Poppies is a veritable cornucopia of interesting and well-drawn characters. It's really the book's strongest point. Now I will have to look for his memoir. Thank you wandering star.

I've been on the fence about Sea of Poppies, but I think I must read it now. Great review. Thanks.

Thumbed your review, Bonnie... I've got to move this up the steps in my TBR tower.

This book was recommended by a friend and has received high praise as well as a nomination for the National Book Critics' Circle award.




Blame by Michelle Huneven

From my review:

What if you were convicted of the deaths of two people because of your own negligence and inability to quiet the demons inside? How would you spend the rest of your life? Even after the two year jail term, could you return to the life you once led? What changes would you make? What about the victims’ family? What is the morally appropriate way to conduct your life going forward? And most importantly, could you ever forgive yourself?

Read more here.

Bonnie- Good review! It probably won't make my wishlist but that is just fine! Pretty crowded over there, anyway!

Nice review, Bonnie. I would be interested in a memoir of someone who's actually dealt with these issues.

182- Sounds intriguing.

>182 brenzi: Onto the wishlist it goes, Bonnie, and garners a thumbs-up from me!

Thank you Richard and oh btw I'm reading a short story collection right now and the first one features a man suffering from....wait for it...gout. Reminded me of you as you're the only person I actually "know" who has gout.

I flinch for him, fictional character or not...no creature should have this pernicious disease.

>182 brenzi:: Blame looks good, Bonnie, and it was announced Tuesday that it is a finalist for the National Book Critic's Circle Award.

ETA some advice: Always read the full review before making a redundant comment. Duh!

Great reviews, Brenzi. While I thought Sea of Poppies was a beautifully constructed book, the whole thing was a bit of a slog for me. It gave great detail to the period and place, but the plot dragged a bit. I know I am in the minority here, though.

Richard is naughty to have voted for himself - I see the solo 'NO' vote and presume only one person on LT could have voted that way!

Donna - LOL yes I've done the same thing many times. She presents an interesting question but the book left me feeling a little flat.

Thank you kiwidoc. Well we probably won't agree about every book but I can understand your feeling about the plot. Isn't it interesting how one person finds the plot a drag and another one can't put the book down? There have been many books that I didn't care for that others absolutely loved. Yes, I think it's no secret which way Richard voted in his own poll LOL.

Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom



From my review:

We readers are truly fortunate to have so many accomplished writers of short fiction from which to choose including Amy Bloom, who continues her winning ways with her new collection, Where the God of Love Hangs Out. She uses this vehicle to explore relationships between lovers, friends, and families and investigates how disappointment, loss, passion, sadness and joy play into every relationship.

Read more here.

You did it again -- wrote another wonderful review. I'm adding this book to my library! It sounds delightful.

Nice review, Bonnie!

> 182 I'm adding Blame: A Novel to the wishNotebook. You write excellent reviews!! I enjoy your comments.

Bonnie, I am reading this book now. Glad to see you enjoyed it!

Nice review Bonnie. I already have this one on hold at the library.

#192: I already had this one in the BlackHole, but a big 'Thumbs Up' for your review, Bonnie.

Bonnie- Another fine review! And another author I am not familiar with! There are some excellent short story collections out there!

Amy Bloom is an author I have not yet explored, but your excellent review has been very curious.

Let's do another poll that's not centered on Richard (I still love you R). I am presently reading a book that has been on my bookshelf since 1995. It is not the oldest unread book I own, but close. Is anyone reading a book that they've owned longer than 15 years?

Bonnie : A very fine review indeed.

Thankfully I don't have anything on my TBR that's been there for more than 15 years. I think the oldest book on my TBR is 11 years... of course if I don't get to it soon, it might just hit your 15 year mark.

Great reviews. I already own Jamesland by Michelle Huneven and Away by Amy Bloom but have yet to read either of them. Hopefully I can get to them soon so I can move on to their next books...

Hello Nancy, thanks for stopping by. I read Away a couple of years ago and loved it. I haven't read anything else by Huneven.

Maybe we should have another poll:

Thanks wandering_star. It looks like me and one other person are finally getting to the really old stuff on the ol' TBR pile:)

I was happy to have a no vote but then I had a yes vote...

I seem to be constantly reading from the surface of my tbr pile (books I've acquired in the last 12 months) so I really need to delve deeper into my stacks.

*sigh* I was able to answer "yes" to both poll questions that *didn't* have to do with me. Though why anyone would CARE about a poll that isn't about moi I am at a loss to understand.

Thumbs-upped the review of Bloom, Bonnie, keep 'em comin'!

Lovely review, Bonnie. I'm reserving this book right now. I've just finished Away by Bloom and am very impressed with her storytelling.

>209 richardderus: why anyone would CARE about a poll that isn't about moi I am at a loss to understand

Of course you are. And it's understandable as many people have led you to believe that this is the case ;-)

>210 loosha: Hello Loosha, thanks for stopping by. Amy Bloom is a wonderful storyteller.

I'm about half-way through Mary Karr's memoir The Liar's Club and it is laugh out loud funny when I'm not horrified at the bad parenting. For instance,

"It was the age of the Toni Home Permanent, a kind of chemical skull-burn enacted on girl children all through the late fifties and early sixties. In our area, the perm solution was so strong that they rigged matchboxes over your ears with rubber bands and cotton wool to keep the drippings from blistering your ears slap off."

Ah yes. I remember it well:)

Hi Bonnie - I loved The Liar's Club but it's probably been at least ten years since I read it. Thanks for the quote although it makes me cringe. I have Lit on my list to read.

Hi Bonnie! I've had Amy Blooms' Away on my TBR for a couple of years, I didn't know about Where the God of Love Hangs Out. It sounds very good, nice review! Another one for the list.

Interesting polls, I don't have anything from that long ago that has remained unread. But, I did recently buy a few books that I haven't read in over 15 years and will be reading again for the first time this year - a couple of Judy Blume novels, plus Lost in the Barrens and Island of the Blue Dolphins. It'll be interesting to see how they stand up to my memories of them from so long ago.

The Liars' Club by Mary Karr

ROFL with this book. Hysterical. From my review:

“When it was published in 1995, Mary Karr's The Liars' Club took the world by storm and raised the art of the memoir to an entirely new level, as well as bringing about a dramatic revival of the form.” So says Barnes and Noble in the first line of their summary of Karr’s first memoir. But it was the publication of her recent memoir, Lit, that sparked my interest and made me go back and start at the beginning. Now, I can’t wait to get my hands on Lit.

Read more here.

I also read The Liar's Club, but after I read Jeanette Walls' book (The Glass Castle), which made Walls' book seem more grim than Karr's. Nevertheless, as far as memoirs of women in dysfunctional families go, these are both worthwhile reads. I had the good fortunate to hear Mary Karr read some of her poetry at a previous National Book Festival in Washington, DC. The poem I remember liking the most was one about her son. You could tell how much she loved him and how proud she was to be his mother. In both cases (Karr and Walls), these women went on to live productive, useful lives. We are fortunate that they share their writing skills with us. I'll also be looking forward to reading Lit.

I'm so glad I don't need to add The Liar's Club to my pile since I read it years ago but thank you for the reminder that I have to find a copy of Lit. I wonder how they'll compare.

>217 Copperskye: Happy to oblige Joanne:)

>218 brenzi: Madeline, As i was reading this book I continually compared it to The Glass Castle and I agree that Walls' book was much harder to take. But they both effectively dealt with alcoholism and mental illness with wit and humor. I agree that these women went on to live very productive lives.

I thought I was safe with only 5 messages to read, but no! I walk away with two more books: Liar's Club and Lit. I enjoyed The Glass Castle very much so I look forward to these. Thanks.

Berly,

I think you'll enjoy the humor in this book as long as you don't mind reading about yet another set of parents who have no business having children.

It's amazing sometimes that children grow up in spite of their parents. And others, who come from loving homes, are just messed up. So, I'll just keep doing my best and if things go wrong, at least I know I tried! LOL.

>218 brenzi:: "These women went on to live very productive lives."

Great observation, Bonnie. I wonder why that is? And why some people fall apart and become even worse parents, citizens,etc. kinda like Berly said? I wonder if the writing process acts as a kind of self-psychoanalysis. I think I'll go back to keeping a journal -- just in case.

Edited to acknowledge Berly's remarks.

Hi Bonnie, I like your polls. I answered yes to both. As a matter of fact, I'm reading The Count of Monte Cristo for the group read and I bet I rec'd it as a gift about 20 years ago. The pages are yellowing and it smells rather funky. For these reasons, and a few more I'd rather not go into right now, that is why I am concentrating on the TBR's this year. : )

OK Lynda you may be the winner. I'm going to take another look at my shelves tonight but 20 years is a long time:-)

Well looky looky here: yesterday I picked up a book that I had requested from the library and lo and behold, it has a red spine. Excellent. I can add it to the books in the February Take It or Leave it Challenge. It's the new one by William Boyd called Ordinary Thunderstorms. I started it last night and I'm already hooked.

Berly, hate to say it but there's also a volume of memoir between Liar's Club and Lit: Cherry

#225 Aw, come on!! Another one?! Adds it to the pile. Sulkily says "Thanks" to Elkiedee.

All over the threads people are posting pictures of their pets so I'm giving it a try. Thanks Angela for the tips. This is our dog Buddy in his favorite spot on the couch. And yes, he's in charge.

Buddy looks right at home in his favorite spot. How adorable. Does Buddy sit on your lap when you read?

Haha no Linda. Buddy does not like sitting on anyone's lap. That's just not his cup of tea, but he's happy to sit next to me or at my feet.

Buddy is sooo cuuute!! I want to schnoozle my face in his ruff! (And probably come away with no nose, right?)

buddy cute so cute!

richard with no nose, intresting thought!

Buddy is adorable, Bonnie! What kind of dog is he?

I, too, need to figure out the picture on the thread thing.

There are instructions re: the picture on the thread thing here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/80911#1689470

A very cute dog there.
I'll have to post a pet pic on my thread.

Awww...Buddy is so sweet!! I wonder if he and Barkley would get along - they are the perfect size to play together!

>231 richardderus: schnoozle my face in his ruff
Hmmm what does it say about me that I know exactly what you mean by Richard? Although he will lick you to death he doesn't really appreciat the old schnoozle that much.

>232 BBGirl55: Richard with no nose
No Buddy is not at all violent LOL.

>233 Copperskye: He's a Pomeranian Joanne.

>236 BookAngel_a: Let's arrange a play date Angela:)

Hi Bonnie- Cute pup! I didn't want to read your full review of The Liar's Club, because I'm going to try squeezing it in, somewhere in the next few weeks but I'm glad to see you really enjoyed it! BTW, I'm sure your review is spot-on!

>234 teelgee: Thank you Terri!

>237 brenzi: - I thought so. So cute!

Am I the only one who watches the WKC dog show (next week!) like it's the Super Bowl?

Buddy looks as if he's waiting for you to grab a book and sit beside him all afternoon! Too Cute.

#240 I admit it, I usually watch the WKC dog show, too -- and I've never even owned a dog. But I just find all the different dogs fascinating, and always wind up rooting for one or another!

Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd

William Boyd just seems to get better with age and his latest novel, “Ordinary Thunderstorms,” adds greatly to his resume. A real departure from his previous books, Boyd has written a genuine page turner, a crime novel, a thriller, a commentary on the world’s drug industry and a love story, to boot.

Read more here.

#243: I have never read anything by Boyd before. I am going to have to give him a try. Nice review, Bonnie.

Hi Bonnie- Good review! I have never read William Boyd. Is this a good place to start with him, or do you recommend an earlier work?

Bonnie
I'm wondering what Mark is wondering.

I'm wondering why Linda is wondering what Mark is wondering.

Ha! Ha! Terri, you're always so good at catching those double-meanings. Thanks for the review, Bonnie. I like your combination of the brief note with the choice of reading more details elsewhere.

Boy, what did I start??

>240 Copperskye:: My one daughter is dog-crazy, so WKC is on in our house.

Plus, this is the first year for Pyr Sheps...of which we have two. One of ours is even at Westminster!

We don't show dogs but the breeder "borrowed" her back. She has no hope of placing...even in Breed...but there were only 22 Champions in the whole country at the time WKC entries had to be filed, so they wanted as many as possible at the show and it was no real problem for us since we live in NJ.

The girls got a real kick from downloading the video of the Breed competition and seeing her up on the table. :-D

That is so cool, Tad!!! I hope you've all seen the movie Best in Show.

Wow, Tad, you have Rock Star status now because of your dog! My reading time is being seriously shortchanged because of the Olympics and now the Westminster.

And where is that Bonnie with her Boyd recommendation? I have read nothing by the man and need to know where to begin.

Hello everyone. I'm having computer issues and had to hook my laptop up to the docking station to get it to work. Somebody will be coming out from Dell to fix it in the next couple of days. Anywho, William Boyd is a greatly underrated English author (and oh how I love English authors) who has written a slew of books. I really liked Restless (won the Costa Award) but A Good Man in Africa and Brazzaville Beach are also very good. The great thing about his writing is that each book is entirely different from his others.

>250 TadAD: Congratulations Tad! Why haven't we seen a picture of your dog, especially since she's famous now?

>251 teelgee:: Best in Show ... hilarious movie! Several lines have made it into our family lexicon.
(from the makers of Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind, for any who might be wondering)

>253 brenzi:: Why haven't we seen a picture of your dog, especially since she's famous now?

LOL, she's not famous. She has a title, that's it. Other Pyr Sheps are winning many more; we don't show her and, while good, she's not the best there is. Some of the others have even won a few Best in Group titles.

I posted one last year some time when she won her Champion title. Here's another:


Our other one, a blue merle male, is mostly doing Agility with my son. However, the breeder says she wants to steal him for a few dog shows to get his conformance title for bloodline purposes. If she wants to do the work of schlepping him around to shows for a few weekends...fine. I don't think there are any adult pictures of him up on the Web, but here's a puppy picture:



There's maybe a 10% chance we'll see them in Martha Stewart's magazine this fall. While at the WKC, both were included in a group of 7 Pyr Sheps photographed by her staff for an article about something or other. We'll see.

What a beautiful dog! I admit I have never heard of the breed myself.

They are beautiful. That puppy picture is a killer.

>256 alcottacre:: They are rather new to the States, Stasia, though the breed is documented for centuries in Pyrenees Mountains, mostly on the French side. There are still only a few breeders in all of North America. Here's the AKC blurb:

The Pyrenean Shepherd: Herded sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains of Southern France for centuries. The breed comes in two coat types – Rough-Faced and Smooth-Faced. Colors include shades of fawn from tan to copper, as well as charcoal to silver to pearl grey. Although tentative with strangers, the Pyrenean Shepherd has a very lively, cheerful disposition, and is a superb canine athlete who excels at agility and other dog sports. The breed first distinguished itself outside its native mountains with its service to French troops during World War I. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Pyr Sheps gave their lives for the cause as couriers, search and rescue dogs finding injured soldiers after battles, and accompanying guards on their rounds. Some Pyr Sheps came to North America in the 19th century accompanying flocks of imported sheep. Pyr Shep fanciers imported breeding stock in the 1970’s and 80’s, establishing the foundation for the breed in America today.

My sister has an Anatolian Shepherd, so I thought the dogs might be similar, but no similarity that I can see other than they are dogs, lol.

>259 alcottacre:: Because they were geographically quite isolated up in the mountains, I don't know what breeds they are related to.

Visually, maybe they are related to Picardy Shepherds (the dog in the Because of Winn-Dixie movie). They both have that scampy, scruffy look when not groomed.

;-D

Have we hijacked your thread enough, Bonnie?

Wow I am impressed with your dogs Tad. They're beautiful plus service in WWI? They sound like wonderful animals.

Well I was going to post another book review but it looks like I need a new thread.

My new thread is here.

But I've just finished reading this one!! (Well, 250 posts of it - I kept putting it off but it just got longer and longer.) I will save my tales of fried apple Berliner donuts for the new thread.

Catching up with your thread, which is a delight - pictures, polls and more.

I am prevaricating on the Karr book as I read the Walls book The Glass Castle and don't know if I can read yet another hard up story.

I am interested in the Boyd book after your excellent review - he is one author that I own quite a few of, yet have never actually read through.

Catching up is very hard to do (there's a song there somewhere). Too many posts, not enough time. Do jump in with any of William Boyd's novels. He's mostly very delightful.

The Karr children did not starve for the most part which sets them apart from the Walls children but I know what you mean by too many hard luck stories.