Angela's Literary Journey for 2010 (amwmsw04)

I was going to wait until 2010 to start a thread, but everyone else is starting and I don't want to get left behind!

Expect to see a lot of mysteries (mostly cozy ones), classics, and non-fiction (memoirs, self help, travel books, etc.)

I'm not going to stress out about the numbers this year. I would love to just focus on reading what I want to read at the time. Maybe I'll get to some of the thicker books on my TBR shelves...

My goal is to have less books coming into my house in 2010. If I see a book that interests me here on LT, I'm going to put it on my LT wishlist. When I empty out some shelf space, then I can order a few new books from my wishlist!

Here is my last thread in 2009, just in case:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/74035

Found you!
Good luck with that goal...

Welcome back!

starred you!

Hi Angela, ditto what mckait said :)

Glad to see you back with us in 2010, Angela!

Thank you everyone!!

Yeah, Angela's here!

I like your reading resolutions. Looking forward to seeing what you pull off your shelves!

Starred. I like your wishlist idea.

Hi Angela, I see we're on most of the same pages. I forgive you for liking cats. Not everyone can have good parents and a high-quality upbringing. ;-)

Hi Jennifer, Luxx, and Brenzi!

I thank you Richard, for the compassion you have bestowed upon little old 'cat liking' me... :)
It's an honor to have you visit my thread!

Having that "wish list" to click has really saved me--that and starting to use the library again. These two have kept me from buying lots more books, but I have to admit that I don't feel as much excitement about a library book.

Hi Angela - got you starred for 2010! I started my thread earlier than I anticipated too, I just saw all the shiny new threads and the shiny new tickers and wanted in!

starred ;-)

Hi Angela- Thanks again for the book! As far as memoirs go, if you haven't already read All Over But the Shoutin', you have to go for it, one of the absolute best! Sorry, I don't do cozy mysteries, only the uncozy kind! Good luck this year!

*waves* It seems that the trend this year is everyone in the group trying to tackle their TBR shelves. What are you starting the year with?

I love that everyone's hitting the TBR pile this year! Hey, even if the resolve doesn't last all year, it's a good start, right? We're probably moving this year so I need to clear some books out (for showing the house as well as the move itself) - but I'm pretty stubborn about only doing that once I've READ them. Plus, I've been discovering some really good books that have been sitting unloved on my shelves for ages. I'm reading Persuasion right now, which has never really 'pulled' me to read it before now - and I'm loving it! In fact, it may be my new favourite Austen! Good enough reasons for me - now let's see how long we can all keep it up... ;-)

Hi Bonniebooks, Ellie, Anita, Mark, and Cauterize! Thanks so much for stopping by...
At the moment I'm overwhelmed by the threads here and haven't been able to visit yours recently - but I will, I promise!

Mark, I've wishlisted that memoir. It does look good. I believe my husband mailed your book today - I packaged it up and gave it to him so I'll have to check later.

Cauterize, I've already read a bunch of books for 2010 from Mt. TBR. Would you like to know how I managed that? We went to a (state park) cabin in the mountains with some friends for a long weekend and the alternator died in their car. Long story short - we were stranded in the mountains until the car dealer brought the car back. No phones, no cell phones, no internet access - good thing I packed plenty of books! Also, good thing we got someone to deliver more wood or we would have been burning the books for fuel!!
P.S. - Good news for Mt. TBR - I left almost all the books I read at the cabin. Maybe I'll start a tradition. Bad news for Mt. TBR - we stopped at a book store on the way home.

I'll post a list of books read soon. Right now I'm battling a pesky computer virus...again....grrr....

Ellie, I'm trying valiantly to simplify our belongings, and that includes my books. But it's very hard. The hardest is getting rid of books I haven't read and I probably won't get to anytime soon. I rarely ever do that, but once in a while I manage. Right now I'm passing all my books along as I read them, unless they are definite re-reading books! Enjoy Persuasion - it might be my favorite Austen novel too. It's at least tied with Pride and Prejudice for me. However, I also liked Sandition which was finished by another author - but I seem to be in the minority on that one.

Sorry about the car, Angela. Good thing books don't have batteries that go dead!
My favorite Austen is still Northanger Abbey.

Thanks Jennifer - I know this sounds mean, but I was SO thankful that it wasn't our car - after all the car trouble we've had recently. (My friends were borrowing the car from their parents so their parents paid the bill. They knew the alternator was going and hadn't gotten it fixed yet, so we thought that was fair.) This was one bill we didn't have to pay, lol...

I think it's time for a re-read of Austen for me. I'm starting to forget all the details of the novels. Maybe after I clear off some room on the TBR shelves!

found you, starred you!

Though, your thread is one that adds to my tbr pile and thus my New Year's resolution to downsize is severely compromised when visiting here.

#22 LOL! It isn't mean, especially considering that it left you stranded in the mountains! That's when you say, "Thanks for the car, and for allowing me to live my own Donner Party experience."

@20: Burn the books for fuel? Sacrilegious!! You should burn money first... O bet you were a popular person when you got to lend your books out to the others to read. But, I know what you mean, though. I'm starting to pack myself with "emergency" reading. I have a large purse and I carry a small copy of Tale of Two Cities and a Sudoku book in it. You wouldn't believe how often I have to pull them out in unexpected occurrences of boredom or waiting in lines. When I was fighting a speeding ticket at the courthouse, there was an unusual amount of extra people and I spent the 2 hours reading. I got a lot of envious looks.

Oooh Steph, I like that idea... emergency reading. Given the weather right now and the fact that if we get to work we're never quite sure whether we're going to make it home or end up in a hotel for the night, maybe I should follow suit. A long book and some puzzles, excellent. *pops off to check shelves for suitably small but lengthy tomes*

Glad you dropped by as I'd inadvertently missed your thread (truly thought I'd already been by, but nope!).
xox

Thanks Linda and Susan - come again! :)

Emergency reading - absolutely! Isn't one of LT's '10 Commandments' - THOU SHALT NOT BE WITHOUT EMERGENCY READING MATERIAL - EVER, EVER?? If not, it should be.

Okay, here's my list of "Stuck in a Cabin in the Mountains Reading":

1. Great Detectives - David Willis McCullough
This is a nearly 800 page anthology of great detectives in literature through the years. It's mostly short stories with a few full length novels thrown in. The writing is chronologically arranged so you can see how detectives in literature changed over time. I got to try a lot of new (to me) mystery authors that I plan to read more of in the future.

2. Death Notes - Ruth Rendell Not much to say about this one. Read it if you're an Inspector Wexford fan. It was an okay mystery, nothing special. Nice way to spend a couple hours.

3. The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries - Emily Brightwell
This was too 'Inspector Gadget-like' for me. Does anyone remember Inspector Gadget from the early 90's TV show? Penny and Brain solved the mysteries but always hid what they did so that Gadget would get the credit. Even Gadget didn't know they were helping him. Pretty great stuff when you're a kid but it got tiresome when I grew older.
Well, this book was just like that. The Inspector is lovable but clueless and Mrs. Jeffries, his housekeeper, and his entire staff solve his cases for him while juggling matters so that he gets the credit. They lead him on all the time with quotes like "But Inspector, I'm sure this is what you're going to do next, right??" It was cute but I got tired of it.

4. West From Home - Laura Ingalls Wilder
A short book of letters that Laura wrote to her husband when she traveled to visit her daughter in California during the San Francisco World's Fair. Neat stuff. I learned a lot about the fair, and about Laura's life. Good read if you are a Little House on the Prairie fan.

5. Lord Peter - Complete Short Stories - Dorothy Sayers
I enjoyed this book compiling all the Lord Peter short stories that Sayer ever wrote. It's not as good as her novels, mind you, but if you like the Lord Peter series this is a must read.

6. Your Money or Your Life - Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
Anyone who read my 2009 threads knows that I've been reading books about simplifying life recently. My husband and I are contemplating a lifestyle change so that we don't have to work as many hours, so this book was perfect. I would say this book is the 'classic' simplifying book. I think nearly all the other books in this topic refer to this one. I guess you could say this book started it all.
The basic idea presented here is: find out what your job is really paying you. Factor in travel time, money spent for work clothes, money spent for buying lunches and buying take out food when you are too tired to cook dinner, the cost to pay others to do things for you because you don't have enough time, and subtract all those costs from your hourly wage. Many people do this and find they've been working for only 2-4 dollars per hour. If you like your job, that's fine. But if you don't like your job and/or you want to make a lifestyle change, this book can provide the incentive and the path to follow. It also provides a plan to be financially independent, but that part of the book is out of reach for many right now with the current economy.

7. The West End Horror - Nicholas Meyer
What a fun book! It's a Sherlock Holmes adventure that stays true to the Doyle character. For a Sherlockian like me, books like these are essential. When I run out of original Doyle stories to read, I crave new ones that don't tamper too much with the spirit of the original Doyle creations. (And yes, I'm partway through The Beekeeper's Apprentice which looks like it's going to be very good as well.)
I'll probably read The Seven Percent Solution by Meyer soon too.

Looks like your reading year is off to a great start, Angela!

Hi Angela
Looks like a good start of the year for you :-)
book #6 sounds good.
Anita

I agree with Anita, book #6 sounds good.

Thanks, Stasia! Getting stuck in the woods really helped. ;)

Anita and Linda, Your Money or Your Life WAS really good! Although if you read it, please get the updated version. I read the original, and the plan for financial independence was a little dated. For instance, at the time government bonds were paying 9% interest! The updated version should take care of that. I highly recommend it if a simpler life sounds appealing.

Stuck in the mountains sounds fab...

The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries - Emily Brightwell -- i threw that one away and didn't finish reading it. I admire your tenacity!

Glad I'm not the only one who felt that way, Susan! I think I would have loved the book when I was 12 or 13 however...

Sounds like a good week of reading for you. I own and have read Great Detectives which I still pick up periodically for a good story and, of course, I reread anything "Lord Peter" -- I just wish she had written more! I've also read the Meyer books so I guess I'd better look for The Beekeeper's Apprentice for my next "Holmes fix." :-) You really read a lot of things that I love while you were in that cabin. I almost envy you--except it must have been cold.

I love the calculation of "Your Money or Your Life"! I did that, and I'm a stay-at-home writer. The Divine Miss did the same, she's an entrepreneuse. (It helped that the economy ate my job, but the results are pretty much the same. Although a Lotto jackpot, and we'd both be swingin' retirees in a heartbeat.)

Yay! Carolyn's back...you've been missed...
Great Detectives was one of the best story collections I've ever read - it would be nice to have a copy to keep. I left mine at the cabin because it had a broken spine (I received it that way) and I didn't want to add it to my permanent library in that condition. On the plus side, it stayed open while I was reading it! :D
It WAS cold up there in the mountains - and we almost ran out of firewood a few times. And the closest pay phone was broken. Fortunately when we walked the long path to the rangers station he took pity on us and let us use his phone for wood delivery. (I guess Jennifer was right in message 24 - we did have a near-Donner-party experience...)
And our friends have a 9 month old baby so we couldn't let it get too cold in the cabin. But all in all it was great - I was forced to relax and I really need that. And extra reading time is always wonderful.

Richard - I'm glad to hear from someone who followed the advice in Your Money or Your Life with success. That makes me a bit more confident. Sshh - don't tell my boss, but I've been thinking of doing the same thing. Quitting the rat race, that is. We've been cutting back on our expenses for a while. I would only need a little something to do now and then to supplement what my husband earns. I've always loved writing but realistically I know I would need years of practice before someone would pay me to do that - I'm on the lookout for other ideas and opportunities right now. Big decisions like this are not made hastily in our house...:)

I'm glad I found your thread, Angela, and thanks for visiting mine with your Sherlock Holmes expertise. To me, being stranded in the mountains with good friends and books for company sounds like heaven. Glad you were able to stay somewhat warm and even gladder that you were able to replenish your book supply on your way home!

>38 BookAngel_a: Slowly is goodly. Care must be taken to ensure security in future, as much as can ever be secured that is...and looong discussions of expectations are very helpful.

As for writing, don't make assumptions. Start writing. Start reading about writing. Dorothea Brande wrote the best starting-place book on being a writer I've ever read: Becoming a Writer. Books on what to write, how to write it, what to do once you've written it, all come AFTER this basic, here's what it takes to do the job, book.

What stories do you want to tell? Please, don't fall into the "but what can I write about?" trap! I read the NY Times every day, and I am in practically paralyzing pain afterwards. Every single section has five or six novel ideas in it, and squintillions of short story ideas (except I can't write short stories to save my life, too damn hard!), and at least one trilogy inspiration. Newspapers are like that. Almost all newspapers, big or small, tell about conflict and resolution, the basics of every story. In fact, Craigslist ads are pretty fertile story hunting grounds, too...all that stuff for sale, for trade, jobs going wanting. Fascinating to ask yourself, "So why did this person put an ad here offering all Gourmet magazine issues 1990-2004 except November 2000?" What happened to November 2000? Can't they give it up? Did it get burned while they were roasting the turkey that year? Given to an inept in-law as a "helpful" hint?

Every day. Bombarded with stories. Everywhere, all the time, and there is no way that I can use even 1 in 5000 before I die. Why everyone doesn't want to write is beyond my ken. You can never, ever again be bored!

@26: Ellie, emergency reading is so key! My book is like 6 inches by 5 inches and maybe 3/4 inches thick - the paper is pretty thin. So it's not too cumbersome. Have you had to stay a night in a hotel, yet? I've seen your pictures, it snows pretty thick over there.

>28 BookAngel_a: What a great start to the year reading-wise. I love Dorothy L. Sayers, but I think I have - and have read - the short stories already so my wishlist and TBR are safe. Although those Sherlock Holmes stories look interesting...

(I always carry emergency reading. It's been very useful in many a waiting room and post office queue, and I was very glad of it the only time I was ever forced by bad weather into an unexpected overnight stay.)

Richard, the writing I can visualize for myself is non-fiction. I love fiction, but up to this point I’m terrible at making things up. I’m a better writer when I write from my own perspective/experience. I love when I find the exact words to express my thoughts and feelings. Essays…journal entries…articles…letters. My most cherished compliment was when someone told me my letters sounded exactly like my voice speaking to them.
When I read books full of essays - a la Anne Fadiman’s Ex Libris, Anne Lamott (though I don’t always agree with her), books of correspondence, magazine articles, or even newspaper columns – I say to myself “I could do that!” or “I want to write like that.”
I’ve read many books about writing and I have many more wishlisted. Can’t get enough of those. So far my favorites have been On Writing and Bird by Bird. I’m going to wishlist the one you recommended right now.
I wrote constantly through my adolescence and looking back I can tell that I really needed the outlet it provided me.
I know what you mean about life providing inspiration for writing. I notice unusual things in everyday life (like you do in the newspaper) and I look for funny things in sad situations. I study myself. When I have a moment of self-discovery, I can’t wait to share it. And I study other people. I’m constantly trying to figure out why so-and-so is always grouchy, or why he acts tough all the time, or why she doesn’t like children. I guess that might be annoying sometimes, but usually it helps me have better relationships with others. I agree with you 100%. There is always something to write about and life is never boring. I’ve never been able to relate to people who are easily bored. Couldn’t even understand it when I was a child.
Unfortunately I’m usually so burned out from daily life that I don’t make the time to write regularly. And when I do there’s a voice in my head that tells me that most of what I write is yucky. I’m such a perfectionist. “Others are much better writers!” To top it off, recently I read somewhere in a book about writing that people who write about themselves and their observations are narcissistic. That really bothered me. I don’t want to be a narcissist. And since I’ve joined LT, I’m reading more instead of writing – though I think the two should go hand in hand. (Hmmm…writing this has gotten me thinking…maybe the first thing I should do is start keeping a journal regularly again. That might be step #1 for me.)

>40 richardderus: I read the New York Times every day

So Richard the old "ripped from the headlines" is a good place to start eh?

This stuff about writing is so interesting to me because I would love to write but have:

1- No Time and
2- No confidence

In 2001 I was in a serious accident and had to have speech/language therapy for months and months and one of the later assignments was to take a list of words that the therapist gave me and write a story using them. She could not get over the story I wrote and asked why I hadn't written a book* but it's so daunting and, I know, very difficult. I think I'll look for Becoming a Writer and see where it leads.

ETA: *I'm not bragging here, it just seemed to fit in.

Caty, I'm glad you escaped damage to your TBR...although your thread is dangerous to mine, too, now that I think of it! :)

Bonnie, sorry to hear of your bad accident. I have the lack of confidence too - the little voice in my head telling me no one is going to want to read this!

>43 BookAngel_a: Angela, that stupid nasty rotten sleazebag of an inner voice is dealt with in Becoming A Writer. Your inner editor is one name for her. She never goes away, so don't think that's even possible. It's a matter of shuttinig her fat mouth by building a track record of success in just DOING THE WRITING. The others-reading part, well, one bridge at a time. It's scary enough to write!

I just can't stress enough...the craft of writing, from On Writing to Bird by Bird, is delightful, and these books are very helpful about it...but the JOB of writing is what Brande is writing about, and that's a DIFFERENT THING!

Oh, and that book was written in 1934, so it talks about obsolete technologies. Use it anyway. Ass-in-chair advice never stales, and her job-of-writing advice is invaluable.

>44 brenzi: Bonnie! Dearest Bonnie! I didn't know this had happened to you, and that you had recovered so completely! You have my admiration for your grit and tenacity. I think I'd just lie there and will myself to death out of sheer pessimistic hopelessness.

No time. Hmmm. You have time to read, time to chat with us (which is sacred, no giving up LT to write!), but no time to express yourself.

Why is that exactly?

Use Brande's method. Do EXACTLY what she says for 30 days. Then decide whether or not to continue. If 30 days is too much, well....

>45 BookAngel_a: Mutually dangerous threads sounds like a friendly and democratic concept, hazardous only to the wallet. The more the better!

>46 richardderus: Richard,

I appreciate your suggestions. The Brande book is on its way from PBS. I'm really looking forward to it now. Thank you.

The book is on its way to me too! (Also from PBS...)

Caty, your comment reminded me of what someone on the bookmooch forum says: "Feed the frenzy!"

I think journaling again is an excellent part of your first steps. I'll be praying for guidance and illumination :)

Thank you very much for the link on my thread, I will duly be following you now I've found you :)

I’m reading more instead of writing – though I think the two should go hand in hand.

Oh, but I'm a perfect example of how it doesn't. Love to read (even books about writing!), could read 24 hours a day, but H-A-T-E to write anything! And, no, Richard, I'm not going to do the work necessary to become a better writer, so don't even talk to me about it! But I do believe that time on task works for any skill, so hope you start practicing on us, amwmsw!

P.S. Want to hear more about your story too, Bonnie!

>52 bonniebooks: Mmm hmmm. Okay. Sure.

*begins scheming*

>41 Cauterize: Steph - gosh, I can't seem to keep up with the threads these days! Fortunately we didn't have to stay in a hotel in Bakewell, though we did nearly end up in our neighbour's front room one day when we had to rush home early to beat another load of snow. The drive is steep and twisty and that last corner just didn't happen! Most of the time I managed to use my eloquent reasoning skills (!) to talk Mum out of going to work at all if the weather was bad. I had to point out that people probably weren't going to risk life and limb just to buy second-hand books in those conditions anyway - even I wouldn't have bothered!

Now it's raining, which on the one hand is thawing the snow and ice, but on the other is also absolutely miserable... And still no customers! We made £6 yesterday. 'Nuff said. :-)

Hi, just catching up on threads and you certainly have a great conversation going here Angela. I will try to visit a little more often. The books recommended for beginning writers need to be read by me too......but again it's finding the time, it's the little things that pull me away from an endeavor like writing. However,your points are well taken Richard.

I'm loving all the 'writing talk'!

Finally finished book #8!

8. The Short Novels of John Steinbeck

(I really wanted to count this as six books instead of one large volume, since I would have counted them that way if they were bound separately. But, since I promised that this year I wouldn't stress about the numbers, it's only going to be one challenge book.)

These six short novels were highly recommended by Stasia last year, since I enjoyed Travels with Charley by the same author. Steinbeck is a very powerful, thought provoking writer and I enjoyed this collection very much. I add my recommendation to Stasia's.

It's hard for me to talk about my impressions without describing each book separately....

The Red Pony -My least favorite. It's about a boy and his pony. Or is it? First of all, I didn't really understand it. At the end of the novella I said "Huh?" Also, bad things happen to two animals in this story and it was VERY hard to read - and hard to scrub from the brain afterward. I know stuff like this really happens, it's just difficult, that's all.

The Pearl - Wow. Powerful writing. The story of what happens to a simple family in poverty when they discover a valuable pearl. It is incredibly tragic and I admit that I cried. I cried, and then I thought.

Of Mice and Men - The story of two men - one who is small and smart and his friend who is large and 'not too smart'. The large man, Lennie, is kind but hurts the things he loves by accident. He doesn't know his own strength. His smart friend George tries to look out for him and protect him from the damage he causes. Read this and see if you can guess the shocking conclusion. Steinbeck demonstrates the expert use of subtle forshadowing here. My English teacher should have used this book for class! I'm glad to have finally read this.

Cannery Row & Tortilla Flat - I have to group these together because they are so similar. Both novellas are about a poverty stricken community and the people who live there as they struggle to survive. These are real people - all their flaws and inner beauty are shown. Steinbeck introduces these people to the reader and they become the reader's friends. The heroes of both books are a group of guys who never hold down 'real jobs' while somehow managing to survive - and thrive. They drink too much, they steal, they lie, they fight...but when you go with them on their daily lives you will come to love them. How does he do that?

The Moon is Down -My favorite of the six. A town is conquered by an invading army during a war. The invading army rejoices over their victory, but have they really WON? Hmmm...

Enjoyed your reviews and so glad you like Steinbeck. Of Mice and Men and Cannery row are two favorites of mine--along with Travels with Charley. Moon Is Down is on my wishlist and I've just added The Pearl to the wishlist. I own and plan to read this year East of Eden. Can you tell I'm on a quest to read all of Steinbeck? :-)

Looks like you and I are running neck and neck as I'm posting my eighth book today too. Of Mice and Men is the only Steinbeck I've read, but I've been meaning to to get to Cannery Row for a couple of years. The Pearl sounds good too.

57 & 58 - I'm amazed by the fact that I have been reading the Steinbeck book since December, and every one of the stories is still clear in my mind - even the ones I read first.
When I read 'average' books, many of the details leave my mind right away. And it's even worse with short stories or novellas. I judge a good writer by how much a book touched me or by how long the story stays vivid in my mind (and with mysteries - by how fooled I am!).

Oh, and if anyone can explain The Red Pony to me, I'm all ears!

**Edited to add that I just checked the reviews here at LT, and the story makes a bit more sense now. A bit.**

#56: I am glad you enjoyed your journey into Steinbeck!

>60 BookAngel_a: I really don't get symbolism ... at all. If a book needs explained it's one I'd better skip! LOL

Thanks Stasia.

Susan, I may have been thinking too hard. Some of the reviews referred to The Red Pony as a group of short stories in a boy's life. I was trying to make the group of stories fit together somehow and I couldn't. Although one of the reviewers said the common theme of all the stories is "death". Could be. Wish I could ask Steinbeck.
One of my main problems in life is over thinking, lol...I should just move on and stop thinking about The Red Pony now. :)

It's been a million years since I read The Red Pony -- but -- my takeaway is of a young person on the cusp of adult understanding learning (the hard way) the difference between the imagined glory and the real gritty.... the stories all sort aim that way..... not too connected, more like looking at a thing from different angles? I was a huge Steinbeck fan in my teens, but it's been ages since I've thought about that book ..... I had an amazing experience in my twenties tutoring a boy who wasn't at all interested in reading -- we took on OF MICE AND MEN, totally on an impulse (it was short and the language spare and simple) and by gum, as my grandmother would say, that kid never looked back. He makes movies now! Not famous or anything but he's out there in the Hollywood mosh pit, can't get enough out of stories. (He did do a bunch of Most Wanted's and they found every single one of his guys!)

Great story, sibyx!
"the difference between the imagined glory and the real gritty"...I like that. I think it's true too - that may indeed be the common thread of all the stories.

Lucy, that's a cool story, and one that I bet money would make Steinbeck beam.

Angela, don't overthink Steinbeck. He's not an all-surfaces writer, but he doesn't write for the crowd that needs Heavy Handed Symbols, either. He was the Annie Proulx of his day...look at it, see it, then let it sit with you for a while. It will grow the longer you let it just be in your head.

Thanks, Richard!

9. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

This book has been all over LT these days - Caty's and Ellie's comments in particular inspired me to pick up this book...finally!

Wow. This was my first Wilde, and I don't think it will be my last. I believe Caty said in her review that this book was about horrible people doing horrible things, and yet the book was impossible to put down.

Nearly everyone knows the story. Dorian Gray wishes that his portrait will show the ravages of time and wickedness while he remains young and beautiful - and he gets his wish. I knew that Dorian's life was going to be ruined - and at times I could predict what was going to happen next. Usually that turns me away from a book. But Wilde's storytelling is so delectable, so riveting that (to use a cliche) it was like watching a train wreck. Terrible to see, but I couldn't look away. I was fascinated.

Being the overthinker that I am, this book also raised some questions for me: Was Dorian really corrupted by Lord Henry, or did Lord Henry merely show the world Dorian's true hidden nature? Was Basil to blame somehow for painting the portrait? This was probably Wilde's goal - to make us think, and to make us question our hidden nature.

I know somewhere here on LT a quote was posted about Oscar Wilde. It was Wilde talking about which character in Dorian Gray that he was most like. I can't remember the details - does anyone have that quote?

Thank you Angela for that great review. This one has somehow escaped me so onto the pile it goes.

I've had Dorian Gray on my TBR list for 2 years (this is the third) -- you've convinced me to put it on my "must read" in 2010 list. Great review.

Hey there. There were two quotes, but I posted the one published in the Norton edition. The preface quotes a letter dated 12 February 1894, in which Wilde writes:

"I am so glad you like that strange coloured book of mine: it contains much of me in it. Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry what the world thinks me: Dorian what I would like to be - in other ages perhaps".

Bonnie and Carolyn - I hope you will enjoy Dorian Gray. I think you will - thanks for the compliments on my review.

Thank you Luxx! That is exactly the quote I meant. Very interesting to read that quote after reading the book...it tells me a lot about Oscar Wilde.

I've been sick for two days and I'm disgusted at my lost reading time - yesterday I felt so bad that I couldn't even read! (stomach bug) I don't watch much TV, but TV's great for days like that. Today's better, though, and tomorrow I'll probably be back to work.

Think of all the reading time I could have had yesterday if I had only felt a tiny bit better (shakes fist)...isn't that annoying??

I can't imagine being so sick I couldn't read. Hope you manage to get some in today:)

Oh, I just hate stomach bugs. I hope you continue to recover quickly!

Get well, Angela!

Hope you are feeling better!

I know what you mean--it is so frustrating to have time off from work and have to "waste" it being too sick to read! I much prefer days when I am just sick enough to justify missing work but just well enough to read--with people waiting on me to bring me food and beverage.

Warm broth, cool cloth, and a well-loved rerun for Angela *whammy*

Thanks everyone!

Bonnie, there are two ways to tell if I'm REALLY sick. One: I miss work. (I usually drag myself in even when I shouldn't.) Two: I just lie around, too sick to read. And yesterday I did both! Today, just #1, which is better.

Carolyn, my loving hubby did an excellent job of waiting on me (when he was home, that is). And my little white puff ball of a dog never left my side, periodically sniffing my face to check on me. I really am blessed. :)

Richard, I think your 'triple whammy' worked. :D I did have broth today. Yesterday all I could eat was rice cakes and ginger ale. And tonight I ate turkey noodle soup - but I was SO hungry that I think I ate a bit too much soup. Eyes bigger than the stomach I guess. Anyway, I'm much stronger now, so it's back to work tomorrow.

And the good news is: I finished a book today!! Review to follow soon...

Glad to hear you are feeling better, Angela!

Hope you're feeling stronger, happier and less icky today Angela! And I'm SO glad you liked Dorian Gray (especially since I've been 'pimping it' all over LT recently, I would have felt so guilty if you hated it)!

Angela--glad you are recovering. I know your dog helped! When I was down with chemotherapy (many years ago) a friend gave me a little Shitzu that had been maltreated. I spent a lot of time petting her, working out the tangles and mats in her fur and talking to her. She stuck to me like glue. We spent a year healing together. I had never bonded with a pet before but she was my "miracle worker."

Thanks for the good wishes, everyone. I'm fully well now. :)

***Reminder to self: Post a picture of Barkley on this thread***

10. To Love and Be Wise - Josephine Tey
Another installment in the Inspector Grant series. And in THIS book, we actually get to know Inspector Grant. I've always thought it unusual that Ms. Tey does not feature her detective as much as other authors do. But her books are fascinating regardless.
The plot of this mystery centers around a 'near-perfect' man named Leslie Searle. He shows up out of nowhere and associates himself with the family of Walter Whitmore, local celebrity. Then, he disappears. Grant is assigned to find his body, but is Searle really dead?
The title of this book comes from a question that is asked in the middle of the book: "Is it really possible to love someone AND be wise?"
Every time I read one of Tey's books, the word 'delicious' comes to mind. I enjoy them so much that I want to savor them, never letting them end. But the mysteries always madden me, pushing me onward to the conclusion.
I liked The Franchise Affair the best, but this book is a close second. We'll have to see if my opinion changes after reading Brat Farrar with the group!

#82: That one does not sound familiar at all to me, Angela, and I thought I had read all of Tey. I am obviously going to have to re-visit!

That sounds like a good one so one the list it goes!

I know you two will enjoy it...

11. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

This is an average, enjoyable mystery. I wouldn't call it a cozy mystery, but it's mild enough for 'squeamish' little old me! There are other mysteries that I'd probably rather read before this series, but most of these books are available as free ebooks, and I tend to work my way through ebooks faster - I can read a paragraph here and there while I do other computer tasks. I'm such a multi-tasker!

12. A Fatal Grace or Dead Cold - Louise Penny
13. The Cruelest Month - Louise Penny

Books 2 and 3 of the Three Pines series do not disappoint. Everyone is right about this series - it gets better with each book. I come to love the characters more and more as all their facets come into view. I don't want to say too much about these books because I don't want to spoil anything for new readers.

If you like mysteries, try this series!

Oops, I forgot to say Thanks to Lisa (jonesli) for kindly giving me book #2 in the Three Pines series. These books are hard to find! To keep the cycle of goodwill moving, I'm sending these two books off to another LTer...

Now I have to track down the last two books in this series...

Is it just me or do the Three Pines books make anyone else hungry??? It seems like they are always eating delicious-sounding comfort food at that bistro!

Hi Angela, I really need to try and get hold of a copy of Still Life, so many people in this group have recommended this series! And the same with Josephine Tey books, so many books.....

Heather, if you are okay with ebooks, you can download most of Josephine Tey's books from this site:

http://gutenberg.net.au/plusfifty-n-z.html#letterT

I've done that and put all her books on my Kindle. It works fine.

As far as Still Life, I highly recommend it, but the series is so popular it can be hard to find those books on the book trading websites. You might have to buy it, or see if the library has it. But if you like cozy mysteries (or even possibly if you don't) it's totally worth it!

Thanks Angela.

I haven't yet invested in an e-reader and I'm not sure about reading books on the PC (though given the amount of time I spent reading threads on this group it probably couldn't hurt).

I think I will need to bite the bullet and order Still Life from the library. I've promised it to myself after I've read a few more books from the many I already own...

Okay, the above is my first posted picture and, as you can see, I didn't do a perfect job. There! I fixed it - yay!

But, I wanted to show you our adorable dog Barkley, and our 20+ inches of snow!

Barkley was very cold and shivering, so we had to put on his cute doggie sweatshirt. He hates it, but we had no choice. The back says "It's all about me!"

This is a close-up of Barkley in his sweatshirt, and also my handsome husband (also wearing a hooded sweatshirt!)

He is awesomely cute - Barkley, that is. (I'm sure the husband is fine too, but I have a weakness for the 4-pawed and he seems to have opposable thumbs.) I am a complete cat person, but I really love dogs, too. Would get one, but cats have so many wonderful features that are just perfect for the horrendously lazy person. If I could only find a dog that would use the litter box....

Hi fourpawz! Love the username. Actually, they say some maltese dogs (that's what Barkley is) are bought by people who live in high rise apartment buildings and they are litter trained. Some of them never go outside for their whole lives. That doesn't sound all that healthy, but maltese dogs can be as small as 4 or 5 pounds - and if it's a bigger apartment the dog could run around a lot. But Barkley LOVES trips outside and I would never want to take that away from him!

When I read your comment "he seems to have opposable thumbs", my first reaction was "Who? The dog or my husband?" LOL! I read too fast sometimes...

I love cats too and agree that they are much easier to take care of. If only I wasn't so allergic...I have a friend who goes on vacation for up to a week and his cats are fine without him all that time! He has a huge litterbox and he leaves them those big self dispensing food and water dishes. When we go away we have to find a sitter! :)

Wow - a dog that uses the litter box! Perhaps I will have to re-think the whole get a dog thing now.
I would have no problem taking a dog for a walk - in fact it might do me some good to get up off my lazy, ever-expanding, butt. The only thing I don't want is to be forced out into a howling gale to wait while poochie finds just the right spot in which to pee.
Now, all I have to do is convince kitty-dear that he wouldn't mind sharing space with a dog.

>91 BookAngel_a: Barkley LOOKS like he hates the sweater! So mad! But what a cutie!

He DOES have a kind of 'squinty-eyed' angry expression in post 91, doesn't he? But I think it's from his hair being too long and covering his eyes - usually they are wide open like in post 93!

Thanks, I think he's cute too... ;)

96-I'm not sure that convincing your kitty is going to go too well, lol...

>91 BookAngel_a: Absolutely adorable. We have a pomeranian who we like to think is pretty cute too and if I ever get more techie I could put up a picture of him.

Awww, he's cute! Maybe his expression says "Snow sucks!"
I have two females (a boxer and a chocolate lab). I put a shirt that has a drawstring around the waist on my boxer and she managed to pull it off in 10 minutes. And looked at me like she was offended that I'd tried to keep her warm.

Bonnie, Pomeranians are cute - and I feel your pain because I never posted a picture before either. If you decide to try posting a picture, upload the picture to an online site like photobucket.com (you can create an account for free), then follow the instructions on the HTML thread on the main page of this challenge. It isn't hard once you do it a few times, as I just found out! :)

Jennifer, you should have seen his expression when he tried to go down the steps before Mike had finished shoveling a path! He jumped off the bottom steps and fell into a pile of snow. Then he wondered why he couldn't move and looked up at us, helpless.

He doesn't seem to hate snow, but he doesn't understand it either. "But MOM! Why can't I run and play in the grass anymore???"

He used to pull his "clothes" off too, but this sweatshirt is almost too small so he can't wriggle out as easily! Now the hood - forget it! He can have the hood off in two seconds. I don't understand how people can put hats on their dogs. I see photos of it, but I've yet to see a dog tolerate anything on their head!

I'm definitely a cat girl, but even I have to admit that little Maltese bundles of fluff are so cute! And he looks so adorable in his little hoodie!

Awww... and the little sweater... awww... I'm with fourpawz, I'd love a dog, but they're a bit too much for me to handle right now. But I love other people's dogs! Such cute pictures you've posted!

> 103
He doesn't seem to hate snow, but he doesn't understand it either."But MOM! Why can't I run and play in the grass anymore???"

Funny, Eoos had her first snow in December. She was offended that something took her garden away!
After a day she adjusted and now she thinks snow is fun ;-)
Anita

I'm glad Barkley is a hit, especially with so many cat people! I admit that I would be a cat person too, if I was not so allergic. Now that I know how to post photos, I'll have to try it out more often. :)

Anita, does Eoos chase snowballs if you throw them? Barkley looks for them to see where they've gone...which mom and dad find highly amusing...

14. The Collected Short Fiction of Ngaio Marsh

You should have seen me. I was actually reading two books at the same time! This book and Death on the Air and Other Stories - Ngaio Marsh. The two books are nearly identical, but each has a short story or essay that the other one omits. I would read one short story, flip to the other book to see if that story was included there as well, and go back again...)
If I had to recommend one of these books over the other, I'd have to go with The Collected Short Fiction of Ngaio Marsh. Sure, it does omit one or two stories, but it includes possible solutions to one of Marsh's mystery plays. The other volume includes the play but leaves it up to the reader to decide who is guilty. If I hadn't had that list of possible solutions I would have been quite upset....I need closure, lol!
Anyway, these books are entertaining for Ngaio Marsh fans and also provide some background information on her famous detective Roderick Alleyn. The novels are better, though, I must add.

#107: I have to ask: did the books not have tables of contents? Surely it would have been easier just to compare those before beginning reading and then you would know which to read from each book :)

I think I will bypass this book and stick with Marsh's novels. I do enjoy the Alleyn books.

Lol, Stasia - I think it was a combination of not wanting to write in a book, and of being too comfortable to get up for a pen and paper!
I did compare the tables of contents and it got a little confusing because of the amount of stories. I thought about marking the TOC with small check marks, but didn't want to do that to the book - I'm giving them to someone else. I could have written out a list but I was snug and cozy in bed without paper handy...so even though it was unusual, it seemed to be the easiest option. :D

I knew there had to be an explanation!

What great photos of Barkley and of your husband.

Thanks, Linda!

15. The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life - Steve Leveen

Steve Leveen is a founder of Levenger, which sells tools for readers. However, he was a "late bloomer" who only became a serious reader in the last decade. He interviewed dozens of avid readers and wrote this book from what he learned. It's a small book, only 120 pages, and a pleasant read for any bibliophile. He discusses the merits of audiobooks, whether speed reading is worth it, should you write in your books, should you use the 'suggested reading' lists, book clubs vs independent reading, etc. Many of the pointers reminded me of things we already do here in the 75 book challenge group.

The best part of this book is the bibliography. My wishlist just exploded...

You know, there are so many fantastic sounding books drifting around LT right now, I can just tell that sooner or later my 'behave yourself Ellie, you've got enough to be going at!' resolve is going to crumble and I'm going to end up buying a whole box of books at once... That last one of yours is going up onto Mount TBR - beware avalanches!

What does he say about speed reading? I've always wondered how that would affect reading pleasure.

114- It's only recommended for technical, work related, "have to" reading. Not reading for pleasure. Even someone who taught a speed reading class - she was quoted as saying that she could speed read through a novel, but "Who would want to?"

Poor Ellie! :(
Then again, I don't feel too bad for you, because you read lots of FABULOUS books that send me scrambling for my wishlist...it's mutual TBR avalanche time!

16. B is for Burglar - Sue Grafton

These books really need to be read in order. I read this book back in 2008 and it was my first Grafton. I wasn't that impressed. But I just read A is for Alibi and decided I'd try them in order this time, so I gave this a quick re-read. It made much more sense now. There are a lot of references to book #1 that I didn't catch the first time around. And finally - I'm starting to like Ms. Kinsey Millhone. So hopefully this series will continue to grow on me. As I mentioned earlier, these books are quick reads that are perfect for "computer downtime".

the Sue Grafton books are also great as audios...they make really good commuting "reads."

Good idea - thanks for the tip!

You know, they probably do make great audio books.

I'm still planning on working my way through the series this year, but I've only finished E so far. I'll be interested to see what I missed by reading them out of order the first time.

I've been following your reading, Luxx - your reviews are one of the reasons I gave Grafton another try. :)

17. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

Thanks deservedly goes to Stasia for recommending this book on her thread. (I also thank her for sending it to me via PBS!)

This is the most 'delightful' book I've read since The Uncommon Reader. It's a Cinderella-type story of a spinster, Miss Pettigrew, who is one moment away from living in a workhouse or on the streets. She endeavors to get a job with a young lady of questionable morals. If she was not destitute, she would never associate herself with such a lady. The two women find that they have much to learn from each other; in fact, they need each other.
It's a story that I knew would end happily - yet I could not put it down because I wanted to know HOW everything would happen.

I'm giving it 4 1/2 stars because I know I would gladly re-read it some day. Highly recommended.

I so want to get hold of that one- glad you liked it.

Watson sounds like fun! Adding it to the list.

At this rate I'll never make it back to Grafton. ;)

I hope you two like it - to me, it was SOOOO good I almost missed an appointment! I bet that's happens to a lot of us in this group...

Trying to catch up a little now that I'm feeling better--

re #112 The Little Guide to your Well-read Life was a book I picked up in 2004 when I was traveling with my husband on a business trip. It led to my deciding to start keeping a "reading journal" whicch definitely led me to start reading mor and reading more seriousslly, which led me to finding LibraryThing in 2007 which led me to ...

Well you get the idea. Great book--but could be dangerous! :-D

BTW--cute dog! cute husband, too. :)

#121: I am glad you liked it, Angela, but the thanks do not go to me. The thanks should go to LT for the person who recommended it to me - unfortunately, I cannot remember who it was! lol

125 - So The Little Guide led you to LibraryThing? That IS a good book!! :)
Glad to see you here again.

126 - Okay, then, "Thank you, LibraryThing!" :)

18. Brat Farrar - Josephine Tey

Well, I was intending to read this for the group read but...I couldn't wait. I made the mistake of starting early and it was just too good to stop!

This book was fabulous. It's exactly the kind of book I like - cozy, nothing graphic, lots of mystery and a fair amount of tension/suspense.

From the moment Brat Farrar comes into the narrative I was smitten. I found him fascinating. I don't want to say much about this book because it would be easy to spoil it. Let's just say that Brat Farrar is an 'orphan' who happens to look a lot like a boy who committed suicide eight years ago. Much of the book is devoted to finding out who he really is, or isn't. But it's SOOOO much more than that!

If your reading tastes are similar to mine, you will love this book! It's definitely my new favorite Josephine Tey.

Glad you liked it, Angela. I'll be doing the group thing in a couple of weeks.

Angela,

Your thread is a dangerous one for me. As always, you read such great stuff. I'm adding books #17 and 18. I like your descriptions!

I just know you are going to love it, Jennifer. It bothers me because my description leaves out so many elements of the plot, but I'd kick myself if I accidentally spoiled something. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Linda, I've been blessed with some really great reads in a row. I hope my streak continues! From what I've seen of your reading, I think you would like Brat Farrar and Miss Pettigrew. At least, I can guarantee that you would not DISlike them! :D

My library contains many books that were recommended by you. You haven't steered me wrong as yet!

Thanks for these excellent recommendations.

Brat Farrar sounds very good Angela. I'm adding it to my pile.

#128: Glad you enjoyed that one. It is probably my second favorite of Tey's, next to The Daughter of Time.

I'm sure you'll like it Bonnie!

Stasia, Daughter of Time is on Mt. TBR. I'm sure I'll get to it sooner rather than later. I've heard good things about that book.

Loved Daughter of Time. Hope you enjoy it, Angela!

Never read Josephine Tey, but Brat Farrar is hopping onto the heap of book recs I have to sort through sometime (when I'm feeling strong and unfazed by eight billion post it-notes covered in tiny scrawl!)...

*ignores Miss Eleanor Potten for things she said elsewhere*

I really enjoyed Brat Farrar, too, Angela. Pity that Tey died so absurdly young...I'd've loved to see what a longer career would've wrought.

My thoughts EXACTLY, Richard...about Brat Farrar, that is, not about Ellie!

I'm a little mad at Josephine Tey for dying so young - how dare she, when we haven't had our fill of her books yet! ;)

Ellie, I'd be willing to bet you'd love Josephine Tey - take your time with all those recs, the books will still be there when you're ready to deal with them.

Ellie

(when I'm feeling strong and unfazed by eight billion post it-notes covered in tiny scrawl!)...

I used to have the same problem. Have you considered adding them to your wishlist library. Now when I see a book on LT I'm interested in I just put it on the wishlist and when I go either book shopping or library surfing it's easy to find what books have caught my interest here. I can even tag who recommended it and why I thought I'd like it.

Angela

I'm reading Brat Farrar starting March 15 with the group read. Why don't you come by and leave your comments about the book there? If you are interested, I will put a link to the thread on your profile page when it gets going. Just let me know.

Sometimes I do put stuff on my LT wishlist, but this work computer is so old and slow that often it's quicker just to scribble down titles on paper and stick them in my book. Then I have an afternoon every so often to browse through them and add the ones I'm still interested in to my Amazon wishlist... The LT threads work okay on this old junk heap, but other stuff - like the book product pages and my library - take so long to load, crash, reload... :-/

Just catching up on your thread . . . I got way, way behind. . . gosh, Barkley is cute!

Lots of good books here!

140- Hi Carolyn, do you think I should post my comments on the spoiler or the regular discussion thread?

142- Thanks, I think so too! I talk about him as if he's really my child sometimes...

I'm on Facebook if anyone would like to "Friend" me - I have lots of pictures posted of my little family of 3...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1000000790994...

Hi Angela--

If you are going to post after you have read Brat Farrar it should probably go on the spoiler thread. I will have to check, but I think what they decided is that since the book is not very long everyone should read it during the week of March 15 and then post comments for discussion after. when I have a moment to check by there again I will let you know if that has changed.

19. C is for Corpse - Sue Grafton
20. D is for Deadbeat - Sue Grafton

These books are becoming my "brain candy." I like the character development of Kinsey Millhone. She's really growing on me. I love her independence, her quirky-ness, and her smarts. Although, at the end of each book, Kinsey seems quite sad. I'm hoping as the series progresses she is able to heal some of her own emotional wounds (it seems to be slowly heading that way) - I need a glimmer of hope if I'm going to keep reading these for much longer.

21. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

This was my first Hammett book. I picked it up because I heard it was required reading for mystery lovers. Well, it passed the time, but it didn't do too much for me. I gave it a 'meh' rating of 2 1/2 stars.

When his partner is killed, Detective Sam Spade gets caught up in the search for an ancient bird statue (the falcon) worth millions.

Here's what I liked: the plot was intriguing and suspenseful. People were double and triple crossing each other and you never really knew who was trustworthy. I thought that was well done.

But...I just didn't like any of the characters (except Spade's secretary). There's a LOT of sexual harassment, which surprised me - the book was very open about it, and it is being directed toward men and women. At the end of the book I felt rather depressed. The moral of the book seems to be "Life is tough. Don't trust anyone. Always have someone to blame."

Bottom line: Well plotted, but I was hoping for a detective I could cheer for and I was disappointed.

#147: It has probably been 20 years since I read The Maltese Falcon. I will have to give it a re-read and see how my feelings about it match up with yours.

If you have not seen the Humphrey Bogart/Mary Astor/Sidney Greenstreet/Peter Lorre movie of the book, you should check it out. It is excellent.

I've never seen the movie, and I had no idea what the book was about before I read it. I probably should check out the movie. In this case I think I should have seen the movie first.

I was thinking that a lot of my disappointment with this book was that I had no idea - or the WRONG idea - of what it would be like. It seems like this book is part of a crime genre that I've never read. It's probably excellent compared to others in its field. I'm just not sure if this style of book is for me, that's all.

#149: You definitely need to see the Bogart film, not one of the remakes.

I know a lot of times I have high expectations for a book and when they are not met, I simply feel deflated at the end and I expect that it probably what happened to you in this case.

The classic crime noir books are not for everyone, so you might try a couple of others and if you do not care for those either, just give them a pass and read what you do like.

"Classic crime noir" - that's the genre title I was looking for, thanks!

I don't think I've ever read any other classic crime noir - do you have any recommendations? If not, I could just try another Hammett book...

Hammett is one of the best. Raymond Chandler (The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely among others) is also excellent. If you try a couple of theirs and do not like them, then I would say the genre is not for you.

Hmmm...thanks - I think I might start reading one of those right away!

There is also another excellent film (with Humphrey Bogart again) of The Big Sleep. Can you tell I am a Bogie fan?

Angela,

That's funny, I had exactly the same reaction to this book. It was The Big Read here a few years ago but I felt let down by the time I finished the book. Yes, meh, sums it up for me too.

154- I'll have to give those movies a try. I'm not much of a movie/tv person, but when I do watch them, I enjoy the older classics (well, those and also the newer 'pixar' type films targeted to kids). You should see our movie collection. I always tell my husband that if we ever do have kids, we're already set for entertainment!

Bonnie, I'm glad I'm not the only one. That always makes me feel better.

I started The Big Sleep and so far, so good.

Sorry you didn't like it, Angela. I'm one who thought The Maltese Falcon was great, both the book and the movie, which I recommend too. Besides Bogart, it stars Peter Lorre who is pretty funny in it. Something about that guy raised the quality of any movie he was in.

I think it was partly my fault in that my expectations were wrong. I bet I would enjoy the movie, though!

#156: I am definitely a fan of old movies. There are very few of today's movies that I will watch.

cute puppy!!

Thanks Susan - we are now facebook friends... :)

22. The Big Sleep - Raymond Chandler
See discussion above regarding classic crime noir. Private detective Phillip Marlowe is called in to help an aged millionaire keep his daughters out of trouble. Next thing you know, people start being murdered...
I enjoyed it more than The Maltese Falcon - and I think its because I liked Marlowe a teensy bit better than I liked Sam Spade. But I have to be in the right mood for this genre, it seems. I like a dash of hope at the end of 'my books', and little/no hope is given here for any of the characters.
However, I liked it enough to start reading book #2 in the Phillip Marlowe series.

23. Plot it Yourself - Rex Stout
Nero Wolfe is hired to investigate several claims of plagiarism against best-selling authors. Again, many murders ensue.
For the first half of the book, I was frustrated by Wolfe's childish behavior. It seemed Archie Goodwin, not Wolfe, could be the real brains of the operation - he does all the legwork anyway! But toward the end Wolfe came through as the genius he is known to be, and all was right with the world. (This is only my 3rd Wolfe mystery and I have a feeling this might be a recurring theme in this series...) I did guess the murderer early on, but it didn't spoil the effect for me.
The mystery was well done and I enjoyed the books/writing/author setting for the story.

The Big Sleep is in my TBR piles. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the series.

I'm glad you ended up enjoying the Nero Wolfe--he is one of my favorite "comfort" authors. Interesting enough to keep me reading, familiar enough to be relaxing. :-)

I have The Big Sleep and Farewell My Lovely in my library and on my TBR this year list. When I read The Maltese Falcon a couple of years ago it was one of two books made into Bogart movies where I actually like the movie better than the book. The other one was The African Queen. IMHO Both of those are great movies from mediocre books. I saw the Bogart movie of The Big Sleep many years ago. I wonder if I'll like the book, now.

I have a suspicion I would like The Maltese Falcon better as a movie. I did see the movie The African Queen and that was pretty good - never read the book.

I hope you two enjoy The Big Sleep. I rated it as a bit higher than mediocre, and I'll see what happens as I continue the series.

24. At Large and At Small - Anne Fadiman

A lovely book of essays by a talented writer. Fadiman mixes a good blend of information with personal anecdotes, keeping me interested while I learned things.
Topics touched on are varied: collecting butterflies, Charles Lamb, ice cream, "night owls", Samuel Coleridge, mail, moving, the american flag, tastes in literature, arctic explorers, coffee, and tragedy.

Ex Libris is still my favorite of hers, though. It touched me emotionally, while this book of essays was more intellectual, in my humble opinion.

At Large and at Small is my favorite Fadiman essay collection. The rafting story (the tragedy mentioned above?) still enters my thoughts on occasion. I can't imagine having to be a witness to something like that.

I have The Big Sleep in one of my categories this year. I'm looking forward to it- I don't mind a "hopeless" story at all, lol.

re At Large and At Small and Ex Libris--you expressed my exact feeling very well! :-)

I have another book by her that I hope to read soon, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. It is entirely different, however. It is about the culture clash an imigrant Hmong family experiences when their child gets ill and they do not want to get a doctor's care.

#24 - I'm with you Ex Libris is a book that would be on my list of "what every personal library should have." It's a wonderful little tome, so easy to read, and so much fun.

>166 BookAngel_a:: I'll have to look for At Large and at Small as I love Ex Libris and dip into it from time to time.

>169 MusicMom41:: I have that book as well. It looks really good to me, but not sure when I'll get to it.

Yes, Violet, that is the tragedy I referred to. It was probably therapeutic for her to write about it- it must haunt her at times. Glad you enjoyed the book as well.

Jennifer, I think you'll like it. The older I get the better I appreciate non-happy-no hope-endings, but for most of my life I wouldn't touch anything with a sad/bittersweet end. I'm getting there, I promise! ;) (eg. I was devastated by the movie Mrs. Doubtfire as a teenager because I was convinced the married couple had to get back together at the end!!)

Carolyn, thanks for the compliment. I had heard about the new book by Fadiman - I'll be waiting to see what you think of it - no rush!

Tutu, I think that book made my top 10 list for "Bonnie's Salon" - it is so delightful.

Thanks for stopping by Donna - I think you'll enjoy the book. :)

Ex Libris is my favorite Fadiman book as well. So much of it sounds like me that it is almost eerie.

Another Fadiman book--I've got to read it! And, Carolyn, A Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down was fab-u-lous, especially for non-fiction, and a great book group selection as well--so discussable.

eta: can you give us a hint for what your series of letters stand for in your name? (Well, I can guess A is for Angela.) I have such a hard time with "names" that can't be read. I don't want to call you: amwimswuh... In my mind, you're "American woman, SW, 04 even though you don't live in the Southwest at all. Any other suggestions? :-)

Bonnie, you have a very active imagination. I'm guessing that those are Angela's initials combined with her husband's initials and that they were married in 2004. I'm not very imaginative at all.

...And the prize goes to Donna - you nailed it! :D

I know, Bonnie, I wish I could change my user name to something with Angela in it! Does anyone know if this is do-able or am I stuck with this forever???? I had heard it was a real hassle to change but I don't know how to go about it.
When I signed up for LT I had no idea I was going to be chatting on the threads or I would have picked something cuter or more readable...sigh.

I agree - you have a great imagination...must be all that reading! ;)

I think it is possible to change your user name, but I think you need Tim or one of the other LT workers for it. I vaguely remember that I found out about it after I started my payed membership under a new user name and entered the first 200 books again.

Let me know if it's doable, Angela. I've been wanting to officially become known as "DonnaReads" since that's the name I use on my thread.

What's my prize for my brilliant deductive powers? I give all the credit to reading Sherlock Holmes...and for sneaking a peak at your Facebook page. :~)

I changed my son's user name (from minimish to BrooksDorian), although I don't remember exactly what I did. I think I created a new user name, and then merged libraries with his original library...

Dah.....I think I found it. If you start at your home page, and click on EDIT PROFILE (all the way over on the right in the upper right hand corner (on my home page, it's next to "find friends, widgets"), you'll see a link to click that says change user name or password.

HOWEVER, when I click that, it only gives me the password option, so I'm still groping. I don't want to change my name, but I do KNOW I saw this someplace, so I'll keep looking. These kinds of bugs drive me nuts!

LOL I don't know amswms ... the unpronounceable names have a certain... charm? LOL kidding... sadly it's true. They're a block for me too. There was one guy here, who sadly has disappeared, whose name gave no clue to gender. We were interacting a ton, and I finally wrote and asked. I had Piyush all wrong too! But, happily, my mind has somehow made the link between your lovely photo andamwmsw04.

Bon chance !

The user now known as 'rainpebble' just changed to that name. Put a PM on her profile and ask her the process.

Thanks for the tips - you're right, that's weird - on my profile it says I can change user name and password, but when you click on it, you can only change password!

I will begin further inquiries...

Donna (or should I say Sherlock), if you become my farmville neighbor on facebook I'll send you LOTS of prizes, lol!!

25. Farewell, My Lovely - Raymond Chandler

Hooray! I finally found a classic crime noir novel that I really liked...
This is book #2 in the Phillip Marlowe series. Marlowe bumps into a huge man named Moose and unwillingly sees him murder a man while trying to find his lost love. That is the beginning of a fairly complex, well plotted story.
Book #1, The Big Sleep was also well done, but what was missing for me was a glimpse of the human, softer side of Marlowe. This book filled in the missing pieces with the aid of a genuinely good woman. Marlowe's ability to see her good qualities rounded out the tale for me - I got a little of everything I needed to enjoy it. I'm hoping this woman becomes a series regular. She's a great female lead.
I have to say, there's an awful lot of prejudice in these books. I suppose it was more common for the time period, but I'm hoping I never get used to it. And there's slang that I don't understand, but I'm catching on slowly.

Nice review Angela

AHA....always looking for good mystery writing. I've not read Chandler, but he is on my list of possibles. Will I miss anything if I just jump to #2?

Good review! I didn't realize it was the second in the series.

Thanks Susan and Jennifer!

Tutu, no, you won't miss anything by jumping to #2. Perhaps, if this woman becomes a series regular, these books will need to be read in order, but so far they absolutely stand alone.

I am glad you found one that you liked!

Just realized I have #2 on the shelves...it's moving from a just sitting there because we own it shelf to the TBR shelf. Looking forward to it.

I don't think there was a concept of crime series in the early 20th century the way there is now, I think the idea of developing recurring characters through the series etc rather than just serving up another story featuring a character who had appeared before is a more recent invention. I'm not sure it was common even in the 60s but that's when the first series I would recommend reading in order was written - Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo's 10 Martin Beck novels. Before that maybe Dorothy L Sayers' stories about Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey from the 20s/30s trace a relationship between the sleuthing duo, but I've only read 2 and not in order, and Wimsey also has a lot of stories to himself.

Tutu, if you like crime noir you should definitely like it. A lot of people get 'coshed' over the head and held up with guns in these books, but I'm getting used to it. :)

Elkie, thanks for the interesting tidbit - I didn't know that. I do know the Peter Wimsey novels need to be read in order, especially once Harriet enters the picture, but I didn't know Sayers was so ahead of her time!

Okay, people, I need some username suggestions!

I might be allowed to change my username...if I'm approved I need to come up with a new name fast.

Something with Angela/Ange/Angel in it would be ideal.
Something about books or reading would be great too. It has to be 'readable' of course.

And of course, it has to be a screen name not already used here on LT.

I liked bookangel but it's already taken!

The only ones I'm coming up with are:
AngelaLibrary (I like it but it doesn't roll off the tongue, does it?)
AngeLibrary
AngelaReads (which is obviously stealing from Donna, so I can't use that!)

Any ideas? Suggestions?

AngelasAnnals is the only thing that comes to mind ... but I'm afraid someone would read it something like "anal Angela" and that just won't do!

ETA AngelasAlmanac?

AngelasWolfTales?

This is good (and funny)!
Keep 'em coming!

bookangel_a ???
Are you allowed to have underscores in LT names?

#194: I was trying to come up with something that used your love of old mysteries along with your name, you know something like Angela-the-classic-detective-lover, lol. How about AngelSayersChristie? AngelSayersTey? You notice that I am leaving out Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.

AngelTomes - everyone's probably going to say Tombs instead... ;)

Interesting, Stasia! Never thought of that. That adds a whole new field to work with doesn't it?

Lol at the Hammett and Chandler!

#198: Nope, sounds depressing.

197- ClassicAngela ?

I like a lot of non-mystery classics as well.

#201: Not without the 'mystery' part. Although ''ClassicAngel'' kind of has a ring to it - I can see Bogie using that in a Chandler movie.

Too bad I can't use "Angela-the-classic-detective-lover" - I kind of like it! ;)

Why can you not use it?

I guess I just assumed that it was too long, and I'm not sure we're allowed to use punctuation (-_/) in our usernames.
I'll have to check on that!!

So do it this way: AngelaTheClassicDetectiveLover, although length may still be a problem.

I'll put it on the list, definitely.

I'm just trying these out, to see how they look/sound:

ClassicMysteryAngela

AngelasClassicDetectives

AngelasOldSleuths

AngelsClassicSleuths?

AngelasPrivateEyes - lol...

We're getting someplace now!

The reason WHY I love mysteries is - I love to workout my brain by trying to figure out what's going on before it's revealed. So...that also opens up names like:

DetectiveAngela
SleuthingAngela or SleuthingAngel

SherlockAngela :D

I like SleuthingAngel myself.

Yeah, it does have a ring to it.

It conveys the idea of the old detectives + Humphrey Bogart's 'angel' :) You are definitely going to have to watch The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep, if you have not already.

Nope, I haven't but I should, definitely. Our neighbors have netflix so perhaps I can ask them to request those for me.

#215: One of the writers for the screenplay of The Big Sleep was William Faulkner. When you have a chance, check out www.imdb.com and look at the trivia for the movie. Some fun facts there.

I like DetectiveAngela. As you can see by my name, I don't have much in the line of imagination to make up names, but I can sure vote on ones I like from other people!

Thanks for your voting!

AngelasAncientMysteries

#218: To me, that makes it sound as if you are into Ancient Egypt, Rome, etc trying to ponder the unponderable: Why is Stonehenge there? (because the ancients were bored beyond belief); Why did the Egyptians build pyramids? (no TV yet) . . .

Oh, this is fun! Btw, I don't think it would be stealing if you used AngelaReads, but I think we're looking for something more original here. I put on my Sherlock hat and came up with: Angela Decodes, Angela's Solutions, and Angela's Answers. I like the alliteration of the last one.

>193 BookAngel_a: I might be allowed to change my username...if I'm approved I need to come up with a new name fast.

You have to be approved to change your name?? That's kind of Nazi-like. When I first set up my account on LT I had no idea I was doing anything more that cataloging my books so I never thought of trying to come up with something clever (obviously). Now that I'm completely entrenched in LT, maybe I can be clever (that's maybe) but I have to be approved first??

AngelaSpies

219 - You're right. Ancient is too old for the mysteries I like.

220- I like AngelasAnswers. Have to put it on my list...

221- I talked to another LTer who changed her name, and since there is no way to change it myself right now due to a bug, I had to email some of LT's higher powers and hope they will find the time to change it for me. So now I have to wait for a response and see if they will do it for me. Perhaps I didn't phrase it correctly, but I do kinda feel like I'm waiting for approval.

222- that would be a great one for all the lurking I do on other people's threads! ;)

#224: You could always just be straightforward about it: AngelaLurks

There are some creative brains over on the bookmooch forums, so I put the problem to them as well. They've come up with some blog names for bookmoochers in the past.

These are the suggestions I have so far:

NotAngelaLansbury
AngelasButlerDidIt
Bookangel (which is taken, something would have to be added to it)
AngelaConanDoyle
CharliesAngela
AngelaChristie
CAngelaDupin

I've got to admit, AngelasButlerDidIt has been stuck in my head and making me smile for the past hour...what do you think?

Stasia, do you think the butler one captures the mysteries we want?

Yes, I do :)

I'm tending to draw away from the ones with author's names in them, unless it's Doyle or Christie or Tey, because I keep thinking, "What if I read the rest of the author's books and I don't like them???" Not likely, I know, but I have to be prepared. I've read all of Doyle and Christie and I already know I like them all, lol...and Ms. Tey can do no wrong in my opinion...

AngelasChristieButlerDidItinTheTey

lol!!

It has a certain je ne se quoi.

I voted Yes, but I still like mine better :)

:p

Yours is definitely more interesting, I'll say that!

I voted Yes. A memorable name (though I do like yours too, Stasia).

#235: Thanks, Jennifer!

I have not voted yet, but wanted to say that you can use _ in a username.

That's nice to know, although now I'm confused!

I really like AngelasButlerDidIt, but right from the beginning I liked BookAngel_a!
Now that I know I can use it - I'm not sure which one to use...decisions decisions!

I like BookAngel_a too, better than AngelasButlerDidIt, that is a bit uhmmm how to say... a bit over the top / to much sculptured (?)

Eeeep! I just got an email from admin and they want to know what my new username should be!
It's good to know they will change it...but I'm not sure which one to choose.

Perhaps it would help if I explained:
My parents had a special song for me when I was a little girl, "My Special Angel". Maybe some of you remember it.

"You are my special angel
Sent from up above
The Lord smiled down on me
And sent an angel to love"
etc etc

Dad and I danced to it at my wedding. Previously, based on that I created an email address of browneyedangel_a. And of course when creating a screen name here I thought of BookAngel_a but didn't think I would be allowed to choose it.

So do I go with a sentimental name with emotional meaning to me? It's not very specific of my reading tastes, though.
Or do I go with AngelasButlerDidIt, which I think is brilliant and shows the kind of books I like, and makes me laugh? But there's no emotional meaning.

And now I need to decide quickly - argh!

I don't think they expect an answer within an hour.
Some people only check their e-mail once a day ;-)

>240 BookAngel_a:: That story settles it -- for me, anyway. I vote for bookangel_a. AngelasButlerDidIt was pretty cute, but, who knows, you might get tired of mysteries someday and want a more generic name. Not to mention what some mean-spirited person (not that we have any of those in the 75 Challenge) could shorten the other name to.

241 - The email came this morning, actually. Didn't see it right away. But you're right, they should be okay if I get back to them by tomorrow at least. I guess I panicked.

242 - Thanks for your input, Donna. I knew if I didn't explain you all would wonder what attachment I had to such a general name. I had to chuckle at your last sentence - never thought of that possible abbreviation - lol...

I voted for AngelasButlerDidIt, but after your explanation, I also really like bookangel_a. They are both great names, I don't think you can go wrong.

Thanks so much everyone for your thoughts - BookAngel_a it is.
Much as my brain wanted the other option, I had to go with my heart on this one. :) When you choose between heartwarming and funny, you're right - either way is a win!

Thank you especially to Stasia, who thought about this almost as much as I did!

We'll see how long it takes to change over...I will have to start a new thread with my new username.

You're just about due for a new thread anyway. Don't forget to link us!

Hooray! I've always wanted to know a Book Angel. Catch ya on your new thread.

#240: Congratulations on picking out the perfect name for you! What a great story.

I am glad you did go for BookAngel_a, great name!

Still haven't gotten my new name...

It's weird, after not getting any early review books for nearly a year, I've been awarded one two months in a row now - still haven't received them, though...

Yeah! They all sound good to me and it's fun to hear the story behind people's choices. I sometimes think bonniebooks sounds way too corny, but it's because my students and their parents call the books I send home with them their "bonniebooks" so it just seemed natural. Have fun with your new name. I noticed that when Belva changed her name, all her postings were changed retroactively.

Ooh - good to know that all my postings might change at one time.

Here's my new thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/88085

Hope to see you there!