Berly's 75 in 2010

I love the idea of the 1010 Category Challenge and I did squeak in 100 books last year, but just. So, instead, I have opted for my own 510 challenge, which is 5 books in 10 categories, leaving me 25 to read willynilly (have to leave room for group reads and five star LT recommendations).




My Rating System:
***** excellent, go get it!
**** very good
*** still enjoyable
** disappointing
* not worth finishing

Here we go!

How Novel New York Times Best Seller List

That's What I Said Biographies and Autobiographies
3. The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J Mazzeo *****

Tomestones These big ones could be the death of me!
2. The Scarpetta Factor, by Patricia Cornwell ****
6. World Without End reading

Indiespensible Books Books sent by Powell's every month or two
1. The Wild Things, by Dave Eggers ***1/2

Dust Catchers Poor, neglected books on my shelves
4. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston ****

No Stone Left Unturned Detective/Mystery
8. When Will There Be Good News, Kate Atkinson ****

And First Place Goes To... Literary Prize Winners

Never Heard of Her New Authors for Me
9. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford reading

High School Reunion YA books (two teenagers in the house...)
5. Charlie Bone and the Beast by Jenny Nimmo ****

Soul Searching Philosphical/Religious

Potpourri Everything else!
7. Shades of Gray by Jasper Fforde *****

I'm first, I'm first! Aren't I special! Good luck, Berly!!

Got you starred and looky looky I'm your first second (darn it) visitor. Love those categories esp. #3. Excellent.

Mark--you crack me up! Brenzi--SOOOOOO close! LOL. Thanks for dropping by to say Hi. I just love fresh starts. So exciting.

Third's the charm! Love your categories. Enjoy your "willynilly" reading. That's the only kind of reading I do!

Welcome! Nice set of categories!

I love your categories! How clever and fun they are. Can't wait to see what titles you pick to read for them.

Hey Berly-boo! Welcome to the cool kids' table. xoxo

It is soooo good to see you here on the 75 challenge!

Hugs...BIG ones!

Hey, Berly! I am looking forward to seeing what you are reading in 2010.

Love your categories! Starring for you for 2010 Berly...

You must be a creative writing teacher because your catagories are so imaginative! Welcome back for 2010 and I look forward to following your reads.

Wow, you guys! Thanks for the warm welcome. There are a bunch of you here I had no idea even read my thread. Guess the 75 group IS the cool place to be. LOL.

So, in my old thread, I mentioned how Portland got unexpectedly dumped with snow and it was a perilous drive home...check out my profile page and the HUGE snowman my kids made. Now imagine all that snow on windy, hilly roads...

Could be worse... if the wind was really bad, think of other snowmen like the one your kids made blowing across the streets and getting in the way of traffic? ;-)

Oh, now I feel much better. Thanks. It's always important to have perspective and good friends like you to remind me. ;)

Snow = good
Ice = bad

Now say it with me! I knew that you could.

Wowzer. That is one big snowman. What is the first book you're going to read this year?

Told you the snowman was big!

My first book of the year is The Wild Things, by Dave Eggers, which is a book made from the screenplay of Where the Wild Things are. I saw the movie by Spike Jones, and in and of itself, it was a beautiful movie. It is NOT for young kids, but I like it a lot if I think of it as separate from my childhood favorite. Cinematography was simply amazing. Interested to see what the book holds. It was sent as part of a Book-of-the-Month Club my cute husband signed me up for through Powell's Books (for you West Coasters), called Indiespensible Books, one of my categories above. So far, it is quite good.

Berly- I saw "Where the Wild Things" and it was so good, easily my favorite film of last year. I see you added Zeitoun too! Excellent book!

I rec'd. The Wild Things as a Christmas present from a dear friend. I hope to read it soon.

Great snowman!

Pooh! Oregon lost in the Rose Bowl. Hmph!

Who is Rose, and what was her bowl doing in Oregon, if she doesn't live there?

Woof!

Down, girl! Down, I say!

You started it.

The bowling alley the next town over is called The Rose Bowl. Is that what you're talking about?

I don't think so, but if they serve beer (I think I need one right now) then I like it.

The Bucks beat the Ducks?

>18 Berly:: I've liked everything I've read by Dave Eggers. Guess I need to go see "Wild Things." I did see "Sherlock Holmes" yesterday which makes me want to read the real Sherlock Holmes stories.

Teelgee posted over on the What Are you Reading Thread that Zora Neale Hurston's birthday is coming up later this week. I may try to begin reading Their Eyes Were Watching God soon. Are you game? It's a short book, but one that I don't want to rush.

Finally found you, and duly *starred*...love your Categories, by the way...

;-}

#30 : That is exactly what happened to me. I watched the "Sherlock Holmes" movie and when I got home, I went and dug out my old Conan Doyle books on Holmes to start re-reading them.

#29 Yes Darryl, and rhyming it didn't make it any better. Sigh.

#30 Donna--let me know when you want to start Zora. Soon would be good because I have another group read, World Without End starting I believe on the 15th (right Mark and Bonnie?). And a review of The Wild Things to follow later today.

#31 Hi Jude- Yeah! Nice to see you here. Glad you all seem to like my categories. I am biased, but I do too. ;)

#32 Cameling--I reread Where the Wild Things Are and I have to reread King Lear for the same reasons.

>33 Berly:: Berly, I'll probably start the Zora book next week end. My copy has only 205 pages. Plenty of time before that behemoth World Without End, which I am also going to be reading with Mark et al.

If we're the only ones reading Their Eyes Were Watching God, maybe we can just trade a few comments via private posts on our profile pages. Hope you are able to join me. Of course, anyone else who wants to read with us is welcome.

Their Eyes Were Watching God merits an entire group read, and a permanent discussion group. Hurston, not the most gifted of writers, channelled this book from some other dimension, I think. Teacake and Janie are...alive...spirits that exist in a curious collective corporeality that the finest archetypal characters inhabit (eg, Romeo and Juliet, Genji, Anna Karenina, Darth Vader).

What an amazing experience that book is.

Okay Donna. I'll start in on Their Eyes Were Watching God this weekend. Does a week sound like enough time? Then we can discuss before we start World. Richard, and anyone else who wants to join in can. If we get some interest, I'll start a thread for discussion.

Berly, I've had you starred from day 1, but was waiting to comment on a book. If I didn't have so many new books tempting me, I'd definitely reread Their Eyes Were Watching God. It was such a different view of African-American history when I read it. Loved it!

I really like David Eggers, but I don't get the reason for reading a screenplay. Unless there were really bad actors, or the director messed up the visuals, wouldn't seeing the movie always be better than a description on paper of what the actors did and said? Just asking.

Hi Berly. Dropping by to star you.

#36: I just read Their Eyes Were Watching God in December. An amazing book! I hope you enjoy your reading.

#1 The Wild Things by Dave Eggers, an adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and based on the screenplay of the same name with Spike Jonze.

Eggers takes Sendak’s very simple idea and expands it to movie/book length by filling in the story. Max now comes from divorced parents, with an older sister who is too cool to play with him anymore. Old houses are being torn down and bigger, better ones are replacing the simple one-story dwellings in his neighborhood. The reality sequence in the book is fantastic. Eggers does an amazing job of telling Max’ story, capturing simply and vividly the inner workings of a child’s mind (perhaps one with ADD). We see how Max feels rejected by his teenage sister, and abandoned by his father, unsure of why his mother is sad and stressed, the joy of a snowball fight and the anger and sorrow when his fort is destroyed. Max is transported by angry glee when he seeks revenge on his sister and then we see the guilt creep in. This section of the book has beautiful, poignant moments as well as one of the funniest scenes I have ever read. (I ADORE Max’ rendering of the crazy over-protective Mom down the street.)

The wolf costume is still used to convey the wild, untamed animal side of Max, but instead of getting sent to bed without his supper, Max runs away. This is where the sweetness of the original story is really lost and became truly dark for me. Through out the book, I actually wasn’t sure if Max would find his way home or if he might get physically hurt along the way. It was a constant dread.

The whole island sequence is phantasmagorical and I would love to have a group of people to discuss who or what each of the monsters represents (OK, so I was a psych major). They are each sweet and beastly and damaged in some way. Carol is jealous, The Bull doesn’t talk, Judy is a pessimist, etc. Max, as King, initially loves the wildness of the beasts: there is a parade, and a Wild Rumpus, and a pretend war. But he soon finds keeping his beasts happy a difficult job.

I much prefer the opening sequence of the book, but the movie is incomparable in the island sequence: absolutely visually stunning. I must admit to having seen the movie first and I cannot imagine how it would be to read the book without that imagery. The creatures you could summon up from childhood readings of the classic book, but the vast size and scale of the monsters is breathtaking in the movie and I had that when I read the book. So the book and movie are somewhat opposites: while the movie is visually stunning, the book is minimalistic in its descriptions. The movie was, however, short on explanations and delivering the inner musings of the characters, which the book excelled at. Together they make a wonderful pair. To be honest, if I had to choose one over the other, though, I would choose the movie.

PS –The movie is NOT for little children!

Where the Wild Things Are, Children’s Book by Maurice Sendak Five Stars
Where the Wild Things Are, Movie by Spike Jonze Four and a Half Stars
The Wild Things, Book by Dave Eggers Thee and A Half Stars

I rec'd. this book as a Christmas present. After reading your comments, I realize I should see the movie before reading the book.

Thanks for the heads up.

Nice review, Berly...but I'm disappointed that the book isn't better. I'll still read it, though.

I doubt I'll read the book, given my Eggers-o-phobia, but I will now make a point to see the movie! Sounds like a blast.

I passed on this at the library yesterday and I guess for good reason. Is the movie out on dvd yet?

I'm not so sure the book is for me, although I appreciate your review. Sendak's book has been my favorite children's book my whole life, and we named our youngest after Max. I enjoyed the movie, although I agree that it's not for children; I think of it as a different beast from the original book altogether.

>36 Berly:: A week sounds good to me. After Richard's accolades for Their Eyes Were Watching God, I want to read it with as few interruptions as possible. C'mon, blizzard!

Nice review of Wild Things...I liked how you gave separate ratings to the movie, the childen's book, and the screenplay.

Luxx--I knew going into a viewing of the movie that I would have to try and treat it as a completely new work. Same for the book. Where the Wild Things Are is an absolute fave from my childhood and one that I read over and over to my three kids. Any remake would be less than perfect in my eyes. A you so aptly put it, love the pun: "I think of it as a different beast from the original book altogether. In addition, I knew Spike Jonze was the the director and that guaranteed a dark take on the tale. Still, it was interesting to look at all three and I do not think I have let these darker renditions dampen my love for the original, more innocent story.

Brenzi--The movie was just released pre-Christmas, so I don't think it is out yet on DVD.

To all else--Let me know what you think when you see it/read it!!

The movie was great and scary ... not for little children you say? I say it's not for some adults either. I had a nightmare that very night! But it was a good movie and I did enjoy it ..... peeking between my fingers.

#48 I actually felt claustrophobic during the "pile." And I, too, couldn't bear to watch at points. And yet, I really want to see it again!

Did damage to my wallet today and walked away with Olive Kitteridge, Wolf Hall, Open, An Autobiography (Agassi), and The Widow Clicquot. *Rubs hands together in excitement!*

*wallet limps away and covers itself to lick wounds*

Berly- I remembered loving the book as a kid, Where the Wild Things Are but I was blown away by the film and can't wait to see it again! So much credit to Jonze and Eggers for beautifully crafting a completely different story. I loved the voices of the creatures, especially Gandolfini.
Glad you picked up "Olive"! It's an amazing book!

It's my humble recommendation that the movie be seen on the big screen. DVD will lose a lot of the impact and grandeur, although the story will be just fine. :) Mark, let's see it again!!

On to The Scarpetta Factor. 100 pages in and enjoying it so far.

>40 Berly: One last comment on the Wild Things: I saw the movie with my 21 year-old son, and we both loved it. His take on the characters was that each of them represented a different facet of Max's personality, and the more I thought of it, the more sense that made. I was proud of him, considering he's an accounting major (but the son of a psych major--I guess I've had some influence!).

Terri--I am proud of your son too! Yes, that is what I thought, too.

SPOILER ALERT!!

I am not quite sure about the significance of the "arm" scene. That was shocking!! I was so surprised when sand spurted out. And then it made me sad when his arm was replaced with this puny little twig.

You got The Widow Clicquot?!? OOO OOO OOO! Tell me tell me tell me is it as fascinating as I hope it will be?!?

I don't know! I don't know!! I am still in the middle of Scarpetta. Will let you know as soon as I delve into it. :)

*paces impatiently up and down Berly-boo's thread*

Turn the pages FASTER!!

Richard...can't breathe...seeing spots...so can't read....gasp!!! Just did Tae Kwan Do for the first time in a year and a half and wound up sparring with the Master (who is 6'5" to my petite 5'4"!!). Only way I am moving the pages is to fan myself!! So out of shape. See what reading 100 books did to me? Good thing I am scaling back to 75. LOL.

Good gravy! Hell with TKD, go back to reading!

Remember, my sweet one, anything that makes one shvitz is cause to sit down and ring for the butler to bring one a cool beverage, preferably containing gin.

edited/close tag

Ewwww I kinda like that plan. But I'd take mine with a good book and a roaring fire since it's so cold out these days.

How about: Good book, roaring fire, schnappsy hot chocolate, and {companion animal of choice} sleeping on the hearth? That was last night for me. The good book was The Devil's Company by David Liss...I've fallen in love with Benjamin Weaver, I think.

RD- Wasn't Weaver also in Conspiracy of Paper? It's been awhile!

Yes indeedy, Mark, as well as in A Spectacle of Corruption. I fear I am about to be unfaithful to my other fictional husband, Russell Quant of Anthony Bidulka's books, but Weaver is just so dreamy....

#2 Just finished The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell and I have to say it was the best one I have read by her in a long time. Same old familiar cast of characters (Berger, Marino, Scarpetta, Lucy, Benton), lots of layers to the mystery, great forensic detective work, personality clashes, tensions, fun new gadgets, ghosts from the past, and just the right dash of the grisly and macabre. A perfect mix.

The plot elements include a missing rich woman, Hanna Starr, and a jogger who was murdered in Central Park, last seen being helped out of a NY yellow taxi. The jogger has an unusual watch on, and even Lucy, the computer whiz, can find no record of the manufacturer. Also, Scarpetta thinks she has been dead for days, yet the dead woman sent a text to her mom and was recently seen going into her apartment. Add to the mix a weird psych patient of Benton's and Scarpetta's missing cell phone...Definitely recommended! My only problem is do I put this under my 510 No Stone Left Unturned category or my Tomestones category??

Tomestones!

Very well. Richard has spoken! Tomestones it is.

Now I am on to The Widow Clicquot and Their Eyes Were Watching God. Donna, you still up for reading the latter this next week? Looking forward to discussing with you. :)

OOO OOO OOO The Widow The Widow!!

Read FAST!!

I am on it good sir! Post haste!!

*paces up and down thread, casting hopeful glances over his shoulder*

You are making me nervous. Don't look.

Is Richard going to be watching over our shoulders as we read Their Eyes Were Watching God as well? The grands are coming this week end, but I will get started reading when they leave on Sunday.

*hides eyes from The Widow Clicquot-readin' Berly*

No, Donna, I'll leave y'all alone. I liked the book, but I don't feel the need to re-hash it for the zillionth time.

Page 51, page 52....

#64: I have been disappointed in Cornwell's recent Scarpetta books, but I may have to give that one a try. Thanks for the recommendation, Berly.

#67: I hope you (and Donna) enjoy Their Eyes Were Watching God. I listened to the audio version narrated by Ruby Dee and it was terrific!

Stasia--I largely enjoyed this Scarpetta book largely because it was less macabre than her last few. It's the same formula, with the same cast of characters, but less disturbing. They are still troubled souls, but I found them more endearing again in this novel. Rather simple plot. Fast read (and even faster for you!) Not worth buying in hardback, but a good paperback later or library read now. Thanks for the Zora plug.

Hi Berly - good to read your review of the Scarpetta book. I've missed about the last 10 years' worth because I got annoyed with them, but I'll look for this one. I loved the first few and remember being too scared to read them without someone nearby!

*glances around*

Oh! I seem to be in Berly's thread. That's odd...I was told to go away until she'd finished some book or other...let's see, what was it...hmmm

Page 52...

In TEN HOURS you haven't read a single page?!?!

Beast! Fiend! Grendel's granddaughter!!

Had the pleasure of hearing Christopher Hitchens talk at the Portland Arts and Lecture Series. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with his political/literary positions, he is well-informed, witty, fast on his feet and has an amazing vocabulary, especially for one who was speaking extemporaneously! It was probably the best lecture of the series yet. The thrust of his speech was that, thank you, his moral compass was just fine, despite his atheist status, and that religion did not necessarily help one find true north (examples of horrific crimes committed in the name of religion, including the recent army base massacre and the continuing and recent collusions of higher up priests turning a blind eye to child abuse in the church). Course, that leaves me to ponder how one does find true north then...I love his contributions in Vanity Fair. Very thought provoking.

OK apparently I'm going to have to check this book out based on the rather weirdinteresting banter between you two.

>82 brenzi: *evil laugh* Our work is done, Sister Berly!

>81 Berly: Hitchens is a strong advocate for an atheism I can't defend, any more than I can defend religious fundamentalism. His moral compass is philosophical, which is appropriate for such an erudite man; the proper construction of a society need make no reference to a supernatural being, merely to the highest and best purposes of humankind...kindness, tolerance, charity....

Why, after so many millennia of socialization and religious scolding, do people still kill each other?

Because they LIKE it.

As grim as that sounds, it's the truth. The evidence is in, and supports that interpretation over and above all others. Religion hasn't beaten it out of us because it's the way we survived, and it got to be a habit. You know how hard habits are to break....

I'm tempted to read Scarpetta because of your review. I was getting a little tired of her last year, but you've made this sound very palatable. *musing*

Unlike the impatient, richard, I am sitting here quietly, waiting for you to finish The Widow Clicquot in your own time, knowing that you have a life besides reading ... barely. :-)

Cameling--Thank you for your patience. Much appreciated. :)

Richard, I agree with your statements up above, but switching the conversation to a lighter tone, please pay attention to #84... People's lack of patience also leads to problems: Page 53....

Now totally nervous about all these people willing to give Scarpetta another chance because of me!

Would you read faster if I swore I'd start reading Scarpetta books UNLESS you do? I've never read them before, it would all be down to *YOU* if I hated them....

*evil chuckle*

Loved the Wild Things discussion here, Berly.

Page 103... (not really, but I am trying to forestall Richard from reading Scarpetta -- I can't take the pressure and I am not sure I see the love between the two of them!)

Cameling...not you too! LOL

Thanks Tiffin.

#80: Look on the bright side, Richard - at least she is reading it!

#89: I see absolutely no love between Richard and Scarpetta, so do us all a favor Kim and READ FASTER!

#80 - Grendel's granddaughter!? Pure genius - I am writing that down ;)

#80, #91 Happy to provide fodder for such memorable phrases...I think?!

#86, #89, #90 I read FASTER! and I have finished!! Richard, do not read Scarpetta. Whew! Disaster avoided. Review of The Widow Clicquot to follow. For inquisitive minds with no patience (R): I loved it!

#3. The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo. Five Stars

If you like champagne; or strong, independent women; history; or perhaps les Francais, you will definitely enjoy this book. This was an amazing tour of the Champagne region of France, the origins of champagne, a tumultuous period in French history, as well as the story of one of the most successful women entrepreneurs in history. It unfolds with interesting details, humorous reflections, and great insight: an amazing blend of history, adventure, and science. The book itself reminds me of champagne: effervescent and intoxicating (but not Brut!). I read it straight through in a day. (Richard, I was fibbing about what page I was on...) Five stars.

In this story, we follow the life of Barbe-Nicole Cliquot from cloistered early childhood in a nunnery to her success “at the helm of an internationally renowned commercial empire” and through to her death at the astoundingly ripe old age of 89, living decades beyond the average life span of the times. She had three major achievements in her career: “internationalizing the Champagne market,” “establishing brand identification,” and developing the process known in French as remuage sur pupitre—literally “moving by desk” (the process still used today to remove impurities without losing the fizz of champagne). Along the journey, the reader will discover, among other things, who actually invented champagne (was it the English or the French?), how sabrage (the art of opening a champagne bottle with a sword) came to be, and how the end of Napoleonic Wars would help cement champagne’s broad commercial appeal as a drink of festivity and celebration.

Details of women’s lives back in the late 1700’s were sketchy at best, unless you were royalty or married to someone famous. Barbe-Nicole Clicquot was neither, yet Mazzeo does a wonderful job of filling in the blanks. “I have found myself becoming a scavenger of uncollected details about her life and the world in which she lived…I wanted to discover not just what she did and when she lived, but how she was able to imagine for herself a different future and how she was able to negotiate those familiar crossroads of grief, despair, and opportunity. It sometimes took considerable imagination. The facts in this story are true—as true as history can make them…Barbe-Nicole was not, of course, immortalized in history at all--only the company that she created and the name she made famous survived beyond the end of the nineteenth century. I hope that here, at least, she has been the heroine of her own story.” And so she is.

>93 Berly:: This sounds like something I'd enjoy. Thanks!

TadAd--I hope you do!

Great review, Berly!

Great review, interesting book. May end up on my wishlist. And am now thinking about the Veuve Clicquot in my fridge.

I have some Veuve in the fridge too. Cheers!

La Veuve lived up to her hype! Coolness, and thanks for (almost) saving me from Kay Scarpetta...I started one and was suffering mightily. Thank you for the rush read, dear Berly.

Thumbs-upped you, and I encourage others to visit La Veuve's page and do the same.

Great review Kim and this one will fit in nicely for my 10/10 challenge.

Whoppeee! I'm so thrilled that you loved the book because I've been so tempted to read this. Forget the wish list ... the bookstore's my goal tomorrow morning to grab a copy. Great review too, Berly.

Thanks you guys! Just FYI--for those of you who are sticklers for absolute documentation about historical figures, I want reiterate that there is very little known about Clocquet's early or later life. I think Mazzeo does a great job working with the verifiable details of those times, filling in nicely with local legends and suppositions based on how most people lived then. Happy Sunday! I am off to read Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Ooooh, Kim, sounds like a good one! I don't even drink really - the occasional rum and coke ('Cuba Libre'?) - but this sounds fascinating all the same. I just feel the need to LEARN right now, like I can't read the books fast enough, and there are so many subjects to explore!

I may have to look at this omne for European challenge - France may have been found!

Great review of The Widow Clicquot, Kim! I don't drink at all and could care less how any type of alcohol is made or promoted, yet I find myself still interested in the book if only to find out how Madame Cliquot got from the nunnery to the head of her commercial empire. How did you come across this book? What made you decide to read it?

#105..Great questions!

Bonnie and W1--My favorite little bookstore has an area by the front door when you walk in and they have a table loaded with favorite recommendations from everyone who works there. I don't think I have had a miss yet! But it is very dangerous because I always walk out with 3 or 4 books. I was drawn to The Widow Clicquot because I love champagne, France, and successful-women stories. Not so much history, but that too is becoming more interesting to me the older I get. LOL--perhaps because now I have my own personal history! My latest splurge from Annie Bloom's Books includes the new Jasper Fforde book, Shades of Grey, and I can hardly wait to read it. It's a stand alone book, not part of the Thursday Next Series. But first I get to read Their Eyes Were Watching God with Donna (I have only read the prologue so far), and then start the LT group read of World Without End this Friday. Hope I can squeeze it in!

Hope you can squeeze World Without End into what, dearest, a cyclotron? The eleventh dimension of timespace?

My life, silly, and the few "free" hours I have in a day!! And I meant betw reading Their Eyes and World Without End. Is there really an eleventh dimension of timespace? How come I don't know about the 5th through the 10th either? No wonder I don't have enough time!

>107 Berly:: I have only read the prologue so far...

Wasn't that interesting about Alice Walker finding and marking Hurston's gravesite? How sad that she died in a "welfare home." I am on Page 26 which in my copy is the beginning of Chapter 4. I've been gone most of the day, but should have some quality reading time after dinner this evening.

I'm reading slowly because I'm not accustomed to the cadence and dialect yet and I don't want to miss a thing. Loving it so far!

M theory, dove, it's all simplified and explicated in hunky-num-num Brian Greene's The Elegant Universe, which you should read forthwith.

(I think they're makin' it all up, frankly, and hopin' we're all too embarrassed to say, "Yeah? Says who?")

Donna--Should be able to read some later today. Glad you like it so far. Yes, I was sad that Huston did not get to enjoy the revival of her book and see just how well-received her book is today. And no gravestone!

Richard--I'm all set to believe. Just tell me how to tap into it!! I shall add The Elegant Universe to my WL. You know, it was bad enough when I picked up constant book ideas on your thread, but now you are hand-feeding them to me on my own thread?! Ah, I am thrilled and scared all at the same time. Thanks, I think. ;)

*must avoid this thread where words like eleventh dimension of timespace appear*

Believe me when I tell you, you will NEVER be sorry you read The Elegant Universe. It's breathtakingly, mind-expandingly important to know what these theoreticians are thinking. Linear time, that lie we tell ourselves so we can learn our spiritual lessons, is simply exploded!

I get woozy when I think about this book. Truly.

Hey Berly- Glad to see you are looking forward to the G.R.! I know I am, even though tackling a 1,000 page tome, smack in the middle of trying to read a million other books can be a bit mind-boggling but what the hell, we'll have a good time! Did you check out my proposed reading schedule? I hope it's reasonable!

Ohhhhh Richard! First you morph into a big Mr Hyde-esque meanie (people have been stopping by my profile to sympathise) and NOW you're throwing books onto Mount TBR. FIEND!!!!!

Haha, unfortunately I have a weakness for books on physics and space, even if I don't understand it all. Sooner or later SOME of it has to click into place, right?!

>116 elliepotten: Even you, O Pestilentially Young LT Deserteress, will like The Elegant Universe because the ideas are so...expansive!

I'll put in my recommendations for The Elegant Universe as well. Only I didn't finish it - I found it remarkably hard going when morning sickness hit me when I was only halfway through the book, and had to go and pick up some fluff instead. And that darned baby brain never went away.

(Mr Bear is now over seven years old, and I'm still thinking of finding time to finish that book!)

Pestilential...?! *hic* :_(

What a week! Not much reading time. About 80 pages into Their Eyes Were Watching God. Here are my thoughts so far (as shared with my co-reader Donna on her home page):

There are some amazing descriptive passages, like the sensual pear tree blossoms (Yes, Hurston does have a way with words!): "She saw a dust-bearing bee sink into the sanctum of a bloom; the thousand sister-calyxes arch to meet the love embrace and the ecstatic shiver of the tree from root to tiniest branch creaming in every blossom and frothing with delight." As Donna put it, "I think the tree had an orgasm!" Back to Hurston: "Then Janie felt a pain remorseless sweet that left her limp and languid." So, it appears Janie got hers, too! Wow! Where is this tree?!

I was amazed that our heroine, Janie, blithely walked out on her first marriage and then just up and remarried that very afternoon. Different times. I wish her first husband, Joe Washburn, had been able to communicate his feelings for her in some way. A cold brick on the outside. Not sure how much he cared for her, but more than he showed. Joe Blow, her second husband, (Okay, his real name is Jody Starks, but I love Donna's name better-- that is how I will think of him forevermore), is not much better. He uses Janie as a showpiece and won't let her make any real connections with the other town folk. I only wish for poor Janie that her marriages were half as fulfilling as that pear tree.

I am still having trouble with the dialect. Every time I see "tuh" my brain freezes and I have to stop and remind myself that it means "the." Then I am alright for awhile, until it happens again! It really slows the rhythm down for me. Hope my brain clues in soon.

Donna has finished the book, so go check out her page and read her review. I am going to hold out until I finish.

Ellie--I like pestilentiful, but I would NEVER apply it to you! ;)

Off to catch up on some threads and READ!

>119 elliepotten: Miss Potten, I have dealt with *you* elsewhere.

>120 Berly: But Berly-boo, the dialect is a big piece of the artistry of this book. It's like Trainspotting or A Clockwork Orange...Their Eyes Were Watching God doesn't describe a world fabulous and complex and replete with satisfactions you didn't know you didn't know about (like that orgasm referred to above), it simply *is* that world. It's on ITS terms that you get to go there, or not at all.

Oh hell. I think I'm making this worse, not better. I'll clam up now. Love you!

R--Of course I understand that (!) and want to immerse myself in this world. Just having trouble with "tuh." It snaps me out of that world and I realize the chasm between me sitting on my couch and Janie's world. I'll get over it. I want to! Glad you still love me. ;)

K

*smooch*

>120 Berly::I hope you get some quality reading time in over the week end, but with kids and their activities I imagine week ends are pretty lively at your house.

Berly, just keep pluggin' away at dat book and you'll luv it. Raht now, I be goin' tuh read some ah dat World Widout End book. :-)

LOL! You got yuzeself a right nice axsent there Miss Donna. (Good thing I didn't write the book!)

Richard, you old flirt, it seems you're dealing with me all over LT at the moment! ;-)

And you guys, your tree-orgasms made me do the most unladylike laugh in the middle of the shop!

Berly : I'm glad you're enjoying Eyes Watching God. It's a wonderful book, and your little review there is making me want to re-read it. Love the remark about the tree orgasm! ROLF

So weekend update: I went to TKD on Friday and did NOT land on my a$$ this time. Things are looking up!! We had two kids sleep over. Today we had 1 basketball and three soccer games and two at the community center for swimming. Then we had 8 kids over after the last game and they stayed for pizza (I did fondue for 12 on Friday, so I needed a break!). Tomorrow we only have 1 soccer game. Thank gosh. Reading? What is reading?

Cameling--glad the tree made you happy, too. ;)

Also, for those who are looking for a way to help alleviate the sufferering in Haiti, read on:

Our friends, Bill and Mary Pierznik, adopted a son from Haiti last year and during the process, they created a non-profit organization called the Mangrove Fund (www.mangrovefund.org) to help improve the conditions for orphans like their son Richelor. His son is now four but remembers his friends back home. I received a note from Bill today requesting assistance and I wanted to pass this along to a many of our friends. If you are interested to help, please go directly to the website. Here is an excerpt from his email......

"Most of Richelor’s friends are still at the orphanage – it is called BRESMA. The orphanage consists of 3 buildings (and like so many others), they are virtually destroyed. The 150 kids at those places are now sleeping outside. They range ages 3 months to 9 years old and we discovered tonight that they have about 24 hours of food and water left.

On Wednesday morning, Richelor (who attends Class Academy in NW Portland) asked me if he could help “fix the things that are broken in Haiti and help my friends”. So today we started a coin drive at his school. Attached is a photo of him holding the coin jar. Just today he collected well over $100. This was covered by KOIN6 news, NewsChannel 8 and the Oregonian today. Here are a couple of links about these efforts:

http://www.koinlocal6.com/content/mediacenter/default.aspx?videoId=14466@koin.da...

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/portland-area_groups_scramble.h....

We are going to take all of his money and run it through Mangrove Fund (our charity) and send it to the orphanages in Haiti.

I was wondering if you could help us whether via donating via the website and/or spreading the link to our website. We audit 100% of every dollar and we take nothing for admin expenses.

Bill Pierznik"


Bill is a well respective corporate lawyer in Portland and leader of the Alto Group. Mary is a diagnostic radiologist. They have two kids. Walt and I know the Pierzniks to be thoughtful, generous and of the highest integrity. If you are interested to help, please link to Bills Website.

Kim(Berly)

Berly
I will help!

I just sent a donation.

You guys are the best! Thanks so much, on behalf of these orphans in Haiti. :) It just breaks my heart what they are everyone there are going through.

Thanks for pointing us to this website. I will help.

Thank you Cameling!

Count me in.

Mwaa! (That's a kiss, Brenzi.)

Here is an update from Mary (see #129): Thank you guys so much. The first kids have ARRIVED IN THE US. This is so AMAZING!! 5 kids from Bresma were taken to the US Embassy, which means the road has been paved. I can't believe that this is actually going to happen.

Current challenges for the next 24 hrs: delivering supplies - still hasn't happened. Security for Bresma - a top priority, things are getting dangerous there. Jamie and Ali, the American girls who raised Richelor are committed to staying.

Best,
Mary

Thanks for the update.

We are off the the slopes today. 6 inches of fresh powder, 26F and sunny. Should be awesome. My rib seems to have healed and I can't wait! My oldest is not coming and she is the snow boarder; everyone else skis so I am abandoning the board today also. Theoretically I am a much better skier, but I haven't done it in years. Since my youngest ones are still beginners I think my skills will be sufficient. Hoping to get some reading done in the car. Where has the week gone?

Berly- Have a safe and enjoyable day! And be-careful out there!

Snow? Oh good! I assumed with the balmy weather that the mountains would be getting more rain than snow. Hope the same thing is happening at Whistler in preparation for the Olympics.

The skiing was AWESOME!! And we returned unscathed. :) It is now confirmed: I am still a much better skier than snow boarder. We had a fabulous time and met up with two other families so the kids had friends. We all had dinner together on the way back to town. Still no reading.

Bonnie--Here's hoping for great snow for the Winter Olympics!!

Glad you had such a wonderful time!

Four stars.

Review can be found here http://www.librarything.com/work/edit/55073471?referpage=addbooks.php

*paces impatiently*

Soon-ish., heavy on the ish...later today?! I am off right now to help my friends by doing some data entry with all the new Haiti donors. (See #129 above www.mangrovefund.org)

Well, as worthy causes go, it's about the most worthy I can think of, so I'll just go read the rest of "Octavian Nothing" or something.

I can't work, too much hand pain.

Check message #144 for my review of Their Eyes Were Watching God. As I wrote the review, it actually went from a 3.5 to a 4. I think it is one of those books that will leave a lasting impression and may deserve a second reading, high praise indeed since I prefer to tackle new books. The title of the book comes from a haunting scene during a terrific storm: ""...their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His. They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God."

Richard--Hope the pain lets up ASAP!!!

Woo hoo! Congratulations on finishing "our" book, Kimberly. I'm glad you ended up liking it. I know the dialect was a little weird for you at first. It got much easier for me as the book progressed.

You know, I'm so glad that Janie found some happiness with Tea Cake. When he was first introduced as a character, I thought, "here she goes again, picking the wrong man for her." I guess the third time can really be the charm! That was such an awful time to be both female and black. I don't think there were many happy endings for black women back then.

Now you can forget about black vernacular and go back to Medieval times with Mark's group read. World Without End is a real doorstop, but it reads quickly -- at least so far. We are going on a 6-day road trip on Saturday. I am taking the audio tapes of WWE for Parts 3 & 4 with me. Hate to miss out on anything. :-)

Berly- Good review! My library has the audiobook of "Their Eyes..", so I plan on picking it up soon! On to WWE, we start Part 3 tomorrow!

Thank you Donna! Sorry it took me so long. Yeesh!

Not only did I have trouble with the vernacular, but I found Hurston's switches from these amazingly poetic descriptions back to the vernacular so jarring. And what was up with the donkey death scene and the personification of the vultures? It just seemed like this side story that I just didn't get the point of. Hurston was so gifted in many ways, but the story was not smooth sailing for me. Course, nothing like the hardship of being a black woman in those times. Thanks for being my reading buddy. On to WWE!

Charlie Bone and the Beast, by Jenny Nimmo Four Stars-Berly, Five Stars-Daughter

In this story, Charlie must rescue Asa, who is stuck somewhere in the dark in his animal form. Charlie is opposed by a new kid at school with the power to manipulate water. To make matters worse, Cook's family was destroyed by the new boy's father when she refused his marriage proposal years ago, so she is scared and not as much help as usual. My daughter and I read this out loud together. Consistently good series.

Mark--I think you will really enjoy the audio version of Eyes. I have to play catch-up of WWE.

>152 Berly:: The whole mule episode was very strange, wasn't it? I thought we were going to see a change in Joe when he bought the poor animal and let it rest until it died. The whole draggin' out seemed like a town party that the old (mean) Joe wouldn't let Janie attend, because it was beneath her station as mayor's wife. Same old stuff. The buzzards? Who knows?

Now, anybody reading this thread who hasn't read the book is saying..."What the ???"

Donna--I agree. I thought there was going to be hope for Joe, but no, he just wanted all the fun for himself (not that I thought the donkey scene was that much fun). And why is it OK for the Mayor to attend, but not his wife? Talk about controlling. Now, just to further confuse anybody else reading our little Eyes chit chat: Donna, how about that dog on the cows back? Spooky! I had to go back and read that after the ending. I totally did not see that one coming.

Darn girl. I was hoping you'd explain the buzzards to me. "What the ???" is right. ;)

Berly-boo...started and finished a good book today...hand pain not letting up...go read Keeper of Secrets.

BTW, your Hurston review is rising the hottie lists as we speak. Go go go!

Sorry about your hand. Thanks for the tip on Keeper of the Secrets. Now I'll just have to mosey on over and read your review.

Ooooh! I got some thumbs up?! Yeah!

Wonderful review of Their Eyes, Berly!

Thanks Teelgee!

Berly, Yes, wonderful review! And kudos to you for your time spent in helping the people of Haiti.

Richard, has the nasty gout returned?

Berly,

Good job on the hot review girl.

*Beams happily!*

Berly ,
An update on the BRESMA orphanage in Haiti...Jamie and Ali (Pittsburghers) refused to leave Haiti without all the orphans being rescued, so many politicians in PA went to work, flew to Haiti with a huge Pgh. medical team and brought back 54 orphans along with Jamie and Ali. The other orphans were distributed to other countries and the children in Pittsburgh have all been given clean bills of health. We in Western PA are so proud of these sisters, who put their lives on the line for these children and for the people who pulled a lot of strings to make this happen.

T&M Yes! And go Pittsburgh, PA!! Thanks for the news. Richelor, my friend's adopted son from Haiti, was watching the CNN broadcast about this and he said, "Oh there's so-and-so" and "I know her!" He was so happy to see all his friends because he had been worried about them. Bill, his dad, was in constant touch with Jamie and Ali at the orphange. They have become good friends over the two years it took to adopt Richelor. I was at his office yesterday inputting the recent donor email addresses so that updates can be sent out. Apparently it got pretty dicey for the BRESMA orphanage because they had food and water being sent in and the local people, who were out of food and water, were climbing the gates to get in and take supplies. I am so glad the children got out safely and will have new homes! The disaster actually sped up the adoption process for so many of these children.

Of course, many more children are now homeless and orphans and that's where Mangrove Fund comes in. The money being collected from Mangrove Fund is being saved for rebuilding efforts, not so much emergency food and medical, as that is being covered by groups like the Red Cross, etc. One of the families at my daughter's school has been putting aside money from their allowances for years to give to a worthy cause and the three kids gave it all to Haiti--over $500 dollars!! Wow. Donations can be made at www.mangrovefund.org.

So I am about 150 into World Without End and I am liking it, but not loving it yet. I feel like the characters are the same archetypes: the undervalued smart kid; the intelligent woman who has no place in a man's world; the scheming, evil mother, the dumb, big warrior brother, etc. I am hoping as the story progresses that the characters become more individualized and I will stop comparing them to people from Pillars of the Earth.

Great review of Their Eyes Berly. I've got World Without End on my TBR, so I'll be looking out for your review when you're done reading it.

Berly- Hang in there, my friend, with WWE! I'm just under 300 pages in and it gets better. One thing about Follett, he's a pretty smooth storyteller! And that helps alot!

*ngurmph* Berly-boo, it's like reliving the Middle Ages in real time to read these books. Ask yourself, "why read this when I can simply scourge myself, take an ice-cold immersion bath, and then put on a horse-hair shirt under my pure wool tunic before crawling on my knees for forty miles to the sea-coast, whence I can fling myself into the icy arms of the Pacific nevermore to be seen by mortal eyes?"

Say the Voice of Doom, just before Mark bashes him over the head with his Ken Follett tome to stop him disrupting the group read...

Ellie- hmmmmm...not a bad idea!

I thought so... In fact, you could go with Pillars in one hand and World Without End in the other, for a really thorough telling-off!

You can *hit* me with the books, fine, sure, bruises heal...but DON'T MAKE ME READ THEM!!!

I sat for hours with a gun in my hands after giving up on Pillars of the Earth, contemplating the Final Exit...but what if the Church is right, it's a sin to end your own life, then I'd end up in Hell which would be...reading Pillars of the Earth in an eternal group read with Kathie Lee Giifford and Richard Simmons. *shudder*

Then I found out it was a paint ball gun.

R, you ol' voice of doom (I like that Ellie!)--40 miles on your knees takes a looooong time. I thought you were a faster reader than that?! Couple of hours and I am halfway through this tome. And a paint ball gun! Pitiful, just pitiful. ROFLMA!!

Well, dear Richard, they are a lot of us armed with heavy copies (WWE weighs over 2.5 lbs! Yes, I weighed it. LOL) of both PofE and WWE and we are all going to stand around you in a circle until you cease and desist. We won't make you read them, but we are having a jolly good time and won't be dissuaded from our group read. BTW, if one of my categories is tomes over 500 pages, and this one is 1000+, can I count it twice?

I just finished part 4 and all the characters have individualized beyond their archetypes most satisfactorily. I am especially enjoying Caris, Merthin and Gwenda. They are all three very resourceful and likable. Godwyn (an ironic name if ever) has turned into a vengeful prior, but he lacks intelligence and fire for me. Ralph is still the plodding warrior dolt. Rats! I don't have any good villains to root for. I do have to wonder what's up with Edmund and if anyone is behind it. Things have sure taken a nasty turn. Which, of course, makes for good reading. ;)

I am now taking a slight diversion to read Shades of Grey for my RL book group on Thursday. It was highly recommended by DrNeutron so I have high hopes.

Berly- I'm so glad you are enjoying WWE! And you caught up fast, surpassing me. I'm still finishing up Part 3. I like Godwyn also, even if he is a bit of a stinker!
BTW, like your thoughts about Richard and heavy tomes! Remember phone books do not leave marks!

Heh. No pressure on me there...8^}

Don't fold under pressure DrN!! :)

Mark, my phone book does weigh more (3.5 lbs), but it is large and unwieldy, unsuitable for missile defense. I think we should stick with WWE.

I can take it! 8^}

Heavens, Kimmers, I'd never tell you NOT to read something unless it was pernicious (eg, The Hummingbird's Daughter, Manservant and Maidservant), which PotE wasn't...merely suicide-inducingly depressing and unrelievedly grim. No, read on, stalwart future Cymbalta users, read on!

Thank you for that kind encouragement. Per your rec, I now have my doctor on speed dial, just in case. ;)

Don't forget to order a case of Kleenex for the uncontrollable weeping, and some Desitin for the inevitable errrummm well, *rashes* that come from being too enervated by sadness to move from your chair.

No need for ointment. With your retorts I just keeping falling out of my chair laughing.

I am cruising through Shades of Grey! Should finish tomorrow. I love it!

*enjoys the last moments of dear friend Berly-boo's happiness before The Medieval Malaise setteth inneth*

Ye of little faith! To you I say Nonsenth! (No, I do not have a lisp. It rhymes with inneth! Sort of.)

*wise sigh* Now that's the old fight, kid, come at this grey, featureless cloud of unhappiness with all your might! Birds WILL still sing and babies WILL still laugh, and given enough grit and determination, you WILL hear those happy sounds again! *shakes head in sad certainty that he sees the last glimmers of Portlandly zest*

Grrrr! I just finished Shades of Grey and I am #!@!% that it ended! Why didn't anyone tell me that is is the first book of a planned trilogy? Blast it all!! This first one is still available only in hardback. I am going to have to wait FOREVER for the next book. I am seriously whining here. But...Can you tell I liked it? One of the most original storytellers ever. I love Jasper Fforde. Review to follow tomorrow. Five stars and thanks to DrNeutron and my bookgroup for selecting it.

ahh.... see another trilogy that I will wait until all 3 books are out. Then I won't have to go through the agonizing wait.

I just finished Shades of Grey on Monday. Looking forward to your review--mine is in my thread.

Ronincats--Liked your review a lot. Look for mine tomorrow! (Have to get the kids to bed and very few brain cells left at the end of the day...)

I'm baaack! The road trip is just a grim memory now. I like Richard's word upthread to describe our medieval read World Without End. I don't really find it depressing; perhaps I'm just not invested in these characters yet. I listened to all of Part 3 and will finish Part 4 in my print version. Audiobooks are great for the car, but I much prefer to hear the voices in my head and turn the pages myself. Thanks again for your well wishes.

Oh dear, a grim road trip, so so sad. My father-in-law used to say that he took vacations to remind himself how good he had it at home. Ben tornata in casa, the Italians say; "good return to home." Yeup.

Where did the day go? No review yet. Book club tonight, so I will get their feedback too and incorporate a little.

Donna! Welcome back. :) Glad your trip is over and done with. I like WWE, and the ending of Part 4 is a great twist.

St R--Aren't we ever so lucky that we have a home we like to return to?

I called my friend and he is coming over next week to measure and draw up some plans for built-in BOOKSHELVES!!! A whole wall of them. Heaven!!

he is coming over next week to measure and draw up some plans for built-in BOOKSHELVES!!! A whole wall of them.

I am consumed with raging, roiling envious jealousy.

Why thank you!!

ooh ooh... will he come over to my house to draw up plans for wall-to-wall built-in bookshelves for me too? Pretty please? I promise to feed him.

I'll be sure to ask him!

Thought you might like to see my friend Bill and his son Richelor from Haiti...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOst7CPSY5I

That's a really touching video. I hope more people will help out. Thanks for sharing. Berly

What a sweetheart Richelor is! I am with Caroline - I hope more people will help out.

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a book I have two copies of (different editions and different introductions) and have been wanting to read for ages, particularly after I read a collection of essays a few months ago which included Zadie Smith's introduction to a more recent Virago Modern Classics edition of the novel than the one I have.Thanks for reminding me of the need to get round to reading it.

Built in bookcases...Oh, my...I am green with envy. What fun you will have putting books in order.

Thanks Cameling and Stasia. My friends are very pleased with the response so far. The hard part comes when the country and people are no longer in the news.

Elkiedee--I assume (since you have two copies) that you will be reading it (vs audio). Let me know how the dialect goes for you! Hope you enjoy it and thanks for stopping by. You have tons of books in your library on LT and I like a good crime novel every now and again, so I shall have to peruse...any current favorites?

Whisper1--90% of my books are in boxes. I can't wait to see all my old friends again! I wonder how many I actually managed to catalog from memory and how many more I will get to add to my LT collection. So exciting!!

#204: 90% of my books are in boxes. I can't wait to see all my old friends again!

I know exactly how that feels. Mine were in boxes for 3+ years and I am still getting reacquainted with them. It is so much fun!

Yup. It's been two years. I feel some re-reads coming on as I see all my old favorites.

I just hosted the pre-Winter Formal Dance gathering of parents and kids for photos and appetizers and then the girls all came back afterwards for a sleepover last night. Today, my youngest had his first band recital and --wonder of wonders--it was actually enjoyable for the audience! Very few squeaks and missed notes. I was impressed. He was grinning from ear to ear.

Halfway through part 5 of World Without End Group read and I am enjoying it immensely. Very quick read. Lots of historical references, good plot, better villains, a little unrequited romantic interest, a few lusty battles. Jolly good time!

I imagine you are very tired, but it sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed yourself and that a good time was had by all. Kudos to you!

Oh, a very good time was had! And, yes, I am looking forward to everyone being in school tomorrow. ;)

Sounds like fun Berly. I remember those days.especially the band recitals, which I always thoroughly enjoyed.

Sounds like a good weekend ... I hope you get to catch up on some rest, Berly

Thanks Cameling. I took a nap today!

So, I think I mentioned that I am the de facto librarian at my daughter's small school. Well, last week I trained a few special kids to be my library assistants when I am not there. They were so excited! And today I found out we got one of the grants we submitted--$10,000!!! This is excellent news because we have a number of emergent readers with significant disabilities and we can now get some awesome software to support them. Also more bookshelves, books, a SMART board, etc. My adult volunteers meet tomorrow and I get to tell them the good news. Whoohoo!!

Great, great news, Berly! Congratulations!

Phew! Been a while since I visited, and so many comments to catch up on!

I did recommend Their Eyes Were Watching God to my Mum on a second hand book shopping spree the other day (I read & enjoyed it last year) and she's a bit of a sucker for the VMC green spines so grabbed it happily. She's started it, and is quite entranced already.

Congratulations on the grant! And the new bookshelves! Colour me green with envy.

#212: Congratulations, Kim, on the grant! That is wonderful news.

New bookshelves for you and money for your school library. Happiness reigns! I volunteered in the school library in that huge span when I had kids in elementary school, at least until I started teaching. I loved fittting kids with the right books for them.

Kim,

That's great news. $10,000 is a huge grant even for the public schools. Good job! Smartboards are the way to go, loved by teachers and students alike they add so much to the classroom experience. Good for you.

Kim,
Congrats on grant and bookcases. Richelor is adorable; your friend Bill is very blessed. Thanks for sharing that video.

That's great news about the library grant!! I bet the kids were over the moon.

That's great news on the grant, Kim. And congratulations too on your little squad of library assistants. More readers in the making ... love it!

Thanks for all the congratulations -- it is pretty darn exciting! Word around the school is that my little library assistants have been doing a great job and they are very proud to have been chosen. Now I have to go research software and equipment to support emergent readers who are having trouble: speech recognition and word anticipation programs for writing and audio devices for listening, etc.

I am behind on my reviews and will catch up one of these days. I am on the last week of World Without End and have started Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

It's the weekend!

Time for a new thread. Come say Hi! http://www.librarything.com/topic/84234

Congrats, Berly! That's awesome that you got your grant-money! Have fun spending it! :-)

Thanks Bonnie! How nice to see you here. :)