mrstreme (Jill) 75 in 2010

Let the reading begin!

1) The Outcast by Sadie Jones (review)
2) The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews (review)
3) The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (review)
4) The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville (review)
5) The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (review)
6) Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom (review)
7) Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (review)
8) Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian (review)
9) Marketing 2.0: Bridging the Gap between Seller and Buyer through Social Media Marketing by Bernie Borges (no review)
10) The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran (review)
11) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (review)
12) In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin (review)
13) Every Last One by Anna Quindlen (review)
14) The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli (review)
15) Solar by Ian McEwan (review)
16) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (no review but wrote Examiner article)
17) The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells (review)
18) Grease Town by Ann Towell (review)
19) The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees (DNF)
20) The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (review and Examiner article)
21) Remember Me by Trezza Azzopardi (review)
22) Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden (review)
23) The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison (review)
24) Tinkers by Paul Harding - 3 stars - I haven't written my review yet. This is the first time I've not been able to review a book; I just haven't sorted out my feelings about it. It may never get written, but if it does, I will let you know!
25) The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (review)
26) Groundswell by Charlene Li - 4 stars - an excellent social media book if you want to understand the sense of community in social technologies
27) Open Leadership by Charlene Li - 4 stars - wow, if every leader could embrace Li's recommendations, corporate America would never be the same. Transparency, open communication, faster decision processes - I am passing this book on to my VP Monday!
28) The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer (review)
29) A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron -A cute story about a dog who continues to be reincarnated into a puppy, and has great adventures and sources of companionship. A Dog's Purpose is funny and humorous - told completely from the dog's perspective. This is a great book for dog lovers, and suitable for kids in middle and high school.
30) The Quickening by Michelle Hoover (review)
31) When We Were Romans - IOU a review
32) Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (review)
33) The Accidental by Ali Smith (review)
34) Small Wars by Sadie Jones (review)
35) The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer (review)
36) The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey (review)
37) Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead (review)
38) The News Where You Are by Catherine O'Flynn (review)
39) A Death in the Family by James Agee (review)
40) 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff - no formal review but an adorable gem of a book. Helene was an absolute tart - very abrupt and informal - while Frank was proper and poised. Their letters back and forth showed their mutual love of books. Highly recommended
41) Away by Amy Bloom (review)
42) The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany
43) The Gendarme by Mark T. Mustian (review)
44) Adam and Eve by Sena Jeter Naslund (review)
45) A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor (review)
46) Trespass by Rose Tremain (review)
47) The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (review)

I'm looking forward to following your thread! Happy reading!

Aha! Gotcha!

yay! starred ya!

Welcome back!

Starred!

Have a great new year. It'll be fun following your reads again in the coming year.

I'm also going to do your Orange January if I can decide on a book before January is over.

Glad to see you back again, Jill!

Starred! Orange January right? Got a couple lined up already.

Hi, Jill! It's so nice to use the 'prizes' feature to find the books in our collections that are Oranges. I forget, is there going to be a separate thread for talking about Orange January in the 75 group?

Hi, Jill! I hope you don't mind if I lurk too. I'm looking forward to seeing what you're reading too.

Welcome, Beth! Please lurk away! =)

Bonnie, ask and ye shall receive! I started an Orange July thread on this group too: http://www.librarything.com/topic/80703. Great idea! =)

Thanks all for the stars and comments!

I'm going to lurk more, read more and try to talk less for 2010. So I'll be reading and you're starred.

Hi, JIll! Gotcha starred!

Me too!!

1) The Outcast by Sadie Jones (review)

Well look at you, finishing a book on Jan 1. Wow!

That what you get for staying under the duvet all day!!

LOL - I started the book a couple of days ago, and yes, I was under the duvet with Emma, college (American) football and this great book.



Emma Lou for those who are new to my thread!

Me too Jill :))))) Well, not with Emma! I finished a lovely little volume this morning as well!

I hope to have a book finished tonight - just a few more pages to go. I have an Emma too; she's a corgi who's not quite a year old. She can't sit still long enough to snuggle yet!

Great review on The Outcast, its gone onto the TBR mountain. Thanks.

The Outcast made it to my 'memorable reads' list in 2008. An absolutely terrific book - and hard to believe it was Jones' debut novel. I am glad you found it, Jill!

Hmmm, The Outcast sounds like a difficult book to read. Is it a YA novel? Oh, and thanks for the OJ link!

you're getting "starred" just because you have a basset - clearly an individual with great taste! great picture

2) The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews (review)

Thanks all for stopping by!

Nice review, Jill! I may include this amongst my Orange January reads, as I've wanted to get to it for awhile.

Darryl, this would be a good one for your 1010 challenge too!

Yes, same here, re >26 kidzdoc:. It would get it off my TBR shelf too. Thanks for trailblazing, Jill.

#25: I have had that one in the BlackHole now seemingly forever. I hope the library obliges me and gets it in some time.

Nice review, Jill! I like how the book was funny but serious too. The kids' personalities and problems seemed a bit over top--both way too precocious to be believable, but there was still much in this book to ruminate on. I especially liked how the reasons for the aunt's resentments, as well as a more clear picture of her sister's problems, were slowly revealed.

Yay, I've found you. I'm looking forward to reading your reviews as I enjoy them immensely, whether the book itself interests me or not.

Thank you all for stopping by! HI LUNA!

3) The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (review)

#33

As you are interested in looking for others by Kingsolver, may I recommend Prodigal Summer. It's different but still very good in its use of lyrical language. My mum also recently read The Bean Trees and said it was wonderful.

I liked Animal Dreams a lot! I totally agree with you, btw, about the last part of The Poisonwood Bible.

>33 mrstreme: - Nice review of The Poisonwood Bible! I have that one on my shelf and hope to get to it this year. Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors - I love The Bean Trees and its sequel Pigs in Heaven. I also just read her new book, The Lacuna, which is fabulous!

4) The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville (review)

Nice review, its been added to the TBR mountain. Thanks.

#37: That one is already in the BlackHole or I would add it again. Nice review, Jill.

Great review Jill,

I loved The Idea of Perfection too. (It was a five star read for me too and made my top 10.) I'm somewhat of a Grenville groupie since reading The Secret River a couple of years ago. I've got The Lieutenant on my nightstand and hope to get to it soon.

Thanks all for stopping by!

Just wanted to share a quick announcement with you all. I have accepted a small writing gig with examiner.com. I get to write about books! Please consider dropping by my Examiner profile to read my articles, comment, subscribe or even become an examiner yourself.

Here's where you can find me:

http://www.examiner.com/x-37241-St-Petersburg-Book-Examiner

Congratulations, Jill!

Duly subscribed to the RSS feed. Congrats!

Terrific!

Well done, Jill! I've subscribed to the list.

I'm a subscriber too now.

Yeah! Thanks to all for reading and subscribing! =)

5) The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (review)

All finished with Orange January - another great reading month!

I added you to my Bloglines "books" feed!

How exciting! Congratulations!

Subscribed!!

Jill, you're actually one of my favorite reviewers here on LT. I find your reviews always easy and fun to read. They give a nice glimpse into storylines without revealing too much plot or being too lengthy. In addition, they give reasons for your personal reaction to books so readers can decide if they'd most likely agree with your opinion or not.

Congrats on your new gig!

Thanks all for subscribing, and thanks, Madeline, for your very kind words. I am glad my reviews resonate for you!

6) Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom (review)

Another great review, Jill! That sounds like a book that I'd enjoy.

Are you only reading books by women this year?

Ha! A woman-only year. Don't tempt me. =)

In all seriousness, I am trying to read books that I have been sitting on my shelves for awhile. Or I owed a review on. Or I have borrowed from friends and need to return. =)

Glad you liked this one too Jill. Bloom is one of my favorite authors.

Great review of The Idea of Perfection, Jill. I couldn't figure out how to talk about the third main character without taking way too long and saying way too much, but you did it--and so well. Loved, too, how you made the connection between the flawed characters and their flawed lives to the flawed bridge. I couldn't figure out how to do that and you made it look so easy!

I couldn't figure out how to talk about the third main character without taking way too long and saying way too much, but you did it--and so well.

Oh that's so true! I also admired the way Jill worked that into her review. Oh, and the bridge thing. I hadn't noticed that. Great catch. I so loved this book, it's fun to read about it again.

Thanks, Bonnie and Laura, for your compliments of my review of The Idea of Perfection. It was such a great book. I think each reader can find something different and wonderful about it.

I am behind on reading and writing reviews. Here's some catching up:

7) Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (review)

#60: I really liked that one by Brooks too, but she does seem to have a problem with endings.

Catching up....

8) Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian (review)

#62: I am trying to click on the link, Jill, but keep getting a 'Page Not Found' error.

My apologies - bad coding! It's working now. Thanks for letting me know!

Much better, thanks!

9) Marketing 2.0: Bridging the Gap between Seller and Buyer through Social Media Marketing by Bernie Borges (no review) - 3 stars - good book if you are new to social media marketing

10) The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran (review)

#67: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Jill.

#68 - I think you'll enjoy it, Stacia!

11) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (review)

#69: I have already read that one, so I do not have to add it to the BlackHole. Nice review as usual, Jill.

A week behind on my review - better late than never!

12) In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin (review)

Nice review, Jill. I'll probably read In Other Rooms, Other Wonders in the next month or two.

>71 mrstreme:: that sounds excellent ... it's on my wishlist!

#72, 73 - I think you'll both like it!

Great review Jill. I have Other Rooms Other Wonders sitting on my shelf beckoning to me even more after your encouraging review.

Jill

Thumbs up from me for your excellent review of In Other Rooms, Other Wonders. I'm adding this to the tbr pile.

#72: I already had that one in the BlackHole from when dcozy read it earlier this year. I must bump it up!

13) Every Last One by Anna Quindlen (review)

Jill, great review. I'm adding this to the TBR mountain.

#78: Another terrific review, Jill. I have already put the book on hold at the local library. Thanks!

Thank you, ladies! When you read it, remember that the first part is a little disjointed. But it's worth the patience! =)

14) The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli (review)

Another nice review, Jill. I already have that one in the BlackHole. I hope the library gets a copy soon.

Nice job, Jill. You know how I feel about this book!

Stasia, I hope it arrives there soon. And Terri, it was your review that propelled The Lotus Eaters to the top of Mount TBR! =)

Great review Jill; got to get that book.

I think it's just out in the stores today.

15) Solar by Ian McEwan (review)

Great review, and I'm glad Solar resembles Amsterdam more than Atonement. Would you say that it is more like Amsterdam than like Saturday?

#89 - I haven't had the pleasure of reading Saturday yet. I have a feeling Solar might be more of a satire though (based on what I've read about Saturday).

Jill, why don't you post your reviews on LT so we can thumb you?? It's a great review.

I do. I just link to my blog. =)

Oh. Silly me.

Excellent review, Jill! I'll definitely get Solar, based on your thoughtful comments about the book.

#88: I am adding Solar to the BlackHole as well. Thanks for another great review, Jill.

Thanks all. Let me know what you think of it!

I'm glad to hear that it's more like Amsterdam. That's my favorite McEwan book. Loved your review.

I will have to add Amsterdam to the BlackHole too. I have not read that one yet.

I know Jill will disown me, but I have yet to read an Ian McEwan book. I plan to remedy that in 2010.

I love you too much to disown you, Terri. On Chesil Beach might be a good one to start with.

Oh! I read that one!!! Totally forgot it was McEwan! I loved that book. Whew. I'm part of the club after all.

LOL! I loved that book too. It was my first McEwan book. I have stayed clear of some of his early stuff; I've heard they are a little out there. Please let me know if any of you disagree and have suggestions.

I think my next McEwan book to read will be Saturday. It's burning a hole on the book shelf!

I'm really looking forward to reading Solar, Jill, and your review makes me even more excited. Saturday is my favorite McEwan. I'll be interested to see what you think of it.

#102: I've read three of McEwan's first six novels: The Cement Garden, which was creepy but very good; The Comfort of Strangers, which was only okay; and Black Dogs, a thriller which I also liked. I have The Child in Time and The Innocent, but haven't read them yet, and I don't own Enduring Love, the novel which preceded Amsterdam.

I'd suggest getting the opinions of others, though; I enjoyed On Chesil Beach and Saturday, which a number of people didn't like.

#102: I loved Saturday when I read it a couple of years ago. I hope you enjoy it, Jill.

Sounds like I need to get to Saturday sooner than later! Darryl, thanks for the info on his earlier works.

Saturday is my second fave McEwan (after On Chesil Beach). I also enjoyed Amsterdam, Enduring Love, Atonement, and The Child in time, in that order. I was less keen on First Love, Last Rites, The Cement Garden, Black Dogs, The Comfort of Strangers, and In Between the Sheets.

I'm about 3/4 through Solar at the moment and am enjoying it immensely.

I'd really like to read McEwan's libretto, For You,, but I don't think it is available.

Deborah. can't wait for your final review of Solar! I was just thinking this morning: "Is she done yet?" =)

16) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

In lieu of a review, I wrote an article about Wolf Hall's appeal and if it will make the Orange Prize Short List.

General thoughts: Great book, well-researched, but Mantel used "he" way too much in dialogue scenes. I often lost track of who was talking!

Be back with reviews on my next read, I promise!

>109 mrstreme:: I often lost track of who was talking!
It was him. Usually.

Jill, PBS Masterpiece Theatre will be running a dramatization of the 2004 Orange Prize for Fiction winner, Small Island by Andrea Levy, starting on Sunday. It will also be available for online viewing here from April 19-May 25. There is more info about the production there.

#109: I am going to be reading that one in the upcoming weeks. Given how many people in the group love the book, I am hoping for the same.

Laura, yes, that became apparent after awhile, but why make your reader work so hard?

Thanks, Deborah!!! I think I'll watch the online version.

Stasia, it's an enjoyable book. Very insightful on the time period. She is writing a sequel.

>111 Cariola:: thanks for the reminder, Deborah! I had forgotten about that. Now if I can just remember until Sunday ... (but good to know it's online)

17) The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells - review to post on 04/22 as part of blog tour - I will keep you in suspense until then!

#115: Someone in the group must have already recommended that one to me at some point because I already have it in the BlackHole. I will be looking forward to your review though, Jill.

17) The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder by Rebecca Wells (review)
18) Grease Town by Ann Towell (review)
19) The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees (DNF)

A note about the Lost Summer book - Simply put, I couldn't finish this book. I did not like McNees' writing style, and her depiction of Louisa left me feeling empty. Louisa came across as artificial and plastic, and her sisters, love interest Joseph and neighborhood friends were equally stiff. After 120 pages, I called it quits. I wish it worked out better for me.

#117: I have seen a couple of negative reviews of the McNees book and only one good one, so I am probably not going to touch it.

I already have the Wells and Towell books in the BlackHole.

I hope you are feeling better soon, Jill!

20) The Postmistress by Sarah Blake (review and Examiner article)

#119: I will be starting that one later today. I hope I like it as much as you did, Jill!

21) Remember Me by Trezza Azzopardi (review)

#121: I think I am going to pass on that one. Nice review though, Jill!

22) Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden (review)

#123: I went to add that one to the BlackHole and discovered it was already there. I am just waiting for the local library to get a copy. Nice review as usual, Jill!

23) The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison (review)

Nice reviews, Jill! Which of the Orange Prize longlisted books are your favorites so far? I've fallen a bit behind, but Wolf Hall is easily my favorite, followed by Black Mamba Boy, The White Woman on the Green Bicycle and The Long Song.

Hmm, I thought I had read more than four of the titles. I'll read at least two or three during Orange July, though.

#125: Into the BlackHole The Very Thought of You goes!

Darryl, my favorite is still The Help, but I still have The Lacuna, Small Wars and The White Woman on the Green Bicycle on my bookshelf. Yep, Orange July can't get here soon enough!

Stasia, I think you'll like this one!

#128: Now, it is just a matter of getting my hands on it!

24) Tinkers by Paul Harding - 3 stars - I haven't written my review yet. This is the first time I've not been able to review a book; I just haven't sorted out my feelings about it. It may never get written, but if it does, I will let you know!

25) The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver (review)

Other notes:
-We are ramping up for Orange July! I created a thread here if you're interested.
-I am conducting an Orange Prize Survey! Cast your vote for who should win the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. Survey closes Monday, June 7 at midnight EST.

Great review of The Lacuna, Jill! I really enjoyed it when I read it last year. My book group is reading it for July, and I think it should generate some good discussion.

Nice review, Jill! I'll probably read this next month, and I definitely will if it wins the Orange Prize.

#131 - It's a great book discussion novel. I almost wish I was in an upper level English class to discuss some of the literary elements of The Lacuna.

#132 - The Lacuna is my pick to win, though it's probably Mantel's year.

>24 pbadeer:: re: Tinkers, I'm waiting to receive this book from my library. I'm quite intrigued by your difficulty in writing a review. I'll be interested in comparing thoughts on the book when I get to it.

I already have both Tinkers and The Lacuna in the BlackHole, so nothing new for me this week.

Nice review as usual, Jill!

NOTE: Doing the "The Lacuna Got The Orange Prize" happy dance!

26) Groundswell by Charlene Li - 4 stars - an excellent social media book if you want to understand the sense of community in social technologies

>136 mrstreme: - I'm excited that The Lacuna won the Orange Prize too, Jill!

27) Open Leadership by Charlene Li - 4 stars - wow, if every leader could embrace Li's recommendations, corporate America would never be the same. Transparency, open communication, faster decision processes - I am passing this book on to my VP Monday!

28) The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer (review)

Happy Birthday to one of our mutual faves, Ian McEwan!

Yes, happy birthday to Ian! Thanks for letting me know!

#139: I had not heard of that book before. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Jill. Nice review as usual!

Thumbs up on your thoughtful review of The Invisible Bridge. I had it in hand at Borders last week (and, my, is it heavy!), but common sense took over because I know I won't get to read it for quite awhile. But, after your fine review, it holds top position on my wish list. One of these days....

I enjoyed your review of The Invisible Bridge! I've been hearing a lot of good buzz about it.

Thank you all for the compliments on my The Invisible Bridge. I will be curious to know what other readers think of it as it gains more popularity.

29) A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron -A cute story about a dog who continues to be reincarnated into a puppy, and has great adventures and sources of companionship. A Dog's Purpose is funny and humorous - told completely from the dog's perspective. This is a great book for dog lovers, and suitable for kids in middle and high school.

30) The Quickening by Michelle Hoover (review)

#146: I already have that one in the BlackHole. I hope the local library gets a copy.

Nice review, Jill!

31) When We Were Romans - IOU a review
32) Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (review)

#148: Bel Canto is my favorite of Patchett's books. I am glad you enjoyed it, Jill. Great review, as usual.

Jill,

I also posted this message on my thread and the thread of those with hot reviews:

Quick...go to the hot reviews and you will see that of the ten reviews, our group is 10/10. Every hot review this morning is from a member of our 75 challenge group. I'm not sure, but I think this is a first for us.

The hot reviews are

lindsacl
Mrstreme
Mckait
sjmccreary
elliepotten
donna828
msf59
blackdogbooks
brenzi
and me

What a hoot!

33) The Accidental by Ali Smith (review)

Nice review, Jill. I have this book, but I have a feeling that I won't be reading it, certainly not anytime soon.

Thanks, Darryl, I was a bit disappointed by The Accidental. Others really liked it, but it never grabbed me. Win some, lose some. =)

What books are you taking on vacation, Jill?

#151: Nice review of The Accidental, Jill. I have seen very mixed reviews of that one and I think I will give it a pass.

#155 - I am taking Small Wars, The White Woman on the Green Bicycle and The Septembers of Shiraz - all Orange July books! =)

Happy Reading! Happy Vacation!

34) Small Wars by Sadie Jones (review)

Great review, Jill! I'll definitely have to get this title, but I'll read The Outcast first, since I already own it.

Jill, I ended up actually liking The Accidental but I thought it had the weirdest premise for a novel that I'd ever seen.

I definitely need to find a copy of Small Wars. Great review, Jill!

Thanks all! I hope you enjoy Small Wars when you get to it.

35) The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer (review)

I read The Septembers of Shiraz a year or so ago and liked it a lot more than I thought I would. The story really stayed with me.

#163: I enjoyed that one too, Jill. I am glad to see you did as well. Nice review, as usual :)

36) The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey (review)

Interesting review. Good on you for not finishing a book you aren't enjoying! I have this book which I picked up second hand for a few dollars. I also hate animal cruelty and dread coming across it in a book. Like in the movie Atonement, not sure if you've seen it, but there was a scene where they were shooting horses and it was awful.

I'm adding The Septembers of Shiraz to the list. Your reviews are great!

#167 - kiwiflowa - Yes, I remember that scene from Atonement and grimaced in horror! In The White Woman in the Green Bicycle, it's a very small scene, but apparently, I can't shake this sort of detail!

$168 - Whisper1 - thank you for your kind words!

I'm just glad you warned me off The White Woman on the Green Bicycle. I don't think I'd like it either!

#166: I may give that one a go at some future point (right now it is moot since the local library does not have it any way), but I agree that it was best for you to put away a book you were not enjoying. Good for you, Jill.

37) Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead (review)

#172: That one sounds right up my alley. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Jill!

My pleasure, Stasia! =)

38) The News Where You Are by Catherine O'Flynn (review)

#174: That one looks very good. Into the BlackHole it goes!

So is The News Where You Are a bit of a mystery?

Bonnie, it has an overarching mysery over the whole story, but it's definitely more thematic than that.

39) A Death in the Family by James Agee (review)

#178: Nice review, Jill! I am adding that one to the BlackHole.

Oh Jill I read (and loved) that one last summer. I love your review, BTW.

>178 mrstreme:, 180: I just love it when other LTers love a book I loved. So much book love ... :)

Thinking of you and sending hugs

Yes, love all around. Even hugs from Linda!

40) 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff - no formal review but an adorable gem of a book. Helene was an absolute tart - very abrupt and informal - while Frank was proper and poised. Their letters back and forth showed their mutual love of books. Highly recommended!

#184: Finally, one from your thread I do not have to add to the BlackHole. That book is one of my all-time favorites!

184) I also liked this one but found the followup, The Duchess of Bloomsbury, to be a real disappointment.

41) Away by Amy Bloom (review)

#187: I think Away is not my cuppa, so I am staying away from it. Nice review as usual, Jill!

#187 -Jill - I read Away earlier this year and your review is spot on. I haven't read any of Bloom's short stories, but I can see how her style might work better in that format.

I like her short stories better than her novels.

42) The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany

I need to take a break from writing reviews for a little while. I have three weeks to pack up my house and move into a new one. Oy, the junk my family has accumulated! So, if you don't hear from me, I am immersed in a box somewhere. =)

WOW! I wish you well!! We live on the top layer with Husband's grandmother's stuff, parents' stuff, and deceased sister's stuff in the substrata. I've told the nieces and nephew that they can just burn the place when we go. If they are lucky, I will have found the good stuff and passed it on before we pass on..... (You who know me can tell that I expect to live almost forever.)

Good luck with the move, Jill!

Good luck with the move!

There was a movie adaptation (from Egypt, I believe) of The Yacoubian Building on TV the other night, but I was too tired to watch it. I'll have to read the book instead!

Jill, Oh how I hate moving! My heart goes out to you! Good luck with it!

And, I agree with your excellent review of Away.

Good luck with your move Jill! Sounds like a good plan.

43) The Gendarme by Mark T. Mustian (review)

I'm baaaaack! The move went very well; thanks for the many well wishes. So glad that life has normalized and I can read again! Hugs to all!

Jill

Just a message to say you are very much on my mind and in my prayers. I know you are experiencing lots and lots of change. One foot in front of the other is a good way to walk...

Glad the move went well.

I already have The Gendarme in the BlackHole due to someone else in the group's review (although of course I cannot remember whose!)

Glad to know your move went well, Jill. I hope you settle in nicely.

44) Adam and Eve by Sena Jeter Naslund (review)

*Bad touchstone - should point here: http://www.librarything.com/work/book/61241219

200> Every LT review I've read of this one has said it's horrible.

#200: Finally one that you read I do not feel compelled to add to the BlackHole.

I certainly hope your next read is a better one!

45) A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor (review)

#203: I am going to have to go back and revisit O'Connor. I have not read her for 20+ years.

Nice review of A Good Man Is Hard to Find, Jill; I loved this book!

Thanks, Stasia, and it's your review, Darryl, that inspired me to read it! Thanks a bunch!

I read A Good Man is Hard to Find when I was in college which is an embarrassingly large number of years ago Jill; time for a reread.

46) Trespass by Rose Tremain (review)

EXCELLENT review, Jill ... thumbed!

I agree with Laura!

47) The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (review)

Great review, Jill! I'll have to finally get to this, either later this year or for Orange January.

>212 kidzdoc:: Darryl, it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, but oddly not the Orange.

#211: Nice review, Jill. Sounds like you enjoyed the book more than I did.

#213: The Little Stranger was longlisted for this year's Orange Prize, although it didn't make the shortlist:

The Orange Prize for Fiction 2010 longlist

>215 kidzdoc:: ah, yes. Forgot about the longlist! I keep a record of shortlisted books for "reading inspiration" but didn't have the longlist at hand. As I said I thought it odd, since Sarah Waters seems like a pretty Orangey author to me. Thanks, Darryl.

Moved on to a second thread. Come by and visit!