Susan aka Suslyn & 2010

Happy New Year to you all.

Must warn you that my life is still too complicated for me to do all I want, but still hoping to get better at managing it. That said, if you post on my thread I shall do my utmost to keep up with yours. No worries if mine doesn't hold your interest -- LOL. I don't find my reading all that interesting either! You guys with public libraries and bookstores in your language should be very grateful!!

The E-reader requested for the bday in Oct and then re-listed as top priority gift for Xmas still hasn't materialized. But if it does things might perk up a bit :)

Blessings to all of you -- I've really come to appreciate you guys in the last 14 months and to count you as friends. My intro is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/79114#1692019

March (* = re-read)
57. Warlock of the Witch World by Norton, fantasy (msg 225)
56. Prince of Mercenaries by Pournelle, sf (msg 219)
55. The Charming Impostor by Kihlstrom, regency (Msg 217)
54. Gallant Waif by Gracie, Hist fic (Msg 212)
53. The Convenient Marriage* by Heyer, Hist fic (Msg 210)
X'd O is for Outaw by Grafton (msg 204)
52. Miss Harcourt's Dilemma by Ashley, regency (Msg 200)
51. Lady Knightley's Secret by Ashley, regency (Msg 198)
50. Princep's Fury by Butcher, fantasy (Msg 198)
49. Captain's Fury by Butcher, fantasy (Msg 191)
48. An Unreasonable Match by Andrew, regency (183)
47. Cursor's Fury* by Butcher, fantasy (Msg 181)
46. Academ's Fury* by Butcher, fantasy (Msg 177)
45. Furies of Calderon* by Butcher, fantasy (Msg 176)
44. Dark Companion by Norton, sf (Msg 170)
43. A Very Unusual Governess by Andrew, regency (Msg 167)
42. The High King's Tomb by Britain, fantasy (Msg 167)
41. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Bradbury, fantasy (Msg 160)
X'd Sunshine and Shadow by Fowler, mystery (Msg 160)
40. Mariner's Compass by Fowler, mystery (Msg 160)
39. The Georgette Heyer Omnibus by Heyer, regency (Msg 160)
38. Irish Chain by Fowler, mystery (Msg 137)
X'd What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Men by Morley, self help (Msg 137)

February (* = re-read)
37. Adiamante by Modesitt, sf (Msg 139)
36. The Masquerader by Heyer, Heyer (Msg 139)
35. Ysabel by Kay, fantasy?, fiction? (Msg 127)
34. Black Sheep* by Heyer, regency (Msg 121)
33. Conspirator by Cherryh, sf (Msg 121)
32. Explorer* by Cherryh, sf (Msg 110)
31. The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Schlessinger, non-fiction (Msg 110)
30. The Grand Sophy by Heyer, regency (Msg 102)
29. Cotillion by Heyer, regency (Msg 102)
28. These Old Shades by Heyer, hist romance, Georgian period England (Msg 102)
27. Defender* by Cherryh, sf (Msg 102)
26. This Rough Magic by Lackey, Flint & Freer, fantasy/alt hist (Msg 102)

January
25. Aerie by Mercedes Lackey, fantasy (Msg 86)
24. Sanctuary by Mercedes Lackey, fantasy (Msg 84)
23. Alta by Mercedes Lackey, fantasy (Msg 84)
22. Joust by Mercedes Lackey, fantasy (Msg 84)
21. (oops I forgot!)
20. The Principessa* by Christie Dickasosn, hist fiction (Msg 70)
19. Tough Guys Don't Dance by Norman Mailer, fiction (mystery) (Msg 69)
18. A Noble Deception* by Sara Blayne, regency (Msg 69)
17. Lord of Scandal by Nicola Cornick, regency (Msg 58)
16. The Attorney by Steve Martini, legal thriller (Msg 58)
15. The Kaisho by Eric Lustbader, action (Msg 58)
x'd. Baja Oklahoma by Dan Jenkins (Msg 58)
14. A Sudden, Fearful Death by Perry, mystery (Msg 46)
13. The Pillars of the World* by Bishop, fantasy (Msg 46)
12. Two of a Kind* by Edghill, regency (Msg 46)
11. The Prodigal Hero* by Butler, regency (Msg 37)
10. An Affair of Honor* by Candice Hern, regency (Msg 37)
9. The Widowed Miss Mordaunt* by Jeanne Savery, regency (Msg 35)
8. Lord Glenraven's Return* by Anne Barbour, regency (Msg 35)
7. The Bartered Heart* by Nancy Butler, regency (Msg 35)
6. That Scandalous Heiress* by Martha Kirkland, regency (Msg 35)
5. The Earl's Prize* by Nicola Cornick, regency (Msg 35)
4. A Most Exceptional Quest* by Sarah Westleigh, regency (Msg 35)
3. Reclaiming Lord Rockleigh* by Butler, regency (Msg 35)
2. Lord Nightingale's Love Song* by Judith A. Landsowne, regency (Msg 35)
1. The Ramshackle Suitor* by Butler, regency (Msg 35)

Happy New Year to you too, Susan!
I am happy you joined us for an other year :-)
Anita

Welcome back!

Happy New Year, Susan! Glad you are still going to be here, and hope that your scrapbooking is doing well--you sure have talent! And if you get totally desperate, we can always send you a CARE package of books!

Starred! :)

Happy New Year, Susan! I'm trying not to do lots of posting "got you starred" on everyone's threads - but it's lovely to see you here. (Hey, you did say that if I posted on your thread you'd do your best to keep up with mine, right?)

Ha! Found you at last, Suse. *check*

Hey Susan! I finally found your thread! I'll try to keep up this time, last year I kinda got distracted... but I got you starred! :o)

Happy New Year, Susan! I lost you last year, so I'm glad I found you to start the new year. :-)

Glad to see you back with us again, Susan!

BTW - I finally got around to reading Val McDermid's A Place of Execution that you had recommended at the end of 2008. Excellent book! Thanks for that recommendation.

Gratifying to see you all here -- I'm touched. thank you. Stasia -- glad you liked A Place of Execution -- not exactly light but good!

Happy New Year Suze! ;-)

Hi There Dear One!

Welcome back and Happy, Happy New Year of reading to you!

you are starred! Happy new year and I'm looking forward to reading your comments.

Susan, I've got you starred and am hoping to do a better job keeping up this year! THanks for visiting my thread.

Great to see all you guys here :) You make my heart sing ( la la la)
>15You and me both Linda!

Happy New Year, Susan!!! I'm so glad I found your thread. Can't wait to see what you read this year. And how lucky you are to have discovered scrapbooking! You have great talent. :)

Thanks Lady M -- doesn't feel that way when I look in the galleries. You should see what some of these folks do. But I'm learning and growing -- and having a good time too :)

Trying to get up the strength to wrap up 2009. have a stack of 8 books or so waiting to be inputted.

I've got the 'punies' -- A word Dad coined for when you're not feeling super. Usually it's physical, a sniffle, an ache... but this one's emotional. alas that means my reading's descended too... regencies. tried some fantasy and other but can't seem to attend unless it's absolutely brainless and mildly entertaining like these regencies...

Hi Susan. I've been catching up on threads and found you for 2010! Hope it turns out to be a good year of reading for you.

The "punies" is a great word! My dad had a word we used when we weren't feeling good, "wickly." A sick person wass a wickly, a sicker one a Sickly McWickly, and a very sniffly person was a Snotly McWickly.

There's nothing wrong with some brainless Regencies now and again! I've also been known to turn to a Harlequin or two when the going gets tough. Hope you're feeling more yourself soon!

Hey, Susan. Hope you feel better (at least well enough to read, for cryin' out loud!) soon. My grandmother used a word I think she made up for feeling rotten---"pewsley" (I'm guessing at the spelling). It seems very descriptive to me.

Thanks -- I am feeling a bit better, but still not much above regencies :) Appreciate you all!

{{hugs}} :)

*drive-by hug*

Susan,
Hope you are up and running at full speed soon.

I've gotta send you some *hugs* too!

Hi Susan - hoping you feel better. I've got your thread starred again.

"Without volition" -- what a fun way to say 'involuntarily' :) One good thing from my regencies, this from Anne Barbour's Lord Glenraven's Return.

Also read a wonderful chapter in Billheimer's Don't Waste Your Sorrows which is helping me with the punies/pewslies/wickies. :) Thanks for all hugs and well-wishing.

the piles waiting for inputting here are looming precariously... must input them soon. The husb would appreciate that too as they're obscuring and soon will cover our dvd collection :)

Punies begone! I like "without volition" too, Suse. Tell your absurdly young husband to move the books if he's worried about the DVDs...straight to the post office...my address is....

LOL

Oh Richard -- that wonderful bookstore in Amarillo is closing in June due to the owner's health :( So if you wanted her to hunt something in particular now's the time!

Oh crumbs! That's just not right. Nope. Not right at all! I'll hunt her up.

Hi Susan! I always enjoy finding you here on LT.

Thanks Angela, I always love seeing your name here too :)

Still not done with my posting & wrap up for 2009, I thought I'd at least input the list for this year. I'm not doing any kind of synopsis for these. They are ALL regency re-reads, mostly from last year. If there's something more you want to know, just ask and I'll do my best to oblige. ;->

The Widowed Miss Mordaunt by Jeanne Savery (250pp)
Lord Glenraven's Return by Anne Barbour (220 pp)
The Bartered Heart by Nancy Butler (230 pp)
That Scandalous Heiress by Martha Kirkland (217 pp)
The Earl's Prize by Nicola Cornick (299 pp)
A Most Exceptional Quest by Sarah Westleigh (299 pp)
Reclaiming Lord Rockleigh by Butler (230 pp)
Lord Nightingale's Love Song by Judith A. Landsowne (252 pp)
The Ramshackle Suitor by Butler (214 pp)

ETA touchstones

Stopping by to say hello to you.

More regency re-reads:

The Prodigal Hero* by Butler (230 pp)
An Affair of Honor* by Candice Hern (221 pp)

I have no idea if I have read any of those regencies--you know how it is, no matter how enjoyable some of them are, for the most part, you forget them very quickly.

#37: At least you are getting good mileage from your regencies, since these are re-reads.

At least most of them were pretty good and a few were excellent. I recycled the insupportable last year :). For a while I wondered how the one I'm reading now made it past that screen, but it's improving. That trend must continue, but I do wonder how I made it past the first few pages either time LOL

Hey Susan - Now that I have a Kindle I have a rather large collection of e-books for it. (Close to 80. Many are classics that anyone can get online but many are more modern.)
I don't know how you feel about reading e-books (either on the computer or printing them out) but if you'd like some fresh reading material I'm willing to send copies of mine to you...

LOL You're the best Angela. I've got an ereader wishlisted. When/if I get it I might just get back to you. Can't deal with the screen and am not willing to print it. Bless you!

Okay let me know when you get one.
I feel so bad when I see you getting frustrated with your limited reading choices! I promise not to take my available books for granted ever again...

How was That Scandalous Heiress, Susan? I have that one on the shelf.

Thank you Angela -- you're a doll. xoxo

Marcia, I'll go check. As I recall, she wasn't so scandalous... BRB :)

ETA That Scandalous Heiress is set in a backward, close-minded and neglected little town in the countryside. Enter young woman, orphaned, come unexpectedly into an inheritance which allows her to escape the relative who took her in when her mother died. A nice story ensues. I liked the chars and found it not beyond belief. And, happily, the protagonist did not end up mad (crazy) in the end as all too often has been happening in these books I've been reading... too easy an out for the writer. So while you may not rave, I don't think you'll throw it in the trash bin either. LOL (Does that answer your question?)

Two of a Kind* by Edghill (325 pp) -- (Touchstone for the book was not on the list) This book starts soooo slowly and seems soooo predictable, that I'm surprised I continued reading. Part of it was that I remember really liking it and wanting to find Edghill's other regencies as a result of reading it the first time. So I continued. It's good. Not predictable in the end. Entertaining.

The Pillars of the World* by Bishop (420 pp) -- I remember liking this book before, but I don't remember loving it. It had me even trying to create a poem about it. LOL Remember's Sam's pitiful ode to Gandalf? That's what they were like, so I thought I'd spare you. :) A fairy tale kind of setting... a good read. I have suspicions the author may be Wiccan, but if so her values and worldview do nothing to diminish the value of her tales for me.

A Sudden, Fearful Death by Perry (454 pp) -- My first new read of the year, LOL. Not for the faint-hearted. I don't know where I got the idea that murder mysteries are supposed to be fun reading, but it's in my mind somewhere. This one was good, difficult, but good. Some hard subjects are addressed. At first I thought the author was going to try to do some campaigning for her views on the subject at hand with a view to the present, but she avoided that and left the story be consistent with its times. For that at least I'm grateful. Touchstone for this pre-marriage Wm Monk mystery won't load.

Congratulations on getting the first 'new' read of the year snuck in! And a good one, to boot :)

I like Anne Perry's books. I read A Sudden, Fearful Death awhile ago. Now, I'm inspired to go back and finish those I haven't read. And, she has published a lot of books!

Already 13 re-reads and a new one...?
You are going fast :-)
Anita

>49 FAMeulstee: No kidding, Anita, between Suse and Stasia I feel like one of the dumber kids in the dim-bulb corner.

ahhh poor Richard
* puts arm over Richards shoulder to give some comfort *

slower reading does not equal dumber ;-)

Amen Anitha :) 12 of those were pure fluff (or pretty darn close :)

If you are a reader, you cannot possibly be dumb! (IMHO anyway)

Tally for 2009 is in at 288. Just brought my tags up to date. If you look in my library (and are viewing that tag with "all collections") you'll see a lower number, but that's because I read some books more than once last year.

That makes only 4 double reads ;-)

BTW I love your new profile picture!
Anita

A lot more were re-reads, just not re-read in the same year ;-> Thx Anita on the scrap too. That was my anniversary present for Steph, the husband. :)

Found you!

My next read lasted only 15 pages. Baja Oklahoma made it longer than the last Jenkins I tried to read which was out by page 2. This one is very funny and very raw. I'd prefer getting my laughs without walking through the sewer.

ETA they posted one, half-line, entry of a very long post. grrr. will repost later.

martini 430
cornick 376
kaisho 462

continued in msg 61

I am curious what those last lines mean ;-)

*impatiently waiting for update/repost*

LOL Anita, number of pages... I wanted to reshelve the books.

love your photos/scrapbook. You are incredibly talented!

>61 Whisper1: Linda, I'm having a great time and am thrilled to have found a creative outlet that I can do. :)

>58 suslyn:

I fear I have discovered that I'm a snob. Yup. I really abhor snobbery but... there it is.

I'm currently reading Mailer's Tough Guys Don't Dance -- it's just as amoral, full of drugs, wife-swapping, murder, etc. But -- and this is the crux -- it's written beautifully! I love the vocab he employs. It's a delight to read despite the subject matter. Maybe not as funny as Jenkins (he really was, for me, bust-a-gut funny), but still funny from time to time. And just much a sewer... which I *am* reading (and enjoying very much).

The Kaisho by Eric Lustbader (462 pp)--My firstnon-fantasy by Lustbader, I was surprised to find he also wrote the Bourne books. His emphasis on tribal religions detracted from the story for me, but I'm not sure he would have had one without it. A later book in the series, it ends with a g'zilliion loose ends. If the next book crosses my path I'll read it, but I won't be seeking it out. --> recycled mostly because the gal I give my books to loves this series while I found it only tolerable.

The Attorney by Steve Martini (430 pp)--I enjoyed this Paul Madriani novel. Must have been something in the other one that I read which caused me to recycle it. This one skirts the edge of 'too explicit' for me, but I'll be keeping it. This book was a welcome gift. ... a new book :)

Lord of Scandal by Nicola Cornick (376 pp)--This regency seemed a bit on the gothic side to me. I found many of the events to be beyond belief, but part of me wonders how much I just misunderstand some of the history of the period. This is because the author is trained as a historian and works in that field for the UK.

Sorry Suze 1st post didn't show any verbaige.

What is wrong with this thing??

41. You can transfer books from one Kindle to another?

BTW - Robert Ludlum wrote the first three Bourne books, the ones we know from the movies. Lustbader seems to have come along with additional books in that series. I had to go look, because I knew my mother had read the Bourne books but she had never mentioned Lustbader.

Thank you Laura... I realized the books I saw were titles I didn't know... just figured I didn't look far enough down the list. Of course it was Ludlum! :)

64- I think there is a "share" feature for the Kindle now, but I haven't used it yet. I don't think two people can read a book at the same time with that feature however.
What I meant was that I have a collection of ebooks I got from places *other* than amazon for my Kindle. They are mostly text documents. Those ebooks are stored on my computer and I would be willing to share them with Susan, or give them to her when I'm finished reading them. So far the Kindle has read any ebook I put on it, even PDFs, though they are harder to read.

Thx for the explanation Angela :)

A Noble Deception by Sara Blayne (250 pp) --Another regency, but I really enjoy this. No town life. All set on neighboring estates.

Tough Guys Don't Dance by Norman Mailer (370 pp) --They called this one 'fiction.' You know about the rose? If it looks like a rose, smells like a rose... Well substitue 'mystery' for rose and you have my idea of a perhaps more correct category. There is more on this book in msg 62. If one can 'enjoy' a book like this one, I did. Mailer can write.

The Principessa* by Christie Dickason (501 pp) -- A reread, I enjoyed this hist fiction novel at least as much this time around as I did last time. I want a sequel. :( LOL The husband is on his way home from Paris and had Dickason and Wurts on the short list for the bookstore. Sadly, that didn't make the itinerary... However, I did notice I bought the Dickason book here; would it be too much to hope for another by her to be available here? Prob.

ETA While extremely short (1 page), I enjoyed her overview of how she approaches hist fiction. Pretty cool :)

#70: I think (and I am not at all sure about this) that The Firemaster's Mistress comes before The Principessa. but I do not know of a sequel.

Yes, Ihaven't read TFM. And, I'm fairly certain there is no sequel. bummer :)

Sorry!

Hi Susan! Found you here finally! I've demoted myself due to my poor showing last year, but it'll be fun to check out some threads over here until I can join the big readers again....LOL!

Drive-by hug {Suse}

Hope your trip ended safely. Big hug to you, too. {{{{Susan}}}}

Hi Susan, just stopping by.

Still reading; currently in the US. been 2 days now. bought books both days AND checked out a slew of 'em at the library. details to follow :)

Heh. We want a list...

I'm so glad you have access to more reading material! :)

I hope you take tons of books back to Romania with you!

Reading? This is a site about reading?

Hi, Susan! Hope you are having a good time. Obviously you are having so much fun you haven't had time to let us know what books you are getting. We are patient--read the library books while you have the chance and you can tell us about them when you get home.. But don't read the books you buy! You will need them later. :-)

ETA

#82 Ti99er

Actually, often this thread is about the agonies of "reading deprivation!" :-)

I've only purchased four books... saving the wad for the Amarillo used bookstore where I have credit...

A regency (currently hiding so I can't tell you the title), a Bible (the movers stored mine when they should have shipped them and I'm tired of reading online), Trading Places - since I'm here in the States 'cause our marriage is in trouble I thought this was a good purchase! (but, must say, reading it doesn't exactly confirm that it was...), and the final book in a series I started years ago (at least I hope it's the final one!), The High King's Tomb.

I've been reading Mercedes Lackey's The Dragon Jousters series and loving it. I was a bit tentative on picking them up. We know she writes well, but I got soooo tired of her evangelical fervor regarding homosexuality in the Valdemar series. I really felt like I was being beat over the head with gay rights pamphlets throughout most of those books (but, as I really liked them, I read most if not all of them).

Well this series isn't like that. It's really lovely. And it's good! LOL I had several endings picked out for Joust (373 pp). None of them came to pass and that was a good thing. But she did work in one of my proposed endings into the second volume Alta (402 pp). Soon I'll finish the third book, Sanctuary (306 pp). I'm really hoping the 4th volume I have is a wrap! It's a new release so I doubt I'd find a sequel if it is not the end.

Thank you for the notes and prayers. Things seem to be improving between me and Steph and I'm so glad! LOL Guess that kind of goes without sayin'! Bless you all!

Hey, you want to come and pick me up on the way to Amarillo? I could work in a road trip, I am sure :)

Stasia -- I would love roadtripping with yoU! sadly, no license (I can drive, but the paperwork is in processin Romania...). Have no idea how I'm getting to Amarillo atm from Spfld. My hosts often have business in Tulsa. Greyhound from there? LOL SW goes from Spfld to Ama via Love Field but it ain't cheap! ...

Other purchases:
The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens (regency, I think, noted above)
The Godmother's Apprentice by Scarborough
The Harp of Imach Thyssel by Wrede
and, Stormwarden by Wurts

The last three I bought in a used bookstore for the whopping total of $7.91 -yes!
:)

Finished Aerie by Lackey (296 pp) which was very good too, if a bit more bizarre than the others. It seemed like the last book. What's funny is that I found each of the endings of the previous three books more satisfying than this one. :)

If you could get to Tulsa, I could pick you up there. Seriously. Let me know.

87: Springfield? Would that be Springfield, MO...home of Donna828 aka DonnaReads? When did this happen? I must keep up better on these threads.

My DH and I drove through Amarillo last week on our way to Plano, TX from Colorado Springs. I just knew I was passing up some awesome bookstores. And then I went "gaga" when I saw the Archer City sign. Isn't that where Larry McMurtry has his behemoth bookstreet? Texas, here I come! (But I'll wait until my son and his wife get all those boxes unpacked first).

Yes, Archer City is where Larry McMurtry set up his book street, Donna.

a) How did you manage to read so many books in January?? and....

b) How have I not found your thread until now??

Both are unanswerable questions I feel.

Suse...Greyhound to Sherman, then road trip to Amarillo?

*good marriage mojo to beloved friend Susan*whammy*

Tell me, is anyone else thinking of Peter Kay with all this talk of Amarillo?!

...forgot to add a Hallo! - only just rediscovered your thread. ;o)

Howdy friends,

If you pray pls add us to the list for the next week or two. The husband and I will be doing a three day intensive marriage counseling thingy (LOL). He hesitated to say yes because he was afraid to give me hope. While he's going to go and give it his best, he's confident there is no hope for our relationship.

Checked out a mess of books at the library today including an armload of Heyer. Think I'll go crawl into bed and read now. *sigh*

You guys are so sweet. Thx. If you care to see a visual interp of these events check this blog entry: http://suslyngloscraps.blogspot.com/2010/02/ajc-weeks-4-5-with-revisit-on-3.html

Blessings. Grateful for you,
Susan

I hope you are feeling better, Susan! Good luck to both you and Steph on the counselling.

#93 This must be an extremely difficult time for you. I don't pray, but I will certainly keep you both in my thoughts and here's a big wave of virtual sympathy and strength headed in your direction. **WAVE**

Praying hard! For both of you!

I will pray for you!! :-)

Your scrapbooking is so amazingly beautiful and creative, Susan. I admire your work and your plan to save your marriage. I will continue to pray for you.

I hope all works out for the best Susan!

Praying for you Susan.

The Grand Sophy by Heyer, (409 pp) -- A fun regency by Heyer. For me it stretched my ability to believe a bit, but it was a pleasant read.

Cotillion by Heyer, (355 pp) -- I really enjoyed this book. While not to the same extent, the scenarios might seem a bit less than believable to some readers. I hope to get this one.

These Old Shades by Heyer, (409 pp) -- Good stuff! This piece set in the Georgian period was really wonderful. So glad I finally read it.

Defender* by Cherryh, (314 pp) -- A re-read, I'm all but certain. I was wanting to read her new additions to the series (reported by Doc or Tad?), but the second trilogy was as far as the library went.

This Rough Magic by Lackey, Flint & Freer, (816 pp) -- This book's back cover talks about how good the prequel is, so I picked it up. I have no objection to reading a prequel to a series I haven't read. But, no, I misunderstood. The back cover was dedicated to the prequel of this volume! It did fairly well standing alone. Set in renaissance Venice and environs it was interesting. I especially liked the depiction of hell! (one paragraph, don't read it just for that!) Nicely handled weaving of mythical creatures and magic into the setting.

Steph's scheduled to fly into Amarillo Sun or Monday and then our intensive starts Monday night the 15th ending Thursday the 18th late afternoon. Thanks for your prayers and well-wishes. Please continue!

Blessings

Looks like you've been doing some great reading, Susan. I haven't liked a lot of Lackey's later work, but I did enjoy This Rough Magic. And of course, I'm a big Cherryh and Heyer fan. Romantic comedy isn't supposed to be completely believable, is it? Anyhow, you've just polished off 3 of my very favorites. Have you read Devil's Cub, the sequel to TOS, yet? If not, you've got a treat in store.

I'm so glad Steph has agree to do this with you. Either it will show both of you what you still have in common to make this relationship work, or it will bring closure into why it isn't going to work out. Either way, it will be beneficial, but I will continue to pray for the first. Hang in there, Suze!

sending good thoughts to you over the Atlantic!
(((hugs)))

Sorry to hear you're having problems (though we haven't "talked" before here, I'm a newbie). Hope that the marriage counselling will turn out to be useful for you in whaever way that might be - has it taken place or is it about to?

Thanks guys and welcome to LT and my thread elkiedee :)

The program runs from Mondday evening the 15th through late the 18th. Steph's travel plans take him back to Europe on the 21st. My ticket is booked for the 23rd.

If you're one of those praying, please add good connections. We have often, often missed the last connection when trying to get to Amarillo. The flights he has chosen leave no wiggle room (there is an impt something he needs to attend to the weekend previous in France...)

Thank you... getting back to Cherryh before I do some work in Photoshop for my hosts who are working up a new brochure for their elevator/stair lift company.

Hugs and prayers sent your way :)

This Rough Magic sounds like something I might enjoy, so onto the list it goes! I do enjoy mythical creatures in most capacities...

>107 dk_phoenix: Faith, pls note This Rough Magic is not the first book in the series! :)

Oh, duly noted! I'll take a look for the first one first, in that case :D

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Schlessinger (180 pp) -- My first completed non-fiction book in years! And that despite my complete failure in a mess of categories in last year's 999 challenge LOL. Of course, I may have better motivation this time around ;->

Happily, unless I'm greatly deceived in my self-evaluation, I do not match up with the most egregious pitfalls of wifery mentioned in this book. I did however learn and profit from the book. Might share a bit more on that later.

Explorer* by Cherryh (528 pp) -- Finished this second trilogy and am now certain that I've read it before. However, I still really enjoyed it. The pace in this book works better than in a few of the others, especially in the first trilogy. Hoping to hit the library (tomorrow?) and see if I can't track down something else for the next days before Steph's arrival Monday night, that is if he makes all the connections (I've had 50/50 success in getting to Amarillo over years and worse when I just consider connections through Dallas... prayers welcome).

Prayers on their way up!

Good heavens, Susan... I only just caught up with your thread. You certainly have my prayers. For your heart's wish; for strength now, and for whatever is to come.

BIG hugs to you!

Keep praying. A lot of good stuff going on here, lots of healing and hope for both of us. At the same time he's decided he wants children of his own. This is not something I can do.

You have been on my mind all day today, Susan. I will continue to pray.

(((((hugs)))))

Still praying and will keep praying.

((Hugs))

Prayers winging there way for you!

Which is more important, children of the body or children of the heart (adoption)? Something to ask.

You are both still in my prayers. Glad some healing is happening.

Susan, how goes it? We care about you.

Stephane, dear man, has come to understand divorce is not a clean separation without repercussions. He's now struggling with his own desires which include one to honor God. I shall be returning to Romania March 10. He is there now, having arrived yesterday. Thank you for your prayers and messages of concern and caring. Bless you all for them!!

Conspirator by CJ Cherryh (378 pp) -- I enjoyed this latest installment in this series very much and was dismayed to find the sequels unavailable to me! I don't know who it was who read and reported on it, Doc? As I normally do not have access to books not in my home I don't make note of recs or maintain a tbr.

My bottomline? If you're tired of aliens who don't function in truly alien ways, you might give this series a shot. I found some of the early books 'a bit' to 'very' slow in parts. However the whole is quite satisfying and the last two I've read have a pace which satisfied me.

Black Sheep* by Heyer (255 pp) -- I thought this was one of my unread Heyers but now nearing the end I realize that I have indeed read it before. Silly me thought I was picking up Devil's Cub - had a slight memory lapse on the name (It wasn't on the shelf). This book, however, was a delightful regency with a fun story and a good exploration of the mores and prejudices of the times.

Simply stopping by to say I'm thinking of you.

Thanks for the update on you and Stephane.
Thinking of you both
Anita

{{{Susan}}}

Passages like this are the ones that make us the strongest of survivors. You will not fail, dear one, there is no wrong way through this maze. I know the only way out will lead you into happiness, no matter how that looks, because that's the Promise that was made to you.

You guys really bless me! Thank you.

I'm enjoying Ysabel by Kay right now and hope to finish later today. More later. (My latest 'revelation' re: our marriage was scrapped and if you want to look, may be seen on my blog: http://suslyngloscraps.blogspot.com/2010/02/art-journal-caravan-scrapbookgraphic...

your blog does not sound very optimistic....
((((hugs))))

LOL Anita. yeah, well, sometimes I am, and sometimes I'm just not. c'est la vie... (was crying my heart out at noon and am feeling optimistic now 7 hrs later...)

Ysabel !!!! by Kay (421 pp) -- Wow! Please do not make me choose my favorite Kay. It is so unlike my other fav (Tigana) that I cannot compare. Except perhaps to say that they are excellent. I enjoyed the setting, modern day Provence a ton, perhaps as much as the book! Kay did a really great job weaving, as he said, 'history and myth' into stunning fiction.

PS Today's blog entries are happier, more hopeful.

>127 suslyn:: Have you read his Fionavar Tapestry? If not, you should. I don't want to spoil it so I'll just say "old friends".

Yes indeed Tad. It propelled me into the rest of his works, at least as far as I've gotten. Ysabel and Tigana are the front runners, followed by The Summer Tree et al :) Thanks for checking!

I love all of Kay's books. A Song for Arbonne is one of my favorites. The two books in the Sarantine duology are good. Last Light of the Sun was also good. Oh, they are all good. I revisit them frequently. Actually, The Lions of Al-Rassan depressed me so when I read it that it is the only Kay book I've never gone back to read a second time. But it was a great story with great characters so I still recommend it, too.

LOL TLoA-R was the only one I didn't like as well too. Good, but I'll not be re-reading it anytime soon!

Good gravy! This Guy Gavriel Kay person appears to have perfected the literary pheromone for attracting smart women. I hope he's a) single and b) heterosexual, or it's just a sad, sad waste.

BTW...are these books fantasy? I'm highly allergic to fantasy, but I'm getting curious about him.

>132 richardderus:: Richared,

Some are pure fantasy...notably the Fionavar Tapestry. It takes place somewhere else and there's magic and gods and...etc.

Even though it's a follow on book to FT, Ysabel is sort of a step away from that, more like a Charles de Lint story, as it takes place in our modern-day France, but there are clear fantasy events woven into our everyday reality.

Books like The Last Light of the Sun and The Lions of Al-Rassan are a little less clear. They're sort of historical fantasy...he takes some broad epoch in our history (e.g., the Spanish Reconquista for the latter book) and reimagines it other than "ours", maybe with a trifle of can't-explain-that-by-science in it, maybe not.

Richard, his Tigana is the book I use to introduce fantasy to those who share that same allergy (and at least twice the reader had no outbreak of hives or other symptoms :)

ETA Avec ton connaisance de la chose francaise, je pense que le livre Ysabel sera bon pour toi. (Excuse any and all errors svp! I've never studied written French LOL ) In other words, I really cracked up several times over these Americans' interactions with the French and things French and think you might chuckle too :)

Suslyn....I've never been able to read fantasy, but if you think this one's ok for Richard, then I may be game enough to put this on the TBR pile. Won't be able to get to it until around May, but maybe this will be a good intro. What say you Richard?

Tutu -- perhaps a clarification is in order ;-> I thought Ysabel might work because of the French connection there... thinking where the fantasy elements might rub the French facts et al might still carry the story. Clear as mud? prob... it's too late and I'm trying to write cogently! LOL

What Husbands Wish Their Wives Knew About Men by Morley (51 pp) -- There's nothing wrong with this book. It is on the light side. Our struggles right now are not being addressed by what I've read thus far, so I'm giving it up.

Irish Chain by Fowler (309 pp) -- Well this book doesn't address what's up in my marriage now, but I read it anyway! :) I think I'd really enjoy reading this light mystery series. The family dynamics are a hoot. (I've read another in the series, but the library didn't have the first book ... bet they'd be nice read in chronological order.)

Stasia -- is this what you term a 'cozy mystery'?

#137: I love the Benni Harper series! Yes, that is what I call a 'cozy mystery,' Susan. Yes, they are nice read in chronological order and if the costs were not prohibitive for mailing back and forth from Romania, I would loan you my copies. I believe I have every book in the series.

Well Stasia dear, as half the books folks have mailed to me have either been returned to sender or lost never to appear again, I think we'd better skip that. I do however love the thought - thx so much for the offer!

Found two more which I read before Irish Chain which were waiting to be logged:

The Masqueraders by Heyer (288 pp) -- This was okay... but I was disappointed that two of her Georgians had a girl masquerading as a boy and the fellow who knew it all along while everyone else was deceived who ended up marrying her. Happily the rest of the plot was not the same :)

Adiamante by Modesitt (316 pp) -- This sf had a few of Modesitt's tried and true techniques/motifs (which I have found really annoying). Happily unlike many of his books they weren't all employed, and that's a good thing. That said, I enjoyed the book very much and found his thoughts on power and service interesting, especially as he developed them into a system of govt. Good read.

I really enjoy The Masqueraders--the old man is an absolute jewel, I love the revelation near the end. I get a little bored with Robin, but love Prue, and Anthony is her first of the large, quiet men who populate some of my favorite Heyers (Hugo, Jack).

Susan, if you can find them, try some of Harriet Goldhor Lerner's books. The Dance of Intimacy, The Dance of Connection, The Dance of Anger, The Dance of Deception. Powerful stuff.

Thx Roni. I remember now you mentioned them before, but as I had no idea I'd have 6 weeks to peruse libraries I did not make notes! Thx I'll see what I can do in the time remaining. Scheduled to fly out of KC the 10th...

You have a better memory than I do! I'd forgotten I recommended them before.

Ah, KC, home territory for me. I have to wait until this summer, however.

Okay, I've succumbed. I've ordered Tigana and Ysabel. Oh dear, oh my, whatever will The Divine Miss say when I get *new* books?! I'm supposed to have donated my book-buying money to Haiti!

Oh dear and oh no! LOL Oh I do hope you don't hate them!

umm.... what's wrong with the public library? :)

xox

Hafta give liberry books back...too much on the plate that **has** to be read, available only in hardcover so too expensive to buy 'em all...and besides, what *faaabulous* guilt-instilling material if I *do* hate them.

*heeheehee*

And if you're like me and keep library books out WAY after they're due back, just buying it in the first place is actually cheaper. Right now I owe over $50 in overdue fines so no Library for me!

#146: Yikes! My husband would likely kill me if I did that.

Since I check out so many library books at a time - I am over 60 at the moment - I keep a Word document updated daily to help me track them. Maybe you should try something like that, Rachel?

I used to keep library books waaaay after they were due... I lost so much money that way, when I should have just purchased them (and it resulted in me not going to the public library for about 7 years because I owed so much money... I *still* can't use my university library and I graduated 3 years ago, sigh)... when we got married and moved to the city we live in now, my husband gave me a "one strike and you're out" policy which I fully agreed with -- the idea being that if I miss returning the books, we cut up my library card. Thank goodness we did that, because it now means I actually return things on time!

To date, I've paid about $10 in fines. In two years. At fifteen cents a day. It's a couple of used books, but it's spread over more than 100 books checked out, so I'm still on the upside.

I have never had an overdue library book here in Sherman in spite of having up to 99 books out a time. I cannot tell you the last time I paid for an overdue book, but it has to have been over 5 years ago now, because that is how long we have lived in this area.

I somehow ran up a £15 library fine at one point last year, eek. Even with online renewals I do end up paying a few fines as I get muddled. I just hope that some of the money goes on buying new books for lending.

#143

Hehe, so glad you've relented and ordered Tigana. I hope you love it as much as I di. It might possibly be up there in my top ten books, at the very least my top ten fantasy books, and I haven't even reread it yet.

#151

Me too. This is one of the reasons I don't use libraries. a) I end up running huge fines because I forgot to return things/lose them. b) I hate being pressured to read a book by a certain time, so library books automatically lose some of the shine immediately because I feel I am being forced to read them, even if I've chosen them!

I think I am very odd :/

Sorry to interrupt the library discussion ;->

Just popping in to say: My husband says he's glad I'm coming home!

{happy sigh}

Great!

That is a nice thing to hear!

That is a fantastic thing to hear!!

Wonderful...

Safe travels to you. I hope things will work out for you and your husband. I admire you two so much for trying to work out your problems. Too many people give up too soon.

Now, on a lighter note, what book or books will you be reading on your long flight home?

Great news, Susan!

The Georgette Heyer Omnibus by Heyer (665 pp) -- Comprised of three novels, Faro's Daughter, The Corinthian, and The Nonesuch, I probably would not have read them all in one stretch if the first two had not ended on the left hand pare with the right hand side of the book taunting and tempting the reader with 'page 1' of the next volume. I enjoyed them all and would have to choose The Corinthian as my fav. This is because in this story the lead characters are really human. For me, to many of the regency male protagonists are so arrogant and know things that should be or are unknowable.

Mariner's Compass by Fowler (322 pp) -- Found this one interesting and enjoyed it.

X'd Sunshine and Shadow by Fowler (153 pp) --This one was struck because I had to return it to the library. However, the author tries a technique she hasn't employed before and I found it ineffective and clumsy. Perhaps this would have been different if I'd gotten through the 2nd half.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Bradbury (293 pp) -- Really didn't like it at all until part 3. And now, I understand the fuss. Thx for the recs gang.

>158 Donna828: I'm currently reading The High King's Tomb which I'm happy to report is a lot better than the 2nd in the series. I don't know yet if this is a trilogy and the story ends here. Given how long she takes to put out the next book I'm hoping so! LOL

I'm taking along a Norton omnibus of two sf books and a regency (shock!) :)

Susan

I love Heyer and The Corinthian is one of my favorites.

Safe journey and "Happy Landing!" We will continue to be "rooting" of you.

I hope everything continues on an upward spiral with you and your husband. You have our thoughts and hopes :)

> 153 Susan
That is good news!

And on the library discussion:
I haven't had to pay fines yet, but libraries do cost: when I love a book I want my own copy...

@161 High King's Tomb is not the last book. The fourth book has been written and delivered, but I'm not sure what the publishing schedule is for it. Although I know where to ask.

message 160. Ray Bradbury is one of my favorite authors. He can write more in one sentence than most can write in a chapter. Something Wicked This Way Comes was made into a movie awhile back. It is good, but not as good as the book.

I'm back in Romania. Steph & I are heading to the mtns this weekend to 'walk & talk' -- and there is a ton of snow! I'm nervous, but striving to stay in a positive, kind and open mindset.

The High King's Tomb by Britain (642 pp) -- This was a good sequel to the second in the series. It feels like there was a book which could stand alone (#1, The Green Rider) followed by a trilogy (or at least I hope the next book wraps it up!). So I'd recommend the 2nd in the series which is not great as a companion to the 3rd which was pretty good. Without the 3rd book, however, the 2nd is really disappointing. And while I want to know what comes next and how the difficulties are resolved, I found THK'sT ending satisfying.

A Very Unusual Governess by Andrew (298 pp) -- Exactly the right thing for the first half of the plane trips. The dude was arrogant, but not too. The chick was not an airhead :) I enjoyed the storylines and characters. It'll make a nice re-read someday.

Currently reading Norton and I'm not sure what I'll take for the weekend, but I know we're reading book 2 of the Green Rider series aloud (I first wrote 'allowed'! jetlag!!) in the car.

Blessings.

Good luck with the mountain trip, Susan!

All the best on the mountain trip this weekend :)

This weekend I finished the Norton omnibus Dark Companion (566 pp) which includes the sf novels Dark Piper and Dread Companion. At first I thought the second was a sequel to the first volume, and it could have been but wasn't. Both stories are about world's that, due to galaxy-wide war, are cut off from the rest of the universe and are threatened with reverting back to more primitive lifestyles. In neither is the issue resolved, and in both cases that works well with the story line. This was a nice change from her more often used story in which you meet a primitive culture only to find they are descendants of a once-advanced, star-faring one.

After that I eagerly started the 5th in Butcher's Fury series (Codex Alera) only to find that I didn't recognize enough of the characters to remember the story line. So I picked up book 4 (Captain's Fury) to get back into the groove. The last chapter didn't do it, so I backed up several. Still lost! So I am now embarking on a re-read of the series and only regret that I will not have book 6 (which was only available in hardback and therefore not purchased!) when I am done.

I don't have good news to report about my marriage. Stephane seems to be clinging hard to the idea that he does not love me and resisting anything which might make it easier to fall in love again. I can actually see this process at work in his facial and body language. He resents that I am working to save our marriage and putting up a fight. Very disheartening. He is very confused atm and happily is not rushing into a decision. I can only pray that his heart will be softened toward me and that God will show him His way for Steph.

#170: Susan, I am sorry to hear about the marriage difficulties. I will continue to pray.

I join my prayers to those of Stasia. May God give you all the strength you may need.

>170 suslyn:: Dark Companion was one of my favorite Norton books when I was reading them, though it always made me very sad.

I'm sorry to hear that things are not working out with you and Stephane.

Yep, me too. Especially the prayers part.

Glad to hear you're back safely but sorry to hear things are still going badly. Praying for you both.

Furies of Calderon by Butcher (504 pp) -- I'm glad I decided to go back and re-read this story. I was surprised again by what surprised me the first time through the series. The main character of the stories isn't who I thought it was. I was a few books further in last time before I figured that out, but that realization came back in this book toward the end. I think this series is wonderfully crafted, love the character development etc. as well. Sure hope he gets it finished! :)

I'm not giving up hope for my marriage. While miracles do still happen (and I'm quite open to receiving one!!), I expect this rebuilding will take some time, if I'm given the chance at all. Bless you and thank you for your many words of encouragement.

I'm keeping you in my thoughts, Susan. I've been through it and I know it's a very rough time. I hope it all works out!

ditto what Terri said. Sadly, I struggled for years. Finally, I did accept that what my ex husband told me was indeed true..It was over. Both his actions and words indicated what I did not want to see.

Have been through it too - mine was fairly amicable, and I wanted out, but it's still hard. Hang in there and take care of yourself.

Thanks. Well it's hard, but I'm not giving up hope! :) Just about to finish Cursor's Fury by Butcher (536 pp) and then there's just one more re-read before I can read my new one in the series. LOL Just wish I had the last one s well...

I've got the first in Butcher's fantasy series, Susan, and want to read the entire series at some point. I started the first book and bounced about 30 or 40 pages in, but I'm sure I will enjoy the series--I just wasn't in the right state of mind right then. I'm saving the series for retirement. ;-) Only 13 weeks away.

Oh Roni, that is soooo exciting. Saw the most wonderful craftsman in MO and thought of you :)

Last night I read some fluff for a break: An Unreasonable Match by Andrew (296 pp), a regency wherein members of the ton who are bored with it but love mathematics find each other and settle into a Curie-like marriage (even though we don't get to see it happen). I enjoyed it.

Well I thought I was reading less than last year -- and I am (this is my goal). But I'm barely reading less. Pooh. At this time last year I'd read 58 books. I'm working on #49 atm and included in that 49 are two omnibus volumes, so a more correct # might be 52. Still, it's less than last year.

Hmmm... maybe I should count pages too :)

Susan, I AM reading less than last year (which was 'kind of' my goal...) and yet every time I come here and see what everyone else is reading, and how far along everyone is in their challenges, I feel sad/guilty!
I suppose I can't win! ;) I'm at 23 for the year.
Now that we bought a nintendo Wii (and wii fit) for our anniversary, and now that I've discovered Facebook, I wonder if LT and reading are going to suffer (gasp!).

LOL FB really cut into my time when I first got on, so I can understand! the wii fit is a great reason to read less. Wish I had it too! Happily our projector is almost fixed so I can at least play some old aerobic tapes and have a bit of help on my exercise program.

So, I piqued my own curiosity (LOL) and checked.

On March 21 2009 I had read 58 books @ 18433 pp.
To date in 2010, I've read 49 (or 52) bks @ 17260 pp.

So either way we count it, I'm reading a bit less.

ETA I did see a lot fewer books being recycled this year as well, of course I'm doing a lot more re-reads and that would affect that in a big way (unless the rest of the shipment is just good reads?... doubtful). I also have a lot fewer that I've not even bothered to finish this year than last. Nice.

I, too, had planned to read less this year. On 3/20/09 I posted a review of my 25th book for the year--A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey.

Last night (3/20/10) I finished my 40th book for the year--Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey. How's that for coincidence?! :-D

I can't post the review until after the discussion this coming week because it is a "group read."

I also have a goal of reading less this year and I'm already at 50.

But, the weather is turning and I think all the snow and rain has been a factor in the heavy reading so far this year. There's still hope for all of us to achieve our goal of reading less, presumably so we can do something else that interests us. (I hope no one is planning to read less so they can spend more time dusting and vacuuming.)

I'm so sorry to hear about your marriage struggles, Susan! I want to you know that my prayers are with you, too. And you light up this group! Love, Marcia

Well I for one do plan to do more housework LOL

Captain's Fury* by Butcher (512 pp) -- Well this was quite satisfying, even if it was a re-read. I'd forgotten many of the elements this volume and am now eager at the bit for the next one. Sad I'll have to wait a while for the last, but, hey, I'll get to read them all again :) And, in this case, that's not bad thing at all.

So I'm currently reading O is for Outlaw. Why? I have stuff I *need* to do. Of course, I'm always reading, but if I pick up Princep's Fury right now, it won't get done. And, as a bonus it's almost certain that I'll get rid of one book on my shelves. I don't mind reading the Millhone books once, but so far I've never kept one to re-read. Of course, I suppose it could be different this time...

ETfix typos... this lag on my machine is driving me nuts! Okay, crazier than I was already :)

I'm not saving the Millhone books either, once I finish them. They are nice entertainment, but think it would be a long time before I'd feel the need to re-read them.

(I couldn't find the roller, so no painting today. Hence I succumbed and picked up Princep's Fury, but only after I finished prepping the walls!)

Painting is good exercise! And what a feeling of accomplishment when it's finished....

#183: I can't resist asking: How much math?

They don't go into details. They were part of a mathematics club and solving ciphers, investigating algebra and calculus...

Princep's Fury by Butcher (622 pp) -- A cliffhanger, this sequel is still satisfying in its ending... how does one manage that, I wonder. Surprising twists, a bit over the top, but... it's fantasy, so that's ok? LOL The only prob is it'll likely be years til I can read the next volume which I guess will be okay as I'll re-read the whole thing again. It's fun enough to support that.

Lady Knightley's Secret by Ashley (251 pp)-- I enjoyed this regency a lot. If you're into descriptions of dresses and balls, skip it. The characters seemed well-formed to me and I'll enjoy having it read again.

After another chapter of O is for Outlaw I'd had all I could stomach (even if it is taking a neat departure from the previous pattern of the series), so I picked up the next unread regency on my shelf.

Resolved: be a bit more random rather than sequential in choosing the books. OR check the copyright dates before beginning a new author. Turns out the next book is a prequel of sorts to the one I read last. I didn't realize it at first. No, instead I was irritated that the author couldn't bother to find new names for her new book... LOL. Maybe I need more sleep? more caffiene? dunno... a new brain?

If you ever find the new brain department, let me know!

Miss Hacourt's Dilemma by Ashely (297 pp) -- I liked this book okay, but it wasn't of the same quality as it's sequel IMO. Seems like she, the author, kind of 'grew up' between the volumes. This one is a bit 'cute.' (I don't do cute as a rule.)

Guess I'm going to try again on O is for Outlaw but I imagine something else will interrupt it again. :)

Touchstone not appearing for the regency...

#200: (I don't do cute as a rule.)

I do not do cute - ever!

LOL I was going to say "ever" as well, and then I thought that might be a bit to far. I'd have to say "as a rule" is on a sliding scale pretty darn close to "ever" in this context.

ETA - that's actually true in every 'context' I can think of. Further weaning from the edge of never/ever has come due to the fact that the husband adores cute. Go figure!

Lol! OK.

I don't believe in pennance. And not having any other reason to continue I'm recylcing O is for Outlaw. I just really don't enjoy the characters at all. So I'm reading Pournelle's Prince of Mercenaries and Heyers The Convenient Marriage instead!

ET check touchstone... and it's working here.... bizarre

#204: Sounds like a plan to me!

I've read both the Ashley regencies, and thought they were both okay/average. I don't remember the cuteness factor, but do seem to recall that I quite enjoyed the scheming sister getting her comeuppance.

>206 Eat_Read_Knit: It wasn't terribly 'cute' -- just occassionally. But as you've seen from my discourse with Stasia... that's enough! LOL

ETA the first I read, the 'sequel' is the one with the sister... I thought it was well done. it was the other book that had the teensy bit of cute :)

hmmm it's pretty sad when you like a genre where an 'okay/avg' book gets a 'well done' LOL I think your assessment is accurate btw.

Oh pooh. I've read The Convenient Marriage and may even have a copy in storage in France. Oh well... Hoiratia, here we come.

ETfix touchstone my mistake ... had "A" instead of "The" -- i's all in the details.

b>The Convenient Marriage* by Heyer (252 pp) -- first thing I thought when I opened the book was 'micro-print!' LOL. It's set in one small font! It's prob been 4 years since I read this book, and turns out that wasn't long enough. Their shenanigans are a bit much, and worse if you remember what's coming!

But, I'll hold onto it at least til I see if I have another copy in storage.

I've been pretty sad today. The husb clearly doesn't enjoy my company. And little things I used to interpret as signals of "I love you" now turn out to be something else.

He's building me a computer. I told him I was surprised -- why do that if you may divorce me. He said, "Well, you'll still need a computer." LOL

g'nite.

Sorry for the sadness. Life can be so complex.

I have always enjoyed Horry, but have to agree that the shenanigans get pretty farcical near the end!

Gallant Waif by Gracie (297 pp) -- This regency deals with two people wounded in England's battles against Napoleon's forces. Without resorting to obvious 20th century ideas of shell shock etc., I felt it did a good job exploring some of the issues common to soldiers upon their return home. Wish I had more Gracie's, if only to see if this one was a fluke.

ET close bold.

#212 I've read that one too, and really liked it. I gave away my copy, for some unknown reason. :( It's one of those that I wish I'd kept.

I've also read Tallie's Knight, which was also very good; also gave that one away and also now regret it. Her novella The Virtuous Widow in the Regency Brides collection is also pretty good, but those are the only three I've read.

((((Hugs)))) Sorry you're sad. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Thx Caty & Roni. I'm not as sad today although there are reasons to be! LOL

But I prefer that. Got a lot done today: ironing, straightening some drawers, shelves, de-buckaroux-hair-ing a closet floor (had to move everything to do it), cleaned the kitchen (but not the floor which needs it badly). And read the Luther excerpt from essay collection, Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter.

I concur about Tallie's Knight. It is very good.

>214 suslyn: Now I've read the two free essays from the collection (10 pp). It would probably be a worthwhile book to read, but it really made me want to unearth my copy of Stott's excellent The Cross of Christ for a re-read, but it's in storage.

The Charming Impostor by Kihlstrom (221) --I interrupted my reading of my pretty darn good Pournelle book to read this. I wish I hadn't. Decent premise terribly undeveloped. Huge wrongs discovered and not redressed... If set in normal type I'd be surprised if the book reached 150 pp. In other words it seems to be an unfinished short story that they used. Too bad. It had potential. --> recycled.

Now you can go back to the Pournelle with a clear conscience :)

And indeed I did!

Prince of Mercenaries by Pournelle (338 pp)-- This second that I've read of the series makes me want to read more. If you like battle/war theory this one might please you.

>219 suslyn:: There's something about the whole Falkenberg series that's very sad...a man watching civilization fall, knowing there's nothing he can do to stop it.

Seems like this is another series that I will have to add to my TBR pile. *sigh*

>220 TadAD: I didn't feel that way Tad. And that kind ofsurprises me since I'm generally prone to feeling sad. However, one reason I read is because in so doing I often find hope. I approved of his planning for the future and realism about what "is". Curious -- did you feel that way in Asimov's Foundation series too?

Emily -- I don't even know if they're still published! Both of the books I have I scavenged at 2nd bookstores. Bon chance !

>222 suslyn:: To some extent, yes, though not as much.

Edit, since my original post was very muddled...

I think the Pournelle affected me more because I found a greater contrast between the people who were still trying to do the right thing and their society. In Foundation, it seemed like the good guys had already given up and were just putting together a strategy for having knowledge survive...Irish monks during the Dark Ages, as it were.

I know this is a weak basis because, yes, the characters in Pournelle are making contigency plans. Yet, there was...for me, at least...still a greater sense of a valiant but doomed rearguard action.

I'd agree with that. Thx for expounding :)

Warlock of the Witch World by Norton (249 pp) -- I found this unusual installment in the series in that one of the 'good guys' goes bad, and while redeemed in the end, it is through none of their own choice. huh. :)

#225: That looks like a series I would enjoy, but unfortunately for me, the local library does not have them.

Follows is a somewhat unwieldy summary of my first quarter. Included is a somewhat briefer summary of 1st qtr 2009 for contrast -- not as great as I'd hoped. Must scrap more ... did very little (next to none) in March.

4 x'd books, abandoned for various reasons
57 books read Jan-March (60 if you count each volume in each omnibus), includes 23 re-reads. 5 new authors were read for the first time this quarter.

25 books in January
12 in February
20 in March (23 if you count each volume each omnibus)

12 fantasies including one complete series by Lackey
8 SF (9 if you count each volume in the omnibus)
24 regencies (26 if you count each volume in the omnibus)
1 action
5 Historical Fiction
1 Legal thriller
4 mysteries
1 non-fiction
1 unknown (read it on the plane and cannot remember what it was...)

20499 pages for 1st quarter

7826 January
4664 February
8009 March

20641 page 1st quarter 2009
67 Books read in 1st quarter 2009 (2 re-reads):
1 children's mystery
1 children's fantasy
1 classic
13 fantasies
2 fiction
3 historical fiction
5 mysteries
29 regencies
1 romance
10 sf
1 thriller

And for my convience' sake, with absolutely no demand for it, here's my 2nd qtr thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/88175&newpost=1#top