Sundays on the Acre, Take 2

According to Richard, I simply must have another thread for January, so here it is.

Welcome to Alcott's Acre, everyone!

Books Read from My Personal Library in 2010



Pages Read 2010



Memorable Reads for 2010:

Nonfiction
The National Parks: America's Best Idea by Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns
Larry Burrows: Vietnam by Larry Burrows

Fiction
Salvation by Sholem Asch
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

Young Adult
Genesis by Bernard Beckett

A note about my memorable reads: I am not a book critic. My memorable reads list is just that: books that are memorable to me - that for some reason or other resonate with me. I do not review books as many people here do for the simple reason that I am a terrible book reviewer!

hi hi hi
first on the Acre! part 2

Hey Bryony! You were quick.

I was hovering

Already the second!
Now the long wait for Sunday to come ;-)

Sunday will be here soon comic book day, party night, day recovery then sunday. My week really is become prodictable!

You gave in. Didn't think you would.

That Richard, he has such an influence on us! A good influence! Stasia, looking in the crystal ball, I see 24 plus threads for 2010. What a rich tapestry this will be.

It's really not your fault - you're just too friendly and welcoming for your own good, so everyone else on the challenge flocks to your thread for your company. If you didn't have a hundred of us popping up to star you you might make it through a month with one thread.

Your only option is to be mean and nasty.

Jeesh, i finally find your 2010 thread and you're on the Second One already.......*makes googly eyes*.....anyway, you are starred!
;-}

Got your new digs starred!

*runs in*

Starred!

*runs out*

#9: I like your option, Luxx.

Everybody get out! (Did it work? Didn't think so *sigh* lol)

Stasia, has the cold weather in Texas snapped your brain? We would not leave your thread .... nope, not for all the books in Barnes and Noble.....

Linda, are you CRACKERS?! I'd do almost anything for all the books at Buns and Nubile! I mean, Barnes and Noble!

Just not leave one of Stasia's threads.

Richard...I'm in enough trouble every time I go to the library and come in the house with 20 books a week, or visit bookcloseouts.com site and order many books when they have the 50% off fiction sale. The rolling of the eyes, the snickering voice that emanates from my partner is but a minor annoyance and does not deter the obsession.

But, somehow all the books in Barnes and Noble would be a fantasy that could not be a reality.

Well, you could get rid of all the duplicates from B&N. *looks around in a slightly crazed way at the two feet of wall space not containing a bookcase* Yeah, it could work. Sure.

Linda,

Why did you have to mention bookcloseouts.com ?
I actually had caught up on Stasia's threads without adding anything to the TBRs or wishlist and then you go and give me a new site I have to check out!

Shame on you as an enabler!

Well, all the books at B/N would be the equivalent of Stasia's thread, and we could still enjoy her company on a number of other 75 threads, so I may be tempted to make such a promise. For the good of her thread, of course.

So who's buying?

I had never heard of bookcloseouts.com , it may become a daily visit to see if any on my list are available.

*lalalalala*

fingers in ears, eyes squeezed shut

Holey moley! It's only the fourteenth and you already have a new thread! O.O

Got this one starred too!

Stasia, it is just not fair! I finally have time to catch up on threads and find out you are already on your second one. How on earth will I ever be able to read actual books when I am so busy reading SOME people's threads?

P.S. Gotcha starred :)

#15 I would do aaaneeething for love.....but I won't do THAT.

bookcloseouts.com is incredible! It is not like amazon or other sites in that you might not find exactly what you want, but chances are you will indeed find lots of choices.

I found this site last year from a recommendation here on LT.

If you subscribe, you'll get emails notifying you of their special deals. For example, in December there was a 1/2 sale on all fiction books they had in stock..and free shipping on a $35 order.

I believe they have monthly specials.

http://www.bookcloseouts.com/

Thanks for the link! Since I just went to the bookstore, I will have to wait before shopping but it sure looks great!
--BJ

I refuse to go to bookcloseouts.com until I read some of the books I already have, including the ones I bought last time I went there. Looking leads to buying, which leads to stacks of books on the floor, which leads to nasty looks from my wife.

Boy I tell you, you're hard to find. Either that, or there are so many threads now in this group that it's easy to get buried in the pile. But I'm glad I found your new thread and have starred you.

Bookcloseouts is a dangerous lair. Everytime I even tip toe through, it hauls me in, ties me up and refuses to let me leave until I help relieve them of some of their inventory.

I just did a quick search for a few of the titles on my wish list and they had all but one!

That's terrific, Jasmyn!

Wait! Hold everything! I missed a half off sale at bookcloseouts.com? What the heck?! I'm suddenly deeply disappointed in my shopping instincts.

Of course, I have not been lacking for books, so I think, maybe, I'll be okay.

#32: You can never have too many books :)

Truer words were never spoken. :)

>33 alcottacre: I agree, but you do need somewhere to put them all. This is where I'm failing miserably at present.

I am heading out of town early Sunday (early for me - as far as I am concerned there is only one 8 o'clock a day, and it is PM!), so rather than have to wait to post my list until Monday when I am back (and possibly cause collective apoplexy), I am posting it a few hours early. Without further ado, this week's reads:

19. The Black Brothers by Lisa Tetzner - young adult; my daughter Catey recommended this one on her thread, so I snatched it up before she returned it to the library; overall, a good read about boys sold by their parents to unscrupulous men who worked them as chimney sweeps; recommended

20. Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson - this book was recommended last year by Laura (digifish) and I thoroughly enjoyed it; I found it charming, with quiet touches of humor throughout this story of a woman who writes about the village she lives in and the inhabitants all identifying themselves in the book and trying to find out who the author is; highly recommended

21. Carry Me Home by Diane McWhorter - nonfiction; McWhorter grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and so knew first hand the stories behind the stories of the Civil Rights movement and relates them in this in depth treatment - sometimes a little too in depth, honestly as it seems like every fact she knew was related; highly recommended

22. Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo - juvenile; derivative Harry Potter wannabe, although I have heard that the series improves, so I am willing to give book 2 a chance; guardedly recommended

23. When Harlem Nearly Killed King by Hugh Pearson- nonfiction; this one was recommended by Darryl (kidzdoc) last year and I very much enjoyed reading about this episode in King's life of which I was not aware; my one quibble with the book is one of editing - 'mettle' was spelled 'metal' as in 'King was showing his mettle' - where is the editing?; highly recommended

24. Miss Buncle Married by D.E. Stevenson - the follow up book to Miss Buncle's Book has her married and moved out of her village; still a charming book; highly recommended

25. Syren by Angie Sage - juvenile; this is the 5th book in the Septimus Heap series, and IMHO the best thus far; highly recommended

26. The Hanging Valley by Peter Robinson - Diana (dihiba) recommended this series to me a couple of years ago and this is the fourth book in the series and the first one I have really been disappointed in; guardedly recommended for fans of the series

27. Harpist in the Wind by Patricia A. McKillip - the conclusion to the Riddle Master of Hed trilogy and a most enjoyable one - for as badly as the trilogy started out for me, this book more than made up for it; highly recommended Mine

28. Animal Farm by George Orwell - I had never read this classic before and was surprised at how pertinent it still is today, some 50+ years after its publication; highly recommended

29. Enid Bagnold's Autobiography by Enid Bagnold - nonfiction; this week's selection from Writer's Choice: A Library of Rediscoveries and a nice one - I had never read anything by Bagnold before (not even National Velvet), but I found her autobiography witty and fun; for example, 'If he (Hugh Kingsmill) says in his book he wasn't there, I don't believe it. He is dead: I am 80. There's no arguing with either of us.'; although Bagnold mentions a ton of famous acquaintances and friends, I never got the feeling that she was just 'name dropping'; highly recommended

30. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - young adult; I really wanted to like this book and just did not; it simply fell flat for me; I know a lot of people in the group love it (including my daughter Catey), but it just did not work for me; not recommended (by me at least)

31. The Echoing Cliffs by Hjalmar Thesen - I posted my formal review on the book page here: http://www.librarything.com/work/9363192/book/54632064 since this was my book for the TIOLI challenge, but short and sweet - not recommended

32. Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews - I really enjoyed this, the first book in the Meg Langslow series, and am looking forward to reading more (thanks Richard!); recommended Mine

Woot! I really like the Meg Langslow series, too; some bits become repetitive after a while, but her family never fails to charm me. As an incentive to read on in the series, just let me say two words: "extreme croquet."

I've wishlisted a one volume book of the two Miss Buncle books; sounds like something I'd enjoy.

#37: Elizabeth, I hope you enjoy the Miss Buncle books. They are probably considered old-fashioned by today's standards, but that did not stop my liking them.

BTW: I have the next 5 books in the Meg Langslow series, so I will be looking for 'extreme croquet.' It sounds like something my family would play.

Ack! Just checked and it's the 7th book that has the extreme croquet. On the other hand, I'd call the 2nd book good and the 3rd, 4th, and 5th all highly enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the 4th book, in which Meg is working temporarily at her brother's company, Mutant Wizards.

I probably should stop gushing and just write the author a fan email already.

Some good reads tucked away in this list. I'll avoid The Forest of Hands and Teeth but will be trying the McKillip trilogy later in the year. I've read Jenny Nimmo's Snow Spider trilogy which was good but not tried Midnight for Charlie Bone.

#39: Well, if it is book 7 that has the 'extreme croquet', then I am just short as I only have the first six. I will have to get the rest next year - not buying books this one.

#40: Kerry, you may enjoy The Forest of Hands and Teeth more than I did. Lots of people have!

I'm glad that you liked When Harlem Nearly Killed King. I agree with you, there were quite a few typos and grammatical errors, but fortunately they were few and far between and didn't disrupt the flow of the book.

I bought the McWhorter book several years ago, but haven't read it yet. Thanks for the reminder.

One of these days I'll have to re-read Animal Farm.

I actually thought the cartoon version of Animal Farm was quite scary/creepy. It has stayed with me all these years from when we saw it in middle school.

Ok, Ok what's another 7 books on my wishlist! On go the Meg Langslow's. Everybody is talking about them so I caved. Safe travels

#42: I will be interested in seeing what you think of the McWhorter book once you have a chance to read it, Darryl. There were a couple of times I had to remind myself that the book was not about Nazi Germany (especially early on), but rather about America.

#43: I think it probably would have stuck with me too, Deidra. Thanks for dropping by the Acre!

#44: What's 7 more books among friends, Lynda? Thanks for the good wishes.

I've been meaning to get to the Meg Lanslow books, and I've also got the Miss Buncle books on my wishlist. Must get round to actually reading them.

In order to avoid adding too many to the tbr pile, I'm slowly opening the door, peeking in to see what book titles are on the floor, looking at the nice offerings and then quickly reading your descriptions.

Drat, book #1 had me hooked right away. One of my favorite reads in 2009 was a book called Search of the Moon King's Daughter. The subject of which is a little child sold into the terribly dangerous job of chimney sweeping. I loved this book. It was a gem tucked away in the YA section of my local library and for some reason I felt compelled to check it out.

One of the things I love about your reading is how you focus on Civil Rights, Civil War and WWII books! I've learned a lot from you!

I'll come back to your thread later after a cup of coffee and a strong reminder that I've joined the books off the shelf group and I am trying so darn hard to read what I already have.

I'm so glad you enjoyed Murder with Peacocks! I need to pick up the next one when I finally make it back to a bookstore.

At first I thought I'd make it through without adding any books, but I've been meaning to read Animal Farm forever, so I didn't quite skate by. Thankfully, I think I already own it, so it can count towards my off-the-shelf challenge!

Murder with Peacocks is going on my wishlist!

I went to add the Miss Buncle books to my wishlist and they were already there! Laura must have convinced me last year when you added it to the Blackhole.

I, too, am safe this week as I'd already shunted the first Miss Buncle over to my wishlist - that's almost the same thing as buying, right?

I bought Murder with peacocks a few months ago, also because of the recommendation of Richard. I should read it soon, seeing your reaction!

I've only read Murder With Puffins in the Meg Lanslow series (not sure which number that is). I enjoyed it. Andrews is a Maryland author and I inadvertently picked up a signed copy at a local bookstore. The title caught my eye.

I read Animal Farm in a government and politics class as a college freshman (we also read The Color Purple, The Handmaid's Tale and Fahrenheit 451 among others. It was a *really* interesting class. I think that Orwell's book is still relevant because it deals with human(imal) nature, which does not change quickly. It's been a long time since I read it though...

Have a safe trip! And when do you sleep -- you posted your list at 2:17 a.m., were posting responses before 7 a.m. and apparently leaving at 8 a.m.?

wow, i cant imagine how you manage to get through so many books a week. my mum and my gran were big d.e. stevenson fans but l have never read any - will add to my list.

i have enjoyed reading your wee lists and reviews and am looking forward to next weeks instalment.

hope you have a good week

p

Drat--I keep threatening to unstar this thread--it is dangerous! I will have to check out Miss Buncle, since she would fit beautifully into my Typically Brit reading challenge.

I have the first Meg Lanslow's and keep moving them up the pile. I suspect at least #1 is going to ge read in the next month. I'm tired of hearing everybody talk about them, and me saying "later, later." slinks off muttering "Time to put up or shut up Tina"

Miss Buncle and Meg Lanslow are climbing onto the pile. Miss Buncle sounds absolutely charming.

>53 missylc: You have hit on it. Stasia reads while others sleep!

As usual, Stasia, you pull me in with the nonfiction. I've added the McWhorter book, and reaffirmed the Pearson book which was already on the list. Have a great trip!!

Whew! I escape this week with just having to add When Harlem Nearly Killed King to my wish list. I'm happy to see so many Meg Langslow fans and soon-to-be-fans. Andrews's stories about this wacky family never fails to entertain me and make me chortle out loud.

Stasia
I am glad you liked The Black Brothers, it was one of my favorites when I was young ;-)
Anita

Miss Buncle does sound charming! I've added it to my list. Have a good and safe trip.

Gees! I didn't even get to comment on your first thread before you've already moved to another one. Carry Me Home sounds good; I think I'll add that to my wish list.

Whew! Everything on your list that I'm interested in this week is either already read or already wishlisted, except Carry Me Home -- and that's available at the county library.

*wipes brow and sighs with relief*

ETA to add Wait, I already have Carry Me Home on the wishlist. I forgot that I'd added it. But I'll note your recommendation. Oh, drat, now I can't get the touchstone to work. :(

Have a wonderful trip!
--BJ

>36 alcottacre:: Miss Bunkle's Book sounds interesting. I'll have to see if I can find it around.

Great list this week! Since I am trying to control my book buying mania this year the ones I'm adding to my TBR will be ones that I own and will count for the Off the Shelves category or ones that I can easily get from the library.

For Bos: National Velvet and In the Heart of the Sea which I have never read. I own an Orwell volume that has both Animal Farm which I read years ago and 1984 which I have been planning to read for the last 3 years--so I will read these also for BoS.

From the library: I'm already in the Queue for Miss Buncle's Book--I think I'm number seven on the list. Murder with Puffins is already on my TBR since I enjoyed Murder with Peacocks so much last year. Enid Bagnold's Autobiography sounds fascinating and I've put a request in for that one--to read after I read National Velvet.

One nice thing about following your reading lists--I never run out of ideas for books to read! :-D

>66 MusicMom41: what a nice way to put that!

Stasia, you have a lot of people going after Miss Buncle's Book! I had to go to my library's ILL to get it from another system, but I plan to read it as soon as I get my hands on it. Thanks for the recommendation!

Karen

Stasia...glad at least one book I recommended to you made you smile. I love Meg and her completely bonkers family.

If you haven't already, DO NOT READ Purple Hibiscus!

Men beat their wives and children. Politics is a dirty business. And the Catholic Church is bad. The end.

And that's all she wrote. Literally. Bad, boring, and a waste of a perfectly good tree.

only 2 books this time. glad to here you liked animal farm!

*weeps*

I have to disagree about Purple Hibiscus. While Adichie takes, to coin a phrase, a giant leap forward with Half a Yellow Sun which is amazingly complex in characterization and scope for such a young author, I thought Purple Hibiscus was a lovely evocative story of a young girl and how she grows up.

OK, I am officially back home now so I can respond to the 30 or so messages left since I left. Remind me never to leave home again!

#46: Caty, I think you will enjoy both the Meg Langslow series and the Miss Buncle books. Get to them soon, would you?

#47: Linda, trust me on this, The Black Brothers is a book you will like.

#48: Luxx, I will be interested in seeing what you think of Animal Farm.

#49: Carly, Murder with Peacocks is great fun. Enjoy!

#50/51/52: Get to the books and that's an order! :)

#53: Missy, Murder with Puffins is the second book in the series, so you only missed the first one. You could easily go back and pick it up I would think and then proceed from there.

As far as sleeping goes, I managed to sleep about 2 hours Sunday morning (2:30-4:30am) before we left for the trip.

#54: Glad you found something to like on this week's list. I do hope you enjoy your weekly visits here!

#55: Tina, the Miss Buncle books, either of them, would work for Typically British category. As far as Murder with Peacocks goes, put up or shut up :)

#56: Good! I am glad you found something to like this week, Bonnie!

#57: If I didn't, Elizabeth, I would never get any reading done!

#58: Sherlyn, I hope you enjoy the McWhorter and Pearson books. I look forward to your input!

#59: Only 1 added this week? Note to self: must read more next week so that Caroline does not escape adding only 1 :)

#60: Anita, I really did enjoy it. Don't you think Linda will, too?

#61: Have fun with Miss Buncle!

#62: Sorry about that, Bonnie. I will try and keep this thread a bit longer to allow you to catch up. Enjoy the McWhorter book!

#63: Maybe I will catch you with something next week, Terri!

#64: Thanks, BJ, I did!

#65: Hey, Tad. Thanks for dropping by! I hope you can find and enjoy Miss Buncle.

#66: Trust me, I will never run out of things to read, Carolyn. I will endeavor to keep you well supplied :)

#67: Yes, it was, wasn't it, Susan?

Welcome back to you!

You were missed. I'm glad you had such a lovely time with your mom!

#68: The 75 books challenge group may make a bestseller out of the 70-year-old Miss Buncle! Wouldn't that be a hoot? I hope you enjoy it once you have a chance to read it, Karen!

#69: Thanks for the recommendation of the Meg Langslow books, Richard. I just hope I enjoy the rest of the series as much as I did the first one. I have Purple Hibiscus in the BlackHole because I liked Half a Yellow Sun (although it did get a bit soap opera-y for me), so I will probably read it, but I am not in any rush and will keep your opinion in mind when I do.

#70: Bryony, I hope you enjoy the 2 books you chose!

#71: Why are you crying on my thread, Kath. There is no crying allowed on Stasia's thread!!

#72: Rebecca, I will probably end up reading Purple Hibiscus just to find out who I agree with - you or Richard :)

Oh, I've always been here; I'm just trying to wait until I have something to say/ask about one of the books you've read. Trying to do my part to keep you from having to change threads more than once a month. May be a lost cause.

#80: Unfortunately, I am afraid so. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing :)

I'm going to add Purple Hibiscus just because I want to see what is in it that made you like it and Richard dislike it so vehemently.

The thing about Purple Hibiscus is that it's a first novel, and if I had read it without having read Half a Yellow Sun first, I might not have been as interested in it as I was. It is in some ways a "typical" first novel, and it isn't great, but I didn't think it just told an obvious story, as Richard thinks.

Got hold of your first thread through the introduction one, which then guided me here! Hopefully, there won't be a new one by the time I next visit *though I know it is too much to wish for*

>83 rebeccanyc: There is always room to disagree, and Lynda gets the benefit of two strongly held opinions on opposite ends of the spectrum. Always instructive in my experience.

Sentences in the hibiscus book were, considered by themselves, quite lovely. I praise that quality of her writing unreservedly. I'd love to know what I missed that elevates the book above the attractive presentation of yet another abused-woman, traumatized-children tale!

>85 richardderus: Richard, I probably don't have to say this, but avoid at all costs any Mercedes Lackey! The abused, traumatized children pop up everywhere in her books.

If we don't read about them, maybe they won't exist.

Well, if I'm reading fiction, they don't actually exist, and what I'm left with is thinking the author is trying to manipulate me. It does work to drum up sympathy for a character (who doesn't want to rescue poor little Oliver Twist or David Copperfield?), but if an author keeps going to that in her bag of tricks, after a while . . .

And, speaking for myself, I encounter plenty of misery in real life; I read to escape, and I don't enjoy the experience of reading books that wallow in misery, grief, abuse, etc. Some people do, fine for them, just not for me.

#74: thanks, Stasia! And I hope you get some sleep soon! ;o)

>87 loosha: If we don't read about them, maybe they won't exist. I don't read about them because I was traumatized by emotional abuse, secular and religious institutional, meted out by women. All of them. Priests tried to help. Nuns tried to hurt. My mother was the worst psychological damage machine that doesn't have the Bush Administration Seal of Torturer's Approval.

So no. I don't read about poor, helpless women all victimized by men. That's not my experience. So I think the prevalence of those stories, uncritically received, in the culture is offensive.

Have I addressed your sarcastic comment thoroughly enough? BTW...I have now blocked you. I will not see your posts. Don't bother to respond.

I've finally caught up on your threads.

I also plan on trying the Meg Lanslow series based on Richard's, and now I see your, recommendation!

>91 Copperskye: And mine! I actually followed through on my gushing and wrote the author a fan email. I do think the earlier books are better than the later ones, but they are all fun, and I liked the last one quite a bit. I hope all the folks who are going to try the series also enjoy it.

Since Lorraine (Loosha) is unable to post here for some reason, I am posting for her. She sent me a PM stating categorically that no sarcasm was intended in message 87.

As far as I am concerned, the matter is closed and we can now get on with discussing books, OK?

Quote for the day from my current read, The Elegance of the Hedgehog:

'When something is bothering me, I seek refuge. No need to travel far; a trip to the realm of literary memory will suffice. For where can one find more noble distraction, more entertaining company, more delightful enchantment than in literature?'

Sounds exactly like me when I am stressing :)

(Posted to the Kitchen, too, so ignore it here if you read it there.)

>96 alcottacre:: I'm with you there, Stasia! I've been relying on LT and books all week to try to beat down the stress I'm feeling and they're both doing a great job!

#97: Have you read The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Bonnie? I know a lot of the people in the group have.

Hi Stasia- You were lost to me but now you are found! I'm happy again!
BTW, love the quote!

#96 I also love the quote. I haven't read that book yet, but I think I will have to add it to my wishlist.

Thanks for the info on Kindle PC!
--BJ

Who can resist a title like The Elegance of the Hedgehog? I wish my French was uo to reading it in the original.

Good Morning, Stasia!

#101 The author's previous book is called La Gourmandise - it's translated as The Gourmet which isn't quite right (gourmandise is a thing, not a person and gourmand is different from gourmet - a gourmand just likes eating stuff...).
She obvious has a talent for titles.
FWIW, my favourite quote from the same (eminently quotable) book:
"For years, my inevitable conclusion has been that films of the Seventh Art are beautiful, powerful and soporific, and that blockbuster movies are pointless, very moving and immensely satisfying".
Chloe

#99: Glad you found me again, Mark!

#100: Do add it to your wishlist! The book is terrific. You are quite welcome about the Kindle-PC info.

#101: Good afternoon, Ren. I hope you enjoy The Elegance of the Hedgehog, which has made it on to my memorable reads list for the year.

#102: Thanks for sharing you favorite quote, Chloe. I agree with you - the book is eminently quotable!

>98 alcottacre:: I have read The Elegance of the Hedgehog, Stasia, but thanks for trying to come up with a book choice for me. That was very kind of you.

#104: Did you like it?

Mmm...Lol! I didn't want to say anything about that because you were being so solicitous of me. Not a favorite, sorry!

#106: I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy it more. Oh, well - not every book is for everybody. I personally loved it - probably because I identified heavily with both Renee and Paloma.

Just caught up with your thread! The Meg Lanslow series sounds really interesting so I will look those up!

I hope you enjoy them!

Finally caught up on the thread! Whoever mentioned BookCloseouts.com is evil. Just plain evil. As long as I detail that I got a bargain, or mentioned how much I saved (in a reverent tone), I can get away with buying pretty much anything. This site will be the end of me. And our savings. Sigh....

#110: I love BookCloseouts.com. I assure you however, that Whisper (Linda) is not evil :)

#111 My partner will say otherwise. ;)

I've already found so many great books, and I've been on the site for all of 5 minutes. Thanks so much for the heads up, Linda!

#112: My hubby would, too - I can relate!

The site is very dangerous to me as well.

Finally caught up! :-)

I've been on a waiting list for Elegance of the Hedgehog since September. At least I'm in the double digits now! It sounds like it is worth waiting for.

#114: Obviously, opinions differ. Bonnie did not care for it, but I loved it. I hope you can get hold of it soon, Carolyn, so you can make your mind up for yourself.

I've read Barbery's The Gourmet and really enjoyed it -- now must read The Elegance of the Hedgehog. My French is up to it; the question is whether my budget is up to the cost of the shipping from France! Still, it's in my 'panier'. And Amazon.fr recommends that I also try a book whose title roughly translates as 'The Slow Waltz of the Tortoises'. What's with oddball animals in French literature these days???

Don't mean to be a wet-blanket, but Hedgehog was one of those I could not understand all the hype about. I abandoned it about 40% through. If I remember (I don't seem to have done a review) I couldn't get a handle on what the author was trying to say. I did find a note in my journal that says "pompous and preposterous???"

For what it's worth....remember Tutu only gives Two Cents

#117: All points of view welcome here, Tina. I think one of the reasons that I loved the book so much (and I will be frank about it) is the fact that I could identify so readily with both Renee and Paloma. I never felt that Renee was pompous at all. Preposterous? I really did not feel that way either, since a lot of fiction (and nonfiction for that matter) could certainly be characterized as preposterous.

Your Two Cents count . . . you just got my two cents, too.

I think this is one of those that I'll come to in another year or so, and re=read with a completely different perspective. i find that often happens if I don't try to force a book, but walk away, and come back in 1-3 years. (It's not like I'm lacking for reading material in the meantime.).

The Forest of Hands and Teeth fell flat for me, too, Stasia! I could barely finish it. I'm so glad you've finally read The Elegance of the Hedgehog; it was hands down my favorite read of 2009. I'm hoping to read Gourmet Rhapsody sometime soon.

Ah, books! Isn't it amazing all the different reactions people can have, reading the same words on paper?

#119: I know exactly what you mean. I have done the same thing with books - hated it the first time, tried it again some time later and found that my perspective has completely changed. So much of reading depends on the reader - and we are never the same from day to day, let alone year to year.

#120: I was sorely disappointed in The Forest of Hands and Teeth because I really wanted to like it. You will have to let me know how Gourmet Rhapsody is when you have a chance to read it.

reading your thread always get me in trouble because I always add more books to my TBR list!

Elegance of the Hedgehog was on my Top 10 list last year. I loved it from the first word and finished it in no time at all because I couldn't put it down. I so admired Rene and loved the language overall, but I will say I hated the ending. I'm not going to spoil it for anyone by saying how it ended but after thinking about it for a few days I forgave the author and just wallowed in the memory of the lovely language.

I've been slammed enough recently for loving books that others haven't that I am getting to have a much thicker skin and I would suggest everyone else do the same. Love what you know you love and accept that everyone has their own opinion about books. It's the reason that critics often rave about books that readers just scratch their heads over.

#123: I want to be able to say "I'm sorry, Andrea," but I just cannot bring myself to do it :)

#124: Personal pet peeve: slamming someone's opinion. Just so you know. I am sorry it has happened to you, Bonnie, and I certainly hope it was not here in this group.

I completely agree with Bonnie & Stasia. This would be a boring group if we all read the same books and had the same opinions about them.

Joining in the choir. I was about to say almost exactly what you did, Darryl, and then I read your post. I often love books that others don't and vice versa, and I just love that we can all talk about books and (mostly) respect others' opinions because we all love reading.

brenzi.... I so agree with you..."Love what you know you love and accept that everyone has their own opinion about books."

Aside from rd who seems to have a blind spot when it comes to Luis Urrea...
( and perhaps one or two others ) of course.....

*skips away*

#117 tutu - You might like to try Just like tomorrow by Faiza Guene, it's a look at life for Morrocan immigrants in a poorer part of Paris and has a humourous edge. Guene wrote it when she was 19 and it appeals to both adults and young adults.
Book is here: http://www.librarything.com/work/1121427

#124 - brenzi. ditto on that ending though overall I loved the book.
edit: make touchstone work - add link

Whew .... away for just a few days and I've just spent 10 mins plowing through the blizzard of posts here.

Ditto what Darryl said about us having different opinions on books. That's what makes this such a great forum. Even when I find members who like books that I've read, what they take away from the books are at times different from mine, and their insights give me a different but no less enjoyable perspective. And for those members who disliked the ones I've enjoyed, I like knowing what it is about the book that drew their ire. Books can be so multifaceted that depending on the angle with which we gaze upon them, we may come away with a different picture.

Having said that, I'm so glad there are more people loving Elegance of a Hedgehog - that was one of my top 10 reads in 2009 as well and I have been shamelessly trying to put it in the hands of everyone I know who reads

did I already say Elegance of a Hedgehog is going on my wish list?

Wish list smish list ... get Elegance of a Hedgehog onto your TBR pile already! Quick, put your shoes on, grab your wallet and run to your nearest bookstore or order online

oh, dear, I have so many already started and I must finishe Wolf Hall for a book group meeting and I have a photography class I must do the assignments for, and I have these children who keep interrupting me and these dogs who just demand to be fed and walked and then, there's the eating and

oh, well, you see my point, in addition to the fact that I just ordered two big photographic reprints on line, and some books from a new web site....oh, I think I'll just have to decline your imperative! Thanks for the thought.

I bet finding different ways to take a photograph of the cover of the book will give you extra points for your assignment?

For the Donna Andrews/Meg Langslow fans out there--she responded to my fan email and says that she's working on Stork Raving Mad, due out in July. Woot!

Also said she didn't invent extreme croquet, just read about it in Smithsonian magazine and decided her characters should be playing it.

This is only the second time I've written to an author and I'm pleased that each of them wrote back (the other was Aaron Elkins, creator of the "skeleton detective," Gideon Oliver).

As you were . . .

Whoopee .... something to look forward to in July! Thanks for sharing her comments.

#135: Thanks for letting us know, Elizabeth! Of course, I have to read the other books first, lol.

I have not the least little amount of doubt that you can get through the series by July, along with a couple of hundred other books!

A couple hundred? by July? I think not!

549 books read in 2009. *whispers* I rest my case.

Though note that I said "can"--an assertion I wouldn't make for many people, certainly including myself--but I note that your goal for the year, as evidenced by your ticker, is more modest than that (though still quite ambitious for us regular folk!).

Never mind, Stasia, your reading amazes me. 'Nuff said.

Thank you for the kind words, Elizabeth.

This week's reads:

33. The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston - nonfiction; Mac (blackdogbooks) did a great review of this book on his thread, http://www.librarything.com/topic/80068, so I am not going to elaborate further except to say that I continue to find truth stranger (and in this case, scarier) than fiction; recommended

34. Genesis Bernard Beckett (for some reason the Touchstone is wonky) - young adult; I had 3 outstanding reads this week and this is the first of them, a book recommended last year by both Peter and Kerry, this dystopian novel is different from the others I have read, taking the form of an oral examination of a girl trying to get into The Academy; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year Mine

35. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling - young adult, audiobook; I have been listening to the audio versions of the books as well as having a mini movie marathon with my hubby of all the HP books and find it interesting how much is in the books that is left out of the films; recommended

36. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery - My liking for this book may be somewhat prejudiced based on the fact that I so highly identified with both the main characters, but aside from that, the writing is still terrific; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year Mine

37. The Giant O'Brien by Hilary Mantel - I had to put this book on ILL in order to be able to read it since my local library system has only Mantel's Wolf Hall; this was a disappointing read for me, I must say: I wanted to be blown away by this book, but was not - I never really felt as if I got to know the title character as much as I would have liked, and I actually felt more interested in the anatomist and his story than the giant's; it is not a bad book, by any means, just not as good as I had hoped; I should mention that both Rebecca (rebeccanyc) and Darryl (kidzdoc) recommended this book and they both liked it better than I did, so I am decidedly in the minority on this one; guardedly recommended

38. The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima - one could almost think of this book as a Japanese version of Romeo and Juliet, although more poetic with the prose, I think - this story of a young man who falls in love with a beautiful young lady worked for me, more for Mishima's writing than the story itself; recommended by Ren (jadebird) last year, and highly recommended by me

39. Modoc by Ralph Helfer - nonfiction; Linda (Whisper) recommended on her thread one of Helfer's books but my local library did not have it, so I tried this one instead, and sorry to say was sorely disappointed in it; I really hate nonfiction that is written like fiction, with supposed conversations and unfounded beliefs, etc. - it is just not a genre that works for me at all; I think someone who does not mind it would like the book, but I cannot recommend it, which is a shame because the story itself is really fascinating - I just hated the writing style

40. Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo - juvenile, audiobook; the second book in the Charlie Bone series was better IMHO than the first one was, so I think I will continue on with the series; recommended

41. Democracy: An American Novel by Henry Adams - this fiction book was this week's selection from Writer's Choice and a book I was sure I was going to dislike intensely since I hate politics, but I was surprised not only by how timely the novel still is (it was written in 1880, but has politicians named Gore and Clinton in it!), but by how much I liked it, politics notwithstanding; a couple of quotes just to give examples: 'She (Sybil) naively assumed that the speeches were useful and had a purpose . . . This is a very common conception of Congress; many Congressmen share it.' and 'democracy, rightly understood, is the government of the people, by the people, for the benefit of senators' or 'the pleasure of politics lays in the possession of power.'; highly recommended

42. Holes by Louis Sachar - young adult; I originally gave this book 4 stars, but the more I thought about the book, the less I liked it, so I bumped it down - there is just something about it that rubs me the wrong way - I know there are a lot of people here on LT who really liked it, but it is just not for me; guardedly recommended Mine

43. Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner - the third of my excellent reads for the week: 'And so, by circuitous and unpredictable routes, we converge toward midcontinent and meet in Madison, and are at once drawn together, braided, and plaited into a friendship.' - that quotation is, to me, the crux of the book; I loved Stegner's The Angle of Repose and like this one just slightly less, but it is still an excellent book - nothing fancy here, just a good story told well; highly recommended and on my memorable reads list for the year.

Regarding my selections from Writer's Choice, I am trying to alternate between fiction and nonfiction, choosing one book each week (hopefully) over the course of the year. So far, of the books I have chosen (including 2 I read last year), there has not been one that I would not recommend. I am hoping some of you will give these overlooked books a chance too.

#142 - Stasia, when I reviewed Genesis by Bernard Beckett (HERE), back in April, 2009, you were the first to reply with "Oh, yea, definitely going to have to find that one. Thanks for another great recommendation, Peter!. Well, you read it! And I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

Hope you enjoy my next rec. just as much!

#143: So do I! (especially if it is Warlord, lol)

Morning, The Hedgehog is already on my wish list, O'Brien, just bought it but won't be able to get to it for awhile. I look forward to comparing notes on that one. But I can not walk away unscathed, Democracy: An American Novel hits the wishlist.

#145: Well, at least I got you with one, Lynda!

As I mentioned in my own thread, I wasn't keen on Holes either - and now I read your comments I agree entirely and there was something that rubbed me the wrong way too.

Have heard mixed reviews about The Elegance of the Hedgehog, so it's interesting to see that you really liked it - based on that maybe I will give it a try.

#147: It will be interesting to see what you think of 'Hedgehog' when you get a chance to read it, Liz.

Morning Stasia! It looks like you had another productive week! I'm always impressed by your diversity. I also loved Crossing to Safety and also rank it just behind Angle of Repose. I need to read more Stegner! Have a great Sunday!
Brenzi- Anyone slamming you for your opinion, please direct them to me! I might have to go "Postal" on their butts!

Thanks for stopping by, Mark!

Crossing to Safety makes the third of Stegner's books that I have read. Besides it and Angle of Repose, I have also read his nonfiction Beyond the Hundredth Meridian, which I recommend for people interested in the American West.

>142 alcottacre:: Hedgehog was one of the 50 books I gave my sister on her 50th birthday. She just finished it and I was amused by her email to me:

It's hard for me to believe that that book has become a national craze. It doesn't have any spies, zombies or aliens...A real keeper. Book 1/50 a real gem.

#151: I am going to have to adopt both you and your sister, Tad. My birthday is March 14, BTW *Hint Hint* I will be 48 . . .

Tad

Who ever gives Stasia 48 booksfor her 48th birthday has to know they will be read in two weeks..... or less.

Giving your sister 50 books for her 50th birthday was an incredible gift.

I am sorry you didn't like The Giant, O'Brien, Stasia. I do think Mantel's A Place of Greater Safety and Wolf Hall are better, so unless you've given up on Mantel after this one, I do recommend you read one of those when they become available in your library.

Putting The Demon in the Freezer on the Giant Wishlist, but my co-workers aren't going to be happy about it. They barely put up with my constant monitoring of the Bird Flu and Swine Flu situations (I don't think my referring to it as the Piggy Flu, in an attempt to make it sound friendlier, really helped any) and I expect that me yammering about another pandemic menace might send them over the edge. Oh well.

Another great reading week, Stasia. I escape having only adding The Sound of Waves onto my wishlist.... I think a first for me. I've already got Crossing to Safety on my TBR and may just have to push that up.

Hmmm.. I'm adding fiction this week. Some of the nonfiction I have already read.

> 155 too funny.. the Fourpawz of Doom. ;)

So many good books this week! I just added five books to my TBR! Gah!

Stasia, you finally got me. Democracy goes onto the wish list.

ETA: Writers Choice sounds intriguing. I just went to see if the library has a copy, but they don't. I'll be watching for your selections from there each week with interest - hope you'll remember to keep identifying them as such.

You got me with the Henry Adams offering as well... I have read his Mont Saint Michel and Chartres, but not this one, so on to the list it goes!

Re Mantel, do try other of her books. I find them a very mixed bag -- some I love, some I like, others I never really get into at all. And which ones appeal to which people varies immensely, as well. For instance, I loved Eight Months on Ghazzah Street, which was one of her very first books, and I've been following her ever since. But like you, I didn't take to the giant book as much, or to Fludd, which everyone else seems to love. Still, it would be a terribly boring world if we all thought alike...

A novelist to try -- if you haven't stumbled over her books already -- is Angela Carter. Try No Talking After Lights Out or The Constant Mistress.

drat

Placing The Demon in the Freezer on the teetering pile..

You're right, Chatterbox, about being boring if we all thought alike, because I didn't like Eight Months on Ghazzah Street. I do also highly recommend Mantel's memoir, Giving up the Ghost.

Whew. I think I've escaped unscathed this week. The Demon in the Freezer was already on my wish list, after Mac's review. Sorry to hear that The Giant, O'Brien was a disappointment. As Rebecca said, I wouldn't give up on Mantel; I'll definitely read A Place of Greater Safety in the near future.

Something about Holes rubbed me up the wrong way as well. I knew I should like it, but I didn't!

*Sigh*, another dystopian fiction that looks great. Shame about my book buying ban as it looks good!! Ahh well, I'll live :)

#151, 152, 153 I just told my husband about your gift to your sister and asked if I could have 29 books for my 29th birthday.... He said no :-(

>165 souloftherose: -- LOL tell him to hurry up before the number gets really big!

I'm glad to see that others share my opinion of Holes. I know it is kid's book but I just didn't get it. My main reaction on finishing it was "Huh?" Of course, I had the same reaction to Maniac Magee. "Complete bafflement" pretty accuratately describes my opinion. I like more plot and action with my books, I guess.

At least the first Charlie Bone book is on my list this year because I'm taking part in a Middle Grade reading challenge. I'm glad the series is getting better but, being a concrete sequential thinker, I need to start with book 1.

BTW, I'm going to be 60 this year and I don't want 60 more books. I want the time to read 60 of the ones already on my TBR pile, thank you very much!

Stasia,
Back in the early 90's I stumbled upon Wallace Stegner and read everything I could find by him. I want to start re-reading and I think I'll start with his masterpiece Angle of Repose. You might want to try The Spectator Bird or Big Rock Candy Mountain next. They're all excellent IMO.

The Demon in the Freezer is going onto the wishlist.

#165, 166 - Too funny! Did you ask him why not? :) Sounds like a great idea to me.

I remember reading Holes when my son first read it (which was whenever it first came out and he was just the age to enjoy it). He liked it, but I agree, there was just something about it that I found disconcerting. I could never really put a finger on it though.

Since I'm on a quest to read all the Newbery books, before reading these thoughts on Holes, I obtained a copy from my library. I will read it to continue the Newbery quest. Now my curiosity is high.

Another great week. I loved Crossing to Safety when I read it many years ago--I still own it and will one day reread it. First, though I will reread Angel of Repose which I read even longer ago and for some reason don't remember as well. I think I remember Crossing so vividly because I read it when I could identify with part of the story (don't want to do any spoilers!).

Democracy: An American Novel has been put on the wishllist. I just hope my library has it because it will be a while before I can buy anything!

Linda--I''ll be interested to see what you have to say about Holes after reading the other comments here. I will wait until I decide to read that one--life is too short to read stuff i won't like! :-)

Whew! Another week of dodging bullets. Everything on your list is either already read, already on wishlist, or not my cuppa. Onward!

I enjoyed Genesis quite a lot. Dystopian fiction is a favorite of mine.

I'm sorry you didn't like Modoc. I enjoyed that one too, but I'm a sucker for any kind of animal story and am willing to overlook LOTS of bad writing if I like the animal.

I've been curious about The Elegance of the Hedgehog. The mixed reviews here make me that much more curious. I'll have to add it to the wishlist.

#153: Nope, it will take me at least a month, probably longer.

#154: Rebecca, I am not giving up on Mantel after just one book. I will definitely be reading Wolf Hall at the very least, but I am planning on reading others of hers first despite having to put them on ILL.

#155: Maybe they will start calling you 'Typhoid Charlotte' or as Sherlyn suggests in 157 'Fourpawz of Doom'. Love that one, BTW.

#156: I hope you enjoy The Sound of Waves, Caroline.

#157: Well, I hope you enjoy whatever fiction you chose, Sherlyn, in spite of yourself.

#158: Five! Wow! That ought to keep you busy for a minute or two, Rebecca.

#159: Sandy, I hope you enjoy Democracy: An American Novel. I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I will continue to identify the books I am reading from Writer's Choice, as I would really like other people to give those books a try.

#160: Suzanne, I hope you enjoy the Adams book. As I mentioned to Rebecca, I am not planning on giving up on Mantel. I have read one book by Angela Carter, but it was a book of her short stories, not a novel. I will have to give one of the ones you mentioned a try. Thanks for the recommendations.

#161: Sorry, Kath :)

#162: Giving Up the Ghost is one of Mantel's that I really want to read.

#163: Drats! Sorry I did not get you this week, Darryl. Maybe next :)

#164: I am glad to know that I am not alone regarding Holes. Maybe next year you can get to Genesis. It is worth the wait, IMHO.

#165: Heather, you have a rotten husband and you can tell him I said so :)

#166: You got that right, Susan!

#167: Kathy, I know exactly what you mean about reading books in order. I am the same way. I hope you enjoy the Charlie Bone books.

#168: I think The Big Rock Candy Mountain is going to be next for me of Stegner's books. Thanks for the recommendations, Bonnie.

#169: It seems like several of us have had the same reaction to Holes, Joanne. I am actually surprised since I had thought the book was universally loved.

#170: It will be interesting to see what you think of Holes when you have a chance to read it, Linda.

#171: Carolyn, I hope you enjoy Democracy: An American Novel.

#172: You are getting to good at dodging book bullets, Tina!

#173: I am a huge fan of dystopian books. I am glad you enjoyed Genesis. I think I would have enjoyed Modoc more if either it was written as straightforward nonfiction or given a truly fictional treatment. As presented though, it just did not work for me. Oh, well. I will be interested in seeing what you think of 'Hedgehog' when you get a chance to read it.

I loved Angle of Repose last year, and I look forward to Crossing to Safety, which is on my pile. I also enjoyed The Elegance of the Hedgehog last year. I can't say it was a favorite, but I did enjoy it. Lots of great book suggestions on this thread!

#176 -- Stacia, it's Angela Lambert that I'm suggesting, not Angela Carter. (Although she's a great writer, too!) Probably Lambert's best-known book is A Rather English Marriage, which was made into a film with Albert Finney and Joanna Lumley.

Well it's been years since I read Holes but I really loved it and so did my children. The movie was fun too.
It's good to see Genesis - Bernard Beckett getting good reviews. His other work is more contemporary and always good to read. I have his adult novel Acid Song on my tbr pile.

I have Hilary Mantel's Fludd and Beyond Black on my tbr pile so will give The Giant, O'Brien a miss.

I'll be reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog in March for my RL book club. Based on the reviews, I'm looking forward to it, and I'm glad to hear you liked it.

*whew*

68 posts since I was last here, I can't catch up, oh dear oh piffle, that means I won't know what's on this week's list, boo hoo.

#180: I hope you enjoy Crossing to Safety when you get to it, Anne.

#181: I have never read anything by Angela Lambert, so I will be sure and look for some of her books.

#182: Do not miss The Giant, O'Brien on my account, Kerry. As I said, both Rebecca and Darryl really liked it.

#183: 'Hedgehog' appears to be one of those polarizing books - people either love or hate it. I am looking forward to seeing what you think of it, Deborah.

#184: Yea, yea, Richard. Nothing you would be interested in, I am sure. I guess we will never know.

You got me; Angle of Repose has been mooched. I think I put The Elegance of the Hedgehog on a wishlist but I'm going to request it at the library, too.

Sigh. The Mount of TBR will never be scaled at this rate.

#187: The BlackHole is never going to be fully explored either, but it does not keep me from putting books into it, Elizabeth!

Hey Stasia, My library did not have Democracy: An but I did get it thru B&N ebooks Free! Yippee!!! Lynda likes free!

#182 avatiakh, I liked The Giant, O'Brien better than either Fludd or Beyond Black (although I did like both of them), but one of the wonderful things about Mantel is that she is not afraid to do very different things in each book and so it's easy to see how different books appeal to different people.

Genesis looks quite good to me, too! Thanks for the rec, Stasia.

I always miss hype about books (other than LT-hype), but bought Elegance of a Hedgehog at the weekend quite by coincidence - I shall be intrigued to read it after all this discussion!

#189: I love free e-books too! Glad you could find it, Lynda.

#191: I hope you enjoy it, Jasmine.

#192: Fliss, I look forward to your thoughts on it.

The Demon in the Freezer has been on my tbr for a while. My daughter read it in school and said that it is pretty scary. I am trying to read all the books that my kids read in high school.
--BJ

I think I like Fourpawz of Doom best - sounds scarey. Typhoid Charlotte less so. Curiously, my mother had Typhoid when I was around 6 years old - messed up Halloween for me. And that sounds heartless, I know, but what do you want from me? I was 6.
Speaking of typhoidial women - does anyone know of a good book about Typhoid Mary?

#195: Sorry, I cannot help with the name of a book about Typhoid Mary. I wish I did - I would like to read it, too!

BTW: I checked the LOC listings for Typhoid Mary. Here is what it had listed:

Bourdain, Anthony. Typhoid Mary : an urban historical / by Anthony Bourdain. 2001

Leavitt, Judith Walzer. Typhoid Mary : captive to the public's health / Judith Walzer Leavitt. 1996

I have Modoc on my TBR pile! Though, I think I may be able to look past bad writing for a good animal story!

#197: The story really is interesting. I hope you enjoy it, Dawn!

Demon in the Freezer went on the wishlist. Thanks, Stasia!

Something I keep forgetting to put on my Sunday posts: If anyone is interested in one of the books I have chosen from Writer's Choice and would like additional information about the book, please PM me or note here on my thread and I would be glad to type up the blurb from WC for you.

#199: You are most welcome, Marcia. I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks, Stasia. Just added the Leavitt book to the Giant Wishlist.

#202: I checked the local college library and they have a copy of it, so I am hoping to get my hands on it in the next couple of weeks. It looks very good - I checked the LT book page.

Stasia..
I'm reading Holes and I really like it!

I'll finish it tonight and post a review.

#204: A lot of people really liked Holes and a lot of people did not. It will be interesting to read your review to see what you think of it. I look forward to it :)

Stasia

I think this may be the first time that you and I differ on our opinions of a book. Not bad considering the number of books we have read!

Nope, I can think of at least one other. Still a pretty good batting average though!

> 69 and 72 I have to disagree with Richard and agree with Rebecca - I thought that Purple Hibiscus was a wonderful book - I also liked One Half of a Yellow Sun and her short stories collected in That Thing Around Your Neck.

If anyone is thinking of trying it, at least give it a try (from the library if you don't own it) and make your own mind up.

I also bought Miss Buncle's Book in a Persephone edition this month as it had a blurb quote about reading.

#208: I will read Purple Hibiscus if for no other reason than to decide for myself whether I like it or not, although I have a sneaking suspicion it will be with Richard.

#209: I hope you enjoy it, Luci!

whew... gone 5 days and 100 messages materialize... but I made it through with no new TBRs, YEAH!

oh..oh.. does that mean I'll get double next time?

**turns to go and wonders if garlic works against Stasia's thread the way it's supposed to work against vampires**

Purple Hibiscus is on my TBR pile too; reading the discussion about it here is making me curious to read it, to see who I end up agreeing with.

But wouldn't it be awful if you did get to the bottom of the BlackHole? imagine -- no more books to read!!!?? The horror, the horror...

#213

Now I'm going to have nightmares for years

#211: Are you calling me a vampire, Cheli? :) I will try and get you with the TBRs next week, lol.

#212: I feel the same way.

#213: Patently unfair to do that to a person, Suzanne! My imagination is working overtime now.

#214: Me too!

Now, I know y'all have great imaginations, but step back from the abyss, folks. There are millions of books out there. More are being written all the time. Many are available free on the internet or for downloading, assuming you have a Kindle or similar.

Breathe!

The truly horrifying thing, from my point of view, is all the books I'll never get to. What if the best book in the world is the one I haven't read yet, and I never get to it before death?

So far my TBR list is remaining somewhat unscathed on Sundays. The books I was going to add, I found were already on the list!

>216 ejj1955: Elizabeth, if there are any vampires out there reading this, come'n'get it, fat old white guy wants to live (that is, read) forever! I pick up every book and give it five stars to start with. Some never make it past the eyeballs because something on the cover/jacket costs them three stars and I won't buy or even check out a book that merits only two stars BEFORE I read it.

But it's my honest hope that every single book I come across will keep all five stars. I suppose I'm glad that so few do, or I'd be the literary equivalent of the town pump.

#216, Elizabeth, that is true torture. Of course, it's self-imposed torture, because you're imagining that a book exists out there that is the best book in the world and that it happens to be one that you haven't read... Still, that's a great motivation to stay alive, no? (Or, as Richard suggests, forge a friendship with a handy vampire...)

Hmm, is that what is behind all these teen vampire sagas I saw at Target's admittedly weird book department today?? I counted seven different series, not including the ubiquitous Stephanie Meyer. I just don't get it...

Stephanie Meyer's not very well-written books have been monster (ahem, no pun intended) successes, so the rush to imitate has been frantic. Also pathetic, I think.

On the other hand, I sometimes answer questions on Yahoo!, and the number of queries from people (teen girls, mostly, I imagine) who say "I've read Twilight, what else can I read like that?" shows that this is one way to find an audience.

If my relationship can be with Buffy's boy Spike, I'm in! Eternity of reading, here I come!

I am firmly convinced that I am in for an eternity of reading - in Heaven, that is. I prefer not being a vampire, thanks.

Sign me up for reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I've been waiting for it at the library for awhile now; I'll definitely get to it this year. The mixed opinions makes it very enticing.

#222: I hope you enjoy it, Steph!

I think I would prefer being a tomepire, I suck the books off of everyones bookshelves. yeah, that's it.

#216

Great. Now not only will I have nightmares about running out of books but I'll have nightmares about the millions of books I haven't read coming and getting me. And the perfect book being in there and not being able to find it.

What are you all trying to do to me??

#220: You can have Spike if I can have Angel.

Whew! I am finally caught up on your thread, Stasia. Also, now I know where Sherman, Texas is. I gave you a big wave as we drove by late yesterday afternoon. We left Plano ahead of schedule so as to avoid the ice storm predicted for Oklahoma and Southern Missouri. How big is Sherman? With 12 exits, it must be bigger than I had envisioned it. I hope the ice stays north of you (and south of us here in MO)!

I completely agree with your thoughts on The Elegance of the Hedgehog. It really resonated with me as well. And I've loved everything I've read by Wallace Stegner. I still have a few of his that I haven't read. I'm a big believer in delayed gratification so will save those for a dry period in reading, which I have very rarely.

I'll be eager to hear what you think of Purple Hibiscus. I liked it quite well, although not as much as Half of A Yellow Sun. Thanks for sharing another good week of reading with your loyal followers.

#224: I like that one, Lynda! I may steal it. Actually I think I might be one already in a metaphysical kind of way.

#225: Poor Jenny. Just remember we are all in the same boat, so you are not alone!

#226: I have no idea who those people are, so you can have them both :)

#227: Thanks for the drive-by wave, Donna! It is probably just as well that you escaped while the getting was good because it is pouring buckets here now and is expected to freeze tonight. Ick.

I am glad you are another 'Hedgehog' fan. It seems to be one of those books that people either love or hate. As far as Purple Hibiscus goes, it is probably going to be a while before I get to that one. We shall see.

BTW - I am nothing without the loyal followers, so the thanks go to you guys, not to me!

There are so many people planning to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog (and I'm one of them), maybe we should do a group read? Or at least start a discussion thread for it? The library has four of the six books I requested, so I may be picking it up tomorrow (weather permitting, today was horrid).

I am also planning to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog -- count me in. :)

Stasia,
I wasn't intimating that you are a vampire (though you seem to do a lot of readng at night when the rest of us are sleeping). I'm just trying to find a way to protect myself from your list of books.

#231: Ah, OK. I guess the only real way to protect yourself is not to read my thread, but then I would miss you :(

Just finished The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery- amazing!

#233: I am so glad you liked it, Cyrel!

#233, I finished The Elegance of the Hedgehog a couple of days ago and loved it.

#235: I am thrilled that you loved it too, Diane.

Has anyone read the second book out by Europa by Muriel Barbary - I wonder if it is worth trying?

The Beckett book is going on my list, Stasia.

(just catching up with this massive thread, being so far behind recently)

#237: Karen, I believe Caroline (cameling) recently read Gourmet Rhapsody. You might check the 'Conversations' regarding the book and see if it shows up there.

Can't keep up...sigh
no use trying

*waves weakly*

Don't feel alone, mckait. :)

Someone needs to go over and fix the Wikipedia page for Sherman, TX. The "Notable natives and residents" section does not include Stasia. This is wrong.

#241: LOL! I agree completely. Maybe we should send a writer from The New York Times or CNN to do a story about her.

> 241 & 242 *in complete agreement*

ditto 241, 242 and 243

>241 Fourpawz2: I think if you check the page again, you will find that this has been corrected.

You guys are nuts!

245- I just checked and Stasia wasn't there - I must have missed it! :(

Those moderators at Wikipedia have no sense of the power of LT.

They ought to be afraid, very afraid ....for soon LT shall rule the world!



muaaaaahahahahahaha

Don't you know it!

I'm up for a group read of Hedgehog.

I've read Gourmet Rhapsody and enjoyed it, although it's a quirky little book. A man -- a gourmet and a restaurant critic, the rest of whose life has taken a back seat to his job and to his passion for food -- lies dying. The story juxtaposes the people in his life who are with him, his memories of past food, and his quest to recall and put a name to the perfect gourmet experience, which ends up being a bit like 'Rosebud' in Citizen Kane. Just as not everyone relishes foie gras, this wouldn't be to everyone's taste, but I loved it. A slim volume, and a thought-provoking read even for a non-gourmet. (After all, we all have memories and are all passionate about something... like, ahem, books?)

#252: Suzanne, the group read of Hedgehog is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/83503

Maybe Oprah would like to hear of Stasia. She would be a good candidate for her talk show!

No, she would not!

I am debating on whether or not I need to start a new thread before posting my weekly reads. Input, especially from those with slower internet connections would be appreciated!

> 250 LUV IT!!

#256: My vote would be to start a new thread, before or at the time you post your weekly reads. If you consider how many of us respond to your Sunday posts, this thread may reach 300 messages or more! And, it's only one day ahead of Feb 1, so it's not terribly early.

(BTW, I'll probably start my third thread either tomorrow or Monday, depending on how many messages there are in the next 1-2 days.)

I just checked--I'm now number 57 on the library request list for Elegance of the Hedgehog so I won't be able to do the group read. But I will be watching to see what everyone thinks of it. I saw it at Costco last week, but I have acquired two books from an angel mooch this month that I haven't read yet and I'm trying very hard to stick to the rule not to buy a book until anything I've acquired in 2010 is already read. :-( Trust me--this is not easy!

Stasia--starting your new thread with this week's reads will make it easy for us to get to them and keep all the discussion about them on one thread--just a suggestion.

Stasia, looking into the LT crystal ball, I see 75 threads for you in 2010.

Since the concensus seems to be to start another thread, another thread I shall start!

It can be found here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/83662