tymfos trie to tackle 75 titles in 2010 -- take two!

A new month, and I need a new thread! I'm feeling positively popular! Thanks, everyone! :)







Here are some links to my various other threads:

My first thread for this challenge:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/78980

My "off the shelf challenge" thread (started 12/1/09):
http://www.librarything.com/topic/78160

My 1010 challenge thread (started 10/1/09):
http://www.librarything.com/topic/74456

My 2009 75 challenge threads:
#1 http://www.librarything.com/topic/69362

#2 http://www.librarything.com/topic/74808

Here is a link (hopefully) to my message in the "introductions" thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79114#1653925

BOOKS COMPLETED -- January
1. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (finished 1/7/10)
2. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (Finished 1/8/10)
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (finished 1/9/10)
4a In The Woods, by Robin H. Stevenson (finished 1/11/10)
4b Over My Dead Body by Kate Klise (finished 1/11/10)
5. Scat by Carl Hiaasen (finished 1/13/10)
6. On Hallowed Ground by Robert M. Poole (finished 1/19/10)
7. The Story of My Father, by Sue Miller (read 1/24/10)
8. Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn (read 1/25/10)
9. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (finished 1/29/10)
10. The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex by Owen Chase (finished 1/31/10)

Ooh, and I botched the typing of the thread name! AAAGH!

BOOKS COMPLETED -- February
11. Raven Black by Ann Cleeves. (started 2/3/10; finished 2/4/10)
12. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (finished 2/13/10).
13. When Michael Calls by John Farris (read 2/18/10)
14. Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay (finished 2/19/10)
15. Strength to Love by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (finished 2/26/10)
16. He Crashed Me, So I Crashed Him Back by Mark Bechtel (finished 2/28/10)

Books Completed -- March
17.They Call Him Cale by Joe McGinnis (finished 3/10/10)
18 Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin (finished 3/13/10)
19.The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb 15 (finished 3/15/10)
20.The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill (finished 3/15/10)
21. Haunted Deland and the Ghosts of West Volusia County by Dusty Smith (finished 3/22/10)
22.Why Me: A Doctor Looks at the book of Job by Diane M. Komp, M.D. (finished 3/29/10)
23.Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews (finished 3/31/10)

Books currently reading at end of March
1. Moby Dick by Herman Mellville (group read)
2. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy (group read)
3. Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson
4. Our Lady of Immaculate Deception by Nancy Martin

Found you again, Terri! Welcome to the multi-thread club!

Thanks, Stasia!

Wow! You have really started with a great group for such a short month. I'm commenting on your posts from other thread-- I too loved Mistress of the Art of Death and have the next two sitting on my TBR shelf. I'm hoping to read at least the 2nd one for my Medical Mysteries challenge. The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex is also a leftover recommendation from last year. It's also on the shelf to be read for the Read from my Shelves challenge. If we get another big snow, I may get 1/2 way caught up.

Thanks for stopping by, Tina!

Re: books in progress during this short month -- Moby and Anna are for the group reads -- to be read a bit at a time over several months. (I read Wreck of the Whaleship Essex to go along with the Moby Dick reading; we have another book on the subject of the Essex at our library that I may read if I get a chance, too. But not this month!)

The Barclay book is an Early Reviewer book. Battle Cry of Freedom will be the first book in my 1010 Civil War category this year. The Hahn, I'm reading for my library's "new acquisitions" column. Now Kath has talked me into reading Raven Black -- which a lot of people seem to be reading now -- but I haven't started it yet. In fact, I forgot to bring it home from the library today. (Work was really hectic today . . .)

Oh, and I need to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Feb. 18 for a local book discussion group.

Think I've got enough to keep busy??? ;)

ETA to fix typos

Abandoned:: The Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn. This wasn't awful by any means, but I wasn't enjoying it nearly as much as I did Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Hahn. I read enough to have an idea what it was about; I can list it in my column, but I'm not going to feature it.

I hope you do better with your next read, Terri!

I have your new thread starred, Terri. I have a question for you. How do you move your tickers over to the new thread? I am over 200 posts on DonnaReads now and will consider a new thread when I reach 250.

Also, I see you read Shutter Island last month. What did you think of it? I'm still feeling somewhat cheated by the ending. Not sure why because I'm not one of those readers that has to have everything neatly wrapped up at the end of a book.

Terri
found you and starred you. I wouldn't want my tbr pile to dwindle...

Grrrr, I've just read all of your first thread and now I discover there is a new one. That's just not fair! At least there are only 11 posts on this one.

#9 I'm already reading other books that are better, Stasia!

#10 Donna, I wasn't sure about the ticker-moving. I had to play with it a bit, and now I can't quite remember what I did that worked . . . I think I found the script where it was inserted into my original thread, copied it, and inserted it into the post on the new thread. Funny, I just did that, like, yesterday . . . and I'm not sure what I did that finally worked!

I can't say I was as thrilled with the ending of Shutter Island as everyone who raved about it. Maybe because I'd heard so much about the great ending, I was expecting too much. Overall, I liked the book, though.

#11 Hi, Linda! :) *waves*

#12 Hi, lunacat! Thanks for visiting and reading both threads! (I feel like I should offer you tea or something, after all that reading!)

#13

Well, I wouldn't say no to a mug of hot chocolate. Or perhaps you could arrange a cosy nap for me to recover my strength!

#14 Hot chocolate it is!

I just learned that I'm getting another Early Reviewer book. This is one I really want -- the only one I requested in January! It will fit my 1010 challenge category "Start Your Engines" -- it's about NASCAR. Ah, a perfect read to win as the racing season begins, and I can hardly wait to receive and read it!

Thanks for the link.. got ya starred :)

Hey, Kath!

I am feeling unaccountably sappy and nostalgic this week. Not sure what it is . . . tomorrow is the anniversary of my Mom's death. I was with her when she passed away . . . after all these years, I guess my subconscious still remembers the date, even if it took a while for my conscious mind to catch up.

I pushed aside the other books I'm reading and started Raven Black by Ann Cleeves. I was just in the mood for a good, dark mystery. I'm already halfway through the book!

#18: I have that one set aside to read soon. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it, Terri.

#19 So far it's really good, Stasia, and it's almost done. I could barely put it down last night to go to bed at 1 a.m. -- and with a son to get off to school early in the morning, I really needed to call it a night! I love the atmosphere. The Shetland Islands in winter seem the perfect place for a murder mystery.

#20: I am glad to hear you are enjoying it!

Son is off to school, LT thread is checked . . . Now back to the book!

LOL!

Book #11:
Title: Raven Black
Author: Ann Cleeves
Genre: Mystery (#1 in series)
Length: 375 pages
Source: Local public library
Dates: 2/3/10 through 2/4/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, 1010 Challenge: Whodunit category

I thought this was an awesome mystery. It kept me guessing right to the end, and I did not figure it out. The atmosphere was spellbinding. I knew pretty much nothing about the Shetland Islands before reading this; I trust I've learned something, and the islands in winter would seem the perfect locale for a good murder mystery.

The characters were intriguing. I can't say I really felt I got to know any of them really well (and one that I thought I had figured out a bit, it turned out I didn't know at all in the end). I think this may have been by design. The fact that there was some mystery to each of the characters made for a grand pool of suspects.

In other threads, I have seen readers comparing this volume and those which follow in the series with other favorite series -- one of which I know pretty well, Louise Penny's Three Pines series (which is also a favorite of mine). If I were to compare, I would say I prefer the setting of Three Pines in that I'd want to live there. I love Penny's characters and witty dialogue, the way she makes me smile and occasionally laugh out loud at the turn of a phrase. Cleeves' writing does not quite do that for me. Perez is a good detective, but he doesn't capture the imagination the way Armand Gamache does in the Three Pines mysteries.

But for plot -- especially a plausible plot -- based on this first installment, I would give Cleeves my vote. Sometimes Penny's plots push the envelope of plausibility and get a bit convoluted, but in Raven Black I found a seamless plot that kept me turning pages and guessing to the end. And while I wouldn't want to live on the Shetland Islands, nor want a lot of these folks for neighbors, it is DEFINITELY a great atmosphere in which to set a murder mystery -- at least in winter.

#24 Ooh, it sounds good. It's already wishlisted and my library has a copy - I'm just trying to decide whether I pay up to reserve it or hope I can catch it on the shelves.... (And I also need to read The Three Pines series)

>15 tymfos: A NASCAR fan! My kindergarten son would be so excited. He learned his numbers with NASCAR (#48 - Jimmie Johnson, #9 Kasey Kahne, etc.).

And Raven Black sounds great. I think this is my year to start new series!

I hope you are having a good week!

Terri

I hope that yesterday wasn't too sad for you and that you were able to remember many wonderful memories of your mother.

Raven Black sounds really good Terri. I can' get into another series right now but I'll keep it in mind when I get caught up on Three Pines.

#25 Hi! I actually caught our library's copy on the shelf when I looked for it

#26 Ah, yes -- race cars are a wonderful visual aid in teaching numbers! And the week is improving for me.

#27 Lots of good memories! Mom loved mysteries, so that's part of the reason I started Raven Black last evening.

#28 I know about series overload. I have a truckload of mystery series that I've either started or want to start.

Terri

my mom ( both grandmothers and my aunt) died in februsry. I underdtand

(((t)))

Thanks, Kath!

Wow, February was really a tough month for you and your family. Mercy!

Hugs back atcha!

Just stopping in to visit my favorite passionate librarians thread...

32 Your favorite GRUMPY library assistant's thread . . .

lolol

Aha! A snow plow finally made a pass down the street in front of our house, followed by our Sunday newspaper carrier! (I can't believe she made it here with the paper today!) There's a nice article in the Focus section of the Tribune Review about libraries!

Hubby managed to unearth our back steps from the snow (the whole back step was totally buried in snowdrifts) and clear a path to the garage. So we have our cars, though they can't go anywhere yet as the alley isn't plowed. I tunneled my way out the front door to the street, a narrow path.

I was upset to not have sauce for our traditional Super Bowl pizza. But dear hubby also found a pizza sauce recipe in one of my cookbooks. And I do have a scrap of mozzarella in the fridge that I can grate, and some grated Parmesan. I had bought a Boboli crust on my last grocery run, and we have some mushrooms and kielbassa to slice and put on the pizza. Things are looking up!

More snow plow noise in the neighborhood. Ah, the guy in the little Cat with the big plow is facing sideways in the road, backing up and running forward, pushing the snow out of the street and straight onto the sidewalks.

I hate winter! *sigh*

You'd think that a snowbound weekend like this, I'd get a lot of reading done. But, alas, I'm a sports fan. NASCAR season is starting. Yesterday was Daytona 500 pole qualifying, the Daytona ARCA race (with Danica Patrick's stock car debut) and the Bud Shootout. Tonight is the Superbowl.

And hubby has finally taken us High Def in the TV department . . . so funny, he never wants ANYTHING, usually asks for, like, socks for Christmas . . . but this year we needed a new TV, and he decided we were going to upgrade, and that was that. How could I refuse, when he NEVER asks for anything for himself? He was like a kid at Christmas. (It WAS his Christmas present, just waited till it went on sale.) And it is nice . . . we have it hooked up for sound to play through the stereo system (my 29-year-old audio speakers still sound good, really! ;)

We went high def this Christmas as well. OMG, Star Trek on Blu-ray is astonishing on the new TV...

And now I get to watch the Saints win the Superbowl in hi-def!

Terri.. that is what I am working on today.. hooking up speakers to the tv. We have had it for a few months.. just got some speakers..

The instructions are all greek ro me.. so wish me luck, I am going along on a wing and a prayer and possibly a kit kat bar.....

LOL @ library things in the paper.. timing is everything ! :)

#38 Good luck, Kath. I am not good at technical things. I am probably better at Greek . . .

(sending you mental kit kat bar energies. . .)

Did you see the stuff in the article about all the non-book facilities in some of Carnegie's original libraries? (I provided a quote on your thread. . . . couldn't resisit, heh, heh.)

*just strolling by the say hello*

#37 Star Trek on Blu-ray . . . wow, I bet! We haven't gotten a high def DVD player yet. . . not in the budget right now. But we have Dish HD -- God bless the tech who hooked it up Friday in the early stages of the snowstorm -- and we will definitely be watching the Superbowl in high def!

#40 Hello, Caroline! Nice of you to drop by the frozen tundra here . . . :)

*I am strolling in arm-in-arm with Caroline* (that's me on the left)

#43 Oh, how cute! Some-bunny is adorable!

#44: I thought so too!

#43-45 But they make me think of spring . . .

*wistful sigh*

Thanks for the mental kit kat..
and the quote on my thread... lol

A kit-kat for cat-loving Kath any day!

Who dat won the Superbowl????

Ah, the Saints go marching in!

Sounds like a techno Christmas all round - I got highdef big screen with a bluray disc player! At least if I run out of reading material (fat chance) I can see the snow reports in high def!

Terri, how many inches did you get in PA? 31" here in DC suburb of MD.

No luck so far.. problem with the cable box.. sigh.
so... I am about to pick another book.. :)
The heck with it all.

*crunches Kit Kat*

#50 I stuck a yardstick into the snow in front of my house at various places, and got readings ranging from about 26 inches up to almost 3 feet. The snow tends to drift a little, and then it packs down a bit, so not sure what's the "true" reading here. And they are talking about more Tues-Weds, over a foot more. Ugh! Everyone is complaining about how bad they've done clearing the roads -- but, when you think about how much snow there is, on how many roads, and how little equipment/personnel to do the job, I think it's remarkable they've gotten as much clear as they have.

#51, 52 Sorry you're having trouble with your speaker connections, Kath. Have another Kit-Kat!

I am sort of stuck with my reading. I should be reading my ER book, or my Anna Karanina group read assignment, or the book for our local book discussion next week. The ER book is driving me crazy. Barclay is supposed to write thrillers. But so far, the plot is too predictable -- I'm seeing everything coming a mile away. Of COURSE the police will assume the husband did her in. Am I supposed to be surprised by that?

#53: Am I supposed to be surprised by that?

Evidently.

#54 LOL!

>53 tymfos:: Oh dear, I had one of those as an ER book a couple of years ago. It was grim. You don't want to slice, dice and puree the author but it makes doing the review hard.

We normally have a ton of snow here but this winter there has hardly been any. Maybe a foot out there, at most. A freak rainfall in January washed most of it away. When you get a huge dump like that, no road clearing can keep up.

#56 Well, maybe if I'd go on and finish the book, it would get better . . .

If you're lacking snow, would you like some of ours??????

>56 tiffin:: chucking giant shovels of it your way ...

Just began reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer, for our local book discussion group. Already, I think I will love it. Look at this marvelous quotation:

That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive -- all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.

Isn't that the truth??

>59 tymfos:: I loved that book too ... and doesn't that quote pretty much sum up what LT does, too -- one tiny thing leading to a book, and then another book, and another ... !

#60: I had that problem before LT - LT has just compounded it for me :)

Ooooooh, this Pitt/ West Virginia game is driving me crazy! They're going to double overtime . . .

I am making good progress on the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is quite good. I think we shall have a fine discussion at our group next week. . . if it doesn't get snowed out.

I watched Pitt win the basketball game in triple overtime -- then I relaxed and finished my book!

Book #12
Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (large print edition)
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer
Genre: Historical Fiction; Epistolary novel
Length: 324 pages (large print edition)
Source: Local public library
Dates: 2/11/10 through 2/13/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge
Notes: for local book discussion group

I really enjoyed this unusual novel about a writer and a group which formed during the German occupation of the island of Guernsey during WWII -- a group which had its roots as a ruse to prevent the Germans from discovering a forbidden feast! The book was full of colorful characters. While the tone was kept "light" for much of the book, it still dealt thoughtfully with serious issues; the nature of the German occupation of the Channel Islands; the atrocities of the German death camps; the plight of children orphaned during the war years; and the value of art and literature to sustain people in difficult times. There was also a nice touch of romance. The book provided many points to ponder, along with many enjoyable moments. Highly recommended!

#63: I loved that one too, Terri! Glad to see you enjoyed it as well.

Nice review, Terri.

Hail to Pitt!!! I fell asleep in my glider during the second half of the game, woke up after midnight, and saw the final score. I saw the highlights of the game on SportsCenter this morning, but I wish I could have seen the whole game.

I think we're a lock to make the NCAA Tournament: 19-6 overall, 8-4 in the Big East, tied for third place, two wins over top five teams (Syracuse and WVU). We have two tough games coming up (at Marquette, Villanova at home (I can't wait for that game!)), then finish the regular season with four very winnable games (Notre Dame, St. John's, Providence, Rutgers). Hopefully we'll finish in the top four and get a bye for the Big East Tournament, get at least one or two wins there, and finish the season with 25 or more wins. That's a great accomplishment for a team that lost four starters, including two All-Americans. Jamie Dixon should get serious consideration for national Coach of the Year honors.

BTW, I'm glad that our student section showed more class than the WVU kids did last during last week's game.

Once again: Hail to Pitt!

#63 That one's already on the wishlist, glad you enjoyed it!

Terri
I belong to a book club sponsored by my local library. We discussed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and all but one of our 20 members liked the book. I enjoyed it tremendously.

I think that I would be with the one who didn't Linda.. I couldn't even bring myself to read it.. lol

Hail to PITT ~ :)

#65 Hi, Stasia! It was a good one!

#65 Pitt rocks! It was a great game. They just never gave up.

#66 Thanks for stopping by!

#67 I suspect that most of our group members will like it, too.

#68 Why so negative about this one, Kath???

NO idea Terri. I just can't even thik about reading it.. lol ..
One of those things..

It's been almost a week since I've posted on my own thread. I figure I'd better write something before the thread gets too buried in my long list of starred threads. . .

I am in a reading funk. I am sick of snow. This would seem the perfect weather for reading; but I don't feel well, I have a fever and a stuffy nose. My son's school has been closed all but 1 1/2 days out of the past 2 weeks, and he is quite out of sorts over this. I don't want to do my 2 group reads. I don't feel like reading the 2 other books I have started (including one for which I owe a review).

Just to try to kick-start my reading again, I went to the TBR shelf and pulled off a rather slender book that looked like it might be spooky and a quick, easy read. When Michael Calls is not the most artfully-written book I've read by a long shot. It could use a bit more atmosphere at times. But the plot is creepy and enigmatic and is holding my limited attention span. Just what the doctor ordered!

Here is a virtual pat on the head and a "Poor Sweet Baby!" for you. Buy a sun lamp and have a picnic on the living room floor! Eat ice cream with lots of whipped cream! And find another creepy book to read! 4 weeks till spring!

Thanks, Terri!

Gosh, I did sound like a whiner in my last post!

Things are looking up. My dear husband brought pizza home for supper this evening. I'm enjoying my creepy book. And maybe my son will finally get back to school tomorrow. . . maybe . . . *fingers crossed*

huh! You are as out of sorts as me...Itoo am relying on the magical powers of
pizza and a good book. Fingers crossed for us both.

Terri,
I've had plenty of book funks myself so I feel for you. Here's hoping you're out of it soon and like the other Terri says: 4 weeks till spring!

>71 tymfos:: Terri, you didn't come across as being whiny...just honest! Sometimes winter can seem terribly long. We don't get nearly as much snow here in MO as you do, but by golly, I was beginning to think the sun was on permanent AWOL until yesterday. With a little sunshine and moderation in the temperature, I felt positively giddy today. I hope you feel better soon. I thought Missouri Terri gave some awesome advice in Msg. 72. The pizza Kath mentioned sounds good, too. Perfect picnic food!

Book #13:
Title: When Michael Calls
Author: John Farris
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Length: 184 pages
Source: public library book sale 25 cent table, purchased 2008(?)
Dates: 2/18/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, Books off the Shelf Challenge.
Note: I could put this in either of two categories in my 1010 challenge, but it's really not needed there.

As I mentioned in a post above, I picked this off my TBR shelf seeking a quick, easy read to get out of a book funk. This book is not award-winning material, but it certainly sufficed. A rather creepy, suspenseful plot kept me guessing and reading on.

In a tiny Missouri town, locals receive phone calls from someone claiming to be a boy named Michael. But Michael disappeared and supposedly died in a blizzard 16 years ago. Is Michael phoning from beyond the grave? Has his spirit posessed some troubled child in the community? Is the caller some delusional maniac or a cruel prankster? Could Michael possibly be alive?

When people start getting killed, the search for answers becomes critical -- and perhaps dangerous.

This wasn't the most artfully written book I've ever read, and I felt the author could have laid on a bit more atmosphere. But the plot held my attention and there were some genuinely creepy and suspenseful moments.

I had homemade pizza tonight and I would send some your way if I thought it would arrive in good shape! I do hope the reading funk is over, the son is back in school, and the sun has decided to shine for you after all.

The pizza my husband brought home this evening wasn't homemade, but it was quite tasty!

Thanks for the kind wishes!

Book #14:
Title: Never Look Away
Author: Linwood Barclay
Genre: Thriller
Length: 415 pages (uncorrected proofs)
Source: LT Early Reviewers program
Dates: finished 2/19/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge

It took me a long time to get into this book. This was less the fault of the book as it was a matter of personal issues on my part. Certain types of story lines really push my buttons, and this book had several of those elements. Once I got into the story, however, it was a pretty decent thriller, with lots of twists and turns. I figured out several of the twists before they were fully revealed, but I think that's intentional on the author's part -- creating a sense of pride in the reader who can put pieces of the puzzle together. But I could not have guessed exactly how it would end.

Since this is an early reviewer book, I want to think about it more before I post my full review. I'll put a link here in my thread when it's done.

ETA to add link Full review is here: http://www.librarything.com/work/8965338/details/54379801

I read a couple of Barclay's books last year, so I may give that one a try when the library gets it. Thanks for the review, Terri.

#81 Stasia, I had a hard time reviewing this book, because of the bias I admitted to in the review. I'm bending over backward to be fair to the book. I'm not sure if I really (eventually) liked it. I can appreciate it. Something about it seemed a bit . . . I don't know. Drat!

When the library gets it, you may as well try it and tell me what you think! :)

I am now reading my latest Early Reviewer book, and am thoroughly enjoying it. He Crashed Me So I Crashed Him Back, by Mark Bechtel, is primarily the story of the 1979 NASCAR season. It also delves a bit into the earlier roots of the sport and how it all relates to the present-day state of racing. I am really enjoying Bechtel's sense of humor and the great stories he's managed to dig up about stock car legends.

> 80 I'm turning into a Linwood Barclay fan and I can't wait to read this newish book. None of my libraries have it at the moment, so it may be awhile before I get to it. Thank you for the review; I thumbed ya!!!

Nice review, Terri - but I think I'll give this a miss for now. I received 2 ER books this year so far, and I'm reading one of them now which is pretty interesting.

I absolutely understand the book funk. I am in the same place. I don't want to do anything but hibernate in my bed!! I hope something sparks you out of it.

I thought that the possibility of spring might do so but it snowed on me again today *sigh*

Accoriding to the notes on my ER copy, the Never Look Away, the new Barclay book, will be released to the general public on March 16.

> 84 and 87 I was confusing Never Look Away with Fear the Worst which is also pretty recent. My library doesn't have Fear the Worst either!!! I will have to content myself with Barclay's series for the forseeable future.

I was watching the Olympic ladies' figure skating. I was truly moved watching the performance of the Canadian skater whose mother died suddenly on Sunday. I guess I'm getting to be a softie in my old age; I had to reach for the tissue box.

(Come to think of it, I used to cry easily when I was a child. Am I regressing or something?)

86...fighting a book funk of y own.. what is up with that?

90 I think maybe it's a winter blahs thing, though one would think a winter like this would be perfect for reading . . . maybe distracted by too many achy muscles from shoveling all this lovely white stuff?

Winter blahs sounds possible. I do seem to have those~ aside from the happiness of my daughters pending move...I get these funks now and then, and they pass....
sooner or later.. and this one soon I hope!

Is it snowing there yet?

92 Oh yes, Kath, snowing and blowing. Snow showers started this morning, off and on but nothing much, and then got heavier and steady right around the time school let out. Area schools are starting to post delays for tomorrow, but nothing for our district yet.

Snow, snow, snow! Just when we were getting a handle on the snow from the last few storms, more snow blows in -- and is blowing and drifting all over the place! (Thank heavens, my son's school and the library where I work are all closed, and it's my husband's day off. We don't need to go anywhere!)

I've discovered the cool Picture Gallery feature -- and the picture "junk drawer," so I can show you what I mean when I talk about the snow here. (If this works. . . I love playing with stuff like this!)

The view from my upstairs back window, looking toward the garage (which will take a bit of work to get to . . .)



Another view from the back window:



The view through my front storm door. The snow in the foreground is drifted up against the glass a foot and a half off the floor of a covered porch, while the bare patch of carpet near the steps has been "scrubbed clear" by the wind:



It really is quite pretty. I'm just grateful that we haven't lost power (yet), as some folks have.

The snow keeps coming, but at least the road has been plowed -- which makes one big snow bank! (The thin yellow line front-and-center of the snow bank is a yardstick.)

Wow, I think I'm glad that all we've had for the past 2 days has been a lot of heavy rain ... although I could have done without the hurricane like winds.

Caroline, we had terrible winds here, too, which created quite a bit of havoc blowing the fluffy white snow around, as well as tearing at some tree limbs and structures.

Thanks for dropping by!

In Horseheads, my son has had the last two days of school cancelled. We are reading a Boxcar children book about sharks and watching CSI shows and playing on our computers. I just finished Thicker Than Blood which was an absolutely fabulous story about a stolen Hemingway volume. Another fabulous read is The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen which I just finished and is about a woman who finds a skeleton in her garden. Struggling with The Information Officer which has gotten raves here on LT. Also picked up The Dead Travel Fast which promises to be a "Fast" read so far.

#98 Sounds like you've got some great books going!

My son has been reading a Mike Lupica book, Heat, out loud to me. It's about a talented Little League baseball pitcher living in NYC, after emigrating from Cuba with his father and brother. The boy has a secret . . . It seems like a good book so far. I've decided I'm going to count the books my son reads to me on my thread from now on -- after all, I counted the audio book I listened too, and listening to my son is more important! Plus, if I show him where I list them online, it may motivate him to read more!

Drat, can't get the touchstone to work now that I edited . . .

nice books going on here.... :)

Snow days.. I loved them when my kids were home..
they meant popcorn and other comfort food.. hot chocolate and
general bedlam around the house. :)

Heat was required reading in my son's school. I remember thinking I should read it at the time. I should add it to the Wish List.

My dear son has been resting up a bit today -- was up too late in the evenings this week working on a school project and getting his assigned reading done. He's been nibbling on popcorn when he's awake. We had a nice, leisurely breakfast, too. I'm making a casserole tonight; the oven is heating up a kitchen too chilly from cold winds blowing on an under-insulated house.

Sounds perfectly wonderful!

Book #15:
Title: Strength to Love
Author: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Genre: A collection of sermons
Length: 155 pages
Source: A treasured resident of my bookshelf for decades
Dates: finished 2/26/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, Books off the Shelf Challenge, 2010 Category Challenge ("A Matter of Faith" category)
Notes: A re-read (probably, a re-re-read)

I wanted to read something with spiritual depth for the first week of Lent. I needed something for my "Books off the Shelf" challenge. I felt inspired to do a re-read of this book, which I first read in graduate school. Unlike many of my books, this volume was replete with dog-eared pages and much highlighting. The book clearly spoke to me in my youth, and speaks to me even more strongly now as I read with older, wiser eyes.

In my category challenge, I will place this in the "faith" category, rather than the "20th-century history" category where it could have resided given Dr. King's role in the Civil Rights movement. While the book clearly reflects the circumstances of its time and place of origin -- the U.S. Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam war, and nuclear proliferation -- the book transcends time and place, dealing with timeless and universal issues and principles.

My full review: http://www.librarything.com/work/373641/reviews/46071346

Most highly recommended!

#104: Thanks for the recommendation of that one, Terri. I am currently reading the first volume of Taylor Branch's excellent trilogy on Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement. It would be nice to have another view of the man.

#105 Stasia, I think you will find that this book provides great insight into Dr. King and the core of his convictions.

Ah, another day, another song:
Doo, doo, doo, lookin' out my back door . . .



Holy snowdrifts! I've never seen anything like it. Even the "old-timers" who have lived here all their lives are shaking their heads.

Fantastic review, Terri. I've got to add that to my wish list.

We're really lucky .. the storm seems to have missed MA for the most part. We've been having rain mostly, although we had a mix of snow and rain today, but nothing major and nothing sticking, thankfully no winds. So quite a pleasant day actually.

I'm glad the storm mostly missed you, Caroline!

good grief Terri!!!
what is your total snowfall for the month, do you know? I lost track at 34...

We missed the high winds that accompanied the last snowfall, so we got an even 14"-16" everywhere rather than the "no snow here, four feet over there" that some people just a bit south of us got.

Kath, I honestly don't know the total snowfall. It varies so much from place to place here in the mountains. Not just the drifts, but the snowfall itself -- depending on the altitude and which side of a mountain one is on. (There's been a lot of "upsloping" and lake-effect precipitation this year -- that can be really localized, as it comes in bands of snow showers. We can be having a real squall here, and 2 miles away the sun is shining, and visa-versa.

Tad, I'm glad you missed the high winds. They can really complicate matters!

My husband did manage to liberate our back porch from the massive snow drift (or at least, a path out and down the steps). I think a shift in the wind helped cut the pile down to size, too.

This light, fluffy snow is terrible in terms of blowing around, but it is much easier to shovel! Of course, then it blows back. We have a cartoon hanging up at the library of a man clearing a path with a snow-blower, and a smirking cloud moving along behind him blowing the snow back into the path he just cleared!

Book #16
Title: He Crashed Me, So I Crashed Him Back
Author: Mark Bechtel
Genre: Non-fiction (popular)
Length: 294 pages + source notes, bibliography, and index
Source: LT Early Reviewers Program
Dates: Finished 2/28/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge (1st book in "start your engines" category)

“He Crashed Me, So I Crashed Him Back,” by Mark Bechtel, tells the story of the pivotal 1979 season of NASCAR (then) Winston Cup racing (today’s Sprint Cup series) – the highest level of US stock car racing. As the title would suggest, much is made of the various feuds and rivalries which existed in NASCAR at the time. However, Bechtel (an editor at Sports Illustrated) captures the nuances and complexities of the relationships between drivers and crew members on NASCAR’s top circuit better than most journalists.

I enjoyed this LT Early Reviewer book very much. It was a great ride through some of the glory days of stock car racing.

Full review here:
http://www.librarything.com/work/9341345/details/56832177

Hmm, those last two book titles on my list do seem to reflect very differeing philosophies of life, don't they?

I'm not into car racing, but I do like the title of the book. One thing I do like about receiving ER books (when I do actually manage to snag one) is that sometimes they're books I would have probably passed over if I saw them at a bookstore. And sometimes they turn out to be wonderful surprises like this one seems to have been for you.

dito what caroline said :)
good title !

*waves to Caroline and Kath*

It is a fun title, isn't it? ;)

Actually, I really wanted the Bechtel book, and thought it might be a good one. It was the only one I requested from January's batch. (I'm getting more picky about requesting ERs, as I don't like feeling obligated to read something.)

I find bookstores (at least the ones I visit) rarely have many books about motorsports. And I have a whole racing category in my 1010 challenge!

Although I am not into motor sports, I am certainly glad your ER book turned out better than my last two have, Terri!

I guess I'm on a roll with racing books.

Book #17
Title: They Call Him Cale: The Life and Career of NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough
Author: Joe McGinnis
Genre: Biography
Length: 203 pages + appendix
Source: My bookshelf, purchased 2009 from Books-A-Million
Dates: Finished 3/1/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge (2nd book in "start your engines" category), Books off the Shelf Challenge

This was a pretty basic biography of the great racer Cale Yarborough, the first man to win three consecutive NASCAR Winston Cup Championships. I wasn't particularly impressed with the writing, though there were no glaring errors, factual or editorial, that I detected. The format, with many sidebar quotations, seemed a bit cheesy.

The last chapter laid on the hero worship a bit thick. Mind you, Yarborough's a favorite of mine from my youth, but I prefer my books to be a bit more objective.

When I looked at the source notes at the back, I got more of a sense what was wrong. The source materials were Yarborough's autobiography, and a bunch of web sites. (This after just reading another NASCAR-themed book with a 2-page bibliography, the author of which had interviewed many NASCAR insiders for the project.)

I probably would have done better to read Cale's autobiography.

We got a new YA fiction book in our library last week, which I started reading today, called Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin. It won the Schnieder Family Book Award this year, which is for literature lifting up people with disabilities.

The book is written from the POV of a 12-year-old boy with autism who is facing his first year without a one-on-one aide to help him at school

My son is a 13-year-old boy with autism who is in his first year without a one-on-one aide to help him at school.

This is not an easy read for me, emotionally. I think it is a very worthwhile book. I'd love for my son to read it some day and try to tell me (or write for me, if that's easier) what he thinks of it.

I have added Anything But Typical to my wishlist right away.

I have never heard of the Schnieder Family Book Award. I'm going to look it up. I'll probably get lots of ideas for worthwhile books.

#120 Glad to introduce you to a new book, and marvelous award program.

For anyone interested,

Here's a link to the ALA page regarding the Schneider Family Book Award:

http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/awardsrecords/schneideraward/schneiderfamily...

That sounds really good, Terri....

Thanks for the link.

Thanks for the link ... that sounds like a great award program. I'm glad you enjoyed your Cale Yarborough book. Nice review. Do you watch alot of Nascar racing?

You're welcome to everyone for the link. So far, Anything but Typical is good.

#124 I watch almost all the Sprint Cup races on TV, and have been to some races in person. (I follow other racing series, too, but not quite as devotedly.)

My son loves going to the track! I thought he'd have trouble with the noise, but with ear protection, he's fine. I never expected him to sit through an entire 500 mile race. We started out going to practice and then to qualifying -- both are shorter than a race, and not all the cars are on track at once so it's not as loud. Then we tried a race. He actually sits through races and even rain delays!

WOO, HOO! THERE WAS SUNSHINE TODAY!!!! (Actually, I guess I should say yesterday, as it's after midnight here -- but it's supposed to be sunny today, too!)

Life seems so much nicer when there's sunshine. I washed my car. I ran errands. It was still cold, but that's OK. I came home and hunted up my CD of "Abbey Road" -- just had to blast "Here Comes the Sun" a couple of times to celebrate!

I stopped in Waldenbooks today . . . I had a coupon. Really. I managed to escape with just the one book that I used the 30%-off coupon for: A History of Ghosts by Peter H. Aykroyd. My notes say that Jim recommended it. It looks good.

And I snagged yet another LT Early Reviewer book, The Tale of Halcyon Crane, by Wendy Webb! I've had quite a run lately, several months in a row, I've gotten ER books.

Congrats on the ER book! (and the sunshine)

"here comes the sun" is one of my favorite make-me-happy songs!

Thanks, Stasia! I hope you have a wonderful day!

The sun is shining again here in Western Pennsylvania, and is supposed to stay for the weekend. Golly, it's like I run on solar power, and all winter I've just been getting drained, and now the good Lord's beautiful sunshine is charging my batteries again! I feel like I got more done yesterday than I did all last month! (Not a lot of reading though . . .)

#128 Isn't it a great happy song? It just burst into my thoughts yesterday, and I had to listen to it! BLASTED the stereo. My son came downstairs to see what had gotten into me!

Hubby is helping at the food pantry this morning, son is getting back into school routine after all the snow days, I'm headed out to work at the library. After school, I'm taking my son to get much-needed new shoes. . . Oh, it's so nice to be able to go places and do things without slipping and sliding all over the place.

Speaking of going places, I got yet another Borders/Waldenbooks coupon in my e-mail today . . . (uh,oh!)

I had that exact same experience today. The sky is blue and the sun is shining, and even though it's chilly, I just couldn't help but think "almost spring! almost spring! almost spring!" Amazing how a little bit of sun can somersault your mood!

:) what a happy post

I must have A History of Ghosts.. really I must...

131 Everyone seems to be in such improved spirits with the sunny weather. Definitely a mood lifter! My library patrons were beaming, and the clerk in the post office was chatting with me when I stopped in to mail a package. People on the street were stopping to talk about the weather. (There's been a lot of that in recent months, but these folks were SMILING!)

133 I can hardly wait to start it, but I have so many books going at once now, I had to put it on the shelf . :( I am behind on my 2 group reads, and I'm trying to start Battle Cry of Freedom because, so far, I have zilch finished toward my Civil War category, which is surprising.

I'm not feeling too well today. However, my spirits were lifted when a box filled with books arrived courtesy of a wonderful, generous, well-read lady of our LT acquaintance . . . (you know who you are). And yesterday, a book arrived from one of the more outspoken gentlemen in our group (yoo-hoo!) . . .

So, swimming in new books, of course I went on Amazon.com today and ordered . . . guess what? (Books?!) Well, I needed the first in the one series so I could get started . . . . ahem . . . you can't just order one, can you?

CAN YOU???

There is nothing to lift one's spirits than receiving books in the mail or books left on the doorstep by friendly book sprites.

No, you cannot order just one in a series .... that would be tantamount to eating just one pistachio..... impossible and I'm sure, a mortal sin.

Hope you're feeling better and that you'll bounce back over the weekend

I have to read a series completely in order, so I can sympathize with the need to go out and buy the first one in the series, Terri. And of course, you cannot just order the first one in that series - you have to order the first book in other series too!

#136 Amen to that first statement, Caroline! Amen to your second statement, too! And thanks for the good wishes!

#137 Stasia, my friendly book sprite, the first one in the other series is (believe it or not) at our public library. (And the other series, the first one was in the lovely box!)

I do read out of order sometimes -- generally, when I stumble into a series in the middle, not knowing it's a series. (That's what originally happened with the Laura Lippman and Katherine Hall Page books.) Or if I'm desparate to try just one of a series to see if I like it, I'll sometimes pick up one that's available at the library (which I did with the Meg Langslow series). If I like it, then I make the effort to start at the beginning.

But I still can't order just one book. It's like the old Lays Potato Chip commercials. (Anybody remember those?)

There are times when I think it's better to read out of order. Sometimes writers don't really hit their stride until later books or they shift focus. I just finished 2 books by Leighton Gage for instance. Both are extremely well written, but had I read the 1st book 1st, I probably wouldn't have gone any furhter --there was a lot of violence in that one that wasn't in the 2nd one (which I read 1st.) (#3 due out later this year).

Also, there are writers who get better and better as they go along. So reading one from the middle doesn't necessarily spoil it for me, and I'll usually go back and start at the beginning after sampling from the middle.

I always said if my 2nd child had been the firstborn, there might not have been a 2nd child!! LOL

#139 A lot depends on how the character development works. I really wish I'd read the Louise Penny Three Pines mysteries in order. I started with an ER copy of the fifth one, The Brutal Telling. It made me want to read the earlier ones, but also spoiled some things for me as I read them, knowing what would happen down the road.

Ah, my Early Reviewer book from February's batch has already arrived! The Tale of Halcyon Crane, Wendy Webb's debut novel. It's supposed to be gothic. I'm hoping I'll like it.

You know, I too read Brutal Telling first. I have to say that it didn't spoil the others for me though. I love those books to bits. Love them!

Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well... hope you are better soon :)

GLAD! to hear that you had some books arrive to cheer you :)

I've now read A Rule Against Murder and I'm sooooo desperately wanting to go home ... because all the other books in the series at there! So I'm booksick instead of homesick. I do really wish I'd brought all the others with me on this trip ...arrghhh..... how was I to know I'd be hooked on Three Pines so quickly?

It is nice to read about sunshine. Today was a very gloomy, cold and wet NE Pennsylvania day. The rain poured in buckets; the wind whipped branches and power lines.

Chiming in on the Three Pine series...I'm hooked as well.

And, I'm also adding A History of Ghosts by Peter H. Aykroyd to the tbr pile.

Caro..Clearly you were NOT listening to rd and myself ....
sad.

:P

I'm trying to spend less time on LT, more on RL and actual reading of BOOKS (not threads), but it's been so long since I posted a book completed, I have to come on and post . . .

Book #18:
Title: Anything but Typical
Author: Nora Raleigh Baskin
Genre: Juv. Fiction (interest level: middle school)
Length: 195 pages
Source: Public Library
Dates: Finished 3/13/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge ("Kid Stuff" category)
Notes: 2010 Schneider Family Book Award winner

This novel is written in 1st person from the POV of a 12-year-old with high-functioning autism. Reading it, of course, I think of my 13-year-old son with autism. I would say that the character Jason is much more verbal than my son is. My son would never name "language arts" as his favorite subject for any reason whatsoever. But there are points where I can see traits of my son in this character, and times when I read his POV and wonder if it offers some insight I may have missed. It was a good story.

ETA to close boldface and add touchstone

#142 Feeling better today. And when I say that reading Brutal Telling first was a bit of a spoiler, I'm not saying it made me not enjoy the others. I just wish I didn't know some of what I know . . .

#143 We are having flooding issues here, with all the rain and the melting snow pack. Some low-lying communities not far from here are actually having evacuations. (Fortunately, our house is on high ground, so our main problem is just a little basement flooding.)

I have caught up on my group reads of both Moby Dick and Anna Karenina -- just in time for the next assignments! I am 230+ pages into Battle Cry of Freedom. And I just started my new ER book, The Tale of Halcyon Crane, and the first page has me hooked. I hope the promising beginning is indicative of pages to come!

ETA to remove comment about problem with cover images -- all seems fine now!

I am happy to hear that you are feeling better, Terri. I hope you continue to improve. I also hope that the flooding stays away from your house!

The Tale of Halcyon Crane looks good. I look forward to your thoughts on it.

Well, I have to agree with wishing you didn't know ...
I still haven't wrapped my brain around it( Brutal Telling )and never will. In fact, I refuse to believe it.

Book #19
Title: The Tale of Halcyon Crane (Advance reader's edition / uncorrected proofs)
Author: Wendy Webb
Genre: Fiction, Gothic
Length: 328 pages (regular first ed. listed at 352 pages)
Source: LT Early Reviewers Program
Dates: Finished 3/15/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge ("Scary Fiction" category)
Notes: Author's debut novel

Since this is an LT Early Reviewer book, I want to think a bit more before I post the formal review. Suffice it to say for now, this book grabbed me and I had a hard time putting it down, even when I had to. I had a very busy weekend, and I carried this book with me to grab reading time as I could -- a few pages while waiting at the railroad crossing, a chapter before choir practice, etc. There was one thing about it that drove me a bit crazy because I thought it was giving something away prematurely but as it turned out at the end, I think that may have been intentional.

Hallie has her world turned upside down with the arrival of a letter. She ends up in an ancestral home she never knew about -- a place that holds plenty of secrets -- among neighbors who don't all welcome her presence. And then, really strange things begin to happen . . .

I do think there are some things the author could have done to make the book more effective, but overall it was a very good read. This debut novel definitely shows that the writer has some potential!

I am way behind in the threads. I hope I can grab some time on my day off to get caught up . . .

The Tale of Halcyon Crane sounds wonderful!

I am adding The Tale of Halcyon Crane to the BlackHole in the hope that my library will eventually get a copy. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Terri.

Note: Halcyon Crane is scheduled to be released to the public in April.

Book #20
Title: The Man in the Picture
Author: Susan Hill
Genre: Gothic Fiction
Length: 145 pages
Source: Recent gift
Dates: Read in practically one sitting, 3/15/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, 1010 Challenge, #9 in Scary Fiction category.

My hearty thanks to Richard for sending me this wonderful book after I commented about wanting to read it!

Susan Hill is a master at creating atmosphere, painting living pictures with words. And the images she creates in this book are as eerie as the title painting, which seems to be a living, growing, menacing thing. Perhaps not since Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray has the story of such a sinister painting been penned by an author.

What to say without spoiling the rich surprises? This is a storyteller's book, a volume of stories within stories. By the firelight on two winter's nights, Oliver's old professor, Theo Parmitter, tells Oliver the eerie story of a painting which hangs in his rooms at Cambridge -- including the story told to him by a previous owner, whose life the painting cursed. Indeed, this painting seems to be a pox upon anyone who has contact with it -- as Oliver will learn all too tragically in the end.

This short (145 small-sized pages) book packs a powerful punch. Five stars!

Definitely adding The Tale of Halcyon Crane to the wishlist especially given your review of The Man in the Picture which I loved too.

The Man in the Picture sounds creepily wonderful Terri. I'm adding it to the pile.

Adding The Man in the Picture to the BlackHole since it sounds more gothic than out-and-out horror.

Yep, it's very gothic and very good!

I agree with Jim. It is very good!

And, thanks for the great comments Terri!

I love technology. I hate technology.

When it works, it makes life easier.

When it doesn't it makes life Hell.

Thank heaven today was my day off! The internet was down at the library -- both patron and staff computers, which meant that the catalog didn't even work. A co-worker called me at home to get me to look up a book in the catalog on my home internet connection! My big fear is that the internet will STILL not be working tomorrow when I go back to work.

My very first MP-3 player arrived today from Amazon -- a (very) belated birthday gift from my husband. Not his fault that it was late. I wanted to pick one out that would work with Net Library, to which patrons at our library have access. It just about drove me crazy figuring out how to put music on it. I thought I had it all figured out -- even the adapter to have it play over the car stereo. Even created playlists just for listening to while I drive.

Then, in order to install Net Library on my laptop computer, I had to upgrade to Media Player 11. And now, the MP3 player (docked to the computer) is "synchronizing" with my Media Player, which (if it copies the stuff in my laptop's Media Player) isn't necessarily what I wanted in the MP3 player, if (indeed) I understand what it's doing (which I don't).

It's enough to drive a woman to drink. *Hiccup!*

#160: Terri, I have not got a clue what you just said in the last paragraph, which should tell you how up-to-date I am on technology!

I hope the library's computers are up tomorrow.

The last paragraph? The one about drinking?

Seriously, sometimes I think our library's Amish patrons have the right idea regarding technology!

But, of course, they miss out on Library Thing!

Terri....I took me weeks to figure out the whole MP3 thing, but then it became a piece of cake. Biggest thing is either DONT open media player when you dock, or just open the tab that says play, and only drag what you want to the sync bar.

I'm not sure which player you have. SOme have better interfaces than others, but I'm betting some teenager who comes to your library, will be able to figure it out in 10 nanoseconds.

Agree with you tho on technology. I curse my blackberry a lot, but when the power goes or the internet goes down (both things often happen in the woods of Maine) that little darling just keeps us connected. We power it up with the car battery, (and an extra battery the kids gave us for just such emergencies) and feel snug and safe.

Hope you get fixed soon, and lastly....lucky you to have NetLibrary. Wish we did---they have a great selection.

Yup, do like what tututhefirst said. It's usually best not to auto-sync MP3 because if you were to delete some songs on your computer, the next time you autosync it will delete those from your MP3 player as well. I learned that the hard way, when some of my music and photos were deleted because I had accidentally left mine on autosync.

I'm joining in with the drinking. Not because technology is particularly bothering me but just because I want a drink!

What do you mean it's 11.15am on a wednesday morning. Does that mean I'm NOT allowed a drink??

I've already decided that I'll never, ever, have Media Player open again when I dock my MP3 player! The darn thing was putting every single photo from my laptop computer onto the MP3 player. I didn't buy one with enough memory for that, and besides photos aren't much good on that teeny, tiny screen.

Check your initial setup - depending on your player, you should be able to say you only want to sync x, y or z type files. I only sync music files (that's how the MP3 reads the audio books). I 'unchecked' pictures, contacts, calendar and all that stuff....I want the room for books. This is definitely one of the instances where "When all else fails, read the manual" should be ignored. Need to read the manual first. LOL

I will come back when I can understand the conversation :)

#167 It doesn't have a manual, and the help files are somewhat cryptic, not terribly user-friendly.

I have been moseying around in various menus trying to find the magic setup that will let me make such choices.

#168 If I really understood it, I'd be a happier camper!

#165 11:15 is probably not too early, lunacat, at least not on St. Patrick's Day . . .

BTW, most of our library technology is back on line today -- except for our fax machine, which is behaving strangely . . . so of course an Amish fellow came in this morning wanting us to send a fax for him!

music players defeat me.. even cd players....

Glad to know the computers got themselves sorted...

Except for a windy, rainy morning today, the weather the past week has been gorgeous! The snow has melted, and I can see my yard. I could also see all the damage and debris left behind by the winter, and filled three lawn-and-leaf bags with my weekend yardwork.

I haven't been reading or LT-ing at all.

I'm running out of month. I need to read another book from my booksheves (obtained pre-2010) for my books-off-the-shelf challenge. I know I won't finish Battle Cry of Freedom this month. My brain can't handle anything too deep right now. So I am off to the book case in search of printed fluff. . .

The ARC sounds yummy!

I have got to sign off and read.. now!
wanted to say hello :)

*waves*

I found a slender volume to make my "quota" for Books-off-the-Shelf. I thought I was getting brain candy for a paranormal buff, but this turned out to be slightly more serious stuff. Still, I read it cover-to-cover in the course of the late afternoon and evening, with breaks for necessary family care.

Book #21:
Title: Haunted Deland and the Ghosts of West Volusia County
Author: Dusty Smith
Genre: Ghost stories (true/legend/folklore)
Length: 126 pages
Source: TBR shelf; purchased from author after Daytona Beach ghost tour, January 2009.
Dates: Finished 3/22/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge, "Strange But True" category; Books off the Shelf challenge.
Notes: Author sold her books out of the back of her car after the ghost tour! This copy is autographed to me, "Happy hauntings! With grave regards, Dusty Smith 1/09"

Dusty Smith is a paranormal investigator, a ghost tour operator, and cemetery preservationist in the Daytona Beach area. Unlike some of her other books, which often offer up documented paranormal investigation cases, this is more in the realm of regional legends and folklore.

I wanted a quick, easy read today and thought this would be it. Actually, it's deeper than many books of this genre, and more unsettling. The unsettling part has less to do with unearthly things that go bump in the night, and more to do with the all-too-earthly historical record which is recounted in the telling of these stories. Most ghostly folklore brings one in contact with a piece of history if it is told even moderately well. Smith includes a lot of historical detail and even photographs. I must say, I had an especially difficult time with the chapter dealing with the ghost of the KKK member. Not brain candy at all.

I've finally posted a review of The Tale of Halcyon Crane. I didn't add too much to what I wrote here, but I didn't want to say too much. It's a hard book to write much about without spoilers!

Review here: http://www.librarything.com/work/8771875/details/57771880

Hmm.... you've made me want to read Haunted Deland now .... I think I'll look out for it and read the first few pages first to see if this is something I really would like to continue reading.

#175 Caroline, I like how thorough Smith is in dealing with the history related to her stories. Her ghost tour is like that, too. More history than spooks! I was a little taken aback by some of what she wrote in the one story,though -- sure to stir controversy, though probably containing a lot of historical truth, and I'm not sure it was all necessary as background to the particular ghost story she was telling. It may be hard for you to find a copy of the book around to check out whether you like it, as it's not from a major publisher -- perhaps self-published, I'm not familiar with the imprint. I'd offer you my copy, but since it's autographed to me by the author, I want to hang onto it.

Today, attempting to ward off the dreaded "reading funk," I grabbed a newly-arrived mystery from the library that no one had recommended to me, and without regard for challenge categories, off-the-shelf status, critical accalim, or redeeming social value.

Our Lady of Immaculate Deception is funny, irreverent, and maybe a little naughty. It's set in Pittsburgh and written by a Pittsburgh author, Nancy Martin.

I think maybe this one qualifies as a form of brain candy.

Terri- I've had OLOID on my wishlist for a few weeks now....it really looks like fun, and I think you're right. It's going to be one of those brain candies we all need between doorstops.

Ta da! Success ..... found a good used copy of Haunted Deland on Amazon. Terri, I think I'll enjoy this because of the history aspect to the stories.

#178 It's going to be one of those brain candies we all need between doorstops.

Love that line! So far, it is pretty enjoyable.

#179 Caroline, I hope you like it. Let me know what you think. The one story, the perspective she brought to the history, left me a bit on edge. . . I think you may see what I mean, even if you don't react the same way. She even began it by saying something to the effect that she didn't mean to disrespect anyone.

Most of the stories, I was fine with. I love walking that fine line where history and folklore meet.

Insomnia! Got up to check e-mail, and decided to pop onto LT for a bit. Beats tossing and turning . . .

As soon as I started on my newest library book, the book I was anxiously waiting for from Amazon arrived -- on the very last day before I could complain about it being late.

So I think I'll put aside Our Lady of Immaculate Deception (which hasn't quite got me hooked) in favor of Donna Andrews' Murder With Peacocks. I'm anxious to get started on the Meg Lanslow series! (The next two in the series, gifts, have been patiently waiting for the peacocks to arrive so I could start!)

#181: I hope you enjoy your introduction to Donna Andrews, Terri. Sorry about the insomnia though. I know how it goes . . .

Oh, I hope you have fun with the Langslow series!

I was up at 3:22 for the same reason. I however, was completely and totally engrossed in The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; heart pounding and adrenalin rushing! Hmmm maybe that's why I couldn't get back to sleep>

Good move ....making way for Meg Langslow.... I hope you enjoy the book. I love this series and just finished her latest, Swan for the Money.

Good luck with beating the insomnia though.

* wishing Terri was my neighbor so I could borrow spooky books* lol

Thanks to all of you who offered symapthies / kind words regarding my insomnia. I slept much better last night, after a long day.

Yesterday after work, I took my car for state inspection, and wound up waiting through a much-needed brake job (including rotors). Ouch on the wallet! But in addition to the suddenly-lightened wallet, I was fortunate to have in my purse the above-mentioned Murder with Peacocks, which made the wait much more bearable. I am, indeed, having fun with this zany set of characters.

#186 *Mr. Rogers Neighborhood theme runs through mind, transposed into a minor key and set to eerie organ accompaniment . . . "Won't you be my neighbor?"*

lolol Terri...

I have one now that is horror rather than paranormal... so far so good..
The one I read yesterday was good, but heartbreaking...!

I too am having trouble sleeping.. more so falling asleep than staying asleep. Usually I am out by 10:30 at the latest, but midnight is more like it..
I blame DST, as I seem to have this problem for weeks every year after they fool around with time.......

The time change always seems to muddle me a bit, too. I am by nature a night owl, and the Spring time change seems to accentuate that!

#189

Hear hear. Getting up to go to work at 8am was VERY difficult this morning. It didn't help that the heating time hadn't been changed so it was blooming cold trying to get myself out of bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Often I wonder why I am in a job where early mornings are far more usual than late nights. I'd be a perfect night shift worker as I absolutely function better in the dark, and sleep better during the light. Vampire perhaps??

I absolutely function better early in the day..... :)

#190: I'd be a perfect night shift worker as I absolutely function better in the dark

I understand that completely!

#190 Yes, that getting up an hour too early having forgotten to change the clock on our boiler feeling was just what I needed for a Monday morning!

For all who have trouble sleeping, allow me to offer you the cure I had back in Law school ..... Constitutional & Administrative Law by Chris Taylor. Never failed to put me under by page 2

noted

The Inter-library loan I ordered as a Lenten read arrived yesterday. Since there's not much left of Lent, I started reading right away, and kept at it until the end!

#22
Title: Why Me? A Doctor Looks at the book of Job
Author: Diane M. Komp, M.D.
Genre: Non-fiction, devotional/Bible study
Length: 122 pages plus notes and resource listings
Source: Inter-Library loan
Dates: 3/29/10
Challenges: 75 challenge, 1010 challenge, "A Matter of Faith" category

I included a book by Dr. Komp near the end of my 2009 challenge. She is a pediatric oncologist, Professor of Pediatrics Emeritus at Yale Medical School. I met her briefly 2 decades ago and was deeply impressed by her deep faith and her dedication to the children in her care.

In this slender volume, Komp brings together her acquaintance with suffering children and families (and other personal experience) with the famous Biblical story of Job's suffering. I found the book sensitive, theologically sound, and incredibly literate. Many commentaries and works of literature have been written about or based on the story of Job, and Komp cites extensively from various writers.

But, beyond all that, the book just resonated with me. Komp does not try to spoon out easy answers to the question of suffering: there are none. Some readers might find that unsatisfying; I found it refreshingly honest. She also ponders carefully the role of Job's infamous "friends," with all their unhelpful comments, and how easy it is for modern-day "helpers" to fall into the same mistakes.

Each chapter delves into a portion of the Biblical text; each begins with two relevant quotations from literature, and ends with two sets of questions to ponder: one for "Modern Jobs" and one for "Job's Caregivers." I think this book would be excellent for use with a group Bible Study of the book of Job.

Many thanks to the Christian School of York Library -- the only library in the Pennsylvania ILL system listed as owning this book -- for sending it to our local library so that I could read it!

Having read it, though, I may purchase my own copy somewhere. I think it's worth having around.

Great review....I now have a year to track down a copy to put on next year's Lenten list. Thanks so much for the lead.

Great review, Terri! I've just ordered this from Amazon, and will plan to read it next month.

>196 tymfos:: I've always been intrigued by the book of Job. I know there are no answers to the question of suffering, but I've never understood how we were supposed to be mollified by God giving Job a new family, etc. That doesn't take away the fact that he lost everything in his former life.

I'll probably have to get it from ILL, but it will be a good one to read and ponder.

#199: I have often wondered how Job's wife coped with losing all of her children, etc.

#196: I will look for that one, too. Thanks for the recommendation, Terri.

#199: I have often wondered how Job's wife coped with losing all of her children, etc.

#196: I will look for that one, too. Thanks for the recommendation, Terri.

Just a note....I just ('bout 1/2 hr ago) finished a delightful little book be the noodle on caregiving during terminal illness....I'll be posting a review later this week, but parts of it seem to tie in somewhat with the Job story....

I've always been fascinated by the Job story. It's helped me quite a bit with knowing that God doesn't HAVE to explain why he does things. It doesn't really make the hard stuff any easier, but it tames the why questions. I'll have to look into that book. Thanks, Terri!

Thanks to all of you for kind words about my review, and for those who seek the book out, I hope you like it!

#199 Komp acknowledges issues people have with the ending. I tend to have some of the same questions that you do!

#200 One weakness of Komp's book is that I think she's a little hard on Mrs. Job; but, then, the Bible doesn't say much about her. Mainly, we read that classic advice she gave Job to "curse God and die." Not a real flattering picture!

#202 be the noodle is an interesting title! I look forward to your review!

WOW! What great books! Naturally, I'm adding your latest reads to my list.

What a thread so far...went through the February reading blahs with you (had them too), the snow storm that nearly ate your house, the mysteries and thrillers, the return of the sun and right on through to the book of Job. Good stuff, Terri. Enjoyed every minute reading it.

I wanted to share a little story, Terri.. thought you might appreciate it :)
You know I made a little lending library @ work for the staff, right? I put in a lot of books, some others have been very generous. We have over two hundred books. No proper shelves... but that is another story.. they are shelved, the hardbacks on one 4 shelf unit and the soft covers on a .. I don't know what , but it has shelves.

Anyway. I was having lunch yesterday, not sitting in my usual spot, but very near the shelves. I was eating with a friend ... someone I didn't recognize came up and started browsing the shelves. I honestly had no idea who she was, but she pulled book after book, and either dropped them on top.. or shoved them in out of order..
pushed books through so that they were not properly n the shelf but had fallen behind other books. I was watching her , trying to to faint.. and my friend Patti was watching me trying to bite my tongue and finding it amusing. When she finally chose a book and went to eat, Pat told me that she is a new sub.. a school librarian whose hours had been cut, so was now subbing 3 days a week.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, lol. I think she has some deep seated book hostilities.......

Before leaving, I gave the last 5 minutes of my break to trying to repair the considerable damage to the books. ( I arrange by author on each of the two sets of "shelves")

As someone who rearranges books to be in proper order at B&N... you can imagine how I felt.. thought you might understand.. :P

Ah, my son is off to school, and there's time for a little LT before I go to work! It's getting harder and harder to find LT and reading time (at least during normal waking hours . . .)

#205 Thanks, Linda!

#206 Tui, so glad you dropped by to comment so kindly about the thread as the month (and thread) ends. (Yes, as we top 200 posts, I promise to start a new thread tomorrow, April 1st.)

#207 No rhyme or reason to where she moved the books, Kath? Not separating fiction/non-fiction, or putting non-fiction into Dewey order? (If you shelve fiction with non-fiction together, that could drive some library workers bonkers!) Otherwise, I can't fathom her behavior. Perhaps if you see her messing with them again, you might introduce yourself as the library organizer and ask her what she's up to?

I have another book to post -- I was up very late last night (yawn!) finishing the first book in the Meg Langslow series -- but that post will have to wait until after work.

#208: normal waking hours

What are those?

Nope.. not even on a shelf in two cases.. just dropped on top.

book hostility I say!!

:P

I think today I will eat standing in front of the shelf with my arms akimbo~and fire in my eyes..

would that be too much do you think?

ooops@ 8 am .. I am outta here !

#207-perhaps a gentle smiling sign posted above the shelves reminding users that books should be returned in the general facility where they were found. Helping others, etc, etc...
but you're right.....book hostility (maybe her hours were cut because she refused to shelve, or couldn't shelve properly?)

You mean like "People Found Messing Up the Books Will Be Knocked Into Next Week" with a *happy face*?

#210 LOL at mental image of a fired-up Kath guarding the bookshelf!

#212 You mean like "People Found Messing Up the Books Will Be Knocked Into Next Week" with a *happy face*?

LOL! Sometimes I'd like one of those for the library where I work -- especially the paperback book section. . . which I just re-alphabetized yet again today . . .

Wow, another ER book! I've snagged an Early Reviewer copy of Critical Care: A New Nurse faces Death, Life, and Everything in Between by Theresa Brown.

Last night, I was hyper and couldn't relax, let alone go to sleep, so I picked up one of the books I was reading to try and put me in a better mood. And I stayed up and finished it. I was, indeed, in a MUCH better mood after reading; but it was 2:30 a.m.! (yawn!)

My mood brightener:

Book #23
Title: Murder with Peacocks
Author: Donna Andrews
Genre: cozy mystery
Length: 296 pages
Source: newly purchased via Amazon marketplace
Dates: 3/26/10 through 3/31/10 (2:30 a.m.)
Challenges: 75 challenge; 1010 challenge, category "whodunit"
Notes: Book #1 in Meg Langslow series

This book was a delight! Zany and loveable characters (and a few you love to hate!) dealing with mysterious deaths amidst multiple weddings.

I can't wait to read the next installment (which I have now -- the next two, in fact -- courtesy of a kind LT friend!)

Unfortunately, I probably need to wait, as I have to get some of the stuff I'm reading finished. And it's Holy Week, so our family will be a wee bit busy.

ETA to add cover and close boldface

#209: #208: normal waking hours What are those?

In this household, they might be roughly defined as the hours between when I have to get up to give my son his morning meds (6 a.m.) and start prodding him to get ready for school, and the hour by which time hubby and son have both crashed for the night (which largely depends on what kind of day hubby has had).

I am ever grateful that I can go to sleep pretty much when I want. There were so many years when that was NOT the case. :) I get more sleep these days than I ever did...having said that.. the blasted DST is still bedeviling me, and I hope my body adjusts soon....

I have been awake since 3 am.

Hey, it's April now, and it's time for a

***NEW THREAD:***

http://www.librarything.com/topic/88141