Terri - teelgee - 75 in 2010 Take Two

Thread #1 is here
Thread #3 is here

My plans for 2010 include reading mostly books that already reside on my shelves. This wasn't by design, necessarily, but when I put together my 1010 Reading Challenge, I found I already had just about everything I need to read next year. My pocketbook will be relieved, as will my partner.

My 1010 challenge is for just five books in each category, so there's plenty of room to be spontaneous too. Must plan for spontaneity!

Link to my introduction post on the Intro thread.




40. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
39, The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam by Lauren Liebenberg
38, The Outcast by Sadie Jones
37. No Fond Return of Love by Barbara Pym.
36. The Boy Next Door by Irene Sabatini
35. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
34. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
33. The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
32. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson
31. The Love Ceiling by Jean Davies Okimoto
30. Potiki by Patricia Grace
29. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
28. Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens
27. Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich
26. Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt
25. The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance: A Memoir by Elna Baker
24. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
23. Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran -- Review
22. French Milk by Lucy Knisley -- Review
21. Moral Disorder by Margaret Atwood -- Review
20. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson-- Review
19. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
18. The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli -- Review
17. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer -- Review
16. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
15. The Patience Stone by Atiq Rahimi
14. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson
13. The Girl with No Shadow by Joanne Harris -- Review
12. Possession: A Romance by A. S. Byatt -- Review
11. Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym -- Review
10. Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips -- Review
9. The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett -- Review
8. The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer -- Review
7. The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss -- Review
6. Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy -- Review
5. The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat -- Review
4. Peace like a River by Leif Enger -- Review
3. Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann -- Review
2. The Mammoth Cheese by Sheri Holman -- Review
1. The Bone People by Keri Hulme -- Review

Congratulations on joining the multi-thread club!

Terri- Buzzing by to say hi! Welcome to Take 2!!

Good morning Terri!

I think Possession might be the oldest unread book in my TBR pile. I bought it in my second year at uni, 21 years ago. I've never made it past the first chapter. I've bought The Children's Book already and hope it doesn't take me 21 years to get through!

Hi Terri, I like your new digs. I have good memories of Possession, but read it so long ago that I don't know if it would stand the test of time.

The new Erdrich, Shadow Tag, was very disappointing to me. I did so want to like it. It's hard writing a fair review about a book that doesn't work for you, isn't it? I guess that's why I'm getting caught up on threads instead of working on my review.

13. The Girl with No Shadow by Joanne Harris (aka The Lollipop Shoes in other countries). Sequel to the wonderful Chocolat. Very disappointing. Review (2/5)

#6: I loved Chocolat and then tried to read the sequel. I gave up after 50 pages - no magic in it for me.

Or too much magic! She hits you over the head with it.

I meant 'no magic' in the sense that there was not that feeling of magic like I had with the first book. Too bad really.

Very good Terri! You managed not to add anything to my pile. For once.

Oh good, Bonnie, that's my goal here! LOL! Stasia, yes, I knew what you meant. There was just NO subtlety in TGWNS. Review is almost finished. Much harder to write reviews of a book I didn't care for!

Absolutely! Much harder. A lot of times I can't put into words why I didn't like a book. I just didn't.

>11 teelgee:: Much harder to write review of a book i didn't care for!

Especially if it's written by a beloved author (^Msg. 5 ^) or if you've loved an earlier book like Chocolat in your case.

Review of ...No Shadow is up. "Where Chocolat is a rich, dark seductive treat, TGWNS is a waxy, flavorless Tootsie Roll. " Read more.

Nice job worthy of a thumb. But I must say that I am a fan of Tootsie Rolls!

Nice review, Terri, and I gave it a thumbs up as well. (I am not, however, a fan of Tootsie Rolls.)

Where Chocolat is a rich, dark seductive treat, TGWNS is a waxy, flavorless Tootsie Roll.

Oh that's really good Terri and so is the review.

OK Terri - hands up - please enlighten me egarding 'Tootsie Rolls'!

LOL Julie! A log of "chocolate" that is probably mostly corn syrup with flavoring, it's tasteless and waxy and chewy and SO not chocolate!

eta found a list of ingredients:
The ingredients of a chocolate Tootsie Roll are sugar, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, condensed milk, cocoa, whey, soy lecithin, orange extract, and artificial and condensed flavors.

Why thank you - and a photo. No offence but I'm glad it is not tasty screen view here!

Excellent review, Terri!

Another enticing view of the TR:

Oh no .....

This picture reminds me of the hysterical scene in the movie Caddy Shack, where they drain the swanky country club's swimming pool because of a suspicious brown item floating in it. When the pool is almost empty, Bill Murray's whacky character reaches down, picks the item up, shrugs, and takes a big bite of it, much to to the disgust of the onlookers. It was a chocolate bar (Snickers?)!

Disappointed to read that The Girl With No Shadow is a mere Tootsie Roll.

I absolutely detest Tootsie Rolls - they remind me of soft brown crayons ... equally disgusting when chewed on.

Thanks for the heads up, Terri ... I'm keeping well away from this book.... and Tootsie Rolls.

14. The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson. (Finished just before midnight, so I squeeze in another February book.) Nonfiction account of cholera epidemic in Victorian London and the discovery of how it's transmitted. Review to follow. (3.5/5)

#27: I already have that one in the BlackHole, Terri, but I look forward to your comments on it.

Sounds like one I might like, so onto the wishlist it goes!

We're going to hear the author speak tonight, so I'll write my review after that.

Very cool! I liked the book, would love to hear a report on his talk...

yes, add me to those who would like to know about the talk and your impressions.

15. The Patience Stone by Atiq Rahimi. Must gather my thoughts after reading this short and powerful novel. Disturbing and poetic. (4/5) Review later.

I happened to pick up The Patience Stone at the library today. "Short and powerful" - sounds great!

16. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Wow. 4.5 Review coming (hopefully) soon.

Oooh, looking forward to your review of Cutting for Stone. I have it on the bookshelf.

#35: I have had that one in the BlackHole for a while now, Terri, but my local library still does not have it. I am looking forward to your review.

Well Terri we gave it the same rating so I'm starting to think we are cut from the same cloth, i.e. we love the same books :-P

Bonnie, yes, considering we share SO many books in our libraries and our ratings are really similar for a lot of them! Same cloth, or at least same book binding!

I thought Bonnie was going to say you were 'cut from the same stone'...get it? Cutting for Stone. OK, back to work for me.

OK, back to work for me. Good plan. ;o)

17. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer. Will post a review by Friday, when this book is scheduled for the Classics Circuit tour on my blog. Suffice to say, it was just too darn long for what it was! (3/5)

Can't wait to read your review of The Patience Stone and Cutting for Stone .... you did promise a review, right? ;-)

Uh huh... I really will get to it this week! Really!

The review marathon begins. Here's the Heyer review.

Terri

Everyone raves about Cutting For Stone. Looks like you also joined the fan club.

Patiently waiting for your Cutting for Stone review. I tend to review books as soon as I read them but would probably give a truer picture if I let the book gel a bit.

Btw, I didn't need the barf bag I stole from the airplane at Disney World. There was plenty to do without going on the dizzy rides. Dumbo was about as crazy as I got!

the simulator rides make me violently ill. The tower of terror is appropriately named.

Soon, Donna, soon. I have one more "have to" review by Tuesday (and the book to read yet) but will endeavor to finish my Cutting for Stone review this weekend.

Glad no barf bag was required!

18. The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli. (This was an ARC read and reviewed for the TLC Book Blog Tour; book is due out next week.)

When I discovered this book was about the Vietnam War I was hesitant to read it; it would obviously take me deep into the realities of the fighting and the atrocities through the perspective of a combat photographer. I’m not big on war stories. But The Lotus Eaters is such a well written novel, I was immediately drawn into the story of Helen Adams, an amateur photographer who goes to Vietnam on a lark in 1963 and becomes the first woman photographer to “embed” with troops as they go out on patrols. She eventually becomes a legend for her photographs and her ability to get into the thick of things for “the one shot.”

Read more of my review here.

Highly recommended (4/5)

#51: Into the BlackHole it goes!

Terri- Loved the review and added it to the WL. Good job! BTW, I have The Arrival and Hugo Cabret from the library!

I just got Lotus Eaters in the mail. I can't wait to get to it!

Once again Terri you've hooked me with your great review. Onto the pile it goes.

This may turn out to be my "gateway" into Vietnam, Terri. I have avoided books and movies dealing with the subject for all these years, but lately I've felt it might be time to explore it.

Thanks Mark - can't wait to hear what you think of those two books!

Jill, I think you will like this one.

Thanks Bonnie!

Linda. I don't know that I'll rush out and get more books about Vietnam Linda, but I won't be so quick to dismiss now.

Terri, Linda - Curious about your hesitancy to read books about Vietnam. I am assuming you mean you're not sure if you want to read books about the war? If that's the case, is it because you opposed the war?

(Sorry to be nosy and you can tell me to go away!).

Great review of The Lotus Eaters, Terri. Definitely adding this to my wish list.

Jill, you're not nosy!! I don't like reading books about war in general just because I'm not a fan of reading about violence of any sort. And I'm definitely not a fan of books that glorify war. I did oppose it, yes. Not as vociferously as I oppose the most recent debacles, but yes, I think it was a huge waste of lives, environment, money and resources, as I think most wars are.

I do find that I'm reading a lot of books about wartime - the lives of people during WWII in particular - but not the people engaged in fighting.

Thanks, Caroline! I hope it gets some good recognition.

Isn't amazing that there are so many books out there providing information on how wars were started, the lives and ands that were destroyed and money wasted .... and yet we still have governments almost ever ready to wage war on others. Why don't they want to learn from history?

Two words: Money. Power.

Two more words : No conscience.

I've read many war accounts from the battlefield and homefront. War is hell.

I finished my other book and am delving into Lotus Eaters. Your review was too tempting.

#58 The Vietnam war was what I was afraid of in my late teens, Jill. We didn't have terrorist attacks, MRSA, Swine flu, identity theft and global warming to worry about, and the "Big C" was Communism, not cancer. So somehow if we didn't fight that war, the Communists were going get us, but if we did fight it, the big brothers of some of my friends---and eventually the friends themselves and their little brothers were going to go there and not come back. Or come back all messed up. When I got to college and picked up a little political awareness (consciousness-raising, we called it), I did oppose it. In a fairly safe, liberal-arts-college-student, listen-to-the-groovy-music sort of way. It was the "in" thing to do. And then came the draft lottery, which in 1971 seriously threatened to send my fiance to the jungles of Southeast Asia, and the fear thing came back big time. By then I knew people who had filed for conscientious objector status, had gone off to Canada to avoid the draft, or had fathered children to get a deferment. The American Civil War and World War II have fascinated me, and I've read lots of fiction and history, seen lots of movies, about both. But I have never been able to approach the Vietnam war on screen, nor been tempted to read much about it. It just comes too close to home, I guess.

My uncle served during the Vietnam War (he volunteered). It was during the most active of peace movements and he was greeted with cow feces when he came off the plane. And my grandmother got phone calls, accusing her of raising a baby killer. The calls stopped after she called General Westmoreland's office (LOL!) and complained. (This is all true.)

Interestingly, for you and Terri who opposed the war and have a hard time reading about it, I think the same thing can be true to those who served in Vietnam as well. My uncle never wanted to see Full Metal Jacket, The Deer Hunter or read books about the war. He was very screwed up when he came home and never recovered. He passed away in 2004.

Not being alive during this era, I find both sides fascinating but tragic too. I thank Terri and Linda for telling me about your feelings.

I was married to a Vietnam vet who was very seriously injured. He was pretty messed up for a long time and I felt very conflicted about that war for a long time. I felt like I was betraying him by opposing it, but just couldn't justify it in the end, especially after seeing him injured, spending lots of time in military and VA hospitals at such a tender age (19-20).

It was not a great time in our history. And it's been especially difficult to watch our country do the same damn thing in Iraq.

My hubby was a combat vet in Viet Nam and has no interest in any of the movies either. But for him, and for many others I think, the horrible reception he got when he got home by the war protesters was very hard to take. He got drafted for God sake! He didn't choose to go over. I think it's important that we support our troops even as we are against war, whatever war the idiots in Washington send them to, while they sit snug and safe at home.

Oh my, I didn't mean to go on so.

We did get slightly off on a tangent here, and since I may be responsible for starting it, I'll try to steer us back to books. SOoooo Terri...what are you reading now??? ;>)

LOL! I think I am to blame for off-target conversations. But it was a good one! Yes, Terri, whatcha reading?

Tangents are welcome here! A sign of good book discussion, imo.

Now I'm reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Fascinating, maddening, enlightening. Well written too!

#72: I just finished that one a couple of days ago. I thought it was terrific.

#72 I've heard a lot about that, and seen Henrietta's family members talking about her life. It is all very fascinating, and I hope to get around to reading the book too, especially if you continue to find it worthwhile.

Hi Terri;
I just wanted to pop by & say hello & whatcha reading? I think I found out.
re: V/N War; one of my brothers was there and injured several times. He, too, was a different boy/man when he came home. He never talked about his experiences around the rest of us. The only time we knew of him to talk about it was when he & my pop had themselves locked in the gun shop. (Pop was a gunsmith.) Then we knew that they were talking about WWII, which my pop was in &/or Viet Nam.
And I think that many of us would have felt differently had we gone in & kicked ass, but we just went in with a "hold "em" sort of mind set. (the govt, that is) Had we just kicked ass and come home it would not have been as devastating as it was.
I was 19 & my brother just barely 18 when he left and he was not the same happy-go-lucky Sam when he came home but he sure tried hard to appear to be. I, too, have never watched Apocalypse, nor read much on Viet Nam. It is just too painful.
People didn't feel the same about "the Great War" nor WWII. But those wars we were trying to win and we could see the sense of our being there. With Nam, even the Vietnamese did not want us there so.............
Okay, off my soapbox!~!
Read & loved The Count of Monte Cristo!~! I have been busy this year horning in on all of your group reads and for the most part, am loving my reading plan. I did break away from it after this last one because 1300 pages in approximately 6 days, (just because I love the book so much I couldn't put it down), was a lot for me. So I am currently leisurely reading Pepita by Vita Sackville-West. It is light and enjoyable and I am learning quite a bit about the previous 3 generations of the Spanish/German/English people and their lifestyles. It is, as is everything by her, very good.
Good to "see" you Terri and all the rest of you too.
belva

And I think that many of us would have felt differently had we gone in & kicked ass, but we just went in with a "hold "em" sort of mind set. (the govt, that is) Had we just kicked ass and come home it would not have been as devastating as it was.

But kicked whose ass? I don't think it was ever clear. Just as it isn't in the Middle East. Blowing up villages and civilians to root out a few terrorists? None of it makes sense.

Thanks for stopping by Belva and adding your perspective!

Loved both the short and full-length review of The Lotus Eaters, Terri! Great discussion too!

19. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Wow. Just wow. Amazing book. Will review soon. (4.5/5)

#78: Wow. Just wow. Amazing book.

That is pretty much my reaction to it too.

I had a feeling it would be...I'm going to see if the library has it right now.

ETA: I'm now No. 18 in the queue. *sigh*

>78 teelgee:: I haven't even read your review yet, but based on your reaction and messages 79-80, it just landed on my wishlist!

>78 teelgee: Uh huh, uh huh, told you so:)

>82 brenzi:: oh, you loved it too, Bonnie? Now I'm even more certain I'd love it. Too bad my library doesn't have it yet.

Nice review in the NYT of The Lotus Eaters.

>82 brenzi: Oh yes you did! I didn't doubt you for a second, you know!

Whew, finally getting caught up here!

The Lotus Eaters is now on my wishlist, based on your great review, Terri!

Years ago I saw a film called Frankie's House (based on memoirs by photojournalist Tim Page) about journalists in Vietnam, including a woman. The story was mostly about Page and Sean Flynn (Errol's son), a journalist who disappeared there, but I kept wanting to know more about her story and her perspective. The Lotus Eaters sounds like what I was looking for.

I just finished the fabulous The Lotus Eaters - review coming soon - and then asked Tatjana Soli to friend me on Facebook. She accepted! =)

20. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. This is a re-read for me. I first read this book ~15 years ago and was struck by the lyricism. I didn't remember much about the story. On this re-read, I'm still struck by the lyricism - I feel as though I've read an extended poem. The story is almost incidental to the language. But the story, largely character driven, is wonderful, too.

Full review is here. (4.5/5)

So, its lyricism struck you twice?

This one has been on my shelf forever.....

Oh do read it, Jill!

I read this one right after I read Gilead a few years ago and was also struck by the lyrical writing Terri. Thumbed your review.

Terri- Terrific review! I saw the film Housekeeping many years ago and it was a delightful gem, never realizing it was adapted from a book. Then I discovered, like Bonnie, Gilead and was blown away! Home was also very good! Robinson is an amazing writer!

>88 teelgee:: I always look for copies of Housekeeping at library sales so I can give them to friends. It's that kind of book! A big thumbs up.

What incredibly fascinating conversations on this thread.

Add me to the list of those vicariously impacted by the Viet Nam war. I've posted this before, so I'm sorry to repeat it here. My ex husband came back VERY emotionally scared. It is a long and painful story, but suffice it to say he was emotionally damaged and returned to a country unappreciative of what he went through...It was/is a shame!

Post tramatic stress is difficult, both for the person experiencing it and those suffering with with the sufferer.

Back to books, I'm adding Housekeeping to the never ending tbr pile.

I loved Housekeeping when I read it a few years ago. I was struck by the cover on the book you posted. The train track on the cover of my copy is OK, but the woman sitting in the chair in the water is very interesting.

#88: Based on your review alone Terri, I am going to give it a try. It sounds just wonderful!

>95 Copperskye: Joanne - the cover on my current copy is also the train tracks, but the first copy I read had that cover on it and it always intrigued me, so I chose that one.

I read Housekeeping about 20 years ago. It has stuck with me. I have tried other Robinson novels, but for some reason they haven't had the same impact.

Housekeeping is now on the wishlist.

Yes, I've been wishing for housekeeping for years. ;o)

>98 alphaorder: It took me a couple of tries with Gilead but I was finally in the right frame of mind last summer to read it and loved it. I'm looking forward to reading Home soon, probably for Orange July.

#99 LOL. This weekend Laura and Mike are moving his stuff into the 2-bedroom apartment they will share when they're married. They hired a maid service to come in and clean the kitchen and bathroom of the apartment he's moving out of. Crikey. When I think of all the moving-out scrubbing I've done in 38 years...and she just calls a service. She'll make a great doctor's wife, won't she?

21. Moral Disorder by Margaret Atwood. I don't have much to say about this book, it was just meh for me. Eleven short stories, loosely connected; not engaging. It took me ten days to read a little less than 300 pages; I kept finding other things to do. I didn't find this one up to Ms. Atwood's standards atall. (3/5)

#102: OK, it sounds like I can finally skip one by Atwood. I hope you enjoy your next read better, Terri.

It's several years since I read Moral Disorder but I remember thinking that while, as with many collections of short stories, some were better than others, some were very good and up to what I expect of Atwood. I remember finding some quite moving. But we would have nothing to talk about if we all agreed!

22. French Milk by Lucy Knisley. I've fallen in love with graphic novels and memoirs the last two years and looked forward to this one that came highly recommended by...someone, I don't remember who. Unfortunately, I found this one to be boring, repetitive and sloppy.

(Complete review here.) (2/5)

#105: Not good news for me as I just ordered that one a couple of weeks ago. *sigh*

Well a lot of people seemed to like it, Stasia, so maybe you will.

I liked it better than you did, Terri. But I did resent her whininess at times, given that I've never been to Europe and she got to stay there for three weeks! Stasia, you'll read it in two seconds--not to worry! ;-)

#108: I will try and make it a short two seconds, lol.

Well I'm not enamoured with graphic novels yet but I did enjoy Stitches. I won't be reading this one though.

LOL. This is the first and only graphic novel I've read. I'm so glad you didn't like it, Terri, as I was kind of puzzled by it. Being the good sport that I am, I decided not to use it as the standard for G.N.s, and am still awaiting Stitches from the library.

Btw, I liked the addition of the photos, but wondered why they were such poor quality. It looked like she was using a pretty nice camera. My pocket digital camera takes better pictures than the ones in the book!

Maybe they were supposed to be that way, to give it a "real" journal flavor--you know, the way directors use hand-held, shaky cameras to indicate an amateur's doing the camera work?

For folks who are interested in graphic memoir (I'm trying very hard to distinguish those from graphic novels which seems to have become the generic), I'd recommend Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. I preferred it even to Stitches.

Oh Donna, I'm glad you aren't using this for a standard, because there are such better GNs out there! I loved Stitches and Fun Home and all of Shaun Tan's books and Persepolis and and and.... This was definitely the bottom of the pile for me!

OK, you said the magic "NOT READING THIS ONE" word for me - whininess. Thanks!

I also like to recommend The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It is a toss up whether this book is a graphic novel or an illustrated novel. Whichever you prefer, it's wonderful!

Agree, mamzel! I loved that book. Gorgeously illustrated.

Terri- I'm loving Hugo Cabret, thanks to you! It's shaping up to be my favorite G.N., so far! I love the format too! Pages of text and then pages of illustrations! Wonderful!!

Make sure you visit the website mentioned in the back of the book. It takes you to the Franklin Institue and you can watch a video of the Maillarde automaton. Neat!

23. Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran. Love, betrayal, fear and suspicion are some of the themes that populate this historical novel, a superb debut for Vanitha Sankaran. Set in early 14th century France, Watermark begins with the birth of Auda, the novel’s protagonist. Her mother, Elena, sacrifices herself so that her infant may live. But it’s obvious from the beginning that Auda will face many challenges.

Read full review.

(4/5)

#120: That one looks very good. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Terri!

Watermark sounds really good.

*sigh* Another one for the wishlist.

24. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. Excellent historical fiction about a little known fossil hunter, Mary Anning, in early 19th century England. Review forthcoming. (4/5)

#123: I will be reading that one in the near future since I already have it home from the library. Glad you liked it, Terri!

Hello Terri.

I imagine you are taking many spring photos! I hope all is well with you.

I've added Watermark to the pile. Remarkable Creatures is already on the wish list.

I recently watched a video, called Stolen, regarding the Gardner Heist wherein Vermeer's The Concert was taken. Tracy Chevalier spoke about Vermeer. I was impressed by her depth of feeling and her ability to describe the importance of Vermeer's art.

25. The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance: A Memoir by Elna Baker. (4/5)

This is quite a title! How in the world did you find this book?

A friend of ours recommended it as a memoir of the younger generation. It's quite a remarkable book, really - very funny with not a little twenty-something spiritual and romantic angst.

#126: I am adding that one to the BlackHole. It looks too fun to pass up.

Stasia, I've got to link you to a Moth podcast of a reading from this book--hilarious! Just getting off now, though, so will do it tomorrow.

#130: Looking forward to it, Bonnie!

I've seen something about this, a newspaper magazine article perhaps (our weekend newspapers usually have a "colour supplement" magazine - they attract lots of advertising but often have interesting articles on background to new films and books etc.

26. Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt. (3/5)

found you again~ yay! & uh-oh

24. Remarkable Creatures ... I read the Washington Post review on Amazon... omg! the first lines had me lol~

>133 teelgee:: Ahem. A bit spare on the details aren't we? I heard the author interviewed on NPR and was intrigued. Yet you only gave it 3 stars. Tell me more!

I promise I will catch up on the last two in the next day or two!! Brain = Mush.

Hi Terri- Missed seeing you around! Hope things will be smoother for you!

Thanks, Mark. Just incredibly busy up until yesterday! And yesterday I actually started reading again! Life will settle down for a few months now, yea.

27. Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich. A wild departure from Erdrich's usual novels. Compelling, disturbing, readable; almost a psychological thriller. Will have to mull this one over awhile. (3.5/5)

#140: Erdrich is one of the authors I have found through LT. That one sounds different than her usual. I may have to give it a try.

28. Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens. Engaging story, but overly long for what it is. Also, a few too many convenient events and coincidences. Lansens wrote the fabulous novel The Girls after this debut novel. The Girls was stunning, so it was good to see she got better after this one! (3.5/5)

#142: I loved The Girls when I read it. I will probably read Rush Home Road at some point because I like to see an author's progression (is that weird? *sigh* probably)

Not weird Stasia, I do that too. Well, I guess it could still be weird.

I do recommend this book - was quite enthralled with it until the last 1/4 or so, but still a good read.

I'm glad to see that you recommend Rush Home Road, Terri, because I bought it at the last library book sale. I'm not in a hurry to read it, however. I was a little disappointed in Erdrich's latest book. I really missed the absence of the recurring characters.

I'm glad life is settling back down for you. Summers should be a relaxed time with oodles of good reading and other things that make life enjoyable. We're about to wave goodbye to our week end guests. My current book, In the Woods, has been sadly neglected the past few days with all the activities crammed into a short space.

#144: Well, I guess we can be weird together then, Terri :)

Has anyone read her latest, The Wife's Tale? I know it was offer through the ER program but I didn't snag a copy. I haven't heard much talk and I know many here loved The Girls, I would think her new book would generate some talk?

#147: Susan, Linda (Whisper) read it, I believe.

I read The Wife's Tale and it was very good! I would recommend it if you liked The Girls.

Stasia, you have an incredible memory! I did read The Wife's Tale. I liked it, but The Girls is by far my favorite book of Lansens

just tiptoeing through trying not to add books...

#150: I have to have a good memory considering how many recommendations come from this group!

29. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. I love this book. Probably my fourth read and it still gives me pause. I was especially moved by it in light of the gushing oil in the Gulf of Mexico. A little bit fantasy, a lot philosophy and a cultural message we should have taken in decades ago. (4.5/5)

#153: I have had that one in the BlackHole for a while now. I suppose I will get to it eventually.

Can I be cloned?

I thought you already are, since you seem to be everywhere at all hours!!!

No, unfortunately not.

I want a clone who does nothing but read and does not have to worry about going to work, meal plans and grocery lists, grocery shopping, laundry etc.

Don't you want it the other way around, Stasia? ;-) I would want the clone to do all that other stuff, so that I could read all day.

#157: Yep, you are right, Bonnie!

Oh, I loved Ishmael! And I just read The Lonely Polygamist (which was great!) and if I can't have a wife than I will take a clone. ; ) And I get to do the reading.

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, I loved this book, too. I have read it 3-4 times. The Story of B is also wonderful.. and I may like it even more.. hard to say.

I didn't like The Story of B that much. But My Ishmael is every bit as good as the original - or better. I'll read that again soon too.

yep... liked that one too...

Hi Berly! The Lonely Polygamist sounds so good! I think I will add it to my Father's Day wishlist!

I saw The Lonely Polygamist at the bookshop at lunch today. Managed to resist, but it was a close call.

Go back and get it, Wookie!!

Shan't!

Because it wasn't my favourite bookshop. If my favourite bookshop had been open, it would have been a completely different story. (They're closed for a couple of days as they move the kids' bookshop in from its other location.) If my favourite bookshop had been open, I would have probably come away with my lunch fixings and The Lonely Polygamist; the new David Mitchell, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet because it's on sale in their window, 20% off; and that new teen zombie post-apocalyptic novel, Feed, someone else just raved about.

I merely window shop at my second favourite bookshop. (They're new and set up almost directly opposite my old favourite! I have *loyalty*, and I'm not deserting my old favourite for any slick newcomer!)

You are all VERY dangerous to my wallet! I am going to be crushed and killed by a toppling Mt TBR one day!

Ah, the loyalty factor. One has to respect that. Wookie, now you actually get points for abstaining. BTW--Sorry about the wallet and falling mountain perils: One reads threads here at one's own risk!

Oh Hi Terri!!

30. Potiki by Patricia Grace. Excellent. (4/5)

#168: I already have that one in the BlackHole due to Tad's recommendation. One of these centuries I will actually get to it.

#168: What Stasia said. I'll read Dogside Story first, though.

OK, Terri, I have that one here and it is getting pushed near the top! I nearly read it for the one word TIOLI challenge last month but didn't get to it.

The Lonely Polygamist keeps trying to lure me in.. I just used the mystical LT predictor thingamabob and it says that I will love it. It never says that..lol!
I have a lot of fun using it but it always says that I will probably like~

Might have to hunt a copy down... sigh

Terri - Potiki looks interesting. I read Tad's review and since the 2 of you are giving it 4 stars, I am intrigued .. off to the wish list it goes.

Andy/depressaholic was promoting Potiki heavily several years ago and I read it then, but I have to confess that although I was very impressed by a lot of it, I didn't love it the way he did.

It was either Andy or Tad who I listened to back then and was on the lookout for this book for a long time and finally found a used copy. Well worth it! Really stunning writing and good to read a story of exploitation through the eyes of the exploited Maoris.

31. The Love Ceiling by Jean Davies Okimoto. (3.5/5). Review on my blog and here on LT.

Thumbs up from me on your excellent review!

me too... it looks very good!

I recommend it to readers who like stories about families going through big transitions as well as stories about art and artists.

That sounds like a fit, Terri, plus it's set in the Seattle area, so I'll read it not expecting a masterpiece, considering your 3-ish rating.

32. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson. Good, fun mystery, well written. Atkinson is master at weaving a bunch of stories together. (4/5)

#180: I still need to read Case Histories before I get to that one. Good to know it is worth reading though!

Julie sent me Case Histories a year ago... must get to it

That's equally as good, Kath -- and I have the third in the Jackson Brodie series, When Will There Be Good News lingering on Mt. TBR.

Just piping up to say I love those Jackson Brodie books!

Yah, mysteries aren't my usual fare, but I do enjoy these. Maybe I'll expand my mystery reading a bit.

Terri -I have to chime in as well! Big fan of the 3 Jackson Brodie books!

33. The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett. Excellent book. Love the story, the writing, the characters. (4.5/5)

>187 teelgee:, good to hear it! That one's been on my shelf forever. Need to get to it!

#187: That was the first book of Patchett's I ever read. It is due for a re-read. Thanks for the reminder, Terri. Glad you liked it!

Terri- I have never read Patchett and I see her books everywhere! Is Run any good?

I have a book or two of Patchetts, but have never picked one up. I assume that if you like it Terri, I will, as our tastes are similar enough to make me tremble with apprehension when I enter your thread... lol

I didn't care for Run but I loved The Patron Saint of Liars. The Magician's Assistant was also very good.

I haven't read Run and haven't heard great things about it, so not sure I will. I LOVED Bel Canto and The Magician's Assistant. The three of hers I've read are all very different from one another.

34. A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson. Charming, funny novel with much irony and an occasional nod to some serious subjects (AIDS, death, politics, boy soldiers). Lovely writing. (4/5)

Aarrggghh! I am catching up with other 75 Book-ers, and came across your thread, teelgee. I'm getting away with no fewer than four new titles on my TBR list! I'm going to look for Housekeeping, Remarkable Creatures (that might already be on the list, actually), Shadow Tag, and Patron Saint of Liars. Very rich findings here! Thanks for the recommendations.

Karen O.

terri is dangerous that way... I am going to have to add #34 ...

I was just thinking the same thing, Kathleen!

Mark, read Bel Canto. I guarantee you'll like that one the best! Tomorrow my favorite used book store has a 40% off sale on all their used books, and I'm hoping I'll find a copy of A Guide to the Birds of East Africa. I'm actually creating my 'short list' now, so I can be efficient for a change. (As opposed to, "I'm trying to remember the title of a book I want...It's about Birds in Africa...Do you know what book I'm talking about?" ..."No, I don't know the author, but the cover is sort of pinkish and has pictures of birds on it.")

I haven't read Patron Saint of Liars ...I guess with your high rating, I'm going to need to add that to my obese wish list.

Mark: I second Bonnie ....read Bel Canto .. I know you'll enjoy it.

Thanks Bonnie & Caroline- I'll add Bel Canto to the list. Funny, whenever I saw that title, I thought it would be a sappy Italian romance or something! Now I know!

I didn't expect to like Bel Canto because of all the hype, but a friend forced it on me and I loved it, and then went on to read other work by Ann Patchett. The Patron Saint of Liars was the best of her others, I think.

Count me in amongst the Bel Canto fans. I loved it.

I was introduced to Ann Patchett by Bel Canto, which I thought was brilliant. I then found The Patron Saint of Liars at the library, and enjoyed that one very much as well.

I have both Run and Truth and Beauty on Mt TBR, I'm looking forward to them too (although I have heard they're not as good as the first two I've read, I'm betting a not-so-good Patchett novel is still a good read).

I am reading Bel Canto for Orange July!

Caught up...will keep Ann Patchett on my radar now.

35. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

Astonishing book - the characters, narrative, dialog, story, setting, all practically flawless. And that's saying a lot for 850+ pages. McMurtry is a master storyteller. I never thought I'd be interested in this Western, but Lonesome Dove will make it onto my top 20, if not top 10 books of all time.

I was hoping to finish this before July 1 - and it was 11:30 pm when I closed the cover. I'm a bit behind at the 2010 half way mark and have a few more chunksters to read yet this year. But after this stellar reading month, I don't care!!!

#206: after this stellar reading month, I don't care!!!

I hear you Terri! It is so much more about the books than it is the numbers.

Wow, Terri, I knew you were enjoying it but that's really high praise. And who cares about the numbers, right?

Terri- So glad you loved the book! It's easily at the very top of my all-time favorite books. Try to find the film version now! They did an excellent job with it!

I'm so glad you loved Lonesome Dove. Isn't it great when something thoroughly surprises you that way? I expected to enjoy it, but when I got to the line "We don't rent pigs", I was totally hooked and never wanted it to end.

I felt the same way Terri. A western?? Why would I want to read a western?? Wow! What a fantastic book. Hmmm you may have just talked me into a reread. Or did I talk myself into it?

Mark, I put it on my Netflix queue a few days ago, and bumped it to the top. Can't wait!

Robert Duvall as Gus and Tommy Lee Jones as Call! Priceless!

I'm so glad you rated Lonesome Dove so highly, Terri. I loved it at the time that I read it, and put it in my "favorites" collection, but wondered how I would rate it now.

I read Lonesome Dove the summer after we moved to Colorado which seemed fitting. I loved it too, and the movie is great as well!

I for one could not be more pleased that you are not reading faster. Essier on my tbr pile...

Am I the only one in the world that hasn't read Lonesome Dove? I have a lovely, though very heavy, hardback copy waiting in the wings. Right now I'm reading my Ivan Doig book about Montana, but it looks like I'll be heading south for some real cowboy action. And soon!

If it will end up in your Top Twenty, Terri, that's all the recommendation I need.

Nope... I haven't either.. and this is one that did not move me to add it :)

Terri

A very close friend who is a veracious reader chooses McMurtry as her favorite author.

I haven't read Lonesome Dove, but plan to do so soon.

Thanks for your recommendation.

I haven't read Lonesome Dove either, but it looks like I need to.

I have read Lonesome Dove but it was years ago. Must be time for a re-read. I wonder where my copy has gotten to . . .

I read Books last year by McMurtry and thought it was so-so. Many people here on LT recommended Lonesome Dove - thanks for the review! I will have to see if I can find a copy.

36. The Boy Next Door by Irene Sabatini. Interesting novel about Zimbabwe after independence. Beginning in the 1980s, we follow the narrator Lindiwe from adolescence through adulthood. The boy next door is Ian, a white boy, who is charged with murdering his stepmother by setting her on fire. In the first part of the book, Lindiwe is filled with teenage angst as she explores her attraction to Ian, who is released and returns to the neighborhood after just a few years.

The story is full of tensions -- racial, sexual, political, familial -- and secrets. The chaotic inner worlds of Lindiwe and Ian are mirrored by the chaos in the outer world, as Zimbabweans try to find their way after independence, which involves a great deal of fighting and inner turmoil.

I found the first part of the book choppy and difficult to follow -- but the narrator was a 14 year old girl; as Lindiwe matured, so did the story and the narration. There were a number of Shona words and no glossary, so I had to guess at the meaning sometimes.

That said, this was an excellent read and I recommend this debut novel - the 2010 winner of the Orange Prize for New Writers. (4/5)

Nice review, Terri! Into the BlackHole it goes.

Great review, Terri; I started The Boy Next Door last night.

Intriguing - I wonder if the change in writing style was deliberate to show Lindiwe's maturity.

I think so Jill. It's a style I've encountered in other books too and I think it works well for a first person novel.

Once again Terri you've sold me on a book. Onto the teetering tower it goes. I love the idea of a maturing narrator.

37. No Fond Return of Love by Barbara Pym. I love Pym's writing, but this one seemed a little draggy to me. (3.5/5)

Zenzele is an excellent book regarding a mother residing in Zimbabwe who writes a narrative letter to her daughter as she leaves for college in the US.

Because I enjoyed this book, I'm also adding the book by Irene Sabatini. Thanks for your excellent review.

#229: I have not read that one by Pym yet. I will have to give it a go.

38. The Outcast by Sadie Jones. Compelling, difficult subject matter, intense, very well written novel of a young man in 1950s England who is not permitted grieving over a very traumatic event in his life and the effects this has on his coming of age. Recommended. (4/5)

39. The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam by Lauren Liebenberg. Fabulous book. Orange Prize shortlist for new writers, 2008. (4.5/5). I'll try to write more re it later -- my mind is reeling just now. Highly recommend.

Can't wait to learn more! You temptress! =)

I've been so bad about writing reviews the last few months! Not out of spite though! LOL! This book had me bursting out in tears a couple of times, very unusual for me - but my frame of mind is a bit fragile right now too! I think you'd like this one Jill.

Added The Voluptuous Delights... to my wishlist even without the review, 'cas I tend to like the same books you do.

I'm adding The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam to my sooner-rather-than-later list--it sounds really good.

Karen O.

I'm addingThe Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam to my wish list, too.

What Bonnie, Karen and Darryl said;-)

I already had The Voluptuous Delights of Peanut Butter and Jam in the BlackHole, but my local library still does not have a copy. Rats.

I had to get it from The Book Depository Stasia. It wasn't available here either.

I can't find it anywhere; none of the MNLINK libraries have it (and that includes some of Wisconsin and the Dakotas I think). (Ooh, funny, I used the square brackets and got a touchstone--I should see what that book is!)

So, The Book Depository, hmm? I'll have to look there.

Karen O.

Yes, Karen - reasonable prices and no shipping anywhere on the planet.

#241: Thanks for the heads up, Terri. I will check there.

What I meant in #243 is no shipping FEE -- I made it sound like they don't ship anywhere. It's the pain meds.

#245: It's the pain meds.

I wish I could fall back on that as an excuse some times :)

Yah, it's coming in pretty handy. Except I'm not sure the tradeoff is worth the relentless pain. Hopefully will be over soon as I get my knee fixed!

#247: I can relate to pains in the knee. I am sorry you are having such difficulty with yours. What is the trouble, if I may ask?

Oh it's a long story but ultimately, after suffering a number of falls this last year, my meniscus tore (both sides) and the medial ligament is sprained and some muscles are sprained. I've been dealing with it for 4 weeks; I FINALLY have an appt with an orthopod Monday and will probably schedule surgery soon = which at this point I'm looking forward to. It is excruciating pain and I don't wish it on anybody! Finally found a pain med that helps with the worst of it.

Lots of reading time anyway! I have to rest, elevate, ice almost constantly.

Thanks for the sympathy. Been there?

I am dealing with what I suspect is a torn meniscus in my right knee at the present time. I am having difficulty getting in to see my orthopedist (who knows me very well as I seem to fall an awful lot, lol.)

I hope you have a lot of distracting books around, Terri!

Ouch, ouch, ouch! I've just had very minor injuries to my knee, but when that happens, it's immediately obvious how much you move/bend your knees to get around. I'm sorry you're having to go through all this, Terri! You need a break! And, no, not that kind--the good kind.

Thanks you two. Stasia, I have a wall of books and then some to distract! LOL!

Good! Now, who are you getting to disperse the books to you so you do not have to move? Do you have one of those grabber contraptions?

Fortunately, in prep for Orange July and the current TIOLI, I filled my Belletrista bag with books I know I want to read this month, and it sits nearby. And I'm not quite so incapacitated that I can't reach for a book if I have a spontaneous urge!

Reaching for a book sitting next to you is good. Having to stretch to reach a book on the top shelf, not so good.

40. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. Absolutely delightful novel full of humor, compassion, social justice and romance. A love story with a lot of depth. Some of the characters are a bit over the top, but most are spot on and endearing. So glad I read this! (4.5/5)

Oh God I had to return that one to the library unread. It's that too many books thing leering its ugly head again.

Bonnie, get it again. Read it. Seriously.

#256: I loved that one! It is on my 'memorable reads' list for the year. I am so glad to see that you enjoyed it too, Terri.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand does sound good :)