Susan aka Suslyn 2010 2nd quarter

Links to previous thread and 1st quarter reads in msg 2.

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

June Some of which were read in May, but I don't know which they are...

136 A Christmas Coursthip by Dunn, Hocker & Reed, regency (msg 238)
135 Lioness Rampant by Pierce, fantasy (Msg 238
134 The Ambitious Baronet by Kihlstrom, regency (msg 238)
133 Vows by Moore, Margaret, hist fic (msg 238)
132 A Choice of Cousins by Kihlstrom, regency (msg 238)
131 An Improper Companion Kihlstrom, regency (msg 238)
130 Hero in the Shadows by Gemmell, fantasy (msg 238)
129 Love for Lucinda by Buck, regency (msg 238)
128 Evil at Whispering Hills by Kate Cameron, hist fic (msg 238)
127 Mutual Consent by Buck, regency (msg 233)
126 Belle's Beau by Buck, regency (msg 233)
125 The Meddlesome Heiress by Cameron, regency (msg 233)
124 The Undaunted Bride by Cameron, regency (msg 196)
123 Lord Margrave's Deception by D Campbell, regency (msg 194)
122 The Late Lord Latimer by D Campbell, regency (msg 194)
121 Cassandra's Deception by Buck, regency (msg 239)
120 The Wizard King by Julie Dean Smith, fantasy (msg 239)
119 An Honorable Rogue by Kihlstrom, regency (msg 239)
118 The Dowager's Daughter by Prevel, regency (msg 239)
117 Roses for Harriet by Oliver, regency (msg 239)
116 Miss Drayton's Downfall by Oliver, regency (msg 239)
115 The Paladin by Cherryh, hist fic (msg 186)
114 Mission Magic by Smith, fantasy (msg 178)
113 Call of Madness by Smith, fantasy (msg 178)
112 Cupid's Choice by Buck, regency (msg 178)
111 Flight of Vengeance by Norton, Griffin & Schaub, fantasy (msg 178)
110 China Blossom by Moore, regency (msg 178)
109 A Scoundrel's Kiss by Moore, hist fic/romance (msg 178)
108 The Fleeing Heiress by Buck, regency (msg 178)
107 Gentleman's Folly by Buck, regency (msg 178)
106 Reluctant Bridegrooms by Marshall & Andrew, regency (msg 178)
105 Honor Beseiged by Buck, regency (msg 178)

May
104 The Banished Bride by Pickens, regency (msg 177)
103 A Stroke of Luck by Pickens, regency (msg 177)
102 The Storybook Hero by Pickens, regency (msg 177)
101 The Traitor's Daughter by Powell, regency (msg 177)
100 The Gambler's Heart by Wilson, regency (msg 177)
99 Love's Willful Call by Roby, regency (msg 177)
98 Lady Velvet by Williams, regency (msg 177)
97 Her Dearest Sin by Wilson, regency (msg 177)
96 Anne's Perfect Husband by Wilson, regency (msg 177)
95 Fortune's Smile by Roby, regency (msg 162)
94 The Bookwoman's Last Fling by Dunning, mystery (msg 161)
Lord of the Dance by Greeley, fiction (msg 154)
93 An Offer to Love by Whitiker, regency (msg 154)
92 The Guardian's Dilemma by Whitiker, regency (msg 154)
91 Strathmere's Bride by Navin, Hist fic a la regency (msg 154)
90 Honor's Bride by Wilson, hist fic, regency period(msg 153)
89 The Queen of Ashes by Harris, fantasy (448 pp)(msg 149)
88 A Marriage of Inconvenience by Campbell, regency (msg 149)
87 The Reluctant Cyprian by Campbell, regency (msg 149)
86 The Traitor's Daughter by Overfield, regency (msg 149)
85 A Kiss for Lucy by Prevel, regency (msg 149)
84 An Immodest Proposal by Oliver, regency (msg 149)
83 A Crown of Slave by Weber & Flint, sf (msg 149)

April
82 A Kiss for Lucy by Prevel, regency (msg 114)
81 Dangerous Diversions by Porter, regency (msg 114)
80 A Convenient Marriage by Raleigh, regency (msg 114)
79 Stormwarden by Wurts, fantasy (msg 102)
78. A Dangerous Courtship* by Randall, regency (msg 98)
77. Kiss Me Quick by Moore, regency (msg 102)
76. His Lady Mistress* by Rolls, regency (msg 97)
75. The Black Mask by Pratt, regency (msg 92)
74. The Wastrel by Moore, hist romance, victorian (msg 91)
73. A Scandalous Bargain by Cameron, regency (msg 91)
72. The Lady and the Cit by Bancroft, regency (msg 91)
71. Miss Thornrose and the Rake by Burrows, regency (msg 91)
70. The Dutiful Rake by Rolls, regency (msg 71)
69. A Spirited Bluestocking by Overhill, regency (msg 62)
68. Willowswood Match by Buck, regency (msg 62)
67. The Righteous Rakehell by Buck, regency (msg 51)
66. The Duel by Metzger, regency (msg 51)
65. The Rogue Returns by Moore, hist romance (msg 51)
64. The Duke's Desire by Moore, regency (msg 42)
63. The Long Way Home by Anderson, sf (MSG 36)
62. The Hour of the Lily by Kruse, war fiction (msg 34)
61. Only A Duke Will Do by Jeffries, regency (msg 29)
60. The Bookman's Promise by Bancroft, mystery (msg 25).
59. The Harem Bride by Bancroft, regency (msg 25).
58. The Major Meets His Match by Bancroft, regency (msg 10).

1st Quarter: 57 books, 20499 pages.

the detailed list (for those with more time on their hands than I have! LOL) is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/80701&newpost=1#top

The equally unenlightening summary, for those who wanna know, is here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/80701#1887213

Fav reads for the 1st quarter would probably be Kay's Ysabel (How I wish my copy of Tigana wasn't in storage!) and Dickason's The Principessa, a re-read.

I want to be 'reserved' too.

Keep trying Stasia ... maybe one day you will be :)
Or did you mean, 'kept in reserve'
And if neither character nor disposition were intended, then I'd like you to know that you're on my special reserve list of friends xoxo

#4: Well I appreciate that sentiment and reciprocate!

I think you're both VSOP Special Reserves, myownself.

xox

*clicks on the star* Ah, a shiny new thread!

I am really enjoying The Bookman's Promise! One great quote (at least for me), "She was not just old, she was a human redwood" (34). Um... shouldn't that comma be a semi-colon or a dash?

The Major Meets His Match by Bancroft (227 pp) -- I have two more Bancrofts unread. I do hope they are of the same caliber. Wonderfully drawn characters and good intrigue to boot, imo. Just what the doc ordered :)

#9: I like that entire series, Susan. I hope you can read them all.

Me too!

Okay, I'm beggin' ... somebody, anybody, say a little something about my quarter summary. I worked so hard on it! LOL -- true!

OK, I can be a somebody, anybody.

Nice summary, Susan! You certainly read a lot of pages during the first quarter.

LOL thx :)

(You're a peach!)

Aww, shucks ma'am, it weren't nothing . . .

Yesterday was a big day for people starting new threads. I'm glad I found yours! I am grateful for my public library and many bookstores with all those wonderful books in the English language. Do you have to order most of the books you read, Susan?

Our mail only arrives half the time (bills, Xmas cards & packages), so I generally don't trust it. I'm considering trying Book Depository. A cheap order, just in case... :)

VERY nice summary, Susan!

...summary...? Oh, that little blurb up there in message what-was-it, oh never mind it wasn't important anyway.

("Scathing" indeed, hmph)

No Richard, my summary is at the end of my first thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/80701#1887213

And, yes, you do scathing rather well... and I'd guess you might even enjoy it :)

That does nothing to diminish my enjoyment of your person ... I can do 'scathing' rather well myself but try not to let loose as it was directed at people rather than their work, like a book... not good!

Oops, I missed clicking through to the summary yesterday! Let's see now... regency, fantasy, regency, regency, regency, sf, fantasy, regency, regency... I'm beginning to notice a pattern here... LOL. I like your breakdown though, I'm a sucker for lists like that, I find them very interesting!

yup, pretty boring LOL Thx for looking :)

(It would have been less of a job if I could count! True!)

21 fantasy/SF, 26 regencies, 5 crime, 1 non-fiction - I knew we had something in common! ;)

My reading list has nothing whatsoever in common with Suslyn's.

I'm at 33 fantasy/sf, only 10 regencies, 12 crime and 9 non-fiction.

See, totally different! The only thing we have in common is that I can't count either. ;)

(Now I need to go find CatyM's thread. Also DK's.)

LOL

Guess that means y'all will be shocked by the next two: a regency and a mystery :)

The Harem Bride by Bancroft (211 pp) -- I was disappointed with this book only because it wasn't, for me, quite as good as the last I read by her. Wish she'd made a note about which of her historical references were true and which embellished. Maybe I should just read some history? nah. LOL Tasteful love scenes.

The Bookman's Promise by Dunning (469 pp) -- Boy howdy was this good! This will be my best book of the year. Maybe not as good as any of my best 5 last year, but still pretty darn good. I've only read his The Bookman's Wake previously. And while I liked it, that book just did not compare for me with this volume. And, the author does include a nice reading and viewing list of sources for his subject at the end :)

P. S. The Bookman's Promise was really good!

ETA a major spoiler -- so if you haven't read the book I strongly recommend skipping the following:
So is it cowardice and/or pride which drives Lee to suicide at the end? I first thought it was just cowardice, then I thought pride, and now I think it may be cowardice masquerading as pride . Certainly the only 'winner' in the circumstance was the man himself who did not have to go to prison or if not prison suffer the ignomy of a trial. Seemed the guy was made of sterner stuff, and I'm not sure it was in character as Dunning presented him as a guy with a lot more character. Or was that his point? Sacrifice your principles a bit and look where the slippery slope may take you? dunno.

Boy howdy! We finally have a book in common! I've loved most of the bibliomysteries in this Cliff Janeway series. I was less taken with The Bookwoman's Last Fling as it had more to do with horses than books. The Denver setting makes them doubly enjoyable because of all the time I've spent there. I can see the allure of collecting rare books, but personally would never spend that kind of money for a book.

The Bookman's Promise is on my TBR as well - glad it's good!

Just did a bit more work on my 1st quarter summary: 5 new authors.

Only A Duke Will Do by Jeffries (370 pp) -- I have mixed feelings about this book. Until I reached the latter part of the book, I felt that it was too explicit and not at all well done. Rather than loving it was just sex. But having reached the end I think she may have done her portrayals that way on purpose. I liked the rest of the story. I did appreciate the author's afterward on what was historical and which pieces were her fiction. Despite its good points I think I'll pass this one on to Liliana -- recycled.

Aha! Lost you for a little while there... Got you starred again now...

Glad you found me :)

Thinking of you!

Thx Roni -- things continue to be difficult and ambiguous.

If you're on FB take a peek: http://www.facebook.com/pages/No-I-do-NOT-have-too-many-books/272026873941?ref=p...

And even if you aren't you may be able to view the pics -- some of them are quite fun

The Hour of the Lily by Kruse (504 pp) -- Spurred on my some of the books on Richard's & Stasia's threads, I picked up this fictional acct of part of the Soviet war on Afghanistan. It deals a lot with the tribal peoples of Afghanistan and the role of Islam. Very good.

#34: That one looks good. I will see if I can locate a copy. Thanks for the recommendation, Susan.

The Long Way Home by Anderson (245 PP) -- Every time I read Poul Anderson, I want more. This book was no exception. I'm glad to see I have several more of his left to read on my shelves.

#36: I will have to investigate Poul Anderson more thoroughly. I believe I have only read one of his and it was years ago.

For some reason this talk of group reads (Donna's thread) made me remember something. I wanted to share and thought my own thread might be the place ;->

A dear friend, Lorraine, is an extrovert who is all the way at the edge of the scale. I am an extrovert too. (btw just read an interesting little piece on how extrovert came to be spelled that way in addition to extrAvert... hmmm. language is a funny thing) Anyway, Lorraine and I are both passionate readers too (shock!). So we'd actually get together so we could read -- LOL. I miss her.

#38: I am sorry that you cannot spend more time with your friends in the States, Susan, but hope that in some small measure your friends here on LT will help make up for it.

LT has been a lifesaver! :)

#40: For me as well!

The Duke's Desire by Moore (296 pp) -- I bought all the Moores (hist fic) I could find when I was at my soon-no-more-to-be used bookstore in Amarillo. Since it was an approved author I bought her regencies as well. Recently I discovered I'd wanted to buy all the Raglans I could find. Oh no! So I read this one with a bit of trepidation, but am happy to report that while some of the characters seemed familiar it was a satisfying read that was original enough to hold my interest. whew!

ETA Stasia, it wasn't even on the list of choices this time... but here's the link: http://www.librarything.com/work/78080/book/57492327

#42: Susan, that Touchstone is taking me to a completely wrong book. Could you check it?

ETA: I know I have some of Moore's historicals. I will have to check my library and see if that is one of them. Thanks for the link.

Poul Anderson...Tau Zero...equations in my fiction = oh HELL no.

Wishlisted The Hour of the Lily because you made it sound both useful and interesting. Stinks about the store in Amarillo closing due to her ill health! Boo and hiss.

I dreamed last night that I was driving a black Citroen C5 wagon up a Provencal hill, cursing its diesel anemia, on the way to meet you and Stephane in your castle. The lavender fields below were in full purple bloom, so it must've been June or early July. I had a crock of ratatouille on the floorboard and was quite nervous that it would spill.

My subconscious is a weird place.

#44: My subconscious is a weird place.

Isn't everybody's?

>45 alcottacre: I certainly hope so, or I'm gonna feel even weirder than I already do.

#46: Is that possible?

#44 Sounds quite idyllic!

>48 flissp: It does indeed. Thank your subconscious for me :) And thank you, dear Richard, for sharing.

I'm currently reading a non-Honor installment in Weber's Honorverse, Crown of Slaves. I'm kind of 'meh' about it. I wish he'd write one from the perspective of the treecats! There was a short story in one of the collections that did that, but I'd enjoy a full-blown story like that, I think (less politics!).

I'm sorta reading Weber & Flint's Crown of Slaves and Greeley's Lord of the Dance now. Picked up the 2nd 'cause the first was so gripping ;-> That is working so well that I've managed to read 2 other books since. The best I seem to be able to manage out of either is 3 or 4 pages.

My reading's so exciting that nobody bothers to comment. LOL

As I've been looking over your threads, I've been considering what I read and why. I am an intelligent, educated woman. At the same time I find that many of the books which are supposed to be to my taste, and which my contemporaries enjoy, are boring and/or depressing. Brookner? Atwood? Kingsolver? Been there done that (over and over) ... don't care for it.

With my life as it is now, striving to instill new habits (in housekeeping and dress), there's a ton of stress here. It doesn't help that I realize that my 8 years of marriage were a lie. He doesn't love me and believes that he never really did. He was infatuated and married the woman he imagined me to be rather than who I am.

So I need light, uncomplicated and unstressful reading. There is, too, the issue of availability. No doubt, no doubt, there are great books being written and older ones to discover which are not depressing and boring, but most of them are not here for me to discover.

So I plod on with what I have. I'm further into Greeley's Lord of the Dance (which doesn't look to be very uplifiting to say the least!) and Weber & Flint's Crown of Slaves (which is also somewhat boring due to the emphasis on that universe's politics...), and am almost done with my 4th light books since I started the other two :)

The Rogue's Return by Moore (296 pp) -- This was a bit different than I expected. First it isn't a regency, but hist romance set in the late 1860s. 2nd it had a subplot of an unwed pregnant woman who was of the gentry/nobility class. Usually they're a maid or some hushed up off the scenes character. Pleasant enough, not terribly exciting, but it'll stay on the shelves.

The Duel by Metzger (343 pp) --I enjoyed this regency quite a bit. It's the only new Metzger on my shelves and that's a pity.

The Righteous Rakehell by Buck (222 pp) --A surprisingly enjoyable, somewhat farcical, book. I realized I'd brought back a mess of Bucks and thought ... are they any good? Good enough :) I'm currently reading (and enjoying as least as much if not more) another by her, Willowswood Match.

ETA Pooh. Forgot to turn off the bold and now my touchstones are wonky. They were right! bother.

#51: there are great books being written and older ones to discover which are not depressing and boring, but most of them are not here for me to discover.

I think I would die :)

Well then I exceptionally glad it's me and not you!

I would imagine it is not too good for you mental health wise either!

Susan, I am all for reading what you want and what you need -- and to heck with what others think about it. There's a lot to be said for those comfort reads, especially when life is hard.

I've backed away from some of the trendy new books that are popular right now because I'm trying to read some of the older stuff that I own. I'm also trying to fill in the missing gaps in my literary education by reading more of the classics. But that's not to say that I won't return to more contemporary literature after I whittle down my TBR stash. I've said it before and I'll repeat it once more: My only reading goals are to read what I want when I want! It works for me. ;-}

#51 What Donna828 said, with knobs on! ;o) As long as you keep an open mind, which you evidently do, I see little point in persevering with books that you're really not enjoying, just because others do, particularly when you need a little cossetting...

I don't think there's anything wrong with reading books according to what you need, personally. If light and unstressful is what's necessary, that's what you do!

I sometimes wonder if there's something wrong with me that I don't typically like contemporary or "literary" books, but I'm learning that I read fiction mostly to escape, not to become more frustrated with people/the world -- I like being away from reality, and that's just how it's going to be!

And besides, someday, you'll have access to other books again :)

Ditto what others are saying. And also, there are ebbs and flows, patterns in life, that affect reading patterns. I know that while I love science fiction and fantasy (a real shock to all of you, I know), during the school year when I have all the stress and report writing, I tend to read the lighter stuff and save the involved and deeper books for summer vacation. And I've never been one to read top-seller books. I always say it's a good thing I read Lord of the Rings before it became popular, or I might never have tried it. Typically, they just don't hold my interest as a class, although individual books might be quite good. So hang in there. I know I lived on Harlequin romances in my 20s when going through my divorce. Betty Neels and Essie Summers, anyone?

LOL Same for me re: LOTR! One of my favorite books I discovered in the library, a seeming musty tome, untouched by years. In truth they must have really had a dust prob, because it was relatively new then. A few years later there was a re-release, all cutesy, with flowers on tops of pages and sepia ink, etc. I never would have touched it, much less thought it could be such a spectactular book. (btw it was Mike Mason' The Mystery of Marriage, a worthy read by any standard. and pretty darn funny often as well.)

Thx everyone for your kind comments.

Remember, too, how often you hear someone say "I tried to read this years ago and couldn't get into it; now I can't put it down." I think where we are emotionally (maybe even chronologically) taints how we feel about a book, more than just a little bit.

Hang in there! All will be well.

The only rule I know is this: Read what feeds you. Unless you're taking a class or participating in a book club or promised a friend you'd finish it, you're under no obligation to read a book that doesn't speak to you. Even if the book speaks to everyone else.

For that matter, you're under no obligation to apologize for liking "sub-literary" books.

Case in point:
Re: #44. Equations in my fiction? Hell, YEAH! I love Poul Anderson and Tau Zero is one of his best. For my money it's worth any ten Booker Prize winners. Well, maybe any three: point is, it's good. (Sorry, I'm obviously a few days behind on your thread.)

LOL Just finished the obligatory few pages of Crown of Slaves and had to put it down again. However, I'm making progress... next page is 175. Same for the somewhat sleazy Lord of the Dance, current page 61.

I thoroughly enjoyed the next two :)

Willowswood Match by Buck (224 pp) -- Must not have been too exceptional as I can't remember a thing about it! Oh yes, it was fun... a battle of wills. They win :)

A Spirited Bluestocking by Overfield ((253 pp) -- I found this spy-ring, capture the regent, ghost story a ton of fun. Glad I have it for a re-read someday.

I repeat for the edification of all who wander by here: Never apologize for what you're reading. Read it, enjoy it or don't, and don't give it some Mystical Point Value of Hipness (or Classicness or ANYthing like that); read for yourself.

Your own head is still a place that no one else can govern. You have your needs, and you're getting them met, Suse. All else is gas.

xoxo

You guys are really sweet. thx.

>>>61 swynn:. I love "Read What Feeds You". I think I'm going to replace the Pearl Rule with The Swynn Rule.

Susan - I've struggled and continue to struggle with feeling under-read compared to my peers and I'm trying to just let go of it. Read what you want to when you want to - especially in troubled times. I hope you feel surrounded by this community's support and well wishes.

Thx Nance :)

Okay guys -- this is completely unfair. I'm reaidng Odd Girl Out by Zahn. It starts out fabulously, imo:

"The first thing I noticed when I opened my arpartment door was the woman standing there. She was young, late teens or early twenties, her clothing a conservative dark gray, her hair strikingly blonde. She was slender, nearly guant in fact, and her face, while pretty enough, was drawn and taut. The glitter of a silver necklace peeked out from her open collar, with a matching twinkle from a ring on her right-hand ring finger.

"All that I noticed peripherally, though. My main attention was on the gun she was pointing at me."

LOL, fast-paced and action-packed this sf novel has by page 39
had me laughing more than once. It also made me feel there might have been a prequel.

Now, understand when I bought it in February I checked to make sure it didn't look like a sequel, and it doesn't. So I checked the fly leaf again... books by Zahn including those not published by Tor are listed. Two series are listed, one of which I've read, not including his Star Wars books. But no indication that this book is part of a series.

Checked here on LT. Sure enough... it's book THREE!!! argh.

#66: Ouch! Sorry about that Susan. I hope you can get hold of the others some time.

Gah! I hate it when that happens.

And why, may I ask, do publishers not feel some sort of moral obligation to blazon "THIS IS BOOK 3 OF AN INFINITE SERIES" or whatever all over the book in question?!? Why, to sucker us into buying books out of order on the theory that some statistically significant portion of the population will then *have* to hunt up the earlier entries in the series and buy them.

The Divine Miss, when provoked by human greed and stupidity, habitually mutters under her breath, "The pimps...". Amen, sister woman.

>66 suslyn:: Auuugh!!! Sorry to hear it. It seems to be your perpetual curse to read series out of order.

Thanks for commiserating with me LOL

A bit of progress, Crown of Slaves now at p 185, Lord of the Dance at 67, and while I'm enjoying Zahn's book a lot it's also not something I can sustain at the moment. Right now, p 61.

It's funny. I was thinking about how regencies typically ignored things like unwed mothers and read one featuring an unwed mother. More recently I was thinking about how they tend to focus on the aristocracy even as Austen tended to focus on the gentry, leaving the common folk largely undeveloped. So, of course, the book I'm reading now while focusing on aristocracy also has quite a bit of development in the 'lower classes.' :)

The Dutiful Rake by Rolls (297 pp) -- This book was more typical except that it dealt with a rape attempt within the aristocracy, another departure from the norm in the genre. Made me wonder when 'marriage of convenience' came into common usuage. Today I guess we call them 'open marriages'. But at least my set views them with some form of ... what? pity? horror (at what they're doing to themselves)? There seems to be none of that kind of attitude in these books toward the marriages of convenience. Did the Victorian age change the outlook on the value of marriage and fidelity that much? dunno.

Aaarrrggh that's frustrating, but if you enjoy the book, read it anyway. Is it your own? Will you be able to come back to it and see how it changes when you've found the first two?

As a rather obsessive-compulsive series crime reader, I think sometimes publishers don't mention that because in most bookshops etc that will actually put people off, as often a shop will only stock a couple of the most recent publications. I recently reviewed a UK edition of a US book which is no 9 in the series but the first to be released here, under a different title - they are publishing no 8 next under a different title again. In this case I don't think it will really damage readers' experience. I did actually make it clear in the review that even I didn't think it was a problem to start with the book in question, because I think lots of people don't mind as much as I do and it would be a shame if this stopped people trying S J Rozan.

>72 elkiedee: I had the same trouble with another of Zahn's series (conqueror). But there I actually think that book 2 is the better place to start LOL

The Righteous Rakehell -- I wouldn't care if the book were unreadable, I'd love to have it just for the title!

Yes, sometimes they do come up with some good ones. But be warned. Last time someone lifted a book off my lists because of a name, they hated the book ;->

So, how are you doing with Lord of the Dance ? Did you give it up? I used to be very fond of Greeley for pure recreation, but I sort of burned out on him.

Making slow progress. I don't really care for any of the characters thus far. I did enjoy his A Christmas Wedding well enough. With my limited selection of books, it has to be pretty horrible for me to abandon it altogether. However, I'm only on page 67 .... there's a lot of room for it to get better! THx for asking.

Just realized what I read on the plane in January:

Dream Park by Niven & Barnes (434 pp) -- This book did not merit being forgotten! A sf mystery set in an Amusement Park, I found it inventive and hard to put down. Of course since I was on a 20 hour flight I didn't have to! It'll be fun to revisit this one in a year or two.

So my 1st Qtr summary is different. The pages read changed so that I did not accomplish my goal of reading less this year if one only considers the 1st quarter. Need to scrap! The good news on that acct is that I have begun again. Made 2 in the past week, neither of which must be very 'good' as they're eliciting next to no comments. ... so what? lol I enjoyed the process anyway.

Alors, the 1st qtr summary is now:

12 fantasies including one complete series by Lackey
9 SF (10 if you count each volume in the omnibus)
24 regencies (26 if you count each volume in the omnibus)
1 action
5 Historical Fiction
1 Legal thriller
4 mysteries (but Dream Park really fits here too, so that would be 5. One could almost say 'Think J.D. Robb.'
1 non-fiction

20733 pages for 1st quarter (1st Q 2009 = 20641 pp)

ETA the blurb from Isaac Asimov'e SF Mag: 'An absolutely dandy novel ... {it} is (1) a rousing, all-in-one-boat adventure, (2) a competent and challenging murder mystery, (3) a fantasy dealing with the magic of a most unusual culture, and (4) a work of SF very well extrapolated from a current {fantasy gaming} phenomenon. That's quite enough for any book!'

It *was* good. btw {} are for editorial brackets.

#78: I am adding Dream Park to the BlackHole. It sounds pretty good.

Nice redone summary :)

You're too much LOL

So, I feel too far behind, out of the loop, whatever, atm to continue with book three of Zahn's Modhri/Rigel series. So I'm reshelving Odd Girl Out at 69 pp and hoping for either a clearer brain that can deal with the gaps better or, better, the preceding books. Tant pi.

I'm too much what?

too funny... but that isn't true. you're just right :)

ETA Phil 1:7a :)

I like that verse. I have you in my heart as well.

>78 suslyn:: I enjoyed Dream Park also. Unfortunately, I thought the first sequel (The Barsoom Project) was really not good and the second (The California Voodoo Game) was fair at best.

There's something about that collaboration that doesn't do well with sequels. Legacy of Heorot, though not one of the greatest books ever, was so much better than Beowulf's Children.

Gonna make a note of that Tad, thx. No reason to add them if they're not worth the read. :)

Thank you for the visit! Yes, having a pretty healthy 88 year-old mom across the street is a blessing beyond thought or gratitude - but I'm as grateful as my heart knows how to be.
(I'm sorry you can't unpack Tigana at will; it's my favorite stand-alone fantasy of all time and always stands up to another rereading!)

You are so right Lizzie -- it just doesn't disappoint! :)

My folks are in Amarillo TX ... 20 hr plane ride. No fun.

Dream Park sounds like something I definitely want to read!

And thanks for the heads up on the James book over at Tina's thread :D ...it sounds really interesting! On the list it goes...

I'll be interested in your impressions of DP, Faith. You definitely came to mind (several times!) as I read it :)

I've had Dream Park sitting unread on my shelves for probably nearly 20 years now (checked the publication date--1981--pretty close for estimating, huh?). I liked the sound of it at the time, but then it got put on the back burner, and then put up on the warming ledge, and then moved back into storage. I'll have to move it up the TBR pile, I guess. It's probably one of my oldest unread books, in the sense I've had it the longest.

>90 ronincats: Roni, I really enjoyed it. Hope you do too.

I've made no more progress on Greeley or Weber/Flint but have gone more than halfway in Stormwarden which I'm enjoying very much. Sadly, I don't have the sequels.

In the meantime since I began those other books and started and put down the Zahn book, I have completed 3 regencies and one Victorian romance.

Miss Thornrose and the Rake by Burrows (214 pp) -- Nicely researched and fun to read. Made me wish this wasn't the only Geraldine Burrows on my shelf.

The Lady and the Cit by Bancroft (213 pp) -- Fun regency about a gal who advertises for a husband so that she can retain control of her family estate and escape the marriage her extended family plans for her. Also an interesting look at election practices of the period.

A Scandalous Bargain by Cameron (223 pp) -- Fun, a bit preposterous, but still enjoyable. Revenge and grudge-holding are the crux of our characters dilemma in this regency.

The Wastrel by Moore (294 pp) -- I enjoyed this Victorian romance quite a bit. Except that the outfits were different, I couldn't see much to distinguish it from a pleasant regency.

No felicitations please on reaching 75 as I'm trying to read less this year and doing abysmally!

The Black Mask by Pratt (222 pp) -- This regency has some nice twists and a mystery to which we know the answer, but get to watch the characters figure it out. The ending is satisfying, but it was hard for me.

Today is our anniversary, and this was a bit hard to read, the husband 'marveled they'd been two years married and he still desired her as passionately as that first night.' We haven't been together since the weekend before he told me he doesn't love me anymore back in January. I miss him. I sleep in the same bed, but ... I miss him very much.

Getting ready for a surprise bday party tonight and hoping I have waterproof mascara as I keep crying. Hoping I can do a miracle with my hair as well -- it's a bit unruly today, prob needs a cut but I don't have time.

I hope you make it through today, Susan. Still praying for you and Steph.

TY -- the hair looks good -- une miracle ! xox

One less thing for you to worry about :)

#93 - yup, me too.

Thank you.

His Lady Mistress* by Rolls (299 pp) -- This regency is one I had reread previously. If I owned it, it's in storage in France or somehow I didn't keep note that I'd given it to Liliana. Anyway, I think twice is good enough for this story of an orphaned girl who blames herself for her father's suicide. Abused by her extended family, her extremely low self-esteem and her idiot husband's assumptions combine to make a long story of coming to realize the truth about themselves and their love. Twice was enough. --> recycled (again?)

Doesn't sound like one I need to bother acquiring!

I don't think so Roni, but I must admit I made it sound worse than it is. LOL

Roni, you don't want this one for sure:

A Dangerous Courtship by Randall (223 pp) -- I'd almost like to call this a YA regency, except that most YA is written to a higher standard than this one. I'd say the author shows promise and that this shouldn't have been published, but rather expanded or set aside as practice. Some nice ideas, good char development. But big gaps and leaps in how one gets from a to b. oh well.

ETA what really gets me is it seems the book cover folks didn't read the book. It talks about a lady detective, but the lady wasn't and never claimed to be a detective... bizarre.

Ah, another one I don't need to read. Thank you!

While I still couldn't manage to continue Lord of the Dance or Crown of Slaves, I did manage to pick up sometthing other than yet another regency and am currently enjoying Wrede's The Harp of Imach Thyssel.

Turns out I'd miss one I read before the book in #100, so here it is.

Kiss Me Quick by Moore (374 pp) -- I thoroughly enjoyed this regency in which the man was not arrogant and the woman was not an idiot! Quelle change. LOL THe blurber says "Pure pleasure!" and for once I'd have to agree with this tale set in Bath.

Stormwarden by Wurts (325 pp) -- One thing I like about Janny's writing is the lack of cliffhangers. It was fun seeing an earlier work of hers, as recently I've been reading books written 15-20 years later than this volume. Obviously the first of a series, it still has a satisfying ending ... and that's a good thing since who knows when or if I'll get the sequels.

I just got one of Wurts' books the other day. I cannot remember the name of it right off hand, but I have it :)

Can't wait to hear which one and how you find it.

If I can find it, I will tell you how :)

Bummer, my life right now is such that the least bit of conflict or tension in what I'm reading makes me put it down. Once I catch my breath, I can pick it up again. Sad state!

ANyway, after weathering the crisis in the book, this sentence provoked a post: 'Her gown of white hugged her figure as was the style of the day, falling in a straight line from a high empire waist.' Sorry. Figure-huggin clothes do not fall in a straight line from empire waistlines...

>106 suslyn: Unless you're a man. Perhaps your book has some, well, errr, hidden agenda? (Pun optional)

Hi, Susan,
I have finally gotten caught up on your reading. I like your reviews. :) I am interested in both Dream Park and Stormwarden. Hope you have a good rest of the weekend. Tomorrow is my last day to teach Sunday School. Next weekend is First Holy Communion. Then I get to relax until next Fall. Yea! God bless.
--BJ

Thanks so much for dropping by you two! :)

So just finished two I was reading yesterday and today. Gonna pick up one of those slow going books next (if I can) and see if I can get a chapter or so done. EIther that or I should just put them up, throw them out...

Lord Wildfire by Williams (183 pp) -- I got the feeling that this lady did some research and wanted to ground her story in real history. But those items which led me to believe that are just sort of stuck in there and don't add to the story. She needed a better editor. Could have been a pretty good read.

The Harp of Imach Thyssel by Wrede (234 pp) -- I loved this. It's not got the humor of some of her other books (Talking with Dragons, for example), and for a bit I wondered if she could possible tie her loose ends together in a satisfactory manner. But she did indeed and while it felt awkward going in it worked really well. Nice job and a lovely story. (I wouldn't mind a series in this universe...)

#109: I have liked all the Wrede books I have read so far. I will have to look for that one . Thanks for the recommendation, Susan.

BTW: It looks like the book is in a series: http://www.librarything.com/series/Lyra%20(3)

LOL I would have gotten to that eventually :) Hmmm... I've read one other, but it didn't *feel* like the same universe to me. I'll have to give it another read.

#111: That's OK - I own the first two books in the series and did not even realize it! Needless to say, I have not read them yet.

It is in a series, Susan. However, Wrede doesn't write connected stories. Each book is in the same world of Lyra, but at different times and with different characters. By the time you get to the last one, The Raven Ring, which is my favorite, you have the background to understand the different ethnicities and how they interact both politically and historically, which really enriches the story. Actually, technically the first three are in the same time period, but in different countries with different characters.

The books, in case you have the chance to run into them at some point, are Shadow Magic, Daughter of Witches, The Harp of Imach Thyssel, Caught in Crystal, and The Raven Ring. That is the order of publication. Historically, Caught in Crystal is earliest, then The Raven Ring, and then the other three in order. Wrede revised the 3 earlier books in the late 90s, nothing too major but rewriting some sections and tightening up the story, and they were published as an omnibus called Shadows over Lyra. At the end of that book is a timeline and some explanation of the history. I enjoy them. They are straightforward character-driven fantasy, not the humor and whimsy of the Talking with Dragons series or the Cecilia and Kate series, and much as I love the dragons, this is my favorite of her work.

Thanks Roni. I appreciate that I can get the nitty gritty from you on these books we love.

Well I made progres on Lord of the Dance by making it my bathtime read. I'm thinking I'm just not going to like these characters. I actively dislike most of them and am 'whatever' toward a couple of others, p. 102/520. And it turns out that Crown of Slaves had a longer than usual set-up. About page 150 things started to pick up, p. 271 of 710.

In the meantime I finished some other regencies.

A Convenient Marriage by Raleigh (221) -- A MO author, btw, and not bad. Not great, but a decent story with good character development and an atypical premise.

Dangerous Diversions by Porter (222) -- This one just was painful to read. It reads like a series of vignettes. The author did a lot of research, and it shows. Unfortunately, weaving a story in and around the research didn't really happen, at least for me. --> recycled

A Kiss for Lucy by Prevel (254) --Not spectacular, not bad. It will make a nice re-read.

#114: The author did a lot of research, and it shows. Unfortunately, weaving a story in and around the research didn't really happen, at least for me.

I had the same thing happen with one of the ER books I just read, Wild Romance by Chloe Schama, which was nonfiction. I think it could have been very good historical fiction, but as nonfiction, it was a no go.

Free comic book downloads today at Wowio: http://www.wowio.com/freecomics

Cool! I will check that out. Thanks, Susan.

#116 Cool link! Thanks for sharing!

You're mostly reading stuff I've never heard of. The exception is Stormwarden. I read that when it came out and was absolutely appalled at the ending...simply because the sequel hadn't been published and I wanted more! ;-)

I'm not sure why, but other than the Cycle of Fire trilogy and Sorcerer's Legacy, I've never picked up any other Wurts. I liked her books. And, I see her mentioned a lot around here because she's a LT author, and I say, "Oh, I should go get something." But I forget. Old age, perhaps.

What do you think is her best?

Tad - I really like her series which begins with Curse of the Mistwraith. The maturity shows -- she hasn't wasted the years since writing Stormwarden. And, unlike Stormwarden, while there's questing, it's not a quest series :)

Piyush & Stasia - hope you found something worthwhile. :)

Hi Susan. Just delurking to say I read my first book by Janny Wurts recently (To Ride Hell's Chasm) and really enjoyed it so I will definitely look out for Stormwarden and The Curse of the Mistwraith. Sorry you will have problems getting the sequels :-(

Stephane just asked me for a divorce. Lots of decisions to be made. Prayers welcome.

Prayers welcome.

You got 'em.

I'm so sorry. Lots of good, positive thoughts winging your way.

Susan, I am so sorry to hear that. Hugs and lots of prayers.

I'm really sorry to hear that, Susan. You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers. Know that you have friends here if you need them, and that some of us are the voice of experience.

Praying for you. God bless.
--BJ

Awww..I'm so sorry it came to this, Susan. Strength to you for the decisions and adjustments to be made.

Sad to hear your news - good luck with the decisions making. Thinking of you (I'm not religious so don't pray).

Thank you all. Elkiedee you cracked me up -- thx I needed a smile :)

So sorry Susan - thinking of you...

Adding my prayers to those above.

You've been in my prayers for quite awhile now. They will continue.

{{{hugs}}}

Warning: seriously Christian stuff in my letter. If it may offend, please skip it. :)

Here's the prayer update I sent out today to folks who have indicated they'd like regular info informing their prayers. One can certainly pray without it -- I do all the time. But some folks like the jots and tiddles; and, hopefully it's not just prurient interest ... Selah.

------------

5 May 2010

Dear friends and family,

I must say thank you. Thank you so much for your prayers first of all, and also for your notes and cards.

One of you asked how/if I slept. I woke today full of peace, as if yesterday were a bad dream. It wasn't, of course, but the peace has pervaded. Praise God.

I found myself confronting three choices. I did the first: suggest a formal separation rather than a divorce. The jury is still out on that one.

The other two I've been grappling with and praying over since January. Simply 'yes' and 'no.' On the 'no' side, it's pretty obvious. God hates divorce, permitted due to the hardness of hearts, reconciliation is what He's about... and add to that the warnings against leading another into sin. If I say 'yes' I feel like a collaborator in my husband's sin of divorcing me. And that may be true.

At the same time, I've been contemplating 1 Peter, especially chapter 3, a lot of late.
1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
You remember Abraham who gave Sarah away to a man for her to be his wife saying she was his sister! God rescued her and in His inimitable way brought good out of both situations. And then consider the ideas that we are called to peace, not to sue, to let our gentleness be evident to all, etc. Finally, I'm reminded of a pastor wife friend who said submission is ducking, getting out of the way so God has a clear shot at the husband.

I explained my quandary to Stéphane and told him I was following the second option, submitting to him as my husband, and trusting God to redeem the situation.

6 May 2010

Today I find the old fears welling up threatening to paralyze. There are so many decisions to be made, gross opportunities for error and missing God's will.

Please let me know if these emails are too much for you. You can pray as He leads without this info. If that is your preference I'll adjust my list -- no problem.

I appreciate you.

In Christ,

Susan
----------
PS Added scrappages to my photo gallery here that I've done recently related to these struggles.

"submission is ducking, getting out of the way so God has a clear shot at the husband."

Sorry, don't mean to make light of the difficult situation you're in, but I couldn't help laughing when I read that. Now I know why people bow themselves to the ground whey they pray, so God can get a clear shot at everybody else. You're in my prayers too.

Don't apologize! I at least smile if not chuckle each time I think of it. My husband looked a little worried :)

Thank you.

No one can make your decision except you, obviously, there are reasons for both a "Yes" or a "No".

All I keep thinking, is that I want you to have peace. Poor Susan - you haven't had much of that lately - too many problems. (I'm sure you have moments of internal peace, but I think you know what I mean :) Once a decision is made, you can begin to heal and have peace. (I was told once that God blesses decision, not indecision, and I try to follow that in my own life.) Your decision is difficult, and either answer will bring difficulties.

Thinking of you and wishing for your peace.

Angela (amwmsw04)

Well said, Angela. I've been thinking about your problem, Suze and although I know what I would do in such a situation, that can not possibly matter with regard to your situation. You have to do what feels right for you. Just know that you will come out on the other side of this some day - hopefully soon.

Thanks. Today's been hard. But I imagine it will be something of an emotional rollercoaster for a while.

it will be something of an emotional rollercoaster for a while

Truer words were never spoken. I grieve with you for your loss.

{{{Suse}}}

Thank you. Interesting times :) Here's my update I sent out today. And, yes, I'm reading. There's a stack of at least 6 books waiting to be catalouged here. I'll try to do that today.

Bless you all and thank you for your kind words and expressions of concern and caring.

---------------
Hi.

I don't really know what's going on here, but something is.

On the way to a birthday party where I made some of my farewells to the folks here, Steph and I discussed a few things about the state of our marriage and how it got there. I don't remember any particulars.

At the end of the dinner, I came home. Steph joined the others in going on to a dance club. It's not my scene and I abhor the 'music' so even if I had felt cheerful I probably would have passed on the opportunity.

Much sooner than I expected him, Steph came home. He said he came home because he felt he should be with me. I asked why. Next thing I know he was in my office with me setting up a tray with 2 cups of tea on it. So I gave him my attention.

After a lot of difficult discussions, he asked me to consider continuing these talks. I told him that if it was just to help him I didn't think I wanted to... it hurts too much. I reiterated my understanding of our situation -- that he's 100% committed to divorce, that he understands he doesn't know how to do relationships but doesn't want to learn with me, that he doesn't understand love or how to love, but he doesn't to to do it with me.

After more discussion he said that he cannot promise hope for our relationship if I agree to discuss these things, but he cannot say there will not be any either. I asked him what he was talking about... a week, a month... We're praying and sleeping on it and will discuss the issue more tomorrow (which is actually later today as it's 5 am here).

Since he went to bed the benediction and 'there's a sweet spirit' keep running through my head and heart.

With God all things are possible. Thank you for continuing to pray for us.

His and yours,
Susan

Hey! This IS a change. I really, really pull for you both to get to the best place possible in the least time possible.

Indeed! *big grin*

xox

((((Susan)))) Still praying hard for you both.

What a roller coaster. Prayers sent to you...as always!

Well, it seems Saturday nights' discussion was an aberration. Divorce is still what Steph wants. Tant pi.

And onto books, even if it's only a list:

Not making much progress with Greeley's Lord of the Dance. They're really an unlikeable bunch. I'll give it one or two more sets of pages and if it still leaves only a bad taste, I'll recycle it.

Weber & Flint's Crown of Slaves on the other hand really ended up strong. I'd even read a sequel :) (710 pp). Flint's influence is obvious as this is a bit more raw than the tone of the Honor series in whose universe this book is set. I'll hang onto it for a re-read, but next time might start at page 150 LOL :)

Regencies finished were:
**An Immodest Proposal by Oliver (238 pp). This one was a bit unusual in that the couple is married for most of the book. It raised some good questions on honoring parents, family ties and marrying without love.
The Reluctant Cyprian by Campbell (222 pp). Light, silly and enjoyable.
A Marriage of Inconvenience by Campbell (217 pp). I enjoyed this one.
The Traitor's Daughter by Overfield (320 pp). A bit more complex in story with attendant further character development, I liked this book. A bit over the top, but... :)
There's another book somewhere which I read set in the 1840s that could have been a typical regency if the clothes were different and they mentioned Napoleon a couple of times :) , but I seem to have misplaced it...

And, finally, just finished The Queen of Ashes by Harris (448 pp). This fantasy novel is part of a series, but stands well alone. For that I'm glad since it isn't the first book; nor is it the last. It is one of those medievalesque universes, so if that's a turn-off don't bother. I must say, however, that I found it to be a nicely developed world with enough differences from others to make it unique. I also liked the story a lot.

I picked up the previous read after trying to read Hades' Daughter by Douglass. If you're looking for fantasy not set a la middle ages, you might try it. Set 1000 BC Greece/Crete etc and includes, obviously, the mythology of that time. It was too focused/centered around revenge and betrayal for me to get very far. But I love the other work by her that I've read.

And I'm back to another regency by Gayle Wilson, Honor's Bride which I'm enjoying very much atm.

ETA *** I find I missed a book, and now cannot tell if my remarks on An Immodest Proposal were about that book or about the one listed on my books-read spreadsheet, A Kiss for Lucy ... sorry.

#149: I am sorry to hear about Steph. I was hoping progress was being made when I heard that he wanted to talk. I will continue to pray.

Stay in the process, Suse. We're all pulling for life to bring you and Stephane to the place each of you needs to be...preferably together.

TY.

>149 suslyn: In case you missed it, The Queen of Ashes was pretty good :)

Honor's Bride by WIlson (298 pp) -- This book, set in the regency period, might better match our expectations for historical fiction than what we usually find in 'regency' books. Set almost entirely on the field in Portugal, it is a book about the concept of honor. Glad to keep it around for a re-read.

Strathmere's Bride by Navin, Hist fic a la regency (297 pp) -- This was the not set in the regency but 1840s that seemed like one. Decent character development. It was nice to watch the chars grow in the book.

The Guardian's Dilemma by Whitiker, regency (299 pp) -- somewhat fun.

An Offer to Love by Whitiker, regency (297 pp) -- In this one the man was stupid AND arrogant LOL Not bad even with that.

Tried reading Drake after that. Unfortunately his foreward took my taste for the book away for the moment. He explains the historical basis for his SF book. I would have preferred learning this afterwards, so I'm going to put a stickie in the book to skip it and read it later.

Next I tried Dunning's The Bookwoman's Last Fling -- already had a good guffaw at the end of chapter 1, so I'll keep going. Not a whole lot makes me laugh these days. You know the adage about laughter being the best medicine.

ETA Decided to strike Greeley's Lord of the Dance -- at page 102 I was still really disliking all the characters and not interested in the story

#154: I like Dunning's books, so I hope you will give The Bookwoman's Last Fling a chance.

Still praying.

I'm loving The Bookwoman's Last Fling and am almost done. Today is hard. Cried hard for a couple of hours last night.

Need to pack...

(((Susan))) Still praying for you.

Sorry that you're finding things so hard.

I read The Bookman's Wake with mixed feelings but think I have no 2 in the series somewhere - how many are there now?

I must give these books another try.

It was Booked to Die I read, probably about 10 years ago. I see there are 5 in the series now, and I believe I have The Bookman's Wake - I'll see if it's on the mystery shelves upstairs - I ran out of space on those shelves 7/8 years ago and so most of my crime novels are in boxes and most of the boxes are in the shed.

>160 elkiedee:

I read The Bookman's Wake, found it original and enjoyed reading it. My experience with The Bookman's Promise was even better -- it is one of my top reads of this year. And I've finished and enjoyed The Bookwoman's Last Fling (507 pp). I both liked that there were characters from before and felt it detracted from the story -- LOL. One might say I'm hard to please. Anyway, I'd say I liked it more than Wake and less than Promise. voila.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book:

Fortune's Smile by Roby (352 pp) -- Wonderful characters whom you could loathe, love or feel ambivalent toward, just like people everywhere. There is a mention at one point of turning down a gas light, and I remembered someone on LT saying this wasn't period. So I looked it up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_lighting While it looks unlikely, it doesn't look impossible...

This was a nice way to pass much of a day wherein I haven't felt really well. Results not back from the throat culture, but I have some intermediate meds which seem to be helping.

Sadly, had to miss out on going to the movie with Steph tonight :( pooh. Oh, if you didn't know he's decided to 'call the calling off, off' or at least postpone it after going through a real effort at reconciliation. Have to say his day hasn't shown me that really LOL. He was grumpy about going to pick up my medicine and asked if I couldn't do it. (1 km each way) and then he asked me if I felt well enough to go to the movie, but waited til 5 minutes before he left to ask. Maybe he would have gone to a later show if I'd said yes? Regardless, it wasn't until he was well on his way there that I realized I should have asked him to postpone so we could both see it tomorrow. C'est la vie.

edited for touchstones and to close the bold!!!

Okay -- once again I was petty and unjust (you shoulda' seen me Thursday!). Stephane came home with a puzzle for me. I love them, this one is huge and (tah-dah) it's of an old world map. And it looks to be good quality as well. That sounds more like seeking a reconcilation to me :)

ETA
PS I have started adding a few of my digiscraps here to my LT profile pics.

>162 suslyn:: suslyn,

What were the doctors testing for in the "throat culture"?

#162: Adding that one to the BlackHole.

#163: I like puzzles too. Good for Stephane!

>164 booksontrial: Guess the type of bacteria living there. a few weeks ago she said "pharyngitis" and put me on augmentin. Then 2 weeks later it's back. I'm pleased. Before her I've been to two types of docs re: ENT issues. 1 does no throat cultures and just keeps on prescribing antibiotics, and the other does a throat culture every time. I prefer this. Seems more reasonable, wise, whatever.

Still waiting on the results for another test too. Seems I've got a viral cyst of a type which can lead to cancer... the doc didn't seem to worried. I figure I've got enough going on right now to borrow trouble worrying about it now. I'll wait to see what the results on that one are too.

>149 suslyn: and my footnote.

Seems I was talking about An Immodest Proposal after all. The story comes back ... slowly :)

The missing book was A Kiss for Lucy by Prevel (254 pp), an apparently inocuous and unmemorable read.

I have Booked to Die on the wishlist, I'll have to read this series if one of the books was your read of the year!

Will keep praying for you and Steph and all your test results. Hope you enjoy the puzzle (is that a jigsaw puzzle?)

thx! and yes, 3000 pc jigsaw. Well I haven't read a lot of great books this year... Even so it is one of my top reads :)

My prayers and thoughts are with you. Hopefully things will continue to look up :)

Well, Susan, I went to your profile before coming to your thread, so now I know a little of what you're dealing with. You have another pray-er in N.C. though - both for your health and your marriage. Grace and Peace!

TY ladies. I feel so blessed. Guess that's 'cause I am. :)

{{{Suse}}}

*get-well smooch*

Found you! And after catching up on your thread I'd like to add my sincere best wishes for your health and marriage. Thanks for chatting with me today! (And oh Bucharest! I read that wrong. Still very cool! :D)

>174 RosyLibrarian: I'm glad we hooked up! I enjoyed our chatting too :)

Just paying a return visit.......hope your weekend is going well. Ooooo. You get smooched by Richard!!!!

Honor Besieged by Buck (224 pp) -- No clue, these many days later what this one was about.

Reluctant Bridegrooms by Marshall & Andrew (443 pp) --omnibus containing My Lady Love by Paula Marshall and Darling Amazon by Serena Andrew. These stories were marred a bit for me by the title of the Omnibus. I would have preferred not knowing they would be reluctant bridegrooms from the start! The stories themselves let that unfold. Enjoyable.

Gentleman's Folly by Buck (204 pp) -- Okay, it's been a while (probably May) since I read this one. I have no recollection of it.

The Fleeing Heiress by Buck (216 pp) -- This was fun, over the top, and I'll keep it around for cheer later on.

A Scoundrel's Kiss by Moore (376 pp) -- This book is set in the period just after Cromwell. If it is anything close to historically accurate, it was an abysmal period indeed. I don't think I want to re-read it, but it was well done --> recycled.

China Blossom by Moore (298 pp) -- Okay, this book was not bad. British gal captured by pirates as a wee one and raised as a slave in China is sent to England as payment of a debt. Decent enough story, but --> recycled.

Flight of Vengeance by Norton, Griffin & Schaub (383 pp) -- Containing Exile by Mary Schaub and Falcon Hope by P.M. Griffin. Oh these were good. Norton's contribution was providing a setting into which the two books fit. Set just after (and a bit before, in one case) the Turning in Witch World. well done.

Cupid's Choice by Buck (235 pp) -- I enjoyed this one. Not sure anyone else would, but I'm looking forward to a re-read in a year or so.

Call of Madness by Smith (311 pp)-- I was pleased to find that I loved this series. I did not like at all the way she used passages from the Bible, but that was limited to a few pages and not repeated in the other books. Believable characters, interesting world.

Mission of Magic by Smith (324 pp)-- The sequel to Call of Madness, I really enjoyed what went on in this volume. And was dismayed to find that the next book I have in the series is the 4th, not the 3rd!

Can I reserve a post too?!

Good idea! I'll reserve a spot for a reply when Susan stops cruising everyone else's thread long enough to post on her own!

Hope all is well with you, Suze!

I continue to hold you in my prayers Suze! I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with health issues as well as the uncertainty of the relationship.

Hugs.

Waving 'Hello' as I go through the threads!

Hi there.

Why are you reserving spaces on your own thread?

Hope you're ok.

TY :) I'm doing alright.

Reserving places because I didn't want to change the info in msg #1 which says in which msg I discussed the books listed.

I'm still behind, but you'll see I did finish the books indicated for Msg 178 in case you're interested. Still working on Msg 177 LOL

And here is the plunder from SanFranciscoBooks in Paris this weekend. Sadly went without my list. Escaped with only one duplicate -- which is still one too many!

PD James' Shroud for a Nightingale (the dup), Death of an Expert WItness, Innocent Blood, A Mind to Murder, and The Black Tower

Sharon Kay Penman's The Queen's Man

Xmas collection, possibly regency: A Christmas Courtship

scifi: World's End

and fantasy (shock!):
The House of Gaian (Bishop), The Swordsman's Oath (McKenna), Empress (Miller), Lioness Rampant (Pierce), and The Dragon of Despair (Lindskold)

I hope you enjoy The Queen's Man. I enjoyed that whole series.

Nice haul!

The Paladin by Cherryh (383 pp) -- This is listed as fantasy, published by Baen. I have no clue why it's fantasy. Seems like hist fiction set in the Orient (China?) to me. Maybe it's 'fantasy' so that it doesn't have to be specific to a particular period? Regardless, this is a book about revenge, love and honor. Pretty good. (but i'd not call it fantasy LOL)

OOO OOO The Queen's Man was delicious! I hope you'll get to it soon.

{{{Suse}}}

I'm glad you're back to posting and that you got some good books in Paris. Paris...*sigh*...I was there in the early 70's and fell in love with the city...the people not so much.

Seeing your list of books reminds me that I want to get back to reading P.D. James someday.

I picked up The Queen's Man because I remembered talk of Penman here on LT. Did find out that I got a book 4 of a series for which I have no others (LOL), and the third in a trilogy where I have book 1. Neither book's cover shows their placement within the series, or actually that they're part of a series... c'est la vie :)

>188 Donna828: I agree that Paris is nice for a visit. I was pleased to find that France felt like home :)

Good to see you.

grrr. i ignored my own rule/advice and entered a mess of data without saving or first composing elsewhere. blip! -- and it's gone.

Sorry Susan! I know how frustrating that can be.

Good to see you posting again :-)

#184 Some nice books and a book shop we didn't find in Paris when we went last year! I don't know why buying books abroad always feels more exciting to me than buying books at home. I hope you like the P.D.James (although duplicates are annoying), she's one of my favourite authors.

#185 I'll look out for The Paladin. I still haven't read any Cherryh although I have a trilogy of hers on my TBR pile.

Oh Cherryh is a delight. And diverse in styles, imo. In other words, if one of her books just doesn't work for you, try a different series or genre. Some really good stuff there.

Way out of order,

Read and recylced: The Late Lord Latimer by Campbell (224 pp). I basically hated the book and found the characters to be wimps. Everything was built on lies and compounded by the cowardice they possessed preventing them from coming clean. And then the ending! Yeah, right. So I'm passing it on to my friend who wants to read everything and anything.

Assuming I had really messed up in buying a handful of Campbell's when in the States, I picked up another to make more space on my shelves. Happy to report that I enjoyed this one. A lot of fun, nice char development etc. Once again the ending was a bit hard to swallow, but the rest was fun enough that I'll keep this one around: Lord Margrave's Deception by Campbell (215 pp).

#193 "I don't know why buying books abroad always feels more exciting to me than buying books at home" - I don't know why either, but it's completely true!

Hallo Susan! I love Paris, it's one of my favourite cities (hmmm, *makes note to book the Eurostar some time soon...*). Fingers crossed for your test results - I'm sure it'll all be fine.

The Undaunted Bride by Cameron (222 pp) --I enjoyed this one pretty well. Set in the moors with all the attendant pitfalls, and a decent mystery to boot. I wouldn't go there unless you're a real fan of the genre however, but I'll keep it around for a re-read.

I've 16 or so more books waiting to be inputted on my desk and there's still the stack by my PC waiting to be described that I inputted earlier... Figured I'd better start inputting something or I'll never get anything done.

As for my health, the kidneys are fine. No more pain. The infections appear to be gone, but one more test result is outstanding. My 'medically interesting' breasts await their mammogram, but I think everything will be fine there -- they've been medically interesting for 20 some years now so it seems status quo ;->

I had to go to a psychiatrist to renew my anti-depressant. That turned out to be a good thing. I've felt guilty for years because even after 10 years in Europe, my body continues to revert to a central U.S. clock. She said not everyone can adjust to a different time zone. What a relief! We're still trying new things, but ... whew!

We also talked about my scrapping as an artistic outlet. She didn't know what digital scrapping was and didn't react positively to the idea (I don't blame her -- it thought it odd just a year ago). So I asked her if she had internet. She did and we looked at my blog, especially the divorce/marriage-trouble related pieces. She was ecstatic -- "It's occupational therapy," she exclaimed. Indeed.

Then it turns out she does couples counseling. Steph deliberated a bit and then said he'd go. He went alone tonight, as we both thought that was appropriate. It was good, and he'll continue. She agrees he should continue to go alone for a while, and I'll probably go a bit too.

So thanks for the inquiries. We're pressing on.

Bless you.

Hoping all the best for you Susan and glad to hear about your good test results!

That's wonderful, Susan! I'm glad to hear about all of it, and glad to see you posting again. You've been missed.

Thank you. I've been scrappin my brains out -- LOL. I'm a guest creative team member for one studio and that's been an average of 3 LayOuts or so per week since the end of May (http://www.sbelements.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=8690). And then last week(?), yippee and a *victory dance*, I was invited to be a permanent CT for another store, but the real job doesn't kick in til July (http://www.plaindigitalwrapper.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1644).

Pressing on sounds much better than giving up, Susan! I am glad to hear that you are both hanging in there.

Joining in the victory dance . . .

Hooray for good news! That all sounds really encouraging, Susan, and I'm really pleased to hear it. Keep pressing on! :)

You have been busy! Pleased to hear your good news, will keep praying for you and Steph.

{{{Susan}}}

{{{Stephane}}}

Sounds like very positive news all round Susan, as Caty says, keep pressing on!

Do you think it's possible to grow up in the wrong time zone? I think my natural time zone probably equates to California! ;o)

>204 flissp: LOL Fliss. Probably :) You're just a beach babe at heart xox

Thanks guys and gals. You're the best. Reminds me of another point in my conversation with psychiatrist. Steph pooh poohs the idea of online friendships as being real or having value. The Psy agrees with me: you're real! Don't you feel validated?! LOL

xoxox

I have been validated :) First time for everything!

*pokes self in ribs* Ow. I'm definitely real. :)

Fliss, I usually function at about GMT-3, which I think equates to Bermuda.

I guess I have a very easy-going body clock. I adjust fairly quickly to time changes.

Online friendships are just as real and just as meaningful as RL ones, and I am pleased to hear that the shrink agrees. I genuinely care that you and Steph are having problems with your marriage, and think about that when I'm AFK, and incorporate it into my healing energy meditations, because you're a real member of my real social circle.

Fie on such nonsense! Pshaw to such foolishness! Get him online and involved in a group he cares about, then see what's what.

What Richard said!!

Some online interactions can be pretty superficial, but online friendships are definitely as real and meaningful as RL ones, just like Richard said. There are lots of the people around here who really, truly care about one another.

I've always thought that you get out of a relationship pretty much what you put into that relationship -- no matter if it is in real life or online. I think that's why some very real friendships are evident on LT and why your marriage may come out of this difficulty stronger than ever. *Hugs*

>211 Donna828: Hear, hear, Donna! As Abe Lincoln said, "I've noticed most folks are about as happy as they decide to be."

{hugs} to you Susan, so glad to hear you're pressing on :)

I agree with many here that in some cases, social interactions online ARE superficial, but not always. Especially in this group, we've created a real community of people who truly care about each other. I often say to Dave, 'I just LOVE the people in my LT group, I can't believe how much we care about each other'. I agree with Donna too -- you get out of a relationship what you put into it, which explains the friendships here. :)

Get Steph to be part of an online community? LOL Well maybe if it's gaming... "okay I'm going left! You get the goon! WHo's got the anti-venom cure?" :)

I *knew* you were real and really impt :) {{{group hug}}} :)

Bit sad... 30th reunion (one year removed) is happening this weekend -- a lot of folks I'd like to see from H.S. will be there. That said, sure am grateful for Facebook! Who'd a thunk it?!

There are so many things I want to comment on...
a) Susan, I know your journey has not been easy. I admire your fortitude and courage.
b) Your scrap book pages are delightfully creative. I can see that you have great fun doing this.
c) I was very skeptical of online social networks. But, this group is incredible. Ditto what everyone said above! There is a genuine depth of feeling and support.

Hang in there!

Susan, I am so happy for you for all of your good news. God bless.
--BJ

Thx :)

Just popped in to say our new kitten seems to have found her fav perch: behind me in my chair as I sit at the computer, which is a lot of the day. Wonder how big she's going to get? This can only work well for a while! LOL
Pics in my LT album

Ooh! Kitten pics and validation - just what I need to get a warm fuzzy feeling for the rest of the day! Glad I caught up on your thread :-)

Have you come up with her name for her yet?

Susan, she's adorable! And the pictures you've scrapped of her are beautiful. Sounds like she knows her own mind...

She IS adorable. I vote for Sookie--not because of the popular series, but because of the little smut-face, sooty look of her.

Oh, I didn't realize the catlet didn't have a name! I tend to gloss over cat-related things. How about "Limb of Evil?" or "Misericatia?"

Hey, Susan. I know I haven't been around much lately, and I'm glad to hear that things are looking a little better with Stephane and that your health is improving. As always, I admire your strength, and want you to know that I keep you in my prayers.

Richard those names are at the top of the list.

Thx Caty & Marsha!! Heather thrilled I could help. Roni, you're right. Too bad our last addition before this little gal is "Sooty"!

Oh, yes, that would be confusing. Let's see. Smudge, Hepzibah, Abigail, Tabitha, Jonquil, OR Daffodil, with Daffy for short...

lol i HAve a friend who hates the cute names. he suggested nimrod and one other now forgotten :) They're on the list. Smudge is my fav :)

Oh, Smudge is an adorable name! At this rate, you'll have to just pull one out of a hat to decide...!

If you like "Smudge", how about "Squish?"

LOL -- the husband wants to know what wrong with you since you don't like cats :)

"Splat?"

I don't like cats because I decline to worship Satan, Susan, and that's what being owned by cats amounts to...it's not y'all's fault, really, they've simply aimed their Evil-Ray apparatus at you and taken over your mind.

Poor baby.

I think Smudge is a great name for the sweet lil thing...

Actually, Splat is a rather nice name for a cat. My grand daughter's favorite book is Splat the Cat. Splat is fearful of his first day of school and takes his mouse along.

I rather like Splat for a cat too! ...and Squish actually - provided it's not an aristocratic cat...

The cat I had while growing up was called Arthur after Arthur Dent. ...and it was completely appropriate ;o)

I fear she may become "snookums' by default. This happened to us once already. We had 2 littermates we called blackie and stripes just to differentiate. We batted around many names and after one trying day, I suggested Lucifer and Satan. THe husb was horrified. I asked if he prefered Michael & Gabriel LOL. Well stripes was injured and the vet asked him name. Steph supplied "Gabriel." We didn't name blackie Michael or any other angelic host's name, but Blackie stuck.

The Meddlesome Heiress by Cameron, regency (234 pp) -- The guys was pretty stupid, often. But still it was fun. A bit of a mystery for them, but the disguised-as-good bad guy was plain to see. This was fun due to the setting in a castle and the author's use of it in the story. Usually the action takes place in the drawing room. This one utilized, sparingly but appropriately, secret passageways, dungeons and towers.

Belle's Beau by Buck, regency (218) -- This was a pleasant dequel to Cassandra's Deception. I'm glad I have the pair!

Mutual Consent by Buck, regency (221) -- This was a little cold-hearted with regard to the villain, but perhaps deservedly so. Another keeper.

Anyone else notice that touchstones just won't work if there's a typo in the title ;->

#233: Anyone else notice that touchstones just won't work if there's a typo in the title ;->

I run into that problem a lot too :)

Hi Susan- This might be my first visit to your thread but it won't be my last! I may not be familiar with many of the books you are reading but I am impressed at the volume! Keep it up!

You're going to need a new thread, Susan :-)

Finally filled in the mess in Msg 177 http://www.librarything.com/topic/88175#2008654
If you're not a regency reader, skip it. That's all that's there.

New books from a just-discovered English bookstore here in Bucharest! My only complaint, and surely the fault lies with me, is that it is just too British! LOL (Pls forgive me, my dear UK friends!)
Hero in the Shadows by Gemmell
Gardens of the Moon by Erikson -- I've never heard of this, but they seem to have the whole series. Hoping I just *love* this first one! LOL
The Weaker Vessel:Woman's Lot in Seventeenth-Century England by Fraser. This looked just to good to pass up -- hope that's so!
Impromptus et Moments Musicaux, Schubert -- in this case, I was extrememly glad the store is British as it's unlikely I would have found piano music in an American bookstore.
And, The Inimitable Jeeves, a purchase prompted by you guys. I've started it, am a significant way through and chuckled out loud once. I fear that once again I'm just not British enough!

Hero in the Shadows by Gemmell (446 pp) -- Thoroughly enjoyed this return to Gemmell's Drenai universe. Some interesting creatures with interseting features :) Glad I bought it.

An Improper Companion by Kihlstrom (220 pp) -- A girl hired to be a companion, raped, and forced to marry her rapist once he realizes she was a virgin and is of gentle birth. Some of the hypocrisy in this really got my goat. Further, I hate anything that smacks of perpetuating the rape myth. However, if it were possible to fall in love with your rapist, this presents the likeliest type of circumstances I suppose. It helps that all of his old retainers are scandalized by his behavior and take him to task.

A Christmas Coursthip by Dunn, Hocker & Reed (348 pp) -- These books are not listed in order read. I've just finished this set of three stories, all 'unexecptional' per the period. They'll make nice re-reads. Fav sentence? "Ignominy! I do believe I fell in love with your vocabulary before I paid any heed to the rest of you." (okay, okay, sentence and a bit :)

Love for Lucinda by Buck (223 pp) -- Except for my Christmas story collections, like the one above, this was my last unread regency. *huge sigh of relief from the crowds* pas mal

Evil at Whispering Hills by Kate Cameron (253 pp) -- Set in Indiana in 1817, this was a nice mix of romance, horror and mystery. Too bad the author seemed to forget the war of 1812 happened, but other than that it was fine for fluff.

A Choice of Cousins by Kihlstrom (215 pp) -- If you want a reminder that basing decisions on assumptions is not the best thing to do, read this. If you'd like a somewhat entertaining story, you could read it too. (LOL How's that for a rec?!)

Vows by Moore (299 pp) -- Set in 1851 Massachusetts with the backdrop of the Underground Railroad, this was a fun, somewhat exciting read.

The Ambitious Baronet by Kihlstrom (219 pp) -- Okay, I really enjoyed his one. Nothing spectacular, I just liked it.

Lioness Rampant by Pierce (384 pp) -- 4th in the series, this fantasy novel made me want to read its prequels. I enjoyed it quite a lot.

Cassandra's Deception by Buck (214 pp) -- Twins separated at 10 yrs old when their folks died swap places as young ladies fooling everyone but raising a lot of questions since their characters were quite dissimilar.

The Wizard King by Julie Dean Smith (337 pp) -- I had books one and two and enough was suggested in book 4 to fill in what happened in book 3. Glad I happened upon this series.

An Honorable Rogue by Kihlstrom (222 pp) -- Interesting twist as it's the lady who gambled and lost ... or won :)

The Dowager's Daughter by Prevel (223 pp) -- I liked this a lot. Involves French emigres trying to help defeat Napoleon

Roses for Harriet by Oliver (220 pp) -- This one was funny, at least for me. I'm fairly certain the author wasn't trying to write comdey.

Miss Drayton's Downfall by Oliver (223 pp) -- Pregnant and unwed, girl waits for her suitor to arrive with a license and is met instead by his older grumpy confirmed bachlor brother. Said grump informs her boyfriend died and insists they marry to follow the last wish of his dying brother (protect the girl and the child).

And, I've decided to set aside one of the several books I've been working through: Blood in the Water by McKenna, of the Chronicles of the Lescari (read 276 pp). It really needs book 1 to make sense and keep my attention. One good thing about it is that I really like characters in the 'good' and 'bad' camps. I'd be interested in seeing how this all turns out, but shall wait until/if I get books 1 and 3 before trying this one again.

Touchstones were fine but when I decided to edit, they went wonky. Sorry

"My only complaint, and surely the fault lies with me, is that it is just too British! LOL (Pls forgive me, my dear UK friends!)" - not at all - bookshops should be varied in their authors ;o) But yay for finding an English bookstore!

Re Lioness Rampant - definitely read the prequels, they're great fun!

Hooray for an English bookstore!

I've heard very good things about the Steven Erikson series but never read any, hopefully you will enjoy it. And glad you're enjoying Jeeves :-)

Not sure I understand this 'too British' thing! :-P

Congrats on finding the bookstore, Susan!

I read the first book in the Pierce series just yesterday and enjoyed it, so I am reading the remainder of the series. I hope I continue to enjoy it - and hope you do as well.

I'm sure I would Stasia if I could get my hands on them! Glad to hear the frist was good :)

New thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/94010#2058172