Sundays on the Acre, Take 9

This time I am blaming it on Linda, who seems bound and determined that I have an 100 threads this year!

A note about my rating scale:

3 stars or below - Not Recommended

3.5 stars - Guardedly Recommended

4 stars - Recommended

4.5-5 stars - Highly Recommended and you best get the book in hand now!

For the masochists among you, Sundays on the Acre begins here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/78996
http://www.librarything.com/topic/82207
http://www.librarything.com/topic/83662
http://www.librarything.com/topic/84472
http://www.librarything.com/topic/85051
http://www.librarything.com/topic/86242
http://www.librarything.com/topic/86988
http://www.librarything.com/topic/87831

For those interested in my wiki, it is here: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/User:Alcottacre, but I do not really recommend it, as it is boring. All the action takes place on my threads :)

Books Read from My Personal Library in 2010



Pages Read 2010



Memorable Reads for 2010:

Nonfiction
The National Parks: America's Best Idea by Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns
Larry Burrows: Vietnam by Larry Burrows
The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift
Waterlog by Roger Deakin
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebekah Skloot
At the Hands of Persons Unknown by Philip Dray

Fiction
Salvation by Sholem Asch
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry
The Party by Rudolph Von Abele
The Egyptian by Mika Waltari
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
The Straight and Narrow Path by Honor Tracy
Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski
The War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip
Silence by Shusaku Endo
In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Young Adult
Genesis by Bernard Beckett
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

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

Ha! Got here first -- and starred you...

Hey Suz! You were quick.

By the way, did it get cold there, too? We did not go below freezing, but still. It's April.
--BJ

Yes, it did cool off last night. It dropped down to around 40 or so.

I think we hit 35F. My dog loves it because she is still quite furry, but I am tired of wearing a sweater outside at night. I do think that the trend is back warmer now. Hoping for a splendid weekend.
--BJ

The low tonight is going to be just above 40, but the rest of the weekend is looking good. Highs in the mid-to-upper 70s and lows in the 50s.

You know come August we are going to be wishing for April weather again!

I know. I am never satisfied. Last summer our ac went out for a long time while we were in the 100s. So 35 is much, much better than that. On the bright side, the ac should work just fine this summer.
--BJ

That is good news on the a/c front!

Sneak! No link posted in thread 8! Shame.

There is a link posted in thread 8. You just missed it. Post 250.

Niiice...sneak back and put in a link just after I find you...uh huh....

Nope - check the time. I edited that message a long time ago. You just missed it and do not want to admit it, lol.

LOL

Found you!

Did you catch up on the 250+ posts on the other thread yet? lol

Wandering through, saying hello, starring the thread, that sort of thing. =) **waves**

Waving back at David the wanderer :)

Ha ha, no, I was too busy reading a book! Later... if the kids ever go to sleep.

Quote for the day from The Bloomsbury Group by John Keith Johnstone:

"Friendship was the basis of the society; friendship had drawn its members together; and Bloomsbury depended on family feeling for its continued existence. Friendship made possible a frank exchange of views, which, Bloomsbury found, enlarged the individual. For this, conversation was necessary; and because Bloomsbury loved beauty, and found conversation to be of great value, conversation became an art in its midst and was more important than it had been, perhaps, since the days of Dr. Johnson."

Maybe next year we should rename the 75 Books Challenge group to the 'LT Version of Bloomsbury' Group?

Posted to the Kitchen too

I can't believe it, I'm still caught up!

Stasia, how do you manage to come up with these great quotes all the time?

#21: They just come up in the books I am reading. That's it.

Of course, Bloomsbury also featured a lot of back-biting, envy, gossip, adultery and other things that we don't yet have... :-)

#23: We are concentrating on the positive here, Suz :) There is no 'yet!'

LOL

I actually caught up with all of "Sundays...Take 8," which means big trouble for me and my schoolwork. Nevertheless, I'm determined to remain caught up with this one!

Found and starred the new thread!

I added Winter Roseto my wish list. As regards The Information Officer it would do better as a black and white WWII spy movie. Everything has a repetitive stagnant feel until the last 100 pages. At that time the tone of the book changes and the mind becomes stimulated. I would read this book again just to catch up with the ending, if that makes sense. Also, I would say the feel of the book is spot on. I felt I was right in the thick of bombing raids. This book is not a total stinker, just maybe not for everybody.

Hello My Friend...

Sadly, I'm going to miss your Sunday list this week....
When I return, I image you will be well on your way to yet another thread...

#26: Sorry about your schoolwork, Anne, but I am glad you are caught up on the thread again!

#27: Glad you found me again, Marcia!

#28: I agree with you, Deidra ('just maybe not for everybody'). There were several in the group whose opinions I respect who liked the book more than I did.

#29: Linda, my thread will not be the same without you. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Morning Stasia! Just buzzing by to say hi! Hope you have a nice weekend!

Thanks, Mark! I hope you have a nice weekend as well.

Have a nice weekend, Stasia. I am excited about the Cubs Home Opener in just two days.

Even if it has gone, as my favorite meteorologist has said, from "warmest Cubs Opener ever" to "not bad for mid-April."

I think I'm going to take my overdue ER book as my "book to read to and from Wrigley." The bus ride is so long that I should make a serious dent in The Bad Book Affair by Ian Sansom.

Hi Stasia! Bye Stasia, see you Monday!

#33: I hope you have better luck with The Bad Book Affair than I did. After 85 pages, I gave up. Have a great weekend. Go Cubbies!

#34: Chicken!!

trying to ind everyone....

eta find ... is what it means...and believe me ...it took me a while to figure it out too...

#36: Sorry Kath, I do not know what that means.

Gotcha' ..... and you thought you could hide, just because I've been out of the loop for a few days. hmph!

#38: Silly me, thinking I could hide from you!

Ok, so I am doing my weekly update an hour or so early because in an hour I have to go get someone out of jail. Sue me.

This week's reads:

167. Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney - Kath recommended this one (thanks again!) and did a very good review here; this is a book where the story is all; recommended

168. Raven Summer by David Almond - young adult; I have read several of Almond's books and enjoyed them all, but this one not so much and I am really not sure what the problem with it is - perhaps he overreached himself a bit?; guardedly recommended

169. 365 Days by Ronald J. Glasser - nonfiction; Glasser was a physician treating soldiers in Vietnam and he retells some of his own stories intermixed with his own - the last one was particularly heartbreaking; recommended

170. Stitches: A Memoir by David Small - graphic novel; dysfunctional family, with a son treated for cancer but does not find out until well after the fact, and I am rather on the fence as to how well it worked for me as a graphic novel; guardedly recommended - although I think the story was well-told

171. The Man Who Never Was by Ewen Montagu - nonfiction; fascinating account from an insider about the Major Martin deception of the Germans during WWII; recommended

172. Fables: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham - graphic novel; the second volume of Willingham's Fable series and I liked this one better than volume 1, so will probably continue reading them; recommended Mine

173. Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh - I read this one for Richard's TIOLI challenge - Read an Indian Writer - and I really liked it; I especially liked the characters of Zachary and Deeti (as well as the Ibis, if a ship can be called a character, but the book started off rather slowly for me; recommended

Continued (LT is really having a problem with my long weekly posts these days!):

174. The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff - young adult; another TIOLI challenge book, this one for Cheli's; this story of a soldier who is wounded and decides to figure out the mystery behind what happened to his father and the disappearance of the famed Roman Ninth Legion is a good one - especially the characters of Marcus, Cottia and Esca, and their developing relationships - thanks to Anita for the recommendation of this one; recommended

175. The Philosopher's Diet by Richard Watson -- nonfiction; I think for someone needing to lose 10-20 pounds this book would be very helpful, but for someone like myself who needs to lose a large amount of weight, not so much; guardedly recommended

176. A Beautiful Place to Die by Malla Nunn - this mystery set in 1950s apartheid South Africa is very good, interwoven with political, racial and religious overtones; recommended

177. The Novice by Trudi Canavan - the second book of the Black Magician's trilogy, this book finds Sonea pursuing her training; there is one major flaw in the book that kept me from giving it 4 stars (I cannot tell you what it is because it is definitely a spoiler), although I still liked it; guardedly recommended

178. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - I was rather worried that this was just going to be a Twilight ripoff, only with werewolves, but I needn't have worried - this book was better written, the characters better drawn; recommended

179. Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander - for the group read, suffice to say, my favorite in the series thus far; recommended Mine

I keep trying to correct the Touchstones for The Novice and Shiver, but LT appears to hate me today.

Continued again - this is a pain in the rear!

180. The Stars, the Snow, the Fire by John Haines - nonfiction; Haines' book of essays about his time in Richardson, Alaska, sometimes reads like poetry (he was poet laureate of the state at one time), but is grounded in the firm realities of the hardships of living in the bush, trapping and killing animals for food (how to prepare porcupine skins was interesting); recommended

181. Full Metal Alchemist, Volume 1 by Hiromu Arakawa - graphic novel; this is a graphic novel in the 'manga' tradition from Japan and not at all like the previous graphic novels I have read - for what it was, it was good, just different; guardedly recommended

182. Grey Lensman by E.E. Smith - group read; so far, I think this is my least favorite of the books, with the exception of the first one; guardedly recommended, but only for the sake of the series Mine

183. Tea with the Black Dragon by R.A. MacAvoy - another TIOLI challenge entry, this one for Linda P's; I rather enjoyed this fantasy/mystery; yes, the computer parts were dated, but I was willing to accept that for the sake of the story; recommended Mine

184. The Bloomsbury Group by John Keith Johnstone - nonfiction; this book was not really what I was expecting - a discussion of the Bloomsbury group as a whole, although the first part of the book does discuss them that way and their relationships, but the remainder of the book is concerned with only E.M. Forster, Virginia Woolf, and Lytton Strachey; recommended for those interested in the Group, but especially for Forster, Woolf, and Strachey fans

Sorry about the multiple posts, but LT is really being stubborn this morning.

The Touchstone is not working for the Bloomsbury Group book (again!)

ETA: I am beginning to think I may have to start doing a midweek post as well as one on Sundays given the problems I have had the past couple of weeks. What do you think?

#180 sound really good. I have always been drawn to Alaska... recently certain....things have put me off a bit...but I may haveto add that one to the list. Thanks stasia !

I really enjoyed R.A.MacAvoy's Damiano series. I haven't read #183 yet but looks like I might enjoy it.

#43: Kath, I know you are an animal lover, and there are several passages describing the trapping of animals in that book. I am not sure how comfortable you would be with that.

#44: Susan, I think you would really like Tea with the Black Dragon.

Stasia, really glad you enjoyed A Beautiful Place to Die it is one of my most memorable reads for the year so far...

#46: Yes, I really did like it and am looking forward to Nunn's next book.

I know I had this discussion before somewhere on LT, but have you seen the movie of The Man Who Never Was? I enjoyed it, but have never read the book.

#48: No, I have not seen the movie, Rebecca. I will check to see if it is available from Netflix based on your recommendation.

The book is small - less than 200 pages, but very detailed about the whole operation as the writer Montague was involved with it from the very beginning. I had no idea of some of the complexities involved in bringing the whole thing off.

Morning Stasia! Looks like you had a full reading week! Amazing! I liked Stitches quite a bit, although it was dark and disturbing but it holds a special place due to the fact it was my 1st Graphic. Sea of Poppies has been high on my wishlist forever! Have a nice Sunday! BTW, how did the jail thing go?

#50: I got the gal out, so she is happy. Have a nice Sunday yourself, Mark!

>40 alcottacre:: I agree with the recommendation for the move "The Man Who Never Was".

The only Ghosh I've read is The Hungry Tide. I thought the ending was weak but the story as a whole grabbed me—mostly because I loved the picture it painted of life in the Sundarbans. I'll get around to another his books at some point.

>41 alcottacre:: The 9th Legion is the basis for Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series. After finishing that, I did some poking around and it seems that the mystery isn't quite as great as fiction makes it out to be. Nonetheless, there's enough unknown there that it can make for some good fiction. I've never tried anything by Sutcliffe, so maybe I'll try that.

Taran Wanderer is...imo...definitely the best of that series. I always felt that the fifth book, The High King, won the Newbery because the judges said, "Ooops, we screwed up last year!"...except, of course, they didn't given that Taran Wanderer was up against From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Just bad timing for two of the better YA books out there.

Sea of Poppies is in the TBR; I must, must must get to it soon.

The Man Who Never Was has gone on the wishlist. I've never seen the film, either, but I'm sure I've seen at least one documentary about it all.

Happy Sunday, Stasia. Although one or two stand out I think I'm going to pass on adding any to the wishlist. Have a good week.

Safe! I managed to get through this without adding a single book to my TBR pile.

I think it would make sense for you to start doing a mid-week post as well.

#52: I did not realize Butcher used the 9th Legion as the basis of the Codex Alera series. I have read the first book in the series and think I own the first four or so - which I will get around to reading one of the years. Sutcliff's book is totally different from Butcher's - definitely written for a young adult audience, but well-written for all that.

#53: I hope you enjoy both Sea of Poppies and The Man Who Never Was, Caty. The Montagu book is short (less than 200 pages), so it should not take you long to get through.

#54: You have a good week too, Lynda!

#45 Noted.. and thanks for the warning ... I will skip it.

#57: No problem!

I'm glad to know the Frank Delaney was good. I REALLY enjoyed his Ireland (which I read when I was on vacation in Ireland visiting Sarah (beserene) one year when she was teaching a study abroad program there). Later, I received Tipperary as an LTER, and hated it. I couldn't actually believe the same guy wrote the two books. I'll have to give this one a try then.

Fables is a series that I've enjoyed reading as well.

I'm going to have to see if my library has Tea with the Black Dragon, as it sounds interesting.

=)

I'm adding The Man Who Never Was to the list.

Also, like Kath, I appreciate the warnings of animals being harmed. I avoid those. I can take reading about a lot of difficult things, but not that.

#59: Venetia Kelly was the first book I read by Delaney. I will have to look and see if my local library has Ireland. I hope you can find a copy of Tea with the Black Dragon David, and give it a try.

#60: I think you will enjoy The Man Who Never Was Sherlyn, knowing your penchant for nonfiction. As far as the Haines book goes, although not graphic, there are descriptions of trapping and skinning animals that would not go well for some of the animal lovers in the group, hence the warning. I consider myself an animal lover as well, and in the context that Haines wrote, it did not bother me overly much, but some people would take offense I think.

I like the idea of a mid week post.

Nothing for me this week (and I certainly don't need anything!); I've already read Sea of Poppies.

#62: You are the only person who answered my question, Darryl, so I appreciate the input! Sorry there is nothing for you on this week's posts.

I'm okay with the mid-week post!

Kind of messes up the title of my thread, though :)

Not your best reading week ever it doesn't seem. I'll probably get to Sea of Poppies one of these days, but not soon...

Re. Stitches, it was lacking something for me that Fun Home had. I hate to say this, but it didn't have a certain emotional resonance for me... Not sure. I liked it well enough that I bought Jack a book (When Dinosaurs Came with Everything) that Small illustrated which we loved. But it wasn't a five star for me.

Sundays on the Acre has become an integral part of my Sunday. I'd prefer it stayed as is if it wasn't adding LT irritation to your day. Since it is, the world won't end if you put up a midweek edition.

Hey, I answered your question in #55! :D

I've added Sea of Poppies, but managed to avoid any others... Busy week even for you, Stasia!

I think LT should change for YOU, Stasia, not you for LT. I recommend sticking with Sunday's only, it makes your Sunday post special : 0)

#40: Read #173 Sea of Poppies - glad you like it. I read another Ghosh novel - The hungry tide - and liked the writing. I've just started reading Sea of poppies on the recommendation of a co-worker.

Read #172 I haven't read the graphic novel fables by Willingham, but recently tried Peter and Max by the same author. I didn't get into it, but I have so many other things going right now it was a relief not to add something to the must-read stack. It may be perfectly good, just not grabbing me right now.

#41 - I would add A beautiful place to die to my list, but my library doesn't own it.

#42 - The Stars, the snow, the fire sounds good one of these days.

With the volume you read, I would be happy to see you post twice a week. :)

I have Sea of Poppies in my TBR pile. Well, technically, it's in my husband's TBR pile, as I gave it to him as a gift, but hey, what's his is mine and what's mine is mine again, right? Reviews of it looked good, and a couple of years ago I read Ghosh's The Glass Palace, which I really enjoyed.

Nothing for me this week Stasia. You didn't like the ending of Sea of Poppies? I thought it set up the next book of the trilogy beautifully. As a matter of fact, I keep checking Ghosh's website to see if it's going to be released soon. So far, nothing:(

I added The Man Who Never Was to my wishlist. It is right up my alley. I already have Eagle of the Ninth in my tbr. I am hoping to read it this year.

Anyway you want to post your books read is ok by me. I love reading them. Have a great day!
--BJ

Gee,... I read post #40 and thought ... oh, Stasia had a bad reading week... only 7 books? Silly me .. .what could I possibly be thinking? Of course not ... and for my lack of faith... I was thus punished with a list of another 11 books in the next 2 posts. 18?!! 18 books in a one week?! Darryl's an angel compared to your devilish temptations!

By the way, if you like Full Metal Alchemist you should try to get the DVD of the series. It really brings this to life.

I really like Amitav Ghosh and Sea of Poppies is in my TBR Tower .. hope to get to it soon.

I like the sound of The Man Who Never Was ... and have added that to my wish list. Sorry Stas ... only hit me for one this week. ;-)

*edited because I was in such a shock, I couldn't spell or construct a sentence properly*

Caroline, LOL! I had much the same reaction. Then I saw the second post. And the third.

Stasia, whatever's easier for you -- midweek update or not. We can adapt! (and maybe the rest of us won't be quite so daunted if it's not 18 books in one fell swoop...

I like the sound of the Malla Nunn - I'm going to have to set up a system for LT recommendations (I prefer to have my collections here show up books I own and/or have read and I'm not sure I want to have my wishlist on LT for that reason).

#66: I think what you mention is part of the problem I had with Stitches - this is a story I thought would work better as a full memoir rather than a graphic novel - I think the emotions would have better played out.

#67: Sorry I overlooked it, Zoe!

#68: I hope you enjoy Sea of Poppies, Marcia.

#69: If only LT would, Lynda :)

#70: Unfortunately, my local library does not have The Hungry Tide. I will have to look elsewhere for it. Thanks for the recommendation!

#71: I think you will like Sea of Poppies, Anne, so grab it from whatever stack you can and read it!

#72: I never said I did not like the ending of Sea of Poppies - I said the book started off slowly for me? I am not sure how it came across that I did not like the ending, Bonnie.

#73: I hope you enjoy both The Man Who Never Was and The Eagle of the Ninth, BJ!

#74: Oh ye of little faith - you see what happens?

#75: I am still debating myself on what is best to do. I will try and restrain myself from reading 18 books this week though. Not quite sure how it happened last week, although there were several graphic novels in there and they certainly helped.

#76: Lucy, I hope you get a chance to read A Beautiful Place to Die. I would be interested in seeing what you think of it.

Sea of Poppies added to the TBR, its funny how few Indian authors I read, need to rectify it.

I have watched the anime series of Full Metal Alchemist, probably should try the graphic novel as well.

#80: My girls have watched Full Metal Alchemist but I have not. I am much more of a book person (I know that comes as a surprise!)

I hope you enjoy Sea of Poppies, Piyush. I am reading another Indian author now - The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian by Nirad C. Chaudhuri.

I think my wishlist has escaped this week! A mid-week post would be great, I think.

#82: Sorry I did not catch you this week, Cushla.

I am giving the mid-week post serious consideration. I think I will give the Sunday posts a couple of more weeks and if they continue to be a problem, then I will make the switch.

ahhhh the great and powerful OZ ........curtains help.

#84: Huh?

Morning Stasia! I like the idea of a mid-week post! It gives us more time to soak in your list!

I seem to be split down the middle - some 'yeses' and some 'nos'. Makes me wish I knew how to do one of those voting thingies!

why not two? then there wouldn't be so many to post?

#88: True, there would not be as many to post, but on the other hand, there are several people in the group who like the weekly posts because they tell me it 'gives them something to look forward to.' I suspect whichever way I decide to go, someone is going to be unhappy (probably me).

> 89 Make yourself happy, then!!! It's your thread!! :) We will be happy if you are happy!!

#90: OK. I am not reading any more books and therefore do not ever have to decide :)

But consider this, Stasia..........You get about 100 responses (and that's conservative) with every Sunday post, be prepared to double that with a bi-weekly update, you'll be well on your way to a 100 thread thread. : P

I am doomed.

#93: But in a good way;)

>93 alcottacre: But you could also consider, Stasia, that even when you're not posting about books mid-week, conversation kind of blossoms anyways and you still end up with 100+ posts before Sunday. It may turn out to be about even.

Oh, and the books you mention that most interest me are already on the longlist (Eagle of the Ninth, Taran Wanderer, and Shiver) so I escape relatively unscathed this week. :-)

#95: Stasia is too tired to consider anything any more this morning. Her head is going to explode. Darn LT.

Sorry I could not tempt you with other books on the list this week, Mary!

Hmm sorry Stasia. Somewhere along the way I thought you said you didn't care for the ending of Sea of Poppies. Perhaps I got that mixed up with the, what, around 18 other titles??

#97: Nope, only 17.

I can't believe it... though I was tempted I managed to get caught up without adding one book to my wishlist.

smirks.. she'll never know they were already there...

#99: Uh huh - how long has Sea of Poppies been on your wishlist? Get to reading it!

I was considering picking up Stitches, but I think it's one better left at the bookstore. Shiver, however, has found its way onto my wishlist.

I got lucky this week. The one I really wanted to read I already had. :) Shiver

#101: Do not let me dissuade you from reading Stitches, Luxx. There are a lot of people here on LT that liked it better than I did. I do hope you like Shiver.

#102: Monica, glad you dropped by! I hope you like Shiver whenever you get a chance to read it.

I've already had Sea of Poppies on the wishlist for ages, and I managed to skim your list fast enough that nothing else popped out.

If you're still looking for feedback on the mid-week listing, I vote "no". But you should please yourself.

#91 :

Sorry, couldn't help it, Stas ..... you not reading another book?! Hah! that's as believable as Darryl saying he's not going to buy a book for another month or so.

100>> not Sea of Poppies I know I couldn't handle that.

If I want something set in a foreign country - it has to be European becuae of my Euro Challenge. Not doing Asia.

OK, after musing about the decision for several days now, and getting input from several people, I have decided that for the time being postings will remain weekly. One of my very first friends here on LT told me last night how much she looks forward to her Sundays because of my musings here, so she was the deciding vote for me.

However, since LT seems to think that I talk too much (which is no doubt true), I will split the posts if necessary and post THE END when I am completely finished. Hopefully, that will keep people from posting in between my weekly ones, until I am done. Please?

See? Here I am! Posting and everything!

(Continuing conversation from a different thread, for those confused by the non-sequitur.)

#108: Thank you so much for coming to visit me, Richard. I am honored.

Honored! *snort*

#110: I am always honored when anyone visits my thread, Richard, especially you.

>107 alcottacre: : 0)

Someother family member, who will remain nameless, deleted smiley central from the computer ala manual smiley.

I hereby solemnly pledge never to post in between your weekly segments...

(Not that I'm up early enough on a Sunday morning to do that anyway!!)

I am, but I'll wait!

No worries about me. I'm usually a week behind anyway!

I'm with Terri, I'm usually way behind!

Gone for 4 days, way behind. You didn't get me with the list this week, perhaps I'll have to revisit it when I don't feel like I'm buried in laundry etc.
How can we possibly go through so many clothes in just 4 days away? We didn't even take that many clothes. Perhaps it's just the snow bibs, etc. And the blankets that have to go on trips with us and the fact that we forgot to have our neighbor take out the trash Monday...no it has nothing to do with the laundry.

So, is the alcottacre-trap more like a Venus flytrap or the Twilight Zone? Because we all tend to focus on whether or not we "escaped" the Sunday dishings...

#113: In your case, Suz, I would worry about you being up late enough :)

#114: Thank you, Cushla!

#11/116: Two less for me to worry about, huh?

#117: My theory on it is that laundry items multiply like rabbits when you are not looking!

#118: I do the same thing on other people's threads, Luxx. I call it 'dodging book-bullets.'

Quote for the day from The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams:

"Morgenes was rattling about his workshop, deeply engaged in a search for a missing book. He waved Simon permission to find a cage for the young birds, then went back to his hunt, toppling piles of manuscripts and folios like a blind giant in a city of fragile towers."

I can so relate!

Omg I had forgotten about The Dragonbone Chair. I must have read that book 5 times!

#121: I think this is the first Tad Williams book I have ever read. So far, I am enjoying it.

I have read the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy a couple of times now. I go back and forth about how much I like it, but it is definitely a fun read. I am currently in the process of reading the trilogy to my husband. It took us about a year to get through The Dragonbone Chair and now we are working through Stone of Farewell.

Another super quote! I love your quotes of the day. Happy Wednesday!
--BJ

Cool! The Dragonbone Chair and its sequels are some of my favorites. Definitely a cure for Thin Book Syndrome, though. 8^}

I haven't revisted Williams' series for a while now. His Otherland books weren't to my taste, but I did like Tailchaser's Song even if I can't tell you what it's about atm! LOL

>TinuvielDancing -- Another who reads aloud to her hubby :)

Maybe I'll swap out my current fantasy read (which is not cutting it) for TDC.....

I am liking this one so much I have already put book 2, Stone of Farewell, on hold at the local library.

I will have to check into Tailchaser's Song once I finish this trilogy.

I hereby designate the avoidance of additions to your TBR on Stasia's thread as a DSBB - Dodging Stasia's Book Bullets - watch out everyone she shoots faster and more accurately than anyone I know!

If they are already on your list, they count as a DSBB because you got there first before she could shoot!

#129: LOL!

>suslyn, we take turns. He's reading the Narnia books to me, which I am enjoying much better than I did when I was a kid.

I read Tailchaser's Song a few years ago and thought it was quite good.

>131 TinuvielDancing: LOL we just started taking turns too! We're reading a marriage book at dinner. But I read fantasy, mostly, in the car when we're out :)

My Sunday sport: DSBB! It has a name at last!

#134: I wonder if we can lose weight with this new sport. I might take it up, lol.

134 & 135>> If it works for weight loss, should we get an infomercial going? Would we have to cut Tim in on the profits?

I can see it now...for the Nintendo Wii....DSBB...buy it now for all those book lovers out there.

LOL ...love it .. what a great idea ... DSBB .... so far I think Stasia's already scored a good number of hits on me.

Hi Stasia. I finally found your thread...a little overwhelming! But I think I've got the gist, at least for this week. I'm DSBB for most, all except Shiver which I'm adding to my wishlist. Look forward to Sunday!

#139 "...a little overwhelming!"
I agree! :P

#136: Actually, since you came up with the idea, shouldn't you get the profits, Cheli?

#137: I have a Wii, so I can play too :)

#138: Hey, Caroline, a midweek visit! You have probably put as many books in to the BlackHole as I have added to your TBR mountain, so no complaining.

#139: Glad you found me! Do not let the place overwhelm you: it is just a bunch of people having fun centered around books.

#140: Nah, not overwhelming. It just takes a bit of getting used to.

Hi Stasia - Glad to hear you're continuing your Sunday only posts. I don't do well with change...:)

I already have Sea of Poppies and Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show on my list. I should move them up!

Sorry that you didn't like Stitches more. I thought it worked particularily well as a graphic since Small probably expresses himself best through his art. I'm still not a big fan of graphic novels in general, though (but I loved Maus).

141>>
I think its only fair that we share some of the profits with Tim since we are using his platform to play.

#142: I think you definitely want to move both of those books up your list, Joanne. I liked Stitches well enough, but thought in this case, it would have worked better as a novel, rather than the graphic variety. It was still good though. I loved Maus and Maus II when I read them a couple of years ago. I am glad you liked them too.

#143: You have a point, Cheli.

I saw a graphic novel version of Redwall in a book store today. The art was great.

#145: I have never read the Redwall books, but a graphic novel edition sounds good. I will have to see if I can locate a copy. Thanks for the mention, Ren.

Nice to see you around. I hope all is well with the hens again.

Quote for the day from The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian by Nirad C. Chaudhuri:

"There was nothing wrong with my understanding of the nature of systematic and fruitful study. I could draw up plans which, if executed with steadfastness, would have given me not only success at examinations, but also a solid grounding in the subjects I was having to learn. . .I gave myself up to my immediate impulses and read only what I was momentarily interested in, and the more I read about it the more interested and bogged in its details did I become for the time being. Thus, although I came to acquire a deep knowledge of certain aspects of certain subjects . . .I did not succeed in having an even grounding in any subject."

That sounds so like me, lol!

Posted to the Kitchen too

Good quote and I can certainly relate. My personal mantra is "I know a little about everything and a lot about nothing."

#148: I can definitely relate to that mantra!

passing through.......

um,what's DSBB?

#150: *waves* at Kath!

#151: Susan - see Cheli's message at 129

#146: Stasia, if you haven't yet read any Redwall books, please do! I haven't seen the graphic novel version, but I love the original (and many of its sequels; though you can probably get away with not reading them in order, I would definitely recommend reading Redwall first), and think that all bibliophiles (especially those with a healthy imagination and hearty appreciation for children's literature) should try at least the first one.

I was reminded of them recently through a conversation with a ten-year-old who was toting around one I hadn't seen before, and now I think I'm going to have to go back and read the new ones that I've missed!

Can't keep all these posts straight..and I woke up this morning with a freaking Cold..runny nose/stuffy head/B.S.

The Philosopher's Diet I read from the Philosophy angle. I don't do "Diets"...

> 65....regarding the "title" of this here Soiree...How about THIS WEEK ON THE ACRE ? Lot of leeway there, no?

My Computer was throwing hissy fits last week..if she starts crashing again it will be "New Mac" time...i can't wait

okay, so much of this is outdated already, but I can still stop by and wave!

;-}

I'll have to jump on the Redwall bandwagon too! I haven't read the last couple of installments, but I read several on the first volumes, and loved them. And I agree, start with Redwall first, and then go from there.

I think you are right tapestry100; I favor the earlier books in the Redwall series (Mossflower, Redwall, Martin the Warrior, Mattimeo. Badgers rule!

#147 that sounds like me too!

*rubbing tired eyes*

Finally caught up with your thread!!

Just added 365 Days to my wishlist. May be back for more titles . . .

#158, I must be tired. I read your post as "it took 365 days to catch up on your thread."

Of course, in some earlier posts, I was marveling that Ted Williams was a baseball player and an author. Who knew?

I've never seen the graphic version of Redwall. I LOVE Redwall so I have to check that out.

I know that there's something similar called Mouse Guard that I started to look at in a store but need to buy so I can finish it.

#153: If you say I must try the Redwall books, I will give them a shot, Alexandra.

#154: Thanks for stopping by, Jude. Good luck with the computer!

#155: OK, Redwall first it is, David! I will see if I can pick it up at the library tomorrow.

#156: If the first books in the series are about the badgers, I am definitely in, Ren! I have had a soft spot for badgers since The Wind in the Willows, lol.

#157: I think it fits quite a few of us here :)

#158: Terri, I am glad you are all caught up again!

#159: The baseball player, Ted Williams, actually did write several books including The Science of Hitting. However, I was reading a book by Tad Williams, whom I suspect is in no way related to Ted.

#160: Mouse Guard? Another one I shall have to look for!

Stasia, I have a very old pb copy of Ted Williams' book My Turn at Bat. I keep meaning to read that one for my 1010 baseball category but it always seems to get pushed aside by intriguing new baseball books.

My daughter loves the Redwall series, and counts Mossflower among her all-time favorite books.

#164: it always seems to get pushed aside by intriguing new baseball books.

I can completely sympathize with that problem!

#165: OK, that does it! I am checking out all of the Redwall books the next time I am at the library. Errr, how many of them are there exactly?

My girls read those books when they were young and still reread them from time to time. They prefer the earlier ones. And there are quite a few, I think.
--BJ

I just went and looked and there are like 31 books in the Redwall series, so I am not picking them all up the next time I am at the library, lol. I think I shall just content myself with book 1.

>160 Sarasamsara: Hope you like it Stasia. That was one which just didn't work for me at all.

#170: Which one, Susan, Redwall or Mouse Guard?

Morning Stasia! Still loving Catching Fire & Hugo Cabret! What a double-team! Have a great day!

#172: Glad to hear it, Mark. You have a great day, too!

Wow Stasia!! I cannot believe you have read 42 books this year so far! I thought I was doing good with 22. Congratulations! I am glad Shiver surprised you. I loved that book and absolutely found the writing to be great! It wasn't a Twilight spinoff or anything like it in my mind. It was just a great book that was well told. The sequel Linger will release later this year. If you liked Shiver, Maggie Stiefvater has also written a series on faeries that is quite good and well written. It starts with Lament and the second book is called Ballad.

p.s.
you're starred finally!

#174: Actually, as of today I have read (gulp!) 192 books this year.

Thanks for the recommendation of Stiefvater's other books. I will look for them.

Redwall

#176: Ah, OK. Well, I am going to try it and see if I like it before I lug the other 30 books home from the library :)

192 books!!! HOW?? That's amazing! Are any of them short? I definitely couldn't do that even if I did nothing else besides read.

>178 Cpassmore: Cpassmore, Stasia sleeps a maximum of 59 seconds a week, reads at a rate of 300 words per minute, and can flawlessly reproduce every word she's ever read. She is, in other words, a cyborg. Rumor has it that she has not had a book in her hands exactly twice: Delivering her daughters.

Measure your reading rate against other humans or you'll end up like the rest of us, weak pale shadows of things emaciated and enervated by trying to match Stasia's stamina.

Richardderus.... now I understand! I guess I'll just stick to being human and mediocre. :)

#180: Do not listen to Richard. I had C-sections and was unconscious when my daughters were delivered, I sleep more than 59 seconds a week and can only aspire to being a cyborg!

My theory is that Stasia is really triplets conjoined at the brain. At any given time, one of the three is reading while the other two are sleeping and taking care of life.

#179 Richard - I do so love people who use the word enervate/enervated properly!

Happy here.

>179 richardderus:, 181 -- The ONLY reason that S. was not reading in the delivery suite was that she was unconscious at the time. Indeed, rumor is that the obstetrician decided on the C-sections to get her to put her book down long enough to deliver the daughters...

Hi, I finally located your thread. 192 already- amazing.

>181 alcottacre: Well if Richard is wrong, what possible explanation is there for the phenomenon?

#182: Every now and then I wish I had a clone, but unfortunately no, and no triplets either.

#184: LOL!

#185: Glad you found me. Thanks for stopping in!

#186: I do not sleep a lot, but I do sleep more than 59 seconds a week!

Inquiring minds want to know -- what does the Black Hole look like? Is it a list on a computer? Is it a mental data bank? A collection of random jotttings on pieces of paper? A vellum scroll, carefully updated with quill pen nightly? A physical stack of books in a sub-basement? All of the above??

#188: The BlackHole started out its mundane life in a couple of composition notebooks, transitioned to a file on my computer (which was lost when my computer crashed), and is now safely stored on Goodreads. I started listing the books there before the Collections feature here on LT was up and running and have no intention of transferring them at this point - there are 6000+ books listed there and I still have not added the contents of various notebooks yet. When I say the BlackHole has around 10,000 books in it, I am not joking.

>189 alcottacre:, Oh. My. God.

#190: Suffice to say I was keeping track of books I want to read long before LT.

@Everyone who is new to Stasia's thread and is surprised at her reading speed, here was another theory proposed last year which I believe is closest to the reality.

Stasia's two eyes can move independently of each other and hence she can read two books at a time. Coupled with the fact that she is an insomniac and has inhuman reading speed, she manages to read more than 500 books every year, year after year.

Hope this helps.

#192: I think you are as bad as Richard, Piyush. Where do you guys come up with this stuff?

I missed your posts on Sunday and have been too scared to come near your thread until I had enough time to properly read 150 posts!

I will look out for The Eagle of the Ninth, Shiver, Sea of Poppies and Tea with the Black Dragon. Stitches and the Fables series are already wishlisted I think.

I'd love to know what you thought the flaw was in The Novice - post me a private message on my profile!

#194: Sent you a PM, Heather.

Sorry you are scared of my thread. No reason to be. We just gab a lot :)

The only person I can think of who is remotely comparable to Stasia: On the DorothyL mystery discussion list, there's a woman, I'll call her HK. She also posts mystery reviews on Amazon. She is known to read several mysteries per day.

She might come close to Stasia. Maybe, maybe not. We've always thought that HK was actually several people but I think she just said that she is a speed reader.

Stasia, I am ready to start reading Ashenden tomorrow. I should have it done by Wednesday, at my normal pace.

#194-195 No need to be scared, Heather. The only danger is suggesting that someone besides Stasia should portray Grandma Mazur in the movie version of the Janet Evanovich books. Whenever, I suggest someone else, Stasia gets a bit dangerous. :)

Talk to you later, Stasia. I've put today's Cubs ticket up for sale. I've got a nasty spring cold and can barely breathe. I feel like my mouth and throat are full of cotton balls.

I'm going back to sleep.

#196: See? I am not the only one!

#197: Thanks for letting me know, Diana. I will try and get it done no later than Thursday and we can chat about it.

#198: You got that right!

#199: Sorry you are not feeling well, Linda. Believe me when I say I wish I could take the tickets off your hands.

It's not the # of posts that is scary; it's the # of books. I always thought I read rapidly; then I encountered Stasia!!!

>feel better; hope you can at least get some good reading done?

I had a terrific reading week this week! I only hope I have another this good some time soon.

185. Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle - juvenile; Linda (Whisper) recommended this one on her thread and mentioned that there is a lot going on under the surface of this book and she is right - there are a lot of undercurrents here that I do not think even the most perceptive 8-12 year olds would catch on to, although adults would; recommended

186. In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden - Godden is absolutely pitch perfect in this book; as someone who is not Catholic, I was worried that I would not appreciate this book, but that turned out to be a needless worry, because this book is so well-written; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year Mine

187. The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver - the first book in Deaver's Kathryn Dance series and typical Deaver (although it was interesting since I was reading this at the same time as Afternoon of the Elves and seeing how closely the definition of a cult leader in this book fit Sara-Kate in that one); guardedly recommended

188. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry - juvenile; a re-read for me (I read it January 2009), but David (tapestry), Linda (Whisper) and Roni have all recently read it, so I gave it another go and liked it this time as much as I did the first time around; recommended

189. The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams - the first book in Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy and very enjoyable; I really liked the lead character of Simon, a 15-year-old who is not presented as anything other than a typical adolescent; recommended

190. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - when I started reading this, I was expecting a somewhat unconventional romance between a retired English officer and a Pakistani shopkeeper, but what I got was so much more: the book is very layered, examining prejudices against people of color, Americans, unwed mothers and their children (doesn't everyone want to be someone other than who they are at some time or other? I know I do!); the relationship between the Major and his son; one of my favorite quotes from the book "The human race is all the same when it comes to romantic relations," said the Major. "A startling absence of impulse control combined with complete myopia"; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

191. Dexter by Design by Jeff Lindsay - the fourth book in the Dexter series and for me, not nearly as enjoyable as the first three; not recommended

192. The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian by Nirad C. Chaudhuri - nonfiction; this book was both a Writer's Choice and TIOLI Challenge book for me; some parts of this book I found simply magical, especially near the beginning, when the author is speaking of his childhood, but parts of it just dragged on for me (sorry, but I am just not interested in politics of any kind and Indian politics? No way), but I enjoyed this look into India when it was changing from British to home rule; guardedly recommended

193. Still Alice by Lisa Genova - this look at a Harvard professor and her early onset Alzheimer's disease was excellent; Genova was outstanding in her portrayal of both the victim and the effects of the disease on the victim's family; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

194. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen - young adult; Yolen must have the best imagination: she takes the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty and turns it into a granddaughter's quest for her grandmother's past; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

195. No Instructions Needed by Robert G. Hewitt - nonfiction; I received this as an ER book and so have posted a proper review, but basically this is just a rather nostalgic view of growing up back in the 1950s; guardedly recommended Mine

196. Less than Angels by Barbara Pym - a tongue-in-cheek poke at anthropologists, and I had a good time with it, especially the hapless Mark and Digby and Jean-Pierre and his investigations of English churches and English suburbs; to sum it up "Catherine often wondered whether anthropologists became so absorbed in studying the ways of strange societies that they forgot what was the usual thing in their own," a pretty good description of what the book is about; recommended

197. Cheating at Canasta by William Trevor - TIOLI Challenge book; I do not think Trevor could write poorly if he tried, but in this collection of short stories, all of which are rather dark, none of them just jump out at me as saying 'I especially liked that one.' If I had to pick one, I would say that the title story is the one I liked best and one of them, An Afternoon, rather creeped me out (being the story of a young girl picked up by a pedophile; guardedly recommended Mine

THE END

Whew got away again this week.... :) I always love reading your posts Stasia...

Good morning, Stasia! (The alarm clock dog is back in action!)

I added Major Pettigrew's Last Stand to my wishlist. I recently read Briar Rose, too. And I think we still have Afternoon of the Elves around here somewhere.

Have a great rest of the weekend!
--BJ

Yolen sounds worth reading! So glad you had a great week of reading :)

#204: Maybe next week, Monica :)

#205: Glad your electricity is back up and running, BJ. I hope you enjoy all 3 of those books.

#206: Susan, I think you would like Yolen given half a chance.

Good list there... I have read a couple, and have managed to not list any others...Thankfully, since I just ordered 4 and have 2 coming from vine, because I have zero self control when it comes to refusing free books, and eating cheddar rice cakes.

#208: Does anyone here have self control around free books? Not me, that is for sure!

Too bad Dexter by Design didn't do it for you as the others in the series did. It's on my list as I really enjoyed the Dexter-series, the first book in particular.

Fairly safe this time. I've already read the Godden, Williams, Lowry and Yolen. I already own the Lisle and Simonson, just haven't gotten to them. The rest don't grab me. This is good because I'm overwhelmed with books right now.

#210: I have really enjoyed the Dexter series up until this last one too. Perhaps you will enjoy it more than I did!

#211: I am glad to know I did not add to your being overwhelmed, Tad.

#202 & 203 What a fantastic reading week! I thought I ought to read this today to avoid getting overwhelmed again but actually pretty much everything you read this week was already wishlisted. Except The Dragonbone Chair which I have added, not having read any Tad Williams before.

#209 Definitely not me! And since I joined this group I always feel overwhelmed by books too (presumably as a result of the lack of self control?)

#213: Heather, it really was a fantastic reading week. Did you get my note responding to your query about The Novice?

In this House of Brede has been on the wishlist for years and Major Pettigrew and Less than Angels are in the TBR already, so I have escaped without anything new to add this week. Phew.

#214 Yes I did thanks! Fair point, do you think you will read The High Lord at some point?

I love the Carpe Noctem graphic on your profile page - very apt!

#215: Maybe I will catch you next week, Caty!

#216: I already have The High Lord home from the library. Thanks for the comment about Carpe Noctem. I stole it from Paper Towns. I thought it fit me quite well.

Stasia

I'm glad you agree that Afternoon of the Elves is a very thought-provoking, multi-layered tale. It is a small book that packs a lot of wallop. I agree with you and I think I also mentioned to Tad that I thought the complexity would fly right over the heads of many YA.

You've had a wonderful reading week. I'm adding #186. In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. #187 The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver is on my book shelf somewhere. I remember buying it at Barnes and Noble on their sale table. I'm going to sort through the book cases and find it and read it soon because of your comments re. cults and the connection you mad with Afternoon of the Elves.

#190 is already on the tbr pile. I enjoyed your description!

Still Alice is a very good book. My book club discussed this and a nurse who manages the alzheimer's unit at our local hospital spoke to our group.

Briar Rose is indeed a must read. I agree with your assessment.

While you guardedly recommend No Instructions Needed, I am a child of the 50's and thus I'm very interested in this book. It is now on the tbr pile.

Can it bee that I'm escaping with adding only two new ones from your list this week...Whew!.

#218: Well, I hope you enjoy the two you chose. I agree that No Instructions Needed will probably go over better with people who remember the 1950s rather than those of us born after that time period. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it.

Morning Stasia! I'm glad you had a good reading week, productive as usual. Major Pettigrew & In This House of Brede sound very promising!
I love the fact that you read so many books I'm unfamiliar with. You go deep, that's admirable!

#220: Hey, Mark! Thanks for stopping in this week. I hope you enjoy Major & Brede!

Stasia

Time to start another tread? This is a gentle prod inching/leading you in the direction of 100 threads for 2010...Has a ring to it don't you think?

No, it is not time to start another thread - around 250 posts or so. 100 threads in a year is beyond ridiculous!

Stasia...

Even if you don't reach 100, you will be the one with the most threads. We flock to you!

I imagine that by the end of today you will be heading for thread #10.

Bask in the wonderful glory that is Stasia, our dear, sweet, kind, intelligent friend!

Happy Sunday, Stasia. I've had such a nice morning reading my TIOLI selection that I forgot all about you. Ackkkkkk! So sorry!
Anyway, I see you did have a great reading week and I've added a few In this house of Brede, Still Alice, The afternoon of the elves and Mr. Pettigrew's last stand. I noticed that Linda had recommended a couple of these too, but I hadn't gotten around to wishlist them. Now I have! Hope this coming week is another good one for you.

#224: Bask in the wonderful glory that is Stasia, our dear, sweet, kind, intelligent friend!

Let's not and say we did.

#225: Ha! Caught you this week, did I? And what is your TIOLI selection that is so engrossing?

You are way too humble. I'm basking and you cannot stop the love that flows here from us to you...You give a lot to all..It is only right that it is returned to you.

I am not humble. I . . . am not sure what I am, but it is not humble, sweet, kind, intelligent. I am embarrassed is what I am!

>226 alcottacre: - HA! you'll just have to wait and see my little pretty.

Yolen sounds very interesting. I'm glad you had such a great week!

#229: Now that is just not nice.

#230: Thanks, Luxx. Have you read any Yolen yet? She has one out called Here There Be Dragons that you and Brooks both might enjoy.

I haven't read her yet, but she sounds like she'd be right up my alley. I'll check out Here There Be Dragons - I'm always on the lookout for things B will like to read!

I almost got away but then I spotted Still Alice. I was not as enamored of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand as you were. Thought it was good in the second half but the first half was a waste for me.

After watching a whole lot of baseball, including the Rockies' pitcher's no-hitter but sadly, only two innings of the 20 inning Cardinals/Mets marathon, while sitting in the recliner for two days while sick, I am venturing out today to celebrate my sister's birthday. I understand my 7-year old nephew is reading much better so I hope he will read to me.

Good morning Stasia. You really did have a great week. Still Alice was one of my favorites last year. Amazingly, she had to self publish this and yet I've never seen a bad review. The publishers really got this one wrong.

I already have Major Pettigrew's Last Stand on my list but I will add In This House of Brede.

#233: Ah well, we cannot like everything the same, can we? I still like you :) I hope you are doing much better today, considering the birthday party!

#234: Good morning, Bonnie! I did not realize that Still Alice was self-published. Wow. The publishers really did get that one wrong. I hope you enjoy In This House of Brede.

197 books!!! Let's do the math; yesterday was the 107th day of the year, so 197 x (365/107) = 672 books by year's end at this rate. And the number of pages read has to be mind boggling. This reminds me of the federal deficit "clock" that is (or was) on 42nd Street in NYC, which is somewhat similar to this clock:

US Debt Clock

Only one book for me this week; you've tempted me with Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I'm sorry that you didn't like The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian, but I suspect it was because of the politics, as you mentioned (I find Indian politics fascinating). I'm also sorry that you didn't like Cheating at Canasta, which I bought last year but haven't read yet.

Great job, as always!

OK - you've got me (and I'm admitting it) - In This House of Brede and Less Than Angels are going on the wishlist.

#236: I will not make 672 books this year. The pages read is on the second ticker in my initial post of every thread. Thus far, I do not think I am on pace to make my goal. Too many young adult and graphic novels in there.

I hope you enjoy Major Pettigrew, Darryl. I did not dislike Cheating at Canasta, I just was not overwhelmed by it - short stories are not my thing. I really liked Trevor's The Story of Lucy Gault and liked his Felicia's Journey (although not as much as Lucy Gault.)

Thanks!

#237: I wondered if anyone was going to choose the Pym book as one of their picks this week. I hope you enjoy it - and Brede as well.

Stasia, I totally agree with you on Cheating at Canasta. Well written but very dark stories. And there was more than one story that creeped me out. How about the teenager that killed another teen to impress his date?

#240: I think as the mother of 2 young adult females, the one about the pedophile was creepier to me, but you are right, that one was creepy too. The first story in the collection was kind of Twilight Zone-ish and really set the tone for the entire collection I thought.

Well hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on both of them reasonably soon as the online catalogue lists both in the spare stock section of the local library. Fingers crossed that they are actually there.

#242:

Whoot woot .... Only got me for Still Alice today, Stas .... The others I'd like to read on your list are already on my obese wish list.

Tralala tweedle-e-dee dee I skip away in glee ...at least to my departure gate after my breakfast here in Dallas. Here's me waving to you from DFW airport --

#244: You are that close and did not tell me? I am mortally offended!

Mea culpa mea culpa dear Stas. In my defence though, I didn't know I was flying into Dallas for a connecting flight. I thought I was flying direct to LA from Boston - this happens to me once ina while because I rarely check my entire itinerary. So it was as much a surprise to me to hear we were landing in Dallas. Looked at my boarding envelop to find another pass in there for my connecting flight. I also don't pay attention to flight announcements when I'm on the plane since I'm usually listening to my iPod and reading or sleeping.

I thought Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was a fabulous read. I was not at all sorry I read it and it is a book I am sharing. I am glad it is getting recognition finally. I read it so many books ago it feels strange to see it finally getting talked about. It is not a waste of time and is a step above fluff. I really feel it is a good read at least once.

Glad to see you enjoyed Major Pettigrew! I think that will be one of my favorites of the year.

Between you and Linda, Afternoon of the Elves is moving up on the TBR list, but I think I'm going to try reading mostly my own books for the next few weeks (I mean, after I finish the books I already have out of the library), to be able to donate some to the library book sale...and, well, to make room for new books too, of course!

Nice list this week, Stasia. I added the Wiliams and Pym books to the wish list. I've never read anything by either of them. The Trevor book has been on the list for years. I find I need to be in a particular frame of mind to read Trevor.

Many of your reads this week have been hovering above the wishlist for some time. I really must get to In This House of Brede, I've heard so many good things.

ETA I am the 250th post!!! What Linda said...

250 posts *sigh* looks like we are close to starting a new thread.

First of all, I have been trying very hard to keep up this week and only missed yesterday and then I open up today to find 62 messages! I'm going to have to try harder - check when I get up in the morning and before I go to bed at night - do you think twice a day here should keep me current?

So in the game of DSBB this week - the score was Stasia 13 shots on goal and Cheli 0 goals allowed! I win this week!

**Wait a minute, I'm not sure that's a good thing. I have to think that over.**

I wonder if it's possible for Stasia to open and close a thread in one day because it's reached 250 plus. I bet she could do it.....

Yet, I have a feeling she doesn't really want to:)

#253
*Horrified* Don't giver her ideas!

Nice reading list. I think I would like Still Alice, so on my books wishlist!

I came over to say "thank you" for visiting a newbie's thread ("Thank you!") and am - awed, I guess by your grasp!
I'll second your recommendations of Pym and Godden, two favorites. You make me wonder whether I ought to look again at Helen Simonson. I liked the major; I just didn't love the major. de gustibus ---!

Me too -- I don't get many visitors so your stopping in is greatly appreciated. -- I left a link to Margaret Drabble on Powys there -- should have put it here..... Lucy/Sibyx

Hey, I'm probably transitting thru DFW next weekend, Stasia, just to give you a heads up and avoid reproaches... *memo to self, book tickets and hotel...*

I'm with LizzieD on the major, liked but didn't love it. It was warm and fuzzy and heart-warming, and well-written, but no Magic Factor ABC. You know, that thing that turns a pleasant read into something extraordinary. In This House of Brede definitely has it. I'm agnostic, and love the book. At its heart, it's as much about human beings finding ways to live with each other and cope with the world as it is to do with religion. You could take the religion (or the Catholicism) out, and put some other unifying theme in, and it would be just as great. Godden, as a Catholic convert, chose this as her setting, that's all.

I did like Cheating at Canasta. Yes, the stories were bleak, but so is Trevor's view of human nature, really. And I think his natural forte is the short story; even his novels feel as spare as a short story. Read it when it first came out, back in late '08? At any rate, it's on my Kindle.

Ah, I already had Still Alice on my wishlist. . . the rest don't quite grab me. I got off easy this week!

Still Alice is unique in that the story is told from the voice of the person afflicted with alzheimers. It is sad and inspiring.

I don't think I can bear Still Alice although perhaps one of these days. I'm very interested in Major Pettigrew and may Kindle it just to have it in reserve while it is still $9.99. I own In This House of Brede and intend to read it this year.

Hi Stasia, I've been looking forward to Major Pettigrew so I was very happy to see you recommend it!

I loved Briar Rose as well! Really, I love everything I've ever read by Jane Yolen

I have not read any Jane Yolen yet, but I've been interested in checking her books out for a while.

#246: OK, I will forgive you - this one time!

#247: I agree with you regarding 'Major,' Deirdra, but I will probably go back at some point and re-read it. Thanks for stopping by!

#248: Hey, Mary! We have a library book sale coming up this next weekend here - and I already have my $20 limit in hand, lol.

#249: Kelly, Barbara Pym is one of my favorite authors. It is a shame that she wrote so few books. I try and space them out in order to be able to enjoy them longer. I hope give her a try.

#250: Sherlyn, I hope you enjoy In This House of Brede. Let me know when you get to it. I will be interested in seeing what you think.

#251: Not even thinking about it, Piyush.

#252: I am not sure whether to congratulate you or not either, Cheli. Let me know what you decide. Checking my thread twice a day should be more than often enough (even for me!)

#253: Charlotte, please do not start giving people ideas!

#254: You would be correct, Bente.

#255: People giving me ideas?! Charlotte is the one who said it, not me. I would be perfectly content with one thread, just like I had back in '08.

#256: I hope you like Still Alice. I thought it was terrific. Let me know, would you?

#257: Hey, Peggy. Thanks for stopping by. Pay no attention to the nutty people here, we just have good fun.

#258: I will be sure and check out the Powys link, Lucy. I already added Wolf Solent to the BlackHole based on your recommendation.

#259: Unfortunately, with my working every weekend, there is probably no way for me to be able to catch you, Suz. As far as 'Brede' and 'Major' - I gave 5 stars to the former and 4.5 to the latter just because of that quality that you mentioned. As far as Trevor goes, 'Canasta' was only the third book of his that I have read, so I am likely not a good judge, although I did not think The Story of Lucy Gault as dark as all that.

#260: Terri, you did get off easy! Maybe next week.

#261: Yes, I thought it was very well done. Genova really got inside Alice's head.

#262: I hope you enjoy all of them, Nancy!

#263: I hope you like Major Pettigrew, Joanne.

#264: I have only read a few of Yolen's books, but I have enjoyed them all. I imagine I will exhaust my public libraries stock of her books before all is said and done.

#265: Do give Yolen a try, Tabs!

Well... IF I can find the end of this thread...

I am adding Major Pettigrew, Still Alice, In This House of Brede and The Dragonbone Chair. Already added Afternoon of the Elves thanks to Linda.

If they really were bullets, I'd be in intensive care, reading, of course.

#271: If they really were bullets, I'd be in intensive care, reading, of course.

LOL, Jenn!

I am glad you found something to like this week.

*whispering* New thread over here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/89413

#251, #267 đ
I knew it!!!

#268
Yes, but you are the one posting all the books and making all the interesting conversations, so you are to blame! And long gone are the days of 2008 when one could keep track of almost every message of every thread in the forum...

A great week of reading, indeed! I've added 3 books to the wishlist thanks to you!

#275: Cool beans! I hope you like them all, Sandy.