Sundays on the Acre, Take 13

I figured I better start a new thread before the 'Thread Police' (yes that means you, Richard), start complaining about my last thread hitting the 250 post mark.

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
http://www.librarything.com/topic/88858
http://www.librarything.com/topic/89413
http://www.librarything.com/topic/89880
http://www.librarything.com/topic/90536

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
On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery by Robert M. Poole
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer
Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History by Robert Sherwood

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
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Troubles by J.G. Farrell
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

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
Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian

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!

First visitor? (sneaking in when no one's looking).

second visitor. Didn't realize it was that time again...

Mercy! I'm early! *looks for the shrimp table*

Hey, everyone! Sorry, Richard, no shrimp on this thread. I cannot stand the things!

I picked up Nabokov's Glory because you've been reading (and liking) his books. Have you read that one?

#6: No, I have not read that one yet, Ren. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it. My next Nabokov is King, Queen, Knave - probably some time next week.

Cool, I'll try and move it up towards the top of my Godzilla-sized stack.

#8: I will have to see if the local library has that one. Thus far, I have really enjoyed all the Nabokov I have read.

I found Death of of a Red Mandarin today, too (book trade at my favorite used bookstore). One of the blurbs on the back compared the mystery to Robert van Gulik's works; how could I pass it up?

#10: I have never read anything by Christopher West. You will have to let me know how that one is too?

Your self-restraint is admirable. I am sure you passed up a bunch of other books, just for that one :)

Yep, just like everyone else, I'm trying hard not to spend.

#12: That is why I am very thankful for my local public library!

Just popping in to say hi so I don't get too far behind.

Hi. I'm glad there's no shrimp here. It's smelly. And the cocktail sauce is disgusting.

I also want to say that you know it's time to clear out the upstairs hallway when your (not awake) child climbs up the boxes thinking it's her bed. Oh, and there's a decent drop from there to the first floor if she makes it over the ledge. Just a tiny peek into my very exciting life.

Happy reading Stasia!

Hey, Jenn! You best go rescue your daughter.

Err, did that already. Fortunately, I was standing nearby in the hallway as she went back to bed (Nocturnal bathroom trip). She climbed up the box and was leaning toward the ledge, and I said whoa! where are you going?!? She is one that will walk into walls and cry, but not wake up. I've also removed the box. Hopefully we'll live through the night. Since she didn't fall over, and we're not in the ER, it's kind of funny.

#16: I was one who sleep walked (?) as a child, too. My parents found me outside one night - I had to go to the bathroom and ended up outside on the way back to my bedroom. I understand. And you are right, it is only funny in retrospect.

hah!

followed and starred!

Coming in and waving! See you Sunday!

#18: Thanks for starring me, Kath!

#19: You betcha!

Found you!

Good, Heather!

Stasia
You are 13% on the way to my prediction of 100 threads in 2010.

and about 34% towards my prediction - did I say 36?

#23: Yeah, but the year is almost at the halfway point! Not making 100 this year, thank goodness.

#24: I think you are closer to the mark, Luci!

Is there a prize?

i was just on your thread yesterday and you've already started a new thread?!! I'm glad I decided to log into LT tonight despite the late hour, Stasia. I would have lost you, otherwise.

#26: A prize for what? If there is, it will be the first one I have ever won!

#27: I am glad you did not lose me either, Caroline!

I volunteer to initiate a pot for predictions regarding total number of threads Stasia would end up with in 2010 :D

Do I get to be in on it? I will cheat :)

#30 Shush, I will cut you a side deal 8)

All right! My lips are sealed.

La la la la, just marking a place until Sunday... and as far as I know, I've never been a sleepwalker... unless you count in the mornings before my coffee, since I can't function until the caffeine hits my system... lol.

I also don't eat shrimp... nasty, nasty things! They eat POO (okay, technically they're "bottom feeders" but what's on the bottom of the sea floor? FISH POO!). That's a big no-no when it comes to my food choices!

Poor, poor misguided darlings! All the more shrimp for Richard and myself.

Stasia, I believe this is the first week, perhaps the second, when I've escaped your magic bullets. Of course, reading your threads leads to the threads of others, and then...*staggers off under a pile of books*

Gail, I made a shrimp boil last weekend and tried a new cocktail sauce angle, with more horseradish and some wasabi. OutSTANDing! We'll have that to keep the hoi polloi who don't like shrimp (until it's served, that is) at bay.

As for eating poo...Faith, you don't want to know what they feed chickens...you'd be a lot less uchhhed out by shrimp, though, and then consider what an egg is: A chicken abortion, comes out the same place as its poo does.

Shall I move on to pigs?

We are heavy on the horseradish here, Richard. Clearing one's sinuses is a benefit of cocktail sauce, in our ideal world. I must try the wasabi idea, though; it's already a favorite with sushi or even egg rolls.

Shoot, I eat crabs once a week in the summer. Talk about gross ... and delicious.

I do not like crabs either. About the only seafood I eat are scallops, which I absolutely adore, and fish - especially salmon. I do not like oysters, clams, shrimp, lobster or crab.

Please send all of the unloved shellfish and fish to me!

I like seafood. I even like shrimp, but not with cocktail sauce or sitting on a buffet. I like my shrimp strategically placed in a sushi roll or stir fry. Not a big fan of the cold shrimp. Richard, I would TRY your horseradish/wasabi doctored cocktail sauce. I also like both of those lovely condiments.

We used to go clamming up on Long Beach when we lived in the Pacific NW. Oh, the joys of a late evening clam fry.

Please send all of the unloved shellfish and fish to me!

Hear, hear! Me too! :)

I am in for the unloved shellfish as well!

Me too! Never say no to any kind of food...

Put me down for all the unloved crab, lobster and shrimp. I'm allergic to scallops and mussels though, so you can keep those.

I'm trying to make some kind of seafood segue here, but I can't. So I'll just ask...are we still interested in Paddy Clarke? I started it yesterday and am impressed so far.

Shoot. I have to track down and finish thread 12. Somebody give me some shellfish so I can bear up......

#44: I do not have a copy of Paddy Clarke in hand yet. I am at the mercy of the local college library on that one. Not telling when, but hopefully next week.

I'm still in for Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, but I may read it this weekend, after I read The Siege of Krishnapur and before Troubles arrives.

Cold shrimp and hot, hot hot cocktail sauce.......heaven!

Cold Alaskan shrimp and hot, hot, cocktail sauce--now we're talking!

Stasia,

A poem for you....

Books to the ceiling,
Books to the sky,
My pile of books is a mile high.
How I love them! How I need them!
I'll have a long beard by the time I read them.
~ Arnold Lobel

#50: Thanks for that, Cheli. I must say that I hope I do not grow a long beard though :)

>51 alcottacre: LOL You'd KNOW it'd been a reeeeeealy long time if you, dear Stasia, grew that beard!

True, RD!

>36 Matke:: LOL Richard... I really try not to think about the chicken dilemma... they're just so tasty...! If I knew what they fed them I'm sure I'd run screaming, so in this instance ignorance is delicious, delicious bliss...! But, I don't eat pigs, so I've dodged that bullet! (They don't taste very good, IMHO.) You can have all the shrimp portioned for me by the Universe, how's that sound?

>54 dk_phoenix: HEY! GOD! You saw it here first, so **pass the Gulf Coast**!! Thanks, Faith.

>55 richardderus:: The pleasure is all mine! *hands over dish of cocktail sauce* Enjoy! :D

#56: I will hand over the horseradish while you pass the cocktail sauce, Faith. Anything to keep RD happy!

Here in Texas it is 12:05AM and officially May 21st - my 4 year Thingaversary!

When I started on LT, it was specifically to be used as a place for me to catalogue my books, something I had been trying to do for years (and still do not have them all done *sigh*)

I tried to come up with a brief list of things to be thankful for here on LT, so here it is:

1) The opportunity to talk about books - being married to a nonreader (albeit a great guy!) this is probably the biggest thing about LT for me

2) The opportunity to be in this group - this makes the third year for me in the 75 books challenge group and what a wonderful group of people I have been privileged to associate with

3) The opportunity to cultivate friendships around the world - although I will never have the time or opportunity to visit all the LTers in this group, it is so nice to be able to be friends here on the 'net. I think it would be a cool trip to visit all the 75ers though :)

When I say that it has been an honor and a privilege to be in this group with such wonderful people, I truly mean it. I am really looking forward to seeing what the years bring, and I hope we can continue to have a spirit of amity where books are concerned.

Happy Thingaversary!

You are a lovely person Stasia. It is a pleasure to discuss books and other things (like shellfish) with you.

Because you are here, and I found you, I also appreciate my new ability to acquire books by some kind of internet osmosis.

Internet osmosis? I like that idea. I wish I could get it to work for me - just think how many books would show up in my library :)

Thanks for the kind words, Jenn. I am glad you discovered the group and decided to join in the fun!

Happy Thingaversary Stasia, may you have many more.

Thanks, calm!

Happy Thingaversary! I, too, am married to a non-reader (also a great guy!) but he does always ask me about the books I am reading and is more than willing to listen to me talk about them endlessly. It is always nice to be able to talk about them with someone who has actually read them, though!

Happy Thingaversary, Stasia. Just remember that a lot of the pleasure you get at LT has been returned, doubled, to others here. You have welcomed and recommended books to so many of us...of course, sometimes the recommendation part is a slightly mixed blessing....so many, many books, so very little time. I'm glad to know you and be your friend.

Congrats, my friend! That's quite a milestone! I agree with all your reasons for loving LT. It's an incredible place and you are one of the major highlights. Let's hope this goes on forever!

#63/64/65: Thanks guys!

Congratulations to one of LT's brightest (and friendliest) lights!

Thanks, Darryl!

Happy Thingaversary Stasia.......keep the long lists of books coming.....my wishlist is growing all the time

Thanks, Jess! I will keep the lists coming - just for you :)

Happy anniversary! I'm coming up on my 4th year anniversary in July. I too came here to catalogue books, and have just started to explore all the things - library or otherwise - that are on offer here. And my partner is also an awesome guy, but a definite non-reader. He does love telling and listening to stories (and discussing the art direction of the books covers), but books have never been his thing. While I'm in a real live book club (that doesn't meet very often), I've loved being able to join any number of online book discussions. I hope Library Thing is around for many more moons to come.

Happy Thingsaversary, Stasia, and many happy returns! What a place! What a group!

Happy Thingaversary! You are much of what makes this a very special place. I was never a part of the popular crowd in school, so I always get a little thrill to be so welcome here - on what must be one the most popular threads on the site.

Happy Thingaversary!

Happy Thingaversary! I, for one, am very happy that you call LT home!

Happy Thingaversary to Our Leader! I forgot all about that little demi-occasion when I passed my most recent one. Hard to believe it's been 3 years.

Happy thingaversary Stasia and thanks for bringing up all the wonderful things about LT. I know my life has changed immeasurably since I joined a year and a half ago.

Happy Thingaversary!

It's just amazing, isn't it...here we all are at our separate keyboards, at different times, and yet we all feel so connected to and interested in the friends we have here.

Stasia, it's people like you that make all corners of this world, RL or cyber, more fun and more satisfying to be in. Happy Thingaversary, and many more.

ah, 79 msgs behind. Well it's been worse...

Happy Thingaversary Stasia! I don't think it's a coincidence that today we're holding a library book sale here in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. I'd like to dedicate the sale in your honor...here's hoping we raise lots of money for the library on your special day. :D

As the wife of a non-reader, I enjoy discussing books here too - probably the biggest LT joy for me.

Thanks for all the warm wishes. What a lovely bunch of people you are (and that includes you too, Richard!)

Angela, I hope you raise tons of money in Fleetwood, PA. Library sales are wonderful things!

Happy LT anniversary! A truly wonderful community. I feel privileged to be a part of it!

I have a copy of Fludd that I am giving away. I am hoping someone will enjoy it more than I did. The book has slight water damage to it, but not at the expense of the text. Anyone interested, PM me. First come, first served!

The book has been claimed.

Happy Thingaversary Stasia! I just checked back to see when I joined and it was Feb 2006 so just a few months before you. Like you I joined because I wanted to catalogue my books, but didn't make a great deal of progress on that until this year. Unlike you I didn't discover the groups at all, and this group in particular, until very recently. I agree that it is a Wonderful Thing and the social dimension, especially this friendly group to which you contribute so much, makes it a very special experience.

Even if we take forever to get those books catalogued, we are having so much fun and learning so much from each other along the way!

JessicaLouise had this fun questionnaire posted on her thread, so I am borrowing it:

Do you snack while you read? If so, favourite reading snack? No.

What is your favourite drink while reading?
I drink either hot tea or flavored seltzer water. I have recently given up my beloved Diet Pepsi.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? If a book belongs to the library, decidedly no. If it is one of my own, it is a distinct possibility that I have written in it.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ear? Laying the book flat open? I buy bookmarks by the hundreds, lose them, and then end up using the little hold slips I get from my local library.

Fiction, non-fiction or Both?
Both. I try and read at least 100 nonfiction books a year.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I try and make it to the natural breaks in the book. The exceptions to that would be my 'by-the-bed' books that I read as I am going to sleep. Sometimes I am too tired to make it to the chapter breaks.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
Two words: The Shack

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
Yes, although I will go back and re-read to put the word in context.

What are you currently reading?
I am finishing up the group read of Norwegian Wood at the moment.

What is the last book you bought?
I bought one from Ellie's book shop, Book End, called Seven Summits.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
I read multiple books at a time all the time.

Do you have a favourite time/place to read?
I read in front of my computer the majority of the time, but my favorite place to read is the big, overstuffed chair in my living room.

Do you prefer series books or stand-alones?
I like series books a lot, so I would go with those. I like to see characters grow over the course of a series.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Yes.

How do you organise your books? (by genre, title, author's last name etc)
My books are totally unorganized at the moment - unless stacks count?

(posted to the Kitchen too)

When I was reading Galileo's Dream by Kim Stanley Robinson I had the dictionary, the laptop and a non-fiction book about Galileo in bed with me just so I wouldn't miss out on understanding any of the scientific or mathematical explanations he kept dropping in there. I remember laughing at myself because it was such a geeky way to enjoy a Sunday morning lie-in but now I see I am not alone. Thanks for that.

And Happy LT Anniversary. I joined back in 2007 but then got super busy and have only just re-discovered this place. The best bit is definitely chatting with like-minded book lovers.

#87: When I read, I frequently have Merriam Webster's website or Wikipedia pulled up. I am a total nerd (and proud of it!)

I am glad you rediscovered LT, Kiwi. I hope you stick around this time.

Happy late thingaversary Stasia! Did you celebrate with 100 library books?

And hi to KiwiNyx - it's nice to see another New Zealander on here (and I'm going to make a coffee and look at your library!)

Haaaaa Stasia I was going to say something about how you'd be asleep, but of course you are not!

No, my office frowns on my sleeping on the job, Cushla :) I am here for another 8 hours or so.

Oh - in answer to your question, no I did not go get 100 library books. I am trying to cut down since I am supposed to be reading from my library over the summer. I am down to 87 now.

Happy LTversary Stasia!

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Yes.

Who is the author?

There are numerous authors that I repeatedly recommend, but probably the two that I seem to be doing a lot lately are Louise Penny and Vladimir Nabokov.

Quote for the day from The Siege by Helen Dunmore:

"Marina sighs, knitting up her face into lines. She's been trying to read, but her eyesight hasn't been so good these past few weeks. She ought to have reading-glasses, if they can be obtained. Her eyes tire quickly, and the lines of print fizz and dazzle. I am turning into an old woman, she thinks. The thought of not being able to read frightens her so much that she pushes it straight out of her mind."

The thought of not being able to read frightens me too!

(posted to the Kitchen as well)

#94

Hi Stasia,

Long time lurker on your thread, first time poster. My Grandma was a voracious reader up until about 10 years ago when she developed macular degeneration, and now she has lost her sight almost completely, though at 86 she is still mentally very sharp. The idea of not being able to read is very frightening - audio books are just not the same! That quote reminded me of her, and I suppose should be a little reminder that every day that I can still read I should count myself lucky!

Sorry, hope that wasn't too much of a downer on the heels of all the congratulations about your thingaversary, to which I add mine, and the hope for many more to come!

#95: Hey, Tash! Glad you dropped in.

My grandmother had glaucoma and as a result lost one of her eyes (she had a glass eye, which I thought was the coolest thing when I was growing up.) Because of her and my own terrible eyesight, losing my vision has always been a very real fear for me. Luckily, I am still able to do it - although I have been stockpiling audiobooks for a while now. Just in case.

I was really busy yesterday so I wasn't here to wish you a happy thingaversary but somehow you must have sent your spirit here because my husband (another non-reader) picked up one of my books and said "I think I might read this." I was stunned! You make us all better readers by your example..thanks for being my friend (you were my first here at LT).

>95 tash99:, 96 Not being able to read sounds like reason for despair to me. I have a few audiobooks, but I haven't got the hang of them. I don't seem to be able to focus on them, but I do like them for in-the-car use.

>97 cyderry: Cheli, there is a huge aetheric wave that emanates from LT, and it's going to slooowly bring the non-readers to some reading pleasure. I am sure of it. My dog, even, feels it...she's started sleeping on top of certain books. Can't be for comfort!

Knowing how much you like quotes regarding books and reading, I thought I would share this passage with you from The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing:

"I missed my studies with Dr. Trefusis inveterately; for reading, once begun, quickly becomes home and circle and court and family; and indeed, without narrative, I felt exiled from my own country. By the transport of books, that which is most foreign becomes one's familiar walks and avenues; while that which is familiar is removed to delightful strangeness; and unmoving, one travels infinite causeways; immobile and thus unfettered."

#97: Hey, Cheli, I am a woman of distinction now: Cheli's first LT friend!

#98: I agree with you, Richard: not being able to read would do me in for sure.

#99: I like that one! Thanks for passing it along.

98- Interesting! My dog occasionally curls up with one of my books too. I wonder if they do that because they can tell that books are important to their beloved people...

One time, he chewed the spines on several books while I was in the shower. I was so upset! He hasn't done it since, though he's had opportunities. He seems to understand somehow...

>92 PiyushC: THx Piyush... I was coming down here to ask the same thing :)

Happy THingaversary .... so glad that got coined :)

Happy Thingaversary Stasia - hope you had a good reading week to celebrate! As usual I am looking forward to tomorrow morning :-)

Happy Thingaversary, Stasia. I wish I'd known about LT four years ago.

Like you, I joined just to be able to categorize my books. I was getting tired of buying books I'd already read or buying duplicates. As helpful as that is, the friends I've made on LT and the discussions we have are the best part. Oh and the book recommendations, too.

No wait, the best part is realizing that there are people just like me, who read a lot, or even more than I do, like Stasia. Most people I know, in person, read more like 20-25 books a year.

I guess there are a lot of "best parts" to LT.

I'm curious; how did people first hear about LT? My four year Thingaversary is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I can't remember how I learned about LT.

#86 - Fun to read a summary of your reading habits Stasia. Imagine if we ate while we were reading? Scary thought. I'd be eating 90% of the time.

I was on the bus, reading "Poets & Writers" magazine, when I chanced on a squib about LibraryThing. I got home, went to the computer, and joined that very day. I upgraded to lifetime very shortly thereafter, as my borthday present from my then-beloved Mr. Man, because I was already approaching the free membership's 200-books limit.

I saw a flier/poster/thingy at Tattered Cover. Same as Richard - I got home, went to the computer and joined that very day. It was irresistible.

My four-year Thingaversary is coming up in July, and I can't remember where I read about LT, but I immediately looked it up and immediately joined -- the first time I ever joined a web site.

I'll celebrate two Thing-Years next month. A comment posted on Amazon caught my eye. Something about LibraryThing being the best EVER, so I had to take a look, and of course, it was! LT was also the first online community I ever joined.

Happy Thingaversary Stasia:D

I think I read about LT in a magazine a few years ago. It's probably the only time I've seen LT being mentioned over here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

I found LT on a google search for an author or book that I'd found on the library catalog and wanted to find out more about. It took me to the work/author page and I was hooked. I spent over an hour exploring, but since we were leaving in a couple of days for vacation and I really was supposed to be finding books to take, I didn't join until I got back home. The first time I ever joined an online community. I was mostly interested in keeping track of books I'd read. I kept checking out books from the library only to find out that I'd already read them. In fact, ALL the books I took on that particular vacation were inadvertent re-reads. I never dreamed that there were so many like-minded people out there.

Happy Thingaversary, Stasia!

I discovered LT through a book-related discussion and/or people's profile links on a non-book-related discussion board.

I can't remember where I came across LT. I think I had discovered Book Crossing around the same time so maybe I was searching for book related sites. Prior to discovering LT I had been attempting to learn how to create a relational database so I could make my own catalogue and create every entry from scratch. What a lot of work that would have been - it would never have happened!

Happy LT anniversary. #99 great quote from a great book. That says it all. I first learned about LT on the blog philobiblos. I joined to keep track of my books, since I had lost the majority which were in storage at my parent's house when it burned to the ground. I kept trying to remember the titles so I could build it up again but it was just impossible except for a few. Never again.

I read about LT in a newspaper article and immediately went to the computer and looked it up. Took about 30 seconds to decide to join.

When I confirmed receiving books on Read It Swap It, I kept being offered the opportunity to catalogue them on LibraryThing.

I want to wish you Happy Thingaversary also.
I found out about LT on a local trading site's community forum 3 years ago, and signed up for a free account straightaway. It took another year before I really explored the depth of LT, upgraded to a lifetime account and joined the challenge groups.

#99 - I love those Octavian Nothing books.

I was looking for a way to catalogue my books other than the unwieldy Excel spreadsheet I was using at the time, so I did a search on the Internet, discovered LT and was hooked. I initially signed up for a free account, found in a week that was simply not going to work, and spent the best $25 I ever spent to have the lifetime membership. Now, not only am I a lifetime member, but both my daughters are as well.

What a cool place this is to hang out!

Happy Belated Thingaversary, Stasia!!!!

I was on historicalfiction.org, which changed to historicalfictiononline, when a post mentioned Library Thing so I looked it up. I was excited that LT discusses all kinds of books, not just historical fiction.

#105 - My geek husband told me about it. The day he pointed it out I joined, and devoted all of my spare time to building my catalog.

You know, I have no idea how I found LT, but I do know that when I did I bought a lifetime membership straightaway. Like others, I was tired of buying duplicates. Then Roni suggested I come over to the 75ers. So glad she did, and so glad I did! You guys have enriched my life.
{{group hug}} :)

I have to blame give credit to my sister Tina (tututhefirst) for telling me about LT. It was 1½ years ago and she was preparing to join the 999 challenge and thought I'd enjoy it too. Not only did I do the 999 Challenge but about 5 others as well including the 75 challenge twice!

Stasia was the first person that I asked to be my friend here. Her reading ability just absolutely stunned me! But it also inspired me to read more books than ever before.

Message #120.. Sher, it is so interesting that I previously posted on the historicalfiction.org group as well.

I heard about LT from a co-worker. She uses LT as a means to catalog her books and not for the social networking. She is not a member of any of the groups.

Prior to LT I never joined an online group.

Message #120.. Sher, it is so interesting that I previously posted on the historicalfiction.org group as well. I joined that group after learning about LT. I heard about historicalfiction.org from Nelista who also has a library filled with historical novels.

I heard about LT from a co-worker. She uses LT as a means to catalog her books and not for the social networking. She is not a member of any of the groups.

Prior to LT I never joined an online group.

I read about LT in the Wall Street Journal and immediately looked it up. It took me about ten seconds to join and I never looked back.

This week's reads:

258. The Mountains of My Life by Walter Bonatti - nonfiction; I thoroughly enjoyed this book about Bonatti's climbing career - he does not back away from the Everest trip that colored it from age 24 on until he was finally proved to be truthful some 40+ years later; there are multiple photos/drawings so that each climb can be tracked, which was a nice inclusion, although a glossary would probably have been a nice touch for those unfamiliar with mountain climbing terminology; recommended

259. Truly, Madly by Heather Webber - this was my most recent 'by-the-bed' book and it was rather fun chick lit - the story of a matchmaking agency whose founder is caught 'in flagrante' with a woman, not his wife, and the daughter who must take over for him, and stumbles across a murder; recommended

260. The High Lord by Trudi Canavan - the final book of the trilogy and a nice wrap up, although I did find the romance angle a bit forced; recommended

261. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux - it has been years since I read this one, so when David (tapestry100) read it recently, I decided to give it another go and discovered I still like it a lot, but the edition I checked out from the library had several typos in it which about drove me to distraction; recommended

262. The Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden - I really wanted to like this book because I loved In This House of Brede, but this book just did not do it for me; a coming-of-age tale with characters I really liked, especially Cecil, but it felt almost too short to me for the story it was attempting to tell; guardedly recommended

I heard about LT through a friend and like many other joined that day and havent stopped since...I think Stasia was the first person to say hello....and contributed greatly to my wishlist. I love being ably to talk about the books I read and finding great new suggestions.

Continuing:

263. The White Mountains by John Christopher - juvenile; Greg mentioned on his thread that he was reading this series to his kids, so I thought I would check it out; a story of 3 boys who do not want to be 'capped,' controlled by Tripods an alien species who try to keep humans from thinking for themselves; recommended

264. A Separate Peace by John Knowles - I dug this one out after Amanda's (snat) recent review and of the two coming-of-age books I read this week, much prefer this tale of the love-hate relationship between two boys at a boarding school; recommended Mine

265. China Trade by S.J. Rozan - Luci mentioned this series on her thread, so I decided to check it out; the first book in the series is a serviceable introduction to the characters of Lydia and Bill, and good enough that I will try and continue on in the series - I especially enjoyed the glimpses into Chinese culture; guardedly recommended

266. Civilization Before Greece and Rome by H.W.F. Saggs (otherwise known as Jenny's grandfather) - nonfiction; an admirable book covering Mesopotamia, Syria, Babylonia, and civilizations in that area of the world; I like that if the author is not sure of something or if something is just a theory backed by little or no evidence, he says so; the book reads very easily and assumes little prior knowledge of the subject; recommended

267. Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs by Wallace Stegner - nonfiction; I joined in the group read of this one, being a Stegner fan, and enjoyed this book a lot; my favorite essay was the letter to his mother entitled 'Letter, Much Too Late' and my favorite section of the book was the last, 'Witnesses'; the 'Habitat' section I really could have lived without - I thought it went on too long; recommended

Stasia, I have noticed several instances where Godden fell short~ Maybe Brede was her masterpiece, as Mists of Avalon was Bradley's?

I have yet to read any of her others..

eta: fell short for others

Continuing:

268. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami - another group read and a book I was not at all sure I would like because it was so different (at least to me) from the other Murakami books I had read, but in the end, I did like this book, set in the 1960s; recommended Mine

269. The Siege by Helen Dunmore - a recommendation from a couple of people here in the group and one I would heartily pass on - this book set in WWII during the siege of Leningrad is very good, and very true to life I think; highly recommended Mine

270. American Notes by Charles Dickens - nonfiction; when I finished The Last Dickens, I decided to give this book a try to find out the truth about Dickens' trip to America in 1842; he found Boston cleaner than New York, Philadelphia 'too regular', Cincinnati 'beautiful'; he hated the institution of slavery and wrote an entire chapter denouncing it, as well as comments spread throughout the book; recommended

I cannot resist and must include Dickens' description of Niagara Falls:

"I think in every quiet season now, still do those waters roll and leap, and roar and tumble, all day long; still are the rainbows spanning them, a hundred feet below. Still, when the sun is on them, do they shine and glow like molten gold. Still, when the day is gloomy, do they fall like snow, or seem to crumble away like the front of a great chalk cliff, or roll down the rock like dense white smoke. But always does the mighty stream appear to die as it comes down, and always from its unfathomable grave arises that tremendous ghost of spray and mist which is never laid: which has haunted this place with the same dread solemnity since Darkness brooded on the deep, and that first flood before the Deluge - Light - came rushing on Creation at the word of God."

271. Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright - juvenile; I loved Enright's The Four Story Mistake and so thought to give her another try, so I picked up this story of two cousins who discover a 'ghost town' from my local library; again, Enright tells a rather old-fashioned tale, but still enjoyable for all that; recommended

I am going to be out-of-town next Tuesday delivering the girls to their grandmother's house, so if you do not see me around, do not panic. I will (hopefully!) still be alive and kicking. I am not sure how much reading I will get done this next week though, because I have plans for stuff to get done while the girls are away. We shall see.

THE END

#130: Kath, I had high hopes for the book because several people recommended it, but it just did not work for me. I will still try others of hers though!

I will too....eventually.

Quote for the day from Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell:

"The rest of the pretty sitting-room - looking into the orchard, and all covered over with dancing tree-shadows - was filled with books. They lay on the ground, they covered the walls, they strewed the table. He was evidently half ashamed and half proud of his extravagance in this respect. They were all kinds - poetry and wild weird tales prevailing. He evidently chose books in accordance with his own tastes, not because such and such were classical, or established favourites."

I wish Gaskell had given the titles of the 'wild weird tales!'

(posted to the Kitchen too)

Morning Stasia! I thought I'd successfully dodged all the book bullets until I got to your last post - The Siege and American Notes have gone on the wishlist.

I also found the romance in The High Lord didn't quite work for me. I really enjoyed The Tripods Trilogy by John Christopher, do you think you'll read the rest?

#131 You're not going to be on LibraryThing?! What will we do?

#134 I'm reading Cranford too! It's been sitting on my shelves for about 2 years...

#135: Heather, I already have picked up The City of Gold and Lead from the library, so I will be continuing with the trilogy.

I hope you enjoy The Siege. I thought it was very good. I think Rebecca and Bonnie were the recommenders in the group and am sure at least one of them wrote a proper review for the book, if you want to check it out.

I was rather taken aback at Canavan's deciding to stick romance into her fantasy novel and still really do not understand why. There was certainly no need for it.

#136: I am really enjoying Cranford thus far - even more than I did North and South which I read not long ago. I hope we continue to like it!

I see what you did. You found a book that I don't own but Rebecca (my book sister) read and loved, then you read it and highly recommended it, knowing that I couldn't possibly resist. You win; The Siege goes onto my wish list. American Notes also makes the cut.

You're a clever one, Stasia, but I'm on to you now.

#136 & 138: Nice to hear you like Cranford, I've only seen the tv-series and really liked it. I ordered North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell yesterday, and was thinking of buying Cranford too, but maybe next time. Definitely reading it though.

Btw, who owned all the books in your quote, Stasia?

#140: Mr. Holbrook owns the books, Bente.

Thanx:)

No problem!

#137, 139 Yes, I did recommend The Siege (and awww, thank you, Darryl), but I originally read it because several LTers, including Lois/avaland encouraged me to do so even though I hadn't liked With Your Crooked Heart, the only other book by Helen Dunmore I had read. Lois also told me that Dunmore is coming out with a sequel to The Siege that will show some of the main characters some 10 years later.

#139: Rats! Foiled again.

Added The Siege to the wishlist.

Thanks for the quote from Cranford - #134 - I've been more alert to book-related quotes since reading your posts, and spotted that passage earlier this month when I too was reading Cranford. also loved the arguments about the relative merits of Dr Johnson and Dickens.

#146: I have not read any of Dr. Johnson, so am completely unfamiliar with his works. I need to read some, I guess.

Morning Stasia- I've had A Separate Peace sitting, unread, in the classic section on one of my bookshelves for at least 15 years. Why? Who knows! I'm so glad you enjoyed Norwegian Wood. I'm looking forward to The Wind-up Bird Chronicles, this fall, sometime. The Stegner book sounds good. I love his work. I'd like to do a Group Read of one of his books, somewhere down the road. Maybe Angle of Repose?

I think I heard about LT, in a Chicago Tribune article, about recommended internet book sites. What a great day in history, that turned out to be!!

#148: Mark, we were bandying about the idea of reading Stegner's The Big Rock Candy Mountain as a group read sometime in August or September, if you are interested.

Give A Separate Peace a try. I think you will like it! (at least I hope so)

I bought Cranford just a couple of months ago knowing nothing about it because I can't resist those penguin hardcovers. Looks like I might have to move it to the top of the list. I also have to add A Separate Peace to the tbr pile. I read it when I was in 5th grade and I remember it breaking my heart, I wonder how and if the years since then will change my reaction to it.

#150: I wonder how and if the years since then will change my reaction to it.

It will be interesting to find out!

Do move Cranford up the stack. I am loving it so far.

Stasia my duck...re Rumer Godden...may I suggest reading China Court? It's a family saga set in Cornwall, has lots of interesting characters, and the way it's structured it's a meditation on the medieval canonical hours. Really good stuff.

#152: Suggestion noted - checked the local library and they actually have a copy! - so I will pick it up sometime in the next couple of weeks. Thanks, Richard!

Stasia

I know you read a lot of WWII history books. Have you read The 900 Days: The Siege of Leningrad by Harrison E. Salisbury. I highly recommend this one.

I started to add The Siege to my list, but noted that I added it last month because of Cyrel's recommendation.

I must get to Cranford - it's been in the TBR for ages. So has The Phantom of the Opera.

(I swear I say the same thing every week, just with different titles.)

Ah, Stasia; back to normal, adding to my Wishlist. I picked out Civilization Before Greece and Rome---that sounds really good. Also The Siege and American Notes. I've been meaning to get to the Dickens book for some time now.

Of course Richard continues with his sly ways, and I will now add China Court to that rapidly growing (and growing intimidating) Wishlist.

And...I must confess. I tried, almost successfully, to dodge all bullets last week, but upon mature (oh, surely not) reflection, will add The Idiot to the pile. I read Dostoevsky in maybe 8th grade, and except for the short stories, he was pretty far out of my range. Of course, he may still be out of my range, but at least I can try.

Have a safe trip and a productive week!

Enjoy all your projects but take some time for yourself, too!

Stasia! Good for you on reading American Notes. After reading The Last Dickens I too went to the library and borrowed American Notes only to return it unread. Perhaps another time. Dickens' quote of Niagara Falls could not be said better and so vividly.

I did not see Cranford on your list but I've seen you talk about it and I'm adding that as well as all of Gaskell's works to my wishlist. Especially since I have learned she was such a close friend of Charlotte Bronte.

I'm sure you know your thread will remain very active even as you take your daughters to grandma's. :0)

I've wanted to read S.J. Rozan and this is a reminder that I should give her a try.

I'd also like to read the Dickens book, American Notes. For that matter, The Last Dickens, too.

How quickly I fell 90 posts behind! Happy belated Thingaversary! 4 years - wow - I just had my two year a week or so ago and can't imagine how many books I'd have waiting to be read if I joined two years sooner! I think I found out about LT through a newspaper article.

I have fond memories of reading A Separate Peace in HS.

#147 I think part of the point was that few people even then read much of Dr Johnson - his heyday was long past and Dickens was then all the rage, but Miss Jenkyns being a stickler for old-fashioned views and style could not possibly approve of Dickens.

There are some in this group who would heartily agree with her, of course!

I dodged your book bullets this week, Stasia, though a few are already on the TBR longlist - I want to read American Notes, for example. And I'm currently listening to The Phantom of the Opera.

As to how I heard about LT ('way back at msg 105) - my first semester of library school, one of the students in my cataloging class did a presentation on it, and I signed up soon afterwards in late 2007. I started "talking" in April 2008 and became a lifetime member that September because I'd finished cataloging all my books and realized if I only bought a few more I'd be over the limit...

I love the Cranford quote!

Nothing new to be added to my TBR-mountain. I already have The phantom of the opera waiting. I've seen the movie five years ago. But as it was on my first flight ever, on a screen at the front of the plane at the beginning of a four months journey to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the story didn't completely stick :). Still want to read the book...

Nothing new this week Stasia. I already have The Siege on my shelf (after Rebecca's rec) and hope to get it soon.

Cranford and The Phantom of the Opera go on my TBR pile. I think I'll also add North and South as well. I read Mary Barton in a English Social History course in university, and found it interesting but a little lacking. The other two look fun though.
I read A Separate Peace in grade 11 English and hated it. I think I may have been influenced at the time by one of my favourite Simpsons episodes, where Lisa Simpson talks about how much she hates John Knowles with her grandmother. This may have been unfair, and it may improve on rereading, but I don't think it will be high on my list.

I need to read American Notes; I really enjoy S.J. Rozan; but my big question of the week is why "siege" looks like it's spelled wrong when I type it but just fine when I read it here. One of life's puzzles. (I'll go quietly.)

Three added to the list this week. I have come to the realization that there cannot possibly be enough time left in my life to read all of the books that I would like to read but I still cannot help myself - I continue to add to the list!

Have a safe trip to grandma's and enjoy your week!

The sequel to The Siege is The Betrayal - it has been reviewed at the Bookbag and it sounds really good. I might try and get a copy from the library and then buy in paperback:

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=The_Betrayal_by_Helen_Dunmor...

Wow! I've read most of your list this week. Amazing. (Not to say that I actually read them this week, just in my lifetime...)

I am adding Civilization Before Greece and Rome and The Mountains of My Life. Both sound great.

edited to clarify

Stasia, what a wonderful quote from Dickens’ American Notes! Must find. Thank you. And Richard, too, for his suggestion of Brede's China Court.

#154: Linda, I actually had The 900 Days home from the library a while back, but never got around to reading it. Needless to say, after reading The Siege the Salisbury book has jumped to the top of my library list.

#155: Yeah, you probably do say the same thing every week, Caty, but I say the same thing on everyone else's thread too, so I know how you feel!

#156: Mature reflection? Is there such a thing, Gail?

#157: Thanks, Susan!

#158: I will try to keep that in mind, Cheli.

#159: I hope you do pick up American Notes again, Lynda. I have not finished Cranford yet - I am about halfway through - so it will probably be on next week's list, depending on how much time I have to read this next week.

#160: Linda, I think you will like the Rozan series. I have only read the first, but it was a good start. I have the second home from the library now.

#161: Hey, Joanne! Thanks for stopping in.

#162: You make a good point, Genny. I had not thought of it that way. Thanks for the input.

#163: Maybe I will get you with book bullets next week, Mary!

#164: Thanks, Carly!

#165: I hope you enjoy The Phantom of the Opera when you get around to it.

#166: I thought you had already read The Siege, Bonnie. My bad. I hope you enjoy it once you get to it!

#167: I read North and South not long ago and enjoyed it, but I think I am liking Cranford (to this point) even more. I hope you enjoy both of those as well as The Phantom of the Opera.

#168: I will put 'Sherlock Spider' on the case once again, Peggy. Maybe he can track down the reason!

#169: I have come to the realization that there cannot possibly be enough time left in my life to read all of the books that I would like to read but I still cannot help myself

I know exactly how that feels! Why do you think the BlackHole is the BlackHole? lol

#170: Thanks for letting me know about the sequel, Lucy. I will have to keep my eyes open for that one.

#171: I hope you enjoy both books, Jenn!

#172: I hope you like American Notes, Ren. I am glad you enjoyed the quote.

Stasia- I might join you on the Stegner read! Sounds good! Hope you have a good week! It's going to be hot & humid here in the Midwest!

#178: Hot and humid here too, Mark! I do hope you will join us in the Stegner read. We would love to have you.

Morning Stasia, I had a very busy weekend so just catching up. Congrats on your Thingaversary. 4 years wow that is great. I just had my 2 year Thingaversary on the 12th of this month. I don't recall how I found Library thing. But I love it so... One place where I can come to and not worry about things you can on social networking sites and so many interesting and nice people to talk to just like you :) Even though I don't meet my challenges on the 75rs I love this group!

#180: Hey Monica! Happy Belated Thingaversary to you!

Just had to tell a funny story - and I believe more of you will see it so more of you can laugh at me - if I post it here.

I am a pretty good cook. I'm pretty confident in the kitchen. So when things go wrong, they usually go very, very wrong. One notable incident involved whole.peppercorns in black bean soup. Let's just say it's hard to tell the difference between peppercorns and black beans.

Anyway, tonight I made this recipe for dessert. It's something I don't make very often, because, just as she says at the beginning of the recipe, it goes against everything I stand for. It calls for Pillsbury crescent rolls and soda pop. BUT... my family loves this dessert. I wasn't planning on making it, but this afternoon I noticed that I happened to have some bruised apples that needed to be used, and I realized that I actually had Pillsbury crescent rolls in the fridge.

As I was putting it all together, I noticed a funny smell. I couldn't quite place it, but it just didn't jive with dessert. I carried on confidently. It wasn't until I had put the whole schmeer in the oven that it hit me. I had just used garlic butter crescent rolls. I just sat down on the kitchen floor, and laughed until I cried. Oddly enough, unaware, my husband and older son were able to eat it. Naughty of me, I know.

Funny, Jenn! I have no idea how 2 of your family members could stomach it though.

That is too funny. What a hoot!

Found you Stasia! I lost your thread, somehow.
I really enjoyed The Siege By Helen Dunmore, I spent a lot of the book feeling terribly worried about all of the characters, in particular the little boy. I have read a few books by her and she is fairly consistently good.

I have never read anything by Elizabeth Gaskell, however, but intend to remedy this omission very soon!

#185: Gaskell is very good, Jillian. Both of the books I have read this year by her, North and South and Cranford, have been excellent, although I preferred the latter.

Thanks to Luci, I have the sequel to The Siege, The Betrayal, on order from The Book Depository. I will keep you posted as to how it is.

Oh, thanks, I didn't know that there was a sequel. I will look forward to hearing what you think.

#187: I just ordered it Sunday, so it is probably going to be a bit before I have the book in hand since it is coming from the UK.

21st Century America? We might as well be in the Jim Crow south of 100 years ago. Geez.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=37154

I am on my way out of town for the day here shortly. I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday! I will be back and posting away early Wednesday :)

Stasia- Have a great day! See you tomorrow!

Hi Stasia - The Siege has been on my tbr for a while now. Last year I started her children's series - Ingo, I still have to read the last book.

Hi Stasia - I've had The Siege on my tbr for a while now so should bump it up. Last year I started her children's series, Ingo, and I still have to read the last book.

@ Nitnutt maybe we should have a thread of cooking disasters. Unfortunately, all too many of my recent meals would land there. I'm a good and sometimes excellent cook, but lately... too many things on my mind I guess.

ETA I am becoming absolutely excellent at scrubbing char from pots, however :)

LOL Susan - You must be reading while you're cooking. Of course, I never do that.

Oh, I missed your Thingaversary, Stasia!

And I found LT through a link on my local library's web site.

#193, 194 - Oh, I know well the task of cleaning charred pots, that comes of wandering off to 'just finish that job in the study' or 'just read a bit more of that book' while x is simmering away happily. Only when the smells of burning break through my concentration do I rush, too late, to rescue the dinner!

#196 A story I could tell several times over! Hubby always scolds me whenever I forget to watch the dinner (dinner is the most important part of his day) but he was silenced one day he was helping in the kitchen. We were having biscuits and gravy. I made biscuits, and he thought I was going too slow, so he took over the gravy. Shortly after the biscuits went into the oven, we began noticing a bad smell - he immediately assumed I'd ruined them. Come to find out, the biscuits were perfect. The bad smell was the gravy burning in the bottom of the pot from him trying to hurry it along too much! We ate butter and jelly on our biscuits that night, and it was quite a while before he dared to critize me for singeing the dinner again!

Hi, Stasia!
Happy Thingaversary! And thanks for being such a wonderful friend! I hope you had a nice trip today. I just got back in town myself, and how nice to catch up on everyone by reading your thread. :)
--BJ

I'm back! A little worse for the wear, but safe and sound. Now, I just have to repeat the trip next Monday.

Welcome home, Stasia! Nothing like a lot of driving to make one appreciate the comforts of home, chair, and book, eh what?

You got that right, Richard!

#197 - Great story!

And welcome home, Stasia - missed you!

#199 Ack! How could you leave us again?! We're going to get a complex.

#202: Thanks, Luxx!

#203: Well, I have to go retrieve my girls, don't I? It will be another turn around trip for me though. No complexes necessary, Lynda!

Glad you're back. :)

Thanks, Ren!

My mother bought what she thought was rhubarb in Tokyo decades ago to make a pie as a surprise for my father. We still have no idea what it really was, just that it stunk up the whole apartment so badly when being cooked that they had to move into a hotel overnight....

Oh, that's awful! Wonder what it was?

Suz

That is a funny story. My childhood was spent with a mother whose primary aim in life was to win the Pillsbury Bake Off contest.

http://www.chiff.com/cooking/pillsbury-bake-off.htm

My sisters and I were her testers. I got in real big trouble once because I dared to be honest about a strawberry concoction she produced.

She never did win the contest. I think it was because she was too busy with her second obsession: cleaning and Pine sol. Or, her third obsession: A 1950's mom who yelled at her kids ALOT

Hmm, how did I miss seeing The Siege on your list of books this week? And here I thought I wasn't going to add anything, *sigh*. I have one of her other books, Ingo, which I haven't read yet, but... one of these days. Sounds like she's worth the time, maybe I'll bump it up the list and look for The Siege on my next library trip!

~~~~~just passin' through >>>>

>207 Chatterbox: ...swiss chard...? What else has red stems?

Nope, my mother would have recognized that. Probably something Asian that isn't sold anywhere but locally or in specialist supermarkets. (I do wish it were possible to get fresh rambutan here... yum!)

Pine sol :)

My mom is an excellent cook. Once -- ONCE -- she made something really horrible. We tease her about it. She gets miffed. I'm like, Hey mom -- you do it ALL right. We've gotta' bring that one up!
:)

Baker's Heirloom Seeds sells a lot of Asian greens planting seed. My favorites are Mizuna and Tatsoi. They have an online catalog, maybe there is a picture of the mystery vegetable or rambutan seeds there? When I stir-fry with Swiss chard it is very mild tasting and does not smell bad. (Is all that Little-Miss-Helpful enough?) :)

#215, very much so! Although this was back in the 80s, and I think my mother has tried to blot out the whole experience...

Just catching up on threads. Happy Thingaversary!

You were away and back in a day?! Now that's a speedy trip, Stas.

#217: Thanks, Kelly!

#218: Yep, and I get to do it again next Monday, lol.

Quote for the day from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer:

"I put together a special field kit with some of the things I was going to need, like a Magnum flashlight, ChapStick, some Fig Newtons, plastic bags for important evidence and litter, my cell phone, the script for Hamlet. . . a topographical map of New York, iodine pills in case of a dirty bomb, my white gloves, obviously, a couple of boxes of Juicy Juice, a magnifying glass, my Larousse Pocket Dictionary, and a bunch of other useful stuff."

I love that two of the useful items are a play and a dictionary!

(posted to the Kitchen too)

No duct tape?

Or a towel?

#221/222: Possibly in the 'bunch of other useful stuff'?

Hey Stasia!- I like the quote! I just managed to snag a nice used copy of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, (thanks to Bonnie for the rec!) and looking forward to getting to it!

What a fun quote that was, Stas .... iodine pills incase of a dirty bomb?! ;-)

#224: Mark, I loved the book. I hope you do too!

#225: Oskar is an intrepid 9-year-old on a quest. Enough said :)

Quote for the day from We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson:

"I chose the library books with care. There were books in our house, of course; our father's study had books covering two walls, but I liked fairy tales and books of history, and Constance liked books about food. Although Uncle Julian never took up a book, he liked to see Constance reading in the evenings while he worked at his papers, and sometimes he turned his head to look at her and nod.

'What are you reading, my dear? A pretty sight, a lady with a book.' "

Uncle Julian never took up a book?! For shame!

(posted to the Kitchen too)

>227 alcottacre: - Nice quote, Stasia and such a lovely creepy book!

#228: I am finding it so - and have developed a sound dislike for cousin Charles!

>229 alcottacre: Enjoy! Good night, I'm off to bed - nice chatting with you here and there tonight!

#230: Same here, Joanne! Have a lovely sleep.

Stasia

I so enjoy these quotes! ..

A late Happy Thingaversary, Stasia! I was only 193 posts behind.

I discovered LibraryThing on AbeBooks.com, where they had a contest. The winner would get a lifetime subscription to LibraryThing. I didn't even wait to enter the contest. I just joined as soon as I found it, only to catalogue my books. I have since bought 3 additional subscriptions: one for Keith, one for Craig, and one to catalogue all the childrens books we own. It will be 4 years for me at the end of July.

Checking in! I only have one account here.. since mid July 2007.
I also joined for the school library, but that isn't really mine..

Love the quote stasia!

#233: Only 193? Good for you! I know some people who are entire threads behind :)

#234: Thanks, Kath!

OK, I am going to do one of those poll thingies (although I suspect what the answer is going to be), but I have not attempted one before:

Quote for the day from Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth by E.L. Konigsburg:

"Jennifer always took out seven books. I could tell that the librarian liked Jennifer even though Jennifer never said 'hello' or 'good-bye' or 'please' or 'thank you.' Librarians love good readers, and Jennifer was that. In fact, Jennifer wasn't just a good reader, Jennifer was a serious reader."

I wish Konigsburg would have told me what Jennifer checked out that made her a serious reader. I want to be one, too!

(posted to the Kitchen thread too)

Oh, you're a serious reader. We will all attest to that. Just the fact that you were wondering what books she checked out is a bit of an indication. I guess I'll wait until Sunday to admit that I'll be adding that book to my list. Oops.

Hey, Jenn! I never thought that questioning the titles might indicate I was a serious reader. I just wondered what were considered to be serious books.

The book itself is OK. I think I would like it better if I were younger. I am also going to be reading Konigsburg's A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver tonight (if work does not pick up!), and am hoping I like it more.

BTW: Did you buy William Maples book, Dead Men Do Tell Tales for the budding forensic anthropologist yet?

Yet another new thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/91896