Sundays on the Acre, Take 14

Since the vote is 9-0 in favor of a new thread before my Sunday post, here it is.

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
Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes

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!

Stasia, how do you do those poll/voting things? I've seen them on other threads and wondered about them.

Looking forward to your Sunday post, Sunday is only 30 mins away here in NZ.

I was looking through your memorable reads. I guess I'll have to read Major Pettigrew's Last Stand at some point. It was one of those books that was so talked about that I had a negative reaction. Kind of like Gaiman's The Graveyard Book (which I own but still haven't read).

Starred, posted.. *waves*

Wow, major trouble posting here today. I think something gets screwed up with LT's cookies periodically and you have to clear them before any posts actually work...

Morning Stasia! I had yesterday off work and have been patiently waiting for you to update your thread thinking it was Sunday today. Of course it's Saturday - duh!

>2 rebeccanyc: Type <vote>Your question here</vote>

#2: Well, I was answering your question and then noticed that Tad answered it, Rebecca, so you have the info from the expert!

#5: Tad, Deborah did a nice review of the book: http://www.librarything.com/work/9045096/reviews/57261083. You can read it and then decide if it sounds your cup of tea.

Stasia 14/100 = 14% toward 100 threads for 2010....

#12: Not happening!

Maybe 35 threads?

#14: I think that is more reasonable, although (hopefully) still too high.

Have you read Oblomov yet, Darryl? You should!

#9, Thanks, Tad, and thanks, Stasia, too.

#15, Oblomov is on my mental list for the summer, but since there are so many other books on my mental list for the summer, I'm not sure I'll get to it.

Considering I did not do anything, hey, no problem :)

#17: I am having great fun with it, Rebecca. I am about halfway through and cannot wait to see where it ends up. I must say it is very different from other Russian literature that I have read.

Stasia
You continue to amaze me! What a broad range of books you read! Incredible!

#20: OK, that caught me a bit off-guard since I have not even posted this week's list yet, so I will just say 'Thank you' and stop babbling now.

#15: Ditto to what Rebecca said. And, I already have a sizable handful of Russian novels by Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, and Solzhenitsyn that I also haven't read yet.

#22: I was supposed to read The Master and Margarita this month, but I am not going to get to it, so I cannot compare Oblomov with it, but the Goncharov book is much lighter in tone (it is definitely a satire) than the Dostoevsky and Solzhenitsyn that I have read.

Oblomov was already on my wish list, especially after tomcatMurr's review from last year. I'll certainly read it, but probably not this year.

BTW, have you received (or read) Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha yet?

#25: I have not gotten it from the college library yet, Darryl. I asked for it 2 weeks ago, but they have not sent it my direction.

I'll plan to read it next month, but I'll wait until you've had a chance to get it.

#27: Once I do get the book, I will have about 10 days to read it. I will keep you posted!

@ 25-28: I've already started the book, as otherwise I might not have time to read it and join the discussion.

#29: So how is it so far?

Oh dear, you gone from take 8 to take 14 on the time I've been away from LT, Stasia!

For now I'm caught up on this thread and have it starred. Later I'll try and get through the inbetweens - wouldn't want to miss out on some great books :)

#31: It might take a bit for you to catch up, Tanja. I would not stress out about it too much.

@30: I like it so far, I'm at page 75 of 282 now. Good story about the daily Irish life in the 1960's seen from the eye of the 10-year old Paddy.

I'm here!
Haven't bought Dead Men Do Tell Tales yet. It's on the list though.

Glad you liked A Thousand Splendid Suns. I was impressed at his ability to tell the story with a believable female voice. Have you read Kite Runner? It would be interesting to compare the two.

Looking forward to Sunday.

#33: I hope I get a copy from the college soon! I am glad you are enjoying it.

#34: I have read both of Hosseini's books now, and prefer A Thousand Splendid Suns.

I forget Jenn, how old is your son? Eleven, isn't he?

and here you are .... whew! almost lost you there for a minute..... there sure are alot more people in this 75er group now... and so many threads that distract me on my way to the ones I've starred. So many threads, so little time... *sigh*

#36: NOOOOO! Don't lose me!!

HA! Not unless I lose my sight, and even then I think maybe I'd get someone to read your thread out to me

#38: Whew! You had me worried there for a minute, Caro.

There's some very interesting books here, I want to comment on.

First - Cranford - I watched the BBC production Cranford - and it made me want to read Gaskell. Is this the first book of a series of books on Cranford-characters - or the only book? Do you know?

The Idiot - Got it for Christmas and I look forward to reading it.

A Thousand Splendid Suns I agree. It was a very good book. One of those that are still stuck in my head.

My goodness. I sleep late on a Saturday morning and there's a whole new Stasia thread with 40 messages on it.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!! I'm celebrating by going to the Cubs/Cardinals games. Hopefully, the Cubs do better today. Yesterday, the starting pitcher gave up 5 runs in the first inning, without getting anyone out.

#40: I do not think that there is a series of Cranford books. I am not really sure though because when I pulled up Gaskell's author page, there is a book called The Cranford Chronicles

The Idiot is excellent and I hope you enjoy it! I am goingo to read more Dostoevsky later this year - The Brothers Karamazov.

I am glad you enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns. Have you read Hosseini's other book The Kite Runner?

#41: I knew it was a bad start for Randy Wells. I have come to expect better from him. Oh well, maybe today they will win and we can sing 'Go Cubs Go' at the top of our voices :)

Linda
This morning via phone conversation Stasia mentioned the Ken Burns series on baseball. Have you seen this? I finished part one of his series re. The Lewis and Clark expedition and will watch part two this weekend.

And, I'm in love with Dayton Duncan who also wrote the PBS series regarding The National Parks.

Hi Stasia...drat that the baseball series is $60...ouch.....

#45 Linda, Yes I saw it when it first aired. Also, during the offseason, the MLB Network often shows it and I've seen various innings a few times that way, too.

I understand that Burns is adding an update, since the documentary first aired. I think the new inning is due out this fall.

I like Ken Burns' stuff. Next year, for my category challenge, I plan to include a category on the Civil War and then finally read the Shelby Foote trilogy, which I first learned about from Ken Burns.

The cost of the series is the reason I have not bought it! I would love to own it one of the centuries. I have watched the entire thing at least 3 times.

No I haven't read The Kite Runner . Saw the movie and enjoyed it - one of my friends said that a lot of the material in the book was "cut out" in the movie-adaptation. I might take it up later.

Karamazov is a mouthfull - a wild roaring beast of a novel - but worth all the effort.

#33 - I finished Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha last night and really enjoyed it! Stasia, I hope you get your hands on it soon.

Found your new thread!

#40, #42 - re Cranford, I gather the TV series script used a couple of other works by Gaskell in addition to Cranford itself, and wove those extra characters and plot-lines in - I don't think the other works were written as part of a series, but I've not read them, so can't be sure.

Found you:)

#40, 42 & 50: You're quite right Genny, at least I read something about the tv-series adding a few characters and plot lines from other works by Gaskell. It is actually quite a charming production (in my opinion) starring actors like Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton and Simon Woods (Mr. Bingley in P&P). You could look it up at imdb.com:)

Yes Stasia - way back up there at #35 - my son is 11.

I liked both Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I think I may have liked Suns a bit better. Maybe it was due to the female perspective. I don't know. Both are great books. The ending of Suns just amazed me. I couldn't stop thinking about it for days. I also really liked the movie (Kite Runner). It was beautifully done.

Edited to add that the Ken Burns baseball series really is fantastic. Even if you don't like baseball. But I don't know anyone who doesn't like baseball.

I'm with you, Jenn ... I liked A Thousand Splendid Suns more than I liked Kite Runner. Although I liked the latter, it didn't leave me thinking about it for days like the former did, and going back to re-read certain passages.

And I do know a guy in LA who doesn't like baseball. He's actually not a big sports fan at all ....which, if he weren't an otherwise really smart and funny guy, I would probably not speak to at all. ;-)

Hey Stasia,

I'll have to check out A Thousand Splendid Suns but mainly just stopping by to say hi.

:-)

#52, #53 I agree, A Thousand Splendid Suns was better than Kite Runner. I put it down to being a female perspective and being able to relate to their situation more.

#55: I preferred 'Suns' too. Madeline mentioned on her thread, I think, that she preferred 'Runner.' I thought they were both terrific, but I think the female perspective as you say Diane, is what made 'Suns' more of a stand out book for me.

I must get round to reading A Thousand Splendid Suns - so many of you are saying its even better than Kite Runner which I really enjoyed.

#57: If you liked Kite Runner, Genny, I think you would enjoy Suns too.

This week's reads:

272. Roadside Crosses by Jeffery Deaver - the second book in Deaver's Kathryn Dance series and I think, a little deeper than the typical Deaver book: it is about a boy who is being hounded for something he did not do through a blog, so the book really addresses the pervasive power of the Internet as well as what I would call for want of a better word, bullying; recommended, 4 stars

273. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier - based on a true story, this historical fiction book is about 2 female fossil hunters, one of whom would be considered a 'bluestocking' and the other who begins the book as a child, stumbling upon the fossils that will in time, make her reputation as a fossil hunter; I loved one of the phrases in the book "I was caught between and always would be" and think it summarizes how women at the time must have felt; recommended, 4.2 stars

274. Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf - juvenile; thanks to Kerry for the recommendation of this one, a book based on the true life tragedy of Lidice - a town that was completely destroyed by the Nazis during WWII in retribution for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, and its residents either murdered or in the case of several children, shipped off to be adopted by Nazi families; recommended, 4 stars

275. Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell - I loved this look at small town English life - I liked the characters, I liked the stories, and I prefer this one, all-in-all to Gaskell's North and South that I also read recently; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year Mine

Continuing:

276. Dust and Shadow by Lyndsay Faye - an account Sherlock Holmes trying to track down Jack the Ripper, I found this book to be well-written and very much in the vein of the Arthur Conan Doyle books; recommended, 4 stars

277. A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett - the second book in the Tiffany Aching thread of Pratchett's books, and I did not care for this one as much as I liked the first one, although I still find the Feegles endearing; guardedly recommended, 3.5 stars

278. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer - I liked Foer's Everything is Illuminated, so when this one showed up on several threads recently, decided it was time to give it a go - and I loved it!: this story of Oskar, a 9-year-old, dealing with the grief of his father's death on 9/11 in his own way - discovering a key in his father's tux and determined to track down where it came from, and so sets forth on that quest; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

279. The Black Hand by Will Thomas - book 5 in the Cyrus Barker series has Barker and Llewellyn taking on the Mafia, which is trying to infiltrate the docks - thanks Jim for introducing me to this series, because I have enjoyed them all; recommended, 4 stars

Continuing:

280. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - for me, this was a very Gothic tale: 'We would sit warmly together in the kitchen were we were guarded by the house and no one from the outside could see so much as a light.' and 'Charles had blackened the world.' - there is emphasis on the lack of light in this book, making the dark feel very encroaching; recommended, 4.25 stars

281. The Magician by Michael Scott - young adult; this is the second book in Scott's Nicholas Flamel series and a good follow up to the first; I think the characters of the twins, Josh and Sophie are well-drawn and believable, especially in this book where Josh is jealous of his sister's abilities; recommended, 4 stars

282. Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix - young adult; adopted children are discovering that all is not right with their adoptions and they have now been kidnapped, with a plot twist I did not see coming thrown in to boot - the book ends on a cliffhanger, so I am anxious to read what happens in the next book of the series; recommended, 4 stars

Continuing:

283. Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Jennifer by E.L. Konigsburg - juvenile; this is the first of Konigsburg's books that I have been disappointed in and am not sure why, the book just did not work well for me - I might have liked it more if I were younger; not recommended, 3 stars

284. A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg - juvenile; questions of theology aside, I really enjoyed this look at Eleanor of Aquitaine through the eyes of Abbot Suger, Matilda (her mother-in-law), William the Marshal, and Eleanor herself as they are all in Heaven waiting for Eleanor's second husband Henry to come Up; I think some of the humor in the book might go over the 8-12 year old's the book is written for though: "Henry was due Up long before this, but it had taken almost eight hundred years to get enough lawyers Up to make a case."; I must insert a word about the illustrations in the book: Konigsburg did them and they are designed to look like medieval manuscript pages - I just wish they had been in color!; recommended, 4.25 stars

285. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - this story of two women, trapped by circumstances, in marriage to a man who loves neither of them, is disturbing in its own right, but perhaps even more in light of the fact that it is set in Afghanistan:

Mariam - 'The earlier pleasure over his approval of her cooking had evaporated. In its stead, a sensation of shrinking.'

Laila - 'It is not a happiness without cost.'

Highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

286. Dirty Work by Larry Brown - I saw this book on Amanda's list recently and as its characters are Vietnam veterans, thought I would give it a go: the book is very simple, two vets in a VA hospital are carrying on a conversation, revealing chapter by chapter the details of their lives and how they came to end up at the hospital (one of them has been there for some 22 years); Amanda's terrific review is here: http://www.librarything.com/work/155333/reviews/42026987; recommended, 4.25 stars

*sigh* only one book of my own read this week. Oh well.

THE END

Luckily I've already read some of these, so pleased you liked Someone named Eva. Have you read Auslander, it's another about a Lebensborn child which I have yet to read.
Extremely loud and incredibly close was a memorable read for me a few years ago, I thought the cover was so different and striking that I had to read it. I also enjoyed Everything is illuminated.

I read Found last year, I wish they had books like this when I was young.

#63: No, I have not read Auslander yet, Kerry, and unfortunately, it does not look like my local library has it.

Thanks again for the recommendation of Someone Named Eva.

Have you read Sent yet, the sequel to Found? I know exactly what you mean about wishing they had books like that when you were young. I wish the same thing!

I haven't read Sent, my library only has book 1. I'll put in a request for them to purchase it.
I have a copy of Auslander and I hope to read it in June as I'll be concentrating on YA and children's fiction for a couple of weeks.

#65: I have Sent on hold at my local library, so I hope to be able to pick it up next week.

I look forward to your review of Auslander.

Have you read Konigsburg's Silent to the Bone and The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place? I really liked both of these.

#67: No, I have not read either of those. It looks as though my local library has Silent to the Bone, but not the other. Thanks for the recommendations, Kerry.

Ack! I've been struck down with Stasiaitis! Symptom #1: The need to brew coffee to peruse Stasia's weekly reads. Symptom #2: The anxiety factor of needing to catch up on Stasia's thread before coffee is ready. Symptom #3: Return to coffee maker for said cup of java only to find victim did not put pot back underneath the coffee filter basket. Resulting in massive coffee hemmorage onto kitchen countertop!
warning highly contagious with no known cure!

Back after cleaning countertop with cup of coffee and cannollli in hand.............After all of that I'm please to say that I'm only adding We have always lived in the castle you sold me with "very gothic tale" and a reminder to add A Thousand Splendid Suns for The Kiterunner is one of my all time favorites. So glad you enjoyed Incredibly Loud another all time fave book and character - lovable, endearing and intelligent Oskar!

ETA: Oops - We have always already on my wishlist

#69: Great, now I am a disease, lol. Couldn't I be a disease where no coffee is involved? I cannot stand the stuff! (as I sit here drinking my lovely raspberry green tea)

I am not sure We Have Always Lived in the Castle is Gothic to anyone else, but it sure read that way to me. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it once you have read it, Lynda.

You definitely need to bump A Thousand Splendid Suns up on your TBR stack!

#68 I think The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler place is probably a more uplifting read than Silent to the Bone so I hope you can track it down as well.

#71: OK, I will keep that in mind. Thanks for the input, Kerry.

When I read We Have Always Lived in the Castle last year, I couldn't believe I had never read this wonderful book before. I am glad you enjoyed it too, Stasia.

#73: Did it seem Gothic to you too, Rebecca, or am I alone in that?

I loved A Thousand Splendid Suns - an incredibly powerful book. I also preferred it to The Kite Runner, although I thought both were excellent.

I liked A Hat Full of Sky, but agree that it's not quite as good as The Wee Free Men, which I loved.

Remarkable Creatures and Cranford are both near the top of the TBR pile already. I thought when I read your comments that We have always lived in the castle was on my wishlist, but when I looked, it wasn't there. It is now! :)

#75: I hope you enjoy We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Caty. I think you will. I also think you will enjoy both Remarkable Creatures and Cranford.

Have you read beyond A Hat Full of Sky in the Tiffany Aching series? Is the next book better? I am really not getting on with Pratchett much and am reluctant to read book 3 in the Aching series unless it is an improvement over book 2.

Nice list.... of course. I have been considering Remarkable Creatures,
but haven't taken the plunge.

as for We Have Always Lived in the Castle , that one gets a 5 .2 stars with me for
the way it ( I hate the next word) resonated with me. I first read it so many years ago, yet it is always close to the top of my book memory pile.

#77: I hope you give Remarkable Creatures a try at some point, Kath.

I am a little confused about We Have Always Lived in the Castle: are you saying you did not like it? (the .2 stars thing)

#74, Stasia, I don't really read a lot of gothic stuff, so I can't really answer that question. I thought it was wonderfully creepy and I loved being inside the disturbed mind of the beautifully characterized Merricat.

Lots of your reads were already on my wishlist but I added Someone named Eva Found and The Alchemyst. You had some good YA reads this week!

Glad you enjoyed Cranford, I really liked it too and have some more of her short stories to read in my volume. I have A Thousand Splendid Suns in the TBR pile, didn't manage it for this month's challenge.

#69 Oh no!

#70 Now I love tea but I'm afraid raspberry green tea does not sound pleasant..

#79: OK.

#80: Heather, I am glad you found something to like on this week's list. Do not sell raspberry green tea short - it even smells good!

Your book bullets this week were Cranford (which, really, you sold me on last week with your quote) and Extremely Loud. Remarkable Creatures sounds good too, but it was already on the list.

And though I don't quite have the coffee results described in #69, I've definitely started doing the prep work of making sure I'm all caught up and getting ready with my coffee to peruse your list. ;)

I'm good this week. Three books look interesting, but I own all three: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, A Thousand Splendid Suns (which I have to add to my LT library, as it is staring at me now), and We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

Morning Stasia- Wow you are amazing! And it looks like you had an amazing reading week. Man, that's impressive!
You've all-ready recommended Dust and Shadow, which sounds fun. I just landed a copy of Extremely Loud and plan on starting it in a few weeks. I've always wanted to read the Jackson book. I have a Larry Brown book in the stacks. Joe, I think. I also loved A Thousand Splendid Suns. I was surprised you hadn't read it, Speedy Gonzales!

#82: Mary, I hope you like Cranford and Extremely Loud. Prep work for perusing my list, huh?

#83: This makes three weeks in a row I have missed you with my book bullets, Darryl. I am obviously not trying hard enough :)

#84: I will be interested in seeing what you think of the Larry Brown book, Mark. I had never read any of his before.

The earliest I have EVER been on the acre to check out your week's pickings. Blame it on Master William who WILL start yowling as soon as he sees the sun haul itself over the horizon.
Have been hankering for Remarkable Creatures ever since it first came out. A quick check over at amazon shows that I will have to keep a-hankering for a while longer....

#86: Wow, Charlotte! You are early! I am giving Master William all the blame credit. Good going!

>76 alcottacre:: I am really not getting on with Pratchett much and am reluctant to read book 3 in the Aching series unless it is an improvement over book 2

You know, it is OK simply to decide you don't like an author...I suspect you have a few other books on your TBR list? Hmmm? :-D

#85: Au contraire, madame! You got me with two books last week, as I recall...

*off to check last week's thread for confirmation*

Yes, you got me with The Siege and American Notes (see message 139 of your last thread).

#88: Yes, I know, but it irks me that I do not like him as much as everyone else does, lol.

#89/90: OK, now I do not feel so bad. It just seemed like I was letting you down lately, Darryl.

#91: You almost always list at least one book that is interesting to me every week. However, on many occasions the book is one that I've already read (Henrietta Lacks), own already but haven't read (Mountains Beyond Mountains), or one that I'm either waiting to receive or already resides on my wish list (Troubles).

I'll take just one this week Remarkable Creatures, not sure why but I've been wary of trying Chevalier's books. With your recommendation it's off the radar and onto the wishlist!

#92: Are you reading Troubles for June's TIOLI Challenge? I hope so, because I am anxious to see your take on it.

#93: I hope you like it, calm. Several people in the group recommended it to me before I finally got around to reading it.

I agree with Dr. D - it is certainly ok to decide a particular author is not for you.

I remember really enjoying Wintersmith when it first came out, but I enjoy Pratchett's Discworld series more than his YA series. Personal preference, really.

You've certainly given him a good shot!

#95: Oh I know it is OK to decide an author is not for me - I just hate doing it, lol.

My local library does not have Wintersmith (I just checked), so I guess it is a moot point.

#92: I was going to read Troubles anyway, after I read The Siege of Krishnapur and for my personal 1010 challenge (previous Booker Prize winners and 2010 Booker Prize longlisted books), but I did add it to Madeline's TIOLI challenge. I received my copy last week, and I'll start it after I finish The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, probably sometime next week.

caught up again :)

Wow, you've had some really good reads this week, Stas. I'm definitely adding Roadside Crosses and Someone Named Eva to my obese wish list. I've already got Remarkable Creatures in my TBR Tower, but perhaps I should move it up a little since it's been getting some good reviews.

Dirty Work sounds interesting. Was it depressing at all? It's teetering on the edge of falling into my obese wish list, so you'll probably only need to whistle and it'll tip over

Stasia,

Lost your thread for 24 hours and I find 99 messages. Geesh! Anyway not too much for me to add as I already have Remarkable Creatures, Cranford and We Have Always Lived in the Castle in my pile.

I think I liked The Kite Runner better than A Thousand Splendid Suns, but only slightly and it was actually the violence against women that made my stomach turn. Isn't it about time for a new Hosseini novel? Such a wonderful writer.

Great reads this week! I love a good gothic tale, and I loved The Haunting of Hill House, so We Have Always Lived in the Castle definitely goes on my summer reading list.

I haven't read any Hosseini, much to the chagrin of some of my former students, many of whom were from Afghanistan. They had always encouraged me to read A Thousand Splendid Suns and it's shameful that I haven't yet.

The Nicholas Flamel series has intrigued me in the past, so I've added The Alchemyst as well.

I think I might need two summers off just to complete all this so-called 'summer reading.'

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! I'm hit and going down!

I have an excuse, I slipped in the bathroom this morning and fell, I couldn't dodge them all.

I''m going to have to check out Cranford, Dust and Shadow, We have always lived in the castle, The Magician, and A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver.

Stasia, you are cruel to hit me when I'm injured. Do you know how hard it is to hold a book when your shoulder is screaming?

**I wonder if they come on audio?**

Stasia.

Oh my, just when I think I'm making progress on the tbr pile, I cannot help but add six new books.

What a great week of reading you've had. And, what a lot of damage you will be doing to our tbr piles. I'm adding book 273, 274,275,278,284,286.

Thanks!

#76 I haven't read Wintersmith yet (it's in the TBR) so I have no idea how it compares to the first two books. But like Tad and Luxx said, you've definitely given Terry Pratchett a fair shot.

Only 45 messages since I signed off last night? That's what I get for being in the Pacific time zone.

A bunch of the YA books sounded good. I didn't care that much for Alchemyst--while there was nothing wrong with it, it just re-used so MANY plot elements from fantasy that there was nothing original either. Maybe I'll give The Magician a try if you think it is getting better.

If you didn't care as much for A Hat Full of Sky, you probably won't like Wintersmith as much either. I'd recommend concentrating on the City Guard series. You did like Guards! Guards!, and this series grows well beyond the fantasy satire of that book into the character of Sam Vimes and just gets better and better, IMHO. The series goes on to Men at Arms, Feet of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Night Watch, Monstrous Regiment and Thud!. Try Men at Arms and if that doesn't appeal--drop Pratchett. You've given your best, and he won't mind. ;-)

ETA and five more messages appeared while I was writing this!

Oh, only two hits this week! Oh, I mean today, actually, as reading your thread through the week often brings up other goodies.

Regarding We Have Always Lived in the Castle, I certainly agree that it's gothic. I loved it when I read just a couple of years ago. Really quite a fun book, I thought; but I often see fun where others see only horror. Her memoirs are excellent as well; very funny and evocative of the period (1950's).

Don't feel bad about Pratchett, Stasia. I had the same feeling about The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns--just can't quite see what all the shouting's about.

*Dispensing band-aids to everyone who injures themselves while checking out our Stas's weekly reading list*

#107 Thanks for the band-aid, cameling...I think I'm going to need a cold compress as well...

I read A thousand splendid suns several years ago for a book club, and it was a wonderfully haunting book. I still catch myself thinking about certain passages.

I think no. 276 Dust and shadow will have to go on the pile. I do love Sherlock Holmes...

I may also need to give no. 280 We have always lived in the castle a try.

#78 re: We Have Always Lived in the Castle Sticky 5 on my keyboard.. NO! Loved it.. sorry..
:P

As for it being gothic.... I don't know if i would describe it that way exactly, but hat do I know?

Caroline, I need more than bandaids - I need drugs!

Yay! I'm so glad you loved Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Stasia! It didn't go over very well in my book group. In contrast, they loved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Sigh...

Margaret Peterson Haddix writes exciting children's books. Haven't read that one, but her first two were great.

>85 alcottacre: Oh yes, there's absolutely prep work involved - not just to read your list, but all the comments afterwards, and to determine what to add to the ever-growing TBR list. I forgot to add I usually have a tab open with my library website so I can add books to my wishlist while perusing. :)

Edited to correct which message I was responding to...hehe

Oh, you never steer us wrong, Stasia! I am adding Cranford to my list, right before North and South. Thanks!

Karen O.

Nice list this week, Stasia. I've had We Have Always Lived in the Castle on my wishlist for awhile. My mother lives in Europe, and comes home for school breaks. When she does, she always has a stack of books for me and I have one for her. Last time she had Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close in the pile for me. Looks like I need to dig it out!

There appears to be a lot of interest in Shirley Jackson, so I'll recommend the first volume of her work published by the Library of America, which should be available at libraries.

The volume includes The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, with the rest being short stories—a total of 832 pages.

Here is the Amazon info with a list of its contents:

Shirley Jackson: Novels and Stories

Edited to change incorrect information.

> 115 Shirley Jackson has several other stand-alone books, which I thought were novels. Are they possibly considered novellas? I'm thinking of The Sundial, The Bird's Nest and The Road Through the Wall. I have them as separate volumes, but they are not very lengthy.

#116 You are quite right. I mis-named the Library of America volume, which I have corrected. Thank you for pointing out my error; now I have to find copies of the three you mention.

#97: I got The Siege of Krishnapur in this past week so I am hoping I like it as much as you did. I am also hoping that you enjoy Troubles as much as I did, Darryl.

#98: Good!

#99: Given that Dirty Work deals with two Vietnam vets, yes, it is somewhat depressing; however, I would not let that put you off reading it, Caro.

#100: I agree with you about the need for a new Hosseini novel, Bonnie. Should we start a petition?

#101: I would give you a couple of summers off were it in my power!

#102: Well Cheli, the 5 you chose this week makes up for the several weeks that you dodges BBs, don't you know? I do hope the shoulder recovers soon!

#103: Six more? Wow, you hit the jackpot this week, Linda!!

#104: I will wait and see what you think of Wintersmith, Caty. My local library does not have it yet though, so I am not in a rush to run right out and buy it.

#105: Roni, to someone like yourself who has read a ton of fantasy, the plot elements may be old hat, but I am still fairly new to the genre, so they are not to me. I hope you will give The Magician a try and let me know what you thought of it. I have Men at Arms home from the library now, so I will be reading it in the near future.

#106: Only 2 this week for you, Gail? I am going to have to work harder next week, lol.

#107: LOL!

#108: Heidi, I hope you enjoy Dust and Shadow as well as We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

#109: Ah, thanks for clearing that up for me, Kath!

#110: Sorry, cannot help you there, Cheli :)

#111: Bonnie, I liked Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, but I loved Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

#112: I always have the library tabs up (as well as Goodreads where I keep the BlackHole) when I reading through the groups posts, so I know exactly what you mean, Mary.

#113: I hope you enjoy both Cranford and North and South, Karen!

#114: Anne, do dig out Extremely Loud. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

#115: Thanks, Charlie Brain. I will look for it!

#116: Three more Shirley Jackson books I need to hunt for. Thanks (I think!), Sherlyn.

In honor of Memorial Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zegI9GFB5DM

Popping in for a sec. to list books I've been hit by and collect a few of Caroline's bandaids...

Remarkable Creatures, Cranford, Someone Named Eva, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle. OUCH.

Must run - the youngster decided to be potty trained today. Not what I had planned (think clean out garage) but it's all good.

#125: Only 5 bandaids needed, so not too bad, Jenn!

Oh wow, you read a lot of great books this week! I already have Remarkable Creatures on the TBR list, but... I've added Dust and Shadow, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and A Thousand Splendid Suns. I'm so glad you had so many other good reads this week as well; not all of them appeal to me, but it must be great to have a week go by with only one dud and a "meh"!

#127: Oh, you grabbed some good books off last week's list, Faith. I hope you enjoy them all!

Just catching up but it's nice to know I'm not the last living person who still hasn't read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Interesting to know so many of you liked it better than Kite Runner.

Glad you liked Remarkable creatures Stasia. It was my first read this year and I enjoyed it too:) I already have Cranford and A thousand splendid suns in my pile, but I added a few of the others. Thanks:)

#129: I hope you give A Thousand Splendid Suns a shot soon, Susan!

#130: Glad to know I could recommend something to you this week, Bente!

So many great looking books this week - and not a single one that I've read yet!
I've lately been wanting to read Cranford (all those TIOLI reads got me wondering why I've only ever read North and South), and Jonathan Safran Foer (who I haven't read yet) so I was glad to see your positive reviews.

For some reason I've been resistant to The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, but this thread is making me rethink that. I have Suns around here somewhere.

I'm a Konigsberg fan but I haven't read A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver yet so I'm glad to hear you liked it. (I love Jennifer Hecate, but I first read it when I was about 9 and really, really wanted to be a witch, so that colors my opinion of it. =)

I've added We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Someone Named Eva to my wishlist.

I'm glad you liked A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver. It was one of my favorite books as a kid; I must have read it 10 times. I thought Eleanor was pretty awesome.

Remarkable Creatures looks great. While on vacation in England, I met a photographer in a town kind of near Lyme Regis who knew Chevalier; I bet she was there researching this book.

#132 : Definitely rethink your resistance ... they are wonderful books. I don't think I've seen or heard a bad review about either of them.

Hi Stasia! Another weekend has passed. I can't help saying that I'm very glad it has.

Great week!

#132: I am with Carly in urging you to move the Hosseini books up your stack. They are both excellent books, Shauna. Thanks for the recommendations of the Konigsburg books, BTW. Like I said about Jennifer, Hecate the book probably would have worked better for me when I was younger, but I think A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver works well even for adult readers.

#133: I hope you enjoy Remarkable Creatures when you get a chance to read it, Carly!

#135: Hey, Richard! Thanks for stopping by - even if I know you did not read any of the blue words :)

Morning Stasia! Stopping in to say hi and tell you to have a great day!

Good info on Shirley Jackson..

Remarkable Creatures was a remarkable book! It made me download some more Chevalier onto my Kindle...

#135 -- yes, but Richard, aren't you already dreading this coming Sunday??

>139 Chatterbox: *shiver* S-s-s-sunda...a...ay?

*reaches for vitamin X bottle*

#139: Suz, Richard skips all the blue words on my thread - at least that is what he tells me!

You could really freak him out by simply leaving out the Touchstones one week, then... :-) *evil chortle*

#142: True!

Stasia, heard it's hot in your neck of the woods.

Try to keep cool. maybe use all those book pages as the words whizz by as a fan!

Hi Stasia, I finally caught up and checked out your Sunday posts. I really enjoyed We Have Always Live in the Castle. So creepy! Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close I liked but didn't love, but I know I'm in the minority there.

I'm adding Remarkable Creatures to my list. Every time I read something about it, it just sounds better and better! Thanks!

Aha, I've caught up with you!

Glad to see that you liked Dust and Shadow, as it is already sitting on my shelf begging me to read it.

I think I'll add We Have Always Lived in the Castle, though I really didn't like Jackson's famous The Haunting of Hill House. I may take a look at Roadside Crosses, too.

#144: Oh yeah, summer is definitely here!

#145: Hey, Joanne. I hope you enjoy Remarkable Creatures when you get a chance to read it!

#146: All is forgiven now, Terri, since you have caught up to me again, lol. I think you would really like Dust and Shadow, so move it off the shelf and into your lap. If you decide to read Roadside Crosses, I would recommend that you read the first book in the series, The Sleeping Doll, as it will provide some of the backstory to it, although this is not strictly necessary.

#146, tymfos, I eagerly read The Haunting of Hill House after loving We Have Always Lived in the Castle -- and was sadly disappointed. in my opinion, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a remarkable book and Hill House is only so-so. So don't give up on it!

So glad you liked both Remarkable Creatures and A Thousand Splendid Suns!

Oh hey...books with crosses in the title...White Crosses is by Larry Watson, who wrote the spare, brilliant Montana 1948. Both are beautifully written books, both are deeply moving, and White Crosses in particular made me long for a moviemaking license and a few million bucks. It's just flat-out brilliant what Watson can do with small town life in the back of the beyond the pale of civilization that is the West.

OOOh Richard I'm so glad to hear you say that about Watson. I picked up Montana 1948 at a library book sale a few weeks ago. I'll have to push it up the pile.

More good reading - has anyone watched Cranford on PBS? I have seen bits of it, but never watched a whole episode.

I am adding Extremely loud and Dirty Work to the never ending list.

>151 brenzi: Bonnie, it's a book that once read, cannot be forgotten. I remember reading it in one day and, the next morning, going to the Buns and Nubile on Fifth and Eighteenth to buy them out of it. (That was before Union Square was open.) I sent a copy to everyone I knew...thirty-two copies...and begged them to read it.

As expected, some hated it, some were ~meh~, and a substantial plurality were mesmerized.

Ok, on the pile goes Montana 1948. I just read Linda's (laytonwoman3rd) excellent review. Bonnie and Richard, your comments added with her review prod me add it to the tbr pile.

Thanks.

I already had Montana 1948 in the BlackHole. I best move it up some.

I'm sure I've seen the word gothic used before in relation to We Have Always Lived in the Castle, maybe even by me. I reviewed a Penguin reprint with an afterword by Joyce Carol Oates for the Bookbag last year - my 2nd review there.

I already bought Remarkable Creatures when it came out in mass market paperback here, and I have a copy of Cranford, perhaps 2 copies (different editions), as well.

Reading the end of your last thread today, I thought we should compile a list of novels in which the characters use the library - some of my memorable library visits occur in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Edward Eager's first Magic book and Jane Gardam's A Long Way from Verona. The non fiction book A Very Great Profession also has some interesting stuff and quotes from novels about library visits.

#156: Great idea, Luci!

Oh, I loved Montana 1948. I read it after Mark recommended it last year.

#153 Richard, I hope you didn't make the bookstore gift wrap each one. Back in my bookstore days in the early 1980s, I recall Ann Landers' (Eppie Lederer's) secretary buying out our stock of a particular book on several occasions and insisting on fancy gift wrapping so that Eppie could hand these out as gifts at luncheons for her friends.

Fortunately, my co-worker (the father of actor Ed Harris) was much better at gift wrapping than I was.

32 copies. Wow! So, Richard, would you say that to read that book would be to know something about you? That would be a good thread, to list books that have been so meaningful to us that we've actually bought multiple copies to give away.

>160 bonniebooks: *pauses to contemplate Bonnie's brilliance*

That is an excellent idea! I think you should start it, but where? Here in the 75-Challenge group? Over in What Are You Reading Now? Club Read? Wherever you decide, and I'd say here in 75ville would be my choice, please come back here and let the assembled know.

>159 lindapanzo: Oh no, Linda, I am a firm opponent of gift-wrapping. Wasteful, annoying stuff, wrapping paper. Tissue to protect something fragile, yes. Fancy, environmentally unfriendly single-use crippycrappy meant to amuse and impress the overbred? No.

>153 richardderus:: 32 copies the next day. That's extraordinary. Reading that, I had to put Montana:1948 on my BookMooch wishlist immediately. There was luckily one copy available which I'll hopefully receive after that mad scramble to get myself another .01 point so I could request it.

>159 lindapanzo: I love your story!

Ooh, the list is growing! The Castle, Sleeping Doll, Roadside Crosses, White Crosses, Montana 1948 . . . I sure hope the library has some of these!

I'm going to locate Montana 1948, too. A book that means so much to someone is definitely worth a look-see.

(Hi, Stasia! From your Sunday list, I'd already pulled Cranford; I decided to go for We Have Always Lived in the Castle as well. Your thread is definitely a good place to hang out to catch some recommendations!)

Karen O.

I've read The Haunting of Hill House and wouldn't have read anymore by Jackson--not because the book was poorly written, I just don't usually read that genre--but We Have always Lived in the Castle sounds interesting.
Thanks, Stasia. :)

Just wanted to mention that Bonnie's brilliant idea in #160 above has inspired me to start a thread to discuss the question, "What book have you bought multiple copies of, intentionally, with the purpose of giving them to friends and loved ones, and what might it say about you?"

Come and play!

>150 richardderus:: I'm a big fan of both Montana 1948 and White Crosses. My in-laws were visiting us when we lived in Colorado in the 90's, and we couldn't do anything until my father-in-law finished Montana 1948. That and The Bible are the only books I'd ever seen him read.

I have to chime in about Montana 1948. I read it a few years ago, along with my daughter, who had to read it for school. I agree, it was a great book! I'm just surprised so many people haven't read it. Sorry to say, I have not read his other books. Bad Mark!

OK - adding Montana 1948 to my list as well.

Me too! Me too! I need to chime in and say Montana 1948 is a wonderful read!! I read it several years ago and I guess it's time for a reread.

Quote for the day from To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf:

"Mats, camp beds, crazy ghosts of chairs and tables whose London life of service was done - they did well enough here; and a photograph or two, and books. Books, she thought, grew of themselves. She never had time to read them. Alas! even the books that had been given her and inscribed by the hand of the poet himself."

I know that my books grow of themselves!

(posted to the Kitchen too)

Lovely quote. Thank you.

For this whole moving shenanigans, I've put tons of books in storage, but several shelves are mysteriously full (as in jam packed) again. Luckily the house sold quickly and I only have 19 more days to go or there would be stacking again, I'm sure......

Richard - Thank you for recommending White Crosses. I read Montana 1948 a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I have added it to my list and can't wait to read it.

#173: Glad you liked it, Lucy! Good luck with the move.

You got me this week, Stasia - 5 books added to my list. Six if you count White Crosses which was recommended by Richard. It is really bad when I start adding books to my list just from comments on your page! I am glad to see that you enjoyed Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close as much as I did!

#176: Five, huh? Cool beans!

Love the quote. My books grow of themselves too. I'm sure I'm not responsible...

My books grow of themselves too. I'm sure I'm not responsible...

*cue the Twilight Zone music* ;)

Books don't grow of themselves, ladies, they grow of the excessive mental energy that readers emit acting upon the individual words within extant books, battening on our ever-over-excited brainwaves, in the end burgeoning into whole new tomes.

Oh I thought it was just velcro.

huh?

Ditto that 'huh?'. Velcro? Not making the connection.

Um, velcro is all about connections . . . .

*ducks and runs*

hmmm....or velcro picks up anything that sticks on it's burrs and therefore 'grows'?

As always, I'm completely behind on threads. I noticed the mention of the Library of America Shirley Jackson Shirley Jackson Novels and Stories--brand new, and it's about time.

I know that not everyone is interested in biography, but if you are, I would highly recommend a biog of Jackson by Judy Oppenheimer: Private Demons The Life of Shirley Jackson. Oppenheimer writes Jackson's story with warts and all, but it's an absolutely fascinating life story; I couldn't put it down. Her mother should have received the award for The Worst Mother Ever, telling Shirley that she was a "failed abortion." People might not know that, along with the creepy stories she wrote (which I love), she also wrote about her kids in a style a whole lot like Erma Bombeck, for those of you who remember her. She was hilarious when she wanted to be. She also had major problems with alcohol, prescription drugs, and the small Vermont town where she lived. I love this woman. It's such a shame she died so young.

Wow, the Shirley Jackson bio sounds fascinating.

*sigh* Another one for The List.

It's not even safe to visit Stasia's thread between Sundays anymore! ;)

About Shirley Jackson: In junior high school we read her short story The Lottery (and saw a film version of it), and it just blew my little pea brain. It still does. Very spooky story.

And Life Among the Savages is Jackson at her funniest.

I think it's time to read/reread more Shirley Jackson and maybe the Oppenheimer biography.

Thanks, Stasia et al.

Karen O.

*staggers~ exhausted from the effort of trying to keep up*

188 I read The Lottery too.. *shudder*...

41 new posts?? How did that happen??? And it's not even Sunday...

Still, I'll forgive you all, because Montana: 1948 looks like a must-read to me.

All I meant was they sort of stick to me -- flypaper maybe would be better? Tarbaby? That's what I get for trying to be clever!

Whew!

#186: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Becky!

#187: It is not my fault, Terri!

#188: I will have to look for Life Among the Savages too. Thanks, Karen.

#189: Sorry you are exhausted, Kath!

#190: I am glad I am forgiven, even though it is all Richard's fault.

#191: You can catch your breath now, Carolyn. Glad you got caught up.

Bloody hell. Just spent my morning reading all 14 of your threads. However, I'd like a nice, long answer to how on earth you read so much each week - and do you actually do anything other than read, like work :D?

This is great

#194: Max, I am amazed at your tenacity in reading all 14 threads! Wow!

Yes, I have a full-time job (I am at work now as a matter of fact), but it has a lot of down time, so I get reading done here. I do almost all of my reading in the middle of the night, when there are no disruptions. I am rarely in bed before 6am, most days not until 8am. Does that answer your question?

So you read at work, in your night-shift? Bloody hell, lucky you! What do you do that allows such a lax day (night)?

I don't know how I managed this, but I was 2 threads behind! It just occurred to me that I hadn't seen a new post in your thread for awhile and thought that *most* unusual, and imagine my surprise to find myself so completely far behind! I'm just going to pick up at your last Sunday's reading. Dust and Shadow is going onto the TBR. I've always been interested in the Jack the Ripper case (weird, I know - call it a morbid curiosity) and hadn't heard of this book. I'm heading to the library tonight, so I think I'll see if they have a copy.

#196: Yes, I do. I am a bailbondsman.

#197: David - I know you were on vacation, but 2 threads behind?! Bad, bad David :) I have been interested in the Ripper case since I was in my teens, so I understand your morbid curiosity. I hope you enjoy Dust and Shadow. I thought it was well done, although there is one 'fact' that was tweaked to fit the book (I forgave it though since the book is fiction.)

Several of us had discussed doing a spontaneous group read of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle, but were waiting until I got my copy from the local college library. I know a couple of people have already read it, so I am just checking to see if anyone is still interested in the group read. I must have my copy back to the library by 6/17 (there are no renewals), so it would have to be a quick group read :)

(posted to the Kitchen too)

You're a bailbondsman? For real? Just like Stephanie Plum?

Her new one is due out soon, I think. Sizzling Sixteen.

#200: Yes, for real :) Now you know why I am going to be Grandma Mazur when I grow up!

Oh, no! Linda and Stasia does that mean I have to start another mystery series? I've never read them but they seem to have been in my peripheral vision for a while--is that the numbered series that TadAD has been devouring lately? wonder if the first one is even available anymore?

My one post for today--off for my 5 hour "test".

Good luck on your test, Carolyn.

Yes, this is Evanovich's long-running series (she's on 16). The first one was One for the Money followed by Two for the Dough.

These are quick reads. Usually an evening's worth, for me, if that.

I can read Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha next week or the week after.

Stasia ma belle, Scott Westerfeld's follow-up to Leviathan, titled Behemoth, is announced for October!! Yaaay!

http://www.uchronia.com/bib.cgi/label.html?id=westleviat#2

#204: OK, Darryl. I think it is just going to be you and me, so no need for the group read.

#205: Cool beans, Richard! I got Leviathan in about a month ago, so I need to move it up the TBR stack (well, at least before October, lol)

Quote for the day from Peter Gammons' column on MLB.com:

"At a time when we are besieged by extremist, take-the-low-road differences of opinion and voices that feel the need to scream obscenities, Joyce, Galarraga and Leyland demonstrated the best of instincts. In the end, they reminded everyone young and old of the words of John Grisham, words often repeated by Mariano Rivera: 'There is nothing wrong with civility.' "

I know a lot of you are not baseball fans, but I really thought this quote reflects our group quite well. We allow each other to have and hold our own opinions, do not denigrate each other, and even in disagreements, talk to each other with civility. What a terrific bunch of people we have!

(posted to the Kitchen too)

@206, Sorry not to join you anymore, but I'm going on holiday form June 12 to 19. And of course the week before a holiday is busy (as usual), as I need to finish some things at work...

#208: No problem! I hope that the week before your holiday is not too overwhelming for you. Have a wonderful trip!

Apparently a 'bailbondsman' is some strange American thing with bail charges, according to wikipedia. I've never heard of one before :D

#210: I would explain it to you, Max, but my explanation would probably be more cumbersome that Wikipedia's, lol.

OK, a couple of things: I have decided to create a separate account specifically for my library books rather than keeping them in this account under 'Read but unowned.' So, if anyone is curious, my library books are under alcottacre777.

Next thing: should I start another thread before my Sunday post? This thread is over 200 posts, but well under 250.

I've said yes. I think it's best if you start a new thread with your weeks reading, otherwise the responses would take this thread way over the 300 posts.

Maybe people should just get really chatty here and take it over the 250 posts before Sunday morning;-)

#213: Maybe people should just get really chatty here and take it over the 250 posts before Sunday morning;-)

Do not start giving people ideas, calm!

I've said yes for the same reason as calm. It seem appropriate that a new thread starts with a new list of books.

-->207 alcottacre:: Yes, wasn't that amazing about the missed call? Everyone behaved so well. The unfortunate part of it is that most of the public is astonished by their civility. And of course, some are trying to foment trouble. btw, I'm a fan of baseball too.

I guess that's why I far prefer these groups we belong to. Who needs stomach-churning argument with their books/coffee?

#215: Who needs stomach-churning argument with their books/coffee?

Not me!!

I can't watch "news" television before breakfast. It's too infuriating/disheartening/scary. BTW, I voted yes as well, because absent a miracle, your Sunday list makes for a goodly 150 posts...plus the 250 or so by the end of today...*eep*

Gail...did you read Crazy 08? I loved that book. My maternal grandmother saw the Cubs win that series. She vowed not to die until they did it again...she's not 118, sadly, but one day....

#217: I will have to look for Crazy '08, Cubs fan that I am. Thanks for the mention, Richard.

Stasia Doster! You and I discussed Crazy 08 at least a year ago, and you *promised* you'd ILL it then! *sniff* And here I thought you listened to me *snivel* and I really wanted you to read it too *strangled sob* I think I should go now, I'm obviously not wanted *teardrop*

#219: Sorry Richard, I obviously overlooked it. I cannot imagine how in the depths of the BlackHole (currently with 10K books plus in it) that I could have missed a book about my beloved Cubbies.

Stop snivelling. It ill becomes you!

BTW - How are you doing on A Gentle Madness? I am still awaiting your review!

*sniff*

>220 alcottacre: About halfway through the first read...it's too much fun to rush! I am enchanted by these characters. Simply, helplessly enchanted.

#221: I have read all of Basbanes' books, but 'Madness' remains my favorite, hands down. I am glad you like it.

Stop sniffing too.

Meanie.

Richard, I will seek out Crazy '08 and get it on my lists. As a native of MA, I was a Red Sox fan for many, many, many years, until they finally broke my heart one too many times. Just like a man, isn't it? So sad, because when they did manage to win the Series, I really couldn't care any more. When I moved to FL, about 35 years ago, the lowly Braves (consistently losing, year after comical year) were the only team I could get on a regular basis on radio and t.v., and so I became, and still am, a huge Braves fan---funny that they orginated in Boston and left there when I was not yet in grade school. This is going a very long way around (I hope you will forgive me, Stasia, as you are also a Cubs fan) to say that one summer I was ill and in bed for 8 weeks, and became a major Cubs fan, watching them every afternoon. I still enjoy watching the Cubbies and have some great memories of their games and announcers over the years.

Also, Richard, I'm not trying to rush you, but I'd love to see your review of A Gentle Madness. It sits, staring quietly at me, on an easily accessible bookshelf...

#223: It is my curmudgeonly self coming out.

#224: Gail, you need to pull out A Gentle Madness!! It is terrific!!

>224 Matke: Gail, do not wait one more instant! I am going to savor A Gentle Madness, sip it, swish it over my mental palate; it's that kind of delicious. Get after it now, you will *not* be sorry you did!

>225 alcottacre: *martyred glance at the heavens* Then the meanness is intrinsic to you, so I am required by my spiritual path to forgive you.

THIS time.

#226: LOL!

Phew! 84 unread messages by the time I got round to catching up here!

I daren't read your details of last week's reading too closely, as I've overdone the book acquisitions already in recent weeks. Cranford is the only one among them that I've read - so glad you enjoyed it too. I've finally got round to posting some of my thoughts on that here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/85546#2007632

Gee whiz. I realize I wasn't home all morning but 23 messages, and it's not even a Sunday morning?

Don't feel bad, Stasia. There aren't many Cubs fans more diehard than moi and I haven't read Crazy '08 either. I'm sure I will though I do really prefer baseball books covering the period from roughly 1940 to 1980. I definitely read baseball books about other times, of course, but not my top preference.

Great baseball quote. That Tigers pitcher has shown himself to be the epitome of class.

If you did start a new thread I missed the link...

#230: I have not started it yet, Susan. I will be starting it in the early AM when I do my normal Sunday morning post. Stay tuned. . .

The latest and greatest thread (and the one that will last until the end of the year, right?) is here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/92416