Sundays on the Acre, Take 15

For those of you who may have missed my post earlier, my library books are no longer going to be catalogued under my AlcottAcre account. Library and borrowed books are going to be catalogued in my AlcottAcre777 account.

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
http://www.librarything.com/topic/91896

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
Provenance by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo

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
Iqbal by Francesco d'Adamo

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!

Found you:)

Not a ton of reading this week, but I had 3 excellent books in there, so what there is, is choice. This week's reads:

287. What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies - the second book of Davies' Cornish trilogy, and while the writing is good, I am not sure that I care overmuch for Francis as a character and the book is really his biography; guardedly recommended

288. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman - juvenile; I enjoyed this rather short book about Odd, a boy whose father dies and mother remarries, but because winter is not ending the family is hungry, so goes out one day searching for food one day and ends up following a fox, riding a bear, with an eagle circling overhead (Odd: "I can never tell anyone about this, because they won't believe it. Because even I wouldn't believe it."); recommended

289. Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov - this satire of Russian society is funny, moving, and thought-provoking - I loved the character of Oblomov who spends the first 130 or so pages (in my copy of the book anyway), in bed for the most part; the author well plays his opposites: Stoltz, Oblomov's best friend and a Type A personality if ever there was one, and Oblomov, who practically has to be begged or bribed just to get out of bed; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year Mine

290. New York Burning by Jill Lepore - nonfiction; a well-written book about a supposed 'conspiracy' among slaves and free blacks living in NYC to burn the city down; one point in particular that I found ironic - 2 of the slaves died under torture: had they lived they could not have testified, but because they died, their dying confessions were admissable in court; recommended for history buffs

Continuing:

291. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin - young adult; this book started slowly for me, but I eventually got into it - I particularly liked the character of Turtle, especially how she ended up at the end of the book; guardedly recommended (I would definitely recommend it for folks younger than me though)

292. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf - I have not read a ton of Woolf's stuff, but what I have read I have liked and this book is no exception, in fact, I loved this one: a stream-of-consciousness novel (I seemed to have an affinity for them) that takes you into the various characters (unfortunately, Mr. Ramsey reminded me all too much of my father at times: "To pursue truth with such astonishing lack of consideration for other people's feelings, to rend the thin veils of civlisation so wantonly, so brutally was to her so horrible an outrage of human decency"); highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

293. Ice Station by Matt Reilly - my BC book for the week - nonstop action, unbelievable plot, but great fun; recommended

Continuing:

294. True Notebooks by Mark Salzman - nonfiction; Caroline recommended this one (thanks again!) and I liked it a lot; the author asks very valid questions 'What is the value of a positive experience if it is only temporary? How do you weigh the advantages against the disadvantages of affection, or of aspiration?' about his choice of teaching writing classes at a juvenile hall facility; recommended

295. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes - I cannot recommend this book highly enough: a book written by a Marine veteran who earned multiple medals over his career (including 2 Purple Hearts), tells it like it was in Vietnam - the language is raw (I am definitely more forgiving when it comes to war books) and he does not stint on how it was in the war for the men who fought it:

"His rage was gone, and in its place was an inert, sick weariness. Mellas now knew with utter certainty, that the North Vietnamese would never quit. They would continue the war until they were annihilated, and he did not have the will to do what that would require. He stood there, looking at the waste."

"Emotions constricted Hawke's throat. He suddenly understood why the victims of concentration camps had walked quietly to the gas chambers. In the face of horror and insanity, it was the one human thing to dol. Not the noble thing, not the heroic thing - the human thing. To live, succumbing to the insanity, was the ultimate loss of price."

Needless to say, this was a 5-star book for me - highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

296. Chasing Goldman Sachs by Suzanne McGee - nonfiction; I will be honest in saying that I know very little about economics (I took economics when I was a 16-year-old high school senior and that was more than enough for me!), so I was not sure how well I would like or for that matter understand Suz's book - and I was pleasantly surprised! She presents examples, explanations and analogies that even I, an economic neophyte could understand; my one quibble with the book was the lack of glossary (I asked Suz about it and she said the book was already too long, so one was not included), but I think this will not be a hindrance to those with more economic knowledge than I have; recommended Mine

My husband returns to week next week, so I may get more reading done next week (hopefully!)

THE END

#2: Hey, Bente! Glad you dropped by. You caught me in the middle of my weekly post.

Sorry, I hope I didn't interrupt anything. Adding a couple av the books this week too. Nr. 288 and 292. Did you know that Odd is actually a normal name for men over here? Might sound strange to you maybe:)

#7: Gaiman gives a (I assume, Scandinavian) meaning for Odd in his book, but I cannot remember off the top of my head what it was, so I am not surprised that Odd is a normal name for men over there. Glad you found a couple that you liked from this week's list!

Only 10 books Stasia!

Only two hits for me this week! I really enjoy Neil Gaiman's children's books so I will look out for Odd and the Frost Giants along with Oblamov. The Westing Games and Chasing Goldman Sachs are already on the wishlist.

#9: I know, it is sad, isn't it?

I hope you enjoy the Gaiman book and Oblomov, Heather. I will be watching your thread to see if you do, lol.

found and starred... nice list stasia :)

Thanks, Kath!

Dodged your bullets this week, Stasia. But don't feel bad, that's partly because I'd already read some of the books that would've interested me - The Westing Game I read in middle school and remember loving it, and I read True Notebooks in college.

You have convinced me to put Matterhorn on my "maybes" list, as I'm a little reluctant to read war books past World War 2 (that sounds odd even as I write it, but it's true), and if I read one book about Vietnam this year it will probably be The Things They Carried on my brother's recommendation...

#13: I read The Things They Carried last year, Mary, and it is excellent. If you do not get to Matterhorn (which, at almost 600 pages is quite a read), the O'Brien book is definitely a good substitute.

Up until last year, I had never really studied the period of the Vietnam War or the Civil Rights movement, so quite a few of my reads in the past 18 months have been about that era. My history in high school ended at WWII, a period with which I have an admitted fascination.

Mary, I second Stasia recommendation of O'Brien's books.

Stasia, I'm adding Mattherhorn to be pile.

Morning Stasia (my duster wearing companion!)- I am so glad you enjoyed Matterhorn! It's been on my radar, for a couple months now! I haven't heard much buzz about it on LT, though! This one might be one to buy!
Also huge fan of The Things They Carried!!

#15: I am kind of surprised, Linda, that Matterhorn is the one book from this week's list that you would choose, but I hope you like it!

#16: Hello, Mark! I think Matterhorn is definitely one to buy, especially if you are pressed for reading time as it is a large tome. I put it in my 'Need to Buy' category here on LT after I read it because I definitely want a copy for my personal library.

Let's see, as I peruse the aisles in Stasia's Book Stall: from aisle 1, I'll take Oblomov (which I had added to my shopping cart last week, based on someone's recommendation, maybe tomcatMurr?) and New York Burning; I'll pass over To the Lighthouse in aisle 2, as I have three other books by Woolf in The Early Novels of Virginia Woolf to read first (The Voyage Out, Night and Day, and Jacob's Room); and I've already ordered a copy of Chasing Goldman Sachs from aisle 3. Do you take Borders coupons?

GM, Stasia! New York Burning and True Notebooks were already on my radar from somewhere else. They both sound excellent. I love the quotes fromMatterhorn, but I typically will read nonfiction war books rather than novels. It does sound amazing, so I will keep it in mind.

Stas- Fortified by caffeine and potato chips (breakfast of champions) I breathed a sigh of relief reading your week's list.

I loved Odd and the Frost Giants too. I can't think of a Gaiman book that I've not enjoyed, now that I stop to ponder. To The Lighthouse is a favorite of mine and one that I re-read once every 5 or so years.

I'm adding Oblomov and Matterhorn to my obese wish list. Oblomov sounds perfect for days when I just need something to make me smile.

This gives another nudge to Oblomov, which I had been planning on reading over the summer anyway, although lately it's been slipping in priority. I'm glad you enjoyed New York Burning; I wasn't sure how interesting it would be to a non-New Yorker, because although the topic was fascinating, I found the book not quite as readable as you did.

Ahh Stasia, I know exactly what you mean when you mention your husband returning to work and freeing you up for more reading. LOL.

I'm adding Oblomov. I remember The Westing Game from when I taught 5th grade. I'm glad to see you liked Chasing Goldman Sachs because I'm not much of an economist either but would like to read (and understand) it.

I love The Westing Game; I actually read it for the first time in fifth grade, and it remains one of my favorite YA books. I revisited it when I taught the book as part of a seventh grade curriculum, and it was a lot of fun watching the class work through the mystery.

I'm adding Odd and the Frost Giants, and passing the rec on to a friend with a young son who has a new interest in reading. Thanks!

Hey, just two for me this week, Oblomov and To the Lighthouse. Chasing Goldman Sachs was already on my wishlist. Have a great week.

Nice list this week, Stasia, if short only by your standards. Two hits for me: Oblomov and Odd and the Frost Giants, since I already have To the Lighthouse on/in the teetering TBR.

Nice list, Stasia. I'm writing down a few titles.

Hello Stasia - nice to be reminded of Oblomov which I read approx 15 years ago - it was very funny indeed, glad you liked it too.

I've never yet read any Gaiman, and mean to rectify that soon, depending on what I come across second-hand or in the library. I'll keep an eye out for Odd and the Frost Giants. And I've been wondering about trying Chasing Goldman Sachs but hesitating as I'm not at all literate (or should that be numerate) in financial matters, but you give me hope that it's accessible to non-specialists.

Hi Stasia,

Glad you liked To the Lighthouse, it's a book club read for me later this year. I also rushed out and bought Matterhorn when it first came out but haven't gotten around to reading it because it's a bigger book than I thought. I hope to get to it this summer.

I'm going to wishlist Oblomov which I had never heard of and also hope to get to Chasing Goldman Sachs.

I'm SLOWLY making my way through Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy, Joseph Stiglitz's new book about the 2008 economic collapse. It's an ER book for me and not bad but I'm not sure I'd be perserving if I didn't commit to reviewing it. I'd like to understand more about the economy but I'm afraid I need to be entertained at the same time to willingly do it.

I've actually read several of these, Stasia, and had put Matterhorn on my PBS wishlist a week or so ago. I've read some Vietnam books, both fiction and non-; it's my generation, and I'm grateful beyond saying that the Coast Guard didn't send my husband there. Friends came back changed and never for the better as I think about them.

I have To the Lighthouse on the shelf somewhere (stocked up on Virginia Woolf on sale one day at half price books). Now just need to read. Happy Sunday :-)

Well....like many, I usually avoid gritty war-action books, but Matterhorn is getting rave reviews from all who have dared (and managed) to read it. I'm in the Vietnam reading challenge, and have been debating, but I'm glad you warned us about the length. I think since hubbie and I will both want to read this one, I'm going to have to break down and buy it. Times like this I wish I had an e-reader, then we could store this chunkster in small space, and read at leisure. Hmmmm....

Your economics reads are also interesting. I'm starting a new list "if you see them, grab them" or IYsTgt, and Chasing Goldman and Freefall: are both going on there.

I only allow myself to visit your Sunday thread once a month. My TBR and IYSTGT piles, can't handle any more than that (nor can my ego-LOL). Thanks as always for the great leads.

Found the new thread. Was wondering why the old thread only had 3 new posts on a Sunday!
Nothing really for me this week as I already added The Westing Game to the wishlist earlier in the week. I would like to say that I love Woolf. To The Lighthouse is fantastic, and Mrs. Dalloway is one of my all time favourites. I'm glad others have been encouraged to pick it up.

I liked Gaiman's Odd and the Frost Giants too... Re the name (for those curious), Gaiman explains that it is a lucky name for the tip of the blade. I suspected the meaning of that name was something like that, but Gaiman's is the first book that ever validated it for me.

Wow, Stasia's slow reading week is within reach of my reading in a high-volume week... :-D

If it reassures any of you re the economics content of the book, I failed high school math AND first year economics at college. Go figure... I discovered I just had to deploy a certain amount of common sense and dispense with phobia about jargon to understand what is going on. It's like auto mechanics, or computer programming -- it comes complete with its own code to make insiders feel special. In computer-land, RAM means memory; on Wall Street, liquidity just means active trading and wide ownership. I think I'll push for the glossary to go into a paperback edition, nonetheless.

#34 Suzanne, I'm definitely planning on reading Chasing Goldman Sachs because the topic fascinates me and I do want to understand what happened better. I used to work for a bank in NYC on securities offerings so am somewhat familiar with the various underwriting firms (although it's been awhile since I've done that). It's kind of ironic that that is what I ended up doing because I am not a numbers person and I remember feeling out of my element as the securities got increasing complicated.

Anyway, as someone who is somewhat phobic about economics, I would definitely like to see a glossary in the book.

Nothing for me this week as To the Lighthouse is already on my shelves. Have a great week!

I'd already planned for reading Matterhorn and Chasing Goldman Sachs so no add-ons for me this week.

Hey Stasia! Finally caught up on all your friends. New York Burning is def going onto the neverending wishlist.

#18: Darryl, I would take Border's coupons if I owned all the books I read and could sell them :) I am glad you found so much to loke this week.

#19: I typically read nonfiction war books too, Sherlyn, but the reviews on Matterhorn were so good I could not pass it by. Definitely a good decision on my part. I do hope you will give it a shot at some time.

#20: You certainly have an interesting champions breakfast I must say, Caro! I hope you enjoy Oblomov and Matterhorn whenever you get a chance to pull them from your obese (and surely toppling) wishlist.

#21: Nudge Oblomov up some more, Rebecca. I do not think you will be sorry.

#22: I hope you enjoy Oblomov, Bonnie. It is a good one! Give Suzanne's book a shot, too. If I can understand it, anyone can.

#23: Luxx, I think you will really like Odd and the Frost Giants. I hope your friend's son does as well.

#24: I am glad you found something to like on this week's list, Lynda!

Ohhh! Matterhorn sounds like something I would like and my library has a copy. On the wishlist it goes! :)

#25: Evidently, the O's have it this week for you, Gail! I hope you enjoy both Oblomov and Odd and the Frost Giants.

#26: Thanks for stopping by, Anne! I hope you enjoy your selections.

#27: Genny, Oblomov is one of the books I have multiple sticky notes hanging out of there were so many things in it I wanted to remember. I will definitely be re-reading that one at some point. I hope you give Chasing Goldman Sachs a try. It would be interesting to see what another non-expert thinks of it.

#28: Pat, although Matterhorn is large, I found that it read very quickly, so bump it up the stack! I hope you enjoy To the Lighthouse when you get to it later in the year.

#29: Peggy, after reading Matterhorn, I can see why men came home changed. I hope you get a chance to read it.

#30: Happy Sunday to you too, Doc!

#31: Tina , only visiting me once a month?! Ackkkkkkk!!

#32: I have read Mrs. Dalloway as well and enjoyed it. My favorite Woolf remains A Room of One's Own, but I definitely need to read more of her stuff.

Alcottacre, I'm amazed at the number of books you have read. How do you find time to read them all?

#33: I could not remember what Odd meant! Thank you for the reminder.

#34: Hey, Suz! I read your book - finally :) Please tell your publisher's that Stasia says the paperback version needs a glossary, lol.

#36: Rats! Missed you this week. Maybe next week?

#37: Nothing for you either, Linda? I am slipping!

#38: I hope you enjoy New York Burning, Marcia. Glad to see you here. It has been a while.

#41: Stephen, I hope you can get Matterhorn soon. Thanks for coming by.

#44: I read a lot in the middle of the night when 'normal' people are asleep :)

I'm adding Oblomov to my wishlist as I had not heard of it before. Chasing Goldman Sachs is already on the radar. I read The Westing Game a couple of years ago and liked it, didn't love it.
I'll also add my recommendation for Odd and the Frost Giants, I read this earlier this year and thought it an excellent children's book.

Ice Station was my first Matthew Reilly and I loved it for all the same non-stop action reasons that you did. I went on and read Temple which was a similar ride. My son was a fan of his books and got me to read Seven Deadly Wonders as well but I couldn't possibly read another.

Hmm... Oblomov sounds very interesting, but you say it's satire? Maybe I should read a few more Russian classics before delving into that one... would I get more out of it with a bit more Tolstoy et al. under my belt?

Adding Odd and the Frost Giants as well... and if I stumble across a copy of Suzanne's book, I'll give it a shot! I'm economics-challenged, so if you say it's good reading for the non-expert, it sounds worthwhile.

I temporarily retire from LT to attend to my non-internet life and can barely keep up when I return. What I have learnt is that you have a dream job for book lovers and that has answered the burning question of how do you read so much. Also, you are planning to read Paddy Clarke soon which I know I own .. somewhere..

too many books..

I had bought Matterhorn for my Kindle a month or so ago. Now I'll just have to move it to the top of the pile. Also adding Oblomov--I was already planning to read Chasing Goldman Sachs.

Three for me this week: Oblomov, Odd and the Frost Giants and Matterhorn. I already have Chasing Goldman Sachs "in transit" from my library. Glad to hear it's decipherable for those without a degree in economics (:. Good reading week!

#47: I hope you enjoy Oblomov, Kerry. As far as Matt Reilly goes, I picked up Area 7 to read, but it is going to be at least 6 weeks before I get to it, so time will elapse between the two BC books.

#48: Faith, I think Oblomov stands well enough on its own that you do not need to read through all of Tolstoy and/or Dostoevsky to enjoy it. I think you will really like Odd and the Frost Giants - and pick up Suzanne's book too.

#49: I understand the 'too many books' comment completely!

#50: Deborah, I will be interested in seeing what you think of both Matterhorn and Oblomov.

#51: Hey, Jenn! Only 3 this week, huh? lol

Just catching up - actually have only half caught up and haven't read any of your comments on books other than Chasing Goldman Sachs yet. I just wanted to second what Stasia says - it is very very readable and don't be put off by thinking it'll be boring or hard. On the other hand, if you're someone who does know a bit about financial markets, it's not babyish either. The balance is really good.

Right, time to make a coffee and read the rest of your thread!

#53: Thanks for being my second, Cushla :)

Oblomov has gone on the wishlist but I don't expect I'll get to it any time soon: I already have a stack of unread 19thC Russian tomes in the TBR pile.

I have To the Lighthouse in the TBR, but I've been putting it off because I didn't get on that well with Mrs Dalloway. I might dig it out sometime soon and give Woolf another go.

#55: Woolf is not an author for everyone (what author is?), but I do hope you will give her another try before putting her aside completely, Caty.

What books are in your stack of 19th centuruy Russian tomes? I am curious.

War and Peace, which I was determined to do with the group read a while back and failed to get past the first few chapters (yet again). I don't dislike it, but I do find that if I set it aside I never pick it back up.

Some Dostoevsky: The Brothers Karamazov, The Double, The Gambler and The Idiot. I thought I had The House of the Dead, Eugene Onegin and Fathers and Sons too, but they're not in my library so I think they must have been library books that went back unread.

#57: War and Peace is very good, so I hope you get back to it eventually.

I am going to be reading The Brothers Karamazov in the near future - I just got my copy in Saturday. I have not heard of The Double or The Gambler by Dostoevsky, so I will have to look for those. I have also never heard of The House of the Dead. I have heard of both Eugene Onegin and Fathers and Sons although I have never read them. I will have to look for those too.

The Double and The Gambler don't really count as tomes - I have an edition with the two together which comes in at about 330 pages - so you could easily fit them in when you have a spare few minutes. ;)

#59: Uh huh. Everybody's opinion of my reading speed is gratifying, but decidedly misplaced.

Determinedly adding nothing.. just pippin in to say hello and
War and Peace was one of the most boring things I ever read in my life.
I felt guilty about not finishing it, as if I was letting myself or someone down. Plebeian me, I guess.

#61: As everyone's taste is not the same, I see no reason for you to feel guilty about not finishing it, Kath!

Thanks for popping in this morning!

Quote for the day from To Tell the Truth Freely by Mia Bay:

"Rust (College) also exposed Ida to another great love, books. She read all the fiction in the college library, shaping her ideals on 'the best of Dickens's stories, Louisa May Alcott's, Mrs. A.D.T. Whitney's, and Charlotte Bronte's books, and Oliver Optic's books for boys.' "

I want to read my way through all the fiction at the college library too! Wow, what an accomplishment!

(posted to the Kitchen too)

#55 My experience with Woolf wasn't so good either, for me, the culprit being Jacob's Room.

Greetings, Madame. How fare you?

Fine and dandy, Richard. How about yourself?

And why are we so formal this morning?

Fell asleep after a dip into historical fiction. Hangover, I guess.

#67: Is it good historical fiction? What is it?

Did you ignore all the blue words on my thread again this week? I mentioned Suz's book :)

Did you ignore all the blue words Of course I did...think I'm soft-noggined?!

Citizen Tom Paine, and I don't know yet...Howard Fast books aren't the grab-your-lapels-and-shout-in-your-face sorts, I frequently need to take several runs at 'em.

A gal can have hopes, can't I?

I will be interested in seeing what you think of Citizen Tom Paine (since I do read the blue words on your thread.)

well then..

I have To the Lighthouse at home. I'm thinking I need to get around to reading that sooner than later.

#72: I will watch for your review, David!

Well, Finally caught up. I really got behind here lately, things going on at home, Visitors from out of town, Drama with the soon to be Ex husband... Ugh. But anyway Stasia I found one off your list to sound very intriguing to me so it is on my Wish list now.. LOL
Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. Great job on your reading list I would be hard pressed to read as many as you do in one week.. So slow week for you, nah.. That week was awesome in my book.

#74: Hey, Monica! Thanks for catching up to me again. Thanks for the compliment.

Hi Stasia! I think I'll place Matterhorn on my Father's Day wishlist! I think it would be a perfect gift. Don't you agree?

#75 Your very welcome for the compliment it is well deserved one. I could never read that many in a week, unless I got rid of work, family, friends and never slept. I can't stay up that long after a 12 hour day at work LOL..

#76: It does, Mark! Great thought.

#77: 12 hour days at work sound like no fun at all, Monica. Is that normal for you? I sure hope not! My 10 hour shifts are bad enough.

#78 - Yes 12 hour days at work for me are normal. I work 7 days out of every 14 day pay period. I have a 3 day weekend every other weekend. However the days I work are very short and hard pressed for time at home with family, let alone time for reading. So that is reserved for work time (If we are not busy) or my days off. Always, during this time of year something comes up or vistors or bon fires in the yard, or picnics pop up or something. LOL.. So I try to keep up and get in my reading when I can. As a matter of fact I am at work right now :)

#79: I thought I had it bad working 10 hour shifts every Thursday-Sunday. I will keep my mouth shut now.

Well, probably not :)

I seem to have dodged the book bullets this week, but I really want to read Odd and the Frost Giants (which is at my local library - I just have to remember to pick it up next time I'm in town). Also need to check whether I've missed reading any of Matthew Reilly's books - good, escapist fun.

#81: Maybe I will get you next week, calm. As far as Odd goes, it is not a long one, so it will not take you long to read - if you ever remember to pick it up, that is!

I've got To the Lighthouse on my "must read" list this year, for the 1010 Challenge, but I've been putting it off as my experience with Woolf is that to do her writing justice, I need unbroken quiet time and the ability to read a few pages at a time rather slowly. A good book to read on a holiday weekend, perhaps. I love Woolf's essays and books like Three Guineas and A Room of One's Own but haven't read all the novels yet. Although I love The Waves, which is supposed to be one of her most challenging novels.

Just caught up on the last two Sundays and will be adding Cranford (+ North and South), Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (+ Everything is Illuminated) - have been wanting to read Jonathan Safran Foer for some years now, just haven't gotten around to it. Also added We Have Always Lived in the Castle (+ The Haunting of Hill House) and To the Lighthouse - have also been meaning to read Virginia Woolf without getting around to it. Now that they are on the TBR list, it might happen sooner rather than later.

Whew! Just dropping in to say I finally caught up! I was away last weekend for 3 days and it took me this long to read the 1 1/2 threads you've sprouted since then...
I dodged all book bullets except Oblomov, since your other 'drool-inducing' reads happened to be on my wishlist already. :D

#83: I will be interested in seeing what you think of To the Lighthouse when you get to it, Suz.

#84: Hey, Tanja! Long time no see here. Looks like you found a lot to like. Good for you!

#85: Angela, see you should not take weekends off :) I hope you enjoy Oblomov when you get to it.

My local book club is talking about To the Lighthouse for our September book. Good to see your positive comments about it.

I'm reading a book about the history of, and issues relating to, the First Amendment. In it, the author talks about how Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes was a "phenomenal reader" who regularly read a book a day.

If Holmes was a "phenomenal reader," Stasia, how would we describe you?

I'm sure that the huge majority of people--even LTers--would call someone who reads a book a day a "phenomenal reader." Stasia is in a class by herself!

Please announce when you're going to do the group-read of Paddy Clarke Ha-Ha-Ha! I love that book!

#88: I hope you and your book club enjoy it, Laura. It is definitely a book that I will be re-reading at some point in time.

#89: I am pretty sure that the books Holmes read are over my head. He is in a class by himself. My reading tastes are fairly pedestrian.

#90: Bonnie, because of the time constraints involved, we have pretty much decided against doing a group read of Paddy Clarke and Darryl, Luci and I are just going to read it on our own. I imagine we will be comparing notes somewhere along the line, though!

just passing thought and catching up.. off to look at Lighthouse

Hey, Kath! Thanks for passing through. I hope you enjoy Lighthouse.

Stasia

I would have added Lighthouse but it is already on the tbr pile.

Happy Day to you!

Awww... what a cute pic, Linda.

I am going to see if I can find New York Burning as I am definitely a history buff, and this sounds like just the kind of stuff I like. I also have a New York City category in the 101010 challenge.

#94: Thanks, Linda! Same to you. Love those owls!!

#96: I hope you get a chance to read it. Please let me know how you like it.

Caught up! Lighthouse is one of my favorite books--glad you liked it. There were a lot of good books on your list this week. I'm adding New York Burning to my tbr pile because it works with my Civil War era reads even though that incident happened much earlier.

I save all your lists so if I ever run out of things to read I will have a ready reference to find more. :-)

Now if I can just keep up until next Sunday! Unfortunately that's 5 days away--help!

#98: You save all my lists? My goodness woman, you are a glutton for punishment!

Saving all of stasia's lists??? I'd need an external hard drive for that task!

Hi Stasia, I took a pass on To the Lighthouse when I saw it on the library's sale shelf over the weekend. Perhaps I made a mistake...oh well. Now I know to look for it again.

#100: I would too, Tina!

#101: Joanne, I would go back and pick it up if I were you. After all, it is in a good cause and you get a good book out of the deal! :)

Speaking of lists, Stasia, now I'm curious. How DO you keep track of the Black Hole. I really don't want to keep adding them to my wishlist here on LT (it skews the collection somewhat) but I'm not sure the old Excel spreadsheet is the most labor-saving way to do it either. Tips?

#103: Tina, for years I used composition notebooks to track the BlackHole. Now, I use www.Goodreads.com - I can put books on separate 'shelves,' so I know which books are readily available and at which library I can obtain them, and books that I cannot get from local libraries go on a shelf titled 'not available yet.'

I started keeping track of the BlackHole there before collections were available here on LT and since there are over 7000 books already in it there, I refuse to transfer them all over here. I also have at least 2 composition notebooks worth of books that are still not listed on Goodreads yet. I just have not found the time to get them done.

I've seen Goodreads mentioned several times, but have not yet been there. Must see what they have to offer

goes off to click on "NEW TAB"

#105: The only thing I do there is store the BlackHole. I have not joined any of the groups (who has time with this one?) or anything else.

I forgot about Goodreads ..... oh dear .... I remember signing up about 2 years ago, maybe ... and what with keeping up here on LT, I completely forgot about this. I haven't updated anything there for over a year. I wonder if my account is still active! ;-) I now just use the LT wish list to store my obese wish list. I do wish there was a way to sync up some of these different 'book shelves' so that there's just one place you have to update.

#107: Caroline, it is just as easy for me to keep the BlackHole on Goodreads as it would be to keep it here on LT. I just keep the tabs for LT, GR, and the local libraries up all the time so that I can move easily between the websites.

well, what do you know .. my account at GR is still active .... and woefully anorexic. ;-)

Well - the GR is set up (PHEW - there's an afternoon gone)....imported records from LT (but scrubbed for the wishlist and TBRs before importing everything) I only want to use these shelves for the TBR mountain. so we'll see how it goes. I'm with Caroline, I don't want to be spending a boatload of time doing double entries, so I'm being a bit careful here.

Thanks for the input Stasia. I'll give you a progress (and thumbs up/down) EOY.

#109: Caroline, I sent you a Friends request on Goodreads.

#110: Tina, I would have sent you one, but I do not know your e-mail address. Sorry about that. I hope your experimentation on Goodreads works out for you!

I signed up for Goodreads years ago but never used it. Just checked and the account still works.

I'm over on GR as well, but almost never use it. It's much less avid readers than this is. Fewer book junkies. I don't like feeling like that much of an oddball... :-)

Just so everyone is aware, my daughter Beth is having oral surgery tomorrow morning. It is highly unlikely that I will be on during the day tomorrow. I will probably not be on again until late tomorrow night, so do not panic in the meantime :)

Good luck to Beth... I just had some stuff done yesterday, under laughing gas.

Meanwhile, no more book recommendations from Stasia -- gotta be good for my budget, at least!

Yeah, but you keep recommending them to me! Unfair, that is!!

>114 alcottacre: - Ouch! Best wishes to Beth and remember, lots of ice!

#117: Thanks, Joanne.

#114 Wish Beth a painless surgery and quick recovery.

Speedy recovery, Beth!

#114

Get well wishes to Beth :-)

Thanks everyone. I will pass your good wishes along to Beth.

I just got home from picking Beth up at the oral surgeon. She is very wobbly, but otherwise OK.

Now, I am going to get some sleep since I have been up for somewhere in the neighborhood of 27 hours.

Thanks for keeping us posted.

Happy rest to both of you.

I hope you and Beth are both getting some R&R!

Glad to hear Beth is ok; hope you both have a good rest.

Thanks! She is doing fine although her mouth is very sore.

Stas : i don't see any friend invite from you on GR. my name there is ....... guess ? cameling ... creative aren't i?

127: I hope she recovers speedily!

#128: Is your account under a different e-mail address than the one I have? I sent the invite the one I have. If that is not the problem, then I have no idea what is going on.

#129: Thanks, Stephen.

Hello, Stasia!

*waves, dashing through, trying to avoid books that are attempting to leap onto Ever-Expanding List; "Read me, read me!" they call.* ;)

Leaping books, huh? That explains how they get into my basket at the library!

Thanks for rushing through, Terri!

Well, I'm more or less on caught up on this thread (I skimmed some of it). I think I stopped in the middle of thread 5 a couple months ago when school got busy so that's where I'm headed to next. Gotta catch all the way up... :P

#133: You do know that it is not absolutely necessary to read every single one of my threads, don't you? I will never know :)

>134 alcottacre:: Yes, but I love reading your threads! They're so entertaining and the majority of my wishlist comes from them. Just imagine all the amazing books I would never know about if I decided to skip your threads!

Nope. They must be read. All of them ;-)

Agree with Rebecca, They must be read. All of them

I agree. They must be read. After all - everybody's here. Your threads are like the most popular house in the neighborhood - the one where everybody ends up.

Wow! You guys flatter me.

I appreciate all of you who do read my threads, I hope you know that!

*pants into view, waving desperately and gasping for water*

Will I EVER manage to keep up with your threads AND still manage to, y'know, read the odd book in between times...?? Must Do Better. Either that, or buy a golf cart so I don't have to keep bringing up the rear in this embarrassing fashion. Anyone want a lift?

#135 I totally agree:)

#139 Do you have a free seat?

Ellie: Tee hee, you know, each of Stasia's threads should count on our own threads. Like so:

Book 41: The Stand by Stephen King
Book 42: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Book 43: Stasia's 36th thread
Book 44: The Fellowship of the Ring...

#141: LOL, Stephen!

>141 Ape:: Yes! Guess I know what my books 28 - 38 will be :P

*Running after the golf cart trying to jump on board while plotting in Stasia's threads on the book list*

checking in.......*waves*

I always walked when I was playing golf, so I guess I'm still plodding along behind here too. Hi, Stasia and Stasia Followers! I'm glad that Beth's surgery went well and that I haven't really missed anything since To the Lighthouse which I also need to reread.

Well, I'm very far behind this week, but I've at least skimmed these 146 messages!

Book bullets were fortunately dodged. Stasia, your bad week would be my good month!

I'm curious about why you decided to separate out your library books. Did you already explain somewhere else?

I don't use GoodReads much, but I sent friend invitations to a few of you with recognizable names. I think my GR name is just Zoe.

I'm glad Beth is okay.

And I'm sure there were other things I was planning to say, but now I've forgotten.

Wow! I was behind. Now I'm all caught up. Hello, Stsaia.

*waving at everyone*

It turns out that Beth was allergic to the antibiotic the oral surgeon prescribed, so we have had to change that, but otherwise she is doing fine. Her mouth is sore, of course, but not horrendously so.

Zoe, I accepted your GR invite. Congratulations on dodging the latest batch of book bullets.

Hello, Ren.

Oops Zoe, I forgot to answer your question about the library books. I am keeping them separate here on LT so that I have an account which is strictly the books I own as opposed to everything I read.

Glad Beth is back home and doing ok. Do they know yet whether the surgery was successful?

#151: No, they don't, Heather. She has another visit scheduled for Thursday so they can see how the grafts are doing. I am hoping that they take so we do not have to go through this again.

152: Aw, I hope the news is good! :(

#152 Pleased to hear Beth is doing okay. Hoping and praying that the procedure will turn out to have succeeded.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for Beth!

I just realized (thanks, Darryl!) that GR by default reveals our email addresses to our friends. Maybe not at issue for most people--I was using a fake address anyway, since I don't trust GR--but I thinks it's worth being aware at least.

passing through, catching up... fleeing back to my disorganized chore filled day.

Good wishes for Beth!

Hi Stasia, Finally caught up and I even saw something I read before you did, Remarkable Creatures. And I agree with Ape in msg 141.

Hope Beth is recovering quickly!

*waving* looking forward to read your Sunday list! Tam ti tam, off to bed in a minute.

Congratulations on the Hot Review to Stasia who doesn't write reviews.

I have a Hot Review? Wow.

I though everybody counted Stasia's threads as books read--they are as interesting as some of the books I've tried this year. :-)

I'm so far behind--I hope by now Beth is doing really well!

I stopped by here first tonight--so I'm off to check out that "hot review." Congratulations!

Thanks, Carolyn!

I am a little late in posting since I was over at the jail getting someone out. My apologies.

I would like to thank everyone for your good wishes about Beth. She is doing well following her surgery (with the slight problem of the medication allergy) and I am hoping for a good report on Thursday when we have her follow up visit.

OK, back to books. This week's reads:

297. The Zimmerman Telegram by Barbara Tuchman - nonfiction; this is not the best of Tuchman's books, but not too bad, although it could definitely have benefitted with a 'characters' list - there are so many people involved, I kept losing track of who was what; Tuchman tells the true story of the plot during WWI by Germany to have Mexico declare war on the US in order to keep the States out of the war; guardedly recommended (more for history/WWI buffs than anyone else)

298. Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart - another Stewart book that I had not previously read and I had fun with it, especially in trying to figure out who were the bad guys and who were the good guys; I thought the romance in this one was a bit of a stretch though; recommended for Stewart fans

299. Iqbal by Francesco D'Adamo - young adult; notoriousspinks recommended this one to me and it is excellent; based on the real life experiences of a Pakistani youth (Iqbal Masih) sold into child labor to weave carpets, the book does not shy away from its portrayal of how difficult the life is for those children; highly recommended and on my memorable reads list for the year

Continuing:

300. No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre - I do not normally read plays, I much prefer to see them acted, but Darryl mentioned this one on his thread, so I gave it a try and really enjoyed it; 3 unlikeable characters are ushered into a room where they slowly begin to realize they are trapped with each other for all eternity because this is their Hell ('Hell is other people') - although personally, I think when Garcin at the beginning of the play finds out there are no books, I would have known where I was!; recommended

301. Provenance by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo - nonfiction; this is a terrific story of art fraud and detection that was recommended by Suzanne (Chatterbox) and thoroughly enjoyed by me; I found it very interesting that not only were the thieves faking the paintings, one of them was actually faking the provenance information as well; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

302. Life Work by Donald Hall - nonfiction; recommended to me by Becky (labwriter), this is the kind of book I especially enjoy: just a nice quiet meditation, this one on work and what it means to the author as well as his family - he takes you back through his family history; I especially like the part when he talks about revising one particular poem for the 500th or so time in his effort to get it right; the first part of the book was better IMHO than the second part, but the whole book is definitely worth the read; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list for the year

303. The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey - young adult; formulaic adventure of a kid who saves the world from the bad guys and although Alfred did grow on me in the end, I really cannot recommend this one - it might work better for the intended age group, but I do not really think so; not recommended

304. Moby Dick by Herman Melville - this is one of those classics that I had somehow never gotten around to reading until the group read this year; overall, I enjoyed this story of Ahab's obsession (there really is no other word for it) with the white whale except that, while I enjoy a few digressions, Melville really went overboard with them - he could have used a judicious editor; recommended Mine

Continuing:

305. The Tale of Terror by Edith Birkhead - nonfiction; this is the author's attempt to study the history of the Gothic romance, all the way from Walpole's The Castle of Otranto up until this book was published in 1921; although a little long in places, I think the author did a good job; guardedly recommended

306. Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer - if this book had not been for my TIOLI challenge for the month, I would probably have abandoned it; I think the book was just too over-the-top for me and while the second half was funnier for me than the first, I cannot get over sheer unbelievability of it (and the body count!) and the descent into caricature; not recommended

307. When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head - another TIOLI challenge book and needless to say, much better than the one previous; I enjoyed this telling of the immigrant experience through the eyes of Makhaya; I did a proper review here: recommended Mine

308. & 309. Crispin: The Cross of Lead and Crispin: At the Edge of the World by Avi - juvenile; both these books (there is a 3rd coming out this month) are set in Middle Ages England, featuring a young boy trying to make his way on his own after the death of his mother; although written well, I did not fall in love with these books and am not at all sure why the first one was a Newbery winner; guardedly recommended

The End

I agree with your comments about Crispin: The Cross of Lead although I know others here at LT have thought highly of it.

#166: Good morning, Laura. I guess you and I can be in the minority together on this one.

Some nice nonfiction on your list. I have a few Barbara Tuchman books on my tbr pile but have not read much nonfiction this year and can't see that changing in the near future.
I'll look out for Iqbal.

I would suggest starting out with another of Tuchman's books unless you are especially interested in WWI, Kerry.

I hope you enjoy Iqbal if and when you get a chance to read it.

I haven't read Moby Dick either... ...I'm going to have to try it, errr, eventually... You know how it is. :)

Yes, I know exactly how it is, Stephen!

I have to confess that, despite about three tries, including bringing it on a trip without any other books, I have never been able to read Moby Dick. Now that you recommend it, perhaps I should give it another try: after all, that worked for me with The Magic Mountain and Proust.

Sorry to hear that The Zimmerman Telegram isn't up to Tuchman's usual level; I had been looking forward to reading it after you mentioned it earlier in the week.

#172: Rebecca, you should at least try the Tuchman book. You might like it better than I did.

Speaking of Proust, I went ahead and ordered Swann's Way from PBS. We shall see how I do with it.

Only one book for me this week: When Rain Clouds Gather, as I haven't read anything by Bessie Head (nice review!). I'm glad that you enjoyed No Exit. I was expecting to see a review of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha; have you started it yet? I'll finish it later this morning.

I have Swann's Way sitting here waiting. Soon, I hope..
nice list, and glad to hear Beth is doing well.

#174: Yes, I have started Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, but I have a few other library books I have to finish before that one. I will be finishing it this week though.

I hope you like When Rain Clouds Gather. Thanks for the compliment on the review. Needless to say, I will be looking for more of Head's books.

#175: Thanks, Kath!

Congratulations on finishing Moby Dick!

The only other one on your list I have read is No Exit. I read it in college French class, in French. Our French wasn't really good enough for it yet, and while the teacher clearly loved it, we all struggled, because it's hard enough in English. We decided our own personal hell was to be stuck reading this in French forever! I did read it in English eventually, and found out it was really pretty good, but it was too late, like with kids who hate Shakespeare because they had rubbish English teachers in high school. I never read anything else by Sartre.

#178: Thanks, Janet.

I have never read anything else by Sartre either - and I do not even have the excuse of being forcefed in French :)

Hope you enjoy Swann's Way Stasia it is quite an experience !

#180: I am not sure I am ready for the experience of Swann's Way or not, Bryan, but I am going to give it a shot!

Thanks for stopping by!

Added Provenance this week, and will take your recommendation of Moby Dick into consideration though I'll second Stephen's "eventually."

I read the Crispin books long enough ago that my memory of it is hazy, but I do remember it took a loooong to get going, and seemed to be one of those books that kids only picked up when the assignment to "read a Newbery Award winner" came up.

#182: I hope you like Provenance, Mary!

Thumbs up from me on your great hot review of When Rain Clouds Gather. I'm adding this one to the tbr list as well as Provenance. I obtained a copy of Iqbal from the library earlier this week.

Happy Sunday

#184: Thanks for the thumb, Linda. Happy Sunday to you too!

I'm sorry you didn't like Agnes and the Hitman: I really enjoyed that one, but I agree it's very over-the-top.

The Mary Stewart is already on the wishlist and Moby Dick is in the TBR pile, so that limits the damage, but not by much.

I've added The Zimmerman Telegram, The Tale of Terror, Provenance, Iqbal, When Rain Clouds Gather and No Exit to the wishlist. I swore after reading Camus for French Lit when I was 17 that I was never touching Satre, but I think I'm persuaded to try.

I did think The Tale of Terror might take some tracking down, but the university library has a copy so it will be very easy. (I must get on with the large stack of Gothic tales in the TBR too. Before or after the Birkhead book, I wonder?)

This discussion reminds me that I've had Swann's Way in the TBR at least long enough to read all seven volumes of ISOLT through at least three times. Must actually read it some time soon.

I think "Help!" is the word that comes to mind right now...

#186: I think "Help!" is the word that comes to mind right now...

You nailed it!

The Tale of Terror added several new titles to the BlackHole, so just be forewarned, Caty.

Morning Stasia- I came away from your reading list unscathed, which is very unusual. I read Moby Dick close to 20 years ago but I do not remember it being a difficult book. I thought it was amazing! Have a great Sunday!

Oh, good. Just what I need. More recommendations.

How many did you add? Which ones? Maybe I already have them... (*hopes, in a spirit of optimism...*)

I've added Iqbal to the TBR list, but fortunately I have Provenance on there already, *mua-haha*.

I'm not sure if Life Work is something I'd enjoy... maybe I'll flip through it at the library if I see it there.

I haven't read the Crispin books, but Avi has won an awful lot of medals/honors for his books... maybe someone on the Newbery committee gave it to him that year for the sake of it being him, not necessarily for the book itself...? Or maybe there was just a really poor crop of books that year. Haha.

Iqbal sounds difficult but worthwhile. I will look for that one. I loved your comments on No Exit. I also prefer to see plays live, but I currently live in an area where opportunities are limited. One of my goals was to read more plays this year, but that hasn't happened yet. Great list, Stasia and congrats on the hot review! I hope Beth continues to improve. Even when they grow up, they're still our babies!!

A wide variety of reads this week! I actually read Iqbal earlier this year and didn't like it. I agree that it portrays the hardships well, but I wished it had focussed on his time as an advocate for children more. I'm not sure having another narrator worked for me, and she was far away from his deeds as an activist, so the ending fell flat for me. That being said, my students (grade 7s) really liked it and I think it was a good choice for them.
I'm interested in Tale of Terror, though I may have already read it! I did a major research paper on Angela Carter and her gothic short stories during my masters, and so this sounds familiar. I read so many of those books that I can't remember which ones they were. Out of curiosity...what were some of the books she discussed that got added to your TBR pile?

Provenance sounds interesting Stasia so I'm adding it and When Rain Clouds Gather. Great review, btw.

I've wanted to take on Proust for awhile but I don't think it will happen this summer. My eyes glaze over wondering which translation to get.

1st, Happy Sunday - Hope all is coming along nicely with Beth and
2nd, I've added No Exit and Provenance to my wishlist.
I'm not crazy about reading plays either but I do like how thought provoking they can be. No Exit sounds like it fits the bill. Have a great week.

Hi Stasia, I'm also adding No Exit and Provenance to my wishlist.

I actually just started Life Work, which was a library book, and liked it so much I ordered a copy because there were so many things I wanted to underline.

Hope you and Beth are doing well.

I, too, am adding Provenance to the wishlist (ever-growing).

I can't believe I'm escaping from your Sunday list with only 1 book added to my obese wish list. Provenance definitely made the list. Some of the others in your list, I've already read.

I thought Agnes and the Hitman was so blatantly OTT to be funny more than anything. I wasn't expecting that, to be honest, and I read it as part of a challenge, but in the end, I enjoyed it for the sheer lunacy of the story.

Iqbal and When Rain Clouds Gather are added to the TBR list. Thought about adding No Exit too, but I'm not exactly fond of reading plays and I would rather read some of Sartre's novels first, but maybe someday.

tiptoes through wiping brow--another IED avoided; I either have no interest, or they're already on the pile.

Have a good week Stasia- and thanks for the GR lead--although I'm thinking I'm just going to stay with LT's wishlist.

I remember reading No Exit in high school French class, and absolutely relishing it. An amazing riff on the ways in which we create our own hells. I agree with you, though, on reading plays. For instance, there's little I enjoy more than seeing Tom Stoppard's plays on stage, and yet I've been trying to read the three plays that make up The Coast of Utopia and haven't gotten very far with them. Maybe I should try again... Re other Sartre plays, after Huis Clos, I cautiously ventured out to see Kean by Sartre at the Old Vic many years ago, principally because the wondrous Derek Jacobi was playing the title role. I completely fell in love with the play. If you ever get a chance, go see it. It's great comedy and drama, and you don't have to be familiar with Sartre's world view to have a great time with it. Not sure about reading it, however; maybe I should try that sometime.

Some plays I buy to read simply because the ideas in them are so complex -- eg Michael Frayn's Copenhagen and Stoppard's Arcadia.

Iqbal and When Rain Clouds Gather are it for me this week.

I have read the first Crispin - it was OK. I think for the age group it is written for it is a decent introduction to life in the middle ages. Oddly, I was most interested in the book in the last chapter, so I will probably read the second one.

Ooh, onto the wishlist goes When Rain Clouds Gather!

Great list, Stasia! I am also hoping to start Swann's Way this month. In Search of Lost Time has been on my tbr for 2 years now. I have got to at least start it. :) Are you going to use any guides?
--BJ

Stasia

I finished Iqbal a few hours ago. WOW! What a powerful book. Many thanks for this recommendation.

Another good week's reading! I've been intrigued by the title of Madam, will you talk? for years so should probably read it one of these days. The Tale of Terror sounds interesting too, but the only one I'm definitely adding to my immediate wishlist is Iqbal, which I read about first on Linda's thread since I got to that before yours!

I am a Mary Stewart fan from way back, and I have read Madam, Will You Talk?. While not one of my favorite Stewarts, I agree that it is a fun read. I think my favorite Stewart book is Nine Coaches Waiting.

I've read that one! I think Nine Coaches Waiting is the only Mary Stewart I've read...

I remember reading my way through my mother's Mary Stewart collection when I was a teenager, starting with Airs Above the Ground and Madam, Will You Talk?. the latter became a fave, as did the one set on Corfu, the title of which escapes me now. (There are a lot of references to The Tempest in it, and the plot revolves around smuggling between Corfu and Albania, when the latter was a Communist dictatorship.)

The Corfu one is This Rough Magic. That is a great one also.

#188: Completely unscathed, Mark? I will have to do better next week.

#189: Caty, I do not have the list in front of me at the moment (I am at work), but I know that there were at least 5 new titles not previously in the BlackHole that I added. Five is not too bad, right?

#190: I hope you enjoy both Iqbal and Provenance when you get to them, Faith. Please do give Life Work a try. You might surprise yourself by liking it.

#191: Thanks, Sherlyn!

#192: The only book that I remember right off the top of my head is Melmoth the Wanderer. I do not have the list here with me of the titles that I pulled from The Tale of Terror.

#193: I hope you enjoy both of the titles you chose from this week's list, Bonnie. As far as the Proust goes, I gave no thought at all to the translator, having no idea who is the best. I just took the first available book from PBS, lol.

#194: Thanks, Lynda. I hope you enjoy both the book and the play you chose from the list!

#195: I am glad you found something to like on this week's list, Pat. I think purchasing Life Work is a good move. I need to get my own personal copy as well.

#196: The wishlist will not stop growing in this group, Heidi! I hope you enjoy Provenance when you get to it.

#197: Provenance seems to be the winner this week, Caroline! I hope you enjoy it.

Stas : you're a good barometer of what I will or will not like since I've not yet not liked anything you've recommended. Instead of reading the NYTimes Book Review each Sunday, I just wait to read the Stasia Weekly Book Review.

#198: Hey, Tanja! Glad to see you here. I hope you enjoy both Iqbal and When Rain Clouds Gather.

#199: Tina, what is an IED? Have a great week yourself!

#200: I will have to keep Kean in mind. Thanks for the recommendation, Suzanne!

#201: Glad you found something to like this week, Jenn!

#202: I hope you enjoy it, Marcia.

#203: I need a guide?! I was just going to pick up the book and start reading it!

#204: I am glad you liked it, Linda!

#205: You got to Linda's thread before mine, Genny? I am hurt, crushed, and in despair :)

#206: My favorite Stewart book has always been Touch Not the Cat, probably more for sentimental reasons than anything else: it was the first of hers I ever remember reading.

#213: That is so sweet, Caroline! Thank you for the compliment. I hold your opinion in high regard.

That is what I want to do -- just pick it up and read it, but I know a lot of people use additional materials for it. One is a book of all of the paintings featured, which might be nice.

I am currently reading a book of essays on Ulysses. I waited until after reading the book to start the essays, and I am kind of glad that I did. It is interesting, but not as much fun as Sabriel.
--BJ

#217: Whew! I am glad to know I do not have to have a guide to read the book. If I run into trouble and do not understand something, I will use something like Sparks Notes.

#215 I guess I could say I was saving the best till last, but that would be unfair on everyone else's threads. Actually I was saving the one with the most unread posts till last!

#219: LOL!

Nothing for me this week! Have a great one!

#221: Sorry I missed you! Maybe next week.

I have a Moby Dick lying in one of my bags for ages now and I have to read it by end of 2011, lest the world collapse in 2012! Given my reluctance to read non-fiction, I managed to glide through your this weeks's thread unscathed!

I've been meaning to read Swann's Way for quite some time now too...I might have a copy around here somewhere.
Do you think we have enough interest for a group read?? I must admit I'm kind of intimidated to try it on my own.

Stasia and Billiejean--the book Paintings in Proust is an excellent companion while reading Proust. It's not really a guide, but it is enriching. It collects every painting (and there are a lot) referred to in In Search of Lost Time. I have enjoyed being able to see what Proust had in mind, for example, when he describes a character as looking like the subject of a particular painting. Note this is not a high quality art reproduction book, but it certainly serves its purposes. However, you might want to get it out of the library, rather than buy it, unless you feel really sure you're going for the whole thing.

Hi Stasia, What an interesting collection of books this week! But alas, nothing for me. I do have Moby Dick on my long list but I'm not sure when, if ever, I'll get to it.

#224 I am always excited about a group read!

#225 I might check it out if they have it to see if I like it.

Stasia, I see that you have finished Moby Dick already. I am hoping to finish tomorrow, but I still have about 25 chapters to go. I am dying to read the spoiler thread but want to wait until I finish.
--BJ

#224: Right now, I do not think I can take on another group read. Maybe you and BJ could read it together?

#225: Thanks for the suggestion, Deborah!

#226: Sorry to hear that, Joanne. Maybe next week!

#227: Not a whole lot posted on the spoiler thread, BJ. Good luck with finishing the book!

For the third time in the past 2 weeks, I am abandoning a book. I have just decided Roddy Doyle is not an author for me. I gave up on his A Star Called Henry and am now passing on Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, which I am not finding funny. *sigh* I know a lot of people really like it, but I cannot make myself seem to do so. Sorry.

Stasia, an IED is an improvised explosive device. Military-speak for roadside bombs disguised as innocuous objects that go off and wreak havoc.

Re Mary Stewart, I tend to think of her three later books, Touch Not the Cat, Stormy Petrel and Rose Cottage as slightly different animals -- they are slighter, with a different theme/approach. Of them, I definitely prefer Touch Not the Cat. Still, all three fall into the 'comfort read' category.

Don't worry about abandoning a book/author, Stasia! A book for every reader, but not every book for every reader... And everyone's sense of humor varies, as well.

#230: It is like the Terry Pratchett thing all over again, Suz. Maybe I have lost my funny bone in my old age.

#231: To put it succinctly: piffle. It's more likely that your tastes have changed! I was walking through the Lower East Side of Manhattan yesterday evening and pondering that it's a neighborhood that actively makes me feel elderly -- everything there is geared to the 20- and 30-something crowd, however lively the scene. And I have no interest in changing my tastes/interests to fit in. I guess that means I am now "grown up"...?

I do not want to 'grow up!' I am dead set against it. lol

Oh well, I guess I will continue to like what I like, not like what I do not like, and go against the flow. But it irritates me no end when people whose opinions I respect really like an author or book and I am left wondering 'Why?'

Only one hit for me this week - When Rain Clouds Gather. Sorry the Paddy Clarke book didn't work out for you.

#234: I hope you like When Rain Clouds Gather, Heather! Thanks for stopping by.

OK, I give up, there is absolutely no way that I'm going to catch up on the 704 posts since I last checked in, so I shall just stop by before you start your next thread to say Hallo!

Sorry you didn't get on with Paddy Clarke, Ha Ha Ha - I did enjoy it myself, but I can see why it wouldn't appeal - it took quite a bit of getting in to the train-of-thought-all-over-the-place style for me when I read it.

"But it irritates me no end when people whose opinions I respect really like an author or book and I am left wondering 'Why?'" - I know what you mean, but I suppose there will also be many books where you do see eye-to-eye with those people and, as I'm sure I've said before, it would be a very boring world if everyone agreed with each other the whole time!

Oooh and yes, Mary Stewart's Touch Not the Cat is a great comfort read for me too although The Crystal Cave will forever remain my favourite...

#232, I know what you mean about the Lower East Side! We were there recently for the graduation party of two young cousins of mine, and I was showing my sweetie where I used to live in the 70s and early 80s and could only find a few stores that had been there "back in the old days." Admittedly, I was a 20- and 30-something then myself, but it was a very mixed neighborhood at the time and was in no way focused on my age group.

#236: Only 704 huh, Fliss? Enough for at least one novel, lol.

I think part of my problem with the Doyle books is just what you mention: the train-of-thought-all-over-the-place style. Having tried 2 of Doyle's books now, I am not eager to try any more. Maybe several years down the line I will give them another go.

Thanks for stopping by on your way through the threads. I know you have a ton to catch up on!

Stasia - I tried a Doyle book once myself and, like you, just did not like it at all. I did finish it hoping that I would eventually get to what all of the fuss was about, but it just never happened. I have no desire to give it another go since there are so many other books to read.

#238 good to be back Stasia ;o) ...I'm working my way through slowly - probably to the detriment of my work to be honest (really must tune out of LT now!)

#239: It is good to know that there is someone else who does not get him either!

#240: 'Work?' That is just a 4-letter word to me! Glad to see you back :)

Sorry to hear that you didn't like Paddy Clarke, but I agree with everyone else. It would be boring if we all liked the same books!

>225 arubabookwoman:. Thanks for the mention of Paintings in Proust. I've had Swann's Way in the queue for a couple of years. I was thinking of making In Search of Lost Time my summer's classic lit reading, but if I do I need to get on it, obviously. If anyone else decides to read it soon, will you let me know. I'm not really up for an "official" group read right now, but if others are reading it at the same time, it might be fun to swap impressions. OMG, if I don't get to work, I'm gonna be fired! Bye, LT.

Wow, I was just over at amazon (OK, so I'm not back to work yet--yikes) looking at a reader review of Paintings. It sounds like an amazing companion to the Proust books. It's expensive, but if I got it from the library, then they would want it back, right?--heh. When I start reading the Proust, I'm gonna buy the Paintings. I'll save the $$ out of the egg money.

Paintings in Proust looks good.

(#244 Libraries are unreasonable like that, aren't they? ;) )

Okay. Decision. Swann's Way is going to the top of the 'serious reading for after the end of term' section of the TBR. If/when I make it to the end, I shall buy the Paintings book ready for the remaining volumes.

Hmm, I was about to give Touch Not the Cat away unread. It used to belong to my mom, until I 'stole' it, but I never got around to reading it. Maybe I should give it a go before I decide if I really should give it away.

#246 I remember liking Touch Not the Cat very much when I read it - but it was years ago. I hope you decide to give it a try.

I so wish I had my copy of Paddy Clarke Ha! Ha! Ha! so that I could read a few pages to "see what you mean" 'cas I'm one of the ones who loved the book--it's in my "Top 100," Your (oops! Fliss's) description of "the train-of-thought-all-over-the-place style" is how my brain works, so maybe that's why I liked it so much, but it's more likely because I'm a sucker for heart-rending, darkly funny coming-of-age stories.

I already have Provenance on my wishlist, but your review makes me want to acquire it even more than I already do! I own Nine Coaches Waiting, with all these recommendations for Mary Stewart, I really should read it soon.

#246: Tanja, at least give it a try before you pass it along to someone else.

#248: I like 'stream-of-consciousness' books as a rule (I read two very recently that I loved!), but for some reason, Roddy Doyle just does not do it for me.

#249: I hope you get a chance to read Provenance, Abigail. As for Mary Stewart, I have really enjoyed her books for years. She knows how to tell good stories, and for the most part, tell them well, IMHO.

Psst. Make a new thread, before you know who notices.

#251: He will not notice. He never comes here. lol

#252: Now you know he's probably typing a clever reply as we speak!

#253: I know - and cannot wait to see what it is, lol.

Besides this thread has only lasted me 9 days. Surely it can hold out for a few more!

Hi! I'm popping in, skimming through 103 posts, shielding my eyes from the blue print and avoiding putting anything on my list . . .

*scampers away before a book jumps on the wishlist*

#255: Chicken!! Why come by if you are avoiding the blue print? lol

Simply enjoying the conversation and your friendly company . . .

Enjoying the conversation about A book for every reader, but not every book for every reader.
My inexplicable one is Annie Proulx. So many people I like and respect just love her. I do not. For no particular reason.

I love Touch Not the Cat. It's one of the books I re-read every so often just because. Definitely a comfort read.

Speaking of chickens... Mine are so cute!

Hi, Stasia. :)

#258: Mary Stewart is definitely a comfort read for me as well, Jenn.

#259: Glad to know the chickens are doing well, Ren! My sister's pullets were attacked by a dog a few weeks back, killing all but one :(

That is so sad about your sister's pullets. My neighbor's hen was taken by a fox last week. I've checked and double checked all my predator proofing because of it.

#261: I hope your birds continue to be safe! How is Little Red these days?

She is awesome. She had seemed so close to death, to me. Truly, I had given up. But, now, she zips around, looking beautiful, laying well, and very happy with the new roosters that are courting her.

#263: I am glad she has so fully recuperated! You need to post more pictures of your hens on your thread.

Thread, new? Where? When?

I have not posted a new thread yet, Richard, in the hope that this one would last for more than 10 days.

*snort* That's a fantasy, Stasia dearest. Face up to reality: You're the Hostess with the Mostest and people want to hang here. Make it comfy for even the least and the last among them, the dial-uppers.

Yes, Richard.

*Stasia meekly dragging her feet cause she does not want a new thread*

Besides that, I am supposed to be doing meal plans and grocery lists!

*sigh* New thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/93114