Sundays on the Acre, Take 18

Just setting this one up in time for the Sunday morning blitz.

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
http://www.librarything.com/topic/92416
http://www.librarything.com/topic/93114
http://www.librarything.com/topic/93695

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
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum

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
Music and Silence by Rose Tremain

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
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

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!

Am I the first to say hello on your new thread? Have a good Sunday!

Hey, Genny! Yes, you are the first. I hope you have a good Sunday as well.

Rather a slow week reading-wise for me, due to RL goings on and a couple of nasty headaches, but here it is:

335. Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix - young adult; the second book in Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series and as good as the first - I am looking forward to reading more of this series; recommended

336. The Desert Rats Scrapbook by Roger Fogg - nonfiction; I was extremely disappointed in this book - it was more like a family photo album than anything else and the editing was poor; I was hoping for more of a look at the Desert campaigns of WWII; not recommended Mine

337. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller - nonfiction; thanks to Terri for reminding me of how much I enjoy this book and spurring me to re-read it; I like Miller's rather unconventional views of Christianity "I don't think you can explain how Christian faith works. . . It is a mystery. And I love this about Christian spirituality. It cannot be explained, and yet it is beautiful and true. It is something you feel, and it comes from the soul."; Terri's review: is here; recommended

338. The Professor Challenger Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle - these stories must be taken in the context of the time in which they are written because the racism is inherent to them unfortunately; all in all, they are in the vein of say, Jules Verne; the first story in the book The Lost World is perhaps the best known, but I enjoyed The Disintegration Machine with its rather sly sense of humor as well; recommended

Continuing:

339. A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon - this book took a while to grow on me, but once it did I really enjoyed it; poor George is slowly going insane, but what with his wife having an affair, his daughter's on again-off again wedding, and his son's break up with his boyfriend, it seems no one is noticing; guardedly recommended Mine

340. Alanna by Tamora Pierce - young adult; the first book in Pierce's Songs of the Lioness quartet and I thought it was very good - I liked the fact that Alanna is showed, warts and all, not just starting out as the best of the knights, but someone who grows into that role, all the while having to pretend she is male; recommended

341. The Game by Laurie R. King - audiobook; one of the books in King's Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, this book sends the pair to India to look for a grown up Kim of Kipling fame; recommended Mine

342. Concourse by S.J. Rozan - the second book in Rozan's Bill Smith/Lydia Chin series, this book has a 'grittier' feel to it than the first did - it is told from Bill's point-of-view rather than Lydia's as the first book was - and despite missing the glimpses into Chinese culture from the first book, I thought this book the better of the two; recommended

343. Rereadings edited by Anne Fadiman - nonfiction; these 17 essays, gleaned from the pages of American Scholar magazine, each of the writer's choosing a book that had a significant impact on him or her before the age of 25 and re-read later in life; I found it fascinating - how we as readers change and bring our experiences to the book with each reading of it; recommended Mine

344. Clandestine in Chile by Gabriel Garcia Marquez - nonfiction; Thanks to Caitlin for the recommendation of this one; Chilean director Miguel Littin, exiled from his home country for 12 years, decides to make a documentary about Chile and sneaks back into the country thanks to helpful friends and an underground network; I got the sense of what his exile and return to cost Littin through his description of the country he remembered and the country he came back to; nice review of the book here; recommended

THE END

Happy 4th of July, Stasia! Today's update has a lot to offer me. I've added the following to my wishlist: Clandestine in Chile - GGM is one of my favorite authers, his writing, both NF and F have a voice that I find unique, The Game because I have heard of this series and hope to get to them one day, A Spot of Bother if it is like The Curious Incident of the Dog it is sure to be a good read. Blue like Jazz looks like a good one too.

Hope those nasty headaches go away and don't come back.

#6: I am not sure how much of the writing of GGM comes through in Clandestine in Chile, Lynda, as it appears he basically wrote Littin's story as Littin was reciting it, but I think the book is worth the read. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it once you have a chance to read it.

As far as the Russell/Holmes series goes, definitely read them in order the first time through. The Beekeeper's Apprentice is the first book in the series and a very good one, IMHO.

Slow? Slow??? There are 10 books here this week! I read 10 books last month. And, three of them will be added to my wish list: A Spot of Bother, which I've had my eye on for awhile, as I loved The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Rereadings, especially if Anne Fadiman was involved; and Clandestine in Chile.

I hope that this is a headache-free week for you. Congratulations, as always!

#8: A Spot of Bother is very different from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, so be prepared, Darryl.

I am actually surprised there was anything for you on this week's list. I did not think you would care for any of the reads. Shows what I know :)

(As far as the 10 books go, two of them are very short, and a couple were started earlier in the month, so the week looks better than it actually was.)

I really enjoyed A spot of bother too. Clandestine in Chile is already on my tbr list, I read about it here on LT sometime ago, must have been Caitlin's thread.
Rereadings sounds interesting and has been added.

#10: I hope you enjoy Rereadings and Clandestine in Chile when you get to them, Kerry.

I very carefully refrained from blue text, as I added half a dozen books to my wish list last night. I did want to though.... :)

#12: Thanks, Kath (I think!)

A Spot of Bother sounds interesting. :)

Stephen .. shhhhhhhhhh

#14: David (tapestry100) did a good review of it on his thread recently, Stephen, if you want to check that out.

#15: LOL!

Sorry to hear about the headaches - the last thing a reader needs... - but despite your shorter-than-usual list, I still found a couple to add to the wishlist: Blue like Jazz (which was already in mind because of Terri's recommendation) and Rereadings, which sounds very interesting.

I'm glad you enjoyed Grim Tuesday too. I've got the next one on my pile to read soon.

Glad you enjoyed Grim Tuesday, Stasia. I've almost finished my reread (well, listen, as it's an audiobook). Rereadings and Blue Like Jazz are already on the TBR list, but I did add Clandestine in Chile.

#19: Hey, Mary! I am waiting for the third book in the series to be in a the library now. I am hoping I enjoy it as much as I have the first two.

*hmmf* took ya long enough.

#21: I could have not started a new one at all, you know. Stop complaining. You do not read the pretty blue words anyway.

>22 alcottacre: Fair point. But imagine the length of the other thread after the list went up! Horrors!

#23: My first year in the group I only had one thread. It had something like 587 posts on it by the end of the year. I am thinking seriously of doing that again!

Good Morning Stasia

I hope today finds you pain free. I'm sure your job is very busy this weekend.

Lots of good books on your list. I'm dodging the book bullets this week because the ones I would add are already on my pile.

#25: Ah well, maybe next week I will hit you with a BB :)

Dear Friend
Most of my tbr has a notation "recommended by Stasia."

I've had Blue Like Jazz on the wishlist for years, but I've added A Spot of Bother and Concourse.

Hope the headaches are gone.

Got here early and though I would have been hit with several BBs, I wasn't because they were already on my list or I've already read them. Whew...

***Can't believe I read a few books before Stasia, how could that happen?***

I hope you don't have to worry about flooding.

glitter-graphics.com

#27:

#28: Yes, they have for the most part, Caty. I hope you enjoy the books!

#29: Thanks, Cheli! Right now, no flooding, but more rain is on the way - the effects from Hurricane Alex are being felt here.

I barely skimmed your blue because your thread is always so dangerous. I hope you have a lovely afternoon, despite Alex.

Just grazed this week:)

I was already considering A Spot of Bother and if I spot a copy I'll definitely pick it up.

I've already read Grim Tuesday and The Lost World. Also one other Professor Challenger book ... but I can't remember the title!

#32: One of the nice effects is that the temperature has dropped - last week it was over 100, this week mid-80s.

#33: You are always welcome to graze here, calm!

Happy 4th of July, Stas. A much more manageable list (for me) this week! Keep up the good work! ;-)

I've already read A Spot of Bother and Professor Challenger Stories ... loved them both. I'm looking to get hold of Boom! and am on the waiting list at the library ....although I'm starting to think maybe I should just treat myself and buy a copy.

I'm adding Rereading and Clandestine in Chile to my obese wish list though.

#35: Love the cat, Caro!

What is Boom? The link is taking me to a book called Chicka Boom Boom and I am pretty sure that is not the book you meant!

Boom! ... (needs the exclamation mark) is Mark Haddon's latest which was released in May this year.

#37: Cool! I will look and see if the local library has it. Thanks!

Morning Stasia- Not bad for a slow reading week, huh? I've haven't heard to much positive about the Haddon book, maybe the latest will put him back on track!

#39: Morning, Mark! As I mentioned in a previous post, David (tapestry100) did a proper review of the Haddon book. Both he and I liked it, so you might give it a go just to see if you do as well.

I thought A Spot of Bother was sad and funny and I liked it a lot. I think you should give it a shot. Besides, Stas is recommending it ... and has she ever steered us wrong?

#41: Yes!

OK, I am heading off to bed for a bit. I probably will not be back on until late tonight, but I want to wish the Americans here a wonderful, safe, happy fourth of July!

Too easy! You have to give me an example, Stas! hah

Stasia, I love Tamora Pierce. I think she has great characters. I like the empowered females in her books. I think they are great role models for girls.

You hit three of my favorite authors this week, Stasia! I'm glad that you enjoyed Alanna, and hope that you keep going with the series-- I'm not sure that there's any one standout among the four, but the quartet all together makes a beautiful narrative.

Anne Fadiman is another excellent author/editor-- Ex Libris is the one I always pull out of my head when I need to name a favorite book (a silly question, in my opinion, but one that comes up nonetheless).

And Laurie R. King is also wonderful-- I just borrowed the latest in the Russell/Holmes series, (The God of the Hive), and am looking forward to starting it!

As for NEW things for me to read, you've inspired me to find copies of Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series. I'm enjoying rereading the Abhorsen trilogy, so I want to read more of his work!

Happy Fourth!

Well Stasia, I checked my library's website. *fakes getting shot* Ye got me with one o' yer bullet thingers! *puts A Spot of Bother on The List*

Slow week indeed. For anyone else, this would be "best week of the year."

Rereadings is a definite for me. Adding it to the list.

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Blue Like Jazz, Stasia. I really liked that one, too, and plan to read others by Donald Miller.

Happy 4th of July!! Off to the Cubs game for me.

Whew, escaped the BBs during this, your "slow" week. I'm sure you'll get me next time around.

I'm glad that A Spot of Bother grew on you. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am anxious to pick up Boom!. I've had my eye on the Nix series for awhile now, and my roomie has all of them, so I may have to go pick up the first one and give it a try. Happy 4th!

Hi Stasia,

Just stopping by to say hello and wish you a wonderful 4th!

Pat

Grim Tuesday was actually my favorite of the Nix series.

The racism in Doyle is fairly prevalent, much like in Burroughs, etc. I tend to think that, in Doyle's case, it's really a product of the times rather than strong feelings on his own part. His defense of Edjali doesn't seem consistent with someone who was decidedly prejudiced.

I'm here :)

Just speaking, ma'am. Hope you are headache-free in the coming week and that you've enjoyed the cool because it's supposed to heat up again. I also like Donald Miller and S.J. Rozan. Since nobody else has said much about her today, I'll add that I think she improved with each book, and the series has been one of my favorites.

Hi there, gosh it's hard keeping up with your reading, I struggle to get through one book a week at the moment. You have read a few authors that are on my TBR list so I don't feel so left out. Wanted to say the story of your daughter is amazing, 21 years after beginning with an apgar of 1 is impressive.

I can't wait to read Alanna... our library didn't have it and neither did any bookstore in the area, so I ordered it off bookdepository.com about a month ago... it currently sits on the coffee table, taunting me...!

I'm also hoping to get to that Keys to the Kingdom series someday soon... and what do you know, Blue Like Jazz is already on my list ever since reading that very same review. Well, I got off easy this week!

Happy 4th of July!

I think I'm going to add A Spot of Bother and Rereadings to my List.

Hope your headaches are better! I've added Rereadings to my list and starred your latest thread. :)

Re S J Rozan, a lot of people I know have said they like the Bill Smith books better than the Lydia Chin ones. Concourse is one of my favourites in the series but I also enjoy the Chin ones. And I think The Shanghai Moon, published here under the less interesting title Trail of Blood, is a particularly good.

I have Clandestine in Chile as an ER book, and I just discovered that its isbn ends in 4, so it's going to be my TIOLI book this month too.

#44: I am sure there is at least one. I just have to wrack my brain for a bit :)

#45: I agree, Kathy!

#46: I love Ex Libris! It is one of my all-time favorites. I hope you get a chance to check out the Keys to the Kingdom books, Alexandra.

#47: Woot! I shot Stephen :)

#48: Sorry about the Cubs today, Linda. I do not think they were out to play. I am happy about Marlon Byrd making the All Stars though! I was sorry the Rangers let him go.

#49: I will try, Bonnie.

#50: Hey, David. It took a while, but I did finally get into A Spot of Bother. I hope your roomie lets you borrow the Nix books.

#51: Thanks, Pat!

#52: I agree with you about Doyle, Tad. I do think it was a product of the times in which he lived.

#53: Hey, Susan! Thanks for stopping by of a Sunday morning - or I guess I should say afternoon in your case :)

#54: Good to know about the Rozan books, Peggy. I have the third one home from the library now.

#55: Thanks, Kiwi!

#56: Faith, you need to read Alanna soon. I think you will really enjoy it.

#57: Thanks, Terri. I hope you had a good 4th! Enjoy the books.

#58: Hello, Marcia. The headaches seem to be in abeyance at the moment - I hope they stay that way.

#59: I did not realize that the narration of the Rozan books switched from book to book. Since I have only read the two, I really cannot say that I prefer the Smith books to the Chin books, although I think the second book was better written. I am going to read as many of the series as the local library has, so hopefully I will be able to give a better opinion later. Thanks for stopping in, Luci!

#60: Well, that just worked out perfectly then, Deborah!

Happy 4th of July, Stasia! I am glad that you are enjoying Swann's Way.
--BJ

#65: Hey, BJ! Happy 4th to you as well.

Just trying to keep caught up....

#67: Good luck, Kath!

#4 We sure seem to have very contrary opinions as far as your Book 338 is concerned, the most well known of which, The Lost World, we happened to read this same week.

#69: I was just posting on your thread about it! lol

I have read Alanna and I agree with you about the heroine. It was a good story.

Also, I have read the first two books in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, and I need to get back to reading the rest. The Game sounds very interesting.

Stasia
I hope your July 4th wasn't too busy in the bail bond world.

#71: I hope you enjoy The Game when you have a chance to read it, although I recommend reading the books in order and it does not come until #7.

#72: The fourth was not, but the second and third about killed me!

Take a deep breath ... and go read :)

Morning Stasia- Let's not talk about the Cubs! What a major disappointment! :-(
I might not have had high hopes for the season but this awful??

I feel like I'm in a time warp. I take one day off from reading your thread, and I'm 75 posts behind! Ah well, caught up now....and heading downstairs to my husband's collection of books to grab Blue Like Jazz. I read it when a friend gave it to him several years ago, but I obviously missed something as I can't remember it well.

Our church is doing a short summer study on how religion can turn people off (no, that's not what it's called, but that's my take on it). This book (...Jazz) might be another viewpoint to consider.

I want to read The Game because I love Kim, but I've only read the first book in the series.

I'm glad you are enjoying the Nix series, and especially glad that you liked Alanna, because that was Pierce's first book and probably her weakest, as far as writing skills. My favorites are at the end of the cycle, about 11 books further on, or 15 books if you read the Page, Squire, etc. series too, the Trickster duology. But part of that is having the background from all the earlier books to build on.

You got me with Rereadings. Sigh. Must learn to duck better... :-)

#76 -- Donna, unsolicited input on how religion can turn people off: in the same way that any individual person who claims to be omniscient and infallible turns us off. (i.e. the claim to have an answer to everything, and the ONLY right answer to everything.) Well, that and the fact that it's human beings (inherently fallible) doing the interpreting. Combine that with the fact that far too few people who are visibly and self-proclaimedly religious actually live their lives in a way that adheres to the Golden Rule. That does it for me, much of the time! :-)

Anyway, here's a poem by Leigh Hunt that always makes me feel more upbeat about humans and religion:

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still, and said "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

Since EVERYONE reads this thread, thought I'd post here that the latest Louise Penny Three Pines mystery is being offered through the Early Reviewer program here:

http://www.librarything.com/er/list

Warning, though--the description has what I would imagine are major spoilers for the previous books. I've got book #1 here waiting for me to get to in, Still Life.

I'm so excited. I just noticed that my library book club will be reading Letter of Mary: A Novel of Suspense featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes in September. I think this would be from the series which you read last week, stasia, is that correct?

Lynda,

A Letter of Mary is third in the series.

#79 Absolutely. The Early Reviewers description of the soon-to-be-released Louise Penny tells what happened in a previous book. If you haven't read the prior books, do not read the descriptive blurb.

#81 Cheli, is it neccesary to read the first two in the series to fully appreciate the third?

>83 Carmenere:: Reading the first, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, is an absolute must. Without it, the relationship would lose a lot of its depth. The second, A Monstrous Regiment of Women, could be skipped with little damage to the overarching story line if you were anxious to get on with the third.

Just my opinion, of course.

I agree with Tad that the first book definitely adds to the background of the relationship between Holmes and Russell - it also defines Russell so that the contents of A Letter of Mary has much more impact.

#76: No days off allowed, Donna! lol

#77: I think you would like The Game, Roni. I hope you give it a go some time. As far as the Pierce books go, I have already borrowed the rest of the series from Catey.

#78: No ducking allowed around these parts. BBs are meant to hit!

#79: EVERYONE does not read this thread, but I appreciate the sentiment, Roni.

#80: Yes, it is part of the series as Cheli mentions in 81. I would recommend that you read at least the first book in the series though.

#83/84/85: I agree with Tad and Cheli's opinion - but that is just my opinion too :)

OK, just a heads up for everyone - I will be out of town Tuesday, so will not be online as I usually am. I will catch up late tomorrow night and early Wednesday as I can. I do not want anyone to think I am ignoring them.

Stasia- Have a good trip! See you soon!

Thanks for the heads up everyone. I'll try to slip the first of the series into my reading agenda and if I don't get to it, I'll just take a pass on that meeting.

ETA: Come back safe and sound to us Stasia.

Safe travels sweetheart.

ETA isnt' it strange... I was sitting here reading the thread and it felt like we were all around a big table or large room with overstuffed chairs, each with our preferred beverage and a book --just surfacing once in a while to throw out a comment or respond to one.

Then I hit 'submit' and realized it was a virtual presence. LOL

Thx for the visit -- we'll have to do it again soon.

Safe travels Stasia:)

Have a great time ...err.... where are you going, Stas?

Just stopping by to let y'all know I'm still alive--guess I'd better start kickin!"

I think it's time to start the Laurie R. King series. It would make a good choice for my new Nook so I'll see if it is available. Although, I have a feeling I may have the first one buried in my mass of books because I've been intending to get to that series since before I left Georgia.

BTW After reading 3 and 1/2 of Stasia threads to catch up, can I count that as one of 75 challenge books? After all, it would fit in the "books about books" category. :-D

*waves* Just saying hello. Safe travels, Stasia!

I made it back safely, weary but still alive and kicking. My mother is going out of town for 3 weeks and Beth is housesitting for her, so I drove Beth to Longview and while there had a nice visit with both my mother and sister.

In 3 weeks, I get to do it all over again :)

#95 Glad to know, you had a pleasant trip :)

#96: Thanks, Piyush!

Sounds like a nice time.. not the driving, but the visiting :)

Yes, it was!

SHERMAN TO LONGVIEW?!? Straight through Dallas on 75, or across the slow way on 82? Either way, it's a schlep. Whee! But can you listen to audiobooks in the car?

Welcome back, Stasia. I have no concept of the distances, but judging by Richard's comment that was a long drive there and back. Hope you did have audiobooks, esp on the way back without Beth to talk to.

I got this in my A Word A Day subscription, which I was catching up on today:

"Bibliophilia: the love, and collecting, of books. No problems there... But watch out. The next step up may be bibliolatry: an extreme fondness for books."
David McKie; The Baron of Bibliomania; The Guardian (London, UK); May 5, 2008.

Yeup. That's us, Miss Stasia. Bibliolaters.

Glad you are back safely!

#100: Richard, I take 69 to 80 and pick up 80 in Mineola, straight to Longview. No way am I going down 75!

#101: It is about 150 miles one way from my house to my mother's, Genny. Yes, I started an audiobook - another one in the Russell/Holmes series: The Language of Bees.

#102: Oo, aren't we cool? We have a whole word just for us! Thanks for letting me know, Richard.

#103: Thank you, Linda!

#78 - Love that poem Suzanne. My dad used to read us poetry before bed. Picture one little girl and 3 little boys all crowded around a daddy on a twin bed. Abou Ben Adhem was one of my favorites. Another one I remember was Gunga Din.

OH, sorry, Hi Stasia! Hope your 4th of July was lovely. Mine was fraught with drama...

No BB's for me this week. I do have a few already in the TBR. Phew.

#106: Hope the drama has died down, Jenn!

Morning Stasia- Just swinging by to say hi! Hope your week is going well!

#108: Thanks, Mark! I hope you are having a good week as well!

Stasia - I see on your wiki that you are reading How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain De Botton. What a fantastic book! I look forward to hearing your POV. In my review last year I quoted an amazon reviewer, who wrote (and I love this), "I'm afraid to go and read 'In Search...' now, in case it is de Botton that I've been seduced by rather than Proust!

I also look forward to hearing your take on the highly regarded Freedom From Fear. As you know, it's in my pile :)

#110: Peter, I am reading How Proust Can Change Your Life in conjunction with Swann's Way. I am enjoying both of them.

As far as Freedom from Fear goes, it will be the end of the month before I finish it. Since it is almost 900 pages long, the book will take a while to get through. I will keep you posted.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hi, Stasia.

#112: Hey, Ren!

News for the day: Stasia is in a reading slump and may not be posting a weekly list on Sunday as there may be nothing to report.

I hate reading funks!

Still two days left in the week!
--BJ

#114 Stasia in a reading slump! Is this the sign we were looking for prophesying the end of the world!

#115: Thanks BJ. Maybe I can turn it around quickly. For me to have read only 3 books to this point in a week is something of a shock.

#116: Quite possibly :)

Stasia- This sounds very ominous! Please snap out of it now, my friend! What would we do on Sunday mornings, if we can't check out your list, answer me that?

#118: Read the newspaper, drink coffee, go to your local house of worship?

go to your local house of worship?

But my IHOP is closed Sunday mornings! :(

#120: I guess you are just going to be completely out of luck come Sunday, Stephen!

Stasia, I hope the desire to read comes back to you soon - for your sake, if not for ours: as we all seem to complain about having to dodge your blue bullets, we should be glad of a respite from adding more of your recommendations to the TBR :)... But if you can't get into reading this week, I hope you have some other good things to enjoy doing.

#122: Thanks, Genny. I think The Lumby Lines is kicking the reading funk for me though, just do not expect as many book bullets as usual this week :)

Stasia, somehow I missed your thread on Sunday, so have only now gotten here, but just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to reading Clandestine in Chile and that I dipped in and out of Rereadings -- I found Anne Fadiman's comments often more interesting than those of the other authors.

Hope you get out of your slump soon!

#124: Sorry you lost me, Rebecca, but you are here now and that is all that matters! I hope you enjoy Clandestine in Chile.

I know what you mean about Fadiman's comments. I love her Ex Libris and was expecting a book more like that when I picked up Rereadings, although I still enjoyed it.

just being neighborly.. and trying not to see blue

#126: Thanks for dropping by, neighbor Kath, but not a lot of blue to see just now.

If The Lumby Lines doesn't snap you into a chipper, booky state of mind, I'm calling the local 911 to get you into a treatment facility for the horrifically depressed. Hell, it softened me up enough that I failed to take potshots at Republicans for a whole day!

#128: Which day was that, Richard? I missed it!

Stasia, the local reviled Republican :)

>129 alcottacre: You snooze, you lose. You'll have to endure being made fun of.

#130: Believe me, it is not the first time I have been made fun of and suspect it will not be the last (especially with you around, RD!)

#128 I wonder if it'll work the same for me.

Stasia, I started Friday Night Lights last night. Not sure what part of Texas you're from (I'm geographically challenged when it comes to Texas) but this takes place in Odessa. High school football is not that big here so this is eye-opening, re how serious they take this.

Stasia,
I'm up to book #3 for the Lumbys.It seems that Hank has a well-documented supporting role in all the books and there are other "unique" characters to come!

Catching up again. Today we finish packing and tomorrow is a travel day so "don't know when I'll be back again" (with music.) I want to hear what you think of The Lumby Lines. I'm looking for light reading in August--to balance the heavier reading I'm doing.

I think it was Cheli who first alerted me to The Lumby Lines. I've picked up a copy and am planning to read it later this month, though I hate to get addicted to yet another series.

I haven't been on librarything a lot since before the holiday. I just found this thread when I was trying to catch up on what I've missed. I'm scared to start at the top! 135 posts! Yikes!

I would say the Lumby books are only addictive if you love to read a book that is lighthearted, amusing, well-written, and has great characters. Each of the books could literally standalone but the background brought with each book, just makes it that much better.

Carolyn - if you want something that will make you laugh and smile while you read and is well-written - this is the book for you.

Stasia - is your reading funk over?

#114 Me, when I check out your thread on Sunday morning and do not see a weekly update.

A reading slump is not a bad thing. Sometimes your mind just needs some assimilation time. I'd say you were overdue. Get some extra sleep, hug your kids and things will be back to normal very soon.

#132: Linda, Odessa is completely on the opposite side of Texas from me, but believe me, Friday night football is taken just as seriously here.

#133: I have already put the second book on hold because I am enjoying the first one so much. Good to know that Hank remains in all the books!

#134: The Lumby Lines would fit your needs in August admirably, Carolyn.

#135: I first learned of the book from Cheli as well, Linda.

#136: Do not worry about catching up. Just pretend you were here the entire time :)

#137: No, not really. I think the main problem is that I am tired and battling my body this week.

#138: I am looking forward to seeing that face again Sunday, Lynda. It is cute!

#139: Thanks, Jenn!

I found this in my husband's recent copy of the AARP Bulletin and thought I would pass it along:

"Can't get to your local library? Let the library come to you. 'Libraries are eager to find new ways to engage older adults,' says Miguel A. Figueroa, acting director of literacy and outreach at the American Library Association. For example, a phone-in discussion group is a recent addition to the Queen Library's Mail-a-Book program in New York, which provides 700 homebound individuals and 32 assisted care facilities with books, movies, and music for free. Twice a week, participants dial a toll-free number and enter a code. For up to two hours, they chat about books, poetry, current events, recipes or 'what life was like in the 1920s,' says library manager Madlyn Schneider. Others phone in when it's time for bingo or trivia. Between 10 and 20 people are usually on a call."

I think this is a terrific idea, but fear that far too few communities have the resources to actually do it.

(posted to the Kitchen as well)

You have the headache? :( sorry to hear it, and hope that it goes quickly away...

#143: It finally eased up in the wee hours this morning. Thanks, Kath.

#142 I love this idea! What fun for them! But, with libraries in financial straights I believe your prediction is quiet accurate.

#145: Yes, but you know I am thinking that it is something that I as an individual could do, perhaps just finding one nursing home to start and see how it goes. I am seriously thinking on how to do it.

#146 Hmmmm, I'm a bit confused. Would you physically hold book groups at nursing homes?, set up phone links between them?, Could you expand a bit without bringing about another headache?

#146 That sounds an interesting idea - are you thinking of a phone chat like the one you described above, or of going in in person to a nursing home to chat about books etc?

Edited to add:

sorry, was already writing my post when Lynda posted hers - same question really... but no headache-inducing answers required!

What I was thinking of really was something along the lines of a 'bookmobile.' Taking books and distributing them to a nursing home and then, if people like, setting up some kind of book discussion group.

Oh! Using your personal library?! But then you'd need more than one copy to have a book discussion. But perhaps for a worthy cause such as this you can procure donations from publishers.

I'll chat again later, I'm off to make stuffed mushrooms for a graduation party.

#150: No, I do not think I will be using my personal library. I am going to have to think through all the wherewithals.

Have fun at the party, Lynda!

Hello... *sigh* I'm trying so hard to keep up, I really am... your thread is so much fun, it just moves so FAST! So I'll make like a late arrival at a party and just join in from here... :-)

Stasia...you'll be needing a lot of large-print books. I've often thought that a smart local liberry would be scanning the classifieds to find used bookstores going out of business, and hitting them up to donate their unsold stock to a bookmobile for the homebound. That's a program I'd volunteer to help!

Our local library has a wonderful volunteer program that matches a homebound person with someone of similar reading interests. The volunteer recommends and delivers books to the person and, if desiired by both parties, chats about the books when they are picked up.

I have a blind friend who has used this service for many years and has developed a close relationship with the volunteer who delivers the books. Of course, they are audiobooks in her case. :-)

What a fabulous idea! I am sure there are grants/organizations out there to help someone with a good plan. Not to mention your local library. I bet they would consider adding a volunteer program of sorts.
It sounds similar to what I used to do at Oakland Children's Hospital - take around the book cart, help the kids choose books, talk to them about the books, read with them if they wished. I liked most aspects of that - just not seeing the so very sick little kiddos. Anyway, the local library would send a selection of books every week for use.

My library has a Cybermobile (a book mobile that also has computers for internet access) that goes to nursing homes, churches, senior living apartments, and rural towns.

It is definitely going to take a good plan to get this going. Richard, you are correct about the need for large print books. My local library, for its size, does have a nice selection of them.

Donna, I think your library's program sounds terrific and may be the way I have to go just because of the financial aspects of trying to put together a large enough collection of books.

As far as I know, my local library does not have any type of volunteer program that caters to older adults. I will have to check with Jackie, the library director, this next week and see if I am talking about a need that has already been met.

Thank you all for your input and ideas!

Let us know what you discover, Stasia! I would imagine that there are all kinds of creative ways to reach out to people who can't readily be served.

What could be possible is to get donations of (or monetary donations to buy) a critical mass of regular and large-print editions of regular titles -- say, 20 per title. Each six weeks or so, a group discussing one title (say, To Kill a Mockingbird, to pull a title a random) at a nursing home or retirement home or... would take delivery of those books. After a discussion six weeks later, the books could be collected and taken to the next group. (Or someone could opt to buy and keep it.) If you got ten titles working that way, you could have the books rotating very efficiently among ten different groups during the course of a month. And people within the groups could suggest what they'd like to read next, or put in special requests regarding new titles. I would imagine that this is something the book industry would want to support... Of course, you'd need to have facilitators for the discussions and someone to handle logistics.

I would also suggest audio books. My husband's grandma loved to read, but she can't see well enough any more. I always send her audio books for b-day and Christmas. She enjoys that.

What really cool ideas! A bookmobile with large print and audio books...

I know. Let's make one and take turns driving it.

That's a great idea, too, nittnut!

I will start a bookmobile to travel all over the US and then I can visit all my LT friends along the way.

And we would all be delighted to donate books to your cause when you called on us! :-) Actually I read a book last year called Parnassus on Wheels that dealt with a very similar idea.

#164: I have read Parnassus on Wheels too. Unfortunately, I think that particular idea is not workable for me, much as I would love to be able to visit everyone (whether they wanted me to or not!)

OK, this is going to be a somewhat rambling post, but I would like to try and explain my current state.

Many of you know that I suffer from degenerative joint disease, a condition that I have had since I was about 12 or so. I live with chronic pain in my hips, knees, etc and just deal with it. This past week, however, it appears that I tore the meniscus in my right knee. So on top of my 'normal' pain, I am dealing with that as well.

Frankly, right now, I am tired. This is not a normal condition for me, so I beg your indulgence. I traveled this week, which even though just a one day trip, takes a lot out of me, on top of dealing with the joint issues and headaches.

I found myself doing something I do not want to do: tailoring my reading in the hopes that someone else in the group would like a particular book. That sent a big red flag up to me: I care about reading books I think other people would like to read, but not at the expense of gearing my reading toward them, if that makes any sense?

I think I need a break for a bit. I love this group, make no mistake and will be checking posts as I normally do, but I am beginning to stress out with the pressure that I put on myself. I know that does not make any sense.

I am going to take a couple of Sundays off, checking in here, but not posting active reads, until I get my feet back underneath me. I am sorry if I let you down.

Hello. Just popped over to have a quick read of your thread and was so sorry to see the above post. I had no idea that you were suffering in this way. You must do whatever you need to get yourself back into better shape. Please don't feel bad about not posting - everyone here will understand.

Hope to "see" you soon whenever is right for you.

Agreed! We love you, but not to the point of causing a health breakdown...:)

One of the reasons I've been lurking more and posting less this year is that I found myself really stressing about keeping up with everything on a bunch of groups and it was affecting my life in a negative way. So this year I'm scaling back and it's working out pretty well. Take a break, find the balance you need. It's ok, we'll love to hear from you at whatever level you feel is best.

I didn't know about your DJD either, and I'm sorry to hear about the possible meniscus tear. You have every right to read what you want (and not what the rest of us might like!), follow the threads that interest you the most (I only follow a small minority of 75er threads, otherwise I'd never finish a single book), and post about whatever or whenever you want (including college baseball; BTW, who won the CWS?). We all love you and care a great deal about you, and want to see you in good health and well rested.

BTW, the only way you could let us down is if you didn't take care of yourself and your family.

We'll see you when you get back!

You deserve a break, Stasia. It can get pretty crazy around here with all the posts, and with all the book recommendations and whatnot a person could probably read entirely from a "recommended" reading list without ever choosing a book of their own.

I can imagine how tough it is for someone who has set the bar so high for their self, and I think taking a break is the perfect cure. Take a little time off, the world won't end (hopefully ;D), and you can come back at your leisure with no pressure of being "that lady who posts on EVERY thread and reading like a million books." Take your time and enjoy yourself, Stasia! :)

I found myself doing something I do not want to do: tailoring my reading in the hopes that someone else in the group would like a particular book. That sent a big red flag up to me

Holy goddess on a toothpick Stasia.. that is no good at all..
I mean the pain and injury are bad...but that book thing is worse.
Never, ever, ever, do that again, ya hear?

I have had that same knee injury myself. OUCH does not come near to covering it .. it is a tough one to cope with. Mine led to surgery. And a year of recovery... (no commen)t....When I say to take it easy, I suggest it in the very strongest sense... and read like mad! but only the books that call out

"Stasia....Stasia you know you want to"

Now take a deep breath and whistle a happy tune, because no one cares what you read, or if you read at all.. folks here just want you to be well, and as pain free as it is possible to be .

Stephen is right.. you set the bar yourself.. so all you have to do is move it :)

take care

The DJD was news to me as well, Stasia. You always sound so chipper and upbeat. Take as long as you need to feel better, you know we're all here for you. OMG! I just realized how long your post will be once your ready to tell us all about the books you've read while mending *clicks on submit and faints to the floor*

What everyone else is saying. I enjoy your weekly post, but I'd rather have you taking good care of yourself and reading what you want to read and enjoying life as much as possible. That's much more important to me, and for you. Feel free to drop in only as much as you want to, but whenever you want to.

Best wishes on recovery of your knee.

Hi Stasia
I hope that you are healing- take a break -yes!
You should only read to please yourself in my opinion. Reading should be a pleasure. You do share it with others who like your choices and may pick up the same books. But- don't feel pressure to read something for others. Take care!

Stasia
Please rest. You are loved very much.

Stasia,
Take care of yourself. I'm sure all of us will be able to find a book or two to amuse us and we will imagine you are out there in the ether following our progress. Get well and hope to hear from your soon.

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry! While we like, no, love having your comments on our threads and enjoying the discussions on yours, there is every good reason to chill. So if you feel you need our blessing, consider it given!

Praying!

Stasia, please do put yourself first. I think you'll find people still visit this thread, so you won't even have to read loads of threads in order to stay in touch, if you don't have the time/energy.

Stasia- Thanks for letting us know, my friend! That's the last thing we would want, is for you to stress out doing what you love! Please take care of yourself, we will be here with open arms! Sending you a big lovng hug!

#164 - MusicMom41, I just wanted to thank you for reminding me of the existence of Parnassus on Wheels. My mother had a copy, kept in the bathroom, and I read it many times as a child, and loved it very much. After her death, when we cleared out her house, I couldn't find it anywhere. I suspect one of my siblings has it hidden in their own bathroom!

Stasia, read what YOU want to read, and look after yourself.

You are not in any way, shape or form letting any of us down - except for yourself if you are not looking after yourself. You are very dear to us, and we don't want you to burn yourself out or make yourself miserable.

Stasia - You are much loved here - for all the support and friendship that you offer. Please believe that it is returned and the most important thing is that you take the time you need for yourself; rest and heal; read only the books that call your name;)

Be well!

Stasia, I can't really add to what everyone has already said. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing!

Unlike you, and like Darryl and others, I only follow a small fraction of the 75 book threads, and even that can be overwhelming. Yesterday, I took a one-day vacation from the computer and it was amazingly refreshing -- I was able to get so much done AND read so much (yes, read) because since the computer wasn't on I wasn't tempted to check LT, check my e-mail, etc.

Take as much time as you need to get your energy and enthusiasm back. We will all be here waiting for you.

>166 alcottacre: Honeybun, a torn meniscus is no joke, and needs tender loving care. I know you're too smart not to take care of yourself, but I add to the chorus saying I hope you'll do so now.

AND...don't forget the simple truth that *everyone* deserves a summer vacation! Rest, relax, bask in doing the minimum for a while. We'll all be delighted to see you when you decide to be here.

xoxo

Stasia, Honey, take care of yourself First. We all love you very much and love hearing from you, but you must take care of yourself first, so we can hear from you now and again. Do what is right for you!!! Chiming in with all the other posts. Not much more to say that what has been already been said. Take care and we will all wait for you to post when you can.
XOXOXOXO

Stas : We're all rooting for you to feel better and are swaddling you (no, too hot for swaddling) ..err....... sending refreshing cups of gelato and Italian ices to you.

I'm seconding CatyM here .... read only what You want to read. Too many books out there to feel obliged to read something (unless it's an ARC or ER book) for someone else (unless that person has poor eyesight ...but then there are audio books for that problem),

Take care of yourself, rest, rest, and most of all ... relax ... we'll still be here arguing amongst ourselves, teasing Richard, throwing boots at Darryl, partying with Kath and perhaps even chasing down box thieves for Suzanne ... and you can hop in whenever you feel like joining us for a spell of lunacy.

Stasia,
You were my first friend here at LT. I want you think only of you right now. I do understand your pain, (I have DDD- Degenerative Disc Disease - so mine is all in my back) and there are times when you have to put everything else aside and just concentrate on what will make you comfortable. The quality of your life is what is important not the quantity of books you read or the number of threads that you answer. If you read only the average number of books of a reader here at LT I don't think that anyone here would say that you have got to leave, we don't want you here anymore. That's not what gives us the joy of contact with you. What we cherish is the interaction of your spirit and right now that spirit needs R&R so we gladly send you on your way to tranquility and hopefully recovery for your knee and less pain for all your joints.

Maybe by the time you come back, we'll have a whole list of BBs for you to read rather than you shooting BBs at us. Take care my friend.

** TO all Stasia friends, Do you think we need to drag Richard out here to pick up the slack? I don't know, can he do it?**

What?! Me?!? What about Darryl, he reads oodles of books?!? Yeah, they're mostly the four-hankies-and-a-pistol kind, but the *volume* is there...or Suzanne!! Just get her to centralize all her reviews on one thread, she's already read something like 659 books, and bids fair to out-Stasia Stasia! Plus she's sweet and kind and free of curmudgeonliness!

*I* slither along in the basement of LT, reading a book here, a book there, and once in a while posting a review...and and and I'm mean and venomous and unkind, comPLETEly unlike Stasia!

*hyperventilates*

Stasia, I hope you take the time to relax and take care of your health. I'm sending some good, healing vibes towards Texas.
The threads have been in overdrive this year. I'm barely here and I've found it overwhelming. I don't know how you lasted so long. {{hugs}}

Stasia, please take care of yourself. I had no idea about your medical condition but I hope that things can be remedied.

Hi, Stasia!
I am so sorry to hear about your medical problems. Please, please take care of yourself, and read when and what you want. You are a great friend, and I am praying for you. God bless.
--BJ

#188: I'm with Richard; Suzanne is the ideal replacement for Stasia (for the short term, of course, as no one person can truly replace her). Suzanne has read three times as many books as I have so far this year, and her reading is much more balanced than mine, with a nice mix of serious and light reads. The only problem I can see is that we may need a relief pitcher if she decides to break a limb while dancing on tables or fighting crime in Brooklyn, or cough up a lung on one of her cross-country travels. In that case, maybe Richard, Caroline and I can form a balanced team to carry the load until Stasia's return.

Me? Balanced? Awww....... Darryl, you do say the sweetest things about me sometimes ... oh wait ...I didn't read your post properly, you didn't say I was a balanced person but you want me for load balancing. Hmph! I don't even read half as many interesting books as you all put together.

I was going to give Richard a paperbag for his hyperventillation, but looks like someone found some other use for the bag


hmm...Richard - would you be slithering in that nice purple chapeau that Kath gave you?

Suzanne is over 220 last time I checked. I haven't seen her post recently, but Laurie was waaayyy over 350 last year, so she's probably pushing 200 around now. Between them they'd cover Stasia's reading count...but the real challenge is posting on almost every active thread every single day. :-)

Your reading is balanced, Caroline, as are you. However, it would take the three of us to come close to Suzanne's reading output.

Interesting concept: buy a dozen (or so) loaves of French bread, and get a puppy for free?

>193 cameling:, 195: I'm shopping at that bakery from now on!

>194 TadAD: I fear I don't know who Laurie is. What's her/is handle around here?

>196 richardderus:: prop2gether

Dear Stasia, this place is all about joy! You have given that to the rest of us; keep some for yourself! And coddle your physical body. And read something cheap and tacky if that's what you're in the mood for - or something abstruse and esoteric if that's calling you. You're the heart here, so we'll bumble along without you and rejoice at your return. So there. Take care.

There's no replacing Stasia :) I'm so sorry you're having a hard time. My thoughts are with you. I hope you can get the rest and restoration you need. If a mountain retreat would help, my doors are open!

I don't think I can really say anything except repeat everyone else's comments. So sorry to hear you are not feeling well at the moment. Take all the time you need, read the books you feel like reading and know we miss you but value your health even more than your comments on our threads and the weekly Sunday update. I like Richard's idea about a summer vacation from LibraryThing!

Take care of yourself and know we are thinking of you.

Stasia, I'm so sorry to hear about your illness! Please take your time. And what's this nonsense about reading for other people? Reading is about your pleasure (unless it's for work). Just make sure you come back. :)

Stasia, just caught up with your thread and read your post.

I have worried for a while about how you seem to manage to read so much and post on everyone's thread. It seemed too much for even a healthy woman. With your health problems, it's utterly amazing you've done so much for as long as you have.

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!!

You will be in my prayers, and I hope and pray that you will feel better.

Stasia, I am offering my best wishes for your book-n-knee-fatigue along with all the rest. I'm a little late as usual because I've decided to limit my LT time (and *shhhhh* even my reading time) so that I can have a life! In fact, I'm off for a Sunday Sundae party in less than an hour. {{Hugs}}

Stasia - please enjoy your break and concentrate on your health, family and reading for your own pleasure.

Sweetie, read for yourself, relax, enjoy the books, your family, the summer, etc. There is no sense at all in feeling under pressure to read & comment just because we all love to hear from you! We all know the quality/quantity tradeoff can be a bad one if not handled well, and we'd rather have one great book to note or two witty comments than feel that we had (however indirectly) put pressure on you to do/say more. Feel better soon...

And as for the "draft-the-Chatterbox" movement, I would like to note (a) that there is no replacement possible for Stasia and (b) I'm probably just as big a curmudgeon as Richard, but I just hide it better... :-)

193, too bad it isn't a kitten in the bag... lol

205, Curmudgeons Unite!! ( count me in please )

Well, Darling, everyone (practically) has beaten me to it, but still I'd like to add my love and positive thoughts wending your way. The illness is a beast by itself, the injury on top of it? Urrrgh. I hope you have a way to rest that is completely nonstressful for you. Music is my thing, or old radio shows on the iPod can just move me sweetly to dreamland.

But, about the book thing? Please read what *you* like---if some of us think, "Whoa-ho, that sounds interesting!", that's great; but if that doesn't happen--so what? There are way, way too many books on the TBR's of most of us anyway. I second #205 above: never, ever meant to put pressure on you, or to cause you to put pressure on yourself. We'll keep you posted on our stuff so that you can dip in and out at will, and look forward to seeing you when you feel ready.

Love and hugs from Gail

Darling, there's one thing that I've learned this year, and that is you need to come first in your life! I didn't know about the DJD, but with that and a torn meniscus, you absolutely shouldn't be adding stress to your life over books! I mean, I know that's why we're all here, because books are an important part of our lives, but they are supposed to be a source of enjoyment, not feeling like a necessity or a job. Get yourself back to feeling like Stasia again, and don't worry about us. We love you and understand that you need to take a break and will be waiting with open arms and abundant hugs on your return. In fact, here's one now, just for good measure. *****hugs*****

Oh, Stasia... here's a long distance {{{hug}}} from me... please take all the time you need to get back on your feet (figuratively and literally)! Knee injuries are just awful, and I can't imagine dealing that along with other things. I do hope you're able to calm the stress and find balance... don't let us keep you, we'll be waiting when you're ready :)

Hey Stasia,
I often over commit myself and then can't figure out how to un-commit. Good for you for un-committing. What a good example you are.
It's a mom thing right? Got to keep everyone happy, got to find something for everyone, got to check on everyone before you go to bed... You're the best. Take care and feel better soon.

#206 : the puppy reminded me of some of my dogs when I was growing up ... they loved baguettes ...especially fresh out of the oven and my mom would give them a the ends so they would crunch away and be happy all day.

Take a break, take care of yourself, and relax. Feel free to read anything that you want or nothing.

I'd like to be the eleventy-twelfth person to say, take care of yourself.

And when you read, unless someone is pays you to do otherwise, read what feeds you. (That "you" means "Stasia.")

Sending my love and tender wishes along with everyone else.

Hi Stasia, I don't have much to add except "ditto" to what everyone else said - take a break, read something fun and hope you're feeling better soon!

Reiterating all the good wishes from above. Life is stressful enough, without you having to stress about us all missing your Sunday lists. Take care of yourself, and don't worry about the rest. We'll all muddle through just fine! You concentrate on getting better and reading for the love of it.

You need to listen to the messages your body is sending you, and it seems like you are - so good for you! You are doing the right thing for yourself. Never feel guilty about that.

I am not even going to try and reply individually to the 50(!) unread posts I had on my thread tonight, other than to say 'Thank you everyone' for your prayers, good vibes, and understanding.

I'm late to the party as usual, but I wanted to say how much I admire you, and how sorry I am about your health problems. You have been the backbone of the 75 group, and are the one member known and loved by each and every one of us. But you must not put pressure on yourself. Please take care of yourself. Read as you wish; visit as you wish. Be Stasia, but don't try to do everything for others all the time--sometimes you have to come first. Rest up, relax, and we'll enjoy your visits even more when we know you are well. Love, Deborah

Stasia, since I joined this site and group, I've been consistently amazed by not only the volume that you read, but also your dedication in paying attention to everyone that crosses your path on here. It seems like it must be a full-time job! Therefore, it seems only natural that there comes a point at which one needs SUMMER VACATION! Have a lovely break, and we'll look forward to hearing about the things that YOU wanted to read when you return!

I'm sorry about your knee, as well, and hope that you feel better soon!

Just adding my well-wishes to those of everyone else - take care of yourself!

#166

I kind of understand what you are going through. We as a group, have put tremendous pressure on you: Stasia should read 15 books a week, she should start a new thread every week, she should read all the books we refer to and give her opinion, etc.; to name a few.

The aforementioned pressure isn't so different from the one experienced by a star performer in a company, who wilts under the burden of expectations which just get bigger and bigger and in most cases utterly ridiculous.

You deserve this break, and use it well to recharge your batteries. And most importantly, don't lose track of why you read all those books, for yourself! If people like me benefit from your extensive reading, that should be an added incentive, but not the goal of your reading.

Take care,
Piyush.

*hugs* to you Stasia...take care of yourself and take the time of you need...we will all keep going along...its a horrible thought about changing your reading habits for other people thats not how it should be so be like a penguin and just slide things cruise by and read only what you want to read

Stasia, please look after yourself, we look forward to your return when you are ready, but please don't feel as though you need to hurry back.

I am still reading, just not as much, and definitely on the lighter side these days. I am just going to list my reads for the past week, but not extensively comment.

345. The Food of a Younger Land by Mark Kurlansky - nonfiction; recommended by Tina

346. Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder - originally recommended to me by Caroline (and by others since)

347. A Truth Universally Acknowledged by Susannah Carson - nonfiction; a collection of essays about Jane Austen's work, life, influence; recommended to me by Jessica (librarybelle)

348. The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser - recommended to me by Cheli (and pretty much what I need to be reading right now)

349. The Birthday Boys by Beryl Bainbridge - I enjoyed this one quite a bit and would recommend it to anyone; recommended and sent to me by Terri (thanks again!)

350. Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsberg - young adult

351. City of Gold and Lead by John Christopher - the second book in Christopher's Tripod series

It will probably be a bit before I update again.

In Terri's spirit, since she sent me The Birthday Boys, I am going to pass it along as well. If anyone is interested in the book, PM me and I will pass it along. I do not mind shipping internationally, so anyone not in the US is welcome as well. First come, first served.

Again, I thank you for all your warmth, friendship and understanding.

I'm adding The Birthday Boys to my wish list, but I'll wait to get it, as I have way too many other novels I want to read first.

I hope that you're feeling better and are more rested today!

Hi. Praying for you and hoping you feel much better soon.

(And don't mind us. We'll just continue posting and lengthening your thread while your resting. :)

City of Gold and Lead! Wow. Not since the 70s. Cool!

Morning Stasia- Thanks for the list and have a great day!

ooooooooo, I love Monday surprises! Lumby Lines and A Truth Universally Acknowledged look like good ones to me.

Feel free to take as long as you like to update, I have enough of your recs to last me till, at least, 2012. In fact, your shortened list looks like you really are a mere mortal, like the rest of us. It makes me feel like.....skipping! *skips off to a bowl of SmartStart*

Sorry to hear you're getting stressed, hope that whatever you read is enjoyable.

I have lots of John Christopher books and found a charity shop omnibus of the Tripods trilogy including The City of Gold and Lead recently which as one of my copies had no cover and another was ex library, I'm really pleased with.

I was thinking maybe this way you'd end up with less threads at the end of the year but if we all post to offer sympathy, and then to find out how you are, maybe not!

I see what's going on here. Stasia normally reads so many books, it's like she's spraying us with a net of BBs, it's impossible for her to miss. This week, however, was a little slow...so instead she waits until monday and uses guerilla tactics to surprise us! Wah! Sneak attack! :(

Hi Stasia, I've been away for a few days and have just caught up with your thread. Hope you're starting to feel better. You're one of my favorite people on LT and want only the best for you so please take good care of yourself. In my own experience, I can easily get obsessed with LT and being on the computer in general. Being away for a few days with no computer was actually very refreshing. Wishing you relaxing summer days and a change of pace!

Hey, Stasia, I've just caught up with your thread... I'm so sorry to hear about your DJD. I know what it's like to have health problems, and also to put pressure on yourself. I'm glad you're reading things that interest you and that you need. We love you and we love interacting with you, but you, your health, and your family should always come first. You are an amazing person and you have positively impacted my life in so many ways with your kindness and your heart. I'm sending you lots of hugs.

Hey Stasia, just want to let you know I heeded your advice and that of others and picked up The Beekeeper's Apprentice today. Now I'll be able to read this one before jumping into Letter of Mary for my Sept. library group discussion. Thanks.

Hope you're starting to feel a little better and here .. I thought you could use this too.

Oh, dear, I got lost in your updated threads and just arrived here. Hope that you're feeling better and are fully enjoying your reading. Take care!

Stasia, I dropped by this afternoon to check out your regular Sunday AM posting only to discover that you're feeling poorly. I'd like to join the dozens of others who are wishing you well. Relax and take care of yourself before worrying about any of us. I'm sure we can all find plenty of books to read without you shooting them at us every Sunday! Prayers for healing and rejuvenation.

Take care Stasia....sending warm wishes and thoughts of great reading to you.

Stasia, I'm wishing you all the best in coping with your medical issues as well as your stress. Take care.

My body has a meniscus? And it's tearable? That's the problems with bodies- too many parts that can go haywire. Here's hoping the meniscus (what the heck does a meniscus do anyway?) heals in a quick painless manner. I don't remember much from my Sunday School days but I seem to remember a verse that says- if thy meniscus offends thee, pluck it out- or something like that. Sadly, I can't recall any verses proffering reading succor. Take it easy. Read for relaxation, enjoyment, and other good reasons. Good luck with recharging and/or changing.

#236 - I second the Ice cream recommendation. In fact, since you don't like chocolate Stasia, I highly recommend Ben and Jerry's (limited time only) Key Lime Pie ice cream. I think I died and went to heaven.

Umm, I hate to mention it, but I do not like ice cream either. I do ice cream maybe once a year. Just not my thing :(

No, I get it. I'm not really an ice cream eater either. I'm more of a pie and custard girl. You know, like Key Lime Pie.
However, this particular ice cream may be worth giving a whirl at your once a year ice cream fest.

I'm not an ice cream person either, in the sense that I don't really 'crave' it, and don't tend to buy it because it rarely sounds good...

...but, I'm a slave to the Dairy Queen! Their waffle bowls are to die for.

I could sit on a couch and eat gallons of ice cream until I burst... so all of you who don't really care for it, I'll eat yours! You can have my popsicles, I'm not much for those.

Feel better soon sweetest Stasia!! Warm thoughts and big hugs are flying over the Atlantic right now and will reach you in a minute!:)

#246 I'm with you Faith. Loove ice-cream:)

I'm on the couch with Faith, elbowing her aside in the case of the unwanted peppermint ice cream. In fact, elbowing her aside would be a fairly regular occupation, since I like all flavors of ice cream that don't involve chocolate.

Bente...sorry...couch of ice-cream eaters is full up, you'll have to see if we leave anything.

#248 Heeey, Richard...what happened to sharing? Besides, I like chocolate flavoured ice cream, so just make some room in the couch and hand me the chocolate:)

Chocolate is Bente's, amen.

I'll take your ice cream and raise you a glass of sun tea :)

#250 Thank you, Richard!:D Oh, sun tea sounds nice...but I've never heard of it before. What is it?

Just take time for and care of yourself! No pressure, just relax...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlh7J85W8UI

Having eaten your unwanted ice cream, Stas .. here's something else .. at least I know you like tea and what better than a tea party with friends!

Hope you feel better soon, Stasia!

-Abigail

Just wanted to chime in and say I hope you feel better soon Stasia! I'll look forward to your posts if (or whenever) you feel like joining in!

Been on the river, so just now tuning in. Stasia, my dear, take care of yourself. Read happy books, and mend.

>252 Apolline: Here's one version: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/sun_tea/
My next one is going to be with green tea, a cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and some ginger slices.

Stasia...
You are missed.
Our group just isn't the same without your posts.

#259 I agree! I was just thinking about you, Stasia, and wondering how you were doing.

LOVE cardamom flavor, Suse!

Hi Stacia! Just popping in to post a VERY belated wish of good health and good reading to you. Also trying to catch up on your threads - up to Take 6 now. *ducks in case anyone is throwing anything*.
Hope you feel tons better soon!

Thank you all for taking care of my thread for me while I have been having my pity party. I am done now.

New thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/94930