t(erri)loeffler: Four To Go!

Let's see if I can get this started before the Thread Police arrive...

Link to my Introduction Message:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79114#1679609

Link to Thread 1:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79458

Link to Thread 2:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/85711

Link to Thread 3:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/89999

Ticker:






Here's my "strategy" (such as it is): I'm hoping that each month, I can read one WWI book, one book from my list of series, and two books that were on my shelf prior to 12/1/09.
ETA: Oh, I forgot. And I'm trying to keep up with at least one book from the TIOLI challenge each month. Whatever Madeleine's criterium is, so I don't have to think too much.
PS. I'm failing miserably at the above "strategy." I'm just reading....

Welcome, Kath! Happy Independence Day to you! Hope you're having fun!

79. Only Yesterday: An Informal History of the 1920's by Frederick Lewis Allen. I found this to be one of the most fascinating history books I have ever read. The book was originally written in 1931, so the information and comments in the book were untainted by later events. Allen's writing style is casual, informative, and peppered with hilarious asides that kept me engaged through the whole book. My very favorite part was a quotation from John F. Carter in the September 1920 issue of Atlantic Monthly: "The older generation had certainly pretty well ruined this world before passing it on to us. They give us this thing, knocked to pieces, leaky, red-hot, threatening to blow up; and then they are surprised that we don't accept it with the same attitude of pretty, decorous enthusiasm with which they received it, way back in the 'eighties." Sound familiar? I read this simultaneously with a book about 1890-1918, and a book about the stock market in the 2000s (Suzanne's book), and realized that it is true: the more things change, the more they stay the same. Definitely would recommend.

#4: I read that one several years ago and enjoyed it a lot. I am glad you did too, Terri.

Found you, and have you starred!

Okay. That was a painless transition. *smooch*

>4 tloeffler: That sounds so interesting!

#4 That sounds like a fascinating book - I will definitely be adding that one to the wishlist.

80. Chasing Goldman Sachs by Suzanne McGee (our very own Chatterbox!). I will admit from the start that this is a subject that holds very little interest for me. I have read & enjoyed books about the Crash of '29, but a not-so-good marriage to a bank auditor who was a self-professed "market expert" has turned me away from that sort of thing. That being said, I really did enjoy reading this book. I thought Suzanne did an excellent job of explaining today's market in a way that even I could comprehend. The downside? It's difficult to read about people who get bonuses that are greater than the total amount of money I have made in my entire 37 years of employment. I can't fathom that kind of money. Interesting, insightful, and easy for a know-nothing like me to read and understand. Good job, Suz!

81. Dave Barry's History of the Millenium (So Far) by Dave Barry (duh). I'm a huge fan of Dave Barry, and this is a compilation of his annual "Year in Review" columns from 2000 to 2007 (with a bonus section on Y1K). As always, he hits the nail right on the head. Good fun!

Dave Barry is one of my favs. He is so funny (except when he's being cold dead serious, and then he really gets your attention). I'll have to add this to my sooner-rather-than-later list.

Karen O.

#11 Terri - I'm a great Dave Barry fan as well, and have most of his books on audio. I got them in this format for long distance drives. At that time I was living in Australia and used to do non-stop 1,000 to 1,500 km drives on a regular basis. Then, I moved to Japan. Most I've still yet to listen to!

Dave Barry rocks! I'm such a fan. I'm going to need to look for this book, thanks for the tip, Terri.

Another Dave Barry fan here...and yes, when he wants to be serious, his writing is even better!

Love Dave Barry, though I haven't read him in years. A couple of his phrases have become a permanent part of my vocabulary -- namely "big stud artichoke" and "Martian Death Flu."

Thanks for the Dave Barry recommendation... sounds fun.

Thanks so much for the compliments!! If it's any consolation, it's not much easier to be the journalist interviewing people who think that the fact they earn this much money means they are smarter, brighter and thus more worthwhile than the rest of the universe. Occasionally the money is a byproduct of those facts; more often it's not, or the sheer magnitude of the money ensures that it never could be. I'm always thrilled to encounter someone who makes money, but for whom the money is irrelevant; they just love what they do. Or someone who has been able to ask the question of themselves -- how much money is enough? and to answer it.

Hi Terri, another Dave Barry fan here. You just reminded me to get something on audio for my plane ride tomorrow. Thanks:)

Yet another Dave Barry fan chiming in here . . . my mother loved him, too. I often think of her when I read him and LOL, as she often did.

Bargain paperbacks at Ammy, for Barry :)

I thought I was the only one who liked Dave Barry! Haven't read him in a while - surely time for another.

Catching up! Only Yesterday seems to get brilliant reviews every time I come across it, but I'm not going to add it to any wishlists yet since I have so many non-fiction history/science/historical biography books being neglected on my shelves already... soon, soon! (As usual!)

LOVE to hear from all the Dave Barryfans! When I was (unhappily) pregnant with Keith, I picked up his Babies and Other Hazards of Sex as a gift for someone else, read it myself first, and laughed out loud for the only time in 8 months! I kept the book, and began my collection from there. I have been to 3 of his book signings (all for the Peter and the Starcatchers series--Ridley Pearsonlives in town), and he is just as much a riot in person. My very favorite? Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs. Anyone who was a child of the 60's & 70's will die laughing.

And I'm back from Vegas, where I got THREE books read (in between losing money)!
82. Lirael by Garth Nix. Read for the Abhorsen Trilogy Group Read. Second book in the Abhorsen trilogy. Lirael doesn't understand why she does not have the Sight as all other Daughters of the Clayr do. She is past the age when it shows up for everyone else, and her impatience is expressed in defiance of rules. Sameth is the son of Sabriel and Touchstone from Book 1, and although he is supposed to be the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, he doesn't want to be. He runs away in search of his friend, meets up with Lirael, and they learn some interesting things about each other, as they adventure into the next book of the series! I liked this one even better than the first, and towards the end, couldn't put it down.
83. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. I really enjoyed reading this book. Everyone knows the story, and the book doesn't wander far from it. What I found the most interesting about it was the way in which the story was told. It was exactly like someone was making it up as they went along, and telling it out loud. I can't believe I never read it before, and that I had to borrow it from my adult son to read it!
84. The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop. I thought now would be a good time to read this, since "Damn Yankees" is going to be at the Muny Opera this week and I will be going to see it. Joe Boyd is a dedicated Washington Senators fan, and he is sick and tired of the Yankees winning the pennant every year. He sells his soul to the devil to become Joe Hardy, baseball player extraordinare, and he leads the Senators through a winning season. He has managed to get an escape clause put into his contract, but the devil (being the devil) outfoxes him. Does he manage to get back to his old life? Do the Senators win? (duh--read the title) But it's a great story. Only one problem I had with the book (or maybe the edition I have): it couldn't decide if it was set in 1958 or 1968. When a date was mentioned, it was one or the other, but not consistently either. Copyright 1954 & 1964. I guess maybe it changed with the second edition, but they missed some of the dates! Anyway, still a great book!

85. Bed Riddance by Ogden Nash. A delightful collection of Ogden Nash poems on the subject of illness (on which, being a hypochondriac, he is an expert). I had to mark several of them to be used on special occasions ("Visitors Laugh at Locksmiths or, Hospital Doors Haven't Got Locks Anyhow" and "What the Well-Read Patient is Talking About or, Look Ma, What I Got!"). Some amusing, some hilarious, great fun!
86. This is Graceanne's Book by P. L. Whitney. Read for the Missouri Readers August Group Read. VERY good book. Saving comments for the discussion. Bottom line--read it. This means you, Miss Linda/Whisper.

okie dokie Miss Terri. I'll get a copy of This is Graceanne's Book and will read it. If you say it is good, then I'm sure it is.

Hugs to you my friend!

Even though my name is not Linda/Whisper, I am stealing the suggestion of This is Graceanne's Book.

Neither of my local libraries have this book. I'll see if I can get it from Amazon.

Interesting list there, Terri :) a nice mix !

Ogden Nash - I love him. My mom had a set of 5 of his books (from some book club probably). Knowing that my siblings also loved them, I spent many years trying to find matching ones in bookshops so we could all have sets when she died, each one based around one of hers (there are four of us). I found quite a few, and I got the fifth one of Mom's, so now my set sits there and reminds me of her. Only she kept hers in the bathroom, but I don't have room for a shelf in there, so I don't.

Oh joy! Bookcloseouts.com has This is Graceanne's Book included in their summer sale of $1.99 for paperback and $2.99 for hardcover fiction. I ordered a copy and only have to pay $2.99!

#25: Terri, I'm almost certain that The Year The Yankees Lost the Pennant was not set in 1968, as I'm pretty sure that the Senators had left Washington by then. I think they became the Minnesota Twins; let's see...ah. The original Senators became the Twins after the 1960 season. However, the second version of the Senators was playing in the capital from 1961-71, and this team left to become the Texas Rangers after the 1971 season. So, it could still have been set in 1968; however, the Yankees were terrible in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I think it was probably set in the mid to late 1950s, during their most dominant period.

Caught up and got your latest thread starred! This is Graceanne's Book has been added to my neverending wishlist.

Stasia, Linda: you won't be sorry (I hope!)!

Thanks, Darryl. I suspect you're right--a lot of the story had a 1950s kind of feel to it. And it probably would have had to be the original Senators for Joe to feel so strongly about the team. But it's good to have some solid evidence. I just found it odd that the book would be so inconsistent.

Janet, that's so neat! I haven't read much Ogden Nash, but I've really enjoyed what I have read. He & James Thurber just keep me rolling on the ground. And they don't have to use bad words or promiscuity to do it!

Hey Kath! I do seem to be on an interesting roll with my reading lately, don't I? Nothing consistent on the surface, yet I keep finding connections! Good times!

Terri, glad to hear you enjoyed Graceanne. I know that not everyone will like books I recommend to a group but, still, I would've felt bad if everyone hated it. I intend to start my re-read of it next week.

As for The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant, Amazon says it takes place in 1958 (at least based on the first line of the book). I have to rely on them because, though I've read hundreds of baseball books, I've never read this one.

I'm envious that you're going to the MUNY. I've wanted to go there but could never fit it in during my St Louis vacations.

#26 Looking forward to your comments of Graceanne's Book. And especially looking forward to the discussion. I finished it last week and second your recommendation.

87. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King. Many of you have read and recommended this book/series. Set in 1915, we find a retired Sherlock Holmes raising and studying bees, when he encounters fifteen year-old Mary Russell. Mary is an orphan living with her aunt. She is a voracious reader, and seems to have a knack for the Holmesian methods of detection. The two become fast friends, and as Mary goes on to study at Oxford, they partner in minor cases, until they realize that someone is trying to kill them both.
This is a good story, with all the fun Sherlock Holmes deductions. I enjoyed reading it, although I found the romance a bit of a stretch. And although I liked the book, I really don't feel compelled to continue on with the series, so that will be 10 books off my TBR list!

>36 lindapanzo: Linda, you really should try to get to the Muny sometime. It's great fun (as long as it doesn't rain!). My father and I have a deal: I will drive my mother to all the Muny shows every summer, and he will pay for my tickets. Although when we take all my nieces, we just sit in the free seats. There's just nothing like watching musicals outside--once the sun goes down, it's pleasant, even on a hot night. "Cats" this week, with Ken Page reprising his Broadway role as Old Deuteronomy!

#38: Sorry you did not enjoy that one more, Terri! I hope you find something you like better.

I've never heard of the Muny before - that looks great! We make enough trips over each year that we ought to easily be able to plan to go. We have an outdoor theater here, too, but they don't do as many performances so it's harder to go on the spur of the moment.

I think I had about the same reaction to Beekeeper's Apprentice as you did. I liked it pretty well, but so far have not been tempted to go on with the series. We had it on audio in the car in the vacation last summer. After we got home, my son proceeded to work through 2 or 3 more of them.

TLo: Go here!

88. The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War: 1890-1914 by Barbara W. Tuchman. A book sent to me by a very lovely and thoughtful gentleman friend, along with The Guns of August. I read them in chronological order, so this one first. Sometimes, the best way to understand why something happens is to study the time before it happened. Barbara Tuchman does an excellent job of placing World War I in perspective by ignoring it and writing about what was going on in the world for the 25 years preceding it. The book was not necessarily chronological, but was divided into sections by subject (and sometimes by country). It sounds terrible, but reading a book like this helps you to realize why wars continue to happen. I don't think I ever realized just how different the world was before 1914. And yet, we keep doing the same things and expecting different results.

#88 Terri - That's a really nice succinct review of The Proud Tower. I've often considered reading it, but having tried The Guns of August, which I hated and never finished, I think I've been put off Tuchman for life. However, a vast majority out there love "the Guns" so I am, admittedly, in a very small minority. I look forward to your next review :)

What did you hate about it, Peter? Knowing that your ken of these war things is greater than most, I would like to hear what you think. It probably won't sway me one way or another (being just a kindergarten WWI reader).

Tuchman's style surely isn't for everyone, Peter; I think a lot of readers find her chattiness off-putting. I respond well to it, because it feels more like having a good long gossip with God than Learning History's Events *snore*.

#45 Terri - It's just my humble opinion, and as I said, I am in a very small minority here, but I found the book incredibly dull - so much so that I never finished it (a unique distinction from someone who reads a lot of 'dull' books!). I appreciate that her "chattiness" appeals to many (personally, I love narrative histories), but I found it more convoluted than enlightening. There is also a definite anti-German bias throughout the book, which colours the author's story. It's been so long since I've tried to read the book that I can't recall specific examples, but these are my impressions despite the passage of time.

Hi Terri, I think I liked The Beekeeper's Apprentice more than you and Sandy did as I want to continue on with the series, but I'm in no hurry. Ever since I saw Robert Downey, Jr. as "Sherlock Holmes," I've been a fan of everything-Sherlock!

I'm glad the Muny gave you the raincheck and that last night's performance had better weather. Did you happen to look up and see the full moon? We saw Camelot at The Muny years and years ago. Robert Goulet was in it, but he played the role of King Arthur that time due to his age!

It looks like you're creating a new book sensation. This is Graceanne's Book may make the bestseller lists in the weeks to come! I'm looking forward to reading and discussing it.

sheesh! How did I get so far behind on your thread?

*waves*

>46 richardderus: *smooch* to Richard, even though I was uninvited to his party. Don't worry--the dancing boys who like me probably won't be interested in you, and vice versa. Hopefully, you will invite some of both!

>47 petermc: Well, Peter, I'll be trying it soon, so we'll see. As far as an anti-German bias, I'd be interested to know if there are any WWI books written with a pro-German bias. I find that just about everything WWI is anti-German!

>48 Donna828: No, Donna, we didn't see the moon. There were still some clouds and it was hidden. I was looking for it though, because there was an interview in the program with one of the actors that said it was awesome to hear Grizabella singing "Memory" with a real full moon above!

>49 mckait: Kath, welcome to the "OMG these threads are proliferating faster than any normal human could keep up with" club. If a thread isn't in the first 20 on the list, it waits until later. I've given up!

89. Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear. Still enjoying this series very much. These have been my "car" (audio)books over the last few months, and very enjoyable. The investigations are almost incidental to the real story, and we learn a little more about Maisie Dobbs in each book. I liked that she came more out of her shell and started developing a social life in this one. Carrying on!

#50 "welcome to the "OMG these threads are proliferating faster than any normal human could keep up with" club. If a thread isn't in the first 20 on the list, it waits until later. I've given up!"

I know that feeling! At least I've caught up with you even it all gets out of control again!

I'm laughing, Heather, because I just caught up with your thread today, and just didn't post because I was trying to get through as many as I could in between work tasks!

You have such an interesting reading list, Terri. I liked your review of Proud Tower and have added it to my obese wish list.

Would the Maisie Dobbs series fall under the category of cosy mysteries? I've not read one yet but am curious.

I'm not sure I would classify them as cosy. There's a lot of deep stuff, left over from WWI. And Maisie is a "Psychologist and Investigator," with a definite sense of the, well, psychological. But you see Maisie develop with each book, and I've enjoyed them immensely. Try the first, and if you like it, you'll like the rest, I think.

Which is the first in the series, Terri?

**waving** as I fly by going through some threads. I think I'm going to give Maisie a try.

I've been reading the Maisie Dobbs books since the start, and thought this was one of her weaker efforts, but the new hardcover is a much stronger read. I'll be interested how she makes the transition from postwar to prewar England ad the 1930s move onward.

Re WW1 books, there is All Quiet on the Western Front, which is written by a German, and more anti-war than anti-German. I seem to recall Rites of Spring by Modris Eksteins was fairly agnostic, although it's looking more at the war's outcome and consequences as much as the war itself (in the same way that Paul Fussell did). Some of the more recent scholarly histories are more even handed as well, like Michael Gilbert's; then there is Thunder at Twilight by Frederic Morton, which covers some of the same ground as Tuchman's first book, with a focus on prewar Vienna. I'd also recommend a newish book by Philipp Blom, who is, I think Austrian, called The Vertigo Years. He tackles each year from 1900 to 1914 in a separate chapter, looking at the transformation of the world and trying to block out the knowledge of what it would lead to.

All that said, however, the years leading up to the outbreak of war were ones characterized by fairly aggressive militarism within Germany, in particular -- the Prussian post-Bismarck era was dominated by the military establishment. The dreadnought-building race of the prewar years is just one case where it flared up openly. Then Austria-Hungary was dealing with the stuff in the Balkans for years. Princip's lucky shot was simply the match that fell on a bunch of dry tinder. All the atrocity story nonsense of the 1914 fall campaign is absurd, but I'm not sure that if blame was being allocated, a greater share doesn't rest on the German side. Not as much as Versailles peacemakers wanted everyone to believe, of course... Odd, when I think about it, I don't think I've ever read a German history of WW1 -- the occasional memoir, but no history of it. Of course, probably up until the second world war, any history would have been cast in the light of the disaster of Versailles, and then after the second world war, the Germans had far more to ponder of more recent vintage to look back, perhaps. Does anyone know if there is a standard German history??

*carefully avoiding all blue text**waves*

#58 - The official German history of the Great War is the 14-volume Der Weltkrieg, and (excitingly!) last year saw the release of the first English-language translation: Germany's Western Front: Translations from the German Official History of the Great War, 1915 edited by Mark Osborne Humphries, and John Maker (link to publisher).

This is to be a 7-volume set, in 4 parts, published out of sequence. The volume released last year is actually Volume II. The rest will be released according to the following schedule (source: Mark Humphries website)

Volume I: 1914, Part One – The Outbreak of War: The Beginning of the War to the End of the Battles of the Frontiers (2010)

Volume I: 1914, Part Two – The End of the War of Mobility: From the Battle of the Marne to the End of the Year (2011)

Volume II: 1915 – The First Year of Trench Warfare (2009)

Volume III: 1916 – Attritional Warfare (2012)

Volume IV: 1917/1918, Part I: Defence in the West – From the Start of the Year to the End of June 1917 (2013)

Volume IV: 1917/1918, Part Two – From Defence to Offence in the West: Events from the Battle of Passchendaele to the Spring Offensive (2014)

Volume IV: 1917/1918, Part Three – Collapse: Events to the Armistice (2015)

---------------
If you don't want to pay the publisher's price, US$85.00, Amazon Canada has it for only CDN$53.55 new.

---------------
Link: A sample translation from Volume II can be found in: The First Use of Poison Gas at Ypres, 1915: A Translation from the German Official History of the Great War (PDF), published in Canadian Military History 16, 3 (2007), 57-73.

I'll also second the recommendation on The Vertigo Years: Europe 1900-1914 by Philipp Blom. Let me quote from the introduction...

In the spirit of trying to discover this time on its own terms, I would like to invite you to perform a thought experiment: imagine that a voracious but highly selective plague of bookworms had attacked the world’s libraries eating through books and photos, films and other records, and devouring all historical information dealing with the time between July 1914 and 2000; imagine you knew nothing about the Sarajevo assassination, the Somme, the Great Crash, the Reichskristallnacht, Stalingrad, Auschwitz, Hiroshima, the gulags, or the Berlin Wall, but that history had gently dawned into memory after the turn of the millennium. Imagine you would not see the biographies, thoughts and deeds of the people living in and around 1910 through the prism of a century of monstrous crimes and monumental achievements, but that you could remove these historical spectacles for a while. Imagine yourself looking at the years 1900 to 1914 without the long shadows of the future darkening their historical present, a living moment with all its complexity and its contradictions, its hopes and fears, and with an open future, just as it was lived by the people of that time. (p.4)

Dropping by to say Hello!

I still need to read The Beekeeper's Apprentice and Maisie Dobbs. They look excellent...sigh...so many, many books!

>56 cameling: Maisie Dobbs is the first of the series, Caroline. Definitely read them in order, as they really do build on each other.
>57 brenzi: Bonnie, do try the series. I have enjoyed it immensely--kind of a history lesson without memorizing dates!
> 58 Ooh, great suggestions, Suzanne! All Quiet on the Western Front is in my "short stack" but it keeps getting pushed aside. I need to fix that. And interesting comment about "the match that fell on a bunch of dry tinder." Before I started reading about it, it was really in my mind that the assassination is what started WWI. But the more I read, the more I realize that you are right. I suspect it would have happened eventually anyway, and wouldn't have waited much longer.
Edited to add: Remember, history is always written by the winners! That's probably why there's not much German stuff around.

>59 mckait: Kath, you don't know what you're missing!

>60 petermc: (gulp) 14 volumes? I'm not sure I'm young enough to start a 14 volume series! I'll have to check out the Humphries/Maker website. I'll try The Vertigo Years also. Sounds interesting.

>61 petermc: I can sympathize, Angela! So many books, so little time...

90. The Thurber Carnival by James Thurber. I do go from the sublime to the ridiculous, don't I? Anyway, this is a collection of some of his best essays, some compiled from his other books, some new, a chapter of fables, and a couple of chapters of just cartoons. Just as funny the second time around. I really love Thurber!

Message 64: tloeffler
>59 mckait: Kath, you don't know what you're missing!

Exactly the point... lol

and

>60 petermc: (gulp) 14 volumes? I'm not sure I'm young enough to start a 14 volume series!

roflmao

Terri

I'm simply stopping by to say how excited I am that I'll be meeting you at Richard's birthday bash in September!

Ahem. And in Kansas City in August???

Hey, Terri--somehow missed the transition to this thread until right now! Glad to be here, anyway, hopefully better late than never!

Thanks for the recommendation re Der Weltkrieg, Peter, although I admit I'm not enamored enough of military history to work my way through all those volumes! I might look for the last two volumes in the series, though, and maybe the first. But generally it sounds as if there would be waaay more detail on the military nitty-gritty than I want or feel able to wade through yet again from a different POV.

ETA: yes, the idea of the thought experiment (imagine that you didn't know war would break out in the summer of 1914) was a compelling "hook" for the Blom's book. Alas, it's a bit like telling someone not to think about the elephant in the room!

Welcome, Roni! Good to see you here!

welcome to the "OMG these threads are proliferating faster than any normal human could keep up with" club.

I think I belong in that club, too!

*dashes off to try to catch up another thread*

Terri
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed re. Kansas City, MO and meeting you there, though I've just discovered that the workshop will be more intense than I originally thought.

Four students and my assistant are attending. Bebecause it is a Friday night-Sunday noon conference, the facilitators are packing the sessions back to back and have now decided to make dinner Saturday part of the workshop.

Drat! But, if I'm not able to meet you in MO, then I will meet you at Richard's birthday bash.

72 ~ a continuing problem..

>73 Whisper1: *sad face* well, Linda, let me know, and if it works, great, and if it doesn't, there's always September!

*sad face* to Terri & Kath too. It's a darned shame. If it weren't so much fun, there wouldn't be as many threads. And if there weren't as many threads, it wouldn't be as much fun.

"It's a darned shame. If it weren't so much fun, there wouldn't be as many threads. And if there weren't as many threads, it wouldn't be as much fun."

I agree completely!

yep.. terri is one of those smart girls....

Aw, shucks.

91. Abhorsenby Garth Nix. A great ending to a great series. I zipped through Part III unbelievably fast because it kept pulling me along.

So glad you liked it as much as I do!

Hi Terri. I read the, ummmm, last 20 posts or so...does that count as being caught up on your thread? :)

Absolutely not. See above. There are three other threads you need to peruse. So you'd best get started, young man. There are pearls of wisdom that I'm sure you would benefit from.

hah! you tel him!

81- Lol!

81: Ok, I'll read your 4 threads if you read my 5! Ummmm, as far as pearls of wisdom go...well, no guarantees you'll find any of those on my threads... :P

maybe not Stephen, but they sure are interesting.

I'll have you know, sir, that I HAVE read all of your threads. So there.

Well shoot...ummm, is there an abridged version?

We don't use the "A" word around here. You will just have to pretend to have read them all. There may be a quiz.

Oh, I was never good at pretending to have read things. I saw a cute girl with a copy of Pride and Prejudice at the library once and when I tried to tell her my favorite part was when zombie ate the one lady's head, she didn't seem too impressed. :(

(Ok, that didn't really happen, but still...)

92. Forever Odd by Dean Koontz. Second in the Odd Thomas series. One of Odd's friends is kidnapped by a psychotic wannabe psychic, in the hopes of getting Odd to follow them. He does, all the way to a deserted casino that had been destroyed in an earthquake/fire some years ago.
What I had liked the most in Odd Thomas was the interaction between Odd and the other characters. There was very little of that in this book; the bulk of it was Odd's internal conversations. So I found this second book less compelling than the first. But it wasn't bad enough that I'll quit the series.

#90: I like the Odd Thomas series too, Terri, but agree that the second book is not as good as the first.

count me in as a fan of Odd.

Is it voting day there Terri?

It is indeed. I hope the line's not too long--I have a very short window of time this evening!

Great News! My middle son has finally gotten a big-boy job in Memphis! Now he'll be able to help support me in my dotage!

Yaay...congratulations! When does he start work, Terri?

Good feeling, isn't it?

Woot for Terri's dotage :)

Congrats to the son!

He worked a band camp at the school last week with his competition, then on Friday, the principal signed the paperwork and told him to start on Monday! So he's already started! Assistant Band Director at Central High School in Memphis. Full time WITH BENEFITS!!!
(It only took him 2-1/2 years after graduation...)

worth waiting for though

CongratulationsTerri! There aren't many teaching jobs out there right now so good for him.

Oh, wow, Terri, that's GREAT! Congratulations to him! And best of luck in his new job!

Terri, that sounds like a great job! My daughter's local area orchestra and big band went to Memphis last year (yes, from London!) and did a lot of music with local schools. They had a great time, and were very impressed with the local music. The program there must be very well managed and sophisticated to have been able to accommodate that tour - 200 foreign kids, a week long program. I'll have to ask her if Central High School was part of it.

Guess which Early Reviewers book I won this month????????

I'll give you a hint: author initials are L.P.

Yay for you.

Guess which book I won this month? Hint: the author's initials are the same as my own.

I hope this book comes soon.

Yay for you, too, Linda! I also cannot wait!

I was an ER book winner for the previous LP book, The Brutal Telling and I seem to recall it came fairly quickly.

Oh, I also remember that it was an ARC and later on, after it was published, they also sent a final copy. Not sure whether they do that all the time, though.

It seems like I have to be jealous of everyone this month!

Well, that would be awesome. One can only hope...

#108 I hope they send it quickly and send a real copy later. I was foisting that book on everyone I know.

Oddly enough, at lunch today, a co-worker excitedly told me that she just noticed that the new LP book was coming out next month. I had forgotten to tell her I was getting an ER copy.

Well, you wouldn't want anyone to break into your house to steal it, would you? I say keep the secret! At least from anyone in short driving distance.

Hmmmm....St. Charles isn't all that far from Springfield. Just sayin'!

Congrats! I am happy for you :)

I would say I was happy for you and your family, except I'd be lying as I sit here crafting a voodoo dolly to "take care of" several of y'all who won the ER copies of Lousy Louise's new book.

And you thought knee pain was bad....

#113 I have noticed a sudden pain in my left elbow this evening...

But, Richard, I thought you hated Louise...

>113 richardderus: and 114 It's my head that hurts.

93. The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard. My mother and her cousin had daughters born on the same day, at the same hospital. We lived parallel lives, not great friends, but cordial friends, until she passed away. So the premise of this book attracted me to it.
Ruth Plank and Dana Dickerson are "birthday sisters," born on the same day at the same hospital. The story switches back and forth between these two as narrators, beginning at their youth and moving into late middle age, chronicling their lives, and leading up to what I think was supposed to be a "shocking" revelation.

I found the chapters to be too short to keep my interest, and the "revelation" was obvious to me very early on in the book. The story and characters never connected with me, although I can see how it would be appealing to a different kind of reader. Ultimately disappointing to me, but probably not a horrible book.

Your story reminded me that my two best friends at the time both had their third child at the same hospital within a day of each other. One had her third boy, the other her third girl. They both desperately wanted the opposite sex, so joked about trading babies. Would have made a good story too, don't you think?

#117: I think I will give that one a pass. I hope your next read is more enjoyable for you, Terri.

I won the Louise Penny book too! (oops...don't tell Richard...)

>120 BookAngel_a: *goes to the Voodoo Emporium nearby for more rusty needles*

115,121 - I will repeat the question...."But Richard, I thought you hated Louise???" ;)

::pout:: he went to the Voodoo Emporium without me again.

Message #117

Speaking of birthdays....I believe yours is right around the corner.

Happy Almost birthday...

Am I correct that you will be 16 on the 16th of August?

>119 alcottacre: My next "read"? I've taken a page from your book, Stasia, and I've got 7-8 going now. There's got to be one good book in the lot!

>120 BookAngel_a: Congratulations, Angela! Maybe we should do a group read of it? Oh, wait. We don't want to spoil it for the unfortunates.

>121 richardderus: If you were a little nicer, Richard, maybe one of us would gift our copy to you when we finished...

> 123 I want to go to the Voodoo Emporium! It looks like my kind of place!

>124 Whisper1: Well, I can walk like a 16 year old now, but that's about all! The rest of me will be way old. But it beats the alternative!

Yeah.. there were a few little places in Salem... but none of them look quite this good back when I lived there .. lol

On no..... you've got 7 - 8 books going on now? Aren't you satisfied just adding one or 2 books a week or so to my obese wish list, now you're upping up the ante to a half dozen at least? I DO have to contend with Stasia's list too every Sunday, you know ...... *hides under covers, trembling in fear*

#125: Out of 7 or 8, I should hope that you can find one!

94. An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear. Fourth in the Maisie Dobbs series. Maisie checks out a small town where James Compton wants to purchase a brickworks. Suspicious but innocuous fires seem to occur with more frequency than they should in the town, and Maisie finds out that all is not as it seems. Another good one from Winspear!

Ugggggggggggg

Voodoo backfired, now I'm miserable and sick.

Serves me right, I guess.

Richard

Perhaps we need to bring some voodoo dolls with us in September. hummmmmmmmmmm A voodoo themed birthday cake?

O. M. G. Richard, you take those pins out of Louise Penny's doll right this minute.

95. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny. Armand Gamache has made a mistake. A huge mistake, which led to the deaths of several Sûreté agents, and to the injury of many more, including Gamache and Jean Guy Beauvoir. Gamache has gone to Quebec City to recuperate (physically and mentally) at the home of his former mentor, Emile Comeau, and to spend some time doing research into the Battle of Quebec. During his visit, a local fanatic is found murdered in the basement of the Literary and Historical Society, and Gamache reluctantly agrees to help the local inspector.
Meanwhile, every day, Gamache receives a letter from his friend Gabri in Three Pines, and every letter ends with a question that leads Gamache to wonder about his conclusion of an earlier case. He calls Jean Guy, who is itching to get away from his over-solicitous wife, and asks him to go to Three Pines on an unofficial basis and poke around.
Louise Penny has done it again. Once I started this book, I stayed up until it was finished. Penny puts the three stories together in a most compelling way, and, as usual, we find out more about the characters of Gamache and Beauvoir. Three Pines plays a much smaller role in this story, but all the usual characters are there, and new alliances are made. Penny has woven in some fascinating history of Quebec and the search for the body of Samuel de Champlain, one of the founders. She admits up front to taking a few liberties, but nothing major, and from one who knew nothing about that history, it didn’t seem to make a difference.
The humor, the pathos, the realness of the characters—it’s all here, and I can’t wait for her next book.

#132 I probably won't get to Bury Your Dead for a week or two but it sounds amazing.

Also amazing: right now, it has 7 five-star ratings and 1 one-star rating.

Don't start it unless you have time to finish it then and there, Linda! And I cannot imagine where the one-star rating came from. Someone must have been on drugs.

And, just in case anyone is interested: Bluecoats of Canton OH took Third Place with their highest score ever at the Drum Corps International Championships this weekend! Woo-Hoo! (Just for the record, they have one of the greatest pit techs in the world on their staff. And he has an awesome mother.)

This is just not fair. Where is my ER copy. I don't live in the boonies. Wait...do I.....maybe I do.

You guys are killing me with these great reviews of the Penny book! My copy (preordered from Amazon) cannot get here fast enough!

ETA: Congrats to the Bluecoats!!

Nice review of Bury Your Dead, Terri. I just wish you hadn't made it sound so good. I started The Brutal Telling last night and plan to read Bury Your Dead as soon as it's finished. But with school starting soon, I don't have as much reading time. (Darn job!)

And, congrats to the Bluecoats! I would love to go to the Drum Corps International Championships. I'll bet it was something to see!

Terri, how is the knee doing?

Oh my, now I can't wait to continue the Three Pines series. I jumped in just in time!

>135 brenzi: Oh, Bonnie, I hope you get it soon! SO worth whatever wait you have!
>136 alcottacre: Stasia, we wouldn't be saying such great things about it if it wasn't so darned good.
>137 porch_reader: Amy, I didn't get to go to the show this year (sad face), but I've been to quite a few, and I just don't know of anything more exhilarating. I'm so glad my son got involved in it--it's kept me entertained for years.
>138 ronincats: Roni, my knee is doing extremely well. Except on physical therapy days when it hurts like blazes (but never as bad as it did before). I was laughing at school last night--I was walking down the hall, and I heard shrieks behind me. I turned, and there were some former students pointing and saying "Look at how fast she's walking!"
>139 London_StJ: Luxx, I just realized yesterday that I had read the all but the first one in a two-month period. Everything else just had to wait. I was going to stretch them out but I couldn't stand it. Get those books read before the new one becomes too available--you won't be able to resist!

TLo, you're just bein' mean. Lousy Louise wrote a terrible, awful book, right? One I don't HAVE to read, right? Right!

No, no, no, Richard. You must read this book. If necessary, I shall bring it to your party and read it to you.

96. The Irresistible Henry House by Lisa Grunwald. My notes say this book was recommended by AARP Magazine, which puzzles me (I don't get too many recs from there), but I got it from the library and read it. The story begins in the 1950s, when apparently, it was common at some schools (Cornell, for one) to use "practice babies" for their home economics classes (do they even have home economics classes any more?). Martha Grimes is the home ec teacher at an East Coast college, and she lives in the "practice home" on campus. Every year, a baby is brought from the local orphanage, named H_____ House by Martha, and is used to teach the young ladies how to care for babies. One year baby Henry comes to the house, and for whatever reason, Martha becomes attached to him. She ends up adopting him, and he spends his youth with multiple mothers (all of the home ec students). Henry grows up and we see the results of his bizarre childhood.
It's a good book, not a great book, but a quick read, and fun to relive the 60s and 70s. Although I don't usually do "summer reads," this would probably be a good one. Light with just a little deep thinking.

#142: I think I will give that one a pass.

Good review, Terri. Now I really, really, really want to sink my teeth into the latest Penny book ... and I have to wait for my copy to be delivered. Arrrggghhhhh...

#144: You and me both, Caro!

142- I agree. Richard MUST read the new Louise Penny book. I'm only half done so I don't know how it ends though...

#142--The Irresistable Henry House sounds intriguing. Back in the day, the local Catholic women's college had an apartment where young women were taught homemaking, but I don't think they covered this subject!

I'm adding Henry House to my list. Thanks for the recommendation!

Karen O.

97. The American Resting Place: 400 Years of History Through Our Cemeteries and Burial Grounds by Marilyn Yalom. I saw that Meg Waite Clayton was reading this on the 50-Something thread, and since I love wandering in cemeteries, I picked it up. Imagine my delight when almost an entire chapter dealt with my favorite St. Louis cemetery (Bellefontaine)! My sons and I used to go there for entertainment (their idea as often as it was mine). Yalom and her son Reid Yalom traveled the country, touring and photographing interesting cemeteries. It's a difficult book to describe, because it goes from historical information to descriptions of interesting tombstones, with stories of the people they meet on their travels, but it works well. The text is almost conversational, and the pictures--well, my only complaint about the book was there were not enough pictures (only 64!). I wanted to see a picture of every single place they described. Regardless, the information is fascinating, and if you like this sort of thing, I highly recommend it.

I've read a couple books by Marilyn Yalom (A History of the Breast and A History of the Wife) and enjoyed them, but I have a feeling The American Resting Place would be much more entertaining. I'm adding it to my list!

98. The Best American Essays 2005, edited by Susan Orlean. I had picked this up at a book fair several years ago, just because, well, why do we pick up anything at a book fair? I guess it just appealed at the moment. Like any collection, there are essays that I loved and some that I skimmed (and I admit, one or two that I read a page of and then moved to the next one). Favorites? "If Memory Doesn't Serve" by Ian Frazier, talking about the tricks our memory plays as we get older. "The Prince of Possibility" by Robert Stone, about hanging out with Ken Kesey and friends in the 1960s. "Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog" by Kitty Burns Florey, about diagramming sentences. The book is worth reading just for these 3 essays.

Good review of The American Resting Place, Teri ...but cemeteries aren't my thing so I'm going to pass on this. When I was in high school, my friends with cars (usually the guys) thought it was funny to drive through cemeteries at night with the headlights off while some of them hid among the headstones and leaped out at the car, scaring the heck out of their unsuspecting passengers in the backseat.

See, that's just mean. I have a great respect for cemeteries. They contain some of the best architecture I've ever seen. Not everyone enjoys them like I do!

That sounds like a typical guy prank. I'll bet they thought it was hilarious, didn't they? I don't mind cemeteries and will happily spend time looking around if I'm with someone who suggests it, but they just don't call out to me. I'll probably skip this one, too. Although the books named by Luxx look pretty interesting...

The American Resting Place sounds like something I would like to read. It is now on the tbr pile. When my daughter lived in Waltham, MA (near Lexington and Concord), we loved visiting the New England cemeteries.

#150 -- I've been getting that collection of essays every fall since 1988, for the same reason you cite -- there are always some great essays in it, and overall, some other good ones that are well worth reading. So I now have an entire shelf, with 20-plus volumes!

The book of Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog is amazing... with diagrams to die for.

#148: I do not know whether to be worried about you or not, Terri, having a favorite cemetery?!

The American Resting Place sounds like a good book though, so into the BlackHole it goes!

#150: I enjoy reading essays, so I imagine I will get to that book some time or other.

I tend to have a favorite everything but no, I don't have a favorite cemetery.

For instance, I was discussing my favorite grades with my niece (who is entering 4th grade on Wed). Fourth and 7th grades were my favorites.

Wow! I would say ninth grade was a fave, and the second half of both 10th and 11th grades. Senior year was bad -- lots of exams (International Bacc.) and my mother's closest friend and neighbor died suddenly that winter, leaving two young children.

Mmm, I loved senior year. I had all but 1 credit earned, all exams complete, and basically everythig done. So I just showed up and goofed around all day. Terrific! :)

Eighth grade was my favorite. Old enough to have some freedom, but still young enough to be care-free.

Interesting. My niece can't relate to high school yet. We were just talking about what I call grade school (1st through 8th). I skipped 3rd grade so 4th was my most challenging grade which also made it very interesting.

As for cemeteries, my favorites probably would be the two cemeteries where all of my relatives are buried.

My kids favorite memory to ease me about is the time we went picnicking in a
cemetery ( a very very old and small one) to watch fireworks down the river.
I might have to add that to my think about this one list.

>153 sjmccreary: I don't know, Sandy--A History of the Breast? I'd rather read about cemeteries.

> 154 Linda, there are some great pictures of old New England cemeteries in the book too. I was just surprised that the MO cemeteries got so much space. Not that they don't deserve it, but we don't get a lot of press.

>155 Chatterbox: I think I'm jealous, Suzanne. If I had them, though, I'd have to read them, and there are good and bad sides to that!

>156 allthesedarnbooks: I didn't know there was a whole book! Zoinks!

>157 alcottacre: I think I'll be all right, Stasia. It's more about the style, and the stories contained in them. I took a tour once of the Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive, IL once, where there is a monument to Mother Jones. There was a whole section of children who all died within the same week. It just makes me think.

>158 lindapanzo:-162 I don't think I have a favorite grade. I pretty much liked them all.

>163 mckait: I'm not sure I'd like the cemetery so much at night. It would be harder to read the inscriptions. But the very old and very small are some of my favorites.

Hey, Terri! Are you counting the days yet? I know I am!

99. Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear. The next of the Maisie Dobbs series. Maisie helps the police hunt down a letter-writer who appears to be a war veteran with enough intelligence to create a chemical weapon to use on the New Years Eve revelers to call attention to the plight of the war-wounded. Enjoyed it as I have all the others!

#166: Yep, I need to read the Maisie Dobbs books again!

>164 tloeffler:, I haven't read the essay, so I don't know how it compares to the book, but I thought the book was quite enjoyable.

Did not realize the next Winspear book was out - I have really enjoyed the earlier ones so will have to look for this one now.

>153 sjmccreary: - Yalom has a very clear agenda in The History of the Breast (which focuses on the cultural significance and artistic representation of the breast) and The History of the Wife, but the information itself is fascinating.

>151 cameling: - There is a neighborhood here with a family cemetery in the middle of a court. Forty years ago a group of midshipmen from the Naval Academy actually dug up a few of the graves, and apparently took a skull. After that the community removed all the individual markers, and put up one big family marker to honor the deceased, and protect their remains.

Everyone else familiar with FindAGrave.com?

My favorite grade was eighth. And my favorite cemetery is Sacred Heart (where my great grandparents are buried). :)

I've been at FindAGrave.com, Luxx, but I guess that's no big surprise...

I hadn't heard of findagrave.com but took a look. The data, at least in our area, isn't that good. Might be a chance to add info for them.

I have been on FindAGrave.com several times.

So does The History of the Breast have pictures? :P

...

*sigh* Sorry, I couldn't resist. :)

*stays quiet from now on*

Well, Stephen, at least you're honest and not giving us that "I just read Playboy for the articles" nonsense.

100. Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The last of the Peter and the Starcatchers series. These were fun books, nowhere near serious literature, but still an enjoyment. I think I enjoyed the first two more than the third, probably because it felt like they were pushing to tie up all the loose ends. Even so, I had fun reading them.

101. The Life and Death of Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood. Someone mentioned the upcoming movie to me, and I remembered that I had this book on my shelf. She wanted to borrow it, so I decided to read it first.
Charlie & Ben St. Cloud are as close as brothers can be, until the night when a tragic accident takes Ben and leaves Charlie behind to live. Charlie grows up to become the cemetery caretaker, but he still steals off to a secluded spot every evening to play catch with Ben. Charlie can see the dead until they choose to cross over to the next level, and Charlie has promised Ben he won't leave him. When love comes into Charlie's life, though, he has to make some difficult decisions. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, even though I had to suspend belief quite frequently. Well-written and a quick read.

175: Playboy has articles?? I...never noticed...

=P

I, of course, was just joking. I determined your thread was sorely lacking in childish, immature comments. Thats were I come into play! >:}

#177: I will give that one a try if I can locate a copy at the local library. Thanks for the recommendation, Terri.

Congratulations on passing 100 books for the year, BTW.

177 I looked at that book a dozen and five times and did nothing...
it was actually in my cart for ages.. lol. I still want to read it..but will wait ( again) for now.

100 books!? Sheesh, I didn't even noticed. I was distracted by the Playboy comments. Congratulations Terri!! That's quite an achievement!

Wow, over 100 books! Good work!

Congratulations on passing 100 books, Terri!

And I still have a copy of the truly excellent interview Playboy did with Alan Watts in the 70s!

>178 Ape: Thank you, Stephen, for keeping my thread from getting too serious. Else I would have had to un-star myself.

>179 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia! It's a very quick read--you could knock it out in half an hour.

>180 mckait: Kath, this book sat on my wishlist for years, then I got it and it sat on my shelf for years. Heaven knows when I would have read it if the movie hadn't spurred me on.

>182 tymfos: Thanks, Terri!

>183 ronincats: Of course, Roni. Women really DO read the article. And thanks for the congrats!

#184: Unfortunately, someone evidently swiped the local library's copy - it is still listed in the catalog, but not available at any of their locations.

Congratulations on reaching your Century reading mark, Terri!

And thanks for the recommendation to The Life and Death of Charlie St. Cloud ..... I remember seeing trailers for the movie but the trailers were a little odd and I didn't get that Ben was dead. Sounds a bit like the Ghost Whisperer. I'll have to add this to my obese wish list

...but I've hidden Hans and Klaus, the dirty, dirty twins, so well you'll never find them! Mwaahaahaa

*note to self: do not send Terri to wine cellar*

>174 Ape: - I'm late, but ... yes. Probably not what you're looking for, though.

Congrats on your progress!

Terri, that's awesome reaching 100 books. So do you recommend knee surgery for your reading life? Your doctor did a good job as you're kicking some serious butt here. *Did I just say that?!?*

>185 alcottacre: Maybe I'll bring my copy to NY & you can read it there, Stasia!

>186 cameling: Caroline, I didn't see the movie (I haven't even seen the trailers) but I liked it as a book better than I think I would like it as a movie.

>187 richardderus: Oh, yeah, like I have to be SENT to the wine cellar. That's the first place I plan to go. Hans & Klaus will just be icing on the cake...

>188 London_StJ: Luxx, did you have to tell him that? He's a boy. All he sees is "yes" and now he'll be slobbering all over my thread.

>189 Donna828: I absolutely recommend knee surgery for your reading life! Plus it helps with butt-kicking. Thanks Donna!

#190: Works for me!

174 - I'm late, but ... yes.

!!! *slobbers all over Terri's thread*

>188 London_StJ: Luxx, did you have to tell him that? He's a boy. All he sees is "yes" and now he'll be slobbering all over my thread.

Oh...errr...sorry... :P

I've added the Life and Death of Charlie St. Cloud to the never ending tbr pile.

Congrats, Terri, on reaching 100! Books, that is! ;-)

I hope you join the Halloween reading!!!!

It'll be fun.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/98082&newpost=1#lastmsg

Thanks, Mac! I'm all over it!

102. A Very Long Engagement by Sebastien Japrisot. On January 6, 1917, five young men are led to a trench on the front line at "Bingo Crepuscle" in France, then sent over the embankment into enemy territory. They have been court-martialed and condemned to death for self-mutilation, having shot themselves in the hand. Mathilde Donnay, confined to a wheelchair, is the fiancee of one of the men. When she is called to the bedside of a dying soldier who tells her the story of that day and gives her copies of letters the men have written to their loved ones, she decides to investigate to find out if any of the five survived.
I found the beginning of the book difficult to follow, but once the characters settled down, the investigation was fascinating. Mathilde hires an investigator, sends letters, speaks to anyone who seems to have any information, then puts the pieces together.
The horrors of war, as if we don't already know them, are spelled out explicitly in this story. The more I read about World War I, the more I wonder how anyone could have ever started another war.
103. In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming. I have heard several people rave about this series, so I tried it, and found out that I am not a fan. A new (female) Episcopalian priest joins forces with the towns detective to solve the mystery of a baby left on the rectory doorstep. I found the priest to be extremely annoying, and I really didn't relate to any of the other characters much either. I felt manipulated into guessing the identity of the villain far too often, and it didn't appeal to me. Oh well, it's a whole series I can take off my list!
104. The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill. This book is also the beginning of a series, but I liked this one much more. I had some difficulty following it at the beginning, but as I got used to the style, I enjoyed it quite a bit. People are disappearing, and although her boss Simon Seraillier (sp? I gave the book back to the library already) doesn't think it's worth the department's time, Freya Graffham begins to investigate on her own. Very good book. I'll continue with this one!

I liked The Various Haunts of Men also. I like Susan Hill!

Yep, the whole series was awesome!

I haven't read the latest one...

I want to try the Susan Hill series soon as well!

105. Flight of the Piasa by Raymond Scott Edge. Along the Great River Road, just north of Alton IL, is a huge petroglyph known as the Piasa Bird. The current painting is a "reprint:" the original was first described by Marquette & Joliet in 1673, but its location has been lost to history. No one knows who painted the original or why, or even what it represents.
In this novel, Raymond Scott Edge offers one explanation. His main character, Daniel French, is a graduate student who stumbles across a skeleton in a cave. On the wall of the cave is a crude representation of the Piasa. He then receives a translated manuscript from a Chinese student that seems to tell the story of the skeleton.
I didn't care for the writing in this book much; it seemed poorly edited and the dialogue was stilted. Most of the book was the reading of the manuscript, which really dragged at times. Even though this was fiction, I expected to at least see an Afterword that explained why he wrote a novel based on this theory, but there was nothing. A visit to the author's website mentions that he had done research for the book, but nothing was listed.
On the other hand, it did present an interesting theory. I just would have liked to know more about it.

For the curious among you, I am attempting to add a picture:

#196: I have already read those except the Susan Hill book, which I own, but have not read yet. Sorry you did not like the Julia Spencer-Fleming book more. I really enjoy that series.

#201: That is one scary looking bird!

I have Susan Hill's books on the wishlist. I will get to them at some point!

I lived in Alton for a while. Beautiful area -- too bad the book didn't live up to it!

#196 Terri, may I just ask, out of curiosity, why you found Claire (the priest) so "extremely annoying" in the Spencer-Fleming book? She's one of my favorite fictional characters, but feel free to be honest! It's always interesting to see how different people react to the same character, and why.

#205 Terri, I'm curious to hear your answer, too. I love this series and have re-read it several times. But with each re-reading I am finding Clare to be more "annoying" (to use your word). I have my reasons for saying that, and I'm curious if yours are similar. I'm coming to like Russ more and more each time, however.

Terri! You'll be *here* in three days! W00t!

Richard, you had better start hiding those dancing boys NOW. I've also sent a package--hope you get it before the weekend so you can share it with us!

>205 tymfos:-206 Okay. She was just a little bit too stupid for my taste. She has to be in the middle of everything, even though she doesn't belong, and when she finds information that would help, she doesn't share it, even though she expects to be shared with. I felt like she was a spoiled brat, and I felt like she was chasing after Russ, who is married, whether happily or not, and I have a personal distaste for those kind of things. Whew. I didn't think I disliked her THAT much.

106. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. Andrew Lloyd Webber probably should not have gotten all the credit he did for the musical "Cats." Eliot's book of poems about cats has almost all the words. All he added was music.
This is a delightful book on its own, without the music (although if you're familiar with the music, I dare you to read it without singing it). I'm not particularly a "cat person" but I recognized many cats that I've come across in my time. I can't wait to read it to my granddaughter!

I've never read any Julia Spencer-Fleming books but I've long planned to do so. Maybe now I will.

#208 That's pretty much my opinion of her, too. But it didn't bother me so much right off the bat as it did you. Truth be told, a lot of "amateurs" in books annoy me for the stupid things they do. Clare is no different from the rest in that regard. What I finally realized is that Russ is crazy about her - in spite of the dumb things she does and says. As far as her chasing after him, well I read it as a lonely single woman in a strange place who meets someone that she likes and has a common past. During her army career, she would have met dozens of guys in just the same way. I think he was really trying not to fall for her. It is the relationship between Russ and Clare that is my favorite part. Except in book #3 (I think), but it doesn't sound like you'll be reading that one. Sorry you didn't like it better, but now you have room for some other series, instead!

#209 I've got to get this one!

Hans and Klaus have gone back to Austria, they're so nervous; Luigi hightailed it back to Sicily; and poor Juan just lives in Queens, so he's shivering under his bed.

Terri, have safe travels to and from the big *par-tay* in Long Island. Take pictures of those dancing boys...at least the one that didn't run away! Have fun and, remember, you are representing the state of Missouri. You'll do us proud! ;-)

#214 Donna, I'm glad it's Terri being sent off with those words and not me! That could be taken a number of different ways - I'd be afraid of letting down the entire state if I did the wrong thing!

Terri, safe travels and have a great time! Yes, take lots of pictures and say hello to everyone from the rest of us back here in Missouri.

#211 Truth be told, a lot of "amateurs" in books annoy me for the stupid things they do.

Oh, boy, is that the truth!

As for the Russ/Claire relationship, I read it like Sandy, too. I really think she initially finds a friend with common interests and background, winds up falling for him as they solve that first mystery together . . . but she also, to her credit, realizes that there's a line that mustn't be crossed and works hard not to cross it, as does Russ.

I just found it so rare and refreshing to see a clergy character in a book who is a real human being -- not a plaster saint and not a total hypocrite sleazeball, but a real human being who struggles to try to do the right thing but doesn't find it easy to manage all the time. And she doesn't always have easy answers, either.

(I also appreciate that, after I wrote to Spencer-Fleming about a later book in the series which involved a character with autism, she was kind enough to respond to my concerns about the family's portrayal. I've gotten no response from another mystery writer to whom I addressed similar concerns.)

ETA to add Have a great time this weekend!

#216 Those personal interactions with an author, such as whether someone responds to an email or letter I sent, makes a big difference in how I feel about that author and his/her books.

I recall one time emailing Troy Soos about what I believed was an error. He got right back to me and explained what he'd found in his research. Made me appreciate him more (though I probably would've liked his historical baseball mysteries anyway).

There's another pretty well-known mystery author, who sat at my table at Malice Domestic, who was a jerk at the table. I haven't read any of her books since then even though a lot of people said they've met her and liked her personally. Her arrogance that day towards the "little people" who read her books really turned me off. (Oops, in light of her attitude, I do believe I sat at HER table.)

You can count me in as another who didn't enjoy In the Bleak Midwinter, Terri. Clare made me gnash my teeth and I chucked the book before I got to the halfway point.

Yo ho ho Terri, in case you've got photos after the birthday celebration, by popular request there is a single thread for posting them over here.

"In case?" Sorry to say, I am the Photo-Hound-From-Hell. There WILL be pictures. So smile!

Oh terri, terri .. terri..

how happy that makes me !

>220 tloeffler: Oh god *frantically looks up emergency plastic surgeons, WHY has no one thought of this as a necessary service* oh god *frantically looks up dancing boys but they're all booked* oh god *frantically tries to train dog to do cute things, to her intense annoyance* Oh GOD *wail of anguish and sincere prayer for all cameras to suffer malfunctions when pointed at self*

107. Montana 1948 by Larry Watson. Thanks to all of you who recommended this book--it was great! A coming-of-age story that revolves around prejudice towards Native Americans--not something you see frequently. I read it in one sitting. I found it emotionally wrenching, but well-told, and easily a 4 Star book.

108. The Wild Vine: A Forgotten Grape and the Untold Story of American Wine by Todd Kliman. If you don't live in Missouri, you may not know how big the wine industry is here, especially in Hermann. I do live in Missouri, and I never miss the MO WineFest, Chocolate Wine Trail, or any invitation/opportunity to head down Highway 70 to Hermann. One wine that is big in MO is the Norton (in fact, there is an annual Norton Wine Trail event). I am not a HUGE Norton fan, although I do drink it occasionally, and my brother and my niece are rabid Norton fans.
So when I saw that a book had been published about the history of the Norton grape, and that the author would be at a wine-tasting/book-signing, I grabbed my niece and off we went.
The wine was good, Todd Kliman was interesting, but the book...how does one write a 260 page book about a grape?
Well, Kliman did it, and he did it well. He tells of Dr. Daniel Norton's creation of a hybrid grape that is hardy in the American climate (specifically Virginia) and still makes a good, drinkable wine. He tells of the Germans who settled in Hermann (a lovely town--you should visit) and their decision to grow grapes, including the Norton. He provides some interesting insight into repercussions of Prohibition that I never thought about, and about the resurgence of the American wine industry in the 1970's. Through it all, he has adventures with Jenni McCloud in Virginia, the Norton's fiercest champion.
All in all, a fascinating book about, yes, a grape.

What a fun review! *making notes for my MO wine friends*

#224 That does sound like a fun book to check out. I've only been to Hermann once - during Oktoberfest - and we made the rounds of wineries. Since Stone Hill is widely available all over the state, and they sell it at the local Hy-Vee, I buy it pretty often. I love their Norton, but it is more expensive ($20 - gasp!) than their other wines so I generally drink the Hermannsberger for red and Seyval or Vidal Blanc for white, saving the Norton for special-ish occasions.

#224 Terri - Thanks for the great review of The Wild Vine. It goes to my wishlist. I have been an avid wine collector for about 10 years, and while my collection largely focuses on France and Australia, I do enjoy an American wine every so often :)

Of my favourite books are Napa: The Story of an American Eden, and the sequel The Far Side of Eden: New Money, Old Land, and the Battle for Napa Valley by James Conaway. I heartily recommend both - they are both soap operatic, falling into that genre of NF that read more like fiction.

It's a great book, Peter, about a great wine. I'm glad I could recommend a book to you for a change (although you couldn't resist making up for it by throwing a few more on my list, could you?)! I actually bought a book today that was referenced in The Wild Vine. It's called American Terroir: Savoring the Flavors of Our Woods, Waters, and Fields by Rowan Jacobsen. You may not care too much about the American terroir, but I'll bet it's a fascinating insight into why things taste different when they're grown anywhere! Anyway, always good to hear from you! Hope you and your family are well!

>226 sjmccreary: Sandy, maybe I should add The Wild Vine to our MO Readers list?

#229 Good idea - how widely available is the book?

Forgot to ask - are you back home yet? How was the trip? The pictures from the party were great and it looks like everyone had a good time. I also noted that you said you sent Missouri Norton wine as a gift!

I'm still at the hotel, Sandy. I fly back in the morning. We had an absolutely wonderful time. It was like we had all known each other for years (which I guess we have!). I did send him some Norton wine from St. James Winery. I had to ship it because they won't let you take a bottle of wine in your carryon bag.
The book is fairly new, and I suspect it will be very available, especially in MO. I actually saw a copy at The Strand bookstore in NYC today (and I talked Richard into buying it for himself). I'll put it on the list. We won't get to it until at least next year, since our next 2 books are already chosen, and by then, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

St James is another Missouri wine we can usually get here, but I've never had their Norton. After I posted the question, I looked and found that the library has the book, so I'll be able to get my hands on it without any problem no matter when we get to it.

It sounds like you've had a wonderful trip. I envy you getting to meet so many LTers face-to-face. Hope you have a safe flight home tomorrow.

A book about a grape? Sounds good to me. LOL! I've never tried any of our Missouri wines - shame on me. Terri, I thought it was absolutely brilliant sending Richard a bottle of local wine. I knew you would represent our state in a worthy manner.

Safe travels coming home. I'll be looking forward to new revelations about the party and trip to the Strand. I'm so glad you were able to take part in this fabulous history-making week end, Terri.

It really makes me want to partake in a Meet-me-in-St. Louis gathering. Maybe one of our upcoming book discussions can be in person? Hmmm...I see visions of sitting under Becky's Moonflower Vine getting plastered with Norton wine talking about a grape book!!!

The Wild Vine seduced me away from Packing for Mars.

Now, TLo, you *must* hunt up a copy of The Grape Man of Texas!

#234 I had almost that exact same vision!

Then I say we invite ourselves to Becky's. I'll bring the wine...

Speaking of wine, guess what the UPS man refused to deliver today? Apparently no one over 21 was home, as our home health aide apparently looks too young. (She's 27, she was a little flattered by that.) I'll get it tomorrow...can't wait! Might not wait, as in might drink it by myself....

Good Lord. Well, I certainly hope you enjoy it after that.

And speaking of wine again, do you realize that only ONE person on LT has a copy of that book??? And my library does not??? And that I really want to read it while I'm on this wine kick???

Sigh. Thank goodness for Abebooks. They have everything.

#237 We could each bring a bottle from a different vineyard and have a tasting.

We really, truly should come up with a Missouri Meet-up sometime. I would even host it (if nobody cares about coming to a wreck of a house, or driving clear to the other side of the state). Or we could just meet in Hermann & do a winery hop!

Waitaminnit waitaminnit someone said "winery" and "hop" and notably did NOT say "Richard" and "invited".

This is not funny.

Pick me up on the way rd.. we can stay with my Craig...
and you can try out sonia's pole...and I will cook spaghetti... and..

Or you could stay with your friend Terri...

I've never been to Missouri ...... how terribly remiss of me ... and what a wonderful reason to go visit. :-) I'll make meatballs neapolitano to go with Kath's spaghetti...

I'm telling you, some of our wineries are worth the trip to Missouri.

aww terri.... that would be fun indeed!

ok caro.. you pick up rd, then me and then..

Just let me know the date.

Where?!? When?!?

Man, you better schedule when I'm in Missouri! LOL

Do you all have any idea how close I am to saying "Saturday! Let's do it Saturday!"

Since this last weekend was so fun, I have to say that I'm going to be in the Madison/Verona area of Wisconsin next week. Does anyone live there that I can visit???

Dunno about LTers, but drive down LaCrosse Avenue in Madison and wave at Aunt Vicki's old house.

*hemhem*

Need I summon Officer 254? Hmmm?

*Heavy Sigh*

Nobody post on my thread. I'm too tired tonight to fight with a new one, and my computer at school (where I am "teaching"--I love the Certification Prep class when I can put them on the computer to work and then do as I please!) is just too pokey.

Tomorrow. I promise, tomorrow.

Ok, I promise not to post.

...

Oops.

It's tomorrow now isn't it?

Terri

I miss you already! Your ears must have been ringing Sunday night. When Stasia and I came back to my house, we checked messages. When we read the lively banter and hilarious comments, we laughed and laughed and laughed, so much so that Will called us the cacklers.

The tears were running down my face I was laughing so hard and Stasia's hearty peals were a joy to behold.

You asked for it. Now you've got it:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/98628

#253 ROFLMAO