tymfos tries to tackle 75 title in 2010 -- scene six!

Welcome to thread #6! I'm having a lot of fun reading and having conversations with other readers here! Please pull up a virtual chair, lurk and/or comment as you please!







Here are some links to my various other threads:

My first five threads for this challenge:
#1 http://www.librarything.com/topic/78980
#2 http://www.librarything.com/topic/83758
#3 http://www.librarything.com/topic/88141
#4 http://www.librarything.com/topic/90698
#5 http://www.librarything.com/topic/93832

My "off the shelf challenge" thread (started 12/1/09):
http://www.librarything.com/topic/78160

My 1010 challenge threads (started 10/1/09):
#1 http://www.librarything.com/topic/74456
#2 http://www.librarything.com/topic/94529

My 2009 75 challenge threads:
#1 http://www.librarything.com/topic/69362
#2 http://www.librarything.com/topic/74808

Here is a link (hopefully) to my message in the "introductions" thread:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79114#1653925

BOOKS COMPLETED -- January
1. Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (finished 1/7/10)
2. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (Finished 1/8/10)
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (finished 1/9/10)
4a In The Woods, by Robin H. Stevenson (finished 1/11/10)
4b Over My Dead Body by Kate Klise (finished 1/11/10)
5. Scat by Carl Hiaasen (finished 1/13/10)
6. On Hallowed Ground by Robert M. Poole (finished 1/19/10)
7. The Story of My Father, by Sue Miller (read 1/24/10)
8. Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn (read 1/25/10)
9. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (finished 1/29/10)
10. The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex by Owen Chase (finished 1/31/10)

BOOKS COMPLETED -- February
11. Raven Black by Ann Cleeves. (started 2/3/10; finished 2/4/10)
12. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (finished 2/13/10).
13. When Michael Calls by John Farris (read 2/18/10)
14. Never Look Away by Linwood Barclay (finished 2/19/10)
15. Strength to Love by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (finished 2/26/10)
16. He Crashed Me, So I Crashed Him Back by Mark Bechtel (finished 2/28/10)

Books Completed -- March
17.They Call Him Cale by Joe McGinnis (finished 3/10/10)
18 Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin (finished 3/13/10)
19.The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb 15 (finished 3/15/10)
20.The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill (finished 3/15/10)
21. Haunted Deland and the Ghosts of West Volusia County by Dusty Smith (finished 3/22/10)
22.Why Me: A Doctor Looks at the book of Job by Diane M. Komp, M.D. (finished 3/29/10)
23.Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews (finished 3/31/10)

Books Completed -- April
24. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny. (Finished 4/8/10)
25. Critical Care (Brown) by Theresa Brown
26. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (Finished 4/16/10)
27. Kiss Her Goodbye (Browne) by Robert Gregory Browne (4/17/10)
28. Mockingbird (Erskine) by Elizabeth Erskine (4/19/10)
29. Spirituality and the Autism Spectrum by Abe Isanon (finished 4/25/10)
30. Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson (finished 4/27/10)
31. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (finished 4/30/10)

Books Completed -- May
32. Zeitoun by Dave Eggers (finished 5/1/10)
33. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny (finished 5/4/10)
34. Sumner Island by Michael Cormier (ER edition) (finished 5/9/10)
35. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman (started 5/3/10; finished 5/12/10)
36. The Madness of Mary Lincoln by Jason Emerson (finished 5/13/10)
37. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (finished 5/14/10)
38. Murder With Puffins by Donna Andrews (started 5/11/10; finished 5/21/10)
39. Columbine by Dave Cullen (started 5/14/10; finished 5/22/10)
40. Grace Eventually by Anne Lamott (finished 5/23/10)

Books Completed -- June
41. Just Shy of Harmony by Philip Gulley (started 6/6/10; finished 6/7/10)
42. Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Priest) by Cherie Priest (started 6/7/10; finished 6/9/10)
43. When the Mississippi Ran Backwards by Jay Feldman (started 5/21/10; finished 6/13/10)
44. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo (finished 6/18/10)
45. American Gothic (Bloch) by Robert Bloch (started 6/18/10; finished 6/20/10)
46 St. Dale by Sharyn McCrumb (started 6/20/10; finished 6/25/10)

Books Completed -- July
47. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (started 7/4/10; finished 7/5/10)
48. Winfield Scott Hancock: A Soldier's Life, by David M. Jordan (started 6/13/10; finished 7/8/10)
49. Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews (started 7/9/10; finished 7/10/10)
50. Once Around the Track, by Sharyn McCrumb (started 6/27/10; finished 7/13/10)
51. UnChristian, by David Kinnaman (started 5/10; finished 7/15/10)
52. The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler (started 7/15/10; finished 7/19/10)
53. A Little Death in Dixie by Lisa Turner (started 7/20/10; finished 7/24/10)
54. No Fear by Ernie Irvan (finished 7/27/10)
55. Cape May Court House by Lawrence Schiller (started 7/28/10; finished 7/29/10)
56a.Cape May Ghost Stories: Book Two by Charles J. Adams, III (finished 7/30/10)
56b.Atlantic County Ghost Stories by Charles J. Adams, III (read 7/30/10)

August
57. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. (finished 8/6/10)
58. A Test of Wills by Charles Todd (started 8/5/10)
59. Disaster on the Mississippi: The Sultana Explosion, April 27, 1865 by Gene Eric Salecker (started 8/6/10)
60. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
61. Deadliest Sea by Kalee Thompson
62. The Body in the Bookcase by Katherine Hall Page
63. Murder in the Adirondacks by Craig Brandon (finished 8/19/10)
64. Plan B: Further thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott (started 8/2/10; finished 8/19/10)
65. Dark Woods, Chill Waters: Ghost Tales from Down East Maine, by Marcus LiBrizzi (finished sometime in mid-August
66. Still Alice by Lisa Genova (finished 8/22/10)
67. Black for Remembrance by Carlene Thompson (finished 8/26/10)
68. Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan (finished 8/28/10)
69. Ghosts of New York by Suasn Blackhall (finished 8/30/10)

Books Completed -- September
#70. When Doctors Kill by Joshua A. Perper (finished 9/3/10)
#71. Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans by A.J. Baime (finished 9/4/10)
#72. Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck (finished 9/6/10)
#73. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews (finished 9/6/10)
#74. 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn (started 9/7/10; finished 9/11/10)
#75. Shiloh: A Novel by Shelby Foote (started 9/7/10; finished 9/13/10)
#76. Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo -- audio book (started 9/8/10; finished 9/14/10)
#77. Against Death and Time by Brock Yates (started 9/15/10; finished 9/21/10)
#78. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (audio book: started 9/15/10; finished 9/21/10)
#79. I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells (started 9/16/10; finished 9/22/10)
#80. The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (started 8/24/10; finished 9/22/10)
#81. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (finished 9/25/10)
#82. Jane-Emily: And Witches' Children by Patricia Clapp (finished 9/27/10)
#83. Moby Dick by Herman Melville (finished 9/28/10)
#84. Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan (finished 9/28/10)

Books Started and Under Consideration
The Civil War, A Narrative: Fort Sumter to Perryville by Shelby Foote (started 9/22/10)
The Cross in Our Context: Jesus and the Suffering World by Douglas John Hall (started 9/23/10)
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy -- LT group read (started 1/15/10 abandoned temporarily?)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (local group read; abandoned temporarily?)
Cemetery of Angels by Noel Hynd
The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan
Too Easy (DePoy) by Philip DePoy

It will take me a while to get this new place organized, but please feel free to drop by anyway. Just don't mind the clutter.

I'm back online (albeit with a computer that still gets a bit finicky sometimes) and I'm back to real life.

After collecting my son (back from staying with the grandparents) and cleaning my dirty laundry, we took off for our family vacation to New England. We had a lot of fun.

Along the way, I bought lots of books. Lots and lots of books. My dear hubby and son were so unbelievably patient with me as I foraged through mounds of other people's discarded books in used bookstores. I have much cataloging to do now!

We also visited old friends, and lighthouses, and did a train excursion . . . oh, lots of fun!

I finished several more books during the trip, which I will try to get properly posted ASAP. They are in my list for the month, but I haven't done a proper entry for the last four books yet.

I'm still enjoying my renewed ability to read in a moving vehicle (at least in some circumstances -- in a car on curvy, hilly roads, I still get nauseous). This has greatly expanded the amount of reading I can do when we travel!

On the way home, I started the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova. I am finding it hard to put down. I'm also wondering if this is a good thing to read. The title character, who has early-onset Alzheimers, is about my age. I have enough relatives who have suffered senile dementia of some type to cause me to worry . . . and my memory isn't what it used to be . . .

Anyway, I am home, and back to work at the library tomorrow (Friday) and rather glad to be back. It was a nice vacation, but it's good to be home.

#8: Glad you are back and that you had a nice vacation, Terri!

I hope you enjoy Still Alice.

Thanks, Stasia!

Starred...:)

#8: I've got Still Alice here from the library. I have to wait to get started on it (got some things coming due at the library) but I'm looking forward to it. I'll also look forward to hearing what you think about it.

Karen O.

Nice new thread here, Terri. And your vacation to New England sounds like it was rejuvenating....especially foraging through all those used books.

I know what you mean about Still Alice (which I enjoyed) and other books dealing with A.D. Every time I forget something I think it's the dreaded Alzheimer's. I have a close family history of it, but so far nobody has threatened to put this ol' girl away! I keep hoping the wonder cure will be discovered...and soon.

*waves*

Welcome back, Terri.

We are off to the Wisconsin Dells for a long weekend.

Going to the Dells is THE touristy thing to do if you're from the Chicago area. I haven't been there for a few years--not since the year the lake was de-watered.

#11 Thanks for stopping by, Angela!

#12 It will be good to compare notes, Karen!

#13 Oh, Donna, I had such fun at The Book Barn and other great used book stores! I spent way too much money, but they were bargains and I've committed to not buying any more this year . . . trying not to, anyway . . .

For me, "almost heaven" is here (not West Virginia, as John Denver sang):
http://www.bookbarnniantic.com/
But they don't sell online -- ya gotta be there!

Every time I forget something I think it's the dreaded Alzheimer's. I have a close family history of it
That is me, too, Donna -- my Dad and three of his seven sisters all suffered from Alzheimers, so I am acutely aware of any short-term memory lapses that I suffer!

#14 *waves back at Carrie*

#15 Linda, I hope you have a safe, happy, peaceful, refreshing, enjoyable weekend! After all you've been through recently, you deserve a break!

Book #61:
Title: Deadliest Sea: The Untold Story Behind the Greatest Rescue in Coast Guard History
Author: Kalee Thompson
Genre: non-fiction
Length: 289 pages, plus notes
Source: purchased new this year from Borders
Dates: finished 8/15?/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge, "Destroyed in Seconds" category.

Wow! This book was practically un-put-downable, if such a word existed. I am always enthralled by stories of those who risk their lives to save others, and the US Coast Guard search-and-rescue teams are near the top of my list of real-life Heroes. This book was a gripping account of a very difficult rescue operation. It was a complex tale, and I felt Thompson told it quite well.

In the dark, early-morning hours of March 23, 2008, the fishing vessel Alaska Ranger sank in the darkness of an Arctic gale, leaving 47 people fighting for their lives in the deadly-cold waters of the Bering Sea, hundreds of miles from the nearest available help. This book is the story of those on the ill-fated ship, and those who sought to save them from an icy, watery death.

Sometimes the narrative felt a little back-and-forth because there were so many different parties involved, in different capacities, and the author had to get the reader up to speed on all of them while holding our interest -- so the book wasn't totally linear in time. In the prologue, we meet the Coast Guard watchstander and hear the Mayday -- then in Chapter 1, we go back in time a bit and learn about the boat that eventually sends the Mayday. As other parties are brought into the picture, we relive portions of the disasterf from their POV's. But I liked the way the author introduced us to the doomed fishing vessel through the eyes of a new crew member. And it all held together very well in the end, I thought.

Book #62
Title: The Body in the Bookcase
Author: Katherine Hall Page
Genre: mystery fiction / cozy
Length: 232 pages, plus recipes and promos
Source: purchased used this month
Dates: finished 8/17/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge
Notes: Book #9 in the Faith Fairchild mystery series

I have seriously been meaning to go back and read this series, about caterer and minister's wife Faith Fairchild, from the beginning; my early reading in it was hit-and-miss as books were available at the library.

But I found myself alone with this 9th book in the series, with time to kill, and before I knew it I was off to the reading races . . .

This is not a series where chronology matters a lot, in my opinion. Kids are born and age, the situations of various characters change a bit, but the main characters doesn't seem to change a lot. The books are pretty freestanding, with some references to events from earlier books thrown in as part of the background, but I haven't found spoilers or situations where necessary background was lacking.

This book felt a tad more serious because crime hit very close to home. A friend/neighbor/parishioner of the Fairchilds dies during a burglary; then the Fairchild home is burglarized, with precious family heirlooms stolen. Of course, Faith can't leave it to the police to solve the crime. Having been a victim of burglary years ago, I can say that the account of her sense of violation rings true.

The side story of a "bridezilla" and her family (Faith's company is catering the wedding) provides some comic relief, and fits into the mix well. It's a solid outing in a series I've come to enjoy.

Book #63:
Title: Murder in the Adirondacks
Author: Craig Brandon
Genre: non-fiction (scholarly true crime)
Length: 364 pages plus notes
Source: purchased years ago while in the Adirondacks
Dates: finished 8/19/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge, 20th Century category; Books Off the Shelf challenge
Notes: The subject of this book is the crime upon which Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy was (rather loosely) based.

I have had this book for years, and started reading it several times. With the latest trip to Big Moose in the Adirondacks, I decided it was time to finally read it and finish it.

It is about a true crime, but it is not of the "true crime" genre as commonly understood. Part I of the book is a very scholarly -- almost too scholarly -- presentation of the facts of the murder of factory worker Grace Brown at Big Moose Lake in the Adirondacks by her lover Chester Gillette. Part 2 looks at the myths which have emerged about the crime over the years.

The reason for Brandon's meticuous attention to detail about the crime in Part 1 of the book is obvious from his comments in Part 2; between the sensational (and often false) newspaper coverage at the time, and the famous novelization by Dreiser, which altered many details of the events -- and the subsequent movies based on Dreiser's book -- the true story of what happened that tragic July day in 1906 has been largely lost. Brandon seeks to set the record straight and dispel the myths that have been perpetuated over the years. With his careful scholarship and reporting, I believe he accomplishes this goal quite well. But it is not always gripping reading -- which is OK. I learned a lot. I did find myself skimming sometimes.

Book #64:
Title: Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
Author: Anne Lamott
Genre: essays
Length: 320 pages
Source: purchased used from Frogtown Books in Toledo, OH in 2009
Dates: finished 8/19/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, Books off the Shelf Challenge, 1010 Challenge, "Matter of Faith" category.

Anne can be a little heavy-handed with the political commentary sometimes. I'm a little to the left of center, but she can be too stridently left for me. The saving grace is that she knows it, and she tries to temper her political passion with awareness of the commandment to love your neighbor . . . even your enemies . . .

And then there are those frequent moments when Lamott offers up literary and philosophical gems, mined from the stuff of everyday life.

I generally enjoy reading Lamott, even though she occasionally drives me crazy with her poltical rants. I want to tell her what she often seems to try to tell herself; "Lighten up a bit!" But that's Anne.

I wishlisted the Faith Fairchild series. It looks good, except for the fact that I don't NEED another series to follow, lol...thanks! :)

Wow lots of reading going on Terri. I have to say I loved Still Alice even with a history od AD in my family and yes I can't remember what I had for lunch but I'm really good at what was going on in 1972.

#21 It's a fun series, Angela!

#22 I'm glad you liked Still Alice. And, yes, so far I love it, too.

Oh, I forgot a book! It was a short one, so maybe that's why. Posted out of the order I read it, but not a big deal, I guess.

Book #65
Title: Dark Woods, Chill Waters: Ghost Tales from Down East Maine
Author: Marcus LiBrizzi
Genre: regional folklore / "true" ghost stories
Length: 140 pages plus notes
Source: purchased new at Portland Head Light (Maine) gift shop
Dates: read sometime between 8/14/10 and 8/17/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, 1010 Challenge "Scary but true?" category

Some of these stories were pretty creepy. But they would have seemed better if the author hadn't insisted on telling the reader every other paragraph or so how creepy the stories are.

From intro:Breaking over the ghost tales collected here is a sense of unspeakable horror and dread . . .It is likely that you will never encounter ghost stories more horrifying than those contained in this book . . . (Horrifying? Or just horrible?)
From the second story: Some ghost stories are more frightening than others, and the following tale from Jonesboro, Maine, is among the worst. (Yes, truly among the worst, I fear)
From the sixth story: Of all the tales of the supernatural, few are more horrifying than the legend of the murdering ghost . . . (I won't repeat myself here.)

And how about this, from the 9th story: . . . a truer, more ghastly tale couldn't be told. It is arguably the most sensationally gruesome instance of supernatural horror imaginable. All our worst nightmares are laid out here . . . (An English Composition teacher's nighmare, perhaps?)

The problem is made worse by the author's insistence on placing the most outlandish spin on the events described. So if someone dies in a haunted place, even of natural causes like pnumonia, the person was "murdered" by the ghost.

Many of the underlying folktales buried by the writer's overindulgence are, however, pretty creepy. And the author does do a fair job of describing the locale, to provide some genuine atmosphere. And there are some nice historical nuggets, including some which would "debunk" the legends surrounding the basis for the haunting. (This, according to the author, must be a sign that there is some primordial evil in the area which the legends are trying to explain . . .)

I do love the cover art -- looks like an atmospheric painting of the Owls Head Lighthouse . . . which, as I recall, is not the subject of any of these stories. . .

My goodness, you have been busy. I checked and my local library has a copy of Deadliest Sea so I have put a hold on it and hope to have it soon. Thanks for the recommendation of that one, Terri.

#25 My goodness, you have been busy

Stasia, see how much reading I can get done when I take a week or so off from posting on LT? ;) (and from work, and housework, etc. :)

But I've hardly read a page since I got home and started posting my books . . . (and went to work, and to a church function, etc.)

I hope you like Deadliest Sea. Nice that your library has a copy!

I am very pleasantly surprised that it has a copy! Someone has it out at the moment, but I should have it in my hot little hands in a couple of weeks.

Book #66:
Title: Still Alice
Author: Lisa Genova
Length: 293 plus readers' guide
Source: purchased used last week
Challenges: 75 challenge

I started this books on the ride home from vacation, and have struggled to find time in the past two busy days to finish it. I finally stayed up until 3 a.m. last night to polish off most of it, then grabbed it as soon as I got home from church today.

I need to ponder a bit how to put my feelings into words on this one, but I will say that I highly recommend it! I found it very moving.

#28: I am glad you liked that one. It is on my memorable reads list for the year.

#29 It is surely quite memorable . . . it makes me worry about my memory, though. Her earliest symptoms were so subtle . . . things I would write off as "tired" or "distracted" or "getting older," too (do write off, in fact) . . . until she got lost so close to home, that is.

I have checked Moby Dick out of the library to finish it. I was so close to the end when I needed to put it down for lighter fare, it would be a shame not to finish it.

I received my Early Reviewer copy of When Doctors Kill, and that will be my current non-fiction book.

I am about ready to throw my computer out the window, it is getting so uncooperative . . .

Welcome back, Terri....or welcome me back. Husband just had to replace his computer; please don't toss yours until you have something else on hand!
>30 tymfos: That is too scary for me to think about. We have another form of dementia in my family, and a cousin only 6 years older than I am is on her way into a nursing home because her husband can no longer cope. I don't think some of my symptoms are particularly subtle - I keep telling myself to pay attention. Oh horrors!
Yay! for Moby-Dick. I continue not to reread it this decade so far; I had promised myself a reread every 20 years. I do have a few years to go, assuming I can stay compos mentis.

ETA: this is too good to keep to myself from my 91 year-old aunt, far gone in her dementia seeing something out the window that wasn't there for the rest of us: "Well, he's either wiping his nose or wagging his tale." We have to laugh.

I have to say when I read Still Alice I felt like I was reliving my parents' onset of AD with one BIG difference----the were in their 80's. The shocking thing about the book was her youth and productivity. Shudder.

#31 Thanks for visiting, Lizzie,edit, er, Peggy, and thanks for the computer adivice! Oh, dear, very scary about your cousin. My dad and 4 of his sisters had dementia, and one was the early onset variety. Thanks for the story about your aunt. I suppose sometimes you do just have to find the humor in things like that!

#32 Yes, Bonnie, the fact that Alice was my age really made me sit up and notice. One of my aunts had early-onset dementia of some kind, but she was always a little strange, so we were never sure if hers was really Alzheimers. My dad and his other sisters were older when it happened, classic cases pretty much. Dad died of cancer before the Alzheimers got too bad. Perhaps he was more fortunate than his sisters?

I see that LT meet-ups are in the works for both the National Book Festival and the Baltimore Book Festival. The same weekend.

My son has never been to Washington, DC, so he says he will go with me to the National Book Festival. I'm a bit worried how he'll react to the crowds, but I think it is worth a try. I've done everything else to try to get him to read. I mean, I insist that he reads, demand that he reads what's assigned in school (plus a bit extra, generally) but I really wish he would LIKE to read, even LOVE to read like I do, and rules and demands can't accomplish that. Maybe this will help.

I've decided to re-read The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis. I have several friends suffering with chronic pain, and the related faith issues are very much in my mind now.

Good luck with your son at the National Book Festival!

I have never read Lewis's The Problem of Pain, one of the few of his I have not read. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it, Terri.

I'm not sure where I lost you along the way, but I've found you now and have you starred.

The books you've been reading all look good - I'm going back upthread and take a closer look at a couple of them. Still Alice sounds good (in the sense of "well-written and interesting") but I'm not sure I really want to read about that topic yet. No Alzheimers in my family, but my MIL has is, and her sister had it, so I worry about my hubby. He's beginning to become just a little scatterbrained as he ages. Some day, if it turns out there's more going on with him than simple aging and job stress, I'll have to face facts. But, for now, I'm clinging to blissful ignorance.

>16 tymfos:: The Book Barn looks like my kind of place. One more reason to plan another trip to New England...and soon.

How cool that you and your son will be at the National Book Festival. I hope we get pictures of all these meet-ups! I did my part with posting the Denver LT meeting both on my thread and the 75 Book Challenge Kitchen thread.

#35 I just hope he doesn't change his mind about wanting to go at the last minute. It's not something I want to drag him to -- would sort of defeat the purpose of getting him to LIKE books. And I know that the crowds will be a challenge for both of us to tolerate.

I'm just getting started with The Problem of Pain. I'll probably read a chapter a day as part of devotional time.

#36 for now, I'm clinging to blissful ignorance.
Tends to be my approach, though I'm wondering if I should re-think it. One of the reasons Geova wrote Still Alice and the Alzheimers Association recommended it is to encourage early detection so that people can start the medications, earlier, that slow down the progression of the disase -- buying precious time, in hopes of better treatment available down the road. I had honestly never thought of that before. The problem is, there is no test for Alzheimers (though genetics testing can pinpoint people with some of the genetically-based forms). It's almost always a "probable" diagnosis, based on symptoms.

#37 Donna, I saw the picture! How nice! As I said above, I just hope my son doesn't lose his enthusiasm for the trip.

The Book Barn is truly special. We actually plan vacations around making a stop there, and usually stay in the area, so I can go several times, as there are three locations now in the Niantic area. I bought a ton of books -- two shopping bags full at each of the 3 locations -- and didn't even make it up to the second story of the main Barn.

On and off of LT in spare moments the past few days. Ditto with reading.

Well, When Doctors Kill is too grisly to read too much at a time. Real-life serial-killer docs, sadistic Nazi experiments. (shudder)
Moby Dick is too . . . dense . . . archaic. . . to read too much at a time.
The Problem of Pain is too deep to read too much at a time.

I pulled Carlene Thompson's Black for Remembrance from the shelf. Just what I needed -- a real page turner. Don't really have time to stick with it . . . but nice to have one going that I want to get back to to see what happens next.

#38 re: Still Alice, Excellent points. And you're right, of course. I'm adding the book to my wishlist so that I don't forget about it, but I'm still not rushing out to get it yet.

#41 I'm kind of wondering if this was a good time for me to have read it . . . I do tend to over-react . . . (but it was an excellent book).

My dear son has been so joyful today. He's just bouncing around . . . He finally said, "I'm just so excited about going back to school next week!"

It does my heart good to see him so happy, and able to express it!

#40: I got When Doctors Kill as an ER book too, although I have not started it yet. Thanks for the head up - I will try and intersperse it with something lighter.

#43 The first couple of chapters were background about the history of medical ethics -- interesting. Even the serial killers weren't too very awful to read about. But when they got to the Nazis, it REALLY got grisly. You just have to wonder how human beings can be so inhuman.

#42: How wonderful for your son that he is so excited about school starting again!

#44: Having read at least 1 book that was about nothing but Nazi medical experiments (The Nazi Doctors by Robert Jay Lifton), I pretty much know what to expect unfortunately.

#45 I don't think I could have stomached that book, Stasia!

Book #67
Title: Black for Remembrance
Author: Carlene Thompson
Genre: thriller/mystery/suspense
Length: 322 pages
Source: purchased used last year (at a library sale while on vacation, maybe?)
Dates: started 8/25/10; finished 8/26/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, Books off the Shelf Challenge

This was a pretty good page turner. I kept going back to it when I got a few minutes to read. I would have stayed up late tonight to finish it if it had been necessary. The plot was pretty creepy, with lots of twists and turns.

A child disappears. Body is found, burned and beheaded. Twenty years later . . . her doll appears, her voice is heard, people start dying around town, accompanied by black silk flowers with notes in childish scrawl . . . what is going on?

The ending left me rather unsettled -- as was its intent, I believe. But it was quite creative . . . I did not figure this one out.

ETA to add This book was purchased used, and before I owned it, someone took the liberty of "censoring" the language (defacing the book) by blacking out a few words. But it's not the kind of book that's chock-full of swear words, just an occasional curse or two.

#46: That one looks like a book I would enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation, Terri.

#46 Me, too.

#47, 48 It definitely kept me guessing and turning pages!

Book #68:
Title: Last Night at the Lobster
Author: Stewart O'Nan
Length: 146 pages
Source: purchased used last week at The Book Barn in Niantic, CT
Dates: Started 8/27/10; finished 8/28/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge

Stewart O'Nan works his usual magic of creating life-like, interesting characters and placing them in a setting crafted so expertly that you can feel the sting of New England snow, smell baking biscuits, and otherwise fully engage in a believable setting. Then he adds a slight element of the surreal to an otherwise ordinary workplace. The result should have been magic; to me it felt a bit "meh" but I kept reading well after I should have gone to bed.

Manny has been manager of a Red Lobster for years, but Corporate has declared the location "under-performing" and pulled the plug on the site. The Last (day and) Night at the Lobster falls in the week before Christmas, in a heavy snowstorm -- a day when few customers or (soon-to-be-jobless) workers feel like braving the elements to show up. Manny and his skeleton crew deal with the diners who do arrive, with each other, and with the circumstances of their lives. Some of the diners are classic -- the laissez-faire mom and her Terrible Toddler run amok; the greedy grandmas who empty all the sugar and artificial sweetener packets into their handbags and then throw a tantrum when the manager won't accept their expired discount coupons.

It was a nice, bittersweet story of how good (and bad) things eventually come to an end.

Not in the mood for reading Moby Dick or the deadly docs, I've pulled Ghosts of New York by Susan Blackhall off the shelf. It is a big (almost 9x12) beautiful book filled with lovely sepia-toned historical photographs, some of them full-page. There are also some very interesting ghost tales in it. The sheer beauty of the book is allowing me to pardon a few instances of sloppy writing/editing.

I keep picking it up to read another story . . .

#50: I think I will give that one a pass for now.

#51: I love looking at historical photographs! I imagine that for me they would make up for an inordinate amount of errors in the text. I am glad you have found that book!

I love looking at historical photographs!
I do, too, and some of these are very interesting. There are plenty of fascinating buildings in NYC, with fascinating histories -- whether you believe the related ghost stories or not.

I might just have to lay my hands on a copy of Ghosts of New York. . .

Stewart O'Nan.... I don't know. I sort of like him, and sort of feel impatient with him.. I have one of his on my shelf at the minute. Ghosts of New York. looks intriguing though..

#54 I know you're not into ghost stories, Stasia, but this one is really worthwhile just for the photographs!

#55. Hey, Kath!
I loved O'Nan's writing in The Circus Fire, which was non-fiction and depicted a very dramatic event. (I kind of wish I had kept that one.) And there are several other books by him that I think sound interesting. But, yeah, I suppose I was a bit impatient, wishing a little more something would happen in the book, to go with the well-drawn characters & setting. But it's not a plot-driven book. It's just a little (146 page) slice of real life. O'Nan knew what he was doing when he made the book so short. Longer and it really would have dragged.

I do think you would like Ghosts of New York. :)

The Circus Fire is one I have on my shelf... will read it sometimes..

I'm thinking that The Circus Fire may have been the first book I read in the "disaster" realm. Look what it started. I seem to have made a habit of them since.

#56: I have had The Circus Fire in the BlackHole forever. One of these days I will get my hands on a copy!

Worthwhile just for the photographs? I may have to track down a copy after all.

Add to the wishlist..
add to the wishlist...
already on the wishlist...
add to the wishlist.....
etc.
etc.
etc.
Buries head in sand.

Read the first review under The Circus Fire. If that doesn't pull you in, I don't know what will.

My earliest interest was in aviation disasters and my interest has expanded along the way. So far, I've read 66 disaster books.

Until LT, I never knew that anyone else liked disaster books. I seem to be in a disaster mood, having just finished a book about the 1947 Texas City explosion. I've got the 1871 Peshtigo fire book and the 1919 Boston molasses flood books out from the library so I'll be reading those two in the coming weeks.

I also like novels where a disaster figures prominently. Last night, I finished Michael Harvey's mystery, The Third Rail, in which the 1977 Chicago L train accident (el cars dangling off the elevated platform) plays a big role.

#59 Stasia, it's been a while, but I remember really being pulled in by The Circus Fire.

Mind you, I got Ghosts of New York at Ollies for a song. I might not have felt it quite worthwhile just for the photos (and drawings and portraits) if I'd paid list price.

#60 Carrie, I feel your pain!

#61 Oh, that little review is pretty creepy . . .
Linda, I read Michael Harvey's The Fifth Floor which had historical issues relating to the Great Chicago Fire in its background, as I recall. Great read! I just bought another one of his books, The Chicago Way, but I don't see any reference to disaster in the blurb on that one. I'll have to look for The Third Rail.

I am in a disaster/ someone dies/ more disaster mood myself

Hi, Kath! Given what I've read of your school experience so far (haven't gotten to your thread today yet, though) I'd think it almost qualified as disaster reading at some points . . . (is there anyone there besides you who has any common sense???)

I'm not sure if I want to read disaster right now . . . still shuffling through my ER When Doctors Kill and Moby Dick (which is sort of a disaster novel at the end, I guess). So I'm fishing for something just a bit lighter to balance them. Stayed up last night to finish Ghosts of New York. (Touchstones are being finicky for me today.)

SAVIE!!!!! my friend and newly rehired savie. I love her to bits and she keeps me going. Thank the goddess for her.

Still haven't found something to pick up after Bury You Dead
still mulling..

Book #69:
Title: Ghosts of New York
Author: Susan Blackhall
Genre: True ghost stories / local folklore / historical photographs, drawings, etc.
Length: 141 pages plus index & picture acknowledgments
Source: purchased new at Ollies earlier this year
Dates: Started 8/28/10; Finished 8/30/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is a large (about 9X12) and handsome book, nicely formatted and filled with wonderful sepia-toned photographs, drawings, and portraits. The sheer beauty of the book (to me) is enough for me to forgive some sloppy writing/editing.

And there are errors! There are problems with dates: Peter Stuyvessant obviously didn't die in 1880, which would have made him over 200 years old. And it's unlikely that a crown-appointed colonial governer held that post between 1802-1808 -- especially if he died in 1723. (Or that would really be quite a ghost story!) Also, one story about side-by-side buildings kept me totally confused about what happened in which building.

Given the errors that were easy to spot without knowledge of the material, I wonder how many other errors there were which I'd have no way of recognizing. Nontheless, it was a fun book with a lot of local history and flavor to go with the ghosts.

Given the errors that were easy to spot without knowledge of the material, I wonder how many other errors there were which I'd have no way of recognizing.

Oh my! That's quite the list of errors. Despite the beautiful photographs I think I'll have to skip that one. I'm glad you had fun with it, though!

Kath, I'm glad there's someone there to make the days bearable!

#67 Luxx, I suspect that the date errors were pure and simple typos. The chapter about the two side-by-side buildings was just sort of asking for confusion. I suspect something got lost in editing that was needed to keep that mess straight.

#69 - Maybe they'll put out a new edition

me too. I never actually lay eyes on her....she works in a different part of the bldg.. but I know she is there..

:)

#70 Luxx, they actually have a note inviting readers to send corrections to the publisher's editorial dept. for any future editions . . . hmmm....

#71 Sometimes it helps just knowing someone is there!

#66: Since I do not have an Ollie's remotely close to me, I think I will have to pass on that one despite the pictures.

73 We need to talk Ollie's into building stores in Texas! ;)

My son is off to school today -- he's so happy, he's been counting the days.

I'm getting stuff done today! Sorted recycleables, paid bills, vacuumed the carpets (easier with school started, as the sound of the vaccum cleaner is painful for my son), moved all the furniture out of the kitchen & laundry room (except the washer & dryer, which are pretty much immovable objects) and gave those floors a good mopping. While the floor dries, I'm taking a moment to relax -- blasting some Springsteen (long live The Boss!), scanning the newspaper, popping onto LT. Hard to remember the last time I had the house to myself like this. (Probably right before the last day of school in June?)

It's HOT today, but thank heavens for the cool nights we've been having. We shut the windows & blinds this a.m. to keep the hot out & cool in, and so far it is working pretty well.

#74: Yes, we do!

I am glad you are enjoying your time alone at home today. Sounds like you are having a productive day!

#74 Wow! Do you want to come to my house next? ;-) I love the first day of school.

#75 Very productive, Stasia!

#76 Unfortunately, I still have a whole lot of housework to catch up here. :(
But I do love the first day of school!

Wonder of wonders, my dear son did his homeowork last night without argument or procrastination, bless his heart! I hope this is a sign of things to come. It could make this school year much more pleasant than the last one! We had a talk about it last week; maybe it really helped!

Seeking something light to balance out my other current reads, I've started Donna Andrews' Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon, #4 in the Meg Langslow series. It's had me laughing out loud a number of times!

#78: It's had me laughing out loud a number of times!

Good! I need to get back to the one I started, Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos.

Just dropping in to applaud son's responsible beginning of a new school year. Hope it's a permanent thing! (If I could apply that drive to housework, we'd all be happier.)

Isn't it great that the new school year has brought an added enthusiasm to your son?? Great. Here's hoping he can continue to apply himself. I know that'll make your life easier:)

Terri, glad to hear that your son got off to a good start. My kids are ADHD and so my problems have been different than yours, but I recognize that eternal optimism that "maybe this time it'll be better". My son also has started the year off doing well, so I'm joining you in hoping that "this is a sign of things to come". As much as we love and care and worry about these kids, I think you and I both deserve a good school year!

#79 Sounds like a plan, Stasia!

#80 Thanks, Lizzie. So far, he's still doing well. As for housework, I get ambitious for a day or two, and then my ambition fizzles.

#81 Yes, it's great, Bonnie -- and it does make my life a lot easier!

#82 Sandy, I suspect that, at least on the homework front, some of our problems have been similar, as my son has a lot of the classic ADHD traits. I hope we both have a good school year with our kids!

I snagged another Early Reviewer book: The Little League that Could: A History of the American Football League by Ken Rappoport. This is the eleventh straight month I've been awarded a book and the twelfth time since joining LT (though I haven't actually received them all . . . ) I've been fortunate: I've enjoyed almost all of them, to varying degrees.

I'm almost done with When Doctors Kill: Who, Why and How by Joshua A. Perper. For now, let's just say it's not the best book I've ever read, though there's a lot of interesting information in it.

I'm STILL waiting (im)patiently for my MAY ER book, Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo.

#84: I still have not received my May ER book either, Terri. It was one by Lynn Kurland and the only reason I asked for it was because both my girls and I like her books.

Oh gee! Then I'll stop fretting about not receiving my ER book for July.

I had completely given up on my February ER book - and then it popped up in the mail 5 months later! No explanation, either, but all was forgiven as it turned out to be a good one...In the Company of Angels by Thomas E. Kennedy.

#84 I got that same football book this month!!

I haven't gotten a book every month but, except for once last year, I've gotten a book every month that I've asked. This month, the football book was the only one I asked for.

tgif ! glad to hear that your son is happy with school.

#85 Well, Stasia, I hope we both get our long-awaited May ER books soon!

#86 That's not too late yet, Peggy. What did you snag for July, may I ask?

#87 Donna, it's funny to hear how late some of the ER books arrive. I understand that the first book in the same series that my late book is from arrived very late to peopole when it was offered as an ER, so I'm not giving up.

Lets try this again -- I just had a message vanish!

#88 Linda, I'm really looking forward to getting this one. I think my hubby may want to look at it too.

#89 Kath, he was counting the days to school, and is so happy to be back. We tried to keep him occupied and happy over the summer, but he just loves school. I think he's annoyed that there's a holiday already on Monday! :) TGIF and have a great holiday weekend!

Book #70
Title: When Doctors Kill: Who, Why, and How?
Authors: Joshua A. Perper and Stephen J. Cina
Genre: non-fiction
Length: 228 pages plus "Suggested Reading" and indix
Source: LT Early Reviewers program
Dates: Finished 9/3/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge
Notes:

Right now, I'll just note that I read this. I'll need to think more before posting a formal review for the ER program.

I'm sorry to be out of touch with you. I'm smiling thinking of your happy son heading off to school.

You are reading some great books!

Hugs to you!

(>86 LizzieD: Terri, for July I got the latest Sara Paretsky novel, Body Work. I'm a very long-time V.I. Warshawski fan. Oh. Except that I haven't gotten it. I was elated this afternoon when the UPS truck stopped at our front door, but he took a package across the street. Boo. Hiss.)

#93 Hi, Linda! Hugs right back!

#94 I don't think I've read any Paretsky, but I've heard that series is good. Hope you get is soon!

When I learned that I'd won the Castillo book, I got the first one in the series through Inter-Librry Loan right away so I'd be ready to read the new one, which is #2 in the series. Now I'm hoping I get it before I forget what the first book was about.

I'm in one of those reading moods where I have a whole bunch of books going. I'm slowly finishing Moby Dick and making my way through C.S. Lewis' The Problem of Pain. My light reading is Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon from the Meg Lanslow series by Donna Andrews.

To those, last night I started a book that I think my son may like, Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck. And today, I started a new non-fiction read, Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans. This is a book that folks not into cars and racing might never look twice at. But it's not just about cars going fast. Like most books, it is all about people, and very fascinating people at that.

Terri - the title of your 70th book alone had me hitting Amazon to read more about it. Definitely something I've added to my obese wish list, even as I wait for your review.

#96: I enjoy Richard Peck's books, especially his Long Way from Chicago series.

#97 Caroline, I would suggest that you wait until you can get it as a bargain. I was not terribly impressed by the writing -- and it desperately needed a good proof-reader -- though it did contain some interesting information.

#98 Yes, he has written some good things!

This was the perfect holiday weekend read: I could hardly put it down. (Thank heavens, hubby had commitments outside the house and my son was busy with his own reading!)

Book #71:
Title: Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans
Author: A.J. Baime
Genre: non-fiction
Length: 259 pages plus extensive end notes and index
Source: Public Library
Dates: Started and finished 9/4/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge, "Start Your Engines!" category
Notes: Also includes nice section of photographs.

This is a book that folks not into cars and racing might never be inclined to look twice at. But it's not just a story about cars going fast. Like most books, it is all about people -- their strengths and weaknesses, hopes and dreams, gifts and fobiles, friendships and feuds, hometowns and travels. And a fascinating bunch of people they are -- larger than life, filled with massive ambition and egos to match. Author A.J. Baime does a fine job in telling the tale.

Sounds like it was a terrific holiday read for you, Terri! I am glad you found it.

Oooh, I woke up today to find that my darling hubby had made pancakes for breakfast! Lovely! He doesn't do a lot of cooking, but he does pancakes very well! It was a very nice treat.

What a lovely way to start the morning! Hope the rest of your day is as nice!

#103 Thanks! I hope you had a great day!

Book #72:
Title: Here Lies the Librarian
Author: Richard Peck
Length: 145 pages
Source: Public Library
Dates: finished 9/6/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 Challenge, "Kid's Stuff" category
Notes: interest level: middle school grades

I rather enjoyed this little story of two orphaned siblings in rural Indiana in 1914. It involves a library and an automobile race -- what better subject matter for my interests?

Book #73:
Title: Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
Author: Donna Andrews
Genre: Cozy Fiction
Length: 297 pages
Source: recently purchased at used bookstore while on vacation
Dates: finished 9/6/10
Challenges: 75 challenge
Notes: #4 in Meg Langslow series

Meg helps out at her brother's software company, and winds up (of course!) in the middle of a murder mystery. There are suspects a-plenty too keep things interesting, as well as a menagerie of critters (furry and winged) who get into the act.

The humor often borders on slapstick. At times, this book had me laughing out loud. Some of the humor, however, left me offended. There was one character whose personality traits seemed very much those of someone with Asperger's Syndrome (quite common among those in the computer industry), and those traits (in terms of body language, social awkwardness, etc.) were ridiculed and treated with absolutely no understanding -- and, as the plot developed, some misunderstandings that are not helpful for those on the autism spectrum were perpetuated. This disappointed me greatly. I've enjoyed this series up until now -- and I enjoyed this book except for this fact.

I realize that this is a book to not be taken too seriously -- the humor is generally of the madcap variety, and the climactic scene is totally over-the-top. I think Ms. Andrews is basically a good writer, but I can't enjoy someone making fun of symptoms of a developmental disability. I'm actually re-evaluating whether to read the rest of this series.

#106: I am sorry that the book treated one of the characters in the way you describe, Terri. I have not gotten to that one yet, and think I may just skip it altogether.

Ugh, Terri. That stinks. I have the first in the series and if I like it well enough to continue, I'll skip this one for sure.

#105 I rarely read YA but I read that Richard Peck book late last year and picked up another.

#107, 108 I know that I'm a bit over-sensitive on this issue. Most readers would just read it and say that character is just a creepy geek and laugh along . . . but so many of the character's mannerisms were just so classic to Asperger's -- lack of eye contact, just standing around and not knowing what to say, extreme social awkwardness, just some of the descriptions of his posture. The way he asked Meg out for pizza was so typical of the poor social skills of an Aspie, but it was treated as something creepy.

It hurts to see people with those traits written about in that way. I kept hoping that, somewhere along the line, Andrews would come up with an angle which would be more sympathetic and explain why he behaved the way he did. Alas, no such luck. It only got worse.

I e-mailed the author (via her web site) with my concerns. Let's see if she's decent enough to respond to my concerns.

#109 I may pick up more of Peck's books, too. We have quite a few of his books at our library.

Today I am starting the book 102 Minutes: the untold story of the fight to survive inside the Twin Towers. It's the book I'm reading this year for the anniversary of 9/11.

#110: I will be interested in seeing what Andrews says (if she responds). I hope you will let us know, Terri.

#111: I read that one. It was very good (IMHO).

Just passing though... sorry about the bad book...

#112 So far, no answer from Donna Andrews. I have had responses from other authors that I've sent e-mail to in the past. I was especially pleased to hear from Julia Spencer-Fleming, who dealt with autism in Out of the Deep I Cry, one of the books in her mystery series. I had e-mailed her about how she handled the vaccine controversy and other autism-related issues in that book. She provided a very thoughtful answer to my e-mail.

I am finding 102 Minutes to be very compelling reading, Stasia!

#114: I am finding 13096::102 Minutes to be very compelling reading, Stasia!

I am not at all surprised. I hope you continue to find it so.

Edited for HTML

Our library just received the capability to participate in an internet-based "virtual branch" of our district library, allowing our patrons to download e-books and audio books through the District Library's website.

Of course, I had to try it. (The boss assigned trying it as part of our job!) So I downloaded & activated the software and browsed the selections and "checked out" an e-book to read on my laptop.

I'm not going to count this as part of my challenge, because it's only a 50-page novella, but I am going to give it a listing here.

Bonus novella:
Title: Blockade Billy
Author: Stephen King
Length: 50 (pdf document) pages (including illustrations)
Source: "Overdrive" e-book system, courtesy of District Library
Genre: fiction / novella
Dates: 9/8/10

This is billed as King's "long promised" baseball suspense story. It was pretty good -- it kept me reading until the end, even reading from a computer screen. The language was a little raw, but I'm used to that from King -- and it fit the setting of the story.

I wish my local library has downloading options! I am glad yours does, Terri.

#116 I will have to look for that one.

#117 I'm surprised we were able to get access to this system, but it's nice. Limited selection, but a few gems. They have The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, but it is checked out to another patron, so I'll have to wait for that one.

#118 You might like this one, Linda!

I downloaded an audio book, too. I got tired of waiting for my May ER book, Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo. So I checked out an audio of it through the new library download system, and even figured out how to transfer it to my portable player. I'm a little disappointed in it so far. The last book was pretty graphic in its crime scene descriptions, but this one seems even more so. The first 3 chapters and the first part of the 4th are all crime scene. We'll see how it goes from here.

Book #74:
Title: 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive inside the Twin Towers
Authors: Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn
Genre: Non-fiction
Length: 278 pages plus notes, acknowledgments, and index
Source: Public Library
Dates: finished 9/11/10
Challenges: 75 challenge, 1010 challenge
Notes: read this week for the anniversary of 9/11/01

This is an impressive, meticulously researched, detailed account of what went on inside the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in the 102 minutes between the first airplane strike at 8:46:31 a.m. and the collapse of the North Tower, the second of the two towers to fall, at 10:28:25 a.m. According to the Authors' Note, ". . . accounts are drawn from 200 interviews with survivors and witnesses, thousands of pages of untranscribed radio transmissions, phone messages, e-mails, and oral histories. All sources are named and enumerated." (Indeed, the book includes extensive end-notes.) At the front of the book, they list 365 people who were in the building the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 -- people whose actions they were able to trace to some degree. At the end, they list 130 of that 365 who did not survive. Of course, there were thousands more people in those buildings that day, over 2,700 of whom did not survive, but it would be impossible to research the actions of every soul who was there that day.

The book moves through the disasterous morning starting with a Prologue time-stamped 8:30 a.m. which gives the reader a sense of who some of the people are who were there at the time the first plane hit. It continues tracking the fates of these people and others in the Towers whose locations and actions could be verified through records and survivors' accounts. The stories are tragic, heroic, gritty. It's amazing to think that people around the country watching TV knew more about what was happening, as far as the "big picture," than those in the Towers -- many of whom did not know that the chaos in which they found themselves had been caused by airplance strikes upon the building.

The authors don't confine themselves to the events of the morning, but also examine choices made during the planning and design of the buildings which affected people's ability to survive and escape. Here they tend to get a bit repetitive: the 1968 NYC building code, under which the Twin Towers were built, made changes that adversely impacted safety. I personally think it's not realistic to think that any building could be built to stand up to the kind of attack that occurred that day without significant loss of life. However, features of the "old" code would almost certainly have saved at least some of the lives that were lost, and they explain why at every opportunity. The book also looks at the state of disaster response in NYC. While nobody in their right mind would question the heroism of the first responders who went into the buildings that day (and these authors appear to be in their right minds!), it is obvious that poor communication probably contributed to the body count that day. They delve into the reasons for this. They also chronicle the often gracious and sometimes heroic actions of everyday civilians as they helped one another try to survivie.

There are times when the book is a bit confusing, and I had to go back a page occasionally and establish in my mind what area of which tower certain events were occurring in. This is not so much a fault of the book as it is a simple matter of the complexity of the events of that fateful day. If it is difficult to take in after years of analysis, one can hardly imagine the confusion being experienced by those there as the events unfolded. Diagrams are included in the book which are helpful to the reader in understanding the unfolding of events.

This is a good book about an extremely difficult subject, and a very moving portrayal many of the lives caught up in that terrible disaster.

#120: Great review, Terri. I'm still not ready to read anything or watch any detailed coverage about 9/11, though. Even though I wasn't personally affected (although I do know one person who successfully escaped from WTC 1 before the second plane hit), the events of that day are still too real and painful to me.

Thanks, Darryl! You're not the only who can't bear to read about it. I know lots of folks who still avoid detailed accounts.

Oddly, even though I'm generally an emotional "softie," I seem to be able to read about it . . . don't know why . . . maybe because I started with a book with a "local" connection by a "local" author. I live not so very far from where Flight 93 went down in PA; I bought an autographed copy of Glenn Kashurba's Courage After the Crash when it came out, and read it because I knew some of the first responders & folks who dealt with the Flight 93 families, etc. . . . I made myself go to see the movie United 93 when it came out because the studio promised a percentage of the proceeds from its release to the Flight 93 Memorial.

But it's still a painful subject

I'm one of the ones who are still avoiding reading anything about 9/11 - detailed or not. The ONLY thing I've been able to read is The Day The World Came to Town - about a town in Newfoundland, Canada that "hosted" 6,000 travelers who were stranded when American airspace was closed. It was very positive, heartwarming and uplifting. I don't think I'm ready for 102 Minutes. Not yet.

I do admire the courage of those of you who are able to, though. I did manage to examine the 9/11 exhibit at the Smithsonian when we were in Washington DC earlier this year. They had a piece of one the mangled steel beams from one of the WTC towers on display. Incredible. But it was a very small exhibit limited to information I already knew.

Painful - yes.

I went for a time (2-3 years) before I could read about 9/11 and then I wanted to read everything I could about it.

About 6 months after 9/11, I went to NYC and got a ticket and went to the Ground Zero viewing stand. My sister had a vendor she worked with who was in one of the planes that hit the WTC and so I looked up her name on the memorials.

#123 Sandy, I have The Day the World Came to Town on my list of books to read -- it's available in our library system, as I recall. It does sound heartwarming and uplifting.

Strangely enough, I found 102 Minutes somewhat uplifting, in a way. It was just amazing how people in that situation were willing to try to help one another. For the most part, there was not a full-tilt stampede to get out; it wasn't "every man for himself." I was amazed by how willing ordinary civilians were to stay in harm's way in order to help others who couldn't get out without help. That part of it was inspiring.

I don't know that my ability to read about these things amounts to courage, or deserves any admiration. Maybe I'm just hard-headed or thick-skinned or something, I don't know.

#124 Linda, I haven't been to Ground Zero yet. That must have been quite an emotional experience.

I managed to select a real winner for my 75th book . . .

Book #75!!
Title: Shiloh: A Novel
Author: Shelby Foote
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 226 pages
Source: Public Library
Dates: started 9/7/10; finished 9/13/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge; 1010 challenge, #6 in Blue vs. Gray category

He said books about war were written to be read by God Amighty, because no one but God ever saw it that way. A book about war, to be read by men, ought to tell what each of the twelve of us saw in our own little corner. Then it would be the way it was -- not to God but to us. (from Chapter 6 of Shiloh)

The above passage explains beautifully what Foote was doing when he wrote this book: he was writing a book the way it was for the men who were fighting, a book for people to read. Foote writes with the voices of various participants on both sides of the battle, giving us the limited perspective of each one, deftly (but subtly) guiding the different narrators across one anothers' paths -- or across the paths of individuals about whom other narrators have spoken -- to provide a sense of what it was like to be in the battle. There is no "bird's eye view" (or "God's eye view") of the battle as a whole, just the experiences of different participants and the limited knowledge they were able to obtain about what was going on at the time, but woven together to create an overall sense of the battle. Masterfully crafted!

The writing is superb, the descriptions vivid and gripping. I've read a lot about the Civil War, but by the time I finished this novel, I had a fresh appreciation what it must have been like to be a participant in battle.

A rare 5-star book!

Oh, forgot to mention . . . my latest Early Reviewer book arrived yesterday: The Little League that Could: A History of the American Football League by Ken Rappoport.

Congrats on reaching 75! Looks like a good one, too!

Ditto what Mary said.

Your review of 102 Minutes is spot on. I read it about 5 years ago and was very moved by the recollections. May the many RIP.

Congrats on reaching your 75 book goal, Terri.

#128 If you got the football book yesterday, I'll probably be getting it today, or at least soon. Just in time for the football season.

Congratulations on finishing 75 books, Terri!

Way to go on reaching 75!

I haven't been to Ground Zero but I've been to Shanksville (Flight 93) several times. I'm an emotional person and looking at the articles that people leave in memory brings me to tears. They have the black box recordings and I read them once and I will never do that again. During the times I have been there a volunteer will read the recordings out loud. I always stand in the parking lot until they are done. Only immediate family of the Flight 93 deaths are allowed at the actual crash site. (The temporary memorial is a little ways away from it) Last year when I was there a group of volunteers were escorting a group of people to the crash site. Knowing that they were family members made it very real and affected me greatly. I haven't read any books about 9/11 but someday I intend to.

Congrats on achieving 75 Book status, Terri. And with such a good book. I have Shiloh in one of my TBR stacks and will move it up closer to the top. I love that quote that begins your review.

Thank you all -- Mary, Lynda, Linda, Sandy, Carrie and Donna!

#131 I took a peek at the first chapter, and it looks somewhat promising, Linda!

#133 Carrie, I've been to Shanksville too. Haven't been there too often, considering how close to home it is. I find it painful -- more immediate than even the best of books I've read on the topic of 9/11. I never saw family members being escorted when I was there. I think that would really get to me, too.

#134 Donna, do move it up the pile. I love the way he put that book together!

I had sad news today. I ran into the mother of an old bowling teammate, Kim, who I'd completely lost touch with when that league broke up; I learned that Kim passed away two years ago. She was younger than me. I'm really bummed out about it.

Congrats on 75 !

I doubt I would seek out anything on 9/11...
I think that there are some things that we need to allow to find its way into the past.

The Day the World Came to Town sounds interesting though.. but.. not sure if it will make it to the list..

Sorry about your friend, Terri...

Terrific review of Shiloh Terri and onto the pile it goes. I haven't read any historical fiction about the Civil War since I read Enemy Women a few years ago so it's time for another one.

Very sorry to hear about your friend.

I'm sorry for your shock about your friend's death.
I do congratulate you for reaching and finishing #75 way early!!! Go for 100!!! You'll pass that too. (I have to go read.)

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, Terri.

Thanks, Kath, Bonnie, Peggy, and Amy!

I got impatient waiting for my May ER book, which still has not arrived. So when the opportunity arose to download an audio book of it through our District Library for a week's loan, I snagged it.

I am not going to rate it or post a formal review until/unless I receive the hard copy. However, I am going to count it now . . . after putting up with it, I ought to get something out of it besides disappointment, if only the number 76. (And I can't resist some comment. . .)

Book #76:
Title: Pray for Silence
Author: Linda Castillo
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Length: pages unknown (Audio Book)
Source: District library Overdrive download system
Challenges: 75 challenge
Notes: Electronic audio book through library download. Still waiting for paper Early Reviewer copy awarded in May (book was released in June)

The fact that I downloaded the audio of this book while waiting for my ER copy shows how eagerly I anticipated this book. I had read the first in this series, and was very impressed. I listened to this and was very disappointed. I do want to read the paper copy before I do a formal review, as the format may have influenced my reaction.

This book was just too . . . too everything. The previous book was graphic as far as the crimes involved, but this one dwelt even more on the grisly details. Four chapters of crime scene, plus the autopsies, plus . . .plus . . . well, can't get into that without a spoiler. The whole thing felt gratuitous. It's hard to say more without a spoiler. And while I enjoyed getting into the police officers' heads in the first book, knowing how difficult a grisly case can be for them, this one spent so much time delving into the depths of their emotions that, well, the plot suffered. The plot was thin. And to add insult to injury, I GUESSED WHO DID IT fairly early on. EEEEEEWWWWW!!!

I just heard on the TV news that vandals trashed the Bedford County (PA) Library. They reportedly overturned bookcases and computers, broke windows, and made a horrid mess.

That just sucks.

I hope they catch them. Why would anyone do that?

Terri, sorry to hear about your friend.

My copy of that football book arrived today. In the accompanying letter, she asks that we email any reviews that we post. I've never seen that before.

Sorry to be so late with the bouncy guy, but I have been out of touch for a bit.

Congratulations on hitting 75, Terri!

#144 Thanks, Linda.

I think I had one ER book where they requested that, and a few others where they asked that I let them know when I'd posted.

#145 Wheee, Stasia, thanks! I've been looking forward to that bouncy little guy! I totally understand how busy you've been. Glad you all had a good time at Richard's party!

#146 Thanks, Darryl!

#147: Yes, I did. I wish you could have been there!

Well, I got my first e-mail notice for a downloadable audio! I had placed The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on hold through the district library's electronic download program. I downloaded the first 5 segments last night, and have listened to about an hour and a half. Marvelous!!

My current hard-copy non-fiction read is Against Death and Time: One Fatal Season in Racing's Glory Years by Brock Yates. It uses the technique of "faction" -- a fictional narrator character tells the story, but the other characters and the "action" is all completely fact-based. This threw me for a while -- I was just expecting a standard non-fiction treatment, but I'm not finding it distracting.

My current fiction read, just begun, is I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells. I did a double-take around page 100 when it went in a direction I hadn't foreseen, but I'm enjoying it anyway.

Well, I've finally signed up for Operation Paperback. I didn't have a lot of books to send. Then a regular patron arrived at the library with several boxes of paperbacks, many of which the library couldn't use. (Many were duplicates of titles already in our holdings). The donor patron and director agreed that I could have the ones I felt were most appropriate to send for Operation Paperback. So now I'm buried in books that I'm sorting by genre.

Can someone tell me, in crime-related fiction, where the boundary is between "action" and "mystery" other than "I know it when I see it"? Because a lot of books about FBI agents and PI's and such have a lot of action, but they are solving crimes.

#150 I think it sounds like those books could go in either group - they really do overlap quite a bit.

How wonderful that you're able to send those books to Operation Paperback!

I'm sorry to hear of your friend's death.

#142-I didn't hear about Bedford's library. I rarely watch the news. That is terrible. Senseless destruction angers me. Bedford is such a beautiful town. I hope they catch who did it.

#141-I'm waiting for Pray for Silence too. I was impressed with Catillo's first book and I have read several reviews of PfS and they mostly agreed with what you said.

Terri

I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your friend.
And, what travesty that a library was destroyed.

Hugs...BIG ones.

Sorry about your friend :(

That is very sad.

#151 Sandy, I finally looked up each book in question, and went with which was the bigger tag on LT for each -- mystery or action/adventure!

#152 Carrie, senseless destruction really angers me, too. Patrons who were interviewed wondered aloud, why would someone wreck one of the few things in the community that offers so much to everyone for free?

#153 Thanks, Linda!

#154 Thanks, Kath!

I think I'm going to be on LT a lot less for a while. There is too much stuff going on in RL that requires my attention. I love LT, but one must have priorities! I am still reading as much as possible and will log on to post my reads and pop onto peoples' threads as time permits.

#156: Terri, RL takes precedence. Just know that we will be here when you get back. Take care.

You will be missed, but, certainly, it is very understandable that RL takes priority.

While we will miss you we also understand. Take care!

We'll be here whenever you have time to check in. Hope all is going well.

Thanks, Stasia, Linda, Carrie and Sandy!

After what seemed to be a good start to the school year, my son is having some behavior issues. This isn't a disability issue -- it wasn't an autistic meltdown brought on by sensory overload, or anything like that. It appears to be more typical teen rebellion & testing of boundaries. He got into enough trouble last Friday to earn detention. We are working with the school to try and get things under control. I took away his computer privileges over the weekend to reinforce the school's message that his behavior had not been acceptable.

Book #77:
Title: Against Death and Time: One Fatal Season in Racing's Glory Years
Author: Brock Yates
Genre: Non-fiction / Faction (true events related by a fictional first-person narrator)
Subject: the deadly 1955 automobile racing season
Length: 235 pages plus photos and bibliography
Source: Inter-Library Loan
Challenges: 75 Challenge, 1010 Challenge

The year 1955 was a deadly one in racing. Among the casualties: 80 spectators killed by a wreck at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This book looks at the events of the year, placing them within their social context.

On the one hand, we think of the 1950's as the era of Ozzie and Harriet, with the rise of the middle-class suburban way of life. But there was another side to that glossy picture; thousands of men, many of whom had seen military action, were restless and seeking thrills. The growth of automobile racing -- a sport which, at that time, had about a 50 percent mortality rate among professional drivers -- was a part of that, as was the birth of rock 'n' roll and a new type of movie star.

I wonder how many people today realize that actor James Dean was actually on his way to a sports car race in which he planned to participate, breaking in the engine of his new Porsche 550 Spyder, when he had his infamous fatal auto wreck?

This book is different from most non-fiction in that it employs "faction" -- as the author explains, "a first-person, unidentified narrator is a witness to much of the action in an attempt to more intimately link the reader to the real ... events. . . the events are as factual as I could make them, nonwithstanding the passage of time and the blurring of memories." One other fictinonal character is used, who is described an "amalgam of the wealthy, privileged women who followed the sport of automobile racing during that period."

I'm not sure that the faction device helped the story any -- the events were interesting enough in their own right -- but I didn't find it too distracting.

I am sorry to hear about your son's school troubles, Linda. I hope that the situation is resolved quickly!

Book #78:
Title: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Genre: Non-fiction
Subject: Henrietta Lacks and her family; Henrietta was the source of the HeLa cell line, the first immortal cell line used in scientific research.
Length: 12:30:56 (Audio book)
Dates: started 9/15/10; finished 9/21/10
Source: Overdrive electronic media download through district library
Challenges: 75 challenge; 1010 challenge
Notes: Audio Book

This was fascinating! It dealt with the life of Henrietta Lacks and her family. It dealt with the science of cell culture. It also deals with complex issues of medical ethics that are still with us today, regarding informed consent regarding the use of tissues taken from patients' bodies. This is an eye-opening book. Given all the medical progress made using the HeLa cell line, knowledge of and credit to the woman from whom the original cells were harvested is long overdue.

The audiobook was well done. However, as with most non-fiction audios, I do regret not being able to see how terms are spelled, and the lack of notes and indix which are probably available in a printed version.

I'm finding it curious how information is overlapping in diverse books I've read recently. I expected to see some overlap between the two motorsports books I've read recently. But, in the final chapter of Against Death and Time, Brock Yates cited French scientist Alexis Carrell, who (among other things) wrote about humanity's increasing lack of hardiness, the "loss of audacity in the face of adversity." (Yates cited this in contrast with the audacious risks involved in auto racing.) Information about Alexis Carrell also appeared in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, prompted by Carrell's (controversial) role in cell culture research.

In discussing the history of medical ethics and experimentation, the Skloot book touched on some of the lethal medical experiments talked about in my earlier read When Doctors Kill.

It was really neat to think, "Oh, I just read about him . . . oh, I know about that study!", etc.

Gotta love those book coincidences! I just read Henrietta Lacks, so I'm glad to see you also enjoyed it. :)

I too love when that happens with books. Henrietta Lacks was one of my top reads this year.

Don't you find the transition to a new grade is always difficult for your son Terri? I know the students we have who fall along the Autism spectrum have great difficulty with that. Actually, lots of kids have difficulty with that. I'm sure he'll come around and good for you for trying to support the school's efforts. It's so disheartening when parents don't cooperate with the school's attempts to solve a problem. That helps no one.

Sorry to hear about your son's school troubles. For me, that has been one of the hardest aspects to parenting - trying to be an advocate for the kids when the school seems to be ignoring their needs while supporting the school's expectations of good behavoir and classroom performance.

I also love those connections that pop up between books. Last year there was a mini-challenge that I participated in called 6 degrees - reading a series of 6 unrelated books that have some connection from one to the next. The problem is that the most interesting connections show up unexpectedly, and you never know what the next one will be.

Tymfos, have you finished Moby Dick yet? I've started it recently, and am about 15% of the way through it. I've seen it on a couple of "World's most boring classics" lists, but I didn't let that deter me. So, far, I don't find it boring at all. It is philosophical and introspective, and there is enough going on and enough interesting characters that I definitely would not call it boring.
Before that, I finished Hard Times. I enjoyed that very much, and would classify that as a somewhat light read. The characters are somewhat caricatures, and the messages aren't too subtle, but it has a lot of heart.
I've read multiple books in parallel before, but am trying to avoid that, as it often leads to me not finishing any of the, So, onward with Moby Dick!

#166 Hi, Angela! Yes, it was a great book!

#167 Bonnie, he is always so eager to go back to school -- he loves that routine -- that it isn't so bad making the transition each year. I was amazed how well he adapted to middle school the first year. Then, last year was his first year to start out without a TSS (therapeutic staff support, a one-on-one helper). This year, the transition seemed lesser -- same school, a lot of the same teachers. But now the kid has some attitude!! :(

#168 Sandy, we have a great relationship with our local schools, so it's been less of a hassle than many parents may experience. It's a small district, without a lot of frills, but the individual attention and concern they can provide for students makes up for anything that a bigger district would have.

That six degree challenge sounds interesting!! But I, too, enjoy the unexpected connections the best!

#169 Almost done with Moby Dick, devious_dantes! I'm finding some parts interesting, some parts entertaining, and I fear some parts do bore me a bit. I always have a bunch of books going at once.

Book #79:
Title: I Am Not a Serial Killer
Author: Dan Wells
Genre: mystery/horror/??
Length: 271 pages
Dates: 9/16/10 through 9/22/10
Source: purchased at a used bookstore while on vacation last month
Challenges: 75 Challenge

Well, this was different! What an interesting character -- the first-person narrator is a young fellow who is a sociopath struggling to act normal and tame the "monster" within him. John Wayne Cleaver does not want to be a serial killer, though he is fascinated by them, shares a name with one (John Wayne Gacy), has a weapon for a last name (cleaver), and his entire personality is wired for anti-social activity. So he follows his "rules" to keep the "monster" in check while helping out at his mother's mortuary.

Then a serial killer strikes. Who better to understand -- and stop -- a serial killer, than a natural-born psychopath? But, for a kid like this, getting into the killer's mindset is a dangerous undertaking. (OK, bad pun!)

This book took a turn around page 100 that startled me, but I suspended disbelief, read on, and rather enjoyed the tale. It's a strange one, but strangely compelling.

Book #80:
Title: The Problem of Pain
Author: C.S. Lewis
Length: 157 pages plus index
Dates: started 8/24/10; finished 9/22/10
Source: family library
Challenges: 75 challenge; 1010 challenge, "matter of faith" category; off the shelf challenge.

I decided to read this (it may be a re-read from many years ago) because a number of people in my life are dealing with issues of pain. Lewis deals with all manner of suffering -- physical, emotional, mental -- in this work.

I did not find this book terribly helpful. Perhaps it is simply that, as he stated in his preface, he was not claiming to say anything original except in the last two chapters, but simply to articulate traditional teachings of the faith, and I've read enough theology for his points to be familiar. Of those last two chapters, where he admittedly indulged in some speculation, the one on animal pain was not at all akin to my views -- I feel he does not fully appreciate the intelligence and nobility of some of God's created creatures. The one about heaven was interesting.

I'm finishing off several books at once. Thus, time to pick up new reads.

I'm almost done with Moby Dick.

I've started the first volume of the Shelby Foote Civil War trilogy, Fort Sumter to Perryville. I have the actual book, but I've also downloaded the audio through the library website. I thought if I could listen to some of it, that huge volume would be less daunting. I may be driving to Washington, D.C. with my son Saturday for the National Book Festival. The Civil War is a common interest for us -- and that long drive would be a great opportunity to listen to part of an audio book.

I'm also reading a theological book by Douglas John Hall, The Cross in Our Context: Jesus and the Suffering World

#171: I am really going to have to get hold of that one some day. Glad to see you enjoyed it, Terri!

#173: I hope you and your son have a great time at the National Book Festival. I wish I could go!

#171 I've got to try to find this one - I have a strange fondness for serial killer thrillers.

Have a fun and safe trip to Washington! Sharing an audio book with your son is a great idea - I love doing that, too.

#173 If I read nothing else in 2011, I want to read the entire Shelby Foote Civil War trilogy.

#174, 175 Stasia, Sandy, I already have the book packed up to send to someone else, otherwise I would gladly send (one of) you mine!

#173 Linda, I've been saying approximately the same thing each year since, uh, let's see, when did hubby give me those first two books in the trilogy???? Ten years ago? Maybe we'll both get it done in the next year!

We had a good meeting at the school with the "lead teacher" (principal), guidance counselor, Special Ed. director, Autistic Support teacher and several other faculty members. I think we're all on the same page as to how to deal with my son's newly emerging issues.

I'm in a pickle as to my reading choices. In addition to the stuff I have started, I need another "book off the shelf" this month, I want to get started on Halloween reading, and I have to read Life of Pi for my local book discussion group. I think I can finish my theology book in time to count it for the shelf read. I checked out Devil in the White City which is on the Halloween list.

Now, except for my snippet that's left of Moby Dick, everything is non-fiction. Maybe I'll start up a ghost story or horror novel next. I'm just not in the mood for Life of Pi, though I've been told it is very good.

#177: No problem. My local library actually has that one.

#178: Glad to hear that you had a good meeting today at your son's school. I hope progress is made!

Yee, hah! I just checked my "date aquaired" for Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, and it has been on the shelf long enough to count for my Books off the Shelf Challenge! And it's rather short, so no trouble finishing it this month. So I won't have to rush through the theology book. (Some books are just better read more slowly.)

#180: I count anything I own for BOTS even if I bought the book this year. I guess that is cheating, huh? (not that it is going to stop me!)

Well, I made a rule when I started that they had to be books that were on my shelf before the start of the year, so I want to stick by that.

I bought a ton of books this year, so next year's BOTS will be a breeze!

#182: I bought a ton of books this year, so next year's BOTS will be a breeze!

Planning ahead?! Great idea.

Don't read all the books on your shelf. You never know when all the libraries will be closed, none of your friends are home, the internet goes down and no books are available to be read. Oh the horror!!! (That's what I tell hubby when he says, "More! Why don't you read the books sitting on your shelves?" He's so silly!"

#183 Planning ahead?! Great idea.
Yeah, sure, that's why I bought all those books . . .

#184 OF COURSE I'll never read all the books on my shelf, because as soon as I start next year's BOTS challenge, I'll be busy buying books for the following year's challenge . . . ;)

#184: That's right! We have to be ever conscious of the impending World Wide Book Famine, so we cannot possibly read all of the books on our shelves.

>181 alcottacre: It's most definitely not cheating, if only because I would be pretty much out of the challenge if I hadn't included ER books as I've been receiving and reading them...

>184 cal8769: Exactly what I think. A few days ago I talked to my brother, who's reading the last book that he owns and hasn't read yet. I gave him a quizzical look and told him I had about 85 for just that reason.

#187: Only 85?! I have about 900 or so set aside in case of the WWBF.

Terri

I admire your dedication to your son. Your love and patience are incredibly admirable!

>188 alcottacre: When you consider our reading speeds, Stasia, it's actually quite comparable. 85 books would take most of the year for me, leaving about 20-30 rereads. Plus, a good number of the books I've already read were read years ago. Only a few of them are regular rereads.

#190: 900 would take me somewhere around 2 years I think.

>191 alcottacre: Oh alright, fine. Your TBR pile wins. :)
Just teasing, of course it wins. I haven't counted (I'm afraid to), but when I put all my lists in various places into one notebook a few weeks ago, my best guess is I have about 400-500 books listed on it (even guessing is scary! this is why it was never in one place!), which is nothing to your Black Hole.

*waves to Terri* The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks in on the TBR longlist, but I think I will read instead of listen to it for the reasons you mention in your review.

#192: The BlackHole is over 8000 books, more than enough for the World Wide Book Famine. The only problem with the books in the BlackHole is that I do not own them all :)

>193 alcottacre: I don't own much on my TBR list, to tell you the truth. I thought about adding the books to the notebook I worked on a few weeks ago, but decided against it. If I already own it, I figure I know I want to read it (plus, they're entered on LT and while I get into fits of organization from time to time, even that's a little excessive, putting it on two lists). :)

Glad to hear the meeting for your son went so well!

I'm figuring I own about three year's worth of reading material (at my current pace) - possibly a bit more. Half on my Kindle, and half on my shelves.

Unfortunately I'm trying to cut back on the physical books on my shelves to save space, but I have no restraint when it comes to my e-books.

I just added another 10 books from the used book store to my shelves yesterday, just in case. I'm set for the next two years but of course there's our library book sale coming up next month and the BIGGGGGG American Association of University Women book sale in the spring so....

#195 I'm the same way. I was thinking that I hadn't bought many books this year but I had...on my Kindle. Probably no more than two dozen real books this year to go with countless Kindle versions.

#189 Linda, I'm not any more dedicated than most parents, really. Sometimes I'm sure I'm quite inadequate. I thought I'd lost him today for a few minutes!

We tried going to the National Book Festival today. Big error. Much too hot, much too crowded, much too noisy.

While waiting in the hot sun in a very long line for food/beverages, my son was at my elbow one minute, gone the next. Panic! But he'd followed all our rules. "Don't get out of my sight." Well, he could see me the whole time (fat lady in pink pants!), he had just blended into the crowd seeking a bit of shade but he really was in sight once I remembered the RED hat I put on him to make him more visible. . . and he didn't talk to strangers and he came back to where we'd been together. He says he even told me he was going over to the shade, but it must have been just too noisy to hear. Fortunately, I followed our rules and stayed put where we had been (though I flagged a passing "event staff" person just in case). When we reunited, I took him to the "lost" station to report that he'd been found. We left after that. Didn't make it to the LT meet-up.

Just what I needed -- more gray hair. :(

187, 188, 190, 191, etc. Mary & Stasia, do I detect dueling TBR piles??

My category system is so messed up now, I'm not even sure how it works anymore -- I keep changing it and forgetting what I changed it to, thus I enter things wrong . . . I think my Ever-Expanding List (968 books) is supoosed to be things I want to read, owned or unowned; and my Wishlist (437 books) is supposed to have those which I don't own and can't get in the nearby librariesl; and Unread (262 books) are those I own that I haven't read (not including reference books). But of course the numbers don't quite add up . . .

I know there are lots of books I want to read, and quite a few of them are on my shelves . . . and quite a few are not.

195 Thanks, Angela!

195, 197 Angela, Linda, I haven't gotten into e-books yet, except from the library site where we only get them for a week, so they don't pile up.

196 Bonnie, gotta love those used book stores and sales! I really stocked up when we vacationed near some really great used book stores!

Book #81
Title: The Woman in Black
Author: Susan Hill
Dates: Finished 9/25/10
Genre: Ghost story / gothic
Length: 160 pages
Source: purchased last year via Amazon
Challenges: 75 Challenge, Books off the Shelf (BOTS)

A story within a story: a Christmas Eve ghost storytelling session leaves a man (the narrrator) remembering and tormented by his own true ghost story; he vows to write it in order to clear the distress from his mind. Scary tale follows.

This was a pretty good, creepy ghost story. Hill is great at setting the scene, creating atmosphere.

What a day! I've finally got myself calmed down. The drive back actually helped a lot. So did a nice meal with my son at a Waffle House in Maryland. And a hug from my hubby when he finally got home. LT helps a bit, too. There's something soothing in reading and writing posts, and a satisfaction in putting another book onto the list.

And we're all safely home under one roof. My son went to bed early. I think I'll be up for a while.

Glad to hear that you and your son both arrived home safe and sound after a busy (and from the sounds of it, somewhat harrowing) day, Terri!

Thanks, Stasia!

I hope you are able to get calmed down some so that you can get some rest tonight. Sounds like you need it.

Henrietta Lacks is one that has been on my list for a long time... and someday I will get to it... it sounds wonderful!

I really wanted to go to that book event.. really really wanted to.
I gave some thought to going down to stay with my son and going with him..
but he ended up having to work. Sorry your trip wasn't more fun. At least you tried though. That is what matters ..

>199 tymfos: LOL, not really. I surrender, Stasia's is longer whether you count books owned or unowned. :)

Terri, I'm just catching up and am sorry that the big event was not the success you had hoped for. Maybe next year or the next..... I also want to read S. Foote (and own them), but I'm not setting any schedule. As to book accumulation, I fear I either win or lose. I realize now that I won't live long enough to read everything I own, but that doesn't stop me from acquiring new. I could work up a big guilt, but since I don't plan to change, it hardly seems worth the trouble.
By the by, what is your current theology reading? I guess I could go see whether you maintain a "currently reading" list.....

Sorry it didn't go so well for you. I wish we could have met. Maybe next year!

#205 The Henrietta Lacks book is quite good, Kath!
As far as the book festival, we did try, and I learned some things for future trips to Washington. I found it surprisingly easy to get where we needed to go. (But I'm still having nightmares about those few moments when I thought I'd lost my son in the crowd!)

#206 Mary, I think we all can't help but surrender to Satsia's superior reading lists!

Speaking of lists, I just found a three-page document buried in one of my computer folders -- another list of books I wanted to get through ILL, from some time ago. I don't think a lot of those books made it onto my current Ever-Expanding list . . . which is about to expand again, I guess. ;)

#207 Peggy, maybe we'd try it again another year, if it fell on a more comfortable day. (We are not at our best on hot, sunny days.) I learned a few things that I'd take into account if I went again -- for one, to eat something before heading into the mall area!
I figure I won't read all the books I own in my lifetime, either, but maybe someone in the family will?
Currently, I'm reading Douglas John Hall's The Cross in Our Context: Jesus in the Suffering World. Not sure if I got around to marking it "currently reading" or not . . . have to check. . .

Speaking of theology and books, but in a different vein, I found a wonderful web site last night:
http://storypath.wordpress.com/

#208 I would have enjoyed meeting you, too, Jim. Maybe next year! I'll be better prepared for the trip if I try it again.

One thing that surprised me is how deficient the acommodations are in the Metro for folks with disabilities. Everything is escalators, between platform levels, to the street. My son lacks the coordination to do escalators. (You've heard of hand-eye coordination? I guess this is foot-eye coordination that he lacks, maybe?) We had to search out other paths. We found stairs a few times, but mostly had to search out the elevators for the handicapped . . . many of which seem to be in out-of-the-way places, far off the beaten track. I pity some person hobbling on crutches or with a walker, having to make the trek to some of those elevators!

We need to work on the escalator thing . . . should ask his occupational therapist if she has any ideas . . .

#206: Let's face it Mary - I have a 20+ year head start on you :)

>211 alcottacre: LOL, right. So freeze frame it - how many you have in each pile now, and we'll compare again when I'm the age you are now to be totally fair, right? :P

Finally caught up!

#162 - Trivia: 1955 was also the last year of the REDeX Around Australia Trial, of which 'Gelignite Jack' Murray was one of it's most colourful and famous participants. In fact, one of my favourite 'car' books is Journeys with Gelignite Jack by Evan Green (later retitled "Hit the Road Jack"). Highly recommended, if you can find it :)

#212: That's right :)

#213 Hi, Peter! Great to see you here! Thanks for stopping by and catching up, and for the "trivia." I'll keep an eye out for that book.

##211, 212, 214 Stasia and Mary, you gals crack me up! Some welcome smiles for a difficult week. A friend died unexpectedly yesterday, and a family memeber is having surgery tomorrow.

Book #82
Title: Jane Emily: And Witches' Children
Author: Patricia Clapp
Genre: story 1: YA ghost story / story 2: YA historical fiction
Subject: story 1: nasty child ghost / story 2: Salem Witch trials
Length: 293 pages, including author information
Source: Purchased this year -- from Bookcloseouts.com (I think)
Challenges: 75 challenge, 1010 challenge "Kid's Stuff" category

Jane-Emily was quite a creepy ghost story -- perfect read as I head into the October Halloween season. The other story in the book, Witches' Children, was about the Salem Witch Trials, written from the POV of one of the young girls who started the hysteria. I didn't enjoy that one so much, but largely because it's horrible to contemplate the tragedy of all the people who died because of the actions of those girls.

Terri, very sorry to hear about the death of your friend. That it was unexpected just makes it harder for you and their other friends, I imagine. Was this person very close?

Terri, I am also sorry to hear about your friend's death. I hope that your relative's surgery tomorrow is absolutely routine. Meanwhile, take care of yourself. That kind of stress is hard to manage.

#217 Thanks Sandy. I wouldn't say we were very close. But he was a member of the church who was helpful, kind, generous, peaceable . . . a pillar of the church in the very best sense of the word -- and extremely kind to my family. (His wife is also a dear soul, and I can't imagine what a shock this must be for her.) His sudden passing is a loss to our church family and a reminder of how we should treasure our lives and the lives of those around us, as none of us know how long any of us will be here in this world.

#218 Thanks, Lizzie. The surgery should not be life-threatening, it's just that there's cancer involved, too, so that always makes one worry.

I've found that work usually is a good tonic when I get too introspective over the concerns of life. (When my maternal grandmother died, I cleaned out every closet in the house -- and I was only 9 or 10 years old at the time.)

Since this is my day off from my job at the library, I'm going to go clean out my kitchen cabinets to keep me busy.

I like that one :)

Hi, Kath! I remember you liking Jane-Emily.

Well, I finally finished it:

Book #83
Title: Moby Dick
Author: Herman Melville
Length: 566 pages
Dates: started 1/15/10; finished 9/28/10
Source: public library
Challenge: 75 Challenge

It took me forever, but I finally finished it. Not sure what to say that hasn't been said already by lots of people. I enjoyed parts of it, parts of it seemed to drag for me (hence the slow pace of my reading).

Congratulations on finishing Moby Dick. That is a book I've wanted to read for years and have started more times than I can remember but have yet to get past the half-way point. Was this your first attempt?

Thanks, Sandy! This was my first attempt -- and it took me since January to finish it. I put it down totally for a couple of months, but was able to pick it up where I left off and finish it.

I had another call from the principal today about my son's behavior. I think I'm probably on the man's speed dial by now . . . .

Needing a no-brain read (what little attention span I had today was exhausted by the last few chapters of Moby), I picked up a very easy read.

Book #84:
Title: Down a Dark Hall
Author: Lois Duncan
Genre: YA horror
Length: 181 pages
Source: Public Library
Dates: Read 9/28/10
Challenges: 75 Challenge, 1010 Challenge, "Kid's Stuff" category book #10
Note: finishes this category in the 1010 challenge

This was Halloween brain candy. I wanted a short, quick, easy read that would keep me turning pages while in an easily-distracted frame of mind. This creepy YA book about a sinister private boarding school was perfect for my mood.

This was a short, quick book to read. (Don't be fooled by the number of pages -- the size of the pages is very small.) But it got pretty intense.

ETA to add I guess "today" was actually yesterday now, at least in this time zone. I guess I was really engrossed in that book -- tore through most of it since my son's bedtime and didn't realize the time!

I think I'm probably on the man's speed dial by now . . . . lol! I know that feeling. One year I had 3 of the kids in the same grade school. It was the health room instead of the principal's office, but I would have sworn I was on speed dial. They called at least once a week for something about someone. All year long.

Sorry to hear that the behavoir is such a problem this year. That's got to be pretty frustrating for you when you keep getting those calls. I know they have to call, but it get tiresome to always be receiving them, doesn't it?

#225 Well, I'm glad we have open lines of communication, and we are working together to address the issues. Rather than doling out punishment just for the sake of punishment, they are looking to provide consequences and guidance that will actually be effective in changing his behavior, as is my goal -- helping him to think before he acts, and to make better choices.

But, yes, I wish he didn't need to call so often!!!

#226 It sounds like you're lucky to have a good school to work with.

#227 AMEN!

Terri, I am sorry to hear about your friend's death and the upcoming surgery as well as the continued calls from the school. I am glad Mary's and my joking brought a smile to your face, however brief.

we are working together to address the issues -----they are looking to provide consequences and guidance that will actually be effective in changing his behavior, as is my goal

huh. imagine that.

common sense and helpfulness on the part of the school.
I am very glad to hear that you have that..

#229 Thanks, Stasia!

#230 Yeah, imagine that! I feel very fortunate.

Morning, Terri.......You should feel fortunate! And, always the Polly-Anna, I feel confident that you'll have a more mature young man in your house when this bad behavior plateau is crossed. Courage for the climb!
(And do let us know how the surgery went. We care.)
(At some point in this decade I need to reread Moby-Dick. I mostly love it, and promised myself that I'd read it every 20 years, so this will be time #3, but I need to get busy....Maybe next year!)

Thanks, Peggy!

Hi, everyone! The surgery went very well. She is fine. Waiting for pathology report, but all indications are that they got out all that they needed to get.

Today, for our friend's funeral, we had such a deluge of rain! The gutters ran wide and deep with cold water we had to splash through to get to the funeral home, which was full of friends and warmth and remembrance. I didn't go to the cemetery or funeral dinner; feeling as though I'm catching a cold or something, I opted to slip home and get dry socks and chicken soup and another dose of vitamin C. I felt a little guilty; but if I'm sick, no point in spreading it around or giving myself pnumonia.

I won't be completing any more books today, so I may as well post this summary:

As of September 30, 2010, I have completed 84 books:

47 Fiction
37 Non-Fiction

79 First-tme reads
5 re-reads

8 LT Early Reviewer books read and reviewed

My favorite "new reads" of the year so far:

Mystery Fiction:
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo

Historical Fiction:
Shiloh: A Novel by Shelby Foote

General/Literary Fiction:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Non-Fiction (fascinating/informative):
102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive inside the Twin Towers by Jim Dwyer & Kevin Flynn
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Columbine by Dave Cullen

Non-Fiction -- (just plain fun!)
He Crashed Me, So I Crashed Him Back by Mark Bechtel

#234: Great news about your friend's surgery! I am glad that the news is good.

#235: Nice summary, Terri.

Hi Terri, I've just been catching up with your life and feel like I've been on a roller coaster. Can you relate to that?

First of all, congrats on finishing Moby Dick. That's a real accomplishment.

I'm sorry about your son's problems at school, but some of that is typical teenage behavior don't you think? That is a tough time in anyone's life. I still shudder to think of some of the things I did back then. What a great trial for your separation plan at the Nat. Book Festival. I know that must have been scary for you, but the plan worked!

I'll add my condolences on your friend's death and my sigh of relief on the successful surgery of your family member. So how many closets have you cleaned out in the past few weeks while you've been undergoing all this stress?

#236 Thanks, Stasia!

#237 Hi, Donna! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I think a good bit of what's going on with my son is teenage behavior. The autism complicates things a bit, though.

I've cleaned out most of my kitchen cupboards and washed the dusty glassware that hadn't been used in a long while. I've taken a preliminary poke at my upstairs clothes closet. (The clothes on the rack are organized; the stuff on the shelves and floor isn't, really, though I've weeded a bit.) Cleaning of closets is a challenge in this house. There are very few closets, so the ones I do have are stuffed!

I have four non-fiction books going now. My big read is the first volume of Shelby Foote's Civil War trilogy. I'm doing Devil in the White City from Mac's Halloween Group Read list. Then there's my ER book, The Little League that Could: A History of the American Football League by Ken Rappoport. And a theology book by Douglas John Hall.

As for fiction, I'm in a Halloween mood. I checked out Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon, which is supposed to be spooky, but it just didn't click with me. I've abandoned it for The Best Ghost Stories of J.S. LeFanu. That one will count for my Books Off the Shelf Challenge.

I don't have an audio book going now, which is a shame because they work very well to listen to when I'm cleaning out closets! I thought I was going to be able to listen to Carrie for the (Halloween Group Read) through our county library's Net Library connection. Somehow, there's a glitch in the catalog. The library catalog shows it as available, but it's nowhere to be found when I go to the actual Net Library collection. Bummer!

Sounds as if you have your plate full even without without the audiobook, Terri! Too bad about it though.

I'm in kind of an "attention deficit" reading mood. I can't stay with one thing for too long right now. So I read a chapter of this, a section of a chapter of that. Don't know how I keep it all straight in my mind, but I seem to. And I seem to have something going to fit most every mood right now!

#241: I seem to have something going to fit most every mood right now!

So do I. But then I do most of the time :)

But you seem to manage to finish things quickly anyway, Stasia.

With this many books going, I'll probably not finish any one of them for days, maybe a week!

#243: It depends on what I am reading. The majority of the chunksters I read are read over the course of at least a month. Sometimes I will just plow through a book, sometimes I break a book up into smaller bites.

Woo, hoo, my MAY Early Reviewer book, Pray for Silence, finally showed up!!

I had given up and listened to it via electronic audio book through our library. I will pick up the book (eventually) and read it the old-fashioned way to review it. I'm not going to rush, because they sure weren't in a rush to get it to LT reviewers.

I also got notice that I'm getting Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter from the September batch. It's not a good sign when I look at the description of a book I've won and wonder why I requested it in the first place . . . ?

I'm in the midst of my August ER book, The Little League that Could: a History of the American Football League. It's an enjoyable enough read so far.

I'm reading a book about the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers and it refers quite a bit to the founding of the AFL so I'll probably read my ER book soon, too.

The Steelers book is interesting. The Ones Who Hit the Hardest.

#246 Steelers, huh? I may look that one up!

I'm almost to that magic 250 mark.

So, to avoid getting busted by the thread police, I've gone ahead and opened up shop at a new location:

NEW THREAD:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/99914