Sundays on the Acre, Take 22

A note about my rating scale:

3 stars or below - Not Recommended

3.5 stars - Guardedly Recommended

4 stars - Recommended

4.5-5 stars - Highly Recommended and you best get the book in hand now!

For the masochists among you, Sundays on the Acre begins here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/78996
http://www.librarything.com/topic/82207
http://www.librarything.com/topic/83662
http://www.librarything.com/topic/84472
http://www.librarything.com/topic/85051
http://www.librarything.com/topic/86242
http://www.librarything.com/topic/86988
http://www.librarything.com/topic/87831
http://www.librarything.com/topic/88858
http://www.librarything.com/topic/89413
http://www.librarything.com/topic/89880
http://www.librarything.com/topic/90536
http://www.librarything.com/topic/91896
http://www.librarything.com/topic/92416
http://www.librarything.com/topic/93114
http://www.librarything.com/topic/93695
http://www.librarything.com/topic/94235
http://www.librarything.com/topic/94930
http://www.librarything.com/topic/96476

For those interested in my wiki, it is here: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/User:Alcottacre, but I do not really recommend it, as it is boring. All the action takes place on my threads :)

Books Read from My Personal Library in 2010



Pages Read 2010



Memorable Reads for 2010:

Nonfiction
The National Parks: America's Best Idea by Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns
Larry Burrows: Vietnam by Larry Burrows
The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift
Waterlog by Roger Deakin
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebekah Skloot
At the Hands of Persons Unknown by Philip Dray
On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery by Robert M. Poole
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer
Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History by Robert Sherwood
Provenance by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum
Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sides

Fiction
Salvation by Sholem Asch
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry
The Party by Rudolph Von Abele
The Egyptian by Mika Waltari
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
The Straight and Narrow Path by Honor Tracy
Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski
The War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip
Silence by Shusaku Endo
In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Troubles by J.G. Farrell
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
Music and Silence by Rose Tremain
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

Young Adult
Genesis by Bernard Beckett
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian
Iqbal by Francesco d'Adamo
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

A note about my memorable reads: I am not a book critic. My memorable reads list is just that: books that are memorable to me - that for some reason or other resonate with me. I do not review books as many people here do for the simple reason that I am a terrible book reviewer!

This week's reads:

406. This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer - young adult; I loved the first book in this trilogy, Life As We Knew It and liked the second book, but the third book just did not live up to the first book, which is what I was hoping for; there is way too much happenstance and teenage angst in the book for me; very guardedly recommended and then only for fans of the first two books (3 stars)

407. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo - juvenile; this is the third of DiCamillo's books that I have read and enjoyed, this story of a boy looking for his long lost sister and an elephant, out of time and place, longing for her long lost home; I must comment on the illustrations in the book which, although in black-and-white, lent a lot to the story; recommended (4 stars)

408. The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost - nonfiction; an oft times funny memoir about a Peter Pan type man who moves with his significant other to an atoll in the Pacific; a lot of Troost's points about the poverty of the people and the state of the island are made through his humor and the more heartbreaking because of it; recommended (3.75 stars) Mine

409. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley - I think my main problem with this mystery is that I did not buy the 11-year-old narrator - she seemed to be written older than that to me - and I did not particularly like her or her sisters for that matter, so this was a rather 'meh' read for me; guardedly recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

410. Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix - young adult; the second book in Haddix's 'The Missing' series, finds our intrepid time travellers taken back to the time of Richard III; I rather like Haddix's idea because it presents a fun way for kids to learn history - Haddix includes a postscript mentioning any liberties she took with history and what is known and not known (such as whether Richard III did in his nephews or not); recommended (3.75 stars)

411. Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sides - nonfiction; an engrossing book tracking James Earl Ray both before and after his assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.; highly recommended and on my memorable reads list (4.25 stars)

Edited for Touchstones

Continuing:

412. Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison - I did not like this book - the writing is good, and I know the fault lies with me, but I did not like this book; the casual abuse of Bone, the impotence of her mother - especially that was hard to take and to me, rather unbelievable; there are a lot of people here on LT who liked the book a lot, so I am in the minority of this one, I know; not recommended (2 stars) Mine

413. Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham - this story of Philip Carey from his childhood through adulthood is a very good one, and although Philip is not a particularly likeable character, he is definitely a well-wrought one; Maugham does an exceptional job at showing the forces that shape Philip, especially in his destructive relationship with Mildred; highly recommended, and on my memorable reads list (4.5 stars) Mine

414. Giving Good Weight by John McPhee - nonfiction; this book is a collection of essays that were originally published in The New Yorker, and I enjoyed them all for the most part, but especially the title essay, The Keel of Lake Dickey, and Brigade de Cuisine; recommended (4 stars) Mine

That is it for this week!

BTW - I am giving away my copies of The Sex Lives of Cannibals and Bastard Out of Carolina. First come, first served. I will ship them internationally, so if you are interested, send me a PM.

I am escaping with no adds this time thank goodness!

#4: Maybe next week, Kath!

I have added The Magician's Elephant but everything else was already on the wishlist.

Just a visit this week. I've read the Troost, Maugham and the McPhee and don't have a lot of interest in James Earl Ray.

Your review of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is not encouraging. I have it on my Kindle based upon the raves from so many people but that's a fault I really dislike.

#6: I hope you enjoy it, Heather. If you have not read any of DiCamillo's other books, I can also recommend The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and The Tale of Despereaux as well (especially the former).

#7: There are a lot of people who liked the book more than I did, Tad, so I would not let my negativity dissuade you from reading it.

Have a good week, Stasia!

#10: You too, Linda!

Hi Stasia. Found your thread. Lots of interesting looking books this week...

#12: Hey, Stephen! Glad you found me again.

Morning Stasia- Good reading list! I brought a brand new copy of Hellhound on His Trail, so I have that one waiting in the wings. Glad you enjoyed it! I liked The Sweetness, but I agree you have to accept the main character's somewhat unbelievable personality.
I'll take the copy of "Sex Lives", if it's not all-ready gone.

Of Human Bondage has been on my shelf for ages--maybe this is the nudge I need to read it soon!

Morning Stasia!

Adding The Sex Lives of Cannibals and The Magician's Elephant to the pile.

I liked The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, but I do agree with you that the narrator was impossibly young and the sisters were rotten to each other.

I've been meaning to read Hellhound on His Trail for some time now. Maybe this'll be the nudge I need. Of Human Bondage has been on the TBR pile for a long time. Maybe someday.

No new ones for me this week.

#15: Caty, I do not think you will regret reading Of Human Bondage, but it is not a quick read. The copy I read was 970 pages. I hope you try it soon because it is a good one, IMHO.

#16: Hey, Jenn! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the couple you chose from this week's list.

#17: Linda, bump Hellhound on His Trail up the stack some!

Oops! Just realized that the reason there was only one message on your thread this morning was that you had started a new one. Am I late?

Your review of Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is exactly what I needed to convince me to avoid it. I've been on the edge about reading it, but it doesn't really sound like something I'd enjoy. Thanks for the flag!

#19: No worries, Roni!

#20: No problem, Luxx!

Several times now I was close to buying The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie just because the cover looks so nice. Now it will have to wait a little (or maybe much) longer.

And I started Of Human Bondage yesterday. I am just 60 pages in, but so far I like it as well.

#22: I look forward to seeing what you think of Of Human Bondage when you are done with it, Deern.

Much to my surprise.. I have seen the movie Bastard of Carolina However I was not aware it was based on a book. I liked the movie. Wondering if the book is similar or better like usual... Sorry you didn't enjoy the book Stasia. Try the movie sometime. It has been on Lifetime several times.

#24: I appreciate the mention of the movie, Monica, but as I rarely watch movies, I doubt I will ever watch that one, particularly as the book left such a bad taste in my mouth.

Sex Lives of Cannibals got me started on my quest to read the other Troost books. I wondered while I was reading it, if I could accept their living conditions as gracefully as they did... I expect not ... I spent 2 weeks in an non air-conditioned hut out on the Malaysian island of Redang doing some conservation work some years back. It had no running water, eco-toilets (never look down!) and limited electricity. I was there volunteering at the sea turtle rescue facility and for the most part, it was great - half the day I was snorkling, swimming or scuba-diving in the ocean, a quarter of the day I was in the lab measuring the baby turtles, and the other quarter helping with the basic cooking and sleeping. I was soooo glad to be home after, without having to battle mosquito nets, look out for scorpions every time I put my shoes on, and hot water for a shower.

#26: The book reminded me of when I was a teenager and worked on a Navajo reservation one summer with a bunch of other church kids. The first thing the guys were told was not to throw cow chips in the water, since if flowed down to where the girls bathed.

I'm always amazed at how much you read, Stasia! Another great week of reading - looks like the only BB I got hit with this week is Sex Lives of Cannibals - not too bad, considering!

Have a great week!

Nice list this week, Stasia. I got three bb's, I believe; of course that number must be multiplied by all the hits I got over on the other thread re: Steampunk. I've read a bit of it and enhoyed it; time to explore more.

Irons in the fire, eh? We'll all be curious. Have a wonderful week.

Great work as always, Stasia. I'm adding Of Human Bondage, one of those books that I've been interested in for years. I'd add Hellhound On His Trail, but I already own it.

Your verdict on The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is pretty close to mine, although I think I liked it a *little* more; 'not convincing for 11' seems to be a pretty frequent comment. Just Of Human Bondage for me to add this week.

I'm glad you enjoyed The Sex Lives of Cannibals, Stasia! Sorry you were so disgusted by Bastard Out of Carolina. I thought it was a good book, but very, very depressing. I liked her Two or Three Things I Know For Sure even better, but I would definitely not recommend it for you. Everything else I've either read, already own a copy of to get around to eventually, or is already on the wishlist. :)

Found you and starred you!

I'm a little afraid that I'm going to feel the same way you do about The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. That's one of the reasons I've been putting it off, even though I own a copy. But I will try it someday soon.

Found you Stasia:) Have a lovely week!

Glad you liked Hellhound on His Trail, Stasia. I've heard good things about it and saw it recently on my library's New Books shelf. I'm putting it on my wishlist. (Until I tried entering the touchstone for this book, I thought it was Hellbound on His Trail.)

Well Stasia, I read Of Human Bondage a zillion years ago or more so maybe it's time for a reread. I am among those who enjoyed Bastard Out of Carolina although the themes were very difficult. But I thought it was an important book.

Cheli sneaks in and looks around - ahhh - nothing new to add. She swipes her brow relieved that she has escaped unscathed.

Hi, Stasia, good list there but you missed me with those BBs.

Another good lineup of books. Nothing for me this week though as I'm trying hard not to add too much to my groaning 'shelves'. I bought my mother a copy of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie a few weeks ago so I must ask her how she liked it.

interesting list :)

Hi Stasia! I've been meaning to put Hellhound on His Trail on my TBR list. Sounds like it was a good one.

Definitely sounds good. I've just put it on reserve at the library!

Of Human Bondage has long been on my list of classics to read, so I'm considering myself free from book bullets this week. Though I'm sure you'll get me next week!

Lots of reading goodies on your Sunday list, Stasia. Thanks!

Another great reading week, Stasia! I have The Sweetness at the bottom of the Pie on my pile. I read The Magician's Elephant aloud to the girls last year. While we enjoyed it, it was probably the least favorite of the DiCamillo books. Several of my students are reading the Peterson Haddix books -- I'll probably get to them at some point.

Hi Stasia, I bought a used copy of Sweetness a while ago but I'm hesitant to read it for the reasons you mentioned. Maybe I can just imagine her to be older than she is? The McPhee book looks very interesting though. I'm going to have to track down a copy!

#28: I hope you enjoy the book, Laura! Thanks for stopping by.

#29: Hey, Gail! You have a great week too.

#30: I will be interested in your take on the books when you get to them, Darryl.

#31: I have the follow up book too, Caty, so I am going to be interested in seeing if Flavia ages in it, although it may be a while before I read it.

#32: Maybe I will catch you next week, Marcia!

#33: There are plenty of other books out there, Angela, that are better, so putting that one aside for a bit is probably a good move.

#34: Hey, Bente! I am glad to be found.

#35: LOL, Pat! It is a good book (the correctly titled one anyway), so I hope you give it a try and enjoy it.

#36: Only a zillion years ago, Bonnie? The re-read can probably wait for a while then :)

#37: Rats. Foiled again.

#38: Maybe your mother enjoyed it more than I did, Kerry!

#39: Hey, Susan! Thanks for dropping in on the place.

#40: I hope you like it when you get to it, Amy.

#41: Cool, Jim! I hope you enjoy it.

#42: Karen, move Of Human Bondage up the stack!

#43: Hey, Ren! You are welcome.

#44: I agree with it being the least favorite of the DiCamillo books for me too Anne, but I still liked it. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane remains my favorite of hers.

#45: I hope you can find a copy of the McPhee book, Joanne. I am going to be reading another book of his this next week and am hoping I enjoy it as much as I did Giving Good Weight.

New quiz time using books read this year (I do love these things, lol). I got this one from Kerry's thread:

In school I was: Less than Angels

People might be surprised I’m: Silent to the Bone

I will never be: The Vampire's Assistant

My fantasy job is: The Uncommon Reader

At the end of a long day I need: One Amazing Thing

I hate it when: This Book is Overdue!

Wish I had: The Food of a Younger Land

My family reunions are: The Imperfectionists

At a party you’d find me with: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

I’ve never been to: China Court

A happy day includes: Hope Was Here

Motto I live by: Strength in What Remains

On my bucket list: The Mountains of My Life

In my next life, I want to be: Heir of Sea and Fire

I saw the quiz on the Book Nut blog and couldn't resist it. Your titles really work!

Thanks, Kerry! Took a bit to get through the list to find appropriate ones, but I had fun with it.

Cool quiz:)

Nothing to add this week! I was already planning to avoid This World We Live In after not liking The Dead and the Gone and seeing that it wasn't supposed to be any better. Too bad, because Life As We Knew It was a great book.

I also read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie last week and liked it more than you did. My pet peeve is characters who are too dumb, which I come across far too often, so I was happy to read about a girl genius for a change (though there was still one moment when I was screaming at her not to do something). And in some ways I did think Flavia was believable as a child: everything was a game to her and she had no sense of real danger, despite being intelligent enough that she could have known better. I can certainly see why some people wouldn't like the book, though.

#53: Yeah, it is Bente! Give it a go.

#54: I agree with you about Life As We Knew It - it was a great book and it is unfortunate that the remainder of the trilogy did not live up to it.

Oh, another one of those quizes. I...ummm...well...LOVE IT!! :D

#56: Yeah, Stephen, you and I need to form a mutual quiz society :)

Will do as soon as I get back from my holiday...leaving in a couple of hours! Yay! I want to join your little society too! :)

#58: You are welcome to join in the society when you get back, Bente! This is the third different quiz I have done using the titles of books read this year. I enjoy doing them.

Added Sent and the other Missing books to my wishlist. Love YA fiction and I'm a bit of a history lover, so it sounds like a perfect combination.

Fun quiz! Copying it to my thread and working on it later...

I'm one of the folks for whom Bastard Out of Carolina was a searing and highly beloved read. I think it felt TRUE to me and said things about the reality of many young women I'd never read before at that time. I was also already a Dorothy Allison fan and appreciated her willingness to discuss unspoken class and gender issues in an honest way.

I read it when it first came out so I was a very different person. I wonder how I would feel about it as a middle-aged mother? I appreciate that you gave it a try and totally understand why you disliked it.

#60: Hey, Kathy! Thanks for dropping by. I hope you enjoy the Missing books.

#61: Enjoy the quiz, Jenn!

#62: Thanks, Nancy. Glad to see you here!

Fun quiz answers! I'm glad you won't be the vampire's assistant :)

For a few weeks I dodged the book bullet, but this week I managed to get disarmed

Here is what I am adding:
Boox 407, 410, 411, 413, 414.

Oh my, since I'm not the prolific reader you are, I fear my tbr pile will never, never be read.

I can't keep up with you, but I've got you starred again!

I wasn't enamored of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, either, but I listened to an audiobook version of the sequel, The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, and found myself enjoying it much more. The somewhat "twee" touches that bothered me when I was reading vanished in the narrator's voice; she also made Flavia more believable and less irritating. So I'm not sure what I'll do when book #3 comes along!!

#64: The good thing about these quizzes is that I have read enough books this year that I have some fun answers from which to choose.

#65: Linda, I am never going to read through the BlackHole, so we are in the same boat!

#66: Hey, Terri! I cannot keep up with me either.

#67: Thanks for the input on the second Bradley book, Suz. I hope I like it better too.

yet another quiz LOL

ETA I stress too much over them. But if I were to write one to do it might go like this: Make a sentence of paragraph out of your book titles ... hmmm... that has something to do with your year?

#69: I think your quiz sounds too complicated for my brain, Susan :)

Quote for the day from Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick:

"About two seconds later she's got her nose in a book called A Wrinkle in Time. You'd think she was in a library instead of hanging around beside a highway. You can tell she's really good at reading no matter where she is or what's happening around her. There's this look on her face like she's not there at all, she's gone wherever the book takes her."

Makes me wonder what look I have on my face while I am reading :)

(Posted to the Kitchen too)

I'm glad to hear good things about The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag; I'm planning to read that one in the near-ish future.

#71 - That's me. If I get into a book, I'm gone. Doesn't matter where I am.

#68 I cannot keep up with me either.

I had to laugh at this, Stasia. Makes me feel better.

#73: I would daresay it is a lot of us, Jenn!

#74: Glad I gave you a laugh today, Pat.

*waves tiredly*

*waving back at Kath*

I found this quote in a book I received today:

"My education was the liberty I had to read indiscriminately and all of the time, with my eyes hanging out." - Dylan Thomas

(posted to the Kitchen too)

ha ha ha - eyes hanging out

I like to read all the time, but *discriminately*

#78-#79: I know! I love that "eyes hanging out" phrase. I might have to find a biography of Dylan Thomas--do you know of any, Stasia?

Karen O.

Stasia:
I am so glad you liked Of Human Bondage! It is my very favorite book. I want to read it again, but there are so many other books that I have not read before.

Love the "eyes hanging out" phrase .... but alas, the older I get, the more demands there appears to be made on my time, so I'm now forced to read more discriminately. When I was younger I would read anything and everything that I chanced upon. Actually come to think of it, I read some pretty good things that way too, although I suspect my mother wouldn't agree that the Interviews in my brother's Playboys could be considered good reading. *I still think they conduct good interviews with really interesting people*

I've been lurking around here so long - it seems just plain impolite of me! I want to say "hi" to you, Stasia.
glitter-graphics.com
I really enjoy reading your thread - as does the rest of the world. I may not say much, but I'll be here in spirit. :)
Claudia

#79: I am with you, Jenn.

#80: No, I am sorry Karen, I do not know of one. David N. Thomas has written a 2-volume biography that I am aware of, but have not yet had a chance to read.

#81: It was about 25 or so years between my readings of the book, Jennifer. I understand the dilemma all too well.

#82: I think the choice to read discriminately is one we all come to sooner or later just because of the demands on our time. LT comes in very handy for helping make choices, doesn't it?

#83: Hello, Claudia. Thanks for stopping by to say "hi!" Lurk as often as you like :)

Yes, Stas. I'm ever so thankful to LTers who help steer me away from bum books that would have otherwise made me lose years off my life. The fact that LTers like yourself are also responsible for piling on more books onto my obese wish list is, I guess, a side effect I can live with.

#85: You do plenty of piling on to the BlackHole, so fair is fair, right?

I'm reading more discriminately since LT as well...and I'm finding better books as a result. Thank you LT! :)

I second what Book Angel wrote. I'm also honing in on better books based on reviews by likeminded, intelligent readers and I'm loving it. Thank you LT too.

I am as well. If a book does not get a rating of 3.5 stars or better here on LT, I will not bother with it - unless it is one of my ER books.

Hi Stasia! Lost you there for a bit. :) Nice to see you liked Of Human Bondage - I have that one sitting on the shelf waiting for its turn.

#89 : I'm starting to do that too, Stas. I used to just add those that received a 3 star rating, but I was adding far too many books far too quickly into my obese wish list, so I'm having to grit my teeth and put some steel in my otherwise jellied spine. The only time I'll add 3s is if they're books from authors that I just absolutely love. After all, everyone needs comfort books.

#90: I am happy you found me again, Ine!

#91: The only time I'll add 3s is if they're books from authors that I just absolutely love. After all, everyone needs comfort books.

That is why I still read my J.D. Robb and Christine Feehan books, Caro!

I couldn't do without J.D. Robb, Stas. I love re-reading the series. I want to be Eve Dallas!

#93: Me too!

I've started reading A Perfect Evil by Alex Kava and went to check on its LT rating--phew! It's got a 3.5. I wanted a change of pace, but this is a BIG change of pace for me.

But I think I will stick to your book-selection criteria of 3.5 stars on LT (or a strong review from a 75-booker).

Karen O.

#95: If I get a strong recommendation from a 75-er I will also dispense with the 3.5 star requirement and at least give the book a try.

Does anybody use the "will I like it" feature? Does it work for anyone?

I've clicked it a few times under books that I've read to see if it was accurate, but it tells me I will LOVE books that I can't stand and says I "will probably like" books that I love. It's also said that I won't like books that I do like. I've rated more than 200 books (and I like most of them), but I would think LT would know my tastes a little better. Does LT think because you like mysteries, you like all mysteries?

I think I'll follow the 3.5 star requirement rule also. My voluminous wishlist is getting too overwhelming. My exception will be books in series that I am already reading.

I am sorry that Flavia in Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie didn't appeal to you. She can be rather irritating at times. I don't think she changes much in the sequel, though. The father, however, is much more reasonable in the sequel, and the sisters seemed a bit improved.

#97: I tried it a few times, Sacil, but it was wrong each time, so I have not used it much since.

#98: I will probably be reading The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag in the next month or so. If I do not care for it either, I will not bother with the third book in the series.

#97 I click it now and then just to see what it thinks: I often try to guess where on the scale it will come out. Sometimes it gets it right, sometimes I'm right about how wrong it will get it - and sometimes it surprises me by being right when I think it will be wrong and vice versa. All it really knows is whether other people with similar catalogues have the book, so it's never going to be terribly reliable. I wouldn't take it seriously, but I do think it's fun.

For fun, I check the will I like it feature. I think it works by checking the books you have in your library and comparing the one you are referencing. Since many books in my library are added but not read, I think it isn't a great reference for me.

Sometimes it is correct, others it is way off base.

>97 bohemiangirl35: I check it all the time. It's a game now.
If it says I WON'T like a book... I hop right on that book and I usually love it.

If it says I will probably like it (low confidence), that generally means nothing to me. It's like a weatherman saying something like "partly cloudy". So many levels of "partly" and so many different kinds of clouds and consequences... tells me nothing useful.

Sometimes that bar will say I will LOVE it and I get all excited! It's what I want to hear about every book... so I believe it.

Bottom line, I haven't found it to be very accurate and picking a confidence level is silly... but it's fun!

I've found the "will I like it" feature pretty meaningless for me.

If a book does not get a rating of 3.5 stars or better here on LT, I will not bother with it -
If often follow this rule, especially when screening LT "automatic" suggestions, but with exceptions like these: A series or author that I've read with enjoyment; a recommendation/good review from someone I trust; a subject that I MUST know more about, and there are limited resources available; a book with a "local" connection or author; if something in a review "snags" my attention and makes me think I'll like it anyway.

I have too many quirky interests for the "will I like it" feature to be of much help. I do use it sometimes, though. I just don't rely on it all that much.

#97 I click it fairly often. Mine seems stuck on probably like. I just don't think it knows what to make of my weird reading habits.

I agree with everyone else that LT has helped me find much better books to read! That's probably why I'm reading more, too. I used to just browse the shelves in the bookstore and buy whatever sounded interesting, but no longer.

I definitely don't read books with a rating lower than 3.5, unless it's a favourite author. Even for 3.7 it would have to be a genre or theme that I'm especially interested in; I prefer to to read books with a rating of at least 4.

Will You Like It works by looking at your most similar libraries. If they tend to have the book, it says you'll like it; if they don't have the book, it says you won't like it. I find it entirely useless, because if you read some obscure types of books they won't be reflected in your most similar libraries. So, lots of the people in my most similar libraries list read YA fantasy, and Will You Like It correctly says that I'll probably like those books. History of science is a smaller part of my collection, because there just aren't as many history of science books out there (and I go through them more slowly anyway), so history of science isn't well-represented in my similar libraries and Will You Like It says that I won't like it.

Basically, Will You Like It is answering the question, "Do you have a lot of books like this?" And I can figure that out without LT's help.

Thanks for that explanation, Zoe. I didn't realize that was the way it worked. Sometimes I try it with books I've already read and loved just to see what it will say and it comes back with a very low rating. Now I know why. I have to say it sounds kind of useless.

I'm so behind on your thread, I just jumped in here. Hi, Stasia.

Hey Ren!

Just finished Wyndham's The Midwich Cuckoos. What a wow. Must read if you haven't.

#110: I have not yet read that one, although it has been in the BlackHole for a while now. I will go see if it is available for the Nook. . .

Stasia

I think I have about 1,000 books in the tbr pile...Any idea how many books are swirling around the black hole of your library.

Do you really want to know that?

Not counting the notebooks whose contents I have yet to transfer to Goodreads, right now the answer is 7278.

>114 alcottacre: Yikes!

Stasia, I'm finally caught up on your thread right now, so thought I'd stop for a breather and say hi!

Love reading all the comments about using the will you like it feature (I rarely check it). I do look at ratings, though, and will normally refuse anything below about 3.3. If it's over about 3.7 I'll definitely go for it. In between - well, just depends.

Hi, Sandy! Thanks for stopping by.

Morning Stasia- Have a great weekend! Hope you had another terrific reading week! Looking forward to the list!

#118: Thanks, Mark! You have a great weekend too!

#114 Wow, my TBR pile now looks puny!

Hope you have a great weekend, Stasia.

#120: Glad I can help your TBR pile's inferiority complex, Pat :)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.

LOL 120/121.

You inspire me to read more Stasia. I hope I can get to 75 books next year but this year I'm struggling to get to 50!

#122: Personally, I do not care how much a person reads as long as they are reading! 50 books is still remarkable in this day and age!

#123: I couldn't agree more. I would think that anyone who reads 50 books is easily in the top 5% of all literate adults.

My TBR has probably got about half of what you've got but I don't read nearly as much so I'm falling further and further behind.

One good thing (good for me, not good for bookstores) is that I'm buying fewer books these days so they're not accumulating as much as they used to.

I was thinking we didn't want to know how many books you had in that TBR pile...
On the bright side, it's like having our own personal book reviewer who will always be at least 1500 books ahead at any given time.

Thanks for sending my boy a postcard. (: Hugs (:

#126: it's like having our own personal book reviewer who will always be at least 1500 books ahead at any given time.

Change is in the air - next year's thread is going to be titled 'Stasia Reads Only 75 Books.'

I hope Jonah gets a ton of postcards from around the world. I have set my Facebook status with your request as well.

Jenn, I don't really have any "local" postcards but I will send one from Chicago, at least. Maybe Wrigley Field or somewhere I often go.

Stasia, my ILL hasn't come in yet but I'm hoping it's soon. The alternate history (obviously) is called How I Helped the Chicago Cubs (Finally!) Win the World Series. I believe it takes place in the 22nd century.

#128: I am trying to think if there is any possibility I will still be alive in the 22nd century, lol. I have really got to get to bed soon!

#128 Thanks Linda! Wrigley Field would be cool!

I hear you on the only 75 books, Stasia. I was thinking that I sometimes put too much pressure on myself to read too many books, and then I get in too big a hurry and don't enjoy the book like I should. I am definitely taking a different approach next year.

#106 Thanx for the explanation of how the Will I Like it feature works. I didn't know that. Now I understand why it hasn't been accurate for me!

Hey, Stasia, glad I got in here before the Sunday rush. Like you, I think sometimes I allow the rush/pressure to get to me and read far too quickly for complete understanding and enjoyment. While I don't think I'll go quite as far as Richard and read any book I review twice before I review it (although his point is well taken and thoughtful), I need to slow down and read more carefully. Of course, I'm not sure how much of that is because of age diminishing what used to be a great ability to read and retain fast. Not quite up to that great speed any more.

Seventy-five seems like a good number, allowing for some larger, more slowly absorbed classics and nonfiction.

#128 -- Linda, I'm simultaneously laughing and wincing at that title and time frame!!

I think that a book a week is great for most people who have busy lives anyway -- jobs, kids, spouses, etc. etc. I'm such a bibliomaniac that I'm always going to read faster, and while it takes me more time to read a lengthy non-fiction book, I suspect if I wanted to re-read Gone with the Wind, I'd be done in 48 hours. But different books I read at different speeds. My two most recent books are both mysteries of similar length. One, by Linda Fairstein, I whipped through. The other, The Holy Thief, I consciously read more slowly -- I was enjoying it and wanted to prolong the reading and absorb every detail, not just get to the next plot development. The only books that I dislike having to read slowly are those where I have to do so because of the complexity and/or poor writing -- toxic mix!

>124 kidzdoc:: According to Wednesday's WSJ, the average number of books read by print-book readers is 1.9 books read per month. It's interesting to see that the average goes up to 2.6 for e-book readers.

>130 nittnut:: Book pressure is a problem for me when I get too exuberant with library books. I want to read them as quickly as possible to get them into the hands of the next reader.

Checking in after the Rockies game - we took the littles to their first baseball game tonight - lots of fun. We even got to see a pickle! How often does that happen?

Hope you have a great night! Looking forward to your reading list tomorrow.

The reason I am cutting back on the books in the next several months and into next year is more mundane (nothing to do with pressure on myself): I am starting my own business and between that and my full-time job, my hours here on LT and reading are going to be severely curtailed.

Oh wow, Stasia, how exciting. Best of luck!!!

Thanks, Monica! We shall see.

Wow! Good luck in your new venture, Stasia!

Thanks, Terri!

Those are really exciting news - I wish you good luck and a lot of success with your business!

Thanks, Deern! I appreciate it.

Wow - good luck Stasia!

Thanks, Cushla!

Sounds like you'll be very busy. All the best for your new venture.

Thanks, Kerry! I appreciate the thought.

Thank God for people who know everything to explain it all to us... I am pretty sure that none of us use the Will You Like It for more than entertainment, however..

Stasia, best to you in your new venture! Scary step, but a wonderful one!

Thanks, Kath. Yes, it is a scary step, but I hope it will be a good one.

I fervently hope so, Stasia.. I look forward to hearing more about it sometime soon :) In the meantime, fingers crossed for you!

This week's reads:

415. Moonlight Downs by Adrian Hyland - this is the first book in a mystery series set in Australia and I really enjoyed the look into aboriginal culture afforded by the book - there is a glossary of both aboriginal and Australian words that is very helpful; recommended (4 stars)

416. An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro - this is the second of Ishiguro's books that I have read, and I think he is going to be a new favorite for me - thank you, calm, for spurring me to finally get to this one, the story of an artist in post-WWII Japan; one of the quotes from the book that I especially liked "We at least acted on what we believed and did our utmost. It's just that in the end we turned out to be ordinary men. Ordinary men with no special gifts of insight. It was simply our misfortune to have been ordinary men during such times."; recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

417. Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz - this is the first book of Mahfouz's Cairo trilogy and though it takes a while to get going (fully 100+ pages in), it is definitely worth the patience - the book is set in pre-independence/colonial Egypt around 1917, and is a family saga with a tyrannical father, wife, and multiple children to introduce; recommended (4.25 stars) Mine

418. Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix - juvenile; the third book in Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series and my favorite in the series thus far (it has pirates, need I say more?); recommended (4 stars)

Continuing:

419. The Warlord of the Air by Michael Moorcock - I am slowly investigating steampunk and this one was recommended to me (I think it was Richard?); it has the feel of an H.G. Wells or Jules Verne novel to it, and as it is the first book of a series, I do hope we get more depth of characterization as the series progresses; guardedly recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

420. Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick - juvenile; I loved Freak the Mighty and hoped for the same kind of magic in this sequel, but was disappointed - there is just not the depth to the relationship in this book that there was in the first - still worth the read, but just not as good; guardedly recommended (3.5 stars)

421. The Defence of the Realm by Christopher Andrew - nonfiction; the history of MI5 in Britain from its earliest inception to today, although I must say I was rather disappointed in the info available for recent history, although understandable; avoid like the plague if you cannot stand acronyms because they are here in all their splendor!; recommended (4 stars) Mine

422. Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey - this book is a puzzle to me - I am not sure if the author was trying for a screwball comedy, which is the way the book played (at least to me) the majority of the way through, or tragi-comedy, which is rather the way it ended up; not recommended (3 stars)

Seriously 422?? Wow and wow!! although I never attempt to keep up, I know I couldn't! I still surrender to your amazing, incredible speed reading!

Continuing:

423. Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad - nonfiction; I was rather disappointed in this book - I thought it was going to be about how the author, as an 11-year-old, survived a plane crash into the side of a mountain, so I was surprised that so much of the book concentrated on his childhood (and some truly bad parenting techniques, I must say); guardedly recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

424. Haunted Ground by Erin Hart - another first book in a series (somehow I seem to have managed to start 3 this week), this one set in Ireland featuring an Irish-born, US-raised pathologist, and an archaeologist called in when a head is discovered in a bog and end up falling into a local mystery; I enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading more of Hart's books; recommended (4 stars) Mine

425. Krakatoa by Simon Winchester - nonfiction; this is the kind of book that makes the science geek in me extremely happy, especially the first part of the book in which Winchester discusses the geology of the area; recommended (4 stars) Mine

sigh... lol I should have known there would be more..

Continuing:

426. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - a new favorite of mine, one I discovered through LT two years ago, and so this was a re-read; it is rather gothic in nature (Cemetery of Forgotten Books anyone?), a coming-of-age story, and a mystery rolled into one and I still love it this go round!; highly recommended (4.5 stars) Mine

427. Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas - I enjoy books that make me think and this one did - about my prejudices - as it is set in a Colorado town that has a nearby interment camp for Japanese-Americans that are held during WWII; the mystery in the book really takes a backseat to the glimpse into small town prejudice; recommended (4 stars) Mine

428. Dissolution by C.J. Ransom - the first of the Matthew Shardlake mysteries that are set at the time of Henry VIII, this was a good read, if a bit overlong; guardedly recommended (3.5 stars) Mine

OK, that is it for this week. If anyone would like the copy of Crazy for the Storm, please PM and I will send this ARC your way!

I've seen the second book, Gunshot Road, by Adrian Hyland recommended in a few local papers and blogs lately as it was shortlisted for an award in Australia so I must try Moonlight Downs. Lots of these already on my reading radar and you've reminded me that I should be bumping up Zafon's The Angel's Game.

#156: Since you live down under, Kerry, you may not enjoy Moonlight Downs as much as I did. I will be interested in seeing what you think of it. I knew about the second book, but it is not available at my local library yet.

My, Stasia, you do have news for us! Congratulations on the new venture; I hope it will be very successful.

You know I loved Krakatoa as well; Winchester handles complex scientific ideas so very clearly. I've just barely started Palace Walk myself and enjoying it already. Did you reread The Shadow of the Wind to get up to speed for The Angel's Game?. Shadow of the Wind is on my Top Twenty Reads of All Time.

And you've encouraged me to think about reading An Artist of the Floating World.

Have a wonderful week.

#158: Thanks, Gail. I read Shadow of the Wind for this month's TIOLI challenge since someone else was reading it too. I have an ARC of The Angel's Game that has been dwelling at my house for a year now and I really need to get it read, so I am hoping the re-read pushes me that direction.

Please do read the Ishiguro book. It is a good one!

#157: My library has only one copy of the first book, the title here is Diamond Dove and I'm third in the queue.

Just back from a business trip and only 127 messages behind in your thread... :-)

Anyway, the Ishiguro and the Mahfouz were already on my list based upon trying other books of theirs but I'm glad you liked them. One thing I hate is when I decide to read a book and then see a bunch of negative reviews on it.

I liked Drowned Wednesday also but I think Grim Tuesday was my favorite of the whole series.

Michael Moorcock never really was a favorite of mine. I have always felt that he should be since he's from that New Wave period of SFF where I generally enjoy the authors but, somehow, he and I just didn't click.

The Winchester—I keep seeing people liking his books but the only one I tried, The Map That Changed The World, bored me to tears. Did I just pick a bad one?

#161: I have read a couple of Winchester's books, Tad, and enjoyed them both, especially The Professor and the Madman. You might give that one a try and if you do not care for it, then I think perhaps Winchester is just not an author for you.

>162 alcottacre:: ...or me, as the case may be. ;-D

Hey Stasia, Another great reading week. Tallgrass, Dissolution, Haunted Ground and Moonlight Downs sound like wishlisters to me.

BTW: Good luck with your new endeavor!! Please keep us posted.

#163: Sorry, caught the typo after I came back from the jail :)

#164: Got you good this week, Lynda! Thanks, I appreciate the good wishes.

Adding Tallgrass to the list. And your enjoyment of Artist of the Floating World reminds me that I should really push up Ishiguro's books on the TBR list. I've been meaning to read more for years, ever since I read Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go for school.

#166: Remains of the Day is the next Ishiguro for me - when I locate my copy. I hope you enjoy Tallgrass, Mary.

Oof.. you got me good this week, Stas. I've had to add 4 books from your list to my obese wish list. Haunted Ground, An Artist of the Floating World (I love Ishiguro's books and haven't yet read this one), Moonlight Downs and Tallgrass feel like books I'm going to enjoy. Now where can I find the alternate dimension to read all the books I want while my other me continues to slog on the treadmill of mundane life?

Congrats and kudos to your bravery in starting your own business venture. May I ask it's about?

Glad to see you enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind; it's one of my favourite books. Its sequel, The Angel's Game is pretty darn sweet too!

I've been wanting to read An Artist of the Floating World - it now got nudged up in the pile. Thanks! :)

Good luck with the new business, Stasia! You'll probably be so busy you'll only be able to read a book in 45 minutes instead of 20. Sheesh. ;)

#134 That's an interesting disparity: I guess the people who read most are more likely to have ereaders. Presumably they outnumber the serious readers who have a definite preference for dead-tree books, because I can't see that many casual readers investing in ereaders unless they're also very into gadgets.

#136 Exciting times! I hope your new business goes well.

As for this week's reads...

I've never read any of Ishiguro's books, although I have a couple in the TBR; that particular one is already in the wishlist. I really must make a push to read some of his work.

Sorry you didn't enjoy Cheerful Weather for the Wedding very much: I quite enjoyed that one.

I was going to read Krakatoa this month, but in the end I never got to it. The fact that I discovered my (second-hand) copy smells of cigarette smoke didn't help. I do want to get to it soon, though. And I must also get to The Shadow of the Wind, which has been lingering at the top of the TBR pile and getting overtaken by other books for quite a while.

Dissolution I quite liked - I rated it at 3.5 too - but I thought Dark Fire and Sovereign, while longer, were significantly better. I don't think they felt any longer than Dissolution to read. And I do love the complete immersion in historical period in Sansom's books, even if the detail does get a but much on occasion. Must get around to Revelation soon.

I might give The Defence of the Realm a go, but other than that I'm not adding anything this week.

Morning Stasia- I enjoyed Crazy for the Storm more than you. I thought it was very good. The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorites too! I also have The Angel's Game waiting in the stacks. I just finished Tallgrass too! I liked it but it's just a bit on the light side for me. Have a great day!

I've got Palace Walk already, but Defence of the Realm has just been added to my wishlist. Thanks for the acronym warning!

Sorry, caught the typo after I came back from the jail :)

If I didn't know you better, I might wonder what you were doing last night. ;-}

Good luck on the new business venture!

Wow, lots of good books this week, but I may avoid all of them. I've read An Artist of the Floating World and the first two books in Mahfouz's Cairo Trilogy, and I own Krakatoa and The Shadow of the Wind. The Defence of the Realm is tempting, but I already own several historical books about London and the UK that I haven't touched yet. Great job, as always!

Like kizdoc, "Wow!" is the word. What a lot of great titles I have to look for! Thanks, Stasia.

Hi, Stasia. So glad you loved An Artist of the Floating World. I have about 50 pages left and decided to read it when I saw you and another LTer were reading it for the August TIOLI. I really love Ishiguro's writing and his characters. What was the other book of his that you've already read?

You've also encouraged me to wishlist The Palace Walk, Krakatoa and Tallgrass, especially since other people this morning also seems to like those books.

Best of luck on your new business venture!

Good luck on your new business venture, Stasia. We'll be pulling for you.

I've had Krakatoa and Tallgrass on the pile for awhile but no new additions for me.

I am 96 posts behind, but I popped in just to have a look at your week's reads. I am adding Palace Walk. I find tragicomedy really appealing, but I think I'm going to skip Cheerful Weather for the Wedding; I'm not sure I could enjoy the genre if it's only accidentally utilized... Haunted Ground also sounds right up my alley, so I think I'll have to check it out as well.

I'm happy to see so many 4+-star reads this week!

Sorry that Max the Mighty was a disappointment. But I concur with you on Shadow of the Wind - such fun! I hope you like Remains of the Day...I certainly did. I'll add An Artist of the Floating World to the ever expanding wishlist.

I am also a science nerd and really enjoyed Krakatoa. The information about the shock wave from the explosion going around the world several times being recorded on barographs is a fact I doubt I will ever forget.

I'm kicking myself for misplacing Krakatoa. I know it's here somewhere; I think it's the book of his that was autographed when I was out on the W. Coast a few years ago. Probably in one of my living room floor stalagmites...

Have read the Cairo trilogy, and need to read more Mahfouz. Ishiguro is also a big fave of mine...

Good luck with your business, Stasia!

Kath, I fervently hope you're right that people don't use Will You Like It for more than entertainment. I really don't like the idea of LT using very tenuous grounds to drive people away from books that they had been interested in exploring.

I give people more credit that that.

Late to your thread, Stasia, but congratulations on starting your own business. That's very exciting, and probably scary too, and I wish you a lot of success.

I moderately enjoyed Cheerful Weather for the Wedding: I thought some of it was a little obvious, but enjoyed some of the wicked characterizations.

I added Tallgrass and Moonlight Downs to the list. I have several already in the TBR pile.

I am excited to hear about your business - what it is, etc.! Best wishes for all the start-up effort.

You got me with three this time, Stasia -- and two of them first in new series for me . . . Moonlight Downs, Haunted Ground and The Shadow of the Wind.

Well you got me this week Stasia. I've read a couple Ishiguro's but not An Artsist of the Floating World and have never read anything by Sandra Dallas so adding both of those.

Good luck with that new business!

ETA don't know what's wrong with touchstones.

Good luck with your new business, Stasia! :)

Stasia
I am trying to resist adding more to the tbr pile, but I know I'll be back to add some of your reads from this week.

Drat about Max the Mighty. I really liked Freak the Mighty.

I own Haunted Ground. I'll try to find it on one of the book shelves that are scattered throughout the house.

Stasia et al- I have read all of Erin Hart's books. I think there is 3 out currently, a 4th soon. It is a very good series. I rented them all from the library- I'd like to get my own copies. :) I highly recommend the series. :D

#168: I am glad I got you good this week, Caro! It has been a while.

#169: Ine, I am glad I got you to move the Ishiguro book up the stack. I think you will enjoy it!

#170: I only wish I could read books in 45 minutes, let alone 20, Stephen!

#171: Caty, be forewarned about Defence of the Realm - excluding the appendices, indices and bibliography section, it is still over 800+ pages of reading.

#172: I liked Crazy for the Storm okay, Mark, it was just not what I was expecting, more than anything else. I hope you had a wonderful Sunday!

#173: Cushla, also see warning to Caty about page count :)

#174: Darryl, why have you not read the third book in the trilogy, if I may ask? Did you not care for the second book?

#175: You are most welcome, Ren!

#176: Pat, the first Ishiguro book I read was Never Let Me Go. I had originally checked it out from the library and then liked it so much I bought a copy for my personal library along with An Artist of the Floating World and The Remains of the Day, which I still have to read yet. I am glad you found some other books to like on this week's list.

#177: Thanks, Linda. Sorry I could not pile more books on to your TBR stack for you this week :)

#178: Thanks, Luxx! I appreciate you stopping by. I am happy you found something that appeals this week.

#179: Thanks for the input on The Remains of the Day, Karen. I really must locate my copy!

#180: Woot! Another science nerd to hang out with!!

#181: Suz, I could bring my copy of Krakatoa up that way if you like. You could just send it back to me when you are finished. Let me know!

#182: Thanks, Zoe!

#183: Me too.

#184: Thanks, Rebecca. I really wanted to like Cheerful Weather for the Wedding more than I did. The book just seemed a bit schizophrenic to me, like the author was just not sure what she was trying to do. Maybe it is just me.

#185: I think you will enjoy both Tallgrass and Moonlight Downs, Jenn. At least I am hoping you do!

#186: Oh, I got you good this week, Terri :)

#187: I never know from day-to-day whether Touchstones are going to work, so I am not worried about them, Bonnie. I hope you enjoy the couple you found on this week's list.

#188: Thanks, Marcia!

#189: Hey, Linda. I think you will like Haunted Ground, so I am hoping you find it.

#190: Thanks for the input! I only own the first two, so once I have the second book read I will have to start tracking down book 3.

>194 alcottacre:, it's not just you. I enjoyed Cheerful Weather, but gave it three stars. I've enjoyed the Sandra Dallas books I've read -- I'd like to read Tallgrass. I'm glad you enjoyed Palace Walk. I read the whole trilogy, but spread them out over several months. I loved slipping back into that world when I picked up the next book. This week I'm writing down Haunted Ground, An Artist of the Floating World, and Tallgrass.

#196: Tallgrass is the first book of Dallas' that I have read. Can you recommend any others of hers that you have particularly enjoyed, Anne?

I am already on the hunt for the second book of the Cairo Trilogy. For some reason, my local library only has the first book, which is also the one that I own.

I've read The Persian Pickle Club and The Chili Queen. Both of them felt "light but not lite," to borrow the words of an LT reviewer (I wish I could remember who it was!) I remember liking how Dallas can tackle weighty issues in light, fun books. Plus, she's a local (Denver) author :)

#198: I remember liking how Dallas can tackle weighty issues in light, fun books.

Although I did not think of Tallgrass as a 'light, fun book' it was also not a dreadfully serious one either. I think the "light but not lite" statement is an accurate one. As I said in my comments, the book made me think and I appreciated that about it.

I just got back from the jail. I bailed out a lady attorney, who honestly should have known better - she was picked up for DWI/OAC - and said so herself, and even now she is waiting for a cab to pick her up out in front of my building. I went out to offer her a bottle of water to drink while she was waiting. The first thing she said was "Complimentary?" and I thought what a sad commentary it is that common courtesy is assumed to have a price tag attached.

I loved An Artist of the Floating World when I read it earlier this year. I also loved Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go (although I'm not sure I want to see Keira Knightley in the film version). I have also read When We were Orphans which isn't quite as brilliant, but still probably better than the average book. I want to read more of this books, but the rest seem harder to get hold off.

#201: I forgot I own When We Were Orphans too! I really am going to have to organize my library!

!94, I know what you mean, Stasia, I thought it was a pretty slight book, but I did think some of it was pretty witty and funny.

#203: Yes, I agree with you, Rebecca, parts of it were witty and funny, which just did not gel with the end of the book, at least to me.

*waves energetically*

STASIA! WOOO-HOOO! HERE I AM!!

Okay finally caught up. I didn't read your posts yesterday as I was out on the boat with neighbors, getting a sunburn. Enjoying a beautiful day on the lake. So now that I have finally caught up, you got me this time Stasia.

Haunted Ground: A Novel, Erin Hart and Moonlight Downs (An Emily Tempest Investigation).

BTW Best of luck with your new business adventure. I hope it does well for you.

Hi Stasia glad you liked Moonlight Downs (aka Diamond Dove in the UK) I really enjoyed it and gave it 5 stars. I am waiting for the next instalment to arrive! Ceri

#205: About time you show up! *grumble, grumble* And I picked up the perfect birthday card for you today too!

#206: Hey, Monica! I hope you had a great time on the boat. Thanks for the good wishes.

#207: Ceri I really did like the book - maybe it was on your recommendation that I read it? I could not remember. It will probably be a while before the next installment shows up at the local library, but when it does, I will definitely be getting hold of it!

I'm late to the party again, but I just wanted to say Congratulations on your new business venture, and keep us posted!
You've been hinting that change is coming, and I was expecting you to say you were going to school for forensics or something like that...
I'm just glad you're planning on staying here with us, whether you read 75 or 500 books. :)

#209: I'm just glad you're planning on staying here with us, whether you read 75 or 500 books. :)

That sentiment is very much appreciated. Thanks, Angela!

Stasia! Enough already! After months of lying low and only getting grazed a time or two by your book bullets, you got me good this week. 5 hits, and 3 near misses (only because they were already on the wishlist). Ouch.

Best of luck with the new business venture!

I think I've dodged all the book bullets this week but only because they're already on the wishlist/radar/TBR pile. All the best for the new business venture - exciting and a bit scary too I imagine?

#209: "I'm just glad you're planning on staying here with us, whether you read 75 or 500 books. :)"

Definitely seconded!

I think I dodged all the book bullets this week. I've already read the ones I would be interested in though maybe it's time for a Moorcock re-read.

Good luck with your new business:)

#209: "I'm just glad you're planning on staying here with us, whether you read 75 or 500 books. :)

Definitely thirded!

I'll fourth that sentiment!

fiftheth

> 201 I say ditto to the sentiment on When We Were Orphans. I read it for a course in undergrad and thought it had kind of a bizarre tone. I put Remains of the Day on hold for a long time because of it, but I'm glad I finally dusted it off a few weeks ago. A much better read. I've heard that Never Let Me Go is quite good too.

216 - I liked Never Let Me Go and Remains of the Day -which is due for a re-read.

#211: About time I got you, Sandy, considering how many times you get me!

#212-215: Thank you for the best wishes on the business, as well as wanting me to stick around (as if you could get rid of me that easily!)

#216: I will keep that in mind when I finally get to When We Were Orphans.

#217: If I ever locate my copy of The Remains of the Day, I will read along with you, Jenn!

All caught up with your thread now. :) Lots of great titles this week. I added several to my wishlist including Defense of the Realm (love those spy books) and the Ishiguro.

Have a terrific trip next week!
--BJ

#219: Thanks, BJ! I hope I do.

Glad you found lots to like this week. If you would like, I will loan you my copy of Defence of the Realm (as well as Lydia Cassatt, I have not forgotten about that one) while you are down this way next and you can just return them when you are done.

I just learned that my mother's beloved dog Baby died this morning at 1:50am after having abdominal surgery Monday. Although Baby was not my dog, she was loved by my family as well, and had been a mainstay for my mother since my parents divorced several years ago. She will be greatly missed.

Losing family pets is very hard. :( I'm sorry for you and your mother, Stasia.

Thanks, Luxx. I have not spoken to Mother yet, but am going to try and reach her later today. I know she will be taking Baby's death exceptionally hard.

ETA: It is not just the loss of her pet in Mother's case, but that Baby was sort of a sign of independence for her. My father would never let her have a pet of her own, so after the divorce, she was finally able to have something of her own to love.

It sounds like Baby was very dear in many ways. I hope your mother can find peace with her passing.

Stasia

I'm so sorry that you and your family are experiencing the death of a beloved pet.

Thanks, Linda.

Morning Stasia- Just swinging by to say hi! Hope your book selections this week are good ones!

We shared two reads recently, Haunted Ground and Tallgrass, and I agree with your thoughts on both of them. I have heard that Lake of Sorrows, the sequel to Haunted Ground, is supposed to be even better than the first.

Also Tallgrass is my second Sandra Dallas novel, having also read The Persian Pickle Club. I really liked them both, so I am planning to read Whiter Than Snow by her this month. I definitely like the "light but not lite" quote also for her style.

I have also added Moonlight Downs and Krakatoa to my burgeoning wishlist.

Have a great reading week!

Thanks, you too!

Dogs simply don't live long enough... much to our dismay and heartbreak.

So sorry to hear that Baby has died. While the loss is enormous - so was the love. She sounds like a very special dog.

Thanks, Claudia.

Stasia, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's dog. Having loved and lost a number of dogs in my life, I know that can be one of the hardest losses.

I know I'm late to the weekly party, but I did get nicked with the Garth Nix book. I have Monday and Tuesday on the list for next year so I think I'll just add Wednesday too.

#232: Thanks, Pat. I have spoken to my mother since my original post and she is doing better than I had expected.

#233: Cheli, you do realize that there are 7 books in the series?

#221 Sorry to learn about Baby. Her passing will certainly leave a huge hole in your family. (((())))

Still here! Hi! *waves*

#235: Thanks, Lynda.

#236: Amazing! Two visits on the same thread? You must really want your birthday present :)

Oh my! I take 30 minutes to simply scan this thread - and come away with:
1. Intense wishes of good fortune and usefulness in your new business enterprise!
2. My sympathy for your mother and you in the loss of Baby. My mom has wanted only granddogs since she lost her Wags, and I do understand the importance of one's own dog for a widow.
3. Perplexity in when and how I'm going to move Mahfouz and Ishiguro up Mt. Bookpile. I own them both and have wanted to read them for years.....I'm also waiting for The Angel's Game to come my way from PBS. (I hope it happens before the Worldwide Book Famine occurs!)

#238: Peggy, I appreciate you dropping by. Thanks for passing on your good wishes as well as the sympathy.

I hope you have luck in getting a copy of The Angel's Game before the Worldwide Book Famine too. If you like, I will pass the ARC I have on to you. Just let me know.

Oh Stasia, the loss of a beloved pet is always difficult. Hugs to you and your mom.

#240: Thanks, Linda.

Sorry to hear about Baby. :( Hope your mother is doing okay.

#242: Thanks, Caty. My mother is actually doing pretty OK at the moment.

OMG, is it true? Is there really a worldwide Book Famine coming?

**Let's see, what should I do first? I know, make a list.**

1. Fill my Nook with Books. **(no need to worry about a credit card balance if I have books. Let's see if I get an additional memory chip, I can store at least another 1000. Oh, No that will fill up the Discover Card - better find my VISA.)**

2. Memorize the location of every library and secondhand bookstore within ...hmmm... 25 miles? or should I make it 50? **(Do I have enough gas in the car - better hit the gas station.)**

3. Grab my book bags and head to the book store. **(At an average of $7 a book, I should be able to buy at least 200 before my VISA overloads. Better get more bags too.)**

4. Go to the home improvement store and get more shelves.

Sigh.... Okay I think I can handle it.

P.S. Sorry about Baby.

Chèli, I live as though a WwBF might be in the making, so it could happen. I don't think it will be this year though, so you can maybe relax a little, but your planning on the spur of the moment is impressive!

Lizzie, thanks, I'm calmer now.

Just let me do my math - If I have 1000 books on my Nook and add another 200 books to my 255 unread in my library, that brings me to 1455 books. If I read at a leisurely 150 books a year (nowhere close to Stasia's pace) I should be good for almost 10 years - do you think the famine will be over by 2021 or should a find my MasterCard too? Will libraries be shut down completely? (sounds like the end of the world to me.)

Book famine?!? Did this arise because a few of us LTer types are hoarding all of our books?

I think of books/reading this way: the more I read, the further behind I fall. If 200 new baseball books are released each year and I'm reading only 20 of them, I fall further and further behind, just on that one subject.

Glad to hear your mom is doing okay, but sorry to hear about Babe. This seems to have been a hard month for losing pets on LT.

Sorry about Baby. :-( Glad your mother's doing ok.

#228 : I've got the Persian Pickle Club in my TBR Tower... so I'm glad you said you liked it. I was just wondering what to read now that I'm done with Eline Vere and Fantasy in Death. I've started on The Patience of the Spider by Andrea Camilleri (I can't get enough of him now that I found Inspector Montalbano) but I want to read something else too at the same time. This might just be the ticket.

#246/247: The Worldwide Book Famine was being discussed on Peggy's thread as the reason we need to read the public library's books instead of our own. You know, in case the library burns down or floods or is otherwise out of commission - then we have our own books to fall back on!

#248: Yeah, it does, doesn't it, Roni?

#249: Thanks, Caro.

#249: Try to get hold of the Inspector Montelbano series on DVD. Lucca Zingaretti is a perfect Montelbano

I'm sorry to hear of your mother's dog. Just the thought brings tears to my eyes.

My own cats are approaching their 13th birthdays and I know what is in store.

#253: Thanks, Catarina. I will be passing along everyone's good wishes to my mother.

So, did you like The September Society? Are you going to read on or stop now?

You know how I feel, though I don't think you agree.

It'll probably be awhile til I read the third one. I have a few other series I want to try, including the Miss Winters series, and also go back to some others, such as the Donna Leon series, among others.

#252 : It's on DVD?! Whoopee..... *off to go search*

#255: I liked it marginally better than the first book, still not well enough that I will continue on with the series.

Like you, I have a ton of series both to continue and to try (many on your suggestion!), so I cannot see going on with a series that I am not enjoying.

I hate losing pets. Still crying from time to time about Buckaroux and it's been 9 months. The folks said they cried every day for a year when they lost their little dog. Hope your mom gets that extended grieving is okay. I still cry sometimes for a dog we lost in 85! LOL Pets -- they really grab you somtimes.
xox

#258: Yeah, they do. . .

#257 Be forewarned: for next year, for 11 in 11, I have more mystery categories than I have the last two years. I plan to try a lot of new mystery authors, and to revisit many old favorites.

#258 My beagle died in 1985, too and I still miss her, too. I've never gotten another dog.

#260: I am doomed!

LOL

#261 Yes, doomed.

This year, I had 2 out of 10 mystery categories with a bonus overflow for series mysteries.

Next year, 5 out of 11 with a bonus overflow. Cozy mysteries, mysteries set outside the U.S., historical mysteries, next in the series, new-to-me mystery authors, plus the aforementioned bonus overflow.

#263: I think for my own sanity's sake, I shall just have to boycott your thread next year, Linda :)

#256: yes, there are 5 sets, corresponding to a series but on by RAI, the Italian media company. The series is called 'Inspector Montalbano". The casting, including that of the most minor character, is superb, and the photography brilliant.

#264 Hmmm, I thought you'd comment that there aren't any new to me mystery authors.

#266: Nope, that would be an out and out lie!

waving hello and sending hugs to your mom

#268: Thanks, Jenn. BTW, the postcards from Texas went out in today's mail.

Stasia

Ten days until you come to PA!!!!

#270: Don't remind me :)

250>> If that is the reason for the Book famine, I'm in trouble because my library is supposed to close at the end of November for renovations that are supposed to take 8-10 months! The famine is real!

Stasia, you also need to blame me for Linda's increase in categories for mysteries, I told her she just didn't have enough blocked in for next year. he..he..

#272: You are in deep trouble on both counts: your library being close and encouraging Linda!

A little encouragement goes a long way!! I have dozens of new authors/series in mind.

I remember when our library was being remodeled. We don't have a space large enough to hold it all in our township so they moved the books to a neighboring town and we used an old Zayre discount store for a year or so. That was weird.

I don't know what they're planning on doing with all the books while the library is closed. The next nearest library is about 12 miles away - big difference to 1½ miles.

#274: I am doomed, I say, doomed!!

we used an old Zayre discount store for a year or so. That was weird.

I bet it was!

#276 Maybe you and Cheli can catch your breath when I'm reading a chunkster or a book about the Civil War or something.

Have a good evening. I am off to read a baseball book about Harvey Haddix.

#277: You have a good evening too, Linda. I am trying to finish my last TIOLI book for the month.

I am sorry about the loss of your mom's dog Baby. My babydog means the world to me so I know it must be hard.

Thanks for offering to let me borrow those books. I would love to, but I am kind of a slow reader. Maybe I should borrow one at a time.

On the World Wide Book Famine: I actually saw a discussion on tv (don't know where or why) about whether the internet spelled the end for libraries!!! I shouted at the tv "No way!" but I don't think they heard me. I am also collecting for the WWBF.
--BJ

#279: Thanks, BJ. I appreciate the sympathy.

As far as the books go, I just recently read them and do not plan to re-read them anytime soon (especially the lengthy Defence of the Realm), so feel free to borrow them. If I decide I do want to re-read them before you return them, I know where to find you :)

I do not think there is any way that the Internet spells the end for libraries, but just in case, I am going to keep hoarding books in the meantime!

Thanks again for the postcards! We'll tell the class to start watching for armadillos.

#281: All of them have Jonah's name on them. One of them sports armadillos, one of them has a cookie recipe, and the other has the state information.

Good luck with the business.

Is there any particular reason you've decided not to join in the September TIOLI Challenge?

Sorry to hear about Baby.

I lost Baxter two years ago, and even though we have Barkley now, I still think about Baxter and mention him often. Remembering his last days will still make me emotional. I think we take the death of animals so hard because they give such unconditional love...

That is so right, Angela -- the unconditional love.
--BJ

My condolences to your family and your mother on the loss of Baby. We lost a dog unexpectedly and it was very difficult - we have a fantastic dog now, but still miss our Duncan. Glad to hear your mom is doing better than you expected.

Wanted to say, I went to add Haunted Ground to the Wishlist only to discover that I already own it. I'm so thrilled about this. I'll now have to find it though which I'm less thrilled about.

I stay away from your thread 2 days, and there are 70 unread posts waiting there . . .

So sorry about your mother's dog!

I guess this summer, when I visited every used bookstore within miles of where we were vacationing, I was getting ready for the Worldwide Book Famine. Who knew?

Hi, Stasia! I knew it was a mistake to come back to LT! (Or maybe the mistakes was being gone for two weeks?) In any case, I've spent half the day here on LT. Sorry about your mom's dog, but Yay! that she finally had a doggy companion for herself. Will she get another one soon, do you think?

I've got Palace Walk on my tbr list in anticipation of reading the next book in the series. I can't remember if you said, are you continuing on with the series too?

Hi, Stasia! I knew it was a mistake to come back to LT! (Or maybe the mistake was being gone for two weeks?) In any case, I've spent half the day here on LT. Sorry about your mom's dog, but Yay! that she finally had a doggy companion for herself. Will she get another one soon, do you think?

I've got Palace Walk on my tbr list in anticipation of reading the next book in the series. I can't remember if you said, are you continuing on with the series too?

staggers through........ so..many..posts....

Stas : I don't have to worry about the Worldwide Book Famine -- I'd just head over to your house.

Stopping by to say hello! I don't understand- what is this about a book famine? 8|

Stasia. Madam. This thread. Well, I mean.

>291 cameling: where'd you get that?! I love it -- I wanna use it :)

#291 - Me too! Love that picture.

293 - at least you didn't sreeeeeeek@!!!

It's the thread police. Hi, Richard!

#283: Thanks, Luci. Part of the reason for not taking part in the September TIOLI is the business, part is because I am going to be out of town for a few days, and part is to catch up on all the group reads I fell on which I fell behind (especially as I am going to be starting the one for Blindness this month.

#284: Thanks, Angela. You are right - animals love us no matter what.

#286: I can heartily sympathize with not being able to locate a particular book, Nancy. It happens to me all the time. I am sorry to hear that you have lost a pet too.

#287: Terri, I appreciate that you have done you part in preparation for the WWBF!

#288: Welcome back, Bonnie! I think it is too soon for my mother to think about getting another dog (she also has 2 cats, Lucy and Ethel), but it would not surprise me if she got another one before the end of the year.

#290: Hey, Kath. Glad you staggered through!

#291: That looks remarkably like my library, Caro :)

#292: We were postulating on Peggy's thread that the reason we do not read our own books but rather the public library's is that we are saving our own in case of catastrophe (or a Worldwide Book Famine), so we will have something left to read!

#293: Yes, Richard, I know. I was just hoping it would last until my weekly post. Guess not.

#294/295: I am love of the picture too.

#296: Hey, Ren! Yes, I know about the thread police and am going to do something about it.

New thread started here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/97880