lindapanzo's 2010 reading--7th inning stretch

Time for a 7th inning stretch. Take me out to the ballgame...




BOOKS READ IN NOVEMBER
132. Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser
131. Tragic Magic by Laura Childs
130. Zachary Taylor by John S.D. Eisenhower
129. Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
128. Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman
127. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
126. Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
125. When the Game Changed by George Castle

BOOKS READ IN OCTOBER

124. The Chocolate Pirate Plot by JoAnna Carl
123. Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett
122. Hunting Nature's Fury: A Storm Chaser's Obsession With Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Other Natural Disasters by Roger Hill
121. The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey
120. Three Strikes You're Dead by Robert Goldsborough
119. Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh
118. A Week at the Airport by Alain De Botton
117. Sundays in America: A Yearlong Road Trip in Search of Christian Faith by Suzanne Strempek Shea
116. John Tyler by Gary May
115. The Case for Books by Robert Darnton
114. The Ones Who Hit the Hardest by Chad Millman and Shawn Coyne
113. The Wagon and Other Stories from the City by Martin Preib

Thread 1 is located at: http://www.librarything.com/topic/79040

Thread 2 is located at:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/85933

Thread 3 is located at:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/90076

Thread 4 is located at:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/92973

Thread 5 is located at:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/94985

Thread 6 is located at: http://www.librarything.com/topic/96839

Me first! You've done 110 books and still don't have your 1010 challenge marked as complete. What's happenin' girl?

#2 I've read 83/100 for the main challenge and also 14/20 for the "next in the series" bonus part.

So, right now, 23 books left to go. I've been averaging 11 or 12 1010s per month so I should finish around Thanksgiving.

I am not counting anything twice. At least not yet.

I gave 28 left and reorganized the list so I would finish the 1010 part and then finish the 20 extras.

#4 I'm afraid that I'm going to finish all the next in the series bonus ones (because they're cozies or Lumby's or Irish country doctor books) and leave myself with a whole bunch of presidential bios to go with my one or two other lagging categories.

Seventh inning stretch time? I am here!

Where's the Cracker Jack? I MUST have my Cracker Jack!

#7 All I have right now are pretzels. I could go for some cracker jack.

I tried to start reading the William Henry Harrison bio at lunch today but it was a no go. Will try again tonight. If not, I may just read the Harrison/Tyler presidential bio and move on, coming back to WH Harrison when (if?) Gail Collins ever gets to him.

I think there's a reason that Mr. Jefferson's Hammer is so hard to find!!

Found and starred once again... :)

Do we have to do silly exercises in our seats???

:-)

#10 No, and you don't even have to do YMCA when the visiting team brings in a new pitcher.

It'll cut into my reading time but the premiere of the 10th inning, in the Ken Burns baseball documentary, is tonight and the conclusion is on Wed night.

Also, today is the 50th anniversary of Ted Williams' final at bat, the one memorialized in John Updike's famous essay "Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu." Time to pull that one out and read it again.

#12: I have my TIVO set up to tape the episodes. I love that documentary!

BTW - Peter Gammons has a nice editorial on Teddy Ballgame's last at bat up on www.mlb.com if you care to check it out.

There was an article in the sports section of Sunday's New York Times about Updike's essay, as Hub Fans Bid Adieu was recently published by the Library of America:

Tribute to a Hero in Twilight

The essay appeared in the October 22, 1960 issue of The New Yorker, and the full text of the article is available on the magazine's web site:

Hub Fans Bid Adieu

#13/14 Thanks. Will have to check these out.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Ken Burns 10th Inning documentary. I believe that there's a book with the text. I'd like to read that. I wish he'd talked to Doris Kearns Goodwin more as she was a mainstay in the original one.

Book #111
Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller

After reading Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz earlier this year, I thought I'd enjoy reading another Miller book so I picked this one up. It's got its moments but, in general, I think I liked Blue Like Jazz more.

This book focuses more on developing a relationship with God. Once again, he talks of his unhappiness with organized religion. This time, too, he is critical of bullet-point, religious formulas as well.

As in Blue Like Jazz, Miller's writing is thought-provoking though his writing style is casual. I'd recommend it but, if you do read it, at some point or other, you're likely to be offended.

Book #112

The Friendship of Women: A Spiritual Tradition by Joan Chittister

This short, but insightful, book offers a lot of great comments about the friendship of modern day women, based on Biblical women.

She holds Biblical women up as models for what women value best in a friend, such as Veronica and her empathy, Elizabeth and her acceptance. Interesting stuff!! My only gripe is that I wish it were longer!!

#15: Kerry and I started watching the first part of The Tenth Inning, but did not finish it. I am not sure when we are going to get to it either, what with all the pennant races and postseason coming up. I am glad to know you enjoyed it though! I am sure I will too when all is said and done.

#16: I like Blue Like Jazz a lot and will probably give this book a try some time.

I watched the first half of Tenth Inning and I think I saw the second half but I was so sleepy I may have missed it.

I really enjoyed the part about Cal Ripken Jr saving baseball after the strike and how they showed when he broke the record (I was at that game!) and it was really cool!

I don't know how I feel about the issues with the steroid records - after all it wasn't illegal in baseball at the time that McGuire and Sosa did their thing, but should we really compare that to Babe Ruth who started as a pitcher, and Hank Aaron who had to deal with racism? And Barry Bonds, don't get me started!

I still have a hard time watching the part of the 2003 Cubs playoff collapse and the Bartman incident. I was at other games in the series but not that one.

I did not know the Cubs playoff collapse was in there. I may have to fast forward through that part :(

Book #113

The Wagon and Other Stories from the City by Martin Preib

The author, a long-time hotel doorman and, more recently, a Chicago cop, writes beautifully about working in the city of Chicago, in the gritty, real side of the city. He works the wagon, removing dead bodies to the morgue, reflecting on death and life. At other times, he trains younger cops or complains about the ever-present squad car cameras.

A quick read but so wonderfully written that I won't soon forget some of his stories.

#22: I will have to look for that one. It sounds like a book I would appreciate. Thanks for the recommendation, Linda.

Busy, busy with RL. I've got a big project due at work this week and, this past weekend, had a "we're turning 50" party for high school classmates at the school's beer/wine tasting event. (No, I'm not 50 til next year--I skipped third grade, but was still invited.) Also had a Chicago Black Hawks game last night. We were sitting 10 rows from the ice. I've never sat so close before.

Anyway, during the past three days, I think I've read for about 10 minutes, total. I should resume a bit again tonight.

I've started a few nonfiction books but my main current read is about the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers. It's The Ones Who Hit the Hardest: The Steelers, The Cowboys, the 70s, and the Fight for America's Soul.

#24: I will be interested in seeing what you think of the Steelers book. I was a HUGE fan for years.

Book #114
The Ones Who Hit the Hardest by Chad Millman and Shawn Coyne

This is a somewhat interesting look at the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s and its great players, such as Terry Bradshaw, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Franco Harris etc. To a lesser extent, it talks about the Dallas Cowboys and also about the history of the Pittsburgh steelworkers and their union. I thought the interjection of the steelworkers and union matters could've easily been left out or cut back substantially.

At times, it is interesting but my problem with it is that it goes into great detail on some things and barely scratches the surface on many others. I enjoyed it for what it is but felt it could've been much, much better.

Book #115

The Case for Books by Robert Darnton

This is a disjointed collection of essays about the past, the present, and the future of books. The future parts are already dated (some essays are 10 years old). For me, only the essays about the past were somewhat interesting.

I'm sorry I wasted my time with this one. Far too much duplication and not all that interesting, frankly.

(I couldn't sleep last night so I picked this up in the middle of the night and it put me right to sleep so it has its good points, I guess.)

Linda! History tonight!

The first post-season no-hitter since 1956!

Halladay (Philadelphia) No runs, no hits, one walk, against the best-hitting team in baseball. Reds 0, Phillies 4

I am so excited!

Roy Halladay ROCKS! :D

#28 Sadly, still at work and totally missed the no-hitter. Got a breaking news on it. I thought it was probably the first one since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

(Good news: the end is in sight on the big project!!)

Sorry you missed the big game. :(

Glad that you're approaching the end of your big project! :)

#31 Not only is the end in sight, I'm off on Mon/Tues and going away for a long weekend.

Maybe I can finally do a little reading...

Go for it!

Sorry your last couple of reads have been disappointing, Linda. I hope you read something terrific while you are off for your long weekend!

#34 I've started one of those short presidential bios (from the American Presidents series) about John Tyler so I know it'll be ok, though not great.

I think my re-read of Time and Again and also the Louise Penny Bury Your Dead will get me out of my mini-reading slump. I will probably take those two along with me, along with my Kindle of course.

Bury Your Dead will definitely take care of the slump for you!

Do hope your next read is a better one Linda.

Woo-hoo. Just finished my big project at work. Now I can go home and enjoy my four-day weekend and, more importantly, start reading again!!!

(Besides all the statutory reading I've been doing for the big project, of course.)

#38: Congratulations on getting the project out of the way at work, Linda! Have a great time reading this weekend.

Book #116

John Tyler by Gary May

This brief bio is the John Tyler entry in the American Presidents series. One of the better books in that series that I've read so far. It presents a fair and balanced look at the first vice-president to ascend to the presidency upon the death of the president, William Henry Harrison. Tyler is also the first president whose wife died while was in office and also the first president to marry while in office. Interestingly, after a veto, he was tossed out of his own party.

I would like to have read more about his efforts to save the Union but, overall, this is a good bio of an often-forgotten president, albeit one who died a traitor to his country.

On to James K. Polk, I think.

We are away on vacation, a few days in Green Bay. Just got bad news--my sister's 92 year old grandmother-in-law, Grace, slipped and fell and broke her femur. There are no good options. A great lady, always wanted books and booze for Christmas.

Oh, I am sorry to hear about Grace. I know at her age recovering from a broken bone is a difficult process. All the best to her!

I, too, am sorry to hear about Grace's fall.

Oh, Linda! I'm so sorry to hear about Grace's fall. She sounds like quite a lady - books and booze = a happy holiday!

Just got back from Green Bay. My sister tells me that Grace is having surgery at 6 pm today. She is actually 93, not 92. She fell in her bathroom in the middle of the night the other day and the nurse didn't find her til the next morning.

I hope that she has a successful surgery, Linda. Poor Grace, all that time stuck in the bathroom in pain.

Praying for a successful surgery and recovery. She'll really be needing books AND booze to recover from that one!

#17 THat sounds interesting.

I hope Grace's surgery has gone well, and her recovery is beginning.

Thanks everyone, for your good wishes.

Grace's surgery went as well as could be expected last night. She survived it and they managed to put in a pin. She was/is not in a lot of pain but, even so, it's doubtful she will walk again.

Glad to hear Grace's surgery went well. The prognosis is unfortunate, though. I imagine much of what happens now will be based on her own reaction to the news. Especially at that advanced age, it would be hard to summon the strength to endure the pain and effort of physical therapy if the doctors don't even have hope of her walking.

#50 Thanks, Sandy.

As for reading, I've done very little of it lately. I'm enjoying Sundays in America, in which the author goes to 52 different Christian churches, one each year, but this is a tough book to read in long stretches.

I've got a bunch of library books checked out, too, and need to get cracking on those. Will probably get started on the Ngaio Marsh classic mystery, Hand in Glove.

We're almost halfway through the month and I've read only four books so far this month.

There's also a very good Robert Goddard book with the same title, Hand in Glove. that you have reminded me I want to re-read sooner rather than later. It's one of that author's best.

Book #117
Sundays in America: A Yearlong Road Trip in Search of Christian Faith by Suzanne Strempek Shea

This book, detailing the author's visits during a year-long journey to a different Christian church around the U.S. every weekend, is easily one of my favorite books of the year. My first 5-star book in awhile. For me, truly an amazing book.

I've actually met the author at a local library book signing a few years ago. Like me, she was raised Catholic, is of Polish-American descent, and is about the same age as me (late 40s). Earlier, I read her book Shelf Life about working in a bookstore and enjoyed that so I figured to like this one. More than that, I loved it.

What a journey she made!! From one Easter to the next, she visited Christian churches of all kinds, from the strictest to the most liberal, all across the country though more are in the Northeast as she is from Massachusetts. From the smallest--a Las Vegas church had only 4 or 5 attendees one Sunday--to the largest 20,000 person mega-church. From famous pastors such as Joel Osteen and Rick Warren to complete unknowns. She met former President Jimmy Carter and also went to singer Al Green's church in Memphis, though he wasn't there that weekend.

Some church/services were quite unique, I thought. A cowboy church in Colorado, I think it was. A silent service at a Quaker church in Boston. She attended a foot-washing ceremony at a Jehovah's Witness service. Chapel at the U.S. Military Academy on Memorial Day weekend.

As she acknowledged, every single one has its good points. I learned so much from this book. It was truly eye-opening.

It's not perfect and, actually, I'd rate it at about 4.8 stars. I wish the author provided a bit more background about the larger religion of the church attended in a given week, beyond the basic number of members of that faith and numbers of churches. She is also quick to provide her opinions, with a preference for inclusive faiths and some criticisms of less inclusive faiths (ones that bar and/or make sinners of people of other colors or sexual preferences and of churches that focus on fear or hatred, rather than love). Personally, I tend to agree with that point of view so it didn't bother me but I realize that some could be offended.

It's not a book that can be read quickly. I found I'd read about several weekly church visits of no more than a month or so, per day. Highly recommended!! A great way to conclude my 1010 God and religion category for this year.

#53: I will have to look for that one! Thanks for the recommendation, Linda.

Congrats on the HOT REVIEW!

#55 Really?!? I never have one of those.

Yes you do!!

Linda, Sundays in America sounds like something I would like. Actually, it is similar to a book I read in 2005 called A Month of Sundays by Julie Mars. The author searches for God after her sister's death by visiting 30 different churches over the course of a year. I can't remember too many details except that the first church she planned to visit was closed! Not a great start.

#58 She had a few of those. For one, they had earlier summer hours, moving the service up an hour without changing their signs/website so she showed up at the end.

For one, it was supposed to be a spectacular Easter morning service at an outdoor venue in Colorado but there was fog or hail or something so she ended up at the Denver airport chapel for her final one, instead.

If I do this category again next year for 11 in 11 (and I keep changing my mind about that final category), I may include the one you mention. Sounds great!!

Add my congratulations on the 'Hot Review,' Linda!

#60 Thanks. I always throw in my two cents on every book I read but rarely ever make the comments an official "review."

Unless it's an ER book or when I feel I have extra strong opinions about a book.

I should do that more often.

Book #118
A Week at the Airport by Alain De Botton

When I was a kid (in those simpler, less security conscious days), I used to pester any adult I could find to take me to visit the airport. I loved to hang out at the observation deck at O'Hare and watch the planes take off and land and also wander around and watch the people at the airport. I rarely fly now (more car and Amtrak trips) but I would have LOVED the chance to experience what the author of this book did: spend a week at the airport.

In this wonderful little book, the author spent a week wandering around the new terminal at London's Heathrow Airport, talking to passengers and employees alike and observing everything going on. He talks to everyone, from the head of British Airways to someone who cleans the restrooms.

This is a terrific behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of an airport. You might think it sounds dull but it's not that at all.

#62: I have seen rather mixed reviews of that one. I will have to give it a try some time.

I'm glad that you also enjoyed A Week at the Airport, Linda. Like you, I used to love to go to Newark Airport when I was a kid, especially when I went with my parents to pick up or drop off my grandfather on his visits from Los Angeles.

#64 Thanks, Darryl. I'm glad to see you're participating in 11 in 11 next year. I figure to get some great book ideas from you there.

At long last, I feel like I'm emerging from my reading slump!!

Book #119
Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh

Every once in awhile, I like to pick up an old mystery from the "golden age of mysteries." Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy L. Sayers, just to name a few.

This book, a later Ngaio Marsh, is terrific. As is often true, not so great in character development but oh, the so well-plotted.

Very enjoyable!!

>62 lindapanzo:: Linda, I'm so glad you're coming out of the book doldrums. That's not a good place to be.

I'm intrigued by A Week At the Airport, but then I also liked the Tom Hanks' movie about living in an airport! We used to take our kids to the airport all the time when they were little. Of course, my husband was frequently traveling and the reason behind it, but they had so much fun running up on the roof (observation deck) to watch the planes land and take off. Ah, the good ol' days.

Glad to hear you are emerging from the reading slump, Linda!

Book #120

Three Strikes You're Dead by Robert Goldsborough

Long ago, I read Goldsborough's continuation of the Nero Wolfe books. More recently, I heard about his 1930s Chicago series featuring police beat reporter, Snap Malek. This somewhat hardboiled book is the first book in that series.

I enjoyed it, though it's different from my usual. Lots of 1930s Chicago background color (so much so that I am counting it as "Chicago book" for my 1010 challenge). I really liked that information. The mystery itself is ok.

I always liked Malek's fictional interactions with famous people. He has dinner with Helen Hayes, the actress, for instance. He's invited down to a Georgia prison to interview Al Capone. Cubs pitcher Dizzy Dean figures prominently in the story as does future Chicago mayor, Richard J. Daley (the first mayor, not the current one).

Quite enjoyable. Hard to find but I will seek out others in this series.

Glad to see this. From Amazon:

"Later this year, we will be introducing lending for Kindle, a new feature that lets you loan your Kindle books to other Kindle device or Kindle app users. Each book can be lent once for a loan period of 14-days and the lender cannot read the book during the loan period. Additionally, not all e-books will be lendable - this is solely up to the publisher or rights holder, who determines which titles are enabled for lending."

Oh, Linda, that is good news that I hadn't seen before. Thanks for posting it! Oh ---- Hi, Linda!

After all these years, the Texas Rangers finally got to the World Series. Amazing. Hard to root against them.

#69: Lots of 1930s Chicago background color (so much so that I am counting it as "Chicago book" for my 1010 challenge).

Do you think someone not from Chicago can appreciate the book on its own? I am interested, but I am not from that area.

#72: Yeah, I posted a note about it on my thread too.

#72 Stasia, yes, I think you'd be fine. It's just the little extras, like his wife living in my old neighborhood 30 years before I lived there made this one extra special to me.

#74: Thanks, Linda. The book is available for the Nook, so I will download it.

Book #121
The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey

I read a lot of mysteries and lots of mystery series. I almost always read mystery series in order.

However, with Michael Harvey's gritty mystery series set in Chicago, featuring former cop, Michael Kelly, I've read these out of order, 2, then 3, and now 1.

Why? Book 2 had a great hook: the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 played a key role. Book 3 had a good hook, too--the 1977 Chicago El crash. Book 1 had no such hook and so, I read it only for completeness, and to see where the story came from.

This first one was not bad but book numbers 2 and 3 are much, much better. I'm glad I read it but glad, too, that Harvey's books have improved so much as the series continues.

I hope everyone in the Upper Midwest battens down their hatches. It sounds like this will be one of the strongest storms to hit our area in the past 75 years or so, right up there with the "Edmund Fitzgerald storm" of 1975, among others.

Looks like the worst of it will be in northern Minnesota but winds here should be quite strong, too.

#77: Sounds bad! I hope you come through OK, Linda!

#78 They're talking about 40 mph steady winds and big gusts, especially in the city. Might approach 70 mph plus. I tried to run my errands etc today so I won't have to go anywhere after work tomorrow.

#79: Sounds like a smart plan to me!

I hope everyone in the Upper Midwest battens down their hatches.

Oh no! Is it that time of year already? We may get our first hard freeze this week. It's really windy here but not hatch battening down worthy yet. What the heck does that mean anyway? Sounds like ship talk.

#81 They keep talking about the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975.

Basically, near-hurricane force winds are coming. We didn't think too much about it but they've been talking about ensuring people have a several day supply of water for each person, flashlights, medicines etc. Usually, we gear up like this only for blizzards. I think we might get some rain but the danger here is the wind. No snow.

Back when I was in school, I remember walking near Sears Tower in a windstorm. It was not pretty. The tunnel effect makes it worse. Today, they suggested that the winds near the downtown buildings could gust 20 mph higher.

1930s Chicago - are you reading that for RTT?

The wind is blowing here today, but not as strong as you are probably getting. When it started last night it sounded cold and it was a shock when I went to put the trash on the curb and discovered that it felt warmer than it had all day. Being a Kansas girl, I love the wind we're having today - but I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope for nothing dangerous up where you are.

I hope that you're doing okay in Chicagoland. I'll have to check on my friends in Madison later today.

We got hail with our high winds last night! I got up around 2:30 a.m. after the storm had passed and there were small piles of hailstones that the wind had blown into clumps. Kind of surreal as the moon was glowing on them. My husband thinks I was dreaming!!! I'm just glad all our hatches were battened down!

>82 lindapanzo:: I may have to google 'Edmund Fitzgerald.' I inherited a book from my mother called Tales of the Great Lakes. I thought there might be something in there but no luck. I did find an old picture of my daughter that my mother apparently used as a bookmark! I do that myself sometimes.

So far, so good on the wind storm. Driving straight into the 60 mph wind gusts to get to work, I felt like my car wanted to take off and pretend it was an airplane.

Lots of large tree limbs down and even some small trees. There was a small tornado about 10 minutes away (happened while I was showering this morning and I didn't know about it til afterwards).

The 75 mph wind gusts should hit this afternoon then taper off. Strong winds again tomorrow.

This is said to be the strongest storm to hit Chicagoland (not in terms of rain or snow but rather barometric pressure) since the Armistace Day, 1940 storm. Stronger than the Edmund Fitzgerald storm in 1975 and the Blizzard of January 1978.

#83 Cheli, I read Three Strikes You're Dead for my 1010 Chicago category but also put it into RTT since I didn't get very far on Dancing in the Dark, after all.

#87: I am glad to hear that you are 'so far, so good.' Do me a favor and stay that way!

Book #122

Hunting Nature's Fury: A Storm Chaser's Obsession With Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Other Natural Disasters by Roger Hill

I read a lot of disaster books and this story of veteran storm chaser, Roger Hill, was one of the more exciting disaster books I've read. Hill, the co-owner of a storm chaser tour company, has seen more than 400 tornadoes and he has great knowledge of tornadoes and their forecasts.

The storm-chasing parts of this book, both tornadoes and hurricanes, were interesting but the science parts, not so much.

I also was bothered by the glee shown by the storm chasers and their tour clients when tornadoes do develop. Granted, it mentions at times that he has sympathy for the families who lose their lives or their homes due to the tornadoes but there's very little of that here. More of a "we raced through town, knowing that the houses we saw would not be there when we drove back" kind of attitude.

#90: More of a "we raced through town, knowing that the houses we saw would not be there when we drove back" kind of attitude.

I do not think I could handle that. Having lived in Texas for 35+ years now and seeing the devastation wrought by tornadoes, I do not think that I can read a book with that flippant of an attitude.

We've had two weirdly windy storms here in Brooklyn in the last month. The last one, two or three weeks ago, had massive hail and stripped about half the leaves from the trees. The one before that included a mini-tornado. Happily, they were both over very rapidly (the worst in less than an hour). I'm wondering if we might be in for another storm, tho, as my head is aching away. Shall have to check this out...

ETA: Yup, forecasts for severe thunderstorms here tonight. Tho nothing like the Midwest, happily.

Hang in there in Chicago, etc, folks!!! I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a building like the Sears Tower with large glass windows that could shatter in high winds...

Ugh. Just read a news story about a woman driving through our town who was impaled by a tree branch. Came through the window of her car and got her in the stomach. Hope she's ok.

Good thing I did not stop at the library before work this morning. (Did all that stuff yesterday.) It's right near there.

#91 I gave it 3.5 stars but that glee bothered me so much I may downgrade it. It is a good book but I don't like that attitude.

Still doing ok, despite the gale force winds. Happily, all of our leaves blew away.

The woman who was impaled by the tree branch is doing ok. Actually, saw it and her on the news last night. Think small tree stump. It went in at an angle and came out on her side.

Sadly, some people, initially, drove by, taking pictures of her. Finally, a woman stopped to help, call 911, call her husband, talking to her til the rescuers came.

She's a grade school art teacher and asked them to save the tree branch/stump thing so that she can use it in an art project.

#95: I am glad to hear that the lady is doing OK. I cannot imagine it.

Book #123
Chapter and Hearse by Lorna Barrett

The Booktown cozy series, of which this is the 4th entry, is among my favorite current cozy series. I love them. This one was "only ok" as far as I'm concerned and it's probably my least favorite in the series, so far.

(Of course, I will continue with it.)

The sleuth is Tricia Miles, owner of a New Hampshire mystery bookstore, Haven't Got a Clue. The town is called Booktown because bookstores are its claim to fame.

All the usual characters are here but something was lacking this time. It seemed a bit dreary and lackluster to me. Even so, I'd recommend it. If you haven't read Lorna Barrett before, I wouldn't start with this one, though.

Hi, Linda! Trying to catch up with LT a little . . .

I can't believe people would drive by taking photos of that woman and not stop to help and/or call 911!

I've added the first installment of the Booktown series to my Ever-Expanding List.

Nerdier than I thought.




Not too surprising as to why...

I doubt the quizzes are all that accurate (drats!) but they are fun to do :)

Drat! I'm only 50% (lightly nerdy) and I'm disappointed by that...lol...

I think the History/Literature part might be somewhat accurate. The Sci Fi/Comic, not so much. That ought to be about 0%

Book #124
The Chocolate Pirate Plot by JoAnna Carl

I like this cozy series set at a homemade chocolate store in western Michigan, along Lake Michigan. This one was a bit atypical in that it had a more nautical theme and very little of the "action" took place at the chocolate story.

Enjoyable, though not the best one in the series. Or the worst.

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

Happy Sunday, Linda!

I love it when the National League wins the Series. Congrats to the SF Giants.

Book #125
When the Game Changed: An Oral History of Baseball's True Golden Age by George Castle

This is an interesting look at baseball during the years the author calls the "true golden age" of baseball, 1969 to 1979. I don't usually like oral histories but he weaves the oral comments together well.

(Normally, the oral history part includes interviews with the author but this has more in the way of interviews the author found.)

The author, a Cubs fan, has a lot of good stories to tell, too, from Wrigley Field during the 1969-1979 period.

Definitely recommended to the baseball fan.

Next up: I am finally starting the new Louise Penny book, Bury Your Dead.

Also starting a bio of President James K. Polk. Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency by Walter R. Borneman.

Yay! for Three Pines! I am next in the library queue to get Bury Your Dead. I guess that means I'd better dust off my copy of The Brutal Telling and get it read. I plan to read them back-to-back with few interruptions. I've had a brutal week with everyone wanting something from me and now I'm ready for some ME time!

After being so wrapped up in the elections (I was a political science major and LOVE this stuff), I need something to take my mind off of it.

Nearly 24 hours after the polls close, we still don't know who our next governor is here in IL or who our next member of Congress is. Excruciatingly close races, especially for Congress. Our current member of Congress may well lose by 200 votes out of 200,000 plus votes cast.

Linda- Just swinging through to say hi! Hope you are reading something worthy and yes, we are still waiting for governor results!

#106: That one looks right up my alley! Into the BlackHole it goes!

Oooh Oooh! I just saw over on the TIOLI Challenge thread that you had entered My Reading Life on the wiki. I had forgotten that was coming out this week. I guess I'll be heading over to Borders this week end to buy a copy. I love Pat Conroy and have been curious about his reading influences which he's alluded to in several of his books. Thanks for the heads up!

#112 You're welcome, Donna. I tried and tried to win a copy but never did so I got it for my Kindle.

After I finish the new Louise Penny (and carry on with the James K. Polk bio), I'm eager to start My Reading Life.

On Tues, I was up til about 1:30 am watching election returns and was so tired yesterday that I went to sleep not long after dinner. Feeling a lot better today and reading again.

(We now know who our new governor is...still working on our new member of Congress which isn't decided yet.)

I realize this isn't my 1010 thread but I've got a list of the 10 books I need to finish 1010 plus my 20-book "next in the series" bonus. Right now, I need to finish 6 books for the main challenge and 4 more for my bonus (out of the 120 books I picked for my challenge).

Hoping to finish these by the end of November so, here's what I'm planning to read this month, for sure:

Books and Reading:
--My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
--The Junior Officers' Reading Club by Patrick Hennessey (not 100% certain about this one)

Another option: Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian by Avi Steinberg

American Presidents:
--Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman--I'm reading this one now
--Zachary Taylor by John S. D. Eisenhower
--Millard Fillmore by Robert Rayback

Books About Disasters:
--The White Cascade: The Great Northern Railway Disaster and America's Deadliest Avalanche by Gary Krist

Bonus Category: Next in the Series:
--Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier
--Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny--I'm reading this one now, too
--Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb
--Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser

You have a great reading list there and it reminds me that I need to get back to my presidential bios. I've read many of them! Over 20. I just need to find time to squeeze one in!
BTW- I read the same Polk bio, a few years ago. It was very good.

#114: Good luck with your goals for the month, Linda!

#116 Thanks, Stasia. Already a change in plans, though.

Just heard about a soon-to- be released book that is totally compelling for me. Very timely as well since this guy plotted the insurance industry's health reform strategies and explains why health reform won't be repealed. (As you know, this is a topic that is of supreme interest to me.)

Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans by Wendell Potter.

Linda- I've heard Wendell Potter speak on tv, many times during the health care debates and he's a very interesting and well-informed guy.

#118 Mark, not sure if you were around earlier in the year but my job has basically been to explain, along with some others, health reform. (I don't do medicare, for instance.) Among my other duties, of course, but, for awhile, it was all i was doing, 24/7. Really hectic there for awhile.

I'm astounded/thrilled that Potter wrote a book about it (it's due out Tues and the former Sen. Daschle book on the same subject is already out).

I've moved on to other things, workwise, and I'd like to relax with some light fiction but this is really a compelling topic for me.

#117: Well, the good news is the other books will wait for you, Linda!

#120 The bad news, though, is that as much as I like it, it's still like work.

It'll keep too, til I'm in the right mood.

I'm at the library. The VFW is holding a "thank a vet" book sale (books on history and/or war) to raise money for veterans causes. I picked up two Civil War books. I was very excited since this is an 11 in 11 category for me next year.

Anyway, walked over to the PCs, logged onto LT, only to discover I've already read Bruce Catton's Reflections on the Civil War. Oh well, it's for a good cause. Maybe I'll donate it back to them as I leave.

I do want to read the other purchase Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War by Tony Horwitz.

Morning Linda- I loved Confederates in the Attic. I would like to read more of Horwitz's work. I also have Catton's Civil War trilogy but have only read the 1st one, so far.

#123 As I was walking over to pick up my ILL books, I glanced at the back cover of the Catton book and it sounded familiar. It was his last book.

I need to wander over to the fiction aisle. I've been doing the ABC challenge and am kind of stumped for an I author. (My I title will be the new JD Robb Indulgence in Death.

I know I can read Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason but was hoping to save that for "mysteries set in a foreign country" next year, though I suppose I could always read it now and then count a later one in the series for that.

Yes, read Jar City now because I have dozens of suggestions for "mysteries set in a foreign country".

#125 Mark, do you get the Rue Morgue Press catalog? I love it, even when I don't buy. The latest one has mysteries set in Laos and other places I'd never think of.

I've got quite a few Turkish mysteries in mind. A good friend is Turkish-American (actually Turkish-German-American) and I remember thinking it'd be interesting to read something about Turkey.

#125 Mark, suggest away. I'd love to get more suggestions.

I was just looking at my 11 in 11 thread (not very active yet) at: http://www.librarything.com/topic/96705

and realize that I don't have a whole lot of foreign mystery suggestions yet.

I can think of many British mysteries but would like to go beyond those and Canadian. I read those types often. I'd like to try locales I've never read about before.

#122: I loved Confederates in the Attic too, Linda, so I hope you enjoy that one.

#124: I just got my copy of Indulgence in Death yesterday. I ordered it back in September with some other books for Christmas.

#128 I think my copy of Indulgence in Death should arrive today. I will probably start it after I finish the Louise Penny Bury Your Dead.

I'm liking the Penny book but just not as much as her others, for some reason. She's my absolute favorite mystery author but the main mystery, or at least a lot of the drawn-out background details at least, aren't too exciting. Archeology was never my thing, I guess.

I do like the story of what happened in that horrific disaster and also Beauvoir going back to Three Pines and taking another look at the crime from The Brutal Telling.

Archaeology is one of my things. Thus far in the series, Bury Your Dead has been my favorite. I am sorry to hear you are not enjoying it more, Linda.

#130 What I absolutely love are the parts where that one woman, Winnie I think, tries to speak French and she ends up saying things like "the night is a strawberry."

I wish I knew what she was trying to say but I laugh at those. I think I highlighted them so I can add them to my review. Hilarious. Also funny is how Gamache agrees with her. Yes, the night is a strawberry.

The library pc is starting to beep at me so I'd better get going. Off to the Starbucks, where I can redeem my coupon for a free drink and pull out my Kindle and read Bury Your Dead.

I love nothing better than reading at a coffee shop on a cool, lazy day.

#131: Her French sounds an awful lot like mine :) I agree with you about Winnie. I am glad Penny added her to the book.

I'd like to try locales I've never read about before.

Have you read The Skull Mantra? it's a mystery set in Chinese-occupied Tibet in a labor camp. Very good, very unusual steeing and characters.

#134 Thanks. I will add it to my list.

Ha. Plans don't always work out as hoped. Got to the Starbucks to read the Louise Penny book. Well, last night, along about midnight, I felt asleep reading in my favorite easy chair. Guess I forgot I had the wireless on. Totally drained my Kindle battery. Fortunately, I didn't need to read the Starbucks nutrition brochure or anything like that. I pulled out one of my ILLs, a TIOLI Z challenge book called From Altoids to Zima, an entertaining look at the backstories of 125 different brand names.

The mailman bought me two books today!! The new JD Robb, Indulgence in Death and also my Robert Rayback biography of President Millard Fillmore, Millard Fillmore. Yay!!

Yes, I have The Skull Mantra on the shelf, after hearing very good things! Here's a few suggestions, for now:
Have Mercy on Us All by Fred Vargas A terrific literary mystery set in Paris
The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill A good mystery set in Laos
Bangkok 8 by John Burdett Excellent crime series set in Bangkok. Dark and disturbing but very well done.
Guards by Ken Bruen My favorite series right now, set in Galway Ireland

Hope that gives you some ideas!

#135: Congrats on getting the new JD Robb book in today, Linda! I am anxious to get to it, but I have a ton of library books to get to first.

#137 After I finished the Louise Penny book, I started the new JD Robb book but, at this late hour, don't want to get going into it very far. I'm glad she is a fast writer and can crank out two of these per year.

#138: I'm glad she is a fast writer and can crank out two of these per year.

Me too! As well as able to keep the series fresh enough that I do not get bored with it.

Book #126

Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

Louise Penny's Three Pines mystery series is my favorite current mystery series and, while I didn't care for the emphasis on archeology in this one, I believe that this one might well be the best so far. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year.

It's three stories in one. The main story involves the murder of an amateur archeologist in Quebec City. Secondary stories involve what can only be called a devastating police disaster or massacre, and, as is usual for these books, an investigation in the small Quebec village of Three Pines, taking a second look at the events of a previous book in the series.

Penny's writing style is masterful and her descriptions of winter in Quebec are absolutely stunning.

This book is highly recommended, though it's essential to read the books in this series in order.

#140: Looks like you ended up enjoying that one more than I thought you would. Good!

#141 I ended up reading the second half or so in one sitting. Excellent.

I hope her next one goes back to Three Pines more.

#142: Yeah, the bad thing about reading the last Three Pines book is waiting for the next Three Pines book. I will be interested in seeing what direction she takes the series.

I love Tony Horwitz's writing. He is one of a teeny handful of people whose writing skills are such that if I were offered the chance to acquire them in exchange for blowing up an unknown person in China, I would have to seriously consider the tradeoff...

That said, I still haven't read Blue Latitudes, a chunkster of his that has been on my TBR list forever and is now one of the unread books on my "off-the-shelf" challenge...

I have a library hold on Bury Your Dead; hopefully by the end of the month I'll have a copy in hand. No interest in buying it... I should get The Tower, the Zoo and the Tortoise from the library this coming week.

#144: I hope you enjoy The Blue Latitudes when you get to it, Suz. It is one of my favorites of Horowitz's books.

I've been meaning to read The Tower The Zoo and The Tortoise for awhile now. If I can find my copy, I should get to it soon. In the meantime, I've added it to the 5+ Word Title challenge.

Suggestions for your 11 in 11 I'll make over there.

I see you bought Confederates in the Attic. I'll echo the sentiments of others in saying what a fascinating book that one is!

Book #127
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy

Without a doubt, Pat Conroy's My Reading Life is my favorite book this year. I'd give it far more than 5 stars, if I could.

I expected that he'd talk about the influences on his reading life and he does that, talking about his mother, favorite teachers etc. I also expected that he'd talk about favorite books and he does that, too. This book makes me want to rush right out and re-read Gone with the Wind, and pick up and read War and Peace and Look Homeward, Angel for the first time.

No, it's more the way he writes about books and reading and and writing that makes me want to buy dozens of copies of this book and give them to all of my family and friends who are readers.

The next time I'm in a reading slump, this is the book to pick up and start reading on a random page. Though I just read the Kindle version, I expect to go out and buy a regular book copy of it, then look it over and start jotting down book ideas and noting all the great book quotes.

I wish I were as well-read as Pat Conroy, but then again, I haven't read 200 pages a day since my freshman year of high school, as he has.

It was everything I expected, and then some. I don't think I can put into words how truly terrific I thought this book is. Highly recommended!!

#149: Yep, I need to get a copy of that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Linda!

Hi Linda

I've added the Pat Conroy book to the tbr pile.

Thanks for your great review.

Thumbs up from me! I find myself getting sad as I am nearing the finish line of My Reading Life. Oh yeah, it's a 5-star book for me, too! I've always loved his enthusiasm when it comes to life and his writing.

You definitely need a hard copy of this book, Linda. It has some lovely illustrations throughout the book. Do you get these on your Kindle?

Linda, I just popped in to congratulate you on a hot review of My Reading Life! I know it's been a while since I've spent much time reading threads, but I didn't realize how long it's been since I've read yours.

Hope your elections turned out the way you hoped. Except for our local public safety and road improvement questions, I think I voted on the losing side of every single question/office we had on our ballot. The outrageous thing is that I typically vote conservative. I actually voted for a couple of democrats this time around - who lost - and against our worthless, but popular, democrat congressman who got re-elected. Grrr.

While you scoping out mysteries in other countries for next year, please call out the Asian settings for me. I've got an Asia category next year and would be just as happy to fill it with mysteries.

#153: Sandy, you might try Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong and The Last Six Million Seconds as well as the Bangkok 8 series by John Burdett for mysteries/thrillers with Asian settings.

Wow--9 thumbs. I'm shocked.

I've been reading for purposes of distraction lately. On Monday, my sister called to say that they let half of her team (marketing MBAs) was let go (thankfully not her).

Yesterday, my dearest friend called to say that they let half of her team go (legal/business consultants). Again, thankfully not my friend. A thousand people cut at her company, mostly in my county. How can we keep doing this?

As for elections, we still don't know about our new member of Congress. I think my favorite, the moderate Dem woman, is down by 340 votes or so, out of 200,000. Still counting. IL re-elected the Dem governor but sent a Republican to the US Senate.

On Sunday, I ran into our newly-elected Republican state senator at the VFW pancake breakfast and was able to talk to her about what I think is important. Especially libraries!!

Donna, the only sour notes in the Conroy book involved his comments about the young girl, um, up for bid in Paris. Also, those comments about the mean authors at the writers conference were odd.

I really preferred when he talked about his influences and his books.

As for my reading, I'm going back to reading about Pres. James K. Polk. I also started The White Cascade, which is about the Great Northern Railway avalanche of 1910, still the worst avalanche in U.S. history.

Not sure what I'll pick up for my light reading book. Probably the new JD Robb, Indulgence in Death.

#156: I have a few more library books to clear out of the way and then I am with you on Indulgence in Death, Linda!

Alright, I'm adding My Reading Life to next year's book list.

Congrats on the Hot Review!

And I'm adding it to mine.

And will be watching for your comments on The White Cascade. I know a little bit about that disaster, would like to know more...

#159 I'd never heard of it. I happened to be born on its 51st anniversary so there's that.

Linda- Great review and congrats on being a Hottie!

Thanks for the congrats. I rarely ever post a review, except on my thread, unless it's an ER book or I have strong feelings about it. Maybe I should do so more often.

I've still got two ER books--one on toy collecting and the other on pro football--and another on the way (about a WW2 plane crash that was recently unearthed). Need to get cracking on those.

Linda, I think I've been infected with Pat Conroy's word virus. I tried to do justice to My Reading Life and ended up writing the longest review I've ever written! I had far less to say about War and Peace!!!

I hope between the two of us that we can convince the world to read this book!

#163 Must go look, Donna.

I need to buy a bunch. I'm pretty sure that my giftee on Mark's Christmas Book Exchange would like one as would quite a few others.

Only $12.81 on Amazon. Maybe cheaper elsewhere?!?

#163 Donna, yours should win LT review of the year. If there even is such a thing.

I forgot about that school librarian handing him a book about football, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

It really is a special book. I think many LTers will love it.

#156 I read The White Cascade last year. I found it fascinating reading, though very tragic. I had known very little about that disaster before reading it. I look forward to seeing what you think of it.

#166 I've discovered that I know very little about the Pacific Northwest. My current "main read" is a bio of President James K. Polk and one of the most interesting parts is the exploration of California and the Oregon Territory.

I know virtually nothing about this.

It's one area of the country that I've never visited.

I think a lot, or at least some, people around here like Simon Winchester.

If so, have you heard about his new book, Atlantic: The Biography of an Ocean? This has gone right onto my wishlist.

#168: I have it in the BlackHole. I found out that the local library has it 'in processing' so I have put it on hold. I am looking forward to reading it!

My Reading Life is now FIRMLY on my wishlist!

I've got Christmas tunes whirling through my head this morning.

As it usually does about two weeks before Thanksgiving, the Chicago Lite radio station switched over to all-Christmas music. Already.

Book #128

Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman

President James K. Polk, our 11th president, was one of our least-known great/near great presidents. In this excellent biography, possibly the best presidential bio I've read since David McCullough's John Adams, I got to know him a whole lot better.

Polk accomplished what he set out to do. One key area was the acquisition of territory in the west, California, the Oregon Territory, among others. The most interesting parts of this book, I thought, dealt with this topic.

Polk also presided over the Mexican-American War (who knew that there were Whig generals and Democrat generals?) and strengthened the presidency, in terms of war declarations and others.

Interestingly, he died soon after he left office. I think he had a post-presidency of 119 days. His widow survived him by over 40 years.

This is quite a fascinating book. Highly recommended!!

(After a brief interlude with a mystery or two, it's on to #12, Zachary Taylor, for me.)

#153 -- going back to Asian mysteries -- I really love the series of books by Colin Cotterrill, set in Laos and featuring 70-something coroner Dr. Siri, in the aftermath of the Lao Communist takeover. He and his group of friends and associates are a reminder that people triumph over idealistic politicians every time. They even feature Hmong spirits! Whimsical, funny, intriguing and good mysteries, to boot.

Hi Linda- Good review of "Polk"! That's the one I read too and really enjoyed it. I'll try to squeeze in my own Zachary Taylor over the next couple of months.

#173 I need to check those out. Thanks, Suz.

#174 Mark, I think I might start the Zachary Taylor bio either late on Sat or on Sun. I need to get it back to the library.

Book #129

Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb

A typical Robb book though this one is slower to get started as Dallas and Roarke are on vacation in Ireland. All of the characters I like are back and my favorite, Peabody, seems to be doing a bit more on her own.

Interesting twist this time. If you like the J.D. Robb books, you'll like this one.

#176: If you like the J.D. Robb books, you'll like this one.

I do, so I probably will - if I ever get to it!

Book #130

Zachary Taylor by John S.D. Eisenhower

This biography of our 12th president, nicknamed Old Rough and Ready, is one of the short American Presidents biographies. It was okay but spent far too much time on Taylor's military career and far too little on his time as president. Admittedly, since he was in office for only 16 months before he unexpectedly died and since his papers were destroyed by Union soldiers during the Civil War, maybe the author didn't have much to go on.

A lifelong soldier, Taylor was the first person elected president who did not hold another public office first. During Dolley Madison's funeral, Taylor also coined the phrase "First Lady" to refer to the wife of the president.

The author spends a too short period speculating about "what if?" Though Taylor was a Southerner and a slave owner, he also opposed the admission of new slave states. The author speculates that we may have avoided the Civil War had Taylor lived.

This is a decent presidential biography. Not the best American Presidents series book I've read but certainly not the worst.

I've got 5 more books yet to read in order to finish my 1010 challenge.

Then, in December, my focus will be on Christmas mysteries and other fiction, such as An Irish Country Christmas. Lots of good new ones out, including Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop, a new Simon Brett The Shooting in the Shop and a Margaret Maron Christmas Mourning. Plus the annual Anne Perry Christmas mystery, of course.

Gingerbread Cookie Murder with 3 novellas, from Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier, and someone else (Laura Levine?) is a must-read for December, too.

Mostly though, I'd like to read a few of the Kate Kingsbury Pennyfoot Hotel Christmas mysteries.

Sounds like you have some good Christmas reading planned, Linda!

#180 Sure do, Stasia. I think my 5 remaining 1010 books should be pretty good, too. Only one mystery of the five, though.

I am interested in Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop myself.

Book #131

Tragic Magic by Laura Childs

I love the tea shop series by Laura Childs. I like the Cackleberry Club series by Laura Childs. This scrapbooking series, also by Laura Childs, not so much. It's got all of the cozy elements I like but, somehow, they don't add up for me.

As usual, this 2009 entry in the scrapbooking series is set in New Orleans, this time, with a focus on a haunted house. It was okay. Hoping the next one is better.

I've got a bit of a daytime reading lull going the past few days. I'm getting lots and lots of reading done late at night but zilch during the day.

Ah well. Looking forward to the Northwestern/Illinois football game at Wrigley Field this weekend. We are sitting near what would be first base. I've seen plenty of baseball there and even a hockey game but I've never been to a football game there.

Hope it's not too cold.

You are doing well on the 1010!! I still have 15 to go, although I'll finish one tonight. Most of them are heavier lifting -- all but one or two either non-fiction or in French. Left the longer reads for last... Happily one of my 1010 categories overlaps a TIOLI category so that is giving me a bit of extra oomph.

#185 Suz, since you read 3 or 4 times as many books as I do, we're just about on the same pace to finish 1010. For me, having all nonfiction left would be ok but I don't read much non-mystery fiction and one of my remaining books is that, A Novel Bookstore.

Morning, Linda. I thought since you dropped by my place, I would return the favor :)

I always think of Nov 18th as my "second chance at life" day. Eighteen years ago today, I had a lifesaving 10 hour surgery. (After weeks in the hospital and months of at-home recovery, it took me probably about 18 months til I felt "normal" again.)

Anyway, one thing I always think about: those family members and friends I would not have met had this not all worked out ok. Included in that category are the many wonderful LTers I've met here the past two years or so.

Hi Stasia--not typical for me to be awake at this hour.

Happy 'second chance at life' day, Linda!

Let me echo: Happy 'second chance at life' day, Linda!

We are VERY glad that you are here!!!!

That's a great story, Linda; we're all glad that you're with us!

I'm between you & Suz, as I have 8 books left to go to complete my 1010 challenge. I started the month with 15 books to go, so I'm certain that I'll make it.

One of my office mates is a Northwestern grad; he was elated at the Wildcats' comeback win over Iowa last weekend.

#190-192 Thanks guys. Who knew that a little bile duct injury could be potentially fatal?

Anyway, sooooo close to finishing Stealing Lumby but I had to stop earlier (and hope to resume soon). These characters are like old friends I can visit from time to time. Charming, heartwarming and yes, I do get a bit teary at times reading these.

Yay!! SantaThing is back!!

http://www.librarything.com/santathing.php

Book #132

Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser

It's been a few months since I visited the fictional town of Lumby, set in the "northwest" but reading it felt like visiting with old friends. A charming and heartwarming look at a quirky little town which, at times, even brought a tear to my eye.

In this second in the series, a painting called "Barns of Lumby," one of the most famous paintings in the U.S. is stolen while travelling between museums, bringing worldwide attention to Lumby. The reclusive artist spent time in Lumby 50 years earlier, painting the barns and having an affair with a local woman.

Really enjoyable. I'm going to get the third one and read it soon. Highly recommended!!

#195: I need to get back to the Lumby series!

Yeah, Lumby!
I only have the last one Lumby on the Air left to read. These as a group rank in my favrites of the year. What about you?

#197 My favorite new series of the year, that's for sure.

I was going to start my book about President Carter when I came across a book by a former White House doctor for George HW Bush and Bill Clinton. Sounded interesting and it really is.

White House Doctor by Connie Mariano

I'll be reading Lumby's Bounty soon.

Stasia, how far along are you in the series? Maybe we can match up with it at some point.

I'm really annoyed by this but, after they've set up the field for the football game at Wrigley Field tomorrow, they've decided that the field is too small, in what would be the east end zone. Apparently, the goal posts are attached to the right field bleacher wall.

Anyway, they've decided that all plays will go only in the direction towards the Cubs dugout.

So, since we're on about the 30 or 40 yard line on the east goal side, all the action will be heading away from us. Booooooo!!!

Happy (belated) second-life day!!

my head just doesn't want me reading heavy stuff right now. It starts to ache when I do!

At least if I'm heading to France in a week's time, I'll have plenty of impetus to do more reading in French, and I'll be in the right environment for it to move smoothly/easily.

Happy Re-Birth Day, Linda!

Thanks. I feel like the last 18 years have been a bonus.

Suz, have fun in France. Is this that junket that you were talking about? The closest I'll get to France, again, is reading A Novel Bookstore in translation.

Yes, the junket -- came out of the blue. Still waiting to hear about the fees for boarding Jasper. If they are too high, no way can I go. Under $500, and, given the fact that I'd probably have to leave him there for 2 days anyway since he's really not improving, the extra two days might just be rationalized. Of course, I am expert rationalizer. I'd love to go, as I'd be able to meet a friend of mine for dinner the night that I'd be in Paris.

Time for a new thread. The 8th inning is located at:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/102828