Członek: MusicMom41

Well it's a crime, Carolyn, (if I may call you that) that it's been so long since you've been on HR. I will try and keep a closer eye on your reviews in the future and alert my salonistas when you've composed one.

wysłany przez EnriqueFreeque o 5:25 pm (EST) dnia Dec 6, 2009

Nice review -- Hot Review -- of Green for Danger! Sounds good, so I've added it to my list. It caught me by surprise -- I didn't see it on your thread in the 75 Challenge.

wysłany przez tymfos o 10:11 pm (EST) dnia Dec 5, 2009

Well thanks MusicMom!

Nice review of Green for Danger yourself! It's Hot on Hot Reviews.

wysłany przez EnriqueFreeque o 11:50 am (EST) dnia Dec 5, 2009

I just read your review of Green for Danger and had to tell you that I discovered Christianna Brand in exactly the same way! I've read several of her novels now and enjoyed them all, although I think Green for Danger is my favorite.

wysłany przez cbl_tn o 10:50 pm (EST) dnia Dec 4, 2009

So sorry about the headache! Hope you are feeling better today. I am in the middle of chapter 15.

wysłany przez ronincats o 12:47 pm (EST) dnia Nov 25, 2009

Sounds marvelous! I'm at the beginning of Chapter 14--didn't read any of it yesterday, but read 5 Sunday evening at bedtime. Enjoy your vacation.

I read The Drunkard's Walk a few months ago and enjoyed it a lot. There is no way I can read in the car, however; I get motion sick.

wysłany przez ronincats o 10:18 am (EST) dnia Nov 24, 2009

That's fine. I'm watching basketball and writing a report tomorrow, and my husband is taking me out to dinner tomorrow, so I probably won't get any significant reading done until the weekend anyway. I'll pull it off the shelf and put it on my bedside table.

wysłany przez ronincats o 9:16 pm (EST) dnia Nov 19, 2009

Are we starting Barrayar soon?

wysłany przez ronincats o 3:43 pm (EST) dnia Nov 19, 2009

I know what it's like. Although most of my days are the regular school day, 8 to 4, on Wednesdays I teach until 7. Except with Veteran's Day tomorrow, I do neither and have a complete day off! I'm tired tonight, and think I'll wait until tomorrow to write my thoughts--they'll be much clearer then.

wysłany przez ronincats o 12:15 am (EST) dnia Nov 11, 2009

Let me know when you finish the book--I don't want to start talking about it until you do!

wysłany przez ronincats o 8:23 pm (EST) dnia Nov 10, 2009

Just now finished the book--will write about it tomorrow!

wysłany przez ronincats o 1:33 am (EST) dnia Nov 10, 2009

Okay. I finished Part 2 early this morning, but should be able to work Part 3 in this evening.

wysłany przez ronincats o 2:56 pm (EST) dnia Nov 8, 2009

P.S. I'm figuring Laurel for the role of the Faery Queen.

wysłany przez ronincats o 11:23 pm (EST) dnia Nov 7, 2009

Tam Lin is a very well-known and oft-used ballad/storyline. Check out the Wikipedia article on him for the basic story. There's also an entry for Thomas the Rhymer. Those should give you enough information to be able to appreciate the story line in this book. The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope is one of my favorite versions.

I haven't started part 2 yet, but plan to start it shortly. If we don't have it done tomorrow, it's no big deal!

wysłany przez ronincats o 11:22 pm (EST) dnia Nov 7, 2009

I know I have read Fire and Hemlock before, but I do not remember the story at all. It was a late-comer to my DWJ collection, and I think I must have read it only the once. From the tags on it, I picked it up at Crown Books, and they've been out of business for at least a decade.

I finished Part One in the tub this morning, having gotten a good start last night. This part appears to be all background for the story to come at the age of Polly at 19 in Chapter 1. Starting at age 9, with her first meeting with Mr. Lynn, and going through about 2 years. So far, there is nothing so unusual. Polly is surviving her parents' divorce. Mr. Lynn is an infrequent bright spot in her life, but he is the focus for her continuing to want to become a hero, I think. If not for him, I think that goal would have fallen by the wayside as she had other things to deal with. The only eerie thing so far, really, is the shop that they had imagined, that was there when they went to look at it. And, of course, Laurel and Mr. Leroy, although they are barely present. Still, the chapter headings make clear that this will be a Tam Lin retelling, and we can start to have some intimations about what role some of the characters will play. I loved the horse quotes and the way the horse/car comes into the story. But my very favorite part was the books that Mr. (Tom) Lynn sent Polly for Christmas and how she devoured them. I loved all the ones I knew, and I have to go look up The Treasure Seekers and The Box of Delights, because I don't know the. Oh, and the other thing I loved is the spelling in Mr. Lynn's letters. Such fun. You do realize that her favorite, Henrietta's House, is The Blue Hills by Elizabeth Goudge, that we discussed some time ago when Stasia, at least, read A City of Bells and met Henrietta. HH is the British title for the book.

Looking forward to your thoughts so far. I'm assuming I should go ahead and read Part 2 tonight?

Posting to both your profiles.

wysłany przez ronincats o 5:51 pm (EST) dnia Nov 7, 2009

Masters of the Baroque Period was out of print but I found a used copy on Amazon. It should be here soon.

Thanks,
--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 9:54 am (EST) dnia Nov 7, 2009

That sounds fine to me! I'll start part 1 tonite.

wysłany przez ronincats o 12:19 am (EST) dnia Nov 7, 2009

That's funny! By the way, Doidge's book is much more fascinating and still very readable. It's in paperback and so worth it!

wysłany przez bonniebooks o 2:00 pm (EST) dnia Nov 2, 2009

Hi again, Carolyn. I was thinking I should make it clear that I was talking about the parents of my students, not my own parents. :-) Have a nice week!

wysłany przez bonniebooks o 9:28 am (EST) dnia Nov 2, 2009

Hi again! Did you see my "P.S." below? Yes, I did read and enjoy Proust and the Squid. Carolyn, I'm thinking you might also be interested in a book that I've been recommending to my parents. It's called Brain Rules. I quote from it all the time; it's perfect for us teachers who have to convince our students that they need to practice between lessons to not only master those lessons, but also to get them to "stick." Also good backup for parents who need "expert" reinforcements for convincing their kids to do their homework without iPods in their ears, telephone and texting interruptions, and watching TV. Also includes the science behind the need for kids to get more sleep to keep their newfound knowledge over the longer term, as well as the advantages of shorter, more frequent study sessions versus one long review. Older kids could read this book themselves. Bonnie

wysłany przez bonniebooks o 5:21 pm (EST) dnia Nov 1, 2009

P.S. It's called The Brain That Changes Itself by Doidge.

wysłany przez bonniebooks o 4:21 pm (EST) dnia Nov 1, 2009

Carolyn, I thought you gave a truly terrific review of Weekends at Bellevue! I would have said 'you took the words right out of my mouth' but I couldn't have described my feelings nearly so eloquently and cogently had I worked on it all day. I just thought her words came off better when you listened to her. Maybe she's read some of her reviews, but she sounds a lot more mature, definitely kinder. I'll look for the book you recommended. I was a psych. major so I'm always interested in new research, especially as it relates to learning and behavior.

I'l go request your recommendation right now too before I forget. I'm really enjoying borrowing books from the library again. My neighborhood library was the most popular and most used library in the system when my kids were younger, so it rarely had a book in that I wanted. Now that I'm requesting, and renewing, books online, it's been a much more satisfying experience.

Have you read The Changing Brain? (NOT: Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. I'll have to go check out my library and get the exact title.) It's a very readable overview of some of the current brain research--well, current for a book. It was so good, I bought it when it first came out, but it's in paperback now. Happy reading! Bonnie

wysłany przez bonniebooks o 4:11 pm (EST) dnia Nov 1, 2009

Hey, Carolyn! You had a very similar reaction to [Weekends at Bellevue] as I did, so I was thinking that you might be interested in hearing Terri Gross's interview of her on NPR. She describes her behavior very similarly as in her book, but sounded much more reflective and apologetic about some of her earlier behavior (e.g., when she was acting like a tough guy). I felt a lot more sympathetic after listening to this Fresh Air interview. Bonnie

wysłany przez bonniebooks o 11:10 pm (EST) dnia Oct 29, 2009

A Gentleman of Fortune - hmmm 'worth looking for?' I enjoyed it although there were some parts of the characterisation of the main character that irritated me a little ...the author was trying to make a historical comment on society of the time and the roles of men and women but it didn't quite work for me. The plot ran along quite nicely though ... let me know if you find it and what you think.
I was totally amazed to be the only person on here who had logged it!

wysłany przez janbrunetti o 4:31 pm (EST) dnia Oct 22, 2009

The thing you wrote about mathematics a year or more ago (Jul 16, 2008) was beautiful. (I can't remember what it was called now...) Thanks

sharon

wysłany przez seashar o 11:09 pm (EST) dnia Oct 19, 2009

The Wild Wood is one of his that I haven't read...let me know how you like it. His series is the Newford series. I enjoy it a lot--the characters are becoming old friends. Another you might try is Moonheart. It seems to be a consensus choice.

Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 3:42 am (EST) dnia Oct 5, 2009

Carolyn,

Since you liked The Wood Wife, you really ought to try something by Charles de Lint. He's about the closest I've ever read to Windling.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 5:58 pm (EST) dnia Oct 4, 2009

Here it is...

http://www.librarything.com/topic/64214

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 10:31 pm (EST) dnia Oct 3, 2009

You're very welcome, Carolyn! Glad you enjoyed Canada...it's a nice place to live, too.
I have been "down East" a few times (been to the Green Gables house twice) and thought it was wonderful - grew up in Quebec (not French Canadian though) and have lived in the North, and briefly, in Alberta. I will be visiting Vancouver soon, as my daughters have just moved there. It's one city I have always wanted to see.

wysłany przez dihiba o 8:19 am (EST) dnia Oct 1, 2009

You can do it, Carolyn. You can finish 999 in 09. As of this moment, about about 59 hours left in the month, though you get two extra out on the West Coast so 61 hrs to go!!

Almost finished!!

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 2:00 pm (EST) dnia Sep 28, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

How is The Wood Wife coming?

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 11:03 am (EST) dnia Sep 28, 2009

Carolyn,

I'm envious of your ability to read so many books so quickly, and write such great reviews! I just finished my 44th book of the year, and am currently on track to finish only 60! My excuses seem trite -- I do take some time to take care of my two teen-aged daughters (but I know you take care of family too), do a very little sewing (I might complete one quilt this year), watch a little TV (something I know I could do without), and sleep! I am almost done with a couple of my 999 categories, but have seriously neglected some of them!

I eagerly await your review of Wood Wife. A good percentage of the books on my wish list are recommendations from you.

Cheers, Jan

wysłany przez janoorani24 o 7:06 pm (EST) dnia Sep 24, 2009

This weekend is fine with me. I still can't find my copy, but got one out of the library.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 2:48 pm (EST) dnia Sep 24, 2009

Since the Ian Sansom books are about a library and its librarian, they could also go in a "books about books" category.

I agree with you about Heyer; she didn't write Harlequin-type romances. I think of her books as more like Jane Austen's, only not quite as good, though at least there are more of them!

wysłany przez janoorani24 o 6:36 pm (EST) dnia Sep 23, 2009

Hi MusicMom!
I loved your recent 999 Challenge reviews, and have added the Bujold and Ogawa books to my Amazon wish list (which is currently at 9 pages). I was curious why you said you don't normally read Romances, since I could almost swear it was you who got me re-interested in Georgette Heyer last year, though of course I consider Heyer to tower above all other romance novelists.

If you like mysteries with a little (actually a lot!) of humor, you might enjoy The Case of the Missing Books, and Mr. Dixon Disappears; both by Ian Sansom. They are absolutely hilarious mysteries about a Mobile Librarian in Norther Ireland.

Cheers, Jan

wysłany przez janoorani24 o 12:32 pm (EST) dnia Sep 23, 2009

Hi MusicMom, and thanks for the info on Sayers' play! I have it wishlisted and am looking forward to reading it eventually. It will be interesting to read it with the perspective of her thoughts on playwriting in Mind of the Maker.

Oh yes, I have plenty of Heyer to keep my going for awhile! I think I've already promised to read Sylvester next, but I think I have a copy of The Grand Sophy and could make that next in line. Og her more historical works, I've only read Royal Escape, and actually I listened to it on audiobook. It dragged a bit and might have been more enjoyable as a regular book. But I could tell Heyer did her research. Everything felt very authentic.

wysłany przez wisewoman o 2:54 pm (EST) dnia Sep 19, 2009

Thanks so much for your birthday message Carolyn. It means a lot to me.

I hope you are well.

Hugs
Linda

wysłany przez Whisper1 o 9:19 pm (EST) dnia Sep 18, 2009

Carolyn,

It's fine with me. I can't find my copy of The Wood Wife, so I put it on hold from the library.

I'm convinced there's a black hole in my house. We organized all the paperbacks, put them on shelves up on the third floor, alphabetized by author. So far, two that I know I own...I can't find.

*sigh*

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 6:40 am (EST) dnia Sep 15, 2009

Hello, MusicMom, and thank you for the comment! I am discovering Sayers — I've read most of her Lord Peter novels so far — and think she is absolutely brilliant. What a fascinating author. Do enjoy your reread of The Mind of the Maker! I know I will reread it eventually; it's the sort of book you read, ponder, and then reread for more insight.

And yes, we do share a lot of favorite authors! I'm somewhat new to Georgette Heyer's books as well. Which is your favorite, and why? I've listened to Cotillion and Friday's Child on audiobook and simply can't decide which one I like better :)

wysłany przez wisewoman o 4:25 pm (EST) dnia Sep 14, 2009

Carolyn,

Is 'Shards of Honor' the same as 'Cordelia's Honor?' I only own CH, not the others you mentioned, so I vote we read that one, lol.

As far as 'The Wood Wife' goes, I am ready whenever you are. Why don't you drop Tad a note just to keep him in the loop.

I have not had much sleep today. My father showed up unexpectedly. I have no idea how much, if any, reading I will get done as I am eventually going to have to get some sleep.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 3:52 pm (EST) dnia Sep 14, 2009

Carolyn;
I will let Mark know that your preference (if you are able to commit to a group read at that time) would be "The People of the Book". Thank you for getting back with me and I will let him know.
You take care and / Oh! I see you added "Driving Over Lemons" to your library. Doesn't that sound like a great read. I can't wait to read that one myself.
Good night dear and thanks again.
belva

wysłany przez nannybebette o 12:12 am (EST) dnia Sep 9, 2009

Hi;
Mark and I have been discussing the possibility of another group read in November and want your input. We have narrowed it down to two books at this point. "The People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks and "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. So chat it up with friends or us and let us know if you are up for it and what you think. Probably the same plan as with "Pillars of the Earth" which seemed to work out perfectly for almost all of us.
Think it over and give one of us a shout.
hugs and looking forward to hearing from you,
belva

wysłany przez nannybebette o 9:59 pm (EST) dnia Sep 8, 2009

I'll give it a try. Let me go star your new thread first!

wysłany przez ronincats o 10:02 pm (EST) dnia Sep 1, 2009

Sounds good to me!

wysłany przez marise o 8:54 am (EST) dnia Aug 31, 2009

Carolyn,

Are you still up for Our Man in Havana? I am reading the short stories that the movie The Quiet Man was based on (and they are really good if you ever run across them) and am thinking of Our Man next. Let me know!

My Virago August has been a bust, wouldn't you know?

Christine

wysłany przez marise o 7:48 pm (EST) dnia Aug 30, 2009

I think the Boston Blackie's were on Me-Too on Sunday afternoons in the winter. This Sunday, it looks like Charlie Chan.

http://www.wciu.com/schedule.php?station...

I was thinking about it since I met a friend at Boston Blackie's Restaurant (it's a small, local chain) today and sat right under a Boston Blackie's movie poster.

For me, ME-TV is on cable on channel 223 on comcast cable and ME-TOO is on channel 247. Even my cousins in the city (who don't have cable) get ME-TV and ME-TOO. I think they're part of WCIU.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 6:33 pm (EST) dnia Aug 27, 2009

Thanks Carolyn!

I think you'll enjoy whenever you do get to it. Yeah I know about bein' all booked up!

;-)

Best,
Brent

wysłany przez EnriqueFreeque o 4:52 pm (EST) dnia Aug 23, 2009

Sorry for all the notes. I am going to head out the door soon to go home and we're having thunderstorms so I probably won't get on my home pc during the storm.

Anyway, looking through my lists of books read, I found this:

Disaster! The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906 by Dan Kurzman. I read it in '01 but don't remember much except that I thought it was pretty good.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 6:31 pm (EST) dnia Aug 19, 2009

Hmmm, I thought I had more than one New Madrid book on my list but no, only one. It's: When the Mississippi Ran Backwards by Jay Feldman. I think the others might be more in the way of speculative fiction, like 2027, New Madrid, Missouri.

There's also The Big One: The Earthquake that Rocked Early America and Helped Create a Science by Jake Page. I need to add that one to my list.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 6:13 pm (EST) dnia Aug 19, 2009

I will check my list. It's either on my 1010 Mississippi River list or else on my disaster book list. The Mizzou quake is called the New Madrid quake. On our way to Tunica, MS last spring, we drove right through New Madrid. I think we were expecting to see the fault like. From what I've read, St Louis could be levelled, at least according to one of those Weather Channel shows if "the big one" hits.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 6:04 pm (EST) dnia Aug 19, 2009

I just read Johnstown Flood a few weeks ago. It starts out slowly and I was whining that I didn't like it as much as the other McCullough's I've read and then, suddenly, I was hooked.

I will rummage around looking for an SF earthquake book. I think one earthquake book I'm planning will be about the New Madrid, Missouri one in the early 1800s.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 4:43 pm (EST) dnia Aug 19, 2009

I didn't realize that you loved disaster books or else I would've recommended that thread.

Fire in the Grove is one of my favorite books so far this year, along with the one I read about the Iroquois Theater Fire in Chicago, too. They are always hard to get through and the people always seem to make the same mistakes but I enjoy them.

I need to research more disaster books for 101010 next year.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 3:43 pm (EST) dnia Aug 19, 2009

I read a Tey earlier this year and I thik I have 2 or 3 more of hers to read.

I'm at the library right now and just picked up Death of a Lit Chick, which I'd been hoping to read but forgot to reserve. Sometimes, things just work out.

In 999 x 2, I have a cozy mystery category, a Rue Morgue Press books category, and two general ones--first in the series and next in the series--that could also include mysteries. I'm glad I branched out more in the first one but now, I'd like to read more mysteries again.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 11:10 am (EST) dnia Aug 8, 2009

I was fooled. I kept confusing the economist and the radio guy but thought it was the radio guy. When he "confessed" because there'd be no prosecution, I thought "what if he did it"?

I want to move on to other mysteries but hope to sprinkle in a Wolfe book every quarter or so, I think.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 10:47 pm (EST) dnia Aug 7, 2009

I finished it late last night, just before midnight. Let me know when you're finished. I will be posting something on 75 book chal and 999 chal but, of course, it'd be more general.

I plan to check out the Rex Stout list and write down all of the Nero Wolfe's I haven't read yet. I think there are about 15 total. I know one is Black Orchids but I think that's an early book.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 11:29 am (EST) dnia Aug 7, 2009

Hooray! I'm glad you received it - rather quickly too. :)
Husband is still without a job, but I expected this. He's thinking about a change in careers, but my boss says he thinks the industry will get busier again in a couple months. We'll see.
I loved The Franchise Affair, but I haven't gotten to read Miss Pym Disposes. I haven't located a copy yet!
Thanks for keeping me updated. Talk to you soon,
Angela

wysłany przez amwmsw04 o 11:20 pm (EST) dnia Aug 6, 2009

I read quite a bit at lunch and am now almost halfway through it (pg 118/240). The only disappointment for me, so far, is that it looks unlikely that Inspector Cramer will make an appearance, though that could change, of course.

Now that I'm really into it, I could well finish it tonight with my free evening.

I need to look at the whole list to see which other ones I've missed along the way. I am loving this one.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 3:56 pm (EST) dnia Aug 6, 2009

I will probably read some more at lunch and then even more this evening. There's no Cubs game today!!

I am enjoying it. Shooting up the orchids certainly is memorable.

I ended at the point where the body was discovered and Wolfe told the family about it. My first thought was that the father did it since it was cheaper than carrying on.

I like the "time period" stuff, like the family turning on the radio and dancing to the music.

I vaguely remember hearing about this "arch criminal" before.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 12:48 pm (EST) dnia Aug 6, 2009

I just finished chapter 8 so I will read a few more pages and read chapter 9. This one has really picked up. A few memorable things going on in this one.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 10:45 pm (EST) dnia Aug 5, 2009

I did not get as far as I would've liked. I think just to about page 30 or so (out of 240). I was sick/exhausted yesterday but am a whole lot better today now that I've had a good night's sleep.
I usually read from 9:30 to midnight or so but, last night, only made it to about 10 pm.

Since you're read Stout in order, I wonder how this one compares. With the "find out if this guy is a Communist," request it certainly seems to fit the times.

My copy also has an intro from William Tapply, which is ironic. He died within the past week. Like Tapply, I like Archie best. I hadn't thought about it but these really are a blend of the hardboiled detective and the cozy sleuth, like Tapply says.

For me, after having read 2 straight Stout "trio of novellas" it's interesting to see how the pace is slower and takes a bit longer to unwind here.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 3:27 pm (EST) dnia Aug 5, 2009

Carolyn, I could start the Rex Stout book tonight. With the niece/nephew's visit, I am currently "betwen books" so tonight would work out well. If I just read in the evening, it'd probably take me about 3 nights.

Want to start today?

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 4:51 pm (EST) dnia Aug 4, 2009

Will do! Right now we're on vacation. Hubby wanted to just hang out here. I told him it wasn't vacation for me if I was cooking so he's doing it -- I had a super meal today (and yesterday and...) LOL

wysłany przez suslyn o 4:28 pm (EST) dnia Jul 31, 2009

PS Glad to hear about the O2! I had no idea... Praying!

wysłany przez suslyn o 3:48 pm (EST) dnia Jul 31, 2009

Carolyn,
I'm thinking I could really enjoy hanging with you and your hubby! You'd like mine too. They could cook and we could go crazy with needles and books :) Enjoy your time in N CA -- where? My folks met and fell in love in Quincy, Feather River Canyon.

xox
Susan

wysłany przez suslyn o 3:47 pm (EST) dnia Jul 31, 2009

MM, my interest in The Merry Heart is fading. It's not a bad book--it just doesn't always talk about books/reading. The current one that I'm reading, Can a Doctor Be a Humanist? is in that category. I don't want to put it aside completely but may go ahead and read Dewey just to get the 999 category done and then keep reading The Merry Heart (maybe for 999 x 2 General Nonfiction).

TMH seems like an ideal book for me to keep handy at work when I want to read just a few pages.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 2:10 pm (EST) dnia Jul 30, 2009

The Merry Heart has 24 speeches/essays in it so I am figuring on taking about 10 days with it.

There's a related book called Happy Alchemy which is similar but focuses on the theatre, music, and the arts. Looks like it's OOP but I will have to track that one down, too.

wysłany przez lindapanzo o 6:13 pm (EST) dnia Jul 27, 2009

I'm back but we're going back up next weekend. I did have a good time though that first trip was too short. I would have just stayed through but I have to pick up my son from camp today.

I'm glad you're enjoying the McKillip. She's one of my favorites.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 7:10 am (EST) dnia Jul 26, 2009

Hi Carolyn...glad to oblige on the Silas Marner tip...enjoy it!

Middlemarch is an amazing achievement, isn't it? She wasn't a brilliant writer IMO but she was a brilliant storytelleress!

Cheers
RMD

wysłany przez richardderus o 1:49 pm (EST) dnia Jul 17, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

I'll respond more fully tomorrow. We are away T a wedding today and I'm just browsing this on my phone...hard to type. I've finished the book so we can talk about any parts of it as you want.

I hope you get back to 100% soon.

Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 3:21 pm (EST) dnia Jun 20, 2009

Thought you might be intersted in joining my new thread. Check it out.
http://www.librarything.com/topic/66785

wysłany przez callmejacx o 10:37 pm (EST) dnia Jun 16, 2009

Just thought I'd pop over and introduce myself, since I see your name in the threads I follow...Hi. I'm Kim as in (Kim)Berly. Nice to meetcha. How do you do? I enjoy your comments a lo, so thanks!

wysłany przez Berly o 8:47 pm (EST) dnia Jun 12, 2009

I have finally copied the Roald Dahl CDs! In time for summer, at least. If you will give me an address, I'll pop them in the mail. My favorite is Esio Trot, but The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me is read by Hugh Laurie.

Have you read "The Likeness" by Tana French yet? I thought it was better than "In the Woods".

wysłany przez RidgewayGirl o 8:40 am (EST) dnia Jun 11, 2009

I'm about where you are in the book, so there's no need for you to do anything.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 6:22 am (EST) dnia Jun 9, 2009

Hi Carolyn
I'm simply sopping by to thank you for your kind comments posted on my thread!
You are such a dear person!

wysłany przez Whisper1 o 8:24 am (EST) dnia Jun 7, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

Just checking in. I'm not quite over the time zone change, still waking up rather early, but I may actually get some reading done today.

Where are you at in BCoF? I didn't do much reading in London...I was doing the tourist thing so much that I just fell into bed, exhausted, each night.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 5:48 am (EST) dnia Jun 7, 2009

Carolyn, what a good review of "Franny and Zooey" that was! The Glass clan is well worth keeping up with, and I hope you'll enjoy them all. My favorite is "Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters!" and when you get around to it, we can discuss why...impossible to say wihtout spoilers.

Cheers
RMD

wysłany przez richardderus o 1:16 pm (EST) dnia Jun 5, 2009

Hey

I was just playing one of my fav games and thought of you. I think it could be good for ear training (rhythm only):

http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-gam...

Cheers
Susan

wysłany przez suslyn o 8:08 pm (EST) dnia Jun 4, 2009

That is wonderful Carolyn!! I'm sooo glad you liked it - and yes, I have reread it many times as well and you do get something different from it every time. I love all the Glasses, they are amazing! And, as much as I do love Catcher in the Rye as well, I think Franny & Zooey is much, much better. As for the other stories featuring the Glasses, let me offer a (hopefully) helpful hand:

♦ there is "Nine Stories" (also called "For Esme With Love and Squalor") which is a short story book that I love equally, if not even more than F&Z. These two are definitely his best works, in my opinion. If you are a short story lover I am certain you will find it amazing. And even if you are not it is still worth a read. Only 3 of the 9 stories feature the Glass family (one is about Seymour, one about Boo Boo and her kid, and one indirectly about Walt, the one who died in the war - it is about the girlfriend he left behind). But the first story in there (A Perfect Day for Bananafish) actually recounts the day that Seymour commits suicide - are you intrigued yet? ;)
♦ Raise High the Roof Beam Carpenters and Seymour: an Introduction - this is one book in two parts, much like Franny and Zooey is structured. Only it is a lot more...I don't even know how to put it. Salinger shows off his wit a lot, let's just say. It's much more difficult to read, you have to reread sentences over and look words up in the dictionary and that sort of thing. But it is worth the effort.
♦ And last there is Hapworth 16, 1924, which is a short story (not thaaaat short) that you can read for free online - and it is hilarious!! It is set when Seymour was 7 years old and him and Buddy are sent to a summer camp. It is very funny because not only Seymour's intellectual development was incredibly precocious for his age but also his sexual development. The way he expresses that in a letter to his family and tries to talk to his father about it - at 7! - is hilarious. :)

And that's it. Apparently Salinger - who isolated himself many years ago in his home in New Hampshire and hasn't published a thing since - wrote many many stories and supposedly books about the Glass family but he just doesn't want to publish anything while he is alive. I'm hoping he will have left plenty of writings as a consolation to us fans for when he kicks the bucket. (the man is 90).

wysłany przez girlunderglass o 1:54 am (EST) dnia Jun 3, 2009

Hi Carolyn, just a note to thank you for recommending and/or talking up Mistress of the Art of Death.. I too have been dying (ooo...bad pun) to read this and can't wait. Glad to see you'll be along for the ride. Also wanted to be sure you saw my blogpost about "Our Lady of the Artichokes"--it's one I think you'll definitely be able to appreciate.

wysłany przez tututhefirst o 2:52 pm (EST) dnia May 31, 2009

Awww thanks for the nice comments!

This is going to be my last Book Group Read for a while.

I will announce it shortly, but vintage_books_baby is due in September, so I'm taking a break until the little bundle arrives and I see how turned up and down my life is going to be. :)

vintage_books

wysłany przez vintage_books o 6:51 pm (EST) dnia May 30, 2009

Hi Carolyn. Just wanted to let you know I'm leaving for London this afternoon. I may be able to get a moment on a computer some evening, but it's no certain. So, if you don't hear from me for a week, it's not that I'm not doing my reading. :-)

I'll talk to you when I get back for sure.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 8:04 am (EST) dnia May 29, 2009

Taking a look at your library I saw that you thought that "And Then There Were None" one of Agatha Christie's was her best. I haven't read many of hers, I have to admit. It is one of my favorite books. I saw about 5 minutes of the movie way back in 1968 when I was a young girl. In the back of my mind I wondered if there was ever a book or when I would see it on television again. Lucky, I found it in my collection. I didn't know I had it. I was looking for the title "Ten Little Indians". You can imagine how thrilled I was when I started reading it.

wysłany przez callmejacx o 1:00 am (EST) dnia May 29, 2009

Hi Carolyn...drive-by hug...too long since I've seen you around!

RMD

wysłany przez richardderus o 1:51 pm (EST) dnia May 26, 2009

Thanks so much for your kind note on my profile. It was so sweet!
I really appreciate it.
Thanks again,
Angela

wysłany przez amwmsw04 o 8:59 pm (EST) dnia May 25, 2009

thank you for leaving the comment and I'm so so so glad I convinced you to give Salinger another try! I think you should start with Franny & Zooey and if you like it...go from there. :) If you don't...well...we can't all love the same books - or authors. But at least you're giving him a chance, which is what matters. If it's not you thing then, at least you'll know you read enough by him to know so and not bother in the future. I'm really hoping that will not be the case though :D

wysłany przez girlunderglass o 1:48 pm (EST) dnia Apr 26, 2009

There, you see! There are so many fiddly little things you have to get exactly right! I DID leave out the ". When you paste in here, it takes out a character after your cursor, so you have to be careful to replace it, and I didn't notice. Glad you caught that.

I made a Word document where I paste all the comments and how to's on HTML, which is why I know the rules have changed, because the original one had the entire address pasted in! So I paste in everything that works. I even put your link on my page after I got it to work, because I needed the # symbol on yours, which I didn't on mine a few days ago. That's how I could re-post it for you here.

wysłany przez ronincats o 12:40 am (EST) dnia Apr 3, 2009

You are quite welcome. I had just suffered through it trying to do my own the other day, and experimenting--it probably took me a dozen tries to get it right because the rules had changed from the cheat sheet Tad had given us for my own link. So I figured I might as well put the experience to good use! ;-)

wysłany przez ronincats o 11:17 pm (EST) dnia Apr 2, 2009

Hi Carolyn
I'm just checking in on you to see how you are doing and how you are feeling.

Linda

wysłany przez Whisper1 o 11:53 pm (EST) dnia Mar 20, 2009

Sorry the Roald Dahl project is taking me so long -- some things have come up, causing life to become a little frantic. I'll get to them as soon as things calm down...

wysłany przez RidgewayGirl o 12:48 pm (EST) dnia Mar 15, 2009

Hey there.

A friend, KayinPA, just asked me for fantasy recs, no sex/bad language and little magic. Does Tigana fit this? It's been a few years and many books since I read it...

Also thought about suggesting Doomsday even though it might fit better in scifi.

Any thoughts most appreciated :)

wysłany przez suslyn o 8:33 am (EST) dnia Mar 14, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

I've noticed on your 75 Book Challenge and by looking at your library that you are a mystery fan. I'm new to this genre and I was wondering what's meant by a "cozy mystery", and I figured you'd be the one to pose this question to. Recommendations would be welcome as well!

Lorie

wysłany przez loriephillips o 10:20 pm (EST) dnia Mar 10, 2009

The Highly-Rated Book Group has begun a Group Read of The Blind Assassin. Sign up here: http://www.librarything.com/groups/thebl...

and don’t forget to join in my Book Quiz.

- TT

wysłany przez TheTortoise o 12:30 pm (EST) dnia Mar 10, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

You can find the winners and honor books listed here. If you want to stick to the actual winners, I'd recommend (listing a few because I don't know what you've read already): Sachar's Holes, Konigsburg's The View from Saturday, McKinley's The Hero and the Crown, Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond, DeJong's The Wheel on the School, du Bois' The Twenty-one Balloons, Forbes' Johnny Tremain.

Cooper's The Grey King, Alexander's The High King are excellent!!, however, they need to be read in the proper order in their series, so you may want to wait on those until you have more time.

I'm thinking Keith's Rifles for Watie is going to be my next one.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 1:56 pm (EST) dnia Mar 9, 2009

Hi Carolyn
What a dear, kind person you are. Thanks for your posts! My surgery is Tuesday and I am more than willing to get rid of this discomfort and pain.

How are you?

wysłany przez Whisper1 o 12:55 pm (EST) dnia Mar 7, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

I generally find Thomas Hardy's tales to be rather tragic (esp. Jude the Obscure), but I do enjoy them as his writing is wonderful. I went through a bit of a Hardy phase about 20 years ago and have only recently returned to his novels.

regards,

Laura

wysłany przez digifish_books o 7:57 pm (EST) dnia Mar 6, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

Just stopping by to say hello and to add you to my list of interesting libraries. Barbara Pym fans unite! :)

regards

Laura

wysłany przez digifish_books o 12:09 am (EST) dnia Mar 5, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

Are things settling back to normal? How's Tigana coming?

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 8:51 am (EST) dnia Mar 4, 2009

Hi Carolyn

Thanks for your message and for letting me know about another hot-review.

You are ever so kind to point this out.

I hope your trip back home was a good one and that your son is feeling better.

Linda

wysłany przez Whisper1 o 2:46 pm (EST) dnia Mar 2, 2009

Hey, thx for being a thread-visitor :) I am enjoying yours.

Added a summary which is actually before your post which you might not have seen. You might not care either LOL which would be fine, but didn't want you to miss it inadvertently.

wysłany przez suslyn o 2:54 am (EST) dnia Mar 1, 2009

So your husband's a cookbook fiend? Are you interested in suggestions for gifts? If he's a superfiend he likely has the ones I'd recommend :)

wysłany przez suslyn o 1:39 am (EST) dnia Mar 1, 2009

Carolyn,

I may be a little behind you in finishing due to other obligations, but not that far behind. I hope you do get the time to read tomorrow that you are hoping for! Sounds like you are going to need a couple weeks of vacation after the book sale is over.

Yes, I am doing better than last weekend, thank you for asking.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 2:23 am (EST) dnia Feb 26, 2009

Carolyn,

Sounds like you are going to need a week's rest after the book sale to catch up on your sleep! Please take care of yourself.

The visit with my mother was very good, just not long enough. She only stayed for about 2 hours and then was on to visit other friends in the area. She does not come this way that often, so she tries to visit as many people as she can while she is here.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 12:24 am (EST) dnia Feb 25, 2009

Of course you can join us. I hadn't really considered doing such a group read on more than one title but it sounds like fun and I've gotten several comments about joining. So, I will probably put together some kind of an order as time grows near, based on what everyone is interested in reading together. And by the way, Halloween isn't just about horror for me, as you can see from the list I put together. I include all manner of oddities and things that go bump in the night for the Halloween reading! Thus, The Wood Wife got included. It is also on the Reader response to the Modern Library 100 best list; so I am killing more than one bird with a single stone! This should be fun!!!!

wysłany przez blackdogbooks o 9:28 am (EST) dnia Feb 23, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

Just stopped by to see how Tigana was going. I've been contemplating a re-read of it since so many people are reading it right now...it's been almost two decades since I read it and it has "fuzzed" a bit in my mind.

Hurt my hand last week and couldn't really work on the piano, but had an interesting lesson nonetheless. The teacher spent some time talking about the use (or lack thereof) of various chords in classical vs. jazz music. I enjoyed it, but a lot of it went in one ear and out the other because I don't have the foundation to place it upon. It half makes me want to throw a music theory on the TBR pile. ;-)

Take care,
--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 7:49 am (EST) dnia Feb 23, 2009

Carolyn,

I am so glad the book arrived safely. I hope you have time in the near future to read it! Sounds like you have your hands full. I hope that you have some more help with the book sale this upcoming week than you did last week.

As far as Tigana goes, we will just take it as we can on your schedule. Do not ever worry about me - I always have something else on hand to read. I think I am reading 11 concurrently right now.

Get some rest! I know that you must need it.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 2:34 am (EST) dnia Feb 23, 2009

Carolyn,

Just popping in to check up on you. I hope the Book Sale went well today!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 1:37 am (EST) dnia Feb 22, 2009

Carolyn,

If you must have a copy of Oscar's Books soon, it is available at The Book Depository in the UK: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/. They do not charge for world wide shipping.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 8:43 am (EST) dnia Feb 21, 2009

Carolyn,

I actually got to the end of Part 3 late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning, so you can feel free to get to Part 4 today, if you have a chance.

I have been fighting very bad headaches for the past several days and am really trying to watch that they do not turn into a full-blown migraine, in which case I will be in bed in the dark - not conditions ideal for reading. The only reading I got done last night was on a brain candy, large print book.

Feel free to send whatever you can find as far as the books go and anything you think I might be interested. I will gladly reimburse you.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 2:07 pm (EST) dnia Feb 20, 2009

Carolyn: the book sounds like a winner, all right. Good reading! You will LOVE Battle Cry of Freedom and you're very wise to get a general history before doing specific stuff. McPherson's book is THE best one volume history of the Civl War available.

Joyce

wysłany przez Joycepa o 11:42 am (EST) dnia Feb 20, 2009

Ooops! Missed the Revelle in Washington book--I know absolutely nothing about it.

Joyce

wysłany przez Joycepa o 5:11 am (EST) dnia Feb 20, 2009

Carolyn-I don't know personally anything about those two books but I have rad about them. In This Republic of Suffering, Faust speaks very highly of Bierce's works. PLEASE do let me know what you think of that book. I'd forgotten about it but had mad a mental note to look into it or buy it.

I've also read good things about High Tide at Gettysburg.

I think you pulled off quite a coup with your books!! :-)

I have this terrible feeling that you're now part of The Lost Cause--those of us who are utterly fascinated by the whole thing--the war, the era, what happened to those in it. It's addictive.

Joyce

wysłany przez Joycepa o 4:22 am (EST) dnia Feb 20, 2009

Really nice review of A Black Woman's Memoirs of the Civil War!

Joyce

wysłany przez Joycepa o 6:50 pm (EST) dnia Feb 19, 2009

You did mention to Sarah that you were going to get Cordelia's Honor from the library... just in case you didn't love it :)

wysłany przez suslyn o 1:43 pm (EST) dnia Feb 19, 2009

Hey I was just over at Sarah's page and saw your 2008 discussion re: Cordelia's Honor. I'm not a short story fan, but have to say the final piece of the first volume (Cordelia's Honor is an omnibus) strikes me as the perfect short story (with a little tweaking for setting, which was unnecessary in the book). So moving.

Hope you're doing great.

wysłany przez suslyn o 12:14 pm (EST) dnia Feb 19, 2009

Carolyn,

I am bound and determined to get through part 3 tonight, headache or no headache (of course, whether I will remember any of it is another matter). The headache tonight is not as bad as last night, though. I do not have time for it right now - I have 3 library books due on Friday that I must get done, plus all the other things I am reading at the moment (I think at last count it was 9 books going concurrently).

I hope your allergies have cleared up? I know the book sale is upcoming and I wish you luck with that.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 2:09 am (EST) dnia Feb 19, 2009

Carolyn,

Glad you enjoyed the library and the thread. I think it is only fair that others should add to the TBR when looking at mine since I certainly do when I read your thread and others!

I hope you visit your family in summer. It has bee a most miserable winter here. I actually live very close to downtown, and try very hard not to go to the suburbs, despite the fact that my mother still lives far northwest.

Sadly, we do not have many independent booksellers left in Chicago, so I really do not have a favorite bookstore. When I need something right away, it is just Borders or Barnes and Noble. Our Harold Washington Library is magnificent, however.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lisa

wysłany przez LisaCurcio o 9:37 am (EST) dnia Feb 17, 2009

Carolyn,

I have a little more breathing room with books for the next couple of days, so whatever you want to do on 'Tigana' each day is fine with me. Just let me know. I will plan on being to the end of chapter 10 tonight.

Thanks for the compliment on the reading list. As I told Linda, I thought last week was an 'off' week for me reading-wise. Who knew?

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 8:12 pm (EST) dnia Feb 16, 2009

Carolyn,

Either is fine with me. Believe me, I have plenty to read, so if you want to concentrate on the library book, that is fine. If you want to read a little of both each day, that is fine as well, just let me know what read on 'Tigana'.

Have a safe trip home tomorrow!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 3:43 am (EST) dnia Feb 16, 2009

Carolyn,

Did you get any reading done on 'Tigana' tonight, and if so, how far did you get?

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 1:19 am (EST) dnia Feb 16, 2009

Carolyn,

I got through Chapter 9 last night. I think finishing Part 3 by Tuesday night is entirely doable. Sorry, I just have entirely too many library books and too much work. I do have Monday off, so would be able to devote time Monday to reading Part 3.

I really hope you enjoy 'Dragon Tattoo'. I will be interested in your thoughts on it.

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday and an enjoyable trip back tomorrow!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 7:50 pm (EST) dnia Feb 15, 2009

Carolyn,

I will read through Chapter 9 tonight too. As far as getting the book done over this weekend, I do not think I can get it done in that time frame.

I agree with you about puzzling over the book. It sure is more fun than trying to figure out the economy!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 12:33 am (EST) dnia Feb 15, 2009

I've only read one Atwood, The Penelopeiad, though I have a copy of The Handmaid's Tale on the TBR stack in the house. I'll have to see how the mood strikes me at the time the group gets going. There are simply so many books I want to read.

On the music front: I've tried to start counting the Bach out loud. It's sheer hell! I have no trouble "hearing" the piece in my mind as I'm playing it, but once my vocal chords engage.... Right now, it's either Count or Play, both it almost an impossibility. Nonetheless, I'll persevere!

The fingering isn't a real problem. One of the first things I do is work out what fingering seems best for me. My teacher often suggests alternatives for certain reasons that I might not have enough experience to consider at first but, once I've got it marked down, that's the fingering I use. For example, Busoni's fingering...while often fine...is really difficult and odd for me in certain places.

I haven't tried the Learning Backwards technique, yet.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 1:54 pm (EST) dnia Feb 14, 2009

THanks, Carolyn. My daughter had a couple hot reviews recently, so I'm pleased to be able to keep up!

wysłany przez laytonwoman3rd o 12:58 pm (EST) dnia Feb 14, 2009

Carolyn,

I made it as far as the end of chapter 8. I will try to get caught up with you tomorrow. I do like this book a lot!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 5:33 am (EST) dnia Feb 14, 2009

Carolyn,

I do not know whether I will be able to get the book done this weekend or not. I have one library book that I must read before Monday, and I also work all weekend. I will give it my best shot though!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 1:59 am (EST) dnia Feb 14, 2009

Carolyn,

Yes, I am at work tonight. I really did not change jobs - I was working with 2 different offices that were under the same corporation and the offices decided to split. I had to chose which office to stay with, a decidedly difficult problem.

I will read through chapter 8 some time during the night and then catch up to whereever it is you left off.

I hope you are having a wonderful 3 day weekend.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 11:35 pm (EST) dnia Feb 13, 2009

I would be a poor fan not to recommend getting any Hemingway work. I haven't read every Hemingway title but have never been disappointed with anything I did read. I am not familiar with a title called Island in the Sun, but if you mean Islands in the Stream, then I higly recommend it. It was a posthumously published and is unfinished, but is well worth the read. It's one of my favorites. And you can't go wrong with The Sun Also Rises, my first Hemingway read. The latter has a darker feel to it but beautifully captures Spain.

I will email the 100 best lists this weekend while I am at my home computer!!!

wysłany przez blackdogbooks o 10:34 am (EST) dnia Feb 13, 2009

Carolyn,

We do indeed have different editions of the book - my chapter 3 begins on page 54, not ends on page 54. I had stopped at the beginning of chapter 3, but since you are midway through chapter 4 already, I will catch up to you.

I agree with you about the funeral scene. It was also very easy for me to visualize. This book is shaping up to be a very good read. I will be sending very good thoughts Tad's way if it keeps up.

As for Whisper, I think she overstates the case, lol.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 1:24 am (EST) dnia Feb 13, 2009

Carolyn,

It dawned on me - after I got some sleep - that you and I likely do not have the same edition of the book and that what is 50 pages in my book may not be 50 pages in yours. Anyhow, I am going to read to the start of chapter 3, which in my book begins on page 54.

I hope you get this before you leave!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 2:20 pm (EST) dnia Feb 12, 2009

OK, that's the way we'll do it then! You can enjoy your vacation and your hubby without being burdened by massive amounts of pages to read every day, and then we will just take it from there when you are back in 'civilization'.

I am most anxious to see your take on 'Girl'.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 12:33 am (EST) dnia Feb 12, 2009

Carolyn,

Thanks for letting me know about the possible internet 'silence'. If I did not hear from you for days I would be wondering 'What did I do to offend Carolyn?' I am sure it could be any number of things, lol.

As far as the reading goes, what if I just say I will read 50 pages each day? That way you do not have to wonder where I got to each day and if you wanted to go ahead and read more quickly it would not be a problem because I would catch you in my next 50 page reading. Then, when you are back online, we can figure out where we stand in relation to each other.

I am feeling much better, thank you for asking. The upper respiratory stuff seems to be all gone now.

I hope you have a safe drive tomorrow and a wonderful time up north.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 12:14 am (EST) dnia Feb 12, 2009

Carolyn,

Just wanted to see if you are still wanting to start 'Tigana' tomorrow night.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 12:06 am (EST) dnia Feb 12, 2009

Carolyn,

If you do not get it read before you have to take it back let me know and you can borrow my copy. I hope you enjoy the book.

With me, it is not a 100 page rule, it is a 50 page rule. I am more short-tempered than you obviously!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 1:46 am (EST) dnia Feb 11, 2009

Carolyn,

I saw that you were picking up 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' to read. I hope you enjoy it. The book made my list of memorable reads in 2008, and I immediately ordered the sequel, due out in the States in July, after I had finished the first book. I will be interested in seeing your take on it.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 6:50 am (EST) dnia Feb 10, 2009

Good morning Carolyn,

I put up the review of Confederates I was holding. I really enjoyed this book, though the Alabama chapter definitely made me feel a bit melancholy.

If you don't mind, I would definitely like to read Battle Cry together. I should probably reread Tigana...haven't read it since it was released in hardback.

I'll respond to the piano comments later when I've have some free time to read through them. Thanks for doing them.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 8:35 am (EST) dnia Feb 9, 2009

Carolyn,

There were a lot of characters in 'Lost Things' that I really liked and even though they were not main characters, I thought both the Woodman and Roland were well-realized. I suspected Roland would not have a good end, but the violent manner of his death surprised me a bit. (I agree with you about the violence in the book being 'over the top'). I think because I did like these characters my kind of 'meh' feeling about the book is hard for me to understand, and I agree with you about the ending - he should have left it at chapter 31.

I admit probably my preconception of wanting to love the book since I had seen so many other people here on LT who admired it is probably part of the reason I don't understand why I did not like the book more.

On to better things: 'Haroun' is also a coming of age story, but I think you will enjoy it much more. Thank you for purchasing it with me in mind, but I think once you have read it, you will not want to part with it. Tad did a very good review of the book on his thread - did you read it? If not, you should. He gives a very good overview of the book.

As far as how I am feeling: today I am dragging a bit. I did actually get quite a bit of rest earlier in the week (6 hours a day of sleep, the horror, the horror!), but I have worked the past 3 nights in a row and I think it just caught up to me today.

I completely understand about the allergies, trust me. I hope yours calm down soon!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 11:43 pm (EST) dnia Feb 8, 2009

Carolyn
Thanks for telling me about the book re. the acquisition of the Cloisters. I'm heading to the library later today to pick up books I have on reserve. While there, I'll see if they have the one your mentioned.
Van Gogh's first steps is one of my favorites. It is so plain and so heartwarming.

wysłany przez Whisper1 o 12:29 pm (EST) dnia Feb 7, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

I got your message that you had finished Chapter 10. I've finished the book, so I'll just comment on things as you say you're done with them.

Chapter 10 was my favorite up to this point. Partly because it was an extended segment, but mostly because of all the small stories that were told—it really made the war start to come alive for me. It also had a slightly darker, more melancholy tone at times that gets more pronounced as the book goes on (no spoilers; I'll stop at that!). Particularly the incident with the young black guy at the general store near Sayler's Creek.

I loved this work. I'm really looking forward to reading the next Civil War book.

Talk to you later.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 6:39 am (EST) dnia Feb 7, 2009

Carolyn,

Yes, I got both of your messages. I will finish the book up tonight as well (after I finish up The Iliad) and then we can compare notes.

Did you enjoy 'Confederates'? I know you and Tad have been reading it together. Just curious to know whether or not you liked it.

Get some rest!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 2:39 am (EST) dnia Feb 7, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

I'm done with Confederates, but I don't want to say anything at all until I know that you are, also. There's no rush, I've got plenty of other stuff going on. I just wanted to let you know that anything you might say won't be a spoiler.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 7:53 pm (EST) dnia Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

Just a quick note as I have to run here in a sec. Yes, I did get your note last night about only having 80 pages left, but I also realize that you have other books that you are reading concurrently with 'Lost Things'. That was the only reason I mentioned getting it done by Monday.

Thursday is fine for starting 'Tigana'. As far as 'Haroun' goes, I loved it and I think you will, too. I hope you get a copy soon.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 4:41 pm (EST) dnia Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

Reading 'Haroun and the Sea of Stories' is very interesting in juxtaposition with 'Lost Things'. I recommend you try and squeeze in Haroun if you can.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 6:21 am (EST) dnia Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

I admit that for me the similarity to the Sondheim musical is just because of the fractured fairy tale aspect of the book.

I really thought it was interesting that the soldier that David takes up with is named Roland (the Song of Roland being the oldest piece of French literature and a hero's tale at that) and that Roland's horse is named Scylla (from Greek mythology, Scylla and Charybdis, being the origin of 'between a rock and a hard place'). All kinds of interesting underlying messages being sent in this book, don't you think?

I certainly agree - fairy tales are much easier for me than nanotechnology!

Stasia

PS - I would like to try and be finished with 'Lost Things' by Monday if at all possible. That's when my copy is due back at the library, although I think I may be able to renew it. I hate to take the chance though, that someone else might have the book on hold.

wysłany przez alcottacre o 1:55 am (EST) dnia Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

I will get a copy of it to you as soon as I can. It may be the beginning of next week, though, since I work Thursday-Sunday nights.

Please delete the Danziger book, Museum, from the list. Linda (Whisper) is going to send me a copy of that one.

Good luck in th Attic!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 9:34 pm (EST) dnia Feb 5, 2009

Hi Carolyn

Thanks for your delightful post on my 75 book challenge thread re. your new found interest in the Pre-Raphelites...

It made me smile on a very bitter cold winter evening.

wysłany przez Whisper1 o 9:14 pm (EST) dnia Feb 5, 2009

Carolyn,

Some more books to add to the 'Stasia is looking for' stack:

Chaucer by Peter Ackroyd
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
A Treasury of Royal Scandals by Michael Farquhar
The Whale Caller by Zakes Mda
The Traveling Curmudgeon by Jon Winokur
The Meridian Handbook of Classical Mythology by Edward Tripp
Finding Nouf by Zoe Farraris
Father Lands by Emily Ballou
Mr. Rowl by D.K. Broster
Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami
The Winecoff Fire by Sam Heys
Museum: Behind the Scenes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Danny Danziger
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Oblomov by Ivan A. Goncharov

You told me I could add to the previous list, so I did. I think there are about 15 or so here. Thanks again!

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 8:52 am (EST) dnia Feb 5, 2009

Carolyn,

Is it just me or does this book remind you of Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Into the Woods'?

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 4:10 am (EST) dnia Feb 5, 2009

Hi, Carolyn,
Just checking in to see how you are doing.
I'm on vacation, my husband and I headed a little south with my Mom for a little warmer weather. Unfortunately, we took the cold weather with us. Hopefully, it will warm up a little later this week.

Take care!
Cheli

wysłany przez cyderry o 2:57 pm (EST) dnia Feb 4, 2009

Carolyn,

If you will provide me your address, I will get a copy of 'In the Lake of the Woods' to you.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 1:38 am (EST) dnia Feb 4, 2009

Carolyn,

Thanks! My parents always taught me to respect the elderly, so whenever an older person wants to talk to me, I try and take the time to talk to them. I know from working in a nursing home when I was younger, how lonely they can get and it costs me absolutely nothing but time to listen. And who knows? I might actually learn something!

I will read up to chapter 5 in 'Lost Things' tonight. I hope it is easier going than 'The Diamond Age', which I fully intend to read some time this year.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 12:53 am (EST) dnia Feb 4, 2009

I think perhaps I'm just a bit clueless about racial prejudice and don't perceive it as much as I should.

I have the McPherson book. It's sitting in the 100 or so books that I've bought intending to read but just haven't made a priority to date. I also have the Foote trilogy, which I've started but haven't been assiduous about.

Well, I'm off to practice piano...I'm sure you'll approve of that. :-) I've built a tentative Group I list like Cooke suggested and am starting (slowly) to dig into the beginnings of it.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 8:22 pm (EST) dnia Feb 3, 2009

...continued from the message earlier this morning...

The thing that struck me the most about Chapter 8 is the inaccuracy of history. Here's an event that happened only 136 years before the book, had plenty of eye-witnesses and, yet, most of the facts considered "history" seem to be wrong or in doubt. It makes me wonder about all the other things we think we know about the past.

The other part of the chapter...the people returning to see where their ancestors fought...makes complete sense to me. I could easily see myself doing the same thing if I had ancestors at Shiloh. One of my more treasured possessions is a letter and photo sent by my great-great-grand uncle to my great-great grandmother, written shortly before he went into fighting during the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign in 1864. Some day I want to go see Drury's Bluff, where he was wounded.

For years, I've been interested in genealogy and the family stories...not in a compulsive, document-every-single-fact, join the Sons of the American Revolution way, but more wanting to know where my ancestors came from, and stories about them. I think many people are interested in their roots and (when I armchair psychoanalyze myself) I figure I've got it more than most because there was very little sense of extended family growing up due to the moving and the fact that my father's family has never been a closely-knit one.

I hope your computer problems get solved soon. I had a crash a number of years ago and started using an online backup service because it was so hard to retrieve everything.

Do not sweat the speed of reading the book. I've got six books going right now and plenty of stuff to read.

--Tad

wysłany przez TadAD o 6:29 am (EST) dnia Feb 3, 2009

Carolyn,

I am sorry to hear about the computer problems! I hope you can get the trouble resolved quickly. I know what a pain it can be to lose files that you need - been there, done that.

As far as the list goes, I did make an honest effort to pare it down, lol, so here are my top picks:

The Stories of Anton Chekhov
The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric
Patriotic Gore by Edmund Wilson (a book I highly recommend for your Civil War challenge)
No Great Mischief by Alistair Macleod
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean
Two in the Far North by Margaret Murie
Arctic Grail by Pierre Burton
Eden's Outcasts by John Matteson
The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor
Forever by Pete Hamill
With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa by E.B. Sledge
1491 by Charles C. Mann
Down River by John Hart
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King
The Brontes Went to Woolworth's by Rachel Ferguson
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Saturday by Ian McEwan
Looking for Alaska by John Green
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse
The Savage Garden by Mark Mills
Stoner by John Williams
The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer
The Conjurer's Bird by Martin Davies
The Wilderness Family by Kobie Kruger
Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

I culled my book journal for my top reads over the past several years and these are the ones I chose that I would like to add to my personal library. I hope the list is not too lengthy? If you need me to cut it down some more, just say so. I really appreciate you doing this for me. Let me know how much I owe you.

Stasia

wysłany przez alcottacre o 12:07 am (EST) dnia Feb 3, 2009