I hate starting a new thread this late in the year, but the old one is just getting too long and annoying.

Thread 1

Thread 2

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, nov. 2, 2009, 11:13pm.

Hey, Terri! You gotta do what you gotta do! ;-) I'm trying to decide whether to start a new thread too. What are you reading this next week?

Hey, it worked!

You did it right :)

Referring back to your last thread...

I've avoided Maguire. I tried Wicked but, while admitting it might be great as a musical (I didn't see it, but my kids loved it), it didn't catch me the way it seems to have caught so many. The other books he put out seemed to be much the same in nature, so I never bothered.

However, The Next Queen of Heaven seems to be in a different vein entirely, so maybe I'll try that.

Tad, again we seem to be mirroring each other. I also read Wicked and wasn't overly impressed and have read no more.This one does look to be different and worth a try.

I also read Wicked, and though I liked it, I could see where it wouldn't appeal to others. I liked Son of a Witch better. I read Lost and hated it. But I've met and liked Gregory Maguire The Person, and the synopsis of this book sounded different. It was, and I would recommend it, even to those who don't like some of his other works.

>#2. What are you reading this next week? Well, I have So This is Depravity by Russell Baker in my purse, The Collected What If? by Robert Cowley on my desk, The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff in my MP3 player, The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin on my reading table, and Loving Frank in my car, which is about to come out. It may be a good book (is it? anybody?), but the audio version is awful. And occasionally I'll pick up The Brothers Karamazov, which I'm determined to finish this year or die trying. Whew. No wonder people shake their heads at me...

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, nov. 3, 2009, 2:51pm.

I didn't like Loving Frank at all!

>7: LOL. It sounds familiar. I've got two books I've been reading for months (because I want to read them in stretches rather than snippets and never find the time), a book going in my car, a book by the bed and a library book that's due in a couple days.

I've got you starred again!

Referring back to the 'add books' problem with The Next Queen of Heaven, I think the issue may be to do with the method of publication: because it's come from Concord Free Press, and hence is being primarily distributed via their website, it's not (yet) available on the Amazons of the world - so the auto-add widget thingie can't find it.

It's listed in Member Giveaways at the moment though...

I didn't think about that, Rachael. You're probably right. So everyone, try to get that book!

#11 Does that explain why I couldn't add it from the Library of Congress?

>13 is it possible it's not there yet?? It was only very recently published, I think... don't know how the LoC works, but even the 'copyright' libraries here can take a long time to actually get a book onto their catalogues after publication.

#14 I'll buy that - and wait a while before trying again. That may also explain why my library doesn't have a copy yet. Thanks!

There's a piece in Jacket Copy today on The Next Queen of Heaven - and a list of bookstores that have been sent the book on the Concord Free Press site. None in the UK, boo hiss...

I am late in the game, but I have you starred again!

>7 - I liked, but did not love, Loving Frank. It made me want to read a non-fiction book about Frank Lloyd Wright.

>18 Amy, did you find a good non-fiction book about Wright? I did give up on the audio book, but I might be willing to try something about him that I would enjoy more.

HI Terri

I'm simply stopping by to say I hope you are feeling better.

>19 - Not yet. I did get a biography on Frank Lloyd Wright by Ada Louise Huxtable on audio at the library, but I haven't listened to it yet. I also checked out The Women by T. C. Boyle at the library just today. It's a fictionalized account of all of Wright's wives.

A little quiz copied from Lunacat:

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm

 

You're probably in the final stages of a Ph.D. or otherwise finding a way to make your living out of reading. You are one of the literati. Other people's grammatical mistakes make you insane What Kind of Reader Are You?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Result Breakdown:
86% Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
86% Dedicated Reader
69% Literate Good Citizen
47% Book Snob
6% Fad Reader
0% Non-Reader

Unfortunately, my percentages didn't copy over like Luna's did.
**Ha, ha! Thanks to Sandy, I got them to come out!**

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, nov. 8, 2009, 2:40pm.

I may have mentioned before that when I visited the Frank Lloyd Wright house Falling Waters, the tour guide did not have complimentary things to say about him. Mainly, I remember she said he was very dishonest in the way in which he took money for projects and then intentionally delayed construction.

The house is impressive, but dark. I think I would be a tad depressed in winter with the cold stone. But, I'm glad I saw it.

You know, Linda, that was the impression I had of him from just the short bit of Loving Frank that I listened to. I wasn't sure I could take a book with someone mooning so totally over someone who didn't impress me much. That's why I thought maybe a different book would shed a different light. I didn't think tour guides were allowed to disparage site owners! Funny story, that.

And by the way, I am actually feeling great today. The shot did wonders, and I am walking without a cane. It feels good to feel good for a change! I'm enjoying it while it lasts! (70 degree weather in November helped some too!)

Terri

I'm smiling! I'm so glad you are feeling well today. You have been through quite a lot in a short period of time. You are way too nice to have so many nasty things piled one on top of the other.

Stay well my friend!

>23: That's is interesting that your tour guide would share those kinds of comments with you. People always like to hear the dirt, I guess! ;-) I like Frank Lloyd Wright's work, but didn't particularly like him as a person, at least how he came off in televised interviews and some bios I've read. I couldn't get that image of a little, pompous know-it-all out of mind while I was reading Loving Frank, so just couldn't see the romantic potential there--ugh! And even though his first wife didn't come across so favorably either, I don't think his choice to have an affair and set up another home was at all romantic. That whole book just gave me the yucks.

Then I'm glad I stopped it when I did. Too many other books to read!

#22 I took the quiz - posted the results on my thread. I am "Dedicated Reader". I got percentages to show up - used plain text version. Thanks for sharing.

#24: Hey, Terri! Glad to see you kicking your heels up again.

I'm glad to BE kicking up my heels again! This morning, after breakfast with my parents, I hopped in the car, put down the top, bought a frozen coffee drink, and just drove down the highway for half an hour, then drove back. A beautiful day, nothing scheduled, home alone, no pain...it just doesn't get any better than this!

#30 Sounds like a wonderful morning - a great way to take advantage of the beautiful weather we're having this weekend!

My mom enjoyed Loving Frank and passed it onto me, but I haven't read it yet. I think maybe her interest was swayed by, like Linda, having visited Falling Waters right around the time she read it.

Terri.
It really is a beautiful day here in NE PA! I took a long walk in the sunshine!

47. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin. A very-well researched and written account of the blizzard of January 12, 1888, known as the Children's Blizzard because of the number of children who died. Because the day started with sunshine and tolerable temperatures, more children than usual went to school that day, and the blizzard struck at just about the time they were leaving for home. I hesitate to call this book "great" or "fascinating" because it's so sad, but it was a very moving and very informative book. Laskin traced many of the families' stories back to their trip to America, and subsequently to the prairies of the Dakotas and Nebraska. It's a very interesting account of the lives in that time and place. It is also a fascinating primer on weather and the history of weather prediction. And (this sounds awful) he gave very thorough descriptions of how the body reacts while freezing to death, something that I did not know (or really, had never thought of). The background information at the start of the book was a little tedious, but once the story picked up, I was glad to know all of those details, and I had a difficult time putting it down. I didn't expect to get as engrossed in this book as I did. Highly recommended.

It was odd to be reading it this weekend, with unseasonable 70 degree temperatures in November. Today, when it was warm but cloudy, all I could think of was the unpredictability of the weather...but we live in a different time now, so the same weather situation wouldn't be nearly so catastrophic now.

I already have The Children's Blizzard on my Wishlist, but I'll have to move it up in priority. I was looking at it when I was at the county library this past summer, but other books came home with me. :)

The Children's Blizzard sounds interesting, Terri! Thanks for the rec.

#34 Terri, I've already got The Children's Blizzard on my wishlist, but I'm glad to know that you enjoyed it so much. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

The children's Blizzard sounds like a great read. Thanks for your review.

>34 - Terri - My book club is reading The Children's Blizzard in December or January. Another member recommended it. It wasn't sure that it was a book I'd enjoyed, but your reviews makes me anxious to read it. Thanks!

>39 Amy, I'll bet it generates a great discussion. I'd like to hear what everyone thinks of it!

I was really glad when I put The Children's Blizzard onto my wishlist here and discovered that my mum has a copy!

Okay, all you folks who had any interest in The Next Queen of Heaven: I offered it to my niece, but she has politely declined. So, if you are willing to make a charitable donation & track it on the website, and will pass the book along for another donation when you've finished it, send me a PM & I'll send the book to the first person who asks for it! (It's killing me, though, because I like to keep books that I like!)

I own The Children's Blizzard so I am hoping to get to it next year as I am planning on getting reacquainted with my personal library :)

I keep trying to do that myself, Stasia, with marginal results. I finally made a rule: when I choose a book to keep in my purse or at work, I have to choose from a different shelf (or stack) each time. I try to do it for my "chair book" too, but I'm too easily swayed by suggestions here and keep going back to the library! Not at the rate you do, but far too often!

#44: I promised my husband that I would weed out books next year and I do not think he is going to let me off the hook, so I will be keeping a strict quota on the number of library books I am allowed at any given time. Hopefully that will help!

48. The Man Without a Face by Isabelle Holland. Eleven year-old Charles Norstadt is the only male in a house of women: his Mother, who has just finished with her fourth husband and is on the lookout for Number Five; his hateful older sister Gloria; and his wise younger sister Meg. While at their summer cottage, Charles must study to pass the entrance exam at St. Matthew's, a boarding school he wants to attend to be away from Gloria. Unfortunately, he hasn't inherited his sisters' scholastic abilities, so Meg suggests that he ask Justin McLeod to coach him. Justin is the town recluse, mostly due to a horribly disfigured face. Charles manages to convince him to help, and a wonderful friendship ensues. Charles learns a lot about Justin, and a lot about himself.

My only negative about the book is that I found the ending rushed. It was a good ending, but I felt like the author was on a deadline and just wanted to finish it, so it wasn't as fleshed out as I wish it would have been. I would have enjoyed reading more.

49. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. FINALLY! I finished it! It only took me 9 months. There's not much I can say about it: It's the classic Russian tale of Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his sons Ivan, Dmitri and Alexei. I can see where it would be considered great literature, and I am certainly glad I read it, but it took me a long time. When the story was interesting, it was very interesting, but when it got bogged down in politics, religion, or just rhetoric, I found it difficult to plod through. Just not really my cup of tea.

50. Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene. Several of you have suggested this, and I listened to the audiobook. It was a good story about a British vacuum cleaner salesman in Havana in the mid-50's who is plunged into the spy world in order to be able to afford his spoiled daughter. He's not the "spy type," so he invents agents and dramas, but of course things go awry. The story is a bit dated, but still interesting. My only complaint was that the audio version I had included horrible samba music between each chapter (except the British chapters, which had some British music). It was annoying and unnecessary.

Terri
I agree with you regarding The Brothers Karamazov.

Congratulations on finishing The Brothers Karamazov. I admire you for sticking with it!

#46 Was this book the basis for that movie with Mel Gibson? If so, it sounds much better than I remember the movie being. I'm adding it to the wishlist. I am also very impressed that you stuck with Brothers Karamazov for such a long time. I know for a fact that I would not have done so. I only wish that, after so much effort, it had been something you enjoyed more.

Apparently, it is, Sandy. I'm not much of a movie watcher. A non-reader at work has a really bad habit of telling me "You've got to see this movie!" He has now started telling me "You've got to read this book!" and then when I've read it, he says "Now see the movie!" That's what he did with this one, but I'm not sure if I will or not. I'd be interested in seeing how they did it, though. The reading was compelling (I did it in one shot--no potty breaks, nothing). I'll have to think about doing the movie. Especially if you're saying the movie wasn't that great.

#51 Well, it's been quite a while since I've seen it - I think they show it on TV sometimes, especially if you have cable. When I searched for this title at the library this afternoon, they only have the movie, not the book. It is, evidently, Gibson's first try at directing. Not a horrible movie, but definitely not his best. My biggest worry now is whether I'll be able to find the book when I'm ready for it.

Let me know if you can't find it. I'll send you my copy.

#53 That's very generous! Surely somewhere in this town is a copy of that book, but I'll let you know if I can't find it. Thank you.

Congrats on finishing Dostoevsky!

>54 They didn't have the book in our library system either, Sandy, so I just bought it cheap. It was good, but I don't feel compelled to keep it, so if you can't find it, let me know and I'll send it on.

>55 Thanks, Luxx! It was certainly an ordeal, but now I can put on airs and say, "Of course I've read Dostoevsky."

51. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. I suppose there isn't much I can say about this book that hasn't already been said. I did enjoy it, although I had some trouble with keeping track of who was doing what when she referred to Cromwell as "He" all the time. It was good to read a different side of the story than the one you always hear.

I'm going to put another plug here for the Missouri Readers group. Come one, come all! We're trying to beef up our membership, so if you're interested in reading MO authors or books set in MO or books about MO, come and join us at http://www.librarything.com/groups/misso... !

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, nov. 25, 2009, 1:02pm.

If I don't have to be a resident of Missouri, then count me in!

I very much liked Wolf Hall but I agree with you that there were some difficulties in the writing style and following the language.

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to you my friend.

And, I hope you are feeling better.

Hugs,
Linda

#58 Linda, I'm going to stick my nose in here and answer for Terri. No, you don't have to be a resident of Missouri to join the group. We're planning to read The Death of Sweet Mister in December. It is written by Daniel Woodrell - a local Missouri author that we've read once before. He writes unflinchingly about the grim realities of life in the rural parts of our state. Not normally the kind of thing that appeals to me, but his books are fairly short and read quickly. Plus, that last one was so well-written that you just get sucked in and can't put it down until you're finished. I enjoyed it in spite of the ugly subject. I hope you'll join us.

edit to fix touchstones, but I guess they're not working today

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, nov. 27, 2009, 11:55am.

ok then, count me in! Thanks!

Woo hoo! A new member. Welcome, Linda. I think you qualify for membership if you have heard of Missouri. We are in the heart of the U.S. in that fly-over territory where people are either sleeping or happily reading their in-flight books!

Terri, I am very close to beginning Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel. It seems to be a favorite amongst LT members. My copy is from the library. If I start reading it and love it, I may request it for Christmas so I can savor it in January.

Edited to get the touchstone for WH.

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, nov. 29, 2009, 3:24pm.

I "borrowed" this from Stasia. Not sure what the significance is, but from some random answers, it seems to have pegged me.




Terri Loeffler's Dewey Decimal Section:
139 Phrenology
Terri Loeffler = 0588925566258 = 058+892+556+625+8 = 2139

Class:
100 Philosophy & Psychology

Contains:
Books on metaphysics, logic, ethics and philosophy.


What it says about you:
You're a careful thinker, but your life can be complicated and hard for others to understand at times. You try to explain things and strive to express yourself.

Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com



Seems like everything I've touched today has said that I am hard for others to understand.

I mean don't what know they by that...

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, nov. 30, 2009, 5:00pm.

Ha ha! I'll have to give this a try.

52. When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson. I saw this on judylou's thread, and the audiobook happened to be available at the library that same day, and I was at the tail end of my last audiobook, so I grabbed it to listen. I didn't realize until today that it was part of a "series" so I guess I'll have to get going on the others.
A very enjoyable book. It's difficult to give a synopsis, because it takes several different people, gives them a background, then pulls them all together with varying degrees of connection. It sounds convoluted, and it is a little, but it comes together so well that it works.
There were a few superfluous characters who appeared, but seemed to have no real reason for being. Usually, this bothers me, but finding out that it's a series might explain that better.
Recommended!

I think this is the best of the Brodie books so far! But One Good Turn is pretty good too. Case Histories I found a bit uneven, personally, but you need to read it before OGT as some of the plot is given away otherwise.

53. Patriotic Fire: Andrew Jackson and Jean Laffite at the Battle of New Orleans by Winston Groom. Peter made me read this. And I'm glad he did. You'll turn me into a history buff yet. All that I really knew about this battle was the Johnny Horton song ("In 1814 we took a little trip along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississipp"). But I have a fascination with Andrew Jackson and with New Orleans, so I read the book. I loved it. Groom writes with a casual enough style to keep the details interesting. I learned a lot of things that I didn't know before. I never knew that there were rumors that Laffite had eventually settled in St. Louis! Anyway, for a war book, I really enjoyed reading it. I will keep my eye out for more Winston Groom (did he ever write anything about World War I?).

Thank you, Peter!

#59, maybe I can qualify as an "honorary Missourian" Sandy? I visit St Louis twice a year, at least.

Next year, I'm hoping to get to that New Madrid earthquake book.

I found When Will There be Good News at the library today (I learned the trick of checking in the "large print" section.)

#66 Terri, there is a thread over in the non-fiction readers group about WWI books - have you seen it?

#67 Linda, I left a msg on your profile, but I'd like to publicly invite you, and anyone else who is interested, to become an honorary Missourian and join us in the Missouri Readers group. You probably spend more time in St Louis than I do! What New Madrid earthquake book are you talking about? Sounds interesting...

#69, Sandy, I think it is When the Mississippi Ran Backwards by Jay Feldman. Besides talking about the 1811-1812 earthquakes to hit New Madrid, MO, he is said to talk quite a bit about Missouri history.

I remember being at my friend's wedding reception in St Louis a few years ago and thinking "I'm in the tallest building in Missouri, a place that could have an earthquake bigger than anything California has ever seen."

When the Mississippi Ran Backwards sounds like it is right up my alley. I will have to look for that one. Thanks for the mention, Linda.

#70 I think I've heard of that book, but have never read it - sounds good.

Maybe we're at risk for the biggest-ever earthquake, but the chance of having it today is probably a lot lower than California's risk of having an earthquake today. I never think about it, and I see that it doesn't stop you from visiting, either!

I have When the Mississippi Ran Backwards on my list of books I want to read. I think I first learned about it from the Mega Disasters TV program. If the Missouri group decides to read that, let me know, and I'll be happy to become an honorary Missourian for a while!

#72, when I'm at Busch Stadium, based on weather, I'm actually more concerned about tornadoes/strong storms. I now know where the storm shelters are there so I feel better.

I think I will mosey over and become an honorary Missourian. Do you say Mizz-uri or Mizz urah? My friend from St Louis says it like I do--Mizz-uri.

#74 Sounds like you located those storm shelters through experience, and not by reading the emergency procedure map on the wall!

When we first moved here from Kansas and the question of how to pronounce the name of our new state came up, my husband used to say that maybe it was MIZZ-ery. We finally concluded that it is a generational thing. Most people seem to say Mizz-uri. But the old folks - at least the ones back home - would say Mizz-ura.

I can see that When the Mississippi Ran Backwards is going to have to run a close second after The Moonflower Vine! I second Sandy--we really don't care if you live here or not, you can still read our books and talk about them. I feel like it's more of a "Reading Missouri" group than a "Missouri Readers" group! Welcome one and all!

ETA: I say Mizz-uri.

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, dets. 8, 2009, 4:06pm.

54. The Adventures of Nicholas by Helen Siiteri. I'm trying to read a Christmas book each week this month, and this one from the kid's book shelf started it off. A silly little thing that makes up stories to explain Christmas traditions. Not particularly inspiring, but it was a Christmas read.

55. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. My niece goaded me into reading this, so I took blackdogbooks' advice and read it while keeping the target audience in mind. If I were a teenaged girl, I would have loved it. As an adult with tastes that are a little more sophisticated (or at least I like to think so), it was okay. I read a review someone posted on LT a while back that said: "Bite her. Don't bite her. Whatever." That pretty much sums it up. Far too much angst for me, but at least I can say I read it.

>69 Thanks for the link, Sandy! A lot of interesting books there. I'll be reading about WWI for years!

I thought of that same review a number of times reading the Twilight books!!!!

#66 - Thank you. So glad you enjoyed it! Winston Groom personalizes his nonfiction works by finding some family connection, which he outlines in the Preface. Hopefully I'll get you reading a few more books outside your normal comfort zone before I'm finished ;)

On WWI - books of this age are now entering the public domain, and Google, as well as universities as part of the National Archives project (amongst others), are digitizing many hard to get and fascinating WWI memoirs.

I'm currently downloading memoirs and contemporary histories of the American Civil War, so I can read about it from beginning to end from primary sources only!

Sõnum on autori poolt redigeeritud, dets. 8, 2009, 8:14pm.

56. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I saw this on Brian's (Banoo) thread, and he made it sound so intriguing, and I was looking for my next audio book and the library had it, so I listened to it read by Ruby Dee. Wow. I don't know when I've been so affected by a book. The writing was fabulously descriptive, and as read by Ms. Dee, well, I just can't say enough about it. The life of a young Southern black woman (I'm not sure of the time frame, but I think it was probably the 40s or 50s). Her grandmother influences her as she grows up and marries but she can't quite find the happiness she's looking for, until she gives up security and settles for love. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.

Terri

I talked to Stasia last night and she said she is listening to this book on audio tape as well. She is enjoying it also.

Looks like I'll need to try my first ever audio tape book.

#81: Terri, I finished it and like you thought it was terrific. It has made my 'memorable reads' list for the year.

>81 - Terri - I loved Their Eyes Were Watching God when I read it last year. Now I'm tempted to find the audio version. Thanks!

57. A Christmas Visitor by Anne Perry. My Christmas read for the past week. It was okay, and I liked it better than A Christmas Journey which I read last year. Even so, there were just too many holes, and the "mystery-solving" relied on too many assumptions. Fine, not great.

58. The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell. Whoa. I read this for our Missouri Readers' Group, so I won't say much here but it knocked me plumb over. I was NOT expecting this ending. Still, very powerful.

59. Nighty Nightmare by James Howe. Next in the Bunnicula series. It's the last one I own, so I'll have to decide if I like it enough to continue. Probably so.

Glad you enjoyed The Death of Sweet Mister. I will probably get to this around Christmas and hope to finish it by 12/28.

As for those Anne Perry Christmas books, yes, they are usually ok and good for a quick read but most are not great.

Linda, I started and finished the book while my car was being repaired. Less than 2 hours. You shouldn't have any trouble. I am REALLY looking forward to our discussion!

#87 I'm glad to hear that the book is so fast to read. I've almost picked up up several times in the past week or so, but don't want to finish it so long before our discussion. I think I might wait until Christmas weekend, after the pies are gone and the company has left, to sit down with it before Monday.

>85: Terri, Sweet Mister is up next for me. I'm holding my breath expecting the unexpected. I'm glad it's short because I want to read A Christmas Carol before Christmas and there is lots to do between now and then.

Their Eyes Were Watching God ...I have managed to not read it so far... but who knows what might happen next year?

60 & 61. Continuing with my Christmas reads, last week I read A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas and A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. I really enjoyed A Child's Christmas in Wales. It was fun to see everyone get so excited by many small gifts. Now, when the whole Christmas budget can be blown by one video game, it makes me long for another time. And I absolutely loved A Christmas Memory. I laughed, I cried--a hilarious and poignant story!

Sounds like you are doing some wonderful Christmas reading!

I really am! I don't know why I've never done this before. Thanks to Tad who set me on this quest, and then his holiday reading thread just disappeared. I'm enjoying it, and I've still got some left for next year!

You could always have 'Christmas in July' and start your Christmas reading early next year . . .

...as if I'm desperate to find something to read? No thanks--too many other books on the shelves and the lists! And then where would I find time for World War I? And all the series I plan to start (and finish?) next year? And my Books Off The Shelf Challenge? And.....

I take your point!