2014 Books--What's Next?

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2014 Books--What's Next?

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1tloeffler
Bearbeitet: Nov. 16, 2014, 7:23 pm

It seemed tidier to start a new "What's Next?" thread for the new year.

Here is our tidied-up list of books:

1. It's One O'Clock and Here is Mary Margaret McBride: A Radio Biography-- Susan Ware
2. Truman-- David McCullough
3. Kate Chopin, The Life of the Author of The Awakening-- Emily Toth
4. Unveiling Kate Chopin-- Emily Toth
5. Tom & Huck Don't Live Here Anymore-- Ron Powers
6. Lighting Out for the Territory-- Roy Morris
7. Drag the Darkness Down-- Matt Baker
8. From the Heavens to Hell and Back -- George Stier
9. Autobiography of Mark Twain-- Mark Twain
10. The Wild Vine-- Todd Kliman
11. Gangs of St. Louis: Men of Respect -- Daniel Waugh
12. Egan's Rats-- Daniel Waugh
13. Miss Me When I'm Gone -- Philip Stephens
14. Gully Town -- George P. Schultz
15. The Dead End Kids of St. Louis: Homeless Boys and the People Who Tried to Save Them-- Bonnie Stepenoff
16. Standing in the Rainbow -- Fannie Flagg
17. Can't Wait to Get to Heaven-- Fannie Flagg
18. Beauties-- Mary Troy
19. A Good American-- Alex George
20. Across the Wide Missouri -- Bernard DeVoto
21. The Looking Glass Brother-- Peter von Ziegesar
22. The Lost Cause: The Trials of Frank and Jesse James-- James Muehlberger
23. Sisterland-- Curtis Sittenfeld
24. Pioneers of the Ozarks-- L. L. Broadfoot
25. The Outlaw Album--Daniel Woodrell
26. Mr. Vertigo--Paul Auster
27. The Maid's Version--Daniel Woodrell
28. On Shaky Ground--Norma Haynes Bagnall
29. Orphan Trains: The Story of Charles Loring Brace and the Children He Saved and Failed--Stephen O'Connor
30. Roughing It--Mark Twain
31. Life on the Mississippi--Mark Twain
32. The Code of the Hills: an Ozarks Mystery--Nancy Allen
33. Torn Away--Jennifer Brown



2tloeffler
Dez. 26, 2013, 7:44 pm

And now, in preparation for our February 2014 Read:

Sandy suggested that we put Orphan Trains: The Story of Charles Loring Brace and the Children He Saved and Failed by Stephen O'Connor plus two picks from The Hat up for voting this time. But the hat gods must have been off today....so this is what we have:

1. Orphan Trains: The Story of Charles Loring Brace and the Children He Saved and Failed by Stephen O'Connor
2. The first hat pick was From the Heavens to Hell--And Back by George Stier. We've picked that before, and it's difficult to find (although I bought a Kindle copy and it was a very good book). So Keith picked again.
3. Beauties by Mary Troy. We've also picked this before, and it is also difficult to find. So I made him pick another one.
4. Miss Me When I'm Gone by Philip Stephens. Another one that is difficult to find. So I told him to try once more.
5. Across the Wide Missouri by Bernard DeVoto. Not quite as hard to find.

My library only has the first one. So that's my vote.

Now it's your turn. We have more than three this month so maybe there's a chance other libraries in the state(s) might have some. Whichever one wins, I'll manage to find a copy, so start voting! I'll see what it looks like on Sunday or Monday and we'll aim for February 10, 2014. Unless someone has a different idea--I'm always open!

3sjmccreary
Dez. 29, 2013, 1:19 pm

I'll be voting a little later, but in the meantime I'd like to suggest that we do some house cleaning and cull the list of books that no one can find or have any interest in. Thoughts?

4sjmccreary
Dez. 29, 2013, 10:21 pm

The only 2 books on the ballot that I can't easily find are From the Heavens to Hell and Beauties. Mid-Continent library in Independence has 30+ copies of Miss Me When I'm Gone which might be obtainable through ILL. (They do a lot of ILL borrowing for me, so they surely owe return favors - does it work that way?)

My vote:

1. Miss Me When I'm Gone
2. Orphan Trains
3. Across the Wide Missouri

5lindapanzo
Dez. 30, 2013, 5:10 pm

My library has Miss Me When I'm Gone so that is my #1.

The other Orphan Trains book is my #2.

Some local libraries have Across the Wide Missouri so that's my #3.

6tloeffler
Jan. 1, 2014, 5:35 pm

I agree with you, Sandy. But I'm not sure how we determine that. Do you have any ideas about what criteria to use? I know we've talked about the Mark Twain biography because it's so big, and personally, I don't care if I never read another book by Ron Powers. I seem to be the only one who ever found the Stiers book.

I'm open to any suggestions that anyone has!

7sjmccreary
Jan. 2, 2014, 4:40 pm

#6 Well, we could ask everyone to list their top 5 candidates for the trash bin - along with a reason: not readily available, not affordable, no interest, or ~shudder~ (will probably mostly be used for Ron Powers books). Tally the votes and remove up to 5 books from the list depending on how close the votes are.

Speaking of votes, it's very quiet here on the new thread. Does anyone else know about it?

8tloeffler
Jan. 5, 2014, 3:42 pm

It doesn't appear so, does it? I guess I should promote it someplace. I'll put it on my 75 thread and see if anyone bites.

That's a good idea. Do you think I should start a "Let's clean up our choices" thread? Well, I will anyway.

I love your ~shudder~ choice!

9sjmccreary
Jan. 6, 2014, 5:54 pm

Put it on the old thread, too. Everyone already had it starred. I like the idea of a clean-up thread.

10Donna828
Jan. 7, 2014, 7:44 pm

Well, someone has to go against the prevailing opinion...

1. Across the Wide Missouri - it's at my library; Pulitzer Prize winners will always get my vote!

2. Miss Me When I'm Gone - also available to me.

3. Orphan Trains - will have to do an ILL search.

11tloeffler
Jan. 12, 2014, 7:00 pm

Okay, the two biggest vote-getters are Across The Wide Missouri and Orphan Trains: The Story of Charles Loring Brace and the Children He Saved and Failed.

Why don't we read Across The Wide Missouri in February, and Orphan Trains in April?

Start discussion on February 10?

If this is not okay, feel free to say so--I won't be offended, I promise! Otherwise, we'll start chatting in February!

12Donna828
Jan. 12, 2014, 10:22 pm

Sounds good to me, Terri!

13sjmccreary
Mai 4, 2014, 10:48 pm

Another Missouri book/author highlighted in the Sunday Star book section today to nominate for our list. The Code of the Hills: an Ozarks Mystery by Nancy Allen. "The 'Code' refers to the belief that a man is allowed to do what he wants with his land and family without outside interference". She teaches law at MSU and her family has lived in the Ozarks since the 1880's. This might have been deemed of interest in KC because a man with a history of anti-Semitic beliefs shot and killed 3 people recently, all at Jewish institutions here (a community center and a nursing home - none of the victims were even Jewish). He was from Aurora, MO. The book is described as a legal thriller with a true-to-life heroine who, instead of eating salads and running to relieve stress, eats at Sonic and goes to the bar for her stress relief.

14lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Mai 5, 2014, 12:50 pm

Sandy, that one sounds terrific. I'll have to check for that one at the library or ILL.

On Kindle, it's only $2.99. Also, Amazon says it's only 100 pages long. Can that be right?

15sjmccreary
Mai 5, 2014, 2:42 pm

I don't know - I looked for the book on the library's catalog, but they don't have it. Is it self-published? The library doesn't get those.

16lindapanzo
Mai 5, 2014, 3:12 pm

>15 sjmccreary: The publisher is Witness Impulse. The Kindle version is available now but the pb version won't be out til May 20th.

17sjmccreary
Mai 5, 2014, 3:14 pm

Well that explains why the library doesn't have it yet. Even though I doubt will be heavily promoted, like the big publishers surely do, I hope they will purchase at least one copy just in support of MO authors.

18tloeffler
Mai 13, 2014, 7:10 pm

I was ready to say "Okay! Let's read it!" But if it's not even in paperback yet... :(
But I put it on the list!

Speaking of which, does anyone have a particular favorite they'd like to read next, or should I have Mr. Keith go to the hat?

I'm game for whatever!

19sjmccreary
Mai 14, 2014, 9:41 am

Not ignoring you Terri - I'm tempted to just nominate a book to read, but I don't know yet which one. Will come back later this evening when I've got more time.

20sjmccreary
Mai 14, 2014, 10:12 pm

I spent some time looking up several of the books on our list. Many of them are pretty obscure. I found myself wishing we had more good options - which might generate more interest in the group reads.

So, I did a search for Missouri authors. That didn't turn up very much, but it does give us a little more to choose from. One book/author that caught my eye was I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. However, knowing this group, I suspect I'm the only one who hasn't already read it.

Going back to our list here, two books I'd pick are The Wild Vine by Todd Kliman and Egan's Rats by Daniel Waugh.

Maybe we should re-define how books can qualify for our list?

21lindapanzo
Mai 14, 2014, 10:25 pm

Sandy, both of your suggestions sound good to me. I've never read the Maya Angelou either.

22tloeffler
Mai 17, 2014, 8:35 pm

Hey, I'm up for anything. I would read any of the books on our list (even the ones I've read before!). How do you think we should define how books get on there, Sandy? I'm okay with that; I just don't know exactly how we would do it. And I'm okay with any of the three books you mentioned. I've read them all, but that doesn't mean I can't talk about them or read them again if I want.

I will roll with whatever you guys want to do!

23sjmccreary
Mai 17, 2014, 11:55 pm

How would I define the list? That's a great question. I'm not sure. Up to now, we've considered any book set in Missouri, or written by a Missouri author or with a subject that is somehow related to Missouri. So how could that be expanded? It's too bad we don't have a Missouri reader's choice award, or some other adult book award. Perhaps any book that we become aware of from a Missouri source, such as a local best seller list or newspaper review. Maybe any book published by Univ of Mo press or another MO publisher (does anyone know of any?)

What about expanding the MO focus to include border states? We border 7 other states: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma. How about books set in those states, or by authors from those states? Illinois would probably be the simplest to begin with.

The easiest thing I can think of would be historical books - either fiction or nonfiction. It seems our state was more on the forefront in the 19th century than we are now. Much of the westward expansion passed through here, the Lewis and Clark expedition started from here, lots of civil war era events took place here. President Truman was from here. But I don't know how interested any of us would be in a steady diet of history. Besides, we've already done several of these.

We can always do a Mark Twain series, but I don't know how much interest that would generate, either. We've already read most of the Daniel Woodrell books so a series of his remaining books wouldn't last very long.

I'm still willing to read any of the books on our existing list, it's just that it seems we've already read the easy ones, and many of those remaining are either hard to find or have already been read by several of us.

For June, let's have Keith draw from the hat. We can continue this conversation before choosing the August book if we want to.

24Donna828
Bearbeitet: Mai 19, 2014, 8:19 pm

Am I still in the group? I didn't complete the last two books because of time constraints and the fact that they were MOBIUS books that needed to go back to the library. I like Sandy's idea of reading more readily available books. If we added the border states, there would be a bigger group of books to choose from…and we could be more choosy. I also wonder if semi-monthly Missouri reading is too much? Maybe we could read one per quarter instead.

I'm wondering if this is something we could talk about in person at the JoCo Booksale? I posted the dates on my thread:

Date: 6/11/2014
Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Time: 9:00 PM
Description:
One of the region's largest and best used books sales. Cosponsored by Johnson County Library and Friends of the Library. NEW LOCATION: Great Mall of the Great Plains, 20700 W. 151st, Olathe, KS 66061. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Great selection of hardback, paperback books, audiovisual materials at bargain prices (most items 50 cents to $3.00). Some items specially priced. Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted with current I.D. For more information call (913) 826-4301 or visit www.jocolibrary.org/booksales.

June 11th is on a Wednesday. I will probably make it to the sale on Saturday, June 14, and leave from Kansas City for Colorado (again!) on the 15th. In the past, Saturday has been half-price day for books and there have been plenty left for the real bargain hunters!

25brenpike
Mai 20, 2014, 12:40 am

Donna, would you be able to attend the sale on Thur or Fri, the 12th or 13th? I already have a conflict on the 14th:/

26tloeffler
Mai 20, 2014, 10:22 pm

Chris and I plan on going! We can't leave till Wednesday evening, and she has to be back in town on Saturday for a wedding.

27sjmccreary
Mai 21, 2014, 12:22 am

There is a slim chance I will be working out of town that week. But unless that becomes certain, I will plan on attending the sale, and can be available any of the days. Half-price Saturday sounds good, but I would probably pick Thursday or Friday.

28Donna828
Mai 21, 2014, 11:35 am

I can't make it on Thursday, but I could meet with everyone for lunch on Friday. Just tell me what time and where! Did I hear Jose Pepper's? Lol. Go ahead and do the book sale without me but leave some books for half-price day!

29brenpike
Mai 22, 2014, 12:19 am

Uh, how long can our lunch be?

30sjmccreary
Mai 22, 2014, 1:26 pm

How long do you want it to be?

31brenpike
Mai 22, 2014, 11:29 pm

I guess the answer is, as long as Donna can hang around. . . Otherwise, how will we possibly have enough time to catch up! :)

32sjmccreary
Mai 23, 2014, 8:39 am

That's what I was hoping you would say! So, is it a date?

33Donna828
Mai 23, 2014, 9:37 am

My time for lunch on Friday is unlimited! I think Terri and Chris will be the ones itching to get back on the road to St. Louis. I'm putting it on the calendar so it's a date for me!

34sjmccreary
Mai 23, 2014, 10:00 am

Great! In the meantime, is Keith drawing names from the hat for us?

35tloeffler
Mai 26, 2014, 10:35 am

Chris & I probably won't be leaving till early Saturday, so no problem for us! And I HOPE Donna heard Jose Peppers....

And, sorry, I forgot to have Keith pick. Here's what he came up with:

1. Miss Me When I'm Gone: A Novel by Philip Stephens. Already has one strike.

2. The Looking Glass Brother by Peter von Ziegesar.

3. A Good American by Alex George.

When do we want to shoot for a discussion?

36lindapanzo
Mai 26, 2014, 11:55 am

A Good American sounds terrific.

37sjmccreary
Mai 26, 2014, 8:57 pm

Well, I'm the one who nominated the first 2 books, and both are available at my local library. But A Good American sounds good, too. So I vote "yes".

Discussion anytime after mid-June works for me.

38Donna828
Bearbeitet: Mai 26, 2014, 9:20 pm

I cast my vote for The Good American as well. I've wanted to read it since it was released. Maybe I won't get booted out of the group if I participate in this discussion!

39tloeffler
Jun. 1, 2014, 9:57 pm

Oh, Donna, we'd never boot you out. Besides the fact that we like you, there would be one less person weighing in occasionally, and we need all the help we can get!

Sounds like A Good American is the winner. How about we start on Monday, June 23? I'll start a thread!

40sjmccreary
Jun. 1, 2014, 10:39 pm

Thanks, Terri! I've already got the book checked out of the library and ready to go next. (And thanks for saying Donna can stay!)

41sjmccreary
Aug. 3, 2014, 8:21 pm

I saw another LTer review an ER book that we might consider. Torn Away by Jennifer Brown is a YA book about a girl whose hometown was hit by a tornado, destroying her home and her school and killing her mother and sister. (Inspired by the Joplin tornado, perhaps?) The book seems to already have been released - my library has several copies already all checked out and a wait list. Is there any interest in doing this for a group read in September or October?

42tloeffler
Aug. 9, 2014, 6:51 pm

That sounds good to me. If no one else is interested, you and I can read it & talk about it, Sandy! When did you want to shoot for?

43lindapanzo
Aug. 9, 2014, 6:59 pm

The library indicates that Torn Away is a new teen book. If my reserve comes through, I'll join you. I always like tornado-related books.

44sjmccreary
Aug. 9, 2014, 9:33 pm

I'm #13 in line for 12 copies, so the earliest I can expect to get it would be about a month (4-week check-out period). How soon can you get it? I can suspend my hold to a later date if mid-Sept is too soon.

#43 I should have remember that!

45Donna828
Aug. 10, 2014, 9:41 am

I usually avoid YA but this one looks pretty good. My library has three copies. I'm in! Mid-September sounds good to me.

46lindapanzo
Aug. 10, 2014, 10:14 am

Unfortunately, my library doesn't say what place I'm in on the waiting list but I'd think I would've gotten it by then.

It is set in Elizabeth, Missouri. Is that a real place?

47sjmccreary
Aug. 10, 2014, 10:53 am

No, it's not. Someone said that it's set north of Joplin and that there are also references to Clay County. Clay County is a real place, but it is on the north side of the KC metro, north of the MO River - nowhere near the Joplin area (SW corner of the state).

48lindapanzo
Aug. 13, 2014, 5:07 pm

I just got an alert that the session list for this year's Chicago Humanities Festival is just out. One of the first things I noticed is that Daniel Woodrell is the recipient of this year's Heartland Prize for fiction for his latest book, again set in Missouri, The Maid's Version.

It's about a 1929 explosion at a dance hall that killed 42 people.

I'd like to toss this one into the hopper for future consideration.

ETA: Oops, I see it's already there. Never mind.

49sjmccreary
Aug. 13, 2014, 10:21 pm

Yeah, and I think Terri and Donna have both read it. But I haven't. Would you like to do a shared read of it later this fall?

50lindapanzo
Aug. 13, 2014, 10:31 pm

>49 sjmccreary: Sandy, I'd love to. If I manage to get to the Chicago Humanities Festival (it's now much bigger than when I last went 15 years ago), the Woodrell talk would be on November 1st so I'd want to read it before then. Tickets are on sale in mid-September so I'll know then whether I can get in.

Hmm, the hour before Woodrell at a nearby venue, there's a program on Zora Neale Hurston. Maybe even more bookish lectures.

51sjmccreary
Aug. 13, 2014, 10:47 pm

Oh, come on now! Terri and Donna getting to meet Daniel Woodrell I can take - he lives right here in the same state with us. But I'll be quite jealous if you have a chance to meet him, too. Still, I hope you can get tickets! Let me know when you want to start - it's pretty easy to get ahold of it here so I don't need too much advance notice.

52lindapanzo
Aug. 14, 2014, 11:38 am

Sandy, how about mid October, say around Columbus Day? Then the book will still be fresh in my mind if I do get to go to the lecture.

The CHF used to have more, but smaller, events sprinkled all around the Loop and near north. Now, they seem to have fewer events but at larger venues but all over the city. During the years I planned to go, I'd get a CHF membership. These are very expensive now and not worth getting for just an event or two.

The Woodrell one is at the main branch of the Chicago Public Library, a couple of blocks to the south of the Palmer House.

53tloeffler
Aug. 14, 2014, 7:20 pm

I'm sorry, I got distracted by life. Do we want to do Torn Away in mid-September? The 15th? The 22nd? Our library system has 5 copies & only 1 reserve, so I should have it this week.

And you know that Chris hung out with Danny in grade school, don't you? He remembers her every time she goes to a signing. She hasn't been in a while because she was starting to feel like a stalker....she cracks me up.

54sjmccreary
Aug. 15, 2014, 1:32 am

mid-October sounds good to me.

Library near the Palmer House - I'm trying to remember if I saw it or just imagined. I don't think I did, but one morning while I was eating breakfast before heading to the conference hotel a man came up to me and apologized for interrupting my breakfast and said I looked like someone who would know where the library was. I had to laugh and told him that I would certainly know where the library was if I lived there. He thanked me and left. A few minutes later another man sitting at the next table also spoke to me to ask a question, and I just held up my hand and said that I didn't know where the library was. He just laughed but said he recognized that I was from the same conference he was going to (by the stylish IRS tote bag we were given when we registered) and asked if I wanted to share a taxi. I declined because the weather was beautiful and I was enjoying walking between the 2 hotels each morning and afternoon.

Hi, Terri - we can do Torn Away whenever you want to. I've moved up to #11 on the wait list for 12 copies, so I might get it as soon as the 1st week of September. (Oh, I hope so - we're going on vacation the 2nd week of Sept and it would be nice to take it along to read.)

And it cracks me up every time you refer to Daniel Woodrell as "Danny"!

55tloeffler
Aug. 16, 2014, 3:43 pm

Okay, let's aim for the 22nd. I'll be on vacation, but I'll have internet access. I'll start a thread for anyone who is interested.

I know, it's weird for me too. But it's even weirder talking to Chris about it and referring to him as "Daniel Woodrell."

56lindapanzo
Aug. 16, 2014, 3:49 pm

>54 sjmccreary: Sandy, I think I'd be flattered to be thought of as someone who looked like she would know where the library is. The Harold Washington has a spectacular indoor garden on the top floor, which is the 9th, I believe. Anyway, it's the other direction from the hotel you walked to and from Millennium Park.

57sjmccreary
Aug. 16, 2014, 5:46 pm

The 22nd sounds good - that gives me plenty of time to get it read in case I can't get it until we get home again. Will you have time to chat about the book while you're on vacation? Is this the NY trip you've been talking about over on your thread? Has Keith allowed you enough free time to get on the internet?

Linda, yes, I WAS kind of flattered. Plus, he looked like the kind of person who would want to know where the library was. And I think we did see the library after that, because I told Chris that story about the man in the restaurant asking for directions.

58tloeffler
Aug. 18, 2014, 9:48 pm

Oh, yes. Keith has set aside Thursday as "A Day of Rest." It started out being Wednesday, until he bought the matinee tickets for Wednesday. And we will have internet access in the hotel, so he will be spending some time on his computer, so I can too.

59lindapanzo
Okt. 26, 2014, 1:14 am

Have we picked our next book yet?

60sjmccreary
Okt. 26, 2014, 1:35 am

do you have a suggestion?

61lindapanzo
Okt. 26, 2014, 4:02 pm

>60 sjmccreary: Looking at the list, Sisterland sounds good, as does The Outlaw Album.

Egan's Rats or Gangs of St Louis also sound good to me.

Anything especially appealing to you?

62sjmccreary
Okt. 26, 2014, 8:48 pm

I've already read The Outlaw Album, but all the others sound good. Weren't there were a couple of references to Egan in The Maid's Version? How about Egan's Rats?

63lindapanzo
Okt. 27, 2014, 12:03 pm

>62 sjmccreary: Sounds good. When do you want to read Egan's Rats?

Also, I note that Carrie is reading On Shaky Ground for the November TIOLI. I plan to join her on that one. I think my library has a copy. This is about the New Madrid earthquakes.

64sjmccreary
Okt. 27, 2014, 12:33 pm

>63 lindapanzo: I'm totally fascinated by the New Madrid earthquakes. I'd love to read along in On Shaky Ground next month. How about doing Egan's Rats after that - late Nov/early Dec?

65lindapanzo
Okt. 27, 2014, 12:38 pm

>64 sjmccreary: Sounds good to me. Oddly enough, my library is one of the few suburban Chicago libraries to have a copy of the New Madrid book. I might need assistance finding it as it says it's a "literacy book." Maybe I'll stop tonight while I'm thinking about it.

66tloeffler
Okt. 28, 2014, 8:49 am

Ooh, I want to play! In fact, I may go pick it up at the library today! I'm leaving for Tunica tomorrow, and it will be fun to read it while driving down I-55!

When will you be discussing, so I know what date to finish by (& then forget to post by)?

67sjmccreary
Okt. 28, 2014, 9:01 am

I had to look up Tunica to find out where that is. Travelling for business or pleasure? The earthquake book is very short - one of the same series of adult beginner reader books as the orphan train book we read last year. Have you already read Egan's Rats? I thought it was you who first suggested it to the group. Is Nov 10 for the earthquake book and Dec 1 for Egan enough time for everyone? Would Dec 8 be better?

Just noticed, as I was glancing at the calendar for those dates, that the Joplin meet-up is scheduled for Dec 2. Is it still on?

68lindapanzo
Okt. 28, 2014, 9:44 am

Those dates sound good to me, Sandy.

69tloeffler
Okt. 28, 2014, 9:43 pm

I think the only thing in Tunica is casinos, so yes, it's pleasure. My mother goes on this gambling bus trip every year with her sister around her birthday, and this year, 5 of us 6 kids decided to surprise her & show up on the bus. She has no idea we're going, and it's going to be a blast. I love these casino tours, because it's one place where I'm one of the youngest in the group!

And yes, Joplin is still on for December 2. I asked Stasia yesterday if she was in and she said yes, and I've had it on my calendar since last year!

I did read Egan's Rats quite a while back, and I liked it, so I'll be glad to read it again. Those dates work for me!

70lindapanzo
Nov. 4, 2014, 8:49 pm

I picked up both the earthquake book and the Egan book at the library today. The Egan book came from downstate IL and can't be renewed. The earthquake book is one of those new readers books. The librarian had to show me where they're kept. I've spoken to her about books before and assured her that I did, in fact, want this book.

71sjmccreary
Bearbeitet: Nov. 6, 2014, 9:13 am

I finished the earthquake book last night and set up a new thread to talk about it - here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/182649

72tloeffler
Jan. 4, 2015, 5:49 pm

Happy 2015, Everyone! Anyone want to read a book?

73lindapanzo
Jan. 4, 2015, 5:50 pm

Got any short, light Missouri books, Terri?

74sjmccreary
Jan. 5, 2015, 9:56 pm

I'm game - what are you suggesting?

75lindapanzo
Bearbeitet: Jan. 6, 2015, 9:53 pm

Here are 3 Missouri-related books I'm considering for the upcoming year. One sounds like a light mystery, one a baseball history (ahem...I wouldn't be surprised if no one wants to join me on this one), and one a history.

If anyone's interested in reading any of these, too, please let me know when it'd be convenient.

--The Ragtime Kid by Larry Karp--the first in a trilogy, a ragtime mystery set in Sedalia, MO in 1899 and featuring Scott Joplin and his music: Note: Currently free in Kindle version

--The Kansas City Athletics by John E. Peterson--a history of the team during the 1950s and 1960s

--The Gateway Arch by Tracy Campbell--a history of the Arch. I've been meaning to read this one for awhile

76tloeffler
Jan. 10, 2015, 5:45 pm

Any of those sound good to me (yes, even the baseball one). If I were ranking them, I would rank them 1, 3, 2. But I'll happily go with the flow. And I have downloaded The Ragtime Kid on to my phone. Thanks Linda!

77lindapanzo
Jan. 23, 2015, 5:14 pm

Terri, how about we go with The Ragtime Kid first since we both have that one first?

When is a good time for you? Anytime in Feb is probably good for me.

78sjmccreary
Jan. 23, 2015, 7:06 pm

I'd like to join, too!

I've had internet access issues for the last 2 weeks which has kept me from posting, but I'm back on-line again now. The Ragtime Kid sounds good to me, and I've already requested it from the library. Just name the date.

79tloeffler
Feb. 1, 2015, 5:41 pm

Sorry, I've been a bit negligent...totally overwhelmed with school. :(

Would anyone mind if we gave it a little extra time and aimed for February 23? I will for certain have it read by then, but probably not much before. I only read EIGHT books in January, which is usually my most prolific month. Three and a half more months till it's all over, but it won't be a pretty three and a half months...

I'll start a thread!