Mark's Reading Place: Lucky 7

-Mark Briscoe



-Christian Schloe

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

January:

1) Undermajordomo Minor by Patrick DeWitt 3.5 stars (audio)
2) The Revenant by Michael Punke 4.3 stars (E)
3) The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen 3.8 stars (E)
4) A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara 4.2 stars (audio/print)
5) Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler 3.8 stars AAC (E)
6) The Manticore by Robertson Davies 4.8 stars CAC
7) Morality Play by Barry Unsworth 4.5 stars BAC
8) Two Brothers by Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá 4.5 stars GN

February:

09) Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen 4.7 stars
10) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy 4 stars (audio)
11) Single, Carefree, Mellow by Katherine Heiny 3.8 stars
12) Eleanor by Jason Gurley 3.2 stars (audio)
13) My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout 4.2 stars (audio)
14) Straight Man by Richard Russo 4.6 stars AAC
15) Ru by Kim Thuy 3.8 stars CAC
16) The Girl With All the Gifts by M. R. Carey 4.3 stars (audio)
17) Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie 4.2 stars (audio) BAC
18) A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain: Stories by Robert Olen Butler 3.8 stars
19) The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys 4.6 stars CAC
20) Shattered: The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne 4 stars (audio)
21) When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 4.5 stars (audio)
22) Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older 4 stars (audio)
23) Hollow City by Ransom Riggs 3.7 stars (E)

March:

24) Some Luck by Jane Smiley 3.2 stars (audio) AAC
25) King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild 5 stars
26) Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart 4.3 stars (audio)
27) The Vegetarian by Han Kang 3.6 stars ER
28) Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Seal by Morgan Callan Rogers 3.4 stars (audio) Booktopia
29) The Accidental by Ali Smith 3.5 stars (audio) BAC
30) I'm Glad About You by Theresa Rebeck 3.8 stars Booktopia
31) Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat 4 stars (audio) CAC
32) The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat 4.2 stars
33) SuperMutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki 4 stars GN
34) Talking to the Dead by Harry Bingham 4 stars (audio)
35) The Sunlit Night by Rebecca Dinerstein 3.8 stars Booktopia
36) Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 4.3 stars (audio)

American Author Challenge 2016

January- Anne Tyler
February- Richard Russo
March- Jane Smiley
April- Poetry Month
May- Ivan Doig
June- Annie Proulx
July- John Steinbeck
August-Joyce Carol Oates
September- John Irving
October- Michael Chabon
November- Annie Dillard
December- Don DeLillo

Mark's Picks for the AACIII: (under construction)

January- Anne Tyler- Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant Completed
February- Richard Russo- Straight Man Completed
March- Jane Smiley- Some Luck Completed
April- Poetry Month
May- Ivan Doig
June- Annie Proulx
July- John Steinbeck
August-Joyce Carol Oates
September- John Irving
October- Michael Chabon
November- Annie Dillard
December- Don DeLillo

The General Discussion Thread: http://www.librarything.com/topic/209611

BRITISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE/CANADIAN AUTHOR CHALLENGE

There is no way, I'll be able to read all 4 of these Challenge authors, per month but I will select one each and try my best to bookhorn them in. There are other various Challenges going on, in '16 and I would like the chance to give one or 2 of those a chance too.

BAC:

January - SUSAN HILL & BARRY UNSWORTH -Morality Play Completed
February : Agatha Christie & William Dalrymple The Murder on the Orient Express Completed
March : Ali Smith & Thomas Hardy The Accidental Completed
April : George Eliot & Hanif Kureishi
May : Jane Gardam & Robert Goddard
June : Lady Antonia Fraser & Joseph Conrad
July : Bernice Rubens & H.G. Wells
August : Diana Wynne-Jones & Ian McEwan
September : Doris Lessing & Laurie Lee
October : Kate Atkinson & William Golding
November : Rebecca West & Len Deighton
December : WEST YORKSHIRE writers
Wildcard : Rumer Godden and George Orwell

CAC:

January: Robertson Davies, Kim Thúy- The Manticore Completed Ru Completed
February: Helen Humphreys, Stephen Leacock The Lost Garden Completed
March: Farley Mowat, Anita Rau Badami Never Cry Wolf Completed
April: Margaret Atwood, Michael Crummey
May: Michel Tremblay, Emily St. John Mandel
June: Timothy Findley, Joseph Boyden
July: LM Montgomery, Pierre Berton
August: Mordechai Richler, Gabrielle Roy
September: Miriam Toews, Dany Laferrière
October: Lawrence Hill, Jane Urquhart
November: Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Laurence
December: Alice Munro, Rawi Hage

All yours folks!!

Happy new thread, Mark!

^Thanks, Diana! Hooray for being my first visitor!

Happy new thread and new week, Mark! Another beautiful work by Mark Briscoe

Morning, Mark! Happy new thread! Love the topper - and the bird man is back!

>8 Carmenere: Morning Lynda! And thanks!

>9 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie! Yah for the birdman!

Morning, Mark! Happy new one, friend!

Happy New Thread, Mark! Like them toppers. The first one reminds me of Van Gogh - we're going to see that Art Institute show on Wednesday.

Super Mutant Magic Academy was good to the last drop. Now I'm going to read the second Fade Out. My Kindle book is The Long Way to a Small Planet, some well done sci-fi.

Pretty darn nice out there, and the week looks promising. Hope you have a good one.

Happy New Thread, Buddy. Impressed with the impressionism up top!

Happy new thread, Mark!

Parking right here before I get lost.

Happy New Thread, Mark. I love the tree topper. Wonderful.

>11 scaifea: Thanks, Amber!

>12 jnwelch: Morning Joe! We are way over due for a visit to the Art Institute. Not bad out here at all. Actually working up a bit of a sweat.

>13 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul.

>14 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

>15 luvamystery65: Always room for you, over here, Ro! Smiles...

>16 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! Glad you like the topper.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Lucky #7!! Love the topper art. : )

Agreed. topper art is amazing.

>2 msf59: I look forward to your thoughts on the Girl ?With A Gun audio book.

Happy New thread! Love the tree.

>18 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori! Good to see you!

>19 Berly: Trying to bring us all a little extra luck, Kimmers! Glad you like the toppers.

>20 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! Good to see you over here. Are you a member of the Mighty 75?

And yes, Girl Waits With Gun is excellent on audio. Stop by again.

>21 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! I like looking at that tree myself.

Hi Mark, I love that new threads give me an opportunity to browse all the stats that are being kept. You are doing very well with the challenges this year and February was an outstanding reading month for you. I have been mostly reading Fables for my graphic novels this year, but I am going to take a break next month and give Fade Out, Vol. 1 a try. I also have at least one more of the Saga series to catch up on.

Its ok, you can start now. Your 14th visitor has arrived!
;)

>23 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! I was happy with my February output. Lucky, several were shorties. Makes up for the Chunksters of January. I am sure you will enjoy Fade Out. Just your cuppa.

And hooray for Saga!!

>24 LovingLit: Whew! Thanks for releasing me, Megan. I was stuck in biblio-limbo. Grins...

Still reading all that heavy stuff?

> Not a 75 I'm afraid. I'm over at Club read. But I like to look around and see what others are doing. :-)

>26 brodiew2: The Mighty 75 is the best place on LT, hands-down. Of course, I am biased as hell. Grins...

Morning, Mark! Raining here, but I'll take that over snow any day at this point...

I am working my day off today, ($$) so no R & R for this guy. It looks like many of my co-workers are sick or disabled.

It is also my daughter's birthday. Go Bree! Go Bree! She is also moving back in with us, at the end of the week with her very large German Shepard companion. We LOVE him but he is a presence. She is starting a new job and wants to start saving toward a place of her own. No Empty Nesting for us. Sighs...

On the book front, I will finish up Girl Waits with Gun. I will hate to see this one end. The Vegetarian; A Novel ended up growing on me. Sure, it is dark and creepy but these are things I admire. I will also wrap up that one today.

>29 msf59: Happy Birthday Bree! I can imagine there are pros and cons for you and for Bree with the new living arrangements. You win the great parents prize for giving up your empty nest to be available for Bree and her dog. Way to go Mark and Mrs Mark.

Happy B-day to Bree and happy overtime day to you, Mark!
"very large German Shepard " looks like a gentle giant.

Happy Birthday to Bree!!
And you know you'll love having her and her gentle giant in the house - living with a ginormous dog is a hoot, as Mario has taught us...

Good morning, Mark!

Happy Birthday to Bree! I'm sure you'll be glad to have her back at the homestead, although it's got to be tough to give up that empty nest. I can't remember her dog's name, but he was a gentle giant all right.

Sorry you're working your day off, but $$ are always welcome. It's a beaut out there, so that should help.

I'm nearing the end of The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, and it's been a good ride. Just started the second Fade Out; grimy Hollywood noir.

Morning, Mark! Wishing for Bree a birthday full of happy! That is such a sweet photo of her and her dog.

Speaking of Fade Out, I just finished volume three, and it was very good!

What a beautiful day for early March. Breezy, some sunshine. Mid-60s, but feels warmer. In shirtsleeves, but still breaking a bit of a sweat.

>28 scaifea: >33 scaifea: Hi, Amber! Just talked to Bree. We do not have a fenced yard, so it makes it tough, to have a dog. The little guy is okay. He is a house dog but the Shepard loves the outdoors.

>31 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura! I should have made it clear, we still have our son at home too. He has never left. Lol.
So the dream of being an empty nester, is a ways off.

>32 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! Reese the Shepard is a good boy...just BIG. Thanks for the birthday wishes for Bree.

>34 jnwelch: Morning Joe! If you remember, our son also lives at home too, so we are back up to full strength. Lol.
We love Reese the shepard but he is a big boy and poops a lot.

>35 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Thanks for the birthday wishes. Bree will be so busy today, with work, we will not see her.

Ooh, Fade Out 3. I will have to request.

>37 msf59: Ha! I had forgotten about your son. Do you and Sue want to stay at our place? :-)

So you finished Girl Waits with Gun! Did you know it was based on real people and events? I didn't when I read it.

I'll take you up on that offer, Joe. We can stay in the attic. Lol.

Yes, I did know the Stewart book was based on real events. I love it when an author can pull that off. Much like our beloved MDR.

I can sympathize with the "no empty nesters"... The nephew moved in two years ago, and it's been like having a teenager again. We're working on getting him moved back with his mom, though, so there's hope!

Mark, I think it is now quite the norm for children not to leave, or to leave and return. There are many benefits, and then also some major adjusting. My daughter Breanna was unlike my elder daughter. Bre was a late bloomer; Amy is a type A all the way.

A few years ago, Bre decided to go back to college for a nursing degree. Likewise, her husband is almost finished with a Criminal Justice degree, and he hopes to be a police man. My shrinking savings account got hit with helping with wedding costs, helping with course books for both of them, helping with car repairs...on and on and on.

I remember that I was much more financially independent. Bre pops in and out of our house to stay over when she has long nights on the job. We always make extra dinner in the event she decides to join us.

We are fortunate to have a large bedroom (large-screen tv) and full bath downstairs. She eats, then hibernates in that room. I usually end up knocking on the door so I can retrieve the book I'm currently reading. Sometimes she locks the door when she is showering, and then, I have to wait for the book. ugh.

Good luck with your Bre and her return. She is beautiful by the way! And, so is the dog.

I'm avoiding looking in depth at your lists because I know I'll add 99% of the books to my tbr pile.

>30 msf59: Beauties, both! Happy birthday to Bree!

>40 drneutron: Hi, Jim! I remember you mentioning your nephew. I know it was a tough decision and I did not realize he was still living with you. I hope it works out, so you can get back to being an Empty Nester!

>41 Whisper1: Hi, Linda! I think that is so cool that we both have Breannas. Mine turned 26 today. She is also fiercely independent, so she will be won't be staying here forever. I know she would love her own place and working in the real estate business, I am sure she will stumble upon a great deal.

My son? He is a whole different deal. LOL. He is a hard-worker, so that is good.

>42 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary! Bree is so busy cleaning up the house, where her and her friends lived, I may not even see her today. Sad face.

I think I mentioned to the gang, that I will be attending Booktopia, in early May. It will be at Northshire Books in Manchester, Vermont. They finally supplied us with an author list and it doesn't give us a whole lot of time to read these eight authors. Here they are:

Stephen Kiernan
Theresa Rebeck
Morgan Callan Rogers
Rebecca Dinerstein
Sophie McManus
Barbara Shapiro (B.A Shapiro)
Ray O'Connor
Martin Seay

I had only heard of Shapiro, but a couple of these others show promise. Saey has a debut book coming out in May, called The Mirror Thief, that sounds amazing.

I started Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea on audio today. This is by Rogers. A bit on the "lite" side for me but not bad. I will start I'm Glad About You tomorrow. This one is from Rebeck. I also have The Art Forger & The Hummingbird saved on audio. Marky-Mark doesn't mess around. at least not when it comes to books.

Anyone have any thoughts on these authors or books?

Happy new thread, Mark! Glad to see Bree had a wonderful trip and is now back home. I managed to make my way through all the BBs flying around on your previous thread. Yah.... you hit me with Girl Waits With Gun.... what an appropriate BB to be hit with. ;-)

Your review of Some Luck makes me kind of happy that I had to switch up my Smiley read (the library audiobook of Some Luck was going to take too long to get to me). Instead, I am plan on reading At Paradise Gate.

Sorry to see you had to work on your day off.

Glad you loved Girl Waits with Gun!

From your previous thread – I ADORED Cronin’s The Summer Guest! Sadly, I was less than enthralled with The Borrower which I received as an ER audio. Looking back at my review, I forgot just how much I disliked it – I couldn’t finish it. A lot of it had to do with the narrator so maybe it will read better. Hard to say. Too bad about Some Luck. I have a copy but haven’t read it yet. I also happen to have a copy of Little Heathens so thanks for the reminder about that one.

Morning, Mark!

>45 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori! Good to see you. Glad you only got hit by one flying BB. That is excellent dodging. But I am glad Girl Waits With Gun managed to wing you.

Many readers liked Some Luck. It just didn't work for me.

>46 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne! What a nice surprise, Girl Waits With Gun was. Looking forward to her next one. Have you read anything else by her?

I will have to move The Summer Guest, to the Must Read Now shelf, (Although things move very slowly over there too). I will have to decide on The Borrower. At least I only spent a few bucks on it. And Little Heathens was a delight.

^I think I know a few bookies this applies to...

>47 scaifea: Big Morning Waves to Amber!

>49 msf59: You know a few? Mark, that IS you!

Morning, my friend! Happy Wednesday to you!

Morning Mark! What a lovely day to walk door to door. Hope you don't get rained on much.
Hurrah for Booktopia homework!

Good morning, Mark! Pretty darn nice out there, and it looks like the rain may hold off.

I just started All the Light We Cannot See, which I know you and others loved (including Debbi), and I'm already enjoying it. I've also started White Sky, Black Ice, which was warbled about in our 75er group. The second Fade Out is as good as the first so far.

Slightly belated Happy Birthday to Bree, buddy.

The dog sure looks pleased to see her back!

Evening Mark!

>50 Crazymamie: I recommend books? Really? (in a petulant British voice).

Morning Mamie! Happy Wednesday to you too!

>51 Carmenere: Morning Lynda! Not crazy about my current Booktopia book. It is something I would have never read otherwise. Sighs...I hope my next one works.

>52 jnwelch: Morning Joe! Yes,not bad out here at all but the sky is darkening in the west. I hope it moves to some other area. I am fine here.

Glad you are enjoying All the Light.

>53 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I will pass it along. Her dog is so devoted to her, it is crazy. No one will mess with her, that is for sure.

>54 DianaNL: Evening, Diana!

Still time to sneak in a "Good Morning, Mark!" (Three minutes 'til Noon here. But I'm an hour ahead of you, so I do have time.)

I've started A Thousand Acres. But the real task before me is catching up on book reports. The Teach is going to hand me an incomplete. Only 7 to do.

We are having a (short) run of 70° F. temps and sunny skies. Got out my fave deck recliner yesterday and lazed in the deck reading, the pooch keeping me company. Likely to do the same today and tomorrow. Yahoooooooooooo!

Wishing you a great day, Mark. I hope the week is going well.

>49 msf59: So true, Mark! Happy New Thread! Love that colourful new topper! So Bree is back. Good parents, Mark and Sue! Our eldest left home at about 22 1/2 years and our younger son just left home in April of 2015, just before his marriage in July 2015. he was then just turned 25 years. The eldest has had a few " issues" making a go of things on his own, but he really likes to be out on his own. We've had a little bout where we had to pay his rent a couple of years ago for a few months , because he decided to quit his job and become and online entrepreneur, which did not work out quite the way that he planned. :) I always tell my kids there is place here for them. But finding a decent place to rent is really difficult here. I think we have about a 1% vacancy rate, and it is very expensive, so for our eldest , it was better to help him keep his place until he could get back on his feet. Our younger son has been pretty easy , did his 4 years at university, got a job in his field even before he graduated and then bought a really nice one bedroom condo here Richmond with his now wife.

Kids - a wild and woolly journey.

>57 weird_O: Howdy, Bill! Ooh, another deck reader! And in a recliner too? Sweet. I wish we had a deck. Just a concrete slab patio, with little shade. I make do.

Hope you like A Thousand Acres and hooray for these warmer temps. We drop back off tomorrow but then it rebounds early next week.

>58 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! Everything is going fine.

>59 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! "Kids - a wild and woolly journey." Amen to that, my friend. We will have to have a family meeting over the weekend to discuss ground-rules, which mostly means, cleaning up after yourself and splitting up the chores. Bree will be doing the bulk of the vacuuming, (and regularly) due to owning a very large dog, who sheds like crazy.

It sounds like you boys, (young men) are on the right path. You did something right.

Hi Mark, I have to admit that other than Shapiro, I haven't heard of any of the Booktopia authors. Nevertheless, I am clearing a space on the wishlist as I am sure you will sell me on two or three!

I think it's great that your daughter wants to come home for awhile. It's a lot harder these days to launch them out into the world for good and it's a nice feeling for both her and you knowing that the door is open for a return.

>61 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! Yes, that Booktopia author list, is full of unknowns for me. I am hoping for a few gems, buried in the mix.

Similar to what Deb said, about the high price of renting. It is like that here too. Bree will stay here, save enough, to buy something down the road. Probably the only way to go.

>44 msf59: Mark, I won The Hummingbird and read it straight through. It was great!

>25 msf59: yes. Heavy stuff. And just finished The Frozen Thames as by now you know :)
Starting Fingersmith ASAP!

>63 Dianekeenoy: Hi, Dianne! That is good news about The Hummingbird. Another friend from Good Reads, just read it and loved it.
I have it saved on audio and hope to get to it soon.

>64 LovingLit: Hi, Megan! Fingersmith was my first Waters novel and I really liked it. I hope it works for you.

Hi Mark! I heard from a friend/colleague that the mid-year meeting I attended for several years is happening next week. It made me think of you, and Joe and Kerri and my other Chicagoland buds. I wish I were still involved with that group so I could be scheduling a meetup, but it will happen again, I am confident of that.

>49 msf59: Uh huh. Like, all of us.

I finished and really enjoyed And After Many Days and now I'm starting to read The Book Thief. Oh, and I'm still actively listening to (and loving) Destiny of the Republic. I'm definitely starting to think that NNF and audiobooks are good partners.

Morning, Mark!

>66 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! Sorry to miss you this time around. Anything else scheduled for this area, through the year? We are visiting Oregon, at the end of June, to see my niece's baby. Not sure I'll be able to do a Meet-Up in Portland, but I am going to try.

The Book Thief is one of my favorites. I hope you feel the same.

>67 scaifea: Morning Amber!

Thursday Greetings, Mark! To bad about your first booktopia read. They're bound to get better!

Morning, Mark! Hoping that one of those Booktopia reads surprises you. In a good way.

I finished Ungodly by Kendare Blake. This is the third book in this trilogy Goddess War and it is an anomaly. It is the best book in this series. Usually, by the time an author gets to book 3 in a series the plot lines are worn, the characters frayed, and the reader knows that the author is stre------tching things out just to get three books. That is not the case here. The author gets it right. There is plenty of action, romance, and plot twists that keep things going right to the end. The imagination and knowledge of the author is amazing. She is able to come up with modern twists on the old Greek myths that are amusing, interesting, and satisfying. There are so many literary puns in this series that, as well versed in Greek mythology as I am, I was entertained throughout the book. The ending did not disappoint and was a very good wrap-up with room left in the plot to provide for more novels should the author choose to write them.

Thanks to a book bullet from you, I started reading Hounded last night. So far the first 20 pages are good. I think it will make great Spring Break reading.

Good luck with the reading for the last Booktopia (sniff).

Wouldn't it be fun if we could convince someone to do a Booktopia type event on a (small) cruise ship?

Sweet Thursday, Mark!

Not too shabby out there.

The Van Gogh exhibit was great. They are so good at putting together these special exhibitions. Really well done.

>69 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! Just wrapping up my first Booktopia read. Standard stuff but not bad.

>70 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! It looks like a couple of these Booktopia books are showing promise. Fingers crossed.

>71 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! Are you off next week? Thanks for sharing your Blake review. Sounds like a good series.

I hope you continue to enjoy Hounded. I thought it was a great start.

>72 streamsong: Hi, Janet! Actually, the Michigan Booktopia was the last one for BOTNS. This one will be hosted by Northshire Books. I hope other bookstores, follow that lead.

Ooh, a Booktopia Cruise. Sounds dreamy.

>73 jnwelch: Morning Joe! Yes, cool and cloudy out here but nothing to crab about.
Glad the Van Gogh exhibit was worthy. I will have to try and make it down there before the event ends.

I am sad to see Booktopia go away. I think it was a brilliant idea. I have not heard anything about the books that you showed on your upthread post, but I do know that Ann and Michael were trying to promote new authors. I see lots of that kind of promotion at ALA (American Library Association) as well. I think it must be getting harder for publishers to get people to read books from new authors and so they work very hard at promoting people that they think have talent. I know that many of the events that I attend at ALA are centered around first time authors. One of the authors I got to hear speak a few years ago was Pierce Brown who wrote the Red Rising series. Earlier this month the concluding book in this trilogy Morning Star was on the New York Times bestseller lists. I am sure that the pushing and promotion that the publishers did in the beginning contributed to that success. There is no doubt that just getting the word out to people who read is also a part of that success. That is why all the warbling done on these threads is great for books.

^ I started The Accidental. This is my first book, by Ms. Smith. I like her dark, smart, slightly sinister prose. Not sure where the tale is taking me but I am enjoying the ride. Thanks to Paul's BAC, for giving me a swift kick in the pants. Sometimes that is what is required, to pull those books off shelf.

Happy Friday, Mark.

>76 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! Thanks for your thoughts on Booktopia. Let's hope more bookstores continue with it. It would sure be nice if LT could host events like this.

>78 Ameise1: >79 DianaNL: Big Friday Waves to Barb & Diana! Have a good weekend.

>81 msf59: Me, too!

Morning, Mark! It's Friday!!

>81 msf59: And me. Lovely image.

I finally finished the Dalrymple book. Phew! And it was my own book, that had sat on the shelf for years feeling unloved, bonus points for that too...

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday!!

Woo Hoo it's Friday! have a good one, Mark!

Happy Friday, Mark!

If you get in the mood for a mystery, White Sky, Black Ice is an enjoyable one, and it's set up in a small rural town in northwest Alaska.

The second volume of The Fade Out is as good as the first. I'm off to a bit of a slow start with All the Light We Cannot See, but it's starting to sink in.

I Pearl Ruled The Accidental. I listened to about half of it, and just couldn't get into it. I decided that it will be a long time before I read another of her books - if that one title is representative of her work. It was awful, and I felt bad about ditching it, because it was supposed to be so wonderful.

>82 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie! Glad you like the bookish smile.

>83 charl08: Happy Friday, Charlotte. I have not read Dalrymple. I will have to stop by and see what you think.

>84 scaifea: >85 Carmenere: Big Friday waves to Amber & Lynda!

>86 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Very nice out here. Love the sunshine. I read White Sky, Black Ice, early in my LT life. I liked it too but never followed through on the other books.

Glad you are enjoying the 2nd Fade Out. I am waiting for Vol. 3.

>87 benitastrnad: I see that there are mixed reviews on the Smith book. Many readers hate it, but so far it is working for me.

Ha! Agreed.

>91 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Excuse me, I was busy "making sure". It's a grueling task but someone has...

Always best to be sure, no matter how much you have to test it. :)

Thanks for stopping by my thread! Happy Friday to you too, Mark!

Even as I type, I'm making sure my Easy Street Wheat is as good as I usually think it is.....

Have a great weekend, Mark!

^OMG!! The Trump Rally at UIC (University of Chicago) was postponed, due to violent confrontations, between protesters and supporters. It looked very, very ugly on TV. This election is not only a joke but very scary.

I hope Trump is proud of himself. Hitler would be quite pleased.

>93 Storeetllr: Happy Friday, Mary! I am saving my beer consumption for tomorrow night. We are going to a St. Patrick's Day party, with friends.

>94 Copperskye: Ooh, Easy Street Wheat. Sounds good, my friend.

#95
There was a Bernie Sanders rally somewhere in Chicago tonight as well. I watched a short clip of it and it didn't appear to be violent. Guess that tells me which of these two I should vote for.

I hate to say it, Mark, but as you say I hope Trump is proud of himself. Hitler would be quite pleased.. On a more bookish topic, I shall try to move A God In Ruins higher up my TBR pile! As per your orders.

>97 benitastrnad: I think Bernie, was in the suburbs somewhere. He looked pumped up, in the clips I saw. I hope Trump implodes.

>98 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! This campaign has got pretty scary. I am really amazed how angry his supporters are. I am tired of it.

I hope you enjoy A God in Ruins as much as I did.

Happy Saturday! Last work day of a long week. At least the weather was nice. It always helps.

I am enjoying my Booktopia book, I'm Glad About You. She's not a bad writer and we get an insider's look into the TV business too. I also like The Accidental, but I can see why this will not work for everyone. These moody characters are not always pleasant to be around.

Howdy Mark!

>90 msf59: LOL I feel that way with a bag of potato chips
>95 msf59: In my humble opinion the whole campaign season has been nothing but a farce...and way too long. - Trump has a rally in Cleveland today. I wonder how the crowd will be for this one.

Hope your Saturday is spectacular!

Morning, Mark!

Yes, this Trump business gets more and more terrifying. Gah.

>101 Carmenere: Morning Lynda! Big chip lover, eh?

Good luck with Mr. Trump in your fine city.

>102 scaifea: Morning, Amber! I wonder if Trump will come back here? If so, probably pick a different venue. Lol.

Good morning, Mark!

I'm proud to be a Chicagoan today. That guy needs to be stood up to, and deported to a desert island.

Hi Mark, happy Saturday.

Besides worrying about all the kids swimming at state at UIC right near the rally, I thought it was a stupid (or maybe masterful) plan for him. The worst possible place to hold a rally and on a Friday night. What could go wrong? It sure garnered more attention for him than actually holding the rally would've gotten.

I know Hillary was up in Vernon Hills on Thurs (and at Nancy Reagan's funeral yesterday) and Bernie was in the southern (?) suburbs last night. I think all the others, except for Rubio, were here, too. Also heard that Trump wanted to attend a GOP event in Rolling Meadows and they wouldn't have him.

As for me, a lazy day planned for today and a 4.5 hour opera (!!) tomorrow.

>104 jnwelch: I thought the same, Joe.

>104 jnwelch: He was only trying to hold a peaceful rally, Joe,or so he says. He was very hurt by this display. Smirks...

Morning, my friend. Not shabby out here. Good day for a parade. Both of my kids are down there today.

>105 lindapanzo: Morning Linda! Good to see you. Yes, UIC was not a perfect choice. LOL. And hooray, for Rolling Meadows.

Enjoy the opera. I have never been...

^We are off to a St. Patrick's Day party. Friends, good beer, good food. Nice combo!

Sláinte!

>108 msf59: Ooooooh! that explains why your not on your thread yet. Bet it was a good time!

Enjoy your Sunday!

>81 msf59: What a great image. I recently fell into the black hole that is pintrest. Ilana has a great pin of book images. Here is one of mine for the day:


Happy Sunday Mark. I hope it affords time for reading.

^Happy Sunday! Not only did we lose an hour, I slept in too, which is a rare occurrence for Marky-Mark. Working on my first cup...

>109 Storeetllr: Thanks, Mary! We had a good time.

>110 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Yes, it feels like the afternoon. LOL. And yes, I did indulge a bit, but nothing reckless.

>111 Whisper1: Morning, Linda! What a nice image to see, first thing. You'll have to find me, on Pinterest too. Lots of bookish delights.

I will have to get my reading in early today. We have things going on in the afternoon.

I've discovered a new to me award category.

"The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood. "

Today I'm reading How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon. Thus far it is well-written.

I know you, foggidawn, Anita, Joe and I enjoy YA books.

>114 Whisper1: Nice, Linda! Thanks for sharing. Look forward to your final thoughts on How It Went Down.

27) The Vegetarian: A Novel by Han Kang 3.6 stars

A young South Korean couple are living a contented life and one day the wife, Yeong-hye, has a dream and she decides to become a vegan. As this wicked obsession completely envelops the couple, it begins to completely alter their lives.

It is told in three equal parts, each, with a different perspective. The first part, from the husband's POV, is pretty decent and then we switch to the creepy brother-in-law, which is my favorite section. A blend of Hitchcock and Murakami, which is indeed high praise and then we finish with Yeong-hye's sister, the weakest part of the book. So, this becomes a mixed bag for me and it is obvious the author has talent, I just wish she could have maintained the “highs” she created in the middle.

>108 msf59: I may have a small tipple next week to celebrate the Saint Day of my ancestors.



Have a great Sunday, buddy.

Hi, Paul! I had a couple Jameson's Jello Shots last night. Yum! Enjoy that small tipple!

Happy Sunday, Mark! Stupid daylight savings...I can't believe it's already after 11! Gah.

Morning Amber! I am feeling the same way about DST. The good thing is, I did sleep in, which is pretty rare for this old guy.

Hiya, Mark! Happy Sunday!

Jello shots, oh my. Been a while for me. Debbi and I were just talking about how we used to do "watermelons" at the Oxford Pub in Chicago, potent shots with vodka in them. Hope you had a blast last night.

All is well with us. We're sitting up in that guest room reading and looking out at this rainy day. I'm gotten a good ways through Marjorie Agosin's selected and new poems, so I'm going to switch over to the easier Shifting Shadows, short stories in Mercy Thompson's world that I'm near the end of.

Good review of The Vegetarian up there. I've been seeing that kind of mixed reaction to it. Sounds like she's a talented author.

Happy Sunday, Mark! I think I liked the Vegetarian a tad better than you did, but would agree that it's a bit uneven. I would like to read more by the author.

I think it is the first novel by a South Korean author that I have read, so I did wonder if some of the odd bits would make more sense in a cultural perspective.

>121 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Been hunkering down with the books, for a few hours. Now, we are getting ready to head over to the daughter's house and help her bring her stuff back. I rather keep reading. Grins...

I am enjoying Super Mutant.

>122 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda! I was really hoping for "The Vegetarian" to take off, especially after that deliciously creepy middle section but it kind of fell flat. I am a bit surprised that is landed on the Booker longlist.

Oh I love daylight savings time! Let's have it all year round! But I more of a night owl, so it suits me to have the sun ( when we get it ) up later in the day. Too bad about The Vegetarian : A Novel. Thanks for reading it for me and thus I can skip it.

>123 msf59: The Vegetarian is on the Booker long-list? That is a surprise to me as well. I liked it, but wouldn't have put it in that category.

>116 msf59: Well, Mark seems that you liked this a tiny bit more than I did! I gave it 3.5 stars! Still, I am glad that I read it (but, glad I got it from the library).

>124 vancouverdeb: Happy Sunday, Deb! "Let's have it all year round!" I am with you my friend. I wonder if they will ever change it? It sure seems outdated.

>125 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. I think The Vegetarian : A Novel was a decent debut novel, that showed promise but I failed to see it's brilliance.

>126 Dianekeenoy: Happy Sunday, Diane! It looks like we are in the same ballpark, so that is all that matters. Grins...

Phew! Caught up here again. Love the motto in >90 msf59:. I am not a Vegetarian. ; ) Here's to St. Patrick's Day!!

Morning, Mark! DST is the worst when you've got a little one in the house. No sleeping in allowed, I'm afraid. Ha!

>128 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! Hope you had a good weekend. Glad you like the beer motto and I like the fact you are not a vegetarian. Grins...

>129 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Boo to DST! I get up just about 5:15, so it was really 4:15? Really? And it's still raining?

Maybe you can squeeze in a nap later?

Waking up to a cool, rainy, dark Monday morning! How fun! At least I have a couple new books lined up: I will be reading Never Cry Wolf, for the CAC. (The audiobook cds were very scratched. I hope I do not have issues). I saw and enjoyed the film, many years ago, plus I love wolves.

I will also start, Dew Breaker. My very first Danticut. I know she is a favorite around these parts. I hope to add her to the list.

Woo Hoo and Happy Monday, Mark! Sorry to read your ER didn't work for you. If it's any consolation, my ER Shylock is my name is not working for me either. :0(
Hope your audios put some sunshine into the bleak morning.

>131 msf59: - Now that's a fun cover! Hope you enjoy it!

In my Mowat reading he's in Italy getting shot at. Not sure if that guy with the wolf on the book cover I'd any safer though...

Wishing you a good week.

Morning, Mark! I also have Never Cry Wolf on the schedule for this month - I have it our from the library but haven't started it yet. And yes - boo to DST! Always make me just a bit crazy(ier). Ha!

Good morning, Mark!

I loved Never Cry Wolf. I hope it holds up well. Should be an interesting companion for Winterdance.

I'm finally getting into the flow with All the Light We Cannot See. It helped that Marie Laure started reading Jules Verne, something I did at that age.

I'm also reading the second in PKD's Valis trilogy, Divine Invasion. The man's mind is way out there, isn't it?

>132 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda! Not bad out here. It stopped raining early, just cloudy and that I can handle.

>133 streamsong: Morning, Janet. I am enjoying Never Cry Wolf. Different tone than the film.

>134 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. So Mowatt writes fiction as well? I haven't even checked. Lol.

>135 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! You will like Never Cry Wolf. Nice, easy narrative and it's a shorty.

And yes, Boo to DST!

>136 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Not at all, bad out here. Glad the rain has ended.
I immediately thought of Winterdance too, although this one has a much different tone.

Treat yourself to a slice of your favorite pie, Mark. It's National Pie Day (3.14)!

Hiya, Mark! Just plowed through this "new" thread of yours. So much going on. I have to say, I'm pretty underwhelmed by that Booktopia author list. But as we both know, it's often less about the authors and more about being around book people!

I'll be interested in your thoughts on the Danticat. I have that one on my shelves. I've only read Breath, Eyes, Memory which I loooooved; Darryl and I are supposed to read The Farming of Bones this month.

>139 weird_O: Ooh, I like the Pi Pie, Bill. Thank you, kind sir!

>140 katiekrug: Hi, Katie! Great to see you. I was also a bit underwhelmed by the Booktopia author list, but there may be some nuggets in there. I did enjoy I'm Glad About You and you might also like that one. I have also heard good things about The Art Forger & The Hummingbird, so you never know.

I am enjoying my Danticut. I want to snag a copy of Breath, Eyes, Memory.

I confess I have Never Cry Wolf on my TBR stacks. I've read And No Birds Sang which I really enjoyed, and High Latitudes which was a 2. 5 read! Not in a hurry to read Never Cry Wolf. Maybe it's a book for men, Lone Ranger.

Hi, Deb! This is my first Mowatt and I think you would like it. Who doesn't like reading about wolves? Lots of interesting info about wolves and other arctic wildlife. I would not think it was aimed at a male readers.

>131 msf59: why is that authors name so familiar to me? Hm, I shall have to look into that. I hope you enjoy the read, and that the CDs aren't too scratched!
I like the introvert party, sounds fun :)

Mark, you asked what I thought of A Thousand Acres. "A towering achievement" is what I thought. My Weird Book Report^® can be found here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/210740#5510816.

>145 LovingLit: Hi, Megan! This is my first book by Mowatt and it is very good. The audio has come out perfectly, so far. A bit surprised, since each disc was heavily scratched.

>146 weird_O: Fantastic review, Bill. I hope that warbling, snags a few more fans.

Between having Downton Abbey withdrawal and try to recover from the "Springing" forward, I did very little on Sunday except lounge around and read.

I hope you are enjoying Never Cry Wolf, Mark, I sure did earlier this month! I also see you are soon to be reading Edwidge Danticat. I read and loved her Farming of the Bones last year and want to read more of her.

>144 msf59: Hahahahaha! My kinda party!

Same!!!

>148 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! Sounds like your Sunday was perfect. An introvert party! I will have to read more Mowatt and I did not realize Danticut had this many books, under her belt. It looks like I am going to be busy.

>149 Storeetllr: >150 Berly: Hooray for an Introvert Party! I think we can all relate.

Morning, Mark!

>144 msf59: LOL! On the money.

I'm aligned with >152 msf59:, having voted before work. It's a great time to do it, as not many folks are out that early.

Glad you're liking Never Cry Wolf! Your description is how I remember it.

PKD is so bizarre. I can't begin to describe The Divine Invasion, except God is being smuggled back onto Earth, despite church leaders' attempts to assassinate him. :-)

>144 msf59: That is SO me!

Morning, Mark! Happy Ides of March! Be careful out there.

>144 msf59: Well that's got me cackling Mark. Hope you have a good day.

>154 jnwelch: I love PKD's weirdness. The Divine Invasion, I'm sure I've read this, but I can't remember. Gotta read it again.

It sounds like James Morrow's Godhead Trilogy (first of which is Towing Jehovah). God dies, literally and they have to tow his corpse to the arctic for storage.

>153 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>154 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I will vote after work. We have a polling place, right next to the P.O. And they seem to be hopping.

I finished Never Cry Wolf. It is very good. I can't believe it was written 50 years ago.

>155 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Lots of cruddy weather on the way, later today. Hope I am safe in my reading chair at that point.

>156 charl08: Hi, Charlotte. I thought a lot of my bookish pals would get a kick out of that one.

>158 msf59: Yes! Great to hear re Never Cry Wolf. You've got me wanting to re-read it. My copy probably doesn't go quite that far back, but close enough. :-)

I listened to over half of The Accidental by Ali Smith and finally gave up on it. I just didn't like any of the characters. I had read so much about this novel and I was sure I would like it. When I didn't I was so disappointed in it. I haven't had any inclination to get another of her books off the shelf and read any of them because of this experience. After trying to read it I wondered how on earth this could have been a Booker book? It had some good things about it but not enough to be on the short list. I have been traumatized by this author! and now I have a phobia.

Vote against the Drumpf! That was his father's real last name. I suppose Never Cry Wolf is not a " man book' and when would that stop me. I enjoyed And No Birds Sang but High Latitudes by Farley Mowat earned him 2.5 stars. It was so boring and Farley Mowat was so puffed about himself . I'm feeling kind today! :) LOL!

>159 jnwelch: Is that your only Mowatt, Joe? I am definitely curious about his other work now.

>160 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! I didn't dislike The Accidental. I do recognize her talent but it fall far short, of what I was expecting and definitely not Booker material. I will give her another shot.

>161 vancouverdeb: You Crazy Canadians really like picking on Drumpf, don't you? Grins...Not saying Cruz would be any better. Lots of folks at the polls. Always a good sign.

Not much love for Mowatt, eh?

I think Cruz is crazy too and yet , he was born in Canada. But compared to Trump , Cruz is less crazy. Hey, we have to live next door to you guys. I don't want some Crazy Drumpf in power. I trust you good Americans to vote in someone decent. Hilary looks like the best of the bunch to me. Not a lot of love for Farley Mowat really , no. I read And No Birds Sang because apparently my grandpa came into contact with Farley Mowat during WW11 in the Sicily campaign. This according to my brother. And I read High Latitudes the same author as part of cross Canada reading challenge. I realize that Farley Mowat was ahead of his time with regards to Inuit and First Nations policy , and environmentalism, but oh boy is can he be repetitive in his books and all puffed about himself. Farley is a good name for a dog and I know a dog named Farley. :)

>164 vancouverdeb: " I don't want some Crazy Drumpf in power. " LOL! Amen, to that, my friend.

Nice day for voting today. Biggest crowd at my collar county polling place in a long, long time.

>166 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! I think we broke a primary turn-out, for Illinois. Yah! Let's keep that going, my friend.

Yay for all you Prairie State voters!

*pat pat*
That was me patting you on the head for being a good voter :)
In voting that is. And presumably you didn't vote the same as a person, who I can only assume is a relative, from your fb feed!? ;)

Morning, Mark! Yay for voting!!

>168 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Big night for Hillary but I am so glad to see Sanders in the mix. He has had a great influence in this election cycle. He is keeping Hillary on task and keeping the Democratic voters stoked.

>169 LovingLit: LOL! Carl is a good friend of mine, Megan, but he has been completely body-snatched by Trump. He is convinced that our country is in horrible shape, (it is not) and Trump will be the savior, (he will not be).

>170 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Looks like we had a record turn-out for the primaries. This is very important and we NEED to keep it up.

29) The Accidental by Ali Smith 3.5 stars

A family is staying in a holiday home, in Norfolk. A snooty couple, with their oddball kids. Wielding a device, that has been used in other books and films, a stranger appears, this one, an attractive young woman, who's car breaks down, enters and shakes up this dysfunctional family.
I have been wanting to read Smith for years and the BAC, gave me this opportunity, (thanks, Paul). Unfortunately it ended up being a mixed bag. I liked and appreciated, how creative and interesting the set-up was but the narrative flattened out in the second half and diluted it for me. Fortunately, I recognize her abundant talent, so I will gladly give her another go.

30) I'm Glad About You by Theresa Rebeck 3.8 stars

A couple meets in high school and fall hard for each other. They seem to be destined, for a perfect union, but after a messy break-up, they go their separate ways.
Alison flees to New York, to become an actress and Kyle goes off to college, to become a doctor. Their earlier romance, haunts them, as they make their way through new careers.
I would usually steer clear of a novel like this, just not my cup of tea, but I did end up enjoying it. Rebeck is a solid writer and a good story-teller. She also gives us, a nice, insider look into the TV and movie biz.

Rebeck will at Booktopia in May.

Morning, Mark! Nice reviews - I am happy to report that you didn't hit me with either f those, which is a relief for my WL. Happy day off to you!

Morning, Mamie! Glad I didn't add any new BBs. We all have quite enough, in storage. I am trying to work in my Booktopia authors, into the mix. I only have, just over 6 weeks.

Ha!

Yup that's me....

>176 msf59: So that's what my brain looks like!

>177 Crazymamie: >178 charl08: >179 tymfos: I have a feeling all of our brains have transformed into biblio-brains, although I am not sure my "Everything Non-Book Related" section would be that large. Grins...

Caught up on your thread after being away for a few weeks. Loved my holiday, the catching up with LT afterwards less so!
Congrats on having a full house once again.

From the library one of my first pickups was a GN, The Eternaut by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, an Argentinean GN classic I had never heard of till earlier this year. Looks interesting as far as the cover art goes.

Here you go Mark. Warble away. I posted this early so Ellen could get started. Her's is a library copy.

A Manual for Cleaning Women Group Read

>176 msf59: I loved the brain book diagram. For mine there would have to be a large library brain blob.

>181 avatiakh: Hi, Kerry! Great to see you, Kerry. I have missed you. Hope you had a wonderful holiday. I will watch for your final thoughts on The Eternaut. Thanks!

>182 luvamystery65: Hi, Ro! You do not waste anytime, my friend. I love it. I hope everyone feels the same way I did about it.

>183 mdoris: Howdy, Mary! I am sure we can bookhorn in a "large library brain blob", somewhere in your brain. Smiles...

Hi Mark. I'm sorry The Accidental landed somewhat awry on you. I've read and enjoyed There but for the and How to be both and I liked them both a lot. You don't make me want to read The Accidental, though.

Thanks for warbling so much about A Manual for Cleaning Women. I'm excited to read it and to have a thread for group discussion (go Ro!).

>185 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! Good to see you. I will definitely be reading more Smith and How to be both sounds terrific.

I am so glad to see such interest in Cleaning Women. My warbling paid off, even if it was down the road a bit.

Morning, Mark! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

^I had a very good reading day yesterday. I finished Super Mutant Magic Academy. What a treat. Funny and inventive. Tamaki is an artist to really keep an eye on. I also finished The Dew Breaker, which was a very good introduction to Danticat. She is a terrific writer. Glad to see I have many more books of hers to choose from.

On the GN front, I started Octopus Pie and this looks promising.

Hi, Mark! It's good to see that you had a day off yesterday. I hope you enjoyed it.

>187 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Cooling back off. Boo!

>189 DianaNL: Hi, Diana! Love those days off!

Morning, Mark! Gonna storm here the next few days, and it's supposed to cool things down some, which we could use. High 80s in March is beyond bizarre for me.

Happy St. Pat's Day, Mark! It's a beer drinkers day for sure! Great brain diagram! Have a great day!

>176 msf59: Nice. Very clever.

>191 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Plenty of sunshine here but windy and cool. I would not be ready for hi 80s, either.

>192 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! I got my St Patrick's Day partying iin, last Saturday, so I will refrain tonight. Grins ...

>193 brodiew2: Hiya, Brodie! Good to see you. Reading anything good?

Happy St. Patrick's day, Mark!

I went to put my corned beef and cabbage into the slow cooker this morning, and we were OUT OF BEER! Curses! Of all the days! I've never made my St. Patty's Day meal without it. I had to resort to an alternate recipe that I KNOW won't be as good.

>163 msf59: I can also recommend Mowat's The Snow Walker, Mark. I'm watching the challenge thread for others meself.

>188 msf59: Wasn't Super Mutant Magic Academy a treat? I don't know why this one didn't get more pub. I'm sure it's going to be one of my best of the year.

Julia gave quite the enticing review for There But for The by Ali Smith, so at some point I'll give that one a go.

Low Moon was a quirky and good Gn by Jason. Now I'm giving Fatale a go, another one by Brubaker/Sean Phillips.

>195 tymfos: Happy St. Patrick's day, Terri! The corn beef and cabbage sounds delish. My Mom used to make this combo, for us, a few times a year. Always one of my favorites. I don't think she ever used beer though...

>196 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Glad you also liked your Mowatt pick. I'll have to keep that one in mind. I agree with you on, Super Mutant. It should have got more buzz.

I will be reading more Ali Smith, even though I wasn't gaga over my choice. Not familiar with Low Moon.

Hiya Mark! I am very proud that you voted. And I love the brain diagram!! I am stealing it for my FB. : ) It is still Thursday here and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Raising one in your honor. Not that I know you are Irish, but I do know you love beer.

Hi Mark and Happy Friday! I'm going to be reading The Dog Who Wouldn't Be soon, but first I have a handful of other reads to complete. Hoping not to let March set me too far back in terms of completed books.

>198 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! Good to see you. Yes, I am Irish. My maternal grandmother was born in Ireland, so I have a healthy slice. I did not raise one last night but I will this weekend. Grins...

>199 EBT1002: Happy Friday, Ellen! I have been seeing several different Mowat titles to choose from, so I will be exploring this author more. It looks like you have been doing, some fine reading, my friend.

Happy Friday, folks! It is cooling back off here, for the next few days. Boo! I want those temps to keep climbing.

I did start The Sunlit Night, my 3rd Booktopian title and it begins well. I am also continuing to enjoy Talking to the Dead. It is working very well on audio and I really like the Fiona Griffiths character.

Happy Weekend!

Morning, Mark! Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, Mark!

Woo Hoo and Happy Friday, Mark!

>201 msf59: lol that understated message should work ;0)

You're progressing well on Booktopia Homework!

Horray for the weekend! And Happy Late Saint Patrick's Day to you.

>202 DianaNL: Back at you, Diana's!

>203 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

>204 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>205 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Hope the bat signal works. Yep, happy with my progress on the Booktopia homework. It takes the pressure off.

>206 Thebookdiva: Happy Friday, Abby! Good to see you.

Did I miss checking in today? Happy Friday, Mark!

If you haven't read any Jason GNs, you should give one a go from the library. Very distinctive style, and a legion of GN fans. Here's his Amazon page: http://smile.amazon.com/Jason/e/B0034P7CP4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1458321004&sr=1...

#201 Love that pic!

Happy Friday Mark :)

Just waving and Happy Friday. I know I'm miiiiiiiiiiles behind.

> 207 Howdy, Joe! Somehow Jason never hit my radar. I will check my library tonight. Thanks.

Hey Mark - wishing you a great weekend. I've just read the cleaning woman short story itself. Think that's my favourite (so far).

>209 BekkaJo: Hi, Bekka! Great to see you. Hope you have a fantastic weekend.

>210 Ameise1: Hi, Barb! Missed you up there.

>212 charl08: Happy Friday, Charlotte! I am so glad you liked the title story. I was really amazed, at how consistent these stories were. I do not think there was a dud in the bunch.

-Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway

"The foothills were patchy, balding. Tall plants formed patches for the road's elbows. In every meadow grew white and yellow grasses. Waterfall veins streaked the mountains and a little rain in the air prepared the sky for rainbows. We drove through a passing wink of colors, a natural hologram."

-The Sunlit Night. The bulk of this story takes place in this gorgeous and rugged setting. I had never heard of these islands. I am really enjoying the story and this may be my favorite of my Booktopia books, to this point.

We will be reading American Poetry in April. I wanted to post this a bit earlier. Here is the link:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/220301

>213 msf59: Good morning Mark. Well, there must be some mistakes with numbrrs and names. Have a great Saturday.

>216 Ameise1: Happy Saturday, Barb! You must have snuck in there, while I was posting yesterday and I missed you. Hope you have a good weekend.

Morning, Mark! I have been to the poetry thread, and I even recommended two collections. Look at me recommending poetry!

>215 msf59: I am really looking forward to next month to have an excuse to bury myself in poetry. Thanks for going outside your normal comfort zone for this one Buddy.

Have a great weekend.

Happy Saturday, Mark! I'm afraid that as I looked out the window just a minute ago, I saw snowflakes. Gah. I mean, honestly.

>218 Crazymamie: Morning Mamie! Glad you made it over to the Poetry thread and made a couple of recs. Hugs!

>219 PaulCranswick: I appreciate that, Paul. I am looking forward to exploring some poetry and this is the perfect excuse.

>220 scaifea: Morning, Amber! No snow here fortunately. Just chilly, with peeks of sunshine. Not bad at all.

I checked in on the Poetry Challenge thread, but not here yet, Mark. Hope it's going okay for you today.

Glad you're having a good time with the Booktopia book.

>222 jnwelch: Happy Saturday, Joe! The work day went well. Thanks and the books are treating me just fine.

^The work week is finally through and I hear a couple fine brews calling me name. Here I come fellas...

Happy start of your weekend, Mark.

I got a lot of reading in on The Lost Garden today and am loving it!!

Happy Saturday, Linda! Just heading out to dinner. Hooray for The Lost Garden.

Enjoy, the rest of your weekend.

Stopping by to say hi! I expect you are deep in your fine craft beer, Lone Ranger. Enjoy!

>227 vancouverdeb: Happy Saturday, Deb! We are back home. Having a final beer, for the evening.

Good morning, Mark. Wishing you a day full of R&R.

>229 Ameise1: Happy Sunday, Barb! I hope to spend a nice chunk of the day with the books. That is the plan.

31) Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat 4 stars

“We have doomed the wolf not for what it is, but for what we deliberately and mistakenly perceive it to be...”

Mowat, a naturalist/biologist is given an assignment: spend the summer in the subarctic and study wolf behavior, particularly, their feeding habits. Mowat discovers one wolf family and follows them closely, for several months. It is an eye-opening experience, giving him a deeper understanding and compassion for this misunderstood animal.

This is a terrific read. Funny and adventurous. I have heard much of it is fictionalized, but as a story, it really resounds. Surprisingly, it was written, about 50 years ago but still remains fresh and entertaining.

**I read this for the CAC.

32) The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat 4.2 stars

We are introduced to a Haitian man, living in Brooklyn. He emigrated here, over thirty years ago. He is a good father and a good husband. He also has a very dark past, which involved, working as a prison guard, in his homeland. Rumors of atrocities abound...
We are then shown separate stories, of the lives of other Haitians, as they deal with the struggles of life and each of them has some connection, with the “Dew Breaker”, (or torturer).
This was my first novel, by this author and I was quite impressed. Her haunting prose, is beautiful but also tough and unflinching. It may not always be an easy or smooth read but it will make an indelible impression.

“And for the rest of the night we raise our glasses, broken and unbroken alike, to the terrible days behind us and the uncertain ones ahead.”

Morning, Mark! I could have sworn that I had already posted here today, but nope. Two very nice reviews - you have been busy, and the reading has been good, I see. Carry on!

Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! And Happy Spring!!

>233 Crazymamie: Happy Sunday, Mamie! About to finish another Booktopia book and then some GN reading. I also plan on cracking a story collection. All is good.

>234 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Just went food shopping. Plenty of sun out there but still chilly.

Ali Smith has to be a good author because some people really like her stuff, but like you, I think that The Accidental must not be the best she can do. I found Accidental to be a jumbled story but mostly I simply couldn't find anything to like about the characters. When that happens listening to a book is a chore instead of a pleasure. I just couldn't spend more hours on a book with people I didn't like. I listened to it while I was driving to Oxford, Mississippi for the Booktopia that was held there back in 2012. I gave up on it after about half of the book, so I think I gave it a far chance.

Happy Sunday, Benita! Good to see you. Have the books been treating you well?

I have been off this last week for Spring Break. That means lots of driving time so lots of listening to books time. I have listened to three books so far this trip. Shadow Scale the sequel to Seraphina - both books by Rachel Hartman and are YA fantasy. The last in the Regency Romance spoof series Secret History of the Pink Carnation - Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig. I just started listening to the children's book Book of Reckoning by John Stephens. This one is the third book in a trilogy that I have enjoyed over the years, and I think them very well written, and great kids fare. (Or adults who like children's books)

I also finished reading Hounded by Kevin Hearne. I like this series, and hope to find the recorded version of them for future trips.

I am on my way back to Alabama today. It was raining on my the day I left and it is raining on me now. I couldn't believe it - I drove through snow today. It was about noon and in central Kentucky. There was enough snow to make the ground white. I am resting at the Starbucks in Hopkinsville, KY right now. Then it will be on to Nashville.

Sounds like a nice spring break for you, filled with fun books. Glad you liked the first Iron Druid book. It is a consistently good series.

Speaking of YA or middle-grade, I am nearly finished with Crenshaw, a book Linda recommended. It is very good.

^I just started How to Breathe Underwater. I have had this one of shelf forever. I enjoyed her first novel, The Invisible Bridge and really wanted to get to this story collection. It looks like most of the stories, are told through the eyes of a child.

The first story is dark and disturbing. Just my cuppa.

>241 msf59: The pool reading worries me. How will her book recover?

Seriously, sounds like some good reading is underway.

Happy Sunday my friend!! You have been busy reading. I better go find my book...

>242 charl08: This book is completely water-proof, or at least that is what I have heard. No worries!

Yes, the book reading is going just fine. Starting City on Fire tomorrow.

>243 Berly: Hi, Kimmers! I am having a good day. Getting plenty of reading in, along with a few other odds & ends.

#240
Crenshaw has been quite a hit. Lots of buzz about it in the children's book world.

I wish there had been time for more book reading. However, I spent the time looking at cars. I have narrowed it down to two models. Subaru Outback or a Volkswagen Passat. I am leaning toward the Outback as I want a vehicle that can handle the bad roads back home in Kansas. However, I love the longevity of the diesel engine that Volkswagen has built. If I bought it I wouldn't have to buy another car in my lifetime. Biggest problem is the cost. Both of these cars will cost around $30,000.00. Can you believe that?

Crenshaw is a shorty. You could knock it out in no time.

My daughter has a Subaru Cross Trek, a bit smaller than the Outback. She loves it.

Two great reviews, Mark and two enjoyable reads for you, and two thumbs from me. Happy Spring, Mark!

Happy Sunday, Deb! Thanks for the Thumbs! The reading has been going very well. I hope you are having a fine day.

Happy first days of Spring, Mark!

How to Breathe Under Water looks really interesting. It's probably the type of book I read. I'll keep an eye on what you think of the rest of the stories.

Happy first day of spring!

Happy Spring, Mark!

Nice reviews--- I am also a Never Cry Wolf fan.

Good morning, Mark. I wish you a wonderful start into the new week.

#231 - Recently I saw the movie version of Never Cry Wolf - very well made nature movie - made me want to read the book.

Never Cry Wolf sounds interesting.

>249 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg! Thanks for the colorful flowers. We could use some of that, around here.

>250 The_Hibernator: Hi, Rachel! How to Breathe Under Water begins very well. This is the kind of short fiction, I like.

>251 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda! Hope you had a nice weekend. Have you read any other Mowatt?

>252 Ameise1: Hi, Barb! Thanks! I hope your week goes well too.

>253 ctpress: Hi, Carsten! Good to see you. I also really liked the film version of Never Cry Wolf and would like to see it again. Hope you can give the book a try, as well.

>254 avatiakh: I think you would like Never Cry Wolf, Kerry, plus it is a shorty and we love shorties.

Morning, Mark! Speaking of dark and disturbing, I'm listening to The Nest, which is good n' creepy. You might enjoy it...

Morning, Amber! Ooh, The Nest. Yes, it calls. Thanks.

^Of course, this can also apply to beer, although I would not take any to the doctor's office.

Morning, Mark! I would like to take a beer to the doctor's office, but I guess I'll settle for a latte - Rae has a dentist appointment today to get a cavity filled.

Morning Mark! I have Never Cry Wolf audio queued up for next. It also makes a nice GeoCAT read for April if any of our 75ers are following that challenge over in the Category Challenge group.

Happy Monday, Mark!

>259 msf59: Well I certainly resemble that remark, Mark.

Since I was on the road alot this last week I listened to several books. It is a rarity for me, but I listened to a work of non-fiction for the Non-Fiction group read hosted by Suzanne. March was travel book month, so I listened to one I had sitting around on the shelves for quite a long time. Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner. This work of non-fiction is part travelogue and part social science research. The mix of the two makes for an entertaining and enlightening book. The author starts out exploring the concept of happiness and ends up visiting ten of the happiest places on earth and one of the unhappiest in order to find out what makes a place, and consequently, the people who live there, happy. I am not sure he found out what made them happy, as there didn't seem to be a common thread, but he did find out what made them unhappy. In a word, that was, money. While the author found out that it is true that money can't buy happiness, he also discovered that the lack of money can make people unhappy. The only exception was the country of Bhutan. In that country money, more, or not enough, doesn't seem to make much difference in the way people feel and think about their lives. All-in-all, this was a fascinating look at the concept of happiness and all the components of a place that make it a happy place to be and live. I listened to this book and found it a very well done production. The author serves as the narrator and since he was also a NPR reporter and had much experience with the recording process, he did an excellent job. This was one non-fiction recorded book that I enjoyed and would recommend to other listeners. This would be a happy way to pass the time on your mail route!

Hi Mark!

Hi Benita!

Hounded by Kevin Hearne is the first book in a long series of books titled the Iron Druid books. This is urban fantasy, and it is a genre that I have not read much. I know it is very popular and so wanted to try out a title. Due to good reviews by people I trust (namely our friendly postman) I picked this series. It was OK, but not great. It is what I would call a guy book, even if it is urban fantasy. Lots of expletives, lots of sex, and lots of descriptions of T & A. Lots of action, and since the main characters best friend is a dog, it sinks to that level. It was a good travel book, in that it didn't demand much from the reader. It is the kind of book that I wouldn't mind leaving in the airport waiting area once I am finished with it, as it is a good way to pass the time, but not worth carrying home. I am glad that I tried it. Since it is the author's first book I am giving it the benefit of the doubt and most likely will read another in this series.

>260 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! I would rather just drink a few beers before going to the doctor or better yet the dentist. Hope the visit went well with Rae.

>261 luvamystery65: Hi, Ro! Never Cry Wolf is a good audio and a shorty. Win, Win!

>262 Carmenere: Big Waves to Lynda!

>263 PaulCranswick: I know that BYOB motto, fits you perfectly, Paul. Grins...

>264 benitastrnad: >266 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! Still on the road?

I remember hearing the author, of Geography of Bliss, on a podcast, a few years back. It did sound like a good one. I remember some of the countries, being more poverty-ridden but the people were happy.

I liked Hounded better than you and I would not leave it, in an airport. LOL. The writing may not have been perfect but it worked well for a first in a series and he tones a few things down in the later books.

>265 Berly: Big, loving waves to Kimmers!

#268
Now wait a minute - I said I would leave it AFTER I had finished reading it. I would leave it because I think it is the kind of light reading that a traveler would enjoy because of its simplicity and lighthearted approach. I figured that Kevin Hearne must get better at the writing as the series goes along. Otherwise, the series wouldn't have lasted as long as it has. I am not sure that this novel is on the same plain as the Jim Butcher Dresden Files series, but I do think he has a great plot ideas that keep things moving. What I didn't like was the Dog. That seemed silly. However, the author does have a wicked sense of humor.

Just stopping by for a quick hello, buddy. All is well in NYC. Hope life is treating you to good beer and books.

>269 benitastrnad: I knew what you, meant, Benita! Grins...Funny, I did read the first 3 of the Dresden books and liked them just fine but they really didn't ring my bells, so I did not continue. The Iron Druid series keeps me coming back, although I hope Hearne caps this off, at some point.

>270 jnwelch: Good to see you, Joe! Hope all is well in NYC.

Books & Beer!! Yeah, Baby!!

^I finally dove into City on Fire. Yes, it is a doorstop, a bona-fide chunkster, clocking in at 900 pages. I am doing it on audio and, so far, it is working well in this format. Just trying to keep the characters straight. I am joining Kim & Mamie, on this one, although they both have a healthy head-start.

>201 msf59: love the batman beer signal! We've all felt like that from time to time :) Some more than others maybe. *looking at no one in particular*

Your latest read is a chunkster indeed! I tend, as you know, to go for lots of small books at once rather than one large one :)

Hi, Megan! Good to see you. Yes, I like that batman beer signal. I usually start seeing it, toward the end of the week.

City on Fire caught a lot of buzz here, in the states, last year but I have not seen much of an LT response to it. I am balancing this with a couple of shorties. You just have to.

Morning, Mark!

Morning, Mark!

Yeah, I've been curious about City on Fire, so I'm glad you and Kim and Mamie are blazing the trail.

Have a good one today. According to my phone, it looks like you're having a cloudy, warm one.

Morning, Mark!

>277 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Looks like we are in for another round of crazy weather, the rest of the week. Are we sure it is spring?

>276 scaifea: >278 Crazymamie: Morning, Amber & Mamie!

Hiya, Mark! Just checking in. I finally put together my thoughts on Nobody's Fool, which I loved. Thanks for including Russo in the AAC this year.

Hi, Katie! Good to see you. I am so glad you loved Nobody's Fool. Now, you have me pumped about it.

There was lots of talk of City on Fire in the publisher blogs that I follow for work, but, like you said, not much talk of it here on LT. I think that might be due to the fact that LT readers are more likely to read all the time and therefore, not as likely to fall prey to trends. Or the trendy. The bright shiny new things have to measure up to the bright shiny old things that people read here. That is not to say, that LT'ers don't read what is on the best seller lists, but to them it is just another book that might be good - or bad. Critical readers tend to be just that - critical readers.

Hi there Mark! Yes, I have decided to take on Lucy Barton and I am quite enjoying it so far. Sunny today! Yes!

>282 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita! I am enjoying City on Fire. It is well-written. The key here, is how it will hold up, through 900 pages. That is hefty and difficult to pull off. Some of it, reminds me of A Little Life, without the relentless angst.

I like your LT thoughts. We do seem to set our own trends. LOL.

>283 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! Hooray for sun. We have mild temps but it is mostly cloudy. Hope you continue to enjoy Lucy Barton.

^Want to get lost in a good book? I thought, you would...

Nice day today. I sat outside for a bit at lunch and read The Lost Garden. I definitely need to read more Humphreys. Really liking it.

Hi, Linda! Hooray for The Lost Garden! Hooray for Ms. Humphreys!

See if you can find The Frozen Thames. A perfect, little gem.

>287 msf59: I think I have that in the back seat of my car. Or maybe in my trunk. I was reading the occasional story in it when I had just a moment.

Good, I am glad you have a copy, plus it is such a nice little edition.