Socio: MusicMom41

Hi Carolyn,

I don't know if you are aware that Connie Willis has a new book out called "Blackout". She revisits the historians of Oxford only this time the story takes place in WWII. I remembered how much you liked The Doomsday Book last year so I wanted to make sure you knew about this new one. It's excellent! I think I like it better than Doomsday. It's going to be a book in two parts, the second book will be out in the fall. Really detailed and well researched historical fiction. I love it!

enviado por loriephillips a las 10:53 am (EST) del Feb 9, 2010

You mean maybe I should lower my rating to half-a-star? By Jove, you may be right!

Thanks for noticing!!

enviado por EnriqueFreeque a las 8:24 pm (EST) del Feb 6, 2010

Thank you!

enviado por suslyn a las 6:32 pm (EST) del Jan 31, 2010

Loved your comments. Given this was a young woman who had discovered LOTR, and remember that I read ALL the mostly bad imitations in the late 60s and 70s ( the first US mass media publication was in 1967) in an attempt to recreate that wonderful experience, McKillip's was probably the most original and well-done. Terry Brooks' Shannara series, Dennis McKiernan's trilogy, heavens, there were loads more even worse and all pretty derivative.

What I loved in the first book especially was that first scene setting it up. The crown bouncing around under the bed, Tristan's bringing it up in the hubbub as the traders arrive, Elliard and Morgon rolling in the rosebushes. I felt an immediate connection. And I loved the discipline of riddle-mastery and the koans, as it were, derived from it--that whole concept delighted me. And even if the rhythm of the first book did not seem to flow smoothly, it accomplished its purpose, which was to introduce Morgon to all the land-rulers and forge those connections he will need in the third book. And then that ending!!! And I, I had to wait a whole year for the next book to come out, and even then the resolution is not given immediately.

The second book was a delight. Tolkien had relegated females to decidedly secondary support roles, even Eowyn, with no major viewpoints at all. And it was even worse in most of the imitations and homages. Here we have a decidedly feminine POV, with Raederle, Lyra and Tristan taking the initiative to do what no one else had. We don't have Raederle waiting passively in her kingdom for Morgon to come to her. She goes looking for him, and in the process, discovers much more about her own heritage and powers than is comfortable. And in the end, refuses to be left behind.

And here we are in book three. Where all things...come about? I hope you continue to enjoy it.

enviado por ronincats a las 12:06 am (EST) del Jan 10, 2010

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

enviado por bonniebooks a las 4:21 pm (EST) del Nov 1, 2009

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

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

Cheers, Jan

enviado por janoorani24 a las 12:32 pm (EST) del Sep 23, 2009

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

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

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

enviado por girlunderglass a las 1:54 am (EST) del Jun 3, 2009

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

enviado por tututhefirst a las 2:52 pm (EST) del May 31, 2009

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

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

--Tad

enviado por TadAD a las 8:04 am (EST) del May 29, 2009

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

enviado por callmejacx a las 1:00 am (EST) del May 29, 2009

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

RMD

enviado por richardderus a las 1:51 pm (EST) del May 26, 2009

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

enviado por amwmsw04 a las 8:59 pm (EST) del May 25, 2009

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

enviado por girlunderglass a las 1:48 pm (EST) del Apr 26, 2009

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

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

enviado por ronincats a las 12:40 am (EST) del Apr 3, 2009

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

enviado por ronincats a las 11:17 pm (EST) del Apr 2, 2009

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

Linda

enviado por Whisper1 a las 11:53 pm (EST) del Mar 20, 2009

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

enviado por RidgewayGirl a las 12:48 pm (EST) del Mar 15, 2009

Hey there.

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

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

Any thoughts most appreciated :)

enviado por suslyn a las 8:33 am (EST) del Mar 14, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

Lorie

enviado por loriephillips a las 10:20 pm (EST) del Mar 10, 2009

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

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

- TT

enviado por TheTortoise a las 12:30 pm (EST) del Mar 10, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

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

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

--Tad

enviado por TadAD a las 1:56 pm (EST) del Mar 9, 2009

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

How are you?

enviado por Whisper1 a las 12:55 pm (EST) del Mar 7, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

regards,

Laura

enviado por digifish_books a las 7:57 pm (EST) del Mar 6, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

regards

Laura

enviado por digifish_books a las 12:09 am (EST) del Mar 5, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

--Tad

enviado por TadAD a las 8:51 am (EST) del Mar 4, 2009

Hi Carolyn

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

You are ever so kind to point this out.

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

Linda

enviado por Whisper1 a las 2:46 pm (EST) del Mar 2, 2009

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

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

enviado por suslyn a las 2:54 am (EST) del Mar 1, 2009

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

enviado por suslyn a las 1:39 am (EST) del Mar 1, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 2:23 am (EST) del Feb 26, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 12:24 am (EST) del Feb 25, 2009

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

enviado por blackdogbooks a las 9:28 am (EST) del Feb 23, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

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

Take care,
--Tad

enviado por TadAD a las 7:49 am (EST) del Feb 23, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 2:34 am (EST) del Feb 23, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 1:37 am (EST) del Feb 22, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 8:43 am (EST) del Feb 21, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 2:07 pm (EST) del Feb 20, 2009

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

Joyce

enviado por Joycepa a las 11:42 am (EST) del Feb 20, 2009

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

Joyce

enviado por Joycepa a las 5:11 am (EST) del Feb 20, 2009

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

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

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

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

Joyce

enviado por Joycepa a las 4:22 am (EST) del Feb 20, 2009

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

Joyce

enviado por Joycepa a las 6:50 pm (EST) del Feb 19, 2009

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

enviado por suslyn a las 1:43 pm (EST) del Feb 19, 2009

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

Hope you're doing great.

enviado por suslyn a las 12:14 pm (EST) del Feb 19, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 2:09 am (EST) del Feb 19, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Lisa

enviado por LisaCurcio a las 9:37 am (EST) del Feb 17, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 8:12 pm (EST) del Feb 16, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Have a safe trip home tomorrow!

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 3:43 am (EST) del Feb 16, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 1:19 am (EST) del Feb 16, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 7:50 pm (EST) del Feb 15, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 12:33 am (EST) del Feb 15, 2009

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

enviado por laytonwoman3rd a las 12:58 pm (EST) del Feb 14, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 5:33 am (EST) del Feb 14, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 1:59 am (EST) del Feb 14, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

I hope you are having a wonderful 3 day weekend.

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 11:35 pm (EST) del Feb 13, 2009

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

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

enviado por blackdogbooks a las 10:34 am (EST) del Feb 13, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 1:24 am (EST) del Feb 13, 2009

Carolyn,

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

I hope you get this before you leave!

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 2:20 pm (EST) del Feb 12, 2009

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 12:33 am (EST) del Feb 12, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 12:14 am (EST) del Feb 12, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 12:06 am (EST) del Feb 12, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 1:46 am (EST) del Feb 11, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 6:50 am (EST) del Feb 10, 2009

Good morning Carolyn,

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

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

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

--Tad

enviado por TadAD a las 8:35 am (EST) del Feb 9, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 11:43 pm (EST) del Feb 8, 2009

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

enviado por Whisper1 a las 12:29 pm (EST) del Feb 7, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

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

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

Talk to you later.

--Tad

enviado por TadAD a las 6:39 am (EST) del Feb 7, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Get some rest!

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 2:39 am (EST) del Feb 7, 2009

Hi Carolyn,

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

--Tad

enviado por TadAD a las 7:53 pm (EST) del Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 4:41 pm (EST) del Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 6:21 am (EST) del Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

Stasia

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

enviado por alcottacre a las 1:55 am (EST) del Feb 6, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

Good luck in th Attic!

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 9:34 pm (EST) del Feb 5, 2009

Hi Carolyn

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

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

enviado por Whisper1 a las 9:14 pm (EST) del Feb 5, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 8:52 am (EST) del Feb 5, 2009

Carolyn,

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

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

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

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

Stasia

enviado por alcottacre a las 12:07 am (EST) del Feb 3, 2009