Merryann ROOTs in 2014 No. 2

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Este tema fue continuado por Merryann 2014 No. 3 Post-Goal ROOTS.

CharlasROOT - 2014 Read Our Own Tomes

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Merryann ROOTs in 2014 No. 2

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1Merryann
Editado: Abr 2, 2014, 2:00 am

Here's my ticker, ready to keep counting up those ROOTs.



2Merryann
Editado: Ago 7, 2014, 1:46 pm

April ROOTS

40. Worth (children's chapter book)
41. Amber Brown Goes Fourth (children's chapter book)
42. Alvin's Swap Shop (children's chapter book)
43. Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday (children's chapter book)
44. Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise (children's chapter book)
45. Horrible Harry and the Holidaze (children's chapter book)
46. Dear Mr Henshaw (children's chapter book)
47. Julia Gillian and the Art of Knowing (children's chapter book)
48. Movie Star Pony (children's chapter book)
49. Stolen Ponies (children's chapter book)
50. Addie Across the Prairie (children's chapter book)
51. Library: An Illustrated History (free choice 2)
52. Rodzina (children's chapter book)
53. A Strange Enchantment (young adult fiction)
54. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (young adult fiction)
55. Disrupting Class (book for grown up, any time frame)
56. Olivia Kidney (children's chapter book)
57. The Ghost Next Door (free choice 1, not read within the last year)

Non-Fiction Picture Books (Non-ROOTs)

8. The Night Workers
9. The Day They Gave Babies Away

Updated main ticker to show 15 on 4-19.
Updated main ticker to add 2 more on 4-28

NOTHING FOR MAY! GASP! EEK!

June ROOTS (58 - 63 are really from May, probably)

58. I Chose Prison (books owned over 2 years)
59. The One Minute Mother (book to improve myself)
60. Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (children's fiction)
61. The Toff and the Stolen Tresses (book for grown ups any time frame)
62. The Gift that Blessed the Giver (never read, any age or category)
63. Raising Steam (Free Choice 2, never read, any age or category)
64. The Moon Over High Street (children's fiction)
65. Beautiful Zurt (free choice 2)
66. Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters (children's fiction
67. Chill Wind (youth books)
68. Are Libraries Obsolete? (free choice 1)

Non-Fiction Picture Books (Non-ROOTS)

10. Andy and the Lion (it's categorized under fables)
11.
12.
13.
14.

July ROOTS

69. When Knighthood was in Flower (owned over 2 years)
70. Two Suns in the Sky (youth books)
71. Compass in the Blood (youth books)
72. How to Live Safely in a Science Fiction Universe (free choice 1)
73. The Secret of the Haunted Doghouse (children's fiction)
74. The St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Mystery and The Case of the Stolen Code Book (children's fiction two short books so I am counting them as one)
75 Art and Architecture of Insects (free choice 1)
76 Kid Presidents (free choice 1)
77 A Secret Gift (free choice 1)
78 The Humming Room (owned over 2 years)
79 Ellen Tebbits (free choice 1)
80 Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?
81 The Boy on the Wooden Box

Non-Fiction Picture Books (Non-ROOTS)

11. Tudley Didn't Know (fiction picture book I am filing under philosophy)
12. Homes Then and Now
13. Enrico Fermi: Father of Atomic Power
14. The Babe: Mildred Didrikson Zaharias
15. Stars Beneath Your Bed
16. A Mama for Owen
17. One is a Snail Ten is a Crab
18. Deep in the Swamp
19. Welcome to the Green House
20. All About Owls
21. Sea Clocks
22. Pond Life
23. How Strong Is It?
24. Snowshoe Thompson
25. Captain Arsenio

Not Counted (Read but not countable as a ROOT)

1. The Big Wave (children's chapter book)

August Roots

82. The Bone Magician (owned over 2 years)

3Merryann
Editado: Jul 25, 2014, 6:45 pm

Along with my 84 ROOTs, I'm going to read 54 picture books, for a grand reading total of 138. I love picture books, and was fortunate enough to acquire many boxes of them. I look forward to most of them nestling happily on my bookshelves, but I do want to read them soon so that ones that do not need to stay with me can move on to a better place than sitting in a box waiting for attention from me.

Tickers for Each of My Made Up Categories

06 Books from my Grandmother Shelf - DONE



30 Nonfiction picture books (or any juvenile/youth nonfiction)

06 Books for grown-ups I've owned for over 2 years - DONE

08 Books for grown-ups, any time frame - DONE

24 Children's chapter books I want to read at least once - DONE

10 Really cool nonfiction books - DONE



02 Books designed to help improve myself in any way



12 Free choice 1, anything I haven't read within the last year

24 Fiction Picture Books - DONE

12 Youth books - DONE

04 Free choice 2, anything I have never read, any age or category - DONE

Total: 138



My Overall (ROOT + Extras) Total Ticker

2014: A wonderful year for reading!

4VivienneR
Abr 2, 2014, 3:30 am

Great tickers Mary Ann! I would get totally confused if they were mine. Keeping track of the 2014 Category Challenge is tricky enough for me. I have to keep adding everything up, over and over.

Looks like it will be a great year of reading.

5MissWatson
Abr 2, 2014, 6:27 am

Happy reading!

6rabbitprincess
Abr 2, 2014, 6:09 pm

A second thread! Congrats! :)

7ipsoivan
Abr 2, 2014, 9:02 pm

The sign of a truly dedicated LTer is that you need to start new threads. I just got caught up on threads after a week or so away. Congratulations! I've got your new thread starred.

8tymfos
Abr 3, 2014, 8:44 pm

Congrats on the fresh thread, Mary Ann! Wow, lots of tickers!

9Merryann
Abr 5, 2014, 1:34 am

Welcome, Vivienne, Miss Watson, rabbitprincess, Maggie, Terri, and Everyone! Cookies and strawberries and juices are on the table over there, and free Mental Bookmarks are on the shelf by the window, there. (If you take one, you'll remember what page you're on in your current book for up to a week until the imaginary batteries die, but that's okay, because they are solar powered and can be charged on any imaginary windowsill.)

You know what's funny about all my lovely tickers? I made them before I understood what the Category Challenge is. I joined the Category Challenge, but so far I have been too overwhelmed to keep up with any threads except here (so it's really funny, Maggie, that you compliment me as a dedicated LTer. I wish I could keep up with more!)

But I'm having fun with the tickers...as I complete one, I delete it, so I can really visually see me getting to my goal.

10VivienneR
Abr 5, 2014, 1:55 am

Mary Ann, you are so imaginative, you should be writing books - as well as reading them!

And I'm so embarrassed, I didn't even notice that you were in the 2014 Category Challenge. Why don't you post your tickers there. And your cataloguing Plan! I love that. Come on over...

11rabbitprincess
Abr 5, 2014, 10:06 am

I can definitely use a Mental Bookmark for when the bookmark for my bus book has migrated to the bottom of my messenger bag and I can't remember where it was supposed to go. Thanks! :)

Brought some tea to go with those cookies...

12connie53
Abr 7, 2014, 2:50 pm

Happy New thread, Mary Ann!

13MissWatson
Abr 8, 2014, 4:47 am

Lovely picture!

14avanders
Abr 8, 2014, 9:56 am

>9 Merryann: tee hee... I like your mental room :)
>11 rabbitprincess: lovely tea cup! I'll be heading over to a real tea house next weekend for my bday! :)

15Merryann
Abr 9, 2014, 10:02 pm

>10 VivienneR:, Thank you, Vivienne!

You shouldn't be embarrassed at all! I haven't been active on the Category Challenge page since right after signing up. Being social at all on the internet is new to me this year and I figure I'll get better at being able to do more as time goes by. I'm embarrassed because it's been four days since your post and I'm just now reading it!

>11 rabbitprincess:, Delicious tea, rabbitprincess, in a beautiful cup and saucer. :)

16Merryann
Abr 9, 2014, 10:35 pm

I'm in the mood for children's fiction. Here's my opinion on the batch I just finished:

Worth by A. LaFaye Very well-written and moving story of a farming family whose father brings home a child from the Orphan Train. This story 'wowed' me. While told clearly from the point of view of the natural son of the family, I 'felt' the emotions of every single main character. Again, wow.

Horrible Harry and the Christmas Surprise and Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline. Nicely written, 'real' children, good stories. Very good for young readers.

Amber Brown Goes Fourth by Paula Danziger. This is the first Amber Brown story I've read, and now I want to read them all.

Alvin's Swap Shop by Clifford Hicks. What a fun story! Set in the mid 1970s, Alvin gets to do a lot of things today's children probably don't get to, but that didn't stop me from enjoying his tale.

Dear Mr Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. Written in 1983, this book about a child of divorce manages to be just as relevant now. I don't recall any out-of-date stuff at all. Beverly Cleary is a master writer.

I read Addie Across the Prairie by Laurie Lawlor because I wanted more pioneer stories (after reading Worth). This book was not as intense as Worth, but in its own way it was just as good a read. I will read more about Addie.

17Merryann
Abr 9, 2014, 10:51 pm

Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday by Barbara Park.

Almost ten years ago, this was one of my first opportunities as a librarian to make a censorship decision. I hated the thought that children who were beginning to learn to read should learn such horrible grammar as is in the Junie B. books.

But children loved the books.

And while I hated the bad grammar, Junie B. is not, from all sources I checked, inappropriate for children.

I left them in the library. The students kept them checked out continually, and to my relief I never noticed our young ones' grammar deteriorate.

Still, I say, "Shame on you, Barbara Park! You are a good writer, and could have written the stories, in just as engaging a fashion, without all the nauseating baby talk bad grammar."

At any rate, now that I'm not a school librarian anymore, I sat down to read one with, perhaps, a fresh set of eyes. The story was cute. Junie B. seemed like a 'real' little girl, albeit one I didn't always like.

The baby talk and deliberate bad grammar still nauseated me. So did the way the weak-willed adult family members pandered to their bad behaving little girl. Example: Junie B. opens a toy that is not hers (it was bought for 'That Meanie Jim') and plays with it. Her mother informs her that the toy is not hers and she will not be allowed to keep it, even if she decided not to go to the birthday party.

So, they return the toy to the store and get their money back.

Really. After opening and playing with it.

Pardon me while I go drink some more anti-nausea medicine.

18Merryann
Abr 9, 2014, 10:53 pm

And I read four more, but you're probably tired of reading my stuff, so I'll tell about them some other day. :)

19VivienneR
Abr 10, 2014, 1:52 am

Worth sounds excellent, same goes for Horrible Harry, and Beverly Cleary was always a favourite. I love children's books.

20Merryann
Abr 10, 2014, 7:19 am

I'm starting to see that there are two different types of finely written children's books: those that are specifically written for children only, and those that children will enjoy and are also useful to adults who want/need to remember what it was like to be a child. Worth, Horrible Harry, Dear Mr Henshaw, and even the two-thumbs-down Junie B. Jones book are in the second category.

So is the most excellent Julia Gillian and the Art of Knowing, which only loses its five stars in my mind because one of the main points of the book is how upset Julia Gillian is to be reading a book in which the dog is probably going to die. And it does. . And then, when I'm finished reading, I look to find more Julia Gillian books and find, guess what? In an subsequent Julia Gillian book, her beloved dog dies! I am SO SICK of the fact that every single children's book I read that has a dog as a main character in it is bound to have the dog die.

The only exception to this I have found so far is Gordon Korman's really wonderful book, No More Dead Dogs.


On the other hand, these cute little short Pony Pals books, Movie Star Pony and Stolen Ponies are clearly written for pony-loving children, specifically girls, to read. Despite the fact that I am not at all their audience (except for being female) they were pretty good.

21avanders
Abr 10, 2014, 10:04 am

>17 Merryann: my thoughts exactly! Nice to see them so eloquently stated..

22connie53
Abr 10, 2014, 2:44 pm

>18 Merryann: I'm not tired reading them!

23Merryann
Abr 11, 2014, 5:57 pm

Thank you, Ava. And Connie, you are a ray of sunshine to my otherwise gloomy day today!

I am very excited about Library: An Illustrated History and will tell some about it when I get back from my walk, which is going to do that wonderful 'release the good endorphins' thing and help me leave my gloominess behind.

24Merryann
Abr 12, 2014, 2:45 am

The walk worked, my gloominess is gone, and I came home and worked on a huge stack of books getting into LT.

But now I'm too tired to give Library: An Illustrated History the wonderful, raving words it deserves, so I suppose I'll do that after the weekend. I'm going to see my Dad. If I remember to take a camera, when I come home I shall share some pictures of the place I consider the most beautiful in the United States. :)

25Matke
Abr 13, 2014, 6:05 pm

Hi, Mary Ann. You've read a lot of books! Most of my students loved the Amber Brown books as well as Beverly Cleary. I wouldn't use the Junie B. Jones books for read-alouds, much to their disappointment. But there were plenty of others to give us all joy.

Glad to know that you're not feeling gloomy any more. Let's hope the new week will be a great one for you.

26avanders
Abr 14, 2014, 11:26 am

Ooh, sounds intriguing ... the place you consider to be the most beautiful in the U.S.! I've never narrowed it to 1....

27tymfos
Abr 15, 2014, 11:20 am

Mary Ann, I'm glad the walk chased away your gloominess. I look forward to both your photos and your words about Library: An Illustrated History.

28jennyifer24
Abr 15, 2014, 8:39 pm

I'm enjoying your reviews! I have Junie B. books for my kids to read but I've never used them as read-alouds, since I figure my second-graders don't want to hear about first-graders any more, and I have so many other options. It's always interesting to see how the kids go each year, but Horrible Harry, who was so popular with my kids last year, is not so popular this year. My boys this time around are very much into nonfiction instead. I might have to do some book talks. :-)

29Merryann
Abr 16, 2014, 9:11 am

Hello Everyone! So much to talk about! I'll be back to do so in a little while, but for now, guess what? I finally found my copy of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children! (I actually found it the other day, but have just now gotten everyone else settled elsewhere and the work done enough to read it.)

I'll be back later. :)

30avanders
Abr 16, 2014, 11:09 am

woo hoo! Congrats on finding Peregrine! :)

31connie53
Abr 16, 2014, 3:49 pm

He! that's some good news! Now, go and find time to read it! ;-))

And I'm glad that your day was less gloomy! I've put a ban on gloomy days!

32Merryann
Abr 17, 2014, 2:13 am

Thank you for that gloominess ban, Connie. It's working!

Miss Peregrine is as good as everyone has been saying! For about the first fifty pages I didn't really like our main character very much. But the story is getting deeper now and I'm caring about him now. Love the photographs.

Back to reading now, just a few minutes before bed. The days go so fast!

33avanders
Abr 17, 2014, 9:58 am

Ooooh, I'm glad you're enjoying Peregrine!
I agree, the characters are not all lovable, but I think that's part of the charm too :)
and another agreement: the photographs!

34connie53
Abr 18, 2014, 3:17 pm

I have part II on my soon to be read list! I'm hoping it will be as good as part I.

35Merryann
Abr 18, 2014, 11:14 pm

>25 Matke:, I am surprised to find myself thinking about Amber here and there, worrying a bit about her...and then remembering she is a fictional character! I'm not surprised at all to hear that your students enjoyed hearing her stories, and I'm glad they have you, who will read them, as their teacher. :)

>26 avanders:, >27 tymfos: Thank you for being interested in my pictures Ava and Terri. I'm going to post them here (if I can figure out how) when I'm done writing words.

>28 jennyifer24:, I'm glad to hear your young ones are interested in nonfiction! I loved how my students lit up for 'real' books. I believe that peculiar dread readers develop for nonfiction is somewhat learned behavior, and if young readers are provided with interesting nonfiction they'll learn to love it, and coincidentally, to love learning! I am proud (perhaps conceited, lol) to say I checked out as much nonfiction as fiction in my old librarian days.

36Merryann
Abr 18, 2014, 11:24 pm

This new development LT has done in which the name of the person posting is automatically filled in is very handy and helpful in practice, but I felt odd typing without addressing the person I was writing. I had to hit 'enter' and see everyone's names there. Technology...I gradually grow more comfortable with it. :)

37Merryann
Abr 18, 2014, 11:41 pm

So, I finished Library: An Illustrated History. So far, this is my second favorite book of the year. It's fat, heavy, somewhat glossy pages, has that lovely clear plastic mylar library book cover, and LOTS of photographs and illustrations.

I expected to read it like dining at a buffet, a bit here, a bit there. I ended up reading every single word including the very interesting Foreword which offered the first of many great quotes:

Speaking of the Great Depression, Paul Jourdan-Smith wrote, "This is no time for the collector to quit his books. He may have to quit his house, abandon his trip to Europe, and give away his car; but his books are patiently waiting to yield their comfort and provoke him to mirth. They will tell him that banks and civilizations have smashed before; governments have been on the rocks, and men have been fools in all ages. But it is all very funny. The gods laugh to see such sport, and why should we not join them?"

The entire book is now littered with little scraps of paper marking passages, quotes, facts, trivia, and all sorts of interesting details. I already look forward to rereading this book! Usually, I've come to terms fairly well with my struggles to remember things...after all, there is something cool about being able to re-read something and sometimes it's like I've never read it before. But this book inspires me to get another book on brain exercises and get back to work growing those little neuron connector dudes back, because I really want to retain more of this book for longer!

Next post...my thoughts on Miss Peregrine.

38Merryann
Abr 18, 2014, 11:57 pm

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Finally, I can say I know what all the fuss is about! Five stars from me. I loved the photographs, bonded with Emma, liked Miss Peregrine (most of the time) and grew to care about Jacob. I really liked - please don't click this if you haven' read the book yet, because it is a definite the fact that he talks to his father before leaving at the end. That was some good caring work on the part of the author and I appreciate it.

Jacob's grandfather...what a man! I would like a book all about him, his childhood and youth, his decision to leave, his life afterward.

When did I get so old that I am more interested in the grandfather than the newly adult male? I did NOT see that coming. Oh well.

Now, I'm re-reading Sender Unknown by Sallie Lowenstein. Miss Peregrine kept putting me in the mind of Sender Unknown, and I do find them complementary to each other in a way. I feel very sorry for Sallie Lowenstein. I sincerely feel like the only reason Sender Unknown did not make a big splashy hit was because Scholastic published it with very small, annoying print. I find the story engrossing and the characters lovable.

39Merryann
Editado: Abr 19, 2014, 12:29 am

Standing in my Dad's front yard, looking across the potato field, down toward the creek.



His cherry trees are in bloom right now.







Standing at the side of the house, looking sort of toward the old apple orchard and where the house used to be where I grew up.



There is only one way to get in and out of my Dad's valley without going over a mountain. This, clearly, isn't it.



Thank you for looking at my pictures. :)

40VivienneR
Abr 19, 2014, 3:25 am

Your Dad's place looks heavenly!

41ipsoivan
Abr 19, 2014, 9:43 am

>39 Merryann: Thanks for the pictures, Merryann. Yes, it is truly beautiful.

Oh, and thanks for the heads-up that I no longer need to type the name!

42Familyhistorian
Abr 19, 2014, 3:58 pm

What a beautiful and peaceful looking place, Maryann. Thanks for sharing your photos.

43connie53
Abr 19, 2014, 4:36 pm

I love those pictures, Mary Ann!

44Merryann
Abr 19, 2014, 10:11 pm

Thank you, Vivienne, Maggie, Familyhistorian, and Connie. All of the world that I've been fortunate enough to see so far has been beautiful, but to me my Dad's place in Tennessee is where my eyes always long to rest.

Of course, my Dad is there and that makes it the best!

45Merryann
Editado: Abr 20, 2014, 6:34 pm

Done with The Night Workers, a great nonfiction picture book by Alvin Schwartz, photographs by Ulli Steltzer.

And, done with a book I started weeks ago, and have been taking slow to ponder and discuss with friends as I read: Disrupting Class by Clayton M. Christensen, Michael B. Horn, and Curtis W. Johnson.

Disrupting Class was a fine, thought-provoking book, less on what ought to be done to improve education in America and more on what is going to happen to improve it. Published in 2008, it's already been long enough to see that some things the authors predicted to happen by now have not. But...it's also been long enough to see that they will happen, just not quite as quickly as the authors predicted.

Very interesting read, insightful, clearly written, a bit math-y in feel, if that makes sense.

One humorous aside: the book makes reference to the different types of learning styles and how students need to be met in their own learning style. I found the words clear and easy to understand throughout this book, but I failed to make sense of any of the helpful graphs and charts used to illustrate the points.

I checked with a couple of other people, who understood them just fine. It's just me. Lol! I suspect this is due to my old injury, not my learning style, as I remember being able to do things like easily read maps, and used to be the type of person who read the instructions before setting up new equipment, rather than plunge right in.

But how frustrating this could be to a student! What if the use of graphs was the preferred way of teaching, and I a child in school? I would then be told I was 'unteachable'? Pshaw!

46avanders
Abr 21, 2014, 12:36 am

Oh those pics are gorgeous!

And glad to hear you enjoyed Peregrine so much!! Now, I'm eager to hear reviews of Hollow City...

47Matke
Abr 21, 2014, 8:13 am

Beautiful pictures, Mary Ann. It seems peaceful there.

I'm retired from teaching now, but I loved reading to the kids. I used lots of natural history books to help spur an interest in nonfiction. Sometimes that worked; other times not. What struck me was that even the most reluctant readers loved being read to.

Every kiddo has to have part of his school day aimed directly at his learning style. Time consuming but necessary.

48Merryann
Abr 21, 2014, 10:35 pm

>46 avanders:, Yes, I don't know how long I'll be able to resist waiting to read Hollow City...but I'm trying to wait just a little while to savor the feel of the first book for a little bit.

>47 Matke:, I love reading aloud, and find your words to be very true. Sometimes a teacher would be worried about a particular student here and there, afraid that he/she (almost always 'he' actually) wouldn't behave for me. Once I grew educated in how to read aloud, I rarely worried about that; they DO love being read to, and they DO want to pay attention and enjoy the story.

For eight of my nine years at the school I was fortunate to be Storyteller/Librarian, reading to all, from kindergarten through eighth grade. My saddest day happened during year nine, when they told me to put the books away and cancel my scheduled story classes - they were no longer paying me to be a storyteller.

49VivienneR
Abr 21, 2014, 11:28 pm

>48 Merryann: A sad day indeed! Everyone needs storytellers, even adults. It is so pleasant and comforting to have someone read or tell a story, that's why we read to people who are ill.

50avanders
Abr 22, 2014, 9:35 am

>48 Merryann: lol! I know the feeling :D

and they told you to stop reading to the kids??? that is terrible!!!

51connie53
Abr 22, 2014, 3:58 pm

What a awfull story about being told you could not be a storyteller anymore!

52Merryann
Abr 23, 2014, 12:58 am

Thank you for your kind understanding, Vivienne and Ava and Connie. It was indeed a very pain-filled day. Horrible for me, and not very good for my boss at the time, either. He was doing his best to help me avoid being laid off. Directing me toward other employment in the school, trying to teach me how to 'lay low'. There was nothing clearly defined in the standards that showed how reading aloud to students helped them pass the standardized tests.

It was an effort to avoid letting myself be devoured by my own bitterness after that. I considered deleting the last sentence in the paragraph above, but you might as well know my truth, which is that sometimes I still wrestle with the bitterness and it pins me.

53VivienneR
Abr 23, 2014, 1:15 am

What a terrible experience. I can understand why it still bothers you. Bureaucrats are notoriously narrow-minded.

54Merryann
Abr 23, 2014, 1:53 am

Your understanding makes me feel better and I appreciate it, Vivienne. Finishing the sad conversation with a laugh:

My Mom has a series of pictures of my sister and I riding tricycles about forty-five years ago. It's a trike race, and I'm losing.

The picture on the next page shows me pedaling away all by myself on the driveway. It's captioned, "I'll win the race THIS time!"

One day recently it dawned on me: Thinking about how I built the library at my old school, worked hard, poured my heart into being the best librarian I could be...but in the end I was laid off, the library dismantled and rebuilt as a Media Center (far fewer books, much more computer use).

I looked around this glorious library I am creating in my basement. 2,718 books and nowhere close to done unpacking and shelving. With a twinge of embarrassment, I hear the three-year old me muttering, "I'll win the race THIS time!"

55connie53
Editado: Abr 25, 2014, 3:38 pm

I love the race story, Mary Ann. And I can picture my son doing the same! I'm so happy that you can now share your new and shining library with us. You should not be embarresed at all! Because it's perfectly understandable and, although I never was a librarian, I do the same thing with my books.

Last monday my SIL asked (my childeren do know better and never ask this kind of questions when my husband is around) if there were books on the shelves that I did not touch for years. I was a bit taken by surprise but answered "No, I touch them all once a month or more, just dusting and reordering them"
I do that because I love books and not only read them but owning them as well.

56avanders
Abr 23, 2014, 9:55 am

lol! I love your stories about winning the race "this time"! And I think you've got it right. Living your life so that you can get enjoyment out of the things you think matter is what's important. There is just no possible way to make everyone else approve of your decisions... so may as well stop trying! It sounds like a bad decision was made that impacted both you and the children you read to, but you've not compromised what you found important. It is nice that you had a boss that supported you and tried to help!

And I think it's ok to feel bitterness or anger sometimes, particularly since it is clear to me, anyway, that you don't let it run your life! You have a lot of positive and uplifting energy. We all have our low moments, but you live yours somewhere in the clouds! :)

and >55 connie53: Connie - I love that you reorder your books regularly! I knew I wasn't alone in that.... ;)

57jennyifer24
Abr 23, 2014, 6:40 pm

Mary Ann, I'm so sorry. I'm feeling bitter for you. I can go on about tests for a long time but it's frustrating when you know you're doing what's best for kids and the test comes first instead.

58Merryann
Abr 24, 2014, 2:44 am

>55 connie53:, I'm glad you liked my trike story, Connie. :) Here is a quote from Library: An Illustrated History, for your SIL, regarding the having of books. It's written by Amy Lowell (who, according to the book, self-educated herself by reading from the 7,000 books in the family library and in the Boston Athenaeum). This is part of her poem entitled "The Boston Athenaeum":

"And as in some gay garden stretched upon
A genial southern slope, warmed by the sun,
The flowers give their fragrance joyously
To the caressing touch of the hot noon;
So books give up the all of what they mean
Only in a congenial atmosphere,
Only when touched by reverent hands, and read
By those who love and feel as well as think"


>56 avanders: Thank you for your beautiful words, Ava. It is easy to be in the clouds with your kindness uplifting me!

>57 jennyifer24: Thank you Jennyifer. It's so nice to be here, where people understand!

59jen.e.moore
Abr 24, 2014, 12:31 pm

>58 Merryann: Okay, I'm going to have to cave and make the library buy this book. (I'm surprised we haven't already, actually!)

60tymfos
Abr 25, 2014, 12:06 am

Mary Ann, I love your photos, and I am flabbergasted and saddened by the end of your storytelling time.

61connie53
Abr 25, 2014, 3:39 pm

>58 Merryann: I love that quote! Thanks for sharing

62VivienneR
Abr 25, 2014, 4:51 pm

>54 Merryann: I loved the trike story! Now that is inspiration! I remember racing on my trike too, unfortunately I didn't slow down for corners. I still have the scars on my head to prove it.

>55 connie53: I usually rearrange books when I dust them - or maybe I should say I dust them when I rearrange! I believe some "rearrangement" is due.

63Tess_W
Abr 25, 2014, 8:27 pm

Sorry to learn that you are not telling stories anymore. I believe that is a great part of being educated. I teach high school history and at the end of the year I ask the students to do an evaluation of myself and the class and the biggest positive I get is "You make history fun, you tell stories!"

64connie53
Abr 26, 2014, 12:33 pm

>63 Tess_W: That's what I felt, wayyyyyyy back when, about my history teacher. He could tell a story that would keep the whole class mesmerized and that was the year I got a 9 for history (we rate from 1= is very very very bad up to 10 = perfect). That changed when the next year I got a different teacher who stuck to the book and did not tell stories at all.

>62 VivienneR: I need to rearrange because my read books are in a different bookcase and space is limited. So when one book leaves the TBR case the empty space needs to be fillen, which involves shoving every book to the far right to make space for the read book in the read case. It will make sense when you see my bookcases in my profile. (I hope)

65tloeffler
Abr 27, 2014, 12:53 pm

I'm so far behind on everything, but I loved catching up with your thread! I've been reading some (non-fiction) books about the orphan trains lately, and it was a very interesting part of our history. I also love your Tennessee pictures. My son lived in/near Nashville for many years, and I loved driving down there to visit him. It is definitely beautiful country. And I'm stunned that you were taken to task for reading aloud to children. Everyone needs to be read to once in a while. At my book club last week, I was reading a synopsis of our next book to the group, and one of them said "I want TERRI to read the next book to us!" I love reading aloud, and I only get the chance when my grandkids come over. I almost want to stop my granddaughter from learning to read so I can keep reading to her!

Anyway, great reading going on. Keep up the good work!

66Merryann
Abr 28, 2014, 1:11 am

>59 jen.e.moore:, I got my copy of The Library: An Illustrated History at a store called Three Dollar Book Sale, in Lake City, Georgia. It's a lovely hardcover ex-library that cost me only $5.00. Perhaps they sell over the phone and you could get the book for less money. I'm a bit nervous about recommending it to the point that you spend money on it, but I certainly have enjoyed it.

>60 tymfos:, Thank you Terri. Now, I promise I'm not going to keep talking about this whole thing about losing my job, but this is a great story that I read today: I'm reading Stairway to the Stars: The Story of the World's Largest Observatory by Barry Parker. It's a story about the telescopes on Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Astronomer Gerard Kuiper, of the University of Arizona, worked for years toward building, as a cooperative project between the University of Arizona and University of Hawaii, what eventually became the Keck Telescope. According to the book, after using his expertise in many ways, the officials in Hawaii dropped him and his university from the project entirely. Ouch!

The book states plainly that Kuiper was furious and very bitter about this, then continues with, "Soon, however, he was so busy with other projects, he began to forget." On the next page it says, It (the telescope) was finally dedicated and opened in June 1970. Kuiper was invited to the dedication, and much to everyone's surprise, he attended. Afterward he inspected the telescope and facilities and said he was impressed."

THAT'S what I am going to try to be!

Not the professional astronomer and highly educated person part, although that's pretty cool also, but the 'able to honestly face one's emotions, then move on with grace and dignity' part.

By the way, I'm really enjoying this book. With its serious cover and weighty feel, I thought it might be too hard of a read for me, but there was no risk in the purchase since I popped it in the bag at a 'all you can fit for two dollars' sale. I am pleasantly surprised to find that so far (I'm on page 51) it's a very understandable and educational book. When I get further in there may be outdated astronomy, but so far we're just talking history, and it's pretty interesting stuff.

67Merryann
Editado: Abr 28, 2014, 2:36 am

>62 VivienneR:, Ow! My head hurts just thinking about that. You must have been really pedaling that tricycle!

Wouldn't it be great if there were adult sized tricycles, complete with the place on the back for a passenger to stand? They probably exist somewhere, but I mean if Wal-Mart sold them and everyone commonly rode one. (Although upon more thought, you may not WANT to ride a trike anymore! What was I thinking? Okay, see, you can be the person standing on the back...easier to jump free if needed!)

Also, referring to yours and Connie's conversation about moving the books, and dusting the books, and arranging the books, have you seen mabith's rainbow of books at the top of her page? She's easing into yellow now.

>63 Tess_W:, 64, Isn't it wonderful how high schoolers love stories and being read to? I'd rather read to a group of high schoolers than kindergarteners.

Edited to say: Not that there isn't a whole different sort of joy in reading to the little ones. :)

68Merryann
Abr 28, 2014, 1:53 am

>65 tloeffler:, Thank you, Terri. I'm glad you liked my pictures!

Isn't that the BEST feeling, when someone says, "Terri should read it!"

Next time you're reading to your granddaughter, take a second and picture me reading to my 20 year old college student daughter, lol. I've been learning Art History along with her, and yesterday I dipped my foot in the Philosophy Textbook Pool. If your little one is anything like mine, you'll be reading aloud for many, many, many years, and it will remain as enjoyable as always. :)

69connie53
Abr 28, 2014, 7:21 am

Hi Mary Ann. I remember when my son was home sick (He was 17, maybe 18) and he asked me if I wanted to read to him. He was halfway through a book, so of course I had no idea what the book was about, but I read to him anyway. It was a special moment.

70avanders
Abr 28, 2014, 9:46 am

>67 Merryann: yes! there are adult sized "tricycles"... my grandparents had them up at their cabin when we were kids... they are REALLY HARD to ride! You're so used to how things move that the weird movement of a three-wheel bicycle takes a while to get used to :)

Apparently they still sell them!


And I love all the talk about reading to adult-children... Although I'm a reader myself, I also love being read to! (and reading to others) I have a friend whose husband occasionally reads books to her so they have a shared experience -- they read The Shadow of the Wind that way and loved it!

71Tess_W
Abr 28, 2014, 10:21 am

I volunteer at a Nursing home as a reader for those who can not see. We are reading Tom Sawyer right now.

72Merryann
Abr 28, 2014, 11:48 am

>71 Tess_W:, That's an excellent way to volunteer!

73Merryann
Abr 28, 2014, 11:49 am

>70 avanders:, Look, it even has the basket - to put books in! I am squealing with glee!

74Merryann
Abr 28, 2014, 12:14 pm

Yesterday I was listing books into LT and giving them their index card that tells where the book is located. The card gets stuck at random in the middle of the book and I got the idea to read the first sentence on the page. Here's what I got for each of the five books I'd just finished:

"Do you see guilt in my eyes?"
"I don't think it's going to make any difference."
"But still, I've known other boys who had a good reputation until they lost it."
"But can you-oh! can you really believe that this delicate boy has been the voluntary associate of the worst outcasts of society?" said Rose.
She was running.


Isn't it funny how it seems like this could be the excerpt from a story as opposed to one random line from five different books? They are all in the same category of books (youth fiction) but other than that have nothing in common.

Anyone else want to open five random books and tell me what you get?

75connie53
Abr 28, 2014, 12:53 pm

It's a Little story by it self, Mary Ann.

And I would love to do so, but I don't think I have 5 books in the English language.

76Merryann
Abr 28, 2014, 2:00 pm

See, I really need to get on with learning other languages.

The other day, I was listening to an LP record of Bavarian folk singers and out of the blue I recognized "I love you" in German! It was a thrilling moment, that brief, unexpected moment of comprehension.

77connie53
Abr 28, 2014, 2:53 pm

Ich liebe dich!

Ik hou van jou.

78connie53
Abr 28, 2014, 2:53 pm

Je t'aime

79Tess_W
Abr 28, 2014, 11:05 pm

"In our apartheid state, the piano was a beautiful consolation to mother. A Song of Sixpence
This answer was virtually the legal definition of espionage." Strangers on a Bridge
"Never mind the cooking." Three Blind Mice
"Nothing is harder to ask for, unaccustomedly, that help." Episode
"Purcell said, 'I shall go Omarta." The Island of Dr. Moreau

80avanders
Abr 29, 2014, 10:29 am

>73 Merryann: glad you enjoyed that ;) I did too!

>74 Merryann: Love it! Hopefully I'll remember to follow up when I'm near my books... :)
>79 Tess_W: I think that works too... :)

81Merryann
Abr 29, 2014, 9:28 pm

>79 Tess_W:, Lol! That's a good one - a little mystery story all on its own. :)

82VivienneR
mayo 2, 2014, 12:17 am

I got really behind with threads. There are more than I can possibly read. But I'm still here, reading fast and not posting as often.

>67 Merryann: No, I don't fancy riding a trike anymore but I wouldn't mind being the person who stands on the back. That would be fun! Would the basket have to be removed though?

>74 Merryann: and >79 Tess_W: That sounds like an idea for a game - Guess the Book!

83Merryann
mayo 3, 2014, 1:37 am

Hi Vivienne. I know what you mean, as I've still given up on following any of the other wonderful sounding groups I joined, because I can't manage my time enough to do so. LT Groups is like being at the best buffet in the world, and everything is delicious, and I heap my plate full, and then end up eating only the tasty green bean casserole.

If there was a group for people new to groups, to teach them how to be in groups...I'd be in that group, too, lol.

84connie53
mayo 3, 2014, 1:38 pm

>83 Merryann: So true, Mary Ann. I only follow two groups (ROOT and 75ers) because my time is limited as it is! And believe me, I've joined a few!

85Tess_W
mayo 3, 2014, 2:57 pm

#83.....what a great description, Merry!

86Tallulah_Rose
Editado: mayo 4, 2014, 2:24 am

Actually, I wanted to post a few pictures on the trike discussion, but somehow I missed out how to do pictures, so I'll have to describe:
Over here in germany one can sometimes see trikes where people lie on. Also I found some pictures of trikes for two people. And we also have trikes that can be 'pedalled' by hands fornthose that are paralyzed. I think they will also be commonly know elsewhere.

87Merryann
mayo 4, 2014, 3:00 am

You got me curious about tricycles one can lie on, Tallulah, so I Google Pictured tricycles and found some amazing pictures.

If I ever became an activist (which I probably won't unfortunately...too lazy) it would be to get roads built above the existing streets, so that people could ride bikes, trikes, scooters or walk safe from other traffic.

88avanders
mayo 5, 2014, 9:37 am

>83 Merryann: lol... I like your metaphor :)
>84 connie53: I know the feeling. I actually pretty much just follow ROOTs... I'm in a couple others, but generally don't find the time to actively participate
>87 Merryann: another brilliant idea... I used to think the opposite, elevated roads for different speeds and distances of drivers (like express lanes)... elevated bike and pedestrian roads is even better!

89connie53
mayo 5, 2014, 4:52 pm

>87 Merryann: My husband, who teaches Traffic knowlegde at a College, has a different take on bikeways because there is to much difference in speed.

1. Older people biking in slow speeds
2. Cyclists with racebikes.
3. Electric bikes that can reach high speed rates
4. Smal children on their small bikes
5. Scooters!
and many other speeds in between.
Lots of accidents happen on bikepaths in the Netherlands that way. They are now looking into that problem. But to have bikepaths seperate from the mainways is better than no seperation at all.

90Merryann
mayo 6, 2014, 1:38 am

That makes sense, Connie. A little child on a tricycle could be injured very badly from a collision with a racebike...and while the child would know (or have parents to know) better than to get on the road, he or she would feel safe on the bike path. Hmm...my imaginary elevated bike path now has two lanes, a fast and a slow. :)

How cool that your husband teaches Traffic! I had no idea there was such a class. I just finished listening to an audiobook entitled Traffic: Why we Drive the Way We Do (and What it Says About Us) by Tom Vanderbilt. Fascinating subject! When I first opened it, I thought, "Five disks? How can the author have five disks worth of talking to do about traffic?

Five disks later, I was actually sad when it ended because it had been such an entertaining and educational audiobook. Among other things, I learned that there are two different kinds of skids cars go into, how to tell which one I might be in, and how to act to safely get out of the skid. I hope I never need this info, but it's good to know.

91connie53
mayo 6, 2014, 5:50 am

>90 Merryann:. He is a teacher at the Nationale Hogeschool voor Toerisme en Verkeer (NHTV). http://www.nhtv.nl/ENG/bachelors.html and teaches Mobility. It's a very international school with lots of students from other countries.

92Merryann
mayo 7, 2014, 6:16 pm

I just finished re-reading The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins.

I love this book so much I wrote it a review:

It had been a very long time since I'd been surprised by a book. Let's face it, plots can grow predictable, and this is not a bad thing; as a reader I most certainly do look for 'B' to follow 'A'. When I started The Black Book of Secrets I expected a decent story. I got that...and then I got more. Soon, I was lost in the book, having no idea what was going to come next, and loving every minute of it, right through the final page. Highly recommended.

One of the great joys upcoming in my summer is getting to read, for the first time, the other books by Higgins.

93avanders
mayo 9, 2014, 9:40 am

>92 Merryann: ooooh color me intrigued! TBR list...

94connie53
mayo 9, 2014, 1:18 pm

Yes, I felt a book bullet hitting too.

95Merryann
mayo 11, 2014, 12:27 am

I do so hope you enjoy it, Ava and Connie! For me, it's that kind of book that when it's over, I come back to this world gradually, things being slightly out of focus for a moment as I remember what's real and what's not.

96connie53
mayo 11, 2014, 5:52 am

I found it, Mary Ann. Now I have to go and buy it.

97Tess_W
mayo 11, 2014, 8:41 am

Another on my wish list! Thanks!;)

98connie53
mayo 11, 2014, 11:04 am

I did buy it! I must be crazy. My TBR will never go down this way.

99avanders
mayo 12, 2014, 10:18 am

>95 Merryann: sounds wonderful!! I have it on my amazon wishlist... :)
>98 connie53: lol yep, the hazards of finding like-minded book people ;)

100connie53
mayo 12, 2014, 4:20 pm

And it's coming Wednesday or Thursday. So I hope I will get to it soon(ish)

101avanders
mayo 13, 2014, 10:12 am

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it too! Sounds so interesting....

102connie53
mayo 15, 2014, 4:43 pm

The book has arrived! Now I need reading time!

103avanders
mayo 16, 2014, 9:39 am

wooooohooooo!! may your weekend be calm and read'y ;)

104connie53
mayo 16, 2014, 4:57 pm

My weekend certainly will not be calm. Tomorrow there is a meeting of my bookclub in my house. A fun day but no calm there. Sunday we go to visit our daughter and her boyfriend. They are re-doing their garden and we want to see if we can use some things that they want out.

105Tess_W
mayo 17, 2014, 7:59 am

It all sounds fun!

106connie53
mayo 18, 2014, 4:22 pm

I've read it! An easy and fun read! And a good one too! A 7 for me.

107Merryann
mayo 19, 2014, 12:47 am

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Connie! I long for more books about Joe! I think I shall have to write the author and ask him/her for some, because from what I can tell the other books are about different people.

108Merryann
mayo 19, 2014, 1:16 am

I haven't forgotten you, my Library Thing friends! I'm still working at the Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale. It runs until the 24th. I'm staying over nights at my Mom's house because the sale is much closer to her house.

I'll get caught up on everyone's threads when I get home for good next week. Meanwhile, here's an amazing coincidence: Black Book of Secrets, that book I just got done raving about, is in the 'fill a box of books for one low price' section at the book fair, and I get free books for volunteering.

So, any of you who wants to read this wonderful book and wants one for free, private message me the address you want it mailed to and I'll send you one. First come, first served, until they run out of copies or the book fair ends.

(After writing that, I got worried it may be against the rules to give away books somewhere other than Member Giveaways. I looked, but can't find anywhere saying it is. And I'm not wanting to give copies to everyone on LT who wants one; I just want to give one to people here, in our group, who want to read the book, or maybe some shy person who reads everyone's posts but hasn't gotten nerve to join the group yet.)

Have a good week, everyone!

109avanders
mayo 19, 2014, 9:47 am

>106 connie53: quick turnaround! Glad to hear you enjoyed it :) Looking forward to reading it even more now!

110connie53
mayo 23, 2014, 3:22 pm

Hi Mary Ann, how are you doing? I hope you are good and enjoying yourself!

111tymfos
Editado: mayo 26, 2014, 10:36 am

Hi! Just stopping by to say hello. Hope you had a good sale.

112Merryann
mayo 29, 2014, 1:52 pm

Hi Connie and Terri and everyone else. :) They extended the book sale until yesterday, and now I'm signed up to help with the cleanup. This has been, and is being, a fascinating experience! I do miss the lovely peace and pleasure of being on LT, working on my books and chatting with all of you. But I'll be back after next week.

I had no idea this was going to be more than a few days in a week when I started. Amazing where the world takes me when I let myself be adventurous!

I hope you are all well, and will read all I missed when I get back to be sure you are, lol. :)

113Merryann
mayo 29, 2014, 1:56 pm

Also, if anyone else wants a free Black Book of Secrets, you have until next Friday to ask (see Post 108).

114connie53
mayo 29, 2014, 1:57 pm

So glad to hear from you, Mary Ann. It looks like you are having a great time! Just enjoy the following week. We will be here!

115avanders
mayo 30, 2014, 9:52 am

>114 connie53: echoing Connie's sentiments :)
Enjoy your adventure and we'll "see" ya when you return!

116VivienneR
mayo 31, 2014, 1:12 am

>112 Merryann: Looking forward to hearing all about your escapades when you return to LT.

117avanders
Jun 3, 2014, 11:03 am

Reading The Black Book of Secrets.... Really enjoying it so far! Thanks!! :D

118jennyifer24
Jun 6, 2014, 8:24 pm

What a temptation....days and days surrounded by books! :-) Hope you're having fun!

119Merryann
Jun 10, 2014, 12:40 pm

Hello Everyone! I am back! :)

Ava, I'm glad you're enjoying the book!

Jennyifer24, it was WONDERFUL!

I'll get to work reading everything I missed tonight, but for now just wanted to say 'hello'. I can't believe I posted NO ROOTS for May! I did do some reading, though not nearly as much as usual. I'll post those books under 'June'.

Have a good day, everyone. It's great to be back...sort of like coming home to a lovely home filled with the smell of bread baking and coffee brewing (love the smells even though I can no longer either eat bread or drink coffee, lol).

This may be my record for 'Excessive Use of the Exclamation Point', but I make no apologies. One of the books I earned working at the warehouse is titled, "Exclamation Point" and it's an uplifting and cheerful story!

Have a good day!
Mary Ann

120VivienneR
Jun 10, 2014, 1:13 pm

Good to see you back!! And glad you had a successful bookish adventure!!

121Tess_W
Jun 10, 2014, 8:42 pm

Great to have you back!

122avanders
Jun 11, 2014, 9:53 am

Welcome back!
Exclamation Point sounds interesting.... is it a fiction/non-fiction/research/?

123Merryann
Jun 11, 2014, 4:42 pm

I had the name wrong, it's actually Exclamation Mark. A lovely, cheerful picture book, the kind that adults need sometimes more than children, who tend to be born knowing how cool it is to be their own selves. Thank goodness. But for grown ups like me who need the occasional reminder, nothing does it faster than this book!

124tymfos
Jun 11, 2014, 8:39 pm

>123 Merryann: That sounds great! And I know what you mean!!

Welcome back!

125Merryann
Jun 12, 2014, 3:49 am

Thank you, Terri. It's great to be back!

126connie53
Jun 12, 2014, 6:01 am

Hi Merryann, I'm glad you are back!

127Merryann
Jun 12, 2014, 4:52 pm

Hi Connie! I am working my way up the unread messages toward your thread, where I shall say 'hello' properly :)

128avanders
Jun 13, 2014, 8:59 am

>123 Merryann: sounds lovely!

129connie53
Jun 13, 2014, 2:36 pm

>127 Merryann: I'm doing the same, Mary Ann. It's a big job to do! Take your time.

130Merryann
Jun 20, 2014, 8:56 pm

I think, if I stay on track, I'll meet my goal by August or September. Yippee!

I just finished Chill Wind, an odd book because parts of it were intensely 'real' and other parts were seen from so many steps away that I found myself wondering if I was dealing with patchy writing or if people in the main character's situation (teenager with two children) are actually so very able to distance themselves from emotion. For example, I saw Aisha's enjoyment of her boyfriend, but I never saw her sadness at the loss of him. I saw her anger, frequently, but almost never saw her love or tenderness toward her children. Yet I knew she cares about them because she goes through a great amount of inner change in order to be a woman who can care for them.

I also finished my Early Reviewer book, Are Libraries Obsolete? This turned out to be much more about the internet than about libraries. Good enough book, for what it was about, but not what I was expecting.

So, I bought myself Robert Darnton's The Case for Books. :)

131Merryann
Jun 21, 2014, 3:26 pm

New member ReflexandResolve mentioned book hoarding and that made me look around my library and clear my throat a few times. 4,135 listed books and I still have a room packed with book boxes...

Rather than get up and do anything about unpacking those boxes, I enjoyed a pleasant hour reliving how I went from being afraid I really AM a book hoarder, to my current happy state of building my own library. It ended up being too long to post all at once, so I'm just putting the the beginning below, and then every time I take a break from work, I'll add another chunk, just in case anyone's interested. :)

The Young, Innocent Days of Me

1. I like books. I like to read them and I like to reread them. Thus, I will keep them.
2. I'm out of bookshelves.
3. People are giving me books, because they have learned I like them.
4. I will move my furniture so I can add more shelves.
5. Oh no! It's like people 'sharing' their kittens just because I once said I like cats!
6. Every time I turn around there's another irresistible book sale.
7. I'm out of bookshelves.
8. I will start creatively using my furniture to store books. Top of fridge: cookbooks! Curio shelf: now a book shelf!
9. On top of having nowhere else for books, I now have five cats, sometimes six. If I'd known it would turn out this way, I'd have named them after the vowels. The other adult in the house is not happy with the number of cats or books.

132connie53
Jun 21, 2014, 4:30 pm

Hihihihi, Merryann. What a wonderful description of your younger self. I really laughed out loud!

133Merryann
Jun 21, 2014, 5:56 pm

Thank you, Connie! I am having fun with this. I did some work, and so now I get to post what happens next, the Part 2 of how I quit worrying about being a book hoarding person:

The Middle, Trying-to-Please-Everyone-and-Making-Nobody-Happy Days

1. I promise to get rid of some books. And a few cats, too.
2. I take some books to the thrift store.
3. I browse the thrift store while waiting for the tax deductible receipt the guy who paid for my book habit says I must obtain.
4. I recycle the box I took the books to the thrift store in, using it to bring home the new books.
5. Six months later, I finally find the tax deductible receipt I'd immediately lost shoved inside Peg Bracken's I Hate to Housekeep.
6. No cats leave. Nobody actually thought any would. I mean, really.

I hope everyone is having a lovely day. Where I am in the world, it's the First Official Day of Summer. :)

134avanders
Jun 23, 2014, 10:46 am

Chill Wind sounds interesting.. in light of the odd flipping between "real" emotions and distance.... would you recommend it?

And re >131 Merryann: and >133 Merryann: I also lol'd ;)

I've been accused of being a book hoarder (and I never had >4000 books in my house!)... so I appreciated your thoughts there.. I do NOT think I'm a book hoarder (anymore), but I think what led certain individuals to use that term re me in the past was my incessant NEED to buy more books, even when there were unread books (plenty) already in my house... I think all of you serious book owners and readers (i.e., everyone in this ROOT group ;)) will understand that need and not call it hoarding, but to people who don't do that, I admit it looks a bit odd.. ;)

Btw, I particularly enjoyed: "5. Oh no! It's like people 'sharing' their kittens just because I once said I like cats!" "1. I promise to get rid of some books. And a few cats, too." and "6. No cats leave. Nobody actually thought any would. I mean, really."

And I can certainly relate to: "6. Every time I turn around there's another irresistible book sale."

135Jackie_K
Jun 23, 2014, 1:10 pm

>131 Merryann: wow 4K+ books - I wouldn't know where to even start!

136Tess_W
Jun 23, 2014, 3:26 pm

>131 Merryann: Merryann: wow 4k+ books....I guess they would fit in my basement! I thought 700 was "bad". Some people collect tea cups, some figurines, some matchbooks, and some books!

137VivienneR
Jun 24, 2014, 12:31 am

>131 Merryann: & >133 Merryann: Love the self-portrait! And by the way, it's not really book hoarding. You are building a personal library. And cat habitat. Well done!

138jennyifer24
Jun 24, 2014, 1:22 pm

>133 Merryann:

4. I recycle the box I took the books to the thrift store in, using it to bring home the new books.
5. Six months later, I finally find the tax deductible receipt I'd immediately lost shoved inside Peg Bracken's I Hate to Housekeep.

I laughed out loud. Great job recycling! And of course you used the receipt in a book about housekeeping :-) (you didn't lose it, I'm sure you just re-used it as a bookmark!)

139connie53
Jun 28, 2014, 11:39 am

And you did it again, Merryann: You are really funny with words! Is there a sequel?

140tymfos
Jul 3, 2014, 11:08 pm

>133 Merryann: Love it! Especially the lost receipt in the housekeeping book. Sounds a little like my house.

141connie53
Jul 4, 2014, 10:48 am

Hi Merryann, how are things? I hope you have a very nice weekend.

142Merryann
Jul 6, 2014, 8:23 pm

Thank you, my friends! I am glad you enjoyed my words about book ownership. :)

>134 avanders:, I don't know, Ava, if I would wholeheartedly recommend Chill Wind or not. You know how sometimes the whole point to reading fiction is to get inside the head and heart of someone who thinks completely differently from you? I felt this book could be that...but I'm not sure it was.

Okay, I've been struggling and working out how I feel about it and I think I've got it: Johnny from The Outsiders. I didn't have to be an unwanted teenager living in poverty in a dangerous neighborhood to know that Johnny was 'real'. The reality of him, of Ponyboy, of Dallas, reach out of the book, grab me by the collar, and shake me.

The girl in Chill Wind, Aisha, didn't shake me. She poked me a couple of times, yeah. But the rest of the time I never knew whether she was 'real' or just some middle-class author's idea of who a poor teenage mother should be.

>136 Tess_W:, I wish I'd collected matchbooks when I was younger and everyplace had them. How cool that would be today!

Part 3 of my journey from fear of hoarding to joy of library building is coming soon...but before I get to write and post it, I must do some work. Sigh.

143avanders
Jul 7, 2014, 1:00 am

I completely understand.... I find those experiences so disappointing! Thanks for taking the time to explain. :)

144Tess_W
Jul 7, 2014, 4:03 am

I guess the difference is for me, Merryann, is that even though I like/love 75% of the books I read, unless there is a sentimental attachment, like given to me by my grandmother, my sons, etc., I will not keep the book. There are less than a dozen books I want to re-read at a later date. Therefore, I am able to get rid of mine. That being said, I still buy more even when there are 300+ in my TBR pile! The library does not work for me as I can't seem to get them back on time. It's cheaper just for me to buy them!

145Merryann
Jul 8, 2014, 1:38 am

>144 Tess_W: Yeah, I know what you mean. I once had to go back to a library in a town I no longer lived in, about twenty years after having borrowed the book and never returning it, to finally pay for it. What a relief when that was done! (I don't remember what the book cost, just how good it felt to be okay in my mind with that library again.)

The funny thing: The name of the book was something like Got to Stop Dragging that Little Red Wagon Around.

And, Ava and Tess, this comment ties in to both Msg. 143 and Msg. 144: I just finished a book that left me as ambivalent as Chill Wind. Called Two Suns in the Sky, I felt the same never-got-connected. The story alternated between a girl and a boy. I didn't even really like the female main character. I did like the male main character and he could have grown into a real person but he didn't get enough 'page time'.

So, here's where you can laugh at me, Tess. I should NOT keep this book...but I'm going to because the male character makes an observation about Americans that made the whole thing worth it for me, and I can see myself wanting to pull the book just to show that one sentence to a friend, lol.

The book is about a Jewish family (the boy's family) relocated into a refugee camp in America during World War 2, and the romance that grows between the boy and an American, and Catholic, girl.

The sentence pertained to how intrigued the boy was by the way American's make lists, and the satisfaction they feel, not just once, but three times: once when they write the item on their list list, once when they do the item on the list, and once when they cross the item off.

146Shutzie27
Jul 8, 2014, 3:29 am

Hi Everyone! I just found Merryann's thread so I'm just now joining in (hope that's OK).

First, I loved >131 Merryann: and >133 Merryann:. Though the very concept of having too many books (or cats) is seems odd to me.

And, if you don't mind me popping in to the discussion, I would just like to add that I can get rid of some books I know I'll never read again, but I can't seem to do that with my mystery series, even if I'm fairly certain I won't re-read the first books in the series.

I think it's because growing up a lot of my books were my brother's hand-me-downs or whatever I could get from yard/library sales. And I didn't have a lot of room for books in my little room, so to me the fact I have a whole separate room for my books (and company, when they come) feels like I've really "made it" in the world or something. I just love having series, especially when they're all in the same type of covers and size.

But, as I said, many a stand-alone novel I have culled with no ado whatsoever.

147Tess_W
Jul 8, 2014, 6:24 am

Merryann, I know that you received an ER book and are enjoying it immensely! I also "won" 2 books, but I have never received them. I haven't received anything in the US mail and I've been checking my email in case they went to junk or something, but nothing. How do I know when/where I will receive these books?

148Merryann
Editado: Jul 8, 2014, 10:37 am

>146 Shutzie27: Hi! If I knew how to do graphics, I'd put a great big yellow smiley face right here for you:

___
___
___

(That's me leaving room for the smiley I'm not technically adept enough to put in but you have good imagination so I know you see it.)

>147 Tess_W:, Sometimes when I win a book it comes fairly quickly, and a couple of times I've waited for a lonnnnggg time. One book took about two months to finally arrive. I haven't had anything never show up (knocking on wood).

Do you know about the group called 'Early Reviewers' listed under the category 'Standing and Official Groups'? There's a thread there to put in what book(s) you've won, and to note when they do or don't arrive. I don't know if this will help you actually get the book, but at least you can look and see if others who won it have received their copy.

I'm thoroughly enjoying Art and Architecture of Insects right now. What an awesome book! It will be a joy to write a review on this one.

149avanders
Editado: Jul 8, 2014, 2:10 pm

To add, yes if you note in "unreceived books" (I think that's what it's called), the lt folks try to help you out. :)

Also Mary Ann.. That's funny.. Keeping a book for one line ;). Maybe just take a screen shot of the line and email it to yourself for safe digital-keeping? I know I know, not the same,but makes room for another whole book ! ;)

Though I agree, great quote!

150LadyBookworth
Jul 11, 2014, 3:58 am

Hey Merryann!
I'm replying here to your comment on relax and resolves thread. I don't want to hijack his! :+}

I stopped entering books because seeing the number was, well, "embarrassing". I love my books and I have stacks {pun intended} of non fiction. - Shelves and shelves just on home decorating. But to see the actual number of books is frightening. Of course they are on the most part hidden upstairs in the library . The cookbooks and dh's money books are downstairs. I still have 2/3 bookcases to do-put in...And yes there are bigger libraries on LT :+} I do wish I could physically "see them. I think I would drool LOL :+}And how does one sort their books in those libraries...?

As for the tv show and no books. I was asked if I would go on by a friend. The answer was no. My books are to priceless to be thrown out by a non-reader.

Whishing you a great night.
Enjoy your library! :+}

151Merryann
Jul 11, 2014, 10:10 am

Hi LadyBookworth. :) Hours after I hit 'enter' on it I started wondering whether I sounded judgmental and bossy in that post. I hope not!

I kept thinking about those reality shows where they bully the hoarders into getting rid of things. I hate the way they make people cry! But eventually it dawned on me that you were probably talking about that other kind of show, where the people are ecstatic to have their home redone. So now my face is red and I've learned a lesson about talking before thinking enough.

Either type of show, I'm with you: I would not want my home peeled open to be put on television. And yet...and yet I happily post pictures of my library here on LT and love it when anyone and everyone looks at them! So I start my day laughing at myself and wondering what exactly kind of hypocrite I am. Ha!

Meanwhile, isn't it amazing that neither of us comes close to being in the 'Top 100 Number of Books' libraries LT has listed? All I can say to that is: wow!

152Merryann
Jul 11, 2014, 12:09 pm

I am hoping to ride in a canoe for the first time today. (I just wanted to tell someone, lol. Thanks.)

153jen.e.moore
Jul 11, 2014, 12:27 pm

That is awesome! I used to sail, but I've always wanted to try smaller boats. I should suck it up and go down to the lake this summer and get a lesson.

154avanders
Jul 11, 2014, 1:10 pm

Lol. Canoes are great! Have fun!!

155Tess_W
Jul 12, 2014, 12:22 am

Have a great time. Used to rent one for the afternoon when my kids were little and we took them camping!

156Merryann
Jul 12, 2014, 10:02 am

It was so much fun! We camped overnight and I slept right on the ground (not something I was likely to do before). I am so tired, lol.

157Tess_W
Jul 12, 2014, 10:46 am

Glad you had a good time!

158LadyBookworth
Jul 12, 2014, 10:38 pm

Hi -the camping and canoeing sounded fun! Mind sleeping on the ground really don't appeal! LOL :+}Too old.

As for you comment, you didn't one bit come over as being judgmental or bossy!So please no redness. I didn't even think of the "hoarders show".And I cry along with the people in them.
Quote "You want me to get rid of that?? unquote.And myself "Yes i know I've read that book and I have several like it, but no these are m i n e." :+}
No psychologist ever coming here. Nope :+}

As for your library- it looks great!Wish my shelves were so neat.

Sending a cup of tea and a big wave your way! :+}

159Shutzie27
Jul 13, 2014, 2:12 am

Sounds like you had a great time!

160Merryann
Editado: Jul 13, 2014, 7:26 pm

Thank you, Christina, I did! This is being a tremendous year of growth for me, in a very good way. :)

>158 LadyBookworth:, Thank you LadyBookworth, for your kind words as well as the wave and the tea, which is keeping me happy while I buckle down and get to work getting more books listed into the system.

I have been reading this month...just not taking time to update my ROOT statistics. The biggest thing finished lately: When Knighthood was in Flower by Edwin Caskoden

This book read as if the author was truly a descendent of Sir Edwin Caskoden who worked for King Henry of England. It's as if the author updated the language of Sir Edwin's written, firsthand observer, account of Mary's romance with Charles Brandon. Does anyone know whether that's the case? Either way, it's a great story, not nearly as hard to read as I expected, and while it did take me almost three months to finish it, that was mostly because I read too many books at a time sometimes, and this one is so old that I didn't want to haul it out and about like I do some books.

I think I'll post this question on the main July thread also, in case anyone reading there but not here knows.

Edited to say: I didn't post it on the main thread because it occurred to me to just check the reviews of the book!

It looks as if the book is a very cleverly set-up novel, a fact that only makes me sad because I liked Sir Edwin and Jane so much that I wanted them to be real. Here's the review I wrote:

I'm gullible and uneducated enough to have mostly believed the entire story was written by a descendant of Sir Edwin Caskoden. Thank goodness for educated reviews such as Anniemod's, the reading of which really enhanced this delightful love story for me.

Here are two quotes from the book that illustrate why I liked it so much:

1. "How rich is a man who has laid up such treasures of memory to grow the sweeter as he feeds upon them. A rich memory is better than hope, for it lasts after fruition, and serves us at a time when hope has failed and fruition is but - a memory. Ah! how we cherish it in our hearts, and how it comes at our beck and call to thrill us through and through and make us thank God that we have lived, and wonder in our hearts why he has given poor undeserving us so much."

2. "I never doubt a friend; one would better be trustful of ninety-nine friends who are false than doubtful of one who is true. Suspicion and supersensitiveness are at once the badge and the bane of a little soul."

161ipsoivan
Jul 13, 2014, 9:23 pm

I love that first quote!

162Shutzie27
Jul 14, 2014, 2:57 am

Wow, what wonderful quotes! That's the one thing I'll say about my Kindle, although I still prefer book-books for the most part: it's so easy to highlight and keep quotes. Whenever I read a book on my Kindle, I go a little nuts with the quotes.

I also have a cute mock-library pocket book to put quotes in, though I'll admit I've slacked off from that (especially since I got the Kindle!). Do you do anything like that, jot down or flag quotes?

163Merryann
Editado: Jul 14, 2014, 3:49 am

>161 ipsoivan:, Thank you, Maggie. :)

>162 Shutzie27:, I have books that look like porcupines, so many scraps of paper, paper towel, post it note, tape flag, and/or bookmarks are sticking out of them. Your mock-library sounds like a delightful way to save them. I am drooling just thinking about how cool it would be to have all the quotes that I like in one place!

So, I'm sitting here dreaming about that and realize that all I'd have to do is type the quote then save 'em all in a word file. But your pocket book seems cooler. :)

On a different subject, I have to go back to work in about six months. Do you know, I'm still fantasizing over the Night Library, lol? Wouldn't it be something if it could really be done?

164Tess_W
Jul 14, 2014, 11:25 am

Those are great quotes! I, also highlight a lot in my Kindle to save the quotes. Every now and then I just browse the quotes, but I too, would like a better place to keep them......

P.S. I've added When Knighthood was in Flower to my list to read!

165Merryann
Jul 15, 2014, 3:16 am

>164 Tess_W: I hope you enjoy it, Tess. For me, it was the Classic Root: I've owned it so long I don't remember from where I got it, and I dreaded reading it. It got chosen in a fit of enthusiasm when I was making my TBR Group list.

Then, when I did buckle down and start reading, I was surprised and how readable it was for a book that is well over a hundred years old. Now, I'm so very glad I read it! Thank goodness for Cheli and the ROOT group!

166MissWatson
Jul 15, 2014, 3:51 am

That is the true fun about this challenge, isn't it: discovering treasures on your shelves you didn't know were such treasures.

167Merryann
Jul 15, 2014, 11:12 am

Yes! And I'm noticing that the way I look at my books has changed also. Whereas I used to feel a blanket of guilt drop over me when viewing a stack of unread books, now I feel a zing of excitement and optimism in the future, sort of like, "Ooh! More unread books! These can be next year's ROOTs!" :)

168Jackie_K
Jul 15, 2014, 12:59 pm

>167 Merryann: haha, I'm glad I'm not the only one planning next year's reading already!

169LauraBrook
Editado: Jul 15, 2014, 2:49 pm

>167 Merryann: I feel the same way about my book stacks now too, Mary Ann! The only "problem" I have is that when my Mom comes over she looks around and says something to the effect of "Oh my God, do you really need more books?!?" and of course I always answer "YES!!!"! And then I start picking up random books and saying things like "See, this one is about a swashbuckling time traveling historian, and this one is about two friends who keep in touch via email the first 3 years after college, and THIS one is about..." and she cuts me off, laughing, because she's hit with the same reading stick that I am. Not so much on the collecting, per se, but she gets it.

One of the more common statements/questions I get is "have you read all of these?!?" which, of course, is no, and then I have to explain how I've got my books organized, and that my "already read" books are in my room. :)

Hope you're having a good Tuesday!

170avanders
Editado: Jul 15, 2014, 2:28 pm

>163 Merryann: what'd I miss??? "On a different subject, I have to go back to work in about six months. Do you know, I'm still fantasizing over the Night Library, lol? Wouldn't it be something if it could really be done?"
First .... how do you feel about going back to work? and to do what? Second, what is this magical Night Library of which you speak? I did a quick "control-F" search for the phrase on this page, but didn't come up with anything (other than the reference quoted above).....

Glad you enjoyed camping & canoeing!

171Shutzie27
Jul 15, 2014, 4:52 pm

>163 Merryann: You know, I've bwen thinking of it too. Especially lately as I've been on a 5 a.m. bedtime cycle...because now that I don't have to get up early to commute to work I'm staying up waay too late reading, of course. 170 Hi avanders, the Night Library was actually an idea that came up on my thread during a discussion of how many readers are nocturnal folk. We want to.open a library/bookshop that's open all night instead of during the day. Maybe 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. or something.

I like to bake bread, so I was thibking it could have a toasting bar, kind of like a diner counter, where patrons can toast freesh bread to enjoy while reading.

I thibk we talked about it being in a house, with different genres in different rooms and comfy reading seating everywhere (thoigh I may have said that to someone else; this idea has been knocking about i my head for a while). Mary Ann had the same idea, and we both believe it's a viable business evwn though others disagree.

172Tess_W
Jul 15, 2014, 5:07 pm

#171, The Night Library-a great idea...and a "quiet" reading room and a "talking" reading room!

173avanders
Jul 15, 2014, 7:58 pm

>171 Shutzie27: hi Shutzie! Re night library: brilllllliant. And I think a lot of new moms would be down too! And of course anyone who loves books enough to join a forum to talk about reading 'em ;)

174Shutzie27
Jul 16, 2014, 3:42 am

Thanks! Sorry for the typo-riddled response, I was using my phone and haven't transistioned well from a Blackberry keyboard to a touch screen keyboard, even though I made the switch four years ago.

175Shutzie27
Jul 16, 2014, 3:44 am

>172 Tess_W: Oooh, good idea, Tess!

176avanders
Jul 16, 2014, 9:47 am

>174 Shutzie27: ha no worries... I agree that LT hasn't made mobile use very convenient yet.... hopefully they get an app up and running soon!

177Shutzie27
Jul 17, 2014, 5:29 am

For the record, it was Mary Ann's idea to have it in a creaky old house. She also had the great idea to have members pay a monthly fee to be there.

178Tess_W
Jul 17, 2014, 9:30 am

Creaky old house good. For those who are cash poor: maybe the donation of a can of coffee or flavored tea bags might be appropriate.

179Shutzie27
Jul 17, 2014, 6:02 pm

>178 Tess_W: Ooooh, good idea, Tess!

180Shutzie27
Jul 17, 2014, 6:07 pm

And I'd like to suggest we call the quiet reading room the Diogenes Room, after Mycroft Holmes' London club where speaking and socializing were not allowed. I'm not sure what to call to the social room....

You know, we keep talking about this and soon I'll start doodling floor plans or something.

181avanders
Jul 17, 2014, 10:40 pm

Love it.

182Merryann
Jul 25, 2014, 1:01 am

>169 LauraBrook:, That is a lovely picture. I was unexpectedly ill while I was gone from here, and one night I knew I didn't have the energy to write anything, but I missed being here and just wanted to read what was going on and be comforted by the fact that it's all still going on. The picture was the perfect one for me to rest my eyes on. Thank you!

Also, I was so happy to see all the posts talking about the Night Library and other things! >180 Shutzie27:, Diogenes Room it is, Christina. How are the blueprints coming along, lol?

183Merryann
Jul 25, 2014, 1:08 am

>170 avanders:, I am starting to be a little excited about returning to work, Ava, mostly because I'm feeling the need for the money, lol. I have all these grand dreams for my year off: I'm going to finish writing the book, I'm going to get my library organized, I'm going to put any one of my impractical sounding work-for-myself ideas into action...but with only four months to my year off remaining I wonder if I just want the dreams to be dreams after all. (Except the library. That's been coming along nicely.)

I hope I'm not just a dreamer, but if I don't accomplish something this year, with this great gift of time I've been given, I may have to face that reality. (That's sort of a threat to myself to get more focused.)

184Shutzie27
Editado: Jul 25, 2014, 4:26 am

>182 Merryann: I hope you're feeling better! And it's funny you just popped on because I just came by to.post this link to the world's most beautiful bookshops....two of which are open 24 hours, seven days a week! So a nocturnal library is totally feasible.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/23/travel/worlds-coolest-bookstores/index.html?c=...

So, no blue prints, but ammo for our loan request, lol!

185Merryann
Jul 25, 2014, 6:13 pm

>184 Shutzie27:, That is really cool! I was pleased to see that I've already been to one of the stores (Powell's) and it's not inconceivable to think I could get to several others in my lifetime.

I keep having waves of interest in pursuing the Night Library, but so far the interest hasn't turned into action, alas.

Thank you for the well-wishes on my health. I'm a little ashamed, because I've been so neglectful of my reading here, and I don't deserve any kind of sympathy. I was only badly ill for one day, but I was so disheartened because I'd been all better for almost a year and then it hit unexpectedly again. So it socked it to me mentally. I sort of wrapped myself up in cotton wool for awhile and let the days pass with me doing nothing but adding books to my LT catalog because that was soothing. Eventually my optimism returned and I've now found a whole bunch of new things to do and eat to keep myself healthy. Gee, I sure wish I'd treated my stomach better when I was younger. If I'd been a better boss to it then, it might be a kinder boss to me now, lol.

I'm also getting horrible at updating my ticker. I have five days left to get my July numbers updated. That shall be tomorrow's goal if I don't do it tonight. :)

186Merryann
Jul 25, 2014, 6:14 pm

I just realized, I may make my goal for the year, if I get those numbers updated and do just a bit more reading!

187ipsoivan
Jul 25, 2014, 6:27 pm

Glad to hear you're on the mend--and that you're going to meet your goal!!

188Merryann
Jul 25, 2014, 6:42 pm

Thank you! I'm working on updating now. It will be a squeeze to get it this month: 6 more books in 5 days. Probably won't happen, lol, but it's still cool to know I'll have met it in August. :)

189Shutzie27
Jul 25, 2014, 7:19 pm

>185 Merryann: I'm still glad to hear you're on the mend. And congrats on likely meeting your goal!

I feel like such a plodder in comparison to most LT-ers; I read one book at a time, slowly, reading as much as I can on an evening or weekend. That can range from three hours a night for a few nights or some weeks, like this last one, where I've only managed to get a couple of hours worth of reading the entire night.

Either way I still enjoy reading, though, and since tracking the number of books I read is new to me, as well as being social while reading and book bingo, I'm havkng a wonderful time. But I am in absolute awe of some of the readers on here!

190Merryann
Jul 25, 2014, 9:38 pm

I'm in absolute awe over you - I totally forgot I even have a Book Bingo card! LOL!

191Shutzie27
Jul 26, 2014, 2:05 am

Well, mine's not a card, to be fair. just a list I keep on my Facebook and my thread here. But it *is* fun; it would've never occurred to me in a million to do something like Book Bingo.

I recently got back to logging books myself, though my library's nowhere near the size of yours. But, I'm almost done with my book room's shelves, then it's on to the cookbooks in the kitchen and the bedroom books, then my Kindle books....until typing all that, it didn't seem like I had a whole lot left to do, lol!

192MissWatson
Jul 27, 2014, 7:33 am

>189 Shutzie27: It's amazing what some fellow LTers accomplish in the way of reading, isn't it? I'm a snail myself, but I enjoy the sharing and the company and somehow it helps keeping me on track.

193avanders
Jul 27, 2014, 10:57 am

Hope you're feeling better! And congrats on being so darn close to your goal!

And >183 Merryann: Glad you're getting excited for returning to work! It's perfectly reasonable for money to be an incentive for that ;)

I think it's just fine to have big dreams, accomplish some of them, and keep the others for the next time you're able to work toward them... Much better than just giving up on dreams because we didn't have enough time! Don't forget you HAVE accomplished great things... including that library that we're all jealous of!

194Merryann
Jul 27, 2014, 11:16 am

What a way to start my day: encouraging and enthusiastic words from wonderful people!

(Okay, nobody notice that it's coming up on noon, lol.)

195ipsoivan
Jul 27, 2014, 5:02 pm

Anyone who is having to re-enter work should take advantage and sleep in!

196Shutzie27
Jul 27, 2014, 6:23 pm

>194 Merryann: Veing almoat noon is entirley forgivable. I'm adjusting to not working as many hours (and not commuting) and my ability to keep on daylight hours has been lacking at best.

I'm three weeks in and so far I haven't achieved any of my Month 1 goals, including finishing cataloging my books!

197Merryann
Jul 28, 2014, 12:17 am

My goal for today was to finally get caught up on all the threads I've missed. Took all day, on an off, but I did it, and it was an enjoyable goal to do.

Now, I get to end my day having just read more encouraging and kind words. :) You guys are the best!

Christina, I'm playing around with the Night Library thoughts again. How about this:

1. A used bookstore, instead of a library (to generate some revenue).

2 In the wee hours of the night when there aren't any customers, I can upload the books into one of the on-line booksale websites like abebooks.

3. There's a building on the big main road to town that's been empty for about four years. I'm wondering if I could get them to give me really cheap rent.

4. And I could sell incredibly overpriced snack food, with a 'ticker' on the wall that shows how far away I am from earning enough for the rent...and tell my customers that every month once rent has been earned I'll sell the overpriced food for half-off.

I'm thinking I don't have the courage or drive to be a businesswoman. But I do have the courage to go find out what it would cost to rent space in the building. So, all I'm going to do is that. And then, I can feel all right about applying for a job at the shiny new Dollar Tree they're building down the street from me.

Goodnight everyone!

198Merryann
Editado: Jul 28, 2014, 12:18 am

(Message posted twice (on account of me hitting the 'post' button twice).) I'm hoping this deleted the second copy.

199avanders
Editado: Jul 28, 2014, 9:32 am

All great ideas... I especially like the one re the food!

200VivienneR
Jul 28, 2014, 1:40 pm

Sorry to hear you've been ill Mary Ann :( I hope you are well on the road to recovery now. Can you tell I am still trying to catch up on everybody's threads?

Your Night Library is a clever idea. Have fun!

201Merryann
Jul 28, 2014, 3:52 pm

Thank you, Vivienne. I am much better now. :)

202Shutzie27
Jul 28, 2014, 4:47 pm

>197 Merryann: That sounds absolutely amazing, Mary Ann! And it actually does seem like you could be a successful businesswoman.

1.) Good idea, but you may want to consider selling some new books, too. That seems to capture a wider audience. I was thinking about the Night Bookshop, too, and this weekend went to go visit Changing Hands Book Store in downtown Phoenix. It's "shtick" is that it has a beer/wine bar in it called The First Draft Bar. (See here: http://www.changinghands.com/page/beginnings) It used to be only used books but one of the owners said it really helped them when they started selling new books, too.

2.) Yet more genius. Maybe have an online book exchange like the one here on Library Thing? A monthly event where people can come to the shop, meet other readers and exchange books (and probably buy some while they're there, wink wink)?

3.) If you don't get cheaper rent, check with your city and county and see if there's any entrepreneurial government bloc grants available. Or a Rotary Club Small Business grant/award. There's probably micro-grants available at the federal level, too.

4.) Brilliant. Pastries are good sellers, and can be exorbitantly overpriced, too. And maybe made by a local home-biz baker....?

And don't forget to point out it would give teens a safe place to be at night! Are there any third-shift industries in your city? In Vegas, because there's so many people who work graveyard, businesses that are open 24 hours do best because they're "day" off is still a third-shift schedule. So if there's graveyard workers in your area, it'll give them a place to go when the local coffee shop is closed.

And good luck on the Dollar Tree application! Anyplace would be fortunate to have you as an employee! :-)

203Merryann
Editado: Jul 29, 2014, 7:59 pm

Thank you, Christina! I especially like the Book Exchange idea. That would bring in people!

And it's always bugged me that there's nowhere for our teens to go in my town. This would, indeed, give them a safe place to hang out.

I keep telling myself this is only a daydream, but right now it's fun to see how many steps toward reality I can take the dream. You've given me some excellent concrete to take those steps on. Thanks!

204Merryann
Jul 30, 2014, 4:30 pm

It certainly isn't as sunshiny here without Connie, is it? I think I'll write her a short thing to welcome her back when she returns. (This is my version of baking something nice for someone.) Anyone want to throw me a couple of random words to work into it? Any words will do (they're like deciding whether to put in raisins or chocolate chips). Right now I'm thinking 'unicycle' and 'starlight', but I'll take whatever words anyone wants to leave.

205Shutzie27
Jul 30, 2014, 4:32 pm

I've been worried about Connie, too. Lovely and friendly come to my mind when I think of her.

206ipsoivan
Jul 30, 2014, 11:02 pm

Crinkle. I think we should give you a long list and just sit back to see what you can do with it.

Go, Merryann!

207VivienneR
Jul 31, 2014, 1:18 am

Yes, I miss Connie too. She is always the first to welcome newbies and always says something nice.

Go Mary Ann! You can do it!

If there is a choice, I prefer chocolate to raisins.

208MissWatson
Jul 31, 2014, 3:19 am

>204 Merryann: I've been wondering about Connie, too. Lovely idea. Starlight always makes me think of midnight blue velvet.

209avanders
Jul 31, 2014, 8:27 am

Oh lovely words.. Starlight and unicycle, midnight blue velvet, lovely, friendly, crinkle. :). And perhaps the moon with an umbrella that sheds a soft haze over it's loved ones... I like your imagery :)

210Tess_W
Jul 31, 2014, 9:44 am

My word: petunia

211Merryann
Jul 31, 2014, 11:44 am

Nice words! I am going to go eat breakfast, then get writing (will check here once more in case any more words come).

Thanks!

212Merryann
Jul 31, 2014, 7:22 pm

Thank you again, Christina, Maggie, Vivienne, MissWatson, Ava, and Tess. I had to lose the unicycle...turned it into a bicycle. And I never know where to end the lines on this free verse stuff, so if anyone thinks a line is better ended elsewhere, please let me know and I'll get it edited up so it is the best it can be before Connie sees it. Thanks!

213Merryann
Editado: Jul 31, 2014, 7:30 pm

Starlight is, for now, but a memory reflected
In lovely petunias turning midnight blue velvet faces
Toward a friendly sun

But a handfull of hours ago
Along the pathway into town
Perhaps the moon, with an umbrella that shed a soft haze over its loved ones
Watched as two riders almost collided
Tires spat gravel. One cycle dropped. One was thrown down.
Fists were raised. Faces and eyes glared.

Then smiled.

A wrapper crinkled merrily as chocolate was unwrapped.
Snapped in half and shared between two.

This writing is for Connie, who is not the chocolate, though she acts like the chocolate.
This writing is for Connie, who is the decision to smile.

214Tess_W
Jul 31, 2014, 10:33 pm

Woot!

215ipsoivan
Jul 31, 2014, 11:46 pm

:=))

216Shutzie27
Editado: Ago 3, 2014, 3:42 am

That's beautiful, Mary Ann!

217MissWatson
Ago 1, 2014, 7:27 am

Lovely!

218avanders
Ago 1, 2014, 10:00 am

Love it!

219Merryann
Ago 1, 2014, 1:36 pm

Thank you. :) Now, when Connie gets back, we'll just tell here it's here and she'll know we've been thinking of her and wishing her well.

220LauraBrook
Ago 1, 2014, 6:48 pm

That's great! And very Connie, she is a sweetheart!

221reflexandresolve
Ago 1, 2014, 9:07 pm

Oh my goodness, I'm in awe! Lookit how many BOOKS!

Good job!

222Merryann
Ago 3, 2014, 2:22 am

>220 LauraBrook: Thank you! I just saw Connie is back!

>221 reflexandresolve: Thank you, reflexandresolve. It's amazing to me to look back at December and the beginning of January of this year. I was afraid I couldn't read a book I hadn't already read several times before. Now that seems silly! This group has been an amazing source of support for me and I'm thankful every day for it.

223VivienneR
Ago 3, 2014, 2:30 am

>213 Merryann: Absolutely beautiful. Well done Mary Ann!

And welcome back Connie!

224Merryann
Ago 3, 2014, 2:33 am

Thank you, Vivienne!

225connie53
Ago 3, 2014, 3:34 am

Yes, I'm back, kind of!

And I love the words you wrote for me, Mary Ann. It brings tears to my eyes! I never would have guessed you all would miss me that much.

Thanks to everybody that offered words and thoughts!

226Merryann
Ago 6, 2014, 12:22 pm

What a lovely picture!

227Merryann
Ago 7, 2014, 1:48 pm

Two ROOTs plus 7 nonfiction picture books to go to make my yearly goal!

I just finished The Bone Magician and really enjoyed it. Now, I'm contemplating what the last two books will be...

228avanders
Ago 7, 2014, 2:00 pm

Woo hoo! Way ahead of schedule!
Ooh, glad to hear you enjoyed Book 2 of the Black Book of Secrets!

229MissWatson
Ago 8, 2014, 3:03 am

Great progress in the ROOTing. What's the planning for the post-ROOT reading?

230Tess_W
Ago 8, 2014, 7:53 am

Congrats on finishing early!

231ipsoivan
Ago 9, 2014, 7:47 am

Congratulations, Merryann!!

232Merryann
Ago 10, 2014, 1:30 am

Lol! I thank you, but don't congratulate me yet. I still have two official books to go. I am laughing at myself, because last year when I decided what my ROOT reading would be, I set different categories for me to read. Guess which category I still haven't finished?

The 'Read two books designed to improve myself' one. Apparently I have a hard time deciding to improve myself!

Right now I'm working on that by reading Easier Than You Think...because life doesn't have to be so hard by Richard Carlson.

It's a pretty good book and I'm learning some things.

>229 MissWatson: When I finish the challenge, I'm going to just keep reading! This has been wonderful!

233avanders
Ago 10, 2014, 9:46 pm

>232 Merryann: lol well, maybe those books just aren't that interesting ;)

234Merryann
Ago 11, 2014, 12:07 am

Yeah. This one is pretty good as far as they go, but I do keep putting it down to read the riveting What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang. It's a fascinating concept that goes like this: When a child is born, he/she has two souls. This is perfectly normal. Parents address both children inside the body, and the souls take turns operating the body. Within the first few years one soul will fade and disappear.

But...

In What's Left of Me neither of the souls fades. This causes quite the dilemma for the two people inside the body, for the parents of the girls, and for the society they live in.

I'm right at the beginning but really enjoying it. I wanted my Last Official Root to be a book I've owned for a long time, so I don't think I'll count this one toward my goal, but I'm sure I'll be finishing it rather quickly.

235avanders
Ago 11, 2014, 11:19 am

>234 Merryann: verrry interesting! Let us know how you feel about it when you've finished!

236Merryann
Ago 12, 2014, 11:35 pm

Thank you for asking, Ava. I'm done with What's Left of Me and bursting to talk about it! I will definitely be getting the second book. I've grown to dislike series books, because I often feel the authors/publishers are just dragging it out to make more money. But in this case, I think the book was set up very well and makes me excited to read the second title. The author told me enough facts about the world that I felt it was real, but want to know more about the society.

There were a few rough places in the book, but overall I was very impressed with this author's first book. If I'd been her editor I would have said, "Your writing is great. No problems there. But smooth out this part and this part. (Because I don't want anyone who is going to read it to pre-judge the book I note this as a very mild ): The foreshadowing thing is a little too obvious in just a couple places."

Well, presumably if I were an editor I'd know better terms than 'foreshadowing thing'. And let me also say, that while part of the time I felt I could see what was coming, the book did throw me a surprise, in the wonderful way that good writing can surprise one.


When this new author gets in her stride...wow! I'm looking forward to more books by her.

237avanders
Ago 13, 2014, 9:57 am

Thanks! I will have to add that to my ever-growing TBR list... ;)

238Tess_W
Editado: Ago 13, 2014, 4:59 pm

Merryann:
I got a book today and I think you will love it--although you may already know about it. There are 4 in the set, they are expensive $17.99 each, but worth it I think. They are big and glossy and shiny and the tales are incredible! There is one about a shipwreck, can't remember the other two. Going to have my school librarian put plastic over the dust jacket so I can keep it nice!

239Merryann
Ago 13, 2014, 8:59 pm

>238 Tess_W: You're right, Tess. This looks excellent! And I've never read anything by Jane Yolen that I didn't find first-rate. I plan to definitely get this book.

240Merryann
Ago 26, 2014, 4:17 pm

Met my goal!

I've been cataloging books like crazy, because I may be going back to work soon and not have as much time. But today, we had an accident in the Library! Everyone is fine. I do invite everyone who is interested to go look at the pictures on my Member Profile.

Have a nice day!

241avanders
Ago 26, 2014, 10:51 pm

Congratulations on meeting your goal!

Interest is piqued re your accident. (And glad to hear everyone is ok)

242Merryann
Ago 26, 2014, 11:44 pm

Thank you, Ava! I originally posted the pictures for my Mom, who knows my entire Library workforce. And then her internet went down and she hasn't been able to look at the pictures! I'm glad to be able to relay the well-wishes from people here to the injured worker. He is doing fine, now.

243MissWatson
Ago 27, 2014, 3:45 am

Congrats on making your goal!

244avanders
Editado: Ago 27, 2014, 7:53 am

I love your pictures and their captions! Glad you wanted to share w your mom and we all benefitted. :). So glad everything worked out with the injured worker! Also, very impressed with your organization! 8,000+catalogue cards and still 100+ boxes to go! You can do it!

245Merryann
Ago 27, 2014, 11:03 am

>243 MissWatson: Thank you! One day very soon I'm going to post my thoughts on the final two books that got me over the finish line. They were both great reads.

>244 avanders: I'm so glad you looked. Isn't he just beautiful! I felt horrible that my unsafe work environment caused the accident.

246avanders
Ago 27, 2014, 2:40 pm

Yes, he is beautiful! At least he had plenty of moral support and good medical care!

247tymfos
Ago 27, 2014, 3:20 pm

Good work making your goal!

248VivienneR
Ago 27, 2014, 4:18 pm

>240 Merryann:
The large gap between his head and body clearly indicated emergency measures.
Sounds painful to say the least! I'm surprised he survived!

Congratulations on reaching your goal, Mary Ann!

249ipsoivan
Ago 27, 2014, 8:11 pm

>245 Merryann: I suspect Orange Owl did not pass the Health and Safety educational unit I just had to take for work. The likely cause of the accident was probably improper footwear, aka high heels. If there was a chemical spill involved, Orange Owl should contact his/her supervisor.

Beyond those words of wisdom, Orange Owl and his supervisor are on their own.

250Tess_W
Ago 27, 2014, 10:59 pm

Congrats Merryann!

251Merryann
Editado: Ago 29, 2014, 5:45 pm

Thank you, Terri and Ava, and Tess, also! Yes, Vivienne, the wound was horrific. I'm thrilled he's made full recovery. He is the original owlet (he recruited the others when the work got to be too much for one.)

>249 ipsoivan: Oh my gosh! As soon as I read this, I acted upon it and discovered an important fact: none of the owlets were wearing any shoes at all!

This has been addressed. All staff members are now sporting non-skid Play-Doh work shoes. As you can see, (thanks to Avander's help for re-teaching me how to post pictures) they're not particularly pleased with this as a fashion statement.



252Merryann
Ago 28, 2014, 10:06 pm

Is anyone going to Dragoncon in Atlanta? Wanna meet up?

253avanders
Ago 29, 2014, 10:29 am

>251 Merryann: put the picture in your gallery or in your junk drawer then you'll want to copy the URL location (right click on the image once it's saved and there should be a "copy URL location" option) then you can past that location into the code for posting a pic (if you need that too, let me know :))

254Merryann
Ago 29, 2014, 5:46 pm

>253 avanders: Thank you! The picture now works and is in Post 251. :)

255avanders
Ago 29, 2014, 6:39 pm

Yay I'm glad that helped!
And I love the new shoes! Que fancy....

256karen_o
Ago 29, 2014, 7:43 pm

Just stopping by to wave hello, Merryann!

257Merryann
Ago 30, 2014, 1:41 am

>255 avanders: Thanks again. They seem to be adjusting to the shoes. My promise to add glitter tomorrow has put smiles back on beaks.

>256 karen_o: Hi, Karen!

258connie53
Ago 30, 2014, 10:39 am

Hi Mary Ann. I was shocked to hear about the accident. How terrible. I'm so happy to hear the victim is now back to work again. And new safety measures are taken, such as the shoes!

And congrats on reaching your goal!

259Merryann
Ago 30, 2014, 2:24 pm

Thanks, Connie! :)
Este tema fue continuado por Merryann 2014 No. 3 Post-Goal ROOTS.