rosalita jumps a little higher in 2014: Verse 12

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Charlas75 Books Challenge for 2014

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rosalita jumps a little higher in 2014: Verse 12

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1rosalita
Editado: Oct 8, 2014, 11:29 pm

I’m Julia, back for my fourth year with the 75 Book Challenge. I have no idea what 2014 will hold, but for the first time I’m going to attempt a little *gulp* planning. When it comes to reading, I am a pantser not a plotter, so I am not at all sure I will be able to follow a plan when shiny new books start popping up at the library and in other people’s threads. You might want to grab a ringside seat for what’s almost certain to be a hot mess of a reading year. :-)

2014 Category Challenge:
To help me with my planning, I am also attempting for the first time this year a Category Challenge. That link will take you to my thread over in that group, but for the record here are my categories (based on the titles of Bruce Springsteen songs):
1. Brilliant Disguise — books by pseudonymous authors
    1. The Innocents Abroad
    2. The Cuckoo's Calling
    3. A Duty to the Dead
2. Growin’ Up — young adult fiction
3. Be True — nonfiction
    1. Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919
    2. Beyond the Body Farm
    3. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
    4. Country Music Broke My Brain
4. Book of Dreams — fantasy fiction
    1. His Majesty's Dragon
    2. Wolves of the Calla
    3. Hexed
    4. Hammered
    5. Tricked
    6. A Symphony of Echoes
    7. 11/22/63
    8. Written in My Own Heart's Blood
    9. Shattered
    10. The Stand
5. Highway Patrolman — police procedurals
    1. Broken Homes
    2. The Greek Coffin Mystery
    3. Whack-a-Mole
    4. Countdown City
    5. Broken Harbor
    6. Wings of Fire
    7. Search the Dark
    8. Legacy of the Dead
    9. Watchers of Time
    10. A Fearsome Doubt
    11. A Cold Treachery
    12. A False Mirror
    13. World of Trouble
6. Dead Man Walkin’ — books about the death penalty
7. It’s Hard To Be a Saint in the City — books set in New York City
    1. Burglar on the Prowl
    2. Three-Day Town
    3. The Golden Spiders
    4. The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons
    5. The Final Deduction
8. Reason to Believe — books with a religious theme
    1. No god but God
    2. My Name Is Asher Lev
9. Spirit in the Night — ghost stories
    1. Shutter Island
    2. The Shining
    3. A Test of Wills
    4. A Long Shadow
10. She’s the One — female authors new to me
    1. Willa Cather (Death Comes For the Archbishop)
    2. Donna Tartt (The Goldfinch)
    3. Jo Baker (Longbourn)
    4. Jodi Taylor (Just One Damned Thing After Another)
    5. Kathy Reichs (Déjà Dead)
    6. Ursula K. LeGuin (A Wizard of Earthsea)
    7. Sarah Castille (Against the Ropes)
    8. Alena Graedon (The Word Exchange)
    9. Mary Balogh (First Comes Marriage)
11. A Good Man Is Hard to Find — male authors new to me
    1. John Godey (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three)
    2. Patrick O'Brien (Master and Commander)
    3. Kevin Hearne (Hounded)
    4. Andy Weir (The Martian)
12. The Ghost of Tom Joad — books by John Steinbeck
13. Local Hero — authors with a connection to the Iowa Writers Workshop
    1. The Barkeep
    2. Slaughterhouse-Five
14. Worlds Apart — books set outside the U.S.
    1. A Week in Winter (Ireland)
    2. The Panther (Yemen)
    3. Frederica (England)
    4. The Murder at the Vicarage (England)
    5. An Infamous Army (Belgium)
    6. Trapped (Greece)
    7. Hunted (Europe)
    8. A Second Chance (England)
    9. The Body In the Library (England)
    10. The Penelopiad (Greece)
    11. Deadly Decisions (Canada)
    12. Cotillion (England)
    13. Black Sheep (England)
    14. These Old Shades (France, England)
    15. The Corinthian (England)
    16. Venetia (England)
    17. The Foundling (England)
    18. The Devil's Cub (England, France)
    19. A Civil Contract (England)
    20. Faro's Daughter (England)
    21. April Lady (England)
    22. Bath Tangle (England)
    23. Arabella (England)
    24. Then Comes Seduction (England)
    25. At Last Comes Love (England)
    26. Grave Secrets (Guatemala, Canada)
    27. The Nonesuch (England)
    28. Regency Buck (England)
    29. Pistols for Two (England)
    30. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (England)
    31. The Unknown Ajax (England)
    32. Sylvester (England)

Let’s see, what else?

My rating scale:
★★★★★ - completely enthralling. It enlightened or educated me in some way. I can definitely see myself reading it again. In short, a "keeper" worth buying.
★★★★½ - not quite perfect, but I will actively recommend this book to friends.
★★★★ - really great book with minor flaws, still highly recommended.
★★★½ - better than average but some flaws. Recommended.
★★★ - entertaining but probably forgettable, not worth re-reading. Recommended only for fans of the genre or author.
★★½ - readable but something about the story, characters or writing was not up to standards. Not recommended.
★★ - finished but did not like, and would not recommend.
★½ - some redeeming qualities made me finish it, but nothing to recommend.
★ - finished but disliked enough to actively attempt to dissuade others from reading.
½ - could not finish, possibly destroyed by fire (unless it's a library book)

Books Read ticker:

2rosalita
Editado: Ago 2, 2014, 10:35 pm

January
1. The Burglar on the Prowl, Lawrence Block. ★★★½
2. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, John Godey. ★★★
3. A Tan and Sandy Silence, John D. MacDonald. ★★★½
4. A Week in Winter, Maeve Binchy. ★★★½
5. Cut To the Bone, Jefferson Bass. ★★★½
6. The Panther, Nelson DeMille. ★★★½
7. The Scarlet Ruse, John D. MacDonald. ★★★★
8. The Racketeer, John Grisham. ★★★
9. Christmas Mourning, Margaret Maron. ★★★★
10. The Turquoise Lament, John D. MacDonald. ★★★★
11. W Is for Wasted, Sue Grafton. ★★★½
12. The Dreadful Lemon Sky, John D. MacDonald. ★★★★
13. Death Comes For the Archbishop, Willa Cather. ★★★★½

February
14. His Majesty's Dragon, Naomi Novik. (re-read)
15. Three-Day Town, Margaret Maron. ★★★½
16. Frederica, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
17. The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt. ★★★★½
18. Master and Commander, Patrick O'Brian. ★★★★
19. Broken Homes, Ben Aaronovitch. ★★★★
20. The Buzzard Table, Margaret Maron. ★★★½
21. The Wolves of Calla, Stephen King. ★★★★½
22. The Golden Spiders, Rex Stout (re-read)
23. Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane. ★★★½
24. W Is for Wasted, Sue Grafton. ★★★★
25. The Empty Copper Sea, John D. MacDonald. ★★★★½
Abandoned Without Prejudice™
The Hamlet, William Faulkner

March
26. Hounded, Kevin Hearne. ★★★★
27. The Murder at the Vicarage, Agatha Christie. ★★★½
28. Hexed, Kevin Hearne. ★★★★
29. The Green Ripper, John D. MacDonald. ★★★½
30. Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, Stephen Puleo ★★★★
31. The Whole Enchilada, Diane Mott Davidson. ★★★
32. V Is for Vengeance, Sue Grafton. ★★★½
33. Free Fall in Crimson, John D. MacDonald. ★★★½
34. The Road, Cormac McCarthy. ★★★★★
35. The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons, Lawrence Block. ★★★★★
36. Hammered, Kevin Hearne. ★★★
37. Tricked, Kevin Hearne. ★★★½
38. Trapped, Kevin Hearne. ★★★★
39. Hunted, Kevin Hearne. ★★★★
40. An Infamous Army, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★

3rosalita
Editado: Ago 2, 2014, 10:35 pm

April
41. Longbourn, Jo Baker. ★★★★
42. Cinnamon Skin, John D. MacDonald. ★★★½
43. Turning Angel, Greg Iles. ★★★★
44. The Lonely Silver Rain, John D. MacDonald. ★★★½
45. The Devil's Punchbowl, Greg Iles. ★★★★
46. The Death Factory, Greg Iles. ★★★½
47. The Greek Coffin Mystery, Ellery Queen. ★★★½
48. Just One Damned Thing After Another, Jodi Taylor. ★★★★
49. The Gods of Guilt, Michael Connelly. ★★★½
50. A Thread of Truth, Marie Bostwick. ★★★½
51. A Symphony of Echoes, Jodi Taylor. ★★★★
52. A Second Chance, Jodi Taylor. ★★★★
53. 11/22/63, Stephen King. ★★★★½

May
54. Hit Me, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
55. The Body in the Library, Agatha Christie. ★★★★
56. The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood. ★★★★
57. Hit Parade, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
58. Dèjá Dead, Kathy Reichs. ★★★½
59. The Father Hunt, Rex Stout. (re-read)
60. Too Many Cooks, Rex Stout. (re-read)
61. The Barkeep, William Lashner. ★★★½
62. The Litigators, John Grisham. ★★★
63. Natchez Burning, Greg Iles. ★★★★½
64. Death du Jour, Kathy Reichs. ★★★½

June
65. A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K. LeGuin. ★★★★★
66. The Shining, Stephen King. ★★★★★
67. Deadly Decisions, Kathy Reichs. ★★★½
68. Cotillion, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
69. Beyond the Body Farm, Jefferson Bass. ★★★½
70. The Final Deduction, Rex Stout. (re-read)
71. Whack-a-Mole, Chris Grabenstein. (re-read)
72. Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
73. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Dee Brown. ★★★★½
74. Against the Ropes, Sarah Castille. ★★★½
75. The Martian, Andy Weir. ★★★★½
76. Chestnut Street, Maeve Binchy. ★★
77. These Old Shades, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
78. Fatal Voyage, Kathy Reichs. ★★★½
79. The Corinthian, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★

4rosalita
Editado: Dic 27, 2014, 11:15 pm

July
80. Venetia, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
81. Countdown City, Ben H. Winters. ★★★½
82. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Gabrielle Zevin. ★★★½
83. No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, Reza Aslan. ★★★★½
84. The Quiet Gentleman, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
85. Country Music Broke My Brain, Gerry House. ★★½
86. The Foundling, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
87. Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut. ★★★★
88. The Devil's Cub, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
89. The Word Exchange, Alena Graedon. ★★★★
90. A Civil Contract, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
91. Faro's Daughter, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
92. April Lady, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
93. Bath Tangle, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
94. First Comes Marriage, Mary Balogh. ★★★½
95. Arabella, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
96. Then Comes Seduction, Mary Balogh. ★★★½
97. The Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain. ★★★½
98. At Last Comes Love, Mary Balogh. ★★★

August
99. Grave Secrets, Kathy Reichs. ★★★★
100. Cuckoo's Calling, Robert Galbraith. ★★★★
101. A Duty to the Dead, Charles Todd. ★★★★
102. Broken Harbor, Tana French. ★★★★½
103. A Test of Wills, Charles Todd. ★★★★½
104. An Echo in the Bone, Diana Gabaldon. (re-read)
105. Wings of Fire, Charles Todd. ★★★★
106. The Nonesuch, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
107. Written in My Own Heart's Blood, Diana Gabaldon. ★★★½
108. Shattered, Kevin Hearne. ★★★
109. Search the Dark, Charles Todd. ★★★★

September
110. Legacy of the Dead, Charles Todd. ★★★★½
111. The Stand, Stephen King. ★★★★
112. Regency Buck, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
113. Pistols for Two, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
114. Watchers of Time, Charles Todd. ★★★★
115. A Fearsome Doubt, Charles Todd. ★★★★
116. A Cold Treachery, Charles Todd. ★★★★
117. A Long Shadow, Charles Todd. ★★★★
118. A False Mirror, Charles Todd. ★★★★
119. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Agatha Christie. ★★★★½
120. Bare Bones, Kathy Reichs. ★★★½
121. My Name Is Asher Lev, Chaim Potok. ★★★★★

October
122. World of Trouble, Ben H. Winters. ★★★★
123. The Unknown Ajax, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
124. Sylvester, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
125. Powder and Patch, Georgette Heyer. ★★★
126. The Silkworm, Robert Galbraith. ★★★★
127. The Testament of Mary, Colm Tóibín. ★★★★½
128. Personal, Lee Child. ★★★½
129. A Pale Horse, Charles Todd. ★★★★
130. Monday Mourning, Kathy Reichs. ★★★★

November
131. The Reluctant Widow, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
132. Burglars Can't Be Choosers, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
133. Charity Girl, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
134. The Burglar in the Closet, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
135. The Convenient Marriage, Georgette Heyer. ★★★½
136. The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
137. A Matter of Justice, Charles Todd. ★★★★
138. The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
139. Cousin Kate, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
140. The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
141. Cross Bones, Kathy Reichs. ★★★½
142. The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
143. False Colours, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
144. The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
145. The Toll-Gate, Georgette Heyer. ★★★★
146. The Red Door, Charles Todd. ★★★★
147. A Lonely Death, Charles Todd. ★★★★

December
148. The Burglar in the Library, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
149. The Burglar in the Rye, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
150. The Burglar on the Prowl, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
151. Break No Bones, Kathy Reichs. ★★★★
152. The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons, Lawrence Block. (re-read)
153. The Confession, Charles Todd. ★★★★½
154. Mr. Mercedes, Stephen King. ★★★★
155. American Elsewhere, Robert Jackson Bennett. ★★★
156. Proof of Guilt, Charles Todd. ★★★★

5rosalita
Ago 2, 2014, 9:50 pm

And what good is a new thread without a new review?



87. Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut.

Thanks to Mark’s American Author Challenge, I finally tackled this classic novel that has been on my shelves forever. I didn’t know much about it beyond the fact that the main character was named Billy Pilgrim and the bombing of Dresden in World War II featured prominently, so it was a surprise and a delight to discover the way Vonnegut used farcical situations and humor to illuminate some deadly serious events.

The central conceit of the novel, if that’s the right term for it, is that Billy Pilgrim has the unsettling habit of becoming “unstuck in time”, wherein he travels backwards and forwards in the timeline of his own life, experiencing and re-experiencing the things that have happened or will happen to him. Pilgrim himself is convinced that the catalyst is a race of extraterrestrials who at one point kidnap him and put him on display in a sort of human zoo on their home planet. Vonnegut leaves it to the reader to decide the real cause of the time traveling episodes. Is Pilgrim mentally ill? Did his traumatic experiences as a prisoner of war during WWII unhinge his brain? Are the Tralfmadorians real, with their non-linear understanding of what time is?
It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever.
When a Tralfamadorian sees a corpse, all he thinks is that the dead person is in bad condition in that particular moment, but that the same person is just fine in plenty of other moments. Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is ‘So it goes.’.
It’s easy to see how such a philosophy might comfort a man who has seen unquantifiable death and destruction, in the war and back home.

I found myself marking many passages as I read Slaughterhouse-Five and I could fill a review with them. But I’ll end with just one more quote, which though written in 1969 could as easily have been penned in some non-linear tomorrow:
Americans, like human beings everywhere, believe many things that are obviously untrue, the monograph went on. Their most destructive truth is that it is very easy for any American to make money. They will not acknowledge how in fact hard money is to come by, and therefore, those who have no money blame and blame and blame themselves. This inward blame has been a treasure for the rich and powerful, who have had to do less for their poor, publicly and privately, than any other ruling class since, say, Napoleonic times.
So it goes.

6luvamystery65
Editado: Ago 2, 2014, 10:07 pm

Boo!

ETA: not boo to you but boo I'm here did I scare you?

7LizzieD
Ago 2, 2014, 10:15 pm

Happy New Thread, Julia! (If mine had to wait until I was ready to review a book, I'm afraid I'd almost never change over to a new one. That's a fine review too!)

8rosalita
Ago 2, 2014, 10:32 pm

>6 luvamystery65: Eek!

>7 LizzieD: Thanks, Peggy! A desperate need to start a new thread seems to be the only thing that can kickstart me into writing overdue reviews.

9msf59
Ago 2, 2014, 10:52 pm

Happy New thread, Julia! Glad you loved the Vonnegut!

10katiekrug
Ago 2, 2014, 10:57 pm

Happy new thread!

11Cynara
Ago 2, 2014, 11:13 pm

Yes, my dear, 'tis me! I'm so glad to see your readings here. No thread yet (heaven only knows what I've been reading since Jan., as I haven't been keeping track) but I imagine I'll put something together.

I adore Vonnegut. I'm glad you enjoyed Slaughterhouse Five.

12Berly
Ago 2, 2014, 11:17 pm

Slaughterhouse has been on my "I really should read that soon" list for about 20 years. Your review has revived my interest. Congrats on the new thread!

13TinaV95
Ago 2, 2014, 11:43 pm

Happy new thread, Julia!!!

Glad to see someone mentioned Ann and Nancy Wilson (HEART kicks major A$$) on your previous thread! :)

I'm an eighty's lover, and I think all the best have been mentioned...so nothing more to add there.

14rosalita
Editado: Ago 3, 2014, 1:37 pm

>9 msf59: I'm so grateful to you, Mark, for finally getting me to take it off the shelf and read it!

>10 katiekrug: Howdy, KAK!

>11 Cynara: Well, I'm mighty glad to see you here, whatever you've been reading. I'll try to keep an eye out if you start a thread, but in the meantime please feel free to make this your home away from home on LT!

>12 Berly: You should read it, Kim. It was so good.

>13 TinaV95: Thanks, Tina. Yes, plenty of love for Heart. ;-)

15scaifea
Ago 3, 2014, 9:15 am

Happy New Thread, lady!!

16Crazymamie
Ago 3, 2014, 9:26 am

Happy new thread, Julia! I went to thumb your review, but it isn't posted to the book's page. If you post it, I will thumb!

17msf59
Editado: Ago 3, 2014, 9:35 am

>Yep, that is what the AAC is all about. The Faulkner was actually the only one I did not have on shelf. Even if I listened to a title on audio, I still had it in the print stacks somewhere.

Happy Sunday, my friend.

18johnsimpson
Ago 3, 2014, 9:38 am

Happy new thread Julia, hope you are having a lovely Sunday my dear, love and hugs to you.

19lkernagh
Ago 3, 2014, 11:58 am

Stopping by to check out the new thread and to say "Hello"!

20Fourpawz2
Ago 3, 2014, 1:51 pm

Hi Julia! You've been to my thread many times; about time I came to yours.
My best friend in high school made me read Slaughterhouse, but after reading your review I think that none of it sunk in. Nice review.

21rosalita
Ago 3, 2014, 7:50 pm

>15 scaifea: Thanks, Amber.

>16 Crazymamie: I don't usually post to the book page when there are already so many reviews, but thank you for the thumb-intent, Mamie!

>17 msf59: Same to you, Mark.

>18 johnsimpson: My best to you and Karen, John.

>19 lkernagh: Howdy, Lori!

>20 Fourpawz2: Welcome to my little corner of the 75ers, pawz! I have that same feeling about many of the books I read in high school. Not much of any of them sank in, I'm afraid.

22rosalita
Editado: Ago 4, 2014, 2:56 pm



89. The Word Exchange, Alena Graedon.

In the not-so-distant future, nearly everyone owns a Meme, a sort of supercharged iPhone that can access information not only across the Internet but inside your brain. It knows to call a cab when you enter the elevator to head home at the end of the day. It can order for you at restaurants, anticipating what you will want to eat. And it can provide you with all the entertainment you could ever want, from videos to art to books.

In fact, so successful are Memes at running their owners’ lives, the need for the printed word is all but gone. Newspapers, magazines, and books have all gone online, and dictionaries have been superseded by The Word Exchange, an online database that instantly pops up definitions on the Meme’s screen when it hears a word spoken in your conversations that you do not know. It’s so quick and easy to look up what you don’t know — phone numbers, song titles, word definitions — that people stop bothering to remember … well, anything. So what happens when a virus spreads inside the Meme operating system that leaves people unable to speak coherently or use language at all?

That’s the premise of The Word Exchange, a book that has a big, exciting premise and lots of small successes but fails to completely pull together into a satisfying whole. The story is told almost entirely from the point of view of Anana, who works with her father, Doug, the editor of the North American Dictionary of the English Language (NADEL). The edition that is about to be printed will be the last printed dictionary on earth, and when Doug disappears just prior to the big launch, Anana suspects something sinister might have happened to him. But who could be behind his disappearance? Who wants to suppress the NADEL’s publication? And why is she suddenly unable to remember even the simplest vocabulary as she searches for answers?

Along with the suspenseful aspects of the plot (“a thriller about the dictionary” is how I described it to my friend Liz), Graedon provides long swatches of ruminations by Anana and co-worker Bart on the meaning of language and words. A fair bit of it went over my head, since I was sick the day we covered philosophy in school, but I got enough of the gist to appreciate what might be at stake in a world where printed words no longer exist. If there’s no authoritative source to prove what a word means (given that online definitions can be altered in the blink of an eye), who gets to decide? And what if the people in charge of writing the definitions don’t have the most noble intentions?

I wanted to love this book more than I did, although I liked it plenty. It felt as though Graedon expended so much energy and space on both the background of how Memes became so ubiquitous and the philosophy of language that the actual day-to-day plot got shoved to the side at times. It felt as if The Word Exchange wanted to be two different books — a suspenseful mystery and a love letter to language and the written word — and in the end both suffered a bit for being crammed into the same suitcase. I still think it’s well worth reading, however, for the ways it will make you think about how much you’ve ceded your memory to your computer and smartphone, and how much you love the way language can communicate the human experience in all its glory and despair.

23swynn
Ago 3, 2014, 10:42 pm

>22 rosalita: Despite the disappointment, that one sounds interesting. Into the swamp!

24rosalita
Ago 3, 2014, 11:21 pm

I think you'll like, Steve!

25RebaRelishesReading
Ago 3, 2014, 11:28 pm

Hi Julia -- happy new thread. Just for the record, I don't want a meme!!

26rosalita
Ago 4, 2014, 9:41 am

>25 RebaRelishesReading: Long before cell phones became ubiquitous, I realized I was ceding my memory of phone numbers to the "speed dial" feature on my phones both at work and at home. Having a mobile phone that can instantly access information anywhere has only accelerated the problem, but it didn't create it.

27Samantha_kathy
Ago 4, 2014, 1:23 pm

If you've ever seen the Stargate Sg1 episode 'Revisions' the last thing you want is a computer connecting with your brain. If humanity ever goes that far with technology, I'll propably be one of those technophobes who gets left behind.

28DorsVenabili
Ago 4, 2014, 2:29 pm

>22 rosalita: Wonderful review, Julia! Not sure it's my thing though. I don't do well with computer-things-in-heads, or virtual reality type stuff. I'm not sure why. It frustrates me.

29jnwelch
Ago 4, 2014, 4:05 pm

Congratulations on the new thread, Julia. Wonderful to be reminded of how good Slaughter-House Five is, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. The Word Exchange seems like it had a great premise that got fumbled a bit in the execution. in the end both suffered a bit for being crammed into the same suitcase. Nice!

30rosalita
Ago 4, 2014, 4:45 pm

>27 Samantha_kathy: I've never seen that show, Samantha_Kathy, but the idea definitely gives me the willies!

>28 DorsVenabili: Hmm, then yes probably not the one for you. Good thing there are a million other great books out there for you.

>29 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! I think you'd like The Word Exchange if you decide to pick it up. It's flawed but still worth reading.

31jjmcgaffey
Ago 4, 2014, 11:00 pm

I've gotten half-way through The Word Exchange and stalled (several months ago). Yeah, the lack-of-focus thing is part of it...she's still flailing around trying to figure out what's going on, and being constantly distracted by males. Why is it that a female lead in soooo many books has only one thing in mind - finding herself (the right) a male? Yawn. I should finish it, just so I can put it out of my head. It may get more interesting - so far there are only the first indicators of words disappearing - but.

32AMQS
Ago 5, 2014, 12:58 am

Hi Julia! Great reviews of both Slaughter-House Five and The Word Exchange. Looks like you've been reading up a storm!

Happy week to you!

33rosalita
Ago 5, 2014, 10:06 am

>31 jjmcgaffey: I didn't get the "need a male" vibe at all but I'm sure that's just me. I do think it's hard to sustain a suspenseful plot line when your characters keep screeching to a halt to offer up long ruminations on the nature of language.

>32 AMQS: Well, thank you very much, Anne! I've had some good ones lately, that's for sure.

34jjmcgaffey
Ago 5, 2014, 4:19 pm

>33 rosalita: Well - it may be me. But a lot of her motivations at the beginning are based on just having broken up, and there's her father's assistant who's attracted to her and she's either oblivious or ignoring it very hard...at the point I stopped, the book seemed to be spending more time on her love life than her father's disappearance, let alone any serious problems with words. It may change later on - which is why I need to finish the book.

35michigantrumpet
Ago 5, 2014, 4:31 pm

Happy new thread, Julia! The Word Exchange sounds interesting, but not for me. Glad to have shared your review, though, as well as you the cause for your new thread!

36rosalita
Ago 5, 2014, 5:24 pm

>34 jjmcgaffey: I take your point, and I can see where it could be annoying. Anyway, there are too many good books waiting out there to worry about one that didn't grab you!

>35 michigantrumpet: Oh dear, was it my review that scared you off? I'm afraid I was too negative because overall I really did enjoy it. I should stop writing reviews!

37LovingLit
Ago 5, 2014, 10:15 pm

>5 rosalita:
>22 rosalita:
*thwack*
Help- I am double hit!
It could take me til the apocalypse to actually read these two, but on the list they go. *sigh*

38richardderus
Ago 6, 2014, 9:52 am

The wonderful thing about ambition is that, even when its execution falls short, the sheer nerve of the attempt is a pleasure and a reward all its own.

39rosalita
Ago 6, 2014, 11:10 am

>37 LovingLit: I know what you mean, Megan. My wishlist is already longer than I could ever hope to finish and yet I keep adding more!

>38 richardderus: Exactly! It's wonderful to read something original even if it's not quite perfectly done.

40sibylline
Editado: Ago 6, 2014, 11:55 am

The Word Exchange sounds intriguing even if not quite fully realized..... and I appreciate your review too.

41AuntieClio
Ago 6, 2014, 8:17 pm

>22 rosalita: I was actually present the quarter we studied philosophy and it still flies over my head. :-)

42rosalita
Ago 6, 2014, 10:47 pm

>40 sibylline: It was good fun, Lucy. Perhaps you'll give it a try sometime.

>41 AuntieClio: That makes me feel better, Stephanie. Of all the classes I wish I'd made time for at university, philosophy is near the top of the list.

43Copperskye
Ago 7, 2014, 12:33 am

I'm so glad that Slaughterhouse-5 was a hit for you, Julia! I think it's a very special book and my favorite Vonnegut. It's another book I should think about rereading soon.

I was looking at your book list at the top of your thread, and I know you haven't discussed books 90-100 yet, but I wanted to just quietly say congratulations for reading 100 books so far. You and Mark (and several others, I know) are stars!

44DorsVenabili
Ago 7, 2014, 6:44 am

I took a political philosophy class in college and it was taught by a fascist, misogynistic PhD candidate who wore camouflage every day. Not exactly what I was hoping for when I signed up, but there it is.

45rosalita
Ago 7, 2014, 10:26 am

>43 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne! I don't think I'll be writing reviews of all those books, but I was happy to hit No. 100 on my day off yesterday!

>44 DorsVenabili: Yikes. That's sounds fairly terrible, Kerri. Maybe I should count my blessings instead!

46Whisper1
Ago 7, 2014, 10:39 am

Congratuations on reading 100 books. What a major accomplishment!

47rosalita
Ago 7, 2014, 10:51 am

Thank you, Linda! I'm still not sure how it happened. :-)

48johnsimpson
Ago 7, 2014, 1:44 pm

Hi Julia, congrats on reaching 100 books read my dear, hope you are having a good day my dear, love and hugs from this side of the pond.

49MickyFine
Ago 7, 2014, 1:50 pm

I'm late to the party but happy new thread!

50scaifea
Ago 7, 2014, 2:36 pm

Hi, Julia! I'm daydreaming about taking a day trip down to your awesome town sometime this fall, once Charlie's in school - would you be up for lunch together if I do?

51rosalita
Ago 7, 2014, 5:14 pm

>48 johnsimpson: Thank you, John! It's been a good reading year so far.

>49 MickyFine: It's not a party until you get here, Micky, so you can never be too late!

>50 scaifea: YEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Ahem. Yeah, I could probably do that. Let me know what time frame you have in mind.

52cbl_tn
Ago 7, 2014, 5:52 pm

Woohoo! 100 books! Maybe Adrian can find a prize for you. He's having a lucky week so far.

53rosalita
Ago 7, 2014, 8:10 pm

Well, if Adrian wants to find me a diamond ring in his next bag of kibble, by all means let him! :-)

54richardderus
Ago 7, 2014, 8:16 pm

Sending hugs, dear Julia

55rosalita
Editado: Ago 7, 2014, 8:19 pm

*smooch*, Richard! Is it safe to come back to your thread now? Is all the St. Mary's talk died down to a low murmur? I need a dose of bookshelf porn!

56richardderus
Ago 7, 2014, 8:28 pm



Ask and ye shall receive.

57scaifea
Ago 7, 2014, 9:11 pm

>51 rosalita: Julia: School doesn't start up here until after the first of September, so it'll be a little while. I just wanted to give you fair warning...

58rosalita
Ago 7, 2014, 9:18 pm

>56 richardderus: Oh, that's lovely! The giant goose on the table gave me pause for a moment, though. Thanks, RD.

>57 scaifea: I like having something to look forward to! I wish school didn't start here until after September 1. In fact, there's a law on the books in Iowa that says schools can't start more than a week before Sept. 1, but pretty much every single school district asks for and gets a waiver to start earlier. The summer tourism industry was pushing legislation this past year to have the rule more strictly enforced, but it was defeated. And thus endeth the riveting lesson on Iowa education laws!

59msf59
Ago 7, 2014, 9:20 pm

Sweet Thursday, Julia! I hope your work week is going smoothly. Thanks to you, I've been listening more and more to Spotify. I really like the new Jenny Lewis album. Give it a spin. Are you a fan of Spoon? Their latest, is also very good.

60rosalita
Ago 7, 2014, 9:22 pm

Hey there, Mark! I haven't listened to Spotify for about a week or so, but I need to get back to it. I'll check out Jenny Lewis — not sure I'm familiar with her. I heard a tiny bit of a story on Spoon on NPR recently and thought they sounded like a band I'd like. I'll have to check them out, too. Thanks for the tips!

61msf59
Ago 7, 2014, 9:30 pm

Spoon is fantastic! I've been following them about 10 years or so. Jenny Lewis has a great R & R history too.

62Donna828
Ago 8, 2014, 7:17 pm

>5 rosalita:: Julia, I loved your review of Slaughterhouse-Five. I have found myself saying "So it goes" way too much since I read it. It fits so many situations...

>58 rosalita:: Missouri has a similar law on the books yet school is starting here next Tuesday. Go figure. I'm just glad I'm not teaching any longer. I probably wouldn't report until the Tuesday after Labor Day!

63Copperskye
Ago 8, 2014, 7:42 pm

Schools should never start until the Tuesday after Labor Day. The schools in CO start mid August. So sad.

Have a good weekend Julia!

64rosalita
Ago 8, 2014, 7:54 pm

>62 Donna828: Thank you, Donna! Such a useful expression, really.

>63 Copperskye: I agree with you, Joanne! Our local school district starts classes Aug. 19. The university starts Aug. 25. Too soon!

65DeltaQueen50
Ago 8, 2014, 8:26 pm

Hi Julia, I am home from the Island, all rested and refreshed and ready to hit the books. Of course I came home to find our planned kitchen renovations underway, but hey, some time off from cooking and a new(ish) kitchen at end of it all - I'm happy!

66rosalita
Ago 8, 2014, 8:38 pm

>65 DeltaQueen50: New kitchens are nice, but I've heard the road to getting there can be pretty scary! I've never known anyone who completely regretted doing it, though, so you've got that going for you!

67ronincats
Ago 8, 2014, 11:40 pm

Hey, JUlia, just stopping in to say hi.

68tymfos
Ago 9, 2014, 12:00 am

Happy new thread!

I agree with sentiments expressed here about school starting in August. My son's starts the Tuesday before Labor Day. I think starting before Labor Day is weird. We never did when I was a kid.

69rosalita
Ago 9, 2014, 9:22 am

>67 ronincats: Happy Saturday, Roni!

>68 tymfos: When we first moved to the Midwest when I was a kid, I remember being told that school started earlier in rural areas so that it would let our earlier in the spring so farm kids could help with planting and other chores. That reasoning seems to have been lost nowadays, if it was ever true to begin with. It's telling that in Iowa the biggest pushers of starting school after Labor Day were lobbyists from the tourism industry who don't want to lost August as a month for family vacations.

70cbl_tn
Ago 9, 2014, 9:39 am

Way back when I was in school, we started the Wednesday before Labor Day. The first week of school was a 3-day week. The 2nd week was a 4-day week since we were off on Monday for Labor Day. The 3rd week we got off a half day on Monday for "Fair Day" since it was the week of the county fair. We didn't have a full 5-day week of school until the 4th week of the school year!

71rosalita
Ago 9, 2014, 9:49 am

Now that's the way to ease back into the school year, Carrie! Kind of a nice transition from summer to school.

72msf59
Ago 9, 2014, 10:28 am

Happy Saturday, Julia! I hope you have a nice weekend planned.

73SandDune
Ago 9, 2014, 11:57 am

It's virtually unheard of in the UK for schools to go back before the first few days of September. But then, they don't usually finish until latish July, with six weeks summer break being the norm. J has 9 weeks, which is considered a hugely long holiday, because he attends a boarding school and has to do Saturday morning school.

74richardderus
Ago 9, 2014, 5:38 pm

Labor Day Tuesday to Xmas; 3 Jan to Good Friday; Tuesday after Easter to Memorial Day. It was the same every year. Somehow I managed to get a reasonable education.

75rosalita
Ago 9, 2014, 9:34 pm

>72 msf59: So far, so good. Hope it's shaping up the same way for you, Mark.

>73 SandDune: Our local schools start the school in the second half of August and let out in early to mid June, so the summer break is much longer here. But there are a growing number of schools that are experimenting with a year-round calendar, which offers shortish, 3-week breaks between terms. I think it ends up being the same number of teaching days, just spread across the year differently. Studies indicate some students lose quite a bit of ground over the long summer vacation, so the year-round calendar makes some good sense. I don't know that it will ever become mainstream, though. Too many people love that long summer vacation.

76scaifea
Ago 10, 2014, 7:59 am

>75 rosalita: I really kind of like the idea of shorter, year-round breaks, honestly.

77rosalita
Ago 10, 2014, 8:31 am

I would have too, Amber. I'd love to see that schedule become more popular.

78msf59
Ago 10, 2014, 9:57 am

Happy Sunday, Julia! I've been listening to some great stuff on Spotify. Grins...

79richardderus
Ago 10, 2014, 5:52 pm

I've read and reviewed the deeply beautiful and immensely satisfying short Great War novel, A Month in the Country. See why I love it in my thread...post #103.

80rosalita
Ago 10, 2014, 11:10 pm

>78 msf59: I'm so glad I got you to dig into Spotify more, Mark. :-)

>79 richardderus: Nice! I added that one to my wishlist when Miss Kerri was singing its praises not too long ago. I may need to move it up a bit if I can find it at the library.

81AMQS
Ago 11, 2014, 1:53 am

Hi Julia! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. My first official day back at work was last Wednesday (August 6). Teachers go back tomorrow, and students (including my girls) the following Monday. I remember starting school September 1 when I was their age. Of course, I didn't have to take the endless tests, either. We had teacher librarian PD on Friday, and I learned that I will be able to teach students until March 2. After that I am officially the tech coordinator for online tests for the rest of the school year. ugh.

82johnsimpson
Ago 11, 2014, 7:41 am

Hi Julia, hope you had a lovely weekend my dear and wishing you a wonderful Monday.

83RebaRelishesReading
Ago 11, 2014, 8:40 am

Wow, 100 and it's only August. Well done!

84DorsVenabili
Ago 11, 2014, 8:51 am

Good morning, Julia!

Oh! I forgot to offer congrats on 100 books! So, congrats!

I'll have to listen to that new Spoon album. I liked their first 2 or 3 albums, and then didn't keep up.

85rosalita
Ago 11, 2014, 9:09 am

>81 AMQS: Ugh, that seems way too early, Anne. And what a terrible thing to only be able to teach until March and then have to administer online tests! It seems like a poor use of your time and expertise.

>82 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

>83 RebaRelishesReading: It's been a pretty good year for reading, Reba! It certainly helps not to have an actual life. ;-)

>84 DorsVenabili: Thanks, Kerri. Spoon is yet another band that wasn't really on my radar until recently. I am hopelessly out of touch with new(ish) music.

86TinaV95
Ago 11, 2014, 5:04 pm

Whoops. Hit! The Word Exchange now sits atop my wish list... it just sounds too interesting / scary / a little too close to home not to give it a try!! :)

87rosalita
Ago 11, 2014, 5:11 pm

>86 TinaV95: Yay! I'm so glad I didn't scare you off with that review, Tina. It's good, really!

88rosalita
Ago 11, 2014, 9:29 pm



100. The Cuckoo's Calling, Robert Gailbraith.

This one almost slipped past me. I knew, of course, that J.K. Rowling had penned a detective novel under a pen name, but all I remember reading about it was that fact; there must have been reviews of the book as a book and not a publishing phenomenon but I don't remember reading any. But you know how it goes around here, visit enough threads in the 75er group and eventually all those positive reviews start to accumulate even in an overstuffed brain like mine. Off to the library!

And you know what? I'm glad I listened to all of you, because this one is pretty darn good. Cormoran Strike is a former war hero-turned-private detective, down to one leg and down on his luck, when a rich client comes to him with an impossible case: Prove that the death of his sister, a world-famous model, was murder and not suicide. Even Strike doesn't believe it's true, but he needs the money and brother John is willing to pay. And a funny thing happens on the way to a no-hoper payday: Strike starts to think brother dear is right.

Strike is no Sherlock Holmes. There are no wild "aren't I clever" flights of deductive genius on display, just dogged determination and a sense for who's not telling the whole truth. Galbraith/Rowling portrays Strike as a bit of a sad sack, reduced to sleeping in his office when he breaks up with his rich girlfriend, but somehow makes him an appealing sack for all of that. I've already put myself on the holds list the library for the second in the series, The Silkworm. I'm No. 200-and-something, so no worries about reading these too close together for me.

89rosalita
Ago 11, 2014, 9:42 pm



101. A Duty to the Dead, Charles Todd.

Another series? When I already have way too many series going (80, according to FictFact.com, and who ever thought that was a good idea, tracking series)? What can I say? I am helpless before the mighty ebook sale tsunami!

Alas, this series of mysteries featuring World War I nurse Bess Crawford, was worth breaking all my self-imposed rules for. The first book finds Bess, home on convalescent leave after the hospital ship she served on was sunk at sea, traveling to Kent to deliver a deathbed message to the family of a soldier who died under her care. While there, she manages to get tangled in a decades-old murder mystery. As one does, apparently, when one is a spunky WWI nurse with a heart of gold and a brain of ... platinum. Whatever.

I liked that this series defied some of the typical conventions. Perhaps Bess is a bit too spunky for the times, but her family (including her highly respected military dad) cautiously encourage her free spirit to a remarkable extent. That's refreshing, as is the near-total lack of a romantic entanglement for Bess, who while no raving beauty is apparently not a complete "antidote" (yes, I've been reading too much Georgette Heyer lately).

Will I continue with the series? Oh sure, why not? I liked Bess and I liked her dad and I'm curious to know what she gets up to next. It's a helluva thing when an English nurse has to worry more about the murderous deeds of her fellow countrymen than those blasted Germans, though.

90lkernagh
Ago 11, 2014, 10:14 pm

Seriously?! Two four star ratings back to back? I am still not sure I want to read The Cuckoo's Calling but I already have the Charles Todd books on my radar screen - more the Inspector Ian Rutledge Mysteries than the Bess Crawford books - so it looks like I will be reading some Charles Todd books at some point in the future! ;-)

91rosalita
Ago 11, 2014, 10:16 pm

Lori, I'm terrified of even looking at the Ian Rutledge series at the library for fear that the first book will leap unbidden into my hand! Of the two (Cuckoo vs Bess) I'd say go for the Cuckoo first. The ratings are the same, but I liked that one better.

92cbl_tn
Ago 11, 2014, 10:28 pm

Hi Julia! Just wanted to let you know that I loved A Duty to the Dead, but I disliked the second book in the series. I read book 3 with some trepidation and liked it nearly as well as book one. I've read one or two more since then and they've been consistently good. You might like book 2 better than I did, but if not, it's still worth it to keep going.

93rosalita
Ago 11, 2014, 10:29 pm

Oh dear. Thank you for the heads-up, Carrie! I prefer to know going in that the second book is a clunker but not indicative of the series as a whole. Otherwise I'd be tempted to chuck the whole thing.

94Copperskye
Ago 11, 2014, 11:52 pm

I'm going to have to take a look at those Gailbraith books. I've been pretty much ignoring them both.

I have a couple of the Bess Crawford's floating around but haven't read them, either (good to know about the second one). Happily, I have a few of the Ian Rutledge books read. You might like them, Julia, you know, when you run out of series books to read.... :)

95rosalita
Ago 12, 2014, 9:34 am

>94 Copperskye: You could find worse ways to spend your time, Joanne. And ... thanks? ... for the series recommendation. Grrr.

96DorsVenabili
Ago 12, 2014, 11:51 am

Good morning, Julia!

A Duty to the Dead sounds charmingish, so I'm going to plop it on the wishlist.

97GeezLouise
Ago 12, 2014, 12:17 pm

Hey Julia have a great week.

98rosalita
Ago 12, 2014, 12:58 pm

>96 DorsVenabili: Charmingish is a good description for it, Kerri.

>97 GeezLouise: Thanks, Rae!

99jnwelch
Ago 12, 2014, 1:42 pm

I got hooked on Strike and Robin in The Cuckoo's Calling, Julia, and I just read the second one, which was good, too. Now I'm impatiently tapping my toe waiting for the third one, which no doubt will take quite a while to show up. I suppose it's only fair to let her finish writing it.

It's interesting to read her as a writer for "grownups", isn't it? She does a surprisingly good job of it.

100rosalita
Ago 12, 2014, 3:19 pm

>99 jnwelch: Yes, you were one of the people who indirectly prompted me to pick it up. I saw in your thread how much you liked it, and decided to give it a try. Don't get me wrong, I adored the Harry Potter series but I wasn't sure how her writing would translate to a book for "grownups" as you say. It turns out it works really well, so thanks for the nudge.

101rosalita
Ago 12, 2014, 9:02 pm

Tomorrow is my last Wednesday off before the new semester starts, and I've earned it! For the past two weeks we have been interviewing students for the office assistant job I wrote about earlier. I have to say, for all my musings about the sketchy quality of some of the resumes and cover letters that I got, the 9 students we have interviewed so far have been, with one exception, pretty darn impressive. There are 5 of them I would hire without hesitation, and 2 others who I would seriously consider if we didn't have so many other stellar candidates. We'll conduct two more interviews on Thursday, and then make the hiring decision by next Monday. I'll be hiring 3 of them, which means that there will be some hard choices to make, but so much better than the alternative.

All of this really makes the summer seem like it's over, but I have tomorrow as one last day to kick up my heels (figuratively; if I tried to literally kick up my heels I'd end up in the emergency room) before it's time to buckle down again.

102richardderus
Ago 12, 2014, 9:22 pm

Hard choices about whom you'll disappoint are infinitely prefereable to hard choices between rocks and hard places. Yay for you!

103rosalita
Ago 12, 2014, 9:59 pm

So true, Richard! And I was really worried about getting all rocks and hard places after some of the applications.

104porch_reader
Ago 12, 2014, 10:22 pm

This makes me so happy! I love to hear stories about impressive students. It seems that we usually hear about the other kind. Good luck with your decision.

105scaifea
Ago 13, 2014, 6:56 am

An embarrassment of riches, then. That's wonderful!
And I hope you enjoy your Wednesday off!

106msf59
Ago 13, 2014, 7:20 am

Morning Julia! Enjoy your day off. Hopefully R & R plays heavily in your plans.

107rosalita
Ago 13, 2014, 9:38 am

>104 porch_reader: I know! I especially wanted to let you all know how great they are since I did my share of making fun of the more ... unique ... applications that rolled in.

>105 scaifea: It's a delightful problem to have, Amber! I'm heading out in a little bit to the Quad-Cities, to meet up with some friends I used to work with at the Quad-City Times and also to close out my safe-deposit box. After 12 years I've decided maybe I should have it a bit closer to where I live now (I don't like to rush into these decisions, you know).

>106 msf59: It definitely will, Mark. See my response to Amber for the day's plans.

And with that, I'm off! Y'all behave yourselves while I'm gone, now.

108swynn
Ago 13, 2014, 9:55 am

Good news about your students, Julia! I had an exceptionally good student last year, but she's in another department this year which gives me The Sad. (Actually, I encouraged her to apply since I knew experience in the other department would fit her career goals better. Still, The Sad.)

Fortunately, I'm optimistic about the student I have starting next week. She seems really sharp.

109DorsVenabili
Ago 13, 2014, 9:57 am

Happy Wednesday, Julia!

Please have a lovely day in the Quad Cities with friends! And best wishes on choosing student employees.

110msf59
Ago 13, 2014, 12:49 pm

Have a good time in the Quad Cities, Julia!

The Grant is in the post...

111rosalita
Editado: Ago 14, 2014, 10:12 am

>108 swynn: Oh, I know what you mean about having The Sad about great student employees leaving. I lost two to graduation at the end of the spring semester and it's rather traumatic, even as you are excited to see them going off and starting their real lives. Of course, I also lost one who I will not miss in the slightest, so it all evens out. :-)

>109 DorsVenabili: Hey there, Kerri! It was a great day indeed.

>110 msf59: Thank you so much, Mark! I love having packages to look forward to ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So yeah, it was a pretty great day off today. Lunch with my QCT friends was very good. We went to one of the restaurants we frequented often back in the day. It's called The Filling Station and it's basically a bar with an old-timey gas station theme. But the food is not typical frozen bar-food crap, it's all handmade and delicious. So that was nice.

They had to go back to work, the poor suckers, so I wandered over to Illinois and visited the Quad-City Botanical Garden, which is tiny but nice. They've added an outdoor train garden since I was there last, where they have model train tracks running through a garden landscape with the usual little buildings and accoutrements. It was rather charming.

And of course I drove past my house (I say my house even though I sold it in 2002) to see what the "new" people have done with the place. Overall, it's fine — the grass is neatly mowed, there's no trash or junk cluttering up the yard. BUT, they "updated" it by covering the lovely old narrow clapboards with BABY-BLUE VINYL SIDING! Personally I think anyone who puts vinyl siding on a beautiful 1920s Craftsman bungalow should be taken out and, if not actually shot, certainly given a shake and a stern talking to. But I guess progress marches on. It's just hideous, though, really. I should have taken a picture but I was too heartbroken to think of it until later.

So yeah, other than that it was a good day. I ran out of time to go to the Putnam Museum (natural history) and the Figge Museum of Art, but they are on the list for next time, definitely. And hopefully it won't be several years before I get back there again!

112katiekrug
Ago 13, 2014, 11:23 pm

Sounds like a great day, Julia, despite the *shudder* vinyl siding....

113DorsVenabili
Ago 14, 2014, 9:51 am

>111 rosalita: - Sounds like a lovely lunch with old friends!

Vinyl siding is one thing, but baby blue takes it to another level of horror that is difficult to comprehend. I feel for you.

I think we may have been at different botanic gardens at the same moment yesterday! How about that?!

114rosalita
Ago 14, 2014, 10:12 am

>113 DorsVenabili: I bet the botanic garden you were at was a bit bigger than the QC one, Kerri. It's mini but mighty nice. :-)

115DeltaQueen50
Ago 14, 2014, 1:50 pm

I feel for you, Julia, about your house. The last time I was in Victoria I made a point of driving by the old family home and it's getting a little shabby and run-down. The neighbourhood is picking up however and I am hoping that eventually the house gets a make-over (with no vinyl siding!). This house was designed by my father and his architect friend and build specifically for us in 1960 so it has a special place in my heart.

116rosalita
Ago 14, 2014, 4:05 pm

Judy, that would be so much worse, to see a house designed by your father and built specially for your family to be neglected! I loved my little house so much, but didn't have quite that level of attachment to it.

Here's hoping the make-over of your old family home, when it comes, is thoughtful and respectful of the house's history.

117cbl_tn
Ago 14, 2014, 4:10 pm

The house thing happened with the house my grandmother designed and built when my father was a teenager. She sold the house after my step-grandfather died. He was a wonderful gardener and had planted fruit trees in the yard. The new owners removed the awnings without replacing them with anything, and they cut down the fruit trees. At least George Washington stopped with a single cherry tree!

118rosalita
Ago 14, 2014, 4:46 pm

That's too bad. I didn't mention it because I didn't want to sound like a complete whiner, but they also took out some beautiful lilac bushes, which is sad. They always smelled so beautiful every spring.

119LovingLit
Ago 15, 2014, 3:55 am

I have not dared to visit the house I grew up in, it was so so beautiful. I have driven past it many times and can't help but notice the three houses now crammed on to what was the front lawn. Ah well, we have to move on I guess :(
*digging in heels*
:)

120scaifea
Ago 15, 2014, 7:45 am

I don't think I ever want to drive past our old house in Ohio. I'd be too sad to see any changes.

121Carmenere
Ago 15, 2014, 8:00 am

Hey Julia! What a relief it must be to see the lame resumes blossom onto better than expected interviews. We can't give up on the whipper snappers yet, yah!
I'd rather my former homes be left in their happy memory place rather than reality. Snicker, the former owners of our current house would probably be a bit saddened to see the sad state of their rhododendrons. It's not my fault!!!
Happy prepping for the new school year!

122katiekrug
Ago 15, 2014, 10:20 am

My husband and I made a quick swing by my childhood home when we were up north and it had been torn down! I thought I was going crazy... "I swear, it was here!" Turns out, the people next door (what we called "flatlanders" - people who come up from NYC every weekend) bought it and tore it down so their view of the mountains would be unimpeded.... *sigh*

123rosalita
Ago 15, 2014, 12:27 pm

>119 LovingLit: I would not have dared to knock and ask to come in. Just driving by was traumatic enough.

>120 scaifea: I feel a bit silly to still feel so much ownership over a house I haven't lived in for 12 years, but I do, anyway.

>121 Carmenere: It absolutely was a relief, Lynda! Perhaps there's hope for the future yet ...

>122 katiekrug: That must have been a bit traumatic, Katie. As I was driving around town I kept thinking "Didn't there used to be something here?" or "When did they build that?" It's rather disorienting when the landmarks you used to rely on for navigation without a second thought are suddenly gone. There was an elementary school right down the street, which was also our polling place. I was totally shocked to see it was gone and all that's left is a big field.

124scaifea
Ago 15, 2014, 12:52 pm

>123 rosalita: For me, that house in Ohio is the one to which we brought Charlie home from the hospital, Tomm's and my first home together, the place where Charlie took his first steps... So, yeah, there's a lot of emotion there.

125DorsVenabili
Ago 17, 2014, 11:17 am

Happy Sunday, Julia! Are you awake?!

126luvamystery65
Ago 17, 2014, 6:12 pm

Howdy Julia! WWI nurse mystery sounds like my cuppa.

127rosalita
Ago 18, 2014, 3:10 pm

>125 DorsVenabili: I was, but not my computer. What did I miss?!

>126 luvamystery65: I am surprised, knowing how much you love mysteries, that you have not read it yet. I hope you like it if you do pick it up.

128michigantrumpet
Ago 18, 2014, 3:27 pm

Oh Julia! I know just how you feel! My grandparents bought and built their home from plans and materials from Sears in the 1930's. It was a charming little house. It was the center of my family related universe until the late 1980's. Went by there a few years back and they, too had covered it with vinyl siding, as well as several other changes that ruined all of its charm. I was heartbroken.

129rosalita
Ago 18, 2014, 5:10 pm

It's amazing the things you could get from Sears back in the day. I have friends who live in a Sears Roebuck house, also. And when my brother started his FFA (Future Farmers of America) project as a freshman, we ordered the baby chicks from the Sears catalog.

130richardderus
Ago 18, 2014, 6:11 pm

And don't forget the Allstate, the car you could order from the catalog! It was a rebadged Henry J, a compact car made by Kaiser.

The Maplewood was a really nice house, especially for the day.

131michigantrumpet
Ago 18, 2014, 6:17 pm

>129 rosalita: All of the materials were delivered on a several railroad cars to their little town. Everything right down to the nails. An exceptionally well-constructed house, which is why I think there's a lot of demand for them even now.

>130 richardderus: So true, Richard. Perfect for my grandparents, and their two children. They were rightly proud of that sweet little house.

132cbl_tn
Ago 18, 2014, 7:49 pm

I grew up across the street from a Sears catalog house. It's still there, and it looks pretty much the same as it did decades ago. It doesn't have vinyl siding. :)

133rosalita
Ago 18, 2014, 8:13 pm

>130 richardderus: >131 michigantrumpet: >132 cbl_tn: I love old houses and wish I could live in one again someday. Not likely but it would be nice.

134michigantrumpet
Ago 18, 2014, 8:22 pm

They have wonderful detail, but are the dickens to keep in good repair...

135rosalita
Ago 18, 2014, 8:25 pm

>134 michigantrumpet: I was very lucky with my bungalow. In the 8 years I owned it the only major maintenance I did was have the exterior painted. The roof had been replaced less than a year before I bought it, which was a big help obviously.

136ronincats
Ago 18, 2014, 9:25 pm

My childhood home is gone as well. We lived outside town in the flood plain and when they built a new bridge into our small town, it ended up acting as a dam for flood waters and resulted in the demise of the house. The only building still on the property is the barn--the garage, house and playhouse are all gone. It's weird to think that the only place that well-lived-in place exists in inside my head. Just a nothing-special farm house...

137cbl_tn
Ago 18, 2014, 10:02 pm

My grandparents' house on my mom's side exists only in a few heads now. I still dream about it. My mom's sister and her husband live across the street from where my grandparents' house used to be, and it's still strange to see the empty lot there. We were all there last month for my aunt & uncle's 50th anniversary. It was only the 2nd time my sister-in-law had been there, and my brother gave her a tour of the town, pointing out all of the locations where things used to be (grandparents' house, grandfather's station, water tower, IGA, community building, school, etc.)

138rosalita
Ago 19, 2014, 9:12 am

>136 ronincats: >137 cbl_tn: It's inevitable, I suppose, but it's still hard to take when the places where our most cherished memories took place disappear.

139DeltaQueen50
Ago 20, 2014, 2:55 am

Hi Julia, the September Series and Sequels thread is open for advance planning. Here's the link:

September Series and Sequels

140rosalita
Ago 20, 2014, 9:56 am

Thank you, Judy!

141LovingLit
Ago 20, 2014, 7:38 pm

Aw, nice (and sad) home memories :)

142DorsVenabili
Editado: Ago 21, 2014, 2:25 pm

I'm listening to that album - Look Again to the Wind: Johnny Cash's Bitter Tears Revisited. Thank you for pointing it out. It's terribly good, of course.

143rosalita
Ago 21, 2014, 4:55 pm

>141 LovingLit: The bad with the good, Megan!

>142 DorsVenabili: Ooh, is it out? I lost track of the release date. I'm so glad you think it's good — the couple of songs I heard were fantastic.

144DorsVenabili
Ago 21, 2014, 5:02 pm

>143 rosalita: - Yes! It's on Spotify now.

145rosalita
Ago 21, 2014, 5:19 pm

>144 DorsVenabili: Woo-hoo! I know what I'll be listening to tonight.

146TinaV95
Ago 22, 2014, 10:58 pm

Hey Julia... Happy weekend!

It sounds like you have a great group of students to choose from. Congrats!

You've made me want to grab The Cuckoo's Calling... But, I still have The Casual Vacancy sitting on my shelf waiting because it had such mixed reviews. :/

147rosalita
Ago 23, 2014, 11:32 am

Howdy, Tina! I think you'd like Cuckoo's Calling. I have not yet read The Casual Vacancy, but my cousin Gerry says I should. Like you, I remember pretty mixed reviews.

148DeltaQueen50
Ago 23, 2014, 3:47 pm

Hi Julia, just passing through to wish you a lovely weekend. I am spending it avoiding my kitchen as it is full of ladders and men with paintbrushes in their hands.

149luvamystery65
Ago 23, 2014, 4:09 pm

Howdy again Julia. ;-)

150johnsimpson
Ago 23, 2014, 4:50 pm

Hi Julia, I am looking forward to reading A Casual Vacancy and Cuckoo's Calling very soon, love and hugs to you my dear.

151richardderus
Ago 23, 2014, 5:05 pm

Hiya Julia! *smooch*

152Donna828
Ago 24, 2014, 10:32 am

Just stopping by with a Sunday Hello. I hope you are not in the heat wave we are having south of you. Another day in the 100s expected here today. The only good thing about that is that I will stay inside and read away another day! Happy Sunday to you, Julia!

153michigantrumpet
Ago 25, 2014, 3:51 pm

Hello there Julia! We were just talking over the weekend about favorite Springsteen concerts. People were tossing out phrases like, "I loved Fenway II! I hadn't heard 'Sherry Darling' live since 1984!"

I thought, 'My friend, Julia, would just love this conversation!'

154Copperskye
Ago 25, 2014, 10:57 pm

Hi Julia!

155RebaRelishesReading
Ago 25, 2014, 11:10 pm

I love the whole idea of Sears houses. I bought a book about them with many of the plans shown and had a ball with it. Hadn't thought about it in a while but must remember to have another peruse when I get home. I grew up in a house my parents built themselves. It was practical but not lovely. I went by back in early 2004 and found that not only the house but the neighborhood were seriously the worse for wear.

156johnsimpson
Ago 26, 2014, 7:31 am

Hi Julia, hope you had a good weekend my dear.

157tymfos
Ago 26, 2014, 10:28 pm

I'm enjoying the talk about the childhood homes. The home of my youth is gone, the property sold to make way for an emergency services center. My grandmother's house burned a few years ago and, last I heard, the shell still sits empty and boarded up -- which bothers me more than my own former home being gone.

158Copperskye
Ago 27, 2014, 1:10 am

>157 tymfos: oh that is sad!

I can easily see the house I grew up in on Google street view. The new owners made some changes and it's good to see that it's well cared for. The last time I drove down the street was in 2010 after it'd been sold about a year or two before. It was so strangely uncomfortable knowing that it wasn't our house anymore, and I couldn't just walk up the driveway and open the back door. It still makes me sad to think about and I know, should I go back to NJ, that I won't want to drive by again.

159SuziQoregon
Ago 28, 2014, 3:05 pm

Interesting reading all the former home stories. We moved a lot and some of our no longer exist. I occasionally drive by the one we lived in when I was 5 or 6.

160DeltaQueen50
Ago 28, 2014, 5:08 pm

Julia, you have been missing for awhile now. I hope things are ok with you and that danged Black Dog hasn't shown up for a visit!

161cbl_tn
Ago 28, 2014, 5:16 pm

Hi Julia! I hope the beginning of the year isn't completely overwhelming you. If so, I feel your pain. Classes started here on Monday, and I've spent a good chunk of my time this week dealing with IT issues. We also lost about 2/3 of our student workers so we have a lot of training to do. I keep reminding myself it will get better.

162katiekrug
Ago 28, 2014, 6:13 pm

Hiya, Julia! Just checking in. Hope all is well.

Oooh, weird, I'm typing this on my computer and my iPad screen just lit up with a Facebook notification about you! *Cue music from The Twilight Zone*

163msf59
Editado: Ago 28, 2014, 9:12 pm

Hi Julia! Just checking in on my pal. Hope you are doing well. Do you have a long weekend coming up?

164ChelleBearss
Ago 30, 2014, 4:10 pm

Hi Julia! Hope you enjoy your long weekend!

165Donna828
Ago 31, 2014, 12:03 pm

Sunday hello! I hope you are immersed in an unputdownable book!

166porch_reader
Ago 31, 2014, 10:54 pm

Hi Julia! Had you heard that Bruce Springsteen is co-authoring a children's book? I saw that on Twitter and thought of you!

167scaifea
Sep 2, 2014, 7:23 am

You okay, Julia?

168souloftherose
Sep 2, 2014, 12:14 pm

Hope everything's ok Julia.

169rosalita
Sep 2, 2014, 8:50 pm

Sorry I've been away for a while. The past two weeks have been extremely busy at work and I have been doing nothing when I'm home except read and stare quietly into space. I've been reading everyone's thread but feeling as if I have absolutely nothing clever or original to add, so have refrained from posting.

Carry on!

170richardderus
Sep 2, 2014, 8:56 pm

171scaifea
Sep 2, 2014, 9:13 pm

>169 rosalita: Good to hear from you! I'll now carry on carrying on...

172Copperskye
Sep 2, 2014, 9:48 pm

>169 rosalita: Clever or original? I had no idea that that was a prerequisite...now I know where I've been going wrong... :) nice to see you post, Julia! Work stuff I know. I'm currently slogging away in budget season. :(

173DeltaQueen50
Sep 2, 2014, 10:11 pm

Nice to hear from you Julia.

174jnwelch
Sep 3, 2014, 11:52 am

Ditto from me, Julia. Glad you're doing okay. I'm all for staring quietly into space, although it sounds like a lighter dayload would be appreciated.

175souloftherose
Sep 3, 2014, 1:50 pm

>169 rosalita: Glad you're OK and you've had time to read - that's the most important thing :-)

176johnsimpson
Sep 3, 2014, 4:24 pm

Hi Julia, nice to see you back my dear, it seems you have been busy at work but at least you managed some reading time. The staring into space could be worrying though, lol.

177katiekrug
Sep 3, 2014, 4:31 pm

Ha! I'm never clever or original, but the nice people here still let me hang out ;-)

Miss you, friend!

178AuntieClio
Sep 5, 2014, 4:08 pm

Hi Julia, I'm all for the staring into space action.

179luvamystery65
Sep 5, 2014, 5:08 pm

>169 rosalita: Tell the truth. You aren't posting as much because I haven't been around to give you crap. ;-)

I am going to read Book Two of The Stand towards the end of the month so I can just finish it in October. I hope I remember what's going on!

Miss ya.

180tymfos
Editado: Sep 12, 2014, 11:28 pm

>169 rosalita: I know what you mean. Sometimes I'm tired and I just can't think of anything worth posting, so I just lurk a bit and then go read a book or sleep or something.

181luvamystery65
Sep 14, 2014, 3:19 pm

Julia?

182johnsimpson
Sep 14, 2014, 3:28 pm

Hi Julia, I hope you have had a good weekend my dear.

183Carmenere
Sep 15, 2014, 9:16 am

Hi Julia! I've got nothing clever nor original either. Just want to say hi and hope things slow down at work for you. :0)

184DeltaQueen50
Sep 15, 2014, 4:04 pm

We miss you, Julia dear, and hope everything is going ok.

185richardderus
Sep 15, 2014, 4:23 pm

How do, smoochling, thinking of you.

186jnwelch
Sep 18, 2014, 9:03 am

*waves from near the Thames*

187johnsimpson
Sep 19, 2014, 4:58 pm

Hi Julia, just popping by to say hi my dear, love and hugs to you.

188richardderus
Sep 19, 2014, 10:46 pm

Hi Julia, happy autumn!

189scaifea
Sep 21, 2014, 8:05 am

Hi, Julia! Hope everything is okay...

190LizzieD
Sep 21, 2014, 8:42 am

Catching up! The new owners covered our old brick family home with vinyl siding - at least it was beige and not baby blue! Hope you're back into the rhythm and that school is going well. Enjoy your Sunday, Julia.

191cbl_tn
Sep 24, 2014, 9:33 pm

Hey Julia! Today is Adrian's birthaversary. I adopted him from the Humane Society one year ago today. He sends greetings.

192ronincats
Sep 24, 2014, 10:20 pm

Just checking in, Julia, and hoping things are okay with you.

193LovingLit
Sep 25, 2014, 2:24 am

>169 rosalita: he! Still just lookin'?
I hope things are well :)

194msf59
Editado: Sep 25, 2014, 8:39 am

195jnwelch
Sep 25, 2014, 1:33 pm

I liked Some Buried Caesar, Julia, which I'm pretty sure you recommended. Hope all is well.

196GeezLouise
Sep 27, 2014, 11:44 am

Hey Julia hope you have a lovely weekend, miss you.

197RebaRelishesReading
Sep 27, 2014, 1:24 pm

Thinking about you Julia and hope all is well.

198katiekrug
Sep 27, 2014, 2:01 pm

Juuuuuuuuullliiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaa! I miiiiiissssssss yooooouuuuuuu!

199rosalita
Sep 28, 2014, 3:59 pm

Hello to all of you who still frequent these lonely parts despite my prolonged absence. I’ve been utterly swamped with work since the semester started in late August, which really cut into my LT browsing and posting time (much to my chagrin and not my bosses’). The frenzy coincided with a general feeling of not having much of interest to say to anyone, although I’ve been mostly keeping up with all your threads (Mark went to Hawaii! And Joe and Debbi went to London! Katie and The Wayne went to Cali! Kerri came back! Mamie got the ouchies! Roberta lost her dear mama, and Amber lost her sweet Susie. And the rest of you have been keeping plenty busy your own selves, too.) In hopes of kickstarting things over here again, I thought I’d share with you all the booky package I got in the mail last month, and see what you think.

I don’t know if any of you read the BookRiot website, but it’s pretty neat. Lots of interesting bookish articles, some more interesting than others as you might expect, written by a diverse group of writers so you get viewpoints from all over. One of the gimmicks promotions they have is this thing called a BookRiot Quarterly Box. You subscribe and for $50 they send you a box of books and bookish things every … well, quarter. You don’t know what you’re going to get ahead of time, so it’s appealing to people who love books and people who love surprises (and who have $200 a year laying around going to waste, I guess). Now, I am not a huge fan of surprises and I have gotten quite cheap frugal about buying books lately so I am probably not the target audience for this thing. But I thought I’d give it a whirl and see what I got. I got my first box in August and this is what I found inside:


The contents of the August 2014 BookRiot Quarterly Box included (clockwise from top left) a trade paperback copy of What We See When We Read by Peter Mendelsund, a print “suitable for framing” of a quote from Jorge Luis Borges, a smaller card with an illustration and a quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald, a trade paperback copy of The Salinger Contract by Adam Langer, a Read Harder water bottle, a READ sticker. Not pictured: a voucher for a free download of the e-book edition of Michael Chabon’s Maps and Legends.

The positives: All three books (the two paper and the one e-book) look like things I would definitely read. The print is nice enough, and I have a water-bottle fetish so that was welcome. The sticker is … nice? I don’t know where I’d put it.

The negatives: I already own a copy of The Salinger Contract. I am trying to get rid of physical books, not acquire more. I don’t hang things on the walls, or stick things on my car or possessions. It cost $50.


A closeup of What We See When We Read, which had a bunch of these Post-It notes included and supposedly written by the author especially for this offering.

I guess I’m glad I gave it a try, and I’m thankful that I didn’t hate anything I got (I’ve seen some of their previous boxes and yikes). I’m coming down on the side of it not being worth $50, though, but maybe I’m just turning into a miserly cheapskate in my old age? Some people (supposedly 20% of the people who bought the box) got an additional book. One lucky person got some sort of book-themed lamp. Obviously having received either of those bonuses would have upped the “worth it” quotient but since I didn’t get ‘em, they don’t count.

What do you all think?

200DorsVenabili
Sep 28, 2014, 4:23 pm

Julia!!! You're back!

You know, I like a surprise and that's a sharp-looking gift box. (Also, you got some nice lighting in those photos.) And who can't use another water bottle? I did the NYRB subscription this year and I've been quite happy with it. It's fun to get a surprise package once a month.

201lkernagh
Sep 28, 2014, 4:34 pm

Lovely to see you posting, Julia!

The BookRiot website and their quarterly gift boxes sounds like an interesting concept but I don't think I will be signing up.... my other half has informed me that I am rather particular about the books I read - Really?! - and some of the 'swag' doesn't appeal to me, something else my other half informed me is normal for me. I appear to be a rather picky individual and didn't even realize it. Go figure.

Happy Sunday to you!

202msf59
Sep 28, 2014, 4:43 pm

Happy Sunday, Julia! Nice to see you, report in. You've been missed. I have been waffling on doing the Book Riot surprise pack and now I am glad I resisted. I LOVE the idea of it but 50 bucks is steep for surprise swag, IMHO.

I love the Book Riot podcast and I listen to Jeff & Rebecca every week.

203luvamystery65
Sep 28, 2014, 4:48 pm

Julia's back!

204rosalita
Sep 28, 2014, 4:57 pm

>200 DorsVenabili: Howdy, Kerri! I cleared off the cedar chest under my living room windows to get some natural light into the picture, so thanks for noticing! :-)

I've eyed that NYRB subscription before and may give that one a whirl next year. At least with that one, you have a fresh chance every month to get something you like, instead of a bunch of things you might like or hate that come all at once. That probably doesn't make any sense ...

>201 lkernagh: Hi, Lori! I think you and I may be somewhat similar in our tastes. It's too bad your other half didn't intervene for me before I plunked down my $50. :-D

>202 msf59: My friend Mark is here! I am leaning toward the "too steep" side of the equation myself but I was curious to try it and I'm grateful that at least I didn't get anything I hated. I think BookRiot has several podcasts — which one is the one you listen to? I've tried one that is an "answer reader questions" one and it's pretty awful but I don't think that's the one you're talking about.

>203 luvamystery65: Ro! I'm so happy to see you here.

205msf59
Sep 28, 2014, 5:01 pm

It's just called The Book Riot Podcast. Here is the link: http://bookriot.com/2014/08/04/book-riot-podcast-64-sniffing-equipment/

206rosalita
Sep 28, 2014, 5:17 pm

I'll check it out, thanks!

207jnwelch
Sep 28, 2014, 5:31 pm

Good to have you back, Julia!

I'm with you on the gift package - nice enough, but I think I'd rather spend the $ on books I picked.

208katiekrug
Sep 28, 2014, 5:36 pm

Good to see you poppingon, Julia!

I like the idea of the Book Riot box but I probably don't need more random stuff coming into the house :)

209cbl_tn
Sep 28, 2014, 5:42 pm

Julia's back! That's an interesting assortment you ended up with. Unless those are custom covers, it looks like the books were chosen to fit a red & black color theme. I like surprises and I might be willing try it once, but I don't think I'd be able to convince myself to subscribe to the quarterly deliveries. I wonder if they'll get enough subscribers to keep it up?

210porch_reader
Sep 28, 2014, 5:43 pm

Hi Julia! I was just looking at the Book Riot Quarterly Box because they were promoting it on Twitter. Although I like the idea of a surprise, I think that for me, it is not worth it. Like you, I'm trying to cut down on physical books (and other physical possessions). Plus, although these books are interesting, there are others that I'd rather read. I'd probably be happier scheduling a quarterly trip to Prairie Lights to spend the $50 on books that I'd chosen for myself. I know that eliminates the element of surprise and the opportunity to get "one of a kind" treasures, but it would be something fun to look forward to. Kind of like a quarterly Thing-a-versary.

Glad to see you back on the threads! I've been snowed under at work the last couple of weeks too, with no sign of it letting up. I'm already counting down the day to next summer.

211rosalita
Sep 28, 2014, 6:52 pm

>207 jnwelch: Hey there, Joe! Whereas I am slowly coming to the conlusion that I would rather not spend the money at all. I'm turning into my late unlamented father. :-)

>208 katiekrug: I hear you on that, Katie!

>209 cbl_tn: I don't think they are custom covers, Carrie — in fact the cover for The Salinger Contract is the same as the one I already had (sigh). The them was meant to be books and bookish things about books, I think. The last box, which I thankfully did not buy, had a "stretch yourself" theme and included books from different genres that people tend to turn up their noses at, like YA and fantasy. Neither of which I turn up my nose at but the books in that particvular box did not look appealing at all.

>210 porch_reader: Hi Amy! I am slowly coming to the realization that I just find it really hard to browse and buy books that I don't already know I want or have a high probability of liking. I had a hard time spending my $50 gift card at Prairie Lights last time I was there, because I wanted specific books and they didn't happen to have them and I just couldn't bring myself to buy random books. Crazy, I know.

And sympathies to my fellow snowed-under Hawkeye. Is it Thanksgiving break yet??

212Storeetllr
Sep 28, 2014, 7:50 pm

>211 rosalita: Whereas I am slowly coming to the conlusion that I would rather not spend the money at all. I'm turning into my late unlamented father.

Haha, I have been my late and similarly unlamented father for a number of years, at least as regards the miserly aspect of him. Also, like you and a lot of others here, I don't need more stuff, including more physical books. Well, maybe a few more physical books every now and then, but only ones I really really want to keep.

213rosalita
Sep 28, 2014, 8:03 pm

>212 Storeetllr: Sing it, sister!

214scaifea
Sep 28, 2014, 9:13 pm

WooHoo, Julia!! So good to see you, friend!

I, too, have been tempted by the Book Riot box thing, but haven't caved and I don't think I will. Seems too dear (I'm a bit miserly, too, or at least when I spend money - that much money - on books, I want to know what I'm getting).

215Copperskye
Sep 28, 2014, 9:53 pm

Julia!! Nice to see you posting! I missed you.

What a coincidence! I also signed up for the same quarterly box - I love surprises and figured what the hell. But it was a one shot thing. I don't think it was really worth it, although I liked the prints and the books looked interesting. There was a small pin too, did you find that? Mine was rolling around in the bottom of the box. Anyway, kinda meh...like a lot of others, I'm looking to get rid of stuff not add to the pile of stuff.

216rosalita
Sep 28, 2014, 10:07 pm

It's like we are book-twins, Joanne, no doubt begun when I entrusted you with my Booktopia gift card to buy books for me in Boulder.

Pin? Oh right. I think I lost the pin already. Well, it's probably around here somewhere and I'll probably find it when I run the vacuum over it. :-)

217Copperskye
Sep 28, 2014, 10:49 pm

Yay, we're book twins! I still have a few dollars left on my Boulder Bookstore gift card. One of these days I need to get back up there.

218EBT1002
Sep 30, 2014, 12:25 am

Hi Julia! Welcome back!

219Berly
Oct 1, 2014, 12:04 am

Welcome back indeed! I think the box of books sounds fun. Course I am biased-- I get the Powell's Bookstore version (which my hubbie signed me up for so I don't have to feel guilty about it) and I love getting surprise books in the mail on a regular basis. Also, my last shipment had a cool water bottle in in, too. (See my thread for the picture. It is very literary!) And my shelves are also overflowing at the moment, but then that happens all the time anyway. Speaking of no restraint in book buying, I grabbed What We See When We Read from a bookstore recently because I thought it looked very cool and interesting, both intellectually and from a design standpoint, so I will be curious to hear what you think of it. Well that's the end of my ramble. ; )

220DeltaQueen50
Oct 1, 2014, 12:45 am

It is wonderful to see you back with us Julia. Yeah, I think I'd take my $50.00 and invest it directly in buying books rather than that box. Maybe I'm just too practical to like surprises. :)

221rosalita
Editado: Oct 1, 2014, 1:40 pm

>219 Berly: I might take a look at the Powell's version, but mostly I think I'm just not the target audience for such a thing. I looked for the water bottle on your thread but didn't see it ... perhaps it was an earlier incarnation of your thread? I'll have to go back and look for it when I have a chance.

>220 DeltaQueen50: Thank you, Judy! Well, no surprise that you and I have similar outlooks on this topic, given how closely our reading aligns. :-)

222Donna828
Oct 1, 2014, 5:28 pm

Julia, it's good to see you back to posting. I hate it when work or real life gets in the way of LT. I tend to do more reading of posts than chatting these days. Not much to say except that I'm sad Booktopia is ending after next year. I'm glad we had our only experience of it together. Btw, your new water bottle is really cool! You could put your sticker on a generic one and have another keepsake.

223drachenbraut23
Editado: Oct 1, 2014, 5:48 pm

Julia, I check book riot regular as well, and as you say they do have some interesting articles from time to time. However, I wouldn't be tempted to buy a "surprise" box. I think I just enjoy browsing the book stores too much.

Have had a "mini splurge today" in one of my fave second hand bookstores in Brixton. Well,from one of them I own already two copies, but I couldn't resist the cover art *blush* - The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (hm, I can't get the touchstone to work for this book), Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter and one of the Murakami's I haven't got yet South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Mruakami.

However, I have to agree with Donna that the water bottle is indeed very cool.

Wish you a lovely rest of the week :)

224rosalita
Oct 1, 2014, 8:58 pm

>222 Donna828: Donna, I think I need to retire so I have time to do what I want to do!

I can't say I'm too broken up about Booktopia. As you might remember I did not love my one and only experience, and I do think Ann and Michael are wise to call it quits if they are not able to do the kind of planning that would allow them to avoid, for example, scheduling events in non-accessible locations. As a catalyst that allowed me to meet you, as well as Katie, Joanne, Anne, and Mary, however, it was fantastic!

I love our idea about putting the sticker on another water bottle! You are a clever lady.

>223 drachenbraut23: Well done on your little book splurge, Bianca! Now I am really curious about the outstanding cover art that got you to double-buy a book. What a pity that the touchstone won't work. They can be so pernickety at times.

225jjmcgaffey
Oct 2, 2014, 1:25 am

The Master and Margarita There you go - forced it with the work ID. What a pain - all the graphic novels and adaptations and critical essays and what all in the Others link...

226Crazymamie
Oct 2, 2014, 9:46 am

Morning' Julia!

227rosalita
Oct 2, 2014, 9:51 am

>225 jjmcgaffey: Thanks, Jenn! I clicked through and looked at the various cover images — there is some freaky stuff going in some of those! I did manage to suss out that the book appears to be about a cat ...

228drachenbraut23
Oct 8, 2014, 5:52 pm

>225 jjmcgaffey: Thank you soo much! Yes, that's the cover, isn't it cool Julia :)

Well, since then I had another very small haul The Sick Rose which is mainly about disease and Art of medical illustration, very stunning and interesting book. Had to hide it on Saturday, because my son saw it and thought it was soooo cool. I told him he can read it once I finished it. William Shakespeare's Star Wars and this one I actually bought for him already for christmas. Again, I started reading and it is just hiliarious, especially when you are familiar with the Star Wars series.

However, in the end I decided to start my own thread again, so feel free to visit when you are around! I wish you a wonderful week and not too much work Julia!

229Crazymamie
Oct 9, 2014, 9:05 am

Julia, I stopped in the other day, but you missed me, *sob* Hoping that Thursday is treating you kindly, but even more important - tomorrow is FRIDAY!!

230jnwelch
Editado: Oct 9, 2014, 9:34 am

Slowpoke that I am, Julia, I just noticed you read and gave high marks to My Name is Asher Lev. I loved that one. I've got the follow-up to The Chosen, which I also loved, The Promise, on my tbr shelf.

231johnsimpson
Oct 9, 2014, 10:04 am

Hi Julia, I haven't popped by for a while, just thought I would say hi and send love and hugs to you.

232Berly
Oct 10, 2014, 8:36 pm

Hi Julia! It's the weekend!!! : )

233cbl_tn
Oct 10, 2014, 8:57 pm

Hi Julia! I bought Adrian's Halloween costume this evening. Drop by my thread if you want to see it! :)

234AuntieClio
Oct 12, 2014, 4:18 am

Hi Julia! You're back! (Duh)

235drachenbraut23
Oct 12, 2014, 6:16 am

Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful weekend Julia :)

236Copperskye
Oct 13, 2014, 11:48 pm

So Julia, what are you reading these days? Inquiring minds and all that... :)

Hope your work life is calming down!

237LovingLit
Editado: Oct 14, 2014, 1:00 am

>199 rosalita: the surprise box looks fun! I would be disappointed though if I got one thing I didn't like or thought was just put in there to get rid of....I prob wouldn't try it on that basis.

eta to direct comment to right post!

238SuziQoregon
Oct 14, 2014, 6:43 pm

Hi Julia - it's been a while since I've had some thread browsing time. Nice to catch up and see that you've been getting some fun bookish mail!

239souloftherose
Oct 15, 2014, 6:11 am

Just stopping by to say Hello Julia!

240DorsVenabili
Oct 15, 2014, 12:19 pm

Hi Julia,

I'm just going to leave you a song every week.

"Pale Blue Eyes"

Do you listen to him? Probably, right? This is one of my favorite covers of all time.

241michigantrumpet
Editado: Oct 17, 2014, 2:48 pm

Howdy there Julia! Still stuck under this rack known as RL, but I had to pop over to see if you've heard about this new book coming out on November 4th?



Blurb from Amazon:

Book Description
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
When Bruce Springsteen was a little boy, he learned the story of Brave Cowboy Bill, about a pure-hearted little cowboy. It was the first of Bruce’s Western loves, which now range from John Ford movies to Mexican music to Native American art. Each of these inspirations, plus what he’s learned as a man and a rock ’n’ roller about how to combine whimsy and wisdom, were stations on the way to Outlaw Pete, a modern legend of a criminal who starts out in diapers and confronts the roughest edges of adulthood. It’s one of the most ambitious and original story songs Springsteen has written—rhapsodic and harsh, a meditation on destiny, filled with absurdities but not for one second of its eight minutes exactly a joke. It’s an elaborate musical drama, weaving into a single tapestry several styles of rock and an orchestration reminiscent of a Morricone soundtrack.

Outlaw Pete is an adult book, illustrated by Frank Caruso, who drew and painted its pages. Caruso does more than illustrate the song. His approach, immaculately detailed, simple when it needs to be, parallels Springsteen’s blend of absurdity and meditation. The questions about destiny remain unanswered, as they must be, but they’re also brought into a different kind of focus. Details that pass by almost unnoticed in the lyrics become central.

Reading and listening have rarely so superbly complemented each other. The result becomes the most intense kind of artistic collaboration, a vision shared.

But I’m not trying to start anything, so buy it, don’t steal it, OK? —Dave Marsh

242msf59
Oct 25, 2014, 7:21 am



Hope you are doing well, my friend. We miss you around here.

243michigantrumpet
Editado: Oct 25, 2014, 10:00 am

Have a great day! Missing you!

244scaifea
Oct 25, 2014, 10:13 am

Happy Birthday, Julia!!

245lkernagh
Oct 25, 2014, 10:31 am

I see by the posts above that it is your birthday! Happy Birthday, Julia!

246Copperskye
Oct 25, 2014, 11:17 am

247LizzieD
Oct 25, 2014, 11:19 am

I'm an echo who shouts - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIA!!!!
I saw all the posts and thought that you were back for good. Alas, RL seems to have claimed you again. I hope things are going well.
And I would never, ever spend $50 on a surprise box. When I get my hands on $50 for books, I have a little list - I have a little list.

248luvamystery65
Oct 25, 2014, 11:24 am

Happy Birthday Julia!

249jnwelch
Oct 25, 2014, 12:27 pm

Happy. birthday, Julia! Hope you have a great time celebrating.

250souloftherose
Oct 25, 2014, 1:08 pm

Happy birthday Julia! We miss you.

251bell7
Oct 25, 2014, 7:34 pm

Oh hey, is it your birthday? Guess I stopped by on the right day then - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :)

252porch_reader
Oct 25, 2014, 7:50 pm

Hope you are having a great birthday, Julia! I'm glad you had a sunny beautiful day!

253alcottacre
Oct 25, 2014, 9:20 pm

Happy Birthday, Julia!

254PaulCranswick
Oct 26, 2014, 3:11 am

Grossly out of touch Julia. I am a coupla hours late here but I wanted to get in a HAPPY BIRTHDAY message of my own. Have a lovely Sunday too!

255Crazymamie
Oct 26, 2014, 10:42 am

A belated Happy Birthday to you, Julia! Hoping that it was full of happy!

256drachenbraut23
Oct 26, 2014, 1:32 pm

Oh, I missed your birthday as well



I hope your life is not so busy that it keeps you completely from reading :)

257johnsimpson
Oct 26, 2014, 5:10 pm

Hi Julia, a belated happy birthday to you my dear.

258ronincats
Oct 26, 2014, 9:55 pm

Belated Happy Birthday, Julia!

259SuziQoregon
Oct 28, 2014, 5:41 pm

HI Julia - Happy Belated Birthday!!

260LovingLit
Oct 29, 2014, 12:37 am

:(
Where Julia?

(and, it's the 29th here, so I am way too late in my birthday greetings. But, HB anyway!!)

261DeltaQueen50
Oct 29, 2014, 6:10 pm

Oh Julia, I feel terrible, I had accidentally marked your thread as one to "ignore"! I can't help but notice that you have gone quite quiet so I hope everything is ok with you. A very happy belated birthday wish to you, I hope you did something nice on your special day.

262Copperskye
Oct 29, 2014, 11:45 pm

:(

263michigantrumpet
Nov 2, 2014, 8:52 am

Just thought of a new idea for your Springsteen reading theme next year:

"Your Own Worst Enemy" for autobiographies? Pearl ruled books?

Miss you.

264luvamystery65
Nov 2, 2014, 11:34 am

I miss you too Julia.

265DorsVenabili
Nov 3, 2014, 11:51 am

Julia, I love this Tweedy album! Have you listened to it? Here's a goofy video (I think it's cute, actually.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29YGcuRk3mM

266souloftherose
Nov 3, 2014, 2:25 pm

Just stopping by to say hello, Julia.

267jnwelch
Editado: Nov 5, 2014, 2:51 pm

Oh, I wanted to remember to tell you, Julia, the 11/2 NY Times Book Review has an interview with Springsteen about his reading, and he's remarkably well-read - more so than I would've guessed. If I remember correctly, right now he's reading Love in the Time of Cholera. If you haven't seen it, you'd enjoy it, I'm sure.

268luvamystery65
Nov 12, 2014, 7:57 pm

Julia I wanted to tell you that the weather is so lovely right now and I can't wait until you become a Winter Texan!

Of course you are welcome to stay with me when you camp out in Texas, but my new plan is to become a Summer Scandinavian. LOL! I am drooling over these images of the Scandinavian summers! Of course they can keep their winters. I'm from South Texas how can I ever survive that!

269tymfos
Nov 13, 2014, 5:06 pm

Sorry I missed your birthday, Julia. I hope it was a good one!

270Copperskye
Nov 14, 2014, 12:36 am

I thought of you today when I saw a bumper sticker - "My boss is a singer from New Jersey". Loved it.

And I just noticed you're plowing through the Ian Rutledge series - you go girl! I've got to get back to them, it's been awhile.

Have I mentioned Insp. Montalbano? For you know, when you need another series.... :)

Hope you are well!

271drachenbraut23
Nov 15, 2014, 8:14 am

Just stopping by to wish you a wonderful weekend Julia.

272DeltaQueen50
Nov 15, 2014, 10:05 pm

Hi Julia, I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

273Carmenere
Nov 16, 2014, 9:23 am

Drat! I've missed so much since September. So happy very belated Birthday, Julia! The BookRiot Box is interesting, but like you, I'm trying to unload books and receiving more which I won't read right away is just stuff to dust. I will check into their website though, I'm intrigued.

Have a super duper Sunday!

274luvamystery65
Nov 16, 2014, 10:15 am

Happy Sunday dear Julia!

I hope you are writing up a storm.

I hope you are nice and warm.

I hope you are feeling well.

275Berly
Nov 23, 2014, 1:16 pm

Man, you've been MIA longer than I have! Happy belated and hope to see you here soon. : )

276johnsimpson
Nov 23, 2014, 4:38 pm

Hi Julia, love and hugs to you my dear.

277DeltaQueen50
Nov 24, 2014, 10:21 pm

Oh, Julia, please come back and let us know that you are alright. You are greatly missed.

278souloftherose
Nov 25, 2014, 5:38 am

Hope you're ok Julia. We miss you.

279tymfos
Nov 27, 2014, 9:12 pm

Ditto what others have said, Julia! You are missed!

I hope you are having a good Thanksgiving.

280PaulCranswick
Nov 28, 2014, 2:28 am

You are missed indeed Julia. Have a great holiday weekend and come back soon. Our little entourage is much richer with you at its heart.

281rosalita
Dic 4, 2014, 10:06 pm

What can I say about being gone so long? Work has been moderately busy, but a lot of my free time has been taken up with knitting a sweater for a tree, and then in a moment of weakness agreeing to knit another one. What was I thinking?! Also, I attempted NaNoWriMo for the third time, and did not come close to winning. Overall, not an impressive list of accomplishment for the fall, really. Thank you to everyone who continued to swing by and leave birthday wishes and other sweet comments. You all are the bees' knees.

If you've been to the Joplin Meet-Up thread you may have noticed a (thankfully) blurry photo of yours truly amongst the crowd of much more distinguished (but no less blurry) fellow LTers. I had a wonderful time visiting with Donna(828), Brenda (brenpike), Sandy (sjmcreary), Nancy (on LT but no 75er thread), and BJ (billiejean), who were all terrible, terrible influences and caused me to fall off the book-buying moratorium wagon. The damage done:



From top to bottom: Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood, Everything's Eventual by Stephen King, Duma Key by King, A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash, I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron, and The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.

I did manage to convince BJ to give some of my favorite old Nero Wolfe paperbacks a good home so I guess if I send her at least six books my conscience will be clear(er).

In that list of cool people I met in Joplin, I left out Stasia (alcottacre) and Terri (tloeffler). I had to save them for their own paragraph to say that we were all staying at the same hotel and had entirely too much fun together for three straight days of laughter (lots and lots of laughter), good food, and good fun. I mean, we did manage to drown everyone on the Titanic four times over, but still ...

I had never been to a meet-up before the calendar turned to 2014. This year alone, I had lovely meet-ups in Iowa City with Steve, Amber, and Amy (January); in Chicagoland with Mark, Kerri, Joe, and Debbi (April) in Boulder with Katie, Donna, Joanne, Anne, and Mary (May); and now Joplin in December. And not a dud amongst them. I feel like Jimmy Stewart in my least favorite Chritsmas movie.

282cbl_tn
Dic 4, 2014, 10:18 pm

Hi Julia! You knit a sweater for a tree?! That sounds fun and interesting. I would love to learn to knit one day.

I am a little jealous of all the meet-ups you've attended. I would love to make it to one some day. It always sounds like so much fun.

Six books isn't bad. I haven't read any of those, but I may read The Little Stranger in February for Paul Cranswick's British Author challenge.

283Donna828
Dic 4, 2014, 10:47 pm

What a lovely message, Julia. Speaking for the group, we are all so glad you came to Joplin. There is always more room for people to join in the fun. Thanks for helping to spread the message. I only live an hour or so away, but I may have to spend the night sometime just to play games and laugh!

Nice stack of books...and look at that cute little bag! ;-)

284Berly
Dic 4, 2014, 10:58 pm

Welcome back!!! 'Course, now I am sending you the jealous stink eye--totally envious of all your LT meet-ups. What fun! I used to knit sweaters, back when I took the T to work in Boston, but I must admit, never for a tree, LOL. And two no less! Well, don't be a stranger. : )

285CDVicarage
Dic 5, 2014, 4:58 am

It's good to see you back, Julia, and aren't LT meetups fun!

286scaifea
Dic 5, 2014, 7:12 am

Well, it's about time, lady! *taps foot and clucks tongue*

(Good to have you back - now stay put, please!)

287luvamystery65
Dic 5, 2014, 9:46 am

Welcome back sweet Julia!

288katiekrug
Dic 5, 2014, 10:12 am

Hiya, stranger! So glad you made it to Joplin. I will get there one of these years... it's only about 5 hours from me...

289johnsimpson
Dic 5, 2014, 4:14 pm

Welcome back Julia, we have missed you.

290drachenbraut23
Dic 5, 2014, 5:29 pm

Hello Julia :)
welcome back. Loved the pics of your Joplin meet-up and great to hear that there was lots of laughter, good food and games............and of course not to forget the books :)

291rosalita
Dic 5, 2014, 8:47 pm

>282 cbl_tn: Carrie, Iowa City has a program where a local yarn shop provides yarn and volunteers knit tree sweaters for the trees that line the downtown streets and pedestrian mall. It's the kind of kooky thing that makes me love living here.

>283 Donna828: It was so lovely to see you again especially, Donna. I get very nervous about meeting new people, and the whole way down to Joplin I just kept saying to myself, "It's OK, Donna's going to be there." And you were, and it was OK, and I miss you all already. And yes, next time you must come and hang out with us at the Baymont and play games!

>284 Berly: You might want to hold off on that "welcome back", Kim, until we see if I stick around. :-) But thanks for the kind words.

>285 CDVicarage: So much fun, Lori!

>286 scaifea: No promises, Amber, on staying put, but here I am for now, at least. My first meet-up buddy. :-)

>287 luvamystery65: Ro! I've missed you so! (Hey, that rhymes.)

>288 katiekrug: If I can drive seven you can surely do five, Katie. Of course, you have an actual life and stuff, so maybe not, but what a great addition to the party you would be!

>289 johnsimpson: Thank you, John!

>290 drachenbraut23: Lovely to see you, Bianca! It was all of those things and more. I'm pretty sure a good time was had by all.

292GeezLouise
Dic 6, 2014, 11:28 am

Hey Julia so glad to see you here.

293Crazymamie
Dic 6, 2014, 1:17 pm

Sounds like you have been having fun, Julia! I have missed you so! Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous!

294DeltaQueen50
Dic 6, 2014, 2:34 pm

It's great to see you back here, Julia. Knitting sweaters for trees - boy, you live in an interesting place! I was happy to read abut your trip to Joplin and the fun that was had by all who attended. You've done well with the meet-ups this year.

295Carmenere
Dic 6, 2014, 2:39 pm

Hi Julia, boy do I give you credit for attempting NaNoWriMo. You should get an award just for trying.

I'm glad you had a nice time in Joplin. It looks like a lot of fun and all the smiling faces just affirms my thoughts.

Was it you you had the tree sock pictures last year? Yeah, that's the first time I saw them anywhere. Pretty amazing!

296ronincats
Dic 6, 2014, 4:08 pm

I think you have edged Caro out as the Meet-up Queen of the 75ers this year, Julia! Glad you had such a great time.

297LovingLit
Dic 6, 2014, 6:34 pm

Oh you are back! Good to see that you have had RL stuff to do, even if LT wasn't a big enough pull for you ;)

Nice Joplin book haul! And a popped over to see the photos, looked like a great lunch, and Stasia hiding again. hehe, I respect her right to relative anonymity!!

298DorsVenabili
Dic 7, 2014, 2:12 pm

>281 rosalita: I'm so happy that you had a spectacular time at the Joplin meet-up! I'm hoping I get to see you again in 2015 at the Chicago meet-up. Or possibly at Ragbrai, which I will be doing with my sister-in-law if my various left foot issues don't take a turn for the worse. :-|

Nice book haul - I definitely want to read the Wiley Cash book - it seems to be right up my alley.

Good to see you popping in!

299billiejean
Dic 8, 2014, 2:02 pm

Just popping in to say hi and that I really enjoyed meeting you in Joplin. I look forward to seeing what you think of Duma Key. I have been thinking about that one for a while.

300rosalita
Dic 8, 2014, 9:07 pm

>292 GeezLouise: Thank you, Rae!

>293 Crazymamie: Some fun, Mamie, some not so fun. Such is life, eh?

>294 DeltaQueen50: Someday, Judy, I'll make my way up to Vancouver and we'll have a little meetup of our own!

>295 Carmenere: It probably was me with the tree sweater pics last year, Lynda. I didn't knit one last year, but a couple of friends did and they talked me into doing it this year.

>296 ronincats: I bet Caro still has me beat in miles traveled, though! Thanks, Roni.

>297 LovingLit: Sort of back, Megan. Stasia is delightful company as long as you are not trying to take her picture!

>298 DorsVenabili: I hope I'm still around for the next Chicagoland meet-up, Kerri! It was great fun. Ragbrai would be fabulous, too, so take care of that darn foot. This is no time for it to be acting up on you.

>299 billiejean: It was great to meet you, BJ. I think I just agreed today to lend my e-reader to a friend who is going to Guatemala for Christmas and wanted to borrow my copy of The Goldfinch, so I may get to those paper books I bought sooner than I expected.

301Copperskye
Dic 8, 2014, 9:31 pm

Hi Julia, good to see all the activity around here! I saw the meet-up photos on Donna's thread and could have sworn I had dropped you a note over here but I don't see it so I guess I didn't.

It sounds like you all had a wonderful time in Joplin - books and games and friends - it doesn't get much better than that, does it?!

Great books you found! I've read them all except for the Wiley Cash. It's just one of a few that I own but haven't read yet... :)

302Whisper1
Dic 8, 2014, 11:24 pm

Julia, I hope to meet you next year at Joplin. Each year I vow to attend, and then another surgery and/or recovery precludes my attendance.

I had a great phone conversation with Stasia on Sunday. She told me how wonderful the meet up was!

303rosalita
Dic 9, 2014, 5:42 pm

>301 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne. I wish you had been there! I'm glad my book choices have the Joanne Seal of Approval™, but I'm not surprised. Our reading tendencies are eerily similar, to the dismay of my gargantuan TBR list. :-)

>302 Whisper1: I am glad you are going to be there next year. I hope you know that you were spoken of very fondly by multiple folks, so we were thinking of and missing you lots.

304luvamystery65
Dic 9, 2014, 6:18 pm

Meanwhile, I am waiting for you to pack your shorts and head to Texas for winter.

305porch_reader
Dic 9, 2014, 9:59 pm

Hi Julia! How fun that you got to go to the Joplin meet-up. I loved seeing the pictures. What a terrific group! And I may be the only LTer who is getting to enjoy the TWO tree sweaters that you knitted. I love the Iowa City tree sweaters.

306Whisper1
Dic 10, 2014, 12:20 am

Thanks for your kind words Julia. I love meet ups! Isn't it wonderful that when we met we feel as though we have known each other for a long, long time.

307SuziQoregon
Dic 10, 2014, 3:17 pm

Nice to see you back! I've only managed one LT meetup so far but hope there will be more next year.

There's a group here in Portland who knit sweaters for the various statues and sculptures downtown.

There are some photos here.

308rosalita
Dic 16, 2014, 6:00 pm

>304 luvamystery65: We had a surprising warm spell this past week or so, but it's getting colder every day now. Texas is sounding better and better.

>305 porch_reader: Amy, it's too bad Joplin falls at a not-great point in the semester for you. It would be fun to carpool down together.

>306 Whisper1: Meet-ups are just the best, Linda!

>307 SuziQoregon: Thanks, Juli! I loved those photos of the Portland statue sweaters. So very clever!

309PaulCranswick
Dic 21, 2014, 9:59 pm

Nice to see you back, Julia. xx

310ronincats
Dic 23, 2014, 11:02 pm

Julia, so good to see you posting again. It's Chrismas Eve's eve, and so I am starting the rounds of wishing my 75er friends the merriest of Christmases or whatever the solstice celebration of their choice is.

311johnsimpson
Dic 24, 2014, 7:52 am

Hi Julia, so nice to see you back on here, just posting to wish you a very Merry Christmas and have a fabulous day my dear from John and Karen.

312Carmenere
Dic 24, 2014, 7:55 am


Wishing you a very merry Christmas, Julia!

313scaifea
Dic 24, 2014, 11:16 am

Happy Christmas, Julia!!

314msf59
Dic 24, 2014, 11:18 am

Merry Christmas, Julia! WE MISS YOU!

315cbl_tn
Dic 24, 2014, 11:23 am

Hi Julia! Adrian and I hope you have a merry Christmas! You should see Adrian in his Christmas sweater. He looks adorable, and he knows it!

316scaifea
Dic 24, 2014, 11:46 am

>314 msf59: Sing it, Brother Mark!

317DeltaQueen50
Dic 24, 2014, 1:49 pm

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful and book-full Christmas, Julia!

318LizzieD
Dic 24, 2014, 2:08 pm



Merry Christmas, Julia, and a joyful Happy New Year!

319SandDune
Dic 24, 2014, 3:32 pm

Happy Christmas Julia!

320Copperskye
Dic 24, 2014, 4:23 pm

321ChelleBearss
Dic 24, 2014, 8:29 pm

Merry Christmas!!

322AuntieClio
Dic 24, 2014, 8:58 pm



Julia, I'm so happy to have made your acquaintance this year. I'm praying for 2015 to be better for us all.

323lkernagh
Dic 24, 2014, 10:36 pm

Stopping by to wish you a happy holiday season and all the best in 2015!

324AMQS
Dic 25, 2014, 3:12 am

Julia, best wishes to you for a very Merry Christmas!

325rosalita
Dic 25, 2014, 12:15 pm

Thanks, everyone, for the holiday greetings. I hope you all are having a lovely season as well.

326drachenbraut23
Dic 25, 2014, 12:19 pm



Julia, wanting to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year and I hope you will have a little more time to LT again in 2015!

327Deern
Dic 25, 2014, 2:03 pm

A very Merry Christmas to you, Julia, and all the best for 2015!

328PaulCranswick
Dic 27, 2014, 1:07 am

329jnwelch
Dic 29, 2014, 2:19 pm

Happy Holidays, Julia!

330swynn
Dic 29, 2014, 2:40 pm

Merry Winter Break and Happy New Year!

331souloftherose
Dic 30, 2014, 7:00 am

Belated Christmas wishes and a happy New Year Julia!

332SuziQoregon
Dic 31, 2014, 12:41 am

Stopping by to wish you a Happy New Year!

333johnsimpson
Dic 31, 2014, 10:58 am

Hi Julia, just a quick post to wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year my dear and have a very enjoyable reading year in 2015. xx

334michigantrumpet
Dic 31, 2014, 6:02 pm

Hoping things jump even higher for you in '15!

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

335Storeetllr
Dic 31, 2014, 7:31 pm

336ronincats
Dic 31, 2014, 10:38 pm

See you on the other side, Julia!

337PaulCranswick
Dic 31, 2014, 11:27 pm

Julia,



Happy New Year from your friend in Kuala Lumpur

338drachenbraut23
Editado: Ene 1, 2015, 8:54 am



Happy New Year, Julia!

339msf59
Ene 1, 2015, 9:01 am

Happy New Year, Julia! We miss seeing you around, my friend. Hope all is well.

340Crazymamie
Ene 1, 2015, 12:25 pm

Happy New Year, Julia! May it be filled with fabulous!

341katiekrug
Ene 1, 2015, 1:58 pm

Happy New Year, Julia! Just saw you over on the TIOLI thread - have fun!

Do you have a 2015 thread, yet? You and Mamie are killing me with this late thread business ;-)

342cbl_tn
Ene 1, 2015, 2:11 pm

Happy New Year Julia!

343jnwelch
Ene 2, 2015, 2:08 pm

Happy New Year, Julia!

344rosalita
Ene 2, 2015, 2:13 pm

Happy New Year, everyone!

I suppose I should put a little note here to say that I have decided against having my own thread in 2015 but I plan to make myself obnoxiously present on all of yours instead. :-)

345Storeetllr
Ene 2, 2015, 2:18 pm

No 2015 rosalita thread? Inconceivable!

Just curious why you decided against it, as I'm feeling a bit conflicted about starting one, but then where would I keep track of my reading?

346souloftherose
Ene 2, 2015, 2:35 pm

>344 rosalita: 'I plan to make myself obnoxiously present on all of yours instead. :-)'

You'd better!

347rosalita
Ene 2, 2015, 2:42 pm

>345 Storeetllr: And Happy New Year to you, Mary! I really struggled to keep up with LT in the last four or five months of 2014 and I just decided I didn't want the stress of feeling like I wasn't fulfilling my obligations. Without a thread of my own, I can still bop around and visit other folks as time permits without worrying about reciprocity.

I had the same thought regarding tracking my reading, and what I've decided to do is to add a "2015 Read" tag to each book in my LT library. That has the added incentive of making sure I actually catalog my books, which I fell severely behind on last year and had to cram for hours to catch up in December.

348scvlad
Ene 2, 2015, 3:04 pm

Sorry to hear you won't have your own thread, but hope you will indeed make yourself known 'round the town!

349rosalita
Ene 2, 2015, 3:39 pm

>348 scvlad: I'll definitely drop by your place now and then, Steve. I've gotten some good recommendations from you over the past few years.

350Storeetllr
Ene 2, 2015, 4:36 pm

>347 rosalita: Hmm, good idea. I'll try it, even if I do decide to made a thread for this year. I too had trouble in 2014 keeping up with mine and others' threads.

351Carmenere
Ene 2, 2015, 8:28 pm

Awe, sorry to see you won't have a permanent home this year, Julia, but feel free to "bop" by my place whenever you have the time! Happy new year!

352Copperskye
Ene 3, 2015, 2:47 am

I'm sorry you've chosen to go threadless this year, Julia, but understand.

Please feel free to be as obnoxiously present as possible! I miss quite a few LTers who've chosen to not participate anymore and I don't want to add you to that list!

353Berly
Ene 3, 2015, 3:51 am

>352 Copperskye: Ditto. I humbly offer up my thread for mischief, rantings, ratings and other shenanigans. : )

354CDVicarage
Ene 3, 2015, 5:16 am

I have a thread this year, too, Julia...

355scaifea
Ene 3, 2015, 7:46 am

No thread?! Wha!?!? Well, if it means we'll see more of you in other ways, posting on other threads, then I guess that's okay...

356luvamystery65
Ene 3, 2015, 4:14 pm

Would you continue this topic please? Then I can come rant over here on occasion. lol!

357Crazymamie
Ene 3, 2015, 4:22 pm

Oh, good idea, RO!

358luvamystery65
Ene 3, 2015, 5:15 pm

>357 Crazymamie: It's the wine I've been drinking Mamie! ;-)

359Crazymamie
Ene 3, 2015, 6:56 pm

Ha! I actually was saying that I thought it was a good idea. No snark. But I didn't mean to shout at you with the all caps in your name. Oops! If she roles this thread over, then we could still post to her, but she wouldn't be in the fray of the mayhem that is the 2015 threads right now. Only people who actually kept this thread starred and who checked in here would know that she rolled it over. It would be like Julia in stealth mode!

360luvamystery65
Ene 3, 2015, 7:08 pm

>359 Crazymamie: I took it the way you meant it Mamie. I was just saying that the inspiration came to me after a glass of wine. We know who gave me that idea. ;-)

361Crazymamie
Ene 3, 2015, 7:11 pm

Oh, I gotcha. And what a great idea it was for me to get you to drink the wine!

362msf59
Editado: Ene 3, 2015, 7:12 pm



^Just chiming in on the new thread debate. Yes, I am my usual subtle self.

363rosalita
Ene 3, 2015, 11:04 pm

My goodness, you folks are certainly doing wonders for my ego! What is the protocol for continuing a thread in a discontinued group? Is it even allowed? Would madness ensue?

Those are some mighty fetching puppy eyes that Mark is throwing at me, I must say. Very hard to resist ...

364luvamystery65
Editado: Ene 3, 2015, 11:48 pm

I've reactivated 2012 thread for tutored reads. Just keep it going love. There is no thread police.

ETA: Well maybe there is thread police but they don't seem to be too mean.

365jjmcgaffey
Ene 4, 2015, 12:38 am

Heh. I discovered, after I'd made my 2015 thread, that I'd never joined the group for 2014. I had a thread, but not a membership. Didn't bother anybody - and I still have threads in four years of groups. Don't see any reason why you shouldn't just keep an eye on this thread, so people can post to you!

366rosalita
Ene 4, 2015, 10:08 am

OK, you've convinced me! The little clicky thing below will take you to the 13th month of 2014. Prepare for time travel!

And more sincerely, thank you to all of you for continuing to visit here, and for both understanding why I can't keep up a full-fledged thread in 2015 and wanting to visit with me anyway. You're just the best, that's all, and you lift my spirits every day. Thank you.