Mark's Reading Place #24

^Iceland. Yes, please! Never been. It's on the List! Lately I have been following Earth Porn on FB and there are so many stunning photos, I thought I would share one here.



^I can not read in this position but I admire people that can.

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:


Books Read So Far...

September:

113) The Water Museum: Stories by Luis Alberto Urrea 4.3 stars (audio) Booktopia
114) The Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories by Anthony Marra 4.7 stars
115) The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 3.7 stars (audio)
116) Wind/Pinball: Two novels by Haruki Murakami 3.6 stars (audio)
117) The Bell by Iris Murdoch 4.2 stars BAC
118) No Time Like the Past (Chronicles of St. Mary's) by Jodi Taylor 4 stars (audio)
119) Almost Famous Women: Stories by Megan Mayhew Bergman 4.2 stars (audio)
120) The Dog Master: A Novel of the First Dog by W. Bruce Cameron 3.2 stars (E) Booktopia
121) The woman who wouldn't die by Colin Cotterill 4 stars (audio)
122) Redshirts by John Scalzi 3.8 stars (audio)
123) Days of Awe by Lauren Fox 3.8 stars (E) Booktopia
124) Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor 4 stars AAC
125) Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera 4.3 stars
126) A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler 4.2 stars (audio)
127) The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress by Beryl Bainbridge 3.6 stars (audio) BAC
128) The Long Song by Andrea Levy 3.8 stars BAC

October:

129) Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny 4 stars (audio)
130) Armada by Ernest Cline 3.5 stars (audio)
131) Three Moments of an Explosion: Stories by China Mieville 3.7 stars BAC
132) The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 4.2 stars (audio)
133) The Golden Apples of the Sun by Ray Bradbury 3.7 stars (audio) AAC
134) The Marvels by Brian Selznick 3.7 stars
135) Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg 3.8 stars (audio)
136) Slade House by David Mitchell 4.4 stars BAC
137) By Blood We Live by Glen Duncan 3.8 stars (audio)
138) Excursion to Tindari: Inspector Montalbano by Andrea Camilleri 4 stars (audio)
139) The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen 4.2 stars (E)
140) The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins 3.7 stars (audio)
141) Coraline by Neil Gaiman 4 stars (audio)
142) A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore 3.4 stars BAC
143) The Radleys by Matt Haig 3.8 stars (audio)

November:

144) The Rising: Murder, Heartbreak by Ryan D'agostino 4 stars ER
145) The Story of My Tits by Jennifer Hayden 4.2 stars GN
146) A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman 4.3 stars (audio)
147) Loitering with Intent by Muriel Spark 3.7 stars (audio) BAC
148) Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver 4.4 stars AAC
149) A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James 5 stars (partial audio)
150) The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick 3.6 stars (audio)
151) The Tightrope Walkers by David Almond 4 stars (audio)
152) Sweet Caress by William Boyd 4.2 stars BAC

December:

153) The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff 3.5 stars (audio)
154) Persistence Of Vision by John Varley 3.7 stars
155) A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin 5 stars
156) Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf 4.6 stars AAC
157) Trashed by Derf Backderf 3.8 stars GN
158) The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike) by Robert Galbraith 3.8 stars (audio)

American Author Challenge 2015

Carson McCullers- January
Henry James- February
Richard Ford- March
Louise Erdrich- April
Sinclair Lewis- May
Wallace Stegner- June
Ursula K. Le Guin - July
Larry McMurtry- August
Flannery O' Connor- September
Ray Bradbury- October
Barbara Kingsolver- November
E.L. Doctorow- December

**Kent Haruf- Memorial: http://www.librarything.com/topic/191598#

**If you are interested in the American Author Challenge, check out the main thread:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/185195

Mark's Picks:

January - Carson McCullers - The Ballad of the Sad Cafe Completed
February - Henry James – Washington Square Completed
March - Richard Ford – The Sportswriter Completed
April - Louise Erdrich - The Plague of Doves Completed The Round House Completed
May - Sinclair Lewis – Babbitt Completed
June - Wallace Stegner - Beyond the Hundredth Meridian Completed
July - Ursula K. Le Guin - The Dispossessed Completed
August - Larry McMurtry – Pretty Boy Floyd Completed
September - Flannery O' Connor - Everything That Rises Must Converge Completed
October - Ray Bradbury - The Golden Apples of the Sun Completed
November - Barbara Kingsolver - Pigs in Heaven Completed
December - E.L. Doctorow – World's Fair and possibly Sweet Land: Stories

BRITISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE

2015 selections

January : Penelope Lively & Kazuo Ishiguro (Moon Tiger, The Buried Giant: Completed)
February : Sarah Waters & Evelyn Waugh (The Night Watch, Brideshead Revisited Completed)
March : Daphne Du Maurier & China Mieville (Jamaica Inn, Embassytown, Three Moments of an Explosion) Completed)
April : Angela Carter & W. Somerset Maugham (The Bloody Chamber, The Moon and Sixpence Completed)
May : Margaret Drabble & Martin Amis (House of Meetings Completed)
June : Beryl Bainbridge & Anthony Burgess ( The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress Completed)
July : Virginia Woolf & B.S. Johnson To the Lighthouse Completed
August : Iris Murdoch & Graham Greene (Brighton Rock Completed The Bell Completed
September : Andrea Levy & Salman Rushdie ( The Long Song) Completed
October : Helen Dunmore & David Mitchell (Slade House) (A Spell of Winter) Completed
November : Muriel Spark & William Boyd (Loitering with Intent, Sweet Caress) Completed
December : Hilary Mantel & P.G. Wodehouse (Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies) Completed

Thirteenth Month : Bernice Rubens & Aldous Huxley

Am I first again? Second month in a row.

Beautiful Iceland at top of thread.

Iceland is one of the places I want to visit before I die.

Iceland! Nice...

Come on now, Mark. You know you want to, you really really want to!

Weird_O needs you to join the Doorstop Challenge.

>5 lindapanzo: Congrats on being my first visitor, Linda, once again! Impressive! Stop beating me up, at Trivia Crack! Show some mercy, will ya!!

>6 benitastrnad: Not a big fan of cold places, Benita but the staggering beauty of Iceland, is calling my name.

>& You are becoming quite the Challenge guy, Bill! I love seeing some biblio-spirit! I will definitely be stopping by.

>8 msf59: Not sure how much Trivia Crack time I'll be having in the new year.

I've long wanted to read War and Peace and just spotted the first quarter group read of that. If I read some every day, perhaps I can get through it...

Anyway, in the new year, I'm hoping to read more non-mystery fiction. We'll see how that works out.

Happy new thread, and gorgeous opening picture.

Happy New Thread and Happy Wednesday, Mark.

Happy New thread Mark! Go to Iceland! I'm afraid to fly , or I would go! You know my mom's side of the family is Icelandic. My mom has gone there with my niece, and my nephew went to Iceland this summer on his way to the UK - a side trip to Iceland and Berlin before heading to school, for him. My niece, who is 23, would love to go back with her husband once they can afford to so . She would rather go there than Hawaii.

Not sure Iceland is on the top of my travel wish list (I am up for warmer climates), but still gorgeous!!! Congrats on another new thread.

>10 lindapanzo: Hope you can join along on the W & P Group Read, Linda. And I hope you can jump into the AAC now and then, as part of your non-mystery reading.

>11 banjo123: Thanks, Rhonda. Good to see you.

>12 Ameise1: Happy Wednesday, Barb! Have you been Iceland?

>13 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! Thanks for sharing your Icelandic roots. You don't meet many Icelandics, so I consider myself lucky. If your niece has not been been to Hawaii, tell her it is a MUST!

>14 Berly: Thanks, Kimmers! I prefer warmer climes too, (this is why I live in Chicago. LOL). Hope you are having a good week.

There is some snow on the grass, to start the day, (sighs...) but as long as it stays off the pavement, I should be fine...

On the reading front: I should wrap up the audio of The Witches: Salem, 1692. This is a rare occurrence for me, especially with a NF title, but this one is a bit of a letdown. I'll have to pull my thoughts together. I should also be close to finishing The Persistence of Vision. This collection has slowly grown on me and I am glad I gave it a try.

Happy new thread, Mark!

Thanks, Amber! Not an Iceland fan, are you? Snickers...

>18 msf59: Well, I *was* going to say that the guy on the right looks like Spiderman...

Happy New Thread, Mark!

That Iceland photo is a knockout. Beautiful.

I've started Girl Waits with Gun. Have you heard of this one? It's growing on me. I picked up the third Ancillary book for the trip. Looking forward to it - I really enjoyed the second one.

Both Ellen and Amber raced through The Story of My Tits; I'm about 3/4 of the way through. It covers a lot of ground for a GN! It's excellent. Nice find.

re Iceland: we did a two week family camping trip a few years ago - I can't rave enough about the natural beauty. It's only a few hours away by plane! We brought tents and sleeping bags and although it was cool at night (this was in August and temps got down to the 40s) the days were warm. Great hiking, hot springs, waterfalls, geological formations....it was one of our most memorable trips.

Ooh Iceland. Love the sound of the hot springs. I read a newspaper printed holiday diary where a family just went from pool to pool. Heaven. Nice new thread too.

>19 scaifea: You are right, Amber! It does look like Spider-Man. LOL.

>20 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I have heard of Girl Waits With Gun and have it on the List. An LTer recently warbled about it too. Joanne? I'll be watching for your final thoughts.
I am so glad you liked TSOMT. It might end up being my favorite GN of the year.

>21 vivians: OMG, Vivian! Your camping trip to Iceland sounds fantastic. We don't camp much, but that sounds mighty tempting.

>22 charl08: Ooh, Iceland! Ooh, hot springs! Sounds dreamy, Charlotte!

I haven't a hope of catching up with your thread, Mark, so I will *wave* a quick hello with your new one before it gets too long!

>15 msf59: No, but it's on my to do list. :-)

*scoots into slot 26* Whew! That wasn't such a long trip over from the last thread...sometimes it takes FOREVER.

>24 bell7: Hi, Mary! Good to see you, stranger! Hope all is well with you.

>25 Ameise1: You seem to be well-traveled, Barb, so I thought you might have visited Iceland.

>26 laytonwoman3rd: Hi, Linda! I hope you took plenty of rest breaks on your way over. LOL.

>1 msf59: I thought you were going to say that your son was atop one of those Icelandic peaks! I wouldnt put it past him...On another note. Iceland, hardly icy at all, and Greenland harldy green. Interesting.

I can read in the position photographed below that, with a strategically placed cushion under my bony hip bones, that is. Soft grass works too. In fact, throw in a picnic and that looks like my perfect day!

Howdy Mark!

>28 LovingLit: Hi, Megan! I could definitely see my son in that Icelandic topper! LOL. Maybe, some day? Although, I want to visit NZ first!!

Glad you can read in that position. You are so multi-talented.

>29 luvamystery65: Hi, Ro! Good to see you!

I can so totally see you in Iceland. It is not cold in the summer and there is so much to do. You can get right off the plane and go to the Blue Lagoon Spa. It is just outside of Reykjavik and easy to get to using public transportation. Sue would love this! and so would you. Checkout the web site for that great hot spot. http://www.bluelagoon.com

I have dreams of going there in December for the winter solstice. I can't think of a nicer thing to do than to be there in the cold and dark and sitting in a pool of warm water in the great outdoors. It would be memorable.

Of course you can go in the summer time as well and then you could go do this water activity. I watched this just this morning on DWTV (Deustch Welle TV) and thought it would be one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

http://www.dw.com/en/euromaxx-lifestyle-europe-2015-12-02/e-18838297-9798

I thought the most interesting thing about this feature was that even though Iceland clearly sets on a dividing line between continents the Europeans claim it as part of Europe. Iceland even gets to compete in EuroVision. There isn't even much of a time change between Iceland and here because Iceland is relatively close to the U. S. The biggest problem with Iceland is getting there. Of course, that is no problem from Minneapolis airport as IcelandAir runs daily flights from there year round. Most of the rest of the country only gets daily flights during the summertime, but I would think that O'Hara would have daily flights. Just think - you could be there next week and spend a long weekend.

COME ON! As Bill said "YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!"

^Another mass shooting. This one in San Bernardino, Calif. 14 dead. I just saw a disturbing stat: 352 mass shootings (4 or more dead), so far this year. This is an outrage! We should all be ashamed. I am heart-sick.

Happy new thread, Mark.

>13 vancouverdeb: What Deb, you're afraid to fly - aren't you part of an airline family?

>32 msf59: I just heard the news out of San Bernadino when I got home. I can't believe there is another mass shooting. I don't understand why this one happened where it did. Those are some very disturbing stats.

Happy new thread!

>23 msf59: Yes, that's me. I'm warming up to Girl Waits with Gun.

You missed me on your last thread :( Since I liked Slade House so much, do you think I'd like The Bone Clocks? I'm not a fantasy fan so it's a thin line maybe.

I don't understand the lack of logic we have in this country regarding guns. I keep thinking that something will change but it never does. It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad. I can't imagine what people in other countries think of our idiocy.

>32 msf59: I watched it unfold on TV (the aftermath at the scene, the chase by police of suspects, the aftermath of shootout, etc.) and cried. The terrorists (FBI said it had some earmarks of terrorism but not official yet; I call it terrorism because it sure terrorizes me) apparently crashed a Christmas luncheon, didn't say a word, just started shooting. I hardly know what to say anymore.

>32 msf59: heartsick is a good description. One of the worst things about it (clearly apart from the fact that people are dead) is that is is so commonplace now that by tomorrow, people will hardly remember.

Happy New Thread Mark! Say, Icelandair flies out of Chicago to Iceland, I am pretty sure. Go for it! :)

>31 benitastrnad: Wow! It looks like you have my next vacation all lined up! You should have been a travel agent. LOL. Iceland sure seems like a land of wonders. Off to check IcelandicAir...

>33 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Good question for Deb. LOL.

And yes, even if those deadly stats are off a bit, that is astounding.

>34 Copperskye: I missed my buddy Joanne? Nooooooooooo...Sorry, my friend. I can't promise it won't happen again but I will try like hell.

I think you might like the Bone clocks, although that one is a bit more work. Slade House is an ice-breaker that is for sure. Cloud Atlas is his masterwork though.

Hopefully I can find Girl Waits with Gun on audio.

>35 Storeetllr: Thanks for chiming in, on the horror, Mary. There should be much more info this morning. God, what an ugly mess.

>36 LovingLit: People from other places, like yourself, must look on us, aghast! It's bad enough with our political carnival but this horrifying mass shooting epidemic is like something out of a horror novel.

>37 vancouverdeb: Thanks, for checking flights for me, Tonto. Are you sure you don't want to tag along?

^I have been hearing such glowing reports on A Manual for Cleaning Women, I knew I had to get my mitts on it. Well, my library copy has arrived and I am diving in.

Warning: Warbling Ahead...

Happy new thread, Mark! I'm slowly getting back into the librarything thing again. I've just been so darn blue lately and watching the news doesn't help. Just a sad feeling. Hope things are happy in Markago!

Morning, Mark! Waiting eagerly for your thoughts on that Manual...

>40 msf59: Just ordered this from the library. Impatient for it to arrive.

>40 msf59: Even before the warbling on the rotund list it goes. :)

I look at Iceland because someday I plan on going there myself. The coincidences when your post a picture of Iceland and I watch a TV segment about Iceland on German TV are just prophetical. You and Sue at Blue Lagoon. Gotta happen.

>41 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! Good to see you, my friend. Boo to blue!! I hope the blue lifts soon.

>42 scaifea: Morning Amber! Hope to crack it at lunch.

>43 charl08: We will have to share notes, Charlotte. Smiles...

>44 mahsdad: And I haven't even started it, Jeff. Amazing. LOL.

>45 benitastrnad: Ooh, Blue Lagoon. Sounds dreamy, Benita.

I wonder if Brooke Shields will be there...

>46 msf59: I've always liked short stories, but I'm finding that in general, I'm going to them more and more. And I can definitely thank the likes of you and others around here for that...

Happy New Thread Mark! I'll definitely be looking out for your comments on the Lucia Berlin book. I've seen a couple of glowing comments on it here and there.

The gun situation in the US is beyond comprehension for me as a Canadian. The constitution was obviously not written with the realities of the 21st century in mind, and I can't believe all those idiots (Trump being high on this list) who claim that things would be better if everyone had guns. REALLY?!? So we can go back to 19th century-style Western shootouts?!? Sheer madness.

>48 Smiler69: Sheer madness describes the situation here well. Even my sis, who is more on the conservative side than liberal like me, is aghast at Trump, the gun lobby, the number of shootings that are happening almost every day, or so it seems. It's just got to stop. Or we'll all end up living in a war zone and suffering with PTSD.

>47 mahsdad: I am crazy for short fiction too, Jeff. I just finished the Varley and I liked it and I just started the Berlin, which is shaping up to be amazing. I also have the new McCann waiting in the wings.

>48 Smiler69: Thanks, Ilana! Good to see you! Just a few stories into the Berlin collection but I can tell this is just my cuppa. So sorry to see that she is no longer with us. Sad Face.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the mass shooting incidents. This is Out of Control and something needs to be done about it.

>49 Storeetllr: Mary, this is something we should all be in agreement about and stand strong. It's too bad that they have names like Syed Rizwan Farook & Tashfeen Malik. This will only muddy the waters.

>32 msf59: Yes, Mark those statistics are ridiculous and scary. We don't have the right to bear arms nonsense you do in the states and I cannot help thinking that it is a jolly good thing too.

On a happier note congratulations on a tremendous reading year buddy and another mega posting one too.

>51 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! We are sick to our stomachs and completely heart-broken over this senseless gun violence. Fortunately, it has not touched my circle of friends and family but I can only imagine the tremendous grief, it brings upon the people, that are connected. Something NEEDS to be done...QUICKLY!!

And thanks, Paul. I have had a terrific reading year and sharing it with so many of you, is even a bigger highlight.

"Rich people in cars never look at people on the street, at all. Poor ones always do...in fact it sometimes seems they're just driving around, looking at people on the street. I've done that. Poor people wait a lot. Welfare, unemployment lines, laundromats, phone booths, emergency rooms, jails, etc."

^A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories



"Lucia Brown Berlin was born in Alaska, 1936. She was an American short story writer. She had a small, devoted following, but did not reach a mass audience during her lifetime." Sadly, she passed in 2004. This collection should give her the acclaim she deserves.

This is from the foreword: "Lucia Berlin's stories are electric, they buzz and crackle as the live wires touch. And in response, the reader's mind, too, beguiled, enraptured, comes alive, all synapses firing. This is the way we like to be, when we're reading--using our brains, feeling our hearts beat."

^Well, based on the first 4 stories, I wholeheartedly agree...

I agree, ,the gun situation in the US is hard for Canadian's to comprehend. But it is people like you and many others on LT that give me confidence that there are many sane, thinking people in the US.

Hey, my mom and my niece have been to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Too bad I'm terrified to fly! ;) I live vicariously through other people's travels! LOL!

On a totally different note, I've noticed in the past year or so, that our mail comes at 5 pm , sometimes 6 pm etc and I wondered what is up with Canada Post? So the other day while I was in a line up purchasing some stuff at the pharmacy , a post person was in front of me in his uniform. So I asked him - are there new shifts or what for the post people? He said yes, there are two shifts, one that goes from ? 9 am to 5pm and another that starts at 4 pm and goes til 7 or so. He said and I quote " it's part of Canada Post's " Postal Solutions" - ie how to save money. I sympathized , and he said that on the night time routes, which are overtime for him if he wants it, he has to use a light strapped onto his head to see the numbers on Community Post Boxes. I did not ask - oh so are they P/T postal positions and also full time, but it shed some light on why sometimes my mail is not here til 6 pm or so. It is dark here by 4 pm at this time of year. I feel for the folks that have to deliver the mail. Hey , how is my favourite postie guy!

Mark, please tell me that you're not shopping in Darien tonight. Another shooting...

>54 vancouverdeb: We are planning an LT trip to Iceland, Deb. Are you sure you can't join us? How about an ocean-liner?

In regards to the Post Office, they do not want us out after dark, (it still happens occasionally, but not very often.) It becomes unsafe. I have done it. Not fun.

>55 lindapanzo: Thanks, Linda. I just heard about this shooting at Walmart. Yikes! Fortunately, I do not shop at Walmart. I haven't stepped into that store in a few years.

>1 msf59: That. Is. Beautiful. We flew through Reykjavik airport on our way to Glasgow last year and I still regret not staying over a day or two to explore.

Happy New Thread, Mark!!

>57 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! Glad you like the topper! We should do an LT trip to Iceland. Whaddya think?

BTW: A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories might just be your cuppa. Just sayin'...

Morning, Mark!

^On audio, I have started Book of Numbers. I had snagged it, early on, after hearing a couple good reviews but a pal from work, listened to it and began to warble incessantly (see? It is addictive). He recently finished Seven Killings and liked it, so I really had no choice. Grins...

This will NOT be for everyone and the crazy mixed reviews are proof of that. I have to pay attention, but I m digging it so far.

^I am beginning to like this country more and more. And guaranteed that they don't have a "mass shooting" problem. Another bonus...

>59 scaifea: Howdy, Amber!!

Now if I just knew how to pronounce jólabókaflóð, I'd be running around shouting it merrily to all the Santas in my life!

>62 laytonwoman3rd: Jólabókaflóð! Jólabókaflóð!

Hi Mark, and whereabouts do I sign up for the trip to Iceland! I can see we need to plan to be there over Christmas for all the books and chocolate. Your thread opening picture is spectacular - I thought at first it was a photo-shopped picture of a fantasy kingdom.

That pic up top .... wow just wow ..... its gobstoppingly stunning!!! ( yes that is a real word, if not it shd be)

I'm going to ask Santa for a trip to Iceland to meet up with wonderful LT folks in one of those hot pools. When I ask? Gorgeous pic of Iceland to start off your thread.

So proud to be Icelandic, Mark! :) I am not sure about books being exchanged, but I do know that the Icelandic custom is to open presents on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. Our family still opens the " Icelandic Side " gifts on Christmas Eve, and Scottish ones on Christmas Day. Makes for lots of fun.

>64 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy! Good to see you! We NEED an LTer with a private jet, to scoop us all up and take us to Iceland for the holidays! And I am sure there will be plenty of refreshments on the plane. Smiles...

>65 roundballnz: Hi, Alex! I am glad the Iceland topper gobsmacked you the way it did me. We wanna go!

>66 mdoris: Hi, Mary! I love your Christmas wish. I sure hope it comes through. Oooh, a hot pool...

>67 vancouverdeb: Morning, Tonto the Icelander! I am so glad to know someone from Iceland. Not many people can say that, Deb. I hope you have many fun gifts to open on Christmas!

Wishing you a lovely weekend, Mark.

Whelp that clinches it - let's go to Iceland! Ha!

>69 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! Happy weekend!

>70 scaifea: Morning, Amber! Sounds like a blast! B.A.G.

>61 msf59: Well, I think I'm going to have an Icelandic Xmas. :-)

>61 msf59: I love that.

I will investigate A Manual for Cleaning Women....

Hi Mark, have a wonderful weekend.

>72 charl08: It should be a very happy Christmas, Charlotte!

>73 EBT1002: Happy Saturday, Ellen. Please search out Cleaning Women. It is sooooooooooo your cuppa.

>74 connie53: Happy Saturday, Connie! I will have a nice weekend, as soon as I finish work...

>75 msf59: LOL, I hope your weekend starts soon!

68> seen a few documentary/travel shows on Iceland always makes me want to go .... lets be honest anywhere with great hills/alpine will do that to me

>76 connie53: Yep, my weekend started about an hour ago and I am off the next 2 days. Hooray!!

>77 roundballnz: NZ is very high on my Bucket List too, Alex. Someday, my friend...

Mark, are you going to fly us all out to Iceland on your private jet? I love how books and Christmas are linked there. More than the Christmas Swap and Santa Thing, even.

We were down in Elmhurst today to see the new Blackhawks film about last year's Stanley Cup champs. Denis Savard, Blackhawk great, spoke to us afterwards.

Happy Sunday, Linda! As soon as I get my private jet out of the repair shop, we are GOING!

How was the Blackhawks film? Rousing?

"I like my job in emergency. Blood, bones, tendons seem like affirmations to me. I am awed by the human body, by its endurance. Thank God--because it'll be hours before X-Ray or Demerol. Maybe I'm morbid. I am fascinated by two fingers in a baggie, a glittering switchblade all the way out of a lean pimp's back. I like the fact, in Emergency, everything is reparable, or not."

"I'm having a hard time writing about Sundays. No mail and faraway lawnmowers, the hopelessness."

^ A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories

^Disclaimer: I LOVE Sundays!!

Is this your job today?

Happy Sunday, Mark.

Happy Sunday, Mark!

>83 scaifea: Morning, Amber!!

>82 Ameise1: That will not be me, Barb. LOL. This will be more like it:

>84 msf59: ;-) Enjoy your Sunday.

Hi Mark - Enjoy your weekend. Your Bears are looking better.

I love the photo at the top.

I am almost at the end of a very busy weekend. On Friday I dusted off the old school librarian hat and read a CHristmas story to the faculty and staff of the College of Education at their Holiday Party. I read a story by Selma Lagerlof, Legend of the Christmas Rose and it went OK, but it didn't WOW! the crowd. Old people are much harder to impress than kids. Today I have my old ladies Christmas Tea and then this evening I will be reading out loud to the college students who will be at the library for a Coloring Party hosted as part of our Mindfulness campaign to ease their stress during finals week. I am reading Day the Crayons Quit.

Hi, Beth! Football and books today. My Bears have looked good lately but so has the Vikings. It should be a fun, next couple of weeks.

>87 benitastrnad: Happy Sunday, Benita. Thanks for the weekend update. Sounds like a fun one, today.

Hi Mark, happy Sunday. After a nice brunch with a pair of old friends, I'm killing time for a bit til I meet up with my sports fan friend. We're going to the late afternoon Blackhawks game today. Hoping to see Patrick Kane break the team record, held by Bobby Hull, for consecutive games with points.

Hi, Linda's! Sounds like you are having a nice day. I am just watching the Bears game and squeezing in a bit of reading.

Go Kane! Go Blackhawks!

Oh. Sorry about that ending to the Bears game. :-(

>91 EBT1002: I guess that just sums up the Bears season, Ellen. Some highs and too many LOWS!! They did not play well against a mediocre team.

^Classic Chunster Alert: There is a Group Read on War & Peace starting in January. If anyone remembers, I intended to read it, last January, got spooked and bailed last minute. Someone, braver than I, decided to pick up the baton:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/206069#5359212

If you are in even, mildly interested stop by. I plan on doing it both, in audio and in print. This G.R. will be carried on over 3 months. I am not sure how I will approach that format...

>93 msf59: I am sitting on the fence about joining in this group read. It seems like such a good idea and I am so incredibly intimidated by the tome.... Certainly, if I'm going to read it, it will be in a group read, so this is as good a time as any.

>94 EBT1002: I will if you will, Ellen.

^I will if Linda does...

If Ellen, Linda and Mark do it, I will :)

Internet playing up a little this weekend and has slowed me down getting around the threads buddy. Enjoy what is left of your weekend, Mark.

If Ellen, Linda, Mark and Katie do, then how could I not?

Yeah, War and Peace is a big chunkster! I recall when I was in my twenties, asking my brother what book did he want for his birthday. I named some popular mystery authors and he told me " too common" for his English Lit Degree mind ! LOL! So I said how about War and Peace and he said sure. I think he still reads a lot, but his kids are still in elementary school, so I suspect he has had to adapt his reading tastes.

As for Jim Flack from facebook, he is an old high school friend of my husband. I think " Flack" might be just a British last name? I'm not sure. You'd get a lot of flack growing up with a name like that.

>95 laytonwoman3rd: >97 katiekrug: >99 Crazymamie: Well, it looks like Linda, Katie, Mamie & Moi, are in! How about it, Ellen??

>98 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! Good to see you, sir!

>99 Crazymamie: Great to see you, Mamie! I have missed you.

>100 vancouverdeb: Did your brother ever read W & P, Deb? Funny, for all the reading I do, I am still gun-shy around "Chunksters". It makes no sense.

My father's only sister, married into the Flack family. They were based, mainly in Iowa and Illinois. Good people.

Oh yes, he did read War and Peace as soon as I gave it to him. He was still living at home as a " starving student' - not really, he lived at home , my parents paid for his university , and my dad gave him a monthly allowance on top of it all. But he did not really have a lot of extra money for purchasing books for pleasure . Rob , my brother read a lot of big chunksters during his English Lit B.A . He still loves to read, and lucky for him so do his two kids - his wife reads but is more the ' crafty type."

This fellow Jim Flack, I don't know him to have any / or much extended family. His parents were older and passed away when he was in his early 40's or so, and Jim is an only child. As far as I know he is and his family are just B.C. based.

As for Chunksters, I suppose on LT there is that feeling of keeping your numbers up, to a certain extent and those chunksters can really eat into reading time -and on LT -so many good books , not enough time. So it does make sense, though you are a fast reader.

Edited to add -oh my youngest brother! The perks of being the 5th of 5 kids - my dad giving him a monthly cheque as well as paying for university. As the eldest, I had it a little less easy! :) And when I was dating my husband, my dad would give me the " evil eye" at breakfast if I'd stayed out too late. With my youngest brother, he called home from the Maldives where he was flying float planes and told my parents his was bringing home " a woman" he'd met in the Maldives" and my parents scrambled to re - do a bedroom for him and his now wife and they even went out and purchased a queen size bed for my unmarried brother and his " woman" who is now his wife of 15 years or so . Parents. It makes me chuckle,

>93 msf59: and following. W&P is on my personal Doorstop Challenge list. I'm going to do the group read. So if all of you join in, you'll have a stellar start on tackling a few more of those doorstops.

Take the Challenge. You know you want to.

>60 msf59: I've also read the good and bad about the Cohen book. I sort of still want to read it but it's not a priority. Will be interested in how you find it.

Regarding War & Peace, I read this when I was in high school, I remember skipping over some of the war bits and enjoyed what I did read. I've got other chunksters lined up for next year so will pass on the chance of a reread in good company.

>102 vancouverdeb: Thanks, for your thoughts on reading chunksters. I think you are spot-on, Deb. The funny thing is, I may be gun-shy on starting them, but almost always, end up loving them anyway. Lonesome Dove is one of my favorite books of all time. The only one I had mixed feelings about is Anna Karenina, but I am very glad I read it.

I also enjoyed your comments on family and siblings. I think we see this is in nearly all families.

>103 weird_O: Hi, Bill! How can I turn down that precious face. LOL. I will be attending the Doorstop Challenge, not every month, but enough to make my MARK! Heck, I'll be kicking it off with A Little Life and, later in January, W & P.

>104 avatiakh: Hi, Kerry! Book of Numbers is a bit of a challenge, but there is enough dazzling writing and ambition, to make it worthwhile. I still have, the second half to attend to. Thanks for chiming in on the W & P chatter. I think all serious readers should at least give it a try.

^Yes, my favorite work day, to be off! B.A.G. And not a whole helluva going either. The dentist later this morning and a few chores and then Book Devotion Time!!

I want to curl up with A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories, (I think I am in love) and hopefully knock out a GN or 2.

Morning, Mark! I need to get round to War and Peace eventually...

>107 scaifea: Hi, Amber! W & P was first published in 1869. I don't think a few more years will matter much...grins.

"Got into Albuquerque from Baton Rouge. It was about two in the morning. Whipping wind. That's what the wind does in Albuquerque. I hung out at the Greyhound station until a cabdriver showed up who had so many prison tattoos I figured I could score and he'd tell me where to stay."

"I couldn't have picked a worse place to run to than Albuquerque."

^A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories

>93 msf59: I've read it more than thirty years ago. A really wonderful book but I won't join in the reading, there are too much other books I've to read.

>110 Ameise1: No, problem, Barb! I would think reading W & P once, is good enough. LOL.

Mark, sadly my library does not have A Cleaning Manual For Women - likely because of the feminist backlash it would receive :-) After all of your warbling, I might have to get myself a copy. I'll send you the bill!

153) The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff 3.5 stars (audio)

“The Diseases of Astonishment”

“In 1692 The Massachusetts Bay Colony executed fourteen women, five men, and two dogs for witchcraft. The sorcery materialized in January. The first hanging took place in June, the last in September, a stark, stunned silence followed.”

--And so the narrative begins. There are very few records remaining of the trials themselves, but Schiff manages to piece together as many facts as possible and reconstructs and unfortunately, overloads the first couple hundred pages with a non-stop stream of participants and incidents, that my attention and interest began to flag. She does pull it together, in the final third and begins to lay out the reasons, that this bizarre, perfect-storm of witchcraft and it's subsequent condemnation and prosecution, happened, which is quite chilling and fascinating.

I do admire, Schiff's writing craft and I still want to read her book about Cleopatra but her latest was a bit of a mixed bag for me.

That's a bummer about The Witches--such an interesting topic.

>112 vancouverdeb: Well, that is too bad, Deb! Are you able to request it anyway? So, eventually they may order it?

I have about a 100 pages left in A Cleaning Manual and it is terrific.

>113 msf59: Hi, Rhonda. By no means, is The Witches bad, sections are very good. It just wasn't as satisfying, as a whole. IMHO.

^I bet they have one of these in Iceland...

>108 msf59: *snork!* Excellent point. And Good Morning!

Morning, Amber! You know where you would find us, right? Especially if they serve tasty beverages.

Good morning, Mark!

I had the same experience with Girl Waits with Gun that Joanne did - it took a while to warm up to it, but once it got some momentum, it was very good. I had no idea it was based on a true story.

Many years ago, I made it halfway through War and Peace and threw in the towel. The January group read will be a good opportunity to finally finish it. I'm in.

>61 msf59: Chocolate and reading in bed on Christmas Eve? I think I've just added a new tradition! I also read somewhere that Iceland has the highest literacy rate. Count me in for the LT meetup in Iceland!

Ah, War and Peace is already under my belt...and I'm not ready for a reread. I think it was one of the first books I reviewed on LT. I read it all by lonesome self. I think a GR is the best way to tackle it. Good luck, Mark!

>119 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Good to have you back. Girl Waits With Gun sounds like my cuppa. I can't get it on audio, at the moment, so I might request it from the library.

Looks like we will finally get to W & P. Hooray!

>120 Donna828: Great to see you, Donna. I have missed you over here.
If I stumble upon an unexpected windfall, off to Iceland, I will go, although Australia and NZ are also very high on the list. Conundrums...

>112 vancouverdeb: - I don't know if it makes a difference, but the title is A Manual for Cleaning Women. Makes it less sexist, but doesn't guarantee your library will have it :)

>121 msf59: I may actually read Girl Waits With Gun, too.

Glad that others are joining in on War and Peace. Maybe I'll be more inclined to stick with it, knowing others are reading it as well.

>123 lindapanzo: We'll all go down together!

>124 weird_O: Heh-heh. The last time I remember there was a group read, I hoped to get to it then, but didn't.

Mark, were you aware that Margaret Atwood is writing graphic novels. The first one is due out next fall.

>122 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie, for sorting that out for Deb. I did NOT catch that . Hard to find something, with the incorrect title.

>123 lindapanzo: I am cramming in a LOT of reading in the next couple of weeks, otherwise I would request Girl Waits With Gun. It does sound good.

Glad you'll be joining us for W & P. I let it slide last year but I will remain vigilant, this time.

I think I did hear something about Maggie doing a GN. How very cool. She would be perfect for it.

>124 weird_O: For Bill:

"The moon. There's no other moon like one on a clear New Mexico night. It rises over the Sandias and soothes the miles and miles of barren desert with all the quiet whiteness of a first snow."

"God sends drunks blackouts because if they knew what they had done they would surely die of shame."

^ A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories

^35 pages left...(4 stories)

My library only has A Manual for Cleaning Women in e- book format, and I have a kindle, but kindle has not given the rights to Canadian Libraries to use Kindle. So e books from Canadian libraries are supported by virtually every ebook format but kindle - Ipad, Kobo, etc. Sadly in January our library is going to a 3 week checkout period , rather than the current 4 week period and I think you can only renew books for 2 weeks, rather than the current four. What I read was that our library system has a fund shortage owing to the costs of e-books - you purchase an e-book , but it can only be used ? 30 times before you cannot use it any more . Harumph! I'm going to have get on the library board and set them straight! Or at least write a letter.

>128 vancouverdeb: Wow, Deb! It sounds like you have library troubles. What a bummer. We are fortunate, we have a terrific library system. We can only check our books out for 3 weeks but you can nenew, if there are no holds.

I still don't understand that ebook thing, about only lending it out, 20 or 30 times and then it disappears. WTH?

>129 msf59: It is thing that the publisher sets - that a library e- book can only be lent out 26 times and then has to be re- purchased, or the library can have the e-book for 1 year and then has to re - purchase the library e- book. Maybe it is more of a problem in Canada than the USA? Here is an excerpt from a Toronto Newspaper. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/06/18/high-ebook-prices-unsustainable-says-...



In an interview with the Star on Tuesday, the city librarian called the prices and conditions “unsustainable,” saying some publishers charge libraries $85 for an ebook while the average consumer gets the same title for only $15.99.
“That puts a lot of pressure on our budget,” she said. “We need something that is more reasonable.”

According to information provided by the library, the Big Five, large publishers that provide about half the library’s books, charge libraries roughly 1.5 to five times the price average consumers pay for ebooks, and some stipulate they can be used only a certain number of times or over a certain period.

The highest prices come from Random House Canada and Hachette Book Group, which charge up to $85 and $135 per book, respectively.

HarperCollins Canada appears to have the strictest usage restrictions, allowing a book to be used only 26 times. Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster make libraries repurchase the titles after a year.

The Star sought comment from all the publishers, but none was immediately available.

So I'm not sure if it is just a Canadian issue , or what.

I'm adding A Manual for Cleaning Women to my list, cause how could I not?

Catching up with Fargo tonight - wow!!

>130 vancouverdeb: Thanks for the great info, Deb. I will have to check and see how the US compares. Why should the publishers put such a burden on the libraries, who for the most part, are having such a tough time as it is. That's bad.

Libraries only buy one print book, right?

>131 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. Cleaning Women is sooooooooo your cuppa. One of my best finds of the year. I am caught up with Fargo too. The body count on this show? Oh, mercy!

Have you tried Jessica Jones? If not, you should. Smiles...

Morning, Mark!

>93 msf59: Thanks for rallying the troops for War and Peace Mark! I think some folks will read it straight through but most of us will follow the one volume every three weeks format. It seems much more manageable to me that way. I read too many books at once to read W&P straight through.

Hi there, Mark! I've dipped my tootsies into W&P and liking the feel so far. Only up to Chap 6.5 but it's been amusing. I need to start early because I'm such a slow reader. Have you started?

>134 luvamystery65: No problem, Ro! It is all for the love of books. I am just surprised and pleased, to see so much participation. The timing was good.

>135 Carmenere: Glad your tootsies are liking W & P in the early going. It is a good sign, Lynda.

I will not start it, until the middle of January or later and will, most likely read it straight through.

Hiya, Mark!

Not bad out there, right?

I started Doctorow's World's Fair and it's pretty darn good so far. I'm nearing the finish with The Story of My Tits - it's taken me much longer than Ellen and others!

If you're in the mood for sci-fi, Ann Leckie's Ancillary trilogy is a good one.

Hi, Joe! It was a beautiful day today. I was a Happy Mailman!

I will also be reading World's Fair. I am just waiting for my ebook to arrive. Glad you are enjoying it.

I will have to find the 2nd book in the Ancillary series. When you warble: I pay attention.

#132
Public Libraries do indeed have to pay more for their e-books. The Rule of 26 circulations is true. Circulation number 27 means that the library has to buy a new e-copy of the book. Most public libraries buy multiple copies of printed books. Especially those that get good reviews or are on the Best Seller Lists. During the height of its bestsellerdom many public libraries would have 10 copies of Hunger Games. Likewise Harry Potter, Twilight, etc. etc. Libraries don't like to have that many copies for very long because they take up lots of shelf space, and that robs the library of space for other titles. That is why periodically, you will find so many former library copies for sale on the discount tables of many bookstores.

The average life span of fiction, especially bestseller fiction where a library has multiple copies, is about 5 years. After that 1 copy on the shelf will do. Given the short lifespan of fiction it is no wonder that publishers want to make back their investment and protect copyright so tightly.

It should also be noted that printing a book only adds about $2.50 to the cost of the book. Digitizing a book also costs about the same. That is because computers and servers are free. Right? The real cost of publishing a book is in the intellectual content of that book. Intellectual content includes, the author, marketing, design, printing, etc. The stuff that makes a book and gets it to market so you can buy it and read it.

In short, Amazon made the decision to sell digitized books at a loss in order to create demand for digitized books and thereby a market for the Kindle. Publishers went along with this because they thought it would be a short term thing and it was not them that was taking the loss. Amazon was taking the loss on each books sold. That is correct, Amazon pays the publishers the same price for print and digital copies. They sell the digital copies to the consumer at a loss. Now, almost 10 years into digitization, the publishers wanted Amazon to return to a for profit pricing structure. Amazon refused. That is also why some publishers took their titles out of the digital market to libraries. For many years, any best seller published by Macmillian (AKA Hachette) was not even available for libraries to purchase as a digital book.

The bottom line is that digital books should cost the same as printed books.

#138
The second and third books in the Ancillary series are now available. You really should get them and read them. They are very good.

^^While waiting for my ebook copy of World's Fair to come in, I thought I better jump into Our Souls at Night. I bought a copy of this, back in June, a few weeks after it was released. I was waiting for the right time. It has arrived.

I hope I do not sound too sappy but I got teary-eyed, just a few pages in, swept away, in his simple but beautiful prose. I WILL miss this man!!

What! You chose to read about the great flat uniform middle part of the country when you could be reading about a spaceship named Breq on some unnamed planet in the middle of some unnamed galaxy far far away? I am incredulous.

(I like Haruf too, so need to pull out one of his books again.)

>142 benitastrnad: I did not forget about you, Benita. LOL. Thanks for the library info. I did know that ebooks are nearly as expensive as print books. That is really amazing. Why do publishers demand such a short-shelf life on ebooks, though? I don't understand that.

In regards to Haruf, I have been meaning to read this one for months. Benediction was wonderful, (have you read that one?) but this one could even surpass that one and it is less than 200 pages. I am so glad he had this one in the can before he died. Whew!!

Yay! Thrilled you're reading Our Souls at Night!

He hooks you immediately, doesn't he, Joe? I am glad he had one more book left but we NEEDED many more. This author will be missed.

Hi Mark! Did I mention that I found a used copy of Plainsong by the late Mr. Haruf. I'm intent on reading it as soon as I finish Hank James' The Ambassadors. James is the last of the AACII regulars for me. Then that one irregular.

Plainsong is one of my very favorite reads. I can not stop warbling about that one, Bill. Enjoy, my friend.

Hope you are enjoying the James. I have not read that one.

>141 msf59: I have Benediction awaiting some eyeball action. I didn't know about this one.

I see the cleaning lady warbling farther up, sounds like a good one. And I love the cover too!

Re: War and Peace in January. So you mean to say, Mark, that you are going to read it from a book AND listen to it on audio as well!?

>148 LovingLit: Hi, Megan! Benediction is also amazing. I am so glad we were able to get 2 last books out of him, in just a few years.

Yes, I will be tackling W & P, in both print and audio. It is how I have been approaching the "Chunksters", as of late.

Morning, Mark!

I have to tell you: I had a dream about my mailman last night! (No, not *that* kind of dream - shame on you.) I was taking a walk and noticed him walking a little ahead of me, delivering mail, of course, so I caught up with him and we walked together, chit-chatting. No, not a very eventful dream, but a nice one...

Sweet Thursday! It will be nearly 60 today. Yah! For December, this is a genuine gift.

Like I mentioned above, I will be continuing Our Souls at Night. Swoons...On audio, I should finish up Book of Numbers. Staggers...This one has been tough. Good stretches, rough patches and far, far too long.

Sweet Thursday, Mark!

Isn't Our Souls at Night a knockout? There's an "Easter egg" you'll come to, an extra treat for those who've read his other books.

You're right, Haruf will be sorely missed.

Enjoy this nice day!

Kent Haruf wrote 6 books. I've read the middle two (Plainsong and Eventide) but I've been reluctant to read any of the others - just because I didn't want the pleasure of reading what he wrote to end. All four are on the TBR but I'm going to spread them out over time. Very quiet but wonderful books.

>152 jnwelch: Morning Joe! Would like to see more blue sky and sunshine but I sure love the mild temps.

Looking forward to spending my lunch with Mr. Haruf.

>153 catarina1: Hi, Catarina! Good to see you. I loved your thoughts on Haruf and I understand your hesitation but you will always be able to go back and reread these incredibly moving books.

Spectacular day for December today, eh? The added bonus is it's the last day of my workweek. Busy Christmasy stuff on my day off tomorrow, though.

Have you ever read Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I realized I'm going to the new opera based on that book. Not sure whether I want to read the book before or after I go though, but I definitely do want to.

Hi - Book of Numbers is on my TBR so I'm eager to hear what you think. Love, love ,love all of Kent Haruf and think they are all definitely re-readable. Right now I'm reading an interesting memoir about Nigeria called When A Crocodile Eats the Sun and listening to The Shore by Sara Taylor. Both enjoyable on this spring-ish day in New York!!!

>155 lindapanzo: - Oh, I am jealous, Linda! I'd love to see that opera. I will hope for it to show up in Dallas some year... I really enjoyed the book when I read it several years ago.

>157 katiekrug: The world premiere was earlier this week at the Lyric Opera here in Chicago and it got good reviews. Minor quibbles, such as, in the book, the opera singer/hostage sings famous operas and, in this opera, she sings opera music composed by whoever did this opera.

I don't go til mid January, I think. I'm sure that it'll tour the country, at some point.

>155 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! It was a nice, mild day, just a bit windy. I will gladly take it for December.

Yes, I have read Bel Canto. My first Patchett and it was very good. I saw the review for the opera, in the Trib, the other day. They loved it. I have never been to an opera but this one sounds tempting. Have a great time.

Enjoy your long weekend, my friend.

>156 vivians: Glad to see more Haruf love, Vivian! We really can't get enough, can we?

I have strong mixed feelings about Book of Numbers. Much of it was a slog but there is brilliance but he makes you work much to hard for it. Go, at your own risk. When A Crocodile Eats the Sun sounds good and I loved the Shore.

>157 katiekrug: Hi, Katie! I have a couple more Patchett books waiting in the wings...

^Well, I finally got on the Gailbraith/Rowling/Strike/Express. I do not know why I dragged my feet so long, but since so many of my LT pals are such big fans, I had to try it for myself. I am listening to it on audio, less than 2 hours in and I like it so far.

Nice to see the Bel Canto enthusiasm. Hope you get the time for those other Patchetts. I've still not read any Haruf. Maybe in 2016 though.

>161 charl08: No, Haruf in your life, Charlotte! I am flabbergasted!! Come on! You read a few hundred books a year. You can squeeze a couple in. LOL.

What can I say Mark: I hadn't even *heard* of him until I started with the 75ers.

>163 charl08: The Mighty 75 has opened a lot of eyes, Charlotte! Remember: It is never to late!!

155) A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin 5 stars

“I love houses, all the things they tell me, so that's one reason. I don't mind working as a cleaning woman. It's just like reading a book.”

Every once in awhile, you stumble on a book, that just reminds you, why books are special, why you have devoted endless minutes, hours and days, to the printed page. This amazing collection of stories, that compile the best work of Lucia Berlin, is one such book.

Many of these tales, are based on Berlin's life, gently linked stories, that show women, struggling to make ends meet, working as cleaning women, nurses and switchboard operators. The difficulties of being a single mother, dealing with alcohol and drugs and in the later stories, dreams and mortality.

Obviously what makes all this work, is her writing craft, which makes all this come alive, with humor, intelligence, passion and beauty.

Many readers, are not “short story” fans. Give this one a try: it might just open a door...a very big door.



Nov 12, 1936- Nov 12, 2004

While doing some research for buying books for the library I ran across a new Sci/Fi TV series. The Expanse starts on Monday. Has anybody heard about it? It sounded good so I think I might try to watch it.

Warble away, Mark! I've already read Our Souls at Night. As soon as it came out, I had to read it. Eventually I'll find a copy of Manual for Cleaning Women .

>166 benitastrnad: I have heard The Expanse mentioned, Benita, but I have not heard how good it is. I will keep my ears peeled.

>167 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! I am loving Our Souls at Night. I am all ready a 100 pages in. I sure hope you get your mitts on Cleaning Women. I hope my min-review sparks more interest.

I too have never read Haruf. That must be remedied in the coming year. Oh why I can't I get paid to read. It would be oh so easier.

>169 mahsdad: You HAVE to read Haruf, Jeff. Hopefully, you have a copy of Plainsong on shelf. It will only take you a few pages, to understand the incessant warbling.

Happy Friday, Mark!

>165 msf59: Great endorsement of Manual for Cleaning Women. Adding it to the WL.

Love all the Haruf talk! A Cuckoo Calling should be excellent on audio. Who's voicing it?

Nice Bulls win last night over the tough Clippers. They play so much better against the top teams - hope they figure out the schizophrenia asap.

Even better day today than yesterday, looks like. Is this really happening?

Morning Joe! Cleaning Women will be a top read of the year for me.

I am enjoying Cuckoo's Calling. I forget who the narrator is, so I will have to check. He is doing a fine job, though.

I saw that you were at the Bulls game. Nice to see a win, right?

And yes, this weather has been fantastic. Grins...

>172 msf59: That was an exciting game, Mark, and it was very nice to see a win. Great defense by Rose on the final play. Glad to see him finally able to play with the injury mask off.

Just miles behind as always ;-). Happy Friday, Mark and BIG waves.

>141 msf59: Hi Mark, As always, what a great thread!

I think you really will like Our Souls at Night. It is one of my top reads of 2015. You are I certainly do share similar choices of books!

Happy Holiday to you and yours.

>175 Whisper1: Great to see you, Linda! I am nearly finished with Our Souls at Night, (just 20 pages or so) but I wanted to savor it one more day. Haruf Rules!!

Thanks for the Holiday Wishes! Hugs to my pal!

"Who does ever get what they want? It doesn't seem to happen to many of us if any at all. It's always two people bumping against each other blindly, acting out old ideas and dreams and mistaken understandings. Except I still say that this isn't true of you and me. Not right now, not today."

^ Our Souls at Night

Nearly done with this gem. Swipes away a tear...

>177 msf59: Isn't it such a shame that there is not so much more to go at in Kent Haruf's bibliography? He had such a sure and sympathetic touch.

Have a great weekend Mark.

Hi, Paul! Mr. Haruf is a U.S. treasure! And I still have his first 2 novels to get to. i hope you can bookhorn in more of his work. He deserves every accolade.

Have a great weekend!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Mark.

^Look! A Saturday Warbler. Ain't he a beauty? Plenty to sing about in Chicagoland. 61 today. Sweet!

>180 Ameise1: Happy Saturday, Barb! Hope you have a restful weekend.

Happy Saturday, Mark! Love your enjoyment of Our Souls at Night and Mr. Haruf. Totally agree.

World's Fair is pretty good, although not in Haruf's league, and I picked up The Tokaido Road, which should be in my sweet spot. Oh, and I finished The Story of My Tits. Very well done; for some reason it was a bit longish for me, but still topnotch. I'm picking up Baba Yaga's Assistant at the library today.

Nice and mild out there, although foggy downtown (yes, I have to be at work for half a day, darn it). Enjoy!

Happy Saturday, Mark! It's unusually warm in the ATL as well; it will reach 76 degrees today, and 73 F tomorrow.

>182 jnwelch: Morning Joe! Just a few pages left in Our Souls at Night. Sad to see that one end. I am also enjoying the Comoran Strike book.

Baba is super light. Should be refreshing after Tits!

>183 kidzdoc: Happy Saturday, Darryl. Good to see you. I could go to shirtsleeves later, it is that mild.
Enjoy the warm weekend.

Just popping by to confirm slade house is indeed brilliant ....

>181 msf59: that's gorgeous!

31 degrees here on the Front Range, with bands of snow moving through. The snow on the ground is pretty and it's a good day to stay home and decorate the Christmas tree!

>185 roundballnz: Agree!

Mild enough temperature wise, but just a downpour of rain, with a lot of high winds today. At 2 pm it could have been twilight, that is how dark it is today. Oh well!

>185 roundballnz: Happy Weekend, Alex! Thanks for checking in. Glad you are loving Slade House. Yah!!

>186 Copperskye: Happy Saturday, Joanne! Glad you like my warbler. Boo to cold and snow! I know our time will come. Enjoy a quiet weekend.

>187 vancouverdeb: Hi, Deb! It was dark here early too, by 4:15 or so. Hope you are staying dry and enjoying a good book.

Th Expanse sounded good to me so I will try to watch it Monday night, but it is already available on-line. I'll let you know if I like it.

I e-mailed the LT Goddess, Abby Blachely about the American Library Association meeting. The winter meeting will be in Boston starting January 8, 2016. Librarything will be offering free passes to the exhibit hall. These passes are good for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning. I will have more details when Abby gets back to me on Monday.

If you live in the Boston area this is a great way to spend a weekend and get free books.

>189 benitastrnad: Report back, Benita! I have not heard much about The Expanse yet!

Thanks for mentioning the Boston ALA. I know there are several LTers in the area. Be free to give updates over here. We are finally visiting Boston next May, before going to Booktopia. Hooray!

^Since I am still waiting for World's Fair to arrive from the library, (minor grumbling) I decided to start The Grand Sophy. This will be my very first Heyer and I know she has a strong LT following. Thanks to Joe, for Just the Right Nudge. Hey, that could be a T-shirt!

Not far in, but I like it...

Morning, Mark! I'm up and about again - woot! Hope you have a great Sunday, friend.

Morning Amber! Glad to see you back on your feet. B.A.G.

Happy Sunday, Mark. Good luck to your Bears. I enjoyed your warbling about Manual for Cleaning Women -- added it to my list.

Thanks, Beth! It will be football and books today, my friend. I will help the wife decorate the tree too. Should be a good one.

Cleaning Women will easily be one of my top reads of the year. I hope you can snag a copy.

A local literary figure of note (Don Noble) posted his list of top ten books of the year in this mornings Tuscaloosa News. On that list was Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra. I remember that you liked that collection of stories as well.

Five stars for A Manual for Cleaning Women. Onto the wish list it goes!

Hi Mark! So, it sounds like you're going to take Bill up on his challenge and tackle War and Peace, yes? I'm still on the fence....

I'm having a football-and-books Sunday, as well, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the Seahawks' thrumming of the Ravens. I believe the team from Washington is beating your Bears, yes? But the Bears have the ball with 1:50 left and only down by 3. Go Bears!

I really want to read something by Georgette Heyer one of these days. Both Katie and Joe are fans.

>197 benitastrnad: I loved Tsar of Love. Marra is one of my favorite new writers. Have you read him yet?

>198 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! I cannot praise Cleaning Women high enough. I hope you can track a copy down.

Yes, I will be reading W & P. I just snagged an ebook version and I will also find it on audio. This is the time, to finally nail it down.

Not far into the Heyer but I really like it.

Great Seahawks Win!

Bears Blow!!

It sounds like Cleaning Women needs to go on the list!

Eagles win!!!

Dang Bears...

>200 banjo123: Happy Sunday, Rhonda! I can not warble loud enough about Cleaning Women. What a terrific find.

>201 kidzdoc: Bears Blow! Can not win at home.

Nice Eagles win! I am sure you are rooting for the Packers, eh?

>176 msf59: Haruf Rules! Yes, indeed.

Good opera downtown today, Mark. The Merry Widow is lots of fun.

On the train on the way down, I started reading E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime. It really grabbed me and I'm loving it.

>203 Donna828: Hi, Donna! We sure love our Haruf, don't we? This man will be missed.

>204 lindapanzo: Hi, Linda! Glad you had a good time at the opera. Did you manage to stay dry? It seemed like it rained all day.

Glad Ragtime hooked you.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think I read Georgette Heyer in my teens and early twenties ( a bit of her ). I was on to Len Deighton and spy novels when I was in my early twenties and my dad and grandpa and me were all surprised that we reading the same thing ( at least the Len Deighton stuff. Still no luck on the Manual for Cleaning Women but if you can imagine, the Post Man rang on Sunday! What a surprise and he brought me a copy of The Japanese Lover by Isabelle Allende for me! :) I am not planning to take on a Japanese Lover, so don't get any ideas , Mark. I know your mind all to well. More likely I'll become a Cleaning Lady! :) Not that the two exclude each other. ;0

Really enjoying Restless . I think you will too!

I am chomping at the bit to get my hands on Tsar of Love; A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is one of my all-time favorite reads. I'm interested to see how he does short stories.

Today was a good day to be a Seahawks fan, although I'm worried about the implications of Thomas Rawls' broken ankle! That's two running backs on the sidelines!

>206 vancouverdeb: I am glad you are not taking on any Japanese lovers, Deb. I don't think Dave would appreciate that. Grins...Hope you like the Allende. I have not read her, since the 80s. Glad you are enjoying Restless.

>207 EBT1002: I really wouldn't call, Tsar of Love short stories. Everything is connected, in a clever, ambitious and thoughtful way. I wish I could have inspired more LTers to read that one. I dropped the ball, I guess...

Go Seahhawks! What a dominant win. The Bears...Ugh.

^You have been warned...

>209 msf59: Ha! We should all wear that one on a t-shirt.

You're right, Baba Yaga's Assistant was a light and fun one, and a good GN to follow up The Story of My Tits with. When I returned the latter to the library, the librarian did a double take and said she had to be sure she read that title right! I explained what the book was about, and we agreed Jennifer Hayden had been smart in picking that title, as it was an eye-catcher.:-)

I'm now reading the GN A Bride's Story Volume 6, and it has more good stories from the 19th century Silk Road.

Happy Monday, Mark. Hope it is a good one weather wise for you. They are promising us sunshine today, a nice change as it poured all weekend but not even that can deter the Christmas shoppers!

>210 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Heavy Monday here. Ugh! At least I am off tomorrow. Grins.

Glad you liked Baba and I love your library story. Quite the ice-breaker. LOL.

>211 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg! Good to see you. Damp here but mild, so no complaints. We get back to winter weather, toward the weekend.

>153 catarina1: lol, I do that too. (not reading the back catalogue of a favourite author, as it would make the joy of anticipation end)
I am saving the final in the Frank Bascome trilogy, by Richard Ford for that reason.

Hi Mark! Keeping busy? (silly question?) :)

Mark, Dave ( the hubby ) arrived home from work with his very own library card today! :) He seemed pretty happy with himself. Likely the only library card he has ever had , except for when he was forced to have one in school. Sweet Monday! I filled out the on - line library form for him and so he only had to go to the counter and sign for his library card. Really, the guy holds down a full time job as an aircraft mechanic and is currently taking a 777 endorsement course for six weeks, which requires him to " read " and study and and take exams, but as far as one would know, you would not think he could get a library card. Progress. Just this past year he took transit all on his own! That is when he had his torn retina and he could get on the subway right at work and I'd pick him later on from downtown Vancouver. Typical man. * shakes head*

>213 LovingLit: Many of our favorite authors have passed on, but we make do, with their legacy. The sad thing with Haruf, is, not only did he have a small bibliography but he was writing at the top of his game, when he died. Swipes away a tear...

Not super busy, my friend. Today was heavy but the rest of the week should go smooth.

>214 vancouverdeb: Hooray, for Dave and his new library card. Thumbs Up, from the Mighty 75! Tell him, we are very proud. The next thing you know, he will have an LT thread. LOL.

^So look what I received in the mail today? It looks like a special Good Reads pal of mine, decided I needed a spanking new copy of A Manual for Cleaning Women. Sweet or what? I was planning on picking it up, once it was released in softcover but I will gladly take a pristine hardcover.

Wishing you a lovely day, Mark.

Morning, Mark!

What a nice gift! It is like they read your mind. "Reading" is such a good skill to have.....

>217 Ameise1: Thanks, Barb! It will be a good day. I am off work. Smiles...

>218 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>219 maggie1944: Morning, Karen! Good to see you, stranger. It was a perfect gift. One of the good things about Good Reads is, you can follow what people are reading, a bit easier.

Good morning, Mark!

I'm a Good Reads member, but I can't find time to do both. I like the discussions here. Congrats on getting the excellent gift of Manual for Cleaning Women.

I think you'll enjoy World's Fair. It's not knocking me on my keister, but it's pleasant and interesting. I've gotten back to reading The Thrilling Adventures of Babbage and Lovelace, and I'm going to need our computer-savvy son to help explain some of it! The Amy Poehler book is a hoot, although not, IMO, on the level of Bossypants.

Cooler today, but we're not shoveling snow, right?

Morning Joe! I am enjoying a day off. Looks like another damp, gloomy one. A good day to spend with Sophy, don't you think?

I finally received my ebook copy of World's Fair. I will start it after the Heyer. I really enjoyed Babbage and Lovelace, but boy did a big part of it sail over this mail-carrier's head.

I liked the Poehler memoir too!

Good morning, Mark, and Happy Tuesday.

Back up there a bit, I don't think you dropped the ball on encouraging LTers to read The Tsar of Love and Techno. It's still relatively newly released and not yet in softcover. And, as you know, sometimes it takes two LTers warbling for the music to rise above the din. There are so many books out there!!!

That's nice that someone sent you a copy of A Manual for Cleaning Women. I'm in the library queue and very much looking forward to it after your five-star rating! That is a high mark even from someone who tends to see the good in most books. :-)

Morning Ellen! Nice to see you, early on a Tuesday. I have the day off. Thanks for the comments on The Tsar of Love. I think I may have read it, before it was released but I really want to see what my LT buddies think. And the same goes, for Cleaning Women, which was such a highlight.

I"m feeling really guilty right about now that I haven't gotten to The Tsar of Love and Techno yet even though Mark was kind enough to send me his ARC of it!

Ooh, the guilt!! Snickers...

I forgot that I sent it to you. Maybe you can bookhorn it in, so we can keep passing it around. I know you are super busy with the holidays coming.

I will try to read it while I'm in Florida. If I don't get it read by New Years, I will relinquish it to someone with more discipline :)

You hate to let that one go, unread. Just sayin'...

I'd totally read it eventually! I just can't force myself to read something if I'm not in the mood. It can ruin a good book for me.

>222 msf59: Great day to spend with Sophy! I envy you - sounds like a perfect day off right there.

I'd forgotten you'd read the Poehler memoir. It is making me laugh out loud a lot, which Debbi gets a kick out of.

Yeah, Sydney Padua must be one smart woman; a lot of The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage is sailing over my head, too. But I'm enjoying it anyway, as I recall you did.

>230 katiekrug: Hopefully, the mood, strikes you KAK! Fingers crossed.

>231 jnwelch: Yes, I am definitely getting a kick out of Sophy. She just bought the carriage and horses, to the shock and horror, of everyone around her. LOL.

The Poehler memoir, with Poehler narrating, was definitely a hoot. I am sure I got a few amused glances by some customers and as I chuckled along on the route.

I would still like to get to the Nick Offermann books. I heard they were also a lot of fun.

>232 msf59: Oh, DO give the Offerman books a listen (he narrates them, of course). They're excellent and you'd love 'em!

>233 scaifea: I remember you warbling about Offerman, Amber! I have Gumption on audio but want his first one.

^The Grand Sophy

"From being a female sunk below reproach Sophy became rapidly an unconventional girl whose unaffected manners were refreshing in an age of simpers and high flights."

“I find it a marvellous circumstance, cousin, that no one has yet strangled you!”

^ I was able to spend a nice chunk of time with Sophy today. It is easy-going and comforting, for fans of Austen and Eliot.

Hi, Mark! Grand Sophy is one of my favorite Heyers, along with Frederica and These Old Shades, though I haven't read one of her "romances" that I didn't like at least mostly. I wasn't too thrilled with the one mystery of hers I read, Envious Casca, but it was still well written.

So, we're snowed in here in the Denver area. Even my sister with her 4-wheel drive doesn't want to go out in it. I say "good, more time for reading." :)

>213 LovingLit: Megan, with the publication this year of Let Me Be Frank with You Richard Ford upped the Bascombe trilogy to a quartet. I've read the first two, have the third on the TBR shelf, yet I'm only halfway through the series.

>235 msf59: >236 Storeetllr: Maybe you can help me. My wife and I have been trying to make a list of good adult books for the oldest of the grands. One problem is their parents are too well read. :-) We showed them (the parents) a list of books, and all but four were scratched because they already had copies in the house. I haven't read The Grand Sophy yet, but it sounds like it might appeal to 14-year-old girls. Whaddaya think?

And other titles to suggest?

>236 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Sorry to hear about the latest snow-storm. Ugh! I am very pleased with the Grand Sophy and will definitely try something else by Heyer. Thanks for the recs.

>237 weird_O: I want to make my way through the Bascombe books too, Bill. I did read the Sportswriter and NEED to reread Independence Day. Hopefully, I can book horn in, 2 for next year.

>238 weird_O: I'll have to give that some thought, Bill. I would not think The Grand Sophy would work for a 14 year old, (not because it is racy or difficult) but that's me. Maybe, a female LTer could chime in.

Do the kids like fantasy books?

>238 weird_O: - I read a couple Heyers when I was about 14. I liked them, but I think the humor went over my head. I was a romance fan so that's the part that appealed to me....

Hi, Bill ~ Any reason you're not considering YA novels? There are some really great ones out there. What kind of books does your granddaughter like? I agree with Katie and Mark about The Grand Sophy. It's not racy or difficult; just that the humor is the best part of it, and that might go over her head. OTOH, if she enjoys historical romance and already reads adult novels, she might like it.

*waves at Mark*

>238 weird_O: Have you tried NPR's Book Concierge? There's some interesting and new YA books included.

Hi Mark!

Actually, our desire is to avoid overtly YA stuff.

>244 weird_O: I just finished Girl Waits With Gun and it may appeal to a 14 yr old. Historical fiction, strong women characters, light without being silly...

Say Mark, I put a purchase request into my library for Manual for Cleaning Women. They have it in e-book format only so far, so we'll see if they take my purchase request to heart. All of your warbling!

>216 msf59: I wish I had got you that! What a cool gift. If I were a millionaire I would shout all my LT peeps their most-warbled-about book :)
Presently I carry on with excessive socialising, list-making for holidaying, and having my last day of work tomorrow! I'm going to miss hanging with the big kids and their PhDs...

>241 Storeetllr: Hi, Mary! Thanks for chiming in. Still snowing?

>242 EBT1002: Wednesday Waves to Ellen!

>243 Copperskye: I have not heard of NPR's Book Concierge. I'll have to check that out, Joanne. I am also looking forward to Girl Waits With Gun.

>244 weird_O: I have to agree with Mary, there are some fine, literary YA, floating around out there, worth noting:

Brown Girl Dreaming, Code Name Verity, Revolution & Between Shades of Gray.

How about: the Things That They Carried or Montana 1948?

>246 vancouverdeb: "All of your warbling!" I love the sound of that, Deb. Should be a poster or T-Shirt. Glad you requested purchase of Cleaning Women. Do you read on an e-reader? I do and I like it but my print books overflow...

>247 LovingLit: If I was a millionaire, we would all be ensconced in an LT resort, (somewhere warm & sunny) sipping beverages, chatting and of course reading like crazy.

Morning Mark!

Glad you're enjoying The Grand Sophy - nice quotes from it up there in >235 msf59:. As Mary says in >236 Storeetllr:, there are other really good Heyers, and a half dozen into them, I've yet to read one I didn't like. I also had Mary's same "meh" experience with the one Heyer mystery I read - these novels are way better.

Your exchange about fine, literary YA floating around caught my eye - I'd add Eleanor and Park, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, A Monster Calls (which I remember you loved), The Fault in Our Stars, The Book Thief (it's YA in the USA), The Graveyard Book (YA?), Charlotte's Web, Flowers for Algernon (YA?), The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and The Giver. And that doesn't include personal favorites like Hatchet, Julie of the Wolves, and I Heard the Owl Call My Name.

More and more "YA" is striking me as a marketing concept rather than a literary division.

One more warm day before the temps drop a bit. Hope it goes smoothly for you today.

Thanks for the suggestions, Mark, Katie, Mary, Joanne, Joe.

>250 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I spent a nice time with Sophy yesterday and I am well into the second half. It has not flagged.

I know Bill was avoiding YA but I just wanted to stress the literary value of much of it and it was definitely easier than trying to come up with adult titles, that would work for younger readers.

>251 weird_O: I hope that helped a bit, Bill. It made it tough, that both parents were big readers too and I am sure they steer the kids to many fine works.

>249 msf59: we'll all hold you to that when you hit the jackpot! Maybe we need an international lottery syndicate....

>248 msf59: Nope! Sun is shining and the sky is blue. Snowdrifts up to your knees, and the streets are packed solid with snow, so I'm sticking close to home. I posted a few pics of what it's looking like around here today on my thread. Come by for a peek and for a reason to be grateful you live in Chicago and not here, at least today. :)

Howdy Mark!

>253 LovingLit: I don't play the lottery, Megan, but my wife does, so you never know. One thing is for sure, we will make it to NZ. LOL.

>254 Storeetllr: Glad to hear the sun is shining above those snowdrifts, Mary. Hope it melts off quickly. I'll stop by, a little later.

>255 luvamystery65: Howdy, Ro!! Chatty today, ain't you?

I have a kindle , Mark, but those are not supported in Canada by amazon. I do have a I-pad mini, but downloading e books from the library to my ipad is too complicated for me. When my son lived at home, he grudgingly helped me, but thought I " should learn for myself " . What kind of son is that, I ask you? I'd have to get him to come home and help me download a book and he would not be thrilled. That is the newly married son. He and is wife seem to be crazy busy, or so they say. You know those 25 year olds! Madly in love , and busy with their own lives! What! LOL!

Sadly my library is losing money to the 3 - D printer it purchased and also on ebooks. They lost $60,000 in overdue fees this year, thanks to the ebooks! Now the paper says there will be a cut back in library hours in my city! What! I am on fire with anger. Not really but I am a bit annoyed and it's time I ran the library* MY WAY *. The head librarian better get ready for my call or letter!

Off I go on my dog walk .

>257 vancouverdeb: Sorry, to hear that the ebooks, from the library, is a hassle for you. I get very few ebooks from the library, but it is super simple, when I do.

I did not think of libraries, losing that much revenue from the lack of overdue fines. Wow!! So, they actually count on people bringing books back late. Maybe, I'll have to try it more often. LOL.

^^What in the world is wrong with you people??

Grab your drink and your book and come join me on my last thread of the year...