Sundays on the Acre, Take 35

Once more into the breach! (and hopefully for the last time in 2010)




A note about my rating scale:

3 stars or below - Not Recommended

3.5 stars - Guardedly Recommended

4 stars - Recommended

4.5-5 stars - Highly Recommended and you best get the book in hand now!

Books Read from My Personal Library in 2010



Pages Read 2010



Memorable Reads for 2010:

Nonfiction
The National Parks: America's Best Idea by Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns
Larry Burrows: Vietnam by Larry Burrows
The Morville Hours by Katherine Swift
Waterlog by Roger Deakin
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebekah Skloot
At the Hands of Persons Unknown by Philip Dray
On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery by Robert M. Poole
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer
Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History by Robert Sherwood
Provenance by Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum
Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sides
The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede
The Rest Is Noise by Alex Ross
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy

Fiction
Salvation by Sholem Asch
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry
The Party by Rudolph Von Abele
The Egyptian by Mika Waltari
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
The Straight and Narrow Path by Honor Tracy
Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski
The War of the End of the World by Mario Vargas Llosa
Winter Rose by Patricia A. McKillip
Silence by Shusaku Endo
In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Troubles by J.G. Farrell
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
Music and Silence by Rose Tremain
The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
The Siege and The Betrayal by Helen Dunmore
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
Life With a Star by Jiri Weil
The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
2666 by Roberto Bolano
Room by Emma Donoghue
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley

Young Adult
Genesis by Bernard Beckett
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian
Iqbal by Francesco d'Adamo
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

A note about my memorable reads: I am not a book critic. My memorable reads list is just that: books that are memorable to me - that for some reason or other resonate with me. I do not review books as many people here do for the simple reason that I am a terrible book reviewer!

First?

ETA: Ha! Yes! Hello there, and happy solstice. :)

Hey there, Luxx! Thanks and best wishes for the solstice for you and the monsters as well :)

Hey, there! Last thread of the year?:) Maybe I'll be able to keep up!

Surely it has to be the last thread of the year, right? I mean it is December 21st!

I found you fast this time and starred you. I'm not so sure that this will last. It is still 10 days to the end of the year. Have your read The Secret History of the Pink Carnation? I started it last night and have laughed out loud numerous times in just the first 45 pages. I had to order the rest of the series today too. (So much for my book buying ban!)

Hi Stasia! Is this your third last thread? LOL

Hi Stasia. Just wanted to tell you I have a copy of The Trouble with Jenny's Ear on the way to me. I first heard about it from you and then Lucy also raved about it so I wasn't able to resist any longer.

7: Is this your third last thread? LOL

LOL, no kidding! Reading your threads is such a treat, Stasia, both for the recommendations you make and for the fine conversations! It is a veritable Christmas present, all the year long!

Karen O.

#6: I did read The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, Kathy. I found it not to be my cuppa. I am glad you are enjoying it though!

#7: No, this is my last last thread, Claudia :)

#8: I hope you enjoy it, Pat! It has been 30+ years since I read it, but I loved it as a kid. My local library here in Sherman does not have it unfortunately, or I would re-read it now, just to see if I enjoy it as much as an adult.

#9: Thank you for the compliment, Karen.

starred :) pretty digs

Thanks, Kara!

Merry Christmas!
--BJ

The same to you, BJ!

Hi Stasia. *Waves* I almost missed the thread shift...but I gotcha now! :)

ta da ... made it to the top 20!

#15: *waving back* at Stephen!

#16: Cool beans, Caro!

Happy Winter, Stasia!

Thanks, Roni! Sure does not feel like it here though. It was 70+ today!

I am in a book funk tonight. I do not feel like reading anything. I hate these things!

#20: I hate them too! Hope it passes soon!:)

#21: Thanks, Bente. Me too!

hope the book funk passes and Merry Xmas

#23: Thanks, Jess!

#20 Oh no, not the book funk! Hope it passes quickly...

Boo "book funk"! Boo "book funk"! Hope it ends very quickly!

Thanks, Heather and Mark. I have managed to do some reading overnight, just not the amount that I am used to doing. Oh, well.

Well, I have been up somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 hours now, so I think it is time to get some sleep. I will see you all this afternoon some time.

Have a great day everyone!

Nighty-night, Stasia!

Karen O.

Book funks are the worst! I think I've been in one for about 2 months now...

Sleep good! =)

I predict that this thread, take 35, is Stasia's penultimate thread for the year.

I'm still enjoying that book of Christmas short stories Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop but finally decided to read more Rex Stout (til I figure out what I want next).

Merry Christmas, Stasia!

#31: I'm reading Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop too:)

:( at the book funk. Hope you find something to catch your interest soon.

I think I will be OK today as far as the book funk goes. We shall see. I did manage to read one last night, something fairly lightweight.

Thanks everyone.

Quote for the day from Christmas at The Mysterious Book Shop edited by Otto Penzler:

"In the years of Saturdays Veronica had spent behind the register, she'd come to divide humanity into those who read good books and those who read bad ones. As for Harry, he topped the list of readers who seemed to have no sense of what a book was for, that it could pull you deeper into life, direct your concentration toward things that really mattered, give voice to longing, prepare you for death. As no time during the ten years of her stewardship had Harry ever bought a hardback book. He had rarely even risen to the level of literature that had at least been briefly housed between hard covers. No, Harry was not only a reader of bad books, he was a reader of paperback originals, a reader of works so entirely without merit, so utterly devoid of any enduring quality of style or story or idea, that even the work's publisher had opted to present it in a form doomed to vanish at the first approach of mold." from The Lesson of the Season by Thomas H. Cook

Too bad Harry did not know about LT! I bet we would have fixed his problem!

(posted to the Kitchen too)

That was a great quote, Stasia. Are you liking the book?

Good Morning Dear Friend

What a joy it was to meet you in 2010. I am ever so blessed by your friendship.

#36 Stasia, I noticed that quote when I was reading the Penzler book.The part about what a book is for--"that it could pull you deeper into life, direct your concentration toward things that really mattered, give voice to longing, prepare you for death"--really struck me.

I think my favorite one was the Anne Perry. I liked them all.

Stasia, that was an awesome quote. I couldn't agree with you more about LT! Hope you are reading your way out of your book funk.

Ha, I love that picture Linda. Stasia looks so smooth with the pose and sun glasses. 8-)

Sorry to be out of pocket for so long today, gang. I have had an extremely long day :) Holiday season, don't you know?

#37: Pat, I am enjoying the Penzler book. I am just reading a few stories at a time and going through it slowly.

#38: Ack! Why are you showing my mug to everyone, lovey! You may scar them for life :)

#39: I agree, Linda. It stuck with me as well.

#40: Not yet, Regina. I think there is just too much going on right now with the holidays and I am finding it tough to settle my mind.

#41: Hmm, cat has Kath's tongue again I see.

#42: Those are not sunglasses, Stephen. Those are the glasses I wear all the time. See, I am smooth at all times. *yeah, right!*

A Very Merry Christmas to you too, Stasia!

#44: You too, Jenn!

Morning Stasia, I wish you a very happy Christmas! :-)

It's snowing snowing snowing over here, luckily we did all our food shopping already, it looks like we can't move the car today.

#46: Waaa! Everyone is getting snow but me!

Sounds like you had better stay inside and bunker down, Nathalie!

Happy Holidays Stasia. Here's hoping your wish is granted.

#48: Nope, too warm here for snow. What I have at the moment is rain. Thanks for the thought though, calm!

Merry Xmas Stasia have a great day

Morning Stasia- Sorry to rub it it, but we're supposed to get another 1-3 inches, sometime today! Glad to share!
Have a great Christmas, my friend!

Ho, Ho, Ho! Have a wonderful Christmas, Stasia. I've installed a huge fan to send snow in your direction, hope it works!

#50: Thanks, Jess. You too!

#51: I hope you have a wonderful White Christmas, Mark. Remember those of us who are not :(

#52: I hope it works too, Lynda!

Merry Christmas! I hope you and yours have a very happy time..

Thanks, Kath! I wish the same for you.

Merry Christmas Stasia! :)

Stasia, I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! Here's hoping Santa brings you all of the books you want! (Well, his sleigh is only so big - how about some of the books you want?!?)

Merry Christmas, Stasia

Merry Christmas, Stasia! I hope that next year will be calm, peaceful, and fun for you and yours.

#47 - Nope Stasia. We are not getting snow here. Denver is apparently a tropical zone this winter. If you look on the weather map, we are this little island of green in a sea of cold blue LOL. We have had some dustings and some cold nights, but it's pretty much warm and sunny around here. No white Christmas for us. Waaaaaah! Normally I'm really not into snow and ice, but on Christmas, for sure.

Have a great Christmas, Stasia! See you after the hols.

I hope you have a wonderfully merry holiday, Stasia!

Merry Christmas, Stasia!!

We'll have a beautiful white Christmas this year. An inch or two today and again on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas, Stasia.

You are getting rain and we are getting sleet. A very grey day around here. I'm glad for some short LT visits to brighten things up! I hope work is very quiet for you tonight and tomorrow. Just when do you sneak Christmas dinner into your schedule?

Have a Merry Christmas, Stasia! Sorry to hear you have to work. Sunny and mid 40s here in the banana belt :( But it could always be worse...

Stasia....thanks for making this year such a lively one. Enjoy your holiday whenever you get a chance to celebrate it.



May your wishes all come true when you wake this Christmas morn. May all of us in this world struggling to achieve the peace we were promised on this wonderful day, have a New Year in which that struggle ends.  Blessings and best wishes
Christmas Glitters Graphics

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Stasia!

Stasia, best wishes to you and your family for a Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas, Stas.

Thank you all for the Christmas wishes! We had our Christmas dinner tonight, but I did not cook, we just ordered one from the local grocer. We will do the opening of the gifts in the morning and then tomorrow evening after I have had a bit of rest, we are going to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. All in all, I think we will have an enjoyable Christmas despite my working.

I will say once again how proud I am to be a member of such a wonderful group of people. Merry Christmas everyone!

Happy Christmas Stasia!

Thanks, Deborah! I wish you the same!

Happy Christmas, Stasia!

To you as well, David!

Merry Christmas Stasia- I always enjoy reading your threads, partly because of the camaraderie, though I remain a silent reader.

Lurkers are always welcome here, Manuel! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Sounds like you had a good day too, Stasia:) We had a wonderful celebration and today we're having a family party. I'm baking cup cakes :)

I sent you lots of snowy thoughts yesterday, hope they arrived;)

No snow, despite your best efforts, Bente. All we got was rain and wind.

Have a lovely day. Good luck with the cupcakes!

Some music for a Christmas morning. String quartet anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKFzy7tEXu4

Merry Christmas, Stasia! Sorry to rub it in, but it's beautiful out there this morning. About 2 inches of light fluffy snow have covered everything. Have a great day!

#81: That is so not nice, Mark, rubbing it in like that. I have cloudy, cold, north winds blowing 15-25 mph. Not a snow flake in sight.

Have a Happy Christmas! Toronto has snow -not a lot- and it is cold.

#83: Happy Christmas to you too, Cyrel!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Duluth has bunches and bunches of lovely snow - probably close to two feet of it most places. Our house is strung with two foot icicles too. It is lovely!

Time to get to work on our Christmas morning breakfast complete with special holiday sausage.

Hey Stasia!

A big old Merry Happy to you & yours!

We just got a dusting of snow last night.....where was I when that was happening? Asleep?.....that is all I really want....not a big fan of the snow we got last year..no ma'am..

Anywho, I found this today...and figured: So, it's over the top...but the Hot Babes of LT deserve our own Christmas Hottie! :

********Sorry, No Hottie*********

The GIF wouldn't download completely....

;-(

Hi, Stasia. Hope you're enjoying your Christmas. Sorry you didn't get any snow. Did you get alot of books as presents?

Much love to you my friend!

#85: I hope you had a great Christmas, Kathy!

#86: Happy Christmas, Jude!

#87: Thanks, Pat. I got a B&N gift card which I will be spending very soon - probably tonight as a matter of fact :)

#88: Thank you, Linda. Same goes.

Merry Christmas, Stasia! The snow in midtown Atlanta is now sticking, which makes this the first White Christmas with accumulating snow in the city since 1882.

Joyeux Noel, Stasia!

Okay, for all of you...waiting...with bated breath...for the Christmas Hottie...here she be:



those skimpy panties??....i'd freeze my hoo-haa...but i kind of like the Christmas Lights/bondage thingie.

Anybody offended?? You know my moniker..complain if it makes you feel better.

;-}

93: Ha! I love it! And please, no one wants you to freeze your hoo-ha, Jude. Safety first!

Merry Christmas, Stasia. No snow in this part of Texas either, just cold and wet. *heavy sigh* I guess that I will have to cheer myself up by reading LT threads.

#91: I want some snow!

#92: Thanks! Same to you!

#93: Hey, Jude! Wish I was built like that :)

#95: Velma, how come everyone else is getting snow but us?

We started with snow this morning. Then we drove to the mountains where we watched real snow fall and about 4 inches accumulate. Coming back the snow was more sparse and by time we got back home it was just raining, pooh.

#96: Stasia, I wish I was built like that, too. Me, I'm built like a European peasant...big on top...big belly..no ass..

oops, did she say "ass"??

outta here

;-}

Nothing says "Very Merry" like a holiday pinup. Win!

I am partial to Elvgren, myself:


ETA: I come with nice sturdy birthing hips. I only have a top to balance it when it's, well, functioning.

#97: Too bad your snow changed to rain, Laura :(

#98: I am just big all over except in height, Jude!

#99: She is making up for my lack of height!

Merry Christmas Stasia!

Thanks, Bonnie! Same to you!

Merry Christmas, Stasia. I hope it's been a great day for you and your family.

#103: It has been, Roni! I hope the same for you and yours.

Merry Christmas to you - hope you and your family had a great day today

#105: Thanks, Sally! We did have a great day. I hope you and your family did as well!

yeah we did and I got 9 books - 3 off my wish list - so a good haul :)

Not a terribly exciting reading week for me this week. I had a midweek reading funk and with all the holiday stuff going on, I stuck to pretty lightweight reading material.

564. The Rainaldi Quartet by Paul Adam - the first book in a new mystery series to which Suz introduced me, I enjoyed this look into the world of luthiers and their craft and have already started book 2 in the series; recommended (3.75 stars)

565. Auggie Wren's Christmas Story by Paul Auster - Joanne posted the link on her thread (thanks!) to Auster reading his nontraditional Christmas story and I enjoyed it - although it is nontraditional, it is all about the joys of giving; recommended (4 stars)

566. Looking Backward: 2000-1887 by Edward Bellamy - I started off the year doing real well in reading books I found in Writer's Choice, about books which need to be rediscovered, and then fell off the bandwagon, but I am starting up again and this book was my first choice - although rather didactic in tone, I thought Bellamy's view of the future (this book was written in 1887) an interesting one - basically socialism has taken over the planet, money is a thing of the past; however, there is little to no character development in the person of Julian Wells, the man who wakes up after being alseep for 113 years, it is more of a cautionary tale; guardedly recommended (3.25 stars)

567. The Young Man and the Sea by Rodman Philbrick - young adult; I enjoyed this story of a pre-teen boy whose mother has died and whose father, wrapped up in his own grief, is neglecting his son, so much so, that the boy feels like he has to take care of and provide for the father; recommended (4 stars)

Continuing:

568. Bucket Nut by Liza Cody - overall I enjoyed this book recommended by Ceri (thanks!), although I must say a lot of the English slang flew right over my head, but the book does a good job of indicting the social services sytem through the character of Eva Wylie, who is determined to find the sister from whom she was separated, but keeps ending up in trouble even as she is trying to stay out of jail; recommended (4 stars)

569. The New Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen - nonfiction; as I am intending to go back to being a full-time vegetarian again, I am searching for more recipes, and the Moosewood Cookbooks are classics in the field - they have a nice 'down home' feel to me, like my best friend hand wrote down a recipe and handed it to me to try; recommended (4 stars)

570. Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins - nonfiction; just what the title says - stories behind the songs we sing at Christmas; my trouble with the book is that for nonfiction, I like documentation and there is nary a footnote to be found in this book, so I have no idea how accurate the info it contains is, but the book is very readable; guardedly recommended (3.5 stars)

571. Christmas at The Mysterious Bookshop edited by Otto Penzler - a collection of short stories all centered around The Mysterious Bookshop during the Christmas season; as with all collections of this type, I preferred some of the stories to the others; guardedly recommended (3.5 stars)

572. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - young adult; book 2 in The Hunger Games trilogy and not as good as the first book IMHO; for one thing, I cannot believe Katniss' naivete, especially after all she has gone through previously; that being said, I did enjoy the book and am really looking forward to the wrap up in Mockingjay; recommended (4 stars)

An early posting this Sunday morning as I wanted to get it done while I am still coherent. I never did get any sleep Christmas day, so have been up now something like 34 hours. I get more excited than the kids at Christmas, I swear. I love giving presents!

Merry Christmas Stasia! Glad you had a great day yesterday.

I have the old Moosewood cookbook somewhere from the early 1990s - one of my friends used to make the banana cream pie recipe in there and it was delicious.

#110: I wish I could track down a copy of the older one too, but my local library only has the newer one - although some of the recipes are from the older one, just updated.

Morning Stasia- I'm glad you liked Catching Fire. Great ending, right? I agree the 1st book is the best. Hope you can get some rest!

Thanks, Mark. I hope so too :)

Staaaaasia! I think I forgot to actually light up your star! I just had 106 messages to read and in all the confusion of Christmas - missed your book funk and hottie gifs. :(

I thought someone had gotten hold of some pix of ME - and posted them! :)
Well...it looks a little like me if you push the top down, and the bottom out, and scrunch up the long legs and cut the long hair... oh, and plump out the flat belly and ditch the heels... oh, heck! I guess it doesn't look much like me at all! :P

If this week's list is a book funk, then I am dead in the water! This looks like a nice line-up for your Christmas week. I'll have to come back to it when I have more time. Christmas #3 has been moved up...

Hope you get some good sleep....

I was just reading about Edward Bellamy and was wondering how his book held up, now I know. I will guardedly throw it on the tbr pile.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas.

Happy St. Stephen's Day! Or Boxing Day! Whichever you, prefer, Stasia, may it be a happy, happy occasion...and just for snow-envy purposes, we're gettin' a whole FOOT today! *pppbbbfffttt*

Stasia, I didn't make it online yesterd with all the cooking, opening presents, and visitors for dinner. It was a busy day. On top of that I only got to read a 1/2 of a chapter in my book I was so tired I was falling a sleep. I just wanted to say Hope your Holiday was a great one. Mine turned out very nice. Now my sister is coming from VA and I will have busy few more days...

Hi, Stasia. Hope you are sleeping soundly. I loved Auggie Wren's Christmas Story. This was my first year reading it and I need to go back to Joanne's link so I can listen to Auster reading it. For a minute there, I thought I had the same book about Christmas songs but mine is called Christmas Classics: The Story Behind 40 Favorite Carols. I just got it as a gift so I haven't read it yet. I'm going to look for Writer's Choice at the library--never heard of that one.

Hi Stasia -
Hopefully you are getting some well-earned sleep.
The Young Man and the Sea was my first Philbrick book, loved it.
I have an old copy of Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant that I delve into occasionally.
There's an interesting passage in To the End of the Land in which one of the sons, who is about 3 or 4, suddenly makes the connection between animals in the field and meat on the plate.

Hello Stasia, hope you are getting some good sleep. I have successfully dodged all your book bullets this week - yippee! Good news for my TBR piles :-)

Glad you're getting some sleep at last, Stas. :-) Bucket Nut and The Rainaldi Quartet have made it to my obese wish list.

The Young Man and the Sea is a wonderful book. I'm so glad you got to it at last.

#114: Claudia, I hope you enjoyed Christmas #3. I have not been by your thread yet, so I will check in there :)

#115: I did, Mike, thanks. I hope you and yours did as well.

#116: You know, Richard, there are times when you are really obnoxious :) Rubbing my face in the fact that you have snow and I do not is one of them!

#117: Have a great visit with your sister, Monica!

#118: Pat, Writer's Choice is basically a list of books that deserve to be rediscovered and the reasons why. I hope you can find a copy. I originally checked the book out of the library and then decided that I needed a copy for my very own and bought it.

#119: Kerry, I am sure you have, but just in case - have you read Philbrick's Freak the Mighty yet? I absolutely loved that one!

#120: Good for your TBR piles, Heather! Warn them about next week though :)

#121: I am surprised I hit anyone with BBs this week, Caro :)

Morning Stasia- Are you off today? If so, enjoy yourself!

Hi there Stasia! Ha, ha. BB shield protects me once again! Have a great day, Stasia.

#124: I just got off work about 40 minutes or so ago, Mark, and am off again until Thursday night.

#125: I feel like stroking my mustache like a villain of old and saying 'I will get you yet!' :)

How wonderful that you've got a few days off .... uh oh.... wait... what am I saying ... err... let's see .... I'm glad you've got a few days off to relax and have fun .... but at the same time, you have fun reading, so that means my anxiety level is rising because this Sunday's list is going to be a mammoth one!

#127: Nope, not too mammoth, Caro. I am still in 'light reading' mode and probably will be until the holidays are over.

#123> Yes, I've read Freak and also his The Last Book in the Universe, I was given a copy of Fire Pony but haven't read it yet. The Last Book is set in a post-apocalyptic world and was a good read from what I remember.

The first time in a long time that no BB's struck, but I had the book with the short stories on my list already, from earlier this week, so maybe you could count that.

I'm glad to know tht you had a good Christmas and that the gang seems to be safe and sound.

ditto 129.. I have no hop of catching up until you start the new years thread...

#130: I tried The Last Book in the Universe, but just could not get into it. I will have to try it again some time in the future.

#131: Thanks, Gail!

#132: I will start a thread in the new year eventually, Kath.

Stasia

What a whirlwind week of cooking, baking, entertaining and overall simply feeling sluggish.

I am just now reading your list of books that you finished last week.

Of course, you are right! I am adding The Young Man and the Sea. As you know, I loved Freak the Mighty, another great one of Philbrick's that you recommended.

#134: I think you will like the Philbrick book, Linda. Now, go get some rest :)

I'm so glad you enjoyed Auggie Wren, Stasia!

#136: I enjoyed it very much. Thanks again for posting the link to the audio broadcast, Joanne.

Stasia, because I have a few days off I can now keep up with your postings. No more trying to get through hundreds of postings to read, at least for this week.

Hi Stasia!

I picked up Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker at Border's with the 40% off coupon last week. Jane and I like the looks of many, many recipes in it. The couple of reviews on LT are good too. If you like to use a slow cooker, it may be worth a look. We're cooking our first recipe from the book tomorrow.

I'm a bit behind, but I think I've managed to avoid any book bullets this time. It's too bad that Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas isn't too reliable, because it's a good premise.

I'm looking forward to seeing your thoughts on Mockingjay.

I think I avoided any book bullets too! Which is good, because I have a stack of "read these ones next" with me at the moment. It'll probably change, but I'm going to try very hard to read them first and not get distracted by shiny new ideas. Haha.

Hi, Stasia!
My daughter got a gift card to BAM for Christmas, so I had to go with her to spend it. She has recently read Hunger Games, which she loved, but she wants to wait until the others are out in paperback to get them. I thought that was amazing willpower with a gift card in hand. The graphic novel section of the store was a complete mess, from Christmas shoppers I guess. But she found a few anyway. :) I found a few, too. Glad to see you had a wonderful Christmas!
--BJ

Stasia....Did i miss something? I'm way behind on threads, and trying to get set up to keep up in 2011.....Have you set up a thread for 2011 yet? Or are you being a wonderful honorable person and actually waiting until 2011??? I saw your WIKI page, but didn't see anything indicating how you're planning to post next year.

I love to browse through you threads whenever I have a chance, even if it's just to dodge the Book Bullets. Have a great NewYear's weekend....hope you don't have to bail out too many drunks.

#138: Congratulations, Manuel, in getting caught up!

#139: Hi, Claudia!

#140: I will have to look for that one. Thanks for the recommendation, Nancy.

#141/142: Dodging BBs is becoming a full-time activity for some people :)

#143: Of course you had to help her spend her gift card! What kind of book-loving mother are you if you do not? lol

#144: Tina, I do not have a thread set up for next year yet. It is not next year yet. BTW - the biographies/autobiographies/memoirs section you saw on my wiki was inspired by you. Thanks!

Stasia, I like that idea of organizing your reading for the year on the WikiThing page. I think I'm going to steal that.

#146: Steal away, Pat!

Stasia, maybe I missed it (or have Sometimers), but when is the Austenathon starting up? Has a schedule been settled on yet? Just trying to figure it into my reading year.

Hope you're having a good night so far!

#148: Laura, we will start on Sense and Sensibility January 15th.

#149 Hmmmm. I don't do well with group reads but the only Austen I've ever read is Pride and Prejudice. Hmmmmmmm.

January 15th, you say?

#150: Yep, January 15th :)

Okay. That gives me a few weeks to think about it.

Is the plan to read the Austen's at regular intervals?

ETA: Never mind. I found the thread explaining all of this.

I hope you decide to join in, Linda!

I am heading off to bed. I will pretty much be out-of-touch until the wee hours tomorrow morning as I have to drive Catey back to my mother's house in Longview today. I will try catching up on everyone when I am back.

Safe travels, Stasia!

btw, I got a can of "instant snow" from my daughter who knows I can never have enough! I'll try it out with the kids and let you know how it works.

glitter-graphics.com

drive safe see you when you return :)

Stasia, in my 2011 thread, uttered the threat that she might not *gasp* create a 2011 thread! *has fantods*

Follows my reply, and a poll. DO NOT FAIL TO VOTE!

"Anastasia Matilda Shermandweller! (Yeah, I know, but it doesn't work with only one name. Try it sometime...you feel ridiculous.) You wash your mind out with soap, thinking you can say such mean and hurtful things on my thread!

You will march directly to the 2011 forum and begin your first 2011 thread no later than 1/1/11 (how can you resist, such a cool date!) and not upset the divinely ordained order of the Thingiverse: Let there be Stasia's Book Bullets Every Sunday! The people expect it, but the Thingiverse *depends* upon it!! The drop in traffic alone would cause there to be meetings and furrowed brows in Portland, discussing the probable need to close up shop.

You do not wish to be the sole and entire cause of LT vanishing from the digital welkin, now do you? How awful would you feel as news cameras the world over documented long, long lines of bibliophiles refugeeing away from their now-useless homes, computers smashed in anguished frustration at Life's sudden and cruel reorientation, in search of a bitter substitute for the bounteous land they were forced to leave, and clogging roads major and minor to all other traffic.

Yes. Global catastrophe *will* ensue. Avoid the cataclysm! Start your 2011 thread NOW!"

Stasia

Read my post on Richard's thread. We cannot have a group without you. I'm tempted to visit my childhood neighborhood of Roseto, PA, where in the 1950's the population was 99.9999999% Italian. I'm sure I can round up some nasty nuns who are still in the Catholic churches and schools. I'll accompany them to Sherman Texas, rulers in hand. We will get some sense into you by God!

By the way, I loved living near that community. In truth, I found the people and the nuns to be lovely, lovely, warm, kind folk.

#153 All right, I've got the Austen's downloaded to my Kindle. I will give it a go.

Stasia- RD is a pushy guy, huh? But of course in a very lovable way!

#160: Yes, I told him on his thread that he is being ridiculous, but that I still love him anyway!

Pushy! ME?!?! Imagine! Why, the gall!

Mark, you march straight to the nearest wall and push your face against it, both arms bent uncomfortably up the middle of your back, swearing to the Bibliospirits that you'll never say such a thing again on pain of having to lead a Group Read of DH Lawrence, so I don't have to come all the way to Chicago and do it myself. You're on the honor system, mind!

*smooch* to Stasia again...how was the drive?

Drive was fine. Nice thing about traveling late at night is very few other drivers on the road. Made for some good time getting there and back again.

Morning Stasia- Hope you have a good day and I hope Richard, after being heavily sedated, is resting quietly.

#164: Thanks, Mark!

Oh dear... poor stasia..

Poor Stasia? For what?

#157 just for the record, I voted no on any and all stasia polls I've seen (sorry Richard). I can't bear to think of Stasia being shamed publically.

richard and his polls...

:P

#168: Thanks for the support, Lynda. I am not at all worried about it.

#169: Yes, I know. He has run amok, hasn't he?

Hi Stasia!! Stopping by to send you and your family Best Wishes for the New Year!!

Aw, RD wouldn't be RD without all of the hullabaloo and he means well. And it would be weird if you didn't have a thread.

I know RD likes to play around with us... but, in good conscience, I still voted NO! No public humiliation for any friend of mine - if I can help it.

I voted no too ..... but only because I want one less thread to have to try and keep up on before 2011 has officially started!

#171: Thanks, Tammy! I hope you have the same.

#172/173: Thanks, Claudia and Caro. I definitely am not starting a thread until 2011, rest assured.

don't listen too him start your thread when you wish, just let me know when you have!

#175: I will, Bryony!

I haven't been here is a while....shame on me....but, going back to #109: I own two books by Liza Cody....Bad Company & Dupe...but I read her Eva Wylie books several years ago...she's pretty good...the one book of hers that has stayed with me, though, is a Stand Alone...Rift.....skullduggery in and around the Great Rift Valley...

Paying no attention to Richard and his fantods...you'll do whatever you please...with no grouching/pushing from any of us....I just hope you're here in one form or another..so I can see what all books you're reading!

;-}

#177: Jude, I was just pulling Richard's chain, which I suspect he knows. I will have a thread for next year. I am just not starting one until I actually have some reads to report.

My local library has a couple of Cody's other books, just not the ones in the Eva Wylie series. I will have to investigate the ones they do have. Thanks for the input, Jude!

Happy New Year, Stasia! Wishing all the best for you and yours in 2011!
--BJ

Hi, Stasia! Had to post again before the year is out... hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Happy New Year, Stasia. Hope it turns out to be a quiet night!

Wishing you a Happy New Year, Stasia. Thanks for a year of great recs and conversation. Cheers!

Happy New Year!

glitter-graphics.com

And a Merry Happy to you!!!!!

Happy new year to our lovely 75er mascot!

And another year comes to an end. I can't wait to see what you'll be reading in 2011, Stas.

I can't compete with those frogs :) so

HAPPY NEW YEAR STASIA!

Those frogs rock.

Happy New Year, Stasia!

A happy and healthy year for you and yours, Stasia. I'll always think of you (secretly, don't tell anyone) as Queen of LT.

Happy New Year, Stasia!

Happy New Year, Stasia. Happy reading!!

Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year filled with lots of joy and lots more great reading!

Happy New Year, Stasia! Your friendship here, means a lot to me! :-}

Happy New Year, Stasia~~~~

Happy New Year Stasia! Looking forward to see what you recommend in 2011.

Happy New Year Stasia.

I wish you a very Happy New Year Stasia!

Thank you all for the Happy New Years! I will be posting my last weekly report for the year in the wee hours tomorrow morning, so it will be a 'Saturday on the Acre' for that one :)

Thanks for the heads up, Stasia! Will that be on a new 2011 thread? :)

Nope, it will be on this one since it will be my last reads for this year.

Happy New Year, Stasia! So glad to have made your acquaintance this year, and I look forward to dodging your Book Bullets all through 2011!

(((hugs)))

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the best in 2011!

Happy New Year Stasia!! I'm sure by the wee hours tonight you'll be all set up in the 2011 group.

Happy New Year to you - Stasia!
You are one of a kind - a very remarkable friend, indeed!
Hope we meet in 2011...

Again, I thank you for the New Years greetings! You people spoil me with your kindnesses and I cannot believe how lucky I am to be associated with you all!

Stasia, what an incredible year on LT! Who would have thought that an online site would have brought such joy and bonding!

I add my good wishes to those above. You are loved dearly!

Happy New Year Stasia! Thank you for your constant welcoming presence in this group.

Stasia--Happy New Year!!! Here's wishing you a great 2011 and a big "thank you" just for being you. So glad to have met you.

Hi Stasia. Wishing you health, happiness and great reading in 2011! Enjoyed your communications, look forward to "meeting" again in the new year!

Wishing you all the best in 2011! See ya tomorrow for the Saturday on the Acre.
--BJ

Final post for 2010 - I cannot believe that the year is over! What a great year I have had - mainly due to this group and the opportunities I have had to meet many of you in person. I wish I could meet you all!

573. Paganini's Ghost by Paul Adam - the second book in Gianni Castiglioni mystery series, and I enjoyed this one marginally better than the first; Castiglioni aids his friend Guastafeste investigating the death of an art dealer; I recommend that before you read this installment in the (thus far, two book) series, you check out the first, The Rainaldi Quartet; recommended (3.75 stars)

574. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney - juvenile; I enjoyed the first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, but unfortunately for me, none of the rest of the books has lived up to that one IMO, this one included; not recommended (3 stars)

575. Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff - young adult; I followed a poor kids book with this terrific one - the story of a girl who finds a family to love her, but she just cannot accept it after having been passed around from family to family for years - and so she runs away before being passed on to an older lady who she not only needs, but who needs her; Linda (Whisper) recommended this one (her review is here) and she was right, I loved it; highly recommended and on my memorable reads list for the year (4.5 stars)

576. The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt - Peggy and I read this book together and I really wanted to be able to love it, but could not - I found it overlong, for one thing, and like Drood that I read last year, it seemed as if Byatt had to include every historical detail she could thrown in just for the sake of throwing it in; I did enjoy the evolution of the families involved in the book as well as the history that was happening around them; guardedly recommended (3.5 stars)

577. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - young adult; Finally! I got to finish out the trilogy with Carolyn, and I enjoyed this wrap up book - not as good as the first in the series to me, but better than the second; I enjoyed the fact that Collins did give a firm resolution to her characters, although, the same complaint as with the last book, I found Katniss' naivete at times a bit hard to believe; highly recommended (4.25 stars)

578. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley - the last book of the year for me and what a great way to end it!; this book was recommended by Linda (laytonwoman3rd - her review is here); the book looks not only at aging: "It's like they's a jailhouse in my mind," he said, "an' I'm in the prison an' they's all these people I know outside yellin' to me but I cain't make out what they sayin'.", but at racism as well: ". . .wondering what treasure could do to save black folks who had been crushed down by a whole epoch of restrictions and pain."; highly recommended and on my memorable reads list for the year (4.5 stars)

Brief recap of my reading year:

179779 pages read, which averages out to 3457 pages a week or 493 pages a day

167 books of my own read, failing miserably on my goal of 250, so I am setting my sights lower in 2011

578 books read for the year, an average of 11 a week - far too many, so I am going to cut back in 2011

154 nonfiction books read in 2010, well over my goal of 100 - very pleased with that

Again, I thank you all for your participation in the 75ers group. Together, we make this group a terrific place to hang out, have fun, discuss books, recipes, life. I look forward in great anticipation to 2011.

BTW - I will not be starting a thread there until Sunday, January 9th. I am waiting until I have something to report :)

Impressive stats there Stasia. I'm impressed with the number of nonfiction books you got through, my own performance with nonfiction was fairly dismal.

I'll be picking up The Children's Book at some stage, I hope it appeals to me more as I paid good money for my copy!
Happy New Year and I'll be looking out for your new thread.

#214: Kerry, there are a lot of people who liked The Children's Book more than I did, so do not let my opinion sway you!

As far as the nonfiction goes, every year my goal is at least 100. In 2009, I had a goal of 150, but fell short at 148. This year, I just stuck to my goal of 100, so of course, I read more than 150, lol.

I have Byatt's Little Black Book of Stories up to read in the near future, it's a collection of fairy tales for grownups and fits my 'Magic in the Air' category in my 11 in 11 challenge. I'm looking forward to reading that particular category (fairytales, folklore, myths, retellings etc).

#216: I look forward to seeing what that particular category holds in store for you in 2011 too, Kerry! I imagine I will be adding tons to the BlackHole.

Stasia, you are an amazing reader!

Thanks, Marieke. I like to think so, but then I see what others are reading and think that I am a punk compared to them :)

Happy New Year Stas!

Thanks, Kath! Same to you!

Happy New Year Stasia.

Wishing you good books, good friends and good health for you and yours in the new year.

#222: Thanks, calm! The same to you!

Happy new year, and thanks for your new years wishes too!

Happy New Year, Stasia, and congratulations on a fabulous reading year! Count me amongst those who liked "The Children's Book" more than you did, although I do agree that it could have been shorter and it did require more effort and concentration than Wolf Hall or the other 2009 Booker Dozen novels.

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey sounds interesting. I think I'll buy it for my father and read it after he finishes it.

#224: Thanks, Rebecca!

#225: Happy New Year to you too, Darryl. I hope that both you and your father like the Mosley book. I will be interested in seeing what both of you think of it.

Happy New Year Stasia!! May you have a happy, healthy 2011, filled with great reads.

#227: Thanks, Kelly!

Stas... have you started a new thread yet?
Did I find it? :PPPPP

halp!!!

I don't think I see you in 2011 yet..

Happy New Year Stasia. Thanks for your welcome to the group this year and all the book bullets you have sent my way! Here's to many more in 2011 :-)

#213 Those are some impressive stats! The non-fiction reading is a great achievement, I have lots of non-fiction in my wishlist that you've recommended as a result.

#219 Stasia the punk :-)

HNY!, Stasia. Great Stats!. I hope to read more NF in 2011. You surprised me with your last BB post of 2010 but I walk away clean.

BTW: Love the punk kitty. I think I'll take him home.

Agreeing with the others - your commitment to reading a good proportion of non-fiction is an inspiration. I've enjoyed reading about some of the ones you've read and will be trying to read some of those, and generally more NF, in 2011.

#229: Kath, I have not yet started a 2011 thread since I have nothing to report yet. Check back 1/9 :)

#230: Thanks, Heather! I love the punk cat, BTW.

#231: Rats! Maybe I will get you with my first list in 2011.

#232: Thanks, Genny. I hope you get to more nonfiction in 2011 too.

Hi Stasia!

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey looks interesting. WL

I read Hollis Woods earlier and loved it.
Have a great first week of 2011 - reading and re-loading your BB ammunition!

Pictures of Hollis Woods sounds fabulous - added to the pile.

Happy New Year and here is to good reading in 2011!

With you and Linda recommending Pictures of Hollis Woods, I will have to read it. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey looks great too. Onto the WL it goes.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year! I hope that it's a satisfying one in every way no matter how many books you read!
Thanks for putting *Ptolemy Grey* back on my radar. I had thumbed Linda's review and then promptly forgotten it. I pretty generally like Mosely.
>225 kidzdoc: Isn't that funny? I thought *CB* was much easier reading than Wolf Hall. (I just love this place! It's a real treat to see how differently we read!!!)

You've had a great year of reading Stasia! Wonderful! Looking forward to seeing your lists in 2011!
--BJ

Just a quick visit to say Happy New Year.

Happy New Year, I've come back to comment on how impressive your achievement has been this year, once again keeping up on so many threads. I've visited lots of 2010 threads in the past few days trying to catch up and with so many of them you have been one of the few consistent participants on that particular group member's thread, and all your posts show such a genuine interest. Just showing my appreciation.
Happy Reading and I hope that tbr pile starts to topple in 2011.

Those statistics are pretty astounding Stasia! I'm curious; apart from the fact that you don't need much sleep, are you a fast reader as well?

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy The Children's Book more than that. I'll be reading it next week probably, once I'm done with a few of the gift books I've gotten for Christmas. As you said to Kerry, I won't let your experience of it sway me since the enjoyment of any book is such a personal thing. Worse comes to worse and I don't like it, I'll fall back on her collection of short stories, Angels and Insects, before I make up my mind about reading more of her work.

#234: Claudia, I hope you will give the Mosley book a try! Glad to know you enjoyed Hollis Woods too.

#235: I think you will enjoy it, Jenn!

#236: Thanks, Cyrel! Same to you!

#237: Good, Pat - I do hope you try Hollis Woods - and Ptolemy Grey.

#238: Thanks, David! Same to you!

#239: I am glad I reminded you about the Mosley book, Peggy. I hope you get a chance to read it in 2011.

#240: Thanks, BJ!

#241: Thanks, Mike! I hope you have a great one too.

#242: Thanks, Kerry. Your words are very much appreciated by me.

#243: What constitutes a fast reader? I have never taken speed reading, if that is what you are asking, Ilana. I do hope you enjoy The Children's Book more than I did :)

Okay, if you aren't opening your new thread until the 9th, I have to go ahead and wish you happy new year on this one!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Stasia! May it hold many good things for you. Thank you for your friendship and support here on LT.

Thanks, Roni. I appreciate it!

I hope the New Year holds many good things for all of us. The end of this year felt like the 4077 M*A*S*H unit. Next year, we are going to look like a maternity ward!

Uh, maternity ward? Can I just be a nurse?

#248: We have at least 4 group members having babies in 2011. I will be a nurse right along with you, Jenn!

Cool! I love new babies, as long as they belong to other people.

Yeah, me too! That is the wonderful thing about grandkids - I can keep them temporarily and then hand them back :)

>251 alcottacre: - Oh yeah - I hear you sister!!! LOL

My two gransons are a joy - even more so when they stop being joyful and I can hand them back

#252: Isn't it great the way that works?

Okay, it's Sunday 1/2/11, and there's no new thread for your perfidious cloud of book bullets?!? I cannot imagine you're not going to post a list. ...?!...

Nope, not 1/2/11. I will post my first list for the year 1/9/11, Richard. You will just have to live without it until then :)

I did post my reads through 12/31/10 though - a special 'Saturdays on the Acre' edition.

Hmm, well I just read through last week's list. Pictures of Hollis Woods sounds great.

Happy new year, Stasia!

Thanks, Joanne! Pictures of Hollis Woods is great. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it.

Morning Stasia- Have a good Sunday!

Morning, Stasia. Just wanted to add my thanks along with Kerry, for your faithful following of all these darned threads. You are one sweet lady, Q. of L.T.

Happy New Year, Stasia, and a wonderful way to start 2011: Based on your reviews this week, I've downloaded both Hollis Woods and Ptolemy Grey. Thank you for recommending both ends of the life spectrum.

Happy new year Stasia! I am finally caught up with your thread- looking forward to your new thread! :D

happy new year you did alot of reading. It's quite on my thread come have tea I might have some biscuts too :)

#255 Stasia, thanks for the heads up on your first 2011 post/thread. I'll be looking for it.

#230 : LOL ... Love that picture, Heather!

#258: Good evening, Mark!

#259: Thanks, Gail.

#260: I hope you enjoy them, CB!

#261: Thanks, Tamara!

#262: I will head over to your thread for both the tea and the biscuits, Bryony!

#263: No problem, Linda.

Hi Stasia,
Just passing thru to wish you a good day...

*taps foot* come on Jan 9th :)

There's going to be a big explosion here on Jan. 9 when you start your new thread, Stasia. That's my "big bang theory" anyway. Happy New Year!

What are you going to name your thread? Still "Sundays on the Acre" or something new?
--BJ

#266: Thanks, Claudia!

#267: Now, now, Kara. January 9th is not that far away!

#268: Explosions?! I hope not! Perhaps I should wait later than the 9th. . .

#269: I think I will keep it 'Sundays on the Acre,' BJ. I have grown rather fond of Belva's suggested name for my thread.

I like that name too, Stasia.... and it's easy to find.
I will make it a point to check in Sunday from FL.
Don't want to miss the big doings here!

Stasia
Your fan club is following you on the 2010 thread. We will go anywhere to see what you are up to.

I'm so glad you liked Pictures of Hollis Woods.

Hugs

*waves*

Whoops...read your Sunday list a few days ago and got busy and forgot to post. I added Pictures of Hollis Woods this time around.

Happy reading in 2011!

Hmm... well I guess I'm not missing out on the Wimpy Kid series, as I've only read the first two. I liked those, but haven't managed to read the other ones. If they're not nearly as funny, I'll browse through them at the library to see if they're worth my time. I'll take them off the 'potential purchases' list for now, though :)

Hallo Stasia! Just checking in to say Happy New Year! ...and also in the unlikely hope that I actually manage to stay current with your many threads this year... ;o)

Bother! This is your 2010 thread!!

*checks calendar*

nope, it's only the 4th.........

*wanders aimlessly until The Day*

I came over because I was afraid you were getting lonely over here. I'm such a silly person! Glad you're going strong, friend!

I am glad you liked Pictures of Hollis Woods too!
And while you still stay on your 2010 thread, I'll wish you here, a bit belated, a great and Happy New reading Year :-)

Five days to go!

I am glad to see all you lovely people here! Thanks for keeping me company in 2010 :)

Hi Stasia, I just felt like doing a bit of time-travel, so I thought I'd drop by for a minute!


(*waves*)

That is too, too cute!

Have you recovered from your readathon?
--BJ

Cute, Ilana!

Oh yes, BJ, I am recovered. Now as to whether I will recover from checking two days worth of messages that I have been posted while I was either reading or sleeping, I am not sure about that!

Glad you like it Stasia :-)

Just a quick flyby to check on the goings on at Stasia's. I love penquins.

Morning Stasia- Have a good day, my friend!

Flapping vestigial wings as I toddle past.

Waving from over the Atlantic here!

*Sets a nice new notebook by the computer in preparation for the first Sunday of 2011 and all the excellent books that will need to be written down for my list*

Try as I might, I can't keep up with you sailing through the threads. But I do see you here and there, as I flit by myself.

That's where you were--the readathon!

Wandering through and waving hello

Hello, everyone!

Yes, Pat, I was doing the Readathon. I love those things!

Jasmyn, I am glad to see you are already for the Sunday report.

Judy, I cannot keep up either, so I am glad to have someone else having trouble as well :)

Just saying hi!

Still holding out for the 9th huh? Patiently waiting......

Welcome one and all! I've just posted our new thread for our Jan 7-8 read-a-thon
so come on over and join the discussion there!

Active this Week
75 Books Challenge for 2011
6,767 messages

75 Books Challenge for 2010
1,585 messages

The MAJORITY of which are here in Stasia's demesne.

Hey, Sacil!

I cannot do that Readathon, llana, but I will cheer everyone on!

Not my fault, honest, Richard :)

Morning Stasia- I can't do the read-a-thon either. Work intrudes. Have a great day!

Richard- Those numbers are staggering, although I think most of them our yours! :-}

#301: I knew the numbers were not my fault! Thanks for backing me up, Mark :)

HA! I am a mere also-ran, a very tyro, compared to Stasia-of-the-hundred-threads. Besides, my 2010 thread's dead as a haddock. So that leaves.... o.O

#303: Ahem. Who was it that started his third 2011 thread on January 5th?

It's quite humorous Richard that you used Those numbers to try to convict Stasia and they are being used to fry you instead. You are both headliners in my book!

#303: Hah!

#304: You tell him, Darryl!

#305: You tell him too, Regina!

I am running my daughter to Houston tomorrow and then straight back on Saturday, and I will be back just in time to see your new thread on Sunday!!!
--BJ

Wave as you drive through Sherman!

I always do!
--BJ

Drive safely, BJ!

Hey, Stasia!

I'll have a chance to check in Sunday night if Bridget agrees to leave me her laptop. Then how do I get it back to her (ME to CT)??? Oh, bother... gotta think this thru.

You may have to wait until you get back home, Claudia!

Jim has not so secretly bought me a netbook for my birthday. I can't wait to get it. If it's truly light enough to put in my tote-bag, I'll be able to connect from almost anywhere. My obsession is growing.

#313: Woot for Jim! Woot for Judy! I expect to see you on LT 24/7 :)

Stasia: thanks so much for keeping the troops going through the night and day of your read-a-thon! I was really happy about the turnout and your posts were very uplifting. Amazing what a one-person cheering squad can achieve; only you could have done it to such great effect!

Caught up and finally closing the book on 2010. Looking forward to your new, shiny thread tomorrow. Night, Stasia

tick tock tick tock :)

#315: No problem, Ilana. I enjoyed doing the cheering even if I could not take part in the Readathon.

#316: Night, Lynda.

#317: Hey, Kara. Yep, shortly.

It's tomorrow isn't it?!?!?!

You'll post a link here, won't you Stasia?

I thought I'd better read this thread while I can open it.

322 messages--someone should be ashamed of herself! Checking in before bedtime here, because tomorrow morning I will be expecting a brand new thread!

New thread here people: http://www.librarything.com/topic/107015

Saying farewell to your old thread and over to check out the new one!