BJ hopes for 75 in 2012

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BJ hopes for 75 in 2012

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1billiejean
jan 2, 2012, 3:05 pm

Happy New Year! I am looking forward to lots of new books this year. Here is my new ticker:





Happy Reading, everyone!

2sjmccreary
jan 2, 2012, 3:55 pm

Wow, I'm first!

Can't wait to see what you read this year, BJ!

3bell7
jan 2, 2012, 6:32 pm

Happy New Year, BJ! Looking forward to seeing your 2012 reads. :)

4billiejean
jan 2, 2012, 7:12 pm

Hi, Sandy and Mary!
I have started Infinite Jest and returned to The Count of Monte Cristo, both kind of long books. I am also looking at doing a group read of Asimov's Foundation books. I just love the beginning of the year!

I am kind of tired from all the company, which I loved having over the new year. I guess I am not as young as I used to be! I hope to stop by some threads later tonight. Thanks so much for stopping by mine!

5alcottacre
jan 2, 2012, 7:14 pm

Woot! I was beginning to wonder where you were, BJ. Glad to see you back again!

6billiejean
jan 2, 2012, 7:16 pm

Hi, Stasia!
I have had a kind of busy holiday season, but I am so happy to be back here. Congrats to you on your new semester. Wishing you all the best!

7alcottacre
jan 2, 2012, 7:16 pm

Thanks, I appreciate it!

8Whisper1
jan 2, 2012, 7:23 pm

Happy New Year!

9drneutron
jan 2, 2012, 8:17 pm

Welcome back!

10Robertgreaves
jan 2, 2012, 8:53 pm

To answer your question in your previous thread and also mark this one:

There are seven books in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series. The first one written was Foundation, but the first one in the chronological series of events was Prelude to Foundation.

I'd favour reading them in chronological order rather than the order they were written in, so that would make the series:

1. Prelude to Foundation
2. Forward the Foundation
3. Foundation
4. Foundation and Empire
5. Second Foundation
6. Foundation's Edge
7. Foundation and Earth.

The original Foundation trilogy was nos. 3, 4, and 5.

11craso
jan 2, 2012, 11:51 pm

Hi BJ! Have you starred!

12wildbill
jan 3, 2012, 9:36 am

Hello BJ. I have your new thread starred. Looks like you are starting the year off with some good, lengthy books. I have all but one of the Foundation series. I will have to chase down that last one.

13billiejean
jan 3, 2012, 1:10 pm

Happy New Year, everyone and thanks for stopping by my thread. :) I am excited about the fresh new year.

I will order the Foundation books that I don't have, and let y'all know when I have them. I have wanted to read these books forever. Robert, should we put the thread in the 75 group or the BOYS group?

14JulieC0802
jan 3, 2012, 4:20 pm

Happy New Year!!

15Welachild
jan 3, 2012, 5:14 pm

Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to seeing what you read this year.

16Donna828
jan 3, 2012, 6:42 pm

Hi BJ, I've got you starred, my friend.

I have started Infinite Jest. Good for you! We'd love to have your beginning impressions over here. I'm trying to keep our Support Group on the first page of the many threads until someone takes pity on us and creates a Group Read. How are you liking it so far?

17tjblue
jan 3, 2012, 6:45 pm

Just stopping to say hi!!!

18Robertgreaves
jan 3, 2012, 7:26 pm

Isn't there a group reads group somewhere? If not, we can use the 75 group.

19billiejean
jan 4, 2012, 3:03 am

Happy New Year, Julie, Welachild, Donna, Tammy and Robert!

Robert, there is a dormant group reads scifi group and a slightly more active group reads literature group that I am a member of, but they usually vote on books. But we do have lots of group reads in this group. I had no luck at the bookstore. They only had the books that I already have. I will probably have to order from amazon, but I am going out of town Thursday, so I will probably order when I get back. We do have a large used book store in town, so I might check that one out. I am beginning to see why amazon and ebooks are taking over. I often cannot find the book I want at a regular store.

Donna, this book (Infinite Jest) is so strange! But I think if we hang in there a while, the effort pays off. Does your book have the intro by Eggers? Eggars? I can't recall how to spell his name. I thought it was pretty good at getting me excited to read the book but aware that it would take some effort.

20alcottacre
jan 4, 2012, 8:04 am

*waving* at BJ as I go through the threads

21wildbill
jan 4, 2012, 7:14 pm

Last year I really started noticing the changes in the book business. The number of bookstores around has really gone down. After seeing the prices on amazon paying the list price is out.
I have started reading ebooks and I enjoy it. There are some books that I would want as a book but the ebooks have all of the words. Buying a book and having it to read in 30 seconds is pretty cool. The selection is a lot better than 3 years ago and the prices are usually decent.
I have found a couple of used book sites that have free shipping which helps a lot.
The world changes beneath our feet.

22thornton37814
jan 4, 2012, 7:41 pm

I was in Barnes & Noble today and left without purchasing a single book. I kept saying, "I can get that one at the library," or "I can get that one at McKay's." (McKays is the excellent used bookstore in our area.) There is only one that really tempted me, but I refused to pay full price for it. I could have gotten it as part of a 3 for the price of 2 special with other things on the table, but most of the ones which interested me I had already read.

23billiejean
jan 4, 2012, 7:51 pm

Hi, Stasia, Bill and Lori!

As my house fills up with too many books, the ereader is looking quite nice. 30 seconds compared to 20 days sounds even better.

I got a book in the mail today and it was so long that I was thinking how much easier it would be to read without the bulk. And the eprice was so much cheaper, too, as it is old.

24alcottacre
jan 4, 2012, 7:53 pm

I love being able to check out library e-books now that my local library has that service. Thirty seconds and I do not have to drive to the library either :)

25Robertgreaves
Bewerkt: jan 4, 2012, 9:10 pm

This tweet from openculture today is very apposite:

Free: Isaac Asimov’s "Foundation Trilogy" Dramatized in Audio. Amazing 1973 BBC production: http://cultr.me/wMiWN1

26wildbill
Bewerkt: jan 5, 2012, 7:01 am

Yesterday I was introduced to a site named Munseys located at http://www.munseys.com/site/home. They have about 20,000 free ebooks with a varied selection.
Libraries are a great resource but I know my library system is getting caught in the county budget crunch.
As things change we just have to adapt.

27suslyn
jan 6, 2012, 10:44 am

Hmmm maybe I'll give the Foundation books a reread :)

blessings!

28billiejean
Bewerkt: jan 11, 2012, 4:50 pm

I am finally back in town again and my baby is back at school.

I am planning to order the rest of the Foundation books tonight from amazon since I have not found them in the stores (plus the first Burke book). Seems like books stores just don't have as many books as they used to have. I had not really thought about ebooks from the library before. I am teetering toward the brink.

I am so happy to say that I have finally finished a book!!! A short book!

1. Death Note 6: Give-and-Take by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. I see there are not links in LT for this. I finally got the next three volumes from my daughter so I can see what is going on in the realm of Shinigami and the DeathNote holders.

Just to show that I am out of my mind, I am also starting Clarissa for three long books at once. I think that of the three, The Count of Monte Cristo is the quickest read. I will let y'all know when I get the first Foundation book.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Stasia, Robert, Bill and Susan! And thanks for the links!

29DirtPriest
jan 9, 2012, 7:21 pm

The bookstores have just as many books as they always have, just now the good ones are gone. Or at least the specific ones you want. I've found that after waiting literally years for a certain title it shows up shortly after I buy it from an online retailer.

In contrast to Robert's chronological order, I prefer the Foundation in published order, at least for a first read. It sounds contrary but the prelude books are so different and they are spoilers in a sense, removing some of the wonder from the older books and throwing a few key storyline surprises in casually. Asimov wrote them later for readers who had already read the Foundation series. Either way is totally fine though in the end. And while you are on Amazon shopping, grab Asimov's The End of Eternity for a few dollars too. I consider it to be a Foundation sequel of sorts, at least the Foundation in action behind the scenes. Now that I think about it, I have never read Forward the Foundation

For what it's worth I haven't read anything on my Sony reader for months, not that I'd get rid of it for anything less than a fairly large pile of cash.

30Robertgreaves
jan 9, 2012, 9:28 pm

You may be right, DirtPriest. Of course I have read the original trilogy many times so that never occurred to me.

BJ, are you familiar with Samuel Johnson's quip about Clarissa? "If you were to read Richardson for the story, your impatience would be so much fretted that you would hang yourself." You have been warned. I did start it once but I think I only got as far as half way through the second volume of six(?).

31billiejean
jan 11, 2012, 4:49 pm

Hi, guys! I am not worried about spoilers in this read, so any order is fine with me. Thanks for the tip on The End of Eternity!

My girls both use their Sony ereaders, but mostly they read real books (as I call them). The ereader is perfect for traveling with that get the book in 30 seconds deal. I ought to borrow one sometime to see what I think.

About Clarissa, I could not believe how long it was when it arrived! There is supposed to be a group read of it in the 1001 group that is reading the letters as of the month and day they are written. The first letter was dated yesterday, but I had too much work to do and did not get started. I hope to check it out tonight.

However, I did have time to read another DeathNote. What is it about those books that I find so compelling?

2. Death Note 7: Zero by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The plot thickens and took a surprising turn. I have one more volume here and can't wait to read it. Now that I see what I did wrong for the touchstone, I will try to fix the previous one.

I also started Because of Winn-Dixie and it is off to a good start. What is it about dog books? And why do I always want to read them?

32countrylife
jan 14, 2012, 7:35 pm

Hi, billiejean. Hope to see you in Joplin again next year! I've not read Winn-Dixie, but my daughter loved the movie. I never thought of myself as a dog-book reader, but enjoyed Marley and Me awhile back. On a rare occasion that we were able to get my husband to watch a family movie with us, we picked Marley and Me. It was a risk, since he generally abides by his own rule to watch only those things which are (described by me as) stupid-stupid-idity. But he enjoyed it and even got teary-eyed.

33billiejean
jan 16, 2012, 12:09 pm

Hi, Cindy! I do plan to go to Joplin next year. It is too much fun to miss. I do like dog books, but I have to admit that I worry about them being sad. If I see a book cover with a dog on it, I will probably buy it even if I know nothing about it. I think I might have a copy of Marley and Me around here somewhere. I will have to look and see. Thanks so much for stopping by my thread!

I am happy to report that I have finally finished my 11 in 11 category challenge. I had to go with some shorter books for this. Here are my next two books:

3. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Everything good that happened to Opal happened because of Winn-Dixie. This was a terrific read. I loved it. I did cry at one part. Dog books. I love them, but they get to me.

4. Death Note 8: Target by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. It is amazing to me how this series continues. I am now ahead of my daughter on this series and there are no more on the tbr shelf. I think I know something to get her for her birthday. :)

I am reading away on The Count of Monte Cristo, Infinite Jest, and the beginning of Clarissa. I hope to finish the first two by the end of spring (I know, it is winter now!) and the third one by the end of the year. The missing books from the Foundation series are on the way and should arrive by the end of the week. I am excited about reading all of those. My brother is a huge Asimov fan, but I have never read his works.

I also ordered Neon Rain. I got mixed up and tried to order Neon Trees but that sent me to the music section of amazon. How could I be so confused?

Well, I need to visit a few threads before getting back to work!

34carlym
jan 16, 2012, 5:54 pm

Hi, BJ! I admire your ambition in tackling several longer books at once. After I read a chunkster I always feel like I need something quick and easy to keep from getting bogged down.

35billiejean
jan 16, 2012, 7:12 pm

Hi, Carly!

I can't just read a chunkster alone. I have to read some quick ones in the midst of them. And really short, as you can see! :) And I don't always finish what I start, but I never really consider it abandoned either.

My start is so slow this year that I wonder if I will hit 75.

Tonight we are moving 2 large filing cabinets to the home office. The rented dolly is stuck in my Camry. I had to drive with 3 windows down. Luckily the weather is nice. The weather in Houston has been really nice, I see. My baby is back there now, so I keep up with it.

Thanks for stopping by!

36suslyn
jan 19, 2012, 1:56 pm

re: foundation order. I don't think it's just spoilers. I think there's more storybuilding too if they're read in published order (my opinion). However, I've also read whichever came off my shelf first, so... :)

37billiejean
jan 19, 2012, 7:43 pm

Thanks for letting me know, Susan! I just got my books in the mail. Asimov wrote a note suggesting that all books (including Robot and Empire books) be read in chronological by story order. Then he listed them all out. I am not sure what is the best way. I don't have any of the Robot or Empire books, although I think my daughter might have some of the Robot books. I read the back of the Prelude book, and it looks pretty good!

38Donna828
jan 19, 2012, 10:45 pm

Hi BJ, I'm glad to see you're sticking with Infinite Jest. How cool that you can call your daughter for support. When I get back to it, I'll post on the IJ Support Group. I think sibyx (Lucy) is planning to read it, too.

Be careful moving those filing cabinets. I hope the weather is mild when you return the rented dolly. I wouldn't want to be driving around with my windows down, but you do what you have to do, right?

39billiejean
jan 21, 2012, 2:44 am

Hi, Donna! I must get over to your thread and check in. I bet you are reading lots of wonderful stuff.

I am only on page 135 of IJ. I find some parts of it compelling and hard to put down and other parts hard to stick with. I hope that page 200 will find me spellbound. But I am not on the pace that I had hoped to set of 250 pages a month.

On the bright side, I am 1/3 of the way through The Count of Monte Cristo and things are heating up. I am hoping to finish it by the end of March, but I am not sure that I can keep up that pace either.

My husband did most of the work moving the filing cabinets. And he returned the dolly in his Expedition. That was much better. :) We are now figuring out what to fit in the cabinets. We have more files than room. I am trying to get used to working again, and I hope that I get more efficient eventually. And guess what? I broke our scanner/printer trying to print file labels. We had to get a new one. I am temporarily unable to make any more of my 2012 labels. We can't lose anymore equipment until we get past January. I still have an old-fashioned typewriter to use if I get desperate.

My Acts of the Apostles Bible study class is about 2/3 over. We finish in early March. I am excited that we will continue next year with two shorter classes. I have learned more about the Bible in the last three years through these classes.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

40DirtPriest
jan 21, 2012, 6:52 pm

I hear that's what husbands are for, or maybe I'm just recycling your leaf-raking joke...

41alcottacre
jan 22, 2012, 12:00 am

#33: I really need to read Because of Winn-Dixie. I have read several of DiCamillo's other books and enjoyed them all.

42billiejean
jan 23, 2012, 9:25 am

#40> My husband does all the difficult stuff. I was telling my daughter just yesterday that I could not even change from an old computer to a new one. He transfers everything. He installs all the programs.

#41> I should have realized that she had written other books. I need to check them out, too. I think you would like Because of Winn-Dixie.

I am off to finally start the Foundation series thread.

43billiejean
jan 23, 2012, 9:35 am

Here is the thread for the group read of Asimov's Foundation series:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/131473


We are reading the books in chronological order (Foundation books only). The first book we are reading is Prelude to Foundation with a start date of January 28th. Please join us!

44tjblue
jan 26, 2012, 3:07 pm

Just stopping to say hi!! Hope you're having a great week!!

45billiejean
jan 26, 2012, 7:20 pm

Hi, Tammy!
I am having a good, but busy week with work. I think I am getting the hang of things though. :)

I hope you are having a great week, too.

I haven't been able to read much this week due to a big project due today, but I am almost 1/3 of the way through Prelude to Foundation, which is a fun read and around 1/3 of the way through The Count of Monte Cristo, also a fun read. Clarissa is on hiatus until later in February. I haven't read any of Infinite Jest in about a week. And I forgot to turn in my library books.

Well, I am off to clean house which has also suffered from my work schedule. I have company coming tomorrow. Have a great day!

46Copperskye
jan 26, 2012, 10:16 pm

How have I not stopped by your thread before now, BJ? Well, happy new year! I'm glad I found you.

I loved Because of Winn-Dixie.

47billiejean
jan 27, 2012, 11:39 am

Thanks so much for stopping by! I am not as active on LT as I used to be, but I think I will have more time in February and March. I am not sure that I have stopped by your thread. I need to check it out. I sure did enjoy watching Tim Tebow work his magic for Denver.

48DirtPriest
jan 28, 2012, 3:31 am

Hey, there's a review of the first of the Gormenghast books (Titus Groan) in Hot Reviews (or here, if you'd rather. I seem to recall you asking me about them several months ago. It sums up the book nicely as far as the dense language goes. Baroque would seem to be the operative adjective.

49billiejean
feb 1, 2012, 10:44 pm

Thanks for the link to that great review. I can hardly believe the entire book covers only his first two years of life. I think that there was some sort of anniversary lately regarding that trilogy which is what brought it to my attention. I had never heard of it before then. But I couldn't resist getting it. Then later I discovered that at least two of the three books are listed on the 2006 1001 BYMRBYD list. And I have found lots of good books from that list.

I am glad that you will be reading along on the Foundation books. I can hardly believe that I have only read 4 books this month. January was full of extra things do to for me at work. I think my number of books this year will be my lowest on LT ever. My first year I read 72 books which was a lot for me. I am on track for only 48. Maybe I can up my totals later in the year. :)

50billiejean
feb 1, 2012, 10:45 pm

OK, I really do know that it is now February, but I am still completing my January bookkeeping.

51DirtPriest
feb 3, 2012, 2:40 am

The total doesn't really matter BJ. The most important thing is giving your mind some regular vacation time to recover from the day! :) that's a rare smiley-thing from me, maybe the third one ever...

52billiejean
feb 4, 2012, 2:25 pm

And I like that rare smiley thing! I just finished Prelude to Foundation, and what a great story. I am glad to say that I have finally read a book by Asimov. I am now looking for where I put Forward the Foundation, plus I have picked up Oliver Twist.

I forgot to number the book!

5. Prelude to Foundation by Isaac Asimov. This prequel to the Foundation trilogy comes in time after the Robot stories and the Empire series -- of which I have read none of them. Nevertheless, I found this book a terrific read and it had a great ending.

53billiejean
feb 18, 2012, 6:09 pm

It took me a while to find my poor, neglected thread! Here is the update:

6. Pocket Book of Catholic Devotions by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D. I read this book as part of my prayer time.

7. Forward the Foundation by Isaac Asimov. This is the second book chronologically in the Foundation series, but the final book written. It was like four short novels which all connect. There were quite a few surprises in this book. I am excited about starting the original trilogy.

8. Yotsuba&! (Volume 10) by Kiyohiko Azuma. This is the last volume of the delightful Yotsuba books. At the end, it promises more to come and I hope that is true.

9. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger. I had mixed feelings about this graphic novel. I need something upbeat now to change my mood.

I still have a long way to go on my longer books. But I haven't given up on any of them.

I went to Austin and then to Houston to see my darling girls. It was lots of fun, but mostly lots of driving. :)

54DirtPriest
feb 19, 2012, 4:29 am

A friend of mine tells a funny story about a bad family vacation in a station wagon where it took them two days to get to Texas from Michigan and then two more days to get to Corpus Christie. For the Fourth of July.

55billiejean
feb 19, 2012, 9:56 pm

Corpus is pretty far south from the state line. I remember taking a trip with my grandparents when I was young. It took all day long to get out of Texas (from the center) and then we started zooming through the southern states on the way to Florida. Of course, we crossed them the shorter way. That was the first time I realized that Texas was quite a bit bigger than most states. :) I am so glad that my girls are only one state away, but it is still quite the trip.

I missed a snow here while gone. Hope we get another one.

56DirtPriest
feb 20, 2012, 2:57 am

But if you cut Alaska in half, Texas becomes the third largest state...

It's almost to the point where it might as well not snow and just chalk up the season as a lost cause. I wouldn't mind some snow for the aesthetics, but as far as I'm concerned, you can have my share. It is too late up my way. The trees are adapted to a hard freeze and if they don't get it, spring is quite bland.

57billiejean
feb 21, 2012, 11:13 am

I hope that you are wrong about the snow. We have lived here around 15 years and have always had at least one nice snow.

I have an uncle and aunt from Alaska and they love it. But you can't drive across Alaska. You have to fly.

10. Adjunct: an Undigest by Peter Manson. I read this because it is on the 1001 List (2006 version). I really hit a brick wall with it until Nickelini gave me some tips. Thanks!

I am reading Foundation and starting some Lenten reading tomorrow.

58tjblue
feb 25, 2012, 8:19 am

Stopping to say Hi!!! Travel talk makes me yearn to get out and go. Have you ever visited Alaska?

59billiejean
feb 28, 2012, 11:06 am

Hi, Tammy! I have never been to Alaska, but my daughter and her new husband went there on their honeymoon. Right now my other daughter is in Spain for a week. I haven't heard a peep. I hope I make it until Sunday when I hope she will call!

60billiejean
mrt 1, 2012, 8:22 pm

11. A Church in Transition: A Devotional Commentary on I Timothy through Hebrews edited by Leo Zanchettin. I am afraid that this might be the last book of commentary on the Bible that I have. I hope not.

I finally decided to get a nook. Then when I got it home it would not work. Back to the store. Apparently the screen cover was defective. So when we took it off I was able to make it work. And I just bought my first ever ebook: The Man Who was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton. Even though I am in the middle of several other books, I just have to give this a whirl. Wish me luck!

61Robertgreaves
mrt 1, 2012, 10:54 pm

Looking forward to hearing what you think of the book and of the experience of reading it as an ebook. I've only read Chesterton's Father Brown stories.

62Donna828
mrt 2, 2012, 8:45 am

Congrats on the Nook, BJ. I just finished reading Our Mutual Friend on my iPad. Once I got used to the different feel of it, I quite liked it. It might be the way to go with Infinite Jest as those endnotes would be just a click (or touch) away!

There is definitely spring in the air this morning. Birds singing, daffodils blooming, etc. I'm like you, though, and would have liked a big snow to mark the winter season. DH and I went to Alaska for our 40h anniversary. We drove the Anchorage/Fairbanks route. Lots of driving and we saw just a tiny part of the state. I want to go back!

63billiejean
mrt 2, 2012, 1:05 pm

Robert, for my first nook book I only spent 99 cents. So the formatting was a little off. And I kept thinking about Foundation which was almost finished. I noticed that the free book which came on it (Dracula) was beautifully formatted, so I think I just should have checked out all the ones offered instead of taking the first on the list. In the end, I had to go back to Foundation and finish it! I have been wanting to read some Chesterton for a while, though, so I think I will start over again and pay a bit more attention to it. Also, I tried to download the books that you are reading for Lent and they were not available. By the time I find a copy, I think Lent might be over!

Donna, my dog licks every book that comes into the house -- once only. Library, borrowed, store-bought, new, used. She has utterly ignored the nook. What do you think that means? Also, I think driving through Alaska (in the summer) sounds lovely. You are right about the footnotes, by the way. It is a lot easier.

64Robertgreaves
mrt 2, 2012, 7:04 pm

I would recommend them at any time of year, not just Lent.

65billiejean
Bewerkt: mrt 5, 2012, 11:37 am

I saw your review and it definitely made me want to read them. I guess I will have to check on amazon. I was really hoping that having a nook would mean instant books. :)

12. Scriptural Rosary Prayer Book by Bart Tesoriero. This book had a Bible verse for every Hail Mary! That is 50 for each of 4 rosaries (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious). I really enjoyed it, although praying the rosary took much longer this way. But I thought it was also so meaningful.

66Robertgreaves
Bewerkt: mrt 5, 2012, 8:57 pm

If you can/want to, tell me about the rosaries. They're not part of my tradition. Obviously I know what the physical object is, but what do you do with it?

67billiejean
mrt 7, 2012, 10:47 pm

The rosary is a prayer/meditation. Each rosary has 5 decades or groups of 10 Hail Mary prayers (which comes from Scripture). Each decade features one event from the life of Jesus (except for 2 of Mary in the Glorious Mysteries). We reflect on or meditate on this event from Scripture while praying. So for the Joyful Mysteries which we focus on during Advent, the First Mystery is the Annunciation (the Angel announcing to Mary that she has been chosen as the mother of Jesus); the Second Mystery is the Visitation (Mary visits Elizabeth who is expecting John the Baptist); the Nativity is third; the Presentation (of Jesus in the Temple) is fourth and the Teaching in the Temple (where Jesus as a boy is teaching in the Temple while everyone else is traveling home and they go back to find him there).

The Sorrowful Mysteries is focused on during Lent and covers Jesus' Passion. The first mystery is the Agony in the Garden; the second is Jesus is scourged; the third is the crowning with thorns; the fourth is carrying the cross and the fifth is the crucifixion.

To pray this set of prayers/meditation, we begin with the Sign of the Cross and say the Apostle's Creed (which is a short version of the Nicene Creed; when I was Methodist as a teenager we used to say this in our services). Next we pray an Our Father (the Lord's Prayer) and three Hail Mary prayers one each for an increase in the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Next is a Glory Be (Doxology). Then we start the decades. First we announce the mystery/reflect on it/also think about the fruit of the mystery (which is a virtue) and pray an Our Father. This is followed by 10 Hail Mary prayers and the Glory Be and then most people add a prayer from Fatima. This is one complete decade. Then the next mystery is announced/meditated on and so on. After all 5 decades we pray the Hail Holy Queen and a couple of other short prayers and then end with the Sign of the Cross.

Most of the time I pray without the rosary beads. I keep track with my fingers for the 10 Hail Mary's. Or with this book I just used, I keep track of the Hail Mary's with the book.

The book I spoke of had, in addition to the scripture for each decade, another Bible verse to contemplate for each individual Hail Mary prayer. So it takes quite a bit longer, but is also extra special that way.

It can all seem rather complicated. But once you pray this prayer a few times, it is easier than it originally seemed. Hope this was not way too much info! :)

The Glorious Mysteries are about after Jesus rose from the dead and the Luminous mysteries are about Jesus' mission on earth and were added by Pope John Paul II.

68Robertgreaves
mrt 8, 2012, 3:09 am

Wow, I would never remember all that.

69billiejean
mrt 8, 2012, 9:02 am

Really it looks more complicated in print. And I do have a rosary, I just don't seem to always have it with me.

My newest problem is that the nook deal of the day always sounds so good! I was only planning to download one book at a time and not fill it up. I guess I was not really thinking about who I am. And it is so easy to get a book. At least I am not spending much, just going for the cheap deals, but still!

70carlym
mrt 11, 2012, 12:24 pm

Your dog licking your books cracks me up!

71billiejean
mrt 12, 2012, 10:27 am

And she has such a thoughtful look on her face when she does it, too. This morning she made a move to steal my breakfast right in front of me! I barely saved it! She must be feeling young and crazy with this Springtime air!

Sounds like my daughter is planning to spend summer in Houston this year. She really loves it there! Thanks for stopping by, Carly!

72carlym
mrt 12, 2012, 12:27 pm

Houston is getting better and more fun all the time for younger people. I'm glad your daughter is enjoying it!

73billiejean
mrt 12, 2012, 9:51 pm

The only thing about Houston is that we always hit one really bad traffic jam every time we go, no matter how we schedule our time. I think that the population must really be growing. All over Texas, I guess. I hear all the time about all the businesses moving to Texas.

Here at long last is lucky #13:

13. The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov. I picked up this nice edition by Barnes and Noble with a Christmas B&N gift certificate. I can hardly believe that I had never read this (or any) book by prolific Isaac Asimov. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I know that I will want to return to it again and again! Lucky for me, I still have two more books to go in the series.

74Copperskye
mrt 12, 2012, 10:43 pm

Congrats on the Nook, BJ! I have a NookColor and love it.

It is WAY too easy to buy books for it! I know too well.

Have you tried library ebooks? Also easy and free!

My dog also checks out my books by licking them once or twice. I try not to think about all the other people's dogs who have done the same to my library books... :)

75Whisper1
mrt 13, 2012, 12:19 am

Hi B.J. I'm sorry for neglecting your thread. I love your stories of your dog. The funny tales and quirky traits are what I miss about Simon. He died suddenly Feb. 6th and I still find that I look for him when I enter the house.

He knew he should not have been on the couch. We laughed when we would come in the door and see him sheepishly snuggled in the cushions.

Animals bring such love and delight.

All the best to you!

76billiejean
Bewerkt: mrt 13, 2012, 9:19 pm

Hi, Joanne and Linda!
My dog is trying to get more people food these days and is getting bolder. I cannot get mad at that sweet face with the wagging tail! I have not tried ebooks from the library yet because I hear they just disappear and I usually have to renew. But the thought of instant books is appealing.

Linda, I am sorry to hear about your sweet doggie, Simon. I am unbelievably attached to my baby dog with her gray snout. God bless!

Thanks so much for stopping by my thread. I know that I don't get out visiting threads enough these days, but I am so happy to have the job. Take care!

77billiejean
mrt 16, 2012, 11:19 pm

14. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. This slim volume about Siddhartha's search for self-awareness packs quite a punch. There is lots of food for thought here and I know that I will return to it again.

15. Lenten Saints of the Season by Barbara Yoffie. More reading during Lent. This was short and featured the saints whose day falls during Lent.

78billiejean
mrt 31, 2012, 3:26 pm

Wow, I have been gone for a long, long time! I have had lots of internet problems and now I am a little under the weather, so I haven't read that much, but I do have a few books to add:

16. The Rosary for Holy Souls in Purgatory by Susan Tassone. This is another scriptural rosary book to enhance my prayer time during Lent.

17. Four Paws from Heaven: Devotions for Dog Lovers by M. R. Wells, Kris Young, and Connie Fleishauer. My daughter gave me this book for my birthday, and I enjoyed reading it for Lent.

18. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. In honor of the big movie debut, I decided to read this at last. It was a great read, but the ending left a bit of a cliffhanger. I am trying to decide if I will read the next two books.

I am still in the middle of several other books. I hope that I feel like immersing myself in them again soon. :) Most likely I will finish the Foundation's Edge book next.

79tjblue
apr 1, 2012, 4:55 pm

Stopping to say Hi. Hope you are feeling better today!

80billiejean
apr 5, 2012, 7:00 pm

Hi, Tammy! I am feeling better. :) Nothing as great as feeling better after a bout of feeling bad. Thanks for asking!

19. Foundation's Edge by Isaac Asimov. This book is a sequel to the Foundation trilogy. This was more in the format of a traditional novel. At the beginning, I had a little trouble getting into the story, but now I think it is because I wasn't feeling too well. Once I got better, I could not put it down. I have one more Foundation book to read and I can't wait!

81Robertgreaves
apr 8, 2012, 3:49 am

Happy Easter, BJ. Christ is risen!

82tjblue
apr 8, 2012, 1:18 pm

Happy Easter BJ!!!!

83billiejean
apr 8, 2012, 6:03 pm

Happy Easter, Robert and Tammy and everyone on LT! My dogwood tree still has some blossoms even though it bloomed early this year.

84bell7
apr 10, 2012, 10:32 am

Hope you had a happy Easter, BJ!

85billiejean
apr 14, 2012, 4:19 pm

Thanks you, Mary! I hope you did, too. I will try to pop back and post my reading for Lent later this weekend.

86carlym
apr 14, 2012, 5:00 pm

Hi there BJ, I hope you're staying safe in all the storms!

87billiejean
apr 18, 2012, 12:09 pm

Hi, Carly!
We are pretty lucky in Tulsa. Most of the tornadoes seem to break up when they hit the hillier terrain. Still, I pay attention to all watches and warnings. Thanks for thinking of me.

I haven't felt much like reading lately, but here is what I have read since my last report.
20.The Magnificat Lenten Companion: Lent 2012 From February 22 - April 8 edited by Peter John Cameron, OP. This book had reflections on the Bible readings for every day of Lent plus additional info on Sundays, the Stations of the Cross and other prayers. It was quite good.

21.Lent and Easter Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton compilation, prayers, and actions by Thom Satterlee and Robert Moore-Jumonville. This book of Lenten reflections also included the week after Easter through Divine Mercy Sunday. I was glad to read something by Chesterton at last.

22. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. This book has been waiting patiently to be read for years and years. After a slow start, I ended up thinking that it was a pretty good story, although it does suffer from old stereotypes and prejudices.

I am still only at the very beginning of Foundation and Earth. It starts right where Foundation's Edge left off.

88Donna828
apr 18, 2012, 1:11 pm

Hi BJ, I recently bought a bio of GK Chesterton. He was a big influence on CS Lewis. My, these men like their initials, don't they? Speaking of initials, I am nearing the end of DFW's magnificent Infinite Jest. I hope you get a chance to get back to it soon.

89alcottacre
apr 18, 2012, 10:08 pm

*waving* at BJ

90billiejean
apr 20, 2012, 10:21 pm

Hi, Donna and Stasia! Thanks so much for stopping by my poor neglected thread! :) Congrats on closing in on Infinite Jest, Donna. I guess you really like it since you called it magnificent. I do hope to get it read by the end of the summer at least. Surely, I will be able to read more by then. And I am also really wanting to finish The Count of Monte Cristo, which I left at a very exciting place. I was planning to read two books by C. S. Lewis for Lent, but I didn't get them read either. Hope y'all have a wonderful day! The air here in Tulsa is so cool that my doggie is in heaven!

91billiejean
mei 9, 2012, 6:28 pm

I am still alive. Here is my update of reading:

23. Serenity Meditations by Bart Tesoriero. OK, this is kind of funny. Whenever I stop in the Catholic Book and Gift shop, I pick up a prayer book and I picked this up with just a glance. I mean, who can't use a little serenity? Then when I got home I noticed the subtitle: Prayers for Overcoming Addictions! So this book was significantly AA oriented, but some of it was just about serenity. I went ahead and read the whole thing. However, I probably would not have bought it if I had carefully read the title. (No touchstone for this one.)

24. The Gold Dust Letters by Janet Taylor Lisle. This book has been hanging around the house since my girls were small, so I decided to read it. It was ok, not great. I did not realize that this was part of a series.

25. Foundation and Earth by Isaac Asimov. This is the last book of the Foundation series. It was definitely not my favorite, but it was still pretty good. And I thought it had a terrific ending.

26. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. I need to read more by Lewis; I like his books. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would and want to read the rest of the series. I just need to figure out when to read The Magician's Nephew.

I am back to reading The Count of Monte Cristo and have passed the halfway mark!!!! I will mostly stick with this one until the end. What will be next? Not sure, maybe a return to Infinite Jest or Clarissa.

And how about the Oklahoma City Thunder!!! I am a big KD fan, since he is a Longhorn.

Hope everyone is having a nice summer. The weather here is really nice.

92Robertgreaves
mei 9, 2012, 10:39 pm

Since you've started with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, maybe you should carry on reading them in publication order rather than chronological order.

What did your serenity book say about addictions to books and the internet?

93DirtPriest
mei 10, 2012, 2:47 am

I was wondering if there had been a long-term power outage in Tulsa!

94gennyt
mei 10, 2012, 1:14 pm

How long have you been reading Monte Cristo? I started that as an audio book in January, but don't listen often enough - I'm just about half way through now after four months, so it may take me most of the rest of the year to complete it at this rate!

95billiejean
mei 10, 2012, 7:24 pm

#92> I think publication order is a good idea. The Serenity book said nothing about addictions to books or internet. It was AA styled, though, and I guess you could apply it there. But I don't want any help with my addiction to books, yet! :) And I think admitting that you need help was maybe step one. My kids just egg me on telling me that they will read whatever I don't finish before I die. I just went to that bookstore today and told them all about it. I am going to visit Rome and wanted to get some crucifixes to have Pope Benedict XVI bless. I have been jumping through some medical hoops to make it all happen and now it really is happening. So I will be gone for another while.

#93> No power outages here. And really no bad weather. All the bad weather has missed us and we are having a fabulous Spring. I bet it has been spectacular in Michigan. Good luck to your Tigers this year. It is nice to be missed, though. :)

#94> How long have I been reading The Count of Monte Cristo? Can I even admit it? I have been reading it off and on and mostly off for years (2 1/2, maybe). And it is a delightful book! I was always putting it aside for other group reads. So now that I am back immersed in the story and have all the characters straight again, I am going to try to stick with it. But not on the plane, because it is too big. Oh, dear. I may be in trouble. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by my neglected thread. I will try to do better in June. I am getting better at my job and more efficient. :)

96Robertgreaves
mei 10, 2012, 9:56 pm

Congratulations on the trip to Rome. Hope you find it an exciting holiday and a truly blessed time with the Pope as well.

Maybe you could get an ebook copy of The Count of Monte Cristo to read on the plane.

97billiejean
mei 11, 2012, 11:24 am

Thanks for the congrats! I am leaving soon! I have lots of ebooks already, so I think I will just read TCOMC when I get back. I haven't read any of my ebooks yet. Although, it would be kind of neat to read TCOMC in Italy like I read Don Quixote in Spain. Hmmm, I will have to think about that!

98tjblue
mei 12, 2012, 10:05 pm

BJ, I hope you have wonderful vacation and safe travel!!!!!""

99Donna828
mei 12, 2012, 10:52 pm

Rome! Lucky you, BJ! Is this a family trip or with your church or what? I like the way you just casually drop a dream trip like that into conversation. Have a fantastic trip!

100Welachild
mei 13, 2012, 12:58 am

Rome!! How wonderful. Have a great time.

101Copperskye
mei 16, 2012, 11:36 pm

Oh wow, BJ, have a great time! Safe travels!

102billiejean
mei 25, 2012, 6:10 pm

Thanks for all the good wishes on my trip. I am finally back and still jet-lagged. I got up at 4:30 this morning, and I am ready for bed now!

My daughter is studying art in Florence for 5 weeks, so we flew over there with her for a little over a week to see Rome and Florence. We were able to attend a Papal Audience on our 25th anniversary. We almost got robbed twice in Rome. Apparently this is an issue in Florence, too, but we had no problems there. Lots of tourists, everywhere. We saw so many of the most beautiful churches, including St. Peter's Basilica. We were even able to attend an English church service, which really surprised me. I had gelato, tiramisu, cannoli, and lots of cappaccino. (I don't know how to spell any of that.) I simply must find a way to make that coffee here. It was the best in the world. I can still smell it. Starbucks cannot hold a candle to it!

It was my dream trip, and I did not know if it would happen or not, which is why I did not discuss it until right before I left. I really should have taken The Count of Monte Cristo, because due to massive flight delays and reroutes, I ended up spending a little time in the Paris airport. But the airport was all that I saw of Paris. However, I was not really able to read on the trip.

I have returned to my Count who is really getting with the program. I am almost 2/3 of the way through and really hope to finish this summer!!!! Maybe June!!! It appears that I will not be able to hit 75 this year.

We moved my daughter out of her apartment in Houston right before the trip and had to stop by Half Price Books. I got a new copy ofFinnegan's Wake and a copy of Rendevous with Rama. I am wondering if the Clarke book is a sequel. I haven't read any of his books yet, I don't think. Welachild, have you read Finnegan's Wake, yet? I will never forget reading Ulysses. It will be several years before I am ready for this one, but how could I turn down a brand new remainder?

I am glad to be back home! God bless!

103Robertgreaves
mei 25, 2012, 7:36 pm

From what I remember (and it's a very long time since I read it), Rendezvous With Rama was the first in what became a series of 3 or 4, though I don't think it was planned that way.

104DirtPriest
mei 26, 2012, 2:43 am

Yeah. From what I've gathered, the sequels aren't particularly outstanding and they are co-authored as well. RWR is very much a standalone book. Clarke was introduced to a NASA bigwig who had some ideas about an SF story. That book went well (Cradle) and they did the Rama sequels years later. I might think about reading them just to find out if they are as mediocre-at-best as they are claimed to be. Foundation was just too much reading at the wrong time for me. When I do reread them, I want to have the time to read all of the Robot books first. But, those Rama books might be just the setup for the summer. A friend is really pestering me to read Michener's The Source, which is also a summer-long read, just by itself.

Sounds like you had quite the memorable trip. Italy has moved up the list for a visit by me someday, but I want to see the rocks. New Years on Mt. Vesuvius would be more my idea of a fun vacation...

105drneutron
mei 26, 2012, 8:59 am

Congrats on the trip to Italy! Florence is one of my favorite places. I've managed to go twice, and would love to go again some day.

106billiejean
mei 26, 2012, 5:43 pm

Thanks for the info on the Clarke book. I guess I will read that and then decide if I should read the others. I might keep an eye out for them at the book store.

I never even heard of The Source, but I do like Michener books. I have one that is not as long as most of them that was recommended on LT, Journey, but I haven't gotten to it yet.

Thanks for the congrats on the trip. Firenze (Florence) was a wonderful place to visit, and even though we were there quite a while, we did not see everything. The art everywhere you look is just amazing. Quite a change from Oklahoma. :)

I would have loved to visit Pompeii (I can't spell anything anymore), but it did not fit into our trip. I am hoping that my daughter might get to see it while she is there. She is learning photography and might take some good photos.

I am still enjoying TCOMC and thinking of giving a copy to my brother for his birthday.

107Welachild
mei 31, 2012, 12:46 pm

What a wonderful way to celebrate your 25th anniversary! I hope to someday make it to Vatican city but Rome seems too big for my liking.

I haven't read Finnegan's Wake yet. I think I tried to start it years ago but was so confused I didn't go on. It would be a good group read, so we can motivate each other to keep on reading! I know Ulysses was difficult (but I'm so glad to have read it) but Finnegan's Wake seems much more difficult.

108billiejean
jun 7, 2012, 12:35 pm

I think that you are right and it would be good for a group read. Seems like I read somewhere that it is clever but difficult. I guess I am going to tackle Infinite Jest first.

27. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. I have finally, FINALLY finished this book! It was a terrific read; I just had to devote myself to it. I was thinking of watching the movie now that I finished the book, but my daughter was disappointed in it. It is hard to make a movie of a really long book, I think. I need to forget some details before I watch it, I guess.

28. Treasury of Women Saints edited by Bart Tesoriero. There is no touchstone for this book. I learned a lot, from A to Z.

I have started The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins, and it is pretty good so far. This is another book where I have the movie waiting in the wings to watch. I have also started The Corrections, but it is not holding my attention too well yet.

109billiejean
jul 13, 2012, 6:13 pm

I need to update my list. :)

I will track it down and try to catch it up this weekend.

I am back to reading Infinite Jest. I am only 1/3 of the way through and I told my daughter that I think it really is infinite. She assures me that it does end. It is worth the read, however.

110jolerie
jul 13, 2012, 11:41 pm

Hi BJ! I was looking for you on the thread list and my eye must have been playing tricks on me because I swear you had a thread at the beginning of the year, but I couldn't find you. Glad to see you just posted. I'm trying to catch up with everyone so I'll start by saying I hope you've been having a great summer so far! :)

111Robertgreaves
jul 14, 2012, 12:03 am

Hello, BJ. You've been away for quite a while. Missed you.

112carlym
jul 14, 2012, 1:44 pm

Hi BJ! Good luck with Infinite Jest. I'm sure you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment when you finish!

113billiejean
Bewerkt: jul 14, 2012, 4:27 pm

Hello, Everyone!
I could not believe how long I had been away. I guess all the traveling put me behind in work, plus my sister in law is suddenly very ill. So I have not been reading too much.

I only have 3 books to add:
29. Magic by the Lake by Edward Eager. This is the sequel to Half Magic and lots of fun. This is a book for kids. I still liked it.

30. The Eagle has Landed by Jack Higgins. This book came recommended by Bridgey here on LT. It was a great read and apparently based on a true story about Hitler's attempt to kidnap Churchill. You have to read it all the way to the very end. I loved it.

31. Stardust by Neil Gaiman. This fairy tale for adults is lovely and a wonderful story. It was quite different from another Gaiman book that I read called Good Omens, which was also terrific.

I have to relinquish to computer to my husband. Work never ends. :)

114alcottacre
jul 15, 2012, 4:34 am

Checking in, BJ!

I will have to give the Higgins book a try. It sounds right up my alley! Thanks for the recommendation.

115billiejean
jul 17, 2012, 12:58 pm

Hi, Stasia! How nice to hear from you. :) I think you will like the Higgins book. I have the movie recorded and can't wait to watch it.

I am now 40% of the way through Infinite Jest. Still looks infinite. I am hoping to get to the halfway mark by the end of July. And I am looking around for another shorter book to read along with it. Not sure what it will be. I am also reading The Corrections on my nook to get used to it, but it is kind of slow going. I think I am reading faster on IJ that The Corrections.

116DirtPriest
Bewerkt: jul 18, 2012, 2:17 am

2001: A Space Odyssey? Quick and dandy, better than Rendezvous with Rama. I'm sure you will find something. Best of luck to your sister in law. That stuff is hard to deal with. My brother's SiL is having some big issues right now too.

Have you looked for free downloads of old classics for your nook? Thomas Hardy, Frankenstein, Haggard, Wilde, that sort of thing.

If you don't mind, here's a link to cnet with a few ideas, Project Gutenberg has more classics than you can shake a stick at.

117billiejean
jul 20, 2012, 3:10 pm

Thanks for the links! I have tried to download some older titles, but the typing was terrible or I couldn't tell if the books were unabridged. So I will check out your suggestions. And thanks so much for thinking of my sister-in-law. She started chemo yesterday. I will be thinking of your brother's sister-in-law as well.

I cannot find our copy of 2001 anywhere. But I am cleaning house and optimistic that it will turn up eventually. My big plan with Lt was to organize my books, but I see that has not happened.

118billiejean
jul 31, 2012, 1:37 pm

More books for July:

32. Patriotic Rosary for the Consecration of Our Nation by a Friend of Medjugorje. A nice prayer book for the month with the birth of the USA.

33. Key of Heaven edited by Bart Tesoriero. Another prayer book for my prayer time.

34. The Warden by Anthony Trollope. My first book by Trollope about a nineteenth century religious man in charge of a nursing home who is faced with a lawsuit. This was a great read, and I will read more in the series.

No way am I going to reach 75 this year, but I will keep trying. I am halfway through Infinite Jest, and it is still looking infinite.

119Robertgreaves
jul 31, 2012, 8:13 pm

Have you seen "The Barchester Chronicles", the BBC adaptation of The Warden and Barchester Towers? It's wonderfully funny.

120billiejean
aug 3, 2012, 2:38 pm

I haven't seen it; in fact, I have not seen any BBC in a long, long time. And I recently heard of another BBC show that is supposed to be terrific. I can't think what the title is because I have only heard it once and it was too noisy to be sure. It was something like Dauton? I hear that Shirley MacLaine is going to be on it. I will definitely look for The Barchester Chronicles. The Warden had a wonderful cast of characters.

I have kind of stalled on Infinite Jest. I must return to it. I hope to read 250 pages in August. Maybe the goal will get me going. I should have read it along with the group read.

In the meantime, I have started Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and am about 1/4 of the way through it. It is great fun and a quicker read. And I have started another prayer book. Our Bible study class for the Fall has been set and will be on Revelations.

121Donna828
aug 3, 2012, 4:20 pm

120: good for you, BJ, picking up Infinite Jest again. I have been trying to convince one of my sons that they will like it. No takers yet!

I was afraid you had melted away! We had 11 days 100 degree and above in July, but I'm sure Tulsa can top that. My Dallas kids have moved here and are longing for the Texas temps! Try to stay cool...and good luck with IJ.

122bell7
aug 3, 2012, 6:27 pm

Hi BJ! Glad to see you posting again. Hope the wildfires aren't too close to you...

123craso
aug 5, 2012, 7:53 pm

Hi BJ! There is no way I'm going to make 75 either. I just keep plugging along. Happy to see you posting again. Take care.

124gennyt
aug 13, 2012, 10:03 am

I'm glad you managed to finish The Count - I'm still only about 2/3 through my audio-book listen, I don't go to it often enough and then I find I've forgotten who people are... Must give it more concentrated time as you did. Good for you for moving straight on to another huge book with Infinite Jest!

And I'm so glad you enjoyed The Warden - the Barchester Chronicles are one of my favourites, if you enjoyed that you've a treat in store with the rest. I haven't seen the TV adaptations of those myself. I think the other TV series that has been recommended to you must be 'Downton Abbey' - which is actually not a BBC one. For that reason (as I watch most of my TV via BBC iPlayer) I have not seen any of that series, but it does seem to have been popular both in the UK (easy Sunday evening watching) and in the US.

125billiejean
aug 16, 2012, 2:01 pm

Hello, Everyone and thank you so much for stopping by. I am hoping in the fall to be more sociable. Things have been hectic. We got our baby moved back into the dorm and used the opportunity to stop by lots of my family in Texas -- just an hour or two at each stop, but we got to see a lot of people that way.

The ac finally broke. I had just said that it was amazing with so many days above 110F that it was still working, and then it broke right before we left town. So it was off the entire time we were gone. But the good news is the extreme heat has broken. The low 100s feel cool and the 90s feel like Fall!!! :) We even had a (short) shower. Some of the fires have been in the next county. They have been awful. When we had the shower, a friend of mine put out a cup to catch the rainwater and it had ash and particulates in it. So sad.

In the meantime, I have read another book:
35. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling. I am the last person on the planet to read this series and I am only reading about one book a year, but I thought this was a great book. And I had forgotten the way the movie ended which was nice for no spoilers. I am going to search the shelves for the next one, and I might not wait a year.

Still reading Infinite Jest and also almost finished with Agnes Grey.

126jolerie
aug 16, 2012, 2:07 pm

Glad to hear the heat is letting up a bit for you BJ! Hope things are less chaotic for you now. My summer has finally slowed down enough for me to catch my breath. :)
You aren't slow with the Potter books at all. I waited till all the books were released into paperback before I would even consider reading the first book. They were definitely worth the wait!

127billiejean
Bewerkt: aug 20, 2012, 9:13 pm

Hi, Valerie! You are right; they are definitely worth the wait. I really did not think that I would enjoy them as much as I do.

My sweet doggie has been having significant arthritis problems, I have been worrying over her quite a bit. But she is on new pain meds and doing better. I feel so much better seeing her improve.

36. Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. I read this for the 1001 group read. I loved that it was short. I have had this one around my house forever, so I am glad that I finally read it. This book is about a young girl who went from the spoiled baby of the family to governess. It was my first book by Anne Bronte, and now I am interested in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

128billiejean
aug 20, 2012, 9:20 pm

And I have finally run across the remaining books in the Death Note manga series and read them all! Now I can send them on to my daughter who got me hooked on them.

37. Death Note 9: Contact by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The saga continues with Kira facing new opponents.

38. Death Note 10: Deletion by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Kira finds more followers.

39. Death Note 11: Kindred Spirit by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Kira continues his ladykiller ways. How does he always manage to manipulate others?

40. Death Note 12: Finis by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The exciting conclusion. I was glad that the series had an end and did not go on forever. I do have a volume 13, which is the story retold from the viewpoint of the Shinigami death god. But I can take a break and read more Infinite Jest again.

129billiejean
sep 1, 2012, 11:34 am

41. Treasury of Litanies edited by Bart Tesoriero. I used this book of prayers as part of my prayertime.

I am excited to report that I have reached the 70% point of Infinite Jest! I had hoped to be at 75%, but I am thinking that at this rate I will finish this year. I am hoping that I finish in September -- depending on my work schedule and how busy Sunday School keeps me.

I gave my sweet daughter Wolf Hall for her birthday and she liked it quite a bit, so I think that I might borrow it from her next time I see her.

130Donna828
sep 1, 2012, 1:42 pm

Glad to see you making good progress on Infinite Jest, BJ. How are you liking it? I still think about it. What a deep book. I'm very glad I read it.

131billiejean
sep 15, 2012, 8:41 pm

Only 60 pages to go!!!! I have tossed aside everything else to concentrate solely on this and I finally truly believe that I will finish it. I stopped for a bit and returned to the beginning (which is where the end is heading) to remember the opening part. I almost couldn't stop rereading. Now I am returning to the end and hope to finish by the end of next week. (I realize that is slow, but my work takes precedence.) See you in 60 pages!!!!

132DirtPriest
sep 17, 2012, 12:03 am

There's a sublime satisfaction in finishing a long book. I'm halfway through Michener's The Source and it has been a long dreary haul. Great book, great writer, but I've had it with reading about religious persecution throughout history. Take yourself out for ice cream after you finish, and bring along the hubby to pay. You deserve it!

133alcottacre
sep 17, 2012, 8:36 am

*waving* at BJ

134billiejean
sep 20, 2012, 11:50 am

Thanks for the kind words!

I finally finished and got a high five from my husband. Plus my daughter who read it first just happened to call right after a finished. Weird, huh?

42. Marian Devotions edited by Bart Tesoriero. I read this book as a part of my prayertime.

43. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. This book turned out not to be infinite as I feared. Yea! I think that the title is somewhat misleading. This book has humorous parts, but it is not hilarious. In fact, I thought it was pretty much a cautionary tale on the dangers of addiction of all kinds. Parts are harrowing. Beginning this book is work as the cast of characters is large and disparate at the beginning. Plus the timeline is confusing as years no longer are numbered but sponsored. (The Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment is the most commonly referenced year.) And there are not regular chapters -- all of which is why sometimes I would put it down and not pick it back up for quite a while. I am glad that I finally just stuck with this one book for August and September. I did think the book was a little too long. And the endnotes (some really long with both footnotes and endnotes of their own) could be fun or useful or just a pain. And I was not fully satified with the ending. But with all that downside, I am still glad that I read this book. It is full of imaginative ideas. And things start to come together a bit after 250 pages or so. And what an interesting group of characters. I might even reread it to see if I pick up more. But not for a while! :)

By the way, I did have ice cream!

(Hi, Stasia!)

135Whisper1
sep 21, 2012, 2:01 pm

Stopping in to say hell BJ!

136drneutron
sep 21, 2012, 9:19 pm

*snerk* Autocorrect fail!

137DirtPriest
sep 21, 2012, 10:05 pm

typos are a god laugh! (wink, nod)

138tjblue
sep 22, 2012, 10:14 am

Stopping to say hi!!!

139Donna828
sep 22, 2012, 10:35 am

BJ, I love the way you summarized Infinite Jest. I'm certain that there are many parts of it that I just didn't get, but like you. I'm glad I stuck with it. It made me want to stick with short books for quite awhile after ai finished it. ;-)

140billiejean
okt 5, 2012, 11:43 am

Hello, everyone!

44. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. This book about books coming to life was just fun and I tore through it after the work of Infinite Jest. I don't have any of the sequels to this and hear mixed reviews of them. But I am glad that I chose this book to read next.

45. Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh. I was all set to read Vile Bodies when the intro suggested reading Decline and Fall first. I thought I had a copy, but I could not find it anywhere, so I checked it out of the library. This improbable storyline was pretty funny.

46. The Brown Scapular by Autom. More Church reading.

47. Mother's Manuel edited by Bart Tesoriero. More prayer time reading.

48. Storm Front by Jim Butcher. This is book one of the Dresden files, which was a series on tv, although I have never seen it. Sort of Philip Marlowe meets Harry Potter. I chose this for the Halloween month. It was humorous and fun.

Well, I have hope of hitting 50 this year, but 75 looks totally out of reach.

141jolerie
okt 5, 2012, 2:14 pm

Just popping in to see how you are doing, BJ! :)

Hitting 50 books is an awesome achievement. Better quality than quantity is my mantra.

142Robertgreaves
Bewerkt: okt 5, 2012, 8:24 pm

A book a week is quite an achievement.

143Whisper1
okt 5, 2012, 8:53 pm

Geez oh wizzz, I just read that I posted "stopping by to say hell!" Of course, I meant hello. Vicodin is NOT my friend. I'm ever so spacey some days.

Congratulations for reaching 48 books thus far.

144gennyt
okt 10, 2012, 8:46 am

Glad you enjoyed Inkheart. I loved that one too, and did get the sequels and make a start on the second one (this was some years ago, before LT) but soon abandoned it as it didn't really grip me in the same way. You're probably wise to leave it at the first.

145billiejean
okt 31, 2012, 3:40 pm

Thanks for stopping by, everyone! I am taking a quick break from work to say: Happy Halloween!

Here is what I have read lately and I did pass 50! Still think that I won't reach 75, but I enjoy what reading time I have.

49. Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh. This is the book that follows Decline and Fall. There are some of the same characters, but it is not really a sequel. Waugh pretty much ridicules everyone.

50. To Heaven and Back by Mary C. Neal, M.D. This is a true story about a doctor's drowning and return to life during a kayaking trip in South America.

51. Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. I had been planning to read a lot of plays this year, but I did not get around to it. Maybe next year. Interesting to me, this ends differently than Faust, which I read a few years ago.

52. The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy 2009 edited by Rich Horton. Like all collections, I liked some stories better than others. Here are some of my favorites:
26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss by Kij Johnson
The Ray Gun: A Love Story by James Alan Gardner
Balancing Accounts by James L. Cambias
The Small Door by Holly Phillips
Infestation by Garth Nix
Boojum by Elizabeth Bear & Sarah Monette

Honorable Mention to supershort Evil Robot Monkey by Mary Robinette Kowal

There was also a story by Patrick Rothfuss, which I enjoyed, but it read like a chapter in The Name of the Wind trilogy and I was looking for new storylines.

53. The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston. I wanted to read this book because it was one of the books that my girls read in school that I had never read. I chose now because of Halloween. This true story about the eradication of small pox and the threat of biowarfare that now exists was quite creepy. But I could not put it down!

Well, I am taking a break from work and I need to get back.

Happy Halloween!

146craso
nov 1, 2012, 10:25 pm

Happy Halloween!

A very eclectic group of books. I didn't know Vile Bodies was a sequal when I read it. I picked it up because of the movie "Bright Young Things."

Happy to see you on your thread again.

147Donna828
nov 2, 2012, 8:47 am

Hi BJ, it's good to see you are still getting some reading done these days. Congrats on reading 50+ books. When I worked (outside the home), I got very little reading done. I hope you can take a day off after Thanksgiving and meet us in Joplin. Bring your pictures of Italy!

148billiejean
nov 2, 2012, 12:03 pm

Thanks for stopping by to see me, y'all! I can't believe I am here two days in a row. I need to get back to work, but I did want to mention that my thoughts and prayers go out to all who have suffered from Hurricane Sandy and the Perfect Storm 2. Hurricanes are powerful indeed. God bless.

I read one more book:
54. Woman of Faith: The Life of Edel Quinn by Mary Peffley. She was an amazing, tireless missionary in Africa.

149Robertgreaves
nov 2, 2012, 7:03 pm

Good to see you back here BJ. I hope your busy life at work is busy in a good way and that life is treating you kindly.

150billiejean
nov 20, 2012, 5:02 pm

Hi, Robert!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Things are going pretty well. I joined a new group at church which has been nice. I had resisted it, but I am glad that I joined. I have learned how to make rosaries. But I am still a novice. It takes me half an hour to make one.

Are you reading anything in particular for Advent?

Happy Thanksgiving! And my prayers for those suffering from the hurricane are continuing.

151DirtPriest
dec 8, 2012, 1:37 am

Hey there BJ. Another football season has come and gone. I don't really count the bowl games but some of them ought to be interesting. That extended time off really minimizes them for me. Anyway, There's no football on the weekend before my final exams! Maybe there is a chance that the players are actually scholars after all. Your buddy Mack Brown got a dreaded 'vote of approval' from the UT president. That's usually the kiss of death for a coach. What's next after Mack? He's been through several generations of assistants. Is it time for somebody new?

152billiejean
dec 19, 2012, 11:47 pm

Tonight I watched a tribute to Darrell Royal. The glory days. I don't know what to think about the future of the team.

For better news, Rice is going to a bowl game and we are going to it! My daughter is going to play in the band. This is my first ever bowl game.

I am up to 72 books. I hope that I finish at 75, but it will be close. I am reading lots of advent reflections, but also Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges, which is quite interesting.

Merry Christmas everyone!

153sjmccreary
dec 21, 2012, 9:41 am

Hi, BJ! I had misplaced your thread for so long, but I am glad to have found you again. It sounds like you have had a busy year and some great books. I'm not going to make 75 books this year - so your numbers are looking pretty good to me.

We missed you in Joplin - I hope you'll be able to make it next year.

Merry Christmas to you, too.

154bell7
dec 24, 2012, 9:04 am

Merry Christmas, BJ! I hope you have a good one. Enjoy the bowl game!

155craso
dec 25, 2012, 9:17 am

156billiejean
dec 28, 2012, 12:54 am

Thanks so much for stopping by, Sandy, Mary and Caroline!

We are leaving for the Armed Forces Bowl tomorrow. My baby is playing in the Rice band. It is my first bowl game ever, and I am so excited.

Happy New Year! I am going to try to find a way to stop by much more often next year.

God bless!

157billiejean
dec 28, 2012, 1:08 am

Here are some of my titles:

55. Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics by Catholic Answers
56. Poems of Nature edited by Gail Harvey
57. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
58. No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a 60th Year by Virginia Ironside
59. Love You, Daddy by Amy Hest
60. Night Bird: A Story of the Seminole Indians by Kathleen V. Kudlinski
61. Anarctic Journal: Four Months at he Bottom of the World by Jennifer Owings Dewey
62. Sable by Karen Hesse
63. You've Got to be Kidding, Snoopy! by Charles M. Schultz
64. The Junkyard Dog by Erika Tamar
65. Perceptions: Observations on Everyday Life Volume XI by Tom Harrison
66. Therese's Little Way: Selections From Everything is Grace by Joseph F. Schmidt, FSC
67. Pocket Bible Guide (St. Joseph Edition): Essential Teachings About the Bible in Question and Answer Form by Catholic Book Publishing Corp.
68. Fifteen Minutes with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (Quince Minutos con Jesus Sacramentado) by The Society of St. Paul
69. Praying in the Presence of Our Lord: For the Holy Souls by Susan Tassone
70. Encountering Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration by The Word Among Us
71. 7 Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn
72. The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
73. Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges

Lots of short ones! The Borges book was amazing. I definitely want to reread this complex book.

158Robertgreaves
dec 28, 2012, 3:38 am

Hi, BJ. Merry Christmas. How did you get on with The Great Divorce? It's my favourite of Lewis's theological books.

159gennyt
dec 28, 2012, 3:54 am

I love the Great Divorce too, I hope you did.

160Donna828
dec 30, 2012, 9:58 am

I also loved The Great Divorce. I hope to read even more C. S. Lewis books in the coming year. I could just keep reading his books over and over.

Have fun at the Armed Forces Bowl. What a terrific way to begin a new year. May 2013 hold many good things for you and your family, BJ! I do hope you squeeze in a bit more time for us. I've missed you here...and in Joplin.

161PaulCranswick
dec 30, 2012, 11:01 pm

Not particularly inventive but nevertheless.....Happy New Year BJ!

162billiejean
Bewerkt: jan 6, 2013, 1:43 pm

Thank you so much for stopping by!

I thought The Great Divorce was a terrific read and I wish I had read it sooner. I am already lending it out to others.

2012 was a difficult year at times, and I am hoping for a better year in 2013. And I hope to find more time for LT and reading in the coming year. Particularly, I am planning on more spiritual reading than in the past. I have stocked up!

And I actually did hit 75 what with supershort reads at the end of the year.

74. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull: A Story by Richard Bach. I borrowed this from my daughter. I haven't read this since the 70s. And I enjoyed the reread.

75. It Came From the Far Side by Gary Larson. This hilarious book was just what I needed on December 31st.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in 2013 and I have decided to stay with the 75 book challenge in 2013.

By the way, Rice won their bowl game. And while listening on the radio on our drive home, we heard that my beloved Longhorns also won theirs! The year ended on an uplifting note!

163gennyt
jan 12, 2013, 10:13 am

Congratulations for reaching 75 just in time! Will look out for you in the 2013 group, and I hope it is a better year for you.

164billiejean
jan 15, 2013, 10:56 am

Thank you so much for the congratulations!

I am going to see if I can paste in a link to my new thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/147774

I hope this works!