MichiganTrumpet (Marianne) 2014 Challenge Part 8
Dit is een voortzetting van het onderwerp MichiganTrumpet (Marianne) 2014 Challenge Part 7.
Discussie75 Books Challenge for 2014
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1michigantrumpet
Fabulous Day of books and discussion at the Boston Book Festival with Suzanne last weekend. I’ll recap below.
Bonus Questions: What has been your favorite Book Festival / Author Event that you’ve attended?
What would make your dream panel/ discussion?
2michigantrumpet
Newbie to the 75 Book Challenge and posting on LT. Looking forward to a great year!
1. The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl
2. I Am Half Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
3. The Last Dead Girl by Harry Dolan
4. Transatlantic by Colum McCann
5. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
6. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
7. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
8. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
9. Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon
10. And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
11. The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew -- Three Women Search For Understanding by Ranya Idliby.
12. Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin
13. Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
14. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
15. The Remedy, Robert Koch, Arthur Conan Doyle and the Quest to Cure Tuberculosis by Thomas Goetz
16. Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink
17. Sous Chef by Michael Gibney
18. Double Cross by Ben McIntyre
19. Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber
20. Agent Zigzag by Ben McIntyre
21. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
22. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
23. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
24. When a Child is Born by Jodi Taylor
25. Longbourn by Jo Baker
26. Phantom by Jo Nesbo
27. The Tigers of '68: Baseball's Last Real Champions by George Cantor
28. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
29. The Map Thief by Michael Blanding
30. Bella Fortuna by Rosanna Chiofalo
31. Skios by Michael Frayn
32. Murder in Sentier by Cara Black
33. The Foolish Gentlewoman by Margery Sharp
34. Police by Jo Nesbo
35. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
36. After the Quake by Haruki Murakami
37. Enon by Paul Harding
38. Murder at the Lanterne Rouge by Cara Black
39. Clover Adams: A Gilded and Heartbreaking Life by Natalie Dykstra
40. Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff
41. Forever Chic by Tish Jett
42. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
43. Famous Baby by Karen Rizzo
44. The Bat by Jo Nesbo
45. The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
46. Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
47. American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin
48. The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally
49. Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss
50. The Rise & Fall of Great Powers by Tom Rachman
51. A Weekend in the Country by Linda Sally Ann
52. A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal by Ben McIntyre
53. A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor
54. Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History by Ben Mezrich
55. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
56. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
57. Shadows in the Vineyard by Maximillian Potter
58. Cover of Snow by Jenny Milchman
59. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
60. Atlantic: The Biography of an Ocean by Simon Winchester
61. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson
62. Roman Holiday by Jodi Taylor
63. The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
64. An Impartial Witness by Charles Todd
65. A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd
66. The Red House by Mark Haddon
67. Nemesis by Jo Nesbo
68. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Haruki Murakami
69. A Bitter Truth by Charles Todd
70. The Waiting: The True Story of a Lost Child, a Lifetime of Longing and a Miracle for a Mother Who Never Gave Up by Cathy LaGrow
71. The Wife, the Maid and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhorn
72. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
73. Mr. Ive's Christmas by Oscar Hijuelos
74. Christmas Present: A Chronicles of St. Mary Short Story by Jodi Taylor
75. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
1. The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl
2. I Am Half Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
3. The Last Dead Girl by Harry Dolan
4. Transatlantic by Colum McCann
5. The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty
6. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach
7. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
8. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
9. Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon
10. And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
11. The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew -- Three Women Search For Understanding by Ranya Idliby.
12. Charles Dickens: A Life by Claire Tomalin
13. Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo
14. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
15. The Remedy, Robert Koch, Arthur Conan Doyle and the Quest to Cure Tuberculosis by Thomas Goetz
16. Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink
17. Sous Chef by Michael Gibney
18. Double Cross by Ben McIntyre
19. Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber
20. Agent Zigzag by Ben McIntyre
21. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
22. A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor
23. A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
24. When a Child is Born by Jodi Taylor
25. Longbourn by Jo Baker
26. Phantom by Jo Nesbo
27. The Tigers of '68: Baseball's Last Real Champions by George Cantor
28. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
29. The Map Thief by Michael Blanding
30. Bella Fortuna by Rosanna Chiofalo
31. Skios by Michael Frayn
32. Murder in Sentier by Cara Black
33. The Foolish Gentlewoman by Margery Sharp
34. Police by Jo Nesbo
35. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
36. After the Quake by Haruki Murakami
37. Enon by Paul Harding
38. Murder at the Lanterne Rouge by Cara Black
39. Clover Adams: A Gilded and Heartbreaking Life by Natalie Dykstra
40. Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff
41. Forever Chic by Tish Jett
42. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
43. Famous Baby by Karen Rizzo
44. The Bat by Jo Nesbo
45. The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
46. Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
47. American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin
48. The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally
49. Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss
50. The Rise & Fall of Great Powers by Tom Rachman
51. A Weekend in the Country by Linda Sally Ann
52. A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal by Ben McIntyre
53. A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor
54. Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in History by Ben Mezrich
55. The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo
56. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
57. Shadows in the Vineyard by Maximillian Potter
58. Cover of Snow by Jenny Milchman
59. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
60. Atlantic: The Biography of an Ocean by Simon Winchester
61. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson
62. Roman Holiday by Jodi Taylor
63. The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro
64. An Impartial Witness by Charles Todd
65. A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd
66. The Red House by Mark Haddon
67. Nemesis by Jo Nesbo
68. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Haruki Murakami
69. A Bitter Truth by Charles Todd
70. The Waiting: The True Story of a Lost Child, a Lifetime of Longing and a Miracle for a Mother Who Never Gave Up by Cathy LaGrow
71. The Wife, the Maid and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhorn
72. The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
73. Mr. Ive's Christmas by Oscar Hijuelos
74. Christmas Present: A Chronicles of St. Mary Short Story by Jodi Taylor
75. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
3michigantrumpet
Suzanne did a nice recap on our thread of our time together last Saturday at the Boston Book Festival. Some of you have asked for my own reflections, so here goes!!
The entire day was very thought provoking and mentally invigorating. Interestingly, many of the discussions and concepts from session to session seem to flow back upon one another.
I started the day at a jam packed “Meg Wolitzer and Claire Messud in Conversation”. It was a wide ranging, chatty give and take between the two. They covered their books -- most recently The Interestings for Wolitzer and The Woman Upstairs for Messud. Wolitzer has also written some YA and discussed writing both YA and fiction for an older audience. She felt we tend to pigeonhole our reading too much. Story and characters can be enticing across the lines and many adults have said they read and enjoyed her YA work. Both discussed the importance of plot v. character. Messud was asked about transgressive characters – the main character in The Woman Upstairs being seen as unlikeable. Messud commented that writing in the third person vs the first would impact how that character could be perceived. Are we more empathetic once we’ve been in someone’s head? Wolitzer teaches writing. For her it’s not “write what you know.” It’s more “write what you are obsessed about.” She tells her students to go through their Google history to find their obsessions. She laughed, saying that, taking her own advice, she should now be writing about Virginia Woolf and how to treat styes! I liked the bit about writing from your passions.
The Festival events were spread between multiple venues in the Back Bay area. Between the crowds and the walking, one didn’t get much opportunity to eat or sit and reflect. Suzanne and I did manage to steal a few minutes for a juice and chat before running off to the next session. I’m quickly becoming a fan of the Library Thing Meet Up. Who wouldn’t welcome the opportunity to talk about what we’ve read and loved!! Suzanne picked up some very enticing books -- I particularly covet of her NYRB one on International writing! I only managed to avoid emptying my wallet because I was going directly to a hockey game afterwards!
Next up was Tom Ashbrook’s interview with the history Keynote speaker, Doris Kearns Goodwin. The sanctuary of Copley Square’s enormous Trinity Church was packed to the rafters. Goodwin, the author of many books of American history, including Team of Rivals and The Bully Pulpit, is a very engaging speaker. She confessed if she ever were to write about a non-American biographer, it would be Churchill, but so much has been done on him. She idolizes the historian Barbara Tuchman, whom many of us have read during our WWI challenge here on LT. She told a very humorous story about going drinking with the actor Daniel Day Lewis, who played Lincoln. Hearkening back to the Wolitzer/Messud session, she talked about finding a passion for the subjects of her biographies, developing an intimacy through reading letters and diaries early in the process.
I was especially struck with her discussion about Presidential communication styles. She noted Theodore Roosevelt spoke in a fashion made for the print media, FDR in early radio technology with his fireside chats and JFK mastered the first days of TV to communicate directly with the people. She noted it is very difficult these days because of the vastness of communication types – TV, radio, Cable, podcasts, bloggers, etc. It is very easy to get lost in all the noise. ”Today, everyone has a bully pulpit.”
Suzanne and I then raced down to Sir Peter Stothard’s session on “Where’s My Good Review?” Stothard, the editor of the Times Literary Supplement, made an excellent case for the importance of literary criticism – someone of knowledge and depth, analyzing not just a particular work but where that work stands within the author’s oeuvre as well as within the canon written n the topic. If I only have the time or inclination to read one book about, say, Benjamin Franklin, I’d like some guidance as to the authoritative work to choose. Stothard worries about the declining space (if any) in newspapers dedicated to books. He sniffed at bloggers and Amazon reviewers for essentially not living up to his high ideals for literary criticism and leading potential readers astray. You can imagine this didn’t sit well with this LTer. There are certainly less than helpful reviews out there, but I think we can trust people to be able to sort through them. It eerily brought to mind Doris Kearns Goodwin’s comment – “Today, everyone has a bully pulpit!”
From there, we managed to catch most of “Creativity: Agony and Ecstasy.” Miles Unger presented a nice slide show with artwork from Michelangelo: A Life in Six Masterpieces. Jan Swafford, author of Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph talked about the creative process of writing biographies, both of an individual and an exploration of time and place. The most dynamic speaker was Sarah Lewis, who wrote The Rise. She convincingly argued that creativity and success are the result of a dogged and obsessive quest for mastery. Failure plays a large part as a spur to greater efforts for excellence. Which connected very nicely with the start of the day and Wolitzer’s “Write what you’re obsessed about.”
The entire day was very thought provoking and mentally invigorating. Interestingly, many of the discussions and concepts from session to session seem to flow back upon one another.
I started the day at a jam packed “Meg Wolitzer and Claire Messud in Conversation”. It was a wide ranging, chatty give and take between the two. They covered their books -- most recently The Interestings for Wolitzer and The Woman Upstairs for Messud. Wolitzer has also written some YA and discussed writing both YA and fiction for an older audience. She felt we tend to pigeonhole our reading too much. Story and characters can be enticing across the lines and many adults have said they read and enjoyed her YA work. Both discussed the importance of plot v. character. Messud was asked about transgressive characters – the main character in The Woman Upstairs being seen as unlikeable. Messud commented that writing in the third person vs the first would impact how that character could be perceived. Are we more empathetic once we’ve been in someone’s head? Wolitzer teaches writing. For her it’s not “write what you know.” It’s more “write what you are obsessed about.” She tells her students to go through their Google history to find their obsessions. She laughed, saying that, taking her own advice, she should now be writing about Virginia Woolf and how to treat styes! I liked the bit about writing from your passions.
The Festival events were spread between multiple venues in the Back Bay area. Between the crowds and the walking, one didn’t get much opportunity to eat or sit and reflect. Suzanne and I did manage to steal a few minutes for a juice and chat before running off to the next session. I’m quickly becoming a fan of the Library Thing Meet Up. Who wouldn’t welcome the opportunity to talk about what we’ve read and loved!! Suzanne picked up some very enticing books -- I particularly covet of her NYRB one on International writing! I only managed to avoid emptying my wallet because I was going directly to a hockey game afterwards!
Next up was Tom Ashbrook’s interview with the history Keynote speaker, Doris Kearns Goodwin. The sanctuary of Copley Square’s enormous Trinity Church was packed to the rafters. Goodwin, the author of many books of American history, including Team of Rivals and The Bully Pulpit, is a very engaging speaker. She confessed if she ever were to write about a non-American biographer, it would be Churchill, but so much has been done on him. She idolizes the historian Barbara Tuchman, whom many of us have read during our WWI challenge here on LT. She told a very humorous story about going drinking with the actor Daniel Day Lewis, who played Lincoln. Hearkening back to the Wolitzer/Messud session, she talked about finding a passion for the subjects of her biographies, developing an intimacy through reading letters and diaries early in the process.
I was especially struck with her discussion about Presidential communication styles. She noted Theodore Roosevelt spoke in a fashion made for the print media, FDR in early radio technology with his fireside chats and JFK mastered the first days of TV to communicate directly with the people. She noted it is very difficult these days because of the vastness of communication types – TV, radio, Cable, podcasts, bloggers, etc. It is very easy to get lost in all the noise. ”Today, everyone has a bully pulpit.”
Suzanne and I then raced down to Sir Peter Stothard’s session on “Where’s My Good Review?” Stothard, the editor of the Times Literary Supplement, made an excellent case for the importance of literary criticism – someone of knowledge and depth, analyzing not just a particular work but where that work stands within the author’s oeuvre as well as within the canon written n the topic. If I only have the time or inclination to read one book about, say, Benjamin Franklin, I’d like some guidance as to the authoritative work to choose. Stothard worries about the declining space (if any) in newspapers dedicated to books. He sniffed at bloggers and Amazon reviewers for essentially not living up to his high ideals for literary criticism and leading potential readers astray. You can imagine this didn’t sit well with this LTer. There are certainly less than helpful reviews out there, but I think we can trust people to be able to sort through them. It eerily brought to mind Doris Kearns Goodwin’s comment – “Today, everyone has a bully pulpit!”
From there, we managed to catch most of “Creativity: Agony and Ecstasy.” Miles Unger presented a nice slide show with artwork from Michelangelo: A Life in Six Masterpieces. Jan Swafford, author of Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph talked about the creative process of writing biographies, both of an individual and an exploration of time and place. The most dynamic speaker was Sarah Lewis, who wrote The Rise. She convincingly argued that creativity and success are the result of a dogged and obsessive quest for mastery. Failure plays a large part as a spur to greater efforts for excellence. Which connected very nicely with the start of the day and Wolitzer’s “Write what you’re obsessed about.”
4michigantrumpet
53. A Trail Through Time by Jodi Taylor
4 stars
Our fourth installment of the Chronicles of St. Mary's finds the intrepid Max and Leon reunited -- in a way uniquely their own -- in a tumble across the timelines to save the venerable St. Mary's, the pile of stones which is home to time traveling historians. And the survival of St, Mary's is very much in question. A major battle looms which could spell the end. Fast moving and addictive. This is a series which really must read in order. Major thanks to all those who forced this onto my reading list.
4 stars
Our fourth installment of the Chronicles of St. Mary's finds the intrepid Max and Leon reunited -- in a way uniquely their own -- in a tumble across the timelines to save the venerable St. Mary's, the pile of stones which is home to time traveling historians. And the survival of St, Mary's is very much in question. A major battle looms which could spell the end. Fast moving and addictive. This is a series which really must read in order. Major thanks to all those who forced this onto my reading list.
5michigantrumpet
54. Sex on the Moon: The Amazing Story Behind the Most Audacious Heist in history by Ben Mezrich
3 stars
Thad Roberts has smarts, charisma and a dream spot working in the cooperative program at the Johnson Space Center -- NASA. He has ambitions of one day becoming an astronaut and going to Mars. Despite all this, he devises a plan to steal NASA's lunar samples -- moon rocks -- and sell them to a rock collector from Belgium. Ultimately the plan falls apart and he is caught in an FBI sting.
Who is Thad Roberts? What motivated him? How exactly did he manage to get into a highly secure facility and make off with these lunar samples? How did the FBI mange to bring the plan crashing down? These questions form the bulk of the book.
Ben Mezrich is known to readers from his prior book on Matt Zuckerberg, The Accidental Billionaires which was ultimately made into the movie, The Social Network. This current tale often reads like a screenplay. It will surprise no one that it has been optioned by Sony Pictures, and is 'in development.' If you hanker to toss off the phrase "I liked the book better", run out to grab this one before it comes to a theater near you.
I was intrigued by the tale enough to be drawn in. However, I felt the story was far too sympathetic to young Mr. Roberts. His planning is so amateurish in spots that one practically shrieks, "How do you think you won't get caught?" Interspersed throughout are excerpts of overwrought letters sent by this lovesick puppy. This is NOT the grand romance Thad or his biographer thinks it is. More reprehensible to me is that very little attention is given to the heinousness of the crime committed, to its assault on America's patrimony, nor to the damage to science itself.
3 stars
Thad Roberts has smarts, charisma and a dream spot working in the cooperative program at the Johnson Space Center -- NASA. He has ambitions of one day becoming an astronaut and going to Mars. Despite all this, he devises a plan to steal NASA's lunar samples -- moon rocks -- and sell them to a rock collector from Belgium. Ultimately the plan falls apart and he is caught in an FBI sting.
Who is Thad Roberts? What motivated him? How exactly did he manage to get into a highly secure facility and make off with these lunar samples? How did the FBI mange to bring the plan crashing down? These questions form the bulk of the book.
Ben Mezrich is known to readers from his prior book on Matt Zuckerberg, The Accidental Billionaires which was ultimately made into the movie, The Social Network. This current tale often reads like a screenplay. It will surprise no one that it has been optioned by Sony Pictures, and is 'in development.' If you hanker to toss off the phrase "I liked the book better", run out to grab this one before it comes to a theater near you.
I was intrigued by the tale enough to be drawn in. However, I felt the story was far too sympathetic to young Mr. Roberts. His planning is so amateurish in spots that one practically shrieks, "How do you think you won't get caught?" Interspersed throughout are excerpts of overwrought letters sent by this lovesick puppy. This is NOT the grand romance Thad or his biographer thinks it is. More reprehensible to me is that very little attention is given to the heinousness of the crime committed, to its assault on America's patrimony, nor to the damage to science itself.
6jnwelch
Congrats on the new thread, Marianne! I would've loved to have been at the Boston Book Fair with you and Suzanne.
Favorite book fair: Printers Row Book Fair (aka Printers Row LitFest) in Chicago. We've been going since our kids were wee, so more than 20 years, and recently have been joined by Mark (msf59).
Dream panel: Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling and Jane Gardam would make for an entertaining time, seems to me.
P.S. Love that St. Mary's time travel series!
Favorite book fair: Printers Row Book Fair (aka Printers Row LitFest) in Chicago. We've been going since our kids were wee, so more than 20 years, and recently have been joined by Mark (msf59).
Dream panel: Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling and Jane Gardam would make for an entertaining time, seems to me.
P.S. Love that St. Mary's time travel series!
7Whisper1
>3 michigantrumpet: What a wonderful time. The discussions sound so interesting. I wish I would have been there.
Thanks for sharing.
My dream panel would consist of those who have studied all the many themes of To Kill a Mockingbird. It remains my all-time favorite book.
Thanks for sharing.
My dream panel would consist of those who have studied all the many themes of To Kill a Mockingbird. It remains my all-time favorite book.
8Ameise1
Marianne, thanks a lot for let us know what you've done at the BBF. It looks like you have attended some gorgeous sessions.
As you know we had the Reading Zürich weekend and I never missrd one since it does exist.
As you know we had the Reading Zürich weekend and I never missrd one since it does exist.
9ffortsa
>3 michigantrumpet: thanks for that terrific synopsis of your day at the BFF, and your most interesting reviews. No BBs yet, but close.
10EBT1002
Hi Marianne. I think the BBF sounds like a blast. It sounds like some worthwhile talks/presentations.
I have the first Jodi Taylor on my TBR stack. I need to remember that you're one of the ones reading those.
I have the first Jodi Taylor on my TBR stack. I need to remember that you're one of the ones reading those.
11msf59
Hi Marianne! Thanks for sharing the Book Festival details. How very nice. I bet Goodwin was terrific. I've been hearing good things about Wolitzer's YA novel. It's on my To-Read list, along with Sex on the Moon.
I also NEED to get to book 3 in the St. Mary's series. Even my wife has passed me up.
I also NEED to get to book 3 in the St. Mary's series. Even my wife has passed me up.
13LizzieD
Happy New Thread, Marianne. Also thanks for your comments about the book festival! I think that "write your passion" might even extend to "live your passion."
14Chatterbox
I really wish I had made it to hear Wolitzer and Messud's presentation but the train schedule wouldn't comply... I am fascinated by "transgressive" and unlikeable characters, generally, and women in particular.
Stothard, in his discussion, demolished the final questioner in a few well chosen words. She, I think, was assuming he would be sympathetic when she stood and identified herself as a professional reviewer and critic and not one of those lowly bloggers. But she said she struggled when she encountered a book that she didn't like. She wanted to spend her time on books that she liked. He looked at her as if she had landed from Mars. Even books that one doesn't like can be worthwhile, he pointed out, drawing a distinction between the quality of something and the reader's experience or emotional reaction to it. In other words, you don't have to identify emotionally with a character or approve of his/her life choices, for a book to be deemed good. So that's one Stothard belief I could get behind!!
One upside of the BBF purchases: they were all discounted because there was no retailer markup. I bought direct from NYRB and Europa, as well as Stothard's new book (about Alexandria in its heyday).
Stothard, in his discussion, demolished the final questioner in a few well chosen words. She, I think, was assuming he would be sympathetic when she stood and identified herself as a professional reviewer and critic and not one of those lowly bloggers. But she said she struggled when she encountered a book that she didn't like. She wanted to spend her time on books that she liked. He looked at her as if she had landed from Mars. Even books that one doesn't like can be worthwhile, he pointed out, drawing a distinction between the quality of something and the reader's experience or emotional reaction to it. In other words, you don't have to identify emotionally with a character or approve of his/her life choices, for a book to be deemed good. So that's one Stothard belief I could get behind!!
One upside of the BBF purchases: they were all discounted because there was no retailer markup. I bought direct from NYRB and Europa, as well as Stothard's new book (about Alexandria in its heyday).
15LovingLit
Wow, your BBF (great acronym- reminds me of BFF...same sentiment re: books though).
Having only been to one book fest, I will have to call it my favourite one :) And, wouldn't you have it, Meg Wolitzer was at mine too!!! I heard her talk as part of a 6 people panel, she was one of the more articulate.
I second being a lover of the LT meetup. What a place this is!
Having only been to one book fest, I will have to call it my favourite one :) And, wouldn't you have it, Meg Wolitzer was at mine too!!! I heard her talk as part of a 6 people panel, she was one of the more articulate.
I second being a lover of the LT meetup. What a place this is!
16PaulCranswick
Sex on the Moon? Sounds as good a place as any.
Congratulations on your latest thread, Marianne.
If I take the panel to be three and the writers to be from amongst the living.......Stephen Fry, Chimamanda Adichie N'Gozi and Martin Amis.....should be a lively discussion.
By the way and, not being opposed to a little self promotion the thread for the British Author Challenge is up and I'd love it if you could give your two pennyworth. http://www.librarything.com/topic/182355
Congratulations on your latest thread, Marianne.
If I take the panel to be three and the writers to be from amongst the living.......Stephen Fry, Chimamanda Adichie N'Gozi and Martin Amis.....should be a lively discussion.
By the way and, not being opposed to a little self promotion the thread for the British Author Challenge is up and I'd love it if you could give your two pennyworth. http://www.librarything.com/topic/182355
17scaifea
Happy New Thread, Marianne! Love your recap of the book festival, even through my jealousy...
18jnwelch
>12 Whisper1: It's a Kindle series, Linda. Richard D. got us all started on it, as far as I know. Here's the first one: http://smile.amazon.com/Damned-Thing-After-Another-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00EUIEKA... I see there is a paperback version now, too.
20michigantrumpet
>6 jnwelch: The Printers Row LitFest is rightly famous. I remember some wonderful pictures on your thread from a recent one. With something so great, you don't have much need to travel any further!
Love your dream panel. Can imagine a lovely discussion.
What would you propose as a topic?
Love your dream panel. Can imagine a lovely discussion.
What would you propose as a topic?
21michigantrumpet
>7 Whisper1: I love your idea for a panel discussion of your favorite book, Linda!
I'm thinking Brideshead Revisited for me. Not sure it's my favorite book, but I've re-read it several times and have found different themes every time.
I'm thinking Brideshead Revisited for me. Not sure it's my favorite book, but I've re-read it several times and have found different themes every time.
22michigantrumpet
>8 Ameise1: Thanks for bringing Reading Zurich to my attention, Barbara. I just Googled it and it looks like a lot of fun! Can see why you would never miss it.
>9 ffortsa: As you well know, Judy, it's great fun to spend a day with Suzanne talking books. The St. Mary's series is quick fun reading.
>9 ffortsa: As you well know, Judy, it's great fun to spend a day with Suzanne talking books. The St. Mary's series is quick fun reading.
23michigantrumpet
>10 EBT1002: We had a great time, Ellen. Richard got so many of us hooked on the Jodi Taylor, I think you'd have a hard time keeping track of us all!
>11 msf59: Thanks Mark. I've enjoyed reading about your own adventures at the Printers Row LitFest and Booktopia. They're fun, aren't they?
>11 msf59: Thanks Mark. I've enjoyed reading about your own adventures at the Printers Row LitFest and Booktopia. They're fun, aren't they?
24michigantrumpet
>12 Whisper1: Looks like >18 jnwelch: Joe has that one covered, Linda. Yup. We all have Richard to blame for that major bullet.
>13 LizzieD: Thanks Peggy. I love that thought: Write your passion --> Live your passion. Good one.
>13 LizzieD: Thanks Peggy. I love that thought: Write your passion --> Live your passion. Good one.
25michigantrumpet
>14 Chatterbox: Suzanne, I loved spending the day with you! You are so right about that interesting exchange between Stothard and the last questioner. I don't need my protagonists to be likable at all times. I do require them to speak to me to some aspect of the human spirit and experience. Of course ... there are some days when I don't want any more challenges and just want to sink into a comfy read.
26michigantrumpet
>15 LovingLit: Wow! Meg Wolitzer really gets around! I thought she was a wonderful speaker, Megan. LT Meet Ups are the best!
>16 PaulCranswick: Just went over to the British Authors challenge and starred you, Paul. Looks like some interesting selections are in our future.
I LOVE that dream panel!
>16 PaulCranswick: Just went over to the British Authors challenge and starred you, Paul. Looks like some interesting selections are in our future.
I LOVE that dream panel!
27michigantrumpet
>17 scaifea: It was a great time, Amber. Can't wait for another one.
>18 jnwelch: Thanks for the help, Joe!
>19 ronincats: Thanks Roni! What panel/discussion topic would you like to see?
>18 jnwelch: Thanks for the help, Joe!
>19 ronincats: Thanks Roni! What panel/discussion topic would you like to see?
28jnwelch
>27 michigantrumpet: You're welcome! I hope Linda saw it.
>20 michigantrumpet: Topic for the Gaiman, Rowling and Gardam panel, Marianne? Hmm. How about favorite characters from their books and why, and favorite, too-little-known authors and books they've experienced? Maybe with books and authors that have influenced them thrown in. Then maybe we could get them to read from one of their books.
I'd love to hear them talk about their characters, and I'm a sucker for authors talking about obscure favorite books. Same with books that influenced. Gaiman's a knockout doing his own books, and I've never heard Rowling or Gardam.
>20 michigantrumpet: Topic for the Gaiman, Rowling and Gardam panel, Marianne? Hmm. How about favorite characters from their books and why, and favorite, too-little-known authors and books they've experienced? Maybe with books and authors that have influenced them thrown in. Then maybe we could get them to read from one of their books.
I'd love to hear them talk about their characters, and I'm a sucker for authors talking about obscure favorite books. Same with books that influenced. Gaiman's a knockout doing his own books, and I've never heard Rowling or Gardam.
29Storeetllr
Happy New Thread, Marianne! And Happy Halloween!
Sounds like the Boston Book Festival was fantastic, and I have to admit to being green with envy! When I lived in Los Angeles, I usually went to the L.A. Times Festival of Books that was held in late April, first at the UCLA campus and later moved to the USC campus. One of the most memorable panels was with Chris Moore (of Lamb, Fool and and Island of the Sequined Love Nun fame) ~ he had everyone in stitches. I also enjoyed a conversation between Michael Connelly and Robert Crais, both mystery writers who set their series in Los Angeles. I really miss it, now that I'm in Denver, and, as far as I've been able to tell, there isn't much in the way of big book festivals around here (though there was the Booktopia in Boulder this year).
I agree, a panel on the importance of fantasy fiction with Gaiman and Rowling would be amazing, but, because I don't really know Gardam's writing, I'd sub in Jodi Taylor or Kevin Hearne or Patricia Briggs or Ben Aaronson or my new favorite Kate Griffin.
Another interesting panel might on strong female protagonists in scifi with Louise Marley, Lois McMaster Bujold and Mary Doria Russell.
I'd love to hear Andy Weir talk about The Martian, which is at the top of my favorites list for this year.
Sounds like the Boston Book Festival was fantastic, and I have to admit to being green with envy! When I lived in Los Angeles, I usually went to the L.A. Times Festival of Books that was held in late April, first at the UCLA campus and later moved to the USC campus. One of the most memorable panels was with Chris Moore (of Lamb, Fool and and Island of the Sequined Love Nun fame) ~ he had everyone in stitches. I also enjoyed a conversation between Michael Connelly and Robert Crais, both mystery writers who set their series in Los Angeles. I really miss it, now that I'm in Denver, and, as far as I've been able to tell, there isn't much in the way of big book festivals around here (though there was the Booktopia in Boulder this year).
I agree, a panel on the importance of fantasy fiction with Gaiman and Rowling would be amazing, but, because I don't really know Gardam's writing, I'd sub in Jodi Taylor or Kevin Hearne or Patricia Briggs or Ben Aaronson or my new favorite Kate Griffin.
Another interesting panel might on strong female protagonists in scifi with Louise Marley, Lois McMaster Bujold and Mary Doria Russell.
I'd love to hear Andy Weir talk about The Martian, which is at the top of my favorites list for this year.
31lkernagh
Stopping by your lovely new thread, Marianne! I have never attended any book festivals / author events..... I never seem to discover any in our area until after the event has happened and I haven't traveled to one, yet. Mind you, I don't have the patience to line up at a book signing so if I do attend anything, it would probably take the form of an author reading.
32Donna828
How cool that you and Suzanne got to attend the Boston Book Festival together. I loved your comments on it, Marianne!. I had a great time at Booktopia in Boulder this past May. The highlight was meeting one of my favorite authors, Peter Heller. Nothing beats meeting an author in person and being able to hear them speak and answer questions. I hope to be able to go to the final planned Booktopia even in Petoskey, Michigan next September. It would be great if there were other LTers there. The authors haven't been announced yet.
34ronincats
Oh dear, Marianne--too many choices! Neil Gaiman, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, and Mark del Franco on creating fantasy environments within the modern environment. And Lois McMaster Bujold, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Patricia Wrede and Sharon Lee on character development in fantasy and science fiction. And many others...
35SuziQoregon
Great Book Festival recap - sounds like a wonderful day, I would love to hear Doris Kearns Goodwin in person some day.
and you have reminded me that I need to get back to the Chronicles of St, Mary's series, I read the first and made The Hubster read it but haven't gotten around to reading more yet. I should fix that.
and you have reminded me that I need to get back to the Chronicles of St, Mary's series, I read the first and made The Hubster read it but haven't gotten around to reading more yet. I should fix that.
36AuntieClio
Here's a confession, I haven't been to book festivals because they intimidate me. Whenever I look at the list of authors, there are very few recognizable names because my tendency is to stay away from the best selling, hot new releases lists. The books I have in my stack that were published this year were gifts.
San Francisco has LitQuake every year and I would love to go with someone, the thought of going alone is too daunting.
San Francisco has LitQuake every year and I would love to go with someone, the thought of going alone is too daunting.
37laytonwoman3rd
Scranton had a book festival for two or three years called Pages and Places. It was very nicely done, and then it died. The last one featured a two-man panel discussion between Jay Parini (local boy) and Christopher Hitchens (he died, too). There were fireworks, and despite my inclination to agree with Hitchens on many points, I think Parini got the best of him. Hitchens was just too full of his own cleverness. He even put down an audience participant in the Q & A session, which was totally unnecessary and downright rude.
39connie53
Just stopping and saying Hi. I hope you are al right and just to busy with RL to visit.
That happened to me a few times, so I know all about that.
That happened to me a few times, so I know all about that.
40michigantrumpet
>28 jnwelch: Hey, Joe -- Excellent topics for discussion! I, too, am a sucker for hearing about what books have enticed/influenced/inspired my favorite authors. One of my favorite part of author interviews, in fact. Nicely played.
>29 Storeetllr: Howdy Mary! I would dearly love to attend the LA Times Festival of books. I'm so sad for you having to miss it! I adore hearing people talk about strong women characters in any genre. I'm loving some of your panels.
I have a friend who is quite evangelistic about Ready Player One. Do you think The Martian is one he would be interested in? Haven't read much in the genre, but he asked me if I knew of anything he'd like. If I can't count on my LT Homies to help out on a recommendation ....
>29 Storeetllr: Howdy Mary! I would dearly love to attend the LA Times Festival of books. I'm so sad for you having to miss it! I adore hearing people talk about strong women characters in any genre. I'm loving some of your panels.
I have a friend who is quite evangelistic about Ready Player One. Do you think The Martian is one he would be interested in? Haven't read much in the genre, but he asked me if I knew of anything he'd like. If I can't count on my LT Homies to help out on a recommendation ....
41michigantrumpet
>30 Ameise1: and >38 Ameise1: Hello Barbara! Such beautiful Autumn arrangements! Lovely. Thanks for stopping by!
>31 lkernagh: Lori, I'd certainly encourage going to a reading! Signings seems to be crowded, and lack the opportunity for hearing much from the author. I hear you about only hearing about an event when it's too late. I almost didn't go to this one except for Suzanne's encouragement. (Yay! Suzanne!)
>31 lkernagh: Lori, I'd certainly encourage going to a reading! Signings seems to be crowded, and lack the opportunity for hearing much from the author. I hear you about only hearing about an event when it's too late. I almost didn't go to this one except for Suzanne's encouragement. (Yay! Suzanne!)
42qebo
>40 michigantrumpet: I enjoyed Ready Player One and The Martian for the same reason: the obsessive problem-solving geekery.
43michigantrumpet
>32 Donna828: Oh, Donna, it was such a treat to go with the Suzanne. And quite timely as the one session on literary criticism/reviewing came on the heels of her article in The Guardian .. on reviewing! I am quite jealous of you hearing Joseph Heller. Lucky you!
"...Nothing beats meeting an author in person and being able to hear them speak and answer questions. Absolutely! Well said!!
>33 TinaV95: Thanks, Tina. the old thread was getting a little long in the tooth.
>34 ronincats: All wonderful suggestions, Roni! I love the question about fantasy environments in a modern context. I don't read much fantasy/sci fi, but I would definitely want to listen to something on that!
"...Nothing beats meeting an author in person and being able to hear them speak and answer questions. Absolutely! Well said!!
>33 TinaV95: Thanks, Tina. the old thread was getting a little long in the tooth.
>34 ronincats: All wonderful suggestions, Roni! I love the question about fantasy environments in a modern context. I don't read much fantasy/sci fi, but I would definitely want to listen to something on that!
44michigantrumpet
>35 SuziQoregon: You could tell Doris Kearns Goodwin has been interviewed/talked at many of these before. She seemed so relaxed, informative and engaging. If you enjoyed the first St. Mary's, I think it's worth keeping up with the series, Mary. (Although I thought either the second or the third one (can't remember which) was weaker than the other three.
>36 AuntieClio: I can see how one could feel that way, Steph. Although, It's pretty easy to sit in the back of the audience -- no one is forced to ask questions. :-) Sometimes I find I'm more engaged in the talks given by the authors I don't know than the ones I'd come to the event for in the first place!!
I adore the name, SF LitQuake!
>36 AuntieClio: I can see how one could feel that way, Steph. Although, It's pretty easy to sit in the back of the audience -- no one is forced to ask questions. :-) Sometimes I find I'm more engaged in the talks given by the authors I don't know than the ones I'd come to the event for in the first place!!
I adore the name, SF LitQuake!
45michigantrumpet
>37 laytonwoman3rd: How disappointing Linda! I hope Christopher Hitchens wasn't the reason Pages and places died! I used to read his various magazine pieces over the years. Liked what he wrote, but he did seem a little too taken with himself. Tearing into a 'civilian' in the audience is really not nice.
>39 connie53: Hi there Connie! So nice to see you out and about posting again. Yes, real life has been taking up some energy!
>42 qebo: Thanks Katherine!! I'm so glad for your help. I'd seen your review and a few others here on LT, which made me think to mention it to him. Wasn't sure if the two books would necessarily appeal to the same type of reader. Isn't it fun to be able to give recommendations -- even if you have't read the book? I love LT!
>39 connie53: Hi there Connie! So nice to see you out and about posting again. Yes, real life has been taking up some energy!
>42 qebo: Thanks Katherine!! I'm so glad for your help. I'd seen your review and a few others here on LT, which made me think to mention it to him. Wasn't sure if the two books would necessarily appeal to the same type of reader. Isn't it fun to be able to give recommendations -- even if you have't read the book? I love LT!
46michigantrumpet
56. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
4 stars
Life is conspiring to upset curmudgeon A.J. Fikey. Why can’t he just be left alone in his Nantucket-ish independent bookstore to mourn his wife’s death? His teen-aged employee seems a disaster. His regular publisher’s rep is gone and there’s a bright and disturbingly cheerful replacement named Amelia. A helpful policeman always wants to talk books. And someone has left a two year old girl on his doorstep.
This is a sweet, engaging story filled with plenty of wonderful quotes for book/bookstore lovers. While some of the characters are painted with a broad brush, I particularly enjoyed watching A.J.’s personal growth as he tries to deal with all these intrusions on his life.
"...You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, What is your favorite book?" Yup.
4 stars
Life is conspiring to upset curmudgeon A.J. Fikey. Why can’t he just be left alone in his Nantucket-ish independent bookstore to mourn his wife’s death? His teen-aged employee seems a disaster. His regular publisher’s rep is gone and there’s a bright and disturbingly cheerful replacement named Amelia. A helpful policeman always wants to talk books. And someone has left a two year old girl on his doorstep.
This is a sweet, engaging story filled with plenty of wonderful quotes for book/bookstore lovers. While some of the characters are painted with a broad brush, I particularly enjoyed watching A.J.’s personal growth as he tries to deal with all these intrusions on his life.
"...You know everything you need to know about a person from the answer to the question, What is your favorite book?" Yup.
47laytonwoman3rd
>45 michigantrumpet: I don't think Hitchens was responsible for our book festival fizzling out! I'm pretty sure it was a combination of things...the loss of our one independent bookstore, a couple other organizers moving on to other things (one woman ran for city council, and then for mayor; one man left the city to teach at Johns Hopkins) and money (what little there had been) drying up because of a change in county government, where some of the funding had come from. It's all pretty sad. Several library programs that were wonderful over the years have just disappeared.
48michigantrumpet
>47 laytonwoman3rd: I was so sad reading that, Linda!! Amazing: each thing in and of itself seems so small, but add them all together....
49michigantrumpet
A typical Friday on the MBTA:
Awaiting the commuter rail, a cute little guy comes to stand next to me with his mother.
Me: Hello, little man.
Boy: Hi.
Me: What were you for Halloween?
Mother: He was Batman. His father's a f*** up who got arrested for double murder.
*pause*
Me: So, did you get lots of candy?
Some things you just can't make up.
Awaiting the commuter rail, a cute little guy comes to stand next to me with his mother.
Me: Hello, little man.
Boy: Hi.
Me: What were you for Halloween?
Mother: He was Batman. His father's a f*** up who got arrested for double murder.
*pause*
Me: So, did you get lots of candy?
Some things you just can't make up.
50Fourpawz2
>49 michigantrumpet: - Oh. My. Word. What is the matter with parents? (some parents) Language, Lady! (Not to mention poor choice of mate.) I wonder if there is any hope for that little guy. Somehow I think the odds that he will turn out ok are not great. Hope I am wrong. I admire your recovery, Marianne. I don't think I would have managed anything anywhere near it. Would probably have just spluttered and gaped and then tried to look somewhere else. Anywhere else.
The Storied Life of A.J. Firky looks pretty good, Marianne. It's on my list of books to get from the library now.
The Storied Life of A.J. Firky looks pretty good, Marianne. It's on my list of books to get from the library now.
51BLBera
Hi Marianne - The Wolitzer Messud talk sounds great. The Interestings was one of my favorite books last year, and I've read some thought provoking essays by her on women writers.
I am another fan of A. J. Fikry . What's not to love about a book about books?
I attended a celebration for the 25 year anniversary of the Minnesota book awards. There was a panel , but Anton Treuer blew me away. Most of his talk focused on saving the Ojibwe language, and it was riveting.
I am another fan of A. J. Fikry . What's not to love about a book about books?
I attended a celebration for the 25 year anniversary of the Minnesota book awards. There was a panel , but Anton Treuer blew me away. Most of his talk focused on saving the Ojibwe language, and it was riveting.
52jnwelch
Another fan of A.J. Fikry here, Marianne. Glad you had a good time with it.
53michigantrumpet
>50 Fourpawz2: Thanks Charlotte. I was positively floored. I'm not sure there's a 'proper' response. "Hello? Miss Manners? What does one say ...?" I do worry about that little guy, too.
54michigantrumpet
>51 BLBera: Hi there, Beth! I went to the talk because if Messud but fell in love with Meg Wolitzer. I HAVE to get to The Interestings sometime soon.
A.J. Fikry? A little sentimental in parts, but I was completely in the mood for something like that. It worked for me. You are so right! A books about books - made for this crowd. I think you and I share many of the same tastes.
Intrigued by your mention of Anton Treuer. Hadn't heard of him before, so toddled off to look him up. Interesting guy. Lucky you to attend his talk!
Just realized I must have lost your thread along the way. Will head over to find you after I finish up here.
A.J. Fikry? A little sentimental in parts, but I was completely in the mood for something like that. It worked for me. You are so right! A books about books - made for this crowd. I think you and I share many of the same tastes.
Intrigued by your mention of Anton Treuer. Hadn't heard of him before, so toddled off to look him up. Interesting guy. Lucky you to attend his talk!
Just realized I must have lost your thread along the way. Will head over to find you after I finish up here.
55michigantrumpet
>52 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! Right you are. So many little bits that charmed me. For some reason, the policemen's reading group always cracked me up. Loved picturing it -- especially as I know my fair share of policemen!
56msf59
Hi Marianne! Glad you enjoyed A.J. Fikry. I was a fan too! Hope your next read is as good, if not better...
57SuziQoregon
Every review I see of A.J. Fikry makes me want to read it again. Just charming.
58LovingLit
Hi Marianne, nothing to add re: the policeman book group book you recently read.
I do want to get to the Interestings, though, Wolitzer read a ten of fifteen minute segment at the book festival. It sounded great. Especially now that I can imagine her voice when reading it for myself!
I do want to get to the Interestings, though, Wolitzer read a ten of fifteen minute segment at the book festival. It sounded great. Especially now that I can imagine her voice when reading it for myself!
59lkernagh
>49 michigantrumpet: - All I can say to that encounter is "Wow". The mother sounds like the type of person that is unable to filter her internal voice from her external voice. I feel for the boy. Life is confusing enough without a mother (and a father) like them to further complicate things.
I had a copy of A.J. Fikry out from the library but had no time to read it. I think I will be adding it back to my future library holds list. ;-)
I had a copy of A.J. Fikry out from the library but had no time to read it. I think I will be adding it back to my future library holds list. ;-)
60Donna828
Hi Marianne, so glad A.J. Fikry was a hit with you. Love those books about books. Mary (storeetllr) is running with the question at the end of your review: "What is your favorite book"? The discussion is more along the lines of do your favorite books from years ago hold up to the test of time. Very interesting.
Oh my, what a conversation stopper you had with that Mother of the Year loser. Good recovery!
Oh my, what a conversation stopper you had with that Mother of the Year loser. Good recovery!
61BLBera
Hi Marianne - Here's a link (fingers crossed that it works) on the work Treuer is doing to preserve Ojibwa. I found it fascinating. Gifted family. A couple of years ago one of my favorite reads was Rez Life by his brother David. Both appear in the video.
"http://www.tpt.org/?a=productions&id=3" http://www.tpt.org/?a=productions&id=3
"http://www.tpt.org/?a=productions&id=3" http://www.tpt.org/?a=productions&id=3
63Oberon
Hi Marianne. Saw your post on Linda's thread about books for a two year old boy. As I have one who insists (loudly) on being read to every morning, I thought I would offer two suggestions: The Goodnight Train by June Sobel and Daddy Kisses by Anne Gutman. Both are well loved in our house.
65ronincats
I loved the book references in A. J. Fikry, but did think it was a little manipulative of sentiment.
Parents. I know, I worked with them for 31 years, and there are great ones and then there are the ones like that.
Parents. I know, I worked with them for 31 years, and there are great ones and then there are the ones like that.
66NicolePatrick
Hi Marianne, just popping in to say hello :)
67msf59
Hi Marianne! Just a quick check in. How was The Wife, the Maid and the Mistress? I really liked that one. She was a Booktopia Asheville author.
68SuziQoregon
Just catching up with a few of my regular threads and stopped by to wave Hello!
69michigantrumpet
>56 msf59: Hello, Mark! Glad you liked AJ Fikry as well. Have some great books this Fall. While I'm doing lots of good reading, I've not been so good about writing about them here. Hope to rectify that soon.
>57 SuziQoregon: I suspect, Juli, that many 75ers would enjoy AJ Fikry because of the discussion about books! reading and bookstores.
>58 LovingLit: So jealous of you, hearing Wolitzer do the reading, Megan. She was charming during the session where I saw her. She didn't read any of her work, though. That would be fun.
>57 SuziQoregon: I suspect, Juli, that many 75ers would enjoy AJ Fikry because of the discussion about books! reading and bookstores.
>58 LovingLit: So jealous of you, hearing Wolitzer do the reading, Megan. She was charming during the session where I saw her. She didn't read any of her work, though. That would be fun.
70michigantrumpet
>59 lkernagh: Too right, Lori! That woman completely lacked any editing function whatever. What lovely example to that little boy about the proper use of "inside voice" /s
>60 Donna828: "...Mother of the Year." Love this, Donna!
Interesting question about books holding up well over time. I'm in the midst of a re-read of The Name of the Rose. So far, so good. Plus, being on my Kindle app, I can easily look up the arcane terms and Latin phrases!
>61 BLBera: Thanks, Beth, for that great link. So so that these native languages are being lost. Isn't that Anna Gibbs something?
>60 Donna828: "...Mother of the Year." Love this, Donna!
Interesting question about books holding up well over time. I'm in the midst of a re-read of The Name of the Rose. So far, so good. Plus, being on my Kindle app, I can easily look up the arcane terms and Latin phrases!
>61 BLBera: Thanks, Beth, for that great link. So so that these native languages are being lost. Isn't that Anna Gibbs something?
71michigantrumpet
>62 Ameise1: Lovely photo, Barbara. Looks a lot like New England!
>63 Oberon: thanks for your help, Erik. I'll definitely pick up The Goodnight Train. Unfortunately, father isn't in the picture too much, so will take pass on the other one. Any other ideas for a two you old boy would be fantastic!
>64 LovingLit: I'm so heartened that people continue to check up on me, Megan. Fall always seems to be the most hectic time of the year for me. Lots of travel, board meetings, work activity all competing for those precious minutes of the day. Thanks for stopping by.
>63 Oberon: thanks for your help, Erik. I'll definitely pick up The Goodnight Train. Unfortunately, father isn't in the picture too much, so will take pass on the other one. Any other ideas for a two you old boy would be fantastic!
>64 LovingLit: I'm so heartened that people continue to check up on me, Megan. Fall always seems to be the most hectic time of the year for me. Lots of travel, board meetings, work activity all competing for those precious minutes of the day. Thanks for stopping by.
72michigantrumpet
>65 ronincats: "...a little manipulative of sentiment." I do agree, Roni, that AJ Fikry was sentimental and also some of the characters were more charactures. Nevertheless, the wonderful passages with reflections on books/reading/writing/bookstores more than made up for it. I was in the mood for something like this.
>66 NicolePatrick: G'day Nicole! Hope all's well there with you, too!
>67 msf59: I did enjoy The Wife, The Maid and the Mistress, Mark. Still digesting it, but thought the book did a fantastic job at taking a true but dated story and bringing it to life.
>68 SuziQoregon: *Waving* Hello back, Juli!
>66 NicolePatrick: G'day Nicole! Hope all's well there with you, too!
>67 msf59: I did enjoy The Wife, The Maid and the Mistress, Mark. Still digesting it, but thought the book did a fantastic job at taking a true but dated story and bringing it to life.
>68 SuziQoregon: *Waving* Hello back, Juli!
73Storeetllr
Hi, Marianne! I've been remiss in posting here, though I have been a frequent lurker visitor. Fikry's on my wishlist, even if it is manipulatively sentimental. A little manipulative sentimentality every once in awhile is doable, especially if there are other virtues to the book.
Love the "mother of the year" story. Honestly, some people have no filters. And right in front of her poor little boy. Your handling of it was wonderful, though! I wish I had your presence of mind; I doubt if I'd have been able to do more than stare in disbelief and, you know, walk away.
Love the "mother of the year" story. Honestly, some people have no filters. And right in front of her poor little boy. Your handling of it was wonderful, though! I wish I had your presence of mind; I doubt if I'd have been able to do more than stare in disbelief and, you know, walk away.
74LovingLit
Oh good. Nothing is amiss with you, then. *phew*
So Autumn is always busy for you? Interesting. I would have picked Spring to be the busiest month. For some reason :)
So Autumn is always busy for you? Interesting. I would have picked Spring to be the busiest month. For some reason :)
76AuntieClio
hi :=)
77PaulCranswick
Lovely to see you out and about dear Marianne. Trust your Sunday will be a wonderful one.
78Donna828
Marianne, we have a local "mother of the year" story in the newspaper. Seems a woman left her 2 and 4-year-old children so she could go shoplifting at Walmart. She told the older child to be quiet while she was gone or she would "break everything he had"! Apparently, the younger boy raised a ruckus and roused the neighbors. They are now in protective custody. These stories break my heart.
I also thought the Fikry book was manipulative but apparently I was in the mood for it because I didn't care! Sometimes I am really picky about the smallest things. Guess I'm a moody reader. I hope your weekend has allowed you some reading time. It's good to get some breaks from the busyness!
I also thought the Fikry book was manipulative but apparently I was in the mood for it because I didn't care! Sometimes I am really picky about the smallest things. Guess I'm a moody reader. I hope your weekend has allowed you some reading time. It's good to get some breaks from the busyness!
79magicians_nephew
>46 michigantrumpet: Sounds like "Little Miss Marker" if the guy owned a bookstore instead of a bookie joint
80PaulCranswick
America's leading rookie in terms of posts this year in the group. That is a blessing to celebrate for all of us who have been exposed to your warmth and intelligence during 2014. Have a lovely holiday, Marianne.
81LovingLit
Happy Holidaying to you Marianne, I hope to see you back on LT asap, as now that I am back I expect the same of others that I have missed in my relative absence :0 (Look at me all demanding and stuff).
83michigantrumpet
>73 Storeetllr: Lurk (urm, ... visit) as much as you'd like, Mary! I wish I could have just walked away from the "Mother of the Year". Alas, I had to stay there to await my tain home ...
>74 LovingLit: Oh no, Fall is when my work schedule picks up and then ... College football!
Lots happening with my University of Michigan Wolverines. Alas, they weren't that good this year and they just fired the head coach. Have to keep checking back on my favorite blogs to catch up with the news!
>75 Ameise1: Ah, Barbara -- so atmospheric!
>74 LovingLit: Oh no, Fall is when my work schedule picks up and then ... College football!
Lots happening with my University of Michigan Wolverines. Alas, they weren't that good this year and they just fired the head coach. Have to keep checking back on my favorite blogs to catch up with the news!
>75 Ameise1: Ah, Barbara -- so atmospheric!
84msf59
Hi Marianne! I saw you posting around, so I thought I would drop by and say hi. I hope you had a nice holiday and got plenty of reading in.
85laytonwoman3rd
Just passing through...always in a rush these days....
Grinning at Paul's "Rookie of the Year" award!
Grinning at Paul's "Rookie of the Year" award!
86michigantrumpet
>76 AuntieClio: Hello there Stephanie! I've been keeping up with you over on your thread. I'm so sorry for your troubles.
For those of you who are friendly with Stephanie, you may not know that she recently lost her job, fell and broke her wrist. She is need of surgery ASAP. People here on LT are so good. If you can possibly help out, here is the site:
https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-stephanie-pay-for-wrist-surger...
For those of you who are friendly with Stephanie, you may not know that she recently lost her job, fell and broke her wrist. She is need of surgery ASAP. People here on LT are so good. If you can possibly help out, here is the site:
https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-stephanie-pay-for-wrist-surger...
87SuziQoregon
Finally getting a chance for some post holiday weekend thread catching up.
waving hello!
waving hello!
88lkernagh
Hi Marianne, stopping by to wish you a wonderful weekend! I get to look forward to a weekend of putting the tree up and getting the place 'festive'. ;-)
90AuntieClio
>86 michigantrumpet: Thank you Marianne. People have been very generous, and I still need help as hard as it is for me to admit sometimes.
91ronincats
The weekend is coming up, Marianne. I hope you aren't working too hard, and are finding plenty of time for reading. Or Christmas prep, whatever! ;-)
92lauralkeet
Hi Marianne, I just read a post on Paul's thread where you mentioned being a fan of Anthony Powell's Dance to the Music of Time. Me too, and I have LT to thank for it. A few years ago there was a meme going around about which books were NYT best sellers the week of your birth. Dance was on my list (this was Feb 1962), and Peggy/LizzieD urged me to read it. I'm so glad she did! I'm curious how you came to read it ... ?
96Fourpawz2
I've read the first chapter of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, Marianne and am liking it a lot. Looks as if it's yet another book from the library that I'm going to wish I'd bought instead. Thanks for recommending it.
99magicians_nephew
EBT what a lovely Solstice Card
102ronincats
Marianne, it's Chrismas Eve's eve, and so I am starting the rounds of wishing my 75er friends the merriest of Christmases or whatever the solstice celebration of their choice is.
103lauralkeet
Hi Marianne, just stopping by to wish you a very merry Christmas!!
107AuntieClio
Dear Marianne, I'm so happy to have made your acquaintance this year. You're an inspiration and a delight. I'm so grateful to have you in my life.
108lkernagh
Stopping by to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2015, Marianne!
109kidzdoc
Merry Christmas, Marianne! I hope that UM receives Jim Harbaugh as a Christmas present soon. It looks as though the Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State's defensive coordinator, has agreed to become the new head coach at Pitt, and we alumni are very happy about that.
111laytonwoman3rd
Merry Christmas, Marianne.
113PaulCranswick
Have a wonderful festive season, Marianne
114LovingLit
Hello, Marianne ;)
Christmas is over here, but the tree is still up :) So MERRY XMAS
Gearing up for a good reading year in 2015 and I hope you are too.
Christmas is over here, but the tree is still up :) So MERRY XMAS
Gearing up for a good reading year in 2015 and I hope you are too.
115Donna828
It looks like someone else has been very busy around here. Hope the holidays have been good days for you and yours, Marianne. We can begin the madness of LT with a fresh beginning in a dew days. ;-)
119SuziQoregon
Happy New Year!!
122michigantrumpet
Hello all! Remember me? Wow! It was a whirlwind of a finish to 2014. hoping to get around to you all pretty soon.
>77 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul! I popped out now and again to check on things, but not as much as I wanted!
>78 Donna828: Excellent point Donna. There are times when we just *know* we are being manipulated and -- because that book satisfies a particular mood/itch -- we just don't care.
>79 magicians_nephew: Now you mention it, Jim, there are some similarities to "Little Miss Marker!"
>80 PaulCranswick: I'm sure I'm thrilled for the accolades, Paul, although I suspect I faded a bit in the final stretch. I've enjoyed my time on the 75er boards.
>77 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul! I popped out now and again to check on things, but not as much as I wanted!
>78 Donna828: Excellent point Donna. There are times when we just *know* we are being manipulated and -- because that book satisfies a particular mood/itch -- we just don't care.
>79 magicians_nephew: Now you mention it, Jim, there are some similarities to "Little Miss Marker!"
>80 PaulCranswick: I'm sure I'm thrilled for the accolades, Paul, although I suspect I faded a bit in the final stretch. I've enjoyed my time on the 75er boards.
123michigantrumpet
>82 Ameise1: Thanks, Megan! Come back and demand any time!!
>83 michigantrumpet: Soooo beautiful, Barbara. Thank you.
>84 msf59: Hi back, Mark! I'm afraid it's been a bit of the ol' "Now-you-see-me-now-you-don't" on my part...
>85 laytonwoman3rd: Oh, Linda! That rabbit perfectly captured my Oct./Nov/Dec!! What a smile.
>83 michigantrumpet: Soooo beautiful, Barbara. Thank you.
>84 msf59: Hi back, Mark! I'm afraid it's been a bit of the ol' "Now-you-see-me-now-you-don't" on my part...
>85 laytonwoman3rd: Oh, Linda! That rabbit perfectly captured my Oct./Nov/Dec!! What a smile.
124michigantrumpet
>87 SuziQoregon: I love your enthusiasm, Juli! So... did you get all caught up on the threads?
>88 lkernagh: I'm sure your home was plenty festive, Lori. You certainly decorate our threads and our hearts.
>89 Ameise1: Just lovely Barbara. Thank you!
>90 AuntieClio: You are truly and most sincerely welcome, Steph. Asking for help is probably difficult for just about everyone. I understand.
>88 lkernagh: I'm sure your home was plenty festive, Lori. You certainly decorate our threads and our hearts.
>89 Ameise1: Just lovely Barbara. Thank you!
>90 AuntieClio: You are truly and most sincerely welcome, Steph. Asking for help is probably difficult for just about everyone. I understand.
125michigantrumpet
>91 ronincats: Work? Yes. Christmas Prep? Oh yeah. Watever? Yeppers!! Roni, I am amazed at how people manage to pull everything off at this time of year.
>92 lauralkeet: Thanks for stopping in, Laura. I was on a HUGE British authors binge many years ago. I'd just finished off most of Evelyn Waugh's canon and had read he was a contemporary and big fan of Anthony Powell. I'd also read that Dance to the Music of Time was a quintessentially English (and more readable) version of Proust. Started in and immediately was hooked. Well worth another look now time's passed.
>93 EBT1002: Thank you, thank you, Ellen!!!
>94 Ameise1: I love candles. And you posted it just near Santa Lucia's day, too!!! Thanks Barbara!
>92 lauralkeet: Thanks for stopping in, Laura. I was on a HUGE British authors binge many years ago. I'd just finished off most of Evelyn Waugh's canon and had read he was a contemporary and big fan of Anthony Powell. I'd also read that Dance to the Music of Time was a quintessentially English (and more readable) version of Proust. Started in and immediately was hooked. Well worth another look now time's passed.
>93 EBT1002: Thank you, thank you, Ellen!!!
>94 Ameise1: I love candles. And you posted it just near Santa Lucia's day, too!!! Thanks Barbara!
126michigantrumpet
>95 connie53: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too, Connie. So happy to see you out and about on the threads.
>96 Fourpawz2: I'm so glad, Charlotte. I'll have to pop over to your thread and see how you liked it!!!
>97 Ameise1: You come up with such lovely images, Barbara! It is such a gift.
>96 Fourpawz2: I'm so glad, Charlotte. I'll have to pop over to your thread and see how you liked it!!!
>97 Ameise1: You come up with such lovely images, Barbara! It is such a gift.
127michigantrumpet
>98 EBT1002: I absolutely ADORE this, Ellen!!! Thank you!
>99 magicians_nephew: I know, right, Jim?
>100 BLBera: One of my favorite cards this year. Happy Holidays to you, too, Beth.
>99 magicians_nephew: I know, right, Jim?
>100 BLBera: One of my favorite cards this year. Happy Holidays to you, too, Beth.
128michigantrumpet
>101 msf59: Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and happy reading to you, too, Mark! I've missed being on the threads and (virtually) seeing you all.
>102 ronincats: Ha! What a smile, Roni! Thanks! Hope you're enjoying the holidays as much as those cats seem to be doing!
>103 lauralkeet: Merry Christmas to you, too, Laura. Wishing you a very safe and Happy New Year!
>102 ronincats: Ha! What a smile, Roni! Thanks! Hope you're enjoying the holidays as much as those cats seem to be doing!
>103 lauralkeet: Merry Christmas to you, too, Laura. Wishing you a very safe and Happy New Year!
129michigantrumpet
>104 scaifea: It's that rascally Amber!! Happy Christmas to you, too!
>105 qebo: What a delightful image, Katherine. thanks for sharing! Happy Holidays to you, too.
>106 SandDune: Oh, Rhian -- Merry Christmas to you, too! I'm so blessed to have so many delightful folk stopping by my thread.
>105 qebo: What a delightful image, Katherine. thanks for sharing! Happy Holidays to you, too.
>106 SandDune: Oh, Rhian -- Merry Christmas to you, too! I'm so blessed to have so many delightful folk stopping by my thread.
130michigantrumpet
>107 AuntieClio: Thanks so much, Steph. I'm thrilled to have met you. You are one special lady.
>108 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! Hope your Christmas went well for you and yours. Looking forward to 2015!
>109 kidzdoc: Santa had a very nice Christmas present for Michigan fans this year, Darryl! there has been much Maize-and-Blue rejoicing in these parts. Managed to even shut the office door yesterday for a few minutes to catch Harbaugh's introductory press conference.
Narduzzi is a great pick up. His defenses has been giving us fits. Merry Christmas to you, too!
>108 lkernagh: Thank you, Lori! Hope your Christmas went well for you and yours. Looking forward to 2015!
>109 kidzdoc: Santa had a very nice Christmas present for Michigan fans this year, Darryl! there has been much Maize-and-Blue rejoicing in these parts. Managed to even shut the office door yesterday for a few minutes to catch Harbaugh's introductory press conference.
Narduzzi is a great pick up. His defenses has been giving us fits. Merry Christmas to you, too!
131michigantrumpet
>110 rosalita: As I live and breathe!! Is that Julia? Hooray!!! Love seeing you!!!
>111 laytonwoman3rd: Just gorgeous, Linda. Many Christmas blessing to you and yours.
>112 EBT1002: Ha! Thank Ellen! Way to dress up that Seahawk!
>111 laytonwoman3rd: Just gorgeous, Linda. Many Christmas blessing to you and yours.
>112 EBT1002: Ha! Thank Ellen! Way to dress up that Seahawk!
132michigantrumpet
>113 PaulCranswick: Charming picture, Paul, from a charming man.
>114 LovingLit: My tree is still up, too, Megan! I believe in celebrating ALL 12 of those days of Christmas! :-)
>115 Donna828: I remember well the madness from the start of last year, Donna! If that didn't intimidate me into running off, I guess I can come back for another round for 2015!
>114 LovingLit: My tree is still up, too, Megan! I believe in celebrating ALL 12 of those days of Christmas! :-)
>115 Donna828: I remember well the madness from the start of last year, Donna! If that didn't intimidate me into running off, I guess I can come back for another round for 2015!
133michigantrumpet
>117 Ameise1: Your best picture yet, Barbara! Happy 2015!
>118 jnwelch: Thanks Joe. Did you make to Ann Arbor for any of the holidays? What I wouldn't to have been there the past day or so!!! Happy New Year!!
>119 SuziQoregon: Thanks, Juli! 2014 has been my best reading year yet. Here's hoping 2015 is even better -- for both of us!!
>118 jnwelch: Thanks Joe. Did you make to Ann Arbor for any of the holidays? What I wouldn't to have been there the past day or so!!! Happy New Year!!
>119 SuziQoregon: Thanks, Juli! 2014 has been my best reading year yet. Here's hoping 2015 is even better -- for both of us!!
134michigantrumpet
>120 laytonwoman3rd: Just love that image Linda. I'm hoping 2015 will be one of the best yet. Happy New Year!!
>121 ffortsa: Thank you, Judy! Meeting you and Jim has been one of my many 2014 blessings. I'm sure you'll be doing something wonderful to ring in 2015!
Whew!! I think I've caught up -- on my own thread at least! Off to get ready for a splendid dinner out with my Darling Husband and friends.
Have a safe and Happy New Year!
>121 ffortsa: Thank you, Judy! Meeting you and Jim has been one of my many 2014 blessings. I'm sure you'll be doing something wonderful to ring in 2015!
Whew!! I think I've caught up -- on my own thread at least! Off to get ready for a splendid dinner out with my Darling Husband and friends.
Have a safe and Happy New Year!
135lauralkeet
>125 michigantrumpet: I'd also read that Dance to the Music of Time was a quintessentially English (and more readable) version of Proust.
My husband read Proust before Powell, and I vaguely remember him making comparisons as he read. After finishing *Dance* I decided to start Proust and have read two volumes. I see similarities too, and Powell is definitely more accessible.
I see you've started a 2015 thread so I'll see you over there!
My husband read Proust before Powell, and I vaguely remember him making comparisons as he read. After finishing *Dance* I decided to start Proust and have read two volumes. I see similarities too, and Powell is definitely more accessible.
I see you've started a 2015 thread so I'll see you over there!
136ronincats
Marianne, I'm making my final swing through the 2014 threads. I'll see you on the other side!
