Mamie's 2014 Madness (Page 13)

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October Reads: (3 books)
115. Glory in Death by J. D. Robb (4 stars)
116. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (3 stars)
117. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris (reread)

September Reads: (17 books)
98. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (4 stars) 304 pages (2008)
99. A Passage to India by E. M. Forster (4.25 stars) 11 hours, 6 minutes (1924)
100. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (reread) 327 pages (2001)
101. The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings (4.5 stars) 320 pages (2007)
102. This Time Together by Carol Burnett (4 stars) 5 hours, 43 minutes (2010)
103. Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block (3 stars) 320 pages (1977)
104. Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar (5 stars) 368 pages (ER book - available on 1/13/15)
105. Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years of Classic Covers by Margaret C. Sullivan (5 stars) 224 pages (2014) - ER book available on 11/11/14
106. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (4 stars) 8 hours, 9 minutes (2007)
107. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (4 stars) 6 hours, 43 minutes (1883)
108. Cooking in Cast Iron by Valerie Aikman-Smith (4 stars) 112 pages (2012) - library hardback
109. A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr (4.5 stars) 135 pages (1980)
110. West With the Night by Beryl Markham (4 stars) 320 pages (1942)
111. Naked in Death by J. D. Robb (reread) 314 pages (1995)
112. Arctic Summer by Damon Galgut (4 stars) 352 pages (2014)
113. Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues by Diana Rowland (4 stars) 320 pages (2012)
114. Stardust by Robert B. Parker - to quote Roberta: "blah, blah, blah. snooze"

August Reads (12 books)
86. Monitor by James Tertius de Kay (4 stars) 224 pages (1997) - library hardback
87. The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye (4.5 stars) 432 pages (2012) - 2014 acquired paperback
88. Playmates by Robert B. Parker (3 stars) 288 pages (1989) - library hardback
89. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (4.5 stars) 305 pages (1992) - ROOT paperback
90. The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan (3.5 stars) 134 pages (1915) - 2014 acquired ebook
91. Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty (3.5 stars) 352 pages (2013) - ER paperback
92. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (Um...NO) 352 pages (2009) - ebook
93. The Voice of the Violin by Andrea Camilleri (4 stars) 256 pages (1997) - library hardback
94. Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little (4 stars) 384 pages (2014) - library hardback
95. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (3.5 stars) 432 pages (2012) - ROOT ebook
96. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (3.5 stars) 391 pages (2004) - library hardback
97. Down the Rabbit Hole by Juan Pablos Villalobos (4 stars) 130 pages (2010) - library paperback

Pages read in August: 3,680
Hours listened this month:

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September Possibilities:

✓ The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick - 2013 acquired ebook - TIOLI #2/shared read
✓ Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen - 2014 acquired audiobook - TIOLI #8
✓ This Time Together by Carol Burnett - library audiobook - TIOLI #9
✓ A Passage to India by E. M. Forster - ROOT paperback/2014 acquired audiobook - TIOLI #10
✓ Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (reread) - ROOT paperback - TIOLI #11/shared read
✓ The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings - ROOT ebook - TIOLI #11
✓ Burglars Can't be Choosers by Lawrence Block - 2013 acquired ebook - TIOLI #14/shared read
✓ Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson - 2014 acquired audiobook - TIOLI #21

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury (reread) - ROOT hardback - TIOLI #1
The King's Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conrad - ROOT audiobook - TIOLI #6
The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann - 2013 acquired ebook (Richard recommended) - TIOLI #10
Shakespeare & Company by Sylvia Beach - 2013 acquired paperback (Santa Swap gift) - TIOLI #15
Arctic Summer by Damon Gaigut - 2014 acquired paperback (Europa!) - TIOLI #17
West With the Night by Beryl Markam - 2013 acquired ebook - TIOLI #21
Jane Austen Cover to Cover by Margaret C. Sullivan - won in the July ER batch
Stardust by Robert B. Parker - paperback sent to me by Roberta (Thank you, Roberta!!)- this month's Spenser read

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Stephanie found this for me - thank you, Stephanie!

Reading Goals for 2014:

1. To read the works of George Orwell

Two years ago I read Finding George Orwell in Burma, a brilliant little memoir that retraces Orwell's steps from his time spent in Burma. The author provides insights into how his time there shaped his views and therefore his writing. Her thoughts and analogies are shared side by side with direct quotes from his work and also with explanations of the stories that he told, making it possible for someone who has not read any of Orwell's work to appreciate the points that she is making. This got me interested in reading more of his work, having at the time only read Animal Farm. I immediately followed the memoir up with Orwell's Burmese Days. This year I would like to explore more of his work.

Just in case you are interested in joining me for a shared read, here is my agenda:

January - Down and Out in Paris and London DONE
February - Clergyman's Daughter DONE - completed in March
April - Keep the Aspidistra Flying DONE - completed in May
July - The Road to Wigan Pier
August - Homage to Catalonia
September - Coming Up for Air
October - 1984
November - A Collection of Essays

2. To participate in most of Mark's American Author Challenge. I will not be reading Mark Twain, and Toni Morrison is iffy, too.

Willa Cather- January DONE
William Faulkner- February ABANDONED
Cormac McCarthy- March DONE
Toni Morrison- April - skipping
Eudora Welty- May - bailed
Kurt Vonnegut- June - DONE
Mark Twain- July - skipping
Philip Roth- August - DONE
James Baldwin- September
Edith Wharton- October
John Updike- November
Larry Watson- December

3. To read a Spenser by Robert B. Parker every month with Roberta (luvamystery65) and Donna (Donna828). This has been so much fun and we will start 2014 with book 9.

*The Spenser Project

January – Ceremony #9 COMPLETED
February – The Widening Gyre #10 COMPLETED
March – Valediction #11 COMPLETED
April – A Catskill Eagle #12 COMPLETED
May – Taming a Sea-Horse #13 COMPLETED
June – Pale Kings and Princes #14 COMPLETED
July – Crimson Joy #15 COMPLETED
August – Playmates #16 COMPLETED
September – Stardust #17
October – Pastime #18
November – Double Deuce #19
December – Paper Doll #20

4. To participate in the year long group read of The Vorkosigan Saga

Thanks to the recommendations of Joe and Richard, I read both Shards of Honor and Barrayar last year. This year, there is a group read of this series, so I plan on continuing through to the end, starting with The Warrior's Apprentice. I will be reading them in Joe's recommended reading order.

5. Don't Laugh. Last year I purchased 242 books. I have read 66 of them, abandoned 1, and 6 of them were physical copies of books that I had already read. SO, that leaves me with 169 books to go. I will be focusing on reading as many of these as possible this year. I make absolutely NO promises about 2014 acquisitions except this: THERE WILL BE SOME.

*I totally stole the Spenser project set-up from Roberta's thread!

Here's the link to my 2014 Category Challenge - categories are based on quotes from the movie Casablanca: Mamie's 2014 Category Challenge

Reading slowly in bits and pieces:

January Reads (10 books):
1. Ceremony by Robert B. Parker (3.3 stars) 224 pages, ebook (1982)
2. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell (4.5 stars) 228 pages, paperback (1933)
3. Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs (4 stars) 343 pages, ebook (2013)
4. Hounded by Kevin Hearne (3.75 stars) 8 hours, 11 minutes, audiobook (2011)
5. Betwixt and Between by Jessica Stilling (4 stars) 370 pages, paperback (2013)
6. When the Women Come Out to Dance by Elmore Leonard (4.5 stars) 240 pages, ebook (2003)
7. The Hedge Knight by George R. R. Martin (5 stars) 184 pages, paperback (2013)
8. The Sworn Sword by George R. R. Martin (4.5 stars) 176 pages, paperback (2014)
9. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (4.25 stars), 303 pages, library hardback (1927)
10. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (4 stars), 304 pages, ebook (2014)

Pages Read This Month: 2,372
Hours Listened This Month: 8 hours, 11 minutes

February Reads (8 books):
11. Hexed by Kevin Hearne (3.5 stars) 8 hours, 52 minutes (2011)
12. The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (4 stars) 309 pages (1986)
13. The Widening Gyre by Robert B. Parker (3.5 stars) 192 pages (1983)
14. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (4 stars), 224 pages (1999)
15. Cress by Marissa Meyer (4 stars), 15 hours, 40 minutes (2014)
16. The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony (5 stars) 10 hours, 54 minutes (2009)
17. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller (4.5 stars) 336 pages (2001)
18. Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson (4 stars) 336 pages

Pages Read This Month: 1061 pages
Hours Listened This Month: 35 hours, 26 minutes

March Reads (13 books):
19. Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller, 256 pages (2011)
20. High Rising by Angela Thirkell (4.25 stars), 288 pages (1933)
21. Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming (3 stars), 240 pages (1954)
22. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovtch (4 stars), 10 hours, 3 minutes (2014)
23. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (4 stars), 448 pages (1986)
24. Moonraker by Ian Fleming (3.5 stars), 256 pages (1955)
25. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (4 stars) 2 hours, 16 minutes
26. The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson (4.25 stars), 9 hours, 32 minutes (2009)
27. A Clergyman's Daughter by George Orwell (2.5 stars), 324 pages (1935)
28. Journal of a Residence on a Georgia Plantation by Fanny Kemble (3 stars), 488 pages (1838-1839)
29. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri D'Aulaire (4 stars), 192 pages (1962)
30. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac mcCarthy (4 stars), 9 hours, 46 minutes (1992)
31. Valediction by Robert B. Parker (2.5 stars), 288 pages (1984)

Pages Read This Month: 2,780 pages
Hours Listened This Month: 31 hours, 37 minutes

April Reads (9 books)
32. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs (4 stars), 352 pages (2014)
33. The Ghost by Robert Harris (4 stars), 352 pages (2007)
34. A Catskill Eagle by Robert B. Parker (truly awful), 384 pages (1985)
35. Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold (4.25 stars), 311 pages (1989) This frame story included the three novellas:
Mountains of Mourning (4.5 stars)
Labyrinth (4 stars)
The Borders of Infinity (4.5 stars),
36. Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming (2.9 stars), 240 pages (1956)
37. Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter (3.5 stars), 288 pages (1975)
38. Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor (3.75 stars), 332 pages (2013)
39. Last Train to Paris by Michele Zackheim (4 stars), 320 pages (2014)
40. Blackbird House by Alice Hoffman (4 stars), 240 pages (2004)

Pages read this month: 2718 pages
Hours listened this month: 0

May Reads (10 books)
41. The Poet by Michael Connelly (4 stars) 608 pages, ebook, (1996)
42. Hammered by Kevin Hearne (4 stars) 9 hours, 40 minutes (2011)
43. Goodnight, June by Sarah Jio (3.6 stars) 320 pages (2014)
44. The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith (4.25 stars) 10 hours, 39 minutes (2010)
45. Taming a Sea-Horse by Robert B. Parker (3 stars) 320 pages (1987)
46. The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold (4.25 stars) 345 pages (1990)
47. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers (4.5 stars) 368 pages (1940)
48. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (4 stars) 352 pages (1996)
49. Bridge of Sighs by Olen Steinhauer (4 stars) 278 pages (2003)
50. The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness (4 stars) 8 hours, 34 minutes (2014)

Pages read this month: 2,591 pages
Hours listened this month: 28 hours, 53 minutes

June Reads (21 books)
51. Heat Wave by Richard Castle (3.5 stars) 240 pages (2009)
52. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut (4.25 stars) 288 pages (1969)
--- I Murdered My Library by Linda Grant (4.5 stars) 28 pages (2014)
53. My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff (4.5 stars) 272 pages (2014)
54. Peril at End House by Agatha Christie (3.5 stars) 256 pages (1932)
55. The 13 Clocks by James Thurber (4 stars) 136 pages (1950)
56. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (4.5 stars) 464 pages (2013)
57. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman (4 stars) 128 pages (2009)
58. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Frankilin (4 stars) 304 pages (2010)
59. The Shining by Stephen King (4.5 stars) 688 pages (1977)
60. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (3.75 stars) 320 pages (1973)
61. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (3.75 stars) 368 pages (1953)
62. Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold (3 stars) 256 pages (1986)
63. A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow (3.5 stars) 208 pages (1992)
64. The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie (3 stars) 256 pages (1932)
65. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch (4 stars) 304 pages (2012)
66. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (3.75 stars) 320 pages (1968)
67. Pale Kings and Princes by Robert B. Parker (3 stars) 320 pages (1987)
68. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (4 stars) 7 hours, 10 minutes (1925)
69. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (4 stars) 13 hours, 11 minutes (1847)
70. The Pretenders by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden (2.5 stars) 128 pages (2014)
71. The Snow Queen by Michael Cunningham (5 stars) 272 pages (2014)
72. The Martian by Andy Weir (4.5 stars) 384 pages/10 hours, 53 minutes on audio (2012) - I switched back and forth between reading and listening

Pages read this month: 5748
Hours listened this month: 25 hours, 47 minutes

July Reads (13 books)

73. The Snack Thief by Andrea Camilleri (4.25 stars) 304 pages (1998)
74. The Hanover Square Affair by Jennifer Ashley (4 stars) 319 pages (2011?)
75. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (4.5 stars) 29 hours, 14 minutes (2013)
76. The Best Man by Kristan Higgins (3.4 stars) 432 pages (2013)
77. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (4 stars) 5 hours, 37 minutes (1953)
78. Murder in the Marais by Cara Black (4 stars) 369 pages (1999)
79. The Hours by Michael Cunningham (5 stars) 240 pages (1998)
80. Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker (...) 304 pages (1988)
81. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang (4.5 stars) 144 pages (2013)
82. In Paradise by Peter Mathiessen (4.5 stars) 256 pages (2014)
83. Middlemarch by George Eliot (5 stars) 35 hours, 40 minutes (1872)
84. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (3.5 stars) 144 pages (1912)
85. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (4.5 stars) 464 pages (2014)

Pages read this month: 2,976 pages
Hours listened this month: 70 hours, 31 minutes

That's all I need; the next one's yours!

Morning, Mamie!

Love that photo topper!

Book #86: Monitor by James Tertius de Kay (4.25 stars)

I just happened onto this little book as I was perusing the library shelves this past Friday, and I am so happy that I picked it up and took it home. A solid and very interesting account of how the USS Merrimack and the USS Monitor became the first ironclad ships of the Civil War. This small book provides the backstory for both even though the Merrimack doesn't get to share the title. It also details the battle between the two. I thought it so interesting that both sides claimed victory! What could be a dry accounting of military history is told in a way that packs a punch and keeps you turning the pages. Highly recommended.


The USS Monitor is on the left, and the USS Merrimack, which became the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia is on the right.

>11 katiekrug: Morning, Katie! Welcome aboard! And so glad that you love the topper!

There's nothing quite like the sight of a man reading to his children. *sigh*

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

I concur, Amber! Happy Sunday to you!

Morning Mamie! Happy New thread, my dear! Did you start the Gods of Gotham? It is such a good book and I NEED to get to the follow-up.

The story of the Monitor is one of the great Civil War tales.

Morning, Mark! I am about halfway through Gods of Gotham and loving it!

I really enjoyed reading about the Monitor and about how the Confederacy refitted the Merrimack to become its first ironclad - what a great story!

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

Thanks for stopping in, Lori! Always lovely to see you!

Happy New thread, Mamie!

Thanks, Connie!

Oh Bogie :-)

I know, right?! *sigh*

!! New Thread !! Nice photo as always :)
Happy thread, happy week!

Happy New Thread, Mamie and waves from London.

Look who made herself a new thread! I really like what you've done with the place. :-)

Happy new thread mom!

Well I'm going to try this again Mamie; see if I can keep up. Love the thread topper! Sweet!

Happy new thread! Maybe I can keep up with this one (at least for a while lol)

Happy new thread, Mamie dearest. Some fresh scented flowers for the new space.

*sings* Mamie has a new thread, Mamie has a new thread!
Checking in, sitting down, admiring Richard's flowers...

Hi! I'm trying to catch up with everyone, so I'm just skimming and stopping by quickly. Hope the summer continues to be pleasant, and not too hot and humid.

I'm impressed with the time and energy you took to make all the listings!

And, as always, I enjoy your opening photos of your family.

Hi, Mamie!

Happy new thread Mamie!

Happy August and new thread, Mamie.

Happy new thread, Mamie! Love the photo up top with Craig and his devoted audience. Reading to the kids is probably #1 on the list if you hope for them to love reading.

Just back from vacation. Since I read both The Big Sleep and The Maltese Falcon last month, my brother and I watched both the movies, starring the great Bogie. I loved both of them, but in "The Maltese Falcon" Humphrey Bogart totally brought Sam Spade to life and it was so well cast!

I just bought myself a copy of Gone Girl and see you have it listed for this Challenge #1 in this month's TIOLI. If I get ahead on my reading, I may just join you.

Gods of Gotham was one of my favorites from last year. The sequel, Seven for a Secret is even better in some ways. I love the naughty Val and I adore Tim but I want to smack him in the back of the head sometimes. ;-)

>39 luvamystery65: Heh. I went to look at Gods of Gotham thinking it was something Batman-y. Oh so wrong!

Happy Sunday, Mamie dearest!

Happy Monday, Mamie! You know I come to your thread (sometimes just lurk) just to see the feline and canine thread-toppers, right?

Eighty-six books. Good start to the year, I'd say!

Happy new thread, Mamie-my-dear! I thought of all my friends at the Pecan Paradisio this weekend. I rescued a kitty from one of my nursing centers and I thought back about all y'all went through rescuing Mercy. :)

Good Tuesday Morning, Y'all! Nothing too much to report here - we have been busy with appointments and chores, the rearranging of furniture and Scrabble. We have also watched a few movies that match up to the books that I have recently finished. These would include The English Patient and The Thirty-Nine Steps. I had not watched The English Patient in years, so I did not remember the details - although the movie is lovely, the book is so much MORE. I really loved the language of it and the way that the characters intertwined. We tried watching the original Thirty-Nine Steps (the Hitchcock version), but the sound was so bad that it made it too frustrating - I remember watching that one with my Dad years ago and had forgotten that they changed so many things form the book. The version that we found and really loved was the Masterpiece Theater version - this was even better than the book, I thought. Worthy of your time if you are at all interested. Amazon Prime has it if you are a Prime member - this one:



Here's a funny story for you (well, maybe more strange than funny):

This morning Craig and I left the house at our usual time (just after 6am) for our morning walk. Um...75F and VERY humid. Very yuck. Anyway, we had only gotten about a quarter of a mile down the road when we were stopped by a police car. I was really hoping that the officer was going to tell us to return home because it was too dark and too hot to exercise, but no such luck. He asked us if we had seen a young man all dressed in black that was perhaps skate boarding. Um...no. Well, he said, there had been reports of a male moving faster than a run but not biking, all dressed in black on our road. He didn't think he was dangerous - "probably just exercising like you folks" but he was not wearing reflective clothing and they had gotten several calls. If we saw him could we please ask him to return home and put on reflective clothing? They were worried that he was going to get hit. About fifteen minutes later we did indeed spy the young man they were looking for as he whizzed right by us - rollerblading, and indeed all dressed in black, even his helmet.

Great story, Mamie. From everything I hear about the summer weather in Georgia, I think temperature police would be a good thing!

Wow! You have the nicest police ever. And concerned neighbors too. : )

I see you have finished Playmates already. I have yet to pick that one up, although I did finish number 3. Soon...

Happy Tuesday!

Ninja rollerblader story is priceless, and I like the police part the best. *smooch*

I liked Rupert Penry-Jones in The Thirty-Nine Steps too. I can't wait for Prime to roll out the Harry Bosch detective series.

That is a great story Mamie! I want "we'll work it out so you can get paid for sleeping in today" police.

Everything is going very well and I am not complaining at all (well, maybe just a little), but why oh why am I so freakin' tired all the time?

>48 AuntieClio: It's an adjustment, returning to work FT after not having that physical demand and emotional reorientation to do.

>49 richardderus: The only reason I don't go home and collapse into bed right after work is that I have to leave the door open to cool my apartment down. There's no screen door, nor a place to put one, so I stay awake until it's cool enough to sleep. *grump*

>44 Crazymamie: Oooh, I'll have to check out that MT version of The 39 Steps - the guy in the photo there is excellent in MI5...

Morning Mamie! It sounds like you've been busy but if books are still being read, that is the key. Do you have A Land More Kind Than Home on shelf? If not: It should be. The audio is excellent too. This is southern fiction at it's finest.

You obviously live in a community that looks out for each other, Mamie. Great story re wanting the rollerblader in black to wear reflective clothing!

Oh The Gods of Gotham is on my shelf. I really need to read it soon because I also have Seven for a Secret.

Thanks for the headzup about the MT 39 Steps. We are always looking for good shows!

Another fan of The Gods of Gotham here.

Loved the story about the police and the skateboarder. Have to love small town police departments!

>44 Crazymamie: wow, the police in your neighbourhood (and the good folk in the neighbourhood) sure don't sound like they have much on their plate if they are chasing down darkly-clad exercisers! The sign of a peaceful pecan paradiso methink!

Oh, and morning walk!? As in every morning? *impressed*

Happy newish thread, Mamie! Did I read Scrabble?! I love the game and now that you've brought it up I think I'll look for my game and get it ready for the long, cold days ahead. In the meantime I'll play online.

When I read the story of the skateboarder I was waiting for you to say the skater was one of your kids. But then again, I thought the kids of The Pecan Paradiso would be smarter than that!

Have a great Sunday!

Hi Mamie! Just popping in to say hello
Hope you and your family are enjoying a wonderful summer and getting good use out of your pool!

Hi Mamie, it's that time of year again - you know- the time when I shamelessly advertise September Series and Sequels!

Hope to see you there. :)

Howdy Mamie!

Where has Crazymamie been? Oh, where, oh, where????

The preseason for football is on and we have been watching the games also a little bit of sickness around here for a few people.

Hope that sickness at the Paradisio does not prevent all from enjoying their weekends.

I did finish Spenser #16 and it was a throwback in a very good way. I haven't liked a Spenser book like this in some time. What a relief!

Preseason football = hooray

Sickness = ouchies

No Mamie == sad LTers

Hope you've had far more football than ouchies, Mamie!

Man, you have been MIA as long as I have! I am swamped with back-to-school stuff for the kids. My middle one starts tomorrow and my youngest next Tuesday. I have mixed emotions. I could use the regular schedule, but I love summer and my kids. Come out and play soon! Miss you. : )

Hi Mamie, here I was feeling bad about not keeping up with you, but looks like you've had trouble keeping up with your own thread! Trust you've been happily busy. I'm reading The English Patient right now. Was motivated to share a read with you.

Hope you and yours are all ok Mamie and that you're just lost in some good football games...

Hope you're OK, Mamie! Enjoy those preseason games!

Hi there, Mamie! Hope all's well and you're just busy watching the US Open lately :)

Hi Mamie!
Hope all is well and you haven't melted.
We have a little 5 y/o "street demon" who rides (and parks) his bike in the middle of our very narrow, hilly, winding road. So many crazy tourists/vacationers and old, old people who also think the road is only theirs. I'm so worried about the little boy... and I don't want to unexpectantly encounter him over a hill or around a curve. Eeesh!

btw, I applaud your morning walks...

Good morning, Mamie! Just checking in. Hope all is well at the Pecan Paradisio.

I miss you Mamie! I've been wondering how you and the gang have been.

Are you all ok?

Hmm, sneaky! That's a new picture up top. So you are alive - hooray!

Miss you, but hope that you are being kept away by only good stuff :)

Hiya smoochling!

Happy Monday! Going to bed now and I get to sleep in tomorrow. Nothing planned, Hallelujah! Hugs.

^Just popping Mamie. I hope all is well in your world. Hugs!

Happy September 1st, Mamie. Hope everything is going great in Mamieland!

Hi Mamie - Hope you're doing well! I'm always torn between bugging/not bugging folks who are taking an LT break, but I thought I'd drop by to let you know you're missed.

Abby took this photo - isn't it lovely?

Okay...I'm going to try to catch up. Slowly. My tendonitis has been really bothering me lately, so I have tried to take it easy with the things that seem to aggravate it - unfortunately, the computer is a major factor here. I have missed you all so! I have just been recording my reading and keeping up with the TIOLI challenges and lurking a bit. Life has been good - the heat and humidity have been ugly, but luckily we have the pool. Mostly we have been indulging in preseason football and games of Scrabble, trying out some new recipes, watching more than a few movies and as always, reading. Our deck is almost finished now, and I shall be sure to post pics of the old versus the new when it is completed. Craig and the kids have done a fabulous job, and I love that the railing no longer goes the entire length of it, as this really opens up the view of those beautiful pecan trees.

I am ready for Fall, which is my favorite season - just have to make it through the anniversary of my Dad's death first. I have been missing him with my whole heart lately and struggling a bit with the weight of his absence. September 13th will mark three years without his physical presence. I am so very thankful for all of the lovely memories that he left with me - he was such a great Dad.

SO sorry to know it's pain that's keeping you away, not a hot affair with some gorgeous thing or another. (Hi Craig!) Healing whammys forthcoming.

Abby's photo is, as expected, lovely. Water lilies are such seductively delicate though tough as nails survivors.

Sending scroodles of smooches!

On the reading front, here's what I finished in August:

August Reads (12 books)


86. Monitor by James Tertius de Kay (4 stars) 224 pages (1997) - non-fiction story about how this Civil War ironclad ship came to be and the history of her battles. Very interesting and well written - a lovely little book. My only complaint was that I wish the pictures and drawings had been larger.


87. The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye (4.5 stars) 432 pages (2012) - LOVED this! Wonderful writing and complex characters. I especially enjoyed the setting and the sense of place that the writer captured so beautifully.


88. Playmates by Robert B. Parker (3 stars) 288 pages (1989) - Finally! A Spenser that I actually liked - it has been SO long! Less Susan and more snarky Spenser. YES! More like this, please.


89. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (4.5 stars) 305 pages (1992) - Truly fabulous. Still thinking about my rating, as I might raise it to five stars. I really loved the writing and how the story lines were woven together. I had seen the movie years ago, but the book is so much better.


90. The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan (3.5 stars) 134 pages (1915) - Short and fun espionage story. What I loved here was the fact that the main character is dropped into a world he knows nothing about and forced to adapt. Caught up in a web of intrigue where he knows only part of the story and where he cannot identify all of the players, the protagonist must make his own way. Although parts of this story are absurd, the entertainment of the story make up for the holes in the plot. I liked the Masterpiece Theatre production of this even better than the book.


91. Stoker's Manuscript by Royce Prouty (3.5 stars) 352 pages (2013) - An ER book that I had misplaced and finally found. YIKES! Way overdue for my review. Here's what I ended up posting: I SO wanted to love this book - the premise was brilliant, and parts of it were skillfully executed, but it just didn't live up to its promise. Both the writing and the pacing were uneven. Suspense was created but not sustained. And the main character did not feel fully fleshed out. There were a few holes in the plot. That being said, I loved the parts that dealt with the history of the manuscript - even though the "facts" were wholly fictional, this part was fascinating to me, and I wanted more of it. I also wanted the main character's unique skills and knowledge to play a greater part in the storyline. There were questions left unanswered at the end of the book, leading me to think that there is probably a sequel in the works. As this is the author's first novel, I would hope that a second novel would play to what really worked in this first one and allow the main character some much needed character growth.


92. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (Um...NO) 352 pages (2009) - Urban fantasy. Not sure why I finished it except that I kept hoping that it would get better. SO not good.


93. The Voice of the Violin by Andrea Camilleri (4 stars) 256 pages (1997) - The fourth book in the Inspector Montalbano series - another strong entry that does not disappoint. I am liking the character development in these books, and the story is always great fun.


94. Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little (4 stars) 384 pages (2014) - Picked this up off the new books shelf at the library, and it was very good. The ending was a bit over the top and felt rushed, but the rest was really well done, and the main character is SO snarky! An enjoyable murder mystery- impressive for a first novel.


95. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (3.5 stars) 432 pages (2012) - So many differing opinions on this one, and here is mine. I liked it but did not love it. The first 75% of the book was well done and kept me turning the pages, but then it just kept going and going. Too long, I am thinking. And I wanted more of a bang at the end. It lost half a star for not knowing when to quit.


96. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (3.5 stars) 391 pages (2004) - UM...I thought that the premise was clever and also that some of the writing was very good. However, I felt that the author also felt that the premise was clever, and so some of the writing seemed condescending. It was uneven for me, both in the writing and in the story line with the first half being stronger that the last half.


97. Down the Rabbit Hole by Juan Pablos Villalobos (4 stars) 130 pages (2010) This little novella is a gem. I loved the dark humor and the voice of the child narrator.

>82 richardderus: Thank you, BigDaddy! You made me laugh, and I SO appreciate your good wishes. Thanks for that, and for those smooches which have made me feel better already. *smooch back*

And here's what I have finished so far this month:

September Reads: (2 books)


98. The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick (4 stars) 304 pages (2008) - Read this in just one day - most of it in the pool! Very good, but here is a bit of a shocker: I liked the movie better. That rarely happens with me, but I just loved this movie and the changed storyline made it stronger and more realistic, I thought.

Editing this to add that one of things about the book that, for me, was both charming and annoying was that it ruins several classic reads by revealing the endings - the main character is reading through a high school literature list and he discusses what he likes and doesn't like about each book, but he does not avoid spoilers. In fact, the book is full of spoilers for these books. I had read all of them but one, but still...

Here is a list of the books whose endings and key plot points he gives away:
The Great Gatsby
A Farewell to Arms
The Scarlet Letter
The Bell Jar
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Catcher in the Rye


99. A Passage to India by E. M. Forster (4.25 stars) 11 hours, 6 minutes (1924) - Finished this up just yesterday. I listened to it on audio, narrated by Sam Dastor, and it was very well done. The first part drags a bit, but once the story is up and running, it takes off nicely. Such a great study of culture and identity, and I loved that I thought I knew where it was going, but I was wrong. Highly recommended.

Hiya, Mamie! Nice to see you posting. I'm sorry it's a mix of the good and the bad that's been keeping you away, though I guess that's better than all bad.

I fully understand about your dad. I get like that about my mom when the anniversary approaches. Nothing to do but feel the feelings and revel in happy memories...

Thinking of you and sending good wishes!

Good to have you back, Mamie! Hope that tendonitis eases up on you.

You have all sorts of crossover reading with ones I've liked, and I'm particularly glad to see you enjoyed Playmates (he does indeed have more good ones like this), The 39 Steps (I went backwards with this, seeing the intricate and humorous play first), and The Voice of the Violin (I'm a hopeless Montalbano fan).

>86 katiekrug: Hey, Katie! So true that a mix is better than all bad! I have been thinking about my Dad a lot - so strange how memory works, and a smell or a phrase said in just the right manner can send you back to moments that happened long ago. So lovely but also so bittersweet. I know that you totally get that. The kids have been so good about it - we have been indulging in chili cheese dogs (his favorite, and a favorite memory of him for me) and watching some of those old movies that my Dad and I loved to watch together.

Thanks so much for thinking of me and sending those good wishes my way. I NEED to come catch up with you!

>87 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! Me, too!

I was delighted to get to a Spenser that felt more like the earlier books. I like him when he is at his snarkiest and Hawk is in the picture. And I LOVED the Masterpiece Theater version of The 39 Steps -so well done and excellently casted. I bet it was a lot of fun as a play. And Montalbano!! I adore him - I am wanting to track down the series on video, as I have heard those are good.

Mamie! Lovely to read your reviews of books/stories finished! I have missed you and am so sad that the pain is what is keeping you away from us.

I am also having some difficulty with pain: lower back, and sciatic nerve inflammation rediating down my left leg! I have some pain killers but of course they make reading hard. Keep wanting to go sleep....

But I'm working on developing balance between the sitting in the car which the job with Instacart encourages; and the walking which the doctors and my dogs are conspiring to make me do more of....

Oh Mamie, great to hear from you. Obviously with tendonitis, it's a good idea to minimize your computer usage, though you are ver much missed around here. Great stuff that you enjoyed The Gods of Gotham as much as you did, because now you have the follow-up book to look forward to, Seven for a Secret, which I listened to this year and found quite good also, and apparently Lyndsay Faye is continuing with the series. I shared a read with The English Patient in August with you, and though I found it to be excellent, I think I've been somewhat deprived of grey matter lately from the constant migraine pain I've been suffering, and so I felt like I'd missed out on a lot. One of those books I'll just have to revisit to get more out of eventually. In the meantime, I've requested the movie from the library, as I've never seen it. I'm sure it'll be excellent, though very much an adaptation as the novel is so rich.

I've been wanting to get to A Passage to India for a long time. I have it in book form, but I'm really tempted to get the audiobook, as I'm sure Sam Dastor does a great job on the narration, but I can't quite justify spending a credit on it, so I've been sort of waiting for it to go on sale.

Sorry about the hurdle you face of mourning your father. Three years is still very recent. But as you say, you've got all those great memories you get to keep, which is just wonderful.

I like the autumn a lot too, which is a good compensation for losing the pleasant and not too hot summer we had this year, for once.

>90 maggie1944: Thank you for those kind thoughts, Karen! So sorry to hear about your lower back and nerve pain - YIKES! That is no fun at all. I need to come catch up with you and find out about your job with Instacart! Craig and I have taken a break from walking as the heat and humidity are terrible right now - looking forward to getting back to that just as soon as the weather permits. I really did feel loads better when I was walking every day.

>91 Smiler69: Oh, thank you, Ilana! It's lovely to be missed! I am looking forward to Seven for a Secret - I had not realized there was a sequel until Roberta mentioned it. The characters were so interesting- it will be fun to continue on with them. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the movie versus the book with The English Patient- I watched it again after reading the book, and it is so lovely, but they had to leave so much out. You do not get to know Kip's incredible backstory, and they change the relationship between Hana and Caravaggio - they are strangers in the movie, not old friends. Still, it is very well done, and I thought the casting was perfect. The book also inspired me to acquire some of the books mentioned in it that I had not read - I have Kim on audio now, The Charterhouse of Parma on Kindle, and I have checked out Herodotus from the library. It made me laugh because there is no way that The Histories could have been easily carried around by the English Patient - it has over 800 pages! Check out the book that represents it in the movie!! No way!

So sorry to hear about your migraines - sending you good mojo to combat those.

The audio of A Passage to India narrated by Sam Dastor is truly lovely - he does the voices so well and somehow manages to capture the nuance of what is not being said with his phrasing and emphasis. I know what you mean about spending a credit, though - I always have to think very carefully about that, too. For me, it was totally worth it as I know that I will listen it to it again. A sale price would be most excellent!!

Thank you for those words about my Dad - so true that three years is very recent. I joined LT just shortly after his passing, so you guys have been such a huge blessing to me. So September means that I remember a goodbye, but I also get to celebrate a hello, which is just such a lovely thing.

Fall is full of fabulous for me - football, my anniversary, two of my children's birthdays, and my favorite holiday (Thanksgiving). Also cooler temps and a change in colors for the outdoor scenery - not so vivid and cool down here in Georgia as it was back in Indiana, but hey, I'll take it!

Mamie, I did figure they must have changed things around in the movie version as far as relationships go in The English Patient and left out plenty of things too—it's quite a complex story. I had an introduction to The Histories thanks to Ryszard Kapuściński excellent Travels with Herodotus last year. He quotes a lot from that book in his travel memoir and quite badly made me want to read it, and in fact did travel extensively with it, so that by the time I read The English Patient I found it entirely believable our 'Englishman' had done so as well. Even though it's a huge volume, it may very well have been printed in a small format, on onion skin paper in a tiny font, to make for a pocket-book size, if you see what I mean. I look forward to tackling him. The Charterhouse of Parma is on my wishlist, and has been for a while, though I have Stendhal's The Red and the Black on the tbr, and have yet to discover this author. I listened to Kim a few years back, but will definitely have to revisit it, as there is a lot I missed. Back to The English Patient, it certainly made me want to find out more about Count Almasy too, what an intriguing figure!

I've finally reviewed Ancillary Justice, an Early Reviewers win, in my thread...post #224.

Five major SF awards won by this book, and I can't for the life of me comprehend why. Not a bad book, but it's...~meh~

Hi Mamie! Glad to see you online! Sorry about your pain, hope that ends for you!

>93 Smiler69: So true that it is a complex story. The movie does an excellent job of narrowing the focus to fit the movie's time frame. And I love what you shared about Herodotus!! Now you have me adding Travels With Herodotus to my WL! I did think of the tiny font, but not the onion skin paper - good point! I have not read Stendahl before, either - looking forward to that one for sure. Like you, I am wanting to find out more about the real people that the author of the book based some of his characters on - so fascinating.

>94 richardderus: Going to check out that review right now, BigDaddy!

>95 ChelleBearss: Hi Chelle!! Glad to be back online, and thrilled to see you back here yourself! Thanks for those wishes - please kiss your lovely Chloe for me and give her my love.

I added The Secret Life Of Laszlo Almasy by John Bierman to my wishlist today. I'll borrow it from the library sometime. It'll under 300 pages, which is encouraging! :-)

Crazy!! So nice to see you! I am sorry you are not in top form and hope things right themselves quickly. I see my doc on Thursday and hope my knee passes the test. A little behind on books--just started Playmates and I am so glad to know that you like this one. Yay, less Susan more snarky Spenser. ; ) Hugs.

Yay, Mamie is back! But please take care and don't overdo now with too much typing. I guess we're all just happy to see you're well, having been a bit worried.
You read some books that are on my tbr. The English Patient will go up a bit now. Don't know why, it never called to me yet and I also never saw the movie.
I loved A Passage to India as well, it's my favorite Forster. It has layers and difficult characters, not an easy read, but really impressive.

Good to hear from you, Mamie! Fall is my favorite, too, but I'll be thinking of you on the 13th.

Morning, Y'all! Already 75F here with 92% humidity, so it's going to be steamy again today. YUK. I am SO ready for Fall. Yesterday was a lazy day with just a bit of work as we are slowly easing ourselves back into more of a structured routine. And last night was very relaxing as we ordered pizza and watched Sherlock - we are behind in our watching of the fabulous Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes. We re-watched the last episode of season two and then immediately followed up with the first episode of season three. Delightful! This show is just so well done - what a treat!

On the reading front, I am working on some new books as well as continuing to finish up the ones shown at the top of my thread:

Yesterday a book arrived that I had pre-ordered and have been anxiously awaiting - Arctic Summer by Damon Gaigut.
Perfect timing as I have just finished up A Passage to India, and this book is a fictionalized account of Forster's life beginning when he was visiting India for the first time. I am hoping that it is well done - I have mixed feelings about these fictionalized biographic books, although they can be so lovely when placed in the right hands. And this is a Europa edition, making it quite impossible for me to resist - blaming Katie for this addiction! There was an article in The Guardian if you want to read more about the premise of the book - Guardian review


Also just started Shakespeare & Company by Sylvia Beach, which I got from my Secret Santa last Christmas - the writing is not stellar, but the story is so very interesting, and I am fascinated by this particular time period between the two great wars and the whole Lost Generation thing. Really loving this so far, but I can already tell that I am going to wish she had shared more of the story - these anecdotes and personal impressions feel like appetizers, and I am wanting the main course.

On audio, I have begun listening to Her Royal Spyness by RhysBowen. This is narrated by the very entertaining Katherine Kellgren - some of you might be familiar with her as she also does the Flavia de Luce books written by Alan Bradley. Not far enough into it to tell you if it's a keeper, but I like it so far.

>98 Smiler69: I checked to see if our library system had that book, but sadly, it does not. You'll have to let me know if it is worth tracking down or not. Sounds very interesting. And under 300 pages sounds perfect!

>99 Berly: Thank you, Kim! Crossing my fingers for your doctor's visit on Thursday - hoping you pass! And yes, Playmates is a good one! Hugs back to you, dear.

>100 Deern: Nathalie! Hello there! I am being very careful about the typing - using a blank document and doing just a bit at a time and then copying and pasting it here for the book stuff. I really loved The English Patient - beautiful writing and really complex characters whose stories intertwine because of the war. I have only read two Forster's so far - the other one was Howard's End, which I also loved. I do have A Room With a View waiting in the stacks, and I am looking forward to it. So very lovely to see you here - thanks for stopping in!

>101 scaifea: Thank you, Amber! Feels good to be posting again. I appreciate you keeping me in your thoughts on the 13th - means a lot to me.

I haven't read any Forster, A Passage to India will be my first. I have it here from the library so will need to read it shortly. I've been hesitant because I was afraid it would be too thick and dry. I'm glad to hear you liked it.

My heart goes out to you for missing your father. *hugs*

>104 Morphidae: Morning, Morphy! I hope you like A Passage to India - just remember what I mentioned about the first part dragging a bit. It's definitely a slow starter - it takes off when you get to the caves, but the beginning stuff is really important to how it all plays out. So, thick and dry to start with, but it really takes off later.

Thank you for those hugs - I sure do appreciate your thoughts! *hugs back*

>81 Crazymamie: Mamie, *hugs* and *hugs* for you as you miss your dad. I'm so glad he was a good one and you have happy memories.

>83 Crazymamie: I feel the same way you do about Gone Girl ... it did just go on and on and on and while I didn't love the ending, it did make sense within the context of her characters. I'm opting out of seeing the movie because I think once was enough for me.

Happy Friday, Mamie! Hope you and the gang at the Pecan Paradisio have a great weekend.

Mamie I am on Book 4 of Mercy Thompson and it is all your fault. Thanks for that. I need the distraction.

>109 luvamystery65: Oh. Aren't they fun?

Mamie, I wish you a relaxed weekend.

>110 Morphidae: Yes they are Morphy. Thanks to you I continued with the series knowing there wouldn't be an endless team X or team Y.

And now you know who she ended up with and the relationship grows from there. :D

Good Saturday Morning, Y'all! It's already headed toward steamy here- ugh. SO ready for Fall. Today is pretty much a chore day for us and then tomorrow will be all about the FOOTBALL. I am overjoyed that the regular season is upon us once again. Thank goodness!

Yesterday the mailman delivered something that made me completely giddy. No, deckled edge pages were not involved, but I did open a box containing the first ten books in the Montalbano series!! Ten books!! I had been reading these from the library, but for some strange reason they do not have all of the books. So they had books three and four and nine but not books 5-8. On Amazon I found a set of the first ten books in trade paperback from a third party seller, in new condition, for $36. Needless to say, I snapped these up. Precious...my precious...

On the reading front, I have finished two more books:



100. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (reread) 327 pages (2001) - Yes, I know I just reread this last year, but I saw that Ilana had it listed in the TIOLI challenges, and I couldn't resist joining her. Just as good as the last time I read it. Sookie Stackhouse always makes me smile.



101. The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings (4.5 stars) 320 pages (2007) - Okay, I really loved this. Told in the first person narrative, which does not always work but shines here, this is a book about what happens when you lose your way. While Matt King's wife is in a coma, he begins to realize that the life he thought he had is really more of an illusion. What I really admired about the writing here is that it is is filled with honesty and integrity in a voice that does not get mired down in angst or self-pity. It felt real.

>106 AuntieClio: Hi Stephanie!! I thank you so much for those hugs- means a lot to me.

About Gone Girl- I would definitely have liked it much more if it had been shorter. I have not decided yet about seeing the movie - I am intrigued because I read that the author wrote a different ending for the movie. SO, while I probably won't shell out the big bucks to see it in the theater, I would definitely check it out on DVD. If not for the changed ending, though, I would not be the least bit tempted.

>108 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe! Friday was even lovelier than usual because Craig took the day off. He was on call the entire Labor Day weekend and had the office alone on Monday, so it was a well deserved break. He did not rest on his laurels, though - he rarely does. He worked on the deck, which is oh so close to being finished. The weekend looks to be fun but hot. Today we work, and tomorrow we will play. Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous!

>109 luvamystery65: I am SO happy that you are loving the Mercy Thompson series, Roberta! And you are welcome - so happy they are providing a distraction. You have been in my thoughts so much lately as I lost my Dad this same month, and I remember how much it hurt to say goodbye even though I knew he was ready and finally at peace. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful gift you gave your mom to know that she was loved so unconditionally.

>110 Morphidae: Yes! The collection of short stories just came out this month, and I am preparing to dip into them.

>111 Ameise1: Thanks for that, Barbara! What a lovely image!

>112 luvamystery65: I was so relieved that she didn't draw out that triangle, too!

>113 Morphidae: I love the character development in these books.

Oh I just adore those Montalbano covers. I thought they were only available in the UK? Congrats on a great deal. I don't have the physical books, as took advantage of a Downpour.com sale and bought most of them on audio at around $4 each, but here on LT I've picked those same covers for when I'm browsing through my collection. I should find out who the illustrator is, I'm pretty sure I've seen him/her do other book covers as well.

I will make Dead Until Dark my very next listen since you picked it out (as a reread!) just to join me. Heh! Hope I love it as much as you do. I watched the first three seasons of True Blood and really loved that, though don't know if that's any sort of indication at all.

Hope cooler weather heads your way soon. xx

>114 Crazymamie: - What an amazing find online!

>117 lkernagh: I know, right? I kept rereading it to make sure it was real - and they are brand new!

Hi Mamie, I have finally got caught up here. We are having beautiful weather here right now and I am planning on spending a lot of time outdoors this weekend soaking up the sunshine. I have the first Camilleri on my Kindle and from the talk I have heard around LT I know that this is going to be a series that grabs me. I agree with Ilana, I love those colorful covers.

Hi Judy! I am definitely not spending any time outside today - too hot. No air movement and VERY humid here. So please soak up somme sun for me! I think you will like Camilleri - the fourth book is where it really took off for me because the character development starts there, IMHO. The covers that I have are not my favorite ones, but for $36, they will definitely do. And they are colorful. The ones that I really like are even bolder, for example, the one on the left as opposed to what I have pictured on the right:

..

Beautiful books

We are having lovely Autumn like days - temps mostly in mid to high 70s; some afternoons are hotter - into lower 80s. Bright blue skies and gentle breezes. I love September and always have. Wish you were here!

I love that you found that gorgeous set of books. I have decided to collect all the Tales of the City books with some fun artsy covers and also I am looking to get all of Alan Furst's books, too. They have some wonderful atmospheric covers.

Well, I need to go stretch my legs!

I wish I was there, too, Karen!! the 70s sounds wonderful!

I have the first book in the Tales of the City books, and I am wanting to get to it soon. And I LOVE the covers of those! I only have two of Alan Furst's books, but I predict more in my future as I really like his writing.

Have fun stretching those legs - I will be sitting on the sofa, thinking of you.

WAHhoo! Guess what just arrived - my Early Reviewer copy of Vanessa and Her Sister!! I was so excited to win this one as I have recently read The Hours and Mrs. Dalloway, and this new historical fiction is about Virginia Woolf and her sister Vanessa Bell. I am so hoping that it is good. And I was excited to get it so quickly as I am still waiting on the book I won from the July batch - Jane Austen Cover to Cover. Still hoping that it will show up sooner rather than later.

Speaking of covers, this one is a beauty:

The Descendants is one of our favorite movies too.... Clooney is wonderful as the husband and the daughter is sublime.

I am wanting to watch the movie, Lucy! I think Clooney would be a perfect fit for Matt King. I was surprised to find that neither Amazon Prime and Netflix had it for free streaming, as it is not a new movie, and I can't request it from the library. Looks like Red Box for me!

Hiya Crazy! Glad to see you are able to post again. : ) I haven't read any Montalbano yet...guess I should fix that. Finally got around to Playmates--perfect for my afternoon read. I hope the heat lets up soon. I feel your pain-- we hit 97 here today. Ugh!

Morning, Mamie! Enjoy your Football Day!

FOOTBALL!!

Mamie, lovely to have you back with us and seeing your reading updates again :-)

Mamie dearest, a big *confetti toss* on your 100th read!!



And a smallish warble: Ancient Oceans of Central Kentucky. Superb writing. Good story.

Deckled-edge pages.

I started on the audiobook of Dead Until Dark yesterday Mamie. The narrator, Johanna Parker had been highly recommended, and I can see why—she's doing an amazing job. So far, so great! :-)

Go Salvo! Can't believe you picked the first 10 for $36, Mamie. Have fun!

Oh, Mamie!! I'm so sorry to hear about your injury / illness (however you categorize your tendonitis), but I'm glad to see that you are here. I have been wondering where you've been.

I haven't seen you or the girls around much at all and I was really starting to get worried!

Take it easy, but peep in on us and let us know you are okay from time to time. Some of us are worry-warts because we've grown rather fond of you, my dear. :)

Mamie, back to say I really enjoyed my first Sookie Stackhouse. Boy, does Harris ever have a fertile imagination! They didn't make up any of that stuff in True Blood, did they? As I said, the narrator in the audio series is really excellent, and since the complete series is available via my library to download, I'll definitely be continuing with it. Have you read all the books?

Hope you're doing well. xx

Mamie, I wish you a lovely weekend.

89. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (4.5 stars) 305 pages (1992) - Truly fabulous. Still thinking about my rating, as I might raise it to five stars. I really loved the writing and how the story lines were woven together. I had seen the movie years ago, but the book is so much better.

You give me hope that I can still get something from this book. I started it a long time ago and still am stuck half way through. I lost momentum and pretty much gave up. I absolutely loved the movie when it came out ages ago, Id even think about seeing it again some day. WHen I win the time lottery :)

I hope yo are well, and fit and not having a too terrible 13/9, considering it is a sad day for you.

Mamie, I hope yesterday was spent surrounded by your wonderful family and many happy memories of your dad. xoxo

Hi Crazy--Hope you are healing, but could you make it faster already!? You are seriously missed here!! Okay, now don't go feeling all guilty, just feel the love. : ) Hope you are having a splendid weekend and gobbling up lots of great books. Hugs.

Sneaking in here and sorry to see about the tendonitis - I recall how agonising it was when I had that in my wrist, however mine was due to a dog bite to my hand that had also damaged the tendon so hopefully yours is somewhat less painful, not being associated with a bite.

Perhaps you feel somewhat like my daft boy here:

>136 LovingLit: Megan, I sometimes felt I was in over my head with The English Patient. It's structure is unexpected, and it sometimes reads more like poetry than like prose, in that I found it often hid more than it revealed. I'd been meaning to read if for so long that I plodded right ahead with it, and decided I was enchanted with the flow of it if anything, and was sort of lulled by it all, but it is by no means easy reading, so I can easily see how you'd get bogged down with it. Oops, I think I just sort of wrote my review for it finally! :-)

Hi Mamie, wishing you well!

Hi Mamie dearest, was thinking of you! *smooch*

Mamie, I am sorry about your tendonitis. I know little about it. Is it caused from typing so much? You may have to use a computer with a microphone and "talk" to us! Letting you know that I put our latest Spenser in TIOLI Challenge #14: Series author with 5 or 6 letters in first or last name. It works for both Robert and Parker. Get well soon. We miss you around here!

Missing you. Just thought you should know! ; )

Mamie update:

I'm sorry to say that the tendonitis is still really bothering my mom. She has even iced it a few times, which is very telling as she hates to ice anything.

Other than that, we have had glorious weather, so she has been spending most of her days reading happily on the screened-in porch.

Thanks for the update Abby. Sorry to hear you're in pain Mamie. You are missed, but as long as it pains you to type, do take care of yourself and get better. We'll still be here when you get better.

Please give our best to your mom, Abby, and thank you for letting us know. The best news is she's reading happily in that glorious weather. Hope the tendonitis eases up soon.

I'm glad to hear she's getting some good reading in, even if she can't do much else! Hopefully it will settle down and she'll be out of pain soon.

Best wishes for your tendonitis, Mamie.

Thanks for the update, Abby, hope this clears up soon, Meanwhile, enjoy your reading time, Mamie.

Suffering from some chronic pain type stuff too but not in the arms/wrists/hands thank goodness, mine just hurts a bit while I'm sitting or sleeping. So, a warm bath is in my near tern future. Feels good. I've not bothered with ice, I'm all for heat.

Tell your Mom we are missing her, and yet very glad she is able to get some good reading time in!

Whoo hoo!

Mamie, I'm so sorry to hear that you are in such pains. I send you a load of positive and healing energies. Get well soon.

>138 Berly: Hi Crazy--Hope you are healing, but could you make it faster already!? You are seriously missed here!!

Says it very nicely Kimmers if you don't mind my saying so.

I am sure that the Pecan Paradisio is a most pleasant place to recuperate dear Mamie and I trust that you'll be back fully amongst us as soon as. Greatly miss your liberal sprinklings of fabulous. xx

Ditto to what everyone else has said.... We miss our Mamie! Girls (Abby / Rae -- whoever is checking for her), please tell her we are sending our love!

Greatly miss your liberal sprinklings of fabulous. xx I truly could not have said it ANY better, Paul!! :)