Book a Week 2017 - BW45: 52 Books Mini Challenge - Finance

[Robin M]

Happy Sunday and welcome to week 45 in our 2017 adventurous prime reading year. Greetings to all our readers and those following our progress. Mister Linky is available weekly on 52 Books in 52 Weeks  to share a link to your book reviews.

 

It's time for another mini challenge and an opportunity to complete the finance category for 52 Books Bingo.  There are a number of directions to follow.  

 

Read books about

 

·         Economics

·         Banking, 

·         Investment

·         Accounting, 

·         Marketing

·         Money management, 

·         Gambling, 

·         Biographies, 

 

or 

 

·         Spell out finance

·         Find a book with finance or synonyms related to finance in the title.

·         Make an anagram from the word finance and read a book with the word in the title.

·         Read a book with the money symbol $ and/or a picture of paper money or coins on the cover. 

·         Read about the history of finance

·         Read a fictional thriller or mystery

 

 

 

And if you are feeling really ambitious, check out Goodreads  Crazy Challenge Connection group's annual challenge -  Dollars and Sense and complete any of the challenge tasks.  

 

 

 

Have fun following rabbit trails! 

 

 

What are you reading this week?

 

 

Link to Week 44

[Robin M]

Good morning or as my husband said 'happy regular time day!'   :laugh:

 

I'm still reading Palin's Around the World in 80 Days. Non fiction takes me so much longer to read.  Plus #11 in in Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series - Cold Reign.

 

Haven't figured out which finance book I'm reading yet and trying one of the Crazy Challenge tasks from Dollars and Sense. #4 which is

 

 Add the numbers in the cost of a gallon of gas; keep adding until you get down to just one single digit. 

Read a book by an author whose LAST name starts with the same letter as that number.
Ex: If your digit is ONE, your author’s last name must begin with O.

 

I came up with T so off to find a book with an author name that starts with T

Edited November 5, 2017 by Robin M

[Negin]

I have updated my review for The Complete Guide to Fasting - 1 Star - I read this book a while back and since then, I have spent more time researching and thinking about it. I have also followed some of the advice, fasting off and on for 12-16 hours.

 

I’m updating my review. His first book, “The Obesity Code†was far better. At the time that I read it, I felt that it was among the very best in all the diet books that I have read. Below are some of my observations/the problems that I have with this book.

 

NOT ENOUGH TIPS

This book is not “a complete guideâ€. It covers a lot of background information and goes into great details about all fasting benefits and so on. The book is extremely repetitive when it comes to all that, really, really repetitive! Yet when it comes to actual tips and how to put fasting into practice, it is seriously lacking. So this is when I chose to join a few Facebook groups to learn more and to hopefully gain insight.

 

SEEMS TO BE MORE SUITED FOR CHILD-FREE COUPLES

When I first read this book, I thought of one major concern. I have to cook for a family and here is where the problem lies. I have never, ever been able to lose weight when I cook and that’s not even considering fasting. He mentions that fasting and cooking are not a good mix. I can understand why. I fast once a year for religious reasons and I barely cook during that time. For me, cooking while fasting is simply not happening. He does have some short and simple fasts: 12 hour and 16 hour ones, but that's when the weight loss starts to plateau, as it inevitably does, he recommends longer and different types of fasts and I honestly can’t see myself being able to do that, unless if the entire family was on board. He mentions that fasting is most successful among couples when both commit to it, but not everyone is in that situation.

 

IT WORKS AT FIRST

So again, from all that I have read and the little that I have experienced, when it comes to weight loss, this approach works initially, but then the amount of weight lost starts to plateau, and this appears to be more common among women. That’s when the author suggests that one needs to keep upping the ante and extending the length of the fasts.

 

EXTENDED FAST

I don’t have an issue with moderate fasting – 12 hours, 16 hours, the 5:2 diet, 3:4, and so on. What troubles me about the second book, is that they push for longer and longer fasts, in other words, extended fasting, which I think is simply unwise. I’m talking fasting for a week and longer, sometimes as long as three weeks! I think that that's too extreme. During that time, the daily caloric intake is well under 200 calories, when only water, kombucha, and bone broth are eaten. I cannot imagine it can be sustainable and how it can create a healthy relationship when it comes to food.

 

COFFEE

One thing that they do recommend is consuming large amounts of black coffee. I would not be able to tolerate that on an empty stomach.

 

HAIR LOSS

I was on the Facebook groups for a short while and saw that many complained about this. The idea of losing hair is not an appealing one. Drastic diets like this are known to be a major factor in hair loss.

 

MY FINAL TAKE

If you do wish to try intermittent fasting, I would suggest not wasting your money and/or time on this book, but rather only read “The Obesity Codeâ€. If you read and re-read the tips there, that’s really all that you need. This second book really does not add much at all and isn’t worth the price.

Some quotes that I thought to share:

 

“Fasting, by taking a completely different approach, is much easier to understand. It is so simple that it can be explained in two sentences: Eat nothing. Drink water, tea, coffee, or bone broth. That’s it.â€

 

“Try to physically remove yourself from all food stimuli during a fast. Cooking a meal or even just seeing and smelling food while fasting is almost unbearably difficult. This is not simply a matter of weak willpower. Our cephalic phase responses are fully activated, and to feel those responses without actually eating is like trying to stop a piranha feeding frenzy. This, of course, is the same reason you should not shop for food when hungry, or keep snacks in the pantry.â€

 

“Interestingly, I’ve seen the highest success rates with husbands and wives who try fasting together: the mutual support is a big help and makes fasting far easier.â€

 

I read The Talented Mr. Ripley - 3 Stars - This book is well-written and the plot is gripping. My challenge was the protagonist. Stepping inside the mind of a sociopath, psychopath, or whatever monster he was, was hard for me. This is another one of those books where I really didn’t like a single character.

 

and Parkinson's Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life - 3 Stars - The doctor who wrote this book is a world authority on Parkinson's Disease. I love his hopeful approach, which is one of involved doctors teaching and mentoring patients. This is a quick read. My only complaint is that I do wish that there was more practical information and tips. It’s a bit lacking in that area. 

 

        

 

MY RATING SYSTEM

5 Stars

Fantastic, couldn't put it down

4 Stars

Really Good

3 Stars

Enjoyable

2 Stars

Just Okay – nothing to write home about

1 Star

Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

[Mothersweets]

Good morning all! 

 

After 1 year and 8 months, I have finally finished listening to The Count of Monte Cristo on CraftLit. I actually didn't care for the narrator Heather had chosen so I listened to a version with B.J. Harrison as the reader. That said, the book is amazing. I never thought I would enjoy it so much but I really came to appreciate Dumas' writing and the handling of so many characters! How did he keep it all straight? I've had to use a character map to keep track of everyone. Edmond Dantes was so well-written - at a certain point I thought he was going to be very one dimensional but he surprised me at the end. Great book and so worth the read (or listen!). It was made more enjoyable by listening along with Craftlit - Heather Ordover makes it understandable, entertaining, and informative and she has a lovely voice, too. https://craftlit.com/472-2?order=asc

 

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was such a fun book that I thought this one would be another great read. Well...not so much. I liked the story and the writing was good, especially the descriptions of the village and the countryside and gardens. The dialog between characters often seemed really stiff and formal. It just didn't sound the way people really speak, even if they are early 20th century English gentry (is that the correct term?). Still, it was worth the read and probably better if you aren't looking for something fast-paced or action packed. I gave it 3 and a half stars.

 

I am still trying to finish War and Peace. It has been looking reproachfully at me from my nightstand. ;)

[Kareni]

A one day only currently free classic for Kindle readers ~

 

Anthem by Ayn Rand

 

"Ayn Rand’s searing portrait of a dystopian future in which all ego has been erased 

In a world where science and learning are banned and the simple utterance of the Unspeakable Word, I, is punishable by death, a man named Equality 7-2521 struggles with his unquenchable desire to investigate, to think, to know. His instincts are a “curse†that threatens to bring him to the attention of a government dedicated to the elimination of the self. But Equality 7-2521 cannot ignore his true nature, just as he cannot ignore the fruits of his curiosity: the discovery of the mysterious “power of the sky.†His great awakening—in heart, mind, and soul—represents the inevitable triumph of the individual over the collective.

A riveting, thought-provoking parable based on the author’s experience of life in a socialist state, Anthem serves as an invaluable introduction to Ayn Rand, her fiction, and her philosophy."

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Kareni]

Some bookish posts ~

 

This is dated 2008 but some may enjoy it ~ If You Like Julia Spencer-Fleming . . . Hosted by Val Kovalin

 

From Word Wenches ~ Great Openers

 

 

Some links that regency readers might enjoy ~

 

 sharonlathanauthor.com/regency-glossary/

www.regencyhistory.net/p/regency-fashion-links.html

 

candicehern.com

 

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

 

[JennW in SoCal]

Good morning all! 

 

After 1 year and 8 months, I have finally finished listening to The Count of Monte Cristo on CraftLit. I actually didn't care for the narrator Heather had chosen so I listened to a version with B.J. Harrison as the reader. That said, the book is amazing. I never thought I would enjoy it so much but I really came to appreciate Dumas' writing and the handling of so many characters! How did he keep it all straight? I've had to use a character map to keep track of everyone. Edmond Dantes was so well-written - at a certain point I thought he was going to be very one dimensional but he surprised me at the end. Great book and so worth the read (or listen!). It was made more enjoyable by listening along with Craftlit - Heather Ordover makes it understandable, entertaining, and informative and she has a lovely voice, too. https://craftlit.com/472-2?order=asc

 

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand was such a fun book that I thought this one would be another great read. Well...not so much. I liked the story and the writing was good, especially the descriptions of the village and the countryside and gardens. The dialog between characters often seemed really stiff and formal. It just didn't sound the way people really speak, even if they are early 20th century English gentry (is that the correct term?). Still, it was worth the read and probably better if you aren't looking for something fast-paced or action packed. I gave it 3 and a half stars.

 

I am still trying to finish War and Peace. It has been looking reproachfully at me from my nightstand. ;)

 

I also really liked Count of Monte Cristo -- I believe I wound up alternating between reading and listening. It started slow, I thought, but once he is out of prison, wow! 

 

Hmmm. I have The Summer Before the War all ready to start on my kindle. I'll give it a try and see, once I finish Grand Hotel.

 

I had the nastiest of head colds so got little reading done this week. I had to muster all my mental energies for rehearsals and 3 shows this weekend, so the only actual reading I'll count is starting a re-listen of (to?) Good Omens while in the car. I settled on it for a listen as it is coming out as a tv series soon, and figured I'd better get the book details set in my mind before seeing the tv version. Is David Tennant as Crowley type casting or what?! 

 

Anyone else excited that the book three of Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings is coming out this month?!!

[mumto2]

Some bookish posts ~

 

This is dated 2008 but some may enjoy it ~ If You Like Julia Spencer-Fleming . . . Hosted by Val Kovalin

 

 

Regards,

Kareni

Thanks Kareni!

 

The recommendations appear to be pretty accurate because I have greatly enjoyed three of the series mentioned. The last one sounds vaguely familiar but I am rather hopeful. The first book by Dennis Lehane is now sitting on my Overdrive wish list waiting ford me to read through my stack a bit!

[Zebra]

I couldn't get much reading done.  The power was out for 5 days (!) so you would think I would have had tons of reading time.  It's amazing how incredibly dependent on electricity I am.   The books I was reading were on my tablet this week.  Now that my dd is in high school, most of her schoolwork is done online or on a computer.  Even 5 years ago I wasn't reading ebooks or doing any schoolwork on a computer. 

 

We did eventually end up in a hotel room.  I was feeling a little irritated about the whole situation, and in my warm/dry/electricity filled hotel room I saw a story about Puerto Rico STILL being a mess.   Which changed my attitude instantly.

 

I am still slogging through the audio of Unaccustomed Earth.   I thought I would really like it, and it was good at first, but now it just seems like it is dragging.   I do get tired of listening to short stories after a whole book.   

 

I need to find something "good" to read and need to focus on that this week  :lol: ! 

[Butter]

I read the novella Stolen Princess by Andrea Pearson.  It's a major rewrite of Dmitri, a prequel to the Kilenya Chronicles series.  She added lots of information and made it much better.

[Ali in OR]

I'm cruising through A Hope More Powerful than the Sea about Syrian refuge Doaa Al Zamel and I think it's worth reading to understand more about what has happened in Syria and the human cost of that war. I also finished a book called Julia Valeria before adding to my box of 92 books to donate to the library book sale. Most of the books were what we culled from our shelves this spring after finishing our home school journey. Some books sold at a homeschool sale and the used bookstore bought a few more, but the majority just got donated. I spent so many years collecting and using the books that it was a little hard to just donate them, but in the end I remembered how many books I was delighted to find at our library book sale every February and I hope these books make other families happy. And it feels good to get those two boxes out of the study! Need to get Hope and the Brother Cadfael mystery done in the next few days to return to the library this week. Not sure what's up after that.

[fastweedpuller]

Why hi. I knocked off three books this week:

 

Friends in High Places, by Donna Leon:  this is the maybe 9th of a kazillion Inspector Brunetti mysteries set in Venice.  I know many of you have read this series (or parts of it) and it had come well recommended by my aunt, who for years worked for Rizzoli Books and for the swan song of her working career took authors around when they came through Chicago.  In other words, I listen to her when she said the books were good and fluffy, with pasta, wine and corruption.  She assured me that it did not matter where I picked up the series, so I chose this one because it dealt with Venice's Department of Buildings, or its equivalent, and renovations and plans and shady contractors and the like. (Interestingly, there was a set of characters in the book (money lenders) who were found in a similar form in Elena Ferrante's Naples books...and Leon's work is specifically not translated into Italian, so one wonders again if corruption is a stereotype or if it's a real Italian character.) I liked it but found the sexism a bit offputting.

 

The Natural Way of Things, by Charlotte Wood, which was an extended exploration of mysogyny and control of (young) female sexuality.  I had described it jokingly as Lord of the Flies meets The Handmaid's Tale, but that denigrates all three novels.  I found it a well written dystopia.

 

And best for last, The Death and Life of the Great Lakes, by Dan Egan, nonfiction/science writing.  This is a history of the lakes, specifically our bungled and contrary historic and present use of them.  Twenty percent of the world's fresh surface water resides here, and we are horrid stewards of it.  Thank a Great Lakes resident, for instance, for zebra and quagga mussels in your Western reservoir lakes...because we thank the Caspian Sea barges for dumping their bilgewater here.  As a person who's lived all but 14 years of her life within a mile of Lake Michigan, I was delighted that most of this book was about "my" lake...mainly because it's the only one that is fully within the US and it's the one the author knows best too.  I have had the book for awhile because I thought it was mostly going to be documenting only hand-wringingly bad news, and I have enough bad news in my life on my own.  He is polemical, but I simply see it as passion.  It's a great book of reportage if nothing else.

Edited November 5, 2017 by fastweedpuller

[mumto2]

 

And best for last, The Death and Life of the Great Lakes, by Dan Egan, nonfiction/science writing. This is a history of the lakes, specifically our bungled and contrary historic and present use of them. Twenty percent of the world's fresh surface water resides here, and we are horrid stewards of it. Thank a Great Lakes resident, for instance, for zebra and quagga mussels in your Western reservoir lakes...because we thank the Caspian Sea barges for dumping their bilgewater here. As a person who's lived all but 14 years of her life within a mile of Lake Michigan, I was delighted that most of this book was about "my" lake...mainly because it's the only one that is fully within the US and it's the one the author knows best too. I have had the book for awhile because I thought it was mostly going to be documenting only hand-wringingly bad news, and I have enough bad news in my life on my own. He is polemical, but I simply see it as passion. It's a great book of reportage if nothing else.

I thought we might be reading the same book about the Great Lakes but I just checked and mine is called The Living Great Lakes by Jerry Dennis. I just received it s a belated bday gift and started it for this month's nonfiction selection. Since the book seems to have a transmitter that attracts interruptions I have read the first few pages many times now! :lol:

 

I finished the third book in Ilona Andrews Innkeeper series. I hope there are more. Lots of clever bits that the series has built up to that I really enjoyed. I am intentionally not risking spoilers because I am hoping either Robin and Kareni will give these boos another try!

[Kareni]

...she said the books were good and fluffy, with pasta, wine and corruption.  ...

 

I always like a little corruption with my pasta and wine!

 

I finished the third book in Ilona Andrews Innkeeper series. I hope there are more. Lots of clever bits that the series has built up to that I really enjoyed. I am intentionally not risking spoilers because I am hoping either Robin and Kareni will give these boos another try!

 

Boo!

 

I have read the first of the Innkeeper series and hope to read more, so I appreciate your thoughtfulness, mumto2.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Matryoshka]

Finished 4 books this week.

 

126. Banana!  The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World - Actually a really interesting read as there's lots of science and political machinations involved in bananas. For the Banana! square, of course. 4 stars.

 

127. Rabbit Cake (audiobook) - I really, really enjoyed this.  Quite the odd and quirky story, but so well done; loved all the characters. For the Cake in the Title square.  5 stars.

 

128. Secret History of the Mongol Queens - I've been meaning to read this for ages, as I just loved the author's other book Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World.  I enjoyed learning more, but much of the history of the Mongol women was willfully erased from this historical record, and while Weatherford does a reputable job piecing things back together, it didn't hit me the way his earlier book did. So, good, but not 'wow' like the other one.  For the Queen in the Title square. 3 stars.

 

129. A Cup of Coffee with My Interrogator by Ludvík Vaculík - This was for the Essay Collection square.  I'd taken a bunch of books out to choose from, and ended up with this one.  By a Czech dissident writer, written during the 70's and 80's when he had to type them up and distribute in secret.  Some good food for thought.  3.5 stars.

 

Currently reading:

 

- En busca del unicornio / In Search of the Unicorn - I'm 1/3 of the way through the book and they've just landed in Africa, which is I'm guessing where it's going to hit the fan.  So far they've just been moving through Spain toward the coast, being feted at various castles (since they're on the King's business); now they're hanging with the ruler of Morocco waiting for a caravan to cross the Sahara, as everyone knows that unicorns live in the jungle. Duh.  Our protagonist is mooning after the virgin they've brought along as unicorn bait.

 

- Cloud Atlas (ebook) - I'm at the midpoint, just starting the weirdest section written with many apostrophes for dropped vowels.

 

- The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline (audiobook) - I was going to read one of the Thursday Next books for the Crimea square, as I figured there'd be some of that through the series, since it figured rather heavily in the background of the first book.  But flipping through the sequel, I could only find one very passing mention.  So I decided to copy Rose and try this one instead... 

 

Coming up...

 

Next ebook will be Prodigal Summer or Greenglass House, whichever comes off hold in Overdrive first.  I think I will read The Devotion of Suspect X for Topaz (Robin said Japan was one of the countries it's mined in...)  The X in the title may mean I can finish the A-Z title challenge x2... I think all that's left is a Z...  and I found it on audio :)  I think I might read Burning Bright for Paranormal as my next hard-copy book.

[Kareni]

Some recent reads here ~

 

Ruby Dixon has quite a following for her series of science fiction alien romances.  I read her Barbarian's Touch  and  Barbarian's Prize. They were pleasant reads but not books I'll be re-reading.  (Adult content)

 

I reread with pleasure Anne Cleeland's  Murder in Retribution (A New Scotland Yard Mystery) after rereading the first book last week.  I suspect I'll continue my re-read as I get my hands on more of the books. 

 

Mumto2, I forget whether you've tried this series.  The first book in the series is Murder In Thrall, and you should definitely read the books in order. If you can get past the fact that the hero is a stalker (a big if, I admit), I think you might enjoy the series. 

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Robin M]

I finished the third book in Ilona Andrews Innkeeper series. I hope there are more. Lots of clever bits that the series has built up to that I really enjoyed. I am intentionally not risking spoilers because I am hoping either Robin and Kareni will give these boos another try!

Boo! 🤓 yes, I’ll give the series another try since I love her writing.

[mumto2]

 

 

 

Boo!

 

I have read the first of the Innkeeper series and hope to read more, so I appreciate your thoughtfulness, mumto2.

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

 

Boo! 🤓 yes, I’ll give the series another try since I love her writing.

The autocorrect on my new kindle is driving me nuts! I can't seem to get rid of it and it completely changes words that I know typed correctly to something odd. I might of typed boos but I rather doubt it since s and k are far apart on the keyboard!

 

Kareni, I will give the Anne Cleeland books a chance. I have the first marked on my Overdrive wish list.

[Kareni]

 The autocorrect on my new kindle is driving me nuts! I can't seem to get rid of it and it completely changes words that I know typed correctly to something odd. I might of typed boos but I rather doubt it since s and k are far apart on the keyboard!

 

Kareni, I will give the Anne Cleeland books a chance. I have the first marked on my Overdrive wish list.

 

Autocorrect can be a lot of ... fun. 

 

I will await with interest your response to the Anne Cleeland book.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[aggieamy]

I have updated my review for The Complete Guide to Fasting - 1 Star - I read this book a while back and since then, I have spent more time researching and thinking about it. I have also followed some of the advice, fasting off and on for 12-16 hours.

 

I’m updating my review. His first book, “The Obesity Code†was far better. At the time that I read it, I felt that it was among the very best in all the diet books that I have read. Below are some of my observations/the problems that I have with this book.

 

 

 

Thanks for posting the update. I read that book earlier this year and thought it was fascinating but never actually gave it a try because... I don't know. Laziness? Procrastination? Love of cake whenever I want it? Take your pick. 

 

I did have questions about some of the things you went into detail on. Thanks for doing such a thorough job reviewing it. 

[Rosie_0801]

After 1 year and 8 months, I have finally finished listening to The Count of Monte Cristo on CraftLit. 

 

Oh woe. I just started reading this. I hope it doesn't take me *that* long!

 

 

I've been reading books on real estate over the past few months, pretending I will one day climb a few rungs up the economic ladder. To save you all the trouble of reading these books, I can summarise for you:

 

Buy property, any property, 30 years ago.

 

 

Great advice, huh? :lol:

[Loesje22000]

I finished a biography about Joke Smit (dutch feminist from 'the second wave').

Learned a lot :)

[Negin]

Thanks for posting the update. I read that book earlier this year and thought it was fascinating but never actually gave it a try because... I don't know. Laziness? Procrastination? Love of cake whenever I want it? Take your pick. 

 

I did have questions about some of the things you went into detail on. Thanks for doing such a thorough job reviewing it. 

You're sweet and you're most welcome. I didn't get too far with fasting, mostly 12 hour ones and some 16 hour ones as well. I smiled at your comment about love of cake. Yes! Cake sounds great after any type of deprivation! :D 

[Negin]

The Kindle version of Paris to the Moon is on sale today. 

 

[Chrysalis Academy]

Is anybody else reading La Belle Sauvage, the new Philip Pullman book? I just finished it. What a great story! But I don't want to say too much about it in case some of you guys are reading it right now . . . 

[Kareni]

I've been reading books on real estate over the past few months, pretending I will one day climb a few rungs up the economic ladder. To save you all the trouble of reading these books, I can summarise for you:

 

Buy property, any property, 30 years ago.

 

 

Great advice, huh? :lol:

 

Thanks, Rosie!  I'll get right on that.  Now I need to find the keys to my time travel vehicle ....

**

 

A one day only currently free classic for Kindle readers ~

 

Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë  

 

"Anne Brontë’s debut novel tells the realistic and moving story of a young governess

 

For well-educated women of lesser means in the mid-nineteenth century, there was only one option for employment that paid decently and provided a sense of dignity: becoming a governess. These young women were tasked with educating the children of the rich in the ways of the world.

 

When the Grey family falls into debt, Agnes is forced to find work as a governess and learns of the misery and cruelty that exist in the landed classes. In her first home, she sees a family with spoiled, abusive children; and in the second, she discovers the misery of the elite, who seem from afar to have everything. Drawing from her own experiences as a governess, Brontë has crafted with warmth and realism the story of a young woman named Agnes Grey."

**

 

Free Science Fiction & Fantasy Ebooks to Download This Month

**

 

and some bookish posts ~

 

Picking Up the Banjo: Unusual Paths to a Writing Career by Kari Maaren

 

Starships and Old Cruisers by Richard Baker

 

8 Captivating Historical Fantasy Books  by Sarah Mangiola

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Penguin]

If you no longer want to read ruminations on what happened in last week's thread, I will leave blank spaces so you can easily move on. Scroll down for further ruminations. ETA: I am also adding lots of blank spaces after my ruminations to make it easier for you to avoid them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I only hopped onto these threads in January. I get that stuff happened here before that, and that I can't really understand all of it because I didn't live it. But I was left bewildered by the end of last week. Robin, if there are unwritten guidelines about how you want the thread to operate, those are still not clear to me. Perhaps I am just dense. If there are guidelines that you can articulate, then maybe you could write them up and cut-and-paste them into the beginning of each thread. Otherwise, I am of the mindset that as long as I follow the general rules of the Chat Board then I am following the rules of the BaW threads, too.

 

I'm not planning to leave. I have reaped a lot of benefits from these threads, and made new friends. Hopefully, I have contributed something useful as well. I want to keep talking to the people that are here. 

 

But I would also like to talk with the bookish people who have decided that this is no longer the right outlet for their thoughts. And I want to hear about books that might be too controversial for these threads (ETA, not sure where that line is either, to be honest). Feel free to PM me and let me know about other venues for the bookish conversations that don't suit these weekly threads.

 

Edited for an attempt a clarity. As usual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2017 by Penguin

[aggieamy]

DH finished his Shetland mystery while I am still working on mine. He liked it and he's not normally a mystery reader. NaNoWriMo is getting in the way of my reading. That and being super super busy with work.

 

 

[Penguin]

Hey, I almost forgot to post this!

 

I went to the Northern MD / Southern PA WTM meetup last week. It was so much fun!!

Here is the picture if you want to see us:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/654148-picture-from-the-wtm-meetup/

[Matryoshka]

Is anybody else reading La Belle Sauvage, the new Philip Pullman book? I just finished it. What a great story! But I don't want to say too much about it in case some of you guys are reading it right now . . . 

 

I have not read it yet, but I'm really, really looking forward to it!  I loved the first three books (and I especially loved them as a unit; I felt the ideas he was exploring became more clear as the series moved along).  I'm very glad to hear that this one has held up.  And thanks for no spoilers. :)

[Penguin]

You guys are making me think I should give Pullman another chance. I read The Golden Compass 15-ish years ago, and didn't like it enough to go on. But I did enjoy his Grimm book.

[Matryoshka]

You guys are making me think I should give Pullman another chance. I read The Golden Compass 15-ish years ago, and didn't like it enough to go on. But I did enjoy his Grimm book.

 

Did you just read the first book?  You really don't get to understand what's truly going on until books 2-3.  The first book alone just doesn't tell the whole story at all.  The first book barely hints at it.

 

And I have to say that I loved these books even though I kinda couldn't stand Lyra...  I did not find her a sympathetic character...

[Penguin]

Did you just read the first book? You really don't get to understand what's truly going on until books 2-3. The first book alone just doesn't tell the whole story at all. The first book barely hints at it.

 

And I have to say that I loved these books even though I kinda couldn't stand Lyra... I did not find her a sympathetic character...

I did quit after the first one. All I can remember now is being kinda bored and wondering what the fuss was about.

[mumto2]

I did quit after the first one. All I can remember now is being kinda bored and wondering what the fuss was about.

Same here. I am not even sure my dd read on. We did it as a read aloud years ago, or should I say I started reading it aloud years ago. Dd and I finished it on our own. Ds just watched the movie. :lol: But I am glad the latest is good. Maybe someday...... I will also tell dd that she might want to read on.

 

Penguin, Thanks for the photo link. Those meetups sound so fun!

 

I finished my audio book today and have now filled another Bingo square. The last ones are hard for me! Anyway I read The Sisters Brothers https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11319473-the-sisters-brothers for my Western square and doubt I will be reading another Western that isn't a romance novel anytime soon! Not a fan, way to much killing, as in every 5 minutes they killed someone else! Oddly, I was satisfied with the ending.

 

I didn't sleep well last night and read a cozy by Charlaine Harris https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33559163-sleep-like-a-baby. Sleep Like a Baby was pretty good even if it didn't make me sleep! ;) The Aurora Teagarden series was one of the first cozy series I read many years ago so was a bit relieved that I still enjoyed this book. I believe Noseinabook has already read this one.

[Kareni]

I didn't sleep well last night and read a cozy by Charlaine Harris https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33559163-sleep-like-a-baby. Sleep Like a Baby was pretty good even if it didn't make me sleep! ;) The Aurora Teagarden series was one of the first cozy series I read many years ago so was a bit relieved that I still enjoyed this book. I believe Noseinabook has already read this one.

 

I read and enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden books some years ago.  Have you read Charlaine Harris'

Grave Sight (Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 1) and the follow ons?  I liked that series even more.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[mumto2]

I read and enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden books some years ago. Have you read Charlaine Harris' Grave Sight (Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 1) and the follow ons? I liked that series even more.

 

Regards,

Kareni

I didn't have access to the Harper Connelly series until Overdrive for some reason so much more recent reads for me. :). I agree those are good, probably better. I read them in quick succession. Popcorn reads.

 

The latest Aurora Teagarden happened to be particularly good if you secretly preferred Robin Crusoe (the original boyfriend) to the man she married way back at the start of the series. That's all I'm saying. It was an easy read in terms of just right if you have not read a book in this series for awhile. There was one released a couple of years ago which I also read. If possible restart with that one.

[Robin M]

If you no longer want to read ruminations on what happened in last week's thread, I will leave blank spaces so you can easily move on. Scroll down for further ruminations. ETA: I am also adding lots of blank spaces after my ruminations to make it easier for you to avoid them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I only hopped onto these threads in January. I get that stuff happened here before that, and that I can't really understand all of it because I didn't live it. But I was left bewildered by the end of last week. Robin, if there are unwritten guidelines about how you want the thread to operate, those are still not clear to me. Perhaps I am just dense. If there are guidelines that you can articulate, then maybe you could write them up and cut-and-paste them into the beginning of each thread. Otherwise, I am of the mindset that as long as I follow the general rules of the Chat Board then I am following the rules of the BaW threads, too.

 

I'm not planning to leave. I have reaped a lot of benefits from these threads, and made new friends. Hopefully, I have contributed something useful as well. I want to keep talking to the people that are here. 

 

But I would also like to talk with the bookish people who have decided that this is no longer the right outlet for their thoughts. And I want to hear about books that might be too controversial for these threads (ETA, not sure where that line is either, to be honest). Feel free to PM me and let me know about other venues for the bookish conversations that don't suit these weekly threads.

 

Edited for an attempt a clarity. As usual.

Hi Penguin,  Thank you for asking and glad to hear you are happy to continue.    Yes, I feel the same way and am sorry to see some of the ladies leave.  There are no written or unwritten guidelines for discussions on this thread, except those set by SWB.     We are a diverse group with interest in a wide variety of topics.  I'm going to put it in all your hands as it is your opinions that matter.  Discuss how you want to see this group progress, what your comfort zones are for more diverse discussions, etc.  If you feel there should be any additional guidelines.   

 

I have run this group since 2009 and it takes up a lot of  time so If you all want to continue in 2018, I think all participants should volunteer and come up with at least weekly or even monthly ideas and lead those threads on either a weekly or monthly  basis.   Time to start brainstorming, ladies. 

Edited November 7, 2017 by Robin M

[Chrysalis Academy]

So Erin, talk to me about Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang - looks like you read it and liked it earlier this year. I started listening to the audio and am having trouble getting into it. I wonder if it's a better one to read than listen to. Is it worth persevering?

 

 

[Ali in OR]

Hi Penguin,  Thank you for asking and glad to hear you are happy to continue.    Yes, I feel the same way and am sorry to see some of the ladies leave.  There are no written or unwritten guidelines for discussions on this thread, except those set by SWB.     We are a diverse group with interest in a wide variety of topics.  I'm going to put it in all your hands as it is your opinions that matter.  Discuss how you want to see this group progress, what your comfort zones are for more diverse discussions, etc.  If you feel there should be any additional guidelines.   

 

I've been fine with how the thread has been running. It seems to me that it's mostly books but other aspects of our lives enter in too--that's all great to me. I understand the no politics rule but am probably guilty myself of somewhat subtle despairing comments this particular year (see, like that one there). I'll try to watch that.

 

I have run this group since 2009 and it takes up a lot of  time so If you all want to continue in 2018, I think all participants should volunteer and come up with at least weekly or even monthly ideas and lead those threads on either a weekly or monthly  basis.   Time to start brainstorming, ladies. 

 

The reason I come here is to read about what everyone else is reading. I don't need a long intro or weekly theme, so my suggestion would be to ask for volunteers if people would like to take on a particular week or reading challenge but don't sweat it at all when there isn't anything for a particular week. Just start with "Whatcha reading this week?" No prep time needed!

 

[aggieamy]

Hi Penguin,  Thank you for asking and glad to hear you are happy to continue.    Yes, I feel the same way and am sorry to see some of the ladies leave.  There are no written or unwritten guidelines for discussions on this thread, except those set by SWB.     We are a diverse group with interest in a wide variety of topics.  I'm going to put it in all your hands as it is your opinions that matter.  Discuss how you want to see this group progress, what your comfort zones are for more diverse discussions, etc.  If you feel there should be any additional guidelines.   

 

I have run this group since 2009 and it takes up a lot of  time so If you all want to continue in 2018, I think all participants should volunteer and come up with at least weekly or even monthly ideas and lead those threads on either a weekly or monthly  basis.   Time to start brainstorming, ladies. 

 

I loved the year we did "guest posters". That ended up being some really fun discussions.

 

Here's how I see out BaW thread - All of us ladies sitting around in our silks and velvet dresses politely discussing topics of interest and drinking tea. Gloves, hats, and corsets are a must. It would be impolite to gossip about his majesty, King George, in public so we only do that in our private conversations with friends. We also try to marry our children off to each others children to strengthen our social standing.

 

If anyone's thinking that I'm an odd duck then you are right. Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys anyway!

[aggieamy]

Some guest poster ideas I've been thinking about:

 

*cookbooks

*books beloved from our childhood

*favorite read alouds

*audiobooks to craft to (or in my case desperately try to get work done)

*spooky

*translated books

 

[Matryoshka]

So Erin, talk to me about Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang - looks like you read it and liked it earlier this year. I started listening to the audio and am having trouble getting into it. I wonder if it's a better one to read than listen to. Is it worth persevering?

 

I'll assume you mean me, 'cause it doesn't look on Goodreads as if ErinE has read it. :)

 

I added it to GR this year (as it's my first year on GR), but I it was while I was cleaning out a huge old stack of books from the attic... I actually read it a long time ago (during college??), and I rated it based on a gut feel of how I remembered it.  That's the one with the post-apocalyptic commune somewhere in the hills of VA with lots o' clones due to fertility problems post-disaster?  I do remember liking it, and if I'm right about that synopsis, remember the basic storyline this many years later, so that's probably why the 4 stars.  It did have a hopeful ending, if I remember it right.  I think I remember finding it interesting how the society evolved over a few generations where it was normalized to be part of a clone group, and then what happens if it ends up that might not have to be a permanent solution after all...  hope that's not too spoilery, and I hope I'm remembering the right book. ;)

[Woodland Mist Academy]

 

Here's how I see out BaW thread - All of us ladies sitting around in our silks and velvet dresses politely discussing topics of interest and drinking tea. Gloves, hats, and corsets are a must. It would be impolite to gossip about his majesty, King George, in public so we only do that in our private conversations with friends. We also try to marry our children off to each others children to strengthen our social standing.

 

Will there be those little cake things with pink sugar icing?

 

[aggieamy]

 

I have run this group since 2009 and it takes up a lot of  time so If you all want to continue in 2018, I think all participants should volunteer and come up with at least weekly or even monthly ideas and lead those threads on either a weekly or monthly  basis.   Time to start brainstorming, ladies. 

 

I gotta say that out of sheer laziness and your dependable track record (also we love you!) that I would prefer you to stay the overall ships captain/leader/instigator/bookkeeper for our group. I only helped with a few weeks when you were on vacation and everything seems to run smoothly with one person (you! Am I being too subtle?) at the helm. I do like the ideas of the guest poster idea because it was fun to drive the ship on occasion.

 

Well ... look at me with all the nautical references that I know nothing about.

[aggieamy]

Stumbled across this and thought some here might enjoy it. Warning ... lots of bad language.

 

Stephen King interviewing George RR Martin.

 

[mumto2]

I loved the year we did "guest posters". That ended up being some really fun discussions.

 

Here's how I see out BaW thread - All of us ladies sitting around in our silks and velvet dresses politely discussing topics of interest and drinking tea. Gloves, hats, and corsets are a must. It would be impolite to gossip about his majesty, King George, in public so we only do that in our private conversations with friends. We also try to marry our children off to each others children to strengthen our social standing.

 

If anyone's thinking that I'm an odd duck then you are right. Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys anyway!

I really do not want to have to wear a corset but marrying our kids off is fine with me!

 

 

Thanks to my late night readathon I am tired right now. So definitely not my most creative.

 

 

Topics.....as I am sure you all know I could do something with mystery's. Cozy's, series, police procedurals. Let me know and I will "research" happily!

 

Maybe someone could do Japanese fiction or mysteries. I really liked The Devotion of Suspect X. I like my January Murakami and plan to read one for 2018 but don't expect everyone to read with me again.

 

Urban Fantasy which I enjoy but don't really understand the definition of.

 

 

I have also really enjoyed spelling the birthstone's. It is a challenge to find all those vowels! I wouldn't mind something like that again.

[Kareni]

The latest Aurora Teagarden happened to be particularly good if you secretly preferred Robin Crusoe (the original boyfriend) to the man she married way back at the start of the series. That's all I'm saying. It was an easy read in terms of just right if you have not read a book in this series for awhile. There was one released a couple of years ago which I also read. If possible restart with that one.

 

Thank you, mumto2; I don't believe I've read the last two books in the series.

**

 

And a currently free book that I enjoyed reading ~   Once Upon a Rose (La Vie en Roses Series Book 1)  by Laura Florand

 

 

Regards.

Kareni

[aggieamy]

My IRL book club does short stories during December. That would be kind of fun to read some here. I don't know what that would look like but we could figure it out for a week.

 

Will there be those little cake things with pink sugar icing?

 

 

You betcha there will be cake things! All the cake things!

 

 

[Matryoshka]

Here's how I see out BaW thread - All of us ladies sitting around in our silks and velvet dresses politely discussing topics of interest and drinking tea. Gloves, hats, and corsets are a must. It would be impolite to gossip about his majesty, King George, in public so we only do that in our private conversations with friends. We also try to marry our children off to each others children to strengthen our social standing.

 

If anyone's thinking that I'm an odd duck then you are right. Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys anyway!

 

I love all that, but I'd also love to include the spunky girl who's ripped off her corset and bobbed her hair and run off to be a suffragette, and doesn't mind if we don't join her on the front lines, but won't tell her that she has to put her corset back on to join us for tea.

 

Y'know, Lady Mary AND Sophie.  

Edited November 7, 2017 by Matryoshka

[Loesje22000]

Hi Penguin, Thank you for asking and glad to hear you are happy to continue. Yes, I feel the same way and am sorry to see some of the ladies leave. There are no written or unwritten guidelines for discussions on this thread, except those set by SWB. We are a diverse group with interest in a wide variety of topics. I'm going to put it in all your hands as it is your opinions that matter. Discuss how you want to see this group progress, what your comfort zones are for more diverse discussions, etc. If you feel there should be any additional guidelines.

 

I have run this group since 2009 and it takes up a lot of time so If you all want to continue in 2018, I think all participants should volunteer and come up with at least weekly or even monthly ideas and lead those threads on either a weekly or monthly basis. Time to start brainstorming, ladies.

I can see / imagine,one needs more imput from members after a certain amount of years doing the same job. I just don't read very deep or analytical.

I suppose I could say something about Dutch Literature, but as a lot is not translated, and probably not available in your libraries I'm not sure it is a good path to follow.

I feel even more less qualified to say something about Flemish / Belgic Literature...

 

I really like the BINGO it helped me to broaden my horizon, and to visit some sections of the library I visited never before :)

I didn't realize the squares would come back as challenges during the year. I noticed I prefer the Bingo above the weekly challenges.

 

I don't think one can satisfy all.

I noticed some have benefit from the birthstone challenge, others not.

Some would like another round of armchair travelling, others will think 'we just did that'.