Book a Week in 2012 - Week 25

[-M-]

Finished #58, Roy Lichtenstein, 1923-1997 (Janis Hendrickson; non-fiction) over the weekend. On Sunday, we got into town early enough for the members-only period prior to opening and caught the Lichtenstein retrospective at the Art Institute. It ended up being well worth the effort to get out of the house on time, and the Taschen title mentioned above was a perfect introduction to the artist, his vision, and his work.

 

On a side note, after lunch on Sunday, Mr. M-mv took the Misses to the Museum of Science and Industry, where they caught the popular "Mythbusters" exhibit, and I headed to the Goodman Theatre to see the final performance of The Iceman Cometh with Brian Dennehy as Larry Slade, Nathan Lane as Hickey, and (for you fellow "Slings & Arrows" fans) Stephen Ouimette as Harry Hope. What a powerful production! I feel so fortunate to have seen this bit of theater history.

 

Gone, Girl (Gillian Flynn; fiction) will be #59 for me; I will finish it poolside this evening.

 

Also in progress: I Am the Cheese (Robert Cormier; YA fiction for "The Shelf Discovery Project").

 

Complete list of book read in 2012 can be found here.

Edited June 19, 2012 by Mental multivitamin

[Storm Bay]

I'm not sure if I posted that I finished the second Jane Austen mystery or not, so here are the last few books I've read. But first, I'm reading Falling Together by Marisa de los Santos http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Together-Marisa-los-Santos/dp/0061670871/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340131854&sr=1-1&keywords=Falling+Together . I liked her other two books as well. Sorry that I don't have a rating system, but she gave praise for the lovely novel I finished last week (The School of Essential Ingredients).

 

I'm not much one for writing book reviews & summaries, and I'm not sure what category this book falls under (mainstream???). There's an Amazon exclusive author essay & a better summary, but basically it's two reunited college friends on a quest with a 4 year old & a third friend's dh to find the third friend. However, it's not a mystery novel.

 

30. The Storyteller’s Daughter

31. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

32. Jane and the Man of the Cloth; Being the Second Jane Austen Mystery

 

 

I finished Pink Boots and a Machete today.

 

(Did you know a certain feminine product is good for starting fires or that Windex works for neutralizing flesh-eating fish bacteria?

 

 

:lol: This reminds me of a true story I heard someone on my mother's side of the family tell about an old bachelor (before TV) was told that Kotex pads were horse bandages. The thing is that they worked well (before antibiotics, etc, too, I think).

Great! We have a couple of groups which aren't overly used, but if you want to see other members of the hive over there, you can see

The Hive's 52 in 52

 

or

 

Well Trained Mind Readers

 

My comment was lost the first time. I was wondering which of these groups I joined & never really participated in & did I know that there were two now...

 

My reading is extremely slow these days. I'm reading Mozart's Wife.

 

 

 

A good historical novel about the 4 more unknown years of Mozart's life (in between his fame as a child prodigy & his first real post child prodigy success) is Marrying Mozart http://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Mozart-Stephanie-Cowell/dp/B000BSFQVE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340132399&sr=1-1&keywords=marrying+Mozart

Edited June 19, 2012 by Karin

[dangermom]

For the past week I have done virtually nothing but readalongs, which means I'm partway through 3 different books. Also I've been reading Bleak House, but I'm only 200 pages in to a 700 page books, so it might be a while.

[VeganCupcake]

For the past week I have done virtually nothing but readalongs, which means I'm partway through 3 different books. Also I've been reading Bleak House, but I'm only 200 pages in to a 700 page books, so it might be a while.

 

I think Bleak House is my favorite Dickens. :) Enjoy!

 

I downloaded Swann's Way by Marcel Proust to my Kindle. My sister gave me a paper copy a few years ago but I never read it. Maybe this time will be different.

[Shawneinfl]

Finished #58, Roy Lichtenstein, 1923-1997 (Janis Hendrickson; non-fiction) over the weekend.

 

We studied Lichtenstein in our CC group this year. Also saw his work on display at our MOMA earlier this year. I'll have to look up the Hendrickson book.

 

Gone, Girl (Gillian Flynn; fiction) will be #59 for me; I will finish it poolside this evening.

QUOTE]

 

I just finished this sample on my NOOK. I'm interested in your review. I love courtroom dramas/mysteries. It's still on order at my public library and I'm trying to decide whether to take the plunge and purchase it or wait for it for free.

[dangermom]

I think Bleak House is my favorite Dickens. :) Enjoy!

 

 

I really am enjoying it so far. I'm quite worried about Richard, though--boy needs to buckle down! Ada's going to be miserable if she marries him like this.

[Kareni]

I've been rereading favorites this week -- which is not to say that I don't have at least ten books partly read.

 

The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne, an excellent historical romance

 

and Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega enjoyable urban fantasy series

 

"Alpha and Omega", Briggs' novella in the anthology On the Prowl

 

Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1)

 

Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega, Book 2)

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Negin]

A friend of mine read that & really enjoyed it.

Stacia, that's good to know. I'm enjoying it. My only challenge these days is having a hard time focusing on pretty much any book. :confused: I really don't like this problem and it's so unlike me. The more I read, the more I dislike Mozart. Always loved his music. As dh reminds me, I have to separate the art from the artist. ;)

 

I'm not much one for writing book reviews & summaries

Me neither. ;)

 

A good historical novel about the 4 more unknown years of Mozart's life (in between his fame as a child prodigy & his first real post child prodigy success) is Marrying Mozart http://www.amazon.com/Marrying-Mozart-Stephanie-Cowell/dp/B000BSFQVE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340132399&sr=1-1&keywords=marrying+Mozart

Thanks for this. It looks good.

[Rosyl]

I cannot believe how busy this spring has been. I am still working on Vanity Fair. I have also read many picture books to kids.

 

44) The Wounded Heart Adina Senft

43) The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

42) Home Another Way Christa Parrish I liked this one alot.

41) The 1/2 Stitched Quilting Club Wanda Brunstetter

40) The Choice Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

 

39) Love on the Line Deeann Gist

38) Love Finds You in Sunset Beach, Hawaii Robin Jones Gunn

37) Coming Attractions Robin Jones Gunn

36) On a whim Robin Jones Gunn

35) Peculiar treasures Robin Jones Gunn

34) Loving by Karen Kingsbury

33) Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish

32) The Core by Leigh Bortins

31) Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere This was a little charasmatic for my taste, but good.

30) Big Decisions Linda Byler

 

29) Mockingjay Collins

28) Catching Fire Collins

27) I walk in Dread the Diary of Deliverance Trembley A Dear America Book

26) A Hope For Hannah by Jerry Eicher

25) A Year of Living Biblically A.J. Jacobs

24) Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow on audio

23) A Dream For Hannah by Jerry Eicher.

22) Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare on audio

21) A Love That Multiplies, Duggars on Audio

 

20) Ella Finds Love, Eicher

19) Hunger Games bySuzanne Collins

18) The Duggars 20 and counting by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar

17) Emotionally Healthy Spiritually by Peter Scazarro

16) Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider

15) The Survivor by Beth Wiseman (yet another amish book)

14) The Art of Mingling by Jeanne Martinet audio book

13) Growing up Amish by Beth Wiseman

12) Ella's Wish By Jerry Eicher

11) Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler

 

10) The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter

9) Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray

8) The Dark Tide

7) Little Men, Louisa May Alcott on Audio

6) Winter of the Red Snow.

5) The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory.

4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher

3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury.

2) Little Women by Alcott

1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

[Zebra]

I finished Overtreated last night. It was a bit discouraging to continue to learn yet another reason that the medical system isn't working very well.

 

 

I found myself having to put that book down, take a deep breath and walk away for awhile, quite a few times. I have been through too much medically to even post here, but I know how insanely messed up the medical system is from experience. A lot of things in this book I suspected (or learned first hand), and then had confirmed in this book.

 

It's scary.

[Mom-ninja.]

I found myself having to put that book down, take a deep breath and walk away for awhile, quite a few times. I have been through too much medically to even post here, but I know how insanely messed up the medical system is from experience. A lot of things in this book I suspected (or learned first hand), and then had confirmed in this book.

 

It's scary.

 

I haven't read the book, but there is also the other side of being under treated. I spent two years bringing up symptoms I was having and wanting to know why, and I was told I suffered from stress. I needed to learn to destress, control my emotional responses to situations, exercise, do yoga, and do deep breathing. I was repeatedly told that my emotional state was connected to my stomach and that's why I suffered problems. I was already exercising very regularly, doing yoga, and I'm not anything like some people irl who lose it over every little thing. I insisted on further testing. It was found that I was low in certain vitamins/minerals, I wasn't digesting fats, and I had an overgrowth of bad bacteria in my gut. I asked why? From stress? I was told, "These things just happen at times." :001_huh: That dr. wanted me to take probiotics for 18 weeks to see if there would be improvement. She couldn't tell me why I was feeling horribly, why my test results were as such, and wanted to take her probiotics for 18 WEEKS just to see if I would start to feel better. This was after feeling sick for 2 years. Let me also say that I do/did not eat the standard American diet, already took probiotics, drank kefir daily along with other fermented foods. So, I took it upon myself to go to a GI. In 5 minutes he believed I had celiac disease. Turns out he was right. So for over 2 years I was told I needed to relax and breath deeply and all the while I was suffering from celiac.

 

So, yeah, there's such a thing as NOT be treated as well. :glare:

[Mothersweets]

My reading is extremely slow these days. I'm reading Mozart's Wife.

 

 

Oooo, this looks good. Is it?

 

Finished reading the thread and see you've already answered this. :) I'll look for it at the library. MMV's rec looks good, too!

Edited June 20, 2012 by Mothersweets

[Robin M]

Inexpensive ebooks available through sourcebooks for kindle through June 24th. May be available at e-tailers but not sure.

[Enough]

We're in the midst of moving and I have really missed this thread! With hope, I'll be back to it in a few weeks. :grouphug:

 

I have done some reading- 'old school' feminist discourse (a favorite topic of mine)- A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (#36) and The Awakening by Kate Chopin (#37), respectively. I'm also slowly reading through Sherlock Holmes- A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Red-headed League.

[Guest]

 

Next up is Bear Grylls' Mud, Sweat, and Tears. :D

 

Now you'll have to keep us posted on Bear's book. :D (Love watching him, except when he's eating gross stuff. :tongue_smilie::lol:)

 

Finished Bear's book today! It really wasn't what I expected. The majority of it detailed his SAS selection process and his Everest adventure. Very little about the TV show, which actually was a good thing, IMO. Interesting, inspiring character. If you like him, read it. :)

[VeganCupcake]

I haven't read the book, but there is also the other side of being under treated. I spent two years bringing up symptoms I was having and wanting to know why, and I was told I suffered from stress. I needed to learn to destress, control my emotional responses to situations, exercise, do yoga, and do deep breathing. I was repeatedly told that my emotional state was connected to my stomach and that's why I suffered problems. I was already exercising very regularly, doing yoga, and I'm not anything like some people irl who lose it over every little thing. I insisted on further testing. It was found that I was low in certain vitamins/minerals, I wasn't digesting fats, and I had an overgrowth of bad bacteria in my gut. I asked why? From stress? I was told, "These things just happen at times." :001_huh: That dr. wanted me to take probiotics for 18 weeks to see if there would be improvement. She couldn't tell me why I was feeling horribly, why my test results were as such, and wanted to take her probiotics for 18 WEEKS just to see if I would start to feel better. This was after feeling sick for 2 years. Let me also say that I do/did not eat the standard American diet, already took probiotics, drank kefir daily along with other fermented foods. So, I took it upon myself to go to a GI. In 5 minutes he believed I had celiac disease. Turns out he was right. So for over 2 years I was told I needed to relax and breath deeply and all the while I was suffering from celiac.

 

So, yeah, there's such a thing as NOT be treated as well. :glare:

 

Yes, definitely. Overtreated looks into both kinds of poor quality and inefficient care: too much and too little. It's a great book.

 

Inexpensive ebooks available through sourcebooks for kindle through June 24th. May be available at e-tailers but not sure.

 

I'm looking at them now! Drool, drool! Amazon thanks you, my bank account does not. :lol:

 

We're in the midst of moving and I have really missed this thread! With hope, I'll be back to it in a few weeks. :grouphug:

 

I have done some reading- 'old school' feminist discourse (a favorite topic of mine)- A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (#36) and The Awakening by Kate Chopin (#37), respectively. I'm also slowly reading through Sherlock Holmes- A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Red-headed League.

 

I have The Awakening on my Kindle, ready to read. I read some Chopin short stories a thousand years ago in college, but not since. Did you enjoy The Awakening?

[Mom-ninja.]

Finished my first Heyer book, The Grand Sophy. What fun. I just had to pretend that Sophy and Charles were not cousins. Ick factor.

[aggieamy]

Finished my first Heyer book, The Grand Sophy. What fun. I just had to pretend that Sophy and Charles were not cousins. Ick factor.

 

That is my favorite of her books so far. I think you just have to overlook the whole cousin thing in British lit.

 

Finished! I enjoyed the The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien more than I thought I would. I'll continue with the series after a break to read some lighter fun things.

 

In progress:

 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by PD James (recommended here)

Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura Williams

Calico Bush by Rachel Field (read aloud)

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome (audiobook)

 

2012 finished books:

 

71. The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (****)

70. The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien (**)

69. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald (****)

68. The School Story by Andrew Clement - read aloud (****)

67. The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald (*)

66. Free-Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy (***)

65. Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil -read aloud (***)

64. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglass Adams (*****)

63. Death of a Cad by MC Beaton (**)

62. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (***)

61. The Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs (***)

60. A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie (***)

59. The Secret Adversary (Tommy and Tuppence) by Agatha Christie (****)

58. Tales of Robin Hood by Tony Allan - read aloud (****)

57. Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace (*****)

56. The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie R. King (****)

55. Death of a Gossip by MC Beaton (***)

54. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett (**)

53. On Writing by Stephen King (*****)

52. Maus by Art Spiegelman (****)

51. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (***)

50. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (****)

49. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffinegger (*)

48. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson (***)

47. Casino Royale - James Bond by Ian Fleming (**)

46. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson - Audiobook (***)

45. The Lucky Shopping Manual by Kim Lenitt (*****)

44. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (****)

43. Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer - Audiobook (****)

42. Half Magic by Edward Eager (***)

41. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede - Read Aloud (****)

 

Books 1 - 40

 

Amy's Rating System:

 

***** - Fantastic, couldn't put it down

**** - Very good

*** - Enjoyable but nothing special

** - Not recommended

* - Horrible

Edited June 22, 2012 by aggieamy

[Enough]

I have The Awakening on my Kindle, ready to read. I read some Chopin short stories a thousand years ago in college, but not since. Did you enjoy The Awakening?

 

I did, but certain parts made me VERY uncomfortable (namely, her ambivalence bordering on apathy about her kids). Having said that, I totally "get" that this book can be metaphorical and I very much empathized with and felt sad for the main character and many of her concerns/longings. The end was quite shocking and left me breathless :eek:. It brought up a lot of questions/self-check about my own life, in a good way (although I am in a happy marriage and don't consider my kids an obstacle to my fulfillment!).

[-M-]

Finished #58, Roy Lichtenstein, 1923-1997 (Janis Hendrickson; non-fiction) over the weekend.

 

We studied Lichtenstein in our CC group this year. Also saw his work on display at our MOMA earlier this year. I'll have to look up the Hendrickson book.

 

Gone, Girl (Gillian Flynn; fiction) will be #59 for me; I will finish it poolside this evening.

QUOTE]

 

I just finished this sample on my NOOK. I'm interested in your review. I love courtroom dramas/mysteries. It's still on order at my public library and I'm trying to decide whether to take the plunge and purchase it or wait for it for free.

 

Gone, Girl (Gillian Flynn; fiction) was competent -- entertaining and well written -- but overpraised, which can irritate me. Heh, heh, heh. You know, earlier this year, I loved Sister (Rosamund Lupton), which is, for all intents and purposes, in the same genre. Sometimes, it's all about how you arrive at a book.

 

Anyway, I think it was worth the Kindle price, if you're looking for permission to go for it.

[aggieamy]

I just flew through The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I know everyone else finished it a few weeks ago but it took me awhile to get through the books ahead of it on the nightstand. :tongue_smilie: Loved it. I think Nick is just such a wonderful character and the rest of them are so horrible. I can't wait to see the movie.

 

In progress:

 

 

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by PD James (recommended here)

Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura Williams

Calico Bush by Rachel Field (read aloud)

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome (audiobook)

 

2012 finished books:

 

72. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (****)

71. The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (****)

70. The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien (**)

69. The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald (****)

68. The School Story by Andrew Clement - read aloud (****)

67. The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald (*)

66. Free-Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy (***)

65. Red Sails to Capri by Ann Weil -read aloud (***)

64. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglass Adams (*****)

63. Death of a Cad by MC Beaton (**)

62. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (***)

61. The Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs (***)

60. A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie (***)

59. The Secret Adversary (Tommy and Tuppence) by Agatha Christie (****)

58. Tales of Robin Hood by Tony Allan - read aloud (****)

57. Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace (*****)

56. The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie R. King (****)

55. Death of a Gossip by MC Beaton (***)

54. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett (**)

53. On Writing by Stephen King (*****)

52. Maus by Art Spiegelman (****)

51. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (***)

50. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (****)

49. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffinegger (*)

48. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson (***)

47. Casino Royale - James Bond by Ian Fleming (**)

46. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson - Audiobook (***)

45. The Lucky Shopping Manual by Kim Lenitt (*****)

44. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (****)

43. Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer - Audiobook (****)

42. Half Magic by Edward Eager (***)

41. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede - Read Aloud (****)

 

Books 1 - 40

 

Amy's Rating System:

 

***** - Fantastic, couldn't put it down

**** - Very good

*** - Enjoyable but nothing special

** - Not recommended

* - Horrible

[Mom-ninja.]

I just flew through The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I know everyone else finished it a few weeks ago but it took me awhile to get through the books ahead of it on the nightstand. :tongue_smilie: Loved it. I think Nick is just such a wonderful character and the rest of them are so horrible. I can't wait to see the movie.

 

 

I hope the movie is good.

[KidsHappen]

1 The Hunger Games

2 Catching Fire

3 Mockingjay

4 The Hunger Games Companion

5 The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head

6 Spontaneous Happiness

7 The New Bi-Polar Disorder Survival Guide.

8 New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder

9 The Giver

10 Unnatural Selection

11 Breaking Dawn (again)

12 Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them

13 Trick or Treatment

14 Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making US Sicker & Poorer

15 Sybil Exposed

16 How to Never Look Old Again

17 How to Never Look Fat Again

18 Style on a Shoestring

19 Underneath it All

20 Oh No She Didn't

21 Nina Garcia's Look Book

22 Underneath is All

23 The Pocket Stylist

24 What Not to Wear for Every Occasion

25 What you Wear Can Change Your Life

26 What Not to Wear

27 Dress Your Best

28 Wear This, Toss That

29 Nothing to Wear

30 What Should I Wear

31 The Style Checklist

32 Style Clinic

33 11 22 63

34 Haunted Heart: Life and Times of Stephen King

35 Just After Sunset

 

ETA: Currently reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Beyond the Pyramids plus one whole tons of healthy heart books.

[Stacia]

I can't wait to see the movie.

 

I hope the movie is good.

 

I wish we were all near each other so we could do a mom's movie/book night out! :001_smile:

[VeganCupcake]

I finished French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon. I really enjoyed it and got a lot of good ideas about ways to improve my picky eaters' enjoyment of real food. I enjoyed it a lot more than Bringing Up Bebe--I found the author's writing style more appealing.

 

I can't really decide what to read next. Too many choices.

[Negin]

I took it upon myself to go to a GI. In 5 minutes he believed I had celiac disease.

I diagnosed my mom with celiac. She'd been suffering for a while. I happened to read about celiac and suggested she cut out gluten. She felt much better within days. Apparently, the average person with celiac suffers for up to 11 years (!!!) before doctors realize what it is. :glare:

 

I wish we were all near each other so we could do a mom's movie/book night out! :001_smile:

:iagree: :grouphug:

[Rosie_0801]

I was on holiday for a week and got time for a bit more reading than usual. :)

 

Paprika Paradise: Travels in the land of my almost birth, James Jeffrey

 

and

 

Dirt Cheap: Life at the Wrong End of the Job Market, by Elisabeth Wynhause

 

I enjoyed both. :)

 

Rosie

[Kareni]

 

Paprika Paradise: Travels in the land of my almost birth, James Jeffrey

 

 

It's an attractive book cover but the Amazon link isn't very informative, Rosie. What country does the book discuss?

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Robin M]

Link to week 26 - please continue conversation in new thread