Book a Week 2017 - BW11: Happy St. Patrick's Week

[Shawneinfl]

To be honest, at the risk of over-sharing, I'm really struggling with depression which makes me just want to withdraw and crawl in a hole. I had hoped that springier weather and some time in the sun would knock it out. Maybe it still will. In any event, I feel like I need to force myself to stay engaged somewhere for my own mental health, but the rest of the online world just makes me feel much worse right now. So here I am. I am grateful for you people.

 

 

 

I'm glad you feel safe to share here. Depression is not fun. I have walked under the dark clouds of depression before and I know how hard it can be to reach out to others. We are here and we love you! Try to get some exercise every day - it really helps - and if you are still down in the dumps by the end of the month please don't hesitate to get help. It's hard to make that call but sometimes it's necessary to get back to feeling normal again. 

[Negin]

As far as reading - yeah, heavy isn't so good, but the most depressing thing by far I've read lately is Facebook. I've put myself on a diet from that for awhile.

Rose, sorry to hear that you've been feeling depressed  :grouphug: . I hope that the feeling passes soon. Facebook can be annoying. Yes, taking a break is great. Also, maybe putting certain people on "hide" for a while may help. 

[Butter]

:grouphug: Rose

[aggieamy]

It doesn't sound like a lecture at all, it's what I'm telling myself, too: trying to get at least a walk in and some sun-on-skin time every day. It does help. I'm also taking fish oil & Vitamin D and trying to eat as much fish as feel safe. That stuff helps too.  Thanks for the encouragement!

 

As far as reading - yeah, heavy isn't so good, but the most depressing thing by far I've read lately is Facebook. I've put myself on a diet from that for awhile.

 

 

That absolutely will help. I feel like my anxiety is much less when I'm not on Facebook much.  It's just ... too much for some of us.

[Runningmom80]

I'm on book 11, I didn't read any books last week besides my school book to study.

 

This week I'm picking back up with Upstream by Mary Oliver. (It's a collection of essays, not her usual poetry)

[Butter]

Last night I finished reading Dmitri by Andrea Pearson to the boys.  It's a relatively short Kilenya adventure that goes along with the Key of Kilenya series.  We all liked it.  It gave us some background about the journal Jacob reads in the first book.

 

Today I finished Upstairs at the White House by JB West.  I loved it!  The author was an usher at the White House 1941-1969.  His job was to manage the residence and work closely with the first ladies.  The books is split into sections on the Roosevelts, Trumans, Eisenhowers, Kennedys, Johnsons, and Nixons (though that section is very short since he retired about 6 weeks after the Nixons arrived).  It's full of little anecdotes about things that happened.  I love presidential history and trivia so it was right up my alley.

[Lady Florida.]

I finished Josephine Tey's The Man in the Queue on Sunday. It was a decent mystery but I was disappointed in the ending. She broke the rules and pulled a suspect out of a hat*. If she made a habit of doing that maybe that's why she never became as popular as Christie and other famous mystery writers. The other book of hers that I read, Brat Farrar, had a similar ending in that she never gave the reader a chance to figure things out. While the culprit wasn't a surprise in that book (there were clues about his personality throughout), how it was figured out was never explained. 

 

*Yes, Arthur Conan-Doyle had a tendency to do that but you knew that Sherlock Holmes was a genius and he always told you how he figured out "who done it". In The Man in the Queue, the detective didn't figure it out. It just appeared at the end. 

 

I doubt I'll continue to read her books. I've heard I should read The Daughter of Time, but maybe I should have started with that one. After having been disappointed twice I don't want to read anything else she wrote.

[mumto2]

I finished Josephine Tey's The Man in the Queue on Sunday. It was a decent mystery but I was disappointed in the ending. She broke the rules and pulled a suspect out of a hat*. If she made a habit of doing that maybe that's why she never became as popular as Christie and other famous mystery writers. The other book of hers that I read, Brat Farrar, had a similar ending in that she never gave the reader a chance to figure things out. While the culprit wasn't a surprise in that book (there were clues about his personality throughout), how it was figured out was never explained.

 

*Yes, Arthur Conan-Doyle had a tendency to do that but you knew that Sherlock Holmes was a genius and he always told you how he figured out "who done it". In The Man in the Queue, the detective didn't figure it out. It just appeared at the end.

 

I doubt I'll continue to read her books. I've heard I should read The Daughter of Time, but maybe I should have started with that one. After having been disappointed twice I don't want to read anything else she wrote.

 

I read the Daughter of Time first and loved it. I think you would like it too but probably need a break. Do give it a try when you are in the mood for something a bit historical.....it's not like the others.

 

I wasn't a huge fan of Man in the Queue either but liked Brat Farrar. I think I have read one other but am too lazy to figure out which.

[Kareni]

A one day only currently free tale of a gentleman thief for Kindle readers ~

 

A Thief in the Night (A. J. Raffles, the Gentleman Thief Book 3) by E. W Hornung

 

"The third installment in the irresistible adventures of A. J. Raffles, the thief who gives crime a good name

For weeks, Bunny Manders has scoured the sporting papers, looking for word of his vanished friend—the cricketer, playboy, and gentleman thief A. J. Raffles. A mysterious message lures Bunny to a darkened side street, where he finds Raffles in filthy clothes, with an unkempt beard. The amateur cracksman has been lying low in the empty townhouse of a vacationing colonel—what better place to take a Rest Cure? He invites Bunny to stay with him, but when the colonel returns unexpectedly, the public school duo is forced to contemplate a crime beyond reason: murder.
 
Pushed to the very brink of disaster, the quick-footed Raffles recovers in style. In these classic stories, England’s most honorable thief and his loyal companion elude criminologists, cops, and ruthless professional villains, stealing whatever they want—and doing it with flair."

 

Regards,

Kareni

[ErinE]

We're out of town this week, but I wanted to pop in and say hello.

 

Robin, enjoy your break.

 

Rose, I hope you get to feeling better soon.

 

Books read last week:

 

* Everfair by Nisi Shawl. Steampunk Alt-History. Nebula 2016 nominee. Colonials and native Africans fight against the Belgium occupation of the Congo River basin. Another book I wanted to like, but it didn't work for me. The writing itself is engaging, but the time span covers decades and multiple characters so it felt very shallow. Each point of view is only a few pages long, so inevitably once you get vested in a character the author skips to another. The story also jumps rapidly from plot point to plot point. I would love to see more books like this, but this isn't one I'd recommend.

* The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett. Fantasy. A wizard escorts a tourist through various cities of the Discworld. Named first in the Discwold series, it was not as enjoyable as the other books I've read, missing much of the absurdist humor and philosophical musing I look for in Pratchett's work.

* King Leipold's Ghost by Adam Hothschild. History-Africa. A history of Leopold's, king of Belgium, occupation of the Congo. After reading Everfair, I wanted to learn more about the Congo. I knew it was terrible, but really didn't understand the scale and horror. I was actually upset with myself for not knowing more about this part of history. I highly, highly recommend this book and if your high schooler is reading Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, this would be an excellent history book for co-reading.

* Medical School for Everyone by Roy Benaroch. Science-Medicine. Like the television series House or Bones, each case presents clues to a medical diagnosis. Recommended if this subject interests you.

 

I'm currently reading the Ninefox Gambit and Heart of Darkness.

Edited March 14, 2017 by ErinE

[JennW in SoCal]

I finished Invisible Library and really enjoyed it.  Good escapist fantasy, and am happy to know there are a couple more in the series. It's a shame the narrator for the audible version has gotten such bad reviews as I'd normally use my credits on a series like this. Nothing ruins a book like a bad reader!

 

Next up are a couple of mysteries on my kindle, along with several other titles I've downloaded in the last year thanks to Kareni's many links! Not sure which audio I'll turn to next as I've got 3 highly recommended books I've recently downloaded: Trevor Noah's Born a Crime, Hidden Figures, and another fluffy sci-fi We are Legion, We are Bob.  I gave that last book last Christmas to a good family friend named Bob, and he heartily approved of an entire series called "The Bobiverse". :laugh:

[aggieamy]

I finished Josephine Tey's The Man in the Queue on Sunday. It was a decent mystery but I was disappointed in the ending. She broke the rules and pulled a suspect out of a hat*. If she made a habit of doing that maybe that's why she never became as popular as Christie and other famous mystery writers. The other book of hers that I read, Brat Farrar, had a similar ending in that she never gave the reader a chance to figure things out. While the culprit wasn't a surprise in that book (there were clues about his personality throughout), how it was figured out was never explained. 

 

*Yes, Arthur Conan-Doyle had a tendency to do that but you knew that Sherlock Holmes was a genius and he always told you how he figured out "who done it". In The Man in the Queue, the detective didn't figure it out. It just appeared at the end. 

 

I doubt I'll continue to read her books. I've heard I should read The Daughter of Time, but maybe I should have started with that one. After having been disappointed twice I don't want to read anything else she wrote.

 

I'll jump in with a ditto everything Sandy said and also recommend The Daughter of Time. It's a different type of mystery all together. Otherwise I've never been able to get into Tey's books and I'm a huge fan of that genre and era of writing. 

 

A one day only currently free tale of a gentleman thief for Kindle readers ~

 

A Thief in the Night (A. J. Raffles, the Gentleman Thief Book 3) by E. W Hornung

 

"The third installment in the irresistible adventures of A. J. Raffles, the thief who gives crime a good name

 

Have you read any Raffles books? I've seen his name come up in a few things over the last few months and DH and I tried watching one of the old shows on Acorn TV but it was a bit dated and couldn't get into it.  

 

We're out of town this week, but I wanted to pop in and say hello.

 

* Medical School for Everyone by Roy Benaroch. Science-Medicine. Like the television series House or Bones, each case presents clues to a medical diagnosis. Recommend if this subject interests you.

 

I'm currently reading the Ninefox Gambit and Heart of Darkness.

 

 

Enjoy your vacation!

 

Did you listen to the Medical School for Everyone as an audiobook?  It looks like a Great Course but I can't find that it's an actual book somewhere.  

 

Have I told you that I've been slowly reading through The Fantasy Fiction Formula you recommended to me eons ago?  It's fantastic. Fantasy is not my genre to write but the advice is relevant for everyone. I'm going to gift a bunch of copies to aspiring writer friends that I have.  

[aggieamy]

Mumto - Did you ever finish Amberwell? I'm reading it now and I knew you were going to start it and don't know if I missed an update/review from you or not.  

[mumto2]

Mumto - Did you ever finish Amberwell? I'm reading it now and I knew you were going to start it and don't know if I missed an update/review from you or not.

I've read two pages I think! I saw that you had marked it as currently reading on Goodreads. I still plan to read it but since it's prime choice I know I have it until the end of the month. Too many library books with due dates before!

 

Overdrive.....last night several books that I had holds on that I wasn't expecting for weeks appeared available for me to borrow. Not sure what happened. The wait list behind me on these books is long. I guess more copies released????

 

Jenn, How are you feeling today?

[JennW in SoCal]

Jenn, How are you feeling today?

 

Awww, thanks for asking. I'm better though still have very little energy and need my daily nap.  Weeds, taxes and dust bunnies are all awaiting my full recovery but oddly enough none of that is inspiring me to better health...

 

How are you doing, Rose?

[Kareni]

 Have you read any Raffles books? I've seen his name come up in a few things over the last few months and DH and I tried watching one of the old shows on Acorn TV but it was a bit dated and couldn't get into it. 

 

No, I haven't read any of the Raffles books.  I too had heard the name mentioned.

**

 

A book my husband recently read and enjoyed is Gorilla Mindset: How to Control Your Thoughts and Emotions and Live Life on Your Terms by Mike Cernovich.

**

 

Rose, I hope that peace of mind is on the horizon for you and others struggling with depression.

 

Sending positive thoughts to any who are ill.

**

 

I'm currently reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot for my book group which meets on Thursday.  It's both fascinating and sobering.  (Do not read this now, Rose.)

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Kareni]

I've heard good things about this currently free mystery ~

 

Ice Blue (Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series Book 1)  by Emma Jameson

 

"The New York Times Bestselling Series

Anthony Hetheridge, ninth Baron of Wellegrave, Chief Superintendent for New Scotland Yard, never married, no children, no pets, no hobbies, and not even an interesting vice, will turn sixty in three weeks. With the exception of his chosen career, too sordid for his blue-blooded family to condone, his life has been safe and predictable. But then he meets Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield - beautiful, willful, and nearly half his age. When Hetheridge saves the outspoken, impetuous young detective from getting the sack, siding with her against Scotland Yard's powerful male hierarchy, his cold, elegantly balanced world spins out of control. Summoned to London's fashionable Belgravia to investigate the brutal murder of a financier, Hetheridge must catch the killer while coping with his growing attraction to Kate, the reappearance of an old flame, and the secret that emerges from his own past."

**

 

Not free, but this new book looks like it might appeal to you, Stacia ~  

Spaceman of Bohemia  by Jaroslav Kalfar

 

"An exhilarating concoction of history, social commentary, and irony. Reading like Arthur C. Clarke's 2001 crossed with a Milan Kundera novel, set in a Philip K. Dick universe, with a nod to Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis, it manages to be singularly compelling while still providing mass appeal. Highly recommended."―Library Journal (starred review)

 

"An intergalactic odyssey of love, ambition, and self-discovery

Orphaned as a boy, raised in the Czech countryside by his doting grandparents, Jakub Procházka has risen from small-time scientist to become the country's first astronaut. When a dangerous solo mission to Venus offers him both the chance at heroism he's dreamt of, and a way to atone for his father's sins as a Communist informer, he ventures boldly into the vast unknown. But in so doing, he leaves behind his devoted wife, Lenka, whose love, he realizes too late, he has sacrificed on the altar of his ambitions.

Alone in Deep Space, Jakub discovers a possibly imaginary giant alien spider, who becomes his unlikely companion. Over philosophical conversations about the nature of love, life and death, and the deliciousness of bacon, the pair form an intense and emotional bond. Will it be enough to see Jakub through a clash with secret Russian rivals and return him safely to Earth for a second chance with Lenka?

Rich with warmth and suspense and surprise, Spaceman of Bohemia is an exuberant delight from start to finish. Very seldom has a novel this profound taken readers on a journey of such boundless entertainment and sheer fun."

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Granny_Weatherwax]

I couldn't find any OTC reading glasses that worked for me. Luckily, my eye doctor called yesterday to remind me that I was past due for an exam (it had been over two years) and wanted to know if I could come in today for an exam as they had a cancellation. I jumped all over that opportunity. I found out that OTC reading glasses will not help someone with astigmatism and each of my eyes has a different prescription. :mellow:  :glare: No wonder I keep having to shift my books from side to side and back and forth and into brighter light.

 

Prescription readers should be here next week. :coolgleamA:

 

 

 

[aggieamy]

 

I've heard good things about this currently free mystery ~

 

Ice Blue (Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series Book 1)  by Emma Jameson

 

 

 

That sounds like a mystery written just for me!  Since I "bought" the book I was able to add the audible version on for just $1.99.  Double awesome!  Thanks Karen for keeping us updated on all the freebies out there.  

 

I couldn't find any OTC reading glasses that worked for me. Luckily, my eye doctor called yesterday to remind me that I was past due for an exam (it had been over two years) and wanted to know if I could come in today for an exam as they had a cancellation. I jumped all over that opportunity. I found out that OTC reading glasses will not help someone with astigmatism and each of my eyes has a different prescription. :mellow:  :glare: No wonder I keep having to shift my books from side to side and back and forth and into brighter light.

 

Prescription readers should be here next week. :coolgleamA:

 

 

Sounds like we've got the same eyes. Poor girl!  :)  I'm glad they'll be able to get your glasses quick.  

[aggieamy]

Another winning "recommendation" from Goodreads.

 

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30687788-ill-will

 

 

It's all those cozy mysteries and historical romances I'm reading that makes Goodreads think I'd really enjoy something described as a chilling thriller.  

Edited March 14, 2017 by aggieamy

[ErinE]

Enjoy your vacation!

 

Did you listen to the Medical School for Everyone as an audiobook? It looks like a Great Course but I can't find that it's an actual book somewhere.

 

Have I told you that I've been slowly reading through The Fantasy Fiction Formula you recommended to me eons ago? It's fantastic. Fantasy is not my genre to write but the advice is relevant for everyone. I'm going to gift a bunch of copies to aspiring writer friends that I have.

It was an audiobook. It usually takes me a few weeks to finish a Great Course series, but I was done in a week for this one.

 

I'm glad you like the Fantasy Fiction Formula. It's helped me read more critically from a writing mechanics standpoint as well as tighten up my own work.

[Lady Florida.]

:grouphug:  Rose  :grouphug:  I hope reading some fluff will help. As for facebook, I've been a lot less stressed since I cut back on my time there. Even though many of my fb friends are like-minded I was finding it stressful and not fun. Limiting my time there has been one of the best things I've done lately for my mental health.

[Mom-ninja.]

Well, poop. I know I posted about the fasting book just a couple days ago, but I finished it last week. Since then I've been not eating a pre-workout snack and not eating breakfast until I feel hungry. I've also allowed myself to stop eating when I feel full instead of making myself finish. This apparently does not work for me at this point. I feel great. I have energy. I don't have headaches. However, I got on the scale and just after one week of eating this way I lost 5 lbs. I didn't want to lose 5 lbs. That puts me at exactly on the border of normal weight and underweight. That means that if (when really cause it happens) that I get sick I will fall too low. Especially when I get sick due to celiac. I always lose at least 4 lbs during an attack, and it's hard to eat for weeks (sometimes months) after. I like having 5 lbs as back up. I guess I need to go back to forcing a banana with peanut butter after exercise, and maybe my pre-workout applesauce.   

 

I will say I like bullet coffee and the other recipes in the book look yummy. I'm thinking of buying the book for dh, and that way I'll have all the recipes on hand. Because I need bacon wrapped chicken in my life! Yes, I do. 

[Narrow Gate Academy]

I finished and enjoyed reading Naked in Death for the first time. I'm still working on The Invisible Library and am currently almost halfway through.

[Butter]

Today I finished The Not So Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard by Robert Bryndza.  It was dumb and mostly a waste of time.  It was written as if it was entirely the emails sent by Coco.  That was pretty neat.  The problem is the characters were almost all annoying.  Coco was insufferable.  She'd say things that she thought were funny, but weren't, and then she'd get all whiny when she had to suffer the consequences and fall-out.  There are a bunch more books in the Coco Pinchard series, but I shall not be reading any of them.  With freebies you win some and you lose some even when you try really hard to just pick highly rated ones that sound really good.

[Kareni]

That sounds like a mystery written just for me!  Since I "bought" the book I was able to add the audible version on for just $1.99.  Double awesome!  Thanks Karen for keeping us updated on all the freebies out there. 

 

You are quite welcome.

 

And thank you for the John Pickett books which arrived in today's mail!  I will get to them fairly soon.

 

I finished and enjoyed reading Naked in Death for the first time. ...

 

I'm glad you enjoyed it.  And now only forty-three books (and a few novellas) to read and you'll be current in the series.  (Personally, I'd be delighted to find a new lengthy series to enjoy.)

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Stacia]

.

Edited November 2, 2017 by Stacia

[JennW in SoCal]

Good to see you Stacia  :seeya:

 

Now that you're here I can tell you there's a scene in Invisible Library that features an attack of robotic alligators. I of course immediately thought of you  :D

[SereneHome]

So.....I still haven't finished two books that I started at the beginning of the year:  In One Person by John Irving I will probably never finish.  Just not for me

 

I will finish The Confidence Code - it's very interesting.

 

But I did finish Lost Lake which was OK.   And I read Thirteen Reasons Why   - I  think all young and old people should read this one.  It's about a girl who, after committing suicide, sends tapes to 13 people who in some way changed the course of her life.  Of course, without even knowing.  Makes you think once again - how our words, gestures, silences effect people

[mumto2]

 

I'm glad you enjoyed it.  And now only forty-three books (and a few novellas) to read and you'll be current in the series.  (Personally, I'd be delighted to find a new lengthy series to enjoy.)

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

 

 

I feel like finding Kareni a new long series should be a project for us. Except I think you have read/tried all the same ones I have and more! My intent to read the Doc Ford series ended at about 30 pages into Captiva. Not happening....I am waiting on the next Lee Child's book. That's a long series.... I hope I like the second one.

 

 

P.S. Mom-ninja, I really popped in here because I saw your reference to bulletproof coffee. If you use a Ninja blender or cup mixer/blender thingy (cooking/food is not my area), do not put screaming hot coffee in it. (I like screaming hot coffee.) Because then the plastic will expand and by the time you hit the "blend" button, you will realize the seal is no longer actually sealed & you will have an entire kitchen from ceiling to floor, walls to yourself/the pets/the kids, covered in hot, buttery coffee.  :blink:  Just so you know. I won't explain how I'm an expert in this.... :leaving:

:lol: Another argument for instant coffee. I have enough kitchen disasters without adding coffee to the mix. Says the person who managed to spill a bag of frozen premade risotto all over the kitchen yesterday. So much for convenience food! I expect to find more bits of spelt at some point today.....tan floor, tan food.....

 

I miss the memes!

 

  

Good to see you Stacia  :seeya:

 

Now that you're here I can tell you there's a scene in Invisible Library that features an attack of robotic alligators. I of course immediately thought of you  :D

And there is the Alligator Snapping Turtle in my Incryptid series. They are real! I googled, scary turtles. Turtles shouldn't be scary. I thought it was made up. I did read Pocket Apocalypse which was number 4 in the Incryptid series. Only 2 more to go and both are sitting on my Kindle.

[Mom-ninja.]

Old-time BaWers know I used to put up memes all the time. I wish I could do so now (even though my teen ds tells me memes are lame; I'm a middle-aged mom, so I'm a-ok with that)....

 

So, if you want to play along, here we go... (in order):

 

1. Here

 

2. Here

 

3. Here

 

4. Here

 

5. Here

 

I guess that about sums it up. :tongue_smilie: :lol:

 

P.S. Mom-ninja, I really popped in here because I saw your reference to bulletproof coffee. If you use a Ninja blender or cup mixer/blender thingy (cooking/food is not my area), do not put screaming hot coffee in it. (I like screaming hot coffee.) Because then the plastic will expand and by the time you hit the "blend" button, you will realize the seal is no longer actually sealed & you will have an entire kitchen from ceiling to floor, walls to yourself/the pets/the kids, covered in hot, buttery coffee.  :blink:  Just so you know. I won't explain how I'm an expert in this.... :leaving:

 

Thanks for the warning. :D  I use an immersion blender in my large glass measuring cup; then pour into mug. 

[Jane in NC]

P.S. Mom-ninja, I really popped in here because I saw your reference to bulletproof coffee. If you use a Ninja blender or cup mixer/blender thingy (cooking/food is not my area), do not put screaming hot coffee in it. (I like screaming hot coffee.) Because then the plastic will expand and by the time you hit the "blend" button, you will realize the seal is no longer actually sealed & you will have an entire kitchen from ceiling to floor, walls to yourself/the pets/the kids, covered in hot, buttery coffee. :blink: Just so you know. I won't explain how I'm an expert in this.... :leaving:

In Stacia's case, this was bullet coffee as opposed to bulletproof coffee.

[Butter]

And I read Thirteen Reasons Why   - I  think all young and old people should read this one.  It's about a girl who, after committing suicide, sends tapes to 13 people who in some way changed the course of her life.  Of course, without even knowing.  Makes you think once again - how our words, gestures, silences effect people

 

I totally agree.  It is such a good book.  They made it into a Netflix Original Series.  13 episodes will be put up March 31st.

[Chrysalis Academy]

Thanks for the outpouring of warmth, guys. It means a lot to me. I'm ok. I haven't finished any books or anything, but just wanted to say thanks.  :grouphug:

[Lady Florida.]

I finished the audio edition of Infidel (Book 7 for me) which was read by the author.  I found it gripping, moving, provoking!  I

 

I wasn't far behind you but hadn't had a chance to listen to audio much lately. At first I had trouble with her accent (I don't usually find accents difficult but I did with hers for some reason) but once I got used to it, I had no more difficulty. I finished it yesterday and would say the same about it that you did.

[Ethel Mertz]

:grouphug:  Rose  :grouphug:  I hope reading some fluff will help. As for facebook, I've been a lot less stressed since I cut back on my time there. Even though many of my fb friends are like-minded I was finding it stressful and not fun. Limiting my time there has been one of the best things I've done lately for my mental health.

 

I need to cut back too. My newsfeed has a frantic energy about it. I'm reading Rebecca Solnit's The Faraway Nearby. There are stories within stories in this book - including one written across the bottom of each page. Very unusual read (Stacia!).

[aggieamy]

Thanks for the outpouring of warmth, guys. It means a lot to me. I'm ok. I haven't finished any books or anything, but just wanted to say thanks.  :grouphug:

 

 

Do you have a fitbit? (Warning - I've read Spark this year so I'm super energized about the good effects exercise has on your brain.) If so then try setting small goals to get up to. It really helps. 

 

((HUGS))  

 

*cup of coffee to share*  <- not the exploding kind like Stacia likes!   :)

 

((HUGS))

Edited March 15, 2017 by aggieamy

[aggieamy]

I feel like this is the first book I've finished in eons.  

 

Pistols for Two by Georgette Heyer - a collection of her short stories.  I did't even know such a thing existed until recently. Highly recommend if you are already a fan. If not then start with one of her Regency novels instead.  

 

I'm still slowly trucking away on a few other books.  

 

Is Goodreads acting strange for anyone else today?

[thessa516]

Oh my gosh, how is it Wednesday already?!

 

I haven't finished any books this week. I'm not sure what's going on, but I've been crawling into bed and I'm out cold; normally I read for a while. So no quiet reading time for me. However, that hasn't stopped me from starting new with the kids... lol!

 

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White - read aloud with the littles

Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen - audiobook so I can converse with one of the big kids on this series

[Kareni]

A one day only currently free factual work for Kindle readers ~

 

The Red Record by Ida B. Wells

 

"A shocking and powerful account of lynching written by activist, journalist, and former slave Ida B. Wells

In the postbellum American South, lynching was a frightfully common occurrence, perpetrated so frequently that most Southern politicians and leaders turned a blind eye to the practice. This vicious form of vigilante “justice†was in truth a thinly veiled racist justification for murderous violence. In 1892 alone, more than two hundred African Americans were lynched, with alleged offenses ranging from “attempted stock poisoning†to “insulting whites.â€
 
The Red Record tabulates these scenes of brutality in clear, objective statistics, allowing the horrifying facts to speak for themselves. Alongside the tally, author Ida B. Wells describes actual occurrences of lynching, and enumerates the standard rationalizations for these extrajudicial killings, her original intent for the pamphlet to shame and shock the apathetic public—and spark change."

**

 

and a short interview of an author who is also a homeschooler ~

 

The Sweetest Debut: Teresa Messineo on Writing a Historical Novel While Home-Schooling Four Kids

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Kareni]

I'm still reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for my book group, but I did finish a collection of short stories and novellas by a favorite author.  I enjoyed some of the stories more than others; however, I think my preference is for the author's longer works.  I'm likely to re-read some of these at a later date.  (Adult content)

 

The Sacrifice and Other Stories by Kim Fielding

 

"In seven fantasy short stories and novellas, men find passion with other men in the most unexpected places, and even the gravest circumstances may open the door to hope and love.

This anthology includes two brand-new short stories. In “The Sacrifice,†Rylo is a temple slave tasked with comforting a man who is scheduled to be killed in the morning. In “Chasing Away Cold,†Daku builds an ice sculpture of the god Jarli in order to ensure the end of winter. The collection also includes three novellas and two additional short stories, gathered for the first time in a single volume. “Treasure†introduces Jules, a young man who travels to the quirky seaside town of Urchin Cove to regain his health—and finds an unexpected treasure washed up on the beach. Xolani, a soldier in “Three Wishes,†picks up a small glass bottle and unleashes a surprise. Another soldier, Volos in “Guarded,†will risk everything to save Prince Berhanu. In the sequel, “Mato’s Tale,†an unassuming innkeeper gets a chance for adventure. And in “The Downs,†Enitan is unjustly banished and comes to discover that the demons he must face aren’t the ones he expected.

Join Kim Fielding on journeys through imagined worlds where magic is commonplace and romance lies just around the next bend. All royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers."

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Kareni]

I know we have some Gerald Durrell fans here, so perhaps someone might be interested in this short time $3.99 sale.  This is not free.

 

The Corfu Trilogy: My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts and Relatives; and The Garden of the Gods by Gerald Durrell

 

"The complete trilogy that inspired Masterpiece production The Durrells in Corfu in one volume.

The tales of a naturalist and his family, who left England for the Greek island of Corfu—where they interacted with fascinating locals of both human and animal varieties—these memoirs have become beloved bestsellers and inspired the delightful series that aired on PBS television.
 
Included in this three-book collection are:
 
My Family and Other Animals: Ten-year-old Gerald Durrell arrives on sun-drenched Corfu with this family and pursues his interest in natural history, making friends with the island’s fauna—from toads and tortoises to scorpions and geckos—while reveling in the joyous chaos of growing up in an unconventional household.
 
Birds, Beasts and Relatives: Written after a boyhood spent studying zoology, this memoir is part nature guide, part coming-of-age tale, and all charmingly funny memoir.
 
The Garden of the Gods: In the conclusion of the trilogy, Durrell shares more tales of wild animals and his even wilder family, including his mother, Louisa, and his siblings Lawrence, Leslie, and Margo, in the years before World War II.
 
“[Durrell’s] books have an unfailing charm. . . . It is a tribute to his skill that one never tires of his accounts†(Chicago Tribune)."

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Onceuponatime]

I finished Huck Out West. Here is my final review: "A crazy story, more like a tall tale. Fuller than full of the violence and exaggeration of the old west. Every single cliche western element is included. Through it all Huck reveals himself to be saner, humbler, kinder, and wiser than most, in spite of his many scrapes with death and disaster. The story got bogged down a bit in the middle. The senseless and greedy vigilante violence became tiresome.

 

The story is summed up when Huck says, "Tribes, they're a powerful curse laid on you when you are born. They ruin you, but you can't get away from them. They're a nightmare a body's got to live with in the day time."

 

Tom Sawyer was there too, but as a piece of Huck's past that he had to contend with, battling loyalty and his own personal ethic. Three stars for Twain nostalgia and a somewhat entertaining story. I wouldn't read it again.

 

I'm currently reading Who is Simon Warwick, by Patricia Moyes. When I'm done, I'm willing to pass on this book and Death and the Dutch Uncle, if anyone wants them.

[Matryoshka]

Okay, so I know a bunch of you have read Jar City....

 

If anyone has the book at hand, would you mind looking up for me what the man in the green parka/winter coat is described as wearing on his head in the third paragraph of chapter/section 10 (about page 63 or so)?  I must know what it says in English...    :bigear:   Pretty please?

[Lady Florida.]

Okay, so I know a bunch of you have read Jar City....

 

If anyone has the book at hand, would you mind looking up for me what the man in the green parka/winter coat is described as wearing on his head in the third paragraph of chapter/section 10 (about page 63 or so)?  I must know what it says in English...    :bigear:   Pretty please?

 

I hope someone can find it for you. I've been getting the ebooks from the library, so I can't help you. And it's been so long ago that I don't remember. 

[Mothersweets]

A one day only currently free factual work for Kindle readers ~

 

The Red Record by Ida B. Wells

 

"A shocking and powerful account of lynching written by activist, journalist, and former slave Ida B. Wells

 

In the postbellum American South, lynching was a frightfully common occurrence, perpetrated so frequently that most Southern politicians and leaders turned a blind eye to the practice. This vicious form of vigilante “justice†was in truth a thinly veiled racist justification for murderous violence. In 1892 alone, more than two hundred African Americans were lynched, with alleged offenses ranging from “attempted stock poisoning†to “insulting whites.â€

 

The Red Record tabulates these scenes of brutality in clear, objective statistics, allowing the horrifying facts to speak for themselves. Alongside the tally, author Ida B. Wells describes actual occurrences of lynching, and enumerates the standard rationalizations for these extrajudicial killings, her original intent for the pamphlet to shame and shock the apathetic public—and spark change."

**

 

 

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

 

The History Chicks did a really interesting podcast about her recently!     http://thehistorychicks.com/episode-84-ida-b-wells/#more-6082

 

Thanks for the link Kareni!

[JennW in SoCal]

Okay, so I know a bunch of you have read Jar City....

 

If anyone has the book at hand, would you mind looking up for me what the man in the green parka/winter coat is described as wearing on his head in the third paragraph of chapter/section 10 (about page 63 or so)?  I must know what it says in English...    :bigear:   Pretty please?

 

I must have read a library copy as it isn't on my shelves.  

 

What language are you reading it in?!

[idnib]

Rose, I'm sending hugs and keeping you in my thoughts.  :grouphug:

 

Some of you know I have some craziness in my life right now that has kept me from getting much reading done and from visiting the boards much at all, but I have a break from that right now and so I checked in. I am honestly shocked at what transpired last week. A dear friend and a valued member of this forum and this thread was treated badly, and I am astonished at how quickly some people attempted to soothe things as if the problem was merely ruffled feathers, with little regard for how deeply hurtful the situation was. 

 

Some time ago someone posted something on the BaW thread which was distressing to me. It wasn't personal, and I haven't thought about it for a long time. But at that time we had extensive discussion on this thread about it, and it deepened our caring of and understanding for each other. I'm not sure why that empathetic discourse was cut short this time, but I am sincerely disappointed in the outcome.

 

I do not feel comfortable participating in a group in which certain people are held to the "no politics" standard and others are not, particularly a group that revolves around reading. I do not feel comfortable participating in a group where people are snarky toward other participants. I do not feel comfortable participating in a group in which people raise concerns and are told to lighten up, or that they cannot take a joke.

 

I know I'm coming in during the 5th quarter, but I cannot remain silent about what I have witnessed. I am at this time seriously re-evaluating my participation in this thread, and that makes me sad. But if rules will not be adhered to, and good friends will be scoffed at for being hurt, I do not feel good about taking part. I definitely have to give this some thought.

Edited March 16, 2017 by idnib

[Matryoshka]

I must have read a library copy as it isn't on my shelves.

 

What language are you reading it in?!

German. :D

 

No one has a copy? :poutyface:

[Jane in NC]

Good morning my fellow readers.

 

A serious response to idnib follows but first I'll let Matryoshka know that I borrowed my library's copy of Jar City so I cannot help her.

 

Robin is away and it is perhaps Robin who should be be responding to the issues raised by idnib; yet all of us in some way own a piece of this thread. We have been keeping each other afloat for years now with our virtual hand holding and real life book sharing.  This is an amazing community.

 

Unlike most IRL book groups, we are not reading the same book or the same sorts of books.  Frankly I think we do a remarkable job of respecting each other despite our difference in tastes. 

 

There have been moments of discomfort for some over the past year which led to the request that we keep politics out of our BaW thread.  Given the nature of life, is this even realistic? 

 

Consider this:  last year I led a chat over several weeks on the classic novel A Passage to India.  Cracking good story as far as I am concerned but the background of the novel is highly political:  the British involvement in India pre-partition.  This is a political circumstance that has distance for most of us so it seems fair game and reasonable to discuss the matter. But earlier conversations on race in America hit a little too close to home for some of our readers.  Distance was lacking.

 

I read more modern Eastern European authors than most.  You can't escape politics in these books yet hackles are not raised by discussing Stalinist intervention.  Again, we have distance.

 

But one reader's discomfort meter is different than that of another.  Some readers prefer books with happy endings and would rather not read reviews of others.  Does that mean we cannot discuss those dark Scandinavian novels or less than pleasant memoirs? 

 

Books are meant to move us--and often they will move us out of our comfort zones. There are times in life when we need comfort reading.  There are times when we need to learn to understand those who lead very different lives than our own. But everyone here knows that.  Which is why I make a plea that we all try just a tad harder to demonstrate the appreciation and affection that I know we have for those in our group.

 

Our words matter.  We are more than just voices on the Internet.  We are a community of readers who come to this table with vast experiences, loaded plates of matters on the homefront, and various abilities to express ourselves via our keyboards.  We do not think alike.  We do not see ourselves in the same political light or will even agree on what is political.  We have different spiritual beliefs. 

 

Yet we love books and are moved by where books take us. 

 

I am vowing to be respectful not only of my fellow readers but also of the authors who take us on these travels.  I cannot promise to keep everyone here in BaW in a warm and fuzzy place simply by the nature of the reading that I tend to do.

 

Stacia--come back.  I miss you.