Mamie's 2017 Madness (Page 5)

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snail's pace

Books Read in February:
12. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, (5 stars), library hardback, historical fiction - recommended by Mark, and Lynda hypnotized me
13. The Looking-Glass War by John LeCarré, (4 stars), 2017 acquired audiobook, espionage (George Smiley series, book 4)
14. Thin Air by Robert B. Parker, (3.5 stars), library hardback, crime fiction (Spenser series, book 22)

Books Read in January:
1. Rivers of London: Volume 1: Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch, art by Lee Sullivan (3.75 stars), GN - police procedural, off my shelves, (Rivers of London series, GN set in between books 4 and 5)
2. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John LeCarré (5 stars), paperback/audio combo, espionage, off my shelves (George Smiley series, book 3)
3. The Chisellers by Brendan O'Carroll (4 stars), library paperback, historical fiction/humor - series recommended by Nancy (Agnes Brown trilogy, book 2)
4. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (5 stars), ebook, off my shelves - series recommended by Jenn (Queen's Thief series, book 1)
5. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu (4.5 stars), ebook, short story collection, off my shelves - recommended by Mark
6. Talking to the Dead by Harry Bingham (3.75 stars), ebook, off my shelves, police procedural - series recommended by Julia and Joe and Mary (Fiona Griffith series, book 1)
7. Nutshell by Ian McEwan (5 stars), 2017 acquired audiobook, literary fiction - Katie's Dirty Dozen
8. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (4 stars), audiobook, urban fantasy, off my shelves - Roberta said to keep going (Harry Dresden series, book 4)
9. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (4 stars), audiobook, literary fiction, off my shelves
10. Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard (4.25 stars), ebook, crime fiction, off my shelves
11. Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien (4 stars), library paperback, literary fiction/Vietnam

My name is Mamie. 49. Mother of four. Happily married. I am an Indiana transplant currently residing in Georgia. I like to wax poetic about the pecan trees and complain about the heat. I miss winter. I believe in the power of kindness and shared laughter. I heartily embrace wine, snark, and shenanigans; I like to think of them as my posse.

This is my sixth year in the 75ers group. I will read almost anything (Um…NOT self-help), but I tend to lean towards crime fiction, space opera, and historical fiction. I have a soft spot for quirky characters and magical realism.
This group has greatly increased my reading of truth - I love memoirs, travel writing and narrative non-fiction. I am greatly looking forward to another reading year spent amidst the chaos of the 75.

I am planning on walking the cat this year. That is, I am just going to go where my reading takes me. I am not committing to any challenges except for Ellen’s Reread Challenge, which is a perfect match for me because every year I reread multiple books. I love to reread - it’s like getting together with old friends. I like the comfort of knowing where I am going and the surprise of discovering new truths in a familiar landscape.

So some thoughts I have:

It would be nice to read some of the hundreds of books I have sitting on my shelves - especially the authors that I have multiple standalone books by, such as Elmore Leonard, Philip K. Dick, and George Orwell

I want to keep going on some of the series I focused on this past year as well as some that I have neglected for a while: Harry Bosch, Harry Hole, Inspector Montalbano, Bruno Courrèges, Barsetshire, the Vorkosigan Saga, The Others, Sebastian St. Cyr, ...

I would like to eventually read all of the books mentioned in The English Patient, starting with The Histories by Herodotus

Usually I list my print and ebook purchases, but I thought it might be fun to follow my audiobook purchases instead this year. My husband always gets me the 24 credit Audible membership for Christmas, so…

1. Nutshell by Ian McEwan, narrated by Rory Kinnear, Katie's Dirty Dozen 2016 COMPLETED
2. The Looking-Glass War by John LeCarré, narrated by Michael Jayston COMPLETED
3. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey, narrated by Carole Boyd - $2.95 Daily Deal
4. The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch, narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith LISTENING

Katie’s Dirty Dozen - That’s right, folks, KAK’s reserved spot is back for a third year, let’s see what she gets me with this time

1.

From 2016:
1. Kamchatka by Marcelo Figueras
2. Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard
3. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez - seconded by Charlotte and Susan
4. In the Walled City by Stewart O'Nan COMPLETED 8/12/16 3.8 stars
5. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy - she recommended the audio, and don't speed it up
6. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo COMPLETED 7/21/16 5 stars
7. Ruby by Cynthia Bond - seconded by Charlotte
8. Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming - she recommends the audio read by Cummings himself
9. Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan
10. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye - Roberta also loved this, Katie says the audio is great, purchased 5/15/16
11. The Jaguar's Children by John Vaillant
12. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi COMPLETED 10/2/16 5 stars
13. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat - she pointed out that this was only $1.99 on Kindle and that it was one of her very favorites, purchased 7/13/16
14. Tribal: College Football and the Secret Heart of America by Diane Roberts
15. Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon
16. Nutshell by Ian McEwan COMPLETED 1/2017 5 stars
17. Black River by S. M. Hulse

AND, from 2015:
1. The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey ($1.99 on Kindle), purchase on 2/18/15 COMPLETED 8/19/16 5 stars
2. Bright's Passage by Josh Ritter (2.99 on Kindle), purchased on 2/23/15
3. The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly ($3.79 on Kindle), purchased on 3/31/15 COMPLETED 11/7/15 4.2 stars
4. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler ($12.77 trade paperback), purchased on 4/1/15, COMPLETED read for Mark's AAC in January 2016, 4.25 stars
5. Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker ($.99 on Kindle), purchased on 4/9/15 - second book in a series, first book Dreamland was recommended by Katie and purchased last year
6. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing - used an Audible credit COMPLETED 6/16/15 4.9 stars
7. Academy Street by Mary Costello ($9.99 on Kindle), purchased on 6/12/15 COMPLETED 7/2/16 5 stars
8. Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn ($5.99 on Kindle), purchased on 8/28/15
9. Sweetland by Michael Crummey ($.99 on Kindle), purchased 9/5/15 COMPLETED 11/19/15 4.5 stars
10. If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins ($7.99 on Kindle), purchased on 10/26/15

Every year, LT is an embarrassment of riches for me. I like to keep track of who recommends what and any other pertinent info that lands a book on WL.

1. Winter by Christopher Nicholson - read Suz's review on her thread, it was one of her top reads from last year
2. News of the World by Paulette Jiles - because Mark said so!
3. The Return: Fathers, Sons, and Between by Hisham Matar - memoir -read Rhonda's review on her thread
4. Those Who Hunt the Night by Barbara Hambly - read Roni's blurb on her thread about this series
5. Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin - series recommended by Deborah - read her review of the third book on her thread
6. The Western Lit Survival Kit by Sandra Newman - Joe says this is delightful
7. The Inquisitor's Tale, Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz - read Anne's review on her thread
8. A World of Love by Elizabeth Bowen - read Meg's review on her thread
9. Under Another Sky by Charlotte Higgins - read Susan's review on her thread, and she said that she heard about it on Jennifer's (inge87) thread
10. He Wants by Alison Moore - read Nancy's review on her thread
11. A Robot in the Garden by Deborah Install - read Caro's review on her thread
12. Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler - read Robin's review of the 13th book in this series
13. A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro - read Faith's review on her thread
14. Moonglow by Michael Chabon - Charlotte talking about reading this on her thread has made me add it to the list, and I was really trying not to...
15. The Assault by Henry Mulisch - read Anita's review on her thread
16. India: A Portrait by Patrick French - read Erik's review on his thread - he says a good look at modern day India
17. The Watcher by Ross Armstrong - read Charlotte's review on her thread
18. The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave - read Jenny's review on her thread
19. I Will Have Vengeance by Mario De Giovanni - read Ellen's review on her thread
20. The Ferryman Institute by Colin Gigi - because Jim said so
21. Madwoman in the Attic by Sandra M. Gilbert - read Gail's review of it on her thread
22. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah - read Heather's review on her thread - she says the audio is superb
23. Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford - read Cee's review on her thread

This should do it - next one's yours!

Happy Friday! and Happy New Thread, Mamie!

>8 Carmenere: Happy Friday, Lynda! And thank you!

LOL! You just don't know how fast my little fingers were hitting keys to be the first post on a very active thread. Shew! I think I'm done for the day ;0)

Too funny, Lynda. Thanks for the effort - I am honored.

Morning, Mamie! Happy New Thread! Love the topper.

Greetings from Goodyear. All is good here.

Morning, Mark! And thank you! Your post made me laugh.

Good morning, Mamie!

Happy New Thread! I love the photos, including walking the cat. I like that description - that's my reading technique, too.

All caught up now. I am sorry I missed Barnum's injury and I'm glad to hear that he's on the mend. Fingers crossed that the pain meds will continue to help him get the rest he needs to heal.

>6 Crazymamie: Hmmm, gonna have to work harder to make the wall of fame for recommendations!

Happy new thread Mamie, feel honored to be named at the wall of fame :-)

Happy new thread, Crazy! I love your topper! Glad you found me again. Now maybe I have a shot at getting you with a book bullet. ; )

Happy new thread!
How is Barnum feeling these days?

>14 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Thank you. Glad to have company walking the cat.

>15 cbl_tn: Hello, Carrie! Thanks so much for those good wishes for Barnum.

>16 drneutron: Right, Jim. Get on it!

>17 FAMeulstee: Thank you, Anita! Glad you have claimed a spot on the wall of fame.

>18 Berly: Thank you, Kim! I do not even know how I lost you, but I am blaming the iPad. I'll be waiting for that bullet.

>19 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle! Barnum is still sore, but he is whining a bit with what I think is boredom, so I think that's a good sign. The new meds are definitely an improvement over the first one.

Happy new thread and happy Friday to you, Miss Mamie !

Mamie, so glad you were in a pocket of safety during last week's storms. I'm glad Barnum is recovering from his dislocated hip. Poor thing must be bored with the slow healing process. Thank goodness for pain meds.

You are doing a great job with the creasing from your shelves. I need to pick up my pace. Which reminds me, you are No. 1 in the FitBit group. Go, Mamie!

Happy new thread, Mamie.

Happy new thread and happy Friday, Mamie!

Happy Friday, Mamie!

Happy new thread ! :)

Happy new thread Mamie. Hope I manage to get back here before you start another one.

Happy new thread, Mamie! Number 5 already!

>25 brodiew2: *snarfles* That's baaaaad.

(But my husband snickered...twice.)

Hi Mamie.
I have barely heard of one of the books from >6 Crazymamie: !!
I need to get reading, clearly!
Happy newest thread. How goes things at the Pecan Paradiso?

>21 RebaRelishesReading: Thank you kindly, Miss Reba!

>22 Donna828: Thank you, Donna! I agree - thank goodness for drugs!

I am trying to make a conscious effort to read from my own shelves more this year - let's see if I can keep it going with an entire year of tempting shiny new books constantly calling to me.

I have been stepping like mad, but I am not in first place - except for the seven day stats. For the monthly stats, I am currently in 9th place. Not bad considering I was in 19th place just a week or so ago. Katherine (qebo) is in first place. But I thank you for the cheering!

>23 Ameise1: Thanks, Barbara!

>24 Familyhistorian: Thank you, Meg!

>25 brodiew2: Brodie, you made me snort my water! Thanks for that. Happy Friday to you!

>26 figsfromthistle: Thank you, and welcome to my thread!

>27 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! Me, too!

>28 susanj67: Thank you, Susan! Did the new laptop adapter do the trick?

>29 Morphidae: *waves at Morphy*

>30 LovingLit: Hello, Megan! Yes, you had better get cracking. And thank you. The Pecan Paradisio is doing very well - we have been working on the BIG Spring Cleaning, where every room gets a very through going over from top to bottom. So far we have the living room and the dining room completed.

>33 Crazymamie: Can I book you in to do my room once you're done over there? It's a very small room, particularly by US standards, but given my entire life needs to fit in it, there is just TOO MUCH STUFF. I am due a mass clear out. But there are so many other things I could be doing..........cuddling TheBoyfriend, reading, sleeping............and no clearing out happens :/.

Yes, Jenny, just pencil us in.

>35 Crazymamie: Ah, would be bliss. If only. Plus I'd get to show you the wonders of rural England. What do you mean the incessant winter mud doesn't appeal? Hmpf, guess I'd better get to it myself at some point :/

Are you sure you wouldn't like to see some mud? It's very pretty. And it often has a Connie horse attached to it, or stood in it, if that helps............

Ha!

Happy New Thread, Mamie!

Thanks, Roni!

Happy new thread, Mamie. xx

>31 Crazymamie: I had to go and have a look at the stats. You are stepping up there nicely, Mamie. I was heading up in the stats but then someone new came along and took 6th place, the place that I was aiming for. Oh well, next month should be better now that the days are getting longer and the deep freeze seems to be over (knock on wood).

Happy new one, Mamie dear.

>40 PaulCranswick: Thank you, Paul! xx

>41 Familyhistorian: Morning, Meg! I think you are talking about Stephen. I did knock on wood for you, and I am sure that next month you will leave Stephen in your dust.

>42 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana!

Happy new one, Mamie.

Thank you, Beth!

Morning, Mamie! Happy new thread!

Morning, Amber! Thanks!

Good morning, Mamie!

Hope your weekend with the Pecan Paradisio gang is off to a good start.

Catching up on some reviews:



Book #9: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (4 stars), audiobook, literary fiction, off my shelves - recommended by Ilana

The End of the Affair was just my second book by Graham Greene, and it is so very different from Our Man in Havana, which surprised me. I was not expecting it to be so sad and melancholy, but it is also beautifully told. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mr. Darcy Colin Firth, who elevates the novel, IMO. It is a perfect blend of story and narrator, which is pure magic when it happens. I read that this story is based on Greene's real life events and is considered one of his "Catholic novels". Although faith definitely plays a part here, I didn't think that the novel was dominated by Catholicism. I liked the internal monologue that we are treated to and the stream of consciousness that explores just how wrongly the main character has interpreted life events. Bittersweet and thoughtful and intelligent, it is also slightly tedious at times, but that might have been because I was expecting more humor, and really, isn't picking apart a relationship and analyzing it from different angles a tedious thing? How could it not be? Anyone who has had a relationship end before they were ready, who didn't understand an abrupt dismissal when they were still fully engaged would keep picking away at events trying to figure out where things went so horrible wrong. The slow unfolding of the story is part of what makes the ending seem so flawless. Definitely one I will listen to again, and I think I will get more out of it the second time around.

>48 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! SO far so good with the weekending. I am indulging in a third cup of coffee and trying to catch up a bit on the threads.

Book #10: Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard (4.25 stars), ebook, crime fiction, off my shelves

I think that perhaps no one does dialogue better than Elmore Leonard. I just love how he writes and how he tells a story. He always surprises me with where he ends up, and the journey is sure to be filled with humor and interesting characters. In this one we meet Chili Palmer, who is a bookmaker/loan shark with mob connections working out of Miami. When Chili gets ensnared in chasing a client who faked his death all the way to Hollywood in order to collect, he decides to also check out the movie business. He has a great idea for a movie. This comedy of errors is fast paced and funny and smart, and like most Leonard products, it delivers. Chili is not quite as cool as Raylan Givens (of Justified fame), but he is also not to be missed. Highly recommended.

Book #11: Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien (4 stars), library paperback, literary fiction/Vietnam

"He could tell time by the way it came. By the cold and the wind, and then later the silver gleaming that would fill the wave troughs and give them shape, wrinkles like the skin of boiled milk, then the birds, then the breaking of the sky. He could tell time by all of this, and by the rhyme of wind and sand, and by the beat of his own heart. It was a matter of hard observation. Separating illusion from reality. What happened, and what might have happened?"

I picked this book up after is was mentioned in How to Read Literature Like a Professor - I was intrigued by the comments, and I had previously read and loved The Things They Carried by the same author. This one is also set in Vietnam, and the bits that were quoted made me feel that I had read excerpts from it before. I had - my kids read a chapter for an English class that I instantly recognized when I came to it - the chapter titled Night March, which is powerful all by itself, but when set into place in the novel, it is pivotal.

This is very different from The Things They Carried in that it uses magical realism to break the novel into two parts - one real and one surreal that are sewn together almost seamlessly. It's well done, and I can see why it won the National Book Award. The only quibble I had with it is that it could have been shorter and tighter. I liked the main character of Paul Berlin, who is new to the war. He wants to not disappoint his father, to be brave, to be a good soldier, but he wants most of all not to lose his humanity.

"He looked for detail. People chatting while infants slept in carriages, students reading under trees, the order of things. Simple courtesies...He looked for meanings. Peace was shy. That was one lesson: Peace never bragged. If you didn't look for it, it wasn't there."

When a member of their squad decides to desert, the squad goes after him, and here is where we fall down the rabbit hole, so to speak. What is real and what is imagined are intertwined, and just when we are wondering if we can even get back to solid ground, O'Brien delivers us there brilliantly. Recommended.

Morning Mamie! Greetings from Goodyear. Having a great time. Our hosts are treating us like royalty. The meals have been fabulous.

Good review of the O'Brien. Thumb. I will have to track that one down.

Morning, Mark! Sounds like you have vacationing well in hand.

Thank you - the O'Brien is definitely worth tracking down. I had it out from the library or I would send it to you.

>52 Crazymamie: Woo, good review, Mamie. You convinced me. Thumb, and adding it to the WL.

Whoop! think you'll like it, Joe.

And I like the sound of Get Shorty! Happy weened, Crazy!!

>31 Crazymamie: Just for the record, I haven't been sitting completely still. Both of my Fitbit's have died -- that makes all 4 of the ones purchased by this household. I sent the company a polite email suggesting they work on their quality control and got a response that sounds like they may send me replacements. I still think I may need to go with some other brand of fitness tracker except then I wouldn't have my "friends" to help motivate me. So annoying!

>57 Berly: It's really fun, Kim! Happy weened to you!

>58 RebaRelishesReading: Oh, dear, Reba! That is most annoying - I have had much better luck with my Fitbits than you have. Hoping they send you replacements that behave themselves.

Hi Mamie, driving by to wish you fabulousness right back! Love the opening Twain quote, and the pic of boy/cat.

Hello, Nancy! Thanks for that. Glad you love the topper.

Nice reviews, Mamie - I want to read all of them!

Thank you, Beth! They are all worthy.

"...listened to the audiobook narrated by Mr. Darcy "
Lol. Hope you have a great weekend.

Hello, Charlotte! *grin* I am very excited because we are having baked potato bar for dinner - one of my favorite things.

Thanks for the knock on wood, Mamie. I hope the weather gods are listening! Potato bar sounds amazing - baked potatoes are one of my favourite foods although Greek potatoes are right up there.

>58 RebaRelishesReading: Strange that all 4 Fitbits bit the dust. I hope you have better luck with the replacements.

You're most welcome, Meg! I love potato in almost any form.

Hello Dear Mamie

I have been missing in action. But, I that doesn't mean I haven't thought of you. Like you, I would like to read books I currently own. I started out really well this month and was able to take six books off the shelf. Then, a few days ago, Will took me to the local library and Coretta Scott King's book My Life, My Love, My Legacy jumped into my hands. I'm mid way through it and it is wonderful.

Happy New Year to you! May it be filled with wonderful books that take you to magical places

Hello there, Linda! What a lovely surprise! I will have to look for that book - I am a huge fan of Coretta Scott King. And I thank you for those kind and thoughtful words. You have been often in my thoughts as I wish for you continued healing and an end to your pain.

That image is gorgeous - you always find the best ones!

>65 Crazymamie: mmmm!! That would satisfy my weird pregnancy potato craving nicely! We don't eat much potato in our house as I ate too many while pregnant with Chloe and now Nate can't stand them. Sad.

Oh, dear, Chelle. We are great lovers of potato here. That reminds me of when Craig and I were first married - we were on a very tight budget, as he was still a resident then and I was working night shift in the chemistry lab. Craig made this huge batch of hash - HUGE. And there was just the two of us, so we were eating it forever, it seems like. After that I did my best Scarlet O'Hara - As God is my witness, I shall never eat hash again. And I haven't. Even the smell of it brings it back - nope.

Morning Mamie! Happy Sunday. Not getting much reading in. If I stayed off the iPad in the early A.M. I could knock out a few pages but I have to pay a visit to my pals and give important updates, right?

I will catch up on the books. That is a promise.

Good morning, Mamie!

I've made a note to never send you hash. I can just imagine. Madame MBH and I have stories from our penniless days, but not a never-ending hash one.

Hope you and yours have a fun, hash-less Sunday.

>72 msf59: Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! And yes - you simply must keep us informed. We would panic in your absence, so really, it's the least you can do.

>73 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Ha! Thanks for that. We are looking forward to a lazy, indulgent Sunday - just the way I like them.

Happy Sunday, Mamie :-) Great reviews, and I'm so glad that Mr Darcy worked out for you...

I have also made a note never to serve you hash, should I ever entertain you. I bet you could have done with four dogs at that time, though!

Hello, Susan! Happy Sunday to you! Thank you. Oh, Mr. Darcy...*sighs*

Laughing about the dogs. Yes, that would have helped out enormously. I thank you for your culinary note taking.

Wonderful review of the Greene, I wish I had loved it as you did.

And your review just about convinced me to read Cacciato.

Morning, Mamie!

Thank you, Lucy! I remember your listening to the Firth narration. I do think you would like Cacciato if you ever decide to dip into it. O'Brien's writing is so very good. Not as brilliant as his The Things They Carried, but still worthy of a read.

>78 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>49 Crazymamie: So far behind but have to stop to say lovely review of the Graham Greene. I really need to make him one of the authors that I read this year. Thankfully, I've already read the others you reviewed, so I'm immune from those shots at least.

Give Barnum a hug for me! Glad to hear he's making slow but steady progress in healing.

>52 Crazymamie: I've been afraid to read something like How to Read Literature Like a Professor in case it ruins my enjoyment of pleasure reading forever. Your thoughts?

>65 Crazymamie: I've wanted to try something like chicken & broccoli on a baked potato forever but what do you moisten it with? When I normally eat a baked potato it's with far too much butter and I'd like to try something different.

>49 Crazymamie: Some lovely reviews above, Mamie -- Especially the End of the Affair. One of my favorite Graham Greene novels -- nay one of my favorites period. Perhaps I'll give it a go as an audio for a re-read!

Monday is breathing down my neck. Weekends seem to go by so very quickly.

Hash like corned beef hash with a poached egg in the middle? Or hash browns. I couldn't live without hash browns... but I couldn't live with corned beef hash.

And I still have never read Elmore Leonard. Bad me!

Crazy--Happy.......wait for it.........Monday!!! There. I said it. : )

Nice batch of reviews, Mamie! I hope to get My Man in Havana off my shelf this year. It's so slim, it's just begging to be read.

>86 lunacat: Love it!

Morning Mamie! Getting ready to leave for the airport. Pained expression...

>86 lunacat: "Love!"

Good morning, Mamie! Happy Mmphmumble Day!

I'm off to work out, rather than off to work, so I can't complain. (Well, I can always figure out a way to complain, but still).

All caught up with you, Mamie! Poor Barnum :( I am glad to hear he is doing better.

And you got me with The End of the Affair. It's been on my Audible WL for a while because Colin Firth, but I've dithered... I have 5 credits in the bank, so.....

Also, looks like I need to get cracking on reading better books so you have something to put in that Dirty Dozen post. It's looking rather pathetic at the moment!

Good morning, Mamie. I hope you had a great weekend.

>32 Crazymamie: Always happy to help! :-P

I finally caught back up. I'm going to go back to my couch from your last thread now. Happy newish thread, Mom.

Afternoon, Y'all! It is GORGEOUS here - 58F and sunny. We have the windows open, but unfortunately someone has decided to do a major burn, so we will have to close them soon. We are doing Mexican tonight, so chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, etc. YUM. And I have almost all of my stepage in, so I am very excited about that.

On the reading front, I decided to set Suspended Sentences aside for now - it's been...um..suspended. And I picked up All Quiet on the Western Front - I have read this before, but it was way back in high school, so I wanted to read it again. I loved it then, and it had quite an impact on me, so it will be interesting to see if it still hits home. I am listening to it this time, narrated by Frank Muller.

Nothing else exciting to report. Carry on!

>86 lunacat: I think Monday fought back, in my case...

Your comments about Modiano on Joe's thread made me laugh, thanks for that.

Sounds like a lovely day in Mamie-ville! -11c here, boo!

>71 Crazymamie: Ours is "I shall never eat tuna casserole again."

I'm being Fitful with my Fitbit. I needed a few days off from it over the weekend. I've got it on today, but I've also got plantar fasciitis again. I don't know if it's my shoes or what, but I guess I've got to find a foot doctor.

It was soooo cold today. They promised me 60+ tomorrow and I'm holding them to it.

My husband came home from a business trip and told me that he was visiting the marketing department at the corporate office and introduced himself to one of the newer marketing ladies. She said, "Oh! You're the one who looks like Colin Firth."
Two things. I don't mind if people thinks he looks like Colin Firth, as it sort of legitimizes my attraction to Mr. Darcy, but he better damn well stay away from those marketing ladies. LOL

Morning, Mamie!

>96 nittnut: *snerk*

>96 nittnut: Those marketing ladies — you gotta keep an eye on 'em!

Catching up with the thread:

>81 rosalita: Hello, Julia! Thank you for that - hoping you do get to Greene this year. I have The Quiet American on the shelves and I am wanting to read Travels With My Aunt, which I just ordered in a Penguin Deluxe Classics edition - LOVE those!

Your hug has been delivered to Barnum, who is doing so much better.

>82 Morphidae: It's very accessible, Morphy. I think you would like it - I am reading it in bits and pieces and finding it very enjoyable. I would not have picked it up if it weren't for Carrie's review, so I know just what you mean.

I do put butter on my potato, but not a lot. We use grilled chicken, broccoli, sautéd onions, sautéd mushrooms, bacon, etc. - whatever we are on the mood for, but I really like the grilled chicken and broccoli because it is healthier. If the potato seems too dry, you always try adding a bit of low sodium/low fat chicken broth to it - just a bit should do it. I think the sautéd onions add moisture.

>83 michigantrumpet: Thank you, Marianne. I am thinking if you already love the novel, you will flip for it with Firth's narration. SO good!

I agree that weekends go by in a heartbeat.

>84 cammykitty: Yeah, no, Katie - nothing that good. Just Craig's version of hash, which is potatoes, onions and ground meat of whatever kind is on hand - happened to be ground beef for the infamous GIANT bash of hash that has turned me forever.

And yes - bad Katie. Get to Leonard soon. My favorite is Pronto, where we meet Raylan Givens fro the first time. *sigh*

>85 Berly: Oh, dear, Kim. I admire your fortitude but alas, I cannot agree with your sentiments. Hoping it was kind to you - brave girl to look it directly in the eye.

>86 lunacat: LOVE that, Jenny! Thank you so much!

>87 Carmenere: You too, with the looking Monday directly in the eye, Lynda? And thank you - you will like Our Man in Havana, even if you do want him only to belong to you. LOL.

>88 msf59: Sorry that vacation had to come to an end, Mark. At least you made the most of it.

>89 jnwelch: Now there's the right attitude for Mondays. Joe. Well done. Your post made me laugh. I have been good about the working out lately, but not so great with the working. Heh.

>90 katiekrug: Hello, Katie! Welcome home. You are home, right? Barnum is definitely on the mend - doing SO much better yesterday and today.

Just remember that there is a lot of introspection in The End of the Affair , and you'll be fine - I was expecting something more like Our Man in Havana, and it si so completely different. But it's lovely and Firth delivers it perfectly, so a very good use of your credit.

No worries about your Dirty Dozen - I know you will fill it up before the year is out.

>91 brodiew2: Hello there, Brodie! The weekend was lovely but too short. And good that you are always happy to help because I am often in need of it.

>92 thearlybirdy: Ha! Good thinking, Birdy - I'll just bring your couch over here, shall I?

>94 charl08: For me, too, Charlotte. Mondays are like that sometimes. Hoping you won.

And you're welcome - I always love a good book rant, too.

>95 ChelleBearss: Oh, dear, Chelle! -11 is too cold! Sending you warm thoughts. We are going to 72F (22C) here today. I am hoping to read on the deck for part of the afternoon.

>96 nittnut: I could get behind that one, too, Jenn, as I ate a A LOT of that growing up and I was never a big fan of it.

Sounds like you need to take a bigger break from your Fitbit - ouch to the foot pain. Hoping it lets up soon.

We are back to our 70s weather for the week - I don't think we are getting an actual winter this year. And the plants are so confused, poor dears.

I love your Colin Firth story! Ladies, avert you eyes from my husband and step back, please. I can honestly say that Craig has never been accused of looking like Colin Firth.

>97 scaifea: Morning, Amber!

>98 drneutron: I concur, Jim.

>99 rosalita: So true, Julia!

>104 Crazymamie: oh, 22c sounds delightful!! It is only -4c right now but it's snowing and very slippery.

Hope you can stay in for the most part - except going to and from work, Chelle. Be careful with the slippery!

I was blown away in high school when I read All Quiet on the Western Front - I will await your review eagerly.

Love the Viking coffee funny. Very apt for me as I am reading (and LOVING) The Long Ships.

It was 5 F here when I arose. Up to a balmy 12. At 15 I will go out with the dog because it is, at least, sunny!

Me, too, Lucy. I am really liking it in audio form - Muller's voice is a good match for the story.

I love the cover of your The Long Ships. I might have to pick that one up.

>107 Crazymamie: I'm stuck at my desk for the next 9 hours still so I am at least warm and dry :) Hopefully the snow has stopped by 7pm when I leave
Chloe will be happy as she loves snow and will get to help Nate outside shoveling today

Morning, Mamie!

I'm another one who was hit hard by All Quiet on the Western Front. Looking forward to your thoughts on it.

F. Scott Fitzgerald - were his books appreciated more after his time than during it? Birdy said you know a bit about that.

Hoping your string of work days goes quickly for you, Chelle. Crossing my fingers that the snow stops before you have to drive home. Like Chloe, I love snow, but not so much the shoveling of it.

>111 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I am surprised at how much of it is coming back to me as I listen.

I was just over on your thread talking about this!! Fitzgerald was hugely popular at the start of his career, and actually helped get Hemingway published. His books didn't have staying power in his lifetime, though, and when he wanted copies of them he often had to contact the publisher, as they were no longer being printed. When he wrote The Great Gatsby, he was convinced he had written his masterpiece, but sadly, the book was a flop in his time. It was reprinted and re-released as part of the war effort - when Penguin published those pocket-sized paperbacks for the armed services. Then it became the hit that Fitzgerald always knew it was, and his work began being republished as soldiers coming home were looking to read more by him. Unfortunately, Fitzgerald died in 1940, so he didn't live to see the resurgence of his writing or the iconic status that the Great Gatsby achieved.

>96 nittnut: - I need to go visit Mr. Nittnutt Jenn!

The only person The Wayne has ever been compared to looks-wise was thanks to my cousin and it almost caused a family rift - he said The Wayne was Ted Cruz's doppelganger and I took great umbrage to it. The Wayne doesn't look like a smarmy weasel, thanyouverymuch :)

Ha! Oh, dear to the cousin. I hope you gave him the Cut Direct.

>103 Crazymamie: May I have a s3at on this couch, too. I finally got some time in the late afternoon to read. :-)
Happy Tuesday, Mamie.

>96 nittnut: As long as he tells you about such encounters I wouldn't worry.

>116 Ameise1: Yes, ma'am. And hooray for reading time - I have to run a few errands, and then I am hoping to indulge. Happy Tuesday to you, Barbara!

>117 RebaRelishesReading: So true, Reba.

Good morning, Mamie! Happy Tuesday!

It's crazy out there. Be careful.

Morning, Brodie! Although it is afternoon now. I have survived the errands and market, so now I am home to stay. Hooray for that.

>113 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie. I'd never heard that story about The Great Gatsby. How surprising that it originally flopped. What a shame that he didn't live a little longer to see the turnaround in public appreciation for TGG and his other books. He lived hard and died young - 44. From the sounds of it, even if his career had gone better, he still would've died young.

I know, Joe. It's kind of heart-breaking. And yes, I think he still would have died young - he was an alcoholic, and he did live fast and hard.

Hurrah for surviving errands and the market! You definitely deserve some afternoon couch time. I was supposed to go and run a load of errands but the energy was missing. It almost feels like a mhphmnmph-day rather than a Tuesday. I haven't even managed to crack a book open yet! So I'm in awe of your success today ;).

And I have just put a load of laundry in, so I am thinking it is time to sit on the deck with a book for a good long while. I am not feeling very energetic myself, today, Jenny - I do not have my steps in yet, and I seem to be in no hurry to acquire them.

Happy Wednesday. Midway through the week, and liking it thus far.

Sending all good wishes to you!

>96 nittnut: We're finding that Tuna Helper Cheesy Potato makes tuna "casserole" palatable..

re: marketing ladies
*snerk*

>100 Crazymamie: I'm not thinking so much about reading the book itself but rather how it will affect me reading other books. Will my light, fluffy reading get ruined because I'll be focused on character, plot, dialogue, and such?

re: baked potato

Hmmm, sautéd mushrooms... now there's something to think about. *wanders off, "Honey?..."

>101 Crazymamie: How did the potatoes get hashed? With a masher? Ricer? Was this fried/sautéd in a big sauce pan? What other spices/ingredients? (I know you are tired of it forever more - but we need new recipes.)

I envy you your reading time, Mamie. I am trying to convince myself that stepping time could be used more constructively as I have a lot of things to get done after work and meetings Wednesday and Thursday nights.

73 here today and lovely, Mamie! (That's 23 c. to you out of the US people) We've been out for breakfast and a trip to Costco, and I won the Early Reviewer book I wanted, City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett. Yesterday I did a whole bunch around the house and out back and realized I'd forgotten to put my Fitbit back on after my bath. :-(

Thanks for the Fitzgerald story. Sad that he didn't get to see the success of his writing.

>125 Whisper1: Hello, Linda! Always lovely to see you here. I approve of your hurrying the week on its way. And I thank you for those good wishes. LOVE the image!

>126 Morphidae: I don't think reading it will ruin future reading for you, Morphy. It gives you things to think about when you are reading, a lot of them are things you probably already think about, but it is interesting to get someone else's take on them.

Sautéd mushrooms are delicious on baked potato. Just saying...

The potatoes were cut into cubes. Then he fries it all up in a skillet, adding salt and pepper to taste. Personally, I would also add garlic.

>126 Morphidae: Re: mushrooms. Oh yeah. We are already talking about swiss mushroom chicken baked potatoes.

Were the potatoes boiled a bit first before cubing or just cooked in the skillet?

>127 Familyhistorian: Well, I did manage to snag a few hours on the deck yesterday with the books, but I ended up not getting my steps in - only managed about 5,000 yesterday. BUT, since I had walked 25,000 the previous day, I did not even feel badly about it. Have you thought about staggering your walking, so that you walk more steps when you are walking and then gaining extra time on the off days? I am seriously considering that. Just take extra time when I am already walking in order to be able to walk less the next day.

>128 ronincats: It was gorgeous here, too, Roni. And again today - pretty much lather, rinse, repeat for the rest of this week. YOur day sounds full of fabulous. Total bummer about the Fitbit not being on. I have done that before. Or walked with it on, but it was dead. Heh.

>129 Berly: That's about the speed of it, Kim! And you're welcome - I am so intrigued by both the Lost Generation and the Bloomsbury Group. Fascinating stuff.

>131 Morphidae: Oh! That sounds good, Morphy! Good question about the potatoes, and the answer is I don't know because I wasn't there when he made it, but I will ask him. I would bet he just cooked them in the skillet.

Morning Mamie! The weather is not bad and my current reads are singing. Life is good.

Hope the week is going well.

Morning, Mark! Most excellent news that all is right in your world. I can't complain, either.

>129 Berly: Absolutely brilliant. Though I think I might be stuck on top of the hill.

Morning Mamie :)

Books Read in January:
1. Rivers of London: Volume 1: Body Work by Ben Aaronovitch, art by Lee Sullivan (3.75 stars), paperback, GN - police procedural, off my shelves
2. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold by John LeCarré (5 stars), paperback/audio combo, espionage, off my shelves
3. The Chisellers by Brendan O'Carroll (4 stars), library paperback, historical fiction/humor - series recommended by Nancy
4. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (5 stars), ebook, off my shelves - series recommended by Jenn
5. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu (4.5 stars), ebook, short story collection, off my shelves - recommended by Mark
6. Talking to the Dead by Harry Bingham (3.75 stars), ebook, off my shelves, police procedural - series recommended by Julia and Joe and Mary
7. Nutshell by Ian McEwan (5 stars), 2017 acquired audiobook, literary fiction - Katie's Dirty Dozen
8. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher (4 stars), audiobook, urban fantasy, off my shelves - Roberta said to keep going
9. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene (4 stars), audiobook, literary fiction, off my shelves
10. Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard (4.25 stars), ebook, crime fiction, off my shelves
11. Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien (4 stars), library paperback, literary fiction/Vietnam

So not a bad start for me, but not the most books I have read in a January before, either. I am really happy that eight of the books were from my shelves. No losers in the bunch, and my favorite read was probably Nutshell - so fun!

All male authors except for one, so I'll have to work on that.
All fiction.
Four were audiobooks.
Three were in print form.
Four were ebooks.
Two were borrowed from the library.
One was newly acquired.

>136 lunacat: The good news is that it is easier getting down then going up, Jenny. Good morning to you!

>138 Crazymamie: Does closing my eyes and blindly throwing myself down the hill in the hopes I reach the bottom intact count as a viable life approach? Cos it feels the best way to get down there currently ;).

Absolutely.

Good start to the year! Hope you are enjoying some outside sun time today

>141 ChelleBearss: Not yet, Chelle. I am just back from running errands, so I am hoping to snag a bit, but I still haven't walked and dinner is not going to cook itself, so...

Good afternoon, Mamie!

I'm feeling a little sluggish this morning. I didn't sleep well, I ate donuts and coffee for breakfast, and the high is fading fast.

Afternoon, Brodie! Sorry about the lack of good sleeping and the sugar slump. Hoping the rest of the day is kinder to you.

Nice month of reading for January, Mamie.

>142 Crazymamie: Pizza delivery kind of cooks itself....

>145 BLBera: Thanks, Beth!

>146 ChelleBearss: So true. But alas, tonight we are having Mongolian beef with broccoli served over brown rice. On the plus side, it's very yummy.

>147 Crazymamie: Sounds yummy!! Hope you get some relaxing time tonight :)

Good month of January, Mamie! We had a similar month. A nice variety. You had more fantasy-related books, which I am nudging away from. We both LOVED Nutshell, but, for me, it was just edged out by News of the World.

I am sorry, but every time I see The Paper Menagerie...I smile.

>148 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle!

>149 msf59: Thank you, Mark! I have News of the World on the list, so I will try to get to it this year. January was very good to me.

The Paper Menagerie is a very special collection of short stories - one that I know I will read again, which is HUGE considering I am not a big fan of short stories.

Our Abby is 21 today! She has taught me the delight of small moments, as she has always embraced the smallest of things with an overabundance of joy. Shells along the beach. Fog that "looks like magic". Beautiful buttons on a dress. She is just fourteen months younger than Daniel, and when teachers in school would ask me what she was like compared to Daniel, who is goofy and funny and very outgoing, I would say she is like sugar - fine and and delicate, and she brings a certain sweetness to everything. And then I would add, and I'm not just saying that because I am her mother. And they would laugh, but they would find out soon enough for themselves that I was not exaggerating. I am so very proud that all these years later I can still describe her the same way. Wishing a day full of happy to my Dear Abby.

>151 Crazymamie: Hapy Birthay to your daughter Abby, Mamie, you wrote her a beautiful birthday message!

Happy birthday, Abby!! What a beautiful photo!

Morning, Mamie!

Happy Birthday to Abby! What a charming photo of her as a young 'un. Lovely message you wrote, too. We miss her on LT.

>151 Crazymamie: Happy birthday, Abby! I always enjoy your beautiful photographs when your mom shares them with us. I hope your day is the best ever in the history of birthdays.

Such a lovely tribute to an obviously lovely young woman!

Good morning, Mamie!

Happy birthday to Abby! Here's to her, and you, having a fantastic day!

Happy birthday to Abby!

Hope Abby has a fantabulous birthday!

Aw, happiest of birthdays to Abby! I hope it's the best one yet!!

Hi Mamie! All caught up here, and I see I'm just in time for Abby's birthday! I hope it's filled with happy memories.

>151 Crazymamie: Happy Birthday to Abby!! What a nice way to describe her, and how wonderful that it is true.

Happy birthday, Abby!

Oh, and while I'm here, I just finished The Ferryman Institute and I think you'd like it. Charlie is a Ferryman, someone recruited to help souls move on into the afterlife after death. Except one day he's given an assignment with secret instructions: Be a Ferryman or save the girl. Pretty good thriller, almost certainly going to be a movie.

Well, I missed Morning Mamie by a long shot. I have had limited visiting time lately. Puts me behind a bit.

Hope you had a good day, my friend.

And I hope Abby had a lovely birthday.

>163 drneutron: Caught by a ricochet. Added to Mount TBR.

>151 Crazymamie: Happy 21st to Abby. What a sweet photo.

Happy Birthday to Abby!!

Please pass on my Happy Birthday wishes to Abby, Mamie!

Morning, Mamie!

Morning Mamie! Did not miss it today. Happy Friday!

It's Friday! It's Friday!! I am snowed in. Well, iced in. Dang ground hog.

Happpy Friday, Mamie!

>173 brodiew2: Oh, I had to send that one to my mother. She and I have pun wars.

ETA: She sent me this one today:

Happy Friday, Mamie!

>170 katiekrug:, >173 brodiew2:, >174 Morphidae: = LOL!

>174 Morphidae: Excellent, Morphidae! That one is tops!

Howdy Mamie! I'm halfway through Thin Air. I thought of you at the end of Chapter 13 when it was mentioned that Hawk was in Burma!

Loving the puns. Happy Friday! Woo hoo!

>177 luvamystery65: Thin Air is good stuff, Ro! Cholo is in the house.

>173 brodiew2: >174 Morphidae: perfect!

love the puns here!

Happy Saturday, Mamie!

Mornin' Mamie. LOVE the puns!!!

>132 Crazymamie: I have tried to stagger my walking, Mamie, but I rarely have the time to fit in lots of steps unless I can incorporate them in to my day by taking transit and long walks. I usually just seem to have too much to do in a day. The fact that we once again have ice and snow on the ground doesn't help now either - I wonder what happened to those poor daffodils I saw the other day? I hope you have a great weekend and are enjoying reading time on the porch. Don't envy our snow - think wet feet and tree branches falling from the weight of snow.

Happy Sunday, Mamie!

We're heading out to take our morning walk. Bet it's nicer where you are.

YIKES, I am behind on my own thread again. Sorry, gang, I have been dealing with another cold and wanting to just lie around and read - which is exactly what I did. Yestermorning, Birdy and Craig were up and out early and brought home coffee and doughnuts, which was a delicious surprise. The rest of the day was mainly napping and reading. Today we are excited to watch Birdy's Falcons play in the Super Bowl - we love to just make up a bunch of different appetizers to snack on throughout the evening. Hoping we get a good game. And that the Patriots lose. Heh.

On the reading front, I have finished three books so far this month. A Gentleman in Moscow was full of fabulous, and I would give it ten stars if I could - oh, how it spoke to me, and I loved all the literary and film references. Next, I finished up Thin Air, the 22nd entry in Robert B. Parker's Spenser series, so get ready - there is a Spenser rant review coming up. This one was just begging for Hawk, and I think it was a mistake to place him in Burma for this book. Finally, I finished listening to The Looking-Glass War, which is the fourth book in LeCarré's George Smiley series - very good, but not nearly as good as The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. I am excited that the next in the series is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy!!

Catching up with the thread:

>152 FAMeulstee:, >153 ChelleBearss:, >154 jnwelch:, >155 rosalita:, >156 RebaRelishesReading:, >157 brodiew2:, >158 susanj67:, >159 Morphidae:, >160 scaifea:, >161 cbl_tn:, >162 Berly:, >163 drneutron: Thanks so much to Anita, Chelle, Joe, Julia, Reba, Brodie, Susan, Morphy, Amber, Carrie, Kim, and Jim for the wishes for happy and the kind words for Abby. She had a decent birthday - not great and not horrible - there was a decided lack of energy as several of us have come down with the dreaded cold again. This thing just won't go away and stay away. However, there was singing and presents and ice cream and a favorite dessert, so all was not lost.

>163 drneutron: You have made the Wall of Fame with that one, Jim. I added it to the list, and thanks so much for bringing it to my attention.

>164 msf59: Hello, Mark! I thank you for those good wishes.

>165 Morphidae: Jim got you, too, Morphy!

>166 nittnut: Glad you like the photo, Jenn, and thanks for those wishes.

>167 katiekrug:, >168 ronincats: Thanks Katie and Roni!

>169 scaifea: *waves at Amber*

>170 katiekrug: Thank you, Katie! That made me laugh!

>171 msf59: You know I always love me a Friday, Mark!

>172 Berly: Iced in?! Yuck! Hoping it is all gone now, Kim.

>173 brodiew2: Ha! I love that one, Brodie!

>174 Morphidae: Morphy!! Too funny!!

>175 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. And I agree, the puns are so fun.

>176 brodiew2: *grin*

>177 luvamystery65: I have finished it, Roberta - read it in just two days. This one was begging for Hawk, I thought. I plan on posting a review later today if I get the time.

>178 charl08: Me, too, Charlotte! Hoping your Friday was full of happy!

>179 brodiew2: I like Chollo just fine, but he is not Hawk. I thought this one really needed Hawk.

>180 Berly: Agreed, Kim!

>181 ChelleBearss: Yep. Me, too, Chelle!

>182 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! I slept through most of it.

Morning Mamie! Happy Sunday! Hope you are feeling better today. Go Falcons!!

Sorry to hear that you're suffering with yet another cold! Napping and reading sounds a fabulous way to use your weekend. Hope you feel better soon.

>183 RebaRelishesReading: Morning, Reba! I love them, too. So fun.

>184 Familyhistorian: That makes sense, Meg. Hoping you get rid of your ice and snow soon, so you can walk when you want to. I will try not to envy you your snow, but I do kind of miss it. I like the cold.

>185 jnwelch: Happy Sunday, Joe! Let's see...it's currently 43F and going to 63F today, so definitely warmer.

>191 Crazymamie: Morning, Mark! Happy Sunday! I am still not feeling great, but I do have a bit more energy, so that is at least heading in the right direction.

>192 msf59: Thank you, Jenny. If it would just get cold and stay cold for a few weeks, I feel like a lot more stuff would get killed off. As it is, we just keep passing the same stuff around. I thank you so much for those good thoughts.

Enjoy your superbowl family time! Nate is working tonight and Chloe will be asleep so I have no one to force me to watch football :-p I may turn on Miss Gaga to see what she has to say. I have a feeling her performance may have a bit of politics to it

Thanks, Chelle. I am hoping that it is an actual game - sometimes the Super Bowl disappoints BIG time. The sad thing is that then football season is over. Deep sadness.

^ that's me at the end of the Blue Jays baseball season

Feel better soon, Mamie. Maybe you need to make a trip to the Minnesota cold to kill those pesky germs. :)

>198 ChelleBearss: SO you feel my pain, then.

>199 BLBera: Thank you, Beth. We actually used to vacation in Minnesota every year, as Craig's parents owned a cabin on Boy Lake. But not in the winter, heh.

Hi, Mamie. Just went quickly through your thread, and...
>49 Crazymamie: The End of the Affair: I love Greene's work, one reason being it's infinite variety. This is one of my favorites, although I felt that the ending tailed off into a sort of mild Catholic polemic. Still a great book, though. And forgive me if I've mentioned it before, but The Power and the Glory is an amazing book. Not a happy one, but moving and thoughtful.

>113 Crazymamie: Fitzgerald. A great talent brought down by his own demons. Useless to say, "How much would he have accomplished if he didn't drink?" His alcoholism helped to make him the writer he was. And don't get me started on Hemingway, that ungrateful so-and-so. Spent much of his life stabbing in the back those who had helped him in his early years.

>157 brodiew2: What a beautiful child! A happy 21st to Abby (a little late), and may it be the best year of her life so far.

I'm done in by a cold, too. Nasty. I hope you and your family get shut of the whole thing soon.

So glad you had a great time with A Gentleman in Moscow! Isn't that book a gem?

Hope you feel better and better, and enjoy the Super Bowl. We're having a gathering for it, and for once, no snow on the roads. Aces.

Hello, Gail! I agree about the ending, but it also seemed fitting because he was at a loss of what to do next, and he was angry with how things had turned out. I'll add The Power and the Glory to the list. I just received two Penguin Deluxe Classics I had ordered, both by Greene - Travels With my Aunt and Orient Express.

I completely agree with your thoughts on both Fitzgerald and Hemingway.

Lovely wishes for Abby - thank you so much for that!

Sorry to hear that you also have a cold - it's everywhere this year and WILL. NOT. GO. AWAY. Hoping that the both of us feel much better very soon. Thanks so much for stopping in.

>202 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I so LOVED A Gentleman in Moscow. Just a perfect read for me. You're right - it's a gem. I am thinking I need to procure my own copy, as it is one I will surely read again. And again.

Thanks for that. We also have no snow on the roads. *blinks* Hoping your Super Bowl Party is full of fun!

Crazy--Hoping the dang cold leaves your household pronto!! Enough is enough. My household is rooting for the Patriots, so it's on!! LOL Glad you had a 10-star read of A Gentleman in Moscow. Duly WLed.

Thank you, Kim. Agreed that enough is enough already. And bring it, sister! What I most want is a good football game - so often the Super Bowl is a big disappointment after all the build up.

You will love A Gentleman in Moscow when you get to it. Delightful.

Thanks to Lynda, I have a copy of A Gentleman in Moscow on my shelf, waiting.

Wishing you a great Super Bowl party, Mamie. Happy Sunday.

>207 BLBera: Did she hypnotize you, too, Beth? You'll love it when you get to it.

>208 Ameise1: Thank you, Barbara! We definitely have plenty of food, as Craig did the shopping since I was feeling under the weather.

Get well soon.

Thank you, Barbara!

Book #12: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, (5 stars), library hardback, historical fiction - recommended by Mark, and Lynda hypnotized me

“Yes, thought the Count, the world does spin. In fact, it spins on its axis even as it revolves around the sun. And the galaxy turns as well, a wheel within a greater wheel, producing a chime of an entirely different nature than that of a tiny hammer in a clock. And when that celestial chime sounds, perhaps a mirror will suddenly serve its truer purpose - revealing to a man not who he imagines himself to be, but who he has become.”

I LOVED this book! LOVED. IT. It is charming and humorous and bittersweet. Chocked full of literary and film references, it delivers a story equal to all of the lovely ones that it pays tribute to. And that is saying a lot because one of the films it mentions is Casablanca, a particular favorite of mine.

There have been so many wonderful reviews of this book already, that I will leave it at that. And add simply - please read it.

Book #13: The Looking-Glass War by John LeCarré, (4 stars), 2017 acquired audiobook narrated by Michael Jayston, espionage (George Smiley series, book 4)

I really like the narration of Michael Jayston in LeCarré's classic George Smiley series. This si the fourth entry, and like the third book, we don't see much of Smiley himself here, although he is present. I enjoyed this one but not as much as The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. I think part of that might have been that a lot of the names are very similar, which can be confusing with audio. I plan on re-visiting it soonish to see if it delivers more the second time around. Still, well worth the read if you enjoy espionage set in the Cold War period. This series holds up and still has something to say all these years later. So far, (don't look, Susan) I am not feeling that this series needs to be read in order.

Book #14: Thin Air by Robert B. Parker, (3.5 stars), library hardback, crime fiction (Spenser series, book 22)

I will be so happy to return this book to the library because it is not in pristine condition, and by that I mean that it is in slightly disgusting condition, but I read it anyway. Those of you who have followed my thread for years will remember Roberta, Donna, Kim and I reading twelve of these books together several years ago, and it led to some delightful ranting. I have a love/hate relationship with Spenser - mostly, I love to hate him. Heh. And Susan really gets on my nerves. But I love Hawk, and I think Pearl is charming, and I adore the conversation that reading these books provides, so when Roberta asked me if I would like to read four with her this year - one per quarter, I eagerly said yes.

This is entry number 22, and here Spenser is asked to find Detective Frank Belson's missing wife. I love Belson, and I wish we got to see more of him here, but, alas, it was not to be. We, the readers, know that Belson's wife has been kidnapped, but Spenser and Belson do not know this - another possibility is that she has simply run off. I though this one was kind of lame - the villain is really built up as this crazy tough guy, but he does not fully deliver. Also I though the brief glimpses into what was happening to our victim were pointless - for me, these detracted from the story, and I think the book would have been more suspenseful if we were kept in the dark like Spenser until the end. I think Parker was attempting to add drama, but it was a complete fail for me.

Spenser's side-kick in this one is Chollo, who is good enough, but I would have preferred Hawk, who is always fabulous. Too bad he was in Burma. And we had to drag through more Spenser and Susan scenes, although, it was not as painful in this book than it has been in previous books. And to think that I really loved Susan back at the very beginning. *shakes head sadly* Again she nibbles and she sips, but we are also treated to her actually eating a full meal AND drinking her margarita with salt. So that was worth waiting for, right?!

The ending was a bit too pat for me, but it will do in a pinch. Typical Spenser, IMO.

*I forgot to add that Parker only used the word machismo twice here, which I really appreciated, and he waited until page 71 to introduce it. Bonus points for that.

>214 Crazymamie: Mamie you summed up Thin Air perfectly. The only thing I might add is that once again, we are treated to the blond whore. At least this time she is self aware and trying to improve herself. This is good? Non? *rolls eyes so far back in her head*



I did appreciate Chollo a little more than you did. I grew up around chollos, so it's nice to see an esé portrayed here. There is only one Hawk though. Let's hope that Hawk is back soon.

Dang it! I did forget the blonde whore! And your image made me laugh out loud!

Oh, I liked Chollo a lot, but Parker does not let him shine the way he lets Hawk shine, so I was wanting Hawk.

>216 Crazymamie: I loved the bit where Lisa describes Chollo as the dancer. It reminded me of the way Parker usually writes Hawk and why Hawk is such an incredible character.

True. Now where can we get the story of what Hawk was doing in Burma?

Hey! I was along for the original 12 Spenser reads, too, ya know. But then I kinda fell off the band wagon. I had no idea there were that many more books...yay! I do love me some Hawk.

>218 Crazymamie: Maybe he was helping Emma Larkin find George Orwell! You should right that piece of fanfic.

>219 Berly: Kim I thought you joined us on the second year? I know we read about 18 together and you joined us at some point and caught up to us. Oh the rants we had!

Oops. Duly noted. My apologies, Kim! I have edited - my memory is usually better than that. Perhaps I am trying to block out Spenser subconsciously. *blinks* The Spenser books are pretty much never ending since, even though the author died, they got someone else to write them.

>220 luvamystery65: Ha! Oh, dear, you have made me snort my coffee, and it was not pretty.

Did we read them two years? Now I am going to have to go check. I do remember that Kim joined us after we were in full swing and caught up. And the rants - those are part of my favorite LT moments!!

>216 Crazymamie: How could you possibly ever forget a blonde whore?! Outrageous dereliction of duty from you.

Ha! I know, right?! The blonde whore is a prominent feature in the Spenser books - and it's a different one every time.

>212 Crazymamie: Hooray for the Count! Hooray for the Count! And 5 stars is just about right.

Yep. The Count was full of fabulous, Mark! You were right. Again. *grin*

Let's hope your lovely warbling attracts a few more readers, Mamie. I have not seen anyone disappointed in that one.

Me, either, Mark. It's just so good, and the closer I got to the ending, I was chanting, "please don't mess it up. Please don't mess it up." And he didn't.

^Agreed. He really pulled it off.

I just noticed (slow poke that I am) that you're going to read Jane Steele at some point. I'm another one who enjoyed it, and our daughter did, too. You'll have a good time with it.

Yes, sir!

You are not a slow poke - good observation, actually, as I just added the previous two years of Katie's Dirty Dozen to that post on Feb. 1st. I am very much looking forward to Jane Steele.

Okay, you sealed the deal for me with A Gentleman in Moscow... I wasn't so sure about it, but you are making it irresistible!

I'm sorry the gunk is going around your house. Take care of yourself!

Go Falcons!

>214 Crazymamie: >215 luvamystery65: Nice review of Thin Air, Mamie. Like Ro, I appreciated Chollo a little more than you did. I remember liking this one pretty well when I read it originally. I don't remember much of the details, especially the blonde whore. Another one which did not feature Hawk, that I liked quite a bit was Hugger Mugger. It has an equestrian theme and Spenser heads down South. Anyway, good to see Spenser getting some air time.

>231 katiekrug: Hooray, Katie! I don't think you'll be sorry - it's so charming.

The gunk must go. That is all.

And yes! Go Falcons!!

>232 brodiew2: Thanks, Brodie! The pacing was good - it moved along quickly, I'll give it that. We are reading in order, so I have not gotten to Hugger Mugger yet - I know I would remember that title. LOL!

>222 Crazymamie: I loved those rants! So much fun. And thanks for the retro-ad. You are so nice!!

>223 lunacat: I shared this with my girls and they thought it was hysterical. LOL

Hi Mamie! Okay, I actually had to get my butt up off the couch during the superbowl to write down A Gentleman in Moscow. Totally worth it!

>132 Crazymamie: That is an interesting idea about getting steps in, Mamie, but I'm afraid I would pass out before I could get 25,000 steps in. 10,000 is a stretch for me but I've been stretching almost every day this year. I fell short on Thursday, but I had an LT meetup so I didn't feel too badly!

>151 Crazymamie: Love the Abby picture! Happy 21st birthday to her a few days late.

>212 Crazymamie: Great review of A Gentleman in Moscow, Mamie. Definitely a 10-star book. Lol.

Oh oh, New England on the move. I just told Mark we were calling the game for the Falcons. I think I'll gl clean the kitchen. Too late...

>214 Crazymamie: The Hubster and I enjoyed Parker's Jesse Stone series. The TV movies were pretty good too.

Ah, yes, the Super Bowl. I had a great party watching Firefly...

Hope the gunk gets gone!

Hey Mamie. Scenes of devastation in the office, as I realised my phone had not recorded my steps to work...
Is it Tuesday yet?

Well I've had to WL A Gentleman in Moscow.

Loved your words on Fitz and Gatsby. Wrote a Master's thesis on that book. One factoid I love is that the original title was "Trimalchio on West Egg" -- a terrible title, but so revealing about what Fitz was thinking.

I've never read the relevant "Chapter" in Satyricon -- but here is a link to what is a workmanlike translation -- very funny! That last para and poem! here

Been reading about ancient Rome because of the Falco mysteries (and before that Ruso) and was musing, as I readied for bed, over Augustus. He wrote up an end of life vita of all that he did (totally sanitized) and was thinking much the same thing. Not in a gloomy way. Just musing how so many live as if they are immortal.

Good morning, Mamie!

I'm glad you're continuing with the Spenser books. I liked Thin Air, too.

>212 Crazymamie:
Shwew! Thank goodness! I can blink again! I'm so so so so happy you enjoyed TGiM!!
I read a Spenser novel several years ago and enjoyed it. Another series I'd like to revisit.

Happy THAT day!!

Right. It's that day again. And we are NOT going to talk about the game.

Let's see.... Nothing to report except I started listening to The Hanging Tree, which is the latest book in The Rivers of London series. I have books to take back to the library today, and I am hoping something good will be waiting for me on the new acquisitions shelf. We'll see - I am not overly hopeful because it is Pre-Tuesday. *sigh*

>244 Crazymamie: TheBoyfriend and I played badminton last night. That must be the game you're talking about. I can think of no more important thing. Though I'm confused as to why you wouldn't want to discuss our wonderful badminton prowess and magnificent skills................ ;)

Happy MmmphfMumble Day.

I left this on Katie's thread, but it looks like you could use it too. A little text fail/Monday humor.

I'm feeling for you and Birdy today, Mamie. Give yourselves space for appropriate grieving and recuperation.

>246 nittnut: Hilarious!!!!

>244 Crazymamie: I feel you, woman. I am terribly disappointed today, along with you and Birdy. We turned the game on when we saw on P's app that the Falcons were up 28-9. Ugh. Would that we had left it turned OFF. Maybe it was actually our fault (I hadn't thought of that until now...).

I have to get a copy of A Gentleman in Moscow. I've been thinking that I would wait until it's released in softcover but the unanimous love for it around here is persuasive!

I hope your week only improves, my dear. Maybe the hold shelf at the library will hold a pleasant surprise for you.

xo

>234 Berly: You are welcome, Kim. Glad you enjoyed the rant.

>235 AMQS: Most impressive, Anne. I will try not to let it go to my head. *grin*

>236 Donna828: I think you usually manage a bit more than 10,000 don't you, Donna? I don't think you would pass out, but let's not push our luck, shall we?

Glad you liked the photo, and I have passed on your birthday wishes to Abby.

My favorite read of the year so far - utterly charming and one I know I will read again.

Yeah, the game. UGH.

Hi, Mamie! Heavy work day for me but the weather was very mild.

Glad your warbling got Katie's attention for the Count. I guess, I didn't hit the right notes but fortunately yours did.

And yes, we will put yesterday far behind us.

>237 dragonaria: I like Tom Selleck, so I have seen some of the tv movies, but the plot seems so similar to Spenser, and I have heard that the same weird relationship drama happens in those, so no. My husband has read a few of those, though.

Oh! Firefly! *sigh* LOVE that show.

And thank you for those good wishes, Kimberly!

>238 charl08: Oh, dear, Charlotte! Tragedy.

Not yet, but we are getting closer evert moment, thank goodness. I will not be sad to see the backside of today.

>239 sibylline: Hooray, Lucy! You won't be sorry.

I did not know that about your Master's thesis - most exciting! I did know that about the original title - thank goodness for his editor, but you are so right that it provides insight. And thanks for the link! I had not read any of that before.

I love that you stopped and shared your thoughts - you always have something interesting to say and a completely charming way in which to share it.

And I meant to tell you that you got me with The Long Ships - I keep seeing that beautiful cover over on your thread, and I finally just had to oder myself a copy.

>240 jnwelch: Evening, Joe! I used the morning for errands and the afternoon for napping.

I am only continuing with the Spenser books for the fun of discussing them with Roberta. Although, I do like Hawk.

>241 Carmenere: What a creepy image, Lynda. YIKES! And yes, please blink again and remember to only use your powers for good.

Really? You want to continue with Spenser? Huh.

>242 Berly: Thank you, Kim. Just trying to keep my head down and continue moving forward. Tomorrow should be better. I hope...

>243 lunacat: That is exactly what the beginning of the week always feels like to me, Jenny! Thank you for capturing it so perfectly.

>245 lunacat: Of course you are totally correct. I was jealous of your new shoes, if you must know. So full of fabulous!

>246 nittnut: You made me laugh, Jenn! Thanks for that!

>247 ronincats: Thank you, Roni. So disappointing. And the Falcons have never won it before.

>248 EBT1002: Oh, that is a shame, Ellen. We watched the entire thing from start to finish and then sat there with our mouths hanging open.

I am going to get my own copy of A Gentleman in Moscow, but I am waiting for the trade paperback, which is my favorite format - much easier to hold for me than the hardbacks.

And thank for those good wishes. Alas, there was nothing on the library shelves for me - maybe next time. xo

>250 msf59: Hello, Mark! Glad you got mild weather for the heavy load day.

I would love for everyone to read about the Count, so however we can make that happen...

I completely agree about putting yesterday far behind us.

I am sure you will enjoy The Long Ships -- you'll want to read passages aloud to others . . . I am not a big "laugh out loud" sort of reader, but I am often snorting and giggling quietly as I read this. A real antidote to the gloom and doom of the sagas.

Back to add that my fitbit scores look terrible lately because I am xcountry skiing and because of the glide (and occasional downhill) it only registers somewhere a little over half of what it normally would. Maddening!!

Oh, good! The kids love when I make them listen to what I am reading. LOL. Actually, they do. Usually. I am very much looking forward to it.

Oh, dear about the Fitbit scores - you should manually enter the mileage to get full credit.

>253 Crazymamie: I thought I must be right, there could be no other explanation. The shoes are now broken in fairly nicely and I actually drew with TheBoyfriend for the first time EVER tonight! 2 games each! I'm quite pleased. 170 minutes of badminton over 3 days has left us collolosped in a heap now.

I'm also reading The Long Ships and absolutely loving it!

Exactly. And WAHhoo for you - nicely done! I used to love playing badminton, but that was many, many years ago.

And hooray for more love of The Long Ships - I can't wait til I have my very own copy in my greedy little hands. Here's the one I ordered:

^"Happy Birthday Phillip Marlowe, born this day in Raymond Chandler's first novel, The Big Sleep."

Oh, how thoughtful! You just made my day, Mark! Thank you for that!

I have that NYRB edition of The Long Ships! I think I even know where it is :-P

Have you read it, Katie?

Nope.

Lucy has been giving it the love, and I fell for the cover, so...

:-) Nothing wrong with that!

It's a very stylish cover - not the one I've got unfortunately! I can see why you couldn't resist it.

Yep, I'm waiting for the trade paperback of A Gentleman in Moscow, too. That is also my favorite format for a book.

I was looking at a copy of The Long Ships (yes, that edition) in the bookstore the other day. It was on sale, even! I had not yet seen Lucy's comments about it but now I want to go back to the bookstore and buy it.

Because I need another book.

>246 nittnut: oh how I love text fails. I never used to get how they could happen, until I discovered the randomness of the auto correct that the iPad seems to favour.

Hi Mamie, I'm all caught up and must tell you that I read The Long Ships a few years ago and it was excellent. You're in for a very good read.

Morning, Y'all! We made it to Tuesday - I'm thankful for that. Nothing much planned for today besides the usual chores. I'm thinking potato soup for dinner.

On the reading front, I am setting aside The Burma Road for now - I have been reading this slowly in bits and pieces, but someone had the nerve to request it from the library, so I had to return it. I will get it back eventually. Last night before Rae and I indulged in a few episodes of The Closer (we are almost finished re-watching season four), I listened to some more of The Hanging Tree, the newest book in the Rivers of London series. I love this series, and I highly recommend it on audio, narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, who is a perfect match for these urban fantasy police procedurals. But start at the beginning because this series really needs to be read in order. (Aren't you proud of me, Susan?) On Kindle, I have started Raven Black, which I have had in the stacks forever - very good so far. I love the setting.

>271 Crazymamie: *So* proud :-)

>266 katiekrug: Agreed. *grin*

>267 lunacat: I was really lusting over the cover, Jenny, so it's a bonus that what's inside is also good. Heh.

>268 EBT1002: We are practically twins, Ellen! I am really hoping that the trade paperback has deckled edge pages like the hardback.

I don't see how you could do anything other than go back and purchase it immediately. I mean, it's the universe telling you to buy it - you had it in your hand AND it was on sale, but you didn't buy it. And now here we are talking about that very same book!

I find that I am always in need of another book. *blinks*

>269 LovingLit: Yep. I have seen some real doozies.

>270 DeltaQueen50: And it gets the Judy seal of approval! Hooray! And thanks for catching up with me. I hope you are feeling better.

>272 susanj67: I just knew you would be, Susan!

Morning Mamie! I am off today! Yah!

I have had The Long Ships on my T.R. list since my early LT days. It just keeps falling out of view. I think it might be back in the wings. Smiles...

Morning, Mark! I was just over at your place. Hooray for a day off!

You'll have to get it out and dust it off, poor thing.

Nothing to dust off, I have not acquired a copy yet. Better get crackin'...

Oops, my bad. I thought you meant you had it in the stacks.

Happy Tuesday, Mamie. I am getting in my steps with all the snow. I parked the car and am taking transit. Lots of walking to the bus. I would gladly exchange weather with you!

Happy Tuesday, Meg! Good for you - I have not done much stepping these past few days, as I am feeling a bit under the weather. Yesterday I was wearing my Fitbit, but I discovered it had died sometime during the day. I need to pay closer attention, as I have done that several times. Rain today, but it's going to 74F.

Potato soup?! What time should I be there for dinner?

About 6pm, Amber!