Mark's Gallant Attempt (MSF59)

Snak75 Books Challenge for 2009

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Mark's Gallant Attempt (MSF59)

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1msf59
Redigeret: jan 1, 2010, 2:17 pm

Yes, I'm joining the big guns here! I'm somewhat intimidated but I know this is where the fun is! This past year I was in the the 50 Book Challenge and thanks to many incredible LTers, I had an incredible time! Here is the link back to my 50 Book Challenge: http://www.librarything.com/topic/72418
And awaaay we go....

1) Crossing To Safety by Wallace Stegner ****1/2
2) Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke ****
3) Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls ****
4) White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones ****
5) Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese ****1/2
6) Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby (audiobook) ****1/2
7) Every Last Drop by Charlie Huston ***1/2
8) What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami ***1/2
(audiobook)
9) The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (a.b.) ****
10) Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann *****

2lindapanzo
dec 1, 2009, 6:21 pm

Welcome!! This is a fun group. No need to feel intimidated here!!

Stegner's The Big Rock Candy Mountain has been sitting on my shelf forever.

3alcottacre
dec 1, 2009, 6:29 pm

Welcome to the group, Mark! I know you have been commenting on threads for a while now, so I am glad to see you jumping in with both feet!

I have read Stegner's Angle of Repose which I really liked, but not Crossing to Safety.l If you are giving it 4 1/2 stars, it must be something special. I will have to look for it.

4Donna828
Redigeret: dec 1, 2009, 6:38 pm

Welcome, Mark. What an outstanding book for No. 1 of your new challenge. I, too, have The Big Rock Candy Mountain sadly lying in wait for me, lindapanzo. I know I'm going to like it. Stegner is incapable of writing a bad book.

Edited to add my apologies for the half-hearted review of Where Men Win Glory. You can just look the other way and roll your eyes. :-)

5kidzdoc
dec 1, 2009, 6:47 pm

Great to see you here, Mark! I'll have to look for Crossing to Safety, after reading the reviews about it.

6brenzi
Redigeret: dec 1, 2009, 7:04 pm

I'm following you onto your new thread Mark. You can visit my 75 Book Challenge here http://www.librarything.com/topic/75210

7bonniebooks
dec 1, 2009, 7:50 pm

Starred ya! Guess what? I'm picking up Lost City of Z from the library tomorrow! :-)

8rocketjk
dec 1, 2009, 8:28 pm

Have fun!

I am going to wait and see where I finish 2009. If I am closer to 75 than 50 at the end (I'm at 54 now, so that's a stretch), I might join you over here.

9Copperskye
dec 1, 2009, 8:53 pm

Don't forget to stop by and visit occasionally with the little people over on the 50 book thread. :)

I'm actually also seeing where I wind up by year end. I know 50 was pretty easy but 75 would really be a stretch.

10msf59
dec 1, 2009, 9:33 pm

Wow, what a welcoming committee! It's like an LT version of "24 Hour Party People".
>Linda- I love your profile picture! Maybe next year?? I'm from the Chicago area too!
>Stasia- You are one of the LT giants! It's an honor!
>Donna & Daryl- I'm working on a mini-review of Crossing to Safety. He's a monumental writer!
> bonniebooks- I hope you enjoy "Z". It was a big hit here!
>Jerry & Joanne- BLT, (before LT) I usually read 40-50 books a year and now I'm over 70. I think you can both do it too!! And no, I will never forget the "little" people!

11drneutron
dec 1, 2009, 9:53 pm

Welcome! Looks like we shared some great reads this year.

12rocketjk
Redigeret: dec 1, 2009, 11:41 pm

">Jerry & Joanne- BLT, (before LT) I usually read 40-50 books a year and now I'm over 70. I think you can both do it too!! And no, I will never forget the "little" people!"

To be honest, Mark, I don't really have a specific desire to read more books just for the sake of a longer list. For me the quantity issue is all about whether I choose shorter or longer books and what else is happening in my life. 2008 was the year my wife and I moved, so that was fewer books. This year we're all settled in, so more books.

But really, other than liking the nice round number of 50, it's not a big deal to me how many I read. I really just keep a list as a means of sharing what I'm reading with others, and because it's cool to see the list!

13alcottacre
dec 1, 2009, 11:44 pm

#12: I really just keep a list as a means of sharing what I'm reading with others, and because it's cool to see the list!

I like your thinking!

14girlunderglass
dec 2, 2009, 6:43 am

oh yay! I was following you on the 50 books challenge, glad you moved over here :)

15msf59
dec 2, 2009, 6:50 am

Jerry- Yes, it's not a contest or a marathon! I read because I "want" to, along with the ever-growing challenge of making a dent in my abundant tbr.

16sydamy
dec 2, 2009, 10:17 am

Mark, I have been following you on the 50 book thread, and was part of the People of the Book group read (btw, will there be another?? Belva?) I too have been thinking about moving up to 75, I have not quite reached there yet this year but I will crack 70 by January 1.

I am reading more due to the fact that people keep giving me new authors and books that become must reads. I have now added Crossing to Safety to my list, thank you very much, it joins Lark and Termite -which is on the NYT 100 Notable Books- which was also added due to you.

I think I'll see ya around here, but I'll wait till the new year for my new challenge to begin.

17tymfos
dec 2, 2009, 7:02 pm

Welcome! Really glad to have you start a thread here, as I've enjoyed your comments in the group.

(As soon as I get time, I'll browse your 50 challenge thread link. I'm sure my wishlist will grow as a result . . . :)

18rainpebble
Redigeret: dec 2, 2009, 7:07 pm

What a wonderful welcome to your new "home" Mark!~! L.T., as a whole is a wonderful family wherever on the site you may be.
I am attempting to decide if I even want a thread of my own in 2010. But I have a month to decide. There are just so many places here that I want to be. It's difficult to be everywhere.
But back to you, buddy. It is obvious that you are already well-loved here so I know you will be well cared for.
Congratulations on meeting and beating your goal by such a whopping number.
luv ya guy & gotcha starred,
belva

19Carmenere
Redigeret: dec 2, 2009, 7:25 pm

Mark, congratulations on making the big move! Rereading POTB with LTer's was a very enlightening experience. I was contemplating moving downward to the 50 challenge but the nice people in 75 and now you are making it a difficult decision.

>7 bonniebooks: Hope you enjoy Lost city of Z Bonnie. It was one of my favorites this year.

20msf59
dec 2, 2009, 9:02 pm

Susan- Thanks for stopping by! Lark and Termite is a must read! We are doing a group read of World Without End on Jan 15th and I think I'm going with Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie in March. Sounds like a very interesting choice!
Terri- Thanks for the visit! I've also seen you bouncing around the threads. Drop by again!
Belva, my bestest buddy- I'm glad you found me and starred me! You always bring a smile to my face and we all can use an abundance of those!
Carmen- I appreciate the kind words and hope you can join us for future G.R.s! Stay in the 75 club!

21jdthloue
dec 2, 2009, 9:07 pm

Well, hey..it's good to see you "over here"..and if they let a slowpoke like me within the "hallowed halls"...you are more than welcome...now, i gotta go..i have a book to finish reading........

;-}

22Whisper1
Redigeret: dec 2, 2009, 9:30 pm

Mark,
As you can see, we are a chatty, friendly bunch. The main word I would use to describe us is "caring." Truly, our group is not about numbers, it is about supporting and sharing.

You officially joined us yesterday and already there are 21 responses.

Welcome aboard my friend!

edited for typos.

23msf59
dec 2, 2009, 9:28 pm

Jude- You are my favorite slowpoke! Don't forget it! And so far I love it "over here"!
Linda- Always a pleasure! And "caring" is good! Thanks!

24spacepotatoes
dec 2, 2009, 9:36 pm

I've starred this so I can keep following you (and pretty soon, everyone else who's moving over here), but do come back and visit those of us still back in the 50 Book group from time to time!

And an update on the Irving book - I finally got unstuck and the last third has been an improvement, just like the Amazon reviews said. It's still not everything I'd hoped for but I don't think I'll be disappointed with it in the end (fingers crossed!).

25Whisper1
dec 2, 2009, 9:57 pm

Hi spacepotatoes

John Irving is an imaginative and creative writer, and even though A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my top all-time favorite of three books, some of his other books leave me scratching my head and feeling befuddeled.

26arubabookwoman
dec 2, 2009, 10:43 pm

Welcome Mark--I enjoyed getting to know you in The Pillars of the Earth group read, and hope to join in with World Without End. I'll be following your reading with interest.

27cameling
dec 3, 2009, 5:09 am

Well gee..... I am away for a few days and I almost missed the migration! Welcome to the group, Mark... and for bringing your ardent fans from the other group over here too. *witchy cackle*.....soon this group shall inherit the earth!!

and on that note... i'm going in search of dinner.... i'm starving

28jdthloue
dec 3, 2009, 8:28 am

>27 cameling:

".........soon this group shall inherit the earth!!"......and so we should...we be the Best!

;-}

29rainpebble
dec 3, 2009, 1:21 pm

Hi Mark!~!
Just a quick fly-by-hi as I am off to read some more. Just had to get more coffee and got stuck for a minute or ten.
hugs,
belva

30jdthloue
dec 3, 2009, 3:52 pm

Not that anyone cares...but i set up this Group"
http://www.librarything.com/groups/25bookchallengefor20

and have no idea..how to proceed

31tloeffler
Redigeret: dec 3, 2009, 4:08 pm

Jdthloue, I love the picture you put on your new Group!

And Welcome, Mark! I feel like I'm coming in late, but it's only been 2 days.

32msf59
dec 3, 2009, 6:54 pm

Space- Do not fear, I will never forget my friends on the "50"! I hope you finish the Irving on the positive side!
Aruba- Yes, I hope you can make it for the "WWE" read! Please stop by again!
Who is this jdthloue person, peddling her lowly thread?? Hee hee!
Terri- Thanks for the welcome and dropping by! Now, I need to start posting some books and my patented mini-reviews!

33msf59
dec 3, 2009, 7:37 pm

1) Crossing To Safety by Wallace Stegner ****1/2
Of course there are a multitude of novels out there that explore the complexities of friendship but I don't feel many probe as deep and perceptibly as Stegner does here. This story follows two couples over several decades, as they deal with life's highs and unexpected lows. The author's beatific prose is a joy to behold and he has created a wonderful character in Charity Lang, who along with the indomitable Olive Kitteridge, are two of my favorite literary creations this year! Here is a lovely description of Charity:
"Our last impression of her as she turned the corner was that smile, flung backward like a handful of flowers."

34lindapanzo
dec 3, 2009, 10:10 pm

I suspect that I will be adding a lot of books to the TBR pile based on these "patented mini-reviews," Mark.

I think Crossing to Safety is about book 1,001 on the pile.

35karenmarie
dec 4, 2009, 5:47 am

Hi Mark!

Congrats on the move to the 75 Challenge! It's a great bunch of people.

Let me know when you start The White Rhino Hotel so we can compare notes.

36cameling
dec 4, 2009, 5:52 am

whew... nothing for me to add from your review this week, Mark. I've already read Crossing to Safety and loved it!

37msf59
dec 4, 2009, 2:12 pm

Linda- You might want to move it up a bit! Just sayin!
Karen- Thanks for dropping by. It might be awhile before I get to The White Rhino Hotel, I need to find a copy first but I will read it!
Caroline- Glad I can do you a favor! How's Japan?
Quick question for my visitors: Should I use touchstones as I list my books at the top, or not? I'm thinking maybe not!

38rocketjk
Redigeret: dec 4, 2009, 2:42 pm

"Quick question for my visitors: Should I use touchstones as I list my books at the top, or not? I'm thinking maybe not!"

I do not on my thread, Mark, for a very simple reason. Sometimes you will read a book for which the default touchstone is something else. For example, this year I read World Series by John R. Tunis. When you put the touchstone brackets around that title, you get, for some reason, the book, Thieves' World, by Robert Asprin. You have to select "others," wait for the list to appear, find the Tunis book and click on that. The problem is that if I had the book touchstoned (can I use that as a verb?) in my top-of-the-thread book list, every time I opened the post to edit it (i.e., add another completed book to the list), that touchstone will revert to default book (back to the Asprin, in other words), and I'd have to go in and change it again. As the year goes by, if you get several books on your list that fall into this category, adding books to your first-post list becomes a time-consuming and irksome process. So I just bold the titles in my top-of-thread list and use the touchstones in each book's individual post. I've considered including anchor links in the top-of-thread list that will allow viewers to jump directly from the list to each book's particular post, but talk about your time-consuming process!

39msf59
dec 4, 2009, 4:58 pm

2) Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke ****
An immense cylindrical object is hurtling through our solar system. After careful examination it is ruled out as an asteroid and is confirmed to be an interstellar spacecraft. I do not read much sci-fi but one thing is for sure, this is not dry and sterile, tech-geek speak. Clarke is a creative story-teller, adding in a touch of warmth and humor, whenever necessary. I like this passage:
"The flare guttered and died; the moment of revelation was over. But Norton knew that as long as he lived these images would be burned into his mind. Whatever discoveries the future might bring, they could never erase this first impression. And history could never take from him the privilege of being the first of all mankind to gaze upon the works of an alien civilization."

40lindapanzo
dec 4, 2009, 5:24 pm

Well, Crossing to Safety is about 1,001 on my pile but, in terms of when I'd read it, probably sooner rather than later.

For my 1010 challenge next year, I have a "not my usual thing" category and, for me, science fiction is not my usual and will likely be a time for me to add a book or two. Same is true for literary fiction. A few types of books to get back into, perhaps.

Mysteries definitely are my thing, though I read a whole lot more of the amateur sleuth-type. It looks like you've read (and enjoyed) some that I've been meaning to get to, such as Jar City, for instance.

41rainpebble
dec 4, 2009, 7:28 pm

Hey Mark;
I think you have started a Wallace Stegner frenzy out there!~! I am seeing that name pop up on a lot of threads now. Guess I will have to check into it.
So...........how do you like the new place? Are you all settled in? Got your books all set up in proper order and your cozy corner fixed up with the "just so" chair, the proper lamp lighting, etc? I know you will be happy here.
Seems like quite a few of us who live/lived elsewhere lurk and visit the 75 book challenge a lot. I am awaiting the 1st to migrate. If I do have a thread it will be here.
Looking forward to the World Without End group read. Is Stasia going to join us? I can't remember if she was in on the Pillars of the Earth read or not. But she will be finished with her War and Peace group read by then.
Well, dude...........catch ya later!~!
hugs,
belva

42cameling
dec 4, 2009, 7:46 pm

Hi Mark, Japan is great. I always enjoy coming here, and wish I had more time to head beyond Tokyo, but alas, I'm here on work and not a vacation. Still there's plenty to occupy me after hours, and I love the different varieties of Japanese food that I can't get back home. So I'm definitely soaking it all in and enjoying the cooler temperatures before I head down to hot and humid Singapore tomorrow.

I found a cute bookstore yesterday but they didn't have many English language books, and the ones they had tended towards reference books or chick lit, so my wallet was spared. No such luck, I know in Singapore, where they have some great bookstores and I'm always in danger of having to purchase a second suitcase just to cart them home.

43msf59
dec 4, 2009, 11:00 pm

Jerry- Thanks for your input on the touchstones! I'll leave 'em off the main list!
Linda- I love crime fiction and Jar City was excellent! Have you read Henning Mankell? I just started a mystery that takes place in Alaska and features a State Trooper who is Inupiaq, (Eskimo) investigating a murder. Great local color!
Belva- Yes, I'm finding myself quite comfortable here, thanks! Like a migrating bird relishing a warmer clime, the only difference being that this bird won't be heading back! :-)
Caroline- Thanks for the report from Japan! Behave yourself in Singapore! You have plenty of books waiting for you at home!

44alcottacre
dec 5, 2009, 1:48 am

I can tell already your thread is going to be a dangerous place for me to hang out! I already picked up Crossing to Safety at the library the other day and now am adding Rendezvous with Rama to the BlackHole.

45elliepotten
dec 5, 2009, 10:00 am

Hey Mark, found you, starred you, thanks for the link! This place is packed already, quite the housewarming party!

Belva - you'd better get you a thread next year woman! Don't make me come over there and sort you out! Belva's Place: for all your heartwarming good cheer...

#40 lindapanzo - I've got a 'out of my comfort zone' category for my 1010 too. Sci-fi is definitely going to be in there, and now you mention it, something literary like Khaled Hosseini would fit the bill too...

Oh, and to all you welcoming 75 folks and naughty 50 escapees - I might end up over here myself depending on my final total for 2009! :-)

46jdthloue
dec 5, 2009, 12:08 pm

Jumping on the Wallace Stegner bandwagon..i have a copy on order from Paperback Swap Angle of Repose..since my copy seems to have flown the, uh, coop

*she waves*

47blackdogbooks
dec 5, 2009, 12:58 pm

I didn't realize you'd joined us. How could I've missed it?

Welcome.

Angle of Repose is on one of my lists. I enjoyed seeing it here. Must get to it soon!

48msf59
dec 5, 2009, 1:23 pm

I can't take all the credit for the Wallace Stegner renaissance! Friends in the "Bonnie Bunch", among others, had been raving about Crossing To Safety and since I had read and loved Angle of Repose, it was time to dig it out of the tbr and give it a shot! He's a great writer and I'm looking forward to exploring all of his work!
>Stasia- Sorry this thread is going to be a dangerous stop but it'll be a fun kind of danger, sort of like thrill-seeking or extreme sports!
Ellie & Mac- I'm glad you both found me and now you have no excuse but to drop back in again!
And yes Belva better have her own Challenge thread next year or the Natives will get very unruly! :-(

49alcottacre
dec 6, 2009, 12:27 am

#46: Angle of Repose is excellent, Jude. I hope you like it!

50avatiakh
dec 6, 2009, 1:57 pm

Hi Mark - just catching up on the threads and wanted to join in belatedly with the 'welcome to our group'.

51womansheart
dec 6, 2009, 5:27 pm

Mark -

Welcome to reading with the "heavy weights".

Since you know so many of us here already, you also must know that we are not on any pedestal(s) nor is our hat size any larger than yours.

You have joined us (yeah) and will now lead the way to new adventures, such as captaining another group read or two from this new platform with even more friends to join you for good reads and fun times.

I will be in touch soon ... I'm hanging in there, but, I am not a happy camper right now.

With a warm welcome and lots of love,

Ruth

52msf59
dec 6, 2009, 7:40 pm

Kerry- Thanks for the welcome! It means a lot! Please drop in again!
Ruthie- I was waiting for this moment! The clouds parted and a beam of light came down, birds began to sing.... my good friend has arrived! Sorry you are still struggling to get "right". I'm always wishing you the very best!

53Berly
dec 6, 2009, 8:47 pm

Hi Mark. Have you starred as always. Love Stegner and your thread. Carry on. xoxo

54msf59
Redigeret: dec 8, 2009, 6:44 am

3) Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls ****
What a wonderful life! Lily Casey lived in the Southwest during the early 1900s. She was raised on various hard-scrabble homesteads and being a fast learner, she quickly grasped ranching, breaking horses and basic farming. Her natural smarts and love of books, led her to a teaching career, which included locking horns with the creepy head of a Polygamist sect. She also raced horses, played a mean hand of poker, dabbled in bootlegging, flew airplanes and drove a western taxi, which was a converted hearse. This is called a true-life novel and the author Jeanette Walls, who penned the acclaimed memoir The Glass Castle, based this story on her maternal grandmother. It’s crisply and vividly written. This brief dialogue captures Lily’s grit. She is taking a couple New York ladies to the Grand Canyon, in the “taxi”, when Lily rolls the car. No one is hurt but the ladies are understandably upset:
“Youse almost got us kilt!”
And Lily’s reply- “All that’s happened to you is that you’ve had the lace knocked off your panties. Instead of carrying on, you should be thanking me, because my driving skills just saved all your necks. You ride, you got to know how to fall, and you drive, you got to know how to crash.”

55Carmenere
dec 7, 2009, 10:02 pm

Can't resist stories of the southwest so I've added Half Broke Horses to my wish list. Good review Mark!

56msf59
dec 8, 2009, 6:46 am

Berly- It's always a pleasure!
Carmen- Thanks! It's quite a joy to read! Have you read The Glass Castle?

57brenzi
dec 8, 2009, 10:52 am

Hey Buddy, Got yourself another Hot Review. Good job.

58bonniebooks
dec 8, 2009, 1:38 pm

Great review, Mark! Love that quote for giving me a very clear idea of what kind of woman Lily was!

59womansheart
dec 8, 2009, 1:44 pm

Thumbs up on your great review, Mark!

This was a fascinating book that I enjoyed very, very much. I also encourage readers to take the opportunity to read Jeanette Walls The Glass Castle. Read it first if you are able to find it, and then this one Half Broke Horses will be even more lively and amazing.

Now I know where Ms. Walls got some of her grit!

So great to see you here, Mark.

Love,

Ruthie

60msf59
dec 8, 2009, 9:03 pm

Both Bonnies & Ruthie- Even after a long day, trudging through snow and slush, your comments always put a smile on my face! Thanks!

61kidzdoc
dec 8, 2009, 9:42 pm

Nice review, Mark. How bad is the weather in Chicagoland?

62Copperskye
dec 8, 2009, 11:09 pm

Another hot review - nice job, Mark!

Are you adding your audio books to your list? I do but I don't listen to too many and tend to read the book as well, either before or after, as odd as that sounds.

We've got nasty weather here too (today a high of 5 degrees F and snowy) but I don't have to be out in it like you do. Stay warm and dry!

63cameling
dec 8, 2009, 11:41 pm

Nice review Mark. I thought it was a continuation of her memoirs and not a novel.

64msf59
dec 9, 2009, 6:49 am

Darryl- Thanks! Yes, we are having our first blast of winter! We only have about 2 inches here, with more to come but up north and into Wisconsin, they're getting hammered. Low teens tomorrow! It's Chicago, right?
Joanne- Thanks! I wasn't planning on adding the audiobooks to my list, who knows why, maybe it feels like cheating but I really enjoyed A Walk in the Woods and will continue to look for others. I didn't know it got quite so cold, in your area! Brrrr!
Caroline- Send some of that Singapore weather this way! We could use it!

65Whisper1
dec 9, 2009, 7:05 am

Great review Mark. I gave it a thumbs up! What a great addition you are to our group!

66cameling
dec 9, 2009, 8:48 am

I'll exchange some of this heat and humidity for some cooler weather any day, Mark. Can you bottle up a blast of chilly air and wing it my way please?

67jdthloue
dec 9, 2009, 10:59 am

Another "Hot" one, Mark!!! and another brick in my TBR wall......keep up the good work, friend!

68bonniebooks
dec 9, 2009, 11:19 am

Brrr! Seattle is really cold right now too--we're in the teens (before wind chill factor), very rare. Lucky me, I work at home, so don't have to go out there unless I want to. Which reminds me. Mark, can you listen to stories while you're working, or are there rules about that?

P.S. I really enjoyed A Walk in the Woods too. Being over here in the NW, I didn't even know you could walk the Appalachian Trail.

69kidzdoc
dec 9, 2009, 7:51 pm

You're right, Mark; Wisconsin, as expected, got hammered. I'm still waiting to hear from my friend's wife, but the Madison.com web site says that the Madison airport had 14.1 inches of snow by 4 pm, and the towns west of Madison, where my friends live, received up to 18.5 inches. They also had blowing snow, with snowdrifts of 3-4 feet. The low temperature in Madison will be zero degrees early tomorrow morning, and tomorrow's high will be a balmy 7 degrees, with a low temp of 3 below zero. Yep, I'm not complaining about the deluge of rain we had in Atlanta yesterday, not a bit.

70porch_reader
dec 9, 2009, 8:06 pm

Hi Mark! I'm somewhat behind in saying how much I liked your review of Half Broke Horses. I got that one for my mom for Christmas after she enjoyed The Glass Castle. Stay warm! (I'm in Iowa and have a feeling that all of our winds have come your way too.)

71msf59
dec 9, 2009, 9:10 pm

Linda & Jude- Thanks! Instead of writing a review, I was just going to say see Brenzi's, since she did such an awesome job, but I'm glad I hung in there!
Caroline- Yes, I which we could exchange bottles of weather, at least temporarily!
Bonnie- I have an ipod, so yes I can listen to a variety of stuff while working! Mostly music and podcasts but now that I've broken the ice with audiobooks, I'm going to jump in! I downloaded Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, so I might try that next. Anybody have any thoughts about that choice?
Porch- Thanks for the compliment and thanks for dropping by! Please stop by again!

72Whisper1
dec 9, 2009, 11:00 pm

I spent 15 years of my life volunteering and serving on the board of directors of our local homeless shelter. Each and every time it is freezing cold, I think of them.

73spacepotatoes
dec 11, 2009, 8:50 pm

>71 msf59: I read Outliers in one weekend a few weeks ago (right before the Irving book). It was good, and had some really interesting parts to it. I didn't fully buy into his premise but I learneda lot from it anyway. Hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

74cameling
dec 11, 2009, 10:11 pm

I've read Outliers and I thought he had some interesting points to make and alot of it was pretty common sense in my opinion. But he does have an easy way of writing that allows you to fly through the book. I am contemplating getting his latest one, What The Dog Saw: And Other Adventures. I skimmed through it at the bookstore the other day, and it looked like it could be a fun read. It's a series of stories behind the invention of products, what makes the successful and or how they had been developed. As with his other books, there's supposed to be some underlying lesson behind each story.

75msf59
dec 11, 2009, 10:20 pm

Space & Caroline- Thanks for your comments regarding Outliers. Actually I listened to about an hour of it today, (until it froze up from the cold, I need to keep my ipod inside my jacket) and thought it was quite interesting. Gladwell narrates as well. What The Dog Saw sounds good too!
I'm over 100 pages into Cutting For Stone and yes, this will be another book I will be raving about! Beware!

76spacepotatoes
dec 12, 2009, 11:53 am

Glad you're enjoying it so far! Have you read Gladwell's Blink? It was very good too and I actually liked it even better than Outliers.

77sydamy
dec 12, 2009, 10:08 pm

Mark, I just finished Cutting for Stone on audio and thought the narrator was amazing. Truly the voice of Marion. I found it so detailed, you knew every person, their every thought and every feeling so well. I even felt I was qualified to do minor surgery the way operations were described. Enjoy the book, savour every word, it is one that will make your top ten list.

78msf59
dec 13, 2009, 10:00 am

Andrea- Outliers is interesting but with 2 hours left I'm getting bored. Someone mentioned it being a bit "thin" and I have to agree. I would still be up for checking out his other work.
Susan (that's also my wife's name btw)- Glad to hear your positive thoughts on Cutting For Stone. I've had a slow reading week, hope to catch up! He has created some amazing characters!

79bonniebooks
dec 13, 2009, 11:31 am

I like Gladwell, and I think the basic premise of Outliers is true--that it is the thousands of hours of practice that makes you "talented" at something. And that opportunity (and lack of it) is a major factor in people's lives. But! Gates grew up in the city (and the neighborhood) I live in. I've known people who've worked closely with him. I know quite a bit about the school he went to. He definitely had a lot of opportunities that others have not. But both he and Warren Buffet aren't just your smarter than average guys. (I read The Snowball this year too.) WB was a very unusual child, both in ability and behavior--and so was Bill Gates. Anyway, I'm just remembering whose thread I'm on (lol), so I'll say I agree with Mark. I love the message it can give to kids, and people who work with kids, but Gladwell's book is a bit "thin." That's a great word to describe it, Mark.

80msf59
dec 13, 2009, 12:34 pm

4) White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones ****
Trooper Nathan Active! Sounds like a sci-fi superhero! Actually he's a young Alaskan State Trooper, who is also a Inupiaq (an Eskimo is a lesser term). He is stationed in a small village called Chukchi and he is investigating a double suicide. Both men died in separate incidents but in exactly the same manner. Were the deaths self-inflicted, pre-meditated murder or the work of a shaman's curse? Jones, an Alaskan native, captures the culture vividly and honestly. This is the first of a mystery series and one I will gladly continue. Question: Why does crime fiction and frigid winter climes, work so well together? I'm not sure but it's a perfect fit!

81rainpebble
dec 13, 2009, 2:34 pm

Good morning Mark;
I took your advice and ordered The Glass Castle, couldn't find Half Broke Horses at a reasonable enough price so will wait on that one.
I see you are still reading your mystery and crime genres. I will have to work some of those into my list for 2010.
Enjoy the remainder of your weekend. I am hoping to finish up W & P today/tonight. It has been an awesome trip. I have really liked this book..........even better than Anna Karinina, I do believe.
Catch ya later my friend,
belva

82tymfos
Redigeret: dec 13, 2009, 2:38 pm

White Sky, Black Ice sounds interesting. It's sliding right onto my Wishlist.

BTW, have you read any of the Kate Shugak mysteries by Dana Stabenow? Also set in Alaska -- the ones I've read have been very good.

ETA trying to get the author touchstone to work for Dana Stabenow. No go.

83spacepotatoes
Redigeret: dec 13, 2009, 2:48 pm

>78 msf59: Blink is definitely worth checking out! With Outliers, I think my favourite part was the chapter on the ethnic theory of plane crashes. Very interesting, but also quite frightening and sad to think that so many lives could have been spared had people just communicated better!

>79 bonniebooks: I agree about all of the time required in order to master something and the opportunities that one needs, and that's exactly why I couldn't completely buy into what Gladwell was saying. It seemed to me that he was making the argument that these people really aren't outliers at all, that anyone can do what they do given the same opportunities. That may be true for some, but you can't overlook innate characteristics that make certain people predisposed to be good at something, like what you mention about Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. When you factor that in, which Gladwell never really does, they ARE true outliers, and no amount of opportunity or practise will turn the average Joe into a Bill Gates without that something extra.

Sorry to hijack your thread a bit, Mark! White Sky, Black Ice does sound interesting!

84bonniebooks
Redigeret: dec 13, 2009, 3:45 pm

>83 spacepotatoes:: You said it better than I did, spacepotatoes! And I agree--Blink is really good! I had read all of the research he quoted, but he put the information together in such an engaging way.

eta: Hey, Mark! I'm officially part of the 75-2010 group! I haven't seen your new thread there yet!

85msf59
dec 13, 2009, 4:27 pm

Belva- You can't go wrong with The Glass Castle. Excellent stuff! War and Peace... boy one of these days!
tymfos- Thanks for the Stabenow suggestion. I have not read her but I have noted the 1st entry! The only other Alaska mystery series I have read is by John Straley and it was only the first one called The Woman Who Married a Bear. It was very good but for some reason I never continued, let's blame LT!
Andrea- Thanks for all the Gladwell info and I'll finish Outliers this week.
Bonnie- Moving on up friend? Good for you! I'm not sure how to proceed. Since I started Dec 1st on the 2009 Challenge, should I just stay here through next November or start fresh Jan 1st. Or does it really matter? Input needed!

86bonniebooks
dec 13, 2009, 4:34 pm

I think the 2009 challenge ends and everyone moves to the 2010--so come Dec. 31st get ready to J-U-M-P!

87msf59
dec 13, 2009, 6:00 pm

Cutting For Stone is such a pleasure to read! Wow! I have to include a short passage, there might be more to follow:
"The twins lay swaddled next to each other like larvae, sharing the incubator, their skulls covered with monkey caps and only their wizened, newborn faces showing. No matter how far apart Hema put them, when she came to them again, they would be in a V, their heads touching, facing each other, just as they had been in the womb." Priceless!

88kidzdoc
dec 13, 2009, 6:52 pm

You're making me want to read it again, Mark! However, my copy is still making the rounds amongst my partners.

89Donna828
dec 13, 2009, 7:20 pm

I think Cutting for Stone would have to be my No. 1 pick for 2009, followed closely by Lark and Termite. I chickened out and listed my Top Ten on my Profile Page in the order that I read them.

You've been a reading machine lately, Mark. I imagine listening to books on your I-Pod makes your work day go faster. Now if they only came with a heater!

90alcottacre
dec 13, 2009, 7:20 pm

#80: I am adding White Sky, Black Ice to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation!

91msf59
dec 13, 2009, 7:30 pm

Donna- Yes, I can tell already, Cutting For Stone will be right at the top (I'm barely halfway thru it!) and I'm right there with you on Lark and Termite and then I have Olive Kitteridge to contend with! Whew! BTW, I've only just started listening to books, 98% I'm reading the sacred pages, the preferred way!
Stasia- It looks like a strong series!

92brenzi
dec 13, 2009, 8:37 pm

Mark,

I'm glad you're enjoying Cutting for Stone; it was one of my favorites too.

Unfortunately I have 15 books on my Top 10 list for 2009. I guess something's got to go. Hmmm, I've read so many good books this year thanks to LT.

93Berly
dec 14, 2009, 11:16 pm

Hi Mark, ol' buddy ol' pal. Don't know anything about Cutting for Stone, but I loved Half Broke Horses. Lark and Termite and Olive Kitteridge are on my family Christmas wish list, so I have my fingers crossed that I will have the chance to read them soon. I just got a box in the mail from Powell's and it's my new Indie surprise selection (my husband sends them to me). Have to go open it...

94cameling
dec 15, 2009, 12:19 am

White Sky, Black Ice sounds really good. On to the wishlist it goes. Cutting For Stone is already on my TBR ...I just need to go find it

95womansheart
dec 15, 2009, 12:27 am

Dear Mark -

Just a quick drive-by post to let you know that I finally caught up with your thread tonight ... and now it's time for me to hit the sack.

So many great reads here Mark, most of which I believe we share, so not much to add to my pile.

I will be thinking of you and all of our people who, like you, work outside for all or a good bit of their work day. I hope that you are plenty warm and that your route allows you the occasional stop to thaw out.

I'm still feeling crummy, physically, but, it warms my heart and does me so much good to read your posts and think of all the good books in your big life. You are such a great guy. Your wife, family and friends are all fortunate to share their lives with you. Me, too, Mark!

With love,

Ruthie



96msf59
dec 15, 2009, 6:52 am

Berly- You will need a crash course (sorry bad choice of words!), on Cutting For Stone! Check out the other glowing reviews! I hope you get the books on your Christmas list, you've made some excellent picks!
Caroline- Thanks for stopping in! Yes, another promising series, just what we need right?
Ruthie- Hello, my friend! I will scoop up the warmth of your message and tote it along with me today, that should do the trick! It's supposed to be a frigid one! Take care and I hope you are feeling better!

97Berly
dec 15, 2009, 12:06 pm

Ha! Apparently not bad enough to choose new words though! LOL. Have a great day and stay warm. Shall further investigate said Stone.

98lindapanzo
dec 16, 2009, 1:12 am

I've got a medical category in next year's 1010 challenge and it'll have to include at least one Abraham Verghese book, most likely, Cutting for Stone. So many rave reviews for that...

99msf59
dec 16, 2009, 6:47 am

Linda- Thanks for the visit and yes Cutting For Stone would be perfect for that category! I think the author is a doctor too!

100kidzdoc
dec 16, 2009, 8:53 pm

#99: Yes, Dr. Verghese is a professor of medicine at Stanford, and trained as an infectious disease specialist.

101spacepotatoes
dec 16, 2009, 9:07 pm

I've got Cutting for Stone on the TBR, I had no idea that it was written by a doctor. Interestingly enough, a couple of my favourite books from recent years have been written by doctors: Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures and Right of Thirst. Maybe there's something in the water at medical schools? ;)

102kidzdoc
Redigeret: dec 16, 2009, 9:28 pm

My group (16 doctors) had our Christmas breakfast today, and two of us announced the formation of a new book club, as several of us are "voracious readers" and have been discussing books avidly over the past few months. Last night several of us were talking about books, and recognized that we all read at an early age, and enjoyed reading as children and as adults. Many of my doctor friends are also avid readers, of all types of books, newspapers, journals (nonmedical), etc., and we felt that our doctor friends, in general, are much more likely to be avid readers than friends in many other professions.

We all have to read medical journals (e.g., The New England Journal of Medicine, Pediatrics, et al.) to keep up to date, and to obtain continuing medical education (CME) credits, which are required for state licensure, hospital privileges, and participation in the American Medical Association and subspecialty organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Medicine would be a bad career choice for someone who did not like to read, IMO.

103msf59
dec 16, 2009, 9:39 pm

Darryl- Thanks for the confirmation!
Space- Move this one up, it's a keeper!
Anyone a Nick Hornby fan? I'm listening to his latest novel Juliet, Naked, my first fiction audiobook and it's been excellent!

104Donna828
dec 16, 2009, 10:16 pm

>103 msf59:: I read A Long Way Down 4 or 5 years ago. Also liked the movies High Fidelity and About A Boy. I'll be on the lookout for your review of Juliet, Naked as I'd like to read more of his books.

105womansheart
dec 17, 2009, 5:35 am

Good morning, Mark

I don't know why I am up at this un-Godly hour and on LT, but here I am, and of course, I figure you would be up soon, getting ready to face the "Chi Town" weather once again.

I am a Nick Hornby fan. I will have to do a search to be sure that I've listed his books in my library here on LT.

Enjoy your audio book while you are striding along between deliveries today. Keep warm and safe.

I'm thinking of you.

Ruthie

106msf59
dec 17, 2009, 6:44 am

Donna & Ruthie- Good morning too! I loved High Fidelity & About a Boy and yes they were both made into very good films. Have you read his 3 books about books, starting with The Polysyllabic Spree? They are amusing and informative journals about the books he was currently reading. Sounds familiar, huh?

107jdthloue
dec 17, 2009, 8:03 am

Hey, there-

NICK HORNBY??? Haven't read his books, but loved his short stories when they were in The New Yorker...off-the-wall, stuck-to-the-wall, and part-of-the-walls....sweet and a tad desperate....maybe i should check out his books, no?

Cutting for Stone..i bought for a friend of mine for Christmas..alas! i have NOT read it.....oof! another one goes on the WishList...TBR Pile...whatever..

have a good one
Jude

108karenmarie
dec 17, 2009, 9:40 am

#107 - jdthloue - My mother-in-law has the annoying habit of buying books for people but reading them first - she's quite open about it - and although she takes good care of them, it still irritates me a lot. My mother did the same thing - she gave me all of Agatha Christie's books over the course of about 10 years and would frequently mention that she'd read them first.

Good for you for not reading Cutting before giving it to your friend.

109jdthloue
dec 17, 2009, 10:55 am

>108 karenmarie:-karenmarie

....yes, it was tempting to read the darn thing first...but i have so many books here begging for my attention...and my friend Seth really wanted Cutting for Stone....since he's a doll..i gave him first crack....now i have to find a copy for ME!!!

'-)
J

110bonniebooks
dec 17, 2009, 1:03 pm

>108 karenmarie:: Oops! I do that! *slinks away in shame*

111jdthloue
Redigeret: dec 17, 2009, 2:21 pm

...no BonnieBooks....no slinking here....we all love books..and would hate to give a gift that was "under par"..as it were....we love our friends and hate to give "unworthy" gifts/books...that would be my excuse., for a "pre-read".....and i'd stand by it to the death..or a reasonable facsimile thereof

;-}
J

......oops, we have Co-opted Mark's thread...sorry friend..you know how it goes here on LT!!

112bonniebooks
dec 17, 2009, 4:15 pm

>111 jdthloue:: You know that is exactly why I started doing it--I forgot that! And if I don't think the book is right, I'll go out and buy another for them. OK, I'm standing taller now.

113jdthloue
dec 17, 2009, 4:35 pm

>112 bonniebooks:

Yep..and bless you for it
;-)
J

114msf59
dec 17, 2009, 7:56 pm

What a lively discussion! Personally, I wouldn't read a book I was giving as a gift, for example I just gave a good friend Wolf Hall. I hadn't read it but knew she would love it. If you were giving a dvd or a cd, as a gift, you wouldn't open it up and watch or listen to it first, would you? But hey, to each his own, right?
Jude- You have to search and find Nick Hornby books! You would love him! He has a great cutting wit and a deep love of music and literature! I listened to another sizable chunk of Juliet Naked today and it's easily right up there with the best he has written! Jude, you would go gaga!

115sydamy
dec 17, 2009, 8:41 pm

Mark, I just downloaded Juliet, Naked as my next audio. I know you are new to audio books, some books work really well in that format. Listening lets me 'read' that many more books. I have a long commute, but am on a train and read instead of listen - the audio book is just for while I'm in my car running errands. So 10-20 minute blocks here and there adds up to 14 books this year.

116msf59
dec 17, 2009, 8:58 pm

Susan- I hope you enjoy it as much as I am! There are 3 different narrators, reading the 3 primary characters and all of them are excellent! Keep me posted!

117bonniebooks
dec 17, 2009, 9:51 pm

Good point, Mark! :-) I guess I'm more indecisive than you are, plus I really hate giving someone something they don't like. (There's a personal story behind that which I won't bore you with.) If I know for certain that someone wants a particular CD then I don't bother to listen to it; but if I'm not sure, I'll listen to the music at the store. At Barnes and Noble you can listen to every CD in the store. Bottom line, though, I guess I do this more with my best friend. I'll have to ask her what she thinks.

118Donna828
dec 17, 2009, 10:00 pm

When I worked in a bookstore, we were allowed to check out books and read them! I guess I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other; but I would hope that my friend would let me borrow the book after he or she had read it.

119bonniebooks
dec 17, 2009, 10:16 pm

I just talked to my friend and she said that she just assumed that anyone who gives her a book will have read it first--which, I know, is not the same as having read that particular book. OK, Karenmarie, we decided this might be more of a mother-in-law issue (we all have 'em) and that maybe you wouldn't be so bugged if it was your best friend saying the same thing? What do you think about that? Mark, feel free to chime in on your own thread! ;-)

120tymfos
dec 17, 2009, 11:15 pm

If someone wants to give me a book, I'm not going to complain, regardless. New or used, read or unread. I can't see the big deal one way or another, unless they dog-ear the pages or spill coffee on it or something before they give it to me!

The DVD or CD analogy is not really valid, since most books don't come factory shrink-wrapped. But getting one of those that had been previewed wouldn't bother me any, either. (BTW, when I worked in a record store, we had a shrink wrap machine in the back room . . . )

121jdthloue
dec 17, 2009, 11:36 pm

Oh, Mark..me Go gaga??? i thought i was already.....now i gotta scope me out some Hornby!!

;-}
J

122richardderus
dec 18, 2009, 1:21 am

Mark, have you set up your 75-Books for 2010 thread yet? Need to get crackin' on that, boyo, time's a-wastin'!

123msf59
dec 18, 2009, 6:54 am

Terri- I guess it just comes down to personal choice! I do love receiving a spanking new book, though, the 1st to crack that baby open! But if anyone here wants to give me a used book as a gift, of course it has to be of the highest quality, I would gladly take it!
Jude- Go gaga my friend, go gaga!
Richard- It's great to see you! You've been missed! And yes, I have set up my 2010 Challenge! Come all ye faithful:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79486

124brenzi
dec 18, 2009, 10:16 am

Good God,

I wouldn't care if someone was giving me a book and read it first. Personally I generally only give books I've read (not the actual one I'm giving) but rarely give one I haven't. It's hard to gift a book unless you know the person's reading loves. Like I could easily give Bonnie a book, because as my twin, separated at birth, I could choose something she'd like. ;-)

125msf59
dec 19, 2009, 8:29 pm

I finished Cutting For Stone and Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby today. Both books were terrific! The Hornby was on audiobook and it was a complete pleasure! His humor is razor sharp ( I found myself laughing out loud a few times, my customers must get a kick out of that!). If it's not the best book he's written it's pretty darn close!

126msf59
dec 20, 2009, 10:10 am

5) Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese ****1/2
Twin boys were born in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, in the year 1954. Their mother, a young Indian woman was a gifted nurse, that worked at the Missing Hospital where they were delivered. She was also a nun. And so the saga begins…These intelligent and talented boys were raised and nurtured in this impoverished and compassionate environment. They were enrolled in school but their real education came from growing up in Missing and learning all aspects of the medical field, from their colorful and loving “hospital family”. This is a beautifully told story, with rich well-crafted characters. The author, a physician himself, captures the operating room procedures with brilliant detail. Highly recommended!

127bonniebooks
dec 20, 2009, 10:54 am

I'm looking forward to that one coming out in paperback. How are you doing, Mark? Do you get a lot more stressed this time of the year too, what with everyone wanting to get their packages before Christmas?

128sydamy
dec 20, 2009, 12:06 pm

Bonnie, it's out in paperback in January. My book club is anxiously waiting, as we only choose paperbacks. I couldn't wait, listened to it on audio. You'll love it.

129bonniebooks
dec 20, 2009, 2:13 pm

>128 sydamy:: Thanks, Susan! Hey, do you--or anyone else--have an online source you go to to find out 3-6 mos. ahead of time which books are coming out each month? It would be great to have a list to refer to instead of having to quiz a bookseller about each book I'm interested in.

130spacepotatoes
dec 20, 2009, 4:08 pm

Bonnie - I usually troll Amazon's "New & Future Releases" list, though that doesn't give you info 6 months ahead, usually 2 or 3 months. I think Barnes & Noble's website has a similar list but I don't normally use their site (not Canadian) so I'm not sure.

131jdthloue
dec 21, 2009, 5:50 am

Bonnie-if your Local Library carries PUBLISHERS WEEKLY...you're in luck..that's how i used to keep tabs on upcoming releases....other than that you can check out SHELF AWARENESS (online at shelfawareness.com ).though i use that one for ARCs mostly......and THEY are rare anymore..

;-}

132cameling
dec 21, 2009, 5:09 pm

Oh man, Mark .. you're getting to be as Darryl and Stasia ... you keep reading these books that I know I'll really like and have to add to my wishlist. Thankfully this is the last thread I have time to read today.... looks like my flight is finally going to take off from SF after all. Home here I come ..... or will, as soon as they let us board the flight.

133msf59
dec 22, 2009, 8:17 am

Caroline- Thanks for the comparison but I feel like a dwarf in that royal company!
I've been listening to (yes, I'm hopelessly hooked on the format) to Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running and it's been very enjoyable. I've never been much of a runner. In the military I had to run but I did not find it rewarding. I'm more of a walker and with my career choice, I get plenty of that! It's been tougher lately with the snow and ice!

134Whisper1
dec 22, 2009, 8:25 am

Mark

just a quick note to say what a wonderful addition and part of the 75 challenge group you are! I'm ever so glad you came on over! I look forward to your posts in 2010.

I agree with Caroline...Reading your thread contributes to the TBR pile.

Merry Christmas!

135brenzi
dec 22, 2009, 8:42 am

Mark,

I'm glad you enjoyed Cutting for Stone. I also gave it 4 1/2 stars. If I include the 4 1/2 with the 5 star books my Top 10 for 2009 will be my Top 25. LOL. So many excellent reads this year thanks to recommendations from LTer's such as yourself.

Are you including those audio books in your total number of books read? I don't listen to too many but always wondered about that. I think you should because after all, you've heard the story, and could certainly discuss it with others.

136msf59
dec 22, 2009, 9:25 am

Linda- Thanks so much for your kind words! You are one of the special ones!
Bonnie- That is such a good question, regarding audiobooks! It sounds so silly but I'm conflicted. It feels like cheating, if I add them but there has been an immense enjoyment listening to them, plus I can put an even bigger dent in my tbr & wishlist, which has gone completely "haywire" in the past year! Any other audiobook lovers have any thoughts on the issue?

137tloeffler
dec 22, 2009, 11:57 am

I am an audiobook lover who definitely adds my audiobooks to my TBR. Why wouldn't we? It's like having the book read to you, and if it's told well, you get everything out of it that you would from a paper book. I'd still rather sit in a chair and read from paper, but, like Mark, the audiobooks can make a huge dent in the TBR & wishlist, and so many more are available now than before. I vote YES.

138Berly
dec 22, 2009, 12:04 pm

I don't really read audio books, but I still think you should add them to your list. You've spent time and bonded with these characters. Acknowledge them! And if they are enjoyable, by all means let us know. Your ratings are right on, so please keep recommending (or not).

139tymfos
dec 22, 2009, 12:52 pm

I've only done one audiobook so far, but I certainly counted it! I plan to listen to -- and count -- more in the future.

140alcottacre
dec 22, 2009, 12:57 pm

For what it is worth, I count my audiobooks, Mark.

141msf59
dec 22, 2009, 5:34 pm

Thanks everyone for the encouraging input! I know it's a quirky dilemma but when you've been devoted to the "paper" for going on 40 years, change can be tough. I've also picked up The Year of Magical Thinking and Eat Pray Love on audio. Two books on my extended wishlist. I think non-fiction and memoirs will be the easiest for me to focus on, although Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby was fiction and it was a fantastic listen!

142sydamy
dec 22, 2009, 6:20 pm

I definitely count my audio books. I listened to Year of Magical Thinking this year Mark and thought it was wonderful. It didn't make my top ten but would have made my top 15. And I have added Didion to my, must read more of this author list.

I was wondering where you are getting your audiobooks? I use the library and rip the CD onto my itunes and then put on my ipod touch.

143Donna828
dec 22, 2009, 6:40 pm

>141 msf59:: "Quirky dilemma"...yes, change is hard. You have the perfect job to listen to books. My advice is to read those hot crime books while you walk. They will keep you warm.

Audiobooks save my sanity on road trips, and yes, I count them. I get motion sickness so book listening is very important to me.

144msf59
dec 22, 2009, 7:42 pm

Susan- Yes, I get my audios from the library and do exactly what you do, importing them into itunes. I've also downloaded a couple from a paid website that I use. I also noticed that my local library offers e-books you can download, just selected titles at this time but that's pretty cool and I hope they add a bunch more!
Donna- Us and our "Quirky Dilemmas"! Gotta love us! I have not tried listening to any crime fiction yet but I like your suggestion and will eventually give it a shot!

145brenzi
dec 22, 2009, 9:12 pm

>138 Berly: I don't really read audio books

Really Berly? Are you sure? Think about it.

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist.);-)

146womansheart
Redigeret: dec 22, 2009, 9:45 pm

Mark ... Dear Markie ...

Have to stop by at warp speed to wish you and yours a safe, joyful, fun and relaxing Holiday.

I would love to see a picture of you in full official USPS uniform, with your tootsies in a big basin of warm, warm water AFTER delivering Christmas mail the past few weeks.

I would sit on a stool at your feet and give them a gentle rub, and your wife could be next, if she wanted. (Gotta be sure she knows that I am very, very married and devoted to my guy here).

Lots going on. I will be in touch to fill you in soon.

I'm finding some goodies/books here to add to my growing "your books" collection.

Happy, Happy Christmas.

With love,

Ruthie

Here's one of my favorite links on FB, Mark. See George and his family? He had it right.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2859082&id=49736404315#/Lifeisgood?ref...

147msf59
dec 22, 2009, 10:12 pm

We all know how special this place is; a warm friendly forum, where we can discuss our love of books but now there are offers of gentle foot rubs. How cool is that!
Ruthie- Thanks for stopping by! I'm not sure I have any photos of me in uniform but I'll take a look! And yes my lovely wife would surely understand!

148cameling
dec 22, 2009, 10:15 pm

I can't do audio books, Mark... I tried and they just put me to sleep, regardless of genre. I think it goes back to my childhood when I'd fall asleep when my parents read to me in bed. I do think that you should count the audiobooks to your Challenge count, since you are still absorbing the whole book.

Glad you are enjoying the Murakami book.

149Copperskye
dec 22, 2009, 11:42 pm

I think you should count your audios Mark. There aren't too many that I listen to but some are actually more enjoyable on audio than in book format. I love Louise Penny's Three Pines series on audio. I'm listening to Sisters in Conversation now and like it but when I tried to read it a few weeks ago, it just couldn't hold my attention. Some books, though, I might listen to for only a few minutes and I know I won't be able to stand the voice of the reader so I give it up. Our library also has Playaway audio devices. They're about the size of an ipod, and contain just the one book. You use your own ear buds and the real plus, especially for picky me, is you don't have to download it.

150Berly
dec 23, 2009, 2:16 am

#145, #138 Someone is awake out there! I, of course, used "read" in the loosest sense of the word and should have put it in quotes. I may have to rethink my stance on audio books. So many others here enjoy it and I am, after all, a mom Taxi with lots of time to listen whilst I ferry to and fro. I like the idea of downloading onto my iPod. Hmmmm...LOL

151jdthloue
dec 23, 2009, 9:02 am

I , for one, can't "do" audio books....when i read a "regular" book there is usually a very quiet voice reading along with the text..in my head (no "hearing voices" jokes, okay? Audio books rob me of that treat....besides which i am too easily distracted by the audio..if i am distracted while reading a BookBook..i have to think..where's a book marker? where can i set this thing down? do i really want to stop reading?...Audio book..take off the headphones and you're gone..

i know, i'm obsessive...but that's my take on things

and YES..count your audio books...it's not as if you can go along your postal route with your nose in a Book..you might fall and break something....

;-}

152womansheart
dec 23, 2009, 2:01 pm

Heads up for a PM from Ruthie ..... later today.

153msf59
dec 23, 2009, 6:46 pm

Caroline & Jude- I'm not sure I could sit at home and listen to an audiobook either. I would much prefer the actual book but since I have the opportunity to listen while working, why the heck not? Today I picked up All Over But The Shoutin' and You Suck by Christopher Moore. Both have been on the WL forever!
Jude- Yes, I've heard about your "voices"!
Joanne- Yes, I've seen those Playaway audio devices. Very cool but a limited selection, at least around here.

154cameling
dec 24, 2009, 7:25 am

Dropping in to wish you a very Merry Christmas, Mark and a fantastic 2010!

155Berly
dec 24, 2009, 12:12 pm

Hey Mark--I love Christopher Moore. One of my favorites this year was Lamb which is the story of Jesus and his childhood boyfriend Biff. What a hoot! I have Fool waiting in the wings. Merry Christmas!

156Whisper1
dec 24, 2009, 7:05 pm

Merry Christmas Mark!

I look forward to learning about your wonderful reads in 2010!

157bonniebooks
dec 25, 2009, 12:14 am

Down at my mom's with my feet up, listening to Christmas music. Have a great Christmas Day, Mark! And re: New Year's...I'm beginning to hear the RUMBLE!

158msf59
dec 25, 2009, 8:31 am

Merry Christmas my faithful friends! The house is quiet, the rest of the crew still sleeping, dreaming of sugar plum fairies, I'm on my 2nd cup of coffee, listening to some jazz and visiting with my other "family". Pretty nice, huh?
Berly- Thanks for the Christopher Moore suggestions! I'll see how much I enjoy this one and then I'll take it from there!

159alcottacre
dec 25, 2009, 1:11 pm

It is pretty nice, Mark! Have a wonderful day!!

160rainpebble
dec 25, 2009, 3:11 pm

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours Mark.
I hope you have a lovely holiday.
love,
belva

161brenzi
dec 25, 2009, 6:45 pm

Merry Christmas to you and your family Mark.

162msf59
dec 27, 2009, 8:44 am

Thanks for the Christmas wishes, everyone! You are the best!
I finished listening to The Year of Magical Thinking and liked it. It's about how the author deals with grief, after her husband's sudden death. I have a softcover of this book too, if anyone is interested. My next audiobook will be the Christopher Moore one. I need humor, after the last selection. I'm also well into Let the Great World Spin and cannot recommend it higher!

163karenmarie
dec 27, 2009, 9:44 am

back to #119 bonniebooks - I guess ignorance would be bliss - if I didn't know someone had read the book first I wouldn't mind, but I honestly don't like the idea of getting a "new" book as a present that's been cracked open. Just a personal idiosyncracy.

Most people don't actually give me books, they give me gift cards and certificates (got 2 for Christmas, one from Amazon which is perfect since we have Prime so it all goes to books, and another to a local used paperback bookstore.) But I've never given someone a new book that I read first. I either had my own copy or anticipated borrowing theirs or getting my own copy.

#136 mark, dear owner of thread - I personally list my audio books but don't count them towards the 75 book challenge. I listen to audiobooks to and from work only, not at home. They're passive reading to me and although I really like them I don't feel like they count. But that's me only, so whatever works for ALL of you is great. Fortunately there are no 75 book challenge police.

Hope you had a great Christmas, Mark! Looking forward to chatting in the new year.

164msf59
dec 27, 2009, 11:06 am

Good Morning, Karen! It's nice having you "drop in"! Yes, I had a very nice Christmas and I hope you had the same!
As far as audiobooks go, I'm still somewhat conflicted, as far as how I will list them but one thing for sure is, I can make a bigger dent in Mt. TBR, which is a huge plus!
And thanks to you, I picked up White Rhino Hotel and hope to start it later today!

165karenmarie
dec 27, 2009, 11:39 am

I really hope you like it - you'll have to keep me posted.

166alcottacre
dec 28, 2009, 12:28 am

#162: I read The Year of Magical Thinking last year and enjoyed it. It felt very cathartic to me - writing as therapy for Didion.

167cameling
dec 28, 2009, 1:58 pm

Ooh... I've got White Rhino Hotel snoozing in my TBR pile. can't wait to read your review when you're done reading this.

168spacepotatoes
dec 28, 2009, 8:10 pm

Mark, did I miss your Outliers review or are you still working on that one? The Year of Magical Thinking has been on my TBR for a while, I'm hoping 2010 will finally be the year for it!

169msf59
dec 28, 2009, 8:21 pm

Space- I haven't reviewed any of my audiobooks yet! Maybe in the future. I liked Outliers. I would give it 3 1/2 to 4 stars. He made some interesting points but I'm not sure how deep they went.
Caroline- The White Rhino Hotel has started out terrific! I have to start tracking down the other books in this trilogy! Good stuff!
Speaking of audiobooks, I listened to a nice chunk of You Suck and it's been very enjoyable. I was just miffed that I'm reading this comical vampire series out of order, must have "brain freeze"!

170brenzi
dec 28, 2009, 10:51 pm

Mark,

I read The Year of Magical Thinking a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Glad you liked it too.

171msf59
Redigeret: dec 29, 2009, 7:39 pm

I finished the year with a 5 star bang! And added another phenomenal author to my growing list of favorites, this being Colum McCann, who's latest novel is Let the Great World Spin. It's an amazing read and I suggest you run, not walk and collect your copy, pronto! Review forthcoming...

172Whisper1
dec 29, 2009, 7:45 pm

Mark
You are among many here on our challenge group that highly recommend Let the Great World Spin. I'm glad you ended 2009 with such a great feeling!

173Copperskye
dec 29, 2009, 8:10 pm

Yay! Glad to hear that Mark. I think I may read that one next.

174spacepotatoes
dec 29, 2009, 9:04 pm

Excellent, sounds like a very satisfying way to cap off a year of reading! And I may have to add yet another book to the TBR.

I had forgotten that Outliers was an audio book for you, thanks for the mini-review :) I agree with your assessment of it.

175richardderus
dec 29, 2009, 9:19 pm

Mark...what a treasure you are. I always savor reading your opinions about the books you absorb (do we really need to differentiate the experience of an audiobook with a new verb? I think, as a sometime audiobooker, we can still say "read" because it's all there in the performance) because you'll have something to say that illuminates the title to me.

I enjoy your company here, and think you're the best kind of reading friend to have...the kind that exudes enthusiasm and still never gets his nose out of joint if one disagrees with his opinion. Rare, good, and fun = Mark.

176msf59
dec 29, 2009, 9:51 pm

Linda, Joanne & Space- Yes, this is a winner and I will be shouting it's praises, well into the New Year!
Richard- Boy, I miss your visits! With a few choice words, you can brighten my day or night! I figured you to be a naysayer on the audiobooks, so it was very encouraging to hear that you enjoy them. BTW, speaking of Colum McCann, you were the first one, that I can remember, that was reading one of his books. I think it was Fishing the Sloe-Black River, a short story collection and you loved it. What a fantastic writer!
Please drop by again!

177richardderus
dec 29, 2009, 10:08 pm

Oh yes indeed, McCann is one of the talents of the times! I think it's wonderful he gets the attention that he deserves. As long as he keeps it up, the quality of writing I mean, it'll be a pleasure to keep singing his praises.

Audiobooks aren't my personal favorites, but since I've now had two boyfriends in a row who like to be read to, I think I've been missing something vital. Somehow the experience of reading Choosers of the Slain to Frank the Fireman made me think about the books I've passionately loved in a new way. Could they be audiobooks? If so, I've loved them...if not, so far at least, not so much.

Could ANYONE listen to an audiobook of Manservant and Maidservant? I would be homicidal in mere moments. Or that ghastly Bohjalian nonsense that has skeletons in the title...who could listen to that without embarking on a murderous rampage with a butter knife and sharp incisors?

178mckait
dec 30, 2009, 10:54 am

gotcha!

179cameling
dec 30, 2009, 1:26 pm

Well Mark, with that resounding recommendation, I've got my sneakers at the ready and will be sprinting to B&N within the hour to pick up my copy. You've not steered me wrong thus far, my friend. ;-)

180msf59
dec 30, 2009, 3:59 pm

Kath- I'm honored to have you stop by! There is the ray of sunshine I haven't seen today!
Caroline- I know there is always a bit of pressure, when one of us raves about a read but I feel pretty confident in my glowing endorsement! Be careful in those sneakers, along with that one bad eye!

181mckait
dec 30, 2009, 5:51 pm

you are so sweet Mark!

182rainpebble
dec 31, 2009, 1:47 pm

Peace, love and good will all coming your way from me Mark, my bestest friend and pal. I love you and wish you & yours the best in 2010.
big new year hug,
belva

183jdthloue
dec 31, 2009, 2:42 pm

Okay, here's my big New Year's wish to you..i'll be listening to Marvin Gaye's WHAT'S GOING ON....'round Midnight, no less..and thinking about you my new great friend..you have been so kind to me here on LT..and i never forget kindness.....so, not to get sappy...here's a giftie..and i can see Joe Pitt...tearing the petals off of the
Rose..in regret...in anger..in Hunger.....

J


glitter-graphics.com

184brenzi
dec 31, 2009, 4:00 pm

Well I don't think I can beat that flashing gizzy sign above but Happy New Year buddy, my first LT mentor.

185Berly
dec 31, 2009, 5:39 pm

Hey Mark,, Happy New Year!!! Here's to more group reads in 2010. Your friend, Berly

186Whisper1
dec 31, 2009, 5:51 pm

Mark
Happy New Year! Again, I want to say what a wonderful addition you are to the 75 challenge group. I'm so glad you and Bonnie came on board. I look forward to your posts in 2010!

187msf59
dec 31, 2009, 7:01 pm

You guys are going to have me blubbering in a minute! What wonderful sentiments! I'm blessed to have a great wife and kids but this new family is really something special too! Happy New Year!
BTW, I won't be able to close this out until tomorrow! I owe both a review and a yearly over-view!

188cameling
dec 31, 2009, 7:48 pm

The sneakers bore up to the strain of carrying my heavily sweatered, coated, scarfed and gloved self to the store and I managed to wrest a copy of Let the Great World Spin from its brethren on the shelf and convinced it to join a few other books that found their way into my basket. My bad eye bore up bravely too. :-)

Have a happy new year, my friend. Looking forward to sharing more exciting reads with you in the coming year.

189Donna828
dec 31, 2009, 8:03 pm

Thought I'd join in the love fest to wish you a Happy New Year, Mark. My hubby is building a fire downstairs and if I stall long enough, he might even vacuum up the mess before I venture down to watch a movie with him. We know how to celebrate at our house. (Although I'd rather be reading!)

190alcottacre
jan 1, 2010, 4:05 am

Happy New Year, Mark! I look forward to you being with us the entire year in 2010.

191msf59
jan 1, 2010, 2:19 pm

10) Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann *****
In August of 1974, a young Frenchman walked a tightrope, strung between the newly constructed World Trade Towers. The author uses this actual event as a backdrop. He introduces an eclectic array of characters, which include a pair of Irish immigrant brothers, a couple hookers, a judge and a group of grieving mothers, using the tightrope event as a sort of thread to weave these beautiful, sometimes tragic stories, into a wonderful mosaic. Expertly written and deeply heart-felt. My highest recommendation!

192Berly
jan 1, 2010, 2:21 pm

Just added this one to my wishlist! Can't wait.

193msf59
jan 1, 2010, 2:40 pm

This wraps up my year and what a year it has been! I read more books than ever before and I broke down that audiobook wall I was encased in and have been listening to some amazing books, while ticking a few titles off the towering tbr, but probably the most important event was making these friendships here on LT, which made my reading experience that much richer! For that I thank you all! Now let's go kick some literary butt!
My top ten (a tough list to make):

1) Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips
2) Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
3) Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
4) The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
5) Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
6) Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
7) Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
8) What's the Matter with Kansas by Thomas Frank
9) Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
10) The Lost City of Z by David Grann
With many more just missing!

194brenzi
jan 1, 2010, 4:01 pm

Mark,

I'm about 150 pages into Let the Great World Spin and your review is nailing it in my view. Great way for me to start my new challenge, don't you agree.

Love your list. I also have enjoyed #1,2,4,5,7, and 9. Plan on reading #10 this year as part of my non-fiction challenge. Isn't it tough to whittle down the list? Great problem to have;-)

195msf59
jan 1, 2010, 4:19 pm

Bonnie- So glad you are enjoying Let the Great World Spin! What vivid memorable characters he has created. I hated to part with them! Yes, I ended my year with it and you are beginning yours! Pretty cool!

196spacepotatoes
jan 1, 2010, 7:45 pm

Happy New Year, Mark! Just wanted to let you know that my 2010 challenge thread is up, it's at: http://www.librarything.com/topic/80809

Come and visit anytime :)

197womansheart
jan 6, 2010, 11:11 am

Mark, I have a note on my calendar to write you about Ken Follet's "World Without End". I will do that on your profile page ... keep yourself warm and safe, my dear friend.

Love,

Ruth