Merry's comments (member since Feb 05, 2009)

Merry's comments from the Books on the Nightstand group.

Congratulations! Finn Kindness, how adorable!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! They only let me vote once, but you won anyway! :) It is a true testament to your talent and your following - keep up the good work, my nightstand is full!

Great Idea Stephanie, spooky books for October!

Ann wrote: "Lmj, that's exactly it. Publishers will often do "export editions" for sale in English language bookstores, military bases, etc., in countries where they do not have the publishing rights in the na..."

Ann I have a fellow GR friends that will soon be stationed in Japan with her family. What is the best way for her to get her hands on American language books while they are there. She will be on a US military base, so I am sure she will find something, but she will probably be limited. I was thinking she could download books from the internet? How do you feed a hungry English speaking book addict who wants to continue to enjoy the American author while living in Japan? Can you share what you know, thanks,

Dottie wrote: "you wrote: books by narrator- for example, books narrated by animals - I am reading "The Art of Racing in The Rain" right now, and find it charming from the dogs perspective, do you know of any ot..."

thanks Dottie, will check it out

Ann wrote: "Anything you're dying to hear about?

We're planning our "editorial calendar" for the rest of the year, and wanted to solicit your ideas.

We have some big plans, and hopefully the time to impl..."

Hi Ann and Michael, love the weekly podcast - Please forgive me if you have already discussed, just some ideas I have been thinking of:

books about only children! Seriously, this may sound silly but I keep reading novels, memoirs about families, can you recommend some for the only child?

books by narrator- for example, books narrated by animals - I am reading "The Art of Racing in The Rain" right now, and find it charming from the dogs perspective, do you know of any others?

mystery series - I have made online book friends and they love Ian Pears - I believe that is the author. So can you name some mystery series - maybe we could do a mystery series challenge, each week/month complete one thru however many are in a series

That's all for now, back to reading "Cutting For Stone" on the final 100 pages, it has been a great book and I am reading it because you suggested, great suggestion! Thank you for working hard to keep us all informed on what is out there!

Stephanie wrote: "I love being surrounded by total book nerds - I can admit my quirky obsessions.

I have a small hardbound notebook that I decorated with small pictures of colored book covers that I use for writ..."

You are adorable! Thank you for the ideas, I have a notebook I just purchased from Barnes and Noble to "manually" (imagine that!) record my favorite books with just a quick informal reference note. This notebook I purchased has a title on the cover, "Book Lust"...it describes you to a T! Sounds like your husband married you, books and all, for better or worse. Sounds like he got the better!

Kate wrote: "I confess, I'm behind in listening to the podcast, but I'm going to chime in anyway.
As far as Oprah goes, I may read her selections on occasion, but I always search for the copy without the Oprah ..."

HI Kate, Yes to your comments, "celebrities" could have a hidden agenda, also I don't like the power they have, to mention a book and millions sell, that is creepy to me. I love BOTNS - no celebs just people who love to read.

Dear Ann and Michael - I am starting your book recommendation, Pictures at an Exhibition, Sara Houghteling - looking forward to my journey back in time, set in Paris, World War II, tracking lost masterpieces looted by the Nazis during the occupation.

Stephanie wrote: "I wanted to chime in on this topic which was discussed in episode #30...this is another topic we recently chatted about in my book club, in particular, the influence of Oprah on literature. I am cu..."

Her power is scarey, what else can she get her viewers to do!!! I too "do not" read O picks, but I am glad more people read, and this I thank her.

I am currently reading "same kind of different as me" and I have first hand information that it will be made into a movie next year, so go read it before they ruin it with a big movie production! Seriously, it is a really nice New York Times Bestseller and an amazing true story, and the writer is my neighbor.

Dottie wrote: "Merry wrote: "would that be the Plague Group? and how do you find them? "

Merry -- click on groups and then do a search with Plague and the group should show up.

Actually -- here's the link t..."

Thank you Dottie!

Ann, what a coincidence! I have a stack of old paperback books in my study. I keep walking past them wondering when I will find time to read .... the book on top of this stack?...The Hot Zone! That was strange, I keep passing by it every day and then, out of the blue, you name the book - I guess that means I should read it next.

would that be the Plague Group? and how do you find them?

What a well read book group! - guess we should have done a new thread and needle thing for this - sorry I am new, just this year, and I don't know how to do all that fancy stuff! Carry on readers!

Michael wrote: "YAY! That's one of the best kid's books ever!"
Hi Michael, I thought of a BOTNS idea for you and Ann - could not find the right place to post this so just inserting here -
how about choosing a few books with one main theme, and it could be something pertinent to what is happening currently....for example- I would love to hear you talk about books that have stories of the plagues in the past, or a story built around cures for plaques. Books are interesting when you can relate them to current situations. That's it - just a suggestion.

Thanks to BOTNS I just sent my new baby nephew the recommended book "The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown. A charming little book for children about nature thriving in the most unlikeliest of places. The main character's name is Liam, and that is my nephew's name! So he has a book about himself - thank you Ann and Michael! Also, this is a good book to gift with a packet of flower seeds.

Ann wrote: "Easy listening .... hmmmm ... has that ever been used in a good way ;)

Just kidding, Merry -- thank you, really. I am just now getting used to hearing my own voice; it's taken over a year."

not as in elevator music!!! just easy to listen to - I knew you'd get a kick out of that one, but I didn't connect the dots on the easy listening part! Very funny, don't you have a book to review? Just kidding back with you -

Michael wrote: "thank you so much for the kind words Merry. I've always hated the sound of my own voice, but then I guess everyone does! "

ok LOL on this one, but I have to tell you, Michael your voice comes across very crisp and clear, I never miss a word you say, and Ann, your voice is smooth, gentle and makes a person relax, loose stress -I would describe the combination as "easy listening" ... I just had to chime back in and be more specific, because I don't think you two realize all the people listening to you and better yet - learning from you! READ ON!

Ann, I am new to Goodreads as of this year, '09, but I found BOTNS before finding the GR site. I need help choosing books and you and Michael have helped me add a lot of interesting titles to my "to-read" list. Barnes and Noble loves you - we are a major supporter of our store just around the corner from our house! Thank you for the podcast - I will even listen to the episodes more than once to refresh my memory before beginning a book - both of you are always right on target - I really respect your opinions - keep up the good work. Also, there is something calming about your voices - some podcast can be annoying just by the sound of the voices. You have good voices and good content! Thank you again,