Welcome, Kate! I'm not a writer but the Fine Line Editorial website has a very appealing design.

Also, my sister gave me two white "mice" when I was about 11. She was wrong and they grew into two large white rats. I adored them. Their names were George and Harry and they were amazingly affectionate, clean and interesting. I was heartbroken when they died during our move. I forgot that I had put them into the car and it got far too hot. I still feel bad about that. How long do they usually live?

Welcome to Constant Reader, Kate. My children had a pet rat one time. I rather liked him.

Kate wrote: "I realised, when I sat down to write a bit of blurb about myself, that a great deal of my time is taken up with my pet rats - cleaning their cage, making exciting things for them to play in, luggin..."

Nice Website, Kate. I read Andrew Crumey's blog post about two kinds of writers because I'm the first kind, the planner. I see he's the other kind, and I found it very interesting. I'll be back to read more when I have more time. I thought it was both interesting and a visually well designed site.

I realised, when I sat down to write a bit of blurb about myself, that a great deal of my time is taken up with my pet rats - cleaning their cage, making exciting things for them to play in, lugging bags of bedding home. I'm typing this with them down my jumper, in fact. I do have the occasional encounter with someone who isn't a rodent.

To pay the vet bills and the rent, I'm also chief editorial consultant at Fine Line Editorial (www.editorial-consultancy.co.uk), an online editorial consultancy for writers who've yet to pen a word to those with a mountain of manuscripts in need of a critical eye. And for those who fancy browsing insights into the methods of working writers, sharp takes on classic female authors, tips and advice, or to enter the caption competition for a chance to win a moleskine. Hope you enjoy it if you take a look.

Thanks for the welcome, Suzanne! I'm looking forward to getting back into the discussions around here and getting to know you!

Hello Misty, from a newish member who had 3 babies of her own... and a much used copy of 'Good Night Moon' !!!

An interesting comment, Sherry. I loved the tone of Gilead and the era. I'm a fan of literary fiction, which is why I write it. Yet I found Gilead to be too slow-moving for even me, primarily because most of the story is telling. I'll have to check out that discussion to see what I missed.

Welcome, Natalie and Martha. I adored Gilead, Natalie. We read it here for our Reading List a while back. Make sure you read our discussion when you're done.

Of course. Harper Lee patterned her character Dill after Truman. He was always a story teller.

He seemed to be a natural dramatist, didn't he? I think you're right.

I think a lot more sucked the life out of Mr. Capote. He was a funny man ,but very caustic to friends and foes. Harper Lee and him supposedly had a falling out towards the end of his writing In Cold Blood. She was tired of being a babysitter. Plus her book was scheduled to be released.
He makes for interesting reading. I think he would have gotten a big thrill out of a movie made about him.

What made the movie was Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance and how the story portrayed how writing "In Cold Blood" sucked the life out of Capote. I'd read the book when I was a clueless teen. When I re-read it as an adult, the book was as good as hyped.

Mr. Capote was quite a character.

Hi Martha. I loved CAPOTE, too.

Hi Martha Hope to see you around the posts.

Hello.

I'm Martha Engber and love GoodReads.com. Two of my favorite books are House of Leaves and To the Lighthouse. I love movies, too, but have not seen any in the last few years that are worth mentioning. Capote was the last one that wowed me.

Hi Natalie! It's nice to get to know you.

Welcome, Natalie! We're glad to have you here.

Natalie welcome to CR. This is a great group.

Hiya I'm Natalie ! New to Goodreads and glad to discover a nice group of fellow readers ! Currently reading Gilead A Novel. Looking forward to making new friends !

Thank you, Barbara! He is my sunshine! I never dreamed time would fly like this, though...it all happens too quickly!

And, Eli is certainly a cutie!

Misty, I thought about you as I was reading Serena. I would never have discovered Ron Rash without you. Welcome back. I know how engulfing babies can be. But, in the end, it's nice to talk to adults again.

Thank you, Ruth and Sherry! Actually, I haven't read Serena yet...I think it's under the Christmas tree! I'll return to the thread, catch up, and add something after I've read it. I am looking forward to this!

Oh, I'm so glad to see you back, Misty. Which book are you going to start with. I expect you might have already read Serena by Ron Rash since you were the one who recommended him.

Hi Misty, glad to see you back. Yes, motherhood can be pretty consuming, can't it.

Hi, everybody! I'm back, and I've missed all of you! I was active (somewhat) about a year and a half ago. Then I had my baby, resigned my teaching position to be a stay-at-home mom, and got caught up in the joys of motherhood! It is a true joy, but I miss reading and discussing literature...Goodnight Moon isn't quite the same, is it? Anyway, I look forward to picking up the next book and getting involved once more. Happy reading!

Sherry wrote: "Hi, Diane. Welcome to Constant Reader. You sound like you'll fit right in. One of the disappointments I had in moving to Asheville, is that they don't use volunteers for their libraries except when..."

My volunteering days are the highlight of the week for me. At one library I work in the Outreach Department for the local seniors in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and at the other I work with the ongoing Book Sale. The number of books donated weekly is nearly overwhelming, and as a result I'm constantly tempted by new reads. It's a good source of funds for this new and wonderful library. I'm so glad to be a part of both of them.

Hi, Diane. Welcome to Constant Reader. You sound like you'll fit right in. One of the disappointments I had in moving to Asheville, is that they don't use volunteers for their libraries except when they have book sales. I loved volunteering at the Palm Harbor library when I was in Florida. It was almost an all-volunteer library.

Thank you, Ladies, for the welcoming words. I look forward to entering into the discussions.

Welcome, Diane! We're glad to have you here.

Hi Diane. Nice to see meet you. This is terrific group. A lot of good books and discussion here. Lots of terrific people to get to know.

Hi Diane,welcome to this site.

Hi from Diane! My husband and I live in semi-rural Maryland, where we are both retired and avid readers. I volunteer twice a week at two of the local libraries, so I'm never at a loss for new reading materials. I always have an audio book in my car and a stack of books on my nightside table. I love good books, but I'm not afraid to abandon a book that doesn't deliver after a reasonable amount of time. If I don't finish a book, however, I don't count it as read. So many books, so little time!

Barbara wrote: "I feel the same way about rereading books, Stevie. The only thing that seems to motivate me to do it are new, well-reviewed translations. Last year, I reread Anna Karenina and War and Peace becau..."

I had to reread Anna Karenina, too, Barbara because of the Pevear and Volokhonsky translations. And I have the new translation of War and Peace to read as I never made it all the way through the old one.

And, audiobooks are growing on me. Never thought I'd say that, but times change.

Thanks for the welcome. I look forward to some interesting discussions.

Stevie and Dvora, happy to welcome you to the group!

Welcome from me, too, Dvora. Glad to have you here.

I feel the same way about rereading books, Stevie. The only thing that seems to motivate me to do it are new, well-reviewed translations. Last year, I reread Anna Karenina and War and Peace because of the new Pevear and Volokhonsky translations and was glad I did. Audiobooks also allow me to reread favorites without using my precious print reading time.

Dvora, welcome to you too! I'm glad you jumped right in.

Welcome to Stevie and Dvora.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I do enjoy the discussions here so far, very much. I will try to jump in and "add my distinctiveness to your own..." ;)
when I can.

I can perfectly understand re-reading a book - heck I watch movies over and over (some so many times I am sure if pressed I could quote the whole screenplay) I just dont ever seem to end up re-reading a book - no matter how much I enjoyed it (Most recent example would be Life of Pi as I enjoyed it SO much I can see reading it over again, but I know I wont. There just always seems to be another new unread book begging me for its attention.

- Stevie

Hi, I'm new here although I've already posted in a couple of threads. I think when I first took a look I missed the Welcome area.

I've been meaning to take a look at the Name of the Rose discussion. I read it last year and was disappointed. I thought it was well written, but it didn't interest me. Too much Church politics, maybe.

I'm currently reading The Berlin Stories by Christopher Isherwood. I read books a second time although not often, but I read this last year and liked it a lot -- he writes beautifully. So when I recently finished Christopher and His Kind, also by Isherwood, where he explained a lot about the real characters that The Berlin Stories were based on, I decided it would be worthwhile to read it again.

Welcome, Stevie. We do have some great discussions here and please feel free to jump in.

Hello, Stevie - I'm new to this group as well. I agree with your comments about Franzen, and wasn't in the least surprised at his whole I'm-better-than-an Oprah-book fiasco. I loathed his book, and thought the number of times he used excrement as a reference or metaphor was ridiculous. I threw the book across the room. Actually, my books lead a hard life; I'm always throwing books across the room. My most thrown book, though, is Bridges of Madison County. Good God.

Can relate to mommy brain; I had four children in 4-1/2 years (it seemed like an intelligent idea at the time). They're now 24, 26, 27, and 28. Still some worries, but like Sherry, I agree they're not so much work now.

Welcome, Stevie. I hope you have time to take part in our discussions. My kids are about the same amount of years apart, so I know how much time they take up. Now they are 31 and 33, so they're not as much work now. :>

Hi - New to the list! I'm Stephanie (although everyone has always called me Stevie) I am married to a writer and we have two little boys (Sam, who will be 3 in Feb. and Ben who is 6 mos.) I just finished reading todays digest and there are just so many topics I wanted to pop in on and comment. But as a newcommer it seemed rude to just add my $.02 without any introduction. :)

RE: Literature I Loathe: I also didn't enjoy Confederacy of Dunces because it seemed the author wanted you to enjoy the sad state of the main characters life. The Corrections hit me that way as well. It seemed petty and mean spirited. I may just be overly sensitive. ;)

I also wanted to say that I am thoroughly enjoying (although in no way want to become part of) the Globel Warming Email controversy thread.

Currently reading Under the Dome - Stephen King. This may become one of my King favorites (joining The Stand and The Dark Tower series)

I read Eco's Name of the Rose quite a few years ago and I am not one to re-read a book - however I hope to be able to add to any discussion utilizing my ever dwindling memory (I blame Mommy-Brain).

I am looking forward to more fascinating discussions and great book suggestions to add to my ever growing TBR list.

- Stevie

Welcome Ellen,and have a goodread time

I see you're from Waukesha, Ellen. I used to live in Milwaukee. I love Wisconsin.

Thank you, Sherry and Barbara - yes, I always like to look at people's profiles and libraries; it's fascinating to see what books others like and have.

Yes, the ability change font (obviously larger :) is Kindle's only attraction for me!

Welcome from me as well, Ellen. I took the liberty of reading your profile and am sure you will enjoy the discussions here.