What did you read in -- December 2013

[Julie]

Susan from MD wrote: "It's very short, so you could always revisit Christmas! ..."

I'd prefer it if I could SKIP Christmas sometimes! :-)

[Susan from MD]

Well, if you have Christmas 2014 in January then you have 11 months to figure out how to skip in December 2014!

Yeah, probably won't work ....

[Alias Reader]

Julie wrote: "Susan wrote: "Christmas Day in the Morning - 4/5. Lovely story - read with the group, so comments in that thread. ..."

Well darn. I forgot to read this!"

It's only a page long. I thought it was well written.

[GJS]

Lori wrote: "I'm pleased to see that I'm not the only person who reads just 2 or 3 books a month. I hang my head in embarassment if I compare my reading with you fantastic readers. Great job! Know that I will t..."

I have picked up that Downton Abbey book several times and even read the first few chapters. I wanted to like it a lot since I love the show but haven't gotten back to it. Maybe with your review, I'll just bite the bullet and finish it. :)

[Jane(Pixie)]

Alias Reader wrote: "In December I read:

Elsewhere--Richard Russo
Non Fiction
Rated 5/5
Audio book
This book was read by the author. He is a terrific reade..."

I agree, not too exciting. Favorite things: I very much felt Piper's urgency after leaving Danbury. She really brought home the terror of not knowing what is next or what really losing freedom is like. My brain never went their before. This is what I read for.

[Alias Reader]

RE: Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison

Yes, JanePixie, you bring up a very good point. She was quite lucky to have a job and a place to live waiting for her. She also had a strong network of friends and family willing to help her. Not too many are that fortunate and that may be one reason so many end up back in jail.

[Nancy from NJ]

As I am reading this, I am also watching one of the last episode's of Orange is the New Black. What you said above couldn't have been brought home since Taystee just returned and said she knew the routine in prison. I never thought I would enjoy this so much - now I want to read the book.

[Amy]

Nancy wrote: "...now I want to read the book.
..."

I read the book too, Nancy--I add my recommendation to those of Alias and Jane (Pixie). I enjoyed it-- I thought it was well written, and provided an interesting insider's look at the prison system from a person who is not a "typical" inmate. I also thought she had some good insights into what is lacking in the system and how it could be improved. I gave it 4 stars.

[Mike]

Here's my review of My Venice and Other Essays, which I posted to my blog today:
http://mypointbeing.com/2014/01/07/my...
(but which I read in December)

When I download a book sample to my iPad Kindle app or add a book to my to-read shelf on Goodreads there is no place to note where I learned about the book. I can’t tell you, therefore, where I first found this book. But there it was in my Kindle samples. Chances are that I saw it in the Sunday book review section of the New York Times or San Francisco Chronicle.

In any case, it was an enjoyable small find. I’m not familiar with Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery novels, but such knowledge certainly isn’t necessary to enjoy this book. The book offers insights into Leon’s perspective of her world, and she does not hesitate to make clear what she considers important. The essays seem to be a collection of previously published pieces, many of them from the first decade of the twenty-first century, but there is no reference to the source or date of any of the essays. I wish the publisher had provided both.

Leon is an expatriate American who spends most of her time in Venice. Interestingly, she first found herself in Venice when she was evacuated from Iran at the time of the Iranian Revolution. Seems she found home, and many of the essays show her love of the city, even while admitting poor judgment in matters such as buying the Venetian equivalent of a condo.

The territory covered by the book is not limited to Venice. She writes about her time in the Italian countryside, offering classes at a nearby U.S. military base, and her visits to New York City.

There is nothing of substance here, but it is a quick, diverting, enjoyable read.

[Alias Reader]

I read one of Leon's Guido books and enjoyed it.

I love books set in Italy !

[Lesley]

Here are my December reads.

The Day of the Triffids Audio. Not my usual read. I think I may have read this at school. Interesting sci fi. 3 stars.

Le Colonial: A Novel The first of my Vietnam books. 1770s French colony of Vietnam, French missionaries in the middle of north and south warrings. Empty characters and romantic viewpoint not to my liking. 2 stars.

Edible Garden Design: Delicious Designs From the Ground Up Great ideas for attractive vege gardens with great photos. 4 stars.

The Spare Room This book was shelved as non-fiction when I first noticed it, but changed over to the fiction section, so may be based on fact. The author helps a friend through the final stages of cancer treatment. I greatly admired her honesty as she copes with the physical and emotional toil as carer. 4 stars.

The Pit and the Pendulum At this stage I was reading short stories to reach my 2013 bookcount of 100 books!! This was a quick read that is listed as one of the '1001 books'. Not too dissimilar to the other Poe we read ie dark and gloomy. 2 stars.

Pilgrim State Audio. Non-fiction. In the 50s a Jamaican mother moves to several countries with her young children, and ends up in a mental institution. Sad and moving, but too much jumping back and forth for me. 2 stars.

Christmas Day in the Morning A nice story which resonates with me, as I grew up hand-milking goats (not cows) most mornings. Cute. 3 stars.

All the Pretty Horses My newest favourite book. Grady wanders off to Mexico with Rawlins where they run into trouble with horses and women before returning to Texas. Fast paced and beautiful descriptions of the landscape. 5 stars. Must get hold of the movie.

Silas Marner A lone weaver feels isolated and shunned until an orphan enriches his life. Set in 1800s English midlands. 4 stars.

Rethinking Dementia Non-fiction. Some interesting ideas I had not heard of before. My mother is in the early stages of dementia. 3 stars.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge An Alabama planter's thought as he is about to be hanged. Morbid perhaps, but a good short story. 4 stars.

The Story of an Hour Another moving short-story with such an interesting plot; a shame it's not a standard length. A woman rejoices and starts to plan her 'new' life when she hears that her husband has been reportedly killed in an accident. Then he walks through the door... 4 stars.

[Alias Reader]

Lesley wrote: "Edible Garden Design: Delicious Designs From the Ground Up Great ideas for attractive vege gardens with great photos. 4 stars..."

Wow ! You sure did a lot of reading in December, Lesley !

I enjoyed reading your list very much.

Do you have a veg garden ? If so, lucky you. I live in an apartment so I don't have one. How is your garden doing in the the brutal heat you are having?

Thanks for sharing your December reads with us !

[Julie]

Mike wrote: " or add a book to my to-read shelf on Goodreads there is no place to note where I learned about the book...."

Sure there is. There is the Recommended By section (I have put "newspaper review" and similar things there) and there is also a private notes section for each book on your shelves.

[Julie]

Lesley wrote: "All the Pretty Horses My newest favourite book. Grady wanders off to Mexico with Rawlins where they run into trouble with horses and women before returning to Texas. Fast paced and beautiful descriptions of the landscape. 5 stars. Must get hold of the movie.

I want to read this. So many of my friends gave it 5 stars like you (except one gave it one star).

[Mike]

Julie wrote: Sure there is. There is the Recommended By section...

Thanks, Julie!

[Madrano]

This is the last thread i'm catching up on. Please forgive my tardy replies.

Carol wrote: "... in January and I can't wait to meet her and have her sign my book! I will do my best to read her other two books before the event. ..."

This is about Deborah Solomon. Carol, i see her visit is next week. Did you get to read her other books? I think she does a good job of detailing an artist's life and art without being too opinionated. I hope you'll report back to us about the event.

I like the way the author who wrote about Austen approached the subject. The idea of allowing readers to appreciate physical items in a beloved author's life is clever. Thanks for the title, Carol.

Alias, you asked about the Paley media museum. We felt it was the perfect way to spend a rainy New York day. Because there were few visitors we could use the viewers the entire time we were there. Usually there is a 90 minute limit, at which point you must wait for the next free monitor. If I lived there i would be tempted to get a membership but I fear i'd be there every day! SO much television and so many radio programs available!

[Madrano]

Amy wrote: "My reads for December:
The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America by John Demos: A nonfiction account set in colonial Massachusetts where, in 1704, a French and Indian war party descended on the village of Deerfield, abducting a Puritan minister and his children."...

interesting story! Amy. Were you aware of this history prior to reading the book? neat to have such a story in your family tree.

You also mentioned the Nevada Barr mysteries. I've read a couple & can see the appeal. As we've visited national parks with historic import i find myself wishing someone had written mysteries set in them. The rangers we've met at some seldom visited sites spark my imagination.

Thanks to all who shared their list. As always, i've taken titles & names.

[Amy]

Madrano wrote: "interesting story! Amy. Were you aware of this history prior to reading the book? neat to have such a story in your family tree.
..."

I actually was, yes. I do genealogy research as a hobby, and I knew about our link to the Williams family. I had never read the book before, though--it filled in a lot of the fuzzy/missing details about a family story I had heard over the years.

I DID discover one interesting (to us) detail from reading the book, though. For the past six years, my youngest son has attended The Williams School, a private 7-12 school that is located on the campus of Connecticut College. I knew that the school (which opened in 1891 as Williams Memorial Institute) was privately endowed by a bequest of real estate and personal property from the estate of Harriet Peck Williams as a memorial to her son, Thomas W. Williams II. Because THAT Williams family hailed from the New London/Stonington, CT, area, and MY Williams family was from western Massachusetts, I never put the two together in my head. I mean, "Williams" isn't a terribly uncommon name, right? But in reading the book, I was startled to see that both families were in fact related ... the Williamses of New London were descended from the uncle of John Williams of Deerfield.

I wish I'd know that sooner! I would have tried to wheedle some more financial aid out of my son's school on the grounds that we were "family." ;) LOL

Genealogy is cool. I've found so many neat things. And quite a few skeletons as well. ;)

[Regina]

I read "Christmas Jars" after it and the jar was dropped off at my job and I was asked to give it to someone who needed it.I then purchased and read it,great book to read and share with your children and grand childen.
Also read "The Invisible Thread" a great MUST read if you enjoyed the unusual bond in "The Blindside" you will love this book! finished them both in 2 days.

[Regina]

An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with DestinyChristmas Jars

[Alias Reader]

Welcome to Book Nook Café, Regina !

I appreciate you sharing your December reads with us.

I look forward to reading your posts. :)

I see you are currently reading
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom-Miguel Ruiz
I have owned it for years but never got around to reading it. Are you enjoying it ?

[GJS]

Regina wrote: "I read "Christmas Jars" after it and the jar was dropped off at my job and I was asked to give it to someone who needed it.I then purchased and read it,great book to read and share with your childr..."


Thanks for the review Regina! I just looked up Christmas Jars and it looks fantastic! I might read it now and start a jar. Love the thought behind it! The Invisible Thread has been on my list but didn't know anyone that read it yet. So glad you liked them both. Keep posting those awesome ideas! :)

[Debbie]

Alias Reader wrote: "Julie wrote: "Books I finished in December, both 4 stars:
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt - In some ways this book was a bit simplistic and seemed like a young adult book. But it was funny a..."

I liked Cee Cee better than the Help. Her next book, which I also read wsa not as good. I do not care for books that I hve to think about. I read them and enjoy. I see some of these titles and think they have a lot of historical stuff, but none of that for me. I am amazed how many books that everubody reads tho,

[Debbie]

Lori wrote: "I'm pleased to see that I'm not the only person who reads just 2 or 3 books a month. I hang my head in embarassment if I compare my reading with you fantastic readers. Great job! Know that I will t..."

Wendy Wax wrote Downton Abbey and I have really enjoyed all of her books. I believe I have gone back and read all of hers and she has a new book coming out in July, I do believe. She lives here in Atlana.

[Madrano]

Amy wrote: "I wish I'd know that sooner! I would have tried to wheedle some more financial aid out of my son's school on the grounds that we were "family." ;) LOL

Genealogy is cool. I've found so many neat things. And quite a few skeletons as well. ;) ..."

I hear ya, Amy. Now I have to bore you with my story. I found that Whittier John Greenleaf 1807-1892 wrote a poem about a couple of my Quaker ancestors who were found guilty of the crime of not attending a Puritan church service, even though they had attended their own services. They were found guilty & sentenced to be taken to a Caribbean island & sold. Who knew? Not this descendent! It's a long poem (that's Whittier for ya!) but held my attention, despite the fact he altered the names.

Wiki page about here, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassandra_Burne...

The Poem. www.expressivethoughts.org/...poetry....

Her real name was Provided, which I wish I'd known when naming our daughter, although said kid is relieved i didn't!

[Alias Reader]

That's a fascinating story, Deb.

I am also on Autumns side in that debate !

[Madrano]

LOL--you are partial to her side!?!? I should be offended but as one whose mom wanted to call her Imogene, i'm not. :-)

[Lesley]

Alias, in late reply to your earlier questions about veg gardens. I do have a nice vegetable patch which I really need as it can be difficult getting hold of fresh fruit and veg out here in the rural areas. I have a lot of space and no shortage of garden water, but the recent heat rolled a few things. Because we have been under drought conditions, the kangaroos are jumping inside the garden and grazing on the lawn etc all night. I also have a resident echidna but it does no damage!

Following the recent heat here in Qld, there has been some heavy rain in places, but much of the state is still in drought. I heard this morning there is a heat wave predicted for Victoria. The tennis players in Melbourne will certainly know about it!

[Alias Reader]

Lesley wrote: "Alias, in late reply to your earlier questions about veg gardens. I do have a nice vegetable patch which I really need as it can be difficult getting hold of fresh fruit and veg out here in the rur..."

Lesley it sounds so interesting where you live. Kangaroos in your garden ! I can't even imagine. :)

I hope the worst of the heat is past you.

[Madrano]

My husband is a gardener, Lesley, so i had to share you garden kangaroo comments with him. And he thought deer was tough! Sorry to read about your rough summer. I cannot imagine playing tennis in that heat. Does it seem strange to folks there that Winter Olympics are next month?

[Lesley]

Deb, I don't know that many Australians are thinking of the Winter Olympics. We are all engrossed in the Open tennis I think!

[Alias Reader]

Lesley, I heard on the news that the games had to be halted for a bit due to the extreme heat. (40 degrees Celsius -104 degrees Fahrenheit). I heard one player say when she put her water bottle down on the ground it started to melt ! Yikes.

I see the games are on tv this morning, unless it is taped, I guess they are playing again.

[Amy]

Lesley wrote: "Deb, I don't know that many Australians are thinking of the Winter Olympics. We are all engrossed in the Open tennis I think!"

I never really thought about the fact that the Winter Olympics are held when it's summer in the southern hemisphere, and the Summer Olympics are held when it's winter! Wow. That kind of blew my mind a little. I can't believe that never entered my consciousness. Aren't we full of our own importance in the northern hemisphere! ;)

[Lesley]

Yes, the games were postponed for four hours yesterday. Players seem to be suffering from cramps mostly. Melbourne is a '4 seasons in one day' city, so temps can drop at anytime.

[Madrano]

Lesley wrote: "Deb, I don't know that many Australians are thinking of the Winter Olympics. We are all engrossed in the Open tennis I think!"

That makes sense, Lesley. until our Super Bowl is over, i doubt the full-blown ga-ga value of the Olympics will strike, either.