Mount TBR 2014 Challenge discussion
Level 6: El Toro (75 Books)
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Carolyn Pitches A Tent! (Cue The Double-Entendre Snickering)
“That Quail, Robert” Margaret A. Stanger, 1966 (4/5)“Caught Dead In Philadelphia” Gillian Roberts, 1987 (3/5)
“Death On Demand” Carolyn G. Hart, 1987 (3/5)
“The Merlot Murders” Ellen Crosby, 2006 (3/5)
“The Tale Of Oat Cake Crag” Susan Wittig Albert, 2010 (3/5)
“Light A Penny Candle” Maeve Binchy, 1982 (5/5)
“The Curse Of The Giant Hogweed” Charlotte MacLeod, 1985 (4/5)
√ (60) “Death Island” Robert Sutherland, 1994 (5/5)
~ "EL TORO" BEGINS HERE ~
“Mariana” Susanna Kearsley, 1994 (3/5)
“The Black Joke” Farley Mowat, 1962 (5/5)
“Two Moons In August” Martha Brooks, 1991 (3/5)
“Come Like Shadows” Welwyn Wilton Katz, 1993 (4/5)
“Remedy For Treason” Caroline Roe, 1998 (4/5)
“The Family Vault” Charlotte MacLeod, 1979 (5/5)
“The Withdrawing Room” Charlotte MacLeod<, 1980 (4/5)
“The Night The Gods Smiled” Eric Wright, 1983 (4/5)
“Smoke Detector” Eric Wright, 1984 (4/5)
√ (70) “Death In The Old Country” Eric Wright, 1985 (4/5)
(71) “Cure For A Charlatan” Caroline Roe, 1999 (3/5)
(72) “False Face” Welwyn Wilton Katz, 1987 (3/5)
(73) “Kiss Me” Andrew Pyper, 1996 (3/5)
(74) “Reflections In Poetry And In Pictures” P.J. Peters, 1984 (4/5)
√ (75) “Spring Floods: Poems, Short Stories, And A Play” Mari Pineo, 1990 (4/5)
Until the end of June, the eve of Canada Day, my literature is Canadian from "The Curse Of The Giant Hogweed" onward. Having two works by Farley Mowat, it was a must that I open one before concluding the Canadian challenge. He's a treasured icon, very recently deceased.
(64) “Come Like Shadows” Welwyn Wilton Katz, 1993 (4/5)
This is a special footnote to share. I have two Martha Brooks novels, even if this Winnipegger doesn't write in my genres. She taught an author's workshop when I was only 16 and I had the courage to go! I can't describe what a big deal that was and scary too, hoping nothing would leap out of the woodwork to say I wouldn't become a real author. Identifying myself as a writer by being in that party. I'll never forget her best lesson: "Never tell a story. SHOW a story". Best of all, she praised one of my descriptions to the class! :-) Yours truly, Carolyn.
This is a far away, personal memory I haven't told before. I thought it might be of interest to literary folk.
I didn't know her. It was the delight and fear of *doing something about* thinking my writing could be a career. People might not get why it was a monumental event, even if I did it at 41, let alone when I was a little girl of 16. To explain it, let me say: I wondered if that moment would have the power to tell me if I had what it took to be an author. At the very least, like at no other time in my life (until recently), I was doing something about my dream. Does that make sense? :-) I had the courage to put my hand on the pulse of my destiny.
C. wrote: "This is a special footnote to share. I have two Martha Brooks novels, even if this Winnipegger doesn't write in my genres. She taught an author's workshop when I was only 16 and I had the courage ..."That's a great story!
I just looked at your list of books. I love perusing through what other people are reading or are going to read. I guess that's why I joined Goodreads. But this year, since I'm trying to clear out books I have around the house, it's very scary to look at other people's lists, cause I know I'm going to want to read some of books. I'm actually very surprised about how good I've been up to now. I haven't bought a single book since January!
Anyway, I love your list, I'm going to borrow some of those titles for future :)
It's wonderful to have your visit, Barbara. Since you do a lot of brainy reading, I'm so happy you love my list! I admire variety, not sticking to one type. If you care to trade paperbacks, I do that with one or two friends internationally. I trade several for credit at used bookstores, like I plan to in the city tomorrow. It isn't a good deal; you're lucky to get $2.00 CDN. I'd rather mail one book and receive one whole book, plus it's fun. :)Yes, hearing a successful, local author tell me she liked something about my written exercise, was very fulfilling. Carolyn.
(62) “The Black Joke” Farley Mowat, 1962 (5/5)(63) “Two Moons In August” Martha Brooks, 1991 (3/5)
(64) “Come Like Shadows” Welwyn Wilton Katz, 1993 (4/5)
I can't believe how well you're doing, Carolyn! Well done. I'm on course for Mount Ararat but wanted to do a bit better than that. The trouble is, I keep getting distracted by library books, or shiny 'new' ones. Luckily, there's still almost seven months to go for me to do better.
Believe you me, one wall winks at me nightly with vivid new purchases. But you see, I have a habit that helps me ward them off. It's my instinct to 'save the best' for last: be it food on my plate, gifts to open, or bubbles to use in the bath. I'm using up a really old nailpolish before I open 20 other bottles I own. There you have a glimmer of my psyche. ;) One could say I approach life like dessert: savour it, to look forward to after.
(65) “Remedy For Treason” Caroline Roe, 1998 (4/5)
(66) “The Family Vault” Charlotte MacLeod, 1979 (5/5)
Cath: I replied to you June 6, above in post 14. I discovered one from you, in the Scottish section today. Always pleased to converse. That's what I meant when I pondered quitting groups with one-way traffic. I don't take the time, to see myself type! I already track my books elsewhere. One-on-one and group discourse too, makes threads worthwhile.At forums only a few years ago, it was "happy birthday" and "happy anniversary" and we all replied to whatever everyone cared to share. I'm grateful for that with new friends here and other visitors, who would keep that comraderie going.
For all interested, my current read is wonderful all the way through! I shouldn't be surprised with the great Charlotte MacLeod. Her originality by itself always staggers me. If I stay up, I'll finish it in a night. Oh, Canada lost a great one!
Hello dear Cath! A word to everyone too, who gardens or has enjoyed reading about my region of the stratosphere. :) Incorporating pictures will be one of my blog activities soon. The answer to Cath's question is: two of my gardens are a humble, normal size and one, a small strip. However there are four separate plots scattered on our property. The one called 'garden 3' is large. I would happily put last year's photographs on my blog.When we bought this home there was one garden going. We felt we would like to grow more but didn't dare expand that one, because it was in an area of good lush grass and its perimeter is boarded. Our first growing season of our own, we tried a hollow near it, that appeared to be where they obtained their soil in the first place and had left it as a pit for scraps. We cleaned it out and grew 'garden 2'. These are west of the library building and driveway, which are next to our house.
'Garden 3' was dug completely by my fiancé Ron out of the good Manitoba Earth. :) That is a sparse, clover region which wouldn't serve as a lounging spot anyway. We at first thought we'd move gardens to the best spot, especially covering the one on lush lawn and giving up the trial pit, 'garden 2'. But each year we had plenty to put in all of them and decided not to give up any of them. 'Garden 4' is parallel to 'garden 3', half its length in our east field but merely a narrow two rows. We use it for tomatoes and herbs. We don't seem to find oregano or marjoram around here but will keep them in mind for bees. We have many flowers that will do likewise.
All that encouragement going around is very nice. I'm 30 ahead of my Goodreads aim. I'm sure I can raise it from 82 to 100, even with garden and flower seasons upon us. The best of both worlds I say. :-) Carolyn.
~ "EL TORO" ~Here's where I am, waving happily to you all, upon my new mountain range. :-)
I welcome you to peruse my reviews at this challenge's page “RIEDEL Fascination”.
(61) “Mariana” Susanna Kearsley, 1994 (3/5)
(62) “The Black Joke” Farley Mowat, 1962 (5/5)
(63) “Two Moons In August” Martha Brooks, 1991 (3/5)
(64) “Come Like Shadows” Welwyn Wilton Katz, 1993 (4/5)
(65) “Remedy For Treason” Caroline Roe, 1998 (4/5)
(66) “The Family Vault” Charlotte MacLeod, 1979 (5/5)
(67) “The Withdrawing Room” Charlotte MacLeod, 1980 (4/5)
Oh, hello Christine! Thank you very much. Here's something I haven't said aloud. I really think that if I finish 75 this month, if my math is right: attaining 150 finished books really is possible.
Today we wish our very dear Siamese, McCartney Hendrix: a happy fourteenth birthday! Happy birthday McCartney! With all our love, the whole family.
(68) “The Night The Gods Smiled” Eric Wright, 1983 (4/5)
It's a nice rainy day for our plants and reading. I should polish this off and commence the next.
Carolyn: I'm certain that your gardens (Canadian and USA) are much bigger in general than ours. Down to there being much more land than in our smaller country. Yours sounds wonderful and photos from last year put on your blog would be very interesting to me.
Yes, garden III is generous. It's parallel neighbour, garden IV is merely a strip. Garden I and garden II are normal-sized. What with testing spots, the thing is that we have four of them. :-)
Lapping up Canadians new to me. Ron & I are good at familiarizing with places we have visited. I can visualize the Toronto streets mentioned this time. There are many 'set in Toronto' lists.(69) “Smoke Detector” Eric Wright, 1984 (4/5)
I'm going to update numerous reviews, which will be linked above: in message #2.
(70) “Death In The Old Country” Eric Wright, 1985 (4/5)
I'm thrilled to have passed seventy books in June.
(71) “Cure For A Charlatan” Caroline Roe, 1999 (3/5)
C. wrote: "I'm thrilled to have passed seventy books in June."Wow, you are doing so well! I am at #17 so 70 seems amazing to me :)
A lot of yours is cerebral material rather than fiction, past 300 pages, and often on the "1000 must read list". I am thrilled with my progress, still isolated mostly at night, so I thank you very dearly! The weather is +30C and our flowers are germinating beautifully along with our gardens. Let's hear it for our irises and tulips, who have already bloomed. :)
Vascilating between review-writing and churning up Canadian books before our group finishes this month. I have a lot of great authors and series to try out, when our new session commences Canada Day, July 1st! FYI: long-time host, John, is taking sign-ups. He does it by e-mail rather than linking posts, so just ask me for his e-address. :)
I'm glad my progress has been good because it feels like I've taken a week off to compose reviews. However if folks browse them in messages #1, 2 I hope you enjoy what I've assembled for all. :)
All of those reviews are done, hip hip hurray! The fruits of my labours - direct links to them at Amazon Canada - may be viewed right here. Scroll up to messages 1 & 2. :)
(71) “Cure For A Charlatan” Caroline Roe, 1999 (3/5)(72) “False Face” Welwyn Wilton Katz, 1987 (3/5)
(73) “Kiss Me” Andrew Pyper, 1996 {starting soon}.
Don't I know it and I'm expecting company tomorrow afternoon. The rest of daylight today will be a cleaning frenzy, although I will enjoy the brief guests dearly. What timing; I not only want to hit 75 by June 30th as a sign to strive for a full 150 this year.... I must finish those two by the 30th for the concluding Canadian challenge as well. Eeek!
Yes. :) Certainly, no one is going to turn away company (rare company) to say "I have books I need to read". Ron & I have a joke anyway, that our house is best cleaned when we think there's going to be a guest.
(73) “Kiss Me” Andrew Pyper, 1996 (3/5)My present read is a bunch of blunt, down-to-Earth descriptions; an unusual assortment of short stories. That's good. However they are vulgar, despressing, and I'm never thrilled to read about drugs. But it's my introduction to a well-regarded published Canadian and we'll see if the second half rises favourably. Like or not, it's wise to try different literature. My reading is especially well-varied this year.
After this I shall read another wholly Canadian perspective.... poetry from my own province! This is the joy and magic of physical books nothing replaces. Inside, is an authograph of the long-deceased poet. Taped with the hand-written message, is a newspaper advertisement of his 55th wedding anniversary!!!! It is one of the gems added by me to Goodreads for the benefit of all.
(74) “Reflections In Poetry And In Pictures” P.J. Peters, 1984 (4/5)
One more left! The seventy-fifth, with which I'm ploughing ahead tonight, will also attain my goal for the Canadian reading challenge. Thirty-four is the quantity I set for myself.... on this eve that it is due. ----> (75) “Spring Floods” Mari Pineo, 1990 {beginning now}
(75) “Spring Floods” Mari Pineo, 1990 (4/5)Finished! I have absorbed and reviewed 75 well-varied books in 6 months, making it possible to read 150 by December 30th! I also reached the 35 I wanted for the Canadian challenge. After 2 or 3 months of patriotic reading, I am treating myself to a whole bunch of ghost and witch adventures for a good long while! HAPPY CANADA DAY TO ALL OF YOU, FROM CAROLYN!
Would someone tell me where to find the code for this year's Goodread's challenge? I can't find the page with widgits. Also: I'm wishing everyone a nice occasion today -and- have announced my completion of a mountain. I do like to celebrate!
Thank you all around! For visiting on Canada Day, applauding my excitment about this climb, and answering my query. You used to be able to click nearly anywhere on the Goodreads reading challenge and get your widgit code page. I'll look where you are saying. :-)
Many participants of the Canadian challenge wrote a profile about themselves. If anyone would like to read mine, it shares a great deal beyond the literary: my concern that many reviews are spoilers, why I love print, trivia my brothers & I played in the car and anywhere, a local ghost story. http://www.bookmineset.com/2013/11/7-...Something it wouldn't have shared, last November, is that my family had a very dear cat for TWENTY-ONE YEARS. Our most precious Thumbelina Sandy was born on this very day today, in 1982. There is no other way to celebrate except to share it with people, so I'm shouting it out here. We remember you and love you, our very dear Thumbelina!
All of the present cats say hello. Happy birthday to you with love, always!
Thank you, ladies. Even more important and sensitive to me is Thumbelina's birthday. I remember it in all positive terms, every July 2nd. Canada day is a nice start for now. :)
No, no. I figured you and Leslie saw the paragraph I wrote above, about remembering the birthday of our twenty-one year old cat. If you're e-mailing me, it'll be a thousand times easier to catch up and exchange quick messages from now on. On dial-up, hotmail or Goodreads alone can take long. Opening two webpages is doable. Anything more; they don't merely lag. They simply won't open. I'll leave hotmail on, as I go to read.Most wouldn't know what to say but having someone just pop in and write "How nice that you still honour her" or "I too know what it's like to have family member pets"... Anything at all means a great deal on this day. I refused for her to stop being spoken of after she died. I was so glad when I could begin to do so with a smile. :)
“The House On The Cliff” Leslie McFarlane, 1927
“The Flanders Panel” Arturo Pérez-Reverte, 1990
“The Monsters Within” Corvus Winchester, 2013
“Elsewhere” William Peter Blatty, 1999
“Le Premier Nöel De La Famille LaTaupe” Russell Hoban, 1969
“A Taste For Murder” Claudia Bishop, 1994
“Angel's Verdict” Mary Stanton, 2010
“Angel Condemned” Mary Stanton, 2011
“The Irish Cairn Murder” Dicey Deere, 2003
(10) “Ghost Ship” P.J. Alderman, 2011
“Witch In The House” Ruth Chew, 1975
“Then Came Two Women” Charlotte Armstrong, 1962
“Mystery Of Disaster Island” Ann Rivkin, 1975
“Vampires Of Ottawa” Eric Wilson, 1984
“The Green Gables Detective” Eric Wilson, 1987
“Iggy's House” Judy Blume, 1970
“The Witch Of Blackbird Pond” Elizabeth George Speare, 1958
“The Scariest Stories You've Ever Heard” Mark Mills, 1988
“Aunt Dimity Digs In” Nancy Atherton, 1995
(20) “Eggs In Purgatory” Laura Childs, 2008
“Code Red At The Supermall” Eric Wilson, 1988
“The Secret Of Red Gate Farm” Mildred A. Wirt, 1931
“The Secret Of The Old Mill” Leslie McFarlane, 1927
“The Gift Of The Frost Fairy” Sheila J. Bleeks, 1976
“The Man In The Brown Suit” Agatha Christie, 1924
“What The Witch Left” Ruth Chew, 1973
“Gunpowder Green” Laura Childs, 2002
“Terror In Winnipeg” Eric Wilson, 1979
“Cold Midnight In Vieux Québec” Eric Wilson, 1989
(30) “The Mystery Of Pony Hollow” Lynn Hall, 1978
“The Stone Angel” Margaret Laurence, 1964
“Crocodile On The Sandbank” Elizabeth Peters, 1975
“The Tomorrow-Tamer” Margaret Laurence, 1963
“A Jest Of God” Margaret Laurence, 1966
“The Quicksilver Pool” Phyllis A. Whitney, 1955
“The Clue In The Diary” Mildred A. Wirt, 1931
“The Ghost & The Dead Deb” Alice Kimberly, 2005
“Sea Jade” Phyllis A. Whitney, 1964
“Eerie Tales Of The Old West” Emily & Joe West, 1991
(40) “Pleasing The Ghost” Sharon Creech, 1996 (5/5)
“Time For Andrew” Mary Downing Hahn, 1994 (5/5)
“My Cousin Rachel” Daphne Du Maurier, 1951 (4/5)
“The Doll In The Garden” Mary Downing Hahn, 1989 (4/5)
“Ghost Of A Chance” Yasmine Galenorn, 2003 (3/5)
“Mystery Of The Golden Horn” Phyllis A. Whitney, 1962 (3/5)
“The Other Side Of Dark” Joan Lowery Nixon, 1986 (4/5)
“The Curse Of The Pharaohs” Elizabeth Peters, 1981 (5/5)
“Something The Cat Dragged In” Charlotte MacLeod, 1983 (4/5)
“The Cat Who Could Read Backwards” Lilian Jackson Braun, 1966 (5/5)
(50) “The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern” Lilian Jackson Braun, 1967 (5/5)
“The Cat Who Turned On And Off” Lilian Jackson Braun, 1968 (5/5)
“The Cat Who Saw Red” Lilian Jackson Braun, 1986 (4/5)