What books did you get from the library, bookstore, or online? ~ 2023

[madrano]

Alias, i love when that happens because it helps me see how much of an impact some authors have had. The understanding about that underground importance to wider spread forest health has only been better developed in this century, so i suppose it makes sense. I like that your author is hooking it up to humans that way.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "That sounds interesting, Alias. I love trees. I once read a book titled The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Relations Between Plants and Man. Not sure the one I linked to is the one I read, but it as all about how plants communicate with one another...."

Yes, Kiki! That book really made an impact on my understanding of the interconnectedness we have outside our species. It was eye opening and i'm sure my friends & family were fed up with my quotes from the book. I see Goodreads only credits Peter Tompkins but Christopher Bird was coauthor, as well.

My son, btw, used that book as his thesis for a middle school science project. It was informative to watch the way his three plants (from same mother) reacted to different experiences--total silence, nurturing talk, and berating. The latter one was quite stunted, despite all other factors being the same.

[John]

I used a $3 Kindle credit towards Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes, since I know the writing quality is good and I need a nature category book.

[Alias Reader]

That also sounds like a good book, Kiki. Thanks for the title. I'll check it out.

[madrano]

John wrote: "I used a $3 Kindle credit towards Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes, since I know the writing quality is good and I need a nature category book."

Sounds good! I like the unique landscape issues. Not your typical traveling encounters with nature. Enjoy!

[madrano]

John wrote: "I used a $3 Kindle credit towards Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes, since I know the writing quality is good and I need a nature category book."

Sounds good! I like the unique landscape issues. Not your typical traveling encounters with nature. Enjoy!

I must say i like the cover quite a bit, as well. So much so, i may use it for prompt #4--A book you chose simply because of its cover.

[Alias Reader]

John wrote: "I used a $3 Kindle credit towards Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes, since I know the writing quality is good and I need a nature category book."

That sounds interesting. I look forward to your review.

I'm also going to pass the title on to a friend that likes to read travel/walking books. Her favorite is Paul Theroux

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "That sounds interesting, Alias. I love trees. I once read a book titled The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional a..."

That is interesting. I feel bad for the first and third ones, though, especially the third. :-( Nothing thrives when it's berated. I hope your son got a good grade.

[Bella (Kiki)]

John wrote: "I used a $3 Kindle credit towards Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes, since I know the writing quality is good and I need a nature category book."

I look forward to your review, too, John. I've hiked so much in Europe, I'm wondering if I've hiked in any of the places mentioned in the book.

[John]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "John wrote: "I used a $3 Kindle credit towards Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes, since I know the writing quality is good and I need a nature category book."

I look..."

One of the reasons I purchased this book is that for last year's challenge I read the author's Where the Wild Winds Are: Walking Europe's Winds from the Pennines to Provence, which I can highly recommend.

[Bella (Kiki)]

John wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "John wrote: "I used a $3 Kindle credit towards Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes, since I know the writing quality is ..."

Oh, that sounds fantastic, John. I think I've been down just about every road in Provence. I know it as well as my own little home town. Love it, too.

[madrano]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I feel bad for the first and third ones, though, especially the third. :-( Nothing thrives when it's berated. I hope your son got a good grade...."

He did. Perhaps the best grade he ever got (he was an indifferent student). Post-science fair, we watched that neglected third thrive, which was, honestly, it's own little science project. Until dead, things can revive. Now, whether or not they forget the rough times is something i cannot say. :-)

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I feel bad for the first and third ones, though, especially the third. :-( Nothing thrives when it's berated. I hope your son got a good grade...."

..."

I'm glad that poor neglected poor one thrived. :-)

My brothers were indifferent students in high school, too, Madrano, and they both regret it now. They did go to college in their late 20s, but they wish they'd gone right out of high school.

[madrano]

It's a real mixed bag, college is. My nephew went off to college after spending his senior year of high school at home, due to the pandemic. His first and second year at University were mostly online classes, given by the school's professors. Did he really have a "college experience"? We don't feel so, but it's all he knows, so he's satisfied.

It seems to me that when we go right after high school, many do not know what they want and the experience is wasted on them, educationally. I suppose we have to settle for what we have done.

[madrano]

Presently i'm reading The Pioneers--James Fenimore Cooper, part of my Determination List for this year. In the past i have really liked these The Leatherstocking Tales stories and the writing. It's a way of seeing the North American colonies as they grow, fight, rebel and move west as a nation. This one was the first published, although chronologically the 4th. The other 4 in the series present both pre- and post- to this novel.

This one is about the settling of northern and western New York state. Cooper gives a fine representation of the landscape, the new town and the cast of characters. But, frankly, it is boring.

Yes, i like the history and the trees. Indeed, knowing what i do now about trees and forests, my mind lingers on them quite a bit. And it is interesting that some characters fret about the waste (almost carnage, at times) of having so much land and wildlife. There are discussions about this, which i appreciated, as i was unaware that those were concerns at the time. (Even of Cooper's time, which was about 40-50 years later than the timing of this book.)

His writing is still descriptive. It is interesting that Cooper allows some characters their accents, trying to give readers a sense of this. There are the Native Americans, of course, plus some black servants, a French man and Natty Bumppo himself, a backwoodsman. It's quite a bit to keep in mind, frankly.

ANYway, i'm more than half finished, still awaiting some sort of real action. Meanwhile, i've learned how to fish with nets only, kill wildlife, worship, and keep homes warm by fireplaces alone. :-)

[Alias Reader]

Sorry there is no action in the book, deb. But I think you win a girl scout badge when you finish the book. ;)

[madrano]

No sooner did i post the previous message than the action in the book picked up. Doesn't that figure? As a result i read almost nonstop & finished the book tonight. Gobble, gobble. The action, of course, helped make the prose fly.

Ultimately i learned much more about Natty and his past. Ok, not much more, but enough to satisfy some needs. There is much to be said for Cooper's depiction of the colonial and early settlement days. He relates particulars which might now seem strange, for instance, "patents", which were granting rights for land, begun after the Revolutionary War.

This is the second of the series which has one character who served on the oceans. Both make constant references to their experiences and view being on the ocean a much better way of life. This seems odd to me but apparently he wrote an important nonfiction account of the Battle of Lake Erie, Proceedings of the Naval Court Martial: In the Case of Alexander Slidell Mackenzie, a Commander in the Navy of the United Sates, &C., Including the Charges and Specifications of Charges, Preferred Against Him by the Secretary of the Navy and Lives of Distinguished American Naval Officers Vol I, so must have known his stuff.

While Leatherstocking books are somewhat racist & sexist in attitude, straight from the times in which they were written, he also tries to relate the other side of the characters of color he creates. Indeed, he tries to present both sides of a number of issues from those days, as well. Ones which hold up well today, such as how to use natural resources. With good reason these are considered American Classics. Someday i'd like to read one of his other books, but not soon. ;-)

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "No sooner did i post the previous message than the action in the book picked up. Doesn't that figure? As a result i read almost nonstop & finished the book tonight. Gobble, gobble. The action, of c..."

Excellent ! Your perseverance paid off.

Also ⭐ on checking off a Determination List prompt.

[Bella (Kiki)]

I got Greg Iles; NATCHEZ BURNING trilogy. I'm almost finished with the first book, and it has been spectacular! A marathon read at more than 800 pages, but just terrific! And it's out of my genre, too. I love mysteries, and I don't usually read thrillers, but this book doesn't disappoint. I'm going to get and read the next two books in the trilogy as well, but I think I'll read a short book after this one. I don't feel ready to dive into another 800-page book yet.

[madrano]

Good report, Kiki. I'm with you, two long novels in a row is one too many. Of course, good writing helps keep it all moving along.

[madrano]

Thank you, Alias. I'm pleased. :-)

[madrano]

Most of this year i have been reading Predators: Pedophiles, Rapists, and Other Sex Offenders--Anna C. Salter. You may imagine why i paced myself. While the book and examples are not graphic, the author shared many interviews with prisoners whose crimes were sexual and often with minors. Those callous and indifferent accounts of their crimes are disturbing, particularly the way they illustrate their utter indifference to the human being.

Salter, whose career in psychology began in the late '70s, changed direction when she realized that her small town mental health center had what she thought was an inordinate number of child clients who had been sexually or physically abused (or both). She thought that was odd, as estimates at the time suggested about one child in a million were affected by that.

Slowly she researched and found sad statistics indicating it was worse than anyone anticipated. The numbers she used in this book, published in '03, are already outdated, as understanding and reporting are increasing. However, this quote will give you a sense of why stats are a concern.

A survey in late ‘80s by Dr. Gene Abel* related, “Two hundred and thirty-two child molesters admitted attempting more than fifty-five thousand incidents of molestation. They claimed to have been successful in 38,000 incidents and reported they had more than 17,000 total victims. All this from only 232 men. Men who molested out-of-home female children averaged twenty victims.”

One of the things Salter does is film (with permission from the criminal) interviews she holds with them. This is for educational purposes for professionals. Viewers are stunned by the long range planning, the search for victims and the indifference to their pain, all told in the voice of the (usually) men who performed many.

She also shared tips some professionals use to detect whether someone is telling the truth, although she is careful to make clear that none of them are evidence or fail proof. She stresses many, many times that most folks feel they can read characters and that most are incorrect. It's daunting.

Chapters include titles for Child Molesters, Rapists, Sadists, Psychopaths and even Staff Seductions (prisons, halfway houses, hospitals, etc.). It's stunning how much these people get away with because many are charming (or can present so), interesting and appear caring. Beware of that "caring", as usually it's a way to figure out how to best befriend & subject a child or the family to the will of the abuser. It is chilling to read the words, i can only imagine on film.

After 40 years of this work, one can imagine how hard core Salter is. She watched her children like a hawk, attending every practice, every game, every group's overnight events and more. Suggesting more parents do this, she also gives advice on personal and home safety, telling some frightening stories about her own life & friends.

I learned much from her, only the tip of which i share here. I cannot recall where i heard of this book but Salter also writes mysteries, based on her experiences.

*Salter is fairly open about the statistics she uses. She lets readers know if the surveys and studies were the only ones she could find on an aspect of the topic. With Dr. Gene Abel, i learned that he is highly respected but his studies are questioned, for lack of peer review or publication, as examples. However, these Abel issues were not known to be a court problem when the book was published.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "Most of this year i have been reading Predators: Pedophiles, Rapists, and Other Sex Offenders--Anna C. Salter. You may imagine why i paced myself. While the book and e..."

That's an intense read. I understand why you paced yourself reading it. That said, it does seem like a very informative read. Thank you for the excellent review

[madrano]

I'm glad to be finished with the book, i must admit. However, i am thinking that i'll read one of her mysteries, which are on sexual abusers. My thinking is i can accomplish prompt 34- Read a fiction and nonfiction book on the same topic. Last year it was tough for me to come up with two, so i would be glad to be relieved of it earlier!

[Alias Reader]

For that prompt last year I was thinking about WWII. I just ran out of time before I could accomplish it. So that still is my plan for this year. Unless something else pops up.

[madrano]

War would be a good topic for that prompt. Oddly, i didn't even think of that while rummaging my brain. I recall you shared a link with some ideas that covered the prompt but now i cannot find it.

[Alias Reader]

Deb and John, if you read this post, please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me ! :)

The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers by Will Durant

I may have this book in storage. However, when I saw the Kindle version on sale for $1 on Amazon I had to get it.

Ryan Holiday is all about the Stoics. I follow Ryan Holiday's podcasts and enjoyed his book Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control and have his book The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

[madrano]

If only tomatoes were in season!

[Alias Reader]

LOL

I thought the book would further explain the Stoics for me.

Alias <<< ducking that rotten produce headed my way. :)

[Bella (Kiki)]

I got The Fisherman and Goat Mountain. I'm rereading Caribou Island. David Vann, who wrote the last two, is a favorite of mine.

[Alias Reader]

The synopsis of the books sound good. I look forward to your reviews.

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "LOL

I thought the book would further explain the Stoics for me.

Alias <<< ducking that rotten produce headed my way. :)"

I’m trying to recall what book i read late last year that filled me in better on the Stoics. They were not exactly as i had been taught. Possibly, the book was A Philosophy of Walking—Frédéric Gros but i cannot think why they would be there, so to speak.

[Bella (Kiki)]

Alias Reader wrote: "The synopsis of the books sound good. I look forward to your reviews."

Thank you, Alias. I read The Fisherman yesterday. I didn't like it since I don't like myths, fairytales, and fantasy, but it was a good book for those who do like those things.

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alias Reader]

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez)

Thank you, Alias. I read The Fisherman yesterday. I didn't like it since I don't like my..."

Nice review, Kiki. I also don't enjoy reading myths, fairytales, and fantasy. Even though you didn't care for the genre at least you enjoyed the writing style.

For the challenge when there is a genre that I don't usually enjoy, I try to find something that mostly fits the prompt and is short. I'm not trying to torture myself but I do want to stretch my reading parameters. Often I am surprised. I try to put a lot of thought into books I select. So I don't often DNF a book or rate one below 2.

It's always interesting to see how others rate books. I use a 0-5 scale. I usually try to explain my reasons for the rating in my review.

Zero - not fit for man nor beast. Back away. Don't even think about it.
1- Can't recommend to anyone. I didn't enjoy it.
2- did not meet my expectations. Not for me. Not particularly well written.
3- A good read. Enjoyable. Met my expectations.
4- exceeded my expectations. A cut above the rest.
5- Perfect. Excellent writing and story or subject. In a class by itself.

[madrano]

I think the "Zero" rating is perfect, Alias.

[Lindsey]

Alias Reader wrote: "Deb and John, if you read this post, please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me ! :)

The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers by [author:Will..."

I have some of his work on my TBR - it might have been your post last year that let me to Holiday's work actually! If only I could read on a tablet. I have managed to adapt to audiobooks, but can't adjust to reading on a screen (yet... perhaps one day!)

[Lindsey]

madrano wrote: "I think the "Zero" rating is perfect, Alias."

Agree! Chuckled at "not fit for man nor beast."

[Alias Reader]

Lindsey wrote: "have managed to adapt to audiobooks, but can't adjust to reading on a screen (yet... perhaps one day!

I used to be firmly in the paper book camp. However, the pandemic and having to move forced me to read on the Kindle. Now, I prefer it.

I like the ability to look things up as I read. YouTube can bring a topic to life. Since I read a lot of non fiction this is a big deal for me.

I also like the ability to have a larger font size.

I do miss writing my marginalia and definitions in a book. I feel I retain more with a paper book. I can make notes on a Kindle but it just doesn't seem the same. Perhaps it's too easy if that make sense. For example, before when I had to look up a word in the dictionary and then write the definition in my book that took time. I think that helped me to to retain that info. Now with a quick tap of a word to get the definition I find my retention can be fleeting.

I will be eternally grateful for the library and eBooks during these trying few years.

[madrano]

Lindsey wrote: "If only I could read on a tablet. I have managed to adapt to audiobooks, but can't adjust to reading on a screen (yet... perhaps one day!)..."

It can be a challenge. Last week, for instance, i read so much online that my eyes began rebelling by watering up every time i tried. I'm awful with audiobooks but have listened to a few. Not a lost cause here!

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "I will be eternally grateful for the library and eBooks during these trying few years...."

I agree. When i think of the number of books read, not just by me but by friends who just aren't "readers" (self-declared), i marvel at this. If we had to be confined to our homes, it didn't mean we couldn't roam the world or fiction from our comfy chairs.

[Bella (Kiki)]

Alias Reader wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez)

Thank you, Alias. I read The Fisherman yesterday. I didn't like it since I don't like my..."

Nice review, Kiki. I also don't enjoy reading..."

I, too, mostly rate books a four or five star read. I think that's because after reading so many books I pretty much know what I'm going to like and not like. The reviews for The Fisherman were, for the most part so glowing, I thought I might like it, but I didn't at all, so I'm glad it was short enough to finish in one evening. In all fairness to the author, though, it was a pretty good book for those who do like fantasy and horror. The two main characters were written very well, so I felt it would be unfair of me to give the author less than four stars. I have had some one star reads, though, but a lot has to be wrong with the book, in my opinion, for me to give it only one star or no stars at all.

[Alias Reader]

madrano wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "I will be eternally grateful for the library and eBooks during these trying few years...."

I agree. When i think of the number of books read, not just by me but by friends who..."

I was just thinking the other day that I read around 70 books last year. If you put a price of $20 on each book, that is $1,400 ! And we all know hardcover new books are more cost more. I never would be able to read the books I do without the library.

I'm picky with audio books. I prefer non fiction for audio. I only use the library for them. I have trouble getting my podcasts to work at the gym sometimes, so I really need to find an audio book to listen to.

[madrano]

Kiki, i, too, try to get short books on topics which don't call to me from the promts. It's a challenge, particularly if you end up liking the author's work. One wonders, should i read another. Nope. :-)

[madrano]

Alias, that is a significant savings. I hadn't looked at it that way. Of course, as usual, i try to use books i already own, which would cut down on the expense. Still, most of my books read last year were from Overdrive.

Yesterday i went to Half Price Books because my local store had a book i wanted, a fiction about Predators. (Shiny Water--Anna Salter) It was $4 for a used paperback. Not outrageous, of course, but i am one who remembers paperbacks a $1 or 2.

While i'm at it, i'll also mention i picked up two books from the library, Yes, real paper books! William Howard Taft: The Travails of a Progressive Conservative--Jonathan Lurie for my Determination List & Presidential Bio goal, plus Deep Ellum--Brandon Hobson, for my prompt about Dallas. The print on the Taft will be challenging but the other two are ok. Not great, but i will read it judiciously, under optimum light conditions. :-)

[Alias Reader]

Good job on working on your DL and Presidential challenge, deb !

I hope the Taft book is a good one.

[madrano]

Crossing my fingers!

[Lindsey]

Alias Reader wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "have managed to adapt to audiobooks, but can't adjust to reading on a screen (yet... perhaps one day!

I used to be firmly in the paper book camp. However, the pandemic and having t..."

Great point, regarding the dictionary/retention. I've heard something similar from my husband regarding his math students - since they all have calculators on their phone, they can't remember simple quick math (like the multiplications we learned as kids)

[Lindsey]

Alias Reader wrote: "madrano wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "I will be eternally grateful for the library and eBooks during these trying few years...."

I agree. When i think of the number of books read, not just by me bu..."

Yes! I could never have read (nor afforded) the number of books I read last year without the library. I love the Hoopla and Libby apps. I like to have a waitlist queued up so I always have one audio book and one paperback on-deck at a time :)

[Alias Reader]

Lindsey, I do the same thing. My library allows 10 holds and I always have that #.

[Bella (Kiki)]

David Vann is one of my favorite authors. His lyrical prose is just gorgeous, but he writes about the darkest subjects. I just finished Goat Mountain and my reread of Caribou Island. After that, I was so mired in darkness, I had to have something lighter, so I got the Pulitzer Prize-winning Less.