2011 Reading List

[Roberta]

What books are you looking forward to reading this year?

And what will you read first?

[Dorothy]

That is a big problem...I can't decide which to read first...the books I am looking forward to are on my 'to read' list.

[John]

Just finished The Nuremberg Interviews and I am going to startThe Odyssey.

[Roberta]

I have never finished that John. You have to let me know how it goes.

Hope you had a good C'mas and New Years.

[Dorothy]

I decided to start the year with Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
linked short stories in a seaside town in Maine. Olive appears in all of them.

[John]

2. The Odyssey - graphic novel

[Roberta]

John wrote: "2. The Odyssey - graphic novel"

I tried that one Dot and thought it was well written. Didn't stick with it though. I seem not to be reading short stories these days.

Will have to try again once I hear your opinion.

John, I had a vision of you with a Greek/English dictionary by your elbow and a very patient look on your face...*s*

[John]

I'm about to start my Christmas book, Remarkable Creatures. Barb has already read it and quite liked it.

[Dorothy]

John wrote: "I'm about to start my Christmas book, Remarkable Creatures. Barb has already read it and quite liked it."

I hope you enjoy it...I really did...and it is good to read the other book on the subject afterwards to compare as they have a different emphasis.

I really liked Olive Kitteridge[] btw...they are short stories but all linked and OK appears in all of them and you learn how she is seen by others in the town.

[Roberta]

My other book club read and discussed Remarkable Creaturesand we all found something different and interesting in it.

Have added Olive Kitteridgeto my list of books to check out.

I liked your comments on spirituality Dot. Ever since I gave up on religion in my teens, I've been interested in the intersection of faith, spirituality and ethics. Haven't read as deeply as you in the area though.

[Dorothy]

Roberta wrote: "My other book club read and discussed Remarkable Creaturesand we all found something different and interesting in it.

Have added Olive Kitteridgeto my list of books..."

John, I've just remembered the other book that touches on the same subject as Remarkable Creatures. It is called Curiosity by Joan Thomas

[John]

FinishedRemarkable Creatures, it was ok. now I am starting The Blue Notebook.

[Dorothy]

John wrote: "FinishedRemarkable Creatures, it was ok. now I am starting The Blue Notebook."

What is that about?

[John]

The Blue Notebook is about a 15 year old girl in Mumbai who was sold into sex slavery. She uses her imagination (and I assume the book, I haven't got that far) to escape her terrible life.

[Roberta]

Off to a slow start this year with some more eye problems. Just finished another Ariana Franklin novel in the Mistress of the Art of Death series and I'm starting The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing: From the Files of Vish Puri, Most Private Investigator for fun and A Week in December by Sebastain Faulks because it is about London and I liked his book:Birdsong although not Charlotte Gray so much. This one reminds me a little bit of Saturday, by Ian MacEwan, with a real sense of being in the streets of London

[Dorothy]

John wrote: "The Blue Notebook is about a 15 year old girl in Mumbai who was sold into sex slavery. She uses her imagination (and I assume the book, I haven't got that far) to escape her terrible life."

sounds heavy. I'm pushing my way through The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson

[Dorothy]

Roberta wrote: "Off to a slow start this year with some more eye problems. Just finished another Ariana Franklin novel in the Mistress of the Art of Death series and I'm starting The Case of th..."</i>

Sorry to hear about the eyes. I thought
[book:A Week in December is one of his best. Really helped to shed light on the economic collapse by getting inside the mind of a hedge fund manager with no morals whatsoever.

[Roberta]

Difficult to write a character like that. Do any redeeming qualities slip through?

[Dorothy]

Roberta wrote: "Difficult to write a character like that. Do any redeeming qualities slip through?"

None. There are 6 main characters including one young Muslim who joins a terrorist group. There lives intersect during the enfolding of the plot. Some of the characters are more sympathetic than others. I think it was the hedge fund manager that I found the most chilling because he outwardly seems respectable and harmless....and I could ablsolutely believe that people like this were behind the global economic collapse....it is almost like it is a game to them.

[Roberta]

Economic terrorism, I guess. Same sense of power over.

[John]

I'm about to start Incident at Willow Creek - the story of a lady, who on her mother's death, discovers a family secret linking them to a prisoner of war camp in Alberta.

[Roberta]

Where's the camp John. I know there was one in Lethbridge, where I grew up. Some of the POWs came back to live in the area after the war.

[John]

Apparently is is a fictional camp, but the town is Willow Creek - I don't know if it is real.

[Roberta]

Willow Creek is real. Very small and close to the border with Montana. I've been there.

[John]

Finished Incident at Willow Creek. It was a quick, easy and ok read. I will put it in my pile to pass along.

Now I am going to read Think No Evil, the story of the Amish school shootings and of the Amish's capacity for forgivness.

[Dorothy]

I'm so excited...I've just heard that I have won a book in the First Reads lottery. It's called The Midwife of Venice. I won't get it for about a month or so. Thanks for telling us about this program, John.

[John]

Very impressed with Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting...and Beyond, the story of healing through forgiveness.

Now I am starting The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom, a story of seven people who escape a Soviet labour camp in 1941 and walk from Siberia to India.

[John]

Starting Son of the Morning Star - Custer and the Little Bighorn.

[Roberta]

Finished Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home(great read!) and am almost finsied This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All(makes me wish I had stayed on as a librarian. The author puts librarians forward as modenr day rebels and activists).

Also trying to read poetry every day. I have a few anthologies on the go and I'm really liking Poemcrazy.

Everyone seems to be forging ahead with new and interesting reads.

[Roberta]

Have people set reading goals for themselves this year?

Mine is to read some of the poor orphans stcked up on my shelves.

[Petra]

Roberta, my plan is like yours: I plan on reading more books from my at-home shelves. Hopefully, I'll read over 50% of my books off my shelves this year. It's getting out of control!

[John]

My to-read pile in front of my computer is back up to 160 books. My goal is to by less and read what I have got. Having said that, the Book Drive starts in late April. So to make room I will start by reading The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe

[Roberta]

I'm afraid of the Book Drive. I always find almost as many as I donate.

Loving this book about libraries...This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All

[Dorothy]

Roberta wrote: "Have people set reading goals for themselves this year?

Mine is to read some of the poor orphans stcked up on my shelves."

I joined the Cover to Cover reading challenge in the 150 group. I read 147 last year so I might just make it but I'm not intending to put of reading longer books just to make the goal.

I would also like to reduce the number of books on my 'to read' shelf...if only I could stay away from the library and the bookstores ;-)

[John]

I gave up on The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog, and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe right away. It was terrible. I had just seen the movie "Winter's Bone" and loved it. So I picked up the book Winter's Bone. So much for not buying new books - that lasted one day!

[Roberta]

The pre-book drive is coming up. Dot and John< are you interested?

[Roberta]

I guess we could add stay away from the book drive too!

[Dorothy]

Roberta wrote: "The pre-book drive is coming up. Dot and John< are you interested?"

yes yes yes.....I hope to have lots to give away...do you know when it is yet?

:-)

[John]

The Book Drive set up starts April 25, drop off is April 30 and May 1; and the sale is May 14 - 15. we have to be out of the building May 20. Pre BD swap would be good!

[John]

Loved Winter's Bone! Now I have started Hodd a not so kind, gentle or generous Robin Hood.

[Roberta]

Hi Roberta and Jim,

The event you've been waiting for and back by popular demand:

THE 3RD. ANNUAL TIMES COLONIST BOOK SWAP

You know the drill...... free those dusty volumes and over-priced magazines that make you feel vaguely guilty! The challenge is to contribute more books than you take home. The memorable few, that have taken home the same books they brought, are legendary. Here's a great opportunity to deliver impromptu book reviews to anyone willing to listen...... Last year's event collected about 25 boxes of books for the T-C Booksale.

We look forward to seeing you!

WHEN:Sunday, February 20, 2011 between 2:00 and 5:00 PM.
WHAT TO BRING:Books and beverage.. a friend?

[Dorothy]

Hooray! I hope to be there with boxes of books

[John]

I have given up on "Hodd". I am now off to Saskatchewan in this years Governor General's winner Cool Water.

[Dorothy]

Roberta wrote: "Hi Roberta and Jim,

The event you've been waiting for and back by popular demand:

THE 3RD. ANNUAL TIMES COLONIST BOOK SWAP

You know the drill...... free those dusty volumes and over-priced..."

Roberta! I've forgotten the address!

D.

[Roberta]

122 Clarence. Between Niagra and Simcoe in james Bay.

[Roberta]

It's 122 Clarnece between Niagra and Simcoe.

[John]

From Saskatchewan, I am off to the Congo in William Boyd's Brazzaville Beach.

[Roberta]

I'm wondering if the books I am reading appear on this list and if you and Dot get notification of them. It doesn't look like it. All along I assumed the books I was adding were ending up here.

Please let me know. I got some catching up to do if not.

John, did you get to the book swap? I ran into Dot there briefly.

[Dorothy]

Roberta wrote: "I'm wondering if the books I am reading appear on this list and if you and Dot get notification of them. It doesn't look like it. All along I assumed the books I was adding were ending up here.
..."

I get notified of all your posts so I know you are going to read One Amazing Thing and gave 4stars to
The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly

[John]

Roberta wrote: "I'm wondering if the books I am reading appear on this list and if you and Dot get notification of them. It doesn't look like it. All along I assumed the books I was adding were ending up here.
..."

I am getting your posts too. No, I didn't get to the book swap unfortunately. Barb was up island and I was busy. I guess I will have to wait till April now, when the big one starts.