Membro: ronincats

I think once you get finished inputting we will have a lot more in common than we appear to now! Did you know - was it you who said somewhere else - that Barbara Hambly is selling new short fiction on her website, via paypal?

publicado por kokipy às 2:13 pm (EST) em Nov 24, 2009

Thanks a lot, Roni. I love Cherryh's work so much. It's sort of like how I feel about [Diana Wynne Jones]. They both aim very high, and sometimes they miss the mark a little. But I'd rather read one of either of their "failures" than many good authors' clear successes.

I'll try to add my library. I'm not too sure how, but maybe if I do it in bits, it'll be okay. I just don't have very much time due to sickness.

At least my books are shelved alphabetically by author so I'm not totally hopeless. (The fiction, I mean.)

publicado por Welwyn às 11:08 pm (EST) em Nov 23, 2009

Thanks, Roni!

Stasia

publicado por alcottacre às 9:17 pm (EST) em Nov 13, 2009

The Android's Dream was a fun read. It takes a "special" kind of mind to think up interstellar diplomatic incidents via flatulence and some of the other things that went on in the book. I have enjoyed Scalzi's work so far.

publicado por romula às 11:21 am (EST) em Nov 11, 2009

k -- thx. that's not it. think it was a lady with an 's' name, but haven't found it so far LOL eventually...

publicado por suslyn às 4:01 pm (EST) em Oct 30, 2009

Thank you for joining my genre group ;-)

I appreciate it.

Daniel

publicado por bardsfingertips às 12:32 pm (EST) em Oct 30, 2009

I se you're reading Into the Beautiful North--how do you like it?

Joyce

publicado por Joycepa às 9:31 am (EST) em Oct 29, 2009

Hey Roni,

Believe it or not I've misplaced my wishlist! ack :)

Do you remember a book on ADD/ADHD and organizing your life around it. Can't remember if it was on your thread... but it was on one of the ones you read. have a friend i wanna suggest it to... been hunting and hunting and, in desperation, decided to ask you. Pls don't take time for some big search, but if it's tucked in that brain of yours for easy downloading :)... I just had to ask.

hope you & yours are well!

xox

publicado por suslyn às 11:12 am (EST) em Oct 28, 2009

Hi there! I just saw your comment on the Pratchett board for my Unseen Academicals giveaway. Sorry about that! It should be working now, but in case it's not, here's a direct link if you're still interested:

http://aartichapati.blogspot.com/2009/10...

I apologize for the delay!

publicado por aarti às 10:46 am (EST) em Oct 8, 2009

http://joycepa.wordpress.com/2009/09/12/...

Joyce

publicado por Joycepa às 6:35 am (EST) em Sep 12, 2009

http://joycepa.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/...

First part on the Potrerillos library. 2nd is tomorrow.

Joyce

publicado por Joycepa às 2:59 pm (EST) em Sep 11, 2009

Hi;
Mark and I have been discussing the possibility of another group read in November and want your input. We have narrowed it down to two books at this point. "The People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks and "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. So chat it up with friends or us and let us know if you are up for it and what you think. Probably the same plan as with "Pillars of the Earth" which seemed to work out perfectly for almost all of us.
Think it over and give one of us a shout.
hugs and looking forward to hearing from you,
belva

publicado por nannybebette às 9:50 pm (EST) em Sep 8, 2009

hadn't thought about using the collections in that fashion. Actually would be nice to keep track of borrowed books i've read. I'll have to look into the details of collections.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 5:36 pm (EST) em Sep 6, 2009

welll...let's see if it stays up there this time.. LT claimed to have saved it!~ and told me it was showing 13/13 reviews instead of 12/12. I didn't add it to my collection as i passed it on to a friend and we're cataloging books that we own, rather than loaners, library books read, etc. BUT i did put my review in, again, on "Pandora"'s page.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 2:52 pm (EST) em Sep 6, 2009

Done - putting up my Pandora in the Congo review. Thanks for the encouragement.
bob

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 12:19 pm (EST) em Sep 5, 2009

Hi, folks!

This is a general announcement that I’m sending to LT profile pages, FaceBook walls, and email addresses, in order to get in touch with everyone as soon as possible and as efficiently as possible.

I just returned from the Potrerillos library, where I turned over 34 books to the absolutely delighted librarian, Sra. Enilde. On Monday, I’m going to return there to take pix to send to you, so that you can see the fruits of your labor of love.

My only regret--and it is a deep one--is that I couldn’t have done this sooner. But the fact of the matter is that I have only been walking any distance except for around the house for about a week, and only within the past few days have I built up any endurance; even a short walk has left me wiped out.

But today was the day! She had been told beforehand by our friend Maricin that we were going to do this, but let me tell you, she was blown away by both the quantity and the beauty--as she put it--of the books. She kept saying, “Que lindo, que lindo” (How beautiful, how beautiful) as she pulled the books out of the boxes.

So thank you once again for your generosity; you’ll get pictures as soon as I get them. And we may have the representante there--she mentioned talking to him about it.

Joyce

publicado por Joycepa às 12:57 pm (EST) em Sep 4, 2009

I just got your message on my profile. That formula is exactly what I was doing. The first time, I tried to edit (before I checked the link) and the "message edited..." replaced the MusicMomThread2 message. The second time I tried I wanted to put both links in and then I made a comment on a new line and that became the "link." The third time I tried to do both again and only one appeared in the message after I submitted--and it says its thread 2, but it is thread 1. My last one I just became the "message edited.." again so I gave up. That will take you to the second thread it anyone really wants to go there.

I copied my YTD summary in the next message so there is no need to go back. One of these days I'll make the effort to put in the [] around the books but I spent nearly two hours trying to get that new thread started and suddenly I decided I wasn't so OC that I
was going to fiddle with it any more! :-)

I really appreciate the help you give me!

Carolyn

publicado por MusicMom41 às 10:40 pm (EST) em Sep 1, 2009

Thanks so much. Ir works like a charm! I wish I could figure out what I do wrong.

I did discover if I try to edit a message the link becomes something bizarre--either the "message edited.." message or "post message" or something else that is an LT info. At least this should be the last time this year I need to have a link. :-)

Carolyn

publicado por MusicMom41 às 10:27 pm (EST) em Sep 1, 2009

Okay, Manie's rolling over in his grave (he's a strange guy, visits the cemetery regularly), and check your inbox.

RMD

publicado por richardderus às 5:25 pm (EST) em Aug 24, 2009

Thanks for the quick response.
I have Lady of Quality in my library and a couple of others on my wishlist - 2 of the good ones that you mentioned.

publicado por Fourpawz2 às 12:25 pm (EST) em Jul 30, 2009

Hi there!
MusicMom says that you are the resident expert on Georgette Heyer, i.e. the person who knows which are her best books. I've just finished Friday's Child, which I did not love, and wondered if you could give me some guidance as to which one I should read next. Thanks for your help.

publicado por Fourpawz2 às 11:07 am (EST) em Jul 30, 2009

Thank you very much, Roni! Unfortunately I am hampered by the fact that my local libraries have very few of Pratchett's books. I think I am just going to have to break down and buy them all, lol.

Stasia

publicado por alcottacre às 11:57 am (EST) em Jul 23, 2009

Hi ronincats:

The Unknown Ajax is one of my favorite Heyer's too! I just love the family's reaction to Hugh and his strength in the face of their disapproval.

Your review was excellent.

karenmarie

publicado por karenmarie às 6:34 am (EST) em Jun 15, 2009

Haven't read Bloodhound yet. The last titles I read by Pierce were Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen, both of which I loved. I enjoyed Here There Be Dragons because of the literary illusions and the twist at the end. Once you know that even more allusions will jump out. And it moves pretty fast. I plan to pick up the sequel at some point.

publicado por lizzy50usa às 7:57 pm (EST) em Jun 6, 2009

I'm sure I will eventually. And the mood I'm in sometimes makes it hard for me to read something. But I never give up on the first try if I own the book. Thanks for adding me to your list of interesting libraries. Happy reading!

publicado por lizzy50usa às 7:51 pm (EST) em Jun 6, 2009

Hi...I see we share a lot of the same favorite authors also. I had read Knee Deep in Thunder years ago when it first came out but didn't realize that there were sequels until recently when I discovered that the first had been reprinted in an new edition. I haven't had the sequels long and haven't read them yet.

I was looking at the list of books that you've read this year. What did you think of Territory, by Emma Bull? I've had a hard time getting into that.

publicado por lizzy50usa às 7:40 pm (EST) em Jun 6, 2009

I cut waaaaay back on my threads. Then I added some back in. Right now at 76...

publicado por suslyn às 8:36 pm (EST) em Jun 1, 2009

Did you like The Wheel of Stars by Norton? I had trouble with it and put it down.

publicado por suslyn às 8:33 pm (EST) em Jun 1, 2009

the recipe -- I'm happy for you to have it, I just don't have it written down anywhere... Hmmm... wonder if Joyce does LOL I won't forget but it may take me a bit!

publicado por suslyn às 8:32 pm (EST) em Jun 1, 2009

Thank you for the welcome. I have many more books to add to my list but it will take a while. This seems to be a wonderful place, I'm very excited to find it.

publicado por nhlsecord às 10:20 pm (EST) em May 28, 2009

Thanks, I'll take a look at them.

publicado por cgray0809 às 9:43 pm (EST) em May 28, 2009

Re your drive disappearing - if it's a LaCie Porsche design 150Gb or 250Gb, it could be the enclosure and not the cable. That turned out to be the problem with my external firewire that I'd used as an emergency backup when my internal drive failed. Shortly after backing up to it - it failed too! I took it to a local PC repair shop and got an excellent diagnosis and great service. The entire analysis and replacement of the case cost me about $70 - the new enclosure has a USB2 interface rather than Firewire, but I only use it now rarely and don't notice the speed difference a whole bunch.

On the book front - I'm still waiting (it's going on four years or so now) for "Dances with Dragons" by George R.R. Martin. I'm beginning to think he will never finish the dang thing :-(

publicado por hashiru às 3:46 pm (EST) em May 18, 2009

Just stopping by to wave hello! I consider it quite the honor to added to your interesting libraries (and it looks like I'm in good company)! :)

publicado por Kittybee às 9:48 am (EST) em May 18, 2009

Hi back. My computer had been on the edge of broken, so I didn't get to spend much time on it. Now it is at the shop awaiting parts. I'm used to spending an hour or so each day on LT, but I've had to limit my activity to the minimum. One would think I'd get more reading done, but I seem to be falling waaaaay behind. Oh, right—I've gotten caught up in Kate Nepveu's Lord of the Rings reread and some of Jo Walton's reviews on Tor.com, and the comments for the posts are almost book long. It's sites like that, as well as a few blogs, that keep me from getting caught up reading what I have while still recommending really interesting sounding books to add to my TBR mountain. So I haven't reread more than The Ring of Allaire, and I'm behind on reading both of Bull's books and Nina Kiriki Hoffman's books. I hadn't heard the news about Hodgell, and now I can barely wait. I hope it is with Baen, like her current reprints, so I can get the webscriptions (hopefully I'll be strong enough to skip the e-arc—though I might request a paper-arc, hmm).

publicado por trollsdotter às 10:35 pm (EST) em May 16, 2009

Oh, and re the computer. I just did a Carbon Copy Cloner backup of the entire system and am about to install the 10.5.7 update (and several others). If anything dire happens, I can restore from my Firewire backup disk with an imaged copy of what I have right now.

The new disk has been humming along fine since last whenever it was that it originally died and had to be replaced.

publicado por hashiru às 4:51 pm (EST) em May 16, 2009

Hi,
I think I only joined the 75 book challenge for 2008. In any case, ever since my grandson was born last August my reading has seriously declined. I'm not blaming him (his name is Helio) - it's a combination of things: my running has escalated again after a 4 year decline, my work situation is tense: quarterly rifs, jobs moving to India, more demands on those of us remaining, uncertainty and stress, etc. etc. As of now, I think I've only read about 13 or 14 books so far this year. Instead of coming from work and reading until bedtime, I've been going out to the metro park and running / walking anywhere from an hour up to three hours. Many days, I'm too tired to think about reading.

Still, I'd like to find more time. Maybe one of these years I'll finally retire (thank you AIG, et. al. :-( NOT!) and have more time to read.

Thanks for the comment and the library "shout out"

publicado por hashiru às 4:37 pm (EST) em May 16, 2009

Yeah, I just recently finished getting all the fiction into the database. With the collections of two generations of enthusiastic bibliophiles in the house, it starts to add up.

The newest McKinley I have is Sunshine, and thats at the top of my to read pile.

I'm not quite sure about Thirteenth Child. I really like worldbuilding, but alternate history is a different approach than creating fantasy settings, and I've heard that the alternate history isn't very well thought out.

I haven't managed to get a hold of House of Many Ways yet, but I'm looking forward to it when I do. Sophie and Howl are some of my favorite Diana Wynn Jones characters.

publicado por esther_a às 5:55 pm (EST) em May 12, 2009

Hope you don't mind my input here. Not at all! I value your input in fact and respect your opinions a whole bunch :) thx.

publicado por suslyn às 1:44 pm (EST) em May 8, 2009

Retraction! It was for Amy but she already had the book on her TBR. Thx a mil!

publicado por suslyn às 9:06 pm (EST) em May 7, 2009

Okay -- seems I'm losing my mind. Alright I know that's been fairly obvious, but I'm no longer in denial ;->

I'd swear I read on your thread some time back about a book on raising kids (boys?) -- I even made up your response it seems (you were fairly pleased with it...). I've been over the 2008 and 2009 threads... did I miss it? Was it you?

publicado por suslyn às 7:59 pm (EST) em May 7, 2009

maybe we can combine our forces to convince people that HM Hoover is one of the neglected greats of YA SF. I'll put Children of Morrow on my list so that shows up twice, at least. I really don't know why she's been left in the cold. From stories for 2-3rd graders on through jr high and early hs, she's just terrific.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 8:59 am (EST) em May 5, 2009

Thanks for noticing my list. I enjoyed both [Duanfey] and [Longeye] but I don't think that they will ever become comfort reads the way the Liaden books by Lee and Miller have. I wasn't too impressed when I read [Duanfey] but, since I like and want to support Sharon and Steve, I purchased [Longeye]. I strongly suggest reading both of them together. They are a much more complete story that way. They are much stronger together than they were separately.

publicado por kmartin802 às 6:10 pm (EST) em Apr 28, 2009

I am not listing my books in either challenge this year. I started a new group called School Year Challenge 2008-2009 to keep track of my reading this year. I think I'm up to about 110 books but only some of them are YA.

publicado por kmartin802 às 1:31 pm (EST) em Apr 27, 2009

No surprise there, really. For some reason I've been able to stomach and, dare I say it?, enjoy a few compilations but they were based on established worlds (Darkover, WitchWorld...)

You are glad not to be reading Beginnings IMO :)

publicado por suslyn às 12:59 pm (EST) em Apr 25, 2009

Turns out there are two: Beginnings and Ends. Beginnings is the one I tried, when I pulled up my list of Dicksons to find the title I noticed "ends" and wondered if it was a companion volume -- yup.

publicado por suslyn às 10:38 am (EST) em Apr 23, 2009

Hi! Thanks for the recommendations. I'm exicted about starting new authors. You're right, Our libraries will have more in common once I put everything in. Is there a faster way to input multiple books? I tend to find an author I like and read Everything they've written, so I really just want to search for an author and choose multiple books at once....
Anyway, thanks for the welcome and the recommendations!

publicado por raq929 às 7:04 pm (EST) em Apr 19, 2009

I certainly did read Last and First Men in my adolescence. It was an extremely tough read then, especially since I had previously only read fun but silly pulp-SF, but I found the perserverence quite worthwhile.

I'll discuss complaints about the prose on the Group Reads thread, but thanks for the comment.

publicado por rojse às 8:37 pm (EST) em Apr 16, 2009

Hey, Roni! Thanks for checking in on me. Things have just been extremely busy and chaotic for me. My coursework for college is intense, and then my grandmother passed away last Monday, while I was on break, so I didn't get much of a vacation either! I'm hoping to get back to the 75 Book Challenge Group soon, I miss you guys too!

Marcia

publicado por allthesedarnbooks às 4:31 pm (EST) em Apr 16, 2009

Let me know what you think of it once you have a chance to read it. I hope to get caught up on my LT tasks, but probably not until this weekend. I am loving War of the Worlds.

publicado por justchris às 10:28 pm (EST) em Apr 14, 2009

I like The Silent Stars Go By best of James White's books. It has less imaginative biology, but he overcomes his sexist attitudes in the Sector General series that really annoy me. It is a very interesting alternate history premise: what if the Industrial Revolution arrived a few hundred years early among the Celts who were still warring tribes, and the subsequent Age of Exploration was founded on principles of trade rather than conquest? Then fast forward to the first spaceship produced by a collaboration of all the nations of Earth but spearheaded by the Hibernian Empire (imagine not losing preeminence for all of those centures). I think it's worth adding to the shelves. I have most of the Sector General books and a couple of other stories, though I stopped keeping up with the series when the quality of stories took a sharp downward turn: And now, a chef who will save the new and fascinating aliens!

p.s. I am working my way toward my first BookMooch foray. I just need to find time to deal with book and reading stuff (beyond the actual reading part). I have fallen behind on my reviews and so on. Been distracted by deadlines and my obsessive project focus.

publicado por justchris às 12:14 am (EST) em Apr 13, 2009

opps, went back and looked at the lovely photos to see that the big cat was a leopard.

publicado por Whisper1 às 10:33 am (EST) em Apr 12, 2009

Roni

Thanks for the suggestion. Word Document has been created and filed in a "LT Computer Tricks" folder in my huge "Reading Journal" file. That file also contains "Book Lists" of series I'm reading and other sundry items related to reading, books, etc. as well as my Yearly Reading Journals. It has become a substitute for the brain I lost a few years ago. :-D

Carolyn

publicado por MusicMom41 às 1:07 am (EST) em Apr 3, 2009

Thanks, Roni.

That one worked--the second time. You left out the "closing" quotation marks and I didn't notice until I went to double check to see why it didn't work the first time. :-)

Now, I just have to figure out where to file this information for when I need it again! I think maybe I will practice by making links to all my threads. Then maybe I will be able to remember how to do it next time.

Carolyn

publicado por MusicMom41 às 12:28 am (EST) em Apr 3, 2009

Roni

You are a doll! Thanks. I will edit my "cheat sheet" to show that information.

I wish Tim would have a place where he would give this information in easy to understand terms for those of us who aren't techies! And then tell us when he changes the rules!

Carolyn

publicado por MusicMom41 às 10:41 pm (EST) em Apr 2, 2009

Thanks! I for calling it to my attention!

publicado por ERice às 6:59 am (EST) em Apr 1, 2009

Hi Roni--Let me know what you think of [Letters to Alice]. I hope you like it.

P.S. I had to enlarge your photo of your book shelf to snoop on the books you have there.

P.P.S. I see you have craft books to enter. What crafts do you do? I am a fiber artist/quilter and knitter. I haven't entered very many of these books either.

Deborah

publicado por arubabookwoman às 1:20 pm (EST) em Mar 31, 2009

tomorrow, mid afternoon i think. though i'd better make sure!~

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 4:56 pm (EST) em Mar 18, 2009

i loved Territory, very different....but>>>

"Opening remarks: Roy Williams at today's presser......

"Basically, the opening statement would be that there is a huge, huge probability that Ty will not play tomorrow. We're still trying to wait and see. He was not able to do the things that I wanted him to do in practice. So some things would have to change drastically before I would change my mind on that. So that's what y'all wanted to know, we can probably leave now."

i gotta fill out my draw tonight. I always only do one and i always even have UNC winning...even when they've not been in the draw.
But while i think UNC can get thru round 1 w/out lawson....the 2nd game...i dunno. EEEEEEEEEEEEEK

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 4:52 pm (EST) em Mar 18, 2009

It's always nice to run into another Andre Norton fan.

publicado por esther_a às 12:54 am (EST) em Mar 18, 2009

how does paperbackswap work? My problem is most of our excess...that aren't totally out of date text books, have already gone to library book sales. Maybe i could trade The Baroque Cycle books for something - though my copies are hardback.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 8:16 am (EST) em Mar 1, 2009

i'm so glad you got a copy of "this same sky" though i can't imagine anyone discarding it~
Patty was entering our "little" books yesterday and a surprising # were cat books.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 9:24 am (EST) em Feb 28, 2009

cool! we do have a lot of same books. I noticed you misnumbered your books read this year, you put 20 again after 29.

I love adding interesting libraries to watch. Thanks for finding mine interesting :)

publicado por sevedra às 4:03 pm (EST) em Feb 25, 2009

Thanks for visiting and for commenting on my comments lol. I see we both like L.M. Alcott and L.M. Montgomery. I re-read them every once in awhile too, lovely comfort reads aren't they?

Nice to meet you ronincats :-)

publicado por katylit às 2:30 pm (EST) em Feb 25, 2009

eCampus failed to deliver on the Mavin Many-Shaped Books, so their listing is a little misleading. They could not find a supplier so they notified me today that they have canceled my order. I'm afraid that's about what I expected, but it needed to be tested in case my pessimism turned out to be unwarranted.

publicado por justchris às 3:09 pm (EST) em Feb 10, 2009

oh!~ we went to see the stop motion animation of "Coraline" this last weekend and both of us and the other couple we went with enjoyed it very much. Unlike some other 3d stuff, the tech used here isn't nearly as stressful on one's eyes. And, weirdly, it works w/ just one eye open. I also very much like the recent graphic novel adaptation of Coraline - checked it out from the library, but it's so good and the cat is so well drawn (she looks just like our late, lamented Mori) that we may splurge and get a copy. Surely it'll be in paperback pretty soon. The story was altered somewhat, but not in any damaging fashion.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 2:41 pm (EST) em Feb 10, 2009

Did you enjoy "the uncommon reader"? I found it v. sweet and diverting. If you're feeling poorly, perhaps an ideal book?

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 1:15 am (EST) em Feb 10, 2009

Hi ronincats

I'm simply stopping by to say I hope you are feeling better today.

Linda

publicado por Whisper1 às 10:20 pm (EST) em Feb 9, 2009

I am not familiar with ecampus. It certainly looks like a good deal for the Mavin Man-Shaped books, but I wonder. They're listed as currently unavailable and expected shortly. Are these reissues, then? But then I would not expect the price tag $80. I tried ordering and we'll see if it gets me anywhere. It indicated some sort of system error in processing the transaction because I wouldn't let it fill my computer with third-party cookies.

I have not read the Jerome Jerome book. Perhaps someday I will do so and then revisit the Willis book.

I had not heard about Gaiman's Newberry, I will pass that along. I liked Neverwhere much better than American Gods, myself.

I'll keep checking the swap sites, I just don't expect much, but I suppose it's no worse than hitting bookstores repeatedly. Patience, patience.

publicado por justchris às 7:02 pm (EST) em Jan 27, 2009

Thank you for the invite. Sorry for the delay in responding. To Say Nothing of the Dog was pretty hysterical. I have checked out BookMooch after hearing friends talk about it, but it isn't going to help me with the Mavin Many-Shaped books, I'm afraid. Far too often the specific books I am seeking are too obscure to find through conventional routes. Being involved in the SCA, I find Tarr's Isle of Glass trilogy provides a convincing feel of the everyday medieval life othat I appreciate. Thank you very much for the link to P.C. Hodgell's blog. So exciting, I had no idea.

Of the authors you suggest, I've never heard of Amy Thomson or Patricia Wrightson. Susan Dexter's name is familiar, I think I've read the backs of her books, but not actually delved inside. I tried Jhereg when it first came out and did not find it appealing enough to pursue further, though I can't remember the specifics now. My querido keeps mentioning him and probably thinks I should revisit it. I've read Neverwhere and American Gods and know about Anansi Boys, but haven't read that particular work yet. My querido is big on Neil Gaiman and owns most of his books, so I may just raid his shelves as needed. I have not read Pratchett though I know who he is and clearly he is much beloved by his fans, most of whom appear to be quite dedicated.

You have forced me to start another list for library requests. And I haven't finished the library list for mystery authors. So many lists, too few reading hours...

publicado por justchris às 10:52 pm (EST) em Jan 26, 2009

Consensus is in -- we want the list (fav sf/fantasy in all types of volume sets, and I'd add stand alones)

So if you do this you'd have a mess of happy campers :)

LOL -- what a chore, not unpleasant... but long?

publicado por suslyn às 1:33 pm (EST) em Jan 25, 2009

Wow, I begin to really see the hazard of LT. Whole legions of books I never knew existed. I carry a shopping list with me of authors in general and specific works that I am seeking. I never realized Marta Randall had other books out there, since I've never seen them on bookstore shelves. Likewise, Phyllis Gottlieb (I have A Judgement of Dragons and Emperors, Swords, and Pentacles). I agree that Demon Breed is the favorite by Schmitz. I tend to favor books that explore biology/ecology/easily overlooked lifeforms like fungi. And since I so rarely visit new bookstores, particularly the chains, I was unaware that Georgette Heyer is being reissued. Sigh.

I'm supposed to be following some sort of budget and already worrying about the money spent last month patching holes in my SF holdings that I've decided to fill now that I have some additional shelf space in the new apartment. And I'm barely holding on to my own place so the budget is important. In the past few years, I've generally spent the currency on expanding my nonfiction holdings, since they tend to be atypical for public library collections, which I rely on for my fiction urges, except for authors that I am already heavily invested in (Hambly, Cherryh, Wrede, McKinley, McKillip, Tarr, Tad Williams, etc.). I did not mention the latter originally, because their books are fairy easy to find and usually well known.

I am breathlessly awaiting the next Jame and Tori novel. These are some of the most imaginative novels in terms of exploring concepts, developing characters, incorporating humor, and just plain fun details (arboreal drift!). If only more fantasy existed like this. Maybe I wouldn't have given up in disgust for 20 years or so. That's probably why I'm completely unfamiliar with the authors you mentioned. I am only now beginning to dip my toes back into the genre, but so far (with the exception of my Hugo reading list) I'm exploring the dark contemporary fantasies. Of all the authors you mentioned, the only one I am familiar with is Connie Willis. I've liked everything of hers I've read and I'm seeking to buy Bellwether.

I liked the Ellen Kushner books a great deal for a variety of reasons. Doris Piserchia had at least one other book besides The Spaceling, but since it was essentially a poorer variant of the same story, I didn't bother to keep it or seek out more of her work. In fact, I dumped Spaceling, but reacquired it last year in a fit of nostalgia. In all my years I haven't seen anything approaching her concept, really. I also really like Carol Severance's books--she's very steeped in Polynesian lore, so her science fiction and fantasy both explore these cultures and very good writing in my opinion.

That's it for now. I'm supposed to do my accounts, pay bills, write a report, go for a walk and then the laundromat today.

publicado por justchris às 1:17 pm (EST) em Jan 25, 2009

Obacurities--let's see, P.C. Hodgell to begin with. Her novels are devilish hard to find. I tend to snap them up where I find them so that I can introduce her to more people. When Meisha Merlin issued Dark of the Gods I bought a bunch of copies and gave them away for Christmas that year. The Telzey Amberdon books and other Schmitz works, the fire dancer books, Barry Hughart, the Mageworlds books, The Exile Waiting by Vonda McIntyre (do you have Dreamsnake? I like that one much better, but then I've had it much longer), the Gandalara cycles (though I need to reacquaint myself with these), the Sector General series, Khi to Freedom and other Ardath Mayhar stuff, not to mention the classic Andre Norton. Ok, that last isn't too hard to find, but in years of browsing nearly every used bookstore I came across in a couple of decades and across a dozen states, most of those authors are scarce on the shelves. I envy you all of the Georgette Heyers as well, and the Clair Darcy romances. To my regret I got rid of the few I did own (all except An Infamous Army) many years ago when I thinned my shelves and before I realized that they no longer write regencies like that and you just can't find the old stuff for sale anymore. Sigh. You already have the Jade Darcy books (I have not manage to smuggle those out of my mom's house) and some of the Dorothy Gilman.

I know, how about The Dragon Also Rises by Adrienne Martine-Barnes, The Silent Stars Go By (James White), The Sword of Winter by Marta Randall, Swordspoint and The Privilege of the Sword (both by Ellen Kushner), The Spaceling (Doris Piserchia), the Triad trilogy (Laurie C. Marks), and the two science fiction novels by Phyllis Gottlieb? I like all of those and it doesn't look they are in your library.

publicado por justchris às 11:18 pm (EST) em Jan 24, 2009

Yes, I noticed it was listed on the books we shared. Neat! Gonna read it?

publicado por jjmcgaffey às 6:35 pm (EST) em Jan 24, 2009

Is it okay for me to post that as your comment or would you like to? Feel free to barge in any time!! :)

publicado por suslyn às 6:19 pm (EST) em Jan 24, 2009

I found Girl of the Limberlost in a B&B one weekend and read it - loved it but had to leave it behind. That one has Freckles in it - I now can't remember the details, but remembered Freckles and when I spotted it at a library book sale I grabbed it. Hmmm, and that made me go look and Gutenberg has Girl! Yay!

Most of my books are in - there's a few in various storages and some book-like things I've decided not to list (SF con booklets, music pamphlets, stuff like that). But I just can't stop getting new ones...

publicado por jjmcgaffey às 4:04 pm (EST) em Jan 24, 2009

Hey Roni (had a typo problem and it come out Rino the first time LOL)

LisaMorr asked me to define regencies on my thread. I'm sure I did an abysmal job (austenesque romances, is what I said). Can't remember where I saw a good definition...

publicado por suslyn às 3:07 pm (EST) em Jan 24, 2009

Greetings, I just now read your comment about the placement of the Mavin Many-Shaped books relative to Peter's story. I just assumed the stories involving his mother occurred chronologically before his own trilogy. I see we share a lot of tastes in fiction. I can't recommend much to your attention, since you have most of the obscure books I love and no one has heard of.

publicado por justchris às 11:45 pm (EST) em Jan 23, 2009

i think you'd really enjoy the Alchemy of Stone,whether or not it becomes a group read. http://www.librarything.com/work/4729265... - i think the last three reviews (mine, bibliojim's and bluesalamander's) give an accurate feel for the book. I rarely bother reviewing but this book stayed with me. Despite promises to myself not to buy many books, i've ordered her previous book, "A secret history of Moscow" - i didn't suggest that one because it seems more fantasy than SF, while Alchemy of Stone is truly both.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 11:31 am (EST) em Jan 20, 2009

Just looked at your pic -- I enjoy the occassional stasheef too :)

publicado por suslyn às 8:14 pm (EST) em Jan 11, 2009

unless the Heels are on free TV, I am SOL. I do listen to most of their games on radio.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 7:52 pm (EST) em Jan 10, 2009

Thanks! I saw your intro also. I'm Sherlyn, BTW. I work for an integrated-care community health agency, but I'm in the schools most of the time. I look forward to following your book choices.

publicado por profilerSR às 6:09 am (EST) em Jan 7, 2009

So curious to know--how did my Granny's bourbon balls go over? My daugher has adapted the recipe to pistachios (she's allergic to nuts) and mini-semisweets. She says the result is much softer.

Laurie

publicado por Prop2gether às 4:50 pm (EST) em Dec 17, 2008

Thx -- He went to work anyway. Slightly better but not well -- I do hope (and pray) that he doesn't infect everybody else now. Just in time for the holidays...

Maybe some more sleep will help relieve the pessimistic bent -- thx again

publicado por suslyn às 1:16 am (EST) em Dec 15, 2008

I know what you mean about re-reading. Sometimes I have such strong expectations from an author that if they do something a little different and unexpected in a new book, I'm too disconcerted to appreciate it. Going back to it later, without the preconceptions, I'll find I quite like the book. I hope that happens with 'Freedom & necessity'!

publicado por puddleshark às 9:43 am (EST) em Dec 12, 2008

I thought I saw book 150 on your list already -- guess i gave my congrats too soon! Oooh -- Christmas cookies Yum!

publicado por suslyn às 8:54 am (EST) em Dec 11, 2008

Well, in case those bourbon balls don't work, here's the recipe we've used in our family for years:

take a 12 oz box of vanilla wafers and grind them to a fine flour in a blender.
melt a 6 oz package of semi sweet chocolate bits (or squares).
Stir 3 Tbsp of corn syrup and
1/3 c of bourbon into the melted chocolate
Add 1 cup of sugar to the chocolate mixture
Add the cookie crumbs and stir it all until mixed.

Roll into 1" balls then roll in granulated sugar. Put them all in a coffee can ---pour more granulated sugar into the can (or seal in plastic bags) for about 2-3 weeks. YUM.

publicado por tututhefirst às 11:29 pm (EST) em Dec 10, 2008

I enjoyed 'Finder' and 'War for the Oaks' enough to keep and re-read, but I absolutely adored 'Freedom and necessity'. It had so many of my favourite ingredients - Victorian setting, complex plot, eccentric families. Just when you thought you were in danger of understanding what was going on, EB & SB would chuck another sinister relative into the mix... And I like the 'exchange of letters' format as well. ('Sorcery & Cecilia' is another of my favourites).

I may be in the minority though, as some of the reviews I've seen are lukewarm.

publicado por puddleshark às 2:59 am (EST) em Dec 10, 2008

So this is my great-grandmother's (Florence Blanchard Connard, originally from Illinois) recipe for bourbon balls:

GRANNY'S BOURBON BALLS

This is my great-grandmother's (Florence Blanchard Connard) recipe for bourbon balls:

Roll out 3 c. vanilla cookie crumbs (i.e., vanilla wafers), add 1-1/2 tbsp. chocolate (i.e., cocoa), 1 c. ground pecans, 1 c. powdered sugar, 3 tbsp. honey, 1/2 c. bourbon.

Roll in balls in powdered sugar. Stand in refrigerator. Roll again in sugar.

Helpful hints here--crush the wafers using a rolling pin with the cookies between layers of waxed paper; use waxed paper on a cookie sheet to "set" the balls so you put them in the fridge, usually overnight. Finally, put them in an airtight container to age. Or not, if eaten right away.

My daughter is allergic to nuts and substituted mini-chocolate morsels, but said they were really like eating cookie dough.

publicado por Prop2gether às 6:09 pm (EST) em Dec 9, 2008

Yes, I do have the other PC Hodgell books, although I haven't listed them. (Catalogue ALL my books? Not sure there is enough time in the universe...) Godstalk is definitely my favourite.

I see we share 'Freedom and Necessity', which I've just finished. What did you think of it?

publicado por puddleshark às 2:30 am (EST) em Dec 6, 2008

Just wanted to thank you for the Graveyard Book link you posted on spiraledstar's 75 thread! Only just found it nearly a month later - fantastic. Isn't the internet a marvellous thing?

publicado por FlossieT às 5:59 pm (EST) em Nov 27, 2008

I still love Godstalk, even though I have been reading it and re-reading it since it was first published. I find something new every time. And it's such a crazy world, with its eccentric gods and its arboreal migration - yet it has perfect internal logic!

publicado por puddleshark às 7:08 am (EST) em Nov 27, 2008

Have a super Thanksgiving my dear :)

publicado por suslyn às 9:10 am (EST) em Nov 26, 2008

sadly, no. i'm having a hard time getting through The Day of the Triffids, which isn't in all that terrible shape, but 30 pages at a time is about all i can manage...almost done though.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 7:17 am (EST) em Nov 21, 2008

I hope you woke refreshed and ready to finish off the week so you could have a weekend! May it be a super one :)

publicado por suslyn às 4:31 am (EST) em Nov 21, 2008

'Spirits that walk in shadow' didn't actually read like the third book in a series. Although all the characters were fully rounded and you felt like they had a real history, I never felt like I was struggling with missing pieces. I'm always rather impressed when an author manages to make each book in a series a good stand-alone read...

But I admit I am now curious to find out what happens in between 'The thread that bonds the bones' and 'Spirits that walk in shadow'. Another book to add to my (vast)wishlist...

publicado por puddleshark às 9:04 am (EST) em Nov 20, 2008

Just finished 'The thread that binds the bones'and really enjoyed it. I do love it when you discover a new author and they have a back catalogue - no waiting around for the next book to be published!

publicado por puddleshark às 3:20 am (EST) em Nov 13, 2008

Thanks for the enquiry - I have recently finished a complete reread of the Vorkosigan series, and have also read The Curse of Chalion and Beguilement. I liked them both, and am ordering the rest in both series, but they didn't blow me away like the vorkosiverse.

You seem to have brought together a good number of us with very similar tastes - maybe we should form a group for ease of chatting: I find the way LT does personal messages without threading and so on very awkward. What think you?

publicado por sarahemmm às 2:10 am (EST) em Nov 13, 2008

Thanks oodles & tons!!

PS Have you built anything with all those build-it books? I assume you have an old house -- we do too. Pics on my multiply site and our renovations on a new apt pics are there too.

publicado por suslyn às 12:00 am (EST) em Nov 10, 2008

Hey
You might want to consider this one for your juvenile collection: http://www.librarything.com/work/67875/b...

Didn't see The Excalibur Alternative on your Weber list. Have you read it? It's one of my favorite by him.

til later,
S

publicado por suslyn às 9:40 pm (EST) em Nov 9, 2008

LOL that explains it!

publicado por suslyn às 4:39 pm (EST) em Nov 9, 2008

UNbreathed indeed! sorry.

You inspired me to include my books I've read -- but I can't resist a tiny commmentary ;->

publicado por suslyn às 3:59 pm (EST) em Nov 9, 2008

Have you read Breathed Memories by Talley? It's just wonderful. Not my usual style but a rewarding read, at least for me. Is that Connie Willis in the previous comment? Good stuff.

publicado por suslyn às 12:01 pm (EST) em Nov 6, 2008

I am planning to read both the Willis books next year and am considering Cordelia's Honor--if I can get past the cover! :-)

I wasn't inconvenienced by getting the message, I just wanted you to be able to get it to the person to whom it was directed--she will probably be glad to get the link to the other site.

publicado por MusicMom41 às 11:17 am (EST) em Nov 4, 2008

I like your kitty :) I love Cordelia's Honor, and the later Miles stories (komarr and following). I own the others but in general didn't enjoy them half as much. I know what you mean about Ista. Paladin's my fav. Did you read Spirit Ring? I like it too, very much.

The breed was hubby's idea. The other two were about to be given to the French version of the ASPCA. They're brothers. The breed's sellers told me three cats was a good idea since when one wants to play there is usually another willing to oblige. That's about right.

Buckaroux's dad (the maine coon) is 25 lbs. The sellers told me ours might get to 22 but he's still just skin and bones -- and a whole mess of fur!

I wanted a dog... and got three cats. LOL

publicado por suslyn às 11:56 am (EST) em Nov 3, 2008

I love the Curse of Chalion :) Have you read the 3rd book in that world? I don't have it.

Just dropped by to wish you a good Monday and great week :)

publicado por suslyn às 9:59 am (EST) em Nov 3, 2008

PS If you're interested, you can see our cats under "photos" on my multiply site -- the link's on my profile. As I was writing this our maine coon ran into the room with his 'mouse' in his mouth and gave me a muffled meow. LOL

publicado por suslyn às 7:12 pm (EST) em Nov 1, 2008

The Book of 3 is one of my favs too. I think fantasy is a great thing to use with kids -- gives hope, teaches that each of us has something to contribute, ...

Sounds like your gilded books are pretty cool too. I really love the size I found. I just wish I had a few more, but most guests wouldn't read the three so there's no real need :)

Followed your lead and began inputting my "just read" books on my profile. Reading K. Rusch right now. It's the third book I tried getting into today (J Robertson & P McKilip were the others which will have to wait for another mood). Looks like this one might take :)

Hope you're having a great weekend. We hope to do some Sunday driving tomorrow to see if we can catch some fall color. The fruit trees in our yard are brilliant so I'm hope -- if the weather cooperates.

Take care.

publicado por suslyn às 7:00 pm (EST) em Nov 1, 2008

7/2 No One Noticed the Cat* by Anne McCaffrey
7/2 If Wishes were Horses* by Anne McCaffrey

Are yours those cute 5"x5" hardcovers? That's what I got -- I have a third book that size/series too but I think it's not McCaffrey. They're in storage in France. Thought they'd be great books to put on the nighttable in the guestroom :)

publicado por suslyn às 11:37 am (EST) em Oct 30, 2008

What does 'Otis' stand for? Thanks :)

publicado por suslyn às 7:25 pm (EST) em Oct 29, 2008

Hi ronincats,

glad you liked 'Nation' as much as me! I can see by your library that we have heaps of YA/adult material in common, as I too love Terry Pratchett, Diana Wynne Jones, Lois Mcmaster Bujold, Diane Duane, Emma Bull, Robin Mckinley, Garth Nix, Georgette Heyer, and Patricia C. Wrede. I don't have a LT account for my adult stuff, as I have another account for the childrens/YA bookclub I belong to, as well as an account for all the preschool and children's books I'm reading to our son, and I really think maintaining 3 accounts is enough...

publicado por fabfic-terrificteens às 3:05 am (EST) em Oct 27, 2008

i am not sure how this "members w/ books" is calculated...what, we share ~ 10% of cataloged books? that seems like more than others whose libraries are matched w/ ours.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 1:41 pm (EST) em Oct 26, 2008

Hiya

The version of 'The Enchanted Forest' I have is the story of a young girl who finds an invisibility cloak and goes to discover where her father works, only to find out that there is a wicked magician who is keeping her father under his control and has her mother locked away.

She becomes friends with another girl who is also a prisoner and the rest of the book is about her in the forest trying to free her father, her friend and the other prisoners. There isn't a brother to the main character though so I don't know that this could be the same book.

publicado por lunacat às 7:48 am (EST) em Oct 9, 2008

Hi! I found your library by doing the "favorite author match" thingy.

When I hopped over to check up on it, I discovered that our tastes do indeed seem to be awfully similar. So, since you seem to getting a whole lot more reading done than I have been managing to do of late, I figured that checking out what you had that I hadn't read yet, would probably be a good way to find new reading material.

I hope you don't mind. :)

publicado por lshelby às 10:17 am (EST) em Oct 3, 2008

It's probably a caching thing. When I'm on your profile the books we share says 653, but if I'm in your library it says we share 665. I do have different versions of several books cataloged (paper and hardcover or US and UK). B andit droopped by to say Hi (and hinder my typing)--ear massaging in process..

Ooooo. The Family D'Alembert series. Have you read it? I recently discovered book 1 in a box. Maybe next month will be get the rest of the series month.

publicado por trollsdotter às 10:37 pm (EST) em Sep 20, 2008

It looks like it was the Heyers plus a few Gene Wolfe and Myers Myers (none of which I've read yet). I just picked up Mountains of Channadran from my "local" used bookstore, so Dexter gets moved up the list to the next in the TBRR pile.

publicado por trollsdotter às 8:28 pm (EST) em Sep 20, 2008

I agree, there is no one like Georgette Heyer. Somehow between packed books and my old catalog not all of my books were imported to LT. I've just found duplicate Heyers and then couldn't find books that I thought I had. So I ordered These Old Shades and Devil's Cub immediately. ... In the next box I found Devil's Cub. So much for having packed the books in any order.

publicado por trollsdotter às 9:35 pm (EST) em Sep 15, 2008

Cryptonomicon reminded me of the old quote about how airline pilots feel about their job: "Hours of mindless boredom, punctuated by moments of sheer terror" The contrast in Cryptonomicon was not quite so stark, but it took a bit of stick-to-it-tive-ness to get through. About the last 100 pages were almost of the unput-down-able variety and I'm glad I did finish it. The ending is quite stunning and worth getting to - he takes you right up to the very last sentence... don't peek! Maybe if I had read more of it at a time it would have gripped me more effectively.

I'm unsure enough about it to be wary of recommending it without reservation, but if you like speculative historical fiction I'd say give it a shot.

publicado por hashiru às 5:14 pm (EST) em Sep 10, 2008

i was a bit saddened...i started reading one of my own books...a 1974 hardback copy of Priest's Inverted World..and it was quite good...but it, too, triggered an asthma attack i'm afraid. sigh

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 9:43 am (EST) em Sep 10, 2008

Thanks for reminding me about Mountains. I had noticed that a couple of weeks ago when I was combining in the "D's." I must have read it from the library. Abebooks has a dozen copies to choose from. I remember loving Wizard's Shadow to; so I really have to fit them into a reread schedule.

publicado por trollsdotter às 7:19 pm (EST) em Sep 1, 2008

Hi,
I know I've seen you about the site. We do seem to share a lot of interests. How do you find time for them all? At least the cats mostly take care of themselves. :) Now I have this urge to reread my Susan Dexter books; it's too bad she is mostly out of print or I'd have her stocked in the store. As for the manga, most of it appeals to my inner teenager, and I've developed a taste for the Japanese "magic realism" I suppose one could call it—where the supernatural/magical and our everyday world intersect.

publicado por trollsdotter às 12:44 pm (EST) em Aug 30, 2008

don't fret..i'll put it in w/ one of my far too frequent orders from amazon.....

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 9:16 pm (EST) em Aug 29, 2008

Wow, we do share a lot of authors. I'm going to enjoy browsing your library looking for good things I missed.!

publicado por Helcura às 7:56 pm (EST) em Aug 28, 2008

they're being helpers...but i'm doing my usual gig and reading about 5 books @ more or less at once....

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 11:38 pm (EST) em Aug 27, 2008

Interesting coincidence(s): my iMac problems - still ongoing: the new hard drive is in, but the salvage drive, a LaCie firewire 400 about 6 yrs. old, now won't appear on the desktop. I have to decide if I want the contents bad enough to pay for data rescue. I think the controller is bad and the data may still be there, but I have no idea if that can be remediated easily.

The other coincidence is Bob McConnaughey posting here - he and I share common interests (Dead Runners Society and LibraryThing) and comment on each others' profiles.

publicado por hashiru às 6:05 pm (EST) em Aug 25, 2008

Started Demon Breed and am enjoying it! I was a little nervous, waiting for the otters to show up..but now that they are here, i'm in. I have to read it in small bits because i do have a pretty severe dust allergy, so it's a chunk at at time. But many thanks..i AM a little surprised that there's an older (quality) SF writer i was totally unaware of..There are so many post 80 writers that i'm sure there are many i haven't read (though i'd hope i'd recognize most of the names). I'd heard of the title "The Witches of Karres" but had no author associated w/ it in my aging brain.

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 3:06 pm (EST) em Aug 12, 2008

i'm a swimming (1) and track and field (2) geek so i'll be watching olympics for the next while! But i'll get there!

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 11:02 pm (EST) em Aug 9, 2008

hey..just looked through yr library...I would definitely try to get: "Night Sky Mine", "Dreaming Metal" and "Shapes of their Hearts" - i like "Shadow Man" a lot too.
"dreaming metal" and "night sky mine" are probably the two best of these..but i love them all

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 9:36 pm (EST) em Aug 9, 2008

You asked what I thought about Grimspace.

I liked it quite a bit, but I agree that it had some pacing issues. I also noticed that some of the characterization needed more buildup. For example, March's sudden insistence on trying to save the pregnant women would have seemed more natural if we'd had more glimpses into his past and seen more examples of his atonement philosophy. Jax herself is a bit unfinished as if the author doesn't really know who she is yet.

It strikes me that this is a pretty decent first novel - Aguirre's creating her universe and establishing her characters. There's a second book about Jax coming out soon, and I hope we'll see more sophistication in her writing as she matures.

It's not a great book, but I found it to be an enjoyable read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who like action SF with a female viewpoint. I probably wouldn't recommend it to a newbie, though. There are better authors out there for a first experience.

publicado por Helcura às 1:11 pm (EST) em Aug 8, 2008

Thanks for the response about my kind of fantasy. I do still enjoy some of the swords and sorcerers stuff but I will try the suggestion you made. I have been quite impressed by your knowledge of fantasy titles in the 75'ers club, not to mention your page and book count. You have sure burned through the novels this year. Thanks again.

publicado por blackdogbooks às 10:15 pm (EST) em Jul 28, 2008

is there a book swap page on LT that you know of? more esp. a sf/fantasy one? just looking through our shelves, and, for instance, i'm not a esp. fan of Bradbury, but do have a 1951 edition of the illustrated man (i'm sure it's the book club edition, and not worth much) in good reading condition, no cover, that i'd like to trade. A Bradbury completest would want this more than i. Or other book swapping sites that you've found useful?

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 7:26 am (EST) em Jul 24, 2008

James H. Schmitz - i don't think we have (or that i have read) any of his stuff. Now i'm curious.
bob

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 9:54 am (EST) em Jul 23, 2008

the two pictures i've put up are both from long ago...1st was w/ my brother and his housemate circa 1973 when they had come down to Virgina Beach from Charlottesville to hear the band i was in play. The 2nd, the one that's up now, must be about 19-20 yrs old..My son, Adam, and i reading together on the same sofa in the same house that Patty and i still live in. I guess that one was ~ 1988....
bob

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 9:52 pm (EST) em Jul 22, 2008

cool!
i'll have to send you a photo of our cat taking over my computer. She really hates being ignored and she also likes the drum throne that i use as a chair...So she's wander on the computer top, the desk, behind the monitor, on the keyboard if i let her, and we can usually come to an accomodation w/ her on my lap and the keyboard on the table instead of my lap...
sigh..
she's 18 and very bossy and losing what few brain cells she ever had.
bob

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 7:11 pm (EST) em Jul 22, 2008

BTW, what did you think of Jhegaala? I haven't read it, yet...it's in the pile for vacation...but I'm not thrilled that he's taking the story into the past. He's dragged the whole Cawti thing on for so long, I just want him to get it resolved and get back to the fun of Jhereg and Yendi.

publicado por TadAD às 7:10 pm (EST) em Jul 22, 2008

Re: To Say Nothing of the Dog...I have read it. It's one of my favorite books.

If I count the genre books, I'm at about 25 of the 75 already after only 3 months and I haven't gone on vacation (where I consume a lot of books), yet! Aren't I supposed to be challenging myself? :-)

publicado por TadAD às 7:08 pm (EST) em Jul 22, 2008

Hi ronincats, and thanks for the welcome. I think "Bellwether" is funnier than "To Say Nothing of the Dog", although I love both, but for that thread they wanted fantasy and Bellwether really isn't. Somehow I only just discovered Heyer, but I've been reading the rest for years... You have a huge collection of books on here!

publicado por merrystar às 10:22 am (EST) em Jul 21, 2008

Love the variety of your library and your gorgeous cat. My cats would sit next to my computer if I let them, much like yours.

publicado por SpiraledStar às 12:44 am (EST) em Jul 12, 2008

I will definitely add them to my (expansive) wishlist - thanks!

publicado por sarahemmm às 4:57 pm (EST) em Jul 11, 2008

I have Jasper Fforde on my wishlist (again thanks to LT), but I haven't heard of the others. My problem is that my wishlist has grown to enormous proportions since I joined. Right now there are about 15 books beside my bed, waiting to be read, and I would be bankrupt if I bought all the wishlist ones!

publicado por sarahemmm às 3:05 pm (EST) em Jul 6, 2008

Finished Cetaganda last night when I got home from London at 10:30 and started Brothers in Arms at 6:30 this morning... so feeling a bit tired ;)

Ajax is based in Kent, which is south of London. But quite a similar landscape to East Anglia (Norfolk, Suffolk and the whole bulge north of London). I think that is one of my favourites - her later heroines are so much stronger and in control of their lives. I found Balogh's stories very interesting, as she also looks at a slightly lower layer in society, as does Clare Darcy of course. I agree, nobody can compete with Heyer, but Balogh is good; writing of course from a more modern perspective.

Um, San Diego. I have to admit to my secret vice - Navy SEALs by Suzanne Brockmann. Well, not that secret, since they are all there in my library.

I guess I'm a fan of any author who can create a coherent plot with believable characters and decent grammar. Getting all of those together nowadays is quite a rarity, isn't it? I am starting to go back to the authors of the 20s and 30s, such as Angela Thirkell and Stevie Smith.

I'm glad you find my library interesting - I'm sure we will be able to swap more prospective reads! I am, rather slowly, trying to add reviews and comments, as well as ratings and tags, which are so useful to all the LT userbase.

Sarah

publicado por sarahemmm às 7:49 am (EST) em Jul 5, 2008

I started to tell you how wonderful Bujold is, but then I saw that you have read her already. She hit me as hard as Anne McCaffrey did many years ago - she is definitely better at characterisation, though less interested in science. I'm not a fan of space opera per se, but she shows how it should be done. I would have enjoyed her books if she had stopped after Barrayar, but Miles is an extraordinary tour de force - larger than life, bus so clearly a real person. And he is the only character I have found who genuinely changes and grows as time goes by. I started with Shards of Honor, then ordered everything I could get. So, though I am trying to read in order, I am in the middle of Cetaganda, but have already read Memory. Can't wait to read them all, and then start again!!

Its interesting to meet someone else who likes both sf and regency. Have you tried Mary Balogh? She is another LT find for me, recommended as a successor to Heyer; I've just read all the Slightly series with great pleasure and will be looking to acquire the rest.

I see you've recently read The Door Into Summer, which has always charmed me and is on my once-a-year list. I guess it comes across as rather dated if you read it for the first time. And I see you like Simak too - have you read Way Station?

Looking forward to talking to you again..

Sarah

publicado por sarahemmm às 2:23 am (EST) em Jul 4, 2008

I don't think so - no, Eddarta refers to events in Search for Ka, and mine was in the proper order. I don't know if we have different editions (unlikely, I don't think it was reissued after the omnibuses) or if just some of the books (one printing?) had the reversal. Very odd! (I don't have the physical book anymore - I borrowed it from my sister to read - so I can't actually check. But I would have noticed, I'm somewhat obsessive about reading series in order.)

publicado por jjmcgaffey às 2:28 am (EST) em Jun 9, 2008

love your cat..Here's a brief history of time, with cats..In Pittsboro, NC
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=33...
I've been trying to get people to read Patricia McKillip's books for years now..ever since my sister gave me an early one a long time ago. (Lisa Goldstein too - for that same sense of quiet dislocation)
bob

publicado por bobmcconnaughey às 11:01 am (EST) em Jun 8, 2008