Whisper1(Linda) Thread #5 of 2014

Welcome to thread number five. Spring is here in all the lovely glory. After a difficult winter, how very wonderful to see flowers blooming

Here is a list of books recently read:

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #52

Hector Protector and As I went Over the Water by Maurice Sendak
Sendak never ceases to amaze!

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #53

The Most Wonderful Doll in the World by Phyllis McGinley with illustrations of Helen Stone
This 1951 Caldecott honor book was a joy to read. With illustrations similar to the Dick and Jane books, this took me right back to my childhood days of early reading.

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #33

Everywhere by Bruce Brooks
Written by an author who has a long string of awards for his YA writing, including a 1985 Newbery Honor, and numerous Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, and School Library Journal Best Books of 1990, this is a marvelous story of a boy and his wonderful relationship with his grandfather.

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #34

The Anatomy of Wings by Karen Foxlee
When a 14 year old family member dies, heartbroken, her family spins out of control as they continue to sort through all reasons why her behaviors were so destructive and their inability to stop her tremendously poor decision making process.

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #35

Autumn Journey by Priscilla Cummings
I find such enjoyment when I discover an author who writes as well as Cummings, thus calling me to continue to read all of her books.
This is a book of a wonderful descriptive story of a young boy and his grandfather. Dealing with difficult subjects such as unemployment, hunting, gun control and death, this book, small in pages and large in meaning and depth, is a must read!

Hi Linda!

helloooo Linda!

Lovely, lovely flowers, Linda!

Happy New Thread, Linda!

Hey, Spring brings smiles, hope and wishes of health improvement!

Happy New Thread, Linda!

Forgive me for not remembering, but have you read The Year of Billy Miller yet? I finished it recently and loved it, and of course immediately thought of you.

Happy New Thread Linda, and wishing you a beautiful month of May!

>1 Whisper1: Linda - what a wonderful way to welcome people and celebrate that Spring seems at last to be awakening.

Hello, My Friend! Hope all is going well for you!

Hi, Linda! What a lovely new thread! Happy Spring!

Hello! It is so good to see posts and be able to take a few minutes to say thank you!

Amber, I read The Year of Billy Miller. It didn't resonate with me. I think I missed something. Please tell me why you liked it. I'm running in place these days and I'm so sorry to be out of touch with LT. I have some illustrated books to send your way. I hope to get them out this week.

Smiles to all!

It was a lovely day. I worked and accomplished a lot. Then, daughter Breanna went to lunch with me, bringing along her nephew. My son in law is an identical twin. His brother's little boy, Mason, looks so much like both Mike and Mason's daddy.

This four year old guy is so neat. Sadly, his father is out of work. I thought he might need clothes, so Bre, Will and I took him shopping. When Will said we were going to get some clothes, he said "Hey, Mr. Will, look at me, I already have clothes on, I'm not naked!"

After the clothes, we bought a car that he choose. He found a bright orange hat that he loved, placed it on his head and smiled all the way to the front of the line. To see this cute little guy wearing his new hat, truck in hand, huge smile on his face, made my day.

He is spending the night with Bre, Mike and Kayla. When Bre called to say goodnight, Mason was asleep with his hat on his little head, truck tucked under one arm.

This evening we went to dinner with our 84 year old delightful neighbors. We are quite close to them and conversation and laughter always flows easily. We also watched the very exciting Kentucky Derby! What a splendid event.

Life is ever so much better with young and old to love!

I'm glad you had such a lovely day, Linda!

>13 Whisper1: I'm sorry that the Henkes book didn't works so well for you, Linda. I liked it because, as I spend time in Charlie's school and get to know the students there, plus knowing what little uncertainties and nervousnesses Charlie has, the book seemed to mirror those very realistically - a Henry Huggins for this generation. And I admit that I'm surprised that I liked it at all, as I'm not usually a fan of Henkes' picture books.

That sounds like a really happy day, Linda!

"Life is ever so much better with young and old to love" Well said, Linda! You and Will are the perfect example of by sharing with others you in turn receive so much back. It sounds like it was a beautiful day for all. Hope your Sunday is relaxing and all about you!

Happy New thread, Linda! Love the Spring topper! We need warmth and color! Hope you are having a good weekend.

Hi Linda, you have a lovely new spring thread here with some of your uplifting stories to match the colorful flowers in your thread topper. I am going to try to keep up with you. I have fallen so far behind on LT.

Happy Sunday, Linda!

I hope your Sunday is every bit as lovely as your Saturday was, Linda. I so glad that Spring is finally blossoming there. I'll be in anticipation of your appointment Friday all week long!

Hey, there! Spring is trying hard to take over here, but can't quite make it. Easter Sunday was lovely, but otherwise we've had mostly raw windy days, and one almost-too-warm day.

Linda, Nice to read about your terrific Saturday . . .

When Will said we were going to get some clothes, he said "Hey, Mr. Will, look at me, I already have clothes on, I'm not naked!"

This made me giggle!

And I love the bright colors in your thread topper.

Lovely flowers up top, Linda. And that four-year-old must be adorable.

It's lovely how kids can get into a sort of fantasy of toys, isn't it? I once gave my nephew a plastic hard-hat from Hoover Dam. My brother said he wore it home in the car, through dinner, and while asleep that night! Such commitment!

I hope today is a light one in terms of your chronic pain. May 9th isn't far away. Fingers crossed.

Hi Linda! The flowers are lovely. Just dropping by as I'm catching up before getting behind again. Hopefully I can settle down for a few weeks after I get back from this trip.

Spring does seem to be quite lovely over there..

Good luck tomorrow, my friend. I'll be praying for you.

I feel so out of touch with my LT friends. I've been working long hours before fiscal year end close. And, the semester never seemed to end. I lock the door at 5:00, and at 5:30-6:00, there is loud banging from students who are late in paper submissions.

Classes ended a few weeks ago. Some students who did not belong in the building, used it for study purposes. Somehow students got into the building a few nights (they rode the elevator to the top floor, hid out) and then let friends in after hours. One night the cleaning lady kicked them out. The next day the entire room had chalk ground into the carpet and there was writing outside on the lovely stone building.
I swear that I am a babysitter to a bunch of brats. I think that community or state college has students with more class and respect. It costs approximately $62,000 per year to attend Lehigh and some act like savages!
-------------------------------------------

I haven't read a lot lately and this saddens me. I deeply appreciate the visits here even though I haven't returned the visit.

We leave for Thomas Jefferson tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. We were going to get a hotel tonight, but none are close enough to the hospital, and parking was limited. So, we will leave very early for my 9:20 appointment in case there is traffic on the turnpike or schuylkill and hopefully will arrive early.

I have so much hope for this visit. Mainly, I want to ask about mobility after the surgery. If most of my neck and back is fused with rods, I want to be able to turn my head side/side...and of course, be able to drive. I understand that basically this is a major reconstruction of my neck and spine. Ah, I fear I obsess too much.

Thanks again to all. Words do not suffice to express my gratitude.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers all day tomorrow, Linda.

Yep, you'll be in my thoughts tomorrow, too, Linda!

I am also sending along my positive thoughts and good wishes to you, Linda, as you go into your appointment tomorrow. I so want that doctor to give you some good news!

LInda, I hope by the time you open and read this that you will have been to your appointment and come away with hopeful news for us. Please take it easy, get lots of rest and let Will continue to take good care of you. We are thinking of you and praying for good news.

Wishing you well . . .

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Linda, as you head off for your appointment. I hope that this surgery will bring you the relief you long for and need.

Hi Linda, I'm sending my best wishes to you. I hope you will get answers to all your questions and the surgery will have the effect you want to have.

I too hope that by the time you read this, you will know what can be done, and that there is a hopeful prognosis. And good grief, woman "obsess too much"???? Over reconstuction of your spine??? How could that not be the uppermost thing on your mind most of the time?

Linda, I am thinking of you and Will today as you learn more about the latest hope to end your pain. Don't worry about not keeping up here. I think you are in good company! At least I know I am continually behind.

Linda, I'm thinking of you today as well. Hope your appointment goes well. I don't think you obsess too much at all, only that you have reasonable concerns, which would probably be the case for most people who are considering undergoing such a big intervention. Please don't worry about keeping up, it's nice that we can keep up with you on your own thread. The rest is just the cherry on the sundae. {{{hugs}}}

Linda, I've been thinking of you all day, hoping and praying for your appointment to go well. Don't worry about LT. Hugs!

Hi Linda! Just want to drop by and send you a hug and positive energy. Wishing you all the best!

Sending much good energy your way, Linda!

Linda, hoping for all the best for you.

Dear Friends:

Thanks for your kind outreach.

I'm home from Thomas Jefferson hospital where I spent three hours with surgeons. After consultations, I had a melt down, and going down the elevator, cried for a prolonged time (very unlike me.) Once again, Will was ever so kind and gentle. After navigating through Philadelphia traffic, we found a quiet place to rest, and then he gently asked about the sessions.

I am scared!

Basically, in order to correct my neck deformity, the third fusion surgery will be removed. The surgeon will operate anterior and then posterior. I'll be on an operating table that rotates. A halo will be in place to gently position the head at the proper level, a large posterior incision will occur and MY NECK WILL BE BROKEN, (this is the part that scares the bejesus out of me).

I will then undergo a osteotomy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n69ylZKUL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLNVhNmemT8
to correct the neck kyphosis. After this, I'll be fused from C7-T-5. Thus, the original two fusions at C4-5 and C5-7 will remain in place while all other areas will then be fused using cadaver bones.

There is a 1% chance of paralysis (This is a percentage I can live with!) and if needed, I'll be wearing a halo post surgery for ten - twelve weeks. Wearing the halo depends on if my disks can tolerate all the screws and hardware. Dr. Vacarro used the analogy of placing screws into sheet rock without anchoring the stud. The halo might be needed to provide stability post surgery.

I'm asking prayers. I deeply appreciate all the support received over these last years. This upcoming surgery will be the fifth surgery in four years. I pray that my 61 year old body can withstand the trauma and difficult recovery.

Thanks to all for your emotional support.

Oh, my dear Linda! I don't blame you for the melt-down one bit--this is major, MAJOR surgery. What you don't say is what will be the positive outcome, if everything goes well. Will you then be pain-free? Fully mobile (other than the 1% chance of paralysis)? In other words, do the EXPECTED positive outcomes outweigh the seriousness of the surgery?

{{{{{{{{{{{Linda}}}}}}}}}}}}}...

Of course you are scared Linda. Don't be sorry about the melt-down, crying is part of the process (and I hope you know that). I will keep you in my thoughts, thankful for Will and the Thomas Jefferson staff and surgeons. Go get 'em! *hugs*

Based on that description, I completely understand why you are feeling scared about the procedure and while you are feeling scared, you have specialists who will be doing the procedure and it sounds like they have done a good job of keeping you fully informed of all that this will entail. From visiting your thread I know you are a resilient woman that has the strength to get through this with the support of your family and friends. Scared is a very normal reaction for you to be experiencing right now.

{{Linda}}

No wonder you are scared, Linda! Of course you are. Just keep faith in the surgeon. He was recommended to you because he is the best in this kind of surgeries. But the thought of such a complex one is scary so you are certainly allowed to have some melt-downs while waiting. Do you know when it takes place?

And you will certainly be in my thoughts!

>45 Whisper1: Oh my goodness, that's a tough one, Linda. I'm glad you're in the hands of an expert, but wow, that's a lot to take on.

61 is young these days. But being scared is very understandable. That's one of the most complicated scenarios I've ever heard of. Is there rehab afterward? I'm not even sure how one would rehab something like that.

Sending lots of positive thoughts. I know the pain has been really difficult for you, so the eventual reduction of that is what we'll all be hoping for.

Oh Linda, I feel for you so much right now. *big gentle hugs*

You definitely have our prayers!

Linda, this is a lot to take in and I can imagine how overwhelmed you must feel. You are so brave and have been living with pain for so long, I am praying this will finally be the answer you have been looking for.

Hi Linda,

I'm thinking of you too. I really hope this surgery works. You are being so brave!

I can only echo what everyone else has said. That sounds like a whopper of a surgery and I am not at all surprised that is scaring you a bit. But you have an excellent surgeon and doctors like that don't propose things that they don't think have a realistic shot at working. I'm so glad you have Will with you for support, and Lilly too!

Hugs to you, Linda! It's easy to understand why you're scared. I''d be, too. Sending up prayers for you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you as well, Linda.

>45 Whisper1: I am scared!
I can only imagine. On the plus side, three hours of consultations sounds thorough, if exhausting. Were you comfortable with the surgeons you talked with? Will they help you navigate insurance?

>45 Whisper1: Checking in, hoping for the best!

Sometimes mere words seem insufficient, Linda. I have been following your 'progress' towards further surgery both here and on FB and two things stand out for me:

1 The brave positivity you have clung to throughout, and
2 The wonderful support you have in your helpmeet and soulmate, Will.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day comfortable in the bosom of the affection for you here in the group.

I can't think of better words to add than those of everyone else who has already posted, Linda, so I'm just sending you a gentle (((hug))).

Wow. This is a major trial for you, Linda.
Try to remember the surgeon is experienced and confident. It appears you will be in good hands...
What is a once-in-a-lifetime frightening event for you is the specialty of your doctor who wants this to work for you.

Try not to think of the details too much. It's too scary. You are not responsible for the surgical outcome and your body (every cell) knows just what to do to heal - without being told.

You're already doing your part with courage and positive spirit. That's all you can do throughout the process.

I'm joining the community of those who care about you and will be praying for a miracle (which it seems you need about now!).

My prayers and thoughts are with you, Linda! Sounds like a major ordeal.

Linda, just adding in my hugs and prayers for you. May you have peace and courage to face the journey ahead and know that you have a whole community lifting you up! Happy Mother's weekend to you, my friend.

>63 -Cee-: well said Cee... Linda, listen to her.. srsly.

Have been thinking of you and praying for you. If you recognize the amount of stress and anxiety you've been carrying throughout all of this, then the waterworks seem a natural result. Is there a time frame for when the surgery would take place?

{{{Hugs}}}

Linda, I can only echo what others have said. You are in my prayers.

Ay, that does sound scary. And disappointing, that the last surgery has to be undone.

Breaking your neck does also sound scary, although I'm sure the physician was talking about breaking the old fusion and not your spinal chord! Still, it sounds very dramatic, doesn't it?

Of course, you must tell us the dates and times and all that stuff, so we can cross all crossables for you.

The good news is that something can be done.

Linda, I'm picturing you in a cushion of Thinger-prayers and Thinger-hugs, including mine.

>70 countrylife: Ditto what Cindy said!

Thanks to all. I'm calmer now than last Friday. I called my wonderful surgeon who performed the previous three fusions. Yes, indeed, they will break my neck, but this is done to set the stage for reconfiguration of all that needs to happen, this is, of course done in a very controlled situation in order to set the place of alignment where it needs to be, and my neck, currently downwardly positioned will be gradually raised and locked in place.

I've come to realize that
a) I did not understand how seriously damaged/deformed my neck is/was. I simply thought that each surgery would correct it.
b) When I spoke to the surgeon at Thomas Jefferson, I realized he only takes severe cases. This was the wake up call for me, thus the meltdown.

and now
c) I am VERY glad that all this mess of a neck can be corrected and that we live in an age when technology and skill meld together to work miracles.

To relieve stress, I've purchase a lot of books in the last few week, including many at a local book sale today. As usually, I'm wondering where to put them. Right now, they are in the garage. Thank God I don't consume alcohol in proportion to the amount of books I buy. I would be in BIG trouble.

Now that the semester is over, I hope to have more time for LT. I feel lost without checking threads and learning what is happening in the lives of so many people I care about.

Thanks again to all for hanging in there with me!

What a huge thing the surgery is that you'll be going through ~ no wonder you felt scared and had a meltdown ~ but it sounds like, once it's done, you will be in so much better shape and able to enjoy life without pain. Adding my prayers and hugs to everyone else's.

For $30.00 this evening, I purchased the following at a local library book sale:

1) The Fifth Woman by Henning Mankell. Recently I'm watching netflix episodes of Wallender and I'm hooked!
2) Sex With Kings by Eleanor Herman
3) The Absolutist by John Boyne. I'm currently reading Crippen and enjoy Boyne's writing style.
4) Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas
5) Personal Reflections of an Historian by Stephen Ambrose. I tremendously enjoy the many PBS programs which feature the historical research of Ambrose.
6) The Art of the Shakers by Michael Horsham. The images are simplistic and lovely
7) Discovering American Folk Art by Cynthia V.a. Schaffner...American Folk Art is one of my favorite art forms. I'm sure I'll enjoy this book.
8) The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
9) The Eleventh Hour, a children's illustrated book by Graeme Base
10) The Shape of Snakes by Minette Walters
11) Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz
12) The Dogs Who Came To Stay by George Pitcher
13) Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
14) Carry Yourself Back To Me by Deborah Reed
15) Vermeer's Hat: The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World by Timothy Brook
16) Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
17) If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan
18) The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter This is a National Book Award Finalist
19) Ape House by Sara Gruen
20) The Ice House by Minette Walters
21) The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
22) State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
23) Frozen Fire by Tim Bowler
24) Signs and Wonders by Philip Gulley
25) Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley
26) Dog House a Love Story by Carol Prisant
27) My Mother's Lovers by Christopher Hope
28) The Reserve by Russell Banks
29) Breakout by Paul Fleischman A National Book Award Finalist
30) Skylark by Patricia MacLachlin
31) More Perfect Than The Moon by Patricia MacLachlin
32) By The Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman
33) A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff
34) Riding the Bus With My Sister by Rachel Simon
35) We'll Meet Again by Hilary Green
36) The Story Behind the Song by Jack Canfield
37) Pack of Two The Intricate bond Between People and Dogs by Caroline Knapp

Hi Mary. Thanks for your visit and your kind words!

Nice haul, Linda! I've only read one, The Fifth Woman (and enjoyed it), but there are quite a few on the list I've heard of and/or been meaning to read.

Yes, and now I wonder where I'll put them all. I think a cabinet in the garage might be the solution. I haven't read a lot this year, which is very frustrating. But, I still continue to accumulate.

I hope all is well with you Mary. Have you read any other books by Henning Mankell? And, have you watched the Wallander series. We aren't keen on the PBS version and like the episodes with Swedish sub titles. The characters are so well developed!

Linda, so happy to hear about your progress. And your spree. Where would we be without our books?

Hi Stephanie
Many thanks for stopping by. I hope all is well with you.

Sending along my thoughts and prayers, Linda. You really do seem to be in excellent hands.

Quite a book haul - I loved Pack of Two.

Hi Joanne...
Like me, you are up late this evening. How are Coopers and Skye? You are such a lovely lady. I do hope to meet you one day.

Hi Linda, They are both good, thanks!

I would love to meet you, too. One day, I hope, we'll get the chance.

Have a good night! Sleep well.

>73 Whisper1: IF I were you I might be consuming that alcohol along with the books. Hopefully all of the medical issues will be resolved soon...( and anyone would be melting down)

>75 Whisper1: nice books! I too, enjoy American Folk Art...So now you have a few things to read during the summer :) I see Ann Patchett mentioned, but have never read any of her books... someday maybe :)
so many books, etc.

hugs

There's nothing like a bit of book retail therapy, and wow, look at that haul!

Thinking of you, Linda.

I recently read The Reserve, but didn't get around to writing a review of it. It reminded me, a tiny bit, of The Great Gatsby, and I thought I'd explore that idea when I did my review, but it never happened!

Hi Linda! What a marvelous book haul!! I hope you had a shopping assistant to carry them away for you.
Wishing you a beautiful day!

Nice haul, Linda! I haven't read a one of them though I do have a few TBR. Have fun reading ;-)

For $30 you wouldn't get nearly that much alcohol - lol

>88 -Cee-: good point Cee

Nice book haul, Linda! All of that for less than a dollar a book - wow. My MBH and I are fans of folk art, too, so I'll be interested to hear your reaction to the one you picked up on that.

I liked your point about the books/alcohol spending, too - I'd be another one in big trouble if my alcohol spending came anywhere near my book spending!

Glad you're feeling better about the operation. It is miraculous what they can do these days to fix us up.

Book therapy always works wonders for me too, Linda! Glad to hear your spirits are a bit lifted. Will continue to think of you in my prayers. :)

Time to take a look at all the books I've accumulated in 2014...Gesh, what an addiction:
ROUND ONE
1) 1,001 Reasons To Love America by Hubert Pedroli

2) 100 Great Paintings: Duccio to Picasso by Dillian Gordon

3) The Absolutist by John Boyne

4) Aesop's Fables by Brad Sneed

5) After the Snow by S.D. Crockett

6) Alice in the Know by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

7) All The Earth, Thrown to the Sky by Joe R. Lansdale

8) Animal Dads by Sneed B. Collard

9) Animal Magnetism: My Life With Creatures Great and Small by Rita Mae Brown

10) The Annotated Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

What a great book haul from the library sale! I normally hate shopping — the only exception is books, which I can browse through for hours.

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014, ROUND TWO
11) Ape House by Sara Gruen

12) Art of the Shakers by Michael Horsham

13) As Ever, Gordy by Mary Downing Hahn

14) Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin by Nancy Atherton

15) Aunt Dimity and The Village Witch by Nancy Atherton

16) Aunt Dimity Goes West by Nancy Atherton

17) Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton

18) Autumn Journey by Priscilla Cummings

19) The Aviary by Kathleen O'Dell

20) The Awakening by Kate Chopin

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND THREE

21) The Beautiful Mystery: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny

22) Beauty and The Beast by Max Ellenberg

23) Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield

24) Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster

25) Birds in Fall by Brad Kessler

26) Blameless by Gail Carriger

27) The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

28) The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull

29) The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba

30) The Branch and The Scaffold by Loren Estleman

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND FOUR

31) The Breakout by Paul Fleischman

32) By The Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman

33) Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry

34) Carry Yourself Back to Me by Deborah Reed

35) The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop

36) Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes

37) Chicken Soup for The Soul: Stories to Open the Heart by Jack Canfield

38) Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song by Jack Canfield

39) Christina Katerina and the Box by Patricia Lee Gauch

40) Christmas by Jan Pienkowski

41) A Christmas Blizzard by Garrison Keillor

42) The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

43) The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

44) Cinder by Marissa Meyer

45) Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

46) The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

47) Creation by Gennady Spirin

48) Crippen by John Boyne

49) Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman

50) The Day the Animals Came by Frances Ward Weller

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND FIVE

51) The Disappeared by Gloria Whelan

52) Discovering American Folk Art by Cynthia V.A. Schaffner

53) The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer

54) Biography: Harry Houdini by Vicki Cobb

55) Dog House by Carol Prisant

56) A Dog Named Boo by Lisa J. Edwards

57) The Dog Who Came To Stay by Hal Borland

58) The Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn

59) Dragon's Breath by E.D. Baker

60) The Duchess of Windsor by Diana Mitford

61) Earth From Space by Andrew K. Johnston

62) Edward's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

63) Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich

64) The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base

65) Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep by Liz Kessler

66) Everywhere by Bruce Brooks

67) Eyes to See by Bret Lott

68) Eyes To See Volume Two by Brett Lott

69) Fables by Arnold Lobel

70) The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND SIX
71) Falling in by Frances O'Roark Dowell

72) The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter

73) The Fifth Woman by Henning Mankell

74) The Flint Heart by Katherine Paterson

75) Following my Own Footsteps by Mary Downing Hahn

76) Forest by Janet Taylor Lisle

77) Frozen Fire by Tim Bowler

78) The Gangs of New York by Herbert Asbury

79) Ghost Flower by Michele Jaffe

80) The Ghost on the Stairs bu Chris Eboch

81) The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T. Nelson

82) The Glorious Flight by Alice Provensen

83) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

84) The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

85) Great Migrations by K.M. Kostyal

86) The Great Stone Face by Nathaniel Hawthorne

87) Hallelujah A Cat Comes Back by A.B. Curtiss

88) Hannah's Journal: The Story of An Immigrant Girl by Marissa Moss

89) The Healing by Jonathan Odell

90) Heartless by Gail Carriger

What a great shopper you are! All that for $30! Continuing warm thoughts for a successful outcome.

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND SEVEN

91) House of Dolls by Francesca Lia Block

92) House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff

93) If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan

94) In Search of Norman Rockwell's America by Kevin Rioli

95) An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff

96) The Invisible World by Suzanne Weyn

97) Jane Goodall: 50 Years at Gombe

98) Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny by Jan Karon

99) Johanna by Claire Cooperstein

100) King Solomon's Mines by Henry Rider Haggard


TO BE CONTINUED

Lots of great purchases this year!

Look at all those books! Dreamy! ♥︎

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND EIGHT

101) Kingdom Keepers II by Ridley Pearson

102) Kings and Queens Sticker Book by Katie Davies

103) Lady Catherine, The Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon

104) The Last Girls of Pompeii by Kathryn Lasky

105) The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli

106) The Life of Charles Dickens: The Illustrated Edition by John Forster

107) Lions of the West by Robert Morgan

108) Little Wolf's Song by Britta Teckentrup

109) The Longings of Wayward Girls by Karen Brown

110) The Lost Boy: Foster's Child Search for the Love of a Family by Dave Pelzer

111) Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

112) A Magnificent Obsession by Helen Rappaport

113) Mahalia Mouse Goes to College by John Lithgow

114) Majestie: The King Behind the King James Bible by David Teems

115) A Map of the Known World by Lisa Ann Sandell

116) Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

117) Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch

118) A Million Shades of Grey by Cynthia Kadohata

119) The Mind's Eye by Paul Fleischman

120) Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica

Wow! I assume there are more to come as you've only got to M?

*bam*. Got me with Majestie!

Linda - As you know I am an advocate of Book Retail Therapy as it is marvellously termed here and am always pleased to have the lists and stats produced for me in such magnificent detail. 37 books for $30 is a real humdinger.

Have a wonderful weekend my dear finding places for your new additions and don't worry unduly about upcoming procedures - you have the weight of the group pulling for you in their thoughts and prayers every day.

Wow! What a fabulous list of books, and how beautifully you have displayed them! I think you and Paul may be very close in acquisitions this year if you keep it up!

Hi Rhian..How love to have you visit.

Stephanie, as soon as I'm finished with it, I'll send it your way

Paul, What can I say..The world needs more of you!

>108 Whisper1: Oh Linda, that's so sweet! Thank you!

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND #10
121) Mirette on the Highwire by Emily Arnold McCully

122) Monkey The Five Ancestors by Jeff Stone

123) Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman by Eleanor Updale

124) The Most Wonderful Doll in the World by Phyllis McGinley

125) The Mouse With The Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck

126) Mouseton Abbey by Nick Page

127) Mr. Terrupt Falls Again by Rob Buyea

128) Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco

129) Mutation by K.A. Applegate

130) Mutiny on the Bounty by John Boyne

131) My Mother's Lovers by Christopher Hope

132) Next of Kin by John Boyne

133) Nice Try, Tooth Fairy by Mary W. Olson

134) The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

135) The Night Swimmers by Betsy Byars

136) Nightbirds on Nantucket by Joan Aiken

137) The Nightgown of the Sullen Moon by Nancy Willard

138) Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

139) Odd, Weird & Little by Patrick Jennings

140) Otis by Loren Long

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND 11

141) The Orange Houses by Paul Griffin

142) Pack of two by Caroline Knapp

143) The Painted Bridge by Wendy Wallace

144) Perloo The Bold by Avi

145) The Pigman by Kathryn Harrison

146) Poison by Kathryn Harrison

147) Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz

148) Puff, The Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow

149) Quality of Care by Elizabeth Letts

150) The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott

151) Rabbit's Spring by Anita Loughrey

152) The Reserve by Russell Banks

153) Reunion by Roger Essley

154) Riding the Bus With My Sister by Rachel Simon

155) Rip Van Wrinkle's Return by Eric Kimmel

156) Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods

157) Sarah's Ground by Ann Rinaldi

158) The Secret River by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

159) The Serpent Came To Gloucester by M.T. Anderson

160) Seven Fathers by Ashley Ramsden

So many good ones, Linda! We loved Mirette on the High Wire.

Gosh! And I thought I did well at today's Library Book Sale!

You are doing quite well on your acquisitions. Our library is having one of its book sales today. I haven't gone because I don't need any more books. I'm trying to get what I have under control and a lot out the door first!

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll try to read this one, and Majestie before reading others.

Hi Marianne. What did you acquire today?

Lori...I'm proud of you. You have more will power than I do.

I did get a small book (only 30 pages) that I ordered from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in the mail today. It won't take up much space, but it will be quite useful to me.

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND 12

161) Sex With Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge by Eleanor Herman

162) Shooter by Walter Dean Myers

163) The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

164) Signs and Wonders: A Harmony Novel by Philip Gulley

165) Simple Gifts: The Shaker Song by Solomon Skolnick

166) The Sins of the Wolf: A William Monk Novel by Anne Perry

167) Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado by Marc Aronson

168) Sister Wendy's Story of Painting by Wendy Beckett

169) Skinny by Donna Cooner

170) Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan

171) Sleeping Ugly by Jane Yolen

172) The Son by Philipp Meyer

173) Soulless by Gail Carriger

174) Spontaneous Healing by Andrew Weil

175) Stories for Young People: Leo Tolstoy by Donna Tusssing Orwin

176) Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

177) Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

178) Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls

179) Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers

180) Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper

BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014 ROUND 13

181) Tex by S.E. Hinton

182) That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton

183) There's An Owl in the Shower by Jean Craighead George

184) The Thief of Time by John Boyne

185) The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss

186) Three Junes by Julia Glass

187) Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

188) Thumbelina Retold by Deborah Hautzig by Deboarh Andersen Hautzig

189) To America: Personal Relfections of an Historian by Stephen E. Ambrose

190) Too Close to the Sun by Sara Wheeler

191) Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas

192) Ultimate Doom by Dorothy P. O'Neill

193) Under the Quilt of NIght by Deborah Hopkinson

194) Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh

195) The Veil of Snows by Mark Helprin

196) Vermeer's Hat: The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World by Timothy Brook

197) The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

198) A Way With the Birds by Susan Faith

199) We Had It So Good by Linda Grant

200) We'll Meet Again by Hilary Green

>117 Whisper1: aaaand Sex with Kings just went on the wishlist, along with its companion Sex with Queens.

Posted of the haul(!) over on my thread.

Got quite carried away in all the excitement!

Book retail therapy is good for all that ails you, Linda!! You deserve it with all you've been through, my dear sweet friend!!!

Very careful ((((hugs)))) to you!

>119 AuntieClio: Hi Stephanie. I'm always amazed at the lives of Kings and Queens!

>120 michigantrumpet: Hi Marianne, What a great book haul!

>121 TinaV95: Dear Tina, thanks for your support and kind words. And, by the way, I love the stationery shown on your thread!

BOOK ACQUISITIONS 2013 ROUND 14

201) Weighed in the Balance by Anne Perry

202) When I Was Your Age: Volume Two Original Stories About Growing up by Amy Ehrlich

203) When You Wish Upon a Star by Leigh Harline

204) Winslow Homer Watercolors by Donelson F. Hoopes

205) Winslow Homer: The Charles Shipman Payson Collection

206) The Winter Child by Wendy Froud

207) A Winter Dream by Richard Pual Evans

208) Wise Children by Angela Carter

209) Witch Child by Celia Rees

210) The Witch With a Twitch by Layn Marlow

211) The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken

212) Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl

213) The World of Christopher Robin by A.A. Milne

214) Yakov and the Seven Thieves by Madonna

Today was a bright, sunny day. This weekend grand daughter Kayla, daughter Breanna, and five year old Mason (nephew of Breanna), and a friend of Kayla's stayed over night last night. Gathering up the little neighborhood girls, we headed to the local park.

A good time was had by all!



In the evening, we made cookies, lots and lots of cookies.



It was a nice time. Life is good when surrounded by children and laughter!

What fun!

{{{{Linda}}}}

What a great batch of kids!

That's one happy crew of cookie elves, Linda!

It looks like a good time was had by all :) Beautiful photos!

{..chortle..} Will's personality is shining through! And he's just as I pictured him! Looks like everyone had fun! Because cookie therapy is good, too.

What a charming crew! I loved those days baking next to my grandmother! Thanks for sharing the photos.

Thanks to all for your visit. I think I missed my calling in life. The best thing my former husband and I did was to adopt our lovely (now 31 year old) daughter. She brought/brings such joy to us, and now that she is a mother, the joy is compounded.

Alas, I'm happiest when a) I'm with children b) reading a book c) spending time with family. In the next life I'll adopt a bunch of children, read books to them and have a large family. For now, all is wonderful with the life I have!

I have vacation days to use or lose. It is difficult to fit them in before the end of June. I'm not complaining, after all, I was paid for three months from November - February when recovering from the third fusion.

I'm going to take Wednesday and Thursday this week and go away with daughter Breanna, while Will stays home and enjoys Lilly. Perhaps he will train her to get all the neighbors papers and deliver them to their doorstep. Who knows what those two are up to when I go away.

An end of the day appointment with my wonderful primary care doctor today afforded time to discuss concerns and imperatives of complicated surgery at Thomas Jefferson. Paperwork in place for cat scan, MRI and blood work, then Thursday meeting with cardiologist who will put me through a series of strenuous tests to ensure my heart is strong enough for a long surgery and recovery.

My experience is that there is always a lot of stress building up to the actual surgery -- date not scheduled as yet, until all tests are taken and results are sent, and Thomas Jefferson folk do battle with my insurance company for out of network coverage.

I am so weary that I came home and fell asleep at 7:00...geesh, I feel like an old, old lady.

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #36

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

I'm not sure what to say about this book. My feelings/thoughts are mixed. It seemed to take longer than usual to finish because there were inordinately protracted periods of pages that seemed disjointed. Never one who cares for chapters that switch from one time period to another and from one person to another, this is the main negative frustration about the book. I simply lost interest because it seemed to take too much energy to remember time, place and characters.

The positive is that the ending was good in the way in which it tied the story together. Many ghost stories seem to be unnecessary frustrating cliff hangers, and this was not one of those.

In a small New England town, rumors are rampant regarding a 100 year old ghost who reportedly haunts the town. Centered around a farm house, previously lived in by the ghost lady, in current time, a mother of two is missing. Afraid to report her absence to the police, the older girl mothers the younger and tries to discover what occurred.

This is a story of the extreme measures loved ones will do to have a short period of time with their resurrected beloved. The price paid is dangerously steep!

There is a host of characters, some thrown in for diversion and some that are necessary to the plot. It takes time to figure out who is and isn't important in the story line.

I'm not sure I can recommend this book. I know others liked it a lot. I'll remain in the minority.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #54
Sleeping Ugly by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Diane Stanley


This is a quick, lively banter-filled tale of the beautiful princess Miserella who remains beautiful despite the ugliness inside, a magical fairy, and a not-too beautiful Plain Jane who has a loving nature, but a very plain countenance.

When Miseralla's terrible ugly actions upset the fairy, mistakenly the three are all thrown into a deep, deep sleep. Along comes a handsome prince who must choose to kiss the right lady.

The illustrations are lovely. I enjoyed the humorous rendition of this fairy tale.

Hi, Linda! I'm glad you're feeling better about the surgery.

What a marvelous list of acquired books!

Hi Terri

Good Morning! Thanks for your message.

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #55
The Paperboy by Dav Pikey


This 1997 Caldecott honor book is delightful. The simple story of a boy and his beloved dog traveling through the neighborhood in the early morning hours to deliver papers throughout the sleepy town is a joy to behold.

Loving all the illustrations from The Paperboy. I think I'll give The Winter People a pass.

Can well imagine you were exhausted after all the doctor's appointments. Stressful, but glad to see a plan is in place for you. In the meantime, you have oodles of little people who seem to enjoy your company. :-P

Linda, thank you for your review of The Winter People. I've been seeing it mentioned here and there but yours is the first review that I felt helped me understand what it's about. I'm not sure if I'll read it or not, but at least I will go into it with some foreknowledge.

I also love the pics of you and all the little ones! It looks like a marvelous time was had by all, including Lilly!

I read The Winter People this year too :) I liked it!

I hope tomorrow is easier than you expect it to be :)

Love the pictures of you with the girls at the park and then Will with them in the kitchen making cookies with them! Such a lovely day! Warms my heart to see you two smiling after all you've been going through!

Stopping by to say I'm thinking of you and hoping for a quick resolution to the insurance hassle, a successful surgery, and an uneventful recovery.
xo

>138 michigantrumpet: Hi Marianne Thanks for stopping by! Many 75 challenge group members liked The Winter People. For some reason, it just didn't resonate with me. AS with all books, the frame of mind you are in when you read the story, has a lot to do with your perception.
>139 rosalita: Hi Julia, Despite the physical and emotional pain, I'm finding life precious. And, while I've had a few melt downs, and bumps in the road, for now, I've been able to keep one foot in front of the other.
>140 mckait: HI Kath. I read your excellent review. I'm glad you liked The Winter People. It is a book that haunts because I'm still thinking about it.
>141 TinaV95: Thinking of you and sending hugs! Newspaper reported yesterday that PA is now one of the states that accepts same sex marriage! Yeah!!!!
>142 Matke: Hi Gail. I'm so glad to see you here! Your emotional support means a lot.

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #37
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

Told from the perspective of nine year old Anna, in 1933, her secure life becomes shattered as she and her family flee Berlin. Her father, a well-known writer, finds it impossible to support his family as increasingly his articles are not allowed to be printed.

Insightful, fearful, he knows he must take his family and leave all behind before it is too late. Moving from Germany to Switzerland, then France and finally England, Anna finds it difficult to adjust. Middle class and sheltered, she has no reference for the difficult life they face as the family learns different customs and languages.

While the book is well written, I felt it lacked depth. As others were dying in concentration camps, starving and losing all contact with loved ones, Anna's family is fortunate to be able to leave.

In comparison to other nine year old children during this historical time frame, Anna is very naive regarding just how frightening it is to exist under Hitler's reign of terror.

CONTINUATION OF BOOKS ACQUIRED IN 2014

215) Palace of Curiosities by Rosie Garland

216) The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel

217) The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

218) Big Brother by Lionel Shriver

219) All That I Am by Anna Funder

220) Adam & Eve by Sena Jetter Naslund

221) The Lost Life of Eva Braun by Angela Lambert

222 Cathedrals of the World by Graziella Leyla Ciaga

223) An Inquiry into Love and Death by Simone St. James

224) I, Jane by Diane Haeger

225) My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco

226) The Odds by Stewart O'Nan

227) The Confessions of Katherine Howard by Suzannah Dunn

228) The Unseen by Katherine Webb

229) After Camelot by J. Randy Taraborrelli

ILLUSTRATED BOOK #56
No, David by David Shannon

Delightful illustrations reinforce the story of David who seems to always be in trouble. NO, is the word heard over and over again. Interestingly, as a child the author kept a small book wherein he illustrated and wrote about the many things he did that elicited a firm NO! As an adult, he decided to revise the book and, it became a well-deserved Caldecott Honor book!

I looks like you will be able to open your own library when the year is over :)

I hope that you have a great weekend!

Hi Linda! Love the photo with the grandkids. Isn't Breanna a gorgeous name? Do they call her Bree too?

Hope you are having a lovely weekend, my friend.

I have been entirely absent this year, and I'm sorry for it. You are still in my thoughts, and I hope all is well.

Just wanted to swing by and say Hi and give some *hugs* Linda. Hope you are doing well and all these books will give you lots of comfort. Hard decisions to make, but you are one tough and strong gal!

When I read your description of The Paperboy I laughed because of your comment about Will and Lilly and what they may do when you're gone.

Hugs my friend!

xoxo again, Linda!

Hi Linda, I hope you are having a lovely weekend. So many gorgeous book covers on your 2014 acquisitions, I look forward to someday reading your thoughts on all these reads.

Love the pictures of all the kids in the park and baking cookies!

Hmmm, you got me with The Palace of Curiosities!

Wishing you a happy Memorial Day and lots of lovely reading. A truly remarkable book haul.

>133 Whisper1: Linda your review of The Winter People is very helpful. I've had this one at the top of the queue both in print and audio several times, and then shied away. It just doesn't sound like it will work for me. I don't mind chapters that go back and forth, but I think I'm at a point in my life where I'm up to my proverbial eyeballs in ghosts and hauntings and other thingies that go bump, so I thank you for enlightening me enough to say "pass" for quite a while.

Linda, if your listings of acquired books makes me happy, you must be ecstatic with all the pretties!

>124 Whisper1:: Speaking of pretties, I love the pictures of Kayla and friends. Those cookies look yummy. Haley loves to help me in the kitchen when she comes over, especially if cookies are involved!

Wow…even more books. I'm such a slacker. I think I've purchased under 50 books this year. For every book that comes into the house, at least one must leave; therefore, I have to be conservative in my book buying. Works for me!

Hi Linda! My boys loved No David! when they were little, but I didn't know that the book was started by David Shannon when he was young. How interesting! I hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend!

Just stopping by to say Hi, Linda! Hope you're feeling well!

Hello to all!

I apologize for being out of touch. I'm very frustrated long about now. Work is consuming, pain is increasingly unmanageable, and I haven't been able to concentrate on reading.

Now for the positive--I am blessed in many ways. I have a loving partner, a wonderful family, a strong, steady group of friends, food on the table, roof over my head, and a job that, while hectic, I enjoy it and am darn lucky to have found a position where I've been for 31 years and still enjoy what I do.

And, this morning, brought laughter to our family as we were sitting in the living room, Lilly who loves it when we are all together, wanted to show off, ran to the door and barked, then ran hurriedly down the driveway, paper in mouth dragging it all the way up the hill and then bringing it inside, dropped it at my feet, wagged her tail, then put it in mouth and went round the room repeating the task of showing off -- paper in mouth, tail wagging, dropping paper, then putting paper in mouth until she got to the next family member. What a wonderful way to start a day!

Hugs to all!

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #38


At Her Majesty's Request: An African Princess in Victorian England by Walter Dean Myers

This is a very interesting tale based on the true story of an English captain who rescued an African princess from sure death via sacrifice by a brutal African King of Dahome. Attacking and killing members of villages, the King of Dahome, kept some members, bringing them back to Dahome to hold in pens until his ritual of sacrifice was held.

When Captain Frederick Forbes is meeting with the King, he is told that a sacrificial ceremony is about to occur. Watching in horror, he notes a small five year old girl about to be killed. Asking the King to give the girl to him as a present for Queen Victoria, he then rescues the girl, bringing her back to England, naming her Sarah Forbes Bonetta.

The Queen is smitten with Sarah and from then on provides funding for her upkeep. Frequent visits to the palace set Sarah apart from others and she is held in great esteem.

Befriended by Queen Victoria's children, Sarah forms a bond that lasts a lifetime. Sharp, sensitive and very intelligent, Sarah adapts to her life and, while she dies at a young time in her life, she marries, has two children and is forever grateful to her rescuer.

Here is a link with more in depth information regarding Sarah Forbes Bonetta:

http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2012/09/sarah-forbes-bonetta-dav...

That sounds very good!

Ha! I fell completely off the Band Wagon which follows your threads around all these beautiful books, but today I flew through and am here to drop off a message so you'll be at the top of my list of threads to check. I hope I'll find time to go back and look at some of the lovely books you've reviewed but perhaps I'll only be around to see those you will be reviewing....

xoxo Linda, what a wonderful way for Lilly to start y'all's day!

Love the story about Lilly. I can imagine the whole family laughing about that.

Thinking of you. And love that Lily!

LOL at the Lilly story :) I wish you could wake up pain free....

I got very behind Linda but I'm stopping by to say hello and that I am thinking of you especially as you prepare for another surgery. Lovely to see the pictures of you and the children in the park :-)

What a delightful story about Lily!

So sorry to hear of your increasing pain. Hugs to you, Linda!

Great story about Lily, Linda.

Hoping for healing for you soon.

xo

What a fun Lily story, Linda! She seems to be a real people pleaser. I think a wonderful dog like Lily is good medicine! I hope your weekend is relaxing and relatively pain free.

Great review of At Her Majesty's Request, Linda. I'll add it to my wish list.

I loved your illustrated list of all the books acquired this year, Linda - though I dared not look too closely in case I got ideas, I did recognise some old friends among them.

Lovely story about Lilly too!

Hi Linda--Hoping your surgery happens sooner than later. Its only fair--you need more time to read all the books you brought into your life this year! Best wishes and lots of hugs.

Checking in -- great review at >163 Whisper1:. And great story about Lily!

Too quiet in here... sending gentle hugs and good vibes. Blessings on Lilly...don't Shelties just love to show off and be praised for it!

Hello Everyone. We were able to find someone to watch the house and Lilly while we escape to Ocean City, NJ for three days. Work has been so very stressful that either long term disability or retirement are looking real good right about now.

I appreciate the kind comments and outreach more than words can express!

Two more books acquired recently, they were acquired for .25 each, they are:

BOOK #230The ZooKeeper's Wife by Diane Ackmerman

BOOK #231
Talk to the Hand The Utter Bloody rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door by Lynne Truss

Excellent bargain hunting! Glad you get to escape work for a little. Sorry it is so stressful.

oh, that "talk to the hand" book would be good for me right now.... I'm into staying home, and bolting the door today. (hint: I am waiting for the HOA Board meeting to begin in about 25 minutes).

Oh, I think you'll really enjoy The Zookeeper's Wife - I did!

So when are you going to NJ? Or are you there now? Or already gone and back again?

Ditto about The Zookeepers Wife! One of my all-time favorites . . .

oh no... now I might have to read Zookeepers wife...

drat

Enjoy Ocean City. Hope you've had a stress-free relaxing few days. Thinking of you. Just saw your PM. Popping over right now.

I own The Zookeeper's Wife but there never seems to be the best time to read it. I should just do it one of these days for the heck of it. I hope your getaway rejuvenated you and Will. Sometimes a change of scenery is the best medicine. Thinking of you and wishing you well, Linda. Sorry that work has been so stressful. Somehow I thought summers at a university were fairly laid back. Apparently not.

Hi Linda, dropping by to catch up on you. Sorry the pain is acting up and work is stressful. But as always, you always manage to look on the bright side of life and focus on the positive, which is hugely inspirational.

Wishing you all the best. xx

Hello Everyone! Thanks for stopping by.

It was great to get away. Thursday night rides on the boardwalk two tickets each. And, then a 9:00 p.m. fireworks display:



I was able to read, sit in the sun, and have family time. It was too short, but it was well worth the packing and unpacking.

Glad you had such a lovely break. {{{Linda}}}

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #39


After Camelot by J. Randy Taraborreli

If ever an adage was true, it does indeed ring of the Kennedys. Money cannot buy happiness. Money cannot beat the inevitability of death, and money cannot buy respect.

This is 624 well written pages of the life stories of the American royalty. While at times scathing, mainly it was a look at the joys and the tragedies.

I was eleven when JFK was murdered. Fast forward to grade ten, and the television came to life as programs were interrupted with the tragic news that Robert Kennedy was gunned down and murdered. Tears, including mine, were shed, as well they should have been.

Then, years later, came the blatant disregard for life by the son who held promise to carry the torch. The news reported that Mary Jo Kopechne was found dead in a car-- in fact, she died the night before as Teddy drove the car off a ramp, escaping, never bothering to find help. Finding an air pocket at the top of the car, she died slowly. There was time to save her. Trying to get friends to take the blame, it wasn't until the next morning when he decided he had to face up to his liability.

While each man held bright promise, each man also carried the tradition of their father in using women as their playing ground while wives stayed at home on the compound, watching the kids and looking pretty.

While Ethel's three eldest boys were out of control with drugs, fast driving and throwing around the Kennedy name, Jackie carefully guarded her children's exposure to the rough ones. When Ethel's oldest son Joe drove a jeep round and round and round, spinning the wheels as it turned upside down, paralyzing David's girlfriend, she was promptly dumped by David and paid to go away.

When Papa Joe Kennedy produced a beautiful, but mentally challenged daughter, without the consult of his wife, he decided that the best path to choose was a lobotomy.

Ethel held fast to Bobby's legacy. Joan sobered up and left Teddy. Jackie escaped with Ari Onassis and provided stability for her two children in the hope of getting them out of harms way.

Make no mistake about it -- there were scandals and out of control behaviors. But, there were shining promises. There were three men who cared deeply about the future of America. These men brought hope and a new direction. The Peace Corps, The Special Olympics, and Ted's dedicated activism and fight for health care reform were but a few of the major accomplishments of these troubled souls.

The light did shine brightly on the Kennedys. They inherited wealth, were raised with strong Catholic values by a staunch mother, and they had a supreme mandate to try to make the country better than it was.

Linda, I was a Sophomore at the University when JFK was shot; and newly returned from the Peace Corps staying with friends in Ithaca NY when Bobby was shot. I was a staunch Democrat when the tragedy of Teddy's making occurred. What a family.

You did an excellent job of reviewing the book which, according to your review, seems to have presented a balanced picture of the good stuff and the not so good stuff. It was a rough time to be an American interested in politics and civic life. Thank you for a good review.

Thanks Karen I fear I focused too much on the negative. I confess that I remain very bothered by the hubris of the Kennedys. But, I also know that a great deal of good was accomplished. I believe the Robert would have been a very good president. Alas, we will never know.

I didn't know you were in the Peace Corps. I'd love to learn more of this experience.

NON ILLUSTRATED BOOK #40


The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin

This is the #1 book of the year for me. I couldn't put it down! Historical fiction has always been my choice of reading. This book brought me back to this genre.

Narrated from Anne Morrow Lindbergh's point of view, we learn her strength, her weakness (staying with a cad for so many years while he left his family alone, with no contact information for long, long periods of time), and the reader learns of the sharp, determined, egocentric, controlling, self centered hero, Charles Lindbergh.

While he roamed the world, admonishing her grief when their first born was kidnapped and killed, Anne stayed behind as five more children were born and raised by her.

She was a strong, intelligent woman who was the first female to obtain a pilot's license. Taught by Charles in a demanding fashion, she soon learned to navigate both with instruments, and by Polaris, the bright constant star.

Despite her growing anger and longing to claim her individuality, Charles remained her constant star throughout the many years of their marriage.

The mark of great historical fiction challenges the reader to learn more, to separate the facts from the fiction. Melanie Benjamin does an amazing job of this!

While the author writes of Anne's supreme anger, dismay of betrayal when, before Charles' death, she discovered there were three German mistresses with whom he sired a total of seven children, in fact, I researched to learn that it was their children, who when contacted by their half siblings, discovered their father's other lives, long after Anne's death.

Mainly, I was in awe of the author's ability to paint Anne's feelings of love and hate of the hero Charles Lindbergh. And, haven't we all felt that at times in our lives, ie the longing to be loved, the disappointment in ourselves when we know we have loved too much to receive so very little in return?

Wow Linda! I've been hit by your book bullet! A five-star from you says it all, although the review helped too. I had no clue he was such a cad.

Kim, A cad and then some. Let's just say he would not have been someone I would have wanted for a husband.

How are you feeling today?

>194 Whisper1: Nice review. I will need to check it out. I really liked Anne Lindbergh's book Gift from the Sea which I read in college. She was a strong writer.

I also knew that Lindbergh sympathized with Hitler before World War II as did many in England, France, and the United States.

I remember when I was in college Ann Morrow Lindbergh's book was held as inspirational by the folks in the church where I attended. My vague recollection was that her public face was seen as very "long suffering" and "stiff upper lip". I didn't much like it then, and even less now. Feminism had not yet cracked the hold that post war attitudes held over women.

I wish I had more space in my Wish List, and my To Be Read Soon piles. I think I'll stick this one in my wish list as it truly sounds like just the kind of book I like.

>196 Whisper1: Thanks for asking Linda. Well, the good news is my knee is no longer cantaloupe sized. More grapefruitish. Still in cumbersome splint from thigh to ankle with only 20 degrees bend, BUT!!! I graduated to hobbling around on one crutch yesterday! That is awesome because now I have a free hand to carry stuff. Happiness.

>197 Oberon: Hi Erik, Thanks for stopping by. When reading The Aviator's Wife, I learned that Ann won two major/prestigious writing awards from her Alma Mater, Smith College. In addition, she helped to write Lindberg's Pulitzer prize winning book The Spirit of St. Louis. He gave her no credit, instead he praised the Wright Brothers as his inspiration.

The beauty of The Aviator's Wife is that now I'm on a mission to read more.

I hope all is well with you.

>198 maggie1944: Hello Again Karen. It is always a pleasure to read posts from you. One of the clear themes of The Aviator's Wife was Ann's struggle to be independent. Melanie Benjamin painted her as a complex woman ruled by the time in society who longed to be free to be her own person. How right you are that pre feminism was VERY constricting time. Long suffering, stiff upper lip, seem to describe the way in which she was portrayed, yet there was a huge element of a woman who was angry because of the stiff upper lip, who was angry at his controlling nature, and saddened by the fact that she was very much in love with this flawed man.

>199 Berly: Kim, what you are going through sounds horrendously painful. I know I'd be very frustrated by the lack of mobility.

Aviators wife looks good...
I was, and remain a great fan of Teddy Kennedy. That family did far more good than harm, imo, and Teddy charmed me when he arrived for his appointments every three months. He was filled with ood humor, kindness and he treated everyone as if they were special.

Kath, I agree with you. The family was a tremendous inspiration for America at a time when it was most needed.

The Kennedys were, as we all are, flawed human beings who are trying make a difference.

>194 Whisper1:: Linda this is fiction? a roman a clef? Does it actually claim to be the story of Ann and Charles Lindbergh?

Hi Jim! So nice to see you here. It is fiction, and as most historical fiction novels, there is some embellishment, but overall the story rings true based on other information obtained.

How are you?

all good here - enjoying the books you post about - drool over the covers you show us

{{{{Linda}}}}

>208 ronincats:, me too! Have a great and restful weekend.

>207 magicians_nephew: Hello again Jim. I'm glad you are well!

>208 ronincats: Hi Roni. How was your show last week?

>209 maggie1944: Karen, As always, good to see you.

>194 Whisper1: I blew right by this one somehow. You have now planted another BB on my list.

Wow! A big thumbs-up for your review of The Aviator's Wife. That one's been on my wishlist for ages, but you've just rearranged my TBR stack for me!