Medlem: cuicocha

PS, I did look at some reviews of "The Eleventh Man" and it looks quite good. Should I take the advice of one of the reviews and read "Dancing At The Rascal Fair" or "Winter Brothers" first? MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 2:00 pm (EST) Dec 20, 2009

Wow! That was a heck of a move, Craig. I am happy to hear that all went well. That must have been a great deal of work and stress, though. Driving these days can be so stressful because of road rage and just down right bad driving. I enjoy driving on occasion, when there isn't much traffic say, or very early in the morning when I can watch the sun rising and drive in peace for a few hours until everybody goes to work. I have read"Water For Elephants " and I agree, it was quite good, but I have not heard of "The Eleventh Man," I don't think. Can you give me a synopsis? I finally finished "American Bloomsbury" and am reading "Little Women" and "The Tenderness of Wolves" and soon wish to start an ER book called "Gemma" by Meg Tilly, about a young girl being abused by her kidnapper, I believe, in the voice of both the victim and the perpetrator. It seems quite dark, and I am curious to see if Meg Tilly, who talks about her own abuse, can pull it off. Best of luck with your new home, and I hope you find the bookstores to be wonderful there.Bye, MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 1:56 pm (EST) Dec 20, 2009

Hi, I just received the Lahiri book of short stories from my secret Santa. I can tell that I will enjoy it from your comments and from her previous novel "The Namesake" Craig, have a wonderful holiday season. Do you have any goals for LT for 2010. I want to get my entire library cataloged and get rid of doubles, and try to read 50 books, again. I didn't meet the challenge this year, but I did participate in NaNoWriMo and I also read a lot of literary magazines so I guess that took up some of my book reading time. Bye

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 11:21 am (EST) Dec 17, 2009

Craig, what was the e-mail for the fine and collectible...that you sent me? I didn't know if you wrote the whole thing down or not.Thanks, and PS I think I am starting B. Potter because I have been wanting to read it and to follow up with a visit to the library where I can see some of her actual writing...wow...Have a great night, MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 9:34 pm (EST) Aug 6, 2009

Craig, I will be near my favorite Barnes and Noble this week when I visit my mom-in-law.Talk about rare, she is one-of-a-kind and no amount of money would make me give her up. I'm one of the lucky daughter-in-laws. Anyway, there is a B&N near her home and it is one of those that has a nice vibe about it, that makes you want to sit around and relax and browse to your heart's content. I think with a pair of earplugs I could even write there. I will be sure to check out their magazine section, and am planning on looking for the Gladstone books you mentioned. I spent some time this weekend cataloging more of my books and am just starting to put them in collections. I want to use my catalog to help me find the book I want to read and its location ultimately, since I have so many books in so many areas. I'm also planning on a trip to Princeton. I'm really excited about the Beatrix Potter collection. My daughter's 16th birthday is this week, though so I may be broke before I get to P. it may have to wait until next week, but I am surely going. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Hope you and yours have a great week...MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 8:36 am (EST) Aug 3, 2009

Craig, Thank you for the suggestion about Princeton. It is definitely do-able. It would be a wonderful day trip and I will just need to bring the right companion with me. Somebody who is happy to spend the day browsing through book after book...A day with no deadlines...I have heard of the Gladstones and hope to obtain one or two of them. Bye for now....MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 2:20 am (EST) Aug 2, 2009

Craig, You mentioned Arthur Rackham. Who is he and why are his books rare? I think that I would like to start a sort of overview of what books are considered a rare find, which I think requires me to find some books on the subject. What fun! Can you recommend any? I have a couple that I can't remember the titles of right now. I have two or three books that are books about books, specifically about book collectors and their stories about the search for and acquisition of some rare finds. When I come across them I will tell you what the titles are and maybe you are familiar with them. Another favorite pastime is reading biographies or autobiographies of writers. Most recently, I watched a wonderful film called "Chris and Don:A Love Story" about Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy. Are you familiar with the film? I know you have heard of Isherwood. I found a book by him shortly after the film called "The Guru and his Disciple" about his delving into Buddhism. I have a biography about Beatrix Potter, who was quite a character in her own right, a very independent and accomplished woman for her time. Can't wait to read that one. I have several autobiographies by journalists, also. well, time to get working on the yard. Have a great weekend. MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 1:49 pm (EST) Aug 1, 2009

Hope you had a delicious browse through the stacks. It's wonderful to have a spouse who is a book lover, too. My husband understands my book love, he just doesn't share it. He never complains about the piles of books on the floor, though,so I don't knock him! In fact, he builds houses so I know he can build me bookcases...

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 10:17 pm (EST) Jul 29, 2009

Thank You, Craig, that was illuminating. I don't believe in coincidences and it seems relevant that one of my favorite historical personalities is Catherine of Cleve. I know she was very religious and can imagine that she would have such a beautiful text. In addition, although she lost the favor of her husband early on in their relationship, she was always well cared for and had many beautiful things. Also, I am very interested in the making of texts of all sorts, and reading fiction from the 1300's and 1400's right through the 18th century. I find all the history surrounding the creation of those kind of books fascinating and the world in which they were created equally fascinating. I think my interest in paper crafting and mixed-media crafts is part and parcel of my interest in that era. Is there anything more wonderful than rooms full of books? Hope you had a

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 10:12 pm (EST) Jul 29, 2009

Hi Craig, what are Books of Hours? Diaries or journals? And I do envy you? Those children of yours seem hand-picked for a bibliophile. Thank you so much for the website. I think I will really enjoy looking around on that. MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 12:14 am (EST) Jul 27, 2009

Hi Craig, I hope my library reveals a love of books based on quality of content. I can be attracted to a book for its genre, its authors past output, referrals from other readers,etc, and my library reflects that. There may be some titles that are a bit experimental for me, since I really don't read spy thrillers or crime drama, as much as listen to them on audiobooks in my vehicle when I am running errands. I like to listen to mysteries,spy thrillers, crime dramas and cozy mysteries on audiobook. I feel it is almost like watching television. I have been reading the ER books that I have received from LT to keep up with the book reviews. But as far as what I choose to read in concrete book form, that I can hold in my hand,mark with a bookmark and inhale the sweet smell of, those books are of a wide variety. Some of my favorite books are Lolita,Middlemarch, The Witching Hour,Mark Twain's Joan of Arc,Wicked,The Graveyard Book, to name a few.I have only put about half of my books on LT at this point. Check my pages out in a few days because I am planning on adding books over the next few days. I have a huge house but I am running out of room. My husband has promised me more bookshelves but dammit he keeps having to go to work...I do try to be conscientious about my book buying though because I usually purchase my books at library sales or bookstore reduced price tables. I will however spend for a really special book, first edition, etc. Do you seek out first editions or rare books? Can you suggest a book that would help me to know what books are considered rare finds? I notice that of your LT author list you include David Liss. I just read "The Dress Lodger" by Sheri Holman and the book included an interview by David Liss with Holman. I then decided to read "A Conspiracy of Paper" by David Liss. "Lodger" was great, really a good read, and I enjoyed her next book which I read first, "The Mammoth Cheese" I like the fact that each book was so very different. Holman is a gifted writer I think. In keeping with reading in the time period I have "Conspiracy" on deck. But then I have to at the same time read an ER book "Reputation, Portraits in Power" by Marjorie Williams because I am behind getting my reviews done if I want any other books from the ER program. Then I have "The Power of Two" a memoir of surviving serious illness by Brian and Gerri Monaghan. I have another ER book on the way and I need to be caught up if I want anything from the July batch or any future batch. Then there is always life to contend with. Oh, that I could spend all my time reading...Well, I hope you find my library interesting. I'm taking another look at yours today as it was quite late last night when I wrote to you. Have a great weekend, Mary Beth

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 7:17 pm (EST) Jul 25, 2009

Hi again,It's funny,I just looked up at your page and realized how many books about books and bibliophiles you have. I didn't see that until after I wrote my first comment. Just thought that was kinda weird. They are definitely some of my favorite books. MB

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 12:24 am (EST) Jul 25, 2009

Hi Craig comment, I read your comment from Feb on TrishNYC's page and I will soon be reading Shadow of the Wind, especially after your high praise. I love books about books, don't you? Mary Beth

inlägg gjort av mmignano11 vid 11:59 pm (EST) Jul 24, 2009

Hi Craig:
Thank you for your comment - I noticed you too, yesterday, when I went poking around amongst those of us who are Lambdin fans. And thanks for the rec on "The Shadow of the Wind". It has been duly added to my gynormous wishlist cum library reading list.
I don't know what it is about Dewey. I have had so much trouble reading Forester and particularly in reading O'Brian - all those nauticalisms (not sure if this is a real word) just seem to get in between me and the story. Even though I'm practically on top of the ocean here I've never been particularly in tune with it or with sailing-type stuff. But with the Lewrie stories all those sails and decks and things don't seem to take away from my enjoyment of the writing and the story at hand.
I'm way behind you in the series, probably because I'm trying to savor them and not rattle them all out at once. With Cornwell (Bernard) I charged right through them thereby leaving me without anything new of his to read until he managed to churn another one out. He's a quick writer, but it's sometimes a year between books.
As for Franklin I just totally loved this book. For me it was complete whereas with so many others of this ilk that I have read the writer does not seem capable of mating the two separate genres very well - or at least not well enough for me.

Anyway, nice to make your acquaintance. Do drop by anytime for more chitchat.
Charlotte

inlägg gjort av Fourpawz2 vid 9:21 am (EST) Feb 18, 2009