Hello All!
I started my new position at the Valencia Branch of the Pima County Public Library on December 1, which I hope will explain my lack of posts.
As I mentioned in a previous post, my primary responsibility is Young Adult or Teen Services. I'm excited to be learning a new area of librarianship (I have previously served children and adults), and to be getting to know the teens that use the Valencia Library.
My workday includes a 2 hour commute at this time, so my reading time is next to nothing right now. Since starting work, I have read two YA novels, Edenville Owls by Robert B. Parker and Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein, both of which I enjoyed, and look forward to booktalking to teens. At home (I read the YA novels at lunch at work), I reread Charlotte Macleod's The Plain Old Man and just finished State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy. I recommend State of the Onion for those readers who like cozies with an edge. This week, for the holidays, I'm rereading Rest You Merry by Charlotte Macleod,which I read almost every year.
You may be wondering why I'm not listening to audiobooks on my long commute. I've never been a big audiobook listener, and those I've enjoyed in the past have been nonfiction, such as Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes and several by Bill Bryson, whose sarcastic humor I adore. I thought I'd start listening to YA books while commuting, so I started Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and while it wasn't bad, I didn't find that listening to it was my first choice when I got into the car. I'll try something else soon, or go back to Bill Bryson :) -- in the meantime, I have a Garrison Keillor Christmas CD for this week.
You may also be wondering when we are moving to Tucson, and the answer to that question is around the end of January. We have found a terrific apartment in Marana, which borders the north side of Tucson.
Next weekend, in between the holidays when my husband will be on a camping trip, I will spend a good deal of that time reading--two set aside for then are Death's Half Acre by Margaret Maron and It Happened One Knife by Jeffrey Cohen. On or after December 31, I will be posting my Favorites of 2008!
So, a new job and a new place--it's quite a way to end one year and start another! Life is very good!
Season's Readings to All!!!
Patti
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Poisoned Pen Appearances: Robin Burcell, Tim Maleeny & Nils Lofgren (?!)
Hello All!
I had the honor of providing transportation to author Robin Burcell on Saturday, December 6, when she appeared at Poisoned Pen with Tim Maleeny. I offered to drive when I found her flight to Phoenix got in a little to close to her appearance time.
Robin and another author, Tim Maleeny, were appearing at Poison Pen in Scottsdale, AZ to promote new titles that were also being printed by Poisoned Pen Press. Robin's new book is Face of Killer, the first in a new thiller series featuring a female FBI forensic artist, and Tim's new title is Greasing the Pinata, 3rd in his PI series featuring Cape Weathers, and his partner, Sally. I look forward to reading Robin's new series, and, being me, starting Tim's series with its first title, Stealing the Dragon. FYI, Stealing the Dragon is out of print, but I purchased his second title, Beating the Babushka, and my husband Ken purchased Greasing the Pinata, so we own 2 out of 3. Robin very kindly gave me a copy of her book for driving her around, but I purchased a copy also for a gift. And, well, now that I'm employed...I bought 2 other books I'm looking forward to reading, Jeff Cohen's Some Like It Hot-Buttered, and Julie Hyzy's Hail to the Chef.
Getting back to the program for the day, there was a small group gathered at 2:00 PM at Poisoned Pen for the authors to talk about their books, and other tangents that talking books takes--the publishing industry, mysteries, etc. These sorts of events always make me feel like I want to spend about 3 days reading mysteries :).
There was a break on this day between author talks. Robin and I planned on going to get something to eat, and just hang out. As we were getting ready to leave, I noticed a shopper who looked familiar, and it took me a minute to figure out who it might be, and then I totally doubted myself. I said to Robin, "I think that might be Nils Lofgren, who plays in the E Street Band with Bruce Springsteen." Then Robin and I overheard him talking about music, and Robin said, "I think you're right." So I just went for it and asked him if he was Nils Lofgren, and he said yes! I turned into a total speechless geek and also got tears in my eyes. I have been a Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band fan for at least 25 years, though I'm not the fan some of my friends are. But this was a huge moment for me. I did tell Nils we were on stage together in 1985, and he asked if I had been pulled up on stage (for "Dancin' in the Dark" just like Courtney Cox in the video) and I said yes, at the Pontiac (MI) Silverdome in September of 1985. During our conversation, I found out that Nils is a big mystery fan, frequents Poisoned Pen, and has lived in the Phoenix area for about 13 years. Robin sold him a copy of her book :), and he very kindly gave us copies of his new album, _Nils Sings Neil_ (Young). Oh, and Robin had to remind me that I had my camera with me (!), so we all had our photos taken. What an added bonus to an already terrific day.
Robin and I went to Frank and Lupe's, one of my favorite Scottsdale restaurants, and just talked for awhile, then had dinner.
We went back over to Poisoned Pen for Robin and Tim's second appearance of the day, which was also a potluck. My husband Ken joined the audience for this portion of the day, and both Robin and Tim gave another good talk. I drove Robin to her hotel while listening to Nils Lofgren :).
Happy Reading!
Patti
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Hello All!
I started my Young Adult Literature reading with a bang. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow is a 2008 title that has had excellent reviews, and I agree with them. This was a very good book about how teens communicate, their knowledge of how many of them can make the internet work for them, terrorism, and government reaction to it, all told from a 17-year-old's point of view. It starts with a group of teens who are out role-playing via a wireless connection when a terrorist attack occurs in San Francisco. Marcus, our hero, is arrested as a possible terrorist, because of first being in the wrong place at the wrong time, then because of his knowledge of computers, the internet and other media he uses on a daily basis. After some interrogation, he is released into a different San Franciso, one that is close to being a police state, run by the Department of Homeland Security. Marcus knows his Constitution, and decides to take on the DHS, and quite an adventure is the result.
I was surprised to enjoy a book so much by an author whose work I had not previously liked. I read Eastern Standard Tribe a few years ago, and I was disappointed with that title. Maybe one should not judge an author by one book :)? And the only quibble I had with this book was the occasional technical explanations, but I do think they were necessary to the book.
I found this to be a hero's journey, and a journey I was very happy to take.
Happy Reading!
Patti
I started my Young Adult Literature reading with a bang. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow is a 2008 title that has had excellent reviews, and I agree with them. This was a very good book about how teens communicate, their knowledge of how many of them can make the internet work for them, terrorism, and government reaction to it, all told from a 17-year-old's point of view. It starts with a group of teens who are out role-playing via a wireless connection when a terrorist attack occurs in San Francisco. Marcus, our hero, is arrested as a possible terrorist, because of first being in the wrong place at the wrong time, then because of his knowledge of computers, the internet and other media he uses on a daily basis. After some interrogation, he is released into a different San Franciso, one that is close to being a police state, run by the Department of Homeland Security. Marcus knows his Constitution, and decides to take on the DHS, and quite an adventure is the result.
I was surprised to enjoy a book so much by an author whose work I had not previously liked. I read Eastern Standard Tribe a few years ago, and I was disappointed with that title. Maybe one should not judge an author by one book :)? And the only quibble I had with this book was the occasional technical explanations, but I do think they were necessary to the book.
I found this to be a hero's journey, and a journey I was very happy to take.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Young Adult Literature
Hello All!
First, the good news--I accepted an offer of a position as a Young Adult Librarian with the Pima County Public Library!!! I will be working at the Valencia Branch, located in Tucson, near the Tucson International Airport.
I'm very excited, both to be working in a new library, and to be working with a new age group. Which brings me to the second part of my news--Patti's Pens and Picks will probably have more reviews and mentions of Young Adult Literature than before. I just started Cory Doctorow's Little Brother, and I picked up a whole bunch of other books to read soon also. As I start December 1, I don't think I'll get all the books finished :).
For the first two months, I plan on commuting--1.5 hours plus each way, so I will also start listening to audiobooks, both adult and young adult. Until now, I preferred to listen to nonfiction only on audio, as I've always been afraid of getting too involved with the story to listen to fiction while driving :). I'm going to work my way past this fear, as I can get quite a bit of listening into 3-4 hours of driving a day. Don't worry, I won't be doing this for very long!
If you have any recommendations for Young Adult Literature, especially on audio, please let me know. I think I'll start with finishing the Harry Potter series that I started rereading this year--I've heard that the reader for this series is excellent.
Don't worry, I'll still be reading a variety of literature and genres, but my immediate focus will be a catch-up of some Young Adult Literature.
Happy Reading!
Patti
First, the good news--I accepted an offer of a position as a Young Adult Librarian with the Pima County Public Library!!! I will be working at the Valencia Branch, located in Tucson, near the Tucson International Airport.
I'm very excited, both to be working in a new library, and to be working with a new age group. Which brings me to the second part of my news--Patti's Pens and Picks will probably have more reviews and mentions of Young Adult Literature than before. I just started Cory Doctorow's Little Brother, and I picked up a whole bunch of other books to read soon also. As I start December 1, I don't think I'll get all the books finished :).
For the first two months, I plan on commuting--1.5 hours plus each way, so I will also start listening to audiobooks, both adult and young adult. Until now, I preferred to listen to nonfiction only on audio, as I've always been afraid of getting too involved with the story to listen to fiction while driving :). I'm going to work my way past this fear, as I can get quite a bit of listening into 3-4 hours of driving a day. Don't worry, I won't be doing this for very long!
If you have any recommendations for Young Adult Literature, especially on audio, please let me know. I think I'll start with finishing the Harry Potter series that I started rereading this year--I've heard that the reader for this series is excellent.
Don't worry, I'll still be reading a variety of literature and genres, but my immediate focus will be a catch-up of some Young Adult Literature.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream by Adam Shepard
Hello All!
Scratch Beginnings was an amazingly well written book, written by a young man who attempted a very interesting experiment. Adam Shepard decides to see if the American dream can be achieved from a certain set of circumstances--a train ticket to a southern large city, $25.00, the clothes on his back, and an empty duffle bag. Shepard travels by train to Charleston, South Carolina, and makes his way to a local homeless shelter. He works for as day laborer for awhile, and eventually finds a good job as with a moving company.
Shepard is clear that a strong opposition to Barbara Ehrenriech's books Nickel and Dimed, and Bait and Switch lead to his experiment of finding out whether the American dream is still possible. Read this book to find out what Adam was able to achieve.
I believe that this book would definitely be appropriate for young adult or teen readers, as it is quite inspirational, and gives some pretty good advice. It's a good read for adults also, and I think that many readers will come away with ideas on how to handle their money in our current economy.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Scratch Beginnings was an amazingly well written book, written by a young man who attempted a very interesting experiment. Adam Shepard decides to see if the American dream can be achieved from a certain set of circumstances--a train ticket to a southern large city, $25.00, the clothes on his back, and an empty duffle bag. Shepard travels by train to Charleston, South Carolina, and makes his way to a local homeless shelter. He works for as day laborer for awhile, and eventually finds a good job as with a moving company.
Shepard is clear that a strong opposition to Barbara Ehrenriech's books Nickel and Dimed, and Bait and Switch lead to his experiment of finding out whether the American dream is still possible. Read this book to find out what Adam was able to achieve.
I believe that this book would definitely be appropriate for young adult or teen readers, as it is quite inspirational, and gives some pretty good advice. It's a good read for adults also, and I think that many readers will come away with ideas on how to handle their money in our current economy.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Bookworm's Award
Hello All!
Lesa Holstine of http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/ has just awarded me The Bookworm's Award. Thank you, I consider this a great honor!
Along with the award, there are a few rules. Open the closest book to you—not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment—to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence as well as the next two to five sentences. Pass this on to five blogging friends.
The book closest to me is one I finished a few days ago but have yet to add to GoodReads, or anywhere else for that matter; it's Garrison Keillor's Homegrown Democrat. Here's the quote from page 58 (56 is blank, and 57 is one long sentence): "We sat in our bathing suits on the grass by the beach on the Mississippi, both of us pale, shade seekers, and she poured out her bitterness that Hubert, a true Democrat who fought the good fight for equal rights for Negroes, had been passed over in favor of the son of a crook."
And now I'm passing it on to those below and quoting Lesa: "So, I'm passing on the award to five people. Tag, you're it! And, if you're not into memes, here's an apology. Remember, you never have to pass one on, if you don't want to play.
http://pattinase.blogspot.com/
http://billcrider.blogspot.com/
http://www.thelibraryfairy.blogspot.com/
http://cathyskye.blogspot.com/
Have fun! And if you're reading this, please feel free to look around at your own books and let me know what's going on on page 56 :)
Happy Reading!
Patti
Lesa Holstine of http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/ has just awarded me The Bookworm's Award. Thank you, I consider this a great honor!
Along with the award, there are a few rules. Open the closest book to you—not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment—to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence as well as the next two to five sentences. Pass this on to five blogging friends.
The book closest to me is one I finished a few days ago but have yet to add to GoodReads, or anywhere else for that matter; it's Garrison Keillor's Homegrown Democrat. Here's the quote from page 58 (56 is blank, and 57 is one long sentence): "We sat in our bathing suits on the grass by the beach on the Mississippi, both of us pale, shade seekers, and she poured out her bitterness that Hubert, a true Democrat who fought the good fight for equal rights for Negroes, had been passed over in favor of the son of a crook."
And now I'm passing it on to those below and quoting Lesa: "So, I'm passing on the award to five people. Tag, you're it! And, if you're not into memes, here's an apology. Remember, you never have to pass one on, if you don't want to play.
http://pattinase.blogspot.com/
http://billcrider.blogspot.com/
http://www.thelibraryfairy.blogspot.com/
http://cathyskye.blogspot.com/
Have fun! And if you're reading this, please feel free to look around at your own books and let me know what's going on on page 56 :)
Happy Reading!
Patti
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Paris Enigma by Pablo De Santis
Hello All!
The Paris Enigma by Pablo De Santis is an interesting book; for me, sort of an alternative history of private detectives. It begins just before the 1889 Paris World's Fair, when Argentine detective Renaldo Craig opens an academy for those interested in learning about detecting--those who enroll believe he is going to finally choose an acolyte, or assistant. Craig is one of the Twelve Detectives, a society known world-wide for their detecting skills, and each one of the Twelve has his own acolyte, except for Craig. Almost by default, Sigmundo Salvatrio becomes Craig's acolyte, and due to Craig becoming ill, is sent to Paris and the World's Fair in Craig's stead. Once the Twelve, minus one, are gathered from the four corners of the world, murder and mystery inevitably result. Will the society known as the Twelve Detectives survive working together?
As I stated above, I felt like this book told an alternative history of how some traditions of detecting came into being, including applying philosophy. I also felt as if the Twelve were sort of like the Greek gods, overseeing the direction of private detection, and developing rules and guidelines.
This was an interesting book, though for me the writing varied from stiff to lyrical; perhaps this has to do with the translation. And thank you to HarperCollins, as this was a title I received as an Advance Reader's Copy.
The Paris Enigma by Pablo De Santis is an interesting book; for me, sort of an alternative history of private detectives. It begins just before the 1889 Paris World's Fair, when Argentine detective Renaldo Craig opens an academy for those interested in learning about detecting--those who enroll believe he is going to finally choose an acolyte, or assistant. Craig is one of the Twelve Detectives, a society known world-wide for their detecting skills, and each one of the Twelve has his own acolyte, except for Craig. Almost by default, Sigmundo Salvatrio becomes Craig's acolyte, and due to Craig becoming ill, is sent to Paris and the World's Fair in Craig's stead. Once the Twelve, minus one, are gathered from the four corners of the world, murder and mystery inevitably result. Will the society known as the Twelve Detectives survive working together?
As I stated above, I felt like this book told an alternative history of how some traditions of detecting came into being, including applying philosophy. I also felt as if the Twelve were sort of like the Greek gods, overseeing the direction of private detection, and developing rules and guidelines.
This was an interesting book, though for me the writing varied from stiff to lyrical; perhaps this has to do with the translation. And thank you to HarperCollins, as this was a title I received as an Advance Reader's Copy.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Friday's Forgotten Reads--The Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast
Hello All!
My Friday's Forgotten Read for November is another one of my absolute favorites, The Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast by Bill Richardson. It is about exactly what the title says it is, a bed and breakfast owned by twin bachelor brothers (fraternal twins, read the book for more information on their early lives), their neighbors, and their guests. This is the bed and breakfast that every book-lover would love to visit, for that is why Hector and Virgil opened it, to be a haven for bibliophiles to finally finish War & Peace or to indulge in what the guests refer to as guilty pleasures while on their vacations. It contains lists of books to read, and guestbook entries containing compliments and one or two complaints by visitors. The brothers also talk about their reading interests, something that all readers want to know about each other.
I reread this book almost annually, as it seems to be an armchair trip I feel I need to take regularly. Where the Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast is located is never revealed, and they say they have no need to advertise for guests. Maybe it's in Brigadoon, if Brigadoon was located in western Canada. Sigh.
Happy Reading!
Patti
My Friday's Forgotten Read for November is another one of my absolute favorites, The Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast by Bill Richardson. It is about exactly what the title says it is, a bed and breakfast owned by twin bachelor brothers (fraternal twins, read the book for more information on their early lives), their neighbors, and their guests. This is the bed and breakfast that every book-lover would love to visit, for that is why Hector and Virgil opened it, to be a haven for bibliophiles to finally finish War & Peace or to indulge in what the guests refer to as guilty pleasures while on their vacations. It contains lists of books to read, and guestbook entries containing compliments and one or two complaints by visitors. The brothers also talk about their reading interests, something that all readers want to know about each other.
I reread this book almost annually, as it seems to be an armchair trip I feel I need to take regularly. Where the Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast is located is never revealed, and they say they have no need to advertise for guests. Maybe it's in Brigadoon, if Brigadoon was located in western Canada. Sigh.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Awards Mentioned on My Blog
Another list of links, this one to book awards mentioned on my blog:
Anthony Awards
Barry Awards
Edgar Awards
Macavity Awards
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards
Spur Awards
Anthony Awards
Barry Awards
Edgar Awards
Macavity Awards
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards
Spur Awards
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Books Mentioned on My Blog
Books I've discussed or mentioned on my blog:
84 Charing Cross Road
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
A Place of Execution
In the Woods by Tana French
A Wrinkle in Time
Banned Books Week: A Wrinkle In Time
All About Evie
Checking Out Award Winners
Army Wives on the American Frontier
Gone West
Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast
Friday's Forgotten Reads: The Bachelor Brothers Bed and Breakfast
Eastern Standard Tribe
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Face of a Killer
Poisoned Pen Appearances: Robin Burcell, Tim Maleeny & Nils Lofgren(?!)
Grand Canyon Women
Gone West
Happy All the Time
Friday's Forgotten Reads: Happy All the Time
Haunted Ground
In the Woods by Tana French
In the Woods
In the Woods by Tana French
Juicy Pens and Thirsty Paper
Sark Appearance and Signing
Little Brother
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Meet the Austins
Banned Books Week: A Wrinkle in Time
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Paris Enigma
The Paris Enigma by Pablo De Santis
Sparkling Cyanide
Agatha Christie's Sparkling Cyanide (AKA Remembered Death)
Tallgrass
Gone West Continued
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Hour I First Believed
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
The Persian Pickle Club
Gone West Continued
These Is My Words
Gone West
84 Charing Cross Road
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
A Place of Execution
In the Woods by Tana French
A Wrinkle in Time
Banned Books Week: A Wrinkle In Time
All About Evie
Checking Out Award Winners
Army Wives on the American Frontier
Gone West
Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast
Friday's Forgotten Reads: The Bachelor Brothers Bed and Breakfast
Eastern Standard Tribe
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Face of a Killer
Poisoned Pen Appearances: Robin Burcell, Tim Maleeny & Nils Lofgren(?!)
Grand Canyon Women
Gone West
Happy All the Time
Friday's Forgotten Reads: Happy All the Time
Haunted Ground
In the Woods by Tana French
In the Woods
In the Woods by Tana French
Juicy Pens and Thirsty Paper
Sark Appearance and Signing
Little Brother
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Meet the Austins
Banned Books Week: A Wrinkle in Time
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Paris Enigma
The Paris Enigma by Pablo De Santis
Sparkling Cyanide
Agatha Christie's Sparkling Cyanide (AKA Remembered Death)
Tallgrass
Gone West Continued
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Hour I First Believed
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
The Persian Pickle Club
Gone West Continued
These Is My Words
Gone West
Authors Mentioned on My Blog
Here's a list of the authors mentioned on my blog:
Alexander; Tasha
Historical Mystery Fiction
Barrows; Annie
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Burcell; Robin
Poisoned Pen Appearances: Robin Burcell, Tim Maleeny and Nils Lofgren(?!)
Christie; Agatha
Sparkling Cyanide (AKA Remembered Death)
Ciotta; Beth
Checking Out Award Winners
Coben; Harlan
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Colwin; Laurie
Friday's Forgotten Reads: Happy All the Time
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Crais; Robert
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Dallas; Sandra
Gone West Continued
De Santis; Pablo
The Paris Enigma
Doctorow; Cory
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Eales; Anne Bruner
Gone West
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Fate; Robert
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Finch; Charles
Historical Mystery Fiction
Gage; Leighton
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Harris; C. S.
Historical Mystery Fiction
Hart; Erin
In the Woods by Tana French
Haruf; Kent
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Kidd; Sue Monk
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Koryta; Michael
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
L'Engle; Madeleine
Banned Books Week 2008: A Wrinkle in Time
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Lamb; Wally
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
Lehane; Dennis
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Maleeny, Tim
Poisoned Pen Appearances: Robin Burcell, Tim Maleeny and Nils Lofgren(?!)
Maron; Margaret
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
McDermid; Val
In the Woods by Tana French
Penny; Louise
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Raybourn; Deanna
Historical Mystery Fiction
Richardson; Bill
Friday's Forgotten Reads: The Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast
Rozan; S. J.
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Sark
Sark Appearance and Signing
Shaffer; Mary Ann
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Todd; Charles
In the Woods by Tana French
Torres; Steven
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Turner; Nancy E
Gone West
Ure; Louise
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Wyman; Willard
Checking Out Award Winners
Alexander; Tasha
Historical Mystery Fiction
Barrows; Annie
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Burcell; Robin
Poisoned Pen Appearances: Robin Burcell, Tim Maleeny and Nils Lofgren(?!)
Christie; Agatha
Sparkling Cyanide (AKA Remembered Death)
Ciotta; Beth
Checking Out Award Winners
Coben; Harlan
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Colwin; Laurie
Friday's Forgotten Reads: Happy All the Time
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Crais; Robert
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Dallas; Sandra
Gone West Continued
De Santis; Pablo
The Paris Enigma
Doctorow; Cory
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Eales; Anne Bruner
Gone West
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Fate; Robert
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Finch; Charles
Historical Mystery Fiction
Gage; Leighton
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Harris; C. S.
Historical Mystery Fiction
Hart; Erin
In the Woods by Tana French
Haruf; Kent
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Kidd; Sue Monk
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Koryta; Michael
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
L'Engle; Madeleine
Banned Books Week 2008: A Wrinkle in Time
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Lamb; Wally
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
Lehane; Dennis
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Maleeny, Tim
Poisoned Pen Appearances: Robin Burcell, Tim Maleeny and Nils Lofgren(?!)
Maron; Margaret
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
McDermid; Val
In the Woods by Tana French
Penny; Louise
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Raybourn; Deanna
Historical Mystery Fiction
Richardson; Bill
Friday's Forgotten Reads: The Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast
Rozan; S. J.
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Sark
Sark Appearance and Signing
Shaffer; Mary Ann
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Todd; Charles
In the Woods by Tana French
Torres; Steven
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Turner; Nancy E
Gone West
Ure; Louise
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books
Wyman; Willard
Checking Out Award Winners
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Historical Mystery Fiction
Hello All!
I have recently figured out a trend in some of my mystery reading--much of my historical mystery reading takes place in England between the late 1700s to the end of the 1800s. You would have thought I might have caught on before this :).
One of my favorite time periods in British history is the Regency period, which I discovered first through Georgette Heyer first, then through Jane Austen. Madeleine Robins writes a series set in that time period of a woman whose reputation is ruined due to an affair. Instead of becoming a prostitute, she becomes a inquiry agent, which includes dressing as a man occasionally to move more easily around London. Unfortunately, there are only two titles in this series.
Another series set in the Regency period is C. S. Harris's featuring Sebastian St. Cyr. Sebastian is a Napoleon War veteran, during which he was an intelligence agent. Through circumstances, he ends up a murder suspect, and has to use his skills to prove his innocence in the first book in this series What Angels Fear. I've read two so far, and enjoyed them thoroughly.
Moving towards to the middle of the 19th century, Charles Finch's new series begins with A Beautiful Blue Death, where neighbors Charles Lenox and Lady Jane Grey investigate the murder of her maid. Charles is a bachelor of independent means, and he has followed an investigate path before, as a way to truly use his intellect. I look forward to the second in this series, to see how (or if) a relationship further develops between the neighbors, and to see Charles Lenox investigate another case.
Mid to late century, Deanna Raybourn's heroine, young widow Lady Julia Grey, has inquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane looking into her husband's death, which she though was natural. Nicholas is a more blunt individual than Lady Grey is accustomed to, and as she gets to know him, and herself, she begins to grow and trust herself more. Secondary characters are important as Lady Grey is one of 10 siblings, and has an overprotective father, among other interesting people.
Last in this list is Tasha Alexander. Her series features Lady Emily Ashton, another young widow, whose husband was lost under mysterious circumstances. As she learns more about her husband, who lead a separate life from hers, she falls in love with him, and the history he loved so much. Emily also becomes very independent, befriending several other independent thinking women, and choosing to lead her own life in this process. Colin Hargreaves, her husband's best friend, and an investigator, looks into his death, and in the process, becomes close to Emily.
All of these characters are, no doubt, living somewhat outside the restrictions of society of their time, but that leads to characters who can have strong personalities and interesting adventures. All of the above main characters are intelligent, which I find to be important to me. These books were all written/published in the last five years or so, and I highly recommend them as good mysteries, and interesting views of their respective time periods in English history.
Here is a list of the authors I discussed above, and the books that I've read so far by each--some have more in their series than I've listed. Enjoy!
Tasha Alexander: 1) And Only to Deceive 2) A Poisoned Season & 3) A Fatal Waltz
Charles Finch: 1) A Beautiful Blue Death
C. S. Harris: 1) What Angels Fear 2) When Gods Die
Deanna Raybourn: 1) Silent in the Grave
Madeleine Robins: 1) Point of Honour & 2)Petty Treason
Happy Reading!
Patti
I have recently figured out a trend in some of my mystery reading--much of my historical mystery reading takes place in England between the late 1700s to the end of the 1800s. You would have thought I might have caught on before this :).
One of my favorite time periods in British history is the Regency period, which I discovered first through Georgette Heyer first, then through Jane Austen. Madeleine Robins writes a series set in that time period of a woman whose reputation is ruined due to an affair. Instead of becoming a prostitute, she becomes a inquiry agent, which includes dressing as a man occasionally to move more easily around London. Unfortunately, there are only two titles in this series.
Another series set in the Regency period is C. S. Harris's featuring Sebastian St. Cyr. Sebastian is a Napoleon War veteran, during which he was an intelligence agent. Through circumstances, he ends up a murder suspect, and has to use his skills to prove his innocence in the first book in this series What Angels Fear. I've read two so far, and enjoyed them thoroughly.
Moving towards to the middle of the 19th century, Charles Finch's new series begins with A Beautiful Blue Death, where neighbors Charles Lenox and Lady Jane Grey investigate the murder of her maid. Charles is a bachelor of independent means, and he has followed an investigate path before, as a way to truly use his intellect. I look forward to the second in this series, to see how (or if) a relationship further develops between the neighbors, and to see Charles Lenox investigate another case.
Mid to late century, Deanna Raybourn's heroine, young widow Lady Julia Grey, has inquiry agent Nicholas Brisbane looking into her husband's death, which she though was natural. Nicholas is a more blunt individual than Lady Grey is accustomed to, and as she gets to know him, and herself, she begins to grow and trust herself more. Secondary characters are important as Lady Grey is one of 10 siblings, and has an overprotective father, among other interesting people.
Last in this list is Tasha Alexander. Her series features Lady Emily Ashton, another young widow, whose husband was lost under mysterious circumstances. As she learns more about her husband, who lead a separate life from hers, she falls in love with him, and the history he loved so much. Emily also becomes very independent, befriending several other independent thinking women, and choosing to lead her own life in this process. Colin Hargreaves, her husband's best friend, and an investigator, looks into his death, and in the process, becomes close to Emily.
All of these characters are, no doubt, living somewhat outside the restrictions of society of their time, but that leads to characters who can have strong personalities and interesting adventures. All of the above main characters are intelligent, which I find to be important to me. These books were all written/published in the last five years or so, and I highly recommend them as good mysteries, and interesting views of their respective time periods in English history.
Here is a list of the authors I discussed above, and the books that I've read so far by each--some have more in their series than I've listed. Enjoy!
Tasha Alexander: 1) And Only to Deceive 2) A Poisoned Season & 3) A Fatal Waltz
Charles Finch: 1) A Beautiful Blue Death
C. S. Harris: 1) What Angels Fear 2) When Gods Die
Deanna Raybourn: 1) Silent in the Grave
Madeleine Robins: 1) Point of Honour & 2)Petty Treason
Happy Reading!
Patti
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A Sad Farewell to Tony Hillerman
Hello Everyone,
As posted on DorothyL on Sunday evening, October 26, 2008:
Hello all:
Family in New Mexico sends along the sad news that Tony Hillerman passedaway on Sunday. He was 83, and had been in poor health for some time. He wasa great mystery writer, an MWA Grand Master, a decent poker player and oneof the finest people I've ever known.
Last time I saw him was nearly a year ago at the writers' conference inAlbuquerque that is named for him. I interviewed him before all attending, andhe was, as always, a great storyteller. He will be missed.
An Albuquerque television station has a brief news item at:_http://kob.com/article/stories/S633872.shtml?cat=519_(http://kob.com/article/stories/S633872.shtml?cat=519)
Best,
Steve Brewer
I'm very sad. Tony Hillerman was one of my favorite writers. I liked the slower pace of his mysteries, the inclusion of Navajo and Hopi cultures, and the characters of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. I learned a lot about the Southwest from his books, and thought of Mr. Hillerman and his books a lot when we were moving out to Arizona. I have not yet made it to Shiprock or the the Four Corners, but am looking forward to seeing in person the part of the country that Mr. Hillerman wrote so fondly about. I am so glad we have so many books to read (if you have not yet done so), or in my case, to go back and reread.
Thanks for letting me share.
Sincerely,
Patti
As posted on DorothyL on Sunday evening, October 26, 2008:
Hello all:
Family in New Mexico sends along the sad news that Tony Hillerman passedaway on Sunday. He was 83, and had been in poor health for some time. He wasa great mystery writer, an MWA Grand Master, a decent poker player and oneof the finest people I've ever known.
Last time I saw him was nearly a year ago at the writers' conference inAlbuquerque that is named for him. I interviewed him before all attending, andhe was, as always, a great storyteller. He will be missed.
An Albuquerque television station has a brief news item at:_http://kob.com/article/stories/S633872.shtml?cat=519_(http://kob.com/article/stories/S633872.shtml?cat=519)
Best,
Steve Brewer
I'm very sad. Tony Hillerman was one of my favorite writers. I liked the slower pace of his mysteries, the inclusion of Navajo and Hopi cultures, and the characters of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. I learned a lot about the Southwest from his books, and thought of Mr. Hillerman and his books a lot when we were moving out to Arizona. I have not yet made it to Shiprock or the the Four Corners, but am looking forward to seeing in person the part of the country that Mr. Hillerman wrote so fondly about. I am so glad we have so many books to read (if you have not yet done so), or in my case, to go back and reread.
Thanks for letting me share.
Sincerely,
Patti
Saturday, October 25, 2008
In the Woods by Tana French
Hello All!
In the Woods by Tana French, swept all the awards it was eligible for this year in the mystery field: winner of the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, the Anthony Award for Best First Mystery, Macavity Award for Best First Mystery, and the Barry Award for Best First Novel. Whew! As I like to give the award winners at least a try, it was time to read this one.
I liked the Irish setting, how it was just a bit dark, but not too dark for me, and I liked the connection it had with a past crime. The story is told from the viewpoint of Detective Adam Ryan of the Murder Squad, outside Dublin. He was one of three children who went missing in a small woods near his subdivision, and was the child who was found; his best friends were never seen again. Twenty-plus years later, an archelogical dig is going on near those same woods, and a little girl is found murdered and assaulted on the site. Detective Ryan and his partner, Cassie Maddox are assigned the case. Ryan knows that if his past with the location were found out, he'd be taken off the case, but he keeps quiet, and the case goes forward. There are some points where the book goes on a bit, but I felt this gave the reader a more honest insight to how frustrating a murder case can be, and how long they can drag out. In the end, some questions are answered, and some are not, and some books, like this one, are the better for that kind of ending.
This book reminded me a lot of Val McDermid's A Place of Execution, and since the beginning of the book, I've been trying to pinpoint exactly why. I think that it's because both books are so atmospheric, and also that both books take you inside the methodical work of the police. There was also one of the Charles Todd's Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries where a small woods and the crimes, past and present, dominate the story.
Another atmospheric Irish mystery is Erin Hart's Haunted Ground--one of my favorites.
Here are the links to the awards named above, and nominees and winners for this year:
Anthony Awards
Barry Awards
Edgar Awards
Macavity Awards
Happy Reading!
Patti
In the Woods by Tana French, swept all the awards it was eligible for this year in the mystery field: winner of the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, the Anthony Award for Best First Mystery, Macavity Award for Best First Mystery, and the Barry Award for Best First Novel. Whew! As I like to give the award winners at least a try, it was time to read this one.
I liked the Irish setting, how it was just a bit dark, but not too dark for me, and I liked the connection it had with a past crime. The story is told from the viewpoint of Detective Adam Ryan of the Murder Squad, outside Dublin. He was one of three children who went missing in a small woods near his subdivision, and was the child who was found; his best friends were never seen again. Twenty-plus years later, an archelogical dig is going on near those same woods, and a little girl is found murdered and assaulted on the site. Detective Ryan and his partner, Cassie Maddox are assigned the case. Ryan knows that if his past with the location were found out, he'd be taken off the case, but he keeps quiet, and the case goes forward. There are some points where the book goes on a bit, but I felt this gave the reader a more honest insight to how frustrating a murder case can be, and how long they can drag out. In the end, some questions are answered, and some are not, and some books, like this one, are the better for that kind of ending.
This book reminded me a lot of Val McDermid's A Place of Execution, and since the beginning of the book, I've been trying to pinpoint exactly why. I think that it's because both books are so atmospheric, and also that both books take you inside the methodical work of the police. There was also one of the Charles Todd's Inspector Ian Rutledge mysteries where a small woods and the crimes, past and present, dominate the story.
Another atmospheric Irish mystery is Erin Hart's Haunted Ground--one of my favorites.
Here are the links to the awards named above, and nominees and winners for this year:
Anthony Awards
Barry Awards
Edgar Awards
Macavity Awards
Happy Reading!
Patti
Monday, October 20, 2008
Finding Time to Read, and Places to Read
Hello All!
Recently on DorothyL, there were threads on finding time to read, and where is everyone's favorite place to do their reading. As I was reading through over a month's worth of posts, I decided to write about those threads rather belatedly here.
I believe the thread regarding how people find time to read really started as how do people find time to read as much as they do. There are readers on DorothyL who seem to post a review almost every day, which amazes those who read more slowly, or have different demands on their time. I am one of those who reads about 3 books a week, less if I'm reading any nonfiction.
I read constantly, when I'm not out and about, when I'm not online, when I'm not job-hunting. As I don't currently take a newspaper, I read with breakfast, lunch and dinner. I read in the evenings, and yes, I am one of those who reads while watching TV. Isn't that what the commercials are for? I once had a library patron, who works, has 5 kids and a husband, and was amazed that people even say "I don't have time to read"! I don't get that either, but different strokes. I pretty much have to read, at least a little bit, every day, or I actually get cranky. I feel like something's missing in my life if my day doesn't really permit time to read. That's when you make sure you read a little bit before you go to bed.
As far as my time goes, I am currently not working, so my lunch break can last as long as I want it to. I also have a husband who works out of town during the week, so I have my evenings to read. I don't have pets, or children, and we live in a small apartment--all of this gives me more time to read than many. I try not to read from basically 9-5, as I use that time for my job search, and to research Web and Library 2.0, as I feel that those things are my work right now.
Where I prefer to read: right now, in or on our bed. I just keep rearranging the pillows, and I'm extremely comfortable. I also like the end of the couch next to the lamp--it's very comfy, and a good place to hold a glass of water and maybe a snack. Someday, I would like a chaise, or one of those very big chairs that I call a chair & a half--both seem like they'd be great to curl up in with a good book. My husband, romantic that he is, would like us to have a love seat, with lamps perhaps at either end, where we could read together, and be close to one another, closer than we are on the couch.
So, the obvious questions I have for you are: How do you fit reading into your day? And where is your favorite place to read?
Happy Reading!!!
Patti
Recently on DorothyL, there were threads on finding time to read, and where is everyone's favorite place to do their reading. As I was reading through over a month's worth of posts, I decided to write about those threads rather belatedly here.
I believe the thread regarding how people find time to read really started as how do people find time to read as much as they do. There are readers on DorothyL who seem to post a review almost every day, which amazes those who read more slowly, or have different demands on their time. I am one of those who reads about 3 books a week, less if I'm reading any nonfiction.
I read constantly, when I'm not out and about, when I'm not online, when I'm not job-hunting. As I don't currently take a newspaper, I read with breakfast, lunch and dinner. I read in the evenings, and yes, I am one of those who reads while watching TV. Isn't that what the commercials are for? I once had a library patron, who works, has 5 kids and a husband, and was amazed that people even say "I don't have time to read"! I don't get that either, but different strokes. I pretty much have to read, at least a little bit, every day, or I actually get cranky. I feel like something's missing in my life if my day doesn't really permit time to read. That's when you make sure you read a little bit before you go to bed.
As far as my time goes, I am currently not working, so my lunch break can last as long as I want it to. I also have a husband who works out of town during the week, so I have my evenings to read. I don't have pets, or children, and we live in a small apartment--all of this gives me more time to read than many. I try not to read from basically 9-5, as I use that time for my job search, and to research Web and Library 2.0, as I feel that those things are my work right now.
Where I prefer to read: right now, in or on our bed. I just keep rearranging the pillows, and I'm extremely comfortable. I also like the end of the couch next to the lamp--it's very comfy, and a good place to hold a glass of water and maybe a snack. Someday, I would like a chaise, or one of those very big chairs that I call a chair & a half--both seem like they'd be great to curl up in with a good book. My husband, romantic that he is, would like us to have a love seat, with lamps perhaps at either end, where we could read together, and be close to one another, closer than we are on the couch.
So, the obvious questions I have for you are: How do you fit reading into your day? And where is your favorite place to read?
Happy Reading!!!
Patti
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A Note: Patti's Pen & Picks Slightly Refocused
Hello All!
After an enlightening and interesting conversation with my wise spouse, I have decided to refocus this blog, and add two more, each with their own focus.
Patti's Pen and Picks will be all about books, including commentary, readalike suggestions, and author appearances I attend.
Patti and Library 2 point 0 Explorations will be my technical, library centered blog, as I research all that is Library 2.0, and other web applications of interest to librarians.
Patti's People & Places is more personal, relating to friends and acquaintances in my life, and places here in AZ, in addition to any traveling I may do. I'm also planning to include a list of DVDs I watch, or that Ken & I watch together. We'll see how other things develop.
Just FYI :)!
Happy Reading!
Patti
After an enlightening and interesting conversation with my wise spouse, I have decided to refocus this blog, and add two more, each with their own focus.
Patti's Pen and Picks will be all about books, including commentary, readalike suggestions, and author appearances I attend.
Patti and Library 2 point 0 Explorations will be my technical, library centered blog, as I research all that is Library 2.0, and other web applications of interest to librarians.
Patti's People & Places is more personal, relating to friends and acquaintances in my life, and places here in AZ, in addition to any traveling I may do. I'm also planning to include a list of DVDs I watch, or that Ken & I watch together. We'll see how other things develop.
Just FYI :)!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Hello All!
Wow, what a wonderful book! I have read reviews that compares this book with 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, and I can definitely see that comparison. Not so much with the bookstore part, but with the time period, just after World War II in England, and with the knowledge people have of English literature.
Sorry to start off by drifting into a tangent :). The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is about how a group of friends lived through WWII on the Channel Island of Guernsey occupied by the Germans. A few were walking home after curfew one night, and when confronted by the Germans, invented the Literary Society. The potato peel pie was added as it was refreshment at their gatherings.
Juliet Ashton, author of a series of newspaper columns during the war, is in need of a new idea for a book or articles, and researches how people kept themselves in a positive frame of mind during the war. She is contacted by Dawsey Adams, one of the members of the Guernsey Literary Society, and learns of their stories as each member corresponds with her with their individual story. Juliet's relationship with this wonderful group evolves throughout the book, continuing to be told through letters. People were wonderful letter writers then.
I admit to not knowing anything about the Channel Islands overall before reading this book, though I know I have heard of Guernsey and Jersey before. I enjoyed the historical information I received while reading this book.
In addition to 84 Charing Cross Road, I connect this book with the mystery series shown on PBS, "Foyle's War". I am in the middle or so of watching episodes of this series, and I have a clearer picture of how things were during that time period in England. Both 84 Charing Cross Road and "Foyle's War" are good complements to The Guernsey Literary Society. Another wonderful book about book lovers with eccentric characters is The Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast by Bill Richardson (soon to be a Friday's Forgotten Books blog post).
This is such a wonderful, enjoyable book--I encourage everyone to at least give it a try. I will be purchasing this book, as I borrowed this copy from the library; this is one I definitely want to own and revisit!
Happy Reading!
Patti
PS Any mistakes in the above post re: plot points are mine--I returned the book before writing this post.
Wow, what a wonderful book! I have read reviews that compares this book with 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, and I can definitely see that comparison. Not so much with the bookstore part, but with the time period, just after World War II in England, and with the knowledge people have of English literature.
Sorry to start off by drifting into a tangent :). The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is about how a group of friends lived through WWII on the Channel Island of Guernsey occupied by the Germans. A few were walking home after curfew one night, and when confronted by the Germans, invented the Literary Society. The potato peel pie was added as it was refreshment at their gatherings.
Juliet Ashton, author of a series of newspaper columns during the war, is in need of a new idea for a book or articles, and researches how people kept themselves in a positive frame of mind during the war. She is contacted by Dawsey Adams, one of the members of the Guernsey Literary Society, and learns of their stories as each member corresponds with her with their individual story. Juliet's relationship with this wonderful group evolves throughout the book, continuing to be told through letters. People were wonderful letter writers then.
I admit to not knowing anything about the Channel Islands overall before reading this book, though I know I have heard of Guernsey and Jersey before. I enjoyed the historical information I received while reading this book.
In addition to 84 Charing Cross Road, I connect this book with the mystery series shown on PBS, "Foyle's War". I am in the middle or so of watching episodes of this series, and I have a clearer picture of how things were during that time period in England. Both 84 Charing Cross Road and "Foyle's War" are good complements to The Guernsey Literary Society. Another wonderful book about book lovers with eccentric characters is The Bachelor Brothers' Bed and Breakfast by Bill Richardson (soon to be a Friday's Forgotten Books blog post).
This is such a wonderful, enjoyable book--I encourage everyone to at least give it a try. I will be purchasing this book, as I borrowed this copy from the library; this is one I definitely want to own and revisit!
Happy Reading!
Patti
PS Any mistakes in the above post re: plot points are mine--I returned the book before writing this post.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Banned Books Week: A Wrinkle in Time
Hello All,
It's Banned Books Week, and I, like many other librarians, and all sorts of other readers, read banned books.
One of my favorite authors of all time is Madeleine L'Engle. My first favorite of hers was Meet the Austins, where I identified very strongly with the main character of Vicky Austin. I don't recall for sure, but I don't think I read A Wrinkle in Time until I was in college, as part of a children's literature class. I identified with the main character in this series too, Meg Murry, and I remember loving the time travel in the book and all the challenges that Meg, her friend Calvin O'Keefe, and her very brilliant young brother, Charles Wallace take on to save Meg's father, a scientist being held prisoner on a faraway planet.
It is my understanding that A Wrinkle in Time has been challenged due to its religious content, or for its un-Christian content--depending on who's challenging it. All I saw in this book was the love in the Murry family, and the inclusion of Calvin into that circle of love; Calvin comes from what we now call a dysfunctional family.
I highly recommend this book for its family orientation, its intelligence and its exciting adventures. I bet this will only be the beginning of your enjoyment of Madeleine L'Engle's books :). Enjoy, and read other Banned Books--you don't have to wait until next year's designated week--start now, and then you'll have books to talk about then!
Happy Reading!
Patti
It's Banned Books Week, and I, like many other librarians, and all sorts of other readers, read banned books.
One of my favorite authors of all time is Madeleine L'Engle. My first favorite of hers was Meet the Austins, where I identified very strongly with the main character of Vicky Austin. I don't recall for sure, but I don't think I read A Wrinkle in Time until I was in college, as part of a children's literature class. I identified with the main character in this series too, Meg Murry, and I remember loving the time travel in the book and all the challenges that Meg, her friend Calvin O'Keefe, and her very brilliant young brother, Charles Wallace take on to save Meg's father, a scientist being held prisoner on a faraway planet.
It is my understanding that A Wrinkle in Time has been challenged due to its religious content, or for its un-Christian content--depending on who's challenging it. All I saw in this book was the love in the Murry family, and the inclusion of Calvin into that circle of love; Calvin comes from what we now call a dysfunctional family.
I highly recommend this book for its family orientation, its intelligence and its exciting adventures. I bet this will only be the beginning of your enjoyment of Madeleine L'Engle's books :). Enjoy, and read other Banned Books--you don't have to wait until next year's designated week--start now, and then you'll have books to talk about then!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Gone West Continued
Hello All!
I am continuing my reading of western award winners--this title was Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas. The book won the 2008 Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Short Novel.
This was another "western" that surprised me, as it took place during WWII, and was the story of a Japanese internment camp being built near a small town in Colorado, and the effects it had on the community. This is a very well written, interesting book, told from the viewpoint of a young girl. Rennie Stroud is just becoming a young woman, and the Stroud sugar beet farm is located next to the internment camp. The book covers several years of the Strouds' lives, as they cope with Mrs. Stroud's heart troubles, the results of hiring internment camp detainees for help on the farm, the rape and murder of a neighbor girl who is the same age as Rennie, and the telegram that arrives, telling them that Rennie's brother is missing in action in Europe. Throughout all this, the rhythm of farm life is constant. Sandra Dallas also incorporates quilting into this novel, as she did in The Persian Pickle Club.
From the Western Writers of America website:
The Spur Awards, given annually for distinguished writing about the American West, are among the oldest and most prestigious in American literature. In 1953, when the awards were established by WWA, western fiction was a staple of American publishing. At the time awards were given to the best western novel, best historical novel, best juvenile, and best short story.
Since then the awards have been broadened to include other types of writing about the West*. Today, Spurs are offered for the best western novel (short novel), best novel of the west (long novel), best original paperback novel, best short story, best short nonfiction. Also, best contemporary nonfiction, best biography, best history, best juvenile fiction and nonfiction, best TV or motion picture drama, best TV or motion picture documentary, and best first novel (called The Medicine Pipe Bearer's Award).
Winners of the Spur Awards in previous years include Larry McMurtry for Lonesome Dove, Michael Blake for Dances With Wolves, Glendon Swarthout for The Shootist, and Tony Hillerman for Skinwalker.
This somewhat explains to me why the novels I'm reading are not "westerns' in the sense of the old west, as I originally expected from the Spur Awards. But as I am a recent transplant to Arizona, I am very interested in my new part of the country, and so will continue to read novels about the west, as I am enjoying it very much.
Happy Reading!
Patti
I am continuing my reading of western award winners--this title was Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas. The book won the 2008 Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Short Novel.
This was another "western" that surprised me, as it took place during WWII, and was the story of a Japanese internment camp being built near a small town in Colorado, and the effects it had on the community. This is a very well written, interesting book, told from the viewpoint of a young girl. Rennie Stroud is just becoming a young woman, and the Stroud sugar beet farm is located next to the internment camp. The book covers several years of the Strouds' lives, as they cope with Mrs. Stroud's heart troubles, the results of hiring internment camp detainees for help on the farm, the rape and murder of a neighbor girl who is the same age as Rennie, and the telegram that arrives, telling them that Rennie's brother is missing in action in Europe. Throughout all this, the rhythm of farm life is constant. Sandra Dallas also incorporates quilting into this novel, as she did in The Persian Pickle Club.
From the Western Writers of America website:
The Spur Awards, given annually for distinguished writing about the American West, are among the oldest and most prestigious in American literature. In 1953, when the awards were established by WWA, western fiction was a staple of American publishing. At the time awards were given to the best western novel, best historical novel, best juvenile, and best short story.
Since then the awards have been broadened to include other types of writing about the West*. Today, Spurs are offered for the best western novel (short novel), best novel of the west (long novel), best original paperback novel, best short story, best short nonfiction. Also, best contemporary nonfiction, best biography, best history, best juvenile fiction and nonfiction, best TV or motion picture drama, best TV or motion picture documentary, and best first novel (called The Medicine Pipe Bearer's Award).
Winners of the Spur Awards in previous years include Larry McMurtry for Lonesome Dove, Michael Blake for Dances With Wolves, Glendon Swarthout for The Shootist, and Tony Hillerman for Skinwalker.
This somewhat explains to me why the novels I'm reading are not "westerns' in the sense of the old west, as I originally expected from the Spur Awards. But as I am a recent transplant to Arizona, I am very interested in my new part of the country, and so will continue to read novels about the west, as I am enjoying it very much.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sark Appearance and Signing
Hello All!
This was beyond anything I could have expected at an author appearance and book signing! I would say that Sark is a life force of joy and creativity! She just glows, and lifted the audience throughout the hour that she spoke and interacted with the audience. She appeared at Changing Hands bookstore to promote her new book, Juicy Pens and Thirsty Paper. We were each given a paper plate, which at one point, we were asked to write what was on our creative plate. While I don't feel I'm creative in the traditional sense, I do feel that I think of creative ways to promote libraries, books and reading, so that people/library patrons become or continue to be interested and enthusiastic about books and reading. I left feeling good about this, and about being able to define it.
Sark's books are colorful works of art containing words of inspiration and wisdom. The book that most people may have seen or know of is Succulent Wild Woman. She also has a line of greeting cards. The books I purchased are
Fabulous Friendship Festival and Living Juicy. And of course after the appearance last night, I wished I had purchased Juicy Pens and Thirsty Paper :), but I'm happy with my choices for now. Visit her website at:
http://www.planetsark.com/
Happy Reading!
Patti
This was beyond anything I could have expected at an author appearance and book signing! I would say that Sark is a life force of joy and creativity! She just glows, and lifted the audience throughout the hour that she spoke and interacted with the audience. She appeared at Changing Hands bookstore to promote her new book, Juicy Pens and Thirsty Paper. We were each given a paper plate, which at one point, we were asked to write what was on our creative plate. While I don't feel I'm creative in the traditional sense, I do feel that I think of creative ways to promote libraries, books and reading, so that people/library patrons become or continue to be interested and enthusiastic about books and reading. I left feeling good about this, and about being able to define it.
Sark's books are colorful works of art containing words of inspiration and wisdom. The book that most people may have seen or know of is Succulent Wild Woman. She also has a line of greeting cards. The books I purchased are
Fabulous Friendship Festival and Living Juicy. And of course after the appearance last night, I wished I had purchased Juicy Pens and Thirsty Paper :), but I'm happy with my choices for now. Visit her website at:
http://www.planetsark.com/
Happy Reading!
Patti
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
Hello All,
I've just finished Wally Lamb's latest title, officially due out in November. As an Advance Reader's Copy, the book comes in at 700+ pages. Whew! It covers the Columbine tragedy, one couple's path throught their marriage, drug addiction, family (both past and present, and how the two are connected), and a history of women's penitentiaries in New England, to start with. Most of the story is told from Caelum Quirk's point of view, in first person, but occasionally tells the story from other characters' points of view, in third person. This is not confusing, as it has been for me in other books, but the transitions are not always clear or smooth.
For me, this book was just long. I feel that Mr. Lamb could have written two or more books from all that he covers in this one tome. There really is a lot here, most of it pretty interesting, and definitely an investment of time on the reader's part. But even though Mr. Lamb works hard at bringing the various stories together, I still think there is easily two books contained in this one book.
For those of you who like long, fairly intertwined, interesting books, and/or are a fan of Wally Lamb, this book is for you. I'm still undecided whether this book was for me.
Happy Reading!
Patti
I've just finished Wally Lamb's latest title, officially due out in November. As an Advance Reader's Copy, the book comes in at 700+ pages. Whew! It covers the Columbine tragedy, one couple's path throught their marriage, drug addiction, family (both past and present, and how the two are connected), and a history of women's penitentiaries in New England, to start with. Most of the story is told from Caelum Quirk's point of view, in first person, but occasionally tells the story from other characters' points of view, in third person. This is not confusing, as it has been for me in other books, but the transitions are not always clear or smooth.
For me, this book was just long. I feel that Mr. Lamb could have written two or more books from all that he covers in this one tome. There really is a lot here, most of it pretty interesting, and definitely an investment of time on the reader's part. But even though Mr. Lamb works hard at bringing the various stories together, I still think there is easily two books contained in this one book.
For those of you who like long, fairly intertwined, interesting books, and/or are a fan of Wally Lamb, this book is for you. I'm still undecided whether this book was for me.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What Our (Lone) Bookshelf Says About Us
Hello All!
Laura Lippman started this: http://www.journalscape.com/LauraLippman/2008-09-03-16:59/ and Andi Shechter continued it: http://www.journalscape.com/Hedgehog/2008-09-03-15:24/ .
Our bookshelf is lonely, and I can hear our boxed books calling from 5 miles away in our storage unit. Ken, my husband, and I moved from Michigan to Arizona about 13 months ago, expecting to only live in what is basically a studio apartment for a few months. Well, I've had some job searching highs and lows, and Ken has changed careers just since we've been here. So here we stay in our studio place with a minimal collection of our books.
Just focusing on my books for the moment; I think my books would say that I like a variety of mystery writers, although I seem to be expanding into other genres and nonfiction. Despite our lack of space, I still go to booksignings and bookstores, both new and used. The books are all jumbled right now, with a book on Grand Canyon Women next to a romance by Dorien Kelly, next to a mystery by Will Thomas, next to 2 titles by Arizona author Nancy E. Turner. Since attending a readers' advisory program where two publisher's reps spoke, I've been a lucky recipient of HarperCollins Advance Reading Copies--talk about a space challenge! Some are boxed to be donated, and in the trunk of my car :).
I will admit to purchasing what will end up being doubles of some of my comfort reads; I just wanted to have them available. I have bought several Charlotte Macleods, Margaret Marons and Laurie Colwin's Home Cooking (which actually may be my 3rd copy of that title).
And there are the series that I haven't read in awhile, or that I want to get caught up on, or that I'm in the middle of--these are some of the others that are packed away. These include series by Peter Robinson, Laura Lippman, Donna Leon, Ellen Byrreum, Shirley Damsgaard, off the top of my head. There are series I'm in the middle of completing for my collection where I don't know what I own and what I don't--if I see something at a used bookstore, I have to hold back, so that I don't end up with too many doubles. And the main title that I'm bummed I packed and didn't leave out is Sean Chercover's Big City, Bad Blood. Yes I could borrow it from the library, but my copy is signed--I want to read that copy ;)! I may cave though, as Sean's up for so many awards at Bouchercon.
Ken's books include natural history, history, Buddism, and some of the ARCs I've received (usually science oriented). We share a collection on Arizona travel, as we want to know as much as possible about our new state. I also have several gardening books for the desert, and a collection of Phoenix and Phoenix Home & Garden magazines, for when we have our own garden.
The shelf also contains some fossils of Ken's, a photo of my grandparents, stationary, a box of birthday cards, and some basic miscellaneous stuff. As I hope to be on a cleaning kick starting Friday, both Laura and Andi have inspired me to be a bit more brutal if I'm not going to read something I haven't read, or I'm not going to reread something (even if it's signed--a really tough thing for me).
I'm also in the process of trying to return library books, and not take any out (very, very hard for me), so that I can read the books that I've taken the time to choose and the money I spent to own. Library books are also allotted some space here--TBR are Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas, Scattershot by Bill Pronzini, Bobbie Faye's Very...Bad Day by Toni Causey, For Whom the Minivan Rolls by Jeffrey Cohen and Deadly Vintage by Elaine Flinn.
Thanks for the inspiration for cleaning, and for this post, Laura and Andi :)! Right now, my bookshelf says I'm a slob :)!!!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Laura Lippman started this: http://www.journalscape.com/LauraLippman/2008-09-03-16:59/ and Andi Shechter continued it: http://www.journalscape.com/Hedgehog/2008-09-03-15:24/ .
Our bookshelf is lonely, and I can hear our boxed books calling from 5 miles away in our storage unit. Ken, my husband, and I moved from Michigan to Arizona about 13 months ago, expecting to only live in what is basically a studio apartment for a few months. Well, I've had some job searching highs and lows, and Ken has changed careers just since we've been here. So here we stay in our studio place with a minimal collection of our books.
Just focusing on my books for the moment; I think my books would say that I like a variety of mystery writers, although I seem to be expanding into other genres and nonfiction. Despite our lack of space, I still go to booksignings and bookstores, both new and used. The books are all jumbled right now, with a book on Grand Canyon Women next to a romance by Dorien Kelly, next to a mystery by Will Thomas, next to 2 titles by Arizona author Nancy E. Turner. Since attending a readers' advisory program where two publisher's reps spoke, I've been a lucky recipient of HarperCollins Advance Reading Copies--talk about a space challenge! Some are boxed to be donated, and in the trunk of my car :).
I will admit to purchasing what will end up being doubles of some of my comfort reads; I just wanted to have them available. I have bought several Charlotte Macleods, Margaret Marons and Laurie Colwin's Home Cooking (which actually may be my 3rd copy of that title).
And there are the series that I haven't read in awhile, or that I want to get caught up on, or that I'm in the middle of--these are some of the others that are packed away. These include series by Peter Robinson, Laura Lippman, Donna Leon, Ellen Byrreum, Shirley Damsgaard, off the top of my head. There are series I'm in the middle of completing for my collection where I don't know what I own and what I don't--if I see something at a used bookstore, I have to hold back, so that I don't end up with too many doubles. And the main title that I'm bummed I packed and didn't leave out is Sean Chercover's Big City, Bad Blood. Yes I could borrow it from the library, but my copy is signed--I want to read that copy ;)! I may cave though, as Sean's up for so many awards at Bouchercon.
Ken's books include natural history, history, Buddism, and some of the ARCs I've received (usually science oriented). We share a collection on Arizona travel, as we want to know as much as possible about our new state. I also have several gardening books for the desert, and a collection of Phoenix and Phoenix Home & Garden magazines, for when we have our own garden.
The shelf also contains some fossils of Ken's, a photo of my grandparents, stationary, a box of birthday cards, and some basic miscellaneous stuff. As I hope to be on a cleaning kick starting Friday, both Laura and Andi have inspired me to be a bit more brutal if I'm not going to read something I haven't read, or I'm not going to reread something (even if it's signed--a really tough thing for me).
I'm also in the process of trying to return library books, and not take any out (very, very hard for me), so that I can read the books that I've taken the time to choose and the money I spent to own. Library books are also allotted some space here--TBR are Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas, Scattershot by Bill Pronzini, Bobbie Faye's Very...Bad Day by Toni Causey, For Whom the Minivan Rolls by Jeffrey Cohen and Deadly Vintage by Elaine Flinn.
Thanks for the inspiration for cleaning, and for this post, Laura and Andi :)! Right now, my bookshelf says I'm a slob :)!!!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday's Forgotten Reads: Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
Hello All!
Friday's Forgotten Reads was started by Patti Abbott:
"This is the first of what I optimistically hope will become Friday recommendations of books we love but might have forgotten over the years. I have asked several people to help me by also remembering a favorite book. Their blog sites are listed below. I also asked each of them to tag someone to recommend a book for next Friday. I'm worried great books of the recent past are sliding out of print and out of our consciousness. Not the first-tier classics we all can name, but the books that come next."
Her blog, with some of her Forgotten Reads and links to many, many others, is http://pattinase.blogspot.com/ .
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
My contribution to Friday’s Forgotten Reads is the above title. I read this for the first time sometime in the mid-1980s, and I think of it as one of the most wonderful love stories I’ve ever read. I read this book probably once a year, because the book and its characters bring me joy.
Happy All the Time is the story of cousins Guido and Vincent, and the women who become their wives, Holly and Misty, respectively. These two couples fall in love differently, define it differently, yet the couples compliment each other, and the friendships are truly cemented by the end of the book. I identify most with Guido, for the depth of love he feels for his sometimes mysterious wife, and with Misty, for her high defenses that keep love far away until she lets Vincent in. Laurie Colwin’s writing, especially in this novel, is humorous, with most of the supportive characters having idiosyncrasies that the reader finds funny and sweet. The friends and families of these two lovely and loving couples are perfect foils, and make Guido and Holly, Misty and Vincent more human.
The love stories I’ve found in Happy All the Time I have found rarely in other fictional couples—I’ll have to think on that, and get back to you.
I hope others will find the joy I’ve found in this book, and tell me about it.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Friday's Forgotten Reads was started by Patti Abbott:
"This is the first of what I optimistically hope will become Friday recommendations of books we love but might have forgotten over the years. I have asked several people to help me by also remembering a favorite book. Their blog sites are listed below. I also asked each of them to tag someone to recommend a book for next Friday. I'm worried great books of the recent past are sliding out of print and out of our consciousness. Not the first-tier classics we all can name, but the books that come next."
Her blog, with some of her Forgotten Reads and links to many, many others, is http://pattinase.blogspot.com/ .
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
My contribution to Friday’s Forgotten Reads is the above title. I read this for the first time sometime in the mid-1980s, and I think of it as one of the most wonderful love stories I’ve ever read. I read this book probably once a year, because the book and its characters bring me joy.
Happy All the Time is the story of cousins Guido and Vincent, and the women who become their wives, Holly and Misty, respectively. These two couples fall in love differently, define it differently, yet the couples compliment each other, and the friendships are truly cemented by the end of the book. I identify most with Guido, for the depth of love he feels for his sometimes mysterious wife, and with Misty, for her high defenses that keep love far away until she lets Vincent in. Laurie Colwin’s writing, especially in this novel, is humorous, with most of the supportive characters having idiosyncrasies that the reader finds funny and sweet. The friends and families of these two lovely and loving couples are perfect foils, and make Guido and Holly, Misty and Vincent more human.
The love stories I’ve found in Happy All the Time I have found rarely in other fictional couples—I’ll have to think on that, and get back to you.
I hope others will find the joy I’ve found in this book, and tell me about it.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Gone West
Hello All!
I've lived in Arizona for a year, and recently I've read two wonderful books that have piqued my interest about the history of Arizona, especially from a woman's perspective.
Last spring, I read These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901, Arizona Territories by Nancy E. Turner. It was chosen to be the adult title for One Book/One Arizona. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's on my "favorite reads" list for 2008, and I learned a lot about the growth of Tucson and Arizona during the late 1800s. I also learned how difficult it was to be a woman during those very rough times on what was still the frontier. Sarah survived a lot, learned a lot, and grew as a person during the book--not all fictional characters do.
The second book I just finished, Army Wives on the American Frontier: Living by the Bugles by Anne Bruner Eales. It reminded me of These Is My Words, especially when the wives the book mentioned were posted in Arizona. These women went west expecting to live lives similar to what they lead in the East, and those expectations were shattered by Indian attacks, severe weather, wild animals, and lack of decent housing and food. While there were strong-willed Army wives, and some who had interesting adventures, I feel that these women's lives were much more limited in their experiences, as they lived in more dangerous places (usually where there was a constant threat of Indian attack), could only purchase supplies on post, Army pay was very low, and basically lived in a closed society. Despite these restrictions, the Army wives persevered, and felt restricted when they returned East, for a new posting or to visit family.
In contrast, for me, Sarah, in These Is My Words, could move about more freely, despite the threat of Indians, could farm or ranch, purchase goods from a small selection of merchants in Tucson, and do other things to enhance her finances, such as make soap.
I really felt these two books complimented each other, and I look forward to reading more about the development and history of Arizona. There are two more titles about Sarah Prine by Nancy E. Turner, and I own a title, bought at the Grand Canyon, called Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped By Landscape by Betty Leavengood (2nd edition). I look forward to reading those books, and seeing what else I can learn.
Happy Reading!
Patti
I've lived in Arizona for a year, and recently I've read two wonderful books that have piqued my interest about the history of Arizona, especially from a woman's perspective.
Last spring, I read These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901, Arizona Territories by Nancy E. Turner. It was chosen to be the adult title for One Book/One Arizona. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's on my "favorite reads" list for 2008, and I learned a lot about the growth of Tucson and Arizona during the late 1800s. I also learned how difficult it was to be a woman during those very rough times on what was still the frontier. Sarah survived a lot, learned a lot, and grew as a person during the book--not all fictional characters do.
The second book I just finished, Army Wives on the American Frontier: Living by the Bugles by Anne Bruner Eales. It reminded me of These Is My Words, especially when the wives the book mentioned were posted in Arizona. These women went west expecting to live lives similar to what they lead in the East, and those expectations were shattered by Indian attacks, severe weather, wild animals, and lack of decent housing and food. While there were strong-willed Army wives, and some who had interesting adventures, I feel that these women's lives were much more limited in their experiences, as they lived in more dangerous places (usually where there was a constant threat of Indian attack), could only purchase supplies on post, Army pay was very low, and basically lived in a closed society. Despite these restrictions, the Army wives persevered, and felt restricted when they returned East, for a new posting or to visit family.
In contrast, for me, Sarah, in These Is My Words, could move about more freely, despite the threat of Indians, could farm or ranch, purchase goods from a small selection of merchants in Tucson, and do other things to enhance her finances, such as make soap.
I really felt these two books complimented each other, and I look forward to reading more about the development and history of Arizona. There are two more titles about Sarah Prine by Nancy E. Turner, and I own a title, bought at the Grand Canyon, called Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped By Landscape by Betty Leavengood (2nd edition). I look forward to reading those books, and seeing what else I can learn.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Saturday, August 9, 2008
My Answers to the Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Hi again!
You didn't think I'd let myself off the hook for these questions, did you? I love this kind of stuff, which is why I'm asking for your responses too. Here you go*:
On your nightstand now: Nancy Martin's A Crazy Little Thing Called Death and Army Wives on the American Frontier: Living by the Bugles by Anne Bruner Eales (a loan from one of Ken's coworkers). Waiting in the wings is Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais.
Book you've "faked" reading: The Scarlet Letter in high school.
Book you've bought for the cover: I just can't spend my money that way.
Favorite book when you were a child: Meet the Austins by Madeleine L'Engle
Book that changed your life:
Favorite line from a book: From a Robert B. Parker (not sure which title), Hawk says to Spencer as they discuss the bad guys, "So many assholes, so little time." [Sorry for the swearing :)]
Top five favorite authors: Margaret Maron, S. J. Rozan, Laurie Colwin, Louise Penny
Books you recommend as regeneration when people say, "I'm bored by almost all contemporary American writers.": Mystic River by Dennis Lehane, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Tell No One by Harlan Coben, and Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Book you can't believe that everyone has not read and loved: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and Still Life by Louise Penny
Book you are an "evangelist" for: Plainsong by Kent Haruf, Tonight I Said Goodbye by Michael Koryta; authors S. J. Rozan and Louise Penny
Book you most want to read again for the first time: Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
*subject to additions upon reminders and remembrances :).
Happy Reading!
Patti
You didn't think I'd let myself off the hook for these questions, did you? I love this kind of stuff, which is why I'm asking for your responses too. Here you go*:
On your nightstand now: Nancy Martin's A Crazy Little Thing Called Death and Army Wives on the American Frontier: Living by the Bugles by Anne Bruner Eales (a loan from one of Ken's coworkers). Waiting in the wings is Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais.
Book you've "faked" reading: The Scarlet Letter in high school.
Book you've bought for the cover: I just can't spend my money that way.
Favorite book when you were a child: Meet the Austins by Madeleine L'Engle
Book that changed your life:
Favorite line from a book: From a Robert B. Parker (not sure which title), Hawk says to Spencer as they discuss the bad guys, "So many assholes, so little time." [Sorry for the swearing :)]
Top five favorite authors: Margaret Maron, S. J. Rozan, Laurie Colwin, Louise Penny
Books you recommend as regeneration when people say, "I'm bored by almost all contemporary American writers.": Mystic River by Dennis Lehane, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Tell No One by Harlan Coben, and Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Book you can't believe that everyone has not read and loved: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and Still Life by Louise Penny
Book you are an "evangelist" for: Plainsong by Kent Haruf, Tonight I Said Goodbye by Michael Koryta; authors S. J. Rozan and Louise Penny
Book you most want to read again for the first time: Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
*subject to additions upon reminders and remembrances :).
Happy Reading!
Patti
Cool Questions from Shelf Awareness
Hi All!
Shelf Awareness is one of my favorite online newsletter subscriptions--it gives a lot of different information about the book trade, bookstores, and authors. At least twice a month, they ask different authors the following questions (with occasional variations), which I think are terrific questions to think about and discuss. Please feel free to answer in the comments area, or to email the answers to me. Both personally and professionally, I love to know what people are reading, have read, and what books and authors they're passionate about. Thanks for playing :), and thanks to Shelf Awareness.
On your nightstand now:
Book you've "faked" reading:
Book you've bought for the cover:
Favorite book when you were a child:
Book that changed your life:
Favorite line from a book:
Top five favorite authors:
Books you recommend as regeneration when people say, "I'm bored by almost all contemporary American writers.":
Book you can't believe that everyone has not read and loved:
Book you are an "evangelist" for:
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
Happy Reading!
Patti
Shelf Awareness is one of my favorite online newsletter subscriptions--it gives a lot of different information about the book trade, bookstores, and authors. At least twice a month, they ask different authors the following questions (with occasional variations), which I think are terrific questions to think about and discuss. Please feel free to answer in the comments area, or to email the answers to me. Both personally and professionally, I love to know what people are reading, have read, and what books and authors they're passionate about. Thanks for playing :), and thanks to Shelf Awareness.
On your nightstand now:
Book you've "faked" reading:
Book you've bought for the cover:
Favorite book when you were a child:
Book that changed your life:
Favorite line from a book:
Top five favorite authors:
Books you recommend as regeneration when people say, "I'm bored by almost all contemporary American writers.":
Book you can't believe that everyone has not read and loved:
Book you are an "evangelist" for:
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
Happy Reading!
Patti
Sunday, August 3, 2008
A Birthday Happily Spent :)
Hi All!
This is the way many readers will understand as a very good way to spend time on your birthday :). Today, my husband and I started the day by opening the birthday cards sent to me by family and friends, then got ready to go out. We brunched on bagels at Einstein Bagels, then on to two of the highlights of the day.
The first was a visit to Bookman's, a used book and other media store. It's very large, and the sections are clearly marked and alphabetized well. As I do on every trip to a used bookstore, I check out things that are on my list--these are either out-of-print, or things I haven't purchased yet. Looking at the pile I will list in a moment, I actually only got one book that's on my list. Somehow...again all readers will understand...I still managed to purchase 4 books.
After Bookman's, we went on to Changing Hands. Changing Hands is a new and used bookstore, named independent bookstore of the year by Publisher's Weekly in 2006. They have frequent author signings and other interesting activities for customers of all ages, and I was there last Monday for a signing by science fiction author Karen Traviss. As I had just been there the other day, I didn't spend as much time browsing, yet again, ended up with 2 more books. Ah yes, bookstores are exactly where one should spend a birthday.
What I bought:
All About Evie by Beth Ciotta (previously reviewed, now owned; romance)
The Shortest Day by Jane Langton (a hopefully not already owned* title in the Homer and Mary Kelly mystery series)
Dewey Decimated by Charles Goodrum (1st in a mystery series)
Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn (2nd in a mystery series)
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (fiction)
Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest by Sandra Day O'Connor and H. Alan Day (biography)
The rest of today I hope to spend reading, responding to birthday emails, and watching either a "Midsomer Murder" episode or "Desk Set", one of my favorite movies with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (for those of you who don't know, Hepburn plays a librarian in this movie!). And my handsome husband is cooking me a lovely chicken dinner.
May all your birthdays be as happily spent!
Happy Reading!
Patti
*When Ken and I moved to Arizona, a year ago now, we took a very small place, as we didn't know where we'd be working. As of right now, most of the books I own are in storage. I try not to buy things that are part of series that I'm looking for, as I don't know what I already own :). Notice how, in general, this has not stopped the acquiring of books by either Ken or myself, though I am the much guiltier party.
This is the way many readers will understand as a very good way to spend time on your birthday :). Today, my husband and I started the day by opening the birthday cards sent to me by family and friends, then got ready to go out. We brunched on bagels at Einstein Bagels, then on to two of the highlights of the day.
The first was a visit to Bookman's, a used book and other media store. It's very large, and the sections are clearly marked and alphabetized well. As I do on every trip to a used bookstore, I check out things that are on my list--these are either out-of-print, or things I haven't purchased yet. Looking at the pile I will list in a moment, I actually only got one book that's on my list. Somehow...again all readers will understand...I still managed to purchase 4 books.
After Bookman's, we went on to Changing Hands. Changing Hands is a new and used bookstore, named independent bookstore of the year by Publisher's Weekly in 2006. They have frequent author signings and other interesting activities for customers of all ages, and I was there last Monday for a signing by science fiction author Karen Traviss. As I had just been there the other day, I didn't spend as much time browsing, yet again, ended up with 2 more books. Ah yes, bookstores are exactly where one should spend a birthday.
What I bought:
All About Evie by Beth Ciotta (previously reviewed, now owned; romance)
The Shortest Day by Jane Langton (a hopefully not already owned* title in the Homer and Mary Kelly mystery series)
Dewey Decimated by Charles Goodrum (1st in a mystery series)
Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn (2nd in a mystery series)
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (fiction)
Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest by Sandra Day O'Connor and H. Alan Day (biography)
The rest of today I hope to spend reading, responding to birthday emails, and watching either a "Midsomer Murder" episode or "Desk Set", one of my favorite movies with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (for those of you who don't know, Hepburn plays a librarian in this movie!). And my handsome husband is cooking me a lovely chicken dinner.
May all your birthdays be as happily spent!
Happy Reading!
Patti
*When Ken and I moved to Arizona, a year ago now, we took a very small place, as we didn't know where we'd be working. As of right now, most of the books I own are in storage. I try not to buy things that are part of series that I'm looking for, as I don't know what I already own :). Notice how, in general, this has not stopped the acquiring of books by either Ken or myself, though I am the much guiltier party.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Checking Out Award Winners
Hello All!
There are all sorts of book awards out there, and if you only read award winners, you quite possibly wouldn't read anything else. I do try to sample here and there, in other fiction genres than my usual mystery one, and I've found wonderful books that way, and also terrible books (like Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee, which won the Booker Prize--I personally did not get why it won an award but it did make for a terrific book discussion!).
On to some good stuff, according to me :) :
A recent wonderful find was 2006 Spur Award Winner (from the Western Writers of America) was Willard Wyman's High Country. This title won two awards that year, Novel of the West, and Best First Novel; I think that's why I chose to read it. The writing in this book is cinematic--you are there in the Montana mountains of the 1930s, as a boy becomes a man as he learns how to run mule trains into the wilderness. Mistakes are made, WWII comes and goes, and one's mentor passes on, but the story of the West, despite changes, remains a big story and a vast place. Highly recommended
Another find was Beth Ciotta's All About Evie, which won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Contemporary Romance. I chose this title as I had read another book by her, and because I thought it was a standalone. Several bonuses were found in this book for me--it's screwball romance, which is my favorite kind, the main character is over 40, and it's not a standalone! The second title just came out in February, and is called Everybody Loves Evie. I had a lot of fun reading this, and I also definitely recommend All About Evie--I'll read the second one soon.
Happy Reading!
Patti
There are all sorts of book awards out there, and if you only read award winners, you quite possibly wouldn't read anything else. I do try to sample here and there, in other fiction genres than my usual mystery one, and I've found wonderful books that way, and also terrible books (like Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee, which won the Booker Prize--I personally did not get why it won an award but it did make for a terrific book discussion!).
On to some good stuff, according to me :) :
A recent wonderful find was 2006 Spur Award Winner (from the Western Writers of America) was Willard Wyman's High Country. This title won two awards that year, Novel of the West, and Best First Novel; I think that's why I chose to read it. The writing in this book is cinematic--you are there in the Montana mountains of the 1930s, as a boy becomes a man as he learns how to run mule trains into the wilderness. Mistakes are made, WWII comes and goes, and one's mentor passes on, but the story of the West, despite changes, remains a big story and a vast place. Highly recommended
Another find was Beth Ciotta's All About Evie, which won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Contemporary Romance. I chose this title as I had read another book by her, and because I thought it was a standalone. Several bonuses were found in this book for me--it's screwball romance, which is my favorite kind, the main character is over 40, and it's not a standalone! The second title just came out in February, and is called Everybody Loves Evie. I had a lot of fun reading this, and I also definitely recommend All About Evie--I'll read the second one soon.
Happy Reading!
Patti
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Agatha Christie's Sparkling Cyanide (AKA Remembered Death)
Hello!
DorothyL, the listserv where many of my favorite mystery people hang out, has started its own book discussion. The first title is Sparkling Cyanide, and the discussion begins in August. I have run two book groups myself, and I'm looking forward to see how one is run as part of a listserv.
I've read (I think) 4 Agatha Christie titles:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
And Then There Were None (AKA Ten Little Indians, & other titles)
Sparkling Cyanide
While The Murder of Roger Ackroyd has an incredible twist to it, I believe I enjoyed Sparkling Cyanide the most. I thought the character description and development was very good, and the story was well told. I didn't guess "whodunnit", but, then, I almost never do :).
Spoiler Alert (don't read this part if you're planning on reading And Then There Were None):
*******************
******
Both my husband and I read And Then There Were None for Magna Cum Murder Crime Writing Festival's One Book/One Conference. We both disliked it because the end was wrapped up by a message in a bottle. Sorry to all the Christie fans out there, but, good grief! I'm sure I'll get some comments on that one ;).
******
*******************
End Spoiler Alert
I'm sure I'll get some other comments when I say this: I'm not a huge fan of Agatha Christie. I'm not sure why. I enjoyed watching some (but not all) of the Hercule Poirot TV series, but her books overall haven't grabbed me. I will always try one, usually for a book discussion, as she is one of those who wrote during the Golden Age of Mysteries*, but I don't choose Agatha Christie to read on my own.
For character description and development, and good storytelling, I would definitely recommend Sparkling Cyanide.
Happy Reading!
Patti
*"The 1920s ushered in the Golden Age of mystery fiction. A time of growing prosperity in both England and America, the popularity of mystery fiction was at an all-time high. No longer used only to describe the period in history, Golden Age refers as well to the style of writing itself. Crime in these stories strictly adhere to a prescribed format with little or no variation." (quote from http://www.mysterynet.com/timeline/timeline.shtml )
DorothyL, the listserv where many of my favorite mystery people hang out, has started its own book discussion. The first title is Sparkling Cyanide, and the discussion begins in August. I have run two book groups myself, and I'm looking forward to see how one is run as part of a listserv.
I've read (I think) 4 Agatha Christie titles:
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
And Then There Were None (AKA Ten Little Indians, & other titles)
Sparkling Cyanide
While The Murder of Roger Ackroyd has an incredible twist to it, I believe I enjoyed Sparkling Cyanide the most. I thought the character description and development was very good, and the story was well told. I didn't guess "whodunnit", but, then, I almost never do :).
Spoiler Alert (don't read this part if you're planning on reading And Then There Were None):
*******************
******
Both my husband and I read And Then There Were None for Magna Cum Murder Crime Writing Festival's One Book/One Conference. We both disliked it because the end was wrapped up by a message in a bottle. Sorry to all the Christie fans out there, but, good grief! I'm sure I'll get some comments on that one ;).
******
*******************
End Spoiler Alert
I'm sure I'll get some other comments when I say this: I'm not a huge fan of Agatha Christie. I'm not sure why. I enjoyed watching some (but not all) of the Hercule Poirot TV series, but her books overall haven't grabbed me. I will always try one, usually for a book discussion, as she is one of those who wrote during the Golden Age of Mysteries*, but I don't choose Agatha Christie to read on my own.
For character description and development, and good storytelling, I would definitely recommend Sparkling Cyanide.
Happy Reading!
Patti
*"The 1920s ushered in the Golden Age of mystery fiction. A time of growing prosperity in both England and America, the popularity of mystery fiction was at an all-time high. No longer used only to describe the period in history, Golden Age refers as well to the style of writing itself. Crime in these stories strictly adhere to a prescribed format with little or no variation." (quote from http://www.mysterynet.com/timeline/timeline.shtml )
Monday, July 21, 2008
Finally Catching Up on Reading Free Books!
Hi All!
Via DorothyL, I have entered contests to win free books. I have also, as a librarian, given my card to authors at various conventions, and as a result, have also received books. Currently, I am receiving Advanced Reading Copies of books from HarperCollins as a result of attending a Readers' Advisory program, and meeting publishers' representatives to the library market. Here, I write about some titles I've received (this was also posted to DorothyL).
Gosh, I'm kind of embarrassed to be so kindly given several free books over the last SIX(!) months, and then not getting around to reading them--good grief!
In the order I read them:
Robert Fate's Baby Shark: Robert was kind enough to send me the third in this series to my former library (which they sent on to me). When I emailed that I'd be tracking down the first to read them in order, Robert sent me the first also! What a sweetheart! I thought Baby Shark was one tough cookie, who went through a lot in her young life. I admired the strength and growth as she chose that path over a path of withdrawing into herself. I have no problems with her career choice, nor the revenge that had to be exacted in this book. I look forward to seeing where Baby Shark goes from here.
Louise Ure's The Fault Tree: I received this as part of a Readers' Advisory workshop where Louise was speaking (& signing!). I enjoyed this book of a very independent blind woman, who also is in a non-traditional career; she's an auto mechanic.
Leighton Gage's Blood of the Wicked: I won this as part of Mr. Gage's tour last January. Everyone seems to have a wicked side in Brazil--this was part of the book, and also true, as per Mr. Gage's talk at his signing. Even the hero, at some point in his career, looked the other way or participated in activities that went against his good side. I'm sure that there are many good people in Brazil, and I know that it's a beautiful country, but I'm not sure I want to visit there :).
Steven Torres' The Concrete Maze: Steven sent this to me I think in December (sorry to be so late reading this, Steven!), when he was giving away copies of this book. Boy, New York City and its boroughs are definitely a concrete maze, and the main character, Marc, and his uncle drive through them over and over to solve the kidnapping of Marc's young teenage cousin. This is another book that portrays a place as evil, with very few good people in it. Now I need to get back to Steven's Precinct Puerto Rico series!
There was a lot of vengence in these books, not an aspect I always like in crime fiction, but it definitely made for interesting reading. I thank the above authors for their kindness in gifting me with their books, and sharing good and interesting writing with me.
I promise that if I I am lucky enough to win another contest, or to receive another book from an author, that I will read it in a more timely manner :)!
Go forth and investigate these books!
Via DorothyL, I have entered contests to win free books. I have also, as a librarian, given my card to authors at various conventions, and as a result, have also received books. Currently, I am receiving Advanced Reading Copies of books from HarperCollins as a result of attending a Readers' Advisory program, and meeting publishers' representatives to the library market. Here, I write about some titles I've received (this was also posted to DorothyL).
Gosh, I'm kind of embarrassed to be so kindly given several free books over the last SIX(!) months, and then not getting around to reading them--good grief!
In the order I read them:
Robert Fate's Baby Shark: Robert was kind enough to send me the third in this series to my former library (which they sent on to me). When I emailed that I'd be tracking down the first to read them in order, Robert sent me the first also! What a sweetheart! I thought Baby Shark was one tough cookie, who went through a lot in her young life. I admired the strength and growth as she chose that path over a path of withdrawing into herself. I have no problems with her career choice, nor the revenge that had to be exacted in this book. I look forward to seeing where Baby Shark goes from here.
Louise Ure's The Fault Tree: I received this as part of a Readers' Advisory workshop where Louise was speaking (& signing!). I enjoyed this book of a very independent blind woman, who also is in a non-traditional career; she's an auto mechanic.
Leighton Gage's Blood of the Wicked: I won this as part of Mr. Gage's tour last January. Everyone seems to have a wicked side in Brazil--this was part of the book, and also true, as per Mr. Gage's talk at his signing. Even the hero, at some point in his career, looked the other way or participated in activities that went against his good side. I'm sure that there are many good people in Brazil, and I know that it's a beautiful country, but I'm not sure I want to visit there :).
Steven Torres' The Concrete Maze: Steven sent this to me I think in December (sorry to be so late reading this, Steven!), when he was giving away copies of this book. Boy, New York City and its boroughs are definitely a concrete maze, and the main character, Marc, and his uncle drive through them over and over to solve the kidnapping of Marc's young teenage cousin. This is another book that portrays a place as evil, with very few good people in it. Now I need to get back to Steven's Precinct Puerto Rico series!
There was a lot of vengence in these books, not an aspect I always like in crime fiction, but it definitely made for interesting reading. I thank the above authors for their kindness in gifting me with their books, and sharing good and interesting writing with me.
I promise that if I I am lucky enough to win another contest, or to receive another book from an author, that I will read it in a more timely manner :)!
Go forth and investigate these books!
Happy Reading!
Patti
Saturday, July 19, 2008
About Patti's Pen & Picks
Hello!
And welcome to my blog :)! I've decided to try this out partially as it is another way to learn elements that are a part of Library 2.0, and partially because I feel I need (another) outlet to talk about books. Yes, I'm already on DorothyL, Fiction_L, and I know there are lots of bloggers out there already talking about books. No, I don't know if I have anything new or different to add, but I really enjoy sharing what I read, and I can't seem to help myself from wanting to make a list of one or more books that I've read to go along with the one I've just finished. It must be a librarian thing :).
I'm a reader first, librarian second, but my life is definitely surrounded by books. I read almost everything, except horror. Mysteries are my very favorite genre, though I have gotten a little more selective in the last few years--no more serial killer plots, and I don't usually like the plots where you know what both the crime solver and the evil doer are thinking; I much prefer the crime solver's point of view.
I LOVE being a librarian. Despite the fact that my husband thinks he has the best job ever, I think I have the best job ever. It is so much fun to help people, talk with people, and be constantly learning. My biggest goal as a libarian is to make the library environment a comfortable, welcoming one. Thank goodness that so many libraries are connected to other libraries, and that they share resources; it makes serving patrons so much easier.
My understanding about blogs is that short and sweet is the best way to write them--I better quit while I'm ahead :).
Happy Reading!
Patti
And welcome to my blog :)! I've decided to try this out partially as it is another way to learn elements that are a part of Library 2.0, and partially because I feel I need (another) outlet to talk about books. Yes, I'm already on DorothyL, Fiction_L, and I know there are lots of bloggers out there already talking about books. No, I don't know if I have anything new or different to add, but I really enjoy sharing what I read, and I can't seem to help myself from wanting to make a list of one or more books that I've read to go along with the one I've just finished. It must be a librarian thing :).
I'm a reader first, librarian second, but my life is definitely surrounded by books. I read almost everything, except horror. Mysteries are my very favorite genre, though I have gotten a little more selective in the last few years--no more serial killer plots, and I don't usually like the plots where you know what both the crime solver and the evil doer are thinking; I much prefer the crime solver's point of view.
I LOVE being a librarian. Despite the fact that my husband thinks he has the best job ever, I think I have the best job ever. It is so much fun to help people, talk with people, and be constantly learning. My biggest goal as a libarian is to make the library environment a comfortable, welcoming one. Thank goodness that so many libraries are connected to other libraries, and that they share resources; it makes serving patrons so much easier.
My understanding about blogs is that short and sweet is the best way to write them--I better quit while I'm ahead :).
Happy Reading!
Patti
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