Joe's Book Cafe 4

Unknown artist in South London

Welcome back to the cafe!

Favorite Books in 2012:

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand
Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman
The Siege by Helen Dunmore
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron
Wild: From Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
In A Sun-burned Country by Bill Bryson
Turkana Boy by Jean-Francois Beauchemin and Jessica Moore
Shadow Divers by Ron Kurson
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng
The Western Lit Survival Kit by Sandra Newman
Pyongyang by Guy Delisle
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

My fave 2012 young adult books were:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
So B. It by Sarah Weeks
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Favorite Nonfiction from the Last 10 Years

1. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
2. War by Sebastian Junger
3. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
4. Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
5. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
6. The Mold in Dr. Florey's Coat by Eric Lax
7. Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
8. Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand
9. The Judgement of Paris by Ross King
10. Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

Runners-up: The Swerve and Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt, Michaelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King, Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder, The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr.

Favorite Fiction from the Last 10 Years

1. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
2. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
3. The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
4. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
5. Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
6. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
7. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
8. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
9. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie
10. Old Filth by Jane Gardam

Runners-up: The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes, Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace, After the Quake by Haruki Murakami, The Kite Runner and Life of Pi.

January 2013 Books

1. Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
2. The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
3. Anomaly by Skip Brittenham
4. The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman
5. Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
6. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
7. The Nao of Brown by Glyn Dillon
8. Low Town by Daniel Polansky
9. Bend Not Break by Ping Fu
10. Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb

February 2013 Books

1. A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan/Brandon Sanderson
2. The Miniature Wife and Other Stories by Manuel Gonzales

Sweet picture! Are you finished with your top of the thread stuffs?

>2 jnwelch: Ha! Yes, thanks, Speedy Gonzalez Karen, all finished. You're entitled, btw, to a beverage or dish of your choice on the house for finding the new place first.

Nice new thread, Joe! Snagging the corner booth where I will settle in to work on finishing up Game of Thrones which is completely addictive.

Yes, lunch with the kids leaves something to be desired: let's see, I think i desire a nice BLT sandwich, and a light ale to go with it! Thanks.

Lovely picture up top! Thanks for the soup the other day--it hit the spot.

>6 maggie1944: Excellent, Mamie! Nice choice of seating. I know there are a lot of GOT fans on LT; I've yet to get snared, but we'll see. I may wait until this formidable page generator finishes the series.

>7 ronincats: You got it, Karen. As long as the kids haven't tied you up and started taking apart the house, you're ahead of the game. Here you go:



>8 jnwelch: Hi, Roni! Thanks. I was just thinking, I love walking around a city and coming across street art like that. There's something magical about it.

Glad you liked that soup. It did look awfully good, didn't it?

oooooh, yeah, Joe. great pic, happy new thread.

a) i wanna know why NOBODY on this list is talking about Sailor Twain

and

2) i'd like some rolled cheese quesadillas--a little salsa or other topping would be nice but not requisite and a tostada compuesta. i'm hungry but happy to share. i'd like a XX (Dos Equis) Amber to go with it, por favor. nobody else will like it--it's for old time's sake. :)

oooh, and a little Mexican flan or flan cake. whatever's easier for cheffiekins. time jiggery is fine.

numnumnumnumnumnumnum

>9 mirrordrum: Ha! Glad you found our new digs, Ellie! Have you read Sailor Twain? I know our friend Mark was reading it, but then I didn't hear any more. Is it a good one?

OK, let's put together that south of the border order for you:



Maybe it's because I'm at an age where I have similar old times' sakes, but I'd join you on all of that, including the Dos Equis.

Hi Joe- Boddingtons please! I work up a mighty thirst being on vacation. Whew! Congrats on the new thread. You Da Man! I finished Nine Ways to Disappear. It was very good. Spare, dark and quirky. You can knock it out in a single brief sitting. I am loving "Howl".

Ellie- I mentioned Sailor Twain a couple times, but I did not review it for some lame reason. The first half was excellent but the latter half was a bit less satisfying. Very good GN.

>10 jnwelch: You got it, Mark! My sympathy - it's tough being on vacation and trying to stay thirst-quenched. If anybody can do it well, though, I know it's you. I think I succeeded in ordering the Lilli Carre at the library, so I'm glad to hear the thumbs up on it. Hmm, good Sailor Twain but a bit of a drop-off in the second half. I'll mull a while on that one.

Boddington's? Nice! That's one I know and like:

Kids: eldest is upstairs playing with legos; middle child is in TV room playing Bad Piggies on my Nook; youngest is playing with Mermaids in the bathtub, with bubbles! I think I'll go crack a book. Nice afternoon. Mom is expected within the next few minutes.

>13 maggie1944: Sounds most excellent, Karen! Savvy strategy well-executed. And then give them back to mom - the beauty of grandkids.

ETA: off to catch the train. Enjoy the new cafe. Pies on the counter.

I've found the café's new location but it's bedtime for me, so perhaps I can pre-order breakfast: scrambled eggs on wholemeal toast, with a large pot of coffee, thanks.

Interested to hear the news from Diana about Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicating. I remember when her mother Juliana did the same. I don't know why it seems out of the question for our Queen Elizabeth, she seems to feel she has to soldier on to the bitter end. Perhaps because in the UK abdication is associated still with Edward VIII and that decision was a controversial one.

Joe - How do you know that the guy with the phone is an artist! Congratulations on your new thread mate and I'll share a tinny with Mark if he doesn't overly mind.

>11 msf59: whoops, Mark, i missed it. maybe before i became immersed.

>12 jnwelch: don't *mull* over Sailor Twain, Joe. try it. dip a toe in and you'll hear the mermaid singing and be hooked. now, admittedly, i'm only half way through and it may plummet, but thus far it's enchanting, charged with eroticism (i think i may have stolen that from a review), compulsively readable, brilliantly illustrated, fascinating and downright wonderful. thus far, it's a close 2nd to Logicomix, and that's high praise, imo.

thanks for the luscious foodstuffs. i'm the last person to ask about beer and i had a suspicion when i did drink it that the USians were messing about with Mexican beer for the US market and ruining it. i adored Corona until it became available east of New Mexico and then it became ghastly. loved Tecate with lime until it got popular when it started tasting metallic. bah! however, as i said, i was never beer-wise.

i'd be happy to buy one for the proprietor for the good times.

must away to see if the Lady Vols can give their best against ND the night they raise Pat's banner at The Summitt.

cheerio (don't know where i got that. i've been using for decades.)

Hi Joe, congrats on your lovely new thread. That street picture is breathtaking. I can't believe we are in the final days of January already. I'm trying to get two more books finished to count for January and then I will be starting Bitterblue , which I notice was one of your top YA reads from last year. I'm really looking forward to it.

Stopping by to say hi, Joe! Your thread is a danger! I seemed to have picked up 5 lbs over the winter - so all of this food is not helping me! :) Can you fix up some celery sticks, maybe?

I'm mulling Sailor Twain too - I started reading it online a couple of years ago and would like to see how the author wraps everything up. Maybe this is a library get before I shell out some cash for it.

*slips into cafe with a flyer*

Here's a link to where I've listed the 22 books I picked up at the ALA. If any one wants to express an opinion as to which book I should read first, second.... so on, please do. I might follow some suggestions as I imagine someone might be curious about some of these, if not all.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/146503#3871010

It was so much fun.

15. I suppose it's out of the question for all monarchs because of similar reasons. The Netherlands is (as far as I know) the only country where it is tradition (and even there it's a fairly recent tradition) for the king or queen to abdicated in favour of their eldest child. It's part of the job description to remain monarch for the rest of your life.

Good morning to you all! I've already had coffee, so I am just popping in to stake out a place :)
I hope the day is kind to all...

>15 gennyt: Hi, Genny! I have to admit I like the abdication tradition in the Netherlands. Better for everyone. Queen Beatrice gets to take it easy and Willem-Alexander and Maxima bring some youth to the royalty. It would be good to see Queen Elizabeth do the same, but there are no signs of that, I gather.

Let's get you that brekkie:



>16 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul! He just has that artistic look to him, don't you think? Wonder whether he notices that nearby painting.

A tinnie with Mark? Here you go:



>17 mirrordrum: Hi, Ellie! I know, when they get nationally popular, the taste of the beer seems to go a bit south (no pun intended this time). Is that because of mass manufacture, or is it just less special in our minds? I still enjoy Dos Equis, Tecate, and Corona on occasion, but I know what you mean. That's quite an endorsement for Sailor Twain, although I'm already in Jerusalem: Chronicles, a long one, so I'll be able to get your reaction to the whole book before a reading slot opens up. Logicomix was most excellent, wasn't it?

cheerio and ta-ra until next time we see you

>18 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! Isn't that a beaut? I love street art.

You're in for a good time with Bitterblue. She really knows how to keep the quality level up. Sometimes of course you can have a standout first book like Graceling, and then a dropoff, but not with Cashore, IMHO.

>19 vancouverdeb: You bet, Deb! Plus we now have a jogging/walking trail out back to help with any overconsumption.

Hi Joe, jumping in on the new thread in hopes of keeping up this time. Oh, and thanks for leaving those pies on the counter. I think I need to check out that walking trail. I miss green vegetation!

>20 LauraBrook: Hi, Laura! Yup, library sounds right to me, too, for Sailor Twain. A little on the take a chance side. Deslisle's Jerusalem: Chronicle is very good so far, btw.

>21 maggie1944: Fun to see what you picked up, Karen, thanks. No surprise, my pick would be Bend Not Break. Otherwise, you have a bunch of authors who are new to me. I have read three of Cara Black's Paris mysteries, and enjoyed them, maybe more for the locations than the mysteries in my case.

So glad it was a great time for you!

>22 PawsforThought: I like the Netherlands tradition, Paws. There comes a time for the old to yield to the new. I've read that Netherlanders are happy for her. Now she'll have time to relax and enjoy the grandkids.

>23 mckait: Good morning, Kath! Hope your day is kind to you, too. We can bring more coffee to your staked-out spot whenever you're ready.

>25 Donna828: Me, too, Donna! Some greenery goes a long ways in our part of the world this time of year. You're welcome re the pies - glad to hear they're getting put to good use. :-)

26. I like it too, but since it is a Netherlands tradition and not a tradition anywhere else, it's not likely to happen anywhere else either, that's all I'm saying. Unless the reigning monarch falls ill or something, obviously.

It seems a lot of monarchies nowadays are mostly figureheads. So it wouldn't seem to me to be a big deal to step down after a few decades "on the job." But what do I know?

Paws, I respect the vision of other monarchies to have their tradition.

I'm also glad that the Netherlands has set a new tradition since 1948, when Beatrix' grandmother Wilhemina abdicated. It's such a heavy job and I think it's great to have the possibility to retire, if there's a good alternative of course.

>27 PawsforThought: Right, hard to argue with that, Paws.

>28 Morphidae: I know, me, too, Morphy. Kind of like being an ambassador, representing the country to the world in various venues. Maybe some of our UK-ers can comment - there seems to be a fair amount of interaction between the prime minister and the queen there.

>29 wilkiec: Hi, Diana! Thanks again for giving us insights into the Beatrix' abdication. I had read it's a recent tradition. You touch on a question we were wondering about - what is involved in the job, and what makes it heavy? We U.S.-ers are particularly unused to this kind of thing.

Hi Joe!

What makes it heavy, is that the queen has no private life of any significance. People always want to know everything about her and her family, the paparazzi always write about her, although in the UK it's even worse. The queen and her family are not allowed to give a personal opinion on subjects. They can never speak freely, always have to watch their words and their behaviour.

Our monarchy is not simply ceremonical. The king or queen is the head of the government, but has no right to express a political opinion either. She can't get angry in public, she works when she's ill, because many people count on her. She always has appointments, an extremely busy schedule and her preparations are perfect.

In short, I don't envy her :)

Just stopping by to wish you Good Reading for the month ahead, which is almost upon us!

Bye for now, Mary Beth

Morning Joe- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to turn anyone off on Sailor Twain. It was probably a bad choice of words. The first 2/3rds are amazing. I just didn't think it ended as strong but it looks like I am in the minority there. Yes, please READ IT!
Hope you have a good day. Did you see my PM from yesterday?

>31 wilkiec: Thanks, Diana. That makes sense. Yeah, I wouldn't want that either. It does remind me of that wonderful book, The Uncommon Reader, in which the Queen takes an avid interest in reading, and at her various appointments starts asking people about books and what they're reading. That at least would help me keep my sanity.

>32 mmignano11: Thanks, Mary Beth! Good to see you. Yes, I know I've got a fat fantasy novel ahead of me for FF, and beyond that I'm not sure yet, but there are a lot of good ones I'm aching to get to. I wish you Good Reading this coming month, too.

>33 msf59: Hiya, Mark. I'll have to look for your PM! OK, Sailor Twain goes on the tbr, probably from the library, as Laura suggests.

#30 Maybe some of our UK-ers can comment As an ardent republican (in terms of not wanting a monarchy at all) I'm probably not best placed to comment on the views of the monarchy in the UK. But I'd agree with Wilkiec that there is actually quite a heavy workload, especially given the age of the current queen. But I don't think there's any chance of the current queen abdicating. Apparently the current royal family viewed the abdication of Edward Viii as an appalling dereliction of duty which led to the early death of his successor, George VI, the current Queen's father. So I think there's zero chance that she'd do the same thing.

i'd love some buckwheat blueberry pancakes and some grilled freestone peaches, pliz.

then immediately off to the hair store to get my locks slightly shorn. no time for chat just now.

later, tater.

>35 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian! Helpful to have your perspective. The Mr. Spock in my head is saying, but is it logical? These royal positions are so rooted in history, there's just no getting around it. My dad's just three years older than Queen Elizabeth, and I sure wouldn't want to put that burden on him.

>36 mirrordrum: We'll whip that up tout de suite, mon cheri. Good luck with the locks' slight shearing.

37. American presidents tend to be pretty old too (though not quite as old as Lizzie the 2nd) and they have even more pressure on them... ;)

>38 PawsforThought: They often look older than they actually are, too, Paws. That office ages people. Young Mr. Obama is turning gray now. I think he turns 52 this summer.

maybe Elizabeth Windsor likes being queen. maybe she doesn't think Charles is ready. i shall certainly miss her and find it hard to imagine Charles as the King. somehow i don't think he'll have the same inimitable, and affectionately parodied, style when he says things like i now declare this bridge open or the same majestic, rather endearing, ho-hummery when declaring open the Olympics. also i can't see him with the sense of humor (humour) to go sky-diving under the auspices of James Bond. i realize this has nothing to do with being a good monarch, but there you have it. i'm a yank. i know nothing. i do know Charles would never, ever in a million years be able silently to spear a US President with a glance in the manner of Her Royal Highness and i would miss that.

>40 mirrordrum: Can't argue with any of that, Ellie. Can we skip Charles and go to William and Kate? The skill with frosty glances would probably be lacking, but they'd have other redeeming qualities.

Oh my, I love that picture! Reminds me of a look my mother used to give us kids when we misbehaved in public!

Joe, you are so accommodating with the celery sticks and walking path! No one asked me, but that never stopped me from giving an opinion. Well, I was listening to some Canadian news thing about the monarchy. Apparently in the Netherlands the royalty is seen as more of a " job" or CEO which you can step down from , whereas in the UK , the Monarch feels more like they are appointed for life from God - I think. I'm pretty sure that Queen Elizabeth feels that way, I can't say I know exactly how Charles feels.

I'm a huge monarchy fan, but I do see them as more like figure heads. From a Canadian perspective, I see your " First Family" as kind of like American Monarchy, with the huge ceremonies and people following the fashion of the First Lady etc. In Canada, our Prime Ministers and families are pretty ordinary and no pays them much heed as far as fashion goes etc. So instead, we can seek the monarchs for our celeb fix!

Also shh- I was born in the same year as Diana, and married a few years later than her and have two sons kind of close in age to what Diana would have had. Maybe that is what piqued my interest in the Royal Family. I've even got a son named William!

Yes Rhian, aka SandDune has that correct about abdication in the UK I think.

Hi Joe, just dropped in for a bite and have nothing to contribute to the monarchy thing. Thanks for the installation of the walking path through the trees. Very nice. And I love the pic at the top:-)

Yes, I am loving the walking path, too. I'll have a nice shakin' something to sip as I stroll it, exploring, adventuring....

Paws: I lived in Amsterdam from 1976-79; a year later Queen Juliana abdicated the throne to Beatrix, as her mother Wilhelmina had done before her. My memory of Willem Alexander is of a beautiful blond haired boy. Fast forward a few decades at a birthday luncheon in London and who should be sitting several tables away but Queen Beatrix! So now I tell everyone that I had my birthday with the Queen.

47. Ah, great story!

Wow, I missed two days with the damned boiler and look how far things have gone! Abdication, royal skewerings, Sailor Twain, blueberry buckwheat pancakes, Tex-Mex nummery...impressive in range and breadth.

I am with Rhian in my views on the Royal Family but I do also see Ellie's point that the old girl is doing a better job than her son will probably manage.

Royalty.. Imagine being sentenced to any job for life, with no retirement possible. Terrible situation of you ask me. I don't see why abdication should be looked at askance, those who don't believe in it get to retire, after all.. No wonder she looks so cranky...

Oh my. those blueberry pancakes look fabulous!!

I had pancakes on sunday... *bliss*

>>43 vancouverdeb:, 44 Interesting to hear, Deb, thanks. Yes, from the U.S.-er perspective, 4 or 8 years and you're out, so it's harder to understand, I suppose, why Queen E. would hold on, except maybe Charles wouldn't be so swell as a ruler. But if she's on a mission from God, as the Blues Brothers say, that's different. I'd still like to see William and Kate in there. William's such a good name, don't you think? :-)

>45 brenzi: Ah, good to see you, Bonnie. Glad you like the walking path and that street art. We figured some virtual exercise after sampling the chef's wares might appeal to the cafe denizens.

>46 maggie1944: Ha! That sounds good to me, Karen. A little shakin' something? Hmm, okay, the chef came up with a fruit shake to time-jiggerly help your walk:



>>47 NarratorLady:, 48 Great story, Anne! I actually visited Amsterdam for a few days in 1976, staying somewhere near Albert Cuyp Street and the market. I missed the abdication, and they wisely kept me away from the royal family. How great to celebrate your b-day with the queen nearby!

>49 richardderus: It wasn't the same without you, Richard. Glad your boiler is back to boiling the way it should. What a pain. As a welcome back, on the house, here you go:



>50 PaulCranswick: Good to have the perspective of folks like you and Rhian, Paul. Yes, I see Ellie's point, too, regarding the old girl's son. I do love the look she's giving Bush. Supposedly that's the one where he screwed up in a speech and had her visiting the U.S. in "1776", then apologized and winked at her. Winking at the queen is going to get a frosty glance every time, right?

>51 mckait: Ha! Glad your Sunday pancakes were bliss, Kath. Makes me want to have some now, too.

There are perks that come with being royal, I think. Like cool dogs and other people taking care of the laundry. But the inescapability and always being in the public eye would bug me, too. I agree, let her abdicate, but for some reason no one is consulting with us. Seems like they should.

"royal skewerings, Sailor Twain & blueberry buckwheat pancakes, " Sounds like a country & western song!
Morning Joe- Coffee please! I should finish Howl today. It's so dense, haunting and wonderful. I might have to buy a copy for myself.
Sounds good on the book swap. I'll send mine out in a couple of days.

Love all the monarchy talk. I think Will and Kate should be next in line, too. Charles is such a dud.

I genuinely think part of the reason why the royals hold out for so long is that they want "the young ones" to have as normal a life as they can for as long as they can. Obviously they still have official duties but they don't compare to the King/Queens and when we're talking about people as young as Will & Kate or our Swedish Crown Princess Victoria it's probably even more true. These are people who have just had or are about to have kids and probably appreciate whatever normalcy they can get. Being King/Queen AND having newborns/toddlers? Not a combination I'd like.

>53 msf59: I'd like to hear the rest of that song, Mark! Sounds much better than the usual he/she left me and I'm mad/sad.

Excellent to hear re Howl. That one's in my future. And I'll get the swap going on my side, too.

Java coming up; I'm having a most excellent Peet's blend today called JR Reserve:



>54 Morphidae: Good morning, Morphy! Me, too. Will and Kate would be a lot of fun, seems to me. And isn't fun the true measure of who should be in royal charge?

What Morphy said. Joe, I'm all caught up here, and it sure was fun. Now I think I'll take a latte and a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin and head to the corner booth to finish Game of Thrones. Just a few more pages to go...

#54 I think Will and Kate should be next in line, too. Charles is such a dud. I suppose what I think is that the monarchy gets whatever legitimacy it's got (not a lot in my opinion, but let's not go there) by being totally independent of the personalities involved. I think once you started picking between potential candidates on the basis of personality, or age, or looks, or whatever, then I don't think it would actually last much longer at all. If it's not going to be the eldest child of the monarch who inherits then the whole system starts to disintegrate and it becomes more of a popularity contest. Incidentally, they've just changed it so it is the eldest child of the monarch who inherits, not the eldest son!

>55 PawsforThought: Good point, Paws. It'd be nice for the rest of us to have Will and Kate installed, but maybe not so much for them. Although I'm always trying unsuccessfully to get treated like a king.

>57 Crazymamie: Good to see you, Mamie! I'm trying to get caught up around LT myself. Such an active group we are!

Way to go on GOT - I know that's no small reading feat. Look forward to hearing your reaction. Your usual coming up:



>58 SandDune: We're really into popularity contests over here, Rhian. And entertainment value. And low tolerance for duds. History and tradition and systems falling apart just don't get the same weight. On the other hand, we go ga-ga over royals, so in this case I don't think anyone would like to see the system disintegrate. And since we have absolutely no say in the matter, that works out fine.

I'm glad they changed to eldest child, not eldest son! Jane Austen would applaud, too, I would think - no royal involved, but Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, and really all her books, come to mind.

Hi, everyone. I'm needing another cup of coffee this morning, and I'll head back to my usual place: in the back, in the corner, under the good reading lamp. I finished the Muhammad Ali book and now am working my way though Guards, Guards for my Real Life book group, meeting 2/12. I think there's a good chance I need more votes over in my thread to help me decide which of the ALA convention ARCs to read first.

Thank you, Joe, for stopping by and opining. Perhaps some others will do that, too, I hope.

59. What are you saying, that we don't treat you well here? ;)

hola, señor! i have been out being the famous pirate, Alicia Soledad Vejar, sailing in my fair ship, La Rosa Ardiente, in a storm off the coast of California. i fed a bunch of birds while La Rosa ran close-hauled into the driving rain. i've worked up a great appetite. caldo tlalpeño with plenty of avocado, chalupas compuestas, refritos con queso, pan dulces y una cerveza mas fina, por favor. actually, el caldo will do. the way i'm going, i can imagine the rest easily. :)

irl, it's raining like a sonuvagun and it was exciting to be outside for a few minutes bounding along on the deck in the downpour. los pájaros were hungry!

>eta Soledad Vejar was my great aunt.
>eta2 Alice is my first name, my Mom called me "Alicia."

>60 maggie1944: I'm always willing to stop by and opine, Karen. Sometimes my wife asks me to please cut it out.

How was the Muhammad Ali book? I read The Greatest: My Own Story years ago, and saw the so-so movie.

Another cup of coffee coming up:



>61 PawsforThought: I get treated well, Paws, I have to admit. Just not at the level I aspire to. I'm willing to wear a crown, a robe, whatever, if that'll help get me there.

>62 mirrordrum: Woo, we may have to get a hold of Stasia and see whether she can assistant chef today, Ellie. That's some appetite you've got!

Can you tell us more about your great aunt Soledad Vejar and La Rosa Ardiente? Seems like there are a few tales to be told there.

Los pájaros have been fed, si? So we'll concentrate on getting you your order:

Oh goddesses more tex mex waaaaaaaah and I can't go get any!! waaaaaaah I want cheese enchiladas with ranchero sauce and refritos and rice and corn tortillas and about a case of Dos Equis waaaaaaah

Okay, okay, okay, calm down young fella. We'll get those for you pronto:





Feel better now?

Hi Joe- A Victoria please, with a lime! Danke! We loved the film. Perfect on every level. Is there an annotated version of "Howl". I think it would be cool to have a blow-by-blow critique of it.

Now, that's a hellauva lot of Dos Equus!

There are a lot of things I think I should be consulted about...but no one else things so.
I am pretty sure I can make a difference in a few thing :)

Hot chocolate sounds good to me...to go with my book!

Hi Joe - can't stay - suddenly I feel over-whelmingly hungry!

67. I'd like to read an annotated version of Howl too. I've read an unannotated version years ago but can't remember much about it except that I thought I needed a few "pointers" to understand it better.

>67 msf59: Hi, Mark! Hope you're having some good R & R. An annotated Howl is a good idea, but I've never seen one. I'll look around - let's keep each other posted.

RD is a man of great appetites, isn't he? That Dos Equis should last a while, I would think, but you never know.

Victoria with lime, coming up:



>68 mckait: We value your opinions here, Kath, so fire away! HoCho to go with your book:



>69 PrueGallagher: Hi, Prue! Good to see you. If you get overwhelmingly hungry again, we can come up with some food for you. If overconsumption is a concern, we now have a jogging/walking trail in the back (>24 jnwelch:).

>70 PawsforThought: Yeah, seems like there must be one out there, Paws. We can do our collective book-fu tomorrow (or tonight, or wherever in time we may be) and see whether we can track one down.

Off to catch the train. Pies on the counter.

Yes, I did finish the Muhammed Ali book, here is a link to my "review" plus a discussion - http://www.librarything.com/topic/146503#3875968

I do recommend it!

May I just say that I really, really, need a beer?

*smothered belch* waasss dlishs d d dinnnr thangs wheresssa bo'l opner an an anyway

I will take a piece of cherry pie and a hot cuppa please, Joe. I am cold!

Putting in my order for tomorrow's breakfast, please. Bacon, one lacy fried egg, and a pile of hot fluffy biscuits with butter and honey. Oh, and coffee....pots and pots of it. See you after this dark spell passes.

Joe- your thread may be calorie free, but the RL food it inspires me to EAT, is not.
Hmph.
There goes my healthy eating plan. I simply cannot do restraint!
;)

Megan.. I feel your pain. My breakfast is a spoonful of peanut butter most days.. I come here and see pancakes and chili cheese fries and all sorts of delicacies. Very difficult! LOL It is much much worse at night.
Book talk and proprietor are unbeatable, though..

>72 maggie1944: Thanks, Karen! Excellent review. I thumbed it and added my comments on your thread.

>73 EBT1002: Ha! Yes, you may, Ellen. Thank you for your patience. We will time jigger you a beer immédiatement (I really like this citrus-y one):



>74 richardderus: Glad to see you enjoyed the Dos Equis, Richard! Is there any left?

>75 alcottacre: Let's time jigger you that pie and hot cuppa pronto, Stasia! It's cold in our neck of the woods, too.



>76 laytonwoman3rd: Ah, good, we'll give the time jiggerer a bit of a rest, Linda. Hope the dark spell passes soon. I'm reading a book where Rand Al'Thor and his cohorts are trying to get it to pass, too. Here you go:

>77 LovingLit: We'll keep working on it, Megan. We've added a jogging/walking trail; maybe we'll find a cafe nutritionist somewhere to help with RL.

>78 mckait: Ha! Thanks, Kath. Maybe we'll leave out crudités more often. That's what my MBH does at home to deal with a voracious husband.

Morning Joe- Ooh, Levitation! It's to early here. Maybe this afternoon? I love that glass! I'll have to track one of those down.
I finished and loved "Howl", the GN. I don't read much poetry but maybe they are not meant to be annotated. It's all up to the reader, although I would love a tour through this surreal epic.
Have you seen the recent film?

>81 msf59: I've not seen the recent film based on On the Road, Mark, although I was a big fan of that book when I was young. A lot of poetry is annotated; the most interesting one for me is The Wasteland: A Facsimile and Transcript because it has Ezra Pound's edits, and you see how much he improved the poem - which is why Eliot dedicated it to him. It looks like there's an annotated Howl: Original Draft Facsimile that has some of the same appeal. I've not read it, although now that I know about it, I'm intrigued.

This is a film from 2010, starring James Franco as Ginsberg. It must have came and went quickly. It is connected with the GN version, which illustrates some of the animation used in the film. Even if the film is just okay, it might be worth watching.

Low Town by Daniel Polansky was a good read, and an impressive debut in the fantasy field. The main character is Warden, a 30-something drug dealer, and part-time user, who once was a good guy cop-type but ran afoul of the powers that be. The book is an interesting combination of crime novel and gritty fantasy that reminded me somehow of Patrick Rothfuss's books. A friend convinces Warden to take on investigating the murder of a girl which the powers that be would just as soon ignore. It turns out her murder is just part of a larger sordid plan.
.
Most of the characters are fairly standard fare, like a large, intimidating innkeeper, a kind wizard, and so on. Warden is more complex, and will be worth following in sequels, which seem to be contemplated - although this one is totally a standalone. Polansky's pulled together some familiar and not-so-familiar elements into a very entertaining story. It's a standout in this genre and a good time for those who enjoy this kind of novel.

Joe - Do you cater? Because we could use some snacks over at Ellen's thread if you would be so kind. There could be a very big tip involved.

Ooo, big tip, did you say? On our way!

Great review of Low Town. Veeerrrrrryyyyy tempting.....

I'm off to add a thumbs up

HI Joe! We are back from Cuba and burned and tired. We've been drinking Spanish Coffee at the resort and I could really use one right now! :)

I've got Low Town here and waiting for Fantasy Feb to start it. Good review, now I know more what to expect.

Low Town has already been added to my wishlist but it's always good to get another positive opinion.

Ouch! DRat that nasty book bullet for Low Town! Careful, Joe, those reviews can be dangerous!

Btw, one of Kindle's deals of the day today is The Girl of Fire and Thorns.

I'm getting ready to have some garlic naan with ham and cheese for lunch.

>83 msf59: Thanks, Mark. I do remember that 2010 movie coming out now.

>87 maggie1944: Thanks, Karen! Appreciate the thumber. Tempting is good. We need ones like this in the depths of winter.

>88 ChelleBearss: Good to see you, Chelle! Sounds like a great Cuba trip (I was over at your thread a while ago). Spanish coffee? Nice. Here you go:



>89 richardderus: Ah, good, Richard. I'll just hope you don't end up throwing it out the window. If you hang onto it, I think you'll have a good time.

>90 AHS-Wolfy: I know, Dave. I kept seeing positive opinions on LT, and that got me to read it. I think you're a natural for enjoying it.

>91 ronincats: Ha! I can tell you're bb-ing me back, Roni, with The Girl of Fire and Thorns. I've seen a lot of positive buzz on that. I'll check it out. I do think you'd like Low Town.

Nice review, Joe - I have added that to my WL. Was it Bianca that also liked that?

hiya Joe--i think i may have gotten carried away with Cap'n Alicia Vejar's damp adventures on the mounding bain yesterday and never thanked you for my delicious repast. thank you.

i finished The garden of evening mists last night. wow. just wow. i'd commit many acts of kindness and goodwill to find a large print copy but alas, it's only available across the pond and down under. i may have to listen to at least the beginning again. there were so many themes and it seemed to me that everything was connected but it's harder to make those connections in audio.

as best i could, i read at Howl: Original Draft Facsimile, Transcript & Variant Versions, Fully Annotated by Author, with Contemporaneous Correspondence, Account of First Public ... Skirmishes, Precursor Texts & Bibliography. it was fascinating, insofar as i could read it. very challenging to the already challenged eyes. dense. the place Ginsberg worked on it was quite near to my student apartment in Bezerkely in the 60s, which is fun.

having a bit of a day. i need to go to the self help section to calm down. i'll be found drinking a glass of Sierra Nevada Granite H2O here:

#94 pretty little corner for a nice cup of coffee!

Joe, I've worked overtime this week (my collegue has the flu and so I've had to take her shifts) and while I myself am flu-free I do have the sniffles.

I could really use a drink. Something colourful and a bit sweet but fresh. Citrus-y maybe? My brain is too mushy to think of something but I put my faith in you.
And can I get a bowl of pistachios too? And a frozen yoghurt. I want to close my eyes and pretend it's summer.

i know, Karen. it's from The Library Hotel in Manhattan. costs a pretty penny, i'll be bound.

and oh proprietor, might i have a bowl of French onion soup with Gruyere? that would be oh so lovely. it's nippy. given the hour, time-jiggery may be called for.

sorry bout your sniffles, Paws. lots and lots of liquid and don't forget the zinc lozenges. they do work.

Ah, it's nothing, really. I have more or less constant sniffles all through winter. It sort of comes with the territory when you've got 5 month winters. I just need to get some sleep. And that drink.

OMG, french onion soup with Gruyere! I'd certainly appreciate a bowl of that, also. Gray and rainy weather here today, but not cold, and not foggy. Thanking the weather gods for that good grace.

>93 Crazymamie: Hi, Mamie! Thanks! Yes, it was Bianca with a review, and another LTer liked it but didn't post a review; can't remember who. Drneutron, maybe?

>>94 mirrordrum:, 97 Jeez, that is a beautiful spot, Ellie. On Madison Ave.? Who da thunk it? I may try to find it on the next journey to NYC.

You're very welcome on the scrumptious repast. The chef is delighted.

I loved that complex Garden of Evening Mists, and have lots of thoughts on it and her decision at the end. If you have questions or whatever, feel free to pm me.

Good for you for reading that Howl: Original Draft Facsimile, Transcript & Variant Versions. I didn't even know it existed. You've encouraged me, so I'll put it in my Joe of the future capsule.

French onion soup with gruyere sounds mighty good! Here you go:



>95 maggie1944:, 99 Doesn't that look great, Karen? I'd like to hang out there for a while. Gray and snowy here, plus way cold. Not a fun winter's day. More soup? Voilà:



>>96 PawsforThought:, 98 Hmm, sorry you've got the sniffles and have had to work OT, Paws. Let's find you something refreshing and then let you journey to dreamland. We've got a choice for you: hot sweet brandied citrus tea, or Red Head in a Bed, a sweet strawberry drink with citrus vodka:

Good review of Low town. Now, that looks like just my cuppa. On the WL it goes. See how effortless that is? Thanks for supplying Ellen's thread Party. I think everyone got hammered over there. Once Ellen returns, she will find bodies strewn everywhere.

>101 msf59: Ha! I noticed it was getting pretty rowdy over at Ellen's, with several celebrants having keeled over in one way or another. Glad we could help out with some catering! Can't wait to see Ellen's reaction when she gets back to it.

Glad Low Town looks good to you. I know you've liked the Patrick Rothfuss books, so I have a pretty high confidence level you'll get a kick out of this one, too.

Joe -Been lurking for a spell only because I've been short on time to actually post comments on many threads. But with a bit of a breather now that I've settled in at the in-laws, and with 20 mins to go before my webconference, I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten you.

I love French onion soup ... and those pics have started up a rumbling in my tummy.

>103 cameling: You got it, Caro. No worries - we know how busy you get. Jeesh, in-laws plus webconference, that doesn't sound too swell. Hope you at least like your in-laws. Here's some of that soup for you:

My in-laws are very sweet.Sometimes they drive me a little crazy with their ultra-conservative comments but I just bite my tongue ... at least I don't have to live with them. But they've always been very kind to me. They also think (yes, even after all these years) that I'm secretly working for the CIA because I keep traveling to distance lands and have calls at odd hours and am always on the computer. haha

You.Are.Not.Helping.With.My.Craving!!!

Thanks for the drinks, Joe. I really like the look of that strawberry thing.

>105 cameling: Ha! Thought a little soup might help your day, Caro! We'll keep it warm if you want it later.

I like that your in-laws figure you as a CIA-er. Adds a whole 'nother level of respect, I imagine. Makes sense given your traveling and so on. And it helps explains the bruises and "accidents" that seem to follow you around. :-)

>106 PawsforThought: Ah, good, Paws. We'll keep some on hand to help with your winter sniffles.

107. I'm using it as a remedy for the funk I'm in rather than the sniffles. The sniffles are more or less constant in this climate this time of year so not really bothered.
I'm just really longing for summer (or at least spring) right now.

>108 PawsforThought: Gotcha, Paws. Yeah, winter seems long here, and I know you've got one that's longer. The cafe's a good place to de-funk.

OK, off to catch the train. Pies and sweet citrus drinks on the counter.

OMG ... what great looking food here...
Stay warm and safe all..

Just dropping in briefly, but now I've seen that French Onion Soup, I'd love a bowl myself, please! Time-jiggered, if necessary...

Get this: the 5 year old asked me last week how much longer was it until Spring! She, who is just learning the days of the week, already is watching for the equinoxes and the rest.....

The french onion soup with the gruyere looks like a bowl of heaven. Tell the chef I'll be around for lunch tomorrow. Now let me go read a book. What a thought!

Thanks for catering the party over at my thread while I was away, Joe. I see that they found the microwave popcorn in the cupboard, but otherwise my place didn't have much to offer. If only I'd known they were all coming over...!

>110 mckait: Hi, Kath! Thanks!

>111 gennyt: Hi, Genny! Time-jiggered soup coming up. It's that time of year in the northern parts of the world, isn't it?



>112 maggie1944: Nice! She sounds like a smart one, Karen. Tell her that scientifically it all depends on whether the groundhog sees his shadow.

>113 luvamystery65: Read a book?! Oo, I like that idea, Roberta. What are you reading? Since you're in our time zone, we'll be looking for you at lunchtime with no time jiggery.

>114 EBT1002: Ha! Oh, I must go over and see what more happened after I left, Ellen! Were you surprised? We were glad to help out with the supplies. It came up at the last minute, as you can tell. :-)

Joe I started Graceling. So far I like it, but darn it I have to work today and tomorrow!

Ha! I really enjoyed that one, Roberta. I know what you mean - I want to be reading, but this darn work is interfering. I found Graceling particularly hard to put down.

Morning Mr. Joe- I don't know about you, but I am taking it easy today. No parties for this guy and no beverages....well, maybe later. I liked Graceling too! Need to get to book 2.
I am really enjoying Tigana. I know you weren't a fan but his style reminds me of Rothfuss.

Hiya, Mark! Tomorrow I get to take it easy. We have a blissfully free weekend other than the Super Bowl. Fire is really good, but set over the mountains, and Bitterblue kinda sorta ties the two together. Mighty good reading.

I'll look forward to your take on Tigana. Maybe it was just bad timing when I tried it.

ooooohhhh my head owowow

need a huge plate of cheese enchiladas in ranchero sauce before death finishes killing me

ow

Joe- Will you please give the man "cheese enchiladas in ranchero sauce". He had a very rough day yesterday and lost a perfectly good pair of breakaway trousers!

>120 richardderus: Ha! Too much fun at Ellen's - seems to be a widespread problem, Richard. We did send a whole lot of bloody marys over to her thread.

A lot of food is a good idea, too. Here you go, maestro:



>121 msf59: LOL, Mark! That was some rowdy party - does Richard even remember he was wearing breakaway trousers? We've got more cheese enchiladas with ranchero sauce at the ready if needed. We'll try to keep the lights on low for a while, too, with no loud noises.

THEY. WEREN'T. MINE. I do NOT know how they came to be under me on the sofa, and they were *chaps* not trousers. And I have no idea whose they were or are. None. None at ALL.

Richard's right, Joe, when he showed up at the party yesterday, he was not wearing breakaway trousers. And thanks so much for the catering service! Today I'm thinking that chicken corn chowder soup and a sweet tea would hit the spot, please.

>124 Crazymamie: o.O

I don't know that you're helping here, Mamie....

Breakaway chaps! Can we get a visual on that?

ta-da

The food on this thread is making me hungry!

>123 richardderus: It's a good story, and I can tell you'll be sticking to it, Richard.

>>124 Crazymamie:, 125 Hmm, what does that mean, Mamie, your italicizing trousers. Was he wearing something else breakaway? Richard's right, it's sounding like there's more to the story . . .

So we don't forget, among these intriguing revelations, here's your chicken corn chowder and sweet tea:



>126 msf59: Ah, that would explain it, Mark. But why would someone wear breakaway chaps to a party at Ellen's? Seems mysterious.

>126 msf59: Looking good, RD! I'm sure the other partygoers were impressed.

>127 richardderus: Good to see you, Lori! We're at the ready with more of the chef's creations, including cakes with breakaway frosting.

This is almost as good as Anna Karenina's life....

hi Joe!

just wanted to say congratulations to Jim Nabors for getting married at 82 to his partner of 38 years and this seemed a good place to do it. i wish them both joy. sounds like it was worth a trip to Seattle. :)

i'm almost finished with Sailor Twain and am spellbound. the good thing about being unable to read much is that it prolongs the suspenders wonderfully. i'm all on tenterhooks with bated breath.*

gotta say, being spellbound in suspenders while on tenterhooks with breath 'bated is seriously taxing. i'd love some baked tater soup and some garlic bread with mozzarella to sustain me, please, sir. time-jiggered is fine.

reckon you'll be off to a game tonight. should be a pip. we got to see a lot of Joakim Noah when he was a Gator. he was impressive. irritating at times, but impressive.

have a good night and a great weekend.

*tenterhook: a hook that holds cloth that is stretched to dry

>130 maggie1944: And much shorter and less annoying to read! Sorry, couldn't resist, Karen. You probably remember I wanted AK to instead be "Levin and Kitty".

I doubt they have breakaway trousers or chaps in Russia. Too much danger of frostbite?

>131 mirrordrum: Yes, a high five to Mr. Nabors who made it official, Ellie. Was it in Seattle? Another reason to like that city.

You're making Sailor Twain sound irresistible, so I'm done resisting. But someone needs to explain bated breath. As you know, bated breath is breathing that is subdued because of some emotion or difficulty, like reading a gripping graphic novel. It comes from The Merchant of Venice, with "bated" being a shortened form of "abated."

Having spellbounded in suspenders while on tenterhooks with bated breath, I can see why you're in dire need of sustenance. Here's that tater soup with mozarella-ed g-bread (that's magic Hogwarts bacon on the soup):



It's an away game in Brooklyn tonight (in Brooklyn? still hard to get used to), so we'll be lounging at Haciena Welch. Noah continues to be impressive and irritating. He's one of those who you love to have on your team, and who irritates a lot of others. My favorite is him rebounding and leading the fast break - no other center can dribble full court like him, and then he's good at hitting the right man at the right time on the fast break.

Hope you have a good suspenseful and suspenderful night, and a great weekend, too!

i knew that about the away game. what *was* i thinking. Bulls are best in the NBA OTR aren't they? gonna watch it on the tube?

well! i knew bated was abated (hence my use of the 'postrophe on one of them--i forgot on t'other) but had no idear it came from MoV. LT and learn.

i really do think you'll like Twain. if you're not going to like it, you'll know very quickly. first of all, if you don't like the graphics, well, that's it that's all but the story itself hooked me, so to speak, within a few pages.

thanks for the comestibles. i am virtually replete. irl, very hungry.

Yes! LT and learn. I love it!

>133 mirrordrum: Woo, I'm impressed, Ellie. Yes, they have the best OTR in the NBA. (Can't say that at home, but they're getting better). We're likely to take a peek or two or three tonight.

I'm loving their second year guy, Jimmy Butler. Mother told him to leave home at age 13, can you believe that? And he's a really good kid. Went to Marquette.

LT and learn! I know, I knew nothing about the history of bated, but once you explained tenterhooks, I was inspired and looked it up.

You've got me looking forward to Sailor Twain. I'm in a long one right now, Jerusalem: Chronicles, but ST is in my soon future.

>134 maggie1944: I love that one, too, Karen. True, true, true it is.

Off to the train, pies and soup on the counter.

Thinking caps at the ready, folks. My sister is starting a side business to do academic indexing and editing, and she has a prospective client so she needs a company name fast! Something a little funky but clear and to the point. All suggestions will be passed on to the ambitious creature asap so get your best in now.

And thanks.

I need the largest Diet Pepsi you have to go. I have to work tonight and I am tired already!

Just like this crew to sit around the cafe, drinking (like you didn't have enough the other night?) and telling stories. Anna Karenina is still sitting by my bedside, half-read and waiting not-so-patiently for me to return. I'd rather have a Manhattan and a plate of nachos. Just call me cultured.

Why would someone wear a pair of breakaway chaps to a party at my thread? It's a reasonable question.

I'm doing a 30 day challenge of staying under 2500 calories a day so need to go on a cyber binge. How about rustling up some baby back ribs sloppy with sauce, steak fries, cole slaw, greens and some corn bread? Oh yeah, no calories there. *snorts*

138. Breakaway chaps is just silly. Why "break off" something when the design of it already - ahem - displays the "centerpiece".

Good Saturday morning, everyone! I have the luxury of a weekend with no plans! So, I'll probably be hanging out here, and nearby, more than is reasonable. I'll start with a large cafe au lait, please.

Ellen, I am anticipating making some significant progress in AK now that I've Pearl-ed Guards, Guards. I agree with your thoughts, stated in your thread, I think, that there is just not enough time to read light, entertaining cotton candy when there are so many other books of significance to read. That's why I'll be reading all the ARCs of the kids' books I picked up at the ALA. Ha!

Be sure to stop by my thread if you'd like to read my review of "Prisoner 88" (a fiction story based on the case of a 10 year old Idaho boy who was sent to real, grown-up prison during the 1880s) http://www.librarything.com/topic/146503#3883669http://www.librarything.com/topi...

A quick skim... Glad to see someone else is loving Graceling :) I keep watching for the next book.
As for rd, I heard that he always wears break away trousers... was that bad info? I heard the same about Darryl...it could just be rumor. I agree that breakaway chaps seem silly...

Nothing much to say.. trying to get myself up and dressed to leave for work.... but keep telling myself 5 more minutes will be okay. I "NEED" more coffee, but dare not drink more before work. Oh well. Life goes on..

Did I miss what you're reading Joe?

Morning Joe- Ringing the doorbell! It's cold out here. Coffee please!

>136 ffortsa: Hi, Judy. What exactly is involved in academic indexing and editing? So far I've got Macademia Cuts. Particularly if she uses a Mac. :-)

>137 alcottacre: Woo, time jiggery to the max, Stasia (most only go up to ten, but, like Spinal Tap, ours goes up to eleven). Here you go, the biggest one we could find:



>138 EBT1002: Hmm, I know I started it, Ellen, but maybe the fewer questions asked about that party of yours, the better? The breakaway chaps may have been eclipsed by some of the other rowdy events, like the horseshoe toss that got out of hand. (Did I hear a groan?)

Manhattan and nachos - the height of culture and sophistication, indeed. I read somewhere that it's a good idea to keep Anna Karenina by the bedside just to impress the guests who throw their coats there.



>139 Morphidae: Kudos to you, Morphy. It's pretty amazing what you're doing. Our chef promises no calories here, so here you go:

>140 PawsforThought: Only RD can explain that one, Paws. Maybe it's the dramatic gesture - I'm sure it would garner some attention, even at a party as wild as Ellen's.

>141 maggie1944: Good morning, Karen! A weekend with no plans is one of my favorite things in the whole wide world. We've got your table with the comfortable chair and good reading lamp all set up. I know what you mean about cotton candy reads - there are times when that's exactly what I'm in the mood for, but LT does raise so many heartier, tempting reads. A large cafe au lait coming up:



>142 mckait: Good morning, Kath! I heard the same thing about Darryl and breakaway trousers. And something about under the couch, and behind the couch . . .

I'm reading a whopper fantasy that's the last in the lengthy Wheel of Time series by the late Robert Jordan and now Brandon Sanderson. I saw it hit #1 on the NYTimes hardcover bestseller list, which is pretty amazing, considering. I assume that means that many people read the previous 13 and are that eager for the 14th and last one. But so far I haven't found any reading company on LT. We'll see. I've also got All Roads Lead to Austen going on my Kindle (a long term read) and Jerusalem: Chronicles going as my graphic novel (or graphic memoir in this case).

I'm at work, too. (Can't you tell?) Hope you have a good one today!

>143 msf59: Better than yesterday, isn't it, Mark? I didn't even know we had a doorbell here. I had to shovel this morning - I thought his parents might get mad if I woke up the youngster next door who does it sometimes. But at least the arctic blasts have left us. Coffee? You bet (I'll take whatever you don't):



Are you still off today?

Thanks for the coffee! Yep, 2 more days left of freedom. I might have to crack out the snow-blower, for the first time. We have a big driveway. I want to make sure these flurries stop first, though.

*Loftily Ignores clothing commentary*

Judy, I'm afraid I'm drawing a blank for your sister's company ID. I thought something would pop out of my creative brain, but it's still fulminating over rude repairmen and scumbag greedmeisters.

Ummm lemme see here ummm howzabout a half-dozen eggs, sunny side up, a pound or two of potatoes made into crispy hash browns, and a half a pig's worth of bacon? I'm a mite peckish.

>146 msf59: You bet, Mark. Enjoy! You could ignore the snow - it's bound to melt in a couple of months.

>147 richardderus: I believe I saw you loftily ignoring clothing comments from Mark over on your thread, Richard. Your lofty skills are impressive.

I'm still thinking about Judy's query. Acadedit? Pindex?

Avalanche of vittles coming up:

HEAVEN I SEE HEAVEN I SEE IT AT LAST THE PROMISED LAND

Evidently, academic indexing has to do with identifying the ideas in, for instance, a book by various authors around a subject or theme, rather than a rather mindless word cross reference. My sister contributed an essay to a well received book on library stuff, and when she got the book found the index unusable. Judiciously politic conversation with the publishers netted her exactly the right contacts, and an offer of freelance work. She wanted to get started on that kind of work as a possible hedge against retirement finances later on, but this is happening faster than she anticipated, hence the scramble for a business name.

I thought I'd try a little crowdsourcing.

>149 richardderus: LOL! You lead a very happy life, Richard - and we're glad we can add to it!

>150 ffortsa: I like it, Judy. And I like crowdsourcing. Our cafe denizens may be a little too laid back for this kind of project? Except for RD, who's lost somewhere in food heaven.

Hmm. Sherlock's Pipe?

(Guess which furry guy is visiting),

Hiya Joe! Hope you are having a fine & lazy Sunday! You have some people coming over, right? We will be heading out about 4:30.

>152 msf59: Hiya, Mark! Yes, a most excellent lazy day. The most I've gotten done is going out for coffee and reading. Oh, and I wrapped some b-day presents for Debbi.

We've got the Puppy Bowl on now, which is riveting to Debbi, Becca and Sherlock. Lots of squeals from my much better half and lovely and talented daughter.

Yes, we've got people coming over around 5 pm. One doctor friend is in India, but his 10 year old son Lian is coming over anyway. Love it! His dad's going to try to Skype us during the game.

Well, I'd like a gallon of ice cream to take with me to the game. Can the cafe pack some in a to go box?

Maybe, we can join you guys next year! Enjoy the Puppy Bowl! Is it Debi's B'Day today?

go niners. and that's all i have to say 'bout that. have a good one, Joe. :)

it's Stupor Bowl time.

Joe, last night I had my iPod shuffling through some music to get the blasted grocery store song out of my head and this one played.
I thought of your place.
Eat at Joe's

Yep, Go Niners!

>154 maggie1944: We thought you'd like this, Karen:



Have fun at the game!

>155 msf59: That'd be great, Mark! Surprisingly, the puppies often get distracted from scoring and defense. Hard to figure.

Debbi's b-day is the 7th. I'm taking her to a getaway night at a downtown hotel that weekend.

>156 mirrordrum: We're rooting for the Niners, too, Ellie. One reason is 10 year old Lian stopped by early to drop off a huge cookie with a Niner jersey in icing on it.

Hope you're having a great Stupor Bowl Sunday!

>>157 EBT1002:, 158 Great, Ellen!

"Eternal blue neon, we're never closed.
When the world is asleep
Darling, come take a seat
You can always eat at Joe's"

Love it! Thanks!

And Go Niners!

Suzy Bogguss--yeah! she'd dropped off my radar. she is now back on. so fine. thanks, Ellen.

i just went to iTunes and found her really nice cover of Nancy Griffith's "Outbound plane." oh, lord, she makes me want to be on the road again. gimme some wheels--a body fit to drive 'em would be nice, too. ;)

and no, i have not had a nice SB day. Kentucky lost to Georgia and the Lady Vols not only lost to Mizzou but suffered two more injuries in the process (ankle and shoulder) to go along with the loss for the year of Andraya Carter (ACL) and this week's loss for who knows how long of our best D post player, Izzie Harrison (meniscus tear). we now have a 2 woman bench. no, i am not a happy camper.

i can't even pretend to make this about books. eternal blue neon, yes. books, no.

eta: Lian is a wonderful name. :)

>161 mirrordrum: Sorry about all the injuries, Ellie. Glad you've got some good tunes for solace.

Lian is a most excellent name. His sister has a good one, too: McKeeley. She's returning from camp and will be here for the second half.

Joe - inspired by Morphy I have decided to go one a supplemented 1,500 calorie a day walking diet. (I have a walking plan and an eating plan) Grilled chicken breast with a mustard sauce together with a side salad of carrots, raisins and crushed pineapples. Any chance you can show me what I'm up against!

*waving* at Joe

Thanks for the Diet Pepsi - I will take another for work tonight

>163 PaulCranswick: Good for you, Paul! Sounds like a great idea. The is big time snack day here in the U.S. (Super Bowl), but then we get back to sanity. Can do on them vittles:



>164 alcottacre: *waving back* at Stasia. Oof, sorry you have to work tonight. Should be a national holiday. But we've got your Diet Pepsi for you:

I'm a Coke fan, myself when I do drink soda. But tonight it's Angry Orchard and pizza. Onion dip and chips for constant nibbling during the game.

When are your Niners bringing their game on, Joe? ;-)

oh, my, I had to leave the Stoopid Bowl early (after the Half Time Show) cuz I've got a bad tooth getting worse as the evening progresses and then a new guest arrived with so much after shave on that I thought I would start sneezing! Woah, baby. Someone tell that man he don't smell that bad that he has to wear all those chemicals. Its like chemo therapy with no therapy in it. Oh, dear. And the 9ers were not doin' well....

I am fortunate to have anitbiotics on hand, but I'm thinking next week could be a tough one for me.

How about that power outage, Caro? Purely a clever Niner ploy. Now they've had time to plot out their ingenious comeback.

We've been doing our part by eating the huge Niner cookie. And guac. And seven layer dip. And artichioke dip. And cheese and salsa dip. And popcorn. And twizzlers. And . . .

I'm just becoming aware that mirrordrum is a women's basketball fan! Yes?

Purely a clever Niner ploy heh heh

I want that bowl of soup that you posted yesterday. It looks yummy.

>169 EBT1002: Ellie is a bigtime women's basketball fan, Ellen, especially the Lady Vols, but her fandom is wideranging.

The Niner ploy is working pretty well. Close game now!

>170 thornton37814: I think you're talking about the baked tater soup up in >132 jnwelch:, Lori? Here you go:

OMG, why did #85 not catch that ball!!???

TWO MINUTE WARNING

All done.
Ravens win.

I'll just be over in this corner with my copy of Anna Karenina. Maybe there's an Old-Fashioned with my name on it? Sigh.

Yes - that baked tater soup was it!

Woot woot ...Ravens!

*sulk*

oh well. congrats to the Ravens and to Missouri and their 3-point mad bomber, Morgan Eye.

it's a bit diffy to get upset about sports while reading Mountains beyond mountains and Behind the beautiful forevers and anyway, you can't always get what you want. nor should you. and after all, tomorrow *is* another day.

well, i have a cat remonstrating with me over the top of the computer about not providing entertainment and if i don't go provide some, she'll start playing with the screen. must away.

Well, I did not watch the Super bowl, but I did have a frozen pizza for dinner, along with a coke, Joe. But in my defense, it was thin crust vegetarian pizza and I only ate a part of it. My husband worked today and when he came home from work he told me that they had ordered in pizza at dinner time -so I got to salivating...

>>173 EBT1002:, 174 They sure made it an exciting game, didn't they, Ellen? I felt sorriest for little Lian, who was quite excited about the Niners comeback (causing the power outage was brilliant), and then glum when they couldn't score from the five. We cheered him up with some furry Sherlock, who had been much more interested in the Puppy Bowl than the Super Bowl.

That was some high level quarterbacking (had that Colin K. really only started 10 games?), and the snacks were excellent.

Reading a classic seems like good solace indeed.

>175 thornton37814: Ah, good, Lori. That does look awfully good. Great time of year for soup, isn't it? That's the kind of thing I missed whilst living in S. Cal. - although pics from Roni remind me how nice it is there, too.

>176 cameling: Ha! There's a whole lot of celebrating going on among Raven fans, I know, Caro. Great performance by Flacco.

>177 mirrordrum: If we lived near enough we'd lend you furry Sherlock, Ellie, but it sounds like you've got a furry remonstrating cat to take your mind off things. You're right, there's certainly perspective to be had. We're lucky, we are.

50% on 3-pointers for Morgan Eye. Yowsa.

>178 vancouverdeb: I loves me some pizza, Deb, so I completely understand. We often have thin crust veggie. My daughter was lobbying for ordering pizza yesterday, but the queen of the house figgered 800 varieties of snacks was plenty.

We've got the coffee ready for those that wants:

Good morning Joe. Thank you for the coffee. How about a full English breakfast?

Graceling went by in a flash. It was very good. I booked the next two in the series from the library because Mom got started on it and she won't settle for reading just the first. Now I'm reading Leviathan and listening to 1Q84.

Have a wonderful Monday.

After a wonderful Pooperbowl dinner of cheeseburgers, fries, and a saucy little Zin, I went to bed after watching Beyonce perform her (quite callipygian) behaind off. Girl can't sing so good, but dayum is she a saleswoman!

The commercials couldn't have been less memorable.

And the Niners lost, to my rapture. I don't care one way or the other about the Ravens, but after Chris Culliver made his snotty homophobic remarks about gay guys in the NFL, plus then disavowing the "It Gets Better" video the whole team made (prompting several other teammates to do the same, it's enough for me to have their homophobic pea-brains beat out of 'em by a eam based in a state that passed marriage equality laws...with the support of a Ravens linebacker.

It's nice that the side of right-thinking won.

>180 luvamystery65: Oh, lots of good reading you've got going there, Roberta! Given your reaction to Graceling, you and your Mom are likely to find the other two go by in a flash, too. Cashore is very talented. I wasn't as taken by Leviathan as some other LTers, but then I'm not as much of a fan of steampunk as many here are. I thought 1Q84 was terrific; totally carried me away into that world.

Hope you have a wonderful Monday, too. Here's that FEB in Feb:



>181 richardderus: You are a fount of useful information, Richard. I didn't know there was such a word (callipygian) for well-shaped buttocks. Yes, indeed. Beyonce shure is a charming performer.

We thought the same thing - what uninspiring commercials. And they pay so much for running them. Hard to figure. It wasn't my cuppa (and we do have farmers in the family if you go back far enough), but the one people are likely to remember is the Farmers one. A cousin commented, "Where do I buy a farmer?"

I missed the whole homophobic kerfuffle. I did know about the enlightened Ravens linebacker.

> 179. Great coffee pot, Joe.

>183 ffortsa: Thanks, Judy. Love to have that one in RL. Great character to it.

#160 I hope I don't smell like old gin, but I will take a hot top on my coffee...please and thanks. Love Suzy Bogguss

Joe many thanks for the FEB. I had peanut butter crackers in RL and it just didn't measure up.

Hi Joe- Just a quick check-in! I am home and it feels good. I don't even want a beer. (What??) I'm afraid it might put me under.
Hope your Monday went well.

Hi Joe! It's been a while, but I'm caught up. I hope you're doing well!

And for you and Richard, I'd like to give a shout-out to the Seahawk's evolved punter, John Ryan, who had a thing or two to say about Chris Culliver:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/01/seahawks-punter-says-chris-culli...

And as a warning, never read the comments on Profootballtalk.com, as they will make your brain explode.

And as a warning, never read the comments on Profootballtalk.com, as they will make your brain explode.
I might have predicted as much.

Instead:

#189 - It appears that Ellen keeps a feline image for every occasion in her pocket. I'm impressed. : )

Kerri, of course. Doesn't everyone do that?

>185 laytonwoman3rd: We'll get you that hot top, Linda, with a bit of time jiggery. Kinda smells like spring flowers in here, don't you think?



>186 luvamystery65: Woo, peanut butter crackers sound like my bachelor days, Roberta. Glad we were able to fix you up with a FEB.

>187 msf59: Hiya, Mark! "The eagle has landed." A package arrived - thanks! That must have been some slog in the snow for you yesterday. I'll bet you were beat when you got home. No beer? Now that's a tough one. How about some pie?



>188 DorsVenabili: Great comments by John Ryan, thanks, Kerri! Wouldn't that be great if they did suspend Culliver? A bit late, but at least it would make the point.

I know, anonymous postings on topics like this can challenge one's faith in humanity. There are some sad people out there; I figure they are their own punishment. I wouldn't want to live in the world they see.

>>189 EBT1002:-191 It does seem useful, Ellen and Kerri. Here's one we found in the back of the cafe. I suspect our royal Richard will not be amused. :-)

I knew there had to be a cafe cat.

In A Memory of Light, Brandon Sanderson provides the 14th and final book(!) in the Wheel of Time series that began 20 years ago. It weighs in at a whopping 900+ pages, which became about the norm as this series went on. He does a good job, as the Last Battle rages on multiple fronts and The Dragon Reborn, Rand al'Thor, takes on the Dark One for all the marbles. As with most of the series, in my mind this final entry would have benefited from slimming down, but it is entertaining and the resolution is a satisfying one - no small feat. I'm sure Sanderson had some trepidation about winding up this popular series which has such avid fans. It makes me think of J.K. Rowling wrapping up the Harry Potter series, except here Sanderson was finishing someone else's series, which opened him up to the possibility of even more criticism for not providing the quality of the original. I think he'll likely get accolades, not criticism, as he as done another fine writing job after completing the finale's two predecessor volumes.

Sanderson was picked to complete the series by Jordan's wife (and editor) Harriet McDougal after Jordan's death in 2007. My understanding is there were notes and outlines. I have to say, to my mind the writing got sharper and better when Sanderson took over. This is a huge world that Jordan built, with lots of memorable characters and subplots. That allowed Sanderson to hit the ground running in this book, with no need for more world-building, and lots of action from start to finish. There are enormous battle scenes on four main fronts, while Rand eventually takes on the Dark One in the cave at Shayol Ghul. Sanderson skillfully takes the reader through the strategic planning, the view from from the soldier's point of view, and the view of those in charge, including Elayne, Queen of Andor, and Egwene, the Amyrlin Seat who heads the White Tower where women train in "channeling", that is, drawing on power called saidin (men draw on saidar) to create fire bombs, lightning, destructive winds, etc. There are many moments of heroism and sacrifice, as well as foolishness and betrayal, as the humans battle Trollocs, Myrdaals, and other fanciful creatures, not to mention other humans who have chosen to follow the Dark One. For those who have followed the series, unsurprisingly, all the favorite characters are in jeopardy, and there are some who don't make it.

Because the book is essentially a series of battles tied together with some humor and relationship relief, it can test the endurance of even those invested in the story. Rand and his father have touching moments together, some of which take us all the way back to where this started in Two Rivers, with Rand as the farm boy son of a farmer who turns out to have a mysterious past. Rand's triple romance with Queen Elayne, prophetic Min and desert tribe channeler Aviendha reaches fruition as the three band together as "first sisters". Rand's Two Rivers friend Mat Cauthon, whose adventures have taught him the military tactics needed for the Last Battle, has a wonderfully combative relationship with the Seanchan queen Tuon he "accidentally" married for reasons he can't quite sort out. For series fans, Lan and Nynaeve, Egwene and Gawyn, Perrin and Faile, and other romantic couples, all have their roles to play and hardships to endure. Among other things, Perrin, the blacksmith turned wolf pack leader, has a spectacular chase of the villainous Slayer in the dream world that spills into the real world battle royale.

The series is a vast story with plenty to enjoy along the way. There were times I (and others) got frustrated with the "bloat" in some of the mid-series books, as Jordan's fascination with every inch of the enormous world he created detracted from the story's momentum. Sanderson's arrival on the scene for the last three books brought a welcome focus. And he has done a creditable job of bringing it all to conclusion, with some philosophical observations on good and evil, conveyed through the evolution in Rand's thinking, that suit the story and give the reader food for thought as well. For those unfamiliar with the series, give the first one, Eye of the World, a try. If it catches you up, then you have a whole lot of enjoyable reading ahead of you. Those who like the Game of Thrones series, for example, might find they like this one, too.

192. Aw, he looks JUST like my kitty. That could be his thinner twin.

194: An excellent review, Joe, and while I'd not heard of this series until A Memory of Light, it seems like friends everywhere are talking about it. Once I try Game of Thrones this year, I just might mosey over to this series and check it out.

Hope you're having a fine Tuesday, sir!

Cats and Wheel of Time books. I'll try again tomorrow.

>193 laytonwoman3rd: Makes sense, doesn't it, Linda? And with this group, books make a likely pillow.

>195 PawsforThought: Our healthy, no calorie food helps keep him trim, Paws.

>196 LauraBrook: Thanks, Laura! Yeah, it's a big deal to nerds like me. As I think I mentioned somewhere, it hit #1 on the NYTimes hardcover bestseller list, which kind of amazes me. A lot of people have made the journey to this finale.

So far it is a fine Tuesday. I hope you're having one, too. Congrats again on that new job!

>197 richardderus: A wise decision, Richard. We're never closed, and you can always find a seat here, so just come on by when it looks less risky.

*races in with an announcement delivered with held breath*

I've finally reviewed the very ~meh~ A Killing in the Hills over in my thread...post #293.

*races out before cattification occurs*

>ellen, you remind me i've gotta get back to icanhascheeseburger.com. :)

just got back from having my fangs fancied. my dentist had to do a bit of work afterwards. after that, we were chatting about a study he's doing on the correlation between dental disease and systemic disease. he does forensic dentistry for UT Medical Center and forensic studies at The body farm at Univ of Tennessee. yep, same one Cornwell writes about. he told me he had 5 skulls in the back room and he let me look at them and hold them. wow!

there's a bone library at UT located under the football stadium (heh!) and he can "check out" 5 skulls at a time. no, i'm not morbid but i have a lot of, um, what, respect? sense of reverence? awe? for what living things leave behind when we no longer need them. my degree of astonishment is boundless.

i'm still working away at Behind the beautiful forevers. i have to keep stopping b/c it's such a heart-breaker in spots and, as other books seem to do lately, it gets into my dreams. i keep waiting for the "hope" part but maybe she means something different from what i mean.

Mountains beyond mountains, otoh, as angry as i get sometimes, is a) better written than 'beautiful forevers' and b) most inspirational. i like Kidder and this is my first Kidder ever. good stuff. thanks for the recommendations y'all.

since my cup generally runneth over (i got to walk at least a block today), i need nothing. just some place to run my mouth, er, fingers. thanks. :)

>199 richardderus: Who was that masked man?

>200 mirrordrum: Sounds like a mighty good dentist, Ellie, and finding one of those makes life significantly better, seems to me. I like your wonder at what we leave behind; I always have trouble making the connection. Kind of like an empty car - cars fascinate many, but I'm more interested in the people and where they went. I'd make a lousy osteologist. For many years it was believed that a theater company here was using the skull of improv master Del Close in performances, which everyone loved - he would have gotten a kick out of that - but that has pretty much been debunked.

India is a land of much sadness, as far as I can tell. Much other stuff, too. But books like Behind the Beautiful Forevers and A Fine Balance can just break your heart. The hope lies, I guess, in how people will fight to overcome circumstances and better themselves no matter what.

I love Mountains Beyond Mountains and am a big Kidder fan, as you know.

I'm glad it's a cup running over kind of day.

Hi Joe- Now, I am ready for a beer. Bass Ale, please! Wow, did not expect you to jump right into the Miniature Wife. I hope you enjoy it. I loved how fresh and inventive these stories were.
I don't think I'll be getting into the "Wheel of time" books! Looks like a BIG commitment.

Wow, Ellie- is immersed in a couple great ones there, although there is enough sadness to go around in both of them.

Ah, Joe, I need a platter of cheeses. The Green Dragon is having a little party, here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/147909, and trying to pile up a bunch of posts to hit a milestone. I know some people here have "opinions" about The Green Dragon but I've found it to be a friendly and interesting group. Could you swing over with a platter. I'll be sure to pay you when I get the Lottery Winnings, I'm sure to get tomorrow. I bought the winning ticket today. (-: No, Really. The Winning One.

Thanks

Just stopping in to say Hi!
I think I just gained 5 virtual pounds zipping through here.

<201 Joe when I got to the library to pick up Fire for Mom, what was in my reserve but The Nao of Brown. The first words out of my mouth were, my cup runneth over! Then I thought I have to head to Joe's cafe to tell him that because he gave it such a nice review. Now I know it was meant to be. I've been on a great roll lately until Where'd You Go Bernadette but not every book is for every person. Life is too short to worry and look what a gorgeous book I picked up today.

>202 msf59: Hi, Mark. We'll get you that Bass. Yes, very inventive stories. So far I like the title story (The Miniature Wife and the zombie story the best. Creepy. The former could've been a Twilight Zone episode.

I understand on The Wheel of Time. BIG commitment is right. But if someone likes that first one, they've got a remarkable ride ahead of them.

Yes, topnotch reading by our Ellie, with a need to keep those heartstrings strong. Here you go:



>203 maggie1944: Ha! Congrats on buying the winning ticket, Karen. I haven't heard the "opinions" about the Green Dragon. It's always seemed like a friendly place to me. I'll be buy with the platter momentarily.

>204 -Cee-: *watching with esteem as Cee zips through* Good to see you, Cee! Hi! Was the five virtual pounds from picking up the humongous A Memory of Light?

>205 luvamystery65: Yay! That's a great pickup indeed, Roberta. Can't wait to hear what you think of Nao, and also what you and your Mom think of Fire. Cashore's got some storytelling gift.

I'm still interested in Where'd You Go, Bernadette, in part because of Seattle and Microsoft. You're right, people react to books different ways. I wasn't as taken by The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland, for example, as some here have been.

Joe, I'm all caught up and thrilled that I could do it before you started a new thread! This joint is jumping! A very nice review of the last entry in The Wheel of Time series - and hooray for Brandon Sanderson delivering - what a huge responsibility. I cannot imagine taking something like that on.

Morning Joe- Peets, please! I'll save the Bass for later in the day. Keep it in the cooler. Nice & sunny out there!

Sorry Joe, I'm not going to read your latest review. Still need to get round to Towers of Midnight (the previous book in the series) and don't want to see anything about the finale.

Snack time for the students so virtual snack time for me! Salted caramel hot chocolate please, and a huge plate of cheese fries with ketchup and ranch dip also please!

Cafe cat -- great.
If you count the fact that our sheltie Lilly loves to beg for food each and every time we eat in our kitchen, then I guess you could say I have a cafe dog.

Serious craving for chili cheese fries! Oh my yes! And I reviewed the latest Flavia de Luce mystery, Speaking from Among the Bones, with a good solid almost-four stars.

Joe, Thank you very much for the plate of cheeses over in The Green Dragon's party room. It was very much appreciated, as are you, you know!

Hope you are having a great week.

>207 Crazymamie: I know that feeling on catching up, Mamie! We're an active group, aren't we? Thanks re the review - I join your hooray for Brandon Sanderson. What a tough spot to be in, and he came through like a champion.

>208 msf59: We forgot to time jigger that Bass for you, Mark. We'll keep it in the cooler. It does look nice outside; I'll be out there running an errand in a bit. I'm really liking the Peet's Uzuri African Blend (very smooth), so here you go:



>209 AHS-Wolfy: No worries, Dave. I've done the same (skipped reviews of one I'm about to read). It's a positive review, I can tell you that much. And I'm glad to finally come across an LTer who's reading the series!

>210 seasonsoflove: Ah, I recognize you, young lady. Wasn't that you at the Super Bowl party? Let's get you those snacks so you can keep up with the rugrats.



>211 Whisper1: I like your cafe dog, Linda. Lillie's a keeper. Why do dogs love human food so much? Becca's Sherlock is fascinated by it, too.

>212 richardderus: I'm not a fan of those books, unfortunately, RD, but I know lots of folks are. I actually a bit surprised you like books with a young protagonist like that. I'll swing over to see your comments.

Chili cheese fries coming your way:

ellie want Nao now!

a plea to kind souls: go to Nao's amazon US page and click the Looking for the Audiobook Edition? link (there's no direct URL for it) to request that Nao be put into audio format. your audiophile friends will thank you and my friend Sweetums will agree not to have you for a snack today. :)

Ok, done Ellie! Now Joe, if I could get a large glass of Chardonnay. please. Yes, I know it's early, but Craig took the kids out - out, do you understand? And I had the house all to myself...the peace...the quiet...the gorgeous weather and the deck all to myself with a good book and no interruptions. Sound good? Well, forget about it because the Pool Workers showed up exactly fifteen minutes after I had gotten all settled out there, after being absent for more than a week, and are now making much noise and dust. Really, the Chardonnay! I must have it! And perhaps some chocolate covered pecans to calm my nerves.

I'll have some of that Chardonnay too, please, Joe.

I'll skip the pecans and have pistachios instead, though. Thanks, you're a star!

>215 mirrordrum: Done doodle by me, too, Ellie. Not messin' with no Sweetums.

>216 Crazymamie: Totally understand, Mamie. Have to make hay (or Chardonnay) while the kids are away. We'll try to arrange to have the Pool Workers called away on a pool emergency. In the meantime, here's some Chardonnay and CCP's:

Thanks, Joe. Seriously. Annoying. And usually I don't annoy easily. CCPs is making me laugh - I'm calling them that from now on!

>217 PawsforThought: Ah, flattery will get you everywhere, Paws. Chardonnay and pistachios coming up:

>220 jnwelch: CCPs and PWA (Pool Workers Away), how's that sound? Except I'm sure you'll be happy when the pool work is done and the pool is ready for enjoyment.

i'm back from doing my crazy LOL butt patrol up the street. cigarette butts, that is. cig filters very appealing to, and toxic for, birds. it involves a lot of stooping and bending and peering.

i could really use some hocho w/ whipped cream and maybe a splash or two of the Uzuri. i've been curious abt that. you needn't show the Uzuri. i'll know it's there. :)

Mountains beyond mountains, unless it nosedives, is on it's way to a 5-star best of the best for 2013. i'm abt 1/2 way through.

>222 mirrordrum: Mountains Beyond Mountains doesn't nosedive, Ellie. Great book.

Good for you for lifting butts. Wish I was there to see it. That would perk up anyone's day. (Actually, I hadn't thought about the birds part - I really am glad you're doing that, and will keep an eye out in our neighborhood).

HoCho with Whip and Uzuri Splash, coming to your table:

Thanks, sweetie. Looks fab.

ditto on the fab (mine for the hocho). num. thanks, paws and Joe for clicking the audiobook dooley.

Hi Joe, I'm catching up after a couple of days mostly away from LT. I'd love a nice glass of merlot to sip on while I browse through the threads.

Finished Bitterblue which was an excellent finish to Kristin Cashore's trilogy. I wonder what she is going to write next.

Way way behind, but wanted to stop and visit.. a second cup of coffe would be great... I just wanted a wee catch up with the regulars, including your own sweet self :)

>224 PawsforThought: Ah, good, Paws. Glad it hit the spot. I like that fab combo, too.

>225 mirrordrum: Excelente, Ellie! You're welcome for the audio dooley clicking, too.

Hope others pop over to the Nao of Brown Amazon link to click for them to make an audio version available, at http://www.amazon.com/Nao-Brown-Glyn-Dillon/dp/1906838429/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp.... (I don't know how to rename links in the cool way you do it). Only takes a few seconds to go over and click for the audio near the top of the page.

>226 DeltaQueen50: Glad you liked Bitterblue so much, Judy. Me, too. I haven't heard anything about what's next for her. I wonder whether she'll continue in that world or try something else? I sure wouldn't mind more of that world.

Nice glass of Merlot? Here you go:



>227 mckait: Hi, Kath! I know, it's hard to keep up with all the interesting posts in our group. Good to see you - I'll stop over and catch up on what's been going on. I know you had to take some time off from LT.

Here's your coffee; put your feet up and stay as long as you can for your wee catch up:

Good morning Joe! Today is my day off. Woo for me! I'll take some awesome Mexican food when lunch rolls around. Better make two because I don't want Richard to knock me over when he shows up.

Ellie - I clicked for the audible version of The Nao of Brown. I am loving this book so far. It's so beautiful I just want to stare at it all day.

Ha! Today is my "day off" too but because I'm an air-head sometimes I scheduled a play date with the preschoolers. So I'm off in a minute to pick up one cute little girl and take her to her best friend's house. I'm taking my Nook with me - maybe I'll be able to sit at a table, in a corner, with a good reading lamp.... one can hope!

>229 luvamystery65: Good morning, Roberta! Yay for the day off! So glad you're loving The Nao of Brown. It's really something, isn't it? Good for you for clicking on the need for an audio version.

Lots of Mexican food, here you go:



>230 maggie1944: Happy day off anyway, Karen! I know my daughter loves spending time with preschoolers, so I hope you have fun with it. We'll hope you get that reading time. I know you're plugging away on AK, but what else are you reading these days?

Roberta's table of Mexican comestibles looks faboo, so I'll have one too. With extra guacamole. I'm craving the avocado!

I've been short-storying. I've finished one *excellent* one, which review forthcometh today, and one good one is almost done. I'm so enjoying the lower commitment level and greater reward level, compared to a lot of the novels and political non-fiction I've had to Pearl Rule before exploding with rage and/or disgust.

Along with AK I am reading Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight and Wild Bill Donovan: The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern American Espionage. Quite a variety of style and subject matter, eh?

Since I am now - after a rather long day at work - officially off for the weekend, could I have another glass of white wine, please? And something nice to snack on, say, breadsticks and root veggie crisps/chips? Pretty please with a cherry on top? (Mmm, cherries!)

>232 richardderus: Coincidentally, Richard, I've got short stories going on, too, which is muy unusual for me. I just finished the Mark-recommended good weirdness The Miniature Wife and Other Stories, and I've got the RD-recommended Volt from the library up next.

Mex faboo with extra guac coming up:



>233 maggie1944: That is quite a variety of reading, Karen! I've hear good things about Don't Let's Go, and I'll be curious to hear what you think of the Wild Bill Donovan book. He sure seems like an interesting character.

>234 PawsforThought: Ha, you bet, Paws! Congrats on being officially off for the weekend. Let's get you those goodies:

Thanks, Precious! Oh, and you got me cherries, too! XO

Hi Joe! I'm finally here for a visit!
Good review of A Memory of Light! That series looks like quite a time commitment!

Hiya Joe- I'll take a hot-toddy this evening. Make it a large. Question: How do you make an audio of the Nao of Brown? It's a GN, filled with wonderful illustrations. Enlightenment, please.

Hi Joe, we're gearing up for the big snowstorm so I think something nice and hot would be good, maybe some of your trademark hot chocolate with a little extra.

Mark - The Nao of Brown is wonderful. I absolutely LOVE the visual. I think the colors are stunning, but for me the story made it. If I had trouble seeing I would want an audio to accompany the book.

ETA: I clicked to make it available on audio because one of our fellow LTers asked. I know some folks listen because holding books is painful and others because they have trouble seeing. This book may not work strictly as an audio book but I could see having it on audio would make a great companion piece. Some of the writing was really tiny for my fortysomething eyes. *sigh*

Hey, Joe, no snow here, but we do have rain coming in tomorrow so some lovely cafe mocha with maybe a touch of Bailey's please! Did you get any of that weather in Chicago?

Could I please start Friday morning out with the same? Sounded just too yummmy to pass.

Happy Friday, Joe, I hope your weekend is filled with great and fun stuff to do!

Saturday morning, I'm going to a new Meet-Up of Photographers who live nearby, rather than drive 45 miles. I am excited and hope this new group flies! And then dinner with friends on Saturday night.

I hope to get lots of reading done on Sunday.

>237 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle! Glad you found us. Warning: we're moving to a new cafe soon. :-)

I know, so many who are picking up A Memory of Light now have been reading the series over many years, I'm sure. I wonder whether the series will maintain its popularity as newcomers look at the first book and think, if I like it, I've got 13 more big ones ahead of me? Some will like that, I'm sure. Turns out one series I recently started, and like, the J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts in Death mystery series, already has 46 volumes, and she seems to crank them out like chocolates on Lucille Ball's conveyor belt. To me having that many ahead of me is a good thing (and Caro says they just get better), but I don't know how common that is.

>238 msf59: Hi, Mark. I know, it'll be harder to do an audio of a graphic novel like Nao of Brown, but I can see why folks like Ellie who have trouble reading print would want it. My own thinking is, #1, if folks like that want it, an audio should be created, and #2, it would be possible for some whose sight is good enough to look at the illustrations, too. You'll see when you read it, there's a good story there. I see Roberta makes the same kind of comment in >240 luvamystery65:. So go to Amazon and click on the "we want an audio" link at the top!

Hot toddy? Large? Does this mean you're feeling under the weather? And this is some lousy weather to be under, isn't it?

Here you go:



>239 brenzi: Hi, Bonnie! I like that we've got a trademark HoCho. The first year the cafe was open we had some slow days and some screwed up dishes and beverages here and there, but I think the whole staff here is really getting into the swing of things now. (Did I tell you about all the imaginary friends I had as a kid? We could throw a party anywhere, any time). (And what attire to wear was never an issue).

HoCho with something extra (Baileys), here you go:



>240 luvamystery65: Exactly, Roberta. Beautiful visuals in The Nao of Brown, but also a strong story. If I had trouble seeing, I'd appreciate an audio version, too. And I agree, the best would be as a companion piece. Such a good book!

*dashes in with Einstein hair and untucked shirttails*

Quick quick proprietor! Quick! Mountains of pancakes, oceans of butter, rivers of syrup and an entire nebula of coffee! Snowmageddon approacheth!

*rushes out shirttails flying*

My youngest son used to be a big Robert Jordan fan until the working world and a young family cut into his reading time. It's interesting how another author can keep a series going, although my husband said he thought he could pick up where Lawrence Sanders left off in the McNally books!

Too much desirable food around here, Joe. I pick up calories just by looking at it! Those cherries look inviting...and healthy. I might just grab a handful before I mosey along!

>241 ronincats: We've had lousy weather here, cold and rainy, but it could have been worse. If it hadn't been warm enough to give us rain rather than snow, we'd have the kinds of snow pileups that they're predicting in the northeast. The problem here this morning is all that water froze, so getting to the train for me was like walking a very long skating rink. The main roads were okay for cars, but the side roads were icy. It should warm enough today to help with that problem, and it's supposed to be above freezing over the weekend.

You made me think of a recent photo my wife texted to our nieces in LA, showing lots of snow in our neighborhood. She expected to get back, oh, we're so glad we're out here and not in Chicago, but instead they all texted back about how beautiful it was. Good reminder about perspective.

Anyway, cafe mocha with some Baileys coming your way:



>242 maggie1944: We'll get you some of the same, Karen. Sounds like a good weekend you've got lined up. Hope that photographers group works out well. I know you like taking photos, and are really good at it from what we've seen on LT.

Debbi and I are going to be staying at a downtown hotel as part of her birthday celebration. Eating out, including at an Italian restaurant we enjoy, enjoying the Mag Mile, seeing a movie, that kind of thing. Supposed to be reasonably warm here for this time of year, too.

OK, cafe mocha with some Baileys, here you go, ETA: oops, you meant HoCho with Baileys, so we worked a switcheroo:

>244 richardderus: I've been hearing about Snowmaggedon, Richard. Jeesh, tough times recently. OK, we hired some neighborhood kids to help pull this together:



Good luck!

>245 Donna828: Hi, Donna. I know how work and young kids can cut into reading time, so I have sympathy for your son. Luckily our kids have grown, and my sloth-like tendencies are conducive to reading. I don't know how far he got into the Jordan series, but he may want to find out how it all ended.

First time I came across other authors continuing a series (not counting the unusual Nancy Drew set-uo) was Ruth Plumly Thompson continuing L.Frank Baum's Oz series. She was pretty good, but not as good as L. Frank, and the ones who came after her generally weren't as good as she was. There are authors following up on what Robert Parker and Robert Ludlum put together, I know, and of course there are all the Austen continuations. I'm sure we could think of others.

It is an urban and suburban legend that one can pick up calories just by looking. Our cafe scientists say tests show it just ain't so. So you can have as much here as you want, and find yourself still floating above the ground as usual. Here are some cherries to celebrate your Friday with:

That looks like a smashing repast, good proprietor! And the coffee pic made me guffaw.

>247 jnwelch: Me, too, Richard! Not sure how you're going to drink it, but we're looking forward to finding out.

247. I think a coffee swimming pool is an excellent idea. Might have one installed if I ever win the lottery.

>250 PawsforThought: Based on what you've told us before, Paws, I expect coffee swimming pools are pretty common in Sweden.

i don't have much scheduled for the weekend, which is good, because of the predicted snowstorm. On the other hand, I'm in the midst of that job change I spoke about, and I have work from BOTH teams now in the overlap time. sigh. I do want to do right by my old team, but it's going to be a little hairy.

have but a sec. just wanted to flap a paw in your direction and say "hey." hope to be back later.

oh, did want to report that i'm rereading Garden of evening mists and liking it even better 2nd time round. what an exquisite book. i can get it in LP from across the pond if needs be, but it's pricey and i'm waffling.

anon.

251. You think any sort of swimming pool is common in a country where winter last for five months and more or less constantly has temperatures of -10 or colder?

>252 ffortsa: That does sound a little hairy, Judy, particularly with the predicted weather. Kudos to you for helping your old team while transitioning to the new.

>253 mirrordrum: *flaps paw back at Ellie* As you know, I loved Garden of Evening Mists. Good to hear it actually improves on a re-read. I can see that happening, as there are a lot of subtleties along the way that take on a different significance as events unfold.

I can't believe they don't have an LP version on this side of the pond. Really? Jeesh. I see what you mean though. I can't find one here either.

>254 PawsforThought: I figured if any type of swimming pool would be common there, Paws, it would be one filled with hot, strong coffee.

How about a hot chocolate pool instead? The milk would be good for the skin, too...

256. Caffeine is used in a lot of "firming" mosturizing lotions so the coffee pool would be good for cellulite. Maybe a combo? Wiener Melange pool.

>256 Morphidae: I can't remember how you feel about marshmallows in your hot chocolate, Morphy, but I'm sure we could get one without:



>257 PawsforThought: I think we're onto something here, Paws. I'll look into the franchising possibilities.

258. The marshmallows could functions as floaties and pool noodles!

Bring those good thoughts over to the new cafe, Paws. We'll meet you all over there!

>247 jnwelch: that stack of pancakes looks about right...