I'm actually reading the same book as you are (Finn). I'm a little behind everyone else because my book didn't arrive on time, and yes I find it gruesome but very intriging. Alaska? I've heard it's beautiful, have fun and enjoy your vacation!

I have a few friends that go to SMS (I can't get over the name change either). I love Springfield it's such a beautiful city. I was up there in May for a children's literature conference at my college (Drury).

Lähettänyt: beckylynn 5:57 pm (EST) Jul 16, 2008

I saw you read the book "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle", I've been wanting to read it for several reasons, but the main one being that Stephen King reccomended it on his webpage. Is it any good,(I assume so because of how you have it titled), so I guess a more appropriate question would be is it worth the price? Everywhere I go to buy the book it's extremley expensive and I just don't care to spend a whole lot on a single book unless it's highly reccomended. Thanks!

Lähettänyt: beckylynn 4:20 pm (EST) Jul 10, 2008

Hi,
We share many books and many favorites. From perusing your favorites, I am bumping Angle of Repose and The Poisonwood Bible to the top of my to be read next list - a list which is shamefully long and sadly neglected! I'm looking forward to spending more time wandering among your books...
Happy reading,
Mel

Lähettänyt: readaholic12 11:35 pm (EST) Jul 8, 2008

Hi Donna. I'm liking this new "Connection News" feature! I just noticed that you rated The Story of Edgar Sawtelle 5 stars. I have that one on my wishlist & keep hearing good things about it. You apparently liked it as well. What did you like about it most?? I'm curious!

Lähettänyt: indygo88 6:16 pm (EST) Jun 29, 2008

Donna,

Humidity is right - I think we've gotten nearly 5 inches of rain this week, and I know we haven't gotten as much here as you have down there this spring. My grandparents lived in Littleton until my grandfather died, then my "grandma" (a younger second wife) moved to Mt Vernon, MO where her mother and brother were living. She is still there. I've got more relatives in Colo Springs, but I doubt we'll get down there on this trip. Isn't it funny how we just assume that our lives are completly unique, then we find someone who is connected to all the same places?

The War and Peace read was already started when I joined LT in March, but I was intrigued. I used to read more literary books than I have been lately, but never a lot of classic literature. We weren't introduced to it in school, and I tried it on my own after college, but it was rough going. I started the Middlemarch read, but my heart was never in it. George Eliot has never had much appeal, and I didn't make it past book 1. I'm looking forward to the new book, and will read whichever of the two leaders wins. I had a difficult time voting, since there were several that looked interesting, so my heart is not set on either one of them. For the short time I was plodding through Middlemarch, I did enjoy reading comments from other people about the same material. I felt less alone, and have had twinges of regret that I didn't stick it out a little longer. I hope the winner is announced soon - I'd like to get a copy of the book in time to take it with me when we leave for vacation next week.

Sandy

Lähettänyt: sjmccreary 10:54 am (EST) Jun 6, 2008

Hi, Donna

We live in Lee's Summit, which is becoming more and more like Overland Park (not sure if that is a good or bad thing!)

We've always loved Springfield, and are pretty pleased that the boys are planning to move there. Our oldest son is in Rolla right now, but decided he didn't want to be an engineer after all, so he didn't enroll in school after he moved down there.

Where in Colorado did you live? That is another of my favorite places - my grandparents lived in Denver while I was growing up and we went out there every summer. We still make regular trips and have one planned for week after next to the Grand Mesa area - with a stop in Denver to visit relatives who still live there.

I fell in love with LT the first time I saw it. I expected the "new" to wear off, but so far I'm liking it more and more. I feel like I'm getting acquainted with the people here, and have started thinking of them just the same as I think of some of the the people I know in "real life". I know I sometimes spend far too much time here, when I could be reading, or should be working!

It's nice to meet you

Sandy

Lähettänyt: sjmccreary 10:30 am (EST) Jun 3, 2008

Thanks for the welcome. That's (to me at least) the point. If you don't take a moment to collect your thoughts about something you've read it becomes an annoying vague memory. But without someone with whom to share those thoughts, there's little motivation for collecting them. You're right. It could become addictive.

I'm off to sea hauling ropes on a tall ship for the next couple of weeks. I'll add a bunch of shippy books to my shelf when I get back.

Lähettänyt: EnglishPatient 7:14 am (EST) Jun 1, 2008

Thanks for your concise and sensitive reviews. I found myself agreeing with much of what you said about books I have also read. I'm new to this so my virtual shelf is still almost bare.

Lähettänyt: EnglishPatient 3:35 pm (EST) May 20, 2008

Hi Donna, thanks for adding me to your interesting libraries list. Our little dog's name is Lucy, she is 1/2 beagle and 1/2 daschund. We adopted her from a shelter where they told us she was shepard and doberman, big difference! Some day we will get a yellow lab, that is my childhood dog. Take care! Erin

Lähettänyt: Rarcar1 4:52 pm (EST) Apr 5, 2008

well i sort of gave up on the class. just had a lot going on but i make download the episodes from itunes and pick back up when i have time. i like the concepts of a new earth but it's really hard to stick with them! let me know if you make it the whole ten weeks! :)

Lähettänyt: amanaceerdh 4:57 pm (EST) Apr 3, 2008

Thanks for your interest in my library, Donna. I see we share a lot of books, and a lot of favorites, and I enjoy your reviews, as well. I am glad you broke through your sci-fi aversion to read The Sparrow -- I, too, thought it excellent, and more about God and culture than about space travel. Have you read the sequel, Children of God?

You are clearly an old hand at recording your reading. I just began in 2007, finally -- after years of wanting to -- using LT's 50 Book Challenge group. I don't see you on there, but recommend it as a great way to get a little feedback on your reading while you keep a record. My current thread is at kambrogi in 2008

I, too, set a goal of reading all of Austen (as well as Dickens), but don't seem to move as quickly as I want to in that direction. MY TBR pile is so high! If you liked The Sparrow and admire Ann Fadiman, I wonder if you have read the non-fiction work, "When the Spirit Catches You, You Fall Down"? It is a study of cross-cultural confusion and the tragedy that results.

Lähettänyt: kambrogi 11:29 am (EST) Mar 31, 2008

Hi – have you weighed in yet on the next book for Group Reads – Literature? The discussion thread is here. And Irish set up a poll for us here (it can be amended if there’s lots of interest in a book that isn’t on there yet). Hope to see you there!

Terri

Lähettänyt: teelgee 1:17 am (EST) Mar 27, 2008

Donna, I think we have very similar taste. I've been reading your reviews periodically and will continue to do so!

Lähettänyt: 3M3m 7:50 pm (EST) Mar 5, 2008

very cool! I do hope you like it.

Lähettänyt: library_kate 12:21 am (EST) Mar 1, 2008

i am doing the oprahthing, assuming i like the book when i read it this weekend. i actually like the idea of homework :) will let you know what i think. hope u enjoy the class too!

Lähettänyt: amanaceerdh 3:12 pm (EST) Feb 29, 2008

we have 267 books in common, but i have never checked your page out before until now when i was checking out reviews for "the new earth," which i am about to read. a lot of your favorites are my favorites as well! i hope you enjoy jane austen's books as i much did!!!!

Lähettänyt: amanaceerdh 9:18 am (EST) Feb 27, 2008

Hi Donna, thanks for the note. Yes, we have lots of books in common, and I was struck by how similarly we rated our books too.

I'm just getting started on War and Peace - only on page 70 or so - so I don't have too much to comment on yet, I feel like I'm just getting my bearings and getting to know some characters. I do see some parallels to contemporary issues - nationalism, imperialism, etc. that are fairly striking. It's going to take me a long time to read this one, as I'm reading endnotes, footnotes, looking at the dictionary, atlas, Wiki, etc - but learning a lot.

Do you know about the War and Peace group we've got going? It's called Group Reads - Literature. There are 25 or so LTers who are reading and commenting on the book - people are in various stages of reading. Pop in to have a look if you think you'd be interested. Here's a link to it.

Happy reading to you too.
Terri

Lähettänyt: teelgee 1:48 pm (EST) Feb 16, 2008