Jeannie,

Thanks for the comments. And I'm sorry I am so slow to respond. I just read them today.

Yes, I have read a good book recently, titled "The Last Witchfinder." Have you read it? It's absolutely breathtaking. The story covers a lot of intellectual territory, science, history, and philosophy, and its rendered in wonderful lyrical prose. Its one of the best books I have read in a long, long time. Its gets a little dense in parts and becomes a bit intimidating. But I whethered the storm, so to speak, and made it through the hard parts.

If you want to read a challenging book, this is the book. I just LOVED it! I want to read it over again. It took me a couple weeks to get through and I am glad I stuck it out.

Again, thanks for your comments and lets keep the correspondence going. I am about to begin another book, titled "Edgar Sawtelle." Have you heard of it?

Keith

Lähettänyt: midbrow 11:05 am (EST) Jun 28, 2008

That picture was taken in Taylor, Mississippi (pop. 289) at Taylor Grocery (just 15 minutes south of Oxford, www.taylorgrocery.com). It is a well known establishment (there is a cameo of it in the movie Heart of Dixie), frequented by locals and out-of towners alike. I love Mississippi, and the Oxford area in particular. I frequently attend the annual Conference for the Book in Oxford, and also I hang around the fringes of the Faulkner conference on occasion. One of the great southern bookstores, Square Books, is in Oxford. The occasion for that particular picture was the wedding reception for my friend Dale's wedding in August 2005. He, as far as I know, is the only person to ever be married at Square Books. He and his wife Anne were married on the Balcony in an afternoon ceremony performed by Richard Howarth the owner of Square Books and the Mayor of Oxford. It was well attended. (John Grisham, Tom Franklin and others are among the writers who call Oxford home...as did Uncle Bill Faulkner)

Lähettänyt: vincentvan 10:59 pm (EST) Jun 20, 2008

Hi Jeannie,

Just thought of you as I am very SLOWLY adding books to my library. I thought I'd recommend to you "The Dog of the South" by Charles Portis. If you've already read it, or anything by Portis, you'll understand and appreciate such a recommendation. If not then give him a try. You're in for a literary treat, with a few laughs along the way.

Dave

Lähettänyt: vincentvan 8:06 pm (EST) Jun 19, 2008

Jeannie, I was sadden to hear about the lost of your dog, it the dog in the picture on your profile page the pet? A short time ago I had to put my dog down I still wonder if I did the right thing. He, Hootie, was a very old weiner dog but a wonderful friend. It was a sad day. I am very sad about the lose of a good friend.
We actually had a nice weekend and today promises to be sunny and warm. Saturday I volunteer for the Aids Hotline to be at a table at Gay Pride Festival it was very interesting and quite colorful. Sunday I worked at a residantal hospice home, since the weather was sunny and warm we got to get some of the patients out in the sun. They seemed to enjoy it. I sure enjoyed it. Take care
Michael

Lähettänyt: michaelbartley 11:02 am (EST) Jun 16, 2008

Jeannie, this is Michael from the great city of Portland, finally the sun has shown itself and the weekend is excepted to be sunny and warm. I haven't talked to you in a while and wanted to say hello. Wonder what you're currently reading, I love comparing books, great way to find new books and authors. I just finished The Post-Office Girl, wrote a review. I hope you have a nice weekend.

Lähettänyt: michaelbartley 6:23 pm (EST) Jun 13, 2008

Hi,

I am new to LibraryThing. We share quite a few books. I've just started to catalog 4500, or so. It'll be a kick to see how we end up. I live in the other frozen North: Maine! We had 122 inches of snow in my backyard last winter (90 degrees today). I have a Richard Russo story. (I am fortunate to have Russo and Richard Ford living within 45 minutes of me!!!). I was standing in a short line just outside the entrance to the A-1 Diner in Gardiner, Maine a few years ago and I recognised Richard Russo by the back of his balding head (Gotta be a Russo fan to do that! My favorite is still "The Risk Pool"). I muttered Hi Richard, or some such silly thing. He responded, and we both went on to our seperate booths to enjoy our Sunday breakfast.

Lähettänyt: vincentvan 10:11 pm (EST) Jun 8, 2008

Hi Jeannie - Thanks for letting me know the book got there safely - and within a reasonable period of time, which is always nice. ;-)

I did read the book, not long after it was published -- probably in the summer of 1996 -- so it's been long enough now that the details are blurry. But I know I LOVED it. I checked the hardcover out of the university library and read it, then when it was published in paperback, I bought it. I later found a hardcover at a discounted price, and recalling how much I enjoyed reading THAT HARDCOVER edition from the library, I bought the cheap hardcover copy. So, I had the book in two different formats, and the copy I actually read was a library copy, not my own! Sorry for the long story - but I just figured, if I liked it enough to buy it TWICE, I should share it with another big Schaeffer fan rather than just hoard two copies. :-)

I'll look forward to hearing what you think of it - sometime AFTER you finish your ER book, I can relate to that!! Happy reading!

Marie

Lähettänyt: HeathMochaFrost 4:13 pm (EST) Mar 4, 2008

Bleak House is probably my second all time favorite book. It has a very memorable character by the name of Richard Skimpole. He has no sense of time and no sense of money. But its hard to figure if Dickens, when he describes Skimpole, can be taken at his word. Since Skimpole is always borrowing money from people and failing to pay it back, its hard to say whether he is posing or whether he really is a man-child. As I said, he's a fascinating character. There is a little bit of Skimpole in all of us I'm afraid.

I finished "A Golden Age" over the weekend. It lived up to the hype. I enjoyed it immensely. It started off slow, but it picked up later. Then, when I was about 50 pages into it, I couldnt put it down. It takes place in the swamps of Bangladesh, or what was once East Pakistan. It has a great ending. I won't ruin it for you if you decide to read it.

Talk to you later. I'm going to run that book you mentioned through a search and read some of the reviews on it.

Keith

Lähettänyt: midbrow 7:01 pm (EST) Feb 11, 2008

My favorite book? Thats an easy one. It is "An old curiosity Shop" by Charles Dickens. It was the first book that I was completely swept away by, totally mesmorized. it was the first time I discovered what good literature can do, how it can elevate and lift oneself up above the mundane, ho-hum existence of everyday life.

It was a simple story of an old man and his granddaughter striking out on their own to make a better life for themselves. But at every corner, in every nook and cranny, thieves and never-do-wells lurk. As i read this book, feeling sorry for myself for holding down a dead-end job and making a mere pittance, I couldn't help but feel that my life was running on a parallel track with these two main characters.

The one thing Dickens does is to show sympathy for even the villains. That is what I like most about him. One can not read his books, if they are read in the spirit they were written, without being profoundly moved and changed in a certain way. Of that I am confident.

I know that, if more people read the works of Dickens, this world would be a much different place. We wouldn't be able to stomach the cruelty and the savagery of our own government. Nor would people be so willing to vent their anger by shooting people at random, which seems like such a frequent thing to do these days.

yes, I have read "A Prayer for Owen Meany." Most definitely. Its a very good book. And I recommended it to my parents. I read it, in fact, on top of the Monona Terrace in Madison. once I got interrupted by someone who had a hard time believing that a book could be more interesting the he was. He was wrong. Although i tried to be polite, I became rather irritated with his interrupting my reading.

Later,
Keith

Lähettänyt: midbrow 4:18 pm (EST) Feb 9, 2008

Jeannie, I was browsing through your fiction list, trying to find books I had read before or that i want to read some day, and I had to stop before I got past the c's. Have you read ALL of those books? Thats a lot of reading, if you have. I was going to read a book a week but I doubt if I can maintain that pace. But if I did, I would have read 2500 books in 20 years. Its sad to think that there are a lot of books, good books, that I will never get around to reading.

Once when I was in an old used bookstore, I picked up a book on a table, read the first page and I was hooked. I made a mental note of the name of the book and then the next day i looked to see if the library had a copy. THEY DID NOT. I went back to the bookstore the next day and the book was gone. Now I'll never know how that story ended.

I'm hoping you will shoot me a response. Your the only one who has contacted me from this site so far.
Later,
Keith

Lähettänyt: midbrow 9:05 pm (EST) Feb 8, 2008

Hi Jeannie,

Thanks for responding. Sorry I'm so slow to get back with you. Yes, T.R. Pearson is a difficult writer who writes long sentences, set off with prepositional and adverbial phrases. But his writing is something to behold. I imagine some people would find it pretentious, and ostentatious, but I like it. I don't think he is all that funny, though.

I read part of "A small history..."but I didn't finish it. I was in the middle of moving at the time and I had left off it for a couple days. When I set a book down for a day or two, I never feel any inclination to pick it back up. But I do recall where I left off. It was when the sheriff and the townsfolks were looking up at a monkey climbing a watertower. Does that scene ring a bell? Its a fabulous book and one I want to revisit soon.

Its quite remarkable that Pearson is NOT a big name author. I would think he would be because the few books he has written have been first rate.

Presently I am reading, "A Golden Age" by Tahmima Anam. It was published this year and it got some good reviews. I first heard about it on overbooked.org and then quickly put a hold on it at the library. I'll let you know what I think of it at a later date.

Later,
Keith

Lähettänyt: midbrow 5:40 pm (EST) Feb 8, 2008

Hi Jeannie,

It appears we share similar taste in books. Of all the people who belong to this site, you share more books with me, 7, than anyone else. I was wonder, of the 7 books tht we share in common, can you say which one you liked the best. I will probably read them in the order in which you rank them, if you decide to respond.

Just FYI, I live down the road from you, in Madison. What with all the cold weather, what better way to spend an eveing inside but to cozy up to a book. I am sure, besides books, we share that sentiment in common as well. I hope to hear from you sometime soon.

--Keith

Lähettänyt: midbrow 6:10 pm (EST) Feb 1, 2008

Hi Jeannie, thank you for the holiday wishes! I am starting the new year off with a terrible cold! Started coming on Sunday evening, still going strong. However I was able to run the first race of the year. The race, a 5k, starts downtown Portland at midnight, the only time the whole year I am up that late. It's a fun way to begin the year. I then went home had a glass of wine and cooked myself a breakfast. I am currerty reading a biography of Freud by Peter Gay. I am enjoying it a lot. I've liked Freud, not necessary his ideas but his courage to talk about things, sex, that his society wanted to ignore. I just started keeping track of the books I've read per year. Very interesting. I hope you had a good holidays and that you are in good health.
Michael

Lähettänyt: michaelbartley 5:30 pm (EST) Jan 2, 2008

Hi Jeannie, thank you for the holiday wishes! I am starting the new year off with a terrible cold! Started coming on Sunday evening, still going strong. However I was able to run the first race of the year. The race, a 5k, starts downtown Portland at midnight, the only time the whole year I am up that late. It's a fun way to begin the year. I then went home had a glass of wine and cooked myself a breakfast. I am currerty reading a biography of Freud by Peter Gay. I am enjoying it a lot. I've liked Freud, not necessary his ideas but his courage to talk about things, sex, that his society wanted to ignore. I just started keeping track of the books I've read per year. Very interesting. I hope you had a good holidays and that you are in good health.
Michael

Lähettänyt: michaelbartley 5:30 pm (EST) Jan 2, 2008

Hi Jeannie!

Thanks very much for the friendship. If you don't mind sharing, I was wondering--what's your favorite novel(s) of all time?

Here’s wishing you a fantastic day filled with fabulous fates, fanciful festivities, and frolicking phantom footstools.

-Jeremy :)

Lähettänyt: JeremyCShipp 7:31 am (EST) Nov 27, 2007

Hi Jeannie, thank you for sending that link about the book and movie Into the Wild. I enjoyed it yet was sadden by it. One of the great value of literture and art is that gives one new views of the world. It allows you to explore your ideas and emotions, sometimes agaisnt your desire, other times with your permission. I just started Blue Arabesque A Search for the Sublime by Patricia Hampl. I hope you have a good Thanksgiving if I don't write you again before then.
Michael

Lähettänyt: michaelbartley 1:31 pm (EST) Nov 8, 2007

Jeannie,
thanks for letting me know about the early review books being up there. I thought they would notify me, but I didn't notice until now that they did and your note was there also. I did request a few. Nothing really grabbed me on that list - but we'll see what happens.

I also noticed that the last comment I left for you I must have done wrong because it appears in my own list of comments, so I guess I sent it to myself!

I still don't really know what I'm doing here - I've listed the books, but now I don't know what to do.

cindy

Lähettänyt: cindylm 10:28 pm (EST) Nov 6, 2007

Hi Jeannie, this is Michael, I was looking at posts and realize it's been a while since I wrote you. I hope you are well and enjoying reading. I wanted to share with you my thoughts about both the movie, I saw it Sat., and the book Into the Wild. The movie really captures the essence of Krakauer's book. I highly recommend both the book and the movie. I don't know how much you know about the story but it is very much a modern American verision of a Greek Tradgecy. A young man dies because of his pride.
My currnet reading project is Proust, vol. 4 Sodom and Gomorrah. I hope you are well.
Michael

Lähettänyt: michaelbartley 6:09 pm (EST) Nov 5, 2007

I noticed your comment on Michael's profile and wondered if you knew that "City of Angels" was taken from a German Film by Wim Wenders called "Wings of Desire" (well called that in English) which is brilliant. It has Peter Falk in too.

I see we share quite a few books in common.
Happy reading/viewing

Lähettänyt: Caroline_McElwee 3:46 pm (EST) Nov 3, 2007

I really liked your comment on 'the Most Influential Books' thread--I think our views on spirituality are quite similar.

Lähettänyt: streamsong 9:36 am (EST) Oct 19, 2007

I'm quite envious that you've met Richard Russo. I think a sense of humor is most important. The last time I reread Straight Man there were still scenes that made me laugh out loud. My favorite is early in the novel, at the department meeting, when "Hank" keeps asking "who's our first poet, someone remind me", until Gracie Dubois hits hi with her notebook. I wish that I lived in Nobody's Fool.

Lähettänyt: rufustfirefly66 11:30 am (EST) Sep 23, 2007

Hi Jeannie, my name is Michael, I live in the rain capital Portland, Oregon, however today is beautful sunny late summer day. I love your picture! I have spend many years in the medical field, first as a medic with the Air Force. That included a year in Vietnam, which shows my age. While in college I worked as nurses aide in nursing homes. Loved the work but it is very hard work. Then as a ward sec. at the Portland VA Medical Center. That was fun, felt like Radar from M*A*S*H following doctors round to get them to sign papers! I still work for the VA as legal assistant. I am still involved with health care as a hospice volunteer. Two of my favorite books are The Year of Magical Thinking and A Lesson Before Dying. I dreamed of having a bookstore perhaps that is what heaven is a large library and all the time one needs to read all the books we have on our list. Best Wishes
Michael

Lähettänyt: michaelbartley 3:14 pm (EST) Sep 21, 2007

aaarrgh, make that 'are' an 'am'

Lähettänyt: pandop 5:50 pm (EST) Jul 31, 2007

It was good to hear from you. My Mum can't wait to be retired, she has so much she wants to do!

I, however, are spending too much time online and not enough time studying. Bad me.

Lähettänyt: pandop 5:49 pm (EST) Jul 31, 2007

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for dropping me a line. I just came on here and saw your message. I will take a look at your library, too - I see we have over 150 books in common.

As for the tags, you may have already noticed that I only have a very small number of my books tagged, but I am working on it.

Isn't the web a wonderful thing (for the most part, I suppose)? The world is only getting smaller and smaller.

Antonia/Megora/BgGirl :)

Lähettänyt: BgGirl 4:41 pm (EST) May 4, 2007

Nice to have found you on here.

I got into both cross stitch and Teresa Wentzler because of my dad - he did a couple of her designs. I haven't done any of the big ones, yet. I just don't have the time

Lähettänyt: pandop 12:14 pm (EST) May 3, 2007

Synchronicity !! Shark Text is on my shortlist. have fun with the Lent - Mike

Lähettänyt: starchild 10:58 pm (EST) May 2, 2007

Hi I was adding a book that I just finished and saw we share some pretty good books in common. Are you as excited about Jeffery Lent's new one as I am? Thank god for zadie,T.C. and david Mitchell !!! Be sure to read Dan Chaon's Among The Missing; these short stories will blow... you........................................ away. mike

That David Elliot novel was a masterpiece.

Lähettänyt: starchild 12:28 am (EST) May 2, 2007

Most recently, I lived on 51st & Forest Home, but when I was in college at UW-Milwaukee I lived on Downer Avenue. I went to high school at Nathan Hale in West Allis, eventhough we lived in New Berlin. At that time, my parents built a new house on former farmland. I could go down the block and see cows, and there was a little stream that had frogs. Many times there were fox, too. Now that is all homes. I've been to Hayward many times, and passed through Richfield and Shawano. I'm sad to see how built up every formerly open place is getting.

Where I live now, there are huge swaths of forest preserve, and I have seen coyote walking down the middle of the street! Wheaton is a busy town! We have had fox in our yard as well, and when my son was 2 he said, in a serious voice, "I need my clothes on. There's a deer in my yard." This morning, a young buck with a small three point rack raced across Butterfield Road during the morning commute. You could almost hear him say "Whew! Made it!"

Lähettänyt: Windy 4:40 pm (EST) Nov 7, 2006

I was born in Milwaukee, raised in New Berlin, moved back to Milwaukee, and now live in Wheaton Illinois. I would love to move back up north, somewhere around Iron River where my grandparents had a cabin.

I have a very charming story written by an elderly man who grew up in Iron River. He made photocopies of his manuscript and spiral bound it, and I bought a copy in the history museum there. I'll dig around to find it and let you know his name.

What town are you living in now? You know, it is the winter I miss the most. We're at least 10 degrees warmer down here, and most winters we see no snow at all! The grass even stays green!

Lähettänyt: Windy 4:11 pm (EST) Nov 7, 2006

Hi,

Always glad to see someone else enjoying George Vukelich. When I lived in WI, I always enjoyed his Sunday night radio show on NPR. I recently bought two copies of Fisherman's Beach, but haven't started reading yet.

Lähettänyt: Windy 2:15 pm (EST) Nov 7, 2006

Hi Jeannie!! I have often wondered if you were over here! I joined shortly after he started it, but must confess to not keeping up well with it over the past few months, too many other things going on. Jim Hake (from the barn) is here too, I can't recall his user name though, I'll pass it on to you when I find him over here.

Re: Dogs of Babel - I really enjoyed this novel. I found the premise so unique, and felt that Parkhurst did a very skillful job bringing it to the page. This could have been a very inferior story in the hands of a lesser author. I found the love story hidden in so many layers to be profound and poignant.

Lähettänyt: cequillo 11:08 am (EST) Nov 1, 2006

Jeannie! We share a fascinating and eclectic mix of books! What great taste you have! Wow, really. And I noticed on the "random books from faceinbook's library" that you have also read the Nancy Clark (she is local to our bookstore in NH) and a Helen Dunmore that I haven't read (Your Blue-Eyed Boy). I think sharing 52 of the 580 I've managed to catalog is pretty impressive . What are you reading at the moment?

Lähettänyt: avaland 3:37 pm (EST) Oct 19, 2006

faceinbook!I love it.. !!! I think i will stick to elscorcho though.. long story in origin..

Lähettänyt: elscorcho 2:48 pm (EST) Jun 8, 2006

Hi there Jeannie

I think this is going to be fun... As of now we share no books.. but i did begin the song reader over the weekend.. and read about 60 pages of it today ... While i was supposed to be doing other things!!!

jen

Lähettänyt: elscorcho 10:10 pm (EST) May 30, 2006

Hi Jeannie -- I thought that was you! I haven't quite figured this out yet but maybe we can all learn together!!

Lähettänyt: gabbycat 11:45 am (EST) May 27, 2006