I am starting to pack, at least I am starting to ponder packing. I still have this supersticious belief that if I start packing the whole deal will come crashing through and I will be the jinx that caused it. Irrational, I know, but work with me on this one.

Anyway, I have two smallish bookshelves on either side of the fireplace and I am to the very important decision, as I box up my books, as to what I will place on these prime shelves. I am going to keep one small shelf for immediate TBR books. Other than that I am going with favorites, classics and rereads.

So what goes there?
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

What else? And what goes on your favorites shelf?

Yes, this is my idea of packing. We could be in serious trouble, huh?

We've made it up over 115 participants for the reading challenge at Overdue Books. You can sign up at any time during the challenge but tomorrow is the last day to sneak in in time for the first drawing for a prize. You love prizes, dontcha?

Rainy morning here and I thought I was going to sleep off both the dreary weather and this cold/fever I have been fighting but Guitar Guy is coming early. I had to make happy, perky phone voice. You know the one.

"Sure, that's fine. Stop by whenever!"

All the while I was leering at the dust bunnies and glaring at the stacked dishes. You know this means closing off doors and going for the appearance of clean in the visible rooms. A few candles, some oils and incense...poof!....clean(ish).

Now I should probably get out of my sick day jammies and squishy, puffy socks.

So far we are getting a nice turn out for the From the Stacks Reading Challenge. And if you act now you even get this handy, dandy little button:

Prizes! Books! Buttons! Oh my!

Starting a fun new reading challenge for the winter over at Overdue Books.

Stop over and check it out. The idea is to try and whittle down that ever growing to-read list.

The book group discussion of The Thirteenth Tale starts today at Overdue Books.

If you haven't read it yet go and grab a copy. Great read. And the discussion will be up for a while so there's plenty of time to join in.

If I haven't mentioned it on this site, the Book Group read this time is Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale. It's her first novel, a gothic tale that draws from the traditions of the classic gothic novels. It's a book about books and reading that's full of twists, turns, ghosts and old estates. Perfect for this time of year.

Discussion doesn't start until October 20th so there is still plenty of time to read. The book flies by. I am taking down the bulletin board so the Book Group will take place right on Overdue Books (the book blog). Come join in.

It would be a fun book to teach if you were teaching gothic.

I posted my list for the R.I.P Reading Challenge a little while ago over here and I was thinking it might be fun to do a Halloween group read. Anyone up for it? We have a month and a half so there's plenty of time.

Let me know which title you would be the most interested in (or if you have another suggestion) and we'll see which one to go with.

This week's choice was a book that was given to me for graduation by mentor/prof/friend. When he gave me this I had no idea who the author was and had never heard of Everything is Illuminated. I just figured it must be good because I trusted everything that mentor/prof/friend ever told me. Yeah. Naive. But in this case it wasn't a bad call.

So, my contribution to this week's RfP Wednesday is:

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Jonathan Safran Foer

I can't help myself. It is a rainy, bleak day. It's like crack.

I did it though. No one made me. I did it.

I went....to the bookstore. I was just going to look around--honest. But then, there they were. "Curl up with us!" "Caress the pages!" "C'mon...you know you want to...."

I'm weak.

Here's the damage:

I have started packing for next week's camping trip. Lists, lists and more lists. It's the only way to go. I am going to make a run to the library in a bit to get the most important items!

I did finish reading Until I Find You - John Irving. And so here is the Friday edition of my Reading for Pleasure Wednesday.

Until I Find You - John Irving

I adore John Irving. A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my all time favorite books. So when I heard John Irving had a new novel out I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. At over 800 pages it is not a light read, but then again what Irving novel is? I don't mind his long-winded descriptions or sidetracks into character quirks but this one was different.

The characters were flat and the first 200-300 pages were a disturbing description of the many, many times the main character--Jack Burns--was sexually abused. But I kept reading. I kept reading because I knew in the end that there would be a payoff. There's always a payoff in an Irving novel, always a reason for the quirkiness.

Not this time. This was not worth the weeks it took to trudge through it. Kind of ironic since it is my Reading for Pleasure Wednesday. This was not really a pleasure. A few good moments, yes, but not enough to make it worth it. If you want to read Irving go read Cider House Rules, Widow for One Year or, of course, Owen Meany but there's no reason to go look for a copy of Until I Find You.

It's time for the vacation dilemma. I will finish up Until I Find You by John Irving this afternoon (and promptly get on writing up my Reading for Pleasure Wednesday post!)and then be faced with what to read on the camping trip.

Suggestions? I am thinking of bringing Owen Meany along as a "comfort food" but I don't know what else. I can usually knock out around three novels when we are camping so what do you think?

Yay for the first ever Reading for Pleasure Wednesday! Brought to you by Dr. Crazy. I was worried about writing a witty, sparkling review of some trendy, yet well-regarded book and then I thought--screw it. I am going to write a review of what I am really dulling my brain with this week. I needed a break, I was longing for nostalgia, I had been watching TVLand, so you guys get this as my very first installment of reading for pleasure:

Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg - Barry Williams, Chris Kreski

That's right, it's a story, of a man named Brady. Ok, not really. It's a story about a man named Barry Williams and I couldn't resist after sitting glued to a better part of the Brady marathon in the middle of the night and Tivoing the Brady Reunion special.

I grew up in prime, Brady time. Those were my clothes (albeit hand me downs from my much cooler, older cousins) and my music(I still know all the words and most of the dance moves. That's right, I am that cool) and I longed to be Marcia Brady. Lord knows I had the hair! (Still in pigtails at that point, but the straight, parted down the middle, Marcia-look was only a matter of time).

I had heard that the book was kind of a cheap shot at the cast and more gossip than anything else and I hadn't been interested at all until I saw the reunion special. All of the castmates referred to the book as a place where they had told their own stories. I was just too nosy to let it go. After all, you know you were always curious if Marcia and Greg ever hooked up? (Psst. I know!)

The first few chapters are a bit self-indulgent--even more so than the usual tell-all type of celebrity autobiography--but after that the conversational, familiar style of Barry Williams makes it feel as if an old fried were telling you adventures from his trip to summer camp. And after all, for those of us who grew up with the Bradys, isn't that what they seem like? Old friends?

There are enough pictures, anecdotes, and behind the scenes stories to keep everyone happy and laughing and squealing out, "Oooh! I remember that one!" Mike gets mad, Greg gets high, everyone gets a little carried away with teenage crushes and we get a fun, little peak into a piece of Americana.

It's a quick, fun, no-brainer. Perfect for the summer or on the plane. If you loved them, you'll love this. It's pretty groovy.

(I started reading this as a break from the new John Irving novel Until I Find You . I usually love his novels but right now I am finding the main characters quirky traits are squicking me out instead of being endearing and unique. I am about 100-150 pages in and I will give it a few more chapters. After that, I may let this one go. Life's too short to read bad books. I hate to give up on an Irving book, but I am just not sure about this one. It's no Owen Meany .)

I was just reading over at Reassigned Time where Dr. Crazy has a great idea. Wednesday's will be Reading for Pleasure Wednesdays where we can post (and link back) about books we are reading just for fun!! Not the ones that we read for work/school/class (even if we do like them!) but the ones that we read for the sheer joy and escape of reading. It's good to remember that reading is fun now and then.

Go on over and have a look.

And hey, if anyone is interested in adding a Wednesday review to my sadly neglected book blog please just let me know and I will post it for you. I am going to post a few soon myself (really!) and this is a great excuse to get to it.

Now go, find a hammock and a cool drink, kick off the shoes and read a bit. It's summer.

My copy of The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is now flying its way to my door.

Ironically it should be here this weekend ;)

Did you get your copy yet???

i am thinking that the next group read might be a prayer for owen meany.

yes, many of us have read it, and among those of us who have it is either one of your favorites or you hated it. there is no in between with this book.

for me, obviously, it's a favorite and i am going to re-read it over the holidays. if you are interested in doing it as a book group book, let me know.

since the semester will wind down in a few weeks, and i will need something fun to read (yes, it's all about me!), it's time for suggestions for the book group.

i had been thinking about reading kite runner by Khaled Hosseini, and i probably still will, but now I am thinking I might want something either lighter or more likely to inspire argument debate and conversation for the book group.

so i am looking to you, yes, you, for suggestions for good books. and i am also looking for people to get this thing going stronger since we had to restart. i am going to schedule it so that it works for most people who are interested. as always, the discussions are posted on the reading group board so there are no strict schedules to posting. if you can't finish right on time it doesn't leave you out.

right now i am reading extremely loud and incredibly close by jonathan safran foer, on the road by jack kerouac, and my life as a fake by peter carey. (reading ADD, what can i say!)

so? what's everyone else reading? would it make a good book to discuss?

if the comments are wonky, you know the drill, email me and i will post 'em

I am frantically trying to finish up my summer reading list before the Fall semester begins and my reading list becomes non-negotiable. This summer's reading so far:
The Red Tent - Anita Diamant
Reading Lolita in Tehran - Azar Nafisi
Ya Gotta Believe - Tug McGraw
Josie and Jack: A Novel - Kelly Braffet
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
Katherine - Anya Seton
The Sunne in Splendour - Sharon Kay Penman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J K Rowling
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood


I am currently reading Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay - Nancy Milford and Avalon - Anya Seton (yes, two at once since my mind tends to wander while reading biographies).


I am trying to catch up on reviews over at the book blog and the discussions are up for the books that we read for the book group so if anyone wants to join in on past or ongoing discussions feel free. C'mon, you know you finally finished HP, didn't you?


Not sure what I am going to read next although I am kicking around the idea of reading The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini next for the book group. I may also be selfish and start a thread for Jane Austen books as I will be reading all of them for class this semester.


So....what have you read? Anything good? Any suggestions? And why are you part of the book group or writing a review or two for the book blog? And don't give me that "I have no time excuse!"

Still cleaning and I just registered the first stack of books with bookcrossing.


before i "release them to the wild" go have a look at the list and let me know if you want any of them.


and yes, i am going to post a billion times today. :)

I finished! I haven't done anything but read all day pretty much, but I am done!!


OMG!!! Discussion for those who have finished has started over at the book group. Come on over but don't read the spoiler version until you are done completely.


now go finish up!!!

ok, i couldn't really read much yesterday with the game and picnic so i am planning on spending today curled up with harry.


the book group links are up and ready. i know that at least one reader has finished! please be careful which link you post (or read). one is marked "spoilers." but have fun picking this latest installment apart.


back to reading. go over and chat about the book. everyone is welcome so what are you waiting for?

ok, so you keep saying, "oh yes! yes! michelle, we want to do the book club, we just don't have time right now." sure. sure.
i have explained that there is no pressing time schedule and you can read at your own pace--but still you procrastinate.


well, here it is. your big chance to jump in with both feet. starting saturday, july 16. we are going to be reading harry potter and the half blood prince.


now i know you are going to read it so you might as well stop by for a chat. don't ya think?


no more excuses. i will have two threads going. one for people who are going to finish this thing in one sitting and want to talk about *gasp* the ending! and one for people who are going to move at a little slower pace that won't give away spoilers.


so, come on. it's easy. i promise. and while you are there check out the other books we've read and hop in and comment.


ok, i have to finish what i am reading now so i am ready for saturday. eeeeee!!! harry potter in four days!!!! you know, for the kids ;)

because i would rather be playing around online than being productive here is the latest book group update.

i am really hoping to get some new people to join in as well. i changed the format a little bit. you can check that out here. as always, there are no strict time schedules that way it remains flexible for those of us with crazy schedules.

this is the reading schedule as it stands right now (start dates only):
april 11, 2005 (in honor of the home opener at shea we will be running two books simultaneously)-
ya gotta believe: my roller-coaster life as a screwball pitcher and part-time father, and my hope-filled fight against brain cancer - tug mcgraw

and

the red tent - anita diamant

june 1, 2005:

reading lolita in tehran - azar nafisi

july 16, 2005:

harry potter and the half blood prince - jk rowling
(this one will have two separate threads--one for those who are going to finish in a day or two and one for those who need more time and want to avoid spoilers)

so that's the list. please consider joining in, or joining in on any past discussions. they never close so you are never too late to read anything that the group has done or is doing. i know everyone has busy schedules and a lot of us have necessary reading to do, but this is set up to allow for some reading for pleasure and a fun discussion with real people without schedule commitments. want to do the book club at midnight in your pjs? no problem.

if you have questions about any of it you can always email me

i applied to have overdue books accepted to blogexplosion. (yes, i have too much time on my hands) but they said no. NO???? seems that we haven't been posting enough lately. *ahem*


so, since i know there are more than a few academics and/or book lovers out there reading now (yes, i know you are there, lurking about)...i am offering anyone who is interested in posting reviews to email me.


go on over and have a look at some of the other reviews to get a feel for what we are looking for. we are straddling the line between academic reviews and "gee. i liked it. it was neato." something personal, informal, but with a little more substance than whether or not you liked it.


so email me if you are interested and i will set you up to post. it can be a one time thing or if you want to belong to the group booklog, we can set that up too.

pssst....how's it going on Middlesex?

i am going to start posting discussion questions on book I and II this week. just saying. there is still plenty of time to jump in the book group

c'mon. what about those new year's resolutions to read more?

c'mon, you wanna know, don't ya?

ok, based on the responses i have been getting through here, the book group site and email, we are going to read middlesex first.


wanna play along?


easy. all you have to do is read the book and join in. no time limits, no pressure. and while you're at it, ask a friend!


so go on over and say hi!


hey.... look what i made you....

you know you've always wanted to join a book group but say you don't have time, or maybe next time. look, no time limits! free handy dandy button! no carbs! fat free!
hey, all the cool kids are doin' it (besides, i probably won't stop pestering 'til you say yes ;) )
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i am going to get another round of the book club up and running. i have a couple of ideas for this round.


here is what i would really like. a no pressure book club where we can read at our own pace and participate in fun discussion about the book. simple, yes?

there is no pressure, sign up and then do just as much as you feel you want to, or have the time to, do.


just looking for a show of hands and an idea of interest in these books.

made a list of things to read for the break--a combination of xmas presents, research and interesting suggestions -

lost: a novel - gregory maguire

biblioholism: the literary addiction - tom raabe

lost in a good book (a thursday next novel) - jasper fforde

the best american nonrequired reading - ed. dave eggers, intro by viggo mortensen

surrender: an erotic memoir - toni bentley

image on the edge: the margins of medieval art (essays in art and culture) - michael camille

so that's the list and i am happily digging in this afternoon. reviews are coming. i know i have been slacking a bit!

what is everyone else reading post holiday stress? good book gifts?

we have a release date!!

harry potter and the half blood prince will be released on july 16, 2005

eeeee!

so i bought an anthology of poetry tonight. it's a children's anthology, but it isn't necessarily children's poems. it's classic poems that are more accessible for kids.

being the good lit major mom that i am, we snuggled in on the couch. "nooooo, mom, they protested. we don't like poetry. ewwww."

but i figured that there were some fun, witty, poems that would have them reaching for a pen and writing lyrical stanzas in no time.

so we read a little blake, carroll, cummings, yeats. all fun ones. "jabberwocky," fun stuff, honest.

i closed the book, feeling rather smug and satisfied, after all i had seen a smile, heard a giggle, watched them peer over at the pages...

"which one did you like the best guys?"

"honest mom. i just like the short ones so we can be done and play gamecube."

"oh..."

hey, can't say i didn't try. so now i am reading the child's anthology of poetry and trying to find the perfect poem for when the sox win this things once and for all.

so, summer is almost over and while i didn't manage to read all the books on my list (do i ever?) i did manage a few good ones.

what did you read this summer?

here's the list:

it's that kind of day. one that begs for a cup of tea, a blanket and a good book.
(of course, napping kids would help!)


so....it's time for me to plug the book sites again. that's right kids. if you aren't reading prodigal summer, then go read it ;) ok, if you've ever read it and want to join in go ahead and stop over at the book group. there is also a place to review any ol' book you read. c'mon it's summer. i know you are reading!


and there are new reviews up at overdue books. some people *cough cough* are slacking. but i will forgive them for now. go on over and have a look at what's good to read and what not to read.

packing this morning. and i am piling up my stack of books to bring. i am wishfully bringing 8 books. the boys each have a stack of books and even jim is bringing two. two! he is a magazine, do-it-yourself book kind of guy and he is bringing two novels.


then i saw this link over at zoot's.


too many people don't have access to the books that they need. kids without access to all the great stories that could change the way they think, inspire a new writer, spur an imagination to create wonderful things. go on over and help out. just one book would make a difference to someone. the link is over at pamie.com

and the title of the new harry potter book will be.......


aw c'mon...i can't be the only one who didn't know yet!

ok, for all of you who said you wanted to read...but then for some mysterious reason disappeared. lol. no problem. house of sand and fog went pretty well and the questions are still up if you get to it.


so here's your big chance! woohoo! next book! ok, seriously, enough cheerleading, i am scaring myself. we are reading prodigal summer by barbara kingsolver next.


i am finishing up the witch of exmoor by margaret drabble and then i am going to dive into prodigal summer. actually it is vacation time so i plan on knocking out 6 or 7 books in the next week or so. i seriously need to whittle down the "next to be read" list before school starts again! i will post reviews over at overdue books.


so no excuses this time. good book. good summer reading. fun discussion. c'mon....it's fun and we don't bite. and besides...how many times have you thought you might want to join a book group but you just didn't have time. look! no time limits. no meetings. no excuses!!

i thought i would put this review here instead of over at overdue books. how could i resist someone who writes about a black knight and a killer rabbit? and when he is this cute...i never stood a chance. so i have a new favorite author...

i just posted another set of questions for the reading group. go on over. if you are just starting reading, no problem, this isn't school. read at your own pace. i will leave the discussions open. most people are still reading.

(if you aren't posting because you aren't sure how on that board please email me or leave a comment and i will walk you through it.)

c'mon it's a rainy holiday what's better than curling up with a good book?

on edit: i just made a post on the board that the next book we are going to read is going to be prodigal summer - by barbara kingsolver. no, this doesn't mean it's too late for the first one, just giving plenty of notice! if you want to read either of them let me know or go on over and sign up!

summer reading entry again...

so i set my book blog. i was very excited about the year of reading site and couldn't wait to join.

it's still in the early stages (still lots of fiddling with code to be done!) and there aren't any reviews yet, but it is up and running and ready to go. yay!

also, anyone who is reading House of Sand and Fog with us (or who wants to..there's still time!) i posted the first few questions for discussion so go have a look
we are reading at whatever pace works for everyone. this is just for fun.

rainy day today and i don't feel like doing much besides playing online and reading. good thing c is home to make sure i don't relax too much!!

on edit: yay! thanks to nancy we already have a review up!

and i am so happy i attempted to make made a button. so go on and have one if you want. (just right click and save as, yadda yadda yadda, i don't want to have to get mean. you really wouldn't like that)

time to get the list together.

also time to start the reading group. i will post about that later on the forum

but the list as it stands now for the summer:

ok kids, since most people seem to be up for reading house of sand and fog - by andre dubus looks like that will be our first read.

there's still plenty of time to sign up, we aren't going to start reading 'til next week and i promise we will go at whatever pace works for everyone. c'mon. come play. it's going to be great. go here and sign up!

it is a little scary how happy and excited i get when someone wants to talk about the canterbury tales!

i think i just scared someone who just wanted a little help with a paper. lol.

but really, how can you not love them? how can you pick a favorite?

oh well, hopefully i helped a little as well. i am an overwhelming source of useless trivia :)