Member: LiterateHousewife

I'm still working on it, its really slow.I keep waiting for more to happen.Think it might have been better on audio .But I'm still plugging away at it.
I see you really liked The Shadow of the Wind, thats next months book looking forward to that one.

posted by susiesharp at 10:37 pm (EST) on Sep 21, 2009

Hi I'm in your FB book club .I'm enjoying The Brothers Boswell so far!

posted by susiesharp at 8:59 am (EST) on Sep 18, 2009

I can sympathize with your wishing for a Midwest book. We lived in MD for 21 yrs when I was still working and it was always such a pleasant relief to come back to MI to visit relatives. We've been retired back here to my hometown now for nearly 8 yrs now and it's such a slow-paced life in comparison. We do not miss the Baltimore- Washington area at all. Grand Rapids was (is) the "big city" now for us. And it still is a very VERY white-bread conservative place - all those Dutchmen, doncha know. Oooh, I see you just rated Dogs of Babel. I read that a few years ago and didn't much care for it at all. A bit too over the top. My favorite "dog book" is a memoir by Hal Borland called The Dog Who Came to Stay. A couple more good midwest memoirs are by Curtis Harnack (Iowa) - We Have All Gone Away and The Attic (which I'm reading right now). Or Debra Marquart's The Horizontal World, about her farm girlhood in ND and how she could wait to "escape." So many books ... - Tim

posted by TimBazzett at 8:09 am (EST) on Aug 17, 2009

P.S. Wanna read a good Midwest memoir for booklovers? Read Mike Dirda's An Open Book. I loved it. - Tim

posted by TimBazzett at 6:56 pm (EST) on Aug 16, 2009

Just read your review of STEALING BUDDHA'S DINNER. I was only slightly kinder in mine, maybe cutting Nguyen a little slack because I'm from MI. I had to really struggle to finish it, and now feel like I kinda wasted my time. And I wanted to like it, because it has been selected as this year's GREAT MICHIGAN READ. Which, now that I've read the book, just embarrasses me. I think maybe most reviewers made too much of the fact that poor Nguyen was an "immigrant," when she seems to be, in reality, a fully assimilated American kid. She was, after all, less than a year old when she got here. Ah, well. I don't think I'll bother with her new novel, not after reading this book. - Tim

posted by TimBazzett at 6:54 pm (EST) on Aug 16, 2009

Thanks for accepting my friendsip invitation. I am new to librarything and want to explore and learn how to add books and catalog them etc etc....

posted by sophiajt at 12:38 pm (EST) on Jul 23, 2009

The Crimson Petal and the White is massive- 8, or 900 pages or so, but it starts out so great that you'll quickly become hooked. I read it in about 4 days. It is quite good (I always love a bawdy Victorian prostitution story),--- but being an elementary teacher, you'll see why the 3rd act doesn't work for me. enjoy!

posted by GCPLreader at 7:56 am (EST) on Jul 21, 2009

Lovely review of Last Light over Carolina
by Mary Alice Monroe--can't wait to reserve it! I'm just back from vacation on the Gulf Coast and the sights, sounds, and smells of the shrimping boats are still fresh in my memory.

I've had a wonderful summer of reading so far with We Need to Talk About Kevin, City of Thieves, It, The Sparrow, and Mudbound being some of my favorites. :o)

posted by GCPLreader at 7:27 am (EST) on Jul 14, 2009

It's been quite a while since I read the book, so I honestly don't remember how the two of them compare. I liked the ending in the movie though - bittersweet, but it just felt right to me.

Lana

posted by Caramellunacy at 7:41 pm (EST) on Jul 11, 2009

I just read your review of Possession - I struggled with the book as well when I read it, but I really enjoyed the movie. I had some issues with the contemporary story, but I thought the scenes between Jennifer Ehle and Jeremy Northam really sizzled. I hope you enjoy it!

Lana

posted by Caramellunacy at 12:52 pm (EST) on Jul 11, 2009

Thanks for accepting my friend invitation. I really enjoy your blog and book reviews.

Sandy

posted by Sandee5657 at 8:00 am (EST) on Jun 14, 2009

Great review of Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. I agree with you about the lost art of letter writing. I love email too, but there's nothing like receiving a letter in the mail.

posted by Louanne at 9:12 pm (EST) on Mar 15, 2009

Beth Aldridge
922 Summerfield Rd
Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Thanks

posted by mcna217 at 4:21 pm (EST) on Feb 4, 2009

Very much so! I wouldn't live anywhere else.

posted by MyUtopia at 9:29 am (EST) on Jan 12, 2009

Hey Jennifer,

I saw you have "The Jewel Trader of Pegu: A Novel" in your library. Have you read it? It was just offered to me by HarperCollins and I'm trying to decide whether or not to accept.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 11:42 am (EST) on Jan 7, 2009

Yes, we are quite happy here. The weather is mild and the economy isn't as bad here.

posted by MyUtopia at 12:50 pm (EST) on Dec 28, 2008

Yes, I live in Austin : )

posted by MyUtopia at 8:17 pm (EST) on Dec 27, 2008

No, I lived in Detroit & St. Clair Shores for my first 24 years of life, but have for the last 5 years been in Texas.

posted by MyUtopia at 8:17 pm (EST) on Dec 27, 2008

Jennifer,
I am really glad you liked the books! I took a chance with the Heyer, but the Dress Lodger was a favorite, and when I saw that you had books of the same type I took a chance with it. Hope you had a very Happy Holiday, and hope you have a great reading year ahead! I will also pass along titles that I think you might enjoy when I run across them!

posted by zibilee at 4:35 pm (EST) on Dec 26, 2008

Hello, I am also a Michigander, born and raised in Detroit. You have a very interesting collection of books.

posted by MyUtopia at 9:16 pm (EST) on Dec 25, 2008

I received my Santa Thing package today. Thanks so much for picking out some interesting choices. I'm really looking forward to reading them both- I'll probably read Benjamin Button tonight or tomorrow! And I've never heard of The Monsters of Templeton, but it looks like it will be right up my alley.

Happy Holidays!
Shauna

posted by shootingstarr7 at 8:11 pm (EST) on Dec 22, 2008

"The Uncommon Reader" is packed uo and will be mailed tomorrow, enjoy.

Beth

posted by mcna217 at 8:56 pm (EST) on Nov 19, 2008

I have "Uncommon Reader" on my TBR stack. I can read it soon and would love to trade with you. Send me a message if you're interested.

Beth

posted by mcna217 at 9:09 am (EST) on Nov 6, 2008

The only cookbook offer I've gotten is from Bostick. I actually got the cookbook this week and it is gorgeous. I don't know who was more excited when it came - me or Carl. We're going to try a recipe for cabbage soup out of it this weekend.

posted by bermudaonion at 12:19 pm (EST) on Nov 1, 2008

Wow! Thanks! Did you get an ARC of it? I couldn't figure out how to request one.

posted by bermudaonion at 9:26 pm (EST) on Oct 31, 2008

I can't wait to see what you think of Schulz and Peanuts. I love Snoopy, so that one looks good to me.

posted by bermudaonion at 5:19 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2008

Thanks for adding BannedBooksLibrary to your Interesting Libraries, Jennifer. Happy Reading!

posted by PhoenixTerran at 9:06 am (EST) on Sep 25, 2008

I found your website from the BBAW nominees and added your blog to my blog list and would love to have you as a friend here as well! My blog is in my profile, I just started it in July so I'm meeting wonderful book loving friends in blogging world!

posted by redladysbooks at 11:37 am (EST) on Sep 9, 2008

I thought your review of Pattern Recognition was interesting (it popped up on my 'in my library and reviewed by others' list) - it's a book I really like, and it's my sister's favorite book. I wanted to point out, though, that Cayce is pronounced Case, not Casey.

posted by bluesalamanders at 6:02 pm (EST) on Aug 24, 2008

What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across
the grass and loses itself in the sunset.

Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator 1830 - 1890

posted by theoldman at 1:20 pm (EST) on Aug 12, 2008

No, anyone can comment on AuthorChat any time during the two week process. And I just confirmed with LT that I can do a book giveaway raffle at the end. Yay! Thanks and see you there!

posted by writergirl at 5:55 pm (EST) on Jul 29, 2008

Got the book today :)Thanks. Lol and I love your personalized post it!

posted by Kegsoccer at 4:29 pm (EST) on Jul 14, 2008

Sounds like you have a fun evening planned to end a busy week. I'm doing laundry. How's that for Friday night fun! But I do have a signing tomorrow so I can temporarily be transported away from housework then. :)

posted by writergirl at 4:39 pm (EST) on Jul 11, 2008

Hello there,

Just browsing around LT today and thought I'd say hi, hola, ciao, bonjour, et. al.

:)

Karen

posted by writergirl at 3:29 pm (EST) on Jul 11, 2008

Thanks! I'm not a native Virginian either (I grew up in Oklahoma). I'm really excited about blogging and am determined to stick with it! Thanks for the words of support. I've added your blog to my blogroll, though I don't know how much traffic I'll send your way at the beginning!

posted by skrishna at 8:01 am (EST) on Jun 26, 2008

Hello,

Curious George is a member of our household, too. Boy, does he get around. Yes, getting ready to send her off to Kindergarten. It seems so fast to me, but she is so excited and already starting to read a few words. Yay! And I'm excited to have time with my 3 year old alone. That will be special. Yes, I write, too. I think I would be crazy if I didn't have that go-to activity in addition to being a mom. I hope you do write someday! Keep me posted.

Besides C. G., what are you reading right now?

kh

posted by writergirl at 10:01 pm (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

Thank you, thank you for accepting my request! Always nice to meet another book lover and MOM of two kids, back to back! Mine are 5 and 3 and half. So, I guess we are also both reading Dr. Seuss at the moment as well.

Cheers,

Karen

posted by writergirl at 9:30 pm (EST) on Jun 25, 2008

I posted my review of Through a Glass Darkly on my blog @ www.passagestothepast.blogspot.com

posted by abruno at 3:34 pm (EST) on Jun 12, 2008

I am almost finished with Through A Glass Darkly and let me tell you, I am loving this book! I carpool with my love (husband) and this morning I sat in the car after dropping him off for like 20 minutes because the part I was at was way too good to put down! At least I made it in to work on time! I will post my review when done!

posted by abruno at 9:53 am (EST) on Jun 9, 2008

I started a blog and I hope you don't mind, but I added a link to your blog. Please check it out, but keep in mind that this is my first time and I am still "under construction".

http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com

posted by abruno at 11:42 am (EST) on Jun 6, 2008

Thanks for adding me as a friend! I actually read your blog regularly, so it's nice to see you here. I look forward to looking through your library and finding more lives to live.

posted by abruno at 11:10 am (EST) on Jun 6, 2008

Hey, I just ordered your book from Amazon. I'll let you know when I get a tracking number for it.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 5:40 pm (EST) on Jun 5, 2008

I started it last night and am about 1/3 of the way through. If I wasn't reviewing it I would just leave it in my purse as a "grocery store line is really long" kind of book. It is fairly entertaining, but gets a little boring/repetitive after 3 or 4 stories.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 5:59 pm (EST) on May 28, 2008

Did you get contacted about "Have I Got A Guy For You" too? I saw that you're one of two other people that have added it to their library.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 2:52 pm (EST) on May 28, 2008

Hey, I'm DevourerOfBooks now!

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 9:30 am (EST) on May 28, 2008

I know, I still need to set up a separate page too. There's no way I'm adding all those to my regular blog roll, that would be totally out of control.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 6:07 pm (EST) on May 27, 2008

So there isn't a separate group, but that would be a great idea! It is discussed in the "Book Blogs Web Ring" thread, but the prompts are on the Boston Bibliophile blog. Here is today's.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 6:03 pm (EST) on May 27, 2008

how did you end up changing your user name? I want to change mine too...it keeps saying that the function is disabled. );

posted by Bbexlibris at 10:12 pm (EST) on May 22, 2008

No, haven't started it yet... going to see Alison Weir tomorrow night though... I'm going to take it with me to the Shore this weekend (not that I believe it will be warm enough to sit on the beach, but at least on the porch!)

posted by tls1215 at 11:18 pm (EST) on May 21, 2008

Oooh -- I'd love to change my name... I didn't even realize it was an option.... good to know!

posted by tls1215 at 10:19 pm (EST) on May 21, 2008

I made that kind of mistake when I signed up my blog - I called it one thing (books on the brain) but have my name everywhere as lisamm. Why the heck did I do that?

I wouldn't have known this was "you" without seeing your post on the blog ring post on ER with your literatehousewife blog listed!

posted by LisaMM at 11:05 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

Lol I'm sure the powers that be would be able to change your name if you want to. I'll admit I didn't make the literate housewife connection right away :)

posted by Kegsoccer at 10:51 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

Hey, thanks for the friend invite :)

posted by Kegsoccer at 10:26 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

Done!

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 5:44 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

Basically it is going to be a contest to win any book I've reviewed. People will have to tell me which book they want, and why, extra points for extra comments, doubled points for posting about it on their blogs.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 2:02 pm (EST) on May 20, 2008

Okay, I need your opinion. I want to have a contest for my 100th post. I've blogged 80 posts so far. Should I announce the contest now/very soon, and announce the winner with my 100th post (which is not necessarily a fixed amount of time, but would probably be 3 weeks or so), or should I announce the contest with the 100th post and then give everyone 2 weeks. This is all a bit harder b/c in 1 month I'll be gone for 9 days for work, then only about 2 weeks until the wedding...

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 12:07 am (EST) on May 20, 2008

Okay, so do we have any ideas for how to work this contest/challenge?

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 9:34 pm (EST) on May 11, 2008

The book came to my office on Saturday, so now I've got it. It is taking a place NEAR the top of the TBR pile. I just have to finish Franklin and Lucy first, then somebody's library book they loaned me (but it is just a Jodi Picoult, it will go fast). Venetian Mask may or may not get read before it, depending on when it comes (they didn't get the book to me fast, do I really need to review it fast?).

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 9:55 am (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

Thanks so much! I used to live actually in the city of Chicago, but now I live in the Northwest suburbs. I work on the North side of the city, though. However, since I live in a condo with just a little mailbox and no ability for packages to be left, I ALWAYS give out my work address for anything book-size and bigger, so that I don't have to get to the post office to pick stuff up.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 2:55 pm (EST) on Mar 30, 2008

Yah, I know, we don't have a very big place right now and I have eked out about all the room I can for books (without just piling them on every available surface). I just had to go and get rid of some for what may have been the first time ever. I mostly ditched old text books and my husband's books that neither of us will read again. I did get rid of a few of mine that I don't particularly care for and won't read again, though. Even though they were books I don't much like, it was a hard thing to do. However, I sold them back to a used bookstore, so I got to take that money and just buy more books! Plus, now I actually have space for more books.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 2:17 pm (EST) on Feb 26, 2008

I feel the same way about actually owning my books. When I borrow them from the library or from other people I end up feeling disappointed later because I can't go back to them. I think I will be using your library as recommendations for new books to buy since we share so many books.

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 8:46 am (EST) on Feb 23, 2008

Hi, Jennifer: I also reviewed Dreamers of the Day, and I thought your review was really good. I also enjoyed reading your blog! I hope you enjoy taking time for yourself in 2008 with lots of books, blogging and little kid hugs!

Happy Reading!
Jill

posted by mrstreme at 8:12 pm (EST) on Jan 1, 2008

We actually had a pretty good response to the book in our group (we even have one guy and he really liked it -- though I think he liked the author even more!) -- I love to cook, so I was ok with the food parts (the author also writes for food magazines) -- I thought it was really well-written, and I liked how human everyone was. And I agree-- the paperback cover was not so good.

If I told you that I've also met Philippa Gregory and Jodi Picoult you probably will never like me, but I have... I go to booksignings all the time -- and I'm fortunate enough to live in a city where just about everyone comes through on their book tours... It's like crack for me... I can't get enough. And we've had a few authors at our group, too -- I'm very bold with stuff like that -- if I like a book, I'll email the author and if they live nearby, I invite them to our meetings. If not, sometimes we just email back and forth -- but I think it's really important to let authors know how much you liked a book-- they all say it means a lot to them to hear that!

posted by tls1215 at 10:04 am (EST) on Oct 31, 2007

Hi Jennifer... looking through your book list is like looking on my shelves! I see that you're a Jodi Picoult fan, too -- I highly recommend My Sister's Keeper and Plain Truth if you haven't read those yet.

Also, I went to a booksigning by Haven Kimmel recently (I adored Zippy and then She Got Up Off the Couch) -- I was SO impressed with her in person -- she has a lovely reading voice, and a wonderful personality. I would have liked to have gone out to dinner with her afterwards and continued talking!

Finally, what did you think of You're Not You? You're the only other person outside my book group at work that I know who has read it... I found it because I loved the hardcover cover and really liked the story... I contacted Michelle Wildgen and she was nice enough to come to our book group meeting in March. Really nice person -- I liked her very much. I'm looking forward to her writing some more.

posted by tls1215 at 9:02 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2007

Hi,

I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that I've really enjoyed reading your very thoughtful reviews.
I've added you to my list of interesting libraries. Thanks for giving me a preview of some of the books I may want to read, and thanks also for letting me relive some of my more recent reads in your reviews.

Lana

posted by Caramellunacy at 9:17 am (EST) on Oct 29, 2007