Member: cathyskye

I love the Scene of the Blog....it's a cool feature...I'd be honored....but you must give me time to spruce things up a bit. Just let me know how it works. I'll be gone to Europe from Aug 25 to Sept 7 (I'm so excited!!!!) but anytime before or after is fine. Thanks again.

posted by tututhefirst at 4:08 pm (EST) on Jun 30, 2009

Thanks for liking Wintergirls, Cathy. The problem is I could have written a lot more, but then my review would have been longer than the book itself. I have to limit myself sometimes or I end up on a soapbox--a good way to turn off readers.

posted by BrainFlakes at 4:41 pm (EST) on Mar 29, 2009

Hi Cathy! I just want you to know that I'm following your blog, even though I have been a man of no words. I have no idea how you do so much on it and manage to read and review too. You're quite inventive.

Charlie

posted by BrainFlakes at 4:16 pm (EST) on Mar 29, 2009

Hi, I just joined this site. Are you a writer too?

posted by AuthorsandExperts at 11:18 pm (EST) on Mar 22, 2009

Oohhhh! Plague fiction is the best! "A Canticle for Liebowitz" is one of my favorite books, though the illness there isn't exactly a plague. "The Sheep Look Up" is full of diseases run amok.

Jean

posted by nohrt4me at 9:03 am (EST) on Nov 6, 2008

Cathy finally got to that Alaska stories that I thought you recommended... my review is below...hope you are happy and well!
My warmest possible Aloha!
Cliff

Detective and Mystery stories - Alaska - Chuckchi - Nathan Active - State Trooper.."He remembered when Martha's new propane stove had arrived the month before. For a week, it sat in the middle of the kitchen in its shipping carton. For a week, Martha said, "My leroy will put it in for me" For a week, Leroy was busy with other things. On Saturday, while Active was over to do his laundry, the matter had come to a head, or as close to a head as things ever came in Martha's house. He was drinking coffee with Martha when Leroy, who liked to sleep in on weekends if he wasn't hunting of fishing, finally got up around noon. He came to the door or th kitchen in a bathrobe, a towel over his shoulder. "Sweetie, do I have any clean underwear?" he asked. "Of course ," Martha said. Your Tshirts are on the top shelf and your shorts are on the bottom, just like always." "No they're not," Leroy said. " I looked in the closet." "Oh I guess I fortgot to tell you," Martha said. "I moved them." "You moved them? Where?" " I put them in the new oven. Seem like if we're not going to cook with it we could use it for a closet,ah?" Good writing... northern native american humor... another great place story that gives you the feel of the bright blue sky and the brillant snow... with a cultural context that gives it some new spice and wonderful flavor..." the killer is dead too. That's why it's hard to prove." "Dead? but who..." Her eyes widened. " the radio this morning, it said..."...... " I don't know if I should beleive you." why won't you tell us what happened'?....."Sometimes the facts don't do justice to the truth," - Active said.... a good story and a interesting plot ... lucky you if you have not read the books!

posted by ckNikka at 4:16 pm (EST) on Sep 26, 2008

Kathy
About finished with the Stan Jones stories you recommended... really enjoyed them!
Cliff

posted by ckNikka at 5:12 pm (EST) on Sep 22, 2008

Hi Kathy just finished my review of concrete desert...

"Then she turned red and downed the scotch in one gulp. I refilled her glass, and she didn't stop me. Shit" she said the chirp gone from her voice. " I rehersed this speech a few hundred times, but I know it sounds forced. I know how strange it seems for me just to show up suddenly, when I walked out the way I did. Now here I am wanting something." I filed that away. "I just thought you'd been held up a really long time in the ladies' room." A interesting set of characters with a theme of "can you ever really go home again. A deputy sheiff who left and became a History professor... David Mapstone brought back home when he was not PC enough for the University gets linked up with the sheiffs department and has a link for solving closed cases. Filled with some old cops, old cases "So Eddie wasn't the Creeper? Or the Creeper didn't kill Stokes either? "Eddie may have been the Creeper" Wolfe Said. " I think he was. But niether one killed Rebecca. "You see" - he poished off the food and wiped his face roughtly with a napkin- "the worst thing an investigator can do is confuse his instincts with his 'pejudices. You work a hundred murder cases and they are all the same and you are tempted to think murder one hundred and one is the same, too. That's where you screw up. Because there 're a million reasons why people end up dead. A million secrets behind those dead eyes. And nothing keeps secrets better than the desert.." Great writing interesting characters lots of fun! Lucky you even you had not read the stories yet!

posted by ckNikka at 5:12 pm (EST) on Sep 22, 2008

One way to get around that is to right click on the image, save it, then upload it again. I found that most of mine were already part of the system somewhere, but I had to scan about 120 of them myself. So, about 15% or so. Not too bad.

posted by madamejeanie at 4:54 pm (EST) on Sep 19, 2008

Thanks. I was just going to enter a few books.... It's now the second day, I've got three bookshelves to go, and the scanner is getting a workout for bookcovers! LOL

posted by madamejeanie at 12:19 pm (EST) on Sep 17, 2008

Hey Cathy, That's really interesting! What a small world it is .... Now that makes me feel bad because I have so-oo much to update on the Nature Notes blog but I've been a bit 'time-poor' at the moment. I was doing it so all my cousins could access things that my grandad wrote. Now I know someone else is watching, I'll be a bit more diligent! I wish 'time-poor' was balanced by 'money-rich' but life's not like that ;) I really enjoy your blog! Claire

posted by klarusu at 1:19 pm (EST) on Sep 10, 2008

Got another one for you, Cathy. I'm 200 pages into this: http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Creek-Novel-N... and I'm really hooked. The second novel is here: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Silver-Novel-...

I hope you like 'em.

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 11:45 pm (EST) on Aug 12, 2008

Just saw your new picture. Really cozy "Reading on the Ponderosa" shot:)

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 4:02 pm (EST) on Jul 31, 2008

Hey, Cathy,

Just ran across a list I think will interest you, assuming you haven't yet seen it, here:

http://www.mysteryfile.com/NA.html

I'm jazzed to find the first detective on the list, amongst others, I'm sure.

Take care,

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 3:56 pm (EST) on Jul 31, 2008

Hello Cathy.

I just spotted your comment to me. I'm from Newcastle which is the other side of "The North" from Rochdale. The North and The South are like different countries at times - my OH is from London and despite being together 10 years, there are still things that I'll mention that he hasn't got a clue about.

posted by sanddancer at 9:23 am (EST) on Jul 30, 2008

I am...ALIVE!! (to paraphrase a certain monster movie or three; not sure if it's in the Mary Shelley book or not, as I've never actually read it).

Since I actually managed to fix the shower door, the wife is "just going to close [her] eyes" to the nasty gouge in the drawer, so I live to fight--and do home repair damage--another day:) Us guys are an uncommonly clumsy breed, eh?

Congats on starting up a book review blog. My friend jackanaples here on LT and I have been contemplating starting one ourselves, but I've been a bit resistant because I'm a really slow writer and I'm also afraid of spoiling my reading pleasure if I start reading like a reviewer (whatever that is). Have you noticed any diminishment of your reading enjoyment since starting the blog? Maybe I just need to keep it simple if I decide to do it.

Have a great day,

bookstothesky

P.S. Can you really read on a horse?? That sounds like a good trick!

posted by bookstothesky at 4:18 pm (EST) on Jul 21, 2008

Cathy,

Nope, it's just a dream library (belonging to some lucky folks out in Colorado, somewhere) that I decided to put up to kind of keep me focused on a particular goal, which is to someday have a library looking pretty close to that one...except bigger, natch:)

I really wish I'd followed your example of taking a cold drink and a book to the pool today, but I decided to be Mr. Handyman and try to fix our glass shower door that's been scraping at the bottom when opening and closing it. I took out a few screws and promptly managed to drop the entire door. It fell edge-on like the blade of a guillotine and gouged a 3" groove in one of our bathroom drawers. So, if you never hear from me again, it's because my wife murdered me about 2 hours from now. Tell the police it was Mrs. bookstothesky in the library with the candlestick:)

Later (I hope),

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 9:00 pm (EST) on Jul 20, 2008

Hi Cathy,

Well, I didn't get to the Craig Johnson signing, either. I will drop him an e-mail, though, about your efforts to expand his readership through your yahoo group(s) and friends there.

Thanks for the credit, too, over on ckNikka's page:)

Take it easy,

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 1:53 pm (EST) on Jul 20, 2008

Hi Cathy - I noticed Scott Young on your books right away... I found him long ago and I have two books... I am guessing there are more in Canada...but it mad me interested in the other Stan Jones especially the way you described it... I too am interested in place based stories... Also Johnson Craig sounds good... Thanks again... plus you motivated me to post some more books...

posted by ckNikka at 4:08 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2008

Hi Cathy thanks for taking the time to look at my books... I am going to check out you have and see what we might have in common.
Cliff

posted by ckNikka at 3:40 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2008

Hey, Cathy!

That's awesome! I just saw his new book in the store two days ago and checked his website yesterday for tour dates. I'm sorry you missed him but I still have a chance here in L.A. July 1st. I'll let him know how you've helped out his sales (it was really hard to resist buying his book right then and there, but I always buy from the store doing the signing to support future events).

Take care,

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 7:20 pm (EST) on Jun 4, 2008

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for adding me to your interesting libraries list! We appear to have similar reading tastes. Where are you from in central Illinois? How do you like Phoenix? Your profile makes you sound adventurous, lively, and artistic! Thanks again for choosing me for your interesting libraries list.

Jan

posted by janiswatson at 6:57 am (EST) on Jun 2, 2008

Welcome fellow Outlander Fan! That sure is some library you have!
Too funny that you "imported an Englishman." Great sense of humor..:)

posted by MDLady at 1:03 pm (EST) on May 6, 2008

I just looked at your photos. Wow!!! I live in Phoenix and noticed you live in Arizona too. So I peaked at your profile and was blown away by your photos. Nice job. Do you freelance professionally?

posted by xorscape at 5:25 am (EST) on Apr 9, 2008

Thanks,Cathy,we are managing to cope with the High Winds,which are still continuing,and to which are now added the extra pleasure of driving rain. Well it only goes to prove a point that the English like nothing so much as talking about the weather.
See you.

posted by devenish at 9:12 am (EST) on Mar 16, 2008

Hi Cathy,
Just a quick note to congratulate you on your Reviews.I especially like the way that you begin with the first line from each book,a clever idea which usually brings out the essence of the book quoted upon.
Best wishes.
Peter

posted by devenish at 2:45 pm (EST) on Mar 11, 2008

Hey Cathy,

Glad you liked "Cold Dish." My streak of people who loved the book after my recommendation remains 100% intact:) The third book in the series just came out in trade paper a week or so ago (can't say much for the cover art, though, compared to the previous books'). The fourth book is due out toward the end of May and Johnson writes on his website that he'll have a larger tour this time due to the growing success of the books. He's a really nice guy, so if you have a chance to meet him I recommend it.

I'll keep an eye out for similar works and let you know if I find any.

Take it easy,

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 3:59 am (EST) on Mar 8, 2008

Hello Cathy,
Thought it was time I contacted you again as I was interested looking at your list of books tagged 'Architecture'. I have today acquired a fantastic book called 'England's Thousand Best Churches' by Simon Jenkins. One of his moans (which is also one of mine) is the large number of churches that after making a special journey to see the interiors,are closely locked and barred. I should have mentioned that church architecture and furnishings are one of my (other) interests.I don't know if you have found this on one of your visits here,or indeed if you find the same thing in America ? Or do the churches in your part of the world open in a more user-friendly fashion. Anyway I love having a look round when I can get in.One place I did get to recently was the city of York with the great Minster.Now that is something to behold and no mistake . There is certainly a whole load of history there and also in the same city we saw Cliffords Tower (part of the old castle) and the city walls,which are in a great state of preservation. Maybe though I'm telling you about somewhere that you have visited,being the traveller that you are.
Hope you are well and I send you both , all best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

posted by devenish at 12:17 pm (EST) on Dec 11, 2007

Howdy,

I just saw your rather impressive list of author's/series' on Devenish's profile page. Really good information, I have to say, since there were more than a few books mentioned that I've never heard of, so I'll have fun investigating them. Thanks for taking the time to compile the list.

You wrote that you like mysteries with a Native American angle, so I thought I would recommend to you Craig Johnson's excellent series featuring Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire and his best friend Henry Standing Bear. The first book is called The Cold Dish. If you go to Craig's website www.craigallenjohnson.com you can find out about him, his books and Wyoming (some nice pictures, too, on various pages).

Thanks again for the list,

bookstothesky

posted by bookstothesky at 4:27 am (EST) on Oct 13, 2007

Cathy,
Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to compile the list of authors for me.It will come in useful for new ideas.
Let me know if you need the same from me any time.
Peter

posted by devenish at 2:48 pm (EST) on Oct 11, 2007

Hello Cathy,
How are things in your part of the world.Having had a lovely look around your library listing I see that you have included in your authors Rebecca Stott,Paul Doherty and Ruth Dudley Edwards.A few weeks ago I met all three at a Book get together in my favourite Bookshop,Heffers in Cambridge. They were all very nice,and in particular Ruth was such a laugh. (just as one might imagine her from her Baroness Troutbeck books)
Oh by the way,can you give me any leads on a new American mystery writer.I should be able to get most publications from the aforesaid Heffers.
I see that we are now up to 320 books shared.Good going.
Regards (and to your husband)

posted by devenish at 12:58 pm (EST) on Oct 9, 2007

Cathy,

I enjoyed your review of Dissolution, a book I also thought was excellent. I missed something that you caught--what was it that made the 'who done it' obvious to you?

(Because a women whacking a head off was the most unlikely and therefore the guilty party?)

David

posted by HorusE at 8:33 pm (EST) on Oct 7, 2007

Hello again
Good to hear from you,and indeed having looked over both your blog pages and your excellent photographs I feel that we are 'on the same wave-length'. Interesting to hear your comments regarding Bedford,as my wife and I visit fairly often.There is a super little bookshop on the edge of the town called "The Eagle Bookshop' which I am sure that you would love.We also like the town because it houses both the John Bunyan Museum and Meeting House and the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Museum.This latter has many exhibitions of a literary nature.In fact just a short while ago they held one about the Bloomsbury Group which was excellent.
Oh by the way I have just applied to add you to my 'Friends' listing,which I hope you will agree to.
All the best to you and your husband
Peter

posted by devenish at 3:41 pm (EST) on Aug 25, 2007

Hello Cathy
I see that you have put me on your 'Interesting Libraries' listing. This is especially gratifying as I seem to be the first one on your list. Many thanks.
I hope that you find my Library list useful.I also see that we have no less than 310 books in common,including the superb "Oxford Companion to English Literature" Being greedy I own the Drabble version and also the earlier Paul Harvey version too.I usually go to this one first as it contains more of the older authors that I usually want to look up first.
I better say (in case you haven't looked at my profile page) that I live in the English midlands in a largish town called Northampton. Fairly near to London,Oxford,Cambridge,Bedford,Leiceste... and the like,so quite a good position for book-collecting.
Best wishes

posted by devenish at 12:24 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2007

I've just started listing books and have a long way to go. I see that we share one book. - Running through your 'A's" I saw a couple more but I don't know when I'll have time to list more of mine. - Best to you and your's - Paul -

posted by prying1 at 1:09 am (EST) on Jun 21, 2007

Un fortunately I don't have ISBN numbers recorded Cathy, just titles and authors, and other metadata, so that is the ne dof that idea.

posted by smik at 11:12 pm (EST) on Jun 7, 2007

I haven't tried the import thing Cathy. Interesting that we share titles

posted by smik at 9:01 pm (EST) on Jun 1, 2007

Holy smokes! You really put a lot into your library, here. I think I have 15 added so far :o) Gotta start somewhere.

posted by bfister at 10:30 pm (EST) on May 6, 2007

G'day Cathy

Sally from Oz here (4MA) just mosied over to your shelf to have a sticky beak :)

Hoo Roo

posted by sally906 at 11:30 pm (EST) on Mar 10, 2007

Hiya Cathy! I see we have 88 books in common so far--of course I'm still trying to get all the books I've read and either traded off or returned to the library entered, which is going to take a while--and I'm sure there'll be more that we have in common when I'm done. I see a few of my buds from other book groups who are pretty high up on your shared books list there, too.

Cheryl

posted by Spuddie at 1:39 pm (EST) on Dec 27, 2006