Member: ejj1955

Hi,

I wonder if the list of 100 SF books to recommend to a newbie ever got put up anywhere. Can you give me a pointer to it? I'm curious how it came out.

Here's one interesting idea. Two lists from the same data. First, a list sorted by number of recommenders. Second, assume the suggesters are a randomly selected bunch of folks and divide the number of mentions of a given book by the number of LibraryThing members who include that book in their libraries. The second list comes from the thought that somebody who hasn't read the book can't really say anything about how good it is. If read in the past = in library (not really true, but the best guess possible), then the second list ranks books only according to the opinions of people who read them. If results seem a little weird, then eliminate titles that are in three or fewer members' libraries, because the data is inadequate. But if a book is in only 6 members' libraries and two people say it's in their top Sf books ever read, then that really says a lot about the book. It would be rare, and hardly anybody ever read it; but it was absolutely great and is worth digging up somewhere.

Just a thought, that second list. That would be the kind of list that can ONLY be generated on a Web site like LibraryThing - a normal Internet opinion list could never get the data to do that.

Personally, I don't think enough people contributed to the list to call it "100 best" of anything, actually. Without enough input data, results are kind of skewed except towards the top of the list. But if it was given out as "100 books suggested by LibraryThing members as being good for...", then that seems pretty reasonable.

Anyway, you sure got an interesting discussion going that raised a lot of interesting points about lists of good books! You know, it might be worth raising something in particular with Tim Spaulding, the guiding developer of LibraryThing. One of the important comments was that there are different kinds of SF books (and readers). LibraryThing actually has statistics, through its "recommendations", that can be used to find which books are similar to each other, based on who likes them and how much. It could only be done through a computer. But LibraryThing could take your list of great SF books for a new reader that was suggested by a group of people, and subdivide it into groups programmatically. It would be a sort of "fuzzy logic" - Tim would know what I mean - but it would be really neat. One might wind up with three or four separate lists of books that are share some undefined characteristic. Then a person could look at descriptions of a few books in the lists to see which list is more likely his or her cup of tea, and probably like almost all the books in the list, whereas if they read the books in a different list, they might like none of them. Kind of a cool idea. You started that whole list thing. Why not mention it to Tim? He might go for it. He could do that with most any list of books from any source.

Sincerely,
Jim

posted by bibliojim at 7:08 pm (EST) on Oct 18, 2009

Here's the newest addition to my library.

posted by moibibliomaniac at 1:42 pm (EST) on Jul 12, 2009

Dear Friend Elizabeth,
I haven't read Hestia, but there are used copies available at amazonmarketplace. I think my "acceptable" copy - which is certainly good enough for me to read - was a penny plus the $3.99 shipping and handling. I'm very careful to buy from sellers who have 92+ satisfaction ratings, and I have never been burned.
Saylor's novels are darker than Davis's. They use Cicero's cases as a starting point, and he has some interesting ideas about the mysteries and personalities of the time.
And I see that you've added an Elswyth Thane (Tryst is one of my never-fail comfort books) and a Kushiel. I was leery of the whole concept, so was happily surprised when I liked the first one. I'm still adding books randomly because that's my nature. Unfortunately, I'm still buying too many too because that's the nature of this place!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 9:48 pm (EST) on Jul 9, 2009

Well, well. Besides teaching grammar, we also have a number of favorite authors in common - except that I prefer Steven Saylor's Roman mysteries to Lindsey Davis's. And I even see myself on your weighted members-with list. AND there is my friend MtnSk8tr who is also your friend MtnSk8ter. (Shejidan?)
Now I'm off to look at your author page, but I did want to say that I'm happy to meet you.
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 4:19 pm (EST) on Jul 9, 2009

thanks for the recommendations for groups. I've been meaning to pop into the green dragon group and hadn't stumbled on the crime and mystery group yet.

d'you know I've not been able to become the kind of harry potter fan it seems to me i ought to be. i don't know if it's because i can't read them--maybe they're better to read than listen to--or due to some, hitherto unknown flaw in my character or what. I'm also one of those reprobates who didn't like the LOTR movies. i suppose i read, and now happily listen to, the trilogy every year or so and have done for, oh, going on 30 years. it just didn't work for me on the screen and i did so want it to. alas.

the robin paige books look right up my alley but aren't available in audio, blast it. at least, if they are, i can't find them. ah well, plenty of other things to listen to though they do sound a treat. :)

off to see if i can find the mystery group. thanks.

ellie

posted by mirrordrum at 4:03 pm (EST) on Jul 3, 2009

mushroom *soup*! that's what i remembered as the 'creamed' part. frizzled chipped beef. heaven save us. i have a 50-year-old sort of visual-cum-gustatory memory that left out the mushroom soup somehow. it came back in all it's redolent glory with your description. bless you for a good person. i'm appreciative.

my parents taught, coached [dad] and librarianed [mom] at a military school for boys in so cal and i grew up eating in the mess hall. we often had creamed chipped beef on toast for breakfast. all the cadets and i hated it. the guys nicknamed it 'mung' and wouldn't eat it. my dad, fresh from 18 months of cold c-ration beans eaten in fox holes and aid stations in the Ardennes and environs thought it a treat, ate all he could get and told us we didn't know what we were missing. he was right. in so many ways.

thanks again. you're a gem. i'm indebted.

posted by mirrordrum at 11:10 am (EST) on Jul 3, 2009

hey ejj, in re: the silly book game, do you have trixie belden and the red trailer mystery in your collection? if so, would you be willing to look and see if you can find what it is that they had on toast? seems to me they were with a couple of guys with them or something?

it was about 55 years ago that i read the book and i can't remember and the local library hasn't got it. :(

please feel free to say 'no' as i realize it may be too much of a hassle. i deal very well with assertive refusals. i realize it's asking a bit much to make such an off-the-wall request.

thanks.

posted by mirrordrum at 12:02 am (EST) on Jul 3, 2009

Here's a more current more current view of my library.

posted by moibibliomaniac at 4:06 pm (EST) on Jun 11, 2009

Here's a Hoax from 1750!

posted by moibibliomaniac at 11:51 am (EST) on May 27, 2009

I thought you might enjoy viewing My Elements of Style Collection. For some reason I can't link it in any other Library Thing section but this comment section.

posted by moibibliomaniac at 11:31 pm (EST) on May 25, 2009

It sounds like you edit out of your house, like I do. Only I'm in far more populous Woodstock. When I want to get away from it all, I drive up to Delaware County (though rarely, I admit, as far as Sidney).

posted by copyedit52 at 9:37 am (EST) on May 10, 2009

Hi Elizabeth!

Thank you for your interest in the Legacy Library of Eeva-Liisa Manner. She is one of the most important Finnish poets. Her language is beautiful. You asked if I know any translations. I compiled a list from a few sources. I hope you can find those books and magazines in or through your library.

Two books:
Fog horses. New York : Cross-Cultural Communications, 1986.
Selected poems. Guildford : Making Waves, 1997 (ISBN 1-873918-11-9)

Her poems have appeared in anthologies, but I don't know how easy is to find those. Here is a list of some poems and plays which have appeared in anthologies and magazines. 'Books from Finland' is an illustrated, quarterly journal of writing from and about Finland.

Burnt orange (play) in Stages of chaos : the drama of post-war Finland / edited by Pirkko Koski and Steve Wilmer, 2005 (ISBN 951-746-664-1)

The City. In Books from Finland 1989:1

Counterpoint ; When shore and reflection... In A way to measure time. Helsinki : Finnish Literature Society, 1992. (ISBN 951-717-695-3)

Here ; Into the silence of the forest ; Assimilation ; A walk ; Speculation ; Bach ; Last year in capricorn ; From my life I make a poem. In Salt of pleasure. St. Paul, MN : New Rivers Pr., 1983. (ISBN 0-89823-048-9)

Hippopotamus. In Finnish Odyssey. London : Research Publishing, 1975. (ISBN 0-7050-0038-9)

If sorrow smoked. In Books from Finland 1969:2

Jack, the Terror of the Thames and Puss in Boots. In Books from Finland 1977:1

The Othello of Sand Alley. In Books from Finland 1989:1 (part of the play)

Poems. In Books from Finland 1992:3

Poems from "Dead Waters". In Books from Finland 1978:4

Snow in May. In Snow in May. Cranbury, N.J. : Associated University Presses, cop. 1978. (ISBN 0-8386-1583-X)

This journey. Books from Finland 1995:3

Winners, beware. Books from Finland 1973:1

The world is the poetry my senses write. In Books from Finland 1970:3

The written stone. In Books from Finland 1970:3

I also found a few poems in the Web:

POEMS FROM 'THIS JOURNEY'
http://www.halldor.demon.co.uk/manner.ht...

You Picked Up the Planet
http://nordicvoices.blogspot.com/2009/04...

from "Games of the Moon"
http://nordicvoices.blogspot.com/2009/04...

The Forest
http://www.themanhattanreview.com/archiv...

Theorem
http://www.stephen-spender.org/SSMTrust/...

From Runoja 1956-1977
http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php...

posted by Anneli at 12:24 am (EST) on May 6, 2009

Thanks for the comment.

I lived in Ashland for six months during a training I took back in 1989. I really didn't want to leave, but at the time I didn't have a way of supporting myself there. The town is great. It is home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which runs from February to November, so you get world-class theater most of the year at reasonably affordable prices. Much of the town's economy is based on the tourists OSF brings in, so you have restaurants and shops far more sophisticated than you might expect in a town of 20,000 people. You also have a good-sized population of artists and writers, as they are people who can support themselves without depending on local industry. There's even a good airport twenty minutes away.

The company I work for has a location in Medford, twenty minutes up the Interstate, so I'm hoping I can transfer. In fact, I was planning on doing that six years ago, before Spousal Unit seduced me to New York. The deal was, once his son graduated high school, we'd move somewhere sane. Then the economy tanked, so we're still here.

I can hardly believe it's been twenty years since I lived there. Ever since, I've wanted to go back, and my husband is happy with the plan to go as soon as we can. You are more than welcome to join the party :-)

The only thing to remember, is don't have people think you're from California -- people from California move up over the border just to drive up property values and annoy the locals. We will keep secret all the years Spousal Unit lived in Berkeley.

posted by PhaedraB at 11:09 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2009

Thanks for the invite, I appriciate the welcome!

Veta

posted by VetaTorres at 9:28 pm (EST) on Apr 25, 2009

Hi Elizabeth -
I haven't yet seen the HBO series of The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. In fact, I've only read the first book in the series! I did enjoy Smith's writing though and eventually I plan to read many more of his books. I don't get any premium channels on my cable network, but glad to hear that the series is good! If (or when?) it is released on DVD I will plan to check it out! I don't know much about different dialects and accents in Africa so I can't attest to its realism either, but hopefully HBO's done at least a little research. ;) If you like mysteries and detective stories, I would highly recommend the first book! And if you like it and want to read more we could do a tandem read of the second book too! Thanks for your note and have a great week!
lisa :)

posted by elbakerone at 10:50 am (EST) on Apr 15, 2009

Just started Murder with Peacocks--thanks! It's promising so far.

posted by jennieg at 3:29 pm (EST) on Apr 8, 2009

Top 100 Sci Fi Recommendations for New Readers of the Genre: Post Your List

Great idea - thanks!

Don't want to divert the thread so I'm leaving a message.

Might be an idea to see if there is a UK/US split over recommendations when this is tabulated - that seemed to be a theme of the last thread. Let me know if I can help with that.

posted by kevmalone at 1:35 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2009

I'll have to bump her up to the top of the (ever expanding) list. I'll have to look for her on my library's e-audio books list. It's always good to have a new mystery to listen to at the gym.

posted by jennieg at 5:53 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2009

Thanks, Elizabeth! One of my daughters got me signed up last October, but I've only started using LT in the last few days. The thought of cataloging my library was too intimidating. But now I've decided to do it in fits and starts. I'll probably never be done . . .

I don't know Donna Andrews, but our lists look compatable.

We drove through NY state a few years ago after our younger daughter graduated from Vassar. I couldn't get over how beautiful it was.

posted by jennieg at 2:08 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2009

Yeah, you belong in this new group!

posted by Garp83 at 7:29 pm (EST) on Apr 1, 2009

Bwahahaha! :)

See you in the HE, ejj! I hope your weekend has been terrific!

posted by Kerian at 2:12 am (EST) on Mar 30, 2009

Here's a talk I gave yesterday on Cataloging Dead People's Books...

posted by moibibliomaniac at 6:54 am (EST) on Mar 23, 2009

They're all reserved for you. The first book was acting strangely, so I deleted it from my inventory, just mooch the other three and I'll return your one point and send all 4 books. The first book does have some cover wear (including on the spine) and a bookcrossing sticker in the front cover.

The link to my inventory:
http://bookmooch.com/m/inventory/devoure...

posted by DevourerOfBooks at 6:40 pm (EST) on Mar 15, 2009

Just got back but am going right to bed. I'll check the GD and Facebook in the morning!

posted by mrgrooism at 1:04 am (EST) on Mar 7, 2009

Okay, it's final. Tomorrow (Thursday) 8:30 PM LT time in chat. "See" you then!

posted by biblioholic29 at 8:56 am (EST) on Mar 4, 2009

Okay, it looks like Thursday night should work for everyone. Foggi is working until 8 that night, so should we say 8:30 in chat (LT time)?

posted by biblioholic29 at 8:23 pm (EST) on Mar 3, 2009

Hi Elizabeth:

I usually put a little something on my 75 book challenge, but don't review every book I read as it seems too much like homework. I actually post a more detailed set of comments on the Book of the Month Group's monthly thread - I just posted my February reads there. I'll try to back-post them to the 75 book challenge thread.

I'm proud of myself for trying to bookmooch all these books except the Thomas Hardy book which I have - I actually am getting the first one via bookmooch within a week or so.

I have read Far From the Madding Crowd too, but it was in ... 1986?... so it's due for a re-read. Ditto The Pillars of the Earth, think I read that in 1992 or so (remembering from what who I borrowed it).

Bye for now.
Karen

posted by karenmarie at 10:41 am (EST) on Mar 3, 2009

Wednesday's out because foggi is unavailable. I realize some of you don't know your schedules for next week yet, but how is Monday looking? Is there another date this week that would work for people? Thursday night? Friday night? I won't be available on Saturday.

posted by biblioholic29 at 10:07 am (EST) on Mar 3, 2009

Hello Elizabeth!

We had our bookclub's book-picking meeting the other night and I mentioned your name - well, ejj1955 since I hadn't looked at your profile yet and seen that you were Elizabeth! I mentioned that you were plagued with weepy chick lit and told them I appreciated the interesting and varied books brought to the table. Here's our next 12 months of reading:

Paris to the Moon Adam Gopnik
The Pillars of the Earth Ken Follett
The People of the Book Geraldine Brooks
My Own Country Abraham Verghese
Unaccustomed Earth Jumpha Lahiri
Uncle Tom's Cabin Harriet B. Stowe
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox Maggie O'Farrell
This is Not Civilization Robert Rosenberg
Far From the Madding Crowd Thomas Hardy
Loving Frank Nancy Horan
Cranford Elizabeth Gaskell (my book)
The Conjurer's Bird Martin Davies

Keep fighting for good books!

See you around!

Karenmarie

posted by karenmarie at 6:12 am (EST) on Mar 3, 2009

Good good! Hopefully by july you're car will be feeling better.

posted by Mandy2 at 3:24 pm (EST) on Mar 2, 2009

Okay, I've gotten replies from the entire committee now and it looks like weekday evenings are generally good for everyone. How is this Wednesday at 7:00? If that doesn't work my second suggestion would be next Monday at 7:00. Thoughts?

posted by biblioholic29 at 10:02 am (EST) on Mar 2, 2009

Hello Elizabeth,

We really enjoyed our trip this year. The weather was wonderful, except for the day after Christmas when it actually snowed. But that's OK - we took the day off from golf and enjoyed it. We are seriously considering retiring to Tucson, or perhaps living there part-time.

Thank you again for lending your books to me - it was so thoughtful and generous of you!

Hope your winter is coming to an end! I'm in Anchorage right now where I think they will be having a few more months of winter....

Best regards,
Lisa

posted by LisaMorr at 11:59 pm (EST) on Mar 1, 2009

Hi Elizabeth,

I have to ask: WHERE is the library that is in your Profile picture? I feel compelled to call and tell them to shutter the windows so the book covers don't fade!!! Lovely room!

I also happened to notice that you and I share a lot of books by Stephen R. Donaldson (my #2 favorite author). I don't see that you have his ~latest~ 2 books though -- the first half of the quartet, [The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant]. Go figure! He died at the end of the second trilogy, and now, thirty years later, he's back. And it's not like Donaldson used a trick like Lord Morham stepping out of the shower and telling Lindsey Avery that she dreamed it all happened, either. It took a bit of adjustment to get back into the story, but Donaldson has not lost his touch in the telling of the tale.

Regards,
Mike
WholeHouseLibrary

posted by WholeHouseLibrary at 6:32 pm (EST) on Mar 1, 2009

That is interesting, thanks for sharing your professor's comments with me.
I had read the book with the idea Machiavelli was noting human nature in general, not his own but more along the lines of what man *might* do. Looking at the writings as satire makes it seem different all over again and yet I feel that I was not too far off...for a beginner :) It's a fascinating book.

posted by BritAnnia at 12:03 pm (EST) on Feb 23, 2009

By the way you should get the book Friday. I hope you like it.

posted by EricCGibson at 5:18 pm (EST) on Feb 10, 2009

I worked as a bellhop, car hop and waiter at Grossinger's one summer during college. Monticello is not that far from you right? I really liked my time there. That could easily turn out to be a book one day.

posted by EricCGibson at 5:10 pm (EST) on Feb 10, 2009

Elizabeth:

I like your library very much. So much that I would love to see my novel in it. Would you like me to send you a copy?

Best regards,

Eric

posted by EricCGibson at 11:59 am (EST) on Feb 10, 2009

Thank you for the nice welcome!

posted by cpizotti at 1:17 pm (EST) on Feb 7, 2009

Hi Elizabeth, yes my username is the same and there is a link here on my home page. I'll get your info and reserve them for you, I haven't entered them yet since I was waiting to see if anyone here wanted them.

posted by jeri889 at 5:57 pm (EST) on Jan 14, 2009

Hi Elizabeth,

If you want recommendations, please let me know...

David

posted by DWWilkin at 11:12 pm (EST) on Dec 31, 2008

Why am I seeing that you've only just 'joined' us? ;) Happy New Year, ejj! :)

posted by Kerian at 3:56 am (EST) on Dec 29, 2008

Thank you so much for the beautiful ornaments, and of course the book marks. I love having decorations on the tree from around the world - these will be fabulous alongside China, Australia, and San Fransisco so far!

I wish you a very happy Christams, and look forward to lots more fun in the HE in 2009!

With Love,
Naomi.

I'll send a proper thank you card in the mail :-)

posted by LadyN at 6:46 pm (EST) on Dec 20, 2008

Here's a video on the Gutenberg Press.

Jerry

posted by moibibliomaniac at 12:13 pm (EST) on Sep 22, 2008

P.S.

I was on my first cup of coffee as I wrote my comment: I reversed miles and time...mea culpa.

Irene

posted by saratoga99 at 9:54 am (EST) on Sep 21, 2008

Elizabeth,

Like "Flat Stanley," your book went on a journey. On 09/11/2008, it left Saratoga Springs NY. On 09/14/2008, it was "processed" in Springfield MA. Not enough "processing," it proceeded to Philadelphia PA and was again "processed" on 09/16/2008. Finally arrived in Sidney NY, on 09/19/2008. A road trip from Saratoga Springs to Sidney takes approximately 126 miles (2 hours, 8 minutes per Google directions). What a tale this book could tell!!!

Enjoy the book and your vacation.

No need to reply.

Kindest regards,
Irene

posted by saratoga99 at 9:07 am (EST) on Sep 21, 2008

The commode was in a message on the exlibris listing, an online group of university librarians, booksellers, and book collectors.

I don't know if you've read this but here's my essay on 9-11: Old Stoneface. Memories of New York

posted by moibibliomaniac at 9:02 pm (EST) on Sep 11, 2008

Elizabeth,

Congratulations! As the first person to request a book from the soon-to-be-liberated section of my library, I am happy to announce that you have won a copy of [The Zookeeper's Wife]. It is on its way.

Regards,
Irene

posted by saratoga99 at 1:29 pm (EST) on Sep 11, 2008

Something for a library?

http://ny.bloomsburyauctions.com/detail/...

posted by moibibliomaniac at 4:19 pm (EST) on Sep 9, 2008

Hi, send me your snailmail and I will send you [The Zookeeper's Wife].

posted by saratoga99 at 11:31 am (EST) on Sep 8, 2008

Elizabeth,

Thanks so much for offering up your electric typewriter. It sounds darling, and I would have taken it, but this past weekend I came across one in a thirft store and snatched it up! So, I finally have a typewriter to use when feeling nostalgic, or when I need something authentically vintage in craft projects.

Hopefully you'll find a home for it soon, or decide to put it to good use on your own!

Thanks again,
Audrey

posted by Audacity at 10:06 am (EST) on Aug 28, 2008

First, my apologies. I have a feeling that I never saw your note and must therefore seem very rude indeed. I tend just to look to the top of the list and if there's nothing (or one thing) there, assume that is all there is. Mea culpa.

Yes, there are a number of reference books. And the shelves groan ever louder. I collect slang dicts - though those I don't now have are far far beyond even the deepest recesses of my pockets. And just buy reference books. I have a couple coming out myelf in October, and then my 3-vol. 'life's work/mag.op' in about 15 months. What to do after that...

Best,

JG

posted by abecedary at 9:06 am (EST) on Aug 28, 2008

I know how you feel! I seem to have lost the knack lately.

posted by Booksloth at 6:36 am (EST) on Aug 18, 2008

Did you lose 20 Questions too? I did - and I haven't seen your name anywhere on the latest thread so I thought I'd try and send you the link. I'm not very good at links, so I hope this one works. Don't ask me why the game has jumped around so much lately.

This should be it:

http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.ph...

posted by Booksloth at 10:58 am (EST) on Aug 16, 2008

Hey Elizabeth:

I want one of those steamer gizmos! My 15 year old has decided that corn's fattening, so won't eat it so two ears in a steamer would work perfectly for my husband and me.

Karen

posted by karenmarie at 9:46 pm (EST) on Aug 14, 2008

Thanks for your review on "Trixie Belden". I loved those books as a kid!

posted by tjsjohanna at 7:17 pm (EST) on Aug 10, 2008

I loved your post on the authors rights over characters thread..
just wanted to say kudos!
kath

posted by mckait at 2:23 pm (EST) on Aug 8, 2008

No, I certainly don't mind at all. And if you don't mind, I will now go and return the compliment......

posted by Fourpawz2 at 2:15 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2008

If you are a big Cherryh fan, have you been to her fansite at Shejidan.com ? CJC doesn't post there but some personal friends of hers do, and there's a lot of in depth discussion of her works. Quite a few of the members are on LT too.

posted by reading_fox at 4:41 am (EST) on Aug 7, 2008

Hi Elizabeth,

What did you think about the last few Battlestar G episodes? Did you like the way they resolved things? Did you find it hard to believe that some of the people they chose as Cylons were not more upset by the realization? That was my first thought. But I guess it is true that as a species humans do tend to adjust to survive, but therein lies the problem, since they are not really human can I expect them to think in human terms at all? Quite a confusing blend of characters on the show, thus making each situation equally clever and mysterious. I simply love SciFi and the way it allows writers and others-(screenwriters, etc) to venture anywhere to fulfill their story lines. I'm listening to the Mists of Avalon right now, read by Davina Porter, one of my favorite readers, it's quite lovely in the way that it shows powerful yet vulnerable women and has a believable dose of magic, blending in the fairy folk to make it both charming and suspenseful because of the mix of the more mischievous magic and the more predictable human behavior. MB

posted by mmignano11 at 12:18 pm (EST) on Jul 7, 2008

Thanks alot, I´ll definitely check that out!!

posted by MSKi23 at 12:39 pm (EST) on Jun 30, 2008

Thanks for the info! Have you read the book before? Do you recommend making the effort to get a hold of it?

posted by aarti at 12:41 pm (EST) on Jun 29, 2008

Thank you for thinking so!

posted by Busifer at 5:22 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2008

If you haven't seen the movie, Portrait of a Bookstore as an Old Man, get comfortable first; it's 52 minutes long:

http://tinyurl.com/4y4qds

posted by moibibliomaniac at 12:06 pm (EST) on Jun 23, 2008

Hope you like it. We have frozen pitted cherries, but sometimes only in the upper end supermarkets. I pitted mine with a little knife and my fingernails. Very tedious. I like your method, pop them in the mouth... ;)

posted by MrsLee at 2:54 pm (EST) on Jun 13, 2008

Cherry BBQ Sauce on Pork Tenderloin

4-5 lb. Pork loin roast
Fresh ground pepper, Kosher salt (to taste)

Marinade:
1 can cola (Coke, RC, Pepsi, etc.)
1 T. dried sage
1 T. ground pepper
1 T. chili powder
1 t. comino
6 T. lime juice
1 T. lime zest
1 onion, minced
2 T. peanut oil

Sauce:
leftover marinade
2 c. cherries, no pits
½ c. brown sugar
¼ c. balsamic vinegar
¼ t. cayenne
1/3 tablet Mexican chocolate
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt, to taste

Put roast in plastic zip bag with all marinade ingredients, mix, set in refrigerator for 3-6 hours, turning several times.
About 1 ½ hours before dinner, place roast on a rack in a shallow pan (reserve marinade), fat side up, sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and kosher salt. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Put roast in oven, reduce heat to 325 degrees and roast until meat is 140 degrees, basting with sauce every 10 minutes after the first 45 minutes. Turn roast and baste the bottom at least once. Takes approximately 1-1 ½ hours.

Sauce:
Put marinade into saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes. Add cherries and all other ingredients, simmer about 15 minutes. I used a hand held blender to puree all ingredients. If you don’t have one, carefully blend in a glass blender, or just mash with a masher. It will be a bit lumpy, but that’s O.K. When roast has been in oven ½ hour, begin basting with the sauce. You may need to adjust the sweet to sour ratio of your sauce to your taste.

The most tedious part for me was pitting the cherries, but I think frozen or possibly even canned cherries would work.

posted by MrsLee at 10:13 am (EST) on Jun 13, 2008

Oh, thank you! I personally find them quite exciting, too, and luckily I have been pretty good at languages, so I shouldn't have a problem there, but I've been warned that I need to know a lot, so I understand your hesitation! I originally thought that continuing education in English was what I'd want to do, but something changed in college and here I am. I have yet to visit Oxford, though I know a few people who studied abroad there last year. Have you ever been to York? That's where my (future) university is and for me is without question the most exciting medieval city I've been to!

I'm glad you find my library interesting. You seem to have lots of history and speculative fiction in yours, so I'm adding you to mine as well, I could always use the recommendations!

- Meghan

posted by littlebookworm at 12:55 pm (EST) on Jun 2, 2008

Here's the user account with the list of books in, all of which need summaries writing - make them a seperate post in the 1001group like the others, and then someone with the account password (Morph or ?) will add them to the comments.

There's plenty still to do, and probably other jobs if you wish to procrastinate some more!

posted by reading_fox at 4:27 pm (EST) on May 28, 2008

Oh, boy, environmental compliance--my last in-house job was proofreading for a company that produces environmental compliance, human resources, and safety materials. Reading wastewater disposal regs for 49 states (all but the one we lived in, oddly enough) was not my favorite task of all time!

Thankfully, the only wastewater disposal regulations I have to know about are Colorado's. Which are bad enough.

But very little of my leisure reading has anything to do with the type of thing I do for work, which is mostly reference publishing--although I might argue that everything has to do with reference and many factoids come in handy sooner or later!

You know, if I had to read professionally it would probably cut back quite a bit on my reading for pleasure. Perhaps not; I suppose it would depend on what it was. I do have to read work-related stuff; most recently The Environmental Chemistry of Molybdenum and Chemical Deicers and the Environment and it was rather tough slogging.

I adore Lindsey Davis, though--I'd have more of her works listed, but lost the bottom shelf's worth of books, including a bunch of hers, from all my bookcases in a flood two summers ago. Irritatingly enough, most of what I lost were the ones I collected but hadn't yet read. On the other hand, through this site I've discovered BookMooch, so I'm repopulating my library at a great rate! (And so cheaply.)

I haven't read the Marcus Didius Falco books in order, unfortunately. I just picked up The Accusers on sale at B&N a couple of days ago but haven't read it yet. Usually I get mysterys and suchlike from the library rather than buying them, but I've kept all of hers. I have yet to try BookMooch; I must investigate it.

I'm grieved by your flood; I hate to see books damaged. OTOH Colorado - at least outside the river valleys - is fairly immune to flooding. I have had a couple of books eaten by the cat, though - if I leave them on the floor he'll devour the covers of paperbacks. Must like coated paper, I suppose.

posted by setnahkt at 1:46 am (EST) on May 26, 2008

Okay, I sort of take it back--I like history, but so far (as I've cataloged, I mean) that's not where our libraries overlap--more Lindsey Davis and Barbara Michaels and a few cookbooks. Sometimes LT is so random!

Not to worry; I mean, aren't Lindsay Davis and MPM just as much history as most non-fiction? I had read lots of Roman history but it wasn't until I read the Gordianus the Finder series by Steven Saylor that I realized the same person could live through the Dictatorship of Sulla, the Servile Rebellion, and the Civil War.

My particular history interests tend to vary. I went through an American Civil War period and a Tudor period and a WWI period. I seem to be doing Tsarist Russia right now. It's generally just a coincidence - pick up one book, then happen to see another on more or less the same era, and so on. It has absolutely nothing to do with my work - environmental compliance - it's just relaxing and interesting.

posted by setnahkt at 1:09 am (EST) on May 26, 2008

Used to live in Ithaca; I sympathize with your endurance of the weather. However, for one or two weeks a year it really is beautiful.

-setnahkt

posted by setnahkt at 10:41 pm (EST) on May 18, 2008

Hi
I am new to this so bare with me...I saw where you were looking for new authors to replace Agatha Christie. Have you read anything by Margaret Yorke? She is a British author. I have read almost everything she has written, and every one has an unexpected twist for an ending! They are fairly short, quick reads. I have purchased mine first thru used books sales and then from Amazon. I think there are four I haven't been able to get and last I checked they were selling for around $200.00 on Amazon. Don't quite know why so much, but I won't be purchasing them. Most of the ones I have gotten are paperbacks, some hardbacks, a lot of copies pulled from libraries. Most around $10.00 or less. Hope this interests you.

Leah

posted by leahboyer at 8:27 pm (EST) on May 14, 2008

Hi Elizabeth. I am honored to be included in your list of interesting libraries. I went through your Reference Books, and you have a number of Philology books that I don't have. I, too, like to read the titles that are posted on the Silly Game, and frequently check out the poster's library. I see you're a sci-fi fan. That's one area I never got into. I do share your interests in mysteries, although I just read them; I don't collect them: Robert Parker, Dick Francis, Stuart Woods, and yes, John D. MacDonald. Cheers!

posted by moibibliomaniac at 7:01 am (EST) on May 3, 2008

No, I'm a social worker. I always wanted to be a librarian or editor or something to do with books, but my (extremely pushy) mother convinced me there was no money in it. So, I got a degree in psychology! I do sell books online that I pick up from garage sales, and I have a deal with the owner of a local used book store that I get to buy the place from him when he's ready to retire. I'm not sure whether he's kidding about that, but I'm certainly not!

posted by lilyfyrestorm at 2:54 pm (EST) on May 1, 2008

How, how, how do you get a job proofreading fiction? I am ridiculously jealous.
~Emily

posted by lilyfyrestorm at 2:29 pm (EST) on May 1, 2008

Ah, yes, the BiblioBarn. Love it. I spent a weekend last fall in Wyndham, and a good bit of the time I was browsing either there or the shops in Hobart. I have life-long friends who live in Stamford, and the existence of this "book village" never came to my attention before. I live outside of Scranton. I assume that is the Nittany Lion on your profile page? I'm heading for your catalog now to browse through your cookbooks--see what we have in common or what new ones I might discover!

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 11:29 am (EST) on Apr 30, 2008

Do you know about the "Book Village of the Catskills" in Hobart? Worth a drive from anywhere!

posted by laytonwoman3rd at 7:43 am (EST) on Apr 30, 2008

Hi its L J fellow dog lover and TV junkie. Thanks for updating me on Hotel Babylon. I have only seen Torchwood a couple of times, but will tune in now to watch it again. We don't get Last Restaurant Standing. Sounds good, I love cooking shows. Just love that crazy Gordon Ramsey. I'm all wrapped up in watching The Tudors now, something about that Jonathan Rhys-Meyer just fascinates me. LOL.

posted by ljreader at 2:34 am (EST) on Apr 22, 2008

Yeah Library Thing is soooo cool! I have always been interested in American History so a few years ago I decided to go back to the beginning and work my way forward chronologically. I started with the so-called "big history" of Flannery's The Eternal Frontier, which took the Michener approach and began 65 million years ago! I followed with Facing East From Indian Country by Richter, then American Colonies by Taylor (outstanding book!). Then I just went off in a dozen tangents, but kept coming back to the early American period. Despite several attempts, I still haven't made it past the American Revolution!

posted by Garp83 at 9:20 pm (EST) on Apr 15, 2008

Hello Elizabeth,
I have some second hand experience with the flooding problem. My mother went through Hurricane Andrew in Miami. She had her books in sheds and they leaked. She told me she threw away at least 1,000 to 1,500 books. She lives by herself and has at least made up by now for her losses. I am fairly attached to my library and would be badly hurt if it were destroyed.
Bill Rucker

posted by wildbill at 8:13 am (EST) on Apr 15, 2008

Welcome Elizabeth,
I want to give you my thanks and appreciation for the nice comment you left for me. I have been at LT a little longer than you and I am sure you will find more of the same "ah-ha" moments and fun and pleasant surprises of all kinds here. I signed up for the Early Reviewers and have received two books with another on the way since last December.

I've been an avid reader since the single digits and that energy has blossomed nicely on LT. Not just pollyanna moments either. I was discussing the fact that I had stolen two books from a library and was confronted in a post with the not so cute consequences that act had for others.

I've always wanted to write, but I never finish anything. History is my fave and now I'm focusing on essays. I trust we will cross paths again.
Bill Rucker (wildbill)

posted by wildbill at 8:23 pm (EST) on Apr 13, 2008

*sigh* I should be so lucky as to have "the rest of my library" to catalog... Alas, they're all present and accounted for, but the number is ever growing :)

I moved to SF in January of '07 from Maine - I love it so very much, I just wish I had more time to explore it! Ah well, some day...

And I have no idea how it got to be 4am, but it happens *a lot* when playing on LT... Time Warp? :)

posted by aglaia531 at 4:14 am (EST) on Apr 10, 2008

Ciao Elizabeth. I read in English and Italian. I have also some book in Spanish, but only cause they are from a friend of mine, but I don't know Spanish :-). Then I have some books from a French author, but they are Italian translation. And then I have a bit of japanese manga, but all English translation. Elisa

posted by elisa.rolle at 2:03 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2008

Thanks for the information on my profile page! That was very kind of you!

posted by alaskabookworm at 10:13 pm (EST) on Mar 29, 2008

Now that's a thread I haven't found yet! I had no idea you were so new - your posts sounds like an old pro (I am aware of the many ways in which that could be taken but I swear I meant it in the nice one!) Off to take a look at these mature men (promise me it's not the LT version of Readers' Wives?)

posted by Booksloth at 12:55 pm (EST) on Mar 29, 2008

Thank you for thinking my library is interesting - I always feel quite honoured when somebody does that (even when I suspect it's just so they can search it more easily in 20 Questions)!

posted by Booksloth at 7:52 am (EST) on Mar 29, 2008

Honored you find my library interesting. I have read every book listed on it, and have 'reviewed' (really, commented on) over 1700 of them, and expect to comment on hundreds more as I get around to doing so.

posted by Schmerguls at 7:27 am (EST) on Mar 27, 2008

Sorcerer's legacy is a standalone and (one of?) the first books Janny ever had published. I quite enjoyed it.

posted by reading_fox at 5:03 am (EST) on Mar 17, 2008

Thanks for the tip on A Flash of Green. I haven't seen the movie, so will have to read the book first. I very often try to see a movie after reading the book because it fascinates me to see what screenwriters find important and unimportant.

My plan is to complete the John MacDonald collection. Being a parrothead, it's hard to avoid the Travis McGee series, given that Jimmy Buffett sings of him in "Incommunicado." That song was the main reason I bought my first McGee book. A Flash of Green isn't a McGee book, but if it's as good as anything else Mr. MacDonald wrote during his life, it will be well worth the time.

posted by phinz at 8:00 am (EST) on Mar 14, 2008

Avatar - no they aren't mine. It's a dog and a fox cub, from a BBC news story. I was just looking for cute pics of a fox to use as an avatar, and came across it.

Which of Janny's books are you mooching?

posted by reading_fox at 7:14 am (EST) on Mar 14, 2008

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to talk down. It's just that I have to have things explained to me as if I were six. :)

posted by frogbelly at 12:39 am (EST) on Mar 14, 2008

Sure. Go to www.photobucket.com and create an account there. It's free. Then you upload pictures that you have saved on your computer to your account there. Then wherever you want to post one of those pictures, use the code
7img src="x"7
where the x is the direct link to where it is saved on photobucket. Also, in the above code use an opening and closing < and > in place of the 7s. It wouldnt have shown up on this message if I'd put it in the correct way.
I know this sounds weird but it will make more sense when you play around on photobucket a bit.
good luck.

posted by frogbelly at 11:18 pm (EST) on Mar 13, 2008

Always good to hear from another Cherryh fan, and I see you've also been in touch with Janny who's books I'd also reccomened, if you've not managed to read any yet.

posted by reading_fox at 5:15 am (EST) on Mar 13, 2008

Elizabeth - by no means do I feel my college experience was a waste...I think it's noteworthy, though, that at no point in my career as writer and illustrator have I EVER been asked for my educational resume by a publisher. Perhaps that's what Holly Lisle means. I didn't know she had a downloadable advice book - perhaps I might look into that for a link off the tips site.

Mysteries - I think I have about nearly everything written by Dick Francis, and I also like Ngaio Marsh, and for the very strange, the series of mysteries written by Dorothy Dunnett.

The closest thing to a mystery I wrote (fantasy of course) was To Ride Hell's Chasm, but it morphed into intrigue then action/adventure by the ending.

Other writers here on LT that I like to read are Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (their Liaden universe is quite splendid) and Kristine Smith. Both of these write SF.

posted by JannyWurts at 7:09 pm (EST) on Feb 28, 2008