Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

This is the thread other groups often call "The Parking Lot" or "The Front Porch." But here in our classical world, it's referred to by a much classier name :)

Some things which you might want to post here:

*Book lists
*Author sites
*Book blogs that may interest us
*Book related news stories
*Book related films being released
*General chit chat

Basically anything that you think we classical bibliophiles would like at our fingertips!

I"m currently listening to All the Light We Cannot See and the lead character is reading Jules Verne novels. I love finding references to the classic like this!

SO ... tonight I'm going to meet someone F2F who has been in a group with me here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. She commented in a thread a while back that she planned to move to Milwaukee in the near future. I sent her a brief note and said I live in Milwaukee, and if she'd like to get together for coffee or wine, just let me know.

So she sends me a private message - she's applying for a job at MY place of employment (it's a huge employer and we'd be no where near each other). I told her I have my F2F book club tonight, but would gladly miss it to meet her for wine. SHE asked if she could come to book club with me (where there WILL be wine).

This is the fifth Shelfari/Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend I've met in person ... including with Llevinso (a/k/a Mother Panda).

Have you met any of your cyber book friends in person?

Book Concierge wrote: "SO ... tonight I'm going to meet someone F2F who has been in a group with me here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. She commented in a thread a while back that she planned to move to Milwaukee in the near future. I se..."

Oh that's so nice! You're the only Shelfarian I've met in person so far ;)

Book Concierge wrote: "SO ... tonight I'm going to meet someone F2F who has been in a group with me here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. She commented in a thread a while back that she planned to move to Milwaukee in the near future. I se..."

Well, yes, but not exactly through reading. They were cyber friends elsewhere that I met in person, and now we're on GR and are book friends. But this was BEFORE Shelfari or Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ existed; certainly before Shelfari.

I think that would be fun to meet cyber friends! I have never met any. With Skype, it could be fun to meet people that way first.

Dear readers,
I'm sorry I've been MIA as a moderator these past couple of weeks. My husband had spinal fusion surgery on March 8 and I've been pretty consumed by being a full-time nurse as he recovers at home.

I checked out the audio of The Red and the Black from the library ... and returned it without listening to a single CD. I'll have to request it again when I'm ready to go back to work and enjoy listening during my hour-long commute!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Spring break / Easter holiday.

Mother Panda is getting married in two short weeks, so we know what SHE's been up to .... what about all of you?

The Milwaukee Public Library's Spring Literary Luncheon will feature Curtis Sittenfeld, who has written the "updated" version of Pride and Prejudice - Sittenfeld's book is titled Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice

This is part of The Austen Project; publisher Harper Collins invited "authors of global significane" ro reimangine Jane Austen's six novels, and they chose Sittenfeld for this one. Others in the series, so far, are:
by Joanna Trollope
by Val Macdermid
by Alexander McCall Smith

Book Concierge wrote: "Dear readers,
I'm sorry I've been MIA as a moderator these past couple of weeks. My husband had spinal fusion surgery on March 8 and I've been pretty consumed by being a full-time nurse as he recov..."

That's very stressful and I hope your husband is feeling better and you take care of yourself too.

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Llevinso! (March 24)
I have a card for you but never got it mailed.... well, it will be waiting when you get back from your honeymoon!

Ugh! I feel horrible that I've been absent for so long! I've just been so ridiculously busy (even since the wedding) that I haven't had a chance to pop by and check in. I haven't even really read any books in the last 3 months. Can you believe it?!

I do think that I need a new moderator to take the reigns of this group. I just don't know enough about Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and have so little time to do a proper job. So if anyone is up to the task, let me know!

Okay, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things here!

I started a NEW "Other Reviews" folder for July-September. I'm going to try to start reviewing some of my old reads (I haven't actually written a review in a while!).
Now I'm not sure what to do about group reads. I feel like voting won't really work until we start to get more traffic here...

Lara wrote: "Okay, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things here!

I started a NEW "Other Reviews" folder for July-September. I'm going to try to start reviewing some of my old reads (I haven't actually..."

I wonder if it might encourage more participation to chose a theme or possibly a decade, post lists of choices, ( Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ is good at making lists) and let members choose from a wider field. It might invite comparisons and inspire some interesting discussions.

It might also be a good idea for us to "publicize" the group more among our friends. More members might increase participation.

Book Concierge wrote: "It might also be a good idea for us to "publicize" the group more among our friends. More members might increase participation."

What do you mean by "publicize?"

Lara wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "It might also be a good idea for us to "publicize" the group more among our friends. More members might increase participation."

What do you mean by "publicize?""

Send invites ...
Post about the group in other groups.

Book Concierge wrote: "Lara wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "It might also be a good idea for us to "publicize" the group more among our friends. More members might increase participation."

What do you mean by "publicize?..."

Ah I never thought about sending invites (didn't know you could to be honest). I have been posting in other groups though.

This is pretty interesting:

Did you know Frankenstein is about to be 200 years old? It was one of my all-time favorite group reads in this group. Thought these illustrations were very cool and worth a share.

I just love book covers!

I've been away. Just read The Luck of the Bodkins and am in a long read of Our Mutual Friend. Now moving into my fall limited reading time mode :(

Lara wrote: "I just love book covers!

30 Vintage Bradbury Book Covers"

Those are really done well.

Our first poll for a new group read is up: Group Read Vote!
Make sure to make your selection!

I don't remember if I nominated a book, and if I did waht ti was, but since I've been away, I'm going to assume I haven't nominated anything.

Just a reminder: you only have just a few more days to get your votes in for the Group Read!! Get on it ;)

I found several references to classic books while reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.

It had been a while since I bought any books, so I went to Half Price yesterday and loaded up.

Here's my haul:
Coriolanus by William Shakespeare (I always pick up a new Shakespeare when I can)
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (for our group read)
The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood (woohoo! new book by my favorite author that I didn't even know about!)
The Kite Runner by Khaled Housseini
Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

I think I did a pretty good job.

Lara wrote: "It had been a while since I bought any books, so I went to Half Price yesterday and loaded up.

Here's my haul:
Coriolanus by William Shakespeare (I always pick up a new Shakespeare ..."

Wow, that's quite a haul! Has Mike built you a new bookcase?

Book Concierge wrote: "Lara wrote: "It had been a while since I bought any books, so I went to Half Price yesterday and loaded up.

Here's my haul:
Coriolanus by William Shakespeare (I always pick up a new..."

No, but my mom's best friend just offered us hers for free :)

If any of you play Fishworld on Facebook, I have a book themed tank that I would love some help decorating.

My sister-in-law and I went to this little pop-up used bookstore in her neighborhood this weekend. It was their last weekend so everything was half off the already super cheap prices. We figured they wouldn't have much of a selection left but they had some great finds! I got 8 books for $12!!

Here's what I got:
Fool by Christopher Moore
The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
Ironweed by William Kennedy
Moo by Jane Smiley
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics by Jeremy Schaap

Lara wrote: "My sister-in-law and I went to this little pop-up used bookstore in her neighborhood this weekend. It was their last weekend so everything was half off the already super cheap prices. We figured th..."

What a great haul!

Book Concierge wrote: "Lara wrote: "My sister-in-law and I went to this little pop-up used bookstore in her neighborhood this weekend. It was their last weekend so everything was half off the already super cheap prices. ..."

Thank you! I was very impressed with their selection. I recently got a new bookshelf so I need to fill it up with books! And I'm lucky to have a sister-in-law who loves books as much as I do :)

Lara wrote: "My sister-in-law and I went to this little pop-up used bookstore in her neighborhood this weekend. It was their last weekend so everything was half off the already super cheap prices. We figured th..."

I can't believe I forgot one!

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

My honeymoon is coming up next week (2 weeks in Europe!!) and I am trying to figure out what books to bring with me. The flights will be long and the hubby and I will also have some relaxing beach time, so I need some good stuff!

I was thinking I should bring 2 or 3 books of different genres. I don’t want to bring any tomes because no need to weigh down my suitcase. So I’m trying to choose which to bring out of these:

The Kite Runner
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics
Angela's Ashes
Modern Romance
On the Beach
The Other Typist
Mudbound

What do you think? Help me decide!

You're able to decide now what your shortlist is? I'm impressed by your ability to plan like that!
My packing tends to be a carry on of clothes and a "purse" (re: tote bag) of books, an iPad, wallet, lip balm and a change of underwear. My clothes are planned out weeks in advance. Books are still being agonized over 5 minutes before we leave the house!

Tracy wrote: "You're able to decide now what your shortlist is? I'm impressed by your ability to plan like that!
My packing tends to be a carry on of clothes and a "purse" (re: tote bag) of books, an iPad, wall..."

I was just looking through my TBR and these are ones that caught my eye that aren't that long.

They all sound like good choices. I liked Mudbound, and loved The Kite Runner. Modern Romance sounds like it would be a fun read, and On the Beach is one I'd like to get to someday, too. Tough decision!
And have fun on your honeymoon- sounds like it will be a wonderful experience!

Lara wrote: "My honeymoon is coming up next week (2 weeks in Europe!!) and I am trying to figure out what books to bring with me. The flights will be long and the hubby and I will also have some relaxing beach ..."

I vote for Mudbound and The Other Typist

Oh, wait .... On the Beach by Nevil Shute is fantastic!

It's also short.

But it's a bit depressing ...

Darn ... what a hard choice ...

Okay ... I'll stick with my original recommendations. ... I think ...

Book Concierge wrote: "Oh, wait .... On the Beach by Nevil Shute is fantastic!

It's also short.

But it's a bit depressing ...

Darn ... what a hard choice ...

Okay ... I'll stick with my original recomm..."

Yeah see that's my problem. A few of these I really want to read but...should I be reading depressing books on my honeymoon? ;)

AJ wrote: "I think I have a bit of a book buying "condition". I have bought more than 20 books in the past month, some are audio books but still."

Hmmm.... I believe that there is no cure, although the condition can (sometimes) be managed ....

Book Concierge wrote: "AJ wrote: "I think I have a bit of a book buying "condition". I have bought more than 20 books in the past month, some are audio books but still."

Hmmm.... I believe that there is no cure, althoug..."
I'd like to know the 12 steps for managing book addiction! Wait, never mind..not ready to quit reading yet!

Managing a book addiction, or managing book buying? I manage book buying by using the library a lot, but not sure about the other one.

I'm like Karin, I used to buy lots of books but now I mostly use the library.

Karin wrote: "Managing a book addiction, or managing book buying? I manage book buying by using the library a lot, but not sure about the other one."

I use the library too, but then I also buy a lot of books at the library booksales, so it's not exactly managing my addiction! That's ok, though -- I'll pass on the 12-step for now.

Megan wrote: "Karin wrote: "Managing a book addiction, or managing book buying? I manage book buying by using the library a lot, but not sure about the other one."

I use the library too, but then I also buy a l..."

Aha, those alluring library book sales! I try to avoid those as much as I can so I don't walk off with a bag full of books. The best ones are locked up and only for sale one Saturday a month, so I rarely go to the library on Saturdays just in case!

Well we just got a new bookcase gifted to us by a family friend...so I HAVE to buy books to fill it! That's what I tell myself anyway. I do use the library a lot too though. And I almost always buy my books at second hand stores. Keeps costs down a bit.

Hi all,
Does anyone plan to post questions about Summer? I did manage to read it, but didn't have many ideas for questions. I'd like to discuss it if others read it, though.

Happy Belated Birthday to our Mother Panda ... March 24 (if memory serves)

Happy belated Birthday, Lara!