dtrpath27

It's definitely already dragging me in. I have another book that I'm finishing tonight that I want to review, but then I'm going to start chipping away at the January/February list.

Hello! I suppose I can make a bit of a pest of myself...I always have been one to jump right in, though! I've had a bit of a drought on reading (ten years, blasted work!) which just lifted after the New Year, and I'm just wanting to immerse myself in all things bookish. It feels nice! After so long of only having time to read a few books a year, I'm having to figure out who I am as a reader, and this site seems to be a good place to do that. I hadn't heard of Jack Vance, so I googled him. He appears to be quite a prolific and well-respected writer; I'll have to check out some of his work. Do you have any recommendations on where to start? As I said, I'm open to a lot right now.

Thanks so much for your advice/input everyone! She made a huge batch on Saturday that is already gone today. (Insert sheepish grin) She's always fiddling with the recipe and is so eager to try your suggestions. She asked me to pass on her thanks!

The term animal husbandry is often used in the United States as well. It is the 13th century usage of the word husband to mean peasant farmer with which I was unfamiliar.

Written word...'round 250 pages.

Unadilla River, New York Ueno, Japan Uma Thurman Uncle Tom's Cabin

Extemporaneous

March 2014 - Book One Hikikomori and the Rental Sister by Jeff Baukhaus Publishing Information: ©2013 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill Genre: Fiction Major Themes: Loss, grief, social isolation, intimacy and interpersonal relationships Setting: Primarily New York City, present day Main Characters: Thomas Tessler, Megumi (the rental sister), Silke (Thomas's wife) Synopsis: In Japanese, the term hikikomori literally means pulling inward, being confined. This is the story of a man who, unable to cope with a devastating loss, has cloistered himself in his bedroom for three years, shutting out the entire world, including his wife, Silke. In her desperation, his wife enlists the help of Megumi, a rental sister, who has special insight to the world of hikikomori. This is not only a tale of Megumi's attempt to help Thomas and Silke, but also an examination of intimacy, love and grief. Got up early this morning in a mood to read! Read this one from beginning to end in about four hours. I'm still processing, but here are my initial thoughts: This book drew me in with a certain morbid fascination for the life that Thomas was leading. Initially, I was put off by his lifestyle and his wife's apparent tolerance of it. Thomas seemed to be weak and selfish, his wife desperate, and Megumi an odd insertion to this strange little reality. The more I got to know the characters, however, the easier it was to reserve judgement and simply watch their stories unfold. Although this tale is taken to the nth degree, it made me consider times of grief in my own life, and what it would have taken to reach the point of any one of these characters. I pondered how humans often use various levels of isolation as a form of self-preservation and emotional insulation and how, without even realizing it, one day can become the day that defines your life. Once that happens, what would it take to change it? I really enjoyed this book overall. I would likely read it again, but as it was a bit dark, I would have to be in the mood. It was a quick read and was an interesting enough premise to my attention throughout. I rarely read books straight through from beginning to end, so this one was an exception in that regard.

What a great way to christen your new home!

Apparently, which I also did not know, around the early 13th century, husband also meant peasant farmer, so saying husbandry was like saying farmer-ry or farm management. Huh. Who knew?

I wondered so I looked it up. Apparently the arch in arch-enemy is derived from the Greek word arch meaning most important. I just came across another one, though. Now that I've noticed, I'm seeing them everywhere. husband (v.) - to conserve; to use resources economically

I really enjoy Charles Finch. I like the characters and his whodunit style.

My daughter is obsessed with making scones, and I, unfortunately, am obsessed with eating them. She's trying to find the perfect recipe. Does anyone have one they'd like to share? Tips? Tricks? Thanks in advance for any insight!

Have you ever come across a very mundane word, only to find that it has a very different second meaning? I love it when that happens! essay (n.) - an attempt or an effort arch (adj.) - deliberately playful or teasing Possibly it's related to differences between British English and American English, but I still find it interesting.

I've come across several new words in the past week, but here are my top three: animadiversion (n.) - criticism or censure; a comment or remark, especially a critical one sedulous (adj.) - showing dedication or diligence circumlocution (n) - the use of many words where few would do I'm often guilty of the last! I must say, though, that I'm happy to find other word nerds like me.

I hope your studies are going well; you're almost there! I understand your frustrations. I spent some time living in a small village in rural Japan. There were no e-readers and very limited internet access at this time and place, and the closest store to buy books in English was over two hours away. Even if I did make it, there was a very small selection (for which I was nonetheless very grateful!) and the prices were sometimes ten times what I would have paid in the States. To combat this problem, I sought out others who spoke English and arranged book swaps. Not only did I get my reading fix, but I also had a lot of fun getting together with everyone over a potluck dinner and making some great friends in the process. Maybe something similar would work in your situation? With the internet, I imagine it would be even easier. At any rate, I wish you continued luck with your studies and hope you're finding a way to read the books you love!

Top of my list would be The Chronicles of Narnia, especially Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Next would be The Borrowers, the first one. Finally would be Little Men by Louisa May Alcott. All three are so lovely and just drew me in to another place. I found that it still holds true when I read them as an adult.

I have a lot of luck with baking soda, Mr. Clean and a stiff-bristled brush. I sprinkle baking soda on the grout, mix some Mr. Clean with hot water, dip my scrub brush in it and scrub away. It becomes sparkling white pretty quickly. Now the mixture leaves a mess that has to be cleaned up, but the grout is very clean!

Happy birthday to you and Amy! I hope the party is a wonderful success. Lovesreading, congratulations on your first apartment; how exciting! The list of things one needs does seem to be never-ending. Athena, I hope your leg heals soon. It does sound like you need some rest! It's Carnival where I live, so there has been a constant stream of parades leading up to Mardi Gras. It's been incredibly fun, but I'm starting to look forward to a return to normalcy.

Great! I'm looking forward to it.

Hello! I'm rather new here, but I love this thread and thought I'd get in on the fun! January 2014 (3 books, 1 short story) The 100 Year-old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson Pope Awesome and Other Stories by Cari Donaldson The Museum of Literary Souls by John Connolly Austenland by Shannon Hale February 2014 (3 books, 1 short story) Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale The Humans by Scott Hoag Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan The Library Next Door by DM Denton March 2014 (15 books, 3 short stories) Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt Hikikomori and the Rental Sister by Jeff Baukhaus I Forgot to Remember: a Memoir of Amnesia by Su Beck Freedom is Blogging in Your Underwear by Hugh MacLeod The Time Traveler by Ronald L. Hallett The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole The Man Who Ended the World by Jason Gurley Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay The Caretaker by Jason Gurley The Dark Age by Jason Gurley The Last Rail Rider by Jason Gurley The Sky Used to be Blue by Patrice Fitzgerald The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion Apocolypsis by Elle Casey On the Beach by Neville Shute Dr. Owita's Guide to Gardening by Carol Wall Lexicon by Max Barry April 2014 (5 books, 1 story) Gentleman Thief by Goli Taraghi (short story) A Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank The Dubliners by James Joyce May 2014 No One is Here Except All of Us by Ramona Ausubel Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie September 2014 A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum December 2014 An Old Captivity by Nevil Shute The Paper Magician by Charlie M. Holmberg The Glass Magician by Charlie M. Bloomberg The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

So I'm new. How does this work?

Here's what I recall having as required reading: Elementary The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - wasn't getting out of school in Missouri without reading this one! The Diary of Anne Frank The Odyssey The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton A Christmas Carol - still love it A Midsummer Night's Dream - could still leave it To Kill a Mockingbird All Summer in a Day (short story) by Ray Bradbury - as an eight year old it made me cry and feel horrible High School Romeo and Juliet A Tale of Two Cities The Scarlet Letter The Great Gatsby Apparently I was much more well-read in elementary than in high school! In university, most of my courses were either reading or writing intensive, so the list goes on a bit. I only kept/remembered my very favorite ones.

That's what I said about it in another thread! I really enjoyed it, but for me the third quarter lagged a bit. It was enjoyable overall, enough that I'd read it again, but it could have been truly wonderful. Thanks to you both for your warm welcome. I look forward to reading with you!

Jambalaya! I was reading some other food posts on here, and it was mentioned several times. It made my stomach growl! I don't have time for cornbread, but I do have King Cake on hand for dessert.