julie

Wow, Weave You are on a roll ! Lots of reading and reviews lately ! Great job

Poppy Yes, it was nonfiction Alexi Thanks, hope you enjoy it ! KM No,sadly, no photos. That would have also probably been one of the rules --they had lots of rules in there you'd never think of . The author did a good job at explaining the place, so you kinda had a good picture in your head of what it looked like . It sounded like it had a few tables , most of the books were paperback (as the hardback ones could be used as weapons . Magazines , but none allowed to leave the library (also if they had ENOUGH magazines, they could roll them up somehow, then tape them to form a type of baseball bat ,like thing . The prisoners were allowed to "check out " 3 books to bring back to their cell . They also had a movie once in awhile that the librarian got to choose. Nothing graphic or violent . They had another room that was the Law Room, lots of books on laws, tables, etc to take note if the guys wanted to try to work on their cases or appeals themselves . Frankie I never saw Shawshank Redemption ! I'm not much of a movie watcher, although I think I saw Green Mile ,but it was so long ago, all I remember was it had a really sad ending .

Hi Frankie There is some book talk in the beginning . That's what I was interested in myself, wondering what type of books were popular in prison libraries, etc .. it was talked about in the very beginning, but I'd say the bulk of the book seemed to be about the author's life ( he was Jewish and had been very religious at one point, but sort-of lapsed right before getting this job . He talked quite a bit about that , then a large amount of the book was about the security they needed to keep in place in the library, the items that were and were not allowed by the inmates, etc . So if you're looking more for a book that talks mostly about books, it'd be a disappointment . I still liked it ,because he became close to a few of the inmates and followed up with their stories after they were released from prison, so it was interesting to hear that end of it . Hi Kate , Thanks, yea, I thought it was quite a unique idea. I guess I knew some prisons had libraries, but had never thought much about it before reading this book. There was one fact that was sad : that the public libraries are being closed due to lack of funds, but the prison libraries are getting more funding . something a little bit OFF about that , in my opinion ! I guess it's all in how you look at it, whether you think these guys deserve to have books and library services, or not . I guess some of them could possibly get an education and get out and straighten their lives out,, but from the way this book sounded, it would have been a very rare occurrence.

Running the Books : The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian 4/5 Avi Steinberg was a Harvard Grad, whose friends had all been pursuing careers as doctors and lawyers. He seemed to be on a journey to find himself . At the beginning of the book, he is drifting along trying to find his place in life. He goes to a friend's wedding ,and there sees his life in a new light . He had been writing obituaries for the newspaper as his employment, but suddenly decides his life needs to go into a new direction. He applies ( and gets ) a job as the librarian in a Boston Prison . The book is interesting since it tells of his attempt at learning how to balance life between the inmates and his co-workers, some of the guards, who intentionally treat the prisoners badly at times . He needs to walk a fine line between the two, getting respect, yet showing authority at the same time . In his earlier life, his religion had played a huge role in his life, but he had drifted from it for quite a long time . He seemed to rediscover it ,and himself, while he worked in the prison library. He met several inmates who really touched his heart and made him re-examine his own life . There are a few parts in the beginning that are humorous, but as the book goes on there are other parts that are heartbreaking . I'd recommend this book to anyone who wonders more about life inside a prison, how the "system" works, and how and why some of the people incarcerated end up there ,sometimes repeatedly .

Hi Ayden & Welcome The first book that came to mind was A Simple Plan by Scott Smith . It's not real "heavy, as you requested, but it does involved quite a dilemma and gets more involved towards the end . I think the 2 main characters would also be in the age range you are asking for . It's a very good and exciting book !

Devi so sorry to hear your blood levels were low again . Sure hoping the next ones will look better ,or that the shots will do the trick . I understand perfectly about the shopping spree. It does seem to help, doesn't it ? Keeps your mind on happier things. It sure looks like you found some interesting books ! Many hours of enjoyment ahead !

Paul Sorry to hear of your reading slump. It sounds as if you live in MY world right now. It's a struggle some months to complete a single book . I hate when that happens. It'll gradually pick up pace again and you'll be reading again at regular speed . Sometimes life gets in the way, or maybe your brain just takes a rest break for a bit . I'm not sure, but it sounds as if all readers have those spells from time to time .

Ruth Wonderful review ! I haven't read the book myself , but I agree with you about the preachy religious talk throughout the book . That would make it quite a challenge to keep reading it ,but it sounds like it was rewarding to get through it and finish it . Good job !

Athena That does look like it would have been quite a bit project, getting your books all divided into proper shelves and categories. Nice job ,and lots of books there to get through . I'm sure you probably mentioned it before ,but I've got like 7 brain cells left, so I 'm sure I wouldn't be able to remember : Do you keep all your books once you read them, get rid of them ,or do you keep READ shelves that they all go on once finished . Or just mix them in with the unread ones ?

Kate I, too, am one of those who just couldn't get through Sound & the Fury . A little bit disjointed during the first character's telling, which I understand why .. still it seemed to tax my brain a bit too much . I WANT to like Faulkner. I really do. I think I could if I hit on the right book at the right time. I'll keep an eye on your reviews and let you test the waters a bit, then will ask you for the one that is easiest to get into . I KNOW I'll like him, it's just finding the right book to get a good start on . Also, I'd love to be a fly on the wall ,listening to you and Charlie, but only for a few minutes ! don't wanna be too nosey , I'd just enjoy hearing you guys' conversation for a few minutes !

Thank you kindly, Kate

Good Graces - Lesley Kagen 4/5 This story takes up where Whistling in the Dark left off . I think the author could have continued the first book and just added this onto the original book. There isn't any time that lapses between the two, telling the continued tales of the 2 O'Malley sisters as they live on the same street, but into a new and better situation than they were in the first . Some changes have occurred in their personal lives ,making them somewhat better, but the author still tends to try cramming too many unbelievable events into one summer on one small street . I think the story would have been better had she chosen to leave out a few subjects, since it's pretty hard to believe that MANY things would happen in a normal old neighborhood . So ,as in the first book, I will give the book a 4 on writing .It really is an easy book to get into , and you do want to keep reading to see what the outcome will be ,so it's not bad in any other way other than it's too much STUFF crammed into the story . On to the next...whatever it may be ......

It sounds as if we all are a little bit DAUNTED by the size of Suitable Boy. I bet I'll like it. So far, every book I've read that is set in India I've loved . It's a fascinating country . And I have no clue who the guy is with the overalls and booze. I was looking for some new avatars that were different and thought this guy looked INTERESTING . Could be because he's sampled some of the wares already

Kate & Alexi Yea , the book was interesting enough that I'd like to see where the characters go from the end of the first. The way it ended, it was all wrapped up , so it was surprising to find that the author decided to write a continuation of it . This second one starts with a pretty interesting beginning,so I guess there WAS another story left to tell . ** I though you guys were LOL'ing my latest Avatar .

Dtr It sounds like you have gotten to do lots of traveling. That's very lucky ! Can I ask what state you are from ?

I hope you soon feel better Devi !

Another great review of The Rosie Project . I'm definitely gonna have to give this one another try ! You are still chugging right along with your books ! great job

Whistling in the Dark - Lesley Kagen 4/5 Sally , a 10 year old girl ,tells the story of her family ,neighborhood ,and all that occurred that summer in the late 50's . She comes from a home with a lot of secrets ,and also a lot of problems. Her dad was killed in a car wreck and her mom gets remarried shortly afterwards to an abusive man . Their lives go from bad to worse when her mom ends up terribly ill in the hospital, while she is left home with her 2 sisters and "sometimes" step-dad ,when he feels like coming home . There's also been 2 girls ,close to her age who have been found murdered, so the neighborhood is much different that summer, everyone on guard ,worried about who took the girls and worried that it may happen again .Sally seems to have it figured out and tries to come up with a way to prove it . All in all, it was a good book as far as the writing and the way the story was told by the 10 year old . I guess I would have liked to have the author use more references to life in the 50's than she did, as it would have brought back more memories of my growing -up years . The author also seemed to have an agenda and wanted to take one neighborhood and one summer and put too many topics into one book . I think she could have eliminated some of those issues or saved them for another book . All in all, though, I liked the story, and it kept me guessing to the very end to see who the killer was . I'd read another one by the author, so it was good enough to say that . * Note Guess what folks ? There's another book that takes up where this one left off , called Good Graces ! I need to see what happens in the next part of the story, so I'm gonna go ahead and take the plunge and get the other one ,too . Gotta see where that author goes from here with the story !

Wow, Pixie You had some major reviews piled up there ,didn't you ? You've gotten tons of reading done . I'm so glad the flooding may be done now. That looks pretty dangerous !

Will so glad to hear you enjoyed Rosie so much. I also got it on my Kindle for 1.99 awhile back and started it once, but was't in the mood at the time, probably not for reading anything . Will try it again sometime, since you sounded so very impressed by it

Dtr I think you are doing fine on your reviews, so no worries there ! I have Solitary House and sorry to hear you didn't like it. I'll give it a try sometime . I may agree with you on it ,we'll wait and see. I have so many books waiting it's really hard top tell when I'll get to it ! Keep up the good work .

Pixie I guess we'll both have a treat coming with Night Watch then ! Claire You may have been the one who mentioned Suitable Boy awhile back. I remember some others mentioning it in here and how much they enjoyed it . I can certainly understand why you'd only need one book on a vacation when it's THIS huge ! It'd last a really long time .

Glad to hear that Chrissy . I remember a few others mentioning it too ,so I'm hoping it'll be enjoyable .

Well I finally gave in and ordered a paper copy of A Suitable Boy . It's been on my Wish List for a long time . I've been waiting for them to put in on Kindle, but so far ,no luck, although it is on Kindle on the UK site . Anyhow, I ordered a used copy ,in very nice shape . What a WHOPPER !!! Over 1400 pages . I liked the little" Ditty" the author wrote at the beginning ,as a word of thanks . Last 2 lines : Buy me before good sense insists You'll strain your purse and sprain your wrists . Pretty funny ! The book wasn't too much strain on the purse , being used ( 4 bucks ) , but the wrist part has yet to be seen ! I am so excited I finally got a copy !

Thanks for the recommendation, Ruth ! The Night Watch is one I don't have ,so will be on the lookout for it .I think I have another of hers. too. I'll definitely look it up on Amazon this morning .