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irishreader

irishreader

I especially love to read Oprah's Book Club picks and Pulitzer Prize winners, and some of the subjects I love are travel, Feminism, Holocaust lit, the Classics, politics, biographies, and history. I love to talk to others about books and I'm here to make friends!
  • Rocklin, Ca
  • member since August 15 2007

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Public Notes

  • Deirdre M

    Deirdre M says

    I was looking at your shelf a few months ago and decided to read Jen Lancaster's "Bitter is the New Black"... I LOVED it (it was semi-therapeutic because I was unemployed at the time..ha ha). I just read Pretty in Plaid, and I'm onto the rest of her series! Thanks, cousin! :-)

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    Nope. I own an advertising agency. We clients are all retail based in one form or another. HP was a lot of fun. I got over with the 3rd book and did not swallow the entire series. I listened to one of the books... forget which one... but the reader was incredible, he has done the performance for the entire series. Try it, one of the strongest examples of how audio can take a book to the next level.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    I gifted Glass Castle to 5-6 people at my shop after reading it two years ago. It became our favorite bench. Twilight... can't go there... I know, I know... a bit of snob thing. I did pitch an ad campaign around a rip off of the cover however... so I'm not that above it! Have a great day. D

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    I just scanned your "to read" shelf. Here are my thoughts.

    Winners

    All the Pretty Horses --- Classic, coming of age story. His best book.

    3 Cups of Tea --- I let this sit around for a year and half... becuase I did not like the title. I'm glad I finally picked it up, a fantastic travel story and a testament to what one man can accomplish

    Zippy
    When you read a long soggy, bad book, read this one next. You will be charmed by her southern dialog and her story telling. Wonderful book that you can breeze through.

    Shipping News
    I loved it, but wait until Feb. when it is really, really cold out. The book is short, but her writing style is rich and dense, a slow build that will be wonderful company with a fire.

    Looking for Alaska
    I listened to it and enjoyed it very much. The interviews and stories seem to fit the format. He is a very good story teller and you can set the book down for a month and pick-up with the next new adventure.

    Looser

    A People's History
    Too heady and too angry for me. I'm liberal, but this guy is way, way left.

    Water for Elephants
    Just bad "C" level story writing. Way too predictable.

    Public Enemy
    Sucked, sucked, sucked. And I live in Chicago! I'm sure there is a better gangster book, but none come to mind.

    Life of Pi
    Read it if you dare, but he takes off on some flights of fancy and confused the heck out of me. Martel also entertained me with a very fresh approach and good writing and insight in human behavior. My rec., if you want the best of this author, start with a 1 in a million short story by Martel called Discordant Violin... just a fantastic story. Search for it on Amazon, I forget the name of the collection of short stories... but man was this one worth it. And hey, your a busy grad girl, short stories might be all you can fit into your gig.

    Cheers! Dave

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    All good on my end. We're doing a Cancer walk for Gracie in a couple of weeks and it turns out to be good family therapy for all of us, to get behind something. Congrats on the B, I hated C's, anything above... but please not another C! Have a great start to your week. Dave

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    Good luck with your first day of Grad School! Dave

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • cagrowngirl

    cagrowngirl says

    Yes, it is...I was experimenting in the front yard...today it has three rows of daffodils. Which put a smile on my face. :)

    Irishreader you live in Rocklin...I was in No Cal right after the rains. I actually celebrated my birthday with cupcakes from Icing on Cupcakes ...it's in Rocklin. They are really good. A lot of frosting but very moist!!

    posted 9 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Sagecoveredhills

    Sagecoveredhills says

    I haven't read those books--the books I've read on investing would be more conservative and more focused on institutional investments. I've been reading David Swensen's stuff--he's the head of the Yale Endowment, which has a pretty good track record. He's just updated (it came out last month) his classic, "Pioneer Portfolio Management" I'll be interested to see if there was any last minute pieces of advice added in the fall when the markets were falling. I reviewed his book, "Unconventional Success" back in November.

    posted 10 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Sagecoveredhills

    Sagecoveredhills says

    I'm curious about you're rich dad books... would the author give the same advice after the fall of 2008? And would his advice had prepared for drops of value in stocks, real estate and bond yields?

    posted 10 months ago. ( send a note )
  • alwaysange

    alwaysange says

    Well it certainly sounds like we have our work cut out for us in reading all the good books we got for Christmas! For me, receiving a book from my wish list is about one of the best gifts I can ask for. It's deeply personalized and I know that it will provide hours of enjoyment and hopefully leave a lasting imprint on my mind.

    Yes, I believe you'll love The Hour I First Believed. I think it might actually be my favorite Wally Lamb book. I also had read the other two and always anticipated his next published work. It's still new, but worth the hardcover price if you can splurge.

    What did you think of Yellowstone? I always feel very surreal and "out of this world" when I am there and have to remind myself that this sleeping giant practically slumbers in my backyard. Montana is a beautiful state. I happen to be quite biased since I live here, but I just finished reading John Steinbeck's book Travels with Charley and he drove from coast to coast and back again and declared Montana his favorite state. It's a rustic charm. The sky has never looked better than from here. But alas, I would give it all up to follow my dreams and live in a land of more culture.

    I'm not really familiar with Rocklin, CA. Where is it situated geographically speaking? I have traveled through most of SoCal...very different. I am not a fan of the L.A. metro area (pollution, traffic, overratedness, etc.) but San Diego seemed a bit more welcoming. I loved the palm trees and the greenery though. I'd love to see the northern part of the state.

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • alwaysange

    alwaysange says

    Thanks for the review...I will definitely be curious to read that one. I just finished The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. It's a story about life after tragedy hits and the faith that evolves in the process of losing all that matters most. I stayed up late to finish. And yes, I got plenty of new books for Christmas...too many to list! How about yourself?

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • alwaysange

    alwaysange says

    What did you think of The Blind Assassin? I have had it on my "To Be Read" stack for years now and I keep skipping over it. I've been wondering about it. One of these days there will be enough time for all the good books of the world.

    posted 11 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    2008 Gastoni Award Winners
    By Dave Gaston

    4-5 Stars
    China Road / Rob Gifford
    Dual, The / John Lukacs
    Evolution / Jean-Baptiste De Panafieu
    Long Walk, The / Slavomir Rawicz
    Man Who Loved China / S.Winchester
    Only Yesterday / Fred Allen
    Peace Like A River / Leif Enger

    5 Star Audio Books
    Beatles, The / Bob Spitz
    Kill A Mockingbird, To / Harper Lee
    Outliners / Malcom Gladwell
    Reaching For Glory / Michael Beshloss
    Taking Charge / Michael Beshloss

    3+ Stars
    21; Burning Down House / B Mezrich
    Book Thief, The / Markus Zusak
    Beautiful Mind, A / Sylvia Nascar
    Consider The Lobster / David Wallace
    Living Great Lakes / Jerry Dennis
    Looking for Alaska / P Jenkens
    New World Coming / Nathan Miller
    Three Cups of Tea / Greg Mortenson
    When Engulfed Flames / D. Sedaris
    Your Inner Fish / Neil Shubin

    What does it take to win a Gastoni?
    Well, for starters, you better write a book on a topic I love. Next, your writing style has to be exquisite (to the point of awe and envy). Finally, your story telling has to be transporting. To sum it up, I quote Somerset:

    “When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.”

    On a more personal note, the time I spent reading and listening to books this year was pure escapism. It felt like I spent most of it in a hospital waiting room (which is not true). When I’d start obsessing about my girl Gracie’s cancer I’d crack a book and ride it hard to block the worst of my fears. At night, when I needed to find a path to sleep, I’d take the easy road and escape down a story line. A good book is a gift.

    Our family has so much to be thankful for this year. For starters, Carrie and I have our girl back! She now has about an inch of fine blond hair sticking straight out of her 5 year old head. At school they call her Q-tip. Her teachers call her Q-T-tip. I’ll post a couple holiday pictures of the family up on her website: caringbridge.org/visit/gracegaston

    Your friendship is counted among my many blessings. Merry Christmas to you and your family, My best for the New Year, Dave

    posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    No worries. I gave "I Thought My Father..." to several non readers on my list 3-4 years ago. Matching favorite stories with their personalities. Terrific little collection of stories. Two come to mind; a quirky story of a chicken that goes home and pecks on the front door to be let in, and a war story about a poker game and some how he ends up outside of the tent when a bomb hits it. What were your favorites? Good luck with Grad School What subject? And Happy Holidays. In answer to your question Gracie is doing great. She is back in school a month after her last Chemo. We're now in a every 3 mo. scan and review rotation that will be ongoing until she 10. It appears that we beat the odds on stage 4 cancer... knock on wood. I'll do a complete update on her blog for the holidays www.caringbridge.org/visit/gracegaston

    posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    Regarding book maintenance. Heavens no, not all the books totaled on my shelf are ones that I have read. Here is how I use the shelves.

    Plan: Books that I have purchased and are on my night stand

    I'm reading: Just that (usually 3 at different stages)

    I've read: Past and present. The past books as I recall them (and if they are significant) I'll add them but I will not review them, everything I've read in the last 3 years I write a review (good habit). If I ditch a book, I don't add it.

    Fav: All 3+ to 5 star books that I have read

    Own: Empty box. O own most of my 3+ to 5 star books. Everything else I give away. I won't put a bad book on my shelves at home. A: I don't have the space. B: I think the collection is a reflection on me.

    Wish: Books I have not bought but are considering. One time I tried rating these so I could remember which ones I wanted to buy next (i.e. 5 stars means I've read all the reviews I need and I'll buy this book next. But, Shelfari started advertising my rating of books on my wish list, as in, Dave Gaston has rated 10 books! So, I stopped the process.

    I have no idea what my grand total of books is or means. If it is all my shelves combined, I have some serious duplication. The only numbers that I really care about are: how many books each month? What is my win ratio vs dogs? How many I drop while in pursuit? And of course how many total books each year? I'm more than a little anal about the entire process. I read 50 books a year and strive to keep the winners above 50% and my drops below 15%. I'll research reviews before I take the next one on.

    So now you know my secrets. It is a snow day in Chicago. We're suppose to have 5 inches by 5p.

    posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    Thanks for the compliment. I took a peak at your favorites and we have a ton in common. The only ones not on my list are the chic books ;-). I'm still tempted. Please tell me which one of your favorites (even if it is chick lit) are guy worthy.

    On another note, you specifically mentioned Holocaust lit but I did not see The Reader on your list. I read it years ago and loved it for some very personal reasons (the relationship reminds me of one that I had when I was a bit younger). I'd be interested if you felt that the book has merit on it's own. I know they are making a movie of it... so someone loved it. Last year one of the finest books I read also fit into the category called "The Book Thief." This one I am curtain you will treasure.

    I normally send out a list of my favorite 08 books in Jan. Here is an early posting. Send me your best of list when you get the time. And enjoy the holiday.

    08 Gastoni Award Winners


    4-5 Stars (13)
    Only Yesterday / Fred Allen 1/24 ****
    Beautiful Mind, A / Sylvia Nascar ****
    Your Inner Fish / Neil Shubin ****
    Evolution / Jean-Baptiste De Panafieu****
    Kill A Mockingbird, To / Harper Lee ****
    Man Who Loved China / S.Winchester ****
    China Road / Rob Gifford ****
    The Beatles / Bob Spitz ****
    Peace Like A River / Leif Enger ****
    The Long Walk / Slavomir Rawicz *****
    The Dual / John Lukacs ****
    Taking Charge / Michael Beshloss
    Reaching For Glory / Michael Beshloss


    3 Star *** (11)
    Looking for Alaska / P Jenkens ***
    21; Burning Down House / B Mezrich ***
    Three Cups of Tea / Greg Mortenson ***
    The Book Thief / Markus Zusak ***
    The Living Great Lakes ***
    New World Coming / Nathan Miller ***
    Consider The Lobster / David Wallace ***
    When You’re Engulfed Flames / D. Sedaris
    God Says “Ha!” / Sweeny
    Slaughter House Five / Kurt Vonnegut
    Living Great Lakes, The / Jerry Dennis ***

    posted 12 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    Tiz the Season. I imagine, like me, you give books. My holiday list keeps getting longer and my holiday budget keeps getting smaller. What's a guy to do? Answer: Ask his stellar and sturdy Shelfarians where they place their orders. I order the majority of my books (for my own consumption) via Amazon Used... but I'm not going to gift a used book (tacky, tacky). So, have you found a place that would offer a deep discount for a volume buy? I'd appreciate you passing on the tip. Thanks, Merry Merry, Dave

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • alwaysange

    alwaysange says

    I'm still reading Edgar Sawtelle too. It's slow going. I am not quite even halfway through. I hope it picks up. It's not bad...the writing is decent, but I wish the pace was more upbeat. How are you coming along with it?

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Rachel K

    Rachel K says

    Thanks for the add request! Your shelf is awesome! I've seen at least 10 I want to add to my "to read" list.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )


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