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Kalidikeds

Kalidikeds

I am a self-declared book nut. I cannot not read. I have to have at least two or three books to read at any given time. While I seem to gravitate towards classics both contemporary and forced upon high schoolers, I don't limit myself to any one kind of book. I love non-fiction almost as much as I love fiction; my favorite books are those about... more »
  • MT
  • member since February 13 2007

Kalidikeds’s last login was Monday, March 16 2009.

Random books from my shelf

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • 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

    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 )
  • Garcon

    Garcon says

    Lies my teacher told me, was fun. I liked it very much ... but boy did that guy carry a grudge! Have a great day. D

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

    Scionisce says

    ye'm, book club, please. Oh, and I already started My Sister's Keeper! Is MySpace quicker for you?

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

    Blakesgal says

    Would you send me an invite to the book club already?!?!?!?!?!!?!!

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

    Garcon says

    No worries. Thank you for the note. Emotionally, Gracie is doing great this week, the combination of being two weeks out on a virus and old fashion summer time fever. We just came from the hospital and to our surprise her white cell count was too low for chemo treatment (this is the first time we missed a treatment. The last virus must have had a long tail. She'll bounce back soon. Dave

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

    Blakesgal says

    go for it! I am super excited! Let's start with a book about Henry VIII.

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

    Blakesgal says

    I like it, but I am more inclined to do it on here since we could all write our reviews of it...

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

    Blakesgal says

    So, here's what I am thinking -- why not start a group on here for our book club? That way we could all discuss via notes and things here! (It would make the distance thing almost a moot point!)

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

    Garcon says

    Hi, we have not emailed each other in a while. I'm just getting back into life again. My girl Gracie is sick with cancer and I've been out the loop ( caringbridge.org/visit/gracegaston ). Just trying to reestablish some routines and kick start my reading as both an escape and place to learn more about her condition. Hope all is well with your new family. Dave (Garcon)

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

    Scionisce says

    Hey- what is your opinion of Joyce Carol Oates (particularly her writing style)? Would you recommend her to me? I've just been getting a lot of suggestions from a few people to read her works. What do you think?

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

    Blakesgal says

    I just finished (ok, on Sunday) The Brief History of the Dead. Are you proud of me? I loved it! I can't believe what a great book it was. It was thought provoking and emotional and it went by too fast! I am going to have to read it again I am sure -- it was such a great read though that I just plowed right through it, almost without stopping. Great recommendation!!!!!

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

    Garcon says

    Interesting combination to read Worst Hard Time around the same time as The Omnivore's Dilemma. The books are linked somehow. I love it when two very different books dovetail together. Thanks for the note from a couple of days ago. Garcon

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

    Garcon says

    Great choices in your next up shelf. I gave The Worst Hard Time 3 stars, because in part, it was a little downer. How could it not be with a title like that. Since I read it, and sat on it, I moved it up a star. I think it is too important a story not to have read. It has such huge application to what we are doing with our land and how and why gov. subsites were originally created.

    I never read Sophie's choice either. Still on my list.

    What did you think of Suite Francaise. I'm on the fence about it.

    Dave (Garcon)

    Suite Francaise

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

    Jennifer says

    I am putting up my books now! Yay new internet, yay!

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

    Garcon says

    Hi Shelfarians,

    OK, I'm trying to take full advantage of the new features on Shelfari and in the process... take full advantage of my Shelfarian friends. I'm also trying to make good on my new year's resolution to prescreen potential "dog" books (i.e. terrible, stolen time, poorly written, trash).

    If you'd care to help a friend (me), I'd like to invite you to take a look at my "WISH LIST" shelf and based on your experience (if you have read them), suggest a few deletes or better substitutes.

    And by the way, I'll be happy to exchange the favor. Thanks in advance for your help and Happy New Year.

    Best, Dave

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Surafel T

    Surafel T says

    you know what? i really find you interesting. truthfully speaking you perfectly fit to my kind of woman
    you really are breathtakingly beautiful, you like books that means you have a mind so blessed with many wits, and from this two things i can say that you have a pure soul and a kind heart. please let me know you more and share many inspiring things about life.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • kumarpradeep1000

    kumarpradeep1000 says

    hi,

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • ahmadreza k

    ahmadreza k says

    hi.how are you doing?

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Regal Z

    Regal Z says

    how are you ~~~
    This is Regal from China.
    MSN: regal688@hotmail.com
    Yahoo ID: regal86@yahoo.cn
    Skype: regal688

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )