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monorailrob

monorailrob

The books on my shelf do not include those owned by any of my former or current wives & girlfriends (This added only because so many female Shelfarians seem to mention excluding books on their husbands' / boyfriends' bookshelves -- I'm guessing it's an indirect attempt to discourage unsolicited attention from male bookworms.).

No matter... more »
  • MD, USA
  • member since October 11 2006

Public Notes

 
  • sthurner

    sthurner says

    Happy Holidays! May the new year bring you happiness and lots of good things to read.

    Sherry in WI

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

    Garcon says

    Did you like The Gift of Fear. You are the only shelfarian friend who has read it. Dave (Garcon)

    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 )
  • sthurner

    sthurner says

    Happy New Year, Bob. I hope the New Year brings you health, happiness and a shopping bag full of good books.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • sthurner

    sthurner says

    Hey there Bob. I also just finished the Bryson Thunderbolt Kid book. While I enjoyed it, I didn't like it as much as his others. There seemed to be a nasty undercurrent to it somehow. It seemed like he judged lots of peole pretty harshly - teachers, other kids. I was curious how you reacted.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • sthurner

    sthurner says

    Bob, you changed your picture!

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Robin636

    Robin636 says

    are you a polygamist? if so you might wanna change the mono to plural...robin636

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Nonna

    Nonna says

    Rob,
    You are a sweetheart! Thank you for helping me.
    Nonna

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Nonna

    Nonna says

    OK - How do I get more books on my 10 Top List?
    Help me please. Thanks.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • sthurner

    sthurner says

    Bob, I'll be curious to hear what you think of Life of Pi and The Time Travelr's Wife. Both were neighborhood book group reads for me.

    Sherry in WI

    posted 3 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Ayla

    Ayla says

    Just curious about the origin of your username... are you a Simpson's fan by any chance? What are you currently reading?

    posted 3 years ago. ( send a note )