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Ken F

Ken F

has 16 followers and is following 12 people

I love a well written horror novel with a lot of "scares". But I'm also perfectly content to read literary fiction. Some of my favorite authors are Dan Simmons, Stephen King, Wallace Stegner, Tim Winton, Dennis LeHane and Bentley Little. The Magic Closet where I keep most of my books is overflowing, but I still buy more books. Can never get... more »
  • Mukwonago, WI, USA
  • member since December 11, 2008

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Ken F’s last login was Thursday, February 3, 2011.

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Public Notes

  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    thanks, Ken, I was upset about this my self. I also have a goodReads account.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Happy New Year !
    Have you heard of Mick Stone ? I just started reading MR. CLARINET by him, so far it's really well written.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Hey Ken, hows things ? gettin cold yet ?

    The Disappearance is much better then his book, just about done, next on my list is A Gathering of Crows by Brian Keene.
    Plan to read Full Dark No Stars ,heard nothing but good thingd so far. let me know how you like the Taylor book....

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Susan G

    Susan G says

    Hey Dogg!! Thanks for dropping me a line. I'm sorry to say that I won't be at the Rep Night because I am having a conjugal visit in Kansas. And a dog visit since that is where the doggies now reside. But yes, you are are correct: happily back in Wisconsin in a teeny tiny apartment so that H can finish school where she is comfortable and doing a pretty good job of it. Which is quite a trial for Mark and I, but definitely not the worst thing we have faced in 10+ years of marriage. Luckily he loves his job. Yes, I loved FREEDOM, but I did vacillate between 4 and 5 stars. I didn't think the last third was perfect, but Dave talked me into it with his infallible sense of logic. I've found that people either love or hate it -- not a lot of in-betweenies. Right not I'm finishing of the Potters so I won't ruin the experience by seeing the movie first. They are phenomenal, and I'll just lay my cards out right now: five stars and I'm not even done!! Our reading group is doing TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD in January. You should come!! They would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see you -- Jerri, Nick, etc. The group has somehow managed to continue.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Saw it on Amazon the other day, I'm sure I'll pick it up at some point, lately I've been reading a lot of Harlen Coben,his writing is really intense.
    Have a great day... GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Let me know how you like Lehane's DRINK BEFORE THE WAR, I have really enjoyed everything I have read by him.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Hey, good to from you, Don't know the novel ,think I'll take a look.

    Thanks for the tip,

    Robert

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Judy J

    Judy J says

    Hi Ken,

    I've been thinking a lot about June Cleaver's breakfasts. I will have to watch for that. The boys must have had heart issues to deal with as they hit middle age. Also, I don't think Opie and Beaver would have gotten along. Just compare Opie's friends to Beaver's crowd. Not the same cliques at all.

    I am reading LITTLE BIRD OF HEAVEN by Joyce Carol Oates right now. She is one of my favorites.

    Judy

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Judy J

    Judy J says

    Hi Ken,

    Let me know what you think of the Harding book. I always get the Pulitzer book each year, with varying degrees of satisfaction (from "I adore this!" to "Who are this year's judges?!?). Richard Russo's new book is in paperback so I am enjoying myself in the air conditioning this weekend. It's a little bittersweet in that he was an author both my dad and I loved. We'd take turns buying and exchanging his books. I had this one in hard cover in my hands in January to buy for Dad but put it back until the paperback came out. Shouda, woulda, coulda!

    Our weather has been brutal too. We took a quick trip to Fond du Lac (believe it or not, I am still in a book club there and go back every 6 weeks for our meetings and food -- read THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and everyone loved it, which doesn't happen all the time). I watered my flowers Wednesday morning and by the time I got back last night, they were close to death and that was with torrential rains on Wednesday night. I was able to revive them.

    I am a sucker for the Brontes and Jane Austen. 40th class reunion!! You are bolder than I. Mine was a couple of years ago but couldn't get up the nerve. Although I had such a surprise at my dad's memorial service. My old best friend from high school and college saw his obituary and showed up at the service. It was so touching and now we are back in e-mail communication after many, many years. Life is funny but new computer software is not!! My last years of teaching, I dreaded notices from the tech department of new things to learn.

    Stay cool. Enjoy your reunion.
    Sister Judy

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Lori A

    Lori A says

    Ken,
    Thanks for the review. I'm usually more into paranormal romance but might give this one a shot anyway!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Macaela W

    Macaela W says

    I've updated my shelf, to tell me how many books I read last year and this year. Apparently, I'm behind my pace. It was quite fun, doing that. I went through some more books tonight.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Susan G

    Susan G says

    OK that's it! I'm going to read Lightning Thief this spring if it kills me!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Susan G

    Susan G says

    Hey Dogg!

    My dog Jack has pneumonia and had to go to the emergency vet this weekend. He was really struggling. Now he is home, and since he can't run, jump, play or be around other dogs, I have to be home from work to take care of him. I'm wondering if this is going to get me fired. I have become a dog nurse. It's like a slow spiral down for the Gushos.

    I'm glad to hear that about MAJOR PETTIGREW. It's the Indie Next cover for March, as I'm sure you know, and the guy who wrote the rec is from the only indie bookstore in Wichita, Kansas. I've noticed that guy has a rec in every other Indie Next flier. He must be like a rock star bookseller.

    Great news for you guys on Jodie. Where are you holding the event? Don't you love those events where you have to punt because of some uncontrollable factor? Like when we had the GUERNSEY lady -- her plane was delayed and people had to wait extra and she came directly from the airport. Most people are understanding, but there are always those few.

    I finished reading SECRET SCRIPTURE for my book group, even though I didn't attend the actual group. Didn't much care for it. Things wrapped up too nicely at the end, and also I felt claustrophobic reading it since there was so much interior monologue. Next month we're on to THANK YOU FOR ALL THINGS. Do you know how I can best contact Sandra K.? I was thinking I would send an email around to our group soliciting questions that she would be able to answer via email. Just an idea. Do you think she would be receptive to something like this?

    Okay, gotta go, b/c Jack is coughing and it sounds so awfully harsh it is practically making my heart stop. I have to go pet him and calm him down -- that's what a dog nurse does.

    Enjoy the break from winter!

    S.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Susan G

    Susan G says

    I keep stealing off to secluded corners to read more of THE LONELY POLYGAMIST. I wish I could do nothing but read for an entire day. It's great -- very entertaining and pathetic and funny and moving, all at once. In a way, it reminds me of a hip John Irving in that there are lots and lots of secondary characters and a plot that twists through all of them. The pages are flying by. But today I absolutely must start THE SECRET SCRIPTURE for reading group next Wednesday. No more polygamist today, no matter what.

    I'm glad to hear you like SO COLD THE RIVER. I have that one also and would be reading it next, except that Lanora assigned me some galleys -- stuff I've never heard of that comes out this summer. Check out the author photo. That guy looks about 21, even though he is more like 24 or 25. And I think he has about 4 books or so under his belt.

    The esteemed NYT critic Michiko Kakutani called UNION ATLANTIC "flabby and disappointing" which sounds more like something I'd think catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. UA certainly has gotten good buzz, and I was under the impression that it was getting pretty good reviews. But, as Anne LaMotte says, "Michiko, oh Michiko, you make us all so Twitch-i-ko." Every so often I think she just gets into the mood to write a vicious slam review, no matter the book.

    Valentine's Day is an overrated holiday. Mark was here but we spent our time cleaning the basement in preparation for putting our house on the market (end of March). He leaves today to go back to Wichita, and it will be back to the daily grind of taking care of the kids, the house, the dogs, etc. I sure hope the garbage men take the pile of trash that includes things like the toddler potty chair and a 1950's era folding card table, as well as old notebooks from high school complete with adolescent marginalia. I found a paper I wrote in 8th grade in which I interviewed a WWI vet. So interesting -- he was talking about no man's land and monkey meat. The teacher wrote on it: "This is the best paper I've ever read." Good thing I used and developed all that shining talent.

    I hope you are finding ways to enjoy the days this incredibly bleary time of year. From now until about the end of March always seems so dull. Maybe that's my depression speaking -- it's a good time of year for depression!

    If you'd like to watch the Oscars at my house, I'd love to have you over! I plan to eat popcorn and one of those delicious chocolate oranges, ignore the dogs, and generally make a Fat Tuesday kind of evening out of it. Or if you'd prefer to catch a movie, I am generally free on Sundays and hardly ever get out any more. It would be a joy to see you in person.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Susan G

    Susan G says

    Well, I don't really know who was in charge with the mgmt all gone for WI 5. I guess we all sort of rowed the boat together. Martin is kind of my go-to guy. He's extremely knowledgable (used to manage a B&N in Racine) and he has that charming British accent. You would like him, I just know it. You have to listen very closely to catch the witty things he says, and I'm sure I only catch about 50%. For instance, he said he didn't want to read the new Lesley K. and if he had to write a rec it would say, "Written by someone whose name rhymes with the bad guy in Oliver Twist!" We're all glad they're back from CA though. They said it was as much work as fun, very educational but long days. Dave got me a galley of THE LONELY POLYGAMIST which I am eager to read (much buzz), along with wanting to get at HORNS on the top of Mt. To Be Read. I am less eager to read my book group pick this month which is THE SECRET SCRIPTURE, but who knows, maybe it'll turn out to be fantastic.

    Did you hear about the big NYT ad for CHECKLIST MANIFESTO which proclaimed: "Available at bookstores everywhere except for Amazon"?

    The new LK isn't my cup of tea. It's okay, but I don't feel like the voice of the plucky, precocious 12 year old sounds right. And I felt the characters were just a bit 2-dimensional, although I have about 70 pages left, so I can't say that for sure. A lot can happen in 70 pages! The release party for the book is at our shop, so it's all hands on deck (and all readers to the galley).

    I noticed THE POSTMISTRESS got an A- from Entertainment Weekly this week and also got the big 1st page review. They put it in a category with GUERNSEY, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, and most notably THE HELP. But you probably know this already.

    Do you think we'll get a snow day tomorrow? The kids are hoping so, but our school district never calls off school for snow days. At least I don't have to make the commute tomorrow. Just physical therapy for my bum knee.

    I'm curious to see what you'll think of SECRETS OF EDEN. Good title, good cover. I've never read Bojalian, I'm ashamed to say. Maybe this will be the one.

    Okay, off to walk the doggies. It's dark in the park and creepy, but I have to do it or they'll be climbing the walls. Yesterday they ate a pair of my reading glasses. The previous week, one of them chewed up my cell phone. It's my own fault for leaving this stuff in places where they can jump up and grab it with their naughty, naughty dog mouths. Sigh.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Ken,
    Found the web site and signed up for the news letter, after the superbowl I will get a chance to look around.

    Thanks,
    Robert

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Ken,
    Does your book store have a web site ?
    I'm always looking for new sources for books,I also looked at HORNS seems pretty far out there, let me know what you think.

    Enjoy the snow...take care,
    Robert

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Robert N

    Robert N says

    Ken, I sent you a recommendation for MR SHIVERS but see you have on your list, what do think so far ?

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Karen K - Ohio

    Karen K - Ohio says

    Thank you so much for the recommendation to read “Mudbound”! I just finished listening to it on CD. Each character was read by a different actor which really enhanced the story. I never would have found this wonderful book without your kind note. Thanks again.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Susan G

    Susan G says

    Yes, I saw your review of the Goolrick memoir. I didn't even know he wrote one! Some bookseller I am. The event went really well. I think we sold about 31 and had about twice that many people -- so successful overall, I'd say. People tell me he was very personable and approachable and all those qualities that don't remind us of some other best selling au-thas. I want to read RELIABLE WIFE but Lanora has asked me to read the upcoming Leslie Kagan so I'm forced to read that at the moment. I've never read anything by LK before, so I certainly can't pre-judge. What I really want to read right now is the galley I have for the upcoming Joe Hill called HORNS. Dave read it and found it most entertaining. Also, I saw your review of WENCH and curse the fact that I didn't grab the finished copy in our back room when I spotted it. Next week all the higher-ups are going to that Book Institute in San Diego. Did you watch the SAG awards? I was happy to see that Kevin Bacon won for TAKING CHANCE which I elevated topwards on the queue. I remember you really liked that one. Personally, I wanted HURT LOCKER to win for best pic but I didn't see the others yet. Mark is coming home this weekend (hooray! conjugal visit!) and we will see AVATAR but even Hannah said the storyline is quite weak. We have INGLORIOUS BASTARDS on the queue and JULIE & JULIA coming up. My goodness, I'm supposed to be talking books here, aren't I? I just got back from obedience class with Jack whom the instructor called a "soft dog". By the end of the class Jack is yawning with stress and just wants to leave. Truth be told, so am I!! Stay warm, Ken and enjoy your book and perhaps some hot cocoa with marshmallows.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

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