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Boots S

Boots S

has 13 followers and is following 13 people

"For where can one find more noble distraction, more entertaining company, more delightful enchantment than in literature" (from The Elegance of the Hedgehog)
  • near Phila., PA, USA
  • member since November 24, 2008

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Boots S’s last login was 22 hours ago. show recent activity »

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Public Notes

  • Andrea B

    Andrea B says

    Hi

    I did enjoy Bad Boy, it's got quite the pacing! I just started Wolf Hall, it is set in the Tudor times and it's really well written, it's told from the point of view of Thomas Cromwell. I've been reading a lot of historical fiction lately!

    Have you seen there is a new Elizabeth George novel out? It's in hardcover and I believe the title is Body of Lies. Can't wait to read it, but I think I'll wait until it comes out in hardcover. So exciting!

    I haven't seen or read The Postman Always Rings Twice, but I've heard of it, maybe this is the one instance when the movie is better than the book? I like going to the movies, I went to see Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy as I haven't read the book and the movie got good reviews. It has quite the cast. I haven't seen Iron Lady, but I'd like to as well. Meryl Streep is so talented, I saw her in Julie and Julia, the movie about the blogger who makes everything from Julia Child's cookbook. Meryl Streep WAS Julia Child, it was quite the amazing performance, even though the movie was forgettable itself, she wasn't.

    We just had a fair amount of snow this weekend, it started on Friday and then continued Saturday morning. It was fairly cold, and it looked rather nice, but now we're hovering around zero and it's starting to melt. What a non-winter. I supposed we can't really complain, but this really isn't normal. Hopefully it doesn't mean we have cold wet summer!

    Happy reading!

    posted yesterday. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Dear Boots,
    3 inches of snow sounds like a dream! We've had so much snow lately that it is quite dangerous. Many people have died in Northern Japan from the snow. Many were from car accidents, but many were from falling off roofs trying to take the snow off them. I found you a link to a Japanese newspaper's site http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120202a7.html
    There isn't a lot of info there, but there are a couple of pictures there.

    Hopefully by now you'll have been able to get started The Postmistress. How is it? I know nothing about it.

    I'm sad to hear that Smokin' Seventeen isn't so great. I have always loved Janet Evanovich's writing and usually her books will take me out of a slump if I'm not in the mood to read.

    Yes, I've read a bit about the US elections. We get some of the news shows from the US and they are always talking about the US elections. I'm not sure who I would vote for if I lived there.

    I liked Alice in Wonderland and have read it a few times. The recent Tim Burton movie was horrible and did not follow the book at all...it was supposedly based on Through the Looking Glass, but wasn't good.

    Yes, throw or Afghan. I'm not sure what the difference is really. I'm doing a three colour rippled afghan for our couch. It's going quite well, although I probably won't be able to finish this winter. I've been taking myself off the computer for an hour each weeknight while I watch a TV program and crochet. I find it very relaxing. I do knit, but I prefer crochet!

    Still reading the same old books, but I just received a couple of books for my birthday that I might slip into the reading line up! I'm trying to read a couple of pages of one of the books I haven't finished in forever every night before bed. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it sometime this century!

    I should run. I'll talk to you later,
    Helen

    PS...I'll be having a few out of town trips over the next few weekends...so I may take even longer than usual to answer mails. I apologise in advance.

    posted 9 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Foggynights

    Foggynights says

    Hello...
    Well, it's almost midnight and I'm wide awake. I tried going to bed over an hour ago and I guess it is just going to be one of those restless nights. So, I thought I would try and boot up this ole computer and maybe, just maybe, it will run with less interference since it is not prime time.

    The news of the cruise ship was just terrible. I've never been on a cruise and there are none planned for the future as it is something that has never interested me. I really feel sorry for all those who lost family members. What is really ironic is that they were either showing "The Titanic" movie or playing the theme song when this tragedy took place. When I heard this on the news it just gave me chills.

    I finally finished 11/22/63 by Stephen King and really enjoyed it. I'm still not reading much at home..just burned myself out last year and can't seem to get back in the groove.

    My friend will be bringing her baby home soon. He recently tipped the scales at a little over 5 pounds. She and her boyfriend have been taking all kinds of classes which are required before he can be released to their care. She put in a request for a leave of three months which has been granted but if they would do a sweep at work regarding jobs, she would be one of the first eliminated. A little scary since her boyfriend, who moved here in November, has a job which is commission only. I see a lot of challenges in their future.

    It snowed like crazy here today but most of it is already melted. It is a tad on the chilly side. I can't seem to get the temp in here just where I want it. I'm either too hot or too cold.

    Think I will try and hit the sack one more time. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and enjoy the new week.

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Dear Boots,
    It has been a while again. My apologies. I wish I could say that I have been reading up a storm, but unfortunately, I can't. I have read a couple of children's books, that I bookmooched , and thoroughly enjoyed them. One I had read before, Miss Happiness and Miss Flower, was one of the childhood influences that probably caused me to come to Japan!

    I don't think I have read The Postman Always Rings Twice, and now I probably won't! A lukewarm review from you and your group.

    We have had about 3 days now of no snow, and warmer temperatures and it has been lovely. I walked to the local post office today and enjoyed being out and about. The roads are icy, but it is so nice not to be frozen on the way there.

    I am still reading Box Social, along with 1000 years of Annoying the French and the book about life in Japan! I have also started crocheting a throw for my couch, so I have lots of ways to fill my free time. There is also work!

    I hope that you are doing well. Please let me know how your next book is!

    Helen

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Foggynights

    Foggynights says

    Happy New Year!

    First time I've been on here since 2011. I hope your holiday went well.

    This is my first full week of work since early holidays and I'm not liking it one little bit. I would just like to roll up and take a little nap right about now.

    We've had an easy winter so far but a storm is coming tonight. Right now it is 47 but the temps are due to drop and three inches of snow might fall. Tomorrow will be cold, breezy and perhaps five more inches. We were wondering when it was going so here it comes.

    Work is super busy and meetings abound. Still working on the Stephen King book and I'm a little more than half finished. It's really good and a lot of thought went into it.

    Take care and hope all is going well.

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Kristel

    Kristel says

    Welcome to 1001 BOOKS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE!
    There is a general explanation of the group and some answers to FAQ under the discussion thread GROUP GUIDELINES. The past BOTM can be found pinned to the top for 2011, 2010 and 2009 if you want to search discussions you can join in anytime.
    Our January 2012 BOTMs are
    1. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
    2. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
    3. Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
    The discussion threads are pinned to the top. Won’t you join us for one or all of these group reads.
    We are reading Don Quixote by Cervantes as a seasonal read for January, February and March.

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Andrea B

    Andrea B says

    Happy New Year!

    I know how you feel lugging all the decorations out. I hate lugging all the stuff up from the locker downstairs. I try and do it bit by bit and it works out better that way. I think I'll take my tree down this week, even though I like to just put the lights on look at it, I'm getting a bit tired of it. Time to put it away.

    I'm reading one of the new Peter Robinson books, with Inspector Banks, it's called Bad Boy and it's quite fast paced and a thriller. His daughter is taken hostage after a guy she is attracted to stole a gun and shot someone with it. I'm almost finished it. I've always liked him and I want to get into the new Ian Rankin book, I really did like The Complaints.

    Hope Chistmas was good and your hosting went well. It's always a bit stressful, isn't it?

    Cheers!

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Dear Boots,
    Glad to hear about your Christmas! We also had a quiet but nice time. I cooked a little and we exchanged presents, it was all very nice. I didn't get any books for Christmas, but I am fine with that. It is tough for people to get books that I like or haven't read!

    We had quite warm weather too. Now it is snowing and blowing, but Christmas was nice, as was New Years Day.

    We went to Sendai, across the country for New Years Day and spent a couple of days there. I did a little book shopping. It didn't cost much as I redeemed some points on a point card that I have from the store. I got 5000 yen worth of books so I am happy. Now to start reading them!

    How is The Postman Always Rings Twice? I've seen bits of the movies, but don't think I've seen the whole thing. I may have read the Reader's Digest version at one time though.

    I now have another book on the go, so I think I'm reading 3 now! I grabbed an old copy of W.P. Kinsella's Box Social. He wrote Shoeless Joe, the basis for Field of Dreams. Box Social is set in the part of Canada that I am from, and it name checks a lot of places that I know and have been. He even had a character go to my college...a small private one that no-one knows! What I've read is quite funny, but I really need some time to read and get into the novel again.

    Well, I should run. I hope you had a good New Year and I also hope that 2012 is a great year filled with good books for you!

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Jordyn Di-Anne

    Jordyn Di-Anne says

    Hey you! Sorry it's been so long since I messaged you. I hope you guys have recovered from the disasters that hit you in the summertime. I can't even imagine how scary it would be to feel an earth quake, especially when you don't normally get them.
    That is no good about your basement too, it would all ready be hard without power and water, nevermind flooding your basement too.
    We are the opposite here, we have not had a visit from mother nature in so long it looks like we will be having a brown Christmas. I have been very busy and stressed out with all the Xmas shopping, and all the places I have to go and people to see. I really like Xmas, but it stresses me out. I am lucky that my work is shut down all next week so I have 9 days off in a row. Whew! I need the brake. For New Years Eve a couple friends of mine rented out a big community center and hired a couple DJ's and got a license to serve liquor so there is a bar. It will be really fun. For Xmas I have 4 families to see, it will be just like the movie '4 Christmases'. What are your plans for the holidays?
    If I don't hear from you have a Merry Xmas, and Happy New Year!

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Jonetta (Ejaygirl)

    Jonetta (Ejaygirl) says

    Thanks for joining the Mystery & Suspense group!  Tell us something about you in the Introduce Yourself discussion topic and who are some of your favorite authors in this genre. 

    Our next book for group discussion is Mallory's Oracle by Carol O'Connell.  Discussion topics for the book will be posted on November 15 and I hope you'll participate. 

    Welcome!

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Dear Boots,

    I just got started my Elizabeth George, not very far into it yet. Glad the Baldacci book turned out to be worth it.

    It sounds like your country drive was lovely. We do that occasionally too. Only, the places that we go don't have lovely restaurants. I wish they did!

    Lovely to get an invitation to dinner! And turkey to boot! Don't get a lot of turkey here..not many people have big enough ovens to cook them in if you can find them. Lucky you!

    Our weather is finally starting to get colder, but it is much warmer than usual. I'm not looking forward to winter and all of the snow, when it comes.

    Next week it is my husband's birthday and we are taking a few days off to drive to Kanazawa. There is a garden there that is supposed to be quite beautiful, even at this time of year. I'm looking forward to going but we have to come back in one day and it is a long drive. I hope the weather holds or it won't be a pleasant trip.

    Well, I must run. I have to get to the post office soon. Have a great week...hope you found a good book at the library. Will be happy to hear about it!

    Take care,
    Helen

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

    Foggynights says

    Checking in...on a chilly day with freezing rain. Yes, I saw the Pa weather that weekend when it was really bad and was thinking about you. I know a couple people who lost everything they had in their freezers due to the power failure. What a nightmare and it has only just begun!!!

    I'm reading A Prayer for Owen Meany here at work and about half way through. Not bad and it got a lot of good reviews. I have the "Major" book waiting in the wings so I'll be anxious to hear how you liked it.

    It sounds like you have a nice little reading group and you've been together quite a while.

    My friend had her baby at 25 weeks so needless to say, it is going to be a long haul before the little fellow even makes it out of the hospital. Things had been going along quite well and then it all took a turn for the worse and they had to do an emergency C-section. The last time I spoke with her, everything was as good as it could be given the circumstances. I need to check in with her again either tonight or tomorrow.

    Tomorrow we are having a pie contest here at work so I will be baking tonight. I am also baking a potato pierogi casserole to bring in. It will be the second try for the casserole as I burnt it the first time. Practice makes perfect... LOL

    We are due for some snow either tomorrow or on the weekend...nothing major from what they're saying. I think we had the first snow in October last year so we are running behind.

    Have a great weekend and stay cozy.....

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Dear Boots,

    I am replying right away for a change so that I will be sure to answer you! I have many draws on my time and now with Christmas coming things will only get worse!

    I am sorry to hear about your snow. I love snow, for about the first 10 minutes of it! After that, I am not so enthusiastic about it. I have to do a lot of shovelling here and our snow is very heavy :-(

    I think I read a bit about the storm that you had. I am glad that you didn't lose power.

    I am a little surprised that the protests are still going on. However, it is interesting that people are protesting. It feels a little like the 60's coming back!

    I noticed you were reading David Baldacci. I've read a couple of his novels and quite enjoyed them. He's not a great writer, but he does write exciting stories. I haven't read Donald Westlake, at least I can't recall if I have. I'll keep an eye out for an older book of his. And, I absolutely agree with leaving a book if it isn't interesting. There are so many good books that start from the first page and never stop the excitement that I don't want to waste time on boring books!

    I still haven't started my Elizabeth George yet. Sigh. I carried an old Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine around in my purse during my trip to Sendai and read it at restaurants and on the bus. It's much lighter to carry around and some of the stories are quite good. Since I've been back I've had a backlog of newspapers to read and then I had to do my finances up for my school. My husband needs the figures for his office.

    Well, I must run. It is almost time for my husband to return home and I should start dinner soon. Talk to you soon..and let me know how the Baldacci novel goes! I might have to get it someday.

    Helen

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Apologies again for not replying for so long. I was away this weekend if that's any excuse, on business. There was a teachers Expo in Sendai, so I took a bus overland and went for a couple of nights, plus a little shopping. I had a lovely time...had a Subway sandwich (my city doesn't have Subway or Starbucks :-( ) , some amazing Indian food, plus the local Sendai speciality, grilled beef tongue.

    We have had mostly quite nice weather. It has been unseasonably warm here, something that we are all grateful for. We just got over a summer where the power companies were worried about the power supply, and now that winter is coming they are starting to worry again. (The tsunami knocked out 3 nuclear power plants and now other nuclear power plants have been shut down for tests)

    Your squash soup sounds wonderful. I wonder if it is like our Kabocha soup? We call Kabocha pumpkin here, but it isn't. It is a type of squash I think. I love it, more than pumpkin.

    I'm sure in my younger days I did read 140 books or more per year, but these days I just don't have time. I didn't always have to cook dinner or go to work. I rode the school bus in Canada for an hour after school, so that was lots of time to read! I also spend far too much time on my computer.

    I was on a bit of a Mary Stewart bent and read a couple of her novels that I found lying around. I love her work and most of it still holds up. A bit dated, yes, but not too bad at all.

    I'm still working on two books and have got out an Elizabeth George to start. I haven't got round to it though. I thought perhaps in my quiet time at work this coming weekend, but my husband wants me to do my business bookkeeping. Sigh.

    I have heard of the Wall Street Protesters. I believe there was a small protest in Tokyo, but I haven't heard much of it. I'm not really sure what it is all about, and it doesn't sound like some of the leaders are sure either. A bit strange that! I hope it hasn't inconvenienced you too much.

    I'm not sure if I mentioned that my trip to Niigata was wonderful. We had a glorious day, even managed to spend a bit of time by a beach, and talked and took pictures and caught up on things.

    I'm not a baseball fan, although my husband is. He loves many sports, was a champion wrestler in high school. Sadly, he has severe back problems so isn't able to do a lot of sports anymore.

    Well, I must run. What are you reading/planning to read now? As I mentioned I hope to get on with Careless in Red, the Elizabeth George novel soon. Fingers crossed!
    Bye for now!
    Helen

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

    Foggynights says

    Yes, the BD festivities are over and thanks for the wishes.

    It is really, really, fall here and of course wind and rain prevail. I don't know if we are due for flurries yet but it wouldn't surprise me. There was one night this week that I did have the bedroom windows open when I went to sleep but those
    nights will be rare as time progresses.

    I'm hardly on here at all anymore...check in real quick once in a while and then I'm gone. The home computer is just about done...can only check my mail on it and that's a chore so only do that every couple weeks. We are so busy here at work that there isn't much time I can spare.

    Still not reading at home...busy with Christmas shopping and other things. I did finish The Guardian and it was okay, not great. I'm reading Winter Reunion now..a little book that I got in the swap. It is pretty predictable but since I forgot to bring books from home, it will have to do.

    No, nothing doing for Halloween and no treaters by me. It's a shame how this day has been ruined for the kids due to some nasty people. Gosh, I remember when I used to go out and then going through the haul once I got home. You never had to worry about someone putting pins, etc., into your candy back then. Also, the weather never seems very nice anymore and what fun is it to wear a coat over your costume?

    Well, I am off and running now and back to the grind. We get to leave a half hour early today so that means I am out the door at 3:30...yay!!!!

    Have a good weekend and I hope you don't get too many snowflakes. Actually, I'm hoping I don't get any...LOL

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

    Foggynights says

    Hello...
    A dark day here with wind and rain and I guess it follows into the weekend..yuck.

    Still busy here at work and no let up in sight. It just gets worse as year end approaches.

    Last weekend I spent partying since it was my birthday. We had a big foodfest here at work to start it off and it just continued until late Sunday evening. I've always enjoyed celebrating my "day" and hope I have a lot more ahead.

    This weekend will be busy with laundry and cleaning and who knows what else but there are no plans to go anywhere.

    I finally finished The Gargoyle...ok but not great for me. I started The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks and it seems to be going right along. I'm still not reading at home as there is just too much other stuff going on right now.

    Take care and have a great weekend.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    I'm going to try and write something today. I have to rush off to work fairly soon so If I end this abruptly, please understand.
    I hope that your weather has improved by now. We get a lot of rain too, but have had nice weather for the last little while. I also hope that your heater is on by now. I will need to get our heater out soon.

    Next week we'll go to Niigata to see an old friend. I hope I'll be able to detour into a bookstore. I shouldn't, but I hope to.

    I haven't finished either of the books I've been reading for ages. I did read the last book I have in the Mercy Thompson series. Supposedly there will be a few more. I'm not reading anything much at the moment. I may grab something from my big box of books though.

    Sorry to hear about the Book Thief. It sounded interesting, but it is a difficult subject matter. How is Saving CeeCee Honeycut? I've never heard of it. What is it about?

    Anyway, I must run. Take care!

    Helen

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Dear Boots...I'm fine I just haven't had a chance to write back to you yet. It was a long weekend here and last week was busy at work.

    I'll try and write more tomorrow!

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

    Foggynights says

    My internal work clock went off this morning and just would not shut off. I finally gave up on trying to go back to sleep and might do a nap later on. It doesn't hellp that my male cat seems to think that every day is a work day as he sits mewing in my ear until I am up and about. So, here I am and there he is all nice and cozy asleep in one of the overstuffed chairs. My girl is resting nicely in "my" spot on the couch. What is wrong with this picture?

    I did watch one movie last week which I throughly enjoyed. At least with the package deal I now have, I'll be able to determine which stations I want to keep and those that I want to get rid of at a later time. I hope to catch "Avatar" this weekend.

    The Christmas catalogs are flooding my mailbox right now and I have begun shopping. I have a lot of birthdays in the next couple of months so it is a double whammy and one of the reasons I try to start early.

    Your book club sounds like fun. How many members are there? I think your next selection is on my wish list.

    Rain prevails here as well and the cold temps too. It is so dark out there right now and it is almost 8 am. The rain hasn't let up since yesterday and I believe at some point we are dipping into the forties. I heard one weatherman mention the terrible word "snow" and I quickly changed the channel. I'm not quite ready for that yet.

    This weekend I will be working on getting out the fall and winter wardrobe and putting away the summer items. Then some normal cleaning, etc. Oh yes, I can't forget the nap...LOL.

    My girlfriend's boyfriend is supposed to be moving in with her next month so hopefully he'll be of some help to her. I've met him a couple times and sad to say, I was not impressed. Being with someone for a day or two is a whole lot different than living with them and I just can't see this relationship lasting. He is very self centered...the conversations are all about him. He also likes to be in control so I see some pretty big clashes in the future...especially with the daughter.

    Still not in the reading mode but started yet another one at work which is "The Gargoyle" and it's pretty good so far.

    Off to do some other things but wishing you a great weekend.

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Helen G

    Helen G says

    Hello again!

    Sydney was wonderful. It was just going into spring, so a little cool and no humidity. After the hot sticky summer we've had in Japan I was in heaven! We stayed in a fabulous hotel and ate some wonderful food. The biggest expense in our trip was the food. It was incredibly expensive. Japan is supposed to be high priced, but honestly, we found Sydney's restaurants to be extremely expensive! Still, we did enjoy ourselves.

    Fall is now upon us here in Japan, and things are becoming a little cooler as well. I'm very happy about the whole thing!

    I haven't read The Book Thief at all. It sounds good and I think it's a book I've thought about getting, but then I remember my huge "to be read" pile and change my mind! Please let me know what you think of it.

    I don't know Jeannette Walls to be honest. Not sure it would be my sort of book.

    I have just finished another Mercy Thompson novel about a Shapeshifting woman who is in love with a werewolf and has friends that are vampires and goblins. It sounds ridiculous looking at my description of it, but is actually well written and quite exciting. NOTHING like Twilight at all.

    On my trip I picked up a Janet Evanovich called Wicked Appetites. I think she may be trying the supernatural vein too. It was okay, but not as much fun as her other novels.

    I hope you manage to find some good novels for your book club. I'd like to hear what you pick if you don't mind!

    Anyway, I should run. I hope all is well with you and the rain has stopped where you are. For the first 5 days after we came back it rained all the time. I wanted to go back to Sydney!

    Take care!

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )

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