random bookishness

Well, first of all, while this seemingly has nothing to do with books or reading, I just wanted to say how great I feel right now. As it is a crisp, cool, and frankly just perfectly gorgeous morning here, I decided to walk to our polling place this morning. (It's only slightly more than a mile from home.) So I'm now not only feeling invigorated by casting my ballot, but also from a glorious morning stroll. The only disappointment--I didn't have to wait in line. Not for a single second. Walked right in, signed my name, and walked into the booth. I'd taken my book along and was so looking forward to standing in line reading guilt-free while I waited, but it was not to be. Okay, I'm being somewhat facetious here. I am grateful that I didn't have to wait in line for hours on end, but geez, couldn't I have just got a page or two in?

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It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

I have just boarded a plane in Monrovia, about to head to the U.S. The date is May 16, 1980, and circumstances are terrifying. (The House at Sugar Beach) I'm also in London in the late 17th century watching Edward Tyson make some fascinating discoveries in comparative anatomy. (The Scientists) And finally, I'm listening to Admiral David Farragut shout, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" as he tries to take the port of Mobile, AL, in the summer of 1864. (The Civil War)

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Tuesday Teasers
Tuesday Teasers asks you to:
-Grab your current read.
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Richard was smiling and shaking his head. It flashed through my mind: How are you supposed to act at school the day after your father is executed by a firing squad?
(from The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper, p. 187)

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And finally, while I did get a couple of new books...The 13 Best Horror Stories of All Time edited by Leslie Pockell, which I guess is part of my prize from the read-a-thon (?) and In The Land of Invisible Women by Qanta A. Ahmed, MD, which I am so excited to dive into (I heard the author on the Diane Rehm Show on NPR and really wanted her book, so imagine my elation when I was actually offered a review copy)...I have no points to award for the Blame Game. And speaking of the blame game, I originally said it would go until the end of April, but I think I'm going to move it up until the end of January and then start a new round, with each lasting 3 months.

random bookish-ness

It's Tuesday, Where Are You?:

My main port of call for the day is Liberia (The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper).

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Tuesday Teasers:

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:
-Grab your current read.
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from.
-Please avoid spoilers!

The undertow in the ocean was fierce, and we tended to stick closer to the lagoon, which--albeit filled with neegees who sucked you in and took you God-knew-where--at least didn't carry you off to the eaten by sharks. The Americans and French and Lebanese, unburdened by such knowledge, took one look at the miles of white sand along our gorgeous oceanfront and headed straight for the crashing waves. (The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper, p. 58)

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The Blame Game:

Two points to hand out this week...

One to Eva for recommending The Fate of Africa by Martin Meredith. I immediately ordered a used copy, which arrived and is in beautiful shape. Thanks, Eva! Can't wait to get to it!

And one point to Chris. Couldn't help ordering The Bat-Poet by Randall Jarrell from the library after reading Chris's wonderful review. Picked it up yesterday, and am hoping to crack it open today.

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And finally, I love NPR! Okay, that doesn't seem to have anything to do with books, but really it does. I can't count how many books I've added to my wish list because of NPR! (And it's not just Nancy Pearl either.) Seriously, I can't imagine packing school lunches without Morning Edition or cooking supper without All Things Considered. Anyway, what brought this to mind today, was an interview this very morning on Morning Edition...an interview with Helene Cooper, author of the very book, The House at Sugar Beach, that I happen to reading at the moment. It's really a wonderful book. And if you'd like to hear the interview, it's right here. It's just the fabulous kind of surprise that NPR so often seems to deliver.

Tuesday's book hodge-podge

It's Tuesday, Where Are You?:

Afraid to say, I haven't moved around much over the last week. I'm still in London, trying to figure out what to do about that evil Count. (Dracula) Though Galileo just died, I still haven't left Italy. (The Scientists) I'm outside Petersburg, VA, feeling pretty miserable in this labyrinth of trenches. (The Civil War) And I just arrived in Liberia at a gorgeous home outside of Monrovia. (The House at Sugar Beach)

Tuesday Teasers:

I always enjoy reading Melody's passages when she plays this, so I thought I'd join in today. After all, it fits in so perfectly on Tuesday's schedule. The "rules" set forth by our hostess at Should Be Reading, are as follows:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

From Dracula by Bram Stoker:

"There are such being as vampires; some of us have evidence that they exist. Even had we not the proof of our own unhappy experience, the teachings and the records of the past give proof enough for sane peoples...."

The Blame Game:

Only one point to award this week. I finally picked up a copy of Nation by Terry Pratchett last week. How could one not feel compelled to read it after Nymeth's incredible review?!! So yep, point to Nymeth.